Postman Pat is a much loved BBC stop motion animated children's television series aimed at pre-school children, concerning the adventures of Pat, a postman in the (fictional) Yorkshire village of Greendale (inspired by the real valley of Longsleddale). The animated series was originally screened in 1981. It was based on a set of stories by John Cunliffe. Animator Ivor Wood also worked on The Magic Roundabout and Paddington Bear.

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Pat and some of his friends

Pat is the owner of a small black and white cat named Jess, who always travelled with him. Other characters included his wife Sarah, the postmistress, Mrs. Goggins, Ted Glen, Granny Dryden and the vicar, Reverend Timms. The jaunty theme tune was a big hit, which has enjoyed a revival as a mobile phone ring tone. The theme song has also been parodied for use mainly in the schoolyard, and the parody goes as follows:

Postman Pat, Postman Pat, Postman Pat ran over his cat,

Blood and guts were flying,

Pat was really crying,

Pat will never drink and drive again.

Several books based around the series were also produced. Merchandise featuring the image of Postman Pat is still popular among children (as well as with parents who grew up watching the programme).

In June 2003, the Beast Banks post office in Longsleddale, the real-life inspiration for the Greendale post office, closed down due to lack of business. On September 15 2004 a plaque was placed at the former post office to mark its role as the inspiration for the Postman Pat stories.

In Scotland, children may instead be familiar with Postman Pat's 'alter ego', "Pàdraig Post", the Gaelic language version of the series, as broadcast on weekday afternoons on BBC Scotland (but it is still advertised in the programme schedules on the BBC Scotland website as "Postman Pat".)

Recently, a new series of the show has been broadcast, with much more fluid animation and even mouth movements. However, some people who grew up with the original series may prefer the original, slower style.

In the new series, there is more space for plot, and the new series has so far involved:

• Pat having a go on a snowboard.
• Pat scoring a goal in a game of soccer.
• Julian (Pat's son) and his friends making a beach out of some sand spilt outside the post office.
• An outbreak of chickenpox.
• Julian and one of his friends watching a movie while Pat is taking care of a baby.
• Ted Glen having invented an ice-cream machine, with some rather messy test runs before the bugs are worked out.
• Julian losing the school's hamster (the hamster went on Pat's rounds and kept Jess busy.)

External links

• Postman Pat homepage (http://www.postmanpat.com/)