Mr BuzzKing’s Puppet Things – 2025
Mr BuzzKing’s Puppet Things was a truly unique event organised by puppeteer, David Leech. The event brought the art of puppetry to life with daily shows, hands-on workshops and a special exhibition for all ages. Many children and adults were able to explore the magical world of puppetry.
On each day of the event, Maggie Watson, along with her cousin, Georgia Wreford-Leech presented their own marionette show of Little Red Riding Hood.
Eleven year old Maggie has been presenting puppet shows for over three years and Georgia, aged 8, was delighted to be able to assist Maggie for the first time with her daily shows.
On the 2nd day of the event, the Puppet Tree Club from Hassell Primary School, Newcastle presented a marionette show, using Pelham Puppets, called “The Magic Rocking Horse.”
The show is based on the children’s book “The Magic Rocking Horse” by local author Christine Johnson and features a Grand Finale of Philip Astley’s Circus.
The children had first performed the show six weeks earlier in Newcastle (Staffs) library, although on this occasion only half the number of puppeteers were able to perform in Stone on the scheduled date. Like seasoned professionals, they did a wonderful job and delighted a packed audience with their performance.
More information about their performance can be found on the Newcastle page of this website.
The next day, the Puppet Tree Club from St Dominic’s Primary School, Stone, presented their show, using rod-puppets they had made themselves, and told the story about how Stone got is name with their performance of “The Legend of King Wulfere.”
Five members of the Puppet Tree club were taking part for the 2nd and 3rd year running, along with eight new members aged between 8 and 11 years old.
The entire event was all about encouraging imagination and creativity through puppetry, and everyone who visited and took part, truly enjoyed themselves.
Above: Anna and Hattie after their show. Both girls have attended the Puppet Tree club for three years.
After their shows, each performer received an Award Certificate and a small gift. The smiles on the faces of Ben and Maria above show just how delighted they were to have been able to put on a public performance and truly “had fun with puppets.”
Mr BuzzKing’s Puppet Things was not simply about watching a puppet show and then going home. After each performance, children could take part in the puppet making workshops and create their own puppet character.
The workshops proved very popular with visitors, attracting almost everyone who came along to see a show and included some the the performers too!
We had three different puppet designs to suit varying ages and abilities and children could make colourful hand puppets and finger puppets. They all had a great time doing so as can be seen in the photo above.
Each puppet character could be made quickly and easily and with a little imagination, dozens of bright, colourful, little creations, depicting dogs, cats, bunnies, frogs and piggies were very soon coming alive and finding new homes.
None of this would have been possible without the many hours of hard work and preparation put in by our volunteers; Melissa, Lydia, Abi, Maggie and Sandra. Also, (not pictured,) Danni and Georgia. We extend our sincere thanks to each one of them for freely giving their time and help in making the project a great success.
Pelham Puppets “Alive & kicking” Showtime Exhibition
The exhibition showcases the enduring entertainment value and appeal of Pelham Puppets that were manufactured by Bob Pelham’s Toy Company in Marlborough, Wiltshire for nearly four decades, from 1947 to 1986.
Although Pelham Puppets are no longer made, interest in puppetry, whether as an art form, professionally or as a hobby, is thriving throughout the country and around the world.
Back in 1950 Bob Pelham set up the “PELPUP CLUB” and through the magazine, PELPUP NEWS, he inspired children to form groups and put on shows for family, friends or at schools or children’s parties.
One such young person was the event organiser, David Leech, who spent all of his school days putting on shows in and around Stone in the 1960s and early 1970s.
The 4-day event demonstrated that PELHAM PUPPETS are still “alive & kicking” and that everyone – including grown-ups – can have fun with puppets, not simply as spectators but as participants. There were experienced puppeteers on hand and visitors, young and old alike, were invited to handle the puppets themselves.
All shows and activities were completely free of charge.
Here are a few photographs of the puppets that were on display in the exhibition.
This is a Wonky Toy called the “Town Lady.” She was produced in 1947 by one of Bob Pelham’s first employees, Rosemarie Gibaud. Rosemarie painted the face and made the costume. Next to her is an original “Wonky” puppet body made from recycled army surplus parts.
A display of the wooden animal range of Pelham Puppets produced in the early 1950s. I extend my sincere thanks to Huw Davies for the loan of these valuable puppets for the exhibition. L to R: Wags the dog; Donkey with carrot; Camel and Elephant.
More characters, loaned by Huw Davies, from the 1950s animal and birds range of Pelham Puppets. L to R: Parrot; Ostrich; green and orange Caterpillars; a “Wonky” Ostrich, (pre 1950,) and the Duck.
“Sandy MacBoozle” – one of Bob Pelham’s favourite and most popular puppet characters and a puppet of a British Policeman. Both these puppets were listed as “Type SM” puppets since they had moving jaws. These two examples were made in the 1950s.
A range of Walt Disney characters were produced by Pelham Puppets and were updated at least three times. The puppets displayed here of Micky and Minnie Mouse; Pluto; Goofy; and Donald Duck were made in 1953. Pinocchio and Cricket displayed here were produced a few years later, around 1959.
In 1962, Bob Pelham produced his own versions of Geppetto and Pinocchio and both proved very popular over the years. In the 1970s, 1,000 Pinocchio’s were produced every week! On the right is a glove puppet of “Tufty” the squirrel. This example was made in 1981 although he was also produced for a few years in the mid 1960s.
During the late 1950s and into the 1960s and 70s, many children’s TV programmes and comic/story book characters were also produced. Here are “Big Ears” and “Noddy” from the early 1960s.
In 1964, Bob Pelham introduced his very own “pop group” – the PELPOPPETS. He made it very clear, that in spite of the grey suits and ‘mop-tops’ they were not meant to depict any particular pop-group at the time, although, to this day, they are often mistaken for the Beatles.
Almost a decade earlier, in 1954, Pelham introduced Hansel & Gretel inspired by the animated film by Michael Myerberg, in October 1954. The puppets pictured here were produced in the 1960s.
A year later, in 1955, Bob Pelham introduced another original character that was very popular for the next 30 years and another ‘favourite’ of Bob’s, “Bimbo the Clown.” Also pictured here is the Pelham version of Muffin the Mule that was first put into production in 1957 and again in the early 1980s. Bob loved clowns, (and clowning around!) and this display includes an example of the Type SM Clown.
In 1977, Pelham began work on producing some of the characters from the very popular TV programme, the Muppet Show. In 1979 “Animal” the drummer was put into production. This example is one of the very first puppets from the initial production line in 1979.
The purpose of this exhibition was not only about ‘history.’ One special display depicted a scene from the 2024 puppet show by the St Dominic’s Primary School Puppet Tree Club featuring some original and some re-dressed puppet characters. The purpose was to show that Pelham Puppets are still Alive & Kicking and many children had the opportunity to use them in performance.
Over the years, Bob Pelham produced larger marionettes for display purposes and some for professional use. Here are two large Clowns: Bertie on the left; Daisy the Giraffe and Claude on he right. All three were made in 1980, although the clowns have been redressed and refurbished.
Many Walt Disney characters were produced over the years and the larger, display puppets were very popular with parents who bought them for display in children’s nurseries or bedrooms. Toy retailers also bought them for window and in-store display too.
Through the PELPUP CLUB, Bob Pelham – aka “PELPOP” – in the 1950s through to the 1980s, inspired many children to the extent that many of them grew up to become professional puppeteers and others went on to pursue careers in Television and Theatre. As Bob Pelham once said, “A puppet is not just a toy, it has to act, dance walk and talk for someone.”
The Mr BuzzKings Puppet Things event was a great success and introduced children and adults alike, to the wonderful world of puppet theatre. The feedback received so far, confirms that everyone who came along had a memorable time “having fun with puppets!”
David Leech June 2025.
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STONE PUPPET TREE JAMBOREE – 2024
Many local families flocked to Stone for the Puppet Tree Jamboree, a vibrant event featuring puppet shows and interactive fun throughout the day. Both children and grown-ups eagerly watched local children and seasoned professionals put on show after show and it was clear from the rounds of applause, laughter and clapping that everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves.
Our compere, Paul Temple introduced each performance that featured beloved characters like Punch & Judy, Pinocchio and Muffin the Mule.
The Stone Scout & Guide Band signalled the start of the event, marching through the High Street followed by school children with large, colourful, card, cut-out puppets and some of the puppeteers. The band were brilliant and it is clear they are dedicated to what they do and their playing was first class. I’m always delighted to have them along.
The Deputy Mayor, Cllr Jason Metters, officially opened the event, even though he had to contend with interruptions by not one, but two Mr Punch and was nearly eaten by a crocodile!
Kicking off a full day feast of “fun with puppets,” was Nicci-Jo’s Punch & Judy Show from Meir, Stoke on Trent. Nicci-Jo puts on a delightful, family friendly show and is a member of the national Punch & Judy fellowship.
Mr Punch first appeared in England 362 years ago in Covent Garden, London and in spite of various “ups and downs” in recent decades, going by the screams of delight and laughter by a large, gathered audience, he’s still as popular as ever with adults and children alike.
This was followed by Joy Stevens from Stone Library who invited children to join in a lovely singalong performance using puppets some children had made the previous Saturday in the Library. The children thoroughly enjoyed performing and I’m very grateful to the staff at Stone Library for all their support. The library arrange lots of children’s activities throughout the year including puppets and puppet making.
Next on the programme was a solo performance by 10-year-old Maggie Watson with her marionette show and her own version of Little Red Riding Hood that she devised and wrote herself. Maggie now has her own Face Book Page, “Maggie’s Marionettes” (that is managed by her mum and her granddad.) She loves entertaining and having fun with puppets with everyone.
Now, I couldn’t arrange a day full of puppet fun without Pinocchio, could I? Clive Chandler from Birmingham has a reputation for delivering high quality performances and he presented his show, based on the classic story about little Pinocchio who struggles to do the right thing – and oh dear, the mayhem that ensued!
Clive certainly knows how to draw out the best in an audience, grown-ups and children and by the cheers, responses and applause, it became very clear this is a puppeteer with lots of skill and experience.
It’s always exciting and lots of fun when Will McNally from South Devon, brings along the original TV puppet Muffin the Mule. He puts on a wonderful, family friendly presentation and the smiles and giggles on the faces of the children especially speak a thousand happy words.
They always line up afterwards to have a photograph taken with him and so do the grown-ups too.
Muffin the Mule made his first TV appearance in 1946 and the programmes continued until 1957. Will’s grandparents, Ann Hogarth, and Jan Bussell directed the TV programmes with Ann operating the marionettes. Known as The Hogarth Puppets, they toured the world becoming Britain’s best-known puppet theatre company at home and abroad until the late 1970s.
Children from St Dominic’s Catholic Primary School who joined the Puppet Tree after-school club, produced a show using marionettes – all Pelham Puppets – and worked together over 12 weeks to create a complex marionette show.
While creating a storyline and rehearsing their show, they supported each other, building concentration and teamwork skills and self-confidence.
The teacher, Stephanie Yahya said, “Through our after-school Puppet Club the children dived into a world of imagination and creativity. They loved the chance to explore something different and showcase their talents. Working with David, we are igniting a spark of community engagement where the children come together to perform to a large audience, boosting their confidence and artistic skills.”
The result was a superb and magical performance that attracted a large audience made up of their parents, teachers and many more as can be seen from the photograph here.
The final puppet show was a performance entitled “Puppets Got Talent” by the BuzzKing Marionettes featuring a variety of characters in a chaotic singing contest with a Lion King and a Tiger Ringmaster and Punch as the judges.
The show concluded with “Trunks & Co” a 40-year-old puppet dancing troupe of elephants performing the Can-Can and joined by a troupe of Teddies, (less than a week old!) and the young dancers from the Sanctuary Dance Studio.
The young group of dancers presented a lovely Finale performing a brilliant routine to a Michael Jackson track with perfect timing, coordination and professionalism that brought a day of “having lots of fun with puppets” to a very successful close.
As Mr Punch would say, “That’s the way to do it!”
The Puppet Tree Jamboree was organised by David Leech and Stone Town Council and brought to you by the Staffordshire Puppet Tree a local Voluntary Community Group and we convey our thanks to Stone Town Council and Stafford District Arts Council for their funding and support.
We are very grateful to Simon Watson, Jonathan Hayes, Michael Leech, John Townsley and Cllr Jill Hood for all their hard work, help and support on the day and to all the puppeteers for their wonderful performances that showed people, whatever their age or interests, can really “have fun with puppets!”
We extend our thanks for this website and for advance promotion of the Event to Jon Cook of a “Little Bit of Stone” and to Dan at the Stone & Eccleshall Gazette for his support and advance promotions too.
The Staffordshire Puppet Tree is a Member of Support Staffordshire and we convey our thanks for their funding and guidance in setting up of the Staffordshire Puppet Tree last year and their continued support this year.
