If we really want to go back to those days when the television sets were 2 feet wide, but the (b/w) screen was only 9 inches (diagnally), then who can remember UK children's programs like:-

RENFREW OF THE MOUNTIES

WHIRLYGIG - with Humphey Lestoq and Mr Turnip.

SATURDAY SPECIAL - with Peter Butterworth.

THE SILVER SWORD - a serial set in Europe at the end of WW2, with quite a few child actors (Melvyn Hayes and Frazer Hines) who went on to adult TV careers.

THE GORDON HONOUR - a serial about a family candlestick which had a branch added for each generation of the family.

THE SILVER SWAN - Similiar to the above, but this time about a violin which is handed down to each generation.

Of course for the really young, Annette Mills (sometimes assisted by Ann Hogarth who "pulled the strings") had a monopoly with MUFFIN THE MULE (not a sexual offense in those days), PRUDENCE KITTEN, and of course ANDY PANDY.

Can anyone alse think of any '50s BBC childen's programmes ?