Wombles creator Elisabeth Beresford has died at the age of 84. The Alderney resident passed away at the island’s Mignot Memorial Hospital, where she had been a permanent resident for the last two years.
A Boxing Day walk on Wimbledon Common changed the life of Elisabeth Beresford. Her daughter’s mispronunciation of Wimbledon – she called it Wombledon – spurned a series of books which would light up the lives of children born in the 1960s and beyond.
Though the books were successful, it took a TV adaptation for famous characters such as Uncle Bulgaria, Orinoco and Madame Cholet to become household names. Today the Wombles are regarded as the world’s first recyclers and are still adored by millions.
By: Sky High - 27th December 2010 at 08:41
Rather unfairly, I think most people assume Mike Batt created the Wombles.
Do they?:confused: Although I was unaware that she and Max Robertson had divorced some years ago. He died last year.
By: duxfordhawk - 26th December 2010 at 22:16
Rather unfairly, I think most people assume Mike Batt created the Wombles.
It would be great if a statue was errected in Wimbledon Common for her, Having grown up with them I feel she helped play a great part in my childhood.
As to Mike Batt he should be rightly credited for the theme tune, although often he is mocked for it which also seems a shame as he is a good songwriter.
RIP Elisabeth Beresford, Thanks for your part in my childhood.
By: BSG-75 - 25th December 2010 at 22:41
They named the Orinoco river after Orinoco?
RIP
Wombles chose their own names out of an Atlas (that was found on the common IIRC) Bulgaria, Wellington, Bungo etc
It’s all coming back to me now…. I loved them when I was young.
By: Arabella-Cox - 25th December 2010 at 21:34
They named the Orinoco river after Orinoco?
RIP
By: spitfireman - 25th December 2010 at 21:29
I know that 8 Squadron (Shackletons) named their airframes after Magic roundabout characters, did anyone name theirs after Wombles?
Baz
By: Mr Creosote - 25th December 2010 at 21:21
Rather unfairly, I think most people assume Mike Batt created the Wombles.
By: cloud_9 - 25th December 2010 at 21:04
R.I.P.:(
Perhaps a statue will be erected on Wimbledon Common to commerate her life and her works!
On a side note, I was beginning to wonder that no celebrity or high-profile figure had passed away yet, but now someone has!:D
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December 25, 2010 at 8:50 pm