Postman Pat

Postman Pat
Postman Pat and his black-and-white cat in the original programme.
Genre	Children's stop motion
Created by	John Cunliffe^[1]
Developed by	Ivor Wood
Written by	John Cunliffe^[1]
Directed by	Ivor Wood^[1]
Voices of	Ken Barrie Carole Boyd Kulvinder Ghir Janet James Archie Panjabi Melissa Sinden Anji Kreft Angela Griffin Jimmy Hibbert
Narrated by	Ken Barrie (1981–2016)
Theme music composer	Bryan Daly
Composer(s)	Simon Woodgate
Country of origin	United Kingdom
No. of series	8
No. of episodes	180 (as of 2nd December 2016) (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producer(s)	Theresa Plummer-Andrews, Michael Carrington and Chris Rose (CBBC) Jane Smith and Oliver Ellis (Entertainment Rights) Chris Bowden (Cosgrove Hall Films)
Producer(s)	Debbie Pears Jo Jorden
Editor(s)	Martin Bohan
Running time	15 minutes (Series) 25 minutes (Specials)
Production company(s)	Woodland Animations (1981–1996) Cosgrove Hall Films (2003–2008) Classic Media (1981-present) MacKinnon and Saunders (2013)
Release
Original network	BBC1 (1981–2002) CBeebies (2002-)
Picture format	4:3 576i (1981–1996) 16:9 576i (2003–2013)
Audio format	Mono (1981–1987) Stereo (1988–2008) 5.1 Surround Sound (2009–present)
Original release	16 September 1981^[1]
Chronology
Related shows	Guess with Jess (spin-off)
External links
Website

Postman Pat is a British stop-motion animated children's television series first produced by Woodland Animations. It is aimed at pre-school children, and concerns the adventures of Pat Clifton, a postman in the fictional village of Greendale (inspired by the real valley of Longsleddale near Kendal).^[2]

Postman Pat′s first 13-episode series was screened on BBC1 in 1981.^[3] John Cunliffe wrote the original treatment and scripts, and it was directed by animator Ivor Wood, who also worked on The Magic Roundabout, The Wombles, Paddington Bear, and The Herbs. Following the success of the first series, four TV specials and a second series of 13 episodes were produced during the 1990s. Here, Pat had a family for the first time. A new version of the series has been produced by Cosgrove Hall from 2004, which expanded on many aspects of the original series. In 2000, Royal Mail stopped using Postman Pat for their promotional and charity work.^[4]^[5] The television programme continued to use the Royal Mail logo on his postal van PAT 1 for several years after.

The original voice of Postman Pat, Ken Barrie, died on 29 July 2016.^[6]^[7]

Plot

Setting

Postman Pat is set in the fictional village of Greendale and the nearby town of Pencaster, on the border between Cumbria and North Yorkshire.

Greendale is a large, busy village situated in the heart of the Cumbrian countryside. Running through the centre of the village is the High Street, home to Mrs Goggins' Post Office and shop, an unofficial meeting house for the residents. Located on the edge of the village is the railway station, home to the Greendale Rocket. Nisha Bains runs a popular café there with Sara while her husband Ajay runs a regular schedule on the Greendale Rocket to the nearby town of Pencaster. In the original series (1 and 2), Greendale consisted of windy and narrow country roads in the valley which usually had some involvement as to why Pat had problems with his rounds, as the lanes would be blocked or full of snow drifts that were not passable.

Pencaster is a large, bustling, modern town located within easy commuting distance for the villagers of Greendale. Situated on the waterfront, Pencaster is a hive of activity, boasting a market square in the centre surrounded by shops, houses, a large railway station, state-of-the-art buildings and a boat jetty. It bears some resemblance to Lancaster, Lancashire, the county town of Lancashire, which likewise is a short commute from Longsleddale, this village that was used as the inspiration for Greendale.

In the second series of the show from the mid-90s, the area is referred to as Garner Bridge, and is located in Greendale. For example, in the episode "Postman Pat and the Suit of Armour", Greendale Post Office is referred to as "Garner Bridge Post Office".

Ingledale is another large, busy village town situated in the heart of the North Yorkshire countryside, only seen once in the short second series of 1991.

Inspiration

Cunliffe, interviewed about the series, has said that he chose the character of a postman since he needed a character who could visit the countryside and interact with many different people.^[8]^[9]^[10]

The inspiration for the post office itself comes from that located on the Kendal street where Cunliffe lived when he was writing the original treatment. The post office, at 10 Greenside, closed in 2003.^[11]

Cunliffe did not retain rights to the character and was disappointed by some of the tie-in media later released. He created the series Rosie and Jim, which he also presented, as a show which he could have tighter control of.^[10]

While Cunliffe visited post offices for inspiration, he has said that the character and village was not based on any one place or person. He commented in 2015 that "I got maybe half a dozen people last year saying they were the inspiration."^[12]

Cast

Ken Barrie as Pat Clifton, Mrs. Goggins (1st time), Ted Glen, Alf Thompson, Dorothy Thompson (1st time), Bill Thompson (1st time), Peter Timms, Julia Pottage (1st time), Katy Pottage (1st time), Tom Pottage (1st time), Arthur Selby, Lucy Selby (1st time), Sylvia Gilbertson (1st time), Sarah Gilbertson (1st time), Jeff Pringle, Charlie Pringle (1st time), Rebecca Hubbard (1st time), Sam Waldron, Granny Dryden, Peter Fogg, Major Forbes, George Lancaster, Narrator, Radio Greendale Speaker, John, George, Santa Claus, Train Inspector, Matt Clifton, Pumpkin Wrigglesworth
Carole Boyd as Sara Clifton, Julian Clifton (1st time), Mrs. Goggins (2nd time), Dorothy Thompson (2nd time), Bill Thompson (2nd time), Julia Pottage (2nd time), Katy Pottage (2nd time), Tom Pottage (2nd time), Lucy Selby (2nd time), Sylvia Gilbertson (2nd time), Sarah Gilbertson (2nd time), Charlie Pringle (2nd time), Rebecca Hubbard (2nd time), George's Wife, Radio Weather Woman, Betty Pottage
Kulvinder Ghir as Bill Thompson (3rd time), Tom Pottage (3rd time), Ajay Bains, Bessie Thompson
Janet James as Julian Clifton (2nd time), Lucy Selby (3rd time)
Archie Panjabi as Katy Pottage (3rd time), Nisha Bains, Meera Bains
Melissa Sinden as Jess Clifton, Polly Clifton, Dotty Pringle, Bonnie Goggins
Anji Kreft as Additional Voices (1st time)
Angela Griffin as Amy Wrigglesworth
Jimmy Hibbert as Additional Voices (2nd time)

Characters

Ajay Bains, is the local train driver for the Greendale Rocket and he and his family move to Greendale for the first time in The Greendale Rocket episode.
Alf Thompson, is the local farmer.
Amy Wrigglesworth, is the local vet and has a pet horse called Pumpkin.
Arthur Selby, is the village policeman.
Bill Thompson, is Dorothy and Alf's son.
Bonnie Goggins, is a very lively fun loving West Highland Terrier.
Charlie Pringle, always believes in doing things sensibly and calmy without getting into an argument. He is very interested in the field of science, both factual and fictional.
Dorothy Thompson, is Alf's wife.
Dotty Pringle, mainly belongs to Jeff and Charlie Pringle, but sometimes the other children at Greendale Primary School look after her for an evening.
George Lancaster, is the Farmer at Intake Farm. He is mainly an egg farmer, but he also has sheep too.
Granny Dryden, was an old lady who lived in a cottage in the countryside outside Greendale.
Jeff Pringle, is a teacher at Greendale School and the father of Charlie Pringle.
Jess Clifton, is Pat's black and white cat who goes everywhere with him.
Julia Pottage, is the farmer of Greendale Farm.
Julian Clifton, is Pat and Sara's son.
Katy & Tom Pottage, are the twin children of Mr. and Mrs. Pottage, the farmers of Greendale Farm.
Lucy Selby, is the daughter of PC Selby.
Major Forbes, was an old army major who lives at Garner Hall.
Matt Clifton, is Pat's cousin and Julian's uncle.
Meera Bains, is the daughter of Ajay and Nisha Bains and the sister of Nikhil.
Mrs. Goggins, is the local post office worker.
Nikhil Bains, is the Ajay and Nisha Bains' youngest child and Meera's baby brother.
Nisha Bains, is Ajay's wife and mother to Nikhil and Meera and works in the local café.
Peter Fogg, is the farm hand at Greendale Farm.
Peter Timms, known as the reverend (vicar), has been seen since the first episode.
Polly Clifton, is Matt Clifton's ships cat.
Postman Patrick 'Pat' Clifton, the title character, was the village postman for Greendale and later head of the SDS. Pat lives at Forge Cottage in Greendale with his wife Sara and son Julian, who is six years old.
Pumpkin Wrigglesworth, is Amy Wrigglesworth's pet pony.
Rebecca Hubbard, is a friend of Pat's.
Rosie Thompson, is Alf Thompson's Pet Goat.
Sam Waldron, is a Mobile Shop owner. He is a good old friend of Pat who they once helped each other by delivering together. Sam is always on time for everyone around Greendale.
Sara Clifton, is Pat's wife and works in the café beside Nisha.
Sarah Gilbertson, is the daughter of Dr Gilbertson.
Sylvia Gilbertson, is the village doctor also known as Dr Gilbertson.
Ted Glen, seen since the earlier episodes and Ted is the local handyman. He now owns a garage at his Watermill.
Train Inspector, is a minor character who appears in ' Postman Pat and the Train Inspector '.

Transportation

Greendale Rocket, is an old steam engine, driven by Ajay Bains, which has a mail carriage.
Jeep, is an 4×4 jeep with a trailer that is driven by Amy Wrigglesworth and based on a Jeep Wrangler.
Lorry, An old pick-up truck that is driven by Ted Glen. In the movie, it seems to be driven by someone else.
Mark 1 Super Speed Postal Scooter, was built by Ted Glen for Pat when the work load of parcels started getting too much for him. However the scooter proved to be too fast, too noisy and too dangerous.
Mini School Bus, a yellow mini bus with black stripe details and is the school mini bus.
Mobile Shop Van, a blue shop van shaped like a Bradford 5 x 5 van driven by Sam Waldron.
Panda Car, A police car that is driven by PC Selby.
Postal Trolley, is what Pat used to keep his parcels safe while he delivers them.
Royal Mail Fleet Service Bus, Postman Pat's postbus, which was bigger than the van, which could carry passengers and freight as well as parcels, offering Postbus service.
Royal Mail Fleet Service Van, Pat's bright red van is a small 'box' type van based on a Bedford HA, with the registration, "PAT 1".
Tractor, is red and yellow for Alf, and red for Peter Fogg. It was mainly driven by Peter Fogg in the original series. It later became Alf Thompson's main tractor.

Locations

Cottage, is located in the countryside just outside Greendale for Granny Dryden's, and Rebecca Hubbard's is located out in the countryside near Greendale. .
Forge Cottage, is where Pat, Sara, Julian and Jess live. It is located on the edge of the village of Greendale near the station.
Garner Hall, is a stately home, located at the northernmost part of Greendale Village. This is where Major Forbes lives.
Greendale Church, is the local church in Greendale.
Greendale Crag, is a cliff-face landmark in Greendale. It is high, steep and dangerous and not a place where the locals dare to visit on top.
Greendale Farm, is where the Pottage family lives and where Peter Fogg works.
Greendale Light Railway, is the local train station where the Bains live.
Greendale Post Office, is the local post office of Greendale. Pat Clifton used to be employed here.
Greendale Primary School, is located on the edge of the village near the church. It often holds special events outside of school hours and the main room is sometimes used for meetings on up and coming functions.
Ingledale, is one of the neighbouring towns near Greendale and Pencaster.
Intake Farm, is where George Lancaster lives.
Thompson Ground, is the farm where the Thompson family live.
Vets, is where Amy Wrigglesworth lives and works. It has a stable next door for Pumpkin.
Vicarage, is where the Reverend Timms lives.
Workshop, is an old barn where Ted Glen lives outside Greendale. Later on in the series, a watermill was built next to the workshop.

Postman Pat Special Delivery Service

In the new spin-off series, Postman Pat Special Delivery Service (SDS), Postman Pat has been promoted to Head of the SDS and is now called upon to deliver anything. Each episode follows Postman Pat on a Special Delivery mission, from rescuing a runaway cow to delivering a giant ice cube. In his new role, Postman Pat commutes to the nearby town of Pencaster where he collects his special deliveries from the Pencaster Mail Centre. Postman Pat now has a new fleet of vehicles including a helicopter, 4x4 Jeep and motorbike, complete with side-car for Jess.^[13]

In the latest series, Postman Pat Special Delivery Service, Postman Pat has been given a promotion to Head of the Special Delivery Service (SDS). Despite the promotion, Pat does, however, now have a boss, Ben, who tends to give him instructions (whereas he was his own master before the "promotion"). Pat also seems to make more mistakes in his work since moving to SDS, largely because the new format is always based on one delivery, which has to go wrong somehow (thus often because of Pat's errors).

Postman Pat SDS features an expanded and diverse cast, a fleet of new vehicles, a world full of gadgets and the new town of Pencaster. Postman Pat Special Delivery Service first screened on BBC2 on 29 September 2008. The new series was commissioned by the BBC and produced by Entertainment Rights and Cosgrove Hall.

Both seasons of Postman Pat SDS are available digitally on iTunes.

A new series will air in 2016.^[14]

Outside the main broadcast series

Film

Postman Pat: The Movie, a 3D computer-animated feature film, was released in 23 May 2014 in the UK. The film was produced by Lionsgate and Icon Productions and animated by RGH Pictures. The story revolves around Pat entering a talent show audition, which leads to robots taking over his postal service whilst he is away. The film stars Stephen Mangan as the voice of Pat, and also features Jim Broadbent, Rupert Grint, David Tennant, Ronan Keating, Susan Duerden, Sandra Teles, TJ Ramini and Peter Woodward.

Spin-off

A CGI spin-off to the series was made called Guess with Jess which follows Pat's cat Jess now with the ability to talk and his adventures with the farm animals. The series debuted on 9 November 2009.

Music

Music for the original 1981 series was by Bryan Daly (died January 2012),^[15] who wrote a number of songs including the well-known theme tune. For the 2003 series, pop writer Simon Woodgate scored the show and wrote new songs, including a new closing theme "What's in His Bag?". The theme tune "Postman Pat & His Black and White Cat" was sung by Ken Barrie for the original series in the 1980s and '90s. An extended version of the tune was released as a single in the UK where it reached number 44 in the charts in July 1982.^[16]

The theme tune and songs for the new series and sequel, Postman Pat Special Delivery Service (including "Special Delivery Service, What's It Going to Be Today?), was recorded by Simon Woodgate at Echobass Studios.

In 2013 Classic Media released Postman Pat SDS Series 2. The new 26 episode series retained Bryan Daly's original theme tune and Simon Woodgate's closing song, however new character themes and incidental music was composed by Sandy Nuttgens.

There is also an album called Postman Pat: Songs And Music From The Television on Post Music released in 1982.

The ever-popular theme song underwent several adaptations; from 1994 to 1996, the theme tune had additional instruments such as synthesised strings and a tambourine. The same was done to the 1995 album version which was an edit of the original 1982 album version.

Books

As of 2009, over 12 million book titles, including storybooks, integrated learning books, colouring books, and multi-character magazines, have been sold worldwide.^[17]

Advertising

The Postman Pat characters and setting have also been used in the UK and Australia in television advertisements for the company Specsavers.

US VHS releases

Celebrity Home Entertainment (1999)

Titles include:

Vol.1 Postman Pat takes the Bus
Vol.2 Postman Pat and the Tuba
Strand Home Video (1990)

Titles Include:

Postman Pat's ABC Story
Postman Pat's 123 Story
Landmark Films
The First Season was released on 13 separate VHS tapes: 1 episode per tape. It is unknown when these were released.

Fisher Price Home Video also made a VHS with 3 episodes on it: Postman Pat's Finding Day, Postman Pat's Secret and The Sheep In The Clover Field.

US DVD releases

As Postman Pat wasn't as popular in the United States, only one DVD title, Postman Pat: The Movie, was released by Paramount Pictures in 2015.

UK DVD and VHS releases

Longman Video (1983–1984)
BBC Video (1986–2001)
Abbey Home Media (1987–1995)
Universal Pictures Home Entertainment (2003–present)
Entertainment Rights (2003–2008)
Classic Media (2009–present)

With over four million DVDs and videos sold globally, there is a growing collection of titles available for Home Entertainment release, including feature-length specials and interactive games. Titles include:

Postman Pat – ABC & 123 Stories
Postman Pat – Read Along with Postman Pat
Postman Pat – Magic Christmas
Postman Pat – Clowns Around
Postman Pat – Ice Cream Machine
Postman Pat – In A Muddle
Postman Pat – The Pirate Treasure
Postman Pat Boxset – Ice-Cream Machine/Clowns Around
Postman Pat – Great Dinosaur Hunt
Postman Pat – The Giant Snowball
Postman Pat – Popstars
Postman Pat – Football Crazy
Postman Pat – Great Big Party
Postman Pat Boxset – Magic Xmas & Giant Snowball
Postman Pat – Go-Kart Race
Postman Pat Popstars/Great Big Party
Postman Pat's Summer Spectacular
Postman Pat – Christmas Eve
Postman Pat – Big Boat Adventure
Postman Pat Boxset – Great Dinosaur Hunt/Giant Snowball/Spotty Situation/Ice Ladder/Big Butterflies/Spooky Sleepover/Greendale Movie/Train Inspector
Postman Pat Boxset-Pirate Treasure/Green Rabbit/Flying Saucers
Postman Pat Boxset – Christmas Eve/The Giant Snowball/Magic Christmas
Postman Pat Special Delivery Service – A Brand New Mission
Postman Pat Special Delivery Service – Pat to the Rescue
Postman Pat Boxset: Great Big Party/Postman Pat: Great Dinosaur Hunt/Postman Pat: The Ice Cream Machine
Postman Pat Special Delivery Service: Flying Christmas Stocking
Postman Pat Special Delivery Service: A Speedy Delivery
Postman Pat – Happy Birthday Pat

Original series DVD releases

DVD releases of classic Postman Pat were limited in availability in various regions. In the UK, only one volume with three episodes from Series 2 was released by Right Entertainment in 2004 under the title Postman Pat in a Muddle. The same year saw the entire original series released on DVD in Spain, featuring both English and Spanish audio options.^[18] No further releases were seen in the UK until 2011 when Classic Media issued all four specials from 1991–1994 on the DVD Happy Birthday Postman Pat. On 3 February 2014, the first and second series were made available in their entirety for the first time in the UK.^[19]^[20]

Postman Pat – Postman Pat Takes a Message
Postman Pat – Postman Pat's Big Surprise
Postman Pat - Postman Pat and the Runaway Kite

UK VHS releases

Between April 1983 and May 1984 three Postman Pat pre-certed titles (before the Uc rating by the BBFC got established in 1985) with twelve episode of the entire first series all except for Letters On Ice [episode 12] were released by Longman Video in its children's treasury range. Also, one 30-minute title by Longman Video called My Own Postman Pat was released featuring two episodes – Pat's Rainy Day [episode 4] and The Sheep in the Clover Field [episode 5]. On the back covers The Woodland Animations detail was copyrighted in 1982.

VHS video title	Year of release	Episodes
Postman Pat (LGVH 5011)	April 1983	Pat's Rainy Day (Episode 4), The Sheep in Clover Field (Episode 5), Pat's Tractor Express (Episode 6), Pat's Thirsty Day (Episode 7)
Postman Pat 2 (LGVH 5019)	October 1983	Pat's Foggy Day (Episode 9), Pat's Difficult Day (Episode 10), Pat Goes Sledging (Episode 11), Pat Takes a Message (Episode 13)
Postman Pat 3 (LGVH 5021)	May 1984	Postman Pat's Finding Day (Episode 1), Postman Pat and the Magpie Hen (Episode 2), Postman Pat's Birthday (Episode 3), Pat's Windy Day (Episode 8)

In Spring 1986 a single video of four Postman Pat stories was released in the Marks and Spencer (originally called St Michael) Video library that was presented by BBC Enterprises Ltd.

VHS video title	Year of release	Episodes
Postman Pat (2511/5820)	March 1986	Pat's Rainy Day (Episode 4), Pat's Tractor Express (Episode 6), Postman Pat's Birthday (Episode 3), Pat Takes a Message (Episode 13)

From November 1986 to May 2001 numerous Postman Pat video releases were released by the BBC.

VHS video title	Year of release	Episodes
Postman Pat 1-Letters on ice (BBCV 4028)	3 November 1986	Postman Pat's Finding Day (Episode 1), The Sheep in Clover Field (Episode 5), Letters on Ice (Episode 12)
Postman Pat 2-Postman Pat and the magpie hen (BBCV 4029)	3 November 1986	Postman Pat and the Magpie Hen (Episode 2), Postman Pat's Foggy Day (Episode 9), Postman Pat Goes Sledging (Episode 11)
Postman Pat 3-Postman Pat's thirsty day (BBCV 4030)	3 November 1986	Postman Pat's Thirsty Day (Episode 7), Postman Pat's Windy Day (Episode 8), Postman Pat's Difficult Day (Episode 10)
Postman Pat's Big Video (BBCV 4168)	7 November 1988	Postman Pat's Birthday (Episode 3), Postman Pat's Rainy Day (Episode 4), Postman Pat's Tractor Express (Episode 6), Postman Pat Takes a Message (Episode 13)
Postman Pat's New Video (BBCV 4691)	4 November 1991	Postman Pat Takes the Bus (Episode 14), Postman Pat and the Toy Soldiers (Episode 15),
The Very Best of Postman Pat (BBCV 4869)	5 October 1992	Postman Pat and the Magpie Hen (Episode 2), The Sheep in the Clover Field (Episode 5), Postman Pat's Tractor Express (Episode 6), Postman Pat's Thirsty Day (Episode 7), Postman Pat's Windy Day (Episode 8)
Postman Pat: Postman Pat's Birthday and other stories (BBCV 5468)	5 September 1994	Postman Pat's Birthday (Episode 3), Letters on Ice (Episode 12), Postman Pat's Thirsty Day (Episode 7), Postman Pat's Foggy Day (Episode 9)
Postman Pat: Postman Pat Takes a Message and other stories (BBCV 5469)	5 September 1994	Postman Pat Takes a Message (Episode 13), Postman Pat's Windy Day (Episode 8), Postman Pat Goes Sledging (Episode 11), The Sheep in the Clover Field (Episode 5)
Postman Pat: Postman Pat's Finding Day and other stories (BBCV 5470)	5 September 1994	Postman Pat's Finding Day (Episode 1), Postman Pat's Tractor Express (Episode 6), Postman Pat's Difficult Day (Episode 10), Postman Pat's Rainy Day (Episode 4), Postman Pat and the Magpie Hen (Episode 2)
Postman Pat and the Tuba (BBCV 5472)	3 October 1994	Postman Pat and the Tuba (Episode 16), Postman Pat and the Barometer (Episode 17)
Postman Pat's Bumper Collection (BBCV 5683)	2 October 1995	Postman Pat Takes the Bus (Episode 14), Pat Goes Sledging (Episode 11), Pat's Difficult Day (Episode 10), Postman Pat and the Toy Soldiers (Episode 15), Postman Pat's Birthday (Episode 3)
Postman Pat – 2 on 1 (BBCV 5814)	1 April 1996	Postman Pat's Finding Day (Episode 1), The Sheep in the Clover Field (Episode 5), Letters on Ice (Episode 12), Postman Pat and the Magpie Hen (Episode 2), Postman Pat's Foggy Day (Episode 9), Postman Pat Goes Sledging (Episode 11)
Postman Pat: Postman Pat and the Hole in the Road (BBCV 5891)	2 September 1996	Postman Pat and the Hole in the Road (Episode 18), Postman Pat and the Suit of Armour (Episode 19), Postman Pat in a Muddle (Episode 20), Postman Pat Misses the Show (Episode 21)
Postman Pat's Bumper Bag (BBCV 6223)	5 May 1997	Postman Pat's Windy Day (Episode 8), Postman Pat and the Tuba (Episode 16), Postman Pat's Rainy Day (Episode 4), Postman Pat and the Barometer (Episode 17), Postman Pat Takes A Message (Episode 13)
Postman Pat: Postman Pat Has Too Many Parcels (BBCV 6123)	15 September 1997	Postman Pat Follows the Trail (Episode 22), Postman Pat Has The Best Village (Episode 23), Postman Pat Paints The Ceiling (Episode 24), Postman Pat Has Too Many Parcels (Episode 25)
Postman Pat's Big Surprise (BBCV 6539)	7 September 1998	Postman Pat and the Big Surprise (Episode 26), Postman Pat and the Robot (Episode 27), Postman Pat takes Flight (Episode 28), Postman Pat and the Beast of Greendale (Episode 29)
Postman Pat's Big Surprise (Limited Edition) (BBCV 6706)	7 September 1998	Postman Pat and the Big Surprise (Episode 26), Postman Pat and the Robot (Episode 27), Postman Pat takes Flight (Episode 28), Postman Pat and the Beast of Greendale (Episode 29), Postman Pat and the Mystery Tour (Episode 30)
Postman Pat's Special Delivery (BBCV 6770)	12 April 1999	Postman Pat Follows a Trail, Postman Pat and the Hole in the Road, Postman Pat and the Tuba (Episode 16)
Postman Pat - More Adventures from Pat and his friends (2 on 1 BBCV 6952)	15 November 1999	Postman Pat's Thirsty Day (Episode 7), Postman Pat's Windy Day (Episode 8), Postman Pat's Difficult Day (Episode 10), Postman Pat's Birthday (Episode 3), Postman Pat's Rainy Day (Episode 4), Postman Pat's Tractor Express (Episode 6), Pat Takes a Message (Episode 13)
Postman Pat's Bigger Video! (BBCV 6945)	2 May 2000	Postman Pat and the Suit of Armour (Episode 19),Postman Pat Misses the Show (Episode 21), Postman Pat Paints the Ceiling (Episode 24), Postman Pat Has Too Many Parcels (Episode 25), Postman Pat and the Robot (Episode 27), Postman Pat and the Mystery Tour (Episode 30)
Postman Pat's Favourites (BBCV 6985)	2 October 2000	Postman Pat and the Hole in the Road (Episode 18), Postman Pat in a Muddle (Episode 20), Postman Pat Has the Best Village (Episode 23), Postman Pat and the Big Surprise (Episode 26), Postman Pat Takes Flight (Episode 28), Postman Pat and the Beast of Greendale (Episode 29)
Postman Pat's Prize Postbag (BBCV 7143)	8 May 2001	Postman Pat Takes the Bus (Episode 14), Postman Pat and the Toy Soldiers (Episode 15), Postman Pat and the Tuba (Episode 16), Postman Pat and the Barometer (Episode 17)

Broadcasters in other countries

In mainland China, the series launched on China's dominant broadcast platform, China Central Television (CCTV) in July 2008. The show was dubbed into Chinese.
In Hong Kong, Postman Pat Special Delivery has aired on ATV World in English.
In New Zealand, the original series has aired on TV2 (New Zealand) and the new SDS series currently screens on Kidzone, the children's show on TVNZ6.
In Australia, Postman Pat airs on Cartoon Network and ABC 4 Kids.
In 2005, Postman Pat was sold to the Japanese division of Disney Channel, finally putting to rest a long-standing misconception in the UK that Japanese television would not take the series because having only three fingers and a thumb on each hand (as Pat does) was a Yakuza symbol.^[21] The series is dubbed into Japanese.
In the United States, newer episodes of Postman Pat initially aired weekdays at 8:00 AM Eastern time on the HBO Family cable network. The 2004 series used to broadcast weekends on the Qubo channel; the episodes were unaltered. Postman Pat no longer airs in the United States.
In Iran, Postman Pat was broadcast in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The show was dubbed into Persian under the name Pat-e Postchi.^[22]
In the Philippines, the series aired on TV5, dubbed into Tagalog. Cartoon Network (Philippines) also broadcasts until 2009 or 2008.
In Canada, Postman Pat is shown on the Treehouse Children's Network.^[23]

Europe

In Scotland, Postman Pat is shown not only in English but also sometimes broadcast as Pàdraig Post, in the Gaelic language, on BBC Scotland.
In the Netherlands the series was also shown dubbed in Dutch. There the series is called Pieter Post. It was first broadcast by NCRV, later on Kindernet and Nickelodeon.
In Catalonia (Spain), Postman Pat is broadcast as Pat el carter, in Catalan language, on Televisió de Catalunya.
In Italy Il postino Pat has aired at various times on the RaiSat Ragazzi channel, Raitre and RaiSat YOYO.
In Poland the adventures of Listonosz Pat is shown on MiniMini and TVP1.
In Spain Postman Pat is known as Pat el cartero and is shown dubbed in Spanish on Clan TVE.
In Iceland, Pósturinn Páll is how Pat is known to the viewers of Sjónvarpið, the public Icelandic television network.
In Austria and Germany, Postman Pat has been broadcast on ORF (Austria) and Super RTL (Germany) with the name "Postbote Pat".
In France, Postman Pat is called "Pierre Martin".
In Portugal, Postman Pat is known as "O Carteiro Paulo" and is shown on RTP2, MOV and Canal Panda, dubbed into Portuguese.
In Denmark, Postman Pat is known as Postmand Per and is shown on DR, dubbed in Danish.
In Israel, Postman Pat is known as Dar HaDavar (דר הדוור) and is shown on Israeli Educational Television, dubbed in Hebrew.

Postman Pat Village at Longleat

Longleat House has an outdoor reproduction of Greendale village, including the Post Office, the Clifton's house and the Greendale station. It also has a miniature scale model of Greendale.^[24] As of February 2016, Postman Pat Village has been removed from Longleat. No indication had been given as to whether it is going to be redeveloped/relocated or if it is gone for good.

Award nominations

In 2006, Postman Pat was nominated for "Best Pre-school Animation Series" at the BAFTA Children's Awards.^[25]

Parodies

Harry Enfield and Chums featured a parody entitled "Il Postino Pat" (the show's Italian title), with an operatic reworking of the theme tune and the characters speaking in Italian. At the end there is a communist revolution in Greendale and Pat is shot by fascist soldiers.^[26]
Harry and Paul parodied Postman Pat in series 3 and 4 with "Parking Pataweyo", a stereotypical African traffic warden whose name and theme tune are based on Pat's.
Spitting Image in 1987 the topical satirical puppet series, featured Temporary Postman Pratt^[27] in a send-up of Royal Mail's employment of temporary postal workers during busy times. In the opening titles, Pratt can be seen driving a familiar (though yellow in colour) van along country roads before running over a black and white cat. Pratt likes to clear his workload as quickly as he can by dumping the post rather than delivering it. He is portrayed as a student who is lazy and rude.

References

1 2 3 4 "Postman Pat's creator looks back at its conception". BBC News. 16 September 2011. Retrieved 24 June 2014. The first episode, Postman Pat's Finding Day, was broadcast on 16 September 1981.
↑ "Postman Pat". BBC. 30 March 2006. Retrieved 20 December 2011.
↑ DeMott, Rick (13 June 2011). "Postman Pat Kicks Off 30th Birthday Celebration". Animation World Network. Retrieved 24 June 2014. First introduced on BBC1 on September 16, 1981,...
↑ "Postman Pat gets the Sack". BBC News Online. 19 November 2000.
↑ "Royal Mail drops Postman Pat". Brand Republic. 20 November 2000.
↑ ITV News, "Ken Barrie, the voice of Postman Pat, dies at the age of 83", 29 July 2016. Retrieved 30 July 2016
↑ "Postman Pat voice actor Ken Barrie dies".
↑ "Postman Pat's creator looks back at its conception". BBC News. Retrieved 1 March 2016.
↑ "Postman Pat's creator John Cunliffe has been at a school in Kendal". ITV. Retrieved 1 March 2016.
1 2 Davies, Nick. "The Selling of Postman Pat". nickdavies.net. The Guardian. Retrieved 1 March 2016.
↑ Visit Cumbria – Beast Banks Post Office, Kendal. Retrieved 6 January 2009
↑ "Arisaig villagers shocked after author kills legend that kids' cartoon favourite was based on Highland postie". Daily Record. Retrieved 1 March 2016.
↑ "Postman Pat goes postal", The Register.
↑ http://www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/watch/postman-pat-trail
↑ "Bryan DALY Obituary". The Times. 20 January 2012. Retrieved 20 January 2012.
↑ "Chart Stats". Archived from the original on 28 July 2012. Retrieved 24 March 2011.
↑ CHappet, Marie-Claire (16 September 2011). "Postman Pat: from Greendale to Hollywood". The Telegraph. Retrieved 26 December 2014.
↑ Postman Pat - 8 DVD Spanish box set
↑ Postman Pat: Series 1 - Postman Pat Takes A Message DVD
↑ Postman Pat: Series 2 - Postman Pat's Big Surprise DVD
↑ Bob the Builder fixed for Japan, BBC News.
↑ Blockbuster Online – Postman Pat
↑ "Postman Pat at Treehouse TV".
↑ Longleat – As featured on BBC's Animal Park
↑ "Past Winners and Nominees – Children's – Awards – 2006". BAFTA. Retrieved 17 March 2010.
↑ "Harry Enfield and Chums S2 Ep5 BBC"
↑ "Temporary Postman Pratt on Spitting Image (ITV)", Spitting Image (ITV).

External links

Official website
Postman Pat at BBC Online
Postman Pat at the Internet Movie Database
Postman Pat at TV.com
Postman Pat at the BFI's Screenonline
Postman Pat on iTunes
Postman Pat: Special Delivery Service on iTunes

Postman Pat

Episodes Characters Movie Guess with Jess

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