They don’t make children’s television like they used to. Let’s take a look at what’s on at the time of writing this blog.

On the CBBC channel there is Meet the Pups. “A series following a little of springer spaniel puppies. The pups are given toys for the first time and want to play with their mum and dad”. WHAT BOLLOCKS. This is on a BBC channel. My licence fee is paying for this tripe!

Then you have Officially Amazing Mini! “More best bits from Officially Amazing. Ben and Al are in Florida to meet a man with an amazing moustache, who hopes to toll his way into the record books in his canoe”. Despite being referred to as “amazing” twice, as well as promising to show the “best bits”, I somewhat think this may be a little overhyped. What is this programme about? What relevance is his moustache and how will it help him in his vain attempt to enter the Guinness Book of Records?

Edd the Duck will be spinning in his grave

This type of television teaches the youth of today nothing. It is of no surprise to me that children are all morbidly obese, addicted to smartphones, injecting crack into their veins and happy slapping pensioners, when this is what they have to put up with on TV.

Without wanting to sound like a Werther’s Original sucking pensioner myself, when I was a child, television was much better. I know over the years memories fade and it is easy to remember things from the past being better than they actually were. That is why I ventured onto YouTube to watch one of my favourite shows as a kid –The Animals of Farthing Wood.

It was as good as I remembered! The only thing I didn’t realise at the time was that it is dubbed, but who cares about that – it’s talking animals, for crying out loud, their mouths won’t synchronise properly with the English translators.

The TV series is based upon the novels by Colin Dann and follows a collection of woodland animals on their adventure as they escape Farthing Wood to a safe haven of White Deer Park, after their home is destroyed by builders. There is a second series which shows the animals during their first year in the park; dealing with winter, rival foxes, birth, marriages and death.

The live action version of the show never took off

It is such a well-done series and covers so many social issues, which will benefit children (well, it taught me something). Kids will be learning something without even knowing it! The show is funny, sombre, sad and thrilling.

All the episodes are on YouTube, which I have watched for the first time in 20 years. It’s a crying shame you can’t buy them on DVD; but oh well, at least you can buy In The Night Garden and Peppa Pig – shows which will no doubt turn today’s tots into tomorrow’s rapists.