Puppet, string puppet

This Mrs Scrubbit string puppet was used in the BBC TV Watch with Mother series. Watch with Mother was launched in 1950 with the 'Andy Pandy' series. The brainchild of producer Freda Lingstrom, it was the first BBC television programme aimed specifically at pre-school children. The Woodentop family joined the hugely popular series in 1955. Mrs Scrubbit helped Mother Woodentop in the kitchen.

The Woodentops first aired at 3.45pm on the 9 September 1955 and completed the Friday slot in the 'Watch With Mother schedule. The programme was intended to teach children about family life. The Woodentops were a middle class family who lived on a farm. The family consisted of Mummy and Daddy Woodentop and their children Willy, Jenny and Baby Woodentop. Other household characters included Spotty Dog and two servants, Mrs Scrubbit and Sam. The Woodentops was filmed in a tin shed at the BBC's Lime Grove Studios.