The radio programme Children's Hour was greatly loved by generations of children and adults alike, to the extent that when it eventually ended 60 MPs signed a parliamentary motion in protest. Most popular and enduring of all the sections of the programme was Toytown, which was first broadcast on 19 July 1929 and outlasted its host programme, continuing to 1963.
Toytown was narrated by Uncle Mac, Derek McCulloch, who also voiced Larry the Lamb. Larry's mischievous companion was Dennis the Dachsund, played by Ernest Jay. The other characters were The Mayor, Ernest the Policeman, Mr Growser, The Inventor, The Magician, Dennis the Artist, Captain Higgins, Mrs Goose and Letitia Lamb.
The inhabitants of Toytown were created by S.G. Hulme Beaman, inspired by wooden figures he modelled. Hulme Beaman wrote and illustrated 6 stories in the book Tales from Toytown, which were spotted by "Elizabeth" from Children's Hour, (the name given to presenter, May Jenkins). She it was who saw their potential as radio material.
Following their success the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ asked for more, and over the next couple of years Hulme Beaman produced another 24 stories for Children's Hour. The supply ended when he died in February 1932, aged only 45. Toytown proved so popular that it was repeated many times over the next decades.
July anniversaries
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              Investiture of the Prince of Wales1 July 1969
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              Masterchef2 July 1990
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              ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Television News and Newsreel5 July 1954
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              To the Ends of the Earth6 July 2005
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              Hancock's Half Hour television show6 July 1956
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              London Calling Europe began6 July 1941
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              The Old Man of Hoy8 July 1967
- 
              The first episode of The Office9 July 2001
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              Andy Pandy11 July 1950
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              It's That Man Again12 July 1939
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              Watchdog14 July 1985
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              What's My Line16 July 1951
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              Toytown first transmitted19 July 1929
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              Pot Black first transmitted23 July 1969
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              Countryfile first broadcast24 July 1988
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              Start of the Light Programme29 July 1945
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              Olympic Games from Wembley first televised29 July 1948
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              The Wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer29 July 1981
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              The World Cup Final30 July 1966
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              Dad's Army31 July 1968
 
                     
                             
                            