The Wombles

The Wombles are one of Britain’s most delightfully odd and enduring creations - a band of furry, pointy-nosed creatures who live beneath Wimbledon Common, quietly tidying up after messy humans and turning our rubbish into something useful. Created by author Elisabeth Beresford in the late 1960s, the Wombles first appeared in book form before becoming truly iconic through the stop-motion BBC television series in the 1970s. With their blend of gentle humour, environmentalism, and endearing personalities, they’ve held a special place in the nation’s heart ever since.

At the heart of Womble life is a sense of order, community, and doing one’s bit for the greater good. Led by the wise old Great Uncle Bulgaria - whose spectacles and newspaper give him a distinctly Churchillian air - the Wombles go about their days collecting discarded crisp packets, bottle tops, and stray bits of string, repurposing it all in their wonderfully inventive underground home. Long before “reduce, reuse, recycle” became a slogan, the Wombles were quietly living it.

Each Womble has a distinct character. There’s Tobermory, the practical, Scottish inventor who turns broken umbrellas into ingenious contraptions; Orinoco, the lovable layabout with a fondness for naps and snacks; Bungo, bossy and eager to prove himself; and Madame Cholet, who brings a dash of French flair to Womble cuisine - mainly various imaginative ways with leftovers. Together, they form a cheerful, slightly chaotic family, bumbling through mishaps and mild disagreements, but always pulling together in the end.

One of the Wombles’ greatest achievements is their gentle way of teaching values without being preachy. Through their adventures, children learn about teamwork, responsibility, and caring for the environment - not through stern lessons, but through stories where the humour and heart shine through. It’s that quiet moral compass, wrapped in fur and whimsy, that makes them so distinctly British. They’re never showy or smug - just quietly getting on with things, making the world a little better, one bit of rubbish at a time.

The television series, with its stop-motion animation and Bernard Cribbins’ warm narration (voicing every single character), is the version most people remember. There’s something wonderfully low-tech and homely about it - the sort of programme that felt best watched on a Sunday evening with a biscuit in hand and the fire crackling. The catchy theme tune by Mike Batt, and the unexpected success of The Wombles as a pop group (yes, really - I knew all the lyrics by heart!), only added to their cultural status.

Over the years, the Wombles have made comebacks in various forms, including newer animated series and charity campaigns. But it’s the original spirit - thoughtful, inventive, community-minded - that people still return to.

In a world increasingly full of noise, clutter, and throwaway culture, the Wombles offer a comforting reminder: that it’s possible to live simply, care deeply, and make good use of the things we find. With their tidy ways and warm hearts, the Wombles aren’t just childhood favourites - they’re actually environmental heroes, furry ambassadors for kindness, and proof that even on Wimbledon Common, magic can be found just beneath our feet.

I luuuuurve them...