Click above to download zipped mp3 (300K) of the theme music
Cockleshell Bay
Original introduction Cockleshell Bay is a town near the sea With sunshine and seagulls that screech There are shops that sell ices and buckets and spades So that children can play on the beach There are white painted houses along the sea front Where folk come for a quiet holiday Where the sky is bright and the winds are light And two children stay |
Alternative introduction Cockleshell Bay is a town near the sea With seagulls and sunshine and sand There are shops that sell ices and bright coloured kites That fly from a string in your hand There are white painted houses along the sea front And one's called "The Bucket and Spade" It's where people stay, and two children play With all the good friends that they've made |
So meet, Robin and Rosie of Cockleshell Bay |
Cockleshell Bay was another truly wonderful little adventure series to emerge from Cosgrove Hall Productions, home of such greats as "Danger Mouse" and "Alias the Jester." It was first shown on ITV in 1980 but ran for several years. At least 100 episodes were made of this clay model type animation. Each episode lasted approximatley 15 minutes. It concerned the adventures of two children - twins Robin and Rosie Cockle. The Cockle family had moved to the seaside to escape the hussle and bussle of city life. They originally lived in a town called Ruffington. Father (Christopher) had given up his normal job because of the hectic day to day routines and so he and mum (Helen) bought house at the end of a row in the small town of Cockleshell Bay. The house was to be turned into a Guesthouse and that is how the cockles would generate an income. The Guesthouse (as we shall later see) is called "The Bucket and Spade." The Cockles are not the only ones to run a small hotel business as we later find out that only next door is a small one called "Pine Villa" (I bet they were pleased to see the Cockles when they arrived). Further down is another one called "The Anchor."
Robin and Rosie are typical youngsters always on the look out for excitement and chocolate biscuits. They are soon befriended by Mrs. Routy, whom they refer to as Gran Routy. She is, however, not their Gran as Robin and Rosie's gran died a short time ago. Mrs. Routy has eleven grand children so two more will not make any difference. Close by is Mr. Shipham but everyone calls him Mr. Ship. Mr. Ship cares for a small Donkey named Fury. The Donkey is owned by Mr. Arthur Fingham who owns a business giving children donkey rides on the beach. Another Cockle enters the family much later called Holly Cockle - Click here to read more about her arrival.in: "A Name for Baby Cockle."
If anyone was involoved in the creation/filming of Cockleshell Bay or if anyone has any comments regarding the show, then please email me at the usual address (see naviation bar).
Click image below to see some episodes
Characters
![]() Robin Cockle |
![]() The Bucket and Spade Guest House |
![]() Rosie Cockle |
![]() Dad (Christopher Cockle) |
![]() Mum (Helen Cockle) |
![]() Mr. Ship (Real name Mr. Shipham) |
![]() Gran Routy |
![]() Fury the Donkey |
![]() Ben Gunn |
Credits
Written and Narrated by | Brian Trueman |
Music by | David Rohl and Stuart J Wolstenholme |
Puppet Design by | Bridget Appleby |
Modeling | Andrea Lord and Steve Moss |
Illustrations by | Avril Turner |
Sets and Props by | Chris Walker |
Puppet Construction by | Peter Saunders |
Camera | Jim Noble and Joe Dembinski |
Film Editors | John McManus and Ellis Ward |
Directed by | Jackie Cockle |
Produced by | Mark Hall and Brian Cosgrove |
Click image below to see some episodes