Gus Honeybun, Westward Television/TSW mascot.

[whole diary]

[JayMac]

Moderator note: This post and the subsequent decidedly light hearted discussion has been split from this thread: http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=11098.0 The thread drift was entirely my fault. In my defence the lack of response from the bouncing bunny and his co-hosts affected me deeply as a child. Eight years and not one measly bunny-hop - I'd've killed for a magic button 

bignosemac

The grass should be kept short, and any holes that appear should be dealt with at once.

And the creators of those holes? What happens to Moley or Gus Honeybun? 

[TonyK]

Ah Gus Honeybun! I remember him switching the studio lights off to celebrate childrens' birthdays during my tin miner days in Cornwall, and always wondering why! But to answer the question, it would probably be similar to what used to happen to deer who persisted in crossing the runway at a recently closed airfield I shall not name.

Venison, anyone?

[Southern Stag]

What happens to Moley or Gus Honeybun? 

Gus Honeybun was residing in Flambards Theme Park in Helston last time I went there, that was a fair few years ago now though. Not too far away from St Just.

[JayMac]

For the benefit of forum members who didn't grow up in the 1970s and 1980s in the Westward Television then Television South West (TSW) ITV franchise area*:


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gus_Honeybun


* I grew up in Taunton which was ostensibly in the HTV West ITV region. But my Grandma could only get Westward/TSW in her part of Taunton. She wrote in to Gus Honeybun every year for my birthday from when I was aged 4 until 11. The human co-hosts alongside the wonky-eyed, floppy eared, probably myxomatosis ridden ball of fur never once read out a birthday dedication for me.

Am I bitter? Damn right I am. 

[TerminalJunkie]

* I grew up in Taunton which was ostensibly in the HTV West ITV region.

I, on the other hand, grew up in Ilfracombe which was - in theory - Westward territory, but living down by the harbour meant we only got HTV Wales; until 1974 I didn't know who Gus Honeybun was.

But I do still have a 'Tinkertainment' badge somewhere, which I earned by having my birthday read out in 1970-ish. 

[JayMac]

Perhaps I should have got my Grandma to point her aerial at Wenvoe.....

I think though the Quantock Hills were in the way.

[signalandtelegraph]

Six Bunnyhops for me, happy days.   

[Phil]

But I do still have a 'Tinkertainment' badge somewhere, which I earned by having my birthday read out in 1970-ish. 

Was that the Tingah and Tucker Club? I seem to remember being a member of that briefly.

[Thatcham Crossing]

I am Berkshire born and bred, but my mother hails from Plymouth, so I spent many a Christmas and Summer holiday through my childhood years (70's and early 80's) in "Gus Honeybun" territory.

It's a good job he was a puppet, as every other entertainer from that period is probably now subject to an investigation for "inappropriate behaviour with children".

The bunny hops were special, but he always seemed to me to be a bit pi55ed when we was doing them! 

[basset44]

Hi All,

For those of you who are concerned about what happebed to Gus at 16.30 in on this video you will find your answer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJY7kK2-ubA

and to see some Birthday hops try

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhwaZFP_IZc

Basset

[TonyK]

Perhaps I should have got my Grandma to point her aerial at Wenvoe.....

My granddad used to point his aerial at Wenvoe, although that was a euphemism.

Was that the Tingah and Tucker Club? I seem to remember being a member of that briefly.

Ah, the wibbly wobbly way!

[JayMac]

Six Bunnyhops for me, happy days.   

Jammy git! 

[JayMac]

But I do still have a 'Tinkertainment' badge somewhere, which I earned by having my birthday read out in 1970-ish. 

Was that the Tingah and Tucker Club? I seem to remember being a member of that briefly.

A bit of Google-ing shows that ' Tinkertainment' was something to do with HTV Wales whereas 'Tingha and Tucker' appears to have been associated with ATV in the Midlands.

[signalandtelegraph]

As a small aside, while we're talking Westward, have a look at this, the Westward TV^▸ (Thames Valley) start up in the days before 24 hour TV.  Small clip of the Torbay Steam Railway (as it was then) and a virtually empty A38 at Marsh Mills (at around 2.49).  Great music as well.

http://youtu.be/4LL09E9IZ0M

Stick with the test card until 1.10 then the pictures start!

[LiskeardRich]

What happens to Moley or Gus Honeybun? 

Gus Honeybun was residing in Flambards Theme Park in Helston last time I went there, that was a fair few years ago now though. Not too far away from St Just.

I visited Flambards in the summer and he has gone, in his place is a selection of stuffed animals.