In search of Augustus Jeremiah Honeybun

[whole diary]

[JayMac]

Tonight I find myself in the Travelodge Derry's Cross, Plymouth.  Pretty much on the site of the former Westward/TSW studios. Those forum members in Devon and Cornwall will know exactly what I'm on about.

I grew up in Taunton. Border country as far as regional telly was concerned. Home was firmly in the HTV West region, but Grandma across town could only get Westward/TSW. I loved Westward as they had better idents, and most importantly Gus Honeybun. From the age of 4 to 11 my Grandma wrote in to Gus to have my birthday read out on air, but it never happened. He was a popular bunny and I suspect those of us in border country were overlooked.

So here I am tonight, in GH's backyard. I've checked the drawers and cupboards - no sign of him. No magic buttons on reception, and the receptionist flat refused to give me 43 bunny hops in advance of my next birthday.

At 42 years and 10 months of age it still hurts that Gus never acknowledged a birthday of mine.

https://youtu.be/CSx_CoTuFtw

[Western Pathfinder]

Never mind mate things could be worse  your gran could have written to Jimmy Saville !.

[PhilWakely]

At 42 years and 10 months of age it still hurts that Gus never acknowledged a birthday of mine.

I remember a couple of occasions - I had 7 bunny hops on one occasion and he waggled his ears on the other 

[Phil]

Never mind mate things could be worse  your gran could have written to Jimmy Saville !.

A cousin of mine did, and got a ride to her wedding on the back of an elephant as a result of it, with He Who Shall Not Be Named walking alongside. It's a matter of great consolation to me that I missed the entire thing since, although I was invited to the wedding, I was away on a cub camp at the time, which was a great excuse as I never much liked my cousin and cared for elephants even less. Oh and the couple split up not long afterwards as well. Ha.

[plymothian]

Gus was released back in to the wild with his family on the last day of the TSW franchise. 
All those rabbits that live beside the A38 are his descendants.  Dirty hopper.

[alexross42]

If you venture down to West Hoe Park you'll find a miniature railway and riding up on the front of the loco is none other than GH himself....unfortunately the Street View image shows the attraction under cover! But he's definitely there...

Street view link:
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@50.3641154,-4.1463974,3a,75y,321.02h,85.8t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sJRA5SZHL0STXXWIkHZU7gg!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo1.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3DJRA5SZHL0STXXWIkHZU7gg%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D153.78581%26pitch%3D0!7i13312!8i6656!6m1!1e1

[didcotdean]

Gus is at Flambards - http://www.flambards.co.uk/rides/detail/gus-honeybuns-burrow - although there are others including an original one at the South West Film and Television Archive.

Peter Cadbury considered that Westward should extend all the way to Bristol, so I don't think 'border' country would be a problem.

David Fitzgerald was always best with Gus because it was clear he couldn't take it seriously: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4hgedrwsbE

Whereas Roger Shaw gave the impression he couldn't believe he had to do it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhwaZFP_IZc

[LiskeardRich]

Gus is at Flambards - http://www.flambards.co.uk/rides/detail/gus-honeybuns-burrow - although there are others including an original one at the South West Film and Television Archive.

Peter Cadbury considered that Westward should extend all the way to Bristol, so I don't think 'border' country would be a problem.

David Fitzgerald was always best with Gus because it was clear he couldn't take it seriously: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4hgedrwsbE

Whereas Roger Shaw gave the impression he couldn't believe he had to do it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhwaZFP_IZc

He is no longer in person at Flambards- he was until a couple years ago. His burrows full of stuffed animals is still present.

[JayMac]

Rather coincidentally I've just passed Flambards on the bus between Falmouth and Penzance.

No sign of Gus. Although I can't see much out of this steamed up fusty old Volvo Olympian.

[didcotdean]

He is no longer in person at Flambards- he was until a couple years ago. His burrows full of stuffed animals is still present.

Maybe appropriately for a rabbit there were quite a number made over the years. One of the 1960s ones look positively sinister to me. Also the only rabbit to change colour.

[patch38]

I'm happy to report that Gus is currently (and has been for several years now) sitting atop the left-hand speaker, next to my screen. If I could figure out how to upload images, I'll gladly provide evidence. Mind you, he could be an impostor.

[LiskeardRich]

I can't see much out of this steamed up fusty old Volvo Olympian.

People come to Cornwall just to see those Olympians. Only a handful left now.

[JayMac]

I'd like to have been able to see out of my Olympian. Terrible condensation. Mind you Cornwall was pretty much one shade of grey today.

Rather disappointing that I got the heritage bus after seeing the nicer ones on the 'U' routes lining up outside the Wetherspoon's in Falmouth.

Give the students the clapped out crap. They can manage the steps better.

[LiskeardRich]

The 2 has some nice scenery west of Helston. Shame you couldn't see it.

[Thatcham Crossing]

I have the dubious honour of remembering both Gus Honeybun and Jimmy Saville from my childhood in the 70's.

Gus only because I used to see him on tele when visiting my grandparents in Plymouth. Being Berkshire born and bred he was quite a novelty.

Jimmy because he used to stay about 3 doors down from us (whilst carrying out his "charitable work" at Broadmoor Hospital) during the same era. Even then my mother used to warn my sister and I to stay away from him as she felt he was "odd". I remember the white Rolls, the Winnibago and the Range Rover with the double bed in the back - makes me shudder to think of it now.