We want Muffin the Mule

The two day event will bring puppeteers and other performers from all over the country to celebrate the life, work and legacy of Bob Pelham who built Pelhams Puppets into an internationally-renowned business that produced nine million of them.

David Leech, who is organising the festival in conjunction with the British Puppet and Model Theatre Guild and with help from the town council, said: “My idea was to celebrate 70 years of Bob Pelham’s puppets and in doing so to promote puppet theatre as an art form.”

As well as an exhibition and workshops, there will be performances in the town hall and the Priory Gardens over both days.

The fun starts with a March of the Marionettes opening parade on Saturday from St Peter’s Church at 10am featuring 15ft high Punch and Judy and a giant dragon, currently being created by pupils at St John’s School.

Muffin, who starred in his own TV show in the 1950s, will be in the town hall while puppets created by the Pelham star in an exhibition in St Peter’s Church about the factory.

Among the puppeteers taking part will also be people who worked on the Thunderbirds series of the 1960s.

Some of the earliest Pelham puppets will appear in the Pelham Genesis exhibition in the Merchant’s House, along with others from the Hogarth Collection and the National Puppetry Archive.

Shows include 18-year-old ventriloquist Max Fulham and Punch and Judy puppeteer Prof Joe Peek, who is just 14.

“These youngsters have been working with puppets as long as they can remember,” said David. “It gives them additional experience and the opportunity to work with more experienced puppeteers.”

The programme also features Noisy Oyster DaSilver Circus, Mr Peter’s Puppets and St George and the Dragon. And on Sunday Marlborough Academy of Dance and Drama present a finale telling the story of Pelham Puppets through song, dance, puppetry and drama.

Visit http pelhampuppets.uk.com for more information.