WOMBLE MANIA - The Exhibition - Exclusively at The Heights of Abraham
The Wombles are back and are stars of the show this summer at Derbyshire’s family-friendly visitor attraction, The Heights of Abraham. An exclusive ‘pop-up’ installation, ‘WOMBLE MANIA -The Exhibition’, launches on Friday, 18th July.
Leaving Wimbledon Common to take up their summer residence, The Wombles will meet and mingle with visitors, influencing a whole new generation of children with their environmentally friendly habits and community spirit. Their favourite pastimes of course include litter picking, and in the words of their own theme song, ‘making good use of the things that we find’ is a powerful message of sustainability, one which has certainly stood the test of time.
The Heights of Abraham is the ideal spot for The Wombles as both share the ‘underground, overground’ theme. This hilltop estate is one of Derbyshire’s longest established attractions, known for captivating visitors with its ‘underground’ show caverns, and its ‘overground’ alpine-style cable cars, carrying visitors to the top of the summit, around 1000 feet above sea level. Here lead was mined centuries ago, and visitors explore the incredible show caverns.
‘WOMBLE MANIA – The Exhibition’ exclusive to The Heights, explores The Wombles’ origins in the children’s story book, ‘The Wombles’ by Elisabeth Beresford, published in 1968, along with their stratospheric rise in becoming children’s TV stars and national treasures of the ‘70s - no doubt evoking nostalgia in both parents and grandparents from their own childhoods.
Rupert Pugh, Development Director for the Heights, explains,
“Though for many the Wombles may seem just a childhood memory, their ethos of ‘make good use of bad rubbish’ has made a long-standing contribution to environmental education. We are delighted that Great Uncle Bulgaria and friends have agreed to spend their holidays here, and we look forward to sharing more of their story with fans young and old. Their messages are more relevant today than ever before.”
David Thornton, Head of Marketing for the Heights of Abraham, added:
‘We feel a sense of responsibility to tell the heritage story of how the Wombles came about, what "Womble Mania" was about in the 70's, how the Wombles never really went away, and how they’ve relaunched with a new energy and vitality in the CGI world, and through digital channels, new books, and other activities. We want all our visitors to take the pledge to become more Womble! The walk-through, undercover exhibition presents seven scenes, starting with a portable Olivetti typewriter, like the one used by Elisabeth Beresford, author of the original children’s book. Also discover a musical trip down memory lane with their greatest hits, including popular theme tune, ‘The Wombling Song’, and how the story has evolved, with digital Wombles entertaining today’s youngsters. Modern music and 21st century art and fashion, concludes the journey’.
Elisabeth’s family are very supportive of the forthcoming exhibition, and her son, Marcus Robertson shares an endearing recollection of how his Mum’s infamous characters captured the limelight, and revealing how their own family had indeed been the creative inspiration: ‘Mum’s creation of The Wombles was an instant success when it was launched on the BBC in the early 1970s and she would have been so pleased to see what is happening at The Heights of Abraham this summer. The characters were funny, kind role models but also each had their own character - and foibles! The combination of Mum’s scripts, Ivor Wood and Barry Leith’s brilliant design and direction, Bernard Cribbins’ unique narration and Mike Batt’s music, gave the Wombles a special place in British culture. For us as a family it was very personal with all the characters based on family members all of whom live on today through their characters. It was especially heartwarming that Mum later added Alderney Wombl, based on my wife Marianne, who grew up on the island and she is the greenest of all Womble, and always trying to stop Orinoco being lazy and greedy!’
One of the exhibition’s highlights is a full-sized sculpture of Great Uncle Bulgaria, created by Nottingham-based eco artist and designer Sarah Turner (sarahturner.co.uk), whose work is literally created from a load of rubbish. Her ingenious creations have appeared at Chelsea Flower Show and LAPADA fair in London, with commissions by Investec and Rathbone’s. Sarah’s dedication and talent is inspiring, re-purposing rubbish including old plastic bags, jam jar lids, crisp packets and bubble wrap, to create her sculpture of one of the most beloved Wombles characters, whose spectacles are crafted from an old tin can. The model was initially displayed at Excel in London, so now true to form, its now being re-cycled for ‘WOMBLE MANIA.’
On select dates in August, there are workshops on crafting and recycling in the woodland corner. ‘The Wombles World of Making’, encourages children to play with ideas for reducing waste, and recycling – saving resources and the planet. A further discovery trail, aimed at younger children, will lead them through the estate, teaching them more about each of the Wombles, and their individual quirks.
MORE TO SEE & DO
• The Wombles may be the star attraction, but there is so much more to see and do. New this year is ‘Seism!c’- a light and sound immersion in the Great Masson show cavern, telling the story of the geological phenomenon which gave rise to incredible lead and mineral-rich deposits, laid down over millions of years.
Descend into The Rutland Cavern, to be led on an expedition through time with actors in period costume, sharing anecdotes of the lead miners, including the odd spooky tale of happenings below ground.
• See the traditional Punch and Judy show, created and performed by master puppeteer, Richard Coombs, whose mastery of his art and creative talent was honed on programmes, such as The Muppets and Spitting Image is a popular seasonal act. His genius, quick-witted banter is a lot of fun, appealing to young and old alike.
• Along with ‘WOMBLE MANIA - The Exhibition’, other galleries exhibits period costumes, representing the ages during which tourists have flocked to this part of the Peak District. They once included Lord Byron and his ‘It’ crowd of Romantics and poets, when the Estate first diversified from mining into tourism.
The Heights is also a wonderful location from which to simply be in nature – with magnificent views over the Derwent Valley, woodland trails, willow sculptures, rose gardens, play and picnic areas, adventure playgrounds, a crystal emporium and gift shop. Places to rest, restore and soak up the lively atmosphere are plentiful, with a range of places to eat and drink, from Vista restaurant and café, with its incredible views to The Tavern Bar, a popular stop-off for a pint of local cask ale.
Booking Info - The Heights of Abraham, starring The Wombles, and the exclusive ‘WOMBLE MANIA - The Exhibition’ (runs from July 18th) is open daily.
Until the start of the school holidays, The Wombles are meet and greet at weekends only, and then in daily residence throughout the school holidays, 23 July – 1 Sept. Then returning to weekends only, until half term when they are in residence daily, 25 Oct – 2 Nov inclusive.
Book online in advance for savings on tickets. The Wombles are keen to promote the ‘Green tickets’ – where £5 discount for those showing a bus or train ticket receipt. For more info, and for a chance to win a family ticket for the Heights’, including a children’s breakfast with special guest Orinoco, see here the Wombles
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