A much-loved children's television series, Follyfoot was set in a sanctuary for abandoned horses. Aimed at making a statement about the poor treatment of horses and other animals in British society, it carried a remarkably hard-hitting modern message, despite being a product of the early 1970s.

While the series appeared to be aimed solely at young girls with an interest in horses, it was actually marketed towards teenagers and young people in general. It challenged the popular conception of Britain being a "nation of animal lovers" and carried the underlying message that animals and people all deserved a second chance.

 

Origins

The television series was based on a book by author Monica Dickens, great-granddaughter of the famous 19th-century novelist, Charles Dickens. Her books, although aimed at young people, also provided a commentary on society through its treatment of animals.

Born into a well-off family in London in 1915, Monica was a rebel, who was expelled from St Paul's Girls' School after throwing her school uniform into the River Thames. Initially, she worked in domestic service and then became a nurse. Later, she worked in an aircraft factory. Despite coming from a well-to-do family, she experienced real life and worked in several menial jobs.

She had a great love of all animals, but particularly horses, and was heavily involved in the work of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, along with several humanitarian charities including the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children and the Samaritans.

 

Equine books

Monica's 1963 book, Cobbler's Dream, thrust her into the spotlight. It brought together her caring attitude towards horses and people. The lead character, an ex-borstal boy, was trying to live down his past. He meets an ex-showjumping horse, who is now blind and living at a home for horses that can no longer work. Both rejected by society, they began to love and support each other.

The book considered the rights of horses who had given faithful service all their life, promoting the message they should be allowed to end their days in peace in a comfortable home, rather than being euthanised.

The book became the inspiration for the TV series Follyfoot almost a decade later. The series had a massively pro-animal stance. Characters who saw horses as disposable and of no use once they could no longer work were shown in a distinctly negative light.

The first episode was broadcast by Yorkshire TV, on the ITV network, on 28th June 1971. Based on Monica's idea, most of the episodes were written by scriptwriter Tony Essex. The famous theme song of the series, The Lightning Tree, was written by his brother Francis and sung by the famous folk band, The Settlers.

 

The characters

The series' central character was Dora Maddocks, played by English actress Gillian Blake. Dora is sent to live with her uncle at Follyfoot Farm when her father, the British Ambassador, is deployed to South America. Her uncle, Colonel Geoffrey Maddocks, played by Desmond Llewelyn, has a reputation as a kindly and eccentric gentleman. He's the first person everyone calls if they have a horse in need. He opened Follyfoot years earlier, in response to all the horrific animal cruelty in the world.

All Dora's dreams come true when she meets the horses. As a child, she had passionately wanted a pony, but her parents never let her have one. Dora's disillusionment with her privileged life seems to echo Monica's feelings about her own life.

Dora befriends expert horseman Steve Ross, played by Steve Hodson, who works at Follyfoot. Ross had served time in borstal, after being jailed for hitting a man caught whipping a horse. He was given a second chance in life when Dora's uncle took him on to care for the elderly and abandoned horses at Follyfoot. Everyone who works at Follyfoot lives for the horses and love their jobs.

 

Follyfoot horses

While the central characters in Follyfoot remained constant throughout the series, each episode featured different horses being rescued and their stories, with guest actors every week. The very first episode featured a horse called Dragon, whose real name was Flash.

The horses in real life came from different backgrounds. For instance, in episode four, a rescued horse called Shadow was a showjumper called Billy Bland in real life, who was famous for competing in three-day events. A foal called Folly, who first appeared in episode two, was played by two different foals who looked alike throughout the series.

In episode five, a former pit pony, affectionately known as One White-Foot Charley, was played by a pony actually called Charley, but he had never been near a pit in his life and was a much-loved family horse.

In episode seven, a horse at Follyfoot portrayed as suffering from colic was played by a performing horse from Mary Chipperfield's Circus. Similarly, in episode eight, a horse called Moonstone was a real circus horse and used to performing.

Another horse, Jon Jon, in episode nine, was a rag-and-bone pony in real life. In episode ten, a pony called Glory was played by Gloria, who had a taste for orange juice.

 

Books

Follyfoot was broadcast by ITV for two years, until 15th September 1973. It was repeated for a further two years after the initial run. It used to be broadcast in the late afternoon every Sunday. It was repeated again in the 1980s.

Between 1971 and 1976, Monica Dickens wrote four more novels linked to the series including Follyfoot, Dora at Follyfoot, Stranger at Follyfoot and The Horses of Follyfoot. The series was filmed on the Harewood family estate in Yorkshire.

Winning the Harlequin Award for best production at the 1972 BAFTAs, it was so popular during its first run that it was sold to many countries overseas.

 

Like caring for any other animal, it can be a full-time job to make sure a horse is looked after properly. If you're bringing an equine friend into your family, make sure you brush up on your horse care skills to keep your horse healthy and happy.