Snailsbury
  Tales                     (2003 - 2004)
  
   producers:  Maverick Entertainment
                      for CBBC
   animation: 2D animation
     episodes: 26 x 10mins

 
    "Come on, come on and listen to... Snailsbury Tales!"
 

   As its name implies, the town of Snailsbury is home to a colourful cast of snails
   young and old. Many of our tales focus on the baseball capped youngster Eric.
   He's the Snailsbury skateboard champion, keenly admired by his friend Penny.
   Eric has a foolhardy little brother called Kevin, who often gets up to his own
   mischief. Then there's the Mayor, who doesn't think much of the young 'uns.
   But the friendly lisping Vicar makes time for everyone. The snails like
   to do their shopping at Mr Sprout's store, and when trouble comes a-calling,
   Firechief Stalker is always ready to put his men in to action...

   Life in Snailsbury moves at a snail's pace. Literally. Distances are measured in
   centimeteres and the fire brigade, called out on emergencies, are proud to announce
   that they can muster 0.1mph when required. Above all else, water takes priority.
   The snails fear drought and crave liquidation to keep them moving around town!
   
   The stories are narrated by that vocal gymnast Jon Culshaw and he also gives
   some of the townsfolk a taste of his many dialects and inflections. It's interesting
   to hear some of his "Dead Ringers" voices sneaking in here: noticably, his
   Brian Seule voice, which has been transplanted on to the Snailsbury Vicar!

   "Snailsbury Tales" was created by Hugh Silvey and Wally Jex, who came in to
   animation circles via their advertising work (they were the art director and
   copywriter for those famouse 80's Homepride commercials starring "Fred").
   The duo have also brought us a popular series of "Bad Taste" cartoon books
   and they were the designers on Spider...

  » Maverick Entertainment have since gone on to bring us the all-new,
      all-animated Muffin the Mule.

 

     Who's Who in Snailsbury

    Mr Sprout (store owner)
    Eric (his young assistant)
    Kevin (Eric's younger brother)
    Penny (Eric's sister)
    Alison (fancies Eric something rotten)
    Eric's Mum
    Grandpa Mollusc
    The Mayor
    Lady Mayoress
    Mr Snooks (gardener)
    Mrs Snooks (his wife)
    Enid (town busybody)
    The Vicar
    Firechief Stalker
    Terry (fireman)
    Percy Shelly (world-famous sculptor)
    Segeant Speed (policeman)
    WPC Lightfoot
    Aunt Agatha (sculpture thief)
    Mr Tuggit (dentist)
    Les (the one-snail band musician)
    Signor Snello Mollusco (Italian Mayor)

 

    Snailsbury Tales episodes

 

     Snailsbury Tales on DVD

      Snailsbury Tales: Town Hall Dance
                Region 2 / Maverick Entertainment / August 2005

      Snailsbury Tales: Drought
                Region 2 / Maverick Entertainment / March 2004

 

     produced by The Learning With Fun Company
       
     a Maverick Entertainment production  for CBBC

     concept, story and creative direction
     by Hugh Silvey and Wally Jex