TV favourites The Wombles return to mark Beaulieu monorail’s 50th anniversary

BEAULIEU visitors took a trip back in time when 20th century TV favourites The Wombles joined Lord Montagu to celebrate England’s oldest monorail’s half century.

Opened in July 1974, the monorail passing through the National Motor Museum is a family favourite, and the 50th anniversary fun featured the return of The Wombles who starred at the original opening.

Inspiration for the monorail came from Lord Montagu’s father, Edward, who on a 1967 visit to the Montreal Expo saw visitors transported around the Canadian fair via a mini rail system.

Opening the anniversary event, Lord Montagu said: “It’s very strange that something which to me as teenager seemed so modern and cutting edge has now gone full circle and become heritage and retro.”

Lord Montagu and Mary Montagu-Scott relived their childhood memories of the opening after inviting Great Uncle Bulgaria and Orinoco on stage for the cutting of a special anniversary cake, made by Amanda Black of Milford.

Mary said: “I was a huge Wombles fan and was so excited to meet them in 1974. I got to sit next to Wellington. I was very shy but we became great friends. It was a huge moment in my childhood and it was wonderful to recreate those memories.”

The Wombles were in a popular animated TV series screened from 1973 to 1975. The series was revived in the 1990s, gaining a new generation of fans, many of whom queued for pictures with the characters known for their charm, humour and environmental message.