The world of puppetry took centre stage at the Stone Heritage Centre from 30th May to 2nd June, delighting families and sparking creativity in young and old alike.
Hosted as part of The Puppet Tree’s community programme, Mr BuzzKing’s Puppet Things offered four days of hands-on fun, performance, and nostalgia. Children were filled with laughter as they explored puppetry for the first time, while grown-ups found themselves reminiscing about childhoods spent with string-operated characters from a bygone era.
The event welcomed children, parents, and grandparents into an imaginative space where everyone could learn how to handle a puppet, with care, curiosity, and a lot of enthusiasm. Most of the performances were led by school-age children, many using original Pelham Puppets, with audiences encouraged to find out more about the toys and the man behind them, Bob Pelham.
One visitor summed it up perfectly:
“Your exhibition at the Heritage Centre was wonderful and brought back memories of my own childhood.
Thank you for the information you shared about Mr Pelham, his puppets and the history of his company.”
The Puppet Tree has been running regular clubs since April 2023, with a core group of young puppeteers returning weekly to develop their skills. Their dedication was recognised during the event, with several children awarded a vintage Pelham Puppet to continue their creative journey.
Every child who came along also got the chance to make their own puppet, with some so inspired they made two!
David Leech, who leads The Puppet Tree, reflected on the response:
“The purpose of the event was to inspire children and show them what fun they can have with puppets. Seeing their excitement and hearing the laughter each day was a joy.”
He added his thanks to Stone Town Council for their continued support and to Paul Castrey for his help over the four days.
As puppets danced, memories resurfaced, and little hands brought characters to life, it became clear that this traditional art form still holds a special place in many hearts. Just like it did in the 1950s, 60s and 70s, puppetry is once again proving to be a creative, rewarding and joyful pastime that brings generations together.
You can read more about the event, including more photos at – https://thepuppettree.org/stone/
