And that's all folks!

And this is all that remains of Cosgrove Hall studios today - this was the legendery animation studios in South Manchester that produced such films and series as The Pied Piper of Hamelin, The Wind in the Willows, Dangermouse, the BFG, Count Duckula, Postman pat, Rupert bear, and so many, many quality programmes that are an integral part of most of our childhood, or in my case, my career. I first walked into this building in 1978 and it distresses me to see it like this, killed by changes in children's television, shrinking budgets, egos and many factors. A real loss, made even more poignant that it's founder, and great friend, Mark Hall, died the week the destruction started. At his funeral yesterday, three families were celebrated. His own family, the extended family of the animators and staff, and the all too real family of all the thousands of amazing characters that were created in this building. As it becomes a nursing home I would like to hope that they name the rooms after 'Toad Hall' Cockelshell Bay' Wheelieworld, 'Nutwood' 'Greendale' and so forth.