Old Jack’s Boat, the popular children’s show on CBeebie’s
digital TV channel, has been
filming again in Staithes. Last week (September 2014) the crew were shooting on the steps from Roxby Beck and in Chapel Yard,
outside Dunsley Cottage. “It was a 1930s scene, so we propped fishing nets
against any visible modern things like electric junction boxes,” they
explained.
Old Jack’s
Boat, first aired in 2013, has enjoyed one full series and some Special
episodes. The current filming is for a Special to be aired in March 2015, and
there is a good chance Dunsley will feature, even if only in the background...
The TV show
features Bernard Cribbins as Old Jack, a retired fisherman who lives in a
little village on the North Yorkshire Coast. Helped along by a cast of
colourful characters, Old Jack tells tall stories from inside his old fishing
boat ‘Rainbow’. The series is a mix of live action and animation which allows
Old Jack to wander along the seabed, visit tropical islands and fly high in the
air on balloons always accompanied by his faithful dog, Salty (a Hungarian
Vizsla, whose real name is Scuzz).
Bernard Cribben
said: “I’ve filmed in a lot of locations throughout my career, but there’s
something about the sea air, the beauty and the friendliness in Staithes that
makes it a special place to be.”
The producers
added: “Staithes is a wonderful backdrop to the series and we have retained its
name as we wanted the programme to feel rooted in a real place. Every story
that Old Jack tells begins with the words , “Once upon a twinkly time The
Rainbow set off from Staithes, waved goodbye to Whitby and headed off over the
horizon…”
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| Staithes' ageless jigsaw of houses |
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| The cobbled main street makes Staithes a perfect 1930s location |
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| Boats in Staithes' harbour: not Old Jack's though! |
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| Dunsley Cottage, Chapel Yard |
