Dunsley in Staithes: Old Jack's Boat and Dunsley!

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…”