That was what the contract said. The thing that first worried John Cunliffe was that other writers were now turning out Pat stories and they seemed to be changing him. Cunliffe knew people who had adopted that as a family saying. It was only silly, he knew, but it was one of the little touches that made Pat a comfort to people.
And then one day, he walked into a bookshop and found a whole book about Pat that set his teeth right on edge. It was so badly written. It made him feel quite awkward that people might think he had written it. And in one story, Pat did something particularly stupid. The radiator in his little red van boiled over, and he hopped straight out and pulled the radiator cap off. Cunliffe was sure he would never have let Pat do anything so silly.
He felt so upset that he sent off a letter, asking how this could happen. Apart from anything else, Cunliffe was under the impression that he was supposed to be the only author of books about Pat. It turned out that this was not a book, because it was printed on card instead of paper. John Cunliffe watched in wonder as the great supremos gave Ivor Wood his Gold Cassette and told everyone how marvellous it was that Ivor had created Postman Pat.
It was a chilling moment. By now Pat was a millionaire, and Woodland Animations had taken over from the BBC as the sole organisers of his merchandising. John Cunliffe felt terribly upset, but there was next to nothing he could do, so he tried to concentrate on new ideas, while behind him, Greendale became an enterprise zone.
Children could paper their bedrooms with him, cover their lamps with him, hang their clothes on his hook, sleep under his duvet with their head on his pillow case next to his headboard, draw his curtains, wet his flannel, eat out of his lunch box. They could eat him in easter eggs, pasta shapes, party cakes, crisps, penny chews, goodie bags, chocolate biscuits, chocolate lollipops, and chocolate advent calendars.
In Norway, he was so popular that their Post Office adopted him as a Christmas mascot. In Japan, children loved Pato San. In China, the little red van took over where the little red book had failed.
Only the Americans were difficult. Woodland kept selling. Children started wearing him on socks, pyjamas, jogging suits, cycle shorts, swimming trunks, ski boots, wellington boots, slippers, hats, gloves, scarves, vests, pants, bodywarmers. In total, Woodland licensed nearly different products. Pat took on lawyers and accountants and agents in eight different countries. Pirates invaded Greendale and started turning out unlicenced Postman Pat T shirts, so Woodland hired a private detective — a retired Scotland Yard man — to protect Pat and track down the culprits.
Most of the time, the detective did well enough for his lawyers to go to court and sue them. Once, he did a bit too well and found the pirates in their factory, where they set about him and sent him tumbling down the stairs.
He tried not to read them. He understood they were only earning a living and, in a way, he admired their energy. But it left him feeling curiously sad. Room Features Postman Pat theming Deluxe room sleeps up to a family of 5 Separate children's sleeping area Toddler and baby friendly facilities Interactive play wall Book your break. Octonauts Room Continue your underwater adventure with Captain Barnacles and the crew in these rooms under the sea.
Read more. Swashbuckle Room Perfect your Swashbuckle Salute and join Gem in searching for the hidden jewels when you stay in these amazing Swashbuckle themed rooms. Book a Short Break. You're in charge of Pat's van as you travel around Greendale to meet your favourite characters Ride Experience Attraction History Fact File Galleries Ride Experience You don't have to arrive early in the morning, just as day is dawning, to make your way to Greendale and meet everyone's favourite postman and his cat Jess.
Attraction Stats Opened. Timeline 24th May Attraction Restrictions Minimum Height. Unaccompanied Height. Attraction Facts Manufacturer.
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