Remembering Ronnie
Puppeteer Ronnie Le Drew has been a UK puppeteer for many years. Despite being well known for his work as ‘Zippy’ on ‘Rainbow’, Ronnie had a wide reaching puppet career in TV, film and theatre.
A friend and supporter of the Button Moon Trust, Ronnie also spent 5 years as a Trustee, helping to structure the Trust.
Ronnie, the late John Thirtle and the Button Moon Trust’s Chairman Ian Allen, were friends for many years. Ian and Ronnie met at the age of 15 and shared many trials as each developed their own careers and puppet styles.
As a Trustee of the Button Moon Trust, Ronnie also helped collaborate with the Little Angel Theatre by supporting the Curious School of Puppetry.
Ronnie performed at Trust events, and the video below is a favourite of Ian (Allen), as it shows the effortless skill and focus of a seasoned puppeteer.
A big button moon thank you!
On behalf of The Button Moon Trust, the Spoon family would like to send a huge “Thank you to the (button) moon and back” message to Rogers and Norton Solicitors, for their fantastic support.
Quicker than a trip across Blanket Sky, they helped the Trust successfully stop the illegal use of Button Moon characters on Temu products. This helps protect the legacy of this much loved children’s characters and stories.
But that’s not all, Rogers and Norton also generously donated £100 towards our Reggie Veggie project, which will be putting free creative resources into nurseries and schools. It’s wonderful to work with people who understand the importance of creativity, heritage and community spirit. Their support helps keep our projects shining brightly just like button moon!
Thank you, Rogers and Norton — you’re absolute stars.
Something unique is landing at the Rosehill Theatre this Summer
The Button Moon Trust is proud to unveil the first ever official exhibition of characters from two beloved TV series.
The exhibition will be hosted at the Rosehill Theatre, a venue that once welcomed the original button moon touring puppet shows. This special summer experience brings the story of Playboard Puppets and button moon, full circle.
For the first time, you’ll be able to get up close to the iconic world of button moon and rediscover the charming stories and characters that captured so many young imaginations.
The exhibition opens on Monday 6th July with dedicated school visits and workshops, before its public launch on Saturday 18th July, led by creator Ian Allen.
It then runs throughout the summer, closing over the Bank Holiday weekend on 28th August 2026.
See behind the curtain
The final cast of characters for the exhibition are being discussed now, but they will include:
- Characters from the button moon TV series and theatre tours
- Characters from The Spooks of Bottle Bay TV series
- button moon touring show props and scenery
- Puppets from TV and adverts and videos
As well as:
- Puppet making workshops
- Activities and talks
- Cinema screenings of selected button moon episodes
- New button moon merchandise and books
It’s a fantastic opportunity to see puppets from two TV series as well as a number of retro television adverts. All designed and created with love, by Ian Allen and the late John Thirtle of Playboard Puppets.
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Eggbert's Springtime Get Together
Join us for Eggbert’s annual get together on the 12th April 2026. It’s an annual free event at the Black Barn in Norfolk.
It’s a fantastic opportunity to get out for the day and enjoy a picnic, as well as take a look at the famous Button Moon puppets as well as characters from The Spooks of Bottle Bay.
It a great fun afternoon in Tibenham and it’s fun for all the family especially Button Moon fans.
- Tea and Cakes from the local Women’s Institute
- Live Music
- Story readings
- Puppet Presentations
- Button Moon Merchandise
- Brac a Brac stalls
Mr Spoon at the MAC
During the time of the late John Blundell, the Midlands Arts Centre (MAC) was a well recognised centre of excellence for puppets and puppeteers.
So, it was fitting that Ian Allen, the creator of Button Moon, spent the afternoon there. In a rare interview with Chris Perry of Kaleidoscope TV, Ian revealed some of the history of Playboard Puppets and his iconic work with his late partner, John Thirtle.
It’s a quiet Saturday (7th) in March but the MAC is buzzing with puppet enthusiasts and mature fans of preschool TV series Button Moon.
Standing outside the stage door it was strange to hear a cinema full of adults all laughing at the simple jokes meant for their younger selves.
For 45 minutes, the audience listened intently to every word, about how the series were written, and how Ian and John bought them to life.
As well as talking about Button Moon, Ian talked in depth about The Spooks of Bottle Bay and his time at the BBC with Mo and Hedge. Ian even had an original Zippy (from Rainbow) with him to show, but in the ensuing questions and puppet demonstrations he didn’t get time. Oh well there’s always next time.
Playboard Puppets is talking with the MAC in regards to being part of this years Square Eyes exhibition.
Images courtesy of Charlie Duckerin
Hello Tina!
With Button’s onto her new home, the Button Moon Trust has named a second guide dog for the blind – Welcome Tina (T. Spoon).
We will be expecting a pupdate about Tina and her growth later in the Spring. But for now please take a look at that sweet furry face!
Spring Celebrations
As well as some music and games, there will also be performances on the Palace Theatre stage.
Singers are TBC, but there will be story sessions for children, performed by the much travelled and much loved Chris Connaughton.
Keep a look out for news about our upcoming annual Spring celebration at the Black Barn, on April 12th 1pm-5pm.
There will be some good food, with teas, coffees and cakes organised by the glorious ladies of the local Women’s Institute (WI).
A Christmas TreeT
OK, so ignoring the terrible joke, Christmas isn’t Christmas without a creatively decorated Christmas tree.
As part of Tibenham’s annual Christmas concert at St Matthew’s Church, Ian (Allen) puts together a unique collection of Christmas trees, and decorations for the 8 windows in the church. Visitors to the Church got to enjoy some opulent, ‘fully loaded’ trees with toys and ornaments, as well as the Poverty Tree, on which hung a single tin of beans for decoration.
As well as a few well chosen Christmas carols, visitors to the church were also treated to a wonderful array of festive songs performed by the choir and the singers of Magnificent Musicals.
The concert was a fantastic success and there was standing room only in the usually quite 1000 year old church. The efforts of the village raised almost £1,100 for the churches restoration and the coveted Button Moon Christmas jumper, helped raise some additional money in the Christmas raffle.
Celebrating 50 years
The sun was shining on button moon to help celebrate 50 years of Playboard Puppets and 10 years of the button moon trust.
Ian (Allen) and the late John Thirtle, began Playboard Puppets in the 1970’s. The company soon became know for it’s TV shows and adverts, as well as their successful touring shows like Red Riding Hood.
The 50th celebrations were a chance for fans and puppeteers to visit the home of button moon at the Black Barn in Tibenham.
As well as enjoying some excellent tea and cakes provided by the Women’s Institute (WI), there was also an opportunity to hear about the history of button moon and the show’s characters.
Ian Allen demonstrated the puppets and led the crowd in the famous button moon countdown.
It’s brilliant to watch the adults get as much fun and excitement out of the launch, as the younger fans.
Visitors who wanted to see more excerpts from the button moon library, were able to watch a video presentation in the video tent.
Familiar faces
In amongst the crowds of people admiring the button moon puppets at the Black Barn, there were some old faces, puppeteers from the button moon TV series and touring shows.
Hiding in the crowds were: Judith Bucklow, Tony Holtham, Chris Connaughton, Annie Richley, David Thorpe, Peter Kenny, Mark Alexander Todd. Plus Ian Allen (the boss) and visiting puppeteer (and button moon trustee) Roman Stefanski.
Of course when we were taking this photo, some of the puppeteers cannot be seen…old habits die hard
Helping Children with Cancer
The event at the Black Barn wasn’t just a great day out, and an opportunity for old colleague to reconnect, it also had a serious fundraising element.
On the day, the button moon trust raised £261 for Children with Cancer UK. This money will help to provide food, and support with the living expenses associated with caring for a child with cancer.
On May 5th the button moon trust will be participating in a second event to help the charity. This time, Eggbert will be organising puppet making workshops and shows.
Somewhere in Norfolk!
Out near the Wymondham Garden Centre, not far from the Button Moon Trust HQ, Ian Allen ran into a familiar little face!
Now 9 months old, ‘Buttons’, the guide dog named by The Button Moon Trust, was out talking the air with her puppy trainer Venetia.
To a guide dog puppy in training, everything is a new experience, and as Venetia explained, every new experience is an opportunity for training. So even meeting Eggbert for the first time didn’t surprise her!
In the busy coffee shop, Buttons was so well behaved and relaxed, lying under the table while Ian talked about Button Moon with the admiring coffee shop guests. But when Buttons goes to work she can do some amazing things, even as a puppy. If Buttons gets onto a bus, she will lay her head on the seat to indicate the seat is free.
Ian found out all about the training Buttons needs to do to be a fully fledged Guide Dog. Her puppy training will last until April and then she goes off to ‘big school’ to learn even more amazing skills.
Ian is already putting together ideas for things Buttons will need in her ‘going away to big school suitcase’. So, if you have any ideas then email Ian at the Button Moon Trust and we’ll see if we can include it.
Picnics, Poetry and Puppets
Unlike Norfolk, it never rains on Button Moon. But the rain didn’t deter fans of the series, who came along to the Saturday afternoon fete, travelling from as far away as Plymouth.
Whether they were enjoying the teas and cakes supplied by the local Women’s Institute (WI), or enjoying a mixture of new and old games, there were plenty of happy faces.
Cath March, helped children to make their own puppets while Ian Allen and Mark Todd, gave talks in the Black Barn about the Button Moon touring shows. There was even time for some lucky fans to get their pictures taken with Mr Spoon, Mrs Spoon, Tina T Spoon and Eggbert.
Coming Soon on Button Moon
With the success of the Summer fete, Ian Allen is now working to organise an open day at the trust’s home in Norfolk. Follow us on social media to find out more.
After a wet but successful afternoon, the Button Moon Trust raised over £300. People who were unable to make the event, surprised Ian by pushing money through his letterbox the day after.
Thank you to everyone who came along, and the lovely people who gave us permission to use their photographs of the event.
If you’d like to find out more about upcoming events, seeing the Button Moon Puppets or Creative Puppet Courses please contact us for more information.