At around the age of 13 or 14, having discovered psychedelic drugs, my brother and me would play truant whenever Mr Benn was on. You have a tendency to expand on your memories with a warm glow, there was only 1 series but this became cult viewing in the 70s and 80s. Not unlike the effects of LSD , Mr Benn would enter the costume shop where as if by magic the shopkeeper would appear like an avatar of some sacred god. nBenn would try on the costume of an astronaut, a cowboy or a knight and after walking through the changing room door find himself in an alternative reality.
David McKee, the creator of Mr Benn lived in Festing Road in Putney. In the series its name was changed to Festive Road. The residents of the street have laid a paving stone to commemmorate the streets most famous reident. A tea party was heald to celebrate the laying of the stone where the residents who had raised the money for this sacred act wore costumes inspired by the spiritual journeys taken by Benn.
McKee said 'I am really happy that the occupants of Festing Road are doing this, everyone used to say that Mr Benn was stoned and now he really is.'
Mr Benn was a truly magical entity in my childhood,showing respect for all types of people..its wats on the inside that matters.He probably dressed as all the village-people and did so as the respectable man he was.He was telling us we can really be what we want to..or we can try it out!I am SO chuffed to read he is remembered.An adventurer and a inspiration to us kids then.Bless you Mr Ben..you looked ordinary but were extrodinary!
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