Puppet stolen over 50 years ago finally back in museum

By Isobel Williams

The original puppet of Mother Clanger has been put back on display after being mysteriously stolen more than 50 years ago.

The puppet, which was used as the star of the hit children's TV show The Clangers, was snatched from a London exhibition in 1973.

The handcrafted figure was taken from its display by two 15-year-old boys, one of whom was Michael O’Connor, who stuffed it into his attic in Ireland.

Just before his death, Michael confessed the theft to his son Michael Burke, who later dug out the figure and contacted Canterbury City Council’s Museums and Galleries team.

The star puppet has now returned to England and been reunited with the rest of her family on display at the Beaney House of Art and Knowledge in Canterbury, Kent.

Michael and his mother Ellen Burke met with TV show creator Peter Firmin’s daughters Emily, Charlotte and Kate Firmin, to return the long-lost creature.

More from this section

With Legos, trolling and Twain, Iran pushes war narrative on social media

Ostrich on a side quest: runaway big bird sprints on Thai highway

Israeli strikes kill Iran Guards intel chief as Trump deadline looms

Emily said: “It was such a surprise. Despite her years in an attic box, Mother Clanger was in remarkable condition and still radiating her unique charm.

“She has faded wool and the tip of her nose is damaged.

“We are just glad to get her back to be with her Clanger family.

“My mum and dad would’ve thought what naughty boys they were at 15 but now would be full of forgiveness especially as they told us as soon as they found her.”

Mother Clanger is now on display in the Smallfilms Gallery at The Beaney alongside her family and other Firmin and Postgate favourites such as Bagpuss.

The council’s Cabinet member for culture and heritage, Cllr Charlotte Cornell, added: “For someone who has not been fed Green Soup by the Soup Dragon for five decades, Mother Clanger is not looking too shabby.

“We’re very happy to give her a warm welcome as she returns to Canterbury.

“This heartwarming reunion marks not only the return of a treasured artwork but also the closing chapter of a story filled with curiosity, guilt, discovery and, ultimately, a proper homecoming.”