Oliver Postgate.

Oliver Postgate the creator of The Clangers, Ivor the Engine and
Bagpuss has died at the age of 83.

Some of my most deeply ingrained childhood memories are wrapped up within those shows.

R.I.P. Sir-

Bagpuss gave a big yawn, and settled down to sleep.
And of course when Bagpuss goes to sleep, all his friends go to sleep too.
The mice were ornaments on the mouse-organ.
Gabriel and Madeleine were just dolls.
And Professor Yaffle was a carved wooden bookend in the shape of a woodpecker.
Even Bagpuss himself once he was asleep was just an old, saggy cloth cat.
Baggy, and a bit loose at the seams.
But Emily loved him.

Thanks to Burning wellies for alerting me to this.