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In 1977 there was a TV program filmed by HTV called ‘The Children Of The Stones’. It was a half hour drama aimed at older kids. It was aired around 5.15 and was filmed on location in Avebury; (although it was called Millbury in the show). I was only 11 when I watched it. It made quite an impression on me, so much so that I sometimes wonder if this show sparked my latent interest in megolithomania.
I never thought I’d see the show again, I heard it was only screened once - but the seven episodes have recently been released on video & DVD- (deep joy!) I watched the first two episodes again last night. It still retains its eerie quality, and despite some very dodgy science, gives a pretty true account of the date and nature of the stones, (even referring to the ‘hackpen’ – cool!).
I'll post a review after I've seen the seven episodes this weekend, (unless it's already been covered here and I've missed it). It’s fun to see the familiar village in a 1970’s setting, nothing much has changed really, ‘cept hair length perhaps.
The storyline centred on two new visitors to the village (Father & Son), who find the inhabitant's ways strange. As the series progresses, they find the stones are exhibiting a sinister influence on the townsfolk. Or something like that :-)
Does anyone else remember the series? I wonder if there are some ‘thirtysomethings’ (what a horrible term!) on this group that feel, like me, that an initial seed of wonder was planted as they watched this strange show about the odd village surrounded by stones?

There have been other, quite long threads about this series on Head Heritage.

Myself and Morfeticia were out at Avebury last friday, and funnily enough (or not) we both mentioned Children of The Stones, being thirty-somethings (loosely!!), am delighted to see that it's been released! Thanks!

i think you could be right, i remember this and feeling chilled yet excited..
can I ask where did you get the dvd's from, ??
don't get out much but will have to venture to get hold of these, bet my two pixilings would love them!
thanks
pixie
xxx

Sorry if it's all been said before Vybic - but I thought this being a new release might warrant another thread.

Morfe, I always think of this show whilst trotting round Avebury. In fact, the first time I went to Avebury I expected there to be at least *some* reminder in the shops or Great Barn, yet there was nothing. I wonder if the Henge is selling the new video/DVD?

Pixie, I got mine from Amazon.co.uk, but I bet WHSmiths will get you a copy if you don't want to buy on the 'net. The catalogue number on my video copy is 2TV 2017, and the video is produced by Second Sight. I'm sure they'll even deliver - I'd ask if I were you.
Hope the Pixilings are pleasantly scared ;-)

and how about that awful Nigel Kneale rehash of Quatermass in the 80's (?) with John Mills and Toyah Wilcox? That had tons of stone circles in it, but i cant recall which ones - utter crap, though!

Give me Quatermass and the Pit (BBC version) anyday!

Way past 30s, but I remember moving to Calne 1970,and taking the dog for its daily walk round Avebury, not so many tourists around in those days, quiet as the proverbial ghost and full of atmosphere. There is an iron age hillfort behind the white horse that had the same spooky feeling of long dead people. I watched the Children of the stones as well and can only remember the way that the road snaked into the village around the stones. Did an archaeology course after that. A good book to read, if you can ever find it, is Jaquetta Hawkes - The Prehistoric and Roman monuments in England and Wales. She toured around, like many of the people on this website, (no camera though) but writes beautifully about many of these sites that are posted, its a 1954 book Chatto and Windus.

I loved the series so much that I eventually became a happy-dayer ... moving into the doctors house! Anyway, it's now a veggie B&B; as listed on this site by some wag called Richardwhatson .... who says I'm like the guy on Mr Ben .... you know 'suddenly a man appeared' ........ well he gives my B&B a five star and I do wear odd clothes sometimes ..... so fair play mate ..... In truth, by day I'm a mild mannered B&B proprietor, yet by night I slip through the rhubarb patch time portal to buy Antiquarian books about stoney stuff whilst acting as personal pastry advisor to Wild Willy Borlase.

Play.com now have this DVD for a mere £6.99 including postage.

http://www.play247.com/play247.asp?pa=pfa&page=title&r=R2&title=107067

Ooh, I think I remember this! I think one of my schoolfriends at the time was an extra in it, and I was exceedingly jealous, had already started reading Watkins and Lethbridge then as a lad! He was part of a alrge throng of teenagers who were drawn to the Stones, chanting something like "Leh - leh - leh" (Ley?) - are we talking about the same prog?