Happy Days - The Children of the Stones

Stewart Lee explores the ground-breaking TV series 'Children of the Stones' and examines its special place in the memories of those children who watched it on its initial transmission in a state of excitement and terror.

In 1977, HTV launched the revolutionary children's ITV drama telling the story of an astrophysicist and his son who arrive in the village of Milbury to study ancient stones. Residents greet each other with the phrase "Happy day", with the community held in a strange captivity by the psychic forces generated by the circle of giant Neolithic stones which surround it.

Filmed at Avebury in Wiltshire, it is a strangely atmospheric production with the baleful, discordant wailing voices of the incidental music increasing the tension.

The story, involving a temporal paradox and issues of individuality and community assimilation thematically challenged the after-school audience, which included writer and comedian, Stewart Lee.

Stewart returns to Avebury to discuss the show's impact, examine its influence on him and explore the history and secrets of the ancient stones.

1970s kids may have dived behind the sofa during Doctor Who, but it was 'Children of the Stones' that gave them nightmares.

The series is frequently cited by those who remember it as one of the scariest things they saw as children.

Featuring;

Series co-creator Jeremy Burnham,
Singer Julian Cope
TV cast members and fans

Producer: Stephen Garner

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2012.