The Wombles To The Rescue audiobook on BBC Radio 4
BBC Radio 4 is returning to the adventures of the Wombles, following last year’s release of three brand new audiobooks narrated by Richard E Grant.
For Christmas 2023 the first book, The Wombles, was broadcast in daily episodes on BBC Radio 4, while The Wandering Wombles and The Wombles To The Rescue were released for streaming on BBC Sounds.
Now for Christmas 2024, The Wombles To The Rescue has been ‘recycled’ into seven 14-minute episodes to fit the radio schedule, rather than the original six episodes ranging from 15 to 20 minutes each.
The programme information reads:
The Wombles live under Wimbledon Common, and it is their special responsibility to ‘tidy up’ everything that untidy human beings leave behind.
In this third audiobook in the series, the Wombles are back at their old burrow underneath Wimbledon Common. There’s a Womble world shortage of ‘this and that’ and Great Uncle Bulgaria is called over to America to attend a crisis summit. Back home, a visit from Cousin Botany is full of surprises and new inventions.
A warm and delightful listen with an underpinning environmental message, The Wombles To The Rescue is based on the original books by Elisabeth Beresford, performed by Richard E Grant, directed by Johnny Vegas and nestled in a new soundscape for all the family to enjoy.
The Wombles To The Rescue
Episode 1: Great Uncle Bulgaria Gets A Letter
Broadcast: 23 December 2024 at 6:15pm on BBC Radio 4
Summary: The Wombles are happy to be back at home but a surprise visitor seems unusually quiet.
Description: It’s lovely to be back home under Wimbledon Common but a surprise visitor ruffles some feathers (or fur) and Great Uncle Bulgaria receives a very important letter.
Episode 2: Tobermory Sees Trouble Ahead
Broadcast: 24 December 2024 at 6:15pm on BBC Radio 4
Summary: Plans are afoot for Great Uncle Bulgaria’s trip to America, but Tobermory is worried.
Description: All the young Wombles are far too excited about being back in their old home burrow to notice that Great Uncle Bulgaria, Tobermory and Madame Cholet are rather quiet and thoughtful. Exactly who will accompany Great Uncle Bulgaria on his overseas trip? And who’s going to run the burrow while he’s away?
Episode 3: Wellington Vanishes
Broadcast: 25 December 2024 at 6:15pm on BBC Radio 4
Summary: There are Human Beings on the Common, but what are they up to, and where is Wellington?
Description: As Great Uncle Bulgaria and Bungo leave for America a strange van appears on Wimbledon Common.
Episode 4: The Grey Wolf of Wimbledon Common
Broadcast: 26 December 2024 at 6:15pm on BBC Radio 4
Summary: Are you a wolf or a Womble? Wellington’s quick thinking saves the day.
Description: Great Uncle Bulgaria reports back on his and Bungo’s travels and Wellington is inspired by his recent encounter with Human Beings.
Episode 5: The Big Splash
Broadcast: 27 December 2024 at 6:15pm on BBC Radio 4
Summary: Cousin Botany has something to say about Wellington and Tomsk’s oil rig.
Description: Wellington and Tomsk construct their ‘oil rig’ only to come face to face with a furious Cousin Botany who, suddenly, has quite a lot to say.
Episode 6: Cousin Botany’s Secret
Broadcast: 30 December 2024 at 6:15pm on BBC Radio 4
Summary: Cousin Botany’s secret is fully revealed and Tomsk has an idea.
Description: Tomsk has an idea and The Wombles put a new plan into action.
Episode 7: Remember You’re a Womble
Broadcast: 31 December 2024 at 6:15pm on BBC Radio 4
Summary: Bungo and Great Uncle Bulgaria return to find a Wombleful surprise awaiting them.
Description: The rain arrives and starts to fill the tanks of the new underwater plant farm. Madame Cholet rustles up a delicious new recipe and the rest of the burrow is humming with excitement at the return of Great Uncle Bulgaria and Bungo.