About this season
Follyfoot is a children's television series co-produced by the majority-partner British television company Yorkshire Television and the independent West German company TV Munich. It aired in the United Kingdom between 1971 and 1973, repeated for two years after that and again in the late 1980s. The series starred Gillian Blake in the lead role. Notable people connected with the series were actors Desmond Llewelyn and Arthur English and directors Jack Cardiff, Stephen Frears, Michael Apted and David Hemmings. It was originally inspired by Monica Dickens' 1963 novel Cobbler's Dream; she later wrote four further books in conjunction with the series—Follyfoot in 1971, Dora at Follyfoot in 1972, The Horses of Follyfoot in 1975, and Stranger at Follyfoot in 1976.
Episodes (13)
1. The Distant Voice
Aired 23 June 1973 • 30 min
The Colonel makes Dora the "mistress of Follyfoot", but she soon finds that running Follyfoot is quite different to just living and working there. Steve seems unwilling to help, and when the milk-horse Tansy refuses to eat, her problems are only just beginning.
2. The Four Legged Hat
Aired 30 June 1973 • 30 min
Dora tries to make a deal with Clem Barrett to exchange Domino with Hercules, but he asks for ten pounds in compensation. Slugger is about to give Dora the money when Steve sticks his oar in.
3. Barney
Aired 7 July 1973 • 30 min
The Buckley's buy their daughter a horse but they haven't a clue about horses and Barney turns out to be untrained. They gladly allow Dora to take Barney off their hands and tame him, however once he's been tamed they want him back.
4. Miss Him When He's Gone
Aired 14 July 1973 • 30 min
Dora agrees to hide Bobby for a few days, but it results in unexpected repercussions for both her and the family she's hiding the horse from.
5. The Dream
Aired 21 July 1973 • 30 min
Some horses that have been stolen from Lockwood's' stables by men on motorbikes and Dora and Steve hunt for them, then Dora overhears a threat from Mr. Lockwood to get back at those responsible.
6. The Challenge
Aired 28 July 1973 • 30 min
The unscrupulous Sam Lockwood challenges Dora to a cross-country race, but he has assumed that all the horses at Follyfoot are old crocks. When he finds that they're not he tries to prevent her from winning.
7. The Letter
Aired 4 August 1973 • 30 min
Dora has never had a love letter before, but the one from Chip is much more than that - for in it lays that fate of a man.
8. The Bridge Builder
Aired 11 August 1973 • 30 min
Hidden deep in the woods, four gypsy horses lay dying. How can Dora help if no-one will tell her where they are.
9. Uncle Joe
Aired 18 August 1973 • 30 min
When two young children, who go to Follyfoot for riding lessons, are orphaned their only surviving relative is their Uncle Joe. Dora and Steve track down Uncle Joe but Dora is very attracted to him, much to Steve's annoyance.
10. The Helping Hand
Aired 25 August 1973 • 30 min
Dora's is annoyed when Phyllis Wetherby is sent to help her run Follyfoot by the Colonel. Steve seems pleased, but he's the only one.
11. Rain on Friday
Aired 1 September 1973 • 30 min
It pours with rain all day and tempers run high. In the heat of the moment Dora, Steve and Ron all say things best left unsaid, because some of them are true.
12. Hazel
Aired 8 September 1973 • 30 min
A delinquent child smashes the windows of an expensive car, but can the brutal attack on Copper be connected?
13. Walk in the Woods
Aired 15 September 1973 • 30 min
Dora becomes restless and disillusioned and looks to her future, but she also has the futures of those who depend upon her to worry about. It's not only a decision on if she should leave Follyfoot, it's also a question of if she can.