Rye Harbour Image Library

Picture No:	238
Courtesy of:	Mary Lestocq
Year:	1970

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Humphrey Lestocq

photographed by Mary Lestocq.
Picture Added on 27 February 2007.

Comments

I might be wrong but I believe that this is dear old "HL", as he was known to thousands of children who watched series "Whirligig" in the 1950s. He was straightman to a puppet, "Mr Turnip", and suffered accordingly.
He was also to be heard in the Radio series "Much-binding in the marsh", as Flying-Officer Kyte. "HL" is still fondly remembered
Added by Geoff M. on 07 February 2008.

I remember H.L. along with Mr Turnip and Whirlygig. Help me out here. Am I right in thinking that on alternate Saturdays there was another programme also, featuring among others, Mick & Montmorentcy, The Appleyards and Augustus Peabody ?
Added by Colin on 10 August 2008.

This is very much a face from my past. Yes' it has to be HL. Whirligig, broadcast every other Saturday, was a must in our house. By modern standards the black and white reproduction on our first TV was not of a high order, and yet the magic of this programme has remained with me to the present day. HL was a amiable sort of chap, who handled himself very well on this programme. We should bear in mind that broadcasts were live then, so the performers had to get it right first time, but I suppose no one would have bothered too much if they didn't. I think that if HL had been born into the modern era his career may well have had a greater impact.
Added by John Williams on 25 June 2009.

I interviewed HL in 1978 for a hospital radio station in connection with the re-introduction of a lifeboat to Rye Harbour and about his radio career. HL was, I believe, the first secretary for the RNLI inshore boat. Of course, his famous catch-phrase as F/O Kyte was, "I say. I rather care for that!"
Added by Eddie Pugh on 31 March 2011.

Yes I remember HL who, sometimes, got into a slapstick mess, mainly due to Mr Turnip, the puppet. I think that Patricia Driscoll occasionly appeared in Whirligig {she would tell HL off} Patricia Driscoll used to present PICTURE BOOK, for the BBC and later on was MAID MARION, in ROBIN HOOD for ATV (early ITV)
Added by PETER HUGHES on 24 July 2012.

Mary and Humphrey were a glory to see together and they kept a loving home. My Uncle Graham new them well.
Added by Nigel M Steele on 10 April 2014.

Wonderful memories of waiting for Whirligig to come on after the live football on a Saturday afternoon. My father I remember often fell asleep whilst the football was on and my twin sister and me had to sit on the floor eagerly awaiting Whirligig. The opening song with a model of fairground gallopers going around started " Whirligig whirligig round and round you go, Whilygig Whilygig let the children know etc". Highlight of our week as far as most children of our age watching a small black and white screen thought. We were about 6.
Added by Hugh Malkinson. on 14 January 2017.

Was Humphrey the presenter of Billy Bean and his Funny Machine on TV? (ed. it's not mentioned on his Wiki page https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humphrey_Lestocq)
Added by PaulMiller on 30 September 2017.

No, I don't believe that Humphrey was in this. However Peter Hawkins, who was the voice of Mr.Turnip in Whirligig also played the voice of Billy Bean.

Added by Philip Moore on 08 October 2017.

I'm now 73 and have just seen a man on TV that epitomizes, Mr Turnip. He is, still vivid in my head even after 70 years. Loved him.
Penny (Cheltenham)
Added by Penny Watts on 06 January 2021.

Was there another puppet on whirligig called mexican Pete ?? I'm nearly 79 so could easily be wrong. It was such a marvellous programme. I'm so glad so many others remember it. !!! And the appleyards. !!! Many thanks. Warren
Added by Warren stutely on 02 December 2024.