We believe that Gordon Murrays Rubovian Legends television series, and the later Rubovia series deserve to be released on home video. Out of a total of 33 programmes made between 1955 and 1976, at least sixteen films are extant in various archives. A few of the early programmes were transmitted live, and some were telerecorded. The balance of the programmes were filmed prior to broadcast.

The Rubovian Legends series comprising 27 B&W marionette plays, and the later Rubovia series comprising six colour stop-motion puppet plays, represents two overlooked (but never forgotten) chapters in the history of British childrens television and puppetry. The "Rubovia" programmes were created by Gordon Murray, who is one of the acknowledged masters of childrens television puppetry. Gordon Murray's puppetry cuts across all age groups and has found a receptive modern audience, as evidenced by the successful transition of his Trumptonshire trilogy to DVD.

The Rubovian Legends have primary historical significance as one of the stand-outs in the area of early BBC childrens television. The plots were strong, the dialogue was intelligent and sophisticated, the stories were fast-paced, the characters memorable, and the sets and Queen Anne-style puppet clothing exquisite. Caught in the timeless world of Rubovia, these stories are as compelling today as they were more than 40 years ago. If a home video release is done soon, it should still be possible for several surviving crew, and possibly even Gordon Murray himself to contribute to an extra DVD feature about the production.

We would like to congratulate the BBC on the successful release of nearly all of Gordon Murrays stop-motion television puppetry work. However, we request the BBC to not overlook his brilliant earlier work with marionettes in the Rubovian Legends. Although the main focus of this petition is Gordon Murray's unique earlier B&W Rubovian Legends series, for historical completeness, we would like to see his later stop-motion colour series released also.

We wish the BBC all success with the future release of these true childrens television classics.