New Residents Move Into Bekonscot Model Village Thanks To NFTS Model Makers!

Located just around the corner from the National Film and Television School (NFTS) lies Bekonscot Model Village, an extraordinary recreation of rural British life as it was in the 1930s - in miniature!

As part of an exciting new collaboration with Bekonscot, the world’s oldest model village, students from the NFTS Model Making MA programme were tasked with designing a unique new set of mini characters. Inspired by scenes across the village from the boat docks to the circus to grand houses and an airfield, in just 8 weeks, the talented NFTS Model Makers transformed their ideas into reality. The puppets evolved from initial concept sketches to sculpted forms, ultimately becoming highly detailed characters with carefully painted features and handcrafted clothing.

From 12th May 2025, the results will be unveiled to visitors with 12 intricately handcrafted figures, including a fortune teller, zookeeper, postman and deep-sea diver, joining Bekonscot’s tiny community of residents in a charming celebration of creativity and craftsmanship from two of Beaconsfield’s most iconic institutions.

NFTS Head of Model Making John Lee said of the partnership; “The one-year Model Making MA programme at NFTS has been further enriched by the unique partnership between NFTS and Bekonscot Model Village, two renowned institutions situated just a stone’s throw apart. We’re pleased to introduce visitors to the latest characters from the Model Village and hope they enjoy seeing their development as much as we’ve enjoyed helping bring them to life.”

Bekonscot’s Managing Director Brian RJ Newman-Smith said; “At Bekonscot we are absolutely thrilled to announce our partnership with the National Film and Television Studio. As two iconic brands, based in Beaconsfield, with a century of history between us, this partnership is a natural and exciting synergy. Working with their exceptional model making team is an incredible opportunity and we can’t wait to bring our shared passion to life. To celebrate, we have some fantastic events planned to mark the collaboration and we look forward to working together on further projects over the coming months and years!”

In addition to exhibiting these brilliant puppets, Bekonscot’s Lead Figure Maker Lauraine Crowther made additional versions of the puppets at the same scale of the village so they can officially move into their new home! They are tucked into different locations so visitors and children can enjoy a treasure hunt throughout the village.

The puppets will be exhibited at Bekonscot Model Village from May-August 2025 in the Norman Heaton room. Pre-book your tickets to meet them here: bekonscot.co.uk.
 

INTRODUCING THE PUPPETS

Infantry Sergeant Arthur Ripley

Infantry Sergeant Arthur Ripley is a young man from the quaint village of Bekonscot, known more for its peaceful charm than for soldiers. Raised among railways, well-kept gardens, and quiet streets, Arthur grew up with a strong sense of community and tradition. When the Second World War broke out in 1939, he felt an urgent call to serve in the British army, not out of glory or adventure, but a deep-rooted belief in protecting a way of life he’d always known. Leaving his family behind at Bekonscot Station, who knew what adventures Sergeant Ripley would experience, and when he would return home to the well-kept gardens and quiet streets he loved so much. 
 

Madame Rosa

Madame Rosa is a 78-year old fortune teller. She is originally from a little village in Cornwall called Boscastle, a place filled with magical traditions, but travels around England with the circus. Madame Rosa is often found at Bekonscot’s fairground where she works inside a green and white striped tent, practicing tarot card, crystal ball and palm reading. She is always glamorous, wearing lots of sparkly jewellery and colourful clothes. Madame Rosa is mysterious, knowledgeable and always kind. She is a well-respected and cherished member of her community.
 

Neville Posonby-Jones

Neville Posonby-Jones is the new zookeeper at Bekonscot Zoo. He’s not the most careful or hardworking person, and he thought taking care of animals would be an easy job! With no experience at all, Neville is given the task of looking after Leo, a young lion cub who is supposed to be calm and cuddly. But what the other zookeepers don’t know is that Leo is going through his rebellious teenage phase and Neville is in for a wild day! As Leo leads him on a chase around the zoo, Neville might end up with more than a few muddy prints on his uniform and a very big surprise for his mum when she sees the cost of the dry-cleaning bill.
 

Wilbur Wobbleson

Wilbur Wobbleson is a tired and weary postman, trudging through the chilly Christmas of 1934. It seems that each year, everyone waits until the last moment to post their cards and presents, leaving Wilbur to deliver lots of packages in the snow to homes all over Bekonscot. By the end of another long day, he's frozen to the bone, aching all over, and out of any festive cheer. A man of few words, Wilbur has two great loves in life: cabbages and cats. Right now, all he dreams of is sinking into his armchair at home with a bowl of his favourite food and his cat curled contentedly on his head.
 

Frank Lovejoy

Frank Lovejoy is the self proclaimed superstar of AJ Dunlop Garage. With his shiny tools and a charmingly wide smile, he’s always putting on a bit of a show. Like a model on a photoshoot, Frank strikes dramatic poses under cars and makes sure every repair has a touch of extra flair. Whether it's tightening bolts or posing for an imaginary camera, Frank brings a little sparkle to every job. One thing’s for sure: your beloved car will be in expert hands - just don’t be surprised if the receipt comes with Frank’s autograph!
 

Nancy Parker

Nancy Parker is a quintessential 1930s British housewife, devoted to her bustling household and three lively sons: Tom, Jack, and Gordon. Married to her husband Tim since the age of 22, she takes great pride in keeping their home in perfect order, spending her days baking, cooking, cleaning and ensuring everything runs smoothly. She strives to uphold the expectations placed upon her, always wearing a warm smile. Yet beneath her cheerful exterior, Nancy longs for something more, an adventure beyond the laundry line and a moment of peace just for herself.
 

Charlie Bellows

Charlie Bellows is the blacksmith, farrier and owner of C. Bellows Blacksmith’s Forge in Bekonscot Model Village. He learned everything he knows from his father, who ran the forge before him. Now in his fifties, Charlie might not smile much, but he works hard every day, shaping horseshoes and fixing tools with sparks flying all around him. These days, there aren’t as many horses as there used to be, shiny cars and noisy farming machines have taken their place. Charlie sometimes misses the old days, when his forge was busier and his work felt more appreciated. However, he keeps going - hammering, shaping, and keeping the old ways alive, even if he does give the occasional grumpy glance to curious passers-by peeking through the doorway of the forge.
 

Seymour Fish

Seymour Fish is a deep-sea diver and underwater engineer who works in the canals and ports of Bekonscot Model Village. He’s 55 years old and has a big family, six children in total! Seymour runs his own company called Fish & Sons’ Sub Nautica Services, where he helps keep the village’s essential underwater pipes and tunnels in tip-top shape. Wearing a heavy copper diving suit, he goes beneath the water to fix things that most people never even see. He loves his job and always has a proud smile when he talks about it. At home, Seymour enjoys delicious dinners lovingly made by his wife, Mrs Shelly Fish, he spends his free time tinkering with his diving gear and making sure everything works just right.
 

Lady Barbra Chestington

Lady Barbra Chestington is one of the fanciest ladies to grace Bekonscot. Always dressed in fabulously elegant gowns, with just a hint of Chanel No.5 perfume, she glides through the village like she’s walking on a red carpet. Lady Barbra is often seen at the Bekonscot races, perched high on the upper balcony, where she is fond of saying the view up there is “simply superior”. She loves fashion, fancy parties and Champagne (in a very tall glass, of course). But beware, she does not approve of many things which include laughing in public, or the jazz music the younger generation seem to enjoy so much. Even so, she’s always on the lookout for someone who is wealthy, well-mannered and will listen to her tales about the “good old days"- whether they are interested or not!
 

Ava Frost

Ava Frost is a skilled aviatrix, a special term for female pilots in 1934, when there weren’t many women flying planes. Just two weeks ago, she took off from Bekonscot Aerodrome and joined the Summer North Pole Exploration team on a very exciting expedition. Becoming a pilot wasn’t easy, but Ava worked hard to earn her place. Now, as she flies over the icy southern coast of Greenland, she carefully maps the shifting glaciers below. Dressed in a warm white flight suit with a cosy collar, Ava surveys the vast frozen landscape, knowing she’s one of the very few who have ventured this far.
 

Arthur John

 

Arthur John is a talented cricketer from Grenada, a beautiful island in the Caribbean. He moved to the UK when he was just 14, and even though his father was a fisherman, Arthur decided to trade his fishing pole for a cricket bat, and he’s been making waves ever since! Arthur first became famous during a school cricket match at Lord’s Cricket grounds in 1931 where he played alongside Jamaican-born J.H. Cameron. Arthur is a right-handed batsman, known for his strong hitting powers and excellent defence. He really showed his skill when he played for the West Indies national cricket team during their tour of England in 1933. Last summer, he impressed everyone at Lancashire League club Nelson with his consistency and style, leading to talk of a rivalry with fellow West Indian teammate Learie Constantine. This season, Arthur is ready to make his debut for the Bekonscot Bowlers and everyone is excited to see him back on the field.
 

Terry Hunter

Terry Hunter is an aspiring gentleman with big dreams of outdoor adventures. He imagines himself exploring the countryside, taking long walks with dogs and exciting escapades. Dressed in brightly coloured tweed (which once belonged to his aunt), Terry’s greatest accomplishment so far has been accidentally trimming his moustache a little too much, leaving a funny hole! Still, Terry is determined to live out his dreams and can often be found planning his next grand adventure - even if it’s not quite going as he imagined.

We hope you enjoy meeting the models at Bekonscot Model Village this summer!

Find out more about the National Film and Television School Model Making For Film and Animation MA here: nfts.co.uk/model-making-film-and-animation