Island Life Magazine Ltd October/November 2013 | Page 31

INTERVIEW

‘I feel my
friend
Hammy
has told
his story
well'

Picture by Nathan Lewis

had a lucky escape after nearly being attacked by a
grizzly bear!
He never forgot Wootton, and after hiring a barn in
the vicinity, he used it as the set for a second series
of ‘Tales of the Riverbank’, this time in colour and
comprising 26 half-hour episodes. For each episode
about half a dozen of hamsters and white rats, with
the same markings, were on hand for around five
minutes of filming apiece, before they decided it
was time to go back to sleep. Guinea pigs were more
resilient and only one per series was required.
While still living in London, Dave rented properties
on the Island, and bought his house at Whippingham
initially as a holiday home before moving here
permanently. His props, but not his animal stars, are
still with him, testament to ‘Tales of the Riverbank’
that earned worldwide recognition and numerous
awards.
In the early 1990s ‘Further Tales of the Riverbank’,
were screened by Channel 4 for several years and
was marketed around the world. Dave added: “With
books, comic strips, videos and now DVDs, I feel my
friend Hammy has told his story well.”

Roderick, GP and Hammy
plotting an adventure

Hammy Hamster’s
Boot House

www.visitislandlife.com

31