She had a great love of all animals, but particularly horses, and was heavily involved in the work of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, along with several humanitarian charities including the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children and the Samaritans. Soon after this, she moved from her home in Hinxworth in Hertfordshire to the United States after marrying a United States Navy officer, Roy O. Stratton, who died in 1985. They adopted two daughters, Pamela and Prudence. The family lived in Washington, D.C., and Falmouth, Massachusetts, on Cape Cod, producing the 1972 book of the same name. She continued to write, most of her books being set in Britain. She was also a regular columnist for the British women's magazine Woman's Own for twenty years (without admitting to being an expatriate). Monica's 1963 book, Cobbler's Dream, thrust her into the spotlight. It brought together her caring attitude towards horses and people. The lead character, an ex-borstal boy, was trying to live down his past. He meets an ex-showjumping horse, who is now blind and living at a home for horses that can no longer work. Both rejected by society, they began to love and support each other. The Follyfoot Quiz book is fairly easy to find in the UK, although not as common as the Follyfoot titles themselves. It is hard to find elsewhere. Follyfoot is hosting a cross-country race, which Dora goes on to win. She is more concerned however that Steve is growing increasingly interested in another girl, Wendy. They see a lot of each other and Dora finds it hard to conceal her jealousy. Wendy goes to see Dora and makes friends with her.

The series' theme song, "The Lightning Tree", written by Francis Essex, the brother of Tony Essex and sung by The Settlers, is well-remembered, sometimes more so than the series itself. The song reached No. 36 in the UK charts in 1971. [2] An album featuring music from the series was also released. Cast: Walter Horsbrugh (Doctor), Larry Noble (Tanner), Dorothea Rundle (Agnes Derwent), Betty Turner (Emily Derwent)

Author (1915 - 1992)

Callie Holmes ( Gillian Bailey): teenage schoolgirl who occasionally helps out at Follyfoot. In the episode Moonstone, Callie coerces Steve into helping her hide a horse she's stolen from the circus, believing the animal to be unhappy. Steve is naturally twitchy because of his criminal past. Callie has a crush on Steve. Cast: Clare Kelly (Katherine Ross), Joe Ritchie (Bert), Ivan Beavis (Liverpool Policeman), Michael Collins (Garage Owner), Leslie Dwyer (Mr. Wimble), Maggie Flint (Mrs. Widgeon), Janet Hargreaves (Lady Millicent Longchild), Andrew Sweeney (Small Boy) Cleo, a friend of Dora's has come to stay for a few days. Dora is concerned that this former horse lover now won't go anywhere near the stables due to a recent accident. Steve and Dora set up a plan to get her riding again, but in a mishap, Steve's leg gets caught in a poacher's trap. In desperation, Cleo mounts a horse and rides for help. Follyfoot Farm is a retirement home for old or unwanted horses, invariably horses rescued from a cruel fate or cruel owners. It's run by the Colonel who is helped by his stepdaughter, Callie, and two stable-hands, Dora and Steve. These three youngsters have plenty to do at the stables, but can always find time to get involved in the mysteries and adventures that abound at Follyfoot.

The farm kitchen is run by a rough-and-ready old boxer named Slugger (Arthur English), who had been the Colonel’s batman during his army career. Also in the action is farmhand Ron Stryker (Christian Rodska), a layabout biker with a heart of gold beneath his abrasive exterior. The Colonel is selling one of the Follyfoot horses, to Dora's upset. However, they need the room for more deserving cases. One such case occurs when a local coalman is working his horse to death. Dora is distressed, but Steve tells her they can't take any more horses. Dora relents and the horse is sold, leaving room for them to take in the workhorse. Episodes 3 hours ago Abbey Clancy: Celebrity Homes: Sheree Murphy and Caprice ( Thursday 2 November 2023) I thought people can be cruel but what happened to some of these horses is disgraceful, well writtenCast: Rio Fanning (Reporter), Len Jones (Willy Willens), John Lyons (Photographer), Margery Mason (Mrs. Willens), Bryan Sweeney (Gip Willens) Streets Of San Francisco, The 1 9 7 2 - 1 9 7 7 (USA) 120 x 60 minute episodes The Streets Of San Francisco was based… Being a series about neglected horses the show often featured some hard hitting storylines including some where the horse doesn’t make it through. Throughout the series you expect that Steve and Dora will eventually become an item but despite some lingering looks and unspoken commitments they never did. By the time the third season arrived Dora was in charge of Follyfoot after the Colonel becomes too ill to look after it himself.

Horse in the House 1 9 7 7 (UK) 12 x 25 minute episodes This children's series from Thames Television featured Melanie Webb (Kim McDonald),… Another popular series, although it is really more of a general animal series rather than pony one, it does include a strong pony element, as the main character is horse-mad! If you like Follyfoot I would recommend these books. Cast: John Cater (Clem Barrett), Betty Turner (Mrs. Barrett), Ron Welling (Horse Owner), Peter Whitbread (Auctioneer), Ray Witch (Shopkeeper)

LoveReading4Kids Says

Cast: Gillian Bailey (Callie Holmes), Wallace Campbell (Vet), Christopher Coll (George Platt), Kay Gallie (George's wife), Paul Guess (Lewis Hammond), Keith James (Shopkeeper), Bert Palmer (Tom Platt), Kathy Staff (Woman) Most people of our vintage remember the theme tune, Lightning Tree or maybe one of the characters, either Steve or Dora. Whatever you remember you'll find something here to jog the memory as well as new stuff to intrigue and surprise,includinga fantastic collection of fanfic for this series. TOP NOTCH STORYTELLING. Even if this is such an old book it is still absolutely fantastic. They don't write stories like these anymore and I completely loved them. Can't recommend these enough for all ages. The eccentric Colonel is a horse lover who owns Follyfoot Farm, a sanctuary for distressed, neglected and rescued horses.