Pelham Puppets are one of the best known puppet brands in the UK. Founded by Bob Pelham in Marlborough, Wiltshire, in 1947 - originally Wonky Toys, Pelham Puppets rapidly became the nation’s favourite marionettes and many still survive and are played with today. The company continued until the 1990s, and after a hiatus was revived by a former employee, David Leech, in 2010.

Ranging from simple human marionettes to more complex animals, fantastical creatures and well known characters, the puppets offer a wealth of history. Now vintage, and having been enjoyed by several generations, Pelham Puppets tend to suffer damage to their paintwork, limbs and accessories, and especially strings which get tangled and broken over time.

We are pleased to offer a Pelham Puppet restringing and repair service to help bring them back to life again. We can also fix other brands of puppet but sourcing replacement parts may be more difficult.

Services offered include:

• Cleaning

• Restringing - using the proper colours and weight of Linen thread

• Repair of boxes - using conservation grade tissue and wheat starch adhesive

• Reattachment of limbs and other parts

• Replacement of limbs and other parts where missing, including control bars

• Repair to clothing and accessories

• Sympathetic restoration of paintwork where chipped

• Mending of cracks or breaks

Prices

Prices will vary according to the complexity of each job.

• For reference, our standard hourly rate is £25/hr plus materials. Return postage via Royal Mail Special Delivery (for peace of mind) will be factored in to the estimate - for a standard size figure puppet this is currently £8.75. Restringing is £35 to include return postage and materials. We should be able to give you a rough idea of time from some photos.

• Payment will be through an invoice which will be emailed to you once the work is completed, and which you can pay through the website’s secure online checkout. Once your invoice is paid your puppet will be safely packed and returned to you.

Our Ethos

We take every care to retain the puppet’s character and uniqueness, so it comes back to you stronger, repaired and ready for it’s next performance rather than looking ‘new’. We are aware of the value - both financial and historical of such items and ensure that any work undertaken is sympathetic - especially where painting is concerned.

The mechanics of the work is undertaken by Ian, with support from Katie. Painting and clothing repairs are undertaken by Katie, who is also an artist, so good at matching colours and styles!

All of the work is undertaken with love and care… your puppet will receive the best of treatment here!

Browse our portfolio here to see examples of previous work - this is currently a work in progress so will be added to shortly.

Use the enquiry form on this page to make an enquiry in the first instance.