In a conversation with Sharon M, Kevin,and Jimmy yesterday it became clear that they had painted these toys as children.

“mum would get the work..we would do it” – Jimmy (local artist)

The factory van would drop off a box of 1000 and they would line them up in the kitchen and spend all day painting the boots ,eyes,hats on these well loved toys. When the paint was dry the van would drive round to the houses and pick up  Noddy, Popeye, Donald,and whoever else was in stanwell,

they were boxed and then it was off to the shops to be sold. 

These spongey characters are now collectable as the hand finished mickey has been replaced by nintendo wii on childrens xmas list.

Maybe this donald once paid a vist to stanwell.., maybe it was Sharon who gave him his bow tie?