Stan & Gran

Roaming Gnomes is a single‑episode children’s animation that aired on CBBC this spring. The story follows seven‑year‑old Stan Breakwater and his surprisingly spry 71‑year‑old grandmother as they hunt down Grandad’s beloved garden gnomes, which have mysteriously vanished. The voice cast is a mix of veteran British actors – Dame June Whitfield (as Gran) and a cheeky youngster, Tom‑Lee Harper, as Stan – giving the show a proper, slightly nostalgic feel. It’s essentially a modern spin on the 1990s BBC series “Gnome Patrol”, but with brighter colours and a sharper script. The episode kicks off with the garden in chaos: the gnomes are gone, and Grandad is inconsolable. Stan and Gran set off on a “detective‑on‑wheels” adventure, following a trail of tiny footprints, a mischievous squirrel, and a series of cryptic riddles left on garden stones. Along the way they bump into a rival gang of garden sprites and a grumpy hedgehog who claims to have seen the missing gnomes heading for the local park. The mystery unravels in a series of whimsical set‑pieces that keep the humour light and the stakes low, perfect for a Saturday morning audience. Honestly, it’s a mixed bag. The jokes land better than the animation – the character designs feel a touch dated and some of the background movement is a bit ropy, but the writing is surprisingly witty, reminding me of “The Magic Roundabout” meets “Postman Pat”. Kids will love the chase, and adults might appreciate the gentle nods to classic British garden lore. If you can overlook the occasional visual wobble, it’s a charming, if not groundbreaking, half‑hour of fun. Rated U, though there’s a brief moment of mild peril when the gang gets trapped in a garden pond, and a few mild British slang terms that might need a quick explanation for overseas viewers. First terrestrial showing on CBBC, part of a revived series that aims to blend nostalgia with fresh storytelling. Good for a quick watch with the family, as long as you keep expectations in check.