Windy Miller Works His Magic!

Camberwick Green is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year! Many people will fondly recognise the beloved leading star of the famed children’s TV series -Windy Miller.The enduring character has had a very busy schedule recently filming for the new Quaker Oaks advert with his naturist Uncle who is visiting from Norway. Windy is often seen wearing his smock and riding a tricycle. He lives in Colley’s Mill, just outside the small, quaint village of Camberwick Green. When going into or out of his windmill he amazingly always manages to miss the sails. He’s very superstitious - he believes in whistling for the wind, and touching a sweep's collar for luck. He also keeps a cow for milk, and free range chickens for eggs. FemaleFirst were able to chat to the loveable bachelor about his current projects, his life since the end of the Camberwick series, the trials and tribulations of living in a windmill and finally his love life.Are you seeing anybody special at the moment – Molly from the Feathers perhaps?

Ha how did I know that would be your first question!! Molly and I are very happy at the moment – that’s all you’re getting out of me.Do you have any nicknames?

Big WHow old are you?

Old enough to know better

What are your hobbies?

Making my home-brewed cider, entertaining lady friends

Have you any turn-offs?

New fangled farming methods, mobile phones, noisy cars

What’s your best attribute?

Living life at my own pace

Any shortcomings?

I’m not known for my fashion sense

How would you friends describe you?

The bachelor, the man about town

Any hidden talent?

Is best kept well hidden

Who do you most admire?

Trumpton Ladies Volleyball Squad, Camb

What are your favourite foods?

Quaker Oats, home brewed cider

What keeps you awake at night?

Who keeps me awake more like…

I believe Camberwick’s making a comeback. Can you tell us a bit more about that?

The original programmes have been digitally restored and released on DVD. They’re going down a storm!

How did you feel when they asked you to star in the filming for the TV ads?

Obviously very flattered. Quaker is a fantastic brand and I love porridge so it’s really fun to do!

Will there be any new people in the cast of the revamped material?

It’s the same old crew – Pugh Pugh, Barney McGrew, Cuthbert, Dibble and Grubb

What’s it been like catching up with your Uncle Guber, now he’s come visiting you from Norway?

Well it’s always interesting when Uncle comes to stay as I’m sure you can imagine! It always causes a bit of a stir I can tell you! He’s great fun and I was really pleased he could star in the latest Quaker ad with me.

Are all your other friends and family members supportive of you being involved in the TV ads and series?

Oh Yes, although a few have wondered about the wisdom of allowing Uncle Guber out in public! No they are all really supportive and really enjoy seeing the Miller name up in lights every time a Quaker ad airs!

What have you been up to since the end of the Trumptonshire Trilogy?

I’m just enjoying my peaceful life in Camberwick Green – grinding corn, drinking cider and entertaining Molly from the Feathers.

It’s good to see inside the Colley’s mill again after so long in the TV ads. What’s the best thing about living inside a mill?

I think the fact that it is so individual people want to come back time and time again. I was so pleased that the Quaker ads showed the inside of my mill because I’m really proud of living there.

And the worst thing?

Well rather embarrassingly when it’s very windy the sails can not only whip off my hat but cause some of my female visitors to find themselves running for cover as the sails whip up a bit of a storm!

We know you as a miller, but what would you be otherwise?

I’m not sure really now I have a taste for television I would love to be a TV presenter maybe do a show about the countryside show people the cooler quirkier side of it. That would be great!

If you could meet one person dead or alive, who would it be?

I’m happy with the people I’ve already met!

What’s the most surprising thing that has ever happened to you?

Becoming a bit of an icon after all this time! Very flattering

Nick Park said he was inspired by Camberwick Green in his formative years. What do you think of his animated characters – Wallace and Gromit?

Well you certainly can’t fault them for making the most of their fame – I mean films really!

What’s so special about Quaker Oats?

I think the thing that makes Quaker Oats so great is not only are they healthy and filling but also taste really good. If you take the Quaker Oatso Simple range it microwaves in 2.5 minutes, only contains natural flavourings and comes in a variety of delicious flavours such as Golden Syrup and Raspberry

Why do you think the audience of Chamberwick loved it so much – why has it stuck in the minds of so many people?

I think the reason people still appreciate it is that it had a unique charm and total lack of pretence that many shows now lack. Now it’s all flashing lights, techno music and killer bugs/ reptiles/ rabbits you name it.

One of the ads shows you getting into trouble with PC McGarry. Have you been in any more bother recently?

Hmmm depends what you think counts as bother!

Where would you like to see yourself in another twenty years time?

Well at the moment the bachelor lifestyle suits me really well but who knows maybe in 20 years you’ll be interviewing me Mrs Miller and 2 mini Millers!! How does that sound?

Will there be anymore of your relatives featuring in the TV ads that you do?

Hmmm not sure about that after all being upstaged by one relative is one thing but by any more and I might start getting a complex!!

How’s your old friend Mr Carraway, the fishmonger doing?

He’s well thanks

What are you good/not so good at?

I’m good at whittling wood, I’m bad at walking under ladders as I am very superstitious!

If I weren’t talking to you now, what would you be doing?

Well it’s morning so I’d be just waking up and having a bowl of porridge probably

How’s your rival Farmer Bell doing?

I don’t want to talk about him

Are you still keeping up with the jogging? What else do you like to do to keep fit?

Well like everyone I find it harder to keep myself fit in the winter months as it’s so much colder and darker. Some days I barely make it outside but luckily having porridge makes me feel like I am being extremely healthy so as long as I have that every morning I feel like I am being very good!

What’s the public’s biggest misconception about you?

That I can’t speak – I am just one of those people of few words I would rather wait and say something poignant. People also tend to think that I am quite old fashioned which just isn’t true.

Do you have a favourite episode out of all the Camberwick ones that you starred in?

I loved every single one

What’s an ideal night out for you?

Well I am a cider fan extraordinaire so my favourite day of the year is the London Drinker Beer & Cider Festival my favourite holiday is the Festival de la Sidra (Cider Festival,)in Spain

What would you like your epitaph read?

Windy Miller like a bird he’ll watch the wind and listen for the sound

What’s next for you, besides the TV ads and the return of Camberwick?

Well I’m pretty busy at the moment so maybe a holiday

First were also lucky enough to speak to Windy’s Norwegian relation, Uncle Guber to get all the gossip from him.

How long have you been a naturist? When did you decide to become one?

In Norway we are a lot more comfortable with nakedness it is not such a big deal. I can’t remember exactly when I decided to become one it was more gradual than that starting with just walking round the house then doing the gardening naked and now I think people in clothes look strange!

What do other friends and family think about you being one – (besides Windy)

Well a lot of my friends are naturists so they would think it strange if I started wearing clothes!! As for my family well they all get a little embarrassed especially what with Windy being so famous but after all I’m happy so for them that is the most important thing.

Has your chosen lifestyle ever got you into any more hitches than the one we see in the current ad?

Let’s just say that the cold winter months in Norway are not the most forgiving of seasons for a naturist. Also at Windy’s I sometimes fear that those sails could prove problematic. But the new Quaker ad is pretty realistic about my lifestyle

How long are you staying with Windy?

Until he chucks me out of the windmill for embarrassing him!

What is it you like especially about the lifestyle – being at one with nature?

That and the attention!! Ha ha seriously it is just a lot more relaxed no more worries about washing, ironing what to wear imagine how much more time everyone would have if they just did not have to shop clean, and press clothes?

What’s next for you Uncle Guber?

Back to Norway at some point after all you can take a man out of the fjords but not the fjords out of a man!!

Rebecca Leach