Follyfoot - Follyfoot fan tribute site

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Gillian Blake, with husband Peter Whitbread, recorded audio cassettes for children during the 1980's and 1990's

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Follyfoot Annuals

Other Follyfoot related annuals

1973 Annual

Davey's Daring Rescue

Lost in the Snow

Mystery at Follyfoot

Odds Against the Favourite

The Mystery Mare

The Wild West Riding

1974 Annual

Dora Saves the Day

Foul Play at Follyfoot

Hidden Treasure

One Stormy Night

Riders Relay

The Circus Secret

1975 Annual

Gipsy Rock

Hideout

Phantom of Follyfoot

Queen for a Day

Red Tempest

Sluggers Secret

The Stranger

1976 Annual

A Rival for Dora

A Star is Born

Accident

Dora Lends a Hand

One Good Turn

The Secret Shooting

1977 Annual

A Favour Returned

A Joker in the Pack

Firefly

Flags at Follyfoot

Gipsies and Gorgios

Save the Shires

Slugger and Spice

Look In comic strips

With thanks to MJM, Shaqui and JM for the scans.

Please note not all strips are complete.

1972 Annual

Charge of the Light Brigade!

Follyfoot Special 1973 (4 b/w pages)

Writer: Angus Allan
Artist: Mike Noble

Attempting to acquire sorely needed funds, Dora is in Leeds to clinch a deal with American film producer Samuel K. Manheim to provide mounts for his epic about the Charge of the Light Brigade. Meanwhile, Slugger spots a bank raid and, in trying to stop it, is taken hostage for his trouble by the three crooks. Slugger is implicated, but the crooks hiding in a cave on the moors find their car has broken down. Their boss Scarface borrows Slugger's raincoat to walk back to Leeds and fetch a mechanic but Steve recognises it and follow him on horseback. The car has to be fixed in town, and in Scarface's absence the film crew set up outside the cave! He tries to escape with the others as smoke from the battle gives cover, but they unwittingly run into the Charge's path itself in poetic justice.

Story One (aka Lucky Escape)

Writer: Angus Allan
Artist: Mike Noble

Steve wakes up early to find a white mare tethered to the gate of Follyfoot Farm. Dora notices she is in foal, but the Colonel thinks the horse is lost, and as there is no room goes to inform the police. Through Ron Stryker, Lewis Hammond learns of the mare, and his unscrupulous father, owner of Pinecrest Riding School, uses it to frame Steve for theft. The mare, named 'Tango' by Dora, breaks into dance when it hears music, and is taken by Hammond. As Steve awaits formal charges, Dora notices a circus poster, and believes 'Tango' may have come from there. The hope proves wrong, but a mysterious man is watching them, and is identified by a circus man as Ted Charlton, who bought a dancing mare when she got too old. Charlton can prove Steve is innocent but Hammond tricks the man into leaving for London. Dora manages to head Charlton off at Leeds, and learns he had moved to a council flat where he could no longer look after 'Tango'. With Steve's innocence proved, Charlton is told he can visit 'Tango', and a month later the foal is born, to be called 'Lucky Escape'.

Story Two (aka 'Odds against a Win!')

Writer: Angus Allan
Artist: Mike Noble

Exercising the horses near the Colonel's training stables, Dora and Steve see racehorse 'Satan' baulk at jumps. The Colonel has hired jockey Jackie Smike in the hope of winning the point-to-point race, which Hammond also has a horse in. Lewis takes things into his own hands, and pays a mate to run Smike down. With the jockey injured, an undeterred Dora successfully trains 'Satan' how to jump. Lewis tries to fix the horse that night, but accidentally starts a fire from which Steve only just manages to save 'Satan'. Dora learns she is up against Lewis on his father's horse 'Matador' in the point-to-point races, and uses her skill as a rider to bring the shaken 'Satan' to victory against more dirty tricks. Having lost, Lewis feels the wrath, and boot, of his father.
Reprinted: Follyfoot Special (4 b/w pages)

Story Three

Writer: Angus Allan
Artist: Mike Noble

Steve, Dora and Ron are astonished to see King Charles the First ride into the farm on horseback, but he is really Warrington Foster - actor, playwright and producer - making a documentary on the Battle of Tanby by the ruined Stebbing Castle. Foster needs horse rider extras and offers the three, along with Lewis, parts in the film. Hammond sees a chance to cause trouble and uses a burr to get Steve's horse to throw him. Unknown to any of them, film construction worker Morton is a crook, and is working with his accomplice Cashman to retrieve their loot hiding in the castle. In order to get the crew away from the castle, the crooks make a bungled attempt to wreck the equipment stored at Follyfoot, and thinking Lewis is responsible, Steve confronts him. There is no further trouble but Ron's talk of ghosts stirs the crooks to make another attempt, as does Lewis, but each startles the other that night. Lewis is caught, and the luminous paint the crooks use to make themselves horse-riding ghosts leaves a trail that Steve and Dora follow. Dora is taken hostage, and a dazed beaten Steve returns for help. Morton and Cashman use Dora as leverage to get the film crew to dig up the loot. But it is Ron on his motorbike revving it up to startle their horses, which saves the day.

Story Four

Writer: Angus Allan
Artist: Unknown

Shopping in town on Saturday morning, Dora rescues a young boy called Tommy riding a bolted horse 'Brownie'. Tommy, was bought the horse for his birthday by his father Logan, and is being kept in the garage. Dora is furious but is given short shrift by Logan, and by the Colonel, who says they can only report the negligence. Dora storms off, and the next day Logan drives up blaming her for stealing the horse. Dora is innocent and has been thrown by her horse Cobby and lies unconscious. Logan has picked up a police sergeant and, spotting Tommy chasing after his horse, pursue in a van. But trying to head the boy off, they drive into a bog and start sinking. Steve finds Dora, and is returning with her when he hears Tommy's cries for help, Logan tried to reach dry land and is sinking. Steve rescues the two men and, with a recovered Dora, finds an apologetic Logan is paying to have 'Brownie' boarded at Follyfoot and give Tommy proper lessons to ride.

Story Five

Writer: Angus Allan
Artist: Mike Noble

Major Hollis has set up the Bar-y Ranch, a rodeo holiday centre for people to play at cowboys. Curious, Steve and Dora ride by and meet Hollis, and his star ex-cowboy Greg Calhoun. But Calhoun is in league with his crooked cowhands to rob the rich guests Hollis has attracted, and kidnap Dora when she overhears their plans. During the show, which Steve and Ron have been invited to, Calhoun holds the guests up at gunpoint, but Dora has been freed by a game-keeper, and they turn the tables on the crooks.

Story Six

Writer: Angus Allan
Artist: Mike Noble

Dora takes in another unwanted horse, called 'Firefly' by his owner Haworth who bought it for his kids but cannot afford to keep him. But watching is gypsy Daniel Smith and his dog Scrap, and at night he steals the horse away. Dora finds from Haworth he bought the horse from Smith but when she and the police track the caravan down, he has gone. Trying to find food for Scrap and Firefly, Smith tries to steal a chicken from another farm but is seen and has to ride away to escape. The tethered Scamp is found by Steve, and the dog leads him, Dora, the Colonel and the police to Smith. Repentant, Smith is hired by the Colonel as a horseman at his stables.

Story Seven

Writer: Angus Allan
Artist: Mike Noble

Dora hitches a motorbike ride with Ron to get supplies, and sees Lewis scare the cart pony of rag and bone man Joe Bassett. Ron brings the terrified bolting horse under control but Bassett is hurt and the pony 'Daisy' taken to Follyfoot while he recovers. To prevent Bassett suing, Lewis' father Hammond offers to pay for his hospital fees but Dora reports the incident to the police. Hammond is furious, and Lewis gets some 'mates' to fix Dora in an accident but when he learns this could be fatal he warns her from crossing a bridge rigged to collapse. Dora is sympathetic to Lewis' confession, and tells him the Colonel made her drop the action anyway. While he has learned a lesson for now, Dora is certain it won't last long.

Story Eight

Writer: Angus Allan
Artist: Mike Noble

While Dora is away for a week teaching the daughter of Major Graham how to ride, Steve, Ron and Slugger are charged with looking after 'Tiny,' the major's massive wilful Shire horse. 'Tiny' immediately takes over, taking a dislike to Slugger, eating all the other horses' food and proclaiming himself 'king of the castle'! Slugger tries unsuccessfully to make peace with 'Tiny' but is driven off by the shire. Looking for other work until 'Tiny’ goes, Slugger is lost in mist and falls unconscious into a deep quarry. Steve and Ron miss Slugger, especially his cooking, and are surprised to find 'Tiny' is pining for him too. Steve rides ‘Tiny’ out looking for him and find tracks leading to the quarry, where the shire uses an unorthodox method to affect a rescue!

Story Nine

Writer: Angus Allan
Artist: Mike Noble

Dora has finished training Major Graham's daughter Cathy to ride but overhears a discussion about 'Snowy', a pit pony born and raised in the underground mines. 'Snowy' is virtually blind, and Dora is astonished to find the other horses, including her own 'Cobby', are picking on him. Meanwhile Steve is helping his mate Dave pony-trekking with a school from the city but two boys, Mark and Johnny, have sneaked of into pothole caves and got lost. Steve finds them trapped by a rock fall and rising water, and his own horse refuses to enter the caves to help free them. But 'Snowy' is used to the dark and, surprisingly, the other horses follow him as Steve, Dora and Ron lead a rescue mission and save the boys.

Story Ten

Writer: Angus Allan
Artist: Mike Noble

For their parts in a local pageant, Dora, Steve and Ron have cooked up a historical display; Steve playing Saxon bowman rider 'Dorga of the Dykes' (and putting a practice arrow through Slugger's hat!), and Ron and Lewis putting on a comedy motorbike joust. Steve is suspicious of Lewis' co-operation, and spies him plotting with Mike in the local cafe to use the joust armour to steal a factory payroll without being recognised. But with no proof to offer the police, Steve tells the others and takes action in his own hands, by taking Lewis's place. But Steve is discovered and Mike leaves him senseless and takes the armour and bike. Pulling off the robbery, Mike makes off on horseback over the moors, but is pursued by a recovered Steve, whose archery practice finally proves its worth!

Story Eleven

Writer: Angus Allan
Artist: Mike Noble

Having seen the Farnum circus show at night, the next day Steve and Dora are witness to a sports car forcing one of the wagons off the road while overtaking. The smashed wagon frees three of the star animal acts who flee in terror, 'Winnie' the wonder horse, 'Chappie' the chimpanzee and 'Bernie' the bloodhound. 'Bernie' is left behind when 'Chappie' rides 'Winnie' over a fast-flowing river, and the chimp and horse are found by Lewis near Pinecrest Hotel. Seeing the reward in the paper has been increased, Lewis decides to hide them in the hope it continues to go up. After two days he contacts Farnum, and gets an offer of four hundred pounds but Dora and Steve have found Bernie. The dog acts strangely as they take him back past Pinecrest, and Ron is suspicious of Lewis's comments about 'a deal to fetch in big money'. Getting a scent, Bernie leads Dora and the others to the hidden animals, leaving Steve to mete out his own 'justice' to the crooked Hammond.

Story Twelve

Writer: Angus Allan
Artist: Mike Noble

A convict called Mulvaney breaks jail and steals Steve's horse to make his getaway. His left arm broken, Mulvaney has a rough time on the open moor but the horse instinctively leads to a homestead owned by vet Sullivan. One of the greys at Follyfoot, 'Sultan', is very sick and Dora rides to the vet to fetch help only to find Steve's horse there. Sullivan has gone, taken by Mulvaney to care for him while hiding out on the moors but the vet is surprised to find the hardened convict has a soft spot for animals. Dora and the others follow their trail but she bungles a surprise approach when her horse is startled by an Adder. Ron is also seen, and it is up to Steve on horseback to affect a rescue. Mulvaney cannot bring himself to shoot the horse that saved his life, and surrenders, allowing Sullivan to reach Follyfoot and treat 'Sultan'.

Story Thirteen

Writer: Angus Allan
Artist: Mike Noble

Picking up some horse disinfectant, Steve and Slugger drop the huge drum and it rolls into the passing horsebox of Brigadier Horace Blyth. Steve rescues the racehorse 'Bright Sabre' from the dangerous leaking fumes, earning the gratitude the furious Brigadier, who blames Slugger for the whole incident. Later that day at Follyfoot, smoke from a fire is spotted from the direction of Blyth's place, and as Ron phones for help Dora and Steve ride off to see the stables ablaze. As the Brigadier's men fight the fire, Steve and Dora rescue 'Bright Sabre', who is once again grateful. But when Blyth drives up to ask for stabling for his prize racehorse, he spots Slugger and demands he doesn't go near 'Bright Sabre'. Slugger loses his cool, and Steve and Dora stop a fight breaking out between the two men. In a huff, Slugger storms off, and Dora is surprised to hear Blyth virtually accuse him of the fire. Meanwhile, Slugger is walking across the moors and is seen by unscrupulous racehorse owner Sefton and his jockey Nipper Todd, who is aware of the animosity with Blyth and has a plan. Dora is concerned when Slugger does not return, and that night someone throws 'Bright Sabre' some hay. Spotting someone from his window, Steve runs out, and he and Dora find the hay contains poisonous bane weed. As Dora prepares an emetic dose, Steve phones Blyth, who believes someone is out to nobble his horse. The police find one clue - Slugger's hat - which implicates him as responsible, but in reality he is being held by Sefton who plans to frame him for everything. When Blyth's jockey is beaten up by Nipper, Slugger's wallet is found nearby, but missing his war medal. Ron has been doing some snooping, and believes Sefton may know something. He and Dora confront him, and when he accidentally drops Slugger's medal, a fight breaks out and the two are captured. Meanwhile, Slugger has escaped but on reaching the police station is immediately arrested. Steve has replaced Blyth's jockey, and Sefton and Nipper plan to hold Dora and Ron until after the race and make off with the race prize money.

Story Fourteen

Writer: Angus Allan
Artist: Unknown

Four children riding their horses over a railway crossing run into trouble when one becomes lame in the path of an oncoming train, who Steve rescues. Dora is furious at their leader, Susan, for being unsupervised but later the girls' father arrives at Follyfoot to thank Steve and asks if they will take the lame horse as he can no longer look after it, and 'Diamond' will have to be destroyed. The vet cannot find anything wrong with the horse's leg so Dora agrees to stable him and seeks help from gypsy Fred Lee. The horse had a wrenched tendon a year ago but it mended. Things get more intriguing when Steve spots 'Diamond' galloping when left alone, and limping when it knows it is being watched! Susan steals ‘Diamond’ back, and out searching for her Dora comes across Fell Farm, where the horse originally came from. It transpires the farmer’s cat Minnie ‘befriended’ the horse, and that ‘Diamond’ is missing her.

Story Fifteen

Writer: Angus Allan
Artist: Mike Noble

Ron arrives characteristically late to find the others trying to pen an untamed stallion called 'Thunderclap'. With Ron's 'help', the horse is finally controlled, and Steve and Dora set off on a new job giving riding lessons to the boys at Swinford Public School. The best pupil is Prince Ahmed, heir to the oil-rich Arabian state of Kufrastan, who is being warned by Abdullah, a loyal servant that his regent uncle Sheik Ismail is on his way to see the boy does not reach his eighteenth birthday at the end of the month. Dora and Steve see Abdullah and Ahmed flee the school and offer Follyfoot as a hiding place for the prince, who manages to tame 'Thunderclap'. Steve narrowly saves Abdullah, who works for Ismail, when they find out his cover is blown, and the regent surrounds the farm with armed men. Slugger, who has been in town with Ron, manages to get his shotgun from the tack room and, faced with real opposition, Ismail's men flee. The regent tries to steal 'Thunderclap', and for his troubles is thrown and his leg broken. Safe, Ahmed invites Dora and the others to his country one day, and is given 'Thunderclap' as the only person who can handle him.

Story Sixteen

Writer: Angus Allan
Artist: Mike Noble

On a riding school trek for local children, Dora has to save Jimmy when his horse bolts. The cause is an air pistol fired by Wicks, who works for Amos Stredder, owner of a rival riding school who wants Follyfoot closed down. Steve finds the air pistol dart, so while Dora reports this to the police, Ron does his own digging among local roughs and picks a fight with Maxie. Wicks is there, and uses the fight to his advantage by pitting Maxie and Ron against each other with faked meetings, and gelignite at Follyfoot, using planted clues to hot things up. Things come to a head when Maxie's biker gang head into Follyfoot, and in the ensuing fight, Ron and Maxie find each other innocent, and the two plan to find out who is responsible. With Follyfoot now guarded, Wicks cannot get near but Stredder plans to poison the feed before it gets there. When Wicks seeds the feed at a transport cafe, he is unaware Maxie sees him, and the biker warns Dora just in time. But Stredder has hired thugs to smash up the farm, and Maxie seemingly rides off in fear. The feed driver smashes through the line in his truck to get help, and a violent fight ensues between Follyfoot and thugs in which Steve learns Stredder is behind the incidents. But as things seem lost, Maxie returns with his gang and the day is saved.

Story Seventeen

Writer: Angus Allan
Artist: Mike Noble

Dora and the others are surprised when Mark Blunden and his son Eric from Blackdene Manor turn up with an old ex-cavalry horse called 'Gladiator', who they want back in reasonable trim. Blunden has a reputation for only being interested in money and Steve's suspicions are right. Australian millionaire Barney Garforth has roots locally and plans to settle, and Blunden has a scheme to sell him an old ruined manor house at profit. After a week, 'Gladiator' is shaping up but when Steve greets Blunden's handyman Holt, the horse stops suddenly, throwing Dora, the army trained horse thinking it was a command to 'Halt'. Holt rides 'Gladiator' back to Blackdene, but dislikes the plan to make it seem like the local legend of the ghost horseman is true in order to bump up the selling price to Garforth. 'Gladiator' cannot take galloping at his age, and Holt tries to warn Dora and Steve about it but they are already on their way to Leeds. Slugger goes with Holt to try and find them and stop the scam, and by chance find Dora and Steve. Yelling the command to ‘Halt’ Steve stops ‘Gladiator’ throwing Eric and the scam is revealed.

Story Eighteen

Writer: Angus Allan
Artist: Mike Noble

Dora and Steve are taking a rare day off to watch polo being played. Player Anthony Darthington rides hard and plays rough, and is penalised for foul play. His sister Patricia apologies to Dora for his attitude but Anthony pushes his luck and his steed 'Nero' smashes into a post and breaks its leg. Even though the break is clean and can be fixed by a good vet, Anthony cannot play polo on a pony with a fixed broken leg and plans to have it destroyed. Patricia offers to pay for Nero's treatment secretly, out of her and Anthony's joint bank account. But as 'Nero' heals at Follyfoot, Anthony confronts Patricia about the withdrawals and heads for the farm. Patricia phones ahead so Dora takes 'Nero' to hide in a forest clearing. But while she goes ahead to Benson's farm to see about a permanent hide, the pony vanishes and she is forced to come clean. Anthony joins the search but his horse, startled by an adder, throws him down a slope where he breaks his own leg. 'Nero' is nearby and responds to his master's call for help, and leads Dora and the others to rescue him. Grateful to the horse, he decides to keep it.

Story Nineteen

Writer: Angus Allan
Artist: Mike Noble

Lord Burcott, an elderly horse lover, looks after retired horses at his hall but like Follyfoot cash is always a problem. He is hosting a gymkhana to raise funds, but cannot open the home to the public because what is left of his estate is filled with a lake. Follyfoot is volunteering help; Steve is taking money at the gate, Dora is looking after the tea tent, and Ron on his motorbike is going to nip round local villages and towns giving out publicity. Ron and Slugger have the afternoon off, and travel to the coast. But as they near the rides on the beach, a donkey called 'Daisy' runs off with a girl on her back. Ron gives chase and saves her but the owner William Smythe, helped by nephew Ted, breaks down in tears. The yard where he stables the donkeys has been overshadowed by a motorway flyover, and the animals have become nervous and unrideable. The incident plays on Slugger's mind but there is nothing they can do. They return to Follyfoot to help with the gymkhana preparations but when Ron starts his publicity run he finds people are not interested as there are no other attractions. But the turnout on the day is quite good, except the children watching get restless. Steve puts on an impromptu riding display on his horse 'Alex', but then Slugger phones to say Smythe and Ted have turned up at Follyfoot with the ponies. Dora has an idea, and Steve organises the kids into two competitive teams to see who can clear the most weeds from the lake. After a break, Ron brings Smythe, Ted and his donkeys from Follyfoot for children's rides at the clear lake edge, and the gymkhana is not only a success but the beginning of a permanent draw.

Story Twenty

Writer: Angus Allan
Artist: Mike Noble

Out riding, Steve and Dora are nearly driven off the road by Jonathan Scrimger, landowner and local councillor, but also a man of money with a deep-rooted hatred of horses since his son Jamie was thrown by one and disabled. Jamie is out driving in his invalid mobile, and warns three bikers to be careful with the campfire they have started. Checking back later, he finds the youths gone, and the fire out of control, now spread to a barn where horses are kept. Dora and Steve see the smoke from the fire, and Jamie drives to Follyfoot to fetch Slugger and Ron who bring buckets and a pump, and the horses are saved. Jamie drives offers to testify in court, which only sees the culprits getting the maximum fine from magistrate Sir Charles Naylor, instead of prison. The Colonel has a visitor in Doctor Gerhard, who treated his war wounds in Italy, but who also specialises in invalid cases. Dora thinks he may be able to treat Jamie but Scrimger will not listen to her. On her way back, she sees the louts set fire to Sir Naylor's land in revenge, with the spreading blaze threatening Jamie, trapped in his broken down mobile. Dora fetches help and horses from Follyfoot, and they rescue Jamie just in time as the fire brigade arrive. Gerhard examines Jamie, and thinks there is a fifty-fifty chance. Six weeks pass, and with the louts imprisoned this time, Scrimger pays a visit to Follyfoot with a walking Jamie who will be able to ride again.

Story Twenty-One

Writer: Angus Allan
Artist: Mike Noble

Follyfoot is looking after a valuable racehorse colt called 'Lancer' for Dora's uncle, the Colonel, as well as 'Bonaparte', an ex-police horse, who has become the colt's self-appointed and jealous protector. For some reason, 'Bonaparte' is suspicious of Slugger, and hounds him from Follyfoot. Slugger boards up in the staff wing of the Colonel's mansion but unable to sleep, goes for a walk around the Colonel's stables and finds men creeping around. He is coshed from behind by Brady, who along with Mulligan and Stoat, are looking for 'Lancer'. When Slugger does not turn up, Dora and Steve find the police at her uncle's, investigating the unconscious Slugger's attack. Brady now thinks 'Lancer' is at Follyfoot, and gets Mulligan to distract Ron while he and Stoat try and steal the colt. 'Bonaparte' stops the attempt, the crooks limping off in defeat, so the next time at night, Brady drugs the police horse. But when he recovers, 'Bonaparte' astonishingly tracks the scent of 'Lancer'. In the meantime, Slugger recovers and identifies Mulligan and Stoat from police photos. By the time ‘Bonaparte' has led Steve, Dora and Ron to where 'Lancer' is kept, and made its own attack on Brady and his men, the police arrive to mop up.

Story Twenty-Two

Writer: Angus Allan
Artist: Mike Noble

With some time off, Ron takes his motorbike for a private scramble over the moors. He is warned to away from Long Scranton Ranges, where the army are due to test top secret weapon, but in the wilderness of Rotten Fell he comes across two men with binoculars and telescopic camera who are anything but friendly. Meeting Dora and Steve who are out exercising their horses, Ron believes the men are spying, and they report this to the police. But as they leave Steve overhears the police dismiss the matter, and they venture out to stop the men. It turns out to be a misunderstanding - Burke and Stevens are ornithologists, birdwatchers observing the secret nest of harriers never before known to have nested in Britain. Unscrupulous sorts might try and steal the eggs, and at that moment three armed men appear intent on that. Dora whistles their horse into action, and the egg stealers are beaten.

Story Twenty-Three

Writer: Angus Allan
Artist: Mike Noble

Mister Jenkins brings 'Ebeneezer', one of the biggest, rawest, most stubborn mules known for a fortnight's board at Follyfoot while he is on holiday. He takes an interest in Ron, and his liquorish allsorts, and is left in his trust while Dora and Steve take a group of riders on a week's horseback camping in the wilds. But among them is the arrogant Nigel Mulliner, who has been riding since the age of six, challenging the more experienced Dora and Steve. As Slugger and Ron try and handle 'Ebeneezer', Nigel takes a fall, and crosses Steve more than once, as the group make first camp in an old shepherd hut. As night and mist falls, Steve wakes to find Nigel gone for a night ride. Lost, the boy falls over a ravine and lies unconscious twenty feet down. By daylight, Dora returns to Follyfoot for help, as the only chance is a helicopter from the RAF station. But lying under an overhang, Nigel is beyond rescue by this method. one of the camping group mentions using mules to run up and down mountain tracks in India, and Steve realises they may have a rescuer in 'Ebeneezer'. Ridden by Ron, and coaxed by liquorish allsorts, the mule makes the treacherous journey down and saves the boy.

Story Twenty-Four

Writer: Angus Allan
Artist: Mike Noble

On the death of his master, ‘Paddy’ an ancient carthorse comes to Follyfoot. But listless and forlorn, it seems he is pining and refuses to take an interest in anything. Old Mr Jackson, proprietor of a one-man bus service running between outlying farms, has been told to close down by the council. Giving them a petition not to take his licence away the council refuse, so Jackson smashes the windows in the municipal bus depot and is taken to jail. The Colonel, who has influence with the local magistrates, joins Dora, Steve and Ron as Jackson appears in court the next day. Meanwhile, Slugger has an idea to harness up 'Paddy' to a farm-wagon, and takes it to town. With Jackson nearly in contempt of court for wanting to keep his job, Sluggers appears with a suggestion the bus driver can still work, using a horse-drawn version. Jackson started on a horse-bus, and the case is dismissed with everyone happy.

Story Twenty-Five

Writer: Angus Allan
Artist: Martin Asbury

Follyfoot has visitors from the county authority, whose job it is to inspect arrangements for keeping livestock. While agreeing the stables are well-run, new regulations mean they are too cramped and the stalls have to be broadened. Dora is concerned they will be closed down if they do not comply but practical as ever, Steve arranges for the horses to be stabled at the Colonel's place, while she continues to train with 'Copper Prince' for the show-jumping competition. As she does, Dora realises she is being watched by Kevin Bately, her closest rival in the competition. Bately is an old friend of Steve's and has been invited to Follyfoot, which an overwrought Dora takes the wrong way. As things get out of hand between Dora and Steve, resulting in him not returning that evening, crooked land agent Martin Haffer is given inside information by Smail, who advises the closure of Follyfoot which could give him the development area he needs. That night, Dora is woken by 'Copper Prince', disturbed by two men she spots and scares off. Believing it to be Steve and Kevin, she wakes up Ron and Slugger, and when Steve does appear, Dora does not believe his innocence and he storms off. The real culprits are Haffer and Smail, and when Ron and Slugger go to town next day, Smail draws off Dora on her horse. But 'Copper Prince' is felled by a rabbit hole, and Dora breaks her collar bone when thrown. Smail blows Haffer's cover, and the injured Dora realises her mistake before Ron and Slugger return and take her to hospital. Steve is called and, despite the bad feeling between them, decides to ride 'Copper Prince' against Kevin. By a single fault Steve wins, to see Dora, arm in sling, waving a 'sorry' sign from the crowd. Not wanting to have hard feelings, Kevin says he and Dora can fight out the show-jumping next year, and she and Steve are friends once more.

German Edition

Story Twenty-Six

Writer: Angus Allan
Artist: Mike Noble

Reports that wild ponies of the Dales above Follyfoot are being shot for their hides infuriates Dora. But when police patrolling the area discover well-known poacher Amos Culworth, who has only ever hunted rabbits and birds for his family, and arrest him, Dora is driven to act. Decoying the police, she rescues Amos from arrest and brings him to Follyfoot to hide. The Colonel has just brought in 'Joseph', a friend's horse, for a couple of weeks boarding, but as he leaves, Dora arrives with Culworth, and Ron points out his wife and family will need protection from the police too. The real culprits are Cargill and Lacey, and as Steve and Dora look for Mrs Culworth and son Ted, Slugger and Amos unknowingly find the hunters and help pull their bogged down Rover out of deep mud. Caught by police, Amos uses his tracking skills to lead them to the hunters, and clear his name.

Story Twenty-Seven

Writer: Angus Allan
Artist: Mike Noble

Ron has been bitten by the railway bug, from helping the Runleigh Railway Preservation Society clear up a disused line, to building a model version in his flat. Dora is concerned he may leave Follyfoot but he tells her it is just a hobby, and seems more dedicated to one horse than usual. 'Dandy', a huge shire he wants to pull a replica of the first horse-drawn wagon. The press show a keen interest in the society, as do two men, Garrick and MacSween, watching as Mr Deacon, the society secretary, Ron and two others run a test wagon along the line through the hill quarries. They cause a rock fall which nearly kills the men on the wagon, and blocks the line to their quarry hideout, until Steve and Dora volunteer to use the riding class horses and kids to help clear the way. Suspicious, Steve looks around and finds a new pound note, which means someone had been there recently. Deacon is puzzled, as there has been no opposition to them, official or otherwise. Steve looks around on his horse 'Alex', and is ambushed by the men, forced to run as they hunt him through the quarry and over a dangerous scree drop. He barely makes it to a roadside cafe but when he uses the pound note to get change for a phone call, the owner sees it is a dud and calls the police. Believing Steve dead, Garrick and his men are forgers, working a press in a cave. But they want to make sure there are no more snoopers, and plan to wreck the preservation society. 'Alex' returns to Follyfoot alone and, sensing trouble, Dora rides to find Ron at the society rail shed, just as Garrick's gang turns up. They barely get away on Dora's horse but find the local policeman away; he is at the cafe and knows Steve, and his past criminal record. Garrick and his men are now moving the press out of the cave to a new location but Steve, under arrest, persuades the police to investigate the quarry. Dora and Ron have also taken it onto themselves to investigate, believing Steve is a prisoner, but on entering the empty cave, Garrick throws dynamite at the entrance. The police arrive, and Steve risks his life on Dora's horse 'Copper Prince' to throw the explosive clear at the last second. Garrick and his gang are arrested, Steve's name is cleared, and Ron has his big moment at the preservation society event. There is a lot of good publicity; mention of the forgers and Steve's bravery, which has a startling turn of events. For Steve receives a phone call from Mason's Circus, offering him a job as a stunt rider...

Story Twenty-Eight

Writer: Angus Allan
Artist: Mike Noble

Mason, owner of the circus, arrives at Follyfoot to enquire if Steve has considered his offer. Steve is torn between a chance in a million career, or leaving his friends, but decides to look the circus over with Mason. The circus' star rider 'Ivan the Terrible' has left, and Mason needs a replacement to ride 'Whirlwind', the 'toughest, baddest horse' he owns. Steve manages the feat, and is offered the job, but he learns 'Ivan' quit under mysterious circumstances. Now living in a caravan at the circus, he invites Dora and Ron to see his first show. A bomb has been planted next to his butane gas tank under his new home by Dino, henchman for Mr Gorescu, who does not want the circus to open. It is only luck a nightmare Steve has makes him leave the caravan to check on his horse 'Alex' that saves his life. The explosion and fire seem a bad omen to the superstitious circus folk, and some acts quit. Steve calls on Dora to replace one riding act, and Ron becomes a clown! The new faith holds the circus together for the first show but Dino makes sure one of Captain Strang's lions get free and threaten the audience. Steve bravely stares the lion down, a trick used on horses, until it is caged again. Dora finds the lock was cut deliberately, and evidence points to fire-eater Stromboli being responsible. Mason confronts Stromboli but as the two men go into Mason's caravan to talk further, a shot rings out and Steve, Dora and Ron find the fire-eater standing over Mason's body with a gun. The fire-eater pleads innocence; a hooded man shot Mason and threw him the gun. Mason is only wounded and fresh footprints outside seem to confirm Stromboli's story. Steve calls a bluff at a circus meeting, claiming whoever fired the gun can be identified with a chemical test and Dino, working as a circus roustabout, panics into leaving. Steve and Ron follow him to the city where he heads for the office of Gorescu, equally panicked into cutting and running. Trying to overhear, Steve is discovered and a fight breaks out, until Slugger arrives with his shotgun. Gorescu and Dino try and escape but are caught by the police, which means a reasonable reward from Mason which will keep Follyfoot going for a while and Steve, moving on with the circus, bids farewell.

Story Twenty-Nine

Writer: Angus Allan
Artist: Stanley Houghton

With Steve gone, Follyfoot is not the same. Ron rides out to fetch Dora for Slugger's supper, and finds her sitting out on the moors. Even with 'Sherry' in foal, Dora seems to have lost all interest in Follyfoot, and is even careless enough to leave a lit lamp in the stable - which catches fire. Ron calms the horses while Slugger extinguishes the fire, and all Dora can do is blame herself, but if Steve had been there it would not have happened. Ron tries to make her see sense, until they hear noises. Amidst the fire, 'Sherry' has foaled, and the new arrival will take Dora's mind off troubles for a while. Slugger suggests calling the foal 'Smokey' but Ron has a better idea, call him 'Steve' to keep the name alive at Follyfoot until he returns.

Look In comic strips

With thanks to MJM, Shaqui and JM for the scans.

Please note not all strips are complete.

Story One (aka Lucky Escape)

Writer: Angus Allan
Artist: Mike Noble

Story Two (aka 'Odds against a Win!')

Writer: Angus Allan
Artist: Mike Noble

Story Three

Writer: Angus Allan
Artist: Mike Noble

Story Four

Writer: Angus Allan
Artist: Unknown

Story Five

Writer: Angus Allan
Artist: Mike Noble

Story Six

Writer: Angus Allan
Artist: Mike Noble

Story Seven

Writer: Angus Allan
Artist: Mike Noble

Story Eight

Writer: Angus Allan
Artist: Mike Noble

Story Nine

Writer: Angus Allan
Artist: Mike Noble

Story Ten

Writer: Angus Allan
Artist: Mike Noble

Story Eleven

Writer: Angus Allan
Artist: Mike Noble

Story Twelve

Writer: Angus Allan
Artist: Mike Noble

Story Thirteen

Writer: Angus Allan
Artist: Mike Noble

Story Fourteen

Writer: Angus Allan
Artist: Unknown

Story Fifteen

Writer: Angus Allan
Artist: Mike Noble

Story Sixteen

Writer: Angus Allan
Artist: Mike Noble

Story Seventeen

Writer: Angus Allan
Artist: Mike Noble

Story Eighteen

Writer: Angus Allan
Artist: Mike Noble

Story Nineteen

Writer: Angus Allan
Artist: Mike Noble

Story Twenty

Writer: Angus Allan
Artist: Mike Noble

Story Twenty-One

Writer: Angus Allan
Artist: Mike Noble

Story Twenty-Two

Writer: Angus Allan
Artist: Mike Noble

Story Twenty-Three

Writer: Angus Allan
Artist: Mike Noble

Story Twenty-Four

Writer: Angus Allan
Artist: Mike Noble

Story Twenty-Five

Writer: Angus Allan
Artist: Martin Asbury

German Edition

Story Twenty-Six

Writer: Angus Allan
Artist: Mike Noble

Story Twenty-Seven

Writer: Angus Allan
Artist: Mike Noble

Story Twenty-Eight

Writer: Angus Allan
Artist: Mike Noble

Story Twenty-Nine

Writer: Angus Allan
Artist: Stanley Houghton

1972 Annual

Charge of the Light Brigade!

Follyfoot Special 1973 (4 b/w pages)

Writer: Angus Allan
Artist: Mike Noble

Follyfoot: The Complete Series from Network

Follyfoot Remembered, how it all began....

The latest Follyfoot book published by Andersen Press

Steve Hodson
Patron of Folly's Farm