Bertha is a British stop motion-animated children's television series about a factory machine of that name, comprising 13 episodes that aired from 1985 to 1986. Other major characters in the series were Mr Willmake, Mr Sprott and Tracy. All the characters were designed by Ivor Wood, and the series was produced by his company, Woodland Animations. It was broadcast on BBC Television. A series of six storybooks based on Bertha was published by André Deutsch at the same time as the series was broadcast. They were adapted by Eric Charles and illustrated by Steve Augarde, who was also responsible for the artwork and music in the children's series Bump.
The Great Painting Job
Apr 1, 1985
Bertha is making jixsaw puzzles, only to leave pieces back and making a picture of her own, so the workers have to re-do the puzzles. Meanwhile, Mr. Sprot's assistant Tracey designs a handy robot called TOM to help Mr. Wilmake and Miss. MacClakety paint their office.
The Windmills
Apr 15, 1985
Bertha is making Musical Windmill Money Boxes which plays music whenever money is put in. However, Roy discovers that when the money's in, you can't get it out! Everyone thinks that the Windmills are not designed properly. Meanwhile, Flo loses her purse with all her money in it...
A Mouse in the Works
Apr 22, 1985
Bertha is making Jack-in-the-boxes that fail to stay inside the box! When Panjit loads the remaining toys to the dispatch department, he sees holes in the boxes. Roy, asking for a tin of glue, rushes off to tell Mr. Duncan about the situation. It's soon discovered that a mouse is venturing around the factory, chewing on things and creeping inside Bertha! So Mr. Sprot has to design a mouse trap...
The Best Machine Competition
Apr 29, 1985
Bertha is making Spinning Tops that won't stop spinning! Meanwhile, Mr. Sprot is asked to make 'The Most Unusual Toy' by Mr. Wilmake. Mr. Duncan, the foreman, decides that the new Super Bumper Compresser Machine should do the job, which upsets Bertha...
Tom Gets Lost
May 13, 1985
Tom the robot causes confusion when a magnet upsets his circuitry.
The Flying Bear
May 20, 1985
Why are the plastic bears made by Bertha getting bigger and bigger?
The Tea Nurse
Jun 3, 1985
Bertha has a faulty lever, but Mrs Tupp comes to the rescue.
More Speed, Less Work
Nov 5, 1985
Mr Duncan does a time and motion study whilst Bertha makes garden gnomes and a special gnome for Panjid.
The Big Order
Nov 12, 1985
Bertha has to make 365 new springs, but Tom and Roy have trouble with the twanging steel.
The Burglars
Nov 19, 1985
Bertha is making Jumping Kangaroos. When Ted accidently sets one off, the others in the boxes jump around the factory! When the batteries run down, it's closing time, so Ted stops Bertha and they go home. That night, however, TOM spots burglars enter the factory and into Mr. Wilmake's safe...
Bertha's Birthday Party
Nov 26, 1985
Bertha is busy making cuckoo clocks when Miss McClackerty discovers that it's time for a birthday celebration.
The Big Sneeze
Apr 16, 1986
Bertha gets so cold that the beach balls she makes look like snowballs.
Tom's New Friend
Jun 18, 1986
Mrs Tupp is cross about a new machine that is delivered, but Tom thinks that it is a new friend.
