BBC children’s TV character Mr Bloom has made a special visit to South Yorkshire to present his pop-up show to families at Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice.

The visit, part of the Rotherham Children’s Capital of Culture programme of arts and creative activities this year, saw 50 people from 14 families enjoy a performance from the CBeebies star.

Hannah Goulding, regional fundraiser for Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice, said, “The families we support, and our staff thoroughly enjoyed the visit from TV’s Mr Bloom. He had the whole audience captivated with his pop-up show.

“We are really pleased that the Children’s Capital of Culture team arranged for this event to take place at the hospice, as it can be challenging for the families that we support to get out to events like this.

“It is wonderful to see that there are so many great events and activities taking place throughout the year to celebrate Rotherham becoming the world’s first Children’s Capital of Culture, created by and curated with the children and young people of the borough.”

The CBeebies pop-up show was just one of a series of pop-up events being organised by the Children’s Capital of Culture team, for people of Rotherham to enjoy.

Engagement manager Abi Cobb explains, “Keep your eyes out for more pop-up performances taking place in spontaneous locations throughout February and March to celebrate our first 90 days as the world’s first Children’s Capital of Culture.”

Ben Faulks created Mr Bloom, a show about a gardener and his baby vegetables, that appeared on CBeebies, winning awards including the RTS North West award for Best Children's Programme. Mr Bloom became a much-loved character by families across the UK. He went on to provide over a hundred episodes with a variety of Mr Bloom appearances in other CBeebies and CBBC shows.

Mr Bloom’s educational resource ‘Let’s Grow’ is Ben’s innovative creation for early years education, which staff and children at Bluebell Wood will be enjoying throughout the year of culture, as part of the celebrations. Let’s Grow (www.letsgrow.org.uk) brings to life an irresistible world of funky allotments and adorable baby fruits and vegetables. Little learners become immersed in nature and imaginative play exploring the wonderful themes of gardening, growing, nurture and healthy eating. 

Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice opened in 2008 and has supported hundreds of children from across South Yorkshire, North Derbyshire, North Nottinghamshire and parts of North Lincolnshire.

For more information on Rotherham Children’s Capital of Culture programme of events in 2025, visit: www.childrenscapitalofculture.co.uk.

Main picture credit: Sam McQueen