"A lot of people's treasures floating down the stream here now, " he narrated.

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But in 29 chapters, each narrated by a different character, he weaves together a spellbinding tale of life in an East German province in 1990.

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It was during this period of his life that he animated the children's classic Roobarb, created by Grange Calveley and narrated by Richard Briers, who died earlier this week.

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