UK "My Little Pony" Activity Club (1986 - 1991)

Welcome to the UK Activity Club page

I was a member of the UK Activity Club for as long as it was running (1986-1991) and am lucky enough to still have most of the newsletters, special items, etc.
I'll attempt to list as much information as I can, which I help will be useful for those trying to identify Club items, or interested in finding out about the history of the club in general. I can't guarantee an absolutely complete guide, but I shall do my best!
A few scans of things may be added at some point - we shall see!

How to use this page

  • Click on the name of the section you wish to visit (the links below) to jump to that section

Sections

1986

Issue No.1

This contained:

  • Introduction from Majesty and Spike (with Spike dressed as a journalist!)
  • Letters, drawings (some look like custom ideas ;)) and collection photos from members
  • Puzzles (dot-to-dot, wordsearch and a few other word games)
  • Hairstyle hints - the Plaited Tail Knot, Triple Tail Plait, Rainbow Mane Plaits and tips on how to decorate baby ponies with flowers & bows.
  • A "coming soon" item on MLP The Movie
  • How to make a simple pony bed and house from cardboard
  • Recipe - pink & white coconut bars (Spike suggests 4 colours!)

The newsletter was in full colour - pony artwork on the newletter included Majesty, Rosedust, Fizzy, Hopscotch, Gingerbread, Surf Rider, Gypsy, Baby Gusty, Masquerade, Snowflake, Splasher, Galaxy and Baby Lickety-split. Even the mailing envelope had ponies printed on!

Issue No.2

This contained:

  • Introduction from Majesty and Spike (plus 2 symbol-less ponies!)
  • Letters, drawings, birthday cake pics, event write-ups
  • Very simple "pony clothes" ideas
  • Mobile/calendar instructions
  • Small section about boys in the club!
  • Puzzles (wordsearch, maze, riddles)

Other items

  • Club badge (with MLP logo and Majesty), welcome letter and membership certificate.
  • "Secret code" to let you read member-only messages in the MLP comic. Club password "Canteranta"!
  • Newsletter No.1 mentions a length of printed ribbon - probably pink ribbon with repeat pattern of 2 ponies, 1 unicorn and one baby pony printed on in dark blue.
  • Beautiful colour poster of Lullabye Nursery, Megan & Sundance and some Flutter and TE ponies.
  • White duffle-bag with Bow-tie and Bubbles on the front.
  • MLP the Movie mini-poster, with film-related contest, to win Dream Castle.

In addition, there was a contest to win Paradise Estate in one of the newsletters.

1987

Issue No.1

This contained:

  • Introduction from Majesty and Spike, which says "hello" to the Mountain Boys!
  • Letters, drawing, outfits drawn for Spike, and a story called "Posey and the Tulip Fairy"!, collection photos, cake photos!
  • Puzzles (wordsearch and a few other word games)
  • Instructions for making a knitted pony coat
  • Recipe for a lemon drink
  • Introducing Baby Cuddles & pram playset

The newsletter was in full colour - pony artwork on the newsletter included Majesty, Baby Heart Throb, Morning Glory, Wind Whistler, Honeycomb, Baby Gusty, Masqerade, Hopscotch, Gingerbread, Surf Rider, Gypsy, North Star, Ribbon, Shady, Magic Star. Even the mailing envelope had ponies printed on!

Issue No.2

This contained:

  • Introduction from Majesty and Spike, introducing Tutti Frutti and the Birthday Party set.
  • Letters, drawings, collection photos, cake photos!
  • Contest to design a Christmas Pony.
  • Write-up of an MLP-related Brownie Camp.
  • How to make: things for a pony gymkhana, chocolate icing, dried flowers.
  • Puzzles (wordsearch, riddles, match the Princesses/Dragons and match TE ponies' symbols)

The newsletter was in full colour - pony artwork on the newsletter included Majesty, Peppermint Crunch, Love Melody, Steamer, Hopscotch, Gingerbread, Surf Rider, Gypsy, Baby Gusty, Masquerade, North Star, Ribbon, Shady, Magic Star.
Note that this was the first newsletter to use the updated MLP logo, with capitalised "Y"s.

Other items

  • Club badge (with MLP logo and Majesty), welcome letter and membership certificate.
  • Full-colour multi-part wall frieze.
  • Full-colour wall poster calendar.
  • Pencil case.
  • Set of 3 colour-change felt-tip pens.
  • "Secret code" to let you read member-only messages in the MLP comic. Club password "Rolypony"!
  • Small plastic carrier-bag featuring Baby Bow-tie.
  • Leaflet advertising 1987 MLP, Jem and Glo Friends annuals.

In addition, I think I got a purple felt-tip pen and a purple print-on-white ruler this year, and possibly an iron-on pillowcase transfer.
Ponies featured on the calendar were: Lofty, Baby Lofty, Honeycomb, Galaxy, Lily, Baby Lemondrop, Confetti, Baby Lickety-split, Gypsy, Cherries Jubilee, Tootsie, Cotton Candy, Blossom, Backstroke, Surf Rider, Megan & Sundance, Bowtie, Hopscotch and Whizzer.

1988

Issue No.1

This contained:

  • Introduction from Majesty and Spike, introducing the Summer Wing, Adventure Boy and Magic Message ponies.
  • Letters, drawings, collection photos
  • Anagram-solving contest to win a Magic Message pony.
  • Wordsearch, puzzles, spot-the-difference pics.
  • MLP food mould instructions.
  • Butterfly cake recipe.
  • Pattern for knitted pony blankets and hats.
  • "Hair Styles for Ponies" contest, to win Crimp 'n' Curl Salon.

From this point on, newsletters were no longer in colour. Black/blue on white only. Ponies pictured were Peppermint Crunch, Love Melody, Steamer, Majesty, North Star, Ribbon, Shady, Magic Star, Gypsy, Surf Rider.

Issue No.2

This contained:

  • Introduction from Majesty and Spike, introducting the Sundae Best ponies.
  • A form for the 1989 club with white club baby and free bonnet (I got a rattle instead ;))
  • Letters, stories, jokes, drawings and collection photos.
  • Wordsearch, puzzles, and riddles.
  • Contest to win Loving Families boxed set.
  • Chocolate crunchies and choc chip cookie recipes.
  • Knitting pattern for pony scarf and legwarmers.

Black/blue on white only. Ponies pictured were Peppermint Crunch, Love Melody, Steamer, Majesty, Hopscotch, Gingerbread, Surf Rider, Gypsy, Baby Gusty, Masquerade, North Star, Ribbon, Shady.

Collectors will be pleased to know that this one includes a letter from a 13-year-old telling people they're never to old to collect! Yay!

Other items

  • Club badge (with MLP logo and Majesty), welcome letter and membership certificate.
  • Big colour poster - Baby Blue Ribbon's game, with blue-on-white printed game cards & rosette.
  • Pony-shaped food mould for chocolate, etc.
  • "Secret code" to let you read member-only messages in the MLP comic. Club password "Happyhoof"!
  • Blue-on-white leaflet advertising 1989 club including white Club Baby.
  • Colour-me wall calendar.
  • Colour-me set of 4 postcards (included Love Melody and Teddi).
  • Colour-me Christmas present name-tags.
  • Colour-me Christmas cards, featuring Teddi & Mirror Mirror, Tuggles & Toddles.

Ponies pictured on the calendar were: Up, up & away, Tex, Baby Quackers, Princess Amethyst, Steamer, Majesty, Love Melody, First Tooth Lickty Split & Baby TTT, Slugger, Buzzer and Lady Flutter, Butter Kiss, , Sea Star, Sea Shimmer, Tutti Frutti, Jangles & Tangles (?), Princess Pearl, Baby Half-note, TAF Fifi

1989

Issue No.1

This contained:

  • Very short welcome message from Majesty and Club Baby.
  • Hints on caring for Club Baby (needs her hair brushing before bed, apparently!)
  • Colour-me diary for club baby, with a space to write in her name
  • Secret code - but no password this year..
  • Poems, puzzles, Sundae Best ponies pic to colour.
  • How to make - pony bed, table, mobile, pom-pom, orange cake.
  • Collection pics but no drawings :(
  • Contest to win a Brush 'n' Grow pony.
  • Introducing the Sundae Best ponies

Far less illustrations this time. Covers in colour, showing Apple Delight family. Majesty and Club Baby appeared inside but only as rather poor line-drawings. Bizarrely, White Baby is drawn with PINK hair!
Note that the newletter seems to have been renamed "Fun-Line".

Issue No.2

This contained:

  • Introduction from Majesty.
  • List of favourite Club Baby names (Frosty, Snowdrop, Snowflake, Snowy, Pearl and Dewdrop).
  • Collection pics, letters, stories, cake pics.
  • Puzzles, anagrams.
  • Instructions for a pony beach hat, and birthday biscuits.
  • Contest to win Perfume Puff Palace - describe Club Baby's nursery.
  • Introducing the Princess Brush 'n' Grow ponies and the Scrub-a-Dub-Tub.

Again, the illustrations are quite poor. Blue/black on white only, showing Apple Delight family , Club Baby, and Baby Sister Sweet Celebrations. All are line drawings only.

Issue No.3

This contained:

  • Introduction from Majesty.
  • Reminder to join 1990 club - Baby Bridesmaid and a rattle as gifts!
  • Collection pics, letters.
  • Puzzles, wordsearch, anagrams.
  • Instructions for a pony nightcap & slippers and Christmas snowflakes.
  • Separate insert - how to make Christmas decorations.
  • £1 off Perfume Puff Palace offer.
  • Introducing the Candy Cane, Dance 'n' Prance, Merry Go Round, Sunshine, Sweetberry and Newborn ponies and Sweetheart Sisters.
  • Contest to win a Dance 'n' Prance pony.

Again, the illustrations are quite poor. Blue/black on white only, showing Apple Delight family and Club Baby. All are line drawings only. Also, the Apple Delight Family were pictured on the envelope, instead of the same set of line-art ponies who'd been on the club pack envelopes since 1986.

Other items

  • Adoption Certificate for Club Baby (mine is cert. no. 14742 - who says White Club Baby is rare? ;))
  • No baby bonnet as listed - I got free ponywear instead (others got a bonnet, pillow, rattle, or bottle).
  • "It's a Party" heavy card "poster" with Tutti Frutti on it.
  • A4-size leaflet advertising 2 different birthday party supplies packs (£3.95 each.
  • Two balloons - pink (Cotton Cnady), purple (Blossom).
  • Two colour-me birthday cardsm featuring Apple Delight family.

1990

Issue No.1

This contained:

  • Introduction from Majesty.
  • Collection pics, letters (one mentions the MLP Blackpool Illuminations), and readers' bridesmaid dresses.
  • Puzzles, wordsearch.
  • Instructions for a dress for Baby Bridesmaid; orange & currant cookie recipe.
  • Wedding pic montage contest - prize was Dream Castle, a Candy Cane, a Playtime Baby and a Sweetheart Sister.

Blue/black/silver on white printing, Baby Bridesmaid is the only pony pictured on the newsletter.

Issue No.2

This contained:

  • Introduction from Majesty.
  • Pics of readers' pony weddings (one had the couple as Snowflake and Wind Whistler!), news, photos.
  • Puzzles.
  • Separate insert - Christmas games.
  • Instructions for a Christmas cloak for Baby Bridesmaid.
  • Introducing the Drink 'n' Wet Babies, Starlight Babies and Tropical ponies.
  • Sweetsteps Ballerina prize draw for readers applying quickly for 1991 club membership.
  • Wordsearch contest - prize was a Tropical pony.

In addition, there was a readers' special offer - Pony Bride for £3.50 (RRP £10.00) with her accessories but no box.
Blue/black/silver on white printing, Baby Bridesmaid is the only pony pictured on the newsletter.

Other items

  • Club baby - Baby Bridesmaid
  • Wedding invitation/Membership card and badge.
  • Wedding card for a (human) bridesmaid to give to the bride.
  • 1991 Calendar to colour in.
  • Iron-on t-shirt transfer.
  • Welcome newsletter, with secret code and contest to win a Merry Go Round Pony - front cover in colour with Cherry Treats and an odd hybrid (Shoreline with Sand Digger's colours).
  • Wide dark pink ribbon with silver MLP lettering and confetti shapes.
  • Wedding activity sheets to colour, including a pony pic to collage a wedding dress onto.

For info, the wedding in question was on 27th August 1990 at 2pm, at Happy Days Church, Ponyland! Bride/Groom not named though...
Baby Bridesmaid line-art featured on the club pack envelopes.

1991

Issue No.1

This contained:

  • Introduction from Majesty.
  • Letters.
  • Puzzles, wordsearch.
  • Fill-in-the-gaps flower name contest - prize was a Schooltime pony.
  • Introducing the Schoolhouse, Schooltime ponies and Playschool babies.

Blue/black on white printing, Baby Fun and Games is the only pony pictured on the newsletter.

Issue No.2

This contained:

  • Introduction (and farewell) from Majesty.
  • Letters, collection photos, cake photos.
  • Puzzle, word game
  • Wordsearch contest - prize was a Pocket Friends pony.
  • Introducing Pony Bride and the Secret Surprise and Pocket Friends ponies.
    Blue/black on white printing, Baby Fun and Games is the only pony pictured on the newsletter.
    Note that this was the final club newsletter ever! As a final special offer, the following could be bought using Pony Points:
  • Baby Ribbons and Hearts 15 points (explains where she came from!)
  • Magical Breeze pony 20 points (Magic Message Windy)
  • Talking Pony 30 points
  • Carry Case to hold 6 ponies 40 points
  • Pony Schoolhouse 50 points

Other items

  • Club baby - Baby Fun and Games.
  • Welcome newsletter, with secret code, puzzles and contest to win a Rainbow Curl Pony - front cover in colour with Cherry Treats and an odd hybrid (Shoreline with Sand Digger's colours).
  • Colour-in Ponyland map (very few symbols on the ponies) with Activity Card including puzzles relating to the map.
  • "Sunshine Beach" colour-in activity card with bad line-drawings of symbol-less ponies.
  • Christmas cards and gift tags to colour in.
  • Special offer leaflet for club members - discount for "My Little Pony and Friends" comic subscription.

Baby Fun and Games line-art featured on the club pack envelopes.

Hope you've enjoyed reading this! If you have any other information I've missed out, please let me know. Thanks!

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Images property of C. Lonsdale unless stated - do not use without permission