Cllr Dawn Barnett is being told to answer for her comments to a local reporter about a place mat showing a golliwog.

It is alleged that her comments were racist. Viz: “They’re nostalgic, not racist. When I was young I remember saving up for a badge showing a golliwog playing a banjo. 

"My children had golliwogs and they preferred them to teddy bears. It’s because they’ve got happy, smiling little faces.”

The complainant is anonymised for the purposes of the Standards Panel. It is rumoured that he is a council employee though the complaint is in his personal capacity. Cllr Barnett herself has gypsy roots.

Certainly this is much argument on both sides. Golliwogs can been both bad and good.

The first appearance was in 1895 in an American children’s book “The Adventures of two Dutch Dolls” by the English author Bertha Upton and illustrated by her daughter Florence.

The Uptons had emigrated in the USA in the mid-1870’s . The eponymous Dutch Dolls were popular jointed wooden dolls at the time and the rag minstrel doll with real fur black hair was similarly a contemporary doll.

The book was a big success and the surprising element was how children so warmed to the golliwog that he became the star turn in the subsequent 12 books in the series, eclipsing the two Dutch dolls.

Some parents had been concerned that their children would be frightened by “The Golliwogg” but in reality he became central to the series.

The golliwog was the “Prince of Golliwogg” : brave, lovable and intelligent yet a mischievous gentleman. He led the Dutch dolls into many adventures around the world meeting new and exciting people, places and situations.

Their journeys were often fraught with danger but the golliwog always managed to overcome all obstacles whilst protecting the dolls.

On the other hand, Enid Blyton did a big disservice to the world of golliwogs when she portrayed Noddy being mugged in “Here Comes Noddy Again - in the Dark, Dark Wood.”

She chose to depict golliwogs in a number of her stories as rude and untrustworthy or stupid as did many other authors.

The name "golliwog" came to be used as a degrading term for anyone who wasn’t white-skinned, and new origins were suggested for the word she originated .

Florence Upton despaired: "I am frightened when I read the fearsome etymology some deep, dark minds can see in his name."

She never copyrighted the golly which could have controlled its use more effectively later.

As to Robertsons Golly Golden Shred drinks coaster in question there could be a number of concerns in this depiction of an innocent picnic: is it the anthropomorphism of the duck, dog and teddy bear that could worrisome? Is the sugar content too high?

It is ironic that the hearing is taking place in Brighton & Hove Black History Month 2013. It might be mentioned at the event in The Old Market on November 17, 2013 at 1pm to 7pm: a multicultural family friendly celebration of Afro-Caribbean arts and cultural heritage of Educational Exhibitions, Talks, films, children’s workshops and activities, performers, live music, stalls and food. It would be interesting subject for an educational talk.

The hearing itself will of course have to be serious, but one wonders it could be a really good basis for a pantomine . . .