No more Blue Peter

No more Blue Peter.

So the news is out and for some of us, it almost felt as though we'd lost a valuable teddy bear from our childhood or some favourite board game in the cupboard that we were loathe to throw away but had to dispose of because it was just cluttering up our living room. But then we realised that perhaps it had passed its sell by date ages ago and, besides we hadn't used the aforesaid item for ages and it did look pretty old anyway. 

Today, the BBC, perhaps with a heavy heart and with great reluctance, put out to pasture one of its much loved programmes and TV national treasures. Blue Peter is about to end its seven decade occupancy at the height of the now increasingly busy children's TV schedule, a programme so deeply cherished by generations of kids that it's hard to believe that, shortly, it will be no more and just a historic TV gem that always gleamed brightly. Maybe a trickle of tears were seen to be falling from the eyes of the BBC's Director General and a host of boardroom directors. 

For those who grew up with the programme, that infectiously uplifting naval jingle that introduced Blue Peter will live on in the memory for many years. It represented our black and white world where tea time TV during the 1960s made way for a celebrated telly institution that informed, educated and enlightened in equal measure. It was immensely entertaining, reassuring and just delightfully familiar. 

Everybody knew the presenters of Blue Peter because they entered our homes with cheerful invitations from parents who just wanted their children to sit in front of the TV and just watch something that would broaden their mind, stimulate discussion and remind us that life was gentle and inoffensive or seemingly so. Blue Peter was a campaigning children's programme, serious, funny, topical and relevant to all ages, classes and backgrounds. Nobody ever felt excluded when Blue Peter hit our screens because it was always inclusive, diverse, accessible and never felt patronising. 

We grew accustomed to Valerie Singleton, John Noakes and Peter Purves because they were relatable, recognisable, always upbeat, excellent communicators and always ready to explain the complicated in simple terms. We were acquainted with lovable dogs, memorable elephants, rabbits and tortoises no doubt and people who were always ready to boast about their exceptional achievements. Blue Peter was always on two or three times a week and invariably followed Play School and, at times Andy Pandy. 

In one edition there was the unforgettable sight of John Noakes, ever the adventurous type, coming face to face with two adorable elephants in the BBC studio. What followed was complete bedlam and pandemonium, a whole fifteen minute segment of Blue Peter devoted to Noakes hilarious attempts to keep the restless elephants under control.

 As the item unfolded, we were reminded of exactly why we watched spellbound as the sublime became the ridiculous. Noakes, smiling helplessly, struggled desperately to hold on to the said elephants while the animals allowed nature to take its course on the studio floor. At first Noakes seemed to have be coping admirably but then let go of the rope tethered to the elephants, before releasing them as they left their lasting legacy on the floor. 

But what we'll always remember about Blue Peter were the bottles of washing up liquid, the innumerable buttons, pieces of cardboard, sticky back plastic, the glue, the scissors, the countless boxes that were cut up mercilessly, squeezed together with either glue or staple guns and then joined together to create something that simply oozed creativity and originality. We were never sure what we were going to get because it may have come as a pleasant surprise. 

Then there were times when Peter Purves went on epic journeys around the studio on futuristic bikes and then demonstrated ground breaking objects such as computers of the future or phones that would eventually become mobile phones. Valerie Singleton, for her part, was always interested about peculiar inventions, children's art work and the programme's unstinting commitment to exotic charity projects. 

Singleton did her utmost to promote worthy causes with both the underprivileged, needy and disabled receiving the highest priority. She was very much the patient and understanding mother figure, carefully describing details of how much Blue Peter had raised in its Christmas appeal. But the genuine appeal of the show was the frequent appearance of those wonderful dogs. Dogs were always  relaxed and comfortable within the confines of a TV studio. Noakes first dog Shep became the nation's favourite dog until one day Shep passed away and Britain was grief stricken. 

In later years there would be Lesley Judd, Janet Ellis, the late and much missed Karon Keating, daughter of the radio and TV presenter Gloria Hunniford. For the men there was Simon Groom, Simon Thomas, Peter Duncan and a whole host of others who would bring their own unique personality and aura to the programme.

Behind the scenes, there was the permanently enthusiastic and effervescent producer and director Biddy Baxter, a major influence on Blue Peter for years and just there to inject considerable humour where necessary. When the post bag containing the programme's substantial fan mail rolled into the BBC there was a sense here that this children's TV gold nugget had officially confirmed its place as one of the finest the Beeb had ever produced. 

And yet today there are parents and children who will be mourning the loss of a TV classic that never openly swore at its audience, never underestimated the challenges confronted by the likes of its ITV counterpart Magpie and knew how to be both creative, forward thinking, up to date and always working on behalf of children.

 But the 21st century has provided kids with viable alternatives to Blue Peter such as online children's games, sometimes overwhelming screens, Tablets and Smart Phones and every conceivable mobile phone available on the market. It does seem that Blue Peter never really stood a chance but we'll miss you deeply and it is, quite certainly, a sad day for children's TV. Never forget Blue Peter.