Biddy BaxterRezensionen

Two strapping men and woman on front cover - quite strange for a cover design in my view. There is a two page comic strip on Lord Nelson's funeral, a story 'Paddington passes through' by Michael Bond, illustrated by Hargeaves, and four pages about 'Goodbye Petra' and the dog's bronze statue, 1962-77.

I do remember Valerie Singleton and Christopher Trace but not Joey the Blue Peter parrot. A wretched child has competed, torn out and sent off half of the last 2 pages as a competition entry.

'On the last Blue Peter programme before Christmas 1962 Owen Reed, who at that time was Head of Children's Television appeared on screen with a large cardboard box covered with Christmas paper and ribbons. He solemnly presented the box to Christopher Trace and Valerie Singleton (it was long before Lesley or Peter, or even John Noakes!) who cut the ribbon, removed the lid and revealed for the first time a tiny 8 weeks old brown and black mongrel puppy.'

What you won't read in Biddy Baxter's Petra: A Dog for Everyone, is that this (as yet unnamed puppy) died almost immediately afterwards.

The dog millions of young viewers clutched to their hearts for so many years was technically an impostor, speedily exchanged, thanks to the extended Christmas break between transmission; which made possible a country wide search. In a plot worthy of the greatest spy fiction of the time. The producers scoured the country for a suitable lookalike. An animal was found, purchased, and flawlessly exchanged in time for the next program in the new year. It was the perfect cover up, performed by a corporation that was well versed in closing ranks and maintaining a strict code of silence when needed - as we now all know.
But, in those innocent days when the corporation was affectionately known as 'Auntie', the illusion that would help shape the lives of a generation of British school children was flawless, and we were all none the wiser.

In retrospect, it probably was in the best interests of all concerned. However, I feel doubly sad for the poor puppy that died because it narrowly missed out on becoming one of the best cared for and adored dogs in recent history.
That luxury inevitably went to the puppy that viewers, only a few weeks later, named 'Petra' and a legend was made.
However, when death finally came a second visit, many years later and after a full life, there could be no escape.

'At ten o'clock, on the morning of Wednesday, 14 September 1977, a mongrel dog called Petra died peacefully, euthanisedat her home in Sussex. She was 15 years old.'

Presenter Peter Purves remarked, many years later, when asked about the famous dog: "People imagined she was a German Shepherd, but she was some rough collie cross. She'd lost her teeth, developed diabetes, her eyes were bad and she was neurotic and badly bred. A mess."

But, to millions of children she was our Petra.
This book charts the life of this most nationally loved of dogs, that a bronze monument was even erected to her memory.

Petra was part of my childhood.

This book gives advice to children on how to take care of the following pets:

Dogs & Puppies
Cats & Kittens
Guinea pigs & Hamsters
Parrot & Budgerigars
Tadpoles, Frogs & Newts
Tropical Fish
Tortoises
Rabbits & Mice

...and, if all else fails, and Mummy and Daddy still say 'NO!' - you can still feed the wild birds.

Valerie Singleton, Christopher Trace - and don't forget - Petra are on the front cover.

This is a book from my childhood, and from the day's when this was television's most popular children's program. It was also the best annual by far; packed with articles from the program, historical stories, comic strips, puzzles, and things to make and do. Basically, it pretty much represented the show in a book. Since these programs are long since deleted, the books now appeal as a bit of nostalgia; although, I have gone back to them from time to time over the years because I happened to know that there was an article I wanted to refer to for something, such as a tinsel tree to make with my own children.

Here is a rundown of the articles:

Tricks for Dogs
Gives advice for teaching your dog to follow commands, but also explains why some breeds will be able to do tricks that others should not attempt.
I don't own a dog myself, but still found this short article interesting to read.

I wouldn't do it for £1000
John Noakes joins the Red Devils for his first parachute jump. Something which inspired me as a young child to one day want to try myself.

Dear Sir...
Brief history of letter writing over the past ten hundred years. Valerie Singleton remarks 'Some people say that automatic dictating machines and typewriters will one day take the place of pen and paper' which must have seemed a tad far fetched in 1969; but, in retrospect the whole statement now sounds as far removed as quills, parchment and sealing wax itself.

Football Fan
Carpentry instructions for building your very own football rattle.

The F.A. Cup
The story of the first F.A. Cup (aka. The 'tea kettle') and how it was won and subsequently stolen.

Daniel Grows Up
Six months of recording the evolution of a human baby from fourteen weeks to ten months old.

The Case of the Hi-jacked Horse

Chief of the Noakis!
I have to be honest. This isn't a very useful article. There is a photograph of John Noakes on a horse in Red Indian dress and a few lines of text telling you how easy it is to create the look yourself. It really must have been a case of 'we have to fill this blank page with something before we go to print!'

Bleep and Booster (Comic Strip)
The two space friends have a falling out over a new Solidifying Gun invented by Booster which ends up saving the day in the end.

Tinsel Sweet Trees
This is an excellent craft activity to do with your children. It is cheap, simple to make, and looks very impressive! Perfect to raise confidence if you're not particularly good with your hands.

Present from Norway

Newspaper Tricks
This one stumped me as a kid. I figured out how to make palmtrees all by myself. Likewise, the magic rings trick was also a favourite; but, the ladder always stumped me a bit!
If only I had remembered that the solution was right here in the book.

The Vanishing Giants
Cross section of the Fowler B1 ploughing steam engine.
I don't consider myself a traction engine enthusiast; but, having seen these beasts in action personally, I have to admit they are an impressive sight to behold.

Success for Cindy
Blue Peter puppy Cindy takes her first steps towards becoming a Guide Dog for the Blind. Amazing what you could get back then with silver paper and a few milk bottle tops!

The Little Musician (Comic Strip)
A three page illustrated strip of the early life of Amadeus Mozart.

It Wasn't Really You Was It?
Peter takes lessons from fencing choreographer for film and television, Derek Ware on the ramparts of Hever Castle.

Appeal
Results of the 1968 hospital truck for West Africa Appeal; paid for with used wool!

A Star Danced

This is the Toughest Thing I've Ever Done on Blue Peter

Blue Peter Layout
Peter Purves talks us through his doughnut OO track layout (a 16.5mm gauge model railway). I must have been the only kid in Britain at the time to run on HO gauge. There are several photographs and a layout plan.

Padington Goes Halves

No, No, Mr. Noakes!

Collector's Corner
Ideas on displaying your small collection of objects cheaply using shoe boxes, egg cartons and off coarse plenty of sticky backed plastic.

Bengo (Comic Strip)
Bengo and Skippy go on an adventure at the seaside that takes them on a boat ride to visit a lighthouse and even a helicopter trip.

Sweet or Savoury?
Another great recipe idea that our family has employed every single Christmas since it was shown: stuffed dates with marzipan and almonds.
I never liked the tomatoes stuffed with tuna though. And, I think we stopped skewering sausages and cheese on a stick back in the late 70's. ...No, I lie. It still sometimes happens - just not as often. ;)½

A superb book full of letters sent to the BBC children's TV show Blue Peter during the last 50 years with replies where appropriate. The letters were chosen by former editor Biddy Baxter and include everything from children sending random funny thoughts, heartbreaking stories and adults writing in to complain about the presenters clothes. If you loved Blue Peter as a child, you'll love this book as it really captures the relationship the show had with the audience.

A pure slice of nostalgia. Poor old Biddy Baxter is so proud of the high standards which she set for the BBC Children's TV programme, Blue Peter, that it shines from every page - making its recent fall from grace all the more poignant.
It is always interesting to discover how hit and miss the seemingly well planned programmes of one's youth turn out to be.½