RE:Peter

While after next week where we are treated to a repeat of Joel's last challenge and see if he does get replaced, Blue Peter takes a break on CBBC for the summer returning in September.

Given the sheer number of Blue Peter related entries on this blog and the other I can't say for certain where exactly it is but there are a series of posts related to Blue Peter Books, issued in time for Christmas that very late in the day got titled as "annuals".

Annuals as any Brit knows are a massive thing and not just for Children although that was always the bigger market.

RE:Peter is about this borrowing the title given to re-runs of classic 70's esposides shown in the 1990's because we are stepping way back in time as the series I have runs from Book Four around 1967 to 1998.

I don't have personal memories of the earliest episodes although it would of been on for my older brother who around this period would of been six or seven years old but it was before what many see as the classic John,Peter and Val team came together.

While Val is on the left the man on the right is Christopher Trace, the first ever male presenter the show had who left at some point in the mid to late 1960's.

The first ever and harder to find Blue Peter book came out in 1964, a little late in the day and not as fully BBC controlled as later editions were to become but in an age without video recorders at home never mind the iPlayer it was a useful reminder of what you'd seen, a bit more about topics from the show  and things you can do.

This proved to be such a success that the second volume was issued in 1965 for 1966.

The then trade mark Blue Peter pets star on the cover while the contents are a resume of highlights from past shows, short stories and quizes.

By the time the third book came out in 1966 things were beginning to change, not least the set attire was more casual, no ties for men, Valerie can wear a dress showing her arms reflecting changes in british fashion and social ideals.

We also see on the far left a youthful John Noakes who had just joined and was to make a large inpact on the show as the years went by,

Programming while still very much scripted was a little less school Marmish and  overly educational  although factual content continued but represented to appeal to a more modern and less regimented child and as ever it featured pieces about much loved show episodes, stories, puzzles and makes to have a go at.

A common issue with the earliest books is the spines soon show damage to both the printed card  with the title on and the actual binding being handled not always with the care a book should as much as that child clearly loved having it.

Seeing these books gives me an idea of what my Brother saw back then and how the show was developing into what has become the longest running childrens tv show in the World.

For now this is the end of my collection annuals that means something to me