±«Óãtv

In a week of programmes for the ±«Óãtv centenary, historian Robert Seatter selects three objects from the ±«Óãtv’s archive store and tells the stories behind their creation - what they tell us about the changing history of the organisation, about expansion of the media and the nation at large. Robert’s choices are unexpected, revelatory and sometimes, with the cruel benefit of hindsight, funny.

In today’s programme, Robert enters the special space of Children’s broadcasting, the place where we first engage with a wider world, creating memories that stay with us forever. He chooses three seminal objects that are sure to strike a chord.

i) Those talkative Watch with Mother puppets Bill and Ben, with their famous nonsense language.

ii) Then the anarchic plasticine Morph, only 12 cm high, but a creative force to be reckoned with.

iii) And finally, the Blue Peter badge – what every child of the 1960s onwards desired - motivating the show’s young viewers to participate in all manner of creative activities as well as social action campaigns for communities near and far.

Robert explores themes of language and imagination, of inspiring creativity in young minds, and finally of broadcasting and citizenship. He is joined by animator extraordinaire and proud Blue Peter gold badge-wearer, Nick Park.

Producer: Mohini Patel