Blue Peter Expeditions
1997 - Canada
1998 - Mexico
Appeals and Targets
1997 - The Blue Peter Appeal for Cystic Fibrosis - Bring and Buy sales to buy portable nebulisers and oxygen units.
1998 - New Future Appeal - Bring and Buy sales to replace incubators bought as a result of the Baby Life Appeal
The Blue Peter Millennium Time Capsule
On 11th June 1998 the Blue Peter Millennium Time Capsule was buried under the floor of the Millennium Dome in Greenwich by Katy Hill and Richard Bacon. The capsule contains various Blue Peter items such as a set of badges and a history of the programme, plus objects suggested by the winners of a competition. The items are:
- Toy car
- Letter written by grandfather about how life has changed
- Roald Dahl treasury book
- Video of child's countryside walk to school
- Asthma inhaler
- Various stamps
- Set of British coins
- France 98 football
- Cubs scarf and toggle
- Roller-blade wheel
- Insulin pen
- Picture of dove of peace
- Photographs of Oblivion ride at Alton Towers Theme Park
- Spice Girls CD
- Set of Tellytubby dolls
- Photograph of Princess Diana
- Tamagochi
The time capsule will be opened in 2050.
Blue Peter's 40th Birthday
On October 16th 1998 Blue Peter celebrated its fortieth anniversary with a special edition of the show featuring many of the previous presenters.
Blue Peter Night
On the previous Saturday BBC2 held Blue Peter night, hosted by Valerie Singleton, John Noakes and Peter Purves reunited for the first time in 27 years. Programmes broadcast on the night included Spoof Peter, It's a Dog's Life, Blue Peter Confidential and A Right Royal Reunion (in which Val looked back over her trip to Kenya with the Princess Royal)
Balloons and Medals
To mark the birthday a Blue Peter balloon was launched at the Bristol Balloon Fiesta in August and a birthday medallion was struck and awarded to all competition winners.
Back in Time for Christmas
In 1998 Stuart and Katy starred in the Blue Peter Pantomime Back in Time for Christmas, a musical extravaganza featuring past presenters Anita West, Sarah Greene, Peter Duncan, Caron Keating, Yvette Fielding, Chris Wenner, John Leslie, Diane-Louise Jordan and Mark Curry.
And the winner is...
In 1997 Blue Peter won the Top Young People's award at The National Television Awards. In 1998 it won a BAFTA for its outstanding services to children's television over the last forty years. Also in 1998, the PRO Dogs National Charity gave a special award to Blue Peter, "For services to dogs and other animals over forty years, especially the education of children in caring for their pets."
