Fuddland

In the early Eighties [1984, to be precise] I was the proud recipient of a Blue Peter Badge. The other day I took to wondering if it still possessed all its power — could I still get in anywhere free of charge, simply by flashing my badge?

To be honest, I was quite surprised to find that it is still accepted in place of the admission fee at over a hundred places in the UK. Okay, so probably the only one I’m interested in seeing is The Eden Project — but at least I don’t have to be accompanied by an adult. [I wonder if I’d need to bring along my letter from Biddy Baxter (the show’s long-time producer) to prove the badge belongs to me and I haven’t just swiped it from some kid in the car park.]

The following is an entry which follows on from the above:

1. Re-badged [onlysomuch - blog]. Excerpt: Forgot to blog this yesterday: in an amazing bit of serendipity, after the lengthy discussions about Blue Peter badges, on the way home I saw a youngster* with one clipped to his bag. Alas, I didn't have a camera with...

#1

Gordon | 2004 / 01 / 21 – 15:35

Have you thought about hiring it out?

#2

David | 2004 / 01 / 21 – 15:46

Re #1: Now there’s a money-spinning idea! I’ll charge 99% of the usual admission fee — that’s sure to appeal to anyone with sound financial sense. You’re my first customer right? ;)

Or I could do a la Round Ireland with a Fridge and attempt to visit all the relevant tourist attractions without spending any money whatsoever, writing down any amusing incidents along the way for later recounting in my book Round the UK with a Blue Peter Badge.

#3

Daisy | 2004 / 01 / 21 – 16:01

Have you thought of therapy?

#4

mrtn | 2004 / 01 / 21 – 16:42

i can’t believe nobody else has asked, so here goes: what did you get the badge for? and is it gold, silver or just regular?

#5

David | 2004 / 01 / 21 – 16:52

Re #4: I was wondering if anybody would ask. :)

Being a socially-aware seven-year-old, I decided that I would make some badges for the presenters of Blue Peter to wear, drawing attention to the terrible famine in Ethiopia that I had seen so much about on the news.

Except that, for some incredibly bad — not to mention tasteless — reason, I thought the best thing to put on the badges were drawings of food. [I believe the three I made displayed a sandwich, a slice of cake, and a biscuit.]

Still, Biddy decided my efforts warranted a BP badge, albeit only a regular one. I never saw any of the presenters wearing my badges though, uncaring gits.

#6

mrtn | 2004 / 01 / 21 – 17:55

re #5: seven? 7??? take it you didn’t go to Live Aid then? ;)

#7

mrtn | 2004 / 01 / 21 – 17:57

further, just checked out the list of attractions (south-east): i’ve been to seven of them - and paid full price. badge-sharing ahoy please!

#8

mrtn | 2004 / 01 / 21 – 17:58

re #7: and no, i don’t care about the ethical issues of wearing someone else’s badge… ;)

#9

David | 2004 / 01 / 21 – 18:04

Re #6: Actually I just checked out Biddy’s letter [yes, I have it right here in my Folder of Important Documents], and it’s dated January 23rd 1985, so I was eight. But I still didn’t go to Live Aid — watched it on the telly instead [and heard it from the street probably, given the close proximity of Wembley Stadium to our house].

#10

David | 2004 / 01 / 21 – 18:10

Re #7 & #8: Are you planning on taking the badge along to these already-visited places and trying some kind of, “I forgot I had this, can I have my money back?” ploy? If so, I want in! 60–40?

#11

mrtn | 2004 / 01 / 21 – 18:16

re #10: with the 60% to me, right? ;)

re ‘biddy baxter’: in my mind she’s always been the way she was when i actually saw her on tv i.e. schoolteacher-ish, wears floral dresses, rinsed hair etc.

can anyone actually imagine a schoolgirl called ‘biddy’?

writing that, i’ve just had a thought: is biddy a version of bridget?

#12

mrtn | 2004 / 01 / 21 – 18:19

alternative potential source of income: sell your badge on ebay…

#13

mrtn | 2004 / 01 / 21 – 18:23

re #12: alternative alternative*: bp badge wanted ad…

* aka ‘not enough to do just at the moment…’

#14

mrtn | 2004 / 01 / 21 – 18:25

this is definitely the best so far: brad pitt awarded bp badge…

maybe you can get him to go to legoland with you?

#15

David | 2004 / 01 / 21 – 18:29

Re #11: I’m willing to negotiate. :)

I don’t think I know, or knew, what she looked like. Whenever I think of her, I always imagine Barbara Woodhouse [good job I always keep a photo of her in my /images folder].

Re ‘origin of Biddy’: It appears your instinct is correct.

Re #12, & #13: I suppose you’ll be wanting a finder’s fee? ;)

Re #14: Bah. What’s he ever done? Made a few blockbuster films and been lusted over by practically every woman on the planet? Bet he’s never made anyone a badge.

#16

David | 2004 / 01 / 21 – 18:30

Hmm, I might look into getting threaded comments set up. ;)

#17

bsag | 2004 / 01 / 23 – 22:04

No way! They are valid for *life*? Now I’m really resentful that I didn’t get a badge for my lovingly crafted ‘Sindy’s Car Repair Garage’, made out of two shoe boxes and complete with an inspection pit. Curse you, Biddy Baxter!

#18

David | 2004 / 01 / 25 – 00:04

Re #17: There’s still time — enter all their competitions from now on and you might win one after a few years. :P

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