History - the ship sets sail (1958)

First Blue Peter presenters Chris Trace and Leila Williams

The first edition of Blue Peter went out on the BBC at 5 o clock on Thursday 16th October 1958. The programme was created to fill a gap in the BBC Children's Department's output and was aimed at 5 to 8 year olds. It was 15 minutes in length and the first episode featured presenters Chris Trace and Leila Williams.

On the first programme, Chris Trace revealed the Blue Peter model railway and Leila talked about 'things for dolls'. The show also featured a cartoon called Sparky and the Train. The programme was made at Studio E at the BBC's Lime Grove studio in West London and was produced by John Hunter Blair, described by various people as an eccentric and extraordinarily kind Bunterish academic.

It was Hunter Blair who conceived the name Blue Peter, after the flag that is lowered at the start of a ship's voyage. The theme music Barnacle Bill was used from the very first programme.

Artist Tony Hart was a regular guest on Blue Peter in the early years, narrating his own illustrated stories such as Packi the little white elephant (after pachyderm - a thick skinned creature). Tony Hart designed the Blue Peter ship and even presented two editions of Blue Peter himself.  

Former Miss Great Britain 1957 and co-host of the Six-Five-Special Leila Willams is credited as doing the very first 'make' on Blue Peter which was a patchwork quilt for a doll's pram made from a hem of an old dress. 

Tony Hart on Blue Peter

When producer and Blue Peter creator John Hunter Blair retired from the BBC due to ill health in June 1961, it set off an uncertain period for the programme with two successive producers, Clive Pankhurst amd John Furness, both failing to make a lasting impact. In the meantime Leila Williams was dropped by Parkhurst in January 1962 to be replaced by Anita West who stayed only as long as John Furness (May 1962 to September 1962).

Valerie Singleton became the programme's third female presenter alongside veteran Chris Trace on 3rd September 1962. Biddy Baxter took over as Blue Peter producer in October 1962 and stayed in that role for the next 26 years.

Reference:

Blue Peter 50th Anniversay by Richard Marson