I wasn't due to catch my train back home from Edinburgh until 6.50 pm, so I had all afternoon to explore and watch some of the many street performers of the Edinburgh Fringe. I had also heard that Peter Purves and Valerie Singleton were due in the City that day as well as current presenter Lindsey Russell. I realised that The Edinburgh International Television Festival was due to start the following day. I put two and two together and presumed this must be the reason they were due in Edinburgh. So I headed over to the conference centre with the hope of maybe seeing them.
I timed it perfectly, I had been sat outside no longer than 10 minutes when legendary presenter Peter Purves appeared on his way back to his hotel. I introduced myself and Peter remembered me writing to him earlier in the year about Project 161018. We spoke for a few minutes and he signed my 50th Anniversary Book. I asked about Val, but unfortunately her train was not due into the city until 8.30pm. I would be well on my way home by them. It would have been wonderful to see both Peter and Val. I hope to catch up with her later in the project. I did however see Lindsey and she was pleased I had seen Peter.
Peter Purves joined the Blue Peter team in 1967 and prior to joining John and Val, he had played the part of Steven one of the companions to William Hartnel's Dr Who. Peter's first film for Blue Peter was all about teaching John and Val life saving skills. During Peter's time on the programmes, it was often asked why John Noakes did all the daring films and Peter never did anything brave. However this could not have been further from the truth. Peter filmed many exciting adventures including joining The White Helmets Motorcycle display team, Mountain climbing with Chris Bonnington, driving a car through the side of a furniture van with a stunt team and climbing The Forth Road Bridge.
Peter also looked after Petra the programmes first dog, until she died in 1977. He later said that announcing her death on the programme was one of the hardest things he had ever had to do.
After 10 years Peter thought it was time for a change and his final live Blue Peter was in March 1978. He loved his time on the programme but says he really stayed too long, but it was such a good job. Peter is extremely proud of his time on Blue Peter " One of televisions great programmes "
After leaving Blue Peter, he remained associated with Children's TV, presenting the sports programme Stopwatch and two series of Blue Peter Special Assignments. He also went on to present the long running motorcycle trials programme Kick Start and has been associated with the television presentation of the Dog Show Crufts for over 30 years. Peter can also be found regularly at science fiction and Dr Who conventions. In 2009 he released his autobiography - Here's one I wrote earlier.
Peter features in Blue Peter Books 5 - 15.
