BLUE PETER BADGE OF HONOUR

SOME might think the Victoria Cross is the highest honour.  Others pursue a Knighthood or one of the lesser gongs.  Me, I’m not brave enough for the V.C. or important enough for a gong but the other day I received one of the highest accolades known to man. I am one of that baby boomer generation that grew up with pioneering kid’s TV.  The defining programme watched by that generation has to be Blue Peter.  So when the producer of Blue Peter phoned up to ask if they could come and shoot some footage on the farm I couldn’t say yes fast enough.  When they were there I was keen to show them how, as a modern farmer, I cared for the environment.  They were so impressed with my conservation work they offered me the highest honour they can bestow - a Green Blue Peter Badge.  When the Blue Peter producer produced the badge I could have snatched his arm off.  Mercifully I managed to retain a little dignity but I still beamed like the biggest kid in Essex.

What is more, by securing the arrival of the Blue Peter presenter, Matt Baker, on the farm I was raised to the position of demi-god in the eyes of my children. There may be some of you out there who have never heard of Matt Baker.

	Let me tell you, among the under twelves, Matt Baker is right up there along with David Beckham and Charlie out of Busted when it comes to idols. You boring old adults may dream of a visit from the Queen or Nelson Mandela, but for kids a visit from Matt Baker is as good as it could possibly get.  For me personally, if I had the choice of celeb to be drinking tea round my kitchen table, I would be torn between a thirty year old Debbie Harry or John Cleese.  If I had to decide between the two it would probably depend if the wife was in or not, if she was then John Cleese would get the nod.  Debbie would just have to wait for a more convenient time.  But for my kids, nubile rock divas or comedy geniuses are as nothing compared to the latest blue-eyed boy from the Blue Peter stable - Matt Baker. What is more, he arrived with his partner who is equally important in the eyes of Blue Peter afficianados.  His sheep dog, Meg, was as well groomed and impressive as Matt was.  This was no studio stooge of a dog, Meg could respond to a whistle and even look lovingly up at lovely Matt when told to by the cameraman.  I introduced my idiot labrador to this wonder dog from the BBC in the hope some of it’s smart behaviour might rub off on it, but to no avail.  The idiot labrador just embarrassed itself by running round the garden like an out of control, demented dervish.  Meanwhile, our star canine guest, the most famous Collie in the western world, just looked on with a haughty disdain and rehearsed a couple of moves for the next camera shot.  What is it they say about dogs resembling their masters? So, the day Blue Peter arrived at Wigboro Wick farm will do down in the annals of the Smith family history as a day to remember.  I had a deprived childhood in that I was never given the chance to chat to John Noakes in my Dad’s office, but now my kids have met Matt Baker I can rest assured I have been a good parent.  I only hope that in future years they look after me as well as I have looked after them.  Do you think they even know who Debbie Harry is, let alone find her phone number? Guy Smith