It hardly seems possible that one of our all-time favourite kid’s shows, Blue Peter, has turned 60 this month.
Most of us can remember growing up with this wonderfully inspiring programme, and many of us can recall the time when Anthea Turner showed us all how to make the FAB Thunderbirds Headquarters, Tracy Island out of cardboard boxes in the mid 1990s
I have got to know the lovely Anthea over the years and she told me recently that one of the highlights of her career was the Tracy Island project on Blue Peter, as it brought so much joy to so many families, and indeed Anthea herself.
Here is Anthea making the Tracy Island model
This was way before computer games like Fortnight took over the World and years before social media, but we are still assured by Mums and Dads and Grandparents that they still get involved with their offspring in home crafts, away from the computer or iPad to give kids a taste of how they can still have fun, in their very own retro world, light years away from the internet.
So for once I would advise DO TRY THIS AT HOME and enter our competition for the most inventive Tracy Island or homemade project of your choice for Glotime.tv and you could win a ticket to the Silver Screen Ball at Pinewood Studios and meet Dee Anderson daughter of Gerry & Sylvia Anderson creators of Thunderbirds along with some of the original team behind the classic series.
All you have to do is make your own Tracy Island either free form or following the Blue Peter instructions and send 3 photos of your ‘make’ to competition@sylviaanderson.co.uk and we will select one entry to be our guest on the night.
click for more details of the event ‘ silver screen ball at pinewood studios ‘
Click to download the original Blue Peter plans to make ‘ Tracy Island ‘
Final date for entries 18th November
FAB
here is a look back of all the presenters of Blue Peter
A FAB CELEBRITY SILVER SCREEN BALL AT PINEWOOD STUDIOS
1st December 2018
A RED CARPET EVENT
In Support of Great Ormond Street Hospital
Sylvia Anderson has left a huge legacy with her pioneering work as co-creator of Thunderbirds with her most iconic character Lady Penelope, and was always at the cutting edge of ground breaking television. Sylvia’s daughter Dee Anderson, in collaboration with Industry Professionals, has created the Sylvia Anderson Awards to be presented to emerging writers, musicians, film makers and animators at a high profile Celebrity Evening event to be held at Pinewood Studios on 1st December 2018.
There will be a Champagne Reception, followed by a sumptuous 3-course dinner with wine, amazing entertainment, the presentation of the Sylvia Anderson Awards (celebrating emerging talent), plus in support of GOSH, we have a “What Money Can’t Buy” Auction & Luxury Raffle.
The Ball is an exclusive black-tie event, in aid of a wonderful cause –Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity. It will be great for entertaining and shouldbe a fabulous evening – guests get to walk the red carpet and mingle with our Celebrity Guests.
All this, plus dancing into the early hours – so plenty to look forward to!
Celebrities from the world of TV & Film will be in attendance ranging from Eastenders to Game of Thrones, along with various people who worked with Sylvia over the years on the productions inc voice artists & puppeteers.
Sylvia’s passion was to support new artists in all genres of film and television, and her memory lives on as we honour her vision and pay homage to all that she represented in the world of Entertainment.
In addition to the award ceremony, there will be a ‘what money can’t buy’ auction to raise funds for Great Ormond Street Hospital, famous for their arduous work in revolutionary treatments for children suffering with serious diseases.
Many celebrities will take part and will walk the red carpet with guests from all walks of life – to share the champagne reception, sumptuous three course meal and enjoy the superb entertainment provided by Glotime TV – held in the most iconic film studio in the country, home to James Bond and Disney and with the largest underwater film stage in the world.
Well-known Anderson character lookalikes will be there to greet you and you can join in with this fun event, whilst supporting a brilliant Charity.
Also on display will be range of Puppets & Props from the many series created by Gerry & Sylvia Anderson.
Here is a glimpse of last years event
And another.
A small number of tickets are now released for fans to come along and join in with the festivities of this stunning red carpet event, so please contact us at tickets@sylviaanderson.co.uk for further details and to reserve your place.
As the Iconic show says “Thunderbirds Are Go” – FAB
On Thursday 1st November, Dee Anderson was the guest of Sarah Walker on BBC Radio Berkshire
You can listen to Dee talking to Sarah about Thunderbirds, Puppets and the Ball here
We could sit here all day and wax lyrical about the benefits of an authentic French onion soup for the soul, a Neapolitan pizza to lift your spirits, or a sunny day in Portugal bookended by a golden and flaky custard tart…well, just because they are delicious and addictive. But the chances are you have been there, done that and bought the recipe book. So today we would like to shine the spotlight on some major culinary contenders around Europe’s dining table that we feel may have been slightly overlooked. We’ve taken an example from Northern, Central and Southern Europe, so gastronomic adventurers, take note – Your tastebuds are in for a treat.
Starting at the Finnish
The Finnish menu is a seasonal celebration of locally sourced ingredients. Expect warming soups, potatoes and salmon with lashings of dill, pies stuffed with bright berries and the stalwart of the Scandinavian cuisine that is rye bread slathered with butter and taken morning, noon or night.
There are also unexpected specialties that set the Finns apart from their neighbours. Halloumi-like Leipäjuusto, for example, is baked over an open fire and eaten with cloudberry jam, producing a satisfying squeak. Christmas lovers may want to avoid Poronkäristys, but vitamin-rich and tender sautéed reindeer meat can be found served alongside creamy mashed potato at any time of year. Sorry Rudolph, but it’s absolutely irresistible.
The Poles have one of the most comforting, indulgent cuisines and proof of the pudding is in the Pierogi. These plump, pillow-like morsels filled with ground mince and topped with crispy fried onions are practically sacred in Poland. Unlimited to the savoury sphere, Pierogi can even transcend the boundaries of the menu when eaten for dessert with sweet berries and dressed in cream.
Smoked meats and cabbage also feature largely in the typical Polish diet. From Kie?basa and Sauerkraut to Bigos and Go??bki, these ingredients make for very hearty and flavourful fare. Veggies, fear not! There are also plenty of meat-free menu options, including crisp potato pancakes, vegetable soups and a whole host of baked goods.
Slovenia’s largely landlocked geographical position means traditional cuisine there has familiar elements shared with Italian, Austrian, Hungarian and Croatian gastronomy. The landscape, which includes mountains, fields and even a small Adriatic coastline, offers an enviable bounty. You’ll find everything from mushroom soup served in a hollowed out bread loaf, to dandelion and egg salad (don’t knock it until you’ve tried it).
Pasta lovers, we’d also like to introduce you to Žlikrofi – dainty dough parcels stuffed with herby meat and doused in rich rabbit or mutton sauce. Meanwhile the Slovenian charcuterie is nothing to be scoffed at: wind-cured Prosciutto (Pršut), sharply pickled turnips (Kisla repa) and a plethora of impressive cheeses grace the table.
The most seasoned food fanatics will know that the best way to get to the heart of a national cuisine is to pack your bags and make the pilgrimage. Whether your Mecca is a particular market, a backstreet restaurant or a vineyard, our number one tip is to book a villa or apartment right in the centre of the action. Our friends at www.novasol.co.uk have over 50,000 holiday homes all across Europe, so you’ll find the perfect base with them for your tasty travels.
October 15, 2026 1881 Sir PG Wodehouse 1920 Mario Puzo 1938 Marv Johnson 1937 Barry McGuire 1944 David Trimble 1946 Richard Carpenter 1947 Chris De Burgh 1958 Sarah, Duchess of York 1965 Stephen Tompkinson
Pin It on Pinterest
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.OkPrivacy policy
