Biddy Baxter
Encyclopedia
Biddy Baxter MBE
(born 1933) is best known as the former editor
of the long-running popular BBC One
children’s magazine show Blue Peter
, a position she held from 1965 to 1988. She was also its producer from 1962 to 1965. As editor of the programme, Baxter devised much of the format that is still broadcast today.
to a teacher father who became the director of a sportswear company and a mother who was a pianist. She was educated at Wyggeston Girls' Grammar School, Leicester and St Mary's College
, Durham University
.
Baxter devised and introduced the Blue Peter badge
to encourage children to send in programme ideas, pictures, letters and stories and also she introduced the now famous annual appeals. She was awarded a gold badge herself when she retired as editor from the programme. Having been disappointed as a child to receive the same reply twice to different letters that she had written to Enid Blyton
, she also introduced a card index system so that Blue Peter viewers could receive more personal responses.
In September 2008, Baxter expressed dissatisfaction with the way Blue Peter was being run and said that she believed that the BBC was trying to close the programme down.
In the New Year Honours
, 1981, Baxter was honoured with an MBE (Member of the Civil Division of the Order of the British Empire
), in recognition of her work as editor of Blue Peter
; she received her MBE from The Queen
at Buckingham Palace
, on 10 February 1981. She is also a fellow of the Royal Television Society
, and received an honorary D. Litt from the University of Newcastle
in 1988.
Biddy Baxter was married to the BBC Schools music producer and musical educator John Hosier
, who died in 2000.
In 2009, Baxter published a selection of children's letters received by the Blue Peter team. Amongst them was a letter from Anthony Hollander
who wanted to become a doctor: he went on to become Professor of Rheumatology and Tissue Engineering at Bristol University, and said that he owes his career to Miss Baxter: "If her letter had shown any hint of ridicule or disbelief I might perhaps never have trained to become a medical scientist or been driven to achieve the impossible dream, and really make a difference to a human being's life."
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(born 1933) is best known as the former editor
Editing
Editing is the process of selecting and preparing written, visual, audible, and film media used to convey information through the processes of correction, condensation, organization, and other modifications performed with an intention of producing a correct, consistent, accurate, and complete...
of the long-running popular BBC One
BBC One
BBC One is the flagship television channel of the British Broadcasting Corporation in the United Kingdom. It was launched on 2 November 1936 as the BBC Television Service, and was the world's first regular television service with a high level of image resolution...
children’s magazine show Blue Peter
Blue Peter
Blue Peter is the world's longest-running children's television show, having first aired in 1958. It is shown on CBBC, both in its BBC One programming block and on the CBBC channel. During its history there have been many presenters, often consisting of two women and two men at a time...
, a position she held from 1965 to 1988. She was also its producer from 1962 to 1965. As editor of the programme, Baxter devised much of the format that is still broadcast today.
Biography
She was born Joan Maureen Baxter in LeicesterLeicester
Leicester is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands of England, and the county town of Leicestershire. The city lies on the River Soar and at the edge of the National Forest...
to a teacher father who became the director of a sportswear company and a mother who was a pianist. She was educated at Wyggeston Girls' Grammar School, Leicester and St Mary's College
St Mary's College, Durham
St Mary's College is a college of the University of Durham in England. Following the grant of a supplemental charter in 1895 allowing women to receive degrees of the university, St Mary's was founded as the Women's Hostel in 1899, adopting its present name in May 1920...
, Durham University
Durham University
The University of Durham, commonly known as Durham University, is a university in Durham, England. It was founded by Act of Parliament in 1832 and granted a Royal Charter in 1837...
.
Baxter devised and introduced the Blue Peter badge
Blue Peter badge
A Blue Peter badge is a much coveted award for Blue Peter viewers, given by the children's television programme for those appearing on the show, or in recognition of achievement...
to encourage children to send in programme ideas, pictures, letters and stories and also she introduced the now famous annual appeals. She was awarded a gold badge herself when she retired as editor from the programme. Having been disappointed as a child to receive the same reply twice to different letters that she had written to Enid Blyton
Enid Blyton
Enid Blyton was an English children's writer also known as Mary Pollock.Noted for numerous series of books based on recurring characters and designed for different age groups,her books have enjoyed huge success in many parts of the world, and have sold over 600 million copies.One of Blyton's most...
, she also introduced a card index system so that Blue Peter viewers could receive more personal responses.
In September 2008, Baxter expressed dissatisfaction with the way Blue Peter was being run and said that she believed that the BBC was trying to close the programme down.
In the New Year Honours
New Year Honours
The New Year Honours is a part of the British honours system, being a civic occasion on the New Year annually in which new members of most Commonwealth Realms honours are named. The awards are presented by the reigning monarch or head of state, currently Queen Elizabeth II...
, 1981, Baxter was honoured with an MBE (Member of the Civil Division of the Order of the British Empire
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
), in recognition of her work as editor of Blue Peter
Blue Peter
Blue Peter is the world's longest-running children's television show, having first aired in 1958. It is shown on CBBC, both in its BBC One programming block and on the CBBC channel. During its history there have been many presenters, often consisting of two women and two men at a time...
; she received her MBE from The Queen
Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom
Elizabeth II is the constitutional monarch of 16 sovereign states known as the Commonwealth realms: the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica, Barbados, the Bahamas, Grenada, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Belize,...
at Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace, in London, is the principal residence and office of the British monarch. Located in the City of Westminster, the palace is a setting for state occasions and royal hospitality...
, on 10 February 1981. She is also a fellow of the Royal Television Society
Royal Television Society
The Royal Television Society is a British-based educational charity for the discussion, and analysis of television in all its forms, past, present and future. It is the oldest television society in the world...
, and received an honorary D. Litt from the University of Newcastle
University of Newcastle upon Tyne
Newcastle University is a major research-intensive university located in Newcastle upon Tyne in the north-east of England. It was established as a School of Medicine and Surgery in 1834 and became the University of Newcastle upon Tyne by an Act of Parliament in August 1963. Newcastle University is...
in 1988.
Biddy Baxter was married to the BBC Schools music producer and musical educator John Hosier
John Hosier
John Hosier CBE, was a musical educator. He was born with stunted fingers so was unable to play a musical instrument himself, but nonetheless he devoted his life to music and music education...
, who died in 2000.
In 2009, Baxter published a selection of children's letters received by the Blue Peter team. Amongst them was a letter from Anthony Hollander
Anthony Hollander
Anthony Hollander is Professor of Rheumatology and Tissue Engineering at the University of Bristol. On 19 November 2008 it was reported that an artificially-grown organ had been successfully transplanted into a woman, Claudia Castillo, a breakthrough in which Hollander played a key role.In 2009,...
who wanted to become a doctor: he went on to become Professor of Rheumatology and Tissue Engineering at Bristol University, and said that he owes his career to Miss Baxter: "If her letter had shown any hint of ridicule or disbelief I might perhaps never have trained to become a medical scientist or been driven to achieve the impossible dream, and really make a difference to a human being's life."
Publications by Baxter
- 2009 (editor) Dear Blue Peter: The Best Of 50 Years Of Letters To Britain's Favourite Children's Programme 1958-2008
Sources
- The Mark Lawson Interview, repeatedly broadcast on BBC 4 throughout May 2007 as part of the 'Children's Television' season.