As many of you will already know, over the past few years the BBC’s well known and well loved children’s television programme, Blue Peter, has appeared at the National Cat Clubs’ show which is held at Olympia in London in the lead up to Christmas. It was this association with the Cat Fancy that led the production team of the programme to contact Carol Pike, the well know Birman Breeder, Judge and Joint Show Manager of The National Cat Club Show to ask for help in finding a Ragdoll Cat to join the Blue Peter team. She was asked if she could recommend breeders of the Ragdoll who would be likely to be able to help them in their search. Carol gave them a number of contact numbers and specifically mentioned The British Ragdoll Cat Club as she was sure that we were probably the best people to know who could help.

In October 2005, Allen & myself ( in our roles of TBRCC Chairman & Hon Secretary) received a phone call from the BBC wanting our help in, not only finding out more about the breed, but also to see if we could assist them in any way to ensure that the breed was suitable for the programme. They informed us that sadly, their last cat, Smudge, a domestic household moggie, had been killed in a road traffic accident in July and that, after a suitable period of mourning, they were looking to introduce a new kitten to the team. They specifically wanted a kitten which would be ready to appear on the first programme of the New Year, 4th January 2006.

Initially I, personally, was a little sceptical about the whole issue. The club had spent nearly twenty years promoting and protecting the Ragdoll and I knew full well that anyone who put their cat into the public eye could come under criticism. It was essential for the programme to understand that the breed, although essentially calm, relaxed and laid back would, under studio conditions, behave as any other breed of cat would do. If not very carefully handled, the whole thing may be a dreadful mistake and do untold damage to the breed that we all love so much.

However, the BBC wanted a Ragdoll and we knew that they would be able to buy one from someone, perhaps not particularly reputable who may sell a kitten to them without any due care and attention which could prove to be a disaster.   It was with this in mind that, after a full discussion with the Committee of TBRCC, Allen & I arranged a meeting with the production team. We went along to the BBC Television Centre and met up with Sid and Amie who were in charge of ‘Forward Planning’!

What a lovely experience it was. The whole Blue Peter production team were so warm and friendly and so VERY proud of their programme. The enthusiasm in the offices was infectious and their dedication to producing a television programme which is both educational and fun was a pleasure to see. Whilst Allen sat with ‘Tracey Island’ on his lap(!) another member of staff went off to find the Advent Candle star for me to see. I know, I know, but hey, it brings back memories of my childhood AND my children’s’ when we tried hard to make one ourselves.   Around the walls of the office were photos of celebrities, old and new, who had appeared on the programme over the years along with letters and paintings sent in by children from all over the world.