A Blue Peter programme featuring the Anglo-SaxonVillage at West Stow near Bury St Edmunds is due to be shown on BBC 1 next week.
The show, which goes out at 5pm on Wednesday 3 March, is based on the theme of ‘Living off the Land’ and includes Blue Peter presenters Simon and Matt both getting into Anglo-Saxon costume and having a go at living as our ancestors would have done 1500 years ago.
Filming for the show took place last autumn but BBC executives were so impressed with their day at West Stow they decided to postpone the original transmission date, in November 2003, to carry out further work on the film footage and develop it into a major feature.
Over recent years, the reconstructed houses at West Stow have provided a unique backdrop for a wide variety of television programmes including documentaries, cookery shows, dramas and children’s programmes. However, this is the first time that West Stow will have been on Blue Peter.
West Stow Ranger, Christine Lewis, is delighted the show will finally be shown on BBC 1 and comments:
“Blue Peter is the flagship of BBC children’s programmes and we’re really pleased they chose to visit us here at West Stow. Each year, over 15,000 children come on school trips to West Stow, but many, many more children from all over the UK will now have the chance to watch the show and learn about the Anglo-Saxons and West Stow on national television.”
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS:
* Please email weststow@stedsbc.gov.uk for high quality digital images of the Blue Peter crew during filming at WestStowAnglo-SaxonVillage
* Filming took place on 8 and 9 November 2003
* Further information is available from Christine Lewis, Ranger/Events, WestStowCountryPark & Anglo-SaxonVillage, 01284 728718, email weststow@stedsbc.gov.uk
ISSUED BY MARIA ETHRIDGE, COMMUNICATIONS UNIT, ST EDMUNDSBURY BOROUGH COUNCIL. Tel 01284 757033 Fax 01284 757032 maria.ethridge@stedsbc.gov.uk
