Juicey gets his Blue Peter badge…!

The morning of Tuesday 2nd August was the morning I regressed to the tender age of 8 all over again! It was managed without the aid of time travel, although I did get the opportunity to jump inside the Tardis…!

My Beetle Juicey had been lucky enough to be chosen for a Blue Peter programme item all about Herbie and the VW Beetle! Filming was taking place on the Tuesday morning in Studio 4 of the BBC and I was as excited as I have been known to be on my birthday and Christmas combined, if not more so!

The arrangement was that I should turn up with Juicey at the Beeb at 8.30am where I would be met and given a tour around the studio prior to filming.  I knew there was another forum member, Des (nachtw), due to bring his beach buggy to the studio as well as a Herbie replica, and was delighted to get to the BBC at the same time as Herbie, much to the amusement of the security guards at the gate!
Once security clearance was given, we parked up in the holding bay waiting for our passes. 

I immediately got out of Juicey and gushed all over Herbie (albeit at a whisper in case the floral orange one could hear!). I found out, after bombarding Saul Mahoney with questions, that the bug was actually a replica being owned and used by Disney to promote Herbie Fully Loaded!  It had even participated in a Monte Carlo Rally and I have to admit it had a stunning paint job. Disney bought the Beetle (an early 70s model without rag top sunroof) for £3000 and spent a further £9000 doing it up Herbie style! It was the model that rode down the red carpet at the London premiere of the film that Trevor (club chairman – ed) was lucky enough to attend!  Most of the money was spent on the paintwork and a new engine which was required for Herbie to participate in the rally.

Passes issued and off we went to find Studio 4.  By this time, my face was already aching from an incessant grin and when we were met by a member of the Blue Peter crew and shown where to park, my grin literally exploded over my face as we walked into the hallowed Blue Peter Studio!

After introductions to the team we went off for breakfast courtesy of the Beeb.  

In no time at all we were off down to the studio to watch the filming.  Blue Peter used to do all the programmes live, but now, due to the demands of digital TV, they record Friday’s programme in advance.
While they filmed Herbie’s goodbye scene (which they actually didn't use) we were allowed to take pictures as long as we didn't use the flash. Des climbed up into the rigging to take some bird’s eye views and we spent the main part of the morning watching filming. Des’ buggy was used in the papier mache jewellery item and Mabel the dog sat very obediently on the back of the buggy while someone crouched down behind the buggy holding a surf board!

Once the jewellery bit was done without it all going wrong, it was time for the cars! We had a dummy run to establish where the vehicles were going to be positioned (what a thrill to be driving into the Blue Peter Studio, even if it wasn't being filmed) and then it was time to meet the presenters.  Zoe was going to be driving Juicey and there was some concern as to whether she would manage OK with the high heels she had on.  After a brief intro to Juicey’s ‘characteristics’, Zoe asked me what ‘hire car company’ I was from! I took great pleasure in telling her that the Beetle was my own property to which she went rather grey and said she wished I hadn't told her that as it made her even more nervous about driving an old car!  They weren't her exact words, but Blue Peter presenters don't swear, do they?

I have to admit I went rather grey when Zoe had her first go at driving Juicey up the incline into the studio... watching the car slowly rolling backwards toward Des’ buggy while she revved him up trying to get him into gear was a bit much I have to admit! When the first dummy run was over I had to hop in and reverse Juicey out of the studio as there was ‘no way’ Zoe was going to attempt it herself. Four practice runs and four lots of reversing later and the filming began.  We were left outside to wonder what was going on and it was rather good to guess what the final show was going to be like!

We were taken back to the studio (past a replica of the Tardis - which I just had to have my photo taken in) and with cars parked safely outside again we were treated to lunch.  When we came back to the vehicles later, there were lots of people taking photos with their mobile phones standing next to Herbie!
A busy and exciting morning over it was time to go home and wait for Friday!

What a long week! Friday came and I was lucky enough to be let out of work early to get home in time to see the programme going out! I haven't watched Blue Peter for a number of years now and have to admit that I was extremely excited as the titles rolled. It was good to see the finished article and think ‘I was there when they did that’ not forgetting ‘THAT’S MY CAR!!!’

I can honestly say it is a moment in my life that will not be forgotten in a hurry!

Stay Groovy!

Jenny Lowman (jennybugs)