During the 1970s, BBC Children’s TV underwent significant changes in terms of programming and presentation style. The decade saw the continuation of some iconic shows from previous years while introducing new programmes that would become beloved classics like Blue Peter and Grange Hill.
Children’s BBC ~ The Wombles of Wimbledon were created in 1968 by Elizabeth Beresford with an animated series following in 1973 by Filmfair for the BBC. The voices were by Bernard Cribbins and the show coincided with the birth of the ecology movement. Hits for Mike Batt and his Womble band followed as did a feature film in 1977. Even today children of the 70s pick up litter (and use recycling facilities) thanks to these furry eco-warriors!Children’s BBC ~ The reason why the BBC referred to Hanna-Barbara’s Top Cat as Boss Cat, when no-one else did, is because when it was first screened in the 1960s, there was a brand of cat food already on sale in Britain called ‘Top Cat’, so to avoid suggestion of advertising, the cartoon was re-named. The titles were only changed back in the 1990s.
