Ethan Clarke
Blue Peter is a long-running British children's television programme that first aired in 1958. The show is known for its arts and crafts segments, which often featured 'sticky-back plastic' – a type of plastic with an adhesive backing, similar to cling film. The show's editors have stated that Blue Peter has always aimed to teach young viewers how to create something special from everyday objects. The show's 60th anniversary in 2018 was celebrated as a 'sticky-back plastic fantastic' success.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Description | Plastic with a sticky back, similar to a roll of cling film |
| Uses | Covering books, protecting tables, covering dashboards |
| Brand name | Fablon |
| Mentioned on | Blue Peter |
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What You'll Learn
Blue Peter's influence on crafting
Blue Peter is a British children's television entertainment programme that has been running since 1958, making it the longest-running children's TV show in the world. The show has become a significant part of British culture and heritage, with many items from its history embedded in the public's memory, including its arts and crafts segments.
Blue Peter is well-known for its "makes", which are demonstrations of how to construct useful objects or prepare food. The show's presenters often use the catchphrase "Here's one I made earlier", bringing out a completed version of the object they are making. These "makes" have included a wide range of arts and crafts projects, from simple paper planes and Halloween decorations to more complex projects like birdhouses and terrariums.
The show has also encouraged its young viewers to make something "magical" out of everyday objects. For example, in 2020, it was announced that the Blue Peter badges would be made from recycled yoghurt pots. The show has also featured segments on upcycling, such as how to make a cosy pet bed.
Blue Peter has had a significant influence on crafting in Britain. The show has introduced generations of children to the joy of creating something with their own hands and has provided them with the knowledge and skills to do so. The show's focus on using everyday objects for crafting has also encouraged sustainability and creativity in its young viewers.
While the show's influence on crafting is undeniable, it has also faced some challenges. Some viewers have lamented the difficulty of obtaining certain crafting materials featured on the show, such as sticky-backed plastic, which was often used for covering books or protecting tables. Despite this, Blue Peter continues to inspire and educate young people, with its arts and crafts segments remaining a beloved and integral part of the show.
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Blue Peter badges
There are several different badges, each with its own criteria for application. The Blue badge, for example, is awarded to those who send in interesting letters, stories, pictures, poems, or ideas for the show. The Green badge is an environmental badge made from recycled components. The Orange badge is for competition winners, and the Purple badge is for children with ideas to improve Blue Peter.
The Gold badge is the most prestigious, awarded for exceptional bravery or representing one's country. It is also given to longstanding presenters when they leave the show. The Silver badge is for children who already have a Blue badge and complete a further achievement.
Blue Peter badge owners can gain free entry to over 200 attractions across the UK, including theme parks, zoos, gardens, castles, and museums. These include Kensington Palace, the London Zoo, St Paul's Cathedral, and the Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre. To gain free entry, badge owners must present their badge ID card along with the badge.
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The versatility of sticky-back plastic
Sticky-back plastic is a versatile material that has been a staple in many households and classrooms. It is essentially a large roll of sticky PVC with a wide range of applications. One of its most common uses is for covering books and protecting tables or other surfaces. For example, it can be used to cover a benchtop or a dashboard, as mentioned by some people who have used it.
In schools, teachers have been known to require their students to cover their exercise books with sticky-back plastic to protect them. This use of sticky-back plastic can be traced back to the popular children's TV show Blue Peter, which often featured arts and crafts segments using everyday objects. The show encouraged its young viewers to create "something magical" out of everyday objects, and sticky-back plastic was one of the go-to materials for these creations.
Sticky-back plastic has become so ingrained in popular culture that it is often simply referred to as "sticky backed plastic" or "sticky-back," with many people unaware that "Fablon" is a brand name for the same product. Its popularity and cultural significance have led to it being remembered fondly by many, even if they never actually used the product themselves. This just goes to show the impact that a simple, versatile material like sticky-back plastic can have when it is introduced to a wide audience in an engaging and creative way.
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The use of sticky-back plastic in schools
Sticky-back plastic is a big roll of sticky PVC, commonly used for covering books or protecting tables. It is often used in schools to cover textbooks. While some schools don't require books to be covered, it is still a good idea to do so. It allows children to show off their unique style, prevents book mix-ups, and keeps books looking neat and tidy for longer.
Sticky-back plastic can be purchased from shops like Ryman, which also offers a variety of coloured cards to create a more robust cover. Other materials that can be used to cover books include wrapping paper, stickers, and washi tape. Washi tape comes in a variety of colours and patterns, allowing children to personalise the look of their books.
To cover a book with sticky-back plastic, one must first measure the size needed, allowing for 5 cm around the edges to fold over the front and back covers. Then, using a sharp knife or scalpel, score down the line so that the backing paper cuts but the plastic remains untouched.
Some people have shared their experiences of using sticky-back plastic in school. One person recalled that their teachers insisted that they cover their exercise books with sticky-back plastic, and they would receive detention if they did not comply. Another person shared that they used a protective film that came in a roll to cover their textbooks in school, and they wanted to do the same for their university books.
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The proper name for sticky-back plastic
Sticky-back plastic, or Fablon, is a wide roll of sticky PVC used for various purposes, such as covering books or protecting tables and dashboards. It is known for its versatility and has been used by both children and adults for arts and crafts, home improvement, and even in schools for covering exercise books.
The term "sticky-back plastic" has become ingrained in popular culture, with references to it being found in various media outlets, including news publications and online forums. For many, the material brings back memories of their childhood and their first encounters with arts and crafts.
Some people have shared their experiences of not having access to sticky-back plastic as children, despite its prominence on Blue Peter, and the challenges of collecting enough tokens from cereal boxes to acquire the much-coveted Blue Peter badges. The badges were a source of pride and status among children, and the process of earning them fostered a sense of creativity and social consciousness.
In conclusion, while the proper name for sticky-back plastic is Fablon, the term "sticky-back plastic" has become deeply intertwined with the cultural legacy of Blue Peter and has taken on a life of its own in the imaginations of generations of children and adults.
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Frequently asked questions
Blue Peter is a TV show that encouraged children to make arts and crafts projects out of everyday objects. Sticky-back plastic is a big roll of sticky PVC used for covering books or protecting tables.
One Blue Peter project involved covering a book with sticky-back plastic to protect it.
Blue Peter was also known for its badges, which were awarded to children for sending in interesting letters or stories or for appearing on the programme.
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