I'm sure you've all heard about the latest Blue Peter "scandal" with numerous Blue Peter badges turning up on E-Bay being sold as a way of getting into tourist attractions for free. Someone (and impoverished student) is even selling their gold badge (current price £620).
I don't know how people feel about this - yes, morally it might be wrong but I don't think it's anything to worry about though.
The producers though are concerned and have now suspended free entrance into attractions with a BP badge to "protect" those who've "earned" their badge.
Surely though it's them, more than anyone, who are being punished with this action though!
Who subsidises these "free entrance" allowances? If it's the individual attractions then they're going to be losing potentially far more money than they account for each year. In which case it's no wonder they've stopped it.
No one subsidises the badge deal. The attractions benefit from references made on the programme.
Given that the majority of badge winners are children, it is fair to assume that most will visit the attractions accompanied by one or two parents, not to mention brothers and sisters.
I can't really imagine anyone using the badge on their own, although that's not to say they couldn't.
Why would anyone buy a Blue Peter badge on Ebay for more then a pound? You can buy fake Blue Peter badges at most seaside gift shops for a pound. I've got one somewhere. I suppose I ought to dig it out and stick it on Ebay
They did mention on BBC News that they were considering introducing an ID card to accompy the badge. Which seems rather pointless as there must be thousands already in circulation and I can't see existing badge owners getting an ID card. Rather defeats the point of introducing them. I happen to own two of the white badges legitimately and have the letters addressed to me from 1997 & 1999 somewhere. It's interesting to note the subtle changes made to the badge over the years mainly to the ship.
I happen to own two of the white badges legitimately and have the letters addressed to me from 1997 & 1999 somewhere.
what did you get the badges for charlie
From memory the first was something related to Enid Blyton (around about the time of 50 years I think), and the second was related to a design for a totaliser (them BP appeals).
I assume once you reach 16 the badge can no longer be used!
I bet without them being sold on E-Bay loads get passed on to younger siblings, friends or even down to their children by their parents - and possibly even grandparents!
From memory the first was something related to Enid Blyton (around about the time of 50 years I think), and the second was related to a design for a totaliser (them BP appeals).
This comment has brought back and long-forgotten and cherished memory of actually being excited about the revealing of the totaliser each year. Happy, simple, days.
I lost it a couple of weeks later. 
Oh well.