What are the best children’s toys and games, and are they worth the money?
Those are questions parents ask themselves every Christmas – but an old TV clip recently released from the BBC Archives provides some answers from Harrogate primary school pupils.
The video was first broadcast on December 10, 1975, when schoolchildren from Bilton Grange County Primary School (as it was then) took over from the regular presenters of BBC Nationwide’s Consumer Unit, Valerie Singleton and Richard Stilgoe, to offer their expert opinions on the best children’s games to buy as Christmas presents.
Archive footage from Bilton Grange Primary School, which was broadcast on BBC’s Nationwide.
Among the toys ranked by the retro reviewers were Mouse Trap, Monopoly, Snakes and Ladders, Haunted House, Baby Alive, Super Striker, Scalextric, Action Man, Frustration and Campaign.
The schoolchildren will be in their late 50s by now, and many may well still live in the area. Are you one of them? Do you know someone who is? Let us know – we’d love to hear from some of them, nearly half a century on. Let us know by emailing contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.
You can watch the video on the BBC website here.
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Harrogate district recycling centres appeal for Christmas toys for kids
Harrogate district residents are being urged to donate toys and games at household waste recycling centres in the run up to Christmas.
The aim is to collect 10 tonnes of items, which will be passed on to young people, aged up to 16, who are experiencing hardship this Christmas.
The Re-use Santa Appeal is working with No Wrong Door, which supports young people in or on the edge of the care system at centres in Harrogate and Scarborough, on the initiative.
No Wrong Door replaces traditional council-run young people’s homes with hubs that combine residential care with fostering.
Staff at the county’s recycling centres, which are operated by Yorwaste on behalf of North Yorkshire County Council and City of York Council, will ensure donations are in good working condition before they are delivered to children.
The gifts will be given as part of a Christmas family bag to families in North Yorkshire and York. Surplus items will be distributed to other charities.
There are three recycling centres in the Harrogate district: on Wetherby Road and Penny Pot Lane in Harrogate and on Dallamires Crescent in Ripon. Drop-off points are located by the containers for household reusable items. Donations will be accepted until December 15.
The sites are also taking donations of new or part-used Christmas wrapping paper and tape as part of the appeal.
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County Councillor Derek Bastiman, executive member for waste management at North Yorkshire County Council, said:
“Christmas is a time of good will. So we’re asking families who can to add a little light to the festive season this year for many children who are less fortunate.
“I encourage people to check their cupboards for any unwanted toys and games and to donate them in the confidence that their items will go to a good home.”
Last Christmas, people donated more than 2,000 games, toys, puzzles and books, including air hockey tables, dolls’ houses, Nerf guns, bicycles and giant teddy bears.
Cllr Paula Widdowson, executive member for environment and climate change at City of York Council, added:
“It’s critical the donations are clean, well-cared for and in full working order. Thank you once again to everyone who supports this appeal.”