FOR the last 60 years the BBC’s world-famous and award-winning “Blue Peter” programme has been entertaining and exciting children and adults alike.

For 36 years Alex Leger was at the heart of the action as the show’s most prolific film maker.

He has survived sandstorms, landmines, erupting volcanoes, food poisoning, difficult presenters and flying bullets to make more than 600 films across five continents, although, he would say, not all turned out in the way he expected.

From his first adventure encouraging John Noakes to climb Nelson’s Column through to persuading Helen Skelton to wear a beard of bees, and from flying with the Red Arrows to bluffing cocaine paste smugglers in the high Andes; he can truly say there has never been a dull moment.

It is unlikely that there is another tv producer alive today who can begin to match his experience.

Alex is a great raconteur and his talks are lavishly illustrated with film and video clips and enriched with many behind the scenes anecdotes.

Born in Devon, Alex was educated at Exeter School before leaving to spend a year as a VSO volunteer in the Solomon Islands. On his return he studied industrial engineering and management sciences at Loughborough University.

He then joined the Army on a permanent regular commission before joining the BBC in 1973 as a junior management consultant. Three years later came an opportunity to work in Children’s programmes and he joined “Blue Peter” where he remained for the rest of his BBC career.

Alex started public speaking in 2012 and these engagements have included national conferences, literary festivals, cruise ships and local groups.

Alex will be at the Boniface Centre in Church Lane, Crediton, on Wednesday, May 15 to give an illustrated talk “Four Decades of Blue Peter” in support of the Holy Cross Crediton Campaign Roof Appeal.

The talk begins promptly at 7.30pm. Admission is £6 for adults with children free and includes light refreshments.

During the evening signed copies of Alex’s book “Blue Peter behind the Badge” will be on sale for £10 each. For further information please contact 01363 773669.

The Holy Cross roof appeal launched in May 2014 has now raised £165,000. While local fundraising will have to continue it is now hoped work on the many grant applications will commence during this coming summer.