FIFTEENTH BOOK
Published 1978
BP Team: Lesley Judd, John Noakes, Peter Purves and introducing Simon Groom (and Goldie)
Cover: One of the more bizarre entries - leotarded and bare chested Peter and John flank the lady of the trapeze, Lesley Judd. There is a feature inside where the team have a go on the trapeze but this seems to have been specially put together for the cover.

Features: John gives us all vertigo yet again by climbing up to clean the statue atop Nelson's column; "By gum, his hat's a bit dirty"... The expedition takes the team to Brazil... John and Shep have their waxworks made for Madame Tussaud's and end up next to Percy Thrower. The result looks more like Rod Hull and is now probably on display at Louis Tussauds in Great Yarmouth. Right next to The Wurzels... A visit to ceremonial robemakers Ede and Ravenscroft. Check out Lesley in that hideous Strathclyde University PhD effort in pale blue. They don't still have that do they? Also includes a great picture of Lesley looking like she's had a few shandies too many... Simon joins the show, thanks to the BBC filming the series Traveller in Time on his parents' farm (anyone recall it? I have the last two minutes of an episode on tape!). On joining he is entrusted with Golden Retriever 'Goldie'... Viewers' send in old keys and toy cars to raise funds for special equipment for deaf children - it's called the Key Note appeal... Pete, John and Lesley demonstrate how to be turned into various panto characters, apparently for the benefit of some am dram islanders in the Shetlands; "the quickest way to help would be to send the vital info via television - post often takes ten days to reach the island". Is this why the net had to happen?... There's a report on Newsround presenter Lucy Mathen, her working day and her bass-playing rock antics in pub outfit Startled Saint; "She's not just a pretty face, she just wants to pl..a..a..ay.. Electric Bass!" Lesley joins in with her maracas... Meanwhile ABBA drop in to the studio in their 'jeans and pullover'... Pete goes jousting with his mighty lance... The team say goodbye to Petra with the installation of the bronze statue of the deceased pooch. This is Pete's last show too, 23/3/78.

Makes: 'Handy' Holders, decorated with cut in half clothes pegs - you must remember these?
Tinsely Christmas Cards
A jousting tournament - here set off nicely by those Playmobil knights. Although of course you don't have to buy them.

Historical Figure's Life Story in Pictures: Admiral Nelson's funeral
And the life of... er, the potato.
Kipling's life is told in photo recreations (no doubt borrowed from a Special Assignment)
Stories: Paddington's back, largely causing confusion among the kiddoes of 1978 since he looks nothing like the animated TV bear on screen at the time. Angela Rippon makes a cameo appearance. Wot no Bleep and Booster?
Rubbish Mystery Story: The Case of the Cup That Cheers - tales of giant killing antics in the third round of the FA Cup

Notes: The gaudy cover disguises what is essentially a downbeat annual - the reader is very much aware of the death of Petra (the first thing you see on opening the book is the bronze of Petra) and Pete's farewell. Also there's no Bleep & Booster (killed off by Star Wars - told you), no Bengo. Things are beginning to change. It may have been the end of an era but the yearly Book was seemingly at the height of its powers, resulting in what is evidently an enormous print run. Certainly the easiest of all the 70s annuals to find, even given its later release date. Three quid at the very most for this one.