Fascinating Facts and Trivia

Your big toe carries more weight than any other toe, bearing about 40% of your body weight.

To enlist in the United States Army you need to have all ten toes intact.

England used to get very harsh winters and the Thames would freeze over and the frost fairs would take place. The first recorded one took place in the reign of Elizabeth l around December 1564-5 and there were stalls, dancing and firing at pricks(archery targets) as well as football! People crossed over to Westminster in more numbers than on the streets of London. This was also the original dancing on ice as it was so cold and the harsh weather lasted into early January. Imagine that happening today-because of the Thames Barrier that wouldn't happen now although in 2008 when we had a really cold Winter the fountains in Trafalgar Square froze over.

Just a quick reminder, threads belong to everyone and posts within should try to be kept on topic.
Ultimately, this thread is in the fun zone, so although titled ''Fascinating Facts and Trivia'', it is just a bit of fun and shouldn't be taken too seriously, so there is leeway. As long as the spirit of the thread is maintained, it's all good.

I have no beef with anyone as long as people have fun that's all that concerns me but I didn't want it to descend into a flame war between members. Post what you want as long, as skully says, it is on topic-after all, who doesn't like a bit of trivia or a fact you can bring up when out or down the pub And don't take it seriously.

The BBC children’s programme ‘Blue Peter’ first aired on 16th October 1958 and transmitted for 15 minutes.

Got a load of trivia on that.

Ship design was by Tony Hart.

First presenters were Christopher Trace and Leila Williams(a model)

When John Noakes climbed up Nelson's Column he had no helmet nor safety harness-only a rope!

It is one of the world's longest running children's television programmes and celebrated 60 years last October with past and present presenters.

When a time capsule was dug up by accident in the 1990's they found that water had got in and damaged some of the contents. It was resealed and reburied - another container was put into the National Archives last year.

The theme tune Barnacle Bill was reworked by musician Mike Oldfield in the 1980's

The most famous incidents were Lulu the Elephant and the guides camp fire that got out of hand.

The coveted Blue Peter badge is still desired by fans today and some were once sold on EBay. I wanted one for my collection but I wasn't about to stoop that low - I did write to the Blue Peter office twice but nothing came of it, although I did praise them(and they replied) some years ago when an item about Jewish people and a Barmitzvah was shown, but I also told them that it was the stereotypical Jew being shown(Orthodox, wide brim hat, ringlets and the father was a Rabbi!) There are others out there.

Loads more but I won't hog it

From Blue Peter 1969 - one I have a vivid memory of...

Peter Purves attributes the blame for Lulu the incontinent Elephant to editor Biddy Baxter who allegedly asked Lulu’s keeper to do without the stick he used to keep her under control. The ensuing chaos saw Lulu pee, poo and generally misbehave around the studio, dragging her keeper through the mess.

John Noakes is seen yelling "oh, get off me foot" but on closer examination the elephant was nowhere near it and it was really done for comedy effect. The keeper didn't find it at all amusing slipping over in the pee and called out for the assistant helper to come in. It has gone down in history and much loved by many.

England has an important stake in the origins of Champagne.

It might be synonymous with a famous French region, but contrary to popular belief, Dom Perignon didn’t invite the signature sparkling wine. Indeed, more than forty years before it’s claimed Perignon invented champagne, the English scientist Christopher Merret documented an early version of the fermentation.

London has the largest library in the world.

The towering British Library in King’s Cross, London, has over 170 million items in its catalogue.