I think that Blue Peter began in 1958 in the Children's Television slot as it was known then. I was in my mid teens at that time so probably thought that I was too old for that sort of thing, although I can vaguely remember it then. My memory of things in the 50s is usually very sharp still so I must have regarded Blue Peter as very peripheral.
I became more aware of it in the 1970s when our kids were growing up and occasionally would watch it with them, albeit I was never very keen on watching the telly at any stage in my life.
The things I do recall are the "This is one I made earlier" when a presenter would hack away live at making some sort of model this or that that bore an uncanny resemblance to the products of Mr Heath Robinson. The presenter would reach a stage where the process was nearly complete and suddenly produce the one 'made earlier'. It was invariably a professional looking job that I have no doubt was made by a member of the BBC's technical department. The same thing would happen when they popped a lumpy looking cake mix into the oven that was miraculously replaced by the one made earlier that looked something like Mary Berry would knock up these days.
The other thing I remember is when the presenters went on location somewhere, perhaps on a farm, and "I was allowed to help" they would say. I often wondered whether their help was more of a hindrance to the farmer or whoever.
That cynically said, there is no doubt that the show is fondly remembered by generations of people who enjoyed it through their childhood and it, probably rightly, enjoys iconic status within its genre.
In no small measure this is due to John Noakes, perhaps the best known of all the presenters, and I hope that he rests peacefully.