Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ

Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Archive releases new documents about Enid Blyton and her tempestuous relationship with the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ

• Eighteen previously unreleased documents and letters shed new light on how the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ felt about the work of children's author Enid Blyton
• Letters and documents detail why Enid Blyton was not thought good enough for children's programmes for over 30 years
• New documents released online reveal the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ rejected work submitted by Enid Blyton, describing it as "Not strong enough. It really is odd to think that this woman is a best-seller. It is all such very small beer."

A new online collection from Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Archive reveals the intriguing truth behind why the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ had doubts about Enid Blyton's suitability for broadcasting. Dating back to 1936, the letters and documents are being digitised and made available online for the first time, in conjunction with the new drama about the artistic career of Enid Blyton, part of the Women We Loved season.

The drama, starring Helena Bonham Carter, premieres on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Four and the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ HD channel from Monday 16 November.

Julie Rowbotham, Executive Producer, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Archive said: "These documents paint a captivating portrait of both Enid Blyton and the attitudes of those working in the corporation in the early days of the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ. Even though Enid Blyton's books were tremendously popular at the time, there were many groups of people who disapproved of her work for various reasons."

The first letter in the collection shows Enid writing to the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Director of Programmes in 1936, but it took her first husband, Hugh Pollock, writing on her behalf directly to the Director-General Lord Reith in 1938, to get a response.

Replying to Lord Reith's letter, Enid Blyton says she has already had other offers to broadcast internationally but: "I would prefer to have an opportunity of broadcasting some of my material to my many thousands of small friends through the country."

Her quest to be on the airwaves drives her to talk to both the Children's Hour and the Schools department.

In one internal memo, one Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ staff member says that her stories "haven't much literary value". The memo goes on: "There is rather a lot of the Pinky-winky-Doodle-Doodle Dum-dumm type of name (and a lot of pixies)."

Blyton's quest continued with her submission of a short story, "The Monkey And The Barrel-Organ" to be considered for Children's Hour.

The original report features three comments; with the first reading: "This is not really good enough. Very little happens and the dialogue is so stilted and long winded".

The second comment states: "Not strong enough. It really is odd to think that this woman is a best-seller. It is all such very small beer"; and the third comment simply reading "Reject".

Michael Rosen, Children's Laureate, 2007-2009, said: "Enid Blyton was an extremely clever storyteller who knew how to mix adventure, child-initiated drama, danger and good observation of tensions between children.

"As an adult reader of the twenty-first century, I find myself flinching at occasional bursts of snobbery and the assumed level of privilege of the children and families in the books. Admittedly, this might go over the heads of the modern children reading now."

Further correspondence continues between the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ and Enid Blyton, until in 1954, the Editor of Woman's Hour writes to Miss J E Sutcliffe at the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Schools Department, asking for guidance on whether they should have Enid Blyton on air.

Miss Sutcliffe responds strongly, revealing her passionate concern that the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ should only provide the best for audiences: "In my view if the invitation is simply to meet her and she be asked to give her views on Horror comics or hats or anything under the sun except her own methods and aims in writing for children – no harm could be done.

"But if she is allowed to lay down the law on aims and methods of writing for children – unchallenged by really good writers or parents and educationalists of wide and deep experience in the field of children's literature, the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ becomes just another victim of the amazing advertising campaign which has raised this competent and tenacious second-rater to such astronomical heights of success."

In support of these documents the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ is also releasing a smaller collection of archive television and radio programmes featuring the only two interviews with Blyton in the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ archive.

Julie Rowbotham, Executive Producer, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Archive said: "The Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ archive contains many items which shed new light on some of Britain's most loved figures. These documents help us understand more about Enid Blyton and provide interesting context to the new drama appearing on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Four."

These two collections are the latest in a series to be released online which explore the cultural and political developments that shaped the 20th century.

Enid Blyton, A Quest To Reach The Airwaves and Enid Blyton At The Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ are available from 15 November 15th and can be viewed by going online at bbc.co.uk/archive.

Notes to Editors

Explore over 80 years of UK and Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ history with the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Archive website. Programmes, documents and images bring the past to life and reveal forgotten stories. Through the creation of these online collections, the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ hopes to release hidden treasures providing a fascinating source of socio-political history.

Enid Blyton: A Quest To Reach The Airwaves is the 30th collection to be released by Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Archive and will now form a part of this permanent resource which the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ has made available online.

For more information, visit: bbc.co.uk/archive

The collection includes 18 internal documents, memos and letters.

Highlights include:

• Letter from Enid Blyton to Head of Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Programmes: The children's author pitches ideas for a radio broadcast.
  Written: 1936
  Synopsis: The already prolific author Enid Blyton approaches the Director of Programmes at the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ with a view to adding 'broadcaster' to her list of accomplishments.
• Enid Blyton's husband writes to the Director General: Hugh Pollock drops a line to Sir John Reith on behalf of his wife.
  Written: 1938
  Synopsis: In a prime example of heading straight to the top, Hugh Pollock reacquaints himself with Sir John Reith, the Director-General of the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ, in a bid to help his wife achieve her goal of becoming a broadcaster.
• Sir John Reith replies to Hugh Pollock's letter: The Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Director-General offers to help Enid Blyton.
  Written: 1938
  Synopsis: In this copy of an original letter, Sir John Reith, the Director-General of the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ, replies to a letter from Hugh Pollock on behalf of his wife, Enid Blyton, about her goal of broadcasting on the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ to her fans.
• Enid Blyton writes to Sir John Reith: The children's author tells the Director-General her 'story so far'.
  Written: 1938
  Synopsis: Having previously been encouraged by a letter from the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's Director-General to her husband, Enid Blyton details her experience as an author of many books on a wide range of topics, as well as hinting at the kind of audience appreciation her name might bring to the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ.
• Internal Memo from the Schools Department about Enid Blyton: The work of Enid Blyton receives a critical review.
  Written: 1938
  Synopsis: Encouraged by a suggestion by the Director-General, JE Sutcliffe from the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Schools broadcasts department presents her review of the works of author Enid Blyton. Though her children's stories are not well received, her factual work appears to fare somewhat better.
• Letter from Enid Blyton to Children's Hour director: The children's author tries again to work for the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ.
  Written: 1940
  Synopsis: Having failed to gain exposure for her stories two years before, Enid Blyton here approaches the director of the Children's Hour slot on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ radio. She outlines the merits of her publications and her experience as a writer for a younger audience.
• Internal Memo reviews an Enid Blyton story: It's thumbs down for Monkey And The Barrel-Organ.
  Written: 1940
  Synopsis: Prompted by submissions from the author herself, these unidentified representatives of the Children's Hour team deliver a curt review of Enid Blyton's work, followed by the blunt decision to 'reject' it.
• Letter from Enid Blyton to Rev JW Welch: A presenter of Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ religious programme learns of Blyton's thoughts on 'Christian training'.
  Written: 1942
  Synopsis: Having heard the Rev JW Welch's Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ radio series Parents, Children And Religion, Enid Blyton decided to write to him to share her belief in the importance of 'Christian training' for the young. She also reveals that she is working on a series of 'semi-religious' books for children, including adaptations of 'The Pilgrim's Progress' and 'The Life of Christ'.
• Reply from Rev JW Welch to Enid Blyton: A Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ broadcaster asks the children's author for ideas.
  Written: 1942
  Synopsis: In reply to a letter from Enid Blyton congratulating him for his Parents, Children and Religion series, the Rev JW Welch invites the author to make suggestions for the weekly religious broadcasts in Children's Hour.
• Enid Blyton replies to Rev JW Welch: The writer reveals the difficulties of adapting the Bible for children.
  Written: 1943
  Synopsis: Continuing her correspondence with Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ broadcaster Rev JW Welch, Enid Blyton discusses, with characteristic confidence, some of the difficulties she's encountered in adapting stories from the Old Testament to be suitable for younger children.
• Letter from Enid Blyton to Woman's Hour producer: The 'children's heroine' chooses not to talk to adults.
  Written: 1947
  Synopsis: In reply to a request from Miss Barker of 'Woman's Hour', Enid Blyton explains why she feels the programme isn't quite suitable for her, as her primary audience won't be able to hear it.
• Introductory Letter from Lionel Gamlin to Enid Blyton: A Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ producer tries to arrange an interview with celebrated children's author.
  Written: 1947
  Synopsis: In this letter on behalf of the Children's Talks department, producer Lionel Gamlin tries to persuade Enid Blyton to submit to interview for a series of talks intended for broadcast over the summer months.
• Letter from Enid Blyton to Lionel Gamlin: Enid writes to a Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ producer with surprising news.
  Written: 1949
  Synopsis: Enid Blyton replies to a letter from Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ producer Lionel Gamlin to inform him of the open secret that she and her work have been banned by the Corporation.
• Blyton sets Mr Gamlin straight: Blyton lets Lionel Gamlin know that she didn't jump but was pushed.
  Written: 1949
  Synopsis: Enid Blyton writes back to Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ producer Lionel Gamlin to set the record straight about her response to his request for an interview. Blyton wants to make it very clear that she did not refuse an interview, but rather explained her situtation with the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's unofficial ban to Gamlin.
• A diplomatic response from Lionel Gamlin: Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ producer Lionel Gamlin doesn't confirm or deny a Blyton ban.
  Written: 1949
  Synopsis: In this reply to Blyton's explanation of her troubled relationship with the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ, producer Lionel Gamlin sends this diplomatically worded response.
• Internal Memo from Derek McCulloch to Lionel Gamlin: Head of Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Children's Hour confirms the existence of Blyton ban.
  Written: 1950
  Synopsis: In this memo, head of the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Light Programme's Children's Hour, Derek McCulloch, confirms that the ban on broadcasting material by Enid Blyton is actually a department policy. Lionel Gamlin, the producer of the half-hour programme Hullo Children, replies underneath and alludes to his communications with Ms Blyton from the previous year.
• Enid Blyton writes about her fan mail: The author outlines her busy life to Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ producer.
  Written: 1951
  Synopsis: In this reply to a letter from a Mr Derville, Enid Blyton describes her busy life receiving hundreds of letters from adoring fans.
• Memo from Janet Quigley to Jean Sutcliffe: The Woman's Hour editor asks Schools expert about Enid Blyton.
  Written: 1954
  Synopsis: In this internal memo, Janet Quigley, the editor of Woman's Hour, consults Jean 'JE' Sutcliffe of the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Schools department on the matter of Enid Blyton.
• Memo from Jean Sutcliffe of Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Schools Department: A recommendation for a change in policy regarding Enid Blyton.
  Written: 1954
  Synopsis: Having been invited for her views on Enid Blyton in a memo from the editor of Woman's Hour, Jean Sutcliffe of the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Schools department recommends a review of the policy that has kept the author off the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ for nearly 20 years.

DM