I seem to remember the annoying song:
"We are the Ovaltineys, happy girls and boys etc."
Don't remember the rest of it but as I write this the tune is going through my head.
The Ovaltiney club was founded way back in time in 1935 when they had its own show on Radio Luxembourg. It comes as no surprise to find out that the programme was sponsored by the manufacturers. There were five million members in 1939 at the outbreak of war. In the days of no television, youngsters tuned into the radio on Sunday evenings from 5.30 pm. Club members got a membership badge and book and there were competitions and other activities and a weekly comic.
In 1952 a new version of the Ovaltineys' show was aired once more at 6:15 pm on Sunday evenings over Radio Luxembourg and in the late 1960s the club was relaunched and aimed at modern children and, in addition to their badge, members received a record with instrumental songs performed in a "pop" style. The presidents of the new club were Morecambe and Wise. Wonder how much they received for that endorsement?
Can you imagine today a whole culture and club evolving around a milky drink? I did quite enjoy Ovaltine but haven't had one for ages.
I do remember Radio Luxembourg though. Particularly the Baby Bob Stewart show. I once sent in a request for a girlfriend I was going out with at the time. I was hoping for something romantic. What I got was "Cum On Feel the Noize" by Slade. Not only was this abominably spelt but it was about as romantic as a stale bread roll. Baby Bob (No idea where he got the Baby bit from but perhaps it was a homage to Kid Jensen who may or may not have been an Ovaltiney).
Anyway Baby Bob then said he was sorry to hear that we had broken up, which we hadn't. Then halfway through Cum On Feel The Noize, the reception disappeared as it always seemed to do with Radio Luxembourg. Despite tweaking the dial on my transistor radio, I couldn't get it back. So much for request shows.
Some photos today from the last few days. They are of a walk around Caistor St Edmunds and Home Farm Gin which I mentioned yesterday.