[vole-woman]

"despite the fact that it was never aimed at children"

- How can you possibly claim that? It was specially linked up with CBeebies and CBBC, loads of the events associated with it were aimed at children and families, plus the whole style of presenting - the anrothopomorphism, the silly songs and daft props - it all said 'accessibility, fun, youngsters'. The BBC themselves awarded it that "family" icon they use in the Radio Times.

And as I've said before, there's a difference between children watching a programme on their own, which might make them think briefly about wildlife and then forget it, and watching a programme with a parents who afterwards says, 'Let's go to Martin Mere' or 'Let's go pond-dipping' or 'Let's buy a bird feeder'. The adults enabled the children to get involved, and the children enthused the parents. It was a perfect dynamic.

"Surely educating young children about the wonders of nature should be a parents job, not a televisions?"

- Yes, and what if the parents aren't naturally interested? That's what I keep trying to get across. We're all big nature fans here or we wouldn't be on this forum. You take your kids out to look at nature, Jacqui, and so do I. But the parents who are only lukewarm about environmental issues, they're the ones that S/W A/W captured and drew in, along with their children. In some families, an activity isn't validated till it's been on TV. S/W A/W stopped the subject being seen as dull or worthy, and made it fun.

Over and over again on this forum we see posts about animal cruelty, especially amongst youngsters. That's a generation growing up dosconnected with their environment, not realising it for the treasure it is. Programmes like A/W and S/W are one important way to tackle the problem.

I wish I could believe there are ranks of new-retirees about to take over in ther wildlife groups, Jacqui, but I'm not seeing any evidence of them. To me, the lack of youngsters in all the groups I attend is a real worry.