<P> There were various celebrations across the UK for "The Big Birthday Year". In January a competition was launched to design Blue Peter's second birthday balloon which is to be flown later in the year . In May the Millennium Time Capsule dug up in 2017 by builders went on tour with various past presenters around the country . "Once Seen On Blue Peter" is a special play set to run at the Edinburgh Fringe festival this August with six former presenters guesting. . More events are still to come through the year . </P> <P> Christopher Trace and Leila Williams were the first presenters of Blue Peter in October 1958, and since then, there have been 35 subsequent presenters . The current presenting team comprises Radzi Chinyanganya (who replaced Helen Skelton in October 2013) and Lindsey Russell . Russell is the first presenter to be chosen by viewers following a contest to find a new presenter, entitled' Blue Peter! You Decide .' Helen Skelton left Blue Peter in September 2013, after 5 and a half years on the show, with Barney the red - setter dachshund going with her . Barney Harwood departed 4 years later . Prior to this, in the first two years of the programme's new home at Salford, guest presenters occasionally covered for Helen and Barney in the studio or in some film reports . </P> <P> Other people who have played roles on the show include the zoologist George Cansdale, who was the programme's first on - screen veterinarian, and Percy Thrower who was the show's gardening expert from 21 March 1974 to 23 November 1987 and was presented with a Gold Blue Peter badge shortly before he died in 1988 . He was followed from 1988--91 by Chris Crowder and from 1991--2000 by Clare Bradley . From 2004--2013 by Chris Collins . From 2014--present, The Skinny Jean Gardeners Lee & Dale Connelly and child gardener George Hassal the RHS Ambassador, who makes appearances throughout the year . </P> <P> Another contributor, though rarely seen on screen, was Margaret Parnell, who created almost all of the show's "makes" from 1963 until her retirement in 2001 . Her role was then filled by Gillian Shearing, though Parnell's name still appeared in the credits from time to time when a classic "make" was re-used . </P>

When will the blue peter time capsule be opened