BBC Archive

In 1973 the England women’s cricket team was preparing for their first Test series under the captaincy of Rachael Heyhoe Flint. To read more about how women’s sport has been covered by the BBC, including some newly discovered footage, visit canvas-story.bbcrewind.co.uk/summersport26/

“The combination of a half-brick and a plate glass window I find quite irresistible.” You can get rid of tension in many ways and #OnThisDay in 1973 Fyfe Robertson found deep satisfaction in destroying an array of random objects, from ornate pottery to a towering chimney.

#OnThisDay 1972: Two members of the Stroud Brick and Rolling Pin Throwing Team were preparing for the Stroud Show in Gloucestershire. As well as throwing locally, they also took part in international competitions against other towns called Stroud in America, Canada and Australia.

As the FIFA World Cup gets underway, we look back to 1966, when trainer Bill Watson was in the Blue Peter studio demonstrating the punishing agility exercises, he put professional footballers from English clubs through.

It’s World Environment Day and we’re taking a look at the work of the 'Totters'; the OG zero waste men who travelled the streets with carts, collecting scrap metal, rags and other people’s junk to recycle and earn a living.

For a generation of kids, an essential part of the school holidays was tuning into motorcycle competition Junior Kick Start. #OnThisDay in 1990 one of those competing was 13-year-old Dougie Lampkin who would become a successful professional trials rider with an MBE for his work.

#OnThisDay 1968: Volunteers from The Loch Ness Investigation Bureau were hoping to capture on film the elusive Nessie. Some members had already experienced sightings, and with six mobile camera vans and regular practise drills, the team took their work very seriously.

#OnThisDay 1965: Skilled workers were busy cleaning soot off St Paul’s Cathedral. Coal fires had stained the building before it was even finished in 1710, so attempts were being made to return it to the condition that its architect Sir Christopher Wren had intended.

#OnThisDay 1992: The third instalment of the Alien franchise was released in the United States. Before it opened in the UK, its star Sigourney Weaver talked about her decision to make another Alien film, the growing appetite for on-screen violence, and that haircut.

It’s World Bee Day, highlighting the importance of bees in our environment. Here's London beekeeper Peter Springall in 1974, explaining how he talks to his bees and treats them with gentleness and respect.

#OnThisDay 1990: That’s Life took a copy of the Daily Mirror’s quiz out onto the streets of Romford to find out whether adults were better informed than children when it came to subjects including politics, science and showbiz.

#OnThisDay 1962: The Incredible Hulk made his Marvel comics debut in a story written by Stan Lee and illustrated by Jack Kirby. In 1979 Stan Lee spoke about his monstrous creation, as part of a documentary which looked at how characters were marketed to children.

It's Sir David Attenborough's 100th birthday and in 1980 he faced questions from an audience of young viewers about his life and television career. Lesley Judd hosted the show, and Attenborough talked about making a connection with gorillas, and his concerns for the environment.

#OnThisDay 1964: A documentary about the ‘most exclusive club in Britain’ looked at the niche community of steam train owners, who have saved engines from ending up in the breakers-yard. Amongst them was Alan Pegler who spent £3,000 on the decommissioned Flying Scotsman.

#OnThisDay 1984: Reporter Maggie Nelson visited the Thames Barrier ahead of its formal opening which was due to take place the following week. Whilst the flood barrier had been operational since 1982, engineers were performing final checks before its official royal opening.

#OnThisDay 1981: Experienced science broadcaster but novice hairdresser, Judith Hann tried out a new piece of technology at a Norwich hairdressing salon. The computer system gathered client information to help hairdressers deliver the perfect treatments.

As athletes gather in England's capital city, we look back to 1981 when the first ever official London Marathon took place. A few days before the event, Blue Peter showed off some of the technology which would keep track of the 7,500 runners taking part.

#OnThisDay 1985: Whistle Test looked at the boom in pop merchandise where bands were selling nearly as many t-shirts as records. Also on hand to give his in-depth analysis of the band mech industry was Paul Morley of ZZT Records.

From childhood favourite ‘The Very Hungry Caterpillar’, to the sleepless night inducing ‘Nightmares: Poems to Trouble Your Sleep’, these were some of the most popular children’s books in a Birmingham library in 1980.

#OnThisDay 1965: The island of Foulness in Essex was in the spotlight when reporter Cathal O’Shannon applied for a permit to visit. The island has been used by the British Army since the 1800s but is also home to a small civilian population.