Go With Noakes facts for kids

Go With Noakes was an exciting children's TV show from the BBC Television. It aired between March 28, 1976, and December 21, 1980. The show was a documentary series. It followed the adventures of presenter John Noakes. He was famous for his daring challenges on the show Blue Peter.

John Noakes was often joined by his loyal dog, Shep. Shep had also been on Blue Peter. The show was all about outdoor adventures. John and Shep traveled around the country. They tried out many different activities. These included motor racing, rowing, and even aerobatics. In each series, John and Shep explored Britain using a special way to travel. Sometimes they sailed, sometimes they used a narrow boat, and sometimes they walked.

Go With Noakes: The Adventures Begin

The show was made by BBC Manchester. It ran for six series and had 31 episodes. The last episode was shown on December 21, 1980. The show was filmed, which made it easy to shoot and edit. This allowed for lots of exciting action.

One famous episode from the first series featured the RAF's Red Arrows. This is a famous aerial display team. John Noakes joined them on April 11, 1976. He even took part in a practice display! He also helped the ground crew get ready for a big show. John used to be an aircraft engine fitter for the RAF. He also worked for BOAC before becoming an actor.

The show's theme song was On Ilkla Moor Baht 'at. This is a popular folk song from Yorkshire. It was a nod to John Noakes's own background. The song is about being on Ilkley Moor without a hat. The end theme was a different tune. It was the middle part of a song called 'The Rovers Return'.

Series 1: Kicking Off the Adventures

The first series had six episodes. They were mostly shown on Sundays on BBC1. David Brown was the producer. John Noakes took on many challenges. He tried wrestling and fell running at the Lakeland Games. He also rowed in the Oxford Bumps boat race. He even flew with the Red Arrows! John also cycled in The Milk Race. He worked with a Formula 5000 motor racing team. He even sailed in The Guernsey Handicap yacht race.

Series 2: More Exciting Journeys

This series had five episodes. They were also shown on Sundays on BBC1. David Brown continued as producer. John joined the Austen Brothers' Circus. He trained with the Castleford Rugby League team. He entered a tough canoe race in Ireland. John and Shep also walked 250 miles on the Pennine Way. They returned to the Lakeland Games to compete again.

Series 3: Exploring New Places

This series had two episodes. They were shown on Fridays on BBC1. David Brown was still the producer. John visited the Pitlochry Highland Games in Scotland. He also joined volunteers working on Britain's oldest narrow-gauge railway in Wales. They were blasting a new tunnel through the mountains.

Series 4: Holiday Trips Across Britain

This series featured six holiday trips. They were shown on Sundays on BBC1. David Brown produced these episodes too. John Noakes and Shep explored many beautiful parts of Britain. They followed the coastal path to Land's End. They traveled by caravan through Kerry in Ireland. They also hitched their way through the Scottish Highlands and Islands. John and the Blue Peter pony, Rags, rode along the South Downs. John and Shep crossed Northern England, from the lakes to the moors. They also took a boat trip around the Cheshire Ring canals.

Series 5: Sailing Around the Coasts

This series was a six-part voyage. John Noakes and Shep sailed around the coasts of Britain. These episodes were shown on Sundays on BBC1. David Brown was the producer. Their boat was called Pleiades. They sailed from Southampton to Penzance. Shep met 400 donkeys, and John tried water-skiing. They sailed from Fishguard to Porthmadog. John fished from a coracle and climbed a rock face. They explored the Isle of Man and the Causeway coast in Northern Ireland. Shep even played golf! They navigated the Corryvreckan whirlpool and the Caledonian Canal. John looked for the White Stag on the Isle of Arran. Shep kept an eye out for the Loch Ness Monster. They visited the Forth Bridge and Shep learned about shepherding. John also raced against David Bellamy. Finally, they revisited the boatyard where Pleiades was built. John played croquet and became an artist.

Series 6: Driving Through Britain

The final series had six episodes. John Noakes and Shep took Sunday afternoon drives. They explored the by-ways of Britain. These episodes were shown on BBC1. David Brown was the producer. John got his car, 'Nellie' (a Morris Minor), back on the road. They explored mills and dales. Shep learned about Ilkley Moor. They visited wolds and fens. John spun a pot and met Geoff Capes. They explored downs and rivers. John punted down the Thames and went hot air ballooning. Percy Edwards chatted to animals at Whipsnade Zoo. They visited coasts and cottages. John raced a 'cat' boat and broke a record with Roy Castle. He even thatched a roof! Shep had tea with Lesley Judd. They explored borders and bridges. John dodged birds of prey and blew a glass vase. He pulled onions with Percy Thrower. Shep entered the Dog Olympics. Finally, they explored peaks and valleys. Shep went fishing and found a wallaby. They ended their journey with a carol concert in Halifax.

Look Back With Noakes

After the original show ended, a series of repeats was broadcast. It was called Look Back With Noakes. This allowed viewers to enjoy John and Shep's adventures again. These repeats were shown in the early 1980s.

Duncan Dares

A similar adventure series followed in 1985. It was called Duncan Dares. This show was hosted by Peter Duncan. He was another presenter who took over from John Noakes on Blue Peter.