Harry's Blog

Duly signed.

And for 200 signitures you can get this in front of a minister. Fantastic!

Opens up shedloads of opportunity. Can we get 200 people to petition for the reinstatement of Cartmel Bar (the real one, not this dryer, warmer, altogether more welcoming cyber-alternative).

Or petition to increase funding for scientific research into finding a way to stop the growth of facial hair (think of the millions of man hours that could be saved by not having to shave).

Or petition to remove filters from work PCs, which are currently stopping me from playing "whack the penguin". Surely some sort of civil liberty infringement going on here...

Or...

Or...

...

Has Johnny Ball ever had a gong? What if Tony Hart has been offered one and turned it down? After all I believe that you aren't really meant to tell anyone you've turned down a excuse for a hat and trip to see Liz.

I certainly think Johnny Ball should get one. He was my favourite TV presenter as a kid. His shows were brilliant.

I remember the old fella caught Johnny Ball's show once and wrote in to complain, as one of the explanations given was factually incorrect - personally I couldn't be bothered (the BBC wrote back and apologised).

Yes like Tony Hart switched the youth onto art (will the next generation be asking for Neil 'Art Attack' Buchannan to be given an award?), so Johnny inspired our interest and understanding of science. Then of course there was Johnny Morris encouraging us to make funny voices for animals, or Terry Nutkins giving every child a dream that they might have a pet seal in the bath....

Johnny Ball has had more impact on me than any teacher I've ever had. He got me interested in looking at patterns in numbers which ended up shaping my career. It's thanks to him that I'm working 12 hour days shuffling numbers and making millions for the company I work for, rather than being a architect, poet or teacher and making some useful and lasting contriubtion to community