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Revision as of 19:35, 18 August 2007 by Bailrigg (talk | contribs)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff) For other people named John Craven, see John Craven (disambiguation).John Craven OBE (born in Leeds, England on 16 August 1941) is a BBC television presenter and former news anchor, best known for his pioneering work in the field of children's news programmes. He was educated at Leeds Modern School.
Early Career
He started his professional life in print journalism as a junior reporter on a local newspaper, the Harrogate Advertiser, before working for the Yorkshire Post and as a freelance correspondent and writer for national newspapers. He then joined the BBC staff in Newcastle upon Tyne, to work on local radio and television, before moving to the BBC in Bristol.
Nerwsround
In 1972, he began a regular children's news programme, Newsround. The first such programme ever produced for British television, it drew on the full journalistic resources of the BBC. Craven became associated with children's TV and presented news items on other children's programmes, such as Multi-Coloured Swap Shop and Saturday Superstore.
Countryfile
In 1989 he left the Newsround team and began to present a countryside news programme, Countryfile, for the BBC.
Honours
He was awarded the OBE in 2000 for services to rural and children's broadcasting, and the Baird Medal in 2002. He is vice-president of the Waterways Trust and Patron of SPANA (Society for the Protection of Animals Abroad).