John Craven

Infobox Person
name = John Craven

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image_size = 200px
birth_name = John Craven
birth_date = birth date and age|1940|8|16|df=yes
birth_place = Leeds, Yorkshire, England
residence = London, England
nationality = British
ethnicity = English
other_names = John Craven OBE
known_for = Presenting "Countryfile"
employer = BBC
occupation = Presenter
home_town = (Family origin) Bingley, Yorkshire, England
title = OBE
religion = Christianity ["BBC" Countryfile]

John Craven OBE (born 16 August 1940 in Leeds, West Yorkshire) is an English presenter, currently employed by the BBC and perhaps best known for presenting "Countryfile" and "Newsround".

Also, he is known for his pioneering work in the field of children's news programmes. He was educated at Leeds Modern School.

Background

Craven was born in Leeds, Yorkshire, England on the 16 August 1940. He is a Christian of English ancestry.

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.

Newsround

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).

References