Kiddies Corner

The station co-opted a young American Peace Corps worker, Craig Thompson, to front the programme.

A huge favourite with Ceylonese and indeed children in South Asia was the song "Gilly Gilly Ossenfeffer Katzenellen Bogen by the Sea", sung by Max Bygraves - the song entered the UK Singles Chart on September 10, 1954, and reached No 7.

The programme was a showcase for young Ceylonese talent and school orchestras were featured on 'Kiddies Corner.'

Recalling the first ever recording of the children's programme Thompson noted: 'On the program, I was known as "Uncle Craig" or "Craig Maåma"...where I would join in and read stories, sing songs like "Gilly, Gilly Ossenfeffer, Katzen-Ellen-Bogen-By-the-Sea" "Tickery, Tickery Leea" and other fun activities.

We even spent several weeks putting together a playlet called "The Necklace of Truth" ...and had children participate in the various parts on the program.

Kiddies Corner was the number one children's radio programme in English over the Commercial Service of Radio Ceylon .