Radio and TV - Memories and Favourites

I remember The Navy Lark being on a Sunday, but it seems it wasn't always... Series 1 (1959) - was broadcast on Sundays Series 2 (1959/60) - it moved to Fridays (except the last episode of this series which was broadcast on a Wednesday for some reason) Series 3 (1960/61) - Wednesdays Series 4 & 5 (1962-1963) - Fridays Series 15 (1976) - Sundays

You are so right Keith. I have just remembered "Give him the money Barney" and was there a 'Mabel' on the piano? The radio was so entertaining in those days (now I do feel ancient!).

Mabel was "at the Table". I think she was a sort of "secretary" to the show, keeping track of the contestants and performers. I'm certain I remember it coming to the GEC one lunchtime, but I don't remember when. Wiki says (so it must be true): His most significant work was as host of the BBC Radio show Have A Go, which ran from 1946 to 1967 and launched such catchphrases as "How do, how are yer?", "Are yer courting?", "What's on the table, Mabel?" and "Give him the money, Barney", delivered in Pickles's inimitable style. He appeared in the show with his wife Mabel Pickles (nee Myerscough, 1906-1989), whom he had married in 1930. There is a book called "Married To Wilfred", showing the happy couple on the cover - she looks scarily like a young Margaret Thatcher!

A question. Do any of you know the connection between 'The Navy Lark' and our North Warwickshire Victorian author George Eliot?

I didn't! But I do now! Mary Ann Evans (George Eliot) and Tenniel Evans (Taffy) were related - he was a descendant of Mary Ann's brother Isaac. Good old Google!

I left school in 62, Adrian. It was in the last couple of years that I got interested in shows like that - the comedy in Round the Horne would have been a bit 'way out' earlier! I said I remember hearing about Donald Campbell on the radio one o'clock news one lunchtime; that was when I was at college, and for some reason I was at home. Strangely, I never listened to the Goon Show on the radio! I was thinking of some of the other people who were on at the Hippodrome, too: Jimmy Jewel and Ben Warriss Harry Secombe The Gang Show Stanley Holloway (I think) Max Wall When you think about it, we had a really diverse choice of entertainment, didn't we? All of those entertainers had very distinctive styles; some you liked, some you didn't, but it was a real choice. So many comedians now are very similar, and so many rely on foul language. A NZ friend sent me some recordings of Kevin "B****y" Wilson, and what struck me was that his jokes would have been if anything more amusing without the foul language - as they were delivered, they made me cringe, and I'm not normally upset by swearing. Same with Sarah Millican; I used to think she was very amusing when she had a short stand-up slot, but in the last show I saw of hers, about a half hour, she was just very crude, and it wasn't at all funny. I dunno, perhaps I'm just getting ancient...

I recommend Tenniel Evans auto biography 'Don't Walk in the Long Grass' (1999). A good story of growing up in Africa before moving to England at the age of ten in 1936 when he won a scholarship to Christ's Hospital boarding school in Horsham, West Sussex. During holidays, he lived with his father's cousin and her husband, the Reverend Rupert Winser, at Allesley Rectory. As an aside my parents were married by Rev. Winser.

Hi all Just a thought to share with you. When I am reading posts on here, I sometimes listen to local radio at the same time. Just now I have also caught up with (listen now) to some of the radio programmes that I have missed in the week. I missed the last episode of 'Book at Bedtime' on R4 last night as Pam & I had visitors so I have just listened to that. Right now, I am listening to the last ever 'Round The Horne' on R4+ which was first broadcast just before I was married in 1968. It is so odd, that I am listening to something that was taking place at the same time as so many of the events that we share from our memories on here. Happy listening to you too.

Hi I have always enjoyed radio sit-com, the sort for simple minds like me. I do enjoy radio drama in preference to tv, as I like to conjure the scene in my own mind. About 1962, I went to watch 'The Lost World' at the cinema near to where our site founder lives, the Forum. The book was written in 1912, yet the survivors of the expedition were rescued by helicopter in the film. That I think put me off cinema for life, except for the organs.

Thank you for the entertainment Dutchman. It makes you wonder what has happened to so called comedy these days and it was always a pleasure to listen to. So many of the comics have left us now, and all without the foul language as we have to accept today. If you can dig up any more of those golden oldies it would be great. As always, thank you.

I was never a sports' fan but I was staggered at how few people my age remember this! Classic BBC Radio Theme ~ Sports Report (Out Of The Blue)

Thank you for that. Not a sports fan either but I well remember the music. The radio was always on most days. I also remember listening to 'Armchair Detective' - are you sitting comfortably? I have a feeling it was a bit before your time Dutchman. Keep digging for some more!!

And now, here is the news: Classic BBC Radio Theme ~ Radio Newsreel (Imperial Echoes)

Like so many others, I used to listen to 'Beyond our Ken' and 'Round the Horne' without fail, enjoying all the many characters in the shows Rambling Syd Rumpo, who actually has his own Wikipedia page, was one of the regular favourites However, I remember a friend lending me an LP of him One song, once a week, is fine, but a full length LP record . . . . . OMG it was unbearable Sorry

What's an LP?