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Being en route for Scarborough, it seemed only Fair to take a golden opportunity to visit the busy town of Barnsley where I met a character who could certainly be described as being Mr Summer Wine! One who knows as much as anyone, other than Roy Clarke, about our best television comedy. I refer, of course, to Clive Eardley, President & Founder Member of the Summer Wine Appreciation Society since he started it in 1993.

Clive Eardley visiting a SW filming location near Holmfirth. Recognise it?

MR (Summer Wine) PRESIDENT

I asked why he formed the Society and Clive said that he and others of all ages wished to unite the huge number of fans of the series which had then already been in operation for over 20 years and so he created a society for fans run by fans. [See links to SWAS on site menu, home page]. It currently has some 600 members in countries as far apart as the USA, Canada, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Holland, South Africa and South America not to mention all those in the UK.

Asked as to how long the comedy series can continue Clive said that its longevity together with that of the fans for over nigh on 34 years ensured that there should always be a place for episodes old and new wherever classic pure comedy is sought. Even if it ever became impractical for new episodes to be made then there are 34 years of repeats available! Clive thought that the future need never be in any real doubt as different characters have always come and gone in stages according to their availability or the story lines. An example of this being the wonderful Norman Wisdom who has at last retired despite still being in great demand.

I wondered what this expert considered to be the best episode: Clive commented that it had to be Return of the Warrior. You will not be surprised to learn that when I asked him which was his favourite actor / cast member he replied “all of them” which, when you think about it, is absolutely right as they are a splendid team all of whom complement each other.

Clive felt that the reason why there are so many dedicated fans in the USA now is because of the sheer eccentricity of its humour and with the superb scenic settings that, together with fine acting, filming and music, simply cannot be found anywhere else. There is a real fan base of British television comedy and LOSW is amongst those most loved there and in so many other English speaking countries.

Clive told me of the work he has done for Alan J W Bell and the BBC in the past in assisting with the production and continuity of documentaries about the series; he has even appeared in some episodes!

He told me that the BBC use the Society as a resource and as researchers for the correct clips to be used in, for example, the 1996 documentary. He felt that what could have been the lowest point in the programme’s history and was indeed the saddest – namely the death of Bill Owen, Compo – was nevertheless a triumph for Roy Clarke and all concerned when the following episodes were so quickly constructed, re-written and filmed in record time and with just the right balance between respect, affection and comedy – just as Bill would have loved. Clive was also involved in the book, many articles, 6 guide books for Holmfirth and many features and updates regarding LOSW.

I was not surprised to learn that it was Clive who instigated the production of the Last of the Summer Wine CD with all the original music from the tv series by the highly talented Ronnie Hazlehurst.

Asked as to future plans Clive confirmed that a new Summer Wine Location Guide was about to be announced and also some classic Wine and vintage archive pictures would be released to fans in response to a huge demand from all and sundry.

And

So we parted, Clive to his home and me to Holmfirth which is “deep in the heart of Yorkshire” (the name of the Society’s newsletter which is becoming more like a magazine with each issue and is available only to those fans and members of the cast who belong!) This IS INDEED Mr Summer Wine and we should all be grateful that there is such a person who does so much for all concerned. Oh, I nearly forgot, we were to have dinner together but I was so interested in what he had to say that I completely forgot to order it! Sorry Clive – then of course I could be lying…..!

Gerald