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The British Comedy Society marked the following amazing achievements at a special celebratory function held at Pinewood Film Studios on Sunday 24^th September 2006.

Firstly the recent passing of the 250^th episode earlier this year; secondly the 35^th year of production and thirdly Alan J W Bell’s incredible 25 years as Producer/Director of Last Of The Summer Wine.   This was the second such event organized  by the British Comedy Society concerning our favourite television series and was even better than the previous one held several years ago.  Virtually all the cast attended as did many fans and those like myself who are proud to have supported anything to do with the series, its actors, and its production team.   LOSW is now a world record beater with only the US comedy series I Love Lucy coming anywhere near it in such an amazing achievement of longevity in providing pure entertainment.

The event consisted of a welcoming glass or several of bubbly whilst we were able to meet, mingle and talk to the actors and many  from the production team; this was later followed by luncheon in the Pinewood ballroom, a special BBC short film about the series, an auction of some treasured items and then the presentation of special plaques to the actors, an award to Alan J W Bell for his 25 years as Producer/Director and a special Living Legend Award made to Peter Sallis for his remarkable career with the series and for all his many other acting achievements.  A special award was also made to the man without whom, as Kathy Staff said, “none of us would be here today” namely

Roy Clarke OBE – the man who has written every word, and created every situation for 35 years in the Last of the Summer Wine world (not to mention those other hit series Don’t Tell Father, Open All Hours & Keeping Up Appearances).

It was totally enjoyable function with all the stars making themselves available for autographs and chatting to fans for what was an extremely generous time together.  The actor Christopher Biggins was Master of Ceremonies and did this in his own inimitable style; there were other celebrities lurking about also which added to the fun of the day.

Credit must be given to Brian Hiley, of the British Comedy Society, for organizing such an excellent function and providing us with so many opportunities to meet, greet, photograph and talk to our favourite actors who also seemed to be enjoying themselves – certainly the ones I talked to were.   I was able to meet Brian Murphy for the first time and what a pleasure that was – a charming, modest actor of immense experience who revealed that in the new series he becomes effectively the new Third Man to Clegg and Truly!   And so the series endures.   How long can it go on – nearly all those present were of a certain age albeit most looked fit and well? (Needless to say that applies to me also).  The addition of new (well old favourite) stars from time to time has regenerated the series in my mind and although we all have our favourite episodes these are all gems.  To quote Kathy Staff again “its not often when you receive a script for something that you laugh out loud as you read it”.   Meanwhile the characters and the actors have become almost as one in our admiring eyes and long may they all continue.

Perhaps if the BBC released some more episodes on DVD format they would realize from the ensuing high sales that there is a tremendous enduring enthusiasm from around the world for this nation’s treasured favourite tv comedy – and that it is not quite yet time for the Last of the present vintage of Summer Wine.

 

I am  grateful to all the following for talking to me and everyone else: Alan, Brian, June, Sarah, Mike, Ken, Juliette, Stephen, Tom, Robert, Jean, Burt, Frank, Peter, Kathy,Jane, Roy and anyone else I have missed off this list and Clive for taking better photographs than I can! You can view and indeed purchase the official photographs on the following site:  www.britishcomedysociety.com

 

Gerald