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PAT'S PIECE POSTBAG
Welcome
to my postbag – this is where you will find comments and questions from
all you wonderful fans – and also, usually, the answers to the queries
you’ve sent to ‘Pat’s Piece’. Sometimes I will dedicate a whole
‘Piece’ to answering a query – sometimes a simple answer isn’t
appropriate, or the subject might be suitable to expand. Please send me
your questions and also your comments about ‘Pat’s Piece’ – I
really do want to know if you enjoy it or if you have any ideas for
subjects. Oh, and as our policy is NOT to publish email addresses, please
tell me if you want yours left on – even if it seems obvious that it
should be, perhaps because you want other fans to contact you, we DO need
a formal permission!
Do
please write to me – I look forward to hearing from you, and answering
you queries – with very best wishes, Pat.
last_sw@yahoo.co.uk
Dec 5 CHRISTMAS
UPDATE
I just received this
email from Peter and have checked it out – it seems the Mirror got
it’s wire crossed – it is the LAST of the Summer Wine, which is to be
shown on Sunday 21st December, not FIRST of the Summer wine, as first
reported! What is more it is the CHRISTMAS SPECIAL that we have heard so
much about – so get a new tape and prepare to set your video recorder
– if Dame rumour is anywhere near right we are in for a real treat! And
thanks to Peter Hancock for sending on the information – and I’m also
sorry that this means that First of the Summer wine fans are to be
disappointed - again!
Just
found this BBC Press Release re: Christmas
scheduling:
The
Summer Wine special will be shown on SUN 21 DEC at 18.15 on BBC1.
Hope this is of some use.
PETER
HANCOCK
2 December. Here
is some good news for fans of LOTSW’s off-shoot, First of the Summer
Wine! We have seen nothing of this show on UK terrestrial TV for a long
time and although no new episodes have been made, some repeats would have
been welcome to the many fans.
Well I received an email
the other day from Jack Kirk, which should cheer you all, here’s what he
said:
Dear Pat
Good news at long last!!!
An episode of the above is being broadcast at 6.15pm on Sunday 21/12/03 on
BBC 1 (that is if they-the BBC-don't change their minds between now and
then) The source of the info is a well known daily newspaper's separate
section listing most of the programmes for the Xmas & New Year. Is it
too much to hope the BBC will show the complete series?
Regards
Jack Kirk
I replied immediately and
asked for the name of the newspaper so I could try and check further –
then I picked up a computer bug and promptly went off-line for two days
and therefore expected some delay, but I had not reckoned on Jack! I got
back online this afternoon and there was a reply from Jack, with the
information that the news had been confirmed in the Sunday issue of the
same newspaper – so here it is:
Hi Pat
Many thanks for your speedy reply to my e-mail of 28th inst. The paper in
question is the Daily Mirror and if memory serves it was that same date.
But not to worry, they have issued another pull-out section with today's
edition of the Sunday Mirror and I checked just to make sure the BEEB
hadn't changed their minds.
I hope this helps
Regards
Jack
PS. Thanks for a great website. J
So UK fans – put that
date and time in your diary – Sunday 21st December at
6.15pm on BBC1 – and if I get more news, you can be sure I will pass
it straight on!
Now can I say a special
‘Thank you’ to you, Jack for taking so much trouble, you are a real
gem!
29th November Hello again -
a rather small postbag this week, only four emails, but very welcome ones
and of course, the smallness of the postbag has given me some time to
start work on the recipe file, so watch out for that! Well, we start with
one from Andrew, here in the UK
Hello, I am a
Physically Disabled Person in a Wheelchair and I love to watch Last of the
Summer Wine.
Not only do I get a
laugh out of the programme but I think the scenery is fantastic.
Do you remember a
full length Christmas Episode where Bill Owen entered a Department Store
to buy Nora a Christmas Present?
Is that particular
episode available on Video please?
My favourite
characters are Howard and Marina, as I type this I'm laughing.
All the best, I
assure you this is a genuine E Mail.
From Andrew Houchin
of Nottingham.
P.S. Is there going
to be another series on the BBC.
Well, Andrew - I
remember that episode very well, it is one of my favourites! The episode
is called 'What's Santa brought Nora then?' and it is 45 minutes running
time. Unfortunately, I can find no record that the BBC ever released it on
video and even if they had, it would now only be available second-hand.
I'm glad you like
Howard and Marina so much - they really are hilarious, especially when
Marina is trying to get Howard to do something romantic and he just cannot
see what she is getting at! I think one of my personal favourite 'bits'
has to be from 'Who's Feeling Ejected Then?', when Marina asks if Howard
would like her to 'take the lead' sometimes, and he thinks she means that
she wants to ride in front - he really is so dense!!
I can give you SOME
good news however - the new series is due to start in December with a
'Christmas Special' which, if the BBC follows it's pattern of recent
years, will probably be shown on Sunday 28th December so that the full
series will start around the first Sunday in 2004, but there is a rumour
that the 'special' might be shown before Christmas, on Sunday 21st
December. I have to say that the latest news I have from Alan JW Bell, the
producer is that no transmission dates have been released yet - so I'm
just making an informed guess at the dates!
I can tell you that the
series has the Christmas Special and 10 episodes - Alan has promised me
the full list of the official episode titles, now they have been finalised
with the BBC approval, as soon as he has a moment. I can also confirm that
preparations have begun for filming next year for the series to be shown
in 2005!
And now a suggestion
from Mike Fernley, also here in the UK!
Compo's Teeth
Hi Pat May I suggest
that Compo had false teeth?
He had numerous sets
purchased from Auntie Wainwright. All the teeth were damaged in some way.
Hence, different missing teeth.
Regards Mike Fernley
Hi Mike - d'you know, I
think you could be right - but I think the earlier sets were probably
purchased from 'Percy-Dirk's', as he seemed to be the early purveyor of
all things rubbish - but not, thankfully, rocket launchers - as per 'A
Bicycle Made for Three'! (1982) - or they may have come from the un-named
source that provided those amazing jeans in 'Serenade for Tight Jeans and
Metal Detector', (also 1982). I have to say that I think one of the best
things Roy Clarke did was to introduce Auntie Wainwright as a regular -
she has been the source of some amazingly useless objects and an
inspiration to little old ladies world-wide, along the lines of 'have
strange hat and woolly shawl - will sell rubbish and make profit'! One of
my favourite catch phrases has to be 'I didn't buy it, it was sold me!'
With Christmas nearly
upon us, a request from David Prior.
Dear Pat,
Wondering if you can
help me. I'm looking for a particular episode on video for my dad for a
Christmas present. The episode is "Roll on!" where they enter
themselves in the local barrel rolling competition. I've looked on the BBC
website and it's not there, so I'm hoping you can shed some light on the
situation.
Look forward to your
reply,
Dave Prior.
Well, David, thank you
for your email and your query.
Unfortunately I don't
think you will get a copy of 'Roll On' for your Dad, as I don't think it
was ever released on video. As I remember it is from the series in 1990,
when Foggy returned and, to the best of my knowledge, the BBC released
nothing more recent than a few episodes from the last series with Seymour
Utterthwaite, which would be 1988 or 1989. Even if they had done, it would
be of little use as the BBC in it's wisdom withdrew all titles a couple of
years ago and all that has been released since is Series 1 & 2, plus
'Getting Sam Home' as a DVD package.
It is possible to get
some pre-used copies on eBay and other auction sites, but I must warn you
that you need to be sure the tape is the right format, that you can return
it if it is damaged and also to be careful of how much you pay. The new
price of single tapes, (3/4 episodes) was usually around £13/14 but a
second-hand copy of 'Heavily Reinforced Bottom + 2 other episodes sold on
eBay on Wednesday 26th November for £36 - and this is not a record high
price!
I'm sorry I couldn't be
more helpful.
And finally, this week,
some extra information about that sheet music - all the way from the USA!
Hi! Just wanted to
say that I LOVE this show. I wish our PBS station here in Utah, USA would
pick up the latest episodes. Also, do you think that the BBC would
re-release the earlier shows if enough of us did a write in campaign?
I take singing
lessons. I thought the music to the show was so beautiful that I had to
get it and learn to sing it. Anyway, I found it at Sheet music plus. It's
an American company, but they ship overseas. www.sheetmusicplus.com
Cost of music is
$2.55. I don't know how much shipping to the UK is.
Another LOSW fan,
Suzanne Maloney
Hi Suzanne - thank you
SO much for your lovely email and for the information, the more sources
for anything LOTSW the better!
I wish I could believe
that the BBC would respond to a 'write-in' campaign, but they have been
ignoring the pleas of the millions of UK fans for years and I don't
believe they will change now. The generally held belief over here is that
the BBC has put it's sales department in the hands of what they believe to
be 'up-to-date whiz kids', but that in reality, they are so 'wet behind
the ears' they don't realise who has the money to spend, so they ignore
what they perceive to be a moneyless area, i.e. the more mature and
informed customers who really DO have money to spend - so LOTSW, which
appeals to people who know how to think for themselves, rather than wallow
in anything someone tells them is 'funny', is persistently ignored.
Our only hope is for
the BBC to appoint someone to 'Sales' who actually looks at numbers, and
who realises that any show that regularly and consistently pulls in
between 6 and 9 million viewer in the UK alone, for over 30 years, just
MIGHT have sales value!
We can only live in
hope!
Well, that is all of my
Postbag for this week - short but sweet, as they say! Keep you emails
pouring in and I look forward to hearing from you all. To all our American
friends, I hope you all managed a happy and peaceful Thanksgiving
yesterday - even in these troubled times, we all have much to be grateful
for. Until next time, take care of yourselves and try to enjoy a sample of
'Summer Wine' everyday - best wishes, Pat.
Well, another week and another
Postbag - and thank you all for sending in your emails! I start this one
with the most recent email I've received, today in fact - when you read
it, you will see why I chose to start with it!
November 21, 03
I have just
found your wonderful website and I am enjoying it immensely. I do wonder
how old the information is that I am reading. It would be helpful to have
a date reference. Thank you and keep up the good work.
Pat Agner Columbus,
Ohio, USA.
Thank you, Pat -
(popular name that!) - and a fair comment! I do my postbag weekly and
Patrick usually publishes it weekends, so the information is therefore
pretty much as up-to-date as I can make it. I think however, I might take
your advice and add a dateline in future and also ask Patrick to date news
items and articles. I'm glad you enjoy the website - I love it too and
that is the main reason I was happy to come on board as co-editor, as it
was becoming more difficult for Patrick to maintain SW Online and all the
other promotional and support work for LOTSW he does in and around
Holmfirth - it was also important to me that the website is based in
Holmfirth, one of my favourite places!
And now, no less than
TWO from Judy Normand in Arkansas, USA.
I was about
to ask about "chuffed to nuts" when I read your column online!
What a wonderful phrase! But please stretch it out a bit. ".... to
nuts?" Also, Pat, as a journalist, I have to tell you how much I
enjoy your writing, especially the detail and humor packed into your
descriptions of things English! We, the come-lately fans of LOTSW
desperately want to learn and can only enjoy the dream ... if somewhat
vicariously ... through people like you! Thank you! Judy Normand
Pat ...
enlighten, please! When Ivy asks, "What the blood-and-stomach
pills?" ... where does this interesting tidbit originate? I must
admit it's much more colorful than, "What the h---? " Also, we
never hear anything about (I believe his name is) Ronnie Hazlehurst, who
does the beautiful music that first drew (at least, ME) to LOTSW. Any
news? Thanks, again, Judy Normand Pine Bluff, Arkansas, USA
Oh, boy - well, I guess
I brought this one on myself! Anyway 'chuffed' is just another way of
saying 'pleased' or 'happy' - but the 'to nuts'? Well, you got me there -
I've no idea! It is just one of the things one says, I don't remember
anyone ever explaining it but I've used it all my life! Others that fall
into this category include: 'Ecky thump!' and 'By the cringe', both
exclamations of surprise or disbelief. 'By heck' is another - as in 'By
heck, that's a big 'un!' - sort of 'Heaven's above, that is a fine big
specimen!'. Ivy's, 'What the blood-and-stomach pills!' is actually quite
difficult to explain - sort of 'What on earth is happening?', but in
Yorkshire we tend to try to find more 'ear-catching' exclamations, a sort
of natural flamboyance! As to 'blood-and-stomach pills' they were
something which a couple of generations back, were taken seriously but
then became a joke! They were a patent medicine, made originally by a firm
in Yorkshire called 'Parkinson's', I believe. They were pills which were
taken as a tonic and they were supposed to clean the blood and balance the
digestive system - and many of our grandparents swore by them as being 'Rait
good, tha knows!' Later generations of course identified them as a quack
medicine and they became a joke - but you must admit, coming from Ivy, it
sounds really impressive! In future columns I hope to be able to cover
some other peculiarities of the English language, especially pertaining to
Yorkshire. Just to give you all food for thought, here's a few for you to
work on: 'Well, I'll go to the foot of our stairs!', 'You big Jessie!',
Here is one from the
other side of the world, forwarded from the general mailbox by Patrick.
Hi there, We are
ex-pats living in South Australia. A year & a half ago, we came
back to England for the first time since we emigrated in 1964, so of
course we had to visit our families in Halifax & Huddersfield. We came
to Holmfirth too to see the setting for 'First Of The Summer Wine', (we
preferred the 'First' to the 'Last' ) because we already knew Holmfirth as
we had lived in Netherton (just back down the road a bit from Holmfirth.)
We have been trying for a long time to get hold of the series of the
'First' but as yet have been unsuccessful. We do have some episodes on
video but these are very much the worse for wear as they are copies of
copies of copies, etc.,( if you know what I mean ) so we would dearly love
to be able to buy the complete series of the 'First' either on video or
DVD. When we were in England, we bought 2 videos of the 'Last' , 'Three
Men & A Mangle' & 'Spring Fever', but we much prefer the series of
all the lads just prior to W.W.2. If it is possible to obtain these, could
you let me know please, we can arrange for payment & delivery too if
necessary. Thanking you in anticipation, Jim Spencer.
Hi there Jim, it's
wonderful to here from you and to be reminded just how far around the
world the Summer Wine manages to trickle. It was interesting that you
enjoy First of the Summer Wine more than 'Last' - but we don't mind, they
are both written by the same hand of genius! Unfortunately the news is not
good, I have managed a considerable amount of research but have not
managed to find a single indication that First of the Summer Wine was ever
released for sale. If it was, it certainly isn't available now. If anyone
has any further information, please let me know so I can pass it on. I
have added a couple of links to sites that you might not know about, Jim -
and I'm sorry I couldn't help more - I will keep looking. http://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/guide/articles/f/firstofthesummer_7772635.shtml
http://www.phill.co.uk/comedy/fosw/
I have received a
request from Simon, who is seeking a copy of the sheet music to the show's
theme tune. I'm afraid I cannot print the email, as I can provide
information but to request people to actually send a copy of the music via
email would break copyright law. I have, however, found where the sheet
music can be obtained, via the Internet. Unfortunately it is a US company
as I have found only 2 sources at all - and one of those can only provide
a complete set of band parts for a complete brass band! (Anyone interested
in them should contact me!) Anyway here is the information: It is
available under the title of 'SUMMER WINE' In the Series: Sacred Choral
The publisher is: Pavane Publishing Composer/Author: Ronnie Hazlehurst,
Norman Newell Arranger: Mike Sammes The piece is distributed by Hal
Leonard Publishing number HL 08300666 , and is available from Music
Dispatch at www.musicdispatch.com.
They use the Hal Leonard Catalogue number and you should contact them
direct for price and delivery.
Here we have another
email forwarded by Patrick - with a somewhat unexpected query!
Hi everybody…I
just saw an episode of the very funny, "Last of the Summer
Wine". They have begun the process of burying "Compo" (Bill
Owen) sad…anyway at the end of the episode they introduce a pretty
famous actress of the equally famous "Carry On " series named
Liz Fraser, "Compo's every Thursday", They make a point of a
long still shot of Ms. Fraser at that end… kind-da like a tribute to
her, my question is did she have some kind of a off camera relation with
Mr. Owen, it was such a long shot of her, it seemed to be giving her a
sort of thank you. We know of your loss too Thank you for your efforts on
my behalf Ron Hazel
Well, Ron, thank you
very much for your comments and your query, which I must admit is my most
unusual so far! You are quite right in that Liz Fraser is a very well
known actress here in the UK, particularly for her work in comedy and
especially in the 'Carry On ' series of movies. I agree the camera spent
quite a long time concentrating on Liz, but I have to say that, from
everything I know about Bill Owen, it was nothing to do with any
off-screen relationship, though they were probably friends as they had
worked together in quite a few movies, especially through the late 1950's
and the 1960's - they were both very well known supporting actors in
British movies during that era. I must admit that if I had been directing
those scenes I would have done the same - just think about the
circumstances! They are delivering Compo's ferrets to the person he wanted
to have them; this person is also the reason that Compo was never free on
Thursdays, not even to chase Nora! And to top it all - they'd assumed this
person was a bloke - not an attractive and very feminine blonde! The
camera's concentration on Liz reinforces all these points and also, to my
mind, makes one very important statement about the character of Compo that
we always knew, but that we could stand reminding about - for over 50
years Compo had been in love with Nora Batty, and most of the ladies he
had flirted with were less than beautiful, if Clegg, Foggy, etc are to be
believed - and yet for many years he had spent his Thursdays with a
beautiful woman, because she shared his love of ferrets! When it came to
Compo and true love, the accepted definition of physical beauty had
nothing to do with it!
Comments and a query -
and a complaint, all the way from Virginia, USA
Dear Pat -
My husband and I
enjoy Summer Wine tremendously. We have a question - How will the writers
handle the passing of Dame Hird and Gordon Wharmby? Will they simply go on
vacation, move to Australia, etc. And will their charming "daughter
& son-in-law" Glenda & Barry move into their place? We love
the show (did I mention that?) and HATE that our PBS stations haven't
picked up the newer episodes. We're waiting for that with baited breath!
Many thanks! Mary
Goodwin Virginia
Thank you Mary for your
comment, and I have to say that your complaint is the one I most commonly
hear from our friends in the USA! Many fans expected and even hoped that
the passing of first Gordon Wharmby and then Dame Thora would be formally
marked in the series with funerals, as was Bill/Compo - but I'm afraid
they were disappointed - remember, we have already had one series without
Gordon - we will get the first series without Dame Thora in the New Year.
I don't know if her passing will be marked in any way, but it won't be a
funeral and Gordon just wasn't really mentioned, except in one scene where
'Edie' says something to the effect that her husband used to do that - as
opposed to 'does that'! I'm afraid that the explanation seems to be that
the BBC, in its wisdom, feels that too many funerals would be
inappropriate in a 'sitcom' - just too depressing. They are probably quite
right, when you consider how many dear friends we have lost in a very
short time. Back in the early days, when John Comer, who played Ivy's
husband Sid passed away, Sid died too, while away on a visit to his
sister's as I remember. Later, when Joe Gladwin, who played Nora's husband
Wally died, then it was assumed that Wally had died, and he was talked of,
in the past tense, by Nora. I hope this helps to explain things a bit - it
was however totally right that Bill and Compo were given a wonderful
send-off as Bill had been in every episode since day one.
And a query here from
Andy Brown who I believe is somewhere in the UK
Hi Pat, Can you
help with an episode in which Clegg either borrows or hires a car and
they attempt to journey somewhere with Clegg driving with hilarious
results. i.e. trying to reverse into a driveway, is this on DVD or if need
be video if so have you got a catalogue no for this. This was my favourite
episode of all. thanks Andy Brown PS What title did the show have?
Hi Andy The episode you
are thinking of is 'Who Made a Bit of a Splash in Wales Then?', where
Foggy has gone to visit his lady friend, now a widow, who lives in Wales.
Ivy has a sister who lives in Wales and Sid thinks it would be fun to drop
Ivy at her sister's (played by Jean Boht, who UK fans will best remember
as 'Ma' in 'Bread'), and then to go on and pick up Foggy, (visiting a few
pubs while they are at it!). Clegg is persuaded to hire a car and do the
driving. The episode was first shown on December 7th 1977 and was released
on video in 1997. It is on the tape 'Flower Power Cut', with the episode
of that title, plus one of my personal all-time favourites 'Greenfingers',
(the one with the giant plastic carrot!) The Catalogue number is: BBCV
6109. Do remember that the BBC withdrew all its LOTSW releases several
years ago, but it may be possible to find a second-hand copy. At present I
am trying to compile a complete list of all the LOTSW tapes that were
issued, complete with the titles of the episodes on each tape and also the
catalogue number, so that fans can better judge if the video tape they
have found is genuine or not. Where possible I will list those that were
released in the USA, with their catalogue numbers, which I gather are
different. If fans out there could write to me and let me know about
'bought in' tapes that they have, with those details I would be really
pleased - especially US fans, as information about those tapes is more
difficult.
A beautiful thought
now, from Jean in the USA.
Dear Pat:
Another missive from
the "colonies"!
At the time of Danny
O'Dea's death, I sent the website a modified version of a fan letter that
I had planned to send to Danny; however, he died before I got the chance.
So many geniuses are
now at rest. Danny was, and is, my favorite actor on the show. When the
trio of lads said that he was talking to lino, and Danny said, "Are
you sure? It was talking to me a minute ago", I laugh every time. My
life has been rather tough in the past year, and I cannot emphasize enough
the positive impact of LOSW and all its characters.
I want to thank LOSW
for making me smile and laugh. It was an honor to have seen Danny, Tony,
and others in their final years. I am sure Danny and Tony are in heaven,
making the cosmos ring with laughter. I hope that Danny, in particular,
realized how much joy he brought to peoples' lives. Mine has been
lightened by his humanity.
It has been such an
honor to get the chance to write to this website and express my thanks.
Jean Steigleman JSteigl669@aol.com
P.S. Feel free to
publish my email address.
Some useful information
here from Mark Ashurst, who has close associations with LOTSW, having been
lucky enough to work on the show while doing Media Studies!
'It's behind you!'
Dear Pat After
spending the weekend in Newcastle and Sunderland I noticed that at the
Sunderland Empire this years Pantomime commences in a couple of week's
time. Cinderella starting Darren Day, Syd Little (of little and large
fame), Kate Heavenor (TV presenter of 'Eureka' and 'CBBC') and Jean
Ferguson as the fairy godmother. It runs from the 12 December to the 11th
January, I've seen Jean in Panto before along with Robert Fyfe a few years
ago and she's very good.
Sunderland Empire http://www.ents24.com/web/venue/5304/Sunderland/Sunderland_Empire_Theatre.html
Other Summer Wine
stars in Panto this year include: -
Tom Owen - at the
Festival Theatre Malvern, with Ruth Madoc (hi-de-hi!) http://www.malvern-theatres.co.uk/theatrediary.html
Sarah Thomas - in
Cinderella in Basingstoke http://www.theanvil.org.uk/Cinderella_site/pages/mainframeset.htm
Dora Bryan - at the
grand old age of 79 appearing with Bonnie Langford in Dick Whittington in
Guildford http://www.yvonne-arnaud.co.uk/home.html
Trevor Bannister -
at Sheffield with Chris Ellison of the Bill fame. http://www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk/showdetail.asp?ID=416
Juliet Kaplan and
Jane Freeman can usually be found in Panto as well, but as yet I've seen
nothing to say if or where they are appearing this year!!
Mark Ashurst. Thank you
Mark - if anyone out there knows where any other Summer Wine actors are
working on stage, be it panto or anything else, please let me know so that
I can share the information with all the fans!
Well, here is another
query from our friend Bobby Windsor in the USA
Pat, We know that
the character of Cleggy has lasted the entire 30 years, and that Compo
was in it until Bill Owen's death. But in what order did Blamire, Seymour
and Foggy appear? Of course, Frank Thornton as Truly is currently the man
beside Cleggy. And, may I ask, whose brilliant idea was it to bring Frank
Thornton on board? He's always been aces in our book. Cheers, Bobby
Well, Bobby the order
is Blamire, (Michael Bates), Foggy, (Brian Wilde), Seymour, (Michael
Aldridge), Foggy, (again!) and Truly (Frank Thornton). As for whom the
genius was that thought of Frank Thornton - I don't know for sure, but I
would guess Alan J W Bell. Frank was brought in at short notice when Brian
Wilde could not do a series because of ill health - which accounts for the
fact that some of Truly's early story lines seem to have a slight
'military' edge - Roy had to do some fast rewriting there! When Brian
decided not to return for the subsequent series, Frank was asked to stay
on and the real character of Truly of the Yard developed from then - and I
for one can't get enough of him - but I hate to think of the state of the
UK crime figures if he had been a real policeman!
And finally, here is
another paeon of praise from across the pond - and a great big swipe in
the eye of all those who think that LOTSW is only watched by those who are
'of more mature years'! Dear Pat,
I am writing as
a dedicated viewer of LOTSW and I feel that I represent a demographic that
is just starting to catch onto the series here in the States.
My name is Keith
Peterson and I am a 27-year-old Communication professor at the University
of Arkansas. I came across LOTSW while waiting to watch the evening
edition of BBC World News (a program I am also quite committed to) about
two years ago. Since that time I only miss an episode if I am working late
or if I am out of town. Each night I tune in and when that beautiful theme
song begins to play I immediately relax and release myself from the stress
of daily life. I have grown so attached to the characters and the charming
stories that LOTSW offers that I have convinced my wife we should consider
investing our retirement money into a quite little home in or around
Holmfirth. This thought allows me to daydream that one day after I have
worked as much as I can bare, I might be able to wonder around that
beautiful place in the U.K. have a pint or two and get into crazy
adventures with the cast I have grown to appreciate so very much!
As a frequent
visitor to your website I am aware that you may have heard this all too
much, but THANK YOU for supporting a show that adds so much to my daily
happiness!
LOTSW's biggest
"state-side" fan,
Keith Peterson
Well, I've reached the
end of another postbag; I hope you feel I've answered all your queries as
well as possible - and, as always, if you know different, don't sit there
grumbling to yourself about it - let me know so that I can get the facts
straight. And if you have a query or a comment, let me know - and I look
forward to doing my next postbag!
Best wishes to you all, Pat. 21st November 2003.
Well, here it is,
another week – with your lovely emails in my ‘mail-box’! Some of
these have been awaiting answer for a week, I know – but I have had
quite a busy one, as you will have seen if you have read my more recent
contributions. Thank you for all your comments, both on Summer Wine and on
‘Pat’s Piece’ and my Postbag – they are most welcome – and also
for your questions, which I have done my best to answer though not always
very successfully – and of course there is always the one that doesn’t
have a definitive answer.
We start with one from
a previous contributor, Robert Windsor in the USA.
Dear Pat,
I think
this new avenue for answering questions about SW is wonderful. Thank you
for the answer to my query about smoking and I have another one: When
episodes from the early years are compared to newer ones, it appears Compo
has different teeth missing. Sometimes they're missing from his right
side, other times from the left. Actually, it's kind of funny. Have a
nice weekend. Cheers, Robert (Bobby) Windsor
Dear ‘Bobby’
Thank you, I am glad
you were happy with my answer and that you enjoy my postbag – I think it
is easier if there is a special one to deal with fans’ questions and as
from now, if queries arrive in the general postbag, Patrick will forward
them for me to deal with.
Anyway to get to your
question – I must admit that in 30+ years of watching I’ve never
noticed which particular teeth Compo was supposed to be missing! Now, I
know you have given me the perfect excuse to settle down and spend the
next week in uninterrupted research, but I think my family might get
really stroppy if I did that – besides, I’m not altogether sure that
it would provide any answers. I can however think of a couple of reasons
why Compo may have apparently had different teeth missing at different
times. The first is the most likely, I think – there was a slip-up in
continuity and make-up and on some occasions the wrong teeth got blocked
out; the second and quite possible answer is that Bill did it himself as a
joke, which was doubtless shared with Peter, just to see if anyone noticed
– obviously they didn’t! The third possibility is, I think highly
unlikely, but you never know – that it was done deliberately to see if
the viewers noticed!
Sorry, but that is the
best I can manage on this one – hope it’s OK.
And now for a query
from Lawrie, the subject is one, which we have probably all dreamed about
at sometime –
Dear Sir or Madam
My father is a huge
fan of your programme and it will be his 70th birthday in January we are
having a surprise party for him as he has never had a party before. The
family were wondering if he could be a film extra on LOTSW for one day or
a walk on part. This would make his day and the rest of his years. He
models himself off Compo and laughs hysterically at every programme
I really hope you
can help us.
yours waiting in
anticipation
Lawrie Heslop Jnr
Dear Lawrie
I am so glad your
Father enjoys the show so much – and I hope his copying of Compo
doesn’t go as far as smelly wellies and ferrets in his pockets!
Now, in answer to your
question – firstly, we at Summer Wine Online have nothing to do with the
making of the show, like you, we are great fans and we try to give some of
our time to forging links between fans, answering some questions and doing
our best to keep everyone in touch with what is happening –
unfortunately we don’t have any influence in the making of the shows- if
we did I’m sure you would see Patrick and me starring in the next
series! I’m not sure how you get to be an extra – it may be that you
have to have an Equity card, which you get by being a member of the Actors
Union, I just don’t know – I will try to find out, but please don’t
be too hopeful.
You say you are
planning a party for your Father – may I make a couple of suggestions?
Perhaps you could have a ‘Last of the Summer Wine’ theme party –
with sausage rolls, meat pies, sticky buns and scones and plenty of cups
of tea, glasses of lemonade – and maybe a drop or two of beer! Everyone
could come dressed as a different LOTSW character and you could perhaps
get something of the feel of ‘Sid’s Café’ at the place you have the
party by having green and white checked tablecloths and small vases of
flowers.
Could I also suggest
that you and the rest of the family could write to the different members
of the cast between you, enclosing stamped addressed envelopes and asking
for an autographed photograph to give your Father – they would make a
great gift for him – though to be sure of getting as many as possible in
time, I think you need to start writing now.
I’m sorry I
couldn’t be more helpful about how you get to be an extra, but if I do
find out anything, I will write and let you know.
Just to prove we really
do get about, a missive from Terry, across the ‘Big Pond’ in
Minnesota!
Hello Pat, I
am a big fan of LOTSW and own all but maybe 4 episodes thru 2003 series.
Being from the area and in the know, could you tell me where I can get an
exact duplicate of a Norman Clegg flat cap? I have flat caps that I bought
on line, but I want one just like good ol' Cleggy has.
Also how do
you all over there decide who is going to be knighted? And why has someone
who has entertained millions - strike that - BILLIONS of people
world wide, on stage, television, movies, voice work etc........ like
Peter Sallis never been knighted? It really makes me wonder. The man is a
genius and one of the finest human beings God has ever put on this earth.
I have written to
him (with a stamped envelope) and he kindly sent me not one but three
pictures and a very warm and charming letter in response. Peter Sallis
deserves the highest honor that he can receive and I hope he is so honored
while still alive to appreciate it. I am now rambling on too long.
Thank You. Terry Evans, Minnesota, USA
Hmm, a couple of interesting questions here! Firstly, the cap – this is
actually rather difficult. Here in the North of England, and particularly
in Yorkshire, it is quite easy to buy a flat cap – but the suppliers are
usually quite small shops or market stalls – there are larger, flashier
‘outdoor’ and ‘country’ shops who sell them, but often at premium
prices. And there are other problems; they come in a wide variety of tweed
patterns, types of fabric and quality – to say nothing of sizing. The
only real way to buy one is to ‘try before you buy’. What I see as
being the major difficulty though is this, I have a strong suspicion that
Clegg’s cap is actually quite old – there seems to be a thickness to
the material, a kind of rigidity if you like, that indicates a degree of
quality which was commonplace 30 years ago, but is now almost impossible
to find. It is hard to describe exactly what I mean, but this might help;
some of my uncles wore that type of cap, and the caps looked just like
Clegg’s – but the ones you can buy now don’t, no matter how
expensive, because modern materials are thinner and lighter – it may be
that you cannot get better than you already have, I cannot judge because I
can’t compare by description, only by ‘look and feel’! The best I
can suggest is that you save up all your pennies, come over to Yorkshire
and have a look for yourself. Incidentally, the hardest cap of all to get
is the type that Foggy wore – all the modern ones have press-stud
fasteners for the flaps instead of tie-ribbons.
And now the important
question of Knighthoods; unfortunately we don’t decide who gets one –
that decision is made by Her Majesty the Queen, with the help of various
advisors. Who is chosen and how the choice is made is something of a
mystery – for all I know the names of suitable nominees are put in a
hat, and a given number drawn haphazardly – I know the eventual choices
are sometimes quite surprising. People can be ‘nominated’ for lesser
awards, like MBE’s, OBE’s etc – these are usually awarded for
service – to charity, the community or profession – and the
nominations are made by organisations or groups that the nominee is
associated with. One of my uncles was awarded an MBE some years ago for
his services to the Scout movement over many years – he was nominated by
his regional Boy Scout Association governing board. But I do agree, it
would be nice to see ‘Sir Peter Sallis’ in the end credits, just as it
was to see ‘Dame Thora Hird’ for so many years – incidentally,
‘Dames’, are just the female equivalent of ‘Sirs’, but
certainly in the world of entertainment, there are a lot less of them –
perhaps we should also be rooting for ‘Dame Kathy Staff’!
And now I’ve rambled
on too long – thank you, Terry.
And now a very short
query from Regina – I’m sorry but I don’t know where she is from as
she didn’t tell me!
A friend of mine wants to purchase certain episodes for her hubby.
Where can she get
them.
Regina Oteng
Well, Regina, I’m afraid your friend has something of a problem – the
BBC has never been very good to fans of LOTSW when it came to issuing the
various series on video. Series One and Two were brought out some years
ago on video tape and more recently reissued on DVD, (this also included
the feature length ‘Getting Sam Home’) and we are told to expect
Series Three and Four some time next spring. Some other episodes –
though not complete series – were issued over the years, including
‘Uncle of the Bride’, the feature length episode that introduced Edie,
Glenda, Barry and Seymour Utterthwaite. Unfortunately, a few years ago the
really intelligent people at the BBC decide to withdraw all the titles
they had issued – to await the time in the far-distant future that they
would be reissued on DVD – but not videotape. As I say, so far, in
nearly 4 years they have managed one set! But do not give up hope
altogether – you do find Summer Wine tapes available on eBay, but you
have to keep looking for them to turn up – and you must remember they
are second-hand – there are no new tapes available. It is also worth
looking out for second-hand copies in ‘re-sale’ video stores and
market stalls and in charity shops – I recently found a good copy of
‘Uncle of the Bride’ in a charity shop for £3! For our American,
Canadian and other overseas friends, I would suggest pretty much the same
sources – you will best know where to look for used video tapes – but
if you are shopping on eBay, do be very sure that they are the right
format for your video player, this goes equally for eBay shoppers wherever
you are! – So, good hunting!
And now an email
from Alf – who I assume is somewhere in the UK! –
Hi there,
I was sad to hear of the death of Tony Capstick recently (no2 policeman on
L.O.T.S.W.). We have lost a few lately (Thora and Gordon) but I haven't
noticed an obituary in the Radio Times (at least not for Gordon Wharmby/Wesley
Pegden),perhaps you could get in touch with somebody at the Beeb and ask
them at least to mention the passing of these much-loved characters.
Please feel free to e-mail me back if you can find the time, as I would
enjoy hearing from you .I’ve been watching the programme since the first
series and still enjoy it just as much (well, as much as you can without
'Compo').
Hope you can find
the time to reply - hoping to hear from you soon,
Alf Forcer, (Wino
No.112122)
Thank you, Alf – I
believe there was a very brief notice in the Radio Times when Gordon
Wharmby died, but I admit they are not noted for acknowledging the passing
of even quite well known entertainers. The best way to ensure that RT does
make some mention is to write to the Letters page – they will usually
print a suitable tribute. I imagine it is just impossible for them to keep
up with everything, so perhaps we need to try and remind them in this way,
sometimes. I have to say that BBC’s Look North and the local radio
stations paid tribute to Tony – but I think, outside LOTSW, he would not
have been known well enough national to make the national news – he was,
however, well known and respected with this region and was acknowledged as
such.
Wow – the world gets
smaller by the day – here is another email from Minnesota, this time
from Tom Lombard.
‘Hello and
Thanks’
I recently
discovered the series on public TV and am enchanted by it. The music,
location, characters, all of it. It is a delight. I'm 57, so possibly I am
projecting myself into the shenanigans of that wonderful trio of stars.
Just wanted to say hello from the US and thanks for the web site.
Tom Lombard,
Minnesota, USA
Thank you, Tom, - and
your age is perfect, actually about the same age the characters, and the
actors were when LOTSW started back in the 1970’s – they were
certainly not ‘old men’! And may I respectfully suggest that all fans
should take a leaf out of the lads’ book and do something ‘young’
– I don’t mean take up skateboarding, (well, OK then, if you want to
– go do it!), start with something simple, read ‘Harry Potter’,
reread ‘Winnie the Pooh’ or ‘Wind in the Willows’; play football
(soccer) with your grandchildren, if you haven’t any, borrow some! Go to
the movies to see ‘Finding Nemo’, or some other youthful adventure –
eat popcorn! Go to the seaside and have ice-cream and candy floss, (cotton
candy) – yes, I know the EU has made them put it in bags instead of on
sticks, but it still tastes the same. And always remember, fish and chips
MUST be eaten of doors!
And now for a query
forwarded from Patrick’s general postbag –
Truly's glove
wearing
Why does Truly wear
gloves in the summer?
Any ideas?
Dennis McLelland
Oh, boy – this is a
beauty! The answer has to be I don’t know – but I can make some
suggestions, and maybe if someone from the costume department, or maybe
Frank Thornton himself reads this, they could write and let us know! My
first idea is based on who Truly is, and the generation he belongs to;
Truly was ‘Truly of the Yard’ – supposedly a respected CID officer,
now it is a fact that ‘plain-clothes’ detectives of Truly’s
generation may not have worn ‘the’ uniform, but they certainly
wore ‘a’ uniform – just look at any old black and white crime movie
– they ALL wore a hat, (usually a Trilby, as Truly invariably does), a
raincoat or smart overcoat, suit with ‘collar and tie’ and gloves!
This applied to all seasons of the year, and not just policemen,
there were/are many men of that generation who would not be seen out
without a hat and a ‘proper’ coat, even now. Foggy might not have worn
a raincoat – it would not go with his ‘military’ image – but he
still wore gloves. I will admit that the glove-wearing seems to have had a
more middle-class image, (which all of the ‘3rd men’ have aspired to
if not achieved) – Clegg and even Compo and Wesley were rarely seen
without a hat, (however tatty, or even smokey), but only wore gloves when
it was cold – and Compo usually made do with his pockets! This
explanation is the most likely, but there is just a possibility that they
are worn for warmth – and don’t let me hear you laughing! – I, like
many others, suffer from a form of arthritis which is at it’s most
painful if the joints affected are allowed to cool off, and I don’t mean
go cold; in the heat of the recent summer I had to spend my nights under a
duvet when everyone else was using no more than a sheet, because that
slight drop in temperature from what has been the daytime ‘norm’, is
sufficient to give you a painful and sleepless night. This particular form
most commonly affects the ‘small’ joints, that is the hands and feet
so gloves and warm socks all year are quite possible.
Well, Dennis, I hope
that provides a likely answer to your query.
And, finally, an email
from Jim, with more thoughts on the ‘long arm of the law’, (or should
that be leg?)
Pat,
I think you've
summed up everyone's feelings very well regarding the sad loss of yet
another LOTSW regular. I always enjoyed their contributions, the one
where they lost their trousers was a hoot. These lovely people will
have gone but not been forgotten. Thanks also for the reminder of
the Three Men and a Mangle episode (fortunately I have the video) - the
hole in the car roof is surely one of the funniest scenes we've ever had.
Roy Clarke is a genius.
Jim Treloar
(Chester)
Thank you, Jim, and you
are quite right, Roy Clarke is a genius – it is such a wonderful gift,
to create not only words and situations which generate happiness and
laughter, but also to create characters of such realistic charm that they
become like friends, a part of our lives, to the extent that when they are
gone we miss them – and do not forget them.
Well, that’s all for this Postbag,
I have done my best to answer your queries – but do remember, if you
have a different answer, or another suggestion, write and let me know –
the more information we have, the better. Keep sending your emails, I do
enjoy reading them – and I apologise if I haven’t sent you a personal
answer, but I’m afraid I don’t always have time – and this has been
a particularly busy week for me! Oh, and do note on your email where you
are from, we are a nosy lot and like to know – and it gives us an idea
of where SW gets to be shown!
Take care now, with
best wishes – Pat.
A SENSITIVE SUBJECT...The Future of the LOTSW Policeman.
Over the last week I
have received a number of queries on similar subjects and I hope they will
excuse me from not printing them – as they all effectively ask the same
two questions, ‘Is Tony in the forthcoming series?’ and ‘What will
happen now to the police force in LOTSW – will Ken have a new partner or
will there be different policemen in different episodes?’
I hope no one will
feels it is tasteless to consider this so soon after Tony’s loss, I know
as well as anyone that he will be much missed, but I find this concern on
the part of many fans understandable after the fright we got when the
result of ‘that poll’ were published – there has always been a
feeling that the BBC doesn’t care as much about LOTSW as it should and
because of this, the continuation of our favourite show is always at risk.
Well, thanks to Alan
J.W. Bell we know that the immediate future of the show is safe, as they
are already preparing for filming next year.
Those of you who have
already read Alan’s lovely tribute to him will already know that Tony
had completed filming for the next series – in fact Alan is of the
opinion that the next series will contain some of Tony’s best ever work
– a real tribute indeed to a true artist.
Of course the most
sensitive issue is that of his replacement – we may not like to think
about this, but obviously Alan has to – he has the responsibility of
ensuring that preparations are completed and everything is ready when it
is time to start filming. I’m afraid that all I can say for certain is
that the intention is to find a new partner for Ken – but that at
present no one has been approached and no final decision will be taken
until new contracts are negotiated in the spring of 2004.
But – and if anyone
says I told you this, I will deny it – I have heard a rumour that Louis
Emmerick may return to be the second policeman, which he played in two
series prior to Tony Capstick joining the Summer Wine police force. His
character was very popular but Louis had to leave when the producers of 'Brookside',
(a ‘soap opera’ in which he played the character Mick Johnson),
wouldn't release him to continue because they felt that appearing in Last
of the Summer Wine - a comedy - would destroy the credibility of his
character (obviously forgetting that at that time Louis was appearing in
repeats as the policeman). I hear that Alan J.W. Bell says he has
forgiven Louis for appearing in 'Brookside' and doesn't feel it has
destroyed his credibility as a policeman. "He is an actor, for
goodness sake!" Most of you will remember Louis best as Ken
Kitson’s partner in the classic viaduct scenes in 'Three Men and a
Mangle'.
Well, that is all for
this postbag, but do not despair if you have written and not yet heard
from me – there will be another in a few days when I will deal with the
rest of your emails – B.W’s, and keep writing, - Pat.
A day or two ago I
received this query in my postbag and as you can see it requires more than
a couple of lines– so I have given it the complete answer it deserves
and made a short ‘Piece’ out of it! – I hope you all find it
enlightening and that you, Robert, feel it answers your query
satisfactorily – Oh, and as usual, if anyone knows a different answer,
let me know!
SMOKING ON
SUMMER WINE?
I have to tell
you that Last of the Summer Wine is easily the best comedy ever written
and we cannot get enough. Pat, I have a question, I was watching a 70's
episode and was again surprised to see everyone smoking heartily. When did
that all stop? The lads all have gravelly voices to prove they smoked. But
the lasses all still have quite feminine voices. Did any of them ever
smoke?
Here in the States smoking went out of vogue in the late 60's on TV,
mostly because the government stopped cigarette commercials.
Cheers to all, Robert G Windsor
Thank you very much for
your comment, Robert. Now, about all that smoking - it seems to have
mostly ended with the arrival of Foggy - he didn't approve and didn't
smoke, so Compo had to pretty much give up - it also coincided with the
general move to get smoking off the TV over here as well, it is certainly
at this time that the characters in general stopped smoking.
Cleggy seemed to give
up fairly soon after Foggy arrived, (at least he wasn’t seen smoking),
although he was still apparently supposed to smoke in 1976 when they did
'The Great Boarding House Bathroom Caper ', 'Cheering Up Gordon' and
'Going To Gordon’s Wedding', because Compo still keeps inviting him to
hand out the fags - that's cigarettes, to you!
However, when we get to
the Christmas special 'Small Tune on a Penny Wassail’ (December 1978),
Clegg says something to effect that he had given up smoking to live longer
but if life was going to continue being this boring maybe he'd done the
wrong thing!
And at that point
everyone seemed to have stopped or so I thought, and I also thought I had
finished this piece, then last night we settled down to our regular
pre-bedtime dose of LOTSW and it turned out to be 'Why Does Norman Clegg
Buy Lady’s Elastic Stockings', with Seymour and which I think was 1986
(not sure as I can't make out the year on the end and it's on a 'mixed
bag' tape not on a 'Series' tape – one of some odd ones a friend
recorded from UK Gold) - anyway, Compo is test-driving Seymour's mobile
drill and it has a frame round it covered in sacking - Compo ducks down
inside it and comes up with a lighted cigarette in his mouth! So I begin
to think that maybe Compo never did give up!
And the ladies never smoked – I think
it was one of those 'gender' things - nice girls/ladies didn't smoke - not
in well-governed working class households before WW2 anyway - and that is
the generation and class our 'girls' belong to, in spite of Edie’s
desire to have us believe otherwise!
As for smoking on TV in
general, we seem to be going back to a more realistic balance, with a few
people smoking, though it's not likely to happen in LOTSW - only in the
programmes made for showing in the late evening.
Hello again! I’m
starting my Postbag today with this email, which I received on Friday from
David and Josie Bowler – thank you for sending it, David – it may be
brief, but it says much.
Dear Pat,
My wife and I attended Tony’s
funeral today and have to say what a lovely service and tribute to Tony,
The church was packed and there were grown men crying, he was much loved
by his peers, and South Yorkshire will be the poorer without him, R.I.P.
David & Josie
Bowler [Chesterfield]
The next contribution
is from Dennis, another of our American friends – I’m sure most of us
agree with your comments – my personal belief is that we should all,
whatever our age, take a leaf out of ‘the lads’ book and try to
regularly do something which keeps us in touch with our youth. Thank you
Dennis!
Heart-felt
affection for LOTSW
Greetings from the USA:
I still cannot believe the effect LOTSW
has on me. Its sweetness, gentleness, intelligence and ethereal charm has,
in my humble opinion, never been duplicated. Nor can it ever be, in all
probability. Keeping Up Appearances comes
close to it in brilliance.
LOTSW is so close to my
heart because of my relative age to the characters in the comedy. I too am
swirling around in the last of my summer wine. I'm getting to the bottom
of my "summer wine" as I age,
and I delight in the joy and recklessness of Truly, Cleggy, Billy, and
especially Smiler. Goodness, they are all incredible characters.
Anyway, good luck with
Pat's Piece. I'd love to organize a tour from the US to Yorkshire.
Spread the word!
Take care,
Dennis McLelland
And now this query from
Rob, a member of the ‘Sid-and-IvysCafé’ on-line fan group.
The
property used as Seymour’s house has always intrigued me. It fit so well
into the eccentric image he had. It was a perfect setting.
It
was not used after the Christmas special that followed Michael's first
series.
Does
anybody know anything about the story behind this.
best
wishes
Rob Tomkins
Sid-and-Ivys-Café
Well, Rob,
I’ve done my best on this one, checking
my personal archive has produced a note that the house was used for the
feature length ‘Uncle of the Bride’ and then for Michaels first series
(including that Christmas special which I believe was filmed at the same
time as the series),but that it wasn’t available as a location after
that. Why no alternative’ home’ was found to replace it, I don’t
know! As I said, this is all the information that I have – if anyone has
anything further to add, please let me know – I’m always happy to
expand my information base.
I do have one more item
to add to this postbag – you remember George asked how to acquire signed
photos of our favourite LOTSW cast members in my first postbag and I
passed on the contact address. Since ‘going to press’ with that
address, a friend has contacted me with another contact address which has
met with success – I add it here so anyone who wants to can try it, the
more information the better!
Last of the Summer Wine
c/o Artist mail
BBC Information
PO. Box 1116
Belfast
Bt2 7AJ
Good luck! Well, I am so
pleased with the response I have had so far! Please keep writing to me,
remember this site is for YOU, the fans of Last of the Summer Wine, and I
want YOUR questions and YOUR
comments! – Well, bye for now, BW’s, Pat.
Well,
here is my very first email – congratulations George on being the one to
‘open’ the Postbag!
Dear
Sirs.
First
of all, let me say LOTSW is and always will be, one of the greatest
British TV comedies ever made, there are others, of course, "Dad's
Army", "Fools and Horses" and any of the Ronnie Barker
shows but I doubt any other produced so many individual favourites as
found in LOTSW. There is not one misfit, although, thinking about it,
there was one but no names no pack drill! It is such a shame we are losing
them now with the latest being Tony Capstick at only 59; the police car
down the lane will never be the same!
Now
the question. Where can I write to try to obtain signed photographs of my
favourite characters (and I can't think of anyone I could miss out). As a
70 year old pensioner I can't bid for the signed book, as much as I'd love
to but I would love to have something of the people who give me so much
joy in the autumn of my years.
Kind
regards.
George Dawson
Well,
George, thank you very much for your comments, I’m sure many of us feel
the same and I’m also sure we will all miss Tony. Well, now for your
question - this is something that I’m quite sure many fans would like to
know, so here goes - I have made enquiries and this is the most reliable
method. You need to write to people individually and post them to the BBC
who apparently has a system for forwarding mail. When you write to your
favourite actor requesting a photo, PLEASE remember to enclose a stamped
addressed envelope, big enough to enclose a postcard – I know this
sounds obvious but it’s easy to forget that not all actors are
millionaires, would YOU like to have to pay postage on perhaps 50+ letters
per week! Here is the address:
Mr/Miss
Whoever-it-is
C/o BBC Television Centre
Wood Lane
London, W12 7RJ
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