The first Goon Show was broadcast on the BBC Home Service on 28th May 1951.
Hello Folks! Calling Folks!
Are you celebrating the 75th anniversary of our beloved show in style?
Sadly, it wasn’t possible to get an actual Goon Show arranged to celebrate the milestone (oh we tried folks, we really tried…), but there should be plenty
going on to commemorate it in other ways.
One way the GSPS is celebrating the day is with the publication of the new (seventh) edition of Encyclopaedia Goonicus, our archive collection of documents and recordings which we make available to paid-up members of the society.
There’s also a new 75th Anniversary page on the website looking at some stories from that 1951 broadcast.
And to celebrate the anniversary, there’s a special discount offer on our membership fee to those of you who might be persuaded to join our society.
At the time of writing, Stephens House were girding their loins in readiness for An Evening Without Spike Milligan, starring Jeremy Stockwell and featuring the multi-talented Jane Milligan. There’s also a celebratory event taking place in Aberdare.
On yesterday’s episode of GoonPod, Tyler Adams marked the anniversary with six Goon Show fans having a round table discussion about our favourite show
Find it on your usual podcast source or try here if you don’t have one.
I will be taking to the stage at the TPTV event in September with two performances of some long-forgotten Galton and Simpson mini–Goon Shows, and the mighty Hambledon Productions will soon be touring the UK with The Phantom Raspberry Blower of Old London Town.
Looking ahead, this year’s Annual Gathering will be taking place at Stephens House & Gardens in Finchley on Saturday 10th October, and we hope to see lots of you there.
String Vest Fishes and Custard,
Richard Usher
secretary and acting-chair, GSPS
The Goon Show Preservation Society 