Here we have a couple of reports from the 1995 event “A Weekend Called Fred“, taken from the pages of a 1996 newsletter.
MIKE COVENEY
The first major get-together for over twenty years erupted in sunny Bournemouth, England, with some 80 Goons of all sizes and shapes assembling for A Weekend Called Fred. This included a four legged character called Jack Russell, who quickly established a rapport with us all despite his limited vocabulary.
The limitations of time and space (unknown in the Goon Show) imposed some restrictions on the Herns and their ladies with us. Dick Baker, U.S. Archivist, quietly demonstrated his legendary skills, and Byron Nilsson spoke eloquently on BBC Radio of the Herns’ view of the Show. A two-man Hem video crew provided us with a zany record of their search in London for Bluebottle, with echoes of Jeremy Beadle. The Herns also acquitted themselves well in the Batter Pudding Hurl on Bournemouth beach on a lovely sunny Sunday morning, watched by hundreds of incredulous holidaymakers.
Organisers Mike Waring and Chris Smith assembled a sensible mix of scholarship and celebration, with video clips and films underpinning the three major speakers – Dennis Main Wilson, John Hamilton and… Neddy Seagoon, himself, in person, live on stage. Dennis, a little frail after a recent accident, spoke with passion of the warmth of the BBC team in the old days, and mourned its passing in the modem obsession with privatisation and “cash-only” values. His contribution to BBC Radio and TV comedy is monumental, and we were highly privileged to have his presence for the whole weekend.
John Hamilton reminisced about his long career which veered to ITV in latter years but again, a very strong comedy man, who generously gave his time to attend the weekend.
Good old Bill Nunn set up a sales stand and did good trade, together with Tony Reynolds, Tony Lang and Neil Trickey. Make sure of a copy of the latter’s Penguinlogue, it is good value!!
Our main sessions were held in King Arthur’s Hall at the Manchester Hotel, a most suitable venue for a gathering of goons – excellent sound and video were provided (at a price), and Mike Waring had a two-camera video set up to film everything, and the results will be available to us all on video cassette soon. (Those who no longer possess a video cassette player can see the video, (in full 1990s quality) here.
Chris Smith acted as M.C. for the weekend and had a mike in his hand most of the time. A most exhausting task, and by common agreement, he did a superb job. The Webster Smogpule Concert Party showed some signs of under-rehearsal – what rehearsal? retorted Chris!
The presence of a Radio 4 freelance journalist was a bit daunting at first. Would he take a cynical ‘angle’ of us Goon nuts, we wondered. However, we found he was a first generation Goon buff, so that was alright. Roy Bainton’s piece for the BBC was “well crafted but limited to 8 minutes by the producer”. Despite this, he skilfully presented the flavour of the weekend.
The arrival of Sir Harry Secombe on Saturday was greeted by a standing ovation of five minutes. This outward sign of our respect and love I think moved Sir Harry (it moved him into the lounge for tea with Roy Bainton. I don’t wish to know that).
On his return, Harry joined Dennis and John on stage and for two hours regaled us with cheerful anecdotes of the good old days. We all knew most of the stories by heart, but who cared. We were celebrating Ned of Wales’ recognition of our Society, and our awareness of the central contribution his skill as a broadcaster made to the Goon Show’s ‘anchor’ character. He could have read the telephone book and we would have still cheered him. He was so clearly at ease and happy that had not his wife Myra been ill, I am sure he would have stayed for the evening.
A word of thanks to all the others too numerous to mention who assisted in many ways to make Fred a great success. The Manchester Hotel management were most co-operative and we had no complaints about the excellent cuisine. If you missed this one, may I stick my neck: out and suggest one for 1998?
A year to recover, a year to plan, and a year to execute? What about it, Mike and Chris?
MAXINE VENTHAM
When I arrived, I bounced up the steps and walked into the hotel. When I came to, I found the door and tripped at the entrance, flying past reception. Horizontal and letting out a small scream and a large cat. “You must be one of the Goons” said the Receptionist. Ah, fame, how clever of her to recognise.
Despite appearances, people seemed to like me. At last we could all say “don’t point that moot at me, Moriarty” without getting weird looks, but then I’ve had weird looks for years. Dinner was served on plates and so were the jokes. We had a ‘getting to know you’ in a lift, and then I found myself (after years of looking) in King Arthur’s Court…
After watching the floor we watched some videos – I watched with my eyes peeled, then some audio tapes were played and I watched with my ears. I saw and heard things which otherwise I would never have got the chance to see or hear: Peter Sellers’ early radio appearances, Spike in The Jewel in the Crown. Michael Coveney laughing…
On Saturday I was on the boil – the Hotel was hot. I entered the quiz in the morning and left it in the afternoon. I was on Eccles’ team, with Mandy, Roger and Bob Bray, who didn’t. Eccles watched over us and when the first team won. We were on minus 22. Ah Eccles, lovely long lad, how keenly we felt his influence.
In the afternoon we had several important speakers (Sony, Akai and stereo) and this was where the weekend really started. John P. Hamilton and Dennis Main Wilson told us tales of backstage and then a man who looked suspiciously like Ned of Wales, only slimmer, joined us… He brought an atmosphere of relaxed fun with him and there was much evidence of grovelling and crawling, but enough of me The three VIPs were thee delight of the weekend and made it respectable and informative…
In the evening. Webster Smogpule gave a concert during which Chris Smith was thrown out a number of times and there were certain songs and sketches, but I hadn’t brought a pencil and paper… Later that evening, as I celebrated over drinks. Tim Leatherbarrow drew my caricature but I can’t state more – I’m suing him through the courts… John P. Hamilton sauntered past in the early hours of the morning, still amiably answering questions. Arch Hem Dave Yost who, with his friend Mike, had presented their video version of Finchley- the Hunt for the House of Milligan… bade us good night after 2am, claiming jet lag. He reappeared only minutes later because he had an extra hour as the clocks went back…
The next morning, inexplicably, I felt unwell but the sight of prunes for breakfast revived me. It was the Batter Pudding Hurling Contest, and this was where the weekend really started… With the waves lapping at our feet and Little Jim lapping at a saucer of milk, the teams competed. The winning team cheated: I know, because our team came second…
Finally, a word about the people who attended – wonderful! Mike Childs spoke to me in South African (apparently he thought I was a bore – ahem, a Boer). Chris Smith lost considerable weight keeping the weekend running smoothly. Henry Crun’s stall selling hairy bald wigs, long bent things with a sort of lump on the end and portable volcano nets did almost as well as Bill Nunn’s, Paul Norman’s and the others who accosted the eye with temptations to buy (a sort of accosta del sell…Hup!). David Cohen brought his doggy who had been specially trained to bark at peak moments and became particularly vocal during the Quiz when her barks were attuned to the number on the dice…
So it was time to go in various four-wheel drive Robin Reliants, steam rollers and my photograph turbo intercooler. It was sad to say goodbye, as the tears were springing to my wallet, and the weekend has given me Goon fever (keep away). I hope we can all get together again soon. Until then… round the back for the old brandy!
The Goon Show Preservation Society 