In 1968 a man named Jimmy Perry had an idea for a new television sitcom. It consisted of a Home Guard Unit doing their duty for England during the Second World War, set in the fictional seaside town of Walmington-on-Sea. Jimmy put his idea to BBC producer David Croft and asked him if he would look over it and give Jimmy some feedback. David read through what Jimmy had done and liked the idea very much. They went about making the sitcom with the blessing of BBC head of comedy Michael Mills. Mills came up with the idea of calling the show Dad's Army. 
Ian Lavender (right) was one of the stars who came along to the event. |
On Sunday 9 May 2004 my family and I went along to Bressingham Steam Museum in Norfolk for the Dad's Army Day. However, this particular day was called the Croft And Perry Day where we would get to meet some of the stars from other Croft and Perry shows. We arrived at Bressingham and saw some of the stars arrive, some were already there. The stars were due to do an autograph session for 45 minutes when they would come out onto a stage in front of the large audience and relive memories from the days of making the shows. My dad and I were in a long queue of people waiting to get books and various posters signed by the stars while my mum saved us seats in front of the stage. Then I got my chance to get my posters and books autographed by the stars. It was a truly brilliant experience to meet all the great actors and actresses that starred in my favourite shows. As I moved along the long line of stars they all took the time to have a little chat with me. Jimmy Perry asked me various questions about his book that I was getting signed by him. Each of the stars relived memories about their parts in the different Croft and Perry shows. Jimmy Perry recounted great memories of Arthur Lowe and Ian Lavender re-enacted the best Dad's Army moment, Don't Tell Him Pike from the episode The Deadly Attachment with Michael Knowles. This was the best part of the day for me. After an hour-and-a-half of funny stories the stars went back to sign more autographs. David Croft was signing copies of his new book, You Have Been Watching. I had my photograph taken with him and we got to have a chat with David about the Dad's Army lost episodes - he said the film had probably been re-used for something else. At 3pm the stars departed on a train which would take them to their cars. What a day it was: meeting the people that continue to put a smile on my face every time I watch a Croft and Perry show. | 
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