'All Is Safely Gathered In'

The Dad's Army Appreciation Society Cardiff Event
September 15th 2001

"All is Safely Gathered In" (named so, because it was harvest time!) was my third attendance at a Dad's Army Appreciation Society event since joining the society a few years ago.

Organiser Andi Jones had booked for the Society, the function room of the Pendragon Public House, Cardiff, which was ideal for the event, fans could sit down and chat in comfort, eat food and watch their favourite TV show on a big television screen as events for the afternoon unfolded.

The proceedings were lead by DAAS Commander in Chief Jack Wheeler and his two Adjutants Paul Carpenter and Tony Pritchard. Author, Richard Webber was in attendance to sign copies of his new book "Walmington Goes To War", as well as a stall with lots of exclusive Appreciation Society merchandise were also available.

Tony Pritchard introduced the first of the afternoon's rare video footage, some recently uncovered cine film shot by Frank Williams (known to many as The Vicar in "Dad's Army") back in 1975/76 during the run of the Dad's Army Stage Show. This was followed by further rare footage of behind the scenes of "The Captains Car"(1975), "All Is Safely Gathered In" (1972), "Brain Versus Brawn" (1972) and rehearsal footage from "Big Gun's" (1969).

Although the footage was silent, it was fascinating to see some rare Dad's Army film and get a glimpse into how the show was made! A novices quiz lead by Paul followed, I got a score of 18 out of 20, unfortunately not quite good enough - but still better than I thought I'd achieve and it was all good fun!

Following a short break, further rare video footage was shown. This time, TV commercials featuring Arthur Lowe, John Le Mesurier and Ian Lavender. A series of Barclays bank adverts starring Arthur and Ian as Mainwaring and Pike. These were followed by three John Le Mesurier adverts for BOAC which were made in the 1970's, this was topped off with an early advert for Cadbury's Wispa in which Arthur Lowe and John Le Mesurier appear in full military costume. These films were interesting to see as adverts tend to be very much a timepiece, and are often forgotten about, even if they weren't directly promoting Dad's Army, its interesting to see how the actors Dad's Army characterisations were used to promote the products involved. Two Public Information films followed from 1975 showing Dad's Army crossing the road in a 1970's high street, these films I often find a little surreal but still very funny! A rarely seen episode from 1971, "Absent Friends" was then shown, the BBC has never repeated this episode. Many fans at the event appreciated the chance to see this classic episode once again!

Finally, a few more rare clips were shown, the 1969 Christmas Night with The Stars sketch, very rarely seen in its complete unedited form and Arthur Lowe singing a medley of songs as Captain Mainwaring from The Black & White Minstrel Show (1975). As the afternoon wound up, there was also a chance to bid for the videotape of rare film (proceeds going to the Heart Unit at Swansea's Morriston Hospital) and a chance to chat with Brython Thomas (Talfryn Thomas AKA Private Cheeseman's brother). I chatted with Brython at length about his brother's career and a profile on Talfryn will appear on this Website shortly.

Thanks to the DAAS and in particular Andi Jones for organising an enjoyable afternoon! And Mr. and Mrs. Thomas for giving me a lift back to the Railway station at the end so I could catch my train on time! What a lovely couple they were!

Review by Andy Howells