The Men From The Ministry

Series 2 (1965)
Opening and Closing Announcements

The episodes of The Men From The Ministry were given titles in the Radio Times, but not on-air. The following transcripts of opening and closing announcements are provided to assist with identification of undated recordings. The transcripts are incomplete because some recordings are missing or truncated. Where not available from recordings, the names of the actors are reproduced from the original Radio Times listings, and written [in brackets]. The author would appreciate being informed of any errors or additions, or the availability of recordings of non-listed episodes.
Wilfrid Hyde White and Richard Murdoch
 
Wilfrid Hyde White and Richard Murdoch
 
2/1 Pirates Of Lakeview Reservoir (25.7.65)
Starts: Time to meet The Men From The Ministry. We present Wilfrid Hyde White and Richard Murdoch in The Men From The Ministry, a weekly tribute to our Government officials; to those who work in the corridors of power, and indeed to those who work in the offices as well. Many and varied are the problems which come before the General Assistance Department in Whitehall, problems such as drawing up the boundaries for the new London boroughs.
Ends: ... [Wilfrid Hyde White, Richard Murdoch, Norma Ronald, Roy Dotrice, John Graham, Joan Sanderson, Eric Anderson]
 
2/2 Something About A Soldier (1.8.65)
Starts: Time now to meet The Men From The Ministry. We present Wilfrid Hyde White and Richard Murdoch in The Men From The Ministry, a weekly tribute to the men of our Government service. Men who often work around the clock, in which position they can be sure to get away on time. Typical of life at The Ministry is the work of the General Assistance Department, a constant round of problems, puzzles and queries.
Ends: Muddling through as The Men From The Ministry were Wilfrid Hyde White and Richard Murdoch. Others involved were Norma Ronald, Warren Mitchell, David Nettheim and David Graham. This programme was written by Johnnie Mortimer, Brian Cooke and Edward Taylor, and produced by Edward Taylor.
 
2/3 The Trouble With Cecil (8.8.65)
Starts: [Time now to meet The Men From The Ministry.] We present Wilfrid Hyde White and Richard Murdoch in The Men From The Ministry, a weekly tribute to the men of our Government service; men who when difficulties or danger threaten, know exactly what steps to take - great big long ones in the opposite direction. Our story centres on Whitehall's General Assistance Department, which keeps in close contact with other key government offices on all kinds of problems.
Ends: ... [Wilfrid Hyde White, Richard Murdoch, Norma Ronald, Roy Dotrice, John Graham, Charlotte Mitchell]
 
2/4 Mahboni Lies Over The Ocean (15.8.65)
Starts: [Time now to meet The Men From The Ministry.] We present Wilfrid Hyde White and Richard Murdoch in The Men From The Ministry, a weekly tribute to the men of our Government service; wise men, each capable of getting the vital details of a problem quickly into his head, after which he can smile and say he's got it in a nutshell. This week, our story opens, not in Whitehall, but in distant Mahboni island, jewel of the Indian Ocean. As independence day draws near, senior officials of the island are eagerly discussing the great and joyous occasion.
Ends: Muddling through as The Men From The Ministry were Wilfrid Hyde White and Richard Murdoch. Also featured were Roy Dotrice, Graham Stark, Norma Ronald, David [Graham and Frederick Treves. This programme was written by Johnnie Mortimer, Brian Cooke and Edward Taylor, and produced by Edward Taylor.]
 
2/5 The Man Who Made It Rain (22.8.65)
Starts: Time now to meet The Men From The Ministry. We present Wilfrid Hyde White and Richard Murdoch in The Men From The Ministry, a weekly tribute to the men of our Government service, men who work in picturesque Whitehall, with St. James' Park sloping off proudly to the west, and several of the staff sloping off early to the station. But our story today begins a little distance from Whitehall in the chart-covered rooms of the Meterological Office, wherein work those sterling individuals, the Weather Men.
Ends: ... [Wilfrid Hyde White, Richard Murdoch, Norma Ronald, Roy Dotrice, David Graham, Hugh Paddick]
 
2/6 Train Of Events (29.8.65)
Starts: Time to meet The Men From The Ministry. We present Wilfrid Hyde White and Richard Murdoch in The Men From The Ministry, a weekly tribute to the men of Whitehall, men whose principal concern is quick and efficient service in The Ancient Tradition, and other well-known public houses. At the heart of modern administration are the experts, officials of judgment and experience, trained to make clear and rapid decisions.
Ends: Muddling through as The Men From The Ministry were Wilfrid Hyde White and Richard Murdoch. Also featured were Roy Dotrice, Norma Ronald, Jack Watson and Brandon Hawkins. The programme was written by Johnnie Mortimer, Brian Cooke and Edward Taylor, and produced by Edward Taylor.
 
2/7 A Degrading Business (5.9.65)
Starts: Time to meet The Men From The Ministry. We present Wilfrid Hyde White and Richard Murdoch in The Men From The Ministry, a weekly tribute to the men of our Government service, men renowned for upholding our traditions and upholding our liberties. Indeed, they hold up almost everything that passes through their hands. A special feature of Whitehall is its readiness to accept new ideas and to harness scientific and technical discoveries.
Ends: Muddling through as The Men From The Ministry were Wilfrid Hyde White and Richard Murdoch. Also featured were Roy Dotrice, Norma Ronald, Felix Felton, Bruce Beeby and Peter Bartlett. The programme was written by Johnnie Mortimer, Brian Cooke and Edward Taylor, and produced by Edward Taylor.
 
2/8 The Butcher Of Glensporran (12.9.65)
Starts: Time now to meet The Men From The Ministry. We present Wilfrid Hyde White and Richard Murdoch in The Men From The Ministry, a weekly tribute to the senior officials of Whitehall, those vital men who oil the wheels of Government, but who seldom carry the can. At the General Assistance Department, there's a routine for dealing with every type of problem, but selecting the right treatment for each demands rapid decision and judgement.
Ends: Muddling through as The Men From The Ministry were Wilfrid Hyde White and Richard Murdoch. Also featured were John Laurie, Roy Dotrice, John Graham and [Norma Ronald. The programme was written by Johnnie Mortimer, Brian Cooke and Edward Taylor, and produced by Edward Taylor.]
 
2/9 Counter Spies (19.9.65)
Starts: Time to meet The Men From The Ministry. We present Wilfrid Hyde White and Richard Murdoch in The Men From The Ministry, a weekly tribute to the men of the British Government service; men who if they should make a mistake are not afraid to step forward boldly, stamp it Top Secret and file it away. We may all grumble occasionally at the complexity of our legal system. Nonetheless, we realise that these laws are framed to preserve the high moral standards for which this country is renowned. Indeed, without these laws the whole fabric of decent society would be shattered by the activities of vicious criminals.
Ends: ... [Wilfrid Hyde White, Richard Murdoch, Norma Ronald, Charlotte Mitchell, Warren Mitchell, David Nettheim]
 
2/10 A Question Of Dundancy (26.09.65)
Starts: Time to meet The Men From The Ministry. We present Wilfrid Hyde White and Richard Murdoch in The Men From The Ministry, a weekly tribute to the men of our Government service, to those men whose drive keeps the country on the move, straight along the broad avenue of progress and then slowly round the bend. As the machinery of Government becomes more complex, it's increasingly difficult to find enough qualified people to run it. Throughout the civil service, the shortage of staff has become a major problem.
Ends: Muddling through as The Men From The Ministry were Wilfrid Hyde White and Richard Murdoch. Also featured were Roy Dotrice, Norma Ronald, Ronnie Stephens and Ronald Baddiley. The programme was written by Johnnie Mortimer, Brian Cooke and Edward Taylor, and produced by Edward Taylor.
 
2/11 A Back-dated Problem (3.10.65)
Starts: Time now to meet The Men From The Ministry. We present Wilfrid Hyde White and Richard Murdoch in The Men From The Ministry, a weekly tribute those who steer the frail craft of Government up the muddy waters of modern life, without hesitation, without fear, and often without a paddle. The General Assistance Department in Whitehall is accustomed to tackling a wide variety of questions. Anything may come their way, from routine clerical tasks to a complex aviation problem.
Ends: Muddling through as The Men From The Ministry were Wilfrid Hyde White and Richard Murdoch. Also featured were Roy Dotrice, Jack Watson, Norma Ronald and Gordon Clyde. The programme was written by Johnnie Mortimer, Brian Cooke and Edward Taylor, and produced by Edward Taylor.
 
2/12 The Hole (10.10.65)
Starts: Time now to meet The Men From The Ministry. We present Wilfrid Hyde White and Richard Murdoch in The Men From The Ministry, a weekly tribute to the men of our Government offices, men who spend their daily train journeys studying that large newspaper held high in front of them, men indeed who are often behind The Times. Our story opens in Whitehall in the Department of General Assistance. They are very concerned about a missing piece of Government property.
Ends: Muddling through as The Men From The Ministry were Wilfrid Hyde White and Richard Murdoch. Also featured were Roy Dotrice, Norma Ronald and John Graham. The programme was written by Johnnie Mortimer, Brian Cooke and Edward Taylor, and produced by Edward Taylor.
 
2/13 The Day The Martians Came (17.10.65)
Starts: Time now to meet The Men From The Ministry. We present Wilfrid Hyde White and Richard Murdoch in The Men From The Ministry, a weekly tribute to those who demonstrate that the Government of a country are like the crew of a great ship, and whose aim is to turn Whitehall into a veritable Marie Celeste. This week, our story opens, not in Whitehall, but in the tiny village of Snedfield. Little knowing what fate has in store for them, Mr. and Mrs. Higgs are passing the time in the good old tradition of home-made family entertainment.
Ends: ... [Wilfrid Hyde White, Richard Murdoch, Norma Ronald, Roy Dotrice, John Graham, David Graham, Patricia Hayes]
 

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