The Men From The Ministry

Series 4 (1968)
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.
Norma Ronald
 
Norma Ronald
 
4/1 The Battle Of The River Thames (18.2.68) (derived from 1/5)
Starts: Time to meet The Men From The Ministry. We present Richard Murdoch and Deryck Guyler in The Men From The Ministry, a weekly tribute to our Government officials. The men who are rather like fitted carpets; when you get them in a corner they're difficult to pin down. The senior executives of Whitehall are discreet and prudent men. Richard Lamb, in particular, is noted for his careful approach to life.
Ends: Muddling through as The Men From The Ministry were Richard Murdoch and Deryck Guyler. Also featured were Norma Ronald, Ronald Baddiley, John Graham and David Nettheim. The programme was written by Johnnie Mortimer, Brian Cooke and Edward Taylor, and produced by Edward Taylor.
 
4/2 The Tubby Submarine (25.2.68)
Starts: Time to meet The Men From The Ministry. We present Richard Murdoch and Deryck Guyler in The Men From The Ministry, a weekly tribute to the men of our Government service; men who file everything carefully, if you give them any work you'll always get a cross reference. In the General Assistance Department, two senior executives peer at the papers in front of them. They're studying some interesting figures.
Ends: Exercised in mind as The Men From The Ministry were Richard Murdoch and Deryck Guyler. Also featured were Norma Ronald, Ronald Baddiley, John Graham, David Nettheim and Carol Marsh. The programme was written by Johnnie Mortimer, Brian Cooke and Edward Taylor, and produced by Edward Taylor.
 
4/3 A Matter Of Breeding (3.3.68)
Starts: Time to meet The Men From The Ministry. We present Richard Murdoch and Deryck Guyler in The Men From The Ministry, a weekly tribute to the men of our Government service, careful men who always keep a watch on their official papers, so they can see when it's time to go home. In the General Assistance Department, Richard Lamb has just completed The Times crossword in two minutes flat. Secretary, Mildred Murfin, comments on his amazing feat.
Ends: Muddling through as The Men From The Ministry were Richard Murdoch and Deryck Guyler. Also featured were Norma Ronald, Ronald Baddiley and John Graham. The programme was written by Johnnie Mortimer, Brian Cooke and Edward Taylor, and produced by Edward Taylor.
 
4/4 The Great Showbiz Fiasco (10.3.68)
Starts: Time to meet The Men From The Ministry. We present Richard Murdoch and Deryck Guyler in The Men From The Ministry, a weekly tribute to the men of our Government service, men who always rally to the flag, indeed men who are very like flags, they hang around clinging to their posts and when they get the wind up they flap like mad. At the very centre of modern administration are the experts, men trained to make important decisions quickly and efficiently.
Ends: Taking the stage as The Men From The Ministry were Richard Murdoch and Deryck Guyler. Also featured were Norma Ronald, Ronald Baddiley, John Graham, David Nettheim and Dennis Gomm at the piano. The programme was written by Johnnie Mortimer, Brian Cooke and Edward Taylor, and produced by Edward Taylor.
 
4/5 Up The Poll (17.3.68)
Starts: Time to meet The Men From The Ministry. We present Richard Murdoch and Deryck Guyler in The Men From The Ministry, a weekly tribute to the men of our Government service, men who sail our Ship of State across life's uncharted ocean and bring it finally into the harbour and up the creek. This week in the General Assistance Department we find that keen young executive Richard Lamb putting the finishing touches to his latest piece of paperwork.
Ends: Muddling through as The Men From The Ministry were Richard Murdoch and Deryck Guyler. Also featured were Clive Dunn, Norma Ronald, Ronald Baddiley and John Graham. The programme was written by Johnnie Mortimer, Brian Cooke and Edward Taylor, and produced by Edward Taylor.
 
4/6 Waterway To Go (24.3.68)
Starts: Time to meet The Men From The Ministry. We present Richard Murdoch and Deryck Guyler in The Men From The Ministry, a weekly tribute to the senior officials of Whitehall. Those smooth men who oil the wheels of Government, but who seldom carry the can. In the General Assistance Department, that amiable character Richard Lamb is always willing to give anybody a hand.
Ends: Slightly adrift as The Men From The Ministry were Richard Murdoch and Deryck Guyler. Also featured were Clive Dunn, Norma Ronald, Ronald Baddiley and John Graham. The programme was written by Johnnie Mortimer, Brian Cooke and Edward Taylor, and produced by Edward Taylor.
 
4/7 Dam Nuisance (31.3.68)
[Richard Murdoch, Deryck Guyler, Norma Ronald, Ronald Baddiley, John Graham]
 
4/8 The Fastest Brolly In The West (7.4.68)
Starts: Time to meet The Men From The Ministry. We present Richard Murdoch and Deryck Guyler in The Men From The Ministry, a weekly tribute to the gallant few who work in Government offices and the many others who simply spend their time there. In the General Assistance Department, they are as busy as ever, indeed Richard Lamb has his back to the wall and is really up against it.
Ends: Going West as The Men From The Ministry were Richard Murdoch and Deryck Guyler. Also featured were Norma Ronald, Ronald Baddiley and Jack Watson. "The Legend of The Men From The Ministry" was sung by Graeme Garden. The programme was written by Johnnie Mortimer, Brian Cooke and Edward Taylor, and produced by Edward Taylor.
 
4/9 Lamb Takes A Gambol (14.4.68)
Starts: Time to meet The Men From The Ministry. We present Richard Murdoch and Deryck Guyler in The Men From The Ministry, a weekly tribute to that great army of public servants who, if laid end to end, would get through only slightly less work than they do at the moment. To Ministry executives, a vital part of daily life is the maintenance of their equipment in good order and always ready for use.
Ends: Muddling through as The Men From The Ministry were Richard Murdoch and Deryck Guyler. Also featured were Norma Ronald, Ronald Baddiley, Ronnie Stevens and David Nettheim. The programme was written by Johnnie Mortimer, Brian Cooke and Edward Taylor, and produced by Edward Taylor.
 
4/10 Four Men In A Wellington (21.4.68)
Starts: Time to meet The Men From The Ministry. We present Richard Murdoch and Deryck Guyler in The Men From The Ministry, a weekly tribute to the Government officials who shape our lives; who tackle vital problems like the country's transport policy, and won't rest until they have us back on our feet again. At the General Assistance Department, that eager executive Richard Lamb prides himself on being thoroughly up to date. When a piece of modern equipment is installed, you may be sure that he has a hand in it.
Ends: Up in the air as The Men From The Ministry were Richard Murdoch and Deryck Guyler, with their special guests Kenneth Horne and Sam Costa. Also featured were Norma Ronald, John Graham, Anthony Viccars and Douglas Hankin. The programme was written by Johnnie Mortimer, Brian Cooke and Edward Taylor, and produced by Edward Taylor.
 
4/11 Out Of This World (28.4.68)
Starts: Time to meet The Men From The Ministry. We present Richard Murdoch and Deryck Guyler in The Men From The Ministry, a weekly tribute to the men of our Government service; men who are often compared to bungalows; square, detached and not much up top. Our attention, as always, is focused on the General Assistance Department in Whitehall. Here we find that keen young executive Richard Lamb not quite his usual cheerful self.
Ends: Out of this world as The Men From The Ministry were Richard Murdoch and Deryck Guyler. Also featured were Norma Ronald, Ronald Baddiley, John Graham and David Healy. The programme was written by Johnnie Mortimer, Brian Cooke and Edward Taylor, and produced by Edward Taylor.
 
4/12 Muddlers-in-Law (5.5.68)
Starts: Time to meet The Men From The Ministry. We present Richard Murdoch and Deryck Guyler in The Men From The Ministry, a weekly tribute to the men of our Government service, discreet men who will never pass on a wild rumour, what each keeps under his hat has usually nothing in it. In Whitehall's General Assistance Department, Richard Lamb is involved in a problem of book keeping.
Ends: Creating law and disorder as The Men From The Ministry were Richard Murdoch and Deryck Guyler. Also featured were Clive Dunn, Norma Ronald, Ronald Baddiley and John Graham. The programme was written by Johnnie Mortimer, Brian Cooke and Edward Taylor, and produced by Edward Taylor.
 
4/13 What Has Four Wheels And Flies ? (12.5.68)
Starts: [Time to meet The Men From The Ministry.] We present Richard Murdoch and Deryck Guyler in The Men From The Ministry, a weekly tribute to the men of our Government service, men who jump at the prospect of hard work and twitch a bit at even the smallest task. Ministry men are resolute and determined. In General Assistance Department, for instance, Richard Lamb is standing firm and putting his foot down.
[Richard Murdoch, Deryck Guyler, Norma Ronald, Ronald Baddiley, John Graham, Graham Stark]
 

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This page was compiled by Gary Schajer, Vancouver, Canada. gary@schajer.com