The Men From The Ministry

Series 8 (1972) 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.

Richard Murdoch

 

8/1 The Conference Trick (11.7.72)

Starts: Time to meet The Men From The Ministry. You're invited once again to jump aboard the bureaucratic bandwagon, with Norma Ronald, Ronald Baddiley, Garard Green, John Graham and The Men From The Ministry, Richard Murdoch and Deryck Guyler. Our story this week begins not in the hurly burly of the General Assistance Department but in more elegant areas of Government. Lord Stilton is one of that magic circle who can truly be said to be ruining the country. I'm sorry, who can truly be said to be running the country. He's sitting in his vast office awaiting a visitor.

Ends: In conference as The Men From The Ministry were Richard Murdoch and Deryck Guyler. Also featured were Norma Ronald, Ronald Baddiley, Garard Green and John Graham. The script was written by Edward Taylor and John Graham, and produced by Edward Taylor.

 

8/2 The Night We Crept Into The Crypt (18.07.72)

Starts: Time to meet The Men From The Ministry. You're invited once again to walk the Whitehall way, with Norma Ronald, Ronald Baddiley, John Graham and The Men From The Ministry, Richard Murdoch and Deryck Guyler. The men who run the General Assistance Department are noted for their quiet and calm efficiency. It's surprising therefore to find that today there's tension in the air.

Ends: In bad odour 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 Edward Taylor and John Graham, and produced by Edward Taylor.

 

8/3 How Now, Brown Cow (25.7.72)

Starts: Time to meet The Men From The Ministry. We're about to take another gentle kick at the seat of Government, with Norma Ronald, Ronald Baddiley, John Graham and The Men From The Ministry, Richard Murdoch and Deryck Guyler. In some Government offices, there's a danger of monotony, doing the same job, meeting the same people, passing the same buck. But the General Assistance Department handles many different tasks, helping any Department that's overloaded, and they always move with the times.

Ends: Thoroughly cowed 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 Edward Taylor and John Graham, and produced by Edward Taylor.

 

8/4 Sorry, Wrong Number (1.8.72)

Starts: Time to meet The Men From The Ministry. Join us for another spin in Government circles, with Norma Ronald, Ronald Baddiley, John Graham and The Men From The Ministry, Richard Murdoch and Deryck Guyler. The General Assistance section helps out any other Government department that's overloaded, bringing to their many different tasks a degree of enthusiasm which can only be described as "apathy." But today, Richard Lamb seems bursting with energy.

Ends: ... [Richard Murdoch, Deryck Guyler, Norma Ronald, Ronald Baddiley, John Graham]

 

8/5 The Desk Job (9.8.72)

Starts: Time to meet The Men From The Ministry. We're off for another whirl in the Whitehall wonderland, with Norma Ronald, Ronald Baddiley, John Graham and The Men From The Ministry, Richard Murdoch and Deryck Guyler. In the Ministry's General Assistance Department, dedicated men cope valiantly with the problems of Government. But, of course, some jobs have to be delegated, and the day's most vital task has just been completed by secretary Mildred Murfin.

Ends: ... [Richard Murdoch, Deryck Guyler, Norma Ronald, Ronald Baddiley, John Graham]

 

8/6 Fowl Play (15.8.72)

Starts: Time to meet The Men From The Ministry. Join us now for another whirl on the Whitehall roundabout, with Norma Ronald, Ronald Baddiley, John Graham and The Men From The Ministry, Richard Murdoch and Deryck Guyler. The personnel of a successful Ministry must work together like the crew of a great ship. In the General Assistance Department, for instance, the staff are like the crew of the Marie Celeste; they tend to disappear when wanted. But Secretary Mildred Murfin knows that at some stage they always come back.

Ends: Fouling things up 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 Edward Taylor and John Graham, and produced by Edward Taylor.

 

8/7 Something of Value (22.8.72)

Starts: Time to meet The Men From The Ministry. Come for another canter down the corridors of power, with Norma Ronald, Ronald Baddiley, John Graham, Sheelah Willcocks and The Men From The Ministry, Richard Murdoch and Deryck Guyler. In ministry offices, dedicated men spend long hours toiling at the policies which shape our lives. Their rewards are not wealth or fame, but the satisfaction of a job well done, and the pleasure of hearing those moving words so dear to every civil servant's heart.

Ends: Crowned with glory as The Men From The Ministry were Richard Murdoch and Deryck Guyler. Also featured were Norma Ronald, Ronald Baddiley, John Graham and Sheelah Willcocks. The programme was written by Edward Taylor and John Graham, and produced by Edward Taylor.

 

8/8 Taking Leave of Their Census (29.8.72)

Starts: Time to meet The Men From The Ministry. Join us now for another glimpse of life at the top with Norma Ronald, Ronald Baddiley, John Graham and The Men From The Ministry, Richard Murdoch and Deryck Guyler. Man is a naturally inquisitive creature, forever anxious to know what his neighbours are up to. For many of us, prying into other people's lives is a way of getting in trouble. For ministry men, it's a way of life.

Ends: All at sea 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 Edward Taylor and John Graham, and produced by Edward Taylor.

 

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