Summer Wine Decanted

“Summer Wine Decanted” is the title of the book based on my YouTube series. It is the story of the BBC TV sitcom Last of the Summer Wine from its humble start to becoming a world-wide favourite and the longest running situation comedy in the world.

It has biographies of the actors and covers every major character and many of the regular and occasional supporting characters appearing in the show’s 37 year run.

There is also an in-depth Trivia section, covering details you might find interesting, things you missed when you watched the show and behind-the-scenes secrets.

Available now on Amazon: Summer Wine Decanted: The Ultimate Guide to Last of the Summer Wine and at other online book stores

The "Summer Wine Decanted" book is available from Amazon and other online bookstores

Trenches and Trees

In August 1914, Lord Kitchener, the war minister, began a recruiting campaign calling for men aged between 19 and 30 to join the British Army.

Harry Williams, my Grandfather, was born in 1896 and volunteered for the army before his 19th birthday. Men could volunteer at age 18 but were not allowed to serve abroad until they were 19 years old. This did not deter Harry!

It is not an encyclopaedic record, but it is a true account of his army exploits. Despite his claim to be uneducated, his writing has a colourful style, punctuated by his unique humour and descriptive narrative of the often pitiful conditions he and his comrades were subjected to.

The Grimsby Evening Telegraph described it as
“a very emotional and sentimental read”

Grimsby Evening Telegraph

He recounts the challenge of telling his parents he had joined the Army, especially as his mother who was strongly against military service. Harry describes the early days of training, and the difficulties faced by new recruits adapting to harsh conditions and learning the unforgiving realities of military life.

Harry’s story provides a powerful and insightful portrayal of the realities of war, highlighting the courage, sacrifice, and camaraderie of the soldiers who fought on the Western Front.

Trenches and Trees book cover

Read more about Harry’s book on the Trenches and Trees web site.

The book is Available from Amazon and other online book stores.

Harry’s story vividly describes some events that no-one should ever be exposed to – let alone a teenage boy.

The Channel 4 TV web site described it as a
“Moving narrative history”

Channel 4 TV web site (Archived page)

They sent mere boys to fight a tragic war, one million British men never returned home.

More to come …

Sorry there has not been much happening here recently.

I have been researching for a new series of videos, the script is mostly complete, we are waiting for better weather before we can do any filming!

There are also a couple of other video series ideas in early stages of production.

There is even another extra episode of “Summer Wine Decanted” to come!

Meanwhile, the “Summer Wine Decanted” book is available from Amazon and many other online book stores.

The Christmas Episodes

  • Do you remember Foggy buying 100 Christmas trees?
  • Or Barry going missing on Christmas Day?
  • Or Howard trying to hide Christmas presents from the two women in his life?

As it’s the festive season, what better time to remember some classic Christmas “Last of the Summer Wine” episodes…

Bloopers – the bits you weren’t meant to see…

We spent about 30 days over a period of ten months in 2022 and 2023 filming for the “Summer Wine Decanted” series. It did not always go to plan. Here are some of the technical failures, fluffs and – as Dennis Norden would say – “cock-ups”… These are not the only out-takes, often what goes wrong is not captured by the camera!

If you watched the YouTube Premiere of “The Last Drop” then you may have already seen this as a bonus video!

The BBC TV sitcom “Last of the Summer Wine” was the longest-running comedy programme in Britain, and the longest running situation comedy in the world. The year 2023 marks 50 years since the pilot and first series were broadcast.

Remembering Alan J. W. Bell

Alan J.W. Bell has died on 19 October 2023, aged 85 after suffering from dementia.

Having just finished a series of videos documenting “Last of the Summer Wine” we thought it only right to honour him in a short video. This video takes a brief look at his career in television production from 1958, including producing and directing 250 episodes of “Last of the Summer Wine”.

The year 2023 marks 50 years since the pilot and first series of “Last of the Summer Wine” were broadcast. This series of videos is filmed in many of the well-known, and some less well-known, locations seen in the programme.

The Last Drop

“The Last Drop” will be a special YouTube Premiere on Sunday 29 October 2023, at 7:00pm (GMT)

This is the final episode in my “Summer Wine Decanted” series, so I went back to Holmfirth for one last time. While there I visited The Wrinkled Stocking Tearoom to meet someone who has been a fan of the show for forty years, appeared as an extra, and has helped with my research: Terry Bartlam.

If you join us at from about 5pm you can chat and leave messages. Peter and Leigh will be online to reply. During the Premiere you will be able to continue chatting and we will try and answer questions during the video. You can always leave comments and other questions in the comment section under the video after the Premiere has ended.

In the video we will also reveal some of what went in to making this series of videos, and some of what was cut out!

Special thanks to Dennis and Jackie Fussell at The Wrinkled Stocking Tearoom, and my guest Terry Bartlam

Summer Wine Decanted: The Ultimate Guide to Last of the Summer Wine

This is the story of the BBC TV sitcom Last of the Summer Wine from its humble start to becoming a world-wide favourite and the longest running situation comedy in the world.

The year 2023 marks 50 years since the pilot and first series were broadcast.

This book is based on my series of YouTube videos, with some additional details and updates. It has biographies of the actors and covers every major character and many of the regular and occasional supporting characters appearing in the show’s 37 year run.

There is also an in-depth Trivia section, covering details you might find interesting, things you missed when you watched the show and behind-the-scenes secrets.

Available now on Amazon: Summer Wine Decanted: The Ultimate Guide to Last of the Summer Wine

Front cover of the book "Summer Wine Decanted" showing a view of the Yorkshire town of Holmfirth taken from the cliffs on the south-east of the town
Front cover of Summer Wine Decanted – The ultimate Guide to Last of the Summer Wine

Summer Wine Decanted – Trivia: Series 26 to 31

In this video we will look at some of things you probably didn’t know or hadn’t noticed before – from continuity errors to behind-the-scenes secrets in series 26 to 31.

  • What was the original title of the series 27 episode “Follow That Bottle”?
  • In the series 28 episode “The Crowcroft Challenge”, did you spot the posters in the library for a newly published book by the wife of one of the stars?
  • Brian Conley played “Boothroyd”, a neighbour of Barry and Glenda, in the series 29 episode “Enter The Finger”, but who was the role was originally offered to?

The year 2023 marks 50 years since the pilot and first series of “Last of the Summer Wine” were broadcast. This series of videos is filmed in many of the well-known, and some less well-known, locations seen in the programme.