The gentle satire and images of old-fashioned
British life made The Men From The Ministry popular in
places far from Whitehall. In South Africa, Springbok
Radio broadcast a locally produced version of The Men From
The Ministry from 1968 to station closure in 1985. The
popular series was subsequently
revived
on Radio South Africa and 71 new episodes were produced and
broadcast between 1993 and 1995. There were over 900 episodes in
all, an astonishing number, and certainly a testament to the
skill and broad public appeal of all those involved.
The Men From The Ministry is still fondly
remembered by many South Africans.
Robin
Davis gives an excellent illustrated description. Further
information about Springbok Radio programmes is presented on the
Pumamouse,
Richard Sutherland and
The
Avengers on the Radio websites. (The Springbok Radio logo
above is reproduced courtesy of Alan Hayes from The Avengers
on the Radio website.)
The main characters were the familiar ones from the BBC
episodes, but played by South African actors. A few episodes were remade
from BBC scripts, but the majority were locally written.
The cast of the South African The Men From The Ministry were:
| Character | Actor |
|---|
| Roland Lennox-Brown | John Simpson |
| Richard Lamb | Roger Service |
| Mildred Murfin | Maureen Adair |
| Sir Gregory Pitkin | Tom Meehan |
| Supporting characters | Tommy Read, Pat Simpson, Frank Graham |
| Producer | Tom Meehan |
| Writers | Tom Meehan, John Simpson, Brian
Squires, Margaret Milner-Smythe |
| | Edward Taylor, Johnny Mortimer,
Brian Cooke (BBC) |
Details of the broadcast schedules of the South African
series of The Men From The Ministry are not known at present. The
following is a list of available recordings. The episodes differ in
presentation details, and come from several different broadcast seasons.
A few are remakes from BBC scripts. Several episodes have major sponsors,
for example, Wesclox and Benson & Hedges. Most recordings are undated
and the titles are unofficial.
The author would appreciate receiving further details or
recollections of the South African broadcasts of The Men From The
Ministry. Please write to Gary Schajer, gary@schajer.com.
| Title | Notes |
|---|
| Moderately Important Person | remade from BBC episode 1/6 |
| Sort Out Records Room | remade from BBC episode 2/11 |
| Visit To America | remade from BBC episode 3/5 |
| Finding Location Of New Airport | remade from BBC episode 3/9 |
| Problem With Submarines | remade from BBC episode 4/2 |
| The Moon Shot | remade from BBC episode 4/11 |
| Left to Their Own Devices | remade from BBC episode 5/5 |
| Full Of Energy | remade from BBC episode 13/2 |
| Refuse Modernisation | remade from BBC episode ? |
| The Spingle Factory | |
| Cows Can Be Trouble (c.1969) | |
| The Party (30.11.69) | |
| Fancy Dress Ball | |
| Fowls, Birds | |
| Nudist Camp | |
| New Year's Eve Party (28.12.69) | |
| Nerve Gas | Sponsored by Wesclox |
| In The Army | Sponsored by Wesclox |
| The Rose Problem | Sponsored by Wesclox |
| No.2 Becomes A Jockey | Sponsored by Wesclox |
| Animals For The Zoo | Sponsored by Benson & Hedges |
| House Fraud | Sponsored by Benson & Hedges |
| Red Shadow (21.3.70) | Sponsored by Benson & Hedges |
| Mixed In With The Fruits | |
| Untitled | |
Transcripts of Opening and Closing Announcements
The following transcripts of the opening and closing
announcements are taken from available recordings.
| Moderately Important Person (remade from BBC episode 1/6
Moderately Important Person) |
| Starts: [General Assistance Department, No.1 speaking.
Hello,] this is No.2. Pitkin here. These are The Men From The Ministry. We
present The Men From The Ministry, a weekly tribute to the men of the
Government service, that intricate cobweb of departments, committees and
subcommittees, all of whom keep minutes and most of whom waste hours.
|
| Ends: Smoking the bubble pipe tonight as The Men From The
Ministry were John Simpson and Roger Service. Also featured were Maureen
Adair, Tommy Read, Tom Meehan and Pat Simpson. The programme was written by
Johnny Mortimer, Brian Cooke and Edward Taylor. |
| Sort Out Records Room (remade from BBC episode 2/11
A Back-Dated Problem) |
| Starts: It's time to meet The Men From The Ministry. We
present The Men From The Ministry, a weekly tribute to the men of the
Government service, 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: Battling through as The Men From The
Ministry were John Simpson and Roger Service. Also featured were Maureen
Adair, Tommy Read, Tom Meehan and Pat Simpson. The programme was written by
Johnny Mortimer, Brian Cooke and Edward Taylor. The Men From The Ministry was
produced by Tom Meehan, and recorded in the Durban studios of CTV by Cyril
Kay. |
| Visit To America (remade from BBC episode 3/5
Bowler Hats and Sub Machine Guns) |
| Starts: It's time to meet The Men From The Ministry. We
present The Men From The Ministry, a weekly tribute to the men of the
Government service, men who keep the machinery of Government in the right
gear: striped trousers, black jackets and bowler hats. Some offices may be
cluttered and untidy, but in General Assistance Department they're always
putting things in order. |
| Ends: [Exercised in mind as The Men From The Ministry were
John Simpson and Roger Service. Also featured were Maureen Adair, Tommy
Read, Tom Meehan and Pat Simpson.] The programme was written by Johnny
Mortimer, Brian Cooke and Edward Taylor. The Men From The Ministry was
produced by Tom Meehan, and recorded in the Durban studios of CTV by Cyril
Kay. |
| Finding Location Of New Airport (remade from BBC episode 3/9
Customs Of The Country) |
| Starts: It's time to meet The Men From The Ministry. We
present The Men From The Ministry, a weekly tribute to the men of the
Government service, upright men, each able at the slightest hint of scandal
to clap his hands to his head and say "There's nothing in it." Our story,
as usual, centres on the General Assistance Department, through
which there passes every week a constant stream of papers. Each paper is
carefully studied by top executives, and if anything is missing they will
not rest until they have found it. |
| Ends: Contesting everything as The Men From The Ministry were
John Simpson and Roger Service. Also featured were Maureen Adair, Tommy
Read, Tom Meehan and Pat Simpson. The programme was written by Johnny
Mortimer, Brian Cooke and Edward Taylor. The Men From The Ministry was
produced by Tom Meehan, and recorded in the Durban studios of CTV by Cyril
Kay. |
| Problem With Submarines (remade from BBC episode 4/2
The Tubby Submarine) |
| Starts: [It's time to meet The Men From The Ministry.] We
present The Men From The Ministry, a weekly tribute to the men of the
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 are studying some ... figures. |
| Ends: Muddling though as The Men From The Ministry were John
Simpson and Roger Service. Also featured were Maureen Adair, Tommy Read, Tom
Meehan and Pat Simpson. The programme was written by Johnny Mortimer, Brian
Cooke and Edward Taylor. The Men From The Ministry was produced by Tom
Meehan, and recorded in the Durban studios of CTV by Cyril Kay. |
| The Moon Shot (remade from BBC episode 4/11
Out Of This World) |
| Starts: It's time to meet The Men From The Ministry. We
present The Men From The Ministry, a weekly tribute to the men of the
Government service, men who are often compared to bungalows, square, detached
and not much on 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 John
Simpson and Roger Service. Also featured were Maureen Adair, Tommy Read, Tom
Meehan and Pat Simpson. The programme was written by Johnny Mortimer, Brian
Cooke and Edward Taylor. |
| Left to Their Own Devices (remade from BBC episode 5/5 The Home-Brewed Non-Vintage Bomb) |
| Starts: ... secretary Mildred Murfin telling junior executive
Richard Lamb a few things about wasted manpower. |
| Ends: Left to their own devices as The Men From The Ministry
tonight were John Simpson and Roger Service. Having a wine or two were
Maureen Adair, Tommy Read, and Tom Meehan. Script by Edward Taylor, adaptation
and direction by Brian Squires, and production by Tom Meehan. Join the whole
mad bunch at the same time next week for another romp down the corridors of
power with The Men From The Ministry. |
| Full Of Energy (remade from BBC episode 13/2 Horseplay) |
| Starts: ... And now Springbok Radio invites you to lean back,
put your feet up and spend the next half hour with the bowler, brolly and
briefcase brigade, The Men From the Ministry. Once again our story takes us
to that hive of industry, the General Assistance Department in Whitehall.
There we find senior executive, Roland Lennox-Brown, his normal industrious
ebullient self. |
| Ends: Full of energy as The Men From The Ministry tonight were
John Simpson and Roger Service. Coming in last were Maureen Adair, Tommy
Read, and Tom Meehan. Script by Edward Taylor and John Graham, with
adaptation and direction by Brian Squires. Join the whole mad bunch at the
same time next week for another romp down the corridors of power with The Men
From The Ministry. |
| Refuse Modernisation (remade from BBC episode ?) |
| Starts: It's time to meet The Men From The Ministry. We
present The Men From The Ministry, a weekly tribute to the men of the
Government service, men who jump at the prospect of hard work, and twitch if
there's 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. |
| Ends: As usual, as The Men From The Ministry were John
Simpson and Roger Service. Also featured were Maureen Adair, Tommy Read, Tom
Meehan and Pat Simpson. The programme was written by Johnny Mortimer, Brian
Cooke and Edward Taylor. |
| The Spingle Factory |
| Starts: General Assistance Department, No.1 speaking. Hello,
this is No.2. Pitkin here. These are The Men From The Ministry. We present
The Men From The Ministry, a weekly tribute to the men of the Government
service, men who look tall, stand tall, think tall, men of Whitehall. In the
General Assistance Department, communications are not always sharp and to the
point. |
| Ends: Stepping up production tonight as The Men From The
Ministry were John Simpson and Roger Service. Also on the assembly line were
Maureen Adair, Tommy Read, Tom Meehan and Pat Simpson. The Men From The
Ministry was written and produced by Tom Meehan in the Durban studios of
Springbok Radio Productions. |
| Cows Can Be Trouble (c.1969) |
| Starts: General Assistance Department, No.1 speaking. Hello,
this is No.2. Pitkin here. These are The Men From The Ministry. We present
The Men From The Ministry, a weekly tribute to the men of the Government
service, those unseen heroes, without whose efforts the country's
administration would go from bad to better. Once again, we join executive
Richard Lamb and secretary Mildred Murfin in the General Assistance
Department, the very nerve centre of Whitehall. |
| Ends: ... |
| The Party (30.11.69) |
| Starts: [General Assistance Department, No.1 speaking. Hello,
this is No.2. Pitkin here. These are The Men From The Ministry.] We present
The Men From The Ministry, a weekly tribute to the men of the Government
service; those men whose work conforms to a strict standard of outstandard
truth. Life is not always smooth and routine in Whitehall's General
Assistance Department. Today, for example, there's a shock waiting for
executive Richard Lamb. |
| Ends: Cruising through the tunnel today as The Men From The
Ministry were John Simpson and Roger Service. And in the next boat were
Maureen Adair, Tommy Read, Tom Meehan and Pat Simpson. |
| Fancy Dress Ball |
| Starts: General Assistance Department, No.1 speaking. Hello,
this is No.2. Pitkin here. These are The Men From The Ministry. We present
The Men From The Ministry, a weekly tribute to the men of the Government
service, highland heroes who toil ever onward, ever onward, unseen, unsung,
and as yet unhung. Our story opens as usual in the General Assistance
Department, where Mildred Murfin and Richard Lamb are helping to create a new
image for those who govern the nation. |
| Ends: Having a ball as The Men From The Ministry were John
Simpson and Roger Service. Behind masks were Maureen Adair, Tommy Read, Tom
Meehan and Pat Simpson. The Men From The Ministry was written by John Simpson
and Brian Squires and produced by Tom Meehan in the Durban studios of
Springbok Radio Productions. |
| Fowls, Birds |
| Starts: General Assistance Department, No.1 speaking. Hello,
this is No.2. Pitkin here. These are The Men From The Ministry. Once again,
we meet those hard-pressed Government officials who are always deeply submerged
in their work, they never surface before eleven. We take you now to the arena
where the fight goes on to keep the country's wheels of administration turning,
ever turning. |
| Ends: Ripe for the plucking as The Men From The Ministry were
John Simpson and Roger Service. Perched up alongside were Maureen Adair, Tommy
Read, Tom Meehan and Pat Simpson. The Men From The Ministry was written by
John Simpson and produced by Tom Meehan in the Durban studios of Springbok
Radio Productions. |
| Nudist Camp |
| Starts: General Assistance Department, No.1 speaking. Hello,
this is No.2. Pitkin here. These are The Men From The Ministry. We present
The Men From The Ministry, a weekly tribute to the men of the Government
service, men who are often compared to corset fitters; they can always push a
problem out of sight by pulling a few strings. The atmosphere in the General
Assistance Department is hushed and tense. Secretary Mildred Murfin watches
wide-eyed as executive Richard Lamb conducts a highly involved experiment in
the botanical field.
|
| Ends: Seeking the secret of eternal youth tonight as The Men
From The Ministry were John Simpson and Roger Service. And draining the dregs
were Maureen Adair, Tommy Read, Tom Meehan and Pat Simpson. The Men From The
Ministry was written by Margaret Milner-Smythe and Tom Meehan, who also
produced the show in the Durban studios of Springbok Radio Productions.
|
| New Year's Eve Party (28.12.69) |
| Starts: General Assistance Department, No.1 speaking. Hello,
this is No.2. Pitkin here. These are The Men From The Ministry. We present
The Men From The Ministry, a weekly tribute to the men of the Government
service, men known never at a loss to the solution to a vital state problem,
men who are never at a loss over a tricky national economic problem, men who,
when it comes to a problem with the petty cash, are never at a loss. This
week we find top-level executive Richard Lamb and secretary Mildred Murfin
meticulously planning the department's activities for the coming year.
|
| Ends: Piping in the haggis tonight as The Men From The
Ministry were John Simpson and Roger Service. And paying the piper were
Maureen Adair, Tommy Read, Tom Meehan and Pat Simpson. The Men From The
Ministry was written by John Simpson and produced by Tom Meehan in the Durban
studios of Springbok Radio Productions. |
| Nerve Gas |
| (It's almost time for those Men From The Ministry. Yes. The
Wesclox time signal says a quarter to nine on all Wesclox.) |
| Starts: General Assistance Department, No.1 speaking. Hello,
this is No.2. Pitkin here. These are The Men From The Ministry. We present
The Men From The Ministry, a weekly tribute to the men of the Government
service, men sworn to secrecy about all top-level matters, and that includes
the ministry roof at lunchtime. Our story takes us, as usual, to the General
Assistance Department in Whitehall. Enter Richard Lamb, second-in-command.
|
| Ends: Up to scratch as The Men From The Ministry were John
Simpson and Roger Service. And itching to be with them were Maureen Adair,
Tommy Read, Tom Meehan and Pat Simpson. The Men From The Ministry was written
by Brian Squires and produced by Tom Meehan in the Durban studios of Springbok
Radio Productions. |
| In The Army |
| (... an accurate time signal. Right time by Wesclox chime: a
quarter to nine on all Wesclox.) |
| Starts: General Assistance Department, No.1 speaking. Hello,
this is No.2. Pitkin here. These are The Men From The Ministry. We present
The Men From The Ministry, a weekly tribute to the men of the Government
service, men who are always intent on getting ahead, but they never seem to
acquire one. Eavesdropping in the General Assistance Department, we find
secretary Mildred Murfin laying down the law to executive Richard Lamb.
|
| Ends: On parade as The Men From The Ministry were John Simpson
and Roger Service. Closing up the ranks were Corporal Maureen Adair, Second-
Lieutenant Tommy Read, Private Tom Meehan and Sergeant Pat Simpson. The Men
From The Ministry was written and produced by Tom Meehan in the Durban studios
of Springbok Radio Productions. |
| The Rose Problem |
| (And by Wesclox chime: eight forty-five on all
Wesclox.) |
| Starts: General Assistance Department, No.1 speaking. Hello,
this is No.2. Pitkin here. These are The Men From The Ministry. We present
The Men From The Ministry, a weekly tribute to the men of the Government
service, men who work to a strict code of honour, unless, of course, they are
prevented from doing so by a code in the nose. In the General Assistance
Department, as in all ministerial offices, the utmost care and precision is
needed for even the smallest task. |
| Ends: At the wheel of the black Maria as The Men From The
Ministry were John Simpson and Roger Service. In the back were Maureen Adair,
Tommy Read, Tom Meehan and Pat Simpson. The Men From The Ministry was written
by Brian Squires and produced by Tom Meehan in the Durban studios of Springbok
Radio Productions. |
| No.2 Becomes A Jockey |
| (Now, you're tuned to Springbok radio, your favourite station for
brighter broadcasting. The right time by Wesclox chime: a quarter to nine on
all Wesclox.) |
| Starts: General Assistance Department, No.1 speaking. Hello,
this is No.2. Pitkin here. These are The Men From The Ministry. We present
The Men From The Ministry, a weekly tribute to the men of the Government
service, men who never work by the clock, the ticking keeps them awake. Here,
once again, in the General Assistance Department we find that young and
enthusiastic official Richard Lamb smoothing out the wrinkles of office.
|
| Ends: In the saddle as The Men From The Ministry were John
Simpson and Roger Service. And shortening the odds were Maureen Adair, Tommy
Read, Tom Meehan and Pat Simpson. |
| Animals For The Zoo |
| Starts: General Assistance Department, No.1 speaking. Hello,
this is No.2. Pitkin here. Excuse me. Not at the moment. The makers of
Benson and Hedges cigarettes invite you to lean back, light up a cigarette,
and eavesdrop on the lives of the men who refuse to take it lying down. Tea
tastes so much better sitting up. They are The Men From The Ministry. The
motto of the General Assistance Department is "A Healthy Never Mind in a
Healthy Body." Today we find executive Richard Lamb explaining to Secretary
Mildred Murfin exactly how to cultivate a body beautiful. |
| Ends: On safari tonight as The Men From The Ministry were John
Simpson and Roger Service. Darting along behind were Maureen Adair, Tommy
Read, Tom Meehan and Pat Simpson. Join us again next Saturday at nine for
another half-hour radio smoke-break brought to you by the makers of Benson and
Hedges cigarettes. This edition of the Men From The Ministry was written and
produced by Tom Meehan, who will do his best to round up the characters for
another show next week at the same time. Coming along ? Great! Good night.
|
| House Fraud |
| Starts: General Assistance Department, No.1 speaking. Hello,
this is No.2. Pitkin here. Excuse me. Oh no, not on your life my friend.
The makers of Benson and Hedges cigarettes invite you to lean back, light up a
cigarette, and eavesdrop on the lives of the men who have the answer to any
question. Usually it's "I don't know." They are The Men From The Ministry.
Now, today in the General Assistance Department, we find executive Richard
Lamb keeping up with the tempo of modern life. |
| Ends: On the treadmill tonight as The Men From The Ministry
were John Simpson and Roger Service. Also tearing the place apart were
Maureen Adair, Tommy Read, Tom Meehan and Pat Simpson. Join The Men From The
Ministry at this time next week for another half-hour radio smoke-break
brought to you by the makers of Benson and Hedges cigarettes. Tonight's Men
From The Ministry was written and produced by Tom Meehan. We had a lot of
fun, and hope you did too. Joining us again next Saturday night at nine ?
Great! Good night. |
| Red Shadow (21.3.70) |
| Starts: General Assistance Department, No.1 speaking. Hello,
this is No.2. Pitkin here. Excuse me. Just a moment please. The makers of
Benson and Hedges cigarettes invite you to lean back, light up a cigarette,
and eavesdrop on the lives of the bowler and brolly brigade. They are The Men
From The Ministry. Today we leave the civil service workers to their work
while we look apon the civil service players at play. A rehearsal of the
civil service operatic society. |
| Ends: Humping along as The Men From The Ministry tonight were
John Simpson and Roger Service. The last straw on the camel's back were
Maureen Adair, Tommy Read, Tom Meehan and Pat Simpson. Join us again next
Saturday at nine for another half-hour radio smoke-break from the makers of
Benson and Hedges cigarettes. John Simpson and Tom Meehan wrote tonight's Men
From The Ministry script. Tom Meehan produced it before a wonderful audience.
Joining us again next Saturday night ? Great! See you then. |
| Mixed In With The Fruits |
| Starts: [General Assistance Department, No.1 speaking. Hello,
this is No.2. Pitkin here.] ... now. May I suggest something? Certainly
not, no because Springbok Radio are about to invite our listeners to lean
back, put their feet up and spend the next half hour with the bowler, brolly
and briefcase brigade, The Men From the Ministry. This week our story takes
us to one of nerve centres of the Civil Service, the office of the Minister of
Trade, where we find the Minister in urgent consultation with Permanent Under-
Secretary Sir Gregory Pitkin. |
| Ends: Mixed in with the fruits as The Men From The Ministry
tonight were John Simpson and Roger Service. Avoiding a punch-up were Maureen
Adair, Tommy Read, and Tom Meehan. Script and production by Tom Meehan,
direction by Brian Squires. Join the whole mad bunch at the same time next
week for another romp down the corridors of power with The Men From The
Ministry. |
| Untitled |
| Starts: [General Assistance Department, No.1 speaking. Hello,
this is No.2. Pitkin here.] ... put their feet up and spend the next half hour
with the bowler, brolly and briefcase brigade, The Men From the Ministry.
This week our story takes us for a start to the hive of industry, not the General
Assistance Department in Whitehall, but to the office of the Minister for the
Interior, where we find the Minister himself in urgent consultation with Permanent
Under-Secretary Sir Gregory Pitkin. |
| Ends: ... |
Return to The Men From The Ministry home page
This page was compiled by Gary Schajer, Vancouver, Canada.
gary@schajer.com
