If you only have a passing acquaintance with British comedy history, you’ll have heard of Ray Galton and Alan Simpson; Frank Muir and Denis Norden; and John Sullivan.
But you may not be familiar with names like . . . Ian Davidson, John Junkin, Dick Vosburgh, Wally Malston, Spike Mullins and Neil Shand – just a few of the productive funny men who, having written acres of material for the TV and radio comedians of previous decades, have all gone to that great ‘Writer’s Room’ in the sky!
It’s unfair their creativity has been overlooked, when you consider their massive output from the 1960s up to the early 2000s, when most comics dispensed with writers and ploughed their own furrows.
Whether that lack of writer/comedian collaboration led to a drop in quality control is not for me to say.
But, during the years that TV entertainment shows devoured material, the writers mentioned above, together with dozens more, ensured comedians had a constant supply of gags and carefully scripted adlibs.
Each writer took a different route to becoming a ‘jokesmith’.
Ian Davidson knew some of the Pythons at university, worked with them for a while, then wrote for Dave Allen and many other comics before becoming a BBC Script Editor.
Wally Malston was a dental technician before writing countless episodes of “3-2-1” and “Winner Takes All!”.
Before entering the comedy world, John Junkin was a teacher.
While working as a labourer, Spike Mullins read a magazine interview with Max Bygraves, in which he said he was looking for gag writers.
Spike sent some sample jokes to Max’s agent and received a letter from the entertainer inviting him to Nottingham, where he was appearing in a summer show.
It wasn’t long before Spike swapped labouring on a building site to labouring over a typewriter as a full-time writer. He went on to create the now classic ‘Ronnie Corbett In The Chair’ monologues for ‘The Two Ronnies’.
Chances are, the funny lines these gents created made you laugh out loud and forget your problems on many occasions.
That’s reason enough for them not to be forgotten . . .

At the weekend, I had the pleasure of attending the 40th wedding anniversary celebration of my dear friends, Robert and Carol Lloyd, who reside in the charming little fishing town of Llanelli.
Now, let’s be honest, 40 years of marriage is no small feat.
In fact, someone quipped, “You get less time for murder!”
But if you ask me, this milestone is certainly worth shouting from the rooftops and celebrating in style.
Robert and Carol have shown us all what true commitment looks like.
Their unwavering dedication to each other and their family values are a shining example for the rest of us, and let’s face it, many of us (especially the younger generations) could use a little inspiration.
Watching them together, it’s clear that they’ve mastered the art of partnership,  complete with laughter, love, and the occasional playful eye roll.
As they enter what I like to call “injury time” in their marriage, it’s heartwarming to see how their values and traits are being passed down to the younger generations within their family.
It’s a beautiful reminder that love, commitment, and a good sense of humour are the cornerstones of a lasting relationship.
So here’s to Robert and Carol!
May your love continue to flourish, and may we all learn a thing or two from your incredible journey together.
Cheers to many more years of happiness, laughter, and perhaps a few more “injury time” celebrations!

Recently, when discussing stand-up comedy with a writer friend, he revealed that more than 40 years ago he’d wanted to be a comedian.
As the first step to achieving his ambition, he entered a talent competition.
It didn’t work out well.
But, he recounted the experience with such candid good humour, I’m passing it on as a cautionary tale to anyone thinking of taking up comedy as a career.
In 1982, while holding down a nine-to-five job, he’d had some success writing jokes for TV entertainment shows, but hadn’t sold one for more than a year.
Eager to prove he hadn’t ‘lost’ his talent for creating humour, when he saw an advertisement in his local paper for a ‘Grand Talent Contest’ at the local theatre, he applied, started writing an act and spent two months rehearsing it every night after work and at weekends.
On the first heat he was booked to appear in, although terrified, his nerves didn’t fail him and he immediately started getting laughs, which continued for the next 15 minutes.
He came second, won £40 and was asked to return for the final two weeks later.
Unfortunately he was inexperienced. Any professional comedian would have advised him to stick to the act that he’d spent two months learning, but he wrote and attempted to learn a brand new 15-minute act in a fortnight!
At the final, the moment he walked on stage his mind went blank and he forgot his opening line, then bungled the next joke.
For comedians, a minute on stage without a laugh is an eternity.
Panicking, he brought forward what he thought was a surefire gag from the end of his act, delivered it badly and (with his routine now hopelessly out of order) he had no idea what his next line was.
So he said, “Goodnight”, walked off to the sound of his own footsteps, and went home!
Looking back, he has no regrets, believing the experience helped sharpen his writing skills.
But, occasionally, he does wonder what would have happened if he had stuck to the act that won him £40!

Do you read reviews?
If you’re anything like me, the answer is a resounding yes.
On those rare occasions when I find myself shopping online, I dive into the sea of reviews, good, bad, and everything in between.
There’s something incredibly reassuring about a glowing review that can brighten your day and guide your choices.
This got me thinking: with so many local businesses working tirelessly to stay afloat during these challenging times, we all have the power to make a difference with just a few words.
If you’ve enjoyed a delicious meal, received exceptional service, or simply felt valued as a customer, why not take a moment to share your experience?
A short, well-crafted review on social media, Google, or TripAdvisor could be the lifeline that helps a local business thrive instead of merely survive.
Imagine the impact of spreading positivity!
Instead of getting caught up in the constant moaning culture, let’s celebrate the good deeds happening around us.
A simple review can uplift a business owner’s spirits and encourage them to keep going, knowing their hard work is appreciated.
So, why not make it your mission this week to help our local business community?
Whether it’s a cosy café, a charming boutique, or a fantastic service provider, your kind words could make all the difference.
Let’s rally together, share the love, and show our support for the businesses that make our community vibrant and unique.
After all, a little positivity goes a long way!

Whatever you think of the internet, it’s an incredible source of information.
Where that information comes from and its accuracy, is up for discussion. But not here.
With limitless information available to us by pressing a button, it’s remarkable and refreshing that at least one national newspaper publishes a daily “Notes And Queries” page.
It’s a brilliantly simple format.
Every day they print two or three queries sent in by readers, as well as helpful information that knowledgeable readers have sent in to answer previous queries.
Apart from the usual questions about sporting achievements and statistics and ‘How many actors have played Dracula on screen?’, there are plenty of bizarre examples that make you wonder why anyone would genuinely want to know the answers.
Such as, “Who was the first person to look at their reflection in a mirror?” and “What is the furthest distance a Wellington boot full of custard has been thrown by an individual?”
Some months ago, a reader of one such newspaper asked, “Who wrote the poem that starts ‘I was born when she kissed me’?
Knowing very little about poetry, I might have taken a wild guess at Wordsworth or Alfred Lord Tennyson.
But around two weeks later another reader clarified that it wasn’t a poem, but a quotation* from the 1950 film “In A Lonely Place” starring Humphrey Bogart, which at that time I had never heard of.
I’ve now seen it and it’s fantastic, although very dark, not to say bleak. And the central character is hard to empathise with.
I’m not selling it, am I?
Humphrey Bogart plays a troubled Hollywood screenwriter suspected of murder. His new lover, played by the wonderful Gloria Grahame, believes he’s innocent, but is frightened by his violent outburst.
And there’s a whammo of a twist in the final minutes.
If you haven’t seen it, try and track it down,  but don’t expect too many laughs.
*The full quotation is…“I was born when she kissed me. I died when she left me. I lived for a few weeks while she loved me”. Man, if that’s not poetry, I don’t know what is!

In a heartwarming display of community spirit, ex-soldier Joe Williams, owner of GI Joe Personal Training, is making waves with his incredible commitment to raising awareness and funds for veterans.
Over coffee this week, I learned about Joe’s ambitious goal: to complete three Ironman triathlons in one year, a feat that showcases not only his physical endurance but also his deep compassion for those who have served our country.
Having already conquered two Ironman competitions, Joe is now gearing up for his final challenge.
His motivation? To shine a light on the struggles faced by thousands of ex-veterans who often find themselves forgotten after their service.
“They fought for us, but who’s fighting for them now?” Joe passionately stated. His words resonate deeply, as he reflects on the discipline and pride that come with military service, and the harsh realities many veterans face upon returning home.
Joe’s mission is clear: “I’m racing in three full Ironman events this year, not for the medals, but for the veterans that are left behind.”
He highlights the issues of PTSD, homelessness, and lack of support that many veterans endure, urging the community to take action. “You don’t have to swim 2.4 miles or run a marathon after 112 miles on a bike. You just have to care.”
As Joe prepares for his final Ironman, he embodies the spirit of resilience and kindness that exists within our community.
His dedication to helping veterans is truly inspiring, reminding us all of the worthy individuals among us who deserve recognition and support.
Let’s rally behind Joe and his cause, donate, share, and help a veteran get their life back on track. What an amazing human being!

Some West End and touring musicals are being interrupted by rowdy audience members who treat the performance as part of their hen or birthday celebration and, already full of prosecco, neck more from plastic cups as they rudely join in with every song.
But bad audience etiquette isn’t a modern trend . . .
In Shakespeare’s day, audiences had to stand all the way through his often-lengthy plays, which explains why they became irritable and shouted insults to the players like “Oi! Are we going to be here ‘til Twelfth Night?” and “Your acting is much ado about nothing, mate!”
Victorian Music Hall audiences could be brutal to comedians and it’s said that the crowds who frequented the Glasgow Empire threw iron rivets at comics who failed to tickle their funny bones.
Apart from drunks, audiences today also suffer from idiots leaving their phones on “Because I’m expecting an important call!”.
In which case, you plonker, why go to the theatre?
Several leading actors have had audience members ejected for speaking on their phones during their performance, quite rightly.
A story a mate recently told me vividly illustrates how some individuals leave their manners at home once they’re part of an audience.
A couple he knows were staying at one of those hotels that rhyme with Lorna Pleasure.
Not that I’m familiar with a lady with that name, you understand!
At the evening cabaret show, 10 minutes into the Michael Buble-style singer’s act, the husband’s phone rang.
Instead of switching it off, as you or I would, he got up, walked to the side of the stage, engaged his son, who’d called him, in conversation and said, not in a whisper, “It’s alright. The singer’s not very good, anyway!”
He was completely oblivious that the audience and the performer could hear every word.
What’s shocking is, the ‘culprit’ himself related this story to my mate and when asked if he regretted spoiling the show for other people and insulting the performer, he shrugged and said, “Well. the singer wasn’t very good!” – as if that excused his appalling behaviour.
For once, folks, words fail me…

Well now, here’s one for the books.
While most of us were busy dodging August showers and complaining about the price of butter,  an international gaggle of astronomers (including a few bright sparks from Galway) have gone and discovered a baby planet.
Can you believe it?
They’re calling it WISPIT 2b, which sounds less like a celestial marvel and more like the code on a bus ticket from Eyre Square to Knocknacarra.
But this little fella is no ordinary find.
At just five million years old, it’s barely out of cosmic nappies, yet already puffed up to the size of Jupiter. Typical young lad, all gas and no substance.
The discovery was made with something called the Very Large Telescope in Chile’s Desert. (You’d think scientists could have come up with a more imaginative name, maybe “The Massive Yoke”)
Anyway, they spotted the planet glowing in the dark, like the neighbour’s bathroom light at 3am.
And, get this, the young planet is sitting in a colossal disc of dust and gas.
Imagine a hula-hoop so big you’d need the Galway-Dublin train to get halfway around it.
The scientists were hoping for a small speck but instead got a whole cosmic maternity ward.
Dr Christian Ginski, from the University of Galway, described the moment as “remarkable.”
Which is scientist speak for: Holy Moses, we didn’t expect that.
So there you have it.
While we’re at home worrying about the cost of living, somewhere 430 light years away, a baby planet is finding its feet.
Don’t expect it to visit Ballinasloe Fair any time soon though, it’s still busy forming its atmosphere.