The Men From The Ministry

Series 10 (1974) 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.

Dilys Laye, guest star on 17.6.74

 

10/1 Plane Madness (17.6.74)

Starts: Time to meet The Men From The Ministry. Join us for another canter down the corridors of power with Norma Ronald, Ronald Baddiley, John Graham, Dilys Laye and The Men From The Ministry, Richard Murdoch and Deryck Guyler. In their office high above Whitehall, the General Assistance Department grapple constantly with the problems of modern Government. Some of their methods may occasionally seem baffling, but whatever they do, there's usually a good explanation.

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 Dilys Laye. The programme was written by Edward Taylor and John Graham, and produced by Edward Taylor.

 

10/2 Vipers In The Bosom (24.6.74)

Starts: Time to meet The Men From The Ministry. We're about to strike more low notes in high places, with Norma Ronald, Ronald Baddiley, John Graham, Hilary Pritchard and The Men From The Ministry, Richard Murdoch and Deryck Guyler. It's a busy life in The General Assistance Office, a constant round of problems, decisions, experiment and effort. But in the end there's the feeling of achievement. Something attempted, something done, has earned a night's repose.

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 Hilary Pritchard. The programme was written by Edward Taylor and John Graham, and produced by Edward Taylor.

 

10/3 Great Guns (1.7.74)

Starts: Time to meet The Men From The Ministry. We're off for another spin in Government circles with Norma Ronald, Ronald Baddiley, John Graham and The Men From The Ministry, Richard Murdoch and Deryck Guyler. In a tiny office high above Whitehall, the staff of the General Assistance Department battle with their daily problems. Traditionally, they work as a team, but sometimes there comes a point where the leader must decide on a firm line of action.

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

 

10/4 I Want My Mummy (8.7.74)

Starts: Time to meet The Men From The Ministry. Join us now for more low notes in high places, with Norma Ronald, Ronald Baddiley, John Graham, Hilary Pritchard and The Men From The Ministry, Richard Murdoch and Deryck Guyler. In the General Assistance Department, as in other Government offices, senior officials work long hours at high pressure. It's hardly surprising if sometimes the pace begins to tell and a top executive has a day off sick. On his return, anxious colleagues look to see if all is well.

Ends: On exhibition as The Men From The Ministry were Richard Murdoch and Deryck Guyler. Also featured were Norma Ronald, Ronald Baddiley, John Graham and Hilary Pritchard. The programme was written by Edward Taylor and John Graham, and produced by Edward Taylor.

 

10/5 One Man's Meat (15.7.74)

Starts: [Time to meet The Men From The Ministry.] Let's leap once again on the Whitehall whirligig, with Norma Ronald, Ronald Baddiley, John Graham and The Men From The Ministry, Richard Murdoch and Deryck Guyler. In the General Assistance Office, they are used to handling a wide range of jobs. This week, for instance, the Department of Nutrition have completed a survey of the nation's food and Lamb and Lennox-Brown helping them digest it.

Ends: Staking their all as The Men From The Ministry were Richard M[urdoch and Deryck Guyler. Also featured were Norma Ronald, Ronald B]addiley, John Graham. The programme was written by Edward Taylor and John Graham, and produced by Edward Taylor.

 

10/6 Ballet Nuisance (22.7.74)

Starts: Time to meet The Men From The Ministry. Join us now for another canter down the corridors of power, with Norma Ronald, Ronald Baddiley, John Graham and The Men From The Ministry, Richard Murdoch and Deryck Guyler. At the Ministry, dedicated men work long hours to guide the Ship of State through the proper channels and steer it safely up the creek. In the General Assistance Department, they tackle a multitude of problems.

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

 

10/7 Sky High (29.7.74)

Starts: Time to meet The Men From The Ministry. We're about to hear more low notes in high places, with Norma Ronald, Ronald Baddiley, John Graham and The Men From The Ministry, Richard Murdoch and Deryck Guyler. For the staff of the General Assistance Department, their office in Whitehall is a place beset with pressures and problems. It's a welcome break when some tasks take them outdoors, even it's only as far as a nearby building site.

Ends: Hitting the roof 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.

 

10/8 A Break For Sir Gregory (5.8.74)

[Richard Murdoch, Deryck Guyler, Norma Ronald, Ronald Baddiley, John Graham, Gillie Gratham]

 

10/9 Health and Deficiency (12.8.74)

Starts: Time to meet The Men From The Ministry. Join us again for a quick spin in Government circles, with Norma Ronald, Ronald Baddiley, John Graham, Mandy Cuthbert and The Men From The Ministry, Richard Murdoch and Deryck Guyler. In the General Assistance Office, Lennox-Brown and Lamb help any Ministry that's overloaded. Today they're involved with the Department of Health and Social Security, the people who ensure that if any citizen falls by the wayside he has at least filled in the proper forms first.

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 Mandy Cuthbert. The programme was written by Edward Taylor and John Graham, and produced by Edward Taylor.

 

10/10 Big Deal (19.8.74)

Starts: Time to meet The Men From The Ministry. We're off once again for a whiz round Whitehall, with Norma Ronald, Ronald Baddiley, John Graham and The Men From The Ministry, Richard Murdoch and Deryck Guyler. In the General Assistance Office, those tireless executives Lennox-Brown and Lamb receive a never-ending flow of jobs from the Permanent Under-Secretary. But do they ever complain? Do they ever grumble or moan? Well yes, as a matter of fact, they do.

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 Edward Taylor and John Graham, and produced by Edward Taylor.

 

10/11 They Fry By Night (26.8.74)

Starts: Time to meet The Men From The Ministry. We're off once again for a whiz around Whitehall with Norma Ronald, Ronald Baddiley, John Graham and The Men From The Ministry, Richard Murdoch and Deryck Guyler. In the General Assistance Department, those normally bright executives Lamb and Lennox-Brown seem worried and depressed.

Ends: In the soup 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.

 

10/12 In The Picture (2.9.74)

Starts: Time to meet The Men From The Ministry. Once more we're walking the Whitehall way, with Norma Ronald, Ronald Baddiley, John Graham and The Men From The Ministry, Richard Murdoch and Deryck Guyler. Throughout Government service, top executives work as a team. In the General Assistance Department especially, Lennox-Brown knows that he can enter his colleague's office at any time and find him eager and ready to help.

Ends: In the picture 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.

 

10/13 She'll Have To Go (9.9.74)
Starts: Time to meet The Men From The Ministry. We're off once again for a wander down Whitehall, with Norma Ronald, Ronald Baddiley, John Graham, Gillie Gratham and The Men From The Ministry, Richard Murdoch and Deryck Guyler. In the General Assistance Department, dedicated men work long hours in the public service. Not for them the rich rewards of power, wealth or fame. For Government officials, happiness is the satisfaction of a job well done, and the joy of hearing those few simple words that make it all worthwhile.
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 Gillie Gratham. 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