Colin Bean (Private Sponge) dies, aged 82
Long term supporter and great friend of the Society, Colin Bean died peacefully in Wigan infirmary on Saturday 20 June.

Colin's last major appearance was at Thetford's Dad's Army 40th celebrations where he spent most of the day signing autographs and chatting to fans and friends, as he sat at the 'Barmy Army Film Club's stand. He was the club's patron for many years. Colin had apeared in their 'Dad's Army' style productions which were all done to raise money for charity.
Colin was involved with the DAAS from the very beginning and at one stage was worried that the society was going to be a 'Colin Bean' show as he had so many mentions.
Colin was a great racontuer and speaker. He had a great voice for radio and spent the latter part of his career in that medium.
When health permited, Colin would perform his regular 'An Audience with Colin Bean', where he talked about his time on the programme that gave him some recognition, and would welcome questions from the audience.
Colin published a book 'Who Do You Think YOU ARE KIDDING' which ran for three editions

Ian Lavender appearing in Sister Act
Ian is currently enjoying a West End run of the successful musical Sister Act at the London Paladium.
Member Andrew Ruff managed to snap Ian before going to see it himself. 

1975 Stage Show Recording on CD! - Release date 13 April 2009
Warner Brothers have decided to release the 1975 Stage Show recording on CD.
This will be the original cast recording and identical to the vinyl version. We asked them to check if the original tapes contained some of the missing numbers and there was a slight glimmer of hope when some extra tapes were found, but they turned out to be something John Le Mesurier recorded, athough they are now contemplating releasing these as well in the future - I can't say anymore than that!
The catalgue number for this release is 5186536735

Click the Image to order from Amazon

BBC Archive Dad's Army material now available
The Press Office at the BBC have issued a release concerning a wealth of Dad's Army archive material to mark Dad's Army's 40th Anniversary.
The release reads as follows:
The BBC Archive remembers Dad's Army by releasing many never-before-seen documents and pictures which tell the story behind one of the UK's most-loved comedy series.
On 31 July 1968, TV viewers met a group of elderly soldiers and a "stupid boy" for the very first time.
Dad's Army became an instant classic with its gentle humour, nostalgia and pride in the men who gave their all for Britain, despite their limited means.
This new collection contains many items not available to the public until now, including candid post-war letters from the actors as they began their careers and internal BBC memos that show just how popular the series was right from the start.
A photo gallery also looks at the stars of the show from the first episode to the last, as well as taking a peek behind the scenes.
Discover why the famous title sequence generated heated debate
Read the press release which announced the very first episode
Find out what top BBC managers really thought of the series
The Dad's Army collection is part of the archive content the BBC will be making available to UK audiences this year.

Click here to go directly to the archive page

Mainwaring Statue proposed for Thetford Town Centre
Civic leaders in Thetford have given their wholehearted backing to the proposal to create a public reminder of the town's links with the ever popular BBC television series, which was filmed in the area for nearly ten years.
David Croft also gave his full support to the scheme to create a bronze statue of Capt Mainwaring - played by actor Arthur Lowe - sitting on a park bench in the town centre.
A public appeal is set to be launched to raise the estimated £20,000 for the sculpture.
The idea is the brainchild of town councillor and Thetford Society chairman Stuart Wright.
Mr Wright said he hoped the funding could be in place within the next two years for the statue on a grassed area off Bridge Street, between the Bell and Anchor Hotels, where the cast and crew stayed during filming between 1968 and 1977.
“It will be a good fun opportunity for people on the tour to have their photo taken sitting alongside a statue of Capt Mainwaring and hopefully it will become a bit of a magnet for tourism,” said Mr Wright.
Co-writer of Dad's Army David Croft, who lives at Honington, near Thetford, yesterday told the Eastern Daily Press: “I think it is a marvellous idea. We had ten years filming in Thetford and we had a great time. I am surprised and gratified that Dad's Army is still so popular. It is acquiring a new audience all the time because it is funny, a great laugh and for the whole family,” he said.
The statue plans received unanimous support from Thetford Town Councillors. (EDP 30.11.07)

Jones' Van on display
In the 2 June edition of the Birmingham Post there is a piece with the heading "Don't panic! Dad's Army van on show". The article goes on to say "The Patrick Motor Museum in Kings Norton, Birmingham is to re-open, as well as displaying vintage cars, there are such novelties as the original Corporal Jones van used in the Dad's Army TV series and the original Dr Who police box.
To arrange a visit call: 0121 459 4656.
(From Mike Smart - DAAS member)

The Dad's Army Play - coming to a theatre near you?
This year many Amateur Dramatic Societies around the country are performing the Dad's Army Play, consisting of 'The Deadly Attachment, Godiva Affair and Mum's Army.
This has been adapted by Jimmy Perry and David Croft, following the success of Ian Gower's original adaptation performed by the Tring Festival Company at the Pendley Theatre, Tring in April 2002 as 'A Tribute to Dad's Army'. The same company performed 'Dad's Army, The Lost Episodes' in October 2003 for ten performances with even greater success.

The Hincley Concordia Theatre, Stockwell Haed, Hinckley, Leicestershire LE10 1RE (a registered Charity, and run completely by volunteers). Saturday 28 March to Saturday 4 April 2009. Box Office: 01455 615 005 website: www.concordiatheatre.co.uk
 

An artists impression of the proposed Mainwaring statue for Thetford