The Classic BBC Radio Sitcom

The Navy Lark: Series 1 and 2

The first two series of the vintage seafaring comedy &ndash; plus Special The Wrens&rsquo; Reunion 
 
One of BBC Radio&rsquo;s most popular and long-running sitcoms, The Navy Lark sailed the airwaves for an impressive 15 series between 1959 and 1977. Included here are the complete Series 1 and 2, featuring the madcap escapades of the merry crew of HMS Troutbridge, a Royal Navy frigate based on an unnamed island just off Portsmouth. Also featured is a special episode, The Wrens&rsquo; Reunion, recorded at the Royal Festival Hall to celebrate 21 years of the Women's Royal Naval Service. 
 
It&rsquo;s laughs ahoy as we meet conniving Chief Petty Officer Jon Pertwee, silly-ass Sub-Lieutenant Leslie Phillips, put-upon Commander &lsquo;Thunderguts&rsquo; Povey (Richard Caldicot) and the constantly bemused 'Number One' (Dennis Price in Series 1 and Stephen Murray in Series 2). Below decks Ronnie Barker is just about working his passage as (Un)Able Seaman 'Fatso' Johnson, while Tenniel Evans and Michael Bates are making mischief in a variety of roles &ndash; and keeping them all on their toes is Wren Heather Chasen. 
 
Superbly remastered and restored, these 43 classic shows are as hilarious as when they were first broadcast &ndash; so jump on deck and enjoy the maritime mirth, mayhem and misadventure! 
 
NB: Some of the language on this recording reflects the era in which it was first broadcast, and due to the age of the source material, the sound quality may vary 
 
Production credits 
Scripted by Lawrie Wyman 
Produced by Alastair Scott Johnston 
Starring: Leslie Phillips, Jon Pertwee, Dennis Price (Series 1), Stephen Murray (Series 2), Richard Caldicot, Michael Bates, Heather Chasen, Ronnie Barker and Tenniel Evans 
With Pamela Buck and June Tobin 
 
Remastered by Ted Kendall 
Thanks to Andrew Pixley 
 
Note: none of the episodes were originally given titles. The ones here have been adopted for easy reference and are in line with previous commercial releases 
 
For more information on the programme, contact: 
The Navy Lark Appreciation Society 
Honeysuckle Cottage 
Little Street 
Yoxford 
Suffolk 
IP7 3JQ 
 
Episode guide 
 
First broadcast on BBC Light Programme on the following dates: 
 
Series 1 
The Missing Jeep 29 March 1959 
Operation Fag End 5 April 1959 
Number One&rsquo;s Chair 12 April 1959 
The Fairground Lights 19 April 1959 
The Comfort Fund 26 April 1959 
Stuck up the Inlet 3 May 1959 
The Admiral&rsquo;s Party 10 May 1959 
The Hank of Heather 17 May 1959 
The Multiple Mines 24 May 1959 
The Gun Mechanism Test 31 May 1959 
The Whittlesea Bay Yacht Regatta 7 June 1959 
The Psychology Test 14 June 1959 
A Watch on the Initiative Test 21 June 1959 
An Exercise in Filming 28 June 1959 
The Smuggling Spy 5 July 1959 
The Whittlesea Carnival and Fête 12 July 1959 
 
Series 2 
New at the Helm 16 October 1959 
Fatso's Box Brownie 23 October 1959 
Bringing Back the Barge 30 October 1959 
The Mock Action 6 November 1959 
Going Dutch 13 November 1959 
The Figurehead 20 November 1959 
Gunboat to Gumba 27 November 1959 
Johnson Finds Treasure 4 December 1959 
The Charter Trip to Antarctica 11 December 1959 
Cementing Relations 18 December 1959 
Strike Up the Band 25 December 1959 
The Route March 1 January 1960 
A Trip up the Thames 15 January 1960 
Radar Talk Down System 15 January 1960 
A Crisp Romance 22 January 1960 
The Lighthouse Lark 29 January 1960 
Pertwee Posted to Portsmouth 5 February 1960 
Johnson's Diet 12 February 1960 
Tug of War 19 February 1960 
Return to Potarneyland 26 February 1960 
The Cross Country Run 4 March 1960 
The Morning After 11 March 1960 
The Admiral's Present 18 March 1960 
Secret Mission to Calais 25 March 1960 
Mr Murray Goes Sick 1 April 1960 
The Potarneyland Fishing Limit 8 April 1960 
 
Special: The Wrens&rsquo; Reunion Recorded 5 November 1960 
 
&copy; 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

The first two series of the vintage seafaring comedy &ndash; plus Special The Wrens&rsquo; Reunion 
 
One of BBC Radio&rsquo;s most popular and long-running sitcoms, The Navy Lark sailed the airwaves for an impressive 15 series between 1959 and 1977. Included here are the complete Series 1 and 2, featuring the madcap escapades of the merry crew of HMS Troutbridge, a Royal Navy frigate based on an unnamed island just off Portsmouth. Also featured is a special episode, The Wrens&rsquo; Reunion, recorded at the Royal Festival Hall to celebrate 21 years of the Women's Royal Naval Service. 
 
It&rsquo;s laughs ahoy as we meet conniving Chief Petty Officer Jon Pertwee, silly-ass Sub-Lieutenant Leslie Phillips, put-upon Commander &lsquo;Thunderguts&rsquo; Povey (Richard Caldicot) and the constantly bemused 'Number One' (Dennis Price in Series 1 and Stephen Murray in Series 2). Below decks Ronnie Barker is just about working his passage as (Un)Able Seaman 'Fatso' Johnson, while Tenniel Evans and Michael Bates are making mischief in a variety of roles &ndash; and keeping them all on their toes is Wren Heather Chasen. 
 
Superbly remastered and restored, these 43 classic shows are as hilarious as when they were first broadcast &ndash; so jump on deck and enjoy the maritime mirth, mayhem and misadventure! 
 
NB: Some of the language on this recording reflects the era in which it was first broadcast, and due to the age of the source material, the sound quality may vary 
 
Production credits 
Scripted by Lawrie Wyman 
Produced by Alastair Scott Johnston 
Starring: Leslie Phillips, Jon Pertwee, Dennis Price (Series 1), Stephen Murray (Series 2), Richard Caldicot, Michael Bates, Heather Chasen, Ronnie Barker and Tenniel Evans 
With Pamela Buck and June Tobin 
 
Remastered by Ted Kendall 
Thanks to Andrew Pixley 
 
Note: none of the episodes were originally given titles. The ones here have been adopted for easy reference and are in line with previous commercial releases 
 
For more information on the programme, contact: 
The Navy Lark Appreciation Society 
Honeysuckle Cottage 
Little Street 
Yoxford 
Suffolk 
IP7 3JQ 
 
Episode guide 
 
First broadcast on BBC Light Programme on the following dates: 
 
Series 1 
The Missing Jeep 29 March 1959 
Operation Fag End 5 April 1959 
Number One&rsquo;s Chair 12 April 1959 
The Fairground Lights 19 April 1959 
The Comfort Fund 26 April 1959 
Stuck up the Inlet 3 May 1959 
The Admiral&rsquo;s Party 10 May 1959 
The Hank of Heather 17 May 1959 
The Multiple Mines 24 May 1959 
The Gun Mechanism Test 31 May 1959 
The Whittlesea Bay Yacht Regatta 7June 1959 
The Psychology Test 14 June 1959 
A Watch on the Initiative Test 21 June 1959 
An Exercise in Filming 28 June 1959 
The Smuggling Spy 5 July 1959 
The Whittlesea Carnival and Fête 12 July 1959 
 
Series 2 
New at the Helm 16 October 1959 
Fatso's Box Brownie 23 October 1959 
Bringing Back the Barge 30 October 1959 
The Mock Action 6 November 1959 
Going Dutch 13 November 1959 
The Figurehead 20 November 1959 
Gunboat to Gumba 27 November 1959 
Johnson Finds Treasure 4 December 1959 
The Charter Trip to Antarctica 11 December 1959 
Cementing Relations 18 December 1959 
Strike Up the Band 25 December 1959 
The Route March 1 January 1960 
A Trip up the Thames 15 January 1960 
Radar Talk Down System 15 January 1960 
A Crisp Romance 22 January 1960 
The Lighthouse Lark 29 January 1960 
Pertwee Posted to Portsmouth 5 February 1960 
Johnson's Diet 12 February 1960 
Tug of War 19 February 1960 
Return to Potarneyland 26 February 1960 
The Cross Country Run 4 March 1960 
The Morning After 11 March 1960 
The Admiral's Present 18 March 1960 
Secret Mission to Calais 25 March 1960 
Mr Murray Goes Sick 1 April 1960 
The Potarneyland Fishing Limit 8 April 1960 
 
Special: The Wrens&rsquo; Reunion Recorded 5 November 1960 
 
&copy; 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

The Classic BBC Radio Sitcom, Plus Episodes From The TV Lark

The Navy Lark: Series 3, 4 and 5

The third, fourth and fifth series of the nautical comedy, plus Christmas Special and The TV Lark 
 
The Navy Lark gang are back for more seafaring shenanigans&hellip; 
Collected here are the complete Series 3, 4 and 5 of the much-loved show, including the long-lost episode &lsquo;The Cornish Exercise&rsquo;. Also featured is the Christmas Special &lsquo;Calling the Antarctic&rsquo;. Plus, Troutbridge&rsquo;s crew drop anchor at a television studio in all nine existing episodes of spin-off series The TV Lark. 
NB: Some of the language on this recording reflects the era in which it was first broadcast, and due to the age of the source material, the sound quality may vary. 
 
Production credits 
Scripted by Lawrie Wyman 
Produced by Alastair Scott Johnston 
Starring: Leslie Phillips, Jon Pertwee, Stephen Murray, Richard Caldicot, Michael Bates, Heather Chasen, Ronnie Barker, Tenniel Evans, Judy Cornwell, Janet Brown and Robin Boyle 
With Richard Murdoch, Wilfrid Hyde-White, Ted Ray, Kenneth Horne, Betty Marsden, Kenneth Williams, June Tobin, Lawrie Wyman and Dennis Price 
 
Remastered by Ted Kendall 
Thanks to Andrew Pixley 
Note: none of the episodes were originally given titles. The ones here have been adopted for easy reference and are in line with previous commercial releases 
For more information on the programme, contact: 
The Navy Lark Appreciation Society 
Honeysuckle Cottage 
Little Street 
Yoxford 
Suffolk 
IP7 3JQ 
 
 
 
Series 3 (2 Nov 1960 to 15 Mar 1961) 
In Portsmouth for a Re-Fit 
Refitting Ebeneezer Pertwee 
Sea Trials of the Poppadom 
Mutiny Aboard Troutbridge 
The Exploding Biscuits 
Sir Willoughby Takes Over the Island 
Mount Rumpus Atoll 
The 50th Show: Mr Murray's Houseboat 
Johnson's Birthday 
Povey's Unexpected Leave, also known as Povey&rsquo;s Enforced Leave 
Families' Day 
Falmouth Ghost Ship 
Onabushkan Flu 
The Efficiency Expert 
The Floggle Grummit Missile 
The Hitch-Hiking Counterfeiter 
Commodore Goldstein 
Mr Phillips Has Navigation Tuition 
CPO Pertwee and the Laundry 
The Surprise Wedding 
 
Series 4 (15 Sep 1961 to 9 Mar 1962) 
Returning from Leave 
Captain Povey's Spy 
The Secret of Nessie's Youth 
The Northampton Hunt Ball 
Hijacked! 
Admiral Troutbridge 
Relatives and Reservations 
Humgrummits on the High Seas 
Are Captain and Mrs Povey Married? 
Cine Cameras at Sea 
The Citizen Adjustment Course 
A Hole Lieutenant 
Spy Catching in Casablanca 
Mount Pot Erupts 
Captain Povey's Shop 
Leading Seaman Goldstein's Party 
The Invitation 
The Cornish Exercise 
A Strange Hobby 
Mr Phillips Get Engaged 
The Sinking of the Bubble Car 
Long Jonathan Pertwee 
The Admiral's Accident Report 
Over the Sea to Rosyth 
The Return of Sir Frederick Flatley 
The Ship's Concert 
 
Christmas Special (25 Dec 1962) 
Calling the Antarctic 
 
The TV Lark (25 Jan 1963 to 29 Mar 1963) 
Opening Night 
The Prestige Show 
Z Ambulances 
House of Commons 
Back to Portsmouth 
On Safari 
Ship Ahoy! 
The Potarneyland Election 
Back in the Navy 
 
Series 5 (5 Apr 1962 to 10 May 1963) 
First Day out of Dock 
The New Barmaid 
A Deliberate Bashing 
Whittlesea Regatta 
HMS Troutbridge Gets a Rocket 
The Ghost Ship 
 
&copy; 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

The Navy Lark: Series 6 and 7

The sixth and seventh series of the much-loved comedy, plus the 1965 Christmas Special 
 
All aboard HMS Troutbridge for maritime mishaps and merriment, as the crew return from eventful leave and sail into more trouble. 
 
This collection contains the complete Series Six and Seven of the long-running sitcom, in which Pertwee becomes embroiled in various money-making schemes, Povey has a few domestic difficulties, 'Fatso' Johnson's literary and culinary efforts cause havoc - and there's romantic rivalry between Mr Phillips and Mr Murray for Wren Chasen's affections... Also included is a short festive episode 'Hitting the Ice Floe', aired on Christmas Day 1965 as part of an Overseas Service Broadcast to the British Antartic Survey Teams. 
 
Jon Pertwee, Leslie Phillips and Stephen Murray star in these 33 laugh-out-loud episodes, alongside regulars Ronnie Barker, Richard Caldicot, Michael Bates, Tenniel Evans and Heather Chasen, and guest stars including Amanda Murray, Jan Waters and writer Lawrie Wyman. 
 
NB: Some of the language on this recording reflects the era in which it was first broadcast, and due to the age of the source material, the sound quality may vary 
 
Production credits 
Scripted by Lawrie Wyman 
Produced by Alastair Scott Johnston 
Starring: Leslie Phillips, Jon Pertwee, Stephen Murray, Richard Caldicot, Michael Bates, Heather Chasen, Ronnie Barker and Tenniel Evans 
With Lawrie Wyman (uncredited), Amanda Murray and Jan Waters 
 
Remastered by Ted Kendall 
Thanks to Keith Wickham 
 
Note: none of the episodes were originally given titles. The ones here have been adopted for easy reference and are in line with previous commercial releases 
 
For more information on the programme, contact: 
The Navy Lark Appreciation Society 
Honeysuckle Cottage 
Little Street 
Yoxford 
Suffolk 
IP7 3JQ 
 
Episode guide 
 
First broadcast on BBC Light Programme on the following dates: 
 
Series 6 
Wren Chasen Returns 27 September 1963 
On the Carpet 4 October 1963 
The Bungalese Spies 11 October 1963 
Troutbridge's Party 18 October 1963 
Rescuing Admirals 25 October 1963 
Demise of the Depth Charges 1 November 1963 
The Struggle for Promotion 8 November 1963 
Navigation by Computer 15 November 1963 
Stormy Weather 22 November 1963 
Chasing the Kepeac 29 November 1963 
The Submerged Island 6 December 1963 
The Sicilian Secret Agent 13 December 1963 
Germany's Troutbridge 20 December 1963 
Confirming Povey's Rank 27 December 1963 
The Calais Dock Strike 3 January 1964 
Johnson's Memoirs 10 January 1964 
The Emperor of Tratvia 17 January 1964 
Open Day 24 January 1964 
Stuck on a Sandbank 31 January 1964 
 
Series 7 
Taking Some Liberties 11 July 1965 
Smugglers in the Solent 18 July 1965 
Mr Murray is Victimised 25 July 1965 
The Poveys Move House 1 August 1965 
Captain Povey Reports Sick 8 August 1965 
Admiral Pertwee's Fleet 15 August 1965 
Let Loose with a Chopper 22 August 1965 
Making a Right Pig's Breakfast 29 August 1965 
The Mysterious Pudding Mine 5 September 1965 
The Hovercraft Training Course 12 September 1965 
Sabotaged Floggle-Toggle Box 19 September 1965 
The Potarneyland Training Exercise 26 September 1965 
Going on Leave to Croydon 3 October 1965 
 
Christmas Special 
Hitting the Ice Floe 25 December 1965 
 
&copy; 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd.

The Navy Lark: Series 8 and 9

The eighth and ninth series of the vintage comedy about life aboard a Royal Navy frigate 
 
There's more fun on the ocean waves in these 33 hilarious episodes, as the hapless Captain Povey and his reluctant subordinates are caught up in more comic capers. 
 
Contained here are the complete Series Eight and Nine of the popular show, which sees Murray courting Heather, Phillips pursuing the new Wren and Pertwee planning some special commemorative gifts for Troutbridge's 25th anniversary. Plus, the crew embark on a top secret mission, participate in a joint forces exercise and prepare to take two VIPs from The Embassy Lark to Tratvia for a trade festival. 
 
All at sea in the Senior Service are Leslie Phillips, Jon Pertwee, Stephen Murray and a supporting cast including Ronnie Barker, Tenniel Evans. Richard Caldicot, Michael Bates and Heather Chasen. Among the guest stars are Derek Francis, Frank Thornton and Amanda Murray. 
 
NB: Some of the language on this recording reflects the era in which it was first broadcast, and due to the age of the source material, the sound quality may vary 
 
Production credits 
Scripted by Lawrie Wyman 
Produced by Alastair Scott Johnston 
Starring: Leslie Phillips, Jon Pertwee, Stephen Murray, Richard Caldicot, Michael Bates, Heather Chasen, Ronnie Barker and Tenniel Evans 
With Derek Francis, Frank Thornton and Amanda Murray 
 
Remastered by Ted Kendall 
Thanks to Keith Wickham 
 
Note: none of the episodes were originally given titles. The ones here have been adopted for easy reference and are in line with previous commercial releases 
 
For more information on the programme, contact: 
The Navy Lark Appreciation Society 
Honeysuckle Cottage 
Little Street 
Yoxford 
Suffolk 
IP7 3JQ 
 
Episode guide 
 
First broadcast on BBC Light Programme on the following dates: 
 
Series 8 
Where is Troutbridge? 4 September 1966 
The Float a Peddle Fiddle 11 September 1966 
A Sticky Business 18 September 1966 
Buoys Will Be Buoys 25 September 1966 
Steamship Day 2 October 1966 
Farewell to HMS Varsity 9 October 1966 
The Army Lark 16 October 1966 
Just the Ticket 23 October 1966 
Mr Phillips' Promotion 30 October 1966 
Pertwee and the Tratvian Beer 6 November 1966 
The PM Papa 13 November 1966 
Getting Rid of Pertwee 20 November 1966 
Off to Sea at Last 27 November 1966 
 
Series 9 
Back from the Antarctic 2 July 1967 
Fishing off the Faroes 9 July 1967 
A Filthy Ferryboat 16 July 1967 
Jigsaws and Jemmies 23 July 1967 
The Naval Review 30 July 1967 
The Curious Caravan Case 6 August 1967 
Frenchmen in J.41 13 August 1967 
The Police Drop In 20 August 1967 
Mr Murray's Endurance Course 27 August 1967 
Women in the Wardroom 27 August 1967 
Troutbridge's Silver Jubilee Party 10 September 1967 
CECIL the Navigation Computer 17 September 1967 
A Russian Rendezvous 24 September 1967 
The Bugged and Burgled Beer 1 October 1967 
Picking up the Poppadom 8 October 1967 
Cuthbert Joins the Navy 15 October 1967 
The Flying Machine 22 October 1967 
When Sub Lt Phillips was at Dartmouth 29 October 1967 
A Fishy Business 5 November 1967 
Troutbridge in Quarantine 12 November 1967 
 
&copy; 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd.

The Navy Lark: Series 10 and 11

The tenth and eleventh series of the side-splitting Senior Service spoof 
 
Left hand down a bit! The clueless crew of HMS Troutbridge have returned to port after months at sea, and are soon getting into more hilarious scrapes... 
 
Included here are the complete Series Ten and Eleven of the fondly-remembered show, remastered and restored for your listening pleasure. In these 34 vintage episodes, Troutbridge is assigned a new Captain, the seasick Commander Trotter; Povey prepares for a visit from Prime Minister Harold Wilson; the ship is hijacked by Forbodian spies; and Murray is promoted - and gets hitched to the Admiral's daughter... 
 
With a starring cast of Stephen Murray, Leslie Phillips and Jon Pertwee, ably supported by Richard Caldicot, Heather Chasen, Tenniel Evans and Michael Bates, The Navy Lark remains buoyant after all these years. 
 
NB: Some of the language on this recording reflects the era in which it was first broadcast, and due to the age of the source material, the sound quality may vary 
 
Production credits 
Scripted by Lawrie Wyman 
Produced by Alastair Scott Johnston 
Starring: Leslie Phillips, Jon Pertwee, Stephen Murray, Richard Caldicot, Michael Bates, Heather Chasen and Tenniel Evans 
With Lawrie Wyman, Nigel Graham, Alan Reeve-Jones, Amanda Murray, Elizabeth Morgan and Frank Thornton 
 
Remastered by Ted Kendall 
Thanks to Keith Wickham 
 
Note: none of the episodes were originally given titles. The ones here have been adopted for easy reference and are in line with previous commercial releases 
 
For more information on the programme, contact: 
The Navy Lark Appreciation Society 
Honeysuckle Cottage 
Little Street 
Yoxford 
Suffolk 
IP7 3JQ 
 
Episode guide 
 
First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 on the following dates: 
 
Series 10 
Troutbridge Electrifies Portsmouth 13 October 1968 
The Redundancy Drive 20 October 1968 
The Smugglers Return 27 October 1968 
Commander Trotter Takes Charge 3 November 1968 
The Anti-Submarine Missile 10 November 1968 
Sub-Conductor Phillips 17 November 1968 
The South Kawowan Summit 24 November 1968 
Pertwee's Enlistment Expires 1 December 1968 
Captain Povey Takes Over 8 December 1968 
Sir Willoughby Goes to Kawowa 15 December 1968 
The Padre's Birthday 22 December 1968 
The Portsmouth Kiosk 29 December 1968 
The Radio Beacon 5 January 1969 
Mr Phillips' Wrong Uniform 12 January 1969 
Harold Wilson Reviews the Fleet 19 January 1969 
The Relief of the Weather Ship 26 January 1969 
Bunging Up 2 February 1969 
The Brick Smugglers 9 February 1969 
 
Series 11 
Commander Murray and the Squatters 28 December 1969 
What is the SSE? 4 January 1970 
Pertwee Climbs Up the Promotion Ladder 11 January 1970 
Stranded 18 January 1970 
Sir Willoughby's Party 25 January 1970 
The Fleet Initiative Test 1 February 1970 
CPO Pertwee's Long Service Medal 8 February 1970 
The Phenomenal Pertwee Tug 15 February 1970 
The Security Clampdown 22 February 1970 
The Anniversary and the Washing 1 March 1970 
The Forbodians Hijack Troutbridge 8 March 1970 
Number One Gets Married 15 March 1970 
The Honeymooners Return 22 March 1970 
CPO Pertwee and the Lead Half Crowns 29 March 1970 
Sub Lt Phillips to Leave for Dartmouth 5 April 1970 
The Mark 31 Radar 12 April 1970 
 
&copy; 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd.

The Navy Lark: Series 12 and 13

The twelfth and thirteenth series of the long-running nautical comedy, plus bonus documentary Radio Lives: Jon Pertwee 
 
Everybody down! Prepare for more navigational blunders and maritime misadventures as radio's favourite frigate puts to sea once more. 
 
Collected here are the complete Series Twelve and Thirteen of the much loved show - including the 200th episode, 'Sir Willoughby at Shanghai', in which Troutbridge takes the Governor and his wife on a trip to China - only to find itself under attack... Plus, Lieutenant-Commander Murray and his wife Rita celebrate their first anniversary and move out to married quarters, the crew lock horns with evil, world-dominating Oriental mastermind the Master, and Sub-Lieutenant Phillips is up for promotion: but will his Lord Nelson fantasy help or hinder? 
 
Stephen Murray, Leslie Phillips and Jon Pertwee star in these 23 hilarious episodes, with a supporting cast including Richard Caldicot, Heather Chasen, Tenniel Evans and Michael Bates, and guest stars including Norma Ronald, June Whitfield and Elizabeth Morgan. 
 
Also included is a special episode of Radio Lives, looking back at the life and career of Doctor Who, Worzel Gummidge and The Navy Lark star Jon Pertwee. 
 
NB: Some of the language on this recording reflects the era in which it was first broadcast, and due to the age of the source material, the sound quality may vary 
 
Production credits 
Scripted by Lawrie Wyman and George Evans 
Produced by Alastair Scott Johnston 
Starring: Leslie Phillips, Jon Pertwee, Stephen Murray, Richard Caldicot, Michael Bates, Heather Chasen and Tenniel Evans 
With Lawrie Wyman, Norma Ronald, June Whitfield, Elizabeth Morgan 
 
Remastered by Ted Kendall 
Thanks to Keith Wickham 
 
Note: none of the episodes were originally given titles. The ones here have been adopted for easy reference and are in line with previous commercial releases 
 
For more information on the programme, contact: 
The Navy Lark Appreciation Society 
Honeysuckle Cottage 
Little Street 
Yoxford 
Suffolk 
IP7 3JQ 
 
Episode guide 
 
First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 on the following dates: 
 
Series 12 
The Put-A-Horse-Out-To-Graze Fund 16 May 1971 
Impressions For Survival 23 May 1971 
The Beard-Growing Race 30 May 1971 
The Mysterious Radio Signals 6 June 1971 
Operation Recovery 13 June 1971 
The Slogan Contest 20 June 1971 
Sir Willoughby At Shanghai 27 June 1971 
Operation Cowes Barge 4 July 1971 
Number One's Anniversary 11 July 1971 
The Loch Ness Monster 18 July 1971 
 
Series 13 
The TV Documentary 26 March 1972 
The POW Escape Exercise 2 April 1972 
Number One's Married Quarters 9 April 1972 
The Newhaven-Dieppe Smuggling Run 16 April 1972 
The Bumble Spit Lighthouse Affair 23 April 1972 
The Tonipouhaha Treasure 30 April 1972 
The USA Navigator Swap 7 May 1972 
Son Of A Sea Lord 14 May 1972 
Hypnotising Ramona 21 May 1972 
The Master Of Sardinia 28 May 1972 
Opportunity Knockers 4 June 1972 
Friday The 13th 11 June 1972 
The New NAAFI 18 June 1972 
 
Radio Lives: Jon Pertwee first broadcast BBC Radio 4, 31 October 1996 
 
&copy; 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd.

The Navy Lark: Series 14 and 15

The final two series of the fondly remembered comedy - plus the Silver Jubilee Special and the 2008 reunion show 
 
It's all aboard for more entertaining escapades, as the classic comedy sets sail for its last two series. Included here are all 24 episodes from Series Fourteen and Fifteen, starring Leslie Phillips, Jon Pertwee and Stephen Murray. 
 
In these hilarious shows, HMS Troutbridge joins a flotilla travelling round the world on a Navy goodwill mission - but en route, the crew are ensnared in the revolutionary plans of El Godmother and the Raffia, and come up against The Master and his female associate The Mistress. They also have an explosive encounter with a talpinium shell, attempt to get to grips with NANA, and form their own lobby group, An Officer and a Gentleman's Liberation Movement... 
 
Also included is 1977's The Jubilee Navy Lark and The Reunion, in which presenter Sue McGregor interviews some of the stars of the seafaring show, including June Whitfield, Leslie Phillips, George Evans, Heather Chasen and Tenniel Evans. 
 
NB: Some of the language on this recording reflects the era in which it was first broadcast, and due to the age of the source material, the sound quality may vary 
 
Production credits 
Scripted by Lawrie Wyman and George Evans 
Produced by Alastair Scott Johnston 
Starring: Leslie Phillips, Jon Pertwee, Stephen Murray, Richard Caldicot, Michael Bates, Heather Chasen and Tenniel Evans 
With Miriam Margolyes, Chic Murray, Elizabeth Morgan, June Whitfield, Gretta Gouriet, April Walker, Pete Murray 
 
Remastered by Ted Kendall 
Thanks to Keith Wickham 
 
Note: none of the episodes were originally given titles. The ones here have been adopted for easy reference and are in line with previous commercial releases 
 
For more information on the programme, contact: 
The Navy Lark Appreciation Society 
Honeysuckle Cottage 
Little Street 
Yoxford 
Suffolk 
IP7 3JQ 
 
Episode guide 
 
First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 on the following dates: 
 
Series 14 
The Montezula Revolution 29 July 1973 
The Island Swordfish 5 August 1973 
Bunged in the Battle 12 August 1973 
Kangaroo Polka 19 August 1973 
The Digital Isles Go Unstable 26 August 1973 
Egbert Hitches a Ride 2 September 1973 
Povey - An Admiral at Last 9 September 1973 
The Bergholm Horse Trials 16 September 1973 
Captain Povey's Wig 23 September 1973 
The Brain Pill 30 September 1973 
Operation Showcase 7 October 1973 
CPO Pertwee - Yachtmonger 14 October 1973 
The Talpinium Shell 21 October 1973 
 
Series 15 
Sequel to The Talpinium Shell 9 November 1975 
NANA 16 November 1975 
Helen, The New Wren 23 November 1975 
Relief for Station 150 30 November 1975 
Black is Beautiful 7 December 1975 
Sidney and the Stamp 14 December 1975 
Commander Murray Becomes a Showjumper 21 December 1975 
Horrible Horace 28 December 1975 
Officers and Gents' Lib 4 January 1976 
The Case of the HGM Mark 5 11 January 1976 
Captain Wilberforce Pertwee 18 January 1976 
 
The Jubilee Navy Lark 16 July 1977 
 
The Navy Lark: The Reunion 31 August 2008 
Presented by Sue McGregor 
With June Whitfield, Leslie Phillips, George Evans, Heather Chasen and Tenniel Evans 
 
© 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd.

The Navy Lark: 60th Anniversary Special Edition

A 60th anniversary collection of selected Navy Lark episodes and bonus programmes

The Navy Lark is the second longest-running comedy in British radio history (the topical Friday night show, Week Ending, which ran from 1970 to 1998, is currently the longest). In 1958, writer Laurie Wyman announced that he wanted to build a series around talented comic actor Jon Pertwee. Having secured Pertwee as the lead, he looked for other main characters and is quoted in the Radio Times as saying 'I felt we needed an idiot, and there was no one better at playing idiots than Leslie Phillips - so we got him.' The first episode of the series went out on 29 March 1959 and, from the start, the light-hearted and affectionate spoof on the Senior Service won many fans - some of the highest order! On the occasion of the show's 21st anniversary, for example, the crew were asked by WRNS to put on a special performance. They duly obliged, and in the audience that night at the Royal Festival Hall was Her Royal Highness the Queen Mother. Sir Charles Lambe, who was the first Sea Lord at the time, had also visited the studio during rehearsal. The crew of HMS Troutbridge were a motley bunch: Jon Pertwee, who actually served in the Navy during the Second World War, played the conniving Petty Officer and was established as a household favourite by the series. Leslie Phillips was the vague chinless wonder Sub-Lieutenant. His parrot cry of 'left hand down a bit' has passed into A Dictionary of Catch Phrases, whose author Eric Partridge writes 'within two years, it was a standard piece of Navalese'. The young Ronnie Barker (long before attaining fame as a television comedy actor) also appeared in the series, playing two parts: (Un)Able Seaman Fatso Johnson and Lieutenant-Commander Stanton. The Navy Lark gripped the nation for the best part of twenty years. Its signature tune, composed by Tommy Reilly and James Moody, was the jaunty Trade Wind Hornpipe and did much to contribute to the popularity of the series. The key to the show's popularity, though, was its irreverent but essentially gentle humour and, most of all, the many-voiced talents of its stars. As Leslie Phillips remarked in 1987, 'I caused more damage to Naval property than the Navy had done in two world wars'. The final episode was broadcast on 18 January 1976. However, the crew all jumped on board one last time for a Jubilee Special on 16 July 1977.

A 60th anniversary celebration of the much-loved nautical comedy, featuring seventeen classic episodes plus bonus material 
 On 29 March 1959, The Navy Lark sailed the airwaves for the very first time. Starring Leslie Phillips, Jon Pertwee and Stephen Murray, with regular appearances from Ronnie Barker and Heather Chasen, it soon became a radio favourite, and ran for 18 years – one of the longest-running radio sitcoms. 
 
 This 60th anniversary collection comprises seventeen hilarious episodes – one from every series of the show, plus the pilot episode and the special Jubilee edition. We start with Operation Fag End (5 April 1959), The Hank of Heather (17 May 1959), The Lighthouse Lark (29 January 1960), A Deliberate Bashing (19 April 1963), When Sub Lt Phillips Was at Dartmouth (29 October 1967) and The Jubilee Navy Lark (16 July 1977). The other eleven episodes included are: Commodore Goldstein (22 February 1961), The Northampton Hunt Ball (6 October 1961), Chasing the Kepeac (29 November 1963), Let Loose with a Chopper (22 August 1965), Mr Phillips’ Promotion (30 October 1966), The Redundancy Drive (20 October 1968), The Forbodians Hijack Troutbridge (8 March 1970), Impressions For Survival (23 May 1971), Friday the 13th (11 Jun 1972), Povey – An Admiral at Last (9 September 1973) and NANA (16 November 1975). 
 
 Bonus items include a mini-episode from The Light Entertainment Show and two episodes from spin-off series The Embassy Lark: National Grumpshnog Week (Series 1, 12 April 1966) and Sub-Lt Phillips Drops In (Series 3, 16 April 1968). Plus, there’s a discussion from Bob Holness Presents: Farewell to the Paris, which sees Leslie Phillips and Jon Pertwee reminiscing about the making of The Navy Lark. As well as a 'lost' episode from season 2 of The Navy Lark; Return to Potarneyland, first broadcast on 26th February 1960. 
 
 So step aboard HMS Troutbridge for laughs ahoy! 
 
Produced by Alastair Scott-Johnston 
A BBC Studios production

Lawrie Wyman

Jimmy Edwards

Frank Thornton

Gwen Cherrell

Full Cast

The Classic BBC Radio Comedy

Jimmy Edwards stars in this spin-off from The Navy Lark, chronicling life in and around the higher echelons of British United Plastics Ltd 
 
Following in the footsteps of The Navy Lark, The TV Lark and The Embassy Lark, The Big Business Lark aired for 13 episodes over the summer of 1969. Blending satire with farce, it charted the business machinations at a fictional plastics company. 
 
Ruling the roost at this chaotic commercial enterprise is managing director and chairman Sir Charles Bonniface, a crafty, cricket-loving tycoon who likes to keep one hand firmly on the tiller and the other on his secretary’s posterior. Waiting in the wings is his son Frank, stoically enduring his father’s bluff and bluster as he bides his time to take over the top job. Ensuring that all runs smoothly is Edith, Sir Charles’ put-upon personal assistant, who bears her boss’s lecherous attentions with equanimity. 
 
Together, they endeavour to promote British United Plastics’ sole product – Polystumer, a seemingly indestructible synthetic material with a surprising number of uses, from bathroom fixtures to breakfast cereal toys. In these entertaining episodes, they swing a contract with a camping company to make speedboat shells, land an order to supply the Red Army with tents, attempt to create camel-proof plastic to seal a deal with a Sultan, and make a TV commercial to try and impress a Hollywood film mogul... 
 
Starring Jimmy Edwards as Sir Charles, with Frank Thornton as Frank and Gwen Cherrell as Edith, The Big Business Lark also benefits from the considerable talents of Alexander John, Elizabeth Morgan and Nigel Graham, who between them play over 50 larger-than life characters. So mix business with pleasure, and enjoy this lively, laughter-filled Lark! 
 
Content warning: the humour in this programme reflects the era in which it was broadcast and may not reflect current attitudes 
 
Production credits 
Scripted by Lawrie Wyman 
Produced by Alastair Scott Johnston 
Starring: Jimmy Edwards, Frank Thornton and Gwen Cherrell 
With Elizabeth Morgan, Alexander John and Nigel Graham 
Announcer: Michael de Morgan 
 
With thanks to Keith Wickham and The Radio Circle 
 
Note: none of the episodes were originally given titles. The ones here are taken from the closing announcements of the episode. 
 
Episode guide 
 
1. Leading You Through 
2. Cruising on the River 
3. Taking You Through 
4. Disposing of a Relative 
5. Playing Ducks 
6. Taking Orders 
7. Strike Breaking 
8. Dining Out 
9. Initiating You Through 
10. Searching For Liberty 
11. Contracting Out 
12. Destructing 
13. Advertising 
 
First broadcast on BBC Radio 2, 6 July – 28 September 1969 
 
© 2026 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2026 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Lawrie Wyman

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