News Huddlines Missing Episodes?

[Ian Fryer]

On the way home from the pub the other night I spotted in a bush a large case full of audio cassettes. I'm still trawling through them, but one contains off-air recordings of two 1986 episodes of The News Huddlines.

Does anyone know the archive status of the series? It would be one hell of a way to find a bit of missing radio!

[robincarmody]

Not sure. As I remember it though the Huddlines' Infax listings were far from complete, and there are certainly plenty of Week Endings not archived from as late as that. This is well worth looking into.

[Ian Fryer]

Thanks Robin. I've played the episodes and they are largely complete - one is missing the very beginning, the other the closing theme. Although the jokes tend not to actually be funny, the choices of subject matter are a fascinating time capsule and the performers really throw themselves into the material with gusto, creating something of an old time music hall atmosphere.

Can anyone suggest a route via which to contact the BBC? I gather you very much have to contact the right department or person or will struggle to get a successful reply.

[Charles Norton]

I'll see what I can do to check the archive holdings for you.

Obviously, whatever you do, don't throw anything away.

I'll get back to you.

[Ian Fryer]

I never throw anything away - ask the missus!

Thanks for the help, Charles.

[Charles Norton]

Just been on the phone to someone about it.

Do you have any transmission dates?

Could you describe some of the content of the episodes?

[Ian Fryer]

Although I don't have transmission dates, I'll run through them again and send you a description of the content. One of them mentions that the show's election special had just won an award in Spain, if that helps (and if I haven't just missed the point of a running gag or something!).

[Charles Norton]

I've just checked with the Sound Archive.

The BBC only have two editions of Huddlines from 1986.

The 20/03/86 edition survives

and

The 16/10/86 edition survives

These are the only two 1986 Huddline episodes that still exist in the BBC archives.

I don't know how many episodes were broadcast in 1986. However, anything else that was broadcast that year is missing.

So, if you can give us any more information to date the ones you've got, that would be great.

[Ian Fryer]

I am a twit! The first episode specifically mentions its recent election special, which makes it 1987, not 1986!

I'll keep compliling the episode contents and post them next week.

[Charles Norton]

Okay, well let me know.

[Stephen Doran]

Four episodes were released on audio tape in 1986.

[Charles Norton]

Any more news on the contents of your tape yet, Ian?

[Deleted]

I have a copy of The News Huddlines on C90 tape from June 1987, the week before the election (they end by saying that the next show will be "live" on election night). I guess that makes it 4th June 1987. Having read about the number of missing episodes from as late as 1986 I thought this might be relevant. Does anyone know how to find out if this one exists?

This is my first post so I hope that this is okay.

[Charles Norton]

I'll check for you.

Incidentally, have you had any luck pinning those TX dates down yet, Ian?

[Deleted]

Thank you Charles. Appreciate your help.

It is odd because I can still remember recording the edition off air. My how time flies.