What a swell party!

Aug 23 2002 By Karen Grattage, The Huddersfield Daily Examiner

For Frank Thornton, who plays Truly, the evening brought back memories of when he joined the series.

"When I arrived five years ago it was the 25th anniversary," he said.

"Since then it's been wonderful working with the others, being in lovely scenery - the only bad thing is the midges."

Burt Kwouk, star of The Pink Panther films who plays an electrical engineer in the new series, said: "I knew it would be a lovely evening, that's why I'm here.

"It's good joining the series because everyone knows each other so well they are a family - and I am sliding into that family."

Series producer Alan Bell summed up many people's feeling when he said: "The idea to hold the evening came from the people of Holmfirth and I am personally very touched that they wanted to do it.

"All the trouble we cause with filming in people's fields, blocking roads and upsetting people and we have this as our thank you."

Mr Bell added: "Thirty years is a long time - I was a young man when it all started.

"And the town has pulled out all the stops and given us a great evening's entertainment just like they did for the 25th anniversary five years ago."

Roy Clarke, who writes the series, is thrilled that Last Of The Summer Wine is still so popular after 30 years.

"This evening is a wonderful gesture by the people of Holmfirth and shows that after 30 years we're still getting on with each other," he said.

"Right at the very beginning, I was invited to write a sitcom which I wanted to do.

"Three old men - that was the full extent of my brief.

"I thought, `What a strange idea. It is never going to work'."