Robin explains why the US is Batty about Summer Wine

May 20 2003 By Katie Campling, The Huddersfield Daily Examiner

LAST of the Summer Wine is to be honoured by American fans at a charity gala.

And the woman behind the idea is in town to do some vital research.

The famous Holmfirth sitcom is the longest running TV comedy in the world and has found a huge following in the USA since it was aired on public broadcasting stations during the 1990s.

The antics of characters such as Compo, Cleggy and Nora Batty charmed one American so much that she decided to organise the tribute gala.

Mrs Robin Simpson, of Jacksonville in Arkansas, began watching the sitcom in 1998.

Mrs Simpson is currently in Holmfirth until Sunday, touring her favourite Summer Wine locations.

Mrs Simpson, who co-edits the official Holmfirth based Summer-Wine.Com website, said the show was loved by Americans for its innocence.

She said: "There is no violence or bad language. You can sit with your kids and there are a lot of people who watch it in the States. It is heart-warming."

The mother-of-four has visited Holmfirth several times and was in the village last year for the run up to the 30th anniversary celebrations for the sitcom.