The archives page is where we share with you some snippets of interest, articles etc. culled from previous society newsletters, to whet your appetite as it were and hopefully stir something in you to make you consider joining the GSPS, or even order-up back issues to see what you have missed...

Newsletter no: 110.
Following Spike's death a veritable plethora of books suddenly poured out of publishing houses the length & breadth of the land. Some were wonderful, some were indifferent, and some were written by people who hadn't even met the man! As everything, it's a personal choice as to which one you would say was the best, so to help you make your mind up, dear reader, nl:110 contained an appraisal of each of them. Norma Farnes' (Spike's long-suffering manager and best friend) ranks amongst the best. Our own Maxine Ventham (previous secretary of the GSPS) came out with "His Part In Our Lives" and at the memorial for Spike (in London), John Antrobus chatted to GSPS members Les Drew & Phil Ladd and announced his book "Surviving Spike Milligan" which was about their time working together at ALS (Associated London Scripts). Indeed you can hear his name credited on some of the latter Goon Shows to that effect. So, a worthy read.

Newsletter no: 102
Billed as the "50th Anniversary Edition" nl:102 came out in May 2001 right bang on target for the Beeb's 50th celebrations of "The Goon Show". Our newsletter contained almost exclusively a lovely set of personal tributes and write-ups about a certain show and the re-recording of a new Goon Show at the Playhouse Theatre, London, earlier that year. That new Goon Show was created by the producer Dirk Maggs and Spike himself over a period of about ten years. (Spike just managed to see a final copy of the script before his death and was reportedly very pleased with the outcome). The show was recorded before a celebrity audience and the GSPS were given 50 tickets to distribute amongst the members. Needless to say many of us attended and it was a night to remember. Rubbing shoulders in the bar afterwards with the rich & famous, it was a veritable Who's Who of the British Showbusiness comedy scene. Our newsletter tried to capture the flavour of that night both with photo's and anecdotes as it represented a milestone in radio comedy history.