You’re Only Old Once

This radio series was written by John Esmonde and Bob Larbey, who later created many comedy classics such as The Good Life and Brush Stokes for television.

It starred Clive Dunn as a pensioner in a rest home, along with comedy legends Deryck Guyler (from The Men From The Ministry, Sykes, Please Sir…), Patricia Hayes (from Till Death Us Do Part, etc.) and Joan Sanderson (Fawlty Towers, Please Sir, Ripping Yarns, Me and My Girl, etc.).

The setting is an old folks home called Haven Court at Druids Water, at which Matron endeavours to look after many elderly pensioners without losing her temper, not an easy task with Ben and Wally up to their tricks, and the rather potty Kitty putting her tuppence worth in.

This is rather an amusing series, I currently have three episodes and I'm trying to trace more episodes from the series, and would also like more details to fill in the episode guide below. I'd especially like to find A Visitor For Toddy because John Laurie guest starred. Another Dad's Army-related guest was Graham Stark, who played Walker on the radio in a few episodes.

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Episode Guide

Series One

The Pride of the Regiment - Episode One
(Broadcast 11th February 1968, repeated 27th July 1969)
Starring: Clive Dunn, Deryck Guyler, Joan Sanderson, Patricia Hayes and Harry Webster
Guests:Carleton Hobbs, Gordon Clyde

 

Home From Home - Episode Two
(Broadcast 18th February 1968)
Starring: Clive Dunn, Deryck Guyler, Joan Sanderson, Patricia Hayes and Harry Webster
Guests: Gordon Clyde, Norma Ronald

 

The Old Flame Episode Three
(Broadcast 25th February 1968)
Starring: Clive Dunn, Deryck Guyler, Joan Sanderson, Patricia Hayes and Harry Webster
Guest: Barbara Mitchell

 

Too Many Cooks - Episode Four
(Broadcast 3rd March 1968)
Starring: Clive Dunn, Deryck Guyler, Joan Sanderson, Patricia Hayes and Harry Webster
Guests: None

 

Matron’s Choice - Episode Five
(Broadcast 10th March 1968)
Matron decides to move to Canada, but the saddened residents try their best to persuade her to stay.
Starring: Clive Dunn, Deryck Guyler, Joan Sanderson, Patricia Hayes and Harry Webster
Guest: Ronald Baddiley

 

Go To War On An Egg - Episode Six
(Broadcast 17th March 1968)
Ben and Walter win six chickens in a bet at the pub. They convince Matron that they should be able to keep them, but other residents are not so happy. The hens cause more trouble than they’re worth.
Starring: Clive Dunn, Deryck Guyler, Joan Sanderson, Patricia Hayes and Harry Webster
Guest: Haydn Jones

 

A Visitor For Toddy - Episode Seven
(Broadcast 24th March 1968, repeated 3rd August 1969)
Starring: Clive Dunn, Deryck Guyler, Joan Sanderson, Patricia Hayes and Harry Webster
With Guest: John Laurie

 

Man of Letters - Episode Eight
(Broadcast 31st March 1968, repeated 10th August 1969)
Starring: Clive Dunn, Deryck Guyler, Joan Sanderson, Patricia Hayes and Harry Webster

 

Doctor’s Orders - Episode Nine
(Broadcast 7th April 1968)
Starring: Clive Dunn, Deryck Guyler, Joan Sanderson, Patricia Hayes and Harry Webster
Guest: Victor Lucas

Series Two

 

Combined Operations - Episode Ten
(Broadcast 1st June 1969)
Starring: Clive Dunn, Deryck Guyler, Joan Sanderson, Patricia Hayes and Harry Webster
Guest: Hilda Braid

 

Just The Job  - Episode Eleven
(Broadcast  8th June 1969)
Starring: Clive Dunn, Deryck Guyler, Joan Sanderson, Patricia Hayes and Harry Webster
Guest: Graham Stark

 

The Joys of Motoring - Episode Twelve
(Broadcast 15th June 1969)
Starring: Clive Dunn, Deryck Guyler, Joan Sanderson, Patricia Hayes and Harry Webster
Guest: None

 

Room For One More - Episode Thirteen
(Broadcast 22nd June 1969)
Starring: Clive Dunn, Deryck Guyler, Joan Sanderson, Patricia Hayes and Harry Webster
Guest: Harold Berens

The Great Escape - Episode Fourteen
(Broadcast 29th June 1969)
Starring: Clive Dunn, Deryck Guyler, Joan Sanderson, Patricia Hayes and Harry Webster
Guest: Garard Green

Two Tickets To Paris - Episode Fifteen
(Broadcast 6th July 1969)
Starring: Clive Dunn, Deryck Guyler, Joan Sanderson, Patricia Hayes and Harry Webster
Guest: None

 

Mr Lewis Rides Again - Episode Sixteen
(Broadcast 13th July 1969)
Starring: Clive Dunn, Deryck Guyler, Joan Sanderson, Patricia Hayes and Harry Webster
Guest: Graham Stark

 

The Skeleton In The Cupboard - Episode Seventeen
(Broadcast 20th July 1969)
Starring: Clive Dunn, Deryck Guyler, Joan Sanderson, Patricia Hayes and Harry Webster
Guest: None

 

Below is an excerpt from the Radio Times from 11th of February 1968, the only article we have so far found.

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