Skegness Magazine

THE startled gasp that came from thousands of onlookers when they heard “Chief Inspector Barlow,” of B.B.C. Television’s ” Z-Cars ” – actor Stratford Johns – remonstrate with the crowd around the Skegness Illuminations switch-on platform in Compass Gardens on Saturday night echoed around the resort over the weekend. For the hard-boiled chief detective of Newtown used words not normally heard even on a hard-boiled television programme!

Among the crowd was the Rev. W. Jess Besley, minister of Roman Bank Methodist Church, Skegness, Mr. Besley informed the ” Standard ” this week that he had written to ” Chief Inspector Barlow ” protesting at the language he had used. ” I am sure I speak for so many people when I say that the occasion was spoilt by this deplorable and unnecessary use of bad language,” said Mr. Besley.

It happened when the Z-Cars star was voluntarily signing autographs after the ceremony to raise money for Skegness old age pensioners — his own idea. Earlier he had shown a jovial personality not usually seen in his Z-Cars role, clowning his way through a brief and obviously unscripted personal appearance.

Escorted by the Chairman of Skegness Urban Council, Coun. F. A. Wise, through a cheering, hand-shaking, back-slapping crowd, along a path cleared for him by police officers, the ” Chief Inspector ” was first on the platform in Compass Gardens. Civic heads of neighbouring local authorities with their ladies, led by the deputy Chairman of Skegness Urban Council, Coun. D. R. Hudson, and Mrs. Hudson, followed close behind.

As they mounted the steps to the platform, Mr. Barlow gagged, “And now the fighters are entering the ring . . . on my left the Mayor of this … on my right, the Town Clerk of that . . .” Introduced by Coun. Wise as “a treat this year for the ladies — that fabulous famous detective who switches the lights on crime and criminals in Newtown every week,” he stood up in his turn to comment, pointing at Coun. Wise, “He must be b*****y mad!”

After a few opening remarks, the genial Chief Inspector announced, “I hate speeches. Let’s sing,” and launched into a very creditable baritone rendering of “Oh what a beautiful morning “. In spite of it then being 9.20 p.m., his vocal effort was very well received by the large crowd.

Shading his eyes from the arc-lights over the platform and gazing into the darkness, he followed his song with ” I can’t see any of you lot, and I’m fed-up with it. Let’s switch-on and to hell with it ! ” He pressed the switch, and on came the resort’s illuminations.

It had been arranged that the civic guests should leave the platform first, and after gagging at the microphone while they were leaving, Chief Inspector Barlow agreed to sign a few autographs. An idea apparently struck him, and he announced he would sign autographs for the crowd if they would contribute something to the Skegness old age pensioners. A table was hastily arranged, a collecting-box provided, and he got to work.

Jostling

The only proper entrance to the platform, ringed by ropes .like the boxing ring it usually is, was by a fairly steep flight of steps at the front. The large crowd, mainly of children, jostling for his autograph soon made entrance and exit difficult. Coun. Wise went to the microphone in front of the busy Chief Inspector to ask for caution. He said that children were in danger of being hurt in the crush, and asked for an orderly queue.

Grabbing the microphone from the Chairman of the Council, Mr. Barlow added his view—in very choice language. ” Let’s not play b*****y silly b******s!” he boomed over the load-speakers. “Have some b****y sense. There are kids being crushed here. I have three kids of my own, so don’t be such silly b*****y idiots!”

‘Uncouth language’

It was perhaps his use of a term considered as an impolite reference to illegitimate birth that brought the audible collective gasp from the crowd. But, unperturbed, the Z-Cars actor carried on signing autographs (and collecting money for the old age pensioners) until he was persuaded to stop after about half-an-hour by Supt. John G. Thomas, head of Skegness police, who told him that the one-way traffic system arranged along the Parades for the occasion was being upset by the delay in getting him away.

The Rev. W. Jess Besley said this week that he felt compelled to make a protest at ” Chief Inspector Barlow’s”uncouth language,” and he had written to the Z-Cars star about it. “The Council, of course, are in no way to blame for what happened on this special occasion for Skegness,” he added. “They would obviously assume that a nationally-known figure would have the common sense and decency to avoid using offensive words at a public event, especially when large numbers of young people are present.”

Mr. Besley said he had written to Mr. Barlow to say: “The switching on of the illuminations at Skegness is a happy occasion for residents and visitors alike. Last Saturday’s event, however, was marred for many people by your use of bad language and particularly by the words you used to the children seeking your autograph, which were plainly heard over the microphone by all the crowd.

“What you say in private is your own concern, but when you are speaking in public, and especially when there are large numbers of young people in the audience, it is surely a matter ofelementary courtesy to avoid the use of offensive words.

‘A bit emotional’

“As you are a nationally known figure through your regular appearance in Z-Cars, you will no doubt have, many invitations to public events in the future. May I therefore ask you, especially, in the presence of boys and girls, to think before you speak; and when you speak, to content yourself with the Queen’s English.”

Source: Skegness Standard 26th August 1964

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