One of the great charms of Dad’s Army is that, even when it was new nearly 50 years ago, it recalled us nostalgically to a bygone age. But the episode Is There Honey Still for Tea?, first seen in September 1975, takes us back even further, to an Edwardian golden age, as Frank, Wilson and Mainwaring enjoy afternoon tea in the garden of Godfrey and his sisters’ cottage.
They’re supposed to be telling the unfortunate Godfreys that their idyllic home is scheduled to be demolished to make way for a new aerodrome but of course, in true Dad’s Army fashion, that doesn’t go quite to plan.
It’s a lovely scene: the Godfrey sisters flutter around their guests and Godfrey plays the generous host oblivious to the fate that is about to befall them. Having seen this who wouldn’t want to take afternoon tea in an English country garden?
This episode was recorded exactly 43 years ago today, on 26 June 1975.