Welcome to Paradise

October 16th 2022
Drayton Court Hotel, Ealing


Special guests: Valerie Leon, Julian Holloway, Patricia Franklin, Sally Kemp, Georgina Moon, Valerie Shute, Jackie Poole, Jennifer Pyle and Vivien Lloyd.
Event organised by Dean Barker

​On Sunday 16th October, we held a special event celebrating one of the most iconic films in the series, Carry On Camping. This is the first time that that we have done an event specific to one film and which better film to pick than Carry On Camping. The most well-loved of all the Carry Ons with the most iconic of scenes. If you were to ask a stranger on the street to name a Carry On film, chances are they would say this one. The afternoon marked a special moment in Carry On history as this was the first time that all the Chayste Place girls have been back together since filming ended back in 1968. 
There are 11 cast members from the film still with us and we were fortunate enough to be joined by 9 of them. The fun started with a specially edited video of some highlights from the film. As always, it’s a wonderful yet surreal experience seeing the Carry On clips up on the big screen in the presence of those who featured. 

Before the panel commenced we had a couple of apologies to read out from those who were unable to join us, or in the case of Roger Rettig, a video message. Roger is the last surviving member of ‘The Flowerbuds’, the group who perform at the rave scene at the end of the film. Roger now resides in Florida and due to personal reasons, was unable to join us but delighted us all with a fascinating insight into his experience making the film.
​Watch his full message below.
The Flowerbuds featuring Roger Rettig


​Mike Lucas is another performer who now ‘carries on abroad’. He now lives in France and was also unable to join us. Mike played one of the Lusty Youths along with Michael Low and sent a charming letter with his Carry On memories to share with us all.
​ 
Mike Lucas
Michael Lowe and Mike Lucas as "Lusty Youths" in Carry On Camping
​“Little did I know when I played a very small part in Carry on Camping in 1968 that in 2008 the film would be voted the nation’s favourite Carry On film. I only spent one day at Pinewood (fee £25) but I still have vivid memories of that occasion. My role, alongside Michael Lowe, was as a Randy Window Cleaner but that was later changed to Lusty Youth. I was only in two scenes. My first scene was of us two cleaning a school window, while ogling the sexy schoolgirls although in reality, we sadly didn’t see them. We just saw a camera filming us. The afternoon session was much more remarkable. I spent a very enjoyable hour or so underneath Barbara Windsor, outside in the grounds of Pinewood! In between takes I had delightful chats with Barbara, who was very funny. I particularly remember her saying, “Look at that. A 90 man film crew looking up me fanny.” There did appear to be a remarkable number of technicians filming this scene! A brief but memorable part of my working life. Sorry I can’t be there today. Say hello to everyone. Best Wishes, Mike” 
And lastly, a message from Scott Mitchell. Scott was married to Barbara Windsor from 2000 until she passed away in 2020. Scott has recently released a book about his relationship with Barbara, focusing on the last few years of her life. It was only right and fitting that we remembered Barbara on the day and paid a little tribute to her. Due to promotional work for the book, Scott was unable to join us but sent the following message for us to read out:
“I am so sorry I can’t be with you all today, celebrating what was such a major part of Barbara’s career and life. Barbara loved her times on the films and still spoke endearingly about them very late into her life. Never a day went by I never heard Kenny’s name pop up somehow. They obviously had an amazing bond. In my new book By Your Side - My Life Loving Barbara Windsor, I recall a few stories that Barbara has told herself about her time and the people in the films. I wish you all a fantastic day today and hope I can make it to another event one day. I am sure that my Barbara will be with you in spirit – Best Wishes, Scott”

​We were joined once again by Sally Kemp. This was her second visit to the Inn, having been with us back in 2019.
Sally famously shared one of the most memorable scenes of the film, with Charles Hawtrey, discussing the suitability of her father replacing either herself.... or the bull.
Sally Kemp and Charles Hawtrey in the iconic "It has to be the bull" scene.
Peter Haslam mugging it up as Charles Hawtrey

​We also had our own Charlie Muggins on hand to meet and greet guests on arrival. This was a complete surprise to all attendees with some priceless reactions from attendees when they were met by a reincarnated Charlie in the hotel lobby. Peter Haslam played Charlie and an uncanny resemblance to the legendary Charles Hawtrey. Peter adapted Carry On Camping for the stage in 2014, for his amateur dramatics group The Marco Players in Bolton. Peter told us a little about what that entailed and also introduced his exclusive official Carry On themed beers. 
Peter's Carry On themed beers. Hopefully available in stores soon.
Our next three guests are all regulars in the Carry On film series.  Combined, they appeared across 13 films and two Christmas TV specials.

We were very pleased to welcome star of 8 Carry On films Julian Holloway. In
addition to "going all the way" for his role as Jim Tanner in Carry On Camping, Julian appeared in Follow That Camel, Doctor, Up the Khyber, Loving, Henry and England, as well as numerous roles in the 1973 Christmas TV special.
​This was Julian's first time at the Inn, and he was a very welcome addition to our celebration.
Making their returns to our events, were Patricia Franklin and Valerie Leon.

Valerie played Miss Dobbin, the camp shop assistant in the film memorably showing Charlie Muggins how to stick his pole up. No stranger to the series, other appearances included Carry On Up the Khyber, Again Doctor, Up the Jungle, Matron, Girls and 1972’s Carry On Christmas, or as it was also known, Carry On Stuffing.
This was Valerie’s second time with us at the Whippit Inn, having joined us at our very first gathering at the Drayton Court back in 2006.
---------

Making her first of five Carry On appearances in Camping, Patricia played the farmer’s daughter who found herself in a bit of a predicament in a classic scene opposite Derek Francis and Charles Hawtrey. Further Carry On credits include Loving, Girls, Behind and England, as well as the Bless This House film for Peter Rogers and Gerald Thomas. This was Patricia’s third time with us, having joined us in Bloomsbury in 2007 and then again at our 60th anniversary event in 2018. 
Georgina Moon, Valerie Shute, Jackie Poole, Jennifer Pyle and Vivien Lloyd


​And finally, not only were WE introduced to the girls of Chayste Place, many of them were reintroduced to each other, having not met since they made the film over 50 years ago.
Georgina Moon, Valerie Shute, Jackie Poole, Jennifer Pyle and Vivien Lloyd joined us on the day to celebrate all things Carry On Camping.
Georgina and Valerie have also done other Carry On films, and only Georgina has attended one of our events before, in Brighton 2010.
All five girls were so glad to be back together, and there was no end of conversation and memories about their time spent at Pinewood.

​Such a special day, that we shall all remember fondly for years to come.
​ 
Georgina Moon, Valerie Shute and Jackie Poole
Vivien Lloyd and Jennifer Pyle