The Goon Show Preservation Society is a

non-profit organisation A nonprofit organization (NPO) or non-profit organisation, also known as a non-business entity, not-for-profit organization, or nonprofit institution, is a legal entity organized and operated for a collective, public or social benefit, in co ...

, formed to help preserve and research the history of the ''

Goon Show ''The Goon Show'' is a British radio comedy programme, originally produced and broadcast by the BBC Home Service from 1951 to 1960, with occasional repeats on the BBC Light Programme. The first series, broadcast from 28 May to 20 September 1 ...

''. The society, founded in 1972, maintains an archive of ''Goon Show'' material, often used by professional researchers and media organisations, including the

BBC #REDIRECT BBC #REDIRECT BBC #REDIRECT BBC Here i going to introduce about the best teacher of my life b BALAJI sir. He is the precious gift that I got befor 2yrs . How has helped and thought all the concept and made my success in the 10th board ex ...

. The society also owns the

Neddie Seagoon Neddie Seagoon was a character in the 1950s British radio comedy show ''The Goon Show''. He was created and performed by Welsh comedian Harry Secombe. Seagoon was usually the central character of a ''Goon Show'' episode, with most plots involving ...

puppet from ''

The Telegoons ''The Telegoons'' is a comedy puppet show, adapted from the highly successful BBC radio comedy show of the 1950s, ''The Goon Show'' produced for BBC television and first shown during 1963 and 1964. Two series of 13 episodes were made. The series w ...

''. It no longer has formal regional groups within the

United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotland, Wales and North ...

but maintains international representation in

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South Africa South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the southernmost country in Africa. It is bounded to the south by of coastline that stretch along the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans; to the north by the neighbouring countri ...

, the

United States The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territorie ...

Germany Germany,, officially the Federal Republic of Germany, is a country in Central Europe. It is the second most populous country in Europe after Russia, and the most populous member state of the European Union. Germany is situated betwe ...

and

Japan Japan ( ja, 日本, or , and formally , ''Nihonkoku'') is an island country in East Asia. It is situated in the northwest Pacific Ocean, and is bordered on the west by the Sea of Japan, while extending from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north ...

King Charles III Charles III (Charles Philip Arthur George; born 14 November 1948) is King of the United Kingdom and the 14 other Commonwealth realms. He was the longest-serving heir apparent and Prince of Wales and, at age 73, became the oldest person to a ...

, then Prince Charles, became

patron Patronage is the support, encouragement, privilege, or financial aid that an organization or individual bestows on another. In the history of art, arts patronage refers to the support that kings, popes, and the wealthy have provided to artists su ...

of the society in 1998, however, his continued patronage following his ascension to the throne in September 2022 is uncertain. Honorary presidents of the society are

John Antrobus John Arthur Antrobus (born 2 July 1933) is an English playwright and screenwriter. He has written extensively for stage, screen, TV and radio, including the epic World War II play, ''Crete and Sergeant Pepper'' at the Royal Court. He authored t ...

, Spike Milligan's daughter, Jane Milligan, and Michael Coveney. Sir

Harry Secombe Sir Harold Donald Secombe (8 September 1921 – 11 April 2001) was a Welsh comedian, actor, singer and television presenter. Secombe was a member of the British radio comedy programme ''The Goon Show'' (1951–1960), playing many characters, m ...

Spike Milligan Terence Alan "Spike" Milligan (16 April 1918 – 27 February 2002) was an Irish actor, comedian, writer, musician, poet, and playwright. The son of an English mother and Irish father, he was born in British Raj, British Colonial India, where h ...

and

Eric Sykes Eric Sykes (4 May 1923 – 4 July 2012) was an English radio, stage, television and film writer, comedian, actor, and director whose performing career spanned more than 50 years. He frequently wrote for and performed with many other leading com ...

were honorary presidents until their deaths in 2001, 2002 and 2012, respectively. The GSPS produces a full colour, A5 quarterly magazine: March, July, September and December. This comes free for an annual membership subscription. The magazine features new finds relating to ''The Goon Show'' and to each of the four Goons as well as delving into the history of the show itself and other productions by the members. It also concerns itself with the production team of this and all associated radio and television shows. Feature articles focussing on radio shows, television programmes, records, books and films appear in each issue. Issue number 170 was published in December 2021. A new official website was launched in September 2022.

References

External links

Official website

US Archives of the Goon Show Preservation Society
{{Goons Arts organisations based in the United Kingdom Organisations based in the United Kingdom with royal patronage The Goon Show Organizations established in 1972 1972 establishments in the United Kingdom