Whats your favourite LES L JOHNS story - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

marcus 3500 · 4th Sep 2007, 12:42 pm

Hi all

They are all fantastic reading but my top 6 are......

1 Mr nasty and is brc3000
2 Beardy and none Beardy the missing volume control
3 The big ginger tom cat
4 Grace and Sid duff tube
5 Smoking Philips G8 in a pub in the middle of nowhere
6 A visit to the cinema tit and bum

Also do any members have any pictures of Les and is shop they could post here.

Maybe another member could start a new thread on Chas E Miller and is fantastic storys with the various people that are Ike Hodge the ones that spring to mind are.....

The grass seed filled GEC, The auctions, The dustbin lids for satellite dishes etc all brilliant reading

Regards

Marcus.........

plaka78 · 4th Sep 2007, 1:03 pm

It would be nice to have a book dedicated to his stories. His aritcle was always the first thing I read in the Television Magazine.

Tony

Mike Phelan · 4th Sep 2007, 1:55 pm

Les Lawry-Johns had a brilliant sense of humour, and at the same time, could write some excellent serious technical articles.

Quote:

Maybe another member could start a new thread on Chas E Miller and his fantastic stories with the various people that are Ike Hodge the ones that spring to mind are.....

I think it's already been done, Marcus - you need a subscription to "The Radiophile"

Maybe Donald Bullock?

Skywave · 4th Sep 2007, 5:00 pm

Not a "story" as such - just a snippet - but I'll never forget it ~

His wife is in the workshop. Les says "Can you watch the shop for me for half a mo? I've just got to pop out 'the back' " (read: take a trip to the toilet). When he gets back, his wife - with a look of total disdain on her face - says "God you're SO vain! Every other man I know washes his hands AFTER he's been to the toilet - but not you!"

Brilliant. Simply brilliant.

Al / Skywave.

Skywave · 4th Sep 2007, 5:05 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by plaka78

His article was always the first thing I read in the Television Magazine.
Tony

Me too. I sure that his feature contributed 50% of why I bought the mag. in the first place!

Al / Skywave.

Paul Stenning · 4th Sep 2007, 5:21 pm

Are any of his articles available online now? I couldn't find any by Googling his name.

Steve_P · 4th Sep 2007, 5:40 pm

'Quatermass and the Navvy' - Dec 1980
Elaine Knell (E. Knell) story.
Mr Piddlewell.

I could go on all day,

Les Lawry-Johns, (or LLJ as he was called), was a brilliant engineer as well as a top class writer. He also wrote under the pen name S. Simon. (S being Simple.)

I don't know who's got the copyright on his tales now. How would we find out? I could ask Chas E. Miller when I next see him.

Cheers,

Steve P

Nickthedentist · 4th Sep 2007, 6:08 pm

Les Lawry-Johns was a legend. The fact that he's so fondly remembered by us almost 15 years after he died (and more like 20 years after he wrote his last "proper" piece) says a lot.

His servicing articles were as superb as his anecdotes were hilarious. Some of them would be quite unpublishable in our current politcally-correct age

It's worthing getting back issues of Television for these alone.

Quote:

Originally Posted by marcus 3500

Also do any members have any pictures of Les and is shop they could post here.

That would be incredibly interesting. As would any other info about the man.

Nick.

Nickthedentist · 4th Sep 2007, 6:17 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Stenning

Are any of his articles available online now? I couldn't find any by Googling his name.

I scanned and e-mailed to you the first few bits of a series "TV Servicing, Beginners Start Here" that he started in the late 1970s, after you'd expressed an interest in a thread here a year or two again.

Do you still have them? If not, I'd be happy to re-send them if you send me your address in a PM.

Nick.

AndiiT · 4th Sep 2007, 6:31 pm

Hi,
My ex - brother - in - law who is at best "non technical" used to enjoy reading Les Lawry - Johns tales in "Television" magazine. He intimated that Les was a brilliant writer as even without a technical mind you could still get enjoyment from the humorous way in which he wrote.

Story wise I can't think that I have any one story in particular that springs to mind whilst recalling most of the ones that have already been mentioned.
A couple of snippets from Les' stories spring to mind though, there was the child who proclaimed "wha dat when bang" in one article and also Dorothy (I think that was her name) who hung a strip of wallpaper a day when decorating so that she didn't get bored

I might have a dig about and see if I can find the picture of Les outside his shop praying with the accompanying caption "Oh Lord would it spoil some vast eternal plan if I were to be a wealthy man"

Andrew

Andrew

Nickthedentist · 4th Sep 2007, 6:39 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndiiT

I might have a dig about and see if I can find the picture of Les outside his shop praying with the accompanying caption "Oh Lord would it spoil some vast eternal plan if I were to be a wealthy man"

Did he feature on a cover once (slightly plumpish chap in a grey cardigan)??

Focus Diode · 4th Sep 2007, 6:45 pm

What about Laura Lovitt's loose legs on her dicey Decca?!!!

All of his work was superb. There was a photo taken in the 1980s in "Television" outside his shop. I've lost most of my post 1983 issues so I probably no longer have it.

He also wrote under the guise of Peter Gaymead-Frazer.

Brian R

Paul Stenning · 4th Sep 2007, 8:56 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nickthedentist

I scanned and e-mailed to you the first few bits of a series "TV Servicing, Beginners Start Here" that he started in the late 1970s, after you'd expressed an interest in a thread here a year or two again.

Do you still have them? If not, I'd be happy to re-send them if you send me your address in a PM.

Nick.

I don't think I have them now - I'll PM you. Thanks.

Hybrid tellies · 4th Sep 2007, 9:51 pm

Not sure when he started writing but I have quite a few of the 1970's Television mags with lots of his wonderful humerous stories in. He also did servicing articles of many of the tv chassis of the day both under his own name and that of S Simon.
As the Televison mag has now folded I wonder who owns the copyrights now. Probably the printers.

Nickthedentist · 4th Sep 2007, 10:03 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hybrid tellies

Not sure when he started writing...

Early 1950s at a guess.

KeithsTV · 4th Sep 2007, 10:51 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hybrid tellies

Not sure when he started writing .

I believe he started writing for Television in September 1954

Quote:

Originally Posted by Focus Diode

There was a photo taken in the 1980s in "Television" outside his shop.

Here's the photo

Keith

Skywave · 4th Sep 2007, 10:59 pm

Shops like that - and their proprietors - are few and far between these days - which is such a shame

. I guess that's piece-and-part of the relentless onward march of technology.

Al / Skywave.

slidertogrid · 4th Sep 2007, 11:05 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve_P

'

Les Lawry-Johns, (or LLJ as he was called),
Steve P

I used to read his articles and thought every one brilliant ! one of his customers addressed him as " Mr Lousy Jones" now was that Beardy or non Beardy??
you could almost relate to every story if you ran your own shop!

Rich.

ALANS ANITAS · 5th Sep 2007, 12:17 am

The very first copy of "Practical Television" I purchased had an article on servicing the Ferguson 988T which was my parents first TV, a set now in my loft. The article was written by Les Lawry-Johns.

It was late in 1975, when LL-J ceased the servicing articles under his own name, and began his monthly column. His column was the only one that my wife would read in any of the technical magazines I purchased.

A book with a reprint of his articles would find a purchaser here,

ALAN

Tazman1966 · 5th Sep 2007, 12:30 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by ALANS ANITAS

A book with a reprint of his articles would find a purchaser here,

ALAN

That's a great idea, Alan

. I wonder who could organise that?

4th Sep 2007, 12:42 pm	#1
marcus 3500 Retired Dormant Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: South Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 351	Whats your favourite LES L JOHNS story Hi all They are all fantastic reading but my top 6 are...... 1 Mr nasty and is brc3000 2 Beardy and none Beardy the missing volume control 3 The big ginger tom cat 4 Grace and Sid duff tube 5 Smoking Philips G8 in a pub in the middle of nowhere 6 A visit to the cinema tit and bum Also do any members have any pictures of Les and is shop they could post here. Maybe another member could start a new thread on Chas E Miller and is fantastic storys with the various people that are Ike Hodge the ones that spring to mind are..... The grass seed filled GEC, The auctions, The dustbin lids for satellite dishes etc all brilliant reading Regards Marcus.........

4th Sep 2007, 1:03 pm	#2
plaka78 Pentode Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Salisbury, Wiltshire, UK. Posts: 174	Re: Whats your favourite LES L JOHNS story It would be nice to have a book dedicated to his stories. His aritcle was always the first thing I read in the Television Magazine. Tony

4th Sep 2007, 5:00 pm	#4
Skywave Rest in Peace Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Chard, South Somerset, UK. Posts: 7,457	Re: Whats your favourite LES L JOHNS story Not a "story" as such - just a snippet - but I'll never forget it ~ His wife is in the workshop. Les says "Can you watch the shop for me for half a mo? I've just got to pop out 'the back' " (read: take a trip to the toilet). When he gets back, his wife - with a look of total disdain on her face - says "God you're SO vain! Every other man I know washes his hands AFTER he's been to the toilet - but not you!" Brilliant. Simply brilliant. Al / Skywave.

4th Sep 2007, 5:21 pm	#6
Paul Stenning Administrator Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Cardiff Posts: 9,071	Re: Whats your favourite LES L JOHNS story Are any of his articles available online now? I couldn't find any by Googling his name. __________________ Paul Stenning Forum Admin/Owner and BVWS Webmaster

4th Sep 2007, 5:40 pm	#7
Steve_P Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Bolton, Greater Manchester, UK. Posts: 6,644	Re: Whats your favourite LES L JOHNS story 'Quatermass and the Navvy' - Dec 1980 Elaine Knell (E. Knell) story. Mr Piddlewell. I could go on all day, Les Lawry-Johns, (or LLJ as he was called), was a brilliant engineer as well as a top class writer. He also wrote under the pen name S. Simon. (S being Simple.) I don't know who's got the copyright on his tales now. How would we find out? I could ask Chas E. Miller when I next see him. Cheers, Steve P __________________ If we've always had it, why is the Car Boot open? You're not sneaking another Old TV in are you...? Last edited by Steve_P; 4th Sep 2007 at 5:57 pm.

4th Sep 2007, 6:31 pm	#10
AndiiT Octode Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Saltburn-East, Cleveland, UK. Posts: 1,786	Re: Whats your favourite LES L JOHNS story Hi, My ex - brother - in - law who is at best "non technical" used to enjoy reading Les Lawry - Johns tales in "Television" magazine. He intimated that Les was a brilliant writer as even without a technical mind you could still get enjoyment from the humorous way in which he wrote. Story wise I can't think that I have any one story in particular that springs to mind whilst recalling most of the ones that have already been mentioned. A couple of snippets from Les' stories spring to mind though, there was the child who proclaimed "wha dat when bang" in one article and also Dorothy (I think that was her name) who hung a strip of wallpaper a day when decorating so that she didn't get bored I might have a dig about and see if I can find the picture of Les outside his shop praying with the accompanying caption "Oh Lord would it spoil some vast eternal plan if I were to be a wealthy man" Andrew Andrew

4th Sep 2007, 6:45 pm	#12
Focus Diode Octode Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Borough of Gateshead, UK. Posts: 1,420	Re: Whats your favourite LES L JOHNS story What about Laura Lovitt's loose legs on her dicey Decca?!!! All of his work was superb. There was a photo taken in the 1980s in "Television" outside his shop. I've lost most of my post 1983 issues so I probably no longer have it. He also wrote under the guise of Peter Gaymead-Frazer. Brian R

4th Sep 2007, 9:51 pm	#14
Hybrid tellies Nonode Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: 1966-1976 Coverack in Cornwall and Helston Cornwall. 1976-present Bristol/Bath area. Posts: 2,965	Re: Whats your favourite LES L JOHNS story Not sure when he started writing but I have quite a few of the 1970's Television mags with lots of his wonderful humerous stories in. He also did servicing articles of many of the tv chassis of the day both under his own name and that of S Simon. As the Televison mag has now folded I wonder who owns the copyrights now. Probably the printers. __________________ Simon BVWS member

4th Sep 2007, 10:59 pm	#17
Skywave Rest in Peace Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Chard, South Somerset, UK. Posts: 7,457	Re: Whats your favourite LES L JOHNS story Shops like that - and their proprietors - are few and far between these days - which is such a shame . I guess that's piece-and-part of the relentless onward march of technology. Al / Skywave.

5th Sep 2007, 12:17 am	#19
ALANS ANITAS Rest in Peace Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: North West Northamptonshire, UK. Posts: 346	Re: Whats your favourite LES L JOHNS story The very first copy of "Practical Television" I purchased had an article on servicing the Ferguson 988T which was my parents first TV, a set now in my loft. The article was written by Les Lawry-Johns. It was late in 1975, when LL-J ceased the servicing articles under his own name, and began his monthly column. His column was the only one that my wife would read in any of the technical magazines I purchased. A book with a reprint of his articles would find a purchaser here, ALAN