Memories of Geoffrey Bayldon

That's a great thread to start this new forum off and a lovely reminder of why we are celebrating the most special series - one of which is because of the VERY special people that made it so magical.

I personally loved Catweazle since the moment I first saw it. I could write reams about my love for Catweazle which led onto the love of Geoffrey as a person, a character and a very talented actor whose credits are huge. When Gary Bowers and I started the club back in 2002 it was the result of me getting my first computer and immediately googling Catweazle, which put me in touch with Gary. One thing led to another and The Official Catweazle Club was born. I say official because I had to get in touch with all the people who were relevant to what we were doing. We needed their approval and recognition and I told them what our intentions were with regard to the club.

Gary put me in touch with Geoffrey (as he was already in touch with him by phone). The thing was that Geoffrey phoned me! I remember it so well because I was so very nervous, I couldn't believe I was actually talking to Catweazle, when my biggest thrill so far was getting a signed photo back!!! "Hello" he said "Is that Carol" I replied "yes it is" He said "It's Geoffrey Bayldon here" I said "You don't have to tell me, I'd know that voice anywhere!" We laughed and chatted and I remember putting the phone down and saying "My God that was Geoffrey Bayldon!"

From then on we chatted quite often on the phone and if I was nervous at that point, I was nearly sick when he said "Well when am I going to meet you?" The thought of actually going to his house actually caused me to have an anxiety attack, even though I knew that I would LOVE to go and meet him in person, I was nervous of making a fool of myself. I needn't have worried - he was so sweet and charming and funny and the first thing he did was to make me a cup of tea - Yorkshire of course! I went on about Catweazle - of which he MUST have heard a thousand times before.

I think he was pleased at what we were doing and Kip certainly was. When I left he gave me a big hug, a kiss and made me promise to come and see him again - which of course I did - over and over again until he passed away.

I am very proud to have met this lovely, witty, cheeky, naughty and down to earth actor and person. It is a remarkable feat for someone to make such an impact in a role that 50 years later people are still willing to pay to join a club that celebrates it. - That was down to the character on and off screen of the wonderful "Geffers" Bayldon.

Yes indeed, at 2.00 this time last year I got a phone call from the doctor at the hospital with the sad news that he had passed away. I don't think a day has gone passed since where I haven't thought of him. I shared so many lovely, funny, happy days with him over the last 15 years and our Catweazle weekends were "magic" with him around. Catweazle, Geoffrey and all the cast were so memorable and touching, that it is still very easy to remember, enjoy and believe that they are, and always will, still with and amongst us.
The Catweazle weekends give us a chance to do this together as like minded people and fans. In this sad world, this is a joyous occasion to enjoy. So I hope to see as many people there as possible where we will be able to remember and pay tribute (and raise a class or two) to them all.
God Bless you Geffers xx

No you are not wrong about a new film. It is in the pipeline, but has been for some time. Kip had always wanted to end his career with a Catweazle film and to have gone "full circle" Alas he didn't live long enough to see it through. If he had survived a couple more years I think it would have gone through much quicker. His passing has meant an awful lot of switching of copyrights and other issues that have held it up.

Initially, as a club championing the original and the best, we didn't want to hear about this either I can assure you. As far as we were concerned there can ONLY be ONE Catweazle and that is Geoffrey. As far as we are concerned this will ALWAYS be so, no matter what happens.

Having said that and after consideration, many of us think that a film IF it is any good, will perhaps reawaken people to their memories of the tv series and therefore may be of benefit to the club. It may also make the tv companies repeat the originals at long last, if the film proves popular.

Lastly, if it is popular, we may be able to get some financial backing if we have an association with the new one (even if our contribution is for the original.) There is also the possibility that should the film go ahead there will be a link to the original. It would also be good to be able to have new and continual comments and therefore taking our club forward.

Let me tell you all about my memories of Geoffrey, a kind lovely man, the kind of grandad I never had, I remember taking him to Kip's funeral and staying at his house for three nights, at first when he suggested I stay over I was a little unsure, but I took the offer and have been blessed with the memories.

I always felt as if I had known Geoffrey for years and always was made to feel most welcome, when we drove up to Kip's funeral I remember Geoffrey saying Oh will we be having something to eat, that was Geoffrey always thinking of food, yes I said, we stopped at a lovely pub for lunch, are you having a starter he said, knowing full well he would have one, he had the appetite of a horse, of course Geoffrey we can have a starter and a main dish and a sweet if you've room, so there we are sat in easy chairs, Geoffrey with a large glass of red, me with orange juice, (driving) so we set the screen the starters arrive we eat them and then we wait for the next course, Geoffrey falls asleep, I'm reading the paper, ten minutes later Geoffrey wakes up, Oh I thought we were having a main course, yes I said mine was lovely,but I've not had mine he said, well I said you were asleep so they took it away,his face was a picture not knowing what to say, I left it for a few moments before I told him we were still waiting for our next course, his face lit up, we then drove up to the funeral, we arrived quite early and then Geoffrey said I normally have a rest, where can I rest, well what about the back seat!! and as only he would do we pulled into the crematorium and he climbed into the back seat and slept.

I remember taking him to Richmond Park, again will we be eating he said, he ate like a horse but never put an ounce on, we often went to his local Italian restaurant where he was very well known, then when I used to phone him for a chat he would always say Hello Graham when are you going to visit me, I never got to see him as often as I would have liked.

My memories are with me everyday, and as Carol has said he was a lovely man, kind, and I was privelidged to been able to spend precious time with him.

Just another reason why I am really looking forward to being able to commemorate him and all the other wonderful people at the 50th anniversary. It will be marvellous if we have the weather with us.

Hello. Just wondering as to whether you still have the recording made with Geoffrey and if so, do you take time out to listen to it still. Can you quote any particulars with us?