Try for Ten 1968

James Sorrie has sent us this memory

             "And Now Live From Trinity High School"!

I wonder how many can recall or ever knew about one of the more unusual uses of the school hall. It was used for one episode of a television game show - the famous 'Sale of the Century'. This would have been around the late 1960's.

One of the contestants competing on that particular show was Richard Austin.  Richard (shown left in 1958) had been a pupil at Trinity, but by the time I was at the school he had returned as a physics teacher.  On the evening the show was filmed school members were invited to be in the audience.  Several of my class-mates took up this offer to watch our physics teacher in action but I was content to watch it at home.  When it came on - My Goodness! - it certainly did look live.  The applause from the audience for our physics teacher was boisterous to say the least.  However I was more amused that my aforementioned class-mates could be heard laughing at things that weren't even intended to be funny.  They were seeing double meanings and in-house jokes that would be lost on the viewing public as a whole.  This was causing presenter Nicholas Parsons to glare into the audience with some bewilderment.  

Guys, if you're reading this - you know who you are - shame on you! - but it was worth it just to see that frown on his face.

I can't remember whether Mr Austin won or not but he gave a good account of himself.  Perhaps someone with a better memory than me can fill in the gaps here.

Bill Rich contests this version of events, so now read his version.

  I was interested to read James Sorrie's account of "Sale Of The Century" and its host Nicholas Parsons. The problem is that the memory plays tricks.  Unfortunately the programme broadcast from Trinity was "Try For Ten" and the host was David Hamilton.  The year will have been 1968.

I was in the hall and do remember the sniggers and stifled laughter.  I also remember what caused it.  One of the questions had in it the nickname of a member of the teaching staff and when it was read out the hall erupted.  Diddy David was not happy.  The question that caused the problems was "Is a Puff Adder poisonous? - True or False?   Unfortunately this was put to Richard Austin, who was nicknamed Puff Austin because he wore flowered shirts and splashed on aftershave.  David Hamilton turned to the audience and smirked.  I think he thought that the word puff caused the laughter, little did he know. 

I seem to recall that there was only one take of the programme, so nothing could be edited out.  It was not broadcast live, but transmitted about 3 weeks later.  It was all quite amateurish.

I cannot remember how I got a ticket to see the show, nor how I got the autographs.  Miriam Karlin was one of the stars of the "Rag Trade" and her catch phrase was "Everybody Out!"  She must have been a guest contestant (answering questions for charity?)

I think Mr Austin did win, but would have had to go on to the next round so took the money.

Hopefully the ticket and signed photographs will clear up any doubt.  I want to retire as soon as possible, so any starting bids of over £50,000 for the photographs will be considered for the originals!