This week our walk together down memory lane takes us back to the Second World War - or at least recollections of a television series recalling those sad times.

Luckily the British have always enjoyed what might be called gallows humour mixed with seaside postcards fun. When the BBC were approached about the idea of a series lampooning the Home Guard there were reservations.

The late Nigel Hawthorne, best remembered now for Yes Minister was a friend and he told me he was offered a role but turned it down thinking it would never run.

Here we are over 40 years later still enjoying repeats of Dad's Army although I think only Private Pike and the Vicar are still with us. The creator Jimmy Perry, who is still going strong, told me he based several of the characters on real life people he had met and the phrase "you stupid boy" came from what his dad said to him when he said he wanted to be an actor.

However, the series I am referring to today was called 'Allo 'Allo of which 85 episodes were filmed by the BBC between 1982 to 1992.

There were nerves about this series as well as it made comedy out of the part of France occupied by the Germans, but in reality it made fun of all the characters involved.

At least one of the series was shot at the BBC Elstree Centre and I remember watching them tape an episode.

For 32 years I organised Elstree and Borehamwood's Civic Festival and it crossed my mind to stage a tribute to the series in a nearby community hall for local residents.

They were invited to attend dressed up as characters from the show and I went as a German officer, which perhaps would not go down in this touchy world of today.

I invited members of the cast to attend and several did in that long ago era when stars gave of their time without charge but just willing to support my efforts.

In particular I remember Gordon Kaye, who played Rene, who was a true gent and joined in the fun. Then there was the lovely Carmen Silvera who played his wife Edith and was famous for singing out of tune in the 'Allo 'Allo cafe.

For entertainment we had a senior citizens band led by a drummer who used to wow their audiences by changing hats after each number. Forget strobe lights, smoke machines etc, we used to know how to enjoy ourselves back then.

I asked Carmen if she would sing us a wartime song and she kindly agreed. Carmen was actually a good singer but faked singing out of key. Alas neither of us knew the band were also past their best and were also off key. So when Carmen sang they actually came together.

Alas Carmen is no longer with us having died of cancer in 2002 whilst residing in the actors retirement home.

The BBC are currently doing a season of one off remakes of some of their classic comedy shows of the 1960s, 70s and 80s. I am told 'Allo 'Allo was not considered for a revival due to perceived modern tastes and presumably not to offend our European friends.

Personally I find much of today's television comedy output pathetic and find the gentle humour of shows like Dad's Army and 'Allo 'Allo still enjoyable. But I am of a certain age which young commissioning editors and young advertising directors have no interest in which is a shame as I am told one quarter of our population is over 60.

Personally, I think television executives should embrace their older audiences and as for ITV the "grey pound" has increasing value regards to advertising revenues.

Perhaps we should hope that commissioning executives are at least shaving age but that comment alone invites a sexist and ageist backlash and I must except I am one of yesterday's men, albeit I say that with no regret.