The Bill

[David Brent]

THE BILL, in my opinion, has dropped it's standards over the year's and is no longer a realistic high drama series.

Yet the recent episode seen in Oz relating to the gathering of DCI Meadows and ex Sgt's Cryer and Penny for the funeral of Ted Roach was certainly an improvement from the usual rubbish.

Can anyone please advise me as to the real location of the village used in this episode?

It appeared a lovely village with the local pub "The Crown" (real name?) and the local church featuring.

I assume the location would not be far from London.

The episode made in 2004 was obviously seen in the UK some time ago.

Does anyone have any clues as to where this lovely village is located?

It never fails to amaze me how UK television location manager's keep finding these countless wonderful villages/ towns for Brit television series and films.

What a great advertisement they are for touring Britain - if only the exact locations were listed at the end of each show.



Dave.

[Steve Crook]

Originally posted by David Brent@May 17 2005, 01:57 PM

THE BILL, in my opinion, has dropped it's standards over the year's and is no longer a realistic high drama series.

Yet the recent episode seen in Oz relating to the gathering of DCI Meadows and ex Sgt's Cryer and Penny for the funeral of Ted Roach was certainly an improvement from the usual rubbish.

Can anyone please advise me as to the real location of the village used in this episode?

It appeared a lovely village with the local pub "The Crown" (real name?) and the local church featuring.

I assume the location would not be far from London.

The episode made in 2004 was obviously seen in the UK some time ago.

Does anyone have any clues as to where this lovely village is located?

It never fails to amaze me how UK television location manager's keep finding these countless wonderful villages/ towns for Brit television series and films.

What a great advertisement they are for touring Britain - if only the exact locations were listed at the end of each show.



Dave.

I haven't watched it for ages but I watched it quite a bit at the beginning because "Sun Hill" is just down the road from me.



The station is actually just a small building in an industrial estate in South Wimbledon / Merton. When they're filming there they just hang out the blue lamp and other signs. They have a whole load of police vans, bollards etc round the back but they're visible from the road.



Whenever we see police cars driving past (or following us) we always have to check twice to see if they're real police or just "The Bill" filming again. Although our local Bobby says it's easy to tell - their uniforms fit better



We're just about on the edge of S.W. London so they can easily get "urban" or "rural" scenes as the need arises. And by an odd coincidence there is a pub called "The Crown" in Morden. But that's a bit drab so I doubt they used the real one.



Steve

[samkydd]

Removed post in case Lady Lois objects

[mysteriesofedgarwallace]

Never mind Sgt. Cryer; DI Galloway was the main man for me.

The 2ft tall Cavalier driving ginga who used to go around shouting at everyone.

That was when it was a quality production.

[samkydd]

Removed post in case Lady Lois objects

[Steve Crook]

Originally posted by samkydd@May 17 2005, 07:07 PM

I heard that after that and his role in Abigail's party, Mr Salthouse was going to change his name to John Shithouse!



It was good back then, a bit of Z Cars, mixed with Softly Softly and a garnish of The Sweeney!

All set off nicely by "Reg 'Hopeless' Hollis". I think it was a good move to include such a great comedy character in a serious police drama. I see he's still in it - is he as hopeless as ever?



Steve

[Marky B]

I have been watching The Bill since it started all those years ago,and once upon a time I would never miss an episode,even to the point of getting it taped while I was on holiday.

It was a good solid police drama,with the exceptional trait of the private lives of the Sun Hill finest being kept where they should be - private. The cops were believable and at times you wished the real police force could imitate its imitators.

I used to like DI Roy Galloway,Jim Carver ( a good character ruined),June Ackland,Ted Roach,Charles Brownlow,Derek Conway,Andrew Monroe,Frank Burnside.Alistair Grieg,Tosh Lines,Mike Dashwood,Tony Stamp,Dave Quinnan,George Garfield,Alan Woods,Chris Deakin,Mike Jarvis,Don Beech (before he joined the dark side of the force),Geoff Daly,John Boulton and of course Jack Meadows,perhaps one of the most believable detectives on television. I was secretly in love with WPC Claire Brind,WPC Norika Datta,WPC Donna Harris and WPC Debbie Keane (what has happened to all those girls?).

Hoever,in the last few years,whilst still conjuring up some explosive plots (and I don't mean Sun Hill getting torched twice either),it has meandered into soap world. I didn't mind the odd affair,but now it is a question of who's doing who,and I think have overplayed the "gay" coppers a bit. Before I get accused of being homophobic (and no,I am not going to say some of my best friends are gay - I don't think I know any),I just think the issue has been well worn. Just as much as I think the hetrosexual affairs are interfering with the programme.

Are the writers running out of storylines - there are plenty of issues relating to crime,especially in this time of terrorism,and new angle of villainy going on.

I think Cyril Nri is an excellent Superintendent,with Jack Meadows at his side,two good commanders against crime. Gina Gold is a formidable arse kicker and I think the young Chinese detective,Suzy is gorgeous... Anyway,when The Bill is in top form,concentrating on being a police story - sometimes with added humour - it is head and shoulders above other British police dramas.

However,at the moment I am sometimes not bothered if it gets taped or not. Yet,I still hope for deliverance and The Bill I once loved will return.

Ta Ta

Marky B

[samkydd]

Removed post in case Lady Lois objects

[samkydd]

Removed post in case Lady Lois objects

[Steve Crook]

Originally posted by samkydd@May 17 2005, 10:25 PM

Well Steve, poor old Reg is a bit subdued these days. His fiancee, the plump scouse police receptionist with glasses (couldn't be anything else for Reg in TV land) got blown up by a stolen muslim shopkeeper's van loaded with cans of petrol being driven into Sun Hill by a right wing racist extremist recently sacked police assistant or police warden or whatever they're called. The fat DC who always wears Hawaiin beach shirts all the time and looks like a heart attack waiting to happen, was handcuffed inside the back of the van with the petrol. So aforementioned fatty and Reg Hollis' fiancee get blown up, in fact fat boy was vapourised. Reg was going to propose to her that very day, but she failed to turn up at trainspotting venue after work as arranged because she was being rushed to hospital in a critical condition, leaving Reg by the railway carrying wilting bouquet and ring!



But good old Reg carries on regardless and just gets on with things.

Glad to hear he's as hopeless as ever.



Steve

[Marky B]

Just watched an old episode of The Professionals and I couldn't make out who the bomb expert was,working for CI5. When the end credits came on,it was Simon Rouse,DCI Jack Meadows of Sun Hill.

Ta Ta

Marky B

[thebilllover]

Well i didnt know that (Simon Rouse,DCI Jack Meadows) was in The Professionals and i have watched them all on dvd.

Oh well you learn something new everyday!

[thebilllover]

I am doing this post to see who everyones favourite character is in The Bill.



My favourite character of all time is Suzie Sim

played by Wendy Kweh because i think she has the looks and i think she is a very good copper in The Bill.

[img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/thumbsup.gif[/img] [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/thumbsup.gif[/img] [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/thumbsup.gif[/img] [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/thumbsup.gif[/img]

[Marky B]

Originally posted by thebilllover@May 31 2005, 01:47 PM

I am doing this post to see who everyones favourite character is in The Bill.



My favourite character of all time is Suzie Sim

played by Wendy Kweh because i think she has the looks and i think she is a very good copper in The Bill.

[img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/thumbsup.gif[/img] [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/thumbsup.gif[/img] [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/thumbsup.gif[/img] [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/thumbsup.gif[/img]

<div align="right">Quoted post</div>

I'll have to think about this,but I think you will find it hard to get some feedback on this as there seem to be a lack of other Bill lovers on this site,and I am only sticking to it with the hope that "the police story" returns and their private lives are shunted to where they should be - private.

However,to be in the spirit of things,yes I like Suzie Sim - as you say she is not only attractive [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tongue.gif[/img] ,but a good policewoman as well and I hope they keep her in that frame and not introduce some boyfriend (unless it's me [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wub.gif[/img] ) or girlfriend [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/rolleyes.gif[/img] .

As an avid watcher of The Bill since its concept,I will have to think about my favourite character. At the moment however,I would say Jack Meadows.

Ta Ta

Marky B [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/thumbsup.gif[/img]

[David Brent]

Rape, murder, bigamy, arson, assassination, paedophiles, homosexuality, incest, bombing, kidnap, blackmail, drug dealing, drug using, sniper, infidelity, mental patient, suicide, pergury, forgery, alcoholic, bankrupt, disqualified driver, racial discrimination, drunk and disorderly, assault and battery, unmarried pregnancy, unfit parents, stalking, sabotage, indecent behaviour, gambling, thievery, GBH, break and enter, going AWOL, peeping tom, libelous, repeat offenders and train spotting - and that's only the police officers of Sun Hill !!!!!!! [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/shocking.gif[/img]

The thieves dont get a look in.

What a great depiction of the British Police Force. [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/thumbdown.gif[/img]



Dave.

[samkydd]

Originally posted by thebilllover@May 31 2005, 01:47 PM

I am doing this post to see who everyones favourite character is in The Bill.



My favourite character of all time is Suzie Sim

played by Wendy Kweh because i think she has the looks and i think she is a very good copper in The Bill.

[img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/thumbsup.gif[/img] [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/thumbsup.gif[/img] [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/thumbsup.gif[/img] [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/thumbsup.gif[/img]

<div align="right">Quoted post</div>

DI Roy Galloway the ginger-whinger played by John Salthouse (ex Crystal Palace player and Abigail's Party's "Tone") and Sergeant Bob Cryer and Jim Carver.

[Marky B]

Originally posted by samkydd@Jun 1 2005, 09:06 AM

DI Roy Galloway the ginger-whinger played by John Salthouse (ex Crystal Palace player and Abigail's Party's "Tone") and Sergeant Bob Cryer and Jim Carver.

<div align="right">Quoted post</div>

He was also in A Bridge Too Far,playing a soldier who desperately runs for a pod dropped by a Dakota - even though there were German snipers about - and after picking it up,is shot dead by a sniper,and when the pod opens up,there is nothing in it but spare berets.

Ta Ta

Marky B [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/thumbsup.gif[/img]

[thebilllover]

David Brent i think you may mean Breaking an entry and bot Break and enter.

[thebilllover]

i meant NOT not "bot

[Marky B]

I have enjoyed many of the characters over the years,but sentiments dictate the halcyon days of eighties and early nineties when the Sun Hill were populated by believable characters and often the stories were laced with humour.

Sgt Bob Cryer was the "Dixon" of our times,a dependable copper and by the book which all and sundry,even his superiors,never doubted his wisdom.

PC/DC Jim Carver was a good detective,ruined by the lack of promotion and turned alcoholic.

June Ackland was the mother hen of them all,looking after rookies and putting them to be bed at night - the distaff side of Cryer's spear..

Reg Hollis,another good cop,methodical with a genuine concern for the community and maintaining law and order,but often hurt by the jibes he got when later it turned out he was right.

Tony Stamp,unlucky in love,but reliable copper,but does he have clout to take over Cryer's shoes.

Chief Superintendent Brownlow,the last Sun Hill chieftain with no skeletons in the cupboard.

Chief Inspector Derek Conway,a copper's cop,who hankered for the top job,but accepted he will always by the lieutenant,never the captain and I often enjoyed his caustic remarks of a diluted Iago.

Inspector Andrew Monroe was the one who kept his head,when all about were losing theirs and blaming it on Reg.

Frank Burnside was the copper we needed,who hated the wrong 'uns,and backed up by the dependable Ted Roach,Alistair Grieg,Tosh Lines,Alan Woods and Mike Dashwood.

Dave Quinnan,Mike Jarvis and George Garfield;Norika Datta,Debbie Keane and Viv Martella bouyed the ranks of PC's to patrol Sun Hill's Bronx areas.

Chris Deakin,Suzy Croft,John Boulton,Kelly Holmes,Geoff Daly kept the CID's disciplinie tight under Jack Meadows' stewardship,despite Don Beech's defection to the dark side.

And of course Polly Page "I fink he's dead,guv",whom everyone loved.

I wish the makers of The Bill would make Jack Meadows the el supremo of Sun Hill,and bring back the coppers I preferred.

And er replaced Sam Dixon with her more gorgeous daughter.

And of course,keep Suzy,the Chinese detective.

Ta Ta

Marky B [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/thumbsup.gif[/img]