Last of the Summer Wine is a British sitcom written by Roy Clarke that is broadcast on BBC One. Last of the Summer Wine premiered as an episode of Comedy Playhouse on 4 January 1973 and the first series of episodes followed on 12 November 1973. Since 1983, Alan J. W. Bell has produced and directed all episodes of the show. The 30th series premiered on 19 April 2009.[8] A December 2008 interview with Bell suggested the 30th series would be the last, although the BBC denies such a decision has been made.[9] Repeats of the show are broadcast in the UK on G.O.L.D. and it is also seen in more than twenty-five countries,[10] including various PBS stations in the United States and in Canada on VisionTV. Last of the Summer Wine is the longest-running comedy programme in Britain and the longest-running sitcom in the world
Last of the Summer Wine is set and filmed in and around Holmfirth, West Yorkshire, England and centres around a trio of old men whose line-up has changed over the years.
Herbert (Truly) Truelove (Frank Thornton joined the cast after that
Marina, Howard's 'young lady' (Jean Ferguson) is often seen sneaking off with Howard 
Howard (Robert Fyfe)who is married to Pearl, lives next toor to Norman Clegg and often asks for his help to deceive Pearl in order to sneak away with Marina.
Pearl (Juliette Kaplan) who likes to keep her husband Howard on a tight leash, not always with success. 
And there is Electric Entwistle (Bert Kwuok) who adds his eastern (from Hull) wisdom. He has a truck which helps the rest of the gang getting around.
Smiler (Stephen Lewis) works in aunty Wainwright's shop with his mate Tom. He is often seen pushing his hand cart around Holmfirth
Tom Simmonite (Tom Owen) is Compo's son not only in the show but is Bill Owen's real life son as well.
Now Aunty Wainwright (Jean Alexander) who runs the local shop only has one interest in life and that is money. Rarely leaves a customer her shop without buying anything. Usually she drives Tom and Smiler to distraction.
Glenda (Sarah Thomas) is married to Barry Wilkinson. She is the daughter of Edie and Wesley.
Barry Wilkinson (Mike Grady), another hen-pecked husband who manages to sneak away from time to time for a game of golf.
One of the main stars of this fabulous show is wrinkle-stockinged Nora Batty (Kathy Staff who sadly passed away last year) Nora lives next door to Compo and later Alvyn (Brian Murphy) and managed to inflame both men's passions, obviously without success.
Nora was married to Wally Batty (Joe Gladwin) before he too passed away. What can you say about Wally. He was only interested in his pigeons. 
The local Cafe is run by Ivy (Jane Freeman) and Sid (John Comer) when he was alive.
Wesley (Gordon Whamby) and Edie Preston (Dame Thora Hird), Glenda's parents played a big role. Edie was always spreading newspaper on her kitchen floor before Wesley was allowed top enter the house. 
Ely (Danny O'Dea) was as blind as a bat, always walking into things while trying to find his way around the village.
And then there are the coppers (Ken Kidson and Louis Emerick) and all they seem to be doing is driving their police car into walls and other cars.
Here is an episode entitled 'Springing Smiler' It is in three segments, start at the top and keep going. Enjoy....
