Goodbye to an Institution
I am not a fan of jazz, but Humphrey Lyttleton is a jazz musician who will be very sadly missed by all aficionados of his Radio Four programme « I’m Sorry, I Haven’t A Clue ». Enough has been said by so many more eloquent than I about the man and his unique talents. I would, though, like to recall on these pages what I consider a more ‘personal’ experience of Humph and his humour. 
One day a couple of years or so ago, I was driving my mother, who is quite deaf, to see a friend. We were lost, the traffic was heavy and the journey was pretty miserable. I switched on the car radio in time to catch part of Humph’s regular show. After a while, mum asked me to turn up the volume so she could hear it.
Humph said: “I’ve got a pack of organic sausages in my fridge at home.” “Printed on the pack”, he continued, “is a picture of Anthony Worrall-Thompson”. A pregnant pause, then: “Underneath, it says ‘prick with a fork’!”
I had to pull into a lay-by as tears of laughter streamed down my face. Mother very nearly wet herself laughing. Our day was transformed from that moment. Thank you, Humph, and goodbye.
Colin Morley (editor)
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