Ronnie Barker's Home - 70 Garfield Street, Bedford, Bedfordshire, UK
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Dragontree
N 52° 08.670 W 000° 28.342
30U E 672950 N 5780123
Ronnie Barker, the famous comedian, lived here in Bedford at 70 Garfield Street, the place where he was born in 1929.
Waymark Code: WM344G
Location: Eastern England, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 02/06/2008
Views: 31
The Three Counties Radio describes the plaque as follows:
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'Comedian, actor and generally accepted national treasure, Ronnie Barker was born in Garfield Street, Bedford in 1929 and began his acting career with the Aylesbury Rep in 1948, while still in his teens, before taking to the West End stage at the invitation of Sir Peter Hall, where he appeared in Mourning Becomes Her in 1955.
The plaque on Ronnie's birthplace:
Ten years ago his cousin unveiled a plaque outside number 70 Garfield Street, the house he lived in, to commemorate his time in the town.
At the time, Ronnie said he didn't want to go along to the unveiling because he's quite shy, but said he might go along one night under cover of darkness to have a peek!
The man who campaigned to get the plaque put up is Dominic Joyeux, who at the time was producing a calendar for Bedford. He said that he made sure that Ronnie was happy with the idea first.
Two Ronnies: Ronnie with Ronnie Corbett:
"I made sure that (a) Ronnie Barker, who's a private guy, didn't mind having a plaque and (b) that he was actually born in Bedford, and he was. Then I checked that he was OK with the words and things and we had it made up."
The blue plaque, decorated with just the smiling theatrical mask, and saying simply "Ronnie Barker, Comedian, Born here 25 Sept. 1929", is attached to the outside of the house.
Dominic remembers his contact with Ronnie fondly and reveals that the comedian supported him in other ways.
As well as The Two Ronnies Sketchshow Ronnie Barker also starred regularly in Porridge and many more shows besides.
Ronnie Barker died on 3 October 2005, aged 76. He'd suffered from heart trouble for some time.'