FANS of classic sitcom The Last of the Summer Wine are in for a huge treat this summer when a show celebrating the series visits Oldham Library as part of it Live at the Library programme.

Summer Winos is Bob Fischer’s affectionate tribute to the show, which was first broadcast in 1973.

“A lot of people just think it’s a sitcom about old people but when it began, they were in their 40s and 50s. It’s a sitcom about people that have been written off by society, who couldn’t find work and who were just trying to find anything to do to pass the time in this small Yorkshire town,” said Bob, who will be joined on stage by fellow fan Andrew T. Smith.

“It was a huge childhood favourite that I used to watch with the family so there’s a lot of nostalgia.

“But, apart from being brilliantly witty, sharply scripted and having such superb performances, it’s really, really funny.

He and Andrew T Smith, who will be joining him on stage, are such fans of the show that they are working their way through re-watching all 295 episodes.

“We’re up to the late 1980s so far,” laughs Bob. “We’re deliberately taking it slowly because we don’t want it to become a chore.

“It tells you quite a lot about northern social history over the last 40 years because when a sitcom runs that long it reflects what happened during that time.”

In the show, the duo explain how and why it has taken over their lives and give a potted history of the series. Along the way there will be opportunities for some audience members to dress up as Compo and Nora Batty.

“We also talk about how it affected our childhood and how it’s helped us get through some tricky bits of our adulthood as well. We'll also share a few stories about the show that even long-term fans might not be aware of.”

Roy Clarke, the creator and writer of Last of the Summer Wine, has not only given the show his blessing, he also treated the two to a slap-up dinner where he proceeded to get them roaringly drunk.

“It was surreal,” said Bob. “It was like meeting a myth but he was so charming and flattered that we had shown such an interest in his work.

“We hesitated for years to contact him because we thought if he didn’t like what we were doing we’d have to stop because we wouldn’t want to do it without his approval.

“He’s quite reclusive and shy and we never thought in a million years that he would agree to meet us.”

Bob and Andy have also lovingly created a website summerwinos.co.uk which is a treasure trove for Summer Wine fans.

The show can be seen at Oldham Library on July 12 at 7pm. For tickets please call 0161 770 8000 or email libraries@oldham.gov.uk

“We've tried to emulate the feel of the Summer Wine itself, a little,” said Bob. “Ours is a warm and friendly show, with hopefully a few poignant moments too."