My Brother and I -Christmas special 1975
Godfrey's sister Dolly's cucumber sandwiches
“I wonder if you'd care for a cucumber sandwich? They're very nice, my sister Dolly makes them"
There is no getting away from the fact that the motley crew assembled to enrol as the Walmington-on-sea home guard are a peculiar bunch of misfits and let's not be coy about this, skivers. As we travel through life we occasionally meet those individuals who always seem so "otherworldly". Godfrey is one of these people. He is such a kind and gentle man that whilst the Eastgate platoon could quite easily bully him mercilessly about his ways, a friendly ribbing is all he seems to receive.
In return Godfrey acts as both the first aider and supplier of cucumber sandwiches and upside down cake made so ably by his sister Dolly. Rarely appearing but constantly referred to by Godfrey Dolly toils away in the cottage kitchen producing these delicacies as and when needed.
One such occasion was the sherry party held by Capt Mainwaring for his commanding officers. Acting as waiters, the platoon hand around the sandwiches whilst trying to fend off the drunken antics of Mainwaring's brother, Barry. As cucumber sandwiches are not known for their alcohol absorbing properties locking him a room with a bottle of whisky is their best alternative. Gatecrashers Hodges, the Vicar and the Verger seem to polish off most of the sandwiches and declare them tasty and delicious. The sight of Hodges cramming the sandwiches into his mouth three at a time has to be a classic Dad's Army moment for me. That and the "Don't tell him Pike" one. Remember - they don't like it up'em!
Mise en scene
cucumber thinly sliced
white tin loaf
softened butter (or margarine, don't you know there's a war on!)
Sea salt
Its all in the edit….
· Using a vegetable peeler peel the green outer skin from the cucumber. If you are using outdoor ridge cucumbers this is a vital step. Indoor or hothouse cucumbers do not need peeling but it adds to both the look and the finished texture of the sandwiches.
· Slice the cucumber very thinly. Don't panic! Don't panic! Please use a knife for this as a mandolin is not only terrifying to use but also makes the slices too thin on this occasion.
· Lay the slices onto a plate and sprinkle with a little salt. this will draw out any bitterness as well as a little of the excess moisture.
· Slice the bread thinly, butter as delicately as you can. Be careful not to tear the bread as you do so.
· Taking a sheet or two of paper towel pat the cucumber dry.
· Cover the bread with a layer of cucumber and place another buttered piece of thinly sliced bread on top.
· Using a serrated bread knife cut away the crusts and discard, actually no, in the spirit of Make do and mend, keep them to one side for use later as breadcrumbs or a stuffing.
· Cucumber sandwiches are traditionally served cut into fingers rather than squares or triangles.
· Place a paper doily onto a plate from your best china set. Lay the cucumber sandwich fingers on top and employ an elderly gentleman in a white jacket to hand them round to your guests.
· In the words of Mr Godfrey, "Delicious, Dolly has a wonderful way with cucumber sandwiches."
Voiceover
Cucumber sandwiches, fish and chips, upside down cake and copious cups of tea feature heavily in this slice of British wartime life. Food to fill you up and keep you going. There can't be many sitcoms that could get away with a whole episode about "the turkey dinner general purposes committee."
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