Oh, Doctor Beeching!

In the series The Van, British Railways provides Cecil with a van for his work, but he must first learn to operate it, navigating the challenges of the job. The programme is a comedy featuring Jeffrey Holland and Paul Shane.

is a televised episode that falls under the comedy genre. It is presented as a programme rather than a full‑length series, and its title alone hints at the central piece of equipment around which the story revolves. The narrative follows a character called Cecil, who receives a van from British Railways to help him with his work. The twist comes when Cecil discovers that, despite now owning the vehicle, he has no experience behind the wheel and must quickly pick up the skills required to operate it safely and efficiently. The episode leans heavily on situational humour, deriving laughs from Cecil’s attempts to master the van’s controls, the mishaps that ensue, and the reactions of those around him. The comedic set‑up is straightforward: a well‑meaning employee is thrust into a role that demands a competence he lacks, leading to a series of light‑hearted predicaments. The humour is brought to life by the performances of Jeffrey Holland and Paul Shane, whose involvement adds a familiar comedic flavour to the story. Their presence helps to shape the episode’s tone, ensuring that the challenges Cecil faces are presented with a playful, British‑style wit.