Sir Kenneth may not have been such a big name in New Zealand as in Britain, but he is right up there with some of the other late, great British comedians, including Les Dawson, Frankie Howerd and Tommy Cooper.
Not only was he a comedian, but also a versatile singer (who kept The Beatles off the number one spot in 1965 with his song Tears). He was also the inventor of the Diddy Men, a race of puppets who worked in the Knotty Ash treacle and jam-butty mines, the snuff works and the broken biscuit repair works.
He was known for his one-liners: ''My dad knew I was going to be a comedian. When I was a baby he said, 'Is this a joke?','' and ''Five out of every three people have trouble understanding fractions''.
Dodd and the Diddy Men were a big part of my childhood. Thanks, Ken, you were tattyfilarious.
Can anyone identify this very handsome spider? Brenda Burton of Dunedin is at a loss.
''We live at the top of Three Mile Hill. Can't find the wee guy now but he was beautiful. I showed several friends and no-one had seen one before.
''I hope he's not a threatening import! He was about the size of a small fingernail and fat and round. His/her web went from branch-to-branch but has blown away in today's wind.''
Drop me a line if you know which model he/she is.
Airport recycling
Remember Elspeth McLean's comments about the lack of real crockery and of recycling facilities at Dunedin Airport?
The airport's retail manager, Amy Nicolson, has emailed to explain the preference for takeaway cups and to reveal there are changes in the wind when it comes to recycling at Momona.
''Improving the environmental footprint of the airport is something we are continually working towards,'' she says.
''Due to the nature of business at the airport, speed and efficiency are essential. Our passengers generally prefer a takeaway cup, so they can take their hot drink with them. Our outlets have biodegradable cups and, while this is not as ideal as crockery, it does help eliminate part of the issue with takeaway cups.
''When both outlets have offered crockery in the past, they experienced issues with theft of silverware, cups and saucers, and plates. This is difficult to police, due to the size of the public seating area in the terminal.
''For those passengers that wish to take their time with their beverage and prefer not to use takeaway cups, they can purchase their coffee from Bach Cafe, which will provide a crockery mug upon request.
''We are pleased to inform you that we will be implementing recycling services for all retailers and other tenants within the airport by the end of June, and full recycling for passengers and customers by the end of the year. We will ensure we communicate this once it is implemented. It is something we are very excited about and know our passengers will be also.''
Good news there then. Thanks Amy.
Where are the monarchs this year?
We all delight in their happy flight, their gliding and soaring and wheeling through the air.
But Jacqui Knight, of the Monarch Butterfly NZ Trust, who has been visiting Dunedin, is perturbed at their absence in the city so far this autumn.
''I am very surprised, and saddened, to see no butterflies apart from the cabbage white flying around.
''I know there are at least three people who are breeding monarch butterflies and, by this time of the season, there should be quite a few flying around. Even my grandsons' swan plants remain uneaten.
''The Monarch Butterfly NZ Trust is trying to find out where monarchs are overwintering and we are tagging monarch butterflies. A few years ago we were told of some locations and would love to know more about them.
''We encourage ODT readers to watch out for monarchs carrying small, white, uniquely numbered labels (which are so light they do not affect their flight) and report any sightings to www.mb.org.nz.''
We will indeed, Jacqui.
Get observing, readers.