Well here we are again off on another walk along Memory Lane. I must have the fittest readers in the country with all this exercise. However, the weather at this time of year makes my bones creak so let us stop at this lovely inn, with a crackling log fire, the tipple of your choice and I will regale you with some more memories.

In 1996 the British Film Institute came up with an idea to celebrate the centenary of cinema in the UK: you could apply for one of about 200 plaques they would pay for to be produced. These would be placed around the UK at sites of cinema-related historic interest. I applied, on behalf of the town council and we were awarded 19 based upon my suggestions, such is the wealth of motion picture history in Borehamwood.

The only catch was that I had to arrange an unveiling ceremony for each on, if possible at no cost to the town council. Luckily I then had influence at Elstree Studios and an address book of stars who might assist.

I am still proud of the fact that in those days they all offered their services free of charge, unlike this weird 'celebrity' age we live in today. We honoured the six studios that had existed in Elstree and Borehamwood, with, in particular Sylvia Syms, doing the honours for Elstree Studios. For MGM I got triple Oscar winning director of photography Freddie Young and two-time Oscar winning cameraman and director Freddie Francis.

John Mills attended his plaque unveiling with his lovely daughter Hayley and legendary Hollywood star Olivia de Havilland performed the task honouring Vivien Leigh.

Honor Blackman accepted my invite to unveil Elizabeth Taylor's plaque as did Christopher Lee for his frequent late co-star Peter Cushing and Ralph Fiennes acknowledged Charles Laughton.

I will not go through the whole list of stars who attended but I am forever grateful that they had such fond memories of Elstree and Borehamwood that they came when I asked. The ceremonies were usually private; today I would have made them public but then such an idea would have added to the cost and basically I had no budget. In nearly every case they even had to make their own way to the ceremony and were lucky to get a Tesco value sandwich and a glass of cheap plonk.

I do recall providing a car for Olivia de Havilland as she had flown over from Paris and was staying about 20 miles from Elstree Studios with a relative. That gave me the opportunity to have a long chat with the car ride there and back - she is such a lovely lady and now an amazing 100 years old.

I guess my most relaxed unveiling was the plaque to honour Stanley Kubrick, who was once a local resident and had often filmed in Borehamwood. That sat on my shelf for a while and I recall Tom Cruise declining as did others. Then one day I got a call in November 1999 that the star of A Clockwork Orange, that great actor Malcolm McDowell, was doing a guest spot in a film called Gangster No 1 at Elstree Studios, but only for a few days. It was one of those grab it now moments so I spoke to the unit publicist, and they said Malcolm is happy to do it but it has to be today. I rushed down with the plaque and the photo opportunity was created. That is showbiz!

Finally, a belated happy 80th birthday to Shirley Bassey. In 1996 I spent many of my free hours sorting out thousands of cans of film at Elstree Studios that Brent Walker had abandoned. I still recall one day that Shirley was on a sound stage opposite me rehearsing with an orchestra with the doors open so I was serenaded in my work with such songs as Goldfinger. I think I have enjoyed a wonderful life.

Okay everyone, it is time for us to go home until our next walk.