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Article - Annual
charity James Bond Golf Classic and Gala Dinner at Stoke Park, Slough
Rob
Snow and Andy Dickenson
(published on this site 12-7-2002)
On
Friday 28th of June the Ian Fleming Foundation and EON Productions
held their annual charity James Bond Golf Classic and Gala Dinner
at Stoke Park, Slough. For the Bond fans amongst us Stoke Park is
where Bond beat Goldfinger at golf and made love to Paris in Tomorrow
Never Dies. This year's charity was The Variety Club.
As
well as the golf match featuring showbusiness and sports stars there
was a gala dinner in the evening. A feature of the yearly galas
is the presentation of the 'Goldeneye' award. Named after Ian Fleming's
home in Jamaica this is presented to a person who has made 'a significant
contribution to the success of James Bond'. Past recipients have
included Albert R. Broccoli, Terence Young and Michael G. Wilson.
This year the IFF board voted to honour John Barry.
The
evening began with a champagne reception in the Great Hall as we
gathered ready to take our seats in the large marquee. Members of
the Bond cast and crew at the reception included John Cleese, Samantha
Bond, Rick Yune, Rosamund Pike, David Arnold, Michael G. Wilson,
Lee Tamahori, Vic Armstrong, Peter Lamont, Neal Purvis, Robert Wade
and, of course, John Barry accompanied by his wife Laurie and son
Jonpatrick. Music was provided by Kenny Clayton on the piano ( Kenny
worked with Matt Monro on 'From Russia With Love').
Others I remember being at the dinner were Caroline Munro, Shirley
Eaton and Maryam d'Abo. And Billy Zane, who was completely bald.
With his white tuxedo he looked like a young Blofeld! Just missing
the pussycat. Nice guy tho'. Asked my name and wished me luck. Vic
Flick was supposed to be playing too but I don't think he was there.
(Comment by Geoff Leonard made in the discussion group: "Indeed
he wasn't. He told me he had far too much work on to travel, in
the end. I suppose flying from LA to London could have been rather
expensive, too!)
After
an hour or so the 500 guests took their places at the 50 tables
in the giant marquee. A stage was located at one end of the tent
from where the night's entertainment and presentations would take
place. The MC for the night was Samantha Bond (the current Miss
Moneypenny) who began by welcoming everyone to the dinner, especially
the Guest of Honour, John Barry.
The
food menu was as follows:
- Citrus fruit terrine with smoked salmon.
- Grilled supreme of chicken stuffed with apricot and mango chutney,
served with roast ratatouille, baked potato cake and sage and
onion jus.
- Champagne and Strawberry jelly with marinated fruits and raspberry
coulis.
At
the back of the room was the 'silent auction'. Bond memorabilia
was laid out on tables along with sheets of paper to write down
bids. The highest bid for each item at the end of the night won.
Jonpatrick Barry went away with a full set of Bond diecast model
cars for £300.
Whilst
we ate, original music from the Bond films was played as background.
Following presentation of the golfing awards (the main prize being
won by George Lazenby's team with John Cleese doing his best Basil
Fawlty and walking off with one of the prizes) the entertainment
began.
First
up were the Opera Babes who sang a couple of tracks from their number
one album, followed by 'their tribute to John Barry'. Unfortunately,
they picked 'From Russia with Love', composed by Lionel Bart!
Next
was a live auction hosted by hypnotist Paul McKenna. Amongst the
prizes were tickets to the Die Another Day premiere and party, and
a sword used in the film (eventually going to David Arnold). Two
of the most eagerly bid for prizes were those donated by John and
Laurie Barry. The first was a signed score to Goldfinger complete
with the baton used to conduct the orchestra; the second, dinner
with John and Laurie in London. Both went for thousands of pounds.
David
Arnold then introduced Bond author Raymond Benson who played a selection
of John Barry's Bond music on the piano.
Then
came the presentation of the 'Goldeneye' award to John Barry. Although
this was supposed to be the highlight of the night it passed by
very quickly. David Arnold made a short presentation speech mentioning
how John Barry had influenced him since he started writing film
music and how John Barry has more Oscars than any other Englishman
and than 'the great John Williams'. John Barry walked onto the stage
to a standing ovation and made an even shorter acceptance speech
thanking the 'Bond family' and stating how honoured and gratified
he was to have been honoured with the award. A surprise to everyone
was a letter read out praising John Barry and his influence on the
Bond films, the actors playing Bond and on the history of films
in general. The letter was signed by Roger Moore. There then followed
a disco until the early hours.
Personally,
I will best remember meeting and talking to John Barry for the first
time. When I mentioned that I was from Hull he told me that his
father once owned the Astoria cinema (now a bingo hall) located
just around the corner from where I live. When John introduced me
to Laurie I said that I had congratulated him on his award 'from
one Yorkshireman to another' and she whispered to me, "Yorkshiremen
are the best in the world". Obviously I had to agree!
After
meeting David Arnold he told me that his music for Die Another Day
would be 'the same but different'. When I asked him if the sword
he had won in the auction was to use on Madonna he just said, 'this
will come in useful during the next few weeks'! He has also written
a song with Don Black (also at the dinner on John Barry's table)
for the film but does not know if it will be included in the final
cut.
Samantha
Bond, as well as being gorgeous, was more than happy to talk and
sign autographs. And Billy Zane (Kate Winslet's 'fiancé' in 'Titanic')
was very friendly too.
From
the group I met Andy Dickenson and son Joe who now has a taste for
expensive champagne and Bond girls!
A
very friendly, good, night was had by all.
Next
up for the dinner suit should be the Die Another Day premiere at
the Royal Albert Hall in November.
Andy
Dickenson adds:
My
own little extra memories include everyone we spoke to being so
generous with their time and so friendly. I took the opportunity
to ask my favourite (you're all bored with it now) question of JB.
About the vocal to Inside Moves that was sung live on Pebble Mill
at One around the time of the film - by Catherine Howe. He looked
baffled and suggested that as 'Dick Donner' was involved, he could
have been responsible (!?) Still a mystery then. I only regret not
asking Don Black. Maybe Someday!
I
was moved to chat to John Glen briefly and reminded him that I approached
him over 20 years ago after the last taxis had gone from the premiere
for For Your Eyes Only, to congratulate him. He was appreciative
then, and says he remembers it now. I also wrote to him afterwards
asking about future involvement from Barry, and he replied in longhand
with a considered answer. Three films later, the rest is history!
A true gentleman.
Vic
Armstrong was ebullient and introduced his wife Wendy (daughter
of George Leech the stunt arranger on OHMSS and herself a double
for many Bond girls). He claimed to be desperate to be given a shot
at the director's chair. Understandable. I think it's kind of sad
that those days have passed. Especially when you consider the classics
OHMSS and Living Daylights. I rest my case.
Finally.....and
bizzarely! John Cleese actually intitiated conversation with me!
In the loo! I was able to tell him that my father did several odd
jobs for his late mother who lived in our old home town of Weston
Super Mare. Again....an utter gentleman.
Unforgettable
evening.
Rob
Snow and Andy Dickenson |
