Well here we are again to stroll down Memory Lane, but even old fossils like me can still get down with the dudes and meet young people.

My colleague Bob Redman from our volunteer group Elstree Screen Heritage and me were invited by Woodlands School in Borehamwood to talk to 10 or 12-year-old kids about our film and television heritage. I salute both their teacher Jordan and the youngsters for making it a wonderful two hours. In 60 years' time they will be my age and heaven knows what the world will be like but their innocence and joy of life should make us old timers ashamed of what is happening today. If only as we get older we could hold onto being young.

Lecture over and I watched the final episode of Holby City shot at the BBC Elstree Centre with sadness. I know from private conversations that despite good ratings and a 60,000-signature petition handed to the BBC it was doomed. The series needed two floors of the old 1960 office block and exteriors. Alas, I am told it would cost over £7 million to repair that office block as bits are falling off and as the BBC are reviewing the future of the BBC Elstree Centre that is the real decision behind cancelling a still popular series.

Borehamwood Times:

I have just found the draft of my first book written in 1972 entitled The End Of An Era, which was about film stars who had died up until that time. In those days it was nice to have a foreword written by a star of yesteryear. I sent a draft to Dennis Price who had been a star in British cinema with films like Kind Hearts And Coronets but was now living as sadly a drunk in the Channel Isles. We exchanged letters but he felt nobody would remember him so he declined and sadly died shortly afterwards.

I then read that Bruce Cabot , the star along with Fay Wray of the original 1930s King Kong movie was over here to appear in the James Bond film Diamonds Are Forever. I sent a draft copy to him and he wrote back that when he went back to America he would show it to his pal John Wayne, who he suggested was a far better name. Alas, Bruce died from cancer not long after so I never heard from the Duke. Ironically, Peter Cushing did write a wonderful foreword for me but I could never find a publisher as nobody really cared about nostalgia in the 1970s. 50 years later it is probably time to throw away this stuff as I must start to declutter.

Talking to the kids proved interesting in that they did recognise a photo of Indiana Jones but nobody could name the actor. What can I say, Harrison as I am sure you or are your people are reading this online but that is showbiz.

I know there is a buzz about who will be the next James Bond or Dr Who. Okay, if pressed I will take on both roles as I know I look like William Hartnell and am often mistaken for Daniel Craig when I walk or limp out of the sea wearing a biikini. Until next time, take care and keep well.

  • Paul Welsh MBE is a Borehamwood writer and historian of Elstree Studios