31 October 2006 as seen by myself

Martin Moderator

It was not only Halloween, but it was a much more special day. I was on a train from London heading towards north. I got lost in thoughts, thinking about the website members from all parts of the world. Suddenly I was brought back to reality as “my” station was announced: ELSTREE & BOREHAMWOOD

Strolling down the road from the railway station to the studios I wondered how often Roger must have walked along the same way. Probably never! I am sure he always went by car…

A few minutes later I met Marie-France and inside the famous studios we met Alan. I was impressed as I had heard so much about the Elstree Studios, but now suddenly I was standing inside. An area with many big halls. We were guided to what was a quite medium sized or rather small room, did not exactly look like a film studio in there. It was the room where Sir Roger Moore should receive his Blue Plaque.

As Alan described when Roger enters a room, the atmosphere changes. The situation is however very difficult to imagine. Somehow unique… Roger and Kristina were indeed surrounded by the crowd. It was magic, the man who we know from film, TV and the website - suddenly here! In person!!! The best dressed man in the room and the most humorous one also… A very beautiful couple indeed! I believe to have noticed that Lady Kristina feels better in her husband’s shadow than in the middle of the spotlight.

Gareth Owen, Roger’s PA, is an extremely efficient and friendly man. And he seems to have the ability to smell chocolate cakes…

There were a number of well known people from the Saint days present but I did not recognise all. Producer Robert Baker at 90, wow, he was fit for his age!

Roger was extremely kind and took time to talk to as many people as possible. In my opinion the best part was his speech, so funny!!! Tony Curtis’ message played by Alan was very touching and so was, for me at least, the amateur (!) choir. Members of the Elstree & Borehamwood community sang the Saint and James Bond themes as well as “Live and let Die” and “Nobody does it Better”, however covered by their own text! Simply great those people! A wonderful tribute to Sir Roger! And it was also exciting to see one of the false Carlas of “The Long Goodbye” and Miss Caruso of “Live And Let Die” in one person: Madeleine Smith!

There was an excellent looking cake with the Saint image as icing. Roger was supposed to attack it with a knife. He did very well I must say.

I am sure it was a great event for Roger too - meeting those old colleagues from years ago. He was so very kind and entertaining it makes one easily understand why he has so many fans and admirers. During his speech he said that in the days he used to work at Elstree he had 20/20 vision (=perfect eyesight), had much more hair and 32 inches waist (which must be very slim). But still today it was wonderful to meet the man who doesn’t look like 79 at all. He still looks quite slim, there is enough hair on his head (well combed as always…) and wearing glasses he is in good company of so many of us… Yet hardly any of us have his charm and his charisma.

Too soon Sir Roger and Lady Kristina had to leave. And yes, Marie-France got kissed by Roger, Alan and I did not… Well, after all it was a SAINT event. Perhaps next time it will be different when we will attend a BOAT TRIP event….