I am going to start today by quoting from a letter I received from Barbara Sykes who reads this column in the Watford Observer. She very kindly wrote to say "what a pleasure it is to read your column each week - it's really special and long may you continue writing".

Thank you also Barbara for the Movie Memories magazine you sent me, which I have been a reader for many years. Now quoting praise seems like I am on an ego trip and if so I apologise. I am just using this to show how much I appreciate feedback from readers, for otherwise what is the point?

Alas, my energy levels now suit these few words each week. When I was given my own column more than 40 years ago I had to fill a whole page. In those days I was paid by the word. Nowadays I am not paid at all but the kind comments I get are genuinely more valuable to me. However, if you feel moved to send me a bottle of vodka for medicinal purposes then I will happily accept.

This week just some casual memories of when I was involved with Elstree & Borehamwood Town Council for 32 years . For instance I recall getting a call one day from the BBC asking to use a vacant allotment plot in Borehamwood to shoot a sketch for the highly successful television show The Two Ronnies. We agreed but it was out of season for the veg they needed to be shown growing and to be dug up. The result was that a member of the production had to go to Covent Garden at the crack of dawn and buy the veg so it could be planted on the allotment plot. After filming we were all allowed to take home the veg and it was very tasty.

I was responsible for the Christmas street decorations and two things come to mind. In the mid 1980s we were upgrading our decorations and the EastEnders production unit asked if they could have our 'cast offs'. I agreed so the first time Albert Square had proper seasonal lights was courtesy of the council.

A bigger problem was a phone call from EastEnders the day after we erected the Christmas lights at the Manor Way shopping parade in Borehamwood. In those days they shot episodes six weeks ahead so to them it was supposed to be February. The day before we put up the lights they had filmed a scene with a couple of the cast being driven past the parade, with no lights. They returned a couple of days later to film the characters' return journey and lo and behold Christmas decorations had appeared, ruining the matching shots. In panic they asked me to remove the lights, which I arranged, for one day, at their expense. However, I then had to visit each shop explaining matters as we got the usual flak, saying what the hell is the council doing putting up lights, taking them down and putting them up again?

Three other memories spring to mind just at random so I might as well share them. In the old days the Borehamwood Times had offices behind a bookshop in Shenley Road. I was interviewing veteran star Anthony Quinn at Elstree Studios and he asked me if there was a local bookshop. He wanted to buy some copies of his autobiography to give to visiting guests. We both walked down to the bookshop and nobody took any notice. That was our showbiz town.

On another occasion I walked along Shenley Road with the great comedy actress Liz Fraser and a lady approached and said those immortal words 'didn't you used to be Liz Fraser?' I never thought I would ever hear those words in real life, much like I guess every taxi driver hopes somebody will jump into their cab and say 'follow that car' .

Finally, I was once having a drink at the old Gate pub in Arkley with that great actor and local resident Trevor Howard. A lady approached and said to Trevor: "I thought you were great in Bridge On The River Kwai". Trevor responded by saying "that was actually Jack Hawkins". The lady answered: "Oh well, never mind. Please give me your autograph." So he signed it Denholm Elliott and she went away happy.

Thank you for your company once again on our stroll down Memory Lane and until next time take care.