I've danced with a m“ an, who's danced with a girl, who's danced with the Prince of

"I've danced with a man, w”ho's danced with a girl, who's danced with the Prince of Wales" was a 1927 song by Herbert Farjeon and Harold Scott written at the height of the popularity of Edward, Prince of Wales (Provincial Grand Master for ), later Edward VIII of the . It was inspired by a 1920s incident at the Ascot Cabaret Ball, at which Edward asked ballroom dancing champion Edna Deane to dance with him nine times. HM The Queen, Prince Philip, HRH Prince Charles, HRH Prince Andrew, and HRH PFrinAceMss AOnnUe”.S PEOPLE YOU’VE MET

by Peter Cartwright Just how much stock do we take on meeting famous ROYALTY people? I, for one have have never met anyone famous ROBERT SOPER “I met the HM The Queen at a reception except perhaps one that my daughter reminded me of at St James’s Palace in 1996. It was a reception for the when we went to see the musical “”. That great Royal School of Church Music. I was asked, having been booming and likeable actor, Brian Blessed who spoke to introduced to HM myself, then to introduce her to eight us in the foyer during a break in the show and asked us others. This was before my Freemasonry days. I’ve also if we were enjoying the production. met three former Archbishops of Canterbury, (actually I joked on social media recently, that when I was meeting and talking to them), as well as being in once touring Italy and visited during Easter, I Cathedral services with others, including the current one”. happened to join in with the crowd listening to an DAVID CLARK “I met HRH Prince Charles in a big bush address by the Pope who, dressed in white, raising his once at Windsor Castle – he was investigating the arm in a heavenly salute to St. Peter. Thinking he was smoke coming out the bush. My colleague was having a referring to me, I waved back. crafty cigarette”. I’ve been in the company of, but not actually met, ASH TOFTE “I’ve met loads, far to many to go through, a member of the Royal family. There are many of you but perhaps the most famous would be HRH Prince who have had such a priviledge. The following Phillip on a few occasions, being as I served in his narrative are Freemasons in Surrey and others who regiment. have answered my enquiring post on social media, CHRIS CASSELDEN “HM The Queen, Prince Phillip, followed by one non-Freemason. So let’s begin: Prince Charles, Prince Andrew, Princess Anne”. Margaret Thatcher during separate visits to local Conservative offices. PETER MEARNS ”Amongst others, Rex Tillerson who became a Secretary of State under President Trump. He was in Exon Mobile and subsequently became President of the company. Picked him up a couple of times at the private part of Luton airport and from his hotel whilst I was chauffeuring. MIKE CHARLESWORTH said he met many “of the great and awful” during his 17 years working at the House of Lords”.

ACTORS, FILM STARS, TV & SPORTS PERSONALITIES PETER ASHTON once bought a fishing rod from Chris Tarrant. BRIAN WELLS “I've had , Neil Morrisey, BRENDAN GLYNN “I met HM The Queen in 1996 when Sarah Harding, Denise Van Outen, Christopher Biggins, she opened Sainsburys new superstore in New Cross. Lionel Blair and Kellie Shirley occupying my flat every She was most interested in the store, asking me about day for two weeks together with the film crew when how many jobs we created and our involvement in the they were making "Run for your Wife" in 2011”. local community”. RICHARD STEPHENSON “Screaming Lord Sutch”. LEO HOPKINS “When I was 17 and in college, I met NICK BUTTERWORTH “Being a massive Dr Who fan, I HRH Prince Andrew”. have met the following Dr's – Jon Pertwee, Tom Baker, BOB JONES “I’ve shaken hands with HRH The Duke of Peter Davidson, Colin Baker, Sylvester McCoy and Paul Kent, HRH Prince Michael of Kent and the Marquess of McCann at various conventions. And Nick also met Northampton. various multiple Daleks, Cybermen, Ice Warriors and SURREY FREEMASON reports he’s met Royalty on many other classic monsters. occasions. DEAN STEWART “For my sins I have met Jimmy Saville ANDREW BUSHE “Met Lady Diana when she opened a (no comments please). Tom travel exhibition and said a very brief hello”. Baker, (Dr Who). Met both Finishing Royalty with WILL FRY who says he’s met when I was very young when a few old queens in his time. the Taxis took kids HEADS OF STATE, CABINET MINISTERS AND down to the coast in convoy” POLITICIANS PETER LONG “Met Hugh Grant KHALI RAHMAN “I once had breakfast at Fulham, Windsor Davies in with Indira Gandhi, soon after she took the Greyhound pub in over as Prime Minister of India - Long Carshalton when the Grand National was on and he Story.” bought me a pint”. DAVID CLARK “Paddy Ashdown and his ANDY FOX is a London Black Cabbie so he’s met a few wife ate my packed meal at the Festival of celebrities: Ann Diamond; Angela Rippon; Jarvis Remembrance. They arrived late and hadn’t had Cocker; David Gower; Mike Tindall; Peter Crouch; Dame anything to eat”. Edna Everage; Nicolas Witchel; Vanessa Phelps; ALAN BROCKWELL John Major at a visit to his old Brendan Glynn [who?]; Jose Mouriniho; Gianfranco school where I was a Governor. Both Teresa May and Zola”. RORY KANE ”Had a beer with the lovely in and bazaar and he generously a pub close to his house”. bought me lunch”. PAUL CRANE ”Jim Davison at a Greg Lake concert in ALAN BROCKWELL ”I met Rick Lancing”. Wakeman at dinner, also GERRY MASON ”Marianne Faithfull when she got off a Roger De Coursey who did a Royal Blue coach in Exeter and asked me directions to turn at my installation”. the theatre (where she was performing that night). I RICHARD CRIDDLE ”I worked offered to help her with her bags and when I showed for Theo Paphitis (of Dragons her the front door of the theatre she told me who she Den) for 2 years. I had dinner was etc, and wanted the stage door and thanked me with Mark Smith (from BBC and gave me kiss on the cheek – never washed that TV’S Antiques Roadshow) after cheek since . That was nearly 60 years ago and at the he gave a talk at an event I time and to be honest did not know who she was until I organised, and I know the actress Soo Droet (in Robin saw her on stage that evening with the Rolling Stones Hood Prince of Thieves) amongst other films and and others. Cannot remember ritual these days but I adverts”. remember her!” ADAM STEVEN ”I am a huge Star Wars fan, and was MARCUS GOOCH ”Back in college I worked in a bike lucky enough to have met David Prowse and Kenny shop and sold Dame a bike as a present for Baker”. a grandson. There is a little more to the story, but the TERRY BARNES ”I met at New Scotland long and short of it is that she is every bit as kind and Yard, when he visited my Commander. They were gracious as you might think she is”. mates in the army. Also met Roger De Courcey, Peter ASH TOFTE ”I was in a film with Jean Claude Van Ebdon, Gareth Hunt and Jim Davidson, when attending Damn, I taught him everything he knows actually Chelsea Lodge where John Virgo was initiated about 20 during breaks from filming when he would come and odd years ago”. have lunch with us. As for tv personalities dozens upon NICHOLAS HOOK ”I caddied for Ronnie Corbett a few dozens. Georgia Moffett is absolutely stunningly times when I was around 14 years old and 6' which beautiful and both her and David are lovely people, as looked very funny im told”. is her mum. Of course to this day they will all LUKE BENNETT ”I've met quite a few 'faces', but the remember the day they one who left me the most star struck was Muhammad met me. Ali at Heathrow once. I was only 18, so I actually asked for his autograph due to the legend factor! The most famous mason I have met is probably Jim Davidson (although I think he may have since resigned) at the Carlton Club bar and a MP who is also on the square”. CHRIS HATTON ”I had dinner with Mohamed Ali in The Dal Magreb restaurant Sunset Boulevard in 1980! My cousins husband had put a gold chain with the front page of the Koran around his neck saying you are a far better Muslim than me, I want you to have it! Ali ANDREW BOND met was so overcome he invited my cousin (and me!) for Michael Barrymore dinner after he had visited the UK. Good as his word when he was doing a road safety advertisement at when he got back to LA he got the manager to phone Exeter Granada services. Andrew was 8 years old at my cousin and invited us to dinner! the time. When I got home on another visit to the UK I saw JOHN L WAGGOTT “I met Jimmy Paige in Cairo on my Ali wearing the necklace on the Russell Harty show! I 40th birthday. I spent the day with him in the museum have also been lucky enough to meet in the players lounge at QPR the day QPR beat Liverpool in the League Cup. Jim Davidson came to my Perfection in to Rose Croix and I went to his joining of Royal Order of Scotland. My wife and I also met Randolph Churchill and Cleo Rocas at a Livery dinner”. JONATHAN BURSTON ”Back when I was young and used to do hospital radio I got to interview Bob Geldof and Ken Dodd. Bob wasn’t really interested in being interviewed sadly so it wasn’t the longest interview.  Ken on the other hand was very generous. He finished his show very late after 3 encores and then met his I was invited to quite a few charity events and private fans and then at 12.30am I got to interview him. He parties including Bananarama, Cheryl Baker, Frank gave me 40 mins of his time and couldn’t have been Bruno and many other celebrities who were always more friendly or willing to answer my questions. A true pleased to support the military. I had the time of my gent. A class act”. life. I became a Freemason in 1991 whilst serving in MICK McDONNELL ”I worked as a Page Boy at the the Army and later joined the Surrey Police. I ended up Dorchester Hotel in London in 1965. I met many times being mentioned in dispatches in Mike Neville’s book Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. I also used to take ‘the Crime and the Craft’. Taking a week off, I took a dog for a walk in Hyde Park that belonged to Yule part as an extra in ‘Gladiator’ and met Thomas Arana Brynner who stayed often and he would give me a tip ‘Quintus’ when the opening battle scene was being of £5. This was equal to a weeks wages then. I enjoyed filmed in Bourne Woods. I was also at the double meeting many celebrities of which I still have some initiation of two Victoria Cross Holders Johnson Beharry autographs”. and a former soldier in the Australian SAS and talked DONALD McGARR ”I've met Harry Secombe when he to them both which a very memorable and enjoyable was filming a religious programme, Neil Kinnock on a day and one that I doubt will be repeated ever again”. zebra crossing outside Portcullis House, Al Murray and ANGUS McDONALD ”I met Ronnie Corbett when he Harry Hill at a comedy club, Bill Bailey bought me a opened the Centenary Fete at Cane Hill Hospital. He pint after one of his shows. I met John Hurt in the then stopped at my ward Alleyn, to talk to patients and Kings Road, and when I was a train guard on the staff as he was leaving. My father also a Mason, met northern line Alan Bennett travelled on my train and I Mark McManus and some of the cast of Taggart when still have his autograph. I've stood next to Sue Pollard they filmed an episode at Gartloch Hospital, ”. in the concert artistes association without knowing it. ANDREW BUSHE ”I met Sir Ian Botham a few times at I've been Junior Deacon at a lodge meeting where Rick different times, the last time was about 5 years ago, Wakeman was helping out as Senior Deacon. I've sat also David Gower, Phil Edmunds, Jason Roy, a few opposite Jim Davidson and his son at a festive board, played rugby with and against a number of All Blacks and Masonically I have seen Simon Gregson initiated, when I was playing for Bahrain in the late 80s. George and met Roger DeCourcey, Johnson Beharry, Mike Kruis is a member of Dorking RFC and John Taylor, Neville and Mark Smith”. Mike Roberts, both ex-Lions etc.” NICK MITCH MITCHELL ”I suppose it makes sense that I LEN HILLIER ”I worked in Cliff Richards house when he start at Woolwich Barracks when I was the Depot lived in St George’s Hill and chatted with him over a Photographer in the Royal Artillery in the 80s. It was cup of tea in his kitchen”. inevitable that I would meet (Ex-Gunner) Spike CHRIS CASSELDEN recalls meeting Rt Hon Ian Douglas Milligan and (Ex-L/Bdr) Harry Secombe as was Dennis Smith, Graham Hill, Jackie Stewart, Derek Bell, Lord Thatcher and Margaret who were always popping in. I Montague of Beaulieu, Lord Northampton, Sir David photographed HM The Queen and over the years most Hugh Wooton (both Freemasons), Harry Secombe, our of the Royal Family at various engagements in London. friend and deeply missed Babs Windsor. BARRIE HAWKINS ”I met a great many celebs in my MPs and Lords prominents being Margaret Thatcher, time at the airport. The two that really stood out as James Callaghan and Neil Kinnock”. caring about their fans were, Lionel Ritchie and George DEAN STEWART also met Neil 'Razor' Ruddock. I went Michael. The one I was most impressed with at meeting round his house a few times to do some work. A member was Buzz Aldrin. They one who made me highly of my lodge is Mike Harvey. Most will remember the unprofessional as a fan, was ”. programme Gladiators. He was called ‘Bullit”. COLIN ANTILL ”I have met and photographed many PETER LONG met football star, . Actually, so famous people over the years – some became personal did I. When I was lining up at a night club in Piccadilly, friends and one or two others were complete a*****s”. he came along and chatted for a while. The one that really shocked me for her kindness and STEVE GURR “I remember at a corporate ‘do’ I was at understanding when I photographed at the Disabled sitting round a table with Geoff Hurst. One particular Riders Awards was Princess Ann. guy was very drunk and the conversation turned to IAN GURLING ”Ive met a number of famous people, ‘where were you when won the World Cup?’ mostly through working in film and tv for a while, most Everyone answered because they could all remember, notable from that field was James Bolam, a genuinely apart from Geoff Hurst – obviously”. The drunk guy good guy and one that pleasantly surprised me was Rik turned to him and in a very loud drunken voice said Mayall, after the young ones. I didn’t rate him greatly “c’mon pal you are among friends, don’t be but when I met him on the set of Spooks he proved to embarrassed, where were you?” Geoff Hurst looked at be a genuine and very funny guy”. him and very quietly said “about 6 inches from the PETER GRIFFIN ”Pete Townshend from The Who is a ball”. The drunk guy had no idea he was sitting beside friend of mine. I met him 24 years ago in Twickenham, him”. where we became friends and still are”. When I worked ALAN BROCKWELL “I met some Spurs stars at a Sporting at Buckingham Palace I met many of the Royal family. I occasion: Ossie Ardiles, Ricky Villa and ”. also worked at the Houses of Parliament and met many

Non-Masons A dear lady friend of mine who kindly loaned me her flat in Forest Hill many years ago was Griselda El Tayib. Griselda was a very talented artist who amassed a collection of paintings of clothing worn by the natives of the Sudan. For her efforts in advancing the cultural link between the UK and Sudan where she lives in Khartoum, she was awarded the MBE by HRH The Prince of Wales. Now in her 90s she is still actively painting native costumes. She herself has met Pricess Anne Tito of Yugoslavia in Addis Ababa and the Emperor Haile Selassi. Well, that’s it folks. I hope you have enjoyed this look-back into some of the famous people that you’ve met which you are sharing with others. Just before I close, out from the back of my sponge-like mind, I have remembered a few more personalities that I have met. Back in the 1980s, I was a director of a company supplying artwork to Dorlands (advertising agency) in Paddington and was asked to attend for an advertising brief. I arrived at the ground floor lift and standing beside me was one of the most gracious and beautiful of women, none other than . I remember exchanging pleasantries in the lift and wishing her a good day. For the rest of the day I just drooled. I was single at the time and regret not asking her out for dinner. One that got away! And lastly when I had my antique shop in Forest Hill, there were a few celebrities that came into view, one of whom was Timothy Spall. There was also a couple of Eastenders stars and the loveable Harry Hill. He saw a set of five 18in tall modern automatons of monkeys that played instruments which he purchased.