Having been visiting film sets since my childhood it is in my blood.

My late dad was a sound effects man at the old Gate Recording Theatre in Borehamwood that survived from the 1930s until the 1970s. That meant in the late 1950s and 60s my treat was to burn unwanted edited 35mm film in an oil drum. It would be very non-health and safety today but it was fun.

One of the sound editors producing this waste was an old friend and long-term resident of Borehamwood, Terry Rawlings, who has very sadly just passed away. He was a master at his game and his credits ranged from Chariots Of Fire to Blade Runner and much more in an award-winning career. He was a lovely gentleman and my deepest thoughts go to his family. I will remember him.

Recently I was approached by the current owners of Harkness Screens, who for many years from the 1950s onwards occupied the old Gate Studios located next to Elstree and Borehamwood railway station.

They are currently preparing to celebrate their 90th anniversary and are keen to hear from any former staff members who might like to share their memories.

At one time they featured in the Guinness Book Of Records for producing the largest cinema screen in the world.

When I first went to the cinema, in about 1960, smoking was still allowed, so the screen would get covered by nicotine staining and have to be replaced every couple of years or so.

I must admit it never bothered us kids as we were more concerned with letting pals in free of charge via the emergency exits or throwing things from the balcony onto those in the stalls on Saturday matinees.

My late mum grew up in Shepherds Bush and was a regular cinemagoer in the 1930s, when she was not dancing at the Hammersmith Palais. My parents moved to Borehamwood in 1952, when it was very much a new town rapidly expanding on what had once been farmland.

For some reason I still recall one cinema visit with my mum and late brother from a date lost in the mists of time. Our first treat was a glass of Tizer with a dollop of home made cream in it at Hansons Cafe. On the walk to the cinema in Borehamwood we were further treated to warm peanuts at a local cafe that had a window onto the street. I cannot remember the film that we saw but I do recall we came out to the bus stop outside to find ourselves enveloped in a dense fog. I cannot remember whether it was a 52 or 292 bus, but I still remember the conductor having to walk in front of the bus to guide us on our way. I am sure older readers can recall the London smogs, which I know were much worse than we get today - I cannot remember any fog in recent years.

I am sometimes asked who was the favourite star I met or interviewed. That to me is impossible to answer. The other night I watched a 1939 film called The Cat and the Canary starring Bob Hope. I enjoyed the movie. I got to meet Bob in the early 1990s in Hollywood via an introduction from the Mayor of Hollywood. What a treat! However I suspect most readers say under 30 will have never heard of Bob Hope. That is the nature of fame.

I rarely visit film sets anymore and as to this odd celebrity world we now live in I have no idea who they are.

Luckily, we can still escape into the past down memory lane and go back in time to when you could buy a cinema ticket for two shillings and when 3D with special glasses was state of the art. Until next time, fingers crossed and take care of yourself.