Greetings fellow agents and welcome to the August newsletter, for the EYES ONLY of our members.
Q Lab took place earlier in the month and was a roaring success. Everyone had a fantastic time at our secret location in East Anglia and we raised loads of money for UNICEF, once again. I’m busy continuing to plan the charity walk in London this October. I strongly encourage any members still wanting to take part to sign up ASAP. We are nearly at our maximum capacity now, so don’t miss out!
Also in this month’s newsletter, our Editor in-Chief attends the premiere of 007 Road To A Million Season 2 in London. Early feedback is that it’s a step up from the first series, and leans much more into the world of Bond. Our President gives the lowdown on an incredible concert that he attended in LA, with a bevy of Bond girls on his arm. Finally we give you a quick update on our plans for later in the year.
For England, James!
Miles Winterburn (Agent 006)
Vice President – The British James Bond Fan Club
Q Lab goes off with a bang!
Mission debrief by Ciaran Brown – 007GB Membership Manager
Photography by Mark Wooldridge – 007GB Film & Media Director
“Now, pay attention, 007…”
Those immortal words instantly conjure the image of the incomparable Desmond Llewelyn, the legendary Q. His legacy within the Bond franchise is untouchable, appearing in more films than any other credited actor – a record that may never be broken!
It was in the same spirit that, this August, 007GB unveiled its very first full-scale gathering at Q-Lab – an immersive event where fans and friends alike could step directly into Bond’s world, surrounded by the cars and gadgets/weapons that have defined the series for generations.
The venue? A discreet, top-secret location in the East of England. The mission? Pure indulgence. Guests were welcomed with an open bar – a fitting prelude to the spectacle awaiting them: a stunning collection of 007’s most iconic vehicles. The reveal was breathtaking – a pure gleaming of motoring history!
Highlights included a Ford Mustang Mach 1, a Lotus Esprit Turbo and the crown jewel of Bond’s garage: the legendary 1964 Aston Martin DB5! Guests also marvelled at a genuine, screen-used Q-Boat from The World Is Not Enough. Adding to the thrills were a 1968 Aston Martin DBS and a V12 Vanquish, both underappreciated classics and finally basking in the admiration that they deserve. For fans, the chance to experience these cinematic icons was nothing short of priceless.
But the excitement didn’t end with motor vehicles. Attendees handled replica firearms, including Sir Roger Moore’s very own Browning pistol from The Wild Geese. The 007GB Store was also in full swing, led by the ever-lovely Victoria Hodges, with an array of collectibles for fans to secure as mementoes of the day (“Do please try and return some of this equipment in pristine order!”).
The guest list was suitably star-studded: Bond beauties Alison Worth, Carole Ashby, Caroline Munro and Safira Afzal graced the event, joined by none other than legendary director John Glen. And not forgetting special effects mastermind Chris Corbould OBE, recipient of this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Having contributed to 15 Bond films, his influence on the franchise is incalculable. Yet, true to character, he proved as warm and gracious in person as he is legendary in reputation.
A gourmet lunch followed – burgers, hot dogs and a tempting spread of desserts – during which guests had the first chance to pick up the club’s latest issue of ‘Keeping the British End Up’ – our most comprehensive yet!
Then, in true 007 fashion, the afternoon took an explosive turn. Club President Philip Dewhurst took the wheel of the original, screen-used Renault taxi from ‘A View to a Kill’, chauffeuring Carole Ashby, John Glen and Martin. With Chris Corbould himself taking centre stage, the stunt ended with a suitably dramatic bang; a moment worthy of Bond’s own effects team.
The presentation that followed honoured Chris Corbould with a montage of his finest cinematic triumphs. In a perfect passing of the torch, John Glen – our first year’s honouree – presented him with the award and Chris’s talk proved both fascinating and insightful. A delightfully entertaining auction led by Phil and our UNICEF raffle of wonderful signed items and collectible memorabilia capped the event, raising over £5,000 for UNICEF!
The verdict? A mission accomplished with style, sophistication and a dash of 007-worthy spectacle. To all who attended, and to our extraordinary guests, thank you for making Q-Lab an event to remember!
Q-LAB WILL RETURN…
The Walk Is Not Enough
The Walk Is Not Enough takes place on Saturday the 11th of October, the same weekend as events such as Q The Music’s West End concert, and GATHERALL at the Hippodrome. The 10 mile route sees us visit more than 20 Bond filming locations across central London, and a few other places of note from the world of 007.
We are nearly at full capacity now, so if there are any members still wishing to take part in the walk, sign up before it’s too late! If you would like to take part, click the link below. It’s free to take part. You will be sent details on how to also sign up for fundraising. We aren’t setting a specific fundraising target for those attendees, but if everyone could aim for £100, that would be amazing!
Those taking part can choose whether to get dressed up, be it in a tux or even cosplay. It’s totally up to you! Groups will head off from outside Wapping Overground Station from 10:30am onwards. We must split up because of the obvious issues with large groups gathering in central London. Each group will have an allocated team leader with the route details and information on places for refreshments, etc.
The walk finishes at at the Morpeth Arms on Millbank, across the Thames from the SIS Building. We have the Spying Room upstairs exclusively reserved for drinks from mid-afternoon onwards. We may even have some special guests joining us!
Members not taking take part can still support our the fundraising via the Just Giving page link below.
Premiere of 007: Road to a Million Series 2
Mission debrief by David Lowbridge-Ellis MBE – 007GB Editor in-Chief
I was delighted to be invited to the premiere of the new series of Road to a Million, held in the luxurious environs of the Ham Yard Hotel in Soho. All of the series contestants were there, along with Brian Cox, who plays The Controller in the show, and actor Nicholas Woodeson, reprising his Skyfall role as Doctor Hall, the psychologist.
We were treated to the first two episodes of the series and a Q&A with two contestant pairs and Brian Cox. Cox was very frank about this show, stating that he felt it was “much better” than the first series, a view shared by everyone who was there. Although personally, I’d found quite a lot to enjoy about the first series, I thought it had a lot of untapped potential. This new series addresses all of this. For a start, it’s so much more BOND. This time around, even the contestants are shown geeking out about all of the cool settings, props and vehicles.
After the showing, there was an after party for the creatives involved with the show, their families and selected guests. I had a great time chatting with the series director and the contestants, learning some fascinating behind-the-scenes insights. The complimentary Bollinger, martinis and canapes weren’t bad either!
From LA with love!
James Bond follows you around the globe & when you are in, you are IN, vacation or otherwise!
There was an absolutely amazing night here in California: a huge Bond concert with thousands and thousands of spectators. Conducted by the incredible multi platinum selling & 5 time Grammy-nominated performer, Michael Feinstein and performed by the Pasadena Pops Orchestra.
Saturday night was a long planned dinner with Thunderball siren Luciana Paluzzi & her husband Michael… However it turned into a surprise invitation for a spy concert in Pasadena and we had a blast with the wonderful Lynn Holly Johnson (Bibi Dahl, For Your Eyes Only) and Gloria Hendry (Rosie Carver, Live & Let Die). It was a lovely to see them both again 😍
Champagne, sushi, music and a wonderful VIP after party; the most stunning vocals from Storm Large & Jimmie Herrod… This was Bond & beyond to a sell out crowd of nearly 5,000!
The best part was watching our dear Luciana make so many people happy who got such as surprise she was there in the audience, even partaking in a fan’s birthday photo & cake celebration ❤️
The Bond girls were mentioned onstage and their respective themes played for the audience and, as President of 007GB, I can tell you the event staff looked after all of us in true Bond style.
Thank you Pasadena Pops for the hospitality and the backstage introductions to the maestro.
“Take me ’round the world one more time”
On the evening of Saturday the 6th of December, in London, 007GB will be holding its final event of 2025. Tickets and more details will be released next month!
Did you only join 007GB in 2024 or 2025 and miss out on either of the club’s first two magazines? We have a limited number of copies of both available to purchase exclusively for 2025 members.
Issue 001 is £10 +P&P and issue 002 is £15 +P&P.
If you’re interested in buying a copy, email: enquiries007GB@outlook.com
Last modified: 13 January 2026
