June has proved to be an exciting month for so many Bond fans. Members and guests from across Europe, and the world, descended on Chantilly in France at the start of the month. I’m sure that all who attended would agree that it was an incredible event at an utterly stunning location.
Then, just the other day we had the the first major news about Bond 26, with A-List Director Denis Villeneuve announced as the visionary for 007’s next mission. Will the Bond news floodgates start to open now, or will we be left in suspense for months?
In this edition of the newsletter we have the debriefs on all the recent Bond events, plus more details on September’s 007GB walking challenge across London for UNICEF. Also, there’s the final call for anyone wanting to join us for drinks with a twist, in Birmingham on the 12th of July.
For England, James!
Miles Winterburn (Agent 006)
Vice President – The British James Bond Fan Club
Operation: PEGASUS – Mission debrief
There could have been no better way to celebrate the 40th anniversary of A View to a Kill than being at Chantilly itself, the presence of the film’s stars and cars.
This is the first time the Bond clubs from France, Germany, Switzerland and Britain have co-hosted an event and it was a delight for more than 250 members to get to know each other in such a special setting.
Operation: Q LAB Update
Planning is well underway for our incredible summer event at the Q Lab. Ticket holders will receive a targeted comms in the coming weeks with more exciting details and information on how to get there. Keep an eye on your inboxes!
In the meantime, if anyone with a ticket is now unable to attend, email the club at enquiries007GB@outlook.com. We have quite a waiting list.
JAMAICA – On the Tracks of James Bond
Board member Simon Firth launched his latest book, “JAMAICA – On the Tracks of James Bond” on 7th June.
A project which he started on 1st August 2024 and completed in March 2025, Simon presented the very first copy of the book to the High Commissioner on Friday 6th June at the High Commission in the company of Olivia Morrow of the Jamaica Inn. This was followed by an interview with George Ruddock of The Gleaner.
On Saturday 7th, On The Tracks of 007 held a launch in Holborn to a number of guests for videos, presentations and interviews. Books were signed.
Also in attendance, and as a complete surprise to both publisher and author alike, were Martine Beswicke, Safira Afzal and Sylvana Henriques; Martine and Sylvana themselves both Jamaica born.
The book is available from the following outlets.
www.thegreatbritishbookshop.co.uk
www.dmd-digital.com
www.onthetracksof007.com
It will also soon be available from Amazon.com
Find out more on Instagram @simonjamesfirth
Next Stop – Birmingham!
007GB Editor in Chief, David Lowbridge-Ellis MBE, will be hosting the next 007GB Local Socials event in central Birmingham. This will take place on Saturday the 12th of July. As he will be making a deposit-based booking at the venue to guarantee our entry, please let him know via email as soon as possible if you’d still like to attend and haven’t already confirmed. Email: licencetoqueer@gmail.com
Birmingham is easily accessible from anywhere in the UK – and beyond. David will be happy to advise about transport and accommodation – there are many options at all price ranges. Just email him.
This local social will take place at the really cool bar/arcade NQ64. If you like booze, beats or button-bashing (or any combination of these) you will have a great time at NQ64. As well as dozens of retro arcade machines, they have an N64 console so there will be a chance to relive your GoldenEye 007 memories. Perhaps most importantly, there is a very cool themed cocktail menu.
David will be there to greet members from (00)7pm at the latest. If people want to meet earlier too, we can make a day of it. Just discuss the options with David directly via email: licencetoqueer@gmail.com
He has chosen the 12th July date because it also coincides with Birmingham ComicCon, which is a 10 minute train journey from the city centre at the NEC (National Exhibition Centre). ComicCon runs across both days of the weekend. If you would like to attend ComicCon, you can book tickets at the official website.
The Walk Is Not Enough
007GB’s 10-mile charity walking challenge for UNICEF will take place on Saturday 11th October. The route sees us visit more than 20 filming locations across central London, and a few other places of note from the world of 007.
As members will be well aware, 007GB is all about raising funds for this incredible charity. Instead of a club gala dinner this year, we are focusing our fundraising in other ways. We hope that as many members who feel able to take part will sign up and help us raise as much money as possible towards our 2025 target for UNICEF.
If you would like to take part, sign-up via the form. This helps us understand who’s coming, and we can create the necessary targeted comms channels. This will be essential as the event approaches, and on the day itself. We’ll also share the platform for fundraising with you shortly, too.
Licence to kick: the day Bond fans took the field!
On 8th June 2025, a day forever etched in the annals of Bondian lore, six factions from the world of 007 fandom answered the call to action – not with martinis or gadgets, but with shin pads and football shirts. The mission? A five-a-side charity clash of volcanic proportions! The venue? Classified… well, sort of. Watford Powerleague, to be precise – less Spectre’s desert lair, more slightly uneven Astroturf!
Operation: ITHACA’S COLT
When the Aston Martin is in the garage, Bond requires a different kind of horsepower…
On a sweltering Saturday, we met with agents for an equestrian mission of style, glamour and excitement at Royal Ascot.
Last modified: 13 January 2026
