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Topic: Kenneth Williams plaque unveiling

Message 1 / 4
Clitheroe KidAug 20, 2009
 

 
I've been involved with the "Heritage Foundation" in the past, when it was
known as "Comic Heritage". It's a private company that makes its income from
this type of celebrity event.

As the plaque unveiling is in a public street (although the company would
never allow this to be advertised) anyone can attend the actual unveiling,
without paying, because it's in a public place. It usually lasts about half
an hour, including speeches.

Only the lunch afterwards (if you attend it) is a paying event. That usually
lasts until late afternoon, and you can mingle all afternoon with the
celebs, but it's very pricey - and has to be booked in advance.

Quite a large number of members of the public will turn up for the
unveiling, but won't attend the lunch itself. Sometimes the Press boys are
at the unveiling too.

This one is another that's in a public street. The Marchmont Street property
was a Barber's shop, owned by Kenneth's father. The family lived in the flat
above the shop for 30 years.

My tip is turn up early! The plaque will have been put up the previous day,
so you can get photographs of it when you arrive. There are not usually any
screening curtains, so it's not being "unveiled" in any real sense.

And you might find Bill Pertwee arriving early - he's a very friendly bloke,
and will chat to anyone! If you know nothing about Dad's Army, talk to him
about the Cricket: he's a big Test Match fan, ever since he was involved in
the 1948 Test series.

----- Original Message -----
From: "delmelza" <delmelza@...>
To: <just-a-minute@...>
Sent: Thursday, August 20, 2009 12:02 AM
Subject: [just-a-minute] Re: Kenneth Williams plaque



Drats I will be 2 days too late! I arrive in London the afteroon of oct
13th--but thanks for the Information I will add it to my List of places to
see. Miriam
--- In just-a-minute@..., "SteveMKing" <smking@...> wrote:
>
> Details from The Heritage Foundation website:
>
> KENNETH WILLIAMS PLAQUE UNVEILING
> Sunday October 11th, 2009
>
> Robin Gibb CBE and The Heritage Foundation are delighted to invite you to
the unveiling of a Heritage Foundation Blue Plaque in memory of legendary
comedy actor, broadcaster, raconteur and wit, the late Kenneth Williams on
Sunday 11th October 2009. The unveiling will take place at 57 Marchmont St,
London WC1 and will be performed by Leslie Phillips CBE OBE, Nicholas
Parsons OBE and Bill Pertwee MBE at 12 Noon. A tribute luncheon hosted by
Heritage Foundation Vice President Mike Read, will follow at The Marriott
Hotel, 128 King Henry's Rd, London NW3.
>
> Tickets are now available from the ticket hotline on 01494 714 388 at £70
per head. Transport from Marchmont Street to The Marriott is available at an
additional cost of £5 per head and should be booked with ticket
reservations.
>
> Details from: www.theheritagefoundation.info/
>

 
<<<<   3505   >>>>

Topic: Re: Kenneth Williams plaque unveiling

Message 2 / 4
Dean BedfordAug 20, 2009
 

 
As you obviously know the background, a small point which interests me
which you may know the answer to.

There is (or was) already a plaque up to Kenny at his old flat - near
but not actually on - Great Portland Street. Is this the same outfit who
would have put that up? And i also remember reading that the flats were
being demolished - so is latest plaque this a replacement?

cheers, D

On Friday, August 21, 2009, at 03:44 AM, Clitheroe Kid wrote:

>  
> I've been involved with the "Heritage Foundation" in the past, when it
> was
> known as "Comic Heritage". It's a private company that makes its income
> from
> this type of celebrity event.
>
> As the plaque unveiling is in a public street (although the company
> would
> never allow this to be advertised) anyone can attend the actual
> unveiling,
> without paying, because it's in a public place. It usually lasts about
> half
> an hour, including speeches.
>
> Only the lunch afterwards (if you attend it) is a paying event. That
> usually
> lasts until late afternoon, and you can mingle all afternoon with the
> celebs, but it's very pricey - and has to be booked in advance.
>
> Quite a large number of members of the public will turn up for the
> unveiling, but won't attend the lunch itself. Sometimes the Press boys
> are
> at the unveiling too.
>
> This one is another that's in a public street. The Marchmont Street
> property
> was a Barber's shop, owned by Kenneth's father. The family lived in the
> flat
> above the shop for 30 years.
>
> My tip is turn up early! The plaque will have been put up the previous
> day,
> so you can get photographs of it when you arrive. There are not usually
> any
> screening curtains, so it's not being "unveiled" in any real sense.
>
> And you might find Bill Pertwee arriving early - he's a very friendly
> bloke,
> and will chat to anyone! If you know nothing about Dad's Army, talk to
> him
> about the Cricket: he's a big Test Match fan, ever since he was
> involved in
> the 1948 Test series.
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "delmelza" <delmelza@...>
> To: <just-a-minute@...>
> Sent: Thursday, August 20, 2009 12:02 AM
> Subject: [just-a-minute] Re: Kenneth Williams plaque
>
> Drats I will be 2 days too late! I arrive in London the afteroon of oct
> 13th--but thanks for the Information I will add it to my List of places
> to
> see. Miriam
> --- In just-a-minute@..., "SteveMKing" <smking@...> wrote:
> >
> > Details from The Heritage Foundation website:
> >
> > KENNETH WILLIAMS PLAQUE UNVEILING
> > Sunday October 11th, 2009
> >
> > Robin Gibb CBE and The Heritage Foundation are delighted to invite
> you to
> the unveiling of a Heritage Foundation Blue Plaque in memory of
> legendary
> comedy actor, broadcaster, raconteur and wit, the late Kenneth Williams
> on
> Sunday 11th October 2009. The unveiling will take place at 57 Marchmont
> St,
> London WC1 and will be performed by Leslie Phillips CBE OBE, Nicholas
> Parsons OBE and Bill Pertwee MBE at 12 Noon. A tribute luncheon hosted
> by
> Heritage Foundation Vice President Mike Read, will follow at The
> Marriott
> Hotel, 128 King Henry's Rd, London NW3.
> >
> > Tickets are now available from the ticket hotline on 01494 714 388
> at £70
> per head. Transport from Marchmont Street to The Marriott is available
> at an
> additional cost of £5 per head and should be booked with ticket
> reservations.
> >
> > Details from: www.theheritagefoundation.info/
> >
>
>

 
<<<<   3508   >>>>

Topic: Re: Kenneth Williams plaque unveiling

Message 3 / 4
adam_stephens1Aug 20, 2009
 

 
I would also point out that I had a quick look at the annual accounts at Companies House of the company ('cos I am a boring accountant). It's interesting to note that for 2007 the main director got paid well over £20k whereas charitable donations were substantially less than this (about £5k). In other words, it not quite the simple charitable situation that the website suggests. Whilst a director being paid is not in itself a problem, I do think it odd that charitable donations are so small.

--- In just-a-minute@..., Dean Bedford <dbedford@...> wrote:
>
> As you obviously know the background, a small point which interests me
> which you may know the answer to.
>
> There is (or was) already a plaque up to Kenny at his old flat - near
> but not actually on - Great Portland Street. Is this the same outfit who
> would have put that up? And i also remember reading that the flats were
> being demolished - so is latest plaque this a replacement?
>
> cheers, D
>
>
>
> On Friday, August 21, 2009, at 03:44 AM, Clitheroe Kid wrote:
>
> >  
> > I've been involved with the "Heritage Foundation" in the past, when it
> > was
> > known as "Comic Heritage". It's a private company that makes its income
> > from
> > this type of celebrity event.
> >
> > As the plaque unveiling is in a public street (although the company
> > would
> > never allow this to be advertised) anyone can attend the actual
> > unveiling,
> > without paying, because it's in a public place. It usually lasts about
> > half
> > an hour, including speeches.
> >
> > Only the lunch afterwards (if you attend it) is a paying event. That
> > usually
> > lasts until late afternoon, and you can mingle all afternoon with the
> > celebs, but it's very pricey - and has to be booked in advance.
> >
> > Quite a large number of members of the public will turn up for the
> > unveiling, but won't attend the lunch itself. Sometimes the Press boys
> > are
> > at the unveiling too.
> >
> > This one is another that's in a public street. The Marchmont Street
> > property
> > was a Barber's shop, owned by Kenneth's father. The family lived in the
> > flat
> > above the shop for 30 years.
> >
> > My tip is turn up early! The plaque will have been put up the previous
> > day,
> > so you can get photographs of it when you arrive. There are not usually
> > any
> > screening curtains, so it's not being "unveiled" in any real sense.
> >
> > And you might find Bill Pertwee arriving early - he's a very friendly
> > bloke,
> > and will chat to anyone! If you know nothing about Dad's Army, talk to
> > him
> > about the Cricket: he's a big Test Match fan, ever since he was
> > involved in
> > the 1948 Test series.
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "delmelza" <delmelza@...>
> > To: <just-a-minute@...>
> > Sent: Thursday, August 20, 2009 12:02 AM
> > Subject: [just-a-minute] Re: Kenneth Williams plaque
> >
> > Drats I will be 2 days too late! I arrive in London the afteroon of oct
> > 13th--but thanks for the Information I will add it to my List of places
> > to
> > see. Miriam
> > --- In just-a-minute@..., "SteveMKing" <smking@> wrote:
> > >
> > > Details from The Heritage Foundation website:
> > >
> > > KENNETH WILLIAMS PLAQUE UNVEILING
> > > Sunday October 11th, 2009
> > >
> > > Robin Gibb CBE and The Heritage Foundation are delighted to invite
> > you to
> > the unveiling of a Heritage Foundation Blue Plaque in memory of
> > legendary
> > comedy actor, broadcaster, raconteur and wit, the late Kenneth Williams
> > on
> > Sunday 11th October 2009. The unveiling will take place at 57 Marchmont
> > St,
> > London WC1 and will be performed by Leslie Phillips CBE OBE, Nicholas
> > Parsons OBE and Bill Pertwee MBE at 12 Noon. A tribute luncheon hosted
> > by
> > Heritage Foundation Vice President Mike Read, will follow at The
> > Marriott
> > Hotel, 128 King Henry's Rd, London NW3.
> > >
> > > Tickets are now available from the ticket hotline on 01494 714 388
> > at £70
> > per head. Transport from Marchmont Street to The Marriott is available
> > at an
> > additional cost of £5 per head and should be booked with ticket
> > reservations.
> > >
> > > Details from: www.theheritagefoundation.info/
> > >
> >
> >
>

 
<<<<   3509   >>>>

Topic: Kenneth Williams plaque unveiling

Message 4 / 4
Clitheroe KidAug 21, 2009
 

 
The point you raise is an important one, and one reason why I don't support
these events.

The main director (the man who runs the whole show, in fact), is David
Graham. He is the only person who gets paid, as I understand it. And he
makes a reasonable living from these events, but only tiny amounts get paid
to any charity.

This is not objectionable in itself. But the advertising is misleading, if
it suggests that Comic Heritage is a charity: and that is, in my opinion,
objectionable.

Of course, the Celebs get paid a big fee for turning up. So if you support
the events, you're genuinely supporting the celebrities who attend. Not that
any of them are in danger of needing the money! They mostly just enjoy a
free lunch...

But it isn't a charitable endeavour in the normal sense.

Just my opinion!

----- Original Message -----
From: "adam_stephens1" <adam.stephens@...>
To: <just-a-minute@...>
Sent: Friday, August 21, 2009 12:02 AM
Subject: [just-a-minute] Re: Kenneth Williams plaque unveiling


I would also point out that I had a quick look at the annual accounts at
Companies House of the company ('cos I am a boring accountant). It's
interesting to note that for 2007 the main director got paid well over £20k
whereas charitable donations were substantially less than this (about £5k).
In other words, it not quite the simple charitable situation that the
website suggests. Whilst a director being paid is not in itself a problem,
I do think it odd that charitable donations are so small.

--- In just-a-minute@..., Dean Bedford <dbedford@...> wrote:
>
> As you obviously know the background, a small point which interests me
> which you may know the answer to.
>
> There is (or was) already a plaque up to Kenny at his old flat - near
> but not actually on - Great Portland Street. Is this the same outfit who
> would have put that up? And i also remember reading that the flats were
> being demolished - so is latest plaque this a replacement?
>
> cheers, D
>
>
>
> On Friday, August 21, 2009, at 03:44 AM, Clitheroe Kid wrote:
>
> >
> > I've been involved with the "Heritage Foundation" in the past, when it
> > was
> > known as "Comic Heritage". It's a private company that makes its income
> > from
> > this type of celebrity event.
> >
> > As the plaque unveiling is in a public street (although the company
> > would
> > never allow this to be advertised) anyone can attend the actual
> > unveiling,
> > without paying, because it's in a public place. It usually lasts about
> > half
> > an hour, including speeches.
> >
> > Only the lunch afterwards (if you attend it) is a paying event. That
> > usually
> > lasts until late afternoon, and you can mingle all afternoon with the
> > celebs, but it's very pricey - and has to be booked in advance.
> >
> > Quite a large number of members of the public will turn up for the
> > unveiling, but won't attend the lunch itself. Sometimes the Press boys
> > are
> > at the unveiling too.
> >
> > This one is another that's in a public street. The Marchmont Street
> > property
> > was a Barber's shop, owned by Kenneth's father. The family lived in the
> > flat
> > above the shop for 30 years.
> >
> > My tip is turn up early! The plaque will have been put up the previous
> > day,
> > so you can get photographs of it when you arrive. There are not usually
> > any
> > screening curtains, so it's not being "unveiled" in any real sense.
> >
> > And you might find Bill Pertwee arriving early - he's a very friendly
> > bloke,
> > and will chat to anyone! If you know nothing about Dad's Army, talk to
> > him
> > about the Cricket: he's a big Test Match fan, ever since he was
> > involved in
> > the 1948 Test series.
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "delmelza" <delmelza@...>
> > To: <just-a-minute@...>
> > Sent: Thursday, August 20, 2009 12:02 AM
> > Subject: [just-a-minute] Re: Kenneth Williams plaque
> >
> > Drats I will be 2 days too late! I arrive in London the afteroon of oct
> > 13th--but thanks for the Information I will add it to my List of places
> > to
> > see. Miriam
> > --- In just-a-minute@..., "SteveMKing" <smking@> wrote:
> > >
> > > Details from The Heritage Foundation website:
> > >
> > > KENNETH WILLIAMS PLAQUE UNVEILING
> > > Sunday October 11th, 2009
> > >
> > > Robin Gibb CBE and The Heritage Foundation are delighted to invite
> > you to
> > the unveiling of a Heritage Foundation Blue Plaque in memory of
> > legendary
> > comedy actor, broadcaster, raconteur and wit, the late Kenneth Williams
> > on
> > Sunday 11th October 2009. The unveiling will take place at 57 Marchmont
> > St,
> > London WC1 and will be performed by Leslie Phillips CBE OBE, Nicholas
> > Parsons OBE and Bill Pertwee MBE at 12 Noon. A tribute luncheon hosted
> > by
> > Heritage Foundation Vice President Mike Read, will follow at The
> > Marriott
> > Hotel, 128 King Henry's Rd, London NW3.
> > >
> > > Tickets are now available from the ticket hotline on 01494 714 388
> > at £70
> > per head. Transport from Marchmont Street to The Marriott is available
> > at an
> > additional cost of £5 per head and should be booked with ticket
> > reservations.
> > >
> > > Details from: www.theheritagefoundation.info/
> > >
> >
> >
>