Encounters

We meet again!

To continue my encounter from 12th March 08 I will first clarify some minor mistakes, I have just dug out from the chest in our attic my Grandfathers Paperwork, in these papers I found his Business Card from way back in the 1960s.

The store was in fact called..... W.& H. GIDDEN LTD EST:1806 (not Giddon as I had put) the address was 74 New Oxford St, Bloomsbury, London, WC1, the then telephone number was LANGHAM 2666

Life has a strange way sometimes of hitting you straight between the eyes when you are least expecting it, if any of you have Evil Spirits, the definitive account of Oliver's life by Cliff Goodwin, turn to page 135 paragraph two................I am wholly convinced that this was the day in question, the dates, times, all seem to match! and Lord Beaverbrook would most certainly been a customer of Giddon's! his grandson and granddaughter almost certainly pointing Oliver in the right direction.

Many years passed, my Grandfather retired and I joined the local Youth Theater, I had more or less forgotten about my impromptu meeting all those years before, one lunchtime I strolled out to the shops to get some lunch and as I passed the local book store i glanced in the window as usual, there to my utter surprise and on its own glass shelf was the book that would catapult me back into the past, and (although I didn't know it then) my future.

Oliver Reed, "Reed all about me" read the hell raisers own account of his boozy, brazen life, or words to that effect! that was it, I had to have it! I returned the following week when money would allow and eagerly purchased a copy.

It was a revelation, and like many that read it I suppose, gave them an insight into their imagined perception of the man, not all was comfortable reading, Oliver when drunk could, and did, display a particularly unsavory side to his character, more often than not aimed at woman that simply did not conform to his somewhat macho outdated views, at other times it was the mix of drink, boredom, and insecurity's that led him to turn on friends and lovers alike.

However, there was something generally endearing about his character, he was charming, mischievous, loyal, intelligent, and above all professional, he seldom mixed work and pleasure and at times displayed a tender and vulnerable side to himself that few saw.

Within a few nights I had read and reread my favorite parts of the book over and over, one particular paragraph stood out amongst all others, that of the mystical Blarney Stone, said by Oliver to be on the roof of his house Broome Hall. If my memory serves me correct, Oliver challenged anyone who chose to visit him to drink from a lime encrusted goblet whilst perched precariously over the edge of the parapets, it was like a red rag to a bull! the very next sunday I got into my car armed with a map and a copy of the book and decided to drive down to Broome Hall to hopefully meet the man, get my book signed, and of course challenge Oliver to the fore mentioned drinking contest! He would remember me from all those years before wouldn't he? (God only knows what I was thinking, who the hell did I think I was?) suffice to say, I was young, occasionally reckless, and utterly full of myself.

A couple of hours later I was at the top of a country road, high up on the surrey downs and outside the entrance to the great hall itself, I remember sitting there thinking, well, what now? it was one thing to get there, quite a different thing altogether to actually go up the long winding drive and knock at the front door! I decided to park up the road a bit and go back on foot, (actually I was doing anything to stop myself going through the now ludicrous situation I found myself in)

I tiptoed up the drive, got half way up, then came down again, I must have done this half a dozen times or so before I heard the sound of a vehicle coming, panicking i pushed through some trees and shrubs on the right hand side of the drive just as a Mercedes sports drove by, I peeked out lying flat on my belly and to my surprise saw Oliver and another chap glide past, I distinctly remember he was wearing what looked like a cricket jumper and was sporting a rather unkempt beard,

Excited but also disappointed i lay there for what seemed like ages, when I did get up i found i was in a enclosed part of the garden which ran down the side of the driveway, it was a sunny morning and through the trees and bushes I could see the magnificent house in the distance, I pulled the book out of my pocket and compared the black and white pictures to what was now right there in front of me! Glorious, but what was I going to do now? it was pointless going up to the house, I had just seen the man leave and had know way of knowing when he would return, there was nothing to it, I would have to come back another time, throughly despondent i returned to my car and headed back off down the hill.

In order to get to the main A24 and then on home (there was no M25 in those days!) one had to pass through the village of Ockley, as I rounded the bend in the road retracing my previous steps, I passed the village pub on my right, there at the front of the car park was the same Mercedes car I had seen earlier, I couldn't believe it, Oliver had been on his way to the pub, where else! this was too good an opportunity to miss,I did a quick U turn and parked up quietly in the far corner. After what seemed like ages and going over in my head what I was going to say, I plucked up the courage, got out of my car and strode towards the entrance. (To be continued)

It's now or never!

As i pushed open the door to the pub and stepped inside i had one of those thoughts that always come to you a bit too late!

Caught up in the moment I had only just realized that other than Olivers and my own car, there was just one other vehicle parked out there! I was going to be very conspicuous.

I heard him before i even saw him, there was no mistaking those vowels, although not speaking loudly it seemed to fill the space in what was a very empty pub! looking at my watch and hastily making for the bar i could see it was not long past midday, as i sat on one of the stools at the end of the bar i could clearly see the back of his head and shoulders, along with who i now know to be Bill Dobson his long standing friend and gardener. Here i was, a 20yr old part time amateur drama student and would be musician, about to ask one of England's greatest actors (In my opinion)to sign a copy of his Autobiography and maybe have a chat! what was i thinking!! The barman came over and took my order for a half of cider, "its a lovely day out there" he said, "sure is" i replied, whilst thinking how can you be so casual when you have one of the greatest characters of our time sitting in your pub!

Oliver and Bill kept on talking, occasionally laughing out loud together, while i tried looking every which way but their's as i sipped my drink. One thing was for sure, the Blarney Stone caper was definitely off the menu! how i didn't just turn and walk out of there was beyond me, i had never felt so nervous in all my life.

Finishing my drink and buoyed up by the fact that more people were now arriving at the pub I decided to make my move. I checked my jacket pocket, pulled out the book and strode down towards Oliver and Bill, out of the corner of my eye i was conscious of the barman watching me, knowing my intention and probably thinking "here comes trouble"

That walk to where he was sitting seemed to take an eternity, i look back now and can almost see myself in slow motion doing it! in actual fact it only took a few seconds and i found myself standing just to the side of the great man himself, i remember Bill looking at me as if to say "what's going to happen here then" (he must have seen this situation countless times before) I opened my mouth and after what seemed like a lifetime said, "Excuse me sir"..................Nothing!!! not a thing, Oliver just kept on talking not even acknowledging i was there, i hadn't bargained on him blanking me and desperately tried again, "Eh,Sorry, Excuse me sir"...........this time he stopped talking mid sentence and i knew in that split second that i was in trouble, he turned slowly and looked at me, not a glimmer of friendliness on his face, "Sir,... Sir," he said menacingly in his trade mark hushed voice, he stood up slowly, "Do i look like your F***ing school master boy?" those piecing blue eyes boring into me, along with everyone else's within ear shot no doubt! Quick as a flash and in a last second somewhat brave attempt to diffuse the situation, i replied "yes, you do actually Sir, my old science teacher Mr Rawlings" Oliver stood looking at me,his face betraying not the slightest show of humor, i could see Bill over his shoulder, taking a sip of his beer and eying Oliver up, trying to gauge his next move. Oliver bought his face level with mine, never losing eye contact and said........."well, he is a most fortunate man then" a smile broke across his face, he put his arm around my shoulder, squeezed it tightly and said, "What can i do for you dear boy?"

The next hour or so was just a warm blur, and something i will never forget for the rest of my life.We talked about my Grandfather, the day i fell down the steps at Giddens in front of him, he talked about his horses and the House,I was introduced to Bill along with various other friends and associates that lunchtime. Oliver signed my book, actually included me in rounds of drinks, (although the barman took no notice whatsoever when i protested at him pouring me pints instead of half's) "If Ollie's buying them, you drink them" he said. I tried in vain to return the gesture but he just waved it away, "Fred, don't take his money" he said to the barman (I use Fred as i simply cant remember his name)

I watched Oliver hold court that day, true, he was in familiar surroundings and probably knew most of the people there, but he was charming, polite, generous to a fault,and utterly riveting. As friends around him chatted and laughed i just looked on in amazement, nobody, and i mean nobody! was going to believe this, i hadn't even bought a camera with me (the one thing to this day i regret more than anything else!)In between all the chat, jokes and laughter, Oliver found the time to listen to what i had to say with (what appeared to be) genuine warmth and understanding. On my intention to become an Ac-Tor (his pronunciation) he said...."Only do it if you are sure in your heart that it will make you happy, it is not the same out there as it once was, your life and how you live it is far more important than any part you may or may not get!" "one other thing boy" (he never called me by my name that day for some reason)"Enjoy every minute you have on this earth as if its your last, because one day it will be!" then, smiling he winked at me and seated himself back at the bar, "David"..........he boomed as another friend entered the bar...............................

All too soon the lunchtime session came to an end, Oliver was surrounded by lots of people by this time and i was feeling a little bit tipsy to say the least. Upon the bar stood three undrunk pints of cider! As Olivers group were leaving one of them came up to me and said, "We are all going back to Ollie's for a bit, I'm sure he wont mind if you come you know, leave your car here and jump in with us if you want" I looked from him to Oliver and back at the three pints on the bar again, "No,I'm fine, Ive had a great afternoon, I better not, its a long walk home" "Well, nice meeting you, come again, he's always in here you know" and with that they were gone.

I followed the group out into the car park just in time to see Oliver being driven past, he saw me standing there and put the window down on the car, he pushed his upper body out of the window and did two or three funny little bows to me as the car disappeared up the road.

I walked back into the pub and sat down in the corner, as I was leafing through my book and admiring the inscription from Oliver, the barman walked over to collect some glasses, "Got what you came for?" he enquired, a smile on his face, "you were lucky, he doesn't usually allow outsiders into his group, must have been one of his good days" "Oh yes" i replied, "I got so much more than i could ever had hoped for" my inscription read..............."Do what you must, but do it well, above all enjoy yourself!" Oliver Reed 1979.

I returned to my car reclined the seat and slipped off into a blissful sleep for the next few hours, when i awoke the car park was empty, the pub was closed and the sun was starting to set on a beautiful Surrey evening, as i drove off the afternoons events overwhelmed me, for some strange reason i cried, I had never been happier..............God bless You Oliver.

The End

In 1984 i auditioned and won a place at The Mountview Theater School in Crouch End London, I graduated, met some fantastic friends for life, did a Fuji Scholarship film, directed some plays and have since traveled the world and met some other Famous and not so famous people, I have other stories, some just as fascinating, but none as personal and heartfelt as that of 1979.

Mark Anthony Robbins.

March 2008

Hi,

I was just a babe at the time, so sorry for the 2nd hand information. My late father met Ollie many a time in Wimbledon Village. No one has yet mentioned "The Castle" pub in SW19, which Ollie frequented quite a lot I used to hear. He either had his own room there, or he owned the place, one or the other. It was a dive, but sadly is now gone and I believe turned into a "gastro pub". My father said he always knew when Ollie was there since his white Rolls Royce was parked outside. What a character; irreplaceable.

Great website; keep up the good work.

Regards,
Jason
(formerly of SW19, now Spain)