Hidden Henley

THERE is considerable excitment about the next James Bond film, especially about who will play the part of 007.

But amid all the hype and speculation, it is easy to overlook the connection with Nettlebed.

It was here supposedly that the author Ian Fleming first came up with the concept of James Bond.

The young Ian spent much time at Joyce Grove with his grandfather Robert Fleming, especially after his father Valentine, who was MP for Henley, was killed on the Western Front in the First World War.

Robert Fleming bought the Nettlebed Estate and had a grand house built that is now the Sue Ryder hospice and, funnily enough, is often used as a film location. Fleming was a wealthy banker and seemed to have extravagant tastes but was also a philanthropist.



My photo shows his rather plain gravestone in the village churchyard.