007 MAGAZINE | HISTORY

THE HISTORY OF 007 MAGAZINE 1979 – 2024

The 007 MAGAZINE offices

Since 1979, 007 MAGAZINE and its archive have been housed at a number of business locations. Beginning life as ‘The James Bond British Fan Club’, the organisation in its infancy was created and run by Ross Hendry in Harrow. In 1983 Graham Rye took over the organisation with the assistance of Andrew Pilkington, and its location moved to Addlestone in Surrey. In 1988 Graham Rye made ‘The James Bond 007 International Fan Club & Archive’ his full time professional occupation, moving it into its first commercial office in Woking. The rest, as they say, is history…

1. & 2. 1987 – working in the kitchen of his parents’ bungalow was always a cramped business for both Graham (left) and Andrew (below left) in the early days, but necessary due to the huge influx of mail received on a daily basis.

Andrew Pilkington | In 1988, 007 MAGAZINE moved into its first commercial premises, renting one unit at The Mayford Centre, on the outskirts of Woking

3. In 1988, 007 MAGAZINE moved into its first commercial premises, renting one unit at The Mayford Centre, on the outskirts of Woking, where it would grow over 14 years. Here for the first time we were able to display many of the James Bond film props in the archive, including Oddjob’s steel-rimmed bowler hat.

4. & 5. During the first six years in our office many magazines, newspapers, and TV programme makers from around the world visited the premises to shoot stills, interviews, and other related projects.

6. In the lead up to our 1990 Convention at Pinewood Studios, Graham Rye designed the artwork for the event’s welcome banner.

7. Graham Rye with his first full-time Personal Assistant, Jamie Beerman.

8. In 1997 the unit next door to the claustrophobically cramped single office fell vacant, so it was decided to expand, and subsequently a new adjoining doorway was knocked through into the second unit, where Jamie Beerman efficiently looked after the day-to-day nuts and bolts of running the only ever professionally organised James Bond fan-related organisation in the world.

007 MAGAZINE Offices and proposed new location at Pinewood Studios

9. Jamie would eventually leave the organisation, unfortunately due to ill-health, but returned in 1998 after a full recovery. In the interim period his position was filled by Carly Jones (above top left).

10. The 007 MAGAZINE offices became a Mecca for anyone wanting to research their college dissertations; the press; and the many 007 fans who wanted to purchase all kinds of James Bond memorabilia. During this period much of our PR was handled very successfully by Lancelot Narayan (above bottom left), who also contributed regularly to 007 MAGAZINE and 007 MAGAZINE Newsletter (long now superseded by the Internet).

11. During 1994 The JBIFC and 007 MAGAZINE considered moving into offices at Pinewood Studios (above right). Unfortunately, the investment offered from a chain of proposed spy themed ‘Spyhouse’ restaurants in the USA was never forthcoming – an enormous disappointment for everyone in our organisation.

Graham Rye and Desmond Llewelyn at the 007 MAGAZINE Offices

12. The legendary and late-lamented Desmond Llewelyn, who played Q in 17 James Bond films – spanning an incredible 36 years. Desmond was a good friend and would visit our offices when he could and wonder at “all that bloody stuff!” on the walls. Desmond was to preside over the official opening of our new custom designed office, but sadly it was not to be, as he was tragically killed in a car crash in December 1999.

13. After moving everything by hand from three offices down two flights of stairs over the 1998 Christmas period, it took until November 1999 before the empty 1400 square foot shell was fitted in every nook and cranny with every imaginable item relating to James Bond. It was the nearest to a James Bond museum there has ever been.

14. During her time with 007 MAGAZINE, our MAC Operator Alex-Pow Williams must have scanned more James Bond images than most 100 Bond fans see in their lifetime.

Graham Rye with Wayne Lorden (1945-2024) – builder/designer of the 007 MAGAZINE G3 office interior

15. The mezzanine floor was used for storage and decorated with prop chemical barrels used in the James Bond film The World Is Not Enough (1999).

16. The area under the mezzanine was ideal for entertaining guests and as a DVD viewing room. Because of its cosy and relaxed atmosphere it was soon affectionately nicknamed ‘the Cubby Hole’.

17. Graham Rye with Wayne Lorden (1945-2024) – builder/designer of the 007 MAGAZINE G3 office interior.

007 MAGAZINE Offices - The 1400 square feet gave ample room to administer to every area of the business, including publishing, photo archive sales, event organisation, and mail-order James Bond collectables.

18. & 19. The 1400 square feet gave ample room to administer to every area of the business, including publishing, photo archive sales, event organisation, and mail-order James Bond collectables.

20. 007 MAGAZINE office, Lydd, Kent: In fond remembrance – Wayne Lorden (1945-2024).

21. When special guests were entertained at our new G3 office they were photographed in our 007 MAGAZINE themed reception area…

22. …including Goldfinger ‘Golden Girl’ Shirley Eaton, who surprised top Corgi Collector Chris ‘Mitch’ Mitchell in our offices in Woking on January 30, 2001 – with a special trophy presentation from CORGI Toys – ‘Corgi Collector of the Year Award’. A former RAF pilot and veteran of the Gulf War, in which Mitch was tragically injured and made wheelchair-bound, is never deterred, as his grandfather bequeathed him a white Rolls-Royce, in which he was chauffeured to our offices. A wonderful afternoon! FULL STORY 007 NEWSLETTER #22/23

‘Golden Girl’ Shirley Eaton, surprised Chris ‘Mitch’ Mitchell at the 007 MAGAZINE offices with a special presentation from CORGI Toys.