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On December 17, 2002 I was fortunate enough to be in London and to be able
to represent the website at the Story of Christmas Appeal on the occasion
of its 25th anniversary and the 15th anniversary of Dame Judi Dench as
President.
The church service at St. George's church ( "new" as it was rebuilt in the
1700's after the London fire) was truly a service to get one in the
Christmas mood. Aled Jones was the narrator, and there were nine readings
by Charles Dance, Jenny Seagrove, Ian Hislop, Sue Lawley, Celia Imrie,
Edward Fox, Katie Derham, Peter Bowles, and THE RT REVD & RT HON RICHARD
CHARTRES, Lord Bishop of London. I was warned by several people ahead of
time not to be scared by how loud the trumpet fanfare from the balcony
would be. It was spectacular, as was the pageantry, the choirs, etc.
The church service was followed by a reception and additional fundraising
at Christie's auction house in the St. James area. The people going to the
reception were transported by bus from the church, and we went right by
the Haymarket Theatre on the way! At around 10:20 one of the many
kind people I had met there asked if I was aware that Judi Dench had
arrived. I was not. There had been no fanfare for her, and she was
surrounded by a sea of people in one of the three small rooms that were
used for the reception. We had been served hors d'oeuvres and champagne;
and as I was taken over to meet her, she was indulging in a glass of
champagne and something they called "sausage and mash." As an American I
was not familiar with this popular treat. It involves a small sausage on a
toothpick which is dipped into mashed potatoes.
She posed for a couple of photos with me as we chatted. She asked me to
please send her regards to Chris at the website. The man taking the photos
asked me afterwards, "Didn't I tell you? She's so unassuming - a real
down-to-earth person." I agreed. When I mentioned to her that the church
service was lovely, she said that she usually enjoyed going to it. I left
her surrounded by people as she graciously helped fund-raise after an
evening's work at the theatre. It is so great to know that the actress who
you admire the most is also someone to be admired off the stage and screen
also.
A Sincere Thank You to Connie for
Representing this Website
and for bringing back the Programmes and sending them to me ...
And an EXTRA BIG Thank You and Hug for
sharing her experience with us.
It's so nice to know the details of what happened --
almost makes me feel like I was there !
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