Well, loyal readers, this is my last column for 2014 and where has the year gone? I sincerely want to wish you all a happy Christmas, whether you spend it on your own like myself, surrounded by family or escaping abroad. I also want to wish you a healthy new year.

This week’s column is bit of a pot pourri as things come to mind, but may I start by suggesting a last-minute gift for Christmas. My book Elstree Confidential is on sale on the Elstree Screen Heritage website or from Borehamwood Museum and is raising money for two great local voluntary efforts. The book is not just for Christmas but for life, as it is great propping up wonky table legs or passing on to people you feel obliged to buy something for a birthday next year.

I must also congratulate old friend and local resident Terry Rawlings on his award of a lifetime achievement BAFTA, which is the British equivalent of an Oscar.

Terry started at Elstree Studios in the 1950s and went on to work on the post-production of such films as Chariots of Fire, for which he was nominated for an Oscar, with Alien, Blade Runner and Goldeneye, among many other credits.

Terry is a real gent and my only question is why BAFTA waited until ten years after his retirement to acknowledge his great talent. Well done Terry, you are a credit to Elstree Studios and Borehamwood.

I was amazed that American comedian Joan Rivers left £95million in her will following her death, aged 81, in September. It just goes to show the fortunes that can be made in showbiz.

Alas, I doubt the British actor Tom Adams left such a fortune on his death, aged 76, a couple of weeks ago from prostate cancer. Some of you may not recognise the name but in the 1960s he had a successful film career, often starring as a spy in what some felt were B-movie versions of James Bond and in General Hospital at ATV in Borehamwood.

I hear there has been a bit of a fuss about the proposed sale of the Oscar that the late star Joan Fontaine won in the 1940s for her role in Suspicion. Apparently, she wanted it to be sold to raise $200,000 for an animal charity, but the Academy has stepped in threatening legal action.

Since 1950, all Oscar recipients have been required to sign a document that says if their Oscar ever comes up for sale it must first be offered to the Academy for the nominal sum of one dollar to prevent sale.

The actual statue costs about $900 to produce, but are obviously considered very desirable by movie buffs.

In theory, the Academy cannot block the sale of pre-1950 Oscars, although it is obviously now trying to do this.

However, in 1999 the late Michael Jackson bought the best film Oscar won by Gone with the Wind in 1939 for a record $1,542,000. I wonder what has happened to it since?

Steven Spielberg purchased the best actor Oscar won by the legendary Clark Gable and the best actress Oscar won by Bette Davis for more than $1million, but then presented them to the Academy archive.

I wonder if my friends will be able to sell off my MBE after I kick the bucket? I guess it must be worth £100 on eBay, but only time will tell as I am going nowhere yet.

I would like to congratulate everyone who helped us celebrate the centenary of film and TV production in Elstree and Borehamwood this year.

Thanks to support from the studios, local authorities and other sponsors, I think we did it proud.

This town has a unique heritage and with both Elstree Studios and BBC Elstree Centre planning to expand, an exciting film and television future.

Finally, after 37 years of writing this column, bless you all for your kind words and for joining me in these weekly rambles down memory lane.