THE VALENTINE FLEMING COMMEMORATION EVENING
FEATURING COOPE, BOYES & SIMPSON, STEVE KNIGHTLEY, LUCY FLEMING, MEGAN HENWOOD & MORE.
Here is some info on theValentine Fleming Commemoration Concert at Nettlebed Village Club on Tuesday 16 May.
The background is that The Village Club at Nettlebed was built by Robert Fleming in 1913 as a facility for the village as the family owned Nettlebed Estate (as they still do) and were the main employer for the village.
The building was actually opened by Robert’s son, Valentine (who was the father of Ian Fleming of the James Bond books) in 1913. Valentine, who was also MP for Henley on Thames, then went off to war in 1914 and was sadly killedbyGermanbombing in Gillemont Farm area, Picardy, Franceon 20 May 1917. For his service, Valentine was posthumously awarded theDistinguished Service Order.Hisobituary was written by Winston Churchill and his picture stills hangs above our bar.
The Fleming family still own our building and we thought that as it was 100 years since his death we would commemorate this with a special concert in his memory.
The main act for the evening will be Coope, Boyes & Simpson, who are thought of as one of the authorities on WW1.In 2014 they issuedIn Flanders Fields a 2-CD album as "a homage to the music and song ofWorld War I, having been involved with theIn Flanders Fields Museumsince 1993”. They will be writing 2 songs about Valentine to perform in their programme for theevening as well as some readings about his war exploits. This will also be one of the lastopportunities to see CBS live as they are are calling it a day this year.
The evening will also include a performance by Steve Knightley from Show of Hands, a reading from Lucy Fleming spots from other artists including Megan Henwood.
As funds are currentlybeing raised for the refurb of the building’s roof (£250k + needed) - after costs, proceeds from the evening will be donated to the Village Club Roof Fund.
Tickets are £15(& £16 on door if not sold out!)& Nettlebed details are:
Nettlebed Village Club, High St, Nettlebed, Nr. Henley on Thames, Oxon, RG9 5DD, box office01628 636620
More info about Valentine can be found at