SOME of the world's biggest pop and movie stars captured in stunning shots by Maldon press photographer Bill Orchard are up for sale to help Farleigh Hospice.
The retired Fleet Street snapper is giving a percentage of all pictures sold from the exhibition held at the hospice in the grounds of Broomfield Hospital to the charity.
And the snap-happy 72-year-old is also raffling a unique 24x20 framed informal shot of the young Rolling Stones for £2 a go.
Bill, from Southminster, was inspired to do something for the charity after he lost his wife, Isabel to cancer some years ago.
He said: "Things were so much more informal in those days, no PR people or others wanting a cut from your pictures. No security guards."
The exhibition which runs from 8am-8pm until January 6, includes pictures of The Stones, currently celebrating 50 years of stardom, The Beatles, David Bowie, Michael Jackson, Cliff Richard, Marc Bolan Liz Taylor and many more.
Bill added: "There was a tremendous buzz around musicians and London was swinging. It was a fantastic time, the likes of which I don't think we'll ever see again."
And it was while doing stills for the new top pop TV show Ready, Steady Go, when the Stones were just sitting around waiting for their slot that Bill managed to score his informal shots.
He casually offered them coffee in exchange for a couple of informal pictures in the cafe next to the studio.
Bill said: "The Rolling Stones were relatively new to the business, and they were just auditioning for the show.
"They were actually very excited about doing a television show and were very down to earth. I knew all the stars because they lived all around me in Marble Arch – what a time to be young and single."
In 1977 he went to Buckingham Palace to photograph the Queen for her Silver Jubilee. The photo took a day to set up but the actual shot session took less than five minutes.
"I was rummaging in my photo bag when I saw these rather regal shoes come into view and to my surprise it was Her Majesty," Bill said.
"I had been warned not to talk to her unless spoken to. So I bowed.
"She said, 'Now I want you to leave here with exactly the photographs you want so don't be afraid to ask us to move our heads or move around. We are only human after all'. I was astonished, but I got the photos I wanted."
Today Bill, says he couldn't keep up with the pace and energy of competing for top-people pics.
"But I am as busy as ever arranging exhibitions for charity." he added.
