25 INSPIRATIONAL PEOPLE local life 25A INSPIRATIONAL PEOPLE

25of the most inspirational people from Kensington to Kensal Rise

Juliet Kinsman, globetrotting editor-in- chief of the renowned Mr & Mrs Smith luxury hotel guides loves returning home to Kensal Green, so The Hill asked her to name 25 inspiring neighbours

mrandmrssmith.com

June 2012 | The Hill  1 1. 4. 4 7. 7 1A 4A 7A 2 5 8 2. 5. 8. 2A 5A 8A 3 6 9 3. 6. 9. 3A 6A 9A

1 Alexandra Shulman than on front rows now that her first ‘real’ traders have, head down at 6am Editor of since April novel Can We Still Be Friends has just on Saturday mornings. For quality time 1992 and Queen’s Park dweller just as been published. with her husband Lars Von Bennigsen long, Shulman is credited for making and their young son Fox, she heads to the fashion magazine as intelligent 2 Alice Temperley their cider farm at Burrow Hill in the as it is forward-looking. After all, her Her timeless rather than trendy West Country. As a nod to those roots, glossy did decree Chamberlayne Road feminine designs earned this she’s launching a line through John ‘one of ’s coolest streets.’ Somerset-born angel an MBE for her Lewis this September called Somerset. Famously nothing like her American contribution to the fashion industry. counterpart’s Devil Wears Prada Temperley has won a dazzling 3 Anna Richardon characterisation (this is the mother amount of plaudits since opening Chances are your diet’s been who takes her son to QPR matches), Temperley London on Colville Mews influenced by this star of the small 54-year-old Shulman is more likely to in 2001 (where her HQ remains). Her screen: Anna’s helped develop Dr be spotted on the book festival circuit Portobello tip? To go see what the Gillian McKeith’s You Are What You

10 The Hill | June 2012 Eat, analysed extreme dieting in North Kensington for over three 9 Jodie Anderson Supersize v Superskinny, lost two decades, the first of which she The naturopath and wife of Suede stone and written a book about it. Her taught history at North Westminster frontman Brett Anderson first hit latest Channel 4 series is Secret Eaters. Community School. She set up W10 in 1991, and so taken with During the 12 years Richardson and the trust in 1986 to help young the architecture, trees, the market, partner Charles Martin have lived in unemployed people into work and Golborne Road and such friendly Kensal Rise they’ve watched it “grow, then in 1992 created Portobello people was Anderson that she has blossom and now flourish.” What are Houseshare to support homeless always drifted back. “It feels as near her nutrition and fitness cornerstones? young people. At this time she also to a village as possible for central “Fresh fruit and veg from Queen’s took the helm of The Tabernacle and London,” she enthuses. Based in Park farmers market and Portobello helped develop it into a Community Artesian Village, her healing herbs and advice from personal trainer Arts Centre and in 2003 merged are a godsend to those with sleep Maciej Gross.” She loves NW10 them all as one happy family. Her difficulties, stress and anxiety and for being a hub of creative people overriding goal? “To break down the she treats lots of people with modern- “without the self-consciousness of the boundaries between the rich and day high-stress lifestyles. So it’s Shoreditch scene,” counting muso the poor.” no surprise this wonderfully wise Roger Pomphrey and actress Tamsin woman’s favourite local businesses Greig among her neighbours. 7 Jamie Graham are Neal’s Yard for their wealth of Graham has been buying and selling natural, organic products and herbs, 4 Claudio Ambruoso for Graham & Green since he can and also Portobello Wholefoods. Gourmet? Fairtrade? Organic? It’s remember: his mother, Antonia holisticherbalism.com no problem for Claudio Ambruoso, Graham, founded the original manager of Coffee Plant on Portobello homewares shop on Elgin Crescent. 10 Erin and Davey Spens Road. At a time when everyone After studying furniture and product This dynamic duo may not yet have reckons they are a coffee connoisseur, design at Kingston University Graham directly enhanced your day, but the baristas working their magic on has since cultivated the company without the founders of new biannual the 25 blends and roasts at Coffee from a W11 interiors and gift shop Boat magazine, our world would be Plant still blow your mind. If not with to a thriving mail order business. a duller place. After meeting Jake their perfect flat whites, it’s with the His appetite for eclectic furniture Burger, the brains behind Portobello booming dub or techno pumping in regularly takes him to India, where Star and the Ginstitute, they made a this rave-music-infused independent he has a villa in Goa – although he’s film about his dedication to London coffeeshop. “At Coffee Plant we like to happiest in his Kensal Green home dry gin which lovers of the tipple can feel like a big family,” says Ambruoso. with wife Louise, and son Max. He find on their website. “Trust me, his “We encourage everyone to be says: “I still see the same old faces Portobello Road Gin is delicious,” themselves and to add their personal here, and in a constantly transient says Erin Spens. Another good touch – I think it is so important city that familiarity is comforting.” friend is Notting Hill film director, and makes such a big difference in grahamandgreen.co.uk Debs Paterson; one of BAFTA’s people’s everyday life, especially in Brits to Watch 2011, they urge you a city dominated by big corporate 8 Jill Shaw Ruddock to look out for her projects. Jivita mentality.” coffee.uk.com Postergirl for women over 50, Shaw Ayurveda organic shop and spa on Ruddock’s book Second Half of Your Chamberlayne Road is their top tip, 5 Gaby Roslin Life guides women through post- meanwhile, for healthy living. The BBC London breakfast show menopause issues with uplifting presenter has been a smiling face interviews with Ruby Wax, Sheila around here all her life. Born a mile Hancock and Dame Vivienne from her current Queen’s Park home, Westwood. Following its success, she bought her first one-bed flat in a the former investment banker is now Victorian terrace in 1992. She loves behind the Second Half Centre at St how this area feels like a secret village Charles Centre for Health and and there are lots of independent Wellbeing in W10. businesses that everyone supports. The American first 10. The down-to-earth broadcaster hails moved to Notting the Silverlink overground as her Hill in 1983, raising favourite form of public transport and her children here says: “We’re doing the radio show with husband Sir Paul from the Olympics so I’ll be using Ruddock. “There is no the train then – a quick journey and place in London like no traffic jams.” Breakfast Show with it,” she says. “The Acorn Gaby Roslin and Paul Ross, 6am–9am Nursery School is where weekdays on BBC London 94.9. we made most of our friends. The rest we made 6 Gill FitzHugh walking our dog Sammy.” 10A Founder of the Rugby Portobello 10 Trust, this mum of two and 10 10A grandmother of five, has lived in

June 2012 | The Hill 11 11 11. 11 Jo Manuel 14 Martha Freud The founder of The Special Yoga Freud designs and makes her Centre’s aim is to make yoga furniture and lighting in a studio accessible to all, working with in Great Western Studios. “I work children with special needs, Mencap, in an environment that is full of Scope, local schools and the autistic inspirational creatives: architects, society. She moved to Queen’s Park graphic designers, and artists such as 11A 18 years ago, educated her kids at Kate Gibb, Liza Campbell and Olivia the local schools and has taught Musgrave,” she says. Freud has always yoga around here throughout: “I feel loved this area for its community of part of the fabric of Queen’s Park artists who moved here years ago, and Kensal Rise,” she tells us. One like her father, fresh from art school thing she feels the area lacks is a back “when it was dirt-cheap and a bit really good health-food store. Her down at heel.” She started working on favourite local businesses? “Minkies the Portobello Road 10 years ago as a

12 for green tea and decaf coffee, runner for her aunt and uncle (Emma Worldly Wicked and Wise (“such Freud and Richard Curtis), and has 12. great supporters of our art auctions”) never really left. Another champion and the Lexi (“I love seeing films of independent shops, she loves the there knowing it helps another likes of Lutyens & Rubinstein on community”). Kensington Park Road and believes it’s a credit to the shopkeepers and 12 Kay Montano the shoppers that this manor has

12A It’s not just models and actresses anything but a generic high street. who glean top tips from this make-up artist extraordinaire – beauty lovers 15 Norman Jay benefit from her experience via her The Tony Benn of the DJing world, @KayMontano Twitter feed. “I started Norman Bernard Joseph’s Twitter life in Stamford Brook, grew up in bio ‘Made in Notting Hill’ says it Notting Hill and New York and have all. Another clue to this DJ’s home now settled in Kensal Green,” she turf and philosophy for life was his

13 says, never having known as many Carnival soundsystem, the legendary neighbours as now. “It is the only Good Times doubledecker bus. The 13. true community I’ve ever lived in.” nation’s authority on black music, Not just a pretty face, she reckons Jay was awarded an MBE for services most of what you read in magazines to music in 2002. At the vanguard of promotes envy and low self-esteem, the soul and funk scene in the 70s he and her dictum is: “Celebrate what next helped import house music. You makes you special, express yourself can catch him at glamorous venues 13A in whatever style you wish. You are such as the Supperclub, under the the age you are supposed to be and Westway, Paradise By Way of Kensal you are the right colour, whatever Green, or at VIP parties for veterans that is.” such as Mick Jagger and Bruce Springsteen. 13 Kyri Kyriacos His Chamberlayne’s Barber Shop 15. 15 is a breath of fresh air amid north

14 Notting Hill’s gentrification these days. After 12 years, just try and 14. suggest Kyri Kyriacos trade up the

chipped mugs and builders’ tea to a fancy espresso machine. His no-frills 15A barber shop remains a stalwart on the corner of Bolton Gardens and it’s not just the first-class cuts for £10 that

14A the chaps go for, it’s the chitchat of politics, weather and football. “It’s a great atmosphere,” says Kyriacos. “Everybody knows everybody.” Open Mondays to Saturdays except Wednesdays.

12 The Hill | June 2012 18

16. 18.

16 18A

17. 17

18

16A

19 17A

18A 1A9

16 Richard Young “I moved into the area in 1975, and have never wanted to live anywhere else,” says the celebrity 18 Shaun Keaveny photographer, who has loved living This music-loving northerner brightens in this area with his wife Susan and up many a morning: Keaveny presents three children amid its tree-lined the 6Music breakfast show. It was love streets, beautiful squares and mix that first lured the witty raconteur of ethnic backgrounds. Young has to NW10 in 2007 – and the delis that 19. not only snapped Muhammad Ali made him stay. “There is a general to Princess Diana during his lengthy air of bonhomie about them,” he glittering career, he’s helped nurture says of Minkies and Kandana. “And new talents. His gallery just off people seem right nice.” Where might 20 Richard Reed, Adam Balon and Kensington Church Street showcases you spot Keaveny? At Queen’s Park Jon Wright up-and-coming photographers in a sandpit with wife Lucy and sons The three friends set up a fruit space that’s free for all to enjoy. Little Arthur or Wilf; having a pint with smoothie stall at a music festival with wonder the patron of Rough Trade, on-air sidekick, Queen’s Parker Matt a sign that read: “Should we give up Lidgates and Ranoush Lebanese Everitt; in Brooks Butchers scouting our jobs to make these smoothies?” restaurant was the subject of a Sky for sausages; browsing Kidsen for Fast forward, and Innocent Drinks Arts documentary directed by fellow kid’s stuff or Supra for clothes. has become one of UK’s favourite local, Don Letts. Richard Young Shaun Keaveny breakfast show, brands with ‘Fruit Towers’ their Gallery, 4 Holland Street W8 4LT 7am–10am weekdays on digital happy canalside home off Ladbroke richardyounggallery.co.uk station 6Music. Grove. Coca Cola may have a big stake now, but they’ve also set up the 17 Sally Wilton 19 Sophie Merchant charity Innocent Foundation, which When this entrepreneur and Kensal Seeking a vintage Christian Dior works directly with NGOs to promote Riser for over two decades sold her evening dress or an up-and-coming sustainable farming. events business in 2008 she realised jewellery designer? Merchant a life-long dream by opening social Archive’s savvy fashion edit is a enterprise the Lexi Cinema. Not welcome addition to Kensington 20. only has Wilton provided her local Park Road. “There are so many great community with a quality movie personalities in Notting Hill, and 20 theatre, she sends 100 per cent of its they change according to the day,” profits to Lynedoch Eco Village in says the owner. “I love Ray who Stellenbosch, South Africa. Having sells ceramics on Golborne Road on grown up in Nigeria and Belfast, she Friday mornings, and Samir at the enjoys living in a community where Grocer on Elgin has such a big cheery she’s raised two children and can stop personality it makes him almost as 20A and greet people on the street. Wilton addictive as the coffee.” Merchant particularly salutes the rallying of her Archive has relocated from Kilburn street after being struck by the 2006 Lane and Merchant declares the area tornado and the subsequent street diverse, and just like in her shop, a parties. 194b Chamberlayne Road mix of old and new. NW10 3JU; thelexicinema.co.uk merchantarchive.com

June 2012 | The Hill 13 22 21 Tom Conran 22 Some of our most cherished local 21. 22. eateries come courtesy of Sir Terence’s third son. When Tom’s

delicatessan opened in 1990 selling and serving snacks 22A in his own quirky way it 21 marked the start of a W11 mini-empire. Next came the Cow, his take on the perfect boozer. Two decades on many still swear it’s the best spot for shellfish: he did used to 21A run the oyster bar at Bibendum. 24. Then came unbeatable burgers a

few doors down in East Coast-style 24

eatery Lucky Seven Diner, then 23 taqueria tucker at his Mexican bar and restaurant Crazy Homies and via his catering service. The secret to his success? “Be generous with your time,

effort and spirit. And don’t forget to have fun.” 23A 24A

22 Tom Hodgkinson

The Idler himself may reside with wife Victoria and three children in 25 north Devon, but he still proselytises in these parts about finding the freedom to live the life you want. Having held a torch for Notting Hill since his mum moved to Arundel Gardens while he was

at Cambridge, he hails it “a village 25A with its own psychogeography… 23. an independent free spirit.” The bohemian entrepreneur has gone from publishing his magazine local are several The Idler to penning bestsellers, of his grandchildren and setting up the Idler Academy who attend Queens Park of Philosophy, Husbandry and Community School, where Merriment on Westbourne Park Benn has been a speaker. Road. The choice of location for this No surprise the cherished salon-hosting bookseller/coffeehouse west Londoner would like 25. wasn’t due to nostalgia, but a belief his epitaph to be, simply: “He that a radical and edgy vibe still encouraged us.” lurks among the chi chi-fying, and 25 Yotam Ottolenghi his academy is the thing to revive it. 24 Vic Brotherson The man who ‘sexed up veg’, Israeli- 81 Westbourne Park Road W2, idler. After 14 years wowing us with her born Ottolenghi is a character we’re co.uk floral confections at Wild at Heart, all grateful to share our streets with. Vic Brotherson moved up to Kensal After moving to the UK in the late 23 Tony Benn Rise and got her own show on the 90s, Ottolenghi trained at Le Cordon How to begin describing the teetotal, road in spring 2006. Scarlet & Violet Bleu, progressing to head pastry chef vegetarian, anti-war campaigner who now colonises two chic olive-green at Chelsea’s Baker & Spice and now was the first peer to renounce his properties populated with beautiful owning four Ottolenghi outlets in title? Such a gent is this former Labour blooms. Brotherson is usually there Notting Hill, Kensington, Belgravia Party MP, he bought the bench in conjuring creative bouquets, or and Islington, along with restaurant Oxford on which he proposed to his finessing florals for weddings such NOPI in Soho. A dependency is late wife Caroline and installed it as , but if you too are a said to have spread for his Notting in the garden of their Holland Park fan of Bawarchi’s curries or Bill Hill deli’s flourless chocolate tea home. How has the area changed Granger’s restaurant, keep an eye cakes. Pilates-obsessed and based since moving here in 1952? “It has out for her with her husband Simon in Ladbroke Grove, Yotam lives with come up in the world and become and daughter Betsy. Scarlet & Violet partner of 10 years Karl Allen, who he more crowded – particularly since 76 Chamberlayne Road NW10; believes is nearly fed up of trying all the film Notting Hill,” he tells us. Also scarletandviolet.com his food. Lucky him! }

14 The Hill | June 2012