LONDON NEWS, GLOBAL VIEWS KCW YOUR LONDON NEWSPAPER to ay ISSUE 90 DECEMBER 2019/JANUARY 2010 FREE Festive Greetings

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• NEWS • OPINION & COMMENT • EDUCATION • ARTS & CULTURE • • ARCHITECTURE • LITERATURE • ASTRONOMY • HEALTH • EVENTS • • ENVIRONMENT • SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY • DINING OUT • MOTORING • • GETAWAY • FASHION • PROPERTY & HOME • LIFESTYLE • • BUSINESS & FINANCE • RETROSPECTIVE • • CROSSWORD • BRIDGE • CHESS • 2 December 2019 / January 2020 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today www.KCWToday.co.uk Contents & Offices

Kensington, Chelsea LONDON NEWS, GLOBAL VIEWS & Westminster Today

KCWKENSINGTON, CHELSEA & WESTMINSTER, HAMMERSMITHto & FULHAM, WANDSWORTH a y AND SELECT LONDON BOROUGHS ISSUE 89 NOVEMBER 2019 FREE Contents NEWS 80-100 Gwynne Road, London, INTERNATIONAL OPINION COMMENT SW11 3UW BUSINESS EDUCATION HEALTH EVENTS Tel: 020 7738 2348 ENVIRONMENT SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY ARTS & CULTURE DINING OUT MOTORING E-mail: [email protected] LITERATURE TRAVEL LIFESTYLE Website: ASTRONOMY CROSSWORD News BRIDGE www.kcwtoday.co.uk CHESS 3 Advertisement enquiries: Statue & Blue Plaque [email protected] 8 Subscriptions: Architecture [email protected] 9

Publishers: GAUGUIN AT THE NATIONAL GALLERY UNTIL JANUARY 2020 Features Kensington & Chelsea Today Limited 10 12 Festive Fun & Fakes 15 Opinion & Comment 18 International Reprise 19 Astronomy Education Editor-in-Chief: Kate Hawthorne 20 Art Director & Director: Tim Epps Literature Senior Business Development: Antoinette Kovatchka 26 Architecture: Squinch Fashion Art & Culture Editors: Don Grant, Marian Maitland 28 Arts & Culture Astronomy: Scott Beadle FRAS 29 Bridge: Andrew Robson Auctions & Events Business & Finance Charles McLachlan, Doug Shanks 36 Chess: Barry Martin Events Opinion and Comment: Marius Brill, Peter Burden, 41 Nick Salaman, Derek Wyatt Dining Out Music: Geoff Cowart, 48 GetAway Crossword: Wolfe 49 Design: Jane Duncan Environment Dining Out: Max Feldman, 50 David Hughes (Editor) Property & the Home Editorial: Max Feldman, 52 Education: KCW Editorial Team 58 Lifestyle & Health Environment KCW Editorial Team Health Events: Fahad Redha 60 International News: KCW Editorial Team Science & Technology Feldman Reviews: Max Feldman 64 Lifestyle & Health: KCW Editorial Team Business & Finance Consultant Lifestyle 66 & Beauty Editor: Talia Hull 67 Motoring Literature: Max Feldman Crossword, Bridge & Public Notice Motoring: Fahad Redha, 70 News, Online Editor, Max Feldman Chess Arts Correspondent & 71 Picture Editor Sport: Fahad Redha Science & Technology Max Feldman, Fahad Redha Front Cover: ‘Hi’ by Donna Bourdon was shortlisted in the Comedy Wildlife Sub-Editor: Leila Kooros Photography Awards 2019, a humorous photography competition Travel: Lynne McGowan with conservation at its heart 020 7738 2348 December 2019 / January 2020 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today 3 News online: www.KCWToday.co.uk

could be some renewed outbreaks of have just busied themselves rearranging Never fighting between the two communities the deck chairs on the upper deck. It in Belfast which will test the PM’s offered old ideas which have seen their underestimate nerve. A thirty year joint proposal for a day. PM Blair showed us what you unified Ireland needs to start as soon as needed to do to win the middle ground. possible. That was never Corbyn’s raison d’être.

Boris © Chatham House Photograph This brings us to a new political The narrative ought to have been not by Derek Wyatt party known shortly as the English ‘New Labour’ but ‘Brand New Labour’ Nationalist but currently referred to as offering digital choices in a smaller state. the Conservative Party. It has just six I hope it does not tear itself apart but seats in Scotland, none in Northern earlier this year I was told nearly one Ireland and fourteen in Wales. It is anti hundred middle ground politicians from Remain in a way I had not appreciated, three main parties were prepared to living most of my adult life in London. jump ship. They never had the courage Mr Johnson has his work cut out. and they have been blown away. Our major cities need huge investment, Of the Liberal Democrat’s what now our schools are in a terrible state of for them? They started the campaign The extraordinary General next mayor must ask for much greater repair and our hospitals are woefully well and the polls were in their favour powers. Sadiq Khan has basically sat on short of qualified staff. For nine years but Jo Swinson was facing hostility at Election results showed we are his hands. this scenario has worsened under home in Scotland and some tougher splitting into three and a half Our finest politician week in, week previous Conservative leaders. The choices in small enclaves in our more out, has been Nicola Sturgeon, the SNP newish PM can now become a reforming well to do city suburbs. The message nations. leader. She has presided over a country one as he has an overriding mandate to of Remain needed to be shared with wanting to Remain and to be removed refresh the nation in a way his rival, Mr old Labour but as I have said before from the DisUnited Kingdom. It would Corbyn could not, as he was offering a politicians like Mr Corbyn who want to be hard now not to oppose her wishes for look backwards to a neo-Stalinist state walk in the middle of the road, generally ondon, the biggest and the richest a second referendum and if not granted of yesteryear. get run over. And so it has proved. and the best, towers over our she may go ahead anyway. I am already People voted for certainty. They Mr Johnson has a carte blanche DisUnited Kingdom. It has the dusting down my Scottish ancestry wanted an end to the Brexit debate once agenda to match the shock of his hair. largest population, the highest standard papers. and for all. The English National party He will be busy. He most certainly will L We are two down with one and a could now reign for some considerable not be spending it with all his children. of living and a GDP which mocks the rest of our nations. As our only truly half to go. Whither Northern Ireland? time. Labour has been living in a bubble And we must tip our collective hats to global city it has been hung out to dry Surely it, too, must be allowed to join since 2015. Its leadership reminded his fortitude and vigour. He will surprise with a basin full of Remain pegs. The back up with its southern cousins. There me of the captain of the Titanic. They us still more. BEST WISHES FOR THE FESTIVE SEASON FROM KCW TODAY

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Westminster Visit cleanstreets.westminster.gov. Christmas tree uk/christmas-tree for more information. After Christmas, you can recycle the recycling tree from your business free of charge by Christmas taking it to one of the borough’s drop-off If you prefer a real tree to a sites. Alternatively, small trees (under 2 collection days fake one, here’s how to dispose meters) can be presented with the yellow sticker as part of the normal commercial Your guide to household recycling of it after the holiday season. waste collection. Christmas trees can and rubbish collections this Christmas also be placed in your general waste bin See the council websites for however you might want to cut it up which dates to do it by. Make first. Westminster also offers a special Some collection dates will change, so keep this guide somewhere rate bulky business waste collection for handy. For more information on rubbish collections and recycling, sure to remove any decorations large Christmas trees over 2 meters. visit www.lbhf.gov.uk/rubbish from the tree first. Wandsworth Normal rubbish and recycling day: Will now be collected on: Kensington & Chelsea Visit wandsworth.gov.uk for more Week 1 Week 1 Visit rbkc.gov.uk for information on information. A free Christmas tree Monday 23 December Monday 23 December the drop off points in different parts of collection service is provided for two Tuesday 24 December Tuesday 24 December the Borough. If you can’t take it yourself weeks every January. Or take your tree then it can be taken as part of your to Smugglers Way reuse and recycling Wednesday 25 December Friday 27 December regular rubbish and recycling collection. centre. Decorations and pots must be Thursday 26 December Saturday 28 December Make sure you put it out before 7am removed first as the trees are sent for Friday 27 December Sunday 29 December and that it is clearly visible and not composting. Week 2 Week 2 obstructing the pavement. Richmond Monday 30 December Monday 30 December Hammersmith & Fulham Visit richmond.gov.uk for more Tuesday 31 December Tuesday 31 December Visit lbhf.gov.uk for more information. Richmond Council will Wednesday 1 January Thursday 2 January information. You can take your tree to begin collecting the trees for free on Thursday 2 January Friday 3 January the following places: Fulham Palace residents’ scheduled collection days. Road Cemetery (opposite Queensmill Trees will then be shredded and turned Friday 3 January Saturday 4 January Road), Loris Road Community into compost, which will be used to Normal service will resume on Monday 6 January 2020 Gardens, New King's Road (on the feed plants in gardens, green spaces edge of Eel Brook Common), Normand and flowerpots across the Borough. Park (opposite Lillie Road entrance), Residents should leave their trees Ravenscourt Park (by football pitch), outside their property, ideally next to Wormwood Scrubs car park (off Scrubs recycling containers, on collection day. Lane). Otherwise, make sure it is clearly Please remove all ornaments and stands visible from the street and not hidden or pots from your tree. Residents are behind walls or plants, and that it does also reminded not to pile up Christmas Light pollution not obstruct the pavement. Trees must trees so that they block footpaths. This be ready for collection by midday on is dangerous and also fly tipping, so from space! your collection day between Tuesday 3 could be liable to enforcement action if By Scott Beadle FRAS January and Friday 13 January. But they witnessed. Visit the borough’s website will not be collected until the afternoon. for a list of drop-off sites.

Well, given this month’s article on night sky. To quote: “Astronomy is one QPR v Leeds United 15:00 light pollution, we now have a problem of the few things that gets little kids TRAFFIC WATCH January 21 from the opposite end, space itself, Low excited about space” When people look Chelsea v Arsenal 20:15 Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites designed to through their telescopes “it’s cool for LONDON HOME FOOTBALL January 15 Fulham v Charlton Athletic 15:00 extend the reach of high-speed internet them to see a Starlink satellite”. But MEN’S GAMES January 22 services throughout the world, courtesy they should be looking at Saturn, at the December 21 Tottenham Hotspur v Norwich City 19:30 of Mr Musk himself, no less. A laudable moon…and not want to be interrupted. Fulham v Leeds United 15:00 February 1 aim in itself, but not at the expense of Fingers crossed, Space X can fix QPR v Charlton Athletic 15:00 Fulham v Huddersfield Town 15:00 our night sky, I hope. It’s not just about the problem and people in remote parts December 22 Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester City 15:00 astronomers, their science and research. of the world can have access to high Tottenham Hotspur v Chelsea 16:30 QPR v Bristol City 15:00 For thousands of years people have speed broadband and the astronomy December 26 connected with the universe through community can continue to have an Chelsea v Southampton 15:00 WOMEN’S GAMES looking up at the stars and planets trying uninterrupted view of the heavens to the Tottenham Hotspur v and Hove Albion CompiledJanuary 5 and Edited by Fahad Redha to understand it all and their place benefit of all. Arsenal v Birmingham City 14:00 12:30 For full sports fixtures see page 60. within it. Of course, it’s now Xmas time and December 29 Chelsea v Reading 14:00 Now we have the first 120 Starlink lo and behold, the ‘Christmas asteroids’ Arsenal v Chelsea 14:00 Tottenham v Manchester City 14:00 QPR v Hull City 15:00 QPR v Saltdean FC 13:45 satellites in orbit, but some 42,000 more are coming to get us, again! The tabloids January 1 January 12 are in the pipeline for launch over the and doomsayers are out in force, ‘yer Arsenal v Man Utd 20:00 Chelsea v Bristol City 14:00 next few years, and those in orbit are all doomed, the end is nigh.’ Relax Fulham v Reading 15:00 Tottenham v West Ham 14:00 already proving bothersome. fellow Earthlings, Asteroid 310442 QPR v City 15:00 January 19 To their credit Space X’s CEO (2000 CH59) and Asteroid 216258 January 11 Arsenal v Chelsea 14:00 Gywnne Shotwell is aware of the (2006 WH1) are classed as Near-Earth Chelsea v Burnley 15:00 February 2 problem and has put in place a coating Objects (NEO’s) but will pass at a fairly Tottenham Hotspur v Liverpool 17:30 Chelsea v West Ham United 14:00 that may solve the reflectivity problem impressive speed of around 43,000 January 18 Tottenham v Bristol City 14:00 and which will be applied on the next kms/h, and between 3/6 million kms Arsenal v Sheffield United 15:00 batch of satellites. She is also aware away. Fulham v Middlesbrough 15:00 Compiled by Fahad Redha of how important it is for our younger So Merry Xmas and a Happy New generation to enjoy and understand the Year to you all. 020 7738 2348 December 2019 / January 2020 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today 5 News online: www.KCWToday.co.uk

self-funded. The statues were unveiled by children 21 elephants in as a symbolic reference to the linked future of both our species and the Marble Arch need for an ongoing commitment to preservation. The children, from local schools, were accompanied by a number of celebrities including Peter Egan, the Downton Abbey actor, Stanley Johnson, the author and father of Boris Johnson, and Zac Goldsmith, former Tory candidate for Mayor of London.

Photographs © Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Wildlife © Sheldrick Photographs The herd will be displayed for 1 year so that as many as possible can see it and appreciate its message on the nature of the crisis these animals face. Members of the public are encouraged to climb over the sculptures and can use a QR code to see photos of the real elephant in the he sculpture, entitled The orphanage, which people are encouraged Orphans, is the largest such to adopt. depiction of an elephant herd inT the world and is intended to draw Visit www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/ attention to the plight of this species news/updates/bronze-elephants-london that could be extinct on current trends for more. by 2040. Each elephant in the sculpture, made by world renowned artists Gillie and Marc Schattner, is modelled after a real orphaned animal currently in the care of the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. Left behind by poachers and other sources of human-wildlife conflict these animals have been raised by the trust in an effort to secure the future of the species. The sculpture was inspired by the artists’ visit to the Trust’s sanctuary and was fully

available to staff working in crowded rate is roughly 12 people per 100,000 Police launch free public places, such as shopping centres while in some regions such as the North or cinemas. London the East the rate can go nearly as high as 16. counter-terrorism But the public launch is not a Alcohol related deaths nationally response to the recent London Bridge only English have been trending alarmingly upwards course attack, according to police. this millennium. In 2001 5701 one such By LDRS Reporter The National Counter Terrorism region to see a deaths were recorded but last year 7551 Policing Network said the incident was such deaths were registered, an increase Jessie Mathewson “a stark reminder of the ongoing threat fall in alcohol of significantly greater than population and the need for vigilance”. growth in that time. When adjusted for Jack Merritt, 25, and Saskia Jones, The Metropolitan Police have launched a population this is an increase of 13%. 23, were killed on Friday 29 November deaths since new counter-terrorism training course to help 2018 saw fewer than the 7,697 deaths when convicted terrorist Usman Khan the public spot suspicious behaviour and recorded in 2017 but these two years launched a knife attack at Fishmongers’ millennium respond to an attack. were both the highest on record. Hall, near Monument station in central By Oliver Lloyd The free online training, devised by Rates for alcohol deaths involving London. security and counter-terror experts, takes men and women differ substantially. In Police later shot and killed Mr Khan, 45 minutes to complete. 2018 12.2 men per 100,000 died from after members of the public stepped The course was previously only New statistics published by the Office circumstances relating to drink in the in to fend off and disarm him, using of National Statistics (ONS) show that capital compared to 3.8 women. This is improvised weapons including a narwhal London is the only English region the highest such disparity in the country, tusk and a fire extinguisher. in which the rate of deaths related to a statistic London has maintained for The Met’s Deputy Assistant alcohol has decreased since 2001. the last 13 years. Commissioner Lucy D’Orsi, who leads The findings which date up until Karen Tyrell of charity Addaction counter-terror policing nationally, 2018 show that in that year 561 said that to tackle the problem the said she wanted online training to be Londoners died from circumstances government needs to introduce measures

Photograph © Wellcome Images Wellcome © Photograph available to “as many people as possible”. involving drink. This is a rate of 7.8 such as minimum unit pricing and legal She said: “The threat level remains at people out of every 100,000 in London restrictions on advertising and visibility ‘substantial’; meaning an attack is likely, compared to 9.2 in 2001. Nationally, the for alcoholic products. so giving everyone the chance to be extra eyes and ears for police and local security teams help to keep all communities safe. “The festive period is obviously a very busy one; so this is a good time to join SUBSCRIBE & SUPPORT up.” You can sign up to the KCW Today. See page 25 for details online training course here: ct.highfieldelearning.com 6 December 2019 / January 2020 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today www.KCWToday.co.uk News

to a very diverse population with over shaky system”. 150 languages spoken and in Soho some He said: “Yet again Khan has chosen Westminster of Britain’s most iconic gay venues. TfL freeze fares not to be honest with Londoners, opting The body will be chaired by Nick to try and fool them instead. Council launches Ross, the former presenter of BBC for the fourth “His so called fare-freeze is a fare- independent hate Crimewatch, and will include members year running. fraud that changes nothing. with a broad variety of expertise By LDRS Reporter “Four and a half million commuters including Sir Peter Bazalgette, the will still have to pay an extra 2.8 per crime commission chair of the UK Holocaust Memorial Julia Gregory cent from January 2020. By Oliver Lloyd Foundation and Professor Leslie Moran, “Hard-working commuters are going a former researcher into LGBT hate to get a nasty shock when they discover crime at Birkbeck School of Law. the cost of their monthly travel card and estminster council has ‘It’s good Westminster is taking hate weekly cap has increased – as has always become the first local crime so seriously. Hate crime can range been acknowledged in the Mayor’s TfL authority in to create from minor insults to terrorism, and Sadiq Khan will freeze Transport for business plan.” an independent commission to gather W it’s mostly unreported, so we have a big London (TfL) fares for the fourth year But Mr Khan said he was “making evidence on hate crime’s instance in the task.’ Nick Ross said, adding that, ‘We running, it was announced today. transport more affordable for millions of city and how to combat it. need to find out how much hate crimes All pay-as-you-go journeys on Londoners”. 1,535 hate crimes were reported result from age-old prejudices or from Underground, train, tram and bus He said: “This shows what a Labour in Westminster in the year prior to a new and dangerous consequence of services operated by the network will administration can do. In stark contrast, July 2019 which was almost twice the angry politics and bullying social media.’ remain the same in 2020. when he was mayor, Boris Johnson number reported in the next most But weekly, monthly and annual travel increased TfL fares by a staggering 42 attacked borough. That was 12% increase cards, and daily and weekly fare caps are per cent. on the twelve months prior while not included in the fare freeze. “Since 2016, the Tory Government London as a whole saw 6% more hate Pricing for these tickets is agreed with has allowed national rail fares to increase crime in the same period. national rail operators, and will go up 2.8 by more than 10 per cent despite all the Despite these alarming figures per cent next year. overcrowding and delays. Westminster residents do report high The four-year fare freeze was a “If I can freeze fares and provide a levels of community cohesion. 84% of commitment in Mr Khan’s 2016 mayoral better service on TfL, it’s a disgrace that locals say that different communities get manifesto, but it is not yet clear if he this Government continues to allow on well together and in some areas the will promise more freezes in his bid for failing private rail companies to get away figure is as high as 90%. The city is home reelection. with hiking up their fares.” Other mayoral candidates, Shashi Verma, director of strategy including Conservative Shaun Bailey at TfL, said: “We are committed to Here are a few examples events and independent Rory Stewart, have making travelling by public transport in Firefighters which have been taking place: suggested fares should rise. London as affordable and convenient as · Firefighters at Acton fire station Delays to the Elizabeth line and possible. open up their will be put on a party for 50 local older falling bus use have put pressure on TfL’s “Millions of people travel using bus, residents on Thursday 19 December. The budget, and the network expects a loss of Tube and rail services across London, stations to spread event is to give those most isolated an almost £750 million this financial year. and through our pay as you go fares afternoon out to combat loneliness. Their Mr Bailey today accused the Mayor system we are helping to encourage more Christmas cheer tea parties for elderly residents have been of a “lack of honesty and courage” which people out of their cars and onto public running three times a year since August was putting “major pressure on an already transport.” 2017. · Full Christmas dinner will be Crews across London have been getting served at Dockhead fire station for 20 2016 decision to make redundant all into the Christmas spirit by holding members of the hoarding support group. Widespread fare 300 conductors who had operated on festive lunches and parties for elderly The watch will cook the meal and local the service. This decision also led the and vulnerable people who live nearby. businesses are supplying a lot of the avoidance advertised ‘hop-on, hop-off’ capacity to This Christmas the Brigade is opening food. forces New Routemaster be phased out of use. fire stations, allowing local residents to · Father Christmas will be rescued The decision will involve an engage more with firefighters who are at from the drill tower, carols will be sung U-Turn expensive and time consuming refit the heart of the community. by local children and bingo called at By Oliver Lloyd including removing the Oyster Card It’s the most wonderful time of the Lewisham fire station. A group of older readers at the back two doors and year for most of us - but for many people residents will also enjoy Christmas reworking the electronics so each door Christmas can be a lonely time. People dinner. Transport for London (TfL) can be opened individually. who are vulnerable and live alone are This is only the latest in the series more at risk of being in a fire, so as well has admitted that from ‘early of problems experienced by the New as enjoying festive food cooked by their 2020’ one will only be able Routemaster. The bus has been criticised local crews, these events give firefighters for its poor air conditioning, although a chance to ensure people are safe in to board the fleet of New this problem has been rectified after their homes by checking they have fire Routemaster buses in the a £2 million refit to install opening Cadman © Steve Photograph alarms fitted and an escape plan in place windows and for being too polluting. An in the event of a fire. Capital at the front of their investigation in 2015 revealed that the Firefighters also used the three doors. buses were emitting significantly more opportunity to book in Home Fire toxic particulates than other London Safety Visits for many of the guests who The plan, revealed by a Freedom buses. attended. of Information Act request by “Coach In 2016 then-newly elected Mayor and Bus Week Magazine”, has been Sadiq Khan announced that no further forced by significant problems with fare New Routemasters would be purchased avoidance from passengers boarding thereby marking some kind of an end to SUBSCRIBE & SUPPORT at the back and middle sets of doors. his predecessor Boris Johnson’s signature KCW Today. See page 25 for details TfL and its operators are estimated to policy. The New Routemasters first lose £3.6 million annually due to fare started operating on London’s streets in evasion, a problem exacerbated by the 2012. 020 7738 2348 December 2019 / January 2020 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today 7 News online: www.KCWToday.co.uk

Heralding

Saturday 25th January – Spring Sunday 2nd February

Join us in the Garden for our celebration of the first harbingers of spring

Open daily 11am – 4pm. Chelsea Physic Garden, 66 Royal Hospital Road, London SW3 4HS

Registered charity number 286513 Registered in England chelseaphysicgarden.co.uk 8 December 2019 / January 2020 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today www.KCWToday.co.uk Promotion Statue & Blue Plaque

toured with Johnny Claes and worked with Ambrose and Cab Kaye. In 1948 Polish armed forces, who fought Blue Plaque: he met Tad Dameron, an American alongside the British allies throughout composer/arranger. A real turning

STATUES their struggle, with many Polish Epps Tim © Photograph Photograph © Marathon Photograph point in Ronnie's life was a job on ships from the Baltic joining the British merchant fleet and taking OBE. Cunard Lines, the Queen Mary, which part in wartime convoys. Hundreds 1927 - 1996 led to visiting New York. There he of thousands of Polish civilians were encountered a new scene, ‘Bebop’ in killed during the September invasion the New York Clubs. These clubs were and millions more were killed in the inspirational for Ronnie, a new world of following years of German and Soviet Ronnie Scott, British Jazz Tenor sound, a Mecca. occupation. The bronze statue was Saxophonist, has been honoured with In 1952 there was an opportunity to unveiled on 24 September 2000 by an English Heritage Blue Plaque at 39 join Jack Parnell's Orchestra and Ronnie the Duke of Kent, and he read out a Gerrard Street. Soho; the site of the led a nine piece band and a Quintet message from the Queen Mother, in Jazz Club he founded with Peter King. where he met Peter King, who was the which she emphasised the great esteem He opened the Club, known as Ronnie co-founder of the Club. In 1957 he led in which both she and King George VI held the General. Battles in which the Scott's in the basement and it was the The Jazz Couriers with Tubby Hayes. Poles played a role are legendary and first modern Jazz Club in this country. Later he led a quartet which included listed on the plinth, including Second Later, it moved to Frith Street. Stan Tracy. World War, Polish Campaign, French The Plaque was unveiled on 24th So, it was Jazz all the way with Campaign, Narvik, Battle of Britain, October 2019 and during the Ceremony, session work, solo work and leading Battle of the Atlantic, Tobruk, Monte Ronnie's Managing Director, Simon bands. In 1968 he played solo in Lady Cassino, Falaise, Arnhem and Warsaw Cooke said, Madonna by the Beatles. Uprising. “Ronnie's Club led the way for Ronnie's name is synonymous with The sculpture was created by British Jazz for sixty years through his two clubs. The basement in Gerrard Faith Winter, who died in 2017, its innovative programming and Street had second hand furniture, a baby aged 89 years old. She was famous championing of the music and grand, dim lights and red table cloths to for her statue of the Marshal of the Royal Air Force, Sir Arthur ‘Bomber’ musicians. An English Heritage Blue simulate the sizzling atmosphere of New Harris, and there were protests at Plaque is a fine acknowledgment of the York Clubs. It was a rip roaring success. its unveiling by the Queen Mother, contribution Ronnie Scott himself made American musicians could not with shouts of ‘mass murderer!’ to the British Jazz scene” perform here and vice versa due to union Harris’s strategy of bombing civilian Mary Scott, Ronnie's widow, rules. Ronnie succeeded in arranging towns was so controversial that, unveiled the Plaque and said, “... exchange visits. Zoot Sims, Johnny General after the war, no campaign medal The English Heritage Blue Plaque Griffin, Sonny Stitt and Al Cohn was given to the bombers and they is the deserved jewel in the crown of visited. Władysław were not mentioned in Churchill’s recognition for his lifetime contribution Ronnie Scott's had a unique victory speech. The Sikorski statue to Jazz...” atmosphere and Ronnie was an engaging was initiated by Tomasz Zamoyski, At the unveiling, Alex Garnett host with a great sense of humour. Sikorski a prominent Polish expatriate, to posed in an upstairs window holding Faith Winter complement the existing statues of Many a musician rose to fame from Churchill, Eisenhower and de Gaulle Ronnie Scott's very own saxophone. An there. Portland Place in London. Sikorski died in a plane evocative touch, one could almost hear Among the guests were Harold crash on take-off from Gibralter, on the notes of Jazz emanating through Pinter, The Beatles, Spike Milligan, his way to inspect the Polish forces Gerrard Street again. Peter Sellars and Princess Margaret. in the Middle East. There are more Ronnie Scott was born Ronald The Club expanded after the move conspiracy theories surrounding his Schatt to Jewish parents living in to Frith Street and was eventually sold death, including the fact that the only Aldgate, East London. His father, to Sally Greene. Jazz still emanates n the middle of Portland Place, survivor, the pilot, was whisked off by Joseph Schatt. was of Russian ancestry from there and the sounds echo Ronnie opposite the Polish Embassy, there the British authorities, who refused to and his mother, Sylvia, attended the Scott’s saxophone. allow any Poles to interview him, and stands a very proud gentleman of Portuguese Synagogue in Alie Street. Towards the end of his life Ronnie that the wreckage was not salvaged heroic proportions. He was the Ronnie was educated at the Central was plagued with depression, poor former Prime Minister of Poland in for six weeks, and that the Russian I Foundation Boys' School. His parents exile during the Second World War Ambassador to London’s plane had health and severe dental problems. and Commander-in-Chief of the been standing beside Sikorski’s on bought him a saxophone and it was his His Funeral was at Golders Green Polish armed forces and the resistance the runway. But the most insistent life for evermore, a life of Jazz. Crematorium in North London in 1996. movement from 1939 until 4 July rumours suggest that his death was He played in a small Club in 1944, Marian Maitland 1943. The Germans, who invaded on ordered by the Soviet leader Joseph 1 September 1939, one week after the Stalin, incensed by Sikorski’s demand signing of the Molotov-Ribbentrop for an investigation into the Katyn Pact between Germany and the Soviet massacre of Polish officers by Soviet Union, who, in turn, invaded Poland troops. Stalin claimed that the on 17 September. The campaign atrocity had been carried out by the ended on 6 October with Germany German Army and in April 1943

and the Soviet Union dividing and broke off relations with the Polish Warren © Freddie Photograph annexing the whole of Poland under government. Allegations of a plot by the terms of the German-Soviet the Soviet Union, determined not to Frontier Treaty. Hitler’s aims were, in let Polish nationalism get in the way brutally simple terms, ‘to physically of communist expansion after the destroy the enemy. That is why I have war, have been further fuelled by the prepared, for the moment only in the presence on Gibraltar of Kim Philby, East, my “Death’s Head” formations and other fingers were pointing at with orders to kill, without pity or , who believed mercy, all men, women, and children that Sikorski’s defence of the Polish of Polish descent or language. Only national cause threatened to derail in this way can we obtain the living Britain’s relationship with the Soviet space (Lebensraum), we need’. The Union. statue also commemorates the resistance movement, as well as the Don Grant 020 7738 2348 December 2019 / January 2020 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today 9 Architecture online: www.KCWToday.co.uk

within the life of the next government alone cannot be released for twelve to Truth v. Trust is at best improbable or most likely fourteen days because of lack of social BRICKS AND impossible. The manifesto promises are services care available. It is accepted that “Manifestos are lies” so unachievable, that makes them untrue; a hospital is not the best place to get that is, lies. Once upon a time, the well. Post-operative convalescent homes BRICKBATS said Nigel Farage when UK used to laugh about the inefficient could be part of the solution at half the BY SQUINCH announcing his public bureaucracy of Eastern Europe. Now, price of the cost in a full hospital ward without interference or help from or home visiting carers. They would be contract. It was the first Europe, Britain has invented a planning smaller, provide more focused care and time his words rang true for system that is part of the creation of a could be deliverable swiftly on readily hospital and housing crisis all by itself. available smaller plots of land. Why are Squinch. Hospital planning applications cost alternative solutions not part of current £millions in consultant fees and the NHS and government thinking? Where oth the major political parties system lacks certainty, adds risk and is the long-term creative and analytical are promising the undeliverable. delay; further increasing cost to the thinking to come from? It seems to be More lies like the 2016 Brexit taxpayer. sadly lacking in the current political Bbus promising £350M a week for the Once a consent has been granted, debate. NHS. Billions of spending from the where are the builders going to come Sustainability will rightly be an magic money tree (borrowing and tax) from? English skilled tradesmen are essential priority of any major new and 40 hospitals in 5 years. Pinocchio is becoming fewer and many are heading building programme. Dealing with the standing for election both on the right for retirement. The Polish mainstay energy efficiency of existing and future and the left of the political spectrum. are leaving for Poland following the buildings requires long-term investment In this sound bite election, only a few Referendum result. About 80% of as well as creative thinking. The UK commentators have pointed out that building materials come from Europe, has made progress in the generation the planning system is so dismantled, so new tariffs and customs delays of renewable energy. If we are to move under-skilled, under resourced and will impact the cost of construction. to all electric cars and less dependence

bureaucratic that the delivery of dozens Shortages of labour will push build costs on gas for heating our buildings, the of hospitals, hundreds of thousands of up and cause further delays. Once these investment in our national power new homes, schools and infrastructure imaginary hospitals are built, where infrastructure needs massive priority. is simply impossible. It may be what will the nurses and doctors come from? Only twenty-five miles from Central the UK needs but it is undeliverable Fairyland? Father Christmas? Today, London, there are hospital and housing in the short-termist world of Twitter there are already 100,000 unfilled NHS developments that lack sufficient high politics. The planning system is the posts. voltage electrical supplies to provide starting point for the investment food electric car charging and clean air chain. It is not fit for the purpose of heating. advancing the needs of our society National Health hospitals and The UK does have the intellectual and economy. Planning will never be other infrastructure projects and creative expertise to advance in a topic for winning popular votes but the direction necessary to meet the without reinvention, the realisation of are not short-term fixes. Major challenges of the twenty-first century. any of these manifesto promises will be projects require long-term These are challenges for every country impossible. Understanding the system in the world. Somehow, international and potential solutions has to be an vision and planning. They also sharing of intellectual property and urgent priority for any government after need new solutions. environmental solutions will be this crucial election. paramount in spite of the growth of On average, it will take 5 years or nationalist populism around the world. more to design and negotiate a planning One of the biggest bottlenecks for Politicians need to place long-term consent for a new hospital; the longest hospitals is beds. The length of stay strategies ahead of self-interest if they lifespan of a potential parliament. post-surgery is generally only one are to re-establish trust. It is truth That’s before construction even starts. or two days when care is available at that is the basis of trust. Undeliverable Hence, the delivery of any new hospitals home. Whereas, the elderly who are manifestos will not achieve that result. 10 December 2019 / January 2020 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today www.KCWToday.co.uk Features

order to become an Animal Behaviourist she has made an effort to make sure that It’s only one A dog is for Life she could qualify on a professional level. By Paige Williams Antonella has been working with plastic bag. an independent organization called the Association for the Study of Animal Behavior, which is conducted by a group It’s only one beef With the holiday season approaching, of veterinarians, psychologists and people are preparing to celebrate with biologists. They decided to make an burger. their family and friends but what about accreditation for those who have years their pets? of experience and make an assessment According to the PDSA, 50% of UK of the Animal Behaviourist way of It’s only one adults own a pet and 26% of the UK thinking and evaluating the dogs shopping trip. change the disheartening facts. adult population have a dog; with an behaviour, collecting proper information This isn’t some rumour that will pass estimated dog population of 9.9 million for the veterinarian and client and after a few months, this is an emergency, pet dogs. following up on the animals process to said 7 billion an emergency that needs to be dealt with Now there are many reasons why one make sure that the dogs were evaluated now. chooses to be a pet owner, especially correctly and had the proper diagnoses. people… We are responsible for all of the when it comes to dogs: they can provide There is a distinct difference between things that are destroying are futures, all medical assistance, be therapeutic a dog trainer and animal behaviourist of the things that are putting us in peril, or simply serve as a nice companion. as the behaviourist has to go through a By Ruby Foyle (Aged 11) all of the things that are actually ending But whilst many dogs are privileged specific process in order to be qualified people’s lives as we speak. Every subject and pampered, a growing number for the position. at school has something to do with this, are abandoned during the Christmas Veterinarians should only refer yet it’s not being taught at all. If more holiday. cases to those who are fully accredited As the school #ClimateStrike people are informed, more people will According to Dog Trust, an online and who have gone through all of the act, and we need as many people as platform dedicated to the health and following stages to become a Clinical and youth led Sunrise possible to act. wellness of dogs, last year, enquiries into Animal Behaviourist such as Antonella. Movement have become Small lifestyle changes aren’t going getting a dog for the holidays increased to make enough of a difference anymore. by nearly 27% from 357,779 to 452,656 What is most rewarding about prominent in the public We need mass change. We can’t succeed in the two weeks before Christmas. working with dogs ? sphere, we publish one young by following the rules anymore. The While searches use the phrase “buy a “I find it most rewarding being able main answer to all of these problems puppy” jumped by 44% from 95,659 to to help that relationship between the reader’s impassioned plea for is telling the truth. We’ve been lied to 137,499. owner and the pet and that the owner climate action. about almost every one of these issues Clinical Animal Behaviourist, can help the dog have a happy life.” until now. Antonella Marsicano, who specializes Asking her about a recent campaign, y name is Ruby Foyle, I am 11 Making a change is a simple concept in dog behavior, stresses the importance A Dog is for Life Not Just for Christmas, years old and our earth is quite disguised as an impossible concept. of preparing for a new dog and how she said “They might not realize that obviously in severe peril. The We have goals that we need to reach; both owner and pet have to adjust. puppy hood is difficult and they don’t question is, do you care enough to just including a reduction of CO2 emissions She explained the importance of dog come trained and that the first six M by at least 50 percent. Our emissions friendly environments and whether or months of having a puppy is intense. The listen for once? Because that’s all we’re asking. I’m talking to the people who have to stop if we are seeking to stay not they help the mental health of the ones that do the best are the owners who hear about climate change and decide below 1.5° to 2°C of warming. We have dog. contact me before getting the puppy”. that it’s not their concern, the people to lower our greenhouse emissions. “The bond between the owner and Antonella suggested that it is best to ask who refuse to let themselves believe that Things are starting to get out of dog can actually be much stronger and for professional help to ensure the owner we are facing a global breakdown, that control. Over 200 species are becoming they can be your companion” is fully aware and prepared to take care needs to be acknowledged before time extinct every single day, some that we “However we expect dogs to behave of a dog. runs out. This does concern you because didn’t even know existed. Step by step, in ways that are not natural for them, Contact with the Animal this isn’t some fictional plot twist in a all the environmental issues are linking like having them sit near our chairs for Behaviourist beforehand makes for horror movie; this is real. You don’t have together to create something that will two hours” She explained how some more understanding when adopting a more important things to do because result in the end of our civilisation as we owners might put dogs in unnatural pet. Depending on whether it’s a family this is happening now and you need to know it. situations where they may be out of with children versus a young and single act now. Without you we can’t save our Menacing consequences are already place. owner, it helps determine the ideal breed futures. visible. Out of control flooding, Since there are no certain formal to choose for the situation. I’m scared of the terrifying words droughts, wild fires, habitat loss, extreme accreditations that are established in She stresses the importance of people say about what’s happening and weather patterns and other effects of preparing your surroundings for a how this will affect me and everyone climate change are already threatening potential canine friend. else. How could people with such power our civilisation. We think that we’re the Antonella stated that, “Owners will negligently take away our futures? How victims here, but no, we are extremely contact me because their dog has started don’t you understand that if our earth fortunate compared to those who are to growl or bite them when they try to breaks down it’s on you? You don’t actually experiencing these horrific put the collar/harness/leash on them or want to be known as the generation previews of what’s soon to come. try to pet them... In those cases, pain who destroyed our futures; you want to It sounds scary when you put it in is the possible reason for discomfort be known as the generation who saved perspective, doesn’t it? The choices around the neck/ shoulders because the that you make affect all of this, what collar or harness are not fitted properly

them. Antonella Marsicano © Photograph We are not far away from running you decide can either save or destroy (too tight for instance). Which would out of food and water. The climate what billions of people have built over result in them having an aggressive breakdown is already resulting in deaths. millennia, our planet. behaviour.” I don’t know about you, but that scares With the holiday season approaching one should think seriously about the me quite a lot. Adults always tell us that “It’s only one plastic bag”, if we’re scared, we should make a move, responsibility of buying or having a dog. that we should do anything we can to “It’s only one beef burger”, Antonella Marsicano, BA (Hons), MSc make that fear go away. That’s what “It’s only one shopping trip” we’re trying to do; unlike most people, Clinical Animal Behaviourist we are using all our power to try to said 7 billion people… Mob. 07749 656 525 020 7738 2348 December 2019 / January 2020 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today 11 Advertisement online: www.KCWToday.co.uk

It really does get recycled!

Everything you put out for recycling gets recycled. Cans are recycled into parts for cars, bikes, planes or anything else made from steel or aluminium including new cans. But, to do this, we need the right things put in the right bins. Putting the right stuff in the right recycling bag or bin is important, it means your recyclable items have an opportunity to become something new. Let’s all work together and get recycling right. Find out more at: lbhf.gov.uk/recycling London recycles 12 December 2019 / January 2020 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today www.KCWToday.co.uk Festive Fun

Regardless of age overall, only 22% of the British plan to follow through For Auld Lang The Origins of their New Years resolution. The most common New Year’s Syne the New Year's resolutions are; exercise more and lose By Anna Mackenzie weight, quit smoking, save more and Resolution spend less, learn a new skill and diet and By Paige Williams stay healthier.

New Year is celebrated all ‘Should auld acquaintance over the world by a variety be forgot, and never brought Coming up with a New Year's of cultures and religions that to mind? Should auld Resolution is one of the oldest have evolved into life long traditions. acquaintance be forgot, and traditions to celebrate the end auld lang syne?’ or beginning of a year, but These timeless words are where does the idea of ‘New How to synonymous with Scottish Year's Resolutions’ come from? say ‘Merry Hogmanay and New Year According to HISTORY.com, about celebrations across the world. 4,000 years ago Babylonians are said to Christmas’ in have celebrated the New Year in March Year upon year they are shout- with a 12 day festival called Akitu. They twelve languages! sung from hoarse throats, celebrated the Renewal of Life. During Tagalog = Maligayang Pasko disrupting whisky kisses and that time they made promises to their gods to pay debts and return any objects French = Joyeux Noël twirling reels, as hands and they had borrowed, with these promises serving as the equivalent of ‘New Year's Spanish = Feliz Navidad hearts are bound together by Resolutions’ during that time period. the words of Robert Burns. It was only in 46 B.C. in ancient Swedish = God Jul Rome, that Julius Caesar established January 1st as the beginning of the New Norwegian = Gledelig Jul RITTEN IN 1788, the Year; the official date that is used around national bard sent the the world. Hindi = Śubh krisamas song to the Scots Musical It is thought that term, ‘New Year’s Gujarati = Anandi/Khushi MuseumW and noted that the lyrics drew Resolution’ was first introduced in a Natal inspiration from the 1711 ballad Old Boston newspaper in 1813. Since then Long Syne by James Watson. The music it has been used annually to encourage Belgium Dutch/Flemish = to which it is most commonly sung is people to create goals for the future. Vrolijk Kerstfeest a Scots folk melody. In Scotland, it is independence. According to Strava, a social fitness often sung at the end of cèilidh dances In this context, Burns’ poetry network, after analyzing their data they Japanese = Meri Kurisumasu and at weddings and has otherwise been permeates through a unique cultural found that most people give up their widely absorbed into folk celebrations. heritage and elevates a national tongue New Year's Resolution around mid Ukrainian = Veseloho Rizdva Auld Lang Syne has become a often dismissed as a dialect. And while January with the so-called “National traditional form of farewell. It pays the poet wrote solely in Scots, his works Quitters Day” on January 12th. As ever German = Frohe Weihnachten homage to the past while continuing it is easier to fall back on old habits... have now been translated into several Vietnamese = Chúc mù’ng into the future with optimism alongside languages. Most New Year's resolutions have Giáng Sinh long-standing friends. Burns’ repertoire of love poems, to do with health and weight loss. So, In the song, Burns recalls fond ballads and folk songs are as lyrical and should people start referring to their memories and raises a toast “for auld witty as they are soulful and heartfelt. resolution as goals ? lang syne”, which translates into Only a few weeks after Auld Lang Syne According to Strasita, a statistic standard English as ‘for old time’s sake’. rings in the new year, the bard’s life and website, they ran a poll on the One verse poignantly contrasts a works are celebrated on 25th January, percentage of the U.K population visceral connection with the present Burns Night. The highlight of the dinner that make a New Years resolution with a wider perspective of temporal is the reading of ‘Address to a Haggis’ which demonstrated that New Year's expanse: “We twa hae paidl'd in the before the traditional meal is ushered in, Resolutions are far more common burn, frae morning sun till dine; But tartan strewn and bagpipe-wielding, the amongst the young. seas between us braid hae roar'd sin' words ‘FREEDOM’ sputtering from its auld lang syne.” Translated it reads: “The very essence. Ages: two of us have paddled in the stream, While the festive season can present 18-24: 37% from morning until dusk; But the wide its own forms of stress and tensions, 25-49: 26% seas between us have roared since a long, Burns’ eternal words still have the power 50-64: 14%z BAH! long time ago.” to lead bleary-eyed and weary souls 65 + : 15% The linguistic element of Burns’ towards hope. They do not simply convey works is not without significance. He momentary goodwill; they echo across was among several prominent writers generations and borders. responsible for a renaissance of the Scots At a time when society is particularly SUBSCRIBE & SUPPORT language in the 18th century after it marked by political divisions and was widely suppressed in an attempt to instability, we should all remember to Get a subscription for Christmas & 2020 standardise English across the Union. pause as 2019 heaves its last breath and A more recent revival of the language ‘tak’ a cup o’ kindness for auld lang See page 25 has been linked to support for Scottish syne.’ 020 7738 2348 December 2019 / January 2020 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today 13 Festive Fun & Fakes online: www.KCWToday.co.uk Photographs © The Tim Epps Glove Collection Epps Glove Tim The © Photographs

ow tragic the abandoned glove on the highways and Hbyways of life. Blown hither and thither in its loneliness; ALL forever parted from its lifetime mirror companion; once useful, now useless; a pair torn apart; riven asunder; lost or YOU discarded like litter, never to be reunited. We find them in all shapes and sizes, all colours, often damaged, and in the most unpleasant surroundings. As Roger NEED McGough, the poet, so succinctly put it, “when one glove is missing, both are lost”. Mindful of similar loss and circumstance amongst our I S fellows, we can mitigate this by some small act of generosity or kindness this festive season. All you need is (g)love!

GLOVE Tim Epps. F Attached to the boat will be a timed in congenial surroundings. With the

F augur device which at the appropriate relatively modest outlays required and

Full moment will bore a hole into the hull, with the energy savings over cremation, From where I’m F thus causing the boat to sink quietly the family and friends can spend money By Nick Salaman Fathom beneath the waves carrying the deceased on important wake rituals with their sitting F Five crew member with it, ultimately friend/family member before death, who Middle age providing a convenient home for new will be assured of a low cost heroic end Is a useful stage, sea life, whilst avoiding the carbon in a blaze of sunset glory. This will have It gives you time to think release of burning. Already FFFF the additional benefit of bringing much On the follies of youth, Alerted by spiraling funeral costs, an have bought up craft nearing the end needed funds to the coastal communities On the nature of truth, entrepreneurial couple have devised a of their usefulness in key west-facing who host the wake parties. DJ curated And the rubbish that wastes printer’s ink. novel way to exit this world. They have ports across the world, in many exotic music packages can be provided as a set up a company, Full Fathom Five locations in the Caribbean, South useful adjunct to these, being carefully Youth flies so quickly, Funerals, which will allow you to go to America and the Pacific, so that those planned in advance. FFFF waives the It makes the mind sickly. But ripe middle years are so cosy. Valhalla in style. Based on the old Norse signed up to the plan can end theirs rules! Tim Epps burial traditions of Longship burial Sit back on your arse, where important people were sent off Pour a sodding big glass – And by God the future looks rosy! into the sunset in a flaming barque, they are buying wooden boats at the end of But when you draw near their days and allowing them one more To the withered and sere important trip to end their, and their Those uplands of painful reality, crew’s days. The past is no boost. The concept is simple and similar to Now they come home to roost, the Scandinavian model, but with a few The vultures of age and mortality. modern additions. The boats will be sent towards the open sea, preferably into the They peck at your liver sunset, with the candidate aboard and a And set things a-quiver limited fuel supply sufficient to reach the With stabbings in bladder and prostate. There’s a claw in your colon, deep ocean. Drones will be utilized to Your aorta is swollen supply a celebratory champagne hamper And your kidneys are turning apostate. and soporific drugs to ease the passing. Also offered is a full “FFFF Farewell” When you are older, video service, augmented with the drone The wind blows much colder. footage obtained while delivering the The riches have all become rag. drugs. Ouside territorial waters, there There’s no room to manoeuvre, will be no complaints from the anti- As God grabs the Hoover euthanasia lobby. And sucks up the mess in his bag. 14 December 2019 / January 2020 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today www.KCWToday.co.uk News

Alternative für Deutschland 30 years after the (AfD) party that promises a fall of the Berlin restored, state- managed order and Wall: is Germany tight restrictions on immigration. unified? © www.worldislandonfo.com Photograph By Anna Mackenzie The rate of growth in East Germany has undoubtedly been stalled by the fall out of the aturday 9th November marked the collapse of the 30th anniversary of the fall of the Soviet Union. To Berlin Wall. The Mauerfall was deny that a divide Snot only the first critical step towards exists would be to German reunification, but also a undermine the real physical symbol for the collapse of the frustrations felt Soviet Union’s Iron Curtain that cut an by people in the ideological divide across Europe during East and fuel the the Cold War. deep-seated anger But 30 years on, the East-West that comes as a divide continues to exist beyond the result of historical realms of historical anecdote. The East grievance. is still playing catch up with the West, Germany still earn 16% less than their perceive themselves as second-class Perhaps German Chancellor Angela and an impatience to close the gap has western counterparts. citizens. Merkel, who herself grew up in East resulted in increasing resentment and This year’s annual government The approval rating for democracy in Germany, put it best: “German unity is nationalist tendencies in the form a rise report on the status of German unity the east was also noted as “worryingly” not a state, completed and finished, but a in support for the far right. labelled the process of reunification low, with almost half of the population perpetual process.” As a severe demographic crisis as “an impressive success story,” with dissatisfied with the democratic We should not look to the fall of continues, with nearly a quarter of the per capita GDP in the former East structure. the Berlin Wall as a purely historical East German population moving to the Germany growing from 43% of that Lingering discontent caused by anecdote, but as a source of learning. West between 1991 and 2017, economic in West Germany in 1990 to 75% in economic disappointment and political It did not mark the end of an era, but disparity continues to fuel frustration. 2018. However, the report also revealed dissatisfaction have also stoked the the beginning of a new one that in still Today, full-time employees in East that 57% of East German citizens still embers of support for the far-right evolving.

care and time they need to deal with their The services on offer will include health problems. nursing care and the chance to get wounds ‘Mobile GP The mobile unit is run by charity dressed, with medics on hand to carry Strenuous efforts are made by ‘Doctors of the World UK’ and has been out foot assessments, provide new socks Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster surgery’ launched commissioned for the next six months. and gloves and offer screenings for HIV, in the Square Mile It is taking to the streets of the City chlamydia and gonorrhoea. Today newspaper to ensure that By LDRS Reporter in a month that has seen temperatures GP Durga Sivasathiaseelan, who co- the content and information is dropping below zero, triggering the severe ordinates the clinic said: “It is incredibly correct. Kensington, Chelsea & Julia Gregory weather emergency protocol which sees hard for people experiencing homelessness more bed spaces open for the homeless and sleeping rough to access healthcare. Westminster Today newspaper population across London. And when diseases go untreated, they can Medics and volunteers will take the worsen dramatically and affect people’s reserves the right to report A new mobile GP surgery has been ‘Doctors of the World mobile clinic’ to long-term health. unsolicited material being sent launched in the Square Mile with the venues across the City for homeless people “This is particularly true for those who mission statement that “everyone has the in need of support. are experiencing street homelessness or through to the publication. right to access quality healthcare and Councillor Fredericks said the live in unstable accommodation, where Personal views expressed in this ensure tip top health and well-being.” service will be “somewhere they can feel their lives can be chaotic, making it more Marianne Fredericks, who chairs comfortable, where they are given time; challenging to address health needs.” newspaper are solely those of the the ‘City of London’s Homelessness and time to explain their complex needs and “Accessing healthcare becomes less of a respective contributors and do not Rough Sleepers Committee’ said the new really importantly somewhere that is non priority when you are worried about where service would help people get the support, judgemental.” you are going to sleep and if it will be safe reflect those of the publishers or In 2018 the City of London was in and warm.” its agents. All materials sent to the top five councils in the capital for Just like at any GP clinic the volunteer high numbers of rough sleepers. In the doctors and nurses and support workers Kensington Chelsea & Westminster first three months of 2019 outreach teams will give consultations, help people register Today are at the suppliers’ risk. recorded 174 people, a drop for the first with a GP and access NHS services, such Reproduction in whole or in part time in nine months. as dentists and opticians. However the following three months They will also give out tea and coffee. of this publication is strictly saw a slight increase to 181 people. Women will be given period products prohibited without prior consent. November saw the annual national count and have access to a specialist clinic as of the number of homeless people on well. The appearance of advertising in the UK’s streets, with the figures to be Ms Fredericks said anyone who is this newspaper, including inserts or released in the new year, which will give a concerned about rough sleepers should snapshot of the demand. contact ‘StreetLink’ via the app or on supplements, does not constitute Homeless people can have more health 0300 500 0914, to connect them to local issues than the general population, said services, or 999 in an emergency. endorsement by Kensington, Ms Fredericks “and I felt they need a The Corporation also backs a Chelsea & Westminster Today of the unique resource.” fundraising campaign “Tap For Change” She added: “It’s really crucial that they with donations going to homelessness products or services advertised. access health care.” charity ‘Beam’. 020 7738 2348 December 2019 / January 2020 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today 15 Opinion & Comment online: www.KCWToday.co.uk

MARIUS BRILL’S MEMEING OF LIFE Meme: An element of a culture or system of behaviour passed from one individual to another...

on the side of the road in fairy tales and we know to beware of Trojans. It’s a gift Dickens’s A Christmas Carol, uses both the stick, of being haunted by

terrifying apparitions, and the carrot of © Don Grant Illustration My kids are gifted. gaining affection from a family you’ve Unfortunately, I didn’t get the singlehandedly kept in poverty for years resulting in the permanent disability of receipt. one of the children, to promote giving. So now, at this time every In his Christmas short story The Gift of the Magi, O’Henry sets the generosity year, I have to wrap a small trade-off as a zero-sum game. He writes fortune in holy crap – sorry about a penniless couple, “Each sold the most valuable thing he owned in – holly crepe paper and stack order to buy a gift for the other.” Della it under a tree in the living sells her hair to buy Jim a pocket-watch chain, and he sells his pocket-watch to room. A tree that I’m killing buy her hair-combs. At the end, unable slowly, hanging fairy lights to bear the weight of his own irony, O’Henry tries to restore some dignity and baubles around to mask to his characters, “Of all who give gifts, the morbid decay and shame. these two were the most wise.” But they really weren’t. They were idiots. The As Neville Holder MBE had tragedy of the story was not the gifts or the prescience to say, “It’s the sacrifice or the fact the trade didn’t pay off but their fundamental inability Chriiiiiiiiiiiistmaaaaaaaaaas!” to communicate with each other; which will, later in their relationship, lead them time for giving. A time for gifts and presents. A time for to harbour resentments and age in lonely deadline shopping-anxiety, quiet despair unable to bear each other trying to guess what people around you but powerless to escape. A According to neuroscientists, gifting Cialdini calls “the rule of reciprocity” might want but almost certainly don’t you’ll be down five pints before you feel need. And though Christmas/Yuletide/ is, fundamentally, a drug deal. As social comfortable enough to head off for a “overwhelming” and something humans Saturnalia is a meme of epic proportions, animals, at our most productive when kebab. have little power to combat. Whether a a social construct evolving down the relying on each other, we’re hardwired to If we think giving is tough then giver or a receiver we cannot escape the generations, the concept of ‘giving’ enjoy creating delight in others. If your receiving is even harder. With every obligation set by a gift, the knowledge without expectation of reciprocation is a gift creates pleasure, you’re rewarded gift we receive there’s a little fear within that it is a trade of some sort. Even weird conceptual meme all of its own. with a rush of endorphins, serotonin, us that it will create an obligation. in charity fundraising, people almost It has no equivalents in nature. dopamine and norepinephrine, the “So typical is it for indebtedness to always choose one that has affected There’s always a pay off for a gift. same chemicals that makes sex feel less accompany the receipt of such things,” them. They give because they feel that Animals give to their young to nurture weird than it looks. Giving gifts then, is writes Robert B. Cialdini in his they have been given. Which means them, colony species give to help others literally buying happy brain drugs. handbook for salesmen, Influence, The research into widespread illnesses will so their communities thrive, and don’t But, since a similar chemical mixture Psychology of Persuasion, “that a term like always get more charitable funds than be fooled by the dead bird presented is also released by feelings of potency, ‘much obliged’ has become a synonym less common ones. So, even as more to you by your cat, it’s not a gift, it’s a some argue that giving gifts is just a for ‘thank you,’ not only in the English cancers become treatable, Alzheimer’s criticism. “That,” your cat is saying, “that powerplay. Objects are exchanged for language but in others as well.” One gets less attention, until that too reaches is what I expect to see in my bowl every influence; the receiver becomes beholden of the key ways to persuade people, he a critical mass. day, not sodding Felix chunks.” to the gifter. It’s a concept so simple even argues, is to exploit their innate sense of They say Christmas is for the kids. Giving things, apparently for the Donald Trump, author of The Art of the reciprocation. He points to the gift of And I guess what’s so nice for them is, sake of the act of giving, is yet another of Deal and as articulate in Latin as Dan a free pen, address labels or Christmas in their socks and dressing gowns on our oddly exclusively human rituals and Quayle, gets: Quid Pro Quo. The mutual cards, sent by charities with requests for Christmas morning they can grab their the idea of bestowing something without backscratch. donations. However pathetic the gift, presents from under the tree in total, apparent exchange is so counterintuitive The sense that any gift is actually a double the number of people respond wonderful, ignorance. They have no it’s one of the hardest concepts we trade for a future payback is irresistible. to these letters. No gift, it seems, idea. Their beautiful, tiny, selfish, self- grasp in growing up. Life as a kid is You only have to witness a fight for a comes without a sense of future; a regarding little worlds are free of words all º: bouncing around gathering stars restaurant bill to realise that there’s more reciprocation. like ‘reciprocation’ and ‘obligation’. They and coins. Accumulating stuff rewards going on than friends battling for the Our culture has no end of moral can rip open their holly crepe paper you with some sort of satisfaction, but pleasure of giving each other a meal. The fables encouraging gifting but even our wrapped presents, secure in their belief where’s the reward in giving? “What’s psychodrama of unsheathed credit cards stories portray generosity, not as a deed that these gifts come unconditionally. in it for me?” as Richard Dawkins didn’t is a life-or-death power struggle to not done without expectation of return, They can play, blissfully unaware that write in The Selfish Teen. It’s only when be the one who feels beholden, to owe but as a trade, an act with a karmic their future loyalty and commitment and you start gifting in earnest that you nothing to the bill payer. Every ‘bloke’ comeback. even love is being bought, one sweetie, realise the first thing that’s in it for you: knows that, if you’re out with five mates, Endless rewards come to the one ray of happiness, one pair of Air drugs. the law of ‘rounds responsibility’ means youngest child who helps the vagabond Pods, at a time. 16 December 2019 / January 2020 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today www.KCWToday.co.uk Opinion & Comment

Henry of his child just as he had ruined insisted.They managed to get the girl hers. on board, when hands reached up from The sabotage of There has always seemed to me to be the water, as many as the tentacles of The White Ship; something fishy (pun only moderately an octopus, and pulled the boat over, so a tale of love, grief, savagery intended) about the wreck of The White that they all drowned. Ship in 1120. The sea was calm, the The only person who survived was and revenge to help us rise night was clear, although the moon the butcher of Rouen’s accountant who above contemporary politics. was only moderately new. The crew was was on board to collect money owed experienced. The helmsman was the very by the army quartermasters. The smart person who had built the ship, a man folk on board had mocked his sheepskin called FitzStephen whose father had coat, but it was that which stopped him t is sometimes felt by people today, organized the fleet for the Conqueror. from sinking; and he lived to tell the engaged in the throng and press of The rock itself was only 1 mile from its tale, picked up like a dead manatee by their own lives and loves, that the home harbour of Barfleur, every sailor fishermen in the morning. men and women who lived in the past and fisherman must have known of it, Juliana, Comtesse de Breteuil, her I for it had its own name: the Quille Boeuf work done and her children avenged, were somehow cardboard figures without feeling. Today I want to introduce an Rock. Why would a spanking new vessel had plenty to think about as she paced example of red-blooded refutation, make a beeline for it in all the wide the cloisters of her nunnery. drawn from 900 years ago, which had ocean? When Henry died, fifteen years a profound effect on the history of this At any rate, it seems to me there later, the result of all this was a country, and still reverberates today. to the dukedom on a ticket of justice is enough of a possibility for me to calamitous civil war between his only Some four years ago, I had what and fairness at the entreaty of the submit the notion that some individual other legitimate child, Matilda - many Shakespeare might have called a Church, since his elder brother Duke or persons on board combined to of the barons didn’t take to the idea ‘Holinshed Moment’. I was reading an Robert had been inept and futile, overwhelm the helmsman and drive of a woman ruling them - and his excellent history of Henry 1, King of and Henry had defeated him at the the vessel onto the Quille Boeuf, partly nephew Stephen. It lasted 19 years and England and Duke of Normandy, by Battle of Tinchebraie) was faced with submerged as it was at high water. They culminated in the introduction of the Professor Judith Green of a terrible decision. Should he hand his then made their escape by dinghy in the name Plantagenet to the roll-call of University, and a plot, begging to be grandchildren over to the Castellan to confusion. The bodyguard around Prince English monarchs. written, sprang from the pages. Intrinsic do with them as he saw fit, or should he William tried to get him to do the same The story of Henry l, King of to it was a strong motive for revenge and exercise his privilege and protect them. thing, but as they were rowing away, England and Duke of Normandy and sabotage, perpetrated and orchestrated I know what I would have done, but his half-sister, the Comtesse de Perche, his daughter Juliana is recounted by her by Juliana, Comtesse de Breteuil, Henry was made of sterner stuff. Deaf cried out: fictitious lover Bertold, the bastard son Henry’s own (illegitimate) daughter. to their mother’s desperate entreaties, he ‘William, William, don’t leave me.’ of the Comte de Perche, in the novel The Henry had more illegitimate children sent the little girls to the Chateau d’Ivry. The Prince ordered them to turn White Ship, published by Accent Press/ than any other English king, and that is And what happened? The Castellan, round and retrieve her. She must have Headline. It is available from Daunt saying something. He used to marry the driven by pride, or sorrow and rage; meant a great deal to him since the Books, Waterstones and other good girls off to Norman barons to keep them who knows how much his only son soldiers advised against it. But he bookstores. Nick Salaman loyal. A stratagem that did not always meant to him since it appears the boy’s work. On this occasion in 1118, his mother was dead? blinded both the little daughter Juliana’s husband, the sottish girls and sent them back to Breteuil Comte de Breteuil, did something with the tips of their noses cut off as profoundly stupid. There was a dispute, a bonne bouche. Thus the lives of both fanned by one of the trouble-stirring de the Breteuil children had been doubly Montforts, about the strategic Chateau wrecked, not only blinded but mutilated! of Ivry which was owned by Henry, One can imagine the mother’s fearful, and kept by his Castellan, a man called uncontrollable rage... Harenc. The Comte de Breteuil had When Henry came visiting to try got it into his head that he should own to patch things up, she shot at him it, because his own father had held it. with a cross-bow and, when the bolt Henry disagreed but, because he liked just missed, she tried to load it again to be seen to be just, and wanted to keep before she could be restrained. Henry Advertise the Comte on side, he went along with became enraged, and returned with a negotiation. This was traditionally troops to lay siege to the chateau. When conducted with an exchange of hostages. this succeeded, the Comtesse escaped Henry suggested that the Castellan’s by diving into the moat, but her dress young son, 9 year old Roger, should floated up so that the soldiers could see her bare body underneath; (an event with us be put into the keeping of the Breteuil family, and that the two little Breteuil that profoundly shocked the monkish girls, aged about 8 and 6, should be chronicler) and she swam across the held, not by the Castellan (they were water to reach a waiting horse, and so To put an advertisement in KCWToday after all Henry’s grandchildren) but by galloped off. A feisty woman, no less. Henry himself in Caen. The Comtesse All this is recorded by Orderic Vitalis. de Breteuil was reluctant, of course, but I have made none of it up. The next time email: [email protected] it was arranged. we hear of the Breteuil parents is when All seemed to go well, until a they appear before Henry, suddenly and trouble-maker called de Montfort shockingly, in sackcloth as penitents in or telephone 020 7738 2348 reported (falsely) to Breteuil that the the year 1119, when they seem to make Castellan was fortifying the Chateau it up with him. A year or so later, it of Ivry contrary to agreement. Breteuil seems that she has entered a convent. I became enraged and drunk, put the little submit that in the interim she organized Roger’s eyes out and returned him to his the sinking of the White Ship, with the father, the Castellan. loss of 300 of the great and the good You can tell what happens next. including a couple of Henry’s bastard The Castellan complained bitterly to children and his own legitimate son, the Henry, and Henry, who had come 18 year old Prince William, to deprive 020 7738 2348 December 2019 / January 2020 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today 17 Opinion & Comment online: www.KCWToday.co.uk

listen, he has a paramount duty to lead by example. If he were consistently The Influence of to use electric cars, for example, or to Entertaining Princes champion wind and solar energy on all Angels By Peter Burden his own premises, or host vegetarian banquets in recognition of the scientific findings that the consumption of meat contributes to global warming, many of the not very bright, privileged British People sometimes smile at me in the street - toffs, as well as the unreconstructed Alf People who know me though it can’t be so. ust as even the most politically Garnetts who love him would be more It seems as though we’ve shared important things, committed among us were likely to follow his practices. Or a password half of which I do not know. beginning to weary of the dreary His younger brother apparently I think there are people in the street today cross-fireJ spluttering on between enjoys the company of rich, flashy the egotistic fabulist and the bigoted types, and has fatuously compared his Who are angels, or creatures of a high creation, narcissist who seek to lead us out of the ‘entrepreneurial’ qualities to those of his From an inter-galactic nation, EU (at the expressed will of 38% of the highly talented forebear, Prince Albert. Or members of a clique where cupids play, electorate), the monarch’s second son Against this unpromising background, A club to which the rude boys aren’t invited – blunders into our consciousness in one of and with even less constitutional They are far too easily excited - his infrequent significant appearances to justification than Prince Charles, he And rude girls do not have the entree, revive the ever-lurking debate over the isn’t shy about airing his opinions, When the bouncer tells them: ‘Montrez’, purpose and functionality of the Royal even on the most toxic subjects. For They do not have the number on the plastic family. example, he was seen on ITV in June Last month I wrote about the this year expressing the view that Or tucked into their knicker elastic. perceived decline of traditional deference Brexit was inevitable. Fortunately, he No use their negligently strolling shown by the British people to their has never been taken seriously and his The black ball has been rolling, rulers, conscious that for most thinking latest, alarmingly crass performance on Their cards have been well marked, people there is an ever-present tension national TV has utterly invalidated his Their bums cannot be parked, between acknowledging the practical views on anything at all. At the high table where the angels are to dine value of a governing hierarchy and Despite the potential difficulties And drink unprecedented wine, supporting the right of free expression. these shortcomings may cause the Part of a conspiracy of joy. After her umpteen years as ceremonial Royal Family, there are more positive head of state, the Queen has understood developments for those of us who, as The lovely girl or boy this and acted on it as well as anyone British Citizens, still appreciate the Who smile at me cannot do more could have done. She knows that her emotional and cultural value of a non- Than passingly adore principal role is to keep schtum and not elected, non-appointed and apolitical And smile at me in salutation, let her crown fall off. She has never head of state. Prince William, as They cannot apologise or explain, publicly expressed a view about any future king, does appear to have a clear That I was an angel once political issue. understanding of his primary duties; to In days of yore. Her eldest son, by contrast, thinks be as polite and as interested as possible They recognize that I was one of them that his position gives him the right to towards all those whom he encounters publicise his own views. Naturally, there in the course of his public life; not to However much I ha or hem. are those Brits, probably happy to be voice political or divisive cultural views; And a little bit of me described as ‘Subject of Her Majesty’, and to do whatever it takes to avoid his Remembers the old times. who agree with the Prince of Wales personal life descending into chaos. In Or do you think that’s far-fetched? that, for example, an extension to the the meantime, he has chosen to use the Or just the bric a brac of rhymes? National Gallery twenty-five years ago influence that his position inevitably Am I an angel? I think it’s unlikely. would resemble, ‘a monstrous carbuncle provides by supporting entirely valid I’m far too unsightly. on the face of a much-loved and elegant and uncontroversial organizations like Maybe it’s just that, being immortal, friend’ and many other personal views The Tusk Trust, which has been very widely aired since then. Then there are successful in its mission to protect They like to say they haven’t closed the portal, others, content to be described in their African wildlife. That he has been able I could come in, but use the soap, current passport as ‘British Citizen’, who to achieve such equanimity despite To wash away the Diesel and his works, feel that the Prince is not qualified and the circumstances of his youth and the But they would let me through. has no mandate to comment on such actions of his antecedents says a lot for They smile at me to give me hope things, indeed anything at all, when, his own strength of character, and he To say that there is something more for reasons of traditional deference, his could yet be the preserver of the British Than anything I had before, view will be heeded and can prevent monarchy for a long time to come. A something from the corner of the eye projects going ahead. Admittedly, I don’t always disagree with him, but that That I can see so long as I don’t try, isn’t the point. I certainly don’t disagree That magic Wordsworth wrote about in reams, with his expressed concerns about the When we were children yesterday, future of the planet, but his views in When we were babies in the wood. this vitally important area would be When we were aliens in the know far more persuasive if he were to back Of something brave and glorious and good. them up in his own behaviour in a way And for a moment, as they smile and pass, I hold that clearly demonstrated a visceral A glow of something conjured out of dreams commitment. It doesn’t help his case that he has commandeered the old Royal Of long ago in realms of gold. Train for his personal use, regularly flies When will the next smile come along, who knows? in helicopters and private jets, and drives They only come when you’re not looking,

himself around in cars with big thirsty peterburden.net They cannot be reserved by booking, engines. While he has no constitutional But for a moment all is rose. platform to talk about these things, as long as he does and a lot of people www. By Nick Salaman 18 December 2019 / January 2020 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today www.KCWToday.co.uk International Reprise

Ilbo reports that North Korea executed party over her inability to deliver Brexit unprecedented protests from opposition 2019 Revisited nuclear envoy Kim Hyok-chol and four MPs, who hold up signs in the House By Max Feldman other diplomats in March after the June 9: Hong Kong anti-extradition of Commons and refuse to back the failure. The newspaper also reports that bill protests: Over 1 million people in shutdown. Kim Yong-chol, a top aide to Kim Jong- Hong Kong protest against proposed un, was sentenced to hard labor during legislation regarding extradition to September 24: One of the largest the purge. China. It is the largest protest in and oldest travel firms, Thomas Cook, Hong Kong since the 1997 handover. goes bankrupt as last-minute rescue March 15: 51 people are killed and 50 The situation continues to intensify, negotiations fail, stranding 600,000 others injured in terrorist attacks on two leading the Hong Kong government tourists worldwide. mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand: to announce that it will indefinitely Al Noor Mosque and Linwood Islamic suspend the controversial extradition October: Turkish offensive into At the dawn of 2020, Centre, both of which were the target bill on June 15. Still protests continue, north-eastern Syria: President Recep Kensington, Chelsea & of shootings by Australia-born Brenton this time calling for the total withdrawal Tayyip Erdoğan of Turkey announces a Harrison Tarrant. It is the deadliest of the bill and the resignation of Chief military invasion of north-eastern Syria, Westminster Today is looking mass shooting and terrorist attack in Executive Carrie Lam. The stalemate targeting the SDF and other Kurdish back at some of the seminal New Zealand history and described continues and on September 4th Lam militias. by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern as announces the official withdrawal of the events that defined the "one of New Zealand's darkest days". controversial Fugitive Offenders and October 20: Bolivian president Evo previous year. Subsequently, Facebook announced they Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Morales defeated his nearest rival by had disabled 1.5 million videos of the Matters Legislation Bill 2019. Far from 10%, but after multiple allegations was a fittingly gunman's rampage. calming down however, October 1 sees of irregularities the Organization of tumultuous a protestor shot in the chest with a live American States said it had found capstone March 24: A four-page summary of round of ammunition and critically ”clear manipulations” of Bolivia’s on an intensely dramatic decade. Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s report injured and the first Hong Kong voting system; Morales called for a 2019Political tumult exploded across the into U.S. President Donald Trump's government ban wearing face masks new election, however the military and globe mirrored by natural disasters 2016 election campaign is published in public. By November 17 Police are police called for Morales resignation and the deepening climate crisis. by the U.S. Attorney General William using tear gas and water cannons against on November 10, which he acceeded If those who forget the past are Barr. It concludes that there was no protesters, with no end in sight to the to, before leaving the country and doomed to repeat it, let’s enter the collusion with Russia, which was the crisis. accepting political asylum in Mexico on new 20s with clear eyes. basis of the investigation, but on the November 12. Following his resignation issue of obstruction of justice states: July 6: Paedophile, billionaire, potential and the resignation of other senior MAS January 10: Venezuela enters a "While this report does not conclude blackmailer and alleged financier Jeffrey politicians, some of whom citied fears for constitutional crisis as Juan Guaidó that the President committed a crime, it Epstein was arrested on trafficking the safety of their families, Jeanine Áñez and the National Assembly declare also does not exonerate him". charges. Jailed at the Metropolitian declared herself interim president and incumbent President Nicolás Maduro Correctional Centre, on July 23 he formed an interim government. Protests “illegitimate” and start the process of April 11: WikiLeaks co-founder Julian was found unconscious in his jail cell have continued, and several human attempting to remove him. By January Assange is arrested after seven years in with marks on his neck. He was placed right organizations expressed concerns 23rd Thousands of people protest in Ecuador's embassy in London. on suicide watch, only to be taken out over the excess use of force by the new favour of disputed interim President after six days. On August 10 he was governmen which resulted in at least 14 Juan Guaidó. Several people are killed, April 15: During Holy Week, a major found unresponsive in his jail cell, deaths along with several attacks on the and President Maduro severs diplomatic fire engulfs Notre-Dame Cathedral in which was ruled an apparent suicide. indigenous population. ties with the United States. On April Paris, resulting in the roof and main Due to a variety of factors on the night 30 Guaidó leads an attempted coup spire collapsing. of his death including the removal of November 21: Israeli Prime Minister against Maduro which is met by failure. his cellmate without a replacement, Benjamin Netanyahu is indicted on Whilst Guaidó is recognised as interim May 6: In its first report since 2005, the falling asleep of two guards who charges of bribery, fraud and breach of president by 57 countries, support for the Intergovernmental Science-Policy were meant to check on him, and the trust. him has dropped from 61% to 42% as of Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem malfunction of two cameras in front of November. Services (IPBES) warns that biodiversity his cell, there was widespread public November 13: Public impeachment loss is "accelerating", with over a million scepticism as to his suicide and theories hearings against U.S. President January 28: The U.S. Justice species now threatened with extinction; on whether he had actually been killed Donald Trump begin in the House of Department charges Chinese tech the decline of the natural living world is to prevent his testimony. Representatives. firm Huawei with multiple counts of "unprecedented" and largely a result of fraud, raising U.S./China tensions. The human actions, according to the report. July 24: Boris Johnson becomes Prime December 2: Ty phoon Kammuri hits subsequent US blacklist of Huawei leads Minister of the United Kingdom after the Philippines, causing the evacuation to American pressure on the British May 12: May 2019 Gulf of Oman defeating Jeremy Hunt in a leadership of 200,000 people, but without reports Government not to involve Huawei incident: Four commercial ships, contest, succeeding Theresa May. of injuries or serious damage. in Britain’s 5G telecommunications including two Saudi Aramco oil tankers, networks. are damaged near the port of Fujairah August 5: Revocation of the special December 8: Deadly volcanic eruption in the Gulf of Oman.The United Arab status of Jammu and Kashmir: in an on New Zealand’s White Island February 1: U.S. President Donald Emirates claims the incident was a unprecedented move India revokes the (Whakaari), kills 5 in ongoing eruption Trump confirms that the U.S. will leave "sabotage attack", while an early United part of its constitution that gives Indian- with many unaccounted for. the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces States assessment reportedly blames administered Kashmir special status. Treaty of 1987, citing Russian non- Iran for the attack. The incident occurs December 12: United Kingdom compliance. The next day, Russia follows during a time of regional tensions August 21: Amazon rain forest general election, for all 650 seats in suit with suspension of its obligations to between the U.S. and Iran, with the wildfires: Brazil’s National Institute for the House of Commons. Bucking the treaty. U.S. just weeks prior deploying strategic Space Research (INPE) reports fires predictions of a hung parliament Boris bombers, a carrier strike group and burning in the Amazon rainforest at a Johnson was elected with a significant February 27–28: The 2019 North other military assets to the Persian Gulf record rate, with more than 36,000 in majority, gaining 366 seats. Corbyn’s Korea/United States summit is held in following intelligence reports of an the year to date, while smoke reaches Labour won a higher vote share than the Hanoi, Vietnam. It is the second summit alleged plot by Iran to attack U.S. forces São Paulo more than 1,700 miles (2,700 2017 election but were effectively wiped between United States President Donald in the region. km) away. out, losing 42 seats for a total of 203. Trump and the North Korean Chairman Meanwhile the SNP were the main non- Kim Jong-un. The talks stall and the June 7: British Prime Minister Theresa September 10: The Parliament of the Conservative winner, gaining 13 seats South Korean newspaper The Chosun May resigns as leader of the conservative United Kingdom is prorogued amid for a total of 48. 020 7738 2348 December 2019 / January 2020 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today 19 Astronomy online: www.KCWToday.co.uk

Top left: This picture provides a good example of the amplitude of the many celestial navigation. Before GPS, serious effects on the night environment. © NASA/ ES LORAN, SATNAV etc. became Above: Sky-glow over Salzburg, the most common form of light pollution available to yachtsmen, when I was in caused by various particulates (smog, fog, cloud etc) scattering the deep ocean, only the Sun, Moon, planets light. © Andreas Max Böckle and stars would tell me where I was. In Lower left: Insect "madness" wondering if its the Moon! deep sea of course, there was no light Below: pollution, but instead this extraordinary Pyongyang, a fairly extreme solution to light pollution in N. Korea; light show from above made me feel only light the Dear Leader! a most profound connection with the universe itself.

Night Blight II Tell your friends and By Scott Beadle FRAS neighbours that their night sky is disappearing, that local government are wasting huge n December 2013 I wrote a piece sums of taxpayer’s money in KCW Today called Night Blight, about light pollution in the UK. lighting up the sky. Tell IGiven the results of recent research into them how excessive glare can this problem, the question is are we succeeding? enlisted members of the public to assist all, as that blueish light is, unlike red contribute to car accidents and According to Brett Seymoure, a in a star count, using the well-known light, easily scattered by plants and trees. harm nocturnal wildlife. Only behavioural ecologist at Washington asterism of the Constellation of Orion. The atmosphere itself scatters blue light university in St Louis a leading member How many naked eye stars could they more than red light hence the answer to sustained and concerted action of the team studying the rapid decline see in the box formed by the four stars why the sky is blue during the day, but will bring back the night. of insect populations, the answer is Betelgeuse, Bellatrix, Rigel and Saiph? it can also be just as effective at making probably not. The results were disappointing and carelessly placed LEDs give the sky a “The night sky is one part of our Of course, what scientists refer to nothing much had changed since the blue tint at night. environment we have shared with all as an “insect apocalypse”, is due to a last star count in 2014. This year 57% of Most of us recognize our climate cultures in all periods of human history” number of factors, there is habitat loss, respondents counted fewer than 10 stars is changing, especially our younger said astronomer Sir Martin Rees. Five overuse of pesticides, invasive species, visible in Orion, i.e. very badly impacted generation. The cost caused by thousand years ago the Sumerians and and climate change. Insect populations by light pollution. Only 2% could see 30 unnecessary commercial lighting on Egyptians were mapping the night particularly moths and gloworms are or more stars in good dark sky locations all night (floodlighting warehouses, sky. They marvelled at the ghostly river misled by the stray light and fly in and 9% had dark skies and could see supermarkets, churches, carparks, of light which is the Milky Way, our endless spirals, or for natural night between 21 and 30 stars. Where I have storage centres etc), coupled with our own galaxy of some 200 billion stars flying insects they stop flying altogether my observatory in E. Sussex, I could see own poorly sited and over lit domestic seen from within one of its spiral arms presumably confused by what must between 15 and 20 but was always aware contributions (garden & domestic arching across the sky. seem endless daylight. The day/night of the massive loom of light to the north security) amount to a staggering It sad to report that the world itself behaviour, feeding and mating patterns of me, ‘London’ and a similar glow due £1billion of wastage per year. One 100w is losing that wonderful deep darkness of birds, bats, nocturnal animals and south, ‘Brighton.’ bulb left on for 1 year will generate ¼ of the night. A 2017 analysis of satellite countless other species are disturbed and To be fair councils have tried, ton of carbon at the generating station. data shows that artificially illuminated millions killed by this unnecessary light. there has been a gradual switchover to The problem is not light itself, but areas of the world are still expanding However, one cause we all LED, (light-emitting diode), lights to the careless use of it. Unnecessary at 2.2% each year, and getting brighter. individually have some control over banish the diffuse orange glow of the lights, poorly aimed, poorly designed Some 83% of the human population and a voice to be heard with, is that old sodium streetlights. They are more and poorly sited. Where possible, lives under light polluted skies. A third of light pollution. As Seymoure says energy efficient and therefore cheaper lights should be switched off between of the world’s population can’t see the light pollution was the easiest of all the to run. Efforts have been made to midnight and dawn, others should be Milky Way! threats to eliminate, “Once you turn off shield light better, so it’s all directed dimmed, still others should be replaced We should try and regain our night a light, it’s gone, plus you don’t have to downwards where it’s needed. However, by more energy efficient modern designs, skies, for ourselves, for our children, go and clean up, like you do with most the gains are often cancelled out by illuminating only that which is below for our future. I for one don’t want my other pollutants.” installing more lights, because they’re the horizontal and with minimal light children and my grandchildren to only In February this year, the Campaign cheaper. spill. experience the Milky Way as something to protect Rural England (CPRE) LEDs may not be the answer after My love of astronomy came through bought in a sweet shop.

20 December 2019 / January 2020 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today www.KCWToday.co.uk Education

UCU general secretary Jo Grady: strike was over, such as working strictly “It is incredibly frustrating that the to contract, not covering for absent employers won't deal with all the issues colleagues and refusing to reschedule at the heart of this dispute. lectures lost to strike action.

Photograph Photograph © Alarichall “Universities cannot simply ignore UCU's Scotland official Mary Senior the pay element, and if they continue to said: “Strike action is always the last do so then staff will continue to strike.” resort, but universities' refusal to deal More than 40,000 academic staff with the key issues of increased pension including lecturers, researchers, costs, pay and working conditions leave technicians and librarians took part in no alternative. the strike, and 3,500 joined the union “It is unbelievable that universities in the three weeks since the action was have not done more to work with us announced. to try and find a way to resolve these The universities affected include disputes.” many of the most prestigious in thhe Many students stood in solidarity UK, including Oxford, Durham, with their teachers at picket lines University College London, Edinburgh despite forceful tactics employed by and Cambridge. the institutions to prevent student Ms Grady said: 'We have been involvement. The University and College Union receiving news of solid support for the The University of Liverpool was University staff (UCU) coordinated an eight-day strike strikes across the UK. That support particularly criticised after it reportedly action from Monday 25th November to sends a clear message to universities told international students they risked strike to protest Wednesday 4th December. that staff will not settle for pay cuts, jeopardising their visas if they chose not The trade union first balloted for increased pension costs or deteriorating to cross picket lines to attend classes. pension costs the action in September after a report conditions.” A report published in November by By Anna Mackenzie revealed staff were paying increasingly She said universities were given the Universities and Colleges Employers more for their pension but losing tens plenty of notice about the strikes but Association found that half of all of thousands of pounds in retirement showed no urgency in their response to academics were working on temporary because of changes to the Universities the underlying issues at the heart of the contracts and staff pay had dropped by Superannuation Scheme (USS). movement. 17% since 2009. he winter academic semester In the ballot regarding these changes The union criticised "out of touch" The strike marked the second round drew to an early close for some to private pension schemes, 79% of UCU vice-chancellors who had enjoyed huge of widespread industrial action at students this year as staff from members backed strike action, while salary increases and free accommodation universities in less than two years. 60 universities joined nationwide strikes 74% of polled members backed strike while claiming minor expenses. The union warned that further waves T action in the ballot on pay, casualisation, to protest rising pension costs and UCU members continued to engage of strike action could follow in the new declining pay and working conditions. equality and workloads. in 'actions short of a strike' once the year. 020 7738 2348 December 2019 / January 2020 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today 21 Education online: www.KCWToday.co.uk

in December which was aimed at those wishing to explore careers in Law, The secret to Medicine, Engineering or Investment Banking. The school’s new careers- curating a girl’s focused ‘Female Lead Society’ for Years 9 to 13 launches in January and will Photograph © St James School © St James Photograph ‘best’ career meet once a week to investigate and discuss issues surrounding women in the workplace, growing pupils’ confidence even further to tackle job and university interviews in the future. Alumnae who have pursued careers Much of female happiness and in STEM subjects regularly give workshops and presentations to current career success is underpinned pupils, for example Mel Barker, Space by a sense of agency and Scientist, who will visit the school in March. The Minerva Society, the power in the creation of one’s St James Senior Girls’ School pupils and Minerva Society speaker, Ms Andria Zafirakou MBE, school’s forum for invited speakers, takes own future. winner of 2018 Global Teacher Prize ($1million) pupils beyond the taught curriculum and lends an enriching and inspiring quipping girls with an expectation students’ confidence to pursue subjects enable the development of their skills element to careers they may not have yet of personal success and providing they love and their plans to weave them to make strong applications and enjoy considered. This is due in large part to expert careers support is one of into their future careers. success in Higher Education and the the very broad range of topics covered the reasons why St James Senior Girls’ Nestled in Earsby Street, a stone’s workplace.” in the Minerva Society Talks which E include eminent speakers from business, School enjoys excellent academic results throw from Kensington Olympia, Ever mindful of the importance year on year, with their Sixth Formers St James Senior Girls’ School is the of career development, the school economics, the arts, and natural and progressing to first rate universities. right size to nurture and stretch its has recently become a Partner School social sciences. Working with excellent This year’s cohort of Leavers are 263 pupils. Rebecca Candy, its Head with InvestIN Education, a company external providers and its own innovative already enjoying their first terms at the of Careers, explains, “Our vibrant offering high quality immersive work careers team, the school focuses on universities of Oxford, Bristol, Durham, Careers programme helps pupils to experience for students aged 12 to 19. nurturing and delivering opportunities Edinburgh, St Andrews, King’s College create their own successful futures by InvestIN experts speak at the school’s to pupils to help them on their path London, Leeds, Nottingham, and providing workshops and lessons to aid assemblies and offer pupils in Years 8 to to a career that is not only fulfilling Central St Martins to name but a few. their personal development and self- 10 opportunities to participate in work but makes a worthwhile and generous The study subjects are diverse (Physics knowledge. We help them to investigate experience programmes. The most recent contribution to society. and Philosophy, Geography, Art the career paths that match their of these was the Step into the Future Foundation, Liberal Arts etc) reflecting particular qualities and strengths and weekend at University College, London www.stjamesschools.co.uk

Discover CFBL Outstanding French-English bilingual school for ages 3 to 15

School in Action Open Events 2020: Tuesday 21st January 9.00am – 10.45am Thursday 30th April 9.00am – 10.45am Excellent in all areas Independent Schools Inspectorate Report 2019 Sign up to our Open Days 18 Jan & 7 Feb www.cfbl.org.uk Earsby Street | London W14 8SH Tel: 020 7348 1748 | [email protected] | stjamesgirls.co.uk London NW5 3AX Kentish Town GSA | ISA Registered Charity No. 270156 22 December 2019 / January 2020 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today www.KCWToday.co.uk Education

L’Ecole des Petits “10 minutes from Chelsea”

Founded in 1977 International Bilingual Nursery and Pre-Prep school for 3-6 year olds

Creative and structured bilingual learning from the earliest years

OFSTED 2017 Report: “Outstanding in all categories”

2 HAZLEBURY ROAD, FULHAM, LONDON SW6 2NB TEL. 020 7371 8350 [email protected] www.lecoledespetits.co.uk L’Ecole de Battersea “5 minutes from Chelsea” International Bilingual Nursery and Prep school for 3-11 year olds Founded in 1977 leading on to top English and French schools, including Lycée Français

In Tatler’s Top 225 Private Schools list, 2009-2020

OFSTED 2018 Report: “Outstanding in all categories”

TROTT STREET, BATTERSEA, LONDON SW11 3DS TEL. 020 7371 8350 [email protected] www.lecoledespetits.co.uk 020 7738 2348 December 2019 / January 2020 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today 23 Education online: www.KCWToday.co.uk

economy and Chinese for the prevalence of languages on the Internet. Language By balancing all these factors and more, they concluded Spanish, learning for the Mandarin, French, Arabic and German were the top five ‘most important soul languages’ needed in the UK, followed By Anna Mackenzie by Italian, Dutch, Portuguese, Japanese and Russian. Other languages that also scored highly include Polish, Malay, Turkish, Hindi and other Indian languages. For anyone interested in learning a new language, whether it be for the purposes of travel, intercultural exchange, career development or pure interest, there are many independent language schools that specialise in a “Learn a new language and holistic approach to language learning. get a new soul.” The words One such school is the SOAS Institute, which is the leading Higher of this Czech proverb strike Education institution in Europe a chord deep within me. To outlined how business is lost to UK while the number of GCSE entries specialising in the study of Asia, Africa companies through lack of language for French and German have indeed and the Near and Middle East. The really know another language skills. Research suggested the UK is declined by 30% over the past 5 years, Language Centre offers short courses, is to know another culture, to under-represented internationally, and other languages, such as Arabic and certificates and diplomas over a wide graduates who offer only English are Chinese, have seen an increase. range of languages; major international connect with another way of at a competitive disadvantage to their The relative importance of languages ones such as Arabic, Mandarin Chinese, life, to see another perspective multilingual peers. to the UK was gauged by the British Japanese and Korean as well as the The study and comprehension of Council according to many market and languages of Asia and Africa, all under of the world. It moves you to foreign languages does not only enrich non-market factors including tourism, the ethos that “languages set you free.” new places, and it changes you. multicultural understanding, travel language interest and trade priorities. Whether you prefer one-on-one prospects and career opportunities, The demand for German is highest tuition, group lessons, intensive courses but it also has proven health benefits. when considering top export markets, The benefits of learning another or evening classes, there is a breadth of The positive effect of multilingualism Arabic for diplomacy, Turkish to balance language are multiple and diverse. On a possibilities for language learning in on cerebral development has been long very low levels of English, French for purely individual level, knowing another London. attested to. Linguistic awareness leads language lets you explore different to better skills in communication, countries and new cultures unimpeded speaking, writing and problem solving. by communication barriers. In a study by the University of Expert linguists estimate that over Chicago, researchers also found that 7,000 languages are spoken around thinking in a foreign tongue encourages the world. 4.2 million in the UK have people to rely on systematic processes, a mother tongue that is not English, thereby reducing decision biases. while Chinese and Spanish outrun our Another recent article published in the designated ‘lingua franca’ as the most ‘Journal of Alzheimer's Disease’ found spoken languages in the world. Experience Something Different individuals who speak four or more If you only know English, the level languages were less likely to suffer from of interaction you will have with people dementia than those speaking only one in non-English speaking countries Learn a New Language language. Those who speak more than is predetermined, and the depth of one language are more likely to develop knowledge you will gain is far lower; a at SOAS University of London dementia five years later than those who translated menu and hand gestures can speak only one. only offer a superficial understanding • Easily accessible Central London location of what life in a certain place is really like. Similarly, a knowledge of linguistic So why are we Brits so reluctant to • Convenient Evening and Saturday classes patterns and nuances is essential in learn languages? • Fun, interactive, communicative lessons determining trade deals, discussing The British Council’s Languages for the international policy and conducting field Future 2017 revealed some shocking, if Spring Term classes enrolling research. not necessarily surprising, indicators of Languages are a vital aspect of from 11 November the lack of language proficiency in the communication. For those who lazily UK today. Most notably, nearly 70% of refer to the advancement of technology Courses begin 13 January 18-34 year olds said they were unable in the form of automated translation to hold a conversation in any other • Over 30 Asian, African and Middle Eastern languages devices and coding-reliant systems as language. If monolingualism truly is the • European languages: French and Spanish rationale for limiting the teaching of “ illiteracy of the 21st century”, these languages, forget that social and cultural • All levels: Complete Beginner to Advanced statistics are something that should nuances are dictated by language. • Assessments for non-beginners available by appointment cause serious concern. Face-to-face contact drives the creation, Multiple organisations led by development and sharing of ideas. So the British Academy, are calling for much can be misunderstood or left soas.ac.uk/languagecentre a national strategy for languages to unsaid when we are reliant on the combat the lack of language skills in the Tel: +44 (0)20 7898 4888 intermediaries of machinery. UK and what this entails for diplomacy, Languages are at the core of all Email: [email protected] the economy and national security. business sectors, as shown in a report The standard framework for language by the University of Cambridge which subjects in schools is changing. But 24 December 2019 / January 2020 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today www.KCWToday.co.uk Education TP_GEN_125mmx158mm_OD_AUD_AW.qxp_Layout 1 29/11/2019 14:59 Page 1

For A unique performing arts and academic education For young people with outstanding talent in Acting, Musical Theatre, Dance or Commercial Music Co-educational day & boarding school from ages 8 – 19 Outstanding academic education offering GCSEs and 23 A Level options

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life including how to combat loneliness, • Committed and diverse faculty handpicked from across the British Museum improve employability or reskill for a world (99% MA or PhD) career change and how to handle mental to partner adult health difficulties. • 100% success rate in all exams in 2019 ‘We are thrilled to be expanding our • University offers from the best ranked institutions in the world education charity programme of partnership courses and events with the City Lit.’ The British • Modern, progressive and dynamic teaching and learning By Oliver Lloyd Museum’s Head of Adult Programmes, Freddie Matthews said. ‘Drawing on the • High quality pedagogy in an open, international environment City Lit’s world class teaching expertise, they are a perfect way of deepening • Sixth Form and Personal Development rated Outstanding by engagement with, and understanding Ofsted of, the objects, cultures and languages The British Museum and represented across the British Museum. • Fully bilingual programmes EYFS and Primary We very much look forward to London based charity City continuing our work together in the • International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme Lit are working together years ahead.’ If you wish to book a course the full • Bac Français Bilingue to provide a range of adult range may be found online at www. education courses using the citylit.ac.uk/courses/courses-at-the- • Independent coeducational school on a 5-acre campus british-museum . Prices are typically museums collections. £129 for four weeks, reducing to £103 • 15 minutes by tube from central London

for senior citizens and £79 for those The collaboration which lasts until eligible for concessions. June 2020 will provide 15 unique programmes of study including learning the basics of Classical Greek or an introduction to the art of Islam. Utilising the museums collections, courses will typically last 4 weeks and must be booked in advance.

City Lit was founded in 1919 and Troll © Kristopher Photograph Register online for our next Open Day or book a private visit: has today grown into London’s largest provider of adult education operating www.lyceeinternational.london 5000 short courses with a total [email protected] enrolment of nearly 60,000. The charity offers teaching in all aspects of adult KWC DEC2019.indd 1 27/11/2019 16:30 020 7738 2348 December 2019 / January 2020 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today 25 Enjoy & Donate online: www.KCWToday.co.uk APPEAL FROM KATE HAWTHORNE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF The Written RTHOGRAPHY: the information platform, if we are not careful it will decimate the beauty and accepted way of precision of our language and erode writing words with the imagination and writing skills uphold one of the greatest inventions can do for young people in their future O of younger generations further. Too Word the proper spelling, according of all times ‘the written word’. Good careers. The art of writing and the much information is being digested quality journalism, lessons on the importance of the written word, and to accepted usage. too swiftly. Social media is the prime importance and use of words in print how it can work for them in the business One of the more complex culprit, fostering a lack of respect for have never been more important. world and their career, are just some of our language and obstructing the desire the roles they learn here. and responsible tasks of being to seek out better alternatives. Words WE NEED YOUR HELP an editor is maintaining the and their meaning are abused daily Our title has grown in content, SUPPORT AND DONATE through lack of orthography and the stature, and circulation. We are If you believe in the written word interest levels of the constant use of abbreviation and deviation. constantly amazed and delighted to and print and how important this stream of interns who spend a Whilst we have benefited in receive praise and accolades from is for young people PLEASE support overwhelming terms from the arrival readers not only in London but from KCWToday and take out a subscription. short time with us. of the Internet it is increasingly all over the UK. Most people we talk evident that this digital tsunami is to are passionate about print and Whilst abilities and ages vary, undermining appetites for traditional reading as we are at KCW Today and Help us to build our YOUNG (from 14-year olds through to MAs in reading and writing, endangering agree vehemently that print should be PERSONS’ WORD ACADEMY journalism), their knowledge of how to the benefits that attend these good encouraged to continue its important with a DONATION. use words is an interesting and infinite practices. Contemplation, the art of role in society especially more than ever source of surprise. Finding ways to thinking, discovery, respect and the before. encourage and increase respect for the value of written words, are replaced You will be supporting ‘word’ and the value it brings to their with shortcuts to knowledge via instant YOUNG PERSONS’ WORD some of tomorrows’ most work can be rewarding. communication ‘skills’ and vocabulary ACADEMY brilliant writers and giving The internet has done much to lacking in substance Through our work we encourage deter and suppress good writing styles. We need to rally round, with and attempt to re-kindle and ignite the them a platform to be In spite of it being a vital research and collective responsibility to maintain and importance of words and what they heard. Take a Subscription of KCW TODAY for 2020 and receive a copy delivered

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The Terror Dan Simmons

s the old bleakness of British winter links arms with the slightly newer bleakness of BritishA politics, it can be hard to settle down to anything upbeat. As a result this long, strange tale of the icy extinguishing of Franklin’s doomed arctic expedition is an oddly appropriate winter read: reading about men who are far colder then you will ever be is certainly a novel way to feel warm in ice for years, with the ships only finally the book an edge. Beyond the misery would be no release from this belly of January. discovered in the last few years. None of porn of the men’s dire straits, Simmons the Leviathan winter this summer. No Dan Simmons is one of those authors the 100-plus men on the ships survived; adds in another, more deliberate evil: a escape from the cold belly of this ice this who hovers somewhere between genre little is known about how they died, but stalking, polar bear-like monster which year”. When the Erebus is crushed by fiction and serious literature. Whilst his starvation, hypothermia, cannibalism tracks over the icy wastelands around the ice, the remaining men eventually famous Hyperion series is shatteringly and lead-poisoning from the canned the ships, picking the men off one by decide that their best bet is to take what hard science fiction (of the kind to send food they took with them have all been one. “To go out on the frozen sea in the is left of their provisions and flee south casual readers screaming) The Terror is posited. dark now with that … thing … waiting across the frozen sea. Stalked by “the a different beast all together. The nearly Skilfully, horribly, Simmons details in the jumble of pressure ridges and tall thing on the ice”, starving to death, they 1000 page novel is a shivering re- the months of darkness with the sastrugi was certain death,” he writes. claw their way towards Canada in a last imagining of what happened on Captain dispassion of a master surgeon: the “Messages were passed between the desperate throw of the dice. Anyone Franklin's doomed 19th-century temperatures of -50F and lower; the ships now only during those dwindling whose concerned over the subject matter expedition to find and traverse the shrieking groans of the ice; the wind; minutes of half-light around noon. In a can be reassured that even at its most Northwest Passage. Whilst Simmons the hunger; these are the palate he uses few days, there would be no real day at shattering it’s less depressing than adds some John Carpenter thrills, the to paint a fearsomely detailed portrait of all, only arctic night. Round the clock Brexit. The Terror is a unique creature, actual story has more than enough humanity in extremis. Whilst the recent night. One hundred days of night.” a ragged banner of humanity that horror for anyone: Franklin's two ships, television adaptation was masterful; The sailors realise the ice isn’t going transcends the more exploitative show the Erebus and the Terror, set off in the sheer length of the book and the to melt enough to free their ships than its genre might suggest and offers 1845 but were trapped in the Arctic many points of view can’t help but give during the summer of 1847, that “there something bright, terrible and vital.

of ideas between Britain and France, and Thomas Cromwell: A Life Turning the page makes a compelling case for keeping that Diarmaid MacCulloch exchange alive. 30.00 on 2020 with With Hilary Mantel making noises Anarchy: The Relentless Rise of the about finally finishing her monumental John Sandoe Cape © Jonathan Photograph East India Company trilogy on the life of Henry VIII’s most By Max Feldman William Dalrymple maligned councillor, there feels like £30.00 no better time to get an image of the The frequently stomach-turning tale real man behind the Reformation. A of how a trade organisation operating truly massive work, the Tudor court is from a small London office became an recreated in all of its blood soaked glory, aggressive colonial force which wrapped with Thomas Cromwell at the centre, its tentacles across the known world. half tight-rope walker and half spider. William Dalrymple takes what could History has never been so dramatic and be a dry tale and a heart of darkness so fatal. of violence cruelty and greed beating Chelsea’s John Sandoe Books behind the cold facts and figures. Extremely well researched and chilling Ltd was founded in 1957 in its implications; Dalrymple shows and is one of the foremost how our own mega-corporations are The Man In The Red Coat following in footprints soaking in blood. independent booksellers in Julian Barnes Photograph © Viking London. Stocking over 30,000 18.00 Ghost Wall Barnes’s first full-length work of non- by Sarah Moss works of literature hand fiction (excluding memoirs) takes him 12.99 selected by the staff, the sheer to Belle-Epoque Paris and a brilliant A short novel that will linger in the French surgeon called Samuel Pozzi, mind, Ghost Wall is an unnerving tale breadth of selection could the subject of Sargent’s famous portrait of Silvie a teenager enrolled in a remote be intimidating to the casual and a supporter of Zola in the Dreyfus Northumberland camp to live in the case. The Man in the Red Coat is at once manner of a Neolithic tribe woman as browser so we’ve picked out a fresh and original portrait of the an exercise in experimental archaeology. the crème de la crème of their Belle Epoque, its heroes and villains, Her relationship with her abusive father its writers, artists and thinkers; and a sees Iron Age ritual collide with present expansive reading list to help life of a man ahead of his time. Witty, day domestic violence. Sobering and find the perfect book to start surprising and deeply researched, the unforgettable. new book from Julian Barnes illuminates 2020. the fruitful and longstanding exchange 020 7738 2348 December 2019 / January 2020 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today 27 Literature online: www.KCWToday.co.uk

moving except summer. This asked him if he knew where Laurie Lee radiant luxury of stillness. was buried. He replied that ‘he’s in the Down in the There was nothing to do public bar, otherwise he’d be up in the but summer.’ There is a woods.’ Lee also puts more flesh on the Valley: graphic description of his death of Vincent, the young man who old mate Frank Mansell, left the valley to live in New Zealand, A writer’s ‘very Cotswold, Cotswold and, on his return, bragged about how Classocs © Penguin Photograph Landscape as a dry stone wall. Rugged, rich he had become, and humiliated Laurie Lee windswept, honest, rooted both young and old in the pub, about in these hills’. Laurie’s their failure to get up and go. A gang of Penguin Classics chum was also a ‘demon fast youths set upon him on his way home, 102pp. £12.99 bowler in the Sheepscombe beat him up badly and threw him over a side. He used to come up wall, where he was found, the following ISBN: 978-0-241-41167-4 the hill, it was a sloping day, frozen to death. In effect, they field and you’d see the top of murdered him, and no-one was brought his head as he was running to justice. Laurie always returned to his up, then you would see his beloved Slad Valley from his travels all or those who have read every shoulders, furious face,and over the world, and he lived for many, word Laurie wrote, and are still then the rest of his body. It many years in a cottage within a bottle’s pining for more, then this slim was like a galleon coming throw of the Woolpack, and where he little volume may fill that gap in the up over the horizon, all guns would often be found at weekends in F blazing, and he’d whip the hedgerow. Originally, they were sound the snug bar, with a selection of his recordings that Lol was persuaded ball down and if the ball books on sale in the corner, and a half to make by a film maker, David did not kill the batsman, pint of beer at his side. He is buried in Parker, who filed them in a box after furious anger and frustration the churchyard opposite the pub, on the transmission in May 1997 on Channel would kill him. “That should other side of the road. ‘I’ve found a place 4 to commemorate his death, and have got thee,” he’d say. “It halfway up the churchyard, which is forgot about them. Now they have been should have got thee.”’ near enough to the church to be aware of transcribed into this book, sub-titled A There are a few repetitive it, in the spiritual sense, to be conscious Writer’s Landscape. The conversations he is a naturalness about the way he is sections, which needed more judicious of matins, Sunday morning, but also to had with Parker were recorded in the chatting about what he saw around him, editing, mostly focussed around the be, in a temporal way, orgies on Saturday spring and summer of 1994, when Lol and what memories they kick-started, village pond and the Woolpack pub, nights in the Woolpack. And alternating was 80, in and around the Slad Valley in mostly from his childhood. ‘And we boys but, as they were central to Lee’s early between the temporal and the spiritual is the Cotswolds, north of Stroud, which lying in the grass, listening to the loops and later life, this is hardly surprising. the way I wish to spend what eternity is shaped his early life, and his writing, of cuckoos going across the valley and He retells the story of when he was left to me.’ both his poetry and his prose. As it is not knowing what to do, having nothing sitting outside the pub, two girls, part of just Laurie speaking off-the-cuff, there to do. No ideas in our heads. Nothing a school group doing ‘O’level English, Don Grant

The Dance of Death: A Vanitas By Martin Rowson Self Made Hero

88pp. £9.99 ISDN: 978-1-910953-74-5 © Self Made Hero Photograph

As a point of departure, Martin Rowson has taken Hans Holbein the Younger’s mid-sixteenth century book of 41 woodcuts, featuring the great leveller, Death, visiting various characters, from the travelling salesman and the ploughman to the king. All will be subject to memento mori, as there is no escaping him. Rowson has taken a bunch of figures, mostly derided or despised, like the Media Mogul, the Banker, the Editor, the Statesman, the Pope and the Bond Dealer, all soft targets for Rowson’s acerbic pen. All the black and white pen and ink drawings have the same format, with the victim about to be carted off or led away by the grim reaper. He even has a Cartoonist, having been given a lobotomy, with Death dipping his pen in his open skull. ‘The Cartoonist thinks DEATH’s a laugh/The yawning grave just funny./So think of ink: his aftermath/Is similarly funny.’ And this is the problem, if there is one: each drawing is accompanied by a rhyming four-line stanza, and some of these quatrains are just not very funny. Some, indeed, are bordering on the childish, while others, like the Impresario, are almost impenetrable. ‘The Impresario takes punters/And makes them into stars,/ And DEATH, like many hunters,/Likes trophies who need bras.’ The adjacent drawing is of Simon Cowell, surrounded by skeletal figures, while the performer is another skeleton. Like Holbein’s book, there are 41 drawings, including a colour illustration on the cover, and amongst the personalities to spot are Mark Zuckerberg, Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump, Boris Johnson as The Clown, Prince Charles, Tony Blair as The Statesman, Ricky Gervais, Damien Hirst, Jacob Rees-Mogg as The Ponce, and NO women, apart from an outfit of Fashionistas sitting by the catwalk. ‘The Fashionistas by the catwalk/Watch DEATH’s new show and cheer out loud!/Hark, and you can hear a twat talk/All about next season’s shroud.’ Don Grant 28 December 2019 / January 2020 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today www.KCWToday.co.uk Fashion

the world and when they come to the We do a foundation blow dry, which is Rock ‘n’ roll never UK. 25 bonds adding natural volume to your There is a new trend in hairdressing own hair, emphasising what you have forgets now and clients have different already. It’s not a false look and ideal for By Kate Hawthorne. requirements. Clients want stylists who those who want a bit more hair. are well-trained. Social media is a big You can achieve really dramatic influencer in this field and our younger changes. If you’ve got really short hair, you can go for really long hair. Really In the 60s and 70s Hair staff follow the latest trends and colours. We’re not tied to any one brand and have thin hair to really thick. You can do anything now. The extensions and their Stylists, enjoyed the same a very creative team who put their own versatility are improving all the time. interpretation on latest trends, but have ‘Rock Star’ status as the The extra benefit is that you do not the foundational training from good celebrities they looked after. have to colour or bleach your own hair. hairdressers. It’s all very good quality It is all-natural human hair which comes amous stylists such as Daniel work. from India, from a temple where the Galvin, John Freida, Nicky Clarke, We do a lot of colour, technical work, Michael Rasser and Charlie and human hair extensions. Its very Chan were sought-after by celebrities popular, especially with older women. F Charlie Chan The hair thins on the side, and our and royalty. Rock stars, Hollywood models and moguls, mingled with their specially-trained staff add thickness stylists, flying them all over the world where clients want it. It’s amazing how to attend to their image for film shoots, of the day. Michael was awarded the many people do have hair extensions. We © MichaelJohn Photograph TV shows, live performances and to ‘be Royal Victoria Medal in recognition of do tapes, bonded, even rooted ones to there’. What they were wearing was as his contribution to hairdressing and his look more natural. These days you don’t important as gowns worn by their clients commitment to training the succeeding have to colour your own hair, the colour for the Oscars. generation of hair stylists. is done with the extensions, without any Michael John stylists played an His legacy continues with an damage to your own hair. important role in this time of history. impressive list of celebrities and royalty It can take 45 mins to an hour and a visiting the salon; Amal Clooney for half depending on how many strands we her wedding day, Cameron Diaz, Drew Barrymore, Vogue editors, broadcasters; put in. We have hair in stock or we order all remain frequent visitors. Beauty was it to arrive the next day. They last about part of the exclusive services on offer 3 – 4 months and you just treat it like with the Beauty & Medispa salon, set up normal hair, it’s easy to maintain. The by Michael, continuing to be part of the girls here are very well trained would not landmark luxury services. do anything to damage the hair. This year the salon acquired a new We are approachable and not owner, Lynne Warrington. Lynne, pretentious and the team are all good previously in banking, bought the friends working well together. We spend hair is donated for religious purposes; it’s business and Medispa taking it just off a lot of time with the clients, men and almost like a cleansing ritual. Sloane Street in Chelsea. Huge rent and women, young to much older. Every Dimitra, has been with Michael rate increases had been introduced to client is valuable. We are not looking at John for 10 years. “I did all my training the salon’s previous locations making it maths when we spend time on them. It is here, I love the company. I’ve been doing impossible to trade. Lynne has worked a bespoke, personal service. Everybody’s hair extensions for the last 6 years and in the hair industry for over 30 years, 12 different. it’s really become something that I’ve of these at MichaelJohn’s. Neave O’Hara has been a colourist specialised in. “We wanted the salon and Medispa with the salon for 11 years and talked Today hair extensions are a lot to be in close proximity, separate about the challenges she has on a daily smaller, the bonds are a lot more buildings but close to each other so it’s basis versatile which means we can work on convenient. We really like this location, “The age range varies from very a lot of different hair types. It allows us there is a strong community spirit to ‘fill in’ gaps. After people have given young teenagers to elderly women and here. Our landlords (Cadogan Estates) birth they may lose a lot of their hair we adapt our approach and techniques involve their tenants in local activities. and elderly people want their hair styles The regeneration of Sloane Street and to suit many styles. Today many people to last longer. It really gives your hair The salon was founded in 1967 by Pavillion Road is fantastic. £40 million request a new free hand technique a fresher, younger, fuller look and you Michael Rasser and John Isaacs pounds is being spent on the area. It is called balayage. This is like ‘painting the can just treat your hair as you normally following their time as Hair Stylists at looked after and is constantly on its way ends’ of the hair, giving a sun kissed would. the legendary Leonard Lewis’ salon in up. They are great landlords who like to natural look. Hair extensions are used Bespoke appointments can take up Mayfair. This was the era when a ‘hair serve the community. for gaining length or fullness in the hair. to an hour and a half. Each hair order is cut’ could launch a career, set new trends “MichaelJohn was the in-place to be custom made for each client whether you and revolutionise the fashion industry. with the glamorous crowd, celebrities are adding hair extensions for length, The ethos and key to MichaelJohn’s and talent constantly coming in. We still volume, or colour. It lasts 4 to 5 months success was offering clients a bespoke have some of the original staff from that depending on how quickly your hair service, in a luxurious and comfortable era as well as younger staff trained in grows. It also means you do not have to environment. Champagne bottles the old school traditions. MichaelJohn colour your hair all the time. popping was as regular a sound as had huge credibility in the industry It’s really bridged the generation gap © MichaelJohn Photograph scissors creating cutting-edge styles and our stylists come through the ranks and is fairly economical, too. It lasts for the glitterati. Visits from Liza mixing ‘old school’ together with the longer and the need for salon visits and Minelli, Princess Anne, Mick Jagger latest technology. We also have older hair colouring is less frequent. and supermodel Twiggy were normal clients, along with the young, many still Everyone looks and feels amazing when occurrences. from the earlier years. Charlie Chan they leave here. Our main priority The industry was firmly in the has clients going back 50 years who still is keeping the condition of the hair limelight breaking all the moulds come here. Sadly, Charlie is retiring healthy. alongside the elite and creative now and we will all miss him very industries, composers and film makers much. People still visit us from around www.michaeljohn.co.uk 020 7738 2348 December 2019 / January 2020 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today 29 Arts & Culture online: www.KCWToday.co.uk

an ambitious show entitled Umberto Boccioni: Recreating the Lost Sculptures, in which, using a combination of vintage photography and cutting-edge 3-D printing technology, two digital artists, Matt Smith and Anders Rådén, ‘recreated’ four of Boccioni’s lost works. The works were destroyed by a fellow sculptor, Piero da Verona, who was entrusted to look after them after Boccioni was killed in a horse-riding accident in 1916, aged just 33. His most famous piece, the astounding Unique Forms of Continuity in Space (1913), is possibly the quintessential Futurist statement to come out of the movement, as it embodies both movement and speed of a racing figure, part man, part machine, in a static posture. Efforts have now been made to bring to life the destroyed works, utilising drawings, sketches and photographs taken at the time in Boccioni’s studio, and through sophisticated digital manipulation to render the contours of the full figures, which are then fed into a 3-D printer. The results are quite remarkable, from maquettes to full-size sculptures. He had published his Technical Manifesto of Futurist Sculpture in 1912, in which he called for the rejection of conventional materials such as marble and bronze. His best-known sculptures were created in plaster and focused on the problem of how to capture dynamism in a static image; one of the key concerns of early Futurist art. There is a printer on display showing ‘work in progess’, which ably demonstrates the whole thermoplastic process. The white plastic filament used in 3-D printing has the same visual quality as the plaster Boccioni used in his works, no matter what scale, and one can only surmise how amazed he would have been by of the whole production. Don Grant

Top: Artists, as well as featuring these artists Station Lights. in further shows. This helped to dispel Irina Nikolaevna Maslennikova. Lithography from © Esotorick Collection Western notions about Social Realism Right: and government-sponsored art, and Boccioni Render Leningrad © Estorick Collection Estorick Collection other private collectors and museums followed Estorick’s initiative, and began Until 22 December 2019 to acquire work by Soviet artists. This Admission £7.50 exhibition features works by 15 of the artists in the original show, and will be www.estorickcollection.com the first time in nearly 60 years that they have exhibited together. Many British visitors will be unfamiliar with some of the names featured, but the new-found freedom of expression from Eastern and Soviet Bloc countries, thanks to Eric he sub-title of this latest Estorick’s interest in promoting east- exhibition is Eric Estorick’s west relations, gave westerers a chance to Adventure in Soviet Art, which purchase these works. He also promoted startedT in 1960, when he visited the Jewish art in America, and Hebrew Experimental Graphics Laboratory in Home at Riverdale on the Hudson what is now St Petersburg, and bought River has a growing collection of Soviet several hundred works on paper. He was, Bloc artists, as well as works by Marc at that time, running the Grosvenor Chagall, Alex Katz, Diego Rivera, Pablo Gallery in London, and mounted an Picasso, Ben Shahn, and Andy Warhol. exhibition of Soviet art the following As a bonus to the lithography year, entitled Lithographs by 27 Soviet exhibition, visitors will be able to see 30 December 2019 / January 2020 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today www.KCWToday.co.uk Arts & Culture

Naval Aviation, Art and Charity Photograph © Tony Hisgett Tony © Photograph

They came together Naval Officers, Pilots, Engineers, Industrialists, Designers, Ambassadors of Charity, Dignitaries, Guests and the celebrated Artist, Sherree Valentine Daines at the Chelsea Harbour Hotel, a few days before Remembrance Day to celebrate.

o celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the introduction into service of the Sea Harrier, at the Annual Ambassadors'T Dinner of the Navy Wings Charity, in aid of the Nation's Naval Aviation Heritage. Sherree painted a Swordfish during the evening. In Chelsea Harbour boats reposed peacefully under the quiet, dark skies. There was no such peace when the Sea Harrier and Swordfish played a pivotal role in battles. Aviation Heritage is truly remarkable. Guests were welcomed at a The Swordfish is a torpedo bomber and champagne reception where they could aerial reconnaissance plane made by view the splendid lots donated to the Fairey Aviation. First introduced in 1936 auction, which was led by international and retired in 1945 it was nicknamed fine art auctioneer, Hugh Edmeades. ‘string bag’! The lots included some amazing pieces The Sea Harrier, a strike fighter made of Sea Harrier Heritage e.g. a Sea harrier by Hawker Siddeley, was introduced in Pegasus LPI Boardroom fan table, the 1978 and retired in 2006. It was used in Blue Ensign flown by HMS Prince of the Falklands War and in the Balkan Wales on her maiden voyage, A flight in Conflict. Its ability to take off and land a Tiger Moth and a Pegasus combustion vertically was a brilliant breakthrough coffee table and so much more. The star Early flying in WW1 was unarmed. lot was Sherree's Swordfish painting. Eventually, a gun was fixed on the The Guest of Honour was front. It was not particularly accurate. Commodore Ade Orchard OBE of the Superiority in the air was essential as Fleet Air Arm. Guests were addressed trench warfare was so very slow. by former First Sea Lord, Sir George From its earliest beginnings in Zambellas GCB., DSC., DL., who 1909 to the new aircraft carriers of spoke of the great British industrial today, naval aviation has been a story success story of the Sea Harrier and the of epic achievement, daring, sacrifice remarkable development of the aircraft and heroism, combined with leading leading ultimately to the U.K’s F-35B technological advancement. Lightning jets operating from the I was so pleased to meet Sherree; two World Wars. The Charity, Navy Wings is based at Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carriers. her warm and friendly personality Sherree has exhibited at the Tate, RNAS. Yeovilton. Somerset. It flies a Speakers included Sir Peter Rigby DL lights up a room or ship and she is Barbican and Royal Society of British collection of rare, beautiful historic naval and Mark Fitzgerald who are restoring a committed to serving Charities. She has Painters. She painted a picture for the planes. These include two Swordfish, Sea Harrier FA 2 and a two-seat Harrier a wonderful family; artist husband, artist Queen on her 90th birthday; a rare two Sea Furies, two classic Fleet Air T8 to full flying condition. son, sculptress daughter, and violinist honour, which now hangs in Windsor Arm jets, a Sea Hawk and a Sea Vixen. I was privileged to meet Sherree daughter. Amazing. One of her works Castle. She studied at Epsom College Navy Wings maintains and restores Valentine Dainton with her two sisters. was to paint Rick Stein in aid of the and used to be a legal Secretary. She told these planes. They keep them flying. Her contribution to the evening was Cornwall Air Ambulance Trust. me firmly that it was not her scene! The Charity seeks to inspire future wonderful. As we dined, she painted She is known for family scenes; Sherree has been invited to be an generations to remember the sacrifice a Swordfish in full flight. This was children on the beach, older people in artist in residence on the three Queens and service of naval flying and to nostalgic for her as her father, Ralph the shade of the trees, Ascot, Henley, of Cunard lines. Cunard and Clarendon promote a deeper understanding of the Valentine Daines, aged 97 served The Ashes match at Lords. These very Fine Art Gallery have an exclusive part played by RNAS and the Fleet Air as a Telegraphic Air Gunner flying English scenes, which those who served partnership to re-imagine art at sea. Arm in the history of our country. Swordfish from HMS ndefatigableI . in the forces defended from the enemy in The development of Britain's Naval Marian Maitland

020 7738 2348 December 2019 / January 2020 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today 31 Arts & Culture online: www.KCWToday.co.uk Photographs © The Royal Collection Royal The © Photographs

George IV's weak character and sadly, House, Newmarket is exhibiting George historical evidence proves most of this to IV: Royalty, Racing and Reputation, and be correct. His lifestyle, without doubt, George IV: Art and Spectacle is being was dissolute and he was enthusiastically exhibited at the Queen's Gallery in extravagant. His exuberance for fine London. wines, womanising and decadence The Exhibition at the Queen's knew no bounds. His behaviour was not Gallery shows the King's liking for popular with the taxpayers; after all, French styles and is set against the they footed the bills. His allowances backdrop of the French Revolution and were never enough and the debts the Napoleonic Wars. It presents his mounted. He did not add to the prestige life through the art of his world and it of the Monarchy. It was a hard time for dispels all thoughts that this King only the country at the end of the Napoleonic ate and drank. He was certainly learned Wars. King George was obsessive and and had splendid taste. The exhibits theatrical about fashion: a dandy of all collected by him speak for themselves dandies who had an idealised image of and convince the viewer that this King himself. The well cut clothes did not was one of the best collectors of his time. United Kingdom of Great Britain and help! In reality he was an obese glutton... The paintings are magnificent, e.g. Ireland. He was also King of Hanover. Yet, indisputably, this Regent and George mounted on a fine chestnut George IV: Art He reigned from 1820 to his own death King redeemed himself and his short- horse by George Stubbs, painted in and Spectacle in 1830. comings by forming a collection of Hyde Park in 1791. Philip Rundell's Queen’s Gallery King George met Maria Fitzherbert glorious treasures and creating ambitious Shield of Achilles is exhibited; a in 1784 and secretly married her in architecture which is a legacy for all of magnificent work revealing Apollo in a Buckingham Palace 1785. She was older, twice widowed and us to enjoy today. The Royal Collection quadriga surrounded by stars with female London SW1A 1AA Roman Catholic. His father was not was formed from his collecting of so figures representing the constellations. even consulted to give permission for many wonderful works of art. He had an Crafted by John Flaxman, this piece 15th November 2019 - 3rd the marriage. He would have refused. innate sense of aesthetics and impressive was at the Coronation and was the May 2020 The Act of Settlement barred a Roman good taste. first of a series of silver gilt and bronze Catholic spouse from succeeding to the He purchased paintings, metal works. Rembrandt's The Ship Builder and throne. The Royal Marriages Act of work, textiles, furniture and ceramics. His Wife is there. Note the interaction 1772 prohibited marriage without the He also collected weaponry, Japanese between the figures and the lighting eorge Augustus Frederick was Monarch's permission. The marriage, armour and ancient Persian swords. He effect. Regarding detailed work of born at St. James's Palace, made at Maria’s home in Park Street, did not overlook Dutch and Flemish costume, Sir Thomas Lawrence's London in 1762. His parents Mayfair, was, therefore, null and void. masterpieces or Sevres porcelain. He portrait of the King with a cloak is a fine were King George III and Queen However, the lady considered herself to loved elegant books and drawings. He example, with the crown carefully placed G bought a magnificent gilt silver service on a nearby table. George liked symbols Charlotte. He was their first born child be the king’s lawful wife, believing that and it was his right to become Duke the Law of the Church was superior and superb portraits. of rank. of Cornwall and Duke of Rothesay at to the Law of the State; a complicated Architecture fascinated him; he There is a huge variety of exhibits, birth. A few days later he was made issue. The couple are reputed to have had remodelled Buckingham House, among them diplomatic gifts from far Prince of Wales and Earl of Chester. several illegitimate children. creating Buckingham Palace. He and wide. Do not miss the colouring of King George III suffered mental He called her 'wife of heart and soul'. commissioned Paul Nash to create the the red, yellow and black feathers of the illness and after much discussion in The future king married Caroline of Royal Pavilion at Brighton in a style cape from the Sandwich Islands (Now Parliament, the Prince of Wales was Brunswick later, a disastrous, strategic loosely inspired by the Taj Mahal. They Hawaii). Thomas Gainsborough's Diana created Regent. He performed this duty marriage, which would help solve furnished it with rich, exotic Chinese and Actaeon is on view and Aelbert for the last nine years of his father's life. the problems of his debts which were and Indian interiors. It is amazing, Cuyp’s The Passage Boat. Mary Hamilton was one of the displeasing to his father and Parliament. neither of them had travelled to the Aesthetics and understanding of Prince of Wales’ teachers in his early They had one child, a daughter, far East. Paul Nash also created the great works of art combined with the life at court. Digitised letters, recently Charlotte, who died giving birth to a sweeping Nash Terraces overlooking desire to collect them, visibly triumphs published online, have revealed that stillborn son. Her father was devastated. Regent's Park and Regent Street itself. over weaknesses of the flesh. he eulogised her and had deep feelings After the death of Charlotte Windsor Castle was refurbished by Sir Marian Maitland for her. Other such letters refer to the her parents separated. Divorce was Geoffrey Wyatville. consequences of his father's illness. attempted, but failed. Caroline was Two exhibitions are bravely revealing Queen’s Gallery On the death of his father, the Prince barred from the Coronation. these better aspects of the King's T: 030 3123 7301 of Wales became King George IV of the Much has been written about King personality. This is commendable. Palace E: rct.uk 32 December 2019 / January 2020 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today www.KCWToday.co.uk Arts & Culture

Meneleus and his brother Agamemnon, the subsequent fall of the city, and the Troy: Myth and journey home for Odysseus, which Reality took another ten years and was beset by British Museum insurmountable problems. The second section deals with the excavation of Troy Until 8 March 2020 by the over-keen German, and shows, Admission £18 in a most clever manner, how each layer revealed different objects from different eras, with some stunning pieces on display, including an exquisite Roman uch are the number of captions silver cup, on loan from Denmark, of all alongside each work on display, unlikely places, where it was found. The walking through the exhibition can cup shows Priam begging Achilles, who be likened to taking a stroll through a had slain his son Hector and dragged his S body behind his chariot for twelve days, giant book, but how else to impart so much convoluted information to the to release Hector’s body for burial. This visitor? For the past three millennia, was an act of vengeance and retribution, stories from the Trojan War, first after Hector had killed his friend, and written about by Homer and Virgil, possible lover, Patroclus. As Priam have been told and re-told, right up is quoted to have said in the Iliad, ‘I until the present day. There has been have endured what no one on earth has a bit of a surge of books, mostly using ever done before; I put to my lips the the Trojan Wars as a backdrop to the hands of the man who killed my son.’ antics of Achilles, Paris, Hector, Helen, Achilles relents and releases the body Priam and Odysseus. Madeline Miller for a ransom, but that is not the end of gave us two excellent volumes, The Song celebrations is Eris, the War. Achilles is then killed by Paris, of Achilles and Circe, while Pat Barker Goddess of Discord, who shoots an arrow into his heel, the eschewed the First World War for The who throws a golden only part of his body left vulnerable Silence of the Girls, set a world formed apple into the midst after his mother Thetis dipped him in the imagination, myths and legend of the guests, with into the River Styx, holding him by three thousand years ago, where heroic the inscription ‘to the the heel of one foot. A beautifully- warriors battled it out with a little most beautiful.’ A carved, early nineteenth-century marble help from the gods. Margaret George cat-fight breaks out statue by Filippo Arbacini on loan wrote Helen of Troy, a lush, seductive between three beautiful from Chatsworth, complete with a gold novel of the legendary beauty whose Goddesses, Hera, patron arrow, is probably more to do with the face launched a thousand ships, and yet of Marriage, Aphrodite, homoerotic indulgences of the Duke of another Margaret, this time Attwood, Goddess of Love, and Devonshire than empathising with the wrote the Penelopiad, from the wife of Athena, Goddess of anguish and suffering of the Greek hero. Odysseus’s perspective. Shakespeare War and Wisdom. As Odysseus is credited with the idea of The based Troilus and Cressida in the Trojan Zeus does not want to Trojan Horse, which ultimately ended Wars, but it was Christopher Marlowe get involved, a young, the siege, and this is first depicted in a who coined the description of Helen good-looking mortal, Roman relief from the lid of a marble ‘was this the face that launched a Paris, is elected to make sarcophagus, found in Rome. thousand ships/And burnt the topless the judgement. He is The third section of this absorbing towers of Ilium?’ from his tragedy the son of Priam and and moody exhibition reflects the effect Doctor Faustus. Isaac Asimov playfully Hecuba, the king and the stories of the Trojan War have suggested that the unit ‘millihelen’ could queen of Troy. All three impacted on art down the years, with mean the amount of beauty that can Goddesses try and bribe some glorious examples of illuminated him with more land, launch just one ship. Top: Thetis dipping Achilles in River Styx. manuscripts, paintings and prints by One of the problems faced by the Thomas Banks. © British Museum glory in battle, and, from Aphrodite, the Dante Gabriel Rosetti, John Collier, curators is whether the Trojan War Above: Red Figure Jar. Odysseus sailing past the promise of the most beautiful woman in Antonio Canova, Evelyn de Morgan, actually took place in the first place. Sirens. © British Museum the world, Helen. She is no mere mortal, Edward Burne-Jones, Peter Paul It was not until 1870 that a German but the daughter of Zeus and Leda, with Rubens, John Waterhouse, John Poynter, amateur archaeologist Heinrich offered his finds to the British Museum whom he had coupled in the form of Henry Fuseli, Herbert Draper, William Schliemann, who started a large-scale after an exhibition in 1870, but they a swan. One little problem with Paris Blake, Nicholas Poussin, Lovis Cloris dig at the entrance to the Dardanelles were turned down as ‘they did not falling for Helen, is that she was already and Elizabeth Frink. in modern-day Turkey, uncovered an have enough space.’ A large amount of married to Meneleus, King of Sparta, One of the most intriguing is The ancient city, believed to be Troy, that was pottery, silver vessels, bronze weapons and while he was away, she is taken on Judgement of Paris by Lucas Cranach destroyed in the War. Schliemann began and stone sculpture are now on loan Paris’s ship bound for Troy. It is unclear the Elder, painted around 1530, which by digging too deep, unearthing artifacts from the Berlin Museums, who did whether she went as a victim of ‘most ill- is an almost modern-day take on the from the Bronze Age. It was not until have enough space. Having resolved fated beauty’, or voluntarily as a feared male fantasy of idealised female beauty. 1890 that he began to uncover objects the question of whether Troy existed, seductress of the young Trojan prince. In Cupid’s arrow is pointed at Aphrodite, from around 1300BC that confirmed there is another dichotomy haunting one depiction of her in a wall-painting one of the three Goddesses, dressed contact between Troy and Greece. Some curators and academics alike, namely, from Pompeii, she is seen being led onto only in jewellery and the merest wisps of his finds, both at Troy and later at did Homer actually exist as a single, the boat by a servant with a sense of of diaphanous drapery, turning to the Mycenae, home to King Agamemnon blind, possibly illiterate, genius poet foreboding. Whatever the reasons for viewer in a most seductive and foxy of Greece, were extraordinary golden who single handedly created two of the ending up in Troy, a massive war ensued, manner. Poor Paris has just woken from treasures, known as ‘Priam’s Treasure’, greatest stories in human history, The that resulted in a nine-year siege, with a dream and is suddenly confronted by which included what he thought were Odyssey and The Iliad. This is now called countless men being slaughtered on both three beautiful, young, naked ladies, one ‘the Jewels of Helen,’ which disappeared the ‘Homeric Question,’ and has yet to sides. of whom he has to choose as ‘the fairest from Berlin at the end of the Second be resolved by scholars. The story of Troy is told in three of them all’. He chooses Aphrodite, World War, only to turn up again in The whole epic saga kicks off with main chapters, beginning with the city who, in turn promises Helen to him. 1990 in Russia, having been taken there the wedding of Thetis, a sea goddess, itself as seen in the ancient world, with And that’s where the trouble starts. for safe-keeping. Schliemann originally and Peleus, a mortal. Uninvited to the Discord, leading to the siege led by Don Grant 020 7738 2348 December 2019 / January 2020 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today 33 Arts & Culture online: www.KCWToday.co.uk

Dora Maar Tate Modern Until 15 March 2020 Admission £§3 tate.org.uk

Left: Dora Maar. Assia,(Nude with shadow) 1934. Gelatin silver print © Centre Pompidou Collection Above: Dora Maar. The years lie in wait for you. (Portrait of Nusch Eluard.) The William Talbott Hillman Collection © ADAGP, Paris and DACS. Below: Dora Maar. The Conversation. © Fundación Almine y Bernard Ruiz-Picasso para el Arte, Madrid

enriette Théodora Markovitch a witty and quirky standing lover at the time, sitting at a was born in Paris in 1907. Her fashion photographer, table. French mother ran a fashion setting up in her own She and Picasso remained together Hboutique, but she spent much of her studio in 1936, at 29 until 1945, when he started to be childhood and youth in Argentina, rue d ’Astorg in the 8th famously cruel to her, giving her where her Croatian father worked arrondissement. hideous and ‘mean-spirited’ presents as an architect. Returning to France As well as studio and taunting her with his new lover, when she was nineteen, Maar studied work, she undertook Françoise Gilot, which is when Maar art with fellow student Henri Cartier- uncommissioned suffered a nervous collapse and was Bresson until Marcel Zahar, an older projects on the street, treated by a psychoanalyst and was art critic and mentor, urged her to take photographing the given electric shock therapy. Although up photography, which was all the rage. disadvantaged in she had moved into a new apartment Changing her name to Dora Maar, Catalonia, London with a studio in the rue de Savoie in she began publishing her photographs and the outskirts of Paris, where she remained until her in magazines. She rates as ‘quite Paris. Politically, Maar death, she also moved into a house in interesting’ as an artist, but it was her was leaning more to Ménerbes in the Luberon, where she relationship with Picasso for which she the left and signed a became somewhat reclusive, seeing is remembered, albeit somewhat unfairly, manifesto launched by only a handful of old friends, like John as she pursued her own career in both Breton, in response to Richardson, the Surrealist Leonor Fini painting and photography. Much has riots instigated by the and Balthus. She turned her hand to been made of her talent but she was one extreme right, entitled landscapes, both in Paris and the South of many practitioners vying with each Appel à la Lutte (Call of France, and doing some engravings other to catch the eye of picture editors, to the struggle). She for a Provençal neighbour, the poet advertising agencies and publishers. was also involved in André Bouchet, entitled Mountain Soil. Certainly, she was ingenious, innovative another anti-fascist Her landscape oils and gouaches are and inventive, but so were dozens of movement, called charming and her still lifes are bold, but others working in the industry, and Contretemps-Attaque she rarely took any more photographs. some, like Brassai, Cartier-Bresson and (Counter-attack). Her connection with Woman, painted in 1937 and bought Maar ‘suffered more from Picasso’s Willy Ronis were in a different league, Breton led to friendships with Paul by the Tate. Picasso began painting his cruelty than his other mistresses’, wrote with Robert Doisneau, shining after the Eluard and Georges Bataille, with soaring masterpiece Guernica in May Richardson, Picasso’s biographer. Later, war. In 1930. Maar shared a darkroom whom she became romantically involved. 1937, in response to one of the worst Picasso told Richardson that Maar had with Brassai, and, the following year, Then, in 1936, she met Picasso, and she attrocities of the Spanish Civil War. frightened him. ‘I left her out of fear. she set up a studio with an art director became his muse, lover and model. He Up until then, he was not particularly Fear of her madness,’ he says, which he and film set designer, Pierre Kéfer, persuaded her take up painting and lay politicised, but Maar was persuasive in dismissed as being a complete falsehood, and they worked together on portraits, down her camera, because, it has been her views. Not only did she document adding, ‘it was surely out of guilt: she fashion, advertising and nudes, but it suggested, he could not bear the idea of Picasso at work on the canvas for an art held him responsible for her fate.’ ‘My was Maar who handled the majority of her being better at something than he magazine Cahiers d’art, it is suggested relations with the rest of the world for the commissions. Already, she was on was, although the two did collaborate that her Surrealist photography the rest of my life do not depend on the the fringes of Surrealism, with her close on glass plate negatives on display in the influenced the work. She claimed that fact that I was once acquainted with friend Jacqueline Lamba later marrying exhibition. She was famously painted the famous bare light bulb he used was Picasso,’ she once told her biographer André Breton, the grand-daddy of dozens of times by the great Spanish inspired by her own version in a painting James Lord. Sadly, she was very much Surrealism and the daddy of Dadaism. master, culminating in one of his most The Conversation, depicting her and mistaken. Maar quickly established herself as recognisable pictures, The Weeping Marie-Thérèse Walter, Picasso’s long- Don Grant 34 December 2019 / January 2020 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today www.KCWToday.co.uk Arts & Culture

her Prime Minister, and Duffy was the scratchings 12 first woman to be awarded the title in Painting the 388 years, and, in addition to the salary you: small matador. you: sometimes cerebral. aspirational puma. part time mirther. never Poets of £5,750, she received a butt of ‘canary moist, not ever. osmosis-like, you move through air; your sleep, an amber stupor with a wine,’ or sherry, equivalent to 720 keepsake tint. little simba, quiet alba, small-town glitch in the isotope of the morning. By Don Grant bottles. She had her own labels printed, which included her poem: ‘ . . . and VictoriaVictoria Adukwei Adukwei Bulley Bulley not gladly be kissed by gentle William Shakespeare’s lips, the dark, raisiny taste of his song; bequeathed to his thousand daughters and sons, the stolen wines of the Spanish sun.’ Poet in the City presented Women in Frame at King’s Place in London at the beginning of November, showcasing the Painting the Poets project, with poetry readings by Gillian Clarke, Hannah Sullivan, Deanna Rodger and Lisa Luxx. Also taking part in a panel discussion with the poets was Georgia Haseldine of the National Portrait Gallery, which explored women in poetry, portraiture and creativity. On the walls and floor of Eastgate’s light and airy studio in the shadow of St Nicholas Church in Chiswick, in whose graveyard William Hogarth is buried, are numerous portraits in various stages, ranging from charcoal drawings, to oil sketches, to work-in- progress, and some finished portraits. She plans to paint around 30 portraits, and from 2020, will be be exhibitied around the country incrementally at selected galleries, with readings by some of the sitters, as well as short films of the sitter and painter in conversation during the sessions. An anthology of the poet’s work is also planned to sit Poetry is once again cool. alongside the exhibitions. Eastgate says i Portraiture is hot. Or is it that, inevitably, during the first sitting, came there can be an awkwardness, as many close to his the other way round? Claire people are not used to being scrutinised WET dog’s eye with such intensity, but as the sessions Eastgate has hit a rich seam develop, the sitter often opens up and & a FAT tear shared of subjects for a collection of reveals some quite intimate truths animal PAIN sloshed & about herself. Meanwhile, the painter seeped in between us — portraits that celebrate the is trying to get the subject down on “darling I’m sorry you lives and work of some this canvas, and capture, not just a likeness, were born a dog & but an insight into her character. Claire people notice it” country’s finest female poets, is very ‘painterly’ in her approach to the entitled Painting the Poets. process of mixing colours and colour , temperature, but also how the paint Heather Phillipson from “more flinching” published collection 2018 he idea came from her love of is put down, and in what order. She poetry and that she wanted has been holding small workshops in to celebrate the enormous portraiture, which are fun, but also contributionT from the former National tiring for both the student and tutor, and Poet of Wales, Gillian Clarke, and she finds them rewarding when, after Dame Carol Ann Duffy, who handed a two day course, the student is able to over to Simon Armitage as Poet Laureate produce a competent work. But she is in May of this year after a decade in always itching to get back to her own the role, in a double portrait. Claire stuff. She does not employ traditional managed to paint them both at a measuring techniques and works with a poetry workshop in Wales, sitting on a simple three-step observation method: modest two-seater sofa; Duffy staring sitter - palette - canvas. Eastgate has unflinchingly at the painter, Clarke a powerful, individual style, or rather, reading her note-book. The painting styles, as she seamlessly slips between was short-listed for the BP National loose, energetic paintings and more Portrait Award in 2017, and it went formal, representational portraits, but on tour around the UK. In 2019 the they all possess a confidence in applying Scottish National Portrait Gallery paint that is central to her skills. She bought one of her preliminary oil will clearly go a long way, as her skill-set portraits of Duffy, which helped put includes landscapes, life drawing and her on the radar. The Poet Laureate is dogs. So, there we have it. Poetry is hot. appointed by the Queen, on advice from Portraiture is cool. Claire with her painting of Gillian Clarke and Carol Ann Duffy 020 7738 2348 December 2019 / January 2020 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today 35 Arts & Culture online: www.KCWToday.co.uk

MAX conviction, then was undone by his pride and pigheaded overconfidence. Feldman It’s the perfect part for Pacino, applying those latter-day hambone

REVIEWS © Netflix Photograph tendencies to a character, a real man, who was by all accounts a very big personality. De Niro, too, is better than he’s been in ages, in a role that The Irishman weaponizes the very qualities, like that Director: squinty, sleepy detachment, many have pointed to as proof that he checked Martin Scorcese out years ago. If The Irishman is at Running Time: least partially about the mechanics of consequence, Frank is just one of the 210 minutes gears: a frighteningly empty instrument Available on Netflix of a man, so passive even in his violence that he threatens to disappear into the fabric of the narrative he narrates. The Irishman is the director’s longest he Irishman, a three-and-a-half- drama, but it never drags. The 200-plus hour crime epic about the rise minutes pass in a blur of dark humor and and ignoble decline of a mob characteristically gripping incident, like hitman, may be the very first Martin the sequence where Frank helps push T a fleet of cabs into the Chicago River. Scorsese movie that feels explicitly like the work of an old man. Scorsese, of But it’s in the final act, when Scorsese course, is an old man (he turns 77 next slows things down to a purposeful month), but he still directs with a mad crawl, that the film accumulates its full enthusiasm and muscular craftsmanship power. After a lifetime of dispassionate we tend to associate with the youngest bloodshed, of getting his hands dirty and hungriest of filmmakers. The without a second thought, Frank finally Irishman is no exception; there are pulls an assignment he doesn’t want. The sequences in this supersized opus, like Irishman turns the lead-up to the hit a snappy montage of retaliatory car- into an excruciating slow-motion death bombings, that prove once again that march, moving step by step through there really is no substitute for Marty’s who secured him his Oscar). The two violent collisions of fragile masculine the process with a stark clarity of detail, eternally imitated style. No, it’s not first meet at a gas station in 1949, when ego. As always, the director relies on forcing Frank, and, by extension, us, to creakiness but an elegiac mood that both were closer to middle than old age. editor Thelma Schoonmaker to manage experience the gravity of his actions in afflicts the latest (and last?) gangster In order to allow these septuagenarian the nonstop flow of information, forging what almost feels like real time. picture from the master of the form. legends of the screen to play characters a coherent timeline out of a daisy chain Death is a promise not a threat in Reuniting with a murderers’ row of 30 to 40 years their junior, Scorsese of executions. The internal logic of the The Irishman. Often, Scorsese will freeze similarly wizened crime-movie veterans, employs state-of-the-art de-aging structure is cause and effect: how one the frame during an introduction of Scorsese hasn’t just returned to reclaim technology: one reason for the hefty thing leads to another that leads to some new player in the criminal empire, the genre he nearly perfected. He’s come $150 million Netflix spent on the another until someone’s face down in a flashing a quick obituary in white text, to bury it, too, with what feels an awful movie. It’s not a seamless effect: There’s puddle of their own blood. as if to say, “He’ll be gone eventually, so lot like a preemptive eulogy for everyone a waxy video-game vibe to some early Is there a filmmaker alive who he basically already is.” You could call involved, himself included. shots of De Niro, who rarely looks, and derives or provokes more pleasure the film, which ends where it begins, in Right from the start, The Irishman certainly never moves, like the star did from the petty disputes between short- that drab elder-care facility, a kind of foregrounds the looming inevitability of during his New Hollywood heyday. tempered men? “We’re all hotheads,” spiritual relative of Unforgiven: Just the death. The film opens with a Scorsese The decision to digitally colour his eyes someone remarks in The Irishman, sight of its aged stars, whose old man signature: a protracted Steadicam shot, blue is probably the greatest misstep, which features some of Scorsese’s stagger makes them look ancient even winding down a long hallway and as it keeps the audience at an artificial flat-out funniest tête-à-têtes of profane when the best technology available is snaking around corners. This time, remove rather than allowing De Niro to verbal warfare. For once, it’s not Pesci straining to make them look young, though, we’re receiving a guided tour create the alienation himself. That said, lighting the fuse; for proof that this sparks memories of a whole genre a not of a hip nightclub but of the much maybe the uncanny valley isn’t such an is a more meditative gangland drama, bygone era of crime fiction that Scorsese less glamorous layout of a nursing inappropriate setting for the story of a look no further than the casting of and De Niro and Pacino built, apart home, the Five Satins’ timeless In The old man trying and failing to remember the director’s one-time agent of chaos and sometimes together. The key Still Of The Night setting a geriatric what he was like when he was young. as something like the voice of reason, difference is that Clint Eastwood’s last jukebox tone. Eventually, the camera Adapted by Steven Zaillian from turning to violence only as a last resort. gunslinger grappled with actual remorse. lands on Scorsese’s first muse and this the nonfiction novel (ostensibly non- No, in The Irishman, antagonism Here, we’re left in the company of a new film’s star and narrator, Robert fiction, the real Frank being broadly duties fall largely on Al Pacino, as man so emotionally divorced from his De Niro, looking and sounding older considered a fantasist) I Heard You Paint the famous, disappeared union leader actions that he can’t even wrap his head than he maybe ever has on screen. He’ll Houses, an alternate title that Scorsese, Jimmy Hoffa. Zaillian builds the dense around the idea of regret. So perhaps ‘magically’ become a younger man over oddly, cues up at the beginning and end, middle hour of the movie around this it’s Scorsese, the conflicted Catholic, the small eternity that follows, though The Irishman unfolds over maybe half a stubborn, charismatic public figure, the who’s atoning. After Goodfellas and the shadow of decrepitude never really century, Frank explaining in voice-over narrative plunging headlong into labor Casino and even The Wolf Of Wall Street, disappears. the no-questions-asked part he played in politics, the election and assassination he’s finally made a gangster movie that De Niro plays Frank Sheeran, the the criminal enterprises of Bufalino and of JFK, and the way the mob’s agenda couldn’t possibly be misunderstood as real-life South Philly truck driver who fellow mafioso Angelo Bruno (another intersected and eventually diverged from a glorification, given how far it pushes moonlighted, over the second half of old Marty collaborator, De Niro’s Hoffa’s, leading inexorably to only one past even the most nominal glimmers the 20th century, as a hired gun for Mean Streets costar Harvey Keitel). possible outcome. Pacino, another mob- of glamour, to the kind of rock bottom the mafia. His induction into a life of That makes it a cousin, in exhaustive movie heavyweight making his long you hit only when you’ve outlived and crime came courtesy of his eventual anecdotal detail, to Scorsese’s past overdue debut in Scorsese Land, plays alienated everyone else. It’s telling that mentor, the mob boss Russell Bufalino true-crime procedurals, Goodfellas and Hoffa as a self-made Shakespearean Travis Bickle seems happier with his (Joe Pesci, coaxed out of retirement, Casino, another backstage tour of illegal tragedy: someone who willed himself lot at the end of Taxi Driver than our maybe for the last time, by the director business, all hustles and betrayals and into power through sheer force of ostensible hero does here. 36 December 2019/ January 2020 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today www.KCWToday.co.uk Auctions & Events

HAVE YOURSELF A MERRY LITTLE AUCTION…

he festive season is upon us and so KCWToday is gifting you with our special Festive Auction Collection, featuring an exclusive list of auction events within and around London with all Tthe relevant contact information for your convenience. From timeless pieces, such as Jewellery, Ceramics, Home Furnishings, Antiques and Contemporary Art to Yuletide classics like Festive Games, Toys and Trains, Fine Books, Manuscripts and Ornamental Objects.

This Christmas, there is something for everyone, so sleigh on down to these auction houses and hopefully you will find more presents to place under the tree. Anandi Shah

Surrealist Art com A Collection of early Anglo-Gallic Coins Auctions 5th February 020 7930 9115 Cutlery sets, Veterinary The Sutton Coldfield Olympia Auctions December 2019- Impressionist & Modern and Medical Implements, Collection of British 10-28 February Art (Day Sale) Baldwin’s Scales and other Milled Silver Coins Into a land of Pure Magic: February 2020 www.sothebys.com 19th January Measuring Instruments, 29th January Paintings & Drawings by 020 7293 5000 The New York Premier Objets Vertu and The North Yorkshire Nell Gifford. Exhibition Sale Scientific Instruments Moors Collection of and online auction Fellows Auctions bsjauctions.com 020 7563 4005 British Coins 020 7806 5541 Auctions in 19th December 020 7930 6879 www.spink.com/ 12th-13th February www.olympiaauctions. London Pawnbrokers Jewellery & Coins, Tokens and com Watches Forum Auctions Phillips Historical Medals www.fellows.co.uk 21st January 23rd January 26th February Coys Bonhams 020 7127 4198 Editions and Works Evening and Day British & World 22nd February 17th December on Paper Editions Banknotes The London Classic Car Entertainment Lyon and Turnbull 22nd January 020 7318 4010 +44 (0) 20 7016 1700 Show: Fine Historic Memorabilia 15th January Fine Books, Manuscripts www.phillips.com/ www.dnw.co.uk/ Automobiles Modern and Contemporary & and Works on Paper 020 8614 7888 Contemporary Art Post-War Art www.forumauctions.co.uk Dix Noonan Webb Baldwin’s www.coys.co.uk/coys- Prints and Multiples 29th January 020 7871 2640 Auctions 1st February 2020 auctions 18 February Five Centuries: Furniture, 23rd January Argentum Watches & Wristwatches Paintings & Works of Art Spink The Michael Giezelt 020 7930 6879 TimeLine Auctions 26 February www.lyonandturnbull. 7th January Collection of English & bsjauctions.com 25th February-1st March Travel & Exploration Ancient Art, Antiquities www.bonhams.com/ & Coins 020 7468 8363 020 7129 1494 timelineauctions.com/ Criterion 16th-30th December Weekly Classic Antiques Auctions and Interiors outside London 6th-27th January Weekly Classic Antiques Ewbank Auctions and Interiors Surrey www.criterionauctioneers. 18th December com Antique & Collectors’ 020 7359 5707 incl. Jewellery & Silver 19th December Sotheby’s Fine Wines and Spirits 17th December 8th January Mr. Doodle Invades Toys & Models Sotheby’s 9th January 18th December Entertainment & Fine Books & Memorabilia Manuscripts Movie Props 4th February 10th January Impressionist & Modern Vintage Posters Art (Evening Sale) 22nd January 0203737 7738 2348 November 2019 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today 37 Auctions & Events online: www.KCWToday.co.uk

Antiques & Collectors’ Home Furnishings & Automobilia and incl. Silver Collectables Aeronautica FREE Auction 30th January 01628 531500 Collectors’ Items, Works Decorative Arts www. of Art and Light Fittings Valuation Day with Contemporary Art & bourneendauctionrooms. Needleworks, Textiles Modern British Paintings co.uk/auctions/ and Clothing T V ’s Thomas Forrester 01483 223 101 Rugs and Carpets www.ewbankauctions. Amersham Auction 01903 891 955 co.uk Rooms www.tooveys.com SAS Director & 19th December T.V. Expert Brightwells Ceramics, Glass, Dickins Auctioneers 16th December Ornamental Objects, 30th – 31st December Hereford December Domestic Furniture & Antiques & Collectables Monday 20 January 2019, Monthly Horse & Pony Effects 01296 714 434 10am-3pm 4x4, Car and Van Auction 01494 729 292 www.dickinsauctioneers. 15th January 2020 www. com/ Come along and find out Antique & Vintage amershamauctionrooms. more about your treasured Interiors co.uk/ Stacey’s Auctioneers possessions, in this popular 19th February and Valuers monthly event. Wine, Port, Champagne Toovey’s 16th December & Whisky 31st December TWO-DAY Antiques, Just pop in, or book an 01568 611325 Silver and Plate Collectables and Jewellery appointment by calling 01635 www.brightwells.com/ Jewellery 27th January 580595, or emailing mail@ Collectors’ Items, Works TWO-DAY Antiques, specialauctionservices.com Denhams of Art and Light Fittings Collectables and Jewellery 18th December Decorative Pictures 24th February Valuations are FREE, but donations Fine Art, Antique & Furniture TWO-DAY Antiques, to the Stroke Association are gratefully received.

Next Valuation Day will be: Monday 17 February 2020 FREE valuations at J McCarthy Ltd, 11 Artillery Row, London SW1P 1RH

Collectables Rugs and Carpets Collectables and Jeweller 01403 255699 21st January 01268 777 122 denhams.com/ Stamps www.staceyauction.com Postcards Special Auction Cigarette and Trade Gorringe’s Services Cards 16th December 17th December Photographs, Autographs Antiques, Furniture, Trains Galore and Ephemera Ceramics, Jewellery, 7th January 22nd January Pictures, Silver and Antiques & Fine Art Prints, Maps and Posters Collectables 14th January Silver and Plate 01273 472 503 Collectors’ Jewellery www.gorringes.co.uk 23rd January 23rd January Jewellery, Silver, Watches, Wrist watches and Pocket Watsons Auctioneers Coins & Objets d’Art watches 17th December 28th January Clocks and Barometers General Photographica & Camera Cameras and Scientific 17th and 19th December 01635 580 595 Instruments Festive Turkey, Game & www. British and Continental Poultry specialauctionservices. Ceramics 7th-28th January com Glassware General Coins, Banknotes and 4th-25th February Bourne End Auction Medallions General Rooms 24th January 20th February 18th December Furniture Antique & Collectables 38 December 2019 / January 2020 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today www.KCWToday.co.uk Auctions & Events

01435 862 132 Instruments watsonsauctioneers.co.uk +44 (0)20 3086 8550 www.flintsauctions.com Sworders 7th January Rye Auction Galleries Homes & Interiors 10th January 8th January Antique & Collectables The John Barnett Collection of Scales 24th January 20th Century Design General 4th February 21st February Homes & Interiors General 11th February 01797 222 650 Out of the Ordinary 07710 791 841 18th February www.ryeauctiongalleries.com/ Homes and Interiors (incl. Militaria) Mid Sussex Auctions Ltd 01279 817 778 11th January www.sworder.co.uk Antique, General Household and Lost Property Woolley and Wallis 8th February 8th January Antique, General Household Furniture, Works of Arts & Clocks and Lost Property 23rd January www.mid-sussex-auctions.com/ Jewellery 01444 819 100 19th February Tribal Art & Antiquities Reeman Dansie 01722 424 500 7th and 21st January 01722 424 500 General www.woolleyandwallis.co.uk/ 11th-12th February Antique & Fine Art Sale Bellmans 25th February 18th January General The Saturday Sale 01206 754 754 1st-23rd January www.reemandansie.com/ Interiors incl. Silver, European Ceramics & Glass Mallams - Cheltenham 12th-13th February 6th February Interiors Country House Sale 22nd February 01242 235 712 The Saturday Sale www.mallams.co.uk/ 25th -27th February Interiors incl. Asian Ceramics & Works Silverstone Auctions of Art, Coins & Medals 21st – 23rd February www.bellmans.co.uk Race Retro Classic & Competition 01926 691 141 Boseleys Military Auctioneers www.silverstoneauctions.com 29th January 2020 Military Badge Auction Barons Classic & Historic Motor 01628 488 188 Car www.bosleys.co.uk 25th February Classic Winter Warmer Antique & Collectors’: 18 December Flints Auctions Surrey KT10 9AJ 17th January 2020 +44(0)8454 306 060 Fine Wine & Spirits: 19 December General Cameras & Scientific Toys & Models: 8 January Entertainment & Memorabilia: 9 January Movie Props: 9 January Vintage Posters: 10 January Decoratibe Arts: 30 January Contemporary Art: 30 January Militaria, Stamps & Books: 20 February Movie Poster Artwork: 28 February 020 7738 2348 December 2019 / January 2020 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today 39 Auctions & Events online: www.KCWToday.co.uk

A set of twelve Chinese a particular focus for this exhibition on fighting fronts. On display are over 1,300 watercolour & embroidered silk panels, circa 1900, from a Chelsea abstract and surrealist portraiture. objects from IWM’s collections including residence. 020 7243 6121 weapons, uniforms, diaries, keepsakes, film 230 Portobello Rd, Notting Hill, London and art. Each object on display gives a SOLD FOR £ 50,000, at Semley W11 1LJ voice to the people who created them, used Auctioneers. j-m.gallery them or cared for them, and reveals stories not only of destruction, suffering and loss, Until January 5 but also endurance and innovation, duty Museum of the Moon and devotion, comradeship and love. Natural History Museum 020 7416 5000 A six-metre spherical sculpture, features Lambeth Road London SE1 6HZ detailed NASA imagery of the lunar iwm.org.uk specialist sales covering the whole field surface. Allowing visitors the chance to of antiques & fine art, including four see the far side of the Moon, the artwork Ongoing Semley annual sales of Jewellery & Silver, and will offer a new and exciting perspective Turn It Up: On Paradoxes a further four annual sales of Chinese, of Earth’s celestial neighbour. The Horniman Museum Auctioneers Japanese, Indian & Islamic Ceramics sculpture is accompanied by a surround- Jide Odukoya’s photographic series & Works of Art. Notable results in this sound composition by BAFTA and Ivor shows Nigeria abuzz through the lens of ince opening in 1990 Semley field include a Japanese bronze vase by Novello award-winning composer Dan traditional Nigerian weddings, presented Jones. Suspended from the ceiling and as some of the world’s most opulent Auctioneers has grown from one Shoami Katsuyoshi at £ 92,000 and a lit from within, the Moon will create a ceremonies. Turn It Up: On Paradoxes small saleroom of just 1,200 square pair of Chinese Jiaqing period famille rose show-stopping centrepiece within the deploys a critical lens to explore the Sfeet to 8,500 square feet over three figures of Amitayus at £ 68,000, whereas 19th century Waterhouse architecture of paradox of parallel Nigerian worlds; salerooms, with a further office in Old recent silver successes include the Hay- the Jerwood Gallery. Offering a space for contrasting cosmopolitan affluence and Brompton Road, South Kensington Pauncefote Treaty cup by Tiffany, New reflection within the Museum, visitors extravagance, with underlying economic (entrance on Cranley Place) and, more York, which brought £ 72,000. Auction can contemplate their own relationship poverty. His work focuses on global recently, a new office in Wimborne sales are held on Saturdays and are with the Moon and its influence on life on consumerism and overindulgence, Nigeria’s Minster, Dorset. In the intervening 29 illustrated on no less than four separate Earth. contagious spirit of celebration, and years the antiques business has seen websites, with two simultaneous live 020 7942 5511 moments of everyday intimacy. remarkable changes, some brought bidding platforms. Enquiries regarding Cromwell Rd, South Kensington, London 020 8699 1872 about by the fickleness of fashion, others consigning items for sale or valuation, SW7 5BD 100 London Rd, Forest Hill, London nhm.ac.uk SE23 3PQ through socio-economic factors. The either at home, at the salerooms, or at horniman.ac.uk advent of the internet has heralded the Wimborne office should be directed Ongoing an era of global markets, with all the to Imogen Wilby at the main Wiltshire First World War galleries Ends January 26 difficulties of language, customs and saleroom office. For valuations and The Imperial War Museum The Credit Suisse Exhibition: Gauguin payments that come with international collections in the Home Counties, Discover the story of the First World War Portraits dealings, but with the advantage of London or at the South Kensington through the eyes of the British people and National Portrait Gallery achieving much higher auction prices. office please contact Simon Pearce on the Empire, both on the home and the The first-ever exhibition devoted to the This family business holds monthly 020 7591 0159.

Want to know the auction value of your Jewellery and Silver

Make an appointment at our London Gallery for a FREE appraisal

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15 Cecil Court | London | WC2N 4EZ [email protected] | 0203 971 2500 www.sworder.co.uk

@swordersfineart 40 December 2019 / January 2020 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today www.KCWToday.co.uk Auctions & Events

to Christophe Pillet, and from Justin Van Breda to Ralph Lauren. Islamic canton enamels have also been popular, Lots Road Auctions at 40! as have papier-mâché items from the Arts and Crafts movement. Some of Photographs © Lots Road Photographs our most recent exciting artworks this month have included John Everett Millais drawings, Andy Warhol prints and a Francois Rouan painting. In our most recent sale, a Rene Fumeron Aubusson Tapestry captured the interest of our bidders with its intricate detail

Wednesday 9am - 5pm. We welcome almost everything and anything! So if you’re having a house clearance or spring clean, please drop by or email; [email protected] for an obligation free valuation. Payment within 12 days of sale! Finally, if you’re looking for a ince its establishment in 1979, Thank you to everyone who joined fascinating piece of history to share with Lots Road Auctions has become a us, in person and online for our auctions friends and family across the Christmas Chelsea staple for interior designers this year. It has been a real pleasure and pattern. period, make sure you read our latest and private collectors, offering an array working with buyers and vendors alike. As well as these more famous items, blog posts and follow our social media S channels where we keep you up to date of contemporary, modern and antique Our relationship with our clients and here at Lots Road we also specialise in furniture, works of art, decorative sellers is an important part of Lots unusual and quirky pieces, to add just with the up-and-coming lots each week items and rugs. That’s 40 years of lively Road. Without you we could not a little more humour to a room. Such and highlight some of the thought- weekly auctions, and a turnover of many continue doing what we do best. So as the fun bar cabinet made out of a provoking tales behind our objects! We thousands of exciting items. thank you all for your time and effort, converted Tuk Tuk, or our car lover’s are on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. After our successful last few Fine we highly appreciate your custom! armchair, with light up head lamps, To find out what other treasures will be Sales, our most recent and final Fine From our various departments, we which has delighted visitors. available in our future sales, make sure Sale of the year was a huge success. have had many fine lots over the past We are always on the lookout for you check our catalogue when it goes 2019 has been a very exciting time for us months. They have included furniture fascinating items to consign and take online every Thursday evening, and of here at Lots Road, and we are looking from some of the most renowned names into our auctions. Our valuations course, we’ll see when our auction takes forward to the New Year. in the industry, from David Linley department is open from Monday to place!

71 - 73 Lots Road, SW10 0RN 020 7376 6800 LOTS ROAD www.lotsroad.com AUCTIONS [email protected]

Lounge Chair Eastern Dagger Chinese Lamps Wing Armchair £80 - £120 £250 - £350 £200 - £400 £120 - £180

The destination for antiques, contemporary furniture, art and much more! 020 7738 2348 December 2019 / January 2020 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today 41 Events online: www.KCWToday.co.uk

As the world waits for the birth of Christ meet international business experts. With music and lyrics by Howard Blake, we gather together in the middle of the iccwbo.uk including Walking in the Air, choreography EVENTS night to celebrate the first Eucharist by Robert North, directed by Bill of Christmas. Carols for all and music December 17 Alexander, alongside Ruari Murchison’s DEC/JAN 2019/20 from the Cathedral Choir announce the Christmas Lunch at the Royal Garden enchanting design combined with Tim Christmas feast. 11.30pm - 1am. Free and Hotel with Alan Johnson Mitchell’s spectacular lighting, The unticketed, but this service is very popular It might seem a little early to be talking Snowman continues to enchant audiences and seating is limited. Early arrival is about Christmas. However, come the with a captivating mix of dance, live music, recommended. festive season, you will be glad that you storytelling, spectacle and magic. CHURCH SERVICES St. Paul's Churchyard, London booked your ticket for the Christmas 020 7863 8222 EC4M 8AD Lunch at the Royal Garden Hotel, Portugal Street, Holborn, WC2A 2HT, December 22 stpauls.co.uk/christmas Kensington. Start with a drinks reception peacocktheatre.com Service of Lessons and Carols which gives an opportunity to network. St Margaret's Church ICE RINKS Then sit down for a traditional three Ends January 19 A traditional, candle-lit service including compiled by Paige Williams course Christmas Lunch, followed by Matthew Bourne’s production of The Red the singing of Christmas Carols, readings, short speeches from Alan Johnson and the Shoes: New Adventures and anthems sung by St Margaret’s Choir, Open Year Round Mayor of RBK&C. And the afternoon Sadler’s Wells Theatre lasting about an hour. 6:00pm - 7:00pm. Streatham Ice and Leisure Centre finishes with a charity auction and raffle. Based on the film by Michael Powell Free, no booking required. 020 8611 5758 12.30 – 4.00pm and Emeric Pressburger, and the Hans St Margaret St, London SW1P 3JX 390 Streatham High Rd, Streatham, 2-24 Kensington High St, Kensington, Christian Andersen fairytale. Featuring westminster-abbey.org London SW16 6HX London, W8 4PT music by Bernard Herrmann. A sell-out better.org.uk kccclondon.org for its world premiere in 2016, Matthew December 23 & 24 Bourne’s triumphant adaptation of the Service of Lessons and Carols November 13 – January 12 DANCE & OPERA legendary film returns to London, having The Abbey Alexandra Palace Ice Rink won two Olivier Awards and dazzled A traditional service including the singing 020 8365 4386 Ongoing audiences across the UK and the USA. The of Christmas carols, readings, and anthems Alexandra Palace Way, London The Phantom of the Opera Red Shoes is a tale of obsession, possession sung by the Abbey Choir, lasting about an N22 7AY Her Majesty’s Theatre and one girl's dream to be the greatest hour. Free, booking required, See website alexandrapalace.com Lurking deep beneath the lavish Paris dancer in the world. Victoria Page lives for times. This service is not well-suited for Opera House lives the Phantom. Ashamed to dance but her ambitions become a young children. November 14th 2019 - January 5th 2019 of his physical deformities and an object battleground between the two men who 20 Deans Yd, Westminster, London SW1P Windsor On Ice, Barry Ave, Windsor of intense fear among the public, he lives inspire her passion. 3PA SL4 3HY in the shadows. The Phantom has one 020 7863 8000 westminster-abbey.org [email protected] companion, Christine Daae, his protégée Rosebery Avenue, London, EC1R 4TN windsoronice.com and the object of his obsessive love. The sadlerswells.com December 23 & 24 Phantom of the Opera is gloriously grand in Christmas Carol Service Ends January 5, Closed Christmas Day style. The show's immensity of plot, scenery Ends February 27 St Paul’s Tower of London Ice Skate and, of course, music, has drawn over Carmen The start of the Christmas season with Group of 10 or more get 10% off 100 million people worldwide to see it. London Coliseum the re-telling of the story of the birth of 020 7282 4349 Powerful narrative and traditional illusion One of the most popular operas ever Christ in words and music. The Cathedral Tower Hill, St Katharine’s & Wapping, have come together to create the most written, Bizet’s score is bursting with Choir is joined by leading lights from the London EC3N 4AB successful theatre show in history. passionate melodies and includes such London community and from St Paul’s. toweroflondonicerink.co.uk 57 Haymarket, London, SW1Y 4QL famous numbers as the Habanera, Free, unticketed. This service is very phantomoftheopera.fromtheboxoffice.com Toreador’s Song and Flower Song. Calixto popular and seating is limited. Early arrival Ends January 5 Bieito’s production explores the complex is recommended. 4 - 5.10pm Woolston Manor Pool/Ice Rink Ongoing relationships between the sexes at the St. Paul's Churchyard, London 07864 623645 Live at Lunch tail-end of Franco’s regime in the 1970s. EC4M 8AD Chigwell IG7 6BX Royal Opera House Returning in the title role is sensational stpauls.co.uk/christmas Drop by for free lunchtime performances, mezzo Justina Gringytė. Rising stars Sean Ends January 5 featuring Royal Opera House artists Panikkar ( José) and Nardus Williams December 24 Somerset House Ice Skate and guest artists. Experience an exciting (Micaëla) make their ENO debuts. Making Carol Services 020 7845 4600 programme of free lunchtime performances a welcome return to the company is Ashley St-Martin-in-the-Fields London WC2R 1LA inspired by the heritage of the Royal Opera Riches as Escamillo. A beautiful candlelit celebration of the somersethouse.org.uk House and its operas and ballets. Artists London Coliseum, St Martin’s Lane, Christmas story led by the Clergy of St from The Royal Opera, Orchestra of the London WC2N 4ES Martin-in-the-Fields with the Choir of Ends January 12 Royal Opera House, The Royal Ballet eno.org St Martin-in-the-Fields. Preacher: Revd National History Museum Ice Rink and a range of guest artists perform in Dr Sam Wells. No tickets required but the 020 7942 5000 the newly opened-up spaces of the Royal EXHIBITIONS church is often full and you are advised to Cromwell Rd, South Kensington, London Opera House. arrive in plenty of time to be certain of a SW7 5BD 020 7304 4000 Ends December 20 seat. Doors open at 5.45pm. nhm.ac.uk Bow St, Covent Garden, London Anorioton 020 7766 1100 WC2E 9DD J/M Gallery Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 4JH Ends January 12, Closed Christmas Day roh.org.uk Finally, Varvara Roza is bringing mother stmartin-in-the-fields.org Hyde Park Winter Wonderland Ice Skate and daughter artists, Charoula Nikolaidou Members save 10% when booking tickets Ends January 5 and Christina Papaioannou, will end the December 24 online The Snowman exhibition series with their collection Midnight Mass 020 8233 5400 The Peacock entitled Anorioton, from a philosophical St-Martin-in-the-Fields Bandstand Winter Wonderland, The enchanting festive favourite, The Greek word meaning ‘unlimited’. Anorioton The climax of all the Advent preparation Hyde Park, London W2 2UH Snowman, returns for a magical 22nd year. will be the artists’ first international joint and Christmas worship as the Christmas hydeparkwinterwonderland.com Based on the book by Raymond Briggs and exhibition. Collectively they have appeared candle is lit and the Christ child is produced by John Coates, this charming in group and solo exhibitions across welcomed. Led by the Clergy and Choir BUSINESS stage adaptation is guaranteed to transport Greece, Cyprus and Geneva. Their artwork of St Martin-in-the-Fields. No tickets you to a world of wintery adventure. is inspired by everyday experiences, with required. Preacher: Revd Sally Hitchiner. See website for more information 11.00pm-0.30am International Chamber of Commerce 020 7766 1100 The ICC delivers a wide range of high- Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 4JH level events in the UK and overseas; stmartin-in-the-fields.org roundtables, seminars, side events SUBSCRIBE & SUPPORT and conferences, offering a host of December 24 opportunities to communicate key KCW Today. See page 25 for details Midnight Eucharist messages, discuss world business issues and St Paul’s 42 December 2019 / January 2020 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today www.KCWToday.co.uk Events 020 7738 2348 December 2019 / January 2020 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today 43 Events online: www.KCWToday.co.uk

Jarman. The 14-strong band played 90 minutes of captivating and searching MUSIC jazz with bandleader Mitchell still at the top of his game. One week earlier, the Barbican ROUND UP hosted pianist Herbie Hancock. But BY GEOFF COWART instead of the Art Ensemble’s cerebral approach, the fellow Chicago native was determined to rock it. He packed a hit-friendly setlist boasting Cantaloupe Island, Actual Proof and Chameleon and November was a blockbuster turned up the volume. It was almost album Home, he showed why his guitar tunes? Well, look no further because overpowering at times with drummer playing has turned so many heads. With fans of choral music should head to month for live music in the Justin Thomas (Robert Glasper his guitar strung and hung upside down Cadogan Hall in Sloane Square to capital. The nights may be Experiment) set to full blast. in trademark style, Brötzmann shredded hear The Sixteen. The choir, conducted At age 79, Hancock’s engaging in the most unlikely of fashions. From by Harry Christophers, is performing drawing in and tempers smile and passion for playing was still playing above the neck or the springs on Monday and Tuesday (December fraying due to the upcoming infectious enough to get the crowd on the reverse, he conjured up a visceral 16-17) with a programme that includes dancing, while he prowled the stage and brooding set. He needs to be heard Britten’s superb A Ceremony of Carols, election, but thankfully the armed with his keytar. His youthful to be believed, and the recent reissues of along with a selection of Medieval and city’s live music scene appears backing crew, notably the superb his Massaker albums by American heavy traditional carols. Tickets from £19. 24-year-old flautist Elena Pinderhughes, metal record label ‘Southern Lord’ are And it wouldn’t be Christmas at in rude health. were up to the task and kept the the places to start. Cadogan Hall without The Snowman! proceedings lively. Not to be outdone in the six-string The Mozart Symphony Orchestra shootout stakes, guitarist and raconteur will perform both the live score to the The jewel in the crown was the 10-day Two guitar veterans get strung Howe Gelb descended on Fulham to classic Raymond Briggs/Howard Blake EFG London Jazz Festival. It delivered re-animate some 40-year-old songs with film on the big screen, and Prokofiev’s some of the world’s greatest jazz out his merry band of friends and family. It orchestral favourite Peter & the Wolf. The veterans, including Hermeto Pascoal, was billed as a Giant Sand gig, but its performances include 11-year-old Alice Terri Lynne Carrington, João Donato, origins laid squarely (if confusingly) with Mackenzie singing Walking in the Air. David Murray, Jan Garbarek, Gary older outfits such as ‘The Band of Blacky Saturday, December 21 at 1.30pm and Bartz, Joëlle Léandre, Dave Holland, Ranchette’ and ‘the Giant Sandworms’. 4.30pm. From £15. Joe Lovano, and Danilo Pérez, to name Gelb returns to his early Eighties www.cadoganhall.com but a few, and mixed them liberally with material with renewed purpose, clearly a new generation of artists. The result enjoying the simplicity of the songs and was a tasty and vibrant stew that shows An enchanting production of their languid appeal, even if this means the future of jazz is now. The Nutcracker returns to the Simmering for the past decade, young British stars such as Zara Royal Albert Hall. McFarlane, Binker Golding, Shabaka While the jazzmasters prowled the Hutchings and Soweto Kinch have now city, two guitar veterans slid in under the Featuring Tchaikovsky’s ravishing score, reached their deserved limelight. And it cover of darkness to smaller venues to this is a quintessential Christmas treat was a tenor saxophonist Hutchings (Sons cause mayhem. for all the family. of Kemet/Comet is Coming) who truly Early November saw a rare Created especially for the Royal connected the world of jazz with his appearance of Caspar Brötzmann Albert Hall, with gorgeous period guest appearance with the revered Art and his Massaker trio at club Oslo in costumes, stunning lighting, and Ensemble of Chicago. Hackney. He performed with drummer dazzling projections, it’s brought to life Celebrating 50 years of music, the by Birmingham Royal Ballet’s world- Saskia von Klitzing, who provided a an occasional quip of: “This is not a Barbican welcomed surviving members class dancers and its orchestra, the Royal swinging, loose-limbed counterpoint very good song,” before he knocks it out Roscoe Mitchell and Famoudou Don Ballet Sinfonia. Runs from December 28 to the muscular guitar attacks of with aplomb. The veteran psychedelic Moye to the stage on the penultimate to 31, with performances at noon, 1pm, Brötzmann and his long-time bassist country rocker from Tucson, Arizona, is night of the Festival, with Hutchings 2pm, 4pm, 5:30pm and 7pm. Tickets Edu Delgado. proving that a rolling stone gathers no filling the large shoes of the late Joseph Playing songs largely from his 1995 from £30. moss, especially when he can take his www.royalalberthall.com rock ‘n’ roll revival tour on the road with his family (wife Sofie Albertsen) and Eighties era drummer (Tom Larkins). Or for something a bit less The night at Under the Bridge in traditional Fulham Road was a fantastic chance to see the inimitable Gelb at work; he’s still Check out the Bush Hall’s annual no slouch on the guitar and a master of ‘Christmas Knees up’ party, complete the deadpan vignette between songs. with the amazing 10-piece brass band, Old Dirty Brasstards. Expect all the Christmas classics at the Shepherds The best of the Christmas Bush venue on Friday December 20, concerts including mulled wine, mince pies and a DJ until 1am. 7.30pm. Tickets from £15. Like your Christmas to be full of good www.bushhallmusic.co.uk SUBSCRIBE & SUPPORT KCW Today. See page 25 for details 44 December 2019 / January 2020 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today www.KCWToday.co.uk Events

WC1B 3DG britishmuseum.org

FAIRS & FESTIVALS Weekends until December 22 Southbank Centre Food Market Delighting foodies and explorers alike, our market is home to some of the best street food in London. Our stallholders are passionate about cooking up dishes bursting with fresh, vibrant flavours from across the globe. No wonder our market is one of London’s top food destinations. Find the market on Southbank Centre Square each weekend, including bank holidays. 020 3879 9555 Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London, SE1 8XX southbankcentre.co.uk

Ends January 5 Includes Winter Wonderland free entry to Hyde Park The Decorative Fair Located in the heart of London, get ready Battersea Park, to fully immerse yourself in all things London festive. Open at 4pm on Thursday 21st November, Winter Wonderland is then Textile art and exceptional weavings open every day from 10am to 10pm. This from around the world year we’ve got loads in store with exciting new attractions including the world’s tallest 21-26 January 2020 at The Decorative Fair transportable Observation Wheel, a new theme A Christmas Carol at the Magical Ice Battersea Park, London Kingdom, a Season Ride Pass, Paddington™ on Ice, Mr. Men & Little Miss and a The London Antique larta.net / [email protected] fantastic new programme of comics at the Rug & Textile Art Fair +44 (0)7976 826 218 Winter Wonderland Comedy Club. Let’s not forget returning favourites including the UK’s largest open-air ice rink, funky new apres ski vibes at Bar Ice and jaw LARTA_2020_KCW Today_154x126indd.indd 1 20/11/2019 12:01 dropping acts in the Circus MegaDome! portraits of Paul Gauguin. Spanning his hydeparkwinterwonderland.com early years as an artist through to his later years spent in French Polynesia, the January 21-26 exhibition shows how the French artist LARTA: The London Antique Rug & revolutionised the portrait. By adding Textile Art Fair carefully selected attributes or placing the Battersea Evolution sitter in a suggestive context, Gauguin This colourful niche event celebrates was able to make portraits that expressed its 10th anniversary in 2020 and takes meaning beyond their personalities. places up on the Mezzanine at the Winter 020 7747 2885 Decorative Antiques & Textiles Fair. Twenty Trafalgar Square, Charing Cross exhibitors offer the finest selection of London WC2N 5DN decorative and collectable rugs, carpets, nationalgallery.org.uk and weavings; from Brussels tapestries to Ottoman embroideries, Italian velvets Ends January 26 to Samarkand suzanis. Expert talks are Inspired by the east how the Islamic world publicised on the website. influenced western art 020 7836 1035 British Museum Queenstown Road, London SW8 4NW LE CORSAIRETHE THRILLING BALLET ADVENTURE Artistic exchange between East and larata.net West has a long and intertwined history, and the exhibition picks these stories up January 21-26 from the 15th century, following cultural Winter Decorative Antiques & Textiles interactions that can still be felt today. Fair Objects from Europe, North America, the Battersea Evolution Middle East and North Africa highlight The first of the three annual Decorative a centuries-old tradition of influence and Fairs of 2020, the winter event kicks off the New Year with a bright and beautiful bang. “A FEAST OF “FABULOUSLY exchange from East to West. The diverse selection of objects includes ceramics, Exhibitors at the Decorative Fair have a DANCING” ENTERTAINING” knack for funding unique and special items THE SUNDAY TIMES THE OBSERVER photography, glass, jewellery and clothing, as well as contemporary art, showcasing to finish an interior scheme or garden how artistic exchange influenced a variety room. The show includes every discipline of BOOK NOW of visual and decorative arts. The exhibition antique, art, and 20th century design from the 1700s to the 1970s at a wide range of 8 – 14 JAN 2020 concludes with a 21st-century perspective, Brooklyn Mack. Photo: © Jason Bell price points .. ballet.org.uk/le-corsaire Art Direction and Design: Charlotte Wilkinson Studio through the eyes of four female artists from the Middle East and North Africa who 020 7836 1035 continue to question and subvert the idea Queenstown Road, London SW8 4NW of Orientalism in their work and explore decorativefair.com the subject of Muslim female identity. 020 7323 8000 January 28 Great Russell St, Bloomsbury, London 25th National Television Awards O2 Arena 020 7738 2348 December 2019 / January 2020 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today 45 Events online: www.KCWToday.co.uk

Make it a night to remember... Join canopies too, including bridges and zip Blackheath Ave, Greenwich, London SE10 MUSIC hundreds of stars for the biggest night in wires. 8XJ British TV when the National Television 01603 895500 rmg.co.uk December 17 Awards returns to The O2 on Tuesday 28 Battersea Park, London SW11 4NJ Christmas Showcase January 2020. The National Television goape.co.uk Ends January 5 Handel & Hendrix Awards celebrate their 25th year as Orbit: A journey around Earth in real time Musicians from the Handel House Talent Britain’s leading awards show featuring the Ends December 24 Natural History Museum scheme will celebrate their year with nation’s best-loved TV stars and shows, Christmas at ZSL London Zoo Reflect on the beauty of our home planet Handel & Hendrix by performing the plus exclusive live music and special guest Experience the Magic of Christmas at from space in this film by Seán Doran with very best early and Baroque music both as performances. A champion of viewer London Zoo this December. With a music by Phaeleh. Embark on a journey soloists and ensembles. The programme power, the NTA is unique on UK TV as whole host of festive activities, we’ve got around Earth as seen by astronauts on will include some of Handel’s greatest the only TV awards ceremony where all everything you need for a jam-packed fun board the International Space Station, in music, as well as a selection of other the winners are chosen exclusively by the family day out this Christmas. Little ones a real-time Ultra High Definition video Baroque composers. There will also be a public via a huge nationwide poll. The can Meet Santa in his magical grotto at reconstructed from time-lapse photography world-premiere of a new piece composed results are revealed live on the night and the heart of the Zoo and receive a special sourced from NASA archives. The film by Composer-in-Residence Alex Groves the event is always spectacular. early Christmas gift to take home. Enjoy runs for about 90 minutes and is on a inspired by the year working inside 0208 463 2000 festive crafts with Mrs Claus, including continuous loop. Drop in at any time, no Handel’s House at 25 Brook Street. Peninsula Square, Greenwich Peninsula, making fat ball feeders for garden wildlife ticket required. Performances will be punctuated with London SE10 0DX this winter. 020 7942 5000 festive carols for all the audience to sing theo2.co.uk 020 7449 6200 Cromwell Rd, South Kensington, London along to. London NW1 4RY SW7 5BD 020 7495 1685 FAMILY & CHILDREN zsl.org nhm.ac.uk 25 Brook Street, Mayfair, London W1K 4HB See website for dates December 21 Ends January 5 handelhendrix.org Family Fridays The Snowman & Peter and the Wolf Royal Photographic Society: Science Sadler’s Wells Cadogan Hall Photographer of the Year December 20 A new monthly workshop that encourages A magical Christmas treat for all the Science Museum Christmas with the Academy young children aged 2-4 and their carers family. Come and hear Prokofiev’s tale of The inaugural Science Photographer of the St Martin-in-the-Fields to dance together and have fun here at bravery narrated by special guest Diggory Year exhibition showcases extraordinary, Join the Academy of St Martin-In-The- Sadler’s Wells. Led by professional dancers, Seacome, and Raymond Brigg’s timeless breathtaking images of science in action. Fields for an exciting performance of come along to this unique opportunity classic The Snowman shown on the big Bringing together science and art, this Christmas carols. St Martin’s Voices is an designed to start you and the little ones on screen with live accompaniment provided exhibition celebrates the wonders of the exciting and dynamic professional vocal a dance journey. These sessions will cover by the Mozart Symphony Orchestra. scientific world with everything from ensemble, primarily made up of talented a range of dance styles and will encourage Performances include the 11-year-old space to the human body. View the world past and present choral scholars who come co-ordination, creative thinking and social Alice Mackenzie singing Walking in the through a scientific lens in a playful yet together to sing concerts and special events interaction. Air. Christmas would not be Christmas illuminating study of everyday materials at St Martin-in-the-Fields and beyond. 020 7863 8000 without The Snowman. from the structure of a soap bubbles to the Recent performances have included Mezzanine level, Sadler's Wells Theatre, 020 7730 4500 unexpected formations of face cream. Mozart Requiem and Vaughan Williams Rosebery Avenue, London, EC1R 4TN 5 Sloane Terrace, Belgravia, London 0333 241 4000 Serenade to Music with the Academy of St sadlerswells.com SW1X 9DQ Kensington, London, SW7 2DD Martin in the Fields, and Beethoven Mass cadoganhall.com sciencemuseum.org.uk in C with Southbank Sinfonia. Ongoing 020 7766 1100 Andy’s Clock Ends January 5 Ends January 25 Trafalgar Square, Charing Cross, London Natural History Museum The Paper Dolls Lina Iris Viktor: Some are Born to WC2N 4JJ See the clock from the CBeebies shows Polka Theatre Endless Night: Dark Matter stmartin-in-the-fields.org Andy's Dinosaur Adventures and Andy's New Wimbledon Studio Theatre Autograph APB Prehistoric Adventures in Hintze Hall. You'll When a little girl makes a string of paper Become immersed in deep lustres of black December 20 find it near the cloakroom to the left of dolls, she takes them by the hand on a punctuated with luminous 24-carat gold Christmas with Russell Watson the Cromwell Road exit. Andy’s Clock is fantastical adventure. Whirling through and opulent ultramarine blue hues in Lina Cadogan Hall currently at the Museum until Andy needs the home and garden they fly through the Iris Viktor’s singular artistic universe. Singing sensation Russell Watson comes to it back for his next adventure. This could be air, until they are confronted with some Her photography, painting and sculptural Cadogan Hall this Christmas to perform at any time, so there’s no guarantee that it very sharp scissors… Adapted from the installations are infused with cultural an intimate evening of much-loved music, will be here during your visit. acclaimed picture book created by former histories of the global African diaspora seasonal songs and carols for all. Favourites 020 7942 5000 Children’s Laureate Julia Donaldson and and preoccupied with multifaceted notions include: Silent Night, O Holy Night, White Cromwell Road, London, SW7 5BD award-winning illustrator by Rebecca of blackness: as colour, as material and as Christmas, Adeste Fideles, Ave Maria, nhm.ac.uk Cobb, The Paper Dolls comes to life with socio-political consciousness. To Viktor, and many more. A festive treat not to be stunning puppetry and original music in black is the proverbial materia prima: missed! Ongoing Polka Theatre’s much-loved production. the source, the dark matter that birthed 020 7730 4500 Kidzania London 0844 871 7646 everything. 5 Sloane Terrace, Belgravia, London Westfield London 93 The Broadway, Wimbledon, London 020 7749 1240 SW1X 9DQ KidZania London is a fun-packed, indoor, SW19 1QG Rivington Place, London, EC2A 3BA cadoganhall.com role-play city built just for kids. It spans polkatheatre.com autograph.org.uk across 75,000 sq ft, offering 4-14 year- December 22 olds plenty of real life activities to have a FILM & PHOTOGRAPHY Ends February 9 Carols and Classics with Charles Dickens go at. Each child will be given 4 hours to Shot in Soho Cadogan Hall explore and 50 KidZos (the local currency) Ongoing The Photographers’ Gallery Toast the Christmas spirit with Charles to spend on activities, or work and save for Moons Beyond Counting Although the area of Soho is relatively Dickens and be transported back to the their own bank card. Royal Observatory small (one square mile) and bordered era of roasted goose, mistletoe and plum- 0330 131 3330 Discover the moons of the Solar System by some of London’s richest and most pudding, as the London Concert Brass and Shepherds Bush, W12 7GA in this brand-new show narrated by our commercialised streets, it has remained a London Philharmonic Choir are joined by kidzania.co.uk Royal Observatory astronomers. From complex place of unorthodoxy, diversity, special guest reader Hugh Bonneville to the Earth’s closest neighbour in space, tolerance and defiance. Shot in Soho is celebrate the very best of Victorian carols, Ongoing our Moon, to the moons of the distant an original exhibition celebrating Soho’s classics and a selection of readings from Go Ape gas giants, this show explores our Solar diverse culture, community and history of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. Battersea Park System’s natural satellites. Voiced by Royal creative innovation as well as highlighting 020 7730 4500 For the fully-grown Tarzans and Janes, you Observatory astronomers, discover more its position as a site of resistance. 5 Sloane Terrace, Belgravia, London won’t even feel like you’re in the city, as about the appearance and features of our 020 7087 9300 SW1X 9DQ you’ll be fully immersed in the pursuit to own moon, as well as a selection of the 16-18 Ramillies St, Soho, London cadoganhall.com conquer some of the longest and highest many different kinds of moons out there W1F 7LW crossings for a full 2-3 hours. Friendly that orbit the other planets. thephotographersgallery.org.uk January 10 instructors are ready and waiting to 020 8858 4422 Cup O’Joe propel the youngsters into a leafy world of 46 December 2019 / January 2020 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today www.KCWToday.co.uk Events

ROYAL ALBERT HALL AND BIRMINGHAM ROYAL BALLET PRESENT

28 – 31 December 2019 7 performances only

THE TIMES LONDONIST #### #####

Call: 020 7589 8212 Birmingham Royal Ballet is registered charity No.1061012 and is funded by royalalberthall.com/christmas

Harrison Bar visits for schools. We also run a wildlife Covent Garden Piazza, London and donations for the charity gratefully Cup O’Joe is a close family trio who have club for children, holiday activities, and a WC2E 7BB received. Doors open at 6.30pm. Event been playing together from their early full programme of events for all ages. ltmuseum.co.uk starts at 7pm. teens. Comprising brothers Reuben and Ilchester Place, W8 6LU 25 Blythe Road, London, W14 0PD Benjamin and sister Tabitha, they were January 11 olympiaauctions.com/events raised in the traditions of bluegrass and Ongoing Cut through the noise folk, and it is these traditions that their Deer in Richmond Park Rose Theatre Kingston January 31 music is rooted in. They blend the intricate Richmond Park is a National Nature In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, Linda Martín Alcoff: Speaking as a tones of bluegrass, folk and jazz to tones to Reserve and deer park with 630 Red and TEDx is a program of local, self-organized Survivor: On Rape and Resistance in the create their own progressive acoustic sound. Fallow deer roaming freely since 1637. The events that bring people together to share Age of #MeToo Their mix of original and re-imagined deer have played a major role in the park's a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, Foyles traditional songs sets the ingredients for history and have shaped the landscape TEDTalks video and live speakers combine This talk will explore the new moment an energetic and enthusiastic performance, too. The special grassland habitat depends to spark deep discussion and connection in we are in given the #MeToo movement’s and this is giving them a growing presence on grazing and the parkland trees have a a small group. These local, self-organized efforts to expand the public discussion on the surrounding acoustic music scene distinctive 'browse line' as the deer eat all events are branded TEDx, where x = of rape. Speaking about rape in the in Ireland, the UK and mainland Europe. the leaves and twigs growing below about independently organized TED event. news media, in legal contexts, or just in Strong sibling harmonies can be heard 1.5 metres. Deer grazing also prevents The TED Conference provides general one’s personal life is difficult given the throughout their music, harmonies that tree seedlings from growing, keeping the guidance for the TEDx program, but ways in which our speech is so often blend together like only sibling harmonies grassland open. During the autumn the individual TEDx events are self-organized misinterpreted, used against us, or made can. deer 'rut' (breeding season) takes place. (subject to certain rules and regulations). use of for purposes other than reducing 020 7278 3966 The Red stags and Fallow bucks compete 24-26 High Street, Kingston Upon sexual violence. How can we create the 28 Harrison Street, London WC1 H8JF for females (known as hinds and does Thames, Kingston upon Thames conditions for fair assessments as well as a harrisonbar.co.uk respectively). At this time, the large males KT1 1HL better understanding of the nature of the roar, bark and clash antlers in an attempt to ted.com/tedx/events/34358 experience? TALKS, TOURS, & WALKS fight off rivals and attract as many females 020 7437 5660 as possible. January 23 107 Charing Cross Road WC2H 0DT Ongoing royalparks.org.uk Connoisseurship - a Seminar with Richard foyles.co.uk Holland Park Charlton-Jones at Olympia Auctions Holland Park is the Royal Borough’s Ongoing 25 Blythe Road THEATRE largest park. It has the following facilities: Hidden London Richard Charlton-Jones, former Senior 22.5 hectares of gardens, children’s play London Transport Museum Director of the Old Master department Ongoing facilities, sports areas, a cafeteria, large This is the London Transport Museum’s at Sotheby's will be hosting a fun and 9 to 5 the Musical areas of woodland abundant with wildlife. exclusive programme of tours and events informative seminar about how you tell Savoy Theatre Holland Park also has the beautiful Kyoto at disused stations and secret sites across who painted a picture, when and how, Tumble outta' bed and stumble to Dolly Garden. This is the Japanese garden London. Led by experienced guides, ready the methods, how to spot a fake, and Parton’s rip-roaring West End musical! donated by the Chamber of Commerce of to share unusual and little-known stories much much more. The event will be in 9 to 5 the Musical is getting down to Kyoto in 1991. Holland Park is also the surrounding the stations’ varied histories, support of the Charlie Waller Memorial business with a strictly limited season at base of the borough's Ecology Service. The these visits offer an exciting opportunity to Trust, a charity supporting young people the Savoy! Starring Louise Redknapp, Ecology Centre at Holland Park runs a explore locations rarely seen by the public. with depression. Visit cwmt.org.uk for Amber Davies, Natalie McQueen, Bonnie series of events, activities and educational 020 7379 6344 more information. Tickets will be free Langford and Brian Conley, the smash-hit 020 7738 2348 December 2019 / January 2020 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today 47 Events online: www.KCWToday.co.uk

musical features an Oscar, Grammy and lives entangle, they realise that finding each Tony award-nominated score by the Queen other comes at a price. Start the year in style of Country herself, Dolly Parton. 020 8743 5050 0844 871 7687 7 Uxbridge Rd, Shepherd's Bush, London Savoy Ct, London WC2R 0ET W12 8LJ THE MAYFAIR thesavoytheatre.com bushtheatre.co.uk ANTIQUES & FINE ART FAIR THE LONDON MARRIOTT HOTEL Ends January 11 January 7 – February 1 GROSVENOR SQUARE, LONDON W1K 6JP The Man in the White Suit Scrounger 9 -12 JANUARY 2020 Wyndham’s Theatre Finborough Theatre With textile manufacturers and trade On the streets of Elephant and Castle, unions up in arms what will become of everyone likes to make speculations about our plucky hero and his controversial Scrounger. She needs help, she must not Thursday 12.00 - 21.00 invention? Can Daphne (Kara Tointon) the be aware of the complexities of the world, Friday 11.00 - 18.00 mill owner's daughter save him? Or will she is sent from the demons to torture her Saturday 11.00 - 18.00 it be game over for The Man in the White mum… at least according to her Nigerian Sunday 11.00 - 17.00 Suit? Featuring a cast of fourteen, original Uber driver. Scrounger doesn’t care. A songs from Charlie Fink (Noah and the successful online personality, she’s got more Whale), dazzling choreography by Lizzie power from her bedroom than anyone on Gee, plus dizzying flying effects, epic bouts the Southwark estates could dream of. of clog-dancing, a spectacular set from She’s educated, she’s ballsy, and with a huge SUPPORTED BY Michael Taylor and scintillating sound network of online allies, Scrounger is a effects and incidental music by Ben and woman who knows how to make change Max Ringham, The Man in the White Suit happen. That is, until an airline destroys her bursts on to the London stage for a strictly wheelchair. limited season from 27th September. 01223 357851 0844 482 5120 118 Finborough Rd, Kensington, London Charing Cross Rd, Covent Garden, SW10 9ED London WC2H 0DA finboroughtheatre.co.uk wyndhamstheatre.co.uk

Ends January 18 The Arrival T H E Bush Theatre A N T I Q U E S When Tom and Samad meet for the first D E A L E R S time, they are stunned by the similarities Compiled & edited by Fahad Redha F A I R L I M I T E D they share. In spite of Tom’s adoption and For a complimentary invitation for 01797 252030 all the years spent apart, the two brothers If you have an event that you would like three please email: [email protected] www.mayfairfair.com are joined by an undeniable biological listed in the next edition, please send any bond. But as they become closer and their information to: [email protected]

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DF_KC&W 160hx260w WIN20.indd 1 24/11/2019 15:35 48 December 2019 / January 2020 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today www.KCWToday.co.uk Dining Out

Learn the gift of Sri Lankan cooking It is the latest foodie trend Photographs © Sri Lanka Cooking © Sri Photographs

UMI, the owner and teacher at Cook Sri Lankan, is a remarkable woman. Her Nsheer warmth, enthusiasm and talent when it comes to food possess her, emitting an energy that is impressively blending spices. Now back in the UK, cooked in a small wok-shaped pan, and thoughtful, and step-by-step. overwhelming from your very first she’s decided to share her knowledge forming crispy lacy edges and a spongy Numi is a charming and friendly interaction. and passion for Sri Lankan cooking, and centre, perfect for soaking up the juices teacher and her class covers more than Greeting us with the customary she’s clearly an authority on the subject. of the curry. Prepared with or without just cooking recipes. Numi shares ayubowan (I wish you a long and Numi first introduced us to an an egg, Numi explained that hoppers are insights into the blending of spices, the prosperous life) upon entering her array of tropical spices and ingredients, a Sri Lankan delicacy that can be eaten origins of recipes, various Sri Lankan home, Numi showered us with stories including nutmeg, mace, cloves, in any of the three meals in a day. cooking utensils, and teachings passed about her history, where her passion cardamom, cinnamon, lemongrass The cooking lesson itself was down across several generations of for cooking comes from. Sitting at the Rampe’, karapincha (curry leaves), and creative, easy-going and taught simple family cooking. kitchen table at her flat in Battersea of course chillies. Numi was keen to cooking in an even simpler way; making As the class draws to a close, Numi surrounded by an abundant variety of highlight that Sri Lankan cuisine is a a food culture that may otherwise seem encourages her students to relax, chat, different flavours and spices, she began vegetarian’s/vegan’s delight, combining impossible to delve into, welcoming and enjoy their food, whilst getting to to tell us her story. Born and raised in coconut milk with such exotic vegetables and wonderful. Sri Lankan cooking know one another. It’s been a memorable Sri Lanka (then Ceylon), her father was as jackfruit (polos and dhel), drumsticks is simple and sophisticated, and Numi experience and an adventure of new a police officer, meaning her family were (murunga), snake gourd (pathola), guides her students on how to locate the flavours and delicious food, with a posted all over the country, allowing eggplant (vambatu), banana flower best quality ingredients. Our class saw knowledgeable and hospitable host. Numi to learn about various different (Kehelmuwa), bitter gourd (karawila), Numi teaching us a lentil curry (parippu) vegetables, herbs, and spices. After a and pennywort (gotukola)just to name a and a potato coconut curry (ala kirata), www.cooksrilankan.co.uk brief career as a Montessori teacher, few. which she served with spicy green beans Numi continued to travel, and later Our course on the day was hoppers (bonchi theldala). Using ingredients that managed restaurants and a family spice (appam), a trending dish, and Numi’s a lot of her students would already have factory business, developing recipes and star subject. A fermented batter is then in their home, her teaching is considered

of the dignified formality that is so Lord Of The Flies, often surrendered in the scramble for it’s less of a head Wild Honey buzz. Enormous light fixtures, closer in than a remarkably St James shape to constellations than chandeliers, flavourful cylinder 8 Pall Mall, St. James's, provide a comforting glow over the of meat. Whilst not velvety dark wood furnishings and Twin the biggest portion, SW1Y 5NG it was sinfully rich Peaks-esque black and white marble St James Honey Wild © Photograph T: 020 7389 7820 floor. On our way in we sweep past a and commanded built- in bar that seems to have been my attention so By Max Feldman transplanted straight from the Overlook completely by the Hotel’s Gold Room and through a time my main There’s something about walking into large, well laid out dining area with arrived it was almost a restaurant that has its own personal plenty of space per seat. Our own table, a surprise. Though it flag, it can’t help but raise expectations which announced our reservation rather might have slipped somewhat. The one room culinary nation charmingly with a decorative sculpture my mind whilst I in question is Wild Honey St James: a at approximately £30. Luckily the fiscal was tête à tête with the pig, there was name that might be familiar to Mayfair of the letter R, was well positioned to catch a waiter and so we were off to the blow is rather comfortably cushioned nothing forgettable about the main: residents.Yes, Wild Honey St James is by the previously mentioned in-house Saddle of Fallow venison, caramelised the Lazarine resurrection of the West races. bar; which is stocked with 100 bins of celeriac puree, Armagnac and pear London borough’s lamented eatery The first thing you notice about the menu is that there’s very little wine as well as three specialised, and (£24). Whilst similarly not exactly Wild Honey, praise be. The new model cornucopia in scale, each mouthful distinguishing starters from mains, with rather crippling, cocktails. My guest lodges cuckoo-like in the cavernous counted for ten. Bouncing between the entire menu laid out on a single was lured by the oddly named ‘I am environs of the Hotel Sofitel, London St the celeriac and pear proved a deeply sheet of paper in a notably cramped very specific with my Negroni’ Negroni James, annexing the real estate formerly satisfying metronome and even though font. As a result the eye does tend to (£12.00) whilst I fell into the arms of the occupied by the Balcon restaurant. Both I felt as if I couldn’t handle another twitch across the menu rather more harmless sounding ‘Aged Bijou’ cocktail the Mayfair and new St James edition mouthful I was distressed to finally than intended, to the point where we (£16.00). The Negroni was as potent are the brain children of gastronomic finish it. Whilst feeling like there was as expected, but with a nicely smooth mastermind Anthony Demetre; who has had to send the waiter away twice no way I could handle a dessert, at our finish, my ‘Aged Bijou’ by contrast didn’t been in the Very Fancy Restaurant game whilst picking through the intimidating waiter’s gentle cajoling I called time mess around with an intense flavour that for quite some time now. As the original selection. Eventually we took the bold with the warm chocolate soup, served branch managed an award-worthy 12 decision to give up completely and put hit like a hammer; one for the seasoned with toasted rice ice cream (£9). A warm years in Mayfair’s ermine trimmed ourselves entirely into his (reassuringly professionals perhaps. comfortable bath of a dessert, by the culinary coliseum, expectations on capable) hands. Far more pressing than The food on offer is, broadly time you get through this you will be the new model are pitched somewhere that typographical niggle is the fact speaking, French-based contemporary relaxed and sated enough that the bill between sky-high and hysterical. that the price list does not exactly pull with the occasional British incursion. will only cause a slight eyebrow twitch, First things first; the layout is elegant its punches: with the starters averaging After our waiters suggestion I couldn’t as second acts go, Wild Honey Saint and modern whilst retaining a touch about £12 whilst the mains balance out turn down the pig’s head (£9), sadly for James more than goes the distance. 020 7738 2348 December 2019 / January 2020 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today 49 GetAway online: www.KCWToday.co.uk

manufacturer and film studio owner, built the place as a private house in Paradise Found 1929 for his partner, (not his wife). He by Kate Hawthorne bought the island in 1925 for £6,000. He started to build it as a party house in 1928. In 1932 he turned it into a hotel Photograph © Kate Hawthorne © Kate Photograph

Photographs © Hotel © Burgh Photographs in an attempt to prevent friends bleeding him dry, but they still continued to visit. By the 1930s Burgh Island had become one of the most popular hotels Mountbatten of Burma, and Edward of its time. Nettleford was in poor health VIIIth and Wallis Simpson have all and Lena Hudson, wife of the island’s been visitors. caretaker George, was Nettleford’s It again became very popular in the nurse. When Nettleford died in 1944 80s and 90s and was recently bought in 2018 by Giles Fuchs’ company. It is now Burgh Island Hotel plays host it’s only a guide as is the information on a Grade II listed building and a foremost the internet. It can come in anything example of Art Deco style in Europe”. to our country’s most breath- up-to an hour early. It was supposed The food in the two restaurants is taking views. Overlooking to come in at twelve o’clock today but locally sourced. The meat is free-range, it could have come in at 11, but it just and fish is from day boats. Lobsters Bigbury in Devon, in an area suits itself.It is all to do with what the and scallops are landed at Beesands (10 of outstanding natural beauty, weather decides each day. It is a big miles) and kept in the hotel’s Mermaid challenge as you can be going to sea with Sea Water Pool. Octopus is local, and everything about this hotel is up to 30 souls. oysters and mussels are grown at the outstanding. On rare occurrences we have been Avon Estuary opposite the Island. If stuck in the middle and had to sit there you prefer black tie and evening dress he rugged cliff top setting, and pray! One of the chefs put on his he left his money, to the Hudsons. you can dine à la carte in the Grand dazzling panoramic sea views wet suit and came across with coffee and Potentially scandalous. Ballroom. and the atmosphere are stunning. tea and sandwiches! On Christmas Eve Improvements and additions to the The romantic location, exquisite food, 4 years ago, the front wheel came off the hotel were made during the 1930s, You can even hire the whole island. T front including the original captain’s cabin suites with dynamic and dramatic Why don’t you? seascapes, and murder mysteries for No one has ever been hurt. Two from the warship HMS Ganges, built in clue solving appetites are to be found hours is the longest I have ever been 1821. Burgh Island Hotel, Bigbury-on-sea, here. Wild life enthusiasts can enjoy an stuck. It was the summer and I had my The hotel was requisitioned by South Devon abundance of flora and fauna, butterflies, shorts on so I rolled them up and waded the MOD during the war. The ‘old Reservations; +44 (0)1548 810514 moths, foxes, rabbits, badgers, across carrying the luggage. wing’ was hit by a German bomb in www.burghisland.com The tractor is maintained on a weekly 1941 during the Luftwaffe’s raid on Murder Mysteries; January, March and basis by a specialist engineer. We’re up Plymouth. That wing remained empty November 2020 against rust, all the time. It’s got a John and derelict until 1946. Christie based Valentines Ball weekend 14th, 15th Deere tractor engine inside so like any her novels and February. other tractor it needs servicing on a Evil Under the Sun on the island which regular basis. she wrote during the war when it was off The Sea Tractor is the lifeline of the limits to civilians. In the latter book the island, without it we’re totally stuck so house appears as ‘The Jolly Roger Hotel’. whatever the cost the Sea Tractor has to After the war it was bought by run” Lady Anderson, who owned a rubber On arrival guests are invited into plantation in Malaya. She used to throw the Art Deco cocktail bar which is run away her used cutlery rather than wash by Gary ‘Macbar’ Maguire. Gary has them. The Hotel fell into disrepair and been with the hotel for 27 years. He disrepute and went up for auction in is as characterful as the many famous 1955. Noel Coward, Winston Churchill, hedgehogs, lizards and a wide variety of people he has graced with his memorable The Beatles, aviator Amy Johnson, Lord birds. Burgh Island has been a pioneer in cocktail creations. He knows all the Green Tourism since 2003. history and more. Here is a man who has Situated where the Atlantic Ocean seen and been part of many a story. meets the English Channel in the “The Devon Riviera was deemed ‘Western Approaches’, the island is too hot prior to the 20s when Coco subject to daily tides rendering land Chanel created the sun bathing fad and access to the hotel impossible during places on the South Coast exploded into certain times.Tidal crossings for guests popularity at that time. are by the Hotel’s Sea Tractor or, when Art Deco was the Style of the era the tide is out, by a fleet of Land Rovers. and Archibald Nettlefold, director The Sea Hydraulic Tractor is an of Nettlefold, the nuts and bolts historic icon and the only one in the world. It was designed in 1969 by Robert Jackson CBE, (a pioneer of the nuclear power station programme in the ’50s), in exchange for a case of champagne. It cost £9,000 to build. Richard captains the Sea Tractor. SUBSCRIBE & SUPPORT I asked him how they monitored the weather and crossings on a daily basis. KCW Today. See page 25 for details “The Sea Tractor is fifty years old this year. We have a booklet for tide times, 50 December 2019 / January 2020 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today www.KCWToday.co.uk Environment

halt climate change and avoid potentially of catastrophic events. High tides and irreversible environmental damage a storm surge caused the November The Word: resulting from it’. Flooding only flooding. In the past year Climate Emergencies Venice's flood control system, which Climate have been declared by a variety part of a bigger has been under construction for over 15 emergency of countries including the United problem in years, will not be fully operational until By Oliver Lloyd Kingdom, France and Canada as well as sometime in 2021, at which point, the hundreds of cities and towns worldwide flood gate will be capable of holding back and the UN Secretary-General has said Venice more than 110 centimetres of water. that climate change is ‘the defining issue By Griffin Buch As the population of Venice has ‘Climate Emergency’ declared of our time’. continued to diminish since catastrophic Many terms relating to the flooding struck the city in the 1960s, the word of 2019 by the environment made the shortlist officials fear even more residents Oxford Dictionary reflecting our increasing preoccupation will pack up after the most recent with the issue including: climate action, round of floods. Limited work, a high Venice's title as The City of Water may Oxford Dictionary has declared ‘Climate climate crisis, climate denial, eco-cide cost of living, and little professional be part of the reason why residents are Emergency’ to be the word of 2019 and net-zero. ‘Climate emergency’ made opportunities are just some of the reasons looking to leave. The ancient Italian city following a hundred fold increase in its the list as two words because multi-part why young people are leaving. As a result, has seen increases in both the amount usage in the past 12 months. constructions such as ‘heart attack’ are the average age of Venice's population is and frequency of flooding in recent The term, which had become now recognised by linguists as singular increasing. years. 10,700% more common by this words. As residents work to repair the Instances of high water in the Venice September than the previous, is defined Previous winners of the award damage, officials hope that new canals have flooded homes, businesses, by the Dictionary as ‘a situation in which include ‘toxic’ in 2018, ‘youthquake’ in preventative measures and regulations on and historic landmarks in recent months. urgent action is required to reduce or 2017 as well as ‘vape’ and ‘post-truth’. the tourism industry will be enough to Floodwaters covered more than 80% of keep the Venice prosperous. the city in mid-November causing Italy's Prime Minister, Giuseppe Conte, to

declare a state of emergency. The city, which relies heavily on tourism, saw

nearly one-third of visitors cancel their trips.

Many political leaders blamed climate change for the recent string of floodings. While scientists cannot blame Allison Lince-Bentley © Photograph any single event on climate change, the phenomenon does explain the sea-level rise and an increasing number

equates to about 5.6% of the 18 billion straining the countries limited such plastics the supermarket produced firefighting resources. Dry conditions Supermarkets by the chain in 2018 but given the Hot and dry will likely hit towns in distant inland retailer’s scale this will clearly lead to a regions of Australia hardest, many of compete to substantial drop in the amount of plastic Summer in which are already struggling with water reduce their waste in Britain. Australia shortages. Sainsbury’s has also announced a By Griffin Buch “We've got the worst of the summer, plastics usage similarly ambitious target to remove 50% the worst of the season, still ahead of By Oliver Lloyd of plastic packaging from circulation by us as we head into summer,” said Shane 2050. Fitzsimmons, the commissioner of Government analysis indicates that Australia's Rural Fire Service. “We've from April 2017 to April 2018, large As the days get shorter and colder in really got a long way to go.” retailers in the UK issued 1.75 billion London, Australia is heading into Major British supermarkets including single use carrier bags. This was a summer, and it’s looking like it will be The Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD), Tesco and the Co-operative are pledging decline from the 2.1 billion issued the a hot one. Analysis from the country's a regular occurrence caused by to reduce their plastics usage in order year previously. Of these 1.04 billion Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) suggests varying ocean temperatures, is a major to demonstrate their environmental were issued by just seven of the largest that this summer will be the warmest on contributing factor in Australia's dry credentials to customers who are retailers (Asda, Marks and Spencers, record, breaking last year's record. summer season. While monsoons increasingly likely to take notice of the Sainsbury’s, Tesco, The Co-operative, Summer heat and dry conditions usually hinder the IOD and bring rain to carbon footprint of their purchases. Waitrose and Morrisons). The average mean much of Australia will see an Australia, the BoM does not expect the The Co-operative has previously British person bought 32 plastic bags increased risk of brushfires, further first storm for more than a month. pledged to end single use plastics in in that period, down from 38 the year its own brand products by 2023. This previously. means that it will phase out all plastic Analysis performed by Which? carrier bags, remove all dark plastics magazine in April this year, from its products and ensure any plastic demonstrates that Waitrose and Tesco it does use is easy to recycle. In order to are the two best supermarkets when achieve this goal in January of this year it comes to using easily recyclable the chain replaced plastic disposable packaging in both cases 61% of bags with compostable ones in 1400 packaging items fell into this category. of its 2500 stores and dark packaging Morrisons was found to be the worst in including trays in ready meals will be this regard as only 29% of its packaging eliminated next year. items were found to be easy to recycle, Tesco, Britain’s biggest retailer, although by weight, it was the best pledged on October 31st to remove at 88%. Overall 52% of items in our 1 billion of pieces of plastic from its supermarkets are easy to recycle. products by the end of 2020. This 020 7738 2348 December 2019 / January 2020 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today 51 Environment online: www.KCWToday.co.uk

communities to protect Zambia’s wildlife and wild spaces. The exploitation GRI has developed an innovative, of women low cost and easily replicable by the illegal wildlife trade community-based conservation model, with women’s empowerment at its is being stopped through nucleus. By establishing women’s groups empowerment in remote rural communities bordering protected areas, GRI is successfully By Melanie Shepherd raising conservation awareness, reducing poverty and empowering communities to better manage Zambia’s natural Considerably less likely than their resources. male counterparts to report wildlife Through the provision of skills crime, single unemployed women living training, support and equipment, GRI contiguous to protected areas, are has empowered over 180 women to known to take in seasonal ‘boyfriends’ – initiate sustainable income generation poachers willing to exchange bushmeat activities - reducing their reliance on the and money for secure accommodation on illegal wildlife trade and inspiring others the borders of Zambia’s National Parks. to do the same. Fearing for their reputations, these In a small community on the unmarried women are careful, loyal and southern boundary of Kafue, Zambia’s discreet, dutifully providing a concealed largest National Park, 18 women are base for outsiders as they traverse the now fully able to support their families park boundary. with the profits they make running Vulnerable women are also being the small village bakery. Elsewhere, 15 used to trade and traffic illegal wildlife Zambian women were able to double products. With increasing frequency, their family income in just four months Law Enforcement Officers in Zambia selling handmade crafts and curios. are apprehending female traffickers Long-term conservation can only be who have been caught using clothing, achieved if communities living around material and even young children, to Protected Areas are fully educated, fully conceal wildlife products. Transaction engaged, and fully able to experience sex perpetuates the problem. On the the benefits of healthy and viable shores of Itezhi-Tezhi Lake, women ecosystems. exchange sex with unlicensed fishermen This highly successful project proves for illegal caught fish, and then with empowerment of women is having a very truck drivers for transportation to the real positive impact. Women’s voices in grid’s energy is an often-forgotten city markets. Zambia, London and across the world critical matter. Established in 2008, with critical need to be heard as major stakeholders – The UK’s More than half of the electrical support from the David Shepherd their empowerment is creating very real energy in the U.K. comes from burning Wildlife Foundation, Game Rangers and positive change for good. Renewables fossil fuels. In 2018 alone, 46% of the International (GRI) is a non-profit To find our more and help support electricity produced came from natural organisation working in Zambia community initiatives across Africa and Obligation gas, and 9% came from coal. While the alongside the Department of National Asia, tackling the illegal wildlife trade, By Griffin Buch air in London would be cleaner if every Parks and Wildlife and the local please visit www.davidshepherd.org car in the city ran on electricity rather than petrol, such a switch would require In May 2007, the government set a power utilities to increase electrical goal: cut 60% of carbon emissions by energy production significantly and 2050 and source 20% of energy from potentially expand the use of fossil fuels. renewable resources by 2020. Wind energy is one of the top The government’s commitment to renewable resources used in the U.K. expanding the use of renewable energy is Offshore wind farms generate electricity called the Renewables Obligation (RO). during high wind periods and store it in In 2018, the U.K. had exceeded the batteries for peak time use. Only when original 2020 goal by generating 33% utilities provide energy using renewable of electricity from renewable resources. resources and household technology Photograph © David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation Wildlife Shepherd © David Photograph By requiring electric utilities to source moves toward electrification will the energy from renewable resources, the U.K. be able to cut carbon emissions government has been quite successful in successfully. achieving and exceeding their own RO While developments in technology goals. and electrification are a central Electric vehicles often appear to be contributor to reaching carbon emissions the way of the future. Manufacturers targets, no one renewable resource could have invested countless resources and stand on its own. Solar, geothermal, and time in the development of their electric hydropower are all effective renewable lineups. In recent months, automakers energy resources, but each relies on have rolled out electric versions of processes that can be inconsistent. A seemingly every class, from coupes to city built on solar could lose power on pickup trucks. While plugging a car a cloudy day. A community running on into an electrical outlet and eliminating hydropower could not handle a drought. the need for petrol is an effective way As the world comes to rely more on to decrease a single vehicle’s carbon renewable energy, electric utilities must emission level, the source of the power diversify their resources. 52 December 2019 / January 2020 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today www.KCWToday.co.uk Property & The Home

represented the sun and eternal life. colour. Just a touch of this glimmering The walls of the chamber in which the metal can make a space feel instantly Pharaoh Tutankhamun was laid to rest more glamorous. Too much, however, were covered in gold; his coffin is a three- and a scheme could end up feeling like a piece sarcophagus, the innermost layer set from a Bond movie. There is an art to

consisting of 110 kilograms of solid gold. striking the right balance. Fabrics such Brothers Villiers © Photograph Metallic finishes, especially gold, are as velvet, mohair, leather or suede are all now a firm fixture within interior design good for complimenting gold, and will schemes, and the continued desirability also help soften an overall scheme. for Mid-Century Classic furniture, is For a striking statement, make gold a becoming a key reason for its resurgence. bolder part of your scheme by introducing Inspired by the golden treasures of large-scale furnishings or glamorous light the current exhibition of Tutankhamun, fittings. This will create an instant design and with the festive season almost upon statement and impact the room. us, we offer some design ideas of how to There is a perception that gold accents introduce a little glitz and glamour into and gold-leaf is best suited for palatial your home. homes that can afford the excess, but It’s tempting to simply introduce gold surprisingly it is compact spaces that can decorative touches through accessories by often benefit from additions of gold the adding items such as gilt picture frames, most. Adding a polished golden accessory lamps, cushions or trimmings as well as or decorative item, such as a small tassels. Understanding how to create a sculpture or wallpaper, can create a space considered composition in smaller areas which feels more luxurious whilst at the will also give you more confidence in using same time making it appear light, fresh gold throughout the home. However, and airy. don’t be afraid to be bold. Gold is not only Small contemporary bedrooms in the decoration of buildings, artwork and for gilded candlesticks or heavy-weight black, white and gold can look stunning Glorious Gold clothing. picture frames. It can be a marvellous with a touch of a golden hue. This can By Jane Duncan In colour symbolism gold is associated addition to a room in a woven throw for be achieved using subtle accents such with wealth, grandeur, and prosperity, as example, or patterned wall covering. A as soft throws, cushions, or lighting well as sparkle, glitz, and glamour. The golden mosaic or warm, golden lighting fixtures, which create a warm and inviting alued not only for its aesthetic chemical symbol for Gold is Au - from the can help create a relaxing atmosphere in atmosphere. qualities but also for its ductility Latin aurum, meaning ‘Shining Dawn.’ the room. With the help of gold it’s easy Gold is the colour of joy and warmth Vand malleability, gold has long been Due to its non-corrosive properties, it is to give a room a certain sophistication or and when used with the correct light revered since the ancients, coveted and symbolically associated with immortality bohemianism. Just make sure you balance source its unique mellow glow and the integrated it in the production of everyday and power. it out. mood it creates are hard to beat. In fact, design from jewellery and coinage to For the ancient Egyptians gold Complementary shades include lighting is key when it comes to making white, black or deep blue. These are the most of gold and its extraordinary win-win colour combinations, which powers to enhance the ambiance of a can be safely attributed to the classics. space. Gold with red can also work as a good When considering textiles to team it combination, which adds more expression with, apply similar luxury lines. The aim is and extravagance. A golden tint looks to enhance the other items in your room, good accompanied by dark, rich and deep not to eclipse or be eclipsed by it. tones such as velvet blue, chocolate, dark So look out for gold, don’t wait for green, wine and terracotta. Gold is good tinsel. Find something gorgeous and with wood and this pairing can look very elegant which can bring some instant harmonious. glamour and warmth into your home this Unlike chrome and silver, the reflective Christmas. surface of gold can bounce light back into a room, and add a touch of glamour As George Bernard Shaw once said, ‘The and opulence. But, unlike its gleaming golden rule is, there are no golden rules’. cousins, gold has one particularly important decorative quality, it can add www.jddesignlondon.com depth and warmth like no other metallic #jddesignlondon.com

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SWITZERLAND – VERBIER Property at the heart of the resort offering sensational amenities. 5 en suite bedrooms. Large outdoor spaces. Wellness space. Price upon request +41 (0)27 588 0373 UK - LONDON / WESTMINSTER Sophisticated apartment, meticulously reshaped over 5,300 sq ft. Three bedrooms and three bathrooms. Two parking spaces. £11,500,000 Leasehold 984 years +44 (0)20 3641 3636

FRANCE – CHAMONIX FRANCE – NEAR AIX-EN-PROVENCE Exceptional 5-bedroom new-build chalet. Designed by a local architect. 3,660 sq ft property on 1.7 acres of land with a breathtaking view. Spacious Outdoor pool with stunning views of Mont-Blanc. €3,350,000 living room, 6 bedrooms including a master suite. Garage. €2,189,000 +33 (0)4 84 81 41 94 +33 (0)4 84 81 45 34

UK – LONDON PORTUGAL – LISBON USA – NEW YORK Classic three-bedroom, three-bathroom duplex Fully refurbished apartment. Balconies facing East Village. Large and bright alcove studio. apartment. Private terrace. £2,725,000 Share of Freehold south. 3 spacious bedrooms. €2,450,000 Ideal primary or secondary home. $1,049,000 +44 (0)20 3641 3636 + 351 211 977 230 +1 (917) 634 8991

BARNES LONDON 113-115 Old Brompton Road - South Kensington SW7 3LE London, United Kingdom +44 (0)20 3641 3636 [email protected] www.barnes-international.com

KCW-DECEMBER.indd 2 05/12/2019 15:14 020 7738 2348 December 2019 / January 2020 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today 55 Property & The Home online: www.KCWToday.co.uk

FRANCE – DEAUVILLE Close the centre of Honfleur. Renovated 2,368 sq ft house. Double reception room, 5 bedrooms, guest house. Heated pool in a 16,145 sq ft garden. €1,150,000 +33 (0)2 57 53 23 72 FRANCE – PARIS 7 / CHAMP-DE-MARS Dual-aspect apartment on the top floor with clear views over the Champ de Mars. Access to the exterior from all rooms. 3 bedrooms. €4,055,000 +33 (0)1 85 05 68 62

SWITZERLAND – CRANS-MONTANA MOROCCO – MARRAKESH New chalet built in 2018 with premium interior fittings. Can be sold as Typical Moroccan property set on 5 acres of grounds with 2 beautiful second home to someone not resident in Switzerland. CHF 5,800,000 swimming pools. 4 suites and 2 bedrooms. €2,500,000 +41 (0)27 588 03 74 +212 (0)5 24 43 32 00

FRANCE – HAUTE-SAVOIE FRANCE – PARIS 6 FRANCE - BORMES-LES-MIMOSAS Saint-Gervais-les-Bains. 3,229 sq ft chalet. Six Renovated apartment on the entire floor of an early Property implanted on 30,537 sq ft landscaped bedrooms. View of the Mont Blanc. €2,250,000 19th century building. 3 bedrooms. €2,950,000 plot, facing the Mediterranean Sea. €9,990,000 +33 (0)4 50 21 21 00 +33 (0)1 85 05 79 19 +33 (0)4 84 81 85 37

BARNES LONDON 113-115 Old Brompton Road - South Kensington SW7 3LE London, United Kingdom +44 (0)20 3641 3636 [email protected] www.barnes-international.com

KCW-DECEMBER.indd 3 05/12/2019 15:26 56 December 2019 / January 2020 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today www.KCWToday.co.uk

Advertisement & Public Notice

Find your dream DISCONTINUANCE NOTICE French home SECTION 14 OF THE GREATER LONDON COUNCIL (GENERAL POWERS) ACT 1969

AN APPLICATION has been made to Westminster City Council for planning permission and listed building consent to redevelop 430-449 Strand, 1 Adelaide St and 1-18 William Iv Street, Strand, London, WC2R 0QS. The proposal includes the discontinuance of the walkway at the existing basement concourse of the property (including access to the London Underground entrance) for retail and office development (19/06807/FULL and 19/06808/LBC).

THE APPLICATION may be inspected online via Westminster City Council’s planning portal www. westminster.gov.uk/planning-applications-decisions- archived-records ref: 19/06807/FULL and 19/06808/LBC or by contacting the Westminster City Council planning department.

Anyone wishing to make representations in respect of these proposals may do so in writing to the Director of Place Shaping and Town Planning, Westminster City Hall, 64 Victoria Street, London, SW1E 6QP within a period of 28 days from the date of publication of this Notice.

RETIREMENT LIVING & CARE HOME INFORMATION OPEN DAY Tuesday 21st January (2pm to 8pm) at The Lost Society, 339 Battersea Park Road, London SW11 4LS

Find out more about Eden Court, the luxury new retirement village and care home in Battersea – opening late spring 2020. Eden Court will provide one and two bedroom apartments along with wonderful facilities and services such as restaurant, bar, activities studio, fitness studio, concierge services and the reassurance of staff on-site 24 hours a day. Our exceptional care home offers the very best nursing, residential and dementia care.

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3 Table Top: Mobilise hip and shoulder joints, whilst challenging your core and How Pilates pelvic stability. • Place your hands directly under your can help you shoulders, with your knees bent and

directly under your hips. Reeve © Rosa Photographs if you suffer • Your pelvis and spine are in their neutral position to start. Osteoporosis • Breathe in to prepare, pulling in your By Rosa Reeve tummy and drawing your shoulder blades back and down to fix them on the back of the ribcage. • Exhale as you slide your left leg behind you, keeping your pelvis still. • Breathe in as you lift your right arm and left leg off the floor to hip height only, steoporosis is a health condition 1 1 making sure your spine pelvis and ribcage that weakens bones, making them stays still. fragile and more likely to break. • Exhale as you lower your leg and arm. Pilates used as a weight bearing exercise, O 1. Standing Squats: • Breathe in as you slide them both back to can significantly improve bone density as the starting position. well as prevent further bone loss. Pilates 2. Standing on one leg • Then repeat alternating the leg that slides will also help with postural awareness and arm that lifts. Do 8 reps slowly. and mobility, and is safe to do for people who already have osteoporosis with 3. Table Top Mobilise cervical and an instructor who is fully aware of the 4. Cobra Prep: thoracic spine. NB place a thin cushion adaptions needed. 4. Cobra Prep under the lower ribs and front of pelvis if you have osteoporosis Certain movements need to be avoided if 5. Side Lying Leg Series • Laying on your front: your arms should you have Osteoporosis. be at right angles to your body with fingers • Bending/flexing forwards in your in line with your nose as shown in the upper back. picture. • Also bending forwards with rotation • Legs slightly wider than hip width apart, to one side needs to be avoided, as there turned out from top of he hips. So heels in is a risk of fracture to your vertebra if you and toes turned out. Draw your shoulder do this. 2 blades back and down your spine as you Alternative: Keep your spine straight breathe in to prepare. and bend at the hips and knees for safe • As you exhale, sequentially lift your movement. Rotation of the spine can be head, neck and upper spine feeling each done, but keep your spine straight. vertebra lengthen forwards and up, feeling Rosa has put together some exercise your upper back. examples, which are safe and effective • Only go as high as you can without using to do if you have osteoporosis. For 30 your arms. minute free U tube video for exercises for • Breathe in at the top of the movement osteoporosis: pilatespluswellnesslondon u and then slowly lower down, vertebrae tube channel by vertebrae sequentially till the neck and www.youtube.com/ head comes down last. Repeat 8 times. watch?v=f2QMTMlgtuY&t=427s Rosa has been a Personal Trainer/ 3 3 Pilates teacher for 14 years and also is a 5. Side Lying Leg Series. (Place a supervising teacher/mentor for Pilates thin cushion under hips if needed.) teacher training with Body Control • Line yourself up with the back of your Pilates. Rosa gave up her career as a Neuro mat so your head, shoulders and hips are Radiographer to follow her passion in in a straight line. Pilates. • Bend your bottom leg so it is at right angles to your body, as shown in the picture. Your top leg straight in line with 1. Standing Squats: the rest of your body. Squats are a great weight bearing exercise. • Breathe in as you bring your top leg • Stand tall with feet hip-width apart. forward to where you can without moving • Sit your hips back as if you are sitting your ribcage, pelvis or spine. down into a chair and your weight is into • Exhale as you take your leg back to your heels as your knees bend. 4 4 where you can, keeping still in your centre. • The back of the head, back of the • Repeat this forward and back movement ribcage and the tailbone should maintain from the hip joint slowly 8 times. a straight diagonal line as you flex at the • Then hold your leg in line with the rest hip joint. of your body. • Then return to standing. Repeat 8 • Lift the leg a few inches keeping your times and do 4-6 sets. top waist long. • Lower the leg to hip height. Breathing 2. Standing on one leg: Pelvic in to lift and exhaling to lower. Repeat 8 stability, improve balance and posture. times. Repeat on the other side. Stand next to a wall if needed for balance. • Standing tall with your feet hip- width apart, pull your belly button into 5 5 Please consult your Doctor before your spine and take your weight into your exercising if you are new to exercise supporting leg. and have any medical condition or • Lift the other leg, flexing at your hip concern. and knee joint, keeping your pelvis, spine Use this video link to see the exercises in and ribcage as still as you can. Hold still action. For more details on these exercises, as balance. Then lower the leg. www.youtube.com/ well as information on classes and one- • Do 8 times on each side, alternating watch?v=f2QMTMlgtuY&t=427s to-one home sessions, please visit www. the leg that lifts. pilatespluswellness.com 020 7738 2348 December 2019 / January 2020 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today 59 Lifestyle & Health online: www.KCWToday.co.uk

Cardiovascular exercise is also known as aerobic exercise, examples are Physical activity swimming, walking, hiking, running, guidelines ball games, racquet sports, dancing, By Dr Raj Chandok water aerobics, gymnastics, martial arts and cycling. The guidances state that each week adults should aim to © Dr Raj Chandok Photographs accumulate 150 minutes of moderate intensity aerobic activity such as brisk walking or cycling, building up gradually from current levels. Those who are already regularly active can achieve these benefits through 75 minutes of vigorous intensity aerobic activity such as running or sports each week. Or a combination of moderate and vigorous intensity activities is also fine, moderate intensity activity occurs when the breathing rate is increased, but you are still able to talk, and vigorous intensity activity occurs when the breathing rate is "If physical activity were a increased to such an extent that you are not able to talk. drug, we would refer to it as a Strengthening activities, in miracle cure, due to the great particular, delay the natural decline in muscle mass and bone density which many illnesses it can prevent occurs in later life. Examples include and help treat.” UK Chief exercises such as yoga, pilates, tai chi, gardening, lifting weights, push-ups, sit- Medical Officers' Physical ups, and wheeling a wheelchair. Muscle Activity Guidelines* strengthening activities should be done at least two times a week. s the winter skiing season Balance training involves a arrives and we look forward to combination of movements that our family ski holiday in St. challenge balance and reduce the Moritz in mid December, I remember Above: Dr Raj Chandok engaging in moderate intensity aerobic activity likelihood of falling; the website www. A Below: Dr Raj Chandok engaging in vigorous intensity aerobic activity nhs.uk shows how to do simple balance my apprehensiveness the first time I was en route to ski some twenty years ago exercises that can be done at home, when I was in my mid-twenties. I was examples include sideways walking, on a train journey, a gentleman sitting heel-to-toe walk, one-leg stand and next to me in his late 60s told me how step-ups. he took up skiing for the first time at the Balance exercises should be done at age of 55; I remember this vividly as he least two times a week. described how he loved this challenge Susruta 600 B.C. of India and now and although he too had been Hippocrates 400 B.C. of Greece are two worried about the physical demands, physicians who long ago advocated the in the end all went well for him and he importance of exercise for good health, continued to ski every year since his first our increasingly sedentary lifestyles skiing experience. I was grateful for him require us, now more than ever to sharing his anxieties, but also he was engage in daily physical activities at all an exemplar of how age should not be ages, as the benefits are absolutely in a barrier to exploring new demanding no doubt. To achieve healthy ageing, physical challenges and activities. a pillar is regular physical activity, The importance of physical activity a combination of activity types as at all ages has been re-stated in the outlined in this article provides a holistic recently published guidance by the UK approach and achieves the optimal Chief Medical Officers. In adults, there benefits. is strong evidence to demonstrate the protective effect of physical activity on *UK Chief Medical Officers' Physical Activity the following: coronary heart disease, Guidelines, published 7 September, 2019 obesity and type 2 diabetes, mental health problems and social isolation amongst other conditions. The guidance Dr Raj Chandok, is a General specifies the volume, duration, frequency Practitioner and Commissioner working and type of physical activity required to deliver patient-centred, high quality across the various stages of our lives to Long Term Conditions care across attain health benefits. Any amount of North West London. physical activity attains benefits, hence even if you have had a particularly Dr Raj S. Chandok sedentary lifestyle, an effort to achieve FRCGP FRSA MSc MBBS DC any activity will be beneficial. DRCOG DFFP D Med Ed. Physical activity falls into following Principal, Dr G Singh & Partners principal domains: cardiovascular, Vice Chair NHS Ealing CCG strengthening and balance training. Honorary Professor Buckinghamshire New University 60 December 2019 / January 2020 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today www.KCWToday.co.uk Health Photographs © Cinnamon Photographs

Would you give 40% of your family’s wealth to the tax man?

Retirement Living & Care: Information Open Day In 2018, more than £5 billion was paid in Tuesday 21th January, inheritance tax to HMRC. Lost Society, Battersea, 2pm – 8pm With careful planning by qualified specialists, you can minimise the inheritance tax on your estate so your beneficiaries receive the CHOICES in retirement within the village offering a wide range of care services and with the fit and windfall, not the tax man. living or elderly care have, finish of a 5-star hotel. until recently, been relatively To help people learn more about this outstanding new facility for London, We are specialist in all areas of Estate Planning, limited between staying in Eden Court are holding an information your own home, downsizing open day on Tuesday 21st January at the including Tax, Probate and Lasting Powers of Lost Society (339 Battersea Park Road, to a retirement apartment or Attorney, talk to us today to plan for the future. Battersea SW11 4LS), 2pm – 8pm. moving into a care home. Zoe Williamson, general manager of Eden Court commented, “This event will give visitors the opportunity to taying in your own home may not view floor plans and computer generated be as easy as it sounds; dealing images of the properties, plus talk to the with stairs and the upkeep of a team about the wonderful services and larger house and garden might become facilities on offer.” Thomas Mansfield Solicitors S The open plan living apartments include too much work. Retirement apartments Legal experts in Inheritance Planning, may solve the problem of stairs, and an ergonomically designed kitchen with typically being smaller properties are granite worktops, built in wardrobe Powers of Attorney, Wills, Court of easier to manage but few offer the sort of within the main bedroom and stunning Protection and Probate. communal facilities and services which shower rooms. For additional peace of encourage an active social life and solve mind, each apartment has a 24-hour the problem of isolation. emergency call system which links to the Call today on 0203 994 7778 Eden Court Retirement Village and on-site team. Apartment prices range Care Home in Battersea which is due to from £400,000-£750,000. open in late spring 2020 offers a solution The exceptional care home includes For more information visit our website: to all these problems. The luxury en-suite rooms along with a small www.tmwillsandprobate.co.uk retirement village will provide one and selection of care suites, ideal for couples two-bedroom retirement apartments or those who are looking for more space. set in a friendly sociable community The care home will provide nursing and 8 Duncannon Street, Chelsea, WC2N 4JF with luxurious facilities and extensive residential care along with a dedicated services to help you enjoy and maintain community for those living with LONDON CITY WEST END KENT SURREY HAMPSHIRE your independence. These include a dementia. restaurant, bar, activities studio, fitness studio and hair and beauty salon along with a number of services to make life For more information contact Eden easier such as private transport. There Court on 020 3627 1849 or visit: is also the reassurance of a care home www.cinnamoncc.com/edencourt 020 7738 2348 December 2019 / January 2020 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today 61 Health online: www.KCWToday.co.uk

worldwide. However, while progress in developing targeted treatments now The cutting-edge allows many patients to live longer with I take my pill every morning, and I get on with my life’ drug discovery fewer drug-related side effects, some cancer cells evolve and adapt to survive Christine O’Connell, 47, from south-west London, was programme and resist treatment. diagnosed with breast cancer in December 2012. After To facilitate an ambitious research undergoing intensive treatment, she thought cancer was programme to tackle this challenge, outsmarting the ICR is constructing a state-of-the- well and truly behind her, until a scan revealed a secondary art facility at a second site in Sutton. tumour in her brain. She has now started a targeted cancer evolution The Centre for Cancer Drug Discovery treatment called palbociclib to keep the disease at bay. will bring together drug discovery and The drug works by blocking two proteins, CDK4 and CDK6, evolutionary scientists to explore how which help cancer cells divide. It was assessed in clinical to outsmart cancer by using its survival trials which the ICR helped lead. instinct against itself. The £75 million building will house a Researchers at The Institute of series of pioneering projects, with a focus Now, thanks to palbociclib, which avoids many of the side on overcoming or redirecting the process effects of traditional chemotherapy, Christine is able to Cancer Research, London, are of cancer evolution. The aim is to achieve keep up her passion, cycling: poised to outsmart cancer with long-term control and effective cures, “I’ve seen first hand the difference a targeted treatment just as comparable approaches have can make. My cancer is currently stable. I take my pill every the world’s first anti-evolution achieved with diseases like HIV. morning, and I get on with my life. 'Darwinian' drug discovery In this fantastic new facility, the ICR will overcome cancer drug resistance “I still cycle three to four times a week, which I could programme. in innovative new ways, creating a new never have done had I been on conventional therapy. This generation of treatments that will make year I did the Etape du Tour, an amateur event that follows a difference to millions of people with ince 2005 alone, scientists at The the route of one of the stages of the Tour de France, and cancer. completed the 365km ride from Manchester to London in a Institute of Cancer Research CEO Paul Workman says: “With (ICR), a charity and world-leading further research, we can find ways to day, as well as a 600km ride from Paris to . I’m Sresearch institution based in Chelsea, make cancer a manageable disease in not stopping there though! have discovered 20 drug candidates, 10 the long term and one that is more often “Palbociclib allows me to live a good life with cancer – and of which have entered clinical trials. curable, so patients can live longer and I want all cancer patients to have this hope and optimism One of the ICR’s drugs, abiraterone, with a better quality of life.” is now standard treatment for prostate for the future.” cancer on the NHS and is extending the For more information, visit lives of hundreds of thousands of men icr.ac.uk/letsfinishcancer 62 December 2019 / January 2020 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today www.KCWToday.co.uk Health

healing abrasions, and Galatea Ricketts, owner of the London Brow Clinic, who Kensington specialises in microblading and Irinia Lewis, a laser specialist from Best Laser MediSpa Room. In addition they will soon be joined By Max Feldman in 2020 by a respected nutritionist who has worked in the We are a Consultant Surgeon led Clinic industry for 15 years, building up a five Treatments available include: year waiting list for her services. Each one of these medical professionals were COSMETIC TREATMENTS hilst Kensington MediSpa only attracted by Kensington MediSpa out of • Thread-Lifts to reposition and lift sagging skin opened its doors a scant few a desire to work at the most professional • Anti-Wrinkle Injections months ago, already the LMS level that the industry can provide. As • Dermal Fillers to restore lost volume to the face brand spa stands out from competitors a result, a visit to Kensington MediSpa • Skin Boosters (Profhilo, Volite, Aquagold and Redensity) W guides clients with warmth and passion • Mole Removal as a deeply professional spa; one that • Thread Vein Removal takes their craft and their responsibility through the treatments which will • Aqualux fat dissolving injections seriously. Staffed with qualified ELEMIS suit them best on an individual basis, • Cryolipolysis (fat freezing) therapists, the belief guiding their craft is whilst eliminating options that might that nourishing skin and un-knotting the be unsuitable. With everything from WELLBEING body isn’t a luxury but a necessity; with a therapeutic massage to personalised • Colonic Hydrotherapy to alleviate the symptoms visit to the spa being closer to ELEMIS facials and full body spa options of IBS (bloating, gas, constipation and abdominal pain) self-investment than a treat available; Kensington MediSpa is an • Massage • Endosphere Therapy - compressive micro vibration treatment used to improve micro circulation Handpicked by the Royal Garden island of tranquillity and rejuvenation in and improve skin quality. This is used to treat cellulite and reduce fluid retention. Hotel for a position on their palatial Kensington. • Hair Lounge and beauty treatments premises, Kensington MediSpa combines • Acupuncture the medical and aesthetic sides of spa Kensington MediSpa treatment in a way that competing The Royal Garden Hotel COSMETIC GYNAECOLOGY spas don’t even attempt. Rather than 2- 24 Kensington High Street • Thermiva is a radiofrequency treatment for vaginal laxity, dryness and urinary incontinance wasting whole days cherry picking Kensington W8 4PT • O Shot uses platelet rich plasma therapy (PRP) to heighten sexual sensation. individual treatments at spas spaced Monday-Saturday 11.00-6.00pm • Desirial filler restores plumpness for the labia majora. out across London, Kensington MediSpa Sunday 11.15-4.00pm Online booking is now available from the website www.cosmetech.co.uk. has assembled a complete team of some 020 3441 9091 Receive 10% off your first online booking. of the most respected and passionate [email protected] professionals in the industry and can offer

Cosmetech Chelsea Private Clinic T: 020 7565 0333 not only completely individualised service, The Courtyard, 250 Kings Road, E: [email protected] but also an utterly uninterrupted range. London, SW3 5UE www.cosmetech.co.uk Some of the key members of the team include Dr Sabba who supervises aesthetic

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One of the biggest historical Society do not lend much credibility to Bad science misconceptions is that until recently photographic evidence. It is too easily most people believed that the world manipulated and altered.” By Fahad Redha was flat. The truth is that people have You’ve probably heard of always known about the shape of the ‘creationism’, the idea that the creation earth, whether because they see objects story from the ‘Book of Genesis’ is true 0623 Trekky © Photograph in the distance appear to drop as they and not Darwin’s theory of evolution. leave the horizon, such as a ship sailing There are movements in many States in away, knew they were standing on a the USA to teach it in schools either in spherical world. Contrary to another place of, or alongside Darwin’s Theory. popular belief, Christopher Columbus As with a ship falling over the horizon, had disagreed about how big the Earth farmers selectively breeding their flock was, believing it to be much smaller than could have known, to some degree, it actually is. about how it could work in nature. Over two thousand years ago, There may even be some evidence that Eratosthenes calculated the size of the a farmer from Perthshire may have planet with astonishing accuracy using thought up the theory before Darwin. nothing more than simple trigonometry. And finally, there’s the Indiana Pi Had Columbus known, we can only Bill. Squaring the circle is an ancient imagine how different history would mathematical problem that had already have been. been proven to be impossible by the Nevertheless, there are people to time Edwin J. Goodwin claimed he had this day that still maintain that science a solution. He had tried to copyright is lying to them and the planet is really the solution, though allowing the a flat plane. The Flat Earth Society state of Indiana to use it royalty free. boasts members all over the globe What he omitted was that his ‘solution’ who “continue the age-old tradition of had changed the value of pi to 3.2. questioning the Round Earth doctrine Thankfully his bill failed. and challenging authorities.” This is There are many more stories like quite benign as far as conspiracy theories these throughout history and even in go, especially compared with climate the world today, some of which make change deniers and anti-vaxxers. flat-earthers seem reasonable. The lizard That said, many of its members conspiracy theory springs to mind. But question both climate change and while we may laugh at individuals like even the moon landing. In response Goodwin, as long as they don’t become to pictures of the Earth, its FAQ page mainstream, we’re alright. says: “In general, we at the Flat Earth

hangover the next morning though. Christmas Piano with free songs It also has the lyrics on the screen so you Christmas Apps 101 Christmas Cake Ideas for For the musician in you, this app can sing along while you play. There are Android features a virtual touch piano with step plenty of musical apps but this one is By Fahad Redha You’ve had dinner and even a drink. by step notes for many Christmas songs. tailor made for the holiday season. What’s next? A festive cake. If you love to bake, this is for you. These recipes will put your skills to the test, as well as your creativity and imagination. With the holiday season Christmas Countdown for Apple underway we thought we’d

and Android Petts © James Photograph look at some of the festive The last thing you want this Christmas is to suddenly realise you apps available for download. have one shopping day left! With the Christmas Countdown you won’t have Perfect Christmas Dinner to worry about that. Choose from one Make the perfect Christmas meal of six characters, including a Santa or a with expert advice from professional chef reindeer, to keep you in the festive spirit tutors from Ashburton Cookery School, as you count down to the second until one of the country’s leading culinary the 25th. The app also features festive schools! This is the app that every tunes to help keep you in the spirit. Christmas Day cook needs. Whether it’s turkey, pigs in blankets, you name it, the A call from Santa for Apple recipe is here for you with simple step by Wouldn’t it be great if you can get on step instructions. It would be quite an the phone with Santa instead of relying achievement to get it wrong. on the post? What if you could just createanet.co.uk text your list directly to him? Well now you can. With this app you can even 8,500+ Drink Recipes for Apple get a phone call from the man himself Mix up your favourite drink to go and find out if you are on the naughty with your meal with this app. Search or nice list! For your children you can by name, everything from Martinis and simply enter their details such as age Long Islands to Lemon Drops and Mai and interests and schedule a phone call Tais. Or pick the random recipe function for them. You can even have Santa leave to make things a little more interesting. them a recorded voicemail. All you need are some glasses and a cocktail shaker. It won’t help with the 020 7738 2348 December 2019 / January 2020 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today 65 Science & Technology online: www.KCWToday.co.uk

detailed examples to support its claims. While debating on the opposition Robot wins side, which was advocating the overall debate about benefits of AI, Project Debater argued that AI would create new jobs in certain the dangers sectors and “bring a lot more efficiency to the workplace”. of artificial But then it made a point that was counter to its argument: “AI capabilities intelligence caring for patients or robots teaching By Max Feldman schoolchildren, there is no longer a demand for humans in those fields either.” The pro-AI side narrowly won, gaining 51.22 per cent of the audience n artificial intelligence has vote. Project Debater argued with debated the dangers of AI, humans for the first time last year, and narrowly convincing audience in February this year lost in a one-on- members that the technology will do one against champion debater Harish A Natarajan, who also spoke at Cambridge more good than harm. Project Debater, a robot developed as the third speaker for the team arguing by IBM, spoke on both sides of the in favour of AI. argument, with two human teammates IBM has plans to use the speech- for each side helping it out. Talking by-crowd AI as a tool for collecting in a female American voice to a crowd feedback from large numbers of people. at the University of Cambridge Union For instance, it could be used by on Thursday evening, the AI gave correct one, because morality is unique had sent in online. Project Debater then governments seeking public opinions each side’s opening statements, using to humans.” sorted these into key themes, as well as about policies or by companies wanting arguments drawn from more than 1100 “AI companies still have too little identifying redundancy; submissions input from employees, said IBM human submissions made ahead of time. expertise on how to properly assess making the same point using different engineer Noam Slonim. On the proposition side, arguing datasets and filter out bias,” it added. “AI words. “This technology can help to that AI will bring more harm than will take human bias and will fixate it The AI argued coherently, but had establish an interesting and effective good, Project Debater’s opening remarks for generations.” a few slip-ups. Sometimes it repeated communication channel between the were darkly ironic. “AI can cause a lot The AI used an application known itself, while talking about the ability of decision maker and the people that are of harm,” it said. “AI will not be able as “speech by crowd” to generate its AI to perform mundane and repetitive going to be impacted by the decision,” to make a decision that is the morally arguments, analysing submissions people tasks, for example, and it didn’t provide he said.

that can replace human bodily functions systems that automatically detect Nobel 2050, with the purpose of applying the using robotics or living organisms by Prize-worthy scientific discoveries by mechanism of hibernation in animals Japan pledges 2050. 2050. to humans .Among other matters, It is To address the country's growing The country also aims to establish believed that periodic hibernation will nearly £1 billion labour shortage, the program will seek artificial hibernation technology by help humans achieve greater longevity.. to develop technologies to completely for ‘cyborg automate work and eliminate the need for human intervention in agriculture, technology’ forestry and fisheries, as well as on construction sites, by 2040. Japan plans to recycle all emissions and waste generated from industrial The Japanese Government have activities by 2050, in an effort to strike announced among 25 other areas they a balance between environmental are putting their full weight behind restoration and humanity's development. Cyborg technology to restore bodily The government aims to help eliminate functions that have declined due pollution on the planet by 2050 by to aging, a technology to eliminate developing technology to automatically industrial waste from the Earth's collect and recycle ocean plastic. environment, and artificial hibernation.. The draft of the program sets out 25 Tokyo will invite research proposals areas for candidate moonshot projects in these selected areas and choose which on the themes of declining birthrate it will support for up to a decade, with a and aging population, environmental budget of 100 billion yen ($921 million) conservation, and "frontier development" for the first five years, a government using science and technology. The 25 source proclaimed. project areas have been given individual The research and development deadlines for achieving their goals, from program aims to attract researchers 2035 to 2060. in both Japan and from abroad by They will be ranked in order of demonstrating Tokyo's enthusiasm priority and the government plans to in promoting ambitious scientific start inviting submissions for research efforts to tackle major issues, including proposals as early as the end of this the declining birthrate and aging year. It will tap into new industrial population, as well as to develop new fields based on technical innovations, industries around the technologies these including the development of efforts create. The program, for instance, digitisation and artificial intelligence. will seek to realise a cyborg technology The country aims to develop AI robot 66 December 2019 / January 2020 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today www.KCWToday.co.uk Business & Finance

failure and external disasters. I is ‘just work harder or CAREERS remember being peripherally involved smarter’. Hold firm when in a project looking at what to do if our you get ‘push back’ as you data centre, sited in the flight path for challenge ‘both… and’ with © www.gotcredit.com Heathrow Airport, became a crash site ‘if … then’. Give priority to for an Airbus A380! activities that nurture and But do you need to accept that your refresh your spirit with joy, work will impose relentless stress and peace and love. that the only response is to learn to build I know that this can your resilience? When we are called to be the most hectic time ‘love our neighbour as ourself’ have we of year for many. There is forgotten how to love ourselves? pressure to get it done before This is not a call to a new narcissism Christmas and a requirement Making your or Epicurean self-indulgence. Rather, to squeeze in time for the this is about extending kindness, mandatory fun of Christmas Future Work gentleness and care to ourselves in the parties. However, there is Growing to love who you are same way that we offer such love to those no better time than now to most important to us. So, what are the get started. If you find that and love yourself too first steps you can take to realign your it is impossible to make these priorities? I see this as making choices small changes, perhaps you about what you stop, start and continue; should spend time over the your own personal traffic light system. holiday to re-assess your esilience is the new buzz word work style more radically. in management and leadership Stop: believing that all your work issues development. As a follower of can be solved by just working harder Growing to love Rthese fashions over the years, I am or smarter. This is a lie that makes you intrigued how quickly we have moved responsible for the unrealistic goals and who you are and love through emotional intelligence, spiritual ambitions of others. intelligence (yes, a blip you may have yourself too missed) and mindfulness to focus on Start: giving your managers and leaders Continue: doing those activities at resilience. clear choices: ‘if I do this then I can’t do work and outside work that bring you Like so much of our business culture, that: which do you want’; ‘if you want joy, peace and opportunities to offer love resilience is imported from the world quality then you need more budget and to yourself and others Charles McLachlan of technology where the term is used to more time’; ‘if you set unachievable Then build on these initial small Charles is founder of FuturePerfect and look at the extent to which IT systems targets for my team, it will impact steps. More consistently acknowledge the Portfolio Executive Growth Academy can survive various forms of catastrophic morale and your personal credibility when the underlying assumption www.portfolioexecutive.biz

(senior) case officers. Unusually HMRC Seasonal agreed to a meeting to discuss the review. Armistice We went straight By Doug Shanks in: what’s all this about additional information? The case officers were friendlily noncommittal. The Little John Handley is always penny dropped. Our client had turned on at me to be more positive HMRC’s view of about Her Majesty's Revenue how an aspect of a whole industry & Customs. I struggle because actually works. If any good is counterbalanced our client had been careless, which they by half a dozen examples of now accepted, how where the state is just evil … much was going under the radar across the Oddly enough (and I imagine this country? By listening applies to most firms) we have a great to what our client relationship with the Revenue who only do defendant work because you Credit where due, the client stuck to was saying, rather than beating them once described us as “honest polite can’t be all things to everyone; we don’t his guns and was prepared to gamble down over £500,000, HMRC now has and hardball”, on being amazed to be actually camp outside Nottingham. £10,000 on the tribunal despite our information to collect ten times that asked for a reference from one of our To go back to what John was saying pessimism. With the client’s help much, maybe a lot more, perhaps £150 COP(9) clients. If you don't know what about being more positive, recently, we produced considerable evidence million of tax missing in action. COP(9) is you probably don't need to tax interest and penalties hinged on supporting carelessness, or lack of Accountants aren’t political or on a know, but it’s a procedure for what the whether or not an action was deliberate knowledge (usually no defence). The crusade, they’re just defending clients, Revenue “may regard as fraud” (how or careless. The tax was due but whether inspector refused to budge so the file working with the state’s employees to very British). We’re just another funky it had been under reported deliberately was sent for independent internal review, help them do in human terms what firm of chartered accountants with a made a huge difference. At first HMRC prior to the tribunal. To our huge they want to achieve, and that is close slightly anti-establishment leaning, stubbornly stuck to their guns, and on surprise the reviewing officer came down cases fairly. Every now and again, like but for the tax-terrified we’re forensic a technical point we thought if it went on our side, but to our consternation mobile telecommunications and internet specialists defending tax fraud, hence to tribunal we’d lose. It was a gun-fight she seemed to leave it open for further shopping, tax accountants and HMRC the tortuous Robin Hood jokes. We and we were armed with water-pistols. enquiries, passing it back to the original show each other how good it could be. 020 7738 2348 December 2019 / January 2020 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today 67 Motoring online: www.KCWToday.co.uk

leaving others in its dust with in the French Alps on 3 January 2020. a few mid-engined supercars “Applying our own automotive design planned alongside its existing GT principles in the aerospace world is a cars. It seems only natural for an fascinating challenge and one that we iconic British brand to evoke the are very much enjoying,” Aston Martin

Photograph © Aston Martin © Photograph Concorde in its cars and with Lagonda Vice President and Chief British Airways celebrating its Creative Officer, Marek Reichman said. centenary, the partnership seemed “I’m looking forward to the reveal in the a match made in heaven. New Year so we can show everyone what The DBS Superleggera, the we have accomplished together.” firm’s current flagship (excluding Aston Martin has always had a close limited production models like connection not just with aviation but the Vulcan) will spawn a Concorde the RAF as well. Three of its four UK Edition. Limited to just 10 units, plants are built on former RAF stations, this V12 powered grand tourer Gaydon, Wellesbourne, and its latest “features a carefully judged location, St Athan in Wales where the selection of interior and exterior new DBX, the firm’s first SUV and design and trim modifications” replacement for the Rapide, will be built. reminiscent of the supersonic In November 2019, the firm plane. The side strakes, a unique announced Aston Martin Wings to feature in the DBS Superleggera, bring its aviation projects together. This are painted in the BA colours program will see its bespoke service, Q with the airline’s Speedmarque by Aston Martin, create limited edition he Concorde has gone down in logo. The car pays more tribute to models linked to aviation in the future. history, along with the Spitfire aviation with authentic jet black Civil “Aston Martin will always be Aston Martin and SR-71 Blackbird, as one of Aviation Authority (CAA) aircraft synonymous with aviation, from our the most instantly recognisable planes of identifiers and bespoke plaques signed wings logo to the heritage of our spreads its wings T by Aston Martin Lagonda President and manufacturing sites across the UK,” By Fahad Redha the 20th century. Half a century since its first flight and almost two decades since Group CEO Andy Palmer and British said Aston Martin President and Group its last, it remains one of the most iconic Airways Chairman Álex Cruz. CEO, Andy Palmer. “The Vanquish S things ever to fly. This comes just as Aston Martin Red Arrows edition was a great success While passenger airplanes haven’t signed a new partnership with Airbus for everyone concerned and I look progressed much in flight over the years, Corporate Helicopters. The pair will forward to seeing our future aviation- car makers are engaging in an arms race come together to combine automotive related special editions.” to make the speediest machine on four and aeronautical designs, with a new wheels. Aston Martin is one of those product set to be released in Courchevel

So when the blue oval decided it wanted to launch an electric car of its Mustang name own, it seemed only natural to make use of that success. But to many people’s for Ford’s first horror, the Mustang Mach-E is not a fastback coupe as we’ve become familiar EV with. Instead it’s yet another crossover Photograph © Ford Motor Company © Ford Photograph By Fahad Redha SUV! At first this would seem almost blasphemous. Even worse than when the Dodge Charger was revived in 2006 Ford’s history is filled with iconic as a four-door saloon. But actually, this nameplates, whichever Ford you’re might be one of the most business savvy familiar with. Australians tell stories moves the company has made in a long of the BA Falcon while here in Britain time. First of all, SUVs and crossovers it’s the RS Cosworths. But it’s America’s are all the rage now. In its home market Ford, the company’s true home, that Ford has actually pledged to cut its are known throughout the world. The lineup to just these, trucks, and the F-Series pickups are among the best- regular Mustang. This means that iconic selling vehicles on earth and Starsky models such as the Taurus, the great & Hutch ensured that the Gran Torino grandchild of the Gran Torino, will be a became a household name the world thing of the past. over. Second, why has it taken this long But it’s the Mustang that has become for the Mustang brand to be used like the firm’s most iconic model. Even the this? It has its own logo and is far Model T is not quite as recognisable by more recognisable than anything else the general public as the little muscle the company has made. If Porsche, car. It remains the only car to lend Lamborghini, and Maserati have taught station wagon on stilts. It wouldn’t stand Peugeot is doing with the 208 and its name to an entire genre of car; us anything, it’s that this scheme of out among the Rav 4s and X3s that 2008. You can invent an entirely new the pony cars, smaller siblings to the slapping a sports car badge onto a 4x4 litter any supermarket car park. There concept as with Chevrolet’s Bolt and full-size muscle cars, were named after is a genius one. The Cayenne, Urus, and have even been rumours throughout the Jaguar I-Pace, or even a new brand such the Mustang. The Camaro, Challenger, Levante have helped ensure a future for year of the Corvette getting the same as BMW’s ‘i’ cars. The Mustang Mach-E Barracuda, Javelin, and Firebird were all these niche brands. Of course, Ford is treatment. combines all of these and it’s safe to designed specifically to battle Ford, but as far away from a niche brand as it’s There are different schools of thought predict that Ford’s gamble will pay off the ‘Stang remains the most recognizable possible to be. But without the horse on about how to enter the EV game. You immensely, even if purists will continue and iconic of the breed. the nose, this would just be any other can electrify your current models as to hate it. 68 December 2019 / January 2020 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today www.KCWToday.co.uk Motoring

have avoided anything that might be seen as ‘predictable,’ like the Mini, celebrating its 60th birthday this year, the revolutionary Fiat 500 from the same era, and the Citroën 2CV, celebrating seventy. ‘We aren’t celebrating the car; we’re trying to understand it in a deeper, more nuanced way’, say the curators, in a deeper, nuanced way, and one can understand that there is more to the automobile than simply design and technology. Cars have had a colossal cultural impact on society, as well as art, fashion, marketing, manufacturing, travel and the enormous lasting effect they have had on the environment, and a large part of the third section is taken up with this topic. Looking into the rear-view mirror, we can see where it all went horribly wrong, with

Hispano-Suiza Type HB6 ‘Skiff Torpedo’. Photo by Michael Furman © the Mullin Automotive Museum the insatiable use of steel, chromium, rubber and, above all, oil. As we turn more and more to electricity to power our cars, we shall be more reliant on as the ‘Brooklands Speed Queens’, including Kay Petre and Jill Scott Cars: Thomas, and scenes from an attempt on the land-speed record on Bonneville Accelerating the Salt Flats in the streamlined Golden Modern World Arrow driven by Sir Henry Seagrave. V&A One of the hero cars is a 1953 General Motors Firebird, which owes more to Until 19 April 2020 the aeronautical than the automobile Admission £18 industry, with a bubble cockpit, short wings and a tailplane. ‘Designed strictly as an engineering and styling exercise, Firebird I was intended to determine his is a slightly odd show for whether the gas turbine could be used as the V&A to stage; one would an efficient and economical powerplant have instinctively thought of the for future vehicles.’ It wasn’t. With DesignT Museum or the Science Museum speed, however, comes danger, and there as better places to park this exhibition. It is a counter recording the number of is also an enormous subject to cover. It is people killed on the road around the only about 130 years since the first motor world, which, although dropping the French advertisement for Tatra 77. © V&A car turned a wheel, but the distance the UK, because of safety measures in lithium to manufacture the batteries we the car has covered in the intervening cars and roads, is still one of the leading cars’ low emissions. The EPA’s findings need. South America has vast reserves of years is truly staggering. Using graphics, causes of death across the world. It was covered 482,000 cars in the US only, lithium, known as the ‘lithium triangle’, photography, film, fashion, products clicking at a steady rate, registering including the VW-manufactured Audi thousands of square kilometres under and cars themselves, the exhibition well over a million in this year alone. and Skoda. But VW has since admitted the Uyuni saltflats, with Bolivia’s share attempts to tell the story of the car in Another counter registers the number of that about 11 million cars worldwide, put at 25% of the world’s resources, but three main chapters, starting with Going cars being produced globally, and that including eight million in Europe, are with an unstable government and the Fast, which explores our obsession was about one a second. fitted with this device. Now, the V&A threat to Bolivia’s already diminishing with speed, the liberating effect of the The sponsors of this exhibition are are under attack for taking money water supply, colossal amounts of motor car as a symbol of technological Bosch, the engineering and technology from the opioid-selling Sackler family, which are needed to extract the metal, progress and individual mobility. company, operating in mobility, so where are they to go looking for it does not look too bright. According Making More looks at production, consumer goods, industrial technology much-needed funds to mount these to an essay written by Lawrence Blair assembly lines and consumerism, while and energy, and building technology. extravagant exhibitions? in the exhibition catalogue*, currently Shaping Space investigates the global The V&A’s big, summer show back in Threre are some seriously beautiful Bolivia produces a mere 112 tonnes of influence of the car, how it has affected 2018 was sponsored by Volkswagen, cars on display, and, this being the lithium carbonate. Argentina produces the lansdcape through road-building who, three years before that, were V&A, some odd choices. One of 30,000 tonnes, while China digs out programmes to extraction of oil, as well exposed in a breathtakingly arrogant the stars is a 1922 Hispano-Suiza 70,000 tonnes, rising to 120,000 as climate change. The first chamber has global cheat, dubbed the ‘diesel dupe’. Type HB6, with a copper-riveted tonnes by 2021, nearly one-third of numerous clips from films, including In September 2015, the Environmental mahogany ‘Skiff Torpedo’ body by the global market. The smart money Steve McQueen in a Ford Mustang GT Protection Agency (EPA) found that Henri Labourdette. Another classic is following US tech, and Tesla, in 390 chasing two baddies in a Dodge many VW cars being sold in America is the advanced Czech Tatra T77, particular. Naturally, there are speed- Charger in Peter Yates’s Bullitt, a excerpt had a ‘defeat device’, or software, in with a rear-mounted V-8 air-cooled bumps in the road ahead for the lithium featuring the de Lorean in Back to the diesel engines that could detect when engine and pioneering streamlining, industry, which may be ‘sleepwalking Future, Bruce Willis’s taxi in The Fifth they were being tested, changing the designed by Paul Jaray and engineer into a tsunami of oversupply’. A bit Element, and another flying car sequence performance accordingly to improve Hans Ledwinka. Another rear-engined like a rabbit, or llama, caught in the from Blade Runner. There are other films results. The German car giant has since air-cooled German saloon is the VW headlights. projected onto large screens, including admitted cheating emissions tests in Beetle, designed by Ferry Porsche, Don Grant speeded up traffic in a Koyaanisqatsi- the US. VW had had a major push to which became one of the best-selling style clip, 1905 speed trials held in sell diesel cars in the US, backed by a car of all time, selling over 21million Cars: Accelerating the Modern World. the Isle of Man, an early Brooklands huge marketing campaign extolling its units in its 65 year life-span. Apart race featuring female drivers, known from these iconic motors, the V&A 224 pp. £30. ISBN 978-1 85177-967-3 020 7738 2348 December 2019 / January 2020 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today 69 online: www.KCWToday.co.uk Advertisement

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PUBLIC NOTICE Andrew’s Bridge Tips LICENSING ACT 2003 With Andrew Robson Licensing Act 2003: One of the advantages of playing a “Weak Notrump” - whereby a 1NT opener shows 12-14 points - is that a partner who opens Notice of Application for One of a Suit cannot have a minimum, balanced hand. Either he has extra points (15+) or a distributional hand with five(+) cards a new Premises Licence in the suit he opened (exceptionally a 4-4-4-1 shape). The corollary is that if partner’s bidding implies he is minimum for his opening bid, you should assume he has at least NAME OF APPLICANT: five cards in the suit he opened. Mr. Massimiliano Lopez ADDRESS OF PREMISES:South Deals ♠ K 9 4 2 West North East South South deals The Italians: WineN-S Food VulLtd ♥ 8 4 3 1 ♣ 27B Devonshire Street, N/S Vul London, W1G 6PW, ♦ K J 4 1 ♥ 1 ♠ 2 ♥ Pass THE LICENSABLE ACTIVITY: ♣ Q 10 4 Pass 3 ♣ Pass Pass The application is to permit for the ♠ A J 7 ♠ 10 8 5 3 Pass sale by retail of alcohol: N ♥ K 10 7 6 2 ♥ A Q J Monday-Saturday from WE 10.00 to 24.00, Sunday 10.00 to 22.00 ♦ A 9 ♦ 8 5 3 2 S Anyone wishing to make a representation ♣ 9 5 2 ♣ 6 3 to this application may do so by ♠ Q 6 Wednesday 8th of Jan 2020. A record of the application made to the Licensing ♥ 9 5 Authority will be kept on a register at the ♦ Q 10 7 6 address given below and the register may be inspected during opening hours. All ♣ A K J 8 7 representations regarding this application MUST BE IN WRITING and sent to: Licensing Authority, City of Westminster, The reason North felt safe in supporting his partner’s ♣s with only three cards was that South had passed over East’s 2♥ bid Policy Performance and Communication, implying a minimum opener, and was thus almost certain to hold five ♣s. City Hall, 64 Victoria Street, London SW1E West led ♥6 and the defence played three rounds of ♥s, declarer trumping the third. If he had drawn all the opposing trumps 6QP Or www.westminster.gov.uk. It is an at this point he would have gone down - with only one trump remaining and two aces to dislodge. Instead he led ♠Q at trick offence knowingly or recklessly to make ♠ ♥ ♠ ♠ a false statement in connection with an 4. West won A but, with dummy trumping s, played a second . Winning dummy’s K, declarer drew all the trumps, then application and is subject to punishable forced out ♦A. He made his contract - as would 2♥ by the opposition. by a fine of any amount on summary conviction for the offence. ANDREW’S TIP: Play a minimum opener to have five + cards in the suit opened. (Assuming a Weak Notrump is being played.) 020 7738 2348 December 2019 / January 2020 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today 71 Chess online: www.KCWToday.co.uk

and as it turned out, the final game, it’s as simple as CHESS So’s resilient still centre was unfluttered that!’ London, the by these desperate attempts to win by final setting for By Barry Martin Carlsen and he thwarted the World the world’s chess Champion by a win and So took the elite to decide the crown! winner of this The puzzle is taken from this game year long GCT So So wins with Wesley So, White, and Magnus engagement will Carlsen, Black. See the diagram and be interesting, not notation at the end of the column. least to see Carlsen’s However, Carlsen’s final demise in the philosophy put esley So won against stiff Fischer Random Tournament doesn’t into decisive action competition to take the detract from his march onwards and once again. The crown in the first FIDE upwards in the history of Classical finale in making the sanctioned Fischer Random World chess and furthering his position. His ‘Untouchable’! W latest scalp taken whilst playing in This month’s Chess Championship held recently in Norway. So only needed two wins from the Norwegian Chess League puts puzzle is taken the fast-rapid games, that formed part his unbeaten record now at 103 games from The of the contest to dispatch Carlsen and without loss! Another ingenious Fischer Random become the first Fischer Random Chess tournament is also underway: ‘Banter Tournament’s World Champion. The score ratings in Blitz Chess’, which can be seen live Wesley So v this unique and inaugural encounter on Chess 24.com which encases the Magnus Carlsen of the world’s elite where the starting Banter Blitz Cup, a 128 player knockout game, picks up position of the pieces is varied from competition where, “...all the players between bouts of intoxication, gorging where White has played 20.Rbe1,... game to game, were for Slow-rapid are required to stream their thoughts and such like, or even during, watch and Carlsen as Black is now looking games a win 3pts, draw 1.5pts; fast- as they play”. There is prize funding of and listen in; it really is absorbing and to hustle his opponent with threats rapid games, 2pts and 1pt; and Blitz, $50,000 with $14.000 for the overall coloured with asides and irony and to unseat his adversary through quick 1pt and 5 pts with the first player to winner. The games aren’t fixed into a humour! Anyone can switch on for play! What was his fairly obvious next reach 12.5 pts winning. As with any tight time schedule as the organisers the action and it is free to see and hear move, see diagram, but which failed to new style the finer detail is sometimes realise that some times aren’t convenient players’ thoughts, worries, strategies, shake or even stir So’s solid and tactical only revealed in the rules when a on-line for both players. Each game whoops in making good moves etc as it determination? particular incident occurs. And so it has sixteen 3 minute blitz games, with all happens, which is decidedly absent Answer upside down below. did in the semi-final between So and the first to reach 8.5 pts the winner. If from chess over the board contests

Nepomniachtchi where So wondered tied another 2-3 minutes and if that is where silence is the order of the day. creativity!’ of lot a there’s

if a player had to touch the King first tied 1 minute games are played until a This is a revolution needed, and a very deal, great a Random Fischer like I why

if castling ‘queenside’ because it was winner emerges. Hypothetically they good development for chess, the silent that’s art; is chess mainly me, To ‘ like,

already on the right square for castling, could carry on playing into infinity if sport, and a great use of our modern particularly I comment a with followed

or if a player should finally touch the they keep drawing games under such technology! He (NRK). easily’ me beaten have

rook first? The game had to be replayed a ruling, reminding us of early 19th PS. In watching one game of probably would he chess, regular were

and it was reported that Nepo was the century games where players could Magnus’, his camera fell down and he it if days, of couple bad a had ‘Magnus

more frustrated whilst So remained take any length of time between moves had to get up to rearrange it, but the said champion as success his following

fairly impassive at the thought. and sometimes adjournments with a show went on. Involuntary errors! modestly So, Carlsen. Champion

The final was very well supported sealed move from the player to make Despite Carlsen’s setback in not World their for support and eulogies

at the Henie Onstad Art Center to the the next move on restarting that game. winning the recent Fischer Random crowd’s home the despite Norway’,

consternation of the museum staff, who On occasions players could be at the Chess Tournament; normal service in figure popular ‘a immediately,

had to control the over-capacity crowd board for hours on end; 14 hours wasn’t has resumed for him being way ahead became interestingly and fans, and

eager to see their national hero. As it unheard of. in the rating points, as the last leg of media the by mobbed was So

was, Carlsen fell at the final hurdle to The more physically able and the Grand Chess Tour is played out in So. Wesley

So, and unlike in some sports such as mentally resilient players seeing off London, 2nd- 8th December during congratulated and resigned Carlsen

football where the home crowd are less their ‘weaker’ adversaries! In round the 11th London Classic Tournament, material. substantial winning and

than pleased to see their side lose, the 1 Magnus Carlsen 2876 won playing Kensington Olympia, (LondonClassic. a-file the on mate threatening 29.Rxf4!

Norwegians were applauding So at the GM Alan Pichot 2600, 9-3, and faced com). The world’s chess elite have 27.Qe5+,Ka8.28.Nf6!,Qf7. Nxg8!,Nxe1.

finish for his strength and deserved win GM Jimenez, Jose Fernando 2514 in ‘criss-crossed the globe’ competing for 25...Kb8.26. fork! White the with

in the final against Carlsen. the second round. A whole host of a combined $1,75 million prize fund! goes g-file the over command Black’s

Wesley So, American, it seems top players are competing including After 4 legs of the competition Carlsen’s and game the seals 25.Ne7+! move,

developed a hearty taste for Norway’s Svidler, Gata Kamsky, Lagarde, victorious run had already earned him next White’s However, f5. attacking

salmon whilst there and he commented Navara, and Gawain Jones is in play $205,000, with Ding Liren, $132,333 24.Kh1,Qd7 hustle. good a again Nf3+!

on its nutritional value in keeping up with IM Cernkaan Gokerkan as I and Maxime Lachier-Lagrave $100,000, 23.... bluff, his called Black 23.Nf5!...but

his strength and vigour during the write this column. A huge raft of Elo with Caruana, Aronian and Karjakin responded White threats! 22...g4.with

tournament. In fact he played the final 2600+ players from around the world also in the running as contenders attack pawn Queenside his continued

games extremely quickly.....and co- are participating and it is a successful moving into the final rounds. However, Black Regardless, Queen. Black’s on

ordinating with fluent ease. The first developmental use of the new electronic Carlsen is now being referred to as attack an in f5 or b5 to go to options

game against Carlsen ended in a draw age we live in. This competition enables ‘Carlsen the untouchable’ after the final with d-file the blockading 22.Ned4, no,

through repetition, with So in the a global input without physically day of the Rapid section of the 7th Alas sights. his in h2 had attack the into

stronger position, which gave Carlsen travelling to a destination with costs, stage of the GCT in Kolkata where he files g and f the on pawns advancing

the Herculean task of having to win all time, travel, accommodation etc, which scored 7.5/9 pts. A performance rating his get can he if and d2, attack to d-file

of the remaining fast-rapid games with often bars some players from competing. of 3032 Elo! This was acclaimed as the the on up doubling and knight his

a score of 3.5/4 to ‘force Armageddon’! I watched and listened to Carlsen highest rating ever seen in GCT events defending 21.Qc3,Qd6, with attack his

So’s stoic demeanour was rather like talking, or bantering as he played a until Tarjei J.Svensen commented that up kept Carlsen e5! attacking 21.Qc3,

the red flag waved at a raging black bull blitz game on Banter Blitz, Chess24. it was the second since Carlsen himself with active forces his kept and response

as Carlsen in desperation charged into com unveiling his thoughts on each scored 7.5/9 pts in Abidjan earlier this right the chose however So blunder. a

battle sacrificing and attacking So’s move he and his opponent made, and I year! Carlsen commented on his success, making into player lesser a forcing and

defences with the hope of disorientating found it very interesting, educational and ‘I think it’s all about confidence, that unseating possibly and Queen, White’s

the American and bringing the exciting. when you start out well you can allow Attacking 20.Rbe1,Kt.e5! Answer: Championship his way. In this game If over Christmas you have time yourself to relax more and take chances, 72 December 2019 / January 2020 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today www.KCWToday.co.uk Advertisement

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