Garden Square News SERVING CENTRAL LONDON’S COMMUNAL GARDENS VOL 24 ISSUE 1, SPRING 2019 Government may curb short let properties
Having peeled back restrictions on lets – such as making it affordable short-term residential property for more visitors to see London and lettings four years ago, local and creating income for property owners central government officials are now struggling to cope with the high cost scrambling to deal with the problems of living in London – have come that have ballooned under the looser multiple problems, including anti- rules. social behaviour by the renters, illegal Following the 2015 change of rubbish dumping, and a reduction laws governing short lets, popular in the amount of property available locations such as the City of for long-term residents. Westminster and the Royal The law requires that property Borough of Kensington & Chelsea owners can rent out their units for no (RBK&C) have seen a surge in more than 90 days before planning short-term lets. According to the permission is needed. But this is very campaigning website Inside Airbnb, difficult to enforce and many hosts in Westminster there are 6,164 exceed the 90-day limit. entire homes listed on Airbnb, the On April 23 London Mayor Sadiq dominant short let platform. K&C Khan, acting on behalf of six central Map courtesy of Inside Airbnb has 4,439 entire homes available. London boroughs, announced that Many of these are being offered he was calling on the Government to Airbnb accommodation is mapped out across the by a host who advertises multiple require anyone wishing to rent out Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea and the City properties. (In addition to these a property for less than 90 days to of Westminster (shown here and on page 19) The red numbers, there are many private register on a central data base so that dots show available short lets for an entire house or apartment, green dots show a private room. The blank rooms offered on Airbnb.) the 90-day limit can be effectively areas are largely public parks. Along with the benefits of short enforced. (continued on page 19)
Inside Hotel fight – page 5
Bug count – page 6
Fox logic – page 8
TV crews– page 12
Puck arrives – page 14
Rat traps – page 22 Alfe the cat’s owners say he often takes up this position to keep an eye on Lloyd Baker Street, the link between Lloyd Square and Granville Square, WC1. See page 16 to read about these quiet enclaves.
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69565_GS Newsletter 24Pp_2019_P1-11__31_5_19.indd 1 31/05/2019 15:50 Exceptional legal advice, whatever the weather
As primary legal advisers to the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea garden committees, we can advise on all legal matters including sub-committee member’s duties, ownership rights, access rights and more. Call our garden square expert Robert Barham on 020 7591 3386 or email [email protected] www.crippspg.co.uk
Capturing the early morning light
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69565_GS Newsletter 24Pp_2019_P1-11__31_5_19.indd 2 31/05/2019 15:50 Capturing the early morning light
ictorian builder William Willett was famous for building morning. When I happened on a graceful building in Cornwall high-quality structures and for promoting the adoption Gardens, SW7, I pulled out my iPhone and snapped this photo. Vof daylight savings time. According to his Wikipedia Later, when researching who had built the structure, known entry, he first got the idea for having summer days start earlier as Garden House, I was amused to find it was none other when he was riding his horse in suburban London early one than Willett. summer morning and noticed how many blinds were still down. Willett has another claim to fame – he was the great-great I was familiar with Willett, and had his love of early light in grandfather of Coldplay band singer Chris Martin. – Ed. the back of my mind when I set out on a walk on a bright May
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69565_GS Newsletter 24Pp_2019_P1-11__31_5_19.indd 3 31/05/2019 15:50 Table tennis anyone?
photo by Aaron Landeryou
You asked for it, you got it. Teenagers living around Connaught Square, W2, asked the garden committee for a table tennis table, pointing out that younger children had play equipment in the garden, but there was nothing for older children. The committee agreed, and the table pictured here was installed this spring.
he fashion for having table “The Committee thought that it was a If any garden residents feel ready to tennis tables in communal great idea to install a table tennis table pit their skills against other communal Tgardens is continuing to grow. which would appeal to all. We are garden table tennis teams, feel free to The latest one brought The fashion for fortunate to have the space to do so, contact Garden Square News at having table tennis tables in The The and it's a fun addition to the swings and www.gardensquarenews.com to lay fashion for having table tennis tables in playhouse we have already. A great result down your challenge. – Ed. communal gardens is continuing to grow. for everyone! We want to encourage all of The latest one brought to the attention of our residents to enjoy our little oasis in Garden Square News is the Cornilleau the centre of London.” 510 Static outdoor table (pictured here) Campden House Court Garden, W8, recently installed in Connaught Square, has had a table for many years. Garden W2. According to garden manager committee member Lynda Stubbings, Aaron Landeryou of Westbourne Block said, “We do still have our table tennis Management Ltd., it retails for about table, but it’s looking rather the worse for £700 and comes with a 10-year warranty. wear after several years – like so many bits of equipment it doesn’t get used nearly enough, which is a shame. It tends to Players have to be used more in the summer, and when supply their own families have friends around. It’s definitely worth having. There was a time years ago bats and balls. when we were trying to stop the children playing football, so they all became really Karen Scarborough, a Connaught good at table tennis. Then the enthusiasm Square garden committee member, said, wore off a bit the next year or two.” “We had a request via some of the older Other gardens with table tennis children in the Square if we could provide facilities include Pembridge Square, some activity, like table tennis. We are W2, and Barkston Gardens, SW5. This 2012 photo shows resident Alex Williams and his nanny Marife one of the few gardens that allows ball Cerado-Catolico playing in Campden games up to the age of 10 but this didn't House Court Garden on a table that cater for the older ones. had cost £450.
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69565_GS Newsletter 24Pp_2019_P1-11__31_5_19.indd 4 31/05/2019 15:50 Make it bigger, says London Mayor Khan
ondon Mayor Sadiq Khan has The hearing date on the proposal is set for delivered an emphatic rebuke to June 21 at the Greater London Authority Lresidents and local councillors who City Hall. objected to the size of a proposed twin tower complex to replace the existing Kensington Forum Holiday Inn on the Cromwell Road, Warnings of a “toxic” SW7 (GSN Autumn 2018). He wants it to garden square be even larger. The mayor maintains that too few homes, including affordable homes, are being Nearby residents who have formed a large built in the Royal Borough of Kensington and strident protest group are challenging & Chelsea (RBK&C), so his planners the proposed development on numerous have negotiated with owners Queensgate grounds, including the assertion that such Investments and developers Rockwell a massive set of structures would seriously Property to raise the number of housing damage what is currently a low-rise units in the Ashburn Gardens complex neighbourhood characterised by historically from 46 to 62, and make them all qualify important architecture. for “London Affordable Rent”, which Health is a concern too. Dr. Laure de means below market rent. Preux of Imperial College of London, To achieve this, a medium-rise section a specialist in environment and health of the complex adjoining the towers will economics, told the Mayor’s planners at a have two storeys added to its height. The recent meeting that the proposed garden two taller tower sections are 30 stories square next to the towering complex would and 22 storeys high. If the plans are be “toxic” and the areas nearby would be approved, the complex will have 749 hotel compromised too. The tall wall would bedrooms, 340 serviced apartments along trap the pollution created by the heavy red The view of the Holiday Inn from the with the 62 residential apartments and a route traffic on the Cromwell Road, and Natural History Museum, showing how it already impacts the skyline. conference centre. concentrate it. (continued on page 22)
On May 15th developers presented this scale model of how the proposed complex would ft into the neighbourhood.
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69565_GS Newsletter 24Pp_2019_P1-11__31_5_19.indd 5 31/05/2019 15:50 Expert bug counters come to Wetherby Gardens
Natural History Museum insect expert Max Barclay and student volunteer Sofa Riccomagno examine their umbrella to see what insects have fallen from the branches they shook.
esponding to an invitation from collecting baskets then used sticks to bellied Australian ladybird Rhyzobius Garden Square News, insect tap tree and bush branches to make forestieri, which was first found in Rspecialists from the Natural specimens fall into their baskets. They Britain in 2014 in the Museum's garden, History Museum and volunteers from spent several hours in the garden on a and several other ladybird species. We Imperial College in South Kensington sunny May afternoon. found the Clay Coloured Vine Weevil recently went to nearby Wetherby (Useful tip for would-be bug hunters: Gardens, SW5, and literally “beat the when one of the students asked how bushes” to see how big a variety of insects to gently capture a fast-moving tiny the two-acre communal garden hosts. specimen, Mr. Barclay advised her to At least 21 different species is the lick her finger then touch the prey. It answer, according to the preliminary would usually stick to her finger, he results provided by Max Barclay, the said.) Natural History Museum’s Senior Here is their report: Curator in Charge of Coleoptera “The highlights of our findings (beetles). He said he was pleased with the included three species of ant, one findings overall, although he regretted of which, the 'banded ant' Lasius Student volunteer Sofa Riccomagno the lack of butterflies. emarginatus has very few records from (left) and NHM curatorial assistant Katy Potts (right) carefully pass a To collect the samples, the team the UK. bug called Otiorhynchus singularis members each spread their cloth “We also found the small black and red between them.
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69565_GS Newsletter 24Pp_2019_P1-11__31_5_19.indd 6 31/05/2019 15:50 Otiorhynchus singularis, and another wide range of non-native species, rather few butterflies –we don't recall emerald green leaf weevil Polydrusus including many recent colonists. This seeing any. This is really what we would formosus. largely reflects the majority of non-native expect, though some of the larger gardens “A number of shield bug and true bug plants in the garden. Few native species leave small areas aside for wildflowers or species were found including Juniper of insects were reported.” native vegetation and this of course leads shield bug Elasmostethus tristriatus and “A selection of bees were noted but to a marked increase in biodiversity. Most Cypress Bug Orsillus depressus, as well butterflies, for example, require native as the Plane Tree Bug Arocatus longiceps plants for their caterpillars (nettles, wild and the recently introduced plant bug crucifers etc.) so will do much better Closterotomus trivialis. in gardens where a small area has been “A small longhorn beetle and a number left aside for nature”. of flower beetles were beaten from a Mr. Barclay said, “We would surely flowering Sorbus tree. be interested to visit other communal “Two species of bumble bee were noted gardens. The comparison with the – Bombus terrestris, the buff-tailed Museum's Wildlife Garden is extremely bumble bee, and Bombus hypnorum, the These containers are used to hold interesting. Gardens can contact me tree bumble bee.” the interesting bugs the survey has at [email protected] to arrange The researchers added: “We found a turned up. a visit.”
Preliminary results: Pollen beetles (family Nitidulidae): Bombus hypnorum, Honey Bee Apis Epuraea ?aestiva, Meligethes aeneus mellifera Beetles Plaster beetles (family Latridiidae): Longhorn Beetle (family not yet identified True Bugs Cerambycidae): Grammoptera ruficornis Minute beetles (family Corylophidae): (Order Hemiptera): Cypress Bug Ladybirds (family Coccinellidae): not yet identified Orsillus depressus, Juniper shield bug Australian ladybird Rhyzobius forestieri, Elasmostethus tristriatus- both of these Harlequin ladybird Harmonia axyridis, Non-Beetles on a range of ornamental conifers. Grass 2-spot ladybird Adalia bipunctata Ants (Order Hymenoptera: family bug Closterotomus trivialis, a recent These include two introduced species, Formicidae): Banded ant Lasius arrival but becoming common. one of Australian and one of east emarginatus, black garden ant Lasius Plane tree bug Arocatus longiceps. Asian origin, and the familiar 2-spot niger, tree ant Lasius brunneus. Of these ladybird Adalia. emarginatus is a recent colonist with very Garden Square News would like to Weevils (family Curculionidae): few records, and brunneus is generally thank Max Barclay and his curatorial Clay coloured vine weevil Otiorhynchus associated with old trees and good assistant Katy Potts, plus Imperial College singularis, Green leaf weevil Polydrusus quality woodland (but appears to students Sofia Riccomagno and Ioan Evans formosus be spreading) for conducting this survey. Flower beetles (family Scraptiidae): Bees (Order Hymenoptera: Family Anaspis regimbarti, Anaspis lurida, Apidae): Buff Tailed Bumble Bee Anaspis maculata Bombus terrestris, Tree Bumble Bee
What a sweep of the branches reveals to be living in the garden’s vegetation.
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69565_GS Newsletter 24Pp_2019_P1-11__31_5_19.indd 7 31/05/2019 15:50 How foxes think
photo by Dani Clarke
Dora the fox cub
ome see them as a way to control the company controls the animals in a shout” the fox will run out and generally London’s rats and mice, others humane way, primarily by encouraging won’t go back. Sregard them as dangerous vermin. them to go elsewhere. They create a strategic network to Love them or hate them, urban foxes The foxes aren’t dangerous to humans, survive. Foxes will have one main den, are a fact of life in London. They are she said. A curious adolescent fox might or “earth”, and then up to four other numerous too – in a recent study, experts very occasionally wander into someone’s earths to serve as back-up homes if their at the University of Brighton who used house, but if the occupants “scream and main residence is threatened, Ms. Owen radio tags to study fox ranges and social groups estimated that there is one animal for every 300 urban residents in England. In London, they calculate there are 18 foxes per square kilometre. “Try to live alongside your foxes. They rarely cause any real harm.”
For the past 10 years a firm called Fox-A- Gon has been dealing with unwanted urban foxes, and has recently been called in to help at Nevern Square, SW5, Cleveland Square, W2 and Norland Square, W11. Hannah Owen, photo by Dani Clarke the firm’s wildlife consultant and business coordinator, spelled out how A cub at The Fox Project refuge
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69565_GS Newsletter 24Pp_2019_P1-11__31_5_19.indd 8 31/05/2019 15:50 explained. These other homes are not box so that the vixen, who is usually close deterrent called Resizt which requires a very close to their main home, because by, can come and retrieve them later and license to use. The Resizt scent indicates if they have to flee they want to have a take them to one of her other dens. “We to a fox that another fox has taken over refuge a good distance from the threat. always find dogs’ toys and tennis balls and its territory. How foxes think The animals routinely make the rounds even women’s knickers from the washing In a communal garden, residents can to check on their various alternative line” in the dens, said Ms. Owen. reduce the fox presence by breaking homes to see if anything has changed, If the vixen hasn’t come back for the down the compost heaps into smaller to source food and water, and to mark cubs by morning (or within 48 hours compartments, and using the garden their territory. when older cubs are involved), the Fox- more so that the cubs don’t have free Foxes are not strictly nocturnal, she A-Gon employee will come back for range to damage plants. Overall, she said, said, but their sleep patterns differ from them and take them to The Fox Project “try to live alongside your foxes – they those of humans. They sleep for only in Kent. rarely cause us any real harm”. a few hours at a time. People are most To deter foxes the company uses a Ms. Owen said Fox-A-Gon has five aware of foxes during their December- variety of techniques, such as installing employees and offers a 9am to 5pm free January mating season, when their wire mesh to keep them from building advice line. Details about the firm can mating cries can resemble the sound of a den under a shed, using a motion- be found in the autumn 2018 issue of a creature being murdered, during the triggered “water scarecrow” which is Garden Square News and on the “Service spring when the cubs emerge from the deployed over a three-week period, and Providers” page in the GSN website, den and can cause damage in a garden, laying down an aluminium sulphate www.gardensquarenews.com. and in September when adolescents leave their parent’s territory and walk across roads. Some of these cubs learn how to navigate the traffic, and others don’t, becoming road fatalities. “We find dog’s toys and tennis balls and even women’s knickers from the washing line.”
Within their urban habitats, foxes often come into contact with dogs and cats. Ms. Owen recommended that in gardens where there are old and frail dogs and cats, it is better to keep these elderly pets under close control in case a fox decides to confront them. Sometimes the dynamics work in a different direction. “Some foxes are nervous and won’t go into a garden with dogs or dominant cats,” said Ms. Owen. When Fox-a-Gon is contacted and asked to sort out a fox problem, the customer will first be asked if they have tried the fox repellent product called “Scoot” if the foxes are not actually living in the garden. If the foxes reside in the garden, Ms. Owen said “we will establish what is going on, locate the dens and dig into them until all the chambers are exposed.” When the excavation is carried out, the vixen generally leaves of her own accord,
hoping to draw the intruders away from photo by India Barford her cubs. If the dig reveals that the cubs are present, they are placed in a low-sided Hannah Owen
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69565_GS Newsletter 24Pp_2019_P1-11__31_5_19.indd 10 31/05/2019 15:50 Heythrop College decision appealed
The luxury retirement complex proposed for the area behind the southern side of Kensington Square, W8, has been turned down by Deputy London Mayor Jules Pipe. The development would stand on a 2.6-acre site, known as Heythrop College, which housed college-linked buildings once owned by Jesuits of Britain. It would have been one of the largest individual housing developments in Kensington in the last 10 years (GSN Spring 2018). The plans were approved by the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea’s Planning Committee last year, but the Mayor’s planning office ruled on April 23 that the proposals didn’t contain enough affordable housing. They recommended that the Royal Borough should work with the developers, Westbourne Capital Partners, to maximise affordable housing across the site. However, Westbourne is appealing the decision. Johnny Sandelson, a director of Westbourne, told Garden Square News, “We are really excited about our plans for Heythrop College. The mayor’s decision has had the effect of delaying our plans until the outcome of the appeal, but we remain very confident of a positive outcome and the future development.” The appeal will be made to housing secretary James Brokenshire. Artist’s view of a central garden within the project.
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69565_GS Newsletter 24Pp_2019_P1-11__31_5_19.indd 11 31/05/2019 15:50
22 23 ights, action, Scotland! Communal garden squares in Edinburgh may soon become a familiar sight on your LTV screen. A recently-published novel called Belgravia is being made into a TV series by ITV, in cooperation with author Julian Fellowes, the creator of Downton Abbey. Drawing on artistic license, the producers plan, when necessary, to have the filming-friendly squares of Edinburgh stand in for the squares of London’s Belgravia. The dramatic Georgian architecture of Moray Place, for example, (pictured right) can give SW1 a run for its money. A spokesman for the production said, “filming will take place at a range of stunning Victorian locations in London and the home counties, Edinburgh, Bath and Northumberland.” The six-part series focuses on “the secrets and scandals” of upper-class Londoners in the 19th century. The residents of the Scottish squares are looking forward to
the television series, said Fiona Young, chair of the group of four Moray Place, Edinburgh linked communal garden squares collectively called Lord Moray’s Feu. Together they offer 11 acres of green space. Mrs. Young said, “I believe the producers of Belgravia will Editor Holly Smith. A feu is a Scottish term meaning a piece of be using special effects to make our buildings look like land with special property-related conditions attached to it, and white stucco.” the feuars are the people who have bought properties within She kindly provided a tour of the Feu for Garden Square News the feu. BELGRAVIA – the novel and TV adaptation What the critics said about the novel Belgravia – “‘A modern classic that will fill any Downton-shaped hole” – the Daily Express According to ITV officials, “The limited series reunites the award-winning creative team behind Downton Abbey; with Julian Fellowes adapting his bestselling novel for the screen and Carnival’s Gareth Neame executive producing alongside Nigel Marchant, Liz Trubridge and Fellowes. John Alexander (Sense & Sensibility, Trust Me) will direct all episodes with Harriet Walter Julian Fellowes Colin Wratten (Killing Eve) producing. “The team is joined by a stellar ensemble cast including Tamsin Greig (Episodes), Philip Glenister (Mad Dogs), Harriet Walter (The Crown) and Alice Eve (She’s Out Of My League), Tara Fitzgerald (Game of Thrones), Ella Purnell (Miss Peregrine’s Home For Peculiar Children), Richard Goulding (The Windsors), James Fleet (Four Weddings and a Funeral), Adam James (Band of Brothers), Paul Ritter (Friday Night Dinner) and Saskia Reeves (Luther)."
The novel is published by Orion Publishing
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69565_GS Newsletter 24Pp_2019_p12-24_30.5.19.indd 12 31/05/2019 15:52 Kensington Gardens Square Fiona Young, chair of the garden committee overseeing Lord Moray’s Feu The retaining arches at Bank Gardens
There are three conventional squares – what is on offer. Mrs. Young said that they While Moray Place Moray Place Gardens, Ainslie Place greatly benefi t from the advice provided and Bank Gardens Gardens, and Randolph Crescent. The by Dr. David Rae, retired director of are models of what fourth, called Bank Gardens, lies behind Edinburgh’s Royal Botanic Garden. a garden square “On his quarterly visits he spends a full can be, adjacent The attractions of the morning walking round advising us Ainslie Place is where we can improve.” somewhat marred This Roman-style temple guards gardens are many According to the history section on the by having a heavily- St. Bernard’s Well at gardens’ website, www.morayfeu.com, the used road next the western border of Bank Gardens. the houses on the western side of the land was originally the mansion house to it. Randolph squares, dipping down steep slopes to the and grounds of the Earl of Moray. By Crescent Garden stands on a high base scenic river called Water of Leith. Some 1822, with the city growing around – it may have been built on top of spoil key holders are allowed to use all four him, he decided to knock down the from the construction of nearby houses, gardens, but the title deeds of some of mansion house and develop the land for according to the website’s history section. the houses restrict those occupants to just housing. “His architect, James Gillespie A large air raid shelter was built in its certain gardens, although they can apply Graham, produced a grand layout plan centre during World War II. to purchase wider access to all four. for proposed houses, streets (named after The gardens are all part of Edinburgh’s The attractions of the gardens are many the Moray family) private gardens and New Town, considered a triumph of – beautiful landscaping, new play communal gardens.” city planning. equipment, pick-your-own herb gardens, table tennis, croquet, a bike shed, bee hives, dramatic arches that keep the steep bank in place; wildlife including Fiona Young’s recommended reading list foxes, bats, hedgehogs and a tawny owl; The Making of Classical Edinburgh by A J Youngson 1966. The “classic” book, awnings that can be rented out, and though there are some minor errors in the sections about the plenty of parties. The most recent AGM Moray Feu. report tells of a successful Christmas party, Burns Night celebrations, “The The Care and Conservation of Georgian Houses edited by ENTCC. Fourth Big Lunch” day, a garden party during the edition 1995. Edinburgh Festival, and a garden open day in May. The Edinburgh New Town Gardens by Connie Byrom. 2005. Essential reading. As if this wasn’t enough, at the bottom of the Bank Gardens, just over the NO more Corncraiks by Ann Mitchell. 1998. History of the early owners. boundary marking municipal property, stands a Roman-style temple housing the Spurtle Broughton’s Independent Stirrer. goddess of health, Hygeia, standing over a natural spring called St. Bernard’s Well. The Care and Conservation of Shared Georgian Gardens by John Byrom. The gardens are attractively planted 2018. The Word Bank and Edinburgh World Heritage. but residents are working on improving
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69565_GS Newsletter 24Pp_2019_p12-24_30.5.19.indd 13 31/05/2019 15:52 Kensington Gardens Square Dreaming of Shakespeare in the garden squares
Midsummer Night’s Dream, one Leopold (Lysander/Starveling), Riad of Shakespeare’s best-loved Ritchie (Demetrius/Snout), Hannah Aplays, and one particularly Sinclair Robinson (Helena/Flute) and suited to staging in a garden setting, James Tobin (Puck/Philostrate). will be presented in 19 different London According to the company’s garden squares and parks this summer by spokesman, “Shakespeare’s wild play the Shakespeare in the Squares troupe. of love and magic is transplanted to The not-for-profi t touring company 1920s Britain, a country bruised by Paul Giddings will play Theseus “aims to provide a showcase for talented battle and economic hardship where our and Oberon. young theatre practitioners and to lovers chafe against the constraints and introduce audiences to the stars of the conventions of an older generation and future”, according to spokesman Martin seek to fi nd freedom in the forest”. Neild. Many of the actors from previous The company’s previous productions, As productions have gone on to perform You Like It, Romeo and Juliet and Much with mainstream companies, he said. Ado About Nothing, performed to sell-out This will be the group’s fourth season, audiences. This year the Leinster Square, and will run from 19 June to 11 July. W2, production is already sold out. The cast, directed by Tatty Hennessy, Tickets cost £27.34 for adults, £19.97 will be Gemma Barnett (Hermia/Snug/ for students and £14.18 for children, Fairy), Paul Giddings (Theseus/Oberon/ including the booking fee, and Quince), Jodie Jacobs (Bottom/Egeus), can be obtained via the website Sioned Jones will play Hippolyta Sioned Jones (Hippolyta/Titania), David www.shakespeareinthesquares.co.uk. and Titania. TIMES AND PLACES All performances at 7pm unless stated
Wednesday 19 June Leinster Square, W2 Thursday 20 June St James’s Gardens, W11 Friday 21 June Norland Square, W11 Westbourne Saturday 22 June Queen's Park, NW6 Block Management Sunday 23 June Camden Square, NW1 Tuesday 25 June Arundel and Ladbroke Gardens, W11 2EP Specialist Garden & Property Managers (press night – nearest tube stations are Ladbroke Grove and Holland Park) Wednesday 26 June Paulton’s Square, SW3 We currently work with 19 private communal gardens and Thursday 27 June St James’s Square, SW1 houses in London, helping with: Friday 28 June Paddington Street, W1 (3pm matinee) Paddington Street W1 (7pm evening) Events Management Saturday 29 June Little Wormwood Scrubs Park, W10 Access & Parking Systems Sunday 30 June Ladbroke Square Gardens, W11 Long-Term Management of Garden Trees Tuesday 2 July Cornwall Gardens, SW7 Accounts & Invoicing Wednesday 3 July Connaught Square, W2 Residential Block Management Thursday 4 July Elgin and Arundel Gardens, W11 Friday 5 July Bedford Square, WC1 Call us to find out how we can help you. (part of the Bedford Square Festival)
Saturday 6 July St Peter’s Square, W6 19 Eastbourne Terrace, London, W2 6LG Sunday 7 July The Courtyard at le Gothique, Royal Victoria [email protected]ㅣ020 3626 0094 Patriotic Building, Wandsworth, SW18 (3pm matinee) Tuesday 9 July The Courtyard at le Gothique, Royal Victoria Patriotic Building, Wandsworth, SW18 (7pm evening) Wednesday 10 July Formosa Garden, W9. (NB GARDEN) Thursday 11 July Cleveland Square, W2
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69565_GS Newsletter 24Pp_2019_p12-24_30.5.19.indd 14 31/05/2019 15:52 A widow’s gift restored
his recently restored Victorian water fountain stands beside the eastern gate of Portman Square, W1. It Twas placed there in memory of Sir James Hamilton, Bart., shortly after his death in 1876, by his widow, working in partnership with the Metropolitan Drinking Fountain and Cattle Trough Association. The Hamilton Baronetcy of Woodbrook was created in 1814 for Lt. General Sir John Hamilton, who served the East India Company and later was attached to the Portuguese army in the Napoleonic Wars. His son James, the second baronet, seems to have been less distinguished, but may have been a pious man. His widow had verses from the Bible inscribed on his water fountain monument, including: “The memory of the just is blessed.” (Garden Square News readers should not confuse the baronetcy with the other 18 baronetcies honouring persons with the name Hamilton since 1627.) Portman Square itself was laid out in 1780 and some of the aristocratic houses that were built around it still stand, including number 20, designed by Robert Adam for the Countess of Home and now a private club. The 2.5-acre community garden has a tennis court (including netball lines) and play equipment for children and is Grade 2 listed. It forms part of the Portman
Estate, which funded restoration of the water fountain. photos by Neil Osborn
Portman Square’s Victorian fountain has been restored to working order.
Garden Square News sampled the water, and it runs clear and cold as originally intended. Animals are still provided for by a trough, although not a trough of sufficient size for cattle. – By Neil Osborn
The fountain was sponsored by Sir James’s widow.
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69565_GS Newsletter 24Pp_2019_p12-24_30.5.19.indd 15 31/05/2019 15:52 Lloyd Square garden committee treasurer Rod Barr takes a pinch of rosemary for his Sunday lunch.
By Neil Osborn he first surprise Lloyd Square, A peaceful enclave WC1, springs on the visitor is Tits quietness. The community garden is very close to the thrum and kerfuffle of the roads that serve King’s a stone’s throw Cross and St Pancras, but maintains a dignified calm. Then there are the pedimented late- Georgian villas that march around the from King’s Cross trapezoidal enclosure: unusually for the
Granville Square, just west of Lloyd Square, opens its garden to the public and has a large fenced sports area.
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69565_GS Newsletter 24Pp_2019_p12-24_30.5.19.indd 16 31/05/2019 15:52 London of that period they are low-built and therefore appealing to those tired of climbing stairs in the five and six-storey houses built elsewhere in the 19th century. Lloyd Square, along with nearby streets and a second garden, Granville Square, are all located on sloping land that once belonged the priory of St John in Clerkenwell but came into the possession of Dr William Lloyd, son of Bishop Lloyd On a Granville Square bench dedicated to Dee Butterly, “Our lovely Mum”, three white roses were woven into the slats on Mother’s Day.. of Worcester, in the late 1600s. The Lloyd Baker family, as they became, developed visits, and making it her business to get to its system, plus pipes for the further the squares and houses between 1819 and know her tenants. According to her friend distribution across the city. Nearby 1843. They kept possession until 1979, and obituarist Stella Newton, she 'took street names recall this: River Street when the estate was sold. Some of the an equal interest in their budgerigars, and Amwell Street – Amwell being the houses went to Islington Council and incunabulae [sic] and aunts in Australia, Hertfordshire village where springs Granville Square became a public park though she often found it difficult, feed the New River and the River Lea. and playground, while Lloyd Square is after consuming spaghetti at four in the The 400-year-old system is now part of now a communal garden for individual afternoon with a tenant of Italian origin, Thames Water.) freeholders and other residents living to do justice to tea and muffins in each of Today Lloyd Square is a well-kept around it. three adjacent houses." garden, with a pergola at its centre and an There may be those who still remember (The Lloyd-Bakers had an important ancient plane tree as a point of interest. Olive Lloyd-Baker, who owned the neighbour: the New River Company, There are herbs too: garden committee estate until her death in 1975. The the 17th century concern that completed treasurer Rod Barr paused while showing Survey of London has this to say: "A life- a channel in 1613 to bring fresh water Garden Square News around to pick long spinster, Olive Lloyd-Baker ran the from Hertfordshire to London. Very some rosemary to flavour his Sunday estate inTIm an almost maternalistic Ge manner, rge near Lloyd Square were the New River lunch. (Presumably roast spring lamb, keeping the rents moderate, paying regular Company’s reservoirs at the end of but GSN failed to inquire.) TREE SERVICES LIMITED
TIm Ge rge TREE SERVICES LIMITED Helping to Maintain London’s Trees Local authority approved contractors, maintaining trees in communal gardens in Westminster & Kensington and Hampstead. All aspects of tree surgery undertaken, including; crown reduction, felling and dismantling, hedge cutting, stump grinding, tree planting and London plane tree health & safety checks. • References available on request • Full PL insurance £10 million • No job too small Call:07788 800956 Tel: 01737 844974 or email [email protected]
The late-Georgian villas facing onto Lloyd Square were built between 1819 and 1843.
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69565_GS Newsletter 24Pp_2019_p12-24_30.5.19.indd 18 31/05/2019 15:52 Airbnb Cleaner Greener, Transport and Highways (continued from page 1) departments to issue CPNs in response On the same day, Westminster North MP to anti-social behaviour including Karen Buck launched an All Party STHL issues.” (A CPN is designed to Parliamentary Group on the Short stop a person or company committing Let Sector, bringing together, she said, anti-social behaviour which spoils the “councils, the GLA [Greater London community’s quality of life. The penalty Authority] and the main businesses is up to £100, but rises to £2,500 for a involved in short lets to shape the person or £20,000 for a company if the debate”. She added, “With new offender doesn’t comply.) information suggesting that as many as 1 For more information in RBK&C go to Map courtesy of Inside Airbnb in 40 London homes are now listed on the council’s website, search for “short- term short let sites like Airbnb, it is becoming letting” and then click on the planning Airbnb accommodation across the ever more essential that we manage the enforcement section. City of Westminster. The red dots sector effectively.” In Westminster, the city’s official website show available short lets for an entire house or apartment, green dots show Meanwhile, in RBK&C, Cllr. Cem lists regulations under the term “Nightly a private room. The blank areas are Kemahli, Lead Member for Environment, Lets”. It also has on its website a “Considerate largely public parks. said, “A Short Term Hotel Lets (STHL) Nightly Letting” charter for hosts. officers group has been established The City has a Housing Standards across the Westminster so Park West to share information and coordinate Taskforce that includes officers from holds 7.6% of our total issues with short- enforcement actions. Noise and Nuisance environmental health, trading standards, term lets.” officers are routinely recording whether a and planning enforcement departments to He added, “the Housing Standards premises is a STHL when called out to deal with bad landlords, and short-term Taskforce received a total of £200,000 across disturbances; this is helping the officer tenants. two years to tackle irresponsible short-term group establish a picture of problematic Currently the officials are having to spend letting, though some of that funding is used properties.” much of their time on one property, to crack down on rogue landlords.” He added, “The use of Community Park West on the Edgeware Road, where The Inside Airbnb website seeks to Protection Notices (CPNs) across the Housing Standards Taskforce is monitor publicly available information Environment and Communities teams investigating 106 active cases. about a city’s Airbnb listings, and analyze has been expanded. This allows officers A Westminster spokesman said, “We how Airbnb use competes with the local from Planning, Environmental Health, currently have around 1,383 cases open housing market.
Virginia de Vaal, born in San Francisco, moved to Little Venice Notable ladies pass away in 1970. From that time, working with Robert Player of the Two long-time communal garden stalwarts have passed away garden maintenance firm Garden Associates, she was a prime this spring. mover in the transformation of Triangle Amenity Garden, Jennifer Ware, 87, had a major impact on the Earl’s Court, SW5 W9, and, later, Crescent Amenity Garden, W9, into the area, including preventing the buildings around Earl’s Court Square prize-winning places they are today. She was an enthusiastic from being knocked down by a developer. The Times newspaper supporter of London Open Garden Squares Weekend from its ran a long obituary about her colourful life and community service inception in 1998. She passed away on 21 May at University on May 16th, noting she had passed away on April 13th. College Hospital at the age of 95.
ith well-researched articles Awards for top investigative reporters about dodgy restaurants, Wresidential fire hazards, and the “Grenfell cough”, investigative journalism students Simon Lock and Max Aitchison took first and second prize, respectively, in the journalism competition sponsored by Garden Square News. This was the second year that cash prizes have been given to the MA students taught by journalism professor Heather Brooke at City, University of London. Pictured left to right are Holly Smith, Editor and Publisher, Garden Square News, Simon photo by Victoria Noble Lock, Heather Brooke, Max Aitchison and Neil Osborn, husband of Ms. Smith.
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LONDON’S LEADING SPECIALIST IN THE LONDON’S LEADING SPECIALIST IN THE GARDEN MAINTENANCE OF SQUARES AND GARDEN MAINTENANCE OF SQUARES AND COMMUNAL GARDENS COMMUNAL GARDENS LGS LONDON SQUARES COMPETITION 2018 LGS LONDON SQUARES COMPETITION 2017 First Place First Place LARGE PUBLIC SQUARE ST JAMES’S SQUARE - LARGE PUBLIC SQUARE ST. JAMES’S SQUARE First Place PEMBRIDGE SQUARE - LARGE PRIVATEFirst place SQUARE SecondLARGE Place PRIVATE SQUARE HYDE PARK GARDENS - LARGEPEMBRIDGE PRIVATE SQUARE SQUARE Third PlaceSecond place WETHERBY GARDENS - LARGELARGE PRIVATE SQUARE SQUARE First PlaceCOURTFIELD GARDENS MONTPELIER SQUARE -SMALL PRIVATEFirst Place SQUARE Third PlaceSMALL PRIVATE SQUARE KENSINGTON GATE - SMALLMONTPELIER PRIVATE SQUARESQUARE Second Place SMALL PRIVATE SQUARE EGERTON CRESCENT
FForor advice advice andand quotationsquotations contactcontact RobertRobert Player Mob:LONDON’Smob: 07710 07710 LEADING 809584809584 Offi office:SPECIALIST ce: 0192301923 238765 238765IN THE GARDEN MAINTENANCE OF SQUARES AND COMMUNAL GARDENS 20 21 LGS LONDON SQUARES COMPETITION 2017 First Place 69565_GS Newsletter 24Pp_2019_p12-24_30.5.19.indd 21 ST JAMES’S SQUARE - LARGE PUBLIC SQUARE31/05/2019 15:52 First Place PEMBRIDGE SQUARE - LARGE PRIVATE SQUARE Second Place HYDE PARK GARDENS - LARGE PRIVATE SQUARE Third Place WETHERBY GARDENS - LARGE PRIVATE SQUARE First Place MONTPELIER SQUARE -SMALL PRIVATE SQUARE Third Place KENSINGTON GATE - SMALL PRIVATE SQUARE
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For advice and quotations contact Robert Player mob: 07710 809584 office: 01923 238765
10 Jonathan Manns, head of planning at planning application so that he could take Bigger building developer Rockwell Property, said: “We control and make the decision himself. But are pleased that an agreement has been RBK&C filed a claim for Judicial Review, (continued from page 5) reached regarding the Judicial Review and saying the Mayor’s order was based on She said, “The air pollution levels in the that our proposals can now be heard by faulty information. The Mayor agreed that area of the site already exceed the legal the Mayor.” (Last year the Mayor “called his original “call in” should be quashed, but limits. The tower project will only increase in” the RBK&C decision to reject the on April 23 of this year he issued a second traffic in the short and long-term, and “call in” based on different facts.) will expose individuals to toxic levels of THE GARDEN SQUARE NEEDS Mr. Manns said the new complex would air pollution.” She urged the Mayor to SEPARATE APPROVAL benefit both the local and wider community remember his "commitment to doing In addition to the planning application, because of the affordable housing, the all he can to cut pollution and help the proposed development would require reconfigured garden square, jobs and Londoners protect themselves from the approval for a land swap under the 1931 “improvements to the public realm”. harm it causes”. London Squares Preservation Act for the Queensgate is a partnership between The existing hotel, built in the early reconfigured garden square. the Kow Family, Alvarium Investments, 1970s, was placed in the middle of the This will require a decision by RBK&C, Hong Kong’s Peterson Group and Ashburn Gardens communal garden which will be taken as a “Key Decision”, Dilmun. Jason Kow is the CEO and square, fragmenting the green space. The after using the planning department's Founder. According to Bloomberg, proposed development would re-assemble systems for a prior public consultation. Dilmun is a “New York family office with an open space of similar size to the area Work on this is paused, however, until the ties to the Qatari royal family”. destroyed by the Kensington Forum Mayor of London makes his decision on Rockwell is a major property developer Holiday Inn. the hotel/residential complex buildings. founded by Donal Mulryan.
management issue with rats that feed on a non-toxic, long life lure to bring the BASH THE RAT in the bins and enter the gardens looking rat into the trap. The traps are designed for shelter. to kill rats by a strike to the back of the Kensington Gardens Square was featured in The ecological management program head powered by a CO2 cylinder that is the Autumn 2018 issue of Garden Square in the Square encourages rat-eating owls an integral part of the trap. After each News for the innovative, nature-friendly and foxes to inhabit the garden. The kill, the trap ejects the rat, resets itself way the garden is managed. What follows main drawback of using commercial and is immediately ready to kill again. A is a description of how rats are humanely rodenticides is that they cause secondary trap will kill 25 times before the cylinder dispatched there. poisoning to foxes and owls that prey needs changing and the long-life lure lasts By the Kensington Gardens Square on them. There seemed little point in six months. They are human friendly and Garden Association using rodenticides if we could not avoid are designed to be completely safe to use ensington Gardens Square, W2, secondary poisoning. around small children. has adopted ecologically friendly After researching the topic, the Square An integral part of the program is the Ktechnology for the control employed cutting-edge technology to removal of the food source so residents of rodents. control rats without resorting to the of the Square took it upon themselves to The Square has communal rubbish bins use of poison. The Square uses A34 rat block up the bung holes in the bottom of and these are a constant source of food traps developed by Good Nature (https:// the communal bins that allow easy access for any rodent. The result is an ongoing goodnaturetraps.co.uk). These devices rely for rats to crawl inside and feed in safety.
Garden Square News is an independent publication designed toÊ provide garden committees and garden square residents with informa- tion about communal gardens and their surrounding areas. All articles, except where noted, are written by Holly Smith, Editor and Publisher. Letters, subscriptions, and advertising queries should be sent to: Holly Smith Garden Square News c/o Dhawan News 155 Old Brompton Rd, London SW5 0LJ Subscriptions for garden committees are £55 per year. Individual subscriptions are £20 per year. Back issues are £3 each, with special prices for large orders. © 201 by Holly Smith www.gardensquarenews.com
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69565_GS Newsletter 24Pp_2019_p12-24_30.5.19.indd 23 31/05/2019 15:52 nnette Barnes has published two When Barkston housed books of philosophy, Seeing T rough Self-Deception and On InterpretationA . T e poem below, appears in Next In Line, her f rst book of poems. lunatics and wild things She lives in Barkston Gardens, SW5. These verses take the history of Barkston Gardens as their theme, opening with Dr. John Hunter (1728- 1793), the surgeon and anatomist who lived where the square now stands. Dr. Hunter kept many animals for his scientific research – and some think he is the model for the Dr. Dolittle character in Hugh Lofting’s books.
THROUGH THE CENTURIES He kept a menagerie, leopards, jackals, hedgehogs, bulls, bison and eagles, future subjects to be dissected.
Bribed men for the corpse of the Irish giant who’d asked to be buried at sea.
When the Underground came, the great house, by then an asylum for ladies of limited lunacy but sufficient means was demolished.
Mansion blocks were built, the John Hunter, by John Jackson, after Sir Joshua Reynolds grounds reduced, oil on canvas, 1813 based on a work of 1786. NPG 77. the space democratised or so it seemed until prices rose Inside this issue of and only the rich Garden Square News could live in them. This tiny ant living in a Kensington Urban foxes disobey garden square has caused excitement the communal garden among insect experts at the Natural sign forbidding them. Rats do too. A gun’s History Museum. To fi nd out why, turn thrown in, for a few to pages 6 and 7. hours Calais refuges This issue also sheds light on the housed in a nearby photo courtesy of Mike Fox and the 'Bees, urban fox situation, short let properties hotel are allowed in, Wasps and Ants Recording Scheme facing tighter regulation, Edinburgh’s but mostly it’s children Lasius emarginatus garden squares, and much more. and their nannies.
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