July/August 2018

Holidays Notable Neighbours In The Mix Things To Do and Places To Go Whose on a blue plaque near you? New Fusion Cooking at The Gojk Keeping Life Local thecourt Murder, Kidnap & Burglary… just another evening in Barkston Gardens hieves, villains, undertakers, pickpockets, unlikely coincidences, and some glorious Tshowtunes; for four glorious midsummer nights the Earls Courtiers brought Oliver! to life beneath the giant beech trees of Barkston gardens. The huge cast, drawn from around the area with a hoard of urchins from local schools, gave their all to belt out the classic songs, dancing and weaving and dodging artfully as dusk fell. From the crew to the lead characters, all volunteers, everyone pulled together to make this mammoth production seamless, demonstrating spellbinding enthusiasm Sikes, brilliantly milked the hisses of the crowd with a stark contrast to the green of the garden and at and some exceptional talent. the wicked glare of a classic Victorian melodrama times there was even some Victorian dry ice fog. Not least was Skandar Pavlsen playing the role villain. Even he, though, was no match for Barkston Organising costumes and props, Inge Marks did of Oliver himself, confidently channeling that same Gardens’ “No Dogs” rule and entered without his an epic job along with Musical Director Sharon wide-eyed innocence and clear-but-fragile voice that faithful Bulls-Eye. Mr Bumble, the head of the Nassauer. Mark Lester achieved in Carol Reed’s famous film of workhouse, was played with a delightful vivacity It’s a tribute to Director, Producer and Fagin, Toby the musical. Celia Badrichani, as his friend the Artful by Malcolm Connell who supplied a fantastically Brown that not only could he dance and sing his way Dodger, showed strength in voice and a mischievous sonorous “MORE?”. through a magnetic performance as the miserly gang twinkle in her eye. Nancy, played by Abigail Jones, The many children of the cast showed fearless leader but that he inspired so many to give their time, ably held the emotional centre of the story and kept stage craft, hitting their marks, singing at the tops skills, voices and dance steps to an unforgettable, all the audience enchanted with a graceful voice that of their voices and generally seeming to enjoy every too brief, show. carried all the way to the Earls Court Road. With his minute. The set, a hard stone wall to remind us As Oliver put it, “Please Sir, can I have some tall hat and kholed eyes, Ken Thomson playing Bill how urban and enclosed all the characters are, was more.” Doctors Surgery Set To Close The Redcliffe Surgery is preparing their doctors. Others have pointed the freehold property, along with a to move away from the Earls Court out that, under current plans, all former partner. area. One of the largest GP practices these things will still be on offer at “It would be a real shame,” said in the borough, with approximately the Violet Melchett Clinic without the one patient, “if we had to trek all the 17,000 registered patients, it is set Practice moving there. way to the Kings Road just to see to move one and a half miles away Earls Court Councillor Linda the doctor. That’s twenty minutes to the Violet Melchett Health Centre Wade has begun an online petition walking and a tube ride for me. in Chelsea. The practice has been asking RBKC “to work with NHS And that’s when I’m feeling healthy. looking after the residents of Earl’s England and the principle partners Imagine having to do that when Court, Redcliffe and Courtfield of the Redcliffe Surgery to develop a you’re feeling rotten?” wards for decades and many strategic plan to continue to deliver Patients concerned about the patients are concerned about losing high quality health services in the move are encouraged to talk such a valuable local service. Earl’s Court area.” to the surgery. “We are strongly The principle partners of the cardiology and respiratory tests, One of the primary reasons for the committed,” say the Redcliffe Redcliffe Surgery issued a statement specialist nurses, social workers, move, according to the partners, is partners, “to talking and listening saying “there are significant benefits dementia services/memory clinic, that “the property at Redcliffe Street to patients about our services and for our patients in moving to Violet and mental health support.” is subject to a commercial lease plan to engage patients fully so that Melchett. These include giving our Patients however have voiced arrangement that has lapsed and everyone has the opportunity to let patients access to a wider range concerns that, after the move, long-term renewal is not an option.” us know how they feel.” of healthcare services, not all of access to their GPs will require However, according to the land Patients can also sign Councillor which we currently provide on-site, travelling a long distance making it registry, two of the current partners Wade’s online petition at: goo.gl/ including physiotherapy, dieticians, harder for the elderly or infirm to see are the “Registered Owners.” of t9GmDy

thecourt To view The Court online go to An Earl’s Court Community Trust publication editor@thecourt. www.thecourt.london & Facebook at Supported by Earls Court Partnership Limited Produced by: www.facebook.com/welovethecourt the joint venture between Capital & Counties and Transport for London which will bring forward the first phases of the Earls Court Masterplan The Court Community Keeping Life Local

2 Bee Helpful Speaking Cuisine this Summer enough to see the By Sharon Robinson If you were lucky wonderful photography exhibition, by local Nothing goes together quite like French and photographer Sarah Cheesbrough on bees at food. If you want to improve your French, but don’t the Brompton chapel gallery in June, fancy returning to a desk in a dull classroom, if you you might have been spurred into action to do always fancied adding a bit of je ne sais quoi to your something to save this important insect now culinary skills, then Cook and Speak, a small local under threat. business, could be just right for you. Cécile Della How can we help bees in a concrete city one Torre welcomes groups of up to six guests to her might ask? The delicious honey produced by Earl’s Court home where you participate in a themed local honey producers and available at the Bute French conversation lesson and then make a meal Street farmers’ market testifies that, given half a together. kitchen. She is a wonderful and engaging host and chance, bees love the city. Cécile sends you a bit of homework and a teacher and I absolutely loved participating in all of Local Bousfield School is having success with vocabulary list to help you prepare. After an hour of her very well prepared sessions in French food and its beehives. Our flowering trees, bushes and guided conversation, everyone moves to the kitchen culture.” plants are the bees’ playground where they do where all the ingredients are laid out for the group to “Cécile’s friendly smiles,” said Fiona, another their vital work spreading pollen. A walk through prepare a delicious meal to eat together all the time Cook and Speak graduate, “and great patience the wildflower areas of , speaking French. with me (a Scottish woman trying to remember our local ‘pollinator paradise’, is a joy. Four hours later, you will find you’ve improved schoolgirl French) made for a very, very satisfying Websites such as the London Wildlife your French immeasurably and without really few hours. The subjects we discussed were always so Trust and Urban Bees provides lots of ideas noticing, prepared and eaten a lovely meal together, interesting and relevant, and the recipes we cooked about appropriate flowers we can plant and and made some new friends. delicious, I still use most of them at home in my own encourage. Blue, purple, violet and white are Caroline, one of Cécile’s students, was delighted kitchen!” bees’ favourite colours. with her lesson. “It was great fun. I loved working You too can have a go at speaking and cooking as This summer, launch your own ‘pollinator with my group and preparing, cooking and enjoying only the French know how. paradise’, in your garden, patio or window boxes all the new recipes from the course in Cécile’s own w: cookandspeak.com and help increase our local bee population.

Celebrating our 50th Anniversary... tlc, your local family firm of Sales, Lettings and Management Agents.

Toby Brown Samantha Hossack Jamie Coronna FNAEA/AssocRICS MARLA MARLA

020 7370 4000 [email protected] | [email protected] www.tlclondon.com 8 Hogarth Place, 249 Old , & 1st floor, 189-193 Earls Court Road

3 thecourt Family Holiday Fun Things To Do Summertime and the feeling’s James Park and then there are cycle far from easy. What the paths and bus lanes all the way to heck do you do with the kids Regents Park and then back again. mooching about for the long Take a picnic and see some of London’s holiday stuck in the middle greatest public spectacles, maybe of the city? Fear not The even take in the National Gallery or Court has found some fun the Changing of the Guard, colourful, adventures and things to do musical marching pomp, 11am every which won’t break the bank. day. w: tfl.gov.uk/modes/cycling/santander- cycles Battersea Zoo Kids Age-o-meter: 0-10 Kids: £7.50 Adults: £9.50 Family Ticket (2+2): £31 Are your kids animal crazy? Do they want to get up close with furry mammals or be hypnotised by deadly reptiles? Smaller, less crowded, more intimate and far cheaper than London Zoo in Regents Park, Battersea Zoo 15 & 18 AUG - Cotton Top Tamarin it’s very own geocache. Unfortunately provides a much closer encounter with Days it is a “microcache” which means it exotic animals of all sorts. You won’t Two days devoted to raising funds and is only a small canister with a piece Brompton Cemetery Open Day - find big cats or giraffes but monkeys, awareness of these endangered little of paper to sign your name. The Sunday 22nd July otters, meerkats, snakes and even a monkeys. challenge of finding it is the reward Kids Age-o-meter: 0-18 Costs: FREE “bearded dragon” are all residents just 21 AUG - Wildcat and Mouse Day! in itself. The puzzle search starts at The Open Day provides a rare a 30 minute walk from Earls Court. Plenty of Cat + Mouse themed fun the police box outside Earls Court opportunity to visit the cemetery’s There are feeding times for different with a serious message about our Tube (search for “Who was not here!” historic catacombs. Guided tours animals through the day and special Scottish Wildcats and Harvest Mice. on geocaching.com). From reading of the catacombs take place every celebration days throughout the w: batterseaparkzoo.co.uk/ the plaque on the box and checking half-hour from 11.30am until 4.30pm summer for particular animals. a: Battersea Park, SW11 4NJ the directions on the webpage, you (£5.00). A variety of guided tours 24 JUL 2018 - Snake Day t: 0207 924 5826 can piece together the correct GPS of the cemetery take place every Sssnake themed fun... a chance to meet coordinates where the cache can be hour from 11.00am to 5.00 pm and one and find out how and why they Geocache in Earls Court found. Enter the coordinates into a number of events will take place shed their skin! Kids Age-o-meter: 6-18 Costs: FREE google maps (or the geocaching app), in the Chapel. Specialist exhibitions 26 JUL and 17 AUG - Guinea Pig Days Geocaching is an head to the location and see if you can include an Apiary, Birds of Prey, a Find out how to look after guinea pigs exciting outdoor find it. (It took me several goes) Hiders Vintage Edwardian Hearse, as well and keep them happy and healthy! adventure for will give clues to be deciphered as to as an exhibition by Heatherley’s 31 JUL 2018 - Tortoise and Rabbit Day the whole family. where to look. Good Luck! School of Fine Art. Many community Who runs faster? It’s a treasure w: geocaching.com organisations will be represented, 3 AUG 2018 - Snail Day hunt for the along with a variety of stalls selling Meet a Giant African Land Snail! Are digital generation, where you can among other things, glassware, you brave enough to hold one? enjoy the freedom of being outside natural cosmetics, gothic handmade 7 AUG 2018 - Dumbo Rat Day and discovering new places. All clothing, handicrafts, and gothic They have amazing big ears which is you need is a phone and a sense of artefacts. Family activities include why they are named after Dumbo the fun. What you’re looking for are a sketch and a drumming session as Elephant! small waterproof treasure boxes well as storytelling and this year they 9 AUG 2018 - Bug Day hidden outdoors all over the world. shall also have police horses and fire Find out why bugs are so important Geocachers seek out these hidden engines. and take a close look at some! goodies guided by a GPS enabled a: , SW5 9JE 14 AUG 2018 - Butterfly Day device which uses coordinates, Santander Bike Chaining w: brompton-cemetery.org.uk Discover why butterflies are so or ‘waypoints’ downloaded from Kids Age-o-meter: 10-18 Cost: £2 t: 020 7351 1689 important. geocaching.com or you can download per bike a free geocaching app for Android or It costs just £2 to rent any Santander Also - at Brompton Cemetery iPhone. The treasureboxes are filled Bicycle and as long as you return it to 14th July - Garden ; the with little toys that other geocachers any stand within thirty minutes there Landscape of the 19th and 20th leave behind, swapping them for ones is no extra charge. You are then free century Cemetery they brought. So before you start to take them out again for 30 minutes In the early nineteenth century, when remember to pocket some small old and so on all day and won’t be charged commercial cemeteries began to be toys you no longer want. any more. Using the bicycle app you created with no precedents for the There are a number of geocaches in can design your own chain and ride type of landscape they should present. which have relatively big right around London from Join Dr Brent Elliott will explore the boxes of goodies, but Earls Court has Gardens, Hyde Park, Green Park, St history of this unique landscape.

4 15th July - The Courtesan’s Gaze bars (around 50 stalls in total), chef a: Kensington Central Library, 12 around the park and learn some Concert demos, GBBO and Master-Chef Phillimore Walk, W8 7RX fascinating botanical facts. Meet: 6.30 The Courtesan’s Gaze takes its stars, Men v Food, Cheese-offs, Gin w: rbkc.gov.uk/libraries/news-and- to 8pm, Holland Park Ecology Centre. name from the duet ‘Beglo’occhi’ Workshops, Gin-Offs, Cake Off, Blind events/special-events-children-and- and is inspired by the famous and taste challenges, live music. The young-people controversial portrait of Barbara day-time sessions will include plenty t: 020 7361 3010 Strozzi holding the viewer’s gaze. of entertainment for the children 25th July - Creativity and Wellbeing including Diddy Cooks, Circus skills, Brompton Library Toddler Events Day Giant Bubbles, face-painting and Kids Age-o-meter 0-5 Costs: FREE A day’s exploration of well-being much more! Book early for Brompton Library holds Baby Rhyme through artwork with SMART. a: Chiswick House and Gardens, Time toddler group on Mondays and There will be music and visual art Burlington Lane, W4 2RP Tuesdays at 2.15 a half hour storytime workshops in the morning, followed w: greatbritishfoodfestival.com on Wednesdays at 10am and a 40 by performance over lunchtime t: 01925 479 140. minute Saturday Storyland at 10am. Damselflies and Dragonflies Walk including light refreshments. a: 210 Old Brompton Road. London - Saturday 28 July 11th August - American Connections My First Classical Adventure - 4 SW5 0BS Richard Woolley, an expert in the at Brompton Cemetery July 10 to 10.30am w: rbkc.gov.uk/libraries/libraries- study of dragonflies and damselflies, Join us to explore the connections Kids Age-o-meter 0-5 Costs: FREE children/toddler-mornings will lead a walk around Holland Park between Brompton Cemetery and our At Kensington Central Library, Kids t: 020 7361 3010 looking for these aerial acrobats. neighbour across the pond. Classics invites you to explore the Learn how to identify different exciting world of classical music with Holland Park Ecology centre species and find out more about their babies and toddlers. Talks and Walks fascinating lifecycle. Meet: 2 to 4pm, Join them on a magical musical Kids Age-o-meter 0-14 Costs: FREE Holland Park Ecology Centre adventure as they introduce you to Summer Tree Walk: The Basics - a: Holland Park Ecology Centre, specially picked child-friendly pieces Thursday 5 July Ilchester Place, W8 6LU of music that are accompanied with This walk, led by a member of w: rbkc.gov.uk/subsites/wildlife/ exciting graphics and animated the Ecology Service, gives a basic events.aspx characters. introduction to native tree species in t: 020 7938 8186 Pick up a percussion instrument on Holland Park. You will learn how to your way in and get ready to relax hone your identification skills of trees These are just some of ideas to The Great British Food Festival and have fun (and of course, learn!) - in leaf using examples found in the keep the family learning and - 10th - 12th August listening to stories, marching, dancing, park. Meet: 6.30 to 8pm, Holland Park interested and, hopefully, off their Kids Age-o-meter: 6-18 Children: conducting, singing and playing along Ecology Centre phones. Other summer fun things £5 Adults: £10 to the music. to do include checking out the West London’s most perfectly Marion Musry (Director of Kids Wild Plants of Holland Park - butterfly house at Syon House and preserved Palladian villa and Classics) and Hayley Weisz (Founder Thursday 19 July Park, go crazy golfing at Putt in the gardens, Chiswick House, plays of ‘Mum & Me’) have come together Join botanist, Dr Mark Spencer, to Park or climb high into the trees host to a food festival of epic to produce ‘My First Classical explore Holland Park’s wild plants at Go Ape - both in Battersea Park. proportions. Artisan cooks, Adventure’ to bring classical music to and flowers. Discover how to identify Good luck, don’t go crazy, go out, fabulous food and drink, brilliant children in the modern age. different plants on this evening walk and roll on the next school term!

Giffords Circus - Until 9th July Chiswick House and Gardens Kids Age-o-meter: 6-18 Children: £18 Adults: £28 If you have gilded memories of how circuses used to be, pitched in green fields rather than the car park of Brent Cross. Old fashioned vans and carriages, traditional circus folk? Then Giffords Circus is a step back to a more innocent time. Gypsy violinists, tap dancers, tight-rope walkers, trapeze artistes, stunt riders, opera singers, magicians, illusionists and gymnasts. It is the fairy light festooned romantic dream of owner Nell Gifford who says, “Our costumes are handmade. Our animals are trained by us. Our sets are painted in the barns on our farm. We burn the midnight oil to conjure new visions for the show. It’s all we do. Circus is our job, our life, our love.” there’s even an opportunity to dine al fresco with Nell and all the stars after the show. This is a magical evening. a: Chiswick House and Gardens, Burlington Lane, W4 2RP w: giffordscircus.com t: 01242 691 181

5 thecourt The Court’s Blue Plaques – A Tour – Part 1 For a neighbourhood that isn’t a tax haven, The Court area has attracted more than its fair share of famous people, blue plaques celebrating their lives are to be found all around. The Blue Plaque scheme, started in 1866, is now run by English Heritage. It memorialises the properties of thousands of legendary luminaries all recognised for their contributions to the arts, science, politics and society. And remarkably, not a single one of them ever appeared on “I’m a Celebrity…” This issue we begin a tour of some of the Court Area’s most interesting blue plaque recipients.

Mahatma Ghandi (1869–1948) – 20 Baron’s Court Road W14 9DT The man who would liberate India from British Colonialism lived as a law student in this house backing on to the train tracks just a stone’s throw from tube station. He inspired non-violent activists, not just in India, but around the world Benjamin Britten (1913–1976) including the civil rights movement – 173 , SW5 0TU in America. “You must be the change The composer, conductor and pianist you wish to see in the world.” lived her whilst attending the in . Marcus Garvey (1887–1940) He went on to become a central figure – 53 Talgarth Road Barons Court in 20th-century British classical music, W14 9DD writing opera, vocal music, orchestral Almost directly opposite Ghandi’s Sir Geoffrey De Havilland and chamber pieces. His best-known house, on the other side of the tracks, (1882–1965) works include the opera Peter Grimes between the trains and the ever – 32 Baron’s Court Road W14 9DT (1945), the War Requiem (1962) and expanding Talgarth Road, Marcus In a time when flight was still the orchestral showpiece The Young Garvey the leader of the Pan-Africanist experimental, De Havilland Person’s Guide to the Orchestra (1945). movement lived and died. Garvey considered how to make it useful. He Britten enjoyed the closest thing to was one of the first post-US civil war only lived in this house for one year an openly homosexual relationship proponents of black empowerment but it was here he began his career as with the singer Peter Pears despite and inspired the civil rights an aircraft designer. He created the homosexuality being illegal for most movement. Thanks to him, many Mosquito which was described as of his lifetime. He was so feted by the Black Americans emigrated to Africa the most versatile aircraft of WWI. establishment almost any behaviour, to try and build the continent out of In every conflict since then, control including an interest in teenage boys, third world poverty. Unfortunately of the skies has become the priority seemed to go unchecked. “It is cruel,” it seems little has changed since the strategy in dominating battlegrounds. he said, “you know, that music 1920s when he said, “every white In 1949, De Havilland’s Comet became should be so beautiful. It has the man is a Klansman, as far as the the first commercial jet airliner. Its beauty of loneliness of pain: of Negro in competition with whites design has served as a prototype for strength and freedom. The beauty socially, economically and politically is all commercial passenger aeroplanes of disappointment and never- concerned.” ever since. satisfied love.” Crowdfunding: Films about a Local Icon The friends of Father Bill financially and practically. given a champagne reception, Kirkpatrick, of St Cuthbert’s in The documentary will be a credit on the film, VIP ticket Philbeach Gardens, are in the screened at the Earl’s Court Film to the gala event and the Earl’s process of creating two films about Festival in November. The short Court Film Festival, meet the him – a short documentary and a drama will be previewed at a gala film-makers and a special drama set in the 1980s. event early in 2019. programme. Donors who give The group is working with To tell Father Bill’s remarkable £100 get VIP tickets to the gala professional film-makers and some story, £7,000 of a budget of event, and the Earl’s Court Film of the charities Father Bill inspired. £15,000 has already been raised. Festival, meet the film-makers He helped and inspired many local Now they are looking to raise and a special programme. people. He tirelessly worked in further funds from neighbours and Donations of £50 receive two Earl’s Court and beyond. His life Now they want to tell his story. those who knew Father Bill. complimentary tickets to the had an impact on so many and The films are looking for support There are special offers open for Gala Event and the Earl’s Court changed their lives for good. from the community and help, both donors. Donations of £150 will be Film Festival. Please contact Fr Paul Bagott – [email protected] or Caroline Tod-Richardson – Executive Producer on 07798 727324

6 Notable Buildings The Court area is blessed with many extraordinary buildings and houses. In a new series we take a deeper look at some of our more interesting architectural treasures. Bousfield Primary School

By Juliette Hibou and Stina Barchan

Bousfield Primary School’s groundbreaking standardised modular basis of 40in, so everything bricks forms the first band, followed by a band modernist architecture is particularly distinctive in would fit together like Meccano. Almost all elements of transparent glass windows, with a band of contrast to the grand Victorian neo-palladian villas in the building are multiples of this measure. coloured glass panels over that. A 1956 article in the of the Boltons that surround it. It was one of the first The school is organised around two courtyards, Architectural Review, noted how “the arrangement buildings to be designed by architects “Chamberlin, each one providing light to the corridors that of the coloured glass panels imitate the natural Powell and Bon”. These young men lived and worked serve the surrounding classrooms. The communal mixing of blue and yellow”. Indeed, where blue locally and went on to build two of the largest, most elements are grouped in the middle: two assembly meets yellow, a panel of green is inserted; providing daring, and iconic modernists structures of 20th halls with double height ceiling; a gallery for both pupils with an unconscious lesson in colour theory. century London: the Golden Lane Estate and The serving and dining above the kitchens at the back of Barbican. the school; and the staff rooms grouped on another One of the boldest architectural statements in Bousfield was built on the site of Bladon Lodge gallery overlooking the assembly halls and the Bousfield is its water tank. A huge bright yellow, and a row of six houses lining Old Brompton Road, entrance forecourt. lollipop-like, sphere in the playground which has that were destroyed by a bomb during the the Blitz. As far as possible, pre existing features, such become an icon for the school. One of the houses had been ’s home as trees, were kept or exploited in the plan. For In 1993, the school was listed by National until she was 47 and a blue plaque on Bousfield’s wall example, the former basements that served Heritage. This low cost, prefabricated, example commemorates the site. as wartime emergency water tanks after the of public modernist architecture was recognised Works on the new school started in 1954 and it destruction of the houses on Old Brompton Road, as being of unique interest and worth protecting. opened just two years later, moving from its original were transformed into an amphitheatre. To the It’s a badge of honour for Chamberlin, Powell and location on Clareville Street (today Our Lady of South, the garden of Bladon Lodge, and its centenary Bon, who, with a very restricted post-war budget, Victories RC Primary School). Its swift construction trees, were also preserved and are still used as a managed to create an inspiring and unusual building was down to the use of prefabricated elements garden by the school. where generations of children have learnt not just to assembled into a grid system. The architects The facade of the school is based on a linear, read, write and count, but to appreciate the ingenuity also decided it would be easier to to work from a horizontal rhythm. A white strip of glazed of modern British architecture. Add Some Drama to your Life

Would you like a little help organising your social life? Do you enjoy the theatre? If you are over 50 and live in the SW5 area, the “SW5 Theatre Going Group” might be just the ticket for you. Once a month, group members enjoy plays at local fringe theatres, meeting up for a drink and chat afterwards. Earls Court Project Open Day Organised by two Earl’s Court residents, the Join the Earls Court Project Team at their next open day on group has been going for six years and now has Saturday 8 September between 11am and 3pm. 80 members with about 15 attending a play Visitors can take part in a variety of activities including a biscuit each month. The organisers choose a play, email members and buy their tickets (from decoration workshop and an arts & crafts session which will include £15-£20) for reimbursement on the night of the performance. With five local theatres designing your own back-to-school pencil case. to choose from, each offering its own type of theatre – from vintage at the Finborough There will also be a face-painting artist on hand and an acoustic Theatre to new writing at The Bush - there is always something interesting on offer. musician playing live music throughout the day. Member feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. “I have met so many nice The Open Day will also give visitors the opportunity to explore plans neighbours in the group”; “The plays are always engaging, and easy to hear in the for Earls Court through architectural models and video installations. intimate environment”; “I had never heard of the until joining.” Everyone is welcome to come along, all admission, workshops and If you are over 50, enjoy the theatre and would like to do it in good company, send the food is free! group an email and join in. You can find the Project Rooms at 16-18 Empress Place, London, SW1 e: [email protected] 1TT thecourt Neil Simpson 21 November 1951 to 30 May 2018

Chairman of Philbeach Residents’ Association, founder member of the Earl’s Court Society, and a much-loved teacher of Physics.

Remembered by Councillor Malcolm Spalding

Neil taught at four schools; St Mark’s at the Bishops Palace; Streatham Girls’ High School; the Marylebone School; and latterly the Hellenic College in Pont Street. Here he taught Physics, ran assemblies, wielded the starting pistol at sports days For 27 years he was chairman of the residents he was a hopeless cook, but a magnificent host and compered the charity evenings and galas. association, and served on the Government always ready with exactly the right drink for you After his retirement, Neil volunteered with AGE Earl’s Court Regeneration Partnership with and exactly the right remark to cheer you and UK. His favourite client was Betty, who had been an Baroness Hanham of Kensington, and the Earl’s make you feel valued and happy. He was an expert actress, and was convinced that Neil was her fiancée, Court Society, the Police Ward panel, the Queen’s and charming conversationalist – a skill he honed a young actor with a glittering career on the stage. So Diamond Jubilee committee and the K&C Chamber to a fine art. naturally Neil obliged with tales of his stupendously of Commerce team. He was a keen member of the He played a small role in Derek Jarman’s film successful first nights. Oxford and Cambridge Club, the Royal Overseas “Nighthawks” and had actually been a celebrated Few know of his abilities other than his degree League and the Royal Horticultural Society. and glamourous young barman at the Coleherne. in Physics from Oxford, and his passion and skill Neil was an avid traveller and loved to meet Neil was a lovely man combining great in teaching a difficult subject with a caring human people from around the world and delve into compassion for the vulnerable; great empathy touch. He had been a gymnast at school, and an different cultures and lifestyles. and a quick, sharp, highly intelligent, and often athlete. Even when he first became ill with his brain He was a gentleman scholar of music, painting, biting, wit. He will be remembered for his warmth tumour, he was still swimming 50 lengths of the literature, theatre, opera, design, and artistic and zest for life, beauty, music, poetry, literature, pool three times a week. He was an accomplished creativity in all its forms. At home he painted, drama, learning, and especially dancing. He was gardener, a talented interior designer, an energetic read widely and deeply, wrote TV scripts, and beloved by the Greek muses. The world is a lesser dancer, and a fluent Russian and French speaker. developed his skills in interior design. However, place and a duller place for his passing.

. 7+ENTRY ST PHILIP’S SCHOOL LEADING BOYS’ PREP (7-13) IN KENSINGTON www.stpschool.co.uk 6 Wetherby Place|London SW7 4NE |Tel (020) 7373 3944 |[email protected]

Approximately half of all leavers since 2010 to: Day Dulwich, KCS Wimbledon, St Paul’s, Westminster Boarding Ampleforth, Eton, Harrow, Winchester

“Parents are relaxed and confident that their boys will do well”- Good Schools Guide 2017 8+ENTRY “Pupils’ attitudes to learning are exceptional” - Ofsted 2018 “Tailored curriculum ensures that pupils gain places at their first choice of senior school”- Ofsted 2018

8 In The Mix – The Gojk toxic bean, banned in the US since 1954, might suffuse a dark Guanaja chocolate sauce. The Tonka bean, The first time. Brand shiny new. philosophy of food. After a long palette. I start with Croquetas the seed of a giant tree from deep in There is something exciting about development period, he, and all (£7.50) that have a rich broccoli the Amazonian rainforest, produces novelty. There is certain glee to the staff, find themselves with that and stilton filling but Pardavila an extraordinary potpourri flavour discovering something new in the chance to offer the world their vision cannot help but add a tangy hint of which morphs in the mouth world. Maybe it’s a throwback to and they’re going at it with gusto; cranberry. Claire, my wife, opted between vanilla, liquorice, caramel childhood when fears were unbuilt their glee is infectious. for the Salmon Gravlax (£15) but and clove, with the aroma of freshly and curiosity abundant. You eat at “It’s European fusion with a even this is infused with lapsang cut grass and a hint of magnolia. If a new restaurant, it’s a new menu, Peruvian Twist,” says chef Adrian souchong tea, gin and tonic you just want one new sensation in a new sensation for the palette, Pardavila describing his dishes. A and served with a horseradish your life, that you have never tasted a new take on our old habit of proud Basque gastropoiesis, he mascarpone and rye bread. before, this simple dessert would be eating, it’s bound to elicit a touch of takes his extensive knowledge of It is the ingenuity of the mixtures, all you would need. excitement. So a visit to The Gojk, Spanish and Portuguese recipes, along with the (locally sourced) New things can get old fast, (pronounced Go-ick) a brand shiny ingredients, and wines, to infuse his quality of the structural dish bases, but it’s clear that the energy and new restaurant on Old Brompton creations with robust and surprising that provides a constant thrill of the sheer gastronomic enthusiasm Road, would seem, at least, to flavour concoctions. new. And all done with subtlety. My that everyone at The Gojk has promise a touch of exhilaration. Nothing at The Gojk is made Duck Breast main course (£19.75) in abundance will keep them But The Gojk is not only new without a well-considered synthesis is beautifully pink and remains the experimenting, finding new infusions to diners, everyone working and of different tastes to test your entire dominant essence despite the and trying novel medleys and taste running The Gojk seems brimful rose and clove sauce, mashed sensations for a very long time. of that exhilaration in starting cassava and the caramalized red “We’re not looking to be a something fresh. Everyone is an cabbage with green apple and destination restaurant just yet,” enthusiast: the chefs, the sommelier, pine nuts. Every bite provides says Pardavila, “we want to be a the cocktail “mixologist” and it a subtly different experience, a local restaurant for local people.” shows in the dining experience. gloriously nuanced novelty flavour. With a two-course lunch menu at The décor is simple, homely, Claire’s Icelandic Salted Cod is just £15 (three courses for £20) discreet, the tree canopied garden no less melanged with a port and The Gojk is offering world class is minimalist but far away from the grape sauce, roast cauliflower and cuisine at an affordable, local, noise and exhaust of the world crispy purple potatoes (£17.50). price point. But be quick. Caught outside and downstairs is a hip The accompanying house red, a in that quiet stretch between the lounge with cool lighting and a well- Portuguese Montado (£5.75 a glass) Earls Court Road and Brompton stocked cocktail bar perfect for afforded a fruity tongue loosener Cemetery, if The Gojk is to private events. Pop-classical between bites. prosper as it deserves to, it will be artwork on the walls is The helpings are not only because customers are travelling supplied by local artist Instagram-ready, they’re to experience it, rather than being Charles Andre. generous and, had dessert able to rely on those who pop in The owner and not been so tempting, curiously as they pass or because cocktail specialist we would have happily it’s “just around the corner”. Simeon Gojkovic gone home satiated describes himself as a by the two courses The Gojk mixologist, a title that alone. However, I had a - 275 old Brompton Road SW5 not only covers his drink to try their Tonka Bean 9JA creations but applies Chocolate Cream (£6.75), t - 020 7373 1384 equally well to The Gojk’s curious how this legendary w - www.thegojk.co.uk

9 thecourt Calendar July-August 2018 For further listings details, please check www.thecourt.london and with the venue or organiser to confirm dates and times. All listings correct at time of going to press. If you’d like to see your event below, please send listings in the same format to [email protected].

Celebrate ‘couture’s rebellious outsider’ (The Guardian) in the first UK solo exhibition of his work. Conceived and co-curated with Monsieur Alaïa before his death in November 2017, the exhibition charts his incredible journey from sculptor to couturier, his nonconformist nature and his infectious energy for fashion, friendship and the female body. Tickets: £16, concessions available. The is open every day (excluding Christmas Day and Boxing Day) from 10.00 to 18.00 – ART & DESIGN last entry 17.00.

A The Design Museum, 224-238 ARTHILL GALLERY , London S8 Printing a New World – Commercial A Barons Court Theatre, Curtain’s Up Trembling state of affairs 6AG graphics in the 1930s pub, 28a Comeragh Road,W1 4 9HR Until 27 July W designmuseum.org Until 19 August E [email protected].

Artist: Martin Brausewetter. New Distinctive examples of small THE FINBOROUGH THEATRE works by Martin Brausewetter. commercial graphic design But It Still Goes On Curatorship: Ana Magalhães, jobs from British, European and Tuesday, 10 July – Saturday, 4 August Museum of Contemporary Art of the American designers reveal the 2018 University of São Pau. daily lives of ordinary people A world premiere from the author during a time of rapid change and of Goodbye To All That and I A Ground Floor, Lourdes technological innovation. Claudius, Robert Graves’ “post- Apartments, North End Road, Ticket Price: Free. catastrophic comedy”, But It Still London W14 9NU Goes On, directed by Fidelis Morgan, W arthillgallery.com See website for Free tours, talks and plays at the Finborough Theatre as family events. part of the Finborough Theatre’s A Victoria & Albert Museum, THEGREATWAR100 series Cromwell Road, SW7 commemorating the centenary of the T 020 7942 2000 First World War. W vam.ac.uk Ticket Price: From £18, concessions available THEATRE VICTORIA AND ALBERT MUSEUM Homos, or Everyone in America BARONS COURT THEATRE European Premiere Frida Kahlo: Making Her Self Up The Nightingale and The Rose and Tuesday, 7 August – Saturday, 1 Until 4 November Other Tales September 2018 This exhibition presents an Tuesday 17 July – Saturday 21 July extraordinary collection of personal Oscar Wilde’s tragic tale of love and Award-winning director Josh artefacts and clothing belonging ignorance; selflessness and waste. Seymour returns to the Finborough to the iconic Mexican artist Frida Paired with The Birthday of the Infanta, Theatre to direct the European Kahlo. Locked away for 50 years Orange Moon presents two of Oscar premiere of Homos, or Everyone in after her death, this collection has Wilde’s most haunting fairy tales in a America, a Critics’ Pick in the New THE DESIGN MUSEUM never before been exhibited outside new devised musical adaptation. York Times for its Off-Broadway Azzedine Alaïa: The Couturier Mexico. Ticket Price: From £10, concessions premiere, named one of New York Until 7 November Tickets: £15 / Concessions available available Magazine’s 10 Best Theatre Events of

10 thecourt

2016 and The Advocate’s Top 10 New Thursday 26 July, 7:30pm NELL’S JAZZ AND BLUES delicately woven tales of the great York Theater of 2016. A St Philip’s Church, Earl’s Court Rd, Therapy? – Acoustic Set characters and events from history. Ticket Price: From £18, concessions W8 6QH Friday 6 July Ticket Price: £45 available W ismenacollective.com In May last year Therapy? did A 118 Finborough Road SW10 9DE Tickets £12/£10 at the door a 20th anniversary tour for the A 3, North End Crescent, W14 8TG T 020 7244 7439 ‘Troublegum’ album, and it was T 020 7792 1200 W finboroughtheatre.co.uk THE TROUBADOUR CLUB completely sold out. Don’t miss your W nellsjazzandblues.com – Acoustic Set chance to see this band live. MUSIC Saturday 21 July, 9pm Ticket Price: £20 COMMUNITY EVENTS Mark Shaw and Ryan Williams bring MUSIC FOR A SUMMER’S you an acoustic night of Then Jerico Canned Heat EVENING AT ST PHILIP’S tunes from the past 30 years. Don’t Wednesday 18 July CHURCH miss this chance to see these great Canned Heat come to our Breaking the Rules: Words 80s artists in an intimate and iconic neighbourhood in July. The band and Music of the Paris Avant local venue. attained three worldwide hits, “On Garde Ticket Price £15 The Road Again” in 1968, “Let’s From the sometimes amusing and Work Together” in 1970 and “Going sometimes enchanting music of Erik Finley Quaye Up The Country” in 1969 became Satie and François Poulenc to the Saturday 11 August rock anthems throughout the world challenging and diverting work of Scottish musician, Finley Quaye, won with the later being adopted as the Dada and Surrealist writers such as the 1997 Mobo Award for best reggae unofficial theme song for the film Jean Cocteau and Paul Eluard, the act, and the 1998 BRIT Award for Woodstock and the “Woodstock Leighton House Summer Fete 1920’s and 30’s in Paris produced an Best Male Solo Artist. Playing in The Generation.” Saturday 4 August, 11am to 4pm astonishing response to the horrors Troubadour in August, we can expect Ticket Price: £35 A fun-filled day in the magical of WWI. This concert pays tribute to hear hits such as Sunday Shining garden at to these fertile and game-changing and Even After All. Al Stewart – stalls, treats, entertainment and years. Ticket Price: £15 Thursday 9 August activities galore. Suitable for all ages. Lene Sahlholdt - soprano Al Stewart came to stardom as Ticket price: Free Miriam Kramer - violin A 263 Old Brompton Road, SW5 part of the legendary British folk Mayda Narvey - cello T 020 7370 1434 revival in the sixties and seventies, A Leighton House Museum, 12 Nicholas Durcan - piano W troubadourlondon.com – tickets and developed his own unique style Holland Park Road, London W12 8L Darris Golinski - reader available online. of combining folk-rock songs with E [email protected]

The Court Crossword Number 1 Send a snap of your finished grid to [email protected] A cryptic crossword with a bit of local knowledge. – first correct answer out of a Ten clues (in blue) point to local place-names. Good luck! hat wins a bottle of wine.

Across

5 Hear a blossom from Palace to . (6) 6 Sound returns on Earls Court gardening tools. (6) 7 Basil for example is in her bathroom. (4) 9 Local Crescent is strangely layered. (7) 10 Aristocrat with one of the Courts has a bar only policy. (5) 11 Hot flu symptom always without the Operating Room. (5) 12 Emperor salad. (6) 13 Not the first unit of time. (6) 16 Road between Lillie and Halford in long armies. (5) 17 Promise initial voice over work. (3) 18 Garden grass becomes law on first November. (4) 20 Let ox shake up some praise. (5) 21 Agreed peace when against rope. (7)

Down

1 Fermented grape juice sounds like a complaint. (4) 2 Always between the first note and the last din is a local Square. (6) 3 Short Philip on the sands and a local garden. (9) 4 Between Earls Court and Warwick the wry penne is disturbed. (8) 6 Honorific Court owner in pearl of wisdom. (4) 8 Tree coatings with heavy weight in local garden. (8) 10 Strangely harm MBA for a garden square. (7) 14 A holding peg that will do well. (5) 15 Girl love is a rope with a noose. (5) 17 Ballot Vera on the end initially. (4) 19 Revolutionary with religious education and old penny. (3) A community space A Communitywhere S greatpace things happen Where Creativity Can Flourish A great place to work,A great 1A Nevern place to Place work, is 1A Nevern Place is located in the heart of located in the centre ofEarl's Earl’s Court. Court. A creative A creative hub with a hub with a big communitybig heart, community we welcome heart, we local welcome freelancers, small businesseslocal freelancers, owners, charitiessmall business and people workingowners, from home not-for-profit who just organisations, need to escapecharities for a littleand communitybit. groups.

1a Nevern Place is fully managed by Earls’ Court Community Trust – Registered Charity

Sponsored by Pricing Capital & Counties Monthly Membership: £50/month Main Room: £10/hour Office Meeting Room: £10/hour

◆ Special offers for charities and special interest groups.

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◆ Annual memberships available for groups that require regular meetings. A workspace for all Visit www.1anevernplace.com for bookings or contact us on [email protected] for further information