No. 36 CHELSEA SOCIETY NEWSLETTER

www.chelsea.org.uk charity no. 276264 November 2012

Pubs to houses: Chelsea 1, Developers 0 MICHAEL BACH

This is the score at the time of going to Community support press. We won the planning appeal on What a Summer the Cross Keys – the results for the public These planning appeals have really inquiry into the refusal of the change of galvanised their local communities to We knew it was going to be an eventful use of the Phene Arms, which lasted a come out in force. A chance meeting at summer – for the Society, for Chelsea and gruelling six days finishing on 5 November the Society’s Exhibition in May helped for London: us set up a campaign group to mobilise and the public hearing on the Queen’s • Chelsea Society Exhibition: Chelsea - At the residents who live near the Cross Head, will not be available until Christmas. the Heart of Gardening Keys. John Bodenham offered to fund (See report on the two other appeals • Diamond Jubilee and the Thames the setting up of a special website with on page 6) Pageant a petition www.savethecrosskeys.co.uk • Summer Drinks Event: Brompton which generated some 2,200 signatures, Cemetery and to support a team who collected a • Doggett’s Coat and Badge Race further 1,700+ signature paper petition • Olympic Games: Olympic Torch Relay, and put posters in windows. cycle races

At the public hearing on 24 July we had All of these are covered inside… a fantastic team of local residents from Lawrence Street - Penny Pocock, Paul Miller, Tonya Hoffman and Oscar – who produced extremely moving testimony of the importance of the pub to the local community. We also had help from Dale Ingram from the Campaign for Real Ale and Michael Johnson, manager of the Duke of Wellington to provide expert evidence. The strength of our evidence and the strong commitment of local Chelsea Pensioners waiting for the Torch residents clearly influenced the outcome of this case. Thanks to everyone who CONTENTS turned up to support us on the day. Pubs to Houses ...... 1 The result came through on 17 September – Summer 2012 ...... 2-5 which was followed by a celebration at the Planning ...... 6-9 Pig’s Ear in Old Church Street on 5 October. Later that month some squatters moved Cleaning our streets ...... 9-10 in – they are looking after the pub. The Cross Cultural notes...... 11 Keys was on the market for £4.5 million until Cross Keys in better days recently – there may be a buyer. Events...... 12

1 THE CHELSEA SOCIETY Summer 2012 Summer 2012 MICHAEL BACH Summer Drinks Reception: Chelsea Society’s gardens of the late 18th and early 19th Thames Pageant: Brompton Cemetery: 5 July centuries which propagated exotic plants Exhibition: Chelsea - and, finally, to the Chelsea Flower Show – a 5 June PATRICIA BURR This was the biggest event of its kind on At the Heart of Gardening: phenomenon of the last century – next the Thames – a procession of 1,000 boats. year is the centenary. 22 May – 2 June The story of the event was told by Lord Salisbury in his lecture on 29 October (see Another highly successful exhibition The exhibition, which was opened by page 5). held in a marquee on Dovehouse Green. Felicity Kendall, was a great success thank The exhibition charted the rise of plant to the dedicated team led by Carrie growing in Chelsea, from the Apothecaries Starren and the generosity of our sponsors Chelsea Society Walk: Company’s Physic Garden gathering plants and the skill of our fundraiser, Leonard from all round the world for medicinal Holdsworth. It was a major opportunity to 20 June purposes, through the gardens of the show Chelsea residents who we are and David Le Lay led another of his Chelsea “palaces” along the Thames, to the nursery what we do. Walks, starting, very topically, at The Phene Arms, describing the development of Surprises at Jubilee Celebrations the Phene Estate, focusing on Dr Phene’s LEONARD HOLDSWORTH innovations, especially the introduction of street trees and the Phene Arms pub which was an integral part of his estate. David described the history of the Brompton Cemetery Chapel surrounding streets, including Margaretta Terrace, named after Dr Phene’s wife, A cemetery seems an unusual venue for the outing. Perhaps it was not courage There are 35,000 memorials in the Phene Street and Oakley Street, before a summer party: more suitable for a wake, but knowledge that inspired them. For at cemetery. We saw perhaps a few hundred. crossing to Upper Cheyne Row. From there one would think. Yet 90 of our members the Brompton Cemetery one does not feel There are graves of the famous, the heroic David gave a running commentary about were adventurous enough to sign up for the Addams family breathing down ones (13 holders of the Victoria Cross) and the the development of Glebe Place, pointing neck: on the contrary the overwhelming ordinary citizens of West London. We were out one of the few houses in London feeling is one of serenity. This was the aim inspired and moved and bonded by the designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh at of the Victorian designers who created experience. We left soon after 8pm leaving 49 Glebe Place, before returning to Oakley the garden cemetery in 1840 and it still the ground to the wildlife including the Street. holds true today. And if you are lucky foxes who emerge from their dens to play Prince Andrew and Vicki Jacobson Picture: Neslie Hollinshead enough to have a beautiful summer once the visitors have left. There were lots of street parties for Queen couldn’t make it, but her son, the evening, as we were, the setting has so the Diamond Jubilee, but perhaps the Duke of York, would, together with his much to offer: grand architecture, formal one with most surprises was the one famous daughters. ceremonial drives, overarching lime trees, Editor’s footnote: organised by the Christ Church Residents’ wooded parkland, small meadows of wild Brompton Cemetery, developed as a Association, which embraced residents Security considerations meant his visit had flowers and, of course, the mausoleums, private cemetery in response to the not only of Christchurch Street but many to be kept confidential until the day, but catacombs and gravestones. appalling state of London’s churchyards, neighbouring streets. A special effort when he arrived with the flotilla of police was consecrated in 1840 by the Bishop was made to ensure elderly and infirm motorbikes, everyone present was thrilled Our party was held in the domed Anglican of London. However, as Parliament did residents came and enjoyed free eats and suddenly people flocked to the party Chapel, a beautiful Grade-II* listed building not approve of private cemeteries, an Act and drinks. from surrounding streets and the Chelsea of honey-coloured Bath stone near the of Parliament was passed that resulted Embankment. 300 feet diameter Great Circle, which was in its nationalisation, although it was When the chairman of the Residents’ inspired by the Piazza at St. Peter’s in Rome. the only one that was nationalised. As a Association, Vicky Jacobsen (pictured here The Duke of York spent nearly an hour at It adapts perfectly as the venue for a social result it has been administered by various in the trilby hat), wrote to Buckingham the Party and talked to nearly everybody gathering. Informed by a short history of Government Departments - currently Palace inviting Her Majesty The Queen to there (as did his daughters before they the place, fortified by a large selection of by the Royal Parks Agency who are drop by for a cup of tea en route to her joined their grandmother on the Thames), cocktail nibbles, and carrying our wine (in responsible for its maintenance and Thames embarkation point a few yards including the carvers on the hog roast plastic glasses I hasten to add), we were policing. The Royal Borough has made a away at Cadogan Pier, she didn’t really (kindly supplied by the nearby Surprise escorted by The Friends of Brompton bid to take over responsibility for its future. expect it to be taken seriously. pub), the members of the brilliant jazz Cemetery (who lived up to their name) on The Cemetery is Grade-I listed on the band and Governors of Christ Church short tours through the graveyards near English Heritage Register of Historic Parks Monument in Brompton Cemetery However a few days before the big day, Primary School. Gathering at the Phene – Martin Andrews the Chapel. and Gardens. advised her the THE CHELSEA SOCIETY 2 3 THE CHELSEA SOCIETY Summer 2012 Summer 2012

Doggett’s Coat and Badge Race: Although the main events were in the Olympic Park in East London, Chelsea was 20 July treated to the Olympic men’s and women’s Diamond Jubilee DAVID LE LAY cycle road races on the weekend of 28-29 Probably the biggest crowd ever gathered July, when the cyclists went from Central Thames Pageant at Cadogan Pier on 20 July to see the finish London out to Box Hill in Surrey and back, Picture: Andrew Crowley Andrew Picture: of the 298th Doggett’s Coat and Badge passing along the length of Fulham Road Lecture: Race. It was a warm day but with the threat – Chelsea’s northern border. This was also of showers, which thankfully stayed away. the occasion of the Cultural Olympics 29 October The race is between two pubs, both called event in Exhibition Road. the Swan Inn, both of which, in the way Otherwise the closest events were the SIR MICHAEL CRAIG-COOPER of pubs today, no longer exist – one at Volleyball at Earl’s Court and the men’s and London Bridge and the other at Chelsea I was privileged to introduce our President women’s triathlon in Hyde Park. – a distance of 4 miles 7 furlongs. This on 29 October when he gave a lecture year’s winner, who completed the distance to the Society on the Thames Diamond This was London’s summer! in 24mins. 28secs, was Merlin Dwan. It Jubilee Pageant. was a close-run race, with the last of the The Mayor presenting prize to the winner 5 contestants coming in only 5 minutes Chelsea Festival: When Lord Salisbury became Chairman of behind Merlin. Mr. Dwan came second Olympic Games: the Thames Diamond Jubilee Foundation last year and comes from a family that has 13-21 October he inherited a situation which was July-August Lord Salisbury surveys the Thames at Chelsea produced several winners of the race, in to my mind rather like the television Chelsea’s Olympics started with the LEONARD HOLDSWORTH 1971, 1977, 2002 and 2004. series ‘Twenty Twelve’. He immediately Lord Salisbury gave us a facinating talk in believed to have been the largest world- Olympic Torch crossing Chelsea Bridge at The original Chelsea Festival was last held restructured the organisation, brought which he mentioned many of difficulties wide television audience of all time. 1.15pm on 26 July, carried by Tom Aikens, Members of the Society, their friends several years ago, but last year Prebendary in outside expertise and held regular that had to be overcome in organising the Chelsea-based restaurateur. Led by and other passers-by enjoyed lively Brian Leathard (pictured here) revived it meetings of the Trustees and action such a huge event. The talk was illustrated It has been a delight and an honour to a small cavalcade of motorcycles and conversation and a welcome glass of beer in a small way with well-attended musical groups including fund-raising. I can by a number of interesting slides which serve as one his co-Trustees and, in that sponsors’ vehicles, the flame processed up kindly provided by Fuller’s Brewery whilst concerts here and there in the Borough. confidently say that, without his drive and brought back evocative memories to those capacity, I would mention that the charity Chelsea Bridge Road, past lines of red- they waited for the contestants to come leadership in bringing structure to the who had witnessed the event. Millions is still happy to receive donations which coated, flag-waving Chelsea Pensioners up to Cadogan Pier where they were each This year, 2012, it was revived and ran from organisation, the Pageant could not have not only watched the Pageant along the may be made out to Thames Diamond and nurses, to Sloane Square and then presented with a bottle of champagne 13 to 21 October. taken place. embankments but also formed what is Jubilee Foundation. the length of the King’s Road before by the Mayor of the Royal Borough of Please see details below. Kensington and Chelsea, Councillor disappearing into Fulham. It was all Under Brian Leathard’s Chairmanship, Christopher Buckmaster. over in 40 minutes, emerging again at gala concerts (one at St Luke’s Church 3pm in Holland Park, before going off to and the other at Christ Church) featuring Among the first to congratulate the Westminster. eminent performers were held to start winner was Arnold Stevenson, whose and finish the week of memorable events. idea it was that the contestants should These included art exhibitions, guided As I said, one of the purposes of the with the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee come ashore at Chelsea to be received by Borough walks, visits to local artists’ Pageant was always to provide a charitable Trust, chaired by John Major, and it is our the Mayor of the Royal Borough. Damian The Thames studios, children’s entertainment involving legacy to mark The Queen’s 60 years earnest hope that we will be able to find Greenish, Chairman of The Chelsea local schools and colleges, both state of extraordinary service to the country efficient ways to link with them in their Society, also congratulated the winner Diamond Jubilee and private, drama events (including and the Commonwealth. The Thames capacity as the principal legacy of the and the other contestants. This Chelsea live readings from Janet Suzman and Diamond Jubilee Foundation is the Diamond Jubilee. event was organised by the Society with other great actors) as well as jazz (on Foundation charitable entity within which the Pageant all the arrangements being carried out Dovehouse Green). LORD SALISBURY was staged in order to serve that purpose. We would be delighted if you wished to by Paulette Craxford, the Society’s ever- make a contribution to our Foundation. popular Events Secretary. Other attractions included an evening with I so much enjoyed my evening with the The Foundation’s charitable objectives are You can do so by sending a cheque, supper at the Physic Garden, architectural Chelsea Society and having the chance to “To advance in life and relieve the needs payable to the ‘Thames Diamond Jubilee The Mayor was accompanied by the tours and recitals by world-famous explain in some small measure, the work, of young people by distributing funds to Foundation’ and send it c/o The Treasurer, Mayoress, Mrs. Anne Hobson, and the organists (with bars and suppers at nearby the frustrations and the joys of staging the youth charities”. We have three partner The Chelsea Society, 36 Walpole Street, Deputy Mayor, Councillor Lady Borwick, was inns). There was even a Chelsea Festival Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant. I was charities: Flagship UK; Fields in Trust; and London SW3 4QS. If you are eligible for Gift also present. Amongst those in the crowd Pub of the Year competition! Here is the delighted by the warmth of your response Plan, all of whom were involved on the Aid we would be very happy to send you was Rosie Doggett, who lives in Battersea giant banner that was on display here and and your interest in it all. day of the Pageant and to whom we will the appropriate form as this increases your and is a direct descendant of Thomas there in Chelsea showing just some of the distribute our surplus. We are also in touch gift without any further cost to you. Doggett who instigated the race in 1715. Tom Aitkens Festival’s highlights. THE CHELSEA SOCIETY 4 5 THE CHELSEA SOCIETY Planning Planning Chelsea’s First Subterraneum Ballroom? The Phene Arms and the Queen’s Head TERENCE BENDIXSON TERENCE BRENDIXON

Walton Street residents are not happy at His application, PP/12/3854, includes a basements but this one may well get Following the good news about the Cross the prospect of the excavation of what section showing an underground chamber through the system before changes can Keys in Lawrence Street, which an appeal could be Chelsea’s biggest ever suite of containing three floors. At the bottom is be made. Bell Cornwall, Mr Graham’s Inspector saved from conversion to a underground rooms: it includes a ballroom. a pool and a three car garage. Above that planning consultants, forecast that the house, other inspectors heard cases being are lobbies giving onto galleries around dig will take four years and involve the made for the conversion of the Phene The site is the one-time school, later the pool. And at the top are a silver store, excavation of 1,375 large skips of earth. Arms in Phene Street and the Queen’s Richard Burgess Picture: a magistrate’s court, not far from the more lobbies and a ballroom lit by a Getting the necessary lorries in and out Head in Tryon Street. At both hearings junction with Pont Street. David Graham, lantern, capped with a cupola, that pokes of Walton Street will be troublesome for teams of loyal Chelsea pub-lovers set up 75, a Canadian cable TV millionaire, owns up into the garden. many residents. The Society has lodged an on-line petitions, distributed leaflets and the Old Court House, and he is said to The Council, which is in the course objection. gave evidence before the inspectors. be contemplating excavation because, of revising its policies on excavation, although he wants a bigger place, he is expected to rule out multi-storey cannot find one. The Queen’s Head The case for the Queen’s Head, which has three bars all with slightly different functions, and which has a loyal gay following, was impressive. The key issue Residents are Worried About Basements was whether other pubs could take its place. Residents from the Sutton TERENCE BENDIXSON Estate made clear that, in an age of Queen’s Head costly gastropubs, the Queen’s Head is Questions about basements dominated a rarity, a genuine working man’s pub. the Society’s Annual Meeting for Residents’ Head had taken him in and made to feel at that what was expected to take four days Then the Manager spoke up for his gay Associations on 8 October. Questioners home: they had even helped him through ended up spreading over six. customers. They, he said, would have to wanted to know what the Council was a mental breakdown. go to as far as Vauxhall or Ealing to find a doing to control the menace. Councillor Three issues dominated the proceedings. comparable place. Tim Ahern, Cabinet Member for Planning Had the Council’s new policy for Policy (supported by Mr Jonathan Bore, The Phene Arms protecting pubs got sufficiently far along A statement tabled by an assistant Executive Director for Planning), said the The Phene Arms inquiry was a very its bureaucratic course to have power? Did manager told a touching story of pub policies in the Local Plan, the so-called different kettle of fish. Mr. Timothy Comyn, the protection afforded by conservation friendship. He had first came to London Core Strategy, and in supplementary barrister for the appellants and his witness areas extend only to buildings, or did as a young gay man and knew no one. planning guidance, would be changed. Simon Avery, took so long over everything, it also protect their use? And was the But staff and customers at the Queen’s However, residents refused to be mollified Phene a ‘local’ supported by a loyal band and when Cllr. Ahern, having said that a of residents in nearby streets? It fell, of basement had been excavated next to his course, to the Chelsea Society to produce house in Kensington, added that he went witnesses in support of the third point. The to the country to escape the nuisance, a residents were wonderful. gasp went round the room. The Council also put up a strong case, The Society has since then agreed on the presented by their barrister Josef Cannon and the Council’s planning officer, who need for a new, much more restrictive, Road constriction during an underground development approach. Amongst its proposals are: no appeared at all three of the appeals. excavation under listed buildings and their gardens; no more than a twenty percent (Copies of the note can be had policies before the end of the year. The The two inspectors will, we hope, report excavation under the gardens of un-listed from the Hon. Sec. Planning at greatest danger for Chelsea is that, with before Christmas. Meanwhile squatters buildings; and the establishment of a list [email protected] or the Coalition Government seeking to descended on the Cross Keys in October of streets and cul-de-sacs where lack of 020 7352 3885.) promote construction by any means and achieved easily the residential status lorry space should lead to the refusal of possible, Councillors will refuse to do that had eluded Mr Robert Bourne, the applications. Residents will have an opportunity to what residents want out of loyalty to the owner and developer. comment on the Council’s new basement Conservative Party. Phene Public Inquiry: Tim Nodder and Terence Bendixson

THE CHELSEA SOCIETY 6 7 THE CHELSEA SOCIETY Planning Planning

The Colbert The Colbert restaurant has opened in The Battle ofBritten Street: Sloane Square in place of the old Oriel, happily still with tables out on the pavement where clients can gossip about How creeping development outwits the Council Chelsea’s best. As the latest addition to MOYA DENMAN Chris Corbin and Jeremy King’s empire, Heinz Schumi opened his hairdresser’s the legally permissible grounds that he it is less of an architectural tour-de-force shop on the corner of Britten and St. Luke’s Planning application – had planning permission to redevelop than, say, the Wolseley in Piccadilly, but Streets 20 years ago. Originally designed the lever to evict the premises. Effectively, despite its its comfortable Paris 1880 atmosphere as a corner shop with accommodation laudable policies to keep life local and to is nicely judged. A photo on the website Next, last year, came a planning application above, it served the surrounding terraces to redevelop and extend the basement maintain a mix of uses in areas away from sums it all up: Sloane Square in the days of built for workmen labouring on the the main shopping areas, the Council is a horse-buses and straw boaters with Peter and ground floors to provide a new flat Great Exhibition site. It has been a shop and to reorganise the existing shop unit. toothless tiger. Jones still a Victorian emporium. You can ever since. book a table on 020 7730 2804. Will this That was refused, so the developer tried a End of the road? event reopen discussion about the future new tack: he applied for apparently minor Creeping change changes to the exterior of the building and Mr Schumi has mounted a vigorous of the square? Rumour says so. Le Columbier restaurant As property values in Chelsea have risen, change of use of a toilet ancillary to the A1 campaign to get the Council to reconsider so has the pressure to maximise returns - shop, “in connection with self-containment – ideally to revoke – its planning decision. Lord Cadogan Hands Le Colombier, hence creeping developments. Although of entrance to upper maisonette”. In The defensive response is that this is On The Baton new school, John Lewis will be allowed applications for change of use of the the application, he included other a matter for landlord and tenant, not Dovehouse Street to change the depot into much more building from a shop to residential were alterations to compensate for the loss of planning. But if a planning decision Viscount Chelsea, 46, has taken over from The asset stripping of pubs has now turned valuable residential space – though some refused in 1980 and 1997, with an appeal shop floorspace, notably a new staircase undermines the viability of a business his father the direction of the Cadogan to a restaurant – Le Colombier – where a of it will be let at affordable rents. dismissed in April 1999, during the 1980s between the ground and basement floors and the rights of a tenant, where is Estate. The former Royal Air Force developer has proposed converting the a rear extension to the first floor flat and of the shop, but as internal alterations do the justice? And can we count on the officer and present day Territorial Army first and second floors to flats, forcing the A public exhibition on these ideas will a conservatory at second floor level were not require planning consent no account Council to ensure that the premises, commander seems to be looking forward kitchen into the basement, squeezing the be staged at the school on Friday 7th allowed. More recently, after the building was taken of objections (including from when redeveloped, will be re-let as a to the job. At a small celebration at Duke scale of the restaurant and so reducing December from 4pm to 7pm. was sold to a new freeholder/developer, the Chelsea Society) pointing out that the shop rather than used by the landlord of York Square, to which the Society was the viability of the restaurant. The Society the glass walls of the conservatory were viability of the business was jeopardised by for his own purposes (to which he is not invited, he looked back over the 300 has objected. Habitat and the Curzon cinema: The made opaque, and, it is rumoured, behind the proposals. Permission was granted on entitled, not having owned the property years of the estate’s history and gave the Cadogan Estate is preparing to redevelop them there is now a proper bathroom. 6 September 2011. for 5 years before he gained the planning impression he fully expects it to last for at the buildings that now house Habitat, This alteration to the structure – in a With his protected lease coming up for permission)? Dream on… least a comparable period in the future. In the Pipeline? the Curzon cinema and the Trafalgar conservation area – is a striking eyesore, renewal in November 2012, Mr Schumi He’s probably right. The Marlborough School: John Lewis pub. Cadogan is not trying to get rid but it was too late to take planning wasn’t surprised then to receive a Section The saddest thing is that the Planning has been considering for some time what of these tenants but to get more rent enforcement action, and, it appears, 25 notice under the Landlord and Tenant Applications Committee took its decision Juggernauts In Glebe to do with Clearings, the old Peter Jones out of the site. So the cinema is likely to Building Control can do nothing. Act 1954 notifying him that the landlord under the chairmanship of one of the local depot in Draycott Place. The firm has go underground and have an entrance would oppose a renewal of the lease on ward councillors. Place? therefore had Dixon Jones (no relation!), around the corner in Chelsea Manor Street. With the former Jamahiriya School in architects of the modernised Covent Might the pub go upstairs? If it did then Glebe Place having changed hands yet Garden opera, working for it on ways to the whole of the King’s Road frontage of Cleaning Our Streets again, the new owners have applied to put flats on the site. This could involve the site could be devoted to shops. Flats make modest modifications to the plans demolition or conversion. are likely too. for which their predecessors obtained permission. However, those who studied News has now come that John Lewis are Cadogan are employing a firm called Clean up After YourDog proposing to rebuild Marlborough School the documents carefully found one file Soundings to find out the views MICHAEL BACH fouling the road. containing details of the expected lorry and to house the children in temporary of residents, businesses and other Good news – the Council has decided number of dogs you could have on a lead Councillor Nicholas Paget-Brown said: traffic. This showed that the contractors quarters in Clearings until the new school stakeholders. They will be running ‘pop-up’ to outlaw dogs fouling in the road. It has walking along the street and to make it “We consulted with representatives of planned to route up to sixty very large is built. When that is done the children will consultation events in the King’s Road in always been an offence to allow dogs to an offence to allow dogs to foul parks and dog owners who were very vociferous lorries per day down Glebe Place, fill them move out again allowing the conversion November and December and also plan to foul the pavement, but many people still open spaces. about our earlier changes. They were less up with excavated earth, and exit them of Clearings to houses and flats and shops form a ‘community liaison group’. If you are remember the catchphrase “kerb your dog” Now, prompted by Exhibition Road where concerned about these and I think they across Old Church Street and through along Draycott Place. interested call Afolabi Spence at Soundings which implied that fouling the street was it would be unsafe to have dogs off the will make a cleaner and safer environment Paultons Square. on 020 7729 1705 or email to 200-222Kr@ acceptable. It is not and is now an offence. lead or to allow them to foul the road, the for everyone.” Local authorities do deals like this soundings.com. Work is expected to start A few years ago the Council reviewed Council’s Dogs Control Order deals with The next message is that dumping poo- The applications have now been nowadays. In return for paying for a in 2016. its rules on controlling dogs, to limit the dogs either not on the lead in the road or bags is unacceptable: “Bag it and Bin it” withdrawn. THE CHELSEA SOCIETY 8 9 THE CHELSEA SOCIETY Cleaning Our Streets Cultural Notes Sir Hans Sloane: his other legacies Decluttering our streets – IAN FOSTER are we going backwards? This year is the 300th anniversary of the island is now being recognised as Generally there is an increased Sloane’s purchase of the Chelsea estate in a valuable contribution to the island’s appreciation for Sloane at this time and MICHAEL BACH 1712. The circumstances of the purchase identity, especially as this year is the 50th I am keen to engage Chelsea in this are becoming clearer and research on anniversary of Jamaica’s independence recognition which goes much further than For the last decade the Council has been Sloane is currently the focus of a number from the UK. his fame in the world of chocolate, which is working to improve our streetscape – of organisations, including the museums somewhat misleading as he did not in fact many of our streets have been thoroughly he inspired as well as various universities Contributions to science ‘invent’ milk chocolate although certainly “decluttered”, but now we are threatened and academic institutions around the did much research on the properties by a new invasion. world, who are developing a renewed Sloane’s contributions to science are of chocolate and used it often in his appreciation of his work and contributions. being recognised. I have been invited to medical profession. When competition was introduced into contribute an article for the ‘Notes and the public telephone market we had an Social history of Jamaica Records of the Royal Society’ which will Sloane was a key Enlightenment figure and influx of new phone kiosks. Certain streets, At a recent ceremony at the British centre on his contributions to science I am sure he would like to be remembered such as the King’s Road, were inundated, Museum a drum from Jamaica was given and include what is probably the earliest for these new discoveries about him so the Council called a halt in these areas. to the museum collection by Colonel recognition of climate change due to especially in his beloved Chelsea where he It has taken a long time to get rid of these Frank Lumsden, leader of the Charles human activity from his observations has been remembered best. phone boxes, even where they were no Town Maroons of Jamaica. The Maroons during his time in Jamaica. Also his early longer used other than for advertising. are a people, originally runaway slaves, understanding of a past upheaval in the BT’s new wheeze – who Sloane encountered during his time earth’s climate that we now know as the in Jamaica. His record of the culture of ice age and other significant facts. an advertphone Opera Prelude We no longer need so many telephone Set up in 2010, as a non-profit project, boxes as most people have a mobile Opera Prelude hosts a wide variety phone – we just need them in case of Whistler Society seeks funds of opera appreciation classes, given emergency. Now we are faced with the by talented young opera singers in latest threat to our streetscape – the A group of Whistler enthusiasts met at membership will be invited from all those Chelsea’s Cadogan Hall. advertphone. JC Decaux, one of the the Chelsea Arts Club earlier this year and who share the Society’s aims. main suppliers of advertisement panels decided to form a society whose aims are The classes are informative and in the world, has got together with BT to promote interest in the life, work and At this stage, the Society is in urgent need entertaining with a mixture of and come up with a large advertisement influence of James McNeill Whistler of ‘seed’ money in order to set up and get detailed exposition illustrated panel (9 feet tall by 4 foot 6 inches wide) running. Anyone donating £500 or more with live performance and well- with a payphone on the back as a way of The intention is that the Society will be will become an official Patron. Advertphone: Phone known recordings to enhance the rolling out advertisement panels in over international to reflect the interest in understanding and appreciation of 40 locations throughout the Borough, Whistler that exists throughout the world, If anyone is interested in helping opera. including the King’s Road (9), Sloane especially in the United States, as well as in contact: [email protected]. Street (2), Sloane Square (1) and outside BT Broadband cabinets Great Britain. BT has now come back with a 150 cabinet No previous qualifications are necessary the Chelsea Westminster Hospital (1). The Last year, totally out of the blue, BT programme which shows more concern to attend and are not Society is opposed to the proliferation of Openreach applied to put some 80 very Dr. Stephen Bury, Librarian at The Frick for their siting. Nevertheless, there are still required to sing! on-street advertising panels. large cabinets around the Borough. All unresolved concerns about the siting of Reference Library in New York and were rejected by the Council as no attempt Professor Margaret Macdonald of The some of these cabinets. Venue: The Cadogan Hall In addition BT have a new kiosk with an ATM had been made to consider how best to University of Glasgow have kindly agreed Time: 10.30 – 12.00 built into the back. One of these has already site them to minimise the impact of the to be Hon. Patrons. The Leader of the Council, Sir Merrick Tickets: £25 (All proceeds from ticket been granted by the Council in Chelsea. character of the Borough’s conservation Cockell, is particularly keen to sales are used directly for the singers Beware of BT bearing gifts of ATMs and areas. BT complained that the Borough The Society has a committee, chaired by accommodate BT’s rollout of faster benefit) scrolling illuminated advertisements. Tell was being obstructive, but in reality BT was broadband, although most users in the David Le Lay, which has secured a domain your councillors what you think about large uncompromising and did not consult on name and has opened a bank account. Borough, including two-thirds of business Further information, singer’s biographies advertising panels along the King’s Road. their proposals. It is hoped that it will soon become a users, are satisfied with the current speeds. and booking details, contact: registered Charity for tax purposes. It is Fiona Hamilton 07908894333 hoped to officially launch the Society early James McNeill Whistler www.operaprelude.com in the New Year when applications for -Nocturne - Battersea Bridge

THE CHELSEA SOCIETY 10 11 THE CHELSEA SOCIETY Society Events

PATRICIA BURR Cards For Good Causes: Chelsea Society’s cards Holy Trinity Church, Sloane Street The Chelsea Society has been selling its cards there since 2003. This year we have five designs, four of which have been designed Cards for Good Causes have been selling charity cards at their by Hugh Krall: one, a view of 1-40 Cheyne Walk, is new. Holy shop at Holy Trinity for 25 years. To mark this anniversary, and to Trinity is our most successful outlet and last year we made launch their 2012 season, a short Service of Thanksgiving was held £1,618.14 after paying CFGC 23% commission on our sales. on 11 October to which representatives of the 60 charities whose cards are on sale were invited. Holy Trinity benefits from our presence there. Not only do we contribute to their funds, but many thousands of people The Rector, the Rev. Rob Gillion officiated. Carols were sung, are introduced to the Church. It is a beautiful setting and it the first of the year for all of us: not surprising given it was only is no hardship spending four hours a week as a volunteer, a October. Indeed the shop’s opening coincided with the Church’s requirement for all participating charities, either organising the Harvest Festival, but Father Rob had no complaints. He said he goods or operating the till. The atmosphere is welcoming and we wished the Christmas spirit lasted all year long (as doubtless do often have the benefit of an organ recital, a nativity play or even a most retailers) and one cannot have too much of a good thing. wedding service. Allan Kelly, the Manager and a loyal friend of the Chelsea Society read the lesson, also with a Christmas theme. Do drop in. We are open until Wednesday 19 December. The only problem you will have is choice. There is a host of advent calendars, stocking fillers, gifts for young and old and over 500 designs of cards on offer.

Chelsea Society 2013 Lectures:

14 January: Tite Street: Julian Barrow

11 February: Speaker to be confirmed

18 March: The Pre-Raphaelites in Chelsea: Dr Alison Smith t(Tate Britain)

Cheyne Walk - part of the new artwork for the 2012 cards

KEEPING IN TOUCH WITH YOU

We want to be able to communicate with you by email. If you have access to email, please send it to: [email protected] simply stating ‘this is my address’ and giving your name.

Our website is at: www.chelseasociety.org.uk

This Newsletter was edited by Michael Bach: michaelbach@madasafish. com

The page layout was composed by Nicko Dalton, [email protected], www.nicko.me The newsletter printing was undertaken by: The London Printing Company

The views expressed in this Newsletter are those of the individual contributors and not necessarily those of the Chelsea Society.

THE CHELSEA SOCIETY 12