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KCWKENSINGTON, CHELSEA & WESTMINSTER, HAMMERSMITHto & FULHAM, WANDSWORTH a y AND SELECT LONDON BOROUGHS ISSUE 88 OCTOBER 2019 FREE Contents 80-100 Gwynne Road, London, NEWS SW11 3UW AUCTIONS OPINION Tel: 020 7738 2348 COMMENT BUSINESS EDUCATION HEALTH E-mail: [email protected] EVENTS EYECARE Website: INTERNATIONAL PROPERTY News www.kcwtoday.co.uk ARTS & CULTURE 3 ASTRONOMY Advertisement enquiries: DINING OUT MOTORING Statue & Blue Plaque [email protected] LITERATURE 8 TRAVEL Subscriptions: LIFESTYLE CROSSWORD Architecture [email protected] BRIDGE 9 CHESS Publishers: STREETSCAPE BRENDAN NEILAND SHOWS AT 45 PARK LANE, LONDON W1 Kensington & Chelsea Today Limited 10 Commemoration 12 News 14 Opinion & Comment Editor-in-Chief: Kate Hawthorne International Art Director & Director: Tim Epps 17 Senior Business Development: Antoinette Kovatchka Astronomy Architecture: Squinch 18 Art & Culture Editors: Don Grant, Marian Maitland Education Astronomy: Scott Beadle FRAS 19 Bridge: Andrew Robson 22 Appeal Business & Finance Charles McLachlan, Doug Shanks Chess: Barry Martin 23 Fashion Opinion and Comment: Marius Brill, Peter Burden, Nick Salaman, Derek Wyatt 24 Literature Music: Geoff Cowart, Arts & Culture Crossword: Wolfe 26 Design: Jane Duncan Events Dining Out: Max Feldman, 32 David Hughes (Editor) Dining Out Editorial: Griffin Buch, Max Feldman, 40 Oliver Lloyd, Anna Mackenzie, Environment Fahad Redha, Anandi Shah, 42 Paige Williams, May Woods Travel Education: KCW Editorial Team 44 Environment Oliver Lloyd Lifestyle & Health Events: Fahad Redha 46 International News: KCW Editorial team Science & Technology Feldman Reviews: Max Feldman 52 Lifestyle & Health: KCW Editorial team Property & Home Consultant Lifestyle 54 & Beauty Editor: Talia Hull Business & Finance Literature: Max Feldman 56 Motoring: Fahad Redha, Motoring & Flight News, Online Editor, Max Feldman 58 Arts Correspondent & Sport Picture Editor 60 Sport: Fahad Redha Crossword & Bridge Science & Technology Fahad Redha 62 Sub-Editor: Leila Kooros Chess Travel: Lynne McGowan 63 020 7738 2348 November 2019 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today 3 News online: www.KCWToday.co.uk

people working on the shelf, particularly researchers at the British Antarctic Expanding cracks Survey’s Halley Station. This major in Arctic glacier base for Earth, atmospheric, and space threatens to break off iceberg science research typically operates year- round, but has been closed down twice ‘the size of London’ in recent years due to unpredictable By Max Feldman changes in the ice. The station has also been rebuilt and relocated over the decades and was recently towed about 14 miles inland, to the other side of the cracks. Scientists don't know what will happen to the ice shelf after the iceberg ewly released footage from breaks away. “It’s possible that the ice NASA’s Copernicus Sentinel-1 shelf will be destabilised,” explained radar mission show how NASA scientist Joe MacGregor. immense cracks at set to shatter an However it seems this is not the first N time that the Brunt ice shelf underwent Antarctic ice shelf, potentially releasing an iceberg about the size of Greater such a dramatic breakaway. The original London into the ocean. Two immense maps of the shelf drawn by Shackleton cracks, spanning for miles across the and Wordie in 1915 record the shelf face of Antarctica’s Brunt Ice Shelf, extending far further than its current are set to meet in the near future. If size, meaning an unrecorded breakaway the cracks meet south of the nearby event must have taken place in the McDonald Ice Rumples then it would last hundred years. Whilst calving is be likely that a huge portion of the ice part of the polar lifecycle, increasingly shelf might break off in a process called of Skye breaking off the Amery ice-shelf crack appeared. The ‘Halloween Crack’, recent examples have been happening calving. The new-born iceberg’s potential as recently as 30 September. as it came to be known, was spotted to in unfamiliar areas; more footage from measurements have been estimated at Researchers have been watching the the north, running perpendicular to the Copernicus Sentinal-1 mission more than double the size of New York Brunt Ice Shelf carefully since 2012, Chasm 1 moving as fast as 4 kilometres has uncovered rapidly growing cracks City at more than 580 miles, (1,500 when a crack that had been dormant a year. A meeting of the two seemed spreading across the Pine Island Glacier, square km) and between 492 and 820 ft for 35 years suddenly showed signs of likely, which would separate a large with scientists anticipating yet another thick. We have been seeing increasing movement again. Chasm 1, as its known, chunk of the Brunt Ice Shelf from the breakaway. As concerns about climate numbers of ice shelf’s calving with 315 has grown steadily over the last seven Antarctic mainland. The growing cracks change heat up, the polar cycles will billion-tonne iceberg the size of the Isle years. Then in October 2016, a second have prompted safety concerns for come under increasing scrutiny.

The Communications Workers London’s streets. December election Union, which represents postal workers The plans include a ‘vision zero’ Thames boat trips approach to safety. In practice, this

announced on October 15th that Royal Photograph © TfL means that the goal is to have no deaths voting Mail employees have approved strike to double By Oliver Lloyd By Oliver Lloyd or serious accidents on public transport action. As of print, when the action by 2041. Existing river boats will be will begin has not been announced Transport for London has unveiled replaced with newer cleaner vessels to but disruption to postal ballots may be plans to double the number of trips reduce the network’s carbon footprint in anticipated. It is wise to consult with on their Thames river boat network accordance with another mayoral goal of your local council before applying for a to 20 million by 2035. The plans, an entirely clean city by 2050. announced on 6th November, are aimed “The Thames was integral to postal vote. to handle this increase in volume in a London’s origins and will play a key ‘safe and sustainable’ man s for closer role in its future.” said Gareth Powell, Council websites for your local polling collaboration between Transport for Managing Director of Surface Transport station, checking postal ballot status and London, the Port of London Authority at TfL, adding, “Our strategy establishes The next general election will be on 12th other queries are here: and boat operators. It will require an a clear way forward for everyone December, the first December election expansion of capacity of boats and piers involved in river transport to get more since 1923. To vote in the election here City of London: www.cityoflondon.gov. including building new piers. Existing Londoners out of their cars and to travel is what you need to know. piers will also be made both more on the river in safe, sustainable and easy uk/about-the-city/voting-elections The deadline to register to vote is accessible and safer. It is hoped that the to use ways, freeing up capacity on other midnight on 26th November. To register Hammersmith and Fulham: www. expansion of capacity on the river boat types of public transport and helping to for a postal vote is 5pm on that day lbhf.gov.uk/councillors-and-democracy/ network will also alleviate congestion on clean up our toxic air.” or 5pm on the 21st November if you elections vote in Northern Ireland. If you do not Kensington and Chelsea: www.rbkc.gov. receive or accidentally spoil a postal uk/council-councillors-and-democracy vote that you applied for you, may apply for another one from 6th December Lambeth: www.lambeth.gov.uk/ until 5pm on polling day. One may also elections-and-council/elections apply for a proxy ballot until 5pm on Westminster: www.westminster.gov.uk/ 4th December or an emergency proxy electoral-services vote until 5pm on polling day. Reasons Wandsworth: www.wandsworth.gov. for an emergency proxy are medical uk/the-council/elections-voting-and- emergencies in the week before polling or work absences that you were informed registration about in that same period. Please register Richmond: www.richmond.gov. to vote at www.gov.co.uk/register-to- uk/council/elections_voting_and_ vote registration 4 November 2019 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today www.KCWToday.co.uk News

produced by the Greater London Authority indicates that air pollution The emissions from non-traffic sources will far exceed that from vehicles in the centre of reduction bill London by 2020.

Photograph © Yongbing Bao Yongbing © Photograph Cllr Julian Bell, Chair of London Councils’ Transport and Environment Committee, said: "Air pollution in London is a public health emergency. It impacts An Emissions Act could see London’s all Londoners, but especially the most local authorities given tough new vulnerable in society; the young, the powers, in an effort to tackle toxic air old and those with existing health pollution caused by boilers, construction conditions” machinery and diesel generators. Referring to the out of date 1993 Under the new proposals, local Clean Air Act, Bell continued: authorities would have the power to “The Emissions Reduction Bill designate ‘Air Quality Improvement provides boroughs with long overdue Areas’ in the most polluted zones, where powers and updates legislation that is no levels of pollution exceed World Health longer fit-for-purpose. As modern fuels Winners released Organisation air quality guidelines. and technologies create new emissions Within these ‘Air Quality problems, including non-traffic sources for the Wildlife Improvement Areas’, the installation of air pollution, it is crucial that local of new ‘combustion plant’ machinery

authorities have the powers we need to Erdmann © Cruz Photograph Photographer of would face restrictions, as could the use clean up our air and help protect our of construction machinery which doesn’t residents’ health.” the Year 2019 meet a specific emissions limit. Since 2010, the capital has suffered By Oliver Lloyd To ensure that existing owners aren’t from illegal levels of air pollution. As disadvantaged, only new appliances recently as 2017, London breached air would be required to meet the quality limits within just five days of he winners of the Wildlife There were over 48,000 entries from requirements. The Bill also looks to set Photographer of the Year 100 countries and of these just 100 the new year. The legal limit was this harsher penalties for drivers who leave year broken in July, demonstrating competition were revealed at select images will be displayed until the their engines running when parked, a ceremony at the Natural History 31st May 2020 at the Natural History that there is a significant way to go T increasing the fine £20 to £100. The until Londoners breath clean air, but Museum on 15th October. Museum after which the exhibition will charge hike is intended to provide a The two most prestigious prizes, tour the UK, Europe, North America that tough action can head dramatic more effective deterrent. improvements in a relatively short space the Adult and Young Wildlife and Australia. The changes come as after data Photographers of the Year were awarded The Exhibition is open daily from of time. to Yongbing Bao from China and Cruz 10am and last admission is at 5:30pm. Erdmann of New Zealand respectively, Tickets are £13.95 for adults, £8.25 for focused his work on the changing nature highlighting the international nature children and £10.95 for those eligible for National gang of urban street gangs in the UK. Age of the competition. Bao’s photo, The concessions. Family tickets are available ranges of those involved with street Moment, depicts a dramatic encounter and range in price from £29 to £39.50. research centre gangs now extends from 10 to 25+ years between a Tibetan fox and a Marmot Members, Patrons, children under 4 and old, a worrying indication that more on the Tibetan plateau while Erdmann’s disability personal assistants go free. The opens in London young people than ever are at risk at image, Night Glow, was taken on museum advises to book online to avoid By May Woods becoming caught up in gang-affiliated a night time dive off the coast of disappointment, especially on weekends lifestyles. Indonesia showing the extraordinary www.nhm.ac.uk/visit/exhibitions/ Speaking on 30th October at bioluminescence of a squid. wildlife-photographer-of-the-year the NCRG launch night, Harding The National Centre for Gang Research emphasised the multitude of challenges (NCGR) will be based out of the associated with what he described as University of West London. It is the first a “21st century problem bridled by December 7th, Tottenham v Burnley, 15:00 research centre of its kind to open in 20th century structures, 20th century TRAFFIC WATCH December 7th, West Ham v Arsenal, 15:00 Western Europe. practices, 20th century organisations”. LONDON HOME FOOTBALL December 7th, Fulham v Bristol City, 15:00 The NCHR aims to study the “These are culturally siloed, December 7th, QPR v Preston, 15:00 causes and find solutions to rising gang operationally slow, unresponsive, December 10th, Chelsea v Lille, 20:00 violence, providing advice and research unmodernised, unadjusted, out of date, LONDON MEN'S FOOTBALL: December 14th, Arsenal v Man City, 15:00 to existing responses. technologically ill-equipped, inefficient, November 23rd, December 14th, Chelsea v Bournemouth, The centre has been established and unsuitable. We need a radical new West Ham v Tottenham, 12:30 15:00 amidst an increase in youth violence in way of working to address this. There November 23rd, the capital. The Office of National Statistics is no single solution, but many different Arsenal v Southampton, 15:00 CompiledLONDON WOMEN'S and Edited FOOTBALL:by Fahad Redha reported a record high of 15,023 knife solutions which must work together in November 20th, Chelsea v Tottenham, 19:00 November 23rd, Fulham v QPR, 15:00 For full sports fixtures see page 60. crime offences in June this year, the concert.” Harding explained. November 26th, Fulham v Derby, 19:45 November 21st, Arsenal v Bristol City, 19:30 November 23rd, Arsenal v Liverpool, 14:00 highest annual tally ever registered in NCHR’s collaborative approach will November 26th, London. emphasise the importance of hearing Tottenham v Olympiakos, 20:00 December 1st, Arsenal v Bristol City, 14:00 December 8th, Chelsea v Man City, 14:00 Headed up by Dr Simon Harding, frontline voices. The research will closely November 27th, Professor of Criminology at UWL, the involve listening to the lived experience QPR v Nottingham Forest, 19:45 December 8th, Tottenham v Brighton, 14:00 December 11th, Chelsea v Reading, 19:00 centre will expand Harding’s interactive of those who help to tackle gang violence November 28th, issues on a daily basis. Arsenal v Frankfurt, 20:00 December 11th, and collaborative research into UK street November 30th, Arsenal v London Bees, 19:30 gangs. Similarly, the research centre is Chelsea v West Ham, 15:00 December 11th, Tottenham v Lewes, 19:30 In 2005-08 Dr Harding organised looking to invite to the table multiple November 30th, the Lambeth Gangs Commission and parties concerned with the increasing Tottenham v Bournemouth, 15:00 managed The Phoenix Project, London’s prevalence of violence. The priority is December 3rd, Arsenal v Brighton, 19:45 Compiled by Fahad Redha largest anti-gangs project. He was also to further understanding and to build December 4th, Chelsea v Aston Villa, 19:45 For full sports fixtures, see page 61 involved in the London Five Borough practical solutions that address the root Alliance Gangs project. causes of this complex and systemic Most recently, Dr Harding has issue. 020 7738 2348 November 2019 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today 5 News online: www.KCWToday.co.uk

currently live in temporary accommodation in the Borough. Nearly 3,000 Council leader Ravi Govindia said he shared Cllr Hogg’s sentiments about Wandsworth the problem, but that the standard of temporary accommodation in the Borough children was not in any way second rate. live in temporary He said the council’s focus was to build accommodation more homes and upskill rough sleepers to help them sustain new tenancies, and By Anna Mackenzie suggested the issue was partly related to delays with two estate regeneration ore than 2,800 children are programmes at Winstanley and Alton. currently living in temporary Last year The Guardian reported that a accommodation in Wandsworth. lobbyist for major UK property developers The statistic was revealed at the allegedly used a direct communication M channel to Cllr Govindia to push planning Wandsworth council meeting on Wednesday 16th October. applications for luxury apartment Labour Councillor Simon Hogg said: developments. “The situation is obviously appalling. In the meeting, Cllr Hogg said it was “Since I joined the council in 2010, the better to be remembered as the councillor number of homeless families has gone up that tried to support homeless people than by 500% and this deadly problem is only as the councillor that tried to support getting worse.” property developers. He criticised the council for passively The news comes after a report observing the problem and called for it to published by the Children’s Commissioner put a rigorous plan in place to combat the in August showed that about 585,000 issue. children in England are homeless or at risk Figures showed 2,843 children of becoming homeless.

Ailwin de Londonstane) was a bulwark of London’s independent power against William Russel autocratic monarchs; a status that saw several Mayors deposed and arrested becomes new by tyrants frustrated by the checks and balances they embodied. In the Lord Mayor 21st century the position has become far more outward facing, with Russel of London committed to act as a global ambassador for the City, and the UK-based financial and professional services industry. In keeping with the new world- facing nature of the role, Russel has announced his year’s agenda to promote his ‘Global UK – Trade, Innovation &

Photograph © City of London.gov Photograph Culture’ agenda which will build on the current Lord Mayor’s theme of Shaping Tomorrow’s City Today, focusing on connecting communities through trade, innovation and culture. The programme has three key aspects: growing global trade and investment, championing innovation, and promoting a rich and vibrant cultural and creative economy. Russell’s mayoral theme will inform his WILLIAM RUSSEL, the entire term, influencing international visits, ceremonial and state banquets, chair of asset management business and charitable activities. firm CDAM, has been elected After receiving the nomination Russel commented on his views on the unique as the 692nd Lord Mayor of status of the City of London:“The City’s the city of London. status as a global financial capital is reflected in its unique combination of ussel, who first rose to time zone, language, legal system, global prominence as an investment talent, and financial ecosystem. People banker with Merrill Lynch, come here, not just for business, but for Rascended to the position on November 8 our burgeoning cultural and creative in the wake of the outgoing Peter Estlin offer, our open spaces and our heritage. for a one year term. As per tradition “A culturally diverse city helps to the new mayor celebrated his elevation drive a creative economy, fuel innovation in the Lord Mayor’s show on the 9th, and deliver a flourishing society. My 0800 008 6814 a major spectacle that dates back to the agenda as Lord Mayor will recognise 13th century that attracted over 6,500 this, championing the synergy between spectators. Historically the position of trade, innovation and culture in a Lord Mayor (which dates back to 1189 thriving local, national and international www.homebuyersofbritain.co.uk and the extravagantly titled Henry fitz economy as part of a Global UK.” 6 November 2019 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today www.KCWToday.co.uk News

raise awareness of the increasing number New ‘vertical Number plates of zero tailpipe emission vehicles on UK roads,” said the Department for farm’ opened in going green Transport (DfT). By Fahad Redha “Through the introduction of green Paddington number plates, local authorities would By Oliver Lloyd Mile Farms © Square Photograph have a useful visual identifier should they wish to introduce incentives to promote the use of zero-emission vehicles, such as allowing these drivers to use bus lanes Square Mile Farms has opened its Drivers of electric cars in the UK could and to pay less for parking.” first vertical farm in the UK at the soon see their number plate going green However, not everyone is in support Paddington Central development in if new plans are given the go-ahead. of it. CPT UK, the trade body for the West London. Square Mile Farms grow The goal is to make it easier for their bus and coach industry does not want crops ‘hydroponically’ meaning they are drivers to benefit from incentives such to see electric cars being allowed in bus grown inside in nutrient-rich water and as cheaper parking. This is part of the lanes. using artificial light. The farm will grow government’s aim to boost the sale of “If local authorities allow some crops such as kale, fennel and basil for electric cars in a bid to meet the 2050 cars to use bus infrastructure,” chief sale to local businesses. hotelier Accor. deadline of net zero carbon emissions. executive Graham Vidler said, “which Square Mile Farms will also offer ‘Square Mile Farms is a business But Friends of the Earth has said that is already severely strained and in need tours and events at the farm. Priced passionate about the food we eat, the better financial incentives and more of significant investment, we will simply between £5 and £25, the events will impact it has on our environment and charging points are needed to see any increase congestion for bus passengers include talks on nutrition and managing the growing demand to bring the farm change. and drive people off the bus and back stress, seminars on reducing food waste back to the centre of the community “As the UK moves at pace towards into cars, the vast majority of which are and workshops on growing one’s own it feeds.’ Jonathan Ransom, co-owner net zero emissions, the initiative aims to not electric.” microgreens with the farm's chief of Square Mile farms said announcing grower. It is also possible to arrange the project adding, ‘We take pride private appointments at the farm. in offering professional insights and The Paddington Central development specialist expertise, as consultants, at which the farm is based is a mixed- nutritionists and growers.’ use campus of 800,000 square feet Paddington Central is located around comprised of office space, retail and 200 Sheldon Square, just off the Bishop's residential units. It is used by numerous Bridge Road and is easily accessible international corporations including from Paddington Station. For more Microsoft, Kingfisher (the parent information or to book tickets please company of B&Q and Screwfix) and the refer to www.paddingtoncentral.com

We have lots of fantastic stalls including supported 628 people, offering families Gifts, Toys, Books, Produce, Bric à Brac pre and post bereavement support, and The Friends and Tombola. We will also be drawing New funding working with children who are at risk of our Christmas Raffle, with some sexual exploitation. of Chelsea & incredible prizes including one night for to help young City Bridge Trust is London’s two at a luxury London hotel, lunch for biggest independent grant giver, making Westminster two at Brocket Hall, a luxury Christmas domestic abuse grants of £20 million a year to tackle Hospital annual hamper, £100 cash, and many more! victims disadvantage across the capital. Tickets (£2 each) can be purchased By Anandi Shah The Trust has awarded around 8,000 on the day, or in advance from the grants totalling over £400 million since Christmas Fair Friends Office. it first began in 1995. It helps achieve For more information please contact the City Corporation’s aim of changing the office on 020 3315 8825 or email the lives of hundreds of thousands of [email protected]. Londoners. “Half of the project’s volunteers We look forward to seeing you are survivors of domestic abuse, and on 4th December! they relate so closely with the families The Friends of Chelsea & they support. This charity is helping young people to rebuild their lives Westminster Hospital are and empowering families to build delighted to announce that a secure, and positive future.” said Dhruv Patel, Chairman of the City of their annual Christmas Fair A charity helping young domestic abuse London Corporation’s City Bridge Trust will take place on Wednesday victims has received £158,000 to expand Committee. its support services after a spike in Jigsaw4u has been delivering a 4th December from 10.30am demand. volunteer-based specialist support service to 3pm in the hospital’s main City Bridge Trust, the City of for children, young people and their London Corporation’s charitable funder, families affected by domestic violence atrium. gave the grant to Jigsaw4u, which works since 2013. across Sutton and Merton, helping “This grant will allow us to support children with difficult lives to put the women and children who are rebuilding pieces back together. their lives following domestic abuse SUBSCRIBE & SUPPORT The money will pay for a full-time in south-west London” said Stephen staff member to recruit, train and Loizou, Managing Director at Jigsaw4u. KCW Today. See page 22 for details supervise new volunteers who will support families across the boroughs. For more information, visit: In the last three years Jigsaw4u has www.cityoflondon.gov.uk 020 7738 2348 November 2019 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today 7 News online: www.KCWToday.co.uk

Sharky & George games before entering Bringing festive cheer with special Father Christmas’ workshop for arts and offers, privileges, events, entertainment crafts. The grotto will also offer a ‘My and gifts with purchase – along with a First Grotto’ session for the under twos, Festive Food Market at Duke of York and exclusive pre-school sessions for Square, wreath making from Chelsea those four and under. Tickets are £27.50, Physic Garden, complimentary horse Photographs © Cadogan Estates © Cadogan Photographs with optional donation of £1 towards the and carriage rides and live music from Kensington & Chelsea Foundation. local choirs and vintage singers.

Christmas Shopping Event For further information and a map of Saturday 7 December activity, please visit www.InChelsea. This year, over 80 shops and co.uk and the area’s Instagram restaurants across the area are channels (@SloaneStreetSW1, @ participating in the Christmas Shopping DukeofYorkSquare, @PavilionRoad, @ Event on Saturday 7 December. KingsRoad.London) #ChelseaChristmas

Entertainment begins at 2pm, with a stage and Christmas market stalls on Christmas Sloane Square, reindeer at Duke of York Square and music (vintage singers and in Chelsea choirs), with entertainment and Father Christmas making appearances across the neighbourhood.

Christmas Lights Switch On Chelsea Christmas Grotto Saturday 23 November 2-5pm 24 November-23 December The magical Christmas lights (across Cadogan and famed children’s Sloane Square, Duke of York Square, entertainers Sharky & George are King’s Road, Sloane Street and Pavilion creating the Chelsea Christmas Grotto Road) will be turned on at 5pm by on Pavilion Road. It will be an hour- Father Christmas and his special helper long winter wonderland experience, – a local child in need of a special treat. beginning with 30 minutes of classic

paintings, jewelry, textiles and natural has been compulsory for member states cosmetics. Their partnership with Clocks are ticking since 2001, from 2021. Made in H&F Hammersmith & Fulham Council and The draft directive passed by 410 votes Kings Mall has helped this pop-up shop for daylight to 192, with 84% of the 4.6m responses celebrates its one flourish into the stable establishment it collected in a 2018 public survey in favour. has become. The UK government said it strongly saving time opposed ending DST, but public opinion year anniversary According to,The Business Leader, By Anna Mackenzie By Paige Williams the U.K’s pop-up industry is currently is split. worth over £2.3 billion a year and 30% A survey showed 56% of Scots, whose of British businesses begin as a pop-up winter mornings could begin far later than Made In H&F, a Hammersmith BID shop. n Sunday 27th October, clocks those in southern regions, would prefer pop-up shop, just finished celebrating What separates the pop-up industry across the EU went back once to preserve DST, while only 40-45% in their first year anniversary and the from commercial retailers, is that many again to mark the end of daylight England and Wales are in favour. success of the shop continues as they of the shops provide an authentic appeal Osaving time. As with all issues, be they social, are preparing for the upcoming holiday with more personal items that cater to This could however mark one of the political or temporal, Brexit raises unique season. Located in Kings Mall, the shop each customer as most of the items are last times that the biannual practice is concerns and means that the motion could opened back in October 2018 as a pilot handmade or a limited edition. Pop-up implemented, following lengthy debate prove a particularly contentious in the UK. project to see if the community would shops have created a platform for local about its value. While hard borders, soft borders and show interest in the local artists and artists and entrepreneurs to start their DST was first proposed by Benjamin customs borders have become stalwarts of their handmade pieces and the response business, and their work has inspired Franklin in a 1784 essay entitled An the Brexit saga, another kind of boundary has been incredible. others to be creative in the community. Economical Project for Diminishing the Cost could spark yet more debate; the prospect The longevity of Made In H&F has “It’s a good way,[to start a business] of Light, but it wasn’t until 1916 that the of a Northern Irish time border. created the question of, “How does a without having so much pressure.” said, concept was applied in Germany and The new Northern Ireland Protocol pop-up shop last for an extended period Sabine Fouchier, a milliner and textile quickly spread across Europe. outlined by the current Brexit deal aims to of time?.” artist at, Made In H&F. Conceived as a way of saving energy avoid a hard border by aligning Northern Projects Support Manager, Luisa All of the local artists and craftsmen during periods of war and economic Ireland customs with the EU rules of the Martinez stated that, “People want to are passionate about their handmade recession, it was also introduced in Republic. support their neighborhood and local limited edition pieces as most of their Australia and most of North America. Conservative business minister Kelly artists and we have so many people that work reflects the community in a However, it has more recently been Tolhurst conceded that it is uncertain how just want to help one another. That's positive light. They have created a safe linked to having negative impacts on the reform will affect Northern Ireland what has been successful.” space for those who are interested in everything from mental health and if the discontinuation of seasonal time According to Nottingham Trent their work. physical well-being, (a 2014 study showed changes becomes EU law. University, recent data shows there Made In H&F is located at Kings a correlation between DST and heart The UK will still follow EU rules until are more than 10,500 pop-up shops in Mall, Kings St. Hammersmith, London attacks), to financial markets, with many the end of the transition period, currently the U.K. employing more than 26,000 W6 9HW arguing that its original purpose no longer expected in December 2020. people. exists. This means the UK could be forced The shop is made up of some of the For info contact the shop 020 3362 4626 In March 2019 the European to comply with the directive to choose a most talented local artisans that create or visit hammersmithbid.co.uk Parliament voted to end the custom, which ‘permanent summer’ or ‘permanent winter’.

8 November 2019 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today www.KCWToday.co.uk Promotion Statue & Blue Plaque

Orlando Plunket-Green unveiled the Plaque on behalf of his mother in the A New Plaque: presence of Dr Tristram Hunt, Director of the V&A, The Mayor of RBKC,

Dame Barbara Epps Tim © Photograph Photograph © Marathon Photograph Cllr. William Pascal, Stephanie Wood, STATUES Mary Quant. Project Curator at the V&A and Dr. DBE., FCSD., RDI. James Thompson of the Chelsea Society. Hugh Seaborn, CEO of the Cadogan Born 1934 Estates thanked every one who had made the event happen. Mary was born in Blackheath, London. She married Alexander Plunket At last, Mary Quant has been honoured Green and they had a son, Orlando. She with a Plaque. It can be seen at 138A lived in Draycott Place. Her parents King’s Road. Chelsea.SW3. at the site of were Welsh school teachers. She studied her first boutique, named Bazaar. Illustration at Goldsmiths. Her parents I was pleased to meet Keith Howard, had said, “No”, to a Fashion Course. Designer and Co-Director of the Mary She became an Apprentice to a top Quant Plaque Project, who told me Milliner, Erik of Brook Street. the story of the Plaque. In 2017 he In 1955 Alexander bought Markham met Sarah Farrugia, who organised House in King’s Road in the heart celebration activities in the King's of Chelsea Society. He opened a Road. Keith said to her that we should Restaurant in the basement, called celebrate modern artists and creatives, Alexander’s with Archie McNair and a also saying he wished Mary Quant to boutique, called, Bazaar on the ground have a Plaque. Sarah agreed. floor. Mary Quant designed the fashions The following year, 2018 the V&A for Bazaar. held a block buster Retrospective of She started a revolution; a revolution Mary Quant's fashions. Keith was for youth fashion. Were they ready for individuals and public funding, under enthusiastically supported by the it? Yes! they were. Fashion had been very the patronage of Prince Michael of Exhibition Organisers dreary before and after the war.. Queen Kent. Another member of the royal The Plaque was manufactured, to Her fashions were an instant hit. The family, Viscount Linley, absolutely Keith’s design, by Frank and Susan whole spirit of the 60s was ‘swinging’ Elizabeth Gate loathed it Ashworth Foundry in Cornwall. and fun filled. Mary dressed the ladies Hyde Park Also known as The Queen Mother’s They make the English Heritage Blue for this fun. It was a dynamic time and David Wynne & Gate, it is an entrance consisting Plaques. Mary’s Plaque is sky blue too. she added to the vibrancy with her short of two pairs and two single gates At the site of Bazaar there was hem lines, oh-so-short hot pants, and Giusseppe Lund of forged stainless steel and bronze a grand opening in the 60s and the bold new versions of earlier fashions. situated behind Apsley House at unveiling of the Plaque in 2019 was Her designs were unique and reasonably Hyde Park Corner. There is also grand too. priced. She was a self-taught designer arely has a piece of sculpture a centre feature made of painted who took Britain’s high in a public place attracted so cast iron, comprising a red lion streets by storm. She was much controversy, or abuse. representing England, with a inventive. Bazaar offered Crafts Magazine described it as gold mane, and a white unicorn free drinks, loud music R‘a music hall joke, a pantomime symbolising Scotland, with a golden and late opening. dame and a seaside postcard rolled horn, each clinging onto a black Scale and proportion into one’. The architect Zaha trunk of a tree. The designer was interested her and Twiggy, Hadid. described it as ‘hideous’ David Wynne, and the metalworker the high profile model, while Richard Rogers, who was the who fashioned the curlicues, pink helped to popularise her site architect, called it ‘romantic roses, railings, lights, leaping salmon work. Further shops were candyfloss.’ and compared it to and birds, including a peacock, was opened and she branched one of her hats. Another architect Giusseppe Lund. One simpering into jewellery, make up likened it to ‘three-dimentional description reads, ‘The organic nature and linen. knitting, while another described it of the forged steel reflects the Queen Her styles were as ‘granny’s knickers’. The then Arts Mother’s love of flowers, particularly perfect for the newly Minister, Lord St John of Fawsley, those from a cottage garden. Her life found freedom of women said fawningly the gates were ‘full spanned most of the century and this in the 60s. Her creative of joy, strength and courage, like is represented by a flow from formal ingenuity knew no the personage in whose honour symmetry at the base of the gates bounds. and women felt they have been created’. Richard upwards to an increasing freedom of confident wearing her Briggs, who was the chairman of line at the top. Many of the elements designs. the Queen Elizabeth Gate Appeal, are free to move when touched and She marched to also defended them, by saying that the whole structure vibrates when the beat of a different it helped to avoid countless road moved. This is in direct contrast to drummer which most accidents by calming the traffic the heavier rectilinear gates found people never hear and in that corner of the Royal park. in other entrances to the park’. It she harnessed into One would thought exactly the certainly is different, but not in a fashion the dynamism opposite, with drivers bashing into good way. David Wynne, who made of the Aurora with each other after being distracted Boy with the Dolphin, a whimsical, shimmering, sparkling by the awfulness of it all. It was yet powerful piece of design and colours unfurling with a opened by Queen Elizabeth II in engineering on Cheyne Walk, which radiant light of hope and 1993 to celebrate the 90th birthday has a grace and free-spirited daring, optimism. of her mother. It cost £1.5 million rare amongst his other sculpures. He to construct, raised by private should have known better. Don Grant Marian Maitland 020 7738 2348 November 2019 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today 9 Architecture online: www.KCWToday.co.uk

prams. They all have a private terrace or small outdoor space. Bin stores are BRICKS AND used to define front gardens acting as a buffer between the public footpath and the front door as threashold to the BRICKBATS privacy of the dwelling. The sequence Crocker Tim © Photographs BY SQUINCH and hierarchy of public to semi-public to semi-private to private space is one of the key principles of good residential architecture. This applies equally to the scheme layout and the flow of the interior plan. The sequence and A Modest practicality of small spaces. Beyond this, it is the simple economic repetition and Masterpiece rhythm of intimate scale, built forms that create the spaces between buildings. his year’s Stirling Prize, the The sense of arrival and shared outdoor highest accolade in British experience for people to meet and architecture, has unusually children to play. The domination of the beenT won by a housing scheme; even car in estate planning has pushed too more unusually, affordable housing. A many developers and their architects dozen years ago Mikhail Riches and to miss the point. “Placemaking” is the Cathy Hawley won the commission current buzzword, but so many new from Norwich City Council for 105 house-builder schemes more closely affordable houses and flats, now known resemble car parks interspersed by as Goldsmith Street. The homes have standard house types with token trees been designed and built to the rigorous and hedges. The presence of pitched Passivhaus standards; it is hard to roofs and bolt-on porches does not make achieve such a high level of energy good domestic architecture. The simple efficiency on a local authority budget. clarity and deep understanding exhibited Residents will enjoy a 70% reduction in by the Goldsmith Street scheme has energy costs. created excellent placemaking and The scheme at Goldsmith Street is genuine architecture; not house bashing. deceptively simple. A series of 2 storey It is very good that the project was terraces with 3 storey bookend flats. commissioned by a local authority. The spaces between put people before It is equally depressing that few cars, creating safe communal landscaped market developers aspire to similar garden and play areas at the heart of the understanding of placemaking and layout. Parking is towards the perimeter design quality. with a series of parallel terraces broken Residential architecture, whether by a central pedestrian cross route. The it be market or affordable, should be architects had to convince the planners creating places and homes where people that a 14metre wide space between rows can enjoy living. It is not about icons would be acceptable. Sun path diagrams, whether they be celebrity starchitects day and sunlight angle sections or iconic computer designed indulgent illustrated how effective this spacing ego statements; nor is it the outpouring would be. Perhaps, the planning officers of standardised Noddy houses. On the should walk around more historic outside, residential architecture is more streets, lanes and mews to understand about the courage of well detailed, that 2 storey terraces just 14metres apart practical background buildings that provide better densities with plenty of embrace space for human interaction. daylight and most importantly, human On the inside, it is practicality, scale. Many planners have adopted a adaptability, light, flow, connection and guideline [regulation] of 20m between choice that makes for liveability. Design blocks which destroys efficient density, from the inside precipitating the outside is car scale rather than human; all in the envelope, not the internal layout forced assumption of preventing overlooking. into the idea of an iconic or standardised At Goldsmith Street, the architects image. have front doors facing front doors and It is excellent news that the Stirling avoided overlooking by carefully placed Prize has been awarded to this modest windows. That is good design, not rocket masterpiece that illustrates a profound science. understanding of the underestimated art The portrait shape windows needed of residential architecture. The sad news to be comparatively small to achieve is that such an exemplary scheme should Passivhaus standards and by adopting have taken 12 years to deliver. It is not vertical proportions have provided surprising that the UK has a housing effective daylight penetration to the crisis when the process of planning, interiors. Again, a design principle funding and construction is so tragically refined and perfected for our climate in inefficient. The system is broken and urban Georgian architecture. Learning unless government begins to understand from past exemplars is not a bad idea. the extent of the fractures, we will Here, the addition of small brise soleil remain in crisis. Congratulations to all shading screens above the window heads involved with Goldsmith Street, it is limit solar gain. Every dwelling has its great that your skill, courage and, most own front door with space for bikes or of all, perseverance has been rewarded. 10 November 2019 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today www.KCWToday.co.uk Commemoration

in a French troop hospital in 1918 and carried across the globe by demobilising 1919: The end of troops, would kill at least twice as many worldwide as had been during the war. the Dying? Some 250,000 British people perished, By Oliver Lloyd at the epidemic’s height in November 1918; as many as 1 in every 40 people in the country were dying of the disease. British troops returning home to Hamilton © Nathan Hughes Photograph e are, perhaps, more familiar the jobs they had left behind would with the aftermath of the find the adjustment difficult. The great Second World War than the majority of the millions of women who First.W We have a fairly good sense of had joined the workforce during the war jubilant VE Day crowds with Churchill would be unceremoniously forced out of on the Buckingham Palace balcony or their jobs and back into their homes by Atlee’s Labour government creating the the returning veterans. Class tensions NHS and modern Welfare State. Our were rife. In early 1918, in one of the sense of what followed the Great War, biggest fits of radicalism in its history, beyond a general sense of misery and the nascent Labour Party had adopted death, is rather hazier. the old Clause IV, committing the party ‘There were just no men in the room’. to pursuing 'common ownership of the This was how one young lady would means of production, distribution and decades later remember her debut at the exchange'. In 1919 over 35 million work London Season in 1919. Approximately days were lost to strikes, in 1921 after 750,000 British troops died in the war, the introduction of deflationary policies, as well as an additional 150,000 from the figure was 86 million and 2 million her colonies, by far the most in any were without work. conflict she ever fought. Vast numbers British troops would also be, despite against locals. This culminated in 1920 the war winners at Versailles drew up more were mentally and physically the nation’s war weariness, deployed at Croke Park where the police fired a peace that it was hoped would be the scarred. The almost 400,000 who had to some deeply ignoble ends. British on unarmed sports fans killing 14 and final peace forever. American President debilitating trauma, in particular, would troops stationed in the Raj in 1919 injuring 60. These deaths were no less Woodrow Wilson’s demands for a suffer from returning to a society that would massacre hundreds of peaceful significant than any on the Western League of Nations and a state for every did not understand their pain at best and protestors gathered in the Sikh holy Front. nation spoke to the optimism of the thought them unpatriotic hysterics at city of Amritsar. In response to There were amidst the carnage time. However, there were some, such worst. increasingly aggressive Irish demands seeds of hope. From 1918, for the first as the economist John Maynard Keynes, The dying, however, had not stopped for independence, the government also time, all men and most women were who could already in 1919 see the next with the Armistice. Spanish Flu, born began a policy of indiscriminate violence allowed to vote. Just as significantly, war on the horizon. Shot at Dawn By John Armstrong They marched him out on a frosty Flanders morn, with whom he’d oft made a charge, to breach the German might, beneath a godless grey despairing sky, There he stood before the veil, a fair haired English His hobnails clattering the cobbles, a final statement boy and hind, the very essence of our isle, to the world, with a whisper why, His conclusion set by the pen, of a mud free booted Seventeen Southdown summers was what he’d seen Whitehall mandarin, and the mockery of a trial, and now he would not see another, A twelve shot volley brought down the curtain, staining As he walked to the edge of eternity in the tumult of with blood the white handkerchief pinned onto his chest, his mind he implored at one, God and his mother, His last breath rose like a ghost or question mark, upon Found half blind, confused, lost and wandering, away from The cold dawn air, as with a gentle reflex, his body came to rest, the chlorine cloud of a cruel gas bomb. No drum roll, no fanfare, no bugle call, no Last Post, Hastily tried convicted and condemned, then tethered to No words or prayer, only silent ignominy, a post to await his end, in the apt named hamlet of Ouderdom, Till a frenzied Flemish cockerel, up and crowed a eulogy His darting eyes searched for grace in the firing squad s they lowered him into a lonely grave, on the face by face, before the blindfold barred the light, Side of shell scarred spinney. His executioners the iron regiment of Sussex brothers 020 7738 2348 November 2019 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today 11 Advertisement online: www.KCWToday.co.uk

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five years. “Despite these efforts, many nights. continue to have to tighten eligibility However, Conservative Assembly Councils' school even further or strip back discretionary Crime on Night Member, Susan Hall accused the Mayor support altogether,” the LGA warns. of “squandering Boris’s golden legacy” transport costs There has been a 27% increase in Tube up by a by not ensuring the service remains safe; pupils being placed in special schools saying: “Sadiq Khan’s crime epidemic nearly as high as since 2014 as mainstream schools, third continues to impact on people’s lives faced with funding and accountability By Anandi Shah in new and worrying ways. It is clear child social care pressures, plus curriculum changes, feel that criminals are increasingly moving By Anandi Shah less able to offer places to children with underground to commit heinous crimes Send. Crime on the Night Tube rose almost such as theft and sexual assault. What Judith Blake, chair of the LGA’s a third last year, new figures have more will it take for this Mayor to drop children and young people board, said: revealed. his complacent attitude to tackling rovision of home-to-school “Free school transport is a lifeline for Violence, sexual offences and theft crime?” transport is under threat due to many pupils and their families but it from passengers were all up on the The Mayor said Transport for unsustainable costs, Councils in must be adequately funded if councils previous twelve months. London (TfL) was working closely with England warn. are to meet their legal duties to all There were 32% more violent attacks the Metropolitan Police and British P children and young people. Home-to-school transport, on which on the Night Tube in 2018/19 compared Transport Police to keep passengers safe. many children with special educational Doherty said: “We agree that ideally to the previous financial year, rising Responding to Ms Hall’s data needs and disabilities (SEND) depend, is children with Send should be able to from 208 to 275 offences. request, he said: “London Underground attend schools within their community. under threat due to “unsustainable” costs Reports of sexual assault rose 10% remains a safe, low crime network, However, for this to happen, councils and insufficient funding. last year, up from 56 to 62. with very few people ever witnessing or and the government must invest in the Analysis shows that the annual But the biggest increase was thefts experiencing crime.” cost of home-to-school transport has specialist provision that children need to from passengers, which rose 50 per cent Offences on the Night Tube made up increased by £66m in the last four years thrive in local schools.” from 305 to 452. 6% of all crime on the Underground last and could rise to £1.2bn by 2024. The government recently announced Trespass and vandalism, robbery, year. A report commissioned by the Local a review of Send provision and has Government Association (LGA) and pledged additional funding. bike and vehicle crimes, and theft of A spokesperson for the Mayor’s County Councils Network has revealed A Department for Education TfL property all fell last year. Office said the rise was due to an that councils are spending more on spokesperson said: “We want to make Overall, crime was up 27%, with 970 increase in pickpocketing, and more home-to-school transport than on sure that children are able to access the crimes compared to 762 in 2017/18. crimes being reported to the British children’s centres, family support or free home to school transport they are The Night Tube has been running for Transport Police through text and online youth services. entitled to, which is why we recently three years, with the first line opened in services. He also stated “All tube stations In some areas where the costs of consulted on a revised version of the August 2016, shortly after Sadiq Khan that are open through the night are transport are disproportionately high, statutory home to school transport became Mayor. staffed at all times and TfL has invested often because of the long distances in guidance. We will consider the Trains now run on the Victoria, in 100 additional transport police rural settings, the LGA says the school recommendations outlined in this report Jubilee, Northern, Piccadilly and officers who are dedicated to policing the transport budget is almost as large as the alongside our response.” Central lines on Friday and Saturday Night Tube.” entire children’s social care budget. According to the LGA, 550,000 housing and eventually, independent national review. The results found young people currently receive free living. that LGBT young people are over- home-to-school transport each year, of New drive to help AKT also works to prevent which 145,000 are pupils with ‘SEND’, represented among the homeless whose transport accounts for 69% of young LGBT+ vulnerable people from becoming population, and at a higher risk of total expenditure. New analysis shows homeless. It provides services via its becoming homeless due to suffering that annual costs have increased by £66m homeless into support staff, mentors, carers, and online abuse at home, violence or rejection in the last four years and could rise by a programmes including non-housing because of their gender identity or further £127m to reach £1.2bn by 2024. housing related support around healthcare, sexual orientation. Once homeless, they One of the key drivers for the By Anandi Shah financial assistance, education, training are more likely to experience targeted increase in costs is that children with and work. violence, discrimination and hate crime, SEND are increasingly being sent “We’re thrilled to have been and they often present with complex further afield to specialist schools awarded this money, which will help needs including poor mental health, because of a shortage of suitable places our vital work supporting LGBTQ+ sexual exploitation, substance misuse closer to home. young people into safe homes and better and domestic abuse. Campaigners have warned that cash- futures.” said Matt Horwood, Assistant “AKT is transforming the lives of strapped councils are already making Director of Communications at Albert hundreds of young LGBT+ Londoners “ill-considered” cuts to home-to-school Kennedy Trust. every year. This funding means even transport, prompting safeguarding A charity in Hackney has “Over 75 per cent of the funds we more people will get the help they concerns. In some cases, they say, received funding to help receive go directly into supporting our need to enjoy a better, safer and more disabled children with significant health services for young people, and so this comfortable future.” says Dhruv Patel, needs are having to wait at pick-up London’s young homeless kind of support is absolutely necessary Chairman of the City of London points in freezing weather or are being LGBT+ people get off the for us to deliver what we do, from our Corporation’s City Bridge Trust asked to travel alone, when they really mentor scheme, to our host programme Committee. need support. streets and into safe housing. to our Purple Door safe house here in The Trust has awarded around 8,000 Gillian Doherty, the founder of London. grants totalling over £400 million since the parents’ campaign network Send City Bridge Trust, the City of London Last year, AKT provided a total of it first began in 1995. It helps achieve Action, said some are being asked to Corporation’s charitable funder, awarded 6,000 nights of accommodation to 300 the City Corporation’s aim of changing travel for unacceptable amounts of time £57,000 to Albert Kennedy Trust (akt), vulnerable LGBT+ young people. the lives of hundreds of thousands of as transport routes are changed to save which works with young people who In 2015, AKT commissioned a Londoners. money. Others have lost their transport are homeless or at risk of becoming entirely, despite still being of compulsory homeless. Of the estimated 150,000 school age, meaning their parents have young people at risk in London, one in had to give up work to transport them. four identifies with LGBT+*. The LGA report found that councils The charity has been given funding SUBSCRIBE & SUPPORT had already cut discretionary transport to assess the needs of young LGBT+ spending by 27%, reducing the number people who are homeless or vulnerably KCW Today. See page 22 for details of children receiving free home-to- housed and support them into safe school transport by more than 10,000 in 020 7738 2348 November 2019 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today 13 Advertisement online: www.KCWToday.co.uk

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bell to the box-set cliffhangers. A few years before Czechoslovakia’s Modern life has inadvertently Velvet Revolution, a friend who was MARIUS BRILL’S reawakened a prehistoric instinct: the a member of an anti-Soviet agitation constant alert. When sabre-toothed group in Prague described a dissident tigers roamed, at the dawn of Homo she helped escape to the UK. “We went MEMEING OF LIFE sapiens, we were as much prey as hunters, to a supermarket to get her the basics,” we needed our wits about us, something she told me, “and, when she saw the Meme: An element of a culture or system of behaviour passed from one individual to another... could happen at any moment. They rows of different toothpaste, she just were, no doubt, stressful times. But as started crying.” At the time I took it we evolved and took more control of at face value; as the relief of finally our environment, the stress of continual having freedom of choice. But now I’m vigilance abated. beginning to suspect that the stress of ith all the politics we’re now to unshackle themselves from their Now though, the sheer plethora having to choose everything, even the constantly bombarded with, meaning as thoughts about other things of ways we can distract ourselves has paste to clean your teeth, may have been a week is “a long time” for all steal in… I say, that Peter Burden on the reignited our prey mind. “What don’t I what actually triggered the outpouring. of us. Even my diary, after Monday and opposite page looks mighty suave. Do know?” we ask at every dead moment. According to Orestes, the mortal W “What could I be finding out, or Tantalos, as punishment for shockingly Tuesday, says W T F! you think he drives a Jag? You’ll be pleased to know that no This isn’t a moan about those experiencing?” Five minutes to wait bad table manners when he was invited funny bones were broken in the making favourite targets for the aging at the school gates? What’s trending to dine with the gods, was sent to the of that joke. Opinionist: our ever-shortening on Twitter? Nine minutes on the tube same part of Hades as Sisyphus. His Also, whilst coming up with it, I attention spans or the addictive between Earls Court and Green Park? sentence was to eternally stand in cool learned twelve things that go well with vacuousness of social media and digital Catch up on Game of Thrones. Walking water under the boughs of a juicy fruit nachos, watched Remain campaigner content. It’s about the 9th deadly sin (the the dog? Listen to a podcast. But then tree. Perpetually hungry, whenever he Femi Oluwole castigate reached for a fruit, the Crowbar and Swineson for boughs would move not working together to just out of reach and defeat Boorish, and laughed whenever he bowed to at two hilarious cats trying drink, the water around to fight with a mirror, all on him would recede and he a scroll through my “socials”. was doomed to never be I also flicked through my satisfied. Tantalos gave very own Book of Sand, us the word ‘tantalise’ my infinitely updating and his predicament To-Do list; determining defines our distractions. to do everything on it They are there to tempt immediately after writing us but they would this. undermine their purpose if they actually satiated Which, of course, I us. A true distraction is won’t. like a Chinese take-away, it feels like it’s filling us At this rate, writing this up but there’s something article will take many hours, ultimately empty about whilst reading it should take it. It’s just one more level you (hang on let me look up of Candy-Crush. When what average reading speed we choose a distraction is; Wikipedia says 200 above a purpose we’re to 250 words per minute. reaching out to the Oh, but apparently college ephemeral to briefly let students read at 300 wpm; us escape the crushing I wonder how many readers tedium, procedures, are college students? Maybe labours, industry and I should look up the demographics for 8th being the flippant use of Deadly Sins they’re habit forming. Got a tax form struggle, of real life; longing for the this newspaper? But, hang on, no one to lend gravitas to innocuous foibles) to fill in? Who liked my Insta? Bit promise of immediate fulfilment, even under the age of 30 reads newspapers which is so insidious it even poleaxed of crucial work to finish? What’s for while we know it can never be reached. so waste of time. I really don’t want to their author, Evagrius Ponticus, dinner? The siren call of distraction The superpower of the 21st century waste time, wasting time is wasting life, persuading him to look the other way doesn’t subside when we’re on a mission. then, the essential term on our I wonder who said that? I could look when he was making his list (three We may feel we control the information employment references, the must-have that up – No. Focus. That’s 1000 words minutes Googling “Seven Deadly Sins” coming to us, but its unremitting call out on our CVs, will not be ‘grit’ or divided by 200wpm) about five minutes. then five trying to work out if I could availability raises our vulnerability to ‘determination’ or ‘passion’ but one core claim any of the seven holy virtues). distraction; and commensurate levels of characteristic: ‘indistractable’. The fault Which, of course, it won’t. It’s probably the most widespread vice stress. line of success will not be between the of the 21st century, the roadblock in The greatest stimulus of stress is networked and the proletariat, or the Because, after the first minute, coming our neurological freeway, the problem the illusion of choice. Believing we intellectuals and the masses, but the up soon, your phone / computer / TV / Mindfulness desperately tries to answer, have choices means we have to make focussed and the distractible. The ones wandering thoughts, will start to call to what was I talking about again? Oh yes: decisions, and if we choose one thing who finish what they start, the ones who you. An urge for something different, Distraction. we will necessarily miss out on another. make promises and fulfil them, the ones an impulse for novelty, will demand Distraction isn’t just the product And what if we get the decision wrong? who get through drudgery without their attention. An uneasy FOMO will gnaw of our phones outsmarting us and, No wonder so many of us are finding the minds wandering will be kings. The rest at you. So even if a notification hasn’t like ersatz Tamagotchis, crying for choice of apparently infinite distractions, of us will just flick between the cool pinged on your phone, you will find that attention, constantly needing to be fed along with the everyday ones we still content they create and wonder when an urge to look over to it, or elsewhere, at the nipples of our charging cables. have to face, simply overwhelming; and we’ll actually start our own lives. or check the time, is starting to build. Distraction is everywhere from the so many succumb to aimlessly flicking ‘Memeing of Life’ article. Tick. Your eyes may keep scanning left to snacks we choose to our water cooler between distractions and losing purpose What’s next on my To-Do list? OMG right but these ink marks will begin colleagues from the Amazon delivery altogether. that kitten is adorable! 020 7738 2348 November 2019 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today 15 Opinion & Comment online: www.KCWToday.co.uk

a coincidence that both positions are own Parliament has been moribund for promoted by the same newspapers. three years save for a session two weeks Harry’s right That Prince Harry and his wife have This General By Peter Burden ago which rightly, despite the DUP’s chosen to pursue the worst offending Election opposition, brought its abortion and newspapers through the courts is entirely gay rights laws in line with the rest of understandable as well as brave and By Derek Wyatt the UK. Northern Ireland seems more laudable. They are bound to suffer a lot of criticism from those, driven by racism and parish council than world class. envy, whose habit it is to criticise them, I was at an Aspen UK weekend at but they are perfectly within their rights to Oxford a month or so ago and in the turn legal guns on the culprits, especially margins of this three day event there was on Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp. much talk of a new party being formed In 2006, Andy Coulson, then editor Over a million people marched made up of as many as one hundred of the News of the World, encouraged MPs. Sadly, the calling of the General his Royal Editor Clive Goodman to again to try and persuade Election has put that initiative on the use the services of their sub-contracted this wretched Government back burner, possibly forever. Pity but professional phone hacker, Glenn timing is everything in politics. Mulcaire to gain access to messages left on to put its Brexit deal to the It will be sad to see so many talented the mobile phones of Princes William & Harry. Nation. The last time a million women stand down especially Amber In April that year, a story appeared Rudd, Nicky Morgan and Heidi with a strap across the front page, marched was in 2003 when Alexander. They have had the most current topic preoccupying the involving Prince Harry’s ‘antics in a PM Blair wrongly took the awful online abuse. Few of us would commentariat is a perceived lapdancing bar’. It divulged a verbatim have coped for so long. I think too that increase in aggressive criticism of transcript of Prince William pretending to Nation to war with Iraq, a Amber and Nicky will be back, and not the rich and powerful by a once deferential A be Harry’s girlfriend, Chelsy Davy chiding country which is once again just in the House of Lords. They are British public. This has become a little him for letting pole-dancers sit on his lap. one-nation Tories and they will be back muddled; where the fact that lowlier Brits Four years later, Coulson appeared in imploding. no longer doffed their caps to the toffs once their own party grows up. A more front of a session of the Culture Media enlightened Parliament would have was once being applauded, the prevailing Sport Committee looking into extensive brought in online abuse legislation. lack of deference to those in charge is now revelations of phone hacking at the News The political system we have in deplored. The truth is that for centuries of the World. He denied any recollection As for the result on 12 December, people have been sounding off angrily of the story or how it had been obtained. this country is not working. 2019, my guess is no party will have an about those who govern, in taverns, What was clear was that if the story hadn’t overall majority but the Lib Dems could in pamphlets and on soapboxes. Now simply been made up by an imaginative At this next election in a few weeks hold the balance of power with the SNP. they have much better platforms from hack, it had been illegally acquired time, the winning party will receive I cannot see either Mr Johnson or Mr which to do it; they can shout directly at through phone hacking. His boss, less than fifty per cent of the total Corbyn winning a majority. Where does their targets on Twitter and Instagram Rebekah Wade also denied any knowledge this put Brexit? I would not rule out a or telephone LBC. And they’ve been UK vote. Generally, winning parties of how the story had come to be there. receive between thirty-five to forty second referendum quite yet. encouraged in this by the example of the In 2006, when Clarence House first politicians themselves, who know how complained, the police prosecuted but, percent. This is simply undemocratic. they can generate a viral video clip with to avoid the Princes having to appear in Only the Lib Dems and the Greens one well-aimed insult, encouraged by the court, they restricted their complaints to want a new system. And, of course, papers read by some of hoi polloi; The Sun, several instances of Goodman hacking the Tories and Labour do not want to Strenuous efforts are made by for instance, The Mail and, until its timely the phones of members of Clarence House change the current ‘first past the post’ death, the News of the World. Presaging staff. The News of the World claimed that offering. That’s because they would win Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster their support for the Brexit adventure, just ‘one rogue reporter’ was involved; fewer seats. Given a December election Today newspaper to ensure that The Sun led the way in characteristic oaf- Goodman and Mulcaire were convicted it is definitely the ‘turkeys voting for mode back in 1990 with the headline; UP and given six-month prison sentences. Christmas’ issue. What a disservice to the content and information is YOURS DELORS. It subsequently emerged that there our citizens. correct. Kensington, Chelsea & In the British Parliament, the Prime were dozens, if not hundreds of ‘rogue Minister recently insulted the leader of the reporters’ and, indeed, a rogue editor or Westminster Today newspaper Will this General Election put to opposition with a popular if perplexing two at the News of the World and its sister reserves the right to report jibe, calling him, ‘A big girl’s blouse.’ paper The Sun, which is still paying out bed Brexit? In the European parliament, Mr phone hacking claims. But the breaches unsolicited material being sent Farage with his usual lack of couth told of the Princes’ privacy wasn’t addressed in Only if the Tories win a majority in the through to the publication. Herman van Rompuy, then President of court at the time. Now, it should be, and House of Commons. Labour has sat on the EU, that he had ‘the charisma of a News Corp should be made to pay. If it the Brexit fence for three years and is Personal views expressed in this damp rag and the appearance of a low- also makes its papers more interested in trying to move the election from debat- newspaper are solely those of the grade bank-clerk’, which not only insulted telling the truth and respecting the privacy ing Brexit to other issues. It will not suc- Mr Van Rompuy, but also took a swipe of The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, and ceed and it does not deserve to succeed. respective contributors and do not at tens of thousands bank-clerks working any other celebrity whose life they wish to reflect those of the publishers or across Europe. destroy, that would be a bonus. Mr Van Rumpoy, by contrast, was too Whither then the other parties? its agents. All materials sent to civilised to point out, as I reluctantly do, that Mr Farage himself looks like a cross Kensington Chelsea & Westminster between Mr Toad and the kind of Silver There is a chance that the Lib Dems Today are at the suppliers’ risk. Ring bookie who leaves the course early will campaign mostly on Remain. This when favourites have been winning all day. would be sensible especially in England. Reproduction in whole or in part With such examples of public name- The key thing for them is to be allowed of this publication is strictly calling, it shouldn’t be surprising that Joe into the television debates. This is critical prohibited without prior consent. Public has taken full advantage of the to their success. Again the behaviour of possibilities offered by social media. And the two main parties to shut them out The appearance of advertising in it shouldn’t be surprising that this has demonstrates how anti-democratic they this newspaper, including inserts or encouraged some truly ugly attacks on The are. Duchess of Sussex, for the simple reasons In Scotland, the SNP might sweep supplements, does not constitute that her mother was black and she married the board. Neither the Tories nor a British Royal. endorsement by Kensington, I suspect, though it may be peterburden.net Labour will win a seat there. In Wales, Chelsea & Westminster Today of the coincidental, that if you were to scratch Plaid Cymru should do well, too. I am an anti-Meghanist, you would find a no longer sure anyone in the Britain products or services advertised. Brexit enthusiast underneath; it is not www. cares about Northern Irish politics. Its 16 November 2019 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today www.KCWToday.co.uk Opinion & Comment

Out-Sourcery: The strength of Magic or little men Mayhem? By Nick Salaman By Nick Salaman

he rather charming no-through- Never underestimate the strength of road or dead-end where I live, in a certain London Borough not little men; farT from here, boasts four or five trees, The little men you half dismiss, a giant ivy bush covering a wall, and a thriving wisteria. Added to this, the Who orgasm in a Judas kiss, more house-proud residents have small The little men like John and Glenn collections of plants and shrubs on the pavement outside their doors which You thought were on your side. helps the quality of the air, the pleasant The little men forget their owing appearance of the street itself, and, in a its provider and its public. I think of Recruitment was very much up to the small way, to the intermittent leaf-fall on Carillion and the flaws of outsourcing mark in those days. To bigger men with stronger the ground. which its collapse revealed. Have the Maybe I am being unfair to rowing, I was told the other day that our lessons been learned? One begins to ask outsourcing. Maybe it can sometimes street-sweeper, a very helpful and questions. be a wonderful time- and-cost saving They know which way the wind is diligent man, is now not allowed to I question the worrying recruiting idea, it is indeed a vast industry in blowing sweep and pick up leaves from our street. figures for the Army that we read about spite of Carillion, but is it founded I gathered that leaves require a specific the other day. Could outsourcing be one on convenience, short-termism, And swim with every tide. disposal system that for some reason can of the reasons why many battalions are and a readiness to abdicate direct only function one month in the year: apparently under-strength? Maybe it is responsibility? It seems to me, as an idea, October. because the Army people don’t choose counter-intuitive. When organisations And when the chips are on the table It is quite true, of course, that the advertising agency themselves. I are at arms lengths from the centre, the Your colleagues with the WeeMan* October is known for its deciduous understand the MoD uses an outsource message surely gets diluted. Efficiency tendencies. In Poland, October is even company on the Army’s behalf. But declines in an inverse ratio to the label - called ‘The Month of the Falling Leaves’. that outsource company, as I gather, number of people involved. Nurses used But trees and plants are famous for doesn’t do the recruitment advertising. to scrub the wards spotless, my sister- When you are on vacation being untidy by nature. They do not fall It outsources to another company, in-law tells me. Now it’s contracted out Line up behind your bitter rival, neatly into spreadsheets. They behave so (counting the MoD) the Army is to ‘lady with a mop’ or people with not like the wind which bloweth where it actually at two or three removes from quite such a sense of Matron’s eagle eye. O’ertopping treason’s Tower of listeth. In short, they act rather like the the source of control over an important I am informed we spend more on Eiffel, sea under the tutelage of King Canute. part of its recruitment drive. The result Waste Management than we do on They do what they do without taking being an ad campaign addressed to the Armed Forces. To misquote the Intent on your castration. instructions. ‘snowflakes’ which achieved plenty of immortal words of Flanders & Swann, On enquiry at ‘Street Line’, the publicity, but apparently failed to fill the “it all makes work for the outsource Council department which handles, missing platoons in the infantry. man to do”, but that, though possibly When you think they must be or used to handle, waste management, No one knows the Army and its laudable in terms of employment figures, beaten, a certain surprise was shown when I squaddies better than the Army. It is hardly the point of the exercise. On mentioned this uni-mensal edict on the understands the kind of young people a lighter gastronomic note, I have had The little men in close formation, leaf collection question. It was then that attracted to contemporary Army life, two apple crumbles recently at reputable Whether of high school or of Eton, I smelt an unmistakable whiff of out- and my concern is its voice may not be restaurants, where the crumble seems sourcery. The Council does not handle heard, its message may be obfuscated by not home-made; it does not crumble. It Come smiling, sidling back. waste management at all these days. It civvy line-managers and meetings about is a nuggety, sweetish, crispy topping, They’ve sharpness in their ratty is all contracted out. And I began to meetings. almost certainly not made in-house. It think about this whole subcontracting I used to do the adverts years ago has been out-sourced. Quel horreur! teeth circus we have got ourselves into. These for recruiting officers and ratings in Meanwhile in a Borough not far And, though with little self-belief, days, no one wants the over-heads and the Royal Navy. It was handled in the from here, October is nearly over and the baggage of handling the job themselves. advertising agency by an ex Lieutenant- trees still have plenty of leaves to shed. They’ve poison in their sac. Someone comes along and says we’ll Commander, RN. He knew the Royal I am reminded of the Belloc sonnet on take it off your hands, and everyone’s Navy; he talked their language. He December: happy. The job’s done and dusted. dealt directly with another (serving) They envy you your cost and care. Everyone’s happy, that is, except the Lieutenant Commander. True, my ‘…For now December, full of aged care, They envy you your head of hair. public, that is, the taxpayer colleague at the agency, one Woolcombe, Comes in upon the year and weakly grieves; It used to be an integral part of a sometimes became alarmed by the ideas Mumbling his lost desires and his despair; They smile and smile to sweeten roadsweeper’s job to sweep leaves, but we came up with. He gave what was And with mad trembling hand still You, they smile until they’ve beaten now they must lie on the pavement, known as the Woolcombe ‘whistle’, interweaves collecting in ungainly heaps and getting a sharp and sibilant indrawing of the The dank sear flower-stalks tangled in his You – they smile until they’ve eaten wet and dirty so we can skid about and breath when you showed him an idea. ‘I hair, You - and then there’s no way back! break our bones on them ad lib, because say, old boy, isn’t that a bit…shocking?’ While round about him whirl the rotten the God of the Machine says it has to be But he could sell them an idea if I could leaves. Sorreee. that way. Leaves cannot be processed, persuade him it was right, because he for some reason of the out-sourcerer, had an innate understanding of the Dank flower-stalks and slippery leaves except in bulk. I started to think about Senior Service. on the pavement for Christmas? It *WeeMan label: sought after in Charity other instances of out-sourcery where And after a bit of coaxing, we sounds like a gift for the Health and shops ** Little men in this verse refers the end-product loses contact with usually got the Royal Navy on board. Safety boys. to character rather than verticality 020 7738 2348 November 2019 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today 17 International News online: www.KCWToday.co.uk

California's central valley is has, so far, held up in court. far, the precedent set by the state may INTERNATIONAL particularly prone to flooding. While cause others to follow suit soon. With tropical storms from the Pacific first Vaping and the use of electronic over 1,000 sick and 18 dead as a result strike coastal cities, their remnants bring cigarettes has been deemed an epidemic of vaping-related illness in the United NEWS heavy rainfall to the central valley. For in the United States. Popularized States, the debate surrounding the safety this reason, many low-altitude homes BY GRIFFIN BUCH initially as a method for smokers to of vaping is far from over. are built at elevations slightly above move away from smoking traditional the street. If a significant storm brings tobacco, Nicotine vaporizers, or “vapes” American tackle football flooding to the state, well-planned have become a hot trend in middle and infrastructure ensures that streets, rather high schools across the United States. is as dangerous as smoking than property, are the first to fill. The age at which young people try cigarettes, according to a new This month, KCW Today While wildfires, earthquakes, and vaping for the first time has decreased looks to the United flooding could strike any American dramatically in recent years while PSA. state, California sees some of the the number of young people who use States, where matters country's worst natural disasters. The vape products on a regular basis has American Football is the most popular state's abundance of space and varied televised sport in the United States. from teen vaping to terrain requires state officials and Super Bowl Sunday is practically wildfires impact the residents to be ready for anything. considered a national holiday in the Californians must always stay prepared United States. High schools across the lives of citizens across for unexpected emergencies with country celebrate their football team’s the country. These everything from food to a plan. first home game of the season by hosting huge dances where hundreds of well- pieces will examine dressed students mark the beginning of how pivotal issues can As Target increases its starting the new football season. wage, employees are seeing Research studies have shown that change the lives of head injuries sustained by football millions of people in an their hours decrease and players of any age can drastically damage instant. therefore smaller paychecks. their health down the line. However, skyrocketed. According to a survey from such injuries sustained by young children The fight for a $15 hourly wage has the Pew Research Center, the percentage whose brains are still developing have swept across the United States. Service of college students in the United States been shown to cause much more serious Between wildfires, industry workers have fought for decades who vape on a regular basis increased health complications. Nevertheless, earthquakes, and large-scale to earn a “living wage.” from 9% in 2015 to 21% in 2019. tackle football remains popular with Hourly minimum wages vary The most popular vaping device on children as young as six years old. flooding, how does California across the country by state. The federal the market across the United States is A public safety announcement from stay prepared for the worst? minimum wage in the United States is the Juul. According to Juul, the high the Concussion Legacy Foundation $7.25 per hour. In response to pressure concentration of nicotine helps adult called Tackle Can Wait shows a football n the ‘Golden State,’ a natural from labour advocacy groups, the Target smokers switch to their products from coach distributing cigarettes to a group disaster could strike at any moment. corporation set a goal in 2011 of raising cigarettes, as nicotine is the addictive of young athletes. The piece argues that America's most populous and the company-wide minimum wage to chemical which smokers crave. In allowing young children to play tackle third-largest state hosts a wide array of $15 per hour by 2020. In 2019, Target the case of young people trying Juul football is as dangerous as allowing them I has grown closer to reaching that goal, to smoke cigarettes. The group’s goal ecosystems and geographical terrain, all for the first time, the high nicotine of which play a large part in the state's with the minimum wage currently set at concentration causes them to become is to prevent children younger than 14 natural disaster readiness plan. $13 per hour. addicted to “Juuling.” from playing tackle football. Pacific Gas and Electric, PG&E, is As Target began to increase starting Following a spike in vaping related As American Football remains the one of the largest power utilities in the wages for employees, many noticed their illnesses and deaths, Massachusetts most popular sport on television, it state. After 13 of the wildfires from the hours decrease, some dramatically. In Governor Charlie Baker signed a seems unlikely that tackle for children 2017 fire season were found to have been order to qualify for health insurance four-month ban on the sale of all vape will disappear altogether. However, sparked by fallen PG&E power lines, and other benefits, employees are often products in the state in September. efforts by the Concussion Legacy the company began to pre-emptively required to work a set minimum of Baker’s ban has faced numerous legal Foundation to spread awareness of the shut off power during times of high weekly hours. In the case of some Target challenges. So far, the ban has been dangers of children’s involvement in wind. In October, more than 2.7 million employees, not only are paychecks allowed to remain in place. While tackle football may inspire some parents people were impacted by a series of decreasing, but some are losing benefits. Massachusetts may be the only state to keep their kids away from the sport PG&E power shut offs. Despite the A single employee’s hours could to ban the sale of vaping products so for a few more formative years. power utility’s efforts, PG&E equipment range from over 40 to less than 20 in sparked two Northern California just a few weeks. With no protections wildfires in October 2019. or definitive minimum earned paycheck While Los Angeles, the city of as a full-time employee, hourly workers stars and home to Hollywood, may have no guaranteed weekly income. flaunt some of the state's most pleasant Employees making $12 per hour and weather, the city lies only about 35 working 32 hours per week would take miles from the San Andreas fault, the home $384 each week before taxes. If epicentre of many major earthquakes. that employee earned $15 per hour but Because California's major cities, lost just seven hours (one full shift) in including greater Los Angeles and the their work week, their wage would fall San Francisco Bay Area, are located near to $375 for the week. Pay uncertainty is major fault lines, buildings must adhere the reality for Target employees across to strict safety guidelines and be able to the country, and it has caused labor withstand intense earthquakes. Severe organizations to wonder whether a $15 earthquakes can damage furniture, minimum wage will actually increase move appliances, and cause decor to fall. citizen’s well-being. Californians are often careful not to hang anything over their beds, as in the event of a late-night quake, anything can Massachusetts Governor fall and cause serious injuries or death Charlie Baker’s vaping ban 18 November 2019 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today www.KCWToday.co.uk Astronomy

Top left: Illustration of what SN2006gy might have looked forming an ultra-dense neutron star like close up. © NASA/CXC/M Weiss. only a few kilometres wide. Bottom left, infrared image Dramatic yes, but then astronomers of the galaxy NGC 1260 within which SN2006gy is began to think of a much rarer potential embedded top right. Credit: candidate that could produce a much Lick Observatory/UC Bottom right, showing the more violent explosion, an extremely nucleus of both NGC 1260 rare type of star that was 150/200 times and SN2006gy as seen today. © Chandra/x-ray/Berkley the mass of our Sun, near the absolute Above: Eta Carinae is the upper limit of what is possible. These bloated, partially obscured star at the centre of this stars have but one destiny, they never menacing, expanding, live long. The high temperatures and double-lobed nebula called Homunculus, soon to be a pressures in their cores make their near neighbour supernova of nuclear fusion almost a runaway. Such our own. © ESO Left: Evolution of a stars go supernova within 5 to 10million supernova. A massive star years. (left), which has created elements as heavy as iron in SN2006gy’s star was so massive, its interior, blows up (middle), its fierce output of intense gamma scattering its outer layers in a structure called a supernova rays produced matter/antimatter pairs. remnant, (right). It also Not good for its health and stability, creates many other elements including those heavier than Matter and antimatter ignite on contact, iron such as gold. releasing 100% of their combined © NASA/CXC/SAO/JPL- Caltech mass as pure energy, compared to only 0.7% mass-to-energy efficiency in an average star, like our Sun. This very rare supernova referred to as a “pair-instability supernova” releases n a distant galaxy NGC 1260, material from an orbiting companion. 10 million trillion times the output of some 250 million light-years When enough atoms accrue on its the Sun and leaves nothing behind; no Kaboom away, occurred the most powerful surface, its newly growing mass raises neutron star nor a black-hole. Iexplosion ever seen anywhere. its core temperature so that carbon Hypernovae like SN2006gy do SN2006gy Named SN2006gy, this supernova fusing abruptly begins in a sudden remind us of another contender for the certainly stands apart. It was so thermonuclear conflagration, destroying biggest bang ever, lurking much closer Brightest Blast energetic, it’s often called a hypernova the star and briefly outshining all the to home, the enormous Eta Carinae. or quark-nova. stars in its galaxy. This super-luminous hyper heavy star Ever It was quickly observed by NASA’s By contrast a Type II supernova is still in its pre-supernova state and By Scortt Beadle FRAS Chandra X-ray Observatory and large involves a single massive star in its is located in our galaxy, 32,000 times ground based observatories, with old age, whose core no longer has the closer to us than SN2006gy! When speculation rife that it could be a long- outward-pushing energy to prevent the it explodes tomorrow or in a million sought new type of explosion. core collapsing in on itself. The collapse years’ time it will appear a billion times Supernovae come in two main rapidly builds up explosive heat, which brighter than SN2006gy enough to be varieties. Type I involves a double star then ignites everything. The twisted visible in daytime; it will pose no threat system. Here a common ultra-dense filaments of the star are blown off at to mankind, but will be a spectacular white dwarf star gains stellar wind 1600kms /sec while the core implodes, and dramatic event to witness. 020 7738 2348 November 2019 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today 19 Education online: www.KCWToday.co.uk

the trip can use video conferencing to British Museum interact with the exhibits in support of reopens Samsung Digital their curriculum. School groups and families Discovery Centre after who are able to visit will appreciate © PXHere Photograph renovation the opportunity to use Samsung’s technology to interact with the past in By Oliver Lloyd ways previously impossible. Families have particularly enjoyed the ability to Photoshop themselves onto everything The British Museum has from Hittite chariots to Trojan horses. finished renovating its Children are encouraged to react with emojis to the exhibits which museum Digital Discovery Centre, staff can use as a starting point for operated in partnership with discussions. The response so far has been positive Samsung, which allows school from children and adults alike. ‘Wow’ groups and young families was the reaction of the first child to enter into the centre after the reopening to use digital technology to and teachers and parents have also given experience its collections. the centre excellent reviews. Teachers in particular have been very impressed with The Centre, which reopened on the the capacity of the new centre to help 17thSeptember, was relaunched with the students that have limited English or ambitious target to enable 35,000 school students with disabilities. pupils from across the UK to virtually This year marks the tenth year of the at the EHRC, said the findings showed visit the museum’s collections. Schools museum’s partnership with Samsung universities were “not only out of touch that are either too far away to visit the which has now been extended for Universities with the extent that [racism] is occurring Museum or may not have the budget for another five. on their campuses, some are also fail tackling completely oblivious to the issue” Professor Julia Buckingham, thousands of president of Universities UK, which The interviewees recorded brief represents 136 universities, described descriptions of themselves, which were racist incidents Class prejudice By Anandi Shah the findings as “sad and shocking”, and listened to or read as transcripts by 274 called on vice-chancellors to publicly based on speech hiring managers. commit to making tackling racial The employers were asked to evaluate harassment a top priority. rife in hiring the candidates without consulting their Universities are failing to address However, prominent academics of CVs. thousands of racist incidents every year, colour have condemned the commission process Based on the pre-interview because they are in denial about the for also including harassment against By Anna Mackenzie recordings, candidates from higher scale of the problem, the government’s white students in the figures, which social classes were judged to be more equality watchdog has warned. they said showed a worrying lack of competent and allocated higher starting An inquiry, ‘Tackling Racial understanding of racism. Job seekers are judged within seconds salaries. Harassment: Universities Challenged’, Kehinde Andrews, professor of black based on the way they speak in Mr Kraus said: “If we want to move led by the Equality and Human studies at Birmingham City University, interviews, a study revealed. to a more equitable society, then we Rights Commission (EHRC) found said: “The idea that you could equate The report by researchers at Yale must contend with these ingrained that about 25% of minority ethnic the racism experienced by someone University showed the perception of psychological processes that drive our students, including non-British white who is black, with the experience of a social background based on speech early impressions of others. students, said they had experienced Welsh [person] at an English university patterns influenced employers to favour “Despite what these hiring racial harassment since the start of their demonstrates just how ignorant the job applicants from higher social classes. tendencies may suggest, talent is not course. authors of the report are. [The report] Co-author and assistant professor of found solely among those born to rich or Of those, black students reported the conflates racism with individual organisational behaviour Michael Kraus well-educated families.” highest rate of racial harassment (29%), harassment and entirely minimises the said while most hiring managers would In August 2019, a report by Equality followed by Asian students (27%) and racism by including groups who do not deny that a job candidate's social class Group showed 76% of Brits believe mixed/other students (22%). Meanwhile, experience racial prejudice.” matters, the findings suggest otherwise. people with higher socio-economic 9% of white British students said they The EHRC found that two-thirds He said: “The socioeconomic status have increased access to ‘better’ experienced racial harassment, including of students and more than half of staff position of an applicant or their parents job opportunities regardless of anti-English, anti-Welsh and anti- did not report racial harassment to is being assessed within the first seconds experience or qualifications. Scottish sentiments. their university, often due to lack of they speak; a circumstance that limits Meanwhile, 22% of professionals The report additionally found 8% confidence that the matter would be economic mobility and perpetuates believe that in order to be successful in of all students’ surveyed suffered racial addressed. Others were deterred by fear inequality.” their career, they have had to alter the harassment in the first six months of of reprisals by their tutors or managers. The researchers conducted five way they speak and change their dialect. the last academic year, amounting to an Yet almost half (43%) of universities separate studies to examine how social Equality Group CEO Hephzi estimated 180,000 students across the told the inquiry they thought all racial class was perceived through speech and Pemberton said: “It is unacceptable UK. harassment against students on their how these cues affect the hiring process. that such a significant proportion of A third of those said they reported campus was reported. The findings showed people the British population believe that they racist incidents to their university. Yet, a The inquiry found that almost can accurately assess a stranger's need to change their accents or hide separate survey of 141 universities by the two-thirds of students who reported socioeconomic position -- defined by their background to flourish within their body, found only 920 formal complaints being racially harassed said the abuse their income, education, and occupation professional environments. of racism by students and staff recorded came from other students, with more status -- after hearing only seven words. “Employees should be proud of their between September 2015 and February than a quarter saying the abuse came In one experiment, twenty backgrounds and their professional 2019. Of these, students comprised 560 from academics. Most staff that prospective job candidates from varied environments should value their complaints, equivalent to only about 80 claimed having faced racial abuse said socioeconomic backgrounds were invited diversity of experience and thought, not complaints every six months. the perpetrator was a colleague, often to interview for an entry-level position. dampen it.” Rebecca Hilsenrath, chief executive someone in a managerial position.

20 November 2019 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today www.KCWToday.co.uk Education

there is no one sign that can confirm a child has been bullied. The organization Standing up to does say though, that “lost” belongings, unexplained bruises, and a fear of going Bullying to school can indicate a problem. By Griffin Buch Kolin’s efforts and meetings with lawmakers over the past year have helped him gain attention and support ullies aim to inflict physical for his resolution. Kolin hopes that a or emotional pain on others. national Unity Day, where students, Millions of young people are teachers, and administrators come bullied every year, and there is no easy together will help put a stop to bullying, B so students like him will not be solution. One American teenager has subjected to the torment he faced. taken the issue to Washington, D.C. in one chapter of a story, responding to a a Story puts their name in print, alongside For more information on how to an effort to put a stop to the bullying brief outlined by Jackson. Once compiled, professionals and hundreds of their peers, problem. address and prevent bullying in the the completed novel will be illustrated and empowers children to believe that Charles Kolin, 16, is a student at U.K., check out some of the resources by Adeola and professionally printed and everyone has important stories to tell.” Greens Farms Academy in Westport, below. published by Knights Of. Connecticut. Kolin was bullied www.bullying.co.uk/anti-bullying- All children will also receive a free Jessica Santer, relentlessly from 5th grade to 8th grade. week/anti-bullying-week-resources/ copy, and are invited to hear their story Head of Creative Learning, Because Kolin has experienced bullying www.anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk/ performed at Southbank Centre’s Imagine Southbank Centre firsthand, he believes in the importance tools-information/all-about-bullying/ Children’s Festival in February. “The Imagine a Story project is a truly of establishing a nationwide Unity Day, celebrating-difference-schools/resources- “I’m thrilled to be the lead author on transformational opportunity for the Imagine a Story with Southbank Centre children I teach. Having their finished which would help create a world where our-members www.schoolwellbeing.co.uk/pages/ this year”, said Author Sharna Jackson. words read out at Southbank Centre, and no one is afraid to share their opinions The project aims to address the published in a book for friends, family anti-bullying and where being different is okay. chronic lack of diversity in children’s and others to read, my children will very In school, Kolin had trouble making www.twinkl.co.uk/resources/pshe/ publishing, highlighted in the Centre for tangibly experience being successful friends. While he prefers his disability relationships/bullying-resources Literacy in Primary Education (CLPE) writers with an audience and a purpose to to be thought of as “neurodiversity,” www.ambition.org.uk/blog/raising- report which found that just 1% of inspire them to write. We can’t wait!” said he has long had difficulty interpreting awareness-bullying-all-ages children’s books published in the UK in Bronwen Smith, Assistant Headteacher of nonverbal cues like facial expressions or 2017 featured a black and minority ethnic Stockwell Primary School, Lambeth. body language and dealt with impaired (BAME) main character. visual-spatial and social skills. For years, “We want children to feel a sense The full Imagine 2020 festival programme Kolin was bullied for being different. Return of of ownership of creativity: not just to will be announced on Monday 2 witness and enjoy it, but to hold it in December. For more information, visit Now a mental health activist, Kolin Imagine their hands, and pass it on to friends, www.southbankcentre.co.uk or call 0203 has spearheaded an effort to create parents, even their own children. Imagine 879 9555. a formal resolution by Congress to support Unity Day. Kolin spent the Children’s month of October lobbying Senators and Festival Representatives in Washington, D.C. makes children published to support his bipartisan congressional resolution to recognize the annual authors bullying prevention day formally at the By Anandi Shah national level. About one million young people are bullied each year. Bullies often Over 1,400 primary school children from Experience Something Different target others based on differences often London and the south of England will including race, size, sexual orientation, become published authors as a result of the Southbank Centre’s Imagine Children’s religion, and disabilities. Educators Learn a New Language Festival. are quick to condemn bullying in most From February 12th - 23rd 2020, the at SOAS University of London cases, however they are often unaware of UK’s leading children’s festival, Imagine, when the behaviour is happening, as it returns to Southbank Centre for its 19th often goes unreported. year, which showcases the highest-quality • Easily accessible Central London location All state schools in the United international performances in music, Kingdom are required by law to “have a literature, comedy, creativity, parties, • Convenient Evening and Saturday classes behaviour policy in place that includes participation with free fun for children up • Fun, interactive, communicative lessons measures to prevent all forms of bullying to 11 and adults. among pupils,” according to the gov.uk Launched in 2001, Imagine has a Spring Term classes enrolling website. “This policy is decided by the long history of supporting literacy for families. On the 20th anniversary of The school. All teachers, pupils and parents from 11 November Waterstones’ Children’s Laureate in 2019, must be told what it is.” the festival welcomed former Laureate Courses begin 13 January Unlike state schools, private Jacqueline Wilson. schools in the U.K. are not required The festival culminates with Imagine • Over 30 Asian, African and Middle Eastern languages to maintain a behavior policy to limit a Story: a free nationwide creative writing • European languages: French and Spanish bullying. The government in the U.K. project for primary schools and teachers treats bullying regulations similarly delivered with author Sharna Jackson • All levels: Complete Beginner to Advanced to anti-discrimination laws, which (High-Rise Mystery, The Sunday Times’ • Assessments for non-beginners available by appointment require school staff members to take Children’s Book of the Week), illustrator action against harassment. Schools in Dapo Adeola (Look Up!; The Last Last Day Scotland and Northern Ireland adhere to of Summer) and Brixton-based publishers soas.ac.uk/languagecentre and founders of #BooksMadeBetter, different rules surrounding bullying and Knights Of. Tel: +44 (0)20 7898 4888 discrimination set by their respective In a giant ‘game of consequences’, each Email: [email protected] parliaments. of the 33 participating schools, including According to the National Society for a Herefordshire state school and an the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, international school in Westminster write 020 7738 2348 November 2019 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today 21 Education online: www.KCWToday.co.uk

to think of an idea to tackle various Students of today socio-economic issues facing the capital, such as environmental issues. Winners Photograph © TfL would receive £20,000 to invest in create pioneering the development of their initiative. As well as the main prize, part of the design for the Mayor’s gender equality campaign future #BehindEveryGreatCity means ten By Anandi Shah women are selected for mentoring to help them take the next step in their careers.

Previous winners of the competition include Arthur Kay from UCL and his idea Bio-Bean, which turns ground Attending school or college Operations and once in use, will make capital the opportunity to develop the lives easier for wheelchair users across skills required for effective debating coffee waste into biofuels. He in this day and age is not only the capital, who very often have issues through a mixture of expert training and has since created a company academically rewarding, but boarding buses, due to lack of space, or competition. Heats take place every May other passengers unwilling to vacate the and the final is held every July. worth £10m, and built the encompasses a myriad of other area reserved for them. world’s first waste coffee components to enrich student The girls’ teacher, Mrs Beth Kent, London Writers Award recycling factory. who is Head of Science at Northwood This is an annual writer development life. Regional competitions College School for Girls GDST and programme for London-based between schools are an had overseen the conception and unpublished prose writers from development of the design said: backgrounds currently under-represented Applications for the competition example. “I am absolutely over the moon and in publishing and takes place over 9 close in February 2020. proud of them. Our girls were so good at months: September – May.https://www. www.london.gov.uk/entrepreneur he annual ‘TfL Innovate’ presenting ideas and fielding questions spreadtheword.org.uk/projects/london- competition, run by the London from major players in the transport writers-awards Transport organisation, invites industry.” For more information and how to apply SixthT Formers to collaborate to find “These sorts of opportunities where The Mayor’s Entrepreneur for the next ‘TfL Innovate’ competition, solutions to real TfL challenges. students drive the process and wherein Competition visit: www.tfl.gov.uk/info-for/schools- All teams shortlisted for the final teachers are guides rather than leaders This competition asks entrants and-young-people/innovate-tfl win work experience at TfL. There is are essential.” also employability support including She also praised the competition run CV and interview support. Winners by TfL: receive a trophy and a Microsoft tablet “TfL was very supportive and I computer. recommend that every school takes part This year, a group of five Northwood in it.” College GDST Sixth Formers, who Claire Mann also lauded the cleverly named themselves ‘Mind the initiative: “It’s great to see the next Girls’, consisting of Daivi Shah (Team generation thinking about the future of Leader), Anna Grenz, Jasreen Chadha, transport and all the innovative ideas Priyanka Vithlani and Tanya Rangi, they have. These individuals will be a spent ten weeks planning and designing great asset to the industry and I believe an ingenious fob device for wheelchair our support in programmes such as TfL users, which subsequently won the Innovate, STEM ambassadors and our competition. Schools Skills Programme will develop Advertise The traveller can activate the device our transport network greatly.” on a special reader located at the bus Registration began on the 11th stop. It has three buttons that each October for the upcoming 2019/20 represents all the bus routes served at Awards and the deadline for submissions the stop and illuminates once activated. is 9am on 13th January 2020. The user selects the route they want to with us ‘TfL Innovate’ is one of many take and this remains lit. This sends a London School competitions that take signal to the bus driver, alerting them place in and around the capital. Some of that a wheelchair user wants to use that them include: To put an advertisement in KCWToday bus. The automated voice announcement then, prior to arriving at the stop, Jack Petchey Awards instructs the passengers to vacate the This award recognises outstanding email: [email protected] designated wheelchair area. young people aged 11-25 across London The devices will initially be situated and Essex. www.jackpetcheyfoundation. at bus stops where there is high demand, org.uk/opportunities/grant-programmes/ or telephone 020 7738 2348 such as near hospitals, GP surgeries, achievement-awards/ care homes and universities. However, (Anandi Shah, the writer of this is in the future, it is expected that every one of this year’s winners). bus stop will feature this device and be free for all wheelchair users. London Debate Challenge Their creation is being co-sponsored The London Debate Challenge by Michelle Dix, Director of Crossrail gives Key Stage 3 students from state 2 and Claire Mann, Director of Bus and maintained schools across the 22 November 2019 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today www.KCWToday.co.uk Enjoy & Donate APPEAL FROM KATE HAWTHORNE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF The Written RTHOGRAPHY: the information platform, if we are not careful it will decimate the beauty and accepted way of precision of our language and erode writing words with the imagination and writing skills uphold one of the greatest inventions can do for young people in their future O of younger generations further. Too Word the proper spelling, according of all times ‘the written word’. Good careers. The art of writing and the much information is being digested quality journalism, lessons on the importance of the written word, and to accepted usage. too swiftly. 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rose-tinted glasses. John Lewis, the wardrobe staple. They’re also more mostly immune to such winds of change. Michael Bublé of retail, has made its affordable, retailing at $198 for a classic Now though, fashion is on the The Future of annual return to our screens. All is how Trucker, and $248 for a Sherpa Trucker. brink of a new frontier. It’s not just Fashion is Smart it should be. Like the Apple watch, the garment the new Levi jacket, nor the launch of By May Woods Christmas lists, though, are a little relies on smart phone connection. It also Saint Laurent’s connected backpack different to those penned this year. The performs functions normally associated (a similar concept, also facilitated by a quintessential vision of a high-tech with a phone. Users can answer calls, Google Jacquard collaboration), that is future; that of flying cars and personal order Ubers, take photos and use GPS galvanising futurists. The buzz is around robots, has not yet been fully realised. navigation, all with small hand gestures. smart fashion’s potential (hence the magine: It’s ten years from now. The But other parts of our lives have seen The smart element comes in the form quick visit to Christmas 2029). Fabrics decade is drawing to a close and quite the upgrade. of a small tag, sewn discreetly into the interwoven with technology are set to we’re preparing to enter the final And top of the gift wish list for jacket’s cuff. be socially transformative, particularly month of 2030. The last ten years have many? (Technologically) smart clothes. Innovation in high street and in health. Clothes that monitor vital I Rewind to the present day, and the luxury markets has mainly reflected signals, equipped to warn wearers of been fraught with immense social and technological change. catalyst for the smart clothing revolution the rise of ethical consumerism. The physiological changes. Jeans that detect Reassuringly, much has also has arguably just been launched. Enter fashion industry has felt the spotlight’s new injuries and repair the skin beneath. remained the same. The festive period is the Google X Levi’s smart-tech enabled uncomfortable glare, as consumers reject Jackets, sensitive to temperature rises, approaching, and the nation is in prep jacket. Google’s Jacquard platform has wasteful practices, unsustainable fabrics that initiate cooling functions. mode; from garden centre visits and integrated its technology into two classic and immoral supply chains. The fight There are hurdles ahead, in particular dusting decorations to shoppers flocking Levi designs: The Trucker jacket and against fast fashion shows few signs of from a data privacy perspective. Initial online, intent on achieving that perfect the Sherpa Trucker jacket. This isn’t the easing, and is hindered by the increasing public appetite for such developments office party look. Vats of mulled wine inaugural Google/Levi’s collaboration; dominance of online shopping, may be limited. But the future of fashion bubble as mince pies are baked by the the first was in 2017. However, the new but awareness is rising. The digital is smart, and it’s on its way. batch: Christmas in Britain remains design represents a crucial development. revolution has seen the high street The Levi Trucker and Sherpa Trucker our most romanticised tradition; even The smart element is hidden; the repeatedly pronounced ‘dead’. Yet, in can be found in selected UK stores, or advertisements are viewed through jackets now look like any other timeless the mainstream, designs have remained ordered online from Levi.com

V&A presents Guo Pei’s mythical

Alternate Universe © Guo Pei Photographs By Anna Mackenzie

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of its Fashion in Motion runway series, the V&A hosted a landmark presentation by Chinese couturier Guo Pei on Friday 1st November. The designer was invited to display her Alternate Universe AW 2019 Couture collection at the museum’s free-to-attend live runway event, which has previously featured designers such as Alexander McQueen and Vivienne Westwood. Perhaps most well known for that yellow gown worn by Rihanna at the 2015 Met Gala, Guo Pei has dressed royalty and style icons alike for over two decades. This collection brought together the defining characteristics of Pei’s vision: a fusion of traditional Chinese craftsmanship and contemporary innovation that subsumes themes of cultural heritage, architecture, mythology and religion. Against the backdrop of remarkable Renaissance art displayed in the museum’s iconic Raphael Gallery, Pei’s models were transformed into nymph-like creatures treading through a sphere of fantasy to the mesmeric sound of layered harps and polka waltz. The show began with two models exhibiting an exquisitely whimsical twin gown with a conjoined skirt. Intertwined hair plaits fell over uncovered bare shoulders to finish the look that set the tone for the fantastical designs and the theme of duality to come. Gowns were adorned with Elizabethan collars and textured trimmings, layers of feather, hemp and tulle, and the designer’s signature three-dimensional Lafite embroidery featuring insect and floral motifs. The muted colour palette of neutral greys, browns and creams allowed the clashing textures to provide all the dramatic impact. Curved, flowing elements sculpted larger forms as feathers and finely woven branches wound around full skirts, decorated bodices and puffed or fluted sleeves. Delicate, translucent materials in rounded structures retained a lightness that added to the froth and femininity of the natural forms. Bodies were elongated by sculptural hairstyling while accented eyes pierced against otherwise minimal complexions. The ethereality of the looks was punctured by elements of darkness, such as the motif of the black crow, which appeared both physically perched on shoulders and hinted at by black feathers strewn across delicate gowns. Light and dark co-exist at the boundary between our world and this mythical land where fabled creatures collide with Renaissance opulence in a paradox of indeterminable time, inspiration plucked from the seeds of proverbial tales. This duality acts as the crux of the show as we are led to contemplate a succession of symbolic odes to the most polar of existences: life and death. More than simply underpinning Pei’s skills as a designer, this collection truly wove a story. While colour was understated, almost to a fault for those audience members who were awaiting a Rihanna-esque encore, form and texture ensured that there was no lack of drama. These designs were by no means prêt-à-porter, this was costume couture at its imaginative finest. 24 November 2019 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today www.KCWToday.co.uk Literature

follows: the WRAC Association,gave an 2019 is the 70th Anniversary of inspirational address with images about 100 Wonderful the formation of the WRAC. It was her experiences. A brief summary The Body: Women founded due to the necessity for women follows: She was the first woman to A Guide for Edited by Tanya-Jane Park to have an official role in the army, not enter RMA Sandhurst. She served in because of an emergency situation. It Germany, the HQ in the Gulf War, Occupants Publisher: The Women's Royal was the final step before women were Saudi, Iraq and Kuwait. When the Bill Bryson Army Corps Association fully integrated into the army in 1992. WRAC disbanded she transferred to In World War 1 the Women's Army the Adjutant's General Corps( staff Published by Doubleday Date of publication: 2019 Auxiliary Corps (WAAC) was formed and personnel support). Next came a 456pp. £25 Publishing Assistance: Tiger in 1917 because of a shortage of fighting posting to Bosnia with a Royal Logistic age men, after the huge losses in the Regiment. She spoke of it as a very ISBN 978 0 85752 240 5 Ink Ltd. Battle of the Somme in 1916. Women beautiful country where the tragic results ISBN-978-1-9162319-0-0 were already active in factories and of civil war were much in evidence. volunteer groups. In the WAAC they Various staff appointments followed f you like facts and figures, weights were confined to support roles in offices, and she was appointed staff officer to a and measures, lengths, widths stores and transport services. They had Norwegian General who was overseeing and heights, statistics, figures, no ranks and were enrolled rather than the peace agreement with Serbia and the analysis, percentages, milliseconds, life enlisted. newly formed Kosova Protection Corps. I expectancies and death rates, this is The WAAC was a huge success, and The job involved much travel in the the book for you. Bryson has gone on a despite all the restrictions, it received country. breezy, whistlestop tour of the human Royal Patronage from Queen Mary, After 27 years service Colonel Alison body, as a sort of owner’s manual for becoming the Queen Mary’s Army Brown retired. She saw the Army find Everybody, what he calls ‘A Guide for Auxiliary Corps. QMAAC. Five its way to equality and opportunity for Occupants.’ There is nowhere into which women were awarded military medals. all. he does not probe or delve, all with an The Corps was disbanded in 1921. She said, apparent lack of squeamishness. He Women still could not join the army. “My current role as Vice President goes down the throat and into the gut, However, women were granted the of the WRAC Association gives me the and up the rectum, noting on the way, vote in 1918 which meant they could opportunity to celebrate all women who the constituent parts of a fart broken become M.P's and have a voice. Another have served and still are serving in the down into roughly 50% carbon dioxide, long fought battle. army. I want to ensure these women are 40% hydrogen, and 20% nitrogen, with World War 11 started in 1939 and never forgotten and commemorate all only a third of people adding methane the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS) women who have served their country to the heady mixture. The smell of a was formed and conscription was for 1917 onwards”. fart is hydrogen sulphide, but is, at introduced for women. Women were It was very enjoyable to meet this most, only three parts per million of given full military status and were no lady and reminisce about dawns in the what is expelled. He cites a 69-year-old longer volunteers. Some served in the Middle Eastern deserts which I have Frenchman from Nancy, France, up Carribean, Kenya and Palestine. These never forgotten. whom surgeons stuck an electrically 100 Wonderful Women was women set the scene and their legacy I was pleased to meet Audrey heated wire to cauterize a polyp, which was the formation of the Women's Smith who had an interesting career caused the flatus to ignite, and literally launched at the National Royal Army Corps (WRAC) formed with the army. She was OC of a motor blew the poor man up. Lyall Watson, a Army Museum, an appropriate in 1949 and ranks were introduced in ambulance platoon and a unit fighting zoologist and broadcaster wrote a book 1952. The women were subject to all rifle officer and kept the records for in 1973 called Supernature, which was venue, on 4th October. 2019. sections under the Army Act just like the trials of ‘Swingfire’. She served in an enormous success. The problem was It is the first book to be their male counter parts. In addition to Singapore, Cyprus and was Secretary that his source material was somewhat routine women's jobs some were attached to the Nato Women's Conference. She sketchy, and mainly anecdotal, published by the WRAC to male only regiments. was the first female officer to attend the claiming, for instance, that plants could Association and marks their The WRAC took part in most of Nato Defence College and ended her sympathetically hear the cries of distress the major operations of the army from spectacular career creating selection tests when a live shrimp was put into boiling Centenary this year. the end of World War 11 until its own for officers into Staff College. water. He also claimed that keeping disbandment in 1992. They served in She said, a razor blade under a pyramid would minent speakers delivered the Falklands and the Gulf War and “ Je Ne Regrette Rien” render it self-sharpening, and that informative speeches which add apart from traditional women's roles putting a hamburger under the same greatly to the enjoyment of the they became staff officers, analysts and The Book, 100 Wonderful Women, has pyramid would keep it fresh for days. Ebook and to the understanding of the assistant Adjutants. a stirring foreword by Major General No such charlatanism with Bryson’s crucial role of women in the army during In 1992 women could be integrated Sharon Nesmith in which she said, book, which is painstakingly well- peace and war and how they eventually into the wider army, but they still were “It is such an honour to write a researched, and, as an example, the tale achieved equality with male soldiers. not accepted as professional soldiers. foreword of such a meaningful and of the exploding Frenchman, is backed This was a hard won battle. The ban on women serving in the excellent collection of a hundred up by a note on sources, ‘Fatal Colonic I was very impressed by the spirit of front line was lifted in 2016 and all wonderful women's personal stories. ....I Explosion During Colonoscoptic cheerful camaraderie which pervaded roles were open to women in 2018. The salute them all” Polyectomy’, Gastroenterology 77, no 6 the Launch. The members of the WRAC became a combatant corps in The Major General currently serves (1979). WRAC, some still serving, were the 1980s with the recommendation as the Army's Director of Personnel and Topics touched on are as wide- strongly linked by their adventures in to retain women in non combatant is the first woman to serve as a member ranging as one would expect, from Skin past and present dangers which they had tasks. Eventually they received weapon of the Army Board. and Hair, The Brain, The Heart and faced together. training to bring them into line with The Editor, Tanya-Jane Park has Blood, The Lungs, The Guts, Sleep, Remember that women, in those Nato Forces and could carry pistols and compiled an excellent collection of real Birth, Pain, with infill chapters about days, were considered to be domestic train alongside men. life stories written in a humorous, prose The Mouth and Throat, Food, The figures and the concept of their serving The Royal Military Academy style. The stories are linked by the strong Immune System amd Microbes. Each in the army was difficult for society to Sandhurst was open to them and in thread of courage and patriotism shared chapter opens with a short quote by accept. 1992 they were integrated into the by the women. an eminent person, so that Skin and Kirsty Parsons, who works at the wider army. They had proved themselves I recommend this book as I am Hair has a pithy remark by Dorothy National Army Museum, gave an capable. sure you will be proud to know of the Parker: ‘Beauty is only skin deep, but excellent speech making many salient At the Launch, Colonel (retired) achievements. ugly goes clean to the bone.’ For his last points which have been summarised as Alison Brown, Vice President of Marian Maitland chapter, entitled The End, he utilises 020 7738 2348 November 2019 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today 25 Literature online: www.KCWToday.co.uk

Joseph Henry Green while feeling his up imponderable questions, so Mr psychiatrist with no surgical certification own pulse in the nineteenth century Bryson neatly sidesteps the issues with called Freeman, who inserted an ice pick was ‘Stopped.’ Apparently we eat, on evasive phrases like, ‘This is the part that into the brain through the eye socket, average, about sixty tons of food in a eludes science;’ ‘How this all works out tapping it through the skull bone with a lifetime. The problem, particularly in is still largely a mystery to us;’ ‘Thinking hammer, then wriggling it vigourously the West, is that it is the ‘wrong kind’ of is our most vital and miraculous talent, to sever neural connections. Of the food, and one of the oft-cited culprits is yet in a profound physiological sense estimated eight thousand things that sugar. The average American consumes we don’t really know what thinking can kill us, according to the WHO, we twenty-two teaspoons of added sugar is;’ ‘No-one knows what causes it. The escape every one of them but one. After a day; with young American men, it’s heart just stops;’ ‘No-one can really smallpox was completely eradicated in closer to forty. The WHO recommends explain that either;’ ‘The chin is unique 1980, tuberculosis is today the deadliest five. Bryson informs us that ‘about half to humans, and no-one knows why we infectious disease on the planet, with the sugar we consume is lurking in foods have one.’ ‘We don’t have any idea why up to 2 million dying of it every year. where we are not even aware of it; in we age.’ He does, however, favour the We are told that the leading cause of breads, salad dressings, spaghetti sauces, use of comparisons to make a point, as death amongst teenagers is accidents, ketchup and other processed food that in the current vogue for citing ‘an area and that, every day, around 160,000 don’t normally strike us as sugary . . . the size of Wales,’ or, ‘enough to fill people die around the world from a Heinz ketchup is almost one quarter a thousand Olympic-size swimming variety of reasons, which amounts to sugar.’ Although Britain is culpable in pools.’ ‘If ocean viruses were laid end about 60 million fresh bodies a year, the terms of obesity, diabetes, dietary trends, to end . . ‘ ‘If you formed all the DNA equivalent of killing off the populations nutritional problems and lack of exercise, into a single fine strand, it would stretch of Sweden, Norway, Belgium, Austria Americans, paradoxically, are the world’s . . .’ All very impressive, and amusing, and Australia year after year. A cheery most overfed people, but also the most as he continues his rounds through the note on which to end. As Bryson himself nutritionally deficient ones. human ward, stopping off at various says, ‘the only thing special about the an anomymous quote: ‘Eat Sensibly. In a book of such diversity and patients with exotic, and sometimes, elements that make you is that they Exercise regularly. Die anyway.’ The last comprehensive topics, there are bound to frightening, symptoms. Lobotomy make you. That is the miracle of life.’ word of a British surgeon and anatomist, be areas of study that have not thrown operations, performed in the 1930s by a Don Grant

Cruickshank's London A portrait of a city in 13 walks Published by Random House 548pp. £25. ISBN 978 1 847 94822 9

Whilst every capital city is awash in the ghosts of its past, London has signs of habitation dating back to the Neolithic period. Over the millennia London has been decimated by civil war, apocalyptic fire and the horrors of the Blitz; the very streets redrawn under our feet as London ceaselessly rebuilt itself. However despite what the towering skyscrapers of the square mile might suggest, the bones of the old city thrust themselves through the steel and glass in innumerable places. Strolling through London is like walking through thousands of years of history, but often that past is un-signposted and occluded by familiarity. Architectural historian and occasional television presenter Dan Cruickshank pulls back the veil of centuries with the pleasingly weighty Cruickshank’s London. Over the last decade a notable cottage industry of delving into ‘secret London’ has built up in the literary world. Whether shadowy members’ clubs, underground tunnels and walled gardens, the one factor that ties the areas deemed as ‘secret London’ together is they are, unsurprisingly, extremely difficult to get into. By contrast the 13 suggested walks that make up the spine of Cruickshank’s London only require being ambulatory. Many of them are streets that any Londoner not entirely enslaved by Uber would have walked countless times, but in clear incisive prose Cruickshank explains the fascinating social history that has fallen out of common knowledge. Whilst you might have a perfectly good idea where to walk in Hampstead Heath, odds are most people aren’t so au-fait with the decades of war over its future between common Londoners and the grasping industrialist Maryon Wilson, or how the Heath’s ‘wildness’ is less than a century old. Or how the Royal Exchange used to be the gay red light district, teaming with ‘Swarthy Buggerantoes, Preternatural Fornicators…who would Ogle a Handsome Young Man with as much Lust as a True-bred English Whoremaster would gaze upon a Beautiful Virgin’. Cruickshank’s main interest as an architectural historian is clear throughout the book and occasionally his relentless explanation of the classical inspirations for many of London’s oldest buildings can cause a layman’s eyes to skip ahead slightly. The book is also over five hundred pages long, meaning that it’s unlikely that you’ll be bringing it with you when undertaking any of the walks suggested. Whilst the walks are also indicated via maps at the beginning of each section, irritatingly there’s no easy way to follow text-based directions. Beyond this grouse it must be said that the text is generously laid out with dynamically positioned photos, paintings and engravings on nearly every page which help stave off drowning in detail. Whilst it’s not quite to the magisterial level of Peter Ackroyd’s London: A History (but not a lot is, it must be said), Cruickshank’s London is a fascinating guide through our collective past and the ideal companion for the intellectual rambler. Max Feldman 26 November 2019 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today www.KCWToday.co.uk Arts & Culture

to create space and depth. By placing lighter tones next to darker ones, he was able to make specific areas, such as the woman’s arm, appear closer, while the back of the bed recedes. The result is a highly lifelike illusion.’ Talk about stating the bleedin’ obvious. Apart from these annoying little curatorial quirks, this is an excellent exhibition, with loans from Musée du Louvre, National Gallery of Art, Washington DC, The Rembrandt House Museum, Germaldegallerie, Berlin, The Royal Collection, The British Museum, The National Galleries of Scotland, Ireland and London, and, of course, two from Dulwich’s own collection. The exhibition itself is divided into four galleries, beginning with a section addressing the artist’s control of light to convey motion and emotion, which includes the almost theatrical Denial of St Peter, on loan from the Rijksmuseum, and The Woman Taken in Adultery. The second gallery is entitled ‘Manipulating Light’, and is set in a simplistic mock-up of his workshop, with a window and blind, displaying some masterful drawings.. ‘The Meditative Mood’ focuses on religious themes, but also includes three stunning etchings, Student at a Table by Candlelight, Woman with an Arrow and a landscape on the

Above: outskirts of Amsterdam of a dilapidated Landscape With the Rest on the Flight into Egypt, was sublime, particularly in the crafty farmhouse with an ominous raincloud 1647, by Rembrandt. Photograph: Roy Hewson/ Edinburgh Art Festival 2018 way he hid or shielded the light-source, threatening. The final section is called Left: whether a candle or lantern. Other ‘Lighting the Figure’ and includes the Girl at a Window, Photograph: courtesy Trustees of Dulwich painters, like Gerrit van Honthorst, oils Woman in Bed, Girl at a Window, Picture Gallery Vermeer, Velázquez, Joseph Wright of A Woman Bathing in a Stream, possibly Derby and, of course, da Vinci, all had his common-law wife Hendrickje major influences on film-makers and Stoffels, A Young Man, thought to be photographers. Cecil B. DeMille is his son Titus, and two self-portraits, credited with the first use of the term one a selfie etching of him in a fur ‘Rembrandt Lighting,’ while shooting cap, and the other, the incomparable the 1915 film, The Warrens of Virginia. Self-Portrait in a Flat Cap, painted in He had borrowed some spotlights 1642, when he was 36 years old, at the from the downtown Opera House height of his powers and living in his in Los Angeles and ‘began to make dream house in Breestraat in the middle shadows where shadows would appear of Amsterdam. How very different in nature.’ When his business partner from a later self-portrait that hangs at Sam Goldwyn saw the film with only Kenwood House. At first he appears half an actor’s face illuminated, he feared confrontational and even defiant, with the distributors would pay only half the one hand on his hip, while the other price for the picture. After DeMille holds his palette and brushes, but if one told him it was ‘Rembrandt Lighting’, gazes into the dark eyes of Self-Portrait side-stepped the old chestnut, saying he replied ‘Rembrandt! For ‘Rembrandt with Two Circles, there is sympathy, Rembrandt’s that he hoped he would have still been Lighting’ the distributors would pay sadness bordering on melancholy and a a painter, as he was so brilliant at it. double!’ Suschitzky said that he used sort of resignation after all the personal Film-makers have traditionally looked to cringe when he overheard one of the tragedies he had suffered: the death of Light to Renaissance and Baroque painters Dulwich Picture Gallery crew saying when lighting a scene ‘Every his first wife Saskia, along with three for both compositional and lighting frame a Rembrandt,’ even though it was of their children; the death of his last Until 2 February 2020 effects, particularly chiaroscuro, and probably meant as a compliment. surviving son Titus in 1668, who had tenebrism, and their influences were Admission £16 Dulwich has taken the married Magdalena van Loon only the clearly noticeable in early German cinematographic metaphor and milked year before and who produced a grand- expressionist films like The Cabinet of it to within an inch of its life, to the daughter Titia for him; the Old Master’s Dr. Caligari, Nosferatu and Metropolis, point of captioning the pictures with young mistress and housekeeper, leading all the way to Ingmar Bergman, faux-film script descriptors establishing Hendrickje Stoffels, had already died great deal is made of the Andrei Tarkovsky and Stanley Kubrick’s the location and time of the scene. from the plague five years earlier; his supposition that, if Rembrandt Barry Lyndon, a dull and ponderous For instance: 'INT - BEDROOM decline into insolvency and the sale of were alive today, he may well film, marred further by Ryan O’Neal’s - NIGHT. A dim candle flickers. A his wonderful town-house. It is 350 haveA been a film-maker rather than laughable Irish accent and even worse WOMAN waits in bed. She hears years since Rembrandt van Rijn died, a painter. When this was put to the acting skills, which was filmed using the sound of someone approaching but, in all those years, there has yet to be award-winning cinematographer Peter only natural and candlelight. The and draws back the curtain to see who any artist to fill his place, or even come Suschitzky, who helped in laying out Daddy of them all was undoubtedly it is.' There is an additional caption: close to it. and lighting the exhibition, he neatly Caravaggio, whose use of light and dark ‘Rembrandt excelled at using colour Don Grant 020 7738 2348 November 2019 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today 27 Arts & Culture online: www.KCWToday.co.uk

Gauguin Portraits National Gallery Until 23 January 2020 Admission £22 Mon - Fri. £24 Sat & Sun. ng-london.org.uk

urely an exhibition entitled Gauguin Portraits should have been housed at their next-door neighbours in St SMartin’s Place? However, the National Gallery have been busily borrowing over 50 works from all over the world, with half a dozen from private collections, never before seen in the UK. But why so few nudes? Are they not portraits? In the exhibition, one of his last paintings, Barbarian Tales, features three figures, of which two are topless Polynesian girls and the third, a demonic portrayal

of his old friend Meijer de Haan. The Merahi Metua No Tehamana (Tehamana Has Many Parents). Photograph: Art Institute of Chicago Barbarian Tales, 1902. Photograph: Paul Gauguin/Museum Folkwang Essen/ARTOTHEK other is Exotic Eve, an oddity on loan from the Pola Museum in Japan, which makes is, in effect, a self-portrait.’ Wow! is a watercolour of a young, naked girl, Gauguin came to painting relatively standing in a Tahitian version of Eden. late in his life, having been trained How is that a portrait? Has the National as a stockbroker, only painting in his Gallery suddenly got cold feet about spare time. He exhibited a landscape at his exploits in South Polynesia, ahead the Paris Salon in 1876, and then met of an avalanche of criticism? In reality, such luminaries as Camille Pissarro, when Gauguin arrived in the South Seas Paul Cézanne and the art dealer Paul in the late 1880s, Tahiti was already Durand-Ruel. He gave up being a colonised and Christianised, and women stockbroker when the market crashed in did not wander about half-clad. Instead, 1882, and took up painting full-time. He they wore Christian missionary gowns, moved his wife and five children briefly which was not what he either expected, to Rouen to save money, but his Danish or wanted. However, he persuaded these wife Mette moved back to Copenhagen girls to pose for him in an idealised with their children, where Gauguin setting close to nature, which meant eventually joined them, taking on odd nudity and an innocence they possessed jobs to earn money. The following year, before the French arrived to influence he visits the artists’ colony in Port-Aven them through ‘civilisation.’ He also saw in Brittany, where he painted the locals himself as a ‘savage’, standing outside in their traditional dress, some of which the European tradition. ‘I am a savage,’ are on display. He met the painter Gauguin wrote. ‘and civilized people Charles Laval, with whom he travelled suspect this.’ He was a stranger to the to Panama and Martinique, and he truth when he claimed that his aquiline then was introduced to Vincent van nose was a sign of ‘Inca blood’, as his Paul Gauguin’s ‘Christ in the Garden of Olives’ (1889) Photo: Norton Museum of Art Gogh and his art dealer brother Theo great-grandfather on his mother’s side in the south of France, and he stayed was Peruvian, but it transpired she was and painted with Vincent from October as well as visiting Brussels, Antwerp health was failing, possibly due to a Spanish colonial settler rather than an until December 1888, when they had and Bruges, working all the time on cardiovascular syphilis, and he had had indigenous Incan descendant. That did a monumental row. With sponsorship his woodcuts for his book about his his ankle shattered in a drunken brawl not stop him promoting his ‘savage’ side from the French government, Gauguin time on the islands, Noa Noa, meaning in Brittany. The injury, an open fracture, and ‘otherness.’ set sail from Marseille to Tahiti, arriving ‘fragrance’ in Tahitian. never healed properly, and debilitating The exhibition opens with a number in the capital Papeari, which he found Without appearing to be too sores were erupting up and down his of self-portraits, including some too ‘French’, and moved to the other judgemental, Gauguin was a complete legs. In spite of the pain, he continued to depicting him as Christ near Golgotha side of the island. He seemed to have and utter bastard, literally abandoning paint, producing his last self-portrait in and in the Garden of Olives and one forgotten that he was married with five his wife and children to chase after 1903, aged just 54. He was an important with a Yellow Christ on the cross in children, when he met and ‘married’ exotic Tahitian girls, even having a figure in the Symbolist movement as the background. The little pocket a 13-year-old Polynesian girl, named very public affair in Paris with a half a painter, sculptor, printmaker, wood guide captions the latter by stating, ‘By Teha-amana Tehura, who posed for the Indian, half Malayan girl in her teens, engraver, ceramist, as well as a writer, expanding the terms of the traditional great Lothario on numerous occasions. known as Annah the Javanese, as well and his influence on Picasso with his self-portrait Gauguin affirms his The following year he returned to as cheating his estranged wife out of interest in primitive art, was colossal, strong belief that the world can only France, where he remained for 2 years, an inheritance. He returned to Tahiti, but being Picasso, he would play down be perceived from a subjective point of exhibiting his Tahitian work, which was then the Marquesas Islands, via New Gauguin’s nudge that sent him down the view.’ It then adds an extraordinarily critically acclaimed, but resulted in few Zealand, and took up with other young road to Primitivism. fatuous remark. ‘Everything an artist sales, and then going back to Brittany, girls, fathering several children. His Don Grant 28 November 2019 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today www.KCWToday.co.uk Arts & Culture Photographs © Lucien Freud Archive/Bridgeman Images Archive/Bridgeman © Lucien Freud Photographs

Left: Reflection (Self Portrait). 1985, Private collection Above: Hotel Bedroom. 1954. The Beaverbrook Foundation Above right: Startled Man (Self Portrait).1948. Private collection

living painter, more of a millstone than trademark and signature. his easel, on which is the very same an accolade. A year later, having been In 2002, Freud and Kate Moss took composition, except as a mirror image. Lucian Freud: made a member of the Order of Merit, a shine to each other and she agreed Her pose is faithful to the photograph The Self Portraits he painted Painter Working, Reflection, to pose for him, naked, and pregnant taken by his friend and former studio Royal Academy of Arts, a full-length self-portrait, bollock- with her daughter Lila Grace. The assistant, David Dawson, but his stance naked, save for a pair of unlaced boots, sittings were all late-night and lasted is stiff and out of proportion. One Sackler Galleries with a palette-knife in one hand and for up to seven hours, stretching out wonders what became of the studio wall Until 26 January 2020 an impastoed palette in the other. It for nine months. So, one of the world’s in Kensington Church Street covered appears that a great deal of re-painting most famous models sitting for Britain’s in paint smears and brushstrokes, like a Admission £18 work has been done around his neck, greatest living figurative painter. Ker- giant palette? genitals, thumb and his palette. Freud ching! The painting was sold for £3.5m This exhibition is of interest on was patently influenced by Bacon in through his New York dealer. Other two levels: firstly, how his styles have ould this be the Year of the terms of the application of paint, and than the mole of her right breast, changed and adapted over the years, Selfy? Gauguin at the National, using larger, hogs’ hair brushes, which there are not many distinguishing from meticulous to messy, from stiff Rembrandt at Dulwich and he could charge with more fat paint. features that would say that it was, in to loose, from fine sable to big, hog’s van Gogh at Tate Britain. In the RA In 2003, he completed another self- fact, Kate Moss. Her over-elongated hair brushes, big enough to shave with; C portrait, this time with more than a nod body and small head, with someone secondly, how he changed facially, from show there are over 50 examples of Lucian Freud’s self-portraits, many of to his old mucker, Frank Auerbach, who else’s face on it, and, what looks callow youth with large blue eyes and which have never been on show before, laid paint on like a confectioner with like, a broken shoulder, render it an a shock of curly hair, to the serious and and certainly not seen together. What Tourettes icing a cake. Frank Auerbach embarrassment. His powers were on the uncompromising visage with receding constitutes a self-portrait? A pair of feet could easily have used more oil paint wain, exemplified by the unflattering hairline, staring, even at himself, in reflected in a mirror, with a plumpish in one work than Rembrandt used in portraits of HM The Queen, with a an intimidating manner. One can only woman lying on a dilapidated sofa, as in his entire life. The older he got, the blue five o’clock shadow, and a paunchy imagine what it must have been like to Naked Portrait with Reflection? A murky looser Freud’s style became, and that Brigadier Parker-Bowles, then in charge pose for him, stripping off layer and layer glimpse of the artist partly reflected in a included his use of watercolour, which of the Household Cavalry, from whom of identity, dignity and self-assurance, window in Freddy Standing, a full-length liberated him from the precision of pen Freud used to borrow horses both to particularly if one were female. Kate nude of his son? Two tiny sketches of and pencil. His early works were anal draw and ride, slumped, ruddy-faced, Moss, surely a confident cat, if ever there the artist leaning against the skirting in the extreme, using pen and ink to an in an armchair. Prince Charles, who was one, went back to the notorious board behind Two Irishmen in W11? Or obsessive degree, which prompted the had snaffled his wife Camilla, wrote to cocksmith’s house after dinner, and the mere presence of his shadow, albeit art critic Herbert Read to describe him Freud earlier, saying that, being an artist he started the nude painting that slightly intimidating, looming over Flora as ‘the Ingres of Existentialism.’ The himself, perhaps they could exchange night. ‘Couldn’t say no to Lucian. Very with Blue Toenails? Would one call Les last painting he did sitting down was paintings. Freud was outraged. ‘It was persuasive,’ she admitted, as did literally Meninas by Velázquez a self-portrait, the double portrait of himself and his such a cheek. It was almost like theft.’ hundreds of other ladies. Apparently, he simply because the artist is present in second wife Lady Caroline Blackwood, Another embarrassment, thankfully not was relentless and animalistic as a lover the composition, painting an enormous who is lying in a hotel bed in a state of on show, is from 2004-5 and is entitled and fathered countless children, some canvas? disengagement, with him in a shadow The Painter Surprised by a Naked Admirer, of whom he painted nude, although the After Francis Bacon died in 1992, behind her in isolation. Since then, in depicting a young-ish girl sitting on the pair in Reflection with Two Children, Rose Freud was handed the hollow crown 1954, he has painted standing up, with a floor of his studio, clutching his thigh and Ali Boyt, were clothed. and acclaimed as Britain’s greatest looseness and freedom that became his and preventing him from approaching Don Grant 020 7738 2348 November 2019 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today 29 Arts & Culture online: www.KCWToday.co.uk

exaggerate the scenes complexities of history and politics. The or invent them. joint Curators, Julia Tugwell and Olivia Inspired by the The artist Gerome Threlkeld have chosen exhibits well to is known for such illustrate the interplay between East East: How the paintings. and West. Many exhibits have never Orientalism left Malaya before. The Exhibition is Photograph © British Museum © British Photograph Islamic World included Eastern developed in collaboration with Islamic style glazed ceramics Arts Museum Malaya ( IAMM ). There Influenced which were popular are generous loans from their impressive Western Art. in the 19th century. collection and from other collections too. British Museum It is interesting It is supported by Jack Ryan of Standard that they were Bank. The Exhibition will move to Until 26th January. 2020. commercially made. IAMM in June next year and thus the Some were even cultural exchange between East and decorated with fake West continues. rt can be influenced by politics, Arab lettering to The exhibits are diverse and there is particularly the politics of show authenticity. much to see and enjoy. Rudolf Weisse's imperialism. This is true of 'Persianware' came Dice Players is a good example of a local 'Orientalism', an art form, which into being and it had scene with interesting detail. The Sultan A never seen Persia! It of Bayezid, School of Veronese, 1580 developed through Western artists having access to the colonial countries sold well. looks powerful, but not too pleased. in addition to contacts they made With expansion Frederic Arthur Bridgman's The Prayer is through trade. of trade between imposing and a respectful work. Prayer Orientalist artists at times lost the East and West, was a popular subject. I liked John Leon fine line between fantasy and reality spices, silks, richly Gerome’s The Grain Threshers. Observe in their paintings. Their work included decorated ceramics the yellow brightness of the grain. The metal, ceramics, design, theatre, and glass were traded, artist revelled in the colours of the architecture and decorative arts. Subjects becoming very East and has encapsulated them in his and style hailed from the Islamic world, 'Orientalism 'spread over five centuries popular in the West. The Europeans painting. Do not miss the wonderful primarily the Middle East and North and was a defining element during the made copies of them, known as 'Oriental reproduction of the Alhambra Palace Africa. 19th and 20th centuries. originals’. Colonialism continued to and the fold out woodcut map of the The movement reached its zenith Some Western artists travelled to make more countries accessible to Holy Land used by Pilgrims. in the 19th century. The East has long the Middle East and decided to remain traders and artists. Tunisia, Algeria and ‘Orientalism’ has rather been intrigued the West, especially Western there. It still happens. John Baptiste Morocco were inspirational for artists. forgotten except by academics. Its artists. It is understandable - the light, Vanmour, a Flemish artist was employed The Ottoman court painter, Levni popularity faded in the 1940s, so it the vibrancy of colour, the exotic climate by the French Embassy in Istanbul in produced caricatures of European is pleasing that the British Museum of mysticism and the desert calling. 1699, he stayed there and gained entry dandies who lived in Constantinople. and the Islamic Arts Museum Malaya Europeans were well aware of the to the Topkapi Palace. during the mid 18th century. The have collaborated on this enlightening great Empires of the Middle East. The A number of artists used local flamboyance of their dress appealed to exhibition. Safavids held power in Iran from 1501 life for subject matter. Some took him. Marian Maitland. to 1722 and the Ottoman Empire ruled photographs, worked from home studios The Exhibition, Inspired by the East: Turkey and most of South Eastern and added props to give reality. Props How the Islamic World Influenced Western Sir Joseph Hotung Exhibition Gallery Europe from c 1300 to 1924. There included swords, Ottoman scribe boxes, Art. bravely explores the influence. It is a British Museum was trading between East and West pots, lamps, Eastern smoking pipes monumental challenge as 'Orientalism' Tickets: [email protected] both ways and cultural exchange. and carpets. These artists tended to is convoluted and intertwined with T: British Museum: 020 7323 8181

Christian is on record for saying, “Horses are a good subject to explore A Foreign transient moments in motion” Language Christian has a marked interest in Clarendon Fine Art Chelsea. scientific history and cultural exchange. His work is in private and public 131 Kings Road collections, including that of HRH Prince Edward and the Scottish

Chelsea. © www.clarendonfineart.com Photograph National Portrait Gallery. His portraits London SW3. 4PW include Sir Ian McKellan, Alan Cummings, Sue Johnston and Jane Bakewell. He was Sky Portrait Artist of the Year. Christian also painted the twice world boxing Champion Amir Khan. Christian Hook was present at this He studied at Middlesex University major Exhibition where his new and lectured on illustrative art at the where the movement is in slow motion dimensional. work was unveiled along with original Royal College of Art. He admits his and then fast motion. Christian revealed that he is working paintings and signed limited edition work is influenced by Antonio Lopez, Christian's paintings reveal an with Sir Richard Branson, a friend, prints. It was an honour to meet such Lucien Freud, Francis Bacon and others. exploration of time and motion through on a portrait to commemorate the first a famous master of contemporary Christian is from Gibraltar and subsequent layers of transparent paint. commercial space flight for Virgin art. He is considered to be one of the received the Freedom of the city of He is fascinated by the ‘broken image’ as Galactic in support of the Douglas world's leading figurative artists and an Gibraltar in 2017. was Cezanne. Bader Foundation in the near future. accomplished equine painter. Horses are The Exhibition is inspirational and Christian concentrates on motion, It was a most enjoyable evening one of his favourite subjects. vitality emanates from the paintings. time and the moment that occurs at Clarendon Fine Art Chelsea and We spoke of the challenges involved The equine studies reminded me of between those events. He takes isolated certainly thought provoking. Think of in painting horses with references the sculpted horses in the Panathenaic moments in time from video footage the new wonders space will present to to Stubbs and Leonardo da Vinci. procession on the Parthenon frieze, of his subject. His work is almost two adventurous artists.

30 November 2019 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today www.KCWToday.co.uk Arts & Culture

MAX majority 2016’s magisterial Skeleton “the children”; whilst the second part Tree had already been written before of the album contains two longer songs Parasite Feldman Arthur’s death and whilst that album and a spoken-word track, which he Director: Bong Joon Ho REVIEWS throbbed with pain, Cave was afraid describes as “their parents”. To put it that he would be unable to continue to less cryptically, the three songs on the write. Whilst Ghosteen, his seventeenth second album are the most pained, dark album, is certainly proof that these fears clouds blotting out the vista entirely: were baseless, his style does seem to “I was halfway to the pacific coast/I Ghosteen have undergone a tectonic shift that feels had left you in your longing and your The last time Bong Joon Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds permanent, as he overcame his writers yearning like a ghost” he sings of his Ho made a parable of class block by letting his imagination “propel retreat to Los Angeles from a Brighton Length 68:10 itself beyond the personal into a state haunted by the death of his son. At the warfare, he set it aboard one of wonder.” On Ghosteen Cave’s voice end, his voice shattered and exhausted hell of a moving metaphor: floats above his mournful piano, buoyed comes a worryingly ambiguous refrain: up tidal wash of synths and buttressed “And I'm just waiting now, for my time a train looping endlessly by echoing vibraphone; the nearly to come” around a frozen Earth, its percussion free record occasionally only By comparison the first half of For more than four decades a short step away from a full ambient the album has songs charged with a passengers divided into cars Nick Cave has spun out wash. The album takes the bruised warmth and humanity that would seem based on wealth and status, soul of Skeleton Tree and blows it up unimaginable to the haunted singer of a lyrical universe that has to a monolithic size. It’s only fitting Hollywood. On “The Spinning Song” upward mobility achieved only ensnared countless fans that Cave seems very small and weak he offers a picaresque tale of Elvis and through lateral revolution. in the face of all of Ghosteen’s swirl of Priscilla Presley as a metaphor for the like flies in a web. At the beauty and suffering. Indeed the owner deathless power of art in comparison Parasite, the South Korean director’s beginning of his career of one of the most famously stentorian to artist. Elvis is well-trodden lyrical demented and ingenious new movie, baritones in rock practically abandons territory for Cave but that familiarity doesn’t boast quite as sensational a his songs were cracked his authoritative boom over the course of is just another way of measuring just setting; it takes place mostly within a Faulknerian operas, complete the record, instead crooning in a delicate how much he has changed from the chic modern suburban home, all high tremulous falsetto that flutters like a junkyard messiah proclaiming The ceilings, stainless steel countertops, and narratives full of crazed priests, baby bird. King’s apocalyptic return on Tupelo. windows instead of walls, advertising consumptive prostitutes, It’s very easy to assume that Ghosteen Over four decades Cave has amassed an the elegant interior decoration within. will be a punishing listen considering its intimidating body of work, with only But there’s a clear class hierarchy at play whiskey and murder. grim subject matter. Grief is certainly one record (Nocturama) that doesn’t live here, too; it runs top to bottom instead the record’s central pillar, yet the up to the hype. For a neophyte the sheer of front to back, vertically instead n his early to mid-career, the ‘wonder’ Cave mentioned is ever present amount of content he has built up can of horizontally. And though we’re absurdly versatile Bad Seeds were in the album. The pain of familial death make him an intimidating prospect to watching a kind of warped upstairs- closer to Foley artists than backing is counterbalanced by a new-found explore, diving into Ghosteen without downstairs story, not a dystopian arcade Iband; projecting heady shadows onto intoxication with the beauty of life and understanding the narrative built up brawler, Parasite races forward with the the blood-flecked cinema screen of love. If this record is a delve into an over twenty albums and three bands is same locomotive speed as Snowpiercer, Cave’s obsessions. Soon however this unthinkable abyss, than it’s one that a frightening prospect. Still if Ghosteen with plenty of its own twists and turns pitch-black worldview began to be shot overflows with blinding light rather than proves anything, it’s that the narrative waiting behind each new door. through with rays of brilliant dawn. His shadow. Ghosteen is a double album, doesn’t matter. If you have felt pain and Given the title, one might assume public image became completely merged Cave describes the first eight songs, as marvelled at beauty then this is a record Bong is dipping his toes again into with in his stage presence with the man for you. science fiction, perhaps even fashioning increasingly subsumed by his legend to a belated follow-up to his rip-roaring an extent not seen outside of Tom Waits monster movie par excellence, The Host. (and inside of Tom Waits is too dark to But the only parasites here are human. see anyway). Gradually however Cave That, anyway, is how some might found he had an unexpected, Leonard describe the twentysomething Ki-woo Cohen-esque way with a love song and (Choi Woo Shik), who fakes a college began to compose on the piano rather degree to hustle his way into a cushy job © Ghosteen Ltd Photograph than focusing exclusively on lyrics. tutoring a rich teenager. He definitely Whilst uncompromising in following needs the money. Ki-woo, after all, his muse, he achieved greater and lives in a cramped basement apartment greater public success; with the one time with his father, Ki-taek (Bong regular Prince of Darkness selling out stadiums Song Kang Ho); his mother, Chung- around the world. Gradually, the sook (Chang Hyae Jin); and his adult deeply structured narratives that were sister, Ki-jung (Park So Dam). To make the heart of the songs that made him ends (barely) meet, they fold boxes famous began to unwind into a more for a cheapo pizza company. To stay stream of consciousness based approach. connected with the world, they crouch Decades into his career, he was on the kitchen sink, picking up a faint suddenly no longer interested in telling wifi signal from a nearby café. When stories, instead weaving impressionistic exterminators spray the street outside set pieces pregnant with bizarre with toxic chemicals, the Kims leave counterpoints and sardonic humour. As their windows open; they’ve got a bug such, it a piercingly cruel irony when the problem, and can’t turn down a free narrative of his own life suddenly flashed solution to it. down on him like a guillotine when his Parasite scored the Palme d’Or 15 year old son Arthur plummeted to (essentially Best Picture) at Cannes his death off a cliff face, whilst high on this year, and it briefly bears a certain LSD. resemblance to last year’s winner, Naturally reeling, the songwriter Shoplifters, which also concerned an found himself bereft of inspiration in impoverished family, of sorts, doing the wake of the unthinkable loss. The whatever it takes to get by. But for 020 7738 2348 November 2019 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today 31 Arts & Culture online: www.KCWToday.co.uk

cleansing’ Sons of Denmark Sons of Denmark is unusual in that Director: Ulaa Salaam the religious aspects of the Islamic terror are almost completely ignored; Zakaria even sneers when a peer states that Allah dictates that they will Photograph © CJ Entertainment Photograph prevail. Instead, terrorism is reduced to a desperate attempt to strike back n the years immediately following against a savage tide that will drive them the 9/11 attacks, Islamic terror was in to the sea. Salaam has an excellent viewed as much as an existential grasp on camera work, with an almost threat as a literal one. Neoliberalism had Refnesque approach to lighting which I sees the neon of street lights reimagined assured us that the West’s benevolent secular liberalism was supposed to as a nightmarish pulsing throb over reign for ever and ever, Hallelujah! But slack faces. His impressive technical if history was as ended as we’d been skills help to elevate some of the more assured, then how could theocratic unrealistic elements and coincidences killers be striking the West across such that begin to pop-up in the less bastions as New York or London? As grounded second half of the film. Bong’s close-knit schemers, “whatever the oblivious haves. What Bong is after the subsequent War(s) on Terror set the The strongest element of the film is it takes” goes far beyond the five-finger is the way capitalism pushes people to Middle East on fire, mass immigration the queasy argument that is made on discount. From the moment Ki-woo extremes and pits them against each from conflict displaced Arabs flocked to behalf of political violence. Nordhall steps into the swanky Park residence, he other in a zero sum game for survival. a Europe that was primed to view them sets the film moving inexorably towards seems to recognise opportunities beyond “Money is an iron,” Chung-sook says at with fear and suspicion. As the 21st ultimate power whilst advocating the academic needs of the teenaged one point of her employers, arguing that century rocketed towards our current policies that are only a hop, skip and Da-Hye (Jung Zisa). Her mother, the their privilege and security smooths out apogee of Trump, Brexit and Love a jump away from mass killings. The moneyed Mrs. Park (Cho Yeo Jeong), is any wrinkles in their personalities; they Island, it became clear that History had film tacitly leaves the implication that as gullible as she is comfortable, and Ki- can afford to be nice, because they don’t only popped out for some milk and was assassination could only improve matters woo, who calls himself ‘Kevin,’ quickly have to fight for anything. Parasite has now very much back in the driving seat. hanging in the air like smoke from the manipulates her parental anxieties. an undeniable social conscience, but it Sons of Denmark, the directorial barrel of a gun. Nordhall should feel Soon, his sister is masquerading as an rarely feels moralistic. Partially, that’s debut by Ulaa Salaam, is set in the absurd, a racist bogeyman from Salaam’s art-therapy specialist, ‘Jessica,’ who because Bong doesn’t create a simple near future of Denmark in 2024. imagination, but somehow there remains promises to help the wealthy family’s good/bad dichotomy between these Racial tensions run ever higher after a sheen of recognition. What he stands rambunctious grade-school-age son, entwined clans. The Parks, including a terrorist bombing leaves nearly 30 for is recognisable across the world since Da-song (Jung Hyeon Jun), overcome the family’s slickly ambivalent patriarch people dead and has acted as the liberalism has begun to stutter nervously. imaginary trauma. And when that (Lee Sun Kyun), are more thoughtless catalyst for a pervasive xenophobia. One of the most effective scenes in the somehow works, the Kims begin and blinkered than malicious; they’re Salaam works in broad didactic strokes: film where Nordhall is interviewed by conspiring to free up some other spots not quite cartoon bourgeois pigs. And the film opens as a group of Muslim a jokey Jimmy Fallon-esque talk show on the payroll… the ones already the Kims are far from saints, or noble teenagers stare appalled at a snarl of host whose lighthearted mockery only occupied by the family driver and the emblems of working-class perseverance; racist graffiti daubed in pig bloom whilst serve to normalise Nordhall’s monstrous longtime housekeeper. besides some of the unsavoury tactics Mozart’s Lachrimosa blares ominously. policies,and even make him a cuddly For a while, Parasite is just pure of sabotage they use to assure their One of these young men is Zakaria figure. We have seen this so much over diabolical fun: a kind of con-artist story entrenchment in the household, there’s (Mohammed Ismail Mohammed), a the last few years with obsessional “both where the con is turning one-percenters the lopsided romance that develops 19 year-old of Arab descent who feels sides have good points” faux-equivalence into unwitting job creators. Bong, who between Ki-woo and his secondary compelled to stand up against the rising that the feeling of watching a monster co-wrote the razor-sharp screenplay with school aged student, an icky element tide of anti-Muslim hate. Zakaria’s fears being politely welcomed in from the cold his Okja assistant director Han Jin Won, that the film plays pretty matter-of- are personified by Martin Nordhall; thrums with uncomfortable recognition. stages the elaborate machinations of the factly. a chilling believable Rasmus Bjerg, a Sons of Denmark is a bravura, if rough plot like a heist movie, cutting nimbly Maybe Parasite is just too wildly soft-spoken cosmopolitan politician who edged debut, that unnerves as much as it back and forth between planning and entertaining to ever become a calmly and reasonably advocates ‘ethnic entertains. execution. The Kims meticulously forge screed. Bong, working again with documents, write and rehearse their cinematographer Hong Gyeong-Pyo ‘dialogue,’ and go fake car shopping (who also shot the best movie of last to learn the features of a Benz, it’s year, Burning), crafts his images with what Ocean’s Eleven might look like such virtuoso confidence that he puts the if George Clooney and his boys were vast majority of Hollywood blockbusters desperate grifters using all their savvy to shame. There are sequences in this

just to secure gainful employment. Yet movie good enough to leave a viewer Films © Hyaene Photograph that’s really only half of the film’s grand giddy with disbelief; one involving design. Saying too much more about a mad scramble to hide within the the complications that spring up might film’s posh suburban palace plays out spoil the big surprises it begins dropping on a vertiginous tightrope between around its midway mark. Bong, of hilarious and nail-bitingly suspenseful. course, has always been a devious Parasite cuts a jagged path from genre alchemist; his movies, like the screwball farce to violently unhinged terrifically unresolved police procedural thriller to something like tragedy; the Memories Of Murder, often zig when you Bong special, a rollercoaster (or, you expect them to zag. But Parasite isn’t just know, Snowpiercer) ride across the thrillingly unpredictable. It pivots with vast spectrum of genre. What lingers, purpose, the class politics setting the though, is the melancholy chill of its trajectory. final destination, and what the film has The film turns out to be a kindred to say about the pipe dream of keeping spirit to Jordan Peele’s Us, another genre up with the Joneses. When you can’t hybrid about the subterranean lives of beat ’em or join ’em, is there anywhere to the have-nots, eked out below those of go but down?

32 November 2019 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today www.KCWToday.co.uk Events

course Christmas Lunch, followed by short speeches from Alan Johnson EVENTS and the Mayor of RBK&C. And the afternoon finishes with a charity auction NOVEMBER 2019 and raffle. 12.30 – 4.00pm 2-24 Kensington High St, Kensington, London, W8 4PT kccclondon.org BUSINESS DANCE & OPERA See website for more information International Chamber of Commerce Ongoing The ICC delivers a wide range of high- The Phantom of the Opera level events in the UK and overseas; Her Majesty’s Theatre roundtables, seminars, side events Lurking deep beneath the lavish Paris and conferences, offering a host of Opera House lives the Phantom. opportunities to communicate key Ashamed of his physical deformities messages, discuss world business issues and an object of intense fear among and meet international business experts. the public, he lives in the shadows. The iccwbo.uk Phantom has one companion, Christiane Daae, his protégée and the object of his November 21 obsessive love. The Phantom of the Opera is Wandsworth Chamber Golf Partnership gloriously grand in style. The immensity with FORE Business of the plot, its scenery and, of course, its Silvermere Golf Club music, has drawn over 100 million people Join Wandsworth Chamber members worldwide to see it. Powerful narrative and guests at the monthly FORE and traditional illusion have come Business Networking meeting, offering together to create the most successful Business Owners, Directors and Senior theatre show in history. Partners an initial free breakfast, 18 holes 57 Haymarket, London, SW1Y 4QL of golf and access to a network of 1900 phantomoftheopera.fromtheboxoffice. member businesses. com 020 3633 6575 Redhill Road, Cobham, KT11 1EF Ongoing wandsworthchamber.net Live at Lunch Royal Opera House November 21 Drop by for free lunchtime performances, Connect featuring Royal Opera House artists BELLS Metro Bank and guest artists. Experience an November's flagship Connect At exciting programme of free lunchtime evening networking reception will be performances inspired by the heritage of AND SPELLS held at Metro Bank, Piccadilly. Join the Royal Opera House and its operas up to 100 fellow LCCI members and and ballets. Artists from The Royal Opera 02 DEC – 14 DEC members’ guests from a range of industry Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, The sectors a stone’s throw from Green Royal Ballet and a range of guest artists Park Underground. Attendees will perform in the newly opened-up spaces be able to network and develop their of the Royal Opera House. business connections whilst enjoying 020 7304 4000 complimentary drinks and nibbles Bow St, Covent Garden, London throughout the evening. WC2E 9DD Metro Bank, Piccadilly, 75 Piccadilly, roh.org.uk Mayfair, London W1J 8AU londonchamber.co.uk Ends November 19 Orpheus and Eurydice November 27-28 London Coliseum The Business Show Gluck’s elegant account of the Orpheus Excel London myth is a milestone of eighteenth- With over 20,000 visitors, more than century opera. Willing to go to any 200 world-class speakers, 125 interactive lengths to be reunited with his one masterclasses, as well as 350 expert true love, the Gods agree to let the suppliers, the event will provide visitors grief-stricken Orpheus rescue his dead with everything needed to start-up or wife Eurydice from the underworld. run a successful business. Taking a new But there’s a catch; To be together direction this November, The Business again, Orpheus can’t look back at Show is set to be the biggest and best it's Eurydice during their journey from ever been. the underworld, or she will be lost to Royal Victoria Dock, 1 Western him forever. Gluck’s score is filled with DEAD POETS LIVE: Gateway, London, E16 1XL sublime melody and richly colourful greatbritishbusinessshow.co.uk orchestral writing from Orpheus’s anguished outbursts at Eurydice’s death, December 17 through to the exquisite classical beauty EUGENE ONEGIN Christmas Lunch at the Royal Garden of the ‘Dance of the Blessed Spirits’. Hotel with Alan Johnson 020 7845 9300 17 DEC – 19 DEC It might seem a little early to be talking St Martin’s Lane, London WC2N 4ES about Christmas. However, come the eno.org festive season, you will be glad that you Ends November 30 booked your ticket for the Christmas The Mikado thecoronettheatre.com Lunch at the Royal Garden Hotel, London Coliseum Kensington. Start with a drinks reception Gilbert & Sullivan’s topsy-turvy story Notting Hill Gate which gives an opportunity to network. focuses on the unfolding love between Then sit down for a traditional three Nanki-Poo and Yum-Yum and the 020 7738 2348 November 2019 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today 33 Events online: www.KCWToday.co.uk

absurdity of laws and law-makers. Horniman Museum Nanki-Poo loves Yum-Yum, but she’s Jide Odukoya’s photographic series betrothed to Ko-Ko, the new Lord High shows Nigeria abuzz through the lens of Executioner. When the Mikado orders traditional Nigerian weddings, presented a beheading, Nanki-Poo and Ko-Ko try as some of the world’s most opulent Westminster Abbey & to come to an arrangement that doesn’t ceremonies. Turn It Up: On Paradoxes involve anyone losing their head! deploys a critical lens to explore the 020 7845 9300 paradox of parallel Nigerian worlds; St Margaret’s Church St Martin’s Lane, London WC2N 4ES contrasting cosmopolitan affluence and eno.org extravagance, with underlying economic Celebrate the poverty. His work focuses on global November 18-23 consumerism and overindulgence, Christmas story Acosta Danza: Evolution Nigeria’s contagious spirit of celebration, Sadler’s Wells and moments of everyday intimacy. After a critically acclaimed national 020 8699 1872 and international tour, Carlos Acosta’s 100 London Rd, Forest Hill, London eclectic Cuban company brings a second SE23 3PQ programme of new and existing works horniman.ac.uk to Sadler's Wells. Acosta himself makes a guest appearance in the iconic Rooster, Ends November 16 choreographed by Christopher Bruce Michael Simpson, New Paintings to music by the Rolling Stones. The Blain Southern Company also perform new works, A ‘leper squint’ is a feature built into Paysage, and Soudain, by visionary the walls of medieval churches which Swedish choreographer Pontus Lidberg allowed sufferers of leprosy and other and Satori, by breakthrough Cuban ‘undesirables’ to view sermons while choreographer Raúl Reinoso. remaining outside. In Simpson’s paintings 020 7863 8000 the squint appears as a rectangular Rosebery Avenue, London, EC1R aperture placed high up on outer walls sadlerswells.com with various architectural means to reach it. They invite the viewer to approach, yet EXHIBITIONS their structure frustrates the desire to see Services what might lie beyond. Until January 5 020 7493 4492 Sunday 1st December Museum of the Moon 4 Hanover Square, Mayfair, London 4.00 pm An Advent Liturgy, Westminster Abbey Natural History Museum W1S 1BP th A six-metre spherical sculpture, features blainsouthern.com Sunday 15 December detailed NASA imagery of the lunar 5.45 pm Christmas Meditation: readings and music for the surface. Allowing visitors the chance to November 27 – December 8 Christmas season featuring Benjamin Britten’s see the far side of the Moon, the artwork Royal Institute of Oil Painters Annual A Ceremony of Carols, Westminster Abbey will offer a new and exciting perspective Exhibition Monday 23rd December of Earth’s celestial neighbour. The Mall Galleries 6.00 pm Service of Lessons and Carols, Westminster Abbey, sculpture is accompanied by a surround- A special ‘exhibition within an exhibition’ Tickets required sound composition by BAFTA and Ivor this year. This mini exhibition has the Novello award-winning composer Dan theme ‘London’ and will be interpreted Tuesday 24th December Jones. Suspended from the ceiling and in a variety of ways by both members Christmas Eve lit from within, the Moon will create a of the Institute and artists selected Noon Crib Service, Westminster Abbey show-stopping centrepiece within the from the open call. You will see the 4.00 pm Service of Lessons and Carols, Westminster Abbey 19th Century Waterhouse architecture Capital in all its multifaceted glory, Tickets required of the Jerwood Gallery. Offering a space celebrating its bustling historic markets, 6.00 pm First Eucharist of Christmas, St Margaret’s Church for reflection within the Museum, visitors globally recognised landmarks and can contemplate their own relationship its diverse, cosmopolitan inhabitants. 11.30 pm Christmas Midnight Mass, Westminster Abbey with the Moon and its influence on life 10am to 5pm (closes 1pm on final day). Tickets required on Earth. FREE ENTRY FOR TWO TO THE Wednesday 25th December 020 7942 5511 EXHIBITION ON THE MENTION Christmas Day Cromwell Rd, South Kensington, OF “KCW TODAY” AT THE 10.30 am Sung Eucharist, Westminster Abbey London SW7 5BD GALLERY DESK (normal price £8). 11.00 am Choral Matins, St Margaret’s Church nhm.ac.uk The Mall, London SW1 3.00 pm Evensong, Westminster Abbey mallgalleries.org.uk Ongoing First World War Galleries Ends January 26 The Imperial War Museum Inspired by the East: how the Islamic Discover the story of the First World world influenced western art Concerts

War through the eyes of the British British Museum rd people and the Empire, both on the Artistic exchange between East and Tuesday 3 December home and the fighting fronts. On display West has a long and intertwined history, 7.00 pm Handel Messiah, Westminster Abbey are over 1,300 objects from IWM’s and the exhibition picks these stories Thursday 12th December collections including weapons, uniforms, up from the 15th century, following 7.00 pm Christmas concert, Westminster Abbey diaries, keepsakes, film and art. Each cultural interactions that can still object on display gives a voice to the be felt today. Objects from Europe, Tickets from £15 people who created them, used them or North America, the Middle East and Box Office: sjss.org.uk | 020 7222 1061 cared for them, and reveals stories not North Africa highlight a centuries-old only of destruction, suffering and loss, but tradition of influence and exchange from also endurance and innovation, duty and East to West. The diverse selection of devotion, comradeship and love. objects includes ceramics, photography, Westminster Abbey is open daily for visiting except 020 7416 5000 glass, jewellery and clothing, as well Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and Sundays. Lambeth Road London SE1 6HZ as contemporary art; showcasing how iwm.org.uk artistic exchange influenced a variety of visual and decorative arts. The Faith at the heart of the nation westminster-abbey.org Ongoing exhibition concludes with a 21st-Century Turn It Up: On Paradoxes perspective, through the eyes of four 34 November 2019 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today www.KCWToday.co.uk Events female artists from the Middle East and londonartweek.co.uk Queenstown Road, London SW8 4NW North Africa who continue to question larata.net Ongoing and subvert the idea of Orientalism in December 3 Andy’s Clock their work and explore the subject of Festival of Carols January 21-26 Natural History Museum Muslim female identity. Holy Trinity Church Winter Decorative Antiques & Textiles See the clock from the CBeebies shows 020 7323 8000 The Friends of Chelsea & Westminster Fair Andy's Dinosaur Adventures and Andy's Great Russell St, Bloomsbury, London Hospital are pleased to announce their Battersea Evolution Prehistoric Adventures in Hintze Hall. WC1B 3DG annual Carol Service in conjunction The first of the three annual Decorative You'll find it near the cloakroom to britishmuseum.org with The Friends of the Marsden and Fairs of 2020, the winter event kicks off the left of the Cromwell Road exit. Brompton Hospitals. the New Year with a bright and beautiful Andy’s Clock is currently at the Museum FAIRS & FESTIVALS The Carol Service celebrates the bang. Exhibitors at the Decorative Fair until Andy needs it back for his next wonderful work that these charities do have a knack for funding unique and adventure. This could be at any time, so Weekends until December 22 in supporting patients, families and staff. special items to finish an interior scheme there’s no guarantee that it will be here Southbank Centre Food Market John Suchet from Classic Fm has kindly or garden room. The show includes during your visit. Delighting foodies and explorers alike, agreed to do a reading. Hot mince pies every discipline of antique art, and 20th 020 7942 5000 our market is home to some of the best and wine are served after the concert. Century design from the 1700s to the Cromwell Road, London, SW7 5BD street food in London. The stall-holders 6.45pm. To order your tickets (£20) 1970s at a wide range of prices. nhm.ac.uk are passionate about cooking up dishes please contact: 020 7836 1035 bursting with fresh, vibrant flavours from 020 3315 8825 or: www.eventbrite.com/ Queenstown Road, London SW8 4NW across the globe. No wonder this market e/a-festival-of-carols-with-the-friends- decorativefair.com is one of London’s top food destinations. tickets-78987256009. FAMILY & CHILDREN Find the market on Southbank Centre Sloane Square, London SW3 Ongoing Square each weekend, including Bank [email protected] See website for dates Kidzania London Holidays. Family Fridays Westfield London 020 3879 9555 January 21-26 Sadler’s Wells KidZania London is a fun-packed, Southbank Centre, London, SE1 8XX LARTA: The London Antique Rug & A new monthly workshop that indoor, role-play city built just for kids. It southbankcentre.co.uk Textile Art Fair encourages young children aged 2-4 spans across 75,000 sq ft, offering 4-14 December 1-6 Battersea Evolution and their carers to dance together and year-olds plenty of real life activities to London Art Week Winter This colourful niche event celebrates have fun here at Sadler’s Wells. Led by have a go at. Each child will be given 4 Mayfair & St James its 10th anniversary in 2020 and takes professional dancers, come along to this hours to explore and 50 KidZos (the local Now opening on a Sunday with a new places up on the Mezzanine at the unique opportunity designed to start you currency) to spend on activities, or work Symposium, this series of gallery selling Winter Decorative Antiques & Textiles and the little ones on a dance journey. and save for their own bank card. exhibitions and important art-related Fair. Twenty exhibitors offer the finest These sessions will cover a range of dance 0330 131 3330 events are held by leading international selection of decorative and collectable styles and will encourage coordination, Shepherds Bush, Greater London, art dealers to coincide with the Winter rugs, carpets, and weavings; from Brussels creative thinking and social interaction. W12 7GA, England Old Masters and classic auctions at tapestries to Ottoman embroideries, 020 7863 8000 kidzania.co.uk Bonhams, Christie’s, and Sotheby’s. The Italian velvets to Samarkand suzanis. Mezzanine level, Sadler's Wells Theatre, London Art Week Symposium launches at Expert talks are publicised on the Rosebery Avenue, London, EC1R 4TN Ongoing the National Gallery as a new platform website. sadlerswells.com Go Ape for debate. In 2019 it explores some of 020 7836 1035 Battersea Park the ethical issues in the art world.

CELEBRATE TOGETHER THIS DECEMBER

MY CHRISTMAS FATHER THE SING-ALONG E.T. THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL ORCHESTRAL ADVENTURE CHRISTMAS NUTCRACKER CAROLS IN CONCERT

Call: 020 7589 8212 Supported by royalalberthall.com/christmas 020 7738 2348 November 2019 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today 35 Events online: www.KCWToday.co.uk

herb gardens. Other interesting sections deal with New exhibition the use of the tube in cinema and the life of workers on the Underground. Disused into the secret life Aldwych dominates the industry and of the Tube has been used to film underground at London Transport Museum scenes in dozens of movies including V for Vendetta. By Oliver Lloyd Inevitably, a section deals with the use of tube stations as air raid shelters in the Blitz. The exhibition, however, illuminates some fresh details of this old tale. How many people know that the abandoned Down Street station The Hidden London in Mayfair was used as a shelter for Churchill and his War Cabinet and for exhibition has opened at the the Railway Executive Committee or London Transport Museum, that after the war some of the Windrush generation also sheltered in the exploring the aspects of the Underground? A particularly interesting Underground that aren’t exhibit is a copy of the communist newspaper The Daily Worker berating the always so obvious on the government for opposing the use of the morning commute. tube as shelters by the public; a useful reminder that politics did not evaporate he exhibition is wonderfully into some mystical ‘Blitz spirit’. atmospheric; kept deliberately The Exhibition will run until 30th dark and filled with the familiar January 2021 and is open from 10am soundsT of screeching and rasping metal to 6pm daily. Tickets to the museum that so characterise the Tube. The are £18 for adults (£16.50 when content itself is no less good. One begins booked online) and grant entrance for in a section on those stations that are 12 months. People under 17 and TfL now abandoned on the tube whether employees and their families go free before they were even finished or after and concessions are available to senior many decades of use. The range of uses citizens, students, those on state benefit for these spaces is incredible, everything assistance and military service people. from bat sanctuaries to underground www.ltmuseum.co.uk

For the fully-grown Tarzans and Janes, family day out this Christmas. Little ones winning work focuses on the country’s Leighton House you won’t even feel like you’re in the can Meet Santa in his magical grotto at people and lives in a post-revolution era 7.30. Tickets £20, students £10, c city, as you’ll be fully immersed in the the heart of the Zoo and receive a special and reflect his close ties to, and love for, hildren £5. pursuit to conquer some of the longest early Christmas gift to take home. Enjoy his homeland. His subject matter and 12 Holland Park Road, W14 8LZ and highest crossings for a full 2-3 hours. festive crafts with Mrs Claus, including distinctive approach reflect a natural kcms.org.uk Friendly instructors are ready and waiting making fat ball feeders for garden wildlife ability for story-telling. Blending to propel the youngsters into a leafy this winter. documentary and narrative forms, his November 21 world of canopies too, including bridges 020 7449 6200 precise compositions often contain Mozart Requiem by Candlelight and zip wires. London NW1 4RY disruptive elements and destabilising St Martin-in-the-Fields 01603 895500 zsl.org perspectives that offer a range of readings. The Thames Chamber Orchestra was Battersea Park, London SW11 4NJ 020 7087 9300 formed by Michael Dobson in 1962 to goape.co.uk FILM & PHOTOGRAPHY 16-18 Ramillies St, Soho, London take part in a series of concerts in the W1F 7LW 14th century Parish Church at Kingston- December 11 – January 5 Ongoing thephotographersgallery.org.uk upon-Thames. The orchestra soon The Paper Dolls Moons Beyond Counting became widely known through its many Polka Theatre Royal Observatory Ends November 19 BBC broadcasts both from the studio New Wimbledon Studio Theatre Discover the moons of the Solar System Now is the time to say nothing and from its public concerts. The TCO When a little girl makes a string of paper in this brand-new show narrated by our Battersea Arts Centre has appeared at festivals at Windsor, dolls, she takes them by the hand on a Royal Observatory astronomers. From An immersive film installation which Norwich, Fishguard, Nottingham, fantastical adventure. Whirling through the Earth’s closest neighbour in space, follows the on-the-ground daily life of Cambridge, Pershore, Madley, and at the home and garden they fly through the our Moon, to the moons of the distant Syrian film-maker Reem Karsli. When a many other venues in this country and air, until they are confronted with some gas giants, this show explores our Solar group of UK teenagers who want to see abroad, including several visits to the very sharp scissors… Adapted from the System’s natural satellites. Voiced by beyond the headlines contacts Reem, a Flanders Festival. acclaimed picture book created by former Royal Observatory astronomers, discover four-year collaboration is born: this is the Trafalgar Square, Charing Cross, London Children’s Laureate Julia Donaldson and more about the appearance and features result. With a capacity of just 14 people WC2N 4JJ award-winning illustrator by Rebecca of our own moon, as well as a selection per showing, this intimate, reflective stmartin-in-the-fields.org Cobb, The Paper Dolls comes to life with of the many different kinds of moons out experience depicts the human story stunning puppetry and original music in there that orbit the other planets. behind the news and explores how we November 19 Polka Theatre’s much-loved production. 020 8858 4422 can stay connected to each other when Brompton String Quartet 0844 871 7646 Blackheath Ave, Greenwich, London war and the basic need for survival get in Leighton House 93 The Broadway, Wimbledon, London SE10 8XJ the way. A provocation against armchair 7.30. Tickets £20, students £10, SW19 1QG rmg.co.uk passivity. children £5. polkatheatre.com 020 7223 2223 12 Holland Park Road, W14 8LZ Ends November 17 Lavender Hill, London SW11 5TN kcms.org.uk November 30 – December 24 Raúl Cañibano: Chronicles of an Island bac.org.uk Christmas at ZSL London Zoo The Photographers’ Gallery November 21 Experience the Magic of Christmas at This marks the first UK solo exhibition MUSIC Celebratory Concert London Zoo this December. With a for Raúl Cañibano (b. 1961, Havana). Eaton Square whole host of festive activities, we’ve got One of the most prolific photographers November 19 A final concert will be a celebration everything you need for a jam-packed fun working in Cuba today, his award- Brompton String Quartet of the years of pleasure which Eaton 36 November 2019 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today www.KCWToday.co.uk Events

Square Concerts have given to so many. Brompton Hospitals. In addition to the usual concert ticket The Carol Service celebrates the Shine bright with refreshments at the interval for wonderful work that these charities do £18 (£12 concessions) there will be a in supporting patients, families and concert ticket for £35, which includes staff. John Suchet, from Classic Fm, like Diwali semi-reserved seating, a complementary has kindly agreed to do a reading. Hot

By Anandi Shah © Khokarahman Photograph cushion and concert programme and a mince pies and wine are served after the dinner in the relaxed setting in the Parish concert. 6.45pm. To order your tickets Hall after the concert. The members of (£20) please contact: Diwali illuminated our the Kirkman Quartet will also attend. 020 3315 8825 The dinner is generously sponsored by Sloane Square, London SW3 homes once more this Grosvenor, which is providing its catering [email protected] year on 27th October team to prepare and to serve the dinner. 020 7553 4039 December 6 St Peter’s Church Eaton Square, 119, Goldsmith Choral Union London SW1W 9AL Holy Trinity Sloane Square iwali, sometimes called Divali or Deepavali is a festival of light that eatonsquareconcerts.org.uk 020 7730 4500 lasts between four to five days. It symbolises the victory of light over Holy Trinity Sloane Square, Sloane darkness, good over evil and knowledge over ignorance. November 26-27 Street, London, SW1X 9BZ DThe festival originates from an ancient Sanskrit epic, the Ramayana, which The Bands of the Household Division goldsmithschoral.org.uk details the life of Prince Rama. In the text, Rama is banished from the kingdom Cadogan Hall of Ayodhya (Uttar Pradesh, India) for fourteen years, along with his wife, Sita The Bands of The Household Division December 12 and one of his younger brothers, Lakshman, so that another brother may ascend are proud to present their glittering Christmas Carol Service with Breast the throne. Rama aided by his loyal friend Hanuman defeats a demon king who winter concert Scarlet and Gold. While Cancer Haven abducted Sita. Afterwards, they all return to Ayodhya and it is the moment they the title evokes the ceremonial splendour Grosvenor Chapel set foot in the kingdom, which marked what is now celebrated as Diwali. and sparkle of the Guards’ uniforms and The festive occasion will be brought to Millions of people around the world will be celebrating Diwali by lighting instruments, the programme of music life by stars from stage and screen with guarantees something to delight everyone readings from pre-eminent British actor diyas/divos (oil lamps/candles) and preparing sumptuous family feasts and mithai and a truly world-class performance. Sir Derek Jacobi, along with solos from (sweets). Creating wondrous rangoli designs (traditional Indian decorations and 020 7730 4500 the First Lady of the West End Kerry patterns made with ground rice) and magnificent displays of beautiful fireworks 5 Sloane Terrace, Belgravia, London Ellis and musical star Hugh Maynard. are all part of the celebrations. SW1X 9DQ The carols will be led by the renowned Diwali is celebrated in India, Malaysia, Mauritius, Myanmar, Nepal, cadoganhall.com London Show Choir and guests will be Singapore, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago and communities in the treated to fizz and mince pies. Breast UK, USA and Canada. December 3 Cancer Haven is a national charity London hosts an annual Diwali on Trafalgar Square, where the public can Festival of Carols that provides vital support to all those enjoy music and dance performances, family-friendly craft activities, community Holy Trinity Church affected by breast cancer. stalls and delicious food from India and beyond. The Friends of Chelsea & Westminster 020 7384 0015 Hospital are pleased to announce their 24 S Audley St, Mayfair, London W1K For more information, visit: www.diwaliinlondon.com annual Carol Service in conjunction with The Friends of the Marsden and

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

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Consigning now - payment within 12 days of sale 020 7738 2348 November 2019 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today 37 Events online: www.KCWToday.co.uk

2PA THEATRE breastcancerhaven.org.uk TALKS, TOURS, & WALKS Ongoing FREE Auction 9 to 5 the Musical Ongoing Savoy Theatre Valuation Day with Holland Park Tumble outta' bed and stumble to Dolly Holland Park is the Royal Borough’s Parton’s rip-roaring West End musical! T V ’s Thomas Forrester largest park. It has the following facilities: 9 to 5 the Musical is getting down to 22.5 hectares of gardens, children’s business with a strictly limited season at SAS Director & play facilities, sports areas, a cafeteria, the Savoy! Starring Louise Redknapp, large areas of woodland abundant with Amber Davies, Natalie McQueen, T.V. Expert wildlife. Holland Park also has the Bonnie Langford and Brian Conle, the beautiful Kyoto Garden. This is the smash-hit musical features an Oscar, Japanese garden donated by the Chamber Grammy and Tony award-nominated Monday 18 November of Commerce of Kyoto in 1991. Holland score by the Queen of Country herself, 2019, 10am-3pm Park is also the base of the Borough's Dolly Parton. Ecology Service. The Ecology Centre 0844 871 7687 Come along and find out at Holland Park runs a series of events, Savoy Ct, London WC2R 0ET more about your treasured activities and educational visits for thesavoytheatre.com possessions, in this popular schools. It also runs a Wildlife Club for children, holiday activities, and a full Ends November 16 monthly event. programme of events for all ages. Little Baby Jesus Ilchester Place, W8 6LU Orange Tree Theatre Just pop in, or book an Joanne is dipped in rudeness, rolled in appointment by calling 01635 Ongoing attitude and is fighting to keep her life 580595, or emailing mail@ Deer in Richmond Park afloat. Sensitive and mature he may be, specialauctionservices.com Richmond Park is a National Nature yet Kehinde struggles with an obsession Reserve and deer park where 630 Red for mixed race girls as he eyes his and Fallow deer have roamed freely since place on the social ladder. Rugrat, class Valuations are FREE, but donations 1637. The deer have played a major role clown and playground loudmouth, just to the Stroke Association in the park's history and have shaped wants to make it past GCSEs and keep are gratefully received. the landscape too. The special grassland their name on the tip of your tongue. habitat depends on grazing and the As their lives collide and intertwine, parkland trees have a distinctive 'browse three extraordinary young people relay line' as the deer eat all the leaves and the moments they ‘grew up’. Three twigs growing below about 1.5 metres. remarkable stories. Three incredible Next Valuation Day will be: Deer grazing also prevents tree seedlings journeys. Monday 16 December 2019 from growing, keeping the grassland 020 8940 3633 FREE valuations at J McCarthy Ltd, 11 Artillery Row, London SW1P 1RH open. During the autumn the deer 1 Clarence St, Richmond TW9 2SA 'rut' (breeding season) takes place. The orangetreetheatre.co.uk Red stags and Fallow bucks compete for females (known as hinds and does November 18-23 respectively). At this time, the large males Queens of Sheba 020 7498 4699 start at £15 and are available online. roar, bark and clash antlers in an attempt Battersea Arts Centre 1 Clapham Common North Side, 020 7957 8261 to fight off rivals and attract as many Turned away from a nightclub for being Clapham, London SW4 0QW Stamford Bridge, Fulham Road. London females as possible. “too black”, four women reaffirm the omnibus-clapham.org SW6 1HS royalparks.org.uk joys of sisterhood with explosive true underthebridge.co.uk. stories. At a London nightclub in 2015, Ends November 29 Ongoing the lives of a group of friends were 'Master Harold’… and the Boys Ends January 11 Hidden London changed forever when confronted with Lyttelton Theatre The Man in the White Suit London Transport Museum misogynoir; where sexism meets racism St George's Park Tea Room, Port Wyndham’s Theatre This is the London Transport Museum’s in its most vicious form. Four passionate Elizabeth, 1950. On a long rainy With textile manufacturers and trade exclusive programme of tours and events women reaffirm the joys of sisterhood as afternoon, employees Sam and Willie unions up in arms, what will become of at disused stations and secret sites across they tell hilarious, moving and uplifting practise their steps for the finals of our plucky hero and his controversial London. Led by experienced guides, stories that shed light on the lives of the ballroom dancing championship. invention? Can Daphne (Kara Tointon) ready to share unusual and little-known everyday women battling what shouldn’t Hally arrives from school to hide out the mill owner's daughter save him? Or stories surrounding the stations’ varied be an everyday problem. Written by in his parents’ tea room. These two will it be game over for The Man in the histories, these visits offer an exciting Jessica L. Hagan, Queens of Sheba is men have been unlikely best friends to White Suit? Featuring a cast of fourteen, opportunity to explore locations rarely an hour-long journey of laughter and Hally his whole life. But it is apartheid original songs from Charlie Fink Noah seen by the public. reflection. era South Africa: he’s Master Harold, and the Whale, dazzling choreography by 020 7379 6344 020 7223 2223 and they are the boys. Tony Award- Lizzie Gee, plus dizzying flying effects, Covent Garden Piazza, London Lavender Hill, London SW11 5TN winning playwright Athol Fugard’s epic bouts of clog-dancing, a spectacular WC2E 7BB bac.org.uk semi-autobiographical and blistering set from Michael Taylor and scintillating ltmuseum.co.uk masterwork explores the nature of sound effects and incidental music by November 19 November 19-24 friendship, and the ways people are Ben and Max Ringham, The Man in the Ruling from the heart: the poet and the Fiji capable of hurting even those they love. White Suit bursts onto the London stage cabinet minister Omnibus Theatre South Bank, London SE1 9PX for a strictly limited season from 27th Westminster Abbey Like most of us, Nick and Sam are hiding nationaltheatre.org.uk September. Westminster Abbey Institute’s autumn something. Except this is something 0844 482 5120 events season, Art Imagination and taboo, even for you. This is something so December 7-8 Charing Cross Rd, Covent Garden, Public Service, concludes with Irish poet appalling and pure it could never be acted Peter Pan London WC2H 0DA Micheal O’Siadhail in conversation with on, until this weekend. This weekend Under the Bridge wyndhamstheatre.co.uk former Home Secretary Lord Blunkett. will be the first and last time they’ll The story of a boy who could fly as he 020 7222 5152 ever see each other, for one a blissful embarks on adventures packed full with 20 Deans Yd, Westminster, London beginning, for the other a euphoric end. mermaids, pirates, fairies, crocodiles SW1P 3PA So, everyone’s a winner… aren’t they? and everything in between. ‘Under the westminster-abbey.org/institute Grisly and gripping, Fiji is a dark comedy Bridge’s’ adaptation is a poignant, funny about a relationship that is gorgeous and and original 60-minute production where Compiled & edited by Fahad Redha gruesome in equal measure, and a love every child can be involved in the magic; not defined by sex or blood…so to speak. a perfect way to get the family geared up If you have an event that you would like How far will two consenting adults go for for the festive season. Peter Pan will run listed in the next edition, please send any their desire? three times a day from 11am. Tickets information to: [email protected] 38 November 2019 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today www.KCWToday.co.uk Events

adaptable. But those who take the first steps, the pioneering generations Generation Mars: of interplanetary settlers, are likely to have a difficult time. Our own planet is Should we stay, currently playing host to a global mental health crisis. The fragility of our sanity Photograph © Hassell Studios Photograph or should we go? feels more apparent than ever. It is right By May Woods that the collection doesn’t shy away from asking ‘could Generation Mars stay safe and sane’? ince ancient astronomers first The atmosphere on Mars is hostile, looked to the heavens, man has its landscape destitute and void of harboured a fascination with Mars. greenery. The psychological impact SNamed for the Roman God of war, the on settlers is likely to be devastating. icy red planet has ignited the human One of the most thought-provoking imagination for centuries. Popular contributions, then, comes from Royal culture brims with imaginings of the College of Art graduate Anna Tavli, planet and its secrets. From Gulliver’s neighbours with similar engineering the Design Museum’s latest immersive whose custom-made gloves can be Travels, to Bowie’s Life on Mars, our capacities to ourselves. exhibition. From models of 3D printed imbued with scents personal to the obsession with fictionalising and Mars may once have harboured Martian settlements, to prototypes wearer, to “bring you back to your envisaging a new human frontier shows life, although likely not as envisaged. of Martian clothing (think futuristic Earth-memory place”. few signs of slowing down. Schiaparelli actually found channels Balenciaga), to unseen footage from the Colonising Mars as insurance against By the turn of the Twentieth on the planet’s surface; a discovery planet’s surface, Moving to Mars offers nuclear disaster or global warming, century, Mars Fever was in full swing. with significantly fewer implications. an inspirational journey through colony is controversial. For some, the blank, The Red Planet was parachuted Regardless, our preoccupations have design. untouched canvas offers a second chance. into public consciousness after the changed. We are less intrigued about the And while similarly labelled But to ensure the survival of humanity, astronomer Giovanni Schiaparelli planet’s past, than by the possibilities experiences can feel more like toe- we must learn from our mistakes reported noticing large canali on the of its future. Elon Musk just unveiled a dipping than full scale immersion, the on Earth, and build a zero-waste, planet; a mistranslation then led to the new SpaceX spaceship, designed to carry exhibit succeeds in its multi-sensory sustainable civilisation, powered by clean widespread belief that canals had been humans to Mars, while a survey by the endeavour. A faint, metallic whiff is energy. The Moving to Mars exhibit gives discovered. It stood to reason that these Institute of Engineering and Technology apparent; presumably, this is what Mars a glimpse as to how. canals must have been designed by a found that 48% of under-16’s believe smells like. The exhibition is, as a whole, It may seem counter-intuitive, but by species both intelligent and innovative: they will live to see humans colonise an astonishing testament to human learning to survive on Mars, we might Martians. These revelations came a Mars. But could, or should, we really ingenuity, at its most stylish. just save Earth. few years after the completion of the attempt to do so? It is posited that after settling on The Design Museum’s Moving to Suez Canal; a remarkable feat at the This is the question posed, and Mars, some form of post-human would Mars exhibition runs until 23 February time. Perhaps, it was thought, we had answered with thrilling optimism, by evolve. As a species, we are highly 2020. Goldsmiths Choral Union welcomes new singers! If you love to sing classical music and would like to sing in the some of the top London venues, read on…

Albert Hall and the Southbank Centre. Our performances have been praised for their freshness, clarity and emotional commitment. Our repertoire ranges from traditional choral works such as Messiah, B Minor Mass, Dream of Gerontius, to less familiar works like Tippett’s Mask of Time. Held in South Kensington, GCU Wednesday evening rehearsals are An amateur choir with friendly and rewarding. Though an professional standards. Set up auditioned choir, auditions are friendly to help with any nerves. We have a before WWII, and originally special deal for members under 26 and a linked to Goldsmiths College, further deal for members under 30. Why not come along to our carol GCU has continuously concert at Holy Trinity, Sloane Square performed with top and up- on 6 December 2019? From the audience you can dust off and-coming artists. your vocal cords, you can ask questions and email [email protected] onductor Brian Wright and Those who join on 8th Jan 2020 Pianist Stephen Jones work with could be performing Rossini and Puccini us in painstaking detail to keep with us on 30th March at Queen us at the top of our game. Elizabeth Hall. C Please visit our new website www. Through our contracts with Raymond Gubbay Ltd, we regularly sing goldsmiths.org.uk and follow us on with other choirs at Barbican, Royal Twitter or Instagram. 020 7738 2348 November 2019 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today 39 Events online: www.KCWToday.co.uk

Joe Lovano For all times, tickets and details visit: MUSIC www.efglondonjazzfestival.org.uk

ROUND UP Your chance to hear the next BY GEOFF COWART generation of classical stars

If you thought London didn’t have enough musical talent, gigs or venues, think again. Because numerous big- name music colleges are also busy training the next generation of stars, THE LONDON JAZZ with loads of free or low-cost concerts as FESTIVAL returns to the showcases. Here are three of the best shows, Capital with surely its greatest complete with their respective big name line-up in recent memory. guests, that are coming to music colleges this month: This year’s party takes place at a variety of venues November 16 November 20 November 27 around the city and runs from Legendary Brazilian jazz pianist Shapeshifting vocalist Gazelle Yazz Ahmed: November 15 to 24. And it is João Donato Twin British-Bahraini trumpet player and a testament to the powerful The Jazz Café, Camden NW1 meets electronic drone choir NYX composer known as the ‘high priestess Queen Elizabeth Hall, South Bank SE1 of psychedelic Arabic jazz’ brings effect of the new generation of Way Out West: the Guildhall Jazz Orchestra to the jazz talent in London. double bill of Blue Note and GB jazz Milton Court Concert Hall. In recent favourites November 21 years, the Guildhall alumna has led various ensembles around Europe, and rtists such as Shabaka Hutchings Polish Social and Cultural Association, British saxophonist Tim Garland collaborated with the likes of Radiohead, (Sons of Kemet, The Comet Hammersmith W6 is joined by Ernesto Simpson (drums), Swing Out Sister and These New is Coming), Nubya Garcia, Yuri Goloubev (bass) and Gwilym Puritans. 7pm. £15 Zara Macfarlane, Binker Golding, Simcock (piano). A November 17 www.barbican.org.uk Moses Boyd and anyone from the 606 Club, SW10 Tomorrow’s Warriors youth club turned jazz collective are now big enough to Herbie Hancock Barbican, EC2 Saxophone-laced soundscapes from command festival stages and turn heads punk legend Iggy Pop November 28 on their own. A few appear on this year’s American sax giant Joe Lovano Barbican, EC2­­ London Jazz Festival line-up (we’re Three musicians from the Chamber looking at you, Zara, who’s playing with stars with Marilyn Crispell (piano) and Orchestra of Europe sax bad boy Gary Bartz), but most have Carmen Castaldi (drums) November 23 will lead the Royal College of Music come and gone from the festival. Queen Elizabeth Hall, South Bank SE1 Chamber Orchestra in a performance Nevertheless, their efforts to Former Jazz Messenger of Schubert’s final symphony. Mats popularise the genre have revitalised Norwegian saxophonist Jan saxophonist Jean Toussaint Zetterqvist (violin/director), Håkan London’s jazz scene, for young and old, Garbarek leads a sextet features music from his Björkman (trombone) and Romain and allowed a vast resource of legends to teams up with Rainer Brüninghaus 2018 album, Brother Raymond Guyot (clarinet) star at the Amaryllis return to the stage. And one glance at (piano), Yuri Daniel (bass) and Trilok Cadogan Hall, Sloane Square SW1 Fleming Concert Hall. 6.15pm. £5 this year’s festival programme tells you Gurtu (percussion) www.rcm.ac.uk it’s a heady mix indeed. Royal Festival Hall, South Bank SE1 Denys Baptiste: The Barbican has the king’s ransom London composer, teacher and sax star of these performances, ranging from Cross Currents Trio celebrates the music of Joe Henderson November 29 veterans such as Herbie Hancock to the featuring Dave Holland (bass), Chris 606 Club, Chelsea SW10 Potter (sax) and Zakir Hussain Renowned conductor Sir Mark 50th anniversary of The Art Ensemble Elder of Chicago. But it’s also worth singling (percussion) Veteran free jazz legends the Art Cadogan Hall, Sloane Square SW1 will lead the Academy Chamber out the appearance of lesser-spotted Ensemble of Chicago Orchestra in a selection of Berlioz’s turn 50 with Roscoe Mitchell (sax) at Brazilian jazz revolutionaries such as programmatic and dramatic music, the helm of an 18-strong band Hermeto Pascoal and João Donato. opening with the overture to his November 18 Barbican, EC2 In fact, the talent is so varied and unfinished opera, Les francs-juges. The exciting that I didn’t want to miss Solo set from Polish pianist Marcin programme also includes March to the anyone out. So, the major highlights are Masecki November 24 Scaffold from his Symphonie Fantastique; listed below. Leighton House Museum, Kensington March of the Pilgrims from Harold in W14 Liane Carroll Italy; and the King Lear Overture. The Did you know? London-born jazz singer and classically concert will be held at Duke’s Hall at The well-known EFG-sponsored Influential Brazilian bandleader trained pianist performs in her smooth the Royal Academy of Music. 1.05pm. festival was created in 1992 by live music Hermeto Pascoal style From £5.50 producers Serious. But its roots are far Ronnie Scott’s, Soho W1 606 Club, Chelsea SW10 www.ram.ac.uk deeper, emerging from the long-standing

Camden Jazz Week which was originally founded in 1970. It’s a London success November 19 story that continues to surprise, impress and resist the traditional trappings of a Alice Sawadzki SUBSCRIBE & SUPPORT festival. is joined by friends and the Royal KCW Today. See page 22 for details Northern College of Music Orchestra So please dig in, turn up and enjoy. Kings Place, King’s Cross N1 40 November 2019 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today www.KCWToday.co.uk Dining Out

As October came to a close, the Institut Francais played host to a bright new beginning! Café Tangerine, a new cafe-restaurant from the minds and hands of Limpet Barron and David Hughes: the culinary couple behind the late, lamented (and award winning) Tangerine Dream Café and events business. After their ‘catering tenure’ as restaurant proprietors at the Chelsea Physic Garden came to a close, their leaving the café drew a vocal protest of some thousand

Limpet Barron (right) and the Director of the Institut Francais, Claudine Ripert-Landler members and friends throughout Chelsea and London last year. Housed within the beautiful Art Deco surroundings of the Institut Français, they will once again be providing expertly sourced and high-quality food that made their reputation. The menu will be seasonally driven, designed to showcase the best produce from France and the UK and will include some of their signature dishes alongside fusion food with international flavour, matching the diversity of the cultural programme of the Institut Français. Wine lovers will be well served with a French led list, completed by a selection of beers and spirits, and a few of Limpet’s favourite cocktails to look forward to. The 100’s that flocked to the launch at South Kensington we’re not disappointed Café Tangerine will be open for coffee and madeleines from 11am, light lunches and snacks from 12 noon, and continue on until mid-evening in support of the wide range of films and events on offer at the Institut Français.

Café Tangerine at the Institut Français 17 Queensberry Place, London SW7 2DT www.institut-francais.org.uk/cafe- tangerine/www.thetangerinecafe.com (from 25 October) Opening times: 11am-9pm (Mondays: 5pm-9pm) 020 7738 2348 November 2019 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today 41 Dining Out online: www.KCWToday.co.uk

evidence. New, however, is the chef Shay Cooper who came over from Chelsea’s Julie’s Restaurant Goring Hotel where he previously held a Michelin star, none such here just yet & Champagne but watch this space. Arriving you may choose to loiter Bar at the well stocked champagne bar 135 Portland Road, or as we did head straight down into Holland Park, W11 4LW the cosy booths that define the Julie’s dining experience. Indeed, if I have any T: 020 7229 8331 criticism at all it was that for a long- www.juliesrestaurant.com legged family like mine it was arguably a bit too cosy. We began with a glass of By Oliver Lloyd Clarence River Sauvignon Blanc (£7.50 each) and inspected the menu. For starters, I settled upon a beef tartare served with shallots, green beans, nasturtium and onion mayonnaise (£14). ulie’s, the legendary Holland Park The shallots were an especial delight, haunt of figures such as Elton John dried and spiced to gently accent and and Lady Diana, has reopened texture the strong tasting beef. The justJ in time for its fiftieth anniversary rest of us had sea trout with marinated after a five-year refurbishment. Known heritage tomatoes, ginger and a seaweed rest of us had the familiar classic of lamb end a truly superb evening we relaxed in the 70s and 80s as the restaurant dressing (£13) which reportedly had with cabbage and potatoes, enlivened with a glass of La Famille Perrin Côtes for London’s most glamorous people very delicate and unusual flavours, the with some garlic and lemon juice (£32). du Rhône (£9.50) at the bar. (including the editorial team of a certain seaweed a particularly refreshing touch. With such a staple the key is execution For those looking for somewhere local newspaper) it has returned entirely Washing this all down was a bottle of and in this case I am informed it was to celebrate the Christmas season, a to form with its classic bohemian interior Chateau Garreau Merlot Blend (£38) ‘perfectly cooked’ and when plated it was separate three-course festive menu decoration and splendid food. which we also had with our mains. an artful riot of shapes and colours. is available on request for £39 a head The refurbishment, which was Swiftly following this, I was Pudding took the forms of lemon without drinks. intended to take just 6 months before a confronted with a main of cod served curd and sorbet with a coconut and Julie’s is not exactly cheap and is series of planning and building delays, with a dressing of cuttlefish, bacon, fennel crumble (£8) for myself which perfect for a special occasion, in this case has not deadened any of the charm of chicken and mushrooms (£29). The was appropriately zesty and well my mother’s birthday, but well worth it the place. The heel marks where Tina cod fell apart in that way all truly well textured and the extraordinary creation for the sumptuousness with which they Turner danced on the tables or quaint cooked fish does and the combination of of fig leaf panna cotta with an Earl Grey entertain you and for the off chance of juxtapositions of baroque cherubs and cuttlefish and mushrooms, not one I had doughnut (£8) for my mother which is running into members of the great and Moorish alcoves are still very much in seen before, was inspired. Elsewhere, the surely a must for true gastronauts. To the good.

extensive wine looked as if it had been chiselled from collection that takes living marble. Whilst it felt obscurely Kerridge’s Bar up most of a wall, barbaric to despoil such an artfully and Grill we got stuck into presented meal with knife and fork, Corinthia Hotel food. Kerridge’s is the wonderfully rich taste quickly put resolutely British in paid to any lingering aesthetic regrets. 10a Northumberland Avenue,

its menu, offering a As delightful as the starter was it was Bar & Grill © Kerridge's Photograph WC2, selection of familiar a distant second place compared to my dishes which aim main course of Treacle Roasted Fillet of 020 7321 3244 for perfection Beef, Celeriac and Horseradish Purée, By Max Feldman rather than radical Onion Jam, Fried Pickle, Chips and reinvention. This Gherkin Ketchup (£42.50). I’ve never can be a dangerous quite been convinced of treacle roasted game as without meat, but the sweetness was expertly Over the course of its nearly 140 year a unique buzz- matched with the horseradish purée, a history, the edifice now containing generating concept fusion which practically had my eyes Kerridge’s Bar and Grill has hosted it’s easy for a rolling backwards in a genuflection to everything from Jazz Age Cabarets restaurant to get to a stint as the Ministry of Defence’s Kerridge’s particular genius. Whilst home away from home. Since 2011 it for a pleasant hum of conversation rather lost in the endless noise of London’s at this point critical mass was fast has been the 5-star Corinthia Hotel and than a roar. The constellations of tables culinary scene. Thankfully the flip approaching I wasn’t going to miss after we stumbled in on a particularly revolve around an unusual star: a silvery side to this is that if a chef is able to out on desert and at the not so-subtle wet and miserable October afternoon, life sized sculpture of a man’s suit, which deliver on the quality, the familiarity prompting of my waitress I elected to the grand environs and soaring ceilings holds chilly court at the centre of the of the dishes can result in something cap the meal off with the Blackberry felt as far away from Embankment as wheel. A little investigation revealed of a tour de force and happily that is Soufflé with Baked Cheesecake Ice the star Betelgeuse. Kerridge's Bar and that it was sculpted by Frau Kerridge, very much the case at Kerridge’s. This Cream and Lemon Thyme Custard Grill is the first London restaurant of but a little bit of spousal nepotism isn’t goes double for the wine, the extremely (£13.50). A tower of silkily yielding Michelin Starred chef Tom Kerridge, necessarily a bad thing, particularly in personable sommelier (far too frequently cake, it was heavy without being too and as the initial outpost of his culinary a space this expansive. Indeed I was an oxymoron at high end restaurants) filling as a capstone. empire, it certainly looks impressive. The rather taken by it, the size and looming Yvan’s skill at wine pairing was almost Whilst the food delivered in spades, restaurant occupies a huge circular room, emptiness puts one in mind of a suit of unnerving, to the point where the there’s no way around the fact that this complete with the de rigeur enormous armour designed by Franz Kafka and courses were unimaginable without his is an expensive joint, the mains alone windows framed by eight Doric often I found my gaze unconsciously contribution. After some disarmingly probably average out at about £30 which columns, discreetly hulking over the magnetised towards it (which to be fair moreish sourdough appetizers I launched might cause some second thoughts, but diners like professional bodyguards. The is a pretty neat way for a restaurant to into the Duck Leg, Black Pudding and if your happy to give your credit card vastness of the space allows for a nicely discourage people watching). Pistachio Terrine, Truffle Mayonnaise a work out, a good time is absolutely spaced out layout for the tables, enough Neatly ensconced by the reassuringly and Homemade Pickles (£16.50) which guaranteed. 42 November 2019 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today www.KCWToday.co.uk Environment

point’ within two years. However, the forecast has generated Rain, rain, going controversy among climate scientists; some of whom deem that this ‘tipping away point’ still remains 15-20 years away, By Anandi Shah whilst others state that the warning is an accurate reflection of the dangers that Bolsonaro and climate change pose to the Amazon’s survival. De Bolle, whose report also recommended solutions to the crisis, A forecast published by a claimed that “it’s like a stock, so like any stock, you run it down and suddenly you fellow at the Peterson Institute don’t have any more of it.” for International Economics in Brazil’s president, on the other hand, has vowed to develop the Amazon and Washington DC has suggested created government plans to permit the Amazon Rainforest may mining on protected indigenous reserves. In fact, Amazon farmers have supported cease producing sufficient rain his attacks on environmental protection to sustain itself by 2021. agencies. Whilst his environment Brazil’s leading climate scientists and pessimistic, but praised her brief’s other minister, Ricardo Salles, has met loggers a senior researcher at the University recommendations. onica de Bolle, the senior and wildcat miners, deforestation and of São Paulo’s Institute for Advanced These included expanding the fellow at the Institute who Amazon fires have rocketed since Studies, questioned her calculation that Amazon fund, which finances published the report warned assuming office in January. estimated deforestation would quadruple sustainable rainforest projects to include Mthat the rainforest would degrade into a De Bolle, also head of the Latin from an estimate of nearly 18,000 km2 the United States and other countries so drier savannah that will release billions American studies programme at St this year to nearly 70,000 km2 by 2021, that Brazil is not expected to virtually of tonnes of carbon into the atmosphere, Johns Hopkins University, addressed a saying “It seems very improbable to solely fund rainforest protection. exacerbating global warming and US Congress committee on preserving me, the projected deforestation increase The Amazon Fund is currently engendering weather disruption across the Amazon in September, calling her is more an economic calculation than financed by Norway and Germany, but South America. prediction a “provocation”: “If Bolsonaro ecological.” Nevertheless, he added: “We both countries suspended payments in According to the prominent is serious about developing the Amazon are seeing an increase in deforestation, I August. economist, the surges in deforestation without paying any attention to am not questioning this.” De Bolle said Brazil should revive combined with Brazil’s far-right sustainability or maintaining the forest’s Still, Claudio Angelo of the Climate a resolution that made rural credit president, Jair Bolsonaro’s destructive standing, these rates would happen Observatory, an umbrella of non- financed by public banks dependent on policies means the rainforest could be within his mandate,” she said. profit environmental groups, said he lenders proving that they complied with on the verge of an irreversible ‘tipping However, Carlos Nobre, one of thought de Bolle’s calculations were too environmental and other laws.

In a controversial move which has rocked the conservation community, Zimbabwe has acted in direct contradiction of a new international ruling due to come into force later this month by CITES (the Convention on International Trade in

Endangered Species) which bans the international export of Filer © David Photograph live elephants. Defying scientific and ecological advice, Zimbabwe ignored both the international community and global wildlife experts who were attempting to halt this export and has proceeded blindly in the face of a number of legal cases being brought against the state from within Zimbabwe itself. 32 of an original 37 baby elephants, who were snatched from the wild over a year ago, were shipped to China just last week in a controversial move by both nations. Five were unable to fly due to health problems and to the deplorable conditions they were held in whilst negotiations for the commercial transaction were finalised. It is recognised around the world that both from biological and ethical standpoints, the trade in live, wild-caught elephants has devastating impacts. Scientists, biologists and conservationists agreed unanimously that it is an outdated and unacceptable practice, and the cost is a price which elephant populations cannot and should not have to pay. In August of this year, countries from around the world met at CITES to discuss the ramifications of wildlife trade on endangered and threatened species in global attempts to halt extinction. We all lobbied hard against this trade in live elephants, and backed by the majority of African countries, CITES agreed that the live capture of wild-caught elephants for export to countries outside of their natural range should be banned. The shocking sale of baby elephants Elephants are highly socialised and sentient beings and the trauma of capture, by Melanie Shepherd transportation and ultimately life in captivity outside their natural range has dire consequences, not only on the individuals in question but also on the herds left Trustee, David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation (DSWF) behind.

MOYO; a life size drawing of a young orphaned elephant by Zimbabwean artist, and DSWF Art Ambassador, David Filer. For more on the work of DSWF please go to www.davidshepherd.org 020 7738 2348 November 2019 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today 43 Environment News online: www.KCWToday.co.uk

the pristine countryside. This issue is especially sensitive as much of the area Environmental the pipeline will travel through is sacred News Report to the First Nations of Canada who have reveals extent of British treaty rights to that land and as such also raises questions about the nature of wildlife decline Canada as a settler-colonial enterprise. By Oliver Lloyd Charity calls for action over plastic in the Thames

The charity Thames21 has called on the government to institute a Deposit Return Scheme for all plastic bottles, whereby one pays a small fee for bottles that is repaid on recycling, after the completion Photograph © Peter Trimming © Peter Photograph of its annual Big Bottle Count census of the plastic content of London’s river. Climate change creating great Mountain Pipeline which was a central The census, conducted on 24th October power conflict in Greenland issue in the campaign. The pipeline by over 100 volunteers, recovered 1,732 which carries crude from the vast tar bottles from 17 sites along the river from sands of Western Canada to the coast Greenland’s former Prime Minister Kew to Thamesmead. has come under dogged attack from Kuupik Kleist has warned that ‘the In total, Thames21’s volunteers environmental groups and indigenous Cold War has been reintroduced have removed more than 27,000 plastic people’s activists. to Greenland’ in an interview with bottles this year alone and over 107,000 The Liberal Party that has governed Norwegian outlet High North News. since the initiative began in 2016. AJ he State of Nature Report 2019, This alarming declaration of great McConville, one of the program’s published on 3rd October, has power conflict comes after US President coordinators described the problem as a revealed that the populations of Trump’s semi-serious request to purchase ‘blight’ on the Thames. species of British wildlife has decreased the island and the greatly more serious A Deposit Return Scheme has been in T operation in Germany since 2003, where on average by 13% since 1970. The military build-up in the High Arctic report, which is published triennially by as regional players including the US now 99% of PET bottles are recycled a coalition of over 70 organisations that and Russia look to extract the resources and the Scottish government announced monitor Britain’s nature, also revealed previously hidden under the Arctic ice. plans for one in May of this year. Under that 41% of species have seen population Greenland’s ice sheet is the 2nd the Scottish government’s proposals, decline and 15% are considered largest in the world after Antarctica’s customers would pay an additional 20p threatened. and covers about 80% of the island. It deposit for each bottle made of glass The most alarming statistics relate has, however, been decreasing in size or PET as well as for cans made of to Britain’s populations of mammals rapidly. Between 2003 and 2017 it lost aluminium or steel. and birds as 26% and 43% of these 3.5 trillion tonnes of weight while in July Thames21 may be found at: Canada since 2015 had tried to chart a species respectively are considered of this year scientists reported that loses www.thames21.org.uk middle course on the pipeline between ‘threatened’, a category that includes of 197 billion tonnes had been recorded the interests of the environment and those species regarded as ‘critically or roughly three times the expected industry pledging all profits from a endangered’; ‘endangered’ or ‘vulnerable’. average for the time of year. proposed expansion would be channelled The 214 species which are judged by This loss is making possible resource back into green energy. However, in the conservationist as of highest concern extraction operations not previously election they lost their majority and will have declined in population by an conceivable. Greenland is rich in rare

now be reliant on the votes from parties Photograph © Warrenski average of 60% and in range by 27%. earth metals such as yttrium that are further to their left, the NDP, Greens The report identifies several factors in essential for modern electronics and on and Bloc Québécois all of whom are these decreases. The most important of which China currently has an almost implacably opposed. these is a change in farming techniques complete monopoly. The Arctic Sea also The Athabasca Tar Sands of including the increase of the use of contains vast oil deposits that greatly Alberta in western Canada are pesticides and the removal of hedgerows interest the US and Russia. In response, estimated to contain as much in and other habitats. Climate change the US is building up Thule Air Force extractable unconventional oil as all the is also named as a significant factor Base in Greenland, site of one of the conventional oil in the world combined the report saying that the average UK worst nuclear disasters in history, and or roughly 1.6 trillion barrels. They temperature increase of 1ºC since 1970 Russia has opened dozens of new bases are also, unsurprisingly, essential to has ‘widespread impacts on nature in the Arctic Circle. the economy of the province as well as evident already’. Additional important Resources are not the only things neighbouring Saskatchewan, but require pressures named were the lingering currently sealed beneath the ice. The transportation by pipeline to ports on effects of pollutants, invasive species and buried remains of US Army Project the Pacific. the loss of habitat to urbanisation. Iceworm, a Cold War attempt to build Environmentalists worry about There have been some successes in a nuclear missile base under the ice, the potential of the pipeline not only conservation such as the restoration of including radioactive waste and 200,000 to facilitate the extraction of these the Pine Marten to Wales or the greatly litres of diesel will be released by the end fossil fuels but also to leak out onto increased range of the Red Kite as well of this century. as a great increase in habitat designated as nature reserve this decade. However, it is worried that too much focus has Canadian Election casts doubt been placed on conserving mammals and on construction of oil pipeline birds and not enough on the plants and SUBSCRIBE & SUPPORT insects upon which they rely. The results of Canada’s federal election KCW Today. See page 22 for details The full report can be found at www. on 21st October have cast increased nbn.org.uk/stateofnature2019/reports scrutiny on the fate of the massive Trans 44 November 2019 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today www.KCWToday.co.uk Travel

constructed from handmade Dutch in a quiet room alone’. So true. No works bricks, pale inside and dark outside, of art grace the walls apart from one, a Pawson & immaculately laid and dictating time arcing conceptual piece by Hamish dimensions of rooms to the last brick. Fulton. Customised for the Life House pink sheep the work comprises six framed prints in Living in the Life House Soaring Douglas Fir roof timbers complement the creamy terrazzo floors response to a walk made in 2015 from By Lynne McGowan and subtle shafts and wells allow sun- Aberystwyth to the River Tawe taking McGowan © Lynne Photograph light to penetrate from above. The Life in the Life House location and connecting House is a zen haven for those needing it with six other walks he set off on in peace and space. 1972. Furniture, fixtures and fittings Aside from walking, talking and Waking up on the first were designed by the architect, his lazing about, the open plan kitchen iron grip on continuity extending from was a hub of activity and the pleasure morning to sheep staring in hanging lights to chiselled coat hooks. of using heavy gauge pots and pans the bedroom window is an As if to match the brickwork, the wood designed by John Pawson was the cherry burning stove clad with buttery tiles on top. David Mellor supplied cutlery alarming experience. Not just was designed by a Dutchman, Anglo and luxury items like the mezzaluna any old ovis aries either, but Dutch teamwork alive and well in with dished beech wood board for Wales. Three en suite bedrooms with chopping herbs. Everything appeared to sheep with fleeces the colour crisp John Reed bed sheets were themed be chosen with thought and care. Okay, of candy floss. Why they were for diverse experiences. Languorous no butter or palette knife could be found bathing being the concept for the first but patisserie classics from madeleines grazing in the garden dawned with a sunken bath positioned to capture to a perfect frangipani tart were conjured slowly, Jude and I hadn’t shut sweeping views of the hillsides; the out of the gleaming Miele oven. second was a music room complete with All credit goes to Living Architecture the gate properly the night expertly selected CDs and imposing hi-fi for their vision in commissioning before, so in they came looking speakers and the third a library, filled the architect and continuing the with poetry, philosophy and fiction. quest to enhance the appreciation of for greener grass on the other Understandably, after all, the founder of contemporary architecture in Britain. side. Living Architecture is the philosopher and The company has set a gold standard architect of The School of Life, Alain de with holiday dwellings from timber his is big time sheep country Botton. sheds on shingle to Grayson Perry’s fairy and Living Architecture’s Life Zen seekers could calmly tale House For Essex and these beacons of House lounges modestly amidst contemplate in a dimly lit cell housing a creativity and thoughtful design beckon theT Welsh rolling hills minding its slate slab embedded in the floor carved the wider public to experience them. own business. Designed by minimalist with wise words from Pascal ‘All men’s maestro John Pawson, the building is miseries derive from not being able to sit www.living-architecture.co.uk

Festive Daytrips with The Railway Touring Company

Bob Green RAIL M D Christmas Sussex Belle 26th November A A E Y T from T

S Join us on a special train to celebrate the Festive Season in style. Our train travels

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U £99 to the Sussex coast, crossing the North and South Downs and passing through the beautiful countryside of the Weald. Departs from London Victoria to visit Eastbourne.

Derek Phillips RAIL M D York Yuletide Express 30th November A A E Y T from T

S Join us for a main line steam run from London to York and an opportunity to

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£U 109 experience the Festive Season’s activities. Departs from London Ealing Broadway, Alexandra Palace, Hertford North, Stevenage, Peterborough and Lincoln to York.

Bob Green RAIL M D Lindum Fayre 7th December A A E Y T from T

S The Lincoln Christmas Market, otherwise known as the Lindum Fayre, is one of the

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U £99 largest events of its kind in Europe. Departs from London King’s Cross, Potters Bar, Stevenage and Peterborough to visit the market.

Bob Green RAIL M D Bath & Cardiff Xmas Markets 10th December A A E Y T from T

S Join us on this seasonal train that will leave London Paddington early on Tuesday

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U £99 morning for the scenic journey to Bath or Cardiff for their festive Christmas Markets. Departs from London Paddington, Slough, Reading and Newbury to Bath or Cardiff.

Bob Green RAIL M D Christmas White Rose 14th December A A E Y T from T

S Join us on this very special steam hauled train using both A1 Pacific 60163 Tornado

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U £119 and A4 Pacific 60009 Union of South Africa in one day. Departs from London King’s Cross, Stevenage and Peterborough to York.

The Railway Touring Company 14a Tuesday Market Place, King’s Lynn, Norfolk PE30 1JN Visit railwaytouring.net or phone 01553 661 500 to find out more. 020 7738 2348 November 2019 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today 45 Travel online: www.KCWToday.co.uk Exceptional Wildlife Holidays

Over 25 years’ experience in creating exceptional wildlife & birdwatching holidays worldwide.

Handcrafted tailor-made holidays for incredible polar bear sightings and huge penguin colonies surrounded by Expert-led small Wildlife awe-inspiring landscapes respectively. group tours Whale-watching trips include close Specialist photography Worldwide encounters with grey whales in Baja, trips Mexico and breaching humpback whales NEW itineraries off the coast of British Columbia, ildlife Worldwide have Canada; where you can also see grizzly over 25 years’ experience in and black bears as they fish for salmon. designing the finest tailor- Or how about joining a specialist madeW and small group holidays offering wildlife photography tour, led by an Request our NEW seasonal brochure exceptional wildlife experiences. award-winning wildlife photographer? Take a look at their autumn brochure Holidays in the collection include which offers plenty to whet any wildlife- photographing red squirrels in Scotland watcher’s appetite. The Best of Botswana in the snow with James Shooter; pumas trip is a hugely popular 13-day luxury in Chile’s stunning Torres del Paine wildlifeworldwide.com mobile-camping safari. You can expect National Park with Nick Garbutt and 01962 302 088 [email protected] to see lion, leopard, wild dog and joining a team of top photographers elephant in the glorious Okavango Delta and conservationists for the Festival of

landscape. Wildlife 2020 in Spitsbergen to watch Alternatively, join an expedition polar bears, walrus and whales in this icy voyage to the Arctic or Antarctica, domain.

Brentwood Park Ski Slope Cardiff Ski and Snow Centre Warley Gap, Warley, 198 Fairwater Rd, Cardiff CF5 3JR Brentwood CM13 3DP www.skicardiff.co.uk UK Dry ski and www.brentwoodskicentre.co. T: 029 2056 1793 uk/skiing.html snowboard centres T: 01277 211994 Suffolk Ski Centre Bourne Hill, Wherstead, Chill Factore Ipswich IP2 8NQ 7 Trafford Way, Stretford, www.suffolkskicentre.co.uk Manchester M41 7JA T: 01473 602347 www.chillfactore.com T: 0161 749 2222 Llandudno Ski Slope & Snowboard Centre Snowtrax Alpine Activity Center Wyddfyd Rd, Great Orme & Snowsports Shop Tramway, Llandudno LL30 2LR Matchams Ln, Christchurch www.jnlllandudno.co.uk BH23 6AW T: 01492 874707 www.snowtrax.eu T:01202 499155 Gloucester Ski & Snowboard Alpin Snowsports Southampton Centre Thornhill Rd, Southampton SO16 Matson Ln, Matson, Glos. GL4 6EA 7AY www.gloucesterski.com activenation.org.uk T: 01452 501438 T: 0300 020 0135 Stoke Ski Centre Alpin Snowsports Aldershot Festival Park, Stoke-on-Trent Gallwey Rd, Aldershot GU11 2DD ST1 5PU activenation.org.uk www.stokeskicentre.co.uk T: 01252 325889 T: 01782 204159

Snowdome Chel Ski (Ski and Snowboarding) Leisure Island, Riverdrive, 4 Sotheron Place, Fulham, Tamworth B79 7ND London SW6 2EJ www.snowdome.co.uk www.chel-ski.uk T: 0344 800 0011 T: 020 3829 6961 0204646 7738 2348 November 2019 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today 46 Lifestyle & Health FESTIVE AWAY BREAKS & SPA TIME OFFERS

ENJOY A FESTIVE BREAK THIS CHRISTMAS. PREPARE TO BE PAMPERED AND RELAX. If this sounds like your ideal winter then look no further, as we have found the perfect deals for you. KCW Today have compiled a detailed listing of Hotels and Spas in and around London that have both festive and tranquil spa deals that will be sure to make your winter magical. In this listing you will find deals that include festive afternoon tea, weekend breaks that include breakfast and full use of the spa facilities, and if you’re looking for something more suitable for children, then there are a wide range of deals that include Christmas carolling, Christmas film nights, a trip to Lapland to meet Santa, and many more that are perfect for a family day out.

LONDON HOTEL canapes, a welcome gift Spa Packages: Chuan Sunday Urban Spa Retreat, Spa Packages: London Spa (5 course menu including AND SPA DEALS and more.) Detox Package, from £220 from £275 Retreat, from £344 wine pairing.) www.firmdalehotels.com (Offer includes urban (60 minutes spa treatment, (unlimited spa access, Christmas Carols Four Seasons Not open Christmas Day detox, pollution defence Prosecco on arrival and 60-minute rose massage Afternoon Tea and Hamilton Place, Park Lane or New Year’s mini facial, and more.) lunch.) experience, facials and Champagne, £95 per adult London, W1J 7DR. www.langhamhotels.com www.firmdalehotels.com more) available until 31st of (Every weekend from 020 7499 0888 The Spa - In Dolphin Only open on New Year’s Open Christmas Day and December. November 16th to Highlights: Black pearl Square Day New Year’s Day www.marriott.com December 22nd) 24k golden splendour; Chichester St, London, Open Christmas Day and www.dorchestercollection. Massages; seaweed wrap. SW1V 3LX ESPA Life at Corinthia The Mayfair Hotel Spa New Year’s Day com Spa Package: Experience 020 7798 6767 London, SW1A 2BD, UK St, Mayfair, London, Open Christmas Day and the private sky suite, from Highlights: Cleaning & 020 7321 3050 W1J 8LT Leonardo Royal Hotel New Year’s Day £150. purifying treatments; Highlights: Acupuncture; 020 7915 2826 8-14 Cooper's Row (This suite provides Moroccan cleansing rituals; beauty facials; osteopathy; Highlights: Moroccan London, EC3N 2BQ One Aldwych stunning views of Hyde massages. natural face lifts. steam cleansing ritual; 020 7863 3700 1 Aldwych, London, Park and the London Spa Packages: Moroccan Spa Packages: Indulgent chocolate orange massage; Highlights: Diamond WC2B 4BZ skyline.) Signature Rituals; Relaxation Package; body scrubs. energy facial; 020 7300 1000 www.fourseasons.com/ from £69 from £425 Spa Packages: City Dweller body massage; Festive Packages: london/spa/ (Experience the Hammon Time for Tea package, Package, from £270. pregnancy facial treatment Christmas Day lunch, Open Christmas Day and Ritual followed by a shea Monday - Thursdays £285 (Offer includes a 45 minute Spa Packages: Luxurious from £130 New Year’s. butter massage infused or Friday – Sunday £315 treatment, a glass of Group Pampering Day, Festive Film & Fizz with with gold.) (Afternoon tea and spa champagneand more.) from £60 Curzon, from £60 Bulgari Hotel Spa Arabian Ceremony; from treatments) www.themayfairhotel.co.uk Rena Pure Bliss Package, (Watch a classic Christmas 171 Knightsbridge £69 www.espalifeatcorinthia. Open Christmas Day and from £80. Weekdays only film with a glass of London, SW7 1DW (Includes a full body com. New Year’s Day www.leonardohotels.co.uk champagne followed by a 0207 151 1010 exfoliation and a back Open Christmas Day and Open Christmas Day and three-course dinner.) Highlights: 24 carat gold massage.) New Year’s Day. The Montcalm London New Year’s Day www.onealdwych.com skin masks; spa.dolphinsquare.co.uk Marble Arch Open Christmas Day, and gentlemen’s grooming; Open Christmas Day and Margaret Dabbs Sole Spa 2, Wallenberg Place, New Year’s Day derma pen New Year’s Day. at Liberty London LONDON HOTEL hydration facial. Great Marlborough St, W1H 7TN, & SPA FESTIVE Akasha at Spa Packages: Living, Bamford Haybarn Spa at Soho, London W1B 5AH 020 7958 3212 DEALS Hotel Café Royal Loving & Letting Go, the Berkeley 020 7486 9273 Highlights: Algae facials; 50 Regent St, Soho from £380. Wilton Place, Highlights: Detox baths; kids’ massage The Lanesborough London, W1B 5AS (includes lunch, treatments Knightsbridge, acupuncture; reflexology radiant facial for men 2 Lanesborough Place 0207 406 3360 and day use of the spa London, SW1X 7RL and a nail spa Spa Packages: London, SW1X 7TA Festive Packages: facilities) 020 7235 6000 Spa Packages: Express Gentleman’s Time Spa 020 7333 7064 Christmas Magic at Cafe Osteopathic Health Highlights: LED Rejuvenation Package, from £225 Festive Packages: Royal, from £1,425 Journey, from £300. Detoxing facial; gold fine Programme, from £175 Relaxation Package, from Festive afternoon tea, from (A family stay which (Osteopathy and body wrap with champagne (Six 15-minute £180 £60 includes a trip to Lapland naturopathy techniques for and grapes. Rejuvenation facials) Ultimate Spa Package, (20th November 2019 to meet Santa) 90 minutes.) Spa Packages: Weekday www.margaretdabbs.co.uk from £300 till 7th January 2020) The Queen of Afternoon www.bulgarihotels.com Sky High package, from Closed Christmas Day and www.montcalm.co.uk Festive Lunch, from £49 Tea Festive Editions, from Open Christmas Day and £175. New Year’s Day 08/10 Emailed. per person £55 New Year’s. www.the-berkeley.co.uk No treatments available on (21st of November till 21st (11th November – 5th Open Christmas Day, Soholistic Spa at Ham Christmas Day of December 2019) January) Covent Garden Hotel Closed New Years Day Yard Hotel and New Year’s Day, but www.oetkercollection.com Christmas Day Dinner - 10 Monmouth Street 1 Ham Yard, London, spa is still open. Open Christmas Day and from £140 per adult. London, WC2H 9HB Chuan Spa at the W1D 7DT New Year’s Day www.hotelcaferoyal.com 020 7806 1000 Langham, London 020 3642 2000 St Pancras Renaissance Only open to residents on Highlights: Champagne 1C Portland Pl, Highlights: Facials; mum- Hotel London The Dorchester Spa Christmas day but and truffles deluxe facial; Marylebone, to-be massage; wraps; Euston Rd, Kings Cross, 53 Park Lane, Mayfair open to every one New massages; body wraps. London, W1B 1JA hypoxic gym. London, NW1 2AR London, W1K 1QA Year’s Day Spa Packages: Relax and 020 7636 1000 Spa Packages: City Retreat 020 7841 3540 020 7629 8888 Rejuvenate package, from Highlights: Package, from £175 Highlights: Jet Lag Festive Packages: The Connaught £552. London’s first salt sauna; (Three 30-minute Massage; C plus energy Christmas Day lunch, Carlos Place, Mayfair (Includes, spa treatments, a A couple’s suite; detox treatments, spa time and a massage; lift and contour £300 per adult and £150 London, W1K 2AL glass of champagne, treatments. two-course lunch.) facial per child 47 November 2019 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today www.KCWToday.co.uk Lifestyle & Health online: www.KCWToday.co.uk

020 7499 7070 arriving on the 23rd or Nr Forest Row, New Year’s Eve Dinner, Festive Packages: 24th of December. Three East Sussex, RH18 5JR Celebration and Stay, from Christmas at The days full of Christmas 01342 824988 £230 Connaught, from £2,505 activities, treats and a horse Festive Packages: Includes accommodation, (A two day stay arriving on drawn carriage ride around Christmas Day Lunch, champagne, a canape 24th of December only. Mayfair with hot chocolate from £129 per person reception and a 5-course Offer includes festive and marsh mellows. Boxing Day Lunch, from meal treats and a horse-drawn www.claridges.co.uk £66 per person www.alexanderhotels.co.uk carriage) Open Christmas day and New Year’s Day Lunch, Open Christmas Day and www.the-connaught.co.uk New Year’s. from £45 New Year’s. Shut to the public www.ashdownpark.com

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manipulates them so Negin Aesthetics at MichaelJohn as to stimulate the Medispa: rejuvaLIFT treatment Negin Aesthetics all-important cells. £250 60 minutes The treatment finishes NeginAesthetics.com for advanced non- at MichaelJohn with Negin’s magic surgical cosmetic treatments for the face hands and more gentle and body © MichaelJohn Photograph Belgravia lymphatic drainage. 6 Ellis Street, Belgravia; next door but Once finished I one to the MichaelJohn hair salon can’t wait to see the results and the face I Michaeljohn Medispa ’ve always found standard facials a see in the mirror is a is women’s best loved atelier for beauty bit hit and miss. Lovely and relaxing more sculpted, lifted, treatments with skin specialists Beata yes, but never really delivering results and glowing me. My and Jyoti who offer advanced laser that persuade me to part regularly with skin is plump and the treatments and bespoke facials from IPL, I redness has subsided. I my money. Whilst in your twenties pigmentation, redness, acne, face-body, you might be seduced by the idea of a really do look younger. tightening and lifting. DermaMelan, pampering experience, in your forties I’m dehydrated and spots the redness The lymphatic drainage around my eyes for hormonal based pigmentation. and beyond you just want to see results. brought about by some over enthusiastic and jawline has produced particularly Mesotherapy, for face, body and hair Enter the delightful Negin Erfani, exfoliation (an ill-advised combination exciting results and I’m thrilled. Non- (anti-loss therapy), to Tattoo removal, an aesthetician of global renown, who of retinol, glycolic acid and physical invasive and no downtime, this is the Men’s facial, Carbon peel, Dermaplaning offers non-invasive treatments at the exfoliation). My poor face has revolted; perfect treatment before a special event. and Global EYECON for dark circles, MichaelJohn Medispa in Belgravia. it’s red, sore and in need of serious help. Negin continues to advise me and under-eye bags. Bespoke facials with Cosmopolitan, softly spoken and Having taken rejuvaLIFT all over given my recent sensitivities I’m told to Environ, Skin Ceuticals, Dermaquest, beautiful, Negin’s client care is second the world, and with a background in strip back my skincare routine entirely. Diamond Flower Peel, Oxygen Infusion, to none. Her signature treatment is the science, Negin is passionate about the I’m advised to use only two products on Mesotherapy, CACI Synergy as well as rejuvaLIFT facial which promises to lift select treatments she offers because she my skin for the next few months, both waxing, massage and threading. and sculpt my face courtesy of a machine knows they deliver the results her clients of them inexpensive and I’m as excited Last but not least MJ’s doctor; Dr which delivers electrical currents want. In safe hands, I fall onto the to try them as though they were a fancy Sylvie Bourrée who is an expert in directly to the skin. The batteries in heated massage table for some blissful £500 moisturiser. Only once my skin has aesthetic medicine and according to our cells diminish as we get older and repose whilst she gets to work on my repaired am I allowed to book in for a the Daily Mail one of France’s leading the rejuvaLIFT, developed by a British troublesome face. Glow Skin Peel Facial. cosmetic surgeons. She splits her time scientist, will happily recharge them, My face is cleansed, a cool gel is An aesthetician who evaluates with between Paris, Cannes and Belgravia. returning skin and muscle tissue to a applied and the rejuvaLIFT machine careful consideration, recommends She specialises in subtle lip procedures healthy state. gets down to business. You can barely bespoke solutions, doesn’t push products for an extremely natural result. Her Negin’s consultation is not your hear its gentle hum and it is an entirely or unnecessary treatments and delivers treatments: Wrinkle, Hyaluronic fillers, standard, soulless, tick-box exercise. relaxing hour as the prongs deliver fabulous results. How utterly refreshing! Silhouette Soft Thread Lift and Dr We talk, and she correctly identifies their currents of goodness and Negin Bourrée Signature Face Sculpting. 48 November 2019 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today www.KCWToday.co.uk Lifestyle & Health

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one breast has changed shaped or feels Nipple changes unusually hard or heavy, you should get Jennifer Hu says: “When checking this checked out as sometimes this can your breasts, it’s important to pay be a symptom of breast cancer.” attention to the nipple too, as breast cancer signs can present here too. The nipple could appear as though it’s been

Photograph © HCA Healthcare Photograph Skin changes Jennifer Hu says: “Whilst examining pulled into the breast, or it could just your breasts, it’s important to pay look slightly different to how it usually attention to the appearance of the skin. does; perhaps a change in its position or I recommend checking in front of a shape. mirror, so that you can properly examine This can be a particular concern if every area of the breast, including the the symptom comes on suddenly and is parts that are slightly more difficult unexplained. to see normally. Again, changes in Another important symptom to look the skin can be for a variety of reasons out for is discharge or any liquid leaking but in some cases it can be a sign of from the nipple, especially if this is a breast cancer, so it is important to get reddish colour. If you notice discharge examined by a breast specialist. from your nipple you should seek Specifically, you should look out medical advice quickly as this can be an To help provide some guidance on for skin dimpling; an indentation of indication of breast cancer.” exactly what to look out for, Jennifer Hu, an area of the breast skin. This can Checking for Oncoplastic and Reconstructive Breast have the appearance of an orange peel Unusually warm or pink skin Consultant at The Lister Hospital, part (peau d’orange) or any ulcer that is not Jennifer Hu says: “A rare form of Breast Cancer of HCA Healthcare UK, outlines some healing.” breast cancer (inflammatory breast of the lesser known symptoms of the cancer) can mimic breast infection When checking your breasts it disease. Constant, unusual pain in your (mastitis or breast abscess) i.e. breast breast or armpit warmth, redness, swelling, itching and is important to know exactly Changes in breast size, shape and Jennifer Hu says: “The majority of discomfort. This may be accompanied what to look out for, while texture women experience breast pain in their by raised, painful lymph nodes under lives, but breast pain, in the absence the arm (on the same side as the effected lumps are the most well- Jennifer Hu says: “Breasts can change in size and texture for a number of any other symptoms, is an unlikely breast) known symptom of breast of reasons, such as menstruation or symptom of breast cancer. However, It is essential to seek an urgent if you are experiencing unexplained, medical opinion if you experience these cancer there are other changes pregnancy, which is why it’s important for women to identify what level of prolonged pain in the breast or symptoms.” to be aware of and look out fluctuation is normal for them. armpit, then you should seek medical consultation.” for too. However, if you have noticed that 020 7738 2348 November 2019 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today 49 Lifestyle & Health online: www.KCWToday.co.uk

UK. Acute prostatitis requires urgent Prostate: the facts Early diagnosis of prostate cancer is medical attention, often an admission By Dr Raj Chandok crucial in achieving increased survival to hospital for intravenous antibiotics rates, with increasing awareness and and the symptoms result in men feeling increasing PSA (Prostate Specific generally unwell with fever, shivers, Antigen) blood testing, prostate cancer is sickness, abdominal or scrotal pain, increasingly being diagnosed. urinary symptoms including burning For the November issue, Men with Afro-Caribbean origins, when passing urine, difficulty passing obesity and men with a family history urine and sometimes blood in the urine. I shall focus on prostate of prostate cancer such as a father or Professor Prokar Dasgupta, who conditions; interestingly before brother who has had prostate cancer are pioneered robot-assisted urological at increased risk of developing prostrate surgery in the UK at Guy’s Hospital the advent of modern urology cancer. The most common age at London and provides robot-assisted surgical techniques, men used diagnosis is between 65 to 69 years. keyhole surgery at the London clinic in Sometimes prostate cancer is Devonshire Place, kindly advised me in catheters (derived from the diagnosed in men who have no my research into prostate conditions for Greek, meaning ‘to let or send symptoms, the above lower urinary tract this article. symptoms can occur due to prostate During this month, a leading charity down’ ) for several millennia cancer and in addition prostate cancer BPH can be treated with lifestyle known as Movember encourages men to made from various materials may cause erection problems, blood in changes, medication and surgery. grow moustaches to raise awareness of the urine or in the semen. men’s health issues, I am hoping that by to relieve painful urinary Being a general practitioner I often the end of Movember I shall be giving retention. In fact, it was see men who want to have a Prostate Prostatitis Lord Kitchener a run for this money! Specific Antigen (PSA) test. A PSA quite common for Victorian test is simple blood test that measures a This condition is a result of infection Dr Raj Chandok is a General gentlemen to carry a catheter protein called PSA in your blood, PSA or inflammation of the prostate and is Practitioner and Commissioner working is produced by both prostate cancer cells common in both young and old men. to deliver patient-centred, high quality within the band of their top and normal prostate cells. An elevated This condition can produce intermittent/ Long Term Conditions care across hats, thus allowing convenient PSA level can indicate that a man may chronic or sudden onset symptoms. North West London. have prostate cancer, however about 3 self catheterisation to relieve out of 4 men with an elevated PSA level themselves. will not have cancer but may just have to assess the long-term effects of regular a normal prostate, prostatitis or benign PSA testing in these men. But they prostatic hyperplasia. Also importantly Men over 40 believe their results are already so clear- The prostate gland in 15% of men with prostate cancer, the cut that guidance needs to change as PSA level may be normal. with BRCA2 soon as possible rather than wait up to The prostate is a walnut-sized gland, Prostatecanceruk.org is a very useful gene fault 10 years for long-term survival data. between the bladder and penis in resource and provides support for men The European Association of men. The function of the prostate is to diagnosed with prostate cancer or ‘should receive Urology’s guidelines committee will now produce a fluid which contributes to concerned about prostate cancer and be considering the new evidence and the semen, the fluid that carries sperm. The conditions. regular PSA researchers hope it will make a Europe- prostate often enlarges with increasing A diagnosis of prostate cancer is wide recommendation that all men over age, as it grows it can press on the obtained after an examination, PSA screening’ to 40 who carry the BRCA2 mutation urethra which is the tube that transmits blood testing, a MRI scan and a biopsy, should have an annual PSA test. urine from the bladder, causing problems the majority of men with suspected avoid prostate The BRCA2 gene was identified with the flow of urine. As many as a prostate cancer will undergo a biopsy. at the ICR, enabling families with a third of men over the age of 50 have Depending on the extent and nature cancer, says ICR history of breast and ovarian cancer to be urinary symptoms. When the enlarged of the prostate cancer, treatment will assessed for future risk, and laying the prostate is impeding urine flow, it can consist of active surveillance, hormone groundwork for novel forms of therapy cause a number of lower urinary tract treatment, surgery or radiotherapy. Some Guidelines should change so for BRCA-associated cancers. symptoms. These include: slow growing tumours may not cause The study, funded by Cancer symptoms or shorten life expectancy, that all men over the age of 40 Research UK and a donation to the ICR • Problems passing urine, including these are managed by active surveillance. with faults in the BRCA2 gene from the Ronald and Rita Macaulay Surgery options include open surgery difficulty starting off the flow. should be offered regular PSA Foundation, found that annual PSA • A weak stream of urine and dribbling or keyhole surgery, both by hand and tests were more likely to pick out life- after going to the toilet. robot-assisted, the advantages of key testing to detect early signs threatening forms of prostate cancer in hole surgery are that you are likely to • Passing urine more frequently and of prostate cancer, experts are men who carry the BRCA2 gene fault having to go to the toilet overnight to lose less blood, have less pain, spend less than in non-carriers pass urine. time in hospital, and heal more quickly urging. Men with the BRCA2 gene fault • An urgent need to pass urine. than with open surgery. were almost twice as likely to be • Incontinence and leakage of urine. Scientists at The Institute of Cancer diagnosed with prostate cancer as • The sensation that the bladder is not Research, London, are calling for non-carriers, and were diagnosed at emptying properly. Benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) targeted screening after finding that a younger age: an average of 61 years PSA testing picked up prostate cancers compared with 64. This is a common diagnosis which more often, at a younger age and in more Crucially, men with the BRCA2 Prostate cancer results in an enlarged prostate but is dangerous forms in men with BRCA2 gene fault more often had serious, not cancerous. It occurs in men as mutations than in non-carriers. potentially life-threatening tumours Cancer Research UK states that prostate they get older. Often this condition Testing for the prostate-specific with 77% of these men having clinically cancer is the most common cancer in results in men complaining of the lower antigen (PSA) in the general population significant disease compared with 40% men in the UK, with around 47,600 new urinary tract symptoms listed above, has been enormously controversial, among non-carriers. cases being diagnosed in 2016 and that if the condition progresses sometimes because of the risk that elevated levels The ICR experts believe an annual at the end of 2010, an estimated 280,500 complete blockage can occur resulting can pick out men with clinically PSA test could lead to earlier diagnosis men who had previously been diagnosed in urinary retention when men are insignificant prostate cancers. and treatment of prostate cancer in this with prostate cancer were alive in the unable to pass urine and are in severe Scientists at The Institute of Cancer high-risk group and can ultimately save discomfort. Research (ICR) are now leading research lives.

50 November 2019 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today www.KCWToday.co.uk

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tissue, reduced scarring and quicker muscle comes post surgery. Restoring recovery times, as well as other benefits full function and mobility, and keeping Pioneering like reduced risk of infection and blood back pain away in the long term is loss. often highly dependent on the patient’s However, minimally invasive surgery engagement with keeping strong © BUPA Photographs spinal surgery can have its own set of limitations. and active. Therefore minimising Performing surgical procedures via a muscle damage during surgery is very microscope is complex and increases the important. need for a highly targeted technique. This more holistic view of recovery Built around a philosophy which breaks is at the heart of the iMAS philosophy. down the understanding of spinal The focus is wider than just the anatomy to a new level, iMAS is about surgical technique, with post-surgery truly targeted surgery. With iMAS, a rehabilitation and physical conditioning spinal disc can be separated into seven seen as equally important to helping distinct zones. This provides scope for patients return to strength, and full, surgeons to achieve a far more focused active lives. For more information view of the entire anatomy of the disc about spinal surgery at Bupa Cromwell and surrounding tissue from all angles, Hospital, call 020 7460 5700 or visit and builds a far more detailed picture of bupacromwellhospital.com what’s happening for each patient.

f you or someone close to you needs Masson at the Masson Spine Institute in A truly tailored technique to undergo spinal surgery, then Florida. This knowledge, combined with you will know what a significant According to Mr Aftab this new a skill set of techniques that can be experience this is. The spinal column spinal surgery 'philosophy' can be adapted to suit each patient, means I surgeons can perform procedures that contains all the nerves that your body applied to all types of commonly needs to move and feel. These nerves performed spinal surgeries, including are more targeted than previously carry messages to every part of your lumbar decompression and spinal fusion. possible. iMAS surgery is never ‘one size body and are extremely sensitive; which fits all’, instead usually targeting one to is why any surgery on the spine needs to What is iMAS and what are its three of the seven interpedicular ‘zones’. be carried out with the greatest of care benefits? and precision by an expert team. Traditionally, all spinal surgeries Less muscle damage and faster Mr Syed Aftab, Consultant were performed as open surgery; recovery times Orthopaedic and Spinal Surgeon at meaning a large incision had to be made, Targeting problem ‘zones’ offers Bupa Cromwell Hospital, is the first enabling the surgeon to clearly see the potential for improved outcomes specialist spinal surgeon in the UK to and access the area being operated on. in multiple ways. Not only are patients offer a pioneering form of minimally Recent years have seen a shift towards receiving a more tailored treatment but invasive spinal surgery called iMAS, less invasive techniques. This generally the approach further reduces damage Mr Syed Aftab, Consultant Orthopaedic & Spinal Surgeon at Bupa Cromwell Hospital which has been developed by Dr Robert means less damage to surrounding to surrounding tissue, particularly

significantly. A&E attendance compared with last including referral to treatment (RTT) “Emergency Departments up year; the national increase is 0.4%), and ambulance turnaround times, which Increase in A&E and down the country are seeing “Despite this, the Trust consistently releases the crews in a timely way to be increasing demand, and St George’s achieves its other performance targets able to respond to emergency calls.” waiting times is no exception. We are also seeing patients presenting to our Emergency in South West Department with more acute healthcare London hospitals needs than previously. However, we are By Anandi Shah working hard to reduce waiting times, and to improve the experience of patients visiting our ED. We have opened a More and more patients in South West number of new ambulatory care units, London are waiting for longer than four which is helping to reduce pressure on hours to be treated in A&E according to our ED. We continue to urge the public new statistics released by the NHS. to use our services wisely, and to only In September this year, just over 82% access the Emergency Department at St of patients at St George’s University George’s for urgent, emergency care,” Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust stated a spokesperson for the Trust. waited less than four hours in A&E. Kingston Hospital NHS Foundation This meant that 2,560 patients had to Trust did not fare much better. wait more than 4 hours. Although it dealt with 86.2% of patients While the average for England was within the target four hours this not much higher at 85.4%, both were far September (which was above average for below the NHS’s 95% target. the country), this was well below figures Hospitals are expected to treat and in previous years. discharge or admit or transfer a patient Last September, 1,582 patients had within the target four hours. According to wait more than four hours in A&E. to an analysis by the BBC, this summer This meant 88.4% of patients were seen was the worst for A&E waiting times in within four hours, while this figure England since the four-hour target was stood at 90.7% in September 2017. introduced. Mairead McCormick, Chief In September 2018, St George’s Operating Officer, Kingston Hospital saw 90.3% of patients within four NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Kingston SUBSCRIBE & SUPPORT hours, which was above average for the Hospital has seen unprecedented NHS, despite being below the overall attendances at A&E since the start of KCW Today. See page 22 for details target. However, this has since dropped the New Year” (with a 7% increase in 52 November 2019 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today www.KCWToday.co.uk Science & Technology

thousands of out of this world videos and photos that will leave you breathless. Apps You can also read the latest information on launches and follow countdown By Fahad Redha clocks. You can even track satellites. If you would prefer, you can watch NASA TV. Or, if you would prefer, see the live feed from the International Space Station (ISS). It’s said to be very soothing.

TodayTix Book tickets to the best performances in London, including theatres and Here is a small selection concerts, up to a month in advance. This app promises to get you into the best of apps available for both shows, the best seats, and at the best prices. You can even enter daily lotteries for a chance to win free tickets to West End shows, exclusive front row seats, Android and Apple. Whether and more. And sign up for alerts to find out when your favourite shows will be it’s for education, navigation, available. or fitness, there is bound to be Venmo one of these that appeals to This app allows you to pay people through your phone or lets them pay you. Whether you live with someone and need a way to help settle bills or like to eat you. And best of all, these are out and want to split the cheque, this will help solve a problem we’ve all had at all free. some point. Duolingo Waze Learning a new language can be There are few navigation apps quite like Waze. In addition to turn by turn a daunting thing but Duolingo helps navigation, it gives you live data about traffic along the way and a very accurate make it easy. As with Waze, it’s the estimate of your arrival time. This works because of the Waze community who community that creates it. In this case, send reports through the app. You’ll know if there has been an accident on fluent speakers create a course in one of Kensington Church Street or heavy traffic in Shepherd’s Bush long before you thirty different languages, from Arabic get anywhere near there. It might even change your route if it finds a faster way to Welsh, and even a couple of fictional and quickly updates if you take a wrong turn. languages including Klingon! A few minutes each day is all it asks and it Zombies Run helps you practice grammar as well as And now for something completely different. There is no shortage vocabulary. of exercise apps to help you get fit. But Zombie Run does things a little differently. To make your morning walk, jog, or run a little more interesting, NASA Zombies Run pretends that civilisation has ended and you are among the few Follow the space agency and get an survivors that has not turned into a brainless flesh-eating monster. Put on your unprecedented look into its missions. See headphones and you receive instructions about your mission. The zombies may also be chasing you so you’ll have to speed up and get your heart racing.

could be hiding deep within its Alone in the surface. On other universe end is Venus which By Fahad Redha some believe is a sign of what our own planet used to look like. As the sun cools, a time may come when our little neighbour could How far away we are from our closest be in its habitable living neighbours, or whether we’ve been “Goldilocks visited are interesting questions. Alien zone” where the life has been one of the most common temperature is just trope of science fiction ever since H.G. right. Wells’ War of the Worlds. But if one Further away scientist is to be believed, it may not be is Jupiter’s moon so fictional after all. Europa. It is With all of our satellites and cameras thought by some pointed out it may seem impossible that lurking for us to miss anything like that. beneath its surface that they would rely solely on hydrogen But according to Zaza Osmanov, an trail behind it like a comet’s tail. is an ocean of liquid water. This is atoms for energy. Hydrogen is the most astrophysicist from the Free University “All the aforementioned results possible thanks to the heating effect abundant element in the universe and is of Tbilisi in Georgia, that might be just indicate that if one detects a strange that Jupiter’s gravity has on the moon, present in interstellar dust, the same dust what has already happened. object with extremely high values of opening up a universe of possibilities for that is part of the formation of stars. The idea comes from something luminosity increment,” Osmanov said, where life can survive. An advanced civilization could deploy called Von Neumann probes; self- “that might be a good sign to place the Game of Thrones author George R.R. countless billions of these to explore the replicating spacecraft. In Osmanov’s object in the list of extraterrestrial von Martin wrote Dying of the Light a novel universe. idea, these would be microscopic and Neumann probe candidates. However, about life struggling on a rogue planet They could theoretically be detected so be much harder for our technology new tools that have not been built would drifting through space without a star to by looking at the luminous emissions to detect them. Because of their size be needed to spot these aliens. orbit. from a swarm. Because the probes would they would require much less materials Today astronomers are searching for Arthur C. Clarke said it best. “Two collect hydrogen while flying, they will, during deep space journeys compared life in places closer than we ever thought possibilities exist: either we are alone in theory, create detectable light. To our to regular size spacecrafts. He also says possible. It’s been suggested that Mars in the Universe or we are not. Both are eye they may look like a comet with the once harboured life and that fossils equally terrifying.” 020 7738 2348 November 2019 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today 53 Science & Technology online: www.KCWToday.co.uk DRONES Photographs © PhotoDrones Photographs

t is interesting to reflect on an learning path as benefits of the industry that in the last five years drone have unfolded. has grown to become a significant The film industry was one Icontributor to filmmaking, builders of the first major employers and surveyors, farmers and mining of drone pilots. The low companies. Five years ago, the drone overhead shot which from and its operator were typically the keen a helicopter would blow the hobbyist who built their own flying actors over is now achievable, machine. and at a minimal cost. Simon During the same time, the potential Niblett, a pioneer of drone for drone use was seen by industry, and photography, won a BAFTA with a big input from the manufacturers for The Eagle Huntress. It is in the far east, the engineering design of hard to see a film now that resulting photographs can be used to still in planning stage, helps buyers to the drone became sophisticated. Within does not include some footage shot from calculate the quantity of material in the see the views they will acquire with the a couple of years, the big heavy home- a drone. stockpile. apartment. The Drone offers consumers built multi bladed copter of five years Drones allow easy access to difficult Recently the Royal Museums of photography a wealth of revealing and ago evolved to become a swift, agile, to reach areas of buildings for survey in Greenwich, commissioned aerial entrancing insight, bringing a viewpoint complex and remarkably capable and work, avoiding the need for cherry photography and filming of the Cutty to us that a few years ago you could only useful flying camera carrying platform. pickers or scaffolding. Quarry and Sark and the Royal Observatory, to dream of. Drone operators, as well as the mining companies have discovered that give an overview of the scope and scale authorities, the Civil Aviation Authority by flying a drone mounted camera on a of the museum complex. Developers We are PhotoDrones and Air Traffic Control, and the preset path around a heap of aggregate, have realised that photography from the www.photodrones.com Diplomatic Corps have been on a joint measuring tens of metres in height, the same floor heights of a building that is Hugh Gilbert & Phil Conrad

unsavoury regimes in history. Art and Science Conversely, in a marvellous Gillray exhibition cartoon (pictured) of the early opens at Science demonstrations of

Laughing Gas, the © Science Museum Group Photograph Museum potential for science By Oliver Lloyd to spark paranoia over its subversive and radical potential is also demonstrated. Perhaps fittingly, the display The Science Museum has opened its ends with Einstein new exhibition The Art of Innovation as artists began examining how art and artists have not only reacting been inspired and enabled by new to science, but technological development. Featuring a using their skills to wide array of artists from all periods and understand some of fascinating exhibits from the museum’s the most complex own collection, the display attempts ideas the human to chart the responses, ranging from mind has ever delight to horror, that artists have felt at devised. the discoveries of science.

The exhibition opens with Wright’s Turner’s Rain, Steam and Speed the train where human beings are made into slaves The Art of Innovation: From Philosopher Lecturing on the Orrery, a is the wave of the future running down to the clock, the painting appropriately Enlightenment to Dark Matter classic depiction of the wonder of the a hare. displayed with a magnificent clock from runs until 26th January 2020. Scientific Enlightenment and wonder In that destined to be run down a Macclesfield mill. Exhibited opposite at scientific discovery is a major theme hare, however, Turner shows some of is a work of Futurist art valorising the Tickets are free but require advance among the artists displayed. Barbara the ambiguities of scientific progress; speed of the recently invented bicycle; booking. Hepworth is shown to have used another artistic theme evident in the art style of Italian fascism; a good www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/see- advanced mathematical techniques in the exhibition. L.S. Lowry’s A reminder that technological progress and-do/art-innovation-enlightenment- designing many of her sculptures, in Manufacturing Town shows a world has been embraced by some of the most dark-matter 54 November 2019 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today www.KCWToday.co.uk Property & The Home

produced Lady Hilaire, a Picasso-esque Wool is an excellent natural material. earthenware table lamp, designed, It is hypoallergenic, biodegradable Sustainability & handmade and hand finished in Britain. and recyclable, odour- and dust-mite- good design Made from the by-products of wine, resistant, moisture-absorbent and By Jane Duncan hemp and tobacco, High Society anti-bacterial. Wool is also considered Lighting have created a suspension lamp, a fire-resistant textile. Craftsman Alan compression moulded and handcrafted Oliver’s workshop is based in London;

into a timeless reinterpretation of a he creates handwoven rugs and textiles Photograph © Textiles Camilla Thomas design classic. using a traditional weavers loom and Functional art objects take on a hand dyeing the yarns to achieve the new meaning for Martin Nielaba, exact colours and tonal gradations he s society is born in Warsaw in 1963 he was a needs for each piece. His beautiful green becoming ever- precursor of the trend known today as geometric design rug uses a ‘meet and A upcycling. In the late 1980s he began separate’ technique produced in natural more aware of the creating oil paintings from old or worn undyed wool on a linen warp. out utilitarian objects, transforming Produced in Scandinavia and created importance of making them with a resin lacquer coating into in collaboration with Norwegian environmentally friendly spectacular individual artworks while design duo Vera & Kyte, Epilogue is an pigment binders that provide a durable product choices, retaining their original function. exclusive home accessories collection finish. that uses surplus material from Lundhs Inspired by the coast of the British sustainability and good Real Stone production facilities, Isles Camilla Thomas creates beautifully design are becoming breathing a new lease of life into the woven fabrics throws and textiles for precious natural stone. the home. Using natural fibres such as increasingly desirable merino lambswool gives a luxurious softness, warmth and lightness of partners. © Martin Nielaba Photograph weight. The pieces provide longevity for future investment, creating value for DESIGN FOR today and keepsakes for the future. WASTE REDUCTION Interior architect and designer Tapio

Stone © Lundhs Real Photograph Anttila designs home furnishings, lighting and decorative products. His designs have won numerous awards including the EcoDesign Award and the Green Good Design Award.

Photograph © Kinkatou Photograph Inspired by line and texture of her drawings, British ceramicist Gaby Guz produces unique handmade fired clay DESIGN FOR LOW pots, each design is individually crafted ENVIRONMENTAL and glaze free capturing a uniquely DESIGN FOR IMPACT crafted moment in time. LONGEVITY AND Max Jacquard has established a

FLEXIBILITY strong reputation for innovation and Products made from organic materials, technique, unique amongst UK glass such as wood, wool, and natural stone all artists. His style combines personal have a low environmental impact. There The aim of designing for longevity stories with diverse cultural references are labels, standards, and certifications is to create a space that is adaptable including archaeology, alchemy, science and timeless and one which supresses and craft traditions, resulting in the urge to change the whole design colourful glass sculptures, light fittings every few years. One of the best and vases. ways to achieve this is to choose Roger Nathan was born in Auckland, quality over quantity, classic over New Zealand and has lived in England

Photograph © Alan Oliver © Photograph trendy and simplicity/functionality Recycling, upcycling and repurposing. for more than twenty years, his hand- over embellishments. British award- In these key areas of sustainable design, crafted marquetry tables illustrate his winning independent wallpaper, textile creatives are imaginatively working to academic and mathematical background. and surface designer, Daniel Heath produce functional attractive objects for All components of the tables, including combines craft artistry with sustainable interior living. London based lighting the metal base, are handmade in his heritage materials. His amazing Jumbo and accessory studio Kinkatou, have workshop in Witney, Oxfordshire. wallpaper design is screen printed for a tactile feel and translated to an Inspired by the principals of eco- interior fabric of British sourced cotton friendly design, incorporating corduroy. Available in four colours, sustainable elements and biophilic mustard, raspberry, cornflower and approaches into the interiors of our mint, it is ideal for upholstery and heavy homes can help take care of the weight curtains. The studio only works environment, and simultaneously, with British made class A fire rated ourselves.

Photograph © High Society Lighting © High Photograph that give credible information about wallpaper which passes European and www.jddesignlondon.com the products’ origin and can help you US fire regulations recommended for #jddesignlondon identify eco-friendly products. For commercial spaces. All wallpapers use example the FSC (Forest Stewardship Council Certification) label on wood products ensures that the wood used in the product was harvested sustainably. SUBSCRIBE & SUPPORT Carpets and rugs made from KCW Today. See page 22 for details natural fibres such as wool, cotton or jute have a low environmental impact. 020 7738 2348 November 2019 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today 55 Property & The Home online: www.KCWToday.co.uk

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56 November 2019 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today www.KCWToday.co.uk Business & Finance

contacted and told that it has become simpler and easier for them to switch to THE BUSINESS another lender. FUNDING SHOW '20 businessfundingshow.com/bfs20 Christopher Woolard, Executive Director of Strategy and Feb 20 | East Wintergarden Competition at the FCA said: All-Day Exhibition “Responsible lending is hugely important, and unaffordable borrowing back for its is a cause of significant harm. Mortgage Panel Talks from prisoners are often stuck on more Thought Leaders expensive mortgages. We are removing 5th YEAR barriers to switching in our rules and we FCA confirms would like to see firms make changes to ANNIVERSARY & Highly Competitive their own processes quickly in order that help for mortgage customers can benefit as soon as possible. Pitching Challenge “We are also taking steps to help BIGGER THAN prisoners those who have mortgages with inactive 1-to-1 Meetings with lenders or unregulated entities to ensure he Financial Conduct Authority that they are aware that they may now EVER! Best-Fit VCs & Angels (FCA) has today confirmed that be able to switch and save money.” it has removed barriers that stop The FCA has made some changes Use code KCW10 to claim Network your way to success some mortgage customers from finding a to its proposals in light of feedback 10% off Standard Tickets T received to its consultation, which cheaper mortgage deal. The new rules allow lenders to use include simplifying the definition Access Equity, Debt, Grants and R&D a different and more proportionate of a more affordable mortgage and affordability assessment for customers allowing eligible consumers to finance who meet certain criteria, such as being intermediary fees, as well as product Some of the participants: all in ONE DAY! up-to-date with payments under their or arrangement fees, through the new existing mortgage and not looking to mortgage move house, or borrow more (except to The FCA wants customers to benefit finance certain fees). from these changes as soon as possible The FCA has also confirmed that so the new rules are coming into force customers of inactive lenders and firms immediately. The FCA has been not authorised for mortgage lending working closely with firms to help them Email at [email protected] to find out more (who are unregulated) will have to be get ready.

from the loan charge scandal), it’s an evasion here) the Revenue are being organisation getting its act together. positively emollient. As if someone has There isn’t space in a five-hundred-word told them to back off. sketch to lay out the “facts” as presented, The Wealthy Individual Customers subject them to forensic examination and Group is another attempt by HMRC provide an informed analysis. HMRC’s to discourage entrepreneurship. Such Photograph © Eric Koch/Anefo © Eric Photograph marketing team is relying on that. Let’s is the cost of living in the Kensington go to the analysis. Chelsea and Westminster area, of the Where HMRC gets away with 500,000 people in the UK that fall into the most outrageous behaviour is this bracket, a high percentage of readers highlighting targeted increases in must belong to the WICG; £150,000 their compliance yields. Is the term a year is a lot in the Scottish Borders, “compliance yield” chilling, or legitimate but less in a flat on the Kings Road with professionalism? ‘Honour your enemy’. children at college; a million sterling, the It’s the growth requirement that’s assets hurdle, will target many within the worrying. Focussing on activities M25. Once again London is the UK’s specifically related to enquiries, the loan whipping post. charge fiasco and OECD directives WICG is a “specific team to develop aimed at preventing you going offshore and discouraging foreign investment, an in-depth understanding of the helped provide a boost to the tax-police’s customer’s financial affairs, behaviours collections up 27% to £34.1 billion. That and compliance risks, to using strong department will have that figure in mind data-led approaches to identify risks in when going after future figures. It will a wider wealthy population.” Imagine a live long in the state’s legend. state where you wouldn’t worry. Lennon’s Are we seeing a desperate attempt a greater man than me; he could, I can’t. to match last year’s collection, or even Specially trained big brothers to analyse Imagine living in a country whose the massive growth? It’s hard to tell. your behaviour? Good luck. Honour your state you could trust, which treated all I swap stories with colleagues on the Once HMRC has squeezed you till equally, not favouring its own servants, Tax Investigators Practitioners Group. you bleed, what will WICG do with the enemy spending half of what you earn wisely. (About as near as accountancy gets formidable engine it’s created? By Doug Shanks “You may say I’m a dreamer.” (Lennon) to rock’n’roll.) HMRC seems to have The tax scheme is dead. So are many HM Revenue & Customs’ annual written off 2019/20, or more probably responsible citizens who entered them in report and accounts for 2018/19, all been told to, given external issues that all innocence, hounded to the grave for 300 pages, makes snappy reading. After may have come to a head by the time what are for the state pennies, leaving decades of bungling (it’ll take them a you read this. Even on some of my most behind distraught families. Don’t wait for few more well-written reports to recover egregious cases (we’re not talking about the knock on your door to fear the state. 020 7738 2348 November 2019 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today 57 Business & Finance online: www.KCWToday.co.uk

that the future was “computers”. Would redundancies announced at Deutsche unique experience to other parts of the CAREERS the voice of experience today still claim Bank are the most recent indicator. leisure industry? Maybe move into the that the future is “plastics”? or even FinTech is bringing systemic change to promotion of international attractions? “computers”? My parents, seeing the the whole industry. or the development of educational travel? © www.gotcredit.com generous scholarships available from the The third step is to choose how you likes of British Coal, Tube Investments So, what can you do if your sector is can re-focus on that smaller segment (who?!) and British Steel suggested the headed for long-term decline? of your sector that will evolve and future was “engineering”. The first step is to determine whether thrive. As the Swiss watch industry These early decisions about the sector your sector is being substituted or is faced an extinction event in the face of or industry can be life defining. But redundant. As letter post is replaced by electronic watches and Japanese low-cost pause for a moment to consider whether e-mail, letter post becomes redundant substitutes, a new segment has emerged your sector is capable of sustainable for almost all purposes. On the exemplified by the Swatch ‘fast fashion’ growth or a sector in systemic decline. other hand, when on-line shopping approach to watches. Also, many Making your Take the higher education sector: replaces shopping malls, retailing is historic watchmakers have re-invented as student debts rise, foreign students not made redundant, it is substituted themselves as iconic luxury brands. Future Work decline and vice-chancellors command by a new form. You can be well placed Moving to love what you do unacceptable salaries, is the growth of to bring your rich skills, knowledge What is the opportunity segment traditional campus universities really and experience as a bricks and mortar in your sector? and do what you love. sustainable? Do on-line, blended and retailer to the world of on-line shopping. apprenticeship options herald systemic Merchandising, stock control, logistics, For now, reflect on moving to decline? Is the monopoly power granted buying and responding to trends are all n the classic film The Graduate (1967) to institutions to accredit degrees required on-line. love what you do and do what starring Dustin Hoffman, Benjamin compatible with grade inflation? The second step is to explore how you love. Braddock, (the graduate) is advised Perhaps you saw a glittering career you can extend your network and Iby somebody older (and possibly wiser) in investment banking. Beyond the connections to enable transition to a Charles McLachlan that the future is “plastics”. When I pattern of boom and bust, there are growth sector. If you are a successful Charles is founder of FuturePerfect came up to university in 1979, I decided, unmistakable signs that investment travel agent, can you bring your and the Portfolio Executive Growth with the resolute certainty of youth, banking is in long term decline. 12,000 understanding of what makes a Academy www.portfolioexecutive.biz

persuaded friends and family to persuade to buy ‘tokens’ which were invest hundreds of thousands more used to ‘mine’ OneCoin. Investors Whistleblower in OneCoin, is one of 70,000 British would receive 40% of this commission people who have been unable to retrieve in more tokens to ‘mine’ OneCoin who exposed their investments. The Bulgarian based (the rest in withdrawable cash) and

firm has raised more than £4 billion the number of tokens needed to mine © Flickr/OneCoin Photograph cryptocurrency worldwide but prosecutors allege that more OneCoin steadily increased over far from being an innovative financial time. One could purchase higher value ‘scam’ receives product OneCoin is, in fact, a pyramid ‘packages’ which entitled you to collect death threats scheme. commission from those lower down By Oliver Lloyd OneCoin launched in 2014 but the the recruitment pyramid. The effect of founder ‘cryptoqueen’ Ruja Ignatova this structure was to encourage frantic disappeared in 2017 amidst mounting recruitment as the only way to convert investor outrage at not being able to these coins into actual money was for recover their money and a growing sense new investors to provide revenue to the A British woman who spoke out about that OneCoin more closely resembled a system. In all these features, OneCoin an alleged cryptocurrency scam has multi-level marketing scam than it did co-conspirator Konstantin was arrested exactly resembled a typical multi-level revealed that since her revelation she a conventional cryptocurrency. She has in March at Los Angeles Airport and is marketing Ponzi scheme. has received multiple threats including not been seen in public since. currently awaiting trial. The whistleblower revealed the threats of murder and sexual violence Ignatova is presently under warrant According to court documents, existence of these threats on the BBC since she denounced the scheme. from the US Department of Justice for OneCoin’s principal model was for Sounds podcast The Missing Cyptoqueen The woman, who invested thousands wire fraud, securities fraud and money existing investors to receive commission which may be found at www.bbc.co.uk/ of pounds of her own money and laundering. Her brother and alleged on every new person they could programmes/p07nkd84

6% increase from the previous financial improved compliance with the traffic contraventions decreased by 2.64%. year. management scheme, which sought to Appeals were pursued for 0.62% of all Annual parking Traffic rules and regulations serve a address the high casualty rate at Bank PCNs issued. crucial role in reducing congestion and Junction. Approximately 40,000 fewer All income from PCNs is put enforcement and help make our streets safer for everyone. unauthorised vehicles travelled through towards paying for the provision of According to Transport for London, the area during restricted hours last year, essential traffic and parking services. appeals statistics in 2017, a total of 3,881 people were reducing the probability of a serious Any surplus is invested in other killed or seriously injured on London’s injury or fatality, and improving bus and important transport projects, such published roads, demonstrating that more needs to cycle journey times. as the Freedom Pass concessionary be done to achieve road safety targets. If drivers believe they have received travel scheme for older and disabled ondon Councils has published Enforcement is necessary to ensure good a PCN in error, they are encouraged to Londoners. data on parking enforcement and compliance with the rules by showing appeal to the enforcement authority that “Around 9.6 million trips are made appeals in London for the 2018- that inconsiderate and dangerous issued the ticket. If they are not satisfied in London by car, taxi or private hire 19 financial year. behaviour on our roads is unacceptable. with the outcome, they can appeal, for vehicle each day,” Cllr Julian Bell, Chair L An example of where rigorous free, to an independent adjudicator via of London Councils' Transport and The figures show that London boroughs and TfL issued 5,958,048 enforcement of new road safety rules the capital’s independent appeals service, Environment Committee, said. “Traffic penalty charge notices (PCNs) to has made a significant difference is the London Tribunals. and parking management provided by motorists who they believed had Bank on Safety scheme. The number of Between 2017-18 to 2018-19, the London’s boroughs and TfL helps make contravened parking and moving traffic moving traffic PCNs issued has been number of appeals in London received these journeys safer and healthier for regulations in 2018-19. This represents a reduced in the City of London due to by London Tribunals for traffic related everyone in London. 58 November 2019 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today www.KCWToday.co.uk Motoring & Flight

to New York from Going Green Heathrow, especially one that would take as long takes off as it currently does. The By Fahad Redha green supersonic plane in last month’s ‘KCW Today’ will likely remain a bit of a niche product for the time being as most affordable flights will not t’s no secret that aviation is a large be able to justify the cost. contributor to pollution in the world. But there is one area And with a large number of budget where the planes just airlines, more people than ever are going over the horizon are I expected to excel at. on holiday. A solution is needed if we are to meet zero emissions targets. In Europe the shorter Maybe the solution has been under distances between cities our noses the whole time. What if you are largely dominated by could have an all-electric flight? This rail. Even with a plane is not entirely as far-fetched as it may slower than a jet, flying seem at first. There have been a number still has the potential to of companies, both start-ups and be quicker than taking established brands, experimenting with the train. And with the the technology. lower maintenance and But now that it has gained the fuel cost, it will almost attention of NASA you know it’s certainly be cheaper too. something worth paying attention to. and 12% of transportation emissions this industry. They make far less noise The great news is that The X-57 Maxwell uses a twin-engined worldwide. The 2010 eruption of an than a typical jet and electric motors there are dozens of new designs under Italian airplane as its base but forgoes its Icelandic volcano and suspension of air require much less maintenance than development including larger passenger piston engines for electric motors. This travel is estimated to have saved almost 3 their fuelled counterparts. And because aircraft. Even Boeing and Airbus have is the latest in a long line of ‘X-Planes’ million tonnes of CO2. they don’t need fuel, the cost per flight dipped their toes into it.. The jet engine going back to the Bell X-1 of 1946 With all this talk about electric is likely to be far less than a ticket would has served us well over the past half a which broke the sound barrier. But this cars, not as much attention is given to cost today. century or so, just as the horse and cart is arguably the most important of all. aviation. Aside from the environmental The downsides at the moment did in its day. But if someone offered The aviation industry is responsible argument, there are many other reasons however is that it may still be some you a carriage ride instead of a car, you’d for around 2% of global CO2 emissions why going green would be great for time before you can take a green flight almost certainly turn it down.

We’ve all heard the story of story goes. The GT40 remains iconic to the tractor- maker who, when this day thanks in no small part to its snubbed by Enzo Ferrari, continuous success throughout its racing decided to beat him at his career. But the story behind it is one that own game. But it’s not the has entered into automotive folklore as only time that spite against one of the strangest underdog stories. Photograph © The Henry Ford The © Photograph the Prancing Horse, and Il For the first time ever, David was as Commendatore himself, has much of a giant as Goliath! motivated someone to beat Le Mans ’66 brings this story to the him on home ground. big screen. Christian Bale (American Ford wanted to buy History X and The Dark Knight) plays Ferrari in the 60s and it racing driver Ken Miles while Matt looked like a done deal. Damon (Saving Private Ryan and The American firm was Goodwill Hunting) plays Caroll Shelby, interested in acquiring it for the man behind the GT40. The film its motorsport knowledge follows the story of how Miles and and pedigree. But at the 11th Shelby battled corporate influence and hour, Enzo himself cancelled the laws of physics to build the ultimate the deal after being upset racer for Ford. with the fine print. Telling a story from over half a American car makers have century ago is no easy task. To recreate always had a fascination with the iconic Circuit de la Sarthe as it European sports cars. It was existed all those years ago; the track has returning soldiers after the changed since then to make it safer for “You can do something for Second World War bringing back MGs race cars, four different locations had and Triumphs that lead to the creation to be used. This made it more difficult Le Mans 1966 money, you can do something of the Corvette. And Pontiac has used as the car had to be in the right spot for Le Mans, Grand Prix, and GTO as each shot. And that’s not to mention the for love. But there’s nothing model names for its cars. weather which needed to not only be the Ford in particular has had a same each time, but match the actual quite so satisfying as doing European division for almost as long as weather on race day. Anyone can now something out of spite.” it has existed, simultaneously based in look up the original race on YouTube both Dagenham and Deutschland and and see for themselves just how closely set to work creating what would become director James Mangold got it. Jeremy Clarkson one of the greatest race cars the world Le Mans ’66 comes out on the 15th of has ever seen. November and is a must for anyone with And you know how the rest of the a passion for racing. 020 7738 2348 November 2019 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today 59 Motoring online: www.KCWToday.co.uk

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Rugby World Cup will not be remembered for much. The Japanese Rugby World were wonderful hosts and their team : was the team of the tournament. Shame Cup Thank You on the same founding fathers which clubbed together to stop Japan hosting Japan the tournament in 2011. Let us hope By Derek Wyatt © GoodFreePhotos.com Photograph that America, Canada and Argentina combine to present themselves as the candidates for hosting in 2027. Last year, I made a approach to both the uge congratulation to South North American RFUs but my emails Africa for winning their third must have been lost in the ether. World Cup. They seem to do Of the games, none were more Hit every twelve years. But the stars were thrilling than the Japanese wins over a really the Japanese and their fabulous dreadful Ireland and a poor Scotland. rugby team. For a game which is not losses). Interestingly, France, Wales, Here lies the problem, for rugby per Both looked tired and out of sorts. essential to its culture, their games Scotland and Ireland, four of the se. Too many of the second and third Wales were unlucky to have such a on television attracted the largest ever essential ingredients of the Six Nations tier countries were simply unable to tough quarter final against France which viewing figures in history. The world tournament, have never won the Cup. compete. This is not good for rugby. fortunately for them went to the wire should offer a collective bow or two. Moreover, only France has reached the A decision needs to be made to have a as they clinched it at the last by 19-16. I have been very fortunate to have finals, in 1987 and 2011. different kind of World Cup. It was almost a game too far as their attended five of the eight Rugby World It is worse, new rugby countries like For my money, I would like to see semi final with South Africa showed. In Cup finals but sadly for me not this year. Canada and USA have gone backwards thirty six countries winning their way international rugby you need a backbone Like perhaps a billion other eyeballs I in their development programmes. The to 2023 in France but in three World of forty-five world class players. England watched it on television but fortuitously, wonderful and exciting Fijians, Tongans Cup sections: Tier 1, Tier 2 and Tier showed this when they played out of on a beach in Bali. It was Tough to and Samoan players seeing the riches 3 with the bottom two being relegated their skins to beat New Zealand in the watch England go under. in the game move to New Zealand, from Tiers 1 and 2 and the top 2 from other semi-final in what had previously The competition is simply too Australia and now their northern Tiers 2 and 3, being promoted. It will been an seemingly unbeatable XV. long, longer than both the soccer hemisphere counterparts. There has never happen because the way in which Finally, World Rugby missed its and cricket world equivalents. The been no breakthrough for Georgia or the executive board of World Rugby biggest trick by failing to donate to the preliminary rounds go on and on and Russia and surprisingly Argentina has is structured always ensure that the Japanese Disaster Appeal. They sucked on. Since its inception in 1987 no other floundered. The only team advancing is founding rugby countries seemingly $100m out of the Japanese RFU for countries have won it other than the Japan but count the XV which made it to always have the final say. This is because hosting the event and at least double ‘founding fathers’ of the game: NZ and the quarter finals this time and you will on its main council board, they have two that from TV rights and advertising but SA on three apiece, Oz on two and have seen, not all are home grown. The votes each! You couldn’t really make it could not rise to the occasion. Shame on poor England still on one (and two game simply has not become global. up. them.

Games champion disabled athletes, medal at the 2018 Commonwealth Games that started to alter this, which Louise “a lot of money generally goes to just 9 months later. lauds. She praised the Commonwealth Paralympians the Olympians and not so much the Both these women have competed on Games last year, which showcased Paralympians.” an international level and yet they have integrated events. However, she still on the path to She stresses the need for more disparate training regimes, unique to feels that there’s “more room for governmental intervention to ensure their personal capabilities and health. improvement”, remarking the outrage success adequate funding: “Paralympians are not A key component of training is to over empty stadiums in the Doha By Anandi Shah into politics or administrative issues. We remain motivated to maintain strength, Stadium of the 2019 World Athletics, must have representatives who would or so they say. “I think it’s a myth that a regular occurrence in Paralympic ensure the rest of the world is aware of you can be motivated all of the time. But sporting events. what’s happening.” actually, it’s when you’re not motivated When it comes to inspiring the next Tokyo 2020 is almost upon us and once The Gala raised a grand total of and you still train that it really counts.”– generation, both athletes provide pearls again, the world has the chance to see £59,000. Louise Sugden of wisdom. history being made both in the Olympics Two Paralympians, who attended the “There are negatives as well, when “Don’t pay attention to what and of course the Paralympic Games. event, are successful in their own fields: you feel so unmotivated that you have to everyone else thinks or focus on your The first Olympic Games took place Mary Wilson, a former army nurse, drag yourself out of bed, but then once appearance, just do what your heart says on 28th July 1948, as did, the Stoke who survived a Taliban attack, was you’ve done it, all the endorphins are and give it your best shot. The world is Mandeville Games for the Paralysed. diagnosed with MS in 2004. Ten going and you feel much better.” your oyster. I’m 55 and who would have Since then, The Paralympics has grown years later, on 11th September 2014, Both athletes, have faced constant thought I’d be number 6 in the world!” - from 400 disabled athletes in 1960 to she became the first female captain underfunding, and are supported by Path Mary Wilson 4,328 para-athletes in the 2016 Games. at the Invictus Games, with medals in to Success. Louise provides a pragmatic Sadly, Paralympians are significantly Swimming and Discus and met the Mary surmised why there is such a approach: “Work hard, because you don’t underfunded compared to their Olympic Duke of Sussex, Prince Harry. She is lack of funding for female Paralympians, get anything for free….Enjoy it as well. counterparts; it is still essential for fighting to become the first Scottish criticising the government and other If you don’t, you’ll never give as much as disabled and female athletes to secure woman to compete in Badminton, which sporting bodies for not “sharing money if you do.” their own funding required to train and will also make its debut in the upcoming fairly. Sports are meant to be inclusive It is perhaps unfortunate that in compete on the world stage. Paralympics in Tokyo 2020. for anybody and it certainly isn’t.” this day and age, where we believe that Path to Success is an organisation Louise Sugden is a powerlifter Whereas Louise receives funding for everyone is on a level playing ‘field’, that helps disabled female athletes, and former international wheelchair every weight-lifting target she meets, disabled athletes are still not receiving achieve the funding they require to basketball player. She has competed in she comments: “Other sports are very the crucial funding required to compete. train and compete. The founder, Anita 6 European championships, winning underfunded and driven by results.” Paralympians have been hailed as ‘super- Choudhrie, hosted a glamorous Path bronze in five of them. She brought A persistent issue is the perception humans’ and judging by Mary Wilson to Tokyo Gala on 3rd October to raise home a gold from the 2011 Paralympic of Paralympians. Mary feels that more and Louise Sugden, one can see why. money for competing in the next World Cup and competed in the 2008 integrated games should be put into There are many disabled female athletes Games. Choudhrie deems that the Beijing and 2012 London Paralympic place: “I’m sure some of the Paralympic in similar situations and we can only lack of funding stems from insufficient Games. She retired from wheelchair athletes could beat some of the hope the world wakes up and the right knowledge about these games. Whilst basketball in 2016 and a year later, took Olympians!” people help to secure funding, ensuring sporting events such as the Invictus up Para-powerlifting. She won a silver London 2012 was a game-changer they are all on the path to success. 0206161 7738 2348 November 2019 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today 61 Sport online: www.KCWToday.co.uk

Leinster v Benetton, 14:15 15:00 November 15th, Marathon, 10k, 5k, 20 Mile & La Rochelle v Exeter, 15:15 Glasgow v La Rochelle, 16:15 Hell of A Hill Marathon Day Marathon, Chichester, West SPORTS Ospreys v Munster, 16:30 Leinster v Northampton, 3, Heath Charnock, Chorley Sussex Clermont v Harlequins, 17:30 16:15 November 16th, December 15th, FIXTURES November 17th, December 15th, Hell of A Hill Marathon Day Sikhs In Dawn to Dusk Connacht v Montpellier, Exeter v Sale, 12:00 4, Heath Charnock, Chorley Sunlight Ultra, Ilford, Essex 12:00 Clermont v Bath, 15:15 November 16th, marathonrunnersdiary.com Northampton v Lyon, 12:00 Rother Valley Running Birmingham v Tottenham, London Men's Racing v Saracens, 15:15 Golf: Festival, Sheffield, South International 14:00 Football: November 22nd, November 14th-17th, Yorkshire Marathons: November 23rd, Ulster v Clermont, 18:45 Nedbank Golf Challenge November 16th, November 16th, December 8th, West Ham v Tottenham,12:30 November 23rd, Mayakoba Golf Challenge Wooler Trail Marathon, Las Vegas Rock 'N' Roll Chelsea v Man City, 14:00 Arsenal v Southampton,15:00 Saracens v Ospreys, 12:00 November 21st-24th, Wooler, Northumberland Marathon & Half Marathon, Reading v Arsenal, 14:00 Fulham v QPR, 15:00 Benetton v Northampton, DP World Tour Championship November 16th, Las Vegas, Nevada Tottenham v Brighton, 14:00 Man City v Chelsea, 17:30 13:00 The RSM Classic The Sunset to Sunrise Beacons Trail Marathon, December 11th, November 26th, Toulouse v Connacht, 13:00 Challenge, Coalport, Talybont-On-Usk, Brecon, Chelsea v Reading, 19:00 Fulham v Derby, 19:45 Exeter v Glasgow, 14:15 November 28th-1st Shropshire Powys Arsenal v London Bees, Tottenham v Olympiakos, Lyon v Leinster, 15:15 December, November 17th, Nepal International 19:30 20:00 Harlequins v Bath, 16:30 Alfred Dunhill Championship Phoenix- Firebird Series Marathon, Nuwakot, Nepal Tottenham v Lewes, 19:30 November 27th, Munster v Racing, 16:30 Hong Kong Open Maraton/Half Marathon 3, November 17th, Everton v Arsenal, 12:30 Valencia v Chelsea, 17:55 November 24th, December 4th-7th, Walton-On-Thames, Surrey Shanghai Marathon, Liverpool v Chelsea, 14:00 QPR v Nottingham Forest, Sale v La Rochelle, 12:00 Hero World Challenge Phoenix- Riverside Marathon Shanghai, China Reading v Tottenham, 14:00 19:45 Montpellier v Gloucester, December 5th-8th, AfrAsia & Half Marathon, Walton- November 23rd, November 28th, Home Nations 15:15 Bank Mauritius Open On-Thames, Surrey Kaveri Trail Marathon, Arsenal v Frankfurt, 20:00 Srirangapatna, India November 30th, Oman Desert Marathon, Ash Chelsea v West Ham, 15:00 Sharqiyah, Oman Tottenham v Bournemouth, Running the Rift Marathon, 15:00 Fort Portal, Uganda Derby v QPR, 15:00 November 24th, Swansea v Fulham, 15:00 Halong Bay Heritage Marathon, Hanoi, Vietnam December 1st, November 24th, Norwich v Arsenal, 14:00 Florence Marathon, December 3rd, Florence, Italy Arsenal v Brighton, 19:45 December 1st, Macau Man Utd v Tottenham, 20:00 Marathon, Macau, China December 4th, Chelsea v Aston Villa, 19:45 December 7th, December 7th, The Winter Run to the Everton v Chelsea, 15:00 Castle, Aberdovey, Gwynedd Tottenham v Burnley, 15:00 December 8th, West Ham v Arsenal, 15:00 Reggae Marathon, Negril, Fulham v Bristol City, 15:00 Jamaica QPR v Preston, 15:00 marathonrunnersdiary.com December 10th, Chelsea v Lille, 20:00 Skiing: Preston v Fulham, 19:45 November 24th, December 11th, Venue: Levi (Finland), Bayern Munich v Tottenham, Discipline: Slalom 20:00 November 30th, Birmingham v QPR, 19:45 Men's football: Venue: Lake Louise (Canada), December 12th, December 12th-15th, Town Moor Marathon & Half Discipline: Downhill November 14th, S Liege v Arsenal, 17:55 December 6th, The Presidents Cup Marathon, Newcastle Upon England v Montenegro, 19:45 December 14th, Bath v Clermont, 18:45 Tyne, Tyne Wear December 1st, November 16th, Arsenal v Man City, 15:00 December 7th, Boxing: November 23rd, Venue: Lake Louise (Canada), Cyprus v Scotland, 14:00 Chelsea v Bournemouth, Northampton v Leinster, November 16th, Saturday Maravan, Discipline: Super G Northern Ireland v 15:00 12:00 Emirates Arena, Glasgow- Humberston, Cleethorpes December 6th, Netherlands, 19:45 Wolves v Tottenham, 15:00 Lyon v Benetton, 13:00 MTK Global, November 24th, Venue: Beaver Creek (USA), November 17th, Barnsley v QPR, 15:00 Ulster v Harlequins, 14:15 Lee McGregor vs Kash Frooq Sunday Maravan, Discipline: Super G Kosovo v England, 17:00 Brentford v Fulham, 15:00 La Rochelle v Glasgow, 15:15 (British & Commonwealth Humberston, Cleethorpes December 7th, November 19th, Munster v Saracens, 16:30, Bantamweight Titles) November 30th, Venue: Beaver Creek (USA), Germany v Northern Ireland, London Women's Ospreys v Racing, 16:30 Endurancelife Coastal Discipline: Downhill 19:45 Football: December 8th, December 7th, Trail Series-Dorset, West December 8th, Scotland v Kazakhstan, 19:45 November 20th, Gloucester v Connacht,12:00, Diriyah, Saudi Arabia- Eddie Lulworth, Dorset Venue: Beaver Creek (USA), Wales v Hungary, 19:45 Chelsea v Tottenham, 19:00 Sale v Exeter, 14:15 Hearn's Matchroom, Discipline: Giant Slalom November 21st, Rugby Union: Toulouse v Montpellier, 15:15 Andy Ruiz Jr vs Anthony December 7th, December 14th, Arsenal v Bristol City, 19:30 December 13th, Joshua ll (WBA, IBF & WBO Dark Peaks Trail Marathon, Venue: Val d' lsere (France), European Rugby November 23rd, Harlequins v Ulster, 18:45 Heavyweight titles) Langsett, South Yorkshire Discipline: Giant Slalom Champions Cup: Everton v Tottenham, 12:30 Racing v Ospreys, 19:45 December 8th, December 15th, November 15th, Arsenal v Liverpool, 14:00 December 14th, Tennis: Hardmoors 26.2 Roseberry Venue: Val d' lsere (France), Gloucester v Toulouse, 19:45 Birmingham v Chelsea, 14:00 Connacht v Gloucester, 11:45 November 11th-17th, Topping Trail Marathon, Discipline: Slalom November 16th, December 1st, Benetton v Lyon, 12:45 Nitto ATP Finals Guisborough, North Yorkshire Bath v Ulster, 12:00 Everton v Chelsea, 12:30 Saracens v Munster, 14:00 December 8th, Compiled and edited by Glasgow v Sale, 12:00 Arsenal v Bristol City, 14:00 Montpellier v Toulouse, Marathons in the UK: Goodwood Motor Circuit Half Robbie Moyse 62 November 2019 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today www.KCWToday.co.uk Crossword & Bridge

This is the eighty third Across 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Stolen when short young lady was put before 9 Wolfe Cryptic Crossword the relevant daughter. (15) 10 Proveable proposition made the more Polly Rogers of Sidcup, via email, is last month’s winner, congratulations confused. (7) Please let me have any comments or 12 Old English mixed with two pints 10 11 12 suggestions you may have and remember, surrounding the middle. (7) if you haven’t totally finished the whole 13 Pirate captain sort of A or B perhaps. (5,4) crossword still send it in as the first correct 14 Shape character of Greek doctor. (5) or substantially correct answer picked 13 14 at random will win a prize of a bottle of 15 A tiny amount of broth reportedly made by Champagne kindly donated by Lea and male heir. (7) 18 Attires may be changed on stage. (7) Sandeman. Send your grids either by post 15 16 17 18 19 20 to Wolfe, at KCW Today 80-100 Gwynne 21 Should maybe sought out south. (5) Road London SW11 3UW, or scan it in 23 Drunk rival with a gun is a boorish type. (9) and send by email to wolfe@kcwtoday. 25 Using a car when leaving the tee. (7) co.uk. 26 Racecourse reportedly could burn ones bread. 21 22 23 24 www.leaandsandeman.co.uk/Fine-Wine. (7) 106 Kensington Church St, London, 29 Right reasoning when decided to dig a bore W8 4BH. T: 020 7221 1982. hole. (4-11) 25 26 27 28 Contact Sandor. Down 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 1 Leave out one more Irishman to begin with. (4) W H O L E H E A R T E D L Y 29 9 R O A O M O R A 2 Narrow passage without a spot in the sea. (4) 10 11 O N A I R I M P E L L E R S 3 Picadors may be seen dotted about haphazardly. B R V P L E A H (8) 12 13 B U F F A L O E A R L D O M 4 Travel regularly around border, formally. (6) E R L A A 5 Old record with stitched edge before time 14 15 16 17 18 R O O T S L A M P B L A C K creates short lived writings (8) S U O A L T 6 Spirit of all sorts without ice. (6) 19 20 21 17 Plot a course for one vehicle back to the entrance. (8) H I T O R M I S S E X T R A 7 Confused sons test american headwear. (8) 19 Tiara I am mixing with a sweet liquor (3,5) A C S E M 22 23 24 25 26 8 Road relaid in fit condition is wanted very 20 Early Baron when definite surrounds the indefinite. (5) L E A C H E D M A G E N T A much. (8) 22 Where three roads meet information of little value can be found. (6) F L A A E R T Z 27 28 11 Greeting nothing after satanic underworld. (5) 24 Prayer in Latin translated by unknown character. (6) W H I P R O U N D O L I V E 15 Confrontation indicated by display of goose 27 Temporary accomodation described by article of faith without drug. I B G N I A O D 29 feathers. (8) (4) T O I L E T T R A I N I N G 16 Walk awkwardly in an ugly fashion. (8) 28 Rode around iterate. (4)

Andrew’s Bridge Tips With Andrew Robson Last Month’s tip was “Avoid minor suit games”. True - but you must not avoid bidding ♦s and ♣s at lower levels - minor suit KCW Today part-scores are perfectly acceptable. wishes to thank Dealer South Neither Side Vulnerable

South Deals ♠ K 6 4 3 West North East South None Vul ♥ 7 1 ♥ ♦ A 9 7 2 Pass 1 ♠ Pass 2 ♣ Lea and Sandeman ♣ J 10 7 2 Pass 3 ♣ Pass Pass suppliers of fine wines ♠ ♠ for their long term support J 9 8 7 N Q 10 2 Pass ♥ ♥ of our Crossword. K 10 4 WE J 9 6 2 ♦ Q J 6 3 ♦ K 10 4 S ♣ K 5 ♣ A 4 3 Make sure you visit ♠ A 5 their emporium ♥ A Q 8 5 3 for high quality wines ♦ 8 5 ♣ and liqueurs Q 9 8 6 I have seen players holding hands similar to South’s rebid 2♥ rather than 2♣. This is a bad error, especially bearing in mind that bidding two suits actually shows five cards in your first choice. The resulting 3♣ contract was a delight to declare; all other contracts would have fared horribly. www.leaandsandeman.co.uk/ West led ♦Q and declarer won dummy’s ♦A, played ♥7 to his ♥A and trumped a ♥. He crossed to ♠A and trumped a third Fine-Wine. ♥- noting the fall of West’s ♥K. He cashed dummy’s ♠K, trumped a third ♠ and led the master ♥Q. West trumped with ♣5 106 Kensington Church St, (his best play) and declarer overtrumped. He led and trumped dummy’s fourth ♠, East discarding a ♦; then led his fifth ♥, London, W8 4BH. West discarding a ♦, which he trumped with ♠10. East overtrumped with ♠A, cashed ♦K, and returned a trump to West’s ♣K. T: 020 7221 1982. Declarer took the last trick, his tenth, with ♣Q. Contact Sandor. ANDREW’S TIP: Avoid minor suit games but not minor suits. 020 7738 2348 November 2019 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today 63 Chess online: www.KCWToday.co.uk

added together and divided equally CHESS amongst the pair . The game between Wang and By Barry Martin Howell looked at one stage very much as being a draw, as the Fianchetto Grunfeld opening position seemed to be heading that way until Howell produced a howler that I’m sure will remain with MCC not out him for life, since his own score before this game put him into contention for a top spot if he could win! He threw the game away and spoke of his nerves getting the better of him as the game n the final round of the FIDE Grand progressed, which didn’t help! Had he Swiss Chess Tournament, held in won it would have put him into the top Douglas, Isle of Man, 8th- 21st Oct of the world league tables and also a Iseveral historic moments happened. shot at the World Champion himself, Wang Hao, China, who hasn’t figured since a win or runner up position would in any prominent way in the last few cast him forward into the Candidates years at the elite end of chess and match 2020! As it was Hao Wang’s win against all the odds, won the top prize bought him an unreserved accolade against the world’s strongest! These of praise from many of the top players included Caruana, Nakamura, Aronian, commenting that his tournament play Liren, Vitiugov, Anton, Anand, and of gave him the final position he deserved. course, Carlsen. It is the latter who also One of the characteristics of the created history by having an unbeaten world’s top players that I like is their run of 101 games from top tournament graciousness in losing and giving openly participation without defeat, and and publicly their praise to the winners surpassing Ding Liren’s 100 games he and ‘new’ players climbing up the ladder achieved without defeat just a few years of success! ago. Carlsen drew in the 11th. and Anand, who played in the final round of the tournament against tournament, celebrated with the Aronian and secured another world first publication of his book, Mind Master: record under his belt. Wang Hao even Winning Lessons from a Champion’s surprised himself, since he wasn’t sure Life, by Viswanathan Anand, 5 times he was going to enter the tournament, India’s World Champion. He said as he fought through a bout of low ‘It’s finally here. The book has been a allows us to reach the middle game with occasion the software was of a generic confidence prior to the match. The 30 beautiful journey. Going back in time. a solid foundation while not depending nature, and only given the ‘end goal and year old from Harbin, Heilongjiang Pausing and evaluating. Almost like a too much on theory’. ‘Strategic plans left to work it out’. It, the hand and arm, province, China, only needed a draw third person looking into my mind and and positional understanding’ he cites took just over 4 minutes to complete in the final round to clinch first place heart. The book is the lessons, life and as his two pillars for outstanding its mission! The Open A1 company with its prize money and a seat at the chess have taught me!’ Published by support! I’m also delighted to see his co-founded by Elon Musk has set a forthcoming Candidates Tournament in Hachette, India, the 2nd largest trade abundant and stated use of the new new learning curve bar standard with 2020, the winner to challenge Carlsen book publisher in the world. Due for technologies, updated so quickly and this success. These developments crack for the World Championship crown. the 11th December, 2019, 312 pages in profusely these days, such as Stockfish, open the immediate future as a place As it was, his opponent, our David English. ISBN-10: 9351951502. This MegaDatabase 2018(Chess Base), and of technological advanced certainty, Howell blundered, some called it a should prove to be a good stocking ChessBase Online Database, for example, but what these may mean to us and howler, and full marks went to Hao. filler for Christmas, for those chess which any budding and ambitious in what shape they may come is filled The 2020 Candidates Tourny will enthusiasts, young and old. Anand also young chess player will undoubtedly with complexity and uncertainty . The therefore have 2 candidates from China, occupies one of the top spots as a great have need of. He thanks Byron Jacobs following chess puzzle is taken from the which is also a first with, countries ambassador for chess, gracious and along with John Emmas for giving him final round of the FIDE Chess Grand only usually managing to achieve one dignified, well mannered and he exudes the opportunity of authoring his two Swiss Tournament, Isle of Man, with representative going through to the charm and modesty, I look forward, too, publications. This book would make an Hao Wang 2726 v David Howell 2694. Candidates event. Ding Liren qualified to reading it! Another new book with excellent seasonal gift for players of all On move 24. Wang played 24.Qb5,.., through the recently held FIDE World professional standing and usefulness levels and age groups, from the young threatening Black’s Rook and Bishop, Cup, covered in my column (see last published in the Opening Repertoire person just beginning to the seasoned Black responded with the idea that issue), which was the tournament series by Everyman Chess, is The Queen’s conker of the club player, and as a attack is the best form of defence at Wang played in and was unsuccessful, Gambit by Damian Lemos. Possibly a refresher to the professional. The book is this point, but left his own back door and came away thinking he shouldn’t Grandmaster less familiar to those on well laid out and easy to read with clear open for White to attack with menace! play for a while, so disappointed was these shores, but with a formidable list large diagrams and an attractive upbeat What was Black’s oversight, and White’s he with his performance. However, of achievements under his belt. He is a coloured cover. It comes in at £18-99p. destructive rout of the Black King? See his latest performance brings with it former Pan-American junior champion, ISBN 9781781942604. And, finally diagram. organisational and preparation factors and at only 15 years of age he qualified the latest twist in the application and Answer upside down below. for the Candidates Tournament. He for the International Master title. He advancement of the A1 story. Although

doesn’t have a team of seconds, that became a full Grandmaster at 18 years in this handy case the device has still 1-0. f5,Bd5.36.f6,Kg2.37.Qc2+,

go along with the likes of Carlsen and of age, and is an active tournament a long way to go before it achieves the Qxf6+,Kg4.34.Qxg6+,Kh3.35.

Caruana, and he doesn’t know if he will player and chess tutor. This, his second sophistication that ‘Thing’ displays in Be7,Rd2+.32.Ke3,Rxh2.33.

be able to manage that side of his future book to be published by Everyman, the Addam’s Family’, a mechanical Bf8+,Kf6.29.Qe7+,Kf5.30.Qxf7+,Bf6.31.

participation! Wang won on tiebreaks the first The Fianchetto System, Opening hand powered by artificial intelligence Kg7.27.Bc5,h5.28. dooming!), is

against Caruana, as the former’s earlier Repertoire. He writes, He writes that, has learnt to solve Rubik’s cube ,’ in support in Bishop Black White’s with

opponents in the competition were ‘the Queen’s Gambit is definitely the a development that could lead to the king Black the to close so encroach

higher rated on average than Caruana’s, most aggressive approach for White at building of efficient robot servants!’ to Queen White the Qe8+,(allowing

although both finished on the same 1.d4,d5.and 2.c4... is also the best move This isn’t the first time a machine has 24....Bc8!).25.Kf2,Bh1.26. was better

number of 8 match points. The second if we want to fight for an advantage. His completed this puzzle, but the first time much ( +?! Rd1 24.Qb5, Answer: and first money prizes were therefore remit was to create a repertoire, that it ‘wasn’t a purpose built one’. On this 64 November 2019 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today www.KCWToday.co.uk Advertisement

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