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kcwtoday
KENSINGTON CHELSE A & WESTMINSTER
LONDON NEWS, GLOBAL VIEWS
ISSUE 0057 D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 6 / J AN UARY 2 0 1 7 FREE (EXCEPT WHERE SOLD)
2 December 2016 / January 2017 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today www.KCWToday.co.uk
Contents & Offices
Kensington, Chelsea
& Westminster Today Contents
80-100 Gwynne Road, London,
SW11 3UW
Tel: 020 7738 2348
E-mail: news@kcwtoday.co.uk 3 News
Website:
www.kcwtoday.co.uk
8 Statue & Blue Plaque
Advertisement enquiries:
editor@kcwtoday.co.uk
9 News
Subscriptions: 10 International
news@kcwtoday.co.uk
Publishers: 12 Opinion & Comment
Kensington & Chelsea Today Limited
14 Features
For news of our podcasts
visit www.kcwtoday.co.uk
16 Business & Finance
18 Astronomy
19 Science & Technology
20 Education
Editor: Kate Hawthorne 26 Dining Out
Art Director & Director Tim Epps 28 Fashion & Dandy
Deputy Editor &
Head of Business Development Dr Emma Trehane
30 Lifestyle
Business Development: Caroline Daggett, 31 Events
Antoinette Kovatchka,
Architecture: Emma Flynn 42 Arts & Culture
Art & Culture Editors: Don Grant, Marian Maitland
Astronomy: Scott Beadle FRAS 46 Classical music
Ballet/Dance Andrew Ward
Bridge: Andrew Robson
47 Architecture
Business: Douglas Shanks 48 Dandy Illustrations
Chess: Barry Martin
Contributing Editors: Marius Brill, Peter Burden, 49 Arts & Culture
Catherine Godlewsky, Derek Wyatt
Classical Music: James Douglas
56 Travel
Crossword: Wolfe 58 Health
The Dandy: John Springs
Dining Out: David Hughes 66 Motoring
Editorial:
Godlewsky, Natanael Mota,
Polly Allen, Ione Bingley, Catherine
69 Sport
Fahad Redha
Events: Leila Kooros, Fahad Redha
70 Crossword, Bridge & Classified
Fashion: Polly Allen 71 Chess
Feldman Reviews: Max Feldman
Beauty: Jayne Beaumont
I wish I had written that: Dudley Sutton Cover picture credits
Motoring: Don Grant, David Hughes,
Gene Wilder: The Film Stage Prince: Paisley Park Records
Fahad Redha Cornwall: Mike Lacy Syria: Jordi Bernabeu Farrús
Music: James Douglas Migrant Boat: Ggia Andy Murray: Kirsty Wrigglesworth
News, Online Editor Fidel Castro: ATG Alan Rickman: Marie-Lan Nguyen
& Arts Correspondent: Max Feldman The Donald: Gage Skidmore Leonard Cohen: Rob Verhorst
Poetry & Literary Editor: Emma Trehane MA Ph.D Team GB: Michael Zemanek Muhammed Ali: Free To Use
Brexit Flag: Free To Use David Cameron: Tim Ireland
Political Editor: Derek Wyatt
Teresa May: Splash England Rugby Team 6 nations:
Science & Technology: Ione Bingley, Natanael Mota David Bowie: Ron Frazier Mark Pygas
Sub-Editor: Leila Kooros Mo Farah: Wikicommons, Forest fires: Wikicommons
Sporting Calendar Compiled by Fahad Redha Martin Ramm Bob Dylan: Wikicommons
Travel: Lynne McGowan, Cynthia Pickard Zika Mosquito: Centre for disease
control
020 7738 2348 December 2016 / January 2017 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today 3
News online: www.KCWToday.co.uk
Stop the World I Cameron and of us are likely to experience in our life
Illustration © Jonnohills
ask if he could time. The European cause was left like
Want to Get Off make a minority
government work.
mustard on the edge of the plate.
Six months on, my best bet is that we
by Derek Wyatt He would have said shall have a second referendum. Theresa
‘Yes’ ”. May, our new PM, always knew that she
The reason I had to complete the negotiations before
thought that was she turned her eyes to campaigning
I
because we were for the next general election in 2020.
shall be glad to be not yet out of the She does not want an election which
welcoming in 2017 in Recession (as we is in effect a referendum on a ‘Euro
all know we are coitus interruptus’. Nor does she want
Havana. I have just about still not out of a succession of legal challenges in 2019
had enough of 2016. the Recession) which ironically would end up in the
It started so well. England and a minority European Courts.
government would So, she has to do the deal on coitus
won the Six Nations after have to find a interruptus pretty damn quickly. It is
the most appalling display at middle way which not possible. It will take at least five
the rugby World Cup which would be good for years. The PM might want to do it in
the country. It just two parts: the political first, as that is
they were hosting. Clearly, the goes to show how relatively easy, and the economic second
English football team wanted little I know about which is not. So Part 1 by 2019 and Part
to better that effort and duly politics. 2 by 2024. I would not bet on it.
Fast forward to The grit in the oyster is a certain
lost to Iceland (the country that fateful day on Donald Trump. His reason to be is
not the retailer) at the Euros. 23 June, 2016 and Pax Americana but it is too late. We
One way and another hardly, a day has are already sipping at the saucer of Pax
gone by without a Confuciusa. America with a late bolt for
Europe has dominated the Brexit story. It has tariffs, walls, fences, privileges and who
year. seeped into every knows what, is a country which has not
strange death of Liberalism. I am more corner of our collective lives. It is never understood that all empires fall.
The referendum ended the political sanguine about George Osborne and ending. Of this wonderful country in which
career of David Cameron. It was brutal. think his best is yet to come. The referendum result surprised I live, we are destined to lose our veto at
His political life had hardly started. True, At a Breakfast the morning after Londoners. It also surprised other the UNO, lose our way in Europe and
he had been Prime Minister from 2010 the 2010 general election I was asked: liberal leaning cities like Edinburgh, lose our influence forever. I thought we
-2015 but only because the Lib Dems “What happens next?” I said “If Gordon Cambridge, Oxford, Bath and Bristol. were wiser.
had gone into coalition for which Nick Brown had any sense he would resign at It was, if you were a Remainer, possibly These are more worrying times than
Clegg’s opportunism finally saw the lunchtime. HRH would then summons the most dysfunctional campaign any any British politician dare admit.
Strikes and fare 31st December-2nd January London
Image © Josh Hicks
9th-14th January Underground users
hikes cause chaos A new compensation scheme for
Southern’s season ticket holders has been
face an average price
rise of 1.9% from
on trains and promised for January, whilst an improved
‘Delay Repay’ compensation scheme
2nd January 2017,
along with an average
Tube was introduced on 11th December to
reimburse a portion of fares to anyone
weekly capping
increase of 1.9%,
By Polly Allen whose train is delayed by 15 minutes or and 1.8% for season
more. Southern’s parent company, GTR, tickets.
also offered a one-off compensation Whilst most
package to season ticket holders for 2016 single and pay-as-
disruption. you-go Underground
fares and Transport
Southern Rail chaos, tube strikes Network Rail’s increased train fares for London (TfL)
and a depleted Piccadilly line has left meant an average price hike of 2.3% rail fares have been
commuters facing a bleak Christmas, from 2016 prices, and a 1.8% rise on frozen, the following
whilst January’s planned increase of Southern and Gatwick Express services. routes increase by 10p
rail fares and Tube fares has prompted Whilst these figures didn’t come close to for adults, 5p for half-fare adults and 5p journeys including travel beyond Zones 9
further anger from rail users. the 6.2% price hike in 2011, they weren’t for children in peak times: Child rate off-peak daily caps are
Due to ongoing disputes between welcomed by the Rail, Maritime and Liverpool Street and Cheshunt (and frozen at £1.50 in Zones 1-9 and
drivers, train guards and management, Transport Union (RMT), the Transport intermediate stations) at £8.60 for Zones 1-9 (+ Watford
Southern Rail customers have suffered Focus watchdog or the Campaign for Shenfield and Zone 2 or Zone 3 Junction). For Zones 1-9 (+Hertford
months of delayed and cancelled trains, Better Transport. East and Shenfield), daily caps increase
and several strikes, inciting anger from “Much more needs to be done by Day Travelcard tickets increase by 10- by 5p - 25p
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, as well train operators and the Government 50p for adults, and 10-30p for children Half adult rate daily caps increase by
as co-leader of the Green Party and to give passengers a truly affordable (except for off-peak child travel in Zones 5p-25p. This includes peak daily caps for
Brighton MP Caroline Lucas, and MP railway,” said Lianna Etkind, of the 1-9). Meanwhile, adults using Group 11-15 year olds
for Mid Sussex Nicholas Soames. Campaign for Better Transport. Whilst Day Travelcards see a rise of 10p in Whilst TfL has frozen fees for many
the Rail Delivery Group defended Zones 1-6 only. customers on trams and ferries, costlier
Southern Rail strikes announced for the new pricing structure, Mick Cash, Tube tickets are yet another issue for
December and January include: general secretary of the RMT, called it Daily capping involves the following London’s many rail users. For updates
13th-14th December “another kick in the teeth for British price rises: on the progress of strike negotiations
16th December passengers”. Adult rate daily caps increase by 10p and further industrial action please go to
19th-20th December - 30p within Zones 1-9, and 10p-50p for www.tfl.gov.uk
4 December 2016 / January 2017 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today www.KCWToday.co.uk
News
Sadiq Khan towards Hounslow.
In a later meeting the Mayor also
Westminster offers tree recycling at one
of the borough’s collection sites; trees less
Strenuous efforts are made by
announces record committed £72 million over the next
four years to help prevent crime across
than seven feet high can be put out with
a yellow sticker as part of the normal Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster
£770 million London, maintaining recent levels of
investment despite significant pressures
collection service. For more information,
check the Westminster council website
Today newspaper to ensure that
for London cycling schemes on the policing budget. His new at http://cleanstreets.westminster.gov.uk/ the content and information is
investment will help to deliver local christmas-tree/. correct. Kensington, Chelsea &
alongside new crime services including support for victims
Hammersmith and Fulham Westminster Today newspaper
prevention initiativess of domestic and sexual violence, knife
crime prevention and rehabilitation of In Hammersmith and Fulham, reserves the right to report
By Max Feldman offenders within the community. Khan Christmas trees will be collected for unsolicited material being sent
spoke about the new initiatives claiming composting from the kerb over a two-
“This new approach to funding strikes week period. Contact Hammersmith and through to the publication.
a balance between maintaining crucial Fulham council website at https://www. Personal views expressed in this
Image © Alex Lentati
local programmes while supporting lbhf.gov.uk/recycling-and-rubbish.
collaborative work between different Wandsworth
newspaper are solely those of the
areas and organisations.” Wandsworth offers a free recycling respective contributors and do not
The Mayor said: "I said in my pickup. Contact: Wandsworth council at reflect those of the publishers or
manifesto that I’d be the most pro- http://www.wandsworth.gov.uk/waste.
cycling Mayor London has ever had.
its agents. All materials sent to
Today I’m delighted to confirm that Lambeth Kensington Chelsea & Westminster
TfL will be spending twice as much on Recycling between 4 and 29 January. Today are at the suppliers’ risk.
cycling over the next five years compared Alternatively, Lambeth Reuse and
to the previous Mayor.” Recycling Centre or one of the collection Reproduction in whole or in part
"Making cycling safe and easier points. Contact: https://www.lambeth. of this publication is strictly
S
can provide huge benefits for us all; gov.uk/rubbish-and-recycling or contact prohibited without prior consent.
adiq Khan has announced an annual improving our health, cleaning up our streetcare@lambeth.gov.uk.
£154 million spending on cycling toxic air, and helping tackle congestion." The appearance of advertising in
in London over the next five years, this newspaper, including inserts or
including new routes in Hammersmith
and the West End. Khan said in a supplements, does not constitute
statement on Monday December 5 that
the cash injection into cycling is to help
A guide to Airbnb to police endorsement by Kensington,
Londoners get about quickly without
having to use a car, bringing both health
Christmas tree 90 day London Chelsea & Westminster Today of the
products or services advertised.
benefits and continuing his policies for
improving air quality. The announcement
recycling rental limit
came only a day before the Mayor plans By Catherine Godlewsky By Ione Bingley
to take control of London’s suburban
railways were derailed by Transport
Minister Chris Grayling. In a dramatic shift in policy, Airbnb has said Labour’s housing spokesman on
The new investment, part of the agreed to police the newly set yearly the London assembly, Tom Copley, who
Transport for London (TfL) draft rental limits on the number of days that campaigned for the change.
Business Plan, also features provisions for you can let out your property in London The new agreement, which comes
creating more pedestrian crossings and and Amsterdam. into force in 2017, means that Airbnb
pavement space. Now reaching a total of The new rules state that you can only will be responsible for making sure that
£770 million, the amount nearly doubles rent out your property, using the short the hosts stick to local limits for short-
the £79 million per year spent over the stay rental app Airbnb, for 90 days a term rentals unless they have the proper
last mayoral term, which places London year in London and 60 days a year in licenses.
roughly level with the Netherlands for Amsterdam. A statement explained that the
money spent for cycling. Airbnb has been embroiled in regulation will “make it easier for hosts
The Mayor will also be appointing a This season, show the environment some continuous struggles against local in London to act in the best interests of
new walking and cycling commissioner goodwill by recycling your Christmas authorities and their regulations as it everyone in the city”.
for London who will be an advocate for tree and evergreen decorations. Here is grew, in cities such as New York, San Some positive analysts hope that
active travel in London. The new plans our guide to your local council recycling Francisco, Barcelona and Berlin. The app the move will allow Airbnb to get its
include phase two of the North-South programmes as well as the independent has been blamed for removing available regulations under control before its
Cycle Superhighway from Farringdon collection services available to the festive housing stock for would-be locals by proposed IPO.
to Kings Cross, which will start environmentalist. driving up rents, emptying the local
construction in 2017. community from city centres and the
It also includes the extension of the Royal Borough of Kensington & drying up of the long-term rental market
East-West Cycle Superhighway from Chelsea in Reykjavik, Iceland.
Lancaster Gate and work to deliver The RBKC will offer Christmas tree A quarter of London listed Airbnb
Cycle Superhighway 11 from Swiss collection and drop off services from properties were rented for over three
Cottage to the West End, which Mr Tuesday 3 January – Wednesday 18 months last year, many illegally and in
Khan has given his endorsement for. January. Collected trees will be shredded breach of an act in place to stop landlords
At least 20 more Quietway routes and composted. becoming unofficial hotels. Critics are
will be planned, making cycling safer Collections will be available upon worried that misuse of the app is putting
and easier in different parts of London request; to arrange a collection, contact undue pressure on an already squeezed
including Hammersmith. The Business Streetline at 020 7361 3001 or at housing supply.
Plan also confirms funding for two new streetline@rbkc.gov.uk, and leave the tree “The problem was that a website that
Cycle Superhighways. Consultations will at the boundary of your property so that was about people making a little money
begin next year on Cycle Superhighway it is visible from the kerb before 07:00. letting out rooms was being abused by
4 from Tower Bridge to Greenwich and professional landlords turning their
Cycle Superhighway 9 from Olympia Westminster properties into hotels by the back door,”
020 7738 2348 December 2016 / January 2017 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today 5
News online: www.KCWToday.co.uk
Image © Gordon Illg
Invest Today help with this important and
necessary transitional period.
in Tomorrow We have a long way to go but
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T
he team at KCW we have a strong online presence
Today (Kensington, to support the editorial and its
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Wildlife
be involved in the paper’s editions online here: www. choose from the People’s Choice Award
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Photographer of
The winning image will be announced
print, by supporting our Our media pack which details early next year once the vote has been
expansion plans with
the Year:
stockists, circulation details counted.
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shortlist announced winners is being held at the London
Museum until 10 September 2017. The
By Ione Bingley world-famous photography competition
The paper’s reputation is such A short history boasts nearly 50,000 entries from 95
that it has built partnerships The Natural History Museum’s Wildlife countries.
and business relationships with Kensington, Chelsea and Photographer of the Year competition has "Judged by a panel of international
some of the country’s most Westminster Today is a 72-page announced the shortlist for the People's experts, winning images are selected for
distinguished institutions and monthly newspaper that serves Choice Award. The winning decision is their creativity, originality and technical
the boroughs of Kensington, now in the hands of the public as they excellence," says the museum.
businesses such as; The Royal
Chelsea and Westminster, and are encouraged to vote for their favourite Cast your vote at: http://www.nhm.
Academy of Arts, The Royal Opera photo.
beyond. In its sixth year the ac.uk/visit/wpy/community/peoples-
House, the V&A, Shakespeare’s Members of the general public can choice/2016/index.html
Globe, The English Ballet, BFI, newspaper enjoys a readership
Westminster Abbey, Houses of of circa 80,000, has built loyal
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TFL, Greater London Authority, term relationships with multiple
Metro Bank, Drummonds, high-end stockists throughout
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and Westminster Hospital, The publishes, designs, writes,
Royal Brompton Hospital, The produces, edits and distributes
Royal Marsden, The Lister, the the title. The newspaper is a free
Institute of Cancer Research, publication which generates
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Hospice, BUPA and many, many on its content and circulation in
others societies, educational print and on our online platform;
establishments, businesses and www.kcwtoday.co.uk.
organisations both private and Each printed edition includes
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time for a different platform to Kate Hawthorne, Editor
6 December 2016 / January 2017 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today www.KCWToday.co.uk
News
London Hospices #hospices4xmasno1 to encourage
hospices to share special messages from More children
Choir and Paul hospice patients or family members.
“The Living Years has been an inspired to read
Carrack important song for me for many years,
but this is the version that means the
by Charity expansion
release ‘The Living Years’ most. Recording it with this incredibly By Ione Bingley
special group of people for such a
By Max Feldman worthwhile cause has created some kind
of magic. It’s a powerful and inspiring
track, and I hope that everyone gets Following its success in Hammersmith in northwest Westminster. The area is
T
behind it this Christmas,” said Paul and Fulham, Children’s literacy charity, in the top 30 percent most deprived
he London Hospices Choir
Carrack, the lead vocalist on the original Doorstep Library, has expanded its in England and contains the highest
joined forces with Paul Carrack
hit. home-reading support programme into proportion of children living in income-
to release an original recording
The London Hospice Choir’s The Westminster. The move will benefit deprived households in England.
of the popular single The Living Years
Living Years track is available for around 40 families and 96 children by According to Save the Children’s Read
paired with a music video shot at
purchase on Amazon and iTunes after lending books and reading support to On. Get On. Report 2014, four out of
Clapham’s Royal Trinity Hospice.
its release on 16 December 2016, and all parents. ten children on free school meals still
The London Hospices’ Choir is
sales profits will be divided among the Delivering trained volunteers into struggle with reading by the age of 11.
made up of 300 patients, families, staff,
eighteen hospices involved in the choir. the homes of young children to read “This is about the joy, the fun,
and volunteers from eighteen London
hospices, which has provided a positive to them and with them, the charity the escape provided by a good book
effect on the hospice community that has works to inspire a love of reading and to and by going into the homes, we’re
inspired members and the public alike. address the literacy deficit often present able to introduce this idea directly to
“I have been given a new lease of in children from the most disadvantaged the parents,” said Doorstep Library
life being part of the London Hospices backgrounds. Marketing and Fundraising Coordinator,
Choir. St Joseph’s Hospice has been like “By bringing books and the joy of Elizabeth Whelan. “It’s a privilege to
a family to me, and now I feel like I am reading directly into these homes, we’re be invited into these homes and it has
part of a huge extended family with 300 breaking the link between poverty and proved as rewarding for the volunteers as
people all wanting to give something illiteracy; we’re inspiring both children it is for the children.”
back to these wonderful places,” said and parents to embrace reading and More than 60 Doorstep Library
94-year-old choir member Lillian John. the life transforming effect it has,” volunteers have supported more than
The hospice choir’s goal is to make said Doorstep Library Director, Katie 350 children and their families this year,
their original recording of The Living Bareham. borrowing 12,000 books to do so.
Years this Christmas’s number one Doorstep’s new programme will For more information on volunteering
track, the choir has launched the Say be based out of the Queen’s Park with the Doorstep Library visit: www.
it in the Living Years campaign under Children’s Centre on the Mozart Estate doorsteplibrary.org.uk
Number of plastic year, after heavy lobbying from MCS.
Image © Pitchero
“In the last decade, our Great British
LONDON H O M E FO OT BALL
bags on UK Beach Clean volunteers have found an
average of ten single use carrier bags for
beaches halves in every 100 metres of coastline cleaned,” Traffic Watch
said MCS Beachwatch Manager Lauren
one year Eyles. “This year, for the first time since
the charges were introduced, we’ve seen a
Dec 10
Arsenal v Stoke City
Jan 1
Arsenal v Crystal Palace
By Ione Bingley significant drop in the number and that 15:00 16:00
can only be as a result of the 5p charge Dec 11 Jan 2
which is now in place in all the home Fulham v Brighton and Hove Albion
Chelsea v West Brom
nations.” 15:00
12:00
This is good news for marine Jan 2
wildlife as turtles mistake plastic bags Dec 13
Fulham v Rotherham Utd QPR v Ipswich
and balloons for their jellyfish prey,
and the items can block their digestive 19:45 15:00
systems leading to death from starvation. Dec 14 Jan 22
It has also recently been shown that QPR v Derby Arsenal v Burnley
some species of seabirds are particularly 19:45 13:30
attracted by the scent of this plastic Dec 17 Jan 22
‘food’.
T
Fulham v Derby County Chelsea v Hull City
he number of plastic carrier bags Beaches in England and Northern 15:00 16:00
found on UK beaches dropped Ireland saw the biggest drop in the Jan 28
Dec 18
by almost half between 2015 and number of plastic bags found during the QPR v Wigan
QPR v Aston Villa
2016, according to a range of surveys September clean up. In Wales, where the 15:00
carried out by the Marine Conservation 12:00
charge has been in place for five years, Jan 31
Society (MCS). the number, just under four bags for Dec 26
The figures are published in the Arsenal v West Brom Arsenal v Watford
every 100 metres cleaned, is significantly
MCS Great British Beach Clean 2016 lower than in any other year since 2011 15:00 19:45
report. In 2015 there were, on average, However, while the Great British Dec 26 Feb 4
11 plastic bags per 100 metres of Beach Clean volunteers did find a 4 Chelsea v Bournemouth Chelsea v Arsenal
coastline cleaned, but in 2016 there were percent decrease in beach litter overall, 15:00 15:00
under seven, the lowest number in over they lamented the huge quantity of Dec 31
a decade. rubbish that they found while cleaning Chelsea v Stoke City
It is thought that the drop comes the British beaches including a 15 15:00 Compiled by Fahad Redha
from the 5p levy on single-use carrier percent rise of general beach rubbish in
bags that was introduced in October last Wales and the Southwest.
020 7738 2348 December 2016 / January 2017 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today 7
News online: www.KCWToday.co.uk
Councils bring in However the Local Government
Association have responded to the
an extra £60m figures by insisting that councils did not
make a profit from parking. The surplus
Take a subscription of KCWTODAY
from parking charges and fines figure was calculated by looking at the
income councils received from parking for 2016/7 and receive
in 2015/16
By Max Feldman
charges and penalty notices, minus their
running costs. a copy delivered
Income was up by 4% and costs fell
by 2% in the past year, according to the
Image © Ben Saunders
RAC, while the surplus figure was 34% Name
higher than in 2011/12. The LGA,
which represents councils in England
and Wales, said local authorities must Address
"strike a balance" when setting charges
to ensure there were parking spaces
available and traffic was not held up
Transport spokeswoman Judith
Blake added: "Income from on-street
parking charges is spent on running
T
he amount of money councils in parking services and surpluses are
England generated from parking spent on essential transport projects,
charges and fines has risen such as tackling the £12bn roads repair
by more than £60m in the past year, backlog, creating new parking spaces
according to new research. and providing subsidised bus travel for
The RAC Foundation said local children or elderly residents." 11 month’s subscription
authorities made a surplus of £756m in The Department for Communities £ 38.00 (Tick box)
2015/16; 9% higher than in 2014/15. and Local Government said it was
Director Steve Gooding said the supporting a private member's bill by
"eye-wateringly large" amounts was a Conservative MP David Tredinnick to Fill out form with cheques made payable to:
reflection of the increasingly fraught make it easier for English councils to Kensington, & Chelsea Today Limited
competition for parking spaces. lower parking charges at short notice. and send to Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today,
Westminster tops the country for A spokesman added: "We've been clear 80-100 Gwynne Road, London SW11 3UW or email: news@KCWtoday.co.uk.
parking charges, collecting a total of councils shouldn't use parking as a cash Or telephone 020 7738 2348 to pay
£55.9 million in fines, with Kensington cow and many recognise the benefits By BACS or visit www.KCWtoday.co.uk to pay by PayPal.
and Chelsea in second place at £34.2 that reduced or free parking has on
million. encouraging footfall on the High Street."
Epic CIC inspires range of challenges; unemployment, lack previously unavailable. We welcome
Images © EPIC
of qualifications, mental health problems, the continued financial support from
young people living with a disability, substance misuse
issues, youth crime and gang problems
the Council but like all councils, the
Royal Borough is faced with significant
to achieve their potential and others. Our starting point is always financial challenges. The independent
to focus on young people’s potential mutual model provides us with the
rather than exclusively on problems and opportunity to bridge the financial
deficits. We work to raise aspirations and gap. For example, we have just been
ensure that young people become assets announced as a Santander charity
Epic CiC is an innovative in their community rather than burdens. partner for 2017. Santander will bring
organisation based in Kensington It’s an approach that pays dividends. 99% both financial support and volunteers to
and Chelsea. Its mission is to of our service users rate us as ‘good to work with young people.
excellent’. We see the Epic mutual model as the
inspire young people to achieve
In our new independent guise we way forward not just for youth services,
their potential. This is the story are able to attract funds from sources but for large swathes of the public sector.
of Epic CIC as told by its MD, 2014. Our aim is to establish a thriving The Government is keen to promote this
Brendan O’Keefe. social enterprise combining the best of model and the Royal Borough is in the
the public sector ethos with a strong forefront of this exciting innovation.
Epic CIC began life as the Royal commercial dynamic. We have employees We are always delighted to hear
Borough’s youth service. A while ago I elected to the Board of Directors who from anyone interested in supporting,
was summoned to the Chief Executive’s sit alongside NEDs recruited from the sponsoring or volunteering with Epic’s
office for a conversation that went like local business community. The employees services.
this: ensure the views of staff are represented If you would like to find out more,
“We love the youth service but we (the mutual element) and the NEDs visit our website www.epiccic.org.
cannot afford it any more so you are provide strong commercial acumen. uk or contact Brendan O’Keefe
going to have to find a way of running We support 4000 young people brendan.o’keefe@epiccic.org.uk
it with a lot less money”. The Council annually, helping them to overcome
was of necessity taking a hard look at barriers in order that they may achieve
its financial outlay. I knew also that if their dreams and ambitions. It can come
we wanted to maintain a viable youth as a surprise to some that the Royal
support service, only a radical solution Borough has so many children and young
would suffice. people with significant support needs
The Chief Executive’s challenge but this is undoubtedly the case. 24% of
led directly to the creation of Epic children under 16 in the Royal Borough You can also follow this link to our social
CIC, the UK’s first independent youth are officially designated as living in impact report:
service mutual and community interest poverty. epiccic.org.uk/user_uploads/files/
company. We went live on the 1 January The young people we support face a EPIC%20Report%20WEB%206_7.pdf
8 December 2016 / January 2017 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today www.KCWToday.co.uk
Statue & Blue Plaque
Blue Plaque:
chose 'Jordan' the Press realised she was living with the
Image © National Portrait Gallery
seeing her escape Duke they left her alone.
from Ireland across Dorothy enjoyed his status and warm
Dorothy Bland. the water as like
crossing the river
nature. He had left the Navy and needed
an anchor and a home. She stopped him
Mrs Jordan Jordan in the Bible.
An affair with
drinking too heavily and generally advised
him well.
Charles Doyne She performed good works founding a
followed ( he did free school for girls and a female friendly
actually propose society. She was very generous to her
T
marriage, but was daughters.
he Greater London Council erected
a Blue Plaque at 30 Cadogan rejected). This Eventually the Duke and Dorothy were
Place, Chelsea in 1975 honouring was followed by not spending much time at Bushy House.
Dorothy Bland, later known as Mrs an affair with Sir He was under pressure to find a rich wife.
Jordan. She was a beautiful Irish actress Richard Ford They separated in 1811. He made a legal
and courtesan who became the long term which produced financial settlement for her and she was
mistress and companion of the Duke of three illegitimate granted custody of the daughters. The sons
Clarence, before he became King George children. stayed with their father. He stipulated she
IV. They had ten illegitimate children, all Being so pretty, was not to return to the stage. However,
of whom took the name Fitzclarence. lively, intelligent poverty drove her to do this. Her sons in-
Dorothy, sometimes known as and an actress law were very demanding in their requests
Dorothea or Dora, was born in Waterford brought her to the for money from her.
in Ireland. Her father was Francis Bland, attention of the Dorothy Bland fled to France in 1815
a stage hand and her mother was Grace Duke of Clarence, and died at St Cloud near Paris in 1816.
Phillips, an actress. Her parents were and they started an The National Portrait Gallery has
married but her father's father declared the affair which was several portraits of this beautiful mistress to
marriage void owing to the young age of to last for twenty a future King.
his son. Dorothy’s father left his family to years and produce That future King, George IV,
marry an Irish actress. He did provide for ten illegitimate commissioned Sir Francis Chantrey to
them, but they were very poor. Dorothy’s children. They make a statue of her to be placed in
mother put her on the stage at the age of all took the name Westminster Abbey as a memorial. This
thirteen, having worked for a short period in comedy, appearing in School for Scandal Fitzclarence. They did not happen. The statue passed to the
as a milliner in Dublin. as Mrs Teazle. Richard Daly was manager made their home at Bushy House which first Earl of Munster, who bequeathed it to
Dorothy made several successful stage at Drury Lane and she had one of her was developed for them by Sir John Soane Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II in 1975.
appearances, firstly in Dublin as Phoebe in numerous affairs with him and one of her and where she entertained royally for the It now resides in Buckingham Palace.
As You Like It and later in Leeds. She had many illegitimate children. Duke there. William Hazlitt, Essayist, said of
an excellent figure and especially attractive When Drury Lane was being rebuilt The Press intimated she had abandoned Dorothy Bland (–Mrs Jordan),
legs. She needed spectacles, but they mostly Dorothy acted at the Haymarket and her children to be with the Duke. This was “Her face, her tears, her manners were
stayed in her pocket! Dorothy appeared Covent Garden. She also worked for a not so. Provision had been made for them. irrestible. Her smile had the effect of
at Drury Lane Theatre in A Country Girl Theatre Company run by Tate Wilkinson Initially she was not popular with the Press, sunshine, and her laugh did one good to
as Peggy. She stayed at Drury Lane for and about this time became known as Mrs who depicted her as a chamber pot! In those hear it”
fourteen years and proved herself talented Jordan, presumably for respectability. She days they were actually called jordans! When Marian Maitland
T
his sculpture has provoked “We are all in the gutter but some of us
STATUES
more controversy than most are looking at the stars’” After Jarman’s
in London, in recent years death in 1994, a Statue for Oscar Wilde
with the caustic chief drama critic committee was formed, including the
of The Daily Telegraph from 1991 to actors Dame Judi Dench and Sir Ian
2014, Charles Spencer, saying he McKellen, the poet Seamus Heaney,
Photograph © Don Grant
would dearly love to smash it, along and chaired by Sir Jeremy Isaacs. Twelve
with the sea-shell on Aldburgh beach sculptors submitted their work, but
called The Scallop: ‘As ugly from afar it was Hambling who won through
as it is kitsch at close quarters.’ In her with her somewhat eccentric design,
enfant-terrible inpetuous way, she has and the resulting piece was unveiled
come up with something that is both by Stephen Fry in 1998 on the 98th
thought-provoking and unattractive. A anniversary of his death, at which Isaacs
Conversation With Oscar Wilde (1854- said,‘I believe that this statue sees a
1900) features Oscar’s head emerging great day for the theatre, for London,
from a green granite sarcophagus, for Ireland, for Oscar Wilde’s family
smoking a cigarette, looking like a and for all those people who admire
Medusa made from squeezed paint both the man and his work’. Maggi had
tubes, cast in bronze. The great Irish been an admirer of Wilde for some time
playwright is emerging, in essence, to and had previously drawn and painted
engage the person(s) sitting on the him. As she explained, ‘The idea is that
tomb-like bench in conversation. It he is rising, talking, laughing, smoking
is playful, witty and in keeping with from this sarcophagus and the passerby,
Maggi’s barking view of life and death. should he or she choose to, can sit on
It was the film-maker, author the sarcophagus and have a conversation
and artist, Derek Jarman who first with him.’ Both Oscar and Maggi
A Conversation With championed the idea of a memorial to
the Ango-Irish playwright and author,
enjoy smoking, but his cigarette is
currently missing, and has been replaced
Oscar Wilde who had many memorable plays to his
name and many West-End hits to his
many times since its instalation. This
statue will continue to divide opinion.
By Maggi Hambling credit, including Lady Windermere’s Fan, Goodness knows what his portrait bust
An Ideal Husband and The Importance of looks like in the attic.
Adelaide Street, WC2 Being Ernest. There is quote from the
former play inscribed in the granite, Don Grant
020 7738 2348 December 2016 / January 2017 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today 9
News online: www.KCWToday.co.uk
Dementia
residence chefs
create bespoke
menus
to stimulate happy memories
The award-winning hospitality team
at Chelsea’s new dementia residence,
Chelsea Court Place, are working to
raise the standards of institutional
catering, changing the future of food
nutrition in care for the aged.
In a time where many care homes
and hospitals are being scrutinised and
penalised for poor food quality, variety
and hygiene, the chefs at Chelsea Court
Place are striving to achieve excellence
and culinary enjoyment to enrich the
lives of every resident and guest.
In addition to the basic enjoyment
of eating quality, nutritious food, taste
has the ability to trigger memories of life
experiences, stimulating the happiness
and comfort that is pertinent in people
afflicted by Alzheimer’s disease and
dementia.
The daily menus are created in
response to the tastes and preferences of
individual residents, who all receive an
in-depth analysis from the hospitality
team before moving into Chelsea
Court Place. Their nutritional needs
are evaluated in detail as well as their
gastronomic preferences, favourites and
comforts, including the meal they had
on their wedding day. This information
enables the team to curate bespoke
dishes for each individual and to ensure
optimal nutrition is maintained and meal
-times are enjoyed.
Executive Chef Matt Dodge believes
that good nutrition is paramount in
protecting the immune system, keeping
young or old individuals healthy and
happy.
10 December 2016 / January 2017 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today www.KCWToday.co.uk
International
VISIT OUR
G A L L E RY O N
World Festivities culture. Each day of the week-long
holiday is marked with a symbolic
Catherine Godlewsky candle and reading one of the principles
of Kawanza.
Chirstmas is perhaps the most popular Omisoka
Christian holiday. Non-christians 29-30 December
also celebrate it in part, making up a Japan’s New Year’s Eve, O-souji, is
total of 2 billion people worldwide. a cleansing ritual, similar to Spring
Nearly every culture and creed has cleaning. Purified house entrances are
exciting holidays and traditions during adorned with shimekazari. Temple bells
winter season, and some of these are strike 108 times to see out the old year.
mentioned below.
Armenian Apostolic Christmas
Mawlid an-Nabi 6 January
11-12 December The Armenian custom begins with feast
Birthday of Prophet Muhammad, set to Jesus’s birth and baptism by John the
on the 12th day of the third month of Baptist. Christmas Eve sees the lighting
the Islamic calendar. It is accompanied of the lamps service, followed the next
by ceremony, songs, and reading the day by family visits and Armenian food.
poem“Qasida Burda.”
Orthodox Christmas
Las Posadas 7 January
16-24 December For 16 countries, including Russia,
Mexicans at home and abroad Ethiopia, and Greece, Christmas is
commemorate the travels of Mary and celebrated on 7 January. Each country
Joseph on their way to Bethlehem for celebrates the Orthodox Christmas
nine days with nightly processions, with different traditions, such as the
reenactments, and piñatas filled with Ethiopian tradition in which revelers
toys and sweets. wear white to church services and then
join a sporting tournament, but most
Wigilia celebrations involve feasting and a
24 December manger scene.
Poland’s Christmas Eve begins when
family and friends break the Oplatek Chinese New Year
wafer, wishing well upon each other 28 January
in the upcoming year. It is followed China’s lunar calendar years are named
by a meatless feast of more than seven after their zodiac. 2017 is the Year of
courses including kartofle potato, sledzie the Rooster for example. It is a time
herring, or pierogi dumplings. for family reunion, beginning as far
as three weeks in advance. Traditional
Hanukkah (Chanukah) celebrations include fireworks, lanterns,
24 December-1 January parades, buying new clothes, decorating * 1 0 % E X T R A F R E E W I T H R E F C O D E : KC W1
Hanukkah, or Chanukah, with lucky red, prayer, and exchanging
commemorates the victory of the red envelopes.
Maccabees over the Syrian army in 165
BC and the rededication of the Temple Nowruz
in Jerusalem. Celebrations often see March 20, 21 or 22
the lighting of a hanukkyah, traditional Persian lunar new years are a celebration
foods such as latkes potato pancakes of the end of Winter, starting on the
376 K I N G ’ S ROA D, C H E L S E A , LO N D O N S W 3 5UZ
sufganiyot donuts, games and singing. first day of Spring. It is a holy day in
Zoroastrianism and observed in Iran 0 2 0 7 3 51 3 13 3 I I N F O @ C H E L S E A . K A L L K W I K . C O . U K
Kawanza and its neighbours. Silver bearded Amu K A L L K W I KC H E L S E A I W W W. C H E L S E A . K A L L K W I K . C O . U K
26 December-1 January Nowruz brings children’s gifts, there are
*S U B JECT TO TERM S AND CONDITION S . S EE IN STORE .
Pan-African holiday Kawanza focuses “shaking the house” cleans and Haft Seen
on family, community, and preserving table settings are made.020 7738 2348 December 2016 / January 2017 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today 11
International online: www.KCWToday.co.uk
now has an “open mind” on the Paris The UN Special Envoy for Cities
Image © Gage Skidmore
Agreement. This is a far cry from 2012 and Climate Change and Former New
when he denounced climate change York Mayor Michael Bloomberg believes
as a conspiracy, tweeting “the concept that the US will meet climate goals
of global warming was created by and regardless of Trump’s appointment of
for the Chinese in order to make U.S. climate sceptic Scott Pruitt as the next
manufacturing non-competitive”. And administrator of the Environmental
during his campaign, Trump promised to Protection Agency. In his first public
cut all climate aid to developing nations, comments since Trump was elected,
slash clean energy funding and eliminate Bloomberg said that cities and businesses
all climate change research conducted will keep reducing emissions because it’s
by NASA as part of a crackdown on in their self-interest
“politicised science”. Prime Minister Theresa May is due
Despite various British political to visit the new president of the United
naysayers declaring climate policy over, States in January where it is understood
including the Executive Director of that she will try to use her influence to
Europe Economics and an architect further soften Trump’s attitude to climate
of George Osborne’s austerity theory, change.
Can Trump approved by 112 of the 197 member
parties including Britain, China and the
Andrew Lilico, who declared on the
ConservativeHome website: “the Paris
Speaking in the House of Commons,
Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson
trump climate
US. Accord is done and global climate warned against “premature” judgements
In November, delegates from almost change action altogether is pretty much condemning Trump’s climate change
200 nations met for the most recent
change?
finished for the foreseeable future”, the policies cautioning that they might
annual climate change conference, Paris Agreement appeared to stand threaten the UK’s ability to influence US
COP22, in Morocco to discuss global strong with every attending minister actions in the future.
By Ione Bingley emissions and the particulars of the signing the ‘Marrakesh Proclamation’: “It is important for us in this country
Paris Agreement. However, news of the “We welcome the Paris Agreement, to use our influence, which is very
I
t has been a year since the world’s election of Donald Trump as president- adopted under the Convention, its rapid considerable, to help the United States to
first comprehensive climate elect of the US dominated the COP22 entry into force, with its ambitious see its responsibilities, as I am sure they
agreement, the Paris Agreement, talks with many members seriously goals, its inclusive nature and its will,” said Johnson.
was drafted to address the imminent concerned about Trump’s plans to pull reflection of equity and common but The details of the Paris Agreement
issue of climate change by keeping the US from the Paris Agreement at the differentiated responsibilities and are set to be completed by 2018 with a
global temperatures “well below” 2°C soonest possible moment. respective capabilities, in the light of review of the progress in 2017. The hope
more than pre-industrial levels, reducing Trump’s stance on climate change different national circumstances, and is to create a fair “rulebook” that all the
human emissions and shifting to a green appears to have softened somewhat we affirm our commitment to its full participant nations are committed to
economy. Since its creation, it has been since his election announcing that he implementation.” following.
Elderly in Japan stupid to try to maintain your licenses just
out of pride.” Estonian Scottish coral
exchanging During the past year, 270,000 elderly
Japanese people have turned in their president says reefs at risk from
driving licenses driving licenses, but that number is less
than six percent of Japan’s 4.8 million Estonia does not climate change
for ramen license holders over the age of 75.
The issues surrounding elderly drivers fear migration or By Max Feldman
discount are increasing as Japan’s population ages;
according to the Japan Times, the number Russia
By Catherine Godlewsky of over-75’s with valid driving licenses By Polly Allen
has doubled in the last ten years and the
percentage of accidents involving this
demographic has risen from 7.4 percent to
12.8 percent during that time.
Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe Estonia’s president, Kersti Kaljulaid, has
called an emergency meeting in November written an open letter counteracting Scottish deep-sea coral reefs are under
to discuss the dangers of elderly drivers, media claims that much of Europe was threat from the consequences of climate
taking into consideration the issues of ‘racked with fears about migration or change, according to a new study.
senile dementia and how family members Russia’. Marine scientists at Edinburgh
of the elderly driver are affected by Kaljulaid’s response to the damning University have produced research which
accidents. piece by EurActiv was clear: ‘Estonia warns that changes to winter weather
The Japanese town of Iruma is using is in no way wracked with fears about conditions could threaten the long-term
technology to address the problem of either migration or Russia’. Furthermore, survival of coral populations, upsetting
Elderly people in central Japan are being wandering in dementia. Attaching a small she believes refugees can be integrated in fragile ecosystems that support an array
offered discounts at ramen eateries if they QR code to the thumbnails of dementia Estonian society. of marine species.
turn in their driving licenses. sufferers, police are able to scan the code, Whilst acknowledging the global A spokesman for WWF Scotland
Japanese police have launched a revealing personal details and addresses ‘unpredictable security climate’, the said: “This research highlights the need
programme that will offer drivers over that can help to reunite them with their president insisted Estonia is not for greater action to address climate
the age of 74 a fifteen percent discount carers. The stickers last two weeks on ‘cowering in the corner’. Kaljulaid also change and the importance of having
on ramen meals at the popular restaurant a fingernail and are not dislodged by highlighted Estonia’s UN and NATO a coherent network of well-managed,
chain Sugakiya in exchange for their washing. work. properly-resourced marine protected
license, according to a report by the “Being able to attach the seals on nails The stance on Russia was clear: ‘we areas.”
Japanese Jiji Press. is a great advantage,” said an official in are aware of our geographic location and Corals allow diverse forms of marine
To show support for the programme, Iruma. “There are already ID stickers for under no illusions about our neighbour. life to thrive by building reef structures
97-year-old Buddhist priest Taa Shinen clothes or shoes but dementia patients are Yet we are no more concerned than other that provide protection from predators
publicly gave up his license, saying that “It’s not always wearing those items.” allies’ and safe spaces to reproduce.12 December 2016 / January 2017 Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today www.KCWToday.co.uk
Opinion & Comment
with a bloodline chockful of cads and
Who wants to be
MARIUS BRILL’S bounders, was a right royal bastard.
Edgar lives alone but he always invites
his mate Steve to Christmas. Steve’s a a billionaire?
MEMEING OF LIFE single dad with a tiny daughter called
Emily who is the proud product of
parental overcompensation. ‘Spoilt’,
is too slight a term, like slightly off
By Peter Burden
Meme: An element of a culture or system of behaviour passed from one individual to another...
milk; Emily is the full Petri dish of
bubonic fungal growth. Last year she
Christmas Barnabus in Marlowe’s The Jew of Malta
(1589) who says, “Now I remember those
was dragging around one of the most
expensive dolls known to humanity, an
Those of the World’s population who
like to apply a little intelligent analysis
Ghosts old women’s words, Who in my wealth
would tell me winter’s tales, And speak
“American Girl” almost as big as her. The
sort that have such realistic eyes you will
to current affairs were left deeply
flummoxed by the extraordinary decision
of spirits and ghosts that glide by night.” them to blink. But Emily had absolutely taken by the American electorate on
It’s no coincidence that James Joyce’s no sense of value. The doll was clearly November 8th. Their choice of the
A
s this year grinds to an end, The Dead is set at a Christmas time pretty new when I saw it but she had Great Pussy Pouncer for President was,
you’re not alone in thinking gathering. already smashed the right side of its face, for many in both the US and in Britain,
“thank fuck for that.” It is a In my own family it is Uncle Edgar the head was cracked and deformed. She frankly incomprehensible. It’s hard to
truth almost universally acknowledged who lives with the dead and loves to tell didn’t care. say who comparable over here might
that 2016 has been one of the crappest stories of our ghosts. He’s a fanatic for I had come up ahead of the rest of the have generated the same blend of mirth,
in recent history. Now, when the media family trees and history, but then there’s family to help Edgar with the dinner and incredulity and dismay. There are a few
traditionally do their rundowns of the not much to do out in the steppes of avoid having to go with the rest of my candidates, for sure, although none of
year, all they can show is the world’s Norfolk where he lives, where the earth family “last minute” gift shopping. them could ever have been nominated
run down. It’s been a car crash year, is steel hard in winter, the air is so cold Emily answered the door and sneered at here, let alone voted in as Premier. Or
whether it’s the whitelash rise of Farage just breathing in hurts and breathing out my Tesco shopping bags. “Where are the could they? For who could have guessed
and Trump, the deaths of icons from creates a fog thicker than Katie Hopkins. presents?” that 38% of the British people would
Bowie and Cohen to Wood and Wogan From his front window you can see for “Nice to see you too.” Inside, I vote to commit national hara kiri by
and even the Brazilian football team, miles over the frozen levels, each tree pulled my frost bitten muddy shoes off leaving Europe?
or just because Inferno, one of the most a craze of lines in the flat December and traipsed the shopping bags to the Imagine any of our home-grown
ludicrous films in history, was released. It daylight. kitchen. Emily stayed in the front hall, billionaires proposing themselves for
seems the unpalatable prospered and the Every other Christmas we schlep heaving her doll on to a chair. I put the President as Mr Chump did: Sir Philip
good died. up to his house, a pretty converted food away while she gave her American Green, for example, or the TV Reality
Now is the time to think of them. vicarage with timber beams and a roaring Girl a gruesomely detailed lecture on Show Star, Lord Sugar (the obvious
The dead have a history of being fireplace beneath a mantelpiece hung road safety. comparison), and several others who
summoned up as the year draws to its with paperchains and festooned with Edgar came in. “I thought I heard might have had a go.
end. The Christmas ghost story is a Christmas cards mostly addressed to someone.” He gave me a hug. “You’re the Sir Richard Branson, if he weren’t
meme that stretches back much further “Dear Valued Customer”. And every year first then?” English, would love to be President;
than Dickens’ Christmas Carol. A quarter there’s some relative he has discovered “Came to help with the food.” or Sirs Dave and Fred Barclay (on a
of a century before Shakespeare wrote his in the annals whom he reckons could “Plenty of time for that.” We went twin ticket), or the world’s polluter
Winter’s Tale, it was already a tradition for just be a Royal bastard but more usually, through to his living room where the fire in chief, Bernie Ecclestone, or David
was already roaring. Beckham (though he’s worth only
We drank and chatted as the light half a bill and someone would have to
faded outside and Edgar told the story of revoice his speeches). Then there’s the
Illustrations © Alice Stallard. alicestallard.com
a distant cousin of my great grandfather distinguished social reformer, Mike
who had been a very successful medium Ashley (who, like the Pussy Pouncer,
when Spiritualism was all the rage. enjoys speaking frankly), or, more likely,
Recently he’d found an old newspaper Richard Desmond, or even the Pouncer’s
clipping about a spirit visitation she had new best friend, Nigel, the infamous
conjured up but I never got to hear his Anglo-Oik. These are all absurd options,
ghost story because it was then the rest of course; however we have been warned
of my family turned up, setting off a not only by the American electorate
maelstrom of voices and activity. It was but also, more distressingly, by our own
just before dinner when my youngest that strange things can happen in this
asked about Steve, who still hadn’t come era of collective, hideously ill-informed
down. global anti-establishmentism. The sense
“Oh,” Edgar sighed, “he’s, he’s not of unreality this has created has been
coming.” heightened in Britain by the complete
I wondered for a moment if disappearance of our former premier and
something bad had happened; that was architect of the tragically ill-structured
why he was looking after Emily. referendum that has allowed a minority
“Emily, you know Emily,” Edgar said. of the British people to bundle us all out
We all nodded. “Last week she had an of Europe.
accident. Just outside here. He pointed Now, of course, every commentator
at the dark window and we all looked up in the universe has been trying to fathom
for a moment to see our reflections in how the always preposterous prospect of
the black glass. “Playing with a doll. Run ‘President’ Trump has become a reality.
over. By a van. Crushed her skull. Steve’s This conundrum has become even more
just not up to anything. She was his life.” bizarre now that he seems to be back-
“But...” I started looking around for tracking on most of the extravagant and
Emily. more ridiculous pledges he made to the
I ran to the front hall. The doll was US people in the course of his campaign.
still there on the chair by the door. The This series of u-turns and volte-
head crushed, the plastic skull cracked, faces over Obamacare, the Mexican
the glass eyes staring. Wall or banging up Hillary for herYou can also read
