So two short weeks ago Basing Street in W11 once more saw the pop world had come together under the guidance of Bob Geldof to record music and raise money for Africa under the name of Band Aid. although this incarnation is really Band Aid 3.While ‘Do they know it’s Christmas?’ has become the most famous charity song of all time many people will have bought the single without knowing that the studio where the song is (always) recorded is located in the heart of Notting Hill.And so it was that over 40 film crews from around the world descended on this ordinary West London street to capture the likes of Bono, Chris Martin from Coldplay and One Direction – just as they had 30 years previously.
Debut Contemporary promises a Christmas party and a half this week as it hosts it’s last private view of the year.
82 Westbourne Grove is the place to be for the last collection of the year but look out for more in 2015, the first Wednesday of each month. Call them early though to be assured of being on the guest list. It gets very, very busy.
We like the helpful map Time Out have provided for the unmissable of free mulled wine, champers and, naturally, mince pies, when most of the shops on Westbourne Grove stay open until 9pm.
We just had Black Friday which looked more like the rugby world Cup on Oxford Street, but there won’t be any trampling of customers at this mosrt serene and special night out for the area. Christmas choirs are promised, all that’s needed is a coating of unseasonably earlier snow and paradise is found.
This is on Wednesday night: Lots of hot mold wine, food and a superb local Christmas choir…in such an amazing setting too. The local shops all stay open and get heavily involved.All you have to do is be like Hugh and Julia in ‘Notting Hill’ the movie and bring your friends to enjoy this most quintessential of Notting Hill nights.
Get into the festive mood at the Clarendon Cross Christmas Party (Weds 3 Dec) between 5 and 8pm. #christmas #clarendoncross #hollandpark #shoppingevening
The Golden Cross pub immortalised by Martin Amis in his novel ‘London Fields’ has sprung forth amd already the old Watney’s ales frontage has proved irresistible for tourists whose appetites are whetted by the nearby ‘blue door’ of ‘Notting Hill’ fame.
Checking out whether Amis’s famous character Keith Talent will be in there throwing 180s on the infamous fictional dart board was conceptual artist, bespoke jewellry maker to Notting Hill’s high society and principal designer of http://www.jackytsai.com/ Jialin Cai.
“I really love the old 70s style facade even though I was not born back then. I find it very inspiring design wise. I’ve just launched a series of limited edition T shirts myself in Harvey Nichols, but I’m always looking for the next inspirational moment when I walk the streets of Notting Hill.”
We love a good celebrity couple story here and so it pleases us to hear that Jennifer Lawrence – currently dating Coldplay’s Chris Martin and the hottest actress in the world right now and star of The Hunger Games can return to her favourite corner of London, Notting Hill for afternoon tea where she is regularly spotted: Daylesford, the organic produce specailists on Westbourne Grove.
The café at their newly redesigned Notting Hill farmshop is the crown in the jewel of their re-furb.
But who’s joining them for Christmas treats too…yes it’s almost Christmas folks: ttp://bit.ly/1u2P5oK pic.twitter.com/ZEII2cDLMt
Kensington Park Road has long been the place to head for London’s finest pizzarias. Osteria Basilica and Mediterraneo sit proudly occupying sites back to the last millennium. But across the road Pepe and Sara Corsaro of the Made In Italy Group (let’s leave it informal and just say they are Sicily’s warmest brother and sister team, have revolutionised Luna Rossa with their almost Sopranos’ esque downstairs function room, while October’s new addition is next door where Piccola Cucina take up residency on the old Rossopomodorro site, refurbished pizza kiln and all. Summer is over. But a little slice of it exists on this stretch of Notting Hill. All Fresco of course.
Notting Hill is full of surprises. Go on holidayfor a month andwhen you return new bistros, bookshops, cake shops, deli’s will have sprung up in your absence.
This is an area where every square foot of space is made into something useful. Roof terraces abound, 20 foot square foot gardens become the pride and joy of residents.
Bur car parks under tower blocks being turned into boxing clubs? Even that took us a little bit by surprise. On the corner of Ladbroke Grove and Westbourne Park Road stands Lowerwood Court, and home to the next set of London prize fighters as well as a steady thud, thud of punch bags getting hit.
Drop in for a chat, hours are flexible and all ages are catered for. Unfortunately further website or phone numbers seem a little elusive at present, but if you like your fight clubs a little underground, then this is definitely the place for you.
Still with St John’s Church and still on the subject of how to find new ways to combine fundraising with the most perfect and atmospheric of unique settings.
This weekend local fashion graduate
Gareth Williams who lives in Notting Hill has put together a project aimed at supporting vulnerable children living in Cambodia. The event is a fashion show and opportunity for other graduates to sell their wares for a fraction of the prices seen at the London Fashion Week which is also on this weekend.
From 7pm St. John’s Church, Lansdowne Crescent, Notting Hill, London W11 2NN, plays host.
The event will take place on September 13th from 7pm – 10pm, at St John’s Church, Lansdowne Crescent, Gareth can be contacted on gareth@safehavencambodia.org or on his mobile: 07788910328.
How to find novel ways to raise funds these days can be problematic. If pouring a bucket of ice over your head isn’t your thing, but – vertigo withstanding – maybe climbing an ancient Church bell tower with panoramic views of London is. The southern end of Ladbroke Grove which runs in to Holland Park Avenue has long been world renowned for it’s stunning architecture but the church at it’s heart, St John’s needs a helping hand. The organ – http://www.stjohnsorganproject.com/the-organ.html – originally contructed in 1755 needs a refurb. So from midday next Saturday (20th) until 10pm – free of charge, but donations of course are welcome, you can check the views and, a little bit like the Corcovada in Rio, even go inside the organ itself. Get there very early, it will be extremely busy Church staff say. http://www.stjohnsorganproject.com/the-organ.html
Charles Derby Estates is a once stop shop for all of your buying, selling and letting requirements in the area of Notting Hill.
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