Walk: Kensington in the 60s

Today, back with Back in the Day Walks, for a walk about Kensington in the 60s. Cheaper tickets available from TAC.. and wow, did I regret booking it as I tried to get out in time. Sure enough, Google Maps informed me I could have taken buses, but if I wanted to get there by midday, I'd have had to have left already.. Tube it was.

In the event, I arrived at the Albert Hall with 10 minutes to spare. Of course, I had no idea which side of it he was on.. "the back" doesn't mean anything for a round building! I finally had to ring him, whereupon he explained that he was near Door 1. Or Door 12, depending which way you looked. I suppose that makes sense.. So, I found them, in brilliant sunshine - I was wearing my sunglasses for the whole walk, first time this year!

Oh man, am I glad I made the effort - this was seriously one of the best walks I've ever been on! A combination of local history, and anecdotes from himself (turns out he was 18 in '66, crikey - and what a time to be!), and from attendees - what a story they wove! We started with the story of a gig in 1966, in the Albert Hall, which he described as "the hottest ticket in town" - a double gig with a black, American comedian, Dick Gregory, followed by Nina Simone.

He then led us around to where a couple of Cirque du Soleil vans were parked, to point out a building that, sure enough, none of us had ever noticed!

It turned out to be the Royal College of Organists - well, originally; it's been sold since, and now belongs to the Tchenguiz brothers - specifically, it's Robert's private home, and his car was parked outside:

The personalised number plate actually reads R2..

Of course, a whole bevy of celebrities have always lived in Kensington, musicians featuring strongly, and we heard about those, and about the clubs that were popular. And we came across someone a little less respectable:

As he was giving us the spiel on Benny Hill, a couple came in, asking our pardon as they pushed past "to go to the museum", as the guy said (I think he was joking, given he was carrying a pack of toilet paper..)

Oh, our guide had any number of stories.. including about Princess Margaret:

We stopped outside a block of flats, with a plaque to - again - someone we'd never heard of:

As he was telling us about her, a resident passed by with her little girl - who had no interest, and wanted to go in, but her mum told her to go ahead, she wanted to hear. So, we learned how Alma Cogan never had huge success, but lived in a flat here with her mum, and had a full-blown love affair with John Lennon! Indeed, our guide claimed that he started going out with Yoko Ono on the rebound from Alma Cogan..

Now, I'd never heard of Biba. But lo, as we moved from street to street, the story of this iconic store seemed to follow us - and in the end, we came to the spectacular Art Deco building that housed their final incarnation!

And our guide regaled us with stories of the building, and how fashionable it had been in the 30s - and how it was later supplanted by the whopping building next door!

Never have I been on a walk that so successfully, and interestingly, wove the story of an area into what's still there - massive kudos to Barrie! Who would have thought Kensington could be so interesting, frankly..

Well now, as I say, I rushed out, and didn't have time to eat properly before I left - so I was exhausted and starving by the time we finished our 2.5 hour walk. I tell you, that man is fit. I was despairing of finding a decent place to eat, until I consulted the map, and discovered there was a Cote, not five minutes' walk away! Hallelujah - I made my way there, and was seated without issue, and fed quickly. And not only did I eat merrily, and much, but had some excellent Sauvignon Blanc, and - for once, as I said, not rushing anywhere - a half bottle of dessert wine. Ooh yeah.. this has been one of my better days.

Tomorrow, I booked with TAC again, for Scarlet Sunday, at the Omnibus Theatre - so long since I was last there! However, they contacted me yesterday - seems the producers made a mistake in their advertising, and the show isn't actually running that day. So they've refunded me, and instead, I've booked with CT to see Turning the Screw, at the King's Head. Another of these about an older professional with power seducing a younger protegé - this time, the focus is on Benjamin Britten. And lovely, I'll get to see their new venue! Plus, I don't have to drag myself as far across town.

On Tuesday, back again with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS), for Standing at the Sky's Edge, at the Gillian Lynne Theatre. I'm hearing great things about this musical.

On Wednesday, we have a work social! Cool.. loving the frequency of them. They're going bowling - well, I can watch.. last time I went bowling, I injured myself! In fact, this is proving so popular, they've had to move to a bigger venue.. we're now in Bloomsbury Lanes.

On Thursday, back - at last - with London Baroque Music Lovers. We're attending a concert called Lucky Charm, by Ensemble Les Ombres with Fiona McGown, at the Cine Lumiere, of all places! Hmm, I wonder where that'll be - hardly in the cinema!

Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend. Next Sunday is Mother's Day, so I'm flying back a day later, taking the Monday as holiday.

On the 12th, back with CT at the Americana! This time, it's a jazz night.. which I should get more of an experience of than that magic show.. and this time, I'll know to starve myself beforehand!

On the 13th, another of those multi-Meetup socials.. I've signed up with The London Movie Club, and we're off to the BFI Riverfront Balcony Bar again! Excellent venue.

And on the 14th, back again with UITCS - this time, for Casserole, at the Arcola.