Kensington

PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY - A RIDE FOR CHARITY

Over the summer months, we decided to catch up with some of the people in our local community. We work and live side by side and in the rush of London life, sometimes forget to stop and have a chat. So I decided to stop by and have a coffee with Marcus Roberts from Daylesford, Westbourne grove.

Some of you may already know this bubbly and joyful character who embarked on a charity bike ride across Croatia to raise over £400,000 for The Felix Project. By himself, Marcus raised a fantastic £38,000. But the best bit is how his infectious passion and personality led to some big names joining him on his mission. If you haven’t yet heard about The Felix Project, it is an amazing charity which works hard to stop food poverty. They campaign and work alongside restaurants and supermarkets to ensure that food does not go to waste but goes to those who need it.

Marcus tells me a bit about his own journey to being passionate about food for wellbeing and we talk about health, nutrition and healthy living. The Felix Project distributes food through a wonderful team of dedicated volunteers to people who are homeless, shelters, food banks and individuals or families in need.

Marcus tells me that he didn’t ride a bike before this challenge presented itself and now with increased fitness, rides to work most days. He is also amazed and humbled by how much of a snowball effect his enthusiasm has had on unsuspecting locals, particularly one who had just poppe​​​​​​​d into Daylesford for their morning coffee and somehow ended up on a plane to Croatia! By talking to customers and colleagues, Marcus managed to persuade most if not all of the regular customers to sponsor him and even talked Julien Macdonald into participate in the charity rac​​​​​​​​​​​​​​e!
This is real community spirit and we love that Notting Hill has this feel!
On the 26th of June, over 50 riders set off for Croatia to complete this charity bike race, including some of the UK’s well-known names who support and stand by The Felix Project and it’s amazing work.

Her​​​​​​​e’s what happened, in Marcus’s words, after completing the race. Well done Marcus, thank you for sharing your journey and passion. Fantastic work!
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"On the 26th of June Ben Elliot co-founder of Quintessentially, legendary British Fashion Designer Julien Macdonald, and I flew off to Croatia on the 11th Annual Quintessentially Foundation Charity Bike Ride which was this year sponsored the Marc Group and in partnership with Velusso in aid of The Felix Project with a team of 50 other cyclists.

Landing in Zagreb Croatia during one of the hottest heatwaves ever recorded in Europe with temperatures in France reaching up to 45 degrees, the team of determined men and women who were prepared to give their all to support The Felix Project by cycling for 300 miles from Zagreb to Split to try to raise as much for them as possible.

Starting out on the first stretch of open road on day one, it was 5:30 in the morning and the team had decided to start us all off early because of the extreme heat so that we were out of the midday sun for as long as possible. Straddling my bike, it felt satisfying as I clicked my SPD shoes into the pedals and set off with the team about to start the adventure of a lifetime.

Riding alongside Ben Elliot, who founded Quintessentially Foundation and people like Jasper Boyton, George Frost son of legendary broadcaster Sir David Frost and Simon Jackson and Lord Jeffery Archers son James Archer, who were all extremely fit and regular professional cyclists, I felt on top of the world and so proud of how far I had come in my fitness journey. After a few hours, it all got too much and I slowed down to settle in with a group of other cyclists further in the back of the pack. Keeping up with super fit Ben, just wasn’t sustainable!

As the second day approached we were all feeling a bit sore and it was starting to sink in just how difficult this trip was going to be. Climbing up a massive hill in 37 degree heat, I kept pushing myself through the sweat and exhaustion until I couldn’t anymore more and was physically sick and had to get in the back of the van for half an hour. After lunch I was feeling better and was out on the road again, eager to be getting those miles under my belt.

One of my personal highlights was when exhausted and tired after cycling for miles in such hot weather, Julien Macdonald came whizzing by on his bike, shouting, “get up Marcus, we can do this, jump back on ya bike and follow me”! With loud 80’s discos music blasting from some speakers on his bike. So I did. And we cycled together for miles on end with the tunes blasting and our spirits feeling lifted by the music, giving us the energy we needed to keep going and carry on.

On the last day as we were all cycling down a massive hill on the final decent into the port of Split, I was going over 60 miles an hour, speeding alongside cars and trucks, with their horns blaring, constantly afraid one would accidentally swerve and knock me off the sheer cliff face, but at the same time excited and never feeling as alive as I had in my whole entire life.

Arriving at the finish on beach in Split, after cycling for 300 miles across Croatia in the searing heat during one of the hottest recorded heatwaves in Europe, I collapsed as I got of my bike and walked up to the finish line to collect my medal. Feeling exhausted, tired, sore and with extreme swelling and pain, I was absolutely shattered, but also very proud that I had managed to do it and at the same time somehow managed to personally raise over £36,000 for The Felix Project on my Virgin Money Giving Page at the same time.

Special thanks to Leonora, George, Alice and Lord and Lady Bamford for their encouragement and consistent support. George Osborne, Nick Jones, Liv Tyler, Poppy Delevingne, Suki Waterhouse, Geordie Grieg, Steven Knight, Nick Compton, Miel Debotton, Tom Parker Bowles, Janet Debotton, Lord Greg Barker, Marlon Abela, Giles Coren, and so many of the regular customers at the Daylesford Organic Farm Shop on Westbourne Grove, Notting Hill where I regularly work, for their extremely kind donations and sponsorship.

The event was a great success and raised over £410,000. The funds raised will support the work of The Felix Project who are fighting food poverty and food waste across London. Every week The Felix Project rescues 30 tonnes of high-quality food, which is distributed to over 250 charities and schools across London.

Ben Elliot himself via his Quintessentially Foundation has helped raise over £2 million for The Felix Project over the last 2 years with high profile fundraising events such as the bike ride and the yearly much loved Christmas Carol Concert the Fayre of St James which is held in November in St James’s church Piccadilly.
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Some people talk the talk, but Ben really walks the walk too, there’s no better person that Michael Gove could of chosen to be the nation’s Food Surplus and Waste Champion and it’s ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​fantastic to see him in action as he steps up to the plate in the fight against food waste".​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
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““This year's Quintessentially Foundation Annual Charity Bike Ride was in support of Britain’s most dynamic new charity The Felix Project, that is at the forefront of the fight against food waste. A cause very close to my heart as the governments Food Surplus and Waste Champion. The money raised from the bike ride will be enough to fully fund their Central London operations for the next 2 years. Myself and the whole team at Quintessentially Foundation couldn’t be more proud.” Ben Elliot.

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“I’ve always been a b​​​​​​​ig fan of Daylesford and the delicious range of organic food they sell which they grow themselves on their farm in Gloucestershire. I particularly like their organic coffee which ​​​​​​​I regularly come in to get on most mornings from the store on Westbourne Grove which is handily located just round the corner from my studio on Ledbury Road and am served by the ever cheerful and welcoming Marcus who persuaded me to take part in the recent Quintessentially Foundation Charity Bike Ride to support The Felix Project.” Julien Macdonald
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Written by Ma​​​​​​​rcus Roberts, Relationship Manager for the Felix Project.
You can find Marcus at Daylesford on Westbourne Grove 3 days a week, the rest of his time is spent supporting The Felix Project. 
You can find out more about The Felix Project and how you can help here

by adam

THINGS TO DO IN AND AROUND KENSINGTON

As local estate agents, it is easy to fall in love with the charm of the area in which we work. From the north to the south of Kensington, it is plain to see that its charisma and history is felt through its buildings, shops and its beautiful period properties.

A stroll away from Notting Hill Gate, to the south of the borough, lies Kensington. This part of Kensington and Chelsea has a traditional feel. It is quieter than Notting Hill and Bayswater but still has a life of its own that is grounded in its own rhythm. It’s a slightly more family orientated area and has retained some of its larger houses and more relaxed feel. That said, Kensington has a lot to offer and is not short on nightlife, eateries as well as places for the whole family.

Once a vibrant and bustling high street, home to some of the largest retail names including the giant Barkers department store and the world’s most beautiful Biba store, nowadays, Kensington has a more relaxed atmosphere. There is still a great choice of retail shopping, but this pretty high street has become well-known for its cafes and restaurants. High St Kensington has retained its charm and has some longstanding resident eateries that have stood the test of time and popularity.

One of Kensington’s long term restaurants is Bill Wyman’s Sticky Fingers. This American style eatery has been a resident since 1989. Established by Wyman, the legendary Rolling Stone’s bass guitarist, it is still a firm local favourite. It has a Hard Rock café style yet has a more personal feel. It’s a popular choice, has some fun nights and is a great choice for the whole family. Barbecue wings and burgers will indeed leave you with a full stomach and sticky fingers as you appreciate the walls of photo framed rock stars set in time across the walls.

A unique place worth mentioning is the Unique Kensington roof gardens. Owned by Richard Branson’s Virgin Group, the iconic rooftop garden consists of over an acre of green space which towers 150 meters above street level. The former night club and restaurant occupied the top two floors of this beautiful grade II listed art deco building, which has now closed its doors to restore the space to renew this unique setting. The garden hosts to a variety of fawn and flora; this includes its iconic resident flamingos and ducks who have now been relocated to a sanctuary. In terms of nature, it is home to 70 mature trees including oaks and fruit trees. The Garden is set to reopen at the beginning of 2020 where you will be able to enjoy amazing uninterrupted views across London.

One of the most impressive food courts in London is Wholefoods, the first wholefoods store in Europe store which took over the premises of the former Barkers department store in 2007, and it still holds prime position on Kensington High Street. There is no lack of choice here, this health food store spans over three floors and contains approx 80,000 square feet of organic food, including eateries such as Bone daddy and Sushi and Robata on the first floor. Alternatively, you can take your deli food upstairs or sip on your freshly brewed coffee while enjoying the view over High-Street Kensington. Ranging from its cheese room to nuts, coffee beans, precooked food and a beautiful colourful section of fruit and vegetables to choose from, there is really nothing you cannot find here. They have a great selection of every health product you could desire. Did I mention the huge choice of organic chocolate bars of all descriptions?

Kensington High street is well positioned for green spaces in Central London, at each end of the high street, there is a beautiful park to enjoy. At one end, you can walk through Kensington Gardens, take in the sights of the Palace or stroll along towards the Albert Memorial (picture), towards Knightsbridge and Central London. At the other end of the High Street, you can find the ever popular Holland Park which is the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea’s largest park and spans over 22 hectares. The park has a variety of green areas including a football, games green, tennis courts, children’s play area, an ecology centre, and wild forest walks. It is also home to the beautiful and serene Kyoto gardens, the park’s Japanese garden which was gifted by the chamber of commerce of Kyoto in 1991 from which the London garden takes its name

To see more about the activities at Holland Park, you can visit the borough’s website:
https://www.rbkc.gov.uk/leisure-and-culture/parks/holland-park

Kensington church street winds its way up to Notting Hill Gate passing a number of antique shops which have clustered there over time. Some of the worlds most renowned experts are based here, offering a variety of art and antiques from different eras and from across the globe. This high concentration of registered and approved art and antique shops created a circle of authenticity and gave the road a reputation for quality fine art and antiques.

For a little bit of British traditionalism, one can meander through the quieter side streets. I love to walk through Church Row, stuck in a period of its own, this little row of quaint shops sells items such as suits, cuff links, ladies’ hats, and bow ties. It’s a step back in time and a pleasant moment of repose from the busy streets of Central London.

Further to the south of the borough, fringing the river Thames, Chelsea is well known for vibrant Kings Road, famous for being a fashionista’s hang-out in the ‘60s, and punks congregated during the ‘70s. It has preserved some of its individual designer boutiques.  In more recent times, it has featured in Made in Chelsea, and the Saatchi Gallery has made its home there. Its local residents include the popular Bluebird café and the iconic art deco design Peter Jones department store.

There is plenty to do in and around the area and for central London has a softer pace with wide sunny roads. South Kensington is also home to the world famous Royal Albert Hall for some of the top cultural events to see. A stone's through away is Exhibition road which is home to some of the UK’s most visited museums including the remarkable national History museum.

by adam