On Saturday 07 September 2024 Past Master, Martyn Wheatley, organized another fun and fascinating history walk for twenty-one SIM members around Kensington. Photo taken by John Caunt.
This new walk covered the key history notes for the High Street Kensington area, but also included its often-unseen side, with quiet hidden residential roads, delightful mews, famous locals brough to life, as well as the significant group of famous artists, who lived in Kensington, plus one Zulu chief!
Martyn’s background, images, anecdotes, and even a song, in the case of John Stuart Mill, care of Monty Python, brought the history of all these characters to life.
Once again on a SIM walk, we were lucky with the weather, which having been forecast for rain, barely managed a drip. When it did look like having a go, and coats went on, it immediately stopped!
Everyone had a fascinating and fun morning, which ended with lunch at one of Martyn’s favourite pubs, The Scarsdale in Edwarde’s Square. Do seek it out – you will not be disappointed.
After lunch we covered Frankie Howerd, in good company with, Lord Leighton, William Burges, Edward Burne Jones, Sir Luke Fildes, William Holman Hunt, to name but a few, plus Cetshwayo (the Zulu chief) and Holland House, park, and grounds.
The finale was a pint at the Elephant and Castle, on Holland Street, just North of Kensington High Street. Another nice spot to find, if you are relaxing after a big shopping trip, or of course, a walk!
Do not miss Martyn’s next SIM history walk, which will be about the history of The Tube. The date for this walk, will be announced in early 2025 for the Spring