GLOUCESTER ROAD
Gloucester Road used to be a village. It was formerly known as Hogmore Lane. In 1826, in honour of Maria, Duchess of Gloucester, sister-in-law of George III, it was changed to Gloucester Road. Farmers used to go through this road to take the pigs to market.
The following shop windows reflect my life:
No. 34 THE GLOUCESTER ARMS Has been my local for 30 years. George Canning, whose home was here, was Prim Minister for the shortest time.
The local community extends. I meet a couple of friends in the pub and I also see them, from time to time, in Mayfair, where they work. This also applies to a retired architect, who used to work in Mayfair and lives in Kensington. One side of the Gloucester Arms is on Victoria Grove.
VICTORIA GROVE Andre Lloyd Webber’s brilliant musical was inspired by T.S.Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats. In it, Victoria Grove is mentioned as where the cats Mungojerrie and Rumpelteazer lived. These cats were also known in Cornwall Gardens, Launceston Place and Kensington Square. T.S.Eliot lived and died in nearby Kensington Court Place. Back to Gloucester Road towards Kensington Gardens:
No. 16 ROSS FOOD & WINE Open 24 hrs a day. Madonna once lived in the area and the owner’s wife once asked her, “Are you from around here?” Madonna burst out laughing. Across the road, on the corner of Queen’s Gate Terrace:
No. 15 DA MARIO PIZZERIA Princess Diana used to take Princes William and Harry here. Inscribed on the steps: DA MARIO, PRINCESS DIANA, LOCAL PIZZERIA. On the other side towards Gloucester Road station:
No. 20 JAKOBS Deli where fresh vegetarian and organic salads and other food is sold.
No. 48A THE EMPEROR STORE Convenience store, that makes what you want to get, easier for you.
No. 48 MARGARET MILLS When I asked the shop keeper what was unique about his shop he hesitated for a while, when a customer intercepted, “When we’ve looked all over the place we come here. They usually find it for us downstairs.” “What better recommendation than from a customer”, concluded the shop keeper.
No. 54 THE SANDWICH SHOP Customers include students, workmen, solicitors and police queuing up outside. Once there was someone trying to rob the store but the policeman in the queue stopped him by shouting, “I was here first!”
No. 58 Was KARNAC BOOKSHOP that used to sell and publish psychology books.
Being the local author they used to sell mine. The bookseller industry, as well as the publishing sector, have taken a great down turn due to the internet.
Now is BERRY’S NEWSAGENTS delivering international newspapers locally, early in the morning. The papers don’t always have good news but the staff always have a smile on their face.
No. 62 CAFE DECO French cakes are made on the premises by the patisserere.
No. 64 QUEEN’S HEALTH SHOP Sells a wide range of holistic therapies, as well as acupuncture practiced on the premises.
No. 68 JEAN MARIE HAIRDRESSING Provides all the hairdressing services for men and women including highlighting and colouring, as well as a chair that massages.
DUSTIN HOFFMAN The actor was outside one of these shops, when he used to live behind Gloucester Road. I gave him a copy of my book, ‘The Way It Is’. When I saw him a few days later and asked him for a comment on the book, he simply replied, ” Actually, I’m in the middle of reading a script.” Off Gloucester Road is Kynance
Place:
OLLINS RESTAURANT The cuisine is Franglais. One world - one word - Service.
KYNANCE PLACE The unlikely sight of about half a dozen soldiers on their horses from the Knightsbridge Barracks getting refreshment at 7am, outside a coffee shop.
It is a delight to be one of the community living around this parade of shops where every one knows each other.
© Robert D Dangoor 2009
