With Chelsea residents currently in the centre of a planning row over a proposed Crossrail 2 station on the King’s Road, concerned locals have started a ‘No Crossrail in Chelsea’ campaign. Of course given that this is Chelsea, the group’s protest methods are a step above the usual tactics employed by disgruntled parties.
Last night saw London’s glitterati take over the Pheasantry on the King’s Road for a night of champagne, drag and cabaret as they protested the council’s proposals. Nicky Haslam, the society interior designer, performed some of his favourite songs as he remembered Chelsea’s glory days when the King’s Road was filled with ‘junk shops and junkies’.
Nicky Haslam
His call to the well-dressed troops to ‘nip this ghastly project in the bud’ was met by Loyd Grossman, who rocked out on stage with his guitar, in protest at the plans. Grossman says they will ‘threaten the historic environment of the King’s Road’.
When Mr S caught up with him after the set, conversation soon turned to a batch of photos which Tatler recently dug up of a young George Osborne’s lavish 21st birthday party at the Groucho club. With Grossman a guest at the event, is he backing Osborne to be the next leader? ‘He’s wonderful, and doing so well,’ came Loyd’s diplomatic reply. ‘I hope the party photos offered some good PR for him. I am very close to his parents so see them a lot. As you can imagine, George is rather busy these days.’
As Grossman headed to the bar, Nancy Dell’Olio called for more to be done to stop the development. She added that if the local MP Greg Hands fails to step up to the plate, she may well be forced to intervene. ‘I am tempted to enter into the world of politics’, the glamorous Italian lawyer mused. ‘But it’s whether to run in Britain or Italy, I think it is easier here.’
Nancy Dell’Olio and Melinda Hughes
As a guest at this year’s Tory Black and White ball, Dell’Olio is well placed to lean on her Westminster friends for support. ‘I have only met Mr Cameron once but he knows who I am,’ she says. ‘I know many politicians but the problem with a lot of politicians is that they are too diplomatic.’
Dell’Olio on the other hand wasn’t feeling the need to hold back. With a Corbyn victory only days away, has she given into Corbynmania? ‘That man,’ came her reply as she buried her head in her hands. Well you can’t win them all.
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