Who We Are

Lucy Elliott - Editor

Lucy has lived in Kensington for over ten years.  Some time ago she realised that many smaller businesses were disappearing after only about six months.  After speaking to retailers it transpired once they had paid the rates and the rent they had nothing left to promote their business.  So The Kensington Magazine was born!  A magazine specifically targeted to help smaller businesses and provide information to the residents on events and news relevant to W8.  Lucy's background is in Social Anthropology, International Development and Human Resources.  Her hobbies are gardening, travel, antique collecting and photography.  She supports the RNLI and the British Legion by standing outside Kensington High St tube station twice a year shaking the tin.

Jenny Davis-Peccoud - Hidden Kensington Articles

Jenny has been a resident of Kensington for over 10 years.  Originally from the San Francisco area, she developed her passion for writing early, contribut ing to and editing her high school newspaper, writing a weekly travel column while at university and being one of the first to volunteer with The Kensington Magazine over four years ago.  In her day job, she gives people advice (she's a management consultant specialising in organisational effectiveness) and also helps them given back (she runs her company's global community programme and is on the board of several UK charities).  She lives with her French husband Emmanuel (a practical philosopher) and her cat Jerry (a terror).

Benedict Bull, Landscape & Horticulture Writer

Benedict Bull is a landscape gardener with specialist experience in laying out stud farms, the rehabilitation and adaptive re-use of historic landscapes, master planning and local community participation, and dendrology.  His primary work today is to increase the mass of viridity in London, one space at a time, designing, making and looking after gardens; window boxes, walls, roofs, courtyards, back and front, garden squares, commercial sites and public land.

Benedict is a published author on the Gardens of Afghanistan in 'The Middle East Garden Traditions: Unity and Diversity' and on Gardens and Horticulture in Baltistan in 'Karakoram'.

Sarah Goldsmith:  History of Kensington

Sarah grew up in Virginia and has a Master's in History.  She taught history in the US before studying for a Law degree and practising Corporate Law in New York for several years.  After meeting her Spanish husband in New York, they've settled in Kensington and she now works in Canary Wharf, relishing her time spent researching Kensington's past.

Margaret Mervis - Travel

Margaret in a mediator and travel writer. She has travelled extensively and has had an eclectic career, having trained originally as a barrister.

Ffiona - Restaurant Reviews

Ffiona is very well known in the area, having run her own successful restaurant in Kensington Church St for over 15 years now.  Despite being a restauranteur she has always hankered after writing restaurant reviews.  So we gave her the opportunity and she reviews restaurants the length and breadth of W8

Elizabeth Reid - Book Reviewer

Elizabeth is a little shy.  However, we'd like to let you know that she's been reviewing books for the magazine for the past three years. She prefers serious books to 'chick lit' and always prepares her copy well in advance for which we are very grateful!

Stephen Rodwell - Motorcars and Boats

Stephen has had a strong passion for cars since way before being able to drive them.  He has owned all manner of cars over the years, is a harden supporter and follower of F1, in particular the McLaren Racing team attending a number of the European GP’s.  He also follows the Supercar GT1’s, attends modern & classic car shows and events on a regular basis as well as the launches of many of the new vehicles, also participating in a number of track events & track days.

He is a member of the Aston Martin Owners Club.

Young Authors - Children's Story (aged from about 6 to about 18)

Each month we invite a child who either lives or attends school in the area to write a story about whatever they fancy.  We've had a day at the Junior Department of the Royal College of Music, Tarantulas at the Natural History Museum, to a snake as long as Kensington High St!

To a child, having their story in print, and on the shelves in Waterstones is a huge deal and for the less confident, can give them just a boost they need.

This page is ideal for children who love writing stories or drawing.  We are always looking for children to submit a story, so feel free to encourage them!  Just send in about 450 words with an image/drawing and we will let you know which edition the story will appear in.

This is Orla who wrote a story for us in 2011 and who attended the St Mary Abbots Mermaids and Monsters Fete in 2010.

Maria Perry Investigates

Having lived in Kensington for many years and having been a journalist in her previous life, Maria is well placed to investigate goings on in Kensington.  She knows everyone and everything that is going on in W8!