A gent who operated by routine, whisky and 40 cigarettes a day. This clubman’s knowledge of London history was phenomenal and he was dedicated to his role as parish clerk at St. Michael’s Cornhill. Gaze, a Russian icon dealer with a shop in the Piccadilly Arcade, lived a life full of dramas that included being kidnapped by a lunatic named Sacheverell de Houghton and entertaining drag queens in his set of rooms, formerly occupied by Edward Heath, in Albany, W1. Here was a bohemian character who stopped traveling after smoking was banned on aircraft and whom loved both Beethoven and The Beatles.
Two stories to keep beside you
John Bly
Having begun his career at Sotheby’s, John Bly joined his family at their firm of antiques dealers in Tring, Hertfordshire.
The Cheery Street Sweeper
Never without a decent word to say, Knightsbridge’s cheeriest street sweeper is an asset to the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. Unlike the incompetent, avaricious councillors representing the area, this diligent worker never moans and he never complains. Come sun, rain, wind or snow, here is someone who takes pride in his work and […]
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2 comments
John Gaze was quite simply a great London gentleman, with no little amount of real humanity, deep knowledge of so many heritage and local issues, plus the most candid sense of fun / humour, even in the face of severe adversity in his final years. Greatly missed, and never forgotten!
What an amazing man and what an amazing story. He is missed