IRA bombing site in Walmer becomes national memorial
Derek Lindars, chairman of the Deal Memorial Bandstand Trust, said: "Over 30 years on from the bombing, the garden is now a memorial for the Royal Marines Band service."Many people who come back for reunions can now remember those lost in service before 1989 and in the years afterwards."A plaque on the outside wall of the garden features the insignia of the Royal Marines Band service, but also the old Deal Borough crest."It makes it clear to everyone exactly what this memorial garden is and who it is for, and we are very proud to be the national place of remembrance," said Mr Lindars.The free concert will take place on Sunday at 15:00 BST.
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Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Paul O'Grady's widower slashes price of star's £3.5M Edwardian mansion by 30% in a bid to sell following dispute with neighbours - just months after being reduced by almost £1million
Paul O'Grady 's widower Andre Portasio has slashed the price of the star's £3.5 million Edwardian mansion by 30%, it's been reported. The comedian, who shot to fame as Lily Savage, had lived at Knoll Hill House near Ashford from 1999 until his death in March 2023 aged 67. His husband later inherited the estate. The sprawling property initially hit the market for £3.5 million in September but sparked little interest from buyers, resulting in the asking price dropping by almost £1 million to £2.65million in January this year. However, following a fierce dispute with neighbours over his plans to convert a security hut, Andre has now reduced the price of the property even further. The lavish home is now on the market for £2.4million, with the new price advertised on property sites including Zoopla as well as estate agents Strutt & Parker who are managing the property. Knoll Hill House comes with a sprawling 20 acres of land, boasts impressive views of the Romney Marsh in Kent and has previously been described as 'the kind of house you'd find in one of those Enid Blyton books' by O'Grady's former partner Brendan Murphy, who died in 2005. Once owned by fellow comedian Vic Reeves, the property mixes traditional elegant characteristics like French doors with quirkier qualities such as bookcase wallpaper and a Gypsy caravan in the garden. Estate agent Strutt and Parker said: 'Knoll Hill House sits in a breathtaking position at the top of the escarpment above the Romney Marsh which affords the most sensational far-reaching views, looking across the marsh to the coast and the sea in the distance. 'Built in 1910 the house has much charm, providing a comfortable and spacious space in which to live and entertain against this stunning backdrop.' Ballet dancer Andre had previously angered neighbours in the quaint village of Adlington by trying to turn a security hut on the site into a separate two-bedroom house and make it three times bigger. After losing his initial bid, he later won another battle to turn it into a holiday let instead. However, locals were further angered by him cutting the price in January, accusing him of 'cashing in' by flogging the seven-bedroom Kent farmhouse for the then reduced price of £2.65 million. Neighbours and locals said the former Lily Savage star was popular, but since his death they have been upset at goings-on connected to the property. One told MailOnline: 'We've not seen Andre much at all. It just feels like he's trying to cash in on the property after Paul died with all these various plans. Andre had previously angered neighbours in the quaint village of Adlington by trying to turn a security hut on the site into a separate two-bedroom house and make it three times bigger [Andre and Paul in 2018] 'It's really sad. Now he's lowered the price. There's a big difference between the sort of people who would pay £3.5 million and £2.65 million, in my opinion. 'It's worth more than three million, I would say. I wish he would just decide what he wants to do with it and get on with it. 'It's an absolutely stunning property and I am sure Paul had many cherished memories there.' While Fred Jaeger, 77, who has lived opposite the property for 40 years, described the latest row as 'really sad'. He said: 'I thought the holiday let plan was very bad. It would have cheapened the area a lot. I did not agree with that at all. 'It's a really unique property. I think it's the best house in Kent. I just wish Andre would decide what he wants to do with it. 'It's not good that it has been lowered in price. I cannot understand why it would not be sold. It's absolutely breath-taking. He should have kept it at the value it was originally.' The 50-acre estate mixes traditional features like French doors with quirkier aspects such as bookcase wallpaper and a Gypsy caravan in the garden. The mansion, which boasts a 'Witches House' in the garden, is situated in a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and comes with four acres of woodland. The kitchen is arranged around an island and benefits from an Aga with French doors which open to the terrace and the gardens beyond. On the first floor are five bedrooms, four of which face the Romney Marsh, while the main bedroom has a dressing room with French doors opening to a balcony and an en suite bathroom. Two of the other bedrooms also enjoy access to a balcony. As well as Knoll Hill House itself, the estate boasts a swimming pool and several outbuildings, including two self-contained cottages, a barn and stables. The cottage, which is now a dance studio, gym and steam room with a kitchen, bedroom and living space upstairs, is the largest of the outbuildings. A timber-clad cottage, nicknamed 'the Woodland Hut', provides additional room and has been described as a 'charming and whimsical building', with a wood burner, exposed brick walls and a galleried bedroom. As many as 14 sheep, three dogs, two pigs, hundreds of rescue chickens, ducks, alpacas, goats and barn owls all call Knoll Hill home thanks to O'Grady, a keen animal lover.
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Chynna Phillips, 57, poses for very rare photo with sister Mackenzie Phillips, 65, at Brian Wilson's memorial
Chynna Phillips posed for very rare photo with her half-sister Mackenzie Phillips at Brian Wilson's memorial. Mackenzie, 65, is best known for her role as Julie Cooper Horvath on the sitcom One Day At A Time with Valerie Bertinelli. She was also on Orange Is The New Black. The images were shared to Chynna's Instagram account this week with a sweet caption. 'Brian Wilson's memorial was staggeringly beautiful. Wonderful to spend time with good friends and loved ones,' wrote the blonde beauty. The 57-year-old added hashtags for 'family' and 'in loving memory.' Also seen was Chyna's mother Michelle Phillips of the 1960s band The Mamas and the Papas. She posed with Brian's daughter Carnie Wilson at the intimate event. Chynna is a singer and actress who is married to Alec Baldwin 's brother, Sliver actor Billy Baldwin. She came to fame as a member of the pop vocal trio Wilson Phillips with Carnie and Wendy Wilson, the daughters of Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys. Chynna has another half-sister: Bijou Phillips, an actress who used to be wed to Danny Masterson. Brian died in June at age 82, after a long battle with dementia. Wilson struggled for decades with mental health issues and substance abuse, which led to fractured family bonds and limited contact with his daughters Carnie and Wendy. Carnie, now 57, and Wendy, 55, were born to Brian and his first wife, singer Marilyn Wilson of The Honeys. Their 1979 divorce came after years of turmoil, and Brian later remarried in 1995, tying the knot with Melinda Ledbetter, with whom he adopted five children: Dakota Rose, Daria Rose, Delanie Rose, Dylan and Dash. While his younger children have largely stayed out of the spotlight, Carnie and Wendy stepped directly into it—forming the hit-making pop trio Wilson Phillips in 1989 alongside Chynna. The group quickly shot to fame with early '90s smashes like Hold On, Release Me, and You're in Love. But behind the scenes, their relationship with their father remained strained. 'It was chaotic,' Carnie and Wendy recalled of their childhood during a 2020 appearance on The Kelly Clarkson Show, adding that Brian's presence was often fleeting. Carnie has spoken openly about the pain of growing up without a consistent father figure. 'We can't call him up and we can't see him,' Carnie told the Los Angeles Times in 1992 of Brian, with whom she hadn't spoken in two years at the time. 'I guess we could, but we're so afraid of each other. I don't know what I would say to him.' That same year, she and Wendy wrote the deeply personal track Flesh and Blood as a musical olive branch to their father. The song was featured on Wilson Phillips' second studio album, Shadows and Light. Flesh and Blood marked a rare departure for Wilson Phillips—a group that had largely steered clear of addressing their famous family ties in their music. Until then, all three members had been careful not to lean on their musical legacies. 'We didn't want to play on (our family connections) before,' Carnie told the Los Angeles Times. 'We didn't want people to think that they were (the reasons for) our success. Because they weren't.' But Flesh and Blood proved the exception. The emotional ballad was a lyrical plea to Brian after years of estrangement. 'If you never plan to come out of your shell / You're never gonna get well . . . / For years I've been following your case / It's the only time I see your face,' the sisters sang. Carnie told the Times she hoped the song would spark a long-overdue family reunion—but she wasn't sure how he'd take it. 'He's either going to cry real hard, or else just stare at something and get (mad),' she said at the time. Two years later, the breakthrough finally came. In 1994, Brian reunited with his daughters after years of limited contact, save for the occasional holiday dinner. The reconciliation marked a turning point. The trio began making music together, and Carnie expressed hope that the collaboration would grow. 'Wendy and I are doing demo tapes for our debut album as a duo, and I hope Daddy will provide background harmonies,' Carnie told People at the time. 'I know that one day we'll all work together.' Later in life, Brian became one of Wilson Phillips' biggest cheerleaders—a full-circle moment after years of distance and emotional struggle. 'He also loves Wilson Phillips. He really does,' Carnie told UsWeekly in 2024. 'He's always asking me, 'How's Wilson Phillips?' I go, 'We're great, Dad.' He's funny. He's very proud.'
The Sun
4 hours ago
- The Sun
Inside Paul O'Grady's £3.5m mansion as late star's widow slashes price by 30% in bid to sell after neighbour row
PAUL O'Grady's £3.5m mansion is up for sale with the price of it now slashed by 30% in a bid to sell it quick. The much-loved TV presenter, who died in 2023 aged 67, lived in a now-for-sale seven-bedroom farmhouse in Kent with husband Andre Portasio - which has had its for sale price slashed several times. 5 5 5 5 Paul and Andre tied the knot in 2017 after first getting together in 2006, with them residing together in the stunning home. His widow has now slashed the price on the property, which is up for sale, following a row with neighbours after Paul's passing. Last June, The Sun revealed Brazilian ballet dancer Andre had lost his battle with his neighbours. Paul's widow wanted to turn a security hut on the grounds of their home into a separate two-bedroom house THREE times bigger. He was later granted permission to turn it into a holiday let instead of a bigger house. In October 2024, a year after Paul's death, Andre decided to put the posh pad up for sale for £3.5m. It was on the market for £3.5m, then £2.65m as we reported - and now has been dropped even more. The Sun can now reveal that the lavish pad is now up for sale for £2.4m. The house boasts of four reception rooms, a large kitchen and breakfast room and a master bedroom with dressing room and en suite. It also has four further bedrooms with an en suite and a family bathroom. Paul O'Grady's widower shares final video of star taken just 20 MINUTES before his death Also on the grounds is a cottage that has been turned into a dance studio and gym. The cottage also has a kitchen and a steam room inside. There is a second timber cottage, too, which is described as a "charming and whimsical building". Outdoors is just as amazing as indoors, and boasts of having a huge swimming pool, a barn, stables, an orchard and paddocks. Four years ago, before his death, Lily Savage star Paul was given the go-ahead for a ground keeper's outbuilding, gym and dance studio at his rural estate. But following his death in March 2023, his widower inherited the estate and launched a bid to turn the security hut into a separate two-bedroom house. He applied to the local council for a "change of use" of the security lodge which has an office, kitchen and shower, and lies next to the family pet cemetery. But neighbours blasted his plans and accused him of trying to build a new home "by the back door". In a letter of objection, a neighbour said: "The present application is in direct contravention of the original planning conditions and in my view amounts to an attempt to gain planning permission for a significant residential development by the back door, and one which will no doubt be sold on separately to the main building. "Given that the estate is very large, there surely must still be a need for a groundskeeper and gardeners and, indeed, for the workshop that was constructed for them." Andre later applied to transform the lodge into a holiday let. He received the go-ahead by Ashford Council. Planning officer Sally Hodgson said: "Central government guidance supports sustainable business, enterprise and tourism in rural areas, both through the conversion of existing buildings and well-designed new buildings. "This is endorsed by the Local Plan which seeks to encourage the sustainable growth of tourism." Late great TV star Paul bought the seven-bedroom farmhouse for £650,000 in 1999.
