Harold Gander, 26, and Belle Wade, 23, worked together at The Grafton, one of Kentish Town’s hottest pubs, until Harold left last month to pursue other projects. Assistant manager Belle is from Australia, where she presented and produced community radio and television before moving here “on a whim”. She spends her money and time “hunting down good records, great whisky, and polka dot trousers”. Originally from the Zambia, Harold Gander came to Kentish Town when he was five years old. He’s a film buff and hopes to be a director one day. And in case you’re wondering? No, they’re not a couple.
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Belle Wade
Where would you like to live?
Those pretty painted houses. I’ve got my eye on a nice mint green one. Just FYI.
What is your favourite sound?
When you place a needle on a record and hear the first note.
What is your greatest life achievement?
Apart from managing to give myself a false set of eyelashes using cacti spines when I was two, I’d have to say becoming the first female, and youngest music director of an Australian radio station at the age of 21. Girl power!
What is your earliest K-Town memory?
The day I had my job interview for The Grafton was the first time I had ever stepped foot in Kentish Town. I was walking along the high street killing time and found five pounds in a gutter. I also found a pair of perfect polka dot jeans for five pounds in a thrift store. If that’s not a “meant to be” fairytale then I don’t know what is.
What simple thing would improve your quality of life?
Just leaving my phone at home when I’m drinking would vastly improve the quality of my life. Or at least the mornings after.
What is your guilty pleasure?
Listening to Craig David. Don’t judge me.
Where do you hang out?
I’ve been spending a lot of time on Primrose Hill as the weather has been “warmer”. I really like The Pineapple and Camden Town Brewery too.
What’s the worst thing anyone’s said to you?
You have a terrible taste in music. But just to set the record straight this particular person introduced himself by rapping Eminem’s 8 Mile – and had a tattoo of his mum’s face on his chest.
What has your career taught you?
Gin fixes everything.
What’s been your best experience?
My friends travelled all the way from Sheffield to London so their band could play their first ever live show at The Bull and Gate. For the first time since I left Melbourne I really felt like I was home.
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Harold Gander
When were you happiest?
As a child in primary school, everything seemed like an adventure.
What is your favourite sound?
When you open your windows and can hear music coming from people’s houses. That’s how I know it’s summer.
What is your greatest life achievement?
Going to university, and/or helping my under-14 girls football team reach second in the league.
What is your earliest memory?
First day at Carlton primary school walking into Miss Atkins’ class and being introduced to everybody, it was sick.
What makes you unhappy?
Seeing my friends and family unhappy. And Arsenal losing.
What simple thing would improve your quality of life?
A bike. I lost mine and would like another one.
What is your guilty pleasure?
Skating at four in the morning; when I can’t sleep I just take off out.
Where do you hang out?
You can find me at the Abbey most weekends but I’m all over the place, too many good places to neglect.
Who or what do you hate and why?
Don’t get me wrong, I’m an animal lover – but city foxes are irritating giant rodents.
What’s been your worst experience?
Seeing Camden on fire, because there was nothing I could do about it except sit and watch.
What’s the worst thing anyone’s said to you?
I don’t remember because I don’t hold on to things like that.
Tell us a secret.
When I was younger I used to hang on the roofs by the side of train tracks at Kentish Town West. We used to play dares, chill out, and even once made a makeshift fort.
Describe yourself as an animal.
I think I would be a Koala bear – because I like to be high and chill.
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Find The Grafton on our Nearby page here. Got a suggestion for Ich Bin? Email us: info@kentishtowner.co.uk
2 thoughts on “Ich Bin Kentishtowner: Belle Wade and Harold Gander”
That photo doesn’t do Belle justice! She’s a babeee.
Agreed. She’s also the best dressed barmaid in K-Town.