They have no idea who Kelsey Grammer is, but they want to stop him destroying a 200-year-old cottage
Set opposite a freshly tilled field of red earth, Squires Cottage sits quietly against the expanse of the Bristol Channel, as it has every day for nearly 200 years. Its red tiles colour-match with the soil here in the ancient village of Walton-in-Gordano, just outside the port town of Portishead, near Bristol. Its pinkish stone merges with the still-bare hedgerows.
Apart from the luminous splash of primroses on its lawn, seeded and spread over decades, it blends seamlessly with its landscape on this narrow coastal road as if to say 'nothing to see here'. And indeed very soon there won't be – at least, you won't see unassuming Squires Cottage anymore. Because 'the American' is in town, and he has bigger plans for this nook of quintessential rural England.
'Prior Notification of Demolition Works' reads the crumpled notice on the worn wooden gatepost with Forget-Me-Nots at its base. 'Site to be cleared, levelled, and made good'.
The American, as he's repeatedly referred to in these parts, is actor Kelsey Grammer, 70, the A-list star of sitcoms Frasier and Cheers. Along with his Hartlepool-born wife, Kayte Walsh, 46, who he met on a transatlantic flight when she worked as an air stewardess, he has bought Squires Cottage, one of few remaining buildings here which features on the 1840s tithe map of north Somerset.
Last year he applied to extend it by nearly 150 per cent (50 per cent is the usual 'rule of thumb'). After this was refused, in February he applied to flatten it completely. It is not a listed building and now north Somerset council has confirmed this can go ahead, stating 'prior approval is not required'.
He can demolish it to make way for an entirely new home, reportedly complete with a gym and games room. One of few conditions is the demolition must be carried out 'on or before 12 February 2030'. Stardust will soon become very real indeed – and waft through his neighbours' gardens.
'He's the TV star from Friends?' queries retiree Philip Hawkesby, who's lived just off this grass verged coastal road for nearly 20 years. 'I knew it started with an 'F',' he adds with a shrug.
He's stunned about the cottage, his usually level Bristolian twang rising. 'It's beautiful, there's nothing wrong with it,' he says. 'If it was derelict I could understand it.'
He adds: 'If he wants to do something, keep the facade and do a new build inside… I'd hate for him to build a brand new house of glass and steel, because that would be completely out of character.'
Hawkesby bought his own new-build on a development sloping towards the water for the view, but would have loved a period property. There aren't many remaining. 'You'd think he'd have a bit more respect for the area that he's moved into, it's a lovely looking cottage.'
He adds: 'We should be looking after old buildings like that, even if they're not listed. Our local council should be looking at buildings like that and coming up with another solution.' He believes they should have worked harder to allow a sensitive extension. 'I think this is a wrong decision,' he says.
Others don't pick their words so carefully. Further along the road, outside his bungalow built on the hill behind which slopes towards Walton Bay, Jeff, 76, is straight to the point. 'Bloody cheek,' he says. 'It's a disgrace.'
He leans on his fence and gazes across the water to hazy Newport in the distance. 'Come over, plonk yourself down, knock the place down, build an eyesore and then disappear back off to America for nine months,' he speculates. 'There's loads of new properties for sale if he wants a new property. Why do you want to get rid of that history?'
The fact the demolition of this 'coastal road treasure', as it's described by the parish council, can proceed is particularly confusing given Grammer's previous application to extend was refused.
He first requested to demolish only the garage, carport and existing modern extensions on the cottage, creating a huge new two-storey extension and basement level.
Reasons for refusal stressed the cottage's historic and cultural importance. 'Squires Cottage is a non-designated heritage asset that is recorded on the North Somerset Historic Environment Record, which means it is a historic building of local significance,' the report reads.
A conservation and heritage officer added the cottage, which used to sit in thick heathland, 'represents a vernacular built from possibly local stone with additional red clay roof tiles' with parts predating 1840. 'The significance of the property… is important within the landscape as it reflects the traditions and rural history of it,' explained the council.
It added the size of the build would 'unacceptably harm the openness of the Green Belt…' as well as 'unacceptably harm the character and appearance of the dwelling and its place in the local landscape.'
So why, many now ask, is it suddenly okay to flatten it? Although it needs restoration it has charm in abundance, its cosy terracotta chimney pots and sleepy window lintels a calming contrast to the fast country lane traffic outside.
Simon Rix, senior planning permission consultant at Planix UK, explains it's simply down to procedure. 'The extension and the demolition are considered under different processes,' he says.
'The application for the extension was a standard planning application, which the council assessed based on its planning policies and ultimately refused. In contrast, the demolition falls under a different process called 'prior approval', which is often a more streamlined process and, in some cases, not required at all.'
He adds: 'In this instance, the council determined prior approval wasn't needed for the demolition. That's generally the case unless the building is listed, within a conservation area, or there are specific protections in place, such as environmental concerns.'
But although procedure has been followed, comments on the council's planning portal reveal more anger at it being 'razed to the ground'.
'If we do not value our architectural heritage such as this, then what stands in the way of unscrupulous developers and apathetic bureaucrats?' reads one. 'The cottage should be cherished not swept aside,' it continues, adding: 'the overt and callous submission to demolish, having been refused planning permission to expand, only serves to publicise the arrogant forces at play and their disregard for NSC [north Somerset counil] decision-making. I urge the decision makers to take a stand against these behaviours, in a time where bullying and bluster is commonplace on the world stage.'
Not all immediate neighbours are concerned though. There are detached properties scattered along the road, set back from the verge. Most are newer builds after the owners knocked down bungalows or chalets that existed before. A number are contemporary. Squires Cottage sits next to some dramatic architecture including three slanted black roof tops like ski slopes.
A few doors up, Louie Bracey, 75, opted to build his new home in 2009 in a cottage-style, however. And even then came up against planners, so he has some sympathy with Grammer. 'It took me 18 months fighting with the council to build this,' he says, pottering in the garden.
'I prefer olde world things, but it's personal. It's an old cottage, damp, not economical to heat and run. Personally I would rather it was kept in the traditional style, but that would suit me.'
He adds of Grammer: 'Somebody told me he's quite famous. I don't care as long as he keeps his garden tidy.'
In a BBC interview in 2023, Grammer revealed he loved his time in Portishead with his wife's family and was going to refurbish a home there. 'We bought a little place we're going to be working on,' he said. 'We won't be taking up residence for a while but, yeah, we're pretty excited about it.'
Lunching at The Ship pub, Jon Jones, 63, admits he knows Grammer's son-in-law, and has met Grammer himself on one of his visits, in another Portishead pub. 'He sang there once at an open mic night.'
He admits he can't see the 'rationale' for pulling down the cottage.'There's plenty of other places around here,' he says. 'It's a shame. It adds something to that coastal road. We haven't got many old buildings left in Portishead, every one is quite valuable. It's a bit of history getting erased.'
Landlord Vic Long, 81, who built his pub back in 1973, is 'sitting on the fence', but can't help confessing his disappointment. 'It would have been nice if it remained as one of the last cottages around,' he says.
He's unlikely to recognise Grammer if he pops in for a pint, though. 'Never heard of him,' he grins.
Grammer has been contacted for comment
Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
19 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Rare Labubu sells for more than $150,000 at auction
A rare, first-generation Labubu figure has sold for $150,000 in Beijing at an auction held exclusively for the toys that have taken the world by storm. The 131-centimeter (51-inch) mint green figurine with a gremlin-like appearance, sharp teeth and puckish grin went for 1.08 million yuan ($150,325) at the Yongle International Auction house that normally specializes in selling jewelry and modern art. 'Congratulations to the online buyer on collecting the world's only such one,' said the auctioneer at an exhibition center in downtown Beijing on Tuesday afternoon. Labubus are currently the trendiest plush toys on the planet, created by Hong Kong-born illustrator Kasing Lung and retailed by the Chinese toy giant Pop Mart. In recent months, the bunny-bodied, elf-faced creatures — equal parts grotesque and adorable — have soared in popularity, sparking buying frenzies around the world, and in some cases, brawls among fans outside shops selling them. Even in China, where Pop Mart is based and most of its toys are made, people are struggling to get their hands on Labubus. A total of 48 Labubus were auctioned at the special event, billed as the 'World's First' auction of first generation collectible Labubus. A brown, 160-centimeter (63-inch) Labubu figure, sold for $114,086, the second highest hammer price at the event. The company said only 15 such figures exist around the world. Other figures went for more than $1,000 each. 'As a trendy toy in China, Labubu is now becoming a global artwork as it has truly sparked a craze around the world,' Zhao Xu, the founder of Yongle Auction, told state-owned outlet The Beijing News. Zhao said the company plans to hold monthly livestream auctions for Labubu and other trendy artworks. A pair of Minions-like Labubus sold at auction for 10,000 yuan ($1,391). Buyers at the auction also had to pay an additional 15% brokerage fee on top of the hammer prices. And it's not rare to see a price inflation of Labubus due to the crazy demand in China. For instance, a blind box from the latest Labubu 3.0 series, originally priced at around $81, has been selling for up to $278 on the second-hand market, state-owned outlet Cover News reported. Labubu's viral popularity has been a booster for Pop Mart. Annual results show that the Chinese company's global gross profit surged by over 125% last year, while its revenue in mainland China reached more than $1.09 billion, 34% higher than 2023.
Yahoo
23 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Summer fun at no cost: Eight free things to do in Montgomery
Does the idea of a fun day out and about sound great, right up until it hits your wallet? Worry not. The Montgomery Advertiser is offering eight free or cheap fun things for adults to do in the Montgomery area this summer. Where: 1 Museum Drive Hours: Open Tuesday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Info: The Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts, located in Blount Cultural Park, is absolutely free to get in and view a variety of masterpieces — though they'll gladly accept a donation. The museum's permanent collection includes 19th- and 20th-century American paintings and sculptures, Southern regional art, Old Master prints and decorative arts. The museum offers tours, has a cafe, and frequently hosts live performances. Summer months ahead include several workshops and camps. Online: Contact: 334-625-4333 More: Summer festivals & fun in Montgomery that you've got to experience While you're at MMFA, there's a gorgeous spot to enjoy a picnic lunch outdoor in the John and Joyce Caddell Sculpture Garden. Blount Cultural Park, including the area around nearby Alabama Shakespeare Festival, is also bursting with scenic picnic opportunities. There are many more beautiful locations across the city as well where it's free to set up and enjoy a meal. You can see a big list of park areas online at Montgomery is just packed with outdoor art displays, many of which reflect the people and history of the city. One must-see is the Civil Rights Memorial, a granite fountain with the names of people who were killed during the Civil Rights Movement. It's in downtown Montgomery at 400 Washington Ave. There are at least 24 murals to be seen downtown, midtown, and on the west side. A map to them is available at There are statues across the city, including life size versions of Hank Williams, Rosa Parks, and many more. If nature's your thing, Montgomery has. lot to offer on walking trails. There are at least 22 trails available to walkers in Montgomery's public parks. You can find them online at Another amazing venue for this is Montgomery Whitewater. It's free to visit, and has multi-use trails set up for walking, running, and mountain biking. On the not-free side, if you want, you can book whitewater rafting adventures there or take to the trees in the ropes and zipline course. See more online at More: Summer pool hours: Splash pads and swimming spots in the Montgomery area Country legend Hank Williams was a young man on Montgomery's streets. He died at age 29 on New Year's Day 1953 in the back seat of his 1952 Cadillac while headed from Tennessee to a scheduled concert in Canton, Ohio. His all-too-short life created a legacy of country western music. The city will celebrate what would have been Hank's 102nd birthday this summer with a music celebration on Sept. 13, 3 p.m. at the Davis Theatre, 251 Montgomery St. Tickets are on sale through the Hank Williams Museum — $35 for general admission, and $45 for VIP. Hank Williams Museum, 118 Commerce St.: This museum is dedicated to all things Hank, and along with a lot of memorabilia and imagery, it even has his blue Cadillac. You do have to get tickets to get in here: $15 for ages 18 and up, $5 for ages 15-17, $3 for ages 5-14, and ages 4 and younger are free. But Montgomery is full of places you can visit to see where and how Hank lived — and most are free to go look at. How many places can you visit in a day? Hank Williams statue, 216 Commerce St.: The 6-foot-2 bronze statue of Hank Williams stands at the intersection with Tallapoosa Street in front of the tunnel to Riverfront Park. Empire Theater, 234 Montgomery St.: This is where a young Hank won a singing contest in 1937. The Empire is gone, and the Rosa Park Library and Museum sits where the theater once stood. Jefferson Davis Hotel, WSFA radio, 344 Montgomery St.: When Hank was just a "singing kid" of around 13, he landed a gig singing live on WSFA radio (With the South's Finest Airport). It's a job he and his Drifting Cowboys would have there for several years, Sidney Lanier High School, 1756 S. Court St.: This school, which closed down in 2024, is where 16-year-old Hank dropped out of school in October 1939 after a brief enrollment, opting to focus on his blossoming music career with the Drifting Cowboys. Chris' Hot Dogs, 138 Dexter Ave.: This famous downtown hotdog and burger restaurant — which opened in 1917 and still operates today — is where Williams was known to frequent on late nights after gigs to sober up in a back booth. Elite Café, 121 Montgomery St.: This is where Hank sang publicly for the last time on Dec. 28, 1952, while attending an American Federation of Musicians holiday party. Municipal auditorium, 103 N. Perry St.: Where the City Council meets now is where thousands paid their final respects Sunday, Jan. 4, 1953, to Hank. They were inside and outside what was then called Municipal Auditorium. Hank Williams Memorial & Gravesite, 1304 Upper Wetumpka Road in Oakwood Cemetery Annex: Hank's gravesite is a must-see for visiting Hank Fans. It's also the gravesite of Hank's first wife, Audrey − the mother of Hank Williams Jr. Take a tour of the State Capitol at 600 Dexter Ave. It's a working museum of state history and politics, with offices for the governor and executive branch officers. Areas open to the public include the House of Representatives, Senate Chamber, Old Supreme Court Chamber and Library, and the Rotunda. When: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Cost: Free Just across Adams Avenue at the Department of Archives and History you can dig into the state's past at the Museum of Alabama. When: The museum is open Monday-Saturday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Cost: Admission for self-guided tours is free. There's music playing nightly at spots across Montgomery. One of the most active places is The Exchange at the Renaissance Montgomery Hotel and Spa, 201 Tallapoosa St. They have music going 7 days a week, and most nights feature two music acts on their outdoor stage. There are many bars, restaurants and other venues that host live music — though some may have a door charge. You can find them at Another amazing source for live music that's absolutely free is Montgomery Whitewater, 1100 Maxwell Boulevard, which frequently hosts live music concerts. See what music is ahead this summer online at One of the jewels of Montgomery is the stretch of the Alabama River at Riverfront Park, 355 Commerce St. The area includes Riverwalk Amphitheater, and hosts concerts and other events throughout the year. It's also home to the Harriott II Riverboat. It's a great place to visit toward the evening to watch a stunning sunset reflected on the water. Montgomery Advertiser reporter Shannon Heupel covers things to do in the River Region. Contact him at sheupel@ This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: See our picks for eight free things to do in Montgomery this summer
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
‘Democracy Forward' Compilation Features Tracks From Michael Stipe, Wilco, Brandi Carlile, John Prine and Tyler Childers
The 20-track Democracy Forward double album will feature songs from R.E.M. singer Michael Stipe, Wilco, Tyler Childers, Brandi Carlile, Brittany Howard and Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit and many more on a compilation focused on democracy, resilience and courage. The collection is a partnership between literary magazine The Bitter Southerner and national legal organization Democracy Forward. 'The work of Democracy Forward ensures that people and communities – that all of us – are heard and that our rights are protected,' said Skye Perryman, President & CEO of Democracy Forward in a statement about the collection that will be release on vinyl the week of July 3; pre-sales begin today here. More from Billboard Cardi B Blasts Donald Trump's 'Dictatorship Vibe' Over ICE Raids & National Guard Deployment Cloonee Postpones L.A. Shows Amid ICE Raids: 'I Will Not Throw a Party Whilst the Latino People Who Have Supported Me in This City Are Hurting' Leon Thomas' 'Mutt' Snatches Third Radio Crown of 2025 'At a time when so many communities across the nation are hurting and being targeted, music, art, and expression helps to bring people together in community, which creates the conditions for courage,' read the statement. 'We are incredibly grateful to the artists who have dedicated their music to support the American people's rights and our democracy during this consequential time. Each of us has a role to play in strengthening our democracy, and every voice matters.' Proceeds from the album will benefit Democracy Forward's work, which includes free representation for people and communities in defense of their constitutional rights. Since the second inauguration of President Donald Trump, Democracy Forward said in the statement that it has been focused on 'some of the most significant issues affecting people, families, and communities to confront anti-democratic extremism head-on. From stopping the federal funding freeze, to blocking the decimation of the Department of Education, to protecting religious liberty, to safeguarding due process, to stopping DOGE and Musk from taking Americans' sensitive and personal data, and more – Democracy Forward has won court orders for people and is just getting started.' The album will open with Stipe's new original spoken word piece 'Invocation.' The singer and activist said in a statement, 'We believe in the importance of our democracy and also our ability to save it. The world is depending on us. This fight is not over. The day is not done.' Since Democracy Forward's formation in 2016, the Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit has taken the Trump administration to court more than 100 times and worked with dozens of prominent groups to combat some of the administration's actions by partnering with organizations including: Abortion Fund of Ohio, National Immigrant Justice Center, National Parks Conservation Association, Alliance For Justice, National Resources Defense Council, New York Civil Liberties Union, American Federation of Teachers, Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence and the Southern Poverty Law Center. The album announcement comes as Trump is attempting to muscle through his so-called 'Big Beautiful Bill,' a proposed tax and spending package that aims to permanently extend the president's big tax cuts for the nation's wealthiest individuals, as well as make deep cuts to social programs including Medicaid and food aid and roll back a wide variety of environmental regulations and green energy initiatives in an effort to focus on climate-warming fossil fuels. It also coincided with Trump's provocative deployment of 2,000 California National Guard troops to Los Angeles on Monday (June 9) — without the consent of Gov. Gavin Newsom — in order to quell demonstrations against Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids in the city. Check out the track list for Democracy Forward below. Michael Stipe – 'Invocation' (new) Sierra Ferrell –'American Dreaming' Wilco – 'Cruel Country' Tyler Childers – 'Long Violent History' Brandi Carlile – 'Speak Your Mind' Hurray for the Riff Raff – 'Colossus of Roads' Brittany Howard – 'Another Day Tunde Abebimpe – 'People' Kevin Morby and Waxahatchee – 'Farewell Transmission' Fruit Bats – 'A Lingering Love' Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit – 'Something More Than Free' (Live from the ACL Live) She Returns From War – 'Ruthless' John Prine – 'Your Flag Decal Won't Get You Into Heaven' (Live at Fifth Peg Chicago) S.G. Goodman – 'Satellite' Allison Russell (featuring Brandi Carlile) – 'You're Not Alone' Langhorne Slim – 'Life is Confusing' Blue Mountain – 'Jimmy Carter' Danielle Ponder – 'So Long' Jim James – 'Here in Spirit' Michael Stipe and Big Red Machine – 'No Time For Love Like Now' Best of Billboard Chart Rewind: In 1989, New Kids on the Block Were 'Hangin' Tough' at No. 1 Janet Jackson's Biggest Billboard Hot 100 Hits H.E.R. & Chris Brown 'Come Through' to No. 1 on Adult R&B Airplay Chart