Chapter 19: UK

Tue, Dec 16, 1969

My good friend, Cesar Balsa, owned the St Regis Hotel, where Ali & I lived in NYC. The St Regis had been built in 1904 by, John Jacob Astor, 4th.

The year before, in 1903, William Waldorf Astor, who was a Cousin of John Jacob Astor, 4th’s, moved to the UK, buying a deserted Castle in Kent, to the South of London. He & his family transformed it over the next 65 years into a fantastic Estate.

But by 1969, Hever Castle was pretty much abandoned by the Astor Family. As Ralf, I knew the Astors would finally sell Hever Castle. That would be in 1983. It would remain vacant until then.

When in NYC, other Astor family members would stay at the St Regis, one becoming a great friend of Cesar’s. That was Gavin Astor, 2nd Baron of Hever, who was William Waldorf Astor’s grandson.

Gavin & his Family were the last Astor Family Members to live at Hever Castle, moving to another UK Estate in 1965.

Cesar was telling Gavin about my recently taking over control of a couple of other vacant Historical Estates, opening them back up. He went on to describe the Well Funded, Perpetual Trusts I created for each, so that the properties would be protected & restored from then on.

Cesar also told Gavin about my investment in Hollywood, creating Partnerships with many in the Entertainment Business. In 1969, the whole World loved Hollywood & its Films. They craved our TV Shows too, so that excited Gavin.

Gavin soon agreed with Cesar, that I was the perfect person to pass his cherished, Hever Castle on to. Hever Castle had become too much for Gavin & his family to maintain, but it would be a great place for me. He said it would be the perfect place for me to put roots down in the UK, in 1969. Just like his grandfather had done, in 1903.

When Cesar told me about Hever Castle, I couldn’t wait to see it. He quickly set it up for me.

1st thing that morning, found Ali & I at the Pan Am Building, which is at Park Ave & 44th St in Midtown Manhattan. We then went up to its Rooftop Helipad, where, we caught the Pan Am Helicopter Shuttle to JFK. It ran about once an hour, & was a 10-Minute Flight, from the Pan Am Building to JFK. It was Free with 1st Class, as well as Clipper Class. Clipper Class was how Ali & I were flying to London, via Heathrow A/P, EGLL.

What a thrill to Fly in a Helicopter, especially to T/O amongst other Midtown Buildings.

That’s called a Pinnacle Takeoff. Normally in a Chopper, you Lift Up a few feet to a Hover, then you fly Forward, while also gaining Altitude. But in a Pinnacle T/O, you raise up a few feet as normal, then you just fly forward, as you are already high in the air. You do have to be aware of Wind Conditions as you come to the edge of the building though.

NY Airways operated the Shuttle for Pan Am. There was an Accident, May 16, 1977, when a Sikorsky S-61L was Boarding Passengers. A Landing Gear collapsed, causing the Chopper to tilt over. WTF, that never happens!

This caused the SPINNING Rotor Blades to hit the Roof, Killing 4 who were Boarding, as well as another down below on the sidewalk.

No! Why the fuk were the Rotor Blades even turning during Boarding. What’s the rush. This wasn’t Vietnam, for Christsakes,

Now as Pug, I would reach out to Pan Am with my concerns. I’m sure they would agree with me that it could be done safer during the Boarding Procedure.

Ali & I would take the Shuttle a few times over the years, but I always felt that smaller & newer Choppers would have been safer.

NYC had 3 other Heliports, so they didn’t need the Pan Am Building’s Heliport, anyway.

1. Downtown, on the East River, at Pier 6, which is just North of the Staten Island Ferry Terminal Building.

2. Also along the East River, at 34th St.

3. Along the Hudson River at 30th St,

For Safety, as soon as we took off, we headed over to the East River. Many a Chopper has survived a Ditching, but few survive crashes amongst tall buildings. It was beautiful either way, as it was a crisp, sunny day, great for Photos.

JFK was the usual hassle though, with Ali & I hoping for our own Jet soon. But we gritted out the 7-Hour Flight, of course in Clipper Class Luxury. We had good Eats & Drinks, as well as my Doozie’s, so no worries.

In London, we were being met by Gavin Astor, the Grandson of William Waldorf Astor.

He picked us up in a perfectly maintained 1930 Rolls-Royce Phantom 2 Shooting Brake. It was a Rolls-Royce Woody Wagon! A Shooting Brake means Station Wagon, in the UK. It is also sometimes referred to as an Estate Car. Gavin’s Rolls had 3 Bench Seats. He was Driving from the RHD. Ali sat next to him, in the Middle, with me on the Left side of the Front Seat. Our Luggage was in the other 2 Seats, including our Folding Bikes. We had a couple extra to give to Gavin.

William Waldorf Astor, was 55yo in 1903, when he bought Hever Castle. Anne Boleyn, had grown up there. She was born in 1507. She was the Queen of England, from 1533, until she Lost her Head in 1536.

After Henry, 8th gave Anne her Diamond Engagement Ring in 1533, Anne Tested it for being real, by seeing if it would Scratch a Window. She did that in Hever Castle’s Library. The Scratch can still be seen, proving the Diamond was real. Henry, 8th became Hever Castle’s owner after he married Anne Boleyn.

William Waldorf Astor’s son, John Jacob Astor 5th, took over control of Hever Castle in 1919, upon his dad’s death. He was the one to really transform Hever Castle into what is is today. He became the 1st Baron of Hever. He was 81yo in 1969, & would die in 1971. I would meet with him when I officially took over control of Hever Castle. He was emotional, but happy I was continuing the tradition of his Family. We were to meet at Dinner, after which, we would finalize the Transaction.

John Jacob Astor, 5th’s son, Gavin Astor, became the 2nd Baron of Hever. He was 51yo in 1969. His wife was Lady Irene Astor, who was 50yo in 1969.

Gavin had 3 girls & 2 boys. Their 1st son, John Jacob Astor, 8th, became the 3rd Baron of Hever. He was called Johnny & was 23yo in 1969. With my age as Pug at 18yo, Johnny & I really bonded. He was often in my Foursome.

Gavin said he’d make sure I became the 4th Baron of Hever. Did I want that?

John Jacob Astor 5th, built two, 9-Hole Golf Courses in 1922. The Kings 9 & the Queens 9. Both were great, very well maintained Courses. They were set amongst 250 Acres of lush English Countryside.

I thought we could combine the 2, 9-Hole Courses into a single 18-Hole Course. I’d call it the Championship Course. Combined, it was 7002 Yards & a Par 72. Many of the Holes mimicked Famous Holes around the world. There is even Hever’s own Amen Corner, like at Agusta National. You Tee Off directly onto the Greens. There were short Fairways, & small, slick Greens, as well a a number of Water Hazards. Better buy Balls in Bulk. The 3 Holes that comprise Hever’s Amen Corner, are the 11th, 12th & 13th.

The River Eden runs through it. Edenbridge is a small Village 1 mile to the West. It has a Population of 7,000, spread throughout the area. Edenbridge has 3 Train Stations, on 2 different Rail Lines, all 3 Stations part of the Southern Line. Hever Castle even has it’s own small Station, that borders the Estate. It is called Hev Station. Many Commute to London Daily from Edenbridge, as people in Europe take Trains all the time. They have great Rail Systems. It is a about 90 minutes from Hev to London Bridge Station.

In 1954, John Jacob Astor, 5th, built a Tudor Village in. It is built like an old English Village, where the buildings all are built over time, all being attached somehow.

Combined, the Castle & the new Tudor Village, Astor Wing, have 28 Guest Rooms.

He built a Covered Bridge over the Rear Moat, behind the Castle. That connected the Castle to the new Astor Wing.

As we turned onto Hever Road, I got a thrill, as once again, I was rescuing an Historic Estate. It would take a fortune to run, but I’d spread the Costs out amongst my many Companies, who I would encourage to use Hever Castle often. I’d charge my Companies, User Fees. The rest I’d cover myself.

Gavin said Hever Road completely circled the Estate. We 1st passed by the Golf Courses on our left.

We then passed the Stables, as well as the Equipment & Maintenance Complex. Hever Road had high hedges on both sides, nice, but I’d rather see the Pastures, Paddocks, Lakes, etc.

We finally came to the Astor Wing. There, we pulled through a narrow Archway, into the inner Motor Court. We were surrounded by old Tudor Style Garages, some with Servants’ Quarters above, in 2nd & 3rd Stories. The Garage Doors had Glass inserts, showcasing the Cars within.

inside the Garages, were Hever Castle’s Fleet of Historic Cars. 1st was the Rolls Woody. It was Dark Green & Blonde Wood.

The rest of the fleet, were all in Gavin’s Family Crest colors: Glossy Black Exteriors, & Red Leather Interiors. All were bought new by the Astors too.

1. 1930 Rolls-Royce Phantom 2 Shooting Brake

2. 1965 Aston Martin DB5 Shooting Brake

3. 1964 Aston Martin DB5. aka James Bond

4. 1953 Jaguar XK120 Roadster

5. 1954 Jaguar XK120 M Roadster

6. 1954 Jaguar XK120 FHC. (Hardtop)

7. 1957 Jaguar XK140 Roadster

8. 1957 Jaguar XK140 FHC (Hardtop)

9. 1963 Jaguar XKE Roadster

10. 1965 Jaguar XKE Coupe (Hardtop)

11. 1954 Triumph TR2

12. 1957 Triumph TR3

13. 1964 Triumph TR4 (#11 Race Car)

14. 1960 MG MGA

Gavin said the Fleet would be mine soon. I protested that they should stay with Gavin, but he firmly told me they would remain with Hever Castle.

As he drove, Gavin told us about his Family’s Ownership of the Times of London Newspaper. Gavin’s Father bought the Paper in 1922. Gavin was in the process of taking over Control from his Dad.

Gavin talked of the huge Responsibility he felt, over Ownership of The Times. His Motto was

“Tell the Truth, then Be Brave.”

Gavin had gone to Eton, then the New College at Oxford. Both posh British schools. Gavin was a Suave Guy, but with a Quick Wit.

Gavin & his wife, Lady Irene, showed us around the Estate. We Rode the Folding Bikes, which we quickly unpacked. Their kids already had bikes, so they came too. Actually, they became our Tour Guides, showing us all their favorite places while growing up. His kids ranged from a 10yo son, to a 23yo son. Gavin’s 3 daughter’s ages were, 16yo, 18yo & 21yo.

There were a couple Mazes, including a Water Maze, where kids have to get to the Middle, w/o getting their feet wet.

There are Riding Stables at Hever Castle, with miles of Bridal Paths in the area. They have Jousting Tournaments too, in Hever Castle’s very own Jousting Arena, where the Royal Box is highly coveted.

There is Music in the Outdoor Festival Theatre, which faces The Lake. It has 480 Seats under Cover, with more on the Grass to the sides too. The Seats face a small Bandshell.

We ended our Bike tour in front of Hever Castle’s Drawbridge.

Gavin whistled & the Drawbridge lowered. Nice touch. We walked across the Drawbridge, with Gavin telling us to look up, when we came to the Front Gate.

Gavin said the Castle has the Oldest Working Portcullis in Britain. A Portcullis is a Heavy, Thin, Vertical, Metal Gate, built like a Guillotine with Spikes on its bottom. It is Raised & Lowered by a Winch. It is set in Grooves, within the Castle’s Front Gate. When being Attacked, the Castle Guards would Raise the Drawbridge over the Moat. The Drawbridge then became another Front Door. As a Last Resort, the Guard had a Heavy Ax, that he used to Chop the Rope Holding Up the Portcullis, causing it to drop like a Guillotine, closing off the Gate in seconds.

Going into the Castle, we entered the Great Hall. It was a massive room, with Huge Fireplaces, both left & right. The Great Hall, was as Tall as the Castle, about 3 Floors. Alongside one Fireplace, was a long Oak Table, that Lady Astor said could Seat 50, if pressed.

As soon as we arrived, Ali & I were introduced to Gavin’s father, John Jacob Astor, 5th. He was a witty old man, not afraid of stating his mind, even if it upset the Apple Cart.

As I said before, he was emotional, but I helped to calm him, with a few Mindbending Thoughts.

He was excited over the new potential of his beloved Hever Castle. The Astors had kept Hever Castle pretty much private, & it was to remain that way mostly, but it would also be featured in the TV Shows & Films we Produced.

Gavin’s father said he had begun to call his old Grounds Crew back, as well as the House Staff. That’s when I was introduced to the Head Butler, Maurice Hotchkins. He was 66yo, happy to stay on through the transition, but he was grooming his son to take over soon. He had been in his position for 28 years.

Gavin & his father were excited about Reopening the Hever Castle Golf Club. They had kept on a skeleton Staff since 1965, to keep up the Castle, as well as Maintain the 9th Holes of both Courses. They were itching to play all 18 Holes again, in the Spring. The Grounds Crew would do as much as they could over the Winter, to bring the Courses back in shape.

We would often open up the Gardens to the Locals too, but just as often, we would close the Gates for Private Events.

That’s when I remembered something that I had been thinking about. We were in London, primarily to see the Rolling Stones one last time in ‘69. They were performing, Sun, Dec 21, 1969, in London, at the Lyceum Theatre. It held 2,100 Seats, so the Stones weren’t playing there to get rich. Tickets were only £1 too. The Stones loved playing to small audiences in London, their home though.

The Lyceum was located in the City of Westminster, in Central London, right off The Strand. It was in the West End, which is London’s Broadway District. It is 1 Block North of the Thames.

When I broached the subject of inviting the Rolling Stones to stay at Hever Castle, Gavin got excited. At 51yo, he was a big Stones fan.

After the Signing, I was the new Baron of Hever. I was paying just 1 British Pound Sterling too. Yup, just £1, a token payment. They didn’t need the money. It was never about Money. It was about me guaranteeing Hever Castle would be kept as I got it. The Trust’s I created were like Guardians, they would keep someone like Trump from messing with Mar-a-Lago. Nope, not gonna happen this time.

I then sincerely invited the Astors to feel free to consider Hever Castle still theirs, & to please use it often. Definitely Golf the Courses. That would happen too, as they would continue to manage the Staff for years. All the Astor’s seemed to enjoy being around me & my friends. I think we gave them “Purpose.” It was like being on the Ground Floor of a “Happening.”

After the Official Signing, Gavin & I made a few Calls.

I called Sam Cutler, the Road Manager of the Rolling Stones. He said he thought it a cool idea to have the Stones join me at Hever Castle, & would get with the Guys right away.

In Ralf’s time, Sam would have still been in the US, handling the Legal issues over the Altamont fiasco. He handled those issues related to the Rolling Stones’ being onstage during the Stabbing. The Stones, as well as the Grateful Dead, had hired the Hell’s Angels, to provide Security for the Free Concert too.

It was going to be a Free Concert, but it was on its 3rd Venue, a total mess. The 1st 2 Cities had pulled their Permits. The Concert would have been cool in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park, but not on the East Side, where it was a rougher crowd. The Dead had worked with the Hells Angels before as Security, but never on a big scale.

But Altamont never happened this time, as Jerry Garcia & Mick Jagger believed me when I said it was going to be bad. They had pulled the plug days before, canceling the Event.

Anyway, this time, Sam was still with the Stones in London, since there were no Legal Issues over Altamont.

Within an hour, it was all arranged. The Rolling Stones were moving into Hever Castle the next day. They would stay the week, leading up to Sundays Show, which also included Procol Harum, who were the opening act.