Her mother inherited a 35,000-acre Highland estate, while her husband, award-winning writer Adam Nicolson, and his family were synonymous with Sissinghurst Castle in Kent, renowned for the enchanting garden created there by his grandmother, Vita Sackville-West.
But never assume that Sarah Raven, herself a gardener of national repute, is insulated from economic reality.
Indeed, I can disclose that she and Nicolson, 67, have just taken emergency measures to ensure the survival of Sarah’s eponymous gardening company, of which both are directors and which has nearly a million customers.
This might seem inconceivable, given that, in 2022, it had a turnover of £23million.
But a year later that had fallen to £18million – with a profit of just £66,000.
After further ‘financial difficulties’, compounded by increased employers’ National Insurance contributions and ‘unseasonal weather patterns’, the couple have decided to put the company, Sarah Raven’s Kitchen & Garden, into administration – a move allowing Raven to re-acquire it herself, abetted by a small group of unnamed backers. Such drastic action may induce disquiet, even panic, in those who’ve flocked to buy plants, bulbs and seeds from the company since its foundation in 2008, many of whom also make the pilgrimage to Perch Hill Farm, Raven’s seed testing ground as well as the couple’s East Sussex home, on one of 25 annual open days.
But Raven, 62, is unstoppable. Author of seven books, she is up at 5am whether at Perch Hill or, in winter, at their house in south London.
Describing the creation of her business as ‘my life’s work’, she says her ambition is ‘to continue with everything we love about the best of gardening’.
But she’ll do so without chief executive Alison Doherty and chief financial officer Gavin Street, who have been pruned from the ‘restructured’ business.
Adam Nicolson and Sarah Raven at the Oldie Literary Lunch. Both have just taken emergency measures to ensure the survival of Sarah’s eponymous gardening company
The Crown’s Charles books a date with Queen Camilla
Dominic West once concluded that his role in The Crown, in which he starred as King Charles, had had a baleful effect on his relationship with the monarch.
Reflecting that he’d previously ‘done a bit of stuff’ for the Prince’s Trust, West, 55, conceded that ‘those invitations dried up’ after he graced the Netflix series.
So, too, he added, had any chance that he might one day receive a gong ‘for services to acting’. But I can disclose that his royal ties haven’t been severed – and he’s to appear at The Queen’s Reading Room Festival’s Poetry Spectacular at Chatsworth in September.
The charity aims to ‘celebrate and promote the power and benefits of reading’ – and was established by Queen Camilla, its patron. Not that long ago, she playfully addressed West as ‘Your Majesty’ when meeting him at a party.
Should the King be worried?
Lady Kitty in roses for Roman tribute
They say, ‘When in Rome, do as the Romans do,’ and Lady Kitty Spencer wore a dress inspired by the eternal city.
Princess Diana’s niece attended the Dolce & Gabbana Alta Moda fashion show in the Italian capital, wearing one of the brand’s designs created with the theme of Ancient Rome. The model, 34, who’s an ambassador for the Italian fashion house, captured attention in a floral embroidered gown, paired with a rose headband. ‘It was the most unforgettable tribute to Rome,’ she says.
Lady Kitty, who’s married to fashion tycoon Michael Lewis, 66, has spoken of her love for the country. ‘Being in Italy and around Italian culture has definitely taught me to appreciate the beauty of life,’ she said.
Lady Kitty Spencer outside the Dolce & Gabbana Alta Moda fashion show in Rome
TV classicist Mary Beard has sent a pop-up video to Cambridge alumni, urging them to vote for the university’s new Chancellor at the Senate House. ‘Don’t worry if you don’t have the whole academic kit. They’ll lend you a gown when you get there,’ Professor Beard says. ‘I think that’s what I’m going to do, so see you there.’ Whether the history presenter is casting her vote for BBC Two colleague Sandi Toksvig, she declines to reveal.
Is pop music Lila’s next career move?
While Kate Moss has been spotted reliving her partying days at Glastonbury and BST Hyde Park, her daughter Lila is plotting her next career move.
Having followed in her mother’s footsteps as a model, the 22-year-old has applied to the Intellectual Property Office to trademark ‘Lila Moss’, even though officially her name is Lila Grace Moss-Hack, after her father, Jefferson Hack.
The application is for merchandise such as clothing, cosmetics, handbags and jewellery. But it also covers music concerts and sound recording. Could pop music be her next career move?
Lila Moss at YSL Beauty Candy Club during New York Fashion Week
One night only! Stars in Tangier
How about this for a cast? Sex Education star Gillian Anderson joined Downton Abbey’s Michelle Dockery on stage in Tangier, Morocco, for one night only. The pair performed outdoors in Chekhov’s The Cherry Orchard with fellow cast members including Sir Derek Jacobi and Dame Penelope Wilton.
The show was held at interior designer Veere Grenney’s estate. ‘It was an incredible experience and not least the magnificent cast,’ says Anderson. Proceeds will be donated to charities in the region.
Sex Education star Gillian Anderson joined Downton Abbey’s Michelle Dockery on stage in Tangier, Morocco, for a one-night only performance of Chekhov’s The Cherry Orchard
Ronnie Wood’s ex-wife Jo fears men only date her because of the Rolling Stones guitarist. The former model and Strictly Come Dancing contestant says: ‘I went to dinner [with one man] and the guy gave me a newspaper and said, “Go to page five.” There’s a picture of Ronnie. He said, “Tell me some stories.” That date didn’t last long.’
