Gaby Doherty outlines what it was like living in North Kensington before and after the fire on 14th June 2017 at Grenfell Tower, the 24-storey block of public housing flats.
She and her husband Sean and their four children live in a flat across from Grenfell Tower, and Sean (a Church of England minister) was the first clergy person on the scene. Gaby’s account features the testimony of and commentary on the community that experienced the fire, and the amazing storiesof hope that followed in its wake. With short readings by Auriol Smith and Sam Walters.
Gaby Doherty was born a farmer’s granddaughter who from the age of 5-18 lived on a farm in rural Somerset with the nearest shops three miles away. After studying English at Reading and then Theology at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford, her faith led her to volunteer in Nottingham in an Urban Priority Area. She wanted to live alongside the poor, a condition she insisted upon when Sean asked her to marry him! For three years Gaby and Sean worked in a multicultural church in Cricklewood, before Gaby and Sean moved to West London .
Sam Walters MBE, educated at Merton College Oxford, trained as an actor at LAMDA. He retired in 2014 as Artistic Director of the Orange Tree Theatre in Richmond, London which he founded in 1971 and ran for 42 years! He also directed in the West End, in many regional theatres, and at drama schools.
Auriol Smith is an actor, theatre director, and founder member and former associate director of the Orange Tree Theatre. She has also directed in the West End, regional theatres and at the Central School of Speech and Drama.

With thanks to St James’ Church, Richard Stephens, Sally Dymott and Ailsa Scott