Category: MOVERS & SHAKERS

The snakes and ladders of society.

A chronicle of drama, scandal and success in London, Paris, New York and elsewhere

Lord Alton: What's on your mantelpiece?

“The Steeple Times” quizzes Lord Alton about what’s on his mantelpiece

The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom.” What’s your guiding force?

“The still small voice of calm” (from the Quaker poet, John Greenleaf Whittier).

“Never regret, never explain, never apologise” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?

Pretty much the opposite.

Kerry Katona was unacceptable in 2007. Who is unacceptable in 2012? 

No one is ever unacceptable – although their behaviour may be.

Tony Blair misses being Prime Minister. What do you miss most in your life? 

Being away from family and friends while I’m working.

What might you swap all your wealth for?

To save a life – the Rabbi was right when he said that the man who saves a single life saves the world.

What phrase or word do you most loathe?

“My right to choose.”

In the UK, some people consider charity to “begin at home.” What’s your view and what causes do you personally support?

Charity does begin at home but it doesn’t end there so I support a variety of causes at home and overseas.

Have you ever been arrested and if so, for what?

Yes, for obstruction of the Highway (1835 Highways Act), as a young City Councillor, for objecting to the harassment of some teenage constituents. The case was dismissed by Liverpool’s Stipendiary Magistrate.

If you could fill a carriage on The Orient Express, who would be your fellow passengers?

Past and present world political leaders and half a dozen articulate champions of neglected causes; then use the journey to try and change some minds and priorities.

David Alton, Baron Alton of Liverpool

If you were unfortunate enough to end up on death row, what would be your last meal and where would you eat it?

Liverpool’s Yuet Ben Restaurant – with my family and friends – recapturing many happy memories accompanied by perfect meals.

What time is it acceptable to consume the first drink of the day?

Depends. Usually lunch time.

A Negroni, a martini or a cup of tea?

Tea during the day. Negroni sounds good for early evening.

Whose parties do you enjoy the most and why?

I’m happy when I’m in good company – but need to be able to hear the conversation. In every sense, dinner parties are preferable to political parties.

Who is the most positive person you know?

Baroness Masham of Ilton. As a young woman Sue Masham broke her back in a riding accident and has spent her life confined to a wheelchair. Not once have I heard her complain and every adversity is met by gutsy good humour totally devoid of self pity.

What’s your most guilty pleasure?

That would be telling. Probably best kept between me and my confessor!

What was the first bone that you broke?

Ankle.

If a tattoo were to sum you up, what would it be of?

The Christogram IHS.

If you were a car, what marque would you be?

I like the characteristics of the Land Rover but I guess the qualities represented by the Robin Reliant shouldn’t be sniffed at either.

Cilla Black presented “Surprise, Surprise.” Tell us the most surprising thing about you.

Not being easily deterred.

What’s currently sitting on your mantelpiece?

An icon from Turkana and a bust of Mr Gladstone.

For more information about Lord Alton, go to: http://davidalton.net

July 17, 2012
Playground Mafia

Award winning journalist, presenter and novelist Sarah Tucker examines the mafia of the playground

It’s getting worse. I wrote the (fictional) novel The Playground Mafia in 2006 and since then have had requests for interviews and emails from all over the world where men and women have got a hold of the book somehow and told me how they feel now they are not alone.

The Playground Mafia by Sarah Tucker

The last time I was contacted was a month ago by a journo from The Daily Telegraph who asked me my opinion on two celebrities in Putney who were hitting each other in the playground because of protractors. Protractors? Aren’t they the things in maths class? I made a comment about these women should get a life. She printed it verbatim. In fact she printed my whole interview verbatim and called it her article.

So I’ve decided to spread the words of wisdom to you, as I’ve been contacted from all four corners of the globe (I even have a following in Japan) by mothers, grandmothers, the well heeled, the seriously seedy about all things playground politic and mummy mafia which would make those in Westminster cower with fear. They are all mummy’s boys after all.

Of course there was playground politics in my mother’s day but it was blown out by the war. What did you care then if your child got into the wrong school? The wrong school meant one that was in the line of fire and got bombed while your child was in it.

I know women who have slept with the headmaster to get their child into the school and wanted to sue when they have still been rejected (they weren’t very good obviously) and father’s who have used financial blackmail to make sure their child will be made head boy (at the time a “well respected” banker but I don’t think there are any now).

There are cliques of women, the sweaty bettys (gym bunnies usually with much older husbands), the startled rabbits (botox freaks), the mafia, the second wives club, the mean midgets (short women are like short men but have bigger chips), the single mums, the unhappily marrieds, the earth mothers, the career mothers, the dog lovers, the spiritual healers, the crummy, slummy, chummy, schtummy, plummy, yummy mummies.

Everyone wants to be a yummy mummy. But even they have a dark side. When pushed too far they don’t get even. They just write a column.

Sarah Tucker is an award winning travel journalist, novelist, producer and broadcaster. She has edited, produced and presented her own radio and TV series as well as presenting reports for BBC Holiday Programme and anchored I Want That House on ITV. She is the author of best selling novels The Playground Mafia (short listed for the Good Housekeeping book of the year 2007) The Battle for Big School, The Last Year of Being Single, and The Control Freak Chronicles. For more information, go to: http://www.sarahtucker.info

Buy The Playground Mafia on Amazon at: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Playground-Mafia-Sarah-Tucker/dp/0099498456/ref=sr_1_7/202-9265101-5575054?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1193856472&sr=1-7

Follow Sarah Tucker on Twitter at: http://www.twitter.com/madasatucker

July 5, 2012
An interview with Lyndon Ogbourne

Claire Rubinstein interviews Lyndon Ogbourne for “The Steeple Times”

Last week, Claire Rubinstein made Emmerdale fans envious when she interviewed the soap’s former baddest boy at Sette restaurant in Chelsea.

Over lunch, the pair chatted about Ogbourne’s career, charity, social media and forthcoming projects. Watch video footage of the interview here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tncDQkCxgsY

As you’ll see, there’s a lot more to come from Mr Ogbourne.

View Lyndon Ogbourne’s show reel at: http://www.curtisbrown.co.uk/lyndon-ogbourne

Support Lyndon Ogbourne’s cycle fundraiser for Once Upon A Smile at: http://www.justgiving.com/lyndon-ogbourne

Sette, 4 Sydney Street, London, SW3 6PP. Telephone: +44 (0) 20 7352 3435. Website: http://sette-restaurant.com

July 4, 2012
Peter Burrell: What's on your mantelpiece?

In the first of our mantelpiece series, we pitch twenty questions to Peter Burrell, a racing supremo who also co-owns Sette restaurant with Frankie Dettori MBE

The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom.” What’s your guiding force?

Mine is the world of horse racing that I have been in love with since I was 13 years old. I adore the horses and the people… Imagine being involved in a sport that has Lester, Frankie and Frankel!

“Never regret, never explain, never apologise” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?

Wish I could live like that as most mornings that should be my modus operandi… I am more Peter Langan.

Kerry Katona was unacceptable in 2007. Who is unacceptable in 2012?
Julian Assange, Mugabe, Assad and the current limo culture that we live in.

Tony Blair misses being Prime Minister. What do you miss most in your life?

I don’t miss him or his wife that’s for sure but I do miss a good Partagas No. 4 after dinner.

What might you swap all your wealth for?

I am potless but if I were a rich man I would trade it all for a good night’s sleep and a hole in one.

What phrase or word do you most loathe?

The word “like” when used as an adjective.

In the UK, some people consider charity to “begin at home.” What’s your view and what causes do you personally support?

Cancer and children.

Have you ever been arrested and if so, for what?

Yes: For refusing to pay an over priced taxi in Spain. When I’m drunk I will take them on.

If you could fill a carriage on The Orient Express, who would be your fellow passengers?

My wife.

Peter Burrell pictured at Ascot with his wife Carmen

Peter Burrell conquers The Matterhorn

If you were unfortunate enough to end up on death row, what would be your last meal and where would you eat it?

A really good prawn cocktail then an oxtail stew washed down with Haut Brion in the electric chair itself.

What time is it acceptable to consume the first drink of the day?

Like Churchill said: “Time is only for the middle classes.”

A Negroni, a martini or a cup of tea?

Negroni.

Whose parties do you enjoy the most and why?

My own because I am the centre of attention and I love making speeches.

Who is the most positive person you know?

Frankie Dettori MBE is the greatest jockey in the world and Umberto at Sette in Chelsea is the greatest restaurant manager in the world.
What’s your most guilty pleasure?

A sneaky cigar.
What was the first bone that you broke?

Left arm.

If a tattoo were to sum you up, what would it be of?

I have three and I like my star tattoo the best.
If you were a car, what marque would you be?

Toyota Land Cruiser.

Cilla Black presented “Surprise, Surprise.” Tell us the most surprising thing about you.

I am an optimist with a love for life that will never be surpassed. I wish I could tell you I had hidden a pot of gold somewhere but as someone once said to me: “Pete you don’t need money as you will never be far from it!”

What’s currently sitting on your mantelpiece?

Invitations to Ascot and Johnny Gold’s 80th birthday and two horse bronzes.

Sette, 4 Sydney Street, London, SW3 6PP. Telephone: +44 (0) 20 7352 3435. Website: http://sette-restaurant.com

July 3, 2012
Gina Miller: What’s on your mantelpiece?

“The Steeple Times” quizzes leading philanthropist Gina Miller about what’s on her mantelpiece

The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom.” What’s your guiding force?

Life is short, so don’t live in regret.

“Never regret, never explain, never apologise” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?

The three C’s – compassion, common sense and confidence are far more valuable than three A’s.

Kerry Katona was unacceptable in 2007. Who is unacceptable in 2012?

Human traffickers.

Tony Blair misses being Prime Minister. What do you miss most in your life?

Sleep.
What might you swap all your wealth for?

Knowing my children will be happy.

What phrase or word do you most loathe?

“Honestly, I really mean it”: Implies they are lying the rest of the time.

In the UK, some people consider charity to “begin at home.” What’s your view and what causes do you personally support?

Charity begins at home and should be a fundamental value in all our families and societies. It is about the small actions, consideration and kindnesses we undertake every day, not the big gestures we make once in a while. If we all did this, the ripple effect would be enormous and would heal many of society’s ills.

Have you ever been arrested and if so, for what?

Yes, I was mistakenly identified as a local in Egypt and arrested for being improperly attired.

If you could fill a carriage on The Orient Express, who would be your fellow passengers?

My children, my husband, Oscar Wilde and the archaeologist Howard Carter.

Gina Miller

If you were unfortunate enough to end up on death row, what would be your last meal and where would you eat it?

A tin of caviar and a teaspoon; in a garden full of scented roses and wild flowers (maybe I could use the teaspoon to tunnel my way out!).

What time is it acceptable to consume the first drink of the day?

Whatever time you fancy, as it’s always the ‘right time’ somewhere on the globe.

A Negroni, a martini or a cup of tea?

A martini.

Whose parties do you enjoy the most and why?

Those with great drink, great food, great music and lovely people – on a balmy beach. Idyllic.

Who is the most positive person you know?

My daughter who has special needs – she is not socialised or limited by academic thinking. She is a true free thinker with genuine EQ.

What’s your most guilty pleasure?

Caviar.

What was the first bone that you broke?

Knee.
If a tattoo were to sum you up, what would it be of?

Women don’t smoke cigars!

If you were a car, what marquee would you be?

Morgan.
Cilla Black presented “Surprise, Surprise.” Tell us the most surprising thing about you.

I was a free climber before I destroyed my thumbs which are very arthritic – the higher and more testing the better. All started when I was a tomboy and thought I was a superhero. I have climbed on all 6 continents and still think I can fly.

What’s currently sitting on your mantelpiece?

An invite to a gorgeous girl’s wedding and a sculpture of a lady welded together from car nuts and bolts produced by some supposed lost youths who were engaged in car theft but who are now successful engaged in a mechanic apprenticeship scheme we set up in Redditch.

Gina Miller is a founding partner of SCM Private and also runs the True and Fair campaign. More information can be viewed at http://www.scmprivate.com and http://trueandfaircampaign.com

July 3, 2012
Bruce's best

Profile: Designer to the stars Bruce Oldfield OBE

Between the 26^th June and 31^st July, Bruce Oldfield is holding a sample sale at his Beauchamp Place showroom where he will offer a selection of couture occasion wear, wedding dresses and accessories.

Bruce Oldfield OBE with his Rhodesian Ridgeback

Pippa and Carole Middleton pictured outside the Beauchamp Place showroom of Bruce Oldfield

Diana, Princess of Wales pictured in a gown by Bruce Oldfield

Information about the Bruce Oldfield sample sale

Oldfield, who was brought up in the care of the children’s charity Barnardo’s, is deservedly one of Britain’s top fashion designers. He is renowned for his couture occasion wear and Samantha Cameron, Jemima Goldsmith, Joan Collins, Rhianna, Queen Rania of Jordan, Jerry Hall and Barbara Streisand number amongst his clients. Undoubtedly, however, his best-known customer was the late Diana, Princess of Wales.

Mr. Oldfield is a regular sight in the street where I live. Always accompanied by his two dogs, he is a man of exemplary charm and it is for this reason plainly that so many women put their faith in him. The talents of this graduate of St. Martin’s College of Art’s are recognised globally and though couture is his main arena, he even redesigned the staff uniform for McDonald’s in 2008.

Rest assured, ladies, this is a sample sale you most definitely should not miss.

Bruce Oldfield, 34 Beauchamp Place, London, SW3 1NU. Telephone: +44 (0) 20 7584 1363. Website: http://www.bruceoldfield.com

Follow Bruce Oldfield on Twitter at: http://www.twitter.com/bruceoldfield

June 19, 2012
Life on the wire

Nik Wallenda crosses the Niagara Falls

Yesterday, watched by over a billion people worldwide, Nik Wallenda became the first person to successfully walk across Niagara Falls on a tightrope.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oodNwQwW42c

Watch Nick Walenda finish his Niagara Falls crossing

This 7^th generation tightrope walker was tethered to prevent nearly certain death if he had fallen and contended with wind, water, darkness and mist as he travelled 1,800 feet across the roaring falls. As he did, around 125,000 watched the daredevil stunt on the Canadian side whilst 4,000 gathered on the American side.

Nik Wallenda crossing Niagara Falls

A Guinness Book of Records world record holder, Wallenda hails from an Austrian-Hungarian family known as the Flying Wallendas. He began performing aged 2, dressed as a clown, first walked the wire at age 4 and gave his first professional wire performance aged just 13.

Nik Wallenda

Here is an acrobat with nerves of steel who also proposed to his future wife, Erendira, on bended knee on a wire 30ft high during a performance in front of 18,000 people in Montreal in 1999 and one who appeared with eight other family members in a pyramid on the high wire at Japan’s Kurashiki Tivoli Park in 2001.

In another dramatic move in June 2011, Wallenda completed a 121ft high-wire crossing between the two towers of the 10 storey Condado Plaza Hotel in San Juan, Puerto Rico. This recreated the one that killed a man he describes as his inspiration, his great-grandfather, Karl Wallenda, in 1978.

Yesterday, Wallenda crossed Niagara Falls on a steel wire weighing 7 tons that had a diameter of 2 inches. It was installed by helicopter and pulled across the gorge by machines and to cross it, Wallenda carried a 30ft balance pole weighing some 40 pounds. His achievement was spectacular to watch and in this age of austerity, it is fantastic to have witnessed something so positive.

For more information about Nik Wallenda, go to: http://nikwallenda.com

Follow Nik Wallenda on Twitter at: http://www.twitter.com/NikWallenda

June 16, 2012
Prospering Paris

Profile: The genius of self-promotion that is Paris Hilton

At a dinner party last week, my guests gasped in horror when I said that I view Paris Hilton to be a genius. Their faces turned ashen and one asked if I had lost the plot. In the ensuing discussion, several described her as the personification of vulgarity and tastelessness. Others complained that Hilton had achieved nothing with her life and one went as far as to say that this young lady was notable for nothing other than an appearance in a sex tape in 2003.

Paris Whitney Hilton (1981 – )

For the few who don’t know her, Miss Hilton is the 31-year old great-granddaughter of Conrad Hilton, the founder of Hilton Hotels. On her official Twitter account she describes herself as a: “Model, Actress, Singer, Brand, Business Woman, Fashion Designer, Author, Philanthropist and Empire.” That, indeed, is certainly quite a collection.

Paris Hilton with her parents Richard Howard and Kathy Hilton and younger brother Conrad Hilton

“Life is too short to blend in,” said Hilton in an interview and her philosophy is indeed one that I’d agree with. Hilton may have done some pretty tasteless and silly things over the years and her shows Paris Hilton’s My New BFF and The Simple Life were not my kind of viewing, but her brilliance is that she knows how to turn publicity into dollar returns. Now worth some $100,000,000, she’s the one who is having the last laugh.

In a 2006 interview for Guardian Unlimited, Hilton aptly summed up the reason for her success:

“People can’t believe how hard I work…. I love it. I think it just runs through my veins. My great-grandfather was a bellboy and had a dream to do a hotel chain, so I think I get it from him.”

Conrad Nicholson Hilton, Sr. (1887 – 1979): the “Innkeeper to the World” who was also married to the actress Zsa Zsa Gabor (1936 – 1997)

Like or loathe her, the determined Miss Hilton’s achievements are impressive and I’ll leave her the final word:

“I don’t think there’s ever been anyone like me that’s lasted. And I’m going to keep lasting.”

View Paris Hilton’s official website at: http://www.parishilton.com

Follow Paris Hilton on Twitter at: http://www.twitter.com/ParisHilton

April 10, 2012
The worthy Mr Waites

Profile: Sculptor Edward Waites

Continuing my series of profiles of up and coming talent, it was a pleasure to recently meet the extremely talented Suffolk based sculptor Edward Waites.

Edward "Ed" Waites

A specialist in animal sculpture, 24-year old Waites is largely self-taught. Leopards, lions, rhinos, horses and bulls are a firm favourite as subjects and his aim is to capture and emphasise their muscles, sinew and movement.

A colt by Edward Waites: edition of 9 in bronze and priced at £4,200

Passionate about his craft, Waites, who lives near Newmarket, has already made impressive inroads into his chosen profession at such a young age. He has produced works for Lady Bamford and Ivan Massow and his sculptures can also be found in several royal collections around the world. Represented primarily by the W. H. Patterson gallery in Mayfair’s Albermarle Street, Waites also works on a commission basis.

A 95mm high bronze of an elephant, part of an edition of 95 and priced at £180 that is available in both polished and patinated finishes

Recently Waites has expanded into creating miniatures of birds, bovine animals, dogs, domestic animals, horses and wild animals. Produced as limited editions and very reasonably priced between £80 to £180, these represent an easy way to begin collecting and great value for money.

A 75mm high bronze of a whippet, part of an edition of 150 and priced at £120 each

From May 16^th to 20^th, Edward Waites will be exhibiting at the Animal Art Fair on the River Side Walkway on the South Bank in London. Don’t miss it.

Contact Edward Waites by telephone at +44 (0) 1638 721275 or on email at [email protected]. View his website at: http://www.edwardwaites.co.uk

Follow Edward Waites on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/Edward.Waites.Sculpture12

Follow Edward Waites on Twitter at: http://www.twitter.com/EdwardWaites

For more information on the Animal Art Fair, go to: http://www.animalartfair.com

April 9, 2012
Keep your oar out Oldfield

Profile: Trenton Oldfield: the man who temporarily halted the 2012 Boat Race

“Why are the right such angry people?” asked @NotAGateway, the shared Twitter account of Deepa Naik and her boyfriend Trenton Oldfield yesterday afternoon.

In this comment, Oldfield, who had just managed to swim into the path of the Oxford boat in the 2012 Xchanging Boat Race, is revealed as nothing other than a delusional moron. The Boat Race has nothing to do with politics. It’s simply an event that is enjoyed by the thousands who watch it and one for which the contestants train long and hard.

Trenton Oldfield pictured disrupting Oxford’s vessel

At circa 2.21pm, Oldfield, a campaigner who runs a blog named Elitism Leads to Tyranny, swam out into the course of the 4 ¼ mile course in a wetsuit in a bid to protest against what he describes as: “a pseudo competition” where:

“… elitists and those with elitist sympathies have come together every year but one for the last 158 years to perform, in the most public way, their ambition for the structures and subsequent benefits from elitism and privilege to continue.”

Oldfield is lucky that Oxford’s Zoe de Toledo, who also played a cox in the 2010 film The Social Network, spotted the danger in time and stopped her crew as this nitwit could have so easily been badly injured by the oars he swam into.

A smiling Trenton Oldfield pictured as he is led away by police from Chiswick Pier and taken to Chiswick Police Station

This self-proclaimed Emily Davison inspired “activist,” in an essay he posts on the blog, describes the “guerilla tactics” that he successfully used to create “embarrassment, … frustration and manifesting a vulnerability” for the “elitist” organisers of the event. In the same document, he goes on to suggest actions of civil disobedience that others could use in the future. These include:

• “Setting off Fire Alarms in buildings where we work, perhaps at strategic times, when a particular meeting is meant to happen that will agree the cutting of services.”

• “If you are a taxi driver can you take the passenger the slowest possible and most expensive route?”

• “If you work in a restaurant where elitists eat, can you serve the food once it is cold or cook the wrong food?”

• “If you are a builder repairing the house of an elitist can you also bug it and share the footage and audio online?”

• “Can you take up the time of a ‘VIP’ you work for by arranging time consuming meetings, asking as many questions as possible? Can you make them late?”

Oldfield is a man who was educated at a private school and the LSE. He states on his Twitter account that he worked at the Financial Times whilst at university and is therefore “#notatrustafarian.” His childish comments prove that his education was wasted and he was rightly arrested and charged for a section 5 public order offence once taken out of the water. Bailed last night, he will appear at Feltham Magistrates’ Court on 23^rd April.

Trenton Oldfield emerges from Chiswick Police Station last night following being charged with a section 5 public order offence

One of the Oxford crew, William Zeng, rightly summed up the thoughts of many when he used his Twitter account to respond to the actions of Oldfield:

“When I missed your head with my blade I knew only that you were a swimmer, and if you say you are a protester then no matter what you say your cause may be, your action speaks too loudly for me to hear you… I know exactly what you were protesting. You were protesting the right of 17 young men and one woman to compete fairly and honourably, to demonstrate their hard work and desire in a proud tradition… You, who would make a mockery of their dedication and their courage, are a mockery of a man.”

Equally, for once, I find myself agreeing with the television presenter Richard Madeley who tweeted:

“God, the monumental ego and selfishness of the swimmer who screwed the Boat Race. Imagine sharing living space with someone like that.”

Trenton Oldfield is a man who plainly needs help. I hope he gets it.

For more information on the 2012 Xchanging Boat Race, go to: http://www.theboatrace.org

View Trenton Oldfield’s Elitism Leads to Tyranny blog at: http://elitismleadstotyranny.squarespace.com

View Trenton Oldfield’s Royal Society of Arts Fellow Network page at: http://rsafellowship.com/profile/TrentonOldfield

Follow Trenton Oldfield and his colleague Deepa Naik on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/NotAGateway

April 8, 2012