J.K. Rowling has no need to whinge about her pseudonym being revealed
J.K. Rowling made a fortune writing her Harry Potter series. Now that she’s been revealed as the author of a crime mystery, The Cuckoo’s Calling, using the nom de plume of Robert Galbraith, she’s whingeing. (more…)
Matthew Steeples answers food writer Jamie Cotter-Craig’s questions
I’m used to asking questions. So far, I’ve done over a hundred “What’s on your mantelpiece?” interviews with people ranging from champion jockey Frankie Dettori to hedge fund titan Alan Miller via glamour model Leah Newman and author Kathy Lette. (more…)
20 questions with author, screenwriter, playwright and literary critic Peter Jukes
The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force?
‘Duende’. Sounds pretentious I know, but it basically means follow things, people, events that have ‘soul’.
“Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?
You must change your life.
This Roman Catholic novelist and Italian translator’s works have included A Darker Shade of Love, Web of Passion and Anita: A Memoir. A former debutante and model, Dunhill also writes about love, life and lunches on the site Angela Darling’s Blog and is a granddaughter of the luxury goods titan Alfred Dunhill.
Pippa Middleton becomes a contributing editor for ‘Vanity Fair’
Pippa Middleton is most definitely someone who could be described as polarising. Some resent and mock her. Others admire her for having panache and being enterprising. Miss Middleton, the sister of the Duchess of Cambridge, to the surprise of some, has recently added another string to her bow and become a contributing editor to Vanity Fair.
Matthew Steeples argues the case for scrapping the Charity Commission
The Charity Commission recently appointed a new chairman, William Shawcross CVO. The author and journalist is to be paid an astonishing £50,000 for just two days work a week and even he himself admits he’s taken on a “a poisoned chalice”.
Jilly Cooper defends Rolf Harris
In this morning’s Richard Kay column in the Daily Mail, it was reported that the author Jilly Cooper took to the defence of her friend the entertainer Rolf Harris before a television appearance in Dublin this weekend.
The Steeple Times asks strategist and businessman Allard Marx: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”
The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force?
Caterine Axelsson’s daily smile.
“Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?
There is always a way. “How?” not “Why?” should be the guiding principle of our lives.
Kerry Katona was considered unacceptable in 2007. Who or what is unacceptable in 2013?
Is she Eric’s sister? Unchecked greedy bankers. Ignoring the irrefutable damage we are doing to world’s waters and all forms of life.
Tony Blair misses being Prime Minister. What do you miss most in your life?
The sunshine. I live in London.
What might you swap all your wealth for?
More people’s lives flourishing with their own efforts added. Before that, some wealth to do that with would be wonderful.
Donald Trump was once a case of: “If you owe the bank a thousand, they close you down; but if you owe the bank a billion, you own the bank”. What’s your view on the banking crisis?
Reducing their profits expectations with some more risk-taking by providing credit to business might help everyone. In other words, replacing the ridiculously high salaries of some executives and high dividends for a few shareholders with liquidity to benefit many.
What phrase or word do you most loathe?
“Yes my friend” from someone I’ve just met and “You awright there?” in shops.
In the UK, some people consider charity to “begin at home”. What’s your view and what causes do you personally support?
Generosity of spirit wins you “Karma Kredits”. The Going Blue Foundation is a charity I co-founded with Susannah Stewart and Roberto Danovaro and is where the money I don’t have often goes.
The judge in Law Abiding Citizen states: “I can pretty much do whatever I want” before being blown up whilst answering her mobile phone. What’s your view on the appropriate use of such devices?
Using them out of my earshot.
If you could fill a carriage on The Orient Express, who would be your fellow passengers?
Caterine Axelsson, Willem Marx, Alex Marx, Harry Langley, Patricia Lukas, Michael Kermer, David Robson, Nick King, Brian Smurthwaite, Luca Sprea, Michelle Cuthbert, David Draier, Diederik van Lede, Irina Kouptcha, Tracy Elner, Filippo Verrone, Marina Capello, Rosalind Milani Gallieni, Peter Kirchem, Richard Hoare, Eduard van Raay, Gisela Söderstrom, Serena Massa, Maggie Wright. Good friends all of them.
If you were unfortunate enough to end up on death row, what would be your last meal and where would you eat it?
Something tasty, spicy and filling. Kway Teow with vinegar in full view of the blue open sky.
What time is it acceptable to consume the first drink of the day?
Whenever suits an individual as long as they keep making sense and don’t fall over.
A Negroni, a martini or a cup of tea?
A cup of tea. There was a time when a vodka tonic would have taken precedence.
Whose parties do you enjoy the most and why?
Weekend parties, with large dining tables in huge kitchens. The ones I had in Byde Mill House in Wiltshire took some beating. Not because of me but because of the space that they were in and the people who came. Good plentiful food is as crucial as the wines.
Who is the most positive person you know?
There are three women I’d say are the most positive people I know. They are Carla Marx-Welter, Caterine Axelsson and Irina Kouptcha.
What’s your most guilty pleasure?
Dairy-free chocolate ice cream from Snowflake on Westbourne Grove made by ice cream chef Paolo.
If a tattoo were to sum you up, what would it be of?
Heaven forbid. Can’t stand the bloody things.
If you were a car, what marque would you be?
A Delfino. Not that I have ambitions of being a car. I have ambitions of returning to that project and making it a success.
Cilla Black presented Surprise, Surprise. Tell us the most surprising thing about you.
I have no clue. I think I’m an open book. You’d have to ask someone who had just met me and then ask them again a month or two later.
What’s currently sitting on your mantelpiece?
I don’t have one.
Allard Marx is a London based strategist and businessman. He is the author of The Business Brand Book (My Orange Bag) and companies in which he has founded and been involved in include:
– Delfino: http://www.delfino.co.uk
– Aethic: http://www.aethic.com
– Go Blue Too: http://www.gobluetoo.com
Follow him on Twitter at: http://www.twitter.com/AllardMarx
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Sarah Tucker goes in search of the ten tribes paying homage to a centenary of flower power at the 100th RHS Chelsea Flower Show
Yesterday I attended the press day for the 100th anniversary of the Chelsea Flower Show. Gnomes have been allowed for the first time, but many of the celebrities who attend to admire the gardens and be admired in the gardens were little more than pint sized themselves. Most celebrities really are extremely short. Although the show runs all week, press day is best day to go.
With her screenwriter husband, this Californian socialite and writer built the largest home in Los Angeles County in 1988. She sold the 123-room property for $85 million in 2011 and then sued the developers of the $47 million apartment she moved into as they had failed to set up a restaurant in the building. Her first published work was the bizarrely titled How I Gave My Father An Ulcer. According to Joan Rivers, she won $90,000 on a slot machine in Vegas in 2011 and called it “pocket change” and of her relationship with her Beverley Hills, 902010 actress daughter, Tori, she has commented: “There was a time when things were rocky between us, and we worked that out, and I’m going to be on her reality show”.