Combining a mix of society's last word and both wit and wisdom, The Steeple Times covers food, drink and fine dining as well as luxury, travel, the arts, individuals of influence and current affairs in the United Kingdom, America and elsewhere. We are best described as being akin to "a cross between The Huffington Post and Private Eye".
The magazine's following is affluent, engaged and international. With 41% of readers coming from the UK and 38% from America, The Steeple Times also has strong presence within Canadian, Italian, German and Australian territories.
December 26, 2018
by Matthew Steeples
1967 Rolls-Royce state landaulet originally built for the Communist dictator Nicolae Ceaușescu – but considered too extravagant even by him – and later used by Her Majesty The Queen to be auctioned Romanian President Nicolae Ceaușescu was a dictator whose extravagance was a bit like that of Barbara Amiel: It knew no bounds. In … Continue reading “From Ceaușescu to The Queen”
October 19, 2018
by Matthew Steeples
Marilyn Monroe’s 1956 Ford Thunderbird to be auctioned A 1956 Ford Thunderbird gifted as a Christmas present to Marilyn Monroe in 1955 by her business partner, the photographer Milton Greene, is to be auctioned in November. The raven black roadster bodied automatic – dubbed a “personal luxury car” by Ford – comes with … Continue reading “Hit the Road Marilyn”
September 17, 2018
by Matthew Steeples
As Pimlico Plumbers’ founder sticks up a ‘Bollocks to Brexit’ sign on his headquarters and Gina Miller launches ‘End The Chaos!’, The Steeple Times predicts Brexit will NOT actually happen Charlie Mullins, founder of Pimlico Plumbers, is well-known for having supported Gina Miller’s successful Article 50 case at The Supreme Court. Now, in … Continue reading “Bollocks to Brexit”
August 15, 2018
by General
A regular outside Peggy Porschen’s Parlour in Ebury Street, Belgravia, SW1 ‘Mr Black Lives Matter’ attempts to entertain those queuing for somewhat overpriced cakes. Though little is known about this dreadlocked man and despite the fact he is not popular with the staff of this bizarre “boutique bakery,” one titled local comments: “His music is … Continue reading “‘Mr Black Lives Matter’”
May 18, 2017
by Matthew Steeples
Fat former boxer and Toad of Toad Hall-like figure of fun Fergus Wilson and his equally badly dressed Hyacinth Bucket-like wife, a former maths teacher named Judith, banned “coloured people” from renting the 1,000 properties they own in Kent “because of the curry smell at the end of the tenancy”. They were also revealed to … Continue reading “Fergus and Judith Wilson”
May 8, 2017
by Matthew Steeples
1948 Talbot-Lago T26 Grand Sport cabriolet to be auctioned; it attracted the attentions of Marlene Dietrich and has a Hermés interior In October 1949, the chameleon-like actress and singer Marlene Dietrich (1901 – 1992) was photographed “descending elegantly” from a custom-built T26 Talbot Grand Sport by coachbuilders Franay at the Paris Salon. That car … Continue reading “Marlene’s Motor”
May 4, 2017
by Matthew Steeples
1960 Bentley S2 currently owned by musician Sir Ray Davies to be auctioned; he wrote the hit song ‘Apeman’ on its back seat A 1960 Bentley S2 owned but rarely used by Sir Ray Davies CBE – best known for hits with The Kinks that included You Really Got Me and All Day and … Continue reading “A Kinky Car”
March 27, 2017
by Matthew Steeples
Rare 1938 Austin taxi to be auctioned; it is one of just four known to survive On 29th March, the very day Theresa May taxis towards Brexit and triggers Article 50, H&H Classics will auction a 1938 Austin 12/4 Heavy Low Loader Taxicab with coachwork by J. & H. Ricketts at their Imperial War … Continue reading “Taxi!”
February 3, 2017
by Matthew Steeples
Matthew Steeples highlights an especially unpleasant individual – Meet Rupert James, a ‘man’ with a hatred for Gina Miller and what he calls ‘Kaffir Boys’ Aside from being a typical example of an angry old man, Rupert James is someone who takes to social media to abuse others. To him, Gina Miller is a … Continue reading “Rooting Out Rupert”
October 15, 2016
by Matthew Steeples
Spotted early in the mornings in Pret A Manager in South Kensington, the Pret Sleeper wears loafers and an entirely black outfit. He usually purchases nothing and sits and sleeps. Occasionally he takes out a notebook and biro but only once has he been heard to speak; he choose to ring his bank manager about … Continue reading “The Pret Sleeper”
July 28, 2015
by General
The author of Ugly and Beyond Ugly, Clapham based Constance Briscoe is nothing but a shameless disgrace.
June 29, 2015
by General
Despite being an iceberg beyond being just larger than life, Californian Mikel Ruffinelli describes her eight foot wide “diva hips” as “looking beautiful”.
June 17, 2015
by General
The Steeple Times is honoured to be blocked on Twitter by this hypocritical loudmouthed Labour Member of Parliament.
June 8, 2015
May 24, 2015
by General
“Baby of the House” Mhairi Black is the youngest MP since 1880. She is a lesbian, Bible reader and supporter of Partick Thistle Football Club.
April 4, 2015
by General
The fund founded by “The Black Madoff” was bankrupted in 2012 after Alphonse Fletcher, Jr.’s firms, Fletcher Asset Management and Fletcher International, failed to meet redemption requests of £97 million ($144 million).
March 5, 2015
by Matthew Steeples
Matthew Steeples reviews a Channel 5 documentary about UKIP supporters
October 13, 2014
by General
This ridiculous Labour politician proclaimed that “there is no difference between the PKK and ISIS” in October 2014 and tweeted that “white people love playing divide and rule” in 2012.
August 2, 2014
by Matthew Steeples
A gold and black Bugatti Veyron has eclipsed the gold Ferrari owned by Iraqi kick-boxer named Riyadh Al-Azzawi in terms of being the most gaudy car on the roads in London this summer This summer Iraqi kick-boxer Riyadh Al-Azzawi has reveled in the attention he’s received as he drove around the streets of Chelsea … Continue reading “Picture of the Week: As bold as gold”
October 9, 2013
by Matthew Steeples
Largest proportion of axed Aston Martin Cygnets were concentrated in Central London Yesterday, we reported that Aston Martin sold only 150 of their super-mini Cygnet vehicles between announcing it in 2009 and axing it recently. The total– we’ve now been told – may actually have been as low as 110 and given that we’ve … Continue reading “Sighting the Cygnet”
August 18, 2013
by Matthew Steeples
Former Jeremy Clarkson Jaguar XKR goes to auction Jeremy Clarkson once famously pulled what he called a “Jaguar face” in an episode of Top Gear. Looking like a cross between Joyce Grenfell and a beaver, the millionaire presenter suggested this was the look of the grille of the Surrey set’s favourite motor car.
August 15, 2013
by Matthew Steeples
This Ugandan-born journalist is a self-confessed racist who loathes “white, middle class men”, yet describes herself as being a “leftie liberal, anti-racist, feminist, Muslim, part-Pakistani, and … a very responsible person”. She believes Osama bin Laden didn’t get a “respectful burial” and asked: “Why does anyone black, Asian or Arab ever vote Tory?” on Twitter … Continue reading “Yasmin Alibhai-Brown (born Yasmin Damji)”
August 1, 2013
by Matthew Steeples
The Jamaican mother of Stephen Lawrence, who was tragically murdered in a racist incident in 1993, has done huge amounts of community work in her son’s name since. A tireless campaigner for justice, Baroness Lawrence became a Labour peer in July 2013 and was also a guest on the BBC’s Desert Island Discs in June … Continue reading “Baroness Doreen Lawrence OBE”
July 10, 2013
by Matthew Steeples
20 questions with businessman and luxury brands guru Zak Tyler The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force? I’m guided simply by the love of my son. “Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours? “Life is what happens whilst you are busy … Continue reading “Zak Tyler: “What’s on your mantelpiece?””
May 15, 2013
by Matthew Steeples
The sale of Michael Winner’s Rolls-Royce Corniche III “Calm down dear… It’s only a Rolls-Royce” might have been what the late Michael Winner stated when he took delivery of one of many Rolls-Royce’s he owned during his lifetime. Now, one of them, a black 1992 Rolls-Royce Corniche III convertible is for sale at a … Continue reading “Rolling with a Winner”
April 7, 2013
by Matthew Steeples
The Steeple Times asks artist and animal rights activist Jess Black: “What’s on your mantelpiece?” The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force? I think humour. Life is so blah when taking too seriously. I try to find the humour in everything. “Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our … Continue reading “Jess Black: “What’s on your mantelpiece?””
March 24, 2013
by Matthew Steeples
A self-made mogul and former champion boxer who cannot read or write fluently. He thinks “differently” and built a £400 million fortune by creating and then selling a buy-to-let empire of almost 6,000 rental properties. Panayiotou takes the view that it is “moral[ly]” right to pay taxes in Britain and of those who call Heath … Continue reading “Andreas Panayiotou”
March 20, 2013
by Matthew Steeples
This Lancastrian tycoon transformed the Dragons’ Den with her 80s style shoulder pads and comments such as “he made my foot itch”. Thrice married Devey has five homes around the world and claims to have “felt sexism in every way conceiveable”. She’s “proud to pay tax” and dubs David Cameron “weak”. By ‘eck.
January 28, 2013
by Matthew Steeples
An abstract artist, former model and animal rights campaigner. Born near Chicago, Black rejected his Jehovah’s Witness upbringing at the age of 17. His 2012 “Leather Bound in Black or Red” collection about his family’s transition away from the religion attracted great interest and collectors of his works number the American footballer Jay Cutler and … Continue reading “Jess Black”
November 18, 2012
by Thomas "T.J." James
Thomas James on the playground of the rich and famous that is The Hamptons One of the most popular guest features on the blog that preceded The Steeple Times was this article by Thomas James. The summer may well have passed along with Sandy and her might but as the article continues to … Continue reading “The Hamptons: where the upper classes of New York holiday”
November 15, 2012
by Matthew Steeples
This mouthpiece was born in Rettendon, Essex in 1958 and vents bile on all manner of subjects. Articles such as: “Why don’t more women moan like me?” and “Liz Jones’ baby craving drove her to steal husband’s sperm in ultimate deception” are frankly illustrative of why she’s so unpopular. After she got banned from the … Continue reading “Liz Jones”
by Matthew Steeples
Matthew Steeples delves into the history of Albany, Piccadilly and discovers an affordable way of living there Albany, off Piccadilly in Mayfair, was most probably London’s first apartment block and it’s certainly the city’s most exclusive. It may be next to the Royal Academy and opposite Fortnum & Mason but surprisingly few have even … Continue reading “The badgers of Albany”
November 13, 2012
by Matthew Steeples
Charles Mitford Cust test drives the Range Rover Evoque When I saw my first Range Rover Evoque coupé in the flesh I decided right then that it was time to emigrate. The actual remark I made is too rude to put in print, but the jist is that it’s ‘slammed’ rear styling reminded me … Continue reading “More Purdey than Posh”
November 12, 2012
by Matthew Steeples
Matthew Steeples examines the truth behind Liz Jones giving up on her “rural idyll” The Mail’s Liz Jones is a waspish woman who knows the price of everything and the value of nothing. Those who’ve paid even a moment’s attention to her bleating, will be familiar with lines such as: “Last week, my brand … Continue reading “The battleaxe in the Beemer”
November 4, 2012
by Matthew Steeples
This Texan born designer and film director turned around the fortunes of Gucci and YSL and had a huge success with A Single Man. A fixture at New York’s Studio 54, his designs are hugely influenced by the club’s disco-era glamour and his love of all things black and square. Ford met his journalist partner, … Continue reading “Tom Ford”
November 3, 2012
by Matthew Steeples
The flexible £12.75 million former home of Tom Ford Number 26 Gilston Road in London’s SW10 is a property that has been on and off the market repeatedly in recent years. On each and every occasion it has been promoted as the “former home of the fashion icon Tom Ford” and though he hasn’t … Continue reading “Post-Fordism”
October 12, 2012
by Matthew Steeples
Christian Huhnt recounts an evening at the launch of La Suite West I have a personal connection to Inverness Terrace as twice in my life I’ve had to crash at my friend’s place there. It’s less than a minute from the new Anouska Hempel-designed hotel, La Suite West, and runs parallel to Queensway. … Continue reading “The bogs of Bayswater”
September 28, 2012
by Matthew Steeples
The case of a Ferrari FF driver with more money than sense Last November, on my way to a lunch at The Stafford Hotel with The Steeple Times restaurant critic, Anthony Brown, I took a photograph of one of my favourite vehicles, a Ferrari FF, in Curzon Street, W1. Emblazoned with a Westminster … Continue reading “Ferrari’s ‘F’lipping ‘F’ool”
June 19, 2012
by Matthew Steeples
Profile: Designer to the stars Bruce Oldfield OBE Between the 26th June and 31st 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. Oldfield, who was brought up in the care of the children’s charity … Continue reading “Bruce’s best”
June 3, 2012
by Matthew Steeples
This dynamo opened her first store at 154 Walton Street in Chelsea in 1994 and admits she had no money and made every error in the book whilst starting out. It all paid off as the Jo Malone brand that was created in her kitchen was sold to Estée Lauder in a multi-million pound “deal … Continue reading “Jo Malone MBE”
May 17, 2012
by Matthew Steeples
This statuesque Oxford graduate’s first novel, Sin Tropez, was a mighty success. The Independent described it as a “thrilling and scandalous read” and it got five out of five from OK! Magazine. Aita Ighodaro’s second novel, All That Gitters, came out in November 2012 and when she’s not writing, she’s often to be found enjoying a … Continue reading “Aita Ighodaro”
May 13, 2012
by Matthew Steeples
A club promoter who thought he was above the law. Found guilty in October 2011 of a pre-planned sexual assault, this former actor was previously accused of a similar crime in South Africa whilst his father was High Commissioner there. That time the case was dropped but this time he’s been jailed for nearly four … Continue reading “Benjamin Boateng”
April 28, 2012
by Matthew Steeples
She’s a British-Canadian journalist most famous for having an “extravagance that knows no bounds.” He was a media baron who denounced his Canadian citizenship to become a British peer. Life began to unravel in 2005 when he was charged and subsequently convicted on various charges of defrauding Hollinger, the company he led. “Citizen Black” got … Continue reading “Lord & Lady Black (Conrad Black & Barbara Amiel)”
