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.
April 8, 2020
by Matthew Steeples
Refugee turned “one-man vodka band” Pleurat Shabani shares a message of positivity (and a reminder that we’ll all be having a martini or three together again soon) Having escaped the civil war in Croatia, Kosovo born Pleurat Shabani headed to London in 1994. He, unlike Dick Whittington, did not find streets paved with gold but … Continue reading “Positivity From Pleurat”
April 5, 2020
by Matthew Steeples
Matthew Steeples calls out Daniel Hannan for ludicrously not wanting to encourage British people to consume locally produced food Daniel Hannan claims to support localism. He wants to end Value Added Tax and replace it with a local sales tax, set by local councils. The ex-MEP is also obsessed with national sovereignty and whilst often … Continue reading “Dumb Daniel”
April 4, 2020
by Matthew Steeples
Nonagenarian from Stockport beats coronavirus by eating marmalade sandwiches; she’s previously survived a bomb and likes biscuits also Like Guardian readers, we at The Steeple Times love marmalade and we especially enjoy marmalade with lots of whisky in it. We’ve reported on the correspondence sent to the letter’s column of the previously mentioned King’s Cross … Continue reading “Preserved by Marmalade”
March 28, 2020
by Matthew Steeples
As he plays ‘Strike It Lucky’ on Instagram during the coronavirus lockdown, we ask: “Is there nothing that Michael Barrymore won’t do to seek a return to fame?” Michael Barrymore is a coward and a scumbag. That is a fact. He has failed to face Terry Lubbock – the father of an innocent young man … Continue reading “Strike It Corona”
February 12, 2020
by Matthew Steeples
Luke Johnson is wrong to urge consumers to embrace alcohol free spirits whilst Luke Jones was right to urge them to love martinis Under Luke Johnson’s reign Patisserie Valerie collapsed. He claimed the experience of masterminding the destruction of a business that employed 3,000 people “shattered [his] self-belief.” Oh diddums for the poor lamb. … Continue reading “A Tale of Two Lukes”
January 30, 2020
by Matthew Steeples
Brexit bore Tim Martin, chairman of Wetherspoons yet again shows himself to be a draconian drip; what will this nutty nuisance ban next? On Monday, the deranged dimwit Tim Martin, chairman of the J. D. Wetherspoon pub company, announced: “Many of our customers are keen to celebrate Brexit.” Speaking of tariffs, the nutty know-all added: … Continue reading “Draconian Drinking”
February 19, 2019
by Matthew Steeples
The boozy bird the Duchess of Sussex and the newly formed The Independent Group have something in common; this “TIG moment” lover should become their leader The former Meghan Markle – a bizarre woman who ludicrously likes to create “spaces to share” and “breeding grounds for ideas and excitement” – once had a blog … Continue reading “TIGing a Drunken Duchess”
January 27, 2019
by Matthew Steeples
Reality television ‘star’ and ex-girlfriend of acid thrower Ferne McCann caught hurling drinks at National Television Awards Ferne McCann and chucking things seem to go together. First, the father of her child was deservedly jailed after attacking 22 innocent people with acid and now it has been revealed that this Brentwood born broad chucked … Continue reading “Fishwife Ferne”
January 7, 2019
by Matthew Steeples
Lady ‘Call Me Victoria’ Borwick makes a fool of herself on the BBC’s ‘Big Question’ as it is revealed that the MP who managed to lose the safe seat of Kensington is ludicrously seeking a comeback Yesterday morning, Lady ‘Call Me Victoria’ Borwick nodded her head on the BBC’s The Big Questions as another … Continue reading “Blessed Borwick’s Back”
January 5, 2019
by Matthew Steeples
Matthew Steeples celebrates the nicknames of Chelsea’s characters but regrets that the area itself is rapidly being stripped of the very character that made it so appealing In Chelsea well-known barflies and lavish lunchers have long been given wacky nicknames. Amongst my friends and acquaintances are ‘Steve the Lunch’ (known for planning where to … Continue reading “The Collapse of Chelsea Character”
January 2, 2019
by Matthew Steeples
With his marriage to the woman formerly known as Meghan Markle, Prince Harry has morphed into an utter bore Prince Harry used to be a fun loving sort. He boozed, partied and enjoyed playing pranks. Now, having married ‘Murky Mucky Mendacious Meg,’ it seems those days are over. Supposedly, according to “royal insiders” … Continue reading “Moron of the Moment – Prince Harry”
December 24, 2018
by Matthew Steeples
Ferne McCann yet again shows herself to be nothing but a vile opportunist; she should be taken off our screens Ferne McCann undoubtedly proved herself a horror in 2017. On the day Arthur Collins, her former boyfriend and father of her child, was jailed in December that year for hurling acid over 22 innocent … Continue reading “The Flaws of Ferne”
September 14, 2018
by Matthew Steeples
Racist Marie-Claire, ‘Baroness’ von Alvensleben spotted dashing for sparkling wine as she ‘works the room’ at chi-chi antiques fair Last night at LAPADA, waiting to pounce on unsuspecting innocents complete with her trademark helmet hairstyle, Marie-Claire ‘Baroness’ von Alvensleben perched on a bench at the entrance. The wannabe Elnett ambassador’s eyes beamed when … Continue reading “Picture of the Week – A Bottled Baroness”
August 24, 2018
by General
Whackjob Wetherspoons owner Tim Martin has followed up on banning foreign booze including Moët & Chandon and now banned dogs from his entire chain of pubs Pro-Brexit publican Tim Martin has landed himself quite literally in dogshit. According to a report in Friday’s Mirror, Martin’s pub chain, Wetherspoon, will ban dogs from both … Continue reading “Brexiteer Tim Martin’s Dog’s Dinner”
February 23, 2018
by Matthew Steeples
Study reveals old aged folk who get fat and enjoy a tipple or two tend to live longer On Wednesday in society magazine Town & Country, Sam Dangremond revealed that “drinking alcohol could be the key to living past 90.” Quoting The 90+ Study, “one of the largest studies of the oldest-old in … Continue reading “Going For Booze”
November 23, 2017
by Matthew Steeples
As Public Health Wales claims drinking spirits is bad for you, we rebut their frankly stupid study On Tuesday, The Telegraph reported that a completely unscientific study by an organisation named Public Health Wales had found that spirits are more likely to “trigger bouts of depression and unexpected weeping.” Said also to cause … Continue reading “More gin, vicar?”
August 15, 2017
by Matthew Steeples
‘Sir Shifty’ filmed in debauched incident in Mykonos; he would do better to sip rather than spray his beverages Sir Philip Green will forever be remembered as a man whose former company, BHS, collapsed with the loss of 11,000 jobs. At that time, in The Steeple Times, the actor and producer Steven Berkoff compared … Continue reading “Moron of the Moment – Sir Philip Green”
August 8, 2017
by Matthew Steeples
One-off 1971 Rolls-Royce Phantom VI cabriolet to be auctioned; originally commissioned by a British playboy turned jailbird with connections to Princess Margaret but only actually completed in 1993 A 1971 Rolls-Royce Phantom VI all-weather cabriolet with bodywork by the renowned Italian automotive stylist Frua is to be auctioned this month. Offered with an … Continue reading “A Con and A Cabriolet”
August 5, 2017
by Matthew Steeples
George Freeman MP denies he wants to create a Tory version of Glastonbury; imagining Theresa May boozing with Liam Gallagher definitely would be hard Theresa May, Dizzee Rascal and Liam Gallagher would certainly make for unlikely bedfellows but now a Conservative MP, George Freeman, wishes to replicate Jeremy Corbyn’s success in such company at … Continue reading “Trendifying Theresa”
May 7, 2017
by Matthew Steeples
A dream job for wine lovers; get paid to drink and drive your way across America An Oregon winery is seeking a ‘Canbassador’ to join them on a roadtrip across America to hawk their range of wines – including their ‘pinot in a can’. The Union Wine Company, founded by Ryan Harms in … Continue reading “Jobbing Wine”
April 23, 2017
by Matthew Steeples
New Jersey mansion, complete with 58 rooms, for sale for equivalent sum to what it cost to build in 1909; the £37 million house’s original owner was a man whose extravagance knew absolutely no bounds George Crocker (1856 – 1909) makes F. Scott Fitzgerald’s Jay Gatsby seem like an amateur. Born in Sacramento and … Continue reading “Living Large”
April 16, 2017
by Matthew Steeples
Northumbria revealed to be the county with the highest number of fines for women being drunk and disorderly for second year in a row On Sunday, the Daily Star revealed “Northumbria has the highest number of women getting police penalties for their out-of-control behaviour”. In an article by the paper’s Matthew Davis, it … Continue reading “Boozy Birds”
April 2, 2017
by Matthew Steeples
Spirits brands hike prices by upto 16% and blame Brexit for increasing their supply-side costs Drink loving Brexiteers may have cause to reconsider their enthusiasm for Britain leaving the EU. Since last year’s referendum, the price of vodka has risen 5% on average whilst gin is up 3%. Bombay Sapphire has hiked its … Continue reading “Booze Bashed By Brexit”
March 20, 2016
by General
A lover of parties in Central London, little else is known of The Ranting Crasher.
December 25, 2015
by Matthew Steeples
The Steeple Times wishes readers a very Merry Christmas 2015
June 17, 2015
by Matthew Steeples
‘The Steeple Times’ asks the actor and star of ‘Mr Selfridge’ and ‘The Borgias’ Edward Akrout: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”
June 3, 2015
by Matthew Steeples
An evening showcase of Chavín Jewellery with a barbecue by Le ‘Bab
May 28, 2015
by Matthew Steeples
David Pun spotted at La Martina event days after ‘The Guardian’ publishes a feature on the “liggers of London”
April 2, 2015
by Matthew Steeples
Motcombs Bar & Restaurant offers what could quite possibly be the best set of bargains for drinkers in the affluent area of Belgravia during April – including two G&Ts for just £5.90
January 5, 2015
by Matthew Steeples
Nigel Farage giving up drinking is nothing other than an orchestrated publicity stunt
November 2, 2014
by General
Twice a Labour Member of Parliament (1929 – 1931 and 1940 – 1955) and bizarrely sharing a Christian name with television’s Mrs Bucket, Dr Hyacinth Morgan was a doctor and Labour politician
October 13, 2014
by Matthew Steeples
Broadcaster turned author Judy Finnigan tries to excuse the conduct of a convicted rapist
September 14, 2014
by General
Vineyard owner and French actor Gérard Depardieu admitted to drinking up to 14 bottles of wine a day in September 2014 but also claimed he is “never totally drunk, just a little pi**ed”.
September 19, 2013
by Matthew Steeples
Tesco place a “Back to School” banner above an alcohol display in Swansea Shoppers at Tesco in Fforestfach, Wales were controversially confronted by a display of gin, vodka and whisky complete with a “Back to School” sign in recent days.
July 14, 2013
by Matthew Steeples
20 questions with chocolatier Amelia Rope The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force? Drive and determination. “Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours? Keep it simple, remain focused and go for it.
July 11, 2013
by Matthew Steeples
The brass of Chelsea Though the characters of Chelsea are changing, the murky world beneath its privileged surface will never disappear.
July 9, 2013
by Fred Sculthorp
Our man in whites Fred Sculthorp looks ahead to this week’s Test cricket series, The Ashes The enemy are at the gates. The time has come. Tomorrow, two of the great sporting civilizations will clash in mankind’s most profound expression of physical and mental endurance- the five day Test match.
May 27, 2013
by Matthew Steeples
The Steeple Times asks Matthew Gilpin, the creator of Gilpin’s Gin: “What’s on your mantelpiece?” The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force? Creativity: The only thing that endures. “Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours? Stay jolly. However bad things get … Continue reading “Matthew Gilpin: “What’s on your mantelpiece?””
May 6, 2013
by Matthew Steeples
The Steeple Times asks head sommelier of The Rib Room Bar & Restaurant Louise Gordon: “What’s on your mantelpiece?” The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force? Family, friends and the aim of one day owning my own business. “Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a … Continue reading “Louise Gordon: “What’s on your mantelpiece?””
March 8, 2013
by Matthew Steeples
The uninvited nuisances who are the nightmare of any party host First published in October 2011 on a blog written by Matthew Steeples, we revisit the story of the leading gatecrashers who boldly go where no others would dare. Gatecrashers are people who get into parties without invitations. Central London seems to be … Continue reading “Crashing Assange”
March 4, 2013
by Matthew Steeples
The Steeple Times asks artist Anna-Louise Felstead: “What’s on your mantelpiece?” The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force? My old headmaster Peter Pyemont once said in a Friday assembly: “The more you put into life, the more you get out of it”. I have lived by those words ever since. … Continue reading “Anna-Louise Felstead: “What’s on your mantelpiece?””
March 3, 2013
by Matthew Steeples
This former daytime television presenter is now a novelist who somewhat ambitiously compares herself to Dame Daphne du Maurier. Better known collectively with her second husband as just “Richard and Judy”, Judy Finnigan has been beset by rumours about her love of alcohol for many years. She didn’t exactly help put a stop to such … Continue reading “Judy Finnigan”
February 21, 2013
by Matthew Steeples
“London’s rudest landlord” enjoyed causing offence more than anything else. Following on from his father’s purchase of the lease of Soho’s The Coach & Horses pub in 1943 Norman “You’re Barred” Balon worked there and then later, as landlord, presided over “prostitutes, gays, lesbians and a bit of the theatre community”. When a visiting rugby … Continue reading “Norman Balon”
November 26, 2012
by Matthew Steeples
Co-owner of the Four Seasons in Beverly Hills with her husband R. J., Cohen is of surprisingly humble origins. She grew up on a chicken farm in Cleveland, Ohio but moved to LA with her divorced mother aged 13 when she opened a Kosher chicken killing plant on Santa Monica Boulevard. This hardworking lady now … Continue reading “Beverly Cohen”
November 23, 2012
by Matthew Steeples
This Californian became a child star to help solve the financial woes of his family. He excelled in Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps and received a $15 million cheque for Transformers: Dark of the Moon. Aside from acting, he’s been in relationships with Carey Mulligan, Isabel Lucas and Megan Fox but it is bar brawls … Continue reading “Shia LaBeouf”
November 12, 2012
by Matthew Steeples
A gent who operated by routine, whisky and 40 cigarettes a day. This clubman’s knowledge of London history was phenomenal and he was dedicated to his role as parish clerk at St. Michael’s Cornhill. Gaze, a Russian icon dealer with a shop in the Piccadilly Arcade, lived a life full of dramas that included being … Continue reading “John Gaze (1947 – 2011)”
by Matthew Steeples
She owns a controlling interest in the world’s third largest brewer and is married to the child star of Lawrence of Arabia, Michel de Carvalho. They live together in London with their five children, are said to be worth £5.5 billion but live “quite modestly.” Of meeting his wife, de Carvalho commented: “I met the … Continue reading “Charlene de Carvalho-Heineken”
October 30, 2012
by steepleadmin
Christian Huhnt takes his first foray into the world of supper clubs I don’t usually find myself in the east of London. It’s not because I don’t like it but simply because it’s just an awful journey to get there from where I live. Eventually, though, a “secret” was able to convince me to … Continue reading “Blind dining”
October 8, 2012
by steepleadmin
Christian Huhnt reports on recent changes at Cassis restaurant As I work in the arts and also collect wines, I find Cassis Bistro in South Kensington most comfortable as here I find myself surrounded by great works by Julian Opie, Gary Hume and Henri Matisse alongside as a humongous and well-stocked wine rack at … Continue reading “The perils of fusion”
August 20, 2012
by Matthew Steeples
Our “What’s on your mantelpiece?” question “What time is it acceptable to have the first drink of the day?” has attracted a large mailbag of correspondence. What’s your view? Please submit letters to editorial@thesteepletimes.com. All letters must be accompanied by contact details and your name and postal address. SIR – I drink from the … Continue reading ““What time is it acceptable to have the first drink of the day?””
