Tag: Carole Middleton

Moron of the Moment – Dan Wootton

Dominic Cummings mouthpiece Dan Wootton yet again shows himself to be a bit of a berk in attacking both ‘Tatler’ and Sir Keir Starmer in one hit in his column in ‘The Sun’

Dan Wootton has previously been branded a “deeply unpleasant” sort and today he yet again showed his true credentials in attacking two completely unrelated entities, Tatler and Sir Keir Starmer, in his diabolically dire column in The Sun.

Executive editor of the banned-in-Liverpool ‘paper’ Wootton – a New Zealander known for his “less than stellar career” according to Zelo Street – pathetically branded “dripping-with-bile” Tatler a “repulsive… bible for the elite… that makes my skin crawl” simply because it had dared to criticise the Duchess of Cambridge. He raged: “Tatler should be shunned because of the vile way it perpetuates a class system that does so much damage to society. Not Quite Our Magazine, Darling.”

Dan Wootton slammed the “lack of class from snobs at Tatler” on Friday in his “big exclusives, bold opinion” column.

Turning to Sir Keir Starmer, whom thus far has shown himself as quite the stellar opposite of Jeremy Corbyn, self-declared “working-class lad” Wootton’s analysis was clear: “The same old politics from the same old Labour… Up to its old tricks.”

Thanks Dan; perhaps return to upsetting “Warrington’s finest export” Kerry Katona, you were more effective at that. Next!

Dan Wootton’s not-so ‘finest’ moments:

On Dominic Cummings (who’d probably have preferred even Katie Hopkins as a defender): “Make no mistake, the establishment is out to get Dominic Cummings… I despair.”

On footballer David Beckham and his singer turned fashion designer wife Victoria (whose fans responded with fury): “Weird and creepy.”

On singer George Shelley (whose fans got equally upset): “[He’s] done a Tom Daley and come out as bisexual.”

On singer Susan Boyle (whose management hit back with denial): “Volatile… Forced to shop Tesco and travel by bus.”

On political activist and Novara Media editor Ash Sarkar (before he “shut her down” during a “fiery conversation”): “Grasping.”

On Celebrity Masterchef winner Emma Kennedy (who reported him to Ofcom and threated to sue him with the help of Carter Ruck): “Deranged Boris hater.”

On actor Johnny Depp (who sued him for defamation, outcome awaited post-coronavirus): “Wife beater.”

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June 5, 2020
Beautiful Bolehyde

Wiltshire manor house once owned by the Duchess of Cornwall and considered as a home by the Duchess of Cambridge’s parents again for sale

Described as a “royal love nest for the Middletons” by The Telegraph when last marketed for sale in March 2011, Bolehyde Manor (pronounced according to the paper: “Bow lea Hyde”) in Wilshire was home to the Duchess of Cornwall, as plain old Camilla Parker Bowles, from 1973 until 1986.

Considered, but subsequently discounted by Carole and Michael Middleton as a home prior to their purchase of the £4.7 million The Manor at Bucklebury (featured in The Steeple Times in June 2012), Grade II* listed Bolehyde Manor at Allington, near Chippenham was at that time offered for £4.76 million according to the Daily Mail’s Richard Kay.

Kay lauded the “14^th-century pile near Chippenham” as having “everything an aspiring lord (and lady and the manor could wish for” and reported it as having been “not just where Prince Charles retreated when his marriage crumbled, intriguingly it was also where he courted Lady Diana.”

According to the royal biographer Christopher Wilson – quoted in an article in the Daily Express in May this year – “in 1979, there was very little pretense about the intensity of the relationship between Prince Charles and Camilla. Most of the week he would be staying at Bolehyde Manor, sometimes Andrew Parker Bowles would come home for the weekend and Prince Charles would stay. But there was a very curious ménage à trois between these three.”

Whether the house sold in 2011 is unknown, but this week it has again been placed for sale through agents Savills. They are marketing the manor at a sum £1 million lower for £3.75 million and with it comes 80.13 acres.

Aside from the main 4 reception room, 8-bedroom main house, there is a 3-bedroom annexe and in addition the property has three additional cottages, stabling and outbuildings. There is a tennis court and swimming pool with the grounds and the majority of the land is devoted to organic farming.

One thing is, for sure, the former Meghan Markle won’t be putting in a bid in spite of Bolehyde Manor having glorious gardens that have opened under the National Garden Scheme.

The Names & Numbers – Bolehyde Manor, Allington, Chippenham, Wiltshire, SN14 6LW, United Kingdom

June 2020 – For sale for £3.75 million ($4.71 million, €4.21 million or درهم17.31 million) through Savills.

March 2011 – Offered for sale for £4.76 million ($5.98 million, €5.35 million or درهم21.96 million) by the Earl and Countess Cairns.

1986 – Sold for £600,000 ($754,000, €674,000 or درهم2.8 million) by Andrew and Camilla Parker Bowles to Simon and Amanda Cairns.

1973 – Andrew Parker Bowles moves in along with his then wife Camilla.

1927 – Sold to a Mrs Mallet du Cros “in very indifferent repair” by the Gale family according to Country Life. She “restored and modernised it.”

1635 – Sold to a yeoman named John Gale.

Mid 17^th century – Built on the site of an earlier house occupied by one Thomas de Bolehyde, a tenant of the Abbot of Glaston-bury.

Pictured top: Carole Middleton, Bolehyde Manor and the Duchess of Cornwall.

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The interior features traditional English country house style decoration.

This study is currently lined with plenty of reading material.

Original features including panelling abound throughout Bolehyde Manor.

A pleasant courtyard garden is to be found to the rear of the house.

To the front is a formal lawned area.

Three cottages come with the house as well as an annexe also.

The gardens have previously been opened to the public under the National Garden Scheme.

They are quite delightful.

A plan of the 80 acres currently offered with Bolehyde Manor.

June 2, 2020
George’s debut

First pictures of Prince George leaked

The first official pictures of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s first child, Prince George, were meant to be released on Tuesday 20^th August on Twitter. They leaked out a day earlier. (more…)

August 19, 2013
The progress of Pippa

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.

(more…)

June 9, 2013
Correcting ‘Kate’

Why do the press continue to refer to the Duchess of Cambridge as ‘Kate Middleton’?

Two years ago yesterday, Catherine Elizabeth Middleton married Prince William. Euphoria reigned throughout the land and 26 million are said to have watched the ceremony in Britain alone.

(more…)

April 30, 2013
Bang, Bang, Snap, Snap

The sale of The Duchess of Cambridge’s uncle’s holiday villa, La Maison de Bang Bang

Just as it is reported that the pregnant Duchess of Cambridge is said to be furious about photographers having managed to capture her in a bikini on a beach on the private island of Mustique, another of her previous holiday destinations has come to the market.

Kate Middleton and Prince William aboard Tapeka Point during their 2006 holiday in Ibiza.

Carole Middleton’s brother businessman Gary Goldsmith.

La Maison de Bang Bang’s sign.

The Duchess, as Kate Middleton, stayed with Prince William at the holiday home of her uncle, Gary Goldsmith’s in Ibiza in 2006. During the break at the exotically named La Maison de Bang Bang, the Prince and Miss Middleton were photographed on a motor launch, Tapeka Point, that was subsequently put up for auction in April 2012 for £120,000.

La Maison de Bang Bang

An aerial shot of the property

The 4 double bedroom villa, named according to its official website, after “Ibiza’s famous banging house music”, is just five minutes from the Cala Jondal beach and the “hip” Blue Marlin beach bar. The house stands on a plot of 23,850 square metres and includes a large reception room, 4 dining areas and a fully equipped gym. In addition there is a staff bungalow, swimming pool and tennis court.

The main reception area in the house.

One of four dining areas.

One of four double en-suite bedrooms.

An example of Mr Goldsmith’s humour.

Buddhas can be found throughout the villa.

And also in the garden.

As well as an outdoor swimming pool, there is a full sized tennis court.

In a statement to the Daily Telegraph’s “Mandrake”, Goldsmith, who was subject to a News of the World sting at La Maison de Bang Bang in 2009, commented:

“I’m looking to buy a bigger house in London, given that I have only been there myself once in the last two year… After what seems like a million years of fun, fun, fun, I’m selling Bang Bang, folks”.

Of the house itself, Mr Goldsmith told the Daily Mail’s Richard Kay:

“It’s on for 6.5 million Euro. Despite the Spanish economy, it’s a good time to sell because the Euro is very strong at the moment, plus Ibiza isn’t like mainland Spain. It has a micro-economy all of its own”.

Knight Frank’s particulars for La Maison de Bang Bang were prepared last September and though Mr Goldsmith, who made £275 million selling his recruitment business in 2005, may be a canny businessman, it seems as if he may have to wait some time before someone else decides to put their bucks into the Bang Bang.

For more information on La Maison de Bang Bang, contact Knight Frank on +44 (0) 203 641 5161.

To view particulars on the house, go to: http://content.zoopla.co.uk/a6420c8137a5d9f4e81b6c108c398e4bf467c6ed.pdf

To view the official website for the house, go to: http://www.rentibizavilla.com

February 13, 2013
Behold a royal baby

Our congratulations to The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge

The announcement that The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are expecting a baby brings joy at a time when this country needs it. The pages of our newspapers have been filled with stories of Leveson, Jimmy Savile and austerity for too long and now, like with the 2012 Olympics and The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, the press have a positive story to share.

Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge

The Right Honourable David Cameron MP tweets

David Cameron was bang on the nail when he commented on Twitter: “They will make wonderful parents.” We at The Steeple Times wholeheartedly agree and offer our congratulations to the royal couple.

December 3, 2012
Pippa Middleton

The sister of The Duchess of Cambridge was paid a £400,000 advance by Penguin for her first book, Celebrate. A graduate of the University of Edinburgh, Middleton’s view of her changed circumstances is simple: “It’s been a crazy few years since my sister’s wedding.” Whilst the chattering classes attack her and her family for cashing in on their connections to royalty, she’s also raised thousands for charity and is making her mark as an author. Good for her.

October 27, 2012
To the manor born

The Manor, Bucklebury: a house that shortly may become home to Carole and Michael Middleton

First reported by The Daily Telegraph’s “Mandrake” columnist Richard Eden in May, the talk of today is that The Duchess of Cambridge’s parents, Carole and Michael Middleton, have just purchased a Georgian manor house at Bucklebury in West Berkshire.

The exterior of The Manor, Bucklebury, Reading, West Berkshire, RG7 6RP

The eastern side of the house includes a steel framed garden room

The property’s formal gardens with parkland beyond

Currently owned by a Morgan Stanley banker named Justin Mason and his landscape artist wife, Jill, The Manor was subject to a bidding war featuring four parties and has now been taken off the market. Agents Savills have refused to confirm the name of the winning bid but this morning’s Mail Online claims the Middletons, who are said to be worth some £30 million from their Party Pieces empire, have “triumphed” and are paying some £4.7 million for the property. It was last sold in 2001 for circa £1.8 million.

The house’s formal drawing room

The family kitchen complete with full sized AGA

Featuring 7 bedrooms, 5 reception rooms, a swimming pool and tennis court, The Manor is set in 18.9 acres and situated 8.8 miles from Newbury. The Grade II listed house merges “contemporary and traditional styles” of décor and a main feature is a large kitchen that the agents describe as being “the heart of the house.” One could, indeed, imagine Mrs Middleton cooking up a feast fit for a future King in this vast room.

The current Middleton family residence: Oak Acre, The Avenue, Bucklebury, Reading, Berkshire, RG7 6NS

Carole and Michael Middleton on the driveway of their current home

Whilst many and most especially the Daily Mail mock this family, and if indeed they are the purchasers of The Manor, it is most certainly a most fitting residence for them. Their next step on the Monopoly board is much deserved.

For more information on The Manor, Bucklebury contact Michael Gatehouse of the Newbury office of Savills on +44 (0) 1635 277700 or email [email protected]

June 15, 2012
The Duchess of Cambridge (formerly known as Kate Middleton)

With panache she’s changed perceptions of royalty. Her rise has been meteoric and she has handled herself perfectly. She is stylishly chic and the perfect ambassador for any fashion brand.

April 29, 2012