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.
July 24, 2018
by Matthew Steeples
‘Red socked fop’ Sir Christopher Meyer’s “mugging” was supposedly just “a fall” Sir Christopher Meyer was allegedly “attacked” at Victoria Station on 11th July and a great fuss ensued. The media – encouraged by this opinionated former ambassador’s “Chanel clad” wife (and BFF of Theresa May) – printed stories of how he was “beaten” … Continue reading “The Mugging of Meyer”
October 28, 2017
by Matthew Steeples
Why did the BBC waste fifteen minutes discussing Theresa May’s footwear? The nation would be a better place if she was simply shoed out This morning on BBC One’s breakfast show, the hosts spent twenty minutes discussing the inane matter of another programme showing a shot of Theresa May’s shoes. Given the ‘Imelda … Continue reading “Shoeing Out Theresa”
September 29, 2017
by Matthew Steeples
As a further £154,000 is handed to the police, is it right that £11 million has been allocated to searching for Madeleine McCann whilst the searches for other missing people get little to nothing? A child supposedly disappears every five minutes in the UK yet the only instance the media ever focus on is … Continue reading “A Missing Mockery”
July 23, 2017
by Matthew Steeples
Funding for the investigation into the disappearance of Madeleine McCann must cease; £11 million spent with no result is evidence that enough is enough Over £11 million has been spent in relation to the search for Madeleine McCann since the then 3-year old disappeared on 3rd May 2007. The result? Absolutely no progress and … Continue reading “Enough is Enough”
July 9, 2017
by Matthew Steeples
Lady Meyer makes snobbish remarks on Twitter; in doing so she again proves she’s herself nothing but ghastly The infamously “Chanel clad” wife of Sir Christopher Meyer, Britain’s former “red socked fop” ambassador to America, is known for her curt manner and finger pointing ways, but recently on Twitter, she opted to again illustrate … Continue reading “The Lady is a Snob”
June 9, 2017
by Matthew Steeples
Blundering bin bag Theresa May will form a minority government today, but it won’t last; the nation want her and her nasty party gone From the moment Theresa May awkwardly held Donald Trump’s hand in Washington back in January, it was all but over. Cursed by appearing a poodle to the worst POTUS in … Continue reading “Theresa’s Trumped”
March 19, 2017
by Matthew Steeples
Lord Prescott is entirely right to suggest Jeremy Corbyn unfit to be Labour’s leader just as he was spot on about Sir Christopher “did nothing” Meyer over phone hacking According to The Mail on Sunday, last Wednesday, at a meeting of the Labour party, the former Deputy Prime Minister, John Prescott, told Jeremy Corbyn: … Continue reading “Hero of the Hour – John Prescott”
March 12, 2017
by Matthew Steeples
As San Francisco socialite and clothes horse Joy Venturini Bianchi is highlighted to be an American version of her fellow former ‘charitycat’ Lady Meyer, it’s time that charities worldwide were better regulated In Britain, in 2011, the “Chanel-clad” wife of the former British ambassador to Washington, Lady Meyer, faced criticism after The Telegraph revealed … Continue reading “Chop the Charitycats”
October 23, 2016
by Matthew Steeples
Sir Christopher Meyer pompously sticks his oar in (yet again) Sir Christopher Meyer, a pompous man who rather enjoys the sound of his own dulcet tones a little too much, penned a column for this week’s Mail on Sunday in which he endorsed Hillary Clinton’s campaign to become President of the United States of … Continue reading “Meyer’s Oar”
May 2, 2016
October 6, 2015
by Matthew Steeples
Kerry Needham speaks for the nation in calling for more help for parents of missing children (other than just Madeleine McCann)
April 5, 2015
by Matthew Steeples
Sir Christopher and Lady Meyer put their Chelsea townhouse up for sale for £2.3 million more than was asked when they bought it in 2013 – The catch? It’s next door to a kebab shop
March 6, 2015
by General
Having once described himself as a “proud troll” on Twitter, this coat-tail hanging sort is often to be found in the company of the phone hacking obsessed bore Hugh Grant.
December 22, 2014
by Matthew Steeples
Royal Opera House issues appeal to pay for ballet footwear despite paying CEO over £250,000 per year
October 13, 2014
by Matthew Steeples
As it is revealed that the review of the case of the disappearance of Madeleine McCann has cost in excess of £10 million, Matthew Steeples asks: “When will it end?”
September 7, 2014
by Matthew Steeples
As the minister for civil society warns charities to ‘stay out of politics’, we urge him to reform this messy sector
August 26, 2014
by steepleadmin
How much of every pound or dollar donated should charities be able to allocate to administration?
July 30, 2014
by Matthew Steeples
Lady Meyer takes a pay cheque from the City Bridge Trust Featured in The Telegraph in 2011 due to the curious way it allocated its income, the charity founded by the “Chanel-clad” wife of the former British ambassador to Washington, Lady Meyer, is back in the news after receiving a grant of £60,000 from … Continue reading “Charity begins next to a kebab shop”
February 15, 2014
by Matthew Steeples
Another pair of Chelsea fraudsters bite the dust The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea, as we’ve repeatedly pointed out, attracts criminals and the case of the latest dodgy pair to come to our attention won’t surprise many of our readers sadly. Meet Emmanuel and Behnaz Scotts, a duo who funded a “high rolling … Continue reading “Chaneling the VAT in Chelsea”
October 14, 2013
by Matthew Steeples
Live reactions to the BBC’s ‘Crimewatch’ special on Madeleine McCann were far from in support of Gerry and Kate McCann on Twitter A random sample of tweets during the BBC’s Crimewatch special on Madeleine McCann showed little support for the couple and little belief in the so-called “progress” Operation Grange has made in investigating … Continue reading “Twittering McCann”
October 9, 2013
by Matthew Steeples
Latest Madeleine McCann stories leave more questions than answers As Gerry and Kate McCann sue a former Portuguese police officer over his book about the 2007 disappearance of their daughter, Madeleine, the Daily Express have revealed that a barrister has evidence that the child is still alive. As has become the norm with this … Continue reading “Meddling with McCann”
September 15, 2013
by General
A talented lady with a knack for being in the right place at the right time. When the founder of The Steeple Times first encountered her, Wickstead was a little known fashion designer who was part of a charity fashion event in Chelsea organised by a Russian with a boutique in Essex. This Auckland born … Continue reading “Emilia Wickstead”
August 7, 2013
by Matthew Steeples
Charities need to rethink how they pay their executives It’s hardly news that many charity bosses (AKA ‘charitycats’) are earning in excess of £100,000 a year but once again the toothless Charity Commission is bleating instead of acting.
July 4, 2013
by Matthew Steeples
A new investigation into the disappearance of Madeleine McCann A new investigation into the disappearance of Madeleine McCann is all very well but given the colossal costs involved and the fact that many other children are missing, is it right that so many resources continue to be devoted to this case?
June 15, 2013
by Matthew Steeples
Theresa May agrees to fund full-scale Met inquiry into the disappearance of Madeleine McCann Last year, Theresa May hosted a reception with a woman named Lady Meyer in Downing Street. Kate McCann, the mother of Madeleine McCann, who disappeared in 2007, was amongst the guests. Now, it has been claimed that May has agreed … Continue reading “‘M’s’ the word”
June 2, 2013
by Matthew Steeples
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”.
May 31, 2013
by Matthew Steeples
‘The Daily Telegraph’s’ expose of yet another rule breaking MP is something to celebrate The Daily Telegraph is a newspaper that isn’t afraid to expose scandals and that should indeed be celebrated.
May 14, 2013
by Matthew Steeples
Lady Meyer applies to build a “closet wing” The wife of the former ambassador Sir Christopher Meyer, once described as “Chanel-clad” by The Telegraph, has applied to The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea to build a number of closets at a property she recently purchased just off the Kings Road.
April 28, 2013
by Matthew Steeples
The costs of the McCann investigation soar to £4.5 million £6,228-a-day, £4,500,000 since May 2011. That’s a lot of money. It is also the figure of the costs of Operation Grange, Scotland Yard’s review of the Madeleine McCann investigation.
March 17, 2013
by Matthew Steeples
This genial host is undoubtedly amongst the best connected on the London restaurant scene. Born in Gibraltar, Peire became senior maitre d’ at The Ivy in 1990 and after stints advising others such as Morton’s, The Halcyon Hotel and the Villa Nova in Barbados, he returned to The Ivy in 2007 as director. Instrumental in … Continue reading “Fernando Peire”
November 16, 2012
by Matthew Steeples
Matthew Steeples takes a look at the farcical results of the PCC elections A former ambassador to the US undiplomatically Tweeted the following an hour or two ago: “Prezza beaten. Humberside policing saved.” His dovetailed stooge, one Mowbray Jackson, added: “Tiresome tub thumper ‘Lord’ Prescott rejected in PCC election. There is a god.” … Continue reading “Put a sock in it”
November 7, 2012
by Matthew Steeples
Why does the Savile story really keep running? We’re all Saviled out. It’s been more than eight weeks since revelations about Jimmy, formerly Sir Jimmy, Savile came to public attention. Yes, the horrors of his “activities” have appalled us all but frankly why do the media really keep this story running as a main … Continue reading “A long, long Savile road”
November 2, 2012
by Matthew Steeples
A £15 million mansion fit for a self-made tycoon or an upwardly mobile WAG While the youth of the Kings Road and Loughton have featured in the reality shows Made in Chelsea and The Only Way is Essex, their counterparts in Cheshire have yet to undergo the same social experiment. Having come across a … Continue reading “Windows on the WAGs”
October 19, 2012
by Matthew Steeples
The latest sale of 32a Ovington Square I first visited 32a Ovington Square in September 2009. At the time, this “hidden house” was the home of Lord Carrington and it had just come on the market at a price, if I recall correctly, of circa £3,000,000. A friend was looking for somewhere … Continue reading “First Among (Not So) Equals”
October 17, 2012
by Matthew Steeples
A concrete firm whose boss is fixated on a rather tarnished name I recall seeing a cement truck belonging to a company named Jim’ll Mix It parked in First Street, Chelsea several years ago. As I walked past, I said to my friend: “Plainly that’s owned by a wit.” The joke, given recent revelations … Continue reading “For how much longer will Jim be mixing it?”
October 13, 2012
by Matthew Steeples
Matthew Steeples discovers a penthouse that even the most ambitious estate agent may struggle to flog Estate agents are a tough breed and there are very few properties that they might admit could verge on being impossible to sell. We believe, however, that we might have found one that could be in the same … Continue reading “Now who’d want to live in a house like this?”
by Matthew Steeples
Matthew Steeples reacts to the BBC quietly dropping the “Sir” This morning when I turned on Radio 4’s Today programme, as has become customary in the last weeks, the first item on the news was about a man who will forever be associated with abuse and paedophilia, Jimmy Savile. In recent days, as … Continue reading “Bravo the Beeb”
October 12, 2012
by Matthew Steeples
The purchaser of Sir Jimmy Savile’s Rolls-Royce whinges about his lacking lot As 14 police forces announce that they are investigating an astonishing 340 leads and the claims of 40 alleged victims of Sir Jimmy Savile, we at The Steeple Times were equally astounded when we received a Tweet from one of our most … Continue reading ““As it ‘appens,” sir, Jimmy’s ‘ad you too”
October 9, 2012
by Matthew Steeples
Matthew Steeples shares his somewhat mixed thoughts on the allegations against Sir Jimmy Savile When Sir Jimmy Savile’s 2002 Rolls-Royce Corniche went to auction in July with a guide price of £60,000 to £90,000, he seemed destined to be remembered as a man who would continue to do as much good in death as … Continue reading “Now then, now then, not now then”
August 20, 2012
by steepleadmin
Sarah Tucker gives an update on goings on at the resort where Madeleine McCann vanished Four hundred and thirty euros, one bedroom apartment, one week at the height of season at a luxury family resort in Portugal. And oh yes, it’s the Ocean Club at Praia da Luz. There’s availability with two and three … Continue reading “Winging it”
July 11, 2012
by Matthew Steeples
A review of Elistano, Chelsea Lunch in the company of Rex Leyland, who co-founded The Restaurant Doctor with Pierre Koffman and Terence Martin, is always a pleasure as he is frankly one of the most passionate foodies I’ve ever encountered. We recently met, along with the former restaurateur Anthony Brown, at Elistano in Chelsea … Continue reading “Just what the doctor ordered”
June 17, 2012
by Matthew Steeples
Since her twenty-one-month year old son Ben went missing on the Greek Island of Kos in July 1991, Ms. Grist-Needham has tirelessly campaigned to try and find him. Unlike with other cases, little help has been given by the authorities or charities. A volunteer named Scott Morrison has set up a website at http://www.helpfindben.co.uk and … Continue reading “Kerry Grist-Needham (formerly Kerry Needham)”
June 2, 2012
by Matthew Steeples
Their daughter Madeleine disappeared on the evening 3rd May 2007 from a holiday apartment whilst they sat enjoying tapas with a bunch of friends. Some believe the poor child was kidnapped. Others have alternative theories. A public fund to find “Maddie” raised hundreds of thousands of pounds but Mrs McCann’s book, Madeleine, contains so many … Continue reading “Gerry & Kate McCann”
by Matthew Steeples
Best known for her role as Flick Scully on the soap Neighbours, this Australian born actress, singer and model struck gold when she married the British property tycoon Nick Candy. Her foray into music as Holly Valance brought success with Kiss Kiss but she subsequently fell out with her manager and had to pay him … Continue reading “Holly Candy (born Holly Rachel Vukadinović)”
May 25, 2012
by General
She called the Conservative Party the “Nasty Party” in a speech in 2002 and now Theresa May makes for a pretty nasty Prime Minister herself. Gaffe prone May failed to appeal to the police in May 2012 when they heckled her at the Police Federation conference and was too busy hosting a party with Lady … Continue reading “The Rt. Hon. Theresa May MP”
by Matthew Steeples
Raised in Morecambe, Lancashire at a seafront hotel, Worth has played Coronation Street’s Gail Platt since 1974. This former wife of the voice of Thomas the Tank Engine, Michael Angelis, lives between Cheshire and Chelsea and when not acting she’s often to be found campaigning for the Born Free Foundation.
May 23, 2012
by Matthew Steeples
The stepmother of Guy Ritchie was the “grande dame” of the Kensington & Chelsea Conservative Association. This tireless campaigner encouraged diversity within the Tory party and successfully thwarted Lady Meyer’s attempts to become the candidate for the constituency. For that alone she deserved her knighthood. May she rest in peace.
May 21, 2012
by Matthew Steeples
She told “The Mother Of All Lies” when she arranged for her degenerate boyfriend to help her kidnap her own daughter, Shannon, in 2008. She hid the poor child under a bed and basked in the media attention. Not being very bright was what resulted in her being caught and resultantly she failed to collect … Continue reading “Karen Matthews”
May 7, 2012
by Matthew Steeples
Jeffrey’s invented a lot of tales but is rightly renowned for spinning them brilliantly. This former politician wrote some brilliant diaries whilst in prison and now is mostly likely to be found doing charitable deeds. His shepherd’s pie and Krug parties are still the stuff of legends.
by Matthew Steeples
Drummond Money-Coutts is an English magician and card sharp whose name could also be taken to mean “Bank Money Bank”. One of the Coutts family, Money-Coutts shares his Christian name with Drummonds Bank and is the grandson of Lord “Bill” Deedes, the inspiration for Evelyn Waugh’s William Boot. He has performed for HM The Queen, … Continue reading “The Hon. Drummond Money-Coutts (AKA “DMC”)”
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)”
April 27, 2012
by Matthew Steeples
Sir Christopher and Lady Meyer love the media circuit and television sofas.
April 25, 2012
by Matthew Steeples
The sale of an Aston Martin Virage Volante used by Prince Charles A press release pinged into my inbox this morning from Bonhams that immediately caught my attention. It came from Leonora Oldfield of Bonhams, someone I hadn’t heard from since the days when we were both involved in fundraising for Lady Meyer’s PACT. … Continue reading “The greenest of Astons”
