The Steeple Times asks high jewellery expert Francesco Paolillo: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”
The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force?
My guiding forces are the everyday challenges that I face and my family of course.
“Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?
Nothing comes to mind. I don’t have a motto.
Kerry Katona was considered unacceptable in 2007. Who or what is unacceptable in 2013?
I don’t really know who Kerry Katona is but for me the political situation in Italy is unfortunate.
Tony Blair misses being Prime Minister. What do you miss most in your life?
I miss living in New York and walking in Central Park.
What might you swap all your wealth for?
I would give up everything I have to spend one more day with my father.
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?
My view on the banking crisis is that we are all responsible for it.
What phrase or word do you most loathe?
The word “manager”. I think it is overused.
In the UK, some people consider charity to “begin at home”. What’s your view and what causes do you personally support?
I do not support any causes at the moment.
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?
These devices are essential to our lives. They should simply be used politely.
High jewellery expert Franceso Paolillo
If you could fill a carriage on The Orient Express, who would be your fellow passengers?
Tony and Cherie Blair and Gordon Brown. I would also have George Soros and Nicole Kidman.
If you were unfortunate enough to end up on death row, what would be your last meal and where would you eat it?
I would have a steak in Tuscany with a bottle of Brunello di Montalcino. A friend would come with me.
What time is it acceptable to consume the first drink of the day?
When I fancy it.
A Negroni, a martini or a cup of tea?
I would be most likely to go for a martini.
Whose parties do you enjoy the most and why?
My own, because I know how to enjoy myself.
Who is the most positive person you know?
Me: I trust myself.
What’s your most guilty pleasure?
Women.
If a tattoo were to sum you up, what would it be of?
No tattoo can sum me up.
If you were a car, what marque would you be?
A Porsche.
Cilla Black presented Surprise, Surprise. Tell us the most surprising thing about you.
I have won several trophies for BMX bike riding.
What’s currently sitting on your mantelpiece?
A group picture of me with some good friends.
Francesco Paolillo is a high jewellery expert based in Knightsbridge, London.
The Steeple Times asks bass-baritone singer Stephen Bowman: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”
The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force?
Gravity mainly, followed by a healthy fear of dying young. Avoiding skydiving tends to keep both of those fears at bay.
“Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?
“Even a stopped clock tells the right time twice a day” – I’m very sure it’s a brilliant ancient proverb, but I stole it from Withnail and I.
Kerry Katona was considered unacceptable in 2007. Who or what is unacceptable in 2013?
Kerry Katona has redeemed herself greatly since 2007, so I’d say that after his little tantrums in London recently, Justin Bieber is the next in line who needs a little humility injected into his life.
Tony Blair misses being Prime Minister. What do you miss most in your life?
I miss long misspent summers in the south of Spain. Long, lazy, hazy days of doing nothing more than sleeping off hangovers and chasing girls. Both were far less painful as a teenager and much less expensive.
What might you swap all your wealth for?
A trip to the moon. I wanted to be an astronaut just before I wanted to be a rock singer; 4-year old children can be so flippant about career choices.
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?
The stupidity and greed of the few created a bed that the rest of us sleep in every day. It’s affected every industry, including music. We now perform most of our big private shows overseas, the UK is very slow and no one wants to be seen spending money on entertainment.
What phrase or word do you most loathe?
“It’s like…”: Massively overused and makes it near impossible for half the population to explain what a simile is.
In the UK, some people consider charity to “begin at home”. What’s your view and what causes do you personally support?
Once you have a smidgen of public profile you have the opportunity to help charities with fundraising and it’s something I jumped at. Over the last 6 years of Blake we’ve got behind many amazing charities, including the British Legion, Variety the Children’s Charity, War Widows’ Association, Help For Heroes, Make A Wish and Nordoff Robbins to name a few. It’s great to think you can make any difference.
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?
I travel by tube quite a bit, where you regularly see the scary sight of an entire carriage of commuters with heads bowed in deep reverence to their ‘iThingamajigs’. The art of conversation on the tube has all but been lost. No one ever looks up long enough to make eye contact. Sad.
Singer Stephen Bowman
If you could fill a carriage on The Orient Express, who would be your fellow passengers?
I’d invite the top 50 speakers from TED, the best panel from QI and Emma Thompson. Between them I’d have enough fantastic conversation to last a train journey to the moon and back, although I’m sure at least a few of the TED company would quickly explain that said journey wouldn’t be technically impossible.
If you were unfortunate enough to end up on death row, what would be your last meal and where would you eat it?
The finest meal I’ve ever had was at a restaurant in the Philippines called Antonio’s. It’s up in the jungle surrounding a mighty volcanic crater in the Tagaytay region about an hour from Manila. The owner is obsessed with sourcing the best meat and vegetable produce in the world. A meal is in the region of £120 a head in a country where £120 rents a room for a year. If it was my last meal though, what the hell!
What time is it acceptable to consume the first drink of the day?
Sadly alcoholism runs in my family, so when it comes to how early in the day you can drink, I’m rather conservative on the subject. As a rule I’d say that a gin and tonic at 6pm is a safe start. Earlier, not so.
A Negroni, a martini or a cup of tea?
I’d be lying if I said I knew what either was, showing my lack of knowledge in both classic cocktails and speciality teas. I must study harder in both areas, but never before 6pm for the former of course.
Whose parties do you enjoy the most and why?
Over the last 6 years with Blake I’ve been to some truly wonderful parties, including film premieres, summer car festivals and polo days a plenty. The best yearly event for me is the Audi Royal Polo. We watch the Audi team lose to William and Harry (every year, strangely), Blake perform a cappella on the mainstage (a yearly tradition now, always after a few drinks and with a few slight ‘alterations’ to the lyrics of our songs) and finally dance till 1am. We go all topped and tailed with a private chauffer from Audi there and back. I have an Audi S8 as my personal ride and these parties alone warrant the investment into their fine automobiles.
Who is the most positive person you know?
A rather wonderful lady who works as both celeb booker for Variety the Children’s Charity and as Mike Oldfield’s personal PA. Caroline Monk can giggle you out of the worst depression and bring sunshine to your dullest day, a great friend and an amazing lady with many stories to tell. She’s battled many things in life and will help you find some perspective on those days when all seems against you.
What’s your most guilty pleasure?
Have you ever stumbled across one of those really old episodes of Top Gear on YouTube, with a silly number of views and thought: “Who the hell watches this stuff”? It’s me. I’ve got this thing about watching old car reviews, convincing myself that it’s developing ‘automotive knowledge’ when in fact it’s as pointless as watching ‘talking cats’. Although I can tell you what Jeremy Clarkson’s hair looked like in any year of the last two decades, admittedly a skill in short demand.
If a tattoo were to sum you up, what would it be of?
Probably the Maserati or Alfa Romeo badges. I’ve almost got petrol running through my veins, such is my love for engines and speed. I might as well wear the permanent mark of the two marques who in my opinion and have made the most beautiful machines ever to live.
If you were a car, what marque would you be?
I’d love to be a Maserati, but in reality I’d be one of those cars made in a barn by an eccentric German, using English body parts and a teutonic engine; generally reliable but with occasional breakdowns.
Cilla Black presented Surprise, Surprise. Tell us the most surprising thing about you.
I’m no where near as ‘British’ as the PR and marketing of Blake would have you believe. My father is German, my mother is English but descended from the family which Napoleon married into. I got married to a Guatemalan girl when I was 21, divorced when I was 26 and have only dated 2 English girls in my life. All the others were Latino. I almost turned full-tilt ‘Eurotrash’ in 2004 when my hair reached my shoulders in a swept back slick hairdo, a style low point!
What’s currently sitting on your mantelpiece?
As I travel the world singing with Blake (we’ve sung in 22 countries to date) we meet fans who present us with ever more unique personal presents. On my mantelpiece I currently have a Russian Babushka doll with my face painted on it, alongside a crystal reproduction of my Honda Fireblade superbike. Both were given to me by a fan from Russia. I also have ‘fans’ from fans in China and Japan, along with a wooden ‘love spoon’ from the Mayor of Cardiff. It’s useful for tossing salad apparently.
Stephen Bowman is a member of the Blake, the vocal group widely known for having been formed on Facebook in 2007.
The Steeple Times asks Blue Boar Smokehouse chef Jon Ingram: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”
The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force?
Seasonality, traceability and simplicity.
“Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?
K.I.S.S. – Keep It Simple Stupid.
Kerry Katona was considered unacceptable in 2007. Who or what is unacceptable in 2013?
Green peppers and bad personal hygiene. They both stink.
Tony Blair misses being Prime Minister. What do you miss most in your life?
My family.
What might you swap all your wealth for?
I don’t have any wealth. I’m a chef
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?
Overpaid people that gamble with our money and still get a bonus.
What phrase or word do you most loathe?
“Jambalaya”: I worked with a chef who had it on the menu. I think it is the worst dish I have ever seen or tasted.
In the UK, some people consider charity to “begin at home”. What’s your view and what causes do you personally support?
I donate to Cancer Research every month.
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?
I love my phone. It goes everywhere I do, except for my days off. Then, it generally sits there until I go back to work.
Blue Boar Smokehouse & Bar chef Jon Ingram
If you could fill a carriage on The Orient Express, who would be your fellow passengers?
It would be a real eclectic mix of people such as Tommy Cooper, Burt Bacharach, Marco Pierre White, Jonnie Boer, Dynamo, Lionel Richie, Frank Bruno, Russell Howard, my kids and most importantly my wife.
If you were unfortunate enough to end up on death row, what would be your last meal and where would you eat it?
Blue Boar ribs to start and a huge roast beef dinner and chocolate
What time is it acceptable to consume the first drink of the day?
Pubs open at 11am.
A Negroni, a martini or a cup of tea?
Tea: white peony.
Whose parties do you enjoy the most and why?
I’m normally cooking for them, so anyones’.
Who is the most positive person you know?
My wife.
What’s your most guilty pleasure?
A croissant stuffed with a Cumberland sausage.
If a tattoo were to sum you up, what would it be of?
My motto: K.I.S.S.
If you were a car, what marque would you be?
A Morgan: a small fish in a big pond.
Cilla Black presented Surprise, Surprise. Tell us the most surprising thing about you.
I’ve got a 100-metre swimming badge.
What’s currently sitting on your mantelpiece?
If I had one, I would put my 100-metre swimming badge on it along with a picture of my wife and kids. I would most definitely not put a carriage clock on it though.
Jon Ingram is the chef of the Blue Boar Smokehouse & Bar in Westminster.
The Steeple Times asks nightlife entrepreneur Diego Bivero-Volpe: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”
The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force?
Be kind. Everyone you meet is fighting a tough battle.
“Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?
Get there on time.
Kerry Katona was considered unacceptable in 2007. Who or what is unacceptable in 2013?
Racism and injustice. I travel quite a bit and I am always taken aback by how prevalent both are everywhere in the world.
Tony Blair misses being Prime Minister. What do you miss most in your life?
My family. They are all spread out, far away in different corners of the globe. It is difficult to see them often.
What might you swap all your wealth for?
The wellbeing of my loved ones.
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?
I love that quote but sadly it is indicative of how failed the system is. I used to work in the equity derivatives arm of RBS’ investment bank and I can tell you first-hand it is a cowboy’s game, with a lot of cavalier moves being made at the expense of the general public.
What phrase or word do you most loathe?
Racist slurs.
In the UK, some people consider charity to “begin at home”. What’s your view and what causes do you personally support?
This is probably true but I think all humans have a primal desire and need to help each other. I personally support Nordoff Robbins and Kids Company, both charities that help and provide support and protection for children.
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?
Unfortunately I am incredibly addicted to my Blackberry. Thinking about it, I don’t think it one has ever been more than 5 feet away from my in almost 10 years. That is disturbing.
Diego Bivero-Volpe
If you could fill a carriage on The Orient Express, who would be your fellow passengers?
So many… A random list off the top of my head: All of Led Zeppelin, Marcus Aurelius, Michelangelo, Rodin, Picasso, Piranesi, Buddy Holly, Hobbs, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson and maybe Daniel Tosh because he’s hysterical. It would certainly make for quite the journey all around.
If you were unfortunate enough to end up on death row, what would be your last meal and where would you eat it?
It’s hard to say, I am a lover of food, but I recently have developed a new obsession with steak, so maybe that and a spinach, avocado and mango salad. In any case, let’s just hope this situation never happens.
What time is it acceptable to consume the first drink of the day?
The conventional wisdom would dictate after 5pm. If you are on holiday somewhere sunny, a glass of wine or an Aperol Spritz (if in Italy) with lunch is always acceptable.
A Negroni, a martini or a cup of tea?
Vodka martini, dry, 3 olives.
Whose parties do you enjoy the most and why?
It’s a toss-up between very close friends and big luxurious bashes thrown by film studios and such. Both have their perks and are fun in different ways.
Who is the most positive person you know?
I am fortunate enough to have quite a few very positive people in my life.
What’s your most guilty pleasure?
Lazing about in Tuscany for 2 weeks every summer, doing nothing but eating pasta and tanning.
If a tattoo were to sum you up, what would it be of?
I strongly dislike tattoos.
If you were a car, what marque would you be?
A classic Ferrari.
Cilla Black presented Surprise, Surprise. Tell us the most surprising thing about you.
I have a masters in journalism and finance.
What’s currently sitting on your mantelpiece?
Lots of pictures of my family, a handmade sculpture made by Amazonian natives and some invites for events this week.
The latest in a series of bizarre comments from actor William Roache
William Roache MBE, who plays Ken Barlow in Coronation Street, is no stranger to controversy.
The grandson of a Freemason who was interested in hypnotism, theosophy and esotericism, Roache is a vegetarian and spiritualist who was photographed participating in Druid rituals in the 1970s.
In 2013, this Danish-British former Liberal Democrat author and presenter stated: “The Duchess of Cambridge lacks a single [relevant] opinion”. The nation were far from impressed. “Toxic Toksvig”, as some refer to her, is a Cambridge educated lesbian and mother of three whose works number Hitler’s Canary and Heroines & Harridans. She started her career on the appropriately named Motormouth and once stated: “When I see comedian – and ‘comedienne’, of course I hate it – I think ‘Oh, really?’ because I think of myself as a writer and broadcaster”. Miaow!
The story of “fallen tycoon” Brian O’Donnell, the differences between bankruptcy in the UK and Ireland and an £11 million mansion
In these straightened times, the media in general and the Daily Mail in particular quickly latch on to stories about benefit scroungers living in luxury homes. They’re less quick, however, with the exception of the case of Grant Bovey (“Mr Anthea Turner”), to make reference to stories of bankrupt individuals remaining in multi-million pound mansions.
Brian O’Donnell with his wife Dr Mary “Pat” Patricia O’Donnell
A most newsworthy example, though, has to be that of Irish property investor Brian O’Donnell and his psychiatrist wife Dr Mary Patricia “Pat” O’Donnell. Mr O’Donnell, who bought the Sanctuary Buildings in London for £170 million and paid $172.5 million for a 199,000 square foot property on Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington in 2008, started his career as a solicitor and eventually founded his own firm, Brian O’Donnell & Partners, in 1999. In time, he and his wife diversified into property investment and at the height of his success, Mr O’Donnell was described as “the Celtic Tiger poster child”. With the recession, however, came problems and by 2011, they owed Morgan Stanley €457 million, Aareal €235 million, and the Bank of Ireland circa €75 million.
Travel writer Sarah Tucker shares her views on Mother’s Day
Happy Mother’s Day to all you wonderful women who have given birth to little gems. I feel a bit like a travel writer stating: “The people here are all very friendly” when I write that, because although it’s mostly true, it’s not always true.
As someone who has written about travelling with children for nearly fifteen years, really since I was pregnant with my son, and written about the politics of the playground, which is nothing to do with the kids at all, just the issues of the parents, I’m not sure if I actually like children.
Don’t get me wrong, I love my own, he is the centre of my universe, but over the years I’ve met children who I felt were going to make the most appalling adults. Those adages, “mine will be different”, and “they will grow out of it”, don’t happen. Yours turn out to be the same, and they get worse.
And, they always blame the mothers. That’s after they blame the media, the council worker, the government, the lack of nutrients in food, the teachers, the lack of discipline in the home, too much TV, too many computer games, violence, alcohol and celebrity culture. In fact, a whole melting pot of things are generally blamed for the awfulness of any child. This is unfair.
I recently produced a YouTube video of the top ten types of mums and I’ve done one for dads, but I had to tone it down because ‘they’ felt it might be too negative. It wasn’t. It was spot on. In fact, it was tamed down.
But dads are rarely, if ever, laid to blame for their own failures let alone that of their children. No one is to blame for their own failures and that’s the problem. No one takes responsibility. Actually no. Women usually tend to believe everything is their fault, and men tend to believe everything is everyone else’s fault, so I’m sure that’s why men and women get on as well and as long as they do. Men think their failures are everyone else’s fault – but mainly their mothers.
I’m sure Freud said as much somewhere but I’m not sure. These ones also tend to marry their mothers or ‘motherly’ types’, divorce when they’re not being mothered anymore – because their wives have given birth and have genuine children to look after and proceed to look for women who a) can’t have kids b) have grown up kids and c) are able and willing to dote on them the way their mothers never did… or did too much.
So, I say, Happy Mother’s Day, to all of those who have children and those who have children as partners.
Sarah Tucker is an award winning travel journalist, novelist, producer and broadcaster. She has edited, produced and presented her own radio and TV series as well as presenting reports for BBC Holiday Programme and anchored I Want That House on ITV. She is the author of best selling novels The Playground Mafia (short listed for the Good Housekeeping book of the year 2007) The Battle for Big School, The Last Year of Being Single, and The Control Freak Chronicles.
The Steeple Times asks architectural antiques expert Jim Ruig: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”
The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force?
Design, travel and friends.
“Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?
The best revenge is to have a fabulous life.
Kerry Katona was considered unacceptable in 2007. Who or what is unacceptable in 2013?
The current government in Australia and especially our left-wing Socialist friend Julia.
Tony Blair misses being Prime Minister. What do you miss most in your life?
I miss being a father and a provider.
What might you swap all your wealth for?
More time on this planet.
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?
All bankers are stewing in their own muck.
What phrase or word do you most loathe?
“Envy”.
In the UK, some people consider charity to “begin at home”. What’s your view and what causes do you personally support?
Too many people support charities for the wrong reasons. One must support a charity close to one’s heart rather than for superficial reasons.
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?
An unnecessary evil.
Jim RuigJim Ruig with Frankie Dettori MBE
If you could fill a carriage on The Orient Express, who would be your fellow passengers?
Matthew Steeples, Julia Gillard, Carlos Santana, John Cleese, Sigmund Freud, Pablo Picasso, and my son, Morgan so that he can witness it all. It’d be nice also to have Ralph Lauren and Axel Vervoordt as that would be just perfect.
If you were unfortunate enough to end up on death row, what would be your last meal and where would you eat it?
I’d love a lamb shank on the Noosa Foreshore in Queensland. It’s a fabulous place and it would be divine.
What time is it acceptable to consume the first drink of the day?
Don’t be silly, alcohol doesn’t know what time it is.
A Negroni, a martini or a cup of tea?
I’d rather have a glass of good red wine.
Whose parties do you enjoy the most and why?
The ones thrown by fabulous people who are creative, funny and innovative.
Who is the most positive person you know?
My son.
What’s your most guilty pleasure?
Polo.
If a tattoo were to sum you up, what would it be of?
I have tattoos that date back some 25 years. The one that would sum me up would be of a Viking.
If you were a car, what marque would you be?
I would love to be an Aston Martin DB6.
Cilla Black presented Surprise, Surprise. Tell us the most surprising thing about you.
I am very romantic.
What’s currently sitting on your mantelpiece?
A photograph of my beautiful daughter, Camilla.
James “Jim” Ruig is the founder of the architectural business, The Salvage Company. Operating out of London, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Auckland and Hong Kong, Ruig sources reclaimed materials and antiques for commercial and residential clients.
For more information about The Salvage Company, go to: http://www.salvageeurope.co.uk
