Tag: eccentric

  • A Glorious Roller

    A Glorious Roller

    Rolls-Royce hunting vehicle for sale for £198,000

     

    Today marks the start of the grouse season and whilst the BBC gave far too much airtime to those who are anti this fine sport, we very much join with those celebrating the Glorious Twelfth. Suitable for someone heading off to the moors is an amazing Rolls-Royce that was built as a hunting vehicle for the King of Morocco in 1980. (more…)

  • Thai Dang Cao (1953 – 2014)

    Thai Dang Cao (1953 – 2014)

    Thai Dang CaoThe eccentric owner of Old Brompton Road’s Nam Long Le Shaker was famed for creating the legendary Flaming Ferrari cocktail. A favourite of the likes of Lord Archer’s son, James, this lethal concoction consists of 100% proof rum, Chartreuse, Grand Marnier and Blue Curaçao. Of them Dang Cao commented: “If you drink three of them you kiss the ground like the Pope”. He occupied a throne-like seat in his establishment yet truly did good through philanthropically funding a school and clinic in Vietnam and of this nightlife legend’s passing, one customer concluded: “He was not a man of many words, but a creator some of my worst life hangovers”. Whilst Nam Long Le Shaker – established in 1987 – has been described as being “a place like no other”; Thai Dang Cao was most certainly “a man like no other”. The longest ever lock-in in the sky has commenced with his arrival.

  • The best of BADA

    The best of BADA

    A roundup of the art worth seeing at BADA

     

    The BADA Antiques & Fine Art Fair on Chelsea’s Duke of York Square is an annual showcase of art and antiques that range in price from £100 to £1 million. Here, The Steeple Times picks three of our favourite items on display that suit a wide range of budgets. (more…)

  • The art loving duo

    The art loving duo

    The art loving duoThis pair never miss an art gallery opening night. Prosecco surely flows through their veins.

  • The Singing Lady

    The Singing Lady

    The Singing LadyLate at night, the Kings Road and Sloane Square are the haunts of this eccentric singer of sorts. She favours the outside seating at Colbert but doesn’t venture indoors and rather likes Chelsea Fire Station too. Speak to her and expect a barrage of commentary. She never asks for money.

  • Nubar Gulbenkian (Armenian: Նուբար Սարգիս Գյուլբենկյան, 1896 – 1972)

    Nubar Gulbenkian (Armenian: Նուբար Սարգիս Գյուլբենկյան, 1896 – 1972)

    Nubar GulbenkianOne of Nubar Gulbenkian's converted taxisThis Harrow educated eccentric, Santa Claus lookalike and playboy had two Austin FX4 Hackney carriages converted to his own specifications and considered the best number for a dinner party to be two (himself and “a damn good head waiter”). (more…)

  • Lloyd Scott MBE

    Lloyd Scott MBE

    Lloyd ScottThis former professional football goalkeeper and cancer survivor completed the 2002 London Marathon in a deep-sea diving suit and took 12 days to walk the length of Loch Ness in 2003. He’s completed countless other endeavours in the name of charity and raised millions in the process. His efforts are commendable and of his MBE, Scott once commented: “It should stand for ‘Mad, Bonkers and Eccentric’”.

  • Percy Shaw OBE (1890 – 1976)

    Percy Shaw OBE (1890 – 1976)

    Percy ShawThe inventor of the Catseye road stud never married and was an eccentric Yorkshireman who kept four televisions running constantly so as not to miss anything. Shaw had two Rolls-Royces on the basis that he didn’t want to go without whilst one was being serviced and even built a replica of his local bar in his sitting room so he could invite his friends round for drinks each night. A J. D. Wetherspoon pub in Halifax is named in his honour.

  • Captain Pugwash (AKA ‘Captain’ Michael M. Maricic)

    Captain Pugwash (AKA ‘Captain’ Michael M. Maricic)

    Captain PugwashThis old chap wanders the Fulham Road in a seafaring cap and claims to be a “restaurant consultant and promoter of new faces (models and actresses)”. He’s also “writing a biography that will be fascinating to read” and is “recognised by the late Honourable president [sic] of the United States Roland [sic] Regan”. Bonkers.

  • The Waitrose Clepto

    The Waitrose Clepto

    The Waitrose CleptoFamous simply for being thrown out of Waitrose in Kings Road because of his helping hands and also for his daily dance on the steps of Patara in Fulham Road, little else is known about this Chelsea eccentric. Goodness knows what’s hidden inside the flasher mac The Waitrose Clepto generally sports.