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.
January 10, 2020
by Matthew Steeples
‘The Steeple Times’ remembers the late, great Woolf Gander A businessman who travelled widely across across the globe, Woolf Gander was born in 1937 in London Hospital and sadly died just before Christmas. A father of three – Beverley, Andrew and Adam – and a grandfather of three – Olivia, George and Victoria – Woolf … Continue reading “The Wit of Woolf”
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”
February 27, 2018
by Matthew Steeples
Healthcare assistant Charlotte Day disgracefully moans about panic buying of bread just as homeless people freeze to death Last week, a homeless man froze to death in Chelmsford, Essex. A week before, another was found dead on the steps of Westminster Tube station in London. Meanwhile, yesterday, in Medway, Kent, a moaning Minnie … Continue reading “Wally of the Week – Brazen bread “grabber” Charlotte Day”
November 29, 2017
by Matthew Steeples
1931 Bentley Tourer nicknamed ‘The Harem Saloon’ because of its first owner’s penchant for taking spins with his lady friends for sale for £1.15 million A 1931 8-litre Bentley Tourer that got the nickname ‘The Harem Saloon’ because it was first used by a Chinese Mau owner to take his girlfriends to the races … Continue reading “The Harem Saloon”
April 28, 2017
by Matthew Steeples
Matthew Steeples reports that Jeremy Corbyn’s attempt to enthuse a child in Harlow didn’t go down well; children and politicians should never mix Yesterday, Jeremy Corbyn headed to Harlow, Essex. He gave a speech to an assembled audience – including a woman with an upside down Labour poster – and then picked up a … Continue reading “Another Corbyn Calamity”
April 20, 2017
by General
A 20-question interview with self-made businessman and star of ‘My Fat Gypsy Fortune’ Alfie Best The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force? For a man to know where he is going, he must remember where he is from. “Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a … Continue reading “Alfie Best – What’s on your mantelpiece?”
April 19, 2017
by Matthew Steeples
Twenty-four hours ago Arthur Collins was the toast of OK! magazine; he’s now on the run and a wanted man Twenty-four hours ago, the Mail Online gushed about Ferne McCann and Arthur Collins, a couple most of our readers will never have heard of. Now, that article is gone and instead the press are … Continue reading “What a Difference a Day Makes”
April 10, 2017
by General
A tenacious Romany Gypsy turned multi-millionaire businessman, Mayfair and Hertfordshire based Alfie Best overcame “many obstacles and prejudices” to make his fortune in cars, mobile phone stores and mobile home parks. The owner of Wyldecrest Parks also produces his own gin and claims his life philosophy is “90% perspiration and 10% inspiration”. His equally entrepreneurial … Continue reading “Alfie Best II”
by Matthew Steeples
Insensitive showoffs wreak havoc in Parliament Square with their gaudy supercars; they claimed to be honouring the dead and injured of the Westminster attack but simply caused annoyance Though five people died and around fifty others were injured as a result of Khalid Masood smashing his rented 4×4 into them on Westminster Bridge on … Continue reading “Morons of the Moment – Piccadilly Boy Racers”
April 8, 2017
by Matthew Steeples
Clangers overheard and snippets spotted by readers of ‘The Steeple Times’ Candy Knockers At Scalini in Knightsbridge, two brash housebuilders from Essex sat devouring veal chops. One referenced his idols and observed: “The Candy brothers have a brilliant setup. They are like the Peter Stringfellows of property”. The other looked puzzled but the first … Continue reading “Overheard – 8th April”
April 3, 2017
by Matthew Steeples
Essex “neo Georgian Palladian” residence created from an ordinary detached house marketed for £5.4 million; it is a bit of a mish-mash and described as “over-engineered” Estate agents normally wax lyrical about properties they are marketing but in the case of £5.4 million ($6.7 million, €6.3 million or درهم24.8million) Threshers House at Threshers Bush, … Continue reading “Over-Engineered”
December 7, 2016
by Matthew Steeples
Jaguar E-Type originally owned by Prince Michael of Kent for sale A 1965 Jaguar E-Type Series 1 4.2-litre FHC originally owned by His Royal Highness Prince Michael of Kent is for sale with an Essex vintage car specialist. Described as having “matching numbers, in impeccable order throughout and being close to conours”, Prince … Continue reading “Exciting a Royal”
August 11, 2015
by Matthew Steeples
The Steeple Times asks “Britain’s vainest man” Sam Barton: What’s on your mantelpiece?
August 10, 2015
July 28, 2015
July 12, 2015
by Matthew Steeples
As Michael Barrymore announces he is to sue the police who arrested him for an alleged murder, it is time he instead took responsibility for his actions
July 5, 2015
by Matthew Steeples
Criminal John Palmer should be remembered as a crook rather than a character
June 16, 2015
by General
Cardiff born David Sullivan owned the Daily Sport and the Sunday Sport between 1986 and 2007.
April 26, 2015
by Matthew Steeples
A bizarre, eight-floor converted water tower in the middle of an ugly redevelopment of an Essex lunatic asylum remains on the market despite a price cut of £200,000
March 5, 2015
by Matthew Steeples
Former MP and one-time shirt shop owner Harvey Proctor’s house raided by officers from Operation Midland
January 7, 2015
by Matthew Steeples
‘Britain’s vainest’ man Sam Barton set to declare himself bankrupt aged just 22
January 5, 2015
by General
The co-creator of the BBC sitcoms ‘Allo ‘Allo! and Are You Being Served?, Essex born Jeremy Lloyd began his career as a road digger, light-bulb inspector and paint salesman.
January 2, 2015
by General
Professional footballer Andy Carroll earns £85,000 a week and has 283,000 followers on Twitter.
September 30, 2014
by General
This Putney born former Conservative MP was described as being “still frisky at 81” by the Daily Mail’s Jane Fryer in October 2012.
August 29, 2014
by Matthew Steeples
Is Douglas Carswell MP an honourable man or just plain stupid? Douglas Carswell was first elected as a Conservative Member of Parliament in 2005. This week, the Member for Clacton defected to the United Kingdom Independence Party. In doing so, he showed himself to be both be duplicitous and honourable simultaneously and here we … Continue reading “Considering Carswell”
August 28, 2014
by Matthew Steeples
Could the most deprived area in Britain be the place to invest? The city of Detroit has long been a no-go area and its decline from an automotive giant to a capital of deprivation has been well documented. Britain’s equivalent is a small seaside village named Jaywick, near Clacton-on-Sea in Essex.
August 15, 2014
by Matthew Steeples
1932 MG F-type Magna Salonette for sale for £70,000 In 1932, an MG F-type Magna Salonette would have set you back £289 or the equivalent of £17,602 in today’s money. Given only 390 were built and that few still exist, the one for sale through Richard Biddulph of Vintage & Prestige Fine Motorcars in … Continue reading “A church coupé”
July 4, 2014
by Claire Rubinstein
Claire Rubinstein laments the closure of Juicy Couture’s US stores When I heard the news that the clothing brand Juicy Couture – famed for the much maligned rhinestone bedazzled tracksuits – had shut down all its US Stores at the end of last week I was somewhat surprised.
May 7, 2014
by Matthew Steeples
TOWIE’s Lauren Goodger is the only client to publicly stand by Max Clifford Loyalty to ones friends is an admirable trait but there are times when the only option is to cut ones ties. It seems highly unlikely but even Hitler might have nice as a little boy. The truth is, however, that anyone … Continue reading “Wally of the Week: Lauren Goodger”
April 29, 2014
April 21, 2014
April 14, 2014
November 28, 2013
by General
Described as “one of the nicest guys on London’s club and bar scene”, Kester Thomas worked at Kitts, the Buddha Bar and The Sanderson. His drink making ability was second to none. This “truly unique gentleman” passed far too young but he’s definitely now mixing the finest cocktails in the sky.
November 25, 2013
by Matthew Steeples
Mark Wright being locked out of Twitter for an hour is hardly the end of the world Mark Wright – who formerly appeared in The Only Way is Essex – went into meltdown on Monday after his Twitter account was temporarily hacked.
November 2, 2013
by Matthew Steeples
Convicted of the 1985 murders of his millionaire adopted parents, his sister and her children at White House Farm at Tolleshunt D’Arcy in Essex, Bamber has always maintained his paranoid schizophrenic sister carried out the slayings before turning the gun on herself. Police incompetence and discrepancies with the evidence should be enough to at least … Continue reading “Jeremy Bamber”
October 13, 2013
by Matthew Steeples
Further doubts raised about the conviction of Jeremy Bamber Jeremy Bamber’s conviction for the 1985 murders of his adopted parents, his sister and her children at White House Farm, Tolleshunt D’Arcy, Essex is again in question. New evidence has surfaced in a book by Andrew Hunter, a former Conservative MP, that, if proven, would … Continue reading “Could Bamber be innocent?”
September 30, 2013
by Matthew Steeples
20 questions with car dealer and Rolls-Royce specialist Richard Biddulph The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force? Service, service, service and more service. “Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours? “Life is not a dress rehearsal” is one choice and my … Continue reading “Richard Biddulph: “What’s on your mantelpiece?””
by Matthew Steeples
This acid tongued blogger describes herself as a “freelance food-and-politics-gob” and responded to one of our articles by stating “I want no association with your s**t”. The Independent are the ones who ought to be ashamed: Why on earth do they choose to be associated with this lentil loving moralising menace?
September 19, 2013
by Matthew Steeples
Parents should steer well clear of child beauty pageants This morning on Radio 4’s Today programme, a strange woman named Pam Boon was interviewed about beauty pageants featuring children and “pop up pageants” in general.
September 18, 2013
by Matthew Steeples
1928 Rolls Royce Phantom 1 shooting brake comes to the market Here at The Steeple Times we love unusual shooting brakes and in a 1928 Rolls-Royce Phantom 1, we’ve discovered an especially fantastic one.
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 15, 2013
by Matthew Steeples
This Ugandan-born journalist is a self-confessed racist who loathes “white, middle class men”, yet describes herself as being a “leftie liberal, anti-racist, feminist, Muslim, part-Pakistani, and … a very responsible person”. She believes Osama bin Laden didn’t get a “respectful burial” and asked: “Why does anyone black, Asian or Arab ever vote Tory?” on Twitter … Continue reading “Yasmin Alibhai-Brown (born Yasmin Damji)”
June 8, 2013
by Matthew Steeples
What has become of the former entertainer Michael Barrymore? Shamed television personality Michael Barrymore has reinvented himself. In Prince Charles like fashion, the former Strike it Lucky star has begun a new career talking to plants at a garden centre in Brentwood, Essex.
May 26, 2013
by Matthew Steeples
A former Eastenders actress turned born again Christian whose car crash of a life is the envy of no one. She tragically destroyed her nose after wasting at least £250,000 on crack cocaine and even ended up being kidnapped and gang raped because of a drug debt. In 2013, twice married Westbrook announced: “I have … Continue reading “Daniella Westbrook (now also known as Daniella Jenkins)”
April 12, 2013
by Matthew Steeples
Essex born journalist Richard Littlejohn claims that the Royal Family are a “bunch of tax-evading adulterers”
March 24, 2013
by Matthew Steeples
A self-made mogul and former champion boxer who cannot read or write fluently. He thinks “differently” and built a £400 million fortune by creating and then selling a buy-to-let empire of almost 6,000 rental properties. Panayiotou takes the view that it is “moral[ly]” right to pay taxes in Britain and of those who call Heath … Continue reading “Andreas Panayiotou”
March 20, 2013
by Matthew Steeples
This Lancastrian tycoon transformed the Dragons’ Den with her 80s style shoulder pads and comments such as “he made my foot itch”. Thrice married Devey has five homes around the world and claims to have “felt sexism in every way conceiveable”. She’s “proud to pay tax” and dubs David Cameron “weak”. By ‘eck.
March 5, 2013
by Matthew Steeples
This Golden Globe and Emmy nominated actress came to prominence as Downton Abbey’s Lady Mary Crawley in September 2010 and is now considered “one of the most chattered-about women on television”. Born in Romford, Essex, Dockery has also appeared in television series’ including Heartbeat and Dalziel and Pascoe and films such as Anna Karenina with … Continue reading “Michelle Dockery”
February 18, 2013
by Matthew Steeples
The sale of the home of a circus heir and the revival of Billy Smart’s Circus Billy Smart, Sr. (1894 – 1966), a travelling showman and father of 10 children (he was himself one of 23), bought a circus in 1946 and quickly became known as an extraordinary entertainer. One of his son’s, Billy … Continue reading “A Smart move”
January 8, 2013
by General
She became famous in The Only Way is Essex but quit because her ex-boyfriend and the show were making her life “unbearable.” Miss Bright plainly has a lot of nous as she’s capitalised on her success by launching a popular range of dresses and a boutique named Bella Sorella. Good for her.
December 4, 2012
by Matthew Steeples
Jilly Cooper’s state of the nation style summary strikes chords with Matthew Steeples Best-selling bonkbuster author Jilly Cooper might be best known for novels such as Riders and Jump! but in the 1980s and 90s she was equally lauded as “one of the Conservative Party’s most ardent supporters.” Cooper, born in 1937, showed … Continue reading “The Woman Who’ll Make Politicians Jealous”
November 28, 2012
by Matthew Steeples
Amy Childs: A brash young lady with questionable taste Our last picture of the week featuring a Range Rover Sport was of one that had been driven by a couple described in the comments section of a Mail Online article as a “pair of pillocks in a puddle.” We subsequently received a Tweet from … Continue reading “Picture of the Week: White fleece”
November 25, 2012
by Matthew Steeples
Of Italian-Jewish descent, Caring is of the “supermarket-sweep” school of empire building. This billionaire started out in the rag trade but now controls the majority of the top restaurants and clubs in Central London. He survived the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami and viewed that to be a wakeup call. Since then he’s donated millions to … Continue reading “Richard Caring”
November 15, 2012
by Matthew Steeples
This mouthpiece was born in Rettendon, Essex in 1958 and vents bile on all manner of subjects. Articles such as: “Why don’t more women moan like me?” and “Liz Jones’ baby craving drove her to steal husband’s sperm in ultimate deception” are frankly illustrative of why she’s so unpopular. After she got banned from the … Continue reading “Liz Jones”
November 12, 2012
by Matthew Steeples
Matthew Steeples examines the truth behind Liz Jones giving up on her “rural idyll” The Mail’s Liz Jones is a waspish woman who knows the price of everything and the value of nothing. Those who’ve paid even a moment’s attention to her bleating, will be familiar with lines such as: “Last week, my brand … Continue reading “The battleaxe in the Beemer”
November 5, 2012
by Matthew Steeples
Matthew Steeples explores the story of an empty Kensington mansion A multi-million pound 8-bedroomed house in Kensington isn’t anything unusual. In fact, rather, they’re ten a penny. In this, one of the wealthiest boroughs in the land, large, expensive homes are just the norm. No. 1 Campden Hill, which is being marketed for … Continue reading “Boujis in the basement?”
