Tag: fire

Borwick is Back

Former Kensington MP Lady Borwick returns to the fray and is branded a #FearlessPillarOfTheCommunity in spite of her bizarre comments linking the Grenfell Tower tragedy and gangs

“Triple dipper” – branded as such because at one time she was paid nearly £100,000 of public money per year as a councillor, Member of Parliament and member of the London Assembly concurrently – Lady Borwick has now bizarrely branded #FearlessPillarOfTheCommunity on Instagram.

No doubt part of an attempt to resurrect her deservedly dented public profile, this former MP for Kensington – once one of the safest Tory seats in the land and a place where previously even a pig in a blue rosette would have easily won – Lady Borwick most recently was criticised for describing survivors of the Grenfell Tower as “rather like gangs.”

In addition, ‘Call Me Victoria’ – whose son The Hon. Thomas Borwick sold an app to the now disgraced election manipulators Cambridge Analytica and was also Vote Leave’s chief technology officer also – it must be remembered went further. She pompously claimed that a “lack of education” among the residents “compounded confusion over circumstances surrounding the fire” and was even condemned as “completely wrong” by her fellow Conservative and council leader, Elizabeth Campbell.

Lady Borwick is, given the evidence, out of touch with the modern electoral landscape and if the Conservative Party are to have any chance of electoral success in Kensington again, they should jolly well send her off back to a safe space where she can happily “tinkle on [her beloved] ivories” in peace.

Facebook: @TheSteepleTimes

Instagram: @TheSteepleTimes

Twitter: @SteepleTimes

August 30, 2018
Oliver Ouboter – What’s on your mantelpiece?

A 20-question interview with Oliver Ouboter; the co-founder of the imminently launching innovative Swiss ‘bubble car’ – the Microlino

The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom.” What’s your guiding force?

Passion.

“Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?

Just do it! (Thanks Nike).

Kerry Katona was considered unacceptable in 2007. Who or what is unacceptable in 2018?

SUVs.

Tony Blair misses being Prime Minister. What do you miss most in your life?

Having the curiosity of a child.

What might you swap all your wealth for?

My family’s health.

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 state of the financial system?

It’s as fucked up as the Donald himself.

What phrase or word do you most loathe?

‘Trivial’ as in German nobody uses it and most people don’t understand it. I loathe ‘trivial’ for being a ‘non-trivial’ word to describe something ‘trivial.’

In the UK, some people consider charity to “begin at home.” What’s your view and what causes do you personally support?

I support mainly environmental causes. It is not that I think that humans deserve it less, I just think sending money to developing countries won’t solve the problem and is just an easy fix for many people to feel good about themselves.

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?

Try to use it less, fail miserably in doing so and then tell yourself you’re gonna do better next year.

If you could fill a carriage on The Orient Express, who would be your fellow passengers?

My family and Barack Obama and Steve Jobs and Nelson Mandela if they were still alive.

Oliver Ouboter pictured with a Microlino (as featured in ‘The Steeple Times’ earlier this month) and his brother Merlin and father Wim.

If you were unfortunate enough to end up on death row, what would be your last meal and where would you eat it?

A special home-made roast.

What time is it acceptable to consume the first drink of the day?

It depends on the situation.

A Negroni, a martini or a cup of tea?

A Negroni of course.

Whose parties do you enjoy the most and why?

Parties of friends that I don’t spend too much time with. There are always new people to get to know.

Who is the most positive person you know?

My dad.

What’s your most guilty pleasure?

Chocolate of course. I’m Swiss.

If a tattoo were to sum you up, what would it be of?

It would be a Kickscooter, of course.

If you were a car, what marque would you be?

What a question: I’d be a Microlino!

Cilla Black presented Surprise, Surprise. Tell us the most surprising thing about you.

I cannot operate a washing machine but that’s not surprising though.

What’s currently sitting on your mantelpiece?

Big companies and governments. They are slow and inefficient in dealing with global warming.

Oliver Ouboter is the co-founder of a start-up alongside his father and brother that has developed a small electric city-car named Microlino. He is considered one of the best guinea pigs as his dad invented the world-famous Kickscooter in 1999.

Follow Microlino on Twitter at @microlinoworld, on Facebook at @Microlino.car and on Instagram at @microlino_official

Facebook: @TheSteepleTimes

Instagram: @TheSteepleTimes

Twitter: @SteepleTimes

August 27, 2018
Haaz Sleiman – What’s on your mantelpiece?

A 20-question interview with Lebanese-American actor Haaz Sleiman; he has starred in ‘24’, ‘ER’, ‘Killing Jesus’, ‘NCIS’, ‘Nurse Jackie’ and ‘Person of Interest’

The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force?

Love.

“Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?

“If you can’t love yourself, how the hell are you going to love somebody else?”

Kerry Katona was considered unacceptable in 2007. Who or what is unacceptable in 2018?

Who is she?

Tony Blair misses being Prime Minister. What do you miss most in your life?

Definitely not him. I hate politics. I’d say: My future husband. Where is he?

What might you swap all your wealth for?

To be adopted by Madonna.

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 state of the financial system?

It is terrible. We have a vanishing middle class.

What phrase or word do you most loathe?

‘Retard’.

In the UK, some people consider charity to “begin at home”. What’s your view and what causes do you personally support?

I support anything to do with homeless LGBTQ youth and animals.

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’m sorry but I don’t understand the question.

If you could fill a carriage on The Orient Express, who would be your fellow passengers?

My parents and all my siblings with their families.

Haaz Sleiman as Jesus in the 2015 television film ‘Killing Jesus’

If you were unfortunate enough to end up on death row, what would be your last meal and where would you eat it?

In the most lush and exotic natural habitat with tonnes of trees and waterfalls or by the ocean. I’d have the best steak and fries with the most expensive bottle of red wine possible.

What time is it acceptable to consume the first drink of the day?

I don’t drink much really.

A Negroni, a martini or a cup of tea?

Tea.

Whose parties do you enjoy the most and why?

I enjoy concerts because I love seeing how music makes the people come together. Thank you Madonna.

Who is the most positive person you know?

E-Jay Randolph, my mentor.

What’s your most guilty pleasure?

RuPual’s Drag Race.

If a tattoo were to sum you up, what would it be of?

A cross with a naked Jesus hanging on it wearing a Star of David pendant around his neck. Jesus would have a tattoo in Arabic on his left pec of the most important line in the Quran, the line that you would need to say to become Muslim. I am interested in inclusion.

If you were a car, what marque would you be?

A Tesla.

Cilla Black presented Surprise, Surprise. Tell us the most surprising thing about you.

I’m a baby in a grown ass man’s body. It’s a good thing.

What’s currently sitting on your mantelpiece?

A framed picture of my beautiful mother.

Haaz Sleiman is a Lebanese-American television and film actor. He starred as Jesus in the TV series ‘Killing Jesus’ and has also appeared in series such as ‘24’, ‘CSI: Miami’, ‘ER’, ‘NCIS’, ‘Nurse Jackie’ and ‘Person of Interest’. He describes himself as: “A lost soul finding its way back home.”

Follow Haaz Sleiman on Twitter at @haazsleiman, on Facebook at @haazsleiman and on Instagram at @haazsleiman

Facebook: @TheSteepleTimes

Instagram: @TheSteepleTimes

Twitter: @SteepleTimes

August 24, 2018
Picture of the Week – A Frosty Cabinet

Image of Theresa May’s ‘Brexit war cabinet’ illustrates how divided her government truly is

Thursday’s ‘Brexit war cabinet’ was supposedly a bit of a bloodbath but now – in a picture published in the Mail Online late on Saturday –the frostiness between those in her pathetic orbit was made truly clear.

Photographed in the Great Hall of the Buckinghamshire mansion Chequeurs with the Worst Prime Minister in History sat bolt upright next to a roaring fire, May arranged Brexiteers and Remainers as far apart as possible. Indicative of the clear divide amongst those plotting as to her succession, never has a clearer image of a government deservedly about to fall been shown.

#BringHerDown #MakeFebruaryTheEndOfMay

Follow The Steeple Times on Twitter at @SteepleTimes.

A numbered list of attendees at Theresa May’s meeting at Chequers follows:

1) Theresa May, Prime Minister

2) David Davis, Brexit Secretary

3) Boris Johnson, Foreign Secretary

4) Julian Smith, Chief Whip

5) Philip Hammond, Chancellor

6) Greg Clark, Business Secretary

7) Liam Fox, International Trade Secretary

8) Gavin Williamson, Defence Secretary

9) David Lidington, Cabinet Office Minister

10) Amber Rudd, Home Secretary

11) Karen Bradley, Northern Ireland Secretary

12) Michael Gove, Environment Secretary

13) Peter Hill, Principal Private Secretary to the PM

14) Oliver Robbins, No 10 Brexit Adviser

15) Jeremy Heywood, Cabinet Secretary

16) Jo Penn, No 10 Deputy Chief of Staff

17) Gavin Barwell, No 10 Chief of Staff

18) James Slack, PM’s Official spokesman

February 25, 2018
Hero of the Hour – Stormzy

Grime and hip hop artist Stormzy should be saluted for using his fame to do good; the vile harpy Amanda Platell owes him an apology

Michael Ebenazer Kwadjo Omari Owuo Jr. – better known by his stage name Stormzy – used his fifteen minutes of fame after winning the best album and the best male artist at the Brit Awards for the good of others.

Using the evening’s final performance, the grime and hip-hop artist rapped:

“Yo Theresa May, where’s the money for Grenfell? What, you thought we just forgot about Grenfell? You criminals, and you’ve got the cheek to call us savages, you should do some jail time, you should pay some damages, you should burn your house down and see if you can manage this.”

He added:

“MPs sniff coke, we just smoke some cannabis; So don’t get me for this, so be woke; This year I am dishing out Ls for free smoke; You tell us that we’re thugs, I try to bust a myth; But someone tell the Daily Mail that they can suck my…”

The opposite of the cowardly and self-loving members of ‘The Club’ that includes the likes of the withering old crooner Sir Elton John and his moaning titleless husband David Furnish, Stormzy has since continued to communicate his campaign in the days since. Communicating to his 1.18 million followers on Twitter, he encouraged the nation to sign a petition to take action to support the victims of the Grenfell Tower tragedy and as of 11:50am Saturday over 130,000 people had signed a petition calling for a parliamentary debate.

Elsewhere on Saturday in the Daily Mail, the acid tongued Australian harpy Amanda Platell demanded: “[Stormzy] show a scintilla of gratitude to the country that offered his mother and him so much instead of trashing it.” This self-declared “dear friend” of the paedophile Rolf Harris should be ashamed of herself; Stormzy has used his fame for the good others whilst she is simply known for taking the dirty money of the nastiest newspaper in Britain.

Sign the petition to “Call on PM to take action to build public trust in the Grenfell Tower Inquiry” by clicking here.

Follow The Steeple Times on Twitter at @SteepleTimes.

The government’s cowardly response in full to the petition follows:

The Grenfell Tower fire was a truly unimaginable tragedy that should never have happened.

The Government’s highest priority remains making sure that survivors, bereaved families and the wider Grenfell community receive all the support they need.

The independent public Inquiry into the fire is an important part of the process and will help those affected get the answers they need to get to the truth of what happened.

The Prime Minister committed to considering the issue of panel members once the Chair had confirmed who had been appointed as assessors to assist the Inquiry. Section 7 of the Inquiries Act 2005 allows the Minister responsible for an inquiry to appoint further panel members during the course of an inquiry with the agreement of the Chair.

In October 2017, the Chair announced the appointment of 7 expert witnesses with backgrounds in fire safety, forensic fire analysis, fire engineering, disaster resilience and also anatomy and human identification. The expert witnesses will provide a range of technical advice and expert reports to assist the work of the Inquiry in delivering its terms of reference.

In addition, in November 2017, the Chair announced the appointment of 3 assessors with backgrounds in community engagement and social housing, local authority administration and structural engineering. The Chair also confirmed at the Inquiry’s preliminary hearing in September that he would expect the assessors to see all the evidence and sit with him when taking oral evidence. The Chair has also confirmed that he may make further appointments if needed.

Following the announcement of these appointments, the Prime Minister carefully considered the composition of the Inquiry panel in light of the diversity and expertise of advice now available to the Inquiry.

The Prime Minister wrote to the representatives of the survivors and bereaved families on 21 December 2017 and informed them of her decision not to appoint additional panel members. The Prime Minister’s decision was similarly communicated to the Inquiry on the same date.

Having regard to the terms of reference and the assistance to be provided by the assessors, and the expert witnesses, it is the Prime Minister’s view that the Inquiry panel has the necessary expertise to undertake the Inquiry as it is currently constituted. The Prime Minister is also conscious of the need for the Inquiry to complete its initial report as quickly as reasonably possible. The Prime Minister therefore considers that additional panel members should not be appointed at this stage.

In reaching this conclusion, the Prime Minister fully took into account her duty under section 149 of the Equality Act 2010 (the Public Sector Equality Duty – PSED).

The Government recognises the importance of ensuring that those most affected by the tragedy are able to contribute fully to the Inquiry and that is why the Prime Minister welcomes the consideration being given by Sir Martin Moore-Bick to the establishment of a community advisory panel, as proposed at the December procedural hearing.

Such a panel, similar to that which has worked well for the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, could play a very beneficial role in putting those most affected at the heart of the Inquiry and enabling them to ensure that their views and experiences are heard. It is for Sir Martin, as Chair of the independent Inquiry, to take this forward, in consultation with the Grenfell Tower community, and the Government hopes that he will be able to do this as soon as possible.

In line with the Inquiry Rules 2006, legal representatives of the Grenfell community core participants will receive in advance of hearings disclosure of relevant evidence; will be able to make opening and closing statements at certain hearings and can suggest lines of questioning to be pursued by Counsel to the Inquiry. They can also apply to the Chair to ask questions of a witness.

February 24, 2018
Zach Tinker – What’s on your mantelpiece?

A 20-question interview with American actor and star of NBC’s ‘Law & Order True Crime: The Menendez Murders’ Zach Tinker

The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force?

My gut and my heart.

“Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?

“Kill ‘em with kindness.”

Kerry Katona was considered unacceptable in 2007. Who or what is unacceptable in 2017?

To be frank, I had no idea who Kerry Katona is so I looked her up. I also searched “Kerry Katona 2007,” but couldn’t find anything besides some stuff about her being on drugs and held up at knifepoint: I feel like I’m getting off track here.

I would say bigotry is unacceptable in 2017. It’s a distraction. There is so much going on right now that could end really badly and that’s where our focus should be, not on looking for someone else to blame because of their colour or gender or religion.

Tony Blair misses being Prime Minister. What do you miss most in your life?

Only at certain times, but I miss being a little kid: Ignorance is bliss.

What might you swap all your wealth for?

More wealth. I’m kidding: Probably the ability to fly.

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 state of the financial system?

I am probably not the one to ask: I’m 23 and just starting to deal with the state of my own economy. But it seems logical that the world is a better place if more people can participate, when we all feel like we have a stake in the outcome.

What phrase or word do you most loathe?

“The proof is in the pudding” – I’ve never understood what the hell that means. On a more positive and sort of related note,my favourite word is “goop.”

In the UK, some people consider charity to “begin at home”. What’s your view and what causes do you personally support?

I think: “Charity begins at need” – That seems more relevant, especially with the horrible string of natural disasters that have occurred around the world recently.

From elementary school through college, charity and volunteering was built in to the education curriculum, so that made it easy and I was very involved in with Camp Harmony. It is a well-run programme to support under privileged children from inner cities, the homeless and troubled families. They host summer camps, winter camps, holiday events, do food drives, back to school drives, support mentorships… I volunteered there for five or six years and it’s one of the most incredible and rewarding experiences I’ve ever had. Sadly, I haven’t been very active in that community for the past few years because of my schedule, but to anyone living in Los Angeles, I couldn’t recommend the programme enough.

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?

If the question is: “What is my view on the appropriate use of cell phones that explode?” I would probably say, never. They are crazy dangerous, plus I heard their network coverage is terrible.

When it comes to regular old mobile phones, I think in general, just don’t be a dick. I know that sounds flip, but most of us know when phone use is not okay: Don’t text and drive; don’t talk on the phone in a movie theatre and don’t FaceTime at a funeral.

If you could fill a carriage on The Orient Express, who would be your fellow passengers?

Michael Jordan, Lincoln, Marlon Brando, Will Smith, Paul McCartney, Frank Sinatra, Eminem, MLK, Louis CK, Dave Chappelle and my mother’s father. He passed away when my mom was seven and I’d like to meet him and say thank you.

If you were unfortunate enough to end up on death row, what would be your last meal and where would you eat it?

A bucket of Ben & Jerry’s half-baked half-twisted ice cream, my grandma’s Italian chicken cutlets, a jar of Skippy Peanut Butter, a box of Captain Crunch Berries with 2% milk, a PB&J sandwich on whole wheat, and a slice of Susie Cakes’ red velvet cake for dessert. Oh, and a big bottle of lemon-lime Gatorade to wash it down. I would eat it in prison, presumably, since I’m on death row.

What time is it acceptable to consume the first drink of the day?

I don’t drink regularly, but that’s mostly about fitness. I’m not judging, but first thing after you wake up is probably not the best idea. Otherwise, sometimes a drink is just what the doctor ordered; I get it.

A Negroni, a martini or a cup of tea?

Tea, but I’ll need two packs of Stevia in there first.

Whose parties do you enjoy the most and why?

Small ones: I like when gatherings are intimate, where I can have conversations with people and get to know them.

Who is the most positive person you know?

Probably my step-dad, Ken Karman.

What’s your most guilty pleasure?

The TV show My Strange Addiction. That show is insane. All those kinds of shows: Intervention, Cops, etc. They’re trash TV, I know, but God are they entertaining to watch.

If a tattoo were to sum you up, what would it be of?

Hmmm… A piece of chocolate candy, maybe: Sweet with a slightly hard exterior and a soft and gooey inside.

If you were a car, what marque would you be?

I’d like to say a Ferrari or Lambo, but I’m probably more like a 2005 Mazda Miata or something.

Cilla Black presented Surprise, Surprise. Tell us the most surprising thing about you.

I almost bit my own tongue off as a child and had to have it sewn back on while conscious and awake.

What’s currently sitting on your mantelpiece?

There is no actual mantelpiece in my tiny studio apartment, but I do have out on display an award my grandfather received from the NBC television network, a book about Marlon Brando, the graphic novel, Watchmen and a bottle of acne medication (left that out, unintentionally).

Actor Zach Tinker was born in New York in 1994 into a family of directors, writers and producers. He is the first of his family to work in front of the camera and currently appears in the NBC series ‘Law & Order True Crime: The Menendez Murders’ as Craig Cignarelli, a classmate of Erik Menéndez .

Follow Zach Tinker on Twitter at @ZachTinker and on Instagram at @zach_atticus.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVcw6H2MA8E

October 15, 2017
Pauline Amos – What’s on your mantelpiece?

A 20-question interview with Liverpool born artist Pauline Amos; one of her works is for sale for £1.3 million

The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force?

Myself.

“Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?

“If you hesitate, you’ve lost.”

Kerry Katona was considered unacceptable in 2007. Who or what is unacceptable in 2017?

Abū Bakr al-Baghdadi.

Tony Blair misses being Prime Minister. What do you miss most in your life?

My dad.

What might you swap all your wealth for?

Ending cruelty to animals and children.

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 state of the financial system?

A disgrace.

What phrase or word do you most loathe?

Trump.

In the UK, some people consider charity to “begin at home”. What’s your view and what causes do you personally support?

Being charitable is being a good human being. I support Coram children’s charity, Stop Ivory, the RNLI and charities that support war veterans.

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?

Use if necessary.

If you could fill a carriage on The Orient Express, who would be your fellow passengers?

Shakespeare, Winston Churchill, Stephen Fry, Oscar Wilde, my husband, my dogs, Hunter S. Thompson and Maya Angelou.

If you were unfortunate enough to end up on death row, what would be your last meal and where would you eat it?

Caviar. On the outside.

What time is it acceptable to consume the first drink of the day?

Blackwell Rum on porridge for breakfast. Every hour is acceptable.

A Negroni, a martini or a cup of tea?

A martini.

Whose parties do you enjoy the most and why?

My own: I choose the guests and the music.

Who is the most positive person you know?

Myself.

What’s your most guilty pleasure?

Charbonnel & Walker salt caramel chocolates.

If a tattoo were to sum you up, what would it be of?

An angel.

If you were a car, what marque would you be?

A Bentley Land Rover hybrid.

Cilla Black presented Surprise, Surprise. Tell us the most surprising thing about you.

One of my paintings is on sale for £1.3 million.

What’s currently sitting on your mantelpiece?

Two silver candlesticks, some invitations and a sign that reads: “Scouse and Proud.”

Born in Liverpool, Pauline Amos is a creative performance painting artist with a unique style of work combining painting, performance and music. Amos has a PhD from Dartington College of Arts and has drawn international acclaim for her provocative, powerful and bold works.

Follow Pauline Amos on Twitter at @paulineamos99 and like her page on Facebook by clicking here.

September 20, 2017
Breaking For Gold

Thatched seaside cottage in West Sussex for sale; it has a plot laid out in the style of the Chelsea Flower Show Gold Medal winning garden of 1936

A thatched seaside cottage on what has been described as “the Sussex Riviera” has gone on sale for £3.25 million ($4.19 million, €3.67 million or درهم15.39 million) through agents Savills.

Having the look of something you might also find in the Hamptons in America, The Breakers on the Willowhayne Estate at East Preston, near Littlehampton was built in 1936 in the Arts and Crafts style and restored over the last nine years by the current owners.

Providing 6,006 square foot of accommodation over three floors, the house includes 4 reception rooms, 6 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms. It stands on a 0.75-acre beachside plot laid out in the plan of the winning garden at Chelsea Flower Show in 1936 and has an outdoor swimming pool – built in 2010 – also.

A neighbouring house, owned by one of the original question setters for the game Trivial Pursuit, burnt to the ground in January 2014.

July 9, 2017
Sandra Howard – What’s on your mantelpiece?

A 20-question interview with Sandra Howard – novelist, former model and wife of Conservative politician The Rt. Hon. Lord Howard of Lympne

The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force?

Seeing the upside of life and what’s to laugh at.

“Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?

Perseverance pays.

Kerry Katona was considered unacceptable in 2007. Who or what is unacceptable in 2017?

Kim Kardashian’s bottom.

Tony Blair misses being Prime Minister. What do you miss most in your life?

Talking to my mother – She was a sage and a wonderful rock.

What might you swap all your wealth for?

A continuing, happy, healthy marriage.

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 state of the financial system?

That’s too taxing for my ‘small bear’ financial brain. Well above my pay grade.

What phrase or word do you most loathe?

“At the end of the day” and I’m not mad about: “You know what?” (Jeremy Corbyn’s favourite phrase).

In the UK, some people consider charity to “begin at home”. What’s your view and what causes do you personally support?

It should begin at home and continue overseas. I’d hate to see our foreign aid budget cut. I support Addaction (to help people off drugs), Youth Epilepsy and Hospice UK.

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?

They rule our lives, sometimes for better and frequently for worse.

If you could fill a carriage on The Orient Express, who would be your fellow passengers?

All my closest (bridge-playing and witty) friends.

If you were unfortunate enough to end up on death row, what would be your last meal and where would you eat it?

Fresh crab, Dover sole, some delicious smelly cheese and a ripe mango. I’d eat it on Grand Anse Beach in Grenada, slipping in a last swim in that glorious clear sea.

What time is it acceptable to consume the first drink of the day?

A Buck’s Fizz at breakfast isn’t a bad start to the day.

A Negroni, a martini or a cup of tea?

A cup of tea.

Whose parties do you enjoy the most and why?

Other peoples’ – I’m a mess of nerves when giving one of my own.

Who is the most positive person you know?

My husband – Most of the time.

What’s your most guilty pleasure?

A day (or more) entirely to myself to write in peace and privacy, not doing any of all the stuff, emails etc. that gets in the way.

If a tattoo were to sum you up, what would it be of?

A black cat – I think I’ve had lots of luck in my life.

If you were a car, what marque would you be?

A Mini Cooper is about my marque – fast, but I hope not flashy.

Cilla Black presented Surprise, Surprise. Tell us the most surprising thing about you.

I’m a passionate supporter of Liverpool Football Club.

What’s currently sitting on your mantelpiece?

Family photos, a pair of china cockerels and a vase of lovely lavender freesias.

Sandra Howard has quickly established herself as a successful author and journalist. She has written six novels; her latest, ‘The Consequence of Love’, is published on 13^th July. She was, in the 1960s, a leading photographic fashion model and lives in London and Kent.

Follow Sandra Howard on Twitter at @howardsandrac and like her page on Facebook at @sandrahoward76.

July 6, 2017
Pricey Pickhurst

130 acre Surrey estate with gardens by Arabella Lennox Boyd for sale for £28 million (or £13 million more than it was marketed for in 2013)

A Surrey estate has gone on sale for 87% more than in was offered for four years ago.

Featured in Country Life in 2013 whilst for sale for £15 million ($19.1 million, €17.1 million or درهم70 million) and on the market now for the much higher sum of £28 million ($35.6 million, €31.9 million or درهم130.7 million), Pickhurst at Chiddingfold, near Goldalming centres around a 15,430 square foot Grade II* listed mansion.

Built by the Scottish born architect J. M. Brydon for himself in 1885 in the style of Norman Shaw and most recently refurbished by developers Royalton, the main half-timbered house was originally much larger. Reduced in size in the 1950s, after a fire devastated its service wing, it now includes not only 6 reception rooms and 6 bedroom suites, but also a vast wine cellar, a belvedere tower and a home cinema.

A further 3 bedrooms and a “hot relaxation suite” can be found in an adjoining coach house and in addition to two further 3 bedroom cottages and a Grade II listed gate lodge, there is also a stable block, machinery barn and garage. In total, internal space extends to some 30,000 square foot.

Unusually for a property just 42 miles from central London, Pickhurst comes with 130 acres of land. Divided into formal gardens partly designed by Lady Lennox-Boyd and Chelsea gold medalist Fiona Lawrenson, woodland and pasture, there is also a 1.23 acre lake, a clay tennis court and an outdoor swimming pool. A family shoot on the estate is described as “regularly having 250 bird days”.

Selling agent, Trevor Kearney of Savills, is far from modest in talking about Pickhurst. In marketing material for the property, he gushes:

“This is the very best country estate that I have ever seen. Pickhurst is a best in class offering of unquestionable style and quality”.

Of the renovation works he carried out to the house, in 2013, West Sussex based architect Ian Adam Smith, commented:

“At the outset, the house looked as if it had been more or less chainsawed in half, yet, in spite of the fact that, before the fire, it was almost twice its size, local planning regulations would only allow us to extend the footprint by 40%”.

“And, with no plans and no service wing to work with, we had to more or less create an entire new country house within a Grade II* listed building bearing in mind all the restrictions that that implies. Luckily, I was given a free hand by my very fastidious client, and we were able to build a new entrance, incorporate a modern-kitchen/family-living complex, upgrade the bedrooms and bathrooms, install acres of walnut panelling and replace the existing cherry-wood flooring with oak parquetry”.

“With more than a nod to Lutyens, Webb and, in the gardens, to Gertrude Jekyll, we also reintroduced some interesting original features, such as the belvedere from where you can look out across the roofs of the many and varied Arts-and-Crafts houses that are a distinctive feature of Chiddingfold and the other villages in this wonderful part of Surrey”.

Current pictures of the property removed at request of Claire Basing Lawson of Savills, 23rd August 2017.

June 23, 2017