£3 million sought for a repossessed, roofless shell set in 1,530 acres of Cumbrian countryside (more…)
Tag: fishing
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Closing the avenue
Chelsea institution Poissonnerie de l’Avenue to close after 53 years in business on 24th May (more…)
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Review: Farage Fans & UKIP Lovers
Matthew Steeples reviews a Channel 5 documentary about UKIP supporters (more…)
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Doreen Lofthouse OBE MBE (AKA “Mrs Fisherman’s Friend”)
Credited with taking Fisherman’s Friend global, Fleetwood based Doreen Lofthouse is modest, decent and unpretentious. (more…) -
Charlie Anson
When Charlie Anson appeared on BBC Two’s Dragons’ Den in February 2015 to raise funds for his cartoon business, Charlie’s Cartoons, he was unsuccessful but praised by Deborah Meaden for his “passionate pitch”. (more…) -
Head to Highclere: A review of The Yew Tree Inn
The revitalisation of The Yew Tree Inn at Highclere has put this country pub firmly back on the culinary radar (more…)
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Confusing a castle
Confused.com founder puts castle on market for £1.5 million less than she spent on it
“Wild haired” Kate Armstrong, the Australian founder of Confused.com, bought the medieval Scottish castle Cassillis House in Ayrshire from the Kennedy clan in 2009 for £3 million. She spent four years and £3.5 million updating and improving it but is now selling it at a loss for just £5 million. (more…)
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Reducing an island
Buy a private island in Scotland’s Summer Isles for a knockdown price
The Scottish independence campaign has been in the main funded by EuroMillions winners Chris and Colin Weir. If their desire doesn’t come to fruition, however, there’s another option for them: They could buy themselves a private island. (more…)
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Scotland’s Downton
Scotland’s most expensive estate comes to the market
In Downton Abbey last week, the Grantham family talked about selling off parts of their estate to cover the costs of death duties. In Scotland, the death of Sir James Cayzer has led to his family selling off one of their estates. (more…)
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Gary Hazell: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”
The Steeple Times asks drinks industry guru and blogger Gary Hazell: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”
The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force?
“Go with your inner instinct”. I always think that most of us know instinctively what is right or wrong.
“Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?
I’d agree with that. I have a salmon priest in my backpack right now to prove that.
Kerry Katona was considered unacceptable in 2007. Who or what is unacceptable in 2013?
She still is.
Tony Blair misses being Prime Minister. What do you miss most in your life?
I miss Tony Blair.
What might you swap all your wealth for?
I don’t have any.
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 more you owe, the more likely you are to get away with it. If you go to the bank with a good idea, they’ll turn you down. Bankers only care about what they can make rather than how profitable a business may be.
What phrase or word do you most loathe?
“Like”.
In the UK, some people consider charity to “begin at home”. What’s your view and what causes do you personally support?
Charity should begin at home and if you look at our country we give away so much abroad but don’t do enough for our own infrastructure and the elderly.
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?
There are occasions when I hope that certain individuals on phones should be blown up. Not everyone wants to listen to your conversation. There is an appropriate time to use them.
Drinks industry guru and blogger Gary Hazell 
One of Gary Hazell’s brands, Sloane’s Gin, photographed on the terrace at The Rib Room with a salmon priest that he acquired at Spitalfield’s Market If you could fill a carriage on The Orient Express, who would be your fellow passengers?
Molly Parkin, Sir Ranulph Fiennes, Jeremy Paxman, Jeremy Clarkson, Sir Derek Bell, Clive Anderson and Howard Marks.
If you were unfortunate enough to end up on death row, what would be your last meal and where would you eat it?
My own liver sautéed and a fine glass of Bordeaux. I assume I’d be in my cell but if not I’d be by a stream. I love fishing and have my own blog writing about my adventures on the water.
What time is it acceptable to consume the first drink of the day?
Anytime.
A Negroni, a martini or a cup of tea?
An aged Martinez cocktail made with the gin I promote, Sloane’s.
Whose parties do you enjoy the most and why?
Those given by Matthew Steeples.
Who is the most positive person you know?
Definitely not my stepfather. My wife is an eternal optimist so she’s most definitely the most positive.
What’s your most guilty pleasure?
Scrumping.
If a tattoo were to sum you up, what would it be of?
I admire tattoos but probably wouldn’t want to endure the pain of having one done. If I had to, it’d be of my birth sign, scorpio. I suppose that means I have a sting in my tail.
If you were a car, what marque would you be?
A Jaguar D-Type.
Cilla Black presented Surprise, Surprise. Tell us the most surprising thing about you.
I’ve been put in Bow Street Police Station’s jail for a night.
What’s currently sitting on your mantelpiece?
Photographs of my sons and my wife, an old French Art Deco calendar and a fishing reel.
Gary Hazell is a drinks industry expert. He currently represents a range of spirits brands that include Sloane’s Gin, Purity Vodka and Rebellion Rum. In addition, he shares his passion for fishing with the world via his blog, Tales by the Riverbank.
Read Tales by the Riverbank at: http://talesbytheriverbank.wordpress.com
Follow Gary Hazell on Twitter at: http://www.twitter.com/talesbytheriver