The worst named restaurants in the world
When opening a restaurant, some restaurateurs opt to name their businesses after a street whilst others use their surname or a historic figure. Here, however, we list a selection of ten of the most bizarre and ridculous that we’ve come across (more…)
Renowned sculptor Jonathan Wylder seeks models
Talented sculptor Jonathan Wylder is setting himself up as the “artist at work” at Belgravia’s The Osbourne Gallery between 7th and 22nd September. He is looking for individuals to model for him during this period and we thought we’d offer up this opportunity to readers of The Steeple Times. (more…)
Has booze baron Vijay Mallya met his match?
The Indian tycoon and self-proclaimed “King of Good Times” Vijay Mallya has long been lauded as a mammoth success story but finally, as he faces potential prosecution for alleged non-payment of taxes, it seems as if he may have lost his Midas touch. (more…)
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 in July 2013 before talking about the urinal her husband had “pissed in” at a pub in Loughton, Essex in August of the same year. A true mouthpiece, Alibhai-Brown is just the kind of person no right-minded person would ever invite to dinner.
Vladimir Lavrentiev shares his views on Godfrey Bloom’s comments
In an ironic twist of fate, the UK media has highlighted an important issue by attempting to make sensational controversy from something very petty. UKIP have once again placed its policies to be debated nationally without having a single Member of Parliament. (more…)
Our man in whites Fred Sculthorp looks ahead to this week’s Test cricket series, The Ashes
The enemy are at the gates. The time has come. Tomorrow, two of the great sporting civilizations will clash in mankind’s most profound expression of physical and mental endurance- the five day Test match. (more…)
Born in Barnstaple, Hopkins is a serial reality contestant who is serially capable of making seriously stupid remarks. This blonde blabbermouth was once a stand-by contestant for Big Brother and appeared on both The Apprentice and I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! in 2007. During and after her stint in competitive television, Hopkins became known for insulting successful businesswoman Michelle Mone by telling her she should be “just happy to be out of the underwear factory for the day”, having sex with another contestant and declaring that she’d slept with another man in the barracks at The Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst. This “serial homewrecker” has done a volte-face since and though photographed romping in a field is also regularly to be found moralising about society on chat shows. Amongst her many clangers was to state that she doesn’t like children to be given “geographical location names” in July 2013. Her own daughter is called India.
The Steeple Times asks actor and producer Arfi Lamba: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”
The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force?
I listen to my gut.
“Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?
“This too shall pass”.
Sarah Tucker goes in search of the ten tribes paying homage to a centenary of flower power at the 100th RHS Chelsea Flower Show
Yesterday I attended the press day for the 100th anniversary of the Chelsea Flower Show. Gnomes have been allowed for the first time, but many of the celebrities who attend to admire the gardens and be admired in the gardens were little more than pint sized themselves. Most celebrities really are extremely short. Although the show runs all week, press day is best day to go.
The Steeple Times asks designer Sophie Rossdale: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”
The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force?
An inkpot and a computer.
“Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?
“If in doubt, add more wine”.
Kerry Katona was considered unacceptable in 2007. Who or what is unacceptable in 2013?
The TOWIEs and Made in Chelsea crew. They’re so scripted and utterly crap.
Tony Blair misses being Prime Minister. What do you miss most in your life?
My dog, Mojo.
What might you swap all your wealth for?
A time machine so I can go back and find out which horse I should have backed for this year’s Grand National. I’d then put all my wealth on it.
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?
It’s terrible. I don’t think anyone could comment in any other way.
What phrase or word do you most loathe?
“Moist”.
In the UK, some people consider charity to “begin at home”. What’s your view and what causes do you personally support?
I like to support smaller charities as I’d like to know where my money is going. I support a charity for children in India because of my business involvement there. I also support a charity for women in Iran.
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 can achieve a lot on my phone without moving. I deal with people in India to manufacture and supply my fabrics and being able to communicate with them so easily is just great.
If you could fill a carriage on The Orient Express, who would be your fellow passengers?
Maggie Smith, Danny DeVito, Peter O’Toole, Paul Newman (when he was younger). It’s such a weird mix but I’d rather have these than the obvious.
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 dressed crab to start and as a main I’d opt for a steak and green salad. I’d have a raspberry cheesecake to finish. I’d eat it on a terrace in the sun with a glass of rosé.
What time is it acceptable to consume the first drink of the day?
I think 12 o’clock but some people say just after 11.
A Negroni, a martini or a cup of tea?
A cup of tea. I don’t like the other two.
Whose parties do you enjoy the most and why?
My own, as I know where everything is.
Who is the most positive person you know?
My father.
What’s your most guilty pleasure?
Smoking.
If a tattoo were to sum you up, what would it be of?
A tattoo of bubbles as “Bubbles” is my nickname.
If you were a car, what marque would you be?
Something old and rusty.
Cilla Black presented Surprise, Surprise. Tell us the most surprising thing about you.
I’m colour-blind but my fabric designs are much loved because people consider them unusual.
What’s currently sitting on your mantelpiece?
An empty wine glass, pictures of my sisters and a smelly candle.
Sophie Rossdale is a designer and importer of fabrics from India. Her tablecloths, cushions, bedspreads and napkins are a combination of Indian and European styles and she sells them through her firm, Adair UK.
View Sophie Rossdale’s official website at: http://www.adairuk.com
Follow her on Twitter at: http://www.twitter.com/AdairHomeware