This father of six and his gang were amongst the most notorious and sadistic criminals in South London in the 1960s. Using scrap metal and slot machine businesses as fronts, they ran fraud, protection rackets and received stolen goods. They were best known for nailing those who displeased them to floor and then made them mop up their own blood. This process was known as “taking a shirt from Charlie,” since afterwards a clean shirt was provided for the victim to return home in. Richardson, however, maintained the torture stories were a myth. In his twilight years, Beckenham based Richardson mellowed and spent his time campaigning on behalf of young offenders.
Tag: Kensington
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Charlie Richardson (1934 – 2012)
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Have you got the iQ?
A motoring misdemeanor
One costs £10,000 and the other £35,000. They are, unbelievably, essentially the same vehicle and that the streets of Kensington, Chelsea and Belgravia are stuffed with the more expensive version is, in my humble opinion, an utter misdemeanor.
A Toyota iQ that is being used as a Response Vehicle pictured outside The Ecuadorian Embassy in London. An ideal escape vehicle for Julian Assange perhaps. 
Aston Martin’s Cygnet in British Racing Green pictured with a Toyota iQ in the foreground. You could play a game of spot the difference. Toyota’s iQ is a clever little vehicle. My friend happens to own one and I’ve been in it several times. It is practical and far better than a Smart fortwo in that it has a little more space inside and does a very reasonable 64.2 mpg. This perfectly zippy little beast does exactly what it says on the tin and is an ideal city car.
Aston Martin have taken the very same vehicle and essentially rebadged it the Cygnet. At more than three times the price, you do get get a proper Aston paint-job and a stylish hand-fitted interior with as many leather hides in it as are needed to trim a DB9. It’s also, however, with a top speed of just 106 mph, the slowest Aston Martin in history and most of the components in it are made by Toyota.
The good people of the Royal Borough may well think they’re making a statement in buying a Cygnet. In reality, they should develop their IQ’s and buy the Toyota.
For more information on the Toyota IQ, go to: http://www.toyota.co.uk/cgi-bin/toyota/bv/frame_start.jsp?id=CC2-iQ-landing
For more information on the Aston Martin Cygnet, go to: http://www.astonmartin.com/cars/cygnet
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Tom McLoughlin: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”
The Steeple Times asks private aviation entrepreneur Tom McLoughlin: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”
7th January 2013: When we published this interview on 16th August 2012, we were unaware of the real identity of Thomas McLoughlin. He told us he was an ambassador for American Express and all manner of other tales. Our readers responded in their droves and he has now been identified for what he truly is. His answers will remain here as illustration of his persona. The man is an obnoxious fake. If you spot him, contact Chelsea police station as they are very interested in his activities.
Update 13th February 2013: Thomas McLoughlin pleaded guilty to two charges on 28th January 2013 and is due to appear again at Isleworth Crown Court on 11th March 2013. Readers may wish to attend to witness his departure. It’s almost certain they’ll be waving him on his merry way to a Serco prison truck rather than to a Learjet or a Mercedes AMG.
Update 12th April 2013: After having his sentencing delayed for health reasons, Mr McLoughlin is back in court again this morning. We await news with baited breath.
Update 17th May 2013: Mr McLoughlin’s sentencing has been delayed until 12th June whilst the courts await medical evidence.
The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom.” What’s your guiding force?
My belief in God and my own God.
“Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?
“Don’t get mad, get even.”
Kerry Katona was considered unacceptable in 2007. Who or what is unacceptable in 2012?
Tony Blair trying to resurrect his political career.
Tony Blair misses being Prime Minister. What do you miss most in your life?
A golf course when I can’t get to one.
What might you swap all your wealth for?
To live out my life on a desert with a certain Italian actress.
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?
Everyone knows that the City has been full of crooks for years. Unfortunately most of them are American now.
What phrase or word do you most loathe?
“Actually.”
In the UK, some people consider charity to “begin at home.” What’s your view and what causes do you personally support?
Children’s causes here and around the world. Adults can take care of 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?
I wish I could position my mobile phone to assassinate some political leaders in the world.
Tom McLoughlin pictured with Dovile Mazeikaite at No. 11 Cadogan Gardens, London, SW3. © Matthew Steeples, 2012. If you could fill a carriage on The Orient Express, who would be your fellow passengers?
All my ex-business enemies with one or two assassins. Several girlfriends would accompany. The ex-business enemies would be disposed of at the first stop.
If you were unfortunate enough to end up on death row, what would be your last meal and where would you eat it?
My last meal would be Welsh lamb at No. 11 Cadogan Gardens.
What time is it acceptable to consume the first drink of the day?
Champagne at breakfast but nothing else before midday.
A Negroni, a martini or a cup of tea?
A martini with Stelios. I leased him his first five jets for EasyJet in 1994 and then he didn’t need me anymore.
Whose parties do you enjoy the most and why?
The after-party at the New Year’s Day concert in Vienna that I go to annually.
Who is the most positive person you know?
My daughter, Alexandra, aged 14.
What’s your most guilty pleasure?
A bottle of white Burgundy and a punt on Betfair.
If a tattoo were to sum you up, what would it be of?
It would be a butterfly on the arse of a girlfriend.
If you were a car, what marquee would you be?
My car, a Mercedes CL63 AMG.
Cilla Black presented “Surprise, Surprise.” Tell us the most surprising thing about you.
As a private jet captain, I flew 3 plates of Nobu sushi to Baku, Azerbaijan. The sushi cost £2,000 and the flight £78,000.
What’s currently sitting on your mantelpiece?
Photographs of ex-girlfriends.
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Just what the doctor ordered
A review of Elistano, Chelsea
Lunch in the company of Rex Leyland, who co-founded The Restaurant Doctor with Pierre Koffman and Terence Martin, is always a pleasure as he is frankly one of the most passionate foodies I’ve ever encountered. We recently met, along with the former restaurateur Anthony Brown, at Elistano in Chelsea and a good time was had by all.
Elistano, 25-27 Elystan Street, London, SW3 3NT Leyland is a character whom the Evening Standard once described as an “excitable bearded man.” He founded the Chelsea institution Foxtrot Oscar with Michael Proudlock and variously owned other restaurants including Jake’s in Hollywood Road and Busby’s. Now based between a gargantuan houseboat at Kew Bridge on the River Thames and a home in Spain, his insatiable enthusiasm for food, cars and planes is quite wonderful. You can follow him on Twitter @Rexthesex.
Elistano is itself a restaurant that I have known for some years as a good friend, Guy Mountford, worked there whilst he lived in the UK. He sadly suddenly had to return to South Africa after breaking up with a girlfriend and in the following period many changes have followed. As is often the case in the restaurant business, chefs and managers have come and gone at Elistano but now the venue seems to be back on track after a much needed facelift.
One of the problems at Elistano was that it was just too noisy. Owner Derek Taylor has successfully rectified this by installing sound reducers and this has somewhat solved the problem. The décor has also been updated considerably and my only criticism would be that the flooring remains stuck in 1972. In time, I am sure this will be replaced also.
To start, we shared a selection of small plates and salads. Mr Leyland was especially impressed with a Vitaminica salad (£12.95) that he described as “fabulous” but Mr Brown’s beef Carpaccio (£10.95) was unfortunately fridge cold. My choice of chorizo sausage in red wine sauce, however, was a little too fatty and somewhat disappointing.
I continued with a delicious chicken escalope with rocket and cherry tomatoes. At £12.50 this was great value for money and the chips (£3.95), surprisingly for an Italian restaurant, were exceptional.
Mr Brown opted for the 8oz rib eye steak with béarnaise sauce and a grilled tomato (£17.95). All meat at Elistano comes from the restaurant’s neighbour, Jago’s butchers, a terrific local business, but sadly on this occasion the cut was mostly fat. Himself living across the road from the restaurant, he did however comment that on previous visits this particular steak had generally been a most suitable choice.
We concluded with Elistano’s homemade tiramisu, as well as trifle (both at £5.95 each) and a cheese selection (£7.95). The tiramisu was perfectly executed but the trifle was somewhat lacking. As I see only too often, the cheese was served fridge cold. This is an error that would have resulted in a meltdown if a certain American I know had been present and it is a mistake that restaurants should take heed to ensure does not occur. White wine should be served from the coolest of fridges. Cheese should be at room temperature.
The wine list at Elistano understandably is mainly Italian in focus. A 2010 Pinot Grigio is pefectly quaffable and priced at £24 a bottle. Variety comes in the form of a list that ranges from a half-litre carafe of house wine priced at £11 to an £89.50 Montepulciano. The Vina Zaca Rioja (£29.95) we tried was also especially good.
Elistano is somewhere one can rely on for good simple cuisine at reasonable prices. Yes, it has faults but so do all restaurants. This is a neighbourhood restaurant that truly deserves a chance.
Elistano, 25-27 Elystan Street, London, SW3 3NT. Telephone: +44 (0) 20 7584 5248. Website: http://www.elistano.com
Follow Elistano on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/elistano
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The Rt. Hon. Baroness Shackleton of Belgravia LVO (Fiona Shackleton)
The “Steel Magnolia” is described as having “charm and resoluteness.” The cousin of Nigella Lawson and George Monbiot is one of the country’s finest solicitors but also trained as a cordon bleu chef. Heather Mills threw a jug of water over her head at the final settlement hearing of her divorce from Sir Paul McCartney and other well known clients have included The Prince of Wales and Alyce Faye Eichelberger, the former wife of John Cleese. -
Holly Candy (born Holly Rachel Vukadinović)
Best known for her role as Flick Scully on the soap Neighbours, this Australian born actress, singer and model struck gold when she married the British property tycoon Nick Candy. Her foray into music as Holly Valance brought success with Kiss Kiss but she subsequently fell out with her manager and had to pay him $350,000 in damages. She’s now most likely to be found on London’s social circuit or out shopping. -
Arthur's delight
A review of Arthur’s Cafe, Kingsland Road, E8
Arthur Woodham was born on Christmas Day 1927. He and his family have run a traditional British café in Kingsland Road, Dalston since 1935.
Arthur is a truly fascinating gent who likes and maintains a routine. I met him at La Brasserie in South Kensington one Saturday last year and in the time since we’ve become firm friends and meet each week. When another of the group who regularly gather at the happy hour asked what made him come to South Kensington for drinks, Arthur jovially replied: “I don’t drink in my manor.”
Arthur’s Cafe, 495 Kingsland Road, Dalston, London, E8 4AU The oldest cafe in the Kingsland Road, Arthur’s itself attracts a wide and varied clientele of builders, locals and old ladies. The actor Ade, who appeared in Guy Ritchie’s Snatch, is often to be spotted here and others include the businessman Stephen Annett, who ventures over from Kensington for breakfast from time to time. Arthur welcomes all with a cheery smile and his family, equally, are hospitable in the extreme.
At Arthur’s Cafe, no toast is served after 11.30am and no chips are served before noon. Serviettes and glasses are placed on the tables at 11.30am also and at this juncture Arthur puts on a fresh jacket. Here indeed is a well-run business where sequenced order reigns.
The menu is simple but the ingredients used are of the highest quality. A particular highlight of the full English breakfast had to be the sausages. Arthur proudly told us that these come from a butcher who also supplies Marks & Spencer and frankly they were amongst the finest I’d tried in an age. Equally, Arthur’s mustard was powerful and punchy and I must highly commend that as well as the delicious crusty bread.
Tea at Arthur’s Cafe is very much of the builder’s variety: robust, rich and strong brown in colour. A note of sophistication comes also in the form of the San Pellegrino Aranciata orange juices that are also available.
Arthur Woodham We’ll leave the final word with Arthur himself:
“I like it, this is my life. You’ve got to like it to keep in it. I meet people. I speak to people. In the cafe, if you like it, you make a lot of friends.”
Arthur’s Cafe, 495 Kingsland Road, Dalston, London, E8 4AU. Telephone: +44 (0) 20 7254 3391.
Watch a video feature by Cavan Clerkin on Arthur’s Cafe at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qaHh3FNG8OU
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Shireen Ritchie, The Rt. Hon. The Baroness Ritchie (1945 – 2012)
The stepmother of Guy Ritchie was the “grande dame” of the Kensington & Chelsea Conservative Association. This tireless campaigner encouraged diversity within the Tory party and successfully thwarted Lady Meyer’s attempts to become the candidate for the constituency. For that alone she deserved her knighthood. May she rest in peace. -
The Hon. Imogen Lloyd Webber
The daughter of the composer Andrew Lloyd Webber lives in New York and is a contributor to MSNBC. Her Single Girl’s Guide was published in both the UK and America and her debut show Touched… For The Very First Time was a mighty success in the West End in 2009. Described as a “petite polymath,” Imogen Lloyd Webber digitally published The Twitter Diaries in May 2012. Turning tweets into a novel, this co-written e-book has been lauded as: “Bridget Jones tries social networking.” -
Eugene Carokis
He’s shunned Facebook and Twitter and is often to be found in the V&A library at weekends. Some say Carokis is developing an intellectual side but his day job is more typically Greek. This diplomat’s son works in shipping and is especially talented at making Greek salads. His costume choices for fancy dress parties are anything other than conservative.