The Steeple Times

Tag: Kensington

  • Backing Borwick

    Backing Borwick

    K&C resident Justin Downes shares his reasons for supporting Victoria Borwick, the Conservative Party Parliamentary Candidate for Kensington

     

    It is sad that politics has become – if it ever wasn’t – such a filthy business. It is sadder still when a politician noted for integrity, hard work and compassion becomes the subject of a barrage of lies and politically motivated vilification.

     

    Reading some of the remarks about the Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Kensington Victoria Borwick in the comments section of a recent article in The Steeple Times, I wondered whether the individual referenced could possibly be same person I have known for so many years.

     

    Could I be prejudiced because I vote Tory? That is doubtful: I haven’t voted Tory for many a year. Maybe, it is because I don’t think I have the political agenda that those attacking Victoria seem to and maybe it is because I believe I actually take people as I find them.

     

    Like many thousands of other residents, I have always found Victoria Borwick ready to help anyone at any time, irrespective of who they might be. Have those authoring these derogatory comments ever met her? I doubt it.

     

    In a world of boring conformity Victoria stands out as her own person. Many will remember the time RBK&C proposed destroying Sloane Square. Victoria – a lady I’ve never known to use the title ‘Lady Borwick’ – stood side by side with residents to the detriment of her political career. It was made clear to her by the then leader of the council, the hideous Sir Merrick Cockell, she would be out in the cold for years to come.

     

    If Victoria faces one criticism, in my view, it’s that she gets over-involved in cases where an overbearing council is bullying the weak. I particularly remember the case of an old soldier, living in the most terrible of conditions, with developers harassing him at every turn. Victoria fought for him like a lioness. She would even pop by to ensure he had food for the weekend.

     

    On a separate but connected note, I have recently been advising a very bright young Conservative candidate (yes, I am politically indifferent). He is facing selection for a Midlands seat: one that overwhelmingly voted ‘Leave’. He, himself, was a dogged and campaigning ‘Remainer’.  He asked me, if asked, whether he should deny the fact.

     

    My question to him was this: “Are you, or are you not, a conviction politician?” He replied he hoped he was. He answered his own question, took his chance and got selected. So, integrity does count in politics.

     

    Justin Downes is a resident of the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea. He has been a reader of The Steeple Times for a number of years.

     

    The Steeple Times welcomes well-reasoned and contrasting contributions from readers on all subjects as long as they comply with our editorial guidelines. Should you wish to contact us in such regard, please email [email protected]

     

  • Bored of Black Tie, Crushed by ‘The Club’

    Bored of Black Tie, Crushed by ‘The Club’

    As black tie bonanzas deservedly take a bashing, we ask: “What’s next for Britain and America’s party paraders?”

     

    Last May, the acerbic Spectator columnist Taki wrote a brilliant opinion piece bemoaning the ghastly affair he believed New York’s Metropolitan Museum Gala had become. It perfectly summed up the vulgarity of an age where Kardashians have replaced Vanderbilt Sloanes and where Anna Wintour and her condescending ‘club’ have seized the mantle. This week, Primates of Park Avenue author Wednesday Martin took the debate one stage further and asked: “Is it time to say bye-bye to the black tie charity ball?” in an article for Town & Country magazine.

     

    Whilst Martin quoted a “titan of finance” as saying: “No one really wants to attend a gala”, she also suggested that “showing up feels somehow retro, tangible, genuine”. Society is still forced into the routine of putting on black tie and parading out in both America and Britain yet in reality, everyone would most likely rather be down their local spit-and-sawdust.

     

    Aside from the rubber chicken (and vomit inducing wine), the likelihood of being stuck with nine crushing bores and the inevitable raffle of rubbish, such affairs are now mostly the preserve of a club of Z-listers and desperados. At such gatherings, you’ll find trolleyed trailer trash like Dawn Ward of The Real Housewives of Cheshire clucking with titleless tosspot twits like David Furnish and each and every Friday’s ES Magazine bears testimony to this fact. The black tie bash deserves to come to its natural end, but what on earth will replace it?

     

    Bored of Black Tie, Crushed by ‘The Club’ – Death of Black Tie Balls – As black tie bonanzas deservedly take a bashing, we ask: “What’s next for Britain and America’s party paraders?” – Sir Elton John and David Furnish, Elizabeth Hurley, Tamara Ecclestone, Jay Rutland, Dawn Ward, Ashley Ward, Elliott Spencer, Stephen Fry, Alexa Chung, Esther Rantzen, Anthea Turner, Grant Bovey
    The inevitable rent-a-crowd that now dominates at black tie gatherings in Britain these days is focused on daytime TV presenters and obscure reality wannabes
    Bored of Black Tie, Crushed by ‘The Club’ – Death of Black Tie Balls – As black tie bonanzas deservedly take a bashing, we ask: “What’s next for Britain and America’s party paraders?” – Sir Elton John and David Furnish, Elizabeth Hurley, Tamara Ecclestone, Jay Rutland, Dawn Ward, Ashley Ward, Elliott Spencer, Stephen Fry, Alexa Chung, Esther Rantzen, Anthea Turner, Grant Bovey
    Tamara Ecclestone and husband Jay Rutland (pictured with Donna Air behind them) might be moneyed, but where’s the class?
    Bored of Black Tie, Crushed by ‘The Club’ – Death of Black Tie Balls – As black tie bonanzas deservedly take a bashing, we ask: “What’s next for Britain and America’s party paraders?” – Sir Elton John and David Furnish, Elizabeth Hurley, Tamara Ecclestone, Jay Rutland, Dawn Ward, Ashley Ward, Elliott Spencer, Stephen Fry, Alexa Chung, Esther Rantzen, Anthea Turner, Grant Bovey
    Stephen Fry and husband Elliott Spencer are a duo willing to turn up to the opening of an envelope
    Bored of Black Tie, Crushed by ‘The Club’ – Death of Black Tie Balls – As black tie bonanzas deservedly take a bashing, we ask: “What’s next for Britain and America’s party paraders?” – Sir Elton John and David Furnish, Elizabeth Hurley, Tamara Ecclestone, Jay Rutland, Dawn Ward, Ashley Ward, Elliott Spencer, Stephen Fry, Alexa Chung, Esther Rantzen, Anthea Turner, Grant Bovey
    If you really want to lower the tone, invite champagne swiller Dawn Ward and her ex-footballer husband
    Bored of Black Tie, Crushed by ‘The Club’ – Death of Black Tie Balls – As black tie bonanzas deservedly take a bashing, we ask: “What’s next for Britain and America’s party paraders?” – Sir Elton John and David Furnish, Elizabeth Hurley, Tamara Ecclestone, Jay Rutland, Dawn Ward, Ashley Ward, Elliott Spencer, Stephen Fry, Alexa Chung, Esther Rantzen, Anthea Turner, Grant Bovey
    Alexa Chung is the ultimate guest if you want to make it to the ‘ES Magazine’s’ party pages (in spite of the fact she’s actually pretty pointless)
    Bored of Black Tie, Crushed by ‘The Club’ – Death of Black Tie Balls – As black tie bonanzas deservedly take a bashing, we ask: “What’s next for Britain and America’s party paraders?” – Sir Elton John and David Furnish, Elizabeth Hurley, Tamara Ecclestone, Jay Rutland, Dawn Ward, Ashley Ward, Elliott Spencer, Stephen Fry, Alexa Chung, Esther Rantzen, Anthea Turner, Grant Bovey
    No party is complete without legendary crasher and shopping aficionado David Pun; last night he was spotted lingering outside the entrance to the opening night of the 2017 London Motor Show and given his antics he even has a Twitter account named in his honour
    Bored of Black Tie, Crushed by ‘The Club’ – Death of Black Tie Balls – As black tie bonanzas deservedly take a bashing, we ask: “What’s next for Britain and America’s party paraders?” – Sir Elton John and David Furnish, Elizabeth Hurley, Tamara Ecclestone, Jay Rutland, Dawn Ward, Ashley Ward, Elliott Spencer, Stephen Fry, Alexa Chung, Esther Rantzen, Anthea Turner, Grant Bovey
    Anthea Turner and Grant Bovey used to host an annual ball in their garden; their marriage is now toast and the ball, for them at least, is most definitely over
  • Breaking with Boris

    Breaking with Boris

    Breaking News – Rachel Johnson explains why she ditched the party of her Foreign Secretary brother Boris and defected to the Lib Dems

     

    On this morning’s Andrew Marr Show on BBC1, Rachel Johnson was interviewed about her decision to defect to the Liberal Democrat Party.

     

    Explaining her rationale for ditching the Tories and the party of her Brexit supporting Foreign Secretary brother, Boris Johnson, Rachel Johnson commented:

     

    “This is single issue election. We could be going over a cliff on a hard Brexit… Everything on the table from last June is now off the table. Business needs to stay in the Single Market. It’s all lose, lose, lose… A second referendum gives the country another go”.

     

    Answering a question about whether she plans to stand as a candidate herself, Johnson, a columnist for the Mail on Sunday, remarked:

     

    “This is my paper making mischief to embarrass me… [But I am] not ruling anything out”.

     

    Later, in the segment, she tempered this further by adding:

     

    “I am very tempted to campaign in my constituency of Kensington and Chelsea”.

     

    Given her comments, The Steeple Times urges Rachel Johnson to join with us to support Gina Miller’s Best for Britain tactical voting campaign and suggests she also throws her campaigning efforts behind the Liberal Democrats’ Annabel Mullin for Kensington and Louise Rowntree for Chelsea & Fulham.

     

    #BritainDeservesBetter #MakeJuneEndOfMay

     

    Breaking with Boris – Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson’s sister Rachel Johnson defects to the Lib Dems – The Steeple Times urges her to support Gina Miller’s Best for Britain campaign and Liberal Democrat candidates Annabel Mullin for Kensington and Louise Rowntree for Chelsea & Fulham
    Louise Rowntree (left) pictured with Matthew Steeples of The Steeple Times and Annabel Mullin in Chelsea last week
    Breaking with Boris – Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson’s sister Rachel Johnson defects to the Lib Dems – The Steeple Times urges her to support Gina Miller’s Best for Britain campaign and Liberal Democrat candidates Annabel Mullin for Kensington and Louise Rowntree for Chelsea & Fulham
    The Johnson clan – Stanley Johnson (far left) with his children: Rachel, Boris and Jo
  • Advertorial – City Relay

    Advertorial – City Relay

    Matthew Steeples takes a look at the services offered by City Relay, a hassle free short-term rental management company

     

    Established three years ago and based in Earl’s Court, City Relay offer the very best guest and host management services for over two hundred apartments and houses in Central and West London.

     

    Primarily focused on taking away the hassle of managing bookings through marketing services such as Airbnb, City Relay’s 5-star hospitality team deal with check-ins, key holding and guest support. The firm also have their own property maintenance team to ensure properties are kept in immaculate condition between change-overs and can organise housekeeping services and supply fresh hotel quality linens also.

     

    Of the firm’s services to those with apartments and houses to rent, the company’s Mathilde Le Bault comments:

     

    “Brexit has brought a bonus for landlords and has encouraged many to opt for short-term rentals to tourists and business people rather than leaving their properties empty in a declining long-term market. Higher yields follow and with the ease and convenience of dealing with just City Relay’s team, we make it much easier to navigate the Airbnb process”.

     

    “City Relay’s reception desk is located at 62 Kenway Road, London, SW5 0RD and the many international, mostly European clients we deal with find that having someone they can actually speak to and meet in person most useful”.

     

    For further details about City Relay’s services, click here. Alternatively, telephone: +44 (0) 20 7993 5693.

     

    Advertorial – City Relay – Matthew Steeples takes a look at the services offered by City Relay, a hassle free short-term rental management company in London. Advertorial – City Relay – Matthew Steeples takes a look at the services offered by City Relay, a hassle free short-term rental management company in London.

  • Beating Borwick

    Beating Borwick

    ‘The Steeple Times’ urges readers in Kensington to vote tactically to unseat Victoria Borwick

     

    Victoria Borwick, in spite of representing a constituency that was home to a greater proportion of EU nationals than any other London borough in 2016, was a firm advocate of Brexit. In the months since the disastrous vote, she has continued to ignore the fact that 69% of residents of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea voted ‘Remain’ and on that basis we urge readers based in the locality to vote against her in the forthcoming general election.

     

    Though Theresa May supporting Lady Borwick has a majority of 7,361 (21.1%), the best way to unseat her would be a high turnout and for voters to unite behind one candidate. Whilst Labour have previously come second, most will be unable to engage with the thought of backing Jeremy Corbyn and on that basis, the only option is the Liberal Democrat candidate Annabel Mullin.

     

    Backing Borwick – The Steeple Times urges voters to vote tactically and back Liberal Democrat Annabel Mullin against sitting Conservative Member of Parliament Victoria Borwick MP in the 2016 General Election on 8th June 2017
    Annabel Mullin is the only candidate who can realistically unseat the Tories in Kensington
    Beating Borwick – The Steeple Times urges voters to vote tactically and back Liberal Democrat Annabel Mullin against sitting Conservative Member of Parliament Victoria Borwick MP in the 2016 General Election on 8th June 2017.
    Victoria Borwick does not represent the views of her constituents on membership of the European Union

     

  • Marked by Mice

    Marked by Mice

    Scott’s in Mayfair to reopen after closing due to a mice infestation; Montpeliano remains open in spite of receiving a Food Standards Agency rating of zero out of five

     

    Today, Scott’s restaurant in Mount Street, Mayfair reopens after having been closed for six days for what they called “a spring clean and revamp”.

     

    The restaurant, which is owned by bouffant haired Richard Caring, in fact, actually received a food hygiene rating of 1/5 – which indicates a “major improvement [is] necessary” – on 13th February and was especially criticized for standards of cleanliness and management of food safety. In particular, according to the Mail Online’s Shari Miller, the report highlighted: “During the inspection it was noted that there was a significant issue with mice activity throughout the premises”.

     

    Of this development at a restaurant loved by many, a spokesman for Scott’s told the Mail Online:

     

    “We are shocked that the council found a reason to reduce our rating despite 10 years with a spotless record”.

     

    “The issues identified were dealt with immediately and we pushed for Westminster Council to return and regrade us before we closed for a long-term planned refurbishment of the restaurant”.

     

    “We are more than happy for them to come back when we open as we are totally confident of retaining our five-star rating”.

     

    “[This was a] wake-up call… And a reminder that for us to maintain our exacting standards, we must put in our own intense checks on top of outside agencies”.

     

    Elsewhere, Knightsbridge’s Montpeliano retains a rating of zero on the Food Standards Agency website. Awarded the truly dreadful score on the 21st September 2016, this “garden style restaurant” opened in 1974 and describes itself as “the place to go for dressy, classic Italian cooking”.

     

    Marked by Mice – Scott’s restaurant at 20 Mount Street, Mayfair, London, W1K 2HE to reopen after mice infestation – Montpeliano at 13 Montpelier Street, Knightsbridge, London, SW7 1HQ still open after receiving a Food Standards Agency rating of 0/5.Marked by Mice – Scott’s restaurant at 20 Mount Street, Mayfair, London, W1K 2HE to reopen after mice infestation – Montpeliano at 13 Montpelier Street, Knightsbridge, London, SW7 1HQ still open after receiving a Food Standards Agency rating of 0/5.

  • A Serious Shed

    A Serious Shed

    South Kensington flat with ‘summer house’ shed for sale for £3.25 million

     

    An apartment in Malvern Court, SW7 has gone on the market for £3.25 million ($4.2 million, €3.9 million or درهم15.3 million). It comes with an extra one wouldn’t expect to find with a pre-war mansion block flat just by South Kensington Underground Station – a rather snazzy14’ wide shed described as a “summer house or office”.

     

    Offered by Knight Frank, the 1,571 square foot 3 bedroom, 3 bathroom lateral ground floor apartment has a good sized reception room, a dining kitchen and a utility room and is directly adjoined by a private landscaped garden with a water feature. It is held on a lease with approximately 99 years remaining and is subject to a service charge of £8,000 per annum ($10,300, €9,400 or درهم37,700 per annum).

     

    Residents of this portered block also have the right to apply for access to the communal gardens of Onslow Square.

     

    A Serious Shed - £3.25 million flat in Malvern Court, SW7 – South Kensington apartment with ‘summer house’ shed for sale for £3.25m. Ground floor lateral flat is on with Knight Frank.A Serious Shed - £3.25 million flat in Malvern Court, SW7 – South Kensington apartment with ‘summer house’ shed for sale for £3.25m. Ground floor lateral flat is on with Knight Frank.A Serious Shed - £3.25 million flat in Malvern Court, SW7 – South Kensington apartment with ‘summer house’ shed for sale for £3.25m. Ground floor lateral flat is on with Knight Frank.A Serious Shed - £3.25 million flat in Malvern Court, SW7 – South Kensington apartment with ‘summer house’ shed for sale for £3.25m. Ground floor lateral flat is on with Knight Frank. A Serious Shed - £3.25 million flat in Malvern Court, SW7 – South Kensington apartment with ‘summer house’ shed for sale for £3.25m. Ground floor lateral flat is on with Knight Frank.A Serious Shed - £3.25 million flat in Malvern Court, SW7 – South Kensington apartment with ‘summer house’ shed for sale for £3.25m. Ground floor lateral flat is on with Knight Frank. A Serious Shed - £3.25 million flat in Malvern Court, SW7 – South Kensington apartment with ‘summer house’ shed for sale for £3.25m. Ground floor lateral flat is on with Knight Frank.

  • Hidden in Hans

    Hidden in Hans

    Hidden house in Knightsbridge for sale for £1.595 million; it might suit those with an aspiration to live like Julian Assange

     

    A cleverly refurbished ‘hidden house’ behind 163 Pavilion Road in Knightsbridge has been brought to the market by Savills.

     

    699 square foot Hans Cottage has its own private front door, a patio garden and features an open plan reception-kitchen, two bedrooms, two bathrooms and a utility room. It is available on a leasehold basis with approximately 99 years remaining.

     

    £1.595 million ($2.044 million, €1.906 million or درهم7.507 million) is sought for the property – which is just a few hundred metres from the hideout of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange. It was previously marketed for £1.25 million ($1.60 million, €1.49 million or درهم5.88 million) in an unrenovated state in May 2012.

     

    Hidden in Hans – Hans Cottage, 163 Pavilion Road, Knightsbridge, London, SW1X 0BJ – For sale for £1.595 million ($2.044 million, €1.906 million or درهم7.507 million) through SavillsHidden in Hans – Hans Cottage, 163 Pavilion Road, Knightsbridge, London, SW1X 0BJ – For sale for £1.595 million ($2.044 million, €1.906 million or درهم7.507 million) through SavillsHidden in Hans – Hans Cottage, 163 Pavilion Road, Knightsbridge, London, SW1X 0BJ – For sale for £1.595 million ($2.044 million, €1.906 million or درهم7.507 million) through SavillsHidden in Hans – Hans Cottage, 163 Pavilion Road, Knightsbridge, London, SW1X 0BJ – For sale for £1.595 million ($2.044 million, €1.906 million or درهم7.507 million) through SavillsHidden in Hans – Hans Cottage, 163 Pavilion Road, Knightsbridge, London, SW1X 0BJ – For sale for £1.595 million ($2.044 million, €1.906 million or درهم7.507 million) through SavillsHidden in Hans – Hans Cottage, 163 Pavilion Road, Knightsbridge, London, SW1X 0BJ – For sale for £1.595 million ($2.044 million, €1.906 million or درهم7.507 million) through SavillsHidden in Hans – Hans Cottage, 163 Pavilion Road, Knightsbridge, London, SW1X 0BJ – For sale for £1.595 million ($2.044 million, €1.906 million or درهم7.507 million) through SavillsHidden in Hans – Hans Cottage, 163 Pavilion Road, Knightsbridge, London, SW1X 0BJ – For sale for £1.595 million ($2.044 million, €1.906 million or درهم7.507 million) through Savills

  • The Horror in the Hummer

    The Horror in the Hummer

    Known for plaguing the streets of SW3 with her beast of a vehicle, ‘The Horror in the Hummer’ was a skeletal-like, bleach blonde haired woman. Thankfully not seen in recent times, this shockingly bad driver could not park her contraption and often blocked First Street by leaving it in the middle of the road. Of her, one Chelsea local was once heard to comment: “Some people have severe brain damage. She has it on a humongous scale”. She is not missed and nor is her gas guzzling 2001 Hummer H2, HU09 MER.

     

  • K&C Doesn’t Care

    K&C Doesn’t Care

    As 50% of care homes in Kensington & Chelsea are rated “inadequate”, we suggest this reflects what the area has become: A money park for the selfish rich

     

    A society that does not care for its elderly is, as the Pope pointed out in 2015, a “perverse society” and bizarrely, it has just been revealed, Britain’s richest borough, Kensington and Chelsea, has some of the worst care homes in the country.

     

    A study by the charity Independent Age found that Kensington and Chelsea falls within the five worst areas in the United Kingdom for its percentage of care homes rated “inadequate”. It found that one was even infested with mice and another “put residents at risk from poor management of medicines”. Out of ten care homes in the borough, five were rated poor.

     

    On Tuesday, Andrew Kaye, head of policy and campaigns at Independent Age, told the MailOnline:

     

    “It definitely surprised us to find affluent areas among those with poor rates, but this shows older people who pay to enter care homes, as well as those who are funded, are losing out”.

     

    “This might be because of staff vacancies, difficulty recruiting, or a lack of support. It is unacceptable that some older people are forced to choose a care home that is unsatisfactory”.

     

    In an area where basement flats sell for upto £5 million and houses and flats go for upto £250 million, it is shocking that so little effort is being put into taking care of the old and infirm. It is a reflection on the priorities of our society and yet another sad indication of what the money park that is the Royal Borough has become.