Extremists should be ignored
The majority of people in Britain are tolerant and decent. A minority aren’t. Yesterday’s demonstrations by the English Defence League and those who scrawled “Islam” on the Bomber Command and Animals in War memorials prove just that.
Reasonable responses to extremism
After walking across Hyde Park this morning to a launch breakfast at Selfridges, I passed the Animals in War memorial on Park Lane. It was partially covered in a sheet and partially sprayed with red paint. It was a sad sight to see something Brigadier Andrew Parker Bowles OBE, Jilly Cooper OBE and others had worked so tirelessly to get built desecrated in this fashion.
Is it right to criticise David Cameron for taking a holiday?
This morning the Mail Online and others attacked David Cameron for “swanning off” for a holiday in Ibiza whilst the nation is “struggling” and the press claim “Britain is on high terror alert”.
The Steeple Times asks Matthew Gilpin, the creator of Gilpin’s Gin: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”
The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force?
Creativity: The only thing that endures.
“Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?
Stay jolly. However bad things get being grumpy is rarely the answer.
Kerry Katona was considered unacceptable in 2007. Who or what is unacceptable in 2013?
Most TV celebrities from my childhood. Allegedly…
Tony Blair misses being Prime Minister. What do you miss most in your life?
The rites of passage of youth – which get fewer as you get older. And my father – if he were alive today we’d be having a lot of fun.
What might you swap all your wealth for?
A long and happy life with my wife Kristina, although some wealth would be nice as well.
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?
Banks aren’t real, money isn’t real. We are all living on the back of a giant cosmic turtle standing on the back of another turtle, and it’s turtles all the way down.
What phrase or word do you most loathe?
“No offence mate, but…”
In the UK, some people consider charity to “begin at home”. What’s your view and what causes do you personally support?
Yes, it does begin at home but don’t kid yourself… I like to support smaller charities that make a real local difference such as the Ibiza Preservation Fund, Friends of the Lake District, the South of England Agricultural Society and Oriel College.
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 suspect the use of explosives is best left to the military. Never take a phone into a meeting.
If you could fill a carriage on The Orient Express, who would be your fellow passengers?
Great friends old and new and some people from the bar and restaurant trade – these guys know how to party.
If you were unfortunate enough to end up on death row, what would be your last meal and where would you eat it?
An extensive tasting menu at El Bulli. They would have to rebuild and reopen especially which might take a while to arrange. Oh well…
What time is it acceptable to consume the first drink of the day?
Midnight.
A Negroni, a martini or a cup of tea?
A very dry Gibson made with Gilpin’s Gin with a glass of extra onions on the side.
Whose parties do you enjoy the most and why?
My old friend Alexander Hope. Something to do with getting great people, great wines and great food all in one room and lighting the fuse… I gave him a small laser projector for his birthday so things are going to get even better…
Who is the most positive person you know?
Jonny Jeffery of the “jonnydoesdinner” blog radiates positivity and is an amazing cook and host.
What’s your most guilty pleasure?
Buying second-hand laboratory equipment from eBay. Don’t tell my wife about the centrifuge in the basement.
If a tattoo were to sum you up, what would it be of?
St. Sebastian. Bring it on!
If you were a car, what marque would you be?
A 1969 Aston Martin DBS Vantage. If they could bottle that smell I’d buy it.
Cilla Black presented Surprise, Surprise. Tell us the most surprising thing about you.
I once won five “Gold Runs” on Blockbusters. Bob Holness was very funny by the way. Arguably my greatest achievement to date.
What’s currently sitting on your mantelpiece?
Mostly wedding invitations.
Matthew Gilpin is the creator of Gilpin’s Gin, a gin distilled in London using water from the Holy Well Spring at Cartmel in Cumbria. He is a graduate of Oxford University and has also worked as a barrister and a specialist in securities and investment funds.
View the official website for Gilpin’s Gin at: http://www.gilpinsgin.com
Follow Gilpin’s Gin on Twitter at: http://www.twitter.com/GilpinsLondon
Subscribe to our free once daily email newsletter at: http://thesteepletimes.com/subscribe
A former Eastenders actress turned born again Christian whose car crash of a life is the envy of no one. She tragically destroyed her nose after wasting at least £250,000 on crack cocaine and even ended up being kidnapped and gang raped because of a drug debt. In 2013, twice married Westbrook announced: “I have given my life to the Lord”. Her story should be a lesson to many.
It’s quite simple. With a name like hers, this Oxford educated Liberal Democrat peer ought to be made the President of the Royal Horticultural Society.
The Steeple Times asks The Palm’s barman Fillipe Ricchi: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”
The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force?
“Happiness and success”.
“Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?
“Trust yourself”.
Kerry Katona was considered unacceptable in 2007. Who or what is unacceptable in 2013?
Racism.
Tony Blair misses being Prime Minister. What do you miss most in your life?
I don’t miss anything. I’m very, very lucky.
What might you swap all your wealth for?
I’d love to open a business. I’d love to open a bar.
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?
Banks are not very trusting.
What phrase or word do you most loathe?
“Don’t”.
In the UK, some people consider charity to “begin at home”. What’s your view and what causes do you personally support?
It’s good to support charity but too many people do it for themselves rather than for whom it will benefit.
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 are very important but when I was young no one had one. Now everyone has one, it isn’t good.
If you could fill a carriage on The Orient Express, who would be your fellow passengers?
My family.
If you were unfortunate enough to end up on death row, what would be your last meal and where would you eat it?
I’d like mustard filet at a restaurant by the sea.
What time is it acceptable to consume the first drink of the day?
11.30am.
A Negroni, a martini or a cup of tea?
A Negroni.
Whose parties do you enjoy the most and why?
House parties because I am in the company of friends.
Who is the most positive person you know?
My dad.
What’s your most guilty pleasure?
Shopping.
If a tattoo were to sum you up, what would it be of?
I have a tattoo and it is of a baseball and sunglasses. I have it because I played baseball for ten years and I got the tattoo to remind myself of my love for the sport.
If you were a car, what marque would you be?
An Aston Martin because it is elegant and aggressive at the same time.
Cilla Black presented Surprise, Surprise. Tell us the most surprising thing about you.
I’m romantic.
What’s currently sitting on your mantelpiece?
A bottle of cognac.
Fillipe Ricchi is a barman at The Palm, 1 – 3 Pont Street, London, SW1X 9EJ. Telephone: +44 (0) 20 7201 0710. Website: http://www.thepalm.com/London
Follow The Palm London on Twitter at: http://www.twitter.com/PalmLondon
Subscribe to our free once daily email newsletter at: http://thesteepletimes.com/subscribe
London restaurants where diners got more than they bargained for
In the first in a series, we tell the stories of five restaurants in Central London where diners sadly got a little more than dinner. All bar Walton’s are still open.
The Steeple Times asks strategist and businessman Allard Marx: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”
The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force?
Caterine Axelsson’s daily smile.
“Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?
There is always a way. “How?” not “Why?” should be the guiding principle of our lives.
Kerry Katona was considered unacceptable in 2007. Who or what is unacceptable in 2013?
Is she Eric’s sister? Unchecked greedy bankers. Ignoring the irrefutable damage we are doing to world’s waters and all forms of life.
Tony Blair misses being Prime Minister. What do you miss most in your life?
The sunshine. I live in London.
What might you swap all your wealth for?
More people’s lives flourishing with their own efforts added. Before that, some wealth to do that with would be wonderful.
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?
Reducing their profits expectations with some more risk-taking by providing credit to business might help everyone. In other words, replacing the ridiculously high salaries of some executives and high dividends for a few shareholders with liquidity to benefit many.
What phrase or word do you most loathe?
“Yes my friend” from someone I’ve just met and “You awright there?” in shops.
In the UK, some people consider charity to “begin at home”. What’s your view and what causes do you personally support?
Generosity of spirit wins you “Karma Kredits”. The Going Blue Foundation is a charity I co-founded with Susannah Stewart and Roberto Danovaro and is where the money I don’t have often goes.
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?
Using them out of my earshot.
If you could fill a carriage on The Orient Express, who would be your fellow passengers?
Caterine Axelsson, Willem Marx, Alex Marx, Harry Langley, Patricia Lukas, Michael Kermer, David Robson, Nick King, Brian Smurthwaite, Luca Sprea, Michelle Cuthbert, David Draier, Diederik van Lede, Irina Kouptcha, Tracy Elner, Filippo Verrone, Marina Capello, Rosalind Milani Gallieni, Peter Kirchem, Richard Hoare, Eduard van Raay, Gisela Söderstrom, Serena Massa, Maggie Wright. Good friends all of them.
If you were unfortunate enough to end up on death row, what would be your last meal and where would you eat it?
Something tasty, spicy and filling. Kway Teow with vinegar in full view of the blue open sky.
What time is it acceptable to consume the first drink of the day?
Whenever suits an individual as long as they keep making sense and don’t fall over.
A Negroni, a martini or a cup of tea?
A cup of tea. There was a time when a vodka tonic would have taken precedence.
Whose parties do you enjoy the most and why?
Weekend parties, with large dining tables in huge kitchens. The ones I had in Byde Mill House in Wiltshire took some beating. Not because of me but because of the space that they were in and the people who came. Good plentiful food is as crucial as the wines.
Who is the most positive person you know?
There are three women I’d say are the most positive people I know. They are Carla Marx-Welter, Caterine Axelsson and Irina Kouptcha.
What’s your most guilty pleasure?
Dairy-free chocolate ice cream from Snowflake on Westbourne Grove made by ice cream chef Paolo.
If a tattoo were to sum you up, what would it be of?
Heaven forbid. Can’t stand the bloody things.
If you were a car, what marque would you be?
A Delfino. Not that I have ambitions of being a car. I have ambitions of returning to that project and making it a success.
Cilla Black presented Surprise, Surprise. Tell us the most surprising thing about you.
I have no clue. I think I’m an open book. You’d have to ask someone who had just met me and then ask them again a month or two later.
What’s currently sitting on your mantelpiece?
I don’t have one.
Allard Marx is a London based strategist and businessman. He is the author of The Business Brand Book (My Orange Bag) and companies in which he has founded and been involved in include:
– Delfino: http://www.delfino.co.uk
– Aethic: http://www.aethic.com
– Go Blue Too: http://www.gobluetoo.com
Follow him on Twitter at: http://www.twitter.com/AllardMarx
Subscribe to our free once daily email newsletter at: http://thesteepletimes.com/subscribe
The sale of a £16.95 million duplex penthouse in Trafalgar Square
Trafalgar Square is a place that most Londoners avoid. It’s a place for pigeons, protestors and tourists and though millions travel through it daily, most don’t tend to stop. In an article for The Guardian titled “Why I hate London’s Trafalgar Square”, the author Will Self went as far as to label it “one of the most crap urban public spaces in the world”.