“Dinky, danky, doodle, dee, I am a poet and so is she” goes his opening line. This Scot wanders the streets around Chelsea Green selling poems. “I am the magic man”, he often continues and “I could have sex with any woman I wanted” are amongst the other quotes he shares. “Dinky Danky” and his companion, who is generally perched atop of a shopping trolley full of empty beer cans, inject a little joy and laughter into the lives of those that they encounter.
Tag: London
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Martin the Poet
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Property tycoon Robbie Curtis dies
A tribute to Robbie Curtis (1965 – 2012)
The property tycoon Robbie Curtis was a man often confused with Robbie Williams. His black Bentley, which bore the number plate “ROB BIE”, was often seen in The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea and also in Mayfair and many thought that it belonged to the popstar.
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The Waitrose Clepto
Famous simply for being thrown out of Waitrose in Kings Road because of his helping hands and also for his daily dance on the steps of Patara in Fulham Road, little else is known about this Chelsea eccentric. Goodness knows what’s hidden inside the flasher mac The Waitrose Clepto generally sports. -
Debbi Clark: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”
The Steeple Times asks photographer Debbi Clark: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”
The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force?
My son Luke with his eccentric ways and my daughter Sophia who keeps me grounded.
“Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?
Whatever you decide to do, enjoy it. Otherwise change direction.
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Michael Wignall: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”
The Steeple Times asks Michelin starred chef Michael Wignall: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”
The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force?
The quest for perfection and happiness.
“Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?
“Fail to prepare, prepare to fail”.
Kerry Katona was considered unacceptable in 2007. Who or what is unacceptable in 2013?
Hoop earrings, pink velour tracksuits and Crocs.
Tony Blair misses being Prime Minister. What do you miss most in your life?
Going to work when it is light, and coming back from work when it is still light.
What might you swap all your wealth for?
Youth.
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?
Self-indulgence, greed and arrogance.
What phrase or word do you most loathe?
“Wow factor” and “wow experience”.
In the UK, some people consider charity to “begin at home”. What’s your view and what causes do you personally support?
Looking after each other should be close to everyone’s heart but unfortunately this is sometimes not the case. I support Action Against Hunger, Street Smart, Macmillan and Make a Wish.
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 have brought everything available to your fingertips, but by doing this it has alienated us from the art of conversation.
Chef Michael Wignall If you could fill a carriage on The Orient Express, who would be your fellow passengers?
Picasso, Audrey Hepburn, Penelope Cruz, Jackson Pollock, David Hockney, Auguste Escoffier and anyone else who can bear me for an hour stuck on a train.
If you were unfortunate enough to end up on death row, what would be your last meal and where would you eat it?
Fugu in the cellars of Dom Perignon.
What time is it acceptable to consume the first drink of the day?
12 o’clock.
A Negroni, a martini or a cup of tea?
A martini.
Whose parties do you enjoy the most and why?
Someone else’s, due to the fact that they are paying for it.
Who is the most positive person you know?
Believe it or not, a private wealth management banker I know.
What’s your most guilty pleasure?
Espresso and champagne.
If a tattoo were to sum you up, what would it be of?
The sun, because no matter how horrible the day has been, it never fails to rise.
If you were a car, what marque would you be?
A Lotus: unreliable, unpredictable but once you get to know it, its unforgettable.
Cilla Black presented Surprise, Surprise. Tell us the most surprising thing about you.
I actually don’t shout and scream all the time.
What’s currently sitting on your mantelpiece?
Nothing. I detest clutter.
Michael Wignall at The Latymer opened in November 2007 when Michelin starred chef Michael Wignall moved there from The Devonshire Arms Hotel in North Yorkshire. He was awarded two Michelin stars in the 2013 Michelin Guide and five AA Rosettes in the 2012 AA Restaurant Guide. Olive magazine termed him: “The best chef you have never heard of”.
Michael Wignall at The Latymer, Pennyhill Park Hotel, London Road, Bagshot, Surrey, GU19 5EU. Telephone: +44 (0) 1276 486150. Website:
http://www.pennyhillpark.co.uk/EXCLUSIVE_HOTELS/eating_and_drinking/the_latymer.aspx
Follow Michael Wignall on Twitter at: http://www.twitter.com/MichaelWignall_
Michael Wignall will host his first ever pop-up restaurant and tasting menu every evening from 15th to 18th May 2013 at The Rib Room Bar & Restaurant, Jumeirah Carlton Tower On Cadogan Place, London, SW1X 9PY. Telephone: +44 (0) 20 7858 7250. For more information and to book, go to: http://www.theribroom.co.uk/michael-wignall/
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Lord of the Bond
The sale of a £400,000 castle owned by a man who was an inspiration for the creation of James Bond’s nom de plume Sir Hilary Bray, Bt and for many elements of 007’s character also
Count Robin de la Lanne-Mirrlees (1925 – 2012) is largely thought of as the man whose persona Ian Fleming “borrowed” to create James Bond’s assumed identity, Sir Hilary Bray, Bt. Now, following on from his death last year, there is an opportunity to buy one of his many properties, Inchdrewer Castle, and the title that goes with it, Baron of Inchdrewer.
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Morgan Delle Piane: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”
The Steeple Times asks experimental disc jockey and background actor Morgan Delle Piane: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”
The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force?
All the virtues.
“Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?
Equality and diversity.
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Louise Gordon: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”
The Steeple Times asks head sommelier of The Rib Room Bar & Restaurant Louise Gordon: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”
The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force?
Family, friends and the aim of one day owning my own business.
“Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?
“Per Ardua ad Astra” – “Through Adversity to the Stars”. Both my parents are ex-RAF so it is the first motto that I learnt and the one that has stuck with me.
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Brian Coleman
“Nice to see ya. Are you alright?” was this Independent Conservative’s answer when he was asked about his inappropriate behaviour outside a court. “He grabbed my arse” was the response of his victim. A former Mayor of Barnet, Coleman, who was expelled from the Conservative Party in October 2012, was fined £270 after pleading guilty to the charge in May 2013. In both 2009 and 2011 he was to be in breach of Barnet Council’s code of conduct and in 2007 he wrote a blog post for the New Statesman accusing the late Edward Heath of being into cottaging. Would you want him as a dinner party guest? -
Libby Purves OBE
This British radio presenter, journalist and author is a much respected and reassuring voice of reason. Whilst at Oxford she was the librarian of the Oxford Union and then wrote a travel book, One Summer’s Grace, based on a 1,700 mile sailing journey she made around Britain with children aged three and five in 2002. Those who follow her Midweek show on Radio 4 find her a joy to listen to.