Tag: London

Blessed Borwick’s Back

Lady ‘Call Me Victoria’ Borwick makes a fool of herself on the BBC’s ‘Big Question’ as it is revealed that the MP who managed to lose the safe seat of Kensington is ludicrously seeking a comeback

Yesterday morning, Lady ‘Call Me Victoria’ Borwick nodded her head on the BBC’s The Big Questions as another member of the audience suggested it ridiculous that a family living in a poky flat in Beckenham worth £300,000 can be paying the same in council tax as a family living in Kensington in a £25 million mansion.

“Please Victoria, stop interrupting, come on, let’s have someone else,” responded the programme’s host Nicky Campbell as this redheaded mother of the chief technology officer for Vote Leave tried to interject. “I’m a Londoner” later shouted the former Conservative MP – whom lost a seat that anyone would agree a “pig in a blue rosette should have won” – whilst Made in Chelsea’s Andy Jordan, in a bizarre attempt to be meritocratic, added: “Made in Chelsea should be Made for Everybody. I like that.”

This delusional cocktail party loving ex-MP, it should be added, herself lives in Phillimore Gardens, W8 – one of Britain’s most expensive streets and one where houses regularly sell for upwards of £35 million – and is the very same woman who did little to nothing for the homeless whilst in office. Instead, Borwick mostly asked questions during her time at Westminster in support of the antiques trade in general and the ivory business in particular. She now wants to return.

In spite of Borwick declaring: “I’m not a politician anymore” on The Big Questions, her very own website tells a very different story. Its homepage begins with the announcement: “I have made no secret of the fact that I would like to be re-elected as your Member of Parliament for Kensington and represent my fellow residents in Parliament.” No doubt, soon, ‘Call Me Victoria’ will also be picking up the phones. God help the Conservative Party and God help Kensington.

#bbctbq #lazyborwick

Watch the programme by clicking here (time limited for 29 days).

Lady Borwick on: “Should drugs be treated like alcohol?”

Nicky Campbell: “I know you’re very against drugs, but, of course, George Osborne, David Cameron, Boris Johnson – It didn’t do them any harm did it?”

Lady Borwick: “I am sorry I cannot think of a reason why legalising drugs would be… [Interuption from an audience member] Hang on, I’m not in politics any more… The important point is legalising drugs is not going to make us as a nation healthier.”

Nicky Campbell: “Did you have a drink over Christmas?”

Lady Borwick: “Yes, but not very much.”

Nicky Campbell: “But, then, are you a hypocrite?”

Lady Borwick: “We’re just facing Dry January. We’re telling people they shouldn’t be drinking in January… Why do we want encourage people to get addicted [to drugs]? The most important point is that the drug dealers are not going to go away, they’re not going to give up and tend their own gardens I’m sorry to say. But if you legalise pushing outside our schools… They’ll find some other way of engaging in criminal activity.”

Lady Borwick on: “Is London only for the rich?” and the Grenfell Tower tragedy and gangs

Nicky Campbell: “Well Victoria, you were the MP for [Kensington] and it is a very divided city, London. Most people would agree with that.”

Lady Borwick: “Just a touch. Just a touch. I will touch on Grenfell because you’ve raised that.”

Nicky Campbell: “Can I read out one of your emails because it does concentrate minds on what the problem is.”

Lady Borwick: “I was just going to quickly say, having been to see Grenfell because while… I went to see Grenfell several times. I helped them form a residents’ association because they had some very, very valid concerns. And I of course, I passed on all those concerns to the police. This is no secret. This has been in the Guardian. This has been in the media. But the problem is this is a tragedy and today is all about: ‘Is London too expensive?’ but I think all of us in Kensington, everyone in Kensington and Chelsea, everyone in London appreciates what a tragedy this is and how…”

Nicky Campbell: “But on the subject of the two nations that we are living in in London. Those of us who do and these remarks come from an email [from Lady Borwick]. It’s very interesting because you say: ‘The local community was difficult to help in the aftermath of the disaster because rather like gangs they don’t go into another community.”

Lady Borwick: “I was explaining… I was explaining in a four page email that we need to reach out to them. You cannot expect people to come to you.”

Nicky Campbell: “Why did you say: ‘Like gangs’?”

Lady Borwick: “It’s like communities, groups. It’s just terminology, of you know, saying you’ve got to reach out to people. You’ve not got to expect in life that people are going to come to you. We shouldn’t be judging people. We should be here reaching out. And that’s why when I saw the Grenfell people, I went to see them.”

Audience member: “That’s quite a pejorative term…”

Lady Borwick: “OK, as a group, the people we had to deal with…”

Anna Minton (journalist and academic): “There was an absolute breakdown of relations with the community and local government over Grenfell.”

Lady Borwick: “I agree with that and it’s an absolute tragedy and we must make sure that, that that never, ever happens again… These people had genuine concerns and I went to see them about a whole range of things.”

Alex Proud (restaurateur and gallery owner): “The politicians weren’t interested and aren’t interested. You destroyed the city we live in.”

Lady Borwick: “I’m sorry. I am really sorry. I went and listened to various people and they had genuine, genuine concerns. They weren’t just about those things.”

Nicky Campbell: “Victoria, Victoria… Please… Moving on from Grenfell…”

Lady Borwick: “I don’t want people thinking I didn’t have genuine concerns.”

Lady Borwick on empty housing in London:

Lady Borwick (in response to an audience member saying “housing shouldn’t be about all the investment units in the golden postcodes of Knightsbridge and Kensington”): “We’ve got to have homes that people actually want to live in.”

Nicky Campbell: “Please, Victoria, come on. Let’s have someone else. We’ve got speak to someone else now.”

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The studio audience on the BBC’s Big Question were hosted by Nicky Campbell and included Londoner’s pro and anti-drugs and those interested in the city’s housing crisis.

The rabid right-wing journalist Peter Hitchens was also in the studio; later on Twitter the anti-drugs campaigner lamented: “Sometimes it is useful to have had some practice in being a minority of one in a TV studio.”

‘Made in Chelsea’ ‘star’ Andy Jordan pointed out that the reality show did not portray the reality of life in one of the country’s richest boroughs; he also added: “They showed me driving round in a Ferrari. I actually own a white Transit van.”

Lady Borwick plainly hasn’t caught up with the times. She wore a necklace that proclaimed: “Votes for Women” in spite of the fact that women got the vote in Britain 101 years ago in 1918.

January 7, 2019
Mrs Simpson Farmed in Mayfair

Mayfair “farmhouse” where Mrs Simpson began her affair with the then Prince of Wales for sale for 147% more than it was marketed for in 2012

Last marketed at a price of £4.75 million ($6.04 million, €5.30 million or درهم22.19 million) in 2012 and offered for sale in 2005 at an undisclosed sum also, a house where the then Mrs Simpson began her affair with the then Prince of Wales is again for sale.

Rebuilt in the early 1900s by a Mrs M. Strakosch in “the Gothic style,” Farm House – or 22 Farm Street as it is more simply known – stands on the site of a farmhouse that predated the development of Mayfair.

Entered through a large oak front door that feature the heads of the twelve apostles, the half-timbered house Mrs Strakosch commissioned featured Flemish linenfold paneling and 17^th century doors. Though much of this has now gone, a number of Jacobean and medieval features remain and what is now offered is described as “the perfect space for modern entertaining.”

Farm House, 22 Farm Street, Mayfair, London, W1J 5RQ – For sale for £11.75 million

Gloria Swanson, Gloria Vanderbilt and Thelma Furness

Farm House includes three reception rooms, two kitchens, six bedrooms, four bathrooms, two terraces and a garage. It extends to 4,564 square foot over four floors and was home to the Swiss born Thelma Furness, Viscountess Furness (1904 – 1970), the twice married mistress of the then Prince of Wales and later King Edward VIII between 1930 and 1934, during their relationship.

Furness, whose twin sister Gloria (1904 – 1965) became a Vanderbilt and was also the maternal grandmother of the American news anchor Anderson Cooper, at this time, was friends with Wallis Simpson. She introduced her American friend to the prince at her country house, Burrough Court, near Melton Mowbray, first in 1931 but then became supplanted in his affections in 1934.

With their relationship approaching its end, Furness embarked on a short affair with Prince Aly Khan whilst in America and whilst there allowed Simpson to live in her Farm Street home according to the actress Gloria Swanson (1899 – 1983). Later, in her autobiography Silent Boulevard, Swanson wrote:

“Lady Thelma Furness had a charming house on Farm Street, where her friend Wallis Simpson has kept the Prince of Wales company while Thelma was away in the States.”

Swanson, whilst pregnant, and her then husband Michael Farmer subsequently rented Farm House from Furness and of their time there wrote: “The house was empty for the moment, so we settled in to wait for the baby and see old friends.”

Knight Frank now seek £11.75 million ($14.95 million, €13.12 million or درهم54.90 million) for Farm House. Reportedly, according to a 2012 Mayfair Times article, the property comes with deeds that specifically mention that it still has a “right of way for sheep.”

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January 6, 2019
Seeking Success

Matthew Steeples urges successful readers to help an ambitious young man who had the courage to write to the residents of London’s most prosperous areas asking for advice

A letter came through my door recently from someone I’d never met. It impressed me and I want to share it with you, the successful and the talented.

In it, a 19-year old man named ‘Mark’ told of his struggles to find a fulfilling career in London but he did not bleat. Instead, this plainly bright individual, asked not for money or a job, but simply requested that those reading his missive write to him to share their “take on success [and their] journey to it.”

Adding: “It would mean a lot to me,” Mark then gave his email and I today urge readers to take a moment this Christmas to do something good: Join me and share your stories with him; this youngster deserves hope and he deserves to be saluted for having shown initiative.

Email Mark at [email protected]

The full letter follows:

Dear Sir or Madam

I am writing this letter to ask for your input on what makes people successful.

I am 19 years old and just last year I was working on a construction site in an apprenticeship when one day I looked at everyone working and I could see in their faces that they were not happy. They had to work six days a week to earn enough money to pay the rent and some food bills and from that moment I knew that I had to change my life.

It’s as though I was looking at myself twenty years into the future and as I was walking back to Victoria train station to go home, a brand new McLaren stopped at the traffic lights beside me. I looked at the man driving it and said to myself: “I have to be like him. I have to be financially free. I cannot live the rest of my life on £9 – 10 per hour. I will not settle for that.

So, I quit my job. We as people have only a short time to truly enjoy our lives and I will not spend my time here making slightly above the minimum wage. I am here to take and achieve everything I can.

I know I have what it takes to reach my goals but I am stuck on how to accomplish them. I want to hear other people’s stories for myself, real life journeys, no matter how basic or crazy they are, so I can implement some factors into my own life and achieve my dreams. I have complete confidence in my abilities and will stop at nothing to ensure I reach my purpose.

If you could let me know your take on success or your journey to it, please email email me at [email protected]

It would mean a lot to me. Thank you for taking the time to read this.

Yours faithfully

Mark

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December 28, 2018
Gertrude Bell did NOT live here

Should there be a blue plaque in honour of the controversial explorer Gertrude Bell in Cadogan Square in spite of the fact she did not actually “live” there?

Today, in The Guardian, arts correspondent Mark Brown reported on the controversy that has arisen as a result of English Heritage deciding it appropriate to approve a blue plaque in honour of Gertrude Bell CBE (1868 – 1926) in Cadogan Square, Knightsbridge.

Gertrude Bell has variously been described as an administrator, peace maker, preserver of heritage, pioneer and a woman of international influence. She was also considered a spy and mocked for opposing vote’s for women.

Though home to the explorer’s grandmother and a place she stayed at on “numerous occasions” for over 40 years, Bell’s biographer, Graham Best, asks: “Is this a case of cultural appropriation? … She didn’t really have anything to do with London.”

He continues:

“The thing with Gertrude Bell is that everyone is trying to appropriate her as a person. She is deeply misunderstood.”

“The thing is everyone is trying to grab hold of Gertrude Bell and say yes, she’s one of us. But she’s not.”

Going further, the article also attempts to smear “Queen of the Desert” Bell by referring to the fact that she opposed vote’s for women and repeatedly makes reference to the William Morris designed Red Barns in Redcar being her genuine home.

Just like with Queen Elizabeth I – a woman who seemingly slept in every bed in the land – it is effectively plaques to famous people could end up being put up just about everywhere they ever went. In February this year, The Steeple Times reported on a condominium in Pacific Heights, San Francisco that was for sale complete with a plaque that proclaimed: “2151 Sacramento Street: This house, built in 1881, was once occupied by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.” It turned out that the author had “visited” the building for just a few hours.

Pictured top: Nicole Kidman as Gertrude Bell with Robert Pattinson as T. E. Lawrence in the “muddled mess” that was Werner Herzog’s 2015 film ‘Queen of the Desert.’

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December 26, 2018
From Ceaușescu to The Queen

1967 Rolls-Royce state landaulet originally built for the Communist dictator Nicolae Ceaușescu – but considered too extravagant even by him – and later used by Her Majesty The Queen to be auctioned

Romanian President Nicolae Ceaușescu was a dictator whose extravagance was a bit like that of Barbara Amiel: It knew no bounds. In 1966, ignoring the wishes of his Russian handlers, Ceaușescu decided to order what became the most costly Rolls-Royce Phantom V state landaulet by Mulliner Park Ward ever produced and spent £20,000 in 1966 (the equivalent of £652,000, $824,000, €726,000 or درهم3 million today) creating a truly luxurious vehicle.

Featuring nearly every available option possible, including a rear seat that could be raised or lowered to suit the height of passengers, this luxurious limousine also came with a combination cocktail bar and entertainment cabinet with a television. It had dual air conditioners for both the front and rear compartments, fluorescent lighting for parades at night and a refrigerated wine cooler. So over-the-top was it that, though Ceaușescu allegedly “probably could not have cared less” himself, Leonid Brezhnev, General Secretary of the Communist Party, complained about the lavishness of the vehicle, had it stored for one year and then shipped back to England.

Romanian President Nicolae Ceaușescu and his wife Elena

Replaced with a “more suitable Silver Shadow,” Ceaușescu’s Phantom V state landaulet was sold on to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania based Dr. Erle M. Heath and his wife Bonnie. They used it on a daily basis for three decades and racked up 117,000 miles in it but also loaned it to dignitaries and personalities on occasions. Used to chauffeur Her Majesty The Queen on her state visit to Bermuda in 1975, the car was also her transportation during her visit to the Grand Cayman Islands in 1983.

Subsequently, in 1978, the vehicle also was used by Princess Grace of Monaco in Pittsburgh in 1978 and then after the death of Dr. Heath in 1992, it eventually became part of the Calumet Collection. Exhibited at various concours d’elegance, the Phantom V state landaulet also transported the American astronaut Buzz Aldrin and now has 161,795 miles on its clock.

RM Sotheby’s will sell this “rich in history” car at their Arizona 2019 auction on Friday 18^th January 2019. They offer it with no reserve and an estimate of £791,000 to £1.2 million ($1 million to $1.5 million, €880,000 to €1.3 million or درهم3.7 million to درهم5.5 million).

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December 26, 2018
Punish Pavement Pests

In the wake of a rollerblader causing a woman severe head injuries, Matthew Steeples demands ‘pavement pests’ – including those blessed scooters – be banned from spaces meant for pedestrians

‘Pavement pests’ – adults on both pavements and roads on such things as children’s pavement scooters and rollerblades and people capable of walking on ‘body snatcher’ mobility scooters – truly get my goat.

Having spent a considerable period of the year with my arm in a sling, I was naturally cautious as I wandered about. People with rucksacks were naturally a hazard to keep clear of, but what truly became a danger were those I mentioned above. Each and every time I was bashed into by one, I came to realise what a menace these contraptions and those that use them truly are to anyone who gets in their way.

The author, Matthew Steeples, tries out a mobility scooter with a lady who genuinely needs one; they do have their place.

This week, proof of the true impact of such was provided when a French-born male model, Patrick Nodanche, 28, received a suspended prison sentence of fifteen months. He caused severe head injuries to an investment expert, Jean Hu, 35, when he smashed into her at high speed on rollerblades in Haymarket, London. The consequences for Ms Hu were severe: Since the incident in October last year, she has spent eight days in hospital, has needed specialist home care and has had to abandon her six-figure job at Goldman Sachs as “her injuries make long-distance travel impossible.”

It is now time that the government tightened up legislation in this area. Whilst Nodanche was rightly prosecuted, nothing can currently be done about adults knocking over old ladies on pavement scooters. Whilst one could argue, the populous should just behave responsibly, the images below prove many simply don’t. It is time to push pavement pests into the gutter and it is time to remember pavements are for pedestrians.

#PavementsAreForPedestrians #PunishPavementPests

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The face says it all – This grimacing brat plainly knows she’s doing wrong; I’d send her off to pick litter.

A woman with an electric pavement scooter and a dog in a harness: A danger both to humans and animals.

Headphones, rollerblades and sunglasses – What a truly stupid creature.

A middle aged man who simply looks like a dunce.

Katie Price may be capable of “getting her tits out” but she’s also capable of using her legs; she does not need a mobility scooter and should get off and walk.

This chubby man should follow the lead of the lady on the left and ride the bicycle he has hired on the road; pavements are for pedestrians.

A body snatcher and a bum – This woman should act her age, not her knicker size.

This woman not only is a plague on the pavement because of her pavement scooter, she also has headphones on and thus is an even greater danger.

A prat scoots on.

This woman should remember that the Kings Road is a shopping street; it is not a scooting destination.

At least this fool is wearing a helmet but readers should remember that if you injure him in your car, he’ll still no doubt try and blame you. Get him off the road.

Two electric pavement pests in a cemetery – If they carry on this conduct, there could indeed be further bodies headed there.

Snapped in Walton Street, Knightsbridge – Where does this bozo think he’s headed? Heathrow Airport?

December 23, 2018
Stupid People

The behaviour of Jeremy Corbyn yesterday is indicative of a new low in the conduct of British politicians suggests Matthew Steeples

Yesterday in the House of Commons, yah-boo politics reared its ugly head when Jeremy Corbyn allegedly called Theresa May “a stupid woman.”

In spite of Corbyn now claiming he simply referenced “stupid people,” this storm-in-a-teacup is indicative of the low level British politics have reached. As we face an impasse on May’s completely fudged handling of the disaster that is Brexit, do we need to have to witness this kind of behaviour by a man meant to be the leader of Her Majesty’s Official Opposition?

Elsewhere, Amber Rudd was sent on Sky News this morning to proclaim “the public don’t want another election and Brenda from Bristol especially doesn’t.” What does she want instead? She was not at all clear and later, on Adam Boulton’s All Out Politics, Lord Lamont suggested we’re headed for a second referendum or a “managed no deal.” The man who sang in the bathtub as the pound crashed on Black Wednesday in 1992 made out “all will likely be fine,” but the public rightly see something else: An almighty bloody mess.

It is time for a change: We need a plan and we need solutions. We do not need yet more excuses.

#BringHerDown #MakeDecemberTheEndOfMay

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December 20, 2018
Leave Ambulances Alone

Brexiteers in yellow vests shockingly take pride in blocking an ambulance from Guy’s and St Thomas’ hospital on Westminster Bridge

Yesterday, Leave.EU’s official Twitter account proudly shared a video of Brexiteers in yellow vests blocking the road on Westminster Bridge.

Aside from declaring that “this is what happens when the establishment ignores the will of the people,” whoever posted this message on behalf of this ragbag organisation added a video of the protestors refusing to let an ambulance on an emergency run through.

Widely condemned elsewhere on Twitter by amongst others Sky News’ political editor Faisal Islam, the footage of this despicable occurence has been retweeted over 3,250 times and liked by over 6,300 people. With comments such as “you vile bastards” and “next week they’re gonna film themselves kicking a lollypop lady, that’ll show the elite” submitted in response, here is an account of behaviour that not even the miners would have stooped to in 1970s and 1980s.

Shame on Leave.EU and their cohorts for this supporting those acting in such a repugnant and irresponsible fashion; it only confirms how twisted they truly are.

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December 16, 2018
Caught on Caramel

Fire at Caramel restaurant in South Kensington suspected to be arson

Now, in the wake of the fire at Caramel restaurant on Brompton Road, South Kensington last week, police have released images of two men they wish to question in regard to what they now suspect to be arson.

One of the men police wish to question

The damage to the restaurant was extensive

Damage to both the restaurant and four floors above the building as a result of the “deliberately lit” fire is now reported to be “serious” though thankfully there were no injuries. Around 30 people had to be evacuated at around 3am and the blaze was contained eventually at 4.30am after the arrival of 6 fire engines and 40 firefighters.

One of the men is described as wearing a black/navy blue parker jacket with lighter coloured fur-like lining around the hood, dark jogging bottoms with lighter coloured horizontal lines on the rear, a round-neck dark-coloured sweatshirt and black trainers. The other is described as wearing a light coloured brown jacket, dark coloured trousers and black shoes.

Witnesses and those who know the identities of the men are asked to call 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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December 10, 2018
Caramelized

Frontage of former La Brasserie premises in South Kensington – now Caramel – burnt to a crisp

Last night, at around 3.30am, the frontage of Caramel on Brompton Road in South Kensington went up in flames.

Situated on Brompton Cross within the former premises of the much loved and now much missed La Brasserie, the new restaurant’s Christmas decorations, awnings and entrance door suffered the brunt of the damage. Flames, however, also caused further damage to the exterior of apartments on the four floors of the building above – where occupants include the Bullitt actress Jacqueline Bisset.

The restaurant’s Christmas decorations prior to the fire

A police officer guarding the exterior of the building on Monday morning told The Steeple Times: “We do not yet know what started the fire and are awaiting investigators to arrive.”

A passerby added: “We all miss La Brasserie but this is tragic for a new business at this time of year.” Another, in contrast, remarked: “It’s rather ironic that Caramel’s mission statement is: ‘Have you been Caramelized?’ isn’t it? This place certainly has.”

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December 6, 2018