The Steeple Times

Tag: London

  • Parking a Farmhouse

    Parking a Farmhouse

    Listed Cumbrian time warp farmhouse goes on sale for less than the price of an open-air parking space in London, W2

    A detached, 17th century farmhouse in Cumbria’s Eden Valley has gone on sale for just £290,000 ($378,000, €321,000 or درهم1.4 million) or £10,000 less than the price of an open-air car parking space in London, W2.

     

    Previously listed last year for £225,000 as part of the £2.3 million sale of a 344-acre farm – where then agents Carter Jonas ultimately received 18 offers – Newbiggin Hall Farmhouse at Newbiggin is now marketed by Eden Estate Agents simply with its gardens.

     

    The 4-bedroom house is in need of complete refurbishment but with 2,291 square foot of accommodation and a price that thus equates to the paltry sum of £127 per square foot, it does indeed seem like a genuine bargain.

    The selling agents comment: “The property is Grade II listed and has retained many charming period features, including exposed beams, paneling, feature windows and sandstone flags and stairs. This is a fascinating renovation project with a great deal of potential.”

    Parking a Farmhouse – Newbiggin Hall Farm, Newbiggin, Temple Sowerby, Eden Valley, Cumbria, CA10 1TB, United Kingdom – Grade II listed farmhouse for sale for £290,000 ($378,000, €321,000 or درهم1.4 million) through Eden Estate AgentsParking a Farmhouse – Newbiggin Hall Farm, Newbiggin, Temple Sowerby, Eden Valley, Cumbria, CA10 1TB, United Kingdom – Grade II listed farmhouse for sale for £290,000 ($378,000, €321,000 or درهم1.4 million) through Eden Estate Agents

  • Eileen Gray (1878 – 1976, née Eileen Smith)

    Eileen Gray (1878 – 1976, née Eileen Smith)

    A pioneer of both the Art Deco style and the functionalist Modernist movement, bisexual Irish aristocrat Eileen Gray was best known for designing the Bibendum chair and the E.1027 table. This great tastemaker lived primarily in South Kensington, Paris and the South of France and another of her creations, once owned by Yves Saint Laurent, the ‘Fauteuil aux Dragons’ armchair, sold for £19 million at auction in 2009.

     

    Extremely private, Gray once remarked: “The art of the engineer is not enough… A house is not a machine to live in. It is the shell of man, his extension, his release, his spiritual emanation. Not only its visual harmony but its organisation as a whole, the whole work combined together, make it human in the most profound sense.”

     

    Designer and tastemaker Eileen Gray (1878 – 1976, née Eileen Smith) – A pioneer of both the Art Deco style and the functionalist Modernist movement, bisexual Irish aristocrat Eileen Gray was best known for designing the Bibendum chair and the E-1027 table.A stunning example of Eileen Gray’s work, an S-bend chair, is on display in Room 135, The Dr. Susan Weber Gallery at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London.

     

    Designer and tastemaker Eileen Gray (1878 – 1976, née Eileen Smith) – A pioneer of both the Art Deco style and the functionalist Modernist movement, bisexual Irish aristocrat Eileen Gray was best known for designing the Bibendum chair and the E-1027 table.Eileen Gray also designed the ‘E.1027’ house at Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, overlooking the Bay of Monaco in Franc as a gift for her lover, Jean Badovici, the editor of ‘L’Architecture Vivante’. ‘E’ is for Eileen, ‘10’ for the tenth letter of the alphabet, ‘J’ for Jean, ‘2’ for ‘B’ for Badovici and ‘7’ for ‘G’ for Gray. The building was completed in 1929.

     

    Designer and tastemaker Eileen Gray (1878 – 1976, née Eileen Smith) – A pioneer of both the Art Deco style and the functionalist Modernist movement, bisexual Irish aristocrat Eileen Gray was best known for designing the Bibendum chair and the E-1027 table.The E-1027 table was designed for the eponymous house in 1927.

     

  • Dr Bendor Grosvenor

    Dr Bendor Grosvenor

    Harrow and Cambridge educated Old Masters expert Bendor Grosvenor describes himself as an “occasional ranter” to his 12,000 followers on Twitter. Aside from being amongst the team on the popular BBC One art programme Fake or Fortune?, Grosvenor has co-written a book titled Crap MPs: The 40 Worst Members of Parliament in History and another called Warts and All: The Portrait Miniatures of Samuel Cooper. He edits the extremely informative Arts History News blog, is of British-Swiss heritage and is fourth in line to the Marquessate of Westminster.

     

  • A Spectre of a Landy

    A Spectre of a Landy

    Villain’s Land Rover used in James Bond film ‘Spectre’ to be auctioned in London

     

    A 2014 Land Rover Defender SVX used in the 2015 James Bond film Spectre is to be sold in London in September.

     

    Offered without reserve, the fully UK road legal vehicle – which was one of ten such models specially adapted by Belper, Derbyshire based Bowler Motorsport for the £186 million ($245 million, €208 million or درهم900 million) film starring Daniel Craig – has been driven just 145 miles and unlike its counterparts was only used in drive-by scenes.

     

    Described as “worthy of a Bond villain” and upgraded from 120 bhp to 185 bhp and 500 Nm of torque, the ‘Spectre Defender’ offered also features huge 37-inch tyres, a full roll cage, rose joints and Bilstein rally dampers.

     

    RM Sotheby’s will sell the Land Rover at their Battersea Park sale on 6th September.

     

    Images of the Land Rovers used during filming:A Spectre of a Landy – Villain’s 2014 Land Rover Defender SVX used in 2015 James Bond film ‘Spectre’ to be auctioned in London on 6th September 2017 without reserve by RM Sotheby’s. A Spectre of a Landy – Villain’s 2014 Land Rover Defender SVX used in 2015 James Bond film ‘Spectre’ to be auctioned in London on 6th September 2017 without reserve by RM Sotheby’s. A Spectre of a Landy – Villain’s 2014 Land Rover Defender SVX used in 2015 James Bond film ‘Spectre’ to be auctioned in London on 6th September 2017 without reserve by RM Sotheby’s. A Spectre of a Landy – Villain’s 2014 Land Rover Defender SVX used in 2015 James Bond film ‘Spectre’ to be auctioned in London on 6th September 2017 without reserve by RM Sotheby’s. A Spectre of a Landy – Villain’s 2014 Land Rover Defender SVX used in 2015 James Bond film ‘Spectre’ to be auctioned in London on 6th September 2017 without reserve by RM Sotheby’s.

     

    Images of the car to be auctioned:A Spectre of a Landy – Villain’s 2014 Land Rover Defender SVX used in 2015 James Bond film ‘Spectre’ to be auctioned in London on 6th September 2017 without reserve by RM Sotheby’s.A Spectre of a Landy – Villain’s 2014 Land Rover Defender SVX used in 2015 James Bond film ‘Spectre’ to be auctioned in London on 6th September 2017 without reserve by RM Sotheby’s.A Spectre of a Landy – Villain’s 2014 Land Rover Defender SVX used in 2015 James Bond film ‘Spectre’ to be auctioned in London on 6th September 2017 without reserve by RM Sotheby’s. A Spectre of a Landy – Villain’s 2014 Land Rover Defender SVX used in 2015 James Bond film ‘Spectre’ to be auctioned in London on 6th September 2017 without reserve by RM Sotheby’s. A Spectre of a Landy – Villain’s 2014 Land Rover Defender SVX used in 2015 James Bond film ‘Spectre’ to be auctioned in London on 6th September 2017 without reserve by RM Sotheby’s.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zd-YVnrGfnY

     

  • Done With Diana

    Done With Diana

    Enough is finally enough with press coverage about the late Diana, Princess of Wales

     

    Diana, Princess of Wales has been dead twenty years. It is thus ludicrous that her family continue to have to put up with an endless barrage of articles raking over outdated nonsense about her and though it most definitely suits our government as they can bury yet more bad news about Brexit, the media truly should realise that enough is finally enough.


    Whether the late royal said or did one thing or another is quite irrelevant to anyone alive today and though the history books may take note for the future, daily news reporting should move its focus to issues that actually affect our daily lives. The time to stop over-reporting on this saga passed surely in 2007; that it is still going in 2017 is simply outrageous.

     

  • Strictly Come Mayfair

    Strictly Come Mayfair

    Grosvenor Square apartment for sale; it comes with access to a private residents’ ballroom and will appeal to any fan of ‘Strictly Come Dancing’

     

    Built circa 1958 on the site of an earlier house damaged during the war, a ground floor apartment within 17 Grosvenor Square in London’s Mayfair has gone on sale for £3.75 million ($4.9 million, €4.2 million or درهم18.1 million).

     

    Offered on a lease with 40 years remaining, the 1,481 square foot property includes not only an impressive 29-foot by 17-foot drawing room but also two bedrooms and two bathrooms. It does require but modernisation but comes with a bonus in the form of access to a private residents’ ballroom measuring 55-foot by 22-foot.

     

    That space supposedly can accommodate upto 350 people for a cocktail party and though said to be “rarely used,” it certainly could be the perfect space for any fan of BBC One’s Strictly Come Dancing to practice the Samba.

     

    Agents Wetherell have the listing.

     

    Pictured above: The ballroom shared by residents of 17 Grosvenor Square.

     

    Strictly Come Mayfair – Flat 2, 17 Grosvenor Square, Mayfair, London, W1K 6LB – For sale for £3.75 million ($4.9 million, €4.2 million or درهم18.1 million) through Wetherell complete with access to a private ballroomStrictly Come Mayfair – Flat 2, 17 Grosvenor Square, Mayfair, London, W1K 6LB – For sale for £3.75 million ($4.9 million, €4.2 million or درهم18.1 million) through Wetherell complete with access to a private ballroom Strictly Come Mayfair – Flat 2, 17 Grosvenor Square, Mayfair, London, W1K 6LB – For sale for £3.75 million ($4.9 million, €4.2 million or درهم18.1 million) through Wetherell complete with access to a private ballroom Strictly Come Mayfair – Flat 2, 17 Grosvenor Square, Mayfair, London, W1K 6LB – For sale for £3.75 million ($4.9 million, €4.2 million or درهم18.1 million) through Wetherell complete with access to a private ballroom Strictly Come Mayfair – Flat 2, 17 Grosvenor Square, Mayfair, London, W1K 6LB – For sale for £3.75 million ($4.9 million, €4.2 million or درهم18.1 million) through Wetherell complete with access to a private ballroom

  • Dr No More

    Gatecrasher ‘Dr Nastro’ admits defeat and announces he’ll be retiring from the ligging circuit; perhaps Denis Doble, David Pun and Sandra Shevey ought to follow his lead

     

    On Wednesday, we received a message from a known member of London’s ligging community of aging oddballs using the pseudonym ‘Dr Nastro’.

     

    In an email to our main editorial email address and sent from a Yahoo account, this gatecrasher accused Matthew Steeples of effectively being responsible for his being “banned from venues” and suggested that one of the worst of his very own number “had me thrown out of a place. ” also. He added a link to an article on a website named ‘Stop Wine Liggers’ and rather pathetically concluded: “I will not be going to events any more.”

     

    By return, Matthew Steeples responded:

     

    “I have nothing to do with the website you have linked to – I am busy enough with my own work – but have responded to the comments there. If they decide to publish, you will see my thoughts.”

     

    “I do believe the behaviour of the ligging community is unacceptable. You and your friends do not add to events, they subtract and they are a nuisance to organisers. Some of your number are thieves and others are just racist bigots. Plainly, you have offended the person behind the site you mention but what I cannot understand is why you are surprised.”

     

    “As for giving up going, it is probably the wisest decision you’ve made given the chaos you’ve caused previously. Enjoy your retirement.”

     

    In reply, ‘Dr Nastro’ immediately answered: “I just did it for fun the rest are not [sic].”

     

    Image taken from ‘Stop Wine Liggers’ website.

     

  • Dogging Assange

    Dogging Assange

    Gold wrapped van advertising “elite” dogs parks opposite the Ecuadorian Embassy ‘home’ of bail skipper Julian Assange

     

    The silly season has come early in Knightsbridge: Sighted Sunday evening and parked, rather appropriately, opposite the Embassy of Ecuador ‘home’ of the fugitive bail skipper Julian Assange, was a gold wrapped van advertising protection and guard dogs for sale.

     

    A visit to the website of Elite Protection Dogs London is a revelation. The “superdogs” offered by the firm are described as having “elite genes”, “military bloodlines” and the “highest IQs”. They are marketed as costing in the staggering range of £10,000 to £20,000 ($13,000 to $26,000, €11,000 to €22,000 or درهم48,000 to درهم96,000) and take up to six months to train.

     

    A YouTube video – which bizarrely illustrates the “spa service” for the dogs concerned – follows. They are described as “intelligent warriors” and pictured “perfecting their biting skills” even.

     

  • The Sound of Theresa

    The Sound of Theresa

    In taking three weeks off for a holiday with her ‘Garden Gnome’ hubby, Theresa May has shown where her priorities lie

     

    Whilst orchestrating the most appallingly run election campaign in recent history, Theresa May waxed lyrical about her naughty moments wandering in wheat fields. Now, our Prime Minister, at a time when most would consider themselves lucky to get even a few days off, is jetting off a three-week jaunt with her beloved ‘Garden Gnome-like’ husband, Philip.

     

    Described by the Mail Online as an opportunity to “help her recover from the election disaster”, the couple’s trip will take in northern Italy and the Swiss Alps. No doubt Mrs May will release her inner Heidi and yodel as she wanders and no doubt the hills will come alive to her rendition of The Sound of Music.

     

     

  • Limited in Knightsbridge

    Limited in Knightsbridge

    As Arabs descend on London with their eccentric convoys of cars, we select a new arrival; such things delight some and infuriate others

     

    The time of year is upon Knightsbridge when Arabs and their supercars descend. Amongst them come exotically coloured Bentleys, Bugattis, Ferraris, Lamborghinis and Rolls-Royces, but one new arrival this season is a car we’ll henceforth just called ‘Limited’.

     

    Featuring the number ‘LMIITED’ on a British plate, the gunmetal grey Rolls-Royce Ghost concerned features scuffed black wheels and plainly gets lackadaisically parked wherever its driver chooses. The car’s owner, maybe concerned not to lose it, even shows a picture of what we can only be himself on the vehicle’s rear window.

     

    No doubt it’ll be the first of many eccentric machines to plague the locality in the coming months but as one regular reader remarked: “We do hope they’ll limit the noise.”

     

    A video of ‘The Great Arab Supercar Invasion in London’ follows.

     

    Limited in Knightsbridge – Arab Rolls-Royce Ghost LMIITED