The Steeple Times

Tag: London

  • Wally of the Week – Anne Marie Morris MP

    Wally of the Week – Anne Marie Morris MP

    As Anne Marie Morris offends in describing a “no Brexit” would be “the real nigger in the woodpile”, we remind readers that her partner is a bigot also

     

    A plainly bigoted yet thankfully otherwise little known Member of Parliament named Anne Marie Morris described “no Brexit” as “the real nigger in the woodpile” at a meeting of fellow Brexiteers at the East India Club in London on Monday.

     

    Ms Morris – whose equally noxious partner and agent Roger Kendrick claimed “that the crisis in education was due entirely to non-British born immigrants and their high birth rates” prior to June’s General Election – was rightly suspended by Theresa May and now leaves the Conservatives with a pathetic majority of just 12 in the House of Commons.

     

    Bizarrely described as a “marketing guru” by elements of the media in spite of this and other PR disasters, Morris plainly has a lack of understanding of what is offensive. She is not only our Wally of the Week but guilty of using racist language also; Anne Marie Morris must go.

     

  • Expensive Shit

    Expensive Shit

    ‘SHIT’ to be sold at Christie’s in South Kensington; it comes at quite a price

     

    A painting which simply depicts the word ‘SHIT’ is to be sold at Christie’s in South Kensington, London this month.

     

    Offered with an estimate of £2,000 to £4,000 ($2,590 to $5,180, €2,260 to €4,520 or درهم9,470 to درهم18,940) in spite of having been painted with household gloss, the work by Kent born, New York based artist and filmmaker Sarah Morris (born 1967) is 153 centimetres by 244 centimetres and simply reads: ‘SHIT’ in capital letters.

     

    Other works by Morris are displayed at Gloucester Road tube station, the V&A and the Tate Modern in London, the Hamburger Bahnholf in Berlin, the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York and the Palais de Tokyo in Paris.

     

    Christie’s will auction the work, which is dated 1996 on the reverse, on 19th July. It was acquired by the current owner from Jay Jopling in London.

     

    Expensive Shit – Painting by Sarah Morris to be auctioned – ‘SHIT’ to be sold at Christie’s in South Kensington, London on 19th July 2017; it comes at quite a price and is by artist Sarah Morris. Estimate of £2,000 to £4,000 ($2,590 to $5,180, €2,260 to €4,520 or درهم9,470 to درهم18,940)
    Sarah Morris with another of her works; she is described as having a style that uses bright color fields and graphic line work, often referencing elements of architecture and taking titles from bureaucratic institutions.
  • The Lady is a Snob

    The Lady is a Snob

    Lady Meyer makes snobbish remarks on Twitter; in doing so she again proves she’s herself nothing but ghastly

     

    The infamously “Chanel clad” wife of Sir Christopher Meyer, Britain’s former “red socked fop” ambassador to America, is known for her curt manner and finger pointing ways, but recently on Twitter, she opted to again illustrate her true persona.

     

    In a tweet late last month, Lady Meyer CBE – a woman whose insistence to point out the letters after name on her account also shows her obsession with social status – remarked:

     

    “Righ [sic] vs left; Labour vs Con. It’s insane. Sadiq Kahn [sic] at a Chanel party tonight – now that is insane!”

     

    Aside from providing evidence of her inability to spell, Theresa May supporter Lady Meyer’s disrespectful remark about Mayor Sadiq Khan PC tells all anyone needs to know: It simply proves this ghastly woman to be nothing but a snob.

     

  • A Slumping Square

    A Slumping Square

    Eaton Square penthouse offered for £825,000 or 30% lower sum than it was marketed for two years ago; it comes with several catches

     

    A penthouse in Eaton Square, Belgravia has gone on sale for £1.925 million ($2.483 million, €2.178 million or درهم9.121 million) in spite of being held on a lease with just 16 years remaining and being in a building with a Blue Plaque to the paedophile politician Lord Boothby (1900 – 1906).

     

    A Slumping Square – Flat K, 1 Eaton Square, London, SW1W 9DA, United Kingdom – For sale through Savills for £1.925 million ($2.483 million, €2.178 million or درهم9.121 million) with 16 years left on lease. Paedophile politician Lord Boothby lived in the building until his death.
    1 Eaton Square was home to Lord Boothby until his death in 1986

     

    The fourth floor lateral flat – complete with colourful wallpaper and furnishings that would make even Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen blush – on offer at 1 Eaton Square spans two buildings and was previously offered for £2.750 million ($3.548 million, €3.111 million or درهم13.029 million) two years ago. It totals 1,202 square foot and includes a reception room, a dining kitchen, 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and a roof terrace.

     

    For sale through Savills, the Grade II listed, portered apartment is subject to a service charge and ground rent totaling £10,000 per annum ($12,900, €11,300 or درهم47,400 per annum) also.

     

    A Slumping Square – Flat K, 1 Eaton Square, London, SW1W 9DA, United Kingdom – For sale through Savills for £1.925 million ($2.483 million, €2.178 million or درهم9.121 million) with 16 years left on lease. Paedophile politician Lord Boothby lived in the building until his death.A Slumping Square – Flat K, 1 Eaton Square, London, SW1W 9DA, United Kingdom – For sale through Savills for £1.925 million ($2.483 million, €2.178 million or درهم9.121 million) with 16 years left on lease. Paedophile politician Lord Boothby lived in the building until his death. A Slumping Square – Flat K, 1 Eaton Square, London, SW1W 9DA, United Kingdom – For sale through Savills for £1.925 million ($2.483 million, €2.178 million or درهم9.121 million) with 16 years left on lease. Paedophile politician Lord Boothby lived in the building until his death.A Slumping Square – Flat K, 1 Eaton Square, London, SW1W 9DA, United Kingdom – For sale through Savills for £1.925 million ($2.483 million, €2.178 million or درهم9.121 million) with 16 years left on lease. Paedophile politician Lord Boothby lived in the building until his death. A Slumping Square – Flat K, 1 Eaton Square, London, SW1W 9DA, United Kingdom – For sale through Savills for £1.925 million ($2.483 million, €2.178 million or درهم9.121 million) with 16 years left on lease. Paedophile politician Lord Boothby lived in the building until his death.

  • Donald’s Duck

    Donald’s Duck

    Weak and wobbly Theresa May becomes dastardly and dominant Donald Trump’s (dead) duck at the G20 in Germany

     

    Up north people often say: “Ay up me duck” when they meet someone and yesterday Theresa May looked as if she wanted to come out with such when she encountered “pussy grabber” Donald Trump.

     

    Pictured with her hand tightly clasped by Mr Trump at the G20 in Germany, the worst sartorially advised woman on the planet, smiled with smugness as the 45th POTUS spoke of the “very special relationship” between her and his administrations.

     

    In comments that prove Britain’s dead duck PM is nothing but a pillock and a poodle, ‘The Donald’ then added: “I will be going to London.”

     

    God help Great Britain. What on earth have we become?

     

  • Sandra Howard – What’s on your mantelpiece?

    Sandra Howard – What’s on your mantelpiece?

    A 20-question interview with Sandra Howard – novelist, former model and wife of Conservative politician The Rt. Hon. Lord Howard of Lympne

     

    The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force?

    Seeing the upside of life and what’s to laugh at.

     

    “Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?

    Perseverance pays.

     

    Kerry Katona was considered unacceptable in 2007. Who or what is unacceptable in 2017?

    Kim Kardashian’s bottom.

     

    Tony Blair misses being Prime Minister. What do you miss most in your life?

    Talking to my mother – She was a sage and a wonderful rock.

     

    What might you swap all your wealth for?

    A continuing, happy, healthy marriage.

     

    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 state of the financial system?

    That’s too taxing for my ‘small bear’ financial brain. Well above my pay grade.

     

    What phrase or word do you most loathe?

    “At the end of the day” and I’m not mad about: “You know what?” (Jeremy Corbyn’s favourite phrase).

     

    In the UK, some people consider charity to “begin at home”. What’s your view and what causes do you personally support?

    It should begin at home and continue overseas. I’d hate to see our foreign aid budget cut. I support Addaction (to help people off drugs), Youth Epilepsy and Hospice UK.

     

    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 rule our lives, sometimes for better and frequently for worse.

     

    If you could fill a carriage on The Orient Express, who would be your fellow passengers?

    All my closest (bridge-playing and witty) friends.

     

    If you were unfortunate enough to end up on death row, what would be your last meal and where would you eat it?

    Fresh crab, Dover sole, some delicious smelly cheese and a ripe mango. I’d eat it on Grand Anse Beach in Grenada, slipping in a last swim in that glorious clear sea.

     

    What time is it acceptable to consume the first drink of the day?

    A Buck’s Fizz at breakfast isn’t a bad start to the day.

     

    A Negroni, a martini or a cup of tea?

    A cup of tea.

     

    Whose parties do you enjoy the most and why?

    Other peoples’ – I’m a mess of nerves when giving one of my own.

     

    Who is the most positive person you know?

    My husband – Most of the time.

     

    What’s your most guilty pleasure?

    A day (or more) entirely to myself to write in peace and privacy, not doing any of all the stuff, emails etc. that gets in the way.

     

    If a tattoo were to sum you up, what would it be of?

    A black cat – I think I’ve had lots of luck in my life.

     

    If you were a car, what marque would you be?

    A Mini Cooper is about my marque – fast, but I hope not flashy.

     

    Cilla Black presented Surprise, Surprise. Tell us the most surprising thing about you.

    I’m a passionate supporter of Liverpool Football Club.

     

    What’s currently sitting on your mantelpiece?

    Family photos, a pair of china cockerels and a vase of lovely lavender freesias.

     

    Sandra Howard has quickly established herself as a successful author and journalist. She has written six novels; her latest, ‘The Consequence of Love’, is published on 13th July. She was, in the 1960s, a leading photographic fashion model and lives in London and Kent.

     

    Follow Sandra Howard on Twitter at @howardsandrac and like her page on Facebook at @sandrahoward76.

     

  • Anything But Liberal

    Anything But Liberal

    Former Liberal Democrats headquarters for sale for somewhat reduced but still anything but liberal sum of £36 million (to include a Rodin)

     

    A building that was originally the London office of the North Eastern Railway Company and the headquarters of the Social Democratic Party and then their successors, the Liberal Democrats, between 1982 and 2011 has gone on sale for £36 million ($46.9 million, €41 million or درهم172.1 million) – with all furnishings and a bronze sculpture by Rodin said to be amongst the luxury items included in the price.

     

    Anything But Liberal – Mansion House, 4 Cowley Street, London, SW1P 3NB, United Kingdom – Former Liberal Democrats headquarters for sale for the somewhat reduced but still anything but liberal sum of £36 million ($46.9 million, €41 million or درهم172.1 million). Developed by Saigol DDC and price includes a Rodin bronze sculpture.
    Then Liberal Democratic Party leader Nick Clegg outside 4 Cowley Street in 2010
    Anything But Liberal – Mansion House, 4 Cowley Street, London, SW1P 3NB, United Kingdom – Former Liberal Democrats headquarters for sale for the somewhat reduced but still anything but liberal sum of £36 million ($46.9 million, €41 million or درهم172.1 million). Developed by Saigol DDC and price includes a Rodin bronze sculpture.
    A protest outside 4 Cowley Street during the Liberal Democrats’ tenure of occupation

     

    Offered to rent in 2011 for £225,000 per annum ($291,000, €256,000 or درهم1.1 million per annum) and then sold for around £10.8 million ($14 million, €12.3 million or درهم51.4 million), Mansion House – as it has now been rather grandly named – is situated in Cowley Street, Westminster. Constructed in 1905 and Grade II listed, this dark red brick terraced town house was designed by Horace Field and is described as being of “lavish late 17th century style, rather out of scale with its neighbours but with fine Arts and Crafts detailing.”

     

    Consisting of 7,000 square foot of accommodation whilst in use as offices, developers Saigol DDC have expanded the space provided to create an 11,075 square foot residence of mammoth proportions. Aside from 5 reception rooms, 7 bedrooms and 6 bathrooms, the 5-storey mansion has an 8-person lift, a wine room, an indoor swimming pool, a gym and a roof terrace.

     

    Mansion House, which is for sale through Knight Frank, was previously listed earlier this year for the higher price of £42.28 million ($54.77 million, €48.22 million or درهم201.21 million). The effects of Stamp Duty hikes, Brexit uncertainties plainly might cause it to fall yet further.

     

    Anything But Liberal – Mansion House, 4 Cowley Street, London, SW1P 3NB, United Kingdom – Former Liberal Democrats headquarters for sale for the somewhat reduced but still anything but liberal sum of £36 million ($46.9 million, €41 million or درهم172.1 million). Developed by Saigol DDC and price includes a Rodin bronze sculpture.Anything But Liberal – Mansion House, 4 Cowley Street, London, SW1P 3NB, United Kingdom – Former Liberal Democrats headquarters for sale for the somewhat reduced but still anything but liberal sum of £36 million ($46.9 million, €41 million or درهم172.1 million). Developed by Saigol DDC and price includes a Rodin bronze sculpture.Anything But Liberal – Mansion House, 4 Cowley Street, London, SW1P 3NB, United Kingdom – Former Liberal Democrats headquarters for sale for the somewhat reduced but still anything but liberal sum of £36 million ($46.9 million, €41 million or درهم172.1 million). Developed by Saigol DDC and price includes a Rodin bronze sculpture.Anything But Liberal – Mansion House, 4 Cowley Street, London, SW1P 3NB, United Kingdom – Former Liberal Democrats headquarters for sale for the somewhat reduced but still anything but liberal sum of £36 million ($46.9 million, €41 million or درهم172.1 million). Developed by Saigol DDC and price includes a Rodin bronze sculpture.Anything But Liberal – Mansion House, 4 Cowley Street, London, SW1P 3NB, United Kingdom – Former Liberal Democrats headquarters for sale for the somewhat reduced but still anything but liberal sum of £36 million ($46.9 million, €41 million or درهم172.1 million). Developed by Saigol DDC and price includes a Rodin bronze sculpture.Anything But Liberal – Mansion House, 4 Cowley Street, London, SW1P 3NB, United Kingdom – Former Liberal Democrats headquarters for sale for the somewhat reduced but still anything but liberal sum of £36 million ($46.9 million, €41 million or درهم172.1 million). Developed by Saigol DDC and price includes a Rodin bronze sculpture. Anything But Liberal – Mansion House, 4 Cowley Street, London, SW1P 3NB, United Kingdom – Former Liberal Democrats headquarters for sale for the somewhat reduced but still anything but liberal sum of £36 million ($46.9 million, €41 million or درهم172.1 million). Developed by Saigol DDC and price includes a Rodin bronze sculpture. Anything But Liberal – Mansion House, 4 Cowley Street, London, SW1P 3NB, United Kingdom – Former Liberal Democrats headquarters for sale for the somewhat reduced but still anything but liberal sum of £36 million ($46.9 million, €41 million or درهم172.1 million). Developed by Saigol DDC and price includes a Rodin bronze sculpture.

  • Marples Must Go

    Marples Must Go

    1964 Mini Cooper S hatchback designed to carry the golf clubs of the much-loathed Postmaster General, Minister of Transport and alleged tax fraudster Ernest Marples for sale

     

    Twice married and born in Levenshulme, Manchester, Ernest Marples – later Lord Marples – makes the very worst of modern politicians look like relative babes in arms. He can, however, be credited with commissioning a rare thing – the first ever Mini hatchback. Two were made in total and one, which was eventually transferred to the ownership of the politician in 1968, is to be auctioned in July.

     

    Marples Must Go – 1964 Austin Mini Cooper S 1071 originally owned by much-loathed Postmaster General, Minister of Transport and alleged tax fraudster The Rt. Hon. The Lord Marples, PC – Alfred Ernest Marples (1907 – 1978) to be auctioned by H&H Classics on 26th July 2017 – Estimate of £70,000 to £80,000 ($89,500 to $102,300, €79,100 to €90,400 or درهم328,800 to درهم375,900)
    Pictured left: (Alfred) Ernest Marples (1907 – 1978) with his secretary turned second wife, Ruth Dobson. They married in 1956 and he became The Rt. Hon. The Lord Marples, PC in 1974. Pictured right: Lord Marples in his ‘Marples Mini’ (date unknown).

     

    Marples, whose upbringing was within the Labour Party and whose love of eccentric orange-brown shoes and blue suits was well known, worked as a miner, postman, chef and accountant before a stint in the Royal Artillery between 1941 and 1944. He then joined the Conservative Party, was elected Member of Parliament for Wallasey in 1945 and took his first ministerial post in 1951. Promoted by Churchill, Macmillan and Douglas-Home, he rose to become Postmaster General and Minister of Transport and introduced the STD telephone code, the Premium Bond scheme, the first postcodes, the MOT test, roadside single yellow and double yellow lines and possibly, in his most unpopular move of all, traffic wardens.

     

    Aside from his public appointments, controversially, Marples became a director of various companies in the 1940s. Without considering any potential conflicts of interest, he involved himself in firms that built the first motorways and several power stations also and attracted much attention after protestors spray painted a motorway bridge near Luton that his firm, Marples Ridgway and Partners, constructed with the caption: “Marples Must Go!”

     

    Subsequently, Marples brought the government into disrepute through his part in a prostitution scandal and after this was covered up in 1963, he later “cut and run” to Monaco in 1975 to avoid “a substantial tax bill” after being discovered having parked most of his assets in Monaco and Liechtenstein. He spent his final years on his 45-acre vineyard estate in Fleurie, France and died in a Monte Carlo hospital in 1978.

     

    The ex-Ernest Marples 1964 Austin Mini Cooper S 1071 will be sold by H&H Classics at their Imperial War Museum Duxford sale in Cambridgeshire on the 26th July. It has an estimate of £70,000 to £80,000 ($89,500 to $102,300, €79,100 to €90,400 or درهم328,800 to درهم375,900) – a sum that would no doubt, if he were still alive, have money obsessed Marples smiling with glee.

     

    Of the almond green car, which supposedly the hatchback boot was fitted to on the orders of Marples on the basis he wanted to be easily able to fill it with cases of wine and golf clubs, Damian Jones of H&H Classics commented:

     

    “This is not just another Mini. It is history on four wheels. Its former owner, Transport Minister Ernest Marples changed the face of Britain with housing, bridges, motorways. He was a very ‘colourful character’ to say the least. It is fascinating that he chose to buy and use this relatively modest car when going golfing or going to France on holiday. If this car could speak what tales might it tell? It is truly one of a kind.”

     

    Marples Must Go – 1964 Austin Mini Cooper S 1071 originally owned by much-loathed Postmaster General, Minister of Transport and alleged tax fraudster The Rt. Hon. The Lord Marples, PC – Alfred Ernest Marples (1907 – 1978) to be auctioned by H&H Classics on 26th July 2017 – Estimate of £70,000 to £80,000 ($89,500 to $102,300, €79,100 to €90,400 or درهم328,800 to درهم375,900)Marples Must Go – 1964 Austin Mini Cooper S 1071 originally owned by much-loathed Postmaster General, Minister of Transport and alleged tax fraudster The Rt. Hon. The Lord Marples, PC – Alfred Ernest Marples (1907 – 1978) to be auctioned by H&H Classics on 26th July 2017 – Estimate of £70,000 to £80,000 ($89,500 to $102,300, €79,100 to €90,400 or درهم328,800 to درهم375,900) Marples Must Go – 1964 Austin Mini Cooper S 1071 originally owned by much-loathed Postmaster General, Minister of Transport and alleged tax fraudster The Rt. Hon. The Lord Marples, PC – Alfred Ernest Marples (1907 – 1978) to be auctioned by H&H Classics on 26th July 2017 – Estimate of £70,000 to £80,000 ($89,500 to $102,300, €79,100 to €90,400 or درهم328,800 to درهم375,900)Marples Must Go – 1964 Austin Mini Cooper S 1071 originally owned by much-loathed Postmaster General, Minister of Transport and alleged tax fraudster The Rt. Hon. The Lord Marples, PC – Alfred Ernest Marples (1907 – 1978) to be auctioned by H&H Classics on 26th July 2017 – Estimate of £70,000 to £80,000 ($89,500 to $102,300, €79,100 to €90,400 or درهم328,800 to درهم375,900)

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWymCebAl6g

  • A Shoreditch Statement

    A Shoreditch Statement

    A statement from the owners of Trapeze Bar regarding the conduct of their now former general manager Jordan Wells

     

    Yesterday, we reported on a story regarding a bar in the East End coming under fire from the organisers of an event to raise funds for survivors of the Grenfell Tower tragedy.

     

    This afternoon, the owners of Trapeze Bar in Great Eastern Street, EC2A issued a statement to The Steeple Times via Twitter regarding the now much publicised correspondence between its now former general manager, Jordan Wells, and Haqiqi Events on Twitter. It read:

     

    The owners of Trapeze can confirm that following a full investigation, the employee involved has had his contract terminated with immediate effect.

     

    The conduct of the employee does not represent our company’s values and beliefs.

     

    As a gesture of goodwill, Trapeze Bar has donated £2,000 to the British Red Cross London Fire Relief Fund which has been co-ordinating efforts to support the residents and neighbours impacted by the Grenfell Tower fire, effectively doubling the target amount set by the event.

     

  • Tea at Blakes

    Tea at Blakes

    Matthew Steeples takes tea in the delightful courtyard garden at Blakes Hotel in South Kensington, London

     

    Blakes Hotel is synonymous with the now much overused description “boutique hotel” and is generally considered the world’s first. It opened in 1978, is a destination that is popular with the likes of Seal and Sharon Stone and was also the place The Steeple Times chose to launch exactly five years ago in June 2012.

     Tea at Blakes – Matthew Steeples takes afternoon tea in the delightful courtyard garden at Blakes Hotel in Roland Gardens, South Kensington, London, SW7 3PF.

     

    Aside from moving the restaurant of this enchanting South Kensington palace of opulence to the building’s ground floor last year, the hotel’s rear courtyard was transformed by designer Matthew Williamson in mid-2016. Featuring bright colours and such things as a prancing zebra, I recently enjoyed tea there in the summer heat with my friend Ekaterina Fields. I was charmed by not only the most attentive of staff but also the finest small-batch teas by a firm named Lalani & Co.

     

    Available for £12.75 and each paired with éclairs by Maître Choux, Blakes have curated four teas that will take you on a journey through Kyoto, Megalaya and Nepal. They range from the fruity to the chocolaty in taste and accompanied by a glass of prosecco or gin and tonic, one is left asking: “What could be better on a balmy June afternoon?”

     

    Blakes Hotel, 33 Roland Gardens, London SW7 3PF. Telephone: +44 (0) 20 7370 6701.