Tag: London

Beating Borwick

‘The Steeple Times’ urges readers in Kensington to vote tactically to unseat Victoria Borwick

Victoria Borwick, in spite of representing a constituency that was home to a greater proportion of EU nationals than any other London borough in 2016, was a firm advocate of Brexit. In the months since the disastrous vote, she has continued to ignore the fact that 69% of residents of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea voted ‘Remain’ and on that basis we urge readers based in the locality to vote against her in the forthcoming general election.

Though Theresa May supporting Lady Borwick has a majority of 7,361 (21.1%), the best way to unseat her would be a high turnout and for voters to unite behind one candidate. Whilst Labour have previously come second, most will be unable to engage with the thought of backing Jeremy Corbyn and on that basis, the only option is the Liberal Democrat candidate Annabel Mullin.

Annabel Mullin is the only candidate who can realistically unseat the Tories in Kensington

Victoria Borwick does not represent the views of her constituents on membership of the European Union

April 25, 2017
Michael Heaver

The co-owner of the right-wing Westmonster website terms his ethnicity “milk bottle white” and claims there are “tons of burkas” on the streets of East London. Naturally a fan of Marine Le Pen and Donald Trump and of the belief that England is the land of “soft justice”, Michael Heaver loathes what he describes as the “pathetic” Hope Not Hate campaign and claims Nigel Farage is responsible for the rise in the usage of the usage of “political elite” and “establishment” as descriptions. He previously worked as UKIP’s head of online engagement and was once mocked as “another useful idiot” and a “remarkably unpleasant child”.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ohIm78FLEA

April 25, 2017
Marked by Mice

Scott’s in Mayfair to reopen after closing due to a mice infestation; Montpeliano remains open in spite of receiving a Food Standards Agency rating of zero out of five

Today, Scott’s restaurant in Mount Street, Mayfair reopens after having been closed for six days for what they called “a spring clean and revamp”.

The restaurant, which is owned by bouffant haired Richard Caring, in fact, actually received a food hygiene rating of 1/5 – which indicates a “major improvement [is] necessary” – on 13^th February and was especially criticized for standards of cleanliness and management of food safety. In particular, according to the Mail Online’s Shari Miller, the report highlighted: “During the inspection it was noted that there was a significant issue with mice activity throughout the premises”.

Of this development at a restaurant loved by many, a spokesman for Scott’s told the Mail Online:

“We are shocked that the council found a reason to reduce our rating despite 10 years with a spotless record”.

“The issues identified were dealt with immediately and we pushed for Westminster Council to return and regrade us before we closed for a long-term planned refurbishment of the restaurant”.

“We are more than happy for them to come back when we open as we are totally confident of retaining our five-star rating”.

“[This was a] wake-up call… And a reminder that for us to maintain our exacting standards, we must put in our own intense checks on top of outside agencies”.

Elsewhere, Knightsbridge’s Montpeliano retains a rating of zero on the Food Standards Agency website. Awarded the truly dreadful score on the 21^st September 2016, this “garden style restaurant” opened in 1974 and describes itself as “the place to go for dressy, classic Italian cooking”.

April 24, 2017
A Serious Shed

South Kensington flat with ‘summer house’ shed for sale for £3.25 million

An apartment in Malvern Court, SW7 has gone on the market for £3.25 million ($4.2 million, €3.9 million or درهم15.3 million). It comes with an extra one wouldn’t expect to find with a pre-war mansion block flat just by South Kensington Underground Station – a rather snazzy14’ wide shed described as a “summer house or office”.

Offered by Knight Frank, the 1,571 square foot 3 bedroom, 3 bathroom lateral ground floor apartment has a good sized reception room, a dining kitchen and a utility room and is directly adjoined by a private landscaped garden with a water feature. It is held on a lease with approximately 99 years remaining and is subject to a service charge of £8,000 per annum ($10,300, €9,400 or درهم37,700 per annum).

Residents of this portered block also have the right to apply for access to the communal gardens of Onslow Square.

April 24, 2017
(Not) Wedded by Ward

Loudmouth champagne swiller Dawn Ward once again fails to get permission to turn her vulgar home into a wedding venue

Marketing material for Dawn Ward’s tastelessly decorated home, Warford Hall, near Alderley Edge in Cheshire, boldly describes it as “the finest entertaining house ever conceived”. She’s failed to generate any interest in it since putting it on the market for the ridiculously ambitious sum of £12 million ($15.4 million, €14.4 million or درهم56.4 million) and has now, once again, failed to get planning permission to turn the building into a conference centre and banqueting venue for boot camps, functions and weddings.

Of why he scuppered Mr and Mrs Ward’s application as an “inappropriate development in the Green Belt”, planning inspector Jonathan Clarke remarked:

“I have found that it has not been satisfactorily demonstrated that the proposal would operate without causing substantial harm to the living conditions of occupiers of nearby dwellings. Therefore, the very special circumstances needed to justify the development do not exist”.

In May 2016, champagne loving, prosecco hating Mrs Ward spoke to the Manchester Evening News about her plans. She moaned:

“Neighbours don’t like noise. I understand. It’s unbelievable. Fair enough (to complain) if you are local, but we are getting complaints as far as Tytherington. How it can affect people as far away as Tytherington I have not idea. It’s ludicrous”.

Later, her husband, former footballer Ashley Ward, added:

“In October 2015 I attended a meeting hosted by the Parish Council at which people were advised that ‘the only way we can stop this application is to ensure we send as many written complaints as possible and beat the number of 60 plus that we managed to raise for the previous owner’s application’”.

“An organised campaign was created with letters of objection even coming from people living completely out of the area and flyers distributed giving tips on how easiest to provide a complaint”.

“I am concerned about the motives for the campaigns against all Warford Hall applications and in particular that this one is prejudicing the facts of the application and the findings of the local authority experts; planning officers, environmental health and highways officers”.

Bad news comes in droves for Dawn Ward, it seems. In February, it was revealed she was being taken to court by her former friend and fellow WAG Leanne Brown in the wake of her having failed to repay a loan of £500,000 ($640,000, €598,000 or درهم2.4 million) and in June 2016 she was convicted of assaulting the singer Sinitta at the now closed Belgravia restaurant Salmontini.

Warford Hall, Merryman’s Lane Great Warford, Alderley Edge, Cheshire, SK9 7TP, United Kingdom

Dawn Ward is a woman known for liking to get her own way

April 21, 2017
Hidden in Hans

Hidden house in Knightsbridge for sale for £1.595 million; it might suit those with an aspiration to live like Julian Assange

A cleverly refurbished ‘hidden house’ behind 163 Pavilion Road in Knightsbridge has been brought to the market by Savills.

699 square foot Hans Cottage has its own private front door, a patio garden and features an open plan reception-kitchen, two bedrooms, two bathrooms and a utility room. It is available on a leasehold basis with approximately 99 years remaining.

£1.595 million ($2.044 million, €1.906 million or درهم7.507 million) is sought for the property – which is just a few hundred metres from the hideout of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange. It was previously marketed for £1.25 million ($1.60 million, €1.49 million or درهم5.88 million) in an unrenovated state in May 2012.

April 21, 2017
Alfie Best – What’s on your mantelpiece?

A 20-question interview with self-made businessman and star of ‘My Fat Gypsy Fortune’ Alfie Best

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

For a man to know where he is going, he must remember where he is from.

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

Life is a light, it is your job to make it shine brighter.

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

Internet trolls who are brave behind keyboards.

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

Time.

What might you swap all your wealth for?

More time.

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?

If you treat the bank as a bank, they will treat you as a customer but if you treat the banks as a partner within your business and build your relationship with the management of the bank, they will consider you as a partner and offer much more insight and help which it is own way, is free to you as a business.

What phrase or word do you most loathe?

“We have a problem”; one man’s problem is another man’s opportunity.

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

I do believe charity begins at home but I also believe giving is not as good as teaching. If you give a man a fish, he will feed his family for a night, show the man how to fish and he will feed his family for a lifetime.

We’re actually setting up own charity – Wyldecrest Parks Charity – which hopefully we’ll be able to help vulnerable people in need.

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?

Connection is unbelievable and the forward bounds it has given us a society is unprecedented but we have to remember not to become disconnected from society.

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

I would fill the carriage with my family and friends and invite Tracy Chapman and the musical artist Rodriguez; I would look for them to enjoy the ride and party whilst it lasted.

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

Pie, mash and liquor at the White House with the President to try and get a reprieve whilst eating my last meal.

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

6:30am with a nice cup of lemon tea.

A Negroni, a martini or a cup of tea?

A cup of tea.

Whose parties do you enjoy the most and why?

I enjoy my son’s parties because the charisma he brings to the room is like a ray of sunshine on the beach.

Who is the most positive person you know?

Me.

What’s your most guilty pleasure?

Chocolate.

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

If I were to have a tattoo, it would state ‘BEST’ across my back because it would mean the best is behind me and there is even better to come.

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

A black Lamborghini.

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

After becoming a millionaire at 20, I nearly went bust and slept in my car for 3 months.

What’s currently sitting on your mantelpiece?

A backward clock – it confuses everyone!

Alfie Best is a successful entrepreneur driven by tenacity. With humble origins, born and raised in a Romany Gypsy family, this self-made man started his professional path totally from scratch. Alongside Wyldecrest Parks, Alfie Best also owns other very successful businesses within the hospitality and leisure, events, trading and finance industries including Vinyl Bar, Kyoto Furniture, Axiom Uno and Wylde Event Management.

Follow him on Twitter at @alfiebest33.

April 20, 2017
A Homely Castle

Britain’s smallest castle is for sale; it comes with 10 acres, a 44 million gallon moat and a narrow boat

Last marketed in 2003 for £1 million (the equivalent of £1.45 million, $1.86 million, €1.73 million or درهم6.83 million today), what is allegedly Britain’s smallest castle is back for sale for the slightly higher sum of £1.75 million ($2.24 million, €2.09 million or درهم8.24 million).

Offered by Belgravia based Henry & James, Starborough Castle is situated on the border of Kent and Surrey and stands in 10 acres of moated gardens and grounds. It is listed Grade II* and also as a scheduled ancient monument.

Dating to around 1754 and constructed on the site of a medieval house built circa 1341, the current dressed stone Neo-Gothic building on the site was restored by a farmer in the 1980s. He sold it to a purveyor of antique maps named Warwick Leadlay (1929 – 2013) in 1995 and in the years since, the grounds were landscaped and outbuildings and a cottage added.

Used by the Leadley family to host a “Glyndebourne of jazz-style” festival and more recently available for both short and long-term lets, Starborough Castle itself currently provides a total of 1,959 square foot of accommodation. There is a mini great hall, minstrel gallery kitchen, two double bedrooms and a bathroom in the main house and a detached one bedroom cottage offers further space for guests.

Of the pint-sized property, James Bailey of Henry & James told the Mail Online:

“It’s an amazing property, a complete one off, and a house of historical importance. The first recorded settlement was there in AD490. The moat was created around the medieval castle that occupied the entire island in the 1300s. That was torn down under Cromwell’s orders in the 1600s”.

“What is there now takes up just a small part of the island, it was built as a summerhouse and you could argue over whether it’s a folly or a castle”.

“It would be a perfect weekend destination place for a professional couple or an individual looking for something unique. The current owners have had it about 20 years and that’s what they have used it for, but they are based in London again now so don’t get to use it much”.

“They also put a barge on the moat to provide extra guest space. It’s a bit of fun, obviously you could only drive it in a circle round the moat, you can’t go anywhere”.

April 20, 2017
Backing Best for Britain

Gina Miller achieves 1,000% of target in less than 24 hours in crowdfunding drive to fund tactical voting initiative against hard Brexit

On Wednesday, businesswoman and philanthropist Gina Miller launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise £10,000 to “support the country’s biggest tactical voting drive ever and stop extreme Brexit”. Within twenty-four hours, that target was smashed and as of 10:30am Thursday morning, the total amount raised stands at £110,000.

Of the initiative, which will fund a group launching next week named ‘Best for Britain’, Mrs Miller told The Guardian:

“We want to build the biggest tactical voting effort in UK history to ensure that candidates across the country that promise to do what’s best for Britain in the Brexit process get the extra support they need to win”.

“If the deal the next government negotiates doesn’t match up to our current terms, MPs should do what’s best for Britain and reject it. We will be asking MPs to pledge to keep an open mind and not be bullied into giving the next government a blank cheque for the final deal”.

“There isn’t time to organise a formal progressive alliance. We have to do what we can in the time available. We need to re-energise people about the importance of voting tactically”.

“We need to have a galvanising moment. We need to have a strategy and a structure… We have to put aside egos. It is about being pragmatic”.

On the page itself, Miller gives further detail of how the money raised will be spent. She remarked:

“We will support candidates who campaign for a real final vote on Brexit, including rejecting any deal that leaves Britain worse off”.

“We will use the money to back candidates who pledge to support a full and free vote on the Brexit deal. We will also work with organisations with the same goals. The money raised will not pay staff salaries”.

Best for Britain has already appointed Eloise Todd, previously executive director of policy for anti-poverty organisation the ONE Campaign, as a campaign director. She added:

“We will support different parties and independents, and organisations working in this space. We are not party political. We stand for democracy in this country and a constitution that respects proper balance of powers and doesn’t railroad the country into an extreme Brexit”.

To support Gina Miller’s fundraising drive, click here. The maximum donation any individual can make is £499.

April 20, 2017
The Cross Word Couple (AKA ‘The Crossword Couple’)

Though never a cross word was uttered between this duo during their visits to the sadly now defunct Chelsea restaurant La Brasserie, their dislike of what they perceived as “loud music” (and other forms of noise) made them retreat to a quiet corner. Known to occasionally ‘share’ a cocktail – though firm believers in “one between two will do” – ‘The Cross Word (or Crossword) Couple’ enjoy puzzles but intensely dislike pointless chit-chat. Cross them at your peril.

April 19, 2017