Tag: Prime Minister

Jules Knight: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”

The Steeple Times asks actor Jules Knight: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”

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

Vino, feminae et Carmen.

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

“Ask, believe, receive”.

Kerry Katona was considered unacceptable in 2007. Who or what is unacceptable in 2013?

I find the fact that we make celebrities of people in reality TV shows unspeakably depressing.

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

I miss my father who died a few years ago.

What might you swap all your wealth for?

If I had a choice between being wealthy and alone or poor and in love, I’d definitely choose the latter. Preferably someone like Mila Kunis if you can arrange it.

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?

I think a lot of people and companies made mistakes driven by greed and no one seemed to learn from historical mistakes. I’m not against big bonuses if they reward success. I believe in a meritocracy.

What phrase or word do you most loathe?

“We are experiencing high call volumes (today, yesterday and every other day you’ve called). Your call is important to us (so important that we have 2 non English speaking people working to answer 5000 calls a day). Please Hold (whilst you are charged 50p per minute so that when we answer we can tell you that what you want us to do is not possible”.

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

Over the years I’ve performed at a lot of charity events and helped them raise money in all sorts of ways. On a personal level, I think the British Heart Foundation is a great charity and I have a soft spot for WWF. But aside from wrestling, that wildlife charity is good too.

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’re a blessing and a curse. I use mine to run my whole life. It practically brushes my teeth for me. But when I lose it or it breaks I feel completely helpless. Sad really.

BBC1’s “Holby City” actor and former member of vocal group Blake Jules Knight

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

Ricky Gervais, Stephen Fry, Anthony Hopkins, Christian Bale and Jennifer Aniston. A few drinks, a few laughs and then perhaps make love. Not all together. There isn’t room in that bar.

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

I have a feeling they’d make me have it in prison but if they were foolish enough to allow me to have it in, let’s say, The Fat Duck, I’d do that and then have a couple of pints in a pub in Bray, chill out for a few hours and then, well, go home and relax. Phew that was close.

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

I never really drink before 6pm unless there is a plan to start early. In which case, I can be persuaded.

A Negroni, a martini or a cup of tea?

A vodka martini with Grey Goose and a twist. That gets things started nicely.

Whose parties do you enjoy the most and why?

There is a yearly polo party that Audi put on for about 200 people that is the best of the year. Talented, interesting guests from the world of sport, acting and music, lots of champagne, cocktails, amazing food. It turns into one big house party in a field.

Who is the most positive person you know?

My old boss, Nigel Evans MP. He’s a lovely chap.

What’s your most guilty pleasure?

Pickled eggs.

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

“Get it Here”.

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

A Range Rover Evoque. A fusion of classic and contemporary, urban and rural.

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

I wanted to be in the army. Now I prance around treading the boards.

What’s currently sitting on your mantelpiece?

My Classical Brit is wedged between my two degree certificates: a woeful 2:2 MA in Art History from St Andrews and my MA in Acting for Screen from the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama.

Jules Knight is an actor and former member of the Blake, the vocal group widely known for having been formed on Facebook in 2007. He appears in BBC1’s Holby City from 14^th May 2013 as Dr Harry Tressler.

Follow him on Twitter at: http://www.twitter.com/MrJulesKnight

April 9, 2013
Stephen Bowman: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”

The Steeple Times asks bass-baritone singer Stephen Bowman: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”

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

Gravity mainly, followed by a healthy fear of dying young. Avoiding skydiving tends to keep both of those fears at bay.

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

“Even a stopped clock tells the right time twice a day” – I’m very sure it’s a brilliant ancient proverb, but I stole it from Withnail and I.

Kerry Katona was considered unacceptable in 2007. Who or what is unacceptable in 2013?

Kerry Katona has redeemed herself greatly since 2007, so I’d say that after his little tantrums in London recently, Justin Bieber is the next in line who needs a little humility injected into his life.

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

I miss long misspent summers in the south of Spain. Long, lazy, hazy days of doing nothing more than sleeping off hangovers and chasing girls. Both were far less painful as a teenager and much less expensive.

What might you swap all your wealth for?

A trip to the moon. I wanted to be an astronaut just before I wanted to be a rock singer; 4-year old children can be so flippant about career choices.

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?

The stupidity and greed of the few created a bed that the rest of us sleep in every day. It’s affected every industry, including music. We now perform most of our big private shows overseas, the UK is very slow and no one wants to be seen spending money on entertainment.

What phrase or word do you most loathe?

“It’s like…”: Massively overused and makes it near impossible for half the population to explain what a simile is.

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

Once you have a smidgen of public profile you have the opportunity to help charities with fundraising and it’s something I jumped at. Over the last 6 years of Blake we’ve got behind many amazing charities, including the British Legion, Variety the Children’s Charity, War Widows’ Association, Help For Heroes, Make A Wish and Nordoff Robbins to name a few. It’s great to think you can make any difference.

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?

I travel by tube quite a bit, where you regularly see the scary sight of an entire carriage of commuters with heads bowed in deep reverence to their ‘iThingamajigs’. The art of conversation on the tube has all but been lost. No one ever looks up long enough to make eye contact. Sad.

Singer Stephen Bowman

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

I’d invite the top 50 speakers from TED, the best panel from QI and Emma Thompson. Between them I’d have enough fantastic conversation to last a train journey to the moon and back, although I’m sure at least a few of the TED company would quickly explain that said journey wouldn’t be technically impossible.

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

The finest meal I’ve ever had was at a restaurant in the Philippines called Antonio’s. It’s up in the jungle surrounding a mighty volcanic crater in the Tagaytay region about an hour from Manila. The owner is obsessed with sourcing the best meat and vegetable produce in the world. A meal is in the region of £120 a head in a country where £120 rents a room for a year. If it was my last meal though, what the hell!

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

Sadly alcoholism runs in my family, so when it comes to how early in the day you can drink, I’m rather conservative on the subject. As a rule I’d say that a gin and tonic at 6pm is a safe start. Earlier, not so.

A Negroni, a martini or a cup of tea?

I’d be lying if I said I knew what either was, showing my lack of knowledge in both classic cocktails and speciality teas. I must study harder in both areas, but never before 6pm for the former of course.

Whose parties do you enjoy the most and why?

Over the last 6 years with Blake I’ve been to some truly wonderful parties, including film premieres, summer car festivals and polo days a plenty. The best yearly event for me is the Audi Royal Polo. We watch the Audi team lose to William and Harry (every year, strangely), Blake perform a cappella on the mainstage (a yearly tradition now, always after a few drinks and with a few slight ‘alterations’ to the lyrics of our songs) and finally dance till 1am. We go all topped and tailed with a private chauffer from Audi there and back. I have an Audi S8 as my personal ride and these parties alone warrant the investment into their fine automobiles.

Who is the most positive person you know?

A rather wonderful lady who works as both celeb booker for Variety the Children’s Charity and as Mike Oldfield’s personal PA. Caroline Monk can giggle you out of the worst depression and bring sunshine to your dullest day, a great friend and an amazing lady with many stories to tell. She’s battled many things in life and will help you find some perspective on those days when all seems against you.

What’s your most guilty pleasure?

Have you ever stumbled across one of those really old episodes of Top Gear on YouTube, with a silly number of views and thought: “Who the hell watches this stuff”? It’s me. I’ve got this thing about watching old car reviews, convincing myself that it’s developing ‘automotive knowledge’ when in fact it’s as pointless as watching ‘talking cats’. Although I can tell you what Jeremy Clarkson’s hair looked like in any year of the last two decades, admittedly a skill in short demand.

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

Probably the Maserati or Alfa Romeo badges. I’ve almost got petrol running through my veins, such is my love for engines and speed. I might as well wear the permanent mark of the two marques who in my opinion and have made the most beautiful machines ever to live.

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

I’d love to be a Maserati, but in reality I’d be one of those cars made in a barn by an eccentric German, using English body parts and a teutonic engine; generally reliable but with occasional breakdowns.

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

I’m no where near as ‘British’ as the PR and marketing of Blake would have you believe. My father is German, my mother is English but descended from the family which Napoleon married into. I got married to a Guatemalan girl when I was 21, divorced when I was 26 and have only dated 2 English girls in my life. All the others were Latino. I almost turned full-tilt ‘Eurotrash’ in 2004 when my hair reached my shoulders in a swept back slick hairdo, a style low point!

What’s currently sitting on your mantelpiece?

As I travel the world singing with Blake (we’ve sung in 22 countries to date) we meet fans who present us with ever more unique personal presents. On my mantelpiece I currently have a Russian Babushka doll with my face painted on it, alongside a crystal reproduction of my Honda Fireblade superbike. Both were given to me by a fan from Russia. I also have ‘fans’ from fans in China and Japan, along with a wooden ‘love spoon’ from the Mayor of Cardiff. It’s useful for tossing salad apparently.

Stephen Bowman is a member of the Blake, the vocal group widely known for having been formed on Facebook in 2007.

View Blake’s official website at: http://www.blakeofficial.com

Follow Blake on Twitter at: http://www.twitter.com/TheBandBlake

Follow Stephen Bowman on Twitter at: http://www.twitter.com/StephenBowman

‘Like’ Blake on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/TheBandBlake

April 9, 2013
Jess Black: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”

The Steeple Times asks artist and animal rights activist Jess Black: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”

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

I think humour. Life is so blah when taking too seriously. I try to find the humour in everything.

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

“No one will fight for you harder than YOU”. You will get a lot of advice, solicited and unsolicited, but at the end of the day you have to trust your own instincts.

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April 7, 2013
Jon Ingram: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”

The Steeple Times asks Blue Boar Smokehouse chef Jon Ingram: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”

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

Seasonality, traceability and simplicity.

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

K.I.S.S. – Keep It Simple Stupid.

Kerry Katona was considered unacceptable in 2007. Who or what is unacceptable in 2013?

Green peppers and bad personal hygiene. They both stink.

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

My family.

What might you swap all your wealth for?

I don’t have any wealth. I’m a chef

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?

Overpaid people that gamble with our money and still get a bonus.

What phrase or word do you most loathe?

“Jambalaya”: I worked with a chef who had it on the menu. I think it is the worst dish I have ever seen or tasted.

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

I donate to Cancer Research every month.

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?

I love my phone. It goes everywhere I do, except for my days off. Then, it generally sits there until I go back to work.

Blue Boar Smokehouse & Bar chef Jon Ingram

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

It would be a real eclectic mix of people such as Tommy Cooper, Burt Bacharach, Marco Pierre White, Jonnie Boer, Dynamo, Lionel Richie, Frank Bruno, Russell Howard, my kids and most importantly my wife.

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

Blue Boar ribs to start and a huge roast beef dinner and chocolate

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

Pubs open at 11am.

A Negroni, a martini or a cup of tea?

Tea: white peony.

Whose parties do you enjoy the most and why?

I’m normally cooking for them, so anyones’.

Who is the most positive person you know?

My wife.

What’s your most guilty pleasure?

A croissant stuffed with a Cumberland sausage.

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

My motto: K.I.S.S.

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

A Morgan: a small fish in a big pond.

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

I’ve got a 100-metre swimming badge.

What’s currently sitting on your mantelpiece?

If I had one, I would put my 100-metre swimming badge on it along with a picture of my wife and kids. I would most definitely not put a carriage clock on it though.

Jon Ingram is the chef of the Blue Boar Smokehouse & Bar in Westminster.

Blue Boar Smokehouse & Bar, 37 – 45 Tothill Street, London, SW1H 9LQ. Telephone: +44 (0) 20 3301 1400. Website: http://www.blueboarlondon.com

Follow Jon Ingram on Twitter at: http://www.twitter.com/ChefIngram

April 5, 2013
Diego Bivero-Volpe: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”

The Steeple Times asks nightlife entrepreneur Diego Bivero-Volpe: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”

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

Be kind. Everyone you meet is fighting a tough battle.

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

Get there on time.

Kerry Katona was considered unacceptable in 2007. Who or what is unacceptable in 2013?

Racism and injustice. I travel quite a bit and I am always taken aback by how prevalent both are everywhere in the world.

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

My family. They are all spread out, far away in different corners of the globe. It is difficult to see them often.

What might you swap all your wealth for?

The wellbeing of my loved ones.

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?

I love that quote but sadly it is indicative of how failed the system is. I used to work in the equity derivatives arm of RBS’ investment bank and I can tell you first-hand it is a cowboy’s game, with a lot of cavalier moves being made at the expense of the general public.

What phrase or word do you most loathe?

Racist slurs.

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

This is probably true but I think all humans have a primal desire and need to help each other. I personally support Nordoff Robbins and Kids Company, both charities that help and provide support and protection for children.

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?

Unfortunately I am incredibly addicted to my Blackberry. Thinking about it, I don’t think it one has ever been more than 5 feet away from my in almost 10 years. That is disturbing.

Diego Bivero-Volpe

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

So many… A random list off the top of my head: All of Led Zeppelin, Marcus Aurelius, Michelangelo, Rodin, Picasso, Piranesi, Buddy Holly, Hobbs, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson and maybe Daniel Tosh because he’s hysterical. It would certainly make for quite the journey all around.

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

It’s hard to say, I am a lover of food, but I recently have developed a new obsession with steak, so maybe that and a spinach, avocado and mango salad. In any case, let’s just hope this situation never happens.

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

The conventional wisdom would dictate after 5pm. If you are on holiday somewhere sunny, a glass of wine or an Aperol Spritz (if in Italy) with lunch is always acceptable.

A Negroni, a martini or a cup of tea?

Vodka martini, dry, 3 olives.

Whose parties do you enjoy the most and why?

It’s a toss-up between very close friends and big luxurious bashes thrown by film studios and such. Both have their perks and are fun in different ways.

Who is the most positive person you know?

I am fortunate enough to have quite a few very positive people in my life.

What’s your most guilty pleasure?

Lazing about in Tuscany for 2 weeks every summer, doing nothing but eating pasta and tanning.

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

I strongly dislike tattoos.

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

A classic Ferrari.

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

I have a masters in journalism and finance.

What’s currently sitting on your mantelpiece?

Lots of pictures of my family, a handmade sculpture made by Amazonian natives and some invites for events this week.

Diego Bivero-Volpe is a partner in Conduit Brands. For more information, go to: http://www.conduitbrands.com
Follow him on Twitter at: http://www.twitter.com/DiegoB_V

April 3, 2013
Hugh Warrender: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”

The Steeple Times asks financier Hugh Warrender: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”

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

I was tempted to put something rude that would be true enough, but there’s a great poem by Rainer Maria Rilke called ‘As Once the Winged Energy of Delight’ (http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/as-once-the-winged-energy-of-delight/) that informs pretty much everything I do or think.

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

If you haven’t tried it, you’ll never know.

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April 2, 2013
Bill Martin: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”

The Steeple Times asks thrice Ivor Novello Award winning songwriter Bill Martin: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”

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

Sir Winston Churchill and all he stood for and to win an Oscar for the best “song” as a songwriter.

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

Immediately forget timewasters.

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March 30, 2013
Boars and politicos

A review of Westminster’s Blue Boar Smokehouse

Westminster is one of the most intriguing parts of London but it can also be one of the most soulless. It’s an area that is inhabited by politicians and civil servants and it is the haunt of tourists. It’s a place of regal pageantry and ceremony but equally, it’s not a place that true Londoners flock to for food or drinks. Yes, of course, the tourists head to see the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey and 10 Downing Street, but locals don’t venture to these historical landmarks all that readily apart from if summoned by Her Majesty, the Archbishop of Westminster or David Cameron.

With the opening of the Intercontinental London Westminster next to Scotland Yard, city centre residents truly have good reason to reconsider their reluctance to consider the culinary offerings of this area. The restaurant and bar at this new hotel, the Blue Boar Smokehouse, is, I would suggest, a great addition to the London restaurant scene and head chef Jon Ingram’s “testosterone-fuelled menu” of meaty delights is most definitely innovative, unusual and spectacular.

The dining room at the Blue Bar Smokehouse & Bar

The bar area is typical of those found in most hotels other than it boasts an amazing collection of gins

I dined at the Blue Boar on a quiet Monday lunchtime with their vivacious PR Jennifer-Anne Sutcliffe. I had sadly missed the launch party Sutcliffe had organised earlier in the month and it was fascinating to learn from her that The Steeple Times roll call and party loving stalwart David Pun had turned up with Mick Jagger’s ex, Jerry Hall. We did laugh about how such an odd union could have come to being. Perhaps one of our readers will be able to conjure up a suitable explanation.

The restaurant itself is named after the 14^th century Blue Boar’s Head Inn that stood on the site until it was demolished in 1899 but apart from its name, it bares little resemblance to a public house. The decoration is simple yet elegant and one could just imagine Francis Urquhart of House of Cards legend plotting the downfall of his contemporaries here. No doubt budding future Cameronites and Millibands will indeed be spotted whispering over pulled lamb shoulders and perhaps, even, a Blair-Brown style Granita pact could even happen at a table at the Blue Boar.

Artwork depicts many political subjects including the eras of Blair and Major

Mayor of London Boris Johnson even makes an appearance

The art collection of the Intercontinental London Westminster has been sourced by a specialist curator named Peter Millard. It is described as capturing “the essence of British political life” and is themed around being “knowing about the way the world works”. Alongside Gerald Scarfe and Martin Rowson cartoons are two works by Agamaria Pasternak. These contain the faces of every current Member of Parliament and in addition montages of the eras of Tony Blair and John Major before him illustrate memories of recent political history. Much thought has plainly gone into this collection and it is indeed appropriate given the setting.

The restaurant’s menu cleverly combines the use of the best quality British produce with the American pit style cooking of Tennessee and the Deep South. Slow cooked meats and wood-grilled steaks are the order of the day and Ingrams’ 12 spice rub is certainly his signature.

To start, we began with sautéed wild mushrooms served with a crispy duck egg on toast (£8). This simple dish was well executed but the true highlight were the Blue Boar ribs that followed (£8/£15). Spicy and not too sweet, these were as far away from what you’d traditionally expect of ribs as Ken Livingstone is from ever owning a Rolls-Royce. The tender, fleshy meat, which is smoked for some 24 hours, was exceptional and I can genuinely state that I’ve never had ribs as good before.

Though the option of a “carpetbag” Hereford fillet steak stuffed with oysters sounded tempting (£27), I opted for a Yorkshire rose T-bone veal steak. I very much enjoyed it and other dishes such as glazed pork belly served with Coleman’s English mustard and honey (£14.50) sounded equally tempting. To accompany the steak, I tried a portion of the smoky bacon baked beans recommended by Miss Sutcliffe and the restaurant manager. The flavor was perfectly balanced and these are well worth trying.

To conclude, the offering includes options very much suited to the political classes. With dishes similar to what might be found in the dining rooms of the Houses of Parliament, diners can try Cambridge cream (£7), vanilla baked pineapple (£7) or sticky toffee pudding (£5). I plumped for a bread and butter pudding served with marmalade ice cream (£5) and found it most satisfactory. All in all, I’d conclude that this was a meal deserving of a mention in anyone’s edition of political dispatches. Jon Ingram is a chef worthy of great accolade and a plot will no doubt ensue to ensure that this restaurant receives the accolades that it truly deserves.

An old bottle of Booth’s Gin is on display in the bar along with a number of other more unusual examples of this spirit

The wine list at the Blue Boar offers a mix suitable for both wealthy lobbyists and those suffering as a result of George Osborne’s latest budget. Wines start at around £26 a bottle but what truly impressed me – and what I shall certainly return for – is the collection of vintage gins. This is a paradise for any gin lover and with Booth’s Gin topping the list, it is plain that much research has gone into this element of the bar’s conception.

Additionally, for those looking for a new place to brunch on a Sunday, the Blue Boar has a “feasting table” each week. Available from 12.30pm to 3pm each week and priced at £45 per adult and £15 per child, the deal includes unlimited Bloody Mary’s and Buck’s Fizz. In addition to what the Blue Boar call a “butcher’s board” featuring ham hocks, venison and smoked chicken, the offering also includes a seafood bar with oysters, prawns and herrings and a whole selection of salads.

A scary looking boar’s head looks over the political plotting at the Blue Boar

If you are passionate about fine meats, make a beeline for the Blue Boar. Just be sure also to keep an eye out for Bo-Jo under a hog’s head in a hidden corner. It’s probably not as surreal as it sounds.

Blue Boar Smokehouse & Bar, 37 – 45 Tothill Street, London, SW1H 9LQ. Telephone: +44 (0) 20 3301 1400. Website: http://www.blueboarlondon.com

Follow the Blue Boar Smokehouse on Twitter at: http://www.twitter.com/blueboarlondon

March 29, 2013
Jackie Branston: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”

The Steeple Times asks concierge Jackie Branston: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”

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

Inner strength.

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

Fair play.

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March 29, 2013
Taking a view

The sale of a historic £22 million residence on London’s Cheyne Walk

Cheyne Walk in Chelsea is amongst the addresses that an estate agent would describe as “the most sought after in London”. Up there in the company of the Bishops Avenue, Grosvenor Square and Cadogan Square, it has moved from having been home to artists such as Whistler, Turner and George Eliot to now being where such people as Mick Jagger, Roman Abramovich, Terry Venables and Sally Greene choose to live.

Belle Vue House, 92 Cheyne Walk, Chelsea, London, SW10 0DQ

Of the houses there, No. 92, known as Belle Vue House is particularly impressive. Built in 1771, this terraced property stands in the original grounds of Beaufort House, the London residence of the Duke of Beaufort. It is currently for sale for £22,000,000.

The building was reputedly designed by Robert Adam and though no reference to this can be found in the collections of his designs at the Soane Museum, it certainly echoes his style. Constructed from stock brick, this Grade II listed house is nearly 50 foot wide and enjoys southward views across the River Thames.

The builder and first owner of Belle Vue House was John Hatchett, an “eminent 18^th century coachbuilder”. He planted a mulberry tree in the garden of the house in 1776 that was described by the historian Faulkner as being what he “reckoned one of the finest trees of its kind in England”. It remains to this day. Hatchett let the house to Lady Prime from 1778 to 1797 and in due course the property passed to his son, Charles Hatchett F.R.S. (1765 – 1847), a chemist and “voluminous writer”.

The next resident was the Scottish pre-Raphaelite artist and poet William Bell Scott (1811 – 1890) and his wife, Laetitia. A friend and contemporary of Rosetti, he used the building as a “veritable museum” and lived there between 1871 and 1890.

The Right Honourable The Earl of Beaconsfield KG PC FRS, Benjamin Disraeli (1804 – 1881) lived in Belle Vue House during his second term in office

The canopy installed by Disraeli that protected Queen Victoria from the elements

At various times, other distinguished occupiers have included John Marshall F.R.S. (1818 – 1891), a “distinguished anatomist” and professor of anatomy at the Royal Academy and the British Prime Minister, Benjamin Disraeli (1804 – 1881). Disraeli lived in the house for two years during his second premiership and is said to have constructed the canopy that links the front door of the house to the road so that Queen Victoria could “visit in privacy and be protected from the weather”.

Sir Rex Harrison (1908 – 1990) and his actress wife Kay Kendall (1927 – 1959) lived in Belle Vue House in 1958

British film actor Sir Rex Harrison (1908 – 1990) lived in Belle Vue House in 1958 with his actress wife Kay Kendall (1927 – 1959). Their short-lived marriage from 1957 to 1959 ended a year later when the Genevieve star died from myeloid leukemia. Terence Rattigan later immortalised their love story in his 1973 play In Praise of Love and in it Harrison played himself.

Ken and Barbara Follett are amongst other famous occupants of the property

The politician and army officer Sir Patrick Wall (1916 – 1998) took up residence during the 1960s and he was followed by the author Ken Follett and his politican wife, Barbara. Famous for smartening up the Labour Party during the 1980s with what became known as “Folletting”, the house no doubt made the perfect base for the couple’s political salons. The view of the Thames no doubt also provided Mr Follett with inspiration for several of his best-selling novels.

Visitors to the house pass through a grand entrance hall

The staircase is especially impressive

The house features a double drawing room

The dining room is perfect for grand scale entertaining

One of a number of other reception rooms

The last documented sale of Belle Vue House records that it was sold for £3,000,000 in May 2000. Since then, this house, now limewashed in a most distinctive Tuscan colour, has been sympathetically renovated and includes 8,400 square foot of internal accommodation. Grandly proportioned reception rooms number a first floor double drawing room, dining room, library and sitting room and in addition the house features a large kitchen, breakfast room, study, three bedroom suites, a gym and wine cellars.

In the basement, there is is a large and well equipped kitchen

In addition, there is a separate breakfast room

One of three bedroom suites

A bathroom in Belle Vue House

The 64′ garden features a mulberry tree from 1776

The rear garden is especially large for the location and measures some 64’2” by 47’7” and in addition there is a three car garage and additional parking.

Whilst the “beautiful view” has clearly changed since Belle Vue House was built, whoever purchases this house will undoubtedly be someone who will add to its remarkable history.

Belle Vue House, 92 Cheyne Walk, London, SW10 0DQ is for sale through Tancred Lidbury of Christie’s International Real Estate. For more information contact him on +44 (0) 20 7389 2478.

View further details at: http://www.christiesrealestate.com/eng/sales/detail/170-l-78252-302918/belle-vue-house-chelsea-london-en-sw3

March 27, 2013