Criminal John Palmer should be remembered as a crook rather than a character (more…)
Tag: Somerset
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Joshua Bonehill-Paine
A far-right fanatic and Internet troll, Yeovil based Joshua Bonehill-Paine describes himself as a “nationalist, fascist, theorist and supporter of white rights”. (more…) -
Jill Dando (1961 – 1999)
Somerset born Jill Dando was the greatly respected presenter of the BBC’s Crimewatch between 1995 and 1999. (more…) -
Keith Floyd (1943 – 2009)
This wine loving chef was brought up in a council house but educated at Wellington. After finding that he and the army were “mutually incompatible”, Keith Floyd took a job as a vegetable peeler. From this humble start, he progressed to owning a number of restaurants and presenting cooking shows for the BBC. Married four times and bankrupted twice, Floyd left just £7,500 in his will. -
The Rt. Hon. Margaret Bondfield PC (1873 – 1953)
“The name’s Bondfield, Margaret Bondfield”: This left-winger was the first female Cabinet Minister in the UK and the only woman present at the Accession Council which proclaimed King George VI’s accession to the Throne upon the abdication of King Edward VIII. The daughter of a textile worker, Bondfield was only in Parliament between 1926 and 1931 but will forever be remembered for “improving the lot of the downtrodden”. -
Picture of the Week: Soggy socked Sam
The plight of Somerset’s ‘King Canute’ Sam Notaro sums up how bad flooding in the UK is
The arrogance of government ministers about flooding and the many victims who’ve been underwater since December has been surprising but our Picture of the Week is what truly sums up the mess so many are in. (more…)
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A tribute to the King of Gin
Our tribute to Martin Miller
We learnt yesterday via Facebook that the founder of Martin Miller’s Gin and Miller’s Antiques Guides, Martin Miller, had died. Like many others, we were shocked and astounded by this terrible news. (more…)
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An orgy of a mansion
Repossessed Somerset mansion goes to auction for just £250,000
It’s rare to find Grade I mansions in the hands of the receivers, but Halswell Park in Somerset is an exception to that rule. Now, Clive Emson auctioneers on behalf of Citi Private Banking, seek just £250,000 to £500,000 for the main house and £635,000 to £960,000 for the entire estate. (more…)
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Up before the beak
A whimsical bird cane that would make the perfect gift from Jeremy Clarkson to Piers Morgan
Geoffrey Breeze is an antique cane specialist. Based in Bath, this dealer regularly sells the most unusual items and we were especially impressed by a whimsical bird cane that he currently has on offer. (more…)
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John Challis: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”
The Steeple Times asks actor John Challis, best known for playing Boycie in “Only Fools and Horses”: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”
The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force?
Marlene is my guiding force at all times. Listen to your wife. She knows best.
“Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?
“Never lose that bitterness”.
Kerry Katona was considered unacceptable in 2007. Who or what is unacceptable in 2013?
Wind turbines.
Tony Blair misses being Prime Minister. What do you miss most in your life?
The energy of my youth.
What might you swap all your wealth for?
Life in a warm climate.
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?
Bloody capitalists!
What phrase or word do you most loathe?
“Gobsmacked”.
In the UK, some people consider charity to “begin at home”. What’s your view and what causes do you personally support?
I support animal charities especially Tusk Trust. They are fighting to save rhinos and elephants from extinction as a result of poaching. Ronnie Wood and I are the oldest and longest serving patrons of Tusk.
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?
Mobile phones are a bloody nuisance, especially on public transport. I have got into fights in the silent carriages of trains. Can’t live with them, can’t live without them. I resisted a mobile for years.
John Challis and friends If you could fill a carriage on The Orient Express, who would be your fellow passengers?
Marlon Brando, James Stewart, Kim Novak, Prince Rupert of the Rhine, Tom Graveney, the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall, Jacques Tati, Marg Helgenberger and Paul Guilfoyle.
If you were unfortunate enough to end up on death row, what would be your last meal and where would you eat it?
Gorgonzola cheese with fresh figs and a glass of vintage port on the terrace of the Hotel Splendido in Portofino, Italy.
What time is it acceptable to consume the first drink of the day?
6pm unless out to lunch.
A Negroni, a martini or a cup of tea?
A martini, stirred not shaken, with a twist of lemon and an olive for my heartburn.
Whose parties do you enjoy the most and why?
I don’t do parties anymore. My 60th finished me off.
Who is the most positive person you know?
My brother-in-law, Johnny Palmer.
What’s your most guilty pleasure?
ABBA.
If a tattoo were to sum you up, what would it be of?
A man with a cricket bat striking a cover drive.
If you were a car, what marque would you be?
An Aston Martin DB4.
Cilla Black presented Surprise, Surprise. Tell us the most surprising thing about you.
I wear Converse trainers.
What’s currently sitting on your mantelpiece?
Abby Bobblehead (NCIS), a miniature Trotter yellow van and a packet of lupin seeds sent to me from a Twitter follower in Texas.
John Challis is an English actor best known for his role as Terrance Aubrey “Boycie” Boyce in the long running BBC television comedy series Only Fools and Horses and its spin-off, The Green Green Grass.
To order signed copies of John Challis’ autobiography, Being Boycie and Boycie & Beyond, and to view the list of venues for his show on tour, go to: http://www.wigmorebooks.com
Follow him on Twitter at: http://www.twitter.com/BeingBoycie