The Steeple Times

Tag: wit

  • Jim Ruig: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”

    Jim Ruig: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”

    The Steeple Times asks architectural antiques expert Jim Ruig: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”

     

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

    Design, travel and friends.

     

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

    The best revenge is to have a fabulous life.

     

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

    The current government in Australia and especially our left-wing Socialist friend Julia.

     

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

    I miss being a father and a provider.

     

    What might you swap all your wealth for?

    More time on this planet.

     

    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?

    All bankers are stewing in their own muck.

     

    What phrase or word do you most loathe?

    “Envy”.

     

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

    Too many people support charities for the wrong reasons. One must support a charity close to one’s heart rather than for superficial reasons.

     

    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?

    An unnecessary evil.

     

    Jim Ruig
    Jim Ruig
    Jim Ruig with Frankie Dettori MBE
    Jim Ruig with Frankie Dettori MBE

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

    Matthew Steeples, Julia Gillard, Carlos Santana, John Cleese, Sigmund Freud, Pablo Picasso, and my son, Morgan so that he can witness it all. It’d be nice also to have Ralph Lauren and Axel Vervoordt as that would be just perfect.

     

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

    I’d love a lamb shank on the Noosa Foreshore in Queensland. It’s a fabulous place and it would be divine.

     

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

    Don’t be silly, alcohol doesn’t know what time it is.

     

    A Negroni, a martini or a cup of tea?

    I’d rather have a glass of good red wine.

     

    Whose parties do you enjoy the most and why?

    The ones thrown by fabulous people who are creative, funny and innovative.

     

    Who is the most positive person you know?

    My son.

     

    What’s your most guilty pleasure?

    Polo.

     

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

    I have tattoos that date back some 25 years. The one that would sum me up would be of a Viking.

     

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

    I would love to be an Aston Martin DB6.

     

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

    I am very romantic.

     

    What’s currently sitting on your mantelpiece?

    A photograph of my beautiful daughter, Camilla.

     

    James “Jim” Ruig is the founder of the architectural business, The Salvage Company. Operating out of London, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Auckland and Hong Kong, Ruig sources reclaimed materials and antiques for commercial and residential clients.

     

    For more information about The Salvage Company, go to: http://www.salvageeurope.co.uk

  • Anna-Louise Felstead: "What's on your mantelpiece?"

    Anna-Louise Felstead: "What's on your mantelpiece?"

    The Steeple Times asks artist Anna-Louise Felstead: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”

     

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

    My old headmaster Peter Pyemont once said in a Friday assembly: “The more you put into life, the more you get out of it”. I have lived by those words ever since.

     

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

    Nietzsche, the German philosopher famously said: “That which does not kill us makes us stronger”.

      (more…)

  • Noelle Reno: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”

    Noelle Reno: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”

    The Steeple Times asks fashion entrepreneur Noelle Reno: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”

     

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

    The weather… Or Tolstoy.

     

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

    Eleanor Roosevelt: “Women are like tea bags. You never know how strong they are until you put them in hot water”.

      (more…)

  • Jack P. Shepherd: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”

    Jack P. Shepherd: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”

    The Steeple Times asks actor Jack Shepherd (“Coronation Street’s” David Platt): “What’s on your mantelpiece?”

     

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

    Patience and optimism.

     

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

    Fail to prepare, prepare to fail.

      (more…)

  • Jane Felstead: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”

    Jane Felstead: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”

    The Steeple Times asks “Made in Chelsea’s” Jane Felstead: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”

     

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

    My conscience.

     

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

    Revenge is a dish best served cold. (more…)

  • Russell Norman: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”

    Russell Norman: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”

    The Steeple Times asks restaurateur Russell Norman: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”

     

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

    I am guided by the usual human forces, but my permanent motivation is work.

     

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

    “Live as if you were to die tomorrow, but learn as if you were to live forever”. Also: “Don’t fuck it up”.

    (more…)

  • Natalie Coyle: "What's on your mantelpiece?"

    The Steeple Times asks classical singer Natalie Coyle: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”

     

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

    Passion. I’m driven and motivated by many things – the desire to succeed; live, love and laugh. I think it’s important to be passionate about everything you do.

     

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

     

    At school, my favourite book was The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood. A phrase from that has always stuck with me – Nolite Te Bastardes Carborundorum (“Don’t Let the Bastards Get You Down”). This always motivates me to persevere and push through any negativity – so often encountered in the music industry.

     

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

    People who have achieved a ‘celebrity’ status without any discernable talent.

     

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

    My fun filled university days at Sheffield, living with my closest girlfriends.

     

    What might you swap all your wealth for?

    I’ll let you know when I’m in a position to answer that! 😉

     

    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?

    It sucks. And I don’t “own the bank”.

     

    What word of phrase do you most loathe?

    I’m always running late & I hate being told to “hurry up”.

     

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

    I believe it’s important to work with charities where you can contribute and make a personal difference.  I have performed for The Prince’s Trust charity on numerous occasions and regularly perform to the patients at Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital.

     

    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’m an iPhone addict – happy & proud to admit it. I also don’t drive so that’s not so much of a problem.

     

    Classical singer Natalie Coyle
    Classical singer Natalie Coyle

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

    Friends, family… and Frank (Sinatra, that is).

     

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

    Steak and chips. Maybe a Daim bar for dessert.

     

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

    I didn’t know there was an unacceptable time.

     

    A Negroni, a martini or a cup of tea?

    I’d love to say a vodka martini. But in reality, as a singer, it’s more likely to be tea.

     

    Whose parties do you enjoy the most and why?

    My boyfriend, Zafar Rushdie, runs a PR company (Rushdie Media) and they throw a lot of really fun parties for some great brands. There’s always a really fun mixture of people… and they work with great caterers.

     

    Who is the most positive person you know?

    Zafar is irritatingly optimistic at times – although he labels it ‘optimistic realism’. My mother is also a very positive influence on me (if that counts).

     

    What’s your most guilty pleasure?

    The Mail Online website and eating M&M’s in bed.

     

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

    I’m not really a fan of tattoos.

     

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

    A “Dolly car” (Citroën 2CV). Some of my earliest memories were in one of these driving to school with my mum.

     

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

    People are always surprised to hear I’m a classical singer.

     

    What’s currently sitting on your mantelpiece?

    My TV.

     

    Natalie is a classically trained soprano who has sung with the likes of Susan Boyle, Il Divo, Blake, Andrea Bocelli and Katherine Jenkins.

     

    View Natalie Coyle’s website at: http://www.nataliecoyle.com

     

    Follow Natalie Coyle on Twitter at: http://www.twitter.com/coylenatalie

  • Deborah Walker: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”

    Deborah Walker: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”

    The Steeple Times asks matchmaker Deborah Walker: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”

     

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

    ‘The positive thinker sees the invisible, feels the intangible and achieves the impossible”. (more…)

  • Oliver Gerrish: "What's on your mantelpiece?"

    The Steeple Times asks musician and architectural historian Oliver Gerrish: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”

     

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

    My guiding force is optimism.

     

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

    “Wealth and fame”! Just joking, I think that “I’ll sing for my supper” would be a good one!

     

    Kerry Katona was considered unacceptable in 2007. Who or what is unacceptable in 2012?

    Bad architecture.

     

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

    Singing in The London Oratory Schola, which I enjoyed so much. I also miss my grandfather, who died recently. He was a constant source of fun, support and love.

     

    What might you swap all your wealth for?

    I would swap all my wealth (maybe “paltry savings” would be a better phrase) for a chance to present a TV show exploring the history of architecture and music in Britain. It would be great if it became a great success and made me lots of money and educated people about the wonderful heritage we take so for granted.

     

    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 don’t like to borrow money and I think it is utterly wrong for the banks to be supporting peoples’ misadventures with borrowing at the expense of other non-borrowing clients who can ill afford to bail out the former with their hard earned savings.

     

    What phrase or word do you most loathe?

    “Babe”.

     

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

    I believe that by supporting smaller charities with far reaching ideals one can make a real difference. I run a charity music series called the Chelsea Concerts with soprano Alexandra Kennedy and we have now raised over £15,000 for various charities, including The Cystic Fibrosis Trust, SSAFA, The Rhinology and Laryngology Fund, The Rifles’ Care for Casualties and others. Each time, along with raising money for the charities, I have felt enlightened about these causes and educated about the extraordinary people and causes that are helped by these charities. I am also a Trustee of The Georgian Group and started The Young Georgians. We are the UK’s major architectural preservation charity. I was also recently involved with The Lady R Foundation and it’s fundraising for Veteran’s Aid.

     

    The judge in Law Abiding Citizen states: “I can pretty do whatever I want” before being blown up whilst answering her mobile phone. What’s your view on the appropriate use of such devices?

    Never use a mobile phone or have it on at a concert. It’s always the people with the worst and loudest ring tones that leave them on.

     

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

    Wowzers! Boris Johnson, Britney Spears, Rosamund Pike, the composer James MacMillan, my Grandmother Molly Lefebure, Henry Conway and my other closest friends, a pretty new girlfriend, The Dowager Duchess of Devonshire, Jenny Agutter, Lady Lucinda Lambton and The Queen.

     

    If I could have a few spectral guests too they would be Edith Sitwell, Winston Churchill, Georgian architect Robert Adam, Grace Kelly, Sir John Vanbrugh, M. R. James, Cecil Beaton and The Queen Mother.

     

    Oliver Gerrish
    Oliver Gerrish. Photograph by Tom Gilks.

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

    Smoked salmon and smoked mackerel pate with a very cold Diet Coke.

     

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

    A glass or two at lunch if with friends and then after 6pm otherwise.

     

    A Negroni, a martini or a cup of tea?

    Negroni or a cup of tea, depending on the weather. I hate martinis.

     

    Whose parties do you enjoy the most and why?

    Older friends because they love to mix the generations and one comes back feeling full of information and also the food and drink is mostly better.

     

    Who is the most positive person you know?

    My mother.

     

    What’s your most guilty pleasure?

    Burger King XL bacon double cheeseburger.

     

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

    A well-proportioned Palladian house.

     

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

    Make? Probably an old VW Golf as mine works well, isn’t at all showy and gets me from A to B.

     

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

    I am a total country bumpkin at heart and like nothing more than being back in Derbyshire at The Barley Mow pub catching up with my friends there.

     

    What’s currently sitting on your mantelpiece?

    A punk rocker shaped scrubbing brush, a model of The Queen who waves her hand when the sun touches her bag (so not very often), my flatmate’s invitations (mine are on the shelf opposite since we are very competitive!) and some photographs of our mad garden in Derbyshire.

     

    Oliver Gerrish is an architectural historian, countertenor and founder of the Young Georgian Society.

     

    Read Oliver Gerrish’s blog ArchMusicMan at: http://archmusicman.blogspot.co.uk/

     

    Watch his show reel at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=LRXboRYT3fs

     

    For information on The Georgian Group go to: http://www.georgiangroup.org.uk

     

    For information on the Chelsea Concerts: http://www.chelseaconcerts.com

     

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

  • Anne Robinson

    Anne Robinson

    Anne RobinsonShe’s best known for the catchphrase: “You are the Weakest Link, goodbye!” but this television great has accomplished much else. The “Queen of Mean” is renowned for her knack of coming up with great newspaper headlines and has also accumulated a fortune of some £40 million. Robinson is vehemently pro fox hunting and lives in Kensington but don’t get her started on what she thinks about the Welsh.