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Toronto Star
25-05-2025
- Automotive
- Toronto Star
No sad songs for my friend Father Sean who went ‘gently toward that glorious goal'
An eleven-year-old Sean O'Sullivan first met John Diefenbaker in 1963 when the prime minister spoke at the Connaught Hotel in Hamilton, where O'Sullivan's father was manager. The two corresponded and then talked again when Diefenbaker returned to the city during the 1965 election campaign. O'Sullivan next worked for Dief part-time in Ottawa, then became his full-time executive assistant in 1972. As press secretary to Robert Stanfield I met O'Sullivan because Dief's lair was across the hallway. I thought if I got close to O'Sullivan, maybe he would blunt the Old Chief's barbs aimed at Stanfield who replaced him as leader of the Progressive Conservative Party. That plan didn't work. Dief wasn't about to change his ways. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW As time passed, however, O'Sullivan and I became such good friends that he freely shared with me — mimicking Dief's voice — some of Dief's foibles. For example, Dief would greet O'Sullivan every morning by saying, 'News, views, interviews,' indicating he sought the sort of gossipy bits that don't appear in newspapers. If he were pleasantly surprised by something O'Sullivan related, he'd say, 'I gollies.' If the news was bad, it was, 'What the hell.' In 1972 O'Sullivan became MP for Hamilton-Wentworth, at twenty the youngest ever elected to Parliament at the time. His seat was in the back row where it was difficult to catch the speaker's eye in order to pose a question to the government. O'Sullivan took it all in stride. Business Opinion Rod McQueen: Cadillacs, corporate jets and war stories: Flying high with Canadian banking's former king of all he surveys The U.S.-born, former BMO CEO Bill Mulholland, writes Rod McQueen, tried several times to 'There's no such thing as a bad seat in the House of Commons,' he once told me. Diefenbaker annually celebrated two anniversaries when supplicants filled his office for a reception. One was his birthday, Sept. 18; the second was March 26, the anniversary of his first election to Parliament. One year, O'Sullivan was travelling with a delegation and missed the March gathering. Knowing Diefenbaker would wonder why he wasn't there, he sent a telegram, saying: CONGRATULATIONS UPON ANNIVERSARY OF YOUR FIRST ELECTION. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW As Sean told the tale, he visited Diefenbaker upon his return, and was surprised to find him irate. 'Were you drunk?' asked Diefenbaker. 'That is the only possible explanation. This is the most damnable thing I've ever seen.' He flung the telegram at O'Sullivan. It read, 'CONGRATULATIONS UPON ANNIVERSARY OF YOUR FIRST ERECTION.' In 1977, O'Sullivan surprised everyone by resigning as MP to study for the priesthood. His explanation to me was straightforward. 'The call to politics makes you open to the pursuit of power. You ask, 'How can I gain?' The call to priesthood is to service. You ask, 'How can I give?'' Father Sean began his new calling as a parish priest then was promoted to publisher of The Catholic Register where he enjoyed dinners plus a car and driver. 'I never took an oath of poverty,' he said. Appointed director of vocations in 1982, he ran a memorable billboard campaign. The large, dramatic, black-and-white rectangular signage showed the head and upper torso of Christ on the cross, looking beseechingly at the viewer. The slogan was: 'Dare to be a priest like me.' The campaign won a prize for outdoor advertising in Canada and thirty possibilities for the priesthood. Anna Porter, of Key Porter Books Ltd. in Toronto, phoned him to say he should do his memoirs. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW 'I will,' he said, 'if Rod McQueen will write them.' I had written speeches as well as two books, The Moneyspinners and Risky Business, but this was my first time as a ghostwriter, or in this case, the Holy Ghostwriter. I needed some guidance so called Ron Graham who had ghosted Jean Chrétien's 1984 autobiography entitled Straight from the Heart. Graham's recipe was straightforward: thirty-five hours of interviews with the subject will yield a 1,000-page transcript which provides enough meat for a 300-page manuscript. I followed the formula and recorded Father Sean's recollections, including the distressing description of his newly-arrived leukemia — cancer of the bone marrow — at thirty-one. Once the interviews were done, I worked eighteen-hour days for a month to produce a 100,000-word first draft. I've written many books since, but that was the most fun I've ever had writing. Business Opinion Rod McQueen: The man who could have been PM — before an infamous fumble zapped his chances Fumbling photo of Stanfield became a metaphor for his beleaguered campaign, writes Rod McQueen, Father Sean contributed, too, including the book's evocative ending which says, in part, 'Soon, I may be summoned home. But sing no sad songs for me; for I am a Christian. Without merit of my own and trusting only in His abundant mercy, I go gently toward that glorious goal.' After publication in September 1986, Father Sean's leukemia grew steadily worse. There was a Canadian boxer at the time named Shawn O'Sullivan. Father Sean would say, 'I'm the fighter, not the boxer.' Father Sean suffered through four chemotherapy programs and visited Lourdes twice. He was preparing for a bone-marrow transplant when he died in 1989 at thirty-seven. But sing no sad songs for him. For he was a Christian.
Daily Mail
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Bella Hadid cuts a casually stylish figure in jumper and jeans as she leaves five-star London hotel
Bella Hadid was the epitome of off duty chic as she left her five-star London hotel while staying in the English capital on Sunday. The supermodel, 28, looked effortlessly chic in an autumnal-coloured striped jumper which he wore with baggy blue barrel jeans. She accessorised the look with small, black sunglasses, a large brown belt that was used to tuck the jumper, brown loafers, and a black leather bag. Despite appearing unobtrusive with her slicked-back hair, she was more than happy to smile for photographers as she got into her waiting car. She was snapped leaving the upmarket Connaught Hotel, where rooms cost upwards of £591 a night. Bella is currently spending the week in the capital for her fragrance Orebella's UK launch. On Friday Bella sported a much more glamorous look for her fragrance's VIP launch party at Sessions Arts Club. This consisted of a 1920s flapper girl style silver dress, which was perfectly accessorised with a silver necklace and earrings. She slicked her hair back completely for this look, ensuring all attention was on her striking features, which she accentuated with silver tones in her makeup. Bella flew to London after attending the opening of the Cannes Film Festival on Tuesday. There, she put on a leggy display in a black off-the-shoulder dress, which accentuated her enviable figure. Her London and Cannes appearances come after the American beauty argued it should be illegal for women to work when menstruating in a candid new interview. In it, Bella discussed the reality of living with Lyme disease, endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD). Endometriosis is a disease in which cells similar to the womb lining grow outside the uterus and cause severe pain, while PCOS is a hormonal disorder characterised by irregular periods and PMDD is a menstrual syndrome which impacts mood. Opening up about her difficulties, Bella revealed she wants women to get two weeks off while menstruating and said it should be 'illegal' to model, in particular, while on her period. She told British Vogue's June issue: 'We get our periods. You're shooting Victoria's Secret on your period, with endo. That should be illegal. 'I'm going to talk to the White House about it, because we should literally ban women working on the week of their period. And the week before, to be honest.' Bella said she often 'pushes' herself to work 14-hour days in fashion despite her illnesses, but it eventually results in her burning out, adding that she is in therapy to work on her confidence.
Telegraph
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
Bond's Martini ‘becoming more popular than sweet cocktails'
It's the drink that 007 James Bond made famous with his 'shaken, not stirred' catchphrase. And British drinkers are now returning to the classic Martini, moving away from sugary and fruit-heavy cocktails. The classic cocktail – made with gin or vodka and dry vermouth, served with an olive or lemon twist – has seen renewed popularity in London, where bars are reporting growing demand. The Connaught Hotel, known for its Martini trolley, serves approximately 16,000 Martinis annually. The newly opened Dover has introduced a menu devoted entirely to the drink, while Selfridges' rooftop restaurant, Alto by San Carlo, offers seven variations Retail figures reflect the shift. Sales of pre-mixed canned Martinis have risen by 200 per cent at Selfridges over the past year, with the Whitebox Dirty Martini the bestselling variety. Vodka sales at the retailer have increased by 35 per cent, while sales of cocktail olives are up 95 per cent, most notably large jars of Perelló Picante Pitted Olives. There are differing views on how a Martini should be served, but a classic Martini is made with a white spirit and dry vermouth, typically stirred (not shaken) over ice and served in a chilled Martini glass. However, the revival has been accompanied by new interpretations of the traditional recipe. One trend gaining popularity is the 'Mini Martini' , a smaller 100ml serve designed to be consumed in a few sips, offered at venues such as Rita's, a London bar and restaurant frequented by pop star Dua Lipa. Another is the pairing of Martinis with chips, known as the 'adult happy meal', a combination that became popular in New York and has since appeared in UK bars. Selfridges has named the Martini one of its SS25 Obsessions – latest trends – and has dedicated a window display at its Oxford Street store to the cocktail, featuring a 1980s-style bar and Martini hatch. Across its restaurants and bars, the retailer is serving 16 Martini variations Neil McDonald, the Selfridges beer, wines and spirits buyer said: 'The Martini is really having a moment. It's fantastic to see it rising up the drinks list. 'It's an incredibly versatile cocktail with something for everyone to enjoy, from an Espresso Martini to a dirty or even extra dry. 'We're truly obsessed with this elegant cocktail and our customers are too!' The hashtag #martini has attracted more than three million posts on Instagram, while a recent TikTok video demonstrating a 'hot and dirty' Martini with chilli has received nearly half a million likes.
Daily Mail
01-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Winston Churchill's first bachelor pad up for sale for £3.75m
Former Prime Minister Winston Churchill's Mayfair bachelor pad in London could be yours for £3.75million. The two-bedroom second floor flat spans 1,087 sq. ft. and is being listed for the first time in a decade. 105 Mount Street became Churchill's pied-à-terre in August 1900, when at the age of 25, leased the property from his cousin, Charles 'Sunny' Spencer-Churchill. Situated on the doorstep of the five-star Connaught Hotel, the Mayfair flat is located in a grand mansion block designed in 1888 by architect Sir Ernest George in an early renaissance style. The Connaught Hotel, previously called The Coburg, would deliver meals to nearby Mayfair residents, including to 105 Mount Street. According to joint sole selling agents Wetherell and Clifton Property Partners, the hotel's ultra-posh takeaway service sparked Churchill's love of Pol Roger champagne, Hine rare cognac, oysters, steak and kidney pie and roast beef and Yorkshire pudding. The ground floor of the building is home to the famous Sautter cigar shop, which displays some of Churchill's favourite cigar brands and other memorabilia. Churchill lived at 105 Mount Street from 1900 to 1905, before moving to Bolton Street in London. The Mayfair flat provided a base for Churchill when, after making his name as a soldier and war correspondent, he launched his political career, being elected to the Houses of Parliament as the Conservative candidate for Oldham in October 1900. Churchill went on to become British Prime Minister in 1940 during the Second World War and he served as an MP for more than 60 years until 1964. Speaking to This is Money, Peter Wetherell, founder and executive chairman of Wetherell, said: 'When Winston lived at the Mount Street apartment he had just entered Parliament as an MP and it was whilst living there that he first met Clementine, who would later become his wife Clementine Churchill. 'Whilst living at the apartment Churchill wrote some of his first famous speeches and books. 'In 1905 Churchill published a two volume biography of his father Lord Randolph Churchill and the proceeds enabled Winston to buy a house in Mayfair. 'When Winston lived at the apartment he used the second bedroom as a dining room and employed a cook whose domain was the adjoining kitchen.' The ninth Duke of Marlborough sold the flat in the 1940s and it is now being listed for sale for the first time in 10 years, having been renovated throughout. The flat has a spacious reception room which provides a large living area and a dining area in a spacious bay window within the room. There is also a high-end main bedroom suite with an ensuite bathroom and a second bedroom and fully fitted kitchen. Mr Wetherell said: 'The apartment provides an ideal London base for a family wanting a home in the heart of the capital. 'With its links to Sir Winston Churchill the globally famous prime minister we anticipate interest in the apartment from buyers from around the world. It's an opportunity to buy a slice of British history.' Hugo Miller, an associate at Clifton Property Partners, said: 'Mount Street and its surrounding streets and gardens make up the most exclusive urban village in London where international luxury brands sit alongside heritage craftspeople and Michelin star dining. 'The fashion boutiques of Bond Street are just a short walk away across Berkeley Square and the green expanses of Hyde Park and Green Park are also within close walking distance.' How to find a new mortgage Borrowers who need a mortgage because their current fixed rate deal is ending, or they are buying a home, should explore their options as soon as possible. Quick mortgage finder links with This is Money's partner L&C > Mortgage rates calculator > Find the right mortgage for you What if I need to remortgage? Borrowers should compare rates, speak to a mortgage broker and be prepared to act. Homeowners can lock in to a new deal six to nine months in advance, often with no obligation to take it. Most mortgage deals allow fees to be added to the loan and only be charged when it is taken out. This means borrowers can secure a rate without paying expensive arrangement fees. Keep in mind that by doing this and not clearing the fee on completion, interest will be paid on the fee amount over the entire term of the loan, so this may not be the best option for everyone. What if I am buying a home? Those with home purchases agreed should also aim to secure rates as soon as possible, so they know exactly what their monthly payments will be. Buyers should avoid overstretching and be aware that house prices may fall, as higher mortgage rates limit people's borrowing ability and buying power. How to compare mortgage costs The best way to compare mortgage costs and find the right deal for you is to speak to a broker. This is Money has a long-standing partnership with fee-free broker L&C, to provide you with fee-free expert mortgage advice. Interested in seeing today's best mortgage rates? Use This is Money and L&Cs best mortgage rates calculator to show deals matching your home value, mortgage size, term and fixed rate needs. If you're ready to find your next mortgage, why not use L&C's online Mortgage Finder. It will search 1,000's of deals from more than 90 different lenders to discover the best deal for you. > Find your best mortgage deal with This is Money and L&C Be aware that rates can change quickly, however, and so if you need a mortgage or want to compare rates, speak to L&C as soon as possible, so they can help you find the right mortgage for you.
