Norman St.John-Stevas Dies
Discussion
This fellow was one of your politicians and sounds to have been a real character. I would like to have met him. 
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/theadvocate/obitu...
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/theadvocate/obitu...
Eric Mc said:
He didn't last long under Mrs Thatcher. He was part of her first Cabinet in 1979 but was classified as one of the "wets" (i.e. not right wing enough) and was given the boot. He was always entertaining - if slightly strange.
Eccentricity is often the trait of borderline genius/madman I suppose. He was Master of my College and also conferred my degree onto me. Bit of a character as you say and very well connected (saw a good proportion of the Royal Family coming through the college doors whilst he was there). Famous for greeting undergraduates in his dressing gown and embossed slippers, which I think sums him up rather well. He wasn't everybody's cup of tea by any means, and very much 'old establishment', but I shall be raising a glass of Emmanuel port in his direction this evening.
deckster said:
He was Master of my College and also conferred my degree onto me. Bit of a character as you say and very well connected (saw a good proportion of the Royal Family coming through the college doors whilst he was there). Famous for greeting undergraduates in his dressing gown and embossed slippers, which I think sums him up rather well. He wasn't everybody's cup of tea by any means, and very much 'old establishment', but I shall be raising a glass of Emmanuel port in his direction this evening.
Interesting that you knew him. Tht is good. Ahh, the old arristocratic type politicians.
St.John Stevas (pronounced 'Sinjin' Stevas) had nothing on Tory Sir Gerald Nabarro in the 60s/70s, who I suppose would today be a Pistonhead'r!
Think he would not get far in today's politically-correct world.
He was some character with his Jimmy Edwards handlebar moustache.
I had not been driving for much more than a year in the late 60s when he overtook me in NAB 6 on a blind dip on the Oxfordshire/Glos border. He was MP for Kidderminster and at one time Broadway. He had his own personal number plates NAB 1 (on his Daimler) through to NAB 8 on a variety of cars.
Some of the things he said would have him shot today! I won't repeat any of it or I might get arrested!
My, how this country has changed.
They say history repeats itself, well he did sort of what Chris Huhne did.
One of his posher NAB reg cars was seen going round a roundabout the 'wrong' way. He had a reputation for 'get out of the way' driving!
He declared (bit similar to Huhne) that not his wife but his Secretary was driving. It went to court and if I recall there was a real hoo haa and a retrial or appeal and he got away with it.
Poor bugger died not long after aged 60 in 1974.
Here is a vid to give a flavour of how he was in his day.
http://www.ovguide.com/gerald-nabarro-9202a8c04000...
St.John Stevas (pronounced 'Sinjin' Stevas) had nothing on Tory Sir Gerald Nabarro in the 60s/70s, who I suppose would today be a Pistonhead'r!
Think he would not get far in today's politically-correct world.
He was some character with his Jimmy Edwards handlebar moustache.
I had not been driving for much more than a year in the late 60s when he overtook me in NAB 6 on a blind dip on the Oxfordshire/Glos border. He was MP for Kidderminster and at one time Broadway. He had his own personal number plates NAB 1 (on his Daimler) through to NAB 8 on a variety of cars.
Some of the things he said would have him shot today! I won't repeat any of it or I might get arrested!
My, how this country has changed.
They say history repeats itself, well he did sort of what Chris Huhne did.
One of his posher NAB reg cars was seen going round a roundabout the 'wrong' way. He had a reputation for 'get out of the way' driving!
He declared (bit similar to Huhne) that not his wife but his Secretary was driving. It went to court and if I recall there was a real hoo haa and a retrial or appeal and he got away with it.
Poor bugger died not long after aged 60 in 1974.
Here is a vid to give a flavour of how he was in his day.
http://www.ovguide.com/gerald-nabarro-9202a8c04000...
Edited by dandarez on Tuesday 6th March 21:38
Eric Mc said:
He didn't last long under Mrs Thatcher. He was part of her first Cabinet in 1979 but was classified as one of the "wets" (i.e. not right wing enough) and was given the boot. He was always entertaining - if slightly strange.
Quote in the Telegraph obit- one of his friends complained that he was an inveterate name dropper, Stevarse's reply was that the Queen was just saying the same to him last night.dandarez said:
Sir Gerald Nabarro in the 60s/70s, who I suppose would today be a Pistonhead'r!
Think he would not get far in today's politically-correct world.
He was some character with his Jimmy Edwards handlebar moustache.
They say history repeats itself, well he did sort of what Chris Huhne did.
One of his posher NAB reg cars was seen going round a roundabout the 'wrong' way. He had a reputation for 'get out of the way' driving!
He declared (bit similar to Huhne) that not his wife but his Secretary was driving. It went to court and if I recall there was a real hoo haa and a retrial or appeal and he got away with it.
The secretary in question became Christine Hamilton.......Think he would not get far in today's politically-correct world.
He was some character with his Jimmy Edwards handlebar moustache.
They say history repeats itself, well he did sort of what Chris Huhne did.
One of his posher NAB reg cars was seen going round a roundabout the 'wrong' way. He had a reputation for 'get out of the way' driving!
He declared (bit similar to Huhne) that not his wife but his Secretary was driving. It went to court and if I recall there was a real hoo haa and a retrial or appeal and he got away with it.
I met him once
He extended two forefingers as most people would extend a hand for a normal handshake
I was a bit confused as to whether I was meant to shake or kiss them
It ended up with me tentatively wiggling his two fingers with my finger and thumb
It was a weird start to a rather weird overall experience
He extended two forefingers as most people would extend a hand for a normal handshake
I was a bit confused as to whether I was meant to shake or kiss them
It ended up with me tentatively wiggling his two fingers with my finger and thumb
It was a weird start to a rather weird overall experience
Paul Dishman said:
Eric Mc said:
He didn't last long under Mrs Thatcher. He was part of her first Cabinet in 1979 but was classified as one of the "wets" (i.e. not right wing enough) and was given the boot. He was always entertaining - if slightly strange.
Quote in the Telegraph obit- one of his friends complained that he was an inveterate name dropper, Stevarse's reply was that the Queen was just saying the same to him last night.
You Americans seem to love these fey comic English characters. Do you like Stephen Fry? Over here we have to put up with having them in positions of influence.
I once heard Stj-S as a much younger man in a televised debate. He was sharp, he was witty and he was extremely effective. I struggle to understand how he descended into this Barbara cartland figure. I suspect that self parody had a lot to do with it but I think it was to be regretted.
I once heard Stj-S as a much younger man in a televised debate. He was sharp, he was witty and he was extremely effective. I struggle to understand how he descended into this Barbara cartland figure. I suspect that self parody had a lot to do with it but I think it was to be regretted.
unrepentant said:
dandarez said:
Sir Gerald Nabarro in the 60s/70s, who I suppose would today be a Pistonhead'r!
Think he would not get far in today's politically-correct world.
He was some character with his Jimmy Edwards handlebar moustache.
They say history repeats itself, well he did sort of what Chris Huhne did.
One of his posher NAB reg cars was seen going round a roundabout the 'wrong' way. He had a reputation for 'get out of the way' driving!
He declared (bit similar to Huhne) that not his wife but his Secretary was driving. It went to court and if I recall there was a real hoo haa and a retrial or appeal and he got away with it.
The secretary in question became Christine Hamilton.......Think he would not get far in today's politically-correct world.
He was some character with his Jimmy Edwards handlebar moustache.
They say history repeats itself, well he did sort of what Chris Huhne did.
One of his posher NAB reg cars was seen going round a roundabout the 'wrong' way. He had a reputation for 'get out of the way' driving!
He declared (bit similar to Huhne) that not his wife but his Secretary was driving. It went to court and if I recall there was a real hoo haa and a retrial or appeal and he got away with it.
Christine Holman (later Hamilton) was Nabarro's 'private' secretary.
Mrs Margaret Mason was the person with Nabarro when the roundabout incident happened.
She was his 'company' secretary of his publishing business.
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