I wrote this column last weekend after feeling unwell for ten days. InterTalent super-agent Stan Gordon insisted I took a covid test the weekend before. Fortunately negative, as was attending Natalie Livingstone’s wonderful Cliveden Literary Festival the next day. Having not missed a day’s work for over ten years, I decided two consecutive nights of Night Nurse induced sleeps was needed to cure me. It did!
Alain de Botton described, the Cliveden Literary Festival as the most dignified and beautiful literary festival on the planet'. The grand opulence of Cliveden House makes it truly so. The weekend of talks and chance meetings has many treasured memories for me.
Four years ago, I introduced Olivier and Golden Globe winning actress Ruth Wilson to Sir Richard ‘spymaster’ Dearlove previous head of the British secret intelligence MI6. Ruth asked for the introduction so she could ask Sir Richard about her own grandfather, Alec Wilson, an alleged MI6 spy fired for falsifying reports. Alec then remained under surveillance for the rest of his life for being a dangerous fabricator of lies. Albeit Alec had died fifty-five years earlier, in the true spirit of a spy, Sir Richard’s lips were sealed.
This year’s Festival dinner had me seated between Emmy and BAFTA winning author Abi Morgan and Laurent-Perrier doyen Adam Guy.
Kensington Church Street’s hidden gem family restaurant ‘Ffiona’s’ has long been a favorite of mine. Ffiona Owen, ranks alongside the River Café’s Ruth Rogers as one of London’s truly great restaurateurs. From the minute you walk through the front door, you feel like you're being welcomed into Ffiona’s home. This is my favourite place to eat in Kensington by far. Always a great range of dishes to choose from, expertly cooked and presented. I really love the quick-fire service and total lack of stuffiness. And great value, too. My Saturday dinner last weekend was simple and delicious Ffiona’s chicken and leek pie with puff pastry followed by Bread-and-butter pudding with custard.
Katrina partying in Miami with The Apprentice’s Linda Plant, trusted friend, and adviser to Lord Sugar, meant I got to eat at Ffiona’s three times last week. As we chatted in Katrina’s absence, Ffiona asked me did I know Rishi Sunak or Keir Starmer?
I met Rishi fleetingly back in July as he departed my client Andrew Neil’s grilling on Channel 4. As often politicians come crawling out of Andrew’s interviews, Rishi survived which is probably indicative of why he is now our Prime Minster. My cousin, the distinguished Human Rights QC Richard Hermer has always talked enormously warmly of Keir Starmer. Twice recently I have literally bumped into Keir, first at the Lionesses Wembley victory, then earlier this week at the Pride of Britain Awards. My instant feelings were, I liked Keir. He has a warm sincere charm and with the debacle of recent months, Keir Starmer may be just the leader we need. I have also been struck by his deep seriousness towards tackling antisemitism.
This Jewish New Year started with a particularly joyous family trip to Israel for the celebration of my Uncle Michael’s 90th birthday. Michael Shalit, my 92-year-old father’s younger brother had taken Aliyah back in 1963 after growing up in London. Soon after arriving in 1964, he entered the Israeli High-tech industry just as it was taking off.
My Aunt Rony Shalit was active for many years in MachsomWatch, an organisation of 500 women from all walks of life in Israeli society, which opposes the military occupation of Palestine.
Uncle Michael’s move to Israel followed that of my grandfather Leon Shalit, who after his time in the Jewish Brigade of the British army in the second world war, served as Lieutenant-Colonel in the Israeli army during the 1948 War of Independence for which he was awarded The Haganah Ribbon for his military contribution towards the establishment of the State of Israel.
When World War-2 fighting ended, Grandpa Leon became Commander of 178 transport company in the Jewish Brigade, who gave the highest priority to helping concentration camp survivors illegal immigration to Palestine. In official dispatches Capt. Leon Shalit expressed his outrage at the sight of thousands of Jews in ‘liberated’ German and Austrian camps who are still confined like prisoners, treated like enemies, underfed, and wearing their old orison clothes, without being given any hope for the future.
Grandpas’ close circle of friends included former Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and Yigael Yadin who had been the Israeli army’s first Chief of Staff.
My charity shout out this month is again Variety, the children’s charity of which I am proud to be Chairman and Chief Barker. On November 21st we host the Variety Club Showbusiness Awards celebrating our own platinum anniversary in doing so. Those receiving the treasured and iconic Variety Club Silver Hearts this year will treasure them for the rest of their lives, walking in the footsteps of giants. Those fortunate enough to be attending will witness and enjoy first hand some wonderful moments of celebration.
