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New Statesman
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- New Statesman
Whither the whitebait?
Photo by Debby Lewis-Harrison / Getty Images It's off to the Regency again, Brighton's venerable fish and seafood restaurant, for the second time in a week. The first time was with the editor of a local mag for whom I write an occasional column, and the reason it is occasional is because I don't get paid for it because they don't have any money, and sometimes I am busy, and sometimes I am uninspired, and there is something about a cheque for £0.00 that fails to make the synapses dance, so what I try to do is get this editor to buy me lunch or at least a pint, for goodness' sake. Unfortunately, now he has retired from his full-time job as a lecturer, he doesn't have any money either. But he is a very lovely person, and so I found myself paying 50 per cent of the bill and that's my finances blown for the next week or so. This time, today, it was on someone else's dime: the licence-fee payer's actually – ie yours – for I am lunching with a radio producer who happens to be in town for the day. 'Hope you've got ideas!' messages a friend I mention this to. (This friend is one of those strange people who doesn't like being named in this column, so I will keep his or her identity secret except to say we are finally going through our divorce settlement, with, I hasten to add, unusual amicability.) Ideas? Oh God, I had forgotten about the ideas. There is something about being asked for an idea that makes the brain seize up and the jaw open slackly. There are times, of course, when one absolutely fizzes with them, but it's never when someone has just asked you for some. In my case, my ideas most often come at about two in the morning and I have learned not to try to write them down in ink because for some reason they never look exactly legible in the morning, however full I was of the divine fire when they occurred to me. I decide in the end to wing it. And anyway, all I can think about at the moment is whitebait. Let me explain why. A few weeks ago, I still had some funds in my account and, as is my habit, strolled down the hill to the seafront for a plate of whitebait and a glass of the house Pinot Grigio. If you ever want to see me drinking white wine in the wild, this will be one of your rare opportunities. There is something about a crisp, cold, cheap but tolerable white wine that sets off the Regency's whitebait, which are dipped in breadcrumbs and deep fried, but are never in the tiniest bit greasy: they're like the most exquisite fish fingers you've ever had, except, you know, fish. And then the food arrived, and it seemed to me that the world had turned upside down. For instead of the little crunchy animals from heaven, I found instead a plate of small nude fish dusted in what was probably paprika. While I am a fan of paprika, it is not in my view an acceptable substitute for breadcrumbs. Totally different textures. I had a few mouthfuls and gave up. 'Excuse me,' I said to the waitress, 'what's this? Have you changed the recipe?' But the Regency seems to hire its front of house staff on the basis of friendliness and general keenness rather than command of the language, which is fine by me, because they pick it up soon enough. But in this case it took about ten minutes of sign language and pidgin to establish that, yes, they had changed the recipe. Two days ago I asked another waiter what the whitebait situation was. Had they reverted to the original recipe, which had been pleasing the punters since the Chamberlain administration, or were they doubling down with the miserable, modern alternative? I didn't put it like that. It turned out that not only were they doubling down on the change to the recipe, but I was assured that this was by popular demand. 'It's what people want,' he said. Subscribe to The New Statesman today from only £8.99 per month Subscribe Excuse me? I know we are living in the worst timeline, but really? The only reason I could think of was that everyone in Brighton had suddenly gone coeliac and had said enough is enough. (Although as it turned out, the scampi were still becrumbed and there were still pasta dishes on the menu.) Now, I like to think that the press still has some influence even in these degraded times, so I here make my plea to the Regency to reconsider. If I am alone in preferring the old whitebait, then so be it. I will take defeat on the chin. But until then, here I stand, like Martin Luther, and can do no other. So I arrived for my lunch with the BBC producer and we had a perfectly pleasant conversation – until he asked me if I had any ideas. I pushed my prawns in garlic butter around my plate. Their beady eyes looked up at me in silent mockery. Had I ordered the prawns because I still wanted something crunchy on the outside yet yielding on the inside? I had found the scampi the other day only so-so. Anyway, my brain froze up again. I dabbed at the garlic butter on my chin with a napkin to buy some time. My whole future could depend on my answer. 'Whitebait?' I said. [See also: What's wrong with Sarah Vine?] Related
RTÉ News
a day ago
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
Bridgerton star Simone Ashley feels 'safe and comfortable' with sex scenes
Bridgerton star Simone Ashley has said she feels "very safe and comfortable" when filming raunchy scenes in the show. The Sex Education actor, who is about to release her debut album, described the hit Netflix show Bridgerton as "fantasy". Ashley, who plays Kathani 'Kate' Bridgerton, told Harper's Bazaar: "It's about, 'What if?' and how love conquers all. " Bridgerton represents nudity with a sense of romance, and I felt very safe and comfortable in what I was choosing to show to the world." The fourth season of the Regency era drama series is due to be released next year, with Ashley telling the magazine: "'That show just gets bigger and bigger. "Everyone has gone off to do incredible things, but we come back and it's like time hasn't moved." She also spoke of moving to Los Angeles by herself when she was just 18, adding: "I was really scrappy. "Since I was little, if I wanted something, I would do anything I could to get it. So, I took some modelling jobs to pay the bills and got into acting through that." Ashley, who appears on the digital cover of the magazine, said her album was made following a recent break-up. She said: "It's going to be somewhat confessional... and beautiful and messy. "Good songs don't come from times when my life is regimented and predictable. "They come when I am feeling vitality, and usually you either feel that way when your heart's broken, or you're euphoric.
Yahoo
25-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Toll Brothers Announces Grand Opening of Clubhouse Amenities at its Regency at Holly Springs Community in Holly Springs, North Carolina
55+ active-adult luxury home community introduces new amenities HOLLY SPRINGS, N.C., June 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Toll Brothers, Inc. (NYSE:TOL), the nation's leading builder of luxury homes, today announced the grand opening of the highly anticipated community clubhouse and resident amenities at Regency at Holly Springs, a premier 55+ active-adult community located in Holly Springs, North Carolina. Set in desirable Holly Springs, with easy access to Cary and Apex, this 55+ active adult Regency community by Toll Brothers redefines luxury living in a premier location. Regency at Holly Springs offers endless options for socialization and relaxation with private amenities just for Regency residents. The newly opened onsite amenities include a resort-style pool, clubhouse, state-of-the-art fitness center, and pickleball and bocce courts, plus social membership to 12 Oaks Country Club with its beautiful golf course, restaurant, trails, garden, and more.'Regency at Holly Springs is an exceptional community that offers a luxurious, low-maintenance lifestyle with an abundance of amenities,' said Ted Pease, Division President of Toll Brothers in Raleigh. 'We are thrilled to unveil the new clubhouse and amenities that will serve as the heart of the community, fostering connections and providing residents with a place to gather and enjoy their favorite activities.' Home shoppers can select from an array of thoughtfully designed luxury homes with first-floor primary bedroom suites. Two collections of homes offer single-family home designs with 1,680 to over 2,900 square feet, 2 to 3 bedrooms, and 2 to 4 baths. Homes are priced from the mid-$500, Brothers customers will experience one-stop shopping at the Toll Brothers Design Studio. The state-of-the-art Design Studio allows customers to choose from a wide array of selections to personalize their dream home with the assistance of Toll Brothers professional Design Consultants. Regency at Holly Springs offers convenient access to U.S. Route 1 and North Carolina Highway 540 for quick drives to downtown Raleigh or Durham for shopping, dining, and entertainment. The community also offers convenient access to the vibrant downtowns of Holly Springs, Fuquay-Varina, Cary, and Apex — each known for their unique blend of charming boutiques, exceptional dining, and inviting local shops. For more information on Regency at Holly Springs and other Toll Brothers communities in North Carolina, call (844) 840-5263 or visit About Toll BrothersToll Brothers, Inc., a Fortune 500 Company, is the nation's leading builder of luxury homes. The Company was founded 58 years ago in 1967 and became a public company in 1986. Its common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol 'TOL.' The Company serves first-time, move-up, empty-nester, active-adult, and second-home buyers, as well as urban and suburban renters. Toll Brothers builds in over 60 markets in 24 states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and Washington, as well as in the District of Columbia. The Company operates its own architectural, engineering, mortgage, title, land development, smart home technology, and landscape subsidiaries. The Company also develops master-planned and golf course communities as well as operates its own lumber distribution, house component assembly, and manufacturing operations. Toll Brothers has been one of Fortune magazine's World's Most Admired Companies™ for 10+ years in a row, and in 2024 the Company's Chairman and CEO Douglas C. Yearley, Jr. was named one of 25 Top CEOs by Barron's magazine. Toll Brothers has also been named Builder of the Year by Builder magazine and is the first two-time recipient of Builder of the Year from Professional Builder magazine. For more information visit From Fortune, ©2025 Fortune Media IP Limited. All rights reserved. Used under license. Contact: Andrea Meck | Toll Brothers, Senior Director, Public Relations & Social Media | 215-938-8169 | ameck@ Photos accompanying this announcement are available at Sent by Toll Brothers via Regional Globe Newswire (TOLL-REG)
Wales Online
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
'Best ever' period drama adaption can now be streamed for free
'Best ever' period drama adaption can now be streamed for free The BBC's 1995 adaptation of Pride and Prejudice has been hailed as the 'best ever' interpretation of the Jane Austen novel The series captured pastoral Regency England perfectly (Image: BBC ) Period drama fans are in for a treat with what many consider the best adaptation of one Jane Austen's most iconic novels now available. This particular adaptation is widely regarded as the quintessential version of the novel, and viewers can binge watch it right away, reports the Express. Fans have been open with their praise online, with a person saying: "The Best Ever Version and adaptation made! 1995 - Beautifully and perfectly done. "Magnificent actors with their very high level of excellence in portraying all their roles individually and collaborating as group performance overall is superb! "The soundtrack and costumes were masterly and magnificently done which bring us to the regency era enormously and undeniably the best and great experience and feelings while watching this masterpiece interpretation of the great Ms. Jane Austen literary masterpiece of all time," they added. Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth were praised for their portrayals of the main characters (Image: BBC ) Article continues below One fan said: "This is undoubtedly the best Jane Austen adaptation I have seen. I remember watching it almost 20 years ago with my parents during a visit on college break. It has lingered with me ever since." In addition, someone else remarked: "I have to say that when you adapt a story from a book into a movie format that you always lose a little bit no matter how good a job you do. "That being said if Jane Austin had a hand in making this film I believe this version would get her full seal of approval." Another enthusiast said: "I honestly truly loved the series. It is so beautifully carried out; all the actors bring justice to the book. I believe it to be the best adaptation that has ever been made. It is so detailed that I hardly found anything excluded from the book." The 1995 BBC adaptation of Pride and Prejudice is still a favourite among Jane Austen fans. The Jane Austen adaptation has been hailed as the best (Image: BBC ) Featuring Jennifer Ehle as Elizabeth Bennet and Colin Firth as the brooding Mr Darcy, the six-episode drama won over viewers from its first airing. Set in the picturesque countryside during the Regency period, it unfolds the beloved narrative of enemies to lovers, showcasing the gradual affection that develops between the protagonists after an initial misunderstandings. Also interlaced within the story are the pursuits of Elizabeth's sisters as they navigate society's expectations to find suitable wealthy husbands. Article continues below Pride and Prejudice invites audiences into the mores of the time, encompassing everything from flirtation rites to societal conduct and the critical role of one's reputation tied to their class. The miniseries also features notable performances by Julia Sawalha, Susannah Harker, Alison Steadman, Anna Chancellor, Crispin Bonham-Carter, and Adrian Lukis. Pride and Prejudice (1995) is available for streaming on BBC iPlayer now.
Pink Villa
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
EXCLUSIVE: Kresha Bajaj talks on Samantha's recycled wedding outfit after divorce with Naga Chaitanya and her new collection
Fashion designer Kresha Bajaj has launched her new collection called 'Aurelia'. The collection reflects this concept of beauty trapped in stasis, and that suggests a story held within every garment. In an exclusive chat with Pinkvilla, Kresha Bajaj opens up on her experience of designing 'Aurelia', redesigning her BFF Samantha Ruth Prabhu's wedding outfit, and more. Q. 'Aurelia' collection reflects 'for someone who exists between the past and present' – Please elaborate on this? Aurelia is a collection built on contrasts—romantic yet restrained, delicate yet defined. It's for a woman who lives in the now but carries the stories of another time. The silhouettes, embroideries, and textures draw from an era that feels almost lost, but we reinterpret them for the modern woman—someone who isn't nostalgic, but rather reverent. She doesn't wear the past as a costume; she wears it as a memory, reimagined. Q. How did you incorporate the timeless appeal of London's Regency-era fashion, as inspired by a character like Miss Havisham from Great Expectations, into your collection? Miss Havisham's character fascinated me—not in her heartbreak, but in her stillness. Her untouched world felt like a time capsule, suspended in lace and decay. I drew from that mood—layered tulle, crumbling silks, and beads that feel like they've lived a life before. The silhouettes nod to Regency shapes- empire lines, corseted waists, but softened and deconstructed, like heirlooms passed down and altered with time. Q. With the popularity of Regency fashion through shows like Bridgerton, are we going to witness some similarities in your collection? Bridgerton brought Regency fashion back into the cultural conversation, but Aurelia speaks a more intimate language. While you may see certain cues, structured bodices, puffed sleeves, or high waistlines, the treatment is quieter, less theatrical. For me, it's not about recreating the period, but about creating something that feels like it could have been part of it... or perhaps whispered through it. Q. How expressionist do you think your collection Aurelia, would be from other fashion labels, who are ready to experiment and tweak the classic fashion picks? Aurelia doesn't just tweak the classics - it haunts them. It's deeply emotional, almost cinematic in how it approaches storytelling through fabric. Each piece carries layers - of craftsmanship, of reference, of intention. It's less about trends and more about feeling. Where others might modernize a silhouette, we let it unravel a bit. There's imperfection, rawness, and a softness that comes from restraint. Q. You redesigned Samantha Ruth Prabhu's wedding outfit. Share with us your vision and her vision and how you carried forward the process, as there were emotions attached to it. That piece was more than a garment—it was a memory stitched into something new. Samantha wanted to reclaim something deeply personal, and I felt honoured to be part of that process. We kept the essence intact—the soul of the original outfit—but reimagined it with intention. It wasn't about erasing the past; it was about acknowledging it with grace and transforming it into something.
