September 2016 (issue 48)

Birmingham g n i liv

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MIDLANDS MAGAZINE OF THE YEAR

September 2016

SNAP HAPPY

TOM BIRD

COATS, CAPES & AUTUMN COVER-UPS HOME SWEET HOME

JONNIE IRWIN +

SUPERCHEFS:

RICHARD TURNER GLYNN PURNELL MARCO PIERRE WHITE

BEST ENGLISH FIZZ

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EDITOR’S VIEW We have some cracking sports facilities on our doorstep and talented people from the region but we do need to encourage more participation, and not just at the elite level

part from ‘gold medal’ and ‘Team GB’, the other words that were regularly repeated at the Rio Olympics were ‘legacy’ and ‘inspiration’. The latter was being heavily pushed by the BBC as part of its Get Inspired campaign to increase participation in sport in the community.

Rio confirmed that sport, and sporting success, captures the imagination. Who among us didn’t feel inspired to go to the gym, the pool, the sports centre, or even just to go run or cycle in the park, as a result of the exploits of Bradley Wiggins, Laura Trott, Max Whitlock, Mo Farah – and from right here in the Midlands our own Olympic swim champion Adam Peaty?

Let’s hope the golden heroes do indeed work their magic because some new, disappointing statistics show that we have to do much more to encourage greater sports participation in our city and region. In particular, participation figures for young people across the West Midlands are worryingly below the national average.

And those aged 16 to 24 from low-income households participate less than young people from more well-off households. Young women aged 16 to 19 also take part in sport much less than young men of the same age. While young people of Asian ethnicity are markedly less likely to be members of sports clubs, to receive sports tuition, or to take part in organised competitive sport.

We have some cracking facilities on our doorstep and some talented people from the region but we do need to encourage more participation, and not just at the elite level.

As a footnote to Rio… I was disappointed that Manchester was chosen for the welcome home party for our Olympians – let’s make sure Birmingham is the natural choice after Tokyo 2020.

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David Johns

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Editor: David Johns david@brumliving.co.uk

Features editor: Shelley Carter shelley@brumliving.co.uk Designer: Tracy Duffy

Contributors: Rob Price, Sue Cooke, Lisa Melvin, Rose Gallagher

Account manager: Jane Morris jane@brumliving.co.uk Photography: David Morphew, Andrew Llewellyn Publishing director: Jonathan Carter

Rock Hopper Media Limited Burleigh House, 23 Tagwell Road, Droitwich WR9 7BN tel 01905 771110 © Rock Hopper Media Ltd. Birmingham Living is published monthly by Rock Hopper Media Ltd and printed by Buxton Press. Views and opinions expressed by authors and services and products offered by advertisers are not specifically endorsed by Rock Hopper Media Ltd. Reproduction in whole or in part of the contents of Birmingham Living without written permission is strictly prohibited.

SUBSCRIPTIONS: The subscription rate (post paid) is £24 for one year (12 issues).

Subscriptions 01905 771110 ISSN 2051-8560

Cover image: Jonnie Irwin

visit www.brumliving.co.uk @brum_living

september 2016

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When you have finished with this magazine please recycle it

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INSIDE

Highlights

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Jonnie Irwin TV’s A Place in the Sun presenter talks Harborne, Brexit, stag dos and his love of Brum Tom Bird The gifted young photographer who is using his camera to give a new perspective on Birmingham Food and Drink Head chef Ian Percival talks sunset barbecues, his love of fish. mum’s rissoles – and eating snake!

Style Coats, Capes & Other Stories – our wrap on looking cool for autumn and winter Homes Are you getting enough? Sleep that is! No? Time to overhaul your boudoir with a new look…

Up Close With…

Gary Topp, director of Birmingham’s Cultural Central, lays out his vision for the city

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CONTENTS

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Best of the Rest

23 42 58 61 65 70 78 september 2016

Restaurant Reviews Marco Pierre White’s new Bardolino, plus our expert Rob Price picks his top English fizzes Health Inspired to hit the gym, road or track by Team GB’s golden Olympics? A word of warning…

Motoring Sue Cooke gets to grips with the poshed-up pickup that’s becoming a firm family leisure favourite Young, Gifted and Brummie City of Birmingham basketball star Pharrell WallaceSteele is looking to emulate his heroes Spotlight on Business Our pick of the latest news and views making the headlines in the business community Social Scene The pages that picture who’s been out and about networking in Birmingham this month Shows, Arts, Gigs and More What’s on, where and when – all you need to know about the festive entertainment scene

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NEWS

g n i v liTODAY

SIR LENNY’S HOME TRUTHS

Dudley’s finest, Sir Lenny Henry, has hailed the ‘huge honour’ he has received from his home city. The actor, comedian and charity campaigner was invested as chancellor of Birmingham City University at a special ceremony. He said: “Birmingham has influenced me a lot… it’s where I came to snog at Snobs and have lamb chops for the first time at Rackhams!

To be chancellor of BCU is huge.”

Bringing you the brightest and most colourful stories from across the city each month

NEW LOOK TURNERS OPENS One of the pioneers of Birmingham’s burgeoning restaurant scene has given his Michelin-starred Harborne eatery a new look and menu. With 30 years at the top of the culinary tree, Richard Turner has created a pared-back menu based on feedback from customers. Turners at 69 is open for longer with a more accessible price tag but the menu has the same seasonal focus and top notch ingredients diners expect.

See In The City, page 82.

PEOPLE’S ORCHESTRA

STRIKES UP ON TV The People’s Orchestra, which featured in our July issue, has been chosen to appear in a new TV series. The talented Birmingham musicians are among five finalists to compete in BBC’s All Together Now: The Great Orchestra Challenge. Screening this month, the programme aims to find the orchestra that best captures the spirit of great British amateur music-making in the UK.

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FLYING TONIGHT! Forget ‘chocks away’… it was more like ‘chips away’ when Clive Reeves donned Biggles gear. He was among a party from Birmingham Press Club who visited Take Flight Aviation at Wellesbourne Airfield, Stratford-upon-Avon. The day included a flight over the Warwickshire countryside and, once back on the ground, a fish and chip supper. Take Flight Aviation operates a fleet of 16 light aircraft.

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NEWS

I’M A HAMMER HERO! Feeling strong? This lad certainly was when Marvel superhero Thor challenged hundreds of visitors to the Bullring to lift a replica of his legendary hammer Mjolnir It was part of a preview for the live action family arena show, Marvel Universe LIVE! Super Heroes Assemble, at the Barclaycard Arena in December.

SHAKESPEARE AND SELFRIDGES Selfridges Birmingham has raised the curtain on a stunning programme of events to mark the 400th anniversary of the death of Shakespeare – including building a stage which will feature live performances by some of Birmingham’s leading actors.

Throughout September, the store will be hosting Shakespeare reFASHIONed, an array of fashion collaborations, interactive activities and artefacts, including a costume worn by Dame Judy Dench in the 2006 RSC production of The Merry Wives of Windsor, pictured.

Dale Hollinshead of Dale Hairdressing and Jennifer Bates of In Bloom

DUO LAUNCHES JQ FUSIONS Dale Hairdressing and In Bloom joined forces to launch the start of JQ Fusions with their In Bloom and Dales showcase.

Highlighting the salon’s technical expertise alongside summer bouquets, attendees were treated to a set of workshops designed to teach them how to incorporate floral features and intricate plaits into their new summer hairstyles. JQ Fusions is organised by the Jewellery Quarter BID.

BISHOP LEADS CHARITY GROUP A Birmingham civic leader has become president of a grant-giving organisation which supports community groups and charities across the region. The Rt Rev David Urquhart, Bishop of Birmingham, has joined the Heart of England Community Foundation which awards funds to groups and organisations in Birmingham, the Black Country, Coventry, Warwickshire and Solihull.

Sir Dominic Cadbury, CEO of the Heart of England Community Foundation Tina Costello and the Rt Rev David Urquhart

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NEWS

DANCERS DON’T TRY THIS AT HOME STEP OUT Carrie Fertig knows how to fire up an audience, but her glass-making skills are being put to a very different test at mac Birmingham.

Carrie, composer Alistair MacDonald and percussionist Stu Brown are part of Craftspace Curates, a unique performance seen live for the first time in England. Carrie makes instruments using a process of flameworking with fire which she then plays with the musicians.

The wonders of dance will be displayed by DanceXchange, the Midlands-based dance house, which has announced its autumn season at Birmingham Hippodrome. There’s something for everyone from the English premiere of a family-friendly show at Christmas, to a visually mesmerising production at the cuttingedge of dance and digital technology.

It all starts on 22 September.

TOLL ROAD HELP FOR HEROES Drivers using the M6 toll road are helping to give military personnel and their families support. The road operator is sponsoring a family room at Fisher House, at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, where service people can stay during a period of treatment. The Weeford Room will be financed for a year.

DEGREE FOR CITIZEN KHAN The star and creator of TV’s Citizen Khan, Birmingham’s Adil Ray, has received an honorary degree from Birmingham City University in a ceremony at Symphony Hall. Adil also issued a warning to fans of the hit BBC One sitcom ahead of its new series. “There’s a funeral this series. I have to say if you’re a fan of Citizen Khan, someone will be leaving us,” he said.

Adil Ray with Professor Cliff Allan, Birmingham City University’s Vice-Chancellor

GOLF CHAMP’S CASH AND CARRY When you’ve just won a top golf title you’re going to need something big to carry away your winnings.

Golfing legend Tony Jacklin had just the job for victorious Mark Mouland – a wheelbarrow filled with cash. Mark won the money at the Farmfoods British Par 3 Championship at Nailcote Hall. He is the first double winner of the tournament, having taken the title in 2008. See Social Scene, pages 76 and 77.

september 2016

IN BRIEF CHILLI DAY It’s been hot in Birmingham this summer, but it’s about to get even hotter! Birmingham Chilli Festival is back on 17 September and organisers are looking for the bravest Brummies to take part in the infamous chilli-eating competition.

PANTO CALL Children are being given the chance to appear in a hit pantomime this Christmas by auditioning for Belgrade Theatre’s Dick Whittington.

Auditions are being held for three teams of eight for the panto chorus, plus one team of reserves.

PHOTO SHOW Details have been revealed for the largest exhibition of current Midlands photographers’ work. Sponsors of Frame16 at Millennium Point in November include the Royal Photographic Society. More at http://www.framecreatives.com/f rame16_submissions.htm

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NEWS

NASA MEETS BOLLYWOOD Astronauts, Bollywood dancers and Anglo-Saxons… an unlikely mix that came together during the summer holidays as Birmingham Museums staged events for all the family across Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, Thinktank and the Heritage Sites. Kids also enjoyed following The Big Read trail, featuring decorated BookBenches.

ARE YOU READY TO RUN? Local bereavement charity Edward’s Trust is urging individuals or teams of friends and work colleagues to dust off their running shoes and sign up for the Birmingham Half Marathon and Birmingham 2017 International Marathon. The half marathon on Sunday 16 October will pass the Trust’s HQ. Visit http://www.greatrun.org/greatbirmingham-run. If you sign up for the half marathon you will receive exclusive priority to the International Marathon.

WELCOME TO BEAR-MINGHAM… More than 100 giant bear sculptures will be leaving their paw prints all over Birmingham next summer. Following the success of The Big Hoot, Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity and creative producers Wild in Art are planning The Big Sleuth – so named because sleuth is the collective noun for a group of bears. The individually designed, 165cm sculptures will appear throughout the city.

MEET OUR MISTRY CHEF The carving knives will be out for actor Jimi Mistry when he showcases his culinary skills by joining pal Glynn Purnell on stage for the ultimate live cooking experience. The East is East, Coronation Street and EastEnders star is the latest addition to the celebrity lineup for Glynn Purnell & Friends’ Friday Night Kitchen event at Villa Park on 7 October in aid of Cure Leukaemia.

REP BOOST FOR FUTURE TALENT New theatre talent has been given a boost by Birmingham Rep which has announced more professional development opportunities for theatre makers, writers and directors over the next three years. Grants totalling £332,000 from the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation and the Leverhulme Trust will enable The Rep to run its successful Rep Foundry programme until 2019.

GOT ANY NEWS? Email your news and pictures to editor@brumliving.co.uk 10 birmingham living

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COVER STORY

A PLACE IN THE BRUM TV property expert and honorary Brummie, Jonnie Irwin talks to Shelley Carter about Harborne, Brexit, stag dos and his love for the city

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COVER STORY

he dream start to an interview is not, “I’ve on a camcorder and sent it to the producers.” just got back from my stag do, so bear with He interviewed shoppers in the street on the me” (an Alan Partridge-themed do on the day after Boxing Day about why they were Norfolk Broads in case you’re wondering). returning Christmas presents. This impressed the However, if this was a below par Jonnie Irwin, he producers and bagged him a proper screen test must be one lively fella on a good day. followed by a job offer and more than 200 episodes The cheeky chappie burst onto our screens 12 of A Place in the Sun under his belt – and Jonnie years ago with A Place in the Sun co-host Jasmine still loves what appears to be a dream gig. He Harman and his star has been on the rise ever admitted: “It is pretty good! The best thing about since. Numerous TV presenting roles have it is getting to explore places you might quite like followed including Escape to the Country as well to visit but you wouldn’t necessarily waste your as speaking at conferences and events and he’s precious fortnight holiday on. The Caribbean was become a household name. a surprise for instance. I thought it’d be all Growing up in rural Leicestershire, Jonnie Americanised and it wasn’t. It was so different.” moved to Birmingham to study and fell in love with the place. As you’d expect he got on the property ladder pronto buying The Caribbean was a surprise a small place in Bearwood followed by – I thought it’d be all Americanised another in Moseley which he still owns.

After graduating from Birmingham City and it wasn’t University with a degree in estate management in 1997, Jonnie began As the name suggests the premise of the show is a building a successful career at Christie and Co series of house-hunters buying property abroad with before being head-hunting by Colliers in Jonnie and co on hand to guide them through it. It’s Birmingham to set up a hotel and leisure division an interesting watch and at times frustrating as often when an opportunity in TV came knocking. It the house hunters don’t buy anything. Jonnie said: nearly didn’t happen though.

“When the house hunters don’t pull the trigger SCREEN TEST through fear, yes that’s frustrating. Conversely there Jonnie explained: “I’d just got back from a trip to are days when I say to them ‘I don’t think this is Argentina and I had a message saying a TV right for you. Let’s keep looking’.” production company was looking for people in With a small team filming for weeks at a time property for a new show. I’d missed the deadline it’s crucial they get along. “We’re in one another’s while I was away and when I called I was told it was pockets and we’re a tight team. What I’ve realised too late.” Undeterred, Jonnie didn’t take no for an about TV people is that they make things happen. answer. He added: “I just thought it probably The attitude is a can-do one. They just get on with wasn’t too late in truth, so I did my own screen test it and anything’s possible.”

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I wondered if Brexit had affected the show, but Jonnie says not. “We haven’t missed one day of filming since Brexit. The majority of house hunters on the show are looking for a holiday home and that’s largely unaffected although obviously people realise their budgets have shrunk due to exchange rates. The Brits are such massive buyers of property in areas like Southern Spain and we’re so strong in the market that it’s worth a cheeky offer.”

And what of the property market in Birmingham? “Property stock in Birmingham is good. There are some wonderful streets. I’m not into property hotspots and I’m definitely an advocate of buying the worst house in the best street. My dad taught me that. I’d buy somewhere secure like Harborne which has good pubs, nice shops and is a short distance to the city centre – that’s important to me. Otherwise what’s the point? I might as well be in Solihull.”

I’ve managed to detach myself from Three weeks after we talked Jonnie was set to enjoy (possibly) the emotional side of buying a property… I’m his second stag do because one’s just not enough! This one’s a bit definitely an advocate of buying the worst secretive though and he has been house in the best street instructed to turn up at the airport Surprisingly Jonnie doesn’t have a holiday with his passport and wallet with no home – “I don’t spend enough time in my actual home clue as to where he’s going. If he makes it back in let alone a holiday home! I’ve managed to detach myself one piece you can catch up with Jonnie at Place in from the emotional side of buying a property. I see the Sun Live. I something I want, sleep on it and realise it’s not the right decision.” Now living in London, Jonnie has kept HERE’S JONNIE! his house in Moseley as an investment and is regularly Jonnie will be at A Place in the Sun Live at the NEC from in Birmingham visiting his best mate. He enthused: 23-25 September “I’m so fond of the city. It’s probably the friendliest city If you’re a budding house-hunter you can have your very own screen test I’ve been to anywhere in the world. Seriously.” The city at the event. The only qualifying factor is you must be serious about has rewarded him with an honorary doctorate from buying a property abroad and be able to talk.

BCU which he’s delighted about.

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FEATURE

BIRD’S EYE VIEW Words: David Johns

Tom Bird is a gifted young photographer who is using his camera to make a name for himself in the creative world of fine art e pass them every day of our lives and barely give them a glance. Nondescript warehouses, old run-down industrial buildings, angular modern office blocks, dual carriageways plunging into dark unwelcoming underpasses. But Tom Bird doesn’t see them like that. To the 26-year-old Birmingham photographer they are potential works of art, presenting him with an opportunity to turn a picture into a dramatic and thought-provoking canvas.

Tom’s vision and talent for seeing the unusual in our city earned him a place as one of only 16 contemporary UK artists invited to exhibit in a show staged by leading fine art publishers Washington Green. As the youngest contributor taking part, his amazing images sat alongside works from much more established artists.

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BOURNVILLE COLLEGE “I first photographed Queensway Tunnel in 2009 when it was closed for maintenance,” said Tom of one of his images. “The new shot in the exhibition was when it was closed off again. I knew what I wanted to do and just walked down the road, set up and took the shot. It worked out really well.”

When you see Tom’s work it’s hard to realise that it’s only a handful of years since he graduated from

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Birmingham City University with an honours degree. And less than two years since he was working for a car dealership in Oldbury. His family is from Wolverhampton and he attended Birchfield School and Oldswinford School, Stourbridge before moving to Birmingham to go to college.

“I was originally thinking I would go to Manchester University to study geography,” he recalls. “But a close friend talked me into going and doing art foundation with him at Bournville College. I started playing around with photography and found that I really enjoyed it and had a talent for it.

“When I finally left BCU with my degree, I was still trying to decide what I should do with it. I needed to make a living. I worked as a sales assistant in various shops and then I went and worked at Syntner BMW as their first proper car photographer. It proved to be very strict and stringent with how BMW would allow their cars to be shot, but it gave me a real sense of corporate and commercial work which I still like to do.”

Tom says he made the decision to set up his own business because he wanted to pursue more creative avenues with his photography and “I thought I can do this, it can’t be that hard”. He came up the name Infinity Project, got himself a new camera, a website

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FEATURE

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More needs to be done

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for contemporary arts space in the city. I want to have my own permanent gallery

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FEATURE

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I knew what I wanted to do and

just walked down the road, set up and took the shot of Queensway Tunnel

and used the contacts he had been building up to get started earning some money. “I wanted to focus on the creative side of photography and most of the people I was dealing with wanted me to go down that route too otherwise they wouldn’t have been interested in what I could give them,” he explained.

It would be a mistake to think of Tom as a landscape artist. “I really enjoy anything around lifestyle,” he said. “I’ve always been interested in design oriented things, like furniture.” He has produced work for a number of local clients, including I Choose Birmingham, Horton Estates (with some amazing ongoing pictures of the renovation work inside the listed Grand Hotel, Colmore Row), Two Cats Kitchen (creatively presenting plates of food), Allied Irish Bank (where he has 44 prints on permanent display) and Resorts World.

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But it’s turning photography into pure art that drives him moving forward. He wants to gain a high profile in Birmingham for being known for cutting edge creative work. He also says: “I want to do a popup gallery at some point. More needs to be done for contemporary arts space in the city. I want to have my own permanent gallery space where I can exhibit my work with that of other artists. A retail unit but not presented as a shop, or an industrial unit maybe under a railway arch or something. Somewhere artists can showcase their work, with everything from furniture to ceramics and more.”

WOWING CRITICS Tom adds: “Photography is very popular now, everyone has a digital DLR, but when I started at uni it wasn’t like that. I am fortunate that I have learned so much which other people are only now beginning to understand.” After wowing the critics at the Washington Green show, he’s now onto his next project. “I’m starting a new creative collection on the different formation of clouds,” he said.

The sky truly is the limit for this talented Brummie…I

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FOOD & DRINK

IAN PERCIVAL The head chef at the Kings Hotel in Chipping Campden talks sunset barbecues on the beach, his love of fish, hatred of coffee, mum’s rissoles – and eating snake!

Tell us about your cooking I class my cooking as modern British with the occasional Asian influence. New ingredients excite me, as does working out how to use things I haven’t used before. Fresh ingredients are definitely the most important thing in a kitchen and also having access to them through decent, local suppliers.

How did you become a chef?

It was a job I fell into after leaving school. I started working in the industry as a kitchen porter and then a waiter. I thought I would enjoy cooking, so I started an apprenticeship at Camborne College in Cornwall and worked in and around Padstow until I moved to the Cotswolds two years ago. Most of my background is based on using super-fresh seafood. When I worked in Cornwall we’d often get fish, lobsters and crab straight off the boats as they docked in Padstow harbour.

What do you eat when at home?

To be honest, I don’t do a lot of cooking at home as I’m mostly at work. My wife likes learning new recipes

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and she makes a really mean stroganoff! When I lived in Cornwall, we cooked the first ever bass I caught on a barbecue on Crantock beach as the sun was setting.

That was a pretty perfect experience…

Who’s the best chef in the world and why? And who’s the best in Brum?

That’s an impossible question to answer because there are so many different chefs that have so many varied styles which are world class, so influence can be taken from all of them. I recently went to Purnell’s in Birmingham for lunch which was fantastic. The cured trout dish was probably the best fish course I’ve ever had.

Is the customer always right?

Haha! That’s a controversial question. Sometimes they are but it really all depends on the situation.

Share a cooking tip Don’t be afraid to experiment. If you like an ingredient, use it. Another good thing to remember is that the most expensive cuts are not always the best.

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CHEF’S CORNER

For the recipe to make Ian’s superb Salmon Mi Cuit, Chicory Jam, Caviar and Cucumber visit our website www.brumliving.co.uk

What was your favourite food as a kid?

Funnily enough, food wasn’t a major part of my childhood really and we weren’t into eating out. One of my favourites though was rissoles.

Food heaven and food hell?

Heaven is nearly everything fish-related. Hell is anything involving coffee.

What’s the most unusual thing you’ve eaten?

I’d have to say that would probably be snake.

If you weren’t a chef, what would you be?

It’s more than likely that I would have followed in my dad’s footsteps and become a carpenter. I always enjoyed helping him at work when I was a kid.

What do you recommend from this evening’s menu?

I would start with gin and tonic cured salmon, followed by pork belly and cheek accompanied by celeriac, baby turnips from our garden and spiced grains. I’d finish with British strawberries, white chocolate bavarois and mint granita. I The Kings Hotel, The Square, Chipping Campden, GL55 6AW is part of the Midlands-based Eden Hotel Collection. Tel: 01386 840256 www.kingscampden.co.uk

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LUNCH SPOT

BARDOLINO The Cube, Birmingham, B1 1RN. Tel: 0121 634 3433 mpwrestaurants.com "www.bardolino" n the heart of school holiday territory with tans fading and tethers ending I took the brood to Marco Pierre White’s latest offering, ‘ultra-casual’ canalside Bardolino in the hope of regrouping.

Located in the Clubandspa’s old restaurant space it’s a bit of a departure. Whitewashed walls have given way to living herbs in wooden boxes, shelves full of top-notch Italian produce and chunky wooden tables on which sits good quality olive oil and balsamic as standard. The other half ordered a Bellini pronto. Must have been the prospect of lunch with the famiglia.

Simple and confident, I liked the menu a lot.

Apparently there were many versions before this succinct little number was agreed on, some including steaks and burgers which would’ve been a mistake in my view. It’s a list full of authentic homemade Italian fare with much to admire. No place for burgers.

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FLAVOURS OF THE MED We enjoyed the Monte Cristo starter for two consisting of focaccia, smashed avocado, caponata, tomato bruschetta, mozzarella and Zarpellon (Italian hard cheese to you and me). The wooden board was heaving with flavours of the Med and looked a picture. Caponata was fresh and fantastically moreish with warm salty focaccia.

Smashed avocado and mozzarella did what they said on

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the tin and the bruschetta was a winner. The kids loved it too. There’s no getting away from the fact it was salty, but I reckon that’s because I’m neurotic about it at home.

Every bit of the board was utterly delicious and the salt didn’t matter because I didn’t do it, so it didn’t count!

The children’s menu was a steal at £5.50 for two courses and £3.95 for one. Full of choices the little ones and I approved of, it was a rare thing. Predictably they enjoyed macaroni cheese which was served in cute cast iron ramekins. A couple of shakes (chocolate and raspberry) put me in the running for mum of the year.

Regrouping was going well.

Awesome chunky meatballs in a punchy Napoletana sauce served with garlic ciabatta went down a treat while the stone-baked Florentina pizza was a winner. The base was perfect and the egg surrounded by spinach and cheese was still oozing and unctuous. It was a bit of a carb-fest although there was a lot of choice for the virtuous too. The superfood salad in particular sounded brilliant.

We swerved dessert, but were tipped the wink that the tiramisu is to die for. Next time. I

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NIBBLES and

SHORTS

Birmingham has a lively and buzzing bar and restaurant scene. Here, we present our insider guide to what’s going on in your city’s eateries and drinking dens ALCHEMIST ADDS TO THE MIX There’s an extra buzz in Colmore Row as The Alchemist bar and restaurant prepares to open on 26 September. The brand already has six UK venues – two in both Manchester and Leeds, and one each in London and Liverpool. The restaurant will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner.

DIGBETH GETS UGLY A Coyote Ugly-style bar has opened in Lower Trinity Street, Digbeth. The bar is based on the 2000 cult film, Coyote Ugly which is best known for its waitresses – also known as ‘coyotes’ – who sing and dance on top of the bars. This we have to go see…

JOCKEY RIDES TO VICTORY The Jockey Inn in Baughton has been named the Midlands regional winner in the Good Food Guide Local Restaurant of the Year Awards. The Jockey is run by Rebekah Seddon-Wickens who bought the building with her father. After a huge refurbishment, it opened in 2015 giving the community back its local meeting place.

OFFICIAL! WE’VE GOT GREAT TASTE More than 200 products from the Midlands have been named in the Great Taste awards, recognised as a mark of excellence with consumers and retailers alike. Judges, who include top food critics and food buyers from the likes of Harrods and Selfridges, make their awards after blind-tasting products which have had wrappers removed.

TUMMY TUCK AT ONE ELM We've all been there – a Friday night out with a few beers too many and a heavy head and rumbling stomach the next morning. The remedy is the new Bottomless Brunch at the One Elm, Stratford. Every Saturday from 9am until 3pm you can enjoy two hours of bottomless dining plus soft or stiff drinking to set you on your way.

BOTANIST GROWS WITH NEW BAR Popular Birmingham bar, The Botanist is expanding with the launch of its new basement bar, The Plant Rooms. The Plant Rooms has its own bar and offers a different look and feel, as well as two flexible spaces to seat eight and 12.

TEA AND CAKE IS SERVED FOR ANGELS Searcys and The Balcony in Birmingham celebrated the launch of their brand new menu with an afternoon tea party for nurses from Birmingham Children’s Hospital. Styled by Searcys features rainbow-inspired finger sandwiches, pastries and tarts, presented in a bespoke hatbox.

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SEASON'S EATINGS

MOULES FRITES That’s mussels and chips to you and me! And very tasty they are too… ou’ve had an awesome holiday in the south of France and seduced by the warm sea air and encouraged by that dashing waiter you tried mussels for the first time and they were divine. Just because you’re back in Blightly it doesn’t mean you have to go straight back to fish fingers.

Try this simple recipe for the classic bistro favourite of moules frites (or mussels and chips if you prefer). I

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Ingredients:

I 1kg fresh mussels (make sure they are fresh, black and shiny) I 1 large onion, peeled and finely chopped I 1 large shallot, peeled and finely chopped I 2 fat garlic cloves, peeled and crushed I 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme I 1 tablespoon chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley I 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chervil I 50ml olive oil I 150ml dry white wine I 2 tablespoons crème fraiche

Method: Tip the mussels into a large bowl of cold water, rinse, drain well and pull away the stringy bits called ‘beards’. Place the chopped onion, shallot and garlic in a saucepan with the olive oil, gently sweat them over a low to medium heat for about 5 minutes, or until slightly soft. Add the chopped herbs.

Add the washed mussels to the pan and cover with dry white wine, bring slowly to the boil, then simmer gently while stirring. Continue until the mussels have opened – discard any that don’t open – this can take between 2 to 5 minutes. Add the crème fraiche mixing through the cooked and opened mussels. Serve in a deep bowl with the frites (or thin cut chips!) on the side.

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WINE

THE GLOVES ARE OFF Wine expert Rob Price predicted three years ago that English wines would eventually KO France’s finest. Fighting talk indeed, but is he being proved right?

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WINE

last wrote an article on English wine three years ago, when I predicted that 2347 would be the year English wine overtook Bordeaux in production. Now, given our average annual wine production versus Bordeaux was around 0.003 per cent, I can appreciate you may well scoff. But as events over the past couple of months have taught us, anything could – and probably will –happen!

Based on last year’s figures, we are making good progress with now more than five million bottles of wine produced per year. Only another 845 million bottles to catch up Bordeaux. Easy!!

We now have 133 wineries with around 500 vineyards in England and Wales covering over 1,800 hectares. The average site is just under four hectares per vineyard. Approximate retail value of wine sold is £82million per annum, representing less than one per cent of the overall UK wine market.

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TOP VINEYARDS Our most northerly vineyard is in Yorkshire, with the largest single vineyard (Denbies) at 106 hectares. Nyetimber though has the largest overall estate with 170 hectares. Two of our nearest vineyards worthy of a visit are Buzzards Valley in Tamworth, and Halfpenny Green in Stourbridge.

Both allow you to book a vineyard tour and boast a good restaurant and wine shop where you can sample the fruits of their labour, quite literally!

Two-thirds of what we produce is sparking wine, about a quarter is white wine and the remainder, less than 10 per cent, is red and rosé. Chardonnay (23 per cent) and Pinot Noir (22 per cent) dominate, mostly used for sparkling wines – which of course makes sense as these are two premium grapes in Champagne and both grow well in our cool northern climate.

Three years ago I was also lamenting just how poor the 2012 vintage was, but thank goodness the following years have been kinder with some good stuff produced. In 2012 only one million bottles were produced. The figure was five million in 2015, so quite an increase.

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KNOCKOUT BUYS

Nyetimber Blanc de Blancs A truly stunning wine made solely from the Chardonnay grape. Has won numerous gold medals and wine competitions. The 2009 is now drinking wonderfully. Pale gold, tantalising bubbles, floral aromas overlaid with pastry and brioche. Beautifully balanced on the palate, elegant, complex, with a long finish. Around £36 from wine merchants, including Slurp, Hennings and Wine Direct.

Ridgeview Blanc de Noir 2013 Another award-winner. Made from Pinot Noir and Meunier, both black grapes. Careful pressing and skin removal makes this a distinctive white sparkling wine with persistent bubbles, red fruit aromas and a rich complex palate. Exel Wines sell for £29.59.

Halfpenny Green Pink Sparkling 2013 A lovely sparkling rosé made with a blend of Pinot Noir and Seyval Blanc.

Refreshing flavours full of English summer berries. Lovely to drink now but will improve over the next three to five years. Available direct from the vineyard at £19.95/bottle. Call 01384 221122.

Chapel Down English Sparkling Rosé The only NV (non-vintage) among our four wines, so a blend across years, and a blend of several grape varieties including Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Meunier. Fine delicate bubbles, with honeysuckle and wild berry aromas. Creamy and moreish on the palate.

Marks and Spencer sell for £22 a bottle.

As well as increasing production, the good news is that English quality is also being recognised as we continue to win awards, again mainly in the sparkling wine area. So, this month I have chosen four top English fizzes for you to try – two whites and two rosés. Give them a go, I guarantee you’ll love them. I

Birmingham Wine School is an independent wine education company offering fun informal wine tasting events and Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) courses in Birmingham, Warwick and Milton Keynes. For more information contact Rob Price 0121 270 7359 or visit www.birminghamwineschool.com

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BREATH-TAKING

LATIN AMERICA Everything we love about Spain – but closer to the Equator

he music, the food, the language – Spanish culture has fascinated people for hundreds of years. If you want your Spanish a bit closer to the Equator, you need to get to Latin America Luckily, it’s closer than you think. Iberia has regular flights from Birmingham to many Latin American cities via Madrid.

With only one stop and good connection times, you can reach your Latin paradise in no time.

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Buenos Aires, Argentina (15 hours, 30 minutes) Nicknamed the ‘Paris of South America’, Buenos Aires exudes charm and sophistication. Grand tree-lined avenues, glamorous nightlife, a world-class opera house, and packed football stadiums all contribute to this eclectic and elegant city.

Beef it up: Steak-lovers – rejoice. Argentina produces some of the world’s best beef, and Buenos Aires is the place to try it.

Head to a parrilla or steakhouse to indulge your inner carnivore with every cut imaginable.

Learn to tango: Buenos Aires is the birthplace of tango. Its popularity has dwindled with younger generations, but older locals still frequent milongas or tango clubs. La Milonga de los Consagrados is a great place to watch them dance. For professional

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shows, try El Viejo Almacén and La Ventana. If you want to join in, take classes at La Catedral.

Santiago, Chile (18 hours, 30 minutes) Home to more than a third of Chile's population, Santiago is a bustling metropolis. With a steady economy and two decades of political stability, the city has blossomed into one of Latin America’s best places to live.

Drink a bottle or two: Chile’s unique geography and mild climate make it a vinicultural paradise. Just south of Santiago is the Maipo Valley, Chile’s oldest wine region. Here, you can find large wineries like Concha y Toro, as well as smaller producers like the acclaimed Antiyal vineyard. This region is most famous for its Cabernet Sauvignon and Carmenere wines.

Get crafty: Artisanal crafts from throughout Chile can be found in Santiago’s markets. The Santa Lucía craft market is great for cheap, mass-produced souvenirs. For top quality crafts, visit Los Dominicos in the wealthy Las Condes district or the Patio Bellavista in the artsy Bellavista neighbourhood. Seek out alpaca wool garments and deep blue lapis lazuli jewellery.

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ADVERTORIAL

all here. Capitolio Nacional, Edificio Bacardí, and Palacio Cueto are all highlights.

See change underway: Havana is changing fast. Its faded beauty remains – car buffs will marvel at the old models still in use, mass development has yet to begin – but perhaps not for long. As Cuba opens up, it’s the perfect place to see entrepreneurship at work. Dine at a paladar or private restaurant, stay at a casa particular or bed and breakfast, visit one of the latest shops or galleries; their owners are charting new territory.

Miami, Florida (13 hours)

Havana, Cuba (13 hours, 15 minutes) Colourful, musical and historical, Havana is a capital city caught between the old guard and the modern world. Havana now is already vastly different than Havana two years ago, before the US eased restrictions on its citizens travelling and spending money there. Go now to experience it before it changes completely.

Appreciate the architecture: Havana Vieja, or Old Havana, is the best place to see the city’s architectural riches. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982, this neighbourhood has hundreds of historic buildings, many of which have been carefully restored. Baroque, Neoclassical, Art Deco – they’re

Geographically, Miami might not be Latin American, but it is culturally. Hispanic immigration has shaped this energetic city, from waves of Cubans in the 1960s to more recent immigration from countries like Colombia, Venezuela, and the Dominican Republic.

Hit the beach: No trip to Miami would be complete without a day or two at the beach. Miami’s easily accessible beaches are great for swimming, sunbathing, kite surfing, jet skiing, paddle boarding, people watching and more. South Beach is famous, Bal Harbour is glitzy, and residential spots like Surfside offer a family vibe. Slightly further afield are the beautiful beaches of Key Biscayne.

Fun for the whole family: Children will love Miami. They can play on the beach all day, roller blade down the boardwalk, go biking and canoeing in Oleta River State Park, and catch starfish at Biscayne Nature Center. At night, mum and dad can go out on the town. Check out live music at the legendary club Hoy Como Ayer, or have a cocktail at a bar in one of South Beach’s iconic Art Deco buildings. I

GETTING THERE Birmingham Airport offers regular onestop flights to each of these Latin American destinations with Spain’s flagship airline, Iberia. Find out more at www.birminghamairport.co.uk.

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WIDE LAPELS Double-breasted wool mix coat £350, Jigsaw, Cannon St

COATS, CAPES & OTHER STORIES Stop what you’re doing. It’s that time of year again and we’re feeling twitchy. A showstopping coat can make or break a look, but calm down and listen to the voice of reason

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STYLE

PREPPY PERFECTION Available from New Look, The Fort

BURGUNDY BOMBER Jacket £99, Finery London, John Lewis, Grand Central

TAN TASTIC Side belt alpaca coat £499, Jaeger, Bullring

e’d have liked Coaty McCoatface as a headline, but it was poo-pooed by the editor. Not to worry, the concept lives on. You see, our Coaty McCoatface would be as smiley as it sounds with a hint of mild hysteria and a slightly twitchy eye. For as we contemplate a new outerwear purchase we’re overcome by excitement – but ‘hang fire’ our conscience says, ‘don’t just dive in’.

Well, of course, the conscience is annoyingly right. The most important purchase of the season needs some thought. Firstly, lay out what you have already. If you have a couple of cracking classic coats, why not have a play around with some less expensive styles that will see you through the winter and not much further. The limited edition camo faux fur number from M&S is a prime example as is the pimped-up fur from Topshop with dazzling pocket detail.

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CARAMEL CLASSIC If it’s a classic woollen coat that’s missing, lucky you. Personally we think everyone needs a caramelcoloured classic whether it’s double or single breasted. Jaeger’s belted alpaca is a winner with a nice side belt detail. The White Company’s reversible sheepskin is worth a look too. While on the pricey side, you get two in one, so celebrate the

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EVERY OCCASION Belted coat £115, Next, The Fort

DOUBLE TROUBLE Faux shearling coat £69, M&S, The Fort

bargain! We love Jigsaw’s double-breasted wool mix with wide lapels too which will last and last.

Capes can look a bit like you tried too hard, so we’d go for a subtle Maje knitted version from Selfridges or if you’re feeling bold, the long purple number from Hobbs would work brilliantly with well-cut jeans and killer heels.

For a terrific trench you don’t even need to leave New Street station. Oliver Bonas – our new favourite haunt – has a superb example. But beware, once you’re through the door you ain’t ever leaving. Have you seen the wrapping paper? We digress, but seriously check it out. I

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STYLE

FEEL IT Angled pocket felt coat £399, Jaeger, Bullring

IN THE PINK Coat £85, Debenhams, Bullring

CASUAL CHARM Coat £60, H&M, The Fort

PINK VELVET Velvet bomber jacket £36, Next, Bullring

BELT UP Coat £159, Debenhams, Bullring

CHECK MATE Check coat £199, Monsoon, New St

INSIDE OUT Reversible sheepskin coat £995, The White Company, Grand Central

BLING BLING Faux fur coat with detailing, Topshop, Bullring

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STYLE

SUPER FURRY Bethany coat £179, Hobbs, Grand Central

BE SEEN Camo faux fur jacket £89, M&S, The Fort

CAPED CRUSADER Cape £135, Debenhams, Bullring

SINGING IN THE RAIN Trench £95, Oliver Bonas, Grand Central

PURPLE PATCH Tatiana cape £249, Hobbs, Grand Central

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STYLE

A STEAL Red crombie £85, Wallis, New St

FINE KNIT Maje mood knitted cape £315, Selfridges, Bullring

REAL TEAL TOUGH LOVE

Available from Monsoon, New St

Available from Primark, The Fort

BIKER CHIC Limited edition khaki jacket £89, M&S, The Fort

DUVET DAY Quilted jacket £39.99, New Look, The Fort

WASH OUT Light blue wash borg lined denim jacket £50, River Island, Bullring

SHOW YOUR METAL Coat £69, Debenhams, Bullring

IT AIN’T HEAVY Naomi feather coat £149, Monsoon, New St

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BEAUTY

TERRIFIC TEXTURES

Beauty expert Rose Gallagher takes us through new season textures from tousled hair to silky smooth skin and the stand-out products that will make light work of your regime Estee Lauder Intensive Recovery Ampoules, £86 from House of Fraser A rich, reparative treatment, these ampoules from Estee Lauder contain just enough elixir for one intensive skin treat. Use on irritated skin to calm, repair and add glow.

These are part of the cult Advanced Night Repair range, one of the world’s best selling serums.

Redken Beach Envy Volume Texturising Conditioner, £15.50 from Umberto Giannini For tousled, loose waves, Redken’s Beach Envy range is the ultimate. The gel-like conditioner in particular sculpts and smoothes frizz to leave soft ends without any residue.

The Estee Edit Flash Illuminator Fluid Powder, £22 from Selfridges Velvety and light to the touch, this new illuminator from The Estee Edit starts its life as a fluid and is baked into a powder.

Consequently the finish is super luminous and fine in texture.

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Bobbi Brown Instant Confidence Stick, £26 from John Lewis If you like a mattifying primer, you’ll love this stick. A clear, velvety wand, this can be used under or over make-up to blur out imperfections and smooth the skin.

Urban Decay Moondust Palette, £35 from Selfridges To add instant depth and glamour to a smoky eye look, the new kid on the block is this dazzling new palette from Urban Decay. Featuring eight brand new high pigment glitters, you can use these alone or on top of an eyeshadow base to add impact.

Tan-Luxe Gradual Tan Lotion, £22 from Space NK in Harvey Nichols One of the easiest tans to use, I am obsessed with the Gradual Tan from new tanning brand Tan-Luxe. No matter how haphazardly you may apply this it simply won’t streak, and for a gradual tan the colour pay-off is fantastic. What’s more, it smells and feels like a whipped fruity yoghurt. I

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STYLE FOR MEN

URBAN CLASSIC Tan coat £35, Primark, Bullring

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STYLE FOR MEN

CASUAL AFFAIR Coat £19, Primark, The Fort

MAN WITH A TAN Tan smart overcoat £75, River Island, The Fort

MINIMUM FUSS Wool blouson jacket £250, Jaeger, The Mailbox

When the temperature drops and your JW Anderson long-line cardigan won’t cut it anymore, what’s a man to do? irstly, hang on to the cardie for they’re going nowhere fast. Secondly, have a butcher’s at this lovely lot and get inspired. We’ve seen the mighty shearling comeback in a big way with traditional versions at Tiger of Sweden and reverse examples at Coach. If the bank isn’t something you want to break, there are some excellent pieces like the version pictured from Jaeger or faux shearling if you’re really bargain hunting. As we highlighted in our August issue functionality is king, so pockets, hoods and practical fabrics are everywhere. One word Belstaff. Alternatively, High Street honeys like House of Fraser and Primark are flaunting some handy wind cheaters with a utility twist.

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SHEARLING JOY Coat £699, Jaeger, The Mailbox

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UNDERCOVER Camo parka £70, Topman, Bullring

SMART NOT CASUAL Collezione modern wool geo £179, M&S, High St

RAINY DAYS Khaki wind-breaker with hood, House of Fraser, Corporation St

THE BOMB Black faux suede bomber jacket £65, River Island, The Fort

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HEALTH

THE PAIN GAME Britain’s stellar Olympics is getting more people than ever into sport – but be sure you know just how far you can push your body eam GB’s awesome medal tally at last month Olympics has inspired many of us to get more active and participate in competitive sports. Before you head off to become the next Max Whitlock or Laura Trott, it’s worth swotting up on basic knowledge of sports injuries. It’s something everyone at any level can benefit from by understanding what should happen, what shouldn’t, and when to seek expert help.

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STRAINS & SPRAINS A strain is caused by stretching or even tearing a muscular tendinous unit. A sprain involves damage to a ligament which attaches one bone to another, crossing a joint. Strains come in three grades: minor muscle pulls; tearing of the fibres leading to swelling that will need three to six weeks to heal; a complete tear which needs to be immobilised in a cast and will take you out of all training for up to six months.

THE ‘PRICE’ METHOD For treating an injury, PRICE stands for Protect, Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation.

Protect the injured area to avoid further injury; Rest to prevent it hurting; Ice the injured joint for 20 For further information on sports injury call BMI The Priory Hospital 0800 142 2316. For physiotherapy enquiries 0121 446 1551 or visit www.bmihealthcare.co.uk.

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minutes every three or four hours; Compression with an elastic bandage to limit swelling; Elevation by lifting a lower extremity such as an ankle above the level of your heart.

STRESS AND FULL FRACTURES The repeated action of running and jumping can exert repetitive stresses that lead to microscopic breaks in part of the bone. This is a stress fracture and treatment usually involves stopping the activity and allowing a healing process over six to eight weeks. A complete fracture means the bone must be reset with a cast.

ACL INJURIES These days, surgery for Anterior Cruciate Ligament tears is not only highly effective but also open to people in their 50s and 60s who want to keep playing demanding sports such as football. Surgery may not always be needed. However, if your sport involves sudden stop starts and fast changes in direction, a procedure to repair or reconstruct the ligament may be the best way forward.

TRAUMATIC AND OVER-USE INJURIES Do I need to see a specialist? It’s a question athletes and sports people often ask themselves about an injury.

If it’s a trauma injury – yes. If you can’t walk or use a limb, or if it’s severe enough to cause disfiguration, then you should see a doctor or visit A&E. I

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ng il viHOMES SLEEP EASY

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Are you getting enough? If the holy grail of eight hours seems out of reach, try overhauling your boudoir and see if that helps…

IN THE THROWS Bed and accessories available from Leekes

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HOMES

PERFECT PASTEL Block Geo pillow sham £45, quilt £145, storage suitcases start from £30, Oliver Bonas

ust to illustrate the importance of a good snooze, did you know you’d die through lack of sleep before starvation? It takes two weeks to starve and only 10 days to die from sleep deprivation. On that chirpy note we’ve pulled together some inspiration for creating a wonderfully restful, super stylish sleepinducing boudoir.

First though let’s talk about the complex world of the mattress.

It’s not one size fits all and while you might feel a bit daft trying out mattresses on the shop floor it’ll be worth it. Get as wide a mattress as your bedroom will allow – for two people a queen is recommended – and test all the different types. You get what you pay for, so go for the best you can afford. Drag your partner along too and lie in your natural sleeping positions for around 10 minutes. Yes, you’ll feel like a twit. The shelf life of a mattress is around five years and the warranty on the product is not an indication of how long you should keep it. When it starts sagging or you notice lumps it’s time to replace it.

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SCANDI VIBE Lexington Holiday printed sateen duvet set from £159, Houseology

RIGHT STRIPES Monochrome striped cushion £24.99, Homesense

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HOMES

VINTAGE VIBE Velvet quilted bedspread £260, Kelly Hoppen

MIRROR MIRROR Abella Cheval Mirror With Drawer £325, Cookes

FLOWER POWER Pip Studio Royal Porcelain pillowcase £15, Amara

NAIL THE STORAGE Once you’ve chosen your perfect base, pay attention to pillows and duvets. Don’t scrimp. We’ve tried many duvets and would always go for a Hungarian goose down. They’re not cheap, but we’ve already established sleep is not an area to cut corners on.

Next, make sure you nail the storage. There’s nothing restful about a bulging wardrobe and inadequate bedside tables. Get organised. Fitted floor to ceiling wardrobes can be the solution offering clever, tailor made systems to house everything you need without taking up any additional floor space. Try local firm Classic Interiors for a personal touch.

It goes without saying that fully lined curtains or blinds are a must as is banishing the gadgets from the bedroom. Easier said than done, but worth a try. I

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HOMES

THE NEW BLACK Grey pom pom cushion £29.50, M&S SUPERB STORAGE Riviera Maison Rangez en Plus bedside table £299, Houseology

DRAMA QUEEN Velvet peacock double duvet £90 and pillow cases £40 for two, House of Fraser

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SUPER SHARP Yves Athena bed linen collection £49.95, HouseologyHomesense

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HOMES

HIGH GLOSS VBardolino truffle oak with gloss pearl basalt feature finish, Classic Interiors BLUE VELVET Velvet cushion £12, Matalan SPREAD THE LOVE Cross stitch velvet bedspread £260, Kelly Hoppen

PATCHWORK WORKS Cath Kidston patchwork duvet set £55, Amara

PRINTS CHARMING Cityscape bedding £45, Ben de Lisi at Debenhams

PRETTY POM POMS Pom pom cushion £16.99, Homesense

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HOMES

Hot Properties From renovated Georgian and Edwardian homes to contemporary living and stunning rooftop views – which takes your fancy?

LEISURE PALACE Ashbrook House, Four Oaks Guide price: ÂŁ2.75million Agent: Aston Knowles, tel: 0121 362 7878 A lovely six-bedroomed home that includes a stunning kitchen/breakfast room, dining room with underground wine cellar, leisure complex with swimming pool and steam room, gymnasium and extensive landscaped gardens over approximately one acre.

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BRICKS&BITS AGENCY WITH GRAND PLANS The city’s newest estate and lettings agency, Century 21 Bigwood, has revealed ambitious expansion plans. CPBigwood was acquired by SDL Group, parent company of Century 21 UK, earlier in the year and Justyn Horton, senior branch manager, said: “The plan is to use the Birmingham city centre office as a template and springboard for new franchises across Birmingham, the Black Country and the shires.”

SAVILLS SEALS PHOENIX DEAL In an undisclosed deal Savills has acquired Birmingham property consultancy GBR Phoenix Beard. GBR employs 205 people who will all join Savills with immediate effect. Managing director, Simon Farrant said: “We are genuinely thrilled to be joining Savills. This is a pivotal moment in GBR Phoenix Beard’s 50-year history.”

VICTORIAN VISION Calthorpe Estates’ vision to create a vibrant leisure and lifestyle community is continuing to thrive. Plans have been submitted to transform 30 Harborne Road to create new leisure and commercial office space.

The plans, designed by Birmingham architects St Paul’s Associates, combine the late Victorian architecture with contemporary features.

From the industry’s movers and shakers to the latest groundbreaking developments… email your property news and pictures to shelley@brumliving.co.uk

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CONTEMPORARY MASTERPIECE Hob Lane, Barston Guide price: £1.8million Agent: Knight Frank, tel: 01789 868488 A beautiful, contemporary home situated in lovely landscaped gardens with superb views overlooking the countryside. Includes six bedrooms, three bathrooms, a triple garage with attached home/office gym and a self-contained pied-a-terre with open plan kitchen/living area, bedroom and en-suite.

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HOMES

ROOM WITH A VIEW St Pauls Chambers, Birmingham Guide price: From £485,000 Agent: Maguire Jackson, tel: 0121 634 1520 This exclusive development comprises a series of two-bedroom apartments which also benefit from two separate bathrooms. The stunning penthouse extends across 3,300 sq ft, occupying the entire top floor.

PERFECT BLEND Rednal Road, Kings Norton Guide price: £625,000 Agent: Fine and Country, tel: 0121 746 6400 If you crave the perfect balance of rich character and modern luxury then this impressive five-bedroom black and white Edwardian detached property is right up your street. Extensively refurbished but still boasting loads of original features, it’s a light and spacious family home.

EDWARDIAN SPLENDOUR The Crescent, Hampton-in-Arden Guide price: £1.35million Agent: Hunters, tel: 01564 770707 This beautiful Edwardian home includes five double bedrooms, four reception rooms, extensive garages, an indoor heated swimming pool and a cracking home office.

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HOMES

GEORGIAN STUNNER High Street, Hampton-in-Arden Guide price: ÂŁ1.35million Agent: Fine and Country, tel: 0121 746 6400 A stunning Grade II listed Georgian property that has undergone complete restoration and refurbishment from the roof to the cellar. Set in beautiful gardens extending to 0.6 acres, this sixbedroomed home is situated in the heart of this beautiful village.

Don’t miss Property of the Week on our Facebook page every Thursday

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MOTORING

LIVING THE

HI-LIFE

The new Toyota Hilux has ‘poshed up’ from rugged commercial carrier to smooth, recreational on-road family performer, says Sue Cooke adore driving pick-ups. I feel ‘king of the road’ in a stylish, easy to drive machine which gives the surety of being able to go anywhere through anything. The pick-up has moved on from being a tough rugged workhorse in commercial fleets to a popular recreational vehicle for families.

I was invited to the EJ Churchill Shooting Ground in Buckinghamshire to drive the eighth generation Toyota Hilux. The arduous off-road route included crossing a substantial river. I managed a glimpse sideways at a small waterfall, which was enhanced with a downpour from the night before. There was a lot of squelching in the mire which oozed from under the

I

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road tyres as I climbed the bank the other side but the new Hilux took it all in its stride.

ORANGE POOLS And while I traversed a few hilly fields and forests, plunged into deep orange-coloured pools of water and slid alarmingly around muddy corners, I still had time to listen to my instructor’s interesting commentary about the grounds, which have been used in many period dramas.

The new Hilux which went on sale on 1 July is longer and wider than the previous generation and towing capacity has increased to 3.5 tonnes. And while

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MOTORING

FACTS AT A GLANCE: Model: Toyota Hilux Invincible Price: £31,350 otr Engine: 2.4-litre turbo-diesel Performance: 0-62mph in 12.8 seconds and on to a top speed of 106mph CO2 emissions: 204 g/km Combined fuel consumption: 36.2mpg

also a long list of airbags and Isofix child seat anchors.

To bring the quality and surprisingly quiet cabin into line with more car-like features, the steering wheel is now adjustable for reach as well as rake. A seven-inch multimedia system is operated using fingertip control.

Rear passengers in the double cab and the extra cab benefit from generous legroom. I found seats are really comfortable and there are many practical storage spaces which are great for family use.

ADDED VALUE it is lower I still had a bit of a jump from the cabin to the ground. Many customers will never dream of taking their pristine Hilux off-road but it is well worth trying the new technology out. All versions are fitted with a locking rear differential to improve traction in tricky conditions. Customers can opt for Trailer Sway Control.

The stability control system adjusts the brakes and throttle to suppress trailer sway in difficult conditions, such as high crosswinds.

There is a long list of equipment – such as cruise control, rear privacy glass and Smart entry and start – which you would more easily find in a premium luxury car. Perhaps more appropriate for Birmingham roads, safety features on the Invincible model I road tested include a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, a lane departure warning and road sign assist. There is

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Toyota has introduced a smaller 2.4-litre turbo-diesel engine which I found has improved torque and fuel economy. There is an upgraded automatic gearbox and six-speed manual transmission which is easy to use.

The Hilux is now covered by a value-added fiveyear/100,000-mile warranty in common with Toyota’s passenger vehicle range.

I suspect that most Hilux customers won’t venture beyond crossing the occasional muddy field but there is a certain surety in knowing that whatever our weather throws at us, this pick-up just gets on and deals with it. I

SHOWROOM: Vantage Toyota Birmingham, Fort Dunlop, 6 Wingfoot Way, Erdington, Birmingham B24 9HF. Tel: 0121 7962429 www.vantagebirmingham.toyota.co.uk

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YOUNG, GIFTED & BRUMMIE

PHARRELL WALLACE-STEELE The City of Birmingham basketball star is looking to emulate his heroes and is putting in the hard yards to get there t 6ft 5ins Pharrell Wallace-Steele towers above his peers at St George’s School in Edgbaston – and he’s still just 13-years-old! That makes him the ideal build for basketball, which he happens to be rather good at.

Pharrell joined City of Birmingham basketball club aged 10 but admits: “I wasn’t very good at first.” We think he’s being modest as he started playing at a high level unusually swiftly. Just a year after joining the club, Pharrell was picked to play in the Under-12 West Midlands squad as centre and has gone on to train with the England Under-14 development team at one of basketball’s regional performance centres.

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HOUSTON HERO There isn’t an official squad at Pharrell’s age group, but the performance centre programme is a good indicator of his ability. He’s aiming for the Under-16 England squad

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and beyond, and all the signs are that this talented youngster will go far.

Pharrell’s hero is retired NBA superstar Hakeem Olajuwon who played for the back-to-back championship-winning Houston Rockets. Mind you, Pharrell has a way to grow to match up to his idol – Hakeem hit the tape measure at 7ft! But there’s still plenty of time for the local lad to make up those inches…

What’s more, City of Birmingham has a successful history of club players going on to compete internationally in recent years, so he’s in the right place to achieve his ambitions and certainly has the right attitude. He trains hard, fitting it in around schoolwork and St George’s fully supports Pharrell’s efforts.

When he’s not training at the club in Neachells he can be found in the gym building up vital strength and stamina or doing his nightly push-ups and sit-ups. And how does he relax? He goes for a jog of course! I

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GROWING PLACES

AMY PUTS SPOTLIGHT ON ALZHEIMER’S An 18-year-old student from Solihull School has made it to the finals of a national art competition with her painting of a man’s journey through Alzheimer’s disease. Amy Mitchell-Meads’s work, Loss of Self, won the NADFAS (National Association of Decorative and Fine Arts Societies) West Midlands Art Competition and will now be entered for the national finals next year. Amy, who hopes to study psychology at Warwick University, said: “I highlighted Alzheimer’s because my grandfather suffered from dementia and I hope this painting will raise awareness.”

SCHOOL REPORT

Birmingham Living is co mmitted to highlighting the best of our schools and colleges. Here’s ou r round-up of the latest stand-out news and ev ents

SAMANTHA’S IN THE

RIGHT PLACE The city’s largest residential conference venue, Conference Aston, has taken on its first Aston University placement student in its sales and marketing team.

Third year general business management student Samantha Musgrove is a sales and marketing assistant, taking responsibility for market research, internal marketing and social media. Completing a placement is compulsory to the 21-year-old’s course, contributing 10 per cent to her final grade.

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SHAKESPEARE? NO SWEAT! GCSE art students from six secondary schools showed off their talent with Shakespeare-inspired sweatshirt designs displayed at Selfridges Birmingham. They took plain black shirts and refashioned them based on a Shakespearean play with a 21st century spin. The winning designs were part of Selfridges Shakespeare ReFASHIONed celebrations, marking the 400th anniversary of the Bard’s death.

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GROWING PLACES

M6 TOLL FUNDS

PLAYSHIP Five local primary schools were handed £3,000 each after winning M6 toll Midland Expressway Schools Foundation awards. The scheme invites primary schools within a five-mile radius of the road to submit applications for the funding of a school project. The successful schools included Chase Terrace Primary in Burntwood which plans to enhance its playground with a wooden playship.

AWARD: Chase Terrace Primary School receive their funds

DREAM LAB

COMES TRUE MANDELA CHOIR ROCKS Pupils and staff from Grace Academy Darlaston were treated to traditional African harmonies and dancing during a visit by a choir of 20 children from a village near Durban. The choir performed Zulu songs, including Asimbonanga about Nelson Mandela’s imprisonment.

Grace Academy student Sophie Morton said of the performance: “I couldn’t believe my ears. It was spectacular.”

Students at King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Girls have had their designs for a state-of-the-art laboratory realised after winning a national competition. Masterminds of the design were Year 11 pupils Simi Bhamra, Phoebe Thomas, Kate Pham and Chloe Taylor. The prize for winning the Lab of the Future competition was £20,000 worth of lab furniture from Innova Design Solutions, but staff at the school were so impressed that they provided extra funding to install the science lab in its entirety.

CANCER RESEARCH BOOST Pupils at Maple Hayes Dyslexia School have presented a cheque for £800 to volunteers from Cancer Research UK. Children and staff from the school, which specialises in a unique way of teaching children who are dyslexic or underachieving, handed the cheque to the charity after fund-raising at their prize giving day. Charity volunteers Lorraine Moore and Pauline Collingswood joined one of the school’s assemblies to receive the cheque.

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BUSINESS

UNIVERSITY HONOURS MOTOR DUO Two leading names from the Midlands motoring industry have been awarded honorary doctorates

by Coventry University. Ian Callum, pictured, director of design for Jaguar, collected an honorary doctorate of arts in recognition of his major innovations in automotive design. Dr George Gillespie OBE, head of Warwickshire-based automotive research company HORIBA MIRA, was made an honorary doctor of technology for his contribution to the UK’s automotive industry.

BUSINESS NEWS

CHARITIES DEBATE BREXIT EFFECT The challenges facing charities post-Brexit were discussed at a special industry seminar organised by the Birmingham office of investment management firm Quilter Cheviot.

Representatives from regional and national charities attended the seminar at the firm’s Snow Hill offices. Speakers included James McLaughlin, CEO of Cure Leukaemia.

LEISURE FIRM BACKS BLUES EZE Group has strengthened its support of Birmingham City FC with the renaming of St Andrew’s main stand as the EZE Group Stand. The move continues a successful relationship over the last five years. Based in Henley-in-Arden, EZE Group is a lifestyle and leisure business offering a range of activities through its concierge services including, holidays, family attractions, entertainment and leisure pursuits.

BLUES RIBBON: Stephanie O'Reilly, MD of EZE Group and Birmingham City director, Panos Pavlakis

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BRAVISSIMO BRUM! Midlands lingerie company Bravissimo has opened its first store in Birmingham, creating 21 jobs. The outlet in Cannon Street is the twenty-sixth UK store to be opened by Bravissimo, which has its headquarters in Leamington Spa and celebrates its twenty-first birthday this year. Founder and chief executive Sarah Tremellen, pictured, said: “Many of our Birmingham customers have been asking us to open a store in the city centre for a while.”

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BUSINESS

DO YOU PASS THE STRESS TEST? A Birmingham charity is helping city businesses become more productive by addressing office-related stress issues.

ChaplaincyPlus, based at One Colmore Row, offers free one-to-one confidential support to city centre professionals struggling to cope with work pressures. Steve Bavington, pictured, chaplain to Birmingham’s business district who runs ChaplaincyPlus, says official figures show that 9.9million days are lost nationally each year.

CENTRE LEADS WAY ON PAY One of Birmingham’s leading academic conferencing venues, Conference Aston, is among the first in its industry to introduce the Living Wage across its hospitality team. Service staff within the organisation will receive a minimum of £8.25 per hour – above the Government’s national minimum wage of £7.20 per hour. The move coincides with Conference Aston’s new contract with catering company Wilson Vale to manage catering and hospitality services across the venue.

LIVING WAGE: Conference Aston boss Sarah Brown

LUKE ROPER TEES UP BIG DAY ROOM TO GROW Accountancy firm Morgan Reach celebrated its move to new offices in Birmingham with an official opening ceremony attended by Gisela Stuart, MP for Edgbaston. “This is an exciting time for the firm,” said MD, Dr Kamran Sheikh. “It's been a great year and to be able to move to new offices so quickly now gives us the space to continue growing, evolving and adapting.”

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Birmingham clothing company Luke Roper celebrated its fifth annual golf day in association with the John Hartson Foundation, the charity that runs the Grab Life by The Balls campaign. Welcombe Golf Club, Stratford-upon-Avon hosted celebrities, customers, friends and family for the event which also marked 15 years in the business for Luke Roper. Evening entertainment included a demonstration from the World Long Drive Golf Champion Joe Miller. More than £5,000 was raised for the charity.

ON COURSE: Dean Saunders, Simon Poole, Luke Roper and Ben Hanlin

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BUSINESS

LET’S GET PHYSICAL

AGENCY MASTERMINDS TV PUSH Birmingham branding agency ORB unveiled a new national TV, radio and online advertising campaign for theme park Drayton Manor Park. Little Moments follows a family on their day out at the theme park and showcases many of its 100 attractions, eateries, Thomas Land, zoo and four-star hotel.

ORB saw the advert as an opportunity to showcase Drayton Manor and promote the region as a great place for UK families to visit.

Staff at chartered accountancy firm Haines Watts in Birmingham are hitting the road and getting out their sports gear in a bid to improve their physical and mental well-being by taking part in the Global Corporate Challenge. The challenge, being taken up by 1,500 companies worldwide, wants businesses to encourage their staff to be healthier. Employees can form teams made of up to seven staff – and more than 45,000 teams have signed up to take part.

LAW FIRM HITS NEW HEIGHTS A leading Midlands-based law firm celebrated its fifth anniversary when clients from across the UK joined directors at an iconic Birmingham building. Emms Gilmore Liberson welcomed more than 70 business leaders to the Laurent Perrier Champagne bar at The Cube, enjoying breath-taking views across the city centre. Emms Gilmore Liberson has grown steadily and recently appointed director of regulatory services Peter Adkins and director of commercial litigation services Richard Cooper.

MEN AT THE TOP: Richard Cooper, Peter Adkins, Stephen Gilmore, Gregg Emms, Mark Dakeyne and Martyn Liberson

QUITE A SITE!

PATRON: Robin Ford, general manager at Park Regis Birmingham, and Paul Faulkner

HOTEL’S CHAMBER BOOST Park Regis Birmingham, the new four-star luxury hotel in the heart of the city, has become Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce’s latest patron. In becoming a GBCC patron, Park Regis joins some of the region’s most high-profile companies and brands. Chambers of Commerce chief executive Paul Faulkner said: “Park Regis has been a particularly great addition to the Five Ways/Edgbaston area.”

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Employers working with the West Midlands Construction University Technical College (UTC) were delighted to see plans coming to life when they visited the school’s new £10million building at the former Springfield Brewery site in Wolverhampton. The University of Wolverhampton, a key sponsor of the UTC, acquired the 12-acre former brewery land in 2014 and has been working with the UTC team to develop a brand new state of the art building for Construction and IT students to occupy later this year.

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PERSON TO PERSON

CLOSE WITH…

GARY TOPP The director of Culture Central, the new cultural development agency for Birmingham, lays out his vision for the city – and reveals why wood is good for him

BEEN THERE, DONE THAT I’m a culture and cities expert, beginning my career as a visual arts curator and then managing museums, galleries and theatres in the north of England. I was fascinated by the way that culture can define and transform places. I was chief executive of Yorkshire Culture for six years. In Melbourne, Australia I extended my work to include green and sustainable city futures in both local government and as a CEO of an environmental non-governmental organisation. Last year I was director of the Bristol Green Capital Partnership during the European Green Capital.

subjects – in a private capacity on the visual arts that I collect and explore and professionally on the value of collaborative leadership in city making.

IT’S WHAT I DO Culture Central is a new city wide organisation created by all of the major cultural institutions to provide a collective voice. We are committed to creating a development and advocacy company that works with the major anchor institutions of the city, the whole breadth of the independent arts scene and with individual artists. For example we have just worked on the Birmingham Cultural Investment Enquiry and we will be leading next year’s major Weekender festival for the city.

BIGGEST LESSON LEARNED Two things stay with me. Don’t be afraid to start small – just start, and that the best projects have usually started with someone telling me why it “can’t happen”.

WHAT I’D LIKE TO SEE Birmingham has all the right elements to be a globallyrecognised city for culture. This means an exceptional place that engages and celebrates its communities, creates and attracts international artists and that recognises culture at the core of its city distinctiveness. I am keen to write more on two

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BIGGEST SUCCESSES Professionally, a long list of small interventions and ideas that have helped organisations and individuals grow and contributed to the arts being at the heart of places. Personally, coming third (for my age group) in my final 100km mountain bike race through the Australian bush.

WHAT I LIKE ABOUT BRUM I love the complexity of Birmingham. This is the root potential it has to be recognised as a great international city. There is so much going on. The city feels full of life.

DOWNTIME I read a lot, art and natural history. I make things with wood and collect and study ceramics. Making something with your hands is a great flipside to too much ‘screen’ time and celebrates the physical and creative side of a good life. Always happy to be at a live music gig or an art gallery – which happens every week at least! I

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VIPs from property, finance and media celebrate the opening of Zen Metro roperty and finance professionals turned out in force for the launch of Zen Metro, Cornwall Street. They were joined at the Thai restaurant by well-known faces from the media, including Capital XTRA’s Sacha Brooks, Heart FM’s Steve Denyer, Free Radio’s Andy Goulding, ITV presenter Genelle Aldred, Radio WM’s Richie Anderson and special guests Lord Mayor Carl Rice and his wife Deed. The restaurant in the heart of Colmore business district boasts an extensive menu, chic interior and a party atmosphere to match. I

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1 Conrad Brunton, Vicky Osgood, Sally and Chris Bowen. 2 Jaimon George, Pawan Kenth, Paul Bassi. 3 Jo Jeffries, Navneet Mangat, Julie Cowley. 4 Anita Champaneri, Lilith Hunt Sheppard. 5 Millie Wilby, Lucy Elvin. 6 Sarah Collyer, Paul Kehoe, Francesca Baller, Justine Howl. 7 Adrian Hindmarsh, Jo Jeffries, Chiara Glorioso. 8 Claire Lycett, Phil Oldershaw, Sarah Morris. 9 Andy Goulding, John Craig, Dan Morrissey, Nate Humphries Photography by Jas Sansi

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MARCO PIERRE WHITE UNVEILS NEW TERRACE Launch raises the roof on all-weather conservatory and light-bite menu ore than 140 people attended the launch of the new conservatory at Marco Pierre White’s Steakhouse Bar & Grill Birmingham. The conservatory features a retractable cover, making the roof terrace a destination whatever the weather. Guests from Birmingham’s business and hospitality sectors were joined by the renowned Bottega brothers, Sandro and Stefano, and their friends and family. The new terrace coincides with the launch of a new light-bite menu and party packages at the skyline venue. I

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BIG HITTERS ATTEND BUSINESS RECEPTION 4

Deloitte sets the tone as Midlands’ most influential leaders gather for CBI dinner usiness advisory firm Deloitte, headline sponsors of the CBI West Midlands Annual Dinner, held a pre-dinner drinks reception at their Brindleyplace offices attended by more than 50 of the most influential people in the Midlands’ business community. After a welcome by Pauline Biddle, practice senior partner of Deloitte in the Midlands, the guests were joined by António Simões, CEO of HSBC UK and Europe, and Paul Drechsler, president of the CBI who both answered questions prior to speaking at the dinner at the ICC. I

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8 Nick Eastwood, Katelyn Brown, Alan Fletcher, Chris Farrington, Chris Loughran.

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SUPER TROUPERS LAP UP BIG SHOW RECEPTION Having fun and raising funds is Name of the Game as Ladies go Mamma Mia mad eading Ladies at Birmingham Hippodrome enjoyed a network reception and entertainment on the opening night of hit musical Mamma Mia. A photo booth complete with props added to the fun at the pre-show event. Guests tucked into show-themed macaroons from Park Regis Birmingham while a prize draw raised more than ÂŁ300 for Hippodrome CREATIVE education and outdoor arts programme. Prizes came from Park Regis Birmingham, network sponsor Highfield Wellness and Beauty, Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar & Grill and Bridge Street Global Hospitality. I

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Photography by Vivienne Bailey

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SUMMER’S FASTEST PARTY BLASTS OFF Legal firm’s clients rev up and break open the fizz at grand prix event

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dgbaston-based solicitors Rubric Lois King hosted a grand prix themed summer party for clients at their offices on Calthorpe Road.

Guests joined Satish Jakhu and his team ‘pit-side’, fuelled with a glass of fizz and and street food supplied

by Low ’N’ Slow, who were recently awarded best street food at the Birmingham Food, Drink & Hospitality Awards. The annual GP party has become a huge success with the help of Birmingham-based events company Milk and Mayo. I

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1 Jane Jones, Adrian Corry, Andrew Kay, Nick Shioleleftou, Amrit Bhogal. 2 Lucy Porter, Satish Jakhu, Ria Chowdhury. 3 Ellie Greenwood, John Lowe, Elaine Shoesmith. 4 Rad Vuckovic, Sunny Bains, Amrit Bhogal, Sam Meeten. 5 Lucy Porter, Emma Price, Jane Jones, Ria Chowdhury. 6 Simon Redhead, Christopher Gupta, Lee Millard, Joyce Bennell

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THE HIGHFIELD HOSTS SARAH’S BIG BIRTHDAY Family and friends come together to celebrate a special day in style he Highfield, Edgbaston played host as local businesswoman Sarah Hume celebrated her 40th birthday in style with her nearest and dearest. The party started in the garden with London Cup on arrival accompanied by local Magician ‘Infinite’, Molly Dolly Balloonist.

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4 Kate Jones, Sarah Hume. 5 John, Margaret and Kate Holland. 6 Mike Scott, Tiffany Warwood, Russell Anderson. 7 Stephanie, Fred, Danny and Zac Hancock. 8 Mirella and Lachlen Macpherson. 9 Jo Robinson, Deborah Anderson.

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NAILCOTE HALL HOSTS GOLF EXTRAVAGANZA Four-day festival attracts stars from world of entertainment and sport

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tars from the world of entertainment and sport descended on Nailcote Hall to compete in the 2016 Farmfoods British Par 3 Championship.

As well as a four-day extravaganza of top golf, the event hosts a series of evening gala dinners that help raise vital funds for Rainbows Hospice for Children and Young People. Leading the golf pros was a lineup of Ryder Cup greats, including Tony Jacklin, Ian

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1 Rebecca Keen, Jonny Bairstow, Rick Cressman. 2 Gail Emms. 3 Nigel Mansell. 4 Dean Saunders. 5 Steve Staunton.

6 James Jordan, Brian McFadden. 7 Eric Bristow. 8 Nick Dougherty. 9 Peter Withe. 10 Len Goodman.

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Woosnam and Costantino Rocca while the celebrities included Nigel Mansell, Peter Shilton, Peter Withe, Alan McInally, Strictly’s Len Goodman and James Jordan, Westlife’s Brian McFadden and Coronation Street’s William Roache. The championship title went to European Senior Tour winner Mark Mouland. I

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11 Dan and Betty Callaghan. 12 Bob Champion, Steph Hayward, Peter Shilton. 13 Roy Walker, Tony Jacklin, Nigel Mansell.

14 Rick and Sue Cressman. 15 Peter Coles, John Hayes. 16 Maggie and Ron Atkinson. 17 Tony and Sue Christie, Maria and Derek Redmond. 18 Sue Cressman, Bill Roache. 19 Tina Dortmans, Astrid and Tony Jacklin.

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WHAT: Horse of the Year Show

WHAT: Birmingham Royal Ballet

WHEN: 5 to 9 October

– The Tempest

WHERE: Genting Arena, tel 02476 858 205 www.

WHEN: 1 to 8 October

hoys.co.uk

WHERE: Birmingham Hippodrome,

This annual event is simply equestrian utopia with worldclass entertainment spread across five days. Experience thrilling competition, breath-taking displays and spectacular horsemanship.

tel 0844 338 5000 www.birminghamhippodrome.com David Bintley’s new ballet conjures Prospero’s magical isle from Shakespeare’s late masterpiece into a spell-binding new work of ballet theatre.

WHAT: Cymbeline

WHAT: Sue Perkins Live in Spectacles

WHEN: Until 15 October

WHEN: 18 September

WHERE: RSC’s Royal Shakespeare Theatre

WHERE: Town Hall, box office 0121 345 0600

www.rsc.org.uk

www.thsh.co.uk

Britain is in crisis. Alienated, insular and on the brink of disaster. Can it be saved? With echoes of Brexit and questions of national identity, Melly Still’s direction of Shakespeare’s rarely performed play feels surprisingly contemporary.

An evening packed full of sparkling wit, great stories, a user’s guide to Mary Berry and the very best bits from her hilarious best-selling memoir Spectacles.

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WHAT’S ON

WHAT: Ronan Keating WHEN: 26 and 27 September WHERE: Symphony Hall, box office 0121 345 0600 www.thsh.co.uk Twenty-two years of making music have resulted in an impressive tally of achievements, including 14 solo number one singles and an Ivor Novello award. Now Keating is pushing on with a bold new chapter and a critically acclaimed album, Time Of My Life.

WHAT: The Importance Of Being Earnest WHAT: Marcus Brigstocke:

WHEN: 9 to 24 September

Why The Long Face?

WHERE: Birmingham Rep, tel 0121 245 2024

WHEN: 1 October

www.birmingham-rep.co.uk

WHERE: The Old Rep

A stylish, contemporary spin on what is widely regarded as one of his finest comedies, Oscar Wilde’s play explodes with his trademark razor-sharp wit.

Theatre, tel 0121 605 5116 www.oldreptheatre.co.uk

WHAT: Bridget Jones’s Baby premiere

One of Britain’s finest comedians, broadcasters and master of satirical comedy. If you haven’t had a chance to see Brigstocke live then this is a fine opportunity to see him at his very best.

WHEN: 23 September WHERE: Electric Cinema, email events@milkandmayo.com A great opportunity to enjoy the new instalment of our big-panted heroine Bridget in full, red-carpet style.

Champagne, exclusive seating and a stunning after-party. Five-star cinematic heaven – but tickets are strictly limited so hurry!

WHAT: Jane McDonald WHEN: 9 October WHERE: New Alexandra Theatre, tel 0844 8713011 WHAT: Chung Ying Moon Festival WHEN: 22 September WHERE: Chung Ying Gardens, e-mail events@chungying.co.uk Enjoy great food, cocktails and entertainment (and some rather special karaoke) while exploring the heritage of the Chinese community. All in aid of the Birmingham Big Art project.

september 2016

www.atgtickets.com/birmingham The national treasure pops into Brum with a show packed full of phenomenal tunes and arrangements, and for the first time some of her very own including The Singer Of You Song.

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WHAT’S ON

WHAT: Stuart Maconie: The Pie At Night WHEN: 18 September WHERE: Mac Birmingham, tel 0121 446 3232 www.macarts.co.uk Tune In! Turn On! Clock Off! The acclaimed writer and broadcaster takes you on a nocturnal trip through Britain in search of fun with his bestselling books as a guide.

WHAT: Bikefest WHEN: 18 September WHERE: Victoria Square This free, family-friendly event celebrates all things cycling and aims to inspire everyone to get riding. Bound to thrill with some awesome bike stunts on show.

WHAT: Tony Mortimer and His Band WHEN: 23 September WHERE: O2 Academy Birmingham, tel 0121 622 8250 www.o2academybirmingham.co.uk

WHAT: Chitty Chitty Bang Bang WHEN: 7 to 18 September WHERE: Birmingham Hippodrome, tel 0844 338 5000

The East 17 front man performs the songs he loved and wrote as part of the hugely successful band and mixes in some solo material and new tracks for the very first time.

www.birminghamhippodrome.com One of the world’s favourite musicals will have you flying high with its mixture of madness, intrigue and exuberance. The allstar cast includes Lee Mead, Claire Sweeney and Phill Jupitus.

WHAT: Pink Ball at The Hall with 80’s Experience WHEN: 1 October WHERE: Nailcote Hall, tel 02476 466174 www.nailcotehall.co.uk A cracking annual event that helps raise funds for breast cancer medical equipment. Celebrate a night of nostalgia with the greatest hits of the 80’s and don’t forget to wear something pink!

WHAT: Justin Bieber WHEN: 17 and 18 October WHERE: Barclaycard Arena, tel 0844 338 8000 www.theticketfactory.com Teenage heaven as one of the world’s biggest pop sensations brings his Purpose World Tour to Birmingham.

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WHAT’S ON

WHAT: Hardeep Singh Kohli dinner WHEN: 19 September WHERE: Birmingham Botanical Gardens, tel 0121 212 3383 wwww.birminghambotanicalgardens.org.uk Curry and comedy will be on the menu at this special gala dinner when famed broadcaster and comedian Hardeep Singh Kohli teams up with the head chef from Itihaas to create a bespoke menu for 200 guests. Includes live entertainment and an exotic cocktail bar.

WHAT: The Birmingham Comedy Festival WHEN: 7 to 16 October WHERE: Various, more details at www.bhamcomfest.co.uk One of the largest independent arts festival in the region featuring A-list heavy-hitters and a vast range of new local acts. Stand-up comedy is at the core but there’s also theatre, cabaret, puppet shows, film screenings, poetry readings, food… you get the idea! Just make sure you get involved too.

WHAT: Imagine the Sixties WHEN: 7 October WHERE: The Lake at Barston, tel 01675 444890 www.thelakeatbarston.co.uk First-class Beatles tribute act with authentic vocals and instruments… close your eyes, could it really be them? Awesome entertainment and ticket price includes a threecourse meal and after-show party.

WHAT: Grand Designs Live WHEN: 19 to 23 October WHERE: NEC, tel 0844 854 1348 www.granddesignslive.com With 500 exhibitors on show this is a cracking chance to view the latest trends and unseen products in selfbuild, from kitchens to gardens and everything in-between.

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IN THE CITY In the last 10 years the restaurant scene has boomed and people are broadening their horizons and becoming more diverse in their tastes, which is great for the city

TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF I’m Richard Turner, chef patron of Turners at 69 in Harborne. The restaurant has recently undergone a transformation in terms of its ethos and identity. I got bored with the pomp and ceremony of tasting menus and all that’s associated with them, so we’ve stripped it back and created a menu that’s absolutely about quality, without the bullshit. It’s accessible and relaxed.

”

LUNCHTIME? We never pop out. It sounds a bit ‘poor me’, but honestly we just don’t stop. When I do have a free evening though, I’m always out eating dinner somewhere with my wife Meena to see who’s doing what, and what’s new.

POWERWALKING? Well I don’t bother with any exercise and I certainly wouldn’t call it powerwalking, but I take my dog Coco out for a trot, usually in Cannon Hill Park.

HOW DO YOU GET INTO TOWN? I drive from my home in Bournville WHERE’S YOUR FAVOURITE PART OF down the Bristol Road to the restaurant THE CITY? in Harborne. It’s so important to me to Harborne! No, really, I enjoy all parts of the be at the heart of the community here city for different reasons. Moseley’s great Richard Turner, chef patron and there are some great things because it’s so diverse and the Jewellery of Turners at 69 happening. Sometimes I wish visitors Quarter is beginning to find an exciting new would understand that Harborne is only five minutes identity. I prefer the more earthy parts of the city to the centre. from the centre They’re more interesting.

HOW’S THE COMMUTE? It’s largely okay as I avoid the city centre. It could be a lot worse.

IS BRUM A GOOD PLACE TO WORK IN? It’s my home town and that’s the simple reason I opened here all those years ago and it’s a great place to work! In the last 10 years the restaurant scene has boomed and people are broadening their horizons and becoming more diverse in their tastes, which is great for the city.

COFFEE BREAK? It might not be coffee, but The Plough in Harborne is one of my favourite places.

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AFTERWORK PINT? Again I’ve got to say The Plough. We have better beers available in this country in recent years and a pale ale goes down well.

HOW CAN THE CITY BE MADE BETTER? I think as individuals we shout about Birmingham but as a collective unit we could do better. By ‘we’ I mean the council.

People come to the city now for its bustling food scene – they sure as hell don’t come for the football! Glynn Purnell and I were the originals doing great things in our home town and putting Birmingham’s food scene on the map without much support. Visit Birmingham used to run Taste of Birmingham but due to budget cuts that stopped. More support would be a big improvement. I

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