Quarter magazine

Q UARTER OCTOBER 2013 ISSUE 15

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ARTS & CULTURE BM&AG, Bournville, and in and around birmingham

FOOD & DRINK

Restaurant reviews, pub grub and a pint of lager

TRANSPORT

Trains, trams, buses and the metro, its all to choose from

RECREATION Botanical Gardens and flower power

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CONTENTSS 1INTRO 2 NEWS 3 ART & CULTURE 4 BIRMINGHAM 5 CARILLON BELLS 6 BOURNVILLE 7 BM&AG 8 ART IN BRUM 9 SAINT OR SIN 10 CATHEDRAL VISIT 11 RECREATION 12 BOTANY 13 GARDENS 14 FLOWERS & PLANTS 15 SPECIAL 16 MUNICIPAL BANK 17 FOOD & DRINK 18 CANAL CAFE 19 REVIEWED 20 THE OLD CROWN 21 PUBS 22 THE WOODMAN 23 TRAVEL 24 CANALS 25 BUS AND TRAIN 26 TRAM AND METRO

EDITORS S NOTES We have had a very exciting month here at quarters from traveling all over Birmingham to going to several festivals and now we are bracing ourselves to the very exciting months ahead to say the least. Over the last few months we have had the opening of the new library, the bullring turning 10, the Harvey Nichols fashion show and the Birmingham award ceremony, and that’s not including any nights out! We have covered all of these amazing events and Keep looking out for our reviews and articles on them, In the last issue we spoke to you about various parts of Birmingham and different personalities of the city itself such as comediennes, actors and sportsman, we also looked at the best places to go shopping such as the new John Lewis which will be opening soon Debenhams and Selfridges. In this issue we have looked at places to go in Birmingham such as restaurants, bars, clubs and pubs we have had a fantastic time looking at these and reviewing them for you as well as looking for some hidden gems around the city.

I hope you ENJOY our issue and enjoy the month ahead!

Leah Buckman Illustrator & team member Matt Lanning Photographer & team member Edita Jakubiek Illustrator & team member

Hayley Harrison Graphic Designer & Team member Kieran Durrant Photographer & team member

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introduction

NEWS

FROM THE CITY OF BIRMINGHAM

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BULLRING TURNS 10 YEARS OLD THIS YEAR Ten years ago this year the shopping centre we call the bullring opened as we all cast our eyes on that great disk architecture we call Selfridges, it opened with a bang with 2 superstores being debenhams and selfridges having an opening party and now 10 years on the same party is happening again. The shopping centre attracts around 38 million people to the city every year – that’s worth £1.6 billion to the local economy.

And in the last decade 400 million people have visited Bullring – helping to turn Birmingham into one of the top 3 shopping destinations in the country.

NEW BIRMINGHAM BAND NEW KILLER SHOES The music is a fusion of 90’s Grunge, Pop, Punk & Indie Rock with a dash of Ska added to make a provocative cocktail for today’s discerning music lovers.

Birmingham, UK SOUND LOUNGE 21 Festival - Town Hall & Symphony Hall Cafe Bar FREE ENTRY! Birmingham, UK Headline show at the O2 Academy MILLENNIUM POINT, EASTSIDE FINISHED... FINALLY Eastside is home to the largest physical regeneration project in Birmingham. It is transforming, revitalising and regenerating a previously neglected area of the city centre through multi-billion pound investment by a wide range of organisations and businesses. The think tank and BCU new eastside campus tops off this amazing regeneration of one of the duller parts of Birmingham.

NEW STREET STATION PLAN COMING ALONG Everything has changed at New Street as we’ve reached the half way point of the project. We’ve now opened the first half of your new station.

The first half of the station has all of the facilities you expect, plus new lifts and escalators to every platform to improve access.

HHHO CHARITY BIKE RIDE AND MARATHON Ready to get your running shoes on???

Help Harry Help Others are chuffed to bits to announce we have been chosen as a Gold Charity Partner for the 2013 Great Birmingham run.

This is your chance to get out there, get fit, get sponsored and help make a huge difference to the lives of those families going through their cancer journey. With your help we can continue Harry’s legacy, help find a cure for cancer, and help inspire the next generation of school children to “do good”!!!

CLOTHES SHOW LIVE 2014 The countdown to the UK’s largest and most talked about fashion & beauty event of the year is on!

Join us for a five day fashion festival.

Packed with top fashion and beauty brands, hair and beauty demonstrations, non-stop catwalk shows, makeovers, experts, trend reports, celebrities and next generation talent.

Taking place just ahead of the festive season, it’s the perfect place to start ticking off your Christmas shopping list; find the perfect party outfit.

NEW LIBRARY INVITES EVERYONE IN The £189m Library of Birmingham, which houses a collection of one million books, has opened.

The library has more than 200 public access computers, theatres, an exhibition gallery and music rooms.

Opening Hours Monday to Friday 8am - 8pm Saturday 9am - 5pm Sunday 11am - 4pm Wolfson Centre for Archival Research (Level 4) Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 10am - 5pm Thursday 10am - 8pm Saturday 10am - 4pm PALLASADES RENOVATION The redeveloped Pallasades Shopping Centre will be completely transformed and will be re-branded as Grand Central Birmingham when it opens in Autumn 2014, anchored by John Lewis’ full line department store as well as premium fashion and quality high street brands to the heart of the city.

BIRMINGHAM FACT The city saw the pioneers of the Industrial Revolution James Watt, Matthew Boulton, William Murdoch, Josiah Wedgwood, Joseph Priestley and Erasmus Darwin form the Lunar Society

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BIRMINGHAM a city of arts and culture

events celebrated The City of arts and crafts by various religions Birmingham is awash town Bournville, and nationalities. with history, arts and which is incredibly In November culture, which can picturesque and preparations begin be experienced in traditional in its for the annual design. It also houses many ways including art galleries, theatre, German Christmas the Cadbury Factory market, and there which has become a music and an exciting are also upcoming range of different family desination in exhibitions at the form of Cadbury activities. The culture of Birmingham has Birmingham Musuem World. We are alll and Art Galleries. big fans of Cadbury’s an intrinsic diversity, Birmingham is Bournville chocolate which means that home to small the city is host to surely!

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Arts & Culture

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CARILLON BELLS The Bournville Carillon was erected in a semi-rural Location in 1906, before the onslaught of urban development and the building of the busy main road by which it now stands adjacent. Bournville, however, remains an idyllic leafy suburb of Birmingham and the sound of the Carillon drifting across the gardens of Bournville on a perfect summer’s day is truly wonderful. The Carillon ranks as one of the finest and largest in Great Britain, having 48 bells hung below a domed copper cupola above the tower of the junior and

infant school on Bournville Village Green. It is owned and administered by the Bournville Village Trust, which was established in 1900 by George Cadbury.Right in the middle of the village green is the rest house or carillon centre a piece of brilliant arts and craft architecture built to commemorate and celebrate the silver

“THE CARILLON BELLS ARE A MUST SEE OR HEAR EVEN IN BOURNVILLE AND YOU DONT HAVE TO BE NEAR TO HEAR EITHER TO HEAR WHICH IS A BONUS”

anniversary of one George Cadbury and his wife, the visitor centre is host to lots of information about the carillon and the surrounding areas of bournville and its history as well a nice little gift.

The carillon bells, show in the below image, ranks as one of the finest and largest in Great Britain, having 48 bells hung below a domed copper cupola above a tower of the junior school and you can hear these bells every Saturday twice a day at 12:00 noon and 3:00 pm and can be heard all over Bournville.

BOURNVILLE

Arts & Culture

BM&AG

BIRMINGHAM MUSEU Dive into a vast wealth of history from Birmingham origins to one of the biggest pre-raphaelite art gallery around Staffordshire Hoard Location: Birmingham Museum 15th July 2012 - 31st December 2014 From Mordor to the Misty Mountains, Photography Location: Sarehole Mill 1st April 2013 - 3rd November 2013

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There are over 500,000 objects in the collections, dating from 200,000 years ago to the present, and originating from each of the continents.

Birmingham Museums is home to one of the world’s finest collections of Pre-Raphaelite art, as well as extensive collections of fine and applied art, social history, archaeology and ethnography.

The collections have been Designated as outstanding by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport and have local, regional,

national and international importance. If you like history Immerse yourself in over 500 years of life, passion, strife and achievement.

In the iconic new gallery about ‘Birmingham, its people, its history’, galleries visitors can explore the city’s global heritage from medieval times and the industrial revolution, through to the World Wars - to the technology-led life of the 21st century.

UM AND ART GALLERY

Arts & Culture

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It’d be a sin not to!

Hayley Harrison visit the epicentre of brums religious quarter I visited St. Chads and I expected to walk away from the stress and chaos that Birmingham holds being a large city, but I found it sat right beside stress in one of its most used forms… traffic. At ten minutes from the city centre, I don’t really know why I expected anything different, maybe its because when I think of religion my first thought is peace but that’s such a childish and (naive?) point of view, religion is as chaotic and confusing as trying to run across a swimming pool full of jelly.

I’m not a fan of religion I feel it’s used as a weapon far to often; it wages wars within communities, and across the world and for what? A story. I’m sorry but A Muppets Christmas carol was a more convincing tale! If I’m coming across harsh I apologize, but where are the facts? Don’t get me wrong: I don’t believe its totally false. I believe there were people who spread the message of peace and hope which at first was a way to escape and be with your fellow man while believing you would

be saved, which is where the god came from, the god being a savior, a warrior or something. That’s my thought process anyway.

I admire the building. The big dark windows are a real eye catcher - you can’t see within which

gives the impression of privacy and seclusion. The grounds have a different appeal, the grass its perfectly kept, green like a golf course and yet you turn your head and there’s graffiti, traffic and trash with overly sized, smug pigeons fighting over crumbs. If you could only focus on the building and its grounds you would be entranced with its beauty, I’m not saying this would make you convert but you’d enjoy the buildings story, its heritage.

I wish more of Birmingham held the past close to heart like St. Chads in its architecture, I feel like we’re trying to create a city that resembles the cartoon The Jetsons and by doing that it feels

too structured and organized, I like imagination but I feel its going to far, I feel we need to remember where we came from and who influenced us, churches do this very well they keep the (traditional?) style (something different here not old style…) this helps them remember the past and those who made their religion what it is today. etc… I need help finishing this writers block.

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Recreation

SPECIAL

The Botanical Gardens 11

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Recreation

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Food & Drink

THE BATTLE OF THE BREWS

Our Favour ite pubs, cafes and restaur ants

Turn over for the low down on the best traditional places to eat and or drink.

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Food & Drink

THE OLD CROWN Still sitting at 188 High St in Birmingham, since circa 1368 this old timber pub is the oldest you will find in this city and what a pub it is.

This pub is oozing with character and history. It is the oldest pub in Birmingham and the decor and remarkable chilled atmosphere tells a tale.

First up on our test was of course the beer as what is a pub without beer, there was a wide range of beers, spirits and ales for cheap prices and it was nice to see traditional Birmingham brewers being sold such as a local brewed beer Ansells.

Next our food arrived and it was brought out with great hospitality and was a good value for a fantastic meal. I would

urge anyone visiting Brum to go this old pub for both the heritage and good food & Drink.

Around Half a mile from the bullring and next door to the custard factory, right in the heart of the Irish quarter the old crown offers a unique and welcoming experience to guests and regulars alike.

Come and enjoy some of there exciting events that add to a unique atmosphere at the old crown.

Food & Drink

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The Woodman

MODERN IN A HISTORIC ESTABLISHMENT The Woodman is a Grade II listed building which was built in 1897 for Ansell’s Brewery. It was designed by renowned Birmingham architects James and Lister Lea in ornate brick and terracotta. Both the Bar and Smoke Room are tiled throughout in Minton tiles and the bar counter and back fitting are pretty much intact.

The pub stands opposite the very grand Curzon Street Station which was the original station as the railway line from London reached Birmingham. Whilst the immediate area has been a virtual wasteland for some years both the station and the Woodman have survived.

The area has now seen a renaissance as the first stage of Eastside Park has opened, surrounding the pub in handsome granite paving and avenues of trees.

The Woodman has been very down at heel for some years, has had several periods of closure and a number of question marks over its very survival. But this pub is a true survivor.

The future of this fine establishment now seems assured with its takeover by Birmingham Inns and Linford Developing Heritage. The original features of the pub have been restored whilst up to date toilet and kitchen facilities have been added.

OPENING HOURS Sun- Thurs 11-23 Fri 11-24 Sat11-24

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Transport

Birmingham Canal The Worcester and Birmingham Canal is a canal linking Birmingham and Worcester in England. It starts in Worcester, from the River Severn and ending at the Gas Street Basin in the centre of Birmingham. It is 29 miles long. There are 58 locks in total on the canal, including the 30 Tardebigge Locks, one of the largest lock flights in Europe. The canal climbs significantly along the way.

Travelling in a canal barge, hired from a specialist boating company me and my friends travelled all the

way from the river Severn canal opening to the gas street basin there were plenty of beautiful views and stunning modern developments like the Cube and restored industrial heritage buildings that we enjoyed during a peaceful boat journey into Birmingham.

As we approached the city centre of Birmingham we were feeling a little peckish and there is no shortage of pubs and restaurants to stop at along the canal, into the gas street basin and along to Broad street, where we stopped at one of the oldest pubs in brum, the Tap

and Spile which is situated right alongside the canal and it was a lovely meal. Next up was the clubs along broad street, just a little walk from our mooring, which are cheap to park at, which we had a great time at. Once we had finished partying we had a quiet peaceful night at the moorings.

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Transport

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BUS,TRAIN,TRA METRO Public transport has been a part of Birmingham history for years, and was a key part in helping make the city what it is today, from the Industrial revolution where Birmingham’s booming economy would have shipped out goods to the rest of the world via train and right up to today’s metro and tram links as well as the proposed plans for the ‘HS2’ high speed rail from the historic station on curzon street. Bus travel in Birmingham is also in popular demand with one of the biggest bus terminals in the UK, and if you are wanting

to get around the city there a re buses every ten minutes catch for a fairly cheap fare. There is also a historic tour bus which has been going for years and shows you the best of brum from the outskirts of Birmingham like Longbridge and Bournville right into the centre and back out towards Aston, Handsworth and into West Bromwich.

Back in the day everyone used the tram, but there was a serious

decline, but now there population is too big to travel on the road so now the tram is coming back and will run all the way up corporation street and new street allowing shoppers to travel up and down these streets with ease.

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QUATERS