Birmingham Living December 2021 (issue 107)

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December 2021

IT’S PARTY TIME!

CRACKING CHRISTMAS

STYLE

FESTIVE FOOD COCKTAILS

&

KARTHI GNANASEGARAM

Rustie Lee

THE BIG XMAS GI GUIDE FT

SNOW PATROL

WINTER RUNNING

CHAPTER CHEF

NATHAN SWIFT

RSC’S AMY BOOTH-STEEL

The Queen of Showbiz on Strictly, Gogglebox and Bingo

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EDITOR’S VIEW

W

ell, we made it! Christmas is almost here and, praise be, it feels kind of normal.

Trips to the high street have revealed shops busy with shoppers, families out and about enjoying the various festive markets and attractions, and bars and restaurants filled with revellers having a good time. Hooray!

Supporting local businesses has never been more important after the crippling period we’ve been through, and we’re trying to do our bit by highlighting what’s on offer across our great city in our annual Big Gift Guide.

Anyone can buy a jumper or some smellies from one of the big chains, but we hope to encourage you to be a bit more daring and original – whether it’s giving a green-fingered loved one membership to our world famous Botanical Gardens, enrolling them in a wonderful wine course, arranging a family photo-shoot at the latest, coolest gallery and studio or treating them to Michelin-star gift vouchers.

If you prefer something more traditional to wrap and put under the tree, there’s everything from treats you can eat, to finishing touches for the home, to great toys and games for the kids. And with prices ranging from £6 to £2,500 we have every budget covered.

While we’re thinking about gifting loved ones, how about giving something precious to those who are less fortunate? Local charities need extra help over the festive period – and the best gift you can give them is your time by volunteering. The story on our news pages has details about how you can make it a happier Christmas for the city’s lonely, vulnerable, homeless and those struggling to make ends meet. Will you lend a helping hand?

To all our readers and supporters, we wish you a very happy and peaceful Christmas.

s n h o J d i v Da

visit www.brumliving.co.uk @brum_living Cover image:

Rustie Lee Picture courtesy of Channel 5

/bhamliving

FINALIST

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, Hywel Davies 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

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INSIDE

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Highlights

Rustie Lee

The proud Brummie on a Strictly faux pas, Celebrity Gogglebox and her new food show

Owen De Visser How award-winning photographer and local arts champion finally realised his dream

Festive Food & Drink Cooking up a storm with chef Nathan Swift plus news, reviews and picking a perfect port

Health Keep in shape and take the shivers out of winter exercising with our cold weather running guide

Party Style It’s full-on glam time as we pick our fave fashions from this year’s festive catwalks

The Big Gift Guide Our famous festive gift guide is back – and packed with loads of great pressie ideas

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CONTENTS

Best of the Rest

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Motoring

Ford’s Mustang Mach-E blends the excitement of a famous badge with super green credentials

Young, Gifted & Brummie Actress Amy Booth-Steel, star of the RSC’s adaptation of the Magician’s Elephant Business News News, views, comings and goings in our update from the commercial community

Social Scene As life returns to ‘normal’, business and social gatherings are making a comeback

What’s On Festive shows and gigs star in our round-up of top events taking place this month

Up Close TV and radio presenter Karthi Gnanasegaram talks global sport – and cooking a uni feast!

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NEWS

NEW MARKET OPENS

A new market has opened in the grounds of Birmingham Cathedral. Hosted by Colmore Business District, Christmas in Cathedral Square runs until 19 December and features local businesses, producers and craftspeople showcasing their goods in the run-up to Christmas. For more details visit colmorebusinessdistrict.com

NEWS

BRINGING YOU THE BRIGHTEST AND MOST COLOURFUL STORIES FROM ACROSS THE CITY EACH MONTH

LEARN TO DANCE THE NUTCRACKER Budding young dancers are being given the chance to experience repertoire from The Nutcracker taught by a real-life ballerina. Laetitia Lo Sardo is holding masterclasses at Birmingham Royal Ballet on 5 December, where the company are also rehearsing for this year’s festive production. Laetitia is a former BRB soloist and her masterclasses are open to young dancers in four age groups from six years to 14 and over.

Choreography will be adapted to suit the abilities of each age group.

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BRUM COOKS UP A STORM Birmingham has been named as a top holiday destination for foodie-focused holidaymakers in 2022.

The city, famous for its Michelin-starred culinary excellence and top-notch hospitality sector, was named Best for Foodies as part of luxury travel magazine Condé Nast Traveller’s ‘The best holiday destinations for 2022’ list. Brum was featured in the list alongside cultural hotspots around the globe, including Beijing, Oslo, Kingston and New Orleans.

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NEWS

WE’RE A FESTIVE LOT! Get ready to sprinkle the glitter and break out those carols – Birmingham has been named the second most festive city in the UK. And TV presenter and actor Joe Swash came to town with his crew of elves to celebrate with Brum. Only London topped Birmingham in a survey by Studio.co.uk in which people rated Christmas as a favourite time of the year. While nearly 60 per cent of Londoners said they love Christmas, Brum was close behind in second spot.

DATE WITH POIROT

RED, WHITE AND VIEW What better way to get into the Yuletide spirit than watching a festive favourite film with a glass of wine or two? Millennium Point’s 350-seater Auditorium has teamed up with the Wine Events Company for a screening of the classic rom-com Love Actually on Sunday, 5 December. Five glasses of themed wine will be served to visitors throughout the film, along with movie trivia breaks. Tickets at £31.95 per person from https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/love-actually-2003-wine-tastingfestive-screening-tickets-179928168997

The actor who is synonymous with the legendary detective Hercule Poirot will be giving more than a few clues into his career in a special appearance at Birmingham Rep. Sir David Suchet will retrace his acting steps and share his favourite performances in Poirot and More, a Retrospective on 5 December. Sir David will share his thoughts with interviewer, journalist and broadcaster Geoffrey Wansell, the co-author of Poirot and Me. More details at birmingham-rep.co.uk

GLOBAL ART LAUNCH The first piece of the world’s largest work of art – the Connection Worldwide by modern artist Luke Burton – has been unveiled by the Mayor of Birmingham, Muhammad Afzal in Broadway Plaza.

Individuals can be a permanent part of the artwork by having their name or message engraved on a stainless-steel brick, while companies can sponsor a brick with their name and logo. Individual pieces of the Connection will be placed around the world in 195 countries.

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NEWS

BEWITCHING SAM From EastEnders’ Queen Vic to the Queen of Narnia! TV and theatre star Samantha Womack is coming to Brum to play the White Witch in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. The C S Lewis classic will take to the stage at the Alexandra theatre between 8 and 12 March. Samantha said: “The production has thrilling sets and costumes and an amazingly talented cast and creative team.” Tickets from https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/the-lion-the-witch-and-the-wardrobe/thealexandra-theatre-birmingham/

LEO’S CHEF OF THE YEAR The head chef at Birmingham’s Michelin-starred Simpsons restaurant has been crowned British Culinary Federation Chef of the Year. Leo Kattou – also a finalist in BBC’s 2017 MasterChef: The Professionals competition and an Acorn Award winner – was one of 12 chefs to reach the contest’s live cook-off final where he produced a three-course meal for two covers in two hours.

Runner-up was another Midlands chef, Matt Nicholls, chef-director at Cheal’s of Henley-in-Arden.

POLAR POSTING

WELCOME TO FUNLAND Winter Funland, the UK’s biggest Christmas indoor event, is inviting local charities to its VIP launch event at Birmingham’s NEC on 9 December.

Two thousand tickets have been reserved for children and their families, staff and carers to join local celebrities and sporting stars at the exclusive opening. Winter Funland features five attractions under one roof, including a giant ice-skating rink, traditional circus and full-size funfair. It is open to the public from 11 December to 2 January. Tickets: www.winterfunland.com

Families are being given an extra touch of magic at Touchwood Solihull this festive season with a new Christmas Post Train added to the centre’s annual Santa’s Grotto. The Post Train sees children welcomed by one of Santa’s elves into a Christmasthemed carriage where they write that all-important letter to Santa and post it direct to the North Pole.

Both attractions are open every day until 24 December. Book online at www.christmasattouchwood. com

WILL YOU LEND A HELPING HAND? Local charities need helping hands at Christmas.

While it’s a wonderful time of the year for many, for others – such as the homeless, lonely, vulnerable or those struggling to make ends meet – it is anything but. You can make a real difference by volunteering to help out with a number of our awesome local charities – whether it’s working in kitchens, driving, wrapping presents, or simply being a welcoming face to listen and socialise. If you’d like to help contact birminghamchristmasshelter.org or crisis.org.uk.

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NEWS

NURSING A LOVE OF POETRY A local NHS nurse has been named winner of a top UK poetry prize. Romalyn Ante from Wolverhampton was awarded the £15,000 Jerwood Compton Poetry Fellowship which recognises the next generation of British poets.

Filipino-born Romalyn published her first collection of poetry, Antiemetic for Homesickness, with Penguin last year. Subjects covered in her poetry include women and stereotypes of healing and nursing, immigrant homesickness, Covid and shielding and writing in a second language.

DRINKING LESSONS Birmingham Brewing Company created a new drink as part of a campaign to encourage more men to invest in their education. The Study Buddy is a limitededition, citrus flavoured, low-alcohol pale ale which the brewery gave to joiners enrolling in distance learning courses run nationwide by Open Study College. A study by the College of 2,000 men found two-thirds have not completed any form of education since the age of 30.

ROUGHING IT

Hundreds of people will find out what it’s like to be homeless without a roof over their head by sleeping rough for charity. St Basils Big SleepOut 2021 is being held at Millennium Point on 3 December in aid of the youth homelessness organisation. The biggest sleepout in the UK fell victim to lockdown last year, but now it’s back and aiming to raise more than £100,000 with support from families, businesses and other groups. More details: www.stbasils.org.uk/bigsleepout

CAROLS & CAPERS Former lead singer with legendary folk group Steeleye Span, Maddy Prior, is joining up with the Carnival Band to bring their unique show Carols & Capers to Birmingham Town Hall on 22 December. The show promises a mix of renaissance, modern and ethnic instruments, familiar and not-sofamiliar songs and plenty of humour.

Full details at bmusic.co.uk

JINGLE BELL JOG

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

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Santas are leaving their sleighs at home to take part in Solihull BID’s Jingle Bell Jog. The family fun charity run, sponsored by Touchwood, will see hundreds of Father Christmases tackle a 2.5km course through Solihull town centre on Sunday, 12 December.

Those taking part will receive their own Santa suit and collect a Santa medal when they cross the finish line. The event is in aid of local homeless group Change Into Action. To take part go to: www.solihullbid.co.uk/jingle

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COVER STORY

RUSTIE’S FULL HOUSE AFTER RECENTLY ROCKING STRICTLY AND CELEBRITY GOGGLEBOX,

QUEEN OF TV RUSTIE LEE IS SET TO STAR IN A QUIRKY NEW FOOD SHOW WITH DNA ON THE MENU. THE PROUD BRUMMIE WHO SAYS BIRMINGHAM RUNS THROUGH HER LIKE A STICK OF ROCK REVEALS ALL TO DAVID JOHNS – AND EXPLAINS WHY SHE LOVES PLAYING BINGO! here’s not a lot in showbiz that Rustie Lee hasn’t seen or done. The proud Brummie with the huge laugh and even louder personality has quite some CV – cookery TV, reality TV, breakfast TV, game shows, acting, singing, panto… she’s even been one of the Loose Women and popped up with the Strictly gang, as well as on Celebrity Gogglebox!

But Rustie’s far from done! As if to prove there’s still lots left in the tank, she has just filmed a show that even by her standards, is a bit ‘out there’. A kind of Come Dine With Me meets Who Do You Think You Are? “This is a bit of an exclusive for you,” Rustie roars with laughter as she reveals she is taking part in a new Channel 4 series called DNA Diners which will hit our screens in March.

In the show, Rustie hosts a dinner party for a group of people, one of whom is secretly related to her – but which one? Get the right answer and there’s cash to be won by the lucky contestant. “I’ve just finished filming and it was

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so much fun,” said Rustie. “I think people are going to love watching it.”

Fun is Rustie’s middle name. You get that feeling when talking to her that her career has always been about more than just the money. She really is one of those celebrities who loves giving people a good time while have loads of fun herself – and making a nice living too, of course… And then there’s that trademark booming laugh!

HAVING A GOOD TIME As well as making others laugh, Rustie is never shy about laughing at herself. “Oh my god, yes, on Strictly It Takes Two, I couldn’t help embarrassing myself – as always!” she said. “I was appearing with the wonderful Rylan Clark and some of the Strictly celebrities and dancers. We all had those paddle things to hold up as to who we thought would be appearing on the show next – and I managed to reach down and pick up my mobile phone by mistake and hold that up

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COVER STORY

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instead. I was just chatting so much and having such a good time, I didn’t pay attention to what I was doing. So embarrassing, but everyone fell about and we all had a great laugh.”

Like most of us, Rustie is a huge Strictly fan and when we asked if she’d like to appear on the show as one of the dancing celebs, she let slip another ‘exclusive’. “One time, I was actually up to be on the show,” Rustie revealed. But she didn’t quite make the cut. “It’s all about them getting the mix of celebs right for the series and I wasn’t quite what they wanted at that time,” she explains. Her appearance on Strictly follow-up show, It Takes Two, was such a big hit with viewers that Twitter was awash with calls for Rustie to be made one of the full-time presenters.

“Oh my god, yes, I’d love to be presenting it,” she says. “Please, my love, tell the producers that people liked it when I was on there. It would be just wonderful!”

GMB TRIBUTE The day we spoke with Rustie it was only a few hours after her great friend, dancer and entertainer Lionel Blair had passed away, aged 92.

Rustie had just appeared on Good Morning Britain to pay a very personal tribute. She had worked many times with Lionel and they had struck up a great rapport. “He was a very endearing man and a real gentleman,” said Rustie. “It made me think about my mum who passed away at 87. Mind, my grandmother lived until she was 106 – and even then she thought she was too early to go! Fingers crossed I can make it to a good old age – and keep my marbles at the same time!”

Rustie grew up in Birmingham after arriving in the city from Jamaica aged four to be reunited with her parents. She went to Handsworth Wood Girls School and later to Birmingham College of Food and Domestic Science, where she graduated with distinction as a Master Baker. She worked in her family’s Caribbean bakery and later set up Rustie’s, the first-ever Caribbean silver service restaurant in Soho Road, Handsworth.

It was there that she was spotted by BBC

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producers of the Pebble Mill at One show who invited her to showcase Caribbean food on the programme. Rustie’s first-ever TV appearance was on Pebble Mill hosted by legendary comedian Eric Morecambe. Appearances on ATV (Central TV) followed before TVam came calling. She built her reputation as Britain’s No1 authority on Caribbean cooking during an eight-year residency on TV-am. Rustie then became the first-ever black presenter of a Saturday Night prime time network entertainment show, Game for a Laugh.

LOOSE WOMEN Her recent TV appearances have taken in morning TV, game shows, reality TV and causing fun and controversy on the hit day-time programme, Loose Women. Rustie’s career is not just television. She has appeared on stage in many West End national tours, including South Pacific, Smokey Joe’s Café, Ain’t Misbehavin’ and more than 15 pantomimes. Recently, Rustie took part in the Lunch and Laughs tour with the

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COVER STORY

IN THE BOX SEAT: Rustie gets animated watching TV with Mr Motivator on Celebrity Gogglebox

likes of Lisa Maxwell, Claire Sweeney and Kate Thornton which included a date in Birmingham.

Afternoon audiences were treated to a glass of fizz, lunch, shopping, prizes and the girls presenting their own version of Loose Women with singing! “It was all about people forgetting all their worries after a horrible 18 months and having a good laugh,” said Rustie.

In another celebrity first, Rustie has teamed up with actor Christopher Biggins, fitness guru Derrick ‘Mr Motivator’ Evans, celebrity astrologer Russell Grant, model and actress Linda Lusardi and Britain’s Got Talent finalist and musician Jean Martyn for Bingo All Stars – a unique online bingo experience.

BINGO CALLER Rustie said: “Andreas, my manager – as well as my other half – set up Bingo All Stars and every week I come together with the other celebrities and we have a great time with people playing on the site. It’s been a lovely thing for people to enjoy especially during Covid.”

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Rustie is incredibly proud of her Brummie roots and says that despite moving six years ago to West Sussex – “to be nearer my son who lives in Bournemouth, my other half ’s friends and nearer to work in London” – she will always be a Birmingham girl first and foremost.

“Wherever I go in the world, Birmingham will always be my home,” she says. “I’m like a stick of rock. Cut me in half and you will see Birmingham running right through me!” I

Find out more about meeting Rustie and friends at Bingo All Stars by going to bingoallstars.co.uk

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FEATURE

SNAP HAPPY AWARD-WINNING PHOTOGRAPHER AND CHAMPION OF LOCAL ARTISTS, OWEN DE VISSER HAS TAKEN IT UP A NOTCH BY OPENING AN ART GALLERY AND STUDIO

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FEATURE

ou might know Owen De Visser from ArtsBrum, the organisation that promotes and supports local artists, or from Birmingham Open Studios, or even his Open Mic night in Moseley. He’s a busy chap. Having had enough of rejigging the spare room for photo-shoots at home, Owen has bitten the bullet and opened a gallery and photographic studio on the bourgeoning Greenfield Crescent with neighbours such as Loki Wine, Kin and the much-anticipated, Chapter restaurant.

His original timing turned out to be less than sparkling as Covid struck just as he was about to sign the lease. Thankfully, landlords Calthorpe Estates were thoroughly understanding and put plans on hold without financial penalty. Finally open, Owen is cock-a-hoop, but it hasn’t been a straight-forward path.

A degree in Music Tech proved to be not what Owen had expected and not something he wanted to pursue, so he left. However, there was a silver lining.

Part of his studies included photo editing which he

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enjoyed – so with a trusty digital SMR camera Owen began snapping in his spare time while working in retail. When some friends asked Owen to capture their special day, it proved to be the beginning of something a bit special.

OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS Owen remembers: “I had a basic camera with two lenses. I learnt that weddings are largely about controlling people. I enjoyed it and more opportunities followed.” Owen’s mother is an artist and his father an author, so a creative life feels natural. Of his upbringing, Owen says: “I was raised to believe that I can be successful in anything I want to be, as long as I have passion and believe in myself.”

That belief was tested a bit after he was made redundant from two retail jobs. Owen decided to take control and grab the opportunity to do something he loved and ODV Photography was born. He turned to the Prince’s Trust Start Up business scheme which was a massive help. As well as financial support,

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FEATURE

Owen received training in how to run a business with weeks of formal tuition. Owen ran the business from home using the spare room as a studio for years, but it wasn’t the best use of his time.

He says: “I’d have to pull everything out of the spare room to see a client and then put it back together. It definitely wasn’t time efficient.” Owen photographs a wide range of subjects including events and weddings, commercial work, corporate headshots, interiors, family portraits, promo shots – again – he’s busy!

SUPPORT LOCAL Realising there wasn’t much of a spotlight on artists in Birmingham at the time, Owen sought to change that through Birmingham Arts (ArtsBrum) which pushed art and artists in the city. He created

SUPPORT LOCAL Checkout Owen’s work at owendevisser.com and visit Lux Gallery at Greenfield Crescent luxgallery.co.uk

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an online shop and co-hosted events. He also founded Brum Open Studios where people can visit artists in their studios and see them work. Doing these things alongside ODV Photography meant he had three different in-boxes to tackle which didn’t really make sense, so now with Lux he’s combined everything into one.

He has 2,000 artists on his books – not all from Birmingham. Lux stocks mainly British artists and lots of local creatives plus a few from Europe. They tend to be emerging or mid-career artists and they can’t be in another gallery in the area, so it’s not work people have seen elsewhere. There’s a mix of media including jewellery from Jewellery Quarter.

Owen’s not in competition with other galleries in the city – he’s collaborative and is keen to see a thriving arts scene – more galleries not less to benefit everyone. He does feel residents of Brum could do more to support art though. He says: “London has hundreds of galleries, but not so in Birmingham. In a city with so many great creatives and different pockets each with a unique style and identity, we could probably do better.” I

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FOOD & DRINK

NATHAN SWIFT

An exciting new chapter for Birmingham’s culinary scene begins this month as the team behind Opus opens a new independent venue in Edgbaston Village.

We caught up with the head chef at Chapter Restaurant to see what makes him tick

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CHEF’S CORNER

Tell us about your cooking Modern fresh British is my style of cooking. It’s important to be passionate and positive in this line of work and I love working with the finest local sourced ingredients that Britain has to offer – from the veg in Worcestershire and Evesham, fresh fish from Brixham Fish Market or delicious Cornish lamb.

How did you become a chef?

I don’t have a formal catering education as I started out as a pot washer in a hotel to earn some money. I was always in the kitchen with the chefs helping out when I could, then one day I was offered a position as commis chef. So, I have learned everything I know on the job. I don’t have one particular chef as an influence as I like to take ideas and put them together to come up with something of my own.

What do you eat at home?

A nice roast dinner, a Bolognese or even my wife’s jacket potatoes – she does the best potatoes! Everybody thinks that a chef would be eating a top restaurant dinner even at home, but this is not always the case as I spend most of my time behind a stove at work. But I do really enjoy cooking with produce straight out of my allotment that my young son and I work together.

We’re also raising quail (fresh quail eggs in the morning – you can’t beat that).

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

If I had to choose a best chef then it would have to be Michael Caines as I had the pleasure to work alongside him, watching him prepare and produce the finest of foods. Michael is an inspiration as he only has one arm but always gives it his all to show his staff that anything can be accomplished when you put your mind to it. Best chef in Birmingham? Well, they all excel in their own way, but they can only be as good as the team behind them that help to make it happen.

Share a cooking tip If you are ever slow-cooking a piece of meat then always allow it to cool down in the braising liquor so it doesn’t steam dry. Steam is moisture and it will affect the end product.

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What was your favourite food as a kid?

It would have to be a nice roast dinner with all the trimmings that we had every Sunday. I mean who doesn’t like a roast dinner!

Food heaven and food hell?

Hell for me would have to be things like liver and onion or anything offal unless you use a lot of butter, eggs, reduce port, madeira, thyme and garlic and make a nice parfait out of it! Heaven is spring-time when we have some nice fresh lamb, wild garlic and asparagus finished with roast Jersey royal potatoes, all in rich red wine sauce.

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

That’d be snake! It was very early in my journey to become a chef, but I remember it having a fish- like texture, a very strong meat taste and a touch of iron in the flavour.

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

I would be in the engineering industry as I went to college and I did mechanical engineering and I did boat building engineering, I Chapter, 5-6 Greenfield Crescent, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 3BE. chapteredgbaston.co.uk

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SEASON’S EATINGS

FESTIVE DRIZZLE CAKE Try this orangey sparkler for a yummy, scrummy tangerine dream this Christmas op them in a decorative bowl or stuff them in a stocking, there are few more Christmassy fruits than clementines and tangerines. They can also make a fantastic little festive cake, so why not try this scrumptious recipe. Personally, we prefer to use tangerines for their richer, sweeter flavour.

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Ingredients:

I 250g soft unsalted butter

I 250g runny honey

I 1 tbsp vanilla bean paste

I 6 large eggs

I 250g self-raising flour I 4 tangerines

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I 200g ground almonds I 100g icing sugar

Method: Grease a two-litre, non-stick bundt tin with butter.

Add the softened butter to a food processor with the honey, flour, almonds, vanilla paste, a pinch of sea salt and the eggs. Add the finely grated zest of two tangerines and then mix all the ingredients together until smooth.

Pour the mixture into the bundt tin and bake in a preheated oven to 180°Cfor 30 to 35 minutes, or until golden and an inserted skewer comes out clean. Leave for a few minutes, then turn out on to a wire rack and leave to cool completely.

For the all-important drizzle, sift the icing sugar into a bowl and stir in some freshly squeezed tangerine juice to make a thick drizzle.

Pour or spoon over the cool cake. Slice and enjoy!

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FOOD & DRINK

NIBBLES and SHORTS

BIRMINGHAM’S BARS, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS ARE ROARING BACK IN STYLE. HERE’S

OUR INSIDER GUIDE TO THE LATEST NEWS FROM THE CITY’S EATERIES AND DRINKING DENS

SPEAKEASY BRUNCH

Nude, the recently opened bar and grill in Bennetts Hill, has launched a Speakeasy Brunch. Served between 12pm and 5pm, the two courses include the likes of Thai Yellow Curry Wings and Crispy Teriyaki Beef, as well as vegan options such Heritage Beetroot accompanied by carpaccio beetroot, labneh, and hazelnuts. Drinks include cocktails, prosecco and Nude lager. Co-owner Donna Chance, said: “We had a fantastic response to our opening and we’re thrilled to be bringing this exciting offer to the city.”

BROTHERS ON A ROLL Local restaurateur brothers Sunny and Sonu Rull – the duo behind the much-loved Hen and Chickens – are set to open a new bar and restaurant in the heart of Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter. The Rolling Mill at the junction of Warstone Lane and Hall Street will serve up a fresh take on European flavours and classics with a vintage twist.

GRAND AWARD

The Grand Hotel Birmingham has been named Central regional winner in the Sunday Times Best Places To Stay guide.

Housed in one of the city’s most iconic buildings in Colmore Row, the hotel re-opened in May after a £50million refurbishment boasting 185 bedrooms and suites, a cocktail bar, New Yorkstyle restaurant, the Grand Ballroom and an additional nine meeting and event spaces. The Sunday Times guide is the definitive list of the 100 Best Places to Stay across the UK.

ARRIVING IN PARADISE

TALL ORDER Global luxury restaurant and bar group D&D London will be launching a rooftop restaurant at Birmingham’s tallest office tower, 103 Colmore Row. The plans for the restaurant offer panoramic views across the city and beyond, while also operating a ground floor cocktail bar and café with an outdoor terrace.

GIN’S A TONIC FOR CHARITY

DINING PERSIAN STYLE

A new Indo-Persian fine dining concept featuring dishes from across the Persian Empire has opened at Brindleyplace. Qavali, named after a style of Sufi devotional singing and originating from the Arabic word qual meaning ‘to speak’, offers a range of delicious dishes inspired by Turkish, Arabic, Persian and Indian cuisine.

BRUM WINS BEST HOTEL TITLE Park Regis Birmingham has been named the Best UK Hotel at the prestigious M&IT Awards 2021.

John Angus, MD of owners Switch Hospitality Management Group, said “This is a fantastic achievement and a true recognition for our amazing team. Not only is Switch Hospitality Management the number one place to work in Birmingham, Park Regis Birmingham is now the number one hotel in the UK.”

Local charity LoveBrum has teamed up with Birmingham’s 1000 Trades Distillery to create LoveBrum Gin. Distilled and hand-bottled right here in the city, every purchase of the premium gin will mean a donation towards LoveBrum’s work supporting the city’s unsung organisations and heroes. The gin is distilled with juniper, coriander seeds, orris root and grapefruit with some secret botanicals, creating a zesty and spicy drink.

LoveBrum Gin is on sale at: lovebrum.org.uk/product/lovebrum-gin-42-70cl/

An independent wine bar and restaurant is to open its first venue outside of London at Birmingham’s £700million Paradise redevelopment. Founded and run by Brett Woonton and Charlie Young, Vinoteca combines high quality wines and fresh, seasonal food. As well as wine bars and restaurants, Vinoteca offers an online wine shop and an award-winning wine club for drinkers who relish new discoveries, delivered to your home or office each month with tasting and food matching notes.

Up to 25 wines will be available by the glass with up to 200 bottles on the full list.

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RESTAURANT REVIEW

LULU WILD

Unit 7 and 8, The Water’s Edge, Brindleyplace, Broad Street, Birmingham, B1 2HP. Tel: 0121 631 1739 info@luluwild.co.uk he former site of Carluccio’s Brindleyplace has been transformed into a glamorous giltedged bar and restaurant that screams, ‘you’re in for a good night’. Actually, we went for lunch, but you get the idea. It’s all fancy-pants lighting, dramatic interiors and Instagrammable neon and we found ourselves crossing everything that the food lived up to the vibe.

As you’d expect from the lovely people behind Aluna and Siamais, cocktails are a very good idea at Lulu Wild with or without booze. The Hainan Cooler (without) is one of the most refreshing things we’ve ever tasted, full of mint, watermelon and zingy lime, while the China Rose (prosecco, gin and citrus) hit the spot very nicely.

The menu is a cracker. There are small plates, brunch, Christmas set feasts as well as the lunch/dinner menus. We consulted our fantastic waiter, Uri for his recommendations. Rather than the couple of dim sum dishes to start that we’d planned, he recommended the Wild Platter of dumplings for maximum sampling. He was right.

The platter included four steamed and four fried dim sum with accompanying black vinegar and soy

T

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sauce and was ideal for two people. The meat (pork, chicken) and seafood (prawn, scallop) versions were flavour-packed and moreish, while the mushroom ones were a bit more timid on the taste front. The steamed dim sum were incredibly pretty, a couple with pastel pink and green skins, however, the colourful skins were a bit thicker than the non-coloured dumplings making them a bit heavy.

A sweet and sour pork dish with tart pomegranate and sweet pineapple was excellent and accompanied by lots of ‘oohing’ as was a punchy Sanpei chicken with sweet basil, spring onion, a warm hit of chilli and Shaoxing wine. We scooped up every last dribble of sauce from both dishes with jasmine rice.

Really delicious.

Despite the pastry chef not being in the kitchen on the day we visited, the chef rustled up a gorgeous mango mousse-like dessert with grapefruit and an intense mango sorbet on the side. It was the perfect zingy palate cleanser.

We left feeling like Lulu Wild definitely lives up to its bouji vibe – an all-rounder with substance as well as style and a fantastic addition to Brum. I

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FOOD & DRINK

‘TIS THE SEASON… …TO PASS THE PORT GARY CARTER OF BIRMINGHAM WINE SCHOOL LOOKS AT WHAT

GOES INTO MAKING A GREAT BOTTLE OF PORT – AND SUGGESTS HIS TOP PICKS TO ENJOY AT THE END OF YOUR FESTIVE FEAST t’s that time of year, with cold and dark nights, where Port really comes into its own. There is something just so right about enjoying a glass of Port at the end of your meal (or for that matter when your fancy takes you).

The history of Port emphasises that necessity is the mother of invention, with the additional alcohol added to ‘fortify’ the wine, originally as a method of preserving the wine in good condition. This was especially required when the wine was supplied to the Royal Navy by England’s oldest ally (Portugal) from the seventeenth century onwards. This historical connection between Port and England is reflected in the many English names associated to

I

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this day with the Port trade, such as Taylor’s, Graham’s, Dow’s and Croft.

INTENSE FLAVOURS The grapes to make Port are grown in the baking heat of the Douro Valley, some distance inland from Oporto where the River Douro enters the Atlantic. In these hot, dry conditions, on steep-sided hills overlooking the river, the grapes are fully ripened with intense flavours and high levels of sugar.

Port is always a blend of grape varieties, with the most important being Portugal’s own Touriga Nacional and Touriga Franca with Tinta Roriz (Spain’s Tempranillo under its local Portuguese name).

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PORTS TO TRY

Dow’s Trademark Finest Reserve Port 75cl – Sainsbury’s £10 Rich ruby colour. On the nose packed with rich and concentrated strawberry fruit, and hints of spices. On the palate, full fruit flavours, well balanced, and with a long slightly dry finish that is the hallmark of all Dow’s Ports.

Taylor’s Late Bottled Vintage Port – Morrison’s £10 (limited special offer, usually £15) Rich, velvety, cherry and plum-laced Late Bottled Vintage full of character. A perfect Port from a massive name in the business. Red-fruit-packed, gorgeously coloured and deliciously smooth, this is a sure-fire post-dinner smash at any table.

Graham’s 10-Year-Old Tawny Port – Tesco £20 A decade of careful slow oak maturation has resulted in a wine with complex nutty aromas, combined with hints of honey and figs. On the palate, rich mature fruit flavours, beautifully mellowed with a luscious long finish.

Niepoort 1997 Vintage Port – Frazier’s Wine Merchants £51 The greatest modern Niepoort vintage shows a black colour and intense aromas of crushed berries and wet earth, with a slight stemminess. Full-bodied and mouth puckering, this young bodybuilder of a Port has loads of fruit and powerful tannins. Amazingly long finish.

All red Port production starts out as conventional red winemaking, but the fermentation process converting the sugar in the grapes to alcohol is interrupted and terminated abruptly halfway through the process by the addition of 77% abv brandy, which raises the overall abv of the wine to 20%. As this is way beyond the level that yeast can tolerate fermentation stops, leaving the wine as medium sweet due to the sugar that has not been converted to alcohol.

RUBY AND TAWNY So far, all red Port follows the same process, but now the various styles of Port start to come into play.

At the most generic, there are two types of Port – Ruby

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and Tawny. Ruby Port has had limited ageing in oak and retains its deep ruby colour. Tawny Port has had extended ageing in oak and as a result has lost much of its colour and turned Tawny.

Within the Ruby category there is generic Ruby, a fiery, fruity wine with rather more power than style.

Next up in terms of quality there is Reserve Port, which is a notably more elegant wine with concentrated black fruits and rather better integration of alcohol. Perhaps the ‘sweet spot’ for Ruby Port in terms of value for money is ‘Late Bottled Vintage’.

LBV Port was invented by Taylor’s as a way of giving customers something approaching a true vintage Port but at a fraction of the price and without the need to wait for many years and decant. LBV Port has style, elegance and power in a great balance. Finally, Vintage Port, produced only in exceptional years, is bottled unfiltered and is designed to age for many years. In their youth the tannins are fierce but as they soften with age the wine becomes incredibly complex.

Patience is eventually rewarded, but remember to decant as they throw a notable sediment.

AGEING BEAUTIFULLY Generic Tawny Port is aged for only a short period in wood and while it may develop some dried fruit and nutty characteristics its main purpose is to signpost the way to much more interesting Tawny Ports. Tawny Ports with a specified age – 10 Years, 20 Years, etc – are much more interesting. As they get older, they lose more of their original ruby colour and become tawny and eventually brown. Their tannins soften beautifully and the wines develop intense notes of dried fruit, nuts and marzipan.

Ruby style ports (especially LBV and Vintage) are known as great accompaniments to mature and blue cheese such as Stilton and Cheddar. They also work sublimely well with dark chocolate, Christmas cake and raspberries.

Tawny style ports by comparison are great matched alongside milk chocolate, nuts, soft cheese such as Camembert (a very popular combination in France) or caramel. I Birmingham Wine School is an independent wine education company that offers fun, informal wine tasting events and Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) courses online, in Birmingham, Sutton Coldfield, and Warwick. For more information contact Gary Carter DipWSET, at www.localwineschool.com/birmingham or on 0121 270 7359.

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COCKTAIL OF THE MONTH

FLAMING CHRISTMAS Light up your festive drinks party with this sexy little cracker t’s Chrrrristmassss! Why not celebrate with something just a little fancy like this sexy number from the mixologists that head up Birmingham’s newest cocktail bar, Nude Bar & Grill, tucked away on Bennetts Hill. But please make sure you enjoy responsibly this festive season. I

I

THE ZOMBIE INGREDIENTS:

I 25ml Havana Club 3

I 25ml Old J Spiced Rum

I 25ml Plantation Overproof I 75ml Pineapple juice

I Dash of Mrs Betters Bitters I Dash of Angostora Bitters I 25ml Sugar syrup

Garnish I 2 x Pineapple leaves I Passion fruit shell I Brown sugar

METHOD: Combine all the ingredients in a Boston Shaker (only 12.5ml of Overproof).

Add cubed ice, wet shake. Fill a tikki cactus glass with cubed ice, and double strain into the glass.

Add the straw and pineapple leaves. Balance a passion fruit shell on top of the foam. Add some brown sugar and 12.5ml of Overproof. Light the passion fruit using a blow torch. Excite the flames with some cinnamon.

Nude Bar & Grill, 38 Bennetts Hill, Birmingham, B2 5SN. nude-barandgrill.co.uk

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HEALTH

WINTER RUNNING

IT’S EASY TO GET OUT AND RUN WHEN THE WEATHER’S WARM, NOT SO MUCH WHEN TEMPERATURES DROP. HERE’S OUR GUIDE TO TAKE THE SHIVERS OUT OF WINTER EXERCISING

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HEALTH

s the temperature dips so might your motivation to indulge in those awesome little runs that you’ve so enjoyed since lockdown began. But winter running doesn’t have to be all bad. With the right gear and mindset, you can actually improve your training regime.

Running in the cold not only increases your aerobic activity but it may also speed up your metabolism and help change your body composition.

A

Here are some tips to keep safe and hopefully injury free throughout the winter months: WARM UP Hamstrings, groin, glutes and calves all need a decent stetch before you step outside, so find a good routine and stick with it religiously. Moving around gets the blood flowing without breaking a sweat and the cold doesn’t feel so cold when you’re warm.

WEAR THE RIGHT SHOES To keep warmth in and slush out, run in shoes that have the least amount of mesh. If you have shoes with Gore-Tex uppers, all the better and wear proper running socks if you can which will help draw away moisture and keep your feet warm.

THE RIGHT CLOTHES Dressing in layers is the key to running comfortably all winter. You can start the run feeling warm, then easily shed the layers as your body warms up. Simply tie unneeded layers around your waist and keep running once you’re warm. Or plan a circuit run so you can drop them off in a safe spot when you don’t need them. Remember to put your base layer on the bottom so as you strip layers off, the correct layer is underneath and plan to run as if it’s warmer than it is.

HYDRATION Runners don’t drink enough as it is. When it’s warmer it might be easier to remember to drink plenty of water and while sweat rates are generally higher in hotter conditions, you will still sweat and still lose some body water while exercising in cold weather. So, remember to hydrate before and after your run.

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LIGHT UP With limited daylight, chances are you’ll be running in the dark. Wear reflective, fluorescent gear, and don’t be shy about lighting yourself up like a Christmas tree. You may feel silly, but a headlamp is a great idea to help keep you safe and make sure others can see you.

WIND WATCH There’s often a much stiffer breeze during the winter months so plan your route in advance. Start your run into the wind and finish with it at your back, so the breeze doesn’t blast you after you’ve broken a sweat. Or try breaking it up a little. Run into the wind for about 10 minutes, turn around to run with the wind at your back for five minutes, and repeat. You can seek out man-made wind shields, too. Exposed skin is especially vulnerable to chilly gusts so as well as gloves and hats, think about protecting your nose and cheeks.

PACE YOURSELF Start slowly. Resist the temptation to launch yourself into a sprint right away. Spend some time building up your endurance gradually and getting those muscles nice and warm. And don’t be afraid to cut a workout short.

SET A GOAL It’s so important to keep motivated especially when a quick weather watch might be a temptation to sit in front of the fire.

Whether it’s to lose a few pre-Christmas pounds or to beat your personal best, keep a focus and remember to reward yourself.

WARM DOWN So important to stretch post-run. Your core body temperature drops as soon as you stop running. To avoid a lingering case of the chills, change your clothes—head to toe—as soon as you can. And drink something hot and wholesome. You can’t beat a winter soup.

BE SENSIBLE If the temperature has severely dipped below freezing, it might be best to plan a day of recovery. Cold temperatures and dry air can aggravate some health conditions, so use your best judgment as to whether you should run outside.

And there’s always the treadmill… I

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PARTY TIME

Clothing and accessories from M&S

DRESS CODE THIS YEAR, PROBABLY MORE THAN MOST, WE’RE RELISHING

DRESSING UP, SEEING PEOPLE AND DANCING OUR SOCKS OFF

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STYLE

COVER UP

Black and gold sequin cardigan, River Island

SUPER COOL

Satin palazzo pant £95, Hope Fashion

LBD

Black sequin dress £85, River Island

RAZZLE TASSLE

Oattie tassle clutch £45, Oliver Bonas

TOP TOP

Sequin black top £110, Hope Fashion

hile all the chat about how our Prime Minister will save Christmas (again) fill us with a sense of Groundhog Day dread, we’re planning to get the full glam on whether it turns out we’re in, out or shaking it all about.

We’ve taken a look around to bring you some of our favourite party pieces that’ll wow in all kinds of scenarios ranging from festive get-together with mates to formal black tie.

Show-stopping palazzo pants from Hope and M&S add a bit of edge to proceedings while Monsoon is doing what they do best with some dreamy gowns to swan about town in.

Our top pick is the gold V-neck with puff sleeves from, wait for it, Matalan which is a steal at £18. Team with a great pair of heels and a cute clutch and you’ll look top drawer.

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TERRIFIC TREWS

Sequin trousers £45, M&S

MASK UP

Eugenia Kim sequin embellished satin face mask £20, Selfridges

MINIMUM FUSS

One shoulder neutral sequin dress £35, F&F

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STYLE

ATTENTION

Velvet military jacket £80, Monsoon

RIGHT STRIPES

DROP OUT

Nara worn gold disc drop earrings £15, Oliver Bonas

MESH UP

Holmes leopard mesh heel £65, Office

Heels, as always, will give you a bit of swagger and get you in the mood for a celebration. Check out Dune and Office on the high street and Gianvito Rossi and Sophia Webster if you’re splashing out. For a vintage vibe, look at Esska or local designer Rachel Simpson who specialises in wedding shoes, but we reckon they are spot on for party season.

We’ve included a gorgeous face mask that’ll enhance rather than ruin your outfit because why wouldn’t you bab? I

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Zebra boots from Office

COOL COLLAB

Harris Reed x Missoma star and moon recycled 18ct yellow gold plated brass, white cubic zirconia and white pearl hoop earrings £175, Selfridges

SUITS YOU

Black jacket £39.99, New Look

PIN TUCK

BLOCK PARTY

Gold knot heels £15, Matalan

Mini dress £69.50, Oliver Bonas

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STYLE

PRICE DEFYING

Foil V-neck midi dress £18, Matalan

FINISHING TOUCH

Striking Teardrop pendant £55, Hot Diamonds

PROM QUEEN

Sequin and taffeta dress £195, Hope Fashion

OFF THE SHOULDER

Ruffle one shoulder maxi £70, Lipsy

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STAR TURN

Sterling silver cubic zirconia mystic star set £50, Very

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STYLE

ANIMAL MAGIC

Shimmer lurex animal dress £22, F&F

POPPIN’

Clothing from New Look

BELT UP

Red animal print midi dress £59, Sosander Studio

HIGH NECK

Floral tie mini dress £25.99, New Look

STAND OUT

THINK PINK

Valley dress in magenta £48, Dancing Leopard

CHI CHI sequin midi skirt £65, Very

IN THE NAVY

Betti shoe £120, Dune

GREEN DREAM

Lydia long sleeve blouse £80, Monsoon

BRILLIANT BOOTS

COCKA-HOOP

Malie beaded hoop earrings £22, Oliver Bonas

GET STRAPPY Harli sandal £55, Office

MAXIMUM IMPACT

Jane floral embellished maxi dress £190, Monsoon

London Spice in green £195, Dune

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STYLE

THAT’S A WRAP

Dulcie wrap dress £170, Aspiga

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STYLE FOR MEN

SMART CASUAL Suit from Primark

OUT OUT

IF YOU’VE FORGOTTEN HOW TO DRESS FOR PARTY SEASON, DON’T PANIC, WE’VE GOT YOU COVERED

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STYLE FOR MEN

ATTENTION TO DETAIL Burberry English fit Romie jacket £1,490, Harvey Nichols

BUCKLE UP Rivington suede monk strap shoe £225, Reiss

GO GREEN Velvet single breasted blazer £298, Reiss

e’re hoping this Christmas is more Richard Curtis schmaltz than Contagion, so we’re preparing to wheel out the sartorial big guns – tuxedo jackets, heirloom cufflinks, cashmere scarves. Reiss is a great option that won’t break the bank while TK Maxx is always worth a look if you can cope with the jumble sale vibe. Suits Direct on New Street has a fantastic selection and top-notch service. Burberry at Harvey Nichols is worth a look and at Selfridges, check out Sandro. Whether you’re teaming your Sunday best with cool sneakers or knock-out loafers, go forth and party. I

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VERSATILE Brown suede jacket £59.99, TK Maxx PATTERN CUT Burberry English fit wool silk blend jacquard jacket £2,090, Harvey Nichols

LUX TUX Sandro shawl collar wool tuxedo jacket £549, Selfridges

TWINKLE TOES Slicks navy velvet shoe £105, Dune

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LESS IS MORE Stylize black shoe £110, Dune POLISHED Pasha de Cartier palladium plated sterling silver cufflinks £590, Selfridges

COSY CASHMERE Pure cashmere scarf £45, M&S

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GIFT GUIDE

Edgbaston Hotel gift vouchers, theedgbaston.co.uk

THE BIG

Charles Heidsieck Armchair Vintage 2008 and 2012 gift set £200, Loki Wine lokiwine.co.uk

Aston Villa Brxlz football £20, shop.avfc.co.uk

CHRISTMAS

GIFT GUIDE 2021

Our famous festive gift guide is back – and packed

with loads of great ideas, just as you’d

expect! We are fantastically

spoilt in Brum with super makers, creators and retailers on our doorstep, so let’s show them some big love this Christmas. We’ve gift ideas ranging from £6 to £2,500, including a combination of tangible presents as well as awesome experiences. While we’ve included web addresses, we reckon if you’re able to get out and support physical businesses where possible, they’d be cock-a-hoop. Happy shopping!

Ferm Living horse cushion £49, Kin., kinhome.co

Rhythm artwork £209, Lee Longlands, leelonglands.co.uk

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GIFT GUIDE

Christmas sweatshirt £46, Disko Kids, diskokids.co.uk Birmingham Botanical Gardens gift of membership from £38, birminghambotanicalg ardens.org.uk

Hay Play chess set £39, Minima, minimauk.com

Sponsor-a-Seat in The HOUSE theatre at the Rep for 10 years, from £250, birmingham-rep.co.uk/support-us

Christmas boxes of macaroons from £22, Miss Macaroon, missmacaroon.co.uk

Trio of Votive candles £38, Neptune Edgbaston Harris Reed X Missoma butterfly rhodium plated brass necklace £215, Selfridges, selfridges.com

Selfridges Experience Concierge service – the Makeover Package includes 60-minute make-up appointment followed by a fragrance consultation and lunch at San Carlo Gran Café £115pp, Selfridges, selfridges.com

Mini Face Ritual £38, Harvest Skincare, harvestskincare.co

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GIFT GUIDE

Love gingham cushion cover £22.50, Oliver Bonas, oliverbonas.co.uk

Cold War Steve’s 2021 jigsaw £23, coldwarsteve.bigcartel.co m/product/2021-jigsaw

Shakespeare socks £9, RSC, shop.rsc.org.uk

Illustrations of Birmingham series by local artist Ruth Salton, jouledesignemporium.etsy.com Commonwealth Games Perry mascot soft toy £12, Selfridges, selfridges.com Fokawolf and Evolve collaboration Support the Future Back the Youth tee £25, megacorpglobal.com Heaven Skincare men’s grooming set £55, heavenskincare.com

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GIFT GUIDE

Christmas dogs playing cards £18, Radley London, radley.co.uk Simpsons gift vouchers – options include a meal, Eureka cookery school experience or Antona At Home delivery, simpsonsrestaurant.co.uk The Birmingham Colour Palette framed print £17, thecolourpalettecompany.com

Materia Rica hand tattoo earrings £22.50, IKON Gallery, ikon-gallery.org

Initio Parfums Oud for Happiness 90ml £280, Harvey Nichols, harveynichols.com

Ultimate skincare hamper £975, Harvey Nichols, harveynichols.com

The Alexandra TheatreCard Plus Membership, includes member discounts at 33 ATG venues, free ticket protection and access to exclusive content, £69 for 12 months, atgtickets.com/gifts/theatre-vouchers

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GIFT GUIDE

Birmingham Wine School gift voucher for tastings and courses from £30, birminghamwineschool.com

Tortoiseshell glass cocktail set £125, OKA Stetson Hatteras Biege £89, Peter Forson, peterforson.com

Flanders Blues by Jon Jones £575, Castle Fine Art, castlefineart.com

Story Terrace biography writing – yours or a loved one’s life story bound in a book from £1,600, storyterrace.com

Acne Studios Agost leather cross body £700, Harvey Nichols, harveynichols.com

In A Box 3 virtual reality experience for two people £48.95 (includes 30 per cent launch discount), inabox3.co.uk

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GIFT GUIDE

Luxe Fleur black tray £20, Honey Bee Home, honeybeehome.co.uk

Junior golf lessons at the Belfry Hotel and Resort from £25, thebelfry.com Snow Globe orange and ginger gin £26, Harvey Nichols, harveynichols.com

Sarehole Mill Bakes and Cakes book £9.99, Birmingham Museums, shop.birminghammuseums.org.uk

Root 7 Cat gin glasses x2 £25, Harvey Nichols, harveynichols.com

Bartender hamper £1,300, Harvey Nichols, harveynichols.com

Punks and Chancers organic ribbed beanie £22, IKON Gallery, ikon-gallery.org

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Rayban Stories Wayfarer smart glasses £299, Selfridges, selfridges.com

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GIFT GUIDE

On A Mission – a collection of poems by aircrew, past patients, volunteers and fund-raisers to celebrate Midlands Air Ambulance Charity’s 30th anniversary £10, Slip limited edition Privacy midlandsairambulance.com Please set £120, slippillowcase.co.uk

Become a Friend package at Birmingham Hippodrome, includes exclusive discounts, priority booking, two-for-one on selected shows and exclusive programme of events from £50 per year, birminghamhippodrome.com/giveandjoin/memberships

Provide Bournville candle £20, IKON Gallery, ikon-gallery.org

The Whisky Advent Calendar £149.95, the Whisky Shop, thewhiskyshop.com

Cheshire and Win Muted Heritage Mist cat collar £58, Selfridges, selfridges.com Benny’s Babbies poster £15, Birmingham Museums, shop.birminghammuseums.org.uk

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GIFT GUIDE

Statuesque artwork £85, Lee Longlands, leelonglands.co.uk Rudolf 3D nose jumper £32.99, shop.wba.co.uk

LoveBrum gin £35.99, lovebrum.org.uk

Radley London red blanket £89, Radley London, radley.co.uk

Mate X 750W Subdued foldable e-bike £2,549, Harvey Nichols, harveynichols.com

That Gin and Cocktail Company’s gift box £37, That Gin & Cocktail Company, thatgincompany.co.uk

P&C X Quarter Horse coffee gift box £26, Punks and Chancers, punksandchancers.co.uk

Charlotte Tilbury’s Magic Icons gift set £80, Harvey Nichols, harveynichols.com

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GIFT GUIDE

Coming to England by Floella Benjamin £6.99, IKON Gallery, ikon-gallery.org

OVO Things oak candle holder £40, Kin., kinhome.co

Family photo shoot experience £150, Lux Gallery, lux.org.uk

Floozie in the Jacuzzi signed print from £55, Brumhaus, brumhaus.co.uk/xmas

Maac the bear Midlands Air Ambulance Charity bear £8, midlandsairambulance.com

Racing Green navy structure overcoat £125, Suits Direct suitdirect.co.uk

Ferm Living Champgne saucers, set of two £39, Minima, minimauk.com

Russell and Atwell sustainable, fridge fresh chocolates from £6.75 or gift subscription service from £50, russellandatwell.com

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GIFT GUIDE

Yes Bab organic tee in ochre £25, Punks and Chancers, punksandchancers.co.uk

The Bottle Shop at the Pineapple Club local craft beer advent calendar £89.99, pineapplebrum.co.uk

Christmas chocolate truffle boxes from £6.75, the Chocolate Quarter, thechocolatequarter.com

Bird’s Eye View signed print from £55, Brumhaus, brumhaus.co.uk/xmas Heaven Skincare Gift of Gold set £270, heavenskincare.com

Floral Silhouette silver necklace

by Kate Smith, Lux Gallery, lux.org.uk

Gas Street Basin print £25, Draw My City, drawmycity.co.uk

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The Creative Nudge by Mick Mahoney and Kevin Chesters £12.99, IKON Gallery, ikon-gallery.org

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MOTORING

RIDING THE

ELECTRIC MUSTANG FORD’S MUSTANG MACH-E SUV BLENDS THE EXCITEMENT OF A FAMOUS

BADGE WITH SUPER GREEN CREDENTIALS AND GREAT PRACTICALITY – THE PERFECT FESTIVE GIFT FOR OUR MOTORING EXPERT, SUE COOKE

FACTS AT A GLANCE

Model: Ford Mustang Mach-E AWD standard range Price: £46,650 otr Power: All-electric Driving Range: Up to 335 miles Performance: 0-62mph in 6.3 seconds and on to a top speed of 112mph CO2 emissions: Zero

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MOTORING

his month, I am getting the best Christmas present ever. The opportunity to see my relatives in Scotland after a tough 18 months of not being able to visit.

Amid the excitement, a glimpse of ‘range anxiety’ flits through my mind however. Why did I decide to road test Ford’s allelectric SUV when I have such a long journey from Birmingham to Edinburgh? But this Mustang Mach-E does not hold the fleet-of-foot ‘Pony’ name without good reason.

The 2021 model has an extended-range battery and earlier this year officially achieved the John O’Groats to Land’s End journey of 840 miles with just two main charging stops – in Wigan and Cullompton, Devon. The stop for charging was under 45 minutes! This welcome nugget of information replaces any fears I had with anticipation at the thought of arriving in a car with a stylish design, that enthusiasts have drooled over for generations.

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POWER RANGER Ford’s performance Battery Electric Vehicle has triple portrait rear lights and a Mustang icon that appears on the tarmac after dark when I open the car door. There is no

SHOWROOM Ford Birmingham, 156-182 Bristol Street, Birmingham, B5 7AZ. Tel: 0121 418 1236 www.bristolstreet.co.uk

december 2021

front open grille because there is no need for cooling. The charging cables are kept under the bonnet, where there is 100 litres of extra stowage for all the Christmas presents too.

The SUV has quality space for five passengers and 402 litres of luggage room in the boot.

The electric powertrain will deliver 0-62mph acceleration in 6.3 seconds with a WLTP pure electric driving range of up to 335 miles for the all-wheel drive model. The rear-wheel drive Mustang Mach-E has a 379miles WLTP range.

Earlier this year, Ford increased its charging network moving from nearly 3,000 charge points to around 9,500, achieved in partnership with BP. New owners will enjoy one year’s free BP Pulse access, with a rapidly growing number of high-power 150kW DC chargers, 50kW DC chargers and nearly 6,000 7kW AC points. Ford offers customers its Connected Wallbox for at-home charging, delivering up to five times the charging power of a typical domestic socket.

TOUCH AND SWIPE Making its debut is the next-generation SYNC communications and entertainment system that uses machine learning to quickly pick up drivers’ preferences.

This gets even better over time, thanks to advanced overthe-air updates. I like the huge 15.5-inch screen as it has no complicated menus and features are accessed with touch, swipe and pinch controls that every smartphone owner will be comfortable using. I wonder, too, why all cars don’t have the same simple lever to open the door from the inside, rather than grappling for a handle!

Particularly for winter journeys, the all-wheel drive system applies torque independently to the front and rear axles to deliver impressive acceleration, traction and improved handling. In the UK, the Mach-E has three drive modes – Whisper, Engage and Untamed, the latter of which is probably best left alone on UK roads. Features include custom-designed vehicle responsiveness, sportier steering controls, ambient lighting, sounds tuned for an authentic all-electric experience and dynamic cluster animations that are tied to driving behaviour.

For the first time in 55 years, Ford has brought the famous Mustang into the electric age. The Mustang MachE has zero-emission driving, low running costs and the quietness of the electric powertrain, which will all help to keep my Christmas stress levels down.

Merry Christmas everyone! I

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YOUNG, GIFTED & BRUMMIE

AMY BOOTH-STEEL THE TALENTED BRUMMIE ACTRESS IS CURRENTLY STARRING IN THE RSC’S ADAPTATION OF THE MAGICIAN’S ELEPHANT

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YOUNG, GIFTED & BRUMMIE

my Booth-Steel is thrilled to be back in the Midlands close to family and friends who are planning a trip en masse – all 18 of them – to see the Magician’s Elephant. After the last couple of years of uncertainty and closures, theatre is thriving and Amy is relishing returning to the stage.

“It’s sort of like the old days – so nice to see people’s faces,” she says.

The Magician’s Elephant was set to open last year but due to restrictions was postponed. Now in full swing at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, it’s packed with welcome escapism and wonderment and at its heart, stunning music by Marc Teitler and Nancy Harris. On our first trip back to the theatre after lockdown, it had us in tears and giggles in equal measure. It’s moving, funny and inventively staged and while the whole cast shone, it was Amy playing a role of narrator that brought the show together – a constant gently leading the audience through the production like an old friend.

A

IN THE KNOW Having originally workshopped the show a couple of years ago, Amy felt she really wanted to be involved. She recalls: “It’s so beautiful and magical and I knew I wanted to be part of it. The show feels even more relevant now – ultimately it’s about a town (Baltese) suffering and being there for one another as a community.”

Amy’s character wasn’t in the 2009 book by Kate DiCamillo, but the show’s creators felt a narrator role that could build a relationship with the audience would be a good idea. It really works. As an audience member Amy makes you feel part of a secret, in the know.

SAFETY FIRST Obviously putting on a show like this was never straight forward, but with today’s Covid guidance, it’s a lot. Socially distanced masked rehearsals, hand sanitiser, daily lateral flow tests, twice weekly PCRs and a Covid monitor at every session to ensure everything’s tip-top. Thankfully it’s worked so far with no Covid dramas.

There are understudies and understudies of understudies, but that’s not unusual, just sensible

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with a winter production running through flu season.

Amy’s not fazed by the extra precautions. She says: “I’m just very grateful to be back. The industry has suffered so much during the pandemic.”

Like most actors, lockdown was tough for Amy as theatres were shut and projects ended abruptly. She remembers: “I was working on the National Theatre pantomime. It closed after just three shows. Lots of people said it was a perfect opportunity to write, but I couldn’t. The panic and worry was too much.”

Living in a ‘teeny’ flat, Amy and her flatmates watched a lot of Netflix, walked and took up gardening. Didn’t we all?

ABSOLUTELY NUTS Amy’s writing again now (we could tell you but we’d have to kill you.) If you were lucky enough to see one woman show Honest Amy, you’ll know she’s pretty talented on that front. Honest Amy was spawned in 2019 when some of Amy’s online videos went viral catching the eye of Kathy Burke, (yes Kathy Burke!), who, in a nutshell, got involved and directed the show taking it to Edinburgh Festival and beyond.

Amy says: “It was absolutely nuts. It happened organically. I just put a few videos online and people liked them. I didn’t know what to expect from Edinburgh, but it was wonderful.” We’re keen to see what happens next. I

ESCAPE TO BALTESE The Magician’s Elephant runs until January. Tickets are available from rsc.org.uk/the-magicians-elephant/tickets

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GROWING PLACES

POETRY IS COOL More than700 pupils from 18 primary schools across Birmingham enjoyed a poetry outreach event organised by King Edward’s School featuring hip hop artist, performance poet and author Karl Nova. Some reactions from Year 6 pupils from Park Hill Primary School included: “Karl’s beatboxing and singing was

BOOT CAMPS

The University of Birmingham is offering hundreds of scholarships to under-represented groups in the Midlands to help them secure jobs in the technology sector. Funded by £2.4miliion from West Midlands Combined Authority, there will be 600 scholarships of £4,000 available in Women in Tech and Diversity in Tech categories. Successful applicants will attend intensive boot camps in either fullstack web development or data analytics aimed at helping adult learners and professionals in under-represented groups boost skills and get into digital careers.

astonishing – I was dumbstruck when I saw how talented he was”; “It was amazing because I’ve never seen a person that

SCHOOL REPORT

famous before”; and “Thunderstruck, simply thunderstruck!”

SAFETY FIRST

A new scheme has been launched to help keep children and young people safe on their journey to and from school. The Step Together project has partnered with Erdington Academy and will place youth workers along school routes as trusted adults to de-escalate potential violence and build positive relationships. Schools, young people and community members have helped to identify where the youth workers would make the most difference. Seventeen other routes across the West Midlands will open and operate until the end of the school year.

MARVELLOUS MAPLE

The Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Cllr Mohammed Afal, attended a special tree planting at Yenton Primary School in Erdington. The maple tree was given to the school by the Canopy Foundation and is one of 70 trees being planted in primary schools in every city in the UK to commemorate the Queen’s Green Canopy initiative. Class 5M and members of the school council helped plant the tree.

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Picture: David Ash Photography

SKILLS BOOST Sandwell College is offering free courses for adults to boost skills across the region.

The level 3 courses, worth up to £5,000, are ideally suited for people looking to re-train or upskill and give access to a wide variety of training to help learners progress and improve future job prospects. There’s a choice of eight courses which can be completed on a part-time basis ranging from Coding and Cyber Security Practices through to Engineering, Light Vehicle Maintenance and Repair and Painting and Decorating.

THE APPRENTICE HS2 apprentice Bintou Keita was recognised as a rising star in the UK’s BAME apprenticeship community at the BAME Apprentice Network Annual Apprenticeship Awards held at Edgbaston Stadium.

Project management apprentice, Bintou from King’s Norton was awarded Apprentice of the Year in the Transport and Logistics category for her contribution to the industry and involvement in HS2’s BAME network. As well as helping organise events on behalf of HS2’s Race Equality and Cultural Heritage network, Bintou also supports the next generation of apprentices.

NEW ACADEMY CHIEF BOA Digital Technologies Academy which opens in September 2022 has appointed Paul Averis as principal. The academy will deliver a digital-first curriculum, bringing subjects to life through state-of-theart technology. As well as housing cutting edge tech, the academy will benefit from collaborative and innovative industry partnerships.

Paul said: “Digital industries are accelerating at pace, offering a myriad of exciting career opportunities for young people. Our academy will be at the forefront of this growth.” Applications for Year 7 intake for September 2022 are now open.

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BUSINESS

SIX OF THE BEST The Belfry has been named England’s Leading Resort for the sixth consecutive year at the World Travel Awards.

Commenting on the win, marketing director Gail Aldridge, pictured, said: “This award is testament to the dedication of the whole team who ensured we continued to offer our guests a fantastic experience in particularly challenging times.” The World Travel Awards celebrate excellence across all key sectors of the travel, tourism and hospitality industries.

LAW FIRM EXCELLENCE West Midlands Law firm Thursfields was presented with the Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion Award at the annual national Law Society Awards.

The firm has focussed on improving diversity and inclusion through a variety of practical measures, including becoming a Living Wage Foundation Accredited Employer. Jade Linton, pictured, Thursfields’ HR director, who was recently awarded Lawyer of the Year by the Birmingham Black Lawyers’ Association, said: “Building a diverse and inclusive culture is a journey not a destination.

HEALTHIEST HOMES A new neighbourhood in Birmingham has the UK’s healthiest homes. The modular town houses at Port Loop won the Healthy Homes category at this year’s Housing Design Awards in recognition of the high quality green open space created. Designed by shedkm architects for House by Urban Splash, each block of properties shares an 8,600 sq ft communal garden – the size of three full-sized tennis courts – a design feature which has been celebrated for supporting homeowners’ physical and mental wellbeing during lockdown.

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NEWS

BUSINESS

BACKING: The Foundation’s Daniella Genas with the MBCC Awards’ Tru Powell

FIRST CLASS RESULT A Birmingham charity that connects and introduces BAME young people in the Midlands to new opportunities has won support from the Multicultural Business & Community Champion (MBCC) Awards.

The MBCC is backing First Class Foundation in raising vital funds and awareness. The charity specialises in tackling youth violence and building mental health resilience and CEO Sabrina Dennis said: “We are passionate about challenging the misrepresentation of Black, young people and their families in key sectors, including mental health, criminal justice and education.”

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NEW CHAPTER

Birmingham Botanical Gardens has welcomed eight new trustees as it looks forward to a new chapter in its 189-year history. The new team, which includes Fiona Taylor, chief executive officer of Garden Organic, and Pamela Smith, a National Trust senior advisor, boasts a wide variety of expertise. Chief executive

HEAD OF HEART The Heart of England Community Foundation, which is celebrating its biggest grant-giving year ever, has a new chair. Chris West, pictured right, moves up from his role as vice-chair taking over from Phil Ewing. As head of the board of trustees, he will lead the Foundation as it continues to help local charities and organisations post-pandemic across the West Midlands and Warwickshire. The Foundation has awarded more than £5million since March 2020, supporting 1.2 million people in the region.

James Wheeler said: “We have exciting plans for the future and it’s wonderful to see so many talented people who want to play a leading role in the work we do.”

SLICK OPERATOR

A Midlands firm which specialises in recycling hazardous waste lubricating oils, has been shortlisted for a national award. Slicker Recycling is a finalist in the Circular Economy category in the 2021 National Recycling Awards. The firm, which employs 180 people, launched a £70million base oil re-refinery in Denmark last July as part of a joint venture with German partner, Avista AG. MD Mark Olpin, pictured, said: “Our operation provides meaningful environmental benefits – especially important following the UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow.”

BA TOUCHES DOWN

PROPERTY DOUBLE There was a double celebration as Elevate Property Group clocked up its

Birmingham Airport has welcomed back the British Airways tailfin with BA CityFlyer launching services to Belfast. The schedule provides 10 flights a week up to the new year, increasing to 16 weekly in

tenth anniversary by reaching the milestone of building 1,000 new homes.

early January. Airport aviation director Tom Screen

Elevate’s first major Birmingham project was Concord House, a £10million

said: “It’s great to see a British Airways aircraft

renovation and construction project based on the former Debenhams furniture warehouse in Marshall Street. This was followed by developments

land on our runway again after three years absence. Belfast is currently our busiest route, so

at Queensway House, St Pauls House, Tennant Street Lofts, Assay Lofts and

we are pleased that BA CityFlyer is providing

Sheldon Court in Birmingham, and Princes Gate in Solihull. The independent

additional capacity for our region’s travellers.”

ROSIE SHORTLISTED

developer has plans for another 500 homes in 2022.

Birmingham’s very own Miss Macaroon is among 19 women from across the country who have been named as the 2021 finalists in the NatWest Everywoman Awards – the UK’s leading programme for female entrepreneurs. Rosie Ginday founded her macaroon-making business as a social enterprise company in 2011, reinvesting the profits into helping the city’s unemployed young people gain skills to change their lives. Rosie was awarded an MBE for her mentoring of young people with complex needs. The winner will be named at an awards ceremony on 7 December.

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BRUM TO BOOM? Birmingham is “on the precipice of exciting opportunities for economic growth” despite the impacts of Covid-19 and Brexit, according to a new economic report. The Birmingham Economic Review, published by Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce (GBCC) and the University of Birmingham’s City-REDI, reveals promising signs for recovery across the city and region, says GBCC chief executive Henrietta Brealey, pictured. More than half of firms surveyed during Q3 reported an increase

JODY JOINS

in UK sales, while 35 per cent noted a rise in international sales.

Law firm Shakespeare Martineau has appointed corporate partner Jody Webb. With more than 14 years’ qualified experience, Jody joins the firm from Freeths where she was a director specialising in acquisitions, disposals, management buyouts and private equity investments. She will be based at Shakespeare Martineau’s Birmingham hub and is the latest in a string of new partner hires as part of the firm’s growth strategy.

LIQUID GOLD Birmingham-based communications consultancy, Liquid, has been named Best Agency Outside of London at the PRWeek Awards. Liquid was recognised for its commercial achievements, creative successes and innovative response to the Covid-19 pandemic. The win builds on Liquid’s success this year and follows the company ranking at number 109 in the PRWeek Top 150 tables – up 17 places from 2020. The company was also ranked fifth nationally for public sector engagement.

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BUSINESS BITES KIT DEAL

Fairway Homecare and Embark Learning Care Academy are putting their shirts on Birmingham Moseley Rugby Club – as their new kit sponsors. The three-year deal will help provide funds towards Birmingham Moseley Foundation BTEC Community Education Scheme, which will be known as the Embark Learning Care Academy Education Programme.

SWING LOWÁ

And still on rugby… former England World Cup-winning rugby star Jason Robinson will be guest speaker at Eventmasters’ 31st Midland’s Sportsman’s Lunch on 8 December at the Macdonald Burlington Hotel, Birmingham. The event will be hosted and compered by Tim Stimpson and feature comedian Jamie Sutherland.

TOP CATERER

Catering company Caviar & Chips has been voted the Best Luxury Wedding Caterer in the West Midlands at the LUXlife Hospitality Awards. Cofounders Jonathan Carter-Morris and Marc Hornby heard the news as they prepared to launch their new wedding venue, Stockton House, at the National Wedding Show in Birmingham.

WOULD YOU CARE? Three Birmingham care homes are recruiting for up to 36 health care assistant roles to meet the growing demand for social care in the region. Exemplar Health Care’s Blackmoor, Maypole Grove and Otterburn homes support adults living with complex mental health needs and neuro-disabilities.

Kerry Hill, home manager at Blackmoor, said: “We already have a fantastic, close-knit care team and we are looking to bring people on board who share the same values and commitment.”

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SOCIAL SCENE Photography by Ian Tennant

2

PRESS CLUB HONOURS TOP POLITICAL EDITOR

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Nigel Morris made honorary life member at first celebrity lunch

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igel Morris, former political editor of the Daily Mirror, the Independent and the i newspaper, was guest speaker at Birmingham Press Club’s first celebrity luncheon held since the start of the Covid-19 outbreak. A former Birmingham Post political correspondent, Nigel discussed his 30year career in a Q&A session with Press Club president Bob Warman before being installed as an honorary life member and presented with the club’s traditional bugle, crafted by famous Birmingham-based Acme Whistles. Amazon UK sponsored the event, which was held at Park Regis Birmingham. I

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1 Carolyn Quinn-Morris, Nigel Morris, Bob Warman, Andy Street, Llewela Bailey. 2 Anita Sharma-James, Alan Carruthers, Sue Green. 3 Fionnuala Bourke, Brian Doogan, Helen Stevens. 4 John Duckers, Val Deeley, Nick Hudson, Peter Brookes. 5 Euan Rose, Johannah Dyer, Carolyn Quinn-Morris.

6 Anne and Steven Dann. 7 Graham Young, Nigel Morris, Fred Bromwich. 8 Brian Conway, Beryl Williams, Howard Bennett, Kay Alexande, Jenny Wilkes.

9 Hazel Horton-Peppercorn, Michelle Sutcliffe, John Sutcliffe, Steve Hall, Dianne Hall.

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BIG APPLE BAR BRINGS NYC NIGHTS TO BRUM 2

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New York-inspired Manahatta rolls out red carpet as glamour and glitz comes to town he beat of New York was pumping out at Temple Street with the grand VIP opening of NYC-inspired bar Manahatta. The red carpet was filled with eager guests excited to soak up the glitzy atmosphere of the New York City nightlife. The venue features neon signs and is decorated in flowers and boasts a velvet swing sofa, ready to be snapped for the ’gram. A giant disco ball dominates the dance floor, along with an iconic New York crossing sign giving one simple instruction: “Don’t Walk. Dance”. I

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1 Martin Wolstencroft, Anita Champaneri, Anni Opong. 2 Summer and Marlene James. 3 Ellie Greenwood, Alex Tross, Anita Champaneri and friends. 4 Jessica Watson, Andrew Strugnell. 5 Camille Gill. 6 Trevean and Laverne Anderson.

7 Dan and Tirena Nelson. 8 Ikela Lawrence, Charlene Wall. 9 Beth Roskell, Leila Smith, Sally Parnell.

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ACADEMY CELEBRATES VERY SPECIAL BIRTHDAY

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Students, staff and partners mark Birmingham Ormiston Academy’s tenth anniversary

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irmingham Ormiston Academy (BOA) is celebrating a decade of success as it marks its tenth anniversary.

The 14 to 19 academy, specialising in Creative, Digital and Performing Arts, first opened its doors in 2011 and held the special birthday gathering for students, staff and industry partners. I

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1 Andy Edwards, Georgie Meller, Alistair Chattaway, Holly Arnold, Steve Elias. 2 Mike Gibbons, Philip Thickett, Mary Carswell. 3 Nick Williams, Mike Phillips, Gaynor Cheshire. 4 Rebecca Delmore, Abbie Vlahakis. 5 Peter and Diane Murray. 6 Robert Capper, Sarah Wood, Elaine Fisher.

7 Gurdip Bhangoo, Alison Grade, Vicky Jepson. 8 Rob McPherson, Sara Middleton, Olly Hills. 9 Lizzie Watson, Neve Prosser, Emma Williams, Jay Nuttall, Iain Estell. 10 Derek Pitt, Richards Evans, Rebecca Maddocks, Michael Penn, Simon May.

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ADVERTORIAL

BOA MARKS 10 YEARS OF SUCCESS BRIT AWARD NOMINEES, TV AND WEST END STARS AMONG MORE THAN 3,000 STUDENTS WHO HAVE GRADUATED FROM ACADEMY he 14-19 academy, specialising in Creative, Digital and Performing Arts, first opened its doors in 2011 and has marked its 10th birthday with a celebration event for students, staff and industry partners.

For the past decade, the academy has been dedicated to supporting students from a wide range of backgrounds and academic abilities, with a passion and aptitude in creative, digital and performing arts, to reach their full potential.

Since opening, over 3000 students have graduated from BOA Academy and forged successful careers across a diverse range of industries. BOA alumni include BRIT Award nominees, TV and West End stars.

Gaynor Cheshire, CEO of the BOA Group, said: “When we opened BOA Academy 10 years ago, our vision was clear: to support, encourage and nurture the talent of young people with a passion and aptitude for the creative arts. I’m so proud to celebrate the wonderful achievements of our talented students and the incredible dedication of our teaching staff, who work in collaboration with our industry partners to deliver an unrivalled learning experience.

“BOA Academy is truly unique in its approach to education, with performance, production, creativity and excellence placed at the very heart of the curriculum. We’re committed to ensuring that every learner leaves us fully equipped to pursue their ambition and I’ve no doubt that we’ll continue to see great things from our past, present and future students.”

BOA Academy is part of the BOA Group, a Multi Academy Trust of specialist academies in Birmingham city centre, which has also seen exciting expansion in the past 10 years. As well as managing the Old Rep Theatre in Birmingham, the Group has extended its family of academies to include BOA Stage & Screen Production and BOA Digital Technologies.

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BOA Stage & Screen Production opened in September this year, specialising in technical theatre, film and broadcast production. A 16-19 academy, it takes an industry-led approach to developing the skills of young people in both existing and emerging production techniques and broadcast technologies.

BOA Digital Technologies, a 11-18 academy opening in September 2022, will deliver a digitalfirst curriculum - bringing all academic subjects to life through the use of cutting-edge technologies.

Every student will benefit from unrivalled access to state-of-the-art resources and facilities, coupled with collaborative industry partnerships to create an educational experience where innovation is placed front and centre. I For more information visit boa-academy.co.uk

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WHAT: Santa at Selfridges WHEN: 1 to 23 December WHERE: Selfridges,

WHAT: Stick Man: Live on Stage

selfridges.com/Christmas

WHEN: 26 December to 9 January

There’s loads of special Christmas events

WHERE: Town Hall, bmusic.co.uk

at Selfridge’s this month, including a

Touching, funny and utterly original, this

chance to be the guest of the main man

delightful adaptation of Julia Donaldson

himself and enjoy a festive breakfast

and Axel Scheffler’s Stick Man from the

made for you and your loved ones.

team behind Zog, Tiddler and other Terrific Tales features a trio of top actors and is packed full of puppetry, songs, live music and funky moves.

WHAT: Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market WHEN: Now until 23 December WHERE: Victoria Square, thebfcm.co.uk The largest authentic German Christmas market outside of Germany returns to the city.

A huge range of traditional goods and gifts are on offer – so try to look beyond the schnitzels, bratwursts, beer and gluhwein.

WHAT: Carols by Candlelight WHEN: 18 to 24 December WHERE: Symphony Hall, bmusic.co.uk WHAT: The Cadillac Three WHEN: 3 December WHERE: Birmingham O2 Institute, academymusicgroup.com

A sublime concert of carols and seasonal classics, staged in full 18th Century costume in an evocative candle-lit style setting, with readings by Mark Williams.

Recently nominated for Group of the Year at the ACM Awards, the country fuzz heroes celebrate 10 years as a band with this special tour showcasing their trademark southern rock sound.

WHAT: Christmas at Cadbury World WHEN: Now until 19 December WHERE: Cadbury World, cadburyworld.co.uk A host of festive fun and choccy heaven are on offer with Santa’s brand-new stage show, an exclusive pantomime performance of Sleeping Beauty and plenty of chocolatey goings-on throughout the festive season. *All information accurate at time of going to press, but please check in case of changes or cancellation

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WHAT’S ON

WHAT: Slade WHEN: 18 December WHERE: Asylum, theasylumvenue.co.uk With their unique blend of pop rock ’n’ roll, outrageous flamboyance and pure fun – and no less than 23 Top-20 singles, including six No.1 smash hits – Slade have become a firm favourite in the hearts of pop fans all over the world.

WHAT: Jersey Boys WHEN: 7 December to 1 January WHERE: The Alexandra, atgtickets.com

WHAT: The Luna Drive-In Winter Cinema

Go behind the music and inside the

WHEN: 3 to 22 December

story of Frankie Valli and the Four

WHERE: NEC Birmingham, lunadriveincinema.com

Seasons in this Olivier award-winning, original Broadway sensation. From the streets of New Jersey to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, this is one awesome musical.

Some superb feel-good Christmas films are on offer including Home Alone, The Holiday, Love Actually and Elf to name just a few. With festive-themed hampers and delicious hot food and drinks on offer, this is a proper festive night out!

WHAT: Versatile WHEN: 13 December WHERE: The Mill, themilldigbeth.com The Irish rap stars made their own bit of music history by headlining the 2019 Longitude Festival to a 40,000-strong crowd, followed by a sold-out headline at the Three Arena Dublin that cemented them as Ireland’s biggest Hip Hop group.

WHAT: The Nutcracker WHEN: Now until 11 December WHAT: The Snowman WHEN: 6 to 9 January WHERE: Birmingham Rep, birmingham-rep.co.uk

WHERE: Birmingham Hippodrome, birminghamhippodrome.com Birmingham Royal Ballet’s evergreen production has been part of the city’s Christmas tradition since 1990 and we

This much-loved classic is back! Based on Raymond

love it! Join young Clara as she is swept

Brigg’s wonderful book and featuring Howard Blake’s

away into an enchanting winter

classic song, Walking In The Air, this enchanting live

wonderland of dancing snowflakes and a

show has thrilled audiences throughout the world.

Sugar Plum Fairy.

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PERSON TO PERSON

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CLOSE WITHÁ KARTHI GNANASEGARAM

From hosting and reporting at global sports events to presenting on Classic FM and working with the United Nations Goals House project, there’s never a dull moment for the television and radio presenter BEEN THERE, DONE THAT I was born in Birmingham, brought up in Wolverhampton and travelled to school in Birmingham every day – so New Street Station was a feature of my school day! I’ve been very lucky to travel and work at the biggest sports events in the world. I’ve always loved seeing first-hand how sport can bring joy and distraction from the world around us and that has been particularly apparent during this challenging period of our lives. Working with Classic FM brings a similar sense of community, particularly around Christmas time, with those who might not have family or can’t get to see others and are feeling a little lonely, knowing they have some company when listening to us.

IT’S WHAT I DO I have a huge amount of variety in my work. From hosting and reporting at global sports events to presenting on Classic FM and working with the United Nations Goals House project, I’m constantly learning about how far I can push myself out of my comfort zone.

WHAT I’D LIKE TO SEE The last few years have been an eye-opener in so many ways! One of those has been realising I can use my skills in different ways and through my interviews, encourage people who might not ordinarily want to open up, to talk about their experiences in order to help others. I get asked about diversity and equality a lot and helping people understand more about these issues, and even to ask some of those questions they might have been nervous about voicing has been an important part of the time I spend away from my more traditional work. I’ve also been working with the Goals House project, hosting events that bring together influential figures that are behind achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

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BIGGEST SUCCESS It might sound strange but having the confidence to do my job is something I’ve come to realise I should be more proud of. I’m not an extrovert, so hosting an event like a Royal Opera House live performance in front of 10,000 people in Trafalgar Square can be rather daunting but it’s also exhilarating.

BIGGEST LESSON LEARNED I work in an industry where you get a lot of knock-backs. I think I would tell my younger self to keep believing in my abilities no matter which boss tells you that you might do better becoming a housewife than a sports presenter!

Thankfully, I have been surrounded by brilliantly supportive colleagues who, whenever I’ve had those moments of being told I’m not good enough, have been the ones to tell me to keep working hard, keep improving and to keep going…

WHAT I LIKE ABOUT BRUM The history and architecture of Birmingham is striking but it’s intrinsically linked with the people and their friendly openness and probably most importantly, their sense of humour!

DOWNTIME I love cooking for big groups of family and friends, so when I’m travelling I get ridiculously excited about discovering the traditional dishes of different cultures. Tasting a country’s street food is a great way of understanding more about the history of a place you visit. As it’s almost Christmas, plans are in motion for our annual university dinner which involves cooking the full works, turkey and all the trimmings, for around 25 to 30 friends. It’s a lovely tradition, although it requires a big kitchen! I Karthi is presenting A Choral Christmas, a festive celebration with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, on 16, 17 and 19 December at Symphony Hall.

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