March 2016 (issue 42)

Birmingham g n i liv

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MIDLANDS MAGAZINE OF THE YEAR

ZING into

March 2016

Joe Delucci’s GOSPEL OF GELATO

SPRING I

New Style I New Homes I New Ideas

ED GEATER Breaking down barriers

+

JUDITH ARMSTRONG AMANTIA

ELMHURST

IGNACIO CASTELLS

DANCE SCHOOL

COTE BRASSERIE THE ‘WOW’ AWARDS

FROM

HOLLYWOOD

TO HOLLYOAKS THE RISE OF TV SOAP STAR PARRY GLASSPOOL

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EDITOR’S VIEW We’ll be there, painted faces and all, waving Union flags and screaming Go Andy, Go!

et ready for Murray Mania. Andy and the rest of the British tennis team are coming to Brum this month in a bid to make history. They will begin the defence of the Davis Cup which they so memorably won for the first time in nearly 80 years just three months ago.

Can the boys go one better and repeat their victory, so writing themselves into the annals of British tennis folklore? The journey starts at the Barclaycard Arena against Japan, and we’ll be there painted faces and all, waving the flag and screaming our support… Go Andy, Go!!

It’s actually one heck of a year for great sport here in Brum. After what seems far too long missing out on the really big sporting occasions, the city is back in business at the heart of it all. In June, our finest athletes will line up against international stars to compete in the Diamond League meet at Alexander Stadium. It’s the most important event of the regular athletics calendar, coming just weeks before the British team heads off to Rio and the Olympic Games in search of gold. Will Mo be motoring, can Greg make another giant leap for British-kind?

And let’s not forget cricket – which includes Edgbaston hosting a raucous full house for the England/Pakistan test match in August, plus the hugely popular T20 Blast matches featuring the Birmingham Bears. Those one-day masters Sri Lanka will also be making an appearance too. Who knows, maybe all this topclass sport in Brum could even inspire our football teams to excel in the run-up to the end of the season?

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David Johns

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Editor: David Johns david@brumliving.co.uk

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

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

Cover image: Parry Glasspool

visit www.brumliving.co.uk @brum_living

march 2016

/bhamliving

When you have finished with this magazine please recycle it

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g n i liv

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INSIDE

Highlights

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Parry Glasspool The Midlands' soap star talks about his whirlwind journey from Hollywood to Hollyoaks favourite Let’s Dance!

How Elmhurst Dance School is raising the barre here in Birmingham for ballet stars of the future Food and Drink Head chef Ignacio Castells brings a taste of Catalan to Brum Style – Spring 2016 edit Revealing the must-have, hottest buys for the new season wardrobe Homes Kitchens 2016: Top trends, looks, finishes, colours… and more!

Company To Watch Joe Delucci’s – the Italian ice cream company born right here in Brum

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CONTENTS

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Best of the Rest

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Restaurant Reviews Critics’ verdict on Cote Brasserie and Amantia, plus food and drink news Health & Fitness The eyes have it as our expert focuses on looking after your vision Motoring BMW celebrates 100 years with its most amazing hi-tech car ever!

Young, Gifted and Brummie Talented musician and singer-songwriter Ed Geater on his hopes and dreams Spotlight on Business The latest news and views from Birmingham’s business community Social Scene The pages that picture who’s been out and about networking in Birmingham this month Shows, Arts, Gigs and More What’s on, where and when – all you need to know about the festive entertainment scene

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NEWS

ARE YOU READY TO MAKE THE LEAP?

g n i v liTODAY

If you want to be able to dance like this, Annette Nicholson is your go-to lady. The former senior soloist of Birmingham Royal Ballet has opened two new dance studios in Fazeley Street, Digbeth. As well as regular ballet classes, the Nicholson School of Dance provides other dance and exercise forms for all ages and abilities.

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

HOW TO LOSE THAT SPARE TYRE Meet the UK’s fittest tyre fitters – from right here in Brum! Personal trainer Mikah Simpson has come up with a new fitness training regime using only car and van tyres. The no-frills exercise plan was trialled at KwikFit’s Halesowen centre and claims to burn more than 1,000 calories in a 30-minute workout of tyre flips, lifts and throws.

PARTY TIME ON BROAD STREET PING AT THE BULLRING This lot look fair dinkum as they celebrate the opening of Walkabout, Broad Street on Australia Day after a £450,000 refurb.

There’s a new food menu, areas dedicated for people dropping in for lunch or a coffee and a new Reef Bar with a series of huge linked screens showing coral reefs and beaches.

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MasterChef champion Ping Coombes is bringing her culinary expertise to Birmingham. She is teaming up with Pan-Asian restaurant Chi Kitchen in the Bullring to offer a new all-day dining menu, designed to guide guests on a culinary journey through South East Asia. Owner Eddie Lim said: “Her food is vibrant and exciting and customers are going to love it.”

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NEWS

LIFESAVERS CELEBRATE 25 YEARS Midlands Air Ambulance has been saving lives for 25 years, and throughout 2016 the charity will be running a series of special activities as part of its Air25 celebrations. Air25 was launched at RAF Cosford supported by charity ambassadors, including rugby star Neil Back and champion fundraiser and author ‘Blind’ Dave Heeley.

THE BIG BOUNCE We’re all going bouncy bonkers! Two new trampoline parks have opened in the Midlands. Jump Nation, Walsall features 218 trampolines which form one huge bounce space, while Air Space’s new two-floor venue in Wolverhampton has 150 interconnected trampolines, high drop air bags, and basketball, volleyball and dodgeball trampoline courts.

MUSIC IN THE MAKING

WALL-TO-WALL ART Eastside’s Millennium Point is providing a platform for local artists to showcase their work.

Its Atrium Wall is featuring a series of installations, including Birmingham-based street artist Liskbot, who is known for his robot designs.

Future installations include a tie-up with the Flatpack Film Festival in April.

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Meet the mad professor of music.

Award-winning contemporary composer Errollyn Wallen is headlining Birmingham’s Frontiers Festival from 4 to 18 March. The two-week festival, presented by Birmingham Conservatoire, brings together some of contemporary music’s most forward-thinkers and exciting new projects in venues across the city.

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NEWS

VISION OF ALICE’S HISTORY LESSON VIETNAM This dramatic image, titled Vietnam Pastel, is the work of Raphael Mazzucco, one of the world’s most influential fashion photographers who swapped his New York studio to come to Birmingham. An exhibition of his work was held at Castle Fine Art in The Mailbox – the newest addition to the city’s gallery scene.

Birmingham Living ‘cover girl’ and TV presenter Professor Alice Roberts is set to make history come alive for Brummies. The academic will talk about her latest BBC series, The Celts, at the University of Birmingham’s Arts and Science Festival this month. She is among leading scientists, thinkers and artists presenting a week of free talks and events from 14 to 20 March. Details at www.birmingham.ac.uk/artsandsciencefestival

ADAM MAKES THE MOVE It cost £1.5 million, but Michelin-starred chef Adam Stokes is looking pretty relaxed after opening Birmingham’s most eagerly-awaited restaurant. The new Adam’s in Waterloo Street is just a stone’s throw from its original home in Bennetts Hill.

Adam said: “A lot of hard work has gone into this move but it’s been worth every minute. We are all very excited.”

ANDY’S UP FOR THE CUP Can Britain retain the Davis Cup? Only months after claiming the tennis title for the first time in 79 years, Andy Murray and company are back to start their defence against a Japanese team at the Barclaycard Arena on 4 and 5 March. It is the first meeting of the two nations since 1931.

BMAG BOOST Birmingham Museums Trust is one of only four UK venues to become Arts Council Collection National Partners, which will bring exciting contemporary arts exhibitions and £600,000 of funding to host them over the next three years.

VILLA KING Former governor of the Bank of England and lifelong Aston Villa fan Mervyn King has joined the club’s board. Now Lord King of Lothbury, he watched his first match 55 years ago.

MIRGA TAKES CHARGE AT CBSO The City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra has a new music director, 29-year-old Mirga Gražinyt -Tyla. The Lithuanian conductor made her CBSO debut in July 2015 and impressed the orchestra so much that she returned last month to lead a specially arranged concert. Currently assistant conductor at the Los Angeles Philharmonic, she takes up her role in September.

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IN BRIEF

ON THE RUN Women in Birmingham are being urged to enter Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life. The 5k event – at Cannon Hill Park on the evening of 25 May – raised nearly £350,000 last year.

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ALL EYES ON BRUM Eye experts are calling on Brummies to take part in a conference to help improve the nation’s sight. Optometry Tomorrow on 13 and 14 March is looking for 25 volunteer patients to take part in training sessions. Organised by the College of Optometrists, the conference is at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole Hotel. Volunteers call 020 7766 4377.

WILLIAM DANCES TO THE TOP A soloist at Birmingham Royal Ballet is officially Britain’s best dancer. William Bracewell won the award for Outstanding Male Classical Performance at the Critics’ Circle National Dance Awards. The 24-yearold was nominated for his role as King Louis XIV of France in David Bintley’s new one-act ballet, The King Dances.

William has been with BRB since 2010.

GOODBYE, MR SYMPHONY The man who steered two of the world’s finest concert halls for more than a quarter of a century has stepped down – for a quieter life in retirement. Symphony Hall and Town Hall chief executive Andrew Jowett said: “I am proud of all of the achievements of the team over the years and am confident THSH will continue to develop and grow.”

SSSHH! LIBRARY GETS A NEW LOOK

AND HERE IS THE NEWS… Julie Etchingham – the first woman to win the Presenter of the Year accolade at the Royal Television Society journalism awards – will be guest speaker at a Birmingham Press Club’s springtime celebrity lunch on 10 March. Julie worked at BBC Midlands Today before moving to ITV in London.

It may not be the Library as we see it, but this is how local photographer Barbara Gibson views the landmark. The image is part of her vision called GibsonGraphics which gives a fresh slant on the city. Barbara is coowner of Gibson Kochanek Studio in the Jewellery Quarter, which featured in Birmingham Living last year. The GibsonGraphics exhibition is on at the Diplomats Barista, Two Snowhill.

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

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COVER STORY

LAID BARE: THE HOLLYOAKS HUNK Parry Glasspool has become a bit of a heart-throb in hit TV soap Hollyoaks. David Johns talks to the young actor who while receiving rave reviews never forgets his Midlands roots

SOAP STARS: Parry with his screen dad Tony Hutchinson, played by Nick Pickard

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COVER STORY

hey’re a talented lot in the Glasspool family. Mum and dad are both teachers in Birmingham, youngest son Lloyd is a promising tennis player on a scholarship in Texas and is already in the world’s top 500 professionals – while older brother Parry is known by millions of TV soap fans as ‘the Hollyoaks hunk’.

If you’re not a follower five nights a week of the goings-on in Channel 4’s fictional suburb of Chester then take it from me, you don’t know what you’re missing – particularly the impressive rise of Parry since he joined the series in 2014. His performances as gay student Harry Thompson have won him rave reviews, including a Best Newcomer nomination at the recent National Television Awards. It’s all proved to be a bit of a whirlwind time for the 23year-old from Hollywood who not so long ago was a student at Stratford-upon-Avon College before graduating with a BA in drama from university.

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What I’d really like is to get my teeth stuck into a huge storyline. That’d be so special “The Best Newcomer nomination came totally out of the blue and it was just amazing to be part of such a huge event,” says Parry. “The past 18 months or so have been unbelievable in so many ways. It’s all happened really fast for me.”

Parry’s teachers at Stratford and before that at Woodrush High School in Wythall are understandably proud of their protégé. His fledgling interest in acting started with appearances in a couple of school plays. “I remember one was Bugsy Malone,” he says. From the age of 12 he also attended acting workshops at the Playbox Theatre in Solihull. “I enjoyed learning everything I could about acting and the stage, but I never did any of the plays there,” he explains. While most of Parry’s classmates went on to the school’s sixth form, he opted instead to go to Stratford College. “It’s known for being more of a performing arts college,” he says. “It’s where I really got into drama and I guess you could say where I really came out of my shell. It was a bit like being at the Fame Academy…”

From Stratford, Parry went on to study drama at the University of West London in Kingston – and it’s here that he got his big break.

While most graduates can only imagine what it must be like to get their dream job, it all quickly became a reality for Parry. Halfway into his third year at Kingston, Parry was ‘discovered’ by an agent and that led to him clinching a part in 2013 in the sixth and final series of the Hollyoaks spin-off called Hollyoaks Later. “I was so lucky to be in that,” he admits, “because the people who run

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COVER STORY

Hollyoaks got to know me and could see what I could do – and I got to work with incredible people like Danny Dyer [known to millions these days as EastEnders’ landlord Mick Carter].

“Then a bit later I was asked to audition for Hollyoaks itself and landed the part of Harry which was just brilliant. It’s great on Hollyoaks, the cast and crew are just like one big family.” Because of his ‘day’ job, Parry currently lives in the Sefton Park area of Liverpool, a 10-minute commute to the Hollyoaks studios. “Sometimes you can be filming five scenes a day which is pretty full-on, but I wouldn’t change it. I love what I’m doing.

FOOD ON THE PLATE

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The past 18 months have been unbelievable in so many ways. It’s all happened really fast for me

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“I could happily stay here as long as I can, or until they decide to kill me off, or something. Eventually I’d like to do some theatre too. That’s a bit like going back to basics if you know what I mean. But I’d always want to do more TV than theatre because it pays a lot more and keeps food on the plate!”

Parry also says he’s hoping ‘something big’ will happen for his character in Hollyoaks. Harry is known for stripping off his shirt at any opportunity, which according to Parry is “great with me”. But he adds: “What I’d really like is to be able to get my teeth stuck into a huge storyline.

That’d be so special…” I

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FEATURE

RAISING THE BARRE Elmhurst is the oldest school of dance in the country – and one of the most prestigious in the world, attracting the best young talent to Birmingham

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FEATURE

his great city of ours is full of genuinely topclass organisations and institutions that fly the flag for Birmingham – we’ve featured many in these pages. And Elmhurst School for Dance is right up there with the best. While the name might not be on everyone’s immediate radar, budding dancers travel from across the globe to study at what is the oldest and one of the most prestigious dance schools in the UK. Many former students have gone on to dance with some of the most renowned companies in the world receiving rave reviews and international acclaim.

Alumni include Jenny Agutter, Dame Merle Park , Helen Baxendale and Sarah Brightman, while Britain’s most famous modern ballerina Darcey Bussell is also a big supporter. The school opened in Camberley in 1923 and moved to its Birmingham home in 2004 largely driven by its increasingly strong links with Birmingham Royal Ballet.

Of the move, which realised a £20million investment, principal Jessica Ward says: “We were delighted to become part of the rich tapestry of Birmingham, contributing to the arts and culture scene with our parent company Birmingham Royal Ballet.”

These close ties with BRB are a coup for the school and mean that pupils are given the opportunity to experience the thrill of performing in leading productions with a world-class company while they study. They also enjoy tuition with BRB’s leading lights and get a real taste of life as a professional dancer.

With pupils from as young as 10, Elmhurst is largely a boarding school although there are a handful of day pupils. The school receives applications from as far afield as Japan and even Australia and has a rigorous audition process. Jessica says: “While the school has an international reach and students join us from across the globe, Birmingham is home.”

The school continues to engage with the local community through its outreach programme taking dance to the masses. Ballet still feels like an art form

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for the privileged, so Elmhurst does its best to break down barriers through regular workshops and performances in local schools, hospitals and other community groups reaching people who might not encounter classical dance in their normal lives.

LOCAL INITIATIVES More than 100 performances have taken place since the programme’s inception under the direction of Errol Pickford (head of graduate performance and touring). The programme has been universally wellreceived and has even uncovered hidden potential with some of the city’s youngsters showing great promise. There’s an associate programme that runs workshops at the weekend for local children allowing them access to the school’s facilities and top tutors.

Clearly the focus of the education is dance, but recognising that a career as a dancer is limited in terms

of longevity, Elmhurst offers a holistic approach with a broad curriculum that ensures pupils leave as rounded individuals with a wide skills base. They work hard to fit in the academic requirements as well as dance with long days usually running from 8.15am to 6pm, but there’s a real family ethos. With a medical centre, physiotherapists, nutritionists and strong pastoral care, the pupil’s packed schedule is balanced with strong support and nurturing.

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FEATURE

“

We are part of the rich

tapestry of Birmingham, contributing to the arts and

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culture scene with our parent company

Birmingham Royal Ballet

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Recent former students have gone on to forge successful careers such as Nicol Edmonds who is a soloist at the Royal Ballet, Rosanna Ely who joined BRB, Max Robertson a soloist with the Serbian National Ballet and Nastazia Philippou, a first artist in the Bucharest National Ballet, to name just a few.

It’s worth noting that these four talented students received DADA funding which is a Government financial support scheme assisting pupils throughout their time at Elmhurst. Ninetythree per cent of the lower school receives financial help supporting the school’s ethos that every student should have the opportunity to fulfil their potential regardless of their background. All of which perfectly reflects what the school calls its Three Stands of Life – Live, Dance, Learn! I

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FOOD & DRINK

IGNACIO CASTELLS Born and raised in Barcelona, the head chef of Spanish restaurant El Borracho is a proud Catalan, taught by one of the region’s finest Tell us about your cooking For me cooking needs to be about family, it needs to have roots and history. I like a plate to have harmony – for all the ingredients and flavours to marry with one another. My job means I always work with recipes but in daily life I never use recipes, instead I like to be more instinctive about food and flavours and let a dish evolve. I get excited almost every day at work as I love receiving our fresh food deliveries, seeing the products and what I can do with them.

How did you become a chef?

I started my career in catering later than most people in Spain.

I joined catering college (CETT in Barcelona) at the age of 22.

In the second summer of college I was offered a stage placement at Neichel in Barcelona, a two Michelin star restaurant. This really inspired me, I was taught about the passion of the kitchen, loving the product, the excitement of service and the dedication of the industry. I was also taught to have respect for the industry.

I remember Jean-Louis Neichel being a very strict and hard chef – at first I did not understand why he was like this but now I look back and understand that he was just seeking perfection.

What do you eat at home?

I don’t get to eat often at home. If I do cook then it is normally something simple and healthy but I really enjoy trying different restaurants on days off – it’s a great opportunity to relax but also get inspired!

Who is the best chef in the world and why? And the best in Brum?

I cannot answer this question! It is too subjective and the answer can change so much depending on your mood, the season, the day and so on. There are many chefs I admire. Spain has a huge culinary history and Cataluna, where I am from, is particularly rich in its culinary heritage with many products

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from the area – including truffles and mushrooms (I sometimes go foraging for them on my days off), fresh fish, fruit and vegetables.

These kind of products can inspire a person to be a great chef.

Is the customer always right?

Yes, but that doesn’t mean I always agree with them. A person’s opinion can never be wrong – and for this reason the customer is always right. I really enjoy talking to the customers and come out of the kitchen often to do so. I love to hear their point of view and learning more about what the British customers expect or think.

Share a cooking tip Always make your own stock. They are used to enhance and create many dishes, including rice dishes such as paellas and risottos, as well as to make sauces. The best flavour will always come from a homemade stock. We only ever use fresh homemade stocks to enhance our dishes in the restaurant.

Favourite food as a kid?

That’s simple. Pasta with my mother’s homemade tomato sauce. I adore tomatoes and in Barcleona some of the tastiest are grown, so anything with tomato is a winner for me.

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CHEF’S CORNER

Food heaven and food hell?

Heaven is seafood. Any kind of fresh seafood – I love it. Hell is Marmite. It is way too salty for me!

Most unusual thing you’ve ever eaten?

It may not be so unusual maybe for Spanish people but I’ve eaten brains, testicles and other glands. There is also a typical Catalan dish called Pies de Cerdo Rellenos which is a roasted pig's trotter stuffed with pork and tripe. I love this dish.

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

A biologist because I love nature… to observe it and solve problems. The complexity of natural biology is truly amazing.

What do you recommend from this evening’s menu?

Maybe the scallop with pork belly, also the milk fed roast lamb. Well, all of it actually – it’s all good! I

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For the recipe to make Ignacio’s stunning Crema Catalana (his Catalan version of crème brulee) visit our website www.brumliving.co.uk

El Borracho De Oro, Harborne Court, Harborne Road, Edgbaston B15 3BU. Tel: 0121 4545 368 www.elborracho.co.uk

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LUNCH SPOT

COTE BRASSERIE The Mailbox, Birmingham B1 1RX. Tel: 0121 631 1587 www.cote-restaurants.co.uk he gale force gust that almost upended us into the canal prompted a not-so-grand entrance to Cote – more a desperate stagger. Wind burned faces all round we took up camp in a corner of the bistro, quaffed a kir royale and calmness resumed.

My friend unkindly compared the bistro to Café Rouge initially which we debated while we sipped. An unfair comparison in my view, I found Cote’s understated French bistro vibe charming. Great lighting, enviable flooring, lots of natural wood and impeccable service from the gusty get-go.

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NAILING IT Menu-wise we were titillated and tempted big time.

A charcuterie board was packed with morsels of salty cured meat from smoked duck breast and saucisson sec to rich duck rillettes and jambon de savoie. Sharp cornichons cut through the richness while chargrilled bread provided a perfect vehicle. Chicken liver parfait was served in a Kilner jar – for the record I’m over things served in little jars. That aside, the parfait tasted great with a generous helping of the accompanying toasted brioche and sticky spiced apple chutney.

Famed for great steaks and roasted Breton chicken, the chaps at Cote have nailed seafood too

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judging by the seabass. Two fillets of the fish encased charred, braised fennel alongside an unctuous Champagne beurre blanc, with tomato concasse and chives. It was superb. The friend succumbed to the lure of a chargrilled ribeye steak and was a very happy boy indeed.

Dessert came knocking and we answered.

Frozen berries with warm white chocolate sauce was a bit of a revelation. The sauce was just so sweet and moreish. I know sugar’s the latest foodie devil, but we could have consumed a considerable amount of this nectar-like liquor.

Tarte fine aux pommes with vanilla ice cream did exactly what it said on the tin in some style. Crisp pastry, thin slices of apple baked to perfection with ice cream.

The entirely French wine list starting at £15.95 a bottle deserves a nod. We enjoyed a glass of Chablis, but had it been dinner not lunch we’d have plumped for a bottle of Macon Villages 2013 Cave de L’aurore at £25. A firm favourite.

There might be more than one Cote in the UK – strictly speaking I guess it’s a chain – but forget the connotation that conjures. It’s to be enjoyed in all its marvellous French glory. I

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FOOD & DRINK

NIBBLES and

SHORTS

Birmingham has a lively and buzzing bar and restaurant scene. Here, we present our insider guide to what’s going on in your city’s eateries and drinking dens AFTERNOON HIGH TEA Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar and Grill in The Cube has launched three new afternoon tea menus. The concepts include traditional elements and some new gastronomic delights such as sausage and stilton roll, beetroot gazpacho and rabbit ballotine.

The menus have been created by head chef Chris Haynes, who has worked at the sky high restaurant for just over a year.

STEAKHOUSE IS A CUT ABOVE OK, it’s awful pun time… Miller & Carter is raising the ‘steaks’ in Birmingham with the arrival of its new restaurant on the site of the old Cock & Magpies Harvester, Hagley Road. It’s their second Birmingham steak house, joining the one in the Mailbox.

There are 12 fantastic steak cuts to choose from – we fancy the 30oz Longbone Tomahawk…

CARLUCCIO’S JUST SWELL FOR MELL We can almost taste the Milanese Di Pollo as we speak! One of the favourite and biggest names in food is coming to Solihull in the form of a giant Carluccio’s restaurant. The eatery will front a prominent new four-storey building at Mell Square shopping centre, on the corner of High Street and Drury Lane.

GRAND CANAL OPENING ON THE WAY Is there a more appealing scene than enjoying French cuisine and a glass of vino with the sound of water lapping past your feet? The food and drink is coming from French restaurant group Le Bistrot Pierre which is opening its 15th bistrot this spring in a Grade II listed canalside building in Gas Street.

CHAMPAGNE-INFUSED FUDGE ANYONE? Top Birmingham chefs Brad Carter and Richard Turner will be among the attractions at this year’s Foodies Festival at Cannon Hill Park in June. Joining them will be Nathan Eades of Simpsons, another of the city’s Michelin-starred eateries. The festival features a live cookery theatre and more than 120 stalls, selling everything from seaweed seasoning to Champagne-infused fudge.

BOSTON MEETS THE BARD Family-run company Boston Tea Party opens its new café-bar in Stratford-upon-Avon at the end of this month. The independent chain’s first café in Stratford is at St Gregory’s Hall, a converted school house in Henley Street opposite Shakespeare’s birthplace. It will seat 120 customers inside, with an outdoor area for 50.

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RESTAURANT REVIEW

AMANTIA 9-10 Bennetts Hill, Birmingham B2 5RS. Tel: 0121 643 3647 www.amantiarestaurant.co.uk

ot usually prone to soppiness, I associate tapas with falling in love. Seventeen years ago I fell for the other half (OH) in a wonderfully rustic tapas bar in Waterloo over a dish of patatas bravas. Nearly two decades on we found ourselves in the swisher surroundings of one of Birmingham’s Spanish offerings, Amantia.

The colourful Spanish vibe we expected was slightly lost in the smart, modern décor, but was tempered by the warm and welcoming Isaac who greeted and seated us. Pleasingly gin is one of Amantia’s specialities. I played it safe with a Hendrick’s which had four pretty pink rose buds floating in it. OH went Spanish with a Rives served with orange peel and juniper berries. Presented in balloon glasses they were an ideal sharpener.

The restaurant recommended three tapas per person.

In truth everything appealed. Isaac enthused about the Galician style pulpo (octopus) so that made the cut along with albondigas, chorizo, croquetas, berenjenas (aubergine) chips and gambas. OH isn’t a fan of octopus. His actual words were: “Cephalopods aren’t supposed to be eaten.” He did relent a little though.

Laced with smokey paprika and olive oil the octopus was succulent and tender. The portion was hefty mind

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you – more a main course than one of six tapas.

The man-size albondigas were juicy and moreish with a flavour packed gravy while salted cod croquettes had a crisp outer that revealed a rich, salty middle. A little salad served with the croquettes was scrumptious with a particularly good zingy dressing. We’d have liked more of this and less octopus on balance. The three stand-out dishes were the garlicky gambas hot with red chilli, crunchy aubergine chips with honey and chorizo in a rich, heady red wine sauce.

We shared a delicious sticky almond cake with ice cream for pud with a perfect coffee. We weren’t in a hurry, but noticed a cracking lunch menu for the time poor. Two tapas with a glass of wine or beer for £9.95 is a brilliant deal for what feels like genuinely authentic Spanish nosh and good service. I

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FOOD & DRINK

HIGH-FLYING CHARDONNAY Wine expert Rob Price lifts off in search of the world’s best Chardonnays – a journey which takes him around the globe

very June, Sonoma County hosts America’s premier Hot Air Balloon Classic, an event where all-comers get the chance to see dozens of balloons close up, watch them launch and even take rides. The rest of the year, this corner of California has its feet firmly on the ground as one of the great US wine producing areas, featuring among its output some excellent Chardonnays (see my Four To Try box). Chardonnay is one of the world’s most popular grapes, and also one of the most reviled by

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the ABC brigade – Anything But Chardonnay.

This is a grape that produces such a differing array of wine that there’s something for everyone, whether your taste is for easy-going, smooth, fruity, creamy, steely, spicy or complex. Chardonnay grows everywhere that grapes ripen successfully, from very cool sites such as Champagne to hot locations in California or Australia.

It also is a wine maker’s dream wine in that the grape is largely unfussy and the producer can choose

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FOOD & DRINK

ROB’S FOUR TO TRY OAKY CHARDONNAY One of Australia’s best is Jacobs Creek Reserve, Adelaide Hills. Make sure you buy the Adelaide Hills version, it is much better than the standard JC Chardonnay from South East Australia. Buy for around £10, quite widely available, including Tesco and Majestic.

FULL-BODIED OFFERING A slightly more reserved but still full-bodied Chardonnay is made by Pedroncelli from Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County, California. A great example of a really well made Chardonnay, and very good value. The Wine Society sells for £8.50 a bottle.

BURGUNDY’S FINEST Now for a wonderful Burgundy, from one of the best towns, Meursault. M&S sells this particularly example from the warm 2011 vintage which brings excellent concentration for this top class Burgundy. £30 a bottle.

FANTASTIC FIZZ Finally, a sparkling wine from one of our best English wine producers, Nyetimber. Blanc de Blanc 2007 vintage is 100 per cent Chardonnay, made the same way as Champagne only better! With all the characteristics of creamy vanilla, toast and roasted nuts. This International Wine competition gold medal winner is available from the Champagne Company or the Wine Emporium, Birmingham at £34 a bottle.

the style of wine they wish to produce. Of course the climate has a major influence on style, but the producer can decide all sorts of things, like fermentation temperature and time, choosing when (or not) to use oak and what percentage of new oak to use.

Chardonnay makes some of the best wines in the world, and surely one of the greatest is Champagne.

Chardonnay is one of the three main grapes in Champagne – Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier the other two – and therefore the only white grape allowed.

Chardonnay is one of the earliest ripening grapes and thus ideally suited to the cool climate of Northern France.

BLANC DE BLANC Any Champagne with Blanc de Blanc on the label means 100 per cent Chardonnay. A bit further south, but still cool climate is Chablis, and all wine from this region is white and always made from the Chardonnay grape. Normally unoaked their style is crisp, minerally, steely, sometimes austere.

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Chablis, while closer to the Champagne region, is actually part of Burgundy, and heading south we come to the heart land of Chardonnay in Burgundy, the Cote d’or, and arguably the most desirable Chardonnay in the world. Here Chardonnay is at its most expressive, with a delicate use of oak making a creamy rich, complex and elegant form of this nectar. Even further south is the Cote Chalonnaise and the Macon, still part of Burgundy, which make the most full-bodied and robust Chardonnay, and in Burgundy provide the best value.

While Chardonnay is one of the most prolific white grapes in France, another country produces more… the US. Napa and Sonoma lead the way with quality. As you would expect Australia is also well in on the Chardonnay act and again produces a range of styles. Try some from Adelaide Hills or Margaret River to taste it at its best. I Birmingham Wine School is an independent wine and beer education company offering informal wine tasting events and Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) courses in Birmingham and Milton Keynes city centres. More information from Rob Price 0121 270 7359 www.birminghamwineschool.com

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COCKTAIL OF THE MONTH

PALOMA COCKTAIL

The drink that’ll make you love tequila again. Don’t believe us? Have a little faith… aloma Faith is currently cooking up a storm on The Voice, so in honour of the bubbly popster here’s a recipe for a delightfully refreshing and sophisticated cocktail. OK, so tequila isn’t to everyone’s taste and you may not have been able to stomach the stuff since that horrendous evening at the student union over a decade ago.

But, trust us, this is a lovely little cocktail that works brilliantly with spicy food – so go on, give it a go!

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Most commonly prepared by mixing tequila, grapefruit juice and soda water, the trick is to use the highest quality tequila you can find. I

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Ingredients:

I 35ml of good quality blanco or reposado tequila I Juice of half a ruby grapefruit I 15ml shot of agave syrup or sugar syrup I 75ml club soda I Squirt of fresh lime juice (optional)

Method: Mix well the tequila, grapefruit juice and sugar syrup.

Pour over a glass filled with ice and top up with the soda water. Add an optional squirt of fresh lime and then garnish with a lime wedge. Simple!

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MIDI MAGIC DKNY flared lace midi skirt £230, Harvey Nichols

POWER OF PASTEL Autograph dress £75, M&S at Pavilions

TRANSITION VAMP Goodbye weirdly warm winter, hello sharp and sassy spring!

Here’s our take on three of the hottest trends that’ll have you transitioning like a goddess into the new season

SPRING ZING Clothing and accessories from Primark

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STYLE GET SHIRTY

DELICATE SHIFT

Black lace shirt dress £45, Next

Lace scallop V dress £169, Mint Velvet

TOP TO TOE Diane Von Furstenberg open-back lace jumpsuit £832, Harvey Nichols

MELLOW YELLOW

f like us you’re feeling slightly cheated that the winter mercury didn’t dip consistently low enough to don your Tod’s wide lapel coat more than twice, let’s draw a line under it and move on together.

Lace is everywhere this spring from shoes – Valentino’s powder pink trainers are top of our list – and head-to-toe jumpsuits to classic shifts and even hats.

Personally we love a pure white shift like the Mint Velvet version pictured, but if you’re feeling bold there’s a spectrum of coloured dresses to lift the mood. Victoriana detailing and high necklines are big as are long line dresses taken to the maxi. M&S has a pastel pink dress (pictured) that more than resembles Self Portrait’s distinctive style.

Suede is the ideal transitional fabric and takes many forms this season. Cute jackets, great bags, fringing – yes fringing again – waistcoats and

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Michael Kors lace layered dress £200, House of Fraser

sassy dresses in a cacophony of colours are hot right now. Proenzer Schouler’s green suede satchel (pictured) is a statement piece of arm candy that will last and last.

New prints are just charming with delicate bird motifs, bold geometrics, wonderfully feminine florals and even 90’s tie dye taking PRIM AND PROPER the rails by storm. Stella McCartney’s Black broderie maxi dress blossom print dress and Warehouse’s £99, House of Fraser Oriental floral shirt (both pictured) are particular highlights. I LASER TREATMENT White laser cut dress £39.99, New Look at The Fort

RACEY LACE Valentino lace trainers £460, Harvey Nichols

VICTORIANA VIBE Victoriana lace top £45, Topshop at The Fort

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STYLE DITSY PRINT Floral Ditsy babydoll dress £50, Warehouse at The Fort

COLOUR RUN Salma print dress £99, Mint Velvet

SEVENTIES VIBE Limited edition waistcoat £49.50, M&S

COLOUR POP Mary Katrantzou printed silk chiffon dress £1,565, Harvey Nichols

NATURAL BEAUTY Large agate square scarf £150, Jaeger

BACK TO NATURE Oriental floral shirt £45, Warehouse at The Fort

BACK TO THE FUTURE Label Lab tie dye T-shirt £55, House of Fraser

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STYLE WRAP CHIC Autograph print blouse £39.50, M&S

BOLD PRINT Autograph top £35 and trousers £55, M&S

LIFE’S A BEACH Aruba palm print shirt dress £59.50, Oliver Bonas

BACK TO NATURE Silk bird print blouse £65, Warehouse at The Fort

IN BLOOM Stella McCartney blossom print dress £680, Harvey Nichols

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STYLE PRECISION CUT

HAPPY DAYS

Suedette laser cut waistcoat £17, Primark

Jacket £23, top £5, skirt £10 and shoes £12, Primark

PEEPO! Aquazzura suede ankle boots £530, Harvey Nichols

BUTTON UP Solange suede skirt £119, Monsoon

WAISTED Suede biker gilet £199, Mint Velvet

FRINGE BINGE Biba claret suede jacket £249, House of Fraser

PLUSH BLUSH Suede dress £90, Dorothy Perkins

CLASSIC GUCCI Large suede tote £1,670, Harvey Nichols

LACE UP

M&S Collection lace up espadrille £29.50, M&S at Pavilions

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GREEN GODDESS Proenzer Schouler fringed suede satchel £1,125, Harvey Nichols

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STYLE IN THE NAVY Verity shoe £169, Hobbs

RUFFLE SOME FEATHERS Soft utility jumpsuit £129, Mint Velvet

JUMP TO IT Navy jumpsuit, M&S FRINGE BENEFITS Laser cut kimono £49, Very

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HEAVY METAL Sofia metallic midi skirt £59.50, Oliver Bonas

THINGS WE LOVE IT’S A WRAP Leather wrap skirt £129, M&S

BELT UP Jacquard kimono coat £89, Very

FAN-TASTIC Kaya textured fan collar £24, Oliver Bonas

GREAT SUEDE Marcena coat £899, Hobbs

TWINKLE TOES Quentin boot £85, Dune

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COMPETITION

WIN! A MOTHER’S DAY SHOPPING SPLURGE

Give your mum a real treat at Pavilions Birmingham hether she wants to update her wardrobe with a new season style fix or boost her beauty routine with make-up bag must-haves and pamper products, we’ve got the perfect treat for your mum. We’ve teamed up with Pavilions Birmingham to offer you vouchers from M&S, L’Occitane and PHB Ethical Beauty worth up to the value of £150. Let mum indulge in some retail therapy without her having to spend a penny. I

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For more information on Pavilions Birmingham please visit www.pavilionsshopping.com

FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN Simply answer this question correctly:

What is the date of this year’s Mother’s Day in the UK? A. 6 March B. 1 April

C. 25 December

E-mail your answer with ‘Pavilions Competition’ in the subject and include your name, address, daytime phone number and e-mail address to: info@brumliving.co.uk Entries should reach us no later than Monday 4 April and the lucky winner will be notified after the closing date. Full terms and conditions apply.

Terms & Conditions: The closing deadline is 4 April 2016. The outlined prize cannot be altered and there is no cash alternative. The prize is not valid with any other offer or promotion. The validity of the retailer’s prize is at each the individual retailer’s discretion. Open to UK residents aged 18 years and over, except employees of Pavilions Birmingham or participating retailers. The Editor’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into. The winner will be notified by post, e-mail or telephone on or after 8 April 2016. Only one entry per person and all entrants must be resident in UK. All details correct at time of print.

Data Protection: By entering this competition you agree for your details to be shared with Pavilions who may wish to contact you with further offers and information, by post and e-mail. Your details will be held in the UK in databases owned by Pavilions and not used for any other purposes.

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STYLE

DRESS DOWN Jeans, top and jacket, Primark

SPRING FORWARD Banish your winter clobber to the confines of the loft and get creative with this season’s freshest looks he daffs are blooming and Mothering Sunday is upon us, which can only mean one thing. Spring.

Transitional gear is aplenty and from sharp jackets and colourful chinos to new season denim, we’re feeling, well springy. There’s a distinctly 90’s vibe going on with lots of pale denim, even acid washed and tie dye slouchy tees. For a smarter casual vibe, check out Jaeger’s casual zip jacket and a pair of Simon Miller jeans from Selfridges.

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STYLE

PALE DENIM Jeans, tee and long sleeved top, Topman BLUSHING CHINOS Howick pink chinos £55, House of Fraser

FLOWER POWER Regular fit navy and red single cuff floral print shirt £25, Moss at The Fort

JACKET IN Best of British plum zip jacket £299, M&S

SMART CASUAL Simon Miller jeans £195, Selfridges

SHARP SHORT Collection seersucker striped shorts £25, M&S at Pavilions TRANSITION HERO Cotton Harrington £175, Jaeger

DENIM DISTRESS Levi's distressed acid wash denim jacket £90, House of Fraser HIGH FIVE Khaki hi-tops, Office

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HEALTH

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HEALTH

THE EYES HAVE IT We value our sight more than any other sense, yet two-thirds of us put up with poor vision and half struggle to even see the TV or read a book

e all take a whole bunch of things for granted in life, but our sight ranks right up there at the top as being among the most neglected. Which is odd, because we are all so much more aware of looking after our health and fitness these days. It seems though that ‘out of sight, out of mind’ really is how we treat the health of our eyes.

Figures from the College of Optometrists reveal that more than 60 per cent of people have poor vision with 50 per cent suffering to the point that they can’t manage basic things like seeing the TV or reading a book. And despite what you may believe, it’s not just the older generation that are struggling! We asked Daniel Calladine, consultant ophthalmic surgeon at Spire Eye Centre, Little Aston Hospital, to give us the lowdown on better eye care, the most common eye complaints and the treatments available.

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COMMON CONDITIONS “Cataracts are a really common condition that tend to affect people as they get older,” he said. “The lens in your eye becomes cloud – as though you are looking through a fogged up window. You may find your glasses prescription changing and you experience glare at night from headlights or difficulty reading in dim light.”

If the cataracts begin to affect your lifestyle you can have them removed during a routine operation. The cloudy cataract lens is replaced with a clear synthetic lens that also has the benefit of correcting your glasses prescription. The procedure only takes 10 minutes and patients can be home within the same day.

The other condition most will have heard of is glaucoma. It is painless and causes no symptoms in the early stages, so regular eye examinations are important to spot the condition. It is usually caused by high pressure inside the eye that causes damage to the delicate nerve. “If left untreated, glaucoma can

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EYE-OPENING FACTS 1. More than 22 million 18 to 60-year-olds in the UK (that’s 65 per cent) wear some form of corrective eyewear, according to the College of Optometrists.

2. The vast majority of the population, 86 per cent, value sight more than any other sense.

3. Yet nearly one in five (more than seven million people) has either never been for a sight test or to an optometrist in the last five years.

4. More than 40 per cent of adults now work with visual display units for more than five hours a day.

5. Only 28 per cent of computer users know that they are entitled to an eye examination paid for by their employer.

cause a reduction in your peripheral vision and in severe cases can restrict you from driving,” said Daniel. “However with the correct treatment and monitoring your vision will normally be protected.”

SYNTHETIC LENS More than 60 per cent of us wear glasses or contact lenses but there is an alternative – short and longsighted corrective surgery. “One of the growing trends at the centre is our treatment designed for patients needing glasses for reading or who wear bifocal or varifocal glasses,” explained Daniel. “The technique replaces the lens with a multi focal synthetic lens that is able to work at different distances."

There are also treatments for short-sightedness (problems with seeing over a longer distance), using refractive surgery employing a state of the art laser to change the shape of the cornea at the front of the eye.

“Patients usually get a very rapid improvement in their vision and only require a few days off work to concentrate on their post-operative care,” said Daniel. I Short or long-sighted and thinking about corrective surgery? Daniel Calladine is hosting a free information evening, 7-9pm on 16 March at Spire Eye Centre, Spire Little Aston Hospital. For more details, call 0121 580 7171.

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ng il viHOMES

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YEAR OF THE

KITCHEN Award-winning local designer Lisa Melvin reveals what’s hot in the heart of the home for 2016

GREAT SPACE

Ely kitchen by Classic Kitchens www.classickitchensltd.co.uk

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HOMES

SET IN STONE

Stone Fusion wall and floor Tiles by Tiles Direct www.tiles-direct.com

ome of the biggest trends for 2016 might have been around for a while, but this year they are being pushed to another level. Take concrete for example which has been poured to create smooth, cool work surfaces and industrial style floors for some time – but now we’re seeing doors made from the stuff with texture and colour added for stunning results.

Technological advances mean you don’t need to be in your home let alone your kitchen to preheat the oven or stick a load of washing on. Plus infra-red technology might spell the end of ugly radiators while an indoor garden in your kitchen is all the rage.

Here are just some of the highlights.

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KING OF THE KITCHEN Work surfaces are king. They can make or break a kitchen. Slabs of beautifully crafted material can play a key role in the overall look and vibe. Technology in this area has moved on in leaps and bounds. One of my favourite materials is Dekton because it allows greater potential for installation in one piece with no cuts, no joints and no limits. As well as being a designer’s dream it’s tough – scratch resistant, highly UV resistant, heat resistant with virtually zero water absorption and good colour stability.

IF YOU CAN’T STAND THE HEAT Nothing ruins a modern kitchen like a clunky radiator. With the infra-red heating technology on the market today there’s no need.

Sleek wall mounted heating panels look more like works of art when adorned with decorative motifs to suit your style. Check out Herschel Infrared for more details.

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HOMES

COOL COLLABORATION

P’7350 kitchen by Porsche Design Studio at Poggenpohl Birmingham www.birmingham.poggenpohl.com

COFFEE LOVER’S DREAM If you adore coffee consider the vast array of machines on the market and go for the best you can afford and one that suits your kitchen scheme. If your budget can stretch to a TopBrewer bean to cup machine as used by professional baristas, it will be a valuable addition to your kitchen and looks great (pictured on p50). It also cleans itself after every use thanks to the Scanomatic milk clean system.

CONCRETE KITCHEN Once confined to a building site, concrete has become a mainstream kitchen material. It’s incredibly tough as you’d imagine and in addition to being poured to form smooth, cool work surfaces, this year you’ll see more concrete doors with textures and colours mixed in to create stunning results.

WELL CONNECTED

HIGH STYLE

Kitchen by Lisa Melvin Design www.lisamelvindesign.co.uk

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We’re seeing more efficient appliances along with state of the art systems that control them and useful apps that might change the way we manage functions in the kitchen. For instance, apps like Home Connect not only select a dishwasher programme based on the load’s contents, but also let the user know when their running low on dishwasher tablets. It’s possible to control appliances while away from home and with a camera installed in the fridge you can view the contents while in the supermarket wondering if there’s any salad left for supper!

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CONCRETE CREATION

Kitchen by Leicht www.leicht.com

URBAN CHIC Siematic Urban kitchen by The Kitchen Gallery www.kitchengallery.co.uk

LIVING WALL Imagine the fragrant smell of a herb garden every time you walk into your kitchen. Ideal if you’re short of space or don’t have access to a garden, you could have a vast selection of herbs and salads available to you 24/7.

Grown in a soil-less system using hydroponics, this method uses a nutrient- rich solution which is stored in a sumptank and is pumped to the top level where gravity takes over and the water falls through each tray returning back to the sump all controlled by a timer. I WHITE OUT Esker kitchen in ice by Wickes www.wickes.co.uk

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HOMES A PINCH OF THIS Marble pinch pot tray £60, Oliver Bonas

COFFEE ON TAP TopBrewer built in coffee system from £5,000, www.topbrewer.com

FINISHING

TOUCHES Cool new accessories for your kitchen

BUTTERFLY EFFECT Butterfly water bottle £6, Next at The Fort

RETRO RED Red pendant light £225, Cookes Furniture, Erdington

PERFECT PLATTER Platter board £45, Gray & Willow, House of Fraser

OIL SLICK Olive oil pump £14, John Lewis

BOTTOM’S UP Wall-mounted bottle rack £50, Laura Ashley at Pavilions

VINTAGE VIBE Blue pendant £180, John Lewis

RIGHT STRIPES Sue Timney striped pasta bowl £17.50, M&S

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AUCTIONS

ON YOUR MARKS How to spot if that piece of silver long forgotten at the back of the cupboard is fortune of fake magine if that silver dish you packed off to the charity shop last weekend was a valuable Elkington & Co piece from the late 1800s, or the cumbersome vase handed down from your great uncle was a Warwick vase! How would you tell it apart from a common piece of stainless steel from Ikea?

The secret lies in checking the hallmarks which should give an idea to its age, authenticity and value. Traditionally most English silver has four marks – a maker mark, a date mark, a standard mark and an assay mark.

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LION PASSANT A maker’s mark is that of the company or person responsible for sending an item to be hallmarked, which has to be registered with an assay office. The symbol for the Birmingham Assay office is an anchor. The date mark is one which is different yearon-year and depending on the assay office, but generally follows an alphabetical sequence and is enclosed with a shield.

Interestingly, the date mark stopped being compulsory in 1999.

A standard mark conveys the fineness of the metal content – sterling is the British term for silver which is 92.5 per cent pure, which is signified by a lion passant or 925. In 1696, a Britannia standard mark was brought in to distinguish a higher fineness of silver and to deter silversmiths from melting down silver coins in times of shortage.

One interesting mark is the Utility Mark, shaped like a 0 without joining at the top and bottom this was implemented

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by the Government during World War II. It was found on 9ct gold wedding bands, the only choice for brides during the period of rationing.

One way to tell whether your piece of silver is especially collectable is by looking at the duty mark. Between 1784 and 1890 the reigning sovereign’s head was applied to indicate that duty had been paid on the item to the Crown and some silver pieces have a duty mark stamped twice.

If you encounter a piece which has no assay mark, this could be due to the silversmith transposing an assay mark from a smaller item, like a spoon, and soldering it onto a larger item.

Any joins would then be plated over, however it is possible to see these by breathing onto the area, or checking whether the style and date marks match. These fake marks were historically done to make unwanted items appear more useful or fashionable. I For more information about silver and details of the next auction contact Fellows Auctions www.fellows.co.uk

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HOMES

Hot Properties A huge family home, contemporary apartments in a Victorian setting and chic living by the canal are among this month’s top buyers’ picks

SUPERIOR SHOWSTOPPER Linthurst Road, Barnt Green Guide price: £1,695,000 Agent: Knight Frank, tel: 01905 886488 A substantial detached family home in an elevated setting with a lovely outlook over its mature gardens. This nine-bedroom property has been extensively renovated and modernised to an exacting standard and also boasts a separate gym and a selfcontained one-bedroom annexe which has been very well-finished.

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HOMES

BRICKS&BITS NEW FLATS FOR OLD JQ BLOCK An empty office block in the Jewellery Quarter is set to be transformed into new high-end apartments. Mechind House, 16-17 Lionel Street will be converted into 14 apartments, including eight duplexes, a ground floor retail unit and an underground car park by Ryland Estates. The site is opposite Ludgate Hill Car Park, affectionately known as the 'bomb site', which is being regenerated by Sterling Property Ventures.

BRUM PITCHES IN AT CANNES Private and public sector partners from across Birmingham are joining forces at this month’s MIPIM real estate show in Cannes. Projects being showcased to investors include developments such as Paradise, Birmingham Smithfield and Arena Central, enterprise zones in the Black Country and Birmingham city centre and transport infrastructure including Birmingham Airport and the region’s two HS2 stations.

CENTRE OPENS FOR BUSINESS Leading serviced office space provider UBCUK has opened a new business centre at Birmingham Business Park, Solihull Parkway. The centre boasts 214 workspaces and will be home to SMEs looking for temporary and permanent office space. UBCUK already has offices at Birmingham Airport and in Birmingham city centre.

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

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CONTEMPORARY TWIST No.10 Clement Street, Birmingham B1 Guide price: From £315,000 Agent: Wolf’s, tel: 0121 633 4455 A stunning development of six spacious, contemporary apartments, set within an original Victorian red brick building dating back to 1851. With generous bedrooms, open plan living spaces and superbly finished throughout by Asquith Homes, this is a fantastically located building for luxury city living.

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HOMES

CANALSIDE STYLE Liberty Place Guide price: £675,000.00 Agent: Maguire Jackson, tel: 0121 634 1520

Stylish and beautifully presented two-bedroom penthouse apartment, includes master bedroom with ensuite with a walk in shower, Jacuzzi bath and sauna room and a second double bedroom with ensuite. There’s also a conservatory that leads onto a great terrace that overlooks the canal.

EDWARDIAN POTENTIAL Wake Green Road, Moseley Guide price: £750,000 Agent: Fine & Country, tel: 0121 746 6400 This eight-bedroom detached Edwardian family residence oozes period charm and enjoys a prized position on the fringe of Moseley Village. The property offers enormous scope for subtle renovation to take full advantage of its originality.

Don’t miss Property of the Week on our Facebook page every Thursday www.facebook.com/bhamliving

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MOTORING

THE MAGNIFICENT 7 What better way for BMW to mark its 100th birthday than with its most advanced luxury car ever, asks Sue Cooke? hether it is the anticipation of a new car with a new plate change, the first spring bulbs or the first days of decent sunshine, March is an uplifting month – and a month that sees BMW celebrate its centenary. But the company says its 100-year salute won’t be looking backwards; it will be looking forwards to future innovations.

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And if you want to experience its very latest ‘in car’ technologies then you need to drive the flagship 7-Series. This luxury saloon is where BMW pilots its innovations before they are filtered down to the rest of the range. And the new sixth generation model follows the trend set by the very first 7-Series which was launched in 1977, with cutting edge technology never seen in a vehicle before.

In the interior, just don’t make any random finger gestures and you will be ok. BMW gesture control has a

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3D sensor which registers specific hand movements in the vicinity of the centre console which can then adjust the audio volume, control the 3D view display and accept or reject incoming phone calls.

REMOTE PARKING The new 7-Series is also the first production car in the world that can be manoeuvred into and out of forward parking or garage spaces without the driver even having to be sitting inside the vehicle. The process is activated by the driver from outside the vehicle using the new Display Key. After making 250 checks, the car moves into the space. And while LED headlights are fairly standard now, BMW has introduced the option of laser headlights which provide a high beam range of 600m. It’s like driving in daylight but no worries for oncoming cars as the integrated anti-dazzle high beam assistant reliably

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MOTORING

FACTS AT A GLANCE: Model: BMW 7-Series Price: £64,530 otr Engine: 730d Performance: 0-62mph in 6.1 seconds and on to an electronically limited top speed of 155mph CO2 emissions: 124g/km Combined fuel consumption: 60.1mpg

excludes this possibility. While you are sitting very comfortably in the piped and quilted soft leather interior, sense of smell has not been neglected. The optional Ambient Air package ionises the air and releases a choice of eight fragrances, two of which can be applied in the vehicle at the same time.

BMW says that 60 per cent of the 7-Series will be sold to the corporate market and from this month chauffeur-driven passengers relaxing in the rear seats of the short or long wheelbase, will find a new shelf for their laptop. While working, they can take advantage of the massage function with a choice of eight programmes or an optional Vitality Programme, devised specifically for the 7-Series, which allows rear passengers to engage in active training to revitalise the body on longer journeys. (Sorry… an imaginative picture conjures up a fit of the giggles here!)

heating or detect for smoke or leaks too. Online entertainment through the Bowers & Wilkins Diamond surround sound system is offered as an option with a fully active 10-channel amplifier, an output of 1,400 watts, and 16 partially illuminated speakers, so you can listen to 30 million tracks in your car.

Phil Winders, BMW Large Cars product manager told me that there will be a plug-in hybrid 7-Series launching later this year which he says could even outsell the current favoured 730 diesel engine. Every 7-Series has the addition of AdBlue which helps to reduce emissions.

There are many other useful tools on this technological masterpiece – such as a boot which opens by waving a foot under the tailgate and the world’s first traffic sign updating system, but a week of road testing just doesn’t provide enough time to try them all… I You can follow Sue Cooke on Twitter @cookecars

HOME COMFORTS

SHOWROOM:

A standard universal holder with charging facility is compatible with a range of mobile phones and with Smartphone control you can adjust your home

Sytner Birmingham BMW, 20 Summer Hill Terrace, Birmingham

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B1 3QJ. Tel: 0121 234 6000 www.sytner.co.uk

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YOUNG, GIFTED & BRUMMIE

ED GEATER The talented musician and singer-songwriter tells Shelley Carter why

he’s not into fame and fortune, but would quite like the world to listen omegrown talent Ed Geater kept his musical prowess under wraps while he experimented and perfected his unique style in private.

Thankfully for the rest of us he decided to share his craft and with a few years gigging under his belt things are about to get very interesting indeed. With a record deal in the bag he’s recently released EP Barriers, which is getting a lot of attention, and is hosting a launch party in Brum this month.

Although Ed’s technique and style is pretty alternative, his musical roots are classical reaching an impressive grade eight in violin and grade five standard piano before picking up the electric guitar in his teens.

He switched to acoustic at university in Leeds and began exploring unconventional techniques. Ed mastered finger style, so lots of finger-picking as opposed to strumming and slap harmonic – slapping the strings to create a different sound. If you’re still confused, a quick watch of the stunning video for single Don’t Think will introduce you to Ed’s style beautifully.

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BEATBOXING Influences include two of Ed’s favourite guitarists, Andy McKee and Antoine Dufour. Ambient electronica has influenced Ed’s style a lot too with artists such as Bonobo, Boards of Canada and Four Tet making the list along with the more mainstream Radiohead.

One of the things Ed explored and honed was beatboxing. He began combining his guitar style with the beatboxing to create a fresh sound that appealed. Ed didn’t gig at all while in Leeds, but back in Brum postgraduation he felt ready. Open mic nights at the Yard Bird and the Island Bar followed while by day Ed worked at Guitar Guitar on Hagley Road. He invested in a loop station which allowed him to experiment creating beats and chord structures. Of his time at Guitar Guitar

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Ed says: “I learned a lot about technology. It also allowed me to save up for a trip to South America. The experiences I had there inspire a lot of my music.”

Before Ed went off on his travels he released an EP online called Changing Waves through Ditto Music. “I just wanted to get something out there before I left and it was really positively received,” he says. Ed’s break came in London when after a gig at Caramel in Wood Green he was invited to play Phoenix Sessions in Kilburn funded by Jataneel Banerjee, owner of record label Music Mandi. Ed was spotted and signed pronto. He recalls: “It was a nice way to get signed. I hadn’t sent my work to any labels and I’d spent four years playing which was a steady process of gaining confidence and perfecting what I do.”

BRUM SCENE Currently Ed produces his own music on Logic Pro from his laptop which allows him creative control. He explains: “I know how I want things to turn out and I enjoy the process.” Having said that, Ed would be keen to collaborate in the future and perhaps make music for media and film.

Of Birmingham’s music scene Ed’s positive, but accepts he probably wouldn’t have been signed here. He says: “Birmingham has a vibrant music scene and a large diverse young population, so the quality is high, but the industry professionals are in London.”

The word perfecting pops up a lot in our interview, so I’m sensing Ed’s a bit of a perfectionist. Fast tracks to stardom are definitely not his bag. “I’m not in awe of fame and fortune. If I can play for a living and people across the world can listen that would be great.” And he adds: “I’m sure there are talented people on programmes like the X Factor but it’s a bit damaging. People stop appreciating what we do. Music means something to me – it’s personal and emotional.” I

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The launch party of EP Barriers is on 6 March at the Sunflower Lounge, Birmingham. Learn more and have a listen at http://edgeater.co.uk

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GROWING PLACES

BIATHLON CHAMPS Pupils from Years 5 and 6 at St Martin’s School have been named Regional Biathlon Champions after winning the School Games County Finals. The competition consisted of a 400m run and 25m swim with the girls registering some fantastic times which were converted to points giving them the overall win.

SCHOOL REPORT

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

JESSICA’S TOWERING BAKE Apprentice baker Jessica Dalton struck gold in a culinary competition with her impressive Eiffel Tower cake constructed from royal icing. Jess, 19, who is honing her skills at University College Birmingham, won first prize at the Hospitality and Catering Salon Culinaire at North Warwickshire and Hinckley College.

UCB students claimed 26 medals, including five golds, as well as the prize for best visiting college team.

TOP SPEAKERS Five teams from four schools took part in the ESU – Churchill National Public Speaking Competition with Moreton Hall taking the overall win. Kitty Davenport, Georgina Lang and Eliza Kiel now progress to the final. On top of the excellent team result, the girls also achieved individual success with Kitty named Best Chairman, Georgina as Outstanding Personality and Eliza as Best Questioner.

WHAT ARE THE ODDS? For the second year running, a team of boys from King Edward’s School has jointly won the National Final of the Senior Team Maths Challenge with a perfect score.

More than 1,000 UK school teams entered the competition with 86 in the finals.

Jeremy Ho and Vidy Reddy in Year 13 and Daniel Yue and Dougie Dolleymore in Year 11 shared the title with Ruthin School and Westminster School.

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GROWING PLACES

ROCKING

SPORT RELIEF The Vamps went back to lead singer Brad Simpson’s old school to kick start their fundraising effort. The Can We Dance rock band took part in an alternative sports day with pupils of Fairfax School, Sutton Coldfield in preparation for their Sport Relief Mile on Friday 18 March. Brad said: “I remember getting sponsored to run my Sport Relief Mile around this very hall! To come back has been great.”

INNOVATOR: Last year’s winner Malik Sheryar-Karamat

THIS COULD BE YOU!

MASCOT: Ivor Goodsite with Welford pupils

SAFETY LESSON Pupils of Welford on Avon Primary School enjoyed an unusual assembly when St Modwen’s health and safety team spoke about the dangers of construction sites. Project manager Dave Knight and Considerate Constructors’ mascot Ivor Goodsite asked the children to identify a series of potential dangers. Head teacher Julie Leeman, said: “There’s a lot of construction work ongoing in the area surrounding the school so it was a really useful exercise.”

Millennium Point’s Young Innovator Prize will sponsor a Year 13 student from the region through an undergraduate degree at Birmingham City University’s faculty of computing, engineering and the built environment. The winner will also be given a work placement at Millennium Point and other organisations in the city. For details of how to apply, visit www.millenniumpoint.org.uk/2016scheme details

ESPIONAGE AT BROMSGROVE Bromsgrove School parents and pupils, along with representation from Bromsgrove North High School, were given a masterclass on surveillance and counter espionage by Richard Aldrich, professor of international security at Warwick University. Prof Aldrich recounted his experiences in the Middle East and answered questions on various topics, including the current freeze in relations between Russia and the West.

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JOE DELUCCI’S Italy’s finest ice cream was actually born right here in Brum – and it’s been licking the competition ever since!

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COMPANY TO WATCH

ith a name like Joe Delucci’s, Italian ice cream can hardly be more, well, Italian… can it? Which makes the fact that the brand is actually the brainchild of two mates from right here in the Midlands enough to make you drop your ‘99’ in amazement.

Joe Delucci’s is a name you’ll have seen around quite a bit, whether over the doors of their rapidly expanding and hugely popular retail parlours – there’s a cracker in the new Grand Central – or in the chill cabinets in supermarkets and big food stores.

Fact of the matter is that this is real Italian gelato, made in Italy as only the Italians know how. And as anyone who has sampled any of the 39 (and counting) delicious flavours will tell you, Joe’s is just about the best there is!

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years ago was narrow, but now it’s prevalent. We were pioneers of that.” (Gelato is served slightly warmer than ‘normal’ ice cream to let the taste of the natural ingredients come through, and also unlike your regular supermarket tub it’s not packed full of air to ‘plump’ it up!)

Richard and Nigel chose shopping malls because there’s a decent footfall, they’re undercover and easier to manage (they opened in the Bullring in 2009). They can also be incredibly stylish – Joe’s signature is its Italian scooters-themed décors. Retail allowed the business to grow at a decent pace and laid the foundations. It gave them the strength to launch into grocery and wholesale. Grand Central was a big investment and Richard says they’re pleased to be there. “It’s a great environment with good quality customers,” he said.

DRINKING BUDDIES So how did partners Richard Pierce, pictured, and Nigel Langstone set about licking their rivals? They got together just over 10 years ago when Nigel convinced ‘old drinking buddy’ Richard to help him set up an ice cream import business. Nigel had been pondering the idea of bringing gelato to the UK for a while after spending time in Italy had convinced him that their ice cream was so much better than ours.

After finding an exclusive supplier in Turin using traditional methods and ingredients, the duo took their ice cream to a food buyers’ show in Brum. A couple of wholesalers to restaurants loved what they tasted and the new Joe Delucci’s had its first customers. To push the brand to a wider market and deal with customers direct, the pair opened a kiosk in Leamington Spa. It was so successful with the punters that another 20 were launched around the country.

Then in 2012, Joe Delucci’s cracked the supermarkets, like Tesco, with ice cream being supplied to hundreds of stores. Today, the company based in Lighthorne has a turnover well in excess of £5 million with more than 150 employees, including staff at a number of franchises.

Richard, who lives in Solihull, said: “There are three arms to the business – wholesale food, grocery and retail. Retail was the beginning and a test ground for the product to see how welcoming the British public would be of gelato. Exposure to gelato 10

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Exposure to gelato 10 years ago was narrow in the UK, but now it’s prevalent. We were pioneers of that At the last count Joe Delucci’s had served more than 15 million scoops of gelato to customers in the UK. Among the flavour favourites are fruity and nutty gelati, Parmesan (Parmesan de Reggio), melon and chilli (Melone and Peperoncino) and Pistachio (Bronte Pistachio). The company has also won a clutch of top awards for the quality and taste of its products.

As for future plans, there’s plenty according to Richard. “We’re absolutely involved and hands-on in moving the business on. If you’re stationary and your competitors are moving forward, in essence you’re going backwards. We are always improving our offer, opening new sites, looking at emerging markets. It’s hugely important.”

Oh, and just in case you’re wondering where the name Joe Delucci’s came from, it’s not a long lost cousin on the Italian side of the Pierce or Langstone families, or anything like that. The name is fictional.

The rough translation is ‘Joe of Light’.” And if you’re still confused, it’s meant to signify showing UK consumers the ‘ice cream light’...I

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HONOURING HEROES Cantonese restaurant Henry Wong of Harborne is launching a campaign to help injured military personnel.

Fisher House, based in Queen Elizabeth Hospital, will be its chosen charity for 2016. The unit helps servicemen and women who have suffered life-changing injuries and their families. Henry Wong owner Parm Rai said: “Like many people, I feel indebted to these military personnel who lay their lives on the line for our us.”

BUSINESS

NEWS

FEEL THE LOVE! We all adore Jaguar Land Rover it seems! The Midlands motor giant has officially become the largest automotive manufacturer in Britain. JLR produced more than 500,000 cars and commercial vehicles at its three vehicle manufacturing plants in Solihull, Castle Bromwich and Liverpool last year. Record sales in the UK accounted for one in five of these vehicles.

RIGHT DIRECTION FOR CITY HOTELS Birmingham’s hotels are big fans of Liam Payne and One Direction. The local singer and fellow members of the hit boy band helped them achieve a record 81 per cent occupancy rate when their tour stopped off in the city in October.

Figures from Marketing Birmingham show it was the 16th month in a row where hotel occupancy rates were higher than the year before.

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© Tim Cross

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CRITICS’ CHOICE The plaudits keep coming for Rosie Kay and her internationally-celebrated Birmingham dance company. Rosie Kay Dance Company was named Best Independent Company at the prestigious Critics’ Circle National Dance Awards. Rosie said: “This award is recognition of all the company’s hard work.” She also revealed Arts Council England support to create and tour a new double bill of duets this autumn.

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BUSINESS

AIRBUS LANDS IN BRUM

TOP LINE-UP LAUNCHES BYPY16 Meet the young hot-shot business brains behind this year’s Birmingham Young Professional of the Year Awards. Led by Santander’s Bina Ganatra, the ‘Top 10’ committee will organise and manage the 16th

Birmingham is getting a birthday present from airline Emirates – in the shape of an Airbus A380. The A380 will fly from the region for the first time as Emirates celebrates its 15th anniversary at Birmingham Airport by upgrading its service to Dubai later this month. The Airbus, which carries more than 600 passengers, increases daily capacity to and from the region by 15 per cent.

annual event which takes place at the ICC on 12 May. Awards nominations are now open

WANTED: BUDDING ENTREPRENEURS

and tickets are on sale for BYPY16.

WHAT A GREAT STORY! Birmingham-based communications agency Story Comms is celebrating after being shortlisted for two national industry awards despite being in business less than a year. Based in Alpha Tower, the firm is in the running for New Agency of the Year – the only Midlands agency to be nominated – as well as Integrated Campaign of the

SEARCH: John and David Baldwin of Baldwins Accountants

The search is underway to find the region’s next up-and-coming entrepreneur.

The 2016 Baldwins Accountants’ KickStart Young Entrepreneurs Awards aims to discover aspiring young people aged between 18 and 25 who have the germ of a fascinating business idea.

For the fourth successive year, the winner will be presented with a grant for £10,000 along with £10,000 of mentoring advice.

Year at the national PR Moment Awards.

MUSICAL CHEERS AT HIPPODROME Money, money, money… that’s what Park Regis Birmingham, the city’s newest four-star hotel, is aiming to raise for charity in a tie-up with Birmingham Hippodrome’s smash-hit production of the Abba musical, Mamma Mia. The fundraiser on 30 June – entitled Does Your Mamma Know? – will recreate the show’s Greek wedding banquet for guests. It will be hosted by Heart FM’s Ed James and the BBC’s Joanne Malin.

SHOW TIME: Robin Ford and Rebecca Delmore of Park Regis with Stuart Broster of Five Ways Hospitality

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BUSINESS BACKS ‘BRUMMIE BONDS’ Plans to launch ‘Brummie bonds’ to pay for new homes in Birmingham have been welcomed by business leaders. Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce says the scheme to invest the £11 billion public sector pension pot in new houses and infrastructure accesses a ‘potentially great untapped asset’.

Chambers director of policy Henrietta Brealey added: “Exploring innovative ways of raising funds to continue to invest in affordable homes and communities is sensible.”

SUPPORT: Henrietta Brealey

FOREST NAMED PUB OF THE YEAR Feeling proud, and rightly so, the team at The Forest at Feckenham are celebrating after being crowned Les Routiers Best Pub of the Year 2016. The gastro pub’s coveted first national success since opening in 2103 follows in the footsteps of its two award-winning sister pubs in Warwickshire. Charles Harris, operations director for CD Pub Co, said: “This underlines the hard work and dedication of our fantastic team of chefs, restaurant and bar staff.”

CHAMPS PUT SAFETY FIRST

LEGAL FIRM CANCER FUND BOOST Staff at Birmingham legal firm Pinsent Masons are aiming to raise £40,000 to fund a specialist cancer research nurse.

Greg Lowson, pictured, head of office at Pinsent Masons, is also a trustee of Birmingham-based Cure Leukaemia. He said: “Every penny raised goes towards helping save lives and continuing progress towards finding a cure.”

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A Birmingham group has beaten allcomers to claim the UK’s top safety award. Birmingham Health, Safety and Environment Association (BHSEA) was named overall winner at the annual Alan Butler Awards, held at the House of Lords. The awards recognise excellence and achievement of organisations within the Safety Groups UK movement which helps employers prevent accidents and ill health at work.

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SEARCH IS ON TO FIND BEST BUSINESS TALENT Birmingham Young Professional of the Year awards launched at Hotel La Tour he best of up-and-coming business and professional talent was on the agenda at the launch of the Birmingham Young Professional of the Year awards, held at Hotel La Tour. More than 150 guests heard from 2015 winner Katie Kershaw who explained how the award had impacted her life. Other previous finalists and winners were also in attendance, as well as the BYPY committee who gave details about this year’s awards which will be held on 12 May at the ICC. I

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For details on how to nominate visit www.bpsbirmingham.co.uk

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1 Caroline Bird, Samantha Minchin, Laura Rollason. 2 Laura Davis, David Pardoe, Daniela Annalisa Lacey. 3 Mike Colledge, Joanna Seabright, Bina Ganatra, Tim Andrews. 4 Michael Shepherd, Verity Stokes. 5 Mike Bandar, Jodie and Ben Cook. 6 Steve Price, Rebecca Simkiss, Emily Rose.

7 Alexandra Morton, Kate Leavesley, Sophie Taylor. 8 Natalie Murison, Bina Ganatra, Katie Kershaw. 9 Alex Paul, Sarah Tuohy, Mark O'Donnell.

Photography by Jas Sansi

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Top training company holds networking event in aid of bereaved families charity MPQ, one of the UK‘s largest and most successful providers of work-related vocational training, hosted a networking event at Hotel du Vin in aid of Edgbaston-based Edwards Trust. More than 80 guests were welcomed with beats from singer/songwriter Ben Stancombe, accompanied by soulful bites and cocktails. A raffle, with prizes donated by HDV, Simpsons Restaurant, Cue Media, Sipsey Lingerie, Riley & Carruthers Hair, Defining Beauty, Harvey Nichols, Make Me Smile Balloons, Steel & Jelly and Gruhme, raised more than ÂŁ400.

Edwards Trust offers counselling to children and families during serious illness and bereavement. I

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1 Gary Ecob, Lee Clifford, Gary Redmonds, Vinny Bhogal. 2 Nick Truman, Christine Bodkin, Jim King. 3 Louise Panayides, Karen O'Donovan, Vicky Lees. 4 Roger and Noreen Birchil. 5 Peter Dent, Kevin Hodgetts. 6 Hollie Orgee, Tom Rils-Bristow, Cheryl Palmer-Hughes. 7 Claire Martin, Alex and Karen Reynolds. 8 Simon Greenfield, James Barwell, Hannah Jones, Jane Jones.

9 Tony and Elizabeth Taylor, Paul Leahy. 10 Cheryl Williams, David Wilson, Faye Shipley, Judy Dyke.

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BIG ISSUES SERVED UP ON BREAKFAST MENU It’s a year of great opportunities, Chamber chief tells professionals ore than 60 delegates attended Birmingham Chambers of Commerce’s latest business breakfast at theStudio which saw chief executive Paul Faulkner as guest speaker for the first time.

He talked about local and national issues that will affect businesses in 2016, highlighting some of the opportunities these could bring. Chamber director of events, Henrik Court said: “The breakfasts give business professionals the opportunity to hear and question the region’s leading influencers and decision makers. We have a great programme of speakers lined up.” I

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1 Sandra Cunningham, Jeanette Peters, Gill Hutcinson. 2 Henrik Court, Chris Brewerton. 3 Neil Walker, Chris Elt, Katie Bennett. 4 Paul Faulkner.

5 John Oldridge, Tony Morris. 6 Nicole Evans, Katrina Cooke. 7 David Tomalin, Lianne Allwood. 8 Lucy Harper, Maria Clune, Laura Davis.

9 Adrian Hindmarsh, Lianne Allwood, Lara Day. Photography by Jas Sansi

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TOP AWARDS GIVEN THE ‘WOW’ FACTOR 4

New name, new look as Wonders of Westside salute the best of business

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he name says it all – if you’re lucky enough to pick up a WOW award you really are the toast of Westside! The WOWs – or to give them their full title, the Wonders of Westside – were previously known as the BOBs (Best of Broad Street) and recognise the achievements of those working in Birmingham’s premier mixed-use business area. That covers 15,000 people employed in more than 300

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1 Best Arts or Entertainment Venue winners, Barclaycard Arena. 2 Lorraine Olley, Cllr John Clancy, Mike Olley. 3 Mergim Butaja, James Hill, David Stevenson. 4 Natasha McMurdock, Leah Cross, Graham Hudson, Laura Williams. 5 Ana Cruz, Monica Jankowska, Jennie Buckley, Marie Williams. 6 Hayley Buncle, Charlotte Wheeler, Jessica Boswell. 7 King’s African Rifles with Melika Queely. 8 Best Restaurant Manager, Ivan Panayotov.

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businesses, including offices, hotels, pubs, clubs, restaurants and leisure venues.

Now in their 11th year, the awards were hosted by James Hill, winner of Celebrity Big Brother 2015, and Mergim Butaja, Lord Sugar’s favourite contestant in last year’s Apprentice. This year’s WOW winners included Bank, the Pickled Piglet and Barclaycard Arena. There was a special Outstanding Contribution Award presented to Frank Fearon who has worked in the laundry at the Hyatt since the hotel came to Birmingham 25 years ago. I

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9 Calvin Coull, Photo Stu, Anton Marsden. 10 Tahreem Bhatti, Nigel Clarke, Elaine Weir. 11 Best Promotion Team, Party Birmingham.

12 Gary Poulton, Elle Stephenson. 13 Nick Loveland, Julia Harrison. 14 Frank Fearon and his wife, Mario Flanagan. 15 Anita Champaneri, Jas Sansi.

16 Best Casual Dining, Pickled Piglet. 17 Shah Islam, Sayed Ahmed, Bodrul Islam. 18 Atlanta Bush, Rachel Taylor and James Hill.

19 Steven Emmison, Eilis Collins, Dani Hadley, Phil Stubbsy.

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Photography by Jas Sansi

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REVAMPED BAR ADDS DASH OF STYLE TO MIX 4

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All Bar One opens with new look, including cocktail-making station hampagne flowed when All Bar One, Newhall Street officially reopened its doors following its refurbishment. Guests were treated to an exclusive preview of the revamped bar with complimentary samples of the menu, fine wines and signature cocktails. The bar, which is owned by Birmingham-based Mitchells & Butlers, has been given stylish new interiors and a dedicated cocktailmaking station where guests can enjoy mixology master classes. I

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1 Melissa Hicks, Rosie Marsh, Alarra Cowie, Rachel Williams, Rachael Walsh. 2 Tom Freeth, Katie Wood, Steph Wood, Daniel Whitbred.

3 Paige Whitbrook, Rosie Gilbert, Sarah Smith. 4 Dave Badsey, Sally Davies, Dan Grocott. 5 Beth Meads, Elise Westcott. 6 Julie Foster, Jackie Brown, Aaron Chandler, Alexandra Walsh. 7 Lawrence Wilcox, Emily Sparkes, Clare Osman, Bernard Haywood. 8 Martin Cook, Samantha Murray, Mark Lenton, Andy Nuttall. 9 Gemma Sanders, Tony Gleeson, Matt Jones, Vikki Bamford, Julie Smyth.

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LEADER HIGHLIGHTS CHALLENGING TIMES Colmore district stakeholders hear from new council chief at reception ecently-elected Birmingham City Council leader, Cllr John Clancy, addressed Colmore Business District stakeholders at a reception held at Hotel du Vin. Cllr Clancy used the gathering to issue a rallying call in which he urged business and civic leaders to step up to the challenges the city faces in light of Government cuts. He stressed that they did not need “council permission to represent their city�. I

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1 Paul Brown, Michele Wilby, Amardeep Gill. 2 Kevin Johnson, Jason Langford-Brown, Jackie Hendley. 3 Tony Green, Mike Best, Rob Valentine, Diane Benussi. 4 Bernard Shepherd, Tony Elvins. 5 Ahmed Farooq, Kevin Johnson, Tim Andrews. 6 Sarah Skurr, Sarah Rennie, Debbie Welch.

7 Lorraine Francis, Kay Dashti, Christine Cushing. 8 Gavin Orton, John Clancy, Gary Gardin 9 Peter Lutzeier, Geoff Cole, Chris Wormwell, Mike Mounfield.

Photography by Jas Sansi

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WHAT: Thriller Live WHEN: 7 to 12 March WHERE: New Alexandra Theatre, tel 0844 8713011 WHAT: The Wonder Stuff

www.atgtickets.com/birmingham

WHEN: 16 March

Direct from the West End, this spectacular concert celebrates the 45-year career of the world’s greatest entertainer. More than two hours of non-stop hits and dance action.

WHERE: O2 Academy Birmingham, tel 0121 622 8250 www.o2academybirmingham.co.uk Crikey! Can The Wonder Stuff really be celebrating their 30th anniversary? Not only have they sold millions of albums worldwide, Miles has even been a Birmingham Living cover boy! Come and join the party just two days before the new album is released.

WHAT: Alexander O’Neal WHEN: 30 March WHERE: The Jam House, tel 0121 200 3030 www.thejamhouse.com One of the finest soul singers from the 80s and one of the best live acts you’ll get to see. Criticize, Saturday Love, Secret Lovers… what an awesome night this will be.

WHAT: James Morrison WHAT: Crufts 2016 WHEN: 10 to 13 March WHERE: Birmingham NEC, tel 0844 338 0338 www.crufts.org.uk The world’s biggest dog event is back with more than 400 stands and a packed arena programme which honours the very finest examples of man’s best friend.

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WHEN: 14 March WHERE: Symphony Hall, box office 0121 345 0600 www.thsh.co.uk He’s sold more than 4.5 million albums, performed four world tours and supported the likes of Bruce Springsteen and Stevie Wonder.

Come and see James in action as he performs a host of hits including Broken Strings and You Give Me Something.

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WHAT’S ON

WHAT: Roachford WHEN: 16 March WHERE: Glee Club Birmingham, tel 0871 472 0400 www.glee.co.uk/birmingham Roachford has notched up platinum and gold selling albums over a career spanning two decades – now the fantastic soul singer/songwriter hits the road with his new Encore album.

WHAT: Frontiers Music Festival

WHAT: Antiques for Everyone

WHEN: 4 to 18 March

WHEN: 7 to 10 April

WHERE: Various venues,

WHERE: NEC, tel 0844 581 0827

www.frontiersmusic.org

www.antiquesforeveryone.co.uk

A two-week festival of creative, experimental and boundarypushing new music including Ivor Novello award-winning composer Errollyn Wallen, the dynamic Hans Koller Quartet and works by emerging talent from the Birmingham Conservatoire.

The UK’s largest quality antiques, interiors and collectables fair returns with more than 230 specialist dealers offering a huge variety of desirable, rare and quirky items at prices from £10 to £100,000.

WHAT: The Government Inspector WHEN: 19 to 26 March WHERE: Birmingham Rep, tel 0121 245 2024 www.birmingham-rep.co.uk The mayor is in a cold sweat. News has reached him of an imminent visit from a government inspector and his fear is well-founded. Surely the only possible solution is bribery! A thoroughly enjoyable satire.

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WHAT: Hamlet WHEN: 12 March to 13 August WHERE: Royal Shakespeare Theatre, tel 01789 403493 www.rsc.org.uk Simon Godwin directs Paapa Essiedu as Hamlet in Shakespeare’s searing tragedy. Young, wealthy and living a hedonistic life studying abroad, Hamlet has the world at his feet and then word reaches him that his father is dead.

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WHAT’S ON

WHAT: Christian O'Connell WHEN: 5 March WHERE: mac Birmingham, tel 0121 446 3232 www.macbirmingham.co.uk The breakfast show DJ has collected multiple radio awards over nearly two decades. He’s also collected multiple death threats, hate mail and abusive complaints. And he’s collected them all for you to hear in this show.

WHAT: Jenny Eclair WHEN: 13 March WHERE: The Old Rep Theatre, tel 0121 605 5116 www.oldreptheatre.org.uk Professional Grumpy old woman, Splash survivor and novice knitter, Jenny Eclair is younger than Madonna but eats crisps and likes wine. In this hilarious show she puts middle age under the microscope and decides whether to laugh or cry.

WHAT: Mary Poppins WHEN: 9 March to 23 April WHERE: Birmingham Hippodrome, tel 0844 338 5000 www.birminghamhippodrome.com The magical story of the world’s favourite nanny. Disney and Cameron Mackintosh present the multi awardwinning musical starring Zizi Strallen and Matt Lee.

WHAT: An Audience with Tony Iommi WHEN: 19 February WHERE: Town Hall, box office 0121 345 0600

WHAT: The Vamps

www.thsh.co.uk

WHEN: 25 and 26 March

Widely renowned as one of the world’s finest guitarists, the Birmingham rock legend opens up to Gary Newbon about his life at the forefront of one of the biggest bands in music history, Black Sabbath.

WHERE: Genting Arena,

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tel 0844 338 8000 www.ticketfactory.com A brand new single, a forthcoming album, and a world tour!

Featuring jumbo LED side screens and a sprawling stage so fans can be close to the band.

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WHAT’S ON

WHAT: Flatpack Film Festival

WHAT: The Spring Pink Ball for

WHEN: 19 to 24 April

Breast Cancer

WHERE: Various, for more

WHEN: 16 April

details visit

WHERE: Nailcote Hall,

www.flatpackfestival.org.uk

tel: 02476 466174

This critically acclaimed festival returns for its tenth annual edition. A celebration of ‘film’ in all its forms crossing over into music and the arts, expect the usual boundary-defying cinematic fun and games in venues across Birmingham.

www.nailcotehall.co.uk This stunning annual ball is themed the Black & Pink Tie Ball and helps raise funds for Breast Cancer medical equipment. It’s also a cracking night out with entertainment, including singing star Michael Brooks.

WHAT: Professor Pepperpot’s Magic Show

WHAT: Cake International

WHEN: 6 April

WHEN: 17 to 10 March

WHERE: Palace Theatre Redditch,

WHERE: NEC,

tel 01527 65203

tel 01425 277988

www.redditchpalacetheatre.co.uk

www.cakeinternational.co.uk

Recently awarded the accolade as one of the best balloon modellers in the UK, Professor P brings his unique style of magic, mayhem – and of course balloons – to The Room Upstairs.

More than 400 top craft and cake exhibitors descend on Birmingham for this terrific sugarcraft, cake decorating and baking extravaganza. Includes competitions, Q&As with industry experts and inspiring shows.

WHAT: Janet Jackson WHEN: 30 March WHERE: Barclaycard Arena, tel 0844 338 8000 www.theticketfactory.com She’s had a little rest and now Janet is set to relaunch her European Tour in Birmingham. The lady who’s sold over 140 million records and had more than 10 Top 10 hits is not to be missed!

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IN THE CITY Keeping fit is very important to me. I really enjoy going for a run around Sutton Park to help to clear my head after a busy day

TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF I’m Judith Armstrong, the chief executive officer of Millennium Point in Eastside. I am responsible for the vision, direction and leadership of the organisation. I work with our two boards – Millennium Point Trust and Millennium Point Property Limited – to ensure that we meet our business and charitable objectives.

LUNCHTIME? I’m pretty bad when it comes to taking a break as I usually bring in my own salad. If I do get the chance, my favourite place to have a quick bite is The Balcony in Selfridges – it’s a great people watching spot overlooking Bullring.

HOW DO YOU GET INTO TOWN? I drive in from Sutton Coldfield every day. My route varies each morning depending on traffic, which is generally pretty horrific!

HOW’S THE COMMUTE? Frantic! I first have to drop off my two children at various places and then battle with the rest of the world to get into the city centre. I like an early start and hate to be late.

KEEPING FIT? Staying fit is very important to me. I really enjoy going for a run around Sutton Park which helps to clear my head after a busy day at the office.

Millennium Point’s Judith Armstrong

IS BRUM A GOOD PLACE TO WORK IN? Birmingham is an amazing place – and it’s getting better each day. With the addition of Grand Central and the reopening of the Mailbox the shopping is fantastic and there are so many amazing restaurants and cafés to choose from.

Birmingham is going through a renaissance and we are noticing several global companies branch out here, as well as seeing the independent scene thrive now more than ever.

COFFEE BREAK? As a team, we generally like to spend our time out in the building on the concourse. It’s a great way of finding out what is happening within the building and chatting to our tenants. If we are off site, we tend to pop over to our

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neighbour, Hotel La Tour. They serve great coffee in a comfortable environment.

WHERE’S YOUR FAVOURITE PART OF THE CITY? It has to be Centenary Square, especially in the run-up to Christmas when the ice rink and ferris wheel come out to play. It’s a great cultural spot as well as being close to some pretty good bars.

AFTERWORK DRINK? Anywhere that serves either a nice cocktail or a glass of prosecco. I’m a fan of the Bureau Bar with its vintage theme and big comfy booths.

HOW CAN THE CITY BE MADE BETTER? Birmingham is only going to get busier over the next few years so better transport links are vital. At the moment the city feels very disconnected. The walk to Eastside is only 10 minutes from the station but feels a lot longer. Anyone travelling in by car knows only too well that the Aston Expressway is at breaking point! Lastly, I’d also love to see a more co-ordinated approach to what’s going on in the city. I

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