BHAM_ (Page 01) cover:Layout 1 24/9/14 15:22 Page 1 October 2014 Birmingham Birmingham living living WINTER STYLE LIBRARY OF THE SEASON’S BIRMINGHAM BEST COATS READING BETWEEN THE LINES MEET MR NICE ADRIAN CHILES: WHY THE MAN THEY LOVE TO HATE HAS A HEART OF GOLD TESLA’S ELECTRIC TV DANCE TEEN SUPERCAR JAK TUITE-LEACH october 2014 +BANK, JUST GOOD FOOD, KEVIN MCCLOUD AND MORE... amplify1014:Layout 1 24/9/14 17:09 Page 1 PAOLO NUTINI ANDREA BOCELLI THE WHO MADNESS 5 November 14 LG Arena 21 November 14 LG Arena 7 December 14 NIA 13 December 14 LG Arena THE SCRIPT PALOMA FAITH MRS BROWNS BOYS MICHAEL MCINTYRE 26 February 15 LG Arena 19 March 15 NIA 24-28 March 15 LG Arena 19-26 September 15 NIA BHAM_ (Page 03) edsletter:Layout 1 23/9/14 11:35 Page 03 EDITOR’S VIEW The new Library isn’t just Birmingham’s “ Greatest, it’s Britain’s Greatest too his month, the Library of Birmingham Editor: will learn whether it has been judged the David Johns [email protected] best new building in the country by the Features editor: T Shelley Carter [email protected]” illustrious Royal Institute of British Architects. Understandably, the team who run it are very Designer: excited about the possibility of beating the likes of Tracy Duffy The Shard in London to the title. It would be the Contributors: icing on the birthday cake as the Library celebrates Rob Price, Natalie Dark, Sue Cooke, an amazing first anniversary. Lisa Piddington, Lisa Melvin, Nick Davies Whatever the outcome, Birmingham should be Account manager: so proud of its new ‘institution’. Unlike the flashy Shard, the equally bold Jane Morris [email protected] Library is about much more than mere ‘show’. It has real purpose behind its Photography: façade. It’s a place of and for the community, as well as being a bit of a tourist David Morphew, Andrew Llewellyn attraction too! Publishing director: Of course, it’s packed with amazing books and archives – thousands of them Jonathan Carter arrayed in the most wonderful surroundings. But the Library is also a thriving hub for helping business in Birmingham, especially fledgling entrepreneurs starting out and those needing to learn new skills for work. This is a vital role as the city continues to see a plethora of great new businesses opening up – there are plenty of examples of what I mean in our pages this month. Rock Hopper Media Limited At the other end of the spectrum, the Library is also actively interacting with Burleigh House, 23 Tagwell Road, more and more children as it seeks to tackle the ongoing problem of youth Droitwich WR9 7BN tel 01905 771110 illiteracy. Or as Library director Brian Gambles describes it: ‘Making reading cool.’ All this is why the Library deserves to be recognised as not only © Rock Hopper Media Ltd. Birmingham’s Greatest, but Britain’s Greatest! 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 David Johns of the contents of Birmingham Living without written permission is strictly prohibited. SUBSCRIPTIONS: Cover image: Adrian Chiles The subscription rate (post paid) is £24 for one year (12 issues). Subscriptions 01905 771110 visit www.brumliving.co.uk ISSN 2051-8560 @brum_living /bhamliving When you have finished with this magazine please recycle it october 2014 birmingham living 03 BHAM_ (Page 04) contents:Layout 1 23/9/14 11:37 Page 04 INSIDEliving Highlights Adrian Chiles Football frontman, radio presenter – and 12 Birmingham’s all-round Mr Nice Guy Kevin McCloud Grand Designs guru reveals a plan to save the old 18 library and why he’s no fan of ‘new’ New Street Birmingham’s Greatest The Library of Birmingham… it’s so much more 22 than just a place for bookworms Food and Drink Scrummy Sunday lunch – our critics go with 26 tradition at The Forest at Feckenham That’s a Wrap! It’s bolds and brights all the way as Natalie Dark 40 previews the coats and jackets collections for winter Order of the Bath What’s in and what’s out in bathroom design for 54 2015? Top designer Lisa Melvin investigates 12 04 birmingham living october 2014 BHAM_ (Page 04) contents:Layout 1 23/9/14 11:37 Page 05 CONTENTS 40 Best of the Rest James Devonshire Why top chef swapped the French ski slopes for 30 the kitchen – and hates culinary ‘gimmicks’ Rendezvous with Rose The blogger who’s become the ‘princess of 50 beauty’ in Selfridges’ new pampering wonderland The Tesla Model S How Birmingham is plugging in to a great new 68 sports car with truly electrifying performance Young, Gifted and Brummie Talented teen dancer Jak Tuite-Leach, plus news 70 from our local schools and colleges Spotlight on Business Company To Watch – Just Good Food, plus news 76 and views from the business community People, Places, Events Our social pages picture who’s been out and 83 about networking in Birmingham this month Shows, Arts, Gigs and More What’s on, where and when – all you need to 22 94 know about the arts and entertainment scene october 2014 birmingham living 05 BHAM_ (Page 06):Layout 1 23/9/14 22:54 Page 06 BHAM_ (Page 07) newsc:Layout 1 24/9/14 14:54 Page 07 NEWS INVASION OF THE CYBORGS Birmingham is about to be taken over by cyborgs – or at least, the UK’s top experts on the subject. Cyborg Days will explore the culture as part of a series of Arts Council-supported events by Millennium Point and Fierce Festival. These include talks, short films and live performances, including Neil Harbisson from the Cyborg Foundation, who claims to be the world’s first officially recognised cyborg. More details at http://wearefierce.org/events/the-cyborg- foundation-cyborg-day/ livingTODAY Bringing you the brightest and most colourful stories from across the city each month BRUM AT WAR The experiences of Brummies in the Great War are being brought to life at the Library of Birmingham. The Voices of War draws on the library’s archive of words and pictures to explore the conflict’s impact on families, MEET THE WHOLLS contribution of black and Asian soldiers Local urban rock band The Wholls are fast gaining an army of and role of women. The exhibition runs fans and a burgeoning reputation as an incredible live act. They until the end of the year. showed why when they dropped into the Malmaison for an intimate showcase event. The boys are set to play a series of gigs across the city in the coming months, including the Institute and Roadhouse – more info at www.thewholls.com GOLF STAR EDDIE WHEELS OFF £25K Young European Tour golf star Eddie Pepperell landed a barrow-load of cash after winning the four-day Farmfoods British Par 3 Championship title at Nailcote Hall. He claimed the £25,000 top prize in a tense play-off. See Social Scene pages 90 and 91 october 2014 birmingham living 07 BHAM_ (Page 07) newsc:Layout 1 24/9/14 14:55 Page 08 NEWS TOP TWEETS FOR BRUM Our pick of what’s been said about Brum this month Catherine Haines @CatLPrice Lenny Henry can sing! Loved Rudy’s Rare Records @BirminghamRep – fun, moving and made a good leap from radio. #lovebrum Aktar Islam @aktarislam Got to love trip advisor... The Krispy Kreme doughnut concession is in the top 20 restaurants in Birmingham Beth Sherburn @TheBethSherburn SELFRIDGES OPENS WONDER WINDOWS Birmingham that was #AMAZING!!!! Thank you so Its dramatic exterior has been a city landmark for 11 much!!! It’s lovely to be home! Enjoy @TheSaturdays years, but now Birmingham Selfridges is giving shoppers Caroline Durbin @acroline another reason to stare – by following the London Oxford Extinct bird rediscovered in Birmingham museum Street store with dramatic new window displays. It’s all storage building @thinktankmuseum @bm_ag part of the store’s £20 million redevelopment programme. FIRED UP DRAGONS The annual Dragonboat Festival raised an incredible £66,000 in aid of the Help Harry Help Others (HHHO) charity. The event, supported by Deutsche Bank, saw 18 teams compete against each other in Chinese longboats on the canal at Brindleyplace. BRAVO THE BEARS The boys done us proud! Birmingham Bears are still celebrating after being crowned the NatWest T20 Blast champions. The victory was double sweet for the bruins – it was their first ADEE’S NEW CUT season carrying the city’s name, and they won the title on their home ground at Edgbaston. It has also been announced that Varun Chopra will the club’s new captain next season. Adee Phelan, Britain’s most famous hairdresser, has opened a new salon and photography studio CURTAIN UP ON FOUR-DAY EPIC at the Custard Factory. “It was like One of the greatest arts events ever to be seen in Birmingham buying a house, you search for the is only weeks away from opening at the city’s Hippodrome perfect place and then suddenly theatre. Wagner’s epic Ring Cycle will be performed over four walk through the door and you days from 5 to 9 November by the world-famous Mariinsky know this is it,” he said. The Opera conducted by Valery Gergiev. The marathon production award-winning hairdresser’s client has been seen in only a handful of locations around the list includes David Beckham.