J'AIME JUNE 2018

J U N E 2 0 1 8
J’AIME
Y O U R L O C A L L U X U R Y L I F E S T Y L E M A G A Z I N E
MELLOW
YELLOW:
SUMMER
HOMES
TRENDS
Father’s Day sorted, plus win
a £150 watch for your dad
Festival fever
comes to Lichfield
GOING, GOING, GONE:
BEHIND THE SCENES AT
LICHFIELD’S AUCTION HOUSE

B E S P O K E S O F A M A N U F A C T U R E
& R E - U P H O L S T E R Y S P E C I A L I S T
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Unit 19, Martindale, Hawks Green, Cannock, Staffordshire WS11 7XN
Contact Simon Edwards or Chris Edwards on 01543 505539
Email: sales@ralvernupholstery.co.uk - www.ralvernupholstery.co.uk

Welcome to J’AIME
We’ve got festival fever at J’AIME HQ this
month as the annual spectacular that is the
Lichfield Festival gets ready to descend on
the city. This year’s Festival is packed with
fantastic shows across the arts, and celebrates
#extraordinarywomen with a series of
events inspired by the centenary of votes for
women. We chat to Festival director Damian
Thantrey, and we’ve also got a pair of
tickets for restaurant critic and Masterchef
favourite Jay Rayner’s show My Dining Hell
at the Garrick up for grabs.
Speaking of extraordinary women, we
also catch up with Lichfield’s latest gold
medallist, netball star Beth Cobden, fresh
from a historic victory as part of Team
England at the Commonwealth Games.
With Father’s Day just around the corner,
our gift guide should give you plenty of ideas
for treats for dad, plus we’ve got a special
Father’s Day competition courtesy of Allen
Brown Jewellery - to be in with a chance
of winning a £150 voucher for a designer
watch, just tell us why your dad deserves to
win.
Next month, look out for our bumper
summer double edition, which is hugely
exciting for us as it will also mark our first
birthday. It’s hard to believe that J’AIME
is already a year old, and we’ll have
some fantastic competitions to celebrate
our milestone, alongside our usual mix
of entertaining features and the best in
interiors, food and drink, entertainment,
travel, fashion and more.
There are also congratulations in order
for our latest winner; Amy Poppitt, from
Wimblebury, scooped the stylish fire pit from
Skillcraft Products which featured in our
April issue. We hope you enjoy the prize!
EDITOR: AMY NORBURY
EDITOR@JAIMEMAGAZINE.COM
ADVERTISING: JAN ASHLEY
ADVERTISING@JAIMEMAGAZINE.COM
07388 335 931
DESIGN: DESIGN@JAIMEMAGAZINE.COM
CONTRIBUTORS: MICHAEL BEARDMORE,
FIONA FRASER, MARTIN PLOWMAN, SHAUN
CRAVEN, NICOLA BRERETON, LISA PIDDINGTON,
JILL HARTLEY, PATRICK GAUNT
J’AIME IS PUBLISHED BY ASHBURY
PUBLICATIONS LIMITED AND PRINTED
BY KEP LIMITED, TAMWORTH.
Check us out online at:
WWW.JAIMEMAGAZINE.COM
Find us on
/JAIMEMAGAZINE
@JAIMEMAGAZINE
@JAIMEMAGAZINE
3

CONTENTS
InsideJ’aime this month...
6 Richard Winterton Auctioneers - Behind the
scenes at one of Lichfield’s oldest businesses
12 Property - Property of the month
14 Interiors - Mellow yellow
18 Interiors - Time for style
22 Competition - Win a £150 watch for your dad
from Allen Brown Jewellery
24 Father’s Day - Gifts for top dads
28 Lichfield Festival - A chat with Festival director
Damian Thantrey
32 Lichfield Festival - Win tickets to Jay Rayner at
the Garrick
34 Beth Cobden interview - Lichfield’s
Commonwealth Games gold medallist
38 Food and drink - Reviewing The Ivy, Temple Row
40 Food and drink - Cocktail of the month from
Le Rêve
44 Travel - The Spice Island
48 Competition - Win tickets to the red carpet
opener of Birmingham Indian Film Festival
52 What’s On - Our pick of events around our
area this month
56 What’s On - The hottest tickets around
Birmingham
58 Fashion - Shorts story
60 Fashion - The bride guide from Nero e Bianco
63 Health - Could minerals be the answer?
64 Beauty - Cruelty-free beauty from Harvey
Nichols Birmingham
65 Motors - Is Formula E coming to Birmingham?
4

CONSEQUENCE
CONSEQUENCE
OF WAR
OF
WAR
1918 - 2018
1918 - 2018
LICHFIELD CATHEDRAL | FREE | 16 APRIL – 24 JUNE
a major exhibition exploring themes of
war & peace through art and history
Like us on Facebook
Follow us on twitter @LichfieldCath
www.lichfield-cathedral.org/peace
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FEATURE
Going, going, gone
IT’S A FAST-PACED WORLD WHERE YOU COULD DISCOVER A PRICELESS WORK OF ART - OR BAG
A BARGAIN. AMY NORBURY GOES BEHIND THE SCENES AT LICHFIELD’S RICHARD WINTERTON
AUCTIONEERS TO DISCOVER MORE
FURNITURE OF ALL STYLES
CAN BE FOUND GOING FOR
A SONG AT AUCTION
The vast saleroom is a hive of activity as
preparations are underway for the latest auction.
Lots for the three-day home and interiors sale are
being carefully sorted and catalogued, before being
photographed for the auction brochure.
Room after room are filled with all manner of items,
each being prepared for its moment in the spotlight.
Walls are adorned with gilt-framed mirrors and art
prints and originals as far as the eye can see, while
the furniture storage room is stacked high with tables,
chairs, sideboards and sofas of all descriptions.
At the other end of the building, there are rooms
filled with ceramics and glass, toys and games,
medals and coins - you name it.
But it’s not just fine art, antiques and collectables.
The latest home and interiors sale includes electronic
goods like fridges and televisions, even a box of
XBox games and accessories, as well as slightly more
random items including several motorbike helmets.
Highlights of an upcoming toys and railwayana sale
include a “very rare” vintage model Birmingham bus
with an impressive guide price of £300 to £400, and
a full-sized replica Dalek which could be yours for an
estimated £250 to £350 - unless dedicated Doctor
Who fans send the bidding soaring.
Over the years, Richard Winterton’s Lichfield
auction centre has seen pretty much everything you
can imagine come through the doors on it’s way to a
new home, secured by the highest bidder.
“”It certainly makes life interesting,” says Richard.
“It doesn’t matter to us what we sell; if we can put a
lot number on it and shift it, we’re happy.
“We have bikes, cars, microwaves, cookers, threepiece
suits and the like coming from house clearances
which go into our homes sales, and then at the other
end of the scale we move up to the top-end fine art
6

lots.
“We had a garden sale recently where you could by
tools, chainsaws, garden ornaments and furniture.
“Watches, wines and whiskeys are all quite hot at
the moment, but I really just love anything which is
going to come in and sell well.”
While the run-up to a sale involves a steady stream
of activity behind the scenes before the public is
invited in to view the items for sale - with up to 1,500
lots on offer in a three-day sale - it is in the saleroom
itself on auction day when things reach fever pitch.
Punters pack in, some having taken advantage of
the last-minute early morning viewing opportunity,
some already prepared with items on their wishlist,
and there’s a distinct buzz of anticipation as Richard
prepares to take the rostrum.
With one eye on the room and one on the screen
which shows bidding activity online - as well as the
occasional glance across to the bank of telephone
bidders - you may think it’s difficult to keep track of
the fast-moving activity. And, for the inexperienced,
you’d be right. But for Richard, it comes as second
nature.
“When I first started there were people in front of
you and a few bids on the book; now it’s the internet,
it’s telephones, my screen has bids coming all over
and I can see where they’re all coming from,” he
says. “At our last auction we had about 730 people
bidding online. And we get online bidders from
around the world, not just the UK; we’ve got bidders
registered in 15 countries.”
And with Richard eagle-eyed at the helm, you
don’t have to worry about inadvertently bidding
on an unwanted item with a scratch of the nose or
a wipe of the brow. Years of experience mean he
instinctively knows who’s interested - often even
before the bidding starts.
“People bid in all sorts of ways,” laughs Richard.
“We’ve still got the old farmers who wink and nudge,
and it’s just instinctive. I know instantly who’s looking
for certain items; if we have a watch come up, or
jewellery, I know where in the room to look for
bidders.
“And everything happens at pace, it’s really quick.
A lot of auctioneers are different, but lots of people
come to us because we don’t mess around, we just get
on with selling and get through
RICHARD WINTERTON
GIVES J’AIME EDITOR
AMY NORBURY A
LESSON IN THE ART OF
AUCTIONEERING
THESE VINTAGE
SUITCASES WERE A LOT
AT THE RECENT THREE-
DAY AUCTION
the lots quickly. Time is precious
to people so we don’t waste it.”
The Winterton family name
has been synonymous with
auctioneering in Staffordshire
since 1864, from its early
beginnings in the Smithfield
livestock market in Lichfield. As
the sixth generation born into a
family of auctioneers - son Tom,
who now works alongside Richard
is the seventh - auctioneering is
the only career choice he ever
imagined.
“Since I was a little boy, there was
7

EACH LOT IS CAREFULLY
PHOTOGRAPHED FOR THE
AUCTION SALES CATALOGUE
no doubt,” says Richard. “My family were livestock
auctioneers so we were brought up with it; Monday
was cattle market day and there were different things
going on all the time. It was all I wanted to do. I was
away at school from the age of eight and every time
I was back it was straight up to the market. As soon
as I could get out of college at 17 or 18 I was straight
into the business; I just wanted to get hands-on.”
The auction house is a true family business; as well as
Richard and Tom valuing lots and taking charge on
sale days, Richard’s wife Janet works tirelessly behind
the scenes, unpacking, checking and preparing items
for auction alongside a dedicated team.
“The whole process, from me going out to value an
item to someone buying it and it being packed up
and taken away is a huge amount of work,” says
Richard.
“Everything has to be checked over pre-sale, we
pride ourselves on that. And it doesn’t end at the
auction; our after-sales work involves packaging items
up for posting or delivering.”
Richard’s expertise is broad, and at house clearances
he is the first person to cast his eye over and assess
the potential of items for sale. But he relies on his
team of expert valuers to get to the nitty gritty.
“I’ve got a very broad eye, but my valuers will dig
deeper,” Richard says. “I would know a Doulton
vase is a Doulton period piece from 1910, but Sarah
(senior valuer Sarah Leedham) would be able to
tell me who the artist is, exactly when it was made,
whether it was limited edition, all the finer detail.”
House clearances make up a sizeable portion of
the auction house’s business; both for downsizing
purposes and sadder occasion
involving divorce or a
deceased estate. Richard and
his team are well experienced
in the delicate nature of such
work.
“We have to deal with people
going through an emotional,
traumatic time so it’s of
the utmost importance to
be sensitive,” says Richard.
“Clearing a house is a difficult
job, especially when you’re
dealing with the emotional
side of things too, and our
team is brilliant at helping to
smooth out the process.”
House clearances, in
particular, can throw up some
unusual items. So what sort of
things usually pique the interests of buyers?
“Local interest is always good; postcards do really
well and we’ve had some nice postcard collections
from Lichfield and Sutton which haven’t been seen
before,” says Richard. “Postcards are very difficult
to value though; we might not have seen them but
everyone might have them and they may not be rare
at all, so we tend to put each collection together as
one lot.
RICHARD WINTERTON
HAS APPEARED ON
BARGAIN HUNT
8

A QUIRKY CHAIR AND BRASS RACK
MAKE FOR AN INTERESTING LOT
“A lot of people are interested in social history, and
there’s a huge market for nostalgia.
“I love medals, and the people who collect medals
are so passionate,” he adds. “First World War medals
were always engraved with names so people who are
buying medals are looking at the age of that medal
and wondering if the recipient survived, was young
enough to go into the Second World War, or if he
was too old for the Second World War did he go to
the Boer War? They want to build a history around
these medals, and it’s fascinating.”
Weird and wonderful, often macabre, items also
attract a huge amount of attention from buyers -
especially if there’s a historical element.
“A calling card left by Jack the Ripper has just sold
down south for thousands,” says Richard.
The item in question was an ink-written card which
arrived at Ealing Police Station on October 29, 1888
- just 11 days before the serial killer’s last suspected
victim Mary Kelly was disembowelled, and was
found among a selection of cards put up for auction.
The hammer price? £22,000, with a final price
closer to £30,000 once an auction premium is paid.
“Macabre will always sell,” says Richard. “We’re
thinking of doing an ‘out-of-the-ordinary’ sale in
December; we had a pair of glass eyes come in
yesterday and we had a false leg from 1910 at our last
sale, so I want to do a sale of weird and wonderful
lots. We get all sorts of strange things coming in, so
I think if we can put together 100 or so lots, it’ll be a
good talking point and people will come along just to
have a look.”
The unpredictable nature of auctions, with bidding
varying wildly from one sale to the next, means that
punters should buy
things for enjoyment,
rather than any
sort of long-term
investment, stresses
Richard.
“People ask me what
they should buy to
invest in but that’s
the wrong thing to
do; if you’re going
into antiques, do it
because you like it
and want to enjoy it,”
he explains. “For me,
it’s value for money;
if you go and buy at
Ikea or places like
that, furniture costs a
lot for what it is and it won’t last. But if you go and
spend a couple of hundred quid on a quality piece at
auction that’s been built to last it’ll hold its price, or it
won’t lose you much. It’s good value.
“It’s always interesting to see what things make, and
it changes from sale to sale. What goes well one week
might not be so good the next, it just depends who’s
THIS STYLISH CHAIR
WAS SNAPPED UP FOR
£90 BY A HAPPY BIDDER
9

in the room and who’s
online.
“And there’s a competitive
element with bidding, so
if there are two people
after the same lot it can
go up and up. But quality
will always sell; it doesn’t
matter what it is, furniture,
pictures, the top end will
always do well.
“The main concern of the
job, for me, is handling
people’s expectations.
People bring items in for
auction which they think
are worth hundreds, when
in reality they’ll make a
fiver. Everyone thinks they’ve got something which is
worth something, but we have to be brutally honest.
We’re happy to sell it for them and it makes what it
makes.”
Over the years, Richard has done his bit to raise the
profile of auctions in Staffordshire, appearing on
AMY NORBURY TAKES TO
THE ROSTRUM
RECENT FURNITURE
LOTS AT THE THREE-DAY
SALE
both BBC’s Bargain Hunt and ITV’s Dickinson’s
Real Deal, two shows which have helped to
popularise auctions among the masses.
“We’ve done Bargain Hunt for a very long time,”
says Richard. “We were one of the first on Bargain
Hunt and we did the very first live show, which
was exciting I have to say. I was trying to sell
and it was non-stop chatter in my ear from the
production team, which is so difficult. It gives you
new admiration for newsreaders and the like who
have to do their job with constant talking in their
ear.
“On our second live show, we had a lot which
just went higher and higher, it made about £760;
it was right near the end of the show and the
bidding just kept going and the production team
were saying ‘RIchard, we need to wrap it up, we
go off-air in a minute-and-a-half and we need to
do the wraps’, and I’m there with a live bidding
going on, which you just can’t stop!
“Shows like Bargain Hunt and Dickinson’s Real
Deal have opened up the world of auctions to
a wider audience,” adds Richard. “They make
auctions seem more accessible, which is what we
need to get across.
“Yes, we have prestigious fine art coming into
sale, but honestly there really is something for
everyone. We don’t want people to feel afraid to
come along. There might be a perception that
auctions are a bit elitist, but they’re not in the
slightest. You might even get a bargain.”
For more information, visit the Lichfield Auction
Centre at Wood End Lane, Fradley Park, call
01543 251081 or visit the website at
www.richardwinterton.co.uk
10

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PROPERTY
Property of the Month
WE TAKE A SNEAKY PEEK AT SOME OF THE HOTTEST PROPERTIES ON THE MARKET IN
THE AREA EACH MONTH. THIS MONTH’S SELECTION IS AN EXTENSIVE LUXURY HOME
IN A PRESTIGIOUS LOCATION
Roman Road, Little Aston Park, Sutton Coldfield: offers over £2,895,000
On the market with Fine and Country: 0121 272 6900
THE AGENT SAYS: A stunning executive property nestled
in a private gated location on the prestigious private estate
of Little Aston Park. This large 10 bedroom and seven
bathroom modern property (approximately 8,300 square feet)
offers flexible accommodation with a ground floor annexe
facility and lift.
The opulence afforded to the grand entrance hall is
continued throughout this recently refurbished property. A
beautifully fitted kitchen from the locally hailed Broadway
Kitchens opens onto a breakfast room, family room with
additional intimate TV room, all looking over the private rear
garden; this is a perfect family space. A more formal spacious
drawing room leads through to a dining room. Further
reception rooms afford a large office and a separate sitting
room and kitchen at the other side of the house offering
space for additional family/staff with a lift installed.
Continuing with this spacious layout, the upper floor offers
10 bedrooms, carefully planned with spacious landings and
beautifully appointed bathrooms.
This luxury property affords one of the most prestigious
addresses in the West Midlands with privacy, extensive
parking and elegant spacious living.
THAT STUNNING KITCHEN -
W E L O V E :
A REAL ‘WOW’ FACTOR
12

INTERIORS
Mellow
yellow
WHEN you think of spring and summer one of the
colours that immediately springs to mind is yellow.
Whether that’s daffodils, beaches or just sunshine in
general, we all know yellow has a connection to the
warmer seasons.
Colour gurus Pantone’s SS18 top colours include a
vibrant yellow called Meadowlark, which is the ideal
shade to add a bright and bold touch to your home’s
decor scheme.
As a statement piece in a room - we adore the look of a
vibrant velvet sofa - yellow really brings the ‘wow’ factor
and, as our love affair with grey doesn’t seem to be going
anywhere soon, yellow is the perfect foil to industrial
grey walls.
If you don’t want to invest in a major furniture piece,
accessories are a great way to inject a touch of cheer
into your room. Look out for soft furnishings, table
lamps, rugs and more in sunny shades to bring a pop of
colour to any space.
JULIEN MACDONALD DRESSING TABLE,
DEBENHAMS. WWW.DEBENHAMS.COM
£168
£70
ALESSI DOTTY WALL CLOCK,
WWW.BLACK-BY-DESIGN.CO.UK
£31
FIELD WOOL BLANKET, ANDSHINE.
WWW.ANDSHINE.CO.UK
BITOSSI HOME HOURGLASS
SAND TIMER, AMARA.
WWW.AMARA.COM £70
MASTERS CHAIR IN MUSTARD
BY KARTELL, WWW.HEALS.COM
14

MUUTO UNFOLD YELLOW PENDANT
LIGHT, RUME. WWW.RUME.CO.UK
£199
£595 £149
DERRY LEATHER ARMCHAIR,
PEPPERMILL INTERIORS,
BURNTWOOD BUSINESS PARK.
WWW.PEPPERMILLINTERIORS.COM
ZIRA YELLOW RUG,
MODERN RUGS.
WWW.MODERN-RUGS.CO.UK
LICHFIELD PRINT, CHRIS DAY DESIGN.
WWW.CHRISDAYDESIGN.CO.UK
TULI TABLE LAMP TULIP,
WWW.MADE.COM
£25
REGENT TOASTER,
RED CANDY.
WWW.REDCANDY.CO.UK
£190
£15
£60
£3,499
BALMORAL TWO SEATER SOFA
IN VARESE VELVET ALCHEMILLA,
FROM HEAL’S. WWW.HEALS.COM
NEON YELLOW ‘LOVE’
LIGHT, MINI MAISON.
WWW.MINIMAISON.CO.UK
ALEXANDER AND JAMES
JUDE CHAIR, £468, COOKES.
WWW.COOKESFURNITURE.CO.UK
SOMNUS ROYAL BRITANNIA
5FT DIVAN SET, £2,092 COOKES.
WWW.COOKESFURNITURE.CO.UK

WINDSOR SOFA VELVET THREE SEATER
SOFA, £1,399, DFS. WWW.DFS.CO.UK
LIGNE ROSSET DINING SET, COOKES.
WWW.COOKESFURNITURE.CO.UK
J’AIME
LO VES

I N T E R I O R S
Make time
for style
AS well as its obvious functional use, a wall clock
can add oodles of style to your home - but it can be
difficult to find the perfect timepiece to fit in with your
decor scheme.
Whether as a statement in itself - think oversized or
bold by design - or maybe as part of a gallery wall
alongside complementary prints, a well-chosen clock is
a household essential.
Much like interior design in general, metallics are a
huge trend, particularly warmer tones like gold, brass
and copper. Combine brass and concrete to tap into
the industrial luxe vibe, or pair gold with marble for a
glamorous edge.
When it comes to design, both modern minimalism
and retro styles are emerging as the ones to watch.
Sleek simplicity will blend effortlessly with your home
decor, while a more vintage clock will a classic touch to
any room.
And clocks aren’t just for indoors; make a feature in
your outside space with a statement garden clock.
DIVER CLOCKS, £119, ESCAPOLOGY.
WWW.ESCAPOLOGYHOME.COM
£49
£140
£98
HEAL’S BLACK &
COPPER CLOCK,
WWW.HEALS.COM
PLUTO STARBURST GOLD WALL CLOCK
BY NEWGATE, WWW.HEALS.COM
HOUSE DOCTOR BLACK ART CLOCK,
AMARA. WWW.AMARA.COM
18

ThE WinTErTon namE haS BEEn SynonymouS
WiTh auCTionEErinG in STaFFordShirE SinCE 1864
We are a family run business auctioneering a wide range of Jewellery,
Silver, Ceramics, Glass, Paintings, Bronzes, Wine, Whisky & Port,
Toys & Trains, Cameras, Victorian – Edwardian Furniture & Furnishings
Fine art - decorative & design - Collectors - Three day home & interior
houSE CLEaranCES | ProBaTE SErViCES | SPECiaLiST SaLES
VaLuaTionS For inSuranCE
The Lichfield auction Centre, Wood End Lane, Fradley Park, Lichfield, WS13 8nF
01543 251081 | office@richardwinterton.co.uk | www.richardwinterton.co.uk

£119
BIRGIN WALL CLOCK,
WWW.MADE.COM
£25.95
TEMPERED GLASS EARTH CLOCK,
BLACKBROOK INTERIORS.
WWW.BLACKBROOK-INTERIORS.CO.UK
HEDGEHOG CLOCK, ANNABEL JAMES.
WWW.ANNABELJAMES.CO.UK
£29
£210
HOUSE DOCTOR CONCRETE
WALL CLOCK, AMARA.
WWW.AMARA.COM
£60
SQUARE DOUBLE FRAME CLOCK,
ALEXANDER AND PEARL.
WWW.ALEXANDERANDPEARL.CO.UK
£57
NEWGATE ‘50S ELECTRIC
CLOCK, AMARA.
WWW.AMARA.COM
TIKTAK TIME CONCRETE CLOCK, £49,
WWW.CUCKOOLAND.COM
GARDEN WALL CLOCK,
BLACKBROK INTERIORS.
WWW.BLACKBROOK-INTERIORS.CO.UK

NEWGATE WIDEBOY CLOCK, £40, BLACK BY DESIGN.
WWW.BLACK-BY-DESIGN.CO.UK
4TH DIMENSION WALL CLOCK, £156,
WWW.OOSTOR.COM
BLOCK CLOCK, £65, RUME.
WWW.RUME.CO.UK
NEWGATE WIMBLEDON CLOCK,
£130, BLACK BY DESIGN.
WWW.BLACK-BY-DESIGN.CO.UK
NEWGATE OSLO WALL CLOCK,
£50, BLACK BY DESIGN.
WWW.BLACK-BY-DESIGN.CO.UK

CO M P E T I T I O N
Win a treat for dad
IT’S TIME TO SAY ‘THANKS’ TO DAD FOR EVERYTHING HE DOES - AND YOU COULD WIN A FATHER’S
DAY VOUCHER WORTH £150 TO SPEND ON A WATCH AT ALLEN BROWN JEWELLERY
With Father’s Day just around the corner, J’AIME has
teamed up with Allen Brown Jewellery at Heart of the
Country Shopping Village, Swinfen, to offer readers
the chance to win a special treat for their dad.
Our lucky winner will scoop a voucher worth £150 for
their dad to spend on a stylish gents watch from the
exclusive watch gallery at Allen Brown Jewellery.
The watch gallery was created in 2016 and offers a
wide selection of designs and brands for both ladies
and gents ranging from around £80 to around £600.
The extensive selection includes timepieces from from
Danish Design, Panzera, Jacob Jensen, Issey Miyake
and Faber.
Allen Brown Jewellery are experienced in the
exceptional. They specialise in handmade, fine
jewellery using unusually cut and coloured precious
and semi precious stones. Coloured diamonds are key
to Allen Brown’s collections, which include pendants,
necklaces, earrings, rings, all wedding jewellery, as well
as gents’ jewellery and watches.
Why not visit to browse the latest collections or discuss
commission ideas with Allen and his team of designer
makers? With an onsite workshop along with viewing
gallery, customers also have the opportunity to view
beautiful jewellery being created.
Located in beautiful surroundings at Heart of the
Country off the A38 in Lichfield, it is a great place to
spend the day in the heart of rural Staffordshire.
For more details call 01543 481948 or visit
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W H AT ’ S O N
An extraordinary celebration
FESTIVAL FEVER RETURNS TO LICHFIELD FROM JULY 4 TO 14, WHEN THE CITY WILL COME ALIVE
WITH A CELEBRATION OF THE ARTS. FIONA FRASER SPOKE TO FESTIVAL ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
DAMIAN THANTREY ABOUT HIS TOP PICKS FOR FESTIVAL SEASON
Anyone who has been remotely near
Lichfield in July knows that Lichfield
Festival fever takes hold of the city with
music, dance, theatre and art, picnics on
the Cathedral lawn, street entertainment,
and a chance to simply soak up the
atmosphere at one of the country’s most
colourful and eclectic festivals.
Damian Thantrey is this year’s guest
artistic director, surely not an easy task:
“Like planning anything – you start with
a handful of what you hope are strong
ideas, put them at the centre and work
your way out, while keeping a very close
eye on your budget!” says Damian. “I
was mindful that, as ‘caretaker’ for the
year, I wanted to make sure that I gave
the Festival back in at least as good condition as I
received it! There are definitely some new things, but I
hope I have stayed true to the Festival’s traditions.”
LIZA PULMAN
2017 LICHFIELD
FESTIVAL CREDIT
REDLOCK
PHOTOGRAPHY
Picking out highlights, especially when you’re the
Festival’s director is obviously tricky, says Damian,
who grew up in Burton-on-Trent: “Everything on the
programme is there because I would go it to myself.
If you twisted my arm, I would say that the events
with our six Artists in Residence will be special - I’ve
worked with them all in some capacity and they are
all superb and compelling performers. And in the
run-up to the Festival, I was wowed by Liza Pulman
(whom people will also know from Fascinating Aida)
and her sensational song-fest about the legendary
Barbra Streisand; also BBC Folk Singer of the Year,
Kris Drever (with special guest Julie Fowlis) will close
the Festival for us – an amazing musician and singersongwriter
to kick back and enjoy at the end of the
week. For the younger audience - and my ‘wild card’
choice for grown-ups! - I would say Hansel and Gretel
which will be a dark and exciting mix of music,
puppetry and story-telling, with words and poetry
by the wonderful Simon Armitage. Finally, I have
to mention our opening Cathedral night and a new
show by Neil and Katya Jones, stars of Strictly Come
Dancing, created especially for us. When else do you
get to hang a metaphorical glitterball in one of the
country’s most stunning buildings?”
This year’s Festival, which runs from July 4 to 14,
celebrates #ExtraordinaryWomen with a series of
28

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events inspired by the centenary of votes for women. “I
didn’t set out to weave a theme into the Festival,” says
Damian, “but it was hard to ignore such an important
anniversary as women’s suffrage. However, rather than
looking solely at the heroic efforts of the Pankhursts,
Emily Davies and many others, I wanted to celebrate
#ExtraordinaryWomen in all their guises. So,
alongside that centenary, we honour groundbreaking
women from the worlds of jazz, theatre, science,
literature, composition, religion and Hollywood, as
well as works written specifically for a woman’s voice.
The #ExtraordinaryWomen events themselves cover
music and song, film, talks, dance and the stage - many
of which you can only see in Lichfield this July!”
Internationally-acclaimed singer, Jessica Walker, is one
of the Festival’s Artists in Residence and a focal point
in the #ExtraordinaryWomen series. Her brand new
cabaret Soldiers, Sirens and Suffragettes with pianist
Joseph Atkins takes place at the city’s McKenzie’s
Restaurant. She also performs her acclaimed onewoman
show Pat Kirkwood is Angry and, over at the
beautiful Swinfen Hall Hotel, A Century of Popular
Song, in which Jessica and Joseph conjure up the
unique atmosphere of each decade from the Victorian
music hall to the Swinging 60s, accompanied by a
sumptuous afternoon tea.
So what makes Lichfield Festival so special? “There is a
pride and passion about this Festival that is astonishing.
The commitment shown by the office team, chairman,
board, the Cathedral and other venue partners, our
sponsors, supporters and volunteers, is what makes the
Festival thrive.
“That support for the arts is reflected by the huge
pool of talent with strong links to Lichfield and the
surrounding area. As a Burton boy myself, one of
the things I wanted to do was to celebrate that too,
LICHFIELD FESTIVAL
MARKET
STRICTLY COME
DANCING’S NEIL
& KATYA JONES
and so I’m delighted that major talents with local
connections are coming this year – Lucy Crowe (from
Marchington) is one of the world’s most sought-after
sopranos, singing regularly at the Met and Covent
Garden and working with Sir Simon Rattle; the
CBSO are coming and their CEO, Stephen Maddock
(Lichfield-born), will also talk about running one of the
world’s great orchestras;
Patrick Craig (Lichfield
again) returns with The
Cardinall’s Musick, having
sung over 1000 concerts
across the world with
renowned group The Tallis
Scholars. And there are
others too – so please come
and join us and celebrate
this #ExtraordinaryCity
with its very
#ExtraordinaryFestival this
July.”
For more information on
Lichfield Festival visit
www.lichfieldfestival.
org or phone
01543 412121.
30

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CO M P E T I T I O N
A feast of festival fun
RESTAURANT CRITIC AND MASTERCHEF FAVOURITE JAY RAYNER IS BRINGING NOT ONE, BUT TWO VERY
DIFFERENT SHOWS TO THIS YEAR’S LICHFIELD FESTIVAL - AND YOU COULD WIN TICKETS TO SEE HIM
JAY RAYNER BRINGS
MY DINING HELL TO
LICHFIELD GARRICK
ON JULY 13
When it comes to journalism there are things Jay
Rayner has not written about. A business page
summary of a motor component company report,
or a football match, perhaps. But
that is probably the extent of the
empty folders in the Rayner archive.
Even before 1992, when he was
named Young Journalist of the Year
in the British Press Awards, he was
investigating and writing about nearly
everything, so there are bulging arts,
fashion, crime, politics and general
features sections in that same Rayner
back catalogue.
And that is before we get on to the
novels, four to date, including The
Marble Kiss which was nominated for
the Author’s Club of Great Britain
First Novel Award, and Day Of
Atonement which was nominated for
the Jewish Quarterly’s international
prize for Jewish fiction.
JAY RAYNER’S JAZZ
QUARTET
But it is as a food writer and broadcaster that he
remains best known. Jay has just been named
Restaurant Writer of the Year 2018 in the Fortnum
& Mason Food and Drink Awards, a prize that will
sit alongside his awards as Food and Drink writer
(for three years in a row), nominations for three
Glenfiddich Food and Drink Awards, Restaurant Critic
of the Year in 2001 and the Derek Cooper Award for
Investigative and Campaigning Journalism from the
Guild of Food Writers in 2013. He has appeared as
a judge in multiple series of Masterchef, and as part
of the panel on BBC2’s Eating With The Enemy. In
the US he was a part of the expert panel on Top
Chef Masters, was resident food expert on The One
Show from 2009 to 2016, and has been the host of
the award-nominated food panel show The Kitchen
Cabinet for BBC Radio 4 for the last six years.
As if all that writing and broadcasting wasn’t enough,
in 2012, he officially turned what had been a private
hobby into another very public string to his bow. To
be more accurate: a full 88 set of piano strings. He
formed the Jay Rayner Quartet – his wife, Pat Gordon-
Smith, is the band’s singer – and began playing gigs
around the land.
It is beneath two of his many hats, that Jay Rayner
32

appears at the 2018 Lichfield Festival, both of them on
Friday 13 July. One is as restaurant critic, the other is
as jazz pianist, and common to both is his compelling
skill as a raconteur.
My Dining Hell comes first, an early afternoon oneman
show in which the critic of in excess of 700 eating
establishments homes in on what he knows his readers
take the most delicious delight in: damning reviews of
lousy restaurants.
He writes about his Penguin-published book of this
title – its subtitle is Twenty Ways To Have A Lousy
Night Out:
“I have been a restaurant critic for over a decade,
written reviews of well over 700 establishments, and
if there is one thing I have learnt it is that people like
reviews of bad restaurants. No, scratch that. They
adore them, feast upon them like starving vultures who
have spotted fly-blown carrion out in the bush.
“They claim otherwise, of course. Readers like to
present themselves as private arbiters of taste; as
people interested in the good stuff. I’m sure they are.
I’m sure they really do care whether the steak was
served au point as requested or whether the soufflé had
achieved a certain ineffable lightness. And yet, when
I compare dinner to bodily fluids, the room to an S &
M chamber in Neasden (only without the glamour or
class), and the bill to an act of grand larceny, why, then
the baying crowd is truly happy.”
On the evening of Friday, July 13, Jay untucks the
napkin, re-caps the poison pen and unpacks the sheet
music and set list instead. Although there is not a
complete break with food: songs like The Ladies Who
Lunch, Black Coffee, Peel Me A Grape and Food,
Glorious Food are likely to feature in that set list.
With Jay on piano are double bass player Robert
Rickenberg, saxophonist Dave Lewis and Pat Gordon-
Smith on vocals. Their first CD is called A Night Of
Food And Agony.
Jay writes: “It’s not enough to choose songs; you
have to know why you are playing them. Happily, I
always have. My job as a restaurant critic gave me
half the repertoire. Jazz and restaurants have been
long intertwined. After all I met the Quartet’s brilliant
musicians, bassist Robert Rickenberg and saxophonist
Dave Lewis in the Ivy Club. And then there was my
late mother, agony aunt Claire Rayner. The anecdotes
she left me provided the other half of our setlists.
Because so many blues songs sound like letters to a
problem page.”
What unites both shows is the larger-than-life
character and generosity of spirit that is Jay Rayner.
As celebrated jazz critic Clive Davis points out:
“Rayner… boulevardier, is the perfect communicator”.
Jay Rayner: My Dining Hell and Jay Rayner Jazz
Quartet are at Lichfield Garrick Theatre on Friday,
July 13, at 2pm and 8pm respectively, as part of
Lichfield Festival. For more information on the Festival
see www.lichfieldfestival.org or phone 01543 412121.
The Competition
J’AIME HAS TEAMED UP WITH THE LICHFIELD FESTIVAL TO OFFER TWO TICKETS FOR JAY
RAYNER’S HUGELY ENTERTAINING SHOW, MY DINING HELL, AT THE LICHFIELD GARRICK
ON FRIDAY 13 JULY AT 2PM. TO BE IN WITH A CHANCE OF WINNING, SIMPLY ANSWER THE
FOLLOWING QUESTION:
WHICH BBC TV SHOW DOES JAY RAYNER REGULARLY APPEAR ON AS A JUDGE?
Send your answer, along with your name, address and telephone number, by email to competitions@jaimemagazine.com with Lichfield
Festival competition as the email subject. Entries must be received by 5pm on Friday, June 29, and our winner will be notified by
Wednesday, July 4. No cash alternative is available. Terms and conditions apply. Visit www.jaimemagazine.com for further details.
33

F E AT U R E
A golden era for Beth
MICHAEL BEARDMORE SPEAKS TO LICHFIELD’S NEWEST GOLDEN GIRL – COMMONWEALTH
GAMES NETBALL GOLD MEDALLIST BETH COBDEN ABOUT GLORY, GLEE AND GLOBE-TROTTING
NETBALL PLAYER BETH COBDEN.
PHOTO CREDIT MARK METCALFE_
GETTY SPORT
When it comes to British sport, sisters really are
doing it for themselves. And for no one is that phrase
more apt than Beth Cobden.
Colloquially, having been part of the England
netball team that has followed their ‘sporting sisters’
in football, cricket, hockey and rugby in achieving
global glory. But also literally, setting the bar at its
highest within her own sports-mad family, with Beth
counting two top rugby stars as her siblings.
At every Games – be it Olympic or Commonwealth
– there is always one event, often a team sport, that
captures the nation’s hearts. With the Rio Olympics
of 2016, it was hockey’s golden girls. This year, in the
Commonwealths on Australia’s Gold Coast, it was
netball’s turn.
In a sport traditionally dominated by Australia and
New Zealand, England beat both – the latter in the
group stage and the Aussies in the final – on the way
to a remarkable podium-topping triumph.
It was a high Beth is still to come down from – a long
way from her schooldays in Cannock and Lichfield
where she first took up the sport to follow in the
footsteps of her mom Patricia, a county player in her
own right. And she hopes the success can produce
the same boom in netball that those other sports have
enjoyed due to their successes.
Beth, a former King Edward VI student, beams: “It’s
definitely changed things for me. Hopefully it will
help the sport to grow.
“I think the more people that play, the more sponsors
we can attract and the bigger we can make the game
– that’s where we can benefit from this win. That will
be what drives us in the future.
“We are going here, there and everywhere as much
as we can. We are back in our season now so you
have to fit everything in around your training, which
has obviously got to come first. But anything that we
have been able to do, we’ve been lapping it up, trying
to get as much done as we can. When you’re getting
a bit of attention, you’ve got to make the most of it,
haven’t you?
“When you see the little girls in schools, it’s amazing
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to see that you are inspiring them.
You get them asking what they can
do to become an England netball
player and it inspires them to play.
I went to my old primary school,
Five Ways (in Cannock) just before
Christmas but I am sure I will be
going back there again with my
medal!
“Anything that we can do to
get more people playing netball
and even just playing a sport,
it’s so important. I think people
underestimate how important it is.”
To put the win into context, imagine England’s men
beating Germany and Brazil to win the football
World Cup, or our cricketers seeing off Australia and
South Africa to win their version.
Beth says: “We always had the belief that we could
do it and we knew that we had a good squad. But
we had not beaten Australia in recent years so to
actually go out there and do it in the final in their
backyard, it was just brilliant – we couldn’t have
asked for anything better. They have dominated for
so long now but we have been creeping up there
slowly.
“This was my first time at the Commonwealths but
the last time the girls were there, we just missed out,
BETH COBDEN. PHOTO CREDIT MARK
METCALFE_GETTY SPORT
BETH COBEN, LEFT, AT THE BAFTAS
WITH TEAMMATES AND BBC
PRESENTER CLARE BALDING
we lost to Australia and New Zealand by one goal
each time. But that gave the team belief that we were
up there with those two countries, we just needed to
pull out the win.
“I think having that experience and having had more
time together, it just allowed us to beat them this
time. But we can’t just be content with that one win,
we need to back it up and do well at the World Cup
next year.”
Not only was the win historic, it was thrilling too
– England came from behind to beat Jamaica by a
point with a last-second score in the semi-final and
did the same to the hosts in the final.
It might not have been good for the ultra-fit hearts of
those on court but it made an exciting spectacle for
those watching at home on TV.
Beth, who plays wing defence, one of the less
glamorous, unsung, positions admitted: “It was
crazy!
“It’s really rare that you win a game by one
goal in the dying seconds – so to do it two days
in a row was really, really bizarre but, of course,
brilliant at the same time!
“It was good because the people back at home
watching got really into it and I think having
those closer games has just shown people what
netball is about and how good it can be.
“I think a lot of people underestimate it. I’ve
had so many people commenting about how
they were impressed with it and about how
they haven’t watched netball since they were at
school.
“I think they have the wrong image in their
head – I don’t think they realise how different
the game is to when you are playing at school
level. The difference to international level is
massive.”
Beth should know. She started young – ‘in Year
3 or 4 I think’ – playing for Sutton Coldfield
sides Fairfax and Parkside. The latter was a
renowned club and Beth soon progressed to
county level. National recognition followed with
England at junior age groups before blossoming
36

into a full international and SuperLeague regular
with Loughborough Lightning.
A wanderer at heart, Beth is doubly lucky because
her netball talent helps her indulge her other great
passion – travelling all over the globe.
She took a year off from the sport in her early 20s to
trek around South America and admits she has to
pinch herself at some of the places she gets to visit
and combine business with pleasure.
Beth said: “We had quite a long trip for the
Commonwealths because we went out there for a
few weeks beforehand, so we were away for five-anda-half
weeks in the end. We went to Sydney where
I’ve never been, and Brisbane as well. The whole
experience was just amazing, a once-in-a-lifetime
thing.
“That’s another reason why I love netball – it’s a job
that comes with a lot of travelling! In the past two
years when I have been playing for the seniors, I’ve
been to Australia probably five times, New Zealand a
couple of times, South Africa. It’s amazing really to
go to these places.
“Obviously you are doing a lot of netball when you
are there but you get the odd day’s
rest where you can go and have a
little explore which makes it even
better – it’s brilliant, I love it.”
There won’t be much travelling
for next year’s World Cup though
as England seek to build on their
Commonwealth triumph – it’s being
held in Liverpool.
And Beth won’t be at the Tokyo
2020 Olympics either. It’s not that
she wouldn’t get picked or that
England wouldn’t quality. It’s that
netball, amazingly, isn’t recognised as
an Olympic sport.
BETH COBDEN
WAS PART OF
ENGLAND’S
COMMONWEALTH
GAMES GOLD
MEDAL-WINNING
NETBALL TEAM
She says: “There is a lot going on to try to get it into
the Olympics. It is a shame it’s not there already
because it would be really good for the sport to have
another big competition to focus on.
“We sort of have a four-year cycle where we focus
on the Commonwealth Games and the World Cup
which are in back-to-back years, and then have a
two-year, kind of like, development stage.
“To have another big thing in there would be really
good. I think we just need more countries to play it
really and I think there is a lot of stuff in place to try
to get more countries involved.
“So fingers crossed in the future we will be able to get
it in the Olympics.”
Beth’s triumphant Commonwealth champions are
coached by Tracey Neville – a former England ace
herself, whose brothers Gary and Phil were famous
footballers for England and Manchester United.
The Nevilles are arguably the country’s most famous
sporting brothers and sisters – but the Cobdens give
them a run for their money.
Beth’s brothers Joe and Jack both play top-level
rugby – Joe, 26, for Nottingham and, intriguingly,
Jack, 29, plays out in Romania where he is now
actually eligible to play for their national team.
She smiles: “Jack’s a bit like me, got the travel bug!
He got offered a contract out there three or four
years ago.
“He’s got a daughter out there as well so he’s settled
and he really loves it out there. He’s had a few caps
for Romania and he’s hoping he can maybe end up
going to the World Cup.”
That would mean another trip abroad for parents
Pat and Ian, who took the last-minute decision to
cheer Beth on to glory Down Under.
She smiles: “It was all a bit last minute. You don’t
get picked until a few weeks before, that’s when they
announce the squad, so they weren’t sure whether to
come.
“But when I did get picked, they decided to go – and
they were really pleased they did!”
BETH IN ACTION VERSUS AUSTRALIA.
PHOTO BY GETTY IMAGES

F O O D & D R I N K
Decadent dining
ICONIC LONDON RESTAURANT THE IVY’S FORAY INTO BIRMINGHAM ADDS A TOUCH OF LUXURY AND A
WHOLE HEAP OF GLAMOUR TO THE SECOND CITY’S THRIVING DINING SCENE, AS AMY NORBURY DISCOVERS
Fresh lobster? On a Monday? In
Birmingham? Such decadence, I hear you
cry. But decadence is all part and parcel of
The Ivy name.
The original London restaurant, situated in
the heart of theatreland, has been a byword
for glamorous dining for decades, attracting
a clientele that reads like a who’s who of the
glitterati, literati and Hollywood’s finest.
Laurence Olivier dined there, Noel Coward
was a regular and Dame Nellie Melba
and Marlene Dietrich could be spotted at
their favourite tables, while in the Nineties,
it was a magnet for stars, with Brad Pitt,
Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman attracting
paparazzi and headlines with every visit.
Tables were hard to come by - unless your
name’s Kate Moss, that is. But if you could
wangle a seat, chances are you’d spot a
celebrity or three.
And now, you can get The Ivy experience right here in
the Midlands, with the opening of the latest The lvy
Collection restaurant in the heart of Birmingham. The
Ivy Collection brings the inimitable service and vibrant
surroundings for which The Ivy is revered to a select
group of upmarket brasseries and neighbourhood
cafés.
Each restaurant has been designed to deliver the
memorable experience that is synonymous with The
Ivy’s unique style, and extend the magic of the iconic
West Street venue to handpicked locations across
London and the UK.
While The Ivy Temple Row certainly exudes the
luxury of its sister restaurants, with it’s stunning art
deco-inspired decor and familiar modern British menu,
there’s a focus on accessibility as well as glamour.
Booking a table on a Friday or Saturday night is par
for the course, but the restaurant holds back a certain
amount of covers each day for walk-in diners, so those
living and working locally can drop in at their leisure.
J’AIME were invited to give the all-day menu a try -
and when they say all-day, they mean all-day, with food
served until 11pm on weekdays, 11.30pm on Saturdays
and 10.30pm on Sundays.
On the Monday evening of our visit, the restaurant
was packed with diners over both floors - impressive
for the start of the week, the buzz of the new addition
to Birmingham’s thriving dining scene still in full force.
What was a Louis Vuitton boutique has been
transformed into a beautiful space; The Ivy
Collection’s signature green colour palette contrasting
with striking burnt orange banquettes and polished
38

marble floors.
We were shown to a cosy table for
two along the wall upstairs - the
kind of intimate table it’s said to
have been favoured by Laurence
Olivier, Noel Coward et al - and
furnished with a glass of chilled
Champagne. So far, so glamorous.
The a la carte menu is a notinsubstantial
selection of Ivy
classics; think steak tartare,
seared scallops and heavy dose
of Asian inspiration, as well as
The Ivy’s signature hamburger
and shepherd’s pie. We were
presented with a warm salt-crusted
sourdough, £3.95, and truffle
arancini, £5.50, to nibble on while
we made our choices.
The bread was a thing of baked
beauty, with the salt adding a
wonderful crunch to the crust, and the arancini - fried
balls of arborio rice with a hefty punch of delicious
truffle - were incredibly moreish.
To start I opted for the steak tartare, £9.95, which was
a rich and indulgent plate, the finely chopped steak
topped with a Tabasco dressing, cornichons, shallot,
parsley and a sizeable egg yolk.
My husband’s duck liver parfait with caramelised
hazelnuts, truffle and a tamarind glaze, £6.95, was rich
and silky, the savoury flavours complemented nicely by
a sweetness from the accompanying pear and ginger
compote and toasted brioche.
Onto the main event, and I just had to give the lobster
a whirl. It’s not something you find on many a menu
in these parts, so the chance couldn’t be passed up. A
luxurious dish for a luxurious setting, right? At £34,
it’s the priciest item on the menu, but you certainly get
plenty of bang for your buck. The whole - that’s right,
whole - lobster is simply grilled and served with garlic
and parsley butter, watercress salad and a bucket of
perfectly fluffy-yet-crisp thick-cut chips.
Thankfully you’re presented with the appropriate tools
for the job - it can get messy, but the succulent, sweet
lobster meat with a hint of smoky char is oh so worth
it.
My husband’s rib-eye steak, £27.95, was again cooked
to a perfect medium-rare, as recommended by our
waiter over my husband’s usual rare-to-blue to give the
fat in the meat chance to render down and add flavour.
Side orders of truffle and parmesan chips, £4.50, and
delicious zucchini fritti, £5.75, were tasty, and the
substantial portions all round meant -
admittedly with one eye on dessert - we
just couldn’t finish it all.
For a little sweet something to end
the meal, our waiter recommended
the chocolate bombe, £8.50, which
we opted to share, alongside coffees.
This heavenly dessert adds a touch of
theatre to the meal, with hot salted
caramel sauce poured over a dark
chocolate sphere which melts away to
reveal a honeycomb centre. A must for
chocolate lovers, it was a fitting end to
a fine meal.
For decadent - yet relaxed, convivial
and very reasonably-priced - dining
with a heavy dose of glitz and
glamour, The Ivy Temple Row it
the place to be. Celebrities, on this
occasion at least, not included.
39

F O O D & D R I N K
Cocktail of the month
SHAUN CRAVEN, FROM LE RÊVE COCKTAIL BAR IN LICHFIELD, SHARES A COOL,
CLASSIC COCKTAIL PERFECT FOR A CELEBRATORY TIPPLE THIS FATHER’S DAY
Gentleman Jack
Old Fashioned
25ml sugar syrup
50ml Gentleman Jack bourbon
2 dashes of angostura bitters
2 dashes of orange bitters
1 orange peel
Add sugar syrup,
angostura bitters,
orange bitters and
orange peel into a
mixing glass. Add
ice and Gentleman
Jack gradually while
continuously stirring
for around five
minutes
Single strain into a
hobstar over an ice
ball. Orange zest to
garnish around the
rim of the glass.
40

Drink
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Repeat
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F O O D & D R I N K
Everything on red
PATRICK GAUNT, OPERATIONS MANAGER OF SPECIALIST WINE COMPANY
ITAL SARDO, SHOWCASES SOME STANDOUT SARDINIAN RED WINES
Being able to personally source and supply our
customers with exclusive wines from Italy is a huge
pleasure to be a part of. Each wine has been personally
sourced by myself. I have shaken the hand of each
winemaker, bringing the local treasure of Sardinia to
our clients.
Our range of reds are a variety of rich and bold wines,
to fruity and spicy numbers. A lot of this is down to
the blending, with most Sardinian wines blended with
Cabernet Sauvignon or Syrah, having a more rounded
feel. All wines that are 100 per cent of a specific variety
are what we have found in being the ‘perfect example’
of that type of wine. Here are some fantastic examples
of our diverse range:
Reds to be social with:
Cagnulari, Chessa – An exclusive
wine, that provides an excellent dark
cherry nose with a velvety liquorice
finish. There is a sense of richness, but
the pleasant balance of this wine makes
it very easy to be enjoyed on its own.
The perfect way to round off your day.
Rich in history:
Giuseppe Sedilesu – A winemaker
of tradition and pride. We
were informed of the techniques
used by Giuseppe Sedilesu
when asking around with the
local people, on the search for
hidden gems. This wine, named
after the wine-maker himself,
is only produced after a perfect
year, showing how passionate
the producer is to create the
best he can. This is 100 per
cent Cannonau (which is said to
increase longevity), aged in oak
and then in the bottle. This wine
really is a great example of the
result of hard work and tradition.
Without bombarding our trusted readers with wines,
we are aiming to spread the work of Ital Sardo and
provide our clients with the best wines that we can get
our hands on. With wine tastings on the horizon, we
invite all those interested to visit our website at
www.italsardo.com. As well as this, please do not
hesitate to contact myself, Patrick Gaunt, on
01283 711588 with any questions or requests.
Wines that work wonders
with food:
Geo, Tenute Delogu – Here is a wine
from our debut shipment, a blend of
Cannonau, Cabernet Sauvignon and
Syrah. This blend creates an incredibly
warming effect, lightened by spice. A red
of this stature is best enjoyed with what
I call ‘slow cooker style’ food. Meaty
dishes that have a rich, earthy taste like
braised lamb shanks.
42

Would you like
your restaurant or
forthcoming event
featured in J’aime?
CONTACT JAN ASHLEY ON 07388 335931
OR EMAIL EDITOR@JAIMEMAGAZINE.COM
J’AIME
/jaimemagazine
@jaimemagazine
www.jaimemagazine.com
Serving fresh fruit cocktails
with passion and flare
LE RÊVE COCKTAIL BAR - 26 BIRD STREET - LICHFIELD
PHONE: 01543 253 663 - WWW.LEREVE-BAR.COM
FACEBOOK: LE REVE COCKTAIL BAR LICHFIELD - INSTAGRAM: LE_REVE_BAR
- COCKTAIL MASTERCLASSES AVAILABLE - PRIVATE TABLES/AREAS FOR ALL OCCASIONS
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We deliver fine dining experiences on your doorstep through a series of pop up kitchen events
where Michelin starred chefs and highly commended chefs showcase their food and talents.
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MONDAY JUNE 25 2018
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T R AV E L
The spice island
NICOLA BRERETON, FROM RB COLLECTION IN LICHFIELD,
FINDS A SLICE OF CARIBBEAN PARADISE IN GRENADA
GRENADA IN THE CARIBBEAN
My love of the Caribbean is well known among my
friends and family and, having visited a number
of Islands, I was very excited to be heading to the
beautiful Island of Grenada. Also affectionately
known as Spice Island due to its abundance of
nutmeg plantations, I’d made a short cruise stop
there a number of years ago. I knew it was a
beautiful Island, but just how beautiful… well that I
was about to discover.
We left behind a cold winter’s morning in London
and our direct flight to Grenada – with a short
touchdown in St Lucia - had us arriving in glorious
sunshine. We were met with a warm welcome and
a cold flannel ready for a short transfer to our home
for the next two nights; the stunning Spice Island
Resort. If first impressions are anything to go by
then we were in for a treat. This beautiful resort is set
on a perfect spot on Grand Anse beach. As soon as
we stepped out of the car we were met with the most
amazing view of the Caribbean Sea and with a quick
check-in and cold flannels and welcoming cocktails
we were taken to our suites, all located short walk
from reception and the pool area.
As soon as I walked through my door I knew this
would be a truly special experience. From the
luxurious bathroom with tub looking out to the
beach to the gigantic (and oh-so-comfortable) bed
to the living area and right out onto the patio with
direct access to the beach, this suite was just simply
stunning.
A couple of hours relaxing in the sun on my day bed
and it was time for quick change as we headed off for
dinner that evening in the hotel’s restaurant, Oliver’s.
The setting for the restaurant is outstanding, with the
hotel maximising its prime position on once of the
most beautiful beaches I have ever seen. But the view
44

was not its only selling point,
nor was the sumptuous food we
were presented with but what
really set it above for me was
the staff. Nothing was too much
trouble and they very quickly
learnt your name as well as
your favourite tipple - which
they ensured was continually
topped up - but what came
across in abundance was their
love for the resort and their
pride in being a part of the
‘family’ they really did make
a beautiful resort all the more
special.
The next morning was spent
very chilled around the pool
looking out to the Caribbean
Sea and with a freshly made
cocktail in hand - the cold,
harsh winter I’d left behind the day before suddenly
felt a million miles away. A tour of the hotel had
us sampling the different suites Spice Island has to
offer, ranging from their Seagrape Beach Suite that
I had right through to stunning pool suites, set back
a little further but all with their own private entrance
and pool. Later that day we were able to sample the
stunning onsite spa with the most relaxing neck and
back massage before once again dining at Oliver’s
and enjoying a few cocktails in the Surf and Terrace
bar while enjoying a local band.
The following morning I was given a very special
treat with breakfast on my terrace with the most
A GRENADA SUNSET
stunning views before we headed off for a day of
resorts visits. The island of Grenada is quite small in
comparison to its neighbours but, as everyone knows,
great things come in small packages and Grenada
was not about to disappoint.
Our first stop was the beautiful Mount Cinnamon
Resort, further along Anse beach and set a little up
in to the hill offering the most spectacular panoramic
views from their beautifully designed suites and villas.
From here we carried on along the coastal road to
visit Laluna Resort, nestled into a private hillside
on one of Grenada’s most beautiful and secluded
beaches. Although it is only 10 minutes from the
capital, St Georges, it feels like your own Caribbean
LALUNA RESORT
45

hideaway with its Balinese decor, semi-open
bathrooms, and either amazing views or steps from
the beach. With a big focus on health wellness and
relaxation in their Asian spa, it really is something
very special.
Our next stop was to be our home for the next two
nights and a complete change in hotel style. The
beautiful Calabash is an exclusive family owned hotel
with 30 suites arranged around the lovely gardens,
facing out towards the secluded white sandy beach
of Prickly Bay with its scattering of small yachts
dotted around. From the moment we arrived it
became obvious how much they pride themselves
on delivering superb personal service and a unique
experiences for all their guests - and this was before
we had even stepped foot in their suites. From their
junior suites up to the pool suites all are simply
stunning. Stylish and welcoming and with amazing
bathrooms - they really do like to make a big feature
of this - with either a terrace or balcony, and all seafacing.
This evening we had a very relaxed diner at
the Beach Club with a steel band entertaining us as
we moved from the table round a campfire set up on
the beach.
The emphasis at Calabash is on understated
elegance and service combined with Caribbean
informality; they like their guests to feel very relaxed
from the moment they arrive and one of their
unique experiences is the cooked to order breakfasts
served on your suite’s patio or, if you prefer, on the
beach; the perfect way to start a relaxed day. After
breakfast we headed off for a tour of this amazing
island. While it has plenty to offer with its rum and
chocolate factories (both got my vote) we decided we
would head in to the rainforest with a stop en route
in the capital, St George’s, which offered the most
stunning panoramic views of the bay below. It is so
clear to see why Grenada is called the ‘spice island’;
everywhere you look, you can see spices. Nutmeg,
cinnamon, turmeric and cloves to name just a few
and as we went further into the rainforest we were
able to see first-hand these spices being farmed.
Grenada is also renowned for its stunning waterfalls
and we were about to embark on its most famous one
- Concorde Waterfalls. Tucked away in the rainforest,
cascades of water tumble down rugged cliffs to gush
into pristine swimming pools. Young men will jump
the falls for a fee and are literally heart-stopping but
amazing at the same time. With our driver/guide
enthralling us with tales of days of old when pirates
would hide their stash along the shores, we stopped
for a cold beer and in a small fishing town before
46

carrying on around the enchanting island. Our next
stop was to be Grand Etang Lake, created from a
crater from an extinct volcano where, legend has it,
a mermaid is living in the depths of the lake to lure
men to their watery grave.
After a very enjoyable day we made our way back to
Calabash as the sun began to set over St George’s.
This evening we were treated to a fabulous meal
in the renowned Rhodes Restaurant - personally
opened by Gary Rhodes. We had heard so much
about the food here that expectations were so high
but her were not to be disappointed; the food here
alone is enough to entice anyone to visit Grenada
and the banana crumble was simply to die for.
After a long, leisurely breakfast in the beach club
and a last dip in the pool soaking up the sunshine,
unfortunately it was time to pack up and head home.
Although it was only a short visit to Grenada the
memory of this wonderful and captivating island will
last a lifetime and I am already planning my next
visit – if only to sample that banana crumble once
more!
To plan and book your holiday to Grenada contact
RB Collection on 01543 258631, browse the hotels
at www.rbcollection.com/grenada.
J’aime
reader offer
BOOK YOUR HOLIDAY TO GRENADA WITH RB
COLLECTION BEFORE THE END OF JUNE 2018
AND RECEIVE A COMPLIMENTARY CARIBBEAN
GIFT HAMPER.
MENTION J’AIME MAGAZINE WHEN YOU
ENQUIRE, APPLICABLE TO NEW BOOKINGS
ONLY.
YOU WILL ALSO RECEIVE NICOLA’S TOP TIPS
FOR THE ISLAND TO HELP MAKE THE MOST
OF YOUR TRIP.
LALUNA VILLA
47

F E AT U R E
A celebration of indian film
THE FOURTH BIRMINGHAM INDIAN FILM FESTIVAL COMES TO THE SECOND CITY THIS MONTH -
AND YOU COULD WIN TICKETS TO THE GLITTERING RED CARPET OPENING NIGHT
Birmingham Indian Film Festival is a
cinematic treasure trove of carefully
curated premieres of South Asian
independent films, offering rare glimpses
into some of the billion-plus lives in the
sub-continent.
The festival is presented by the Bagri
Foundation London Indian Film Festival
and returns for its fourth consecutive
year at Cineworld Broad Street, mac
Birmingham and The Mockingbird
Cinema and Kitchen from Friday, June 22
to Sunday, July 1.
Audiences can expect a spectacular 10
days of Midland premieres of feature
films, documentaries and shorts exploring
a compelling slate of controversial,
entertaining and thought-provoking
themes with global resonances, plus lively
Q&As and panel debates.
New to this year is the annual London International
Film Festival Satyajit Ray Short Film Competition
Entries showcasing the work of emerging filmmakers.
The festival opener - featuring an all-star Hollywood
and Bollywood cast including Demi Moore, Freida
Pinto, Manoj Bajpayee, Rajkummar Rao, Richa
Chadda, Anupam Kher, Adil Hussain, Sunny
Parwar and Mrunal Thakur - is the Birmingham
CHARMING FAMILY FILM
HALKAA WAS GRAND PRIX
WINNER AT MONTREAL FILM
FESTIVAL
premiere of Love Sonia, a compelling story of two
loving sisters who are forced into the sex industry
in Mumbai from the Academy Award-nominated
producer of Life Of Pi, David Womark. Inspired by
true events, this is the story of a young Indian village
girl, Sonia. Her life changes irrevocably when she is
entrapped in the global sex trade while trying to save
her beloved sister Preeti. Sustained by a fragile dream
that is worth surviving for, her searing journey spans
three continents and a lifetime of experiences that no
young girl should have.
Sonia is determined not
to become one of the
800,000 women and
children who are victims
of the international sex
trade industry every
year.
Director Tabrez
Noorani - who was
previously line producer
on the multiple
VENUS WILL BE THE
FESTIVAL’S CLOSING FILM
Academy, BAFTA and
Golden Globe winner
Slumdog Millionaire,
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and films like Zero Dark Thirty - is expected at
Cineworld, Broad Street on Friday 22 June.
The Festival closes at mac Birmingham with Venus,
a feel-good comedy about a Canadian Punjabi
transgender person who is about to embark on
surgery but suddenly discovers they are the father of
a teenage boy who thinks they are the coolest dad on
the planet. The director Eisha Marjara and talent
are expected on Sunday 1 July.
Wolverhampton-born actor Antonio Aakeel stars
in the feel-good British-comedy Eaten by Lions
written and directed by Jason Wingard. The film
also stars Jack Carroll, Johnny Vegas, and Asim
THE OPENING EVENT WILL BE
THE MIDLANDS PREMIERE OF
LOVE SONIA
The Competition
Chaudhry. Eaten by Lions is
the feature-length adaptation
of the director’s 2013 short film
Going to Mecca, which won
best comedy at the Manchester
International Film Festival.
The film follows half-brothers
Omar and Pete as they embark
on a journey to find Omar’s
estranged father, confronting
him on the day of his daughter’s
engagement party.
Students from Birmingham City
University including the School
of Media will be working on the
festival; volunteering, managing
screenings and creating digital
content, and Professor Rajinder
Dudrah, Indian cinema expert
and Professor of Cultural Studies
and Creative Industries at
Birmingham City University, will
lead a panel debate exploring
independent Indian cinema.
“Birmingham City University is delighted to be a
headline sponsor of this year’s Birmingham Indian
Film Festival and join in the celebrations of South
Asian history, heritage, arts and culture. The 10-day
event will feature a host of inspirational films created
by some of the finest creative professionals. We look
forward to the films being showcased to generate
discussion as well as to entertain.”
Tickets to screenings can be purchased directly
from the cinemas. For more information visit
www.birminghamindianfilmfestival.co.uk
J’AIME HAS TEAMED UP WITH BIRMINGHAM INDIAN FILM FESTIVAL TO OFFER READERS THE
CHANCE TO WIN A PAIR OF TICKETS TO THE FESTIVAL’S OPENING NIGHT EVENT ON FRIDAY,
JUNE 22. OUR LUCKY WINNER AND A GUEST WILL ATTEND THE GLITTERING RED CARPET
EVENT AT CINEWORLD BIRMINGHAM, MARKING THE OPENING OF THE FESTIVAL, BEFORE
TAKING THEIR SEATS FOR THE MIDLANDS PREMIERE OF LOVE SONIA.
TO BE IN WITH A CHANCE OF WINNING, SIMPLY ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTION:
NAME ONE OF THE STARS OF LOVE SONIA.
Send your answer, along with your name, address and telephone number, by email to competitions@
jaimemagazine.com with Birmingham Indian Film Festival competition as the email subject. Entries must
be received by 5pm on Wednesday, June 13, and our winner will be notified by Friday, June 15. Terms and
conditions apply. The prize is non-exchangeable, non-transferable and not redeemable for cash or other prizes.
Visit www.jaimemagazine.com for further details.
50

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LO CA L A R E A
What’s On Local
YOUR GUIDE TO THE BEST OF WHAT’S ON IN AND AROUND
SUTTON COLDFIELD, LICHFIELD, WALSALL AND BEYOND
WHAT:
Movies, Musicals
and More
WHERE:
Partridge Brothers
Music Centre
WHEN:
June 1
Join talented singers and musicians at the Partridge
Brothers Music Centre at Heart of the Country for a
fantastic evening of songs from movies, musicals, Disney
and more. Following on from their our smash hit musicals
concert in March, join the amazing Annie, Dalma and
Amy, accompanied by Stephen Partridge, for a truly
scrumptious evening to remember.
You will hear many of your old favourites, some less
known songs and some simply stunning singing by top
class professional singers. This promises to be a busy
evening so book before all of the tickets are gone. Please
note that the venue is upstairs and does not have lift
access as the building is very old. For more details visit
www.partridgebrothers.com or call 07963 894282.
WHAT:
Ain’t No Angels
WHERE:
Sutton Coldfield Town
Hall
WHEN:
June 5 and 6
What happens when two
egotistical giants of the entertainment world get trapped
in a place they’d rather not be? Added to this the fact that
they have always despised each other and… boom!
Al Jolson and Frank Sinatra; both brilliant in their own
right but equally as self-centred. Ain’t No Angels tells the
story of Jolson and Sinatra stuck together in purgatory,
waiting to discover whether they get to go ‘up’ or ‘down’.
The show takes a look back over the pair’s lifetimes,
providing new and informative insights into the lives of
two musical heavyweights all woven together by their
timeless classics, supported by an awesome live swing
band. Ain’t No Angels, is a refreshingly slick piece of
theatre that is sure to leave audiences in awe.
Tickets are now on sale, starting at just £16. Visit
www.townhallsuttoncoldfield.co.uk or call the
Town Hall Box Office on 0121 296 9543.
WHAT: Consequences of War
WHERE: Lichfield Cathedral
WHEN: Until June 24
A poignant, moving and revealing free exhibition
which draws attention to the effect of World War One,
Consequences of War will explore the immediate
aftermath of the conflict and the quest and failure of
the search for peace over the subsequent century.
The exhibition combines reflections of conflict from
a local and national perspective and involves the
work of some of Britain’s most significant post-war
artists, which will question our notions of peace and
war. Artists whose work will be on display include
Henry Moore, Paul Nash, Graham Sutherland and
Henri Gaudier-Brzeska. Other exhibits will include
original work by the Cathedral’s Artist in Residence
Peter Walker, items from the Staffordshire Regiment
Museum, Military Valour awards and trench art. For
more details visit www.lichfield-cathedral.org
52

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WHAT: An evening with
Samantha-Jayne
WHERE: The Pear
Tree Creperie
WHEN: June 29
Back by popular demand,
fantastic wedding and
events saxophonist
Samantha-Jayne will be
playing for diners at the
Pear Tree Creperie, Heart
of the Country, on Friday,
June 29 from 7.30pm.
Samantha-Jayne is a self-taught saxophonist who only
plays ‘by ear’. She has toured the UK, Germany, and
Miami with local gospel bands. Samantha plays the
soprano, alto and tenor saxophones.
With the close resemblance of the saxophone to the
human voice, combined with Samantha-Jayne’s warm
sax tones and exceptional improvisational skills, her
performances are full of emotion and expression.
Samantha-Jayne doesn’t just play, she makes her
saxophones sing, as well as speak, to the listener.
Booking for the evening is essential, call
01543 481807.
WHAT: Monstersaurus
WHERE:Lichfield Garrick
WHEN: June 30
One day Monty found a book, ‘Inventions Very Rare’.
Create yourself a monster friend, but only if you dare!
This brand new show from the creators of Aliens
Love Underpants is monster-ously good! Follow young
inventor Monty as he creates a whole world of wacky
inventions and incredible monsters, but he has a
problem - now he has made them all, what is he going
to do with them?
This energetic show full of thrills, spills, magic and
mayhem will delight the whole family – with original
music and plenty of audience participation. For more
details visit www.lichfieldgarrick.com
WHAT: Concerts
in the Park
WHERE: Sutton Park
WHEN:
June 30 and July 1
Concerts in the Park are returning to Sutton Coldfield
this month, bringing a weekend of spectacular arts
and cultural activity to the beautiful outdoor setting of
Sutton Park. Enjoy world class music, brilliant family
entertainment and great food, with something on the
programme for everyone.
Arts organisations and local community groups will
contribute to the performance programme across both
days, and the event will be headlined by the world-class
City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. Listen
to a lively outdoor fiesta programme, from classic to
contemporary, Strauss waltzes to Bernstein. Concerts
in the Park will provide a high point of the summer in
Sutton Coldfield.
All shows are suitable for children, and there will be a
relaxed environment for youngsters to enjoy the music
and performances. For more details visit
www.townhallsuttoncoldfield.co.uk
WHAT: for-Wards presents Harmonious Generations
WHERE: Sutton Park
WHEN: July 1
Access Creative College presents Harmonious
Generations by Chris Eddowes, aka Pøgman, with
Whitehouse Common Primary School, Sutton Rock
Choir, Greville House Retirement Home and Shaggy
Dog Golf Club. Come and hear Sutton Coldfield as
you have never heard it before. Delve deep into the
diverse sounds of the area transformed into a musical
journey. Generations of Sutton working together to
bring the district to life in sound.
The concert in the park is part of major city-wide
music project for-Wards, creating new music inspired
by the second city. In just two years, for-Wards
has worked across 40 wards, 10 districts, with 10
composers and 40 community groups and will have
created 10 local performances premiering 10 new
musical creations. Tickets to the concert are free; for
more details visit www.for-wards.co.uk
GET INVOLVED: Have you got a local event
you’d like to promote? Then we’d love to hear
from you. From charity nights to local theatre
productions and more, send details to editor@
jaimemagazine.com and you could see your
event on these pages.
54

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Testing takes place on all products for quality
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form banned substances.
Would you like your business to be seen by
15,000 up-market households each month?
J’AIME IS FREELY DISTRIBUTED TO
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COLDFIELD, STREETLY, WALSALL,
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IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO KNOW MORE PLEASE CONTACT JAN ASHLEY
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LO CA L A R E A
What’s
Competition
on Second City
A LOOK AT SOME OF THE BIGGEST AND BEST
EVENTS TO COME TO BIRMINGHAM THIS MONTH
WHAT: Inspired
Family Day
WHERE: Birmingham
City University
WHEN: June 9
From starring in your own play, jewellery making and
designing your own railway, to science experiments,
craft workshops and a Commonwealth Gamesinspired
sports day, Birmingham City University will
be throwing open its doors to the public once again on
Saturday, June 9, for a unique, hands-on experience.
The University’s second Inspired Family Day will
welcome families to the Eastside campus in the city
centre for an action-packed day of free and fun-filled
events and activities for all ages between 11am and
4pm. Highlights of Inspired Family Day include
drop in, make-and-take sessions for the under 10s,
while young adults can have a go at making their
own television programme in one of the University’s
state-of-the-art broadcasting studios. Plus, Birmingham
Hippodrome will be taking part and offering groups of
youngsters the opportunity to write, direct and star in
their own play which will be performed at the end of
Inspired Family Day. For more details visit
www.bcu.ac.uk/familyday
WHAT:
The Life and Rhymes
of Benjamin Zephaniah
WHERE:
Birmingham Town Hall
WHEN: June 15
He befriended Nelson Mandela,
fought in the 1980s race riots
and recorded radical and
relevant reggae music with Bob
Marley’s former band. Benjamin Zephaniah was unable
to read and write at school but became one of Britain’s
most remarkable poets. And now he’s back with his first
tour in eight years, to coincide with his autobiography,
The Life and Rhymes of Benjamin Zephaniah.
In a compelling and inspiring show, Zephaniah will
explain how he fought injustice and discrimination
to lead a remarkable life, while sharing a selection of
favourite stories and poems. Signed copies of The Life
and Rhymes of Benjamin Zephaniah will be available
after the show. For more details visit www.thsh.co.uk
WHAT: Woyzeck
WHERE: Birmingham REP
WHEN: June 15 to 23
Woyzeck just can't get a break. He's stuck living
in military barracks. He's forced to shave his
condescending commanding officer everyday. His wages
are pitiful. His girlfriend might be having an affair.
And now he is hearing voices. Maybe he's starting to
crack? Or maybe it's just because his doctor is trialling a
pea-only diet on him? It's far from ideal but his doctor's
poking and prodding comes with the reward of some
extra money. It's the chance for a better life if Woyzeck
can just hold on that little bit longer…
Theatre and dance combine in an exhilarating story
about fighting for a better life when everything else
seems to be fighting against you. It's also a story that
celebrates the West Midlands spirit as a community
chorus of one hundred performers and dancers bring
this show to life. Woyzeck is part of Birmingham
International Dance Festival. For more information visit
www.birmingham-rep.co.uk
56

WHAT:
Birdsong
WHERE:
New Alexandra Theatre
WHEN:
June 18 to 23
Marking the 100th
anniversary of the First
World War, Birdsong is the
hit, critically-acclaimed
stage show based on the
world famous novel by Sebastian Faulks.
In pre-war France, a young Englishman Stephen
Wraysford embarks on a passionate and dangerous
affair with the beautiful Isabelle Azaire that turns their
world upside down.
As the war breaks out over the idyll of his former life,
Stephen must lead his men through the carnage of
the Battle of the Somme and through the sprawling
tunnels that lie deep underground. Faced with the
unprecedented horror of the war Stephen clings to
the memory of Isabelle as his world explodes around
him. A mesmerising story of love and courage set both
before and during the Great War. For more details visit
www.atgtickets.com/birmingham
WHAT:
Lenny Kravitz
WHERE:
Arena
Birmingham
WHEN:
June 20
American rock
legend Lenny Kravitz is bringing his summer UK tour
to Arena Birmingham this month.
Regarded as one of the preeminent rock musicians
of our time, Lenny Kravitz has transcended genre,
style, race and class over the course of a 20-year
musical career which revels in the rich influences of
'60s and '70s soul, rock and funk. From 1999 to 2002,
he won four consecutive Grammy Awards, setting a
record for the most wins in the Best Male Rock Vocal
Performance category with his single Dig In, having
previously won for Again, American Woman and Fly
Away.
This will be Kravitz’s first time in the UK since 2015
and it is set to be an irresistible show. For more details
visit www.arenabham.co.uk
WHAT:
Jess Gillam
WHERE:
Royal
Birmingham
Conservatoire,
Recital Hall
WHEN:
June 26
In 2016, at the age of 17, Jess Gillam made history
as the first saxophonist to make the finals of the BBC
Young Musician of the Year competition. Since
then, she’s appeared at the BBC Proms and achieved
widespread success. Jess’s lunchtime recital is part
of the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire’s 15-month
long Opening Festival and if you haven’t already had
a chance to visit Birmingham’s newest concert venue,
this hour-long concert is the perfect opportunity. Why
not stop for lunch in the venue’s café afterwards?
Ticket information and further details can be found
at www.bcu.ac.uk/opening-festival or
0121 331 5909.
GET INVOLVED: Have you got a local event
you’d like to promote? Then we’d love to hear
from you. From charity nights to local theatre
productions and more, send details to editor@
jaimemagazine.com and you could see your
event on these pages.
WHAT:
Birmingham
Royal Ballet
- Romeo and
Juliet
WHERE:
Birmingham
Hippodrome
WHEN:
June 26 to 30
“My only love
sprung from
my only hate.”
Prokofiev’s glorious score sets hearts alight in Kenneth
MacMillan’s enduringly popular Romeo and Juliet,
which returns to Birmingham this month, performed
by Birmingham Royal Ballet.
Love at first dance, forbidden passions, dangerous
secrets and star-crossed fate combine in this
exhilarating classic ballet. In the most famous love
story ever told, a dangerous cocktail of arrogant youth,
simmering tension and deadly feuds erupts, leaving
two young lovers at the mercy of powerful families and
their own hearts. From the balcony scene’s ecstatic pas
de deux, exploring love in all its soaring wonder, to the
lovers’ heart-breaking ends, Romeo and Juliet is dance
at its most poignant and beautiful. For more details
visit www.birminghamhipodrome.com
57

FA S H I O N
Shorts story
WITH SUMMER AROUND THE CORNER, GIVE YOUR WARDROBE
A SHORT AND SWEET UPDATE SAYS AMY NORBURY
ONCE the preserve of faraway vacations and schoolboy uniforms,
the humble short has been resurrected to become a fashion-forward
option for summer style.
But we’re not talking about your trusty denim cut-offs, the cycling
variety à la Kim Kardashian or those seasonal short-shorts that leave
little to the imagination. This season, shorts have smartened up their
act to become a viable choice from boardroom to bar.
The surprise hit of the summer catwalks, we saw high-waisted
and worn with metallic blouses at Isabel Marant, a lean and chic
iteration paired with slick double-breasted blazers at Off-White,
Saint Laurent’s high-waisted leathers, and a whole host of shorts
suits. That’s right – fashion-forward summer tailoring will finish at
the knee. This is the shot in the leg your summer wardrobe needs
now.
The biggest new player on the smart summer scene is the power
short. These ones are clean cut, chic enough to pull off at the office
but still playful enough for a night out – and examples have been
spotted all over the runway.
Perfect for work or play, a great piece of tailoring is key to any
wardrobe, and these summery, loose-fit shorts leave just the right
amount of leg on show. Wear yours with coordinating jackets, silky
camisoles and heels by night, or a casual T-shirt and flat mules by
day.
When it comes to hemlines, leave the hot pants for holidays and
opt for a more conservative length for your day-to-day summer
wardrobe. Short culottes are are great option for those times when
you need below-the-knee coverage; a glamorous and sophisticated
addition to your wardrobe, culottes are having a major fashion
comeback in 2018.
To up the glam factor, look out for tailored elements like upturned
hems and button detail; the high-waisted ‘paper bag’ style is a superflattering
cut which will nip in your mid-section nicely. Structured
fabrics, rather than blousy, add a more formal air to your outfit,
while leather and satin numbers are particularly on-trend choices for
a night on the tiles.
SHORTS, £22, TOP,
£28, AND HEELS,
£25, ALL DOROTHY
PERKINS
58

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SHORTS, M&CO
£30
£18
BLUE STRIPED PAPER BAG
SHORTS, MISS SELFRIDGE
BLACK GINGHAM CULOTTE
JUMPSUIT, £28, DOROTHY PERKINS

FA S H I O N
The bride guide
JILL HARTLEY, CO-OWNER AND DIRECTOR OF NERO E BIANCO EXCLUSIVE FASHION
AND BRIDAL BOUTIQUE AT BARTON MARINA, SHARES HER STYLE TIPS FOR BRIDES-TO-BE
At Nero e Bianco, we pride ourselves in giving all our brides to be - and all who come with - the most special
experience in finding your dream wedding dress.
With wedding season in full swing, all you brides-to-be out there will be looking for ideas for your special day, so
we have brought together a few amazing dresses to suit different body shapes and sizes to help you in making that
very important decision in the form of a silhouette guide.
Ball gown
The timeless and classic wedding dress. Worn for
generations and never goes out of fashion.
A dress quite literally fit for a princess.
​
About the style:
​• A sweetheart neckline and waist-hugging bodice.
• A stunning full bell-shaped skirt that is breathtaking
and memorising.
• A beautiful trail that flows behind you elegantly as
you walk down the aisle.
Sheath
A long length figure-hugging dress, perfect for tall
brides. This slim-fit style looks effortlessly gorgeous.
​
About the style:
​• The cut of this dress sits on your natural body shape.​
​• It’s sleek, stylish and contemporary.​
​• The long vertical lines of this style gives the dress a
lengthening effect making you look deceptively taller.
60

www.neroebianco.co.uk
Nero e Bianco
Exclusive Fashion & Bridal
Barton Marina
Burton upon Trent
DE13 8AS
01283 346704

Mermaid
Mermaid style dress, also commonly known as
a ‘fishtail’ dress.
It has a luxurious fit that’s perfect for amplifying
curvier figures.
About the style:
​• The upper bodice elegantly hugs your figure.
​• The stunning skirt flares out either mid-thigh or at
the knees leaving a gorgeous trail behind you and
showing off your curves.
​• The cut of the dress emphasises an hourglass
shape to show off your figure.
A-line
This dress is the epitome of elegance; its classic silhouette
flatters every bride.
About the style:
​• A fitted bodice accentuates your waistline to show off your
body type.
​• The skirt flows out into the shape of an ‘A’ which is where
the name of the style comes from.
​• It’s an ‘easy to wear’ dress that’s perfect for almost any
shape, and particularly flatters hourglass figures.
Tea dress
Something different to your typical floor length dresses.
A sweet, short dress for all figures.
About the style:
​• A leg-baring dress great for vintage style weddings.
​• A dress that gives you the opportunity to show off those
gorgeous bridal shoes and accessories!
62

H E A LT H
Are minerals the answer for optimum health?
BIRMINGHAM ENTREPRENEUR SUKHMANIE SEMBHY IS HOPING TO HELP PEOPLE IMPROVE THEIR HEALTH
AND WELLBEING - THANKS TO A 3,000-YEAR-OLD EASTERN SECRET. AMY NORBURY DISCOVERS MORE
When Sukhmanie Sembhy was just 16 years old,
she was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, an
autoimmune condition which causes pain, swelling
and stiffness in the joints. In search of relief from
her condition, Sukhmanie and her family turned
to a series of private hospitals and doctors, only to
find that conventional drugs seemed to make her
symptoms worse.
After years of research into alternative medicines,
Sukhmanie discovered the healing power of colloidal
minerals and silver back in 2014.
For thousands of years silver has been used as a
healing and anti-bacterial agent by civilizations
throughout the world. Its medical, preservative and
restorative powers can be traced as far back as the
ancient Greek and Roman Empires. Long before the
development of modern pharmaceuticals, silver was
employed as a germicide and antibiotic.
Trace minerals are a mineral essential to our body
for optimal health but not required by our body in
significant quantities. Specifically, trace minerals
support metabolism, antioxidant protection, immune
system function and energy. Liquid colloidal mineral
supplements are types of trace mineral supplements
that purport better absorption by the body due to the
small size of the colloidal minerals.
“I found a supplier in America,” she explains,
“and within a week of taking the supplements my
symptoms had eased off.
Now, aged 25, Sukhmanie is the founder of
Colloidal Earth, supplying colloidal mineral and
silver supplements to customers around the UK and
beyond. She set up the business in February and has
already seen rave reviews from customers.
“The feedback has been amazingly positive,” she
says. “People have been leaving remarkable reviews
on the website about how much of a difference the
minerals have made to their health and wellbeing.
“Two-Time Nobel Prize winner Dr. Linus Pauling
said ‘You can trace every sickness, every disease, and
every ailment to a mineral deficiency’ and our liquid
minerals are minimally processed so you’re getting
up to 98 per cent of the vitamins and nutrients from
them, compared to only ten per cent in tablets and
pills from other main retail stores.”
So why can’t we get these minerals today from
our fruit and
vegetables? According
to Sukhmanie,
commercial farming
has robbed us of these
important minerals
from soil depletion.
“Because of soil
depletion, crops
grown decades ago
were much richer
in vitamins and
minerals than the
SUKHMANIE SEMBHY,
FOUNDER OF
COLLOIDAL EARTH
varieties most of us get today,” she explains. “Our
complete colloidal mineral complex contains up to
72 plant-derived trace minerals and elements which
are used by the body to help it perform optimally
and maintain health. They help protect the cells
of the body from free radical damage by providing
antioxidant support. These colloidal minerals are
better absorbed and utilised by the body to improve
efficacy and results.”
Sukhmanie gave up a job working for a top fashion
designer in London to pursue her dream of helping
people achieve optimum health.
“I found that working in fashion wasn’t feeding my
soul, and I wanted to do something to help people,”
she says.
“The fast pace of life in London had caught up with
me and I wanted something more. Colloidal minerals
and silver made a huge difference to my life, and I
hope they can make a difference to others too.”
For more information visit www.colloidalearth.com
63

B E AU T Y
Cruelty-free and beautiful
AS MORE AND MORE PEOPLE CARE ABOUT THE ORIGIN OF THE PRODUCTS THEY USE ON THEIR FACE, THE
BEAUTY INDUSTRY HAS SEEN A MASSIVE RISE IN VEGAN SKINCARE. LISA PIDDINGTON, FROM HARVEY
NICHOLS BIRMINGHAM, PICKS HER FAVOURITE ETHICAL MUST-HAVES TO ENSURE GREAT-LOOKING SKIN.
With its 100% natural blend of
highly concentrated ingredients, the
Elemis Superfood Facial Oil,
£45, deeply nourishes and hydrates
your skin. Anti-oxidant and omegarich
broccoli, flax seed and daikon
radish help to soften and smooth.
Lightweight, non-greasy and easily
absorbed, this oil will leave skin
balanced with a healthy, radiant
glow.
Emma Hardie’s super charged
Vit C Serum, £49, helps brighten
skin and reduce dark spots and
pigmentation. The time-released
vitamin C helps promote collagen
synthesis while vitamin B3 works as
a daily defence against the harmful
effects from pollution and sun damage.
Its water-light formula
absorbs quickly, leaving
the perfect platform for
your daily moisturiser.
BYBI Beauty Babe Balm, £18, is a rich moisturiser by night and glossy lip
balm, cheek highlighter, eyebrow gloss or hand cream by day ... the choice is
yours! Super-firming Coenzyme Q10 is the key ingredient, along with a nourishing
combination of Squalene, Hibiscus and Calendula. It looks like peach sorbet
(that’ll be the pink sweet potato extract) and smells like a tropical sunset (thanks
to the Brazilian Pequi oil). It also comes in a compostable tube made of
sugarcane just to up its ethical cred.
With Iconic London’s Illuminator
drops, £30, a little certainly goes a long
way. These versatile, customisable shimmer
drops allow you to bump up the highlight
factor of any product in your makeup bag
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64

Life in the fast lane
M OTO R S
THIS MONTH J’AIME’S MOTORING CORRESPONDENT AND RESIDENT RACING DRIVER
MARTIN PLOWMAN ASKS “COULD FORMULA E BE COMING TO BIRMINGHAM IN 2019?”
FORMULA E IS IN ADVANCED
TALKS TO BRING MOTORSPORT
BACK TO BIRMINGHAM
Formula E is the first fully-electric form of
motorsport that has taken the world by storm since
its debut in 2014. Despite many doubters who felt
racing cars that sounded like juiced up remotecontrolled
cars would turn off true petrol-heads have
been proven wrong so far. Formula E has grown at
an exponential rate in the last four years and has
become a global force to be reckoned with.
The championship boasts 20 of the world’s best
drivers, participation by seven major manufacturers
including Audi, Renault and Jaguar Land Rover. It
travels to five different continents and 11 host cities.
Outside of Formula 1, it is quickly becoming one of
the world’s most prestigious racing championships.
As of the time of writing this, Birmingham is in
‘advanced talks’ with the organisers of Formula E to
host an event in 2019 and beyond, according to West
Midlands mayor Andy Street.
“Over the last year, we have been in negotiations
with the organisers of the FIA Formula E
Championship about bringing a road race to
Birmingham, effectively reviving the Super Prix,”
said Street. “We are now in the advanced stages of
these negotiations.”
Street explained that Birmingham wanted to
showcase its revamped city centre and also the
region’s position “as a world leader in the next
generation of automotive technologies. So much of
65

COULD THIS BE A SCENE IN
BIRMINGHAM FROM 2019?
the engineering that goes into the cars already used
in Formula E racing comes from the West Midlands,
it makes perfect sense we should be hosting such
events.”
If the mayor can pull this off, it would be huge
news for Birmingham and the whole of the West
Midlands. Birmingham has not hosted a major
motorsport event since 1990 when it held the
fabled Birmingham Super Prix between 1986-1990
contested by Formula 3000 cars
(equivalent to today’s second
tier Formula 2 cars). The event
would bring glitz, glamour, and
the world’s attention to a city in
full revival mode.
Formula E’s recipe for success
boils down to the fact that
they are very fan-friendly. Fan
engagement is at the core of
the championship’s focus,
even down to the extreme of
where fans get to vote for their
favourite driver to receive a ‘fan
boost’ of extra power during the
race to gain an advantage for a
predetermined amount of time.
Formula E race events are
massive occasions that are more
akin to street carnivals, with
temporary race tracks set up in
the heart of the city. I can only
hope that Electric Avenue forms
BIRMINGHAM HOSTED THE SUPER
PRIX FROM 1986 TO 1990
part of the circuit or
else they will be missing
out on some major PR
fodder! By taking the
party to the people, it
ensures there are always
big crowds and plenty
of things to do for the
whole family.
Financially speaking,
the race will help give
a big shock to the local
economy too. The last
time Formula E raced
in the UK, 120,000 fans
flocked to Battersea Park
on race day alone, many
of whom were out-oftown
guests needing
hotels, transportation
and restaurants.
The whole of the West Midlands is in the middle of
a sporting and cultural resurgence with some bigticket
events on the horizon after it was announced
that Birmingham had won its bid to host the
Commonwealth Games in 2022. The addition of a
Formula E race would add a welcome spark to the
West Midlands cultural scene.
66

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