April 11th, 2012
On Monday 16th April at 10am Fellows are holding an eclectic auction of Vintage & Modern Wrist Watches promising a number of interesting items from Omega and Breitling, and an exceptional piece from Rolex – a Royal Navy issue Submariner.
This ‘MilSub’, as it is affectionately known, is highly appreciated by collectors due both to its rarity and its status as the perfect example of a ‘tool watch’ – a watch primarily designed for a particular purpose or activity rather than as jewellery.
With a number of features that distinguish it from the standard civilian Submariner, the MilSub is fitted with a rugged nylon, or ‘NATO’, strap threaded through solid bars that are fixed into the lugs. This method of fitting is safer than a normal strap or bracelet, where there is the danger of losing the watch should one spring bar fail.
Showing no signs of modern intervention, this 5513 model is in at Lot 238, and has an estimate of £25,000 – £30,000.
Our Omega section includes an original Seamaster Professional (Lot 141, estimated at £2,500 – £3,500), or ‘PloProf’, diving watch. On its release in the 1970s, this watch snubbed convention by contrasting the understated, smooth lines of the Rolex Submariner – then champion of the emerging diving market – with its innovative features and unconventional, even brutal, appearance.
In 2009 Omega decided to revive this iconic piece with the release of the PloProf 1200, which has various technical alterations but keeps the same characteristic aesthetic. This sale features both the reissue (Lot 120, estimated at £2,400 – £3,400) and the original, providing collectors with a rare opportunity to compare pioneering design alongside its contemporary reinterpretation.
Breitling fans will also be pleased to find examples of vintage and modern watches with the inclusion of a 1965 Navitimer Cosmonaute (Lot 20, estimated at £1,800 – £2,200) and a 2003 Emergency Mission (Lot 15, estimate £1,500 – £2,000).
The Cosmonaute is distinguished by its 24hr dial and slide rule bezel, used to assist calculations involving speed, time, distance, and other normal flight and navigation variables. Contrary to popular misconception, the Navitimer was the first chronograph in space, and although this Cosmonaute is a variation of that famed 1962 version, it remains an important part of the Navitimer’s legacy.
The Breitling Emergency is an instrument watch with a built-in micro transmitter that, once activated, broadcasts on the emergency aircraft frequency allowing rescuers to locate one’s position following a crash or forced landing. Although the standard Emergency is intended for aeronautical use, the Mission variety returns to a more traditional chronograph design, affirming its character as a civilian adaptation of the original. However, beneath its tamer appearance, it remains a formidable instrument.
With over 250 other similarly collectable pieces, these watches will be offered at Fellows Vintage & Modern Wrist Watches auction on Monday 16th April and at 10am.
Click here to view the catalogue: http://bit.ly/Hsvmn0
April 11th, 2012
Our current show Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson is a brand new adaptation of the classic tale of pirates, treasure and Long John Silver. The audience feedback so far has been excellent, the show runs until April 15th, catch it if you can!
Book tickets here: http://www.blueorangetheatre.co.uk/whatsontreasure.htm
Blue Orange Theatre
118 Great Hampton Street
Birmingham
B18 6AD
Telephone: 0121 212 2643
April 5th, 2012
Author Paige Toon is launching her new book at The Drop Forge, Hockley Street on the 9th May. Tickets cost £10 including a signed copy of the book, a reading of the first chapter by Paige, Q&A session and light nibbles!
We hope to se you there!
Date: Wednesday 9th May
Time: 7.00pm
Venue: The Drop Forge, 6-10 Hockley Street, Jewellery Quarter.
Contact: Michael on 07885 483937 or email knowle22@02.co.uk
April 5th, 2012
A day of musical fun and games featuring three new 12 minute music compositions, plus table tennis, wii games, family events, workshops, talks, cafe and more.
Ping! - Joe Cutler, Coull Quartet and Fusion Table Tennis Club explore the rhythms of table tennis; performances 12:40, 13:40, 16:20
Five Rings Triples - Howard Skempton’s Olympian twist on the bell-ringing tradition; performances (St. Paul’s Church) 2.40pm, 3.40pm, 4.40pm
The Voyage - Stan’s Cafe and Michael Wolters’ heroic 2-act, 12min opera, with mobile seating bank! UK premiere; performances 12noon, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm, 4pm, 5pm
Twenty-Seven Heavens - Richard Causton discusses his work for a 120-piece orchestra; screenings 1.20pm, 2.20pm, 4.20pm
Venue: @AE Harris, 110 Northwood Street, Birmingham B3 1SZ
Open: 11.45am – 5.30pm.
Tickets: £6; £4 concs; free for under 5s.
Bookings: www.aeharrisvenue.co.uk (50p booking fee applicable) or on the door
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March 27th, 2012
Please visit www.thejamhouse.com for more details on Bands, Tickets and Menu Details.
UPCOMING EVENTS
THE MANFREDS - WED 11TH APRIL
www.thejamhouse.com/birmingham/live-music/event/1847/the-manfreds-april-2012.htm
THE SOUNDS OF THE SUPREMES - WED 30TH MAY
www.thejamhouse.com/birmingham/live-music/event/1836/the-sounds-of-the-supremes-may-2012.htm
THE REAL THING - THURS 5TH JULY
www.thejamhouse.com/birmingham/live-music/event/1848/the-real-thing-july-2012.htm
BAND LISTINGS
TUES 3RD - KENT duCHAINE
Blues Singer and Slide Guitarist from the US.
WED 4TH - THE CISSY STONE BAND
Soul and Funk, Rock and RnB Classics!
THURS 5TH - RICKY COOL & THE HOOLA BOOLA BOYS
One of the biggest names in the UK Rhythm 'n' Blues and Rock 'n' Roll scene.
FRI 6TH & SAT 7TH - B'SPOKE
A popular & funky young ten piece of talented musicians perform a range of soul & R'n'B classics.
TUES 10TH - LEE ROGERS & OZ McGOWAN
Piano & Guitar Delight with some songbook favourites
WED 11TH - THE MANFREDS
A Manfreds' live gig bursts with that quirky mix of rootsy rhythm & blues, solid gold pop, and jazz, brimming over with their trade mark hits!
THURS 12TH - CHRIS POOLE & THE SHADES
This skilled seven-piece play a wide variety of all time classics from the 50's right through to today.
FRI 13TH & SAT 14TH - UP4 THE DOWNSTROKE
Stellar vocal harmony playing RnB faves from the likes of Beyonce, Timberlake, Rhianna and more.
TUES 17TH - CASEY GREEN QUARTET
JazzLines presents ... Casey Green Quartet.
WED 18TH - PRIVATE EVENT
Sorry, we are closed to the public this evening.
THURS 19TH - THE OFFICIAL RECEIVERS
A night for dancing to songs from the great heyday of Soul: high-energy Stax & Atlantic Funk!
FRI 20TH & SAT 21ST - GROUPER
Rock this weekend with this four-piece guitar band playing a complete range of classics old & new.
TUES 24TH - ACOUSTIC SESSIONS
Acoustic talent showcase hosted by Ben Drummond.
WED 25TH - PRIVATE EVENT
Sorry, we are closed to the public this evening.
THURS 26TH - DEL CAMINO
LatinMotion presents ... Popular seven piece Salsa Band supported by LatinMotion DJs.
FRI 27TH & SAT 28TH - RED LEMONS
Soul & Funk favourites from the likes of Aretha Franklin and Stevie Wonder to Alicia Keys and Duffy.
FOLLOW US
facebook.com/TheJamHouse
twitter.com/TheJamHouse
CONTACT US
T: 0121 200 3030
F: 0121 200 3044
info@thejamhouse.com
www.thejamhouse.com
March 21st, 2012
MOTORBIKES FOR MOTOR NEURONE DISEASE
By now, many in the retail jewellery trade have already heard of Simon Cupitt. Simon, who runs Cupitt Jewellers in Bromsgrove, is one of the few people in the retail jewellery industry who makes jewellery as well as he sells it. A family man, and once a keen skier, cyclist and climber, Simon was dealt a spine chilling blow at the end of last year which has seen his life turned upside down. It was on returning from a gruelling challenge, riding a civilian section of the Tour de France, over 3,000 vertical meters of the Alps, that Simon noticed something wasn’t quite right. It wasn’t unusual for these kind of rides to take their toll, however, this time the usual stiff legs didn’t restore at the same speed he might have expected, and after a few weeks Simon went looking for answers. Referrals led to further appointments and eventually, after numerous trips to doctors and specialists Simon received the life-changing diagnosis. In late 2011 Simon was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND).
For those of you who don’t know what MND is – it’s a rare group of neurological disorders that effects the cells that control voluntary muscle activity including speaking, walking, breathing, swallowing and general movement of the body. It’s heart-breaking to say, but MND has no known cause or treatment, and can typically be fatal to those who have it. It’s harrowing news for anyone to receive, no matter what stage of life you are at. None of us knows what the future holds for us, but at least not knowing allows us to continue a normal life. For Simon, this is no longer the case. There are some really difficult times on the horizon for Simon and his family – and although there is nothing that can be done to halt the onset of this terrible illness, there is one thing we can all do and that is to see Simon’s story create a lasting legacy.
Over the next month, Simon and a group of close friends are embarking on a trip that was one of Simon’s life goals; to undertake a charity bike ride from John O’Groats to Land’s End. Luckily for those friends who don’t possess the stamina Simon has shown over the years, the trip will be made using motorcycles. BMW have already pledged their support by providing Simon’s bike, which will assist him in making the five day journey, from the 21st -26th of March. The team as a whole will aim to raise money for the Motor Neurone Disease Association and for Simon’s family, to help them equip themselves to adapt to Simon’s ever changing needs.
Fellows auctioneers have also sponsored a van and fuel for the journey and will be available for Simon to use should he need it.
Simon’s journey will be as interactive as possible, and will hopefully raise a huge amount for both Simon and other suffers of MND. To see how you can help and get involved in Simon’s UK tour, you can find out more in the following ways:
- You can ‘Like’ our Facebook page at: facebook.com/scmotorcyclediary
- Follow us on Twitter at: @Scmotorcyclediary or twitter.com/scmotorcycledia
- Read about our journey at: scmotorcyclediary.wordpress.com
Or, more importantly you can donate and help raise money!
- To give to The Motor Neurone Disease Association visit our ‘JustGiving’ page at: http://www.justgiving.com/SimonCupitt-transUK
- To give directly to Simon Cupitt & his family you can donate through paypal: https://www.paypal-marketing.co.uk/sendmoney/index.htm using the e-mail address: Simon@cupittweb.co.uk
- Or you can send a personal cheque to: Mr S Cupitt, Beech Tree House, 16 The Strand, Bromsgrove, Worcs, B61 8AB
March 20th, 2012
The work of a treasured author from the Jewellery Quarter has been remembered as a new public square is opened in her honour.
The new ‘Dayus Square’, at the junction of Carver Street, Legge Street and Albion Street in the Jewellery Quarter, has been named after Kathleen Dayus, who wrote the critically acclaimed ‘The Girl from Hockley’ – a book about the social history of Birmingham and, in particular, the Quarter.
The project, which was developed by Birmingham City Council with support and involvement of the local community – who are spearheaded by the Jewellery Quarter Development Trust (JQDT) – has seen the square undergo £300,000 worth of public realm, art, pedestrian and traffic improvements, developed in partnership with local residents.
Members from four generations of Kathleen’s family attended the launch event for the square and unveiled a specially designed piece of public art – a bronze sculpture of pages from a book containing passages about the Jewellery Quarter from Dayus’ book. The artwork was revealed by Cabinet Member for Transport, Environment and Regeneration Councillor Timothy Huxtable and Kathleen’s daughter, Jean Rainey.
Jean said: “The square and sculpture in my mother’s honour is simply wonderful. She lived in Camden Drive and used the George and Dragon pub as a prominent setting throughout her books. Both of these ‘landmarks’ are close to the square, so it’s a very fitting tribute to her life. My mother was very active, even in her late years, and always spoke passionately of the Jewellery Quarter.”
Cllr Timothy Huxtable said: “This project will not only enhance the quality of life and the street scene in the immediate vicinity, but will also further enhance and celebrate the cultural heritage which makes the Jewellery Quarter such a unique and renowned attraction.
“The former George and Dragon pub is currently vacant and in a poor state of repair. However, Birmingham City Council is working with the owner to bring forward proposals to return it to its original use with the addition of new hotel accommodation.”
Members of the Dayus family were also presented with silver bookmarks to commemorate the day, which were stamped with the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee hallmark.
David Mahony, chair of the JQDT, said: “Dayus Square is a prime example of how the JQ community has worked with the City Council to regenerate the Quarter while also remembering a much-loved person from the area.
“The JQDT hopes to link all those places Kathleen describes so well in her books into a walk. This square is just the start.”
Born in Hockley, Birmingham, in 1903, Kathleen Dayus is best known for a series of autobiographical novels based on her experiences as a child and as an adult growing up within the close knit, yet impoverished, back-to-back communities within the city.
She was awarded an honorary degree from the University of Birmingham in 1992, at the age of 85, and passed away just a couple of weeks short of her 100th birthday in 2003.
March 19th, 2012
Birmingham’s Lord Mayor has helped to unveil a ‘treasured’ document for the Jewellery Quarter – the Prospectus for the Jewellery Quarter Business Improvement District (JQ BID).
The Jewellery Quarter Development Trust (JQDT), which is leading the BID in conjunction with Birmingham City Council, welcomed local business owners, stakeholders and council dignitaries to a launch event last week to mark the start of the ballot process.
The Lord Mayor was joined by Birmingham City Council’s Cabinet Member for Finance, Councillor Randal Brew OBE and the Cabinet Member for Transport, Environment and Regeneration Councillor Timothy Huxtable.
The JQ BID aims to attract investment, increase visitor numbers and encourage a more vibrant economy, while making the area a better place in which to work, invest and live.
Around 550 local businesses are being asked to vote to support the initiative, which will see businesses with premises with a rateable value £10,000 or above pay an extra annual levy of 2% to fund additional investment for the benefit of the whole area.
Over the past six months the JQDT has hosted a series of consultation meetings and a drop-in day to enable business owners and potential levy payers to find out more about its exciting plans.
Dave Mahony, chair of the JQDT and managing director of PCPT Architects in Spencer Street, said: “We were delighted that the Lord Mayor, members of the City Council and local business owners attended the launch event to show their support for the BID.
“If ever an area was tailor-made for a BID it is the Jewellery Quarter with its unique blend of business and heritage, manufacturing, private investment and ownerships and its skilled, creative people who take great pride in the place. The JQDT is determined to succeed in getting a positive BID outcome for the area.”
Councillor Tim Huxtable said: “There are currently nine BIDs in Birmingham and I have seen how BID status has helped businesses to improve their local environment for staff, residents and visitors. The City Council sees the Jewellery Quarter as very much a part of the city centre and wishes the JQDT the best of luck in achieving its aim of securing the Quarter as a Business Improvement District.”
Following the launch event, which was hosted by University College Birmingham, the Prospectus will now be distributed to all businesses in the Quarter with a rateable value of £10,000 or above.
The ballot – managed and organised by an independent organisation, the Electoral Reform Society – will take place over five weeks, starting on April 17.
The board of the JQDT decided in early-summer 2011 to support the BID proposal and develop the initiative in partnership with Birmingham City Council. Being a Community Interest Company, the JQDT is made up of key community and stakeholder organisations from within the Jewellery Quarter, including the Jewellery Quarter Association, the Jewellery Quarter Marketing Initiative, the Jewellery Quarter Trade Alliance and the Jewellery Quarter Neighbourhood Forum.
The Trust Board agreed that a levy of 2% should be set on all properties with a rateable value of £10,000 and above and that the Jewellery Quarter BID area would be defined as the area bounded by the Jewellery Quarter side of Great Charles Street, Livery Street, Great Hampton Street, Key Hill Drive, Icknield Street, Sandpits/The Parade and Summer Row.
The BID would help to improve the Jewellery Quarter in many ways, including providing a welcoming environment for visitors, clean and safer streets, improving marketing to increase footfall and inward investment, and improving connectivity to the city centre.
March 19th, 2012
On Thursday 29th March Fellows auctioneers shall be holding a preview evening showcashing items from the auctions:
Antiques & Fine Art
English & Continental Clocks (starts at lot 601)
If you would like to be placed on the guest list for this event please RSVP to mary@fellows.co.uk
Time:
5.00pm – 8.00pm
Place:
Fellows Auctioneers
Augusta House
19 Augusta Street
Jewellery Quarter
Birmingham
B18 6JA
March 19th, 2012
Your chance to see work by artists seeking election to become Associates or full Members of the Royal Birmingham Society of Artists (RBSA). The exhibition runs 26-31 March at the RBSA Gallery and results of the election will be available after the Society’s AGM on Sunday 22 April 2012.
