The handcrafts and painting produced by Ranbir are a captivating image of Art from the East, significant of horizons depicting distilled heritage of the past and reflecting fascinating techniques of the modern world. The delicate paintings with skilful designs create a vision of contemplation and the works of Art attempted by her display the depth of originality combined with imaginative alternatives and revolutionary instincts.

This is the only South Asian Crafts Gallery in the West Midlands and possibly in the UK

‘Walk in to the Gallery to explore shimmering colours of South Asia’

Entrance to the Gallery is Free by appointments only.

Monday to Thursday 10:00am – 16:00pm

      Two things that I thought that I would never do was to go caravanning or cruising for my holidays. Yet due to a decision by close friends on their holiday arrangements, I found myself and wife booked on a 9 day ‘Round the British Isles’ cruise. Normally one for warm weather and exotic locations, the prospect all seemed a bit bizarre. Certainly it raised eyebrows when I said that I was cruising around Great Britain, although once I explained that I wasn’t intending to retrace George Michael’s footsteps, it actually got a vote of confidence. Slightly worryingly, that vote generally came from people wearing bright turquoise Regatta waterproofs.

    The cruise liner SS Marco Polo was due to leave from Tilbury Docks…last time I was in that neck of the woods, I had been taking fairly speedy steps to avoid a special ‘welcome’ laid on by local Millwall fans. This time, however, I’m pleased to report, it was all a little more sedate. On arrival we went through a slightly ‘half baked’ customs checkpoint to walk up a gangplank onto the ship.

  I soon realised that our friends and ourselves were undoubtedly the youngest ‘cruisers’…eye candy was definitely of the Troach Drops variety and I’m sure that I heard a gasp from onlookers as we boarded the ship without visibly using any walking aids.

   As we looked out to sea on the main deck it was a sea of blue and as I turned to look in the opposite direction back onto the deck ,it was a sea of beige and the shape of things to come.

   We were all given a ‘deck card’ as the ship was a cash free zone. Meals, however, were free covering breakfast, elevenses, lunch, high tea, dinner and supper. Although I never made the full set of dining options there were plenty that did. On the other hand, drinks had to be paid for with the wine expensive and average but the beer and cocktails were better value albeit bitter was served up in cans. Despite the imbalance of food, the ship’s gym was a lonely place with just me and a couple of gay Cossacks….the majority of crew were Ukranian evidenced by bar receipts in the names of Viktoriya, Anya, Mariana(unfortunately without the Waves) and  Eleanora.

  The first day was spent on the ‘cold’ North Sea.  And amazingly it was the best day and warm enough to be sprawled on the deck sunbeds although there was no room to swing a ship’s cat. However this didn’t stop most passengers soaking up the sun in an endeavour to get even more prune like.

    Our first stop was on the East of Scotland.. Invergordon, which was a bit of a one horse town although at least we were piped off the ship to Scotland the Brave although already a more apt choice would have been ‘Who Ate All  The  Pies?’ Incidentally at every stop there were organised trips but they were not only expensive they were generally a bit too regimented for me.

   Next stop was the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides. The whole ship was buzzing with the anticipation of buying some Harris Tweed apparel but this proved extraordinarily expensive. There was the obligatory whisky distillery and we hopped on a local bus to visit the historic ‘black houses…these were buildings dating back hundreds of years made mainly of peat with an open fire and no chimney…an atmosphere similar to a 1950s ‘snug’ full of blokes smoking ‘Woodbines’. Interestingly on our journey my rose tinted vision of neat well kept crofters’ gardens was blown out of the water by gardens which will ensure that there will never be an Isle of Lewis In Bloom.

  Next day we docked at Tobermory with its coloured houses of Children’s TV fame. It was a real picture postcard scene and lunch was a delicious ‘scallops and chips’ from the Mc Chippie…the only disappointment was that ‘fish of the day’ was haddock which I can easily get back in dear old Brum.

    On the subject of food, that night was a formal ‘meet the captain’ dinner. Dinners were rated as ‘casual’,’ informal’ and ‘formal’. Mind you , even ‘casual’ didn’t mean you could wear a shell suit although I wouldn’t have minded doing so for a substantial bet. The ‘formal’ status meant a suit or preferably DJ with a dickie. Everybody had two minutes with a slightly bewildered looking captain and a photo was taken to be purchased later at an exorbitant cost. One tip when being introduced is don’t say ‘it’s a nice boat you’ve got here’. .the comment  will go down like the Titanic as ‘ship’ is the word to use.

  After the meal and on other nights was the ‘camp’(in more ways than one) entertainer and his team with themed nights..’ From Russia with Love’ etc etc. Afterwards there was a disco in the late bar.. I never thought that I would ever see somebody doing the foxtrot to a medley of the Stones’ greatest hits.

   Anyway next stop was Dublin in the pouring rain. On the way in we passed up a pricey opportunity to see the ‘Book of Kells’.. it’s a big thing to Irish Catholics I’m told  but as a Proddy   I’m happy enough with the Bible. We did however visit the excellent City Art Gallery and also found a real authentic pub just on the border of the plastic leprechaun country that is Temple Bar. Squeezed next to a chatty farmer from Tipperary wearing a trademark flat cap, we watched several guys playing impromptu on a guitar and drum  everything from Dylan to Van Morrison. By the way the draught  Guiness was as sweet as a nut and far superior to the bitter British version.

    Next stop was the Scilly Isles.. another stop in doubt because of inclement weather(as they say on the bridge).Luckily it went ahead and, as a keen gardener I was looking forward to seeing Tresco and I wasn’t disappointed. There was an amazing array of sub tropical plants growing to their heart’s content in mild if wet conditions.. and I’ve never got wetter in my life on the return trip back to the ship.. serves me right I suppose for not investing in a bright turquoise waterproof!.

  The Channel Island was next and St. Peter’s  Port. We visited a fascinating Museum telling the story of the island under occupation and the bravery in the face of the conquering Germans…maybe Wayne Rooney needs to pay it a visit! Funnily enough the only disappointing thing about the whole visit was sampling a Channel Islands cream tea.. I was expecting great lumps of chloresterolly enhanced cream which would need to be prised away from the spoon.. instead it was a bit of spray cream on a dry and tasteless scone.

   Our last stop was Honfleur and this included a trip to Monet’s Garden. Disappointingly a three hour round trip resulted in less than one hour to enjoy the gardens and his house. I felt a bit like a Japanese tourist as we were almost frogmarched(excuse the pun) around with no real time to enjoy the place.

   Overall the Cruise was an experience not to be missed as I saw parts of Britain that I probably would never have got round to seeing. However I also felt that I had eaten for England ,Scotland, Wales and Ireland, been cooped up in a cabin with no natural light and never staying long enough to get under the skin of a place. Any sort of quiet or solitude was difficult to find on a ship with, even the deck, packed like sardines. With the age profile it also felt a bit like God’s Waiting Room and the rush to be first for meals was all too reminiscent of mealtimes at my 99 year old Mum’s sheltered housing complex!

  So in future, it’s likely to be up, up and away for any holiday breaks!

ANDY MUNRO

Please find attached a presentation of the propsals

AE HARRIS PRESENTATION

An historical homecoming for one of Birmingham’s most accomplished silversmiths will take place on Monday 24^th May as two pieces of Matthew Boulton silver await the hammer at auctioneers, Fellows & Sons. 

A son of a buckle maker, Matthew Boulton (1728 – 1809) aspired to be a great gentleman and went on to become one of the most extraordinary men in the history of silver. A keen scientist and entrepreneur, Boulton expanded his father’s business considerably and together with his business partner John Fothergill opened the Soho Manufactory, one of the earliest factories in Birmingham. The fascinating yet fraught partnership of Boulton and Fothergill saw superb silver and Sheffield plate being produced ranging from modest silver buttons and snuff boxes for the aspiring working classes to candlesticks and candelabrums for the emerging bourgeoisie. 

In a bid to avoid his fine creations being copied by long standing rivals in London, Boulton saw a successful parliamentary act passed in 1773 which allowed him to establish an assay office in the heart of Birmingham allowing local silversmiths to prosper away from the capital.

Changing trends in decorative arts in the 18^th century saw a new direction in silver design towards the clean lines of neo-classicism and the re-imagining of ancient architecture. This flourishing craftsmanship is skilfully displayed in the George III silver trophy cup which is hallmarked Birmingham 1793 and set to be a highlight of the upcoming sale.

Estimated between £500 and £800 the trophy cup of traditional form has twin leaf mounted handles, beaded details and a decorative detailed rim. Measuring 22cm and weighing 975 grams, the cup with gilt interior is an elegant example of Boulton’s technique for creating fine items of silver in beautiful ornamental form.

The second lot expected to draw interest is a pair of silver plated candlesticks made by the Matthew Boulton Plate Company which are estimated between £300 and £500. Measuring 24.1 cm in height, the candlesticks are each raised above a circular footed base with leaf mounted reeded columns and detachable nozzles further emphasising the clean lines and proportions of the classical embellishments which enhanced Boulton’s craft.

Stephen Whittaker, Managing Director, Fellows & Sons said: “These fine examples were created over 200 years ago at a time when new wealth was emerging from the Industrial Revolution. They were extremely desirable then and are still highly sought after today”.

Dr. Sally Baggott, Curator, The Birmingham Assay Office said: ‘The Birmingham Assay Office was established in 1773, largely due to the efforts of Matthew Boulton, and he did a great deal to build Birmingham’s reputation and put it on the international map. Boulton’s working life began in his father’s toy and button making business yet he went on to become one of the great silversmiths of the late eighteenth century. His work is exemplary of the neo-classical style; simple, elegant and appealing to modern taste.’ 

These examples of Mathew Boulton silver will feature in the Silver, Plated Ware, Coins & Medals auction held on Monday 24^th May at Fellows & Sons in Birmingham.

For more information please contact Mary Long on 0121 212 5500 or email mary@fellows.co.uk

For more information visit http://www.fellows.co.uk