January 2010
It’s hard to believe that the last time I put together a newsletter we were awash with sunshine and dealing with the glut from the veg patch! Now the view from my office is a rather more icy affair, with the coal fire providing that soul-affirming flame needed in mid-winter.
Time to look back over the past six months.
I hinted in my last newsletter that The Place Below – Bill Sewell’s much loved restaurant in the City – was changing.
In October we relaunched as Café Below, with evening opening for supper and nibbles and a new menu including meat for the first time.
The changes have been well received by the critics. Jay Rayner of The Observer named the café as ‘exactly the kind of restaurant any hectic city needs’, particularly appreciating the subterranean location (Café Below is set in the crypt of St Mary le Bow church in Cheapside).
Charles Campion has championed our porridge in the Evening Standard, plus there’s been mentions in Metro, Square Meal and View London.
I’d recommend a visit – www.cafebelow.co.uk
Much of the autumn was taken up at Town Hall Symphony Hall in Birmingham, where I was embedded into the marketing team.
Working on campaigns for such diverse genres as gospel, folk, classical and even organ music, this was a useful insight into marketing in a more corporate environment. www.thsh.co.uk
Also this autumn there was work with Radar, the University of Loughborough’s contemporary arts programme, to promote their winter 09/10 programme.
This included a fascinating project by Imogen Stidworthy, who interviewed recent war veterans to make a sound installation at Loughborough Railway Station, subsequently featured on East Midlands Today. www.lboro.ac.uk/radar
I returned to sampad South Asian Arts to assist with their autumn and spring programme and also found time to pass the WSET Advanced Certificate in wine and sprits (a hardship, as I am sure you will appreciate).
But more exciting times are ahead!
After my work with Birmingham’s Ikon gallery during much of last year, I am very pleased to announce that we’ll be working together indefinitely.
As their PR and Press Consultant, I will be managing the press office, working on exhibitions and events at the gallery as well as our offsite projects.
I’ll also be promoting Café Ikon, fresh from its refurbishment in September.
www.ikon-gallery.co.uk
I’m delighted to continue our association – much to look forward to in 2010.
Best wishes to all,
Helen
