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03
REVIEW OF THE NEW
MIGHTY BMW M6 THE EVERYDAY
SUPERCAR Henri’s Bar review + Easter activities + Movie review Ask the Architect + Local success story nd more! FEATURE
…a
Maternity fashion feature… Emily Evans, founder of maternity boutique 9 London, explains why 2012 will be a great year for maternity fashion.
worth COMPETITIONS! £400 of PRIZES
P15
SPA DAY FOR TWO Blooming gorgeous feature p4
Welcome to the March edition of Hub Magazine. » Rich Rees Editor » Tim Webley Art Director » Craig Howard Advertising CONTACT US: Hub Magazine e-Innovation Centre Telford Campus, Priorslee Telford TF2 9FT 01952 288 298 studio@hubmag.co.uk advertise@hubmag.co.uk www.hubmag.co.uk With special thanks to: Amy Bould Travel Editor Jo Gadsby Food Editor Trevor Morris Film Review Ortek Colour Printers
www.hubmag.co.uk
This month we’ve got some fantastic features, and some equally impressive prizes up for grabs too! As always, there’s additional and extended content online too at hubmag.co.uk Emily Evans from maternity boutique 9 London shares some expert tips and views (p4), whilst Amy Bould uncovers some of the best city breaks (p8). Local girl Ally Murphy tells Hub Magazine her story of commercial success (p12), Jo Gadsby visits the very impressive Henri’s Bar in Shifnal (p26) and we look at the new BMW M6 and witness the beginning of a new era in M Cars (p24).
Congratulations to Gail from Shifnal who won January’s prize draw of 10 Comedy DVDs - if you’d like to enter any of the prizes on offer this month, simply visit hubmag.co.uk/competitions for more details. Good luck, and see you next month!
Rich Rees - Hub Editor
What’s in Hub this month… 04
maternity fashion feature… …with 9 London’s Emily Evans
15
Competitions WIN great prizes!
STYLE Get the look
04 maternity fashion feature Expert advice and a look at the hottest styles of the stars… 06 wedding services From cakes to dresses and beautiful local venues…
leisurE Fun time!
08 Time for a break? Amy Bould checks in to some of the world’s best city breaks 10 clubs Get involved in some great clubs 12 my commercial success Telford’s own Ally Murphy on her WeightWatchers advert starring role 13 film review Resident film critic ‘trovster’ reviews ‘The Ides of March’ 14 health & fitness Treat yourself to a day you’ll never forget at the Hill Valley Hotel Spa
competitions Win, win, win! 15 WIN over £400 worth of amazing prizes!
Home Property & ideas
16 paint it furniture Turn unloved furniture into a real showpiece… 17 PROPERTY from Nock Deighton 20 ask the architect Matthew Franklin talks about extending your property
FAMILY Features & advice
22 easter fun! Easter activities and ideas…
motoring News & features 24 pulling power BMW’s mighty new M6
Food & Drink Tasty treats
26
food review Henri’s Bar, Shifnal
24
bmw’s monstrous new m6 A closer look at the future of BMW M Cars
26 review Jo Gadsby visits Henri’s Bar in Shifnal, and likes what she sees… 28 Food & drink guide Places to eat and drink out in Telford & surrounding area
NEWS & EVENTS What’s on
31 what’s on guide See what’s happening in the Telford area for you and the family
BUSINESS Advice & opinions 32 views and opinions from some of Shropshire’s leading companies
classified Directory 34 just businesses!
LOOK OUT FOR… Look out for Hub Magazine at these locations and more…
…exclusive Hub offers when you see this stamp! Simply quote ‘Hub Magazine’
Delivered to selected homes in: apley, coalport, codsall, hadley, ironbridge, lightmoor, lilleshall, andlawley, receiveleegomery, great offers and discounts! much wenlock, muxton, newport, priorslee, shifnal, st georges, the humbers, trench, wellington +high-traffic businesses! Hub Magazine is proud to support local businesses, although we cannot accept responsibility for loss, damage or omission caused by error in the printing of an advert. All artwork and feature material is accepted on strict condition that permission has been given for use in this publication. Adverts are accepted on the understanding that descriptions of goods and services are fair and accurate. Any reproduction of any material is forbidden without written consent of the publishers. The publishers cannot accept responsibility for views expressed by contributors, or for the accuracy of claims made by advertisers. ‘Hub’, ‘Hub Mag’ and ‘Hub Magazine’ are trading styles of The Design Frontier Ltd. ISSN 2049-3142.
04 STYLE
maternity fashion
Blooming Gorgeous Emily Evans, founder of maternity boutique 9 London, explains why 2012 will be a great year for maternity fashion, and takes a look at leading celebrities’ looks including Beyoncé, Jennifer Garner, Hilary Duff, Amanda Holden and Billie Piper.
A
ll of them have already won plaudits from fashion critics for their perfect pregnancy wardrobes and are set to continue dressing their expanding curves to impress in the early part of 2012. But what are they likely to be wearing and how can those waiting for their own addition to the family get one step ahead in the fashion stakes? Maternity guru and style advisor to the stars Emily Evans of 9 London said today 2012 was going to be the best year yet for beautiful bumps. “Beyoncé has really helped take pregnancy fashion to a new level by experimenting with different looks and refusing to be ruled by convention,” said Emily. “This year maternity high fashion is really going to come into its own and having fashion that flatters while flaunting that bump is going to be a must. The stars have shown that enjoying pregnancy means choosing
maternity wear is not just functional but great fun. And it is now key to take note of the hottest trends.” Emily has predicted nautical stripes will emerge as a leading story as winter turns to spring, while magenta pink and navy will be the colours of choice in a bold and bright palette for mums-to-be.
carpet-inspired events should concentrate on flowing evening wear. For pregnancies due to reach the later stages as temperatures climb it’s worth investing in long sundresses now and look out for Mexicaninfluenced embroidery if you really want to be bang on trend.
“
…maternity high fashion is really going to come into its own and having fashion that flatters while flaunting that bump is going to be a must.”
Shopping for a cross-over in the seasons is easy with biscuit and white denim also predicted to be popular next year. Ditsy liberty prints add character to the mix while offering up something ideal for the weekend, and those hoping to attend a few red
Dressing a stellar list of clients which includes everyone from Kate Moss to Winslet, Emily cast her eye over the celebrities’ most popular looks and predicts which ones they are likely to wear again in 2012.
And here’s Emily’s five top tips to dressing while pregnant 1. Don’t be afraid of print and colour! Stand out from the crowd and don’t just gravitate towards boring black. You will always be complimented on wearing a cool, printed dress.
2. Stick to what you know if you wear skinny jeans normally, buy a great pair of skinny maternity jeans.
04 HUB MAGAZine | march 2012
3. Invest in a great maternity coat. If you are pregnant over the winter months you will feel really uncomfortable as well as cold in a coat that doesn’t do up properly - you’ll be wearing it for a good few months afterwards too.
Mother-of-three Emily Evans is the founder and owner of 9 London, the original and best maternity boutique. Located in London’s Sloane Square, 9 London is home to gorgeous maternity collections – from one-off vintage pieces to 9 London’s own-label range of beautiful occasion-wear. Designed by Emily Evans herself, the evening-wear collection fills a much needed gap in the maternity market with its signature kimono sleeves and vibrant liberty print silks with a glamorous edge.The store boasts a huge selection of maternity jeans, wearable separates and soft cashmere knits, as well as a stellar client list which includes Gwen Stefani, Kate Moss, Eva Herzigova, Kate Winslet, Liz Hurley and Claudia Schiffer.
Kate Silverton, BBC News presenter, looks radiant wearing an outfit from 9 London
» Beyoncé A red-carpet diva, Beyoncé has rarely been seen dressed down and nothing changed when she was pregnant. Figure-hugging full-length dresses and plenty of sequins have summed up her pregnancy wardrobe. Most likely to wear sequin-maxi dress - even for shopping. » Amanda Holden The actress has only just given up her theatre role and was seen in more casual outfits as she put her feet up from work. She has shown off a number of beautiful coats even though the British winter has been unseasonably warm. Most likely to be seen in muted, easy-to-wear colours but with a flash of statement prints.
Read the full article at hubmag.co.uk/home Emily (main image) predicts Magenta Pink and Navy will be key colours for mums-to-be in 2012.
4. Fitted knitwear is really flattering - a snuggly fitting jumper is chic and doesn’t add bulk.
5. Look great for an event - make even more of an effort when you are pregnant - invest in a beautiful top to wear with jeans or a bold dress to make an entrance. 01952 288 298 | www.hubmag.co.uk 05
06 STYLE
weddings and occasions
06 HUB MAGAZine | march 2012
Your little piece of Paradise‌ Macdonald Hill Valley Hotel, Golf and Spa is the perfect venue in which to celebrate your special day. Acres of lush green countryside provide a stunning backdrop, and your guests will love our delicious food and drink served with style in luxurious 4 star surroundings. Our Shropshire Suite, licensed for Civil Wedding ceremonies, comes complete with its own sun terrace and comfortably seats up to 250 guests. A dedicated wedding planner is on hand to discuss your requirements and advise you on our delicious menu options; contact us now and start planning your own personal fairytale.
Book the Macdonald Hill Valley Hotel, Golf & Spa
Call us on 0844 879 9049 www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk
08 leisure
travel feature
time for a Break?
Whether you want to shop or sightsee, Amy Bould picks out five of the best city break destinations for 2012…
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day trip isn’t long enough and for many of us, a week or two in the sun comes round just once a year. But as Britons work longer hours than ever before, the city break is rising in popularity. Everyone needs to recharge their batteries once in a while, and with tour operators adding new routes to capitalise on the short break trend, it’s never been easier to pack a holdall and jet off somewhere new. So whether you’re a culture vulture, a party animal, a sun seeker or the last of the big spenders, here’s our top five city break destinations for 2012.
1. Istanbul You can fly to this amazing city (where East and West meet) in under four hours from the UK. Although it may take you that long to negotiate its traffic system by car, take public transport to explore its historical and architectural treasures. On the must-see list are the pre-Ottoman church, the Haghia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace, all within easy walking distance of each other. After a day sight-seeing, take a boat trip on the Bosphorous, the river which divides Asia and Europe, to see the multi-million homes of the new Turkish elite as the call to prayer echoes along its banks. No visitor to Istanbul should leave without a walk through the Grand Bazaar, where you can practise haggling at more than 4,000 shops and stalls. To cut down on travelling time in and out of the city, stay in a traditional riad in historic Sultanahmet. (www.istanbul.com)
2. Las Vegas
3. Prague
4. Dubai
5. Madrid
Okay, so if you add in two 10 hour flights, it may not be the perfect destination for a weekend break. But if you can spare four or five days, you won’t mind the jet-lag, or more accurately, this glitzy town won’t give you time to feel it! There is perhaps nowhere quite like it in the world. Flying in to the city’s airport at night, Las Vegas glows like a neon landing light in the middle of the Nevada desert. Of course, most visitors to Las Vegas are here to gamble. But you don’t need to be a big roller to enjoy a few days here. A few dimes on the slot machines can give you that winning (or losing) feeling. The real magic of Las Vegas is the spectacle, whether that’s watching the light, laser and water show at The Bellagio or the live pirate-themed show outside the Treasure Island hotel - both free to view from the wide pavements full of wide-eyed tourists. If you’re on a short break here, you’re best staying on the Strip, with each hotel a tourist attraction in its own right. Choose from the Mandalay Bay, with its $40 million Shark Reef Aquarium, the Paris Las Vegas with a half-size Eiffel Tower or the Venetian, where you can take a gondola ride to your room (www.visitlasvegas.co.uk)
As Eastern Europe has become more traveller-friendly in the last 20 years, Prague is one city which has benefitted from the tourist pound more than most. Offering Baroque palaces, Gothic churches and a lively nightlife, Prague has established itself as a great allround weekend destination. The best known must-sees are Charles Bridge, a 520-metre Gothic structure across the Vltava River, complete with 16 arches and 30 baroque statues and Wenceslas Square, buzzing with locals and tourists day and night. The best way to see Prague is on foot, it’s a delightfully-easy city to walk around with its winding cobbled streets, and the best way to soak up the atmosphere. Enjoy a drink in the Mala Strana, a lively meeting place at the foot of the towering Prague Castle with a variety of cafes and pubs. Best of all, Prague is only a two hour flight away and you can still find a reasonably priced room in the more residential area of Vinohrady. If you’re looking for somewhere central, then the Old Town has some charming hotels with amazing views. (www.praguewelcome.cz)
We couldn’t feature top city break destinations without at least one where you should pack for the beach. Many tour operators offer five days city breaks to Dubai, which is plenty of time to shop, eat, meander around the souk as well as soak up some rays. Dubai, only a five hour flight from the UK, offers travellers a combination of luxury accommodation, designer shopping and a mid-boggling number of bars and restaurants to choose from. Although famous for its beachfront skyscrapers, Dubai can also offer something less new and showy. Head to the Bastakiya quarter for some history or spend time exploring Deira’s souks. If you can’t afford to lay your head at the famous ship-shaped Burj Al Arab, you can take a guided tour to see the indoor waterfall and gold-plated bathrooms! More reasonable and nearly as impressive, are the five star hotels along Jumeirah beach, a perfect location for water sport enthusiasts. Best time to visit is between November to March, unless you can cope with the scorching daily summer temperatures. (www.definitelydubai.com)
Madrid has lost out in recent years to its rival Spanish destination of Barcelona, which attracts the hip and cool crowd to party in the bars on the famous Las Ramblas. But the more discerning traveller is now heading to Spain’s capital city, a cosmopolitan metropolis where business is as important as culture and food and drink are more important than both. Known as the city of kings (unsurprisingly as it’s home to the Spanish royal family), Madrid has a compact city centre, with many visitors choosing a walking tour to make the most of their city break. Whether taking an official tour or wandering with a map, don’t miss the famous main square, the Plaza Mayor; the 18th century Royal Palace, the world-famous Prado Museum and La Almudena Cathedral. And when you’ve had your fill of culture, the world famous open air Rastro Market on a Sunday morning is a vibrant and bustling flea market to mooch around, and perfect when followed by some tapas at any of the bars nearby. (www.esmadrid.com)
08 HUB MAGAZine | march 2012
2. Las Vegas
3.Prague
4. Dubai
5. Madrid
01952 288 298 | www.hubmag.co.uk 09
10 leisure
clubs
Clubs guide Hub Magazine’s guide to clubs in the Telford area. Whatever you’re in to, whether it’s Sport, Music or Performing Arts, we’ve got it covered. You can also check out everything on offer at hubmag.co.uk
»
telford performing arts Find out more and get involved… Tel: 07837 88 00 12 Email: TelfordAcademy@gmail.com Web: www.telfordacademy.co.uk
O
ur Dance School in Telford has moved location to Oakengates where we run our full range of dance, drama, singing, Musical theatre, and Dance Fitness classes from Monday to Friday every week. On Thursday evenings we also run a variety of classes in Childs Ercall at Jubilee Hall. We pride ourselves on being a friendly dance school where everyone is made welcome and classes are designed to be fun. There are no membership fees or term fees at Telford Academy. Simply pay as you go, or opt for one of our Value for Money payment schemes to save money. At Telford Academy we truly believe that Dance and The Performing Arts is for everyone. Our youngest students are 2.5, and our oldest students stopped celebrating birthdays some years ago! We’re passionate about the performing arts and are dedicated to all those people that wish to enjoy them too. Give us a call, email us, or pop in to find out more. Hope to see you in a class soon!
» zumba fitness classes
» ZUMBATOMIC Zumba classes for kids
» Shropshire Warriors Basketball club
» telford hornets rugby club
t 07854 303495
t 07854 303495
t 01952 505865
t 01952 505440
www.facebook.com/zumbatelford
www.facebook.com/zumbatelford
e sunley.tom@btinternet.com e telfordhornets@hotmail.co.uk
www.zumbatelford.com
www.zumbatelford.com
www.warriorsbasketball.co.uk www.telfordhornets.co.uk
Looking to lose weight and keep fit the fun way? When you see a Zumba class in action, you won’t want to wait to give it a try. Zumba classes feature exotic rhythms set to high-energy Latin and international beats. Before you know it, you’ll be getting fit and your energy levels will be soaring! There’s no other fitness class like a Zumba Fitness-Party. It’s easy to do, effective and totally exhilarating.
Designed exclusively for kids (aged 4 to 12), Zumbatomic classes are rockin’, high-energy fitness-parties packed with specially choreographed, kidfriendly routines and all the music kids love, like hip-hop, reggaeton, cumbia and more. Parents love Zumbatomic because of the effects it has on kids, increasing their focus and self-confidence, boosting metabolism and enhancing coordination. A whole hour of fun and games - kids will love it!
Shropshire Warriors Basketball Club is one of Telford and Wrekin’s largest and most successful sporting organisations. The Club’s ever expanding programme caters for all ages and for both sexes, training at Telford College of Art and Technology’s well equipped sports arena. The Warriors’ youngest members are those boys and girls in its Micros and Minis section catering for children from ages 4 to 11 years. The Club’s flagship team is its England Basketball League Division 3 men’s team. All teams train and play their home matches in the state of the art Sport TCAT Arena.
EXCLUSIVE HUB READERSHIP OFFER! Mention Hub Magazine and get your first class FREE!
For class times, venues and prices in Telford or to book your place visit www.zumbatelford.com or contact Hannah Mullan on 07854 303495 Find us on Facebook and like www.facebook.com/zumbatelford
10 HUB MAGAZine | march 2012
Telford Hornets RFC are a family rugby club and have been in the town for over 50 years. The club is again on the rise and are strongly contending for a promotion spot in their league. Telford RFC draws from a diverse community and has a 250 player strong junior section that has grown steadily through volunteer efforts over the last 10 years. This work has allowed the club to field a colts side (after a few years absence) that will all be pushing for 1st 15 positions next season. The club has also started a “rugby returners” session that has generated 25 players and now also has a woman’s touch rugby squad.
»
telford tigers
arch sees the Tigers season draw to a close after an eventful second season as a Supporters Trust run club. So far it’s been a roller coaster of a season, with some fantastic results both home and away and some tough games where things didn’t go Tigers way. This month the Tigers face home games against the Bracknell Bees, Manchester Phoenix, Milton Keynes Lightning, Slough Jets and the final regular season game against Basingstoke Bison on April 1st. With plenty of points left to play for, Tigers are well on course to improve on last seasons points total and continue their steady progress on and off the ice. The clubs growing reputation for nurturing young british talent continues, with forward Vince Connon joining from Elite League Braehead Clan to replace Henrik Sahlin, who left unexpectedly after a brief stay with the club. Coach Tom Watkins has managed to build a team able to compete with and beat the best teams in the league on their day despite a huge difference in the financial budgets between Tigers and the majority of the other teams in the league. As the season nears an end, thoughts turn to preparations for next season and continuing the clubs progression on and off the ice, with a drive to get more new fans along to the rink and watch a game. Over the past few weeks we have seen lots of new faces at the games, so why not join them and come and see a game before the season ends? For more information checkout the Tigers website, www.telfordtigers.co.uk.
»
shifnal cricket club
M
Find out more and get involved…
S
hifnal Cricket Club has a thriving junior section and looks forward to welcoming boys and girls who want to play cricket. The Club are holding a junior presentation night for juniors who took part in coaching in 2011 on Friday 16 March at Shifnal Cricket Club. Registration for Summer coaching in 2012 will also take place then.The bar will be open from 6.30 and parents can start registering then, the presentation will start at 7.00pm and we will provide a free buffet at the end of the presentations. It will also be an opportunity to meet coaches and to hear about some of the events planned for the summer. If you are not able to attend on the night you can register when we start coaching in April. Coaching is open to boys and girls aged 7 (year 3) up to 15. We run teams at under 10, under 11 A and B, under 13 A and B, under 13 girls and under 15. This year we hope to establish an under 15 girls team and a women’s team. Outdoor coaching for boys aged 7 (year 3) to 11 will be from 6.15pm to 7.15pm, 12 and 13 year old boys will be 7.20pm to 8.20pm on Monday nights starting on Monday 16 April and running through until the end of July. Sessions for girls of all ages and 14 and 15 year old boys will be Friday 6.30 to 7.30pm starting on Friday 20 April. All of our coaches are qualified, insured and CRB checked and we hold Clubmark Accreditation for our child friendly approach. We are an open and friendly club and juniors, parents, and new players of any age are very welcome.
Email: contact@telfordtigers.co.uk
Find out more and get involved…
Web: www.telfordtigers.co.uk
Tel: 0779 621 3063 and ask for Alison Brammer 01952 288 298 | www.hubmag.co.uk 11
12 leisure
health & fitness
My Commercial
Success Friend of Hub Magazine and currently part of the national Weight Watchers media campaign, you may have seen local-girl Ally Murphy on the cover of Weight Watchers magazine or in her own Weight Watchers TV advert. Here’s her story…
Ally’s Vital Statistics Start Weight:
11st 9 lbs
Goal Weight:
9st 11lbs
Current Weight:
9st 7lbs
Total weight loss:
1st 8lbs
Height:
5’ 3.5
y doctor had told me I was overweight for my height and when I found out how much I actually weighed I was in disbelief! I was more ready to believe I had a medical condition that was causing me to be overweight than blame myself, after test results came back normal I had to face up to myself and my unhealthy attitude to food.”
M
Watch Ally’s TV commercial at hubmag.co.uk
12 HUB MAGAZine | march 2012
“I had tried almost every diet going apart from Weight Watchers, and I’d seen my friend lose weight using the original plan. So I asked her if it was worth doing and she couldn’t speak higher of it! I looked up where my nearest meeting was and as luck had it, it was in 15 minutes time! I ran to the meeting and haven’t looked back since!” Ally has seen numerous benefits as a result of her weight loss – not only does she look and feel fantastic, her health, immunity and energy have improved – as well as her confidence. “I now show off my curves, put belts around my waist and wear heels a lot more too! I think it’s all about confidence!” Ally’s thoughts on being involved in the ad: “I met some amazing people - some really inspirational men and women - and I believe I made some real friends. It was such a highlight in all our journeys and I felt so glamorous!” Ally’s tips for weight loss: “Enjoy it! It shouldn’t be a chore, it should give you a new, fun, exciting way to look at food. And why should it be hard to lose weight? I found it so motivating when I got weighed and found I’d lost weight AND managed to enjoy my meals that week! No diet should tell you what you can and can’t eat that day, Weight Watchers doesn’t do that, it just guides you to making the right choice with moderation and finding a fun and interesting way of doing it!”
review
» Trevor Morris is Hub Magazine’s resident film critic. A kick-ass web developer & movie junkie, you can find ‘trovster’s’ reviews on the Hub website or check out trovster online. www.trovster.com
The Ides of March T
he Ides of March is an American political thriller which centres around a presidential candidate campaign and an idealistic understudy who gets to learn the dirty side of his chosen trade. This synopsis isn’t the most intriguing for many of the British cinema-going public, but it is a taut drama that deserves viewing – as endorsed by it’s four Golden Globe Award nominations. The movie asks more questions than it answers. It is a story that rewards a viewer who pays attention and engages with the characters. Deftly scripted, with as much left unsaid as is orated, it is confidently directed and the twists and turns of the screenplay keep the pace of the movie moving swiftly. The movie, as with many great dramas, is about the human condition. Although there is no one to cheer for, there is also no one to truly despise, just in real life. There are no heroes or villains, just people who make mistakes,
and although the story is cynical, it captivates the public’s disillusionment with the often corrupt political system – whether it be American or closer to home. Whether you’re interested in politics or not, the story explores themes which are commonplace across society. It stars the presidential looking George Clooney, who also directs, alongside the incredibly versatile Ryan Gosling, and a sublime support cast including Philip Seymour Hoffman, Paul Giamatti, Evan Rachel Wood, Marisa Tomei and Jeffrey Wright. This stellar cast combined with a story that draws you to a world that intertwines lies, betrayal, corruption, blackmail and romantic indiscretion mean that Ides of March is one of the best movies of the year.
4/5 The Ides of March is available now on DVD and BluRay. Find more film reviews at hubmag.co.uk Imagery courtesy of HMV.
01952 288 298 | www.hubmag.co.uk 13
14 leisure
shropshire uncovered
Welcome to Paradise
Macdonald Hill Valley Spa introduces its ‘Paradise Escape’ signature treatment.
at the Hotels Vital Health and Wellbeing Spa this exotic spa experience is an A vailable incredibly decadent and relaxing face and body treatment created to provide the ultimate
‘dayscape’ or overnight ‘spacation’.
0844 879 9199 www.vitalhealthandwellbeing.co.uk Beauty.hillvalley@macdonald-hotels.co.uk Macdonald Hill Valley Hotel Golf and Spa Tarporley Road Whitchurch Shropshire SY13 4JZ
» Inspiration from Paradise Developed by Cosmetic Aromatherapy experts, Decléor, the spa journey begins with a full body exfoliation using the seeds from the Madagascan fruit known as a Boabab. This powerful fruit has six times more vitamin C than one orange and is grown from trees that are 80% water and live for over 100 years. When applied topically, its intense properties smooth and rejuvenate tired skin. The journey continues with a beautiful expert massage using warm body balms drizzled over the legs and the back with the aid of Decléor’s unique natural massage tool, the Acacia Massager. This innovative tool enables the therapist to work deeply across the whole body, hands and feet to effectively relieve muscular aches and tension. A gentle facial massage follows using an exceptional elixir of Orange Blossom, the national flower of the sunshine state Florida. With numerous benefits, the Orange Blossom helps to restore the skins youthful glow by aiding skin cell regeneration, works to normalise enlarged pores and is an effective sebum balancing remedy for dry and oily skin conditions. Whilst the warming face mask cocoons and nurtures the skin, the treatment is completed with more massage to the legs, feet, hands, arms and shoulders easing every ounce of tension from the body to leave you feeling like you have escaped to Paradise.
14 HUB MAGAZine | march 2012
» The Macdonald Spa Experience Guests to Macdonald Hill Valley Hotels Spa Collection can complete the wellbeing encounter with a pampering session in the spas’ wet and dry facilities which include an aroma steam, rock sauna and experience shower. For the active, visit the state-ofthe-art Technogym® to work up an appetite before retreating to a comfortable relaxation area for a gourmet lunch, presented in stylish bento boxes. The ‘Paradise Escape’ signature treatment costs £110 from Monday to Thursday and £115 from Friday to Sunday. ‘We have a genuine passion and dedication to making each guest’s experience unique, this is why, together with Decléor we have designed the ‘Paradise Escape’ spa journey. This new treatment, exclusive to the Macdonald Hotels Spa Collection, allows visitors to enjoy an unrivalled spa escape as well as award winning cuisine, a range of activities indigenous to the surrounding environment and first class accommodation should they choose an overnight stay. We pride ourselves on offering the perfect complete break.
ine Hub Magaz
competitions
competitions 15
! s n o i t i Compet
2! 10 DVDs! spa day for er egg! st ea ry xu lu ! useums pass m ge id br iron
is month th s e iz r p c ti s nge of fanta a r a in w to e c Your chan £400! r e v o h t r o w Easter Chick Hunt Hub Magazine are running a classic 10 DVDs! Easter Egg Hunt - with a twist! To be Enter the prize draw to win 10 great DVDs (courtesy of HMV in Telford Town Centre). With great titles up for grabs including Crazy Stupid Love, Dan in Real Life, The African Queen, Wuthering Heights, Dr Shivago and Midnight in Paris, there’s something for everyone. So go on, what are you waiting for? Simply visit hubmag.co.uk and enter the prize draw - good luck!
Spa Day for two! One lucky Hub Magazine reader will be treated to a luxurious and relaxing Spa Day at the Macdonald Hill Valley Spa. You and a guest will be able to relax for the day in the sumptuous surroundings of the Hill Valley Hotel Spa, Whitchurch, and will be treated to the new ‘Paradise Escape’ signature treatment (see opposite page) including a gourmet lunch. You can either choose to unwind in the aroma steam room, rock sauna or ‘experience’ shower, or take advantage of the state-of-the-art Technogym® - or both, if you like! Simply visit hubmag.co.uk and enter for your chance to win a taste of Paradise!
in with a chance of winning this fantastic Rocky Road Caramel Egg worth £26 (courtesy of Hotel Chocolat in Telford Town Centre) simply find the easter Chick on our website and email us to say where you found it! Visit hubmag.co.uk and keep your eyes peeled!
Ironbridge Gorge Museums Family Pass! We’re giving away a Family Annual Passport Ticket worth £64 (family of two adults and all their children aged up to 18 years in full time education (terms and conditions apply)). Activities and workshops vary day-to-day and some carry an extra charge in addition to the museum admission fee. Individual museum entry tickets are also available. Visit hubmag.co.uk to enter.
CONGRATULATIONS… …to Gail from Shifnal for winning the January prize draw of 10 Comedy DVDs courtesy of HMV in Telford Town Centre.
To enter these competitions and more, simply visit hubmag.co.uk/competitions Terms and conditions apply.
16 HOME
interior design & property
Breathing new life into your home… G
ive your home new life with a colour change. Transforming furniture and giving it a fresh new look is all part of the service from Paint It, which is based locally in Lilleshall and offers a bespoke furniture painting service.
A beautiful hand-painted kitchen is an asset to any home and most surfaces can be hand-painted to create a stunning effect, whether it’s an oak, pine or laminate finish. There are lots of colours to choose from and Paint It offers a wide choice of eco-friendly, specialist colour finishes that can accommodate everyone’s tastes whether it’s for muted, natural tones or brighter, bolder colours. Advice and guidance about colour schemes and colour matching is available and colour samples can be provided to ensure the perfect choice of colour and finish. Paint It hand-paints kitchen, bedroom and bathroom Paint It prides itself on its excellent craftsmanship and every furniture and their latest project is now underway in Newport, where they’ve just started to refurbish a kitchen. kitchen or item of furniture is restored with love and care and The brief is to bring it up to date and breathe new life into it a high level of attention to detail. On its website, the company by hand-painting all the solid oak kitchen cabinets in a pale sells a selection of hand-painted wooden furniture in traditional and contemporary styles but it can also source furniture ivory colour and adding new pewter handles. on behalf of clients and hand-paint and finish them to their Peta Green from Paint It said, “Kitchen makeovers are exact requirements. Eye-catching special effects and artwork becoming increasingly popular and refurbishing your images such as heart shapes, chessboards and flags can be existing one and creating a new hand-painted finish hand-painted onto any item, making the final piece an ideal is a great way of upgrading and extending the life of a functional but tired kitchen. You can get a completely new personalised gift. A collection/delivery service is available too. look for just a fraction of the cost of purchasing a new one For ideas, inspiration and to find out more, please call or visit and it’s ideal if your kitchen looks a bit dated or if you’re the Paint It website, www.paintitfurniture.com bored with it but don’t have the money to replace it.”
16 HUB MAGAZine | march 2012
8 Cherry Tree Close, Wellington Offers around £379,950 Contact 01952 292300, www.nockdeighton.co.uk » Superbly appointed executive detached home built approximately 3 years ago by » Breakfast kitchen & Study David Wilson. Situated within » Utility & Guest cloakroom this prestigious development close to the amenities off » 5/6 bedrooms » En-suite and dressing room to Wellington town centre. master and 2 further en-suites Junctions 6 and 7 of the M54 motorway and mainline railway » Detached double garage station are easily accessible.
» Entrance hall
» Living room & Dining room
9 Finsbury Drive, Priorslee, Telford t 01952 292300
Offers £244,950 www.nockdeighton.co.uk
52 Wrockwardine Road, Wellington, Telford Offers £319,950 t 01952 292300
www.nockdeighton.co.uk
26 Collett Way, Priorslee, Telford t 01952 292300
Offers £284,950 www.nockdeighton.co.uk
Edenhope Cottage, Arleston Manor Mews, Arleston Offers £245,000 t 01952 292300
www.nockdeighton.co.uk 01952 288 298 | www.hubmag.co.uk 17
18 HOME
services
Advertise your business in Hub Magazine and online for as little as ÂŁ40 per month! For more information call 01952 288 298 or visit media.hubmag.co.uk
18 HUB MAGAZine | march 2012
Quality Assured. we put our name to it.
. De sign ed with you in min d
kitchen • bedrooms • bathrooms • tiles • Accessories
Visit ou r stu nning showrooms in… www.qaironbridge.co.uk
Wellington 2 Haygate Road Wellington Telford, TF1 1SG
Newport Unit 1, Nova Workshops Audley Avenue Ind. Est. Newport, TF10 7BX
Tel 01952 265577
Tel 01952 811671
Opening Hours Monday - Saturday 9am - 5pm
20 HOME
Ask the architect
Ask the Architect Thinking about a building project and don’t know where to start? You can email your architectural questions on any topic and Ask The Architect - architect@hubmag.co.uk
What should I think about when planning an extension? Q
I
» Matthew Franklin is a registered architect with over ten years experience in architecture. His practice mbf DESIGN, provides a range of services to domestic and commercial clients in Shropshire and beyond. Matthew set up and runs Ask The Architect, providing weekly design clinics on Twitter, Hub Magazine and at monthly live workshops. 01952 603901 @ShropsArchitect www.mbf-design.co.uk
f you want to extend your home, you will already have some idea of what you need from it in terms of extra space. For example, you might be adding a dining room, or increasing the kitchen size and adding a bedroom as an extension will change an existing building, the design process can be quite complex. The success of any extension depends on careful consideration of the whole house and it’s use, in addition to meeting the needs for the extra rooms. The following is a quick introduction to some of the subjects to consider. » Connection It is important to locate the extension in a position that works well with the circulation and use of the existing house and to look at how the additions might affect the layout of the site. Unless you can afford to move out during the construction, you will also want to place the extension to avoid disrupting your daily life. Will the connection be open plan or closed off and how will this link work? » Appearance You and the planning department need to be happy with the look of your extension. Will it be modern or ‘in keeping’ with the existing house? An extension has to sit comfortably with the house and not make it unattractive as a result and the design needs to account for the scale and items like windows, doors and materials.
20 HUB MAGAZine | march 2012
» Size If you are increasing the size of your home it’s worth trying to add as much space as possible to get the most out of the design and your investment. You will find that other parts of the design and the planning rules will naturally control the size and you only get one chance to build the extension.
Also this month at hubmag.co.uk/home
I want to build my own house, but where do I start? Q
How can I get the best price, when selling development land? Q
Email any questions you have to architect@hubmag.co.uk and receive expert advice!
days out and pet care
family 21
01952 288 298 | www.hubmag.co.uk 21
22 family
easter activities and treats
Easter at Ironbridge Spend Easter with the family at Ironbridge and enjoy some great events… Tile Decorating Workshops at Jackfield Tile Museum 6th, 13th, 20th and 27th March
L
et your creativity run wild at these fun drop-in workshops at Jackfield Tile Museum. In an informal session you’ll learn the tile decorating technique known as ‘tube lining’ or ‘slip-trailing’, and by the end of the experience you’ll have produced a 6 x 6 inch tile featuring your very own design in a range of beautiful colours. The price is £7.95 per tile plus admission (P&P is extra). Workshops run from 10am. It takes up to 1 and a half hours to decorate your tile so last admission to the workshops is at 2pm.
WIN!
a Family Annual Passport Ticket worth £64! See p15 for details…
22 HUB MAGAZine | march 2012
Design and Race a Boat at Enginuity Easter Holidays: Saturday 31 March Sunday 15 April
J
oin a drop-in workshop to design and make your own model sailing boat using simple craft materials at Enginuity, near Ironbridge, Shropshire during the Easter holidays between Saturday, 31st March and Sunday, 15th April. Afterwards test your boat on the Enginuity pool and see how it races against other models with the help of wind power. The daily Float-a-Boat sessions will run from 10.30am until 3.45pm and cost £1 per boat for materials plus admission. For further information, contact the Ironbridge Tourist Information Centre on Tel: 01952 433 424 or visit www.ironbridge.org.uk - the Gorge is easily reached via the M6 and M54 motorways exiting at Telford (M54 junction 4 or 6).
Choc-a-doodle-do! 2
W
ith Easter less than a month away, we’re taking a look at some of this year’s most tempting treats, from the pocket savvy to a serious budget blowout. Jo Gadsby gets stuck in… 1 Personalised by a local artisan Award winning chocolatier Julia Wenlock from Toot Sweets in Shrewsbury handcrafts an exciting array of single origin, fair-trade Easter eggs. With many made to order, the front shells feature chunks of crystallised ginger, fruit, nuts, crunchy chunks of cinder toffee or beautiful rose and violet petals. You can choose any flavour combination for the front shells to personalize your egg. They are then filled with a selection of handmade truffles to suit your taste, with flavours including the award winning Shropshire Lavender, Butterscotch, Salted Caramel and Cardamom; alongside milk, white and dark truffles with delicious creamy centres. For prices and orders email Julia at julia@tootsweetschocolates.co.uk or visit her shop in the Market Hall, Shrewsbury. 2 For children of every age You’ll definitely have a spring in your step and a smile on your face buying the quirky delights on offer at Hotel du Chocolat this Easter. Boys and girls will love the rocket and butterfly eggs. Featuring 40% milk chocolate eggs, chocolate Easter lick lollies and exciting fold out wings for hours of fun they cost £12.00 each. ‘Egg and Chips’ is bound to bring out the kid in us all. This true British classic has been given a makeover with a creamy white chocolate egg served sunny side up with a soft caramel yolk and mellow milk chocolate, caramel filled chips for £12.00. Prices start from £8.00 at their Telford town centre shop. 3 Easter at Waitrose Waitrose has a fantastic array of Easter treats for all ages. We particularly love the children’s baking sets but they also have a dazzling assortment of eggs both from the Waitrose brand as well as renowned chocolatiers such as Prestat, whose chocolate roots date back to 1902. Indulgent flavours include Sea Salt caramel truffle and Marc de Champagne truffle, both £13.00. If you want to give your children a gift that doesn’t involve more chocolate then the egg paint stencil set at just £3.50 is an eggcellent idea!
3
4 A Taste Sensation Green & Black’s has a delicious new range of Easter eggs for 2012. Following on from the success of the Tasting Gifting Collection launched in September, Green & Black’s has introduced a Tasting Collection Easter Egg which consists of a delicious Dark 70% with miniatures bars including Ginger, Dark 70%, Dark 85%, Cherry, Burnt Toffee and other favourites, as well as tasting notes detailing where all the tasty ingredients are sourced. Available nationwide Green & Black’s Easter eggs start from £3.49 with the Tasting Collection Easter Egg retailing around £14.99. 5 Ruling the Easter Roost For the ultimate Easter creation then look no further than La Maison du Chocolat which has four boutiques in London including Harrods and Selfridges or online at www.lamaisonduchocolat.com Under the impetus of Gilles Marchal, Creative Director, the highly skilled chocolatiers have crafted a number of intricate pieces by hand including the delectable Chocorico, a staggering 5.1Kg playful sculpture in dark, milk chocolate and ivory chocolate. This scene includes 30 eggs “feuilletés”, 4 eggs “coquille” with homemade praline, 7 chocolate fried eggs and 92 praline eggs topped with sparkle or old-style almonds. If money is no object this limited edition costs £500.
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01952 288 298 | www.hubmag.co.uk 23
24 motoring
new bmw m6
pulling power
bmw’s new m6 marks the beginning of a new direction for m-division cars of the future… Vital Statistics 560hp 680Nm torque 0-62mph in 4.2 sec (Convertible 4.3 sec) Limited to 155mph Seven-speed Double Clutch Transmission 30% more fuel-efficient than previous M6 £93,795 (Coupé) £98,995 (Convertible)
A
s the new BMW M6 Coupé and M6 Convertible loses 2 cylinders and gains twin-turbochargers, it’s obvious even the purist ‘M-Division’ aren’t immune to the charms of downsizing and forced induction. It’s a clear sign of the direction BMW intend to take it’s M cars… Powered by the latest V8 M TwinPower Turbo engine producing 560hp, these bold 6 Series flagship models offer searing performance and sporting dynamics, combined with supreme long-distance touring manners and everyday usability. With near 50:50 weight distribution and optimised aerodynamics the latest BMW M6 offers an intense M experience. Thanks to BMW’s EfficientDynamics technologies and the range of measures this incorporates, the new M6 is both cleaner and 30 per cent more fuel-efficient than its
24 HUB MAGAZine | march 2012
predecessor, despite being significantly faster and more powerful. Bespoke M design, a driver-focused cabin and cutting edge in-car technology, makes the new M6 the most desirable yet, whether ordered with the lightweight carbon-fibre roof or the elegant retractable soft top. The classical proportions and elegant design of the current 6 Series Coupé and Convertible have won many admirers since their introduction. Now BMW M gives them a sporty, dynamic update, with aggressive design features defined by the technical considerations of the engineering team. The need for appropriate cooling air, the revised chassis and the pursuit of aerodynamic excellence: all have dictated the creative approach of the designers. The result is bold and powerful with an aggressive stance
» Read the full article at hubmag.co.uk/motoring
TwinPower Turbo technology for the most powerful M6 ever
560hp and 680Nm of torque provide instant, monumental shove from as little as 1,500rpm
At the front a new M apron with wide air-intake apertures provides the necessary cooling for the engine, while sharply contoured headlamps featuring the characteristic BMW Corona rings shine brightly thanks to the latest Adaptive LED headlight technology. The new M kidney grille, with its black slats and shape inspired by the double spoke alloy wheels, enhances the front end.
The new BMW M6 Coupé and M6 Convertible are equipped with the same high-revving, turbocharged V8 engine as the M5 Saloon. This revolutionary powerplant not only produces 53hp more than its ten-cylinder predecessor at 560hp, but it also benefits from a greatly improved torque output over a broad band of revs. It’s this 680Nm, available from as low as 1,500rpm to 5,750rpm, that not only gives the new M6 its stunning outright acceleration, but also its commanding flexibility on-road. The key to this impressive performance is BMW’s M TwinPower Turbo technology, incorporated on the M6 via twin turbochargers built in to the twin scroll principle, including a cross-bank exhaust manifold. This sophisticated, 4.4-litre engine also includes direct fuel injection, VALVETRONIC variable valve timing and Double VANOS continuously variable camshaft control, all of which help it to rev to 7,200rpm – unusually high for a turbocharged engine. The result is a 0-62mph sprint of just 4.2 seconds for the M6 Coupé, with the M6 Convertible following at 4.3 seconds. Both versions have a top speed limited to 155mph.
Driver-focused cabin is luxurious and packed with technology
The M6 Coupé and M6 Convertible have near 50:50 weight distribution and optimised aerodynamics for increased efficiency
Carbon reinforced plastic roof for the M6 Coupé
The BMW M6 Coupé once again uses a carbon-fibre reinforced plastic roof panel, lowering the car’s centre of gravity and improving handling agility as a result. In addition, the dark colour of the roof elongates the silhouette of the car when viewed in profile, something that’s further exaggerated by the BMW High-gloss Shadowline trim around the side glass. The new BMW M6 Coupé and M6 Convertible feature as standard a powerful braking system with 400mm front discs and 396mm rear discs, gripped by six-piston callipers on the front axle that can be identified by their dark blue metallic finish.
The new BMW M6 Coupé has a combined fuel consumption of 28.5mpg (Convertible 27.4mpg) with CO2 emissions of 232g/km (Convertible 239g/km). Moreover, with an increased fuel tank size of 80 litres, the new BMW M6 offers excellent touring range. The new BMW M6 models use BMW M’s latest sevenspeed Double Clutch Transmission (M DCT, which includes a Launch Control function) with DRIVELOGIC. The new M6 Coupé and Convertible goes on sale in the UK on 15 September 2012, with the Coupé costing £93,795 and the Convertible £98,995. 01952 288 298 | www.hubmag.co.uk 25
26 food & drink
food review - henri’s bar, shifnal
Henri’s the new name for a great brasserie experience Jo Gadsby checks out Shifnal’s newest culinary hotspot.
There’s no doubt a lot of thought has gone into Henri’s, Shifnal’s new bar and brasserie in Church Street where The Old Bell used to be…
C
01952 405356 Facebook: Henris Shifnal
ompletely refurbished to create a light and airy space, its full of interesting touches such as the ‘newspaper’ walls with a delicious menu to match. Having opened in November, it already boasts a regular clientele, not a huge surprise given the plethora of experience the team has between Head Chef Debbie Williams and Front of House Smail Bachene. Combining the influences of Britain and the Mediterranean with a twist of French flair, everything is prepared fresh and cooked to order by head Chef Debbie and her team. One of the few female chefs in the county her passion for great produce and exemplary presentation is evident on every plate that comes out of the kitchen. The new spring menu has just been released with an impressive selection of starters, main courses, light meals and sandwiches. Highlights include the moules mariniere, fillet of seabass and caramelised frog’s legs alongside classics such as beer battered cod,
26 HUB MAGAZine | march 2012
haunch of venison and fillet steak. I won’t lie I was a little worried when I couldn’t find a dessert menu on Henri’s website as I usually read menu’s from dessert to starter, but I needn’t have worried. As Debbie talked me through the ever-changing sweet temptations, she described most people’s perfect collection of desserts with crème brulee, sticky toffee pudding, chocolate fondant, panacotta and cheesecake all being mentioned. The carefully selected wine list is also extensive with a choice to suit all palettes and budgets. House wines start at a very reasonable £12.95 a bottle. Beer lovers don’t have to miss out either with a selection from around the globe. You can pop in for a coffee, drink or a meal anytime from 12noon onwards with the menu available all day. Light meals start from £6.95, starters £4.75 and mains from £10.95. There’s also a three course Sunday lunch sirloin carvery for £13.95.
‘
Henri’s has also just introduced live acoustic music every Sunday evening making it the perfect venue in which to see out the weekend with a few drinks and one of their sharing dishes such as the charcuterie platter or a baked camembert for two. Front of house is run by Smail Bachene who has an enviable CV in the hospitality industry. Having worked at a number of top London establishments he moved to the Monkey Island Hotel in Bray, a secret getaway for the A list which can only be accessed by footbridge or boat. The move to Shropshire has seen him play key roles at the Albright Hussey Hotel, Est Est Est and The Mytton and Mermaid. It’s clear from talking with Smail that the desire for customers to have a great experience is always at the front of his mind. Indeed the day I visited he had opened up early to accommodate a group of ladies who were supposed to be enjoying lunch elsewhere but the venue was closed. It was their first visit to Henri’s and needless to say they were impressed by the hospitality. Large enough not to feel cramped but still small enough to feel intimate with a few corners in which to hide, Henri’s is ideal whether you’re planning a romantic meal, family lunch or even a party.
Six en-suite guest bedrooms (with 4 poster beds) are also planned for later in the year…”
Six en-suite guest bedrooms (with 4 poster beds) are also planned for later in the year so relatives or friends who live further afield will be able to enjoy their evening without the need to drive home, enjoying a hearty breakfast in the morning before setting off. I’m not sure you should make confessions in articles, but I have one and I don’t think I’m alone. Living north of the M54 Shifnal is rarely a place I venture to or even think of for an evening out, which is a shame. Indeed many of Henri’s customers it seems come from Shifnal itself or places like Albrighton, so if you like me, live above that four-lane swath of concrete, I’d urge you to give it a go. This was my first visit to Henri’s but it won’t be my last.
01952 288 298 | www.hubmag.co.uk 27
28 food & drink
food & drink guide
Food & drink guide Hub Magazine’s guide to food, drink and socialising… Hot food
Designated parking
Licensed bar
Play area
Real ale
Wi-Fi available
Accommodation
Dogs welcome
Disabled accessibility
The Lion, Priorslee, TF2 9NN
Shifnal Balti, Shifnal, TF11 8AZ
» 01952 290797
» 01952 460142
A warm and welcoming atmosphere awaits at The Lion Inn, Priorslee. A family favourite with a large garden and fantastic play area for the children, pop down for a lunchtime bite or enjoy a hearty, home-cooked meal from our traditional menu. With a well stocked bar including traditional beers and guest ales and regular events to attend, there’s something for everyone! Keep checking the Hub website for a list of upcoming events, and drop in for some traditional Shropshire hospitality.
The award winning Shifnal Balti is a stylish, fully licensed, quality restaurant serving traditional Indian and Bangladeshi recipes with a fresh modern twist. Run by three brothers (Faz is the brother you’ll see most often) who pride themselves on professionalism, hard work and close team work, you can expect great service from this friendly and efficient team whenever you visit Shifnal Balti. Weddings, Birthdays, Anniversaries, Parties and other Special Occasions catered for - just contact them for more details.
WE Love this! Try…
Barry’s award winning guest ales… and book a Taxi!
WE Love this! Try…
One of Faz’s Signature Balti Dishes.
WANT TO SEE YOUR AD HERE? » media.hubmag.co.uk
Queenies Cupcakery, Ironbridge, TF8 7AW
Hill Valley, Whitchurch, SY13 4HA
The Shropshire, Muxton, TF2 8PQ
» 01952 432944
» 0844 879 9049
» 01952 677800
Where many other hotels, hotel chains and restaurants are de-skilling and buying ingredients pre-cooked or prepared from frozen, our chefs work from whole raw ingredients using only the finest and freshest produce. The beauty of the dish is in the greatness of the ingredients with a focus on simplicity. All of our grills are cooked in The Josper Charcoal Broiler, enhancing the flavour of the quality ingredients used. Each of our wines have been specially selected by Master of Wine Beverly Tabbron and represent the very best examples of their style.
The Shropshire Golf Centre will be relaunching its Sunday Carvery on March 18th in our beautifully refurbished 18th century farmhouse. Just in time for Mothers day, aswell as a delicious 3 course Carvery all mums will receive a delightful gift. Quote The Hub Magazine when booking and receive 10% off your wine order aswell as automatic entry into our Easter Prize draw. Winner to receive a 2 course Sunday lunch for 2.
Queenies has been born out of a love for all things traditional, British & sweet Each Queenies cupcake is individually handcrafted, & where possible, is full of the best quality, seasonal, organic, local, or fair trade produce. But most importantly, it is made with 100% love. We want you to enjoy Queenies at all your memorable occasions, be it a nice pot of tea with friends, a children’s birthday tea party, or the wedding of your dreams. For more information please visit www.queeniescupcakery.co.uk WE Love this! Try…
Any of the Queenies’ cakes, they’re all delicious!
WE Love this! Try…
Something from the grill the flavours are superb.
28 HUB MAGAZine | march 2012
WE Love this! Try…
The delicious Sunday carvery for all the family.
Would you like your restaurant, bar or pub to be part of the Hub Magazines’s growing guide to food and drink in Telford and surrounding areas? From just £50 per month, your business could feature in the next issue of Hub Magazine PLUS online with your own webpage on our powerful website, www.hubmag.co.uk contact us to find out more information. WE LOVE THIS!
We know that every pub or restaurant that’s featured is unique - say it here in a nut shell.
The Restaurant @ Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, SY3 8FT
Henri’s Bar, Shifnal, TF11 9AA
The Park House Hotel, Shifnal, TF11 9BA
» 01952 405356
» 01952 460128
Located on Circle Level, The Restaurant @ Theatre Severn offers diners spectacular views across the River Severn and Shrewsbury’s medieval townscape, providing a relaxed café atmosphere during the day, and fine dining on performance nights, just a few steps from your seats. The Restaurant is the perfect venue for a fresh breakfast, matinée lunch or pre-show evening dinner. Group bookings welcome and early booking recommended.
The team would like to invite you to experience the fine foods, wines and cocktails you would find whilst in a French bistro at our charming venue located in the heart of Shifnal. Newly refurbished and opened in September 2011 we offer one of the greatest dining experiences in Shropshire. Why not catch up with friends or family and whilst sampling our excellent wine list or have lunch with the girls? Whatever the reason you’re more than welcome at Henri’s.
Recently awarded an AA Rosette for outstanding food and service Butler’s Bar & Restaurant is an elegant setting for any occasion. With a Brasserie Style look and feel, you can really relax and enjoy a meal from our superb A La Carte Menu. Whether you’re enjoying a romantic evening for two or a night out with friends (and with special events running throughout the year) the Park House can cater for all dining requirements. 2 for 1 on Sunday lunch (excluding Mothers Day and Easter Sunday)!
WE Love this! Try…
WE Love this! Try…
WE Love this! Try…
» 01743 256550
2 Courses and a glass of house wine for £15! What a deal!
One of Henri’s extensive range of cocktails or maybe two!
House of Fraser restaurant, Telford Shopping Centre, TF3 4BX
» 0844 800 3761
A romantic evening out at Butler’s Bar & Restaurant, with an overnight stay.
Offering a delicious selection of freshly prepared dishes made from locally produced foods, the House of Fraser restaurant is the ideal spot to refuel after a hard days shopping. The ‘we love local’ menu features Shropshire based suppliers and producers including Maynards Farm, Midshires Food and Oswestry’s Shropshire Cheese Company. As well as serving freshly made sandwiches and cream teas, the menu also offers hot dishes including traditional fish and chips, gourmet burgers and Italian classics like lasagne and risotto. WE Love this! Try…
A tasty treat from the ‘we love local’ menu
Merlots Restaurant & Bar, The Olive Tree Restaurant, The Lamb Inn, Grays Hotel, TF3 4NA Holiday Inn, TF3 4EH Edgmond, TF10 8HX
The Valley Hotel, Ironbridge, TF8 7DW
» 01952 425000
» 01952 527000
» 01952 810421
» 01952 432247
Grays Hotel is located in the heart of Telford just a couple of minutes away from the shopping centre. Offering a spacious, light and welcoming environment overlooking the hotel courtyard, Merlots Restaurant is fully licenced serving an à la carte menu in the evening. Merlots Bar serves drinks (including tea and coffee) throughout the day alongside a delicious bar menu. Open 7 days a week.
A stylish, modern restaurant serving a delicious a’ la carte menu, The Olive Tree is a hidden treasure in the heart of Telford. Situated within the Holiday Inn there is also a comfortable lounge bar which is very popular for social catch-ups or informal meetings. Menus include à la carte, table d’hote and a carvery, whilst the bar offers a great snack menu for any visitors looking for a tasty lunch. Open 7 days a week.
The Lamb is a unique family run Country Pub with a modern pub and restaurant offering excellent en-suite accommodation, fine food and cask ales. With lots to offer for all ages, includes two bars (one for private parties, weddings and other events up to 70 guests), pool table and darts area with a big screen TV and a great huge grassed play area for the children. A great restaurant with a specials board & range of offers including 2 Steaks for £15, Pie Night (Weds - Pie & Chips, £5), 2 for £10.95 Menu
Best Western Valley Hotel is a 3 star country house hotel, set on the banks of the River Severn in the world heritage site of Ironbridge, surrounded by stunning award winning parkland, making it very favourable to both the corporate and leisure guests. This Georgian listed building has 44 individually designed en-suite bedrooms, a Two AA rosette awarded restaurant, and full conference and banqueting facilities.
WE Love this! Try…
A shopping spree in the Town Centre followed by a relaxing evening meal - perfect!
WE Love this! Try…
Something from the A La Carte menu for a special occasion.
WE Love this! Try…
Any one of the fantastic offers - the pie’s our favourite.
WE Love this! Try…
A walk in the award-winning parkland which surrounds the Hotel. Beautiful!
01952 288 298 | www.hubmag.co.uk 29
30 food & drink
Local produce and eating out
30 HUB MAGAZine | march 2012
what’s on guide
Top family pick…
What’s on March 2012… 06
Jackfield Tile Museum Creative Workshops
17
6th, 13th, 20th and 27th March Let your creativity run wild at these fun drop-in workshops at Jackfield Tile Museum. In an informal session you’ll learn the tile decorating technique known as ‘tube lining’ or ‘slip-trailing’, and by the end of the experience you’ll have produced a 6 x 6 inch tile featuring your very own design in a range of beautiful colours. The price is £7.95 per tile plus admission (P&P is extra). t 01952 884 124 www.ironbridge.org.uk
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23
Enginiuity Core
23rd March - 30th September 2012 Visit CORE a fantastic digital art exhibition designed by renowned international artist Kurt Hentschläger and experience a whole new digital world. This world-class piece of art forms the next generation of the Chicago-based artist’s generative 3D and audio work. Located within the historic surroundings of a blacked-out Victorian Engine Shop this audiovisual artwork has been created using a number of inter-linked projections. The result is a series of virtual aquariums containing dynamic bodies in extreme motion whose movements are neither predictable nor repeated. These identical humanoid figures interact both instinctually like schools of fish or flocks of birds and at other times they appear choreographed like ballet dancers or synchronised swimmers. This FREE entry exhibition will be open 10am to 5pm, 7 days a week from Friday 23rd March 2012 until Sunday 30th September 2012 at the Engine Shop, Enginuity. t 01952 433 424
www.ironbridge.org.uk
You can keep updated of news & events online at www.hubmag.co.uk
news & events 31
NEC Birmingham Crufts
www.crufts.org.uk
10
Celebrate St Patrick’s night with our Gaelic 3 course menu and disco and of course GUINNESS! £19.95. t 01952 641 821 www.buckatreehallhotel.com
18
Theatre Severn Chris Addison
Fresh from The Thick of It, Mock The Week, Have I Got News For You and his sell-out 2010 tour - “Chris Addison, the man who put the ‘Chris Addison’ into, “I see Chris Addison is touring again”, is touring again.” t 01743 281 281
8th - 11th March. With nearly 28,000 healthy, happy dogs enjoying the thrills and excitement of Best In Show with their owners, there’s no better place than Crufts to experience and learn about the wonderful world of dogs. ‘Best in Show’ tickets - £25.50 / £20.50 / £17.50. Adult day tickets - £14 (+ £1.25 booking fee). “Tailwagging fun for all the family!” t 0844 463 3980
Buckatree Hall Hotel St Patrick’s Party Night
www.theatresevern.co.uk
18
Grays Hotel - Foregate,Telford Mothers Day
Treat Mum to a delicious lunch with the family. £16.50 per person including a family portrait with Steve Ford Photography. t 01952 42 50 00 www.southwatereventgroup.com
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Weston Park Major Midlands
The Place Bootleg Sixties
The Bootleg Sixties are back on tour again with their fantastic Sight and Sound show, and having rocked Telford to The Major is an off road run that is all about character. Its not just a run. It’s a its very foundations last time out, will be looking to go one better this time! There’ll major challenge. Running, Mud, Water, Hills, Obstacles. Whether you are looking be some new songs and new images, but it’ll be the same brilliant evening’s for a new challenge, fundraising for entertainment. £17.50. charity or just craving a wet and muddy experience, we guarantee you will love t 01952 382 382 the experience. Prices start from £22 www.theplacetelford.com and include an event goodie bag, t-shirt and medal. “Are you ready to take on The RAF Museum Major’s Challenge?!” t 01952 852 100
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Motorcycle Eggstravaganza
Sunday 1st April. This Spring, thousands www.weston-park.com of bikers from across the country are www.majorseries.com joining together for the ‘Bike 4 Life Easter Run’. In aid of the Midlands Air Ambulance NEC Birmingham and Royal Air Force Museum. Registration National Wedding Show costs just £5 per person with all proceeds March 16th-18th, this season also sees shared equally between the two charities. the introduction of a new weekend ticket, The event is sure to be an incredible visual allowing those super keen brides-to-be spectacle as bikers make their way to the unlimited access to the show and it’s Museum. With all the activities taking fabulous features for the full any two place at the Museum, it is sure to be a fun days of this three day event! day out for everyone.
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t 0844 581 14 04
t 01902 376 200
www.nationalweddingshow.co.uk
www.rafmuseum.org.uk 01952 288 298 | www.hubmag.co.uk 31 29
32 BUSINESS
expert views and advice
Experts take a starring role. Three Shropshire insurance specialists have played a starring role in a television documentary about rising costs.
D
ave Williams, Debbie Cassidy and Alex Brazendale all work for Henshalls Insurance Brokers, in Newport. The trio appeared in the BBC Midlands television programme, “Inside Out”, on Monday, February 20th. Dave said: “We spent the morning being interviewed about the factors influencing the rising cost of motor insurance, and it was an excellent opportunity for us to share our wide-ranging knowledge on the topic. “We were all looking forward to our appearance being broadcast, even though the timeslot meant we’d have to go head-to-head with Coronation Street!” The experts discussed the insurance industry and the latest developments and issues regarding costs. “There are many reasons why premiums are rising, in particular there has been a
huge increase in the number of personal injury claims submitted, including whiplash, and the fact that higher settlements are being paid out,” said Dave. “Referral fees paid by claims management companies and solicitors in order to access accident details are also to blame, as is the number of uninsured drivers across the UK. “We’ve also seen an increasing trend in the number of staged accidents where innocent victims are targeted and their insurance has no option but to pay out. “We were delighted to be given the chance to discuss the latest industry trends on prime time television, and we hope our appearance will help motorists learn more about the value of insurance and the true costs of not arranging adequate cover.”
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Read the full article at:
hubmag.co.uk/business
“ I’m not working through an agency!”
good to know you
Working through a recruitment agency has had a stigma attached to it for a long time, many job seekers are put off with the phrase “it’s just a temp job” or “it’s through an agency”. The expectation is that if you were to take up a role through a recruitment agency you would be working along side permanent employees doing the same work but for less money, fewer employment rights and generally being treated as a second class citizen. In 2012 this is no longer the case with the Agency Workers Regulations (AWR) now in practice. From the 1st of October 2011 agency workers could expect to have same access to facilities
32 HUB MAGAZine | march 2012
Randstad Inhouse Services For regular updates and information, why not follow them on twitter @randstad_shrops or email catshrewsbury@randstad.co.uk or catstafford@randstad.co.uk
such as the company canteen, car parking, toilets, showers, and access to internal job vacancies.
employees and ensuring their best interests are taken into account. Our on site presence at the clients facilities means that our flexible After being in their role for a employees have someone they qualifying period of 12 weeks can speak to face to face. Our an agency worker can expect to clients often select members of the receive the same basic pay, over Randstad workforce to be taken on time rates, rest breaks and holiday as their own permanent employees, entitlement as their permanent meaning it is a great way to actually companions doing the same job. get a permanent role. We at Randstad Inhouse Services So, are you still not going to are proud to be championing the consider being employed through equal treatment between our an agency? flexible employees and our client’s permanent employees. Randstad does not just look to put people into jobs, we aspire to become an ideal recruitment partner for our clients. This means taking great care of our flexible
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It’s all too easy to panic when ‘redundancy’ threatens, but a pragmatic approach and some simple preparation can make a difference Paul Bennett explains. 0800 644 0253 www.bennettslegal.co.uk
Fixed and staged fee legal expertise available on: • Employment Law • Business Law • Media Law
Follow Bennett’s Legal on Twitter for up-to-date legal news and advice!: @BennettsLegal
Practical Redundancy Risk Tips
his year is now well under way but people could be forgiven for feeling a lack of positivity for 2012 with the most recent jobless figures making for grim reading. But rather than worry about whether you’ll still have a job at the end of the year, there are plenty of positive things you can do to minimise the risk of joining the 2.67million people now unemployed. Indeed, by focusing on your strengths and watching out for the telltale signs, the situation is not as bleak as it may at first appear. Yes the jobless figures may be at a 16year-high, but the rise in the number joining the list has stopped soaring quite so rapidly and reports now suggest that while Britain will zig-zag in and out of growth it may just escape the double-dip recession. Essentially holding on to that job now could bring that coveted security we all seek in the long run. Companies that can weather this storm have the greatest chance of longterm survival. Remember that – it could hold the key to your long-term survival. While redundancies may loom large on the horizon, forcing people to feel it’s every man and woman for themselves, the key to retaining your role in the workplace could be the ability to see the bigger picture. Your job depends on the company you are working for but also your career depends on making the most of that job however long it lasts and any experience it brings. Of course when a workforce is facing redundancies it may feel like the ground beneath you is about to give way at any moment. With decisions often being made at board level there is a sense that there is nothing you can do but sit and wait to see what happens. But this is no time to linger in the background or indeed to panic. Instead, it’s the very best time to plan ahead. If I had a penny for every time I have heard people say “a job for life is a thing of the past” in the last couple of years I would be a very rich man. But while the doom-
merchants may have a point, the danger in allowing ourselves to become weighed down with that frame of mind is that we are missing too many golden opportunities to be masters of our own destiny. See it as your job for as long as you want it and therefore do all you can to protect it. If you do think your job is in jeopardy take the right advice at the right time. It’s crucial to be a part of the process as much as you can and not just a victim of it. Work together with your employers not against them. Helping to ensure their survival means helping to ensure your own. Whether it’s for life or otherwise don’t think of it as “a job”, think of it as “your job”. Investing in it in this way will encourage you to have a say and play a positive role in what happens.
Paul’s key tips to workers at firms considering redundancies: 1. If you are at risk do not panic – be clear about what skills and experience you can offer; 2. Show you are flexible and have skills that can be used in your role and other roles; 3. The selection criteria used by your employer – what is opinion (subjective) and what is objective fact (ideally statistical). Get the employer to focus on the latter – the fairest decisions are based on data. When we advise employers a lot of what we do is based on getting the selection criteria right; 4. Be positive and have ideas – What else can you do to help the employer? Are you able to work part time? Could you take a one month unpaid period leave to reduce costs? Do not just focus on you but focus on the business. Remember employers find the process hard and difficult and your approach can influence decisions made; 5. Get advice if it’s all going horribly wrong – doing so whilst you are still in post helps because it’s not too late to correct. 01952 288 298 | www.hubmag.co.uk 33
34 classified
classified directory
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Would you like your business to be viewed by thousands of households and businesses in the Telford area? From just £40 per month, your business could feature in the next issue of Hub Magazine PLUS online with your own webpage on our powerful website, www.hubmag.co.uk contact us to find out more information.
Family Heritage Search Family History Research
Kerry’s Cakes Cake Makers
Me Me Mode Boutique
01952 413937 / 07504 536 035 07748 323178
07894 860292
martin@familyheritagesearch.co.uk KAAtterbury@aol.com
adele@mememode.co.uk
www.familyheritagesearch.co.uk www.KerrysCakes.org.uk
www.mememode.co.uk
Family Heritage Search is based in Telford, Shropshire, and is designed to help individuals find out more about their family history. Whether you’re trying to find out more about a particular member of your family, or starting out on the journey to discover where your family heritage takes you, I can support you on your journey to the level you need. Visit my website for details of services offered or contact me to discuss your requirements.
The perfect cake should always taste as good as it looks and with a collection of delicious flavours to choose from, combined with my bespoke design service I can create the perfect cake for you. All of my cakes are designed, baked and decorated with your individuality in mind and using only the finest ingredients I can make your sweet dreams come true for your special day. Kerry’s Cakes is offering 10% off all wedding cake orders placed before 31st March ’12. Visit my website for details.
Me Me Mode is an independent boutique selling a luxury range of handmade wedding hats, fascinators, bridal tiaras, lace shrugs, silk wraps & limited edition crystal/pearl jewellery made on an individual basis at very competitive prices. Beautiful designs to choose from with a free consultation to design a one-off piece for weddings, racing events and royal parties. New retail location coming to Telford in March 2012. For details or to book an appointment to view stock contact Adele.
Saxon Park Digital Business Services
Andy Li Photography Photographer
PHJ Proofreading Proofreading Services
01952 250360 / 0333 121 4360 0789 008 2 006
07947 300399
01952 413937 / 07758 217594
Led by Terry Le Long the Regional Chairman of the Society of Will Writers. Estate Planning Specialists. Wills, Lasting Power of Attorney, Property Protection Trusts, Inheritance Tax Wills, Probate, Pre-paid Funeral Plans. Secure Document Storage, Free Codicils for storage clients. Some of the services we provide, at a fraction of the cost of banks and high street solicitors. Offering advice on subjects such as; Losing your home to pay for care fees; reducing the amount of inheritance tax your family will have to pay; providing for your children if your partner re-marries.
spks@saxonpark.co.uk
www.andyli-photography.com phjproofreading@virginmedia.com
www.saxonpark.co.uk
Wedding, portraiture & event photography in Shropshire. I offer a relaxed and friendly service which can be tailored to meet your requirements. As a member of the Society of Wedding and Portrait Photographers (SWPP) I attend photographic conventions with some of the industry’s finest from all over the world. To discuss what I can do for you, whether it’s your wedding day, a family portrait, or an event, please contact me via my website, or you can find me on Facebook.
NLS Shropshire Will and Trust Services Ltd
We specialise in working with YOU to develop YOUR clear and achievable business goals online and in the open market place. We help you use social media, websites and online services effectively and efficiently. We can register your domain names, host and develop a custom designed website just for YOU. So do you want to be competitive, seen as professional and engaging and networking with the right clients? Contact Andy now.
34 HUB MAGAZine | march 2012
www.hubmag.co.uk/phj The written word is a powerful thing so don’t let poor grammar, punctuation or spelling undermine your success. I am a Shropshire-based professional proofreader and an Associate of the Society for Editors and Proofreaders. (SfEP) Your written work I will ensure has clarity and fluency. The completed work will be clear, consistent and most importantly correct. Contact me to discuss your requirements.