InSolihull Magazine (May - July 2018)

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MAY - JULY 2018

LIFE AND STYLE FROM THE BEST PLACE TO LIVE AND WORK IN ENGLAND

LAND ROVER FESTIVAL Iconic 70th year anniversary celebration 22nd - 24th June

WALKING IN SOLIHULL The town’s best walks to get you active this summer PAGE 20

AL FRESCO DINING

Discover the town’s best al fresco experiences PAGE 22

WHAT’S ON Exciting entertainment and events for all PAGE 30

INSTYLE

The season of tans, florals, and large handbags (to hold your warm cardigan and umbrella) is finally here.

I do love the warmer months, but they bring a lot of work with them, gardens to sort, bodies to tone, and holidays to plan, so take time out to relax and browse our latest edition.

InSolihull is the ideal travel read or for those that are ‘staycationing’ we show you some great ideas for walking in Solihull and the rewards of our stunning al fresco dining venues.

As the festival season gets into full swing we urge you to save the dates for the upcoming events: The first ever Land Rover Festival opens on the 22nd June for 3 days and celebrates, you’ve guessed it, all that is the wonderful and iconic Land Rover. Visitors will be able to see HUE the first ever LR on the streets 70 years ago, along with a collection of vintage assets, enthusiasts area, outdoor cinema, kids activities and much more all wrapped up in a festival of food and drink, it will be the MUST-SEE event of 2018.

If music fires your engine then Jazz enthusiasts will not be disappointed as the Jazz Festival is back again this year on the 20 th – 22nd July with free live music over the 3 days, each year we love to see all ages bopping and spinning to those can’t stand still infectious beats.

4-5 6-7

Weddings with Style

Plan the wedding of your dreams

10

Beauty

Products to keep you tanned & protected

INFOCUS

4-7

11

Crowne Plaza Competition

Win an overnight stay

12-13

Desirables

The town’s best picks this season

14

Solihull College

New funding for VR & Robotics

INBUSINESS 15

Get-A-Head Charity

Focus on a local charity

16-17

Phoebus

Profile of an award-winning tech business

18-19

26-27

Skipton

20 Years and growing

INPLAY 20-21 22-23 24

Mel.

For more information on shopping, entertainment and what’s on in Solihull visit: www.solihullbid.co.uk or call: 0121 285 1370

Men’s Fashion

Bold looks this season

8-9

So, whether you are planning to jump on a jet or follow the ‘what’s on where’ we hope you enjoy this edition showcasing the delights of sunny Solihull.

Melanie Palmer BID Director melanie@solihullbid.co.uk

Women’s Fashion

Fab florals to turn heads this season

26-27 28-29 30

28-29

Walking in Solihull

Get up, get outside and get active

Eating Al Fresco

Discover the town’s top al fresco eateries

Solihull Cineworld Refurb

Shiny, modern and new

Land Rover Festival

A global icon celebrates 70 years

Jazz Festival

Solihull takes centre stage again

What’s On

Dates for your diary May - July

BID Director Melanie Palmer melanie@solihullbid.co.uk

Design Wider info@wider.co.uk

Editor in Chief Amy Hubbard amy@solihullbid.co.uk

Advertising Enquiries Melanie Palmer melanie@solihullbid.co.uk

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INSTYLE The high street wouldn’t be the same during the summer without a sea of florals hitting the stores.

Teaming that with the bold colour trend of SS18 and a range of fabrics, you’ll be turning heads this season.

fab

Left - Dress, £59.

Right - Top, £59.

Jeans, £59.

All Monsoon.

Swimsuit, £34, Headband, £16. Both River Island.

Riani Floral, Top, £175 Trousers, £195 Katherine Draisey.

BIBA Kimono, £80, House of Fraser.

Florals

2

3 1. Dress, £39.99, Zara.

2. Top, £25, Marks and Spencer.

3. Top, £47.50, White Stuff.

4. Yumi skirt, £45, Aspire Style.

5. Trousers, £19.99, New Look.

6. Autograph Trousers, £39.50, Marks and Spencer.

1

5

6

4

Hat,, £20, Oasis.

Bag, £29.99, Zara.

Bikini Top, £19.99, Superdry.

Bikini Bottoms, £6.99, Superdry.

Earrings, £12, River Island.

Dune Slides, £70, John Lewis.

Sunglasses, £15.99, Zara.

Bag, £26, Topshop.

Headband, £12, River Island.

Shoes, £105, Le Scarpe.

Products featured are available in Solihull stores or online.

5

INSTYLE

Stripes & Florals

From pastel colours to 70’s throwback and bright tropical prints, we saw menswear take a courageous move this season.

The vertical stripe is officially the new go to pattern for SS18, with the most confident of men pairing with bold prints. However, if this loud trend is not for you, take your favourite elements and blend them into your existing wardrobe to create that fresh feel.

Shorts, £25, River Island.

Shirt, £120, House of Fraser.

Top, £20, River Island.

T-shirt, £8.99, New Look.

Shirt, £55, House of Fraser.

Shorts, £30, House of Fraser.

Sunglasses, £22.99, Zara.

Shirt, £17.99, New Look.

Dune Shoes, £95, John Lewis.

Shorts, £35, White Stuff.

Shorts, £17.50, Marks and Spencer.

Trousers, £60, Topman.

Slides,, £15, Burton Menswear.

Bumbag, £15, River Island.

Hat, £14, Burton Menswear.

Watch, £25, River Island.

Bag, £39.99, Zara.

Shirt, £32, T-shirt, £10, Joggers, £35, All Topman.

(L-R) Polo Shirt, £25, Shorts, £25. Polo Shirt, £25, Shorts, £19.50. T-shirt, £19.50, Shirt, £25, Shorts, £19.50.

All Marks and Spencer.

Shirt, £15, Marks and Spencer.

Shirt, £25, River Island.

Shirt, £65, Top, £15, Shorts, £120, All House of Fraser.

Products featured are available in Solihull stores or online.

7

Brides of Solihull

INSTYLE Whether you are getting married this summer, organising a winter wedding or planning for a future wedding, Solihull has everything covered.

Weddings Lesley Ashworth

Lesley Ashworth

with Style

BRIDES, BRIDESMAIDS AND MOTHER OF THE BRIDE/GROOM

Moss Bros

We also have many department and chain stores stocking everything from bridesmaid’s dresses, to guest outfits and accessories.

John Lewis, House of Fraser and M&S have excellent staff on hand to help you select the best and most on trend outfits.

THE RINGS

Beaverbrooks

For all the budding brides out there, one of the most important pieces of the day is the dress. Many brides dream of their dress as a little girl and it must be the best. Brides of Solihull would be the first stop, they specialise in designer wedding dresses, bridal wear and bridesmaid dresses. We are lucky in Solihull to have many independent stores: Aspire Style offer a selection of bridesmaid’s dresses and cute accessories; Lesley Ashworth offer a full range of fascinators, shoes, bags and accessories; and Madeleine Ann and Katherine Draisey house high end designer brands, with Le Scarpe on hand with the to-die-for shoes, perfect for Mothers on the proud day.

Solihull is home to more than 10 jewellers, many of the independents such as Cheshire’s, house breath-taking rings. We also have some well-known chains such as Fraser Hart and Beaverbrooks with a sparkling selection of diamonds. For a full list of jewellers visit www.solihullbid.co.uk

GROOM AND GROOMSMEN When is comes to suits, there is no question about what to look for. Clements and Church offer top of the range fabrics, exceptional service and tailor made to each individual, this however does come at a price. For a smaller budget Moss Bros and T.M Lewin offer luxury tailored suits and accessories. You will also find a selection of suits and shoes in our high-street stores such as Burton, Next and Topman.

FLOWER GIRL AND PAGE BOY

Once a venue is confirmed you can start on the theme, get invite inspiration from Paperchase and table decoration ideas from Livs. The Cake Artist will be able to create the cake of your dreams and Fleur-De-Lis will make the room look beautiful.

Fleur-De-Lis

Paperchase

Venue is everything, with 4 registered venues in Solihull there is plenty of choice, enjoy a great backdrop on the terrace at the Crowne Plaza Solihull, historical architecture at the Ramada Solihull, a grand room at St Johns Hotel or the simplicity of the Registry Office.

Virgin Holidays

WEDDING PREPARATION

AFTER THE WEDDING

After all the stress of planning, make sure you book yourself in for a pamper at O Spa. Sauna, massage and a facial, sounds right up our street. Get professional brows at Jai Brow Bar and the perfect wedding nails at Semilac or Top Nail.

Onto our favourite part - time for you newly weds to enjoy exclusive time together.

O Spa

FOR THE DAY

Semilac

Ramada

River Island

River Island have some adorable children’s wedding outfits, perfect for the flower girl and page boy. Solihull is also home to some great children’s designer boutiques including Chocolate Clothing, sure to have a gorgeous selection.

We are spoilt for choice with salons in Solihull, with well known salons such as Toni and Guy and Regis and many trusted independents: Six Nine Nine Creative Hair Design; Graham Lovesy; James Bushell and Bad Apple Hair. The last thing to consider is make up, all the department stores and Boots hold counters of the top make up brands with staff on hand to guide you to the perfect look. Want to guarantee only natural and non-animal tested products? The Body Shop would be your best port of call.

Men, we haven’t forgotten about you.

Solihull is also home to many barber shops, the celebrity favourite Kings Barbers Club and local favourites Sporting Barber and Kent’s Barbers. If you fancy gaming with the best man whilst enjoying a beer and leaving with a fresh trim you should head to Everyman Barbers.

Whether you want a quiet, picturesque UK escape, an adventure filled few weeks, or a luxurious beach break to the Maldives, Solihull has you covered.

With a choice of Kuoni, Travelbag, Thomas Cook, Cooperative Travel, Tui and Virgin Holidays, your idyllic holiday is only a booking away.

Take the stress out of wedding planning by getting everything in one location!

Top tip: there are loads of cafes and bars to stop for a bite to eat and a drink - make a day of it.

Finally, we couldn’t forget the guests, there are numerous fashion retailers in the town centre - we would start with Oasis, Zara and Monsoon.

For full listings on all retail, hair and beauty and eateries in Solihull, head to www.solihullbid.co.uk.

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INSTYLE

Tanning Oil If you enjoy nothing better than topping up your tan, I recommend trying out this tanning oil, Ambre Solaire, £7 from Superdrug. This oil offers a dual action; protection from harmful rays and a more golden looking tan.

Sunscreen Sunscreen or sunspray is the most important product for suncare, not just throughout the summer months but every day! Get yourself an SPF to suit your needs and apply liberally to fight off those harmful UVA and UVB rays and premature aging. Ambre Solaire, £7, Boots.

Meet Your

Lip Balm Lip care is the most forgotten element of skincare – especially in the summer months! Get into the habit of carrying around a trusty lip balm like this Burt’s Bees balm, £4, to keep those lips looking and feeling luscious.

Burt Bees balm can be found in Marks and Spencer.

Sunshine Saviours With the winter days finally over, the focus has switched to booking summer holidays and getting that gorgeous glowing tan.

After Sun Your body may also need some TLC after too long on the sun lounger, so make sure you purchase something calming like this Nuxe Refreshing After-Sun Lotion for Face & Body, £16 from Marks and Spencer. This will hydrate and cool any sunburn you’ve accumulated on your jollies.

Of course, we want to make sure you’re prepped and primed ready for anything the warm weather throws at you - sunburn is a definite thing to avoid!

Let us help you get holiday ready with our skincare checklist that’ll be sure to prep you for sunny days and salty seas.

By Joanna Xiourouppa

Tinted Moisturiser If you’re not a tanner, why not opt for a tinted moisturiser instead? This Laura Mercier one, £34 from John Lewis, comes in a variety of different shades and is super lightweight giving that barelythere make up look – perfect for the summer nights.

TOP TIP As soon as you’re done swimming don’t forget to apply more sun care – no matter how ‘waterproof’ the product claims to be! There’s nothing worse than a patchy burn or an uneven tan!

Hydration Mask After a long day enjoying the sun and the sea, your skin will need some rehydration. Try out this youthful overnight mask from The Body Shop, £25, to ensure your skin stays moisturised and refreshed throughout all the summer months.

WIN!

AN OVERNIGHT STAY Summer is finally here and to celebrate the Crowne Plaza Solihull would like to offer one lucky winner a complimentary overnight stay.

Including breakfast and afternoon tea for 2 (includes 2 children for families). Enjoy a sumptuous afternoon tea served on their lakeside terrace, relax in the swimming pool and Jacuzzi or maybe head over to Touchwood for some shopping, before settling down for a great night’s sleep in one of their luxurious bedrooms. The Crowne Plaza Solihull (formerly the Holiday Inn Solihull) has enjoyed a £5 million refurbishment and this is your chance to experience it first hand – Good luck!

To enter the competition all you need to do is visit the Solihull BID website (www.solihullbid.co.uk) and answer the following question…

Who introduced afternoon tea to England? *Competition runs from 1st May until 31st July. Only one entry per person will be counted. Prize is for a couple or family (2 adults and 2 children). Prize cannot be exchanged for cash value. You must answer the question correctly to win. You will need to book the overnight stay and afternoon tea in advance, dates subject to availability. The competition entry form will be found on the banner at the top of the Solihull BID homepage (www.solihullbid.co.uk). Winner will be contacted in the first week of August 2018.

AFTERNOON TEA AT THE CROWNE PLAZA SOLIHULL

FATHER’S DAY LUNCH - 17TH JUNE

For the month of May for everyone who has an afternoon tea at £10.95 per person we will donate £3.45 to Solihull Hospital Charity.

Looking to treat dad this Fathers Day? Book a lunch in the terrace restaurant at the Crowne Plaza Solihull and get dad a free drink!

Enjoy yummy tea and cakes all whilst helping a local charity.

£19.95 for adults, half price for up to 12’s and under 3’s free Free pint or soft drink for Fathers Served from 12.30 until 3.30pm Book direct with the hotel team on 0121 623 9931 11

INSTYLE

Sizzle this Summer

Pitch Up Want to stand out on the campsite? The SoulPad 6000 is a great tent to get away with friends in, it sleeps up to 6 people and has two entrances to utilise the space. The perfect backdrop for those holiday photos.

SoulPad 6000 Hybrid G Tent, £820. Cotswold Outdoors, Drury Lane, Solihull. 0121 709 0204.

It wouldn’t be summertime without a BBQ. This BBQ is cleverly designed to maximise the available space in your garden with 3 burners, 2 folding side tables and an integrated tray underneath for further storage. Enjoy that sweet smell this summer.

Campingaz 3 Series Classic L Barbecue, £310. Millets, Mill Lane, Solihull. 0121 227 8176.

The Desirables Design Smart

A Genius’s Touch

We love it when designers take it that one step further.

Michael Kors has done just that by combining modern glamour with next generation technology. Powered by Android wear and compatible with iOS and Android you can get all the information you need from your wrist. Count your steps, answer calls, check meeting appointments and the weather all whilst on the way to work.

Just when we thought Apple couldn’t get any better, they give us the MacBook Pro. It’s faster and more powerful than ever before - the brightest and most colourful of its type. With a touch bar, an enabled strip of glass built into the keyboard for instant access to all the tools you need and up to 10 hours of battery life… what more could you want?

Bring your ideas to life now.

Michael Kors Access Sofie Rose Gold Tone Ladies’ Smartwatch, £349. Beaverbrook’s, Touchwood, Solihull. 0121 711 2737.

Apple MacBook Pro with Touch Pad, starts from £1,749. Apple Store, Touchwood, Solihull.

0121 224 1300.

Light as a Feather For max comfort and style, the VaporMax trainers nicknamed ‘White Christmas’ are built with featherweight Flyknit in a bright white colourway with sock like comfort. If you want to feel like you are running on air, these are the shoes for you.

Nike Air VaporMax Flyknit, Trainers, £170. JD Sports, Touchwood, Solihull. 0121 704 2291.

Simply English

Your Zone

Impress your guests with this beautiful tea set inspired by the 1940’s to celebrate Royal Albert’s 100 th anniversary and created with a design and pattern representing some of the most iconic styles and colours of each decade. The perfect Afternoon Tea accessory.

Build your own getaway area in your garden with this cosy chair. The perfect place to curl up and escape the world on a sunny day with a awe-inspiring book.

Royal Albert 100 Years 1940 English Chintz 2 Tea Set, £165.

House of Fraser, Warwick Road, Solihull. 0121 705 8111.

Kerala Chair by Charles Bentley, £225.

Next, Touchwood, Solihull. 0333 005 5359.

Garden Zen Bring an oriental vibe to your garden with these adorable elephant planters. Elephants are a symbol of peace; these planters will help transform your garden into the haven you dream of.

Elephant Planters, Large £70, Small £40. Next, Touchwood, Solihull. 0333 005 5359.

FOR THE LITTLE ONES PURRR-FECT TRAVELLING Make travelling more exciting and less tiring for the little ones with their very own Benny the Cat. Originally created by Trunki creator Rob Law’s girlfriend and based on his beloved cat Benny, the trunk doubles as a trolley.

Enjoy your airport journey.

Benny the Cat Trunki, £39.99.

John Lewis, Touchwood, Solihull. 0121 704 1121.

MAGICAL COMPANION Inspire their colourful imagination with bright and lovable Colour Craze Unicorn. The ideal summer companion.

Colour Craze Unicorn Gift Set, £40.50 (Colour Craze Unicorn, £19.50, Rainbow hair don’t care t-shirt, £5. Rainbow Tutu, £5.

Rainbow High Tops, £5.50.

Build-a-Bear, Touchwood, Solihull. 0121 711 2590.

PLAY THE BOSS Looking for a helping hand in the garden? Take playtime outside this summer, load up the building materials and make them the boss for the day. Let their imaginations run wild.

Falk Constructor with Trailer, £129.99. The Entertainer, Touchwood, Solihull. 0844 800 5126.

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INFOCUS

Solihull College VR

Solihull College and University Centre’s pioneering Virtual Reality and Robotics Centre is one of the West Midlands organisations to benefit from a business investment fund worth £124 million. where students can get to grips with the equipment and eventually learn how to design VR experiences themselves.

The virtual reality centre welcomed its first cohort of students in September 2017 and it was recently shortlisted for ‘Outstanding use of Technology for improving teaching, learning and assessment’ at The Times Education Supplement Awards 2018.

T

he innovative college facility is aiming to deliver a workforce and skills at the forefront of the rapidly-evolving technological industries and has been supported by The Greater Birmingham & Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership (GBSLEP).

GBSLEP funding has proved vital in improving connectivity, upskilling the local workforce and unlocking new levels of investment and growth in the region.

The GBSLEP has unlocked an overall £124 million investment in regional economic growth, supporting 20 flagship projects across the West Midlands.

First established in 2010 as a partnership of business, public sector and further and higher education leaders, GBSLEP’s mission is to create jobs, grow the economy and raise the quality of life for nearly two million residents across nine local authority boundaries.

Computers, hardware and virtual reality headsets have been purchased by the College as it looks to stay ahead of the game when it comes to the future of computing.

As part of GBSLEP’s Local Growth Programme, investment for its first 20 completed projects has come from the Local Growth Fund, via the three Growth Deals agreed with Government.

The College has also developed a lab which is dedicated to virtual reality

Commenting on the 20-project milestone, Tim Pile, Chair of GBSLEP, said:

“GBSLEP is committed to raising the prospects and economic future of every individual and business in Greater Birmingham and Solihull, and these projects demonstrate that we’re achieving this.”

“It is hugely rewarding to see the public and private sectors working together to create thousands of jobs and make a real economic impact across the region – from Cannock to Redditch, East Staffordshire to Birmingham.

These projects reflect a forward-thinking region with huge potential, which welcomes collaboration with other likeminded organisations keen to make a significant impact on our local economy.”

“The diversity of the 20 completed projects and their focus on high-growth sectors illustrates our aim to carve a real legacy of sustained economic growth for generations to come. With many emerging projects and opportunities set to further stimulate economic prosperity across the region, such as HS2, we look to the future with great optimism.”

Solihull Town Centre Access Scheme Several projects are being carried out to improve pedestrian and cyclist access between the town centre and Solihull Station.

T

he Town Centre Approach scheme is looking at different options to create safer travel between the town centre and Solihull Station for non-car users.

Solihull Council, which is behind the project, hopes the changes will make the centre more attractive to commuters and visitors.

As part of the project, a trial closure prevented motorists from turning left into Station Approach from Blossomfield Road.

A council spokesperson told the Solihull Observer: “This closure aims to improve the route for pedestrians and cyclists from the Station to the town centre. It will provide more space when crossing Blossomfield Road.”

The trial was carried out throughout February and during the closure, traffic volumes were compared before and after the closure was enforced.

The first stage of the scheme included a new crossing at Blossomfield Road and improved widening of pavements on Station Approach and Homer Road. The changes will create more space and priority for pedestrians and cyclists.

The council spokesperson added: “Following the trial, if there is significant additional pressure on the local road network, the design proposals will be reviewed and alternative design approaches considered.”

Councillor Ted Richards OBE, cabinet member for transport and highways, said: “This scheme aims to put the priority on the safety of pedestrians and cyclists whilst also improving the environment of the station and town centre. We want to make sure getting from the station to the town centre is as easy as possible for people and we hope that this scheme will enable us to achieve this.”

The construction started in March and aims to be completed by summer 2018.

For more information, visit www.solihull.gov. uk/Resident/Parking-travel-roads/roadworksand-restrictions/towncentreapproach

NEWS & DEVELOPMENTS FROM ONE OF THE COUNTRY’S LEADING COMMERCIAL REGIONS

GET A-HEAD CHARITABLE TRUST InSolihull magazine is always keen to raise the profile of the many town centre-based charities offering life-changing support for families and individuals around the country. Here, we profile the work of Get A-Head, which leads research and funding into head and neck cancer.

S

olihull town centre-based independent charity Get A-Head supports people with head and neck diseases and cancers.

Through its vital fundraising and research the charity has bought life-changing equipment for patients who have lost their voice through cancer, with things like an Electrolarynx – a battery operated machine that produces sound – and iPads, to help people communicate with loved ones.

The charity, which has been in its Warwick Road office for almost a year, also has staff and volunteers working from the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham.

Get A-Head raises funds to directly help improve the quality of life for patients who suffer from head and neck diseases and their carers and the charity funds in three main areas; equipment, research and education.

Louise Newton Charity Manager and The Get A-Head Bear

In addition to the Electrolarynx devices, the charity has helped to buy pioneering equipment for use in operations that ensures the best possible outcomes for patients, such as Harmonic scalpels that reduce bleeding and scarring, and most recently the CyberKnife.

“The correct diagnosis of a patient’s complaint is obviously vital to deciding how to treat their condition,” said Louise Newton, Get A-Head Charity Manager.

“Until we can see what we’re doing, we’re working in the dark. Many of the larger, more specialised pieces of equipment just cannot be funded by the NHS, so this is where Get A-Head can help.”

The new office is in a prime location on Warwick Road, enabling Get A-Head’s volunteers to reach out to a wider community.

Staff are hopeful this will bring additional support to the charity.

John Watkinson, co-founder of Get A-Head and current Patron, with Louise Newton

“Solihull is a vibrant and popular town, with locals and visitors passing by, we have already been warmly welcomed and have made some wonderful new friends,” added Louise.

tirelessly supporting the fundraising activities. We have received some really lovely feedback on the event and I am very proud and thankful that everyone enjoyed the evening.”

“We are excited to be able to offer a place where supporters and patients alike can pop in and have a cuppa with us, we can point you in the right direction of support groups and we would love to discuss fundraising ideas.”

Get A-Head is Chaired by chartered surveyor, Tom Bromwich, who runs his own company ‘Bromwich Hardy’.

Future fundraising events include a skydive in Oxfordshire taking place on Saturday 30th June.

Described as a ‘challenge of a lifetime’, the skydive takes participants up to the dizzying heights of 10,000 feet before diving down through the air freefalling at over 120mph.

Fundraisers pay £30 to register with a minimum fundraising pledge of £350. The highlight in the Get A-Head fundraising and events calendar is the annual ball, which in 2017 was themed as a Celtic Ball and held at the Metropole Hotel.

More than £70,000 was raised at the star-studded occasion.

Louise said of the night: “What an amazing night the Celtic Ball was, with magic, music, lightening footwork and lots of laughter, bidding to dancing and everything in between.

“The volunteers worked

Tom has had a total thyroidectomy, as have his three children. He has gathered around him a hand-picked committee of well-connected business people with a variety of contacts, knowledge and creative disciplines to help his work at Get A-Head.

Writing in the Get A-Head newsletter, Tom said: “Money raised by Get A-Head with the fantastic help and support of our loyal supporters and many friends, old and new, continues to be spent on education, research and equipment and is genuinely making a difference to the lives of many patients.

“We are helping to fund several major research projects and I hope these will produce exciting results.”

For more information about Get A-Head’s fundraising events visit: http://getahead.org.uk/ category/events/ 15

INBUSINESS

PHOEBUS IS TALKING TECH WITH EVENTS AIMED AT THE SOLIHULL BUSINESS COMMUNITY

Solihull’s award-winning Phoebus Software Ltd (PSL) is committed to innovation and invention.

What is less well known is that it is just as passionate and committed to the wellbeing of its staff, to charity and to furthering understanding of technology in the local community.

P

SL won the Outstanding Innovation & Enterprise category at last year’s Solihull BID Excellence Awards with judges praising PSL’s three decades of commitment to the Solihull town centre economy.

Last year PSL moved within Solihull to a stunning new HQ at the Lansdowne Gate building on New Road, with the needs of the company’s 100+ staff at the heart of the relocation.

Office walls are designed to be written or doodled on, enabling the skilled PSL team to create and share ideas on the go, while the new office features a wellbeing room, which creates a calm area for staff to pray, read, practice yoga or play the office guitar.

There is also a games room where staff can relax or play big-screen console games and table tennis.

But the ‘staff first’ commitment doesn’t end at gadgets and games, but includes every area of wellbeing including physical, emotional, occupational, spiritual, social and intellectual. PSL provides fresh fruit and other healthy snacks daily and runs a calendar of events ranging from lifestyle coaching to guitar lessons to promote a thorough wellbeing of mind and body.

It runs a 12-week fitness programme for interested staff, involving weekly group exercise sessions with a qualified personal trainer across the road in Brueton park. It also offers a contribution to gym membership and BUPA health cover to all staff.

“The office move was very much focused on staff wellbeing. We recognise the fact that staff spend most of their time in

an office environment so we wanted to make it as enjoyable as possible,” explains Sharon Murphy, PSL’s Head of People.

“We know that if our staff want to be here and enjoy being here, that will help productivity.”

Formed in 1989, PSL is a leading provider of agile technologies to the loan servicing, banking and lending sectors within the UK and Ireland.

PSL’s technology is now used by over twenty-five lenders, banks, building societies and third-party administrators, servicing £35 billion of assets in the UK and over 1 million customer accounts.

TALKING TECH

What makes the Talking Tech initiative unique however, is that it is being owned and managed by the wider PSL team, not senior management or directors, and this, according to Sharon Murphy, Head of People, is another jigsaw piece in the PSL people-first work culture.

The first Talking Tech event of 2018 focused on the topical subject of Blockchain technology and Bitcoin, with speaker and blockchain guru Dug Campbell being flown in from Edinburgh to give insights into the world of cryptocurrencies.

PSL is now rolling out its ethos of information and education to people outside of the business with its ‘Talking Tech’ initiative.

These are a series of events and talks featuring experts in all “One of the ideas we played matters tech and digital. The around with was bringing Talking Tech events are not in external expertise on restricted to employees but are different topics. The aim open to potential recruits and the was to showcase PSL to wider Solihull business community. potential recruits and build They feature networking partnerships with like-minded opportunities over drinks people in other companies and nibbles at its prestigious in the area. That’s how Talking Tech was born.”

Lansdowne Gate office.

BE THE BEST! We are always looking for talented people to join our team.

Are you a Developer, Project Manager, Business Analyst or Test Analyst with experience of working in the Financial Sector? Are you looking for your next exciting career move with a company that truly values its employees?

At PSL we are committed to the wellbeing of our staff. We recognise that without individual contributions we could not achieve the things we want to and so we endeavour to listen to our staff and recognise and reward hard work.

Our values underpin everything we do and our team demonstrate these every day:

D-edicated | O-pen | N-o-nonsense | E-xcellence Does this sound like you? If so, we’d love to hear from you!

www.phoebus.co.uk careers@phoebussoftware.com 0845 6444 8258

“OUR FIRST TALKING TECH SESSION WAS BASED AROUND BLOCKCHAIN AND BITCOIN, AND THE MANY POSITIVES, NEGATIVES AND UNKNOWNS!” “Our staff chose this topic because it’s burst onto the news agenda and few people are aware of where it has suddenly come from and where it is going.

It went really well and we’re now planning our next event, which will be looking at Artificial Intelligence, another highly topical subject.”

As well as staff welfare and a commitment to excellence, engrained into the PSL DNA is an attitude of forwardthinking and exploring future trends. According to Sharon, the Talking Tech events help reinforce this philosophy.

“As a business, we’ve more than doubled in size over the last couple of years, both

from a profit point of view and in staff numbers.

To maintain this growth, we’re always thinking about the next things coming up and we try to make sure our staff have that forward-looking mind-set and the ability to plan, which is really important to us.

It’s important for us that our staff are a part of this future and that is why the Talking Tech team is made up of staff from around the company including developers, the learning &

development team and sales & marketing assistants. All these people come together to share ideas and organise some great events.

Nothing stays the same in business and it’s important we attract the types of people who have the same values as us. These include a commitment to excellence, to customer care and to continuous improvement, while also caring about the people around them. It is this culture which helps make sure PSL continues to grow and thrive.”

Talking Tech is being driven by staff in different parts of the business, who come up with the topics, find the speakers and create the guest lists.

We had around 120 people attend the Blockchain talk; people who we hadn’t engaged with before, which is great.

It was important for us that the talk was held in our office for two reasons; firstly, we are keen to shine a light on Solihull for all the things it has to offer. We also wanted to demonstrate who we are as a business, with a recognised speaker who is also an expert on his particular subject.

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INBUSINESS

20 YEARS AND GROWING...

SKIPTON BUILDING SOCIETY Skipton is the UK’s fourth largest building society and its branch on Solihull High Street has been helping customers with their savings and later life planning needs for over 20 years.

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enior Branch Manager, Kevin Crawford talks about the importance of a High Street presence for building societies and banks in a digital age and what sets Skipton apart from the competition.

Tell readers about Skipton Building Society and the Solihull town centre branch Since 1853 we have been dedicated to helping people save for the future and achieve their dreams of owning their own homes. We’ve come a long way and we are now the UK’s fourth largest building society. We’ve grown from our humble beginnings and changed, but we’ve always stayed true to our roots, retaining the same traditional values. At the heart of what we do has always been and will always be to help our customers to have a better life.

WE ARE ABLE TO FOCUS ON OUR CUSTOMERS, BECAUSE WE ARE A MUTUAL, WHICH MEANS WE HAVE NO SHAREHOLDERS TO PAY.

When you save or take out a mortgage with us, you become a member of Skipton Building Society. We're passionate about putting the needs of our members and their communities at the heart of everything we do. We have been helping customers at our local Solihull branch with their savings and later life planning needs for over 20 years.

Tell readers about you and your role at Skipton My name is Kevin Crawford and I am the Senior Branch Manager of Skipton Building Society’s Solihull branch, I joined the Society in 2010 and currently have 16 years of experience in the financial industry. The best thing about working for Skipton is that we are more than just a savings rate. At Skipton

we are able to offer services to our customers that are tailored to their needs as they progress along their financial journey.

My role at Skipton is to increase our brand awareness, both in the branch and the wider community, so that more people are aware of how we can help them make their money work harder in what is a difficult time for savers. Our Chief Executive, David Cutter, famously described savers as, ‘forgotten victims of the credit crunch’ and I agree.

How important is a 'High Street' presence for building societies and banks in a digital age?

Skipton is committed to its Branch network and sees the value of face to face relationships with our customers. However, we

also recognise that customer needs and expectations continue to change as technology becomes more prominent in the industry.

WE UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF ADAPTING OUR SERVICE IN ORDER TO REMAIN RELEVANT IN THE DIGITAL AGE. One example of this is when we became the only financial services provider in the UK that provides customers with a cash Lifetime ISA, which is available online. Since the launch of the cash Lifetime ISA in 2017, as a Society we have helped over 50,000 customers make their first steps towards saving for their life ahead.

We like to think we do things differently at Skipton, like our

exciting new service called Skipton Link that allows customers to communicate with the branch from the comfort of their home by video call. This enables customers to have a review with a colleague in any of Skipton’s 87 Branches across England and Scotland, ensuring they are seen at a time that is suitable for them.

They can also arrange to speak with a financial advisor without having to leave home.

Does the Solihull branch of Skipton have any community initiatives readers might be interested in?

Our flagship community initiative, Grassroots Giving, was launched in 2013 to celebrate the Society’s 160th anniversary. It was designed to reflect our mutual roots and established to help

people and communities to help themselves. In 2018 Grassroots Giving will, once again, donate pots of money to smaller, community minded organisations which may normally struggle to win funding.

THIS YEAR, 165 COMMUNITY GROUPS WILL RECEIVE FUNDING OF £500 TO HELP THEM BUILD A BRIGHTER FUTURE IN THEIR LOCAL COMMUNITIES. This scheme launches in May and I urge volunteers at community groups in Solihull and the surrounding area to come and talk to us.

We are also very proud to support the Alzheimer’s Society, which is Skipton’s charity of the year.

Dementia is now the biggest killer in the UK meaning more and more people will be affected by this terrible condition in some way. In support of the Alzheimer’s Society, all members of the Solihull Branch are dementia friends.

What service do you offer that sets you aside from the competition?

At Skipton Building Society we are passionate about financial advice, which is why we have a Diploma-qualified financial adviser in every Branch.

Pavan Chamba is the Solihull Financial Adviser and he said: “Our friendly and open approach is focused on taking the time to get to know you and to understand what matters in your world, so we can offer

a personalised advice. My recommendations are based on selecting suitable options from a panel of funds, which are carefully researched by our in-house technical team. We select funds from across the market, to help you make wise decisions with your money. For added peace of mind, you can speak to us knowing there’s no pressure to accept our advice.

We want you to feel happy you’re doing the right thing for you and your family’s future, so we will never push you into investing.”

Stock market-based investments are not like bank and building society savings accounts as your capital is at risk and you may get back less than you invested. The value of your investments and any income from them may fall as well as rise.

19

INPLAY

WALKING IN SOLIHULL Solihull has the title ‘Urbs in Rure’ for the very reason that we have everything you need in a town with lots of open green space.

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hether you work, live or visit Solihull regularly, we want to encourage you to enjoy the surroundings. We also want to encourage a more active lifestyle, if you don’t have time for the gym, taking a brisk walk can be the easiest way to get more active and become healthier.

THE BENEFITS OF WALKING Get fresh air and clear your head

If you have spare time at work there is nothing better to do than go for a mid-day walk. You will return to your desk feeling refreshed and ready for whatever the afternoon throws at you.

Your mood will improve

Walking with a friend is the calorie free way to improve your mood. Next time you have a bad day and start to crack open the bottle of wine or chocolate bar, put it down, call upon a friend and appreciate the outdoors.

Your creative juices will start to flow Whether you are stuck on an idea or have been searching for a solution, being out in the open allows you head space for new ideas.

Time to stretch

It’s bad for your body to sit at a desk all day, a brisk walk allows you to stretch and loosen up.

Weight loss

Regular brisk walks can help to improve your body’s response to insulin, this in turn can help to reduce body fat.

Ease stress

Walking can reduce your stress levels in your body, improving your mental and physical health.

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here are many ways to help you track your walks and step count. Whether you map your walk through an app or apple watch or keep an eye on your fitness with a Fitbit, knowing how many steps you do each day can give you an indication of your progress.

They also allow you to set yourself goals, and if you don’t want to do it alone you can add in your friends for encouragement. According to Fitbit completing 10,000 steps each day typically burns about 2000 to 3500 extra calories each week.

This could work out about the same as 5 slices of pizza, 2 Big Macs, 4 pints and 4 glasses of wine (125ml).

To attain these benefits, your walks need to be of moderate intensity and faster than a stroll, build up the pace gradually and enjoy the start of a healthier lifestyle.

We have put together a few walking routes in Solihull, two of them can be completed in under 30 minutes and one in under an hour. Burn off those calories during your lunch break or whilst you visit Solihull.

“Walking will increase your muscle tone, boost metabolism, ease stress, raise energy levels and improve sleep, which combined can also help you lose weight.”

– The NHS

Walk 1

Start: Touchwood exit on the high street by Joules.

Distance: 2.61 miles, Calories burnt: 264

 Enter into the park, once you get to the first path crossing, take the left turn and follow the path until you reach Warwick Road the other side, passing behind the Warwickshire wildlife centre on route.

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 Once you have reached Warwick Road, follow the path to the right and re-enter the park.

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Malvern Park

 Follow the path back the way you came, picking the path past the Warwickshire Wildlife Centre, you then will come to the split in the path, take the left turn followed by a right turn by the tennis courts.

ad

St Alphege Church

 Take the first left turn and then follow the path around the pond until you reach a building where you should turn left.

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Touchwood

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 Head up the high street toward St Alphege Church, then continue onto New Road following it round until you reach the park entrance.

 Once you reach the car park, take a left turn towards the town centre, then head onto Park Road.  At the end of Park Road turn left onto New Road. Then head down the high street back to the starting location.

Brueton Park

Walk 2

Start: outside Caffé Nero in Mell Square.

Distance: 1.1 miles, Calories burnt: 112

 Walk along Mill Lane to reach Warwick Road. When you reach Warwick Road, take a left turn.

 Once you reach O’Neill’s take a left turn down Poplar Road and follow the road around and walk half way down Station Road.  Once you reach the St Augustine’s Church take a left turn and continue to the end of the road past Boston Tea Party.

Mell

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 At Waitrose take a left turn and follow Homer Road all the way down to the roundabout.

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 At the roundabout follow the first exit and continue on Church Hill Road, going straight ahead at the mini roundabout toward St Alphege Church.

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 Once you reach the top of the high street walk down and turn right at Carluccio’s. Continue down Drury Lane to reach Mell Square then turn left and head back to your starting location at Caffé Nero.

St Alphege Church

Walk 3

Start: St Alphege Church.

Distance: 1.39 miles, Calories burnt: 141

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ig

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 From the church walk straight down the high street. Once you get to the end of the high street head down Station Road and turn left when you get to St Augustine’s Church and walk down Herbert Road passed Boston Tea Party.

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Mell Squ are re e

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 When you get to Waitrose cross over the road and walk down the path under the bridge to Tudor Grange park.  Once in the park take the second path to the right of the semi-circle and walk to the large circle of hard standing.  Instead of heading straight on to the playground, turn left and take the path towards Monkspath car park. Taking the 3rd right from that path head onto Monkspath Road towards Princes Way.

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St Alphege Church

 Take a right at Prince’s Way, once you reach the roundabout cross over twice to walk up Church Hill Road. Continue up here till you are back at St Alphege Church.

Tudor Grange park

*Calories burnt is calculated by walking at 3mph and weighing 200 pounds. This will change depending on your weight and speed of walking. Please be careful when crossing the road during any of the suggested routes. Make sure you finish any walks gradually and with a few stretches, this will help improve your flexibility. The walking routes have been calculated from www.gb.mapometer.com, they should be used as a guide and may vary from person to person. Recommended number of steps was taken from www.fitbit.com/uk/home.

21

INPLAY

o c s e r F l A t a E Italian Love

Morning Delight

For the pasta lovers the ideal location is Carluccio’s, located at the top of Solihull High Street. With outdoor seating around the restaurant you get a picturesque view of the St Alphege church and some of the original architecture in Solihull. They also have a delicatessen, so you can take some tasty treats home, what could be better?

Finished your morning dog walk and are looking for breakfast or a delicious coffee and cake in the sunshine? Boston Tea Party would be the obvious choice. They have a lovely outdoor seating area and a great selection of ethically sourced and classically English items to choose from. Dog treats available too.

High Street, Solihull, B91 3SS www.carluccios.com | 0121 704 5215

Herbert Road, Solihull, B91 3QE www.bostonteaparty.co.uk | 0121 709 1552

Suntrap

Summer Holiday Vibes

If you are looking for somewhere to top your tan up whilst enjoying good food and a few drinks with friends, the Slug and Lettuce is the perfect location. Enjoy the ambience of their modern outdoor seating area in the afternoon and then dance your way into the evening with a cocktail in hand, after all it is 2-4-1 on cocktails all day, every day.

Do you imagine yourself lounging in the sun with a cocktail in hand? The Beech House Solihull is the Midlands answer to that. Relax in a deckchair and enjoy a cocktail and bite to eat from the Mediterranean inspired menu in the beautiful and contemporary outdoor seating area.

Mill Lane Arcade, Touchwood, Solihull, B91 3HT www.slugandlettuce.co.uk/solihull | 0121 711 2605

Warwick Road, Solihull, B91 3DA www.beechhousesolihull.co.uk | 0121 272 7730

With over 30 venues to eat al fresco in Solihull, it can be difficult to decide which one to visit. Whether you want a quick coffee, a delicious meal or afternoon drinks in the sunshine, Solihull has it all covered.

For a full list of food and drink venues in Solihull, please visit www.solihullbid.co.uk Please note some of the outdoor seating at venues will depend on the weather.

Sporting Venue

We have picked out a selection of venues to try and help make your decision a little easier.

With a large garden and an outdoor TV screen, The Mason’s Arms is the place to catch up with friends and enjoy a nice pint outdoors whilst watching the football. You can also get a burger and a drink from £7.75, what more could you want?

French Bistro

Something Different

High Street, Solihull, B91 3ST www.themasonsarmssolihull.co.uk | 0121 709 1352

Want to feel like you’re sat out on a Parisian street enjoying a baguette and glass of wine? Café Rouge is just that…okay maybe the location is slightly different. It is however based on the most attractive end of Solihull High Street just along from St Alphege church, the perfect place to pitch up and people watch.

In the winter Revolution may just look like an ordinary cool bar… however come the summer months the top floor roof retracts, opening the upstairs into a roof top terrace. Sip on cocktails, enjoy flavoursome meals and sit in the comfort of indoor furniture, all whilst taking in that Vitamin D.

High Street, Solihull, B91 3SX www.caferouge.com | 0121 711 8881

Station Road, Solihull, B91 3RX www.revolution-bars.co.uk/bar/solihull | 0121 726 3882

Something New

Tropical Taste

One of Solihull’s newest venues, Paramo Lounge is situated on Solihull High Street. They offer a cool and relaxed vibe with an outdoor seating area. They have an extensive menu catering for everyone, even our beloved pet dogs. And if you love a quiz, join them from 8pm on Sundays.

Enjoy an afternoon of spicy flavours, reggae and rum cocktails, the best combination to an unforgettable Saturday night in Solihull.

High Street, Solihull, B91 3TB www.thelounges.co.uk/paramo | 0121 709 4467

Station Road, Solihull, B91 3SB www.turtlebay.co.uk | 0121 711 3311

If you haven’t managed to book that holiday to the Caribbean yet, visit Turtle Bay, Solihull’s closest alternative (well nearly).

23

INFOCUS

WANT THE CINEMA TO YOURSELF? You can also hire a screen out starting from £250 - host a party to remember.

Upgrade your movie experience in Solihull Looking for something to do in your spare time? Need date ideas? Ran out of ways to entertain the kids? Solihull has your answer to all these questions… Cineworld.

After undergoing a major refurbishment, the shiny, modern cinema is totally worth the visit.

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ocated on the first floor of the Touchwood Shopping Centre, the cinema boasts an impressive 9 screens including 2D, HFR, RealD 3D and a state of the art brand new Superscreen. The Superscreen is fully equipped with 44 amplifiers, a 4k laser powered projector which delivers crystal clear images, a giant floor to ceiling screen and comfortable seats, delivering a better 3D experience than ever before.

The cinema food game has been upped with a Starbucks Kiosk, the first of its type in the UK, enjoy the perfect coffee, popcorn and your favourite blockbuster.

With disabled parking and access, autism friendly screening, subtitled and audio described options, guide dogs allowed and movies for juniors, there really is something for everyone.

FUN FACTS 1

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The Superscreen not only has a laser-powered projector but also Dolby Atmos sound.

The new Upper Foyer has been likened to a scene from Tron.

You can use your BID card for student rate tickets Monday – Thursday.

Full T&C’s at solihullbid.co.uk

The top grossing film of all time is currently the 2009 film Avatar followed by 1997’s Titanic.

The first UK cinema opened its doors in 1896 on Regent Street in London.

For more information and bookings, visit: www.cineworld.co.uk/solihull

l l u h Soli

Buy One Get One Free on classic breakfasts 10am till 12pm

from may to july*

*ON PRESENTATION OF THIS ADVERT Management reserve the right to withdraw this offer at any time Management reserve the right to withdraw this offer at any time

BOOK YOUR SPACE NOW! SPECIAL OCCASIONS | CORPORATE EVENTS | PRIVATE SPACES

DRINKS PACKAGES BUFFET OPTIONS Find us on Facebook www.oneills.co.uk/solihull 0121 711 3761

FRRETEY

PA

Iconic celebration of Land Rovers to take place in Solihull town centre this summer Solihull’s first ever Festival of iconic Land Rovers will take place this summer, with the world-famous Lode Lane plant opening its doors to the public.

Land Rover Fest will take place across the town centre from Friday 22nd to Sunday 24th June, featuring rare vintage models, an enthusiasts’ area for 4x4 fans, street food stalls, driving experiences, outdoor cinema and family entertainment.

The Festival is being held to celebrate Land Rover’s 70 th anniversary, and mark the central role the Solihull plant has played in building millions of the multi-award winning cars over the last 7 decades.

The celebration is an opportunity for everyone connected to the brand and Solihull plant to come together and mark this fantastic jubilee milestone and is a thank you to the local community who have been supportive of the car maker over the last 70 years.

Melanie Palmer, Director, Solihull BID, said: Lode Lane will be open during the festival, giving visitors an insight into how the famous cars are designed and produced using state-of-the-art aluminium technology in world-class manufacturing facilities, LR Fest will celebrate all that is great about one of the world’s most iconic motoring brands; from the Series 1 Land Rover to the iconic flagship Range Rover. The festival will see one of the most complete collections of Land Rover models on display.

“We are thrilled to be working with Jaguar Land Rover to bring an amazing community experience to the people of Solihull and beyond. There will be lots of surprises and activities for everyone to enjoy, including off-road demonstrations for visitors to understand how these iconic vehicles handle challenging terrains.”

More details about the Solihull LR Fest will be released over the coming weeks and months.

LR Fest is a joint project between Jaguar Land Rover and Solihull BID, the Business Improvement District for the town centre, with the street food market provided by RR Events.

22nd - 24th June 2018

Solihull Town Centre

Visit www.solihullbid.co.uk or follow @JLRSolihull and @Solihullbid on Facebook and Twitter to keep updated.

Celebrating 70 years of Land Rover 27

INPLAY

Solihull Town Centre becomes centre stage again for the Solihull Jazz Festival for the third year as part of the Birmingham, Solihull and Sandwell Jazz and Blues Festival.

The festival is to take place from 20th – 22nd July 2018.

An open-air stage will be at the heart of the Solihull Festival with 9 free shows over the 3 days, this is accompanied with an international street food and drinks market brought to Solihull by renowned market provider, RR Events.

The fun doesn’t stop there, we also have 16 venues housing some funky beats over the weekend. Look out for more details about bands in The Core Theatre, Revolution Bar, Yates, The White Swan, Sevenoaks Sound and Vision, John Lewis, Slug and Lettuce, The Crowne Plaza Solihull, O’Neill’s, Ramada Solihull, Royal British Legion Solihull, The Masons Arms, The Beech House, Boston Tea Party, Flute and Flagon and Touchwood’s Beach.

We are bringing the music, street food and drinks, all we need now is for you to bring your best dance moves.

Get the date in your diary and we will see you there.

What’s on in Mell Square FRIDAY 20TH JULY 2018 4pm Bird and the Badman 6pm Ricky Cool and the In Crowd SATURDAY 21ST JULY 2018 12pm Budapest Ragtime Band 2pm Red Lips 4pm The Catfish Kings 6pm Snapback SUNDAY 22ND JULY 2018 12pm Lola Lamour 2pm The Wedding Crashers 3.30pm Union Avenue Information correct at time of print.

LOLA LAMOUR Lola Lamour has been singing on the 1940's scene for almost 10 years.

Influenced by artists such as Peggy Lee, Kay Starr, Ella Fitzgerald and Django Reinhardt, Lola Lamour and her band deliver sizzling vocals and great songs from the Forties, with many of them her own take on classic tunes. She has travelled the length and breadth of the UK and also performed in Switzerland, The Channel Islands and Holland.

THE BUDAPEST RAGTIME BAND (HUNGARY) Long-time favourites at Birmingham and many other festivals throughout Europe, the Budapest Ragtime Band was established in 1980 by trained jazz and classical musicians who created their own style by adding original instrumentation to the traditional piano interpretation of ragtime. Since then the band has enlarged its repertoire into everything from Dixieland to operatic parodies and has toured successfully throughout Europe and America, performing regularly on Hungarian, German, American and Swiss television.

THE CATFISH KINGS Back in the 1970s Harry Lang was a hotshot bandleader in his hometown of Birmingham, fronting Bullets, sort of wiseguy neo-punk. Harry wrote the songs. He also sang them and generally ruled the roost in one of the coolest bands in town. Bullets enjoyed a reputation as a quirky, near-hooligan but very musical band well to the left of field. The years have passed, and Harry’s back in Birmingham with his current Brighton-based combo. Not a lot has changed. The Catfish Kings deliver a high-powered Rhythm & Blues set and are determined to rock the town.

RICKY COOL AND THE IN CROWD

For more information and full line up visit www.solihullbid.co.uk, follow us at @Solihullbid on social media or call the office on 0121 285 1370

Red hot rhythm and blues and sensational soul, Ricky Cool and the In Crowd serve up a gorgeous gumbo of sounds. Think of Soho clubs in the early years and Mod mania, original numbers are mixed in with great arrangements of classics, to give you a musical mix that will have your feet itching to dance.

29

INPLAY MAY - JULY 2018

What’s On Afternoon Tea at the Crowne Plaza Solihull For the month of May for everyone who has an afternoon tea at £10.95 per person we will donate £3.45 to Solihull Hospital Charity.

Enjoy yummy tea and cakes all whilst helping a local charity. Book direct with the hotel team on 0121 623 9931.

MAY

1

An Evening with Eddie the Eagle Presented by Age UK Solihull in partnership with Solihull School and sponsored by Midland Eye. It’s 30 years since ski legend Eddie ‘The Eagle’ Edwards won the nation’s hearts at the Winter Olympics in Calgary in 1988.

Join us for a fun and inspiring evening as Eddie talks about his fascinating life on and off the piste. 7.30pm. Bushell Hall, Solihull School, Warwick Road, Solihull B91 3DJ. Tickets: £16 adults, £14 children aged 16 and under.

Book at The Core Box Office, either in person, call 0121 704 6962 or visit www.thecoretheatresolihull.co.uk MAY

3

Parkrun Brueton parkrun is a free 5 weekly 5k event for runners of all standards. It takes place every Saturday at 9am. You will need to register in advance by 6pm on the Friday before your first event and bring your personal barcode with you. Register at www.parkrun.org.uk/brueton MAY

One Woman Sex and the City This loving tribute and send-up takes audiences through a laughter-infused version of all six seasons of the beloved show.

There will be puns, cosmopolitans and audience participation. For anyone who MAY

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remembers the naked dress, the tantric sex demonstration, the post-it note, and “he’s just not that into you,” One Woman Sex and the City: A Parody on Love, Friendship, and Shoes will provide a great reminder of why this series and its characters have stayed so firmly in women’s hearts and minds. Tickets £16, Age 18+. 7.30pm. The Core Theatre www.thecoretheatresolihull.co.uk.

Café No.12’s Royal Afternoon Cream Tea Week Join us at Cafe No.12 for a right Royal Afternoon from Saturday 12th until 19th May. Activities to include a Royal Quiz with the chance to win a £25 Touchwood voucher. £4.50 per person. Mill Lane, Solihull.

MAY

12-19

Farmers’ Market JUNE 9am-5pm – support our 1 local farmers by visiting this popular market, offering a tempting range of local produce sourced within a 30mile radius of Solihull. It is held on the first Friday of every month – Solihull High Street and Mill Lane GaGa Queen Tribute 2018 Performed by a multi-award winning band who have headlined the ‘International Guitar Festival’ on several occasions, this is a Queen show like no other. From numerous Queen Conventions to TV appearances, GaGa have consistently proved why they are so highly rated by critics and audiences alike. There are no wigs, no make-up and definitely no false moustaches but instead a host of massive Queen songs played like they were meant to be. Tickets £17. 8pm. The Core Theatre. www.thecoretheatresolihull.co.uk.

JUNE

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Fine and Local Food Fayre 9am-5pm – Sample the best of locally sourced food and produce from a range of top quality suppliers at the market held on the third Saturday of every month – Solihull High Street.

JUNE

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Father’s Day Celebration at Café Isabella Show your dad how much you care with a family breakfast, lunch or afternoon tea. Gentleman’s afternoon tea £14.95 per person.

Dad’s celebration breakfast £9.95 per person. Call 0121 705 0164 to book now. Gift vouchers also available.

JUNE

16-17

Father’s Day Lunch Looking to treat dad this Father’s Day? Book a lunch in the terrace restaurant at the Crowne Plaza Solihull and get dad a free drink! £19.95 for adults, half price for up to 12’s and under 3’s free. Free pint or soft drink for Fathers. Served from 12.30 until 3.30pm. Book direct with the hotel team on 0121 623 9931 JUNE

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Land Rover Festival Solihull The first ever Land Rover Festival is coming to Solihull Town Centre to celebrate their 70th Birthday. Visitors will be able to see HUE the first ever LR on the streets 70 years ago, along with a collection of vintage assets, enthusiast’s area, outdoor cinema, kid’s activities, Land Rover Experience and much more all wrapped up in a festival of food and drink, it will be the MUST-SEE event of 2018. For more information visit www.solihullbid.co.uk or like @Solihullbid or @JLRSolihull on Facebook.

JUNE

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For more information about these events and what’s happening in Solihull visit www.solihullbid.co.uk

Summer ‘Out of Africa’ Charity Ball Join us for an evening of delicious food and great entertainment at our flagship, black tie annual fundraiser this year, with an ‘Out of Africa’ theme.

Three course dinner, dancing to a live band and other surprises during the evening. Tickets: £45 each, £400 for a table of 10. To book, call 0121 704 7842 or email: events@ageuksolihull. org.uk. 7.00pm. St John’s Hotel, Warwick Road, Solihull B91 1AT JULY

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Solihull Jazz Festival Solihull is part of the Birmingham, Solihull and Sandwell Jazz Festival for the 3rd year running. The open-air stage in Mell Square will see 9 free bands over the weekend, accompanied by funky street food and drink stalls. Music will be injecting the whole town with 15 bars and restaurants hosting free bands. For more information visit www.solihullbid.co.uk JULY

20-22

Young Actors Studio Theatre Summer School Summer Drama course in partnership with K22 Productions.

The course explores the creative and performance potential of all children in a safe, fun theatre environment through drama, dance and music. You don't need previous experience or talent to enjoy learning and working on stage as part of a youth theatre class. Over 5 days, young people aged 8-16, will watch and work with actors, with a chance to participate in the family musical performance of Doctor Dolittle on Friday 3 August. Course participants will get two free tickets to the public show of Dr Dolittle at 2.30pm for friends/family. If more seats are required these can be ordered but will cost £9 each. Course fee is £130 per child with 30 places available. Age 8 – 16 years. The Core Theatre. www.thecoretheatresolihull.co.uk.

JUL-AUG

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BOX

OFFICE www.cineworld.co.uk/solihull

Solo: A Star Wars Story

Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom

The Incredibles 2

Board the Millennium Falcon and journey to a galaxy far, far away in Solo: A Star Wars Story, an all-new adventure with the most beloved scoundrel in the galaxy.

Through a series of daring escapades deep within a dark and dangerous criminal underworld, Han Solo meets his mighty future copilot Chewbacca and encounters the notorious gambler Lando Calrissian, in a journey that will set the course for one of the Star Wars saga's most unlikely heroes.

It's been four years since theme park and luxury resort Jurassic World was destroyed by dinosaurs out of containment. Isla Nublar now sits abandoned by humans while the surviving dinosaurs fend for themselves in the jungles. When the island's dormant volcano begins roaring to life, Owen (Chris Pratt) and Claire (Bryce Dallas Howard) mount a campaign to rescue the remaining dinosaurs from this extinction-level event.

The Parr family struggle to maintain a normal life whilst Bob Parr (Mr. Incredible) is left to care for Jack-Jack while Helen (Elastigirl) is out saving the world.

25/05/18

08/06/18

13/07/18

The new The new SEAT Arona.

SEAT Arona.

Discover the ultimate award Discover the SUV. winning SEAT ultimate award winning SEAT SUV.

It couldn’t be easier to do It couldn’t your thing.be easier to do your thing.

With free metallic paint.

With free metallic paint.

Arbury 34 Stratford Road, Shirley, Solihull B90 3LS Tel: 0121 667 8861 www.arburyseat.co.uk Arbury 34 Stratford Road, Shirley, Solihull B90 3LS Subject to availability and status. T&Cs and exclusions apply. Official fuel consumption for the SEAT Arona range in mpg (litres per 100km); urban 44.8 (6.3) - 62.8 (4.5); extra-urban 44.8 (6.3) Tel: 0121 667 8861 www.arburyseat.co.uk emissions 115 - 105 g/km. Standard EU Test figures for comparative purposes and may not reflect real driving results.

62.8 (4.5); combined 55.4 (5.1) - 70.6 (4). CO 2