Town & Village Life Magazine - September/October 2016

TOWn & VILLAGE LIFE Magazine

September/October 2016

Win tickets to see a Tale of Two Cities at The Grand Theatre

TOWN & VILLAG E LIFE MA GA Z INE

September/Oc tober 2016

Delivered to areas of: Hagley, West Hagley, Stourbridge, Pedmore, Oldswinford, Norton, Wollaston, Amblecote, Wordsley, Kingswinford, Lawnswood, Wall Heath, Kinver, Bobbington, Heathton, Stourton, Enville, Swindon, Himley and Sedgley

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Hello Readers,

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We’re not short of Beauty either: this time coming from Wollaston Beauty Clinic and Beauty Rooms in Wall Heath, which has for the second year running seen its sister salon in Penn bag the prestigious Clarins Gold Salon of the Year Award.

If you are readying for a wedding: we’ve got advice on venues, superstitions and more.

In these turbulent post-Brexit times – when we are all stuffing cash into mattresses faster than the Queen on Spitting Image and wondering if the latest drop of cheap French plonk will be our last – us Brits need to rely on routine to provide continuity and comfort – oh, and our world-famous sense of humour.

In the forthcoming pages you’ll find much of the above and more. One hearty read will put you at ease and tickle your funny bone just enough to make it as though we never voted, “see EU later.”

Our decision to vote ‘leave’ certainly did the trick for our Olympic athletes in Rio, who managed our most successful Olympics ever abroad. Whoever would have guessed they’d finish holding more gold than even the Bank of England is right now?

And if all this is making you peckish – I know I am! – you’ll want to scratch that itch with Scratch Cooking Caterers’ colourful creations. But now: hair.

In this edition we bring you every kind: we’ve got cutting-edge design news from Capelli and Jon Kevan Hairdressing; ‘hair of the dog’ for all of you real ale aficionados at Sedgley Beer Festival and hairiness of a four-legged variety from Blacks Vets, who have just taken the Dudley-based surgery nationwide on Channel 4’s The Job Interview.

Now it’s time to cut this short: I’m out to lunch…

Geoff

There’s much fine autumnal Fashion inside as well, from Aristocrats, Classy Rags and Diffusion.

See you in November!

Contents

September/October edition

Behold Bromsgrove An evening of delectable terror Inheritance Tax Home interiors Crosswords & puzzles Our kid Sam Recipe Sedgley beer festival Grand Theatre competition A day in York Stourbridge Rugby Club Blacks Vets: Get ready for autumn Gardening with Ann Winwood

How to perfect that green green grass at home 59 Kinver Rotary Club 62 Last call for Elmfield School Stourbridge reunion 64 Book early for Christmas 70 76/77 Wedding Symbols and superstitions 80 Essential planning for your big day: Hair and Beauty Women’s fashion: Accessories for autumn 92/93 Social scene 98 Meet the boss 106/107 Mercedes Benz E-Class 108 Education and Schooling 110 Answers to Crossword & Puzzles 114

Advertising enquiries Email: gisella@townandvillagelifemag.co.uk Gisella Wiley (Sales Director) Editorial/What’s On information Email: info@townandvillagelifemag.co.uk Geoff Hall (Editor) Magazine Design Studio 28 Design & Print (www.s28.co.uk)

4 8 10/11 18/19 22 26 30 32 44 46 48 54/55 58

Congratulations to: TOWN & VILLAGE

LIFE M AGA Z I N E

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Winner of The Shawshank Redemption competition at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre Paul Matthews, Pedmore Winners of Cosford Food Festival competition Robyn Amos, Stourbridge Rebecca Horton, Kingswinford Mrs D. M. Glover, 171 Enville Road, Kinver

We gratefully acknowledge the support of businesses whose adverts appear in Town & Village Life magazine and whilst every care is taken to ensure accuracy, The Publishers cannot accept responsibility for loss, damage or omission caused by error in the printing of an advert or editorial.

All artwork 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. Town & Village Life magazine does not officially endorse any advertising material included within this publication. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in any retrieval system or transmitted in any form - electronic, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise – without the prior consent of Town & Village Life magazine Ltd.

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Behold

Bromsgrove

By Rob Taylor

Situated on the southern side of the West Midlands conurbation, with a population of almost 90,000, Bromsgrove has had a hand in history which stretches well beyond its modest borders; it has over the years seen, up-close, religious persecution, “white slavery” and artisan craftsmanship fit for royalty. And despite all this, the town hasn’t lost its sense of humour.

Bromsgrove today is a far cry from the town that first appeared in the Domesday Book. Going before then by a confusing number of ancient names, it was recorded in Doomsday in 1086 as ‘Bremesgraue’ – ‘Breme’ meaning famous person; ‘graue’ meaning a fortified clearing in a forest. Quite who that famous person may be is a matter of vociferous debate among academic boffins. Certainly there have been many notable residents since, including Edwinda Curry – a former teacher at Bromsgrove School – and JRR Tolkien, author of ‘Lord of the Rings’, who lived in nearby Rednal with his mother for several years while a schoolboy. They both attended St. Peter’s Catholic Church.

Grafton Manor

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St. Peter’s in Rock Hill has played host to much adversity over the years. The church has its origins in the 12th Century. In the 13th Century the chancel was rebuilt; the spire had to wait to be completed until after the Black Death. With Catholicism outlawed after Henry VIII threw his toys out of the pram because Rome would not allow him to lose yet another wife, Catholics worshipped in secret at nearby Grafton Manor.

This substantial country seat of the Earl of Shrewsbury was a gift from Henry VII to Gilbert Talbot of Shrewsbury for his support against Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth in 1485 and made up but one of a chain of safe refuges for Catholics in the local area, including Huddington Court, Harvington Hall and Hewell Grange. Some of these sites later became embroiled in the Gunpowder Plot in 1605.

Grafton Manor also has another connection to the Plot as one of the daughters of John Talbot married Robert Wintour, who was personally involved in the plan to destroy the Houses of Parliament.

Bromsgrove’s rapid expansion in the 17th Century was largely due to nail making. Introduced by the French Huguenots, the long-forgotten art did for a time become synonymous with the town before the mechanisation of the Industrial Revolution killed

Main gate of Buckingham Palace with Royal Coat of Arms

it off. Extremely poorly-paid and nasty work made up of women and children held hostage by the forge, nail making has been referred to as “white slavery”. Today there are Nailers cottages on the left of Birmingham Road, north of The Crabmill, and a reconstructed nail shop that once stood in Melbourne Road in Sidemoor can be seen at Avoncroft Buildings Museum.

In Bournheath you can still eat and drink in The Nailers Arms.

Walter Gilbert was the driving force behind the Bromsgrove Guild, one of the most influential and successful craft guilds ever. Made famous in the late Victorian era for producing jewellery, tapestries, gesso, metalwork and stained glass, the Guild made the gates and railings of Buckingham Palace and decorated the lifts on the Lusitania.

With so much heavy history handed down from generation to generation its small wonder that humour has found its way into Bromsgrove’s way of life. Nothing sums this up better than a recent survey conducted by Insurance provider Swiftcover, looking at Britain’s funniest place names.

Bromsgrove’s very own Bell End beat off stiff competition from Crapstone in Devon, and Sandy Balls, Hampshire, to be crowned victorious. Located just five miles up the road from Lickey End the minuscule hamlet is set on the busy A491, between the M5 and Stourbridge. It consists largely of the Bell Inn pub and a couple of houses – so there are very few residents who suffer the ignominy of living there.

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“It’s a sleepless night from me, and it ’s a sleepless night from him!”

Two of the Black Country’s most famous Alans are joining forces to bring a terrifying evening of ghost stories to life at Stourbridge’s Bonded Warehouse on October 30th 2016.

prisoners has seen Alan appear on television in Channel Four’s ‘Secret Millionaire’ and on BBC Radio Four’s PM programme. He has toured the Black Country performing readings of his ghost stories since 2011.

“I met Alan Birch on the set of the original ‘Inspector Drake’ movie

and we have remained friends ever since,” A.G Smith explained, “We both share a passion for horror and the idea of Alan reinterpreting my stories is incredibly exciting.

He is a very talented actor and this is going to be a really entertaining and truly terrifying event.”

Ahead of a tour in 2017 a special ‘sneak preview’ performance of ‘An Evening of Delectable Terror’ will be at The Bonded Warehouse in Stourbridge on October 30th 2016 at 7.30pm. Only 200 seats will be available so advance booking is advised. Tickets (£7) are on sale now and can be booked by phoning: 01384 396752 The show is unsuitable for under 12s or anyone of a nervous disposition.

Local actor Alan Birch has been treading the boards with various theatre groups since he was a teenager. After many years with The Flying Ducks Theatre Company, he gained his equity card following numerous roles with OPUS Theatre, a professional touring company based in Rugeley.

Many may recognise Alan from David Tristram’s hilarious ‘Inspector Drake’ films, however, this latest venture is quite a dramatic change of direction.

Alan will be appearing as ‘The Librarian’ to read two ghost stories

by Kinver author A.G Smith for a special preview performance called ‘An Evening of Delectable Terror’ “Ghost stories have an edge that many commercial horror novels and films just can’t capture.” Alan Birch tells us, “I have been a lifelong fan of these stories and have enjoyed various theatre productions of famous ghost stories. What excites me the most about bringing A.G Smith’s work to the stage is the fact that the audience has no preconceptions of these tales.

They really will be unprepared for just how scary they are.”

Alan Smith who writes under the name A.G Smith has been writing since childhood and his fantasy fiction series of novels: Harvester of the Now, have gained praise from bestselling fiction authors Anthony Horowitz & G.P Taylor. His work with For more information on the show and to watch the exclusive trailer please visit: www.facebook.com/weepingbank1/ www.harvesterofthenow.com Twitter: @harvesterOTnow

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town & village life magazine | september/october 2016

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INHERITANCE

T A X SomE INTERESTINg FACTS oN INHERITANCE TAX

Following last month’s article, “Inheritance Tax – The Only True Voluntary Tax”, we have received numerous phone calls from readers wishing to discuss the matter further, looking to minimise the figure that they, or rather their estate will pay, at some point in the future.

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And we can all be certain that that point will arise because as Benjamin Franklin once said “The only things in life that are certain are Death and Taxes”.

Death is a foregone conclusion, but I would argue that in the vast majority of cases an IHT liability is not. IHT is not a newcomer by any means and it has been around in one form or another for over 220 years, but I never cease to be amazed at how little the “average” man knows about

Inheritance Tax, and I have come to the conclusion that people turn a blind eye to it because it is associated with death.

Various surveys over the last few years have illustrated the fact that the vast majority of people are not aware of the current IHT threshold, and almost one third of homeowners aged 70 plus haven’t considered estate planning or IHT mitigation on their death. More estates were caught

town & village life magazine | september/october 2016

John Webb

by IHT last year than in any year since the early Thatcher years.

This year the Government will take an estimated £4.6 billion in taxes from estates. This is almost double the amount taken in 2009/10. More than 400 estates owed more than £1 million in tax.

It is perhaps not surprising that more IHT was paid in London and the South East than in the rest of the country put together, since property prices are considerably higher and there is a high concentration of business wealth. One in 20 estates pay IHT and it is estimated that this figure will be one in 10 by 2019. Because men tend to predecease women, men do not pay as much in IHT. This is because the surviving spouse of a married couple can be left all of the deceased’s assets, tax free. This means that couples often pay tax on all their assets only when the second one dies.

There are many ways in which an IHT liability can be reduced.

Placing life insurance policies in trust is only one, but it is estimated that £530 million is set to be wasted in IHT this year by those who fail to place policies in trust. It is also a widely held belief that to avoid IHT you need to either gift away your wealth or lose control, which is certainly not an action I would endorse as there are ways in which to alleviate IHT whilst retaining full control of your assets. www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

John Webb is a Chartered Financial Planner and a Fellow of the Personal Finance Society, the highest accolade designated by that organisation. The Personal Finance Society is the professional body for the Financial Advisory Profession in the United Kingdom, promoting the highest standards of technical knowledge, client service and ethical practice.

As mentioned earlier, with the vast majority of the population, a considerable part of their wealth is the family home, and again with careful planning there are ways to either reduce or eliminate the IHT liability.

Judging by the response to the article in the last edition the subject of Inheritance tax seems to be one that is of great interest to readers.

Should any reader wish to discuss this, or indeed any other financial topic, then please contact this office and either I or one of my fellow advisers will be pleased to answer any enquiry you may have.

If you would like more information or need advice on your specific circumstances please feel free to contact the author John Webb of Midland Independent Financial Services Limited on 01543 468877 or john.webb@ midlandifa.co.uk Midland Independent Financial Services is Authorised and Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

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FrithRugs LOOK AFTER YOUR RUGS “To keep your rug in top condition, rotate it once every few months to ensure colour and wear is kept even – particularly in areas with plenty of natural light.

COLOUR TRENDS

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The addition of a new rug can be the final piece of the interior design jigsaw, the finishing touch to your room.

Or, it could be your starting point, with everything else in the room selected to complement your rug.

If you have been feeling uninspired by what’s available you have obviously never visited FrithRugs, Cannock, where you can choose from over 15,000 rugs in stock.

The rugs are displayed in an incredible purpose built 17,000 sq. ft. showroom which means you will be spoilt for choice.

FrithRugs, Cannock, has been serving the population of Staffordshire for over 17 years and this family-run business prides itself on an exceptionally high level of customer service delivered by expert and knowledgeable staff. FrithRugs offers exclusively designed contemporary rugs that you won’t find anywhere else and is also renowned for its staggering choice of traditional rugs from China, Persia, India and Pakistan. The company also offers a bespoke rug service which allows consumers and businesses to design their own individual rugs.

ALL EYES ON THE FLOOR “If the rug is going to be the focal point of the room, choose something bold and really go for it. Don’t forget that when you are purchasing a rug for an existing room take into account colours already present in your upholstery and curtains. Take a swatch of fabric and our expert staff will help ensure colours in your rug complement your existing decoration.

MAKE YOUR BIG ROOM COSY “In very large rooms, use rugs to define certain areas. Use a rug in the seating area and leave the rest of the floor bare – this will clearly define and zone areas of the room.

DON’T BE SUCH A SQUARE! “Think outside the box. Rugs don’t have to be rectangular. There are some great circular rugs available as well as runners, square rugs and even octagonal rugs. And don’t forget that some rugs will look just as good on the wall as they will on the floor.

“If you like your home décor to be bang on trend, then adding a new rug is one of the quickest and easiest ways to update your room for the new season.

“This autumn/winter one of the hottest interior design colours around is sharkskin grey. It is one of the most flexible colours you can choose for you home because it is such a neutral colour which will complement any other colour. It is also really modern and works well in a contemporary home.

“Navy and light blue are also going to be popular. We like dark blue when you want to add a touch of drama to a room – and we especially recommend it with white.

Pale blue will of course work with many other pastel colours and is a good shade for bedrooms.

“Mustard or terracotta are lovely colours to have at home when the darker nights are drawing in. These colours add warmth and elegance and are perfect for classic rooms – think drawing room or dining room.”

For more information, visit www.frithrugs.co.uk or telephone 0845 4 900 600.

With thousands of rugs in all shapes, sizes and colours, Andrew Frith, from FrithRugs, shares some of his top tips for finding the right rug.

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BLACKLANDS, SIX ASHES ROAD, BOBBINGTON This gracious seven/eight bedroom detached residence with views is set within approximately 2.3 acres of landscaped grounds with an adjoining paddock to the rear, outdoor swimming pool and a detached double garage with gym and shower room.

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You could be forgiven for thinking there is only anthracite grey, white or black options, but there are over 150 RAL colours to choose from including blues, greens even pink, or as we call it Marilyn’s lipstick. So it’s worth considering your colour options if you are looking for the wow factor.

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Transform your home with a few simple changes If you’re fed up with dated décor, tired furniture and a neglected garden, why not make some changes this autumn that are sure to transform your home?

Wow with Wallpaper Wallpaper is a massive home interior trend at the moment and can instantly update your room.

With so many different colours, designs and styles to choose from wallpaper allows you to easily modify the feel of any space in your home, adding instant style and creating a luxurious finish.

So, if you want to modernise your room but don’t want to spend a fortune, simply keep your current furnishings and swap plain walls for wallpaper.

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just a few statement pieces that embody the look you want to create.

Add Accessories and Swap Soft Furnishings

If your sofa is looking tired don’t replace it, simply update it with a quality set of stylish scatter cushions or a cosy throw. Adding a new rug which co-ordinates with the cushions - will finish the look perfectly.

It only takes just a few carefully chosen accessories to give your room a different feel. Swap clutter and mismatched ornaments for

And, you can avoid picking up a paintbrush by investing in a new set of curtains or blinds to really refresh your room.

Get Lighting Right Lighting is so important when it comes to styling your new-look room - a dim bulb in a dusty lampshade won’t do any improvement justice, so it’s crucial to get it right.

You can use light fittings to not only illuminate your home, making it look bright and inviting, but create a beautiful focal point too.

Choosing an opulent chandelier will instantly add glamour, whereas an industrial style shade will be the perfect addition to a contemporary interior.

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Transform your conser vator y with

August Home Improvements

Is your conservatory too hot to sit in? ...and that’s probably only half of the story. Is it too COLD in winter?

It’s a sad fact that all those dreams that we had when we bought our shiny new conservatories 10 years ago of cosy candlelit dinner parties and children playing on the tiled floor in the summer sunshine soon evaporated after the first cold or hot weather spell appeared. Added to this, on the days that you can use it, if it rains you can’t hear yourself speak.

The chances are that you, like every other conservatory owner (about 5 million of us!), can only use your investment for six months of the year and for the rest of the time it’s, at best, an empty space or more likely a dumping ground for toys, clothes and hobby equipment, looking more like a jumble sale table.

Well, it doesn’t have to stay that way thanks to a new generation of lightweight, solid conservatory roofs that can replace the one you currently have without disturbing the windows, décor or flooring. There are a few versions but the market leader is the Guardian Roof, which has been around for several years in Ireland and is now available in the UK through approved installers.

Installation only takes about a week but the transformation is incredible. Looking like a traditional

roof with plastered ceiling and the option of trendy downlights, your conservatory will look a million dollars. You really will be able to have that candlelit dinner party in the middle of winter, see the children enjoying their toys on a summer afternoon or listen to polite conversation even in a downpour.

The Guardian Roof has all the environmental credentials you would expect from a high-quality product and is already approved

by Building Control so there is no need for any complicated paperwork. Better still, now is the time to purchase one as companies are looking to build their portfolio of installations and some good, genuine deals can be obtained.

The downside is as the market develops over the next couple

of years and look-a-like systems become available, the cowboys will hit the trail with all sorts of false promises and gimmicks. We’ve seen it all before with everything from double-glazing to solar panels so it is very important to only choose approved suppliers who can offer genuine insurancebacked guarantees. Fortunately, Guardian Roofs has done that for their customers by careful vetting of their installers so you can purchase in full confidence.

Another good second supplier reference resource is Checkatrade, which is a completely independent review for a variety of trades.

All you have to do is visit www. checkatrade.com and type in your suppliers name and see what others said about them.

So, if you want to get the best out of your conservatory then changing the roof can achieve that for you in a few days and at far less cost than knocking it down and building an extension.

Innovations seldom come along but this is one of them and will be the most popular home improvement of the decade. Watch this space!

For a free no obligation quotation, call our local office on 0800 988 5938.

August Home Improvements www.guardianroofs.net

20

town & village life magazine | september/october 2016

Make your house into a home again with August home improvements

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August Home Improvements will provide you with all the products, skills & experience required to turn your house into a beautiful home again. Our products and services, to name a few, consist of; ‘A’ rated windows in PVC-u, Aluminium or Timber, all ‘Secured By Design’. Composite Doors, Bi folding Doors, Patio Doors, French windows and Doors (A range of colours including several shades of Grey), Porches, Conservatories and Orangeries, including the highly rated Guardian™ Warm Roof Conservatories and a wide range of replacement roof options.

Call us for a free quote or advice on 0121 445 0104 www.augustwindows.co.uk info@augustwindows.co.uk Over 700 independent customer references www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

21

Quick Crossword Across 1 Alcove (6) 4 Pieces of wood (6) 9 Family name (7) 10 Not outer (5) 11 Pry (5) 12 Compel (7) 13 Most definitely (11) 18 Group (7) 20 Male relative (5) 22 Mistake (5) 23 Observed (7) 24 Thawed (6) 25 Light wind (6)

Down 1 Fight back (6) 2 Freight (5) 3 Liquid soap (7) 5 Robber (5) 6 Middle (7) 7 Inspect (6) 8 Recalling (11) 14 Impartial (7) 15 Latitude zero degrees (7) 16 Squeal (6) 17 Aggravate (6) 19 Abrupt (5) 21 Form of transport (5)

Sudoku

Easy

Hard

Puzzle answers on page 114

Word Search Find the words below in the grid and the remaining letters will spell out a phrase.

22

Alamein

Jutland

Alamo

Marathon

Armada

Okinawa

Arnhem

Omaha

Blitz

Saratoga

Boyne

Shiloh

Britain

Somme

Bulge

Tobruk

Bunker Hill

Toulon

Carthage

Verdun

Dunkirk

Waterloo

Flanders

Ypres town & village life magazine | september/october 2016

The Design Centre Studios Visit our design centre studios for a complete range of modern, contemporary and traditional kitchens and bathrooms with accessories to suit every budget. Design and installation service available.

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www.carvers.co.uk 23

A STATELY BATHROOM TRANSFORMATION

professionalism and response.

We always endeavour to respond in a timely way, with a realistic quote based upon a customer’s requirements, and happily, that secured us the business on this occasion.

Mr Amado lives in an apartment in an old stately home in Wolverhampton. It has been converted into several dwellings but despite only being 10 years old; he felt the bathroom wasn’t entirely in keeping with the rest of the apartment – both in quality, and the look.

This modern bathroom proves that good design can always make a difference, in this case transforming an awkward room into a spacious and relaxing haven.

Mr Amado had approached a couple of other companies before contacting Roman Bathrooms but was disappointed either by their quote, or their lack of 24

We were given an open brief and asked to ‘surprise him’. We began by finding out more about our client and his tastes. We invited him to our showroom – asked him to point out any specific things he liked and wanted us to incorporate – and we built the vision from there.

Initially, the bathroom had been laid out in a way that didn’t make sense. The room wasn’t large enough to accommodate the separate bath and shower. We presented a new design that was much more aesthetically pleasing, and by losing the bath and just having a luxurious walkin shower deck, the whole room appeared to have almost doubled in size, helped by the calming and sophisticated colour scheme.

Mr Amado is so pleased with the outcome that he’s planning to call us back to remodel his second bathroom in due course. We couldn’t be more delighted either!

town & village life magazine | september/october 2016

R

ROMAN BAT H R O O M S • K I T C H E N S • T I L ES

AWARD WINNING DESIGNS For almost 30 years we have been creating individually designed luxury bathrooms. Our team of tradesmen will carry out your renovation with great attention to detail delivering peace of mind and the outstanding customer service you receive will ensure your complete satisfaction.

To arrange a personal consultation please visit www.romanbathrooms.co.uk

110 - 111 High Street, Blackheath B65 0EG Telephone 0121 561 4374 • email info@romanbathrooms.co.uk

www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

25

Our Kid Sam

Big Sam, bottom row, far right, in Brierley Hill and Dudley’s English School’s Shield side from 1968

By Rob Taylor Sam Allardyce has his work cut out as England’s 15th and newest football manager.

Tasked with the unenviable job of taking charge of the woefully underperforming England squad, postEuro 2016, the man affectionately known around the terraces as “Big Sam” is known for his no-nonsense style on and off the pitch – and this isn’t surprising because Sam was born in Dudley and is as proud of his West Midlands roots as he is of his favourite football boots.

So it’s now time to take a lookback at the local lad done good.

A lifelong Wolves fan and former West Bromwich Albion coach, Allardyce was born in 1954 to parents Bob, a police sergeant, and mother Mary and grew up on Wren’s Nest estate. Sam has an older brother, Robert – a West Bromwich Albion fan – and a sister, Mary.

Sam was educated at Sycamore Green Primary School and later 26

at Wren’s Nest School. He was a feature in the local parish during his formative years, known for his size – he was 5 ft 10” aged 11 – and always with a football under his arm, Sam honed his skills during kickabouts on every and any available patch of green in the area.

Firstly he played for Dudley and Brierley Hill Schools, Staffordshire Boys and Birmingham and District Boys and then for semi-professional club Dudley Town, as a centre-half, before he was spotted by a Bolton Wanderers’ scout aged 15 and snapped up as an apprentice.

which was disappointing because I had to leave home.”

He may now occupy the hot seat in football’s biggest job – something he has coveted publicly since being overlooked in 2006 when the Football Association instead opted for Steve McClaren – but back in the late sixties Sam’s aspirations were much more parochial, as he revealed in a recent Express and Star interview:

After this Sam worked his way though the lower leagues before becoming a Premier League stalwart, working successfully as manager for Bolton Wanderers, Newcastle United, Blackburn Rovers, West Ham and Sunderland.

He has never been relegated from the Premier League and is regarded as something of a specialist in saving clubs from the drop.

“I’m a Black Country lad. Whenever people ask me whether I’m from Birmingham I always correct them and tell them I’m from Dudley but I left there when I was 15 because none of the Midlands’ clubs made me an offer to be a professional,

Latterly Sam’s playing career took him to Bolton, Huddersfield, Sunderland, Coventry City, Millwall and Preston.

Once the inevitable move from player to manager took place it was back to the West Midlands once again – and this time he had to set aside his affinity for Wolves because it was ironically Albion who gave him his first coaching job, pairing him with Brian Talbot at the Hawthorns in 1989.

He is therefore the perfect candidate for taking the reigns of the national side. Following the team’s performance at Euro 2016, England can surely drop no further.

town & village life magazine | september/october 2016

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Fa b u lo u s

F ireplaces

at Flaming Fires “We’re proud to be the main agent for premium brand, Chesney’s of London, who manufacture high quality fireplaces, stoves, gas and electric products.”

Associated with the brand for fifteen years, the team are Chesney experts: “We work on many projects with Chesney’s and have a real in-depth product knowledge of the exclusive brand.”

When it comes to fitting your new fireplace or stove you can trust that the team at Flaming Fires will carry out the job professionally and efficiently.

Bringing warmth and style to every property - and providing the perfect place for family and friends to gather - the fireplace makes every home complete.

And now that the cold winter days are fast approaching, it’s the ideal time of year to invest in a quality fireplace or stove that’ll not only serve to keep you cosy, but update your home interior too.

When it comes to buying a fireplace or stove, it’s important to find a company that is able to give you all the advice you’ll need to find the product that’ll be perfect for you.

Fortunately, the experts at Wombourne-based business, Flaming Fires, are on-hand to help.

Established in 1990, the familyrun company has earned an excellent reputation and is well known for its commitment to supplying only quality products.

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Delivering the best in customer service, the team - that’s remained the same since the business began - call on their extensive experience in the trade to provide clients with a superior level of service.

As owner, Jane Southall, explains: “Buying a fireplace is an investment, so you need to carefully consider which product will be best for you both now and in the future.

It’s also important to ensure that you make your purchase from a reputable supplier.”

“We take care of all aspects of installation and you can rest assured that all of our expert engineers are either GasSafe or HETAS registered.”

Whether you’re seeking a statement fireplace or energy efficient stove, you’ll find just what you’re looking for at the showroom.

“Our selection of fireplaces and stoves are perfect for any style of property - traditional or modern,” adds Jane.

So, why not make your living room complete this winter with a fabulous new fireplace from Flaming Fires?

Always keen to offer honest and professional advice to their customers, the team take time to ensure that the fireplace or stove they recommend will provide maximum benefits.

Selling many unique and exclusive brands from their beautiful three storey Georgian showroom in the heart of the village, Flaming Fires is complete with all manner of styles of gas, electric and solid fuel stoves and fireplaces. town & village life magazine | september/october 2016

FLAMING FIRES, FIREPLACES & STOVES

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• Contemporary and traditional designs • The only approved CHESNEY’S stockist in the area • Quality fireplaces at realistic prices • Established over 20 years High Street, Wombourne WV5 9DP (ON THE VILLAGE GREEN)

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29

RECIPE

Serves 6

By Mike Whitehurst

TURMERIC AND GARLIC

CHICKEN THIGH WITH PEARL BARLEY RISOT TO Try this for a fairly healthy-ish late summer dish to eat in the garden with family and friends on one of what I hope will be a lovely evening in September or October this year.

INGREDIENTS For the chicken • 12 skinless and boneless chicken thighs • 6 tsp of turmeric • 1 handful of fresh coriander sprigs • 6 cloves of garlic sliced or grated (that’s the segments not the whole bulb) • 1 red chilli • 2 red onions • 150g pearl barley • 1 bag of washed spinach • Rapeseed oil • A handful of toasted sliced almonds For the green salad • 1 packet of gem lettuce • 1 packet of tender-stem broccoli • 1 packet of mange tout • 1 packet of watercress • 1 bunch of spring onions • 1 cucumber • 1 lemon • 1 bottle of rapeseed or olive oil For the baked new potatoes • 1 kilo of washed mids potatoes • A few pinches of maldon sea salt • A good drizzle of oil • 1 tub of crème fraiche Or have it with a nice sour dough baguette METHOD Trim any excess fat from the thighs and mix with the turmeric, sliced red onions, chilli and garlic then splash some oil over and mix in to help the spices stick. If you can, allow this to sit in the fridge overnight. Once marinated simply place in a baking dish and cook

for about half an hour on 190°C then a further 2 hours on 150°C. After about an hour add in a litre of water and continue cooking, check occasionally and add more water if drying up. Once the time is up pour the liquid into a pan then add the pearl barley and boil until softened, for about 20 minutes.

Add more water if the barley starts to dry out a bit, you need it to be wet like a risotto. Finish with a knob of butter to enrich the sauce.

To serve, add in the fresh spinach and mix it in so it wilts with the heat of the chicken. Toast some sliced almonds under the grill and then sprinkle over the chicken and finish with a few coriander sprigs.

You can keep the chicken warm if you have a second oven or grill on 70°C while you bake your potatoes - this usually takes about

40 minutes on 180°C but they can be baked before the chicken and then warmed up for 10 minutes on 200°C once the chicken is ready.

Now wash your salad items and chop them any way you like, blanch the broccoli and mange-tout for 30 seconds and then chill in ice-cold water. Toss the salad together and dress with some freshly squeezed lemon juice and a drizzle of oil.

Serve the pearl barley and chicken on a plate and everything else in bowls for everyone to help themselves. If you have some fresh chives knocking around simply slice them up finely and mix them into the crème fraiche.

SERVING SUGGESTION You could add some homemade hummus to this with braised olives.

Email mike@takefood.co.uk for my hummus and braised olives recipe.

For any other recipe/cooking advice please email mike@takefood.co.uk Follow me on facebook.com/takefood on twitter.com/takefood or on instagram.com/takefood 30

town & village life magazine | september/october 2016

in-toto Stourbridge Shop 4, Winwood Court Norton Road Stourbridge DY8 2AE 01384 378203 www.intoto.co.uk

5 www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

31

Sedgley Beer Festival Sedgley Beer Festival is well on track to a gold medal this year.

More than 30 Ales, 8 Ciders & Wine to choose from, a Festival Glass and 3 Live Bands to entertain and all for £10.

So get along to Jubilee Hall Sedgley on Friday and Saturday 23/24 September.

The festival, in its 4th year, combines ‘real ale’ with great live music, is fast becoming a regular autumn fixture for beer lovers across the Black Country.

Chairman, Ian Foster says: “We are very excited; the beer festival just keeps going from strength to strength. It is really satisfying tasting beers for good causes, and with so many local people turning up, everyone seems certain to meet old friends” Last year’s Beer Festival was so popular that thirsty visitors managed to down 5,000 drinks in just 17 hours!

So, as organisers prepare for this September’s event at Sedgley Jubilee Hall, more ales is most definitely the ‘order of the day’.

Keith Garbett the beer manager and landlord of the White Lion in Bilston Street will also be on hand to offer expert advice and recommendations. Keith said “we have some excellent ales from far and wide to choose from as well as some local favourites.”

SPONSORS:

SEDGLEY REAL ALE BEER FESTIVAL HELPING CHARITIES:

Drinkers will be entertained on Friday night with live music from locals Ben & Alun Davies, who will be serving up a range of 60’s, blues, folk, and classic rock numbers.

The money raised from the beer festival will be used to benefit the Scout Group, Children in Need, and Compton Hospice.

The scouts will use their share of the proceeds to complete work on a new roof. The festival has already helped them provide for new toilets and a logged cabin.

This year sponsors: FJ Tye of JT Bostin Scratchings fame, Thursfields Solicitors and Midlands Business Recovery have come forward to boost the charity fundraising event.

MUSIC:

Joining the line-up on Saturday afternoon will be Sedgley Ukulele Strummers, and 1st Sedgley Morris Men. Star billing on Saturday night from around 7pm will be rock band ‘Starving Dogs’ who are sure to reel out Status Quo favourite ‘Good Time Boogie’ and a wealth of other rock classics.

This band is a regular supporter of the Sedgley Beer Festival; a real crowd pleaser not to be missed!

This year’s festival will take place at Jubilee Hall, (rear of Sedgley Co-op), Friday evening 23rd, 5pm to 11pm and Saturday 24th of September from noon to 11pm.

The entrance fee of £10 includes drinks, a souvenir Festival Glass and 3 live bands.

FOR MORE DETAILS: contact David Baugh, tel: 07795 370712 or email: info@1stsedgleyscouts.org.uk

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town & village life magazine | september/october 2016

Brierley Hill Bathrooms

Large Showroom Helpful Staff Free Survey Special help for the disabled & elderly Bath removed & shower cubicle with Anti-slip tray installed together with decorative waterproof wall panelling (no grout lines), shower valve, seat & grab rails

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01384 484088 10/11 Garratt Street, Brierley Hill, DY5 1JU

www.brierleyhillbaths.co.uk 33

H e ading in the r ig h t d i re c t i o n ,

Woodrobes

of Kidderminster Since we last visited Woodrobes of Kidderminster there have been more than a few changes and many more improvements to this local manufacturing company.

Since January the company has been steered by Les Wood as Office Manager. Les has many years of experience in the fitted furniture industry and Woodrobes has certainly benefitted from his knowledge and knowhow.

Les explains: “There have been quite a few significant changes over the last few months. Firstly, we now have an apprentice fitter who is coming along well and assisting our main fitter Dave tremendously. Learning the skills required from an experienced fitter as well as providing an apprentice the opportunity to gain relevant qualifications is something we firmly believe in here at Woodrobes.

team. Additionally, I am usually on hand in the showroom, my office area is a working example of our Home Office range of products and there has been plenty of interest since it was installed.

“Woodrobes now offers a 12 months 0% finance package, which helps some of our customers, especially those not wanting to tie up a lump sum. It’s working well and we hope to see a significant increase in the number of customers utilising this service.

“We have a constant stream of new colours, styles, glass finishes and acrylics being added to the range by manufacturers and we now have an increased manufacturing capacity which will have an effect

on our ability to supply and fit more quickly once an order is placed.

“The most noticeable change is the addition of a new vehicle to our fleet; the new Vito is highly visible and displays many of our recent fitted bedrooms.

“We have a number of existing customers returning for additional bedrooms, which is always a good sign that we are doing the right things and heading in the right direction.”

Woodrobes certainly seems to be a successful enterprise, catering for customers needs and offering an excellent level of personalised service from the moment you enter the showroom until the last handle is fixed onto your new bespoke bedroom.

“Sales turnover and enquiry conversions have increased. I wouldn’t say there was a significant increase in sales coming into the company but we have been converting more of the sales enquiries we get through the door into solid sales and happy customers. Working with the team in the showroom has meant that we are able to give a very personalised service and also give answers to detailed technical questions virtually immediately while customers are still in store.

“Our sales staff are very knowledgeable. Sandra has years of experience and knows our range of products inside out. She has been joined by Julia and more recently Rachel and all three work well as a 34

Les Wood – Manager

town & village life magazine | september/october 2016

www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

35

LOVE YOUR SHUTTERS

Beautiful homes Deserve beautiful blinds‌ and shutters too!

For impartial advice on all types of blinds, awnings and plantation shutters call Simon at our Kinver showroom on:

01384 877518

or Paul at our Bridgnorth showroom on:

01746 768138

Alternatively you can visit our showrooms at:

83 High Street, Kinver & 10 Whitburn Street, Bridgnorth

36

town & village life magazine | september/october 2016

CALL FOR A BROCHURE

T: 01543 505539

Ralvern Upholstery Unit 19, Martindale, Hawks Green Cannock, Staffs WS11 7XN E: sales@ralvernupholstery.co.uk

www.ralvernupholstery.co.uk www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

37

Cabin Living

The perfect autumnal trend

by Jessica Walton from

Autumn/winter 2016 sees us embracing cosy textures and warm rich colours.

Our homeware collection is scattered with rich tones of red, burnt orange and lush hues of forest green. The Cabin Living trend features organic textures in glassware and pottery, rustic wooden accessories from frames to wooden heart decorations.

The ideal transitional trend, Cabin Living is perfect for autumn right through until Christmas, and is all

about warmth and comfort. The warm earthy palette embraces our desire to connect with nature,

and slow down throughout the colder months. Cabin Living is a wholesome trend that revives deep wintery shades with unexpected peppermint tones and rich rusty orange hues.

Berries and ferns are combined with harvest-inspired artificial flowers such as oakleaf spray, hydrangeas, sunflowers, grasses and traditional roses to create stunning seasonal arrangements that look beautiful displayed in wooden vases or made into a gorgeous handtied bouquets and finished with rustic jute ribbon.

From home accessories and floral craft to Christmas and wedding, Country Baskets stock a huge range of beautiful rustic products that are perfect for this cosy woodland theme.

Visit www.countrybaskets.co.uk and sign up today for 10% off your first online order.Â

38

town & village life magazine | september/october 2016

Soft furnishings ~ Haberdashery ~ Alterations

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Bespoke custom made Curtains • 100’s of fabrics and wallcoverings Roman blinds made to measure • Pole and Tracks • Haberdashery Wool • Scarf Yarns • Dress Fabrics • Knitting and Dress Patterns Clothing Alterations with Tailoress on site • Phaff Sewing Machines now in stock O p e n : 9 a m - 5 p m M o n d a y t o F riday. 9am-4pm Saturday.

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15 Merridale road, Chapel ash, WolverhaMpton, Wv3 9rX 01902 422111 www.wolverhamptonfireplaces.com www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

39

Sleep tight with

Kashoff Beds

Kashoff is a family-run business with over 35 years’ experience, and prides itself in providing a wide range of quality beds, bedroom furniture and fine furniture.

Beds can be a complex subject but at Kashoff you can tap in to their wealth of experience and select from a huge choice – there is nothing quite like a good night’s sleep in a comfortable bed.

Kashoff also sell quality oak, solid wood and Pine Furniture at fantastic value-for-money prices.

If you are looking for a company which can supply the unusual and distinctive as well as everyday beds look no further.

Customers appreciate Kashoff’s long experience of beds and furniture and their extensive range of decorative accessories.

They offer free delivery and installation within 30 miles of the showroom situated in Oldswinford. If you want well priced, good quality furniture and brilliant service – Kashoff will not disappoint!

AUTUMN IS HERE!

Order now for Christmas delivery on beds, furniture and accessories!

40

town & village life magazine | september/october 2016

As seen on...

www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

DIY SOS

41

Motorised Blinds

Perfect for your home Do you want the convenience of motorised blinds but not the high cost? Then pay a visit to Castle Blinds and Awnings.

Dedicated to offering their clients superior quality and excellent service, the team are really excited to introduce their fabulous new range of affordable motorised blinds, as Amanda Jones explains: “People often think that they can’t afford motorised blinds but we offer motorisation across all of our blinds and awnings at incredibly reasonable prices.”

Manufacturing their own products means that the company ensures quality and can tailor designs to suit every one of their client’s needs.

“We offer motorisation on every style of blind we sell, which means that you can benefit from everything motorisation has to offer, regardless of the look you want for your home.”

And there are certainly plenty of benefits that come from the installation of motorised blinds.

“The most obvious advantage of choosing motorised blinds for your home is the convenience factor.”

With the press of a remote control you can instantly control the blinds throughout your home, which not only saves you the job of walking

around manually opening and closing each one, but makes it easy to operate those that might be slightly harder to reach too.

“Because everything is done with the touch of a remote control, you’ll be encouraged to use your blinds more frequently.”

And opening and closing your blinds throughout the day means that you can easily control the amount of sunlight flooding the room and choose to close the blind if it’s too strong for your furniture or art.

“Privacy is increased too with the installation of motorised blinds, if you’re about to get in the bath or ready for bed all you need to do is hit the button and your blinds will close straight away.”

And the blinds provide plenty of peace-of-mind too: “As they can be set to open or close automatically you don’t have to worry about your house looking empty when you’re away on holiday or out late.”

42

Even more important than the home security advantages is the child safety benefits.

“There are absolutely no cords used for motorised blinds at all, so parents can install them in their home without any worry whatsoever about their child’s safety.”

And safety is massively important to the Castle Blinds team: “Window blind cords can pose a risk for babies, children and vulnerable people who could injure or even strangle themselves on the hanging looped cords. We’re always keen to give advice on modernising window blinds to make sure they’re safe,” adds Amanda.

As members of the British Blind and Shutter Association the team are supporters of their ‘Make It Safe Campaign’ which highlights the importance of blind safety.

Why not pay Castle Blinds and Awnings a visit today so that you can enjoy the benefits of motorised blinds in your home today?

town & village life magazine | september/october 2016

FREE No Obligation Measure Service FREE Installation

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Monday - Friday 9:00 - 5:00 Saturday 10:00 - 4:00

Telephone: 01384 273769 www.castleblinds.co.uk www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

43

Grand Theatre COMPETITION One lucky winner can win two tickets to see A TALE OF TWO CITIES on Wednesday 19th October at 7.30pm at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre.

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity,” Dickens considered his novel, A Tale Of Two Cities, the best story he had ever written. Interweaving one family’s intensely personal drama with the terror and chaos of the French Revolution, it is an epic story of love, sacrifice and redemption amidst horrific violence and worldchanging events.

Grand Theatre from Wednesday 19th to Saturday 22nd October.

Director James Dacre said, “Dickens wrote A Tale of Two Cities in 1859 as a meditation on politics and power, the individual versus the system and the private versus the public. Mike Poulton (adapter), Rachel Portman (composer) and I first mounted this adaptation in the aftermath of the Arab Spring to cast a light on the protests, fanaticism and political unrest that were spreading across the world at that time.

“Our decision along with Jenny King, producer of The Touring Consortium, to revisit the production during this year of elections,

referenda and revolutions across the world is motivated by a shared belief that great historical dramas can play an important role in contemporary political conversations by emotionally engaging audiences in human stories, countering the disaffection that seems to dominate so much of today’s political debate.

“Theatre and music can be imbued with a passion that a novel can’t capture. Royal and Derngate and Touring Consortium’s A Tale of Two Cities aims to focus on the humanity of Dickens’s novel in a way that gives the historical events an immediacy and urgent relevance for today’s audiences”.

To book your seats today please go online at www.grandtheatre.co.uk or contact the Box Office on 01902 42 92 12.

In an era of regime changes and citizen protest around the world, this bold new dramatic adaptation

by Mike Poulton (Fortune’s Fool, Old Vic; Wolf Hall) set to rousing original music by Oscarwinning composer Rachel Portman (The Cider House Rules, Beloved) seems more relevant than ever. The classic tale comes to life on stage at Wolverhampton

Previous cast photography.

To be in with a chance of winning simply answer the following question correctly and send it on a postcard with your name, address and telephone number to Town & Village Life Magazine or email info@townandvillagelifemag.co.uk by Friday 7th October 2016.

Who wrote the original novel, A Tale Of Two Cities?

A) William Shakespeare B) Charles Dickens C) Christopher Marlowe D) Geoffrey Chaucer 44

Competition Terms and Conditions Please send postal entries to Town & Village Life Magazine, 1 Lytham Road, Perton, Wolverhampton WV6 7YY or email info@townandvillagelifemag.co.uk.

To be received no later than Friday 7th October 2016. Winners to collect tickets from the box office on the evening of the performance.

Tickets cannot be exchanged and no cash or alternative prize nights available. Winners may be required to partake in relevant publicity.

town & village life magazine | september/october 2016

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45

A DAY OUT IN YORK

By Trevor Langley

As one of this country’s most inspiring cities, York has so much to offer the visitor. The web of very quaint cobbled streets and the superb architecture, the café culture, with a whole lot in between, make York a city of contrasts and something of a surprise around every corner.

Be amazed by the absolutely splendid York Minster – the largest Gothic Cathedral north of the Alps.

Taking 250 years to build, York Minster has its very own police force – one of only two cathedrals in the world to have this privilege, the other being St Peter’s, Rome.

World class museums, art galleries, festivals, theatres and evening ghost walks are all available to be located in this city of wealth and tradition. From the York Festival of Food and Drink, to the Jorvik Viking Centre, Traditional Tea Rooms and of course the National Railway Museum, to shopping in the Shambles – York’s most famous medieval street – and cruising down the River Ouse on a boat, enjoying a drink or two at a riverside bar, as well as exploring the Moors, Dales and stately homes in the beautiful countryside around

York, there is something to appeal to everyone. Walk the City Walls; explore Clifford’s Tower, which is named after Roger de Clifford, who was hung in chains from the battlements following the Battle of Boroughbridge in 1322 – not a thought to dwell on!

York was awarded and crowned European Tourism City of the Year, at an awards ceremony in Athens in 2007. York hosts the UK’s largest Food Festival, which takes place over ten days every September – that’s as well as having some 365 pubs, if you fancy a pub crawl!

Many, many different aspects of York are very appealing, whatever your tastes, or desires. Providing locations for filming of such classics as Brideshead Revisited and Robinson Crusoe, among others, can all be sourced, if that is an interest to the visitor. Locate your favourite restaurant or bistro and

enjoy a fantastic dining experience, with mouth watering menus.

York’s railway industry and conversely chocolate production, paved the way for the economic success of this fascinating city.

Indeed, the National Railway Museum has appeal to just about everybody – young, older, males and females. With three giant halls of legends of the railways, including the fastest steam locomotive in the world – Mallard – the Japanese Bullet Train and much more, such as a massive Chinese locomotive, one of the largest ever built in the UK. Many demonstrations take place daily and with plenty of interactive exhibits there is no time for boredom here. Admission is free and it is very well worth allowing time and building this venue into your visit to York.

With the Castle Museum and its authentic streets this award winning museum is one of Europe’s best.

Travel back 1,000 years to the Viking era at the Jorvik Centre and admire over 800 items of history discovered on site. Visit the York Dungeon for the ultimate chilling experience. Enjoy York Minster, with over 1,000 years of worship and history to be learned about. Perhaps a sightseeing cruise on the River Ouse would give a different view of York.

Much history and culture abounds in York and the visitor centre has all the up-to-date information. Check out more information at www.visityork.org, Tel: 01904-550099.

46

town & village life magazine | september/october 2016

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Stourbridge

RFC

Preparations for the new season are well under way and the players are keen to get the league campaign started, which opened on September 3rd at home against South Leicester.

There are four newcomers to National Two North, our old friends Wharfedale have been demoted from National One, and Hinckley, Scunthorpe and Sheffield Tigers are promoted from National Three.

The summer recess has been long enough to recharge the batteries and our recently strengthened squad is ready. The anticipation of the season ahead is always welcome and with rugby flourishing across the world we are ready to play our part in the rich pageant. The introduction of sevens at the Olympics has shown a fast paced exciting spectacle which the crowds of all nations seem to be enjoying.

Back on home soil the England performance in Australia is still being celebrated and will linger long in the memory of the many who watched. My expectation is that tickets for Twickenham will be even more sought after than in previous years which

has to bode well for a new generation of young players.

Every season develops its own story as the matches roll by and the exploits are witnessed, however the enduring spirit of rugby is the essential glue that keeps us coming back.

The social events and the camaraderie generate a warm family feeling which makes the club a welcoming and hospitable venue. We are keen to involve everyone in playing, spectating or just discussing the game and we accommodate all ages in our various teams. The range of ages and abilities from the semi pro game through to the micros means that there is an opportunity for everyone and with the touch rugby and boot camp fitness sessions there is no need to be an established player to get involved.

Our Ladies continue to attract a range of interesting and renowned speakers to their

lunches, September being no exception with ex-England and British Lion rugby player Austin Healey and Captain Chris Tuffley, ex Commander of The Royal Yacht Britannia.

Also off the field we are looking forward to our annual Family Bonfire and Fireworks night on Friday November 4th. Our corporate friends are looking forward to welcoming Rob Andrew, the Professional Rugby Director at the RFU at a lunch to be held at the club on Friday December 9th.

We look forward to welcoming you to Stourton Park this season. The venue is available for private bookings, parties and events and we would be happy to discuss your requirements. Please phone on 01384 395000 or email rugby@stourbridgerugby.com.

Robin Edwards Chairman, Stourbridge Rugby Club

T: 01384 395000 E: rugby@stourbridgerugby.com www.stourbridgerugby.com 48

town & village life magazine | september/october 2016

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by Dar lighting. Compact in size and available in four different finish options you’ll get great light coverage from this fitting. An added benefit of having a Luther 4 light in your hall is that it is part of a collection which includes matching wall light options. The inclusion of wall lights in your hallways can either provide extra illumination or act as the main light source.

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For homes with ‘open plan’ design pendant light fittings make a good choice. Lighting R Us has two great options available from its suppliers that suit larger hall spaces perfectly.

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by Searchlight. The VIBRANT pendants come in quirky gold, green, copper, and red finishes and offer two size options. The smaller of the two is the ideal size for larger halls as it won’t overwhelm the space or hang too low. Similarly the second choice, the BAR LED range

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The Art of Inspiration This fine Victorian house is the home of a truly 21st century shopping experience.

Inside Stourbridge Galleries you will find an inspiring collection of design-led gifts, jewellery and scarves, greetings cards, artwork and home accessories.

Well known names such as Jo Downs, East of India, Jellycat, St Eval Candles, Terramundi, Carrie Elspeth and Caroline Gardner are always featured , with new ranges arriving throughout the year.

A new collection of limited edition gicleĂŠ prints have recently arrived from artist Rebecca Vincent. She has developed a style and technique which is completely unique, with bold patterns that depict the landscape imaginatively, creating strong rhythmic compositions that express a more abstract idea.

The BFG is currently attracting much interest at the cinema

and Stourbridge Galleries has a wonderful collection of Collector Edition prints based on Quentin Blake’s original drawings for the Roald Dahl books. Featuring many of his favourite characters these make special gifts for children and adults alike.

All artwork is framed in the Galleries own workshops, offering a comprehensive range of frames to suit both contemporary and traditional styles. Bespoke picture framing is one of the cornerstones of the business, with all types of art handled including original paintings, embroidery, photography, sports shirts and memorabilia.

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town & village life magazine | september/october 2016

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53

Get ready for Autumn

By Kate Slack RVN Head Nurse, Blacks Vets Dudley

Wow! Its certainly been a busy couple of months here at Blacks Vets.

Over the summer, you may have seen us on prime time Channel 4 show, The Job Interview, where our MD, Tracey and Practice Manager, Val, were filmed recruiting for a new receptionist for our flagship Accredited Veterinary Hospital in Dudley. As some of you may know, it was former teacher Emily that eventually won the role, but we were delighted to also offer positions to David and Nicola who also featured in the programme.

We’re happy to confirm that all three have settled in and are doing brilliantly.

Its great to have extra team members on board as autumn promises to be just as busy for the Blacks team,

Val Marsh and Tracey Morley Jewkes with ‘The Job Interview’ applicant, Nicola

with plenty of seasonal issues to attend to. Here’s a round up of some of the most common problems.

Harvest Mites Is your pet scratching more than usual? As well as fleas, this time of year can also bring Harvest Mites, a parasite whose larvae can live on mammals and birds. Feeding on tissue fluids, the larvae tend to attach themselves to areas where the hair is less dense so infestations are often found at the base of the ears, near the chin and mouth, the stomach and between the toes. If your pet is showing a red rash of spots, its important to have them checked by a vet as soon as possible. As well as being very painful, skin that has been repeatedly scratched is at risk of developing infection, which can become serious if left untreated.

Sore Joints As the weather cools, many pet owners start to notice that their pet’s mobility may not be what it once was.

As with humans, a cold, damp climate can aggravate arthritic conditions, particularly in older animals.

Symptoms may present themselves subtly, such as slowing down on a walk or a change in temperament, or more obviously such as limping or being unable to jump into the car.

Some pets may chew or lick the affected area in an instinctive attempt to soothe the pain and may become snappy and irritable in situations where once they were placid. The good news is that your vet can help and early intervention creates the best results. There are now many safe, anti-inflammatory and pain relieving medications available that can help alleviate and manage symptoms. Once your pet reaches 7 or 8 years of age, it’s a good idea to speak to your vet anyway about keeping your pet happy and comfortable as they get older.

Firework season begins As October approaches, we need to begin preparing our pets for the start of firework season. For some pets, this is an extremely distressing time of year that can begin as early as Halloween and extend right up until New Year’s Eve, so best to start now. The Dogs Trust has an excellent website packed with useful information and also carries a sound section featuring numerous clips of common troublesome noises. This 54

town & village life magazine | september/october 2016

includes fireworks, thunderstorms and even vacuum cleaners! If you begin to play the sound clips at a low volume, in a calm, everyday environment, your pet will slowly become accustomed to the noises without panic and fear. Increase the volume a little each time you play them and carry on with your normal daily tasks. Visit www.dogstrust.org. uk and find the sound clips in their Dog Behaviour & Health section under the title Sound Therapy.

medication that can help soothe and calm. Why not speak with one of our Registered Veterinary Nurses for further advice and tips? We have five branch locations in Dudley, Lye, Oldbury, Quinton and Sedgley all with experienced and friendly staff.

National Black Cat Day October 27th is National Black Cat Day. This event is held by charity, Cats Protection, who instigated the day to promote adoption and re-homing of black cats. Did you know that black cats are more likely to be sent to an

If your pet still finds the sounds highly distressing, your vet can prescribe

animal rescue centre and are more difficult to re-home? Superstition is thought to be a main reason for this statistic but here at Blacks Vets we beg to differ! Cats, irrespective of their colour, make wonderful family pets, so if you’re considering adopting a moggy, please give some thought to offering a home to a black beauty! Our Pet Starter Package is ideal for all new animal family members and includes vaccinations, micro-chipping and a general health check. See our website for full details www.blacksvets.co.uk

And finally…

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Jlooksabackcon u z z i the Summer of Sport

®

back training sooner. The hot tubs’ jets are arranged in ergonomically specific combinations, all fully adjustable so that the spa experience can be tailored to the individual’s requirements.

Amy Williams, winter Olympic Gold medallist

We’ve enjoyed a phenomenal summer of sport this year and as we slowly slip into autumn, Jacuzzi® reflects on its partnership with over 50 professional athletes to showcase how their products have been utilised within their training schedules.

The idea of a relaxing soak in hot water is by no means a new one. Throughout the ages, many different cultures have enjoyed this practice; from spending leisure time in natural thermal springs, to elaborately constructed bathhouses, the benefits of hydrotherapy are well established.

with athletes soon cottoning onto the benefits associated with hot tubs in helping them recover after gruelling sporting events.

With 2016 bringing with it a wealth of world-class sporting fixtures and events, Jacuzzi® has worked with over 50 sporting professionals whilst continuing to invest in a wide range of sports across the UK, Europe and the USA. The brand’s iconicPowerPro® jets use 50/50 water to air ratio which thoroughly massages athletes, assisting and relieving delayed onset muscle soreness so they can get

With Rio 2016 and this summer’s sporting extravaganza having come and gone, Jacuzzi® is reflecting on, and highlighting the all-important connection between hydrotherapy and health and fitness. From UK Rugby league to US and European skiing, athletics and swimming, the pioneering research and development team at Jacuzzi® has worked with current and former athletes from a number of disciplines such as; Linford Christie, Amy Williams and Iwan Thomas, to demonstrate the benefits of hydrotherapy.

As well as assisting with their muscle wellness, hot tubs can effectively raise their heart rates, decrease blood pressure and eliminate nerve tension, as well as reducing anxiety and speeding up the metabolism.

Going forward into the autumn and winter sporting seasons, Jacuzzi® will be working extensively with the U.S. Ski Team as official sponsors and hot tub supplier to the team.

This summer, Jacuzzi®, the global leader and manufacturer of hydromassage products and hot tubs, launched its Summer of Sport campaign to reaffirm how athletes can benefit from hydrotherapy products throughout training.

Celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, Jacuzzi® started life as a way to ease a family member’s pain.

The first J-300™ was created for the founder’s son who was stricken with rheumatoid arthritis, and soon became a popular mass-market product, turning normal bathtubs into therapeutic home spas.

Sixty years later, the brand has been used in homes worldwide, 56

For more information on hot tubs and to keep up to date with Jacuzzi® sporting news, please visit: www.jacuzzi.co.uk/sport You can also come and visit the Jacuzzi® team: Jen, Emma and Natalie in your local Jacuzzi® Hot Tub Centre at Webbs of Wychbold, Droitwich Spa, WR9 0DG. Tel: 01527 869378 www.jacuzziworcestershire.co.uk town & village life magazine | september/october 2016

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57

Autumn

colour The beginning of August saw some warmer weather, but it was accompanied by some unusually strong winds for the time of year.

Make sure that bedding plants and hanging baskets especially are watered regularly at their base. Any dry crisping of foliage is likely to be caused by the winds. Newly planted herbaceous and shrubs should also be kept moist until they are established.

Water early or late in the day to avoid scorching growth.

The range of perennial plants available from garden centres for late summer/early autumn flowering is increasing year on year.

Heuchera have lovely coloured foliage all year round from lime green, through copper and bronze and lovely purple shades,

Tips are provided by Ann Winwood, Lealans Garden Centre, Wolverhampton

many with prominent leaf veins, which make a lovely contrast.

They’re easy to grow – ideal in sun or semi shade and are not damaged by slugs and snails.

In the veg patch, harvest onions and potatoes now – lift up onions and allow to dry out where they’ve been growing if the weather is fine, before storing. Potatoes should be stored in a cool but frost-free environment. Hessian sacks that are available from garden centres are ideal for this purpose.

Winter flowering pansies and violas will soon be making an appearance, along with polyanthus, wallflowers and of course the spring flowering bulbs. As the summer bedding finishes replace with the autumn/winter ones for continuous colour. It’s not necessary to put a lot of fertilizer in the ground for the winter flowering types – better

Heuchera Sugar Berry

to add a top dressing in spring as new growth gets under way.

If you want Hyacinths in flower for Christmas, make sure the bulbs are planted in bowls by mid-September. Use a bulb compost as it contains charcoal to keep the compost ‘sweet’.

Once planted moisten the compost and place in a cool, dark place, bringing gradually into the light and warmth once the shoots are 3cm high.

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town & village life magazine | september/october 2016

HOW TO PERFECT THAT

GREEN, GREEN GRASS AT HOME March and November. This involves perforating the soil with small holes to allow air, water and nutrients to penetrate the grass roots, thus alleviating soil compaction.

Steve Tonks, General Manager at Boningale Garden Creations provides his top tips

Do you ever look enviously at those gardens with beautiful lawns?

While most of us don’t have the time to achieve the perfection of a premium golf course, there is plenty you can do to ensure your lawn looks lush and healthy.

Mowing is crucial but it is important to get the mower height set correctly – make sure it’s higher in dry weather and for the first few cuts of the year, just in case there is a late frost. The type of mower you use will also have an impact. Rotary mowers do the job but if you want a more professional finish, consider buying

We also recommend top-dressing the lawn with a layer of sand/ soil/peat mix after scarifying and aerating. What mix you use depends on the soil conditions. a cylinder mower, which usually comes with rollers for striping.

Scarifying – removing the unwanted thatch – should be carried out twice a year, in April and September, preferably on damp grass. It’s a good idea to apply a moss killer seven-10 days before using a scarifying machine or rake to go over your entire lawn.

Aerating is also important and should be done once a year between

You may also want to water your lawn during prolonged periods of hot, dry weather (just check there’s no hosepipe ban!). Morning is the best time to do it when the air is cooler and the wind is calmer - and avoid 11am-3pm, when the sun is at its hottest.

The summer heat can take its toll on lawns, but if you follow these simple tips you can make your grass the envy of your neighborhood!

If you need any further information or want to seek professional advice from our award-winning garden designers please visit www.boningale-garden-creations.co.uk or call me on 01902 376500.

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Quality Logs at

Black Country Firewood

There’s nothing better than curling up in front of an open fire on a cold winter’s night, so now that autumn is fast approaching it’s time to stock-up on the firewood that’ll keep you cosy all winter long.

and we’re always on-hand to help and advise our clients when they visit the centre.”

Making it easy for homeowners to enjoy a real fire in their home, the team supply high quality, clean logs that burn efficiently.

Black Country Firewood boasts the biggest indoor selection of quality logs in the West Midlands, and the team make it easy for their clients to find the perfect fuel for their fire.

“Myself and my firewood tech, Richard, always ensure that the logs we sell meet our client’s requirements. We’re passionate about what we do and pride ourselves on offering the best products and service.”

As, owner, Michael Snelson explains: “We’re fully stocked with logs that are suitable for all open fires and woodburners,

So, it’s no surprise that Mike’s customers are always confident that when their logs are delivered they’ll be of the highest quality.

“A lot of people who come to us have had bad experiences in the past and weren’t able to view their logs before buying.”

That’s why Mike always invites his client’s to take a look at his logs first.

“We work hard to take the hassle out of fuelling an open fire by

making everything as easy as possible for our clients.”

By buying directly from the firewood centre, customers don’t have to worry about drying out their logs over the summer months or question if they’re going to be clean and bug and spider-free.

Because the company offer free local delivery, all year round, it’s easy to get the logs to your door.

And it’s not just logs that the company supply, they also create bespoke log shelters that provide the perfect place for storage.

So, why not enjoy your fire this winter and pay a visit to Black Country Firewood?

Suppliers of high quality firewood Shop and buy online

www.blackcountryfirewood.co.uk

or visit us at

Salters Hall Farm Bobbington, Stourbridge, DY7 5DX * pack includes:

1 x Huge Bag Kiln Dried Logs 2 x Nets of Kindling Sticks 1 x 24 Natural Firelighters

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01384 884481 or 07791 438389 @thefirewoodshed www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

blackcountryfirewood 61

Kinver Rotary Club Since 2011 his company, Bodykraft, has sponsored Kinver Rotary Club’s annual10K race which has raised more than £30,000 for the Action Heart charity over the ten years it has been organised by the club.

Pensnett company managing director Mike Pugh is having his generosity over the past five years repaid – in a manner that he never expected.

His sponsorship has covered all administration costs for the races, ensuring that all proceeds go to the charity. Regrettably Mike suffered a heart attack in January and has himself been on Action Heart’s 12 month cardiovascular rehabilitation programme at Russells Hall Hospital since April.

Bodykraft has again sponsored the event this year, renamed the Sheepwalks Shocker to reflect the nature of the route to be covered by

Mike, who lives in Kingswinford, has been a member of Kinver Rotary Club since 2010 and has completed in the 10K a number of times in the past. This year his sponsorship comes without participation.

Entries are now being accepted at: www.actionheartrunning.com or www.sheepwalks-shocker.co.uk or runners can call 01384 292233 for an entry form.

Entry costs £13 for club affiliated runners and £15 for non-affiliated entrants.

There will also be a 2K family multi-terrain fun run in aid of the Kinver Fitness Collective - with an entry cost of £2 each or £5 per family.

DUDLEY SOUTH Ladies

Dave Russon

Luncheon Club - Report for July 2016 Chairman Mary Jones welcomed 33 members to The Lodge, Wellington Road, Dudley to enjoy their excellent 3-course lunch and welcome back Mr. David Bartley with his Black Country poems and infectious humour.

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62

the runners. It will start and finish in the grounds of Enville Hall with the multi-terrain route taking athletes over some of South Staffordshire’s most beautiful countryside.

He had everyone laughing from beginning to end, with lots of audience participation, choosing one lady in particular by the name of Dinky White to help with his stories. He was asked to come back yet again at an early opportunity.

The next luncheon will be on Friday,

16th September – one week later than normal – and the speaker will be Nikki Southall on Clarins Skin Care. By special request Mark Newbold is returning to talk about The Falklands Re-visited on 14th October.

Visitors are most welcome and can attend 3 times before deciding to join.

For further information ring the Secretary on 01902 372984 or chairman maryjones30@sky.com

Speakers - Secretary Pauline Handley, David Bartley – Black Country Humour and Poet – and member Josey Hunt

town & village life magazine | september/october 2016

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63

Last Call

for Elmfield School Stourbridge Reunion

and teachers at the school that is laying on some fun activities like rounders, an old school favourite including stilts, and subject to availably some old pictures of days gone by and a cinefilm of the school back in 1966.

The aim of the reunion is in partnership with the school to launch some fund raising initiatives to try to support parents with fee payment to enable a Steiner Education.

10th September 2016 Starts 10.00am – Ends 17.00pm

Food will be laid on during the day with a vegetarian option, teas/coffee and cakes will be available.

This is a last call for those pupils and teachers who went to Elmfield Rudolf Steiner School in Stourbridge, West Midlands.

Please email elmfieldalumni@manorway.org.uk to find out more and register for a place.

Elmfield is a school that is based on the Steiner philosophy that educates children in a holistic way to provide children with a more rounded education, our school was attended by some of the children from the band Led Zeppelin that spearheaded heavy metal music in the world and had that famous song Stairway To Heaven, and has produced some talented people who are doing some good works in the world inspired by the Steiner style of education.

The reunion is a chance for people to meet after in some cases 30+ years, have a catch-up with friends

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town & village life magazine | september/october 2016

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Walk the walk

and help make a dream come true Wolverhampton based children’s charity Promise Dreams are absolutely delighted to be announcing the return of their biggest single fundraising event - Walk for Dreams 2016!

You may well have heard the team on Signal’s 107 talking about this year’s event and seen the banner going up around the city!

Sunday 16th October will see walkers, family and friends return to the grounds of Himley Hall in Dudley in their thousands to set off on a 9 mile walk to Wolverhampton Racecourse. The start time is 11am and on arrival, after registration, walkers will be given a warm up to ensure they’re ready for the off and a full-on party atmosphere awaits

them at the Racecourse with music, bouncy castles, face painting, refreshments and, most importantly, somewhere to rest your weary feet.

As in previous years entry to Walk for Dreams is totally free but walkers are encouraged to get sponsored or fundraise in whatever way they can as this will enable Promise Dreams to raise even more special smiles. There will also be “I walked the walk” t-shirts on sale at both the start and finish venues for participants of the event.

The team at Promise Dreams are hugely grateful to their key partners in this project who, through their generosity, will ensure that every penny raised from the walk will go directly to the families that the charity works to support. This money will make a real difference to some very special children

and help to create memories that will be treasured for a lifetime.

To sign up or find out more about Walk for Dreams simply visit www. walkfordreams.co.uk and complete the online registration page. You can sign up individually or as a team so why not recruit as many of your friends and colleagues as you can and then see who can raise the most sponsorship.

The website shows the different amounts in relation to different dream requests so you could even set yourselves a group target and know that you’ll be fulfilling a dream through all your hard work.

For a small charity like Promise Dreams volunteer support at a big event like this is crucial so if you would like to help out on the day then you can also register on the same website to volunteer at this event.

Promise Dreams are committed to helping seriously and terminally ill children and their families see their precious dreams become reality. Whether that dream is the chance to meet a celebrity, go to the theatre or simply to have access to medical equipment that will enhance each and every day of their life.

To find out more please visit www.promisedreams.co.uk

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town & village life magazine | september/october 2016

promisedreams.co.uk Registered Charity No. 1086020

S U N D AY 1 6 t h O C TO B E R 2 0 1 6

Join us for a fun-filled nine mile walk with friends and family from Himley Hall to Wolverhampton Race Course and you can help to make a difference to seriously & terminally ill children.

REGISTER NOW : walkfordreams.co.uk For more information please:

Call : 01902 212451 Email : walk@promisedreams.co.uk Visit : promisedreams.co.uk

www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

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Registration £15 - 20 mile walk £10 - 8 mile walk £35 - Family Price

(2 adults & up to 3 childr

en U’12)

KEMP to Compton Community Walk

20 miles along the canal or a shorter walk of 8 miles in aid of both

KEMP & Compton Hospices 20 mile walk starting at The Lock Inn Public House, Wolverley at 8.00 am.

8 mile walk starting at The Round Oak Public House, Wombourne at 12.00 midday Finishing back at Compton Hospice, Compton between 4 – 6 pm

SUNDAY 18th SEPtember 2016 Enjoy a celebration at the finish with music, and a BBQ and Refreshments available to purchase.

www.compton-hospice.org.uk www.compton-hospice.org.uk www.kemphospice.org.uk www.kemphospice.org.uk email: fundraising@compton-hospice.org.uk email: fundraising@compton-hospice.org.uk email: email:events@kemphospice.org.uk events@kemphospice.org.uk Tel:Compton Compton on 774529 Tel: on01902 01902 774529 Tel:KEMP KEMP on 756066 Tel: on01562 01562 756066

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Charity Reg No: 1146310

Charity Reg No: 512387 town & village life magazine | september/october 2016

Autumn marks the start of harvest season

for Halfpenny Green Vineyards

As the days get shorter and the nights draw in there will be only one thing on the mind of the winemakers at Staffordshire’s premier vineyard – world class English wines!

With a range of internationally award-winning wines already, the vintners will be looking forward to crafting more winners from this year’s grapes!

Fancy a taste? Pop down to the on-site Wine Shop & Deli and visit the aptly named Wine Loft where the staff will be happy to offer you a free sample of their awardwinning wines, made entirely on the South Staffordshire site. For the serious wine tasters, there’s also a wine tasting menu, with options including cheese pairings and a self-guided trail of the vineyard itself! (Booking necessary) With a range of fine produce available, and festive products now arriving, why not start your Christmas shopping early? Custom hampers, gift wrapping and labelling services are available while you wait, taking the stress out of the holidays!

To complete your visit, why not finish with lunch in the restaurant?

Served between 12-3pm, all meals are freshly prepared by the head chef and his team, served straight to your table by the waiting staff.

The Christmas menu for December is now available, with bookings now being taken, perfect for a Christmas party, or just a festive treat!

For the fine diners, the restaurant is also launching a new series of A La Carte evenings beginning on Friday 16th September. Canapes are served on arrival, and guests will then enjoy a three course meal ordered from the specially created menu, with wine pairings available for each dish! There are further evenings on 14th October, 18th November and 9th December (a unique Christmas themed evening), so book your table today for a truly special experience.

From the wines, to the shop, to the food, and even the recently opened on-site zoo – WILD Zoological Park – there really is something for the whole family this autumn at Halfpenny Green Vineyards!

www.halfpenny-green-vineyards.co.uk Halfpenny Green Vineyards, Tom Lane, Bobbington, South Staffordshire DY7 5EP Gift vouchers available Including tours, tastings, cream teas, high teas and fishing. Perfect for Christmas!

Christmas stock now arriving!

Bespoke hamper service and custom gift wrapping available. Corporate services available upon enquiry.

Dine with us!

A La Carte evenings on 16th Sept, 14th Oct, 18th Nov and special Christmas evening on 9th Dec. Call to book!

Christmas Fayre menu available throughout December, bookings being taken.

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK 9.00AM – 5.00PM Tel: 01384 221122 Email: sales@halfpenny-green-vineyards.co.uk www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

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B O O K E A R LY

FOR CHRISTMAS

When Christmas is almost upon us is the time most people begin to think of ways to celebrate it with meals out with relatives, friends and work colleagues, Christmas dinner, parties, fun.

The trouble is, by the time Christmas is that close it is probably too late to get booked into any catering establishment and the larger the group of people involved, the more impossible it is. The fact is, booking for any Christmas-related outing should be done when Christmas itself is but a dim promise on the horizon of consciousness. So even though summer is still lingering and autumn not quite fully here, if you want to do anything at all to celebrate the festive season, now is the time to organise it. In short, book early to avoid disappointment.

So what might you wish to do?

Well a celebratory lunch with work colleagues might be nice. Most pubs, hotels and restaurants will have special menus for just such a party. They may also have sample menus for you to take away so each member of the group can

choose in advance - essential for large groups of diners. Be advised though, get each person accepting a place to give you a small deposit - a fiver say, just in case they decide at the last minute, not to come.

An evening celebration is very popular these days and again, most caterers will have special menus and often entertainment too, laid on. The best venues get booked up fast however, so don’t delay with your booking arrangements.

Pre-Christmas Sunday lunches are a great way to get the family together. Again if you have a big party to book for, get that booking in early. If someone is on a special diet, be sure to inform the caterer

in advance so they are prepared.

And if a baby chair or child seat is required make sure you book it. It may also be necessary to choose the wine in advance if you want it well cooled unless the establishment keeps their wines in cool cabinets.

If you are planning a real party, you could consider hiring a hall or function room in a catering or exhibition establishment. You could get a local publican to organise and man the bar and outside caterers to provide the food - a buffet would be ideal.

Contact a local theatrical agent or look in the local paper and you might find you can book a disco as well.

Of course you may be thinking of dining out on Christmas Day. If this is the case you had better get down to making that booking right now.

Christmas Day bookings are often booked just following the previous Christmas so be prepared for a few disappointments. Naturally the larger the establishment the more chance you will have of getting a table but, if your party is large, you may have some difficulty.

All these activities are part and parcel of the Christmas Season but even at the risk of being repetitive, do remember everyone else will also be thinking along these lines so don’t put it off, get booking now, without delay.

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town & village life magazine | september/october 2016

Wombourne Tandoori Restaurant Established 1989

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for groups of 10 people or more

Papadums with relish Choice starter Chicken Tikka Onion Bhajee Samosas Chicken Chat Choice main course Chicken Tikka Masala Chicken Tikka Jalfrezi Lamb Bhuna Prawn Sagwaller Balti Vegetable Balti Rice or Nan Pilau Rice Fried Rice Mushroom Pilau Rice Plain Nan Peshwari Nan Keema Nan Tea or Coffee

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Our popular Take-away Service is still the best in Wombourne offering 10% off our Menu price.

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www.wombournetandoori.com 71

Wedding inspiration with Country Baskets With over 30,000 products to browse at your leisure, including an unbeatable range of beautiful artificial flowers and a huge selection of stunning affordable glassware we are certain you will find something that takes your fancy.

With more and more couples opting for a less traditional feel to their weddings, Country Baskets offers products to fit any theme, however quirky.

You’re having a woodland, nature-inspired wedding? We have an abundance of beautiful barks, branches and rustic wood slices that are a perfect base for a spectacular centrepiece.

Or perhaps you’re looking for something that whispers, subtle and serene. The classic white wedding brought up to date with muted tones of green and grey. Our extensive range of artificial greenery and ribbons of every shape size, colour and texture will be the perfect partner for this timeless classic. Do your mood boards scream fun, flamboyant and floral?

Explore our vast and ever expanding array of stunning silk flowers. For the romantic English country garden lovers: our gorgeous foxgloves, delphiniums, hydrangeas and daisies will be sure to catch your eye. For something a little bit more exotic, pick from dozens of opulent orchids.

With 8 stores dotted around the country as well as a great website so you can shop online, there is no excuse not to come and explore this Aladdin’s cave, which sells a huge range of great value products including artificial flowers and greenery, homeware, wedding, glassware, pottery, baskets, craft and seasonal products.

Our website also has a lovely inspirational area, featuring blog posts, craft and floristry projects and all the latest trend information!

Visit www.countrybaskets.co.uk

Visit Us Country Baskets, Gibbs Road, Lye, Stourbridge, West Midlands DY9 8SY.

Follow Us Facebook: countrybaskets

Twitter: @countrybaskets

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Website: www.countrybaskets.co.uk

town & village life magazine | september/october 2016

For advice, ideas and inspiration www.countrybaskets.co.uk

Artificial Flowers Wedding Floral Supplies Home & Garden Craft Open 7 days a week!

Visit your local store in Stourbridge!

Gibbs Road, Lye, Stourbridge, West Midlands, DY9 8SY Any questions? Call 01384 896 888

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www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

73

Himley Hall A local treasure

Weddings at Himley Hall

Himley Hall is an eighteenth century Grade II* listed building set in 180 acres of ‘Capability Brown’ landscaped parkland. As the former stately home of the Earl of Dudley Himley Hall was a luxurious, up-to-date home, so fashionable that in the 1930’s it was a regular weekend retreat for Royal visitors, including Edward, Prince of Wales.

In 1934 the Duke and Duchess of Kent spent the first two weeks of their honeymoon at Himley.

Today, couples may marry where Royal newlyweds once took their honeymoon, and photograph their special day in the grounds where princes and earls once strolled.

WEDDING DAY CHOICES Himley Hall offers a wide range of options for weddings including full wedding packages of Ceremony, Wedding Breakfast and Evening Celebration with disco, Wedding Breakfast and Evening celebration or simply a ceremony only.

Himley Hall now has 3 licensed ceremony rooms, the Pink and the Green Rooms have views

towards the Great Lake of Himley Park. The Oak Room overlooks the Hall’s courtyard. The Pink Room, once the Earl of Dudley’s library, can host up to 45 guests including the wedding couple with private access onto the terrace of Himley Hall for celebratory drinks and photographs. The newly licensed Oak Room is licensed for up to 55 guests.

The former dining room of the Earls of Dudley, the elegant

Green Room is a perfect setting for larger ceremonies of up to 75 guests including the wedding couple and also has views towards the Great Lake. The terrace may also be accessed from the adjacent Pink Room.

RECEPTION ROOMS Wedding Breakfasts for 45-90 guests may be held in several of Himley Hall’s refurbished rooms; the Green Room with its dazzling chandelier, the Oak Room; a delightful wood panelled room overlooking the courtyard and in the sumptuous Art-Deco style Swimming Pool Room in the North Wing. This wing of the Hall is also home to the Cinema Bar, the Earl of Dudley’s former private cinema, now transformed into an elegant 1930’s style lounge bar and offering a cosy retreat from the livelier Swimming Pool during your celebration. The Swimming Pool Room is complete with dance floor, lighting and sound system specifically designed for evening functions for 80-140 guests, either following a wedding breakfast or following a late ceremony.

If you would like to discuss how the team at Himley Hall can help make your wedding day special and memorable or to arrange to view the ceremony and reception rooms please contact the wedding co-ordinator on 01384 817817.

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town & village life magazine | september/october 2016

www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

75

WEDDING SYMBOLS AND SUPERSTITIONS of plenty and fertility. In the Middle Ages children were employed to scatter flowers before the feet of the bride as she came out of the church - the little flower girl so often seen at weddings today, is a development of this tradition.

In the 19th century at American weddings, a huge bell made from white flowers was often hung over the spot where the bride and groom stood during the ceremony.

Perhaps the most obvious symbol of a marriage is the wedding ring and yet, following an Act of Parliament in 1837, it isn’t a legal requirement for a wedding.

ring and a different one for the engagement. In many parts of Europe an identical pair of gold bands are exchanged by a couple on engagement and worn on the right hand until the wedding when they are transferred over to the left.

In this country up until the 16th century, the wedding ring was in fact always worn on the right hand, a custom still followed by nuns when they take their vows.

It is a tradition however and it takes more than an Act of Parliament to change that. But why a ring?

Well there are several theories. Its circular shape is said to denote a perfect union - no beginning, no end. Less romantically, it may have symbolized the attaching ring of the chain which bound the girl to the groom, in effect passing ownership of her from her father to her husband. Gold is again a comparatively new metal for this purpose, iron or bronze were often used instead in days gone by.

The selection of the third finger on the left hand is also interesting. It was once thought that a special nerve or fine vein, the vena amoris, ran from this finger directly to the heart. In Roman Catholic tradition the first three fingers (including the thumb) represent the Holy Trinity and during the Catholic ceremony the ring is first placed on the thumb, first and second finger in turn while saying “In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost” and then on the third finger where it is supposed to rest permanently after saying “Amen”.

The separate engagement ring is something we have inherited from the Romans. A costly ring sealed the marriage contract and formed part of the price the groom paid to the bride’s father, as opposed to the dowry the bride herself brought to the marriage.

Interestingly, we are one of the few cultures that use both a wedding 76

Shoes are common symbols of luck at weddings today. The origin is not so romantic. Anglo Saxon fathers gave one of the shoes of their daughter to the man they were to marry. He would then tap her on the head with it to signify his control over her.

The garter often worn by a bride for fun, is a remnant of the Elizabethan custom of grabbing ‘favours’ from the bride as she emerged from church. These could be anything from the ribbons and buttons on her dress, to her gloves, girdle, purse or garters. One can only imagine what she would have looked like after such an assault.

On the subject of the bridal dress, embellishments such as pearls and opals are considered a big ‘no no’ where brides are concerned as both were once thought to signify tears.

If the gown is made by a private dressmaker, tradition has it she would sew a hair from her head into the gown’s hem. This is to prevent the dressmaker becoming so

Another potent symbol of marriage is the bouquet. It was originally one of the wreaths and garlands carried by revellers on any festive occasion.

Indeed even in the 19th century, brides often carried wreaths rather than bouquets at their weddings. In early country weddings the bridal wreath was often formed from ears of corn or wheat - strong symbols town & village life magazine | september/october 2016

will be the one who rules the roost.

To ensure her own dominance therefore, the bride should buy a pin from her chief bridesmaid as she dresses for the honeymoon trip.

Country brides used to ‘tell the bees’ of their imminent wedding and after the reception, the first thing they did before going away was to leave a slice of cake at the hive entrance. This ensured the best of luck in the years to come.

Then there is that well known rhyme all potential brides come to know: ‘Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue.’ jealous that she places a curse on the gown. If her hair is incorporated into the dress any curse will fall on her as well as on the wearer of the gown, i.e., the bride! The bride should not wear her full bridal outfit before leaving for the church. If she must try the whole outfit on she should leave one shoe off.

The day and month of a wedding have always been considered important yet in one respect, the most ignored. The rhyme goes: ‘Monday for health, Tuesday for wealth, Wednesday the best day of all.

Thursday brings crosses; Friday brings losses, Saturday no luck at all!’

Yet Saturday is today the most popular of all for a wedding.

Month-wise there are no specific taboos other than for May which has always been considered a bad month in the past. If the sun shines on a wedding it is considered extremely fortunate. In Germany however every drop of rain that falls on a bride is considered a blessing.

wedding morn too or bad luck is sure to follow. The best man should give the groom a lucky charm to carry in his pocket on the day of the wedding, and once they have left for the church he should not allow the groom to turn back no matter what he has forgotten. If necessary the best man should return home himself for the forgotten item. In the church the groom should wait patiently in his seat until the bride arrives at his side. He should never look back to watch her coming.

She should not look back either but must stare steadfastly ahead no matter what commotion occurs behind as she approaches the altar.

After the ceremony the best man should pay the clergyman his fee and must ensure it is an odd sum of money, never an even one.

When the bride dresses to go away she should throw away all the pins that attach her headdress or veil.

The married partner who makes the first purchase after the wedding

This has some very real and ancient meanings. The something old represents tradition and continuity of the family. Something new represents the newly married state of the couple and the new branch of the family they will thereby be creating. Something borrowed denotes their dependence on the rest of the family and friends for support and the whole group’s interdependence. Something blue was very important as blue was the colour of true love and constancy and the colour the Virgin Mary is often shown to be wearing. Indeed at one time it was considered the best colour of all for the wedding gown.

Finally, as the bride leaves for her honeymoon she should turn her back on the crowd and throw the bouquet over her head. Whoever catches it will be the next to wed.

Needless to say the catcher should be female and unmarried or real complications could ensue!

Brides meeting a lamb, dove, spider, black cat or chimney sweep on the way to church can be assured of good luck to follow.

She should however avoid meeting a pig or seeing a funeral as these are bad omens. If she lives in the country she should wear ear plugs on her last single night since it is bad luck for her to hear the crowing of a cock on the wedding morn.

Everyone knows the groom should never see the bride in her gown before the wedding or it may be the only time he sees her dressed thus.

He must avoid seeing her on the www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

77

As Professional Party Planners and Balloon Creators, we specialise in:

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town & village life magazine | september/october 2016

Scratch cooking

Caterers

Mouth-watering food made from scratch

Why not make your event extra special by treating your guests to an array of delicious culinary delights, freshly prepared by local catering experts, Scratch Cooking Caterers?

Whatever you’ve got planned you can rest assured that the expert team at Scratch will help you find the perfect feast for your party. As owner, John Millard, explains: “We use only the finest, freshest ingredients to prepare our flavoursome menus, from scratch.

We can create everything from buffets to tapas or design a bespoke menu especially for you.”

Whether it’s a wedding, birthday or corporate event, John has the know-how to wow.

“We are passionate about creating delicious food. We don’t use any processed products, every ingredient is of the highest quality and sourced locally - and it shows in the taste.”

With over 20 years of experience in the food industry, John knows a thing or two about producing mouth-watering recipes.

“My love of food began when I started working in my parent’s bakery. Realising that my passion was not just a hobby but a career choice, I moved on to work in some of the best known kitchens in the UK.”

• Buffets • Big Pan Paella

• Parties/Special Occasions • Weddings

Drawing on all aspects of his culinary experience, John decided to start his own business last year.

“I love Mediterranean food and culture and really wanted to incorporate that into my menus. Our paella brings together a delicious mixture of flavours and is really popular at parties.”

Keen to bring a fun and fresh approach to food, John and his team are always experimenting with new recipes that are made from scratch.

“For us, Scratch is not just a name, it’s an unwavering commitment to producing the tastiest, highest quality food, made from scratch,” adds John.

So, why not leave the cooking to the experts and contact the team at Scratch Cooking Caterers today?

• Christenings • Life Celebrations/Funerals

• Conference Buffets • Corporate Catering

Scratch Cooking Caterers Lower Gornal, Dudley DY3 3AG Tel: 07976 249511 Email: enquiries@scratchcookingcaterers.co.uk www.scratchcookingcaterers.co.uk

www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

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Essential planning

for your big day: Hair and Beauty

by Helen Taylor As soon as that sparkly ring is placed on your finger, it’s time to start planning your wedding day.

Organisation is key if you want everything to be perfect and you can never start too soon. Whether it’s booking the venue or looking for a dress, thinking ahead really does pay off, and, it’s exactly the same when it comes to forming your hair and beauty routine.

‘Model wears ‘Giovanna’ Embellished Dress £595.00. Phase Eight.’

Glowing skin, shiny hair and flawless make up are musthaves for your big day, but to achieve them you’ll have to put some work in. Here are our top wedding hair and beauty tips.

Loose Some Length Unless your tresses are in tiptop condition, don’t hesitate in losing some length. Getting rid of split, straggly ends will instantly boost the look of your hair.

Taking a break from having your hair coloured and stopping using styling tools will massively benefit the condition of your hair.

Regular treatments are essential for maximising shine and maintaining the condition of your locks, fast forward six months and your hair will be more than ready for your big day.

Give Your Skin Some T.L.C Address any skin issues you have as soon as you can. Whether your skin is acne prone, dry or combination, invest in products 80

that’ll cater for its needs and treat yourself to frequent facials.

Or, if you’re using fake tan, make sure it’ll to be an exact match.

And it’s not just the skin on your face you’ll need to attend to. If you’re baring your arms, back, shoulders or chest, you’ll need to ensure that the skin on your body is as flawless as on your face. So, exfoliate and moisturise regularly.

Keep brows full but groomed, try out lash extensions for a pretty look and don’t be afraid to opt for slightly stronger lipstick and blusher hues than you’d usually go for when wearing white more colour on the lips is particularly flattering.

Update Your Make-Up Look

Snap Plenty of Selfies

It’s so easy to get stuck in a makeup rut, but with your wedding on the horizon there has never been a better time to dedicate some time to experimenting with your cosmetics.

Take a picture, in natural light, to get a good idea of what each make-up look will be like.

Put on a white top - it’ll give you a good idea of how the make-up will look with your white gown - and position yourself next to a window.

Seeing your make-up in natural light is essential, especially if you’re planning on lots of outdoor photographs.

Be sure that whatever base you choose matches the tone of your skin at the time of your wedding - if it’s a summer wedding you’ll be darker than if it’s a winter wedding.

Experiment with lots of different make-up styles to see which suits you best. Take notice of how the look pairs with your hair colour and style.

It’s best to opt for a professional opinion when it comes to deciding on how to colour your hair ready for your big day. The right hair colour will massively enhance the look of your skin and compliment your make-up look.

And, don’t forget to share your snaps with family and friends.

town & village life magazine | september/october 2016

We are completely client focused and pride ourselves on offering excellent service, so it’s no surprise that we have built a loyal client base over the 22 years we’ve been in business.

As we specialise in both ladies and gents hair, we’re able to create the perfect look for our clients. Our entire team is highly skilled and we keep-up with the latest cutting and colouring techniques.

We use AmmoniaFree colours which are gentle on the scalp and give hair Complete coverage and shine.

At Capelli Hairdressing we have worked hard to create a haven of relaxation at the salon, so that our clients can relax and unwind whilst having their hair styled.

Visit our team at Capelli Hairdressing “We believe that you, to create an overall look the customer, should be based on your features, treated as an Individual. your hair type, your lifestyle Our dedicated team aim and ultimately your ideas.”

01384 484749

www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

To book an appointment please call Open: Tues, Wed & Fri 9am – 6pm • Thurs 9am until late Sat 8.30am – 4.30pm • Closed on Mondays 131 Dudley Road, Brierley Hill, DY5 1HD • www.capellihairdressing.co.uk 81 Free parking outside salon

S ay goodbye to s u mmer

Wollaston Beauty Clinic of your favourite or opt for the full set in miniature.

SKIN LIC REPUB foot peel

£10

It’s a Wrap Over the summer our skin gets exposed to harsh elements - both at home and abroad - as well as chlorine, if you’ve been spending time swimming.

So it’s important to treat your skin to some T.L.C.

Treat yourself to some much-needed ‘me time’ this autumn with a visit to Wollaston Beauty Clinic.

Marketing manager, Jenny Birch, gives us the low down on the treatments that are just perfect for this time of year.

Chill Baby Summer seems to have gone by in a flash this year and many of us have spent it running around after our little ones, which is certainly stressful. So, now that September is here and the kids are back at school, it’s definitely time to slow down and treat yourself to a little ‘me time’.

Autumn is a time for re-charging and unwinding and there’s no better way to start than with a relaxing back or full body massage at the salon, you can even add hot stones for an extra indulgent treat.

A good spa or salon body treatment will not only exfoliate and slough away the dead skin cells but will also hydrate and quench dry, sun-damaged skin.

ESPA’s wraps are amazing and there’s one suitable for everyone - from hydrating wraps to detoxifying wraps. Each wrap uses beautiful essential oils that are the base of all ESPA’s products, leaving skin feeling amazing.

Soul Sister We’re all culprits of walking around barefoot whenever we can, especially in the summer months, but this comes at a cost because hard calloused skin can build up quickly when we neglect our feet.

Get those cracked heels sorted with some serious skin removal.

Opting for a luxury pedicure means your feet will benefit from luxury products, containing AHA’s, as well as heated booties that’ll ensure efficient product penetration.

To treat your skin at home, try SKIN REPUBLIC’s fantastic foot peel. It takes six or seven days after using the treatment to see the amazing results but once those layers of calloused skin are shed, your skin will be unbelievably soft. Great to use 7-10 days before a salon pedicure too.

Laser Beams Have you ever considered laser treatments for either hair removal or skin rejuvenation? These treatments work best on pale skin so the winter months provide the perfect time to get started.

You’ll need a consultation and patch test before a treatment.

Results can be immediate though it may take between 3-6 sessions to get a desired effect and getting rid of unwanted hair from your underarms or bikini line means no more painful waxing, what’s more you’ll save money too.

We use ESPA’s collection of pre-mixed essential body oils, which are blended to address every requirement. We’ve got oils that calm and sooth, as well as ones which energise and uplift.

During your consultation your therapist will determine which variety will provide the perfect match for your needs. And, you can even purchase a 100ml bottle

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town & village life magazine | september/october 2016

Wollaston Beauty Clinic where relaxing & pampering is essential

*Whilewww.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk stocks last

153 Bridgnorth Road Wollaston DY8 3NU 01384 393305

www.wollastonbeautyclinic.co.uk83

Aristocats Autumn/W inter Aristocats aim to provide excellent customer service to women who appreciate quality fashion.

2016

Whatever the event our stylish Autumn/Winter designs will take individuals effortlessly to a wide range of functions, casual or formal, daytime, weddings, after six, cocktail or late evening.

Our professional staff are always on hand, if required, to help with decision making and offer alternatives to customers from the West Midlands, Shropshire and further afield from the wide range of fashion designers.

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town & village life magazine | september/october 2016

• Aldo Martins • Basler • Eugen Klein • Frank Walder • Joseph Ribkoff • Just White • Olsen • Oui • Rabe • Saint James

Open Monday to Friday 10am – 5pm, Saturday 10am - 4pm Ample parking behind the premises in New Street or on the road opposite the Esso petrol station.

Co-ordinated Day Wear • Coats • Cocktail & Evening Wear Lingerie • Accessories • Belts • Bags • Jewellery • Hosiery 234www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk Coalway Road, Penn,Wolverhampton WV3 7NN Tel: 01902 344003

Amazing colour looks at The team at Jon Kevan have been busy creating some amazing colour looks for their clients this year, as salon owner, Kevin explains: “2016 has been a year of extremes when it comes to colour trends.

We’ve seen everything from the blackest black hues, to the lightest blondes, as well as plenty of ombre and root drag styles in between.”

And of course there’s been those head-turning shades too.

“Bold looks, like denim and unicorn hair, have been really popular with clients wanting a real statement look.”

But ombre hair has undoubtedly been one of the stand-out trends of 2016 and the talented team of colourists at Jon Kevan have used all sorts of different colour combinations to create beautiful ombre looks.

“Ladies love ombre because not only are there endless colour possibilities there’s also very little maintenance.”

Ombre colour is defined by its soft transition from one hue to another and the team have designed plenty of unique colour blends for their clients.

“We’ve blended red into orange, red into blonde, brown into platinum and even black into grey.

Ombre looks great on any hair length and our clients have been delighted with the results.”

Rootdrag is also a trend that Jon Kevan’s clients love.

“Not to be confused with ombre, rootdrag is a colouring technique which is used to create a faux root re-growth which is then blended into the midlength and end colour.”

Like ombre, rootdrag colour looks can be created in any hue: “Some clients play it safe with 86

natural shades - like a brown root combined with blonde ends - whereas others go for a really daring look, pairing blue and purple colours.”

And, to create their amazing colour looks, Jon Kevan uses Loreal Professional colours, as well as the brand’s incredible new product, Smartbond.

“Smartbond is L’Oreal Professional’s new smart ingredient that’s added to your colour to minimise any potential damage and protect your hair.”

Designed to protect the bonds deep within the hair and strengthen them during colouring and lightening processes, Smartbond leaves hair softer, stronger and shinier.

“The smart formula leaves hair with a smooth and luxurious feel and it’s perfect for anyone undergoing a colouring or lightening service.”

Of course every colour needs to be accompanied by a good cut and a great style.

“Whether it’s cutting long layers or styling a pixi cut, we love finding the perfect look for our clients,” adds Kevin.

So, whether you’re longing for a brand new colour look or maybe just a restyle, visit the Kingswinford-based hair salon today and make sure you turn some heads this autumn.

town & village life magazine | september/october 2016

We create beautiful looking hair L’Oréal Professionnel UK Salon.

Experts in hair colouring, cutting and styling for women, men and children.

To book an appointment please call 01384 273070 www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk www.jonkevan.co.uk

Open: Mon-Tue 9am-5pm, Wed 9am-8pm, Thu-Fri 9am-7pm, Sat 8am-4pm

You’ll find us at 18 Market Street, Kingswinford DY6 9JR 87

The Cross- Body bag is a continued favourite with its classic shape and functionality.

Vivienne Westwood £280

Michael Kors Cross Body £155 Ted Baker Cross Body £99

The Saddle Bag emerges as a key accessory style especially with the seventies vibe still being shown by a number of designers....

Michael Kors Saddle Bag £195

Michael Kors Saddle Bag £240

The Backpack is here to stay but think stud detail or croc effect to really stay ahead in the fashion stakes.

Ted Baker £189

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Michael Kors Rhea Bag £310

Armani Jeans £139

town & village life magazine | september/october 2016

The Bucket Bag for this season has been updated with colour or interesting textures.

Prepare for autumn 2016

Which bag will you be carrying next season?

Vivienne Westwood £235

With an expanding brand profile including Armani Jeans, Vivienne Westwood, Versace Jeans, Calvin Klein and Michael Kors there’s something for everyone to get excited about.

Vivienne Westwood £260

Ted Baker £159

www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

Visit Diffusion in Wolverhampton, Merry Hill Centre, Telford or Walsall, or online at diffusiononline.co.uk

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Dermaco Aesthetics

wins prestigious Clarins Gold Salon Award again!

Julie Pearce and Linda Emmerson, owners of The Beauty Rooms, have been awarded the Clarins Gold Salon of the Year Award – one of the highest national accolades in the beauty salon business – making this the second consecutive win for the team.

Last year, the dynamic duo were awarded the title for their Wall Heath salon and this year they have outdone themselves, scoring an impressive 100% on their test shop, making their Penn salon the 23rd Gold Salon to join the elite group of winners.

When asked about how it feels to have won such a prestigious award, Julie said, “I was overwhelmed to win a second time. It was especially lovely to be able to show Mandy Chamberlain, Clarins Sales Director, the luxury Massage Pedicure Chairs we invested in with last year’s prize money. This year we are investing it in our staff by taking everyone to Portugal for a weekend as a huge thank you for all their hard work and dedication.

I’m incredibly proud of The Beauty Rooms team. To have both salons win the title of Clarins Gold Salon of the Year is a dream come true.”

laser hair removal, as well as specialist treatments using the salon’s hi-tech beauty equipment:

Comcit Machine

Combining micro-current facial toning, crystal free microdermabrasion, LED light therapy, bio-lift skin combing and ultra-sound, the system offers clients a face lift without surgery.

“We offer a skin lift, ultimate skin lift, eye lift or jowl lift. Treatment times range between 30 minutes and 1 hour 15 minutes and we recommend 10 sessions for amazing results.”

Massage Pedicure Chairs

As the first salon in the West Midlands to introduce the Comcit machine, clients have come from afar to benefit from its amazing anti-ageing treatments.

The perfect way to relax and unwind - or enjoy a catch up with a friend -a pedicure at the salon is made extra special by a pair of luxury massage chairs.

“Comcit treats lines and wrinkles, ageing, lax skin, as well as sun damage, stretch marks and skin that’s acne prone or acne scarred,” says Julie.

“Clients can enjoy two treatments for the price of one when they book in for a pedicure at the salon, thanks to our amazing massage chairs” adds Julie.

Comcit Machine

DermaCo Aesthetics Machine

The Beauty Rooms Spa offer the best beauty treatments and are equipped with the latest technology.

There’s Shellac and Jessica nails, facials, massages, hot stones, body wraps, spray tans, spa treatments,

Massage Pedicure Chairs

TO CELEBRATE THEIR NATIONAL AWARD

‘CLARINS GOLD SALON WINNER’ *

20% off

Beauty Rooms are offering any one beauty treatment throughout September, October and November 2016 when this coupon is presented.

Terms & Conditions: *Valid for one treatment only during the offer period at both Wall Heath and Penn salons, one coupon per person, no photocopies, not to be used in conjunction with any other offers. Appointments subject to availability.

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town & village life magazine | september/october 2016

Clarins Gold Salon of the Year 2015.

GOL D

ER TN

Exclusive Offer

LON PA R SA

Restore your skin’s perfect balance with a Clarins luxury facial created exclusively for The Beauty Rooms Spa, Penn.

Don’t miss out, book this limited edition facial today for just £40. Plus, receive a pampering kit worth £29* at the end of your treatment.

Available from September - November 2016.

The Beauty Rooms, Wall Heath 7A High Street, Wall Heath West Midlands DY6 OHA Tel: 01384 353 735.

The Beauty Rooms, Penn 246A Warstones Rd, Penn Wolverhampton WV4 4LB Tel: 01902 620 000

Appointments subject to availability. All appointments to be booked and redeemed by 30 November 2016.

One gift per customer while stocks last. *Based on ml value of standard size products.

www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

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Accessories for

Autumn

By Helen Taylor

It’s not just your clothes that need updating this season, your accessories do too.

And there’s no better way to complete your autumnal look than with a brand new pair of shoes, a statement bag and some pretty pieces of jewellery.

Here are our favourite buys: Model Wears:

Dorothy Perkins

Black ankle boots £79 Grey ankle boots £75 Bowler bag £89 Leopard print ankle boots £75 Red ankle boots £75 Tote bag £145 Hat £28 Court shoes £59 Over the knee boots £135 Tote bag £85 Cross body bag £59 Leather gloves £16 Leopard print bag £139 Tote bag £149 Knee high boots £119 All J by Jasper Conran at Debenhams 92

town & village life magazine | september/october 2016

Aztec Print Scarf £35 Maisons de Nimes at House of Fraser

Handbags £39 All Dickins & Jones at House of Fraser

Feather Scarf £22 Accessorize

Shoes £140 Michael Kors at Diffusion

Handbag £310 Michael Kors at Diffusion

Handbag £179.99 Radley Bag £140 Michael Kors at Diffusion

Shoes £130 Michael Kors at Diffusion

Shoes £110 Michael Kors at Diffusion

Leather Gloves £49 Phase Eight

Handbag £340 Michael Kors at Diffussion

Bering Sapphire Glass Watch £179 exclusively at T.A. Henn, Wolverhampton

Ti Sento Jewellery from £25 at T.A. Henn, Wolverhampton www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

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Classy Rags Casual & Designer Wear

Mother of the Bride Hats Jewellery French & Italian Casual Designer Wear 94

Shoes Evening Weartown Fascinators Bags Accessories & village life magazine | september/october 2016

0121 434 3727 627 Bearwood Road, Smethwick, Birmingham B66 4BL

Classy Rags are offering Town & Village Life Magazine readers

15% OFF* Clothing and

10% OFF* Accessories

purchased when you present this advert during September and October 2016

www.classyragsbirmingham.co.uk www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

*Not valid against sale items, no photocopies and not in conjunction with any other offer

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Stretch Mark Reduction

that really works!

Unsightly stretch marks can appear anywhere on the body and they can often occur as a result of weight gain.

Stretch marks pose no health risk and don’t compromise your body’s ability to function healthily. They are most likely to appear in places where fat is stored, including the thighs, breasts, abdomen, upper arms and buttocks. Much of the blame for the appearance of stretch marks can be laid at your parent’s door; a significant factor when considering why one individual may have them and not another, is their inherited genes. Weight gain from pregnancy or dieting, loss of skin elasticity and good old fashioned ‘bad luck’ all play their part. However they arise, the effects of stretch marks on self-confidence can be immense and debilitating.

The Cottage Surgery - established in 1992, has over 20 years’ valuable experience in treating a variety of skin types with diverse problems, from acne and acne scarring to pigmentation and sun damage. They are at the forefront of innovative treatment methods and thoroughly test and monitor new programmes for efficacy and value for money.

They are proud to be able to offer a non-invasive treatment that effectively reduces the appearance of unsightly stretch marks.

Micro Needling Therapy (MNT) is a highly effective treatment which stimulates new collagen to form at a deep level; it is based on the skin’s natural ability to repair itself whenever it encounters 96

physical damage, such as cuts, burns and other abrasions.

Immediately after an injury to the skin, the body re-uses the damaged collagen and elastin fibres as well as other damaged skin components to produce new ones.

The concept of ‘Skin Needling’ or ‘Collagen Induction Therapy’, allows for controlled induction of this self-repair mechanism.

In turn, this re-models and tightens the skin, enhancing its architecture and improving overall skin appearance and texture.

The Cottage Surgery has perfected the use of (MNT) using the Clinical Dermaroller to reduce the appearance of stretch marks for many of its clients. These are the professional use only devices, not the short needle devices often imported and unregulated via China!

Dermaroller is a registered single-use medical device which is NOT available in salons or outlets without qualified staff.

The Clinical Dermaroller used at The Cottage Surgery contain 192 sterile scalpel sharp needles, each one being 1.5 mm long and set at an exact angle of 87.5°.

The rollers have been developed, to provide the maximum effect, with the minimum trauma, by

stimulating a wound healing response deep within the skin, generating type 3collagen without the risk of permanent scarring.

Micro Needling Therapy can also hugely improve acne or atrophic scars, facial and décolleté lines and wrinkles, sun-damaged skin and pigmentation. Even the backs of hands respond beautifully!

This has all been confirmed by independent clinical trials and provides an effective alternative to laser skin-resurfacing.

Topical anaesthetic is applied to minimise discomfort and treatment takes around 1 hour depending on the size of the area. In most cases, skin can tolerate mineral make-up application on the same day and normally settles within 2 to 3 days. The generation of new collagen begins 6 weeks after and continues for up to 6 months.

At The Cottage Surgery our objective is to provide effective anti-ageing and rejuvenation treatments at fair and affordable prices, under qualified supervision within an environment which is constantly monitored for its safety and efficacy of treatment.

To find out more information or to arrange a free consultation please call 01384 940488.

town & village life magazine | september/october 2016

The West Midlands’ Leading Cosmetic & Beauty Clinic The Cottage Surgery: • Established since 1992 • Professional, affordable treatments • Trained, certified staff who use state of the art technology

Anti-wrinkle injections

Before

15% OFF ALL TREATMENTS*

After

“I look & feel so much younger, yet haven’t had to break the bank!”

Shiela Graham , Dudley

Treatments Include…

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Acne & acne scarring Anti-ageing Anti-wrinkle injections Birth marks Chloasma Dermal fillers Electrolysis Laser hair removal Hyperhidrosis Tattoo removal Medical peels Melasma Microdermabrasion Non-surgical face lifts Pain relief Photo-rejuvenation Pigmentation Pigmented lesions/Liver spots /Sun spots/Age spots Port wine stains Rosacea Scarring Skin rejuvenation Skin tags Smoking cessation Sports injury Stretch marks Sun damage Telangiectasia Thread vein removal Verruca removal Wart removal Wrinkle reduction injections

Book Your Free Consultation Today Telephone: 01384 940488 • Email: enquiries@cottage-surgery.co.uk Website: www.cottage-surgery.co.uk * To gain 15% off any treatment, please book your treatment on or before 31st October 2016 and mention this advert.

Offer cannot be claimed alongside any other offer. www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk 97

Photo’s By Steve Fisher

Social Scene

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Belbroughton Primary School

1. David Whitehouse, Jane Whitehouse, Henriette Lamb, James Lamb.

The Belbroughton Midsummer Night Ball is a fabulous event which is held every two years within the grounds of the school.

4. Ken Perry, Simon Lyall, Ade Johnston, Mark Wickhan.

Over 160 guests attended the event, which included an evening of fine dining and dancing until late into the night.

7. Steve Broadrick, Karen Ward, Sue Horne, Mark Brice.

2. Deb Gascoyne (organiser), Nick Gascoyne.

3. Adrian Lewis, Claire Lewis (Organiser).

5. Abbey Hadley, Nicola Oakley.

6. Roger Tromans, Sue Tromans.

8. Archie Horne, Lynda Horne, Alexandra O’Toole, Darren O’Toole. town & village life magazine | september/october 2016

NEW FOR HIM

2016 image frommannersmakethman.com

Barbour Hat £35

Gucci Shades £240

Hudson Shoe £90

Vivienne Westwood Wallet £80

Vivienne Westwood Watch £240

Visit Diffusion in Wolverhampton, Merry Hill Shopping Centre, Telford or Walsall, or online at diffusiononline.co.uk

www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

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Get Active with

Active Seniors is a ‘not for profit’ Social Enterprise delivering exercise classes for anyone post – retirement who wants to become more physically active.

Active Seniors want to promote the role of physical activity in keeping older people fit and healthy both in body and mind, so why not ‘Get up and go’ to one of their classes at a venue near you.

Active Seniors is run by Kim Sproston and Angela Amphlett who are highly qualified exercise specialists with years of experience and are trained to deal with a range of health and mobility problems. Both are listed with the ‘Register of Exercise Professionals’ as level 4 Postural Stability Instructors and are also BACR IV trained (British Association of Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation). Exercise can be adapted to suit individuals and two instructors in class mean clients receive guidance and help to get the most out of the exercises.

Strength and Balance classes are particularly beneficial to those diagnosed with osteoporosis or for 100

those who have experienced a fall or deterioration in their balance, but are also suitable for anyone who is still active and wants to stay that way!

Classes are designed to increase flexibility, joint stability, balance, coordination, agility, muscular strength and cardiovascular endurance. The workout combines balance exercises and resistance (strength) training with plenty of friendly fun. There are classes to suit a range of abilities and some include elements of tai chi style movements to improve balance.

There are two classes at each venue – beginners and for the more able.

resistance balls. A chair is offered for support. Classes are suitable for people with controlled heart and lung conditions as well as people who just want to feel fitter in their retirement.

Tuesday mornings – Sedgley Community Centre DY5 2UE

Free taster sessions are available for all classes

Tuesday afternoons – Hagley Community Centre DY9 0NW

Ring Kim or Angela on 07512 546480 for more details and class times and to book your free taster class.

Wednesday afternoons – Nine Locks Community Centre, Brierley Hill (near Merry Hill) DY5 2UE Thursday mornings – Wall Heath Community Centre DY6 0JT

World Heart Day is the 29th September so why not try something NEW and give our ‘Happy Hearts’ classes a go?

Monday mornings - Nine Locks Community Centre, Brierley Hill (near Merry Hill) DY5 2UE Tuesday late afternoon - Hagley Community Centre DY9 0NW

Get active with Active Seniors and join one of our classes – we want to make it the very best hour of your day!

Our ‘Happy Hearts’ classes are great for people who wish to improve their cardiac heart health but prefer to do this indoors but away from the gym.

Increase your cardiovascular and muscular endurance in this standing group exercise and circuit workout.

Fitness and fun come together as you alternate non-impact aerobic exercise with upper-body strengthening exercises using hand-held weights, elastic tubing with handles and

Active Seniors is a ‘not for profit organisation’ T: 07512 546480

E: activeseniorsclass@gmail.com

www.facebook.com/activeseniorsclass/ town & village life magazine | september/october 2016

CHIROPODY & PODIATRY CLINICS HCPC/STATE REGISTERED

Tom Casey BSc (Hons), MCHS, SRCH Margaret Kennedy BSc (Hons), MCHS, SRCH Treatments for: Nails, callus, corns, verrucas Diabetic & arthritic feet Heel and forefoot pain Ingrown toenails & nail surgery Functional & biomechanical issues Conditions needing orthotics/insoles

• Friendly Personal Service • Medical Centre Facilities • Secure Parking • Disabled Access • Centrally located • Home Visits Available Presentations & talks are available to interested groups.

Tom Casey BSc (Hons), MCHS, SRCH Park Avenue Clinic 13a Park Avenue Wolverhampton WV1 4AH

For an appointment or to book a home visit please call Tom Casey:

07828 613165 or 01902 833426

Simply Confident, Simply Natural…

Creating beauty in every smile

NEW CLINIC NOW OPEN

Mrs Clarke had become used to having dentures that were worn out and restricted choices she made. We were able to provide new dentures that were better fitting as well as look good too. We offer a complimentary consultation in order to see how we can best give you the right smile.

Life is for living; don’t let your teeth limit you!

Dentures by Mr Peter Brookes DipCDT, GDC No: 124429

For an appointment or info brochure call 01902 664634 NEW CLINIC AT: 16-17 Roseville Precinct, Castle Street, Coseley WV14 9EP Also at: Parkdale Dental Clinic, 82 Tettenhall Road, Wolverhampton WV1 4TF More info at www.simplydentures.net or find us on facebook

www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

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CASH PLAN CEO

appointed a director of trade body

Kevin Rogers (Paycare)

The CEO of a Wolverhampton-based health cash plan provider is celebrating after being appointed to the Board of Directors of a national financial organisation.

Kevin Rogers, CEO at Paycare, has been named the latest member of the Board at the Association of Financial Mutuals – the trade body which represents mutual insurers, friendly societies and other financial mutual organisations across the country.

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explained Kevin. “I’m currently on the Board of a number of other organisations complimentary to our health cash plan industry, and I have the exciting opportunity here to share my knowledge and expertise with the Association of Financial Mutuals and their members, in addition to learning more about the methods they use within their own organisations and ways in which we can work together for the benefit of our policyholders and clients.”

Kevin has agreed a renewable one year term at the Association of Financial Mutuals and will take the responsibility for exploring ways in which member organisations can work together to ensure best practice across the sector and the delivery of the highest quality service to its clients UK-wide.

A qualified accountant and Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, Kevin joined Paycare as Operations Director in 2009 and was appointed CEO in 2013. Over the past seven years, Kevin has drawn upon his vast experience across the industry to implement process improvement strategies to help develop Paycare further and to ensure its team continues to deliver the highest level of service to its policyholders.

“I’m thrilled to have been appointed to the highly-experienced and diverse Board of Directors,”

“I’m very much looking forward to undertaking this role over the next three years and in working and

learning more about its current members, the opportunities and the challenges they face, and how we can work together even more effectively,” Kevin concluded.

Martin Shaw, Chief Executive of the Association of Financial Mutuals, commented: “The AFM Board and I very much welcome Kevin’s appointment to the Board.

Healthcare is an important and growing part of our sector, so it will be very valuable to have Kevin’s insight into that, as well as his wider contribution to sharing best practice across our membership.”

A well-respected and dedicated not-for-profit health cash plan provider, Paycare has helped individuals, families and businesses across the Black Country and Wolverhampton protect themselves against everyday healthcare costs and bills for over 140 years.

town & village life magazine | september/october 2016

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www.paycare.org 103

Higgs & Sons

Connected to the region and its people for over 140 years Higgs & Sons has been serving the needs of the Black Country and surrounding areas for over 140 years. Proud of its heritage as a family firm, Higgs is an award winning full service Midlands law firm, employing over 240 people, from its prestigious offices in Brierley Hill.

Bringing together specialists in many disciplines, we provide genuine value by striving to constantly think from your point of view, understanding your issues and responding to your particular needs. In this way, Higgs & Sons is able to make a real difference.

Proud of our reputation for consistently delivering exceptional standards of service, our team of legal experts take the time to understand your needs, whether an individual or business, in order to provide you with practical solutions, support and guidance.

Paul Hunt, Managing Partner

We offer an extensive range of services, including: corporate and commercial, regulatory, employment, residential and commercial property, dispute resolution, insolvency, private motoring and crime, personal injury and clinical negligence, family and private client.

“We are extremely proud of our Black Country roots and we enjoy a strong connection to the region in which we have always been based,” comments Paul Hunt, Managing Partner.

“Despite our continued growth we still retain the qualities that have stood us so well over the past 140 years. We are committed to developing long term relationships, taking the time to understand what it is our clients need and consistently providing it.

“Often, engaging the services of a solicitor means there may be a problem that needs to be resolved, whether that is a delicate family matter or a pressing business concern. We recognise the sensitivities involved. Our aim is to be proactive in protecting the well being and increasing the wealth of all of our clients.

“Ultimately we want to enjoy working with our clients and for our clients to enjoy working with us.”

If you would like to know more about how Higgs & Sons can help add value to your business or support you in your personal matters, then call 0345 111 5050 or go to www.higgsandsons.co.uk

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Wolverhampton West ad_218x140mm_v3.indd 1

www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

17/08/2016 23:36

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Carvers

Builders’ Village now booming Amazingly, no-one was hurt.

Thousands of pounds of stock and offices went up in flames and Managing Director Mr Carver was left surveying the scorched site. It was a defining time.

Having joined the family business in 1983, Mr Carver soon changed the fortunes of the loss-making concern.

He had worked in London for Travis Perkins and formerly Sandwell Perkins and experienced a “different way of management and marketing.”

“At that particular time in London there was a high focus on customer service and I brought it here [Carvers].

“I started by incentivising the sales people and we saw an increase in turnover year on year. I’d spent a long time getting it right and had put together a good team,” he says.

But… then came the fire.

It was so severe it smoldered for days and demolition work took six weeks before a temporary warehouse could be erected.

Mr Carver negotiated with the insurers that staff wages would be protected during the rebuild.

Seen with one of the bathroom displays is Henry Carver, who resurrected the family business

by John Nash

Out of the embers – ‘team effort’ paves bright new future If authenticity is a leadership trait, Henry Carver must have it in spades.

The visionary behind the Carvers Builders’ Village in Wolverhampton, he and his management team has quite literally raised the family business from the ashes, embracing 106

diversity and displaying strengths in previous areas of weakness.

The business runs through his veins and the pride in what his staff have achieved through harrowing times is transparently obvious.

On February 29th, 2012 the skies over the city turned black, trains stopped and roads were closed as one of the biggest blazes Wolverhampton had ever seen took hold.

It was a catastrophic event for Carvers – the result of a faulty boiler installation.

With a £10m insurance settlement on the cards, he could have pocketed a fortune and walked away.

“But I’d grown up with these people,” he recalls, “and by the time of the fire I’d got a great team of key people.

“It’s a funny thing… if you inherit something there are issues of custodianship and moral obligation. Besides, the key staff were excellent (many had become friends) and I had a team that could rebuild the company and wanted to succeed,” he says.

Responding to the doom-mongers of that time who maintained it could never be done and that he should quit, Mr Carver said there was “no question” of ever giving up.

town & village life magazine | september/october 2016

With a fresh commercial appetite combined with a driving obligation to re-employ his workforce, he set about rebuilding bigger and better.

fumes from the lorries, so we built a warehouse in two halves where the roof didn’t meet in the centre and the problem was solved,” he says.

His visionary management – the drive-thru for builders and allowing other trade businesses to operate franchises in the warehouse in areas where Carvers were weak – have helped yield a prolific increase in revenue.

The service is hugely efficient and allows people to drive right up to the shelves and get their vehicles loaded by Carvers’ staff.

The Carvers turnover in this financial year will top £32m – “a team effort,” he is quick to point out.

“We’d never done well with paints, so why not let someone like Dixons come here and have space and they have all that specialist knowledge too, the same is true about Tile Choice and Raytons Electrical.

“We also introduced a café near to the main entrance and it gets really busy for breakfasts – they do a good breakfast here and the customers love it,” he adds.

“Anything you can’t put under your arms like timbers, plasterboard and cement is available and with bar coding by the time they get to the other end to pay the invoices are ready,” Henry adds.

When it opened it was championed as the UK’s first proper drive-thru warehouse. Has it been a success?

One of the sales counter staff interjects: “The builders love it. It’s so much quicker than before.”

Adds Mr Carver: “That’s what builders want. To get in and out quickly.”

Within days of the fire Mr Carver was putting together plans for a builders’ village on the charred ground in Little’s Lane. A £6.0m development began in 2013 and after 21 months Carvers held a grand reopening.

For those looking for kitchens and bathrooms, there are generous display areas with options on budget and top-end elegance.

There’s also a rivals’ kitchen product station comparing cabinets, hinges and drawers.

“We’d looked around at the drivethru concept, but there was always something not quite right so we developed our own. They said it couldn’t be done because of the

“We want to create a place where a builder can come and get everything they require. If they want basic, we have it stocked, but if they desire top-end product, we have that too.”

Walking through the ‘village’ Mr Carver is clearly proud of what has been accomplished. Nearly 200 people are employed there.

“Our important staff are loyal; dedicated and our turnover of these kind of people is very low,” Mr Carver points out.

The business was started

by Mr Carver’s great, great grandfather in 1896.

As for the future?

“There’s a lot of pent up demand and I don’t believe Brexit will make much difference. Fundamentally there is a national shortage of housing in the UK and properties will always need maintenance,” he says.

A company with a generous social commitment, Mr Carver acknowledges Wolverhampton is a deprived city. “I’m not naïve, the priority is to make a profit every year, but when we’ve done that we try to give something back,” he says.

Recently the business pledged £75,000 over three years to The Way youth zone, a purpose-built facility for the city’s young people aged between eight to 19 and up to 25 for those with disabilities.

Carvers also sponsors the annual Carver Wolverhampton City Marathon which helps raise tens of thousands of pounds for local charities.

The builders’ drive-thru warehouse

www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

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Star Tech

By Rob Taylor

As I return from my local cinema, lost in awe and wonder at how the latest entry into the Star Trek canon compares to its illustrious forebears, I can’t help but draw comparisons to the car which I am driving home in: the new MercedesBenz E-Class.

Or perhaps I should rephrase: the car that is near-enough capable of driving me home and is itself tantamount to the Starship Enterprise: a living, breathing sci-fi scion of the Benz Family, now in its tenth generation.

The E-Class boasts, among myriad other features, Drive Pilot; which uses a camera and radar sensors to autonomously control acceleration, braking and even stopping without any input from the driver. There’s also Evasive Steering Assist, Pre-Safe Impulse Side, Remote Parking and Active Lane-change Assistant, which allows the driver to change lane as if by magic. Magic is the word; counterintuitive and scary are two others.

The new E-Class also extends Merc’s ‘car-to-X communication’ 108

smartphone and Cloud-based infrastructure, relaying info and warnings from further up the road, so it can predict the future too. Now we’re going seriously sci-fi. In fact, the amount of tech in this car beggars belief; I really do feel as though it ought to be writing its own review – and I’m confident that it could empirically demonstrate that it is superior to just about everything else on the road, save for an S-Class I suppose, but where’s the fun in that? After all it is man who must still – legally – master machine at all times.

Prices start at £35,935 for the E 220 d SE, which comes with an all-new four-cylinder 2.0-litre 195 bhp diesel engine that is capable of returning up to 72.4 mpg and 102 g/km of CO2. A 9-speed G-Tronic automatic gearbox is standard and on SE spec there’s most prominently: Garmin Map Pilot navigation system with 8.4-inch display; Parktronic parking sensors with reversing camera and a Park Pilot selfparking system; an autonomous emergency braking system; twozone automatic climate control; leather upholstery with heated front seats; LED headlights and tail-lights; electric folding mirrors and 17inch wheels. There’s also an AMG trim variant available if you prefer bigger wheels and a harder ride.

However, having said that, I’d be amazed if even then this car wouldn’t rank in the Top Ten Comfiest Cars on the market right now. Even when you are going after its promised 0-62 mph time of just 7.3 seconds the E-Class is nothing short of luxurious.

And as ever with all premium brands there’s a litany of luxury available in the options list too called – unimaginatively – Premium (£2,795) and Premium Plus (£3,895). I’d recommend the Air Body Control suspension system.

In the main though, I’m just too busy soaking up the cool and contemporary cabin to think of such fripperies. With soft-touch plastics, robust switchgear, cutting-edge tech, ambient mood lighting and leather upholstery, Mercedes has unsurprisingly nailed its bread and butter aspirations. The exterior profile is striking and quite handsome also, with its ‘coupe-esque’ lines.

The E-Class seems to celebrate the fact that while you can push this lardy leviathan to make it ‘handle’ in a preposterously incongruous eulogy to Top Gear, it would really rather prefer it if you didn’t and did instead just get on with enjoying the ride. I know that’s what I’ll be doing; onwards and into the future.

town & village life magazine | september/october 2016

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Education

and Schooling

by David Williams – Headmaster of Tettenhall College In the educational world we are also understandably motivated by making schools exciting and stimulating places to learn with fast-paced lessons designed to ensure that no pupil will ever be bored or switch off.

These are the lessons praised by inspection teams across the land as well as schools who provide a rich and varied programme of extracurricular activities ensuring that all lunchtimes and after-school sessions provide additional enrichment for our pupils. When choosing GCSE options pupils dismiss subjects as “boring” without perhaps pausing to think that most worthwhile endeavours in life require a degree of graft, repetition and tedium in order to gain success.

On return to school in September a common feeling expressed to me by parents is one of relief as long days and weeks no longer need to be filled as teachers and schools take over providing a sense of structure and purpose.

The enemy which rears its head in the summer holidays is of course boredom as children complain about having nothing to do where “what are we doing today?” often means “what have you organised for us today?” and invariably involve some form of expenditure. In the era of organised activities, sleepovers and play dates entertaining oneself can pose a challenge. As adults we often respond with disbelief when children say they have nothing to do despite possessing enough toys to open a shop. However there is a view that you should think twice before rescuing your child from boredom as minutes (or hours) of boredom may be just what’s needed to awaken their dormant powers of creativity.

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It is seen as a mark of progress that today’s society can be measured by how far we have come in eradicating boredom. Boredom is somehow equated with laziness or making the wrong choices. What’s the point of doing nothing or having nothing to do? Those of us of a certain age who remember the days before seven day a week trading, multiple TV channels and the internet and regale our children of stories of true boredom spent trying to entertain ourselves on never-ending rainy Sunday afternoons. As an adult we feel pleased that we now truly struggle to remember the last time we were bored as life is a swirl of activity and “purpose” with the opposite problem of never having enough time. Recent technological developments have contributed to the cause and mean that we now no longer need to be bored when travelling on a train or standing at a queue in the supermarket as our smart phones mean we can stay connected and sufficiently distracted. If there is nothing on TV then choose from an endless supply of films or programmes to be streamed or downloaded.

We therefore need to stop and embrace boredom as a necessity or even a luxury, something to prize and protect in a culture obsessed with business. This is reinforced by the idea that constant distraction outside of work could harm one’s ability to focus. Much in the same way that the impressive Olympians we have seen this summer must take care of their bodies outside of their training sessions (which can also be “boring”), one will struggle to achieve meaningful levels of concentration if you spend the rest of your time fleeing the slightest hint of boredom. When we realise that studying well requires mental fitness and that to perform at our peak our minds must be in fine mental shape.

Instead of thinking of empty time as something to be avoided, we should consider it as space for children to find out what they like and who they are. When forced to do so they will be creative in their play, maybe pick up that neglected book or just spend some time thinking.

This approach will then mean that us adults will not only save a bit of money but can perhaps free up some time for ourselves where we can learn how to be bored again!

You can now follow David on Twitter @tettcoll_head

town & village life magazine | september/october 2016

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Over-indulged this summer?

Let us help you get back on track!

South Staffordshire Council’s leisure centres are here to get you back on track with a great range of facilities on offer for all ages and abilities, which are sure to help you shed a few pounds and tone up.

The leisure centres are open 7 days a week and welcome everyone including non-members. You can simply pay as you go which allows you to use us as little or as often as you like. However if you are thinking of trying to get fitter and healthier and come fairly regularly, a membership may be your cheapest option!

The leisure centres offer affordable and flexible membership packages to suit everyone’s needs and budgets, with little commitment.

We have tailored our packages to try and meet our customer’s needs with a huge variety of options to think about.

• Discounts for students and apprentices • Discounts for people in receipt of benefits • Corporate packages and discounts • ‘Forward to Health’ scheme offering discounts for people with medical conditions • Personal Trainers available on request For more information contact your local south Staffordshire leisure centre to discuss what packages will best suit your needs and budget, or even pop in and have a look around!

October School Holiday Camp Coming Soon South Staffordshire Council’s leisure centres offer school holiday activity camps throughout every holiday. The camps are run by one of the UKs leading childcare providers, ’Fit for Sport’.

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Book your holiday activities at South Staffordshire Councils leisure centres by visiting:

www.fitforsport.co.uk or call 0845 456 3233

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town & village life magazine | september/october 2016

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INDEX OF ADVERTISERS Appliances Electrical & Gas Capital Appliances Geoff Hill Awnings Castle Blinds Love Your Blinds Bathrooms Brierley Hill Bathrooms Roman Bathrooms Wall Heath Bathrooms Beds & Bedroom Furniture Cousins Kashoff Beds Sofa Factory Outlet Woodrobes Beauticians Beauty Rooms Wollaston Beauty Clinic Beauty Clinic / Cosmetic Cottage Surgery Blinds - Curtains Castle Blinds Love your Blinds Total Sewing Val Hever Blinds Building & Maintenance Contractors Three Pines Builders Merchants Carvers Building Supplies Caravan Accessories Cannock Caravan Accessories Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning Zero Drytime Carpets – Supply & Fit ND Walters Virgo Catering Services Scratch Cooking Caterers Children’s Charity Promise Dreams Chiropody & Podiatry Tom Casey Conservatory Roofs August Home Improvements Dentistry Simply Dentures Total Implant Solutions

45 49 43 36 33 25 9 6/7 40 41 35 91 83 97 43 36 39 47 5 23 63 65 29 47 79 67 101 21 101 2

Education Tettenhall College 111 Entertainment & Leisure South Staffs Leisure 113 Estate Agents Berriman Eaton 14/15 Exercise Classes Active Seniors 100 Fashion - Retail Aristocats 85 Classy Rags 95 Diffusion 88/89/99 Fencing & Gates Profence 60 Fireplaces & Stoves Flaming Fires 29 Wolverhampton Fireplaces 39 Firewood Black Country Firewood 61 Floristry Supplies & Craft Products Country Baskets 73 Furniture & Furnishings Cousins 6/7 Kashoff Beds 40 Pargeters 19 Ralvern 37 Sofa Factory Outlet 41 Virgo 47 Galleries & Gift Shops Stourbridge Galleries 52 Garden Design Boningale 59 Gardening & Landscaping Boningale 59 Lealans Garden Centre 58 Gas Boiler Servicing Gas First 65 Glass & Hardware Specialists Tech Aluminium Systems 53 Haberdashery & Wool Total Sewing 39 Hairdressers Capelli 81 Jon Kevan 87 Health Care Cover Paycare 103 Home Improvements August Home Improvements 21

Hospices Compton Hospice 68 Hot Tubs Webbs of Wychbold 57 Independent Financial Advisers Midland Financial Services 10/11/109 Interior Designers Virgo 47 I.T. Media & Communications Concero 115 IT Support IT Techno-Phobes 63 Kitchens - Supply, Design & Fit Carvers Building Supplies 23 Intoto Kitchens 31 Roman Bathrooms 25 Lighting Lighting R Us 51 Painters & Decorators Dave Russon 62 Patrick Bellew 60 Photography Steve Fisher 78 Professional Party Planners Prince & Princess 78 Restaurants & Pubs Halfpenny Green Vineyards 69 Wombourne Tandoori 71 Rugs Frith Rugs 13 Solicitors Higgs & Sons 105 Tea Rooms Halfpenny Green Vineyards 69 Himley Hall 75 Theatres The Grand Theatre 116 Tiles & Interiors Tile Choice 27 Veterinary Services Blacks Vets 55 Vineyard & Craft Centre Halfpenny Green Vineyards 69 Wedding Venues Himley Hall

75 Windows & Conservatories August Home Improvements 21 Choice 17 Hayley Windows 9

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town & village life magazine | september/october 2016

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town & village life magazine | september/october 2016