Wolverhampton West Magazine - July 2019

Wolverhampton West Magazine Local Magazine delivered to 25,000 Selected Homes and Businesses*

■■ Everything for your

Home and Garden

■■ See who’s Out and About

in our Social Pages

Great Prizes to win!

■■ A 3 course meal for two

at The Oakley Arms

■■ Tickets to see Cabaret

at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre

■■ Tickets for The Cosford

Food Festival

■■ Tickets for Madness

or Jess Glynne at Wolverhampton Racecourse

July 2019

July 2019

Delivered to areas of: Tettenhall, Perton, Wightwick, Pattingham, Compton, Burnhill Green, Ackleton, Badger, Chesterton, Seisdon, Trysull, Claverley, Wombourne, Lower Penn, Worfield, Hilton & Albrighton

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wolverhampton west magazine

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CONTENTS

14-15 12 The local property market by Nick Berriman 16 Victory Painting Group 22 Recipe of the month 24 Wolverhampton Society of Artists 28 Wolverhampton Cricket Club 30 Wolverhampton West 41 Club 34 Crosswords & Puzzles 36 The Rotary Club of Wolverhampton 40 Grand Theatre Competition 52 Gardening with Ann Winwood 58 Carvers Wolverhampton Half Marathon Events 60/61 Paycare in the community 74/75 Grand Theatre 125th Birthday 76 Wolverhampton Racecourse Competition 78 A Summer of expectation for Halfpenny Green Wine Estate 80/81 Lyttelton Arms food review 86 Oakley Arms Competition 88 Clare’s Zipwire Challenge 92/93 Royston Blythe: Celebrating 30 years in business 102/103 Women’s fashion: summer holiday style 118-133 Social Scene 135 Local men unite in fight against Prostate Cancer 136 Golf Tip 140 Motoring: Volkswagen T-Cross 142 Mercedes-Benz A-Class The saloon reimagined 144 Answers to crosswords and puzzles 145 Index to advertisers 04

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74-75 wolverhampton west magazine

Congratulations to: Winners of the Grand Theatre competition to see Educating Rita Carol Hurley, Wombourne Janet Evans, Codsall Winners of the Premium wine tasting experience for 2 at Halfpenny Green Wine Estate Joan Stoneman, Perton Nicola Moule, Codsall

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102-103 78

118-133

80-81 Wolverhampton West Magazine Lytham Rd, Perton, Wolverhampton, WV6 7YY Tel: 01902 744217 www.wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk We gratefully acknowledge the support of businesses whose adverts appear in Wolverhampton West 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. Wolverhampton West 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 Wolverhampton West Magazine Ltd.

*Total distribution 25,000 copies across 2 months

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135 Advertising enquiries Gisella Wiley, Sales Director (sales@wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk) Editorial/What’s On information Geoff Hall, Editor (info@wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk) Magazine Design Studio 28 Design & Print (studio@s28.co.uk) 05

From the EDITOR

By now summer is either tailing off faster than sales on the British high street or soaring higher than Disney’s latest superhero film at the box office.

Needless to say, we’re hoping for the latter but preparing for the former: the bathroom cabinets at WW HQ are well-stocked with sunscreen as well as board (or should that be bored?) games.

Not knowing what we’re in for is exactly why we travel abroad for our holidays and whenever I come to pen my summer editor’s letter I wish for a crystal ball. Not just so I can forecast with unerring accuracy about when to leave the washing out but so I can provide you with an antidote to the perilous, political road ahead.

Rumours of a snap general election in the autumn and a second vote on Brexit loom large, but forget all that.

Like the Queen before Donald Trump’s recent state visit, I like to get all this stuff out of the way and over with as soon as possible. So, on to the good stuff! Here at Wolverhampton West we spend our days telling stories about the lighter side. On nearly every page of every magazine we publish, we commend and recommend restaurants, shops, businesses and people who represent the best and brightest in our community. And our local knowledge makes a world of difference to your world, or so we hope.

Top of the class in this edition is the newlyformed 41 Club, comprising ex-Round Table members with a charitable ethos. Watch out for regular updates in forthcoming issues.

Kevin Rogers, CEO of not-for-profit healthcare provider Paycare has seen his good deeds rewarded recently at Molineux. Carvers Wolverhampton Half Marathon is another stellar example of fundraising and community spirit at its finest, so be sure to get your kit on in support of it this September. In other news, 3 Hammers Golf Complex has been shining a light on another worthy cause in conjunction with Lancaster Jaguar Land Rover Wolverhampton.

And you can look further inside for even more charitable goodness.

This issue is also filled with ideas to help you plan your summer spectacular: be it abroad, indoors or out. You may not want to take a boat out on a lake (stormy waters ahead, as previously mentioned!) but you will want to splash around in the shallow end, whether for holidays at home or far away; beachwear fashion, if your idea of adventure involves looking at/ lounging in azure-blue water, or Hair and Beauty goodies from Deborah Mitchell and Royston Blythe.

Health and Wealth haven’t ducked under our radar either as we have plenty for you to digest from Tettenhall’s Nuffield Health Hospital and Cannock’s Midland Independent Financial Services. Keeping on the health kick and keeping fit at the same time are our articles on golf and Wolverhampton Lawn Tennis and Squash Club. And if all that exercise doesn’t shake off the requisite pounds then check out the Cambridge Diet.

But if living lean, clean and all that isn’t really your bag (I’m guilty on this one), then get stuck into our eatingout guide. Always succulent, juicy and full of just the right ingredients, it’ll whet your appetite faster than

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summer rain wets tennis at Wimbledon.

Our reviewer heartily recommends the Lyttelton Arms in Hagley.

After which it’s time to read all about Officlean’s 50 year celebration, Owen Payne’s 20th, Grand Theatre’s 125th birthday and celebrity hairdressers Royston Blythe’s 30th. Crikey! More birthdays there than even I have seen! Then put faces to names by looking out for some of the above in our bumper Social Scene section.

And look out for our fantastic competitions as well, so you too can be out on a night out with them.

All of which brings me neatly from going out to staying in. If it is home improvements you’re after – and who doesn’t want to banish daft ideas of DIY, cooked up during one too many barbecue beer-fests, and call in the professionals – see what our handpicked local experts and advertisers have to offer – for your home and garden.

Moving on to moving home… we’ve got the inside scoop on brand-new Bradeney Drive Retirement Village in Worfield and moving advice on the ever-moving markets from Nick Berriman of Berriman Eaton.

We’ve got almost everything in fact, minus the football. But don’t worry, by the time the next edition lands on your doormat the football season will be up and running. What a result!

See you in September...

Geoff wolverhampton west magazine

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11

The local

property market

by Nick Berriman

know the answer until we knew what Brexit would be. We still do not know at the time of writing but we can say that there has not been any noticeable effect so far. Perhaps some potential buyers have hesitated due to being nervous of the future but I suspect it has dragged on so long that people do not seem to be so concerned.

We are delighted that for the first time we are one of the main sponsors for the Carvers Wolverhampton Half Marathon Events.

This is an important local sporting occasion which we are very happy to support.

There was a saying that if America caught a cold then we had one soon after. We used to say the same about London. If they had good or bad times we reacted similarly within a few months. That is no longer the case as London is an entirely different market from the rest of the country and is affected by factors which do not apply to us.

We have been allocated the cycle and wheelchair events which seem appropriate as we consider ourselves to be big wheels in the local property scene! However, when people entrust us to sell their property we hope the process will be more like a sprint than a marathon!

What we do not know at the moment is whether our strong market is leading the way or whether we have not yet caught up with the quiet market now prevalent elsewhere. This is where the glass is half full or half empty and it separates the optimists from the pessimists!

Some of our staff claim to be in training and intend to enter. Not, I hasten to say, on a bike or wheelchair but as proper runners. Watch this space for how they prosper!

We do many Court valuations where assets have to be valued in divorce cases. Almost by definition where there is a divorce things are not all sweetness and light. We had one recently some distance away where the ex-husband and his new partner were disputing the need for the valuation and said they would make the inspection as difficult as possible. Our instructing solicitor was concerned that the

It seems to be very many months since I started discussing the possible effect of Brexit on the property market. I have said consistently that we would not 12

We have found that sales and instructions have continued at a very acceptable level.

Indeed during the last month we have received at least one sales instruction every working day. National commentators and surveys report a difficult market, worse in some places than others, but the West Midlands is said to be an area which has remained strong.

matter might become inflammatory and endeavoured to arrange police protection. Unfortunately the police did not arrive but said if there was an incident we should ring 999 and they would then come. This was not very reassuring and our solicitor instructed us to abort the mission until she obtained a court order to give us access. I wonder if any of our readers would have thought that type of situation formed part of the working day of an estate agent.

We also do many probate valuations. It used to be accepted that the probate value was a little discounted but HMRC now say it should be full market value. The reason is that there have been cases where a low value has been agreed and the required duty paid only for the property to be sold a little later for a higher sum. The balance of the duty would then be paid but the Revenue argue that they should have had the full amount at the beginning.

By the time this article is read our new Property Guide will have been published showcasing the size and strength of our business which has grown exponentially since both Caroline and David started their own firms almost thirty years ago. Many people reading this page will have helped that growth by employing us. To them our thanks and to everyone else there is always room for you!

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HOLLIES LODGE, HOLLIES LANE, PATTINGHAM A beautifully situated residence of enormous calibre standing in an outstanding setting with large, sweeping lawns, a beautifully matured and private frontage and far-reaching views to the side and rear and a total plot of approximately three quarters of an acre.

Porch, hall, dining room, drawing room, sitting room, garden room, breakfast kitchen, laundry, cloakroom, four bedroom suites all with en-suite shower/bathrooms, and the principal suite with a dressing room as well. Beautifully landscaped setting with sweeping driveway, triple garage, gardens, garden building and summerhouse. (EPC: E)

OFFERS AROUND ÂŁ975,000 VIEWING: Please contact the Tettenhall Office.

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www.berrimaneaton.co.uk 13

Your perfect new home Bradeney Retirement Village

Your retirement years should be spent doing the things that you enjoy most, whether that’s spending time with family and friends, indulging in your favourite hobby or simply taking pleasure in a slower pace of life.

Enabling over fifty-fives to live independently and enjoy real quality of life, the retirement village supports residents with as little or as much help as they require.

Underfloor heating, solar panels, high pressure water systems and features like oak joinery and fitted wardrobes serve to create a luxury feel.

Every bungalow is light, bright and airy and equipped with a modern kitchen that’s complete with in-built appliances and granite worktops, as well as a luxurious bathroom – which can be used as a wet room.

There’s everything readily available to make life easier too: Courtesy transport to take residents into Bridgnorth and a visiting hairdresser if you don’t fancy making a trip to the salon.

However you want to spend your time, you’ll find the perfect new home at Bradeney Drive Retirement Village.

The luxury development boasts a stunning location – situated amongst acres of unspoilt greenbelt land in Worfield – as well as fourteen high-specification new build bungalows that have been thoughtfully designed to meet every need.

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Each bungalow has two bedrooms with parking, electric chargers and low-maintenance outside space which can be transformed into a wonderful garden area depending on how green-fingered the new occupant is.

wolverhampton west magazine

For those who need more help though, professional nursing packages are available to provide the care you need in your own home.

“Our Pavilion is evolving as an integral part of everyday life in the village and it’s the setting for all sorts of group activities, making it the ideal meeting place for residents.”

As developer, Les Jones explains: “Everything at Bradeney has been designed with individuality in mind, we want residents to be able to personalise every aspect of their property and evolve with any ongoing needs.”

And, complete peace-of-mind is something which can be enjoyed by every resident – as well as their loved ones - at Bradeney.

“Each bungalow is equipped as standard with 24-hour emergency panic alarms, which if activated will ensure help is delivered quickly.”

The site is protected by CCTV and there’s a secure communal gated

In fact, the Pavilion hosts a growing range of facilities from art and yoga classes to live entertainment and resident’s family and friends are welcome to join in the fun.

entrance with security intercom.

“Residents can rest safe in the knowledge that their home is secure even if they’re away for long periods of time on holiday or visiting relatives.”

When it comes to the social aspect of life at Bradeney Drive, there’s always plenty going on.

“We’ve even got dedicated selfcontained accommodation for visitors wishing to stay with a Bradeney resident in our serviced hospitality suite,” adds Les. There really is everything on offer to make life amazing at Bradeney.

So, why not plan your move today and look forward to enjoying a brand-new lease of life?

To arrange a viewing contact Berriman Eaton, 22-23 Whitburn Street, Bridgnorth WV16 4QN. T: (01746) 766499 E: bridgnorth@berrimaneaton.co.uk

www.berrimaneaton.co.uk www.wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk

Jane and Les Jones 15

A new location has inspired artists:

Victory Annual Exhibition

Victory Painting Group is delighted to be hosting its 2019 annual art exhibition at its new permanent venue “The LYDIATE ROOM”, located within the beautiful grounds of Baggeridge Country Park.

The exhibition will take place during the August Bank Holiday weekend, (Saturday and Sunday 24th and 25th August from 11.00am to 4.30pm).

You are invited to come and browse the work of 32 members which this year includes work from three new members. Since last year’s exhibition, they have produced over 200 new works in a variety of mediums including watercolour, acrylics, oils, pastels, mixed media and many more.

The paintings cover many diverse subjects and are for sale at very reasonable prices.

Also, for sale are greetings cards printed from original paintings, produced by the club members.

Every year, they try to make the exhibition better than the last!!

The new venue allows them to display their work in a very open well-lit setting with much more space to move around.

The exhibition is on the first floor of the Lydiate Room, accessible by both lift and stairs.

Disabled parking is available on the road in front of the hall.

The catalogue and entrance to the exhibition is free. Refreshments and home-made cakes will be available.

As a keen group of painters, they meet weekly on Wednesdays and enjoy a day of painting and socialising. Throughout the year, visiting professional artists provide demonstrations.

Visitors are welcome to these demos for a small entrance fee.

Details of demonstration dates can be found on the website.

A raffle is held during the exhibition of work produced and donated by the professional artists during the demonstrations.

The Windmill - Mary Jones

They also display their work at several locations throughout the year: • Gravel Hill Doctors Surgery in Wombourne • Farmers and Friends café at Garden Village Shipley Our Land - Kath Wrigley

Arum Lily - Pauline Stockley

• The Springhill Pub and Restaurant, Warstones Road, Penn.

The new location for the exhibition “The LYDIATE ROOM” can be found off the A463 Wombourne to Sedgley road. Turn onto Brick Kiln Way and follow the road to the large car park. (DY3 4BE) Disabled access is available. A map can be found on the website.

Coral Bay - Mel Eddowes

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Easter Bunnies - Jean Clemson

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advertisement feature

Want to ensure your children receive an inheritance?

I have recently engaged with new clients whose priority was to ensure their children received an inheritance on their demise.

Their initial thoughts were to just gift the children some money as they had set aside ÂŁ100,000 however the difficulty with this is that should one of them go into care in the future, it could be deemed self-depravation so they decided against this option.

The fear now is that should one of them die and the remaining spouse goes into long term care, their savings and potentially the equity in their property could be eroded over time leaving the children with little or no inheritance.

So how can you protect your hard earned estate to ensure that your 18

family receive what you believe is rightfully theirs on your demise?

Firstly, and very easily you can protect 50% of your family residence by simply changing the ownership from joint tenants to tenants in common with each spouse owning 50%. You then create a property trust in your will, leaving your share of the property in trust to the children with the surviving spouse having a lifetime interest. This ensures that following the first death, if the remaining spouse goes into care, then their share of the property is protected.

Secondly, on this occasion as both parties are in good health and are aged 67 and 64 respectively, the money that they had earmarked for the children could be used in the following way: Invest ÂŁ100,000 into a discounted gift trust which, for estates in excess of the IHT allowance, gives an immediate reduction on the value of the estate.

From this investment you take

a 4% income that is utilised to fund the premiums on a whole of life second death life assurance policy written in trust for your beneficiaries.

This policy will, on second death depending on lifestyle, health, height and weight, pay out circa ÂŁ190,000 which would leave the children with the pay-out plus the residual fund from the initial investment.

This method can work for any size investment and for anyone with an inheritance tax liability it is a sure fire way of immediately reducing your IHT liability.

Are you a higher rate tax payer nearing retirement?

I meet with lots of new clients who are saving for retirement and for some reason they save into deposit accounts and cash or equity ISAs. This is all well and good however they are seriously missing out on wolverhampton west magazine

the tax savings you can make by contributing to a pension.

To give you an idea of the potential benefits of saving into a pension, if someone is earning £80,000 per annum and saves £16,800 of their net salary, if they were to contribute the same amount into their pension by means of salary exchange, the gross amount paid into the pension would be £28,000.

When they retire, assuming that they become basic rate tax payers, after tax the amount they would receive would be £23,800, an increase of £7,000 made purely by investing into a pension rather than taking as salary and paying the tax.

deemed tax free cash and the remainder falls within your personal allowance.

This is also ideal for anyone nearing retirement who has little or no retirement provision.

If any of the above ideas seem relevant to you or you would like to find out if there are ways to improve your financial situation please do not hesitate to contact us.

The initial meeting is at our expense and comes with no obligation.

You may think that you cannot afford to lose any of your salary however what I find is that most people have savings so you could utilise these to benefit from the tax uplift.

Basic rate tax payers retiring early If you are a basic rate tax payer and thinking of retiring early you can benefit in a similar way.

If you have savings you are allowed to pay into a pension the full amount of earned income in a year so for someone earning £16,000 per annum, if they were to pay in £12,800 then HMRC would give a tax credit of £3,200 leaving you with £16,000 invested.

Assuming you retire early and have no other income then the £16,000 would in effect be tax free as 25% is www.wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk

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

John Webb

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.

Midland Independent Financial Services is Authorised and Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

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www.midlandifa.co.uk 19

For the love of wood If you’ve had any building or renovation work done, you’ll be no stranger to skips and what can end up in them! Bricks, plasterboard, rubble and general junk, but also perfectly useable materials like wood, destined for landfill.

Hoping to get us all “doing good with waste wood” is a new community enterprise in Wolverhampton.

‘Wood Saints’ promises to save businesses money, create jobs for local people and give unwanted wood a new lease of life as shabby chic and rustic designer furniture.

Mick Moreton, Manager at Wood Saints explains how it works:

turned into firewood and kindling which is also for sale. This work enables us to create jobs, training and volunteering opportunities in wood recycling and retail.”

“We’re cheaper than a skip so construction firms pay us to remove wood from building sites. We take pallets, offcuts, scaffolding boards, floorboards and joists, which we sort, re-sell, or re-use to make products for sale. Wood that can’t be reused is

At the heart of the operation is a 10,000 sq. ft. warehouse, The Wood Depot on Dixon Street, a haven for wood lovers. Looking around it’s easy to see why TV presenter and upcycling entrepreneur, Jay Blades, has already given Wood Saints the thumbs up.

Inside is an inspiring space. There’s a timber yard and a carpenter’s workshop - all the furniture on display in the showroom is handmade onsite using reclaimed wood. An online store and made to order service is available too.

With so much wood to collect, sort, re-use and sell, there are opportunities for around 20 volunteers to get involved in the business this year.

Reclaimed timber furniture Handmade to order Rustic & industrial chic Dining tables • Coffee tables Bookcases • Sideboards Benches & more VISIT OUR SHOWROOM | Open Monday - Saturday The Wood Depot, Dixon Street, Wolverhampton WV2 2BX 01902 556683 www.woodsaints.com We’re on Facebook 20

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RECIPE Pork and Pineapple Kebabs

A nice take on sweet ‘n’ sour pork, suitable for the barbecue.

Preparation time: 20 minutes

• 1 Pepper (any colour), deseeded and cut into squares

COOKING TIME: 10-15 minutes

• Spanish onion, chopped into chunks

MAKES: 4

• Small bunch coriander, chopped (optional)

Ingredients

• To serve - Boiled rice or pitta pockets

• 400g Pork fillet • 4 tbsp Light muscovado sugar • 60ml Cider vinegar • 1 tsp Asian fish sauce 22

• ½ Small pineapple, peeled, cored and cut into chunks (or use ready prepped fresh pineapple, drained well)

Method 1. Cut the pork into cubes.

Heat the sugar and vinegar in a pan over a low heat until

the sugar melts. Add the fish sauce and cool. Tip in the pork and mix well so that all the cubes are covered in sauce.

2. Heat the barbecue, or a griddle pan or grill. Thread the pork and pineapple onto skewers, alternating pieces with the pepper and Spanish onion.

You can use whatever onions you have but Spanish are more delicate in flavour and sweeten nicely when grilled.

3. Barbecue or griddle the skewers for 3-4 mins each side (you may need to cook them for longer if griddling). Serve with rice or slide into pitta pockets. wolverhampton west magazine

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A year in the life of the

Wolverhampton Society of Artists and will also accommodate links to other communities in accord with the conditions of their Shared Heritage Grant.

Launching WSA Centenary, Keith Oram, President, Carol Widenbar, Chair with guest speaker, Brendan Flynn

Wolverhampton Society of Artists events are often launched with intriguing titles - from ‘Metamorphosis in Wolverhampton’ to ‘The Best of Times’ and the ‘Anonymous donor gifts cash prize to Art Society’ - all of which form a perfect backdrop for what promises to be their busiest and most memorable year yet.

And so, in celebration of their Centenary year they have organised a year of unique events: • May saw their first exhibition of new members’ art work at the Newhampton Arts Centre.

• A Commemorative Book featuring the art work of over a hundred members will be launched during the summer.

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event on the 12th and 13th of October when many local artists open up their studios to the public free of charge.

• The history of the Society is being archived; files to be lodged in the city archives.

In addition, there will be a series of community events funded by their Heritage Lottery Funding of £10,000.

• Throughout the year and in a variety of schools of all age groups they will be ‘Spreading the Love of Art’ as part of their ‘art books for schools’ programme. Their first visit was to Colton Hills Community School in March.

• In December Wolverhampton Art Gallery will host the Society’s Centenary Exhibition ‘Celebrating 100 Years’. Work by the Society’s’ historic alumni and a video of their public works distributed throughout the UK will be on show along with that of current members. There will also be costumed life drawing and talks throughout the exhibition.

• A further ‘Moment in Time’ will be recorded at an ‘Art Party’ in June where members will create a collective mosaic floor display of art work. This will be filmed and the video played at their Centenary Exhibition.

• A Centenary publication highlighting the contribution Wolverhampton artists have made over the years, which are a source of pride for the City, will be produced. This and the video of historic art works will be deposited in the gallery archive.

• Members of the public will be invited to their Open Studios

• The new WSA website is designed to be more interactive

The WSA has made a great contribution to the cultural history of this region for the last 100 years and is proud to continue doing so.

Indeed, their historic associations were consolidated in 2017 with the anonymous donation of a £100 art prize in memory of Elsie Holland: a Wulfrunian who, inspired by her socialist principles and being a stalwart member of the Workers Education Association, gave her time to promote the arts to the community of Wolverhampton.

This award will be given in all future exhibitions for art work in any medium, considered to be outstanding or highly commended.

This and the special events this year have inspired everyone with a great sense of belonging to something of unique value and something to be treasured. And as they welcome more new members into the Society, the Society wishes to thank members of the public for continuing to support the Society’s exhibitions and open-door events. www.wolverhamptonsocietyofartists.co.uk

Homed & Homeless by Linda Neville. The Elsie Holland Prize 2017

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Wolverhampton Cricket Club Helping Wolverhampton children to lead healthy, active lives, keep fit and develop strong characters through social engagement has never been more important in today’s climate of sedentary, isolating over-usage of technology and computer gaming.

Lucky for the City’s youngsters and their parents, they don’t have to go too far to enjoy inexpensive outdoor activities, which are not just great fun but also ways for children to learn discipline and construct pathways to achievement, in a safe environment within picturesque, well-kept green grounds that are the best in the county.

Holiday sports camps at familyoriented Wolverhampton Cricket Club, situated in the leafy suburb of Tettenhall, offer opportunities to develop knowledge, skills and personal qualities. The camps provide professional supervision along with first class mentoring by enthusiastic and caring members, who are also local and international legends giving back and re-investing their energy and resources, aiming to build a stronger and more diverse sports and social community, and motivating and developing the next generation of cricket stars.

Easter 2019 saw a very successful initiative following on from success in 2017, launched by two longserving and distinguished veterans of the 1st XI’s teams. Organiser Simon Lycett has played for 22 consecutive years since 1997, he captained the team for six years and was instrumental in driving them to victory at the National Knockout in 1999. Youth Coach Oliver Margetts has served the Club for over 30 years and sits on the Board as Junior Chairman. Both these local cricketing heroes now run the Under 9’s, U10’s and U11’s teams.

Simon said, “We launched this initiative to offer children coaching 28

Photo courtesy of Simon Lycett

and activities whilst providing parents the option of leaving their children in a safe environment with coaches and volunteer staff who they are familiar with. The word has spread throughout the borough amongst parents and schools and we welcome all children from across Wolverhampton.”

During the school holiday the groups’ numbers swelled by the day with happy children whose energy and enthusiasm was boundless.

These talented boys and girls, who were all well turned-out and expertly managed, clearly enjoyed their activities and have a respectful relationship with the coach. Parent Arti Kohli and his children are very grateful for the chance to do something positive and exciting.

He said, “The holiday camp is a perfect opportunity for beginners as well as those wanting to develop their skills further. My two sons play for the club and thoroughly enjoy themselves. They are always happy and feel very safe with the coaches, which is very important to me. Simon and Oliver are extremely dedicated to developing the children and deserve huge credit.

Besides their full-time jobs, they find time to provide training and organise matches. My boys see them both as mentors and have huge amounts of respect for them.”

‘Roll on summertime’, you can imagine the parents saying, when the extended sports camp

commences on 15th July, running until 30th August. Oliver says, “Early booking is encouraged as participant numbers are expected to be high…

“Prices are very competitive, with discounts available for extended and multiple bookings. Coming attractions include Hampshire born 1st XI hero Matthew Kleinveldt, who was integral to coaching at the summer camp in 2017. He returns from playing overseas to WCC this season to captain the 1st XI, very popular with the juniors he will also play a pivotal role in coaching at this year’s camp.

Coming from a famous cricketing family, he made his 1st Class debut with Western Province, South Africa in 2010. He will be joined by the girls’ coaches for what promises to be our best camp yet.”

Oliver continues, “For further information and bookings please contact Simon by telephone on 07875 588350, or by email to simon.lycett@ascotlloyd.co.uk.

We are also on Facebook at Wolverhampton Cricket Club where there is details of upcoming events and pictures from the Easter summer camp.” wolverhampton west magazine

As seen on...

DIY SOS

Exhibite d at Grand Designs Live Show

www.wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk

29

Having reached an age that meant they had to leave Wolverhampton Round Table, several of the Round Table members decided to form a new club to continue their association and Wolverhampton West 41 Club was born!

What are Round Tables and 41 Clubs? Round Table is an association that was created in 1927 and is, essentially, an environment for professional men to meet, socialise, network, have fun and raise money for charity.

Wolverhampton Round Table is one of the oldest in the world, being the 17th Club to form in an organisation that now boasts 35,000 members in 60 different countries.

And 41 Club? That became the association to continue the socialising, charitable work and fellowship once you were too old for Round Table!

Our new club, under the stewardship of Andy Timbrell as Chairman and the driving force behind its formation had its Charter Night on Thursday 16th March with a superb meal at The Mount Hotel in Tettenhall. At an excellent evening we were honoured to be joined by National 41 Club President Andrew Mackereth.

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Wo l v e r h a m p t o n

West 41 Club

What will we do? Our main aim is to concentrate on our joint priorities of continued fellowship and support of charitable causes.

Historically the members of the new club have a fine track record of money-raising – a notable year being 2013 when Wolverhampton Round Table raised over £30,000 for various worthy causes, with the main fundraiser being an ambitious Four Peaks Challenge in 48 Hours!

In our formation year, and bearing in mind our increased ages and waistlines, we will be taking things more sedately. Initial events are to include a clay pigeon shoot and a BBQ at a local farm, a wine tasting evening, archery in Tettenhall, pistol shooting in Aldersley, a visit to an ‘Escape Room’ and an evening of karting. Together with these events we will enjoy a fortnightly meal at The Mount – ‘business’ meetings where we can agree on future events and fundraising.

We are also looking forward to our Christmas Sleigh week.

Traditionally conducted by Wolverhampton Round Table it will be a joint event this year.

Visiting local schools and many areas within Perton, Pattingham and Codsall, it is always great fun and a good way to boost the coffers for charity!

Club Chairman, Andy Timbrell

As a very young club we are still finding our feet and I look forward to keeping you updated in the months to come about our progress and hopeful success. If anyone is interested in finding out more about what we do please feel free to contact me at nick.berriman@berrimaneaton.co.uk for a chat! wolverhampton west magazine

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35

The Rotary Club of Wolverhampton

Dragon Boat event makes a splash at Himley Great Lake

Hawkes Home Improvements - Third time winners of the major final

Sunday May 19th saw the Rotary Club of Wolverhampton hold its 19th Annual Dragon Boat Event at Himley Park.

27 teams took part in an action-packed, fun-filled day of racing down the Great Pool, with frantic paddling and more than the occasional splashing, entertaining the crowds.

Approximately 3,000 people filled the park with 400 paddlers making up the competing teams.

Each team selects a chosen good cause to raise funds for, by obtaining sponsorship with the total sums raised being split between that chosen charity, and the Rotary Clubs’ own charitable trust for further distribution.

Racing took place between 10.00am and 3.30pm when

Photobooth Hoppers - Winners of the trophy for recording the overall fastest time of the day

every team has three races against two other boats during the heats’ part of the day, always against different opposition, to find the 12 fastest boats.

Then the moment everyone waits for - to see if they are in the finals...

First came the Minor Final, to establish places 7 to 12, followed by the Major Final for the top 6 boats.

During the finals, each race with 6 boats with up to 15 team members paddling furiously towards the finish line. Both races were incredibly close with less than half a second separating the first three boats in the major final- almost a photo finish!

This year, the winners of the Minor Final were the Body Barn team raising funds for Severn Hospice and in the Major Final, for the third year running, receiving two trophies and all the bragging rights, the 2017 and 2018 champions-Joe Hawkes

There are 5 Rotary clubs in the city: Wolverhampton, Bilston and Wolverhampton West, Wednesfield, Tettenhall, and Wolverhampton St. Georges, each meeting at different times in the week. For details contact wolves.rotary@gmail.com

36

Home Improvements team, raising funds for The Sedgley Scorpions.

The award for the overall fastest run of the day went to the Photobooth Hoppers who were raising funds for Birmingham Children’s Hospital.

But it really is a huge ‘well done’ to everyone for taking the time and trouble to enter the event, raise the sponsorship, and risk a soaking- all to raise monies for good causes. And also, a huge thanks to all the visitors to Himley Park who came in huge numbers to enjoy not only the spectacle of Dragon Boat racing, but also all the other concessions at the park which help to make the day a really memorable one for all concerned.

In the previous 18 years, over £380,000 has been raised by this event - a truly enormous sum - all for good causes.

It really does put the fun into fundraising.

If you would like to see more of the action from the day, or to learn more about entering a team- see www.rotarydragonboats.co.uk or call Rotary Club member Mike Boyce on 07976 612276. wolverhampton west magazine

www.wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk

37

Peony Lane Interiors

C elebration

Andrea and Yuri Jacholnik, owners of Peony Lane Interiors, held an event in store to celebrate the launch of their website.

They wanted to give something back to all of their customers that have supported them since opening in September 2018.

Andrea said “It was a wonderful day seeing familiar and new faces. Graze from Bridgnorth supplied canapés and Prosecco for us to give out to our customers and there was 15% off everything in store. The event was a huge success and we were so thrilled with the turnout”.

Photographs courtesy of Andrews Creative

Andrea and Yuri Jacholnik

38

wolverhampton west magazine

Peony Lane Interiors

make your home look amazing Whatever your home interior style, you’ll find the perfect finishing touches to complete the look at Peony Lane Interiors.

Situated in the pretty village of Wombourne, the home interiors store is filled with all manner of beautiful buys which have been handpicked from innovative British brands and suppliers from across the world, as owner Andrea Jacholnik explains: “The brand reflects our passion and creativity for quality, contemporary design and timeless elegance. We want to bring our customers an extensive choice and that’s why we’ve teamed-up with so many diverse suppliers.”

Andrea is passionate about all things home interiors and opening her own store has been a lifelong dream.

“We hope that our customers enjoy our products as much as we have enjoyed sourcing them.”

The beautifully designed store sells furniture, lighting, soft furnishings, faux flowers, home fragrance, tableware, decorative pieces, as well as a selection of giftware. And, visitors don’t just benefit from the fabulous selection on offer; they can also enjoy plenty of inspiration when they pay a visit thanks to Peony Lane’s wonderful displays.

If you’re not able to make it to the store though, you can still treat yourself to something fabulous via Peony Lane’s brand new website.

“We’re absolutely delighted with our new website, which has been designed and built by the amazing web developers at Super Digital. Online you’ll find the same unique buys that are available in store,” adds Andrea.

And, there is certainly plenty to choose from.

So, why not treat yourself today and enjoy making your home look amazing with a trip to Peony Lane Interiors?

Open: Tuesday-Friday 10am-5pm, Saturday, 10am-4pm, closed Sunday & Monday

Furniture, Lighting, Faux FLowers, Vases, CandLe hoLders, deCoratiVe objeCts, soFt Furnishing, home FragranCe, tabLeware, giFtware

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1 orChard house, PLanks Lane, wombourne, wV5 9he

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peonylaneinteriors

www.peonylaneinteriors.co.uk 39

Grand Theatre COMPETITION

Photograph by Pamela Raith. Photograph features previous cast.

Bill Kenwright presents the multi-award-winning production of Kander and Ebb’s landmark musical, CABARET at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre and we have a pair of tickets to give away to the opening night on Tuesday 3 September!

Directed by National Theatre Artistic Director Rufus Norris, the production has enjoyed two smash hit West End runs at The Lyric and The Savoy theatres. CABARET features show-stopping choreography, dazzling costumes and iconic songs ‘Money Makes The World Go Round’, ‘Maybe This Time’, ‘Cabaret’ and more.

Since its Broadway premiere and the movie version with Liza Minnelli and Joel Grey, CABARET has won numerous stage and screen awards including 8 Oscars, 7 BAFTAs and 13 Tonys.

It’s 1931, Berlin is a haven of divine decadence and the legendary Sally Bowles is about to take to the stage at the infamous Kit Kat Klub…

To book tickets visit grandtheatre.co.uk, call 01902 42 92 12 or visit the Box Office in person.

Tickets are for the specified performance only and cannot be given for any other performance or production. Tickets have no monetary value.

To be in with a chance of winning simply answer the following question correctly and send on a postcard with your name, address and telephone number to Wolverhampton West Magazine, 1 Lytham Road, Perton WV6 7YY. Alternatively email your answer to info@wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk and include your details by Monday 12th August 2019.

In the 1972 movie version, which actress played the part of Sally Bowles?

A. Judy Garland

B. Liza Minnelli

C. Debbie Reynolds D. Ginger Rogers 40

Competition Terms and Conditions Entries to be received no later than Monday 12th August 2019. 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.

wolverhampton west magazine

Macrome Road, Claregate, Wolverhampton, WV6 9HD Salop Street, Wolverhampton, WV3 0RX Castle Street, Hadley, Telford, TF1 6GJ

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01902 752764 01902 429060 01952 257007

41

Sandhills goes back to nature

Ask parents about a Sandhills’ nursery in Wolverhampton or in the Midlands they will undoubtedly have heard of the well-established brand renowned for its highclass childcare provision.

Now the Reggio-inspired nursery is also gaining a reputation above and beyond for the way it has embraced its responsibility to the environment.

The £2.8 million nursery in Springhill Lane, Lower Penn was purposefully designed and built with an impressively small carbon footprint for a building large enough to accommodate all the children and staff.

The facility which offers nursery care for children from six weeks to five years of age is situated on the site of a disused barn on the edge of green belt land and was built to stringent new building regulations.

More than 90 per cent of its hot water and lighting is provided by solar panels on the roof whilst the nursery is also currently working on a programme to harvest and recycle rainwater. Everything is done to keep the building running efficiently and with as little impact as possible on the environment.

Even the resources the children play with are made of sustainable wood rather than plastic with many of the day to day fun items they use to play and learn made from recycled materials or natural products.

Nursery Manager Debbie Rides - who has 25 years experience in the nursery sector - said Sandhills is like no other on its ethos and its responsible approach to the environment.

She said staff were acutely aware that more and more parents were conscious of the environment in 2019 and that mums and dads were delighted to see this ethos being passed on to their children.

“The children and parents love our environmentally friendly facilities and our resources and what our ethos is.

‘The next phase is to complete our outside space which will have a Back To Nature theme.”

42

Debbie explained: “We are planning a woodland theme with a nature trail, camp fire and some natural play areas including climbing frames and balancing blocks made from discarded tree stumps. We are even planning a vegetable patch so the children can help to grow food we may one day serve for their lunch.”

She said additional plans included ideas to tempt local wildlife which is abundant in the area from bird feeders to bat houses and plants to attract butterflies and bees.

“Sandhills is such a progressive place and our ethos is already rubbing off on the children,” she said. “For example, rather than buying plastic toy kitchenware and fancy-dress clothes we are using real life objects and recycled material from charity shops. The children love playing with real crockery and we have noticed how involved they are in their play. They are actually amazingly responsible when playing with ‘grown up’ items.

These are exciting times for Sandhills Nursery which is still taking on new children. Contact Debbie on 01902 844450 for a tour and information. wolverhampton west magazine

New Nursery

NOW OPEN in Wolverhampton

We have other sites at Wombourne: 01902 326500 and

Double outstanding Nursery now relocated

01902 844450

Heath Mill: 01902 896317

Sandhills Day Nurseries are Rated Outstanding with Ofsted

www.sandhillsdaynursery.co.uk

www.wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk

sandhillswolverhampton@btconnect.com

43

Let us transform your outdoor space Able Facilities Services is a local family run business specialising in exterior cleaning and maintenance, landscaping services and the installation of artificial grass.

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Over the years, we have built a great customer base who continue to use us year on year. We really can transform the look of your property and outdoor areas. Now summer is on its way we all want our properties looking pristine and ready for those garden parties, or for simply sitting in the garden admiring the view.

can also apply a sealant to protect your driveway from dirt, weeds and moss growth, ensuring they stay looking new for longer, saving you from ongoing maintenance for many years to come. We remove moss, lichen, algae and dirt from roofs, bringing your property back to its former glory!

Our external cleaning services will restore the look of your driveways, patios, roofs and any other outdoor space back to their best using our professional pressure cleaning service. We clean and restore all types of driveways and patios including crete print, block paving, concrete, stone and tarmac. Once cleaned, we can apply a weed killer and re-sand. For the final touch, we

Able Greenscapes, our landscaping services division can completely transform the look of your garden ready for the summer! Whether it’s a full garden design and construction, Artificial Grass installation or garden maintenance‌ we can help!

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Potting Shed team

grows from strength to strength Below are a few testimonials we have received from satisfied clients: MandyE-4 Would recommend Hard working and helpful, the garden is looking the best it ever has since the team started visiting weekly over a year ago. Overall very happy with the service.

--MelissaY-7 Knowledgeable and Efficient Gardeners

After yet another successful season spent in the great outdoors owner Sarah Turnbull, of garden maintenance service The Potting Shed, gives us an update on her fledgling business.

Shed for your garden maintenance you’re guaranteed a reliable, friendly and professional service.

“The season has got off to a flying start. We’ve been inundated with enquires and so have had to expand our team. This will enable me to concentrate on providing even better customer service, to take on more planting projects and to be more available for more oneto-one consultations with existing, regular maintenance clients.

Look out for us on Facebook – www.facebook.com/ epottingsheduk/ , on our website or contact us below. And be sure to check out our newly-launched YouTube channel, where we will be posting informational videos to share expertise and provide inspiration for your gardens.

“Here at The Potting Shed we’ve a real passion for gardening and my team and I take great pride in treating all our clients’ gardens as our own. By choosing The Potting

“Each package is bespoke for every client’s needs, and applies to all gardens, big and small.

The process starts with a free consultation and a chat to see what you’d like to achieve within your garden and then we go from there.

“With an ever-growing portfolio of fabulous gardens and satisfied customers, the last three years have been great and we hope the success will continue,” adds Sarah.

Excellent service by the Potting Shed! The team are very reliable and knowledgeable. They work really hard tidying up the garden, whilst listening to your ideas and helping find solutions and suggesting ideas for planting etc. I also like how they worked with our garden and had a good understanding of what we wanted and respect of the plants and nature. I have been really impressed with what they achieved in our garden on both occasions. The garden was left immaculate, and garden rubbish taken away, an absolute breath of fresh air! Thank you Potting Shed.

--Sarah and her team have been taking care of my garden since June 2018 and I have been absolutely delighted with them. They are all extremely professional, but at the same time very personable and knowledgeable. They are always happy to do anything that is asked of them, but will also offer advice when needed. I can thoroughly recommend them! – Moyra Morton

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47

A SUMMER OF ENTERTAINMENT

- make your space comfortable and inviting

By Andi Way, Garden Designer at Boningale Garden Creations A comfortable and inviting space for socialising and dining with family and friends is nearly always at the top of our clients’ wish lists when we begin to plan a new garden design.

However, before we can start looking for the biggest and best BBQs, we need to consider the design and layout of the garden, and adapt the entertaining space accordingly.

Many homeowners want to “take the inside out”, so that there is a seamless flow between the interior and exterior parts of the property. This will influence the design and build process so it’s important to plan ahead, especially if you are contemplating changes such as knocking down an external wall and replacing it with bi-folding glass doors.

We also need to consider the placement of your seating area(s) at the planning and building stage; do you want to be able to accommodate a large table with chairs, lounge furniture, or both if space permits? Have you always wanted a fire-pit? What type and size of cooking / storage / cleaning facilities would you like, and what power sources do they

need? These are just some example questions that are likely to be asked at the planning stage.

Outdoor lighting will also need to be considered. Lighting can often be overlooked, but it can beautifully add to the ambience of a garden, enhance safety and extend the amount of time people have to make use of their outdoor space. The key to successful landscape lighting is flexibility.

For example, LED exterior spike lights, such as the Saxby Opaz Spike Light, or the Firstlight LED Spike Spot, are ideal as they can be easily moved to suit the changing seasons or accommodate planting growth.

We would also advise being selective with lighting because a little goes a long way. Decide on the area you want to light and what your key features are, and then focus on these. Lighting steps, walkways and focal points will add to the drama of a night garden (and use the darkness to conceal any less attractive areas). Consider wall lights such as the Astro Coach 100 if you’re gravitating towards modern sleek meets traditional, or the Astro Homefield Coastal Unique Brass if you’re looking to bring a touch of industrial chic to the outside of your home. Water features also look beautiful lit-up at night-time.

For further lighting inspiration, you can find out more about our trusted lighting suppliers, Lighting R Us, via their website: www.lightingrus.co.uk

For professional advice on how to create a warm and inviting garden, please visit www.boningale-garden-creations.co.uk or call me on 01902 376500.

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wolverhampton west magazine

www.wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk

49

The Fence Shop at Now that summer is here there’s never been a better time to tackle the DIY projects that you’ve been putting off.

Profence

And, if you’ve got a fencing job on your to-do list then you will be pleased to hear that you’ll find everything you’ll need at Wombourne-based fencing specialist, Profence.

With a brand-new dedicated retail space that’s equipped with fencing and gate accessories, fixings and fastenings and a selection of tools, every job is sure to be made easy.

As Owner, Shane explains: “We’re really excited about our new venture, The Fence Shop, that supplies everything domestic – and commercial – customers who are carrying out fencing work themselves will need.”

Shane Gamble, Nigel Dolan, Kate Scott, Andrew Scott

of each of our client’s individual needs. We offer timber panels, picket fencing, palisade fencing, trellis, metal railings, welded mesh fences and automated gates.”

And from their large on-site workshop the Profence team create bespoke pieces which meet all manner of individual requirements.

And aside from all of the essential buys there’s plenty of free expert advice on offer too.

“Manufacturing our own products means that we can offer those unique features like metal work detailing which provide a really stunning finish.”

“We know our trade inside and out and we’re more than happy to share our knowledge and experience with our customers.”

Automated gates are an increasingly popular choice for homeowners and Profence’s designs offer both style and security.

Of course, if you’d rather leave your fencing job to the professionals, the Profence team are always ready and waiting to undertake domestic and commercial jobs of all sizes.

“We can design all kinds of automated gates including attractive metal and wood-cladding styles.”

“We manufacture, supply and install a range of different products which meet the requirements

Working closely with a number of local authorities, Profence carry out work for various schools and colleges across the region: “We do jobs for Wolverhampton, Walsall, Cannock and Dudley Councils, which means that we are contracted to work on all manner of different institutions.”

Great care is taken at Profence to ensure that every product used has been sourced responsibly, as Kate Scott, Shane’s daughter and manager at Profence explains: “The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is an international network designed to promote responsible management of the world’s forests. It provides standard setting, trademark assurance and accreditation services for companies who are interested in responsible forestry.”

“We want to ensure that we’re doing our part in helping to protect forests, by sourcing wood that comes from sustainable sources.”

ProFence also hold Chain of Custody (COC) certification: “COC certification provides independent evidence that forest products originate from well-managed forests. It helps consumers and businesses make informed decisions about the timber products they buy.”

And that’s not all:

And, the entire Profence team work together to ensure that the chain of custody process runs smoothly.

“We work with all types of property and buildings, so whether you live on a housing estate or own a detached property we can help. We offer advice throughout the planning, design and installation stages to ensure that everything runs smoothly.”

“We only buy from companies that can supply FSC timber and we check that it has all of the correct paperwork when it arrives so that when our customers ask for FSC products we can ensure their delivery notes and invoices include our COC code.”

Shane employs 46 highly trained members of staff and places great emphasis on ensuring excellent customer service.

It’s values like these that set Profence apart from the competition.

“We offer free no-obligation quotations, guarantee all of our work and no payment is expected until the client is 50

entirely satisfied with the work carried out ,” adds Shane.

Whatever you’ve got in mind for your home, contact the team today to make your plans a reality and enjoy the excellent service ProFence has to offer. wolverhampton west magazine

ON SITE OP FENCE SH IN OPENING JULY 19

Manufacturers, Suppliers & Installers of all types of domestic and commercial fencing and gates.

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www.wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk

51

S u mmer G ardening

Tips are provided

by Ann Winwood, Lealans Garden Centre, Wolverhampton

Hopefully as we progress through the warmer months the weather will settle down.

After being warm, then cold and warm again during May, plants could do with a settled period of sunshine – with some rain at night of course.

As we move from June into July and August there’s still time to plant larger pots of Geraniums, Fuchsias, Cosmos and Dahlias to fill in any gaps in borders. Water to get established and feed on a weekly basis. Dead head regularly and you’ll have colour through to the first autumn frosts, which hopefully will be late starting.

Keep sowing or planting salad crops such as lettuce, spinach, spring onions and radish in the veg patch to get a continuous harvest. Use very fine netting to cover cabbages, cauliflowers, carrots and other particularly susceptible vegetables against flies, pigeons and butterflies.

Harvest peas and runner beans regularly whilst they are young and tender, freeze any spares for

home grown vegetables during the winter months. Keep beans and peas moist and spray over the foliage to encourage pods to set.

There’s plenty of choice in the herbaceous sections at the moment as well as the ever popular Lupins – there’s a large range of new Salvias, Monardas and Echinacea as well as Delphiniums and the butterfly loving Verbena bonanariensis and the ever popular perennial Geraniums.

Hostas are good for a shady spot with their coloured foliage, watch out for the slugs though, especially if the ground is damp.

Now is a good time to add new plants to your pond. There’s a good selection of marginal and deep water plants available. Keep marginals on a ledge at the edges

of the pool and not too deep – Iris, Caltha, Primulas and Bulrushes are all good examples. For the middle/ deeper parts of the pool water lilies are good and can give good protection for any fish you have in the pool. Most plants come ready planted in aquatic pots so just need placing into the pool. Don’t forget marginals need not be planted in the pool – if you have a damp, boggy area plants like Iris, Primulas and Lobelias will all grow happily.

For new potatoes in October, or at Christmas, plant seed potatoes in tubs in July and August. Growth will finish in October, leave the tubers in their pots until required for cooking.

Remember they’ll need frost protection once the winter frosts appear in November and December.

To complete another gardening cycle or start a new one depending on how you look at it the spring flowering bulbs will be appearing in Garden Centre’s from the end of August!

If you want Hyacinths in flower for Christmas, they must be planted and put into a dark cool place in September. Most varieties require an 8-10 week cool period followed by 2-3 weeks of warmer conditions to bring them into flower. Use a compost specifically for bulbs as it will contain charcoal to keep the soil sweet.

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wolverhampton west magazine

Bridgnorth Road, Shipley, Pattingham, Wolverhampton WV6 7EZ Tel 01902 700209

OPEN DAILY

Planted hanging baskets Wide selection of Herbaceous, Shrubs and Trees ready now Giftware, stone ornaments and bird baths always in stock

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LOCAL PLUMBING

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55

5 Tips for Choosing a Professional

C arpe t C l eaner

By Karen Campbell

Cheap is rarely best - however attractive saving a few quid might seem, the least expensive option might actually do more harm than good.

Companies that offer heavily discounted rates may use substandard cleaning products that could permanently damage your carpets. Price is important but it should not be number one on your list of questions to ask.

Know the Process - Cleaning services are all different so ask questions. How does each company go about their business? Some companies might use stronger detergents, while others might use more environmentally friendly options. How long will the drying time be? Knowing the exact process each company employs will help you to decide who to hire.

Do your research - Talk to friends and family. Check review sites and ask for recommendations on social media. The best services are found through word of mouth, so do the research and leverage your network for trustworthy recommendations.

Ask About Additional Services – You don’t want hidden surprises so make sure you know whether

UPHOLSTeRy CLeANING

CARPeT CLeANING

there will be extra services? And how much the company will charge for them? Will they move furniture if they need to? How will they manage difficult-toreach areas? Are they insured and registered? Are environmentally friendly products more expensive?

Keep it local if possible - a local carpet cleaning company will have a vested interest in keeping you happy. Local companies provide services for other local residents too, so it is in their best interest to offer a high-quality service at affordable costs to ensure customer retention.

DRY CARPET AND UPHOLSTERY CLEANING NO MORE WET CARPETS! • Thorough deep down clean • Ready to walk on immediately • 100% Green - 100% Clean - 100% Dry • No Shrinkage • Dust Mite and Allergen reduction • Commercial Cleaning undertaken • Fully Insured 7 DAy SeRvICe • Free quotations

TOUCH-DRY LTD

T: 01902 658543 M: 07929 011545 www.Touchdrycleaning.co.uk 56

wolverhampton west magazine

Sales & Repair of all domestic appliances: Washing Machines, Tumble Dryers Dishwashers, Cookers and much more !

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• Gas boilers fixed and installed • Gas hobs/cookers • Gas fires • Gas appliance servicing • Landlord certificates • Plumbing problems • Leaks • Power flushing

Fast reliable service at competitive prices Call Jamie on: 07931 752038 or 01902 758073 Email: Jbheatinginwolverhampton.co.uk 8 Cunningham Road, Perton, Wolverhampton WV6 7XJ www.wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk

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CarverS Wolverhampton

Half Marathon Events Entries are coming in daily for the annual Carvers Half Marathon Events.

The organisers are busy checking the course and preparing for Sunday 1st September.

For those new to running there are easy to follow training programmes on our website and advice can be sought from Wolverhampton & Bilston Athletics Club. www.wolvesandbiltonac.co.uk The alterations made last year to the 20K cycle event were very well received and the 10K cycle event follows the same route as the Banks’s 10K. Hugh Porter and his team of experienced cyclists are happy with the safer course, with new signage, and continue to manage the logistics of the cycling

events. Another change this year is the sponsor. Race Director Mary Harding is delighted to welcome Berriman Eaton on board to sponsor the cycling events.

This year we are introducing the half marathon relay to the events.

This will consist of teams of four runners, who can both be male and female, who will each run

a section of the half marathon route. It is designed to attract those who find the half marathon distance too much. The organisers were delighted when Paycare agreed to become sponsor of the Half Marathon Relay.

The Grand Theatre are now sponsors of the Children’s Mini Marathon and Banks’s continued Sponsorship of the 10K run is most welcome. Carvers of course are Sponsors of the Half Marathon.

We are grateful to all our Sponsors, who see the importance of being involved with such a big community event in our city.

We need lots of people to come out and take part and support this event. All entry fees go to our nominated charities. This year we will be supporting Compton Care, Wulfrun Hospital Radio, PDSA Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton East District Scouts and The Mayoral Charity Fund.

Sunday 1st September, starting and finishing at West Park.

Information about the charities and the amazing work they do in the community can be found on our website www.carverwolverhamptonhalfmarathonevents.co.uk 58

wolverhampton west magazine

K E E P F I T • H E L P R A I S E M O N E Y • H AV E F U N !

15

HALF MARATHON RELAY

CHILDREN’S MINIMARATHON

PROPERTY SPECIALISTS

CYCLE & WHEELCHAIR EVENTS

10K RUN HALF MARATHON 25

SUNDAY 1 ST SEPTEMBER 2019 GREAT FUNDRAISING OPPORTUNITY CHOOSE YOUR OWN CHARITY OR DONATE TO OUR NOMINATED CHARITIES: COMPTON CARE WULFRUN HOSPITAL RADIO PDSA WOLVERHAMPTON BILSTON EAST DISTRICT SCOUTS MAYORAL CHARITY FUND

VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR MORE INFORMATION:

WOLVERHAMPTONMARATHONEVENTS.CO.UK OR CALL 01902 577000 IF YOU HAVE ANY QUERIES

www.wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk

59

PAYCARE IN THE COMMUNITY

Zip Wire for Stephen

Calling all thrill SeekerS! Jane, a Teenage Cancer Trust ambassador who has pledged to continue Stephen’s amazing charitable work, said: “Stephen always emphasised that there should be ‘fun’ in ‘fundraising’, so I’d encourage anyone interested in helping us continue his incredible legacy by signing up to take part in the Zip Wire for Stephen.

“In doing so, you’ll be part of a Guinness World Record attempt and, most importantly, help Teenage Cancer Trust continue to reach even more young people diagnosed with cancer.”

The proud and passionate mum of Stephen Sutton — who raised a staggering £6million for Teenage Cancer Trust — is encouraging people to help set a new Guinness World Record and celebrate the life of Stephen, who lost his battle with cancer five years ago this May. Jane Sutton is working with Teenage Cancer Trust, of which her son was an ambassador and huge fundraiser, to organise an event with a difference to help break a world record for the most money raised for a charity through a zip wire event, and raise vital funds for young people with cancer.

The minimum age to take part is 10 years old, and those between the ages of 10 and 17 must be accompanied by an adult. Weight restrictions also apply — a minimum of 30kg and maximum 120kg, and a minimum height of 4ft and maximum of 7ft.

A special reduced registration rate of £65 is available until 15th July, then £89 which is payable when signing up for the challenge. A minimum of £120 in sponsorship must be raised per person.

To register for the event, please call Zip World on 01248 601444 and quote Ste46.

Or for more information, please visit www.teenagecancertrust.org/zipwireforstephen

get Your Jog on!

Tickets are still on sale to take part in the Wolverhampton Marathon on 1st September — so put on your running shoes!

As a leading supporter of the marathon, Paycare is urging as many people as possible to get involved in what is set to be the biggest and best event to date with a number of dedicated events to choose from including the relay race, children’s mini marathon, and cycling and wheelchair races.

Thousands are set to join in on the fun and help raise money for four chosen charities — Compton Care, Scouts Wolverhampton East, the PDSA and Radio Wulfrun.

Kevin Rogers, CEO of Paycare — which is also the main sponsor of the relay race — explained: “Whether a seasoned runner or a complete beginner, the Wolverhampton Marathon is open to absolutely everyone and

we’d encourage those interested in joining the fun to purchase their tickets online.”

For more information, or to register to take part in the marathon, please visit www.wolverhamptonmarathonevents.co.uk

For more information, or to register to take part in the marathon, please visit www.wolverhamptonmarathonevents.co.uk

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wolverhampton west magazine

JULY/AUGUST, 2019

an ‘ama-Zon’ miSSion

for midlandS air ambulanCe CharitY donations to operate its helicopters and facilities across various counties in the Midlands. To help her reach and exceed her target, please visit www.justgiving.com/ fundraising/paycare - every penny counts!

Emily’s bed for the week!

Emily Glew, Marketing and Partnerships Manager at Paycare, has safely returned home from the Amazon after trekking its forest, canoeing down its winding rivers and camping in the wild.

Her target was to raise £6,000 for Midlands Air Ambulance Charity, which relies on

Emily and the team enjoying the last day in camp before saying farewell to local guides

oarS aWaY at himleY! a staple event in our diary over the last few years and we’ve raised over £3,000 during this time, a figure we hope to grow with more events in coming years.”

The Paycare Pirates entered the Dragon Boat Race at Himley Hall on Sunday 19th May, raising over £660 (and counting) which is to be split between two local charities — The Rotary Club of Wolverhampton and Bliss.

The Rotary Club of Wolverhampton is one of Great Britain’s oldest clubs established in 1921, and brings together people from across the community to help those in need. Its Dragon Boat Challenge has run for over 16 years and has raised over £340,000. For more information, please visit www. rotaryclubwolverhampton.co.uk

John Page of Paycare, said: “It was a great chance to get everyone together and even though we placed 12th out of 29 teams, we managed to exceed our target of £600 which was fantastic. The Dragon Boat Race has been

Bliss is a charity which works to improve the chance of survival and improve the quality of life for babies born sick or premature, as well as provide support to parents.

For more information, please visit www.bliss.org.uk

Members of the Paycare team took to the waters in their latest team initiative to raise money for charity.

www.twitter.com/MyPaycare/

www.facebook.com/MyPaycare/

www.wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk

www.linkedin.com/company/paycare/ 61

A new perspective

Using the latest in drone technology Wolverhampton-based aerial photography experts, iSky Media, enable their clients to see the world from a whole new viewpoint.

assess issues at their property, saving hundreds of pounds and time in the process.

Whether it’s providing a different perspective for a special event, capturing breath-taking footage of a treasured classic car or offering an up-close-and-personal look at difficult to reach places (chimneys, roofs etc). iSky’s drones are so versatile that any aerial view is possible.

And, homeowners have been delighted with the cost-effective and efficient service too.

As company director, Daniel Parton explains: “We’re Civil Aviation Authority accredited and fully insured for the commercial flight of drones.”

For those selling their property, iSky can turn footage into premium promotional video.

Offering a professional and highly efficient service, the iSky team are able to fly their drones to most locations and capture footage quickly and effectively, providing clients – which include housing associations, architects and estate agents and the general public – with all the material they need in either photo or video form.

“Our drones are regularly employed to inspect hard-to-reach areas of buildings, like chimneys and roofs, because they eliminate the need for costly scaffolding as well as reducing time scales.”

Both domestic and commercial clients alike have used iSky’s drones to diagnose and

“We were asked to use our drones to capture footage of Wolverhampton’s St John’s Church recently, we arrived on-site in the morning and had all the footage required ready to deliver within hours.”

“Our property and land surveys provide an indepth look at any location you may be considering purchasing, or that you already own, to give you a viewpoint that allows you to see it from every angle.”

Of course, the drones can be used for creative projects too and are perfect for a special event.

“We can provide raw footage or edit it to create a unique piece of media that’ll capture the magic from a different perspective.” iSky’s aerial video and photography is just what you need for getting some amazing shots of your pride and joy, whether that’s your property, car or boat and makes an ideal gift for any occasion.

“Automotive and marine photography is a real passion of ours and we’ve captured footage that showcases the beauty of all sorts of vehicles for our clients. We’ve made videos that are specifically designed for selling a vehicle too,” adds Daniel.

Whatever you’ve got in mind, let the professionals at iSky provide you with a brand new perspective.

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iSky Media Limited www.iskymedialtd.co.uk daniel@iskymedialtd.co.uk For further details please call Daniel 01902 421764 or 07809 419290 wolverhampton west magazine

Owen Payne

Celebrating 20 years of suCCess Owen Payne has been leading the way in the recruitment industry for almost two decades thanks to the company’s dedicated approach to making the ideal match between employer and candidate.

As owner, Lisa Lovell explains: “We’re absolutely delighted to be celebrating 20 years’ in business this November and we’re incredibly proud of all that we’ve achieved so far.”

When she first started out in the recruitment industry, Lisa was just 20 years old but it wasn’t long before she established her company, which now employs 18 staff members across two locations in Wolverhampton and West Bromwich.

“When Owen Payne was first established I was working with a business partner but after seven years we decided to go our separate ways and I continued to run the business alone, until I took on Director, Clare Yorke in 2010 who has played an integral role in helping me to grow the company and take it from strength to strength.”

Lisa’s success has undoubtedly come from her dedication, hard work and drive, which has seen the company flourish

despite difficult economic times, including 2008’s recession.

“I’ve kept my head down and worked hard over the years and my focus for Owen Payne has always been to do the right thing for both our candidates and businesses.”

And, it’s this approach which has really set the business apart from others in an industry where all too often agencies fail to deliver.

“We work to incredibly high standards to try to ensure that we meet the needs of everyone that we work with.”

Originally based in Darlington Street, Owen Payne moved to its new Waterloo Road location in 2017 and, from their well-appointed office space the team works with businesses looking to employ workers in specialist employment divisions which incorporate industrial, commercial, skilled and technical, driving and catering sectors.

Keen to meet the demands of their clients, Lisa and Clare established their West Bromwich branch in 2014: “We opened our second location to meet with demand from employers in that area. We always do what’s required to meet our client’s requirements!”, Explains Clare.

www.owenpayne.co.uk

In fact, Owen Payne has placed thousands of candidates in both temporary and permanent roles across the Black Country over the years.

www.wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk

“Our business changes according to our contracts and we’re always keen to adapt. We’re the sole supplier of candidates to a number of prestigious businesses across the black country and we’re currently moving into different niche employment markets and expanding into different geographical areas across the country.”

When they’re not busy with recruitment the Owen Payne team is always keen to get involved with raising money for a good cause.

“We’ve taken part in lots of fundraising events over the years to help charities like Compton Care, St Mary’s Hospice, The Haven and Macmillan,” adds Clare.

So, whether you’re looking for the ideal candidate or a new job, you can trust the Owen Payne team to find your perfect match.

Wolverhampton office 28 Waterloo Rd, Wolverhampton WV1 4BL

Tel: 01902 714122

West Bromwich office 290-292 Victoria House, High St, West Bromwich B70 8EN

Tel: 0121 500 6132

Providing staffing solutions for Industrial / Commercial / driving / skilled & technical / onsite specialists 63

ADVERTORIAL

MAKING A CLEAN SWEEP FOR

50

YEARS… During fifty years of trading OFFICLEAN has been at the forefront of the commercial cleaning industry throughout the Midlands and beyond.

This privately-owned company was founded by Pamela Jones in 1969 and now has around 700 employees.

gar and Pamela

bery, Veronica Seg

June Tolley, Pat Ban

Jones.

Starting a business all those years ago was exceedingly difficult at a time when it was ‘A Man’s World’. At the beginning Pamela had no idea how tough it would be, but with two small children entirely dependent on her, there was no alternative. With the support of her parents ‘K.T. Cleaning Services’ was launched from a small office located in her home town of Stourbridge.

The responsibility was enormous, but by working long hours contracts were gained and soon a move to larger premises became essential.

Cleaning Services Provided: • OFFICE CLEANING • INDUSTRIAL CLEANING • FACTORY CLEANING • WAREHOUSE CLEANING

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A new three-storey office block became available in Wombourne and Pamela rented one of the offices and a garage to store materials and equipment.

Veronica Seggar and Pat Banbery were recruited and they became her ‘rock’. As the business grew it expanded to occupy the entire office block and OFFICLEAN Limited was formed. These premises remain the company’s HQ to the present day.

Three ladies in business was unusual in 1969 but they were the foundation of the business of today, now with a turnover approaching five million. During this time the company has attracted a diverse range of industries within a 100-mile radius of its HQ. The company has an extensive client base and some of the major clients that have been using the services of OFFICLEAN include, Alternative Parcels Company Ltd., Dudley Building Society, Groupo Antolin, Gymshark, Hillview Medical Centre, Thomas Dudley Ltd., Voestalpine Metsec Ltd. The company ethos is “quality and service without compromise”, a culture which permeates throughout the organisation.

OFFICLEAN operates as a team and recognises the value of each person in the team as they stand or fall on the quality of their work.

The success of the company is in their hands. Pamela greatly values her loyal staff with many working in the company for over 25 years - a true testament to the positive OFFICLEAN culture.

Pamela Jones and Team OFFICLEAN celebrating BS 5750 Certificates, presented by the Chief Executive of Wolverhampton Chamber of Commerce in 1992.

Management personnel occupy a crucial role in ensuring best practice and that customer satisfaction levels are kept high by motivating staff and monitoring results. OFFICLEAN’s Managers are seasoned professionals who have risen through the ranks and understand the business whilst acknowledging the company’s ethos of high quality service.

Anita organised a special party for Pamela in celebration of fifty years in business. It provided her with an opportunity to thank ‘Team OFFICLEAN’ for their contribution in building the successful business of today.

From her home in the Pattingham area, Pamela continues to keep a keen eye on the day to day running of her business.

The Senior Management Team is expertly led by Managing Director Anita Lyons who has a wealth of experience gained during her 25 years of service. OFFICLEAN offers a unique, superior service underpinned by dedicated staff.

Quality Management Systems are validated regularly by The British Institute of Cleaning Science and UK’s National Accreditation Body, UKAS. Their accreditation and award of ISO 9001 demonstrates that the highest industrial practices and standards have been achieved and are adhered to.

OFFICLEAN Ltd. Knightsford House, Church Rd, Wombourne, Wolverhampton WV5 9EX

www.wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk

www.officlean.co.uk Email: enquiries@officlean.co.uk Tel: 01902 895533 Fax: 01902 896208

65

C ann o ck

Caravan Accessories

helping you enjoy the great outdoors

If you’re looking forward to taking your caravan out on the open road this summer, then you’ll need to pay a visit to Cannock Caravan Accessories first.

Stocking everything caravanners could possibly need – as well as plenty for motorhome owners and campers too - the independent family-run business supplies customers with an impressive range of products from industry-leading brands.

The Team explains: “Caravanning and camping is as popular as it’s ever been as more and more people want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and seek out an adventure – or maybe just some peace and quiet - in the great outdoors.

And Cannock Caravan Accessories can provide clients with all those essential – and luxury – items that’ll make their trip complete.

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“We’ve got an enormous range of products on sale at our 12,000sq ft store. Our caravan accessory ranges include everything from gas fittings, electric equipment and lighting to TVs, barbeques, homewares and even solar panels.”

Motorhome ranges include storage solutions, mirror guards, bike carriers and Fiamma/Thule products.

Of course, there’s all-manner of spare parts for caravans and motorhomes too.

There’s also an impressive selection of awnings from leading brands like Isabella, Kampa, Dorema, Vango and Ventura.

“Full awnings, inflatable awnings, porch awnings and motorhome awnings are all available at our store (over 30 on display).”

And when it comes to camping, there’s plenty to choose from as well: “You’ll find everything you need for a camping trip, apart from the tent!”

With more than 43 years of experience in the industry

the team have worked hard to bring their customers the finest selection of caravanning and camping accessories.

“We pride ourselves on the excellent customer service that we offer. We are a friendly team, knowledgeable and always on-hand to offer advice.”

The company has built an excellent reputation based on the excellent service and topquality products that they offer.

And you don’t have to just visit the store to benefit because we have a website that you browse around too www. cannockcaravanaccessories.co.uk “Any website queries are dealt with by all members of the team in store - who can be contacted by telephone - and our online customers can also email our different departments directly.”

So, whether you’re a seasoned caravanner or maybe just caravan curious, why not visit Cannock Caravan Accessories and start planning your getaway this summer? wolverhampton west magazine

www.wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk

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Specialising in wedding receptions (over 25 years’ experience) We provide online tools, video screen and photography during the evening.

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wolverhampton west magazine

Things to do this summer at

Penkridge Market

If you’re looking for ways to keep the kids entertained or simply a day out over the weekend, Penkridge Market has put together a host of interesting events to keep you busy this summer.

There will be a number of events and specialist markets, as well as the regular traditional stall markets, every Wednesday and Saturday from 9am – 3pm, so you will never be lost for something to do.

If you’re passionate about food and local produce, then the Fine Food and Craft Markets on the 20th July and 17th August are a must. There will be a wide variety of stalls selling delicious, local produce such as homemade cakes, pies and preserves, as well as interesting crafts.

The Bank Holiday Market and Car Boot Sale, on the 26th August is always one of the Market’s most popular events. Around 100 market stall holders will be selling everything from cakes, pies and preserves, to plants, handbags and hardware. If you fancy a bargain then don’t miss the Car Boot Sale, with approximately 50 ‘car booters’ expected and if you want to take part yourself, then simply turn up on the day from 6am.

www.wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk

If after all of that fun, the children are still complaining of being bored, why not get them to have a good clear out in time for the Children’s Market on the 15th September. The event will give parents the opportunity to sell all of those preloved toys, clothes and equipment, at an amazing price of just £12 a stall. The event will run from 10am to 3pm and with a petting farm, magician, fairground and free craft area, there will be plenty to keep the children amused. The event is free for children with just a small charge of £2 per adult.

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Au t hen t ic I ta l ian

g as t r o n o m y

in the hear t of Willenhall If you do one thing this weekend - or any weekend for that matter, make it a trip to Corbelli’s Little Italy Deli.

This Aladdin’s cave offers the finest selection of Italian foods and wines that you just won’t find in any main stream supermarket. Mainly a wholesaler, Corbelli’s opens its doors to the public at weekends; on Saturdays from 10am to 2pm and Sundays 10am to 1.30pm.

Established in 1965 Corbelli’s Little Italy Deli is quite literally a hidden gem. It initially opened in Wolverhampton in 1965 and moved to its current location in Lower Lichfield Street, Willenhall in 1980. It can be tricky to find but it’s well worth the search.

The delicatessen and winery was started by Giovanni Corbelli and is now run by his sons Giuseppe and Pietro.

They offer a warm welcome and are keen to share their in depth knowledge of their exquisite produce. The range at Corbelli’s is vast, from cheeses and meats to antipasti and pasta and not forgetting the wines – there are hundreds to choose from! The aroma from the wine vats is aromatic

LITTLE ITALY DELI FRESH, AUTHENTIC ITALIAN CUISINE ESTABLISHED 1965

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Owner, Giuseppe Corbelli and Warehouse Manager, Pasquale Montana

and intoxicating. If you are a keen wine maker, it’s worth adding a diary note that on Saturday 14th September 2019 the finest red and white grapes are arriving from Italy. It’s a keenly anticipated event so you will have to be quick to get your order. Meanwhile the wines stocked are sure to cater for every taste.

Corbelli’s produce their own Marsala on site in the winery, a rich and enticing fortified drink and the perfect accompaniment for all of those fine cheeses. If beer is more your bag then you won’t be disappointed with the selection, spirits and liqueurs are a plenty and varied. If you are looking to stock up with some special treats for your family then Corbelli’s has to be on your list. Why not create a truly unique hamper for the perfect gift for a foodie in your life? As well as fresh produce there’s also a fabulous collection of coffees, condiments, tins, jars that will keep well and be the perfect answer to the ‘no more turkey!’ feeling, yet still providing something special.

So if you are looking for the finest Italian foods at wholesale prices and a unique shopping experience, then pay Corbelli’s a visit at 43 Lower Lichfield Street, Willenhall WV13 1QQ – you won’t be disappointed.

Tel: 01902 630994 Open on Saturdays from 10am to 2pm and Sundays 10am to 1.30pm

www.littleitalydeli.co.uk We shall be closed from Saturday 17th August and re-open on Saturday 7th September.

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Sole distributor for Armani Water in the UK and Ireland.

43 LoWER LIchFIELD STREET, WILLEnhALL WV13 1QQ EASy AccESS from THE moTorWAy

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wolverhampton west magazine

A member of the Guild of Q Butchers Quite simply, this means that Allan Bennett is one of the best butchers in Britain. Quality is our number one priority, and we are committed to preserving the skills passed down through generations of traditional craftsmen.

At Allan Bennett’s we produce all our products using the best English meat, which is bought from Bridgnorth market every Tuesday.

This means that all of our meat has full traceability, and guarantees you top quality meat from local farmers.

In short, you can’t buy better!

Perfect pastry aids top triumph Allan Bennett beat more than 200 competitors in the Meat Traders Journal Pork Pie contest in Bolton. Judges were impressed by the meaty contents of the pie and the perfectly produced pastry. Steven said: “The ingredients we use in the pies has been the key and it feels fantastic to have won first prize”.

Allan Bennett Ltd, 15 Station Road, Codsall. WV8 1BX Tel: 01902 842204 Open 6 days a week : Monday to Friday 7am-5.30pm, Saturday 7am-5pm

96 Windmill Lane, Castlecroft, Wolverhampton WV3 8HG

‘Bring your own d i s h e s’ s e r v i ce We will fill your dishes with delicious meals prepared fresh in our kitchen using Poxon’s quality meats Dishes include: Lasagne / Cannelloni / Meatballs / Quiches

Tel: 01902 761693

www.poxonsbutchers.co.uk

We also make sweet pies.

Excellent quality Goat Meat now available. Sourced from East Farm in Wiltshire

Specialists in high quality British meat for over 50 years Comprehensive range of pork pies using the finest ingredients

www.wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk

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Halfpenny Green

Festival Weekend It was a busy weekend for Halfpenny Green Wine Estate, as not only did they hold their 4th annual Food & Drink Festival on the 8th June, the following day they hosted their first ever Gin Festival!

Both days were a roaring success, despite a rainy start to the weekend, with a range of food and drink for tasting on Saturday, along with live music and a barbeque. Sunday’s Gin Festival was overwhelmingly popular, with a huge selection of British gins on display. Although a free event, guests were able to purchase a Gin Tasting Bag, entitling them to try twelve gin samples of their choice, a voucher for a free G & T, their own gin glass and a tasting card, with pencil, to make notes. The live music and barbecue created a wonderful atmosphere for both events, made perfect by the backdrop of the South Staffordshire countryside. Guests were also able to explore the onsite Craft Centre, home to fifteen independent businesses, plus WILD Zoological Park.

Keep an eye out for similar events coming up later in the year at Halfpenny Green and of course, another fun festival season in 2020!

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wolverhampton west magazine

Get There and Back for just ÂŁ2.50 return after 6:30pm

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Select routes only, please visit wmr.uk/eveningreturn

www.wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk

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Wolverhampton icon celebrates

125 years of history

Nick Owen, Christopher Biggins, Linda Lusardi, Adrian Jackson, Jeffrey Holland, Su Pollard, Sam Kane and Don Maclean

Wolverhampton Grand Theatre is celebrating its 125th anniversary this year and the celebrations will continue right up until the 10th December.

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The theatre first opened its doors on 10th December 1894 and was designed by prestigious theatre architect Charles J. Phipps and Wolverhampton native builder Henry Gough. The £10,000 construction began June 28th 1894 when Mayoress C.T. Mander unveiled the foundation stone.

of Victorian architecture in the city of Wolverhampton today.

Even today, the Grand remains held in high regard as one of Phipps’ crowning achievements, so much so that the facade of the building has remained virtually unchanged during both of its major refurbishments. Many would agree that it is one of the finest examples

Its debut production was Utopia Limited by the world-renowned D’Oyly Carte Opera company, performed to the staggering two thousand, one hundred and fifty-one capacity of the original auditorium layout. This year, on 26 November, D’Oyly Carte Opera

Grand Theatre from 1890’s

Company return to the Grand Theatre to mark the milestone anniversary with GILBERT & SULLIVAN A LA CARTE. In the original days, seating in the auditorium was segregated by class, with the Dress Circle set aside for members of the gentry.

People waited for hours to grab a place in the ‘sixpenny gallery’ … wolverhampton west magazine

Following several rounds of tense negotiation with the City Council, a compromise was reached.

The theatre would re-open, but only after a massive renovation and restoration scheme had been completed, alongside the establishment of an annual grant from the Council to ensure its continued successful operation.

Save The Grand

one such lucky theatregoer on the opening night was nine-year-old Tom Latham, so impressed by the grandiose beauty and elegance of the building, that he would later go on to become the Grand’s stage manager for thirty-five years.

During the opening years of the twentieth century, the Grand played host to icons of stage, screen and the political arena, both established and yet to leave their mark on the world. One such character was Charlie Chaplin, who made the most of his role as a pageboy in the 1902 production of ‘Sherlock Holmes’ through a series of elaborate practical jokes at the expense of the cast and crew!

Future Prime Minister Winston Churchill addressed a male-only

audience as president of the Board of Trade in 1909 and 9 years’ later at the end of World War One, the victorious PM David Lloyd George launched his election campaign to a packed auditorium, famously declaring ‘homes fit for heroes’.

The Grand continued to pack in the audiences from the 1920’s – 1950’s and the Grand’s resident Repertory Company flourished but despite a post-war boom in ticket sales and general theatre interest, the introduction of television to British households in the late 50s led to a decline in audience numbers across the country’s regional theatres. The Repertory Company were no more, and the Grand’s programme shifted towards high-profile touring dramas and star-studded variety shows.

Memorable moments included a concert by international singing star Marlene Dietrich in 1966!

Theatregoers, staff and stars alike all look back on this era with a great sense of admiration and fondness – dark times lay ahead for the last few years of the 1970s, however.

Chief Executive and Artistic Director Adrian Jackson

On February 23rd 1980, the Grand Theatre closed its doors, faced with financial difficulties and a very real prospect of permanent closure.

There was an expected level of public outcry at the decision, with many loyal Wulfrunians refusing to give up on their love of live theatre in the town. A ‘Save The Grand’ action group was hastily assembled, with the objective of raising both funds and awareness to resurrect the Grand from its black hole.

www.wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk

When the Grand re-opened its doors on Wednesday 31st August 1983, it was arguably one of the best-equipped theatres in the country. The Grand enjoyed success after success, attracting top touring companies and packing houses full of loyal, cheering audiences. Another major refurbishment in 1998 cemented the Grand’s reputation as one of the country’s leading regional theatres.

Jane McDonald Wolverhampton Grand Theatre - Stalls Seat A20

The latest refurbishment in 2016 came shortly after the arrival of a new Chief Executive and Artistic Director, Adrian Jackson which coincided with vast improvements to the theatre’s education, access and marketing departments, as well as further refurbishments and developments in the building’s technology. The Grand is now poised to continue into the 21st century with the assured stride of having survived its darkest days thanks to the loyalty, affection and support of its many patrons, staff and performers.

It has returned to its producing days, with the theatre’s own productions making it to the stage and planning permission for an extension to the building has been granted for a second theatre space next door.

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Music Live returns

for its seventh consecutive year

Set within 22 acres of beautiful parkland, Wolverhampton Racecourse provides a fantastic vantage point and environment for cheering on thoroughbred flat racing horses, along with indoor and outdoor events and their annual Music Live concert.

The venue is extremely popular for individuals of all ages and has increasingly become an entertainment destination for guests far and wide. With highly

anticipated events including Family Funday, after-racing entertainment, and live music performances, Wolverhampton Racecourse is an all-year round venue that provides a great day and night out for all.

After hosting UB40, The Human League, Ocean Colour Scene and Kaiser Chiefs in recent years the racecourse is playing host to two more incredible artists this summer.

Following a fabulous day of racing, on Friday 30 August Madness will perform their 40th anniversary tour live, and International superstar Jess Glynne takes centre stage

on Ladies Day the following day, Saturday 31st August. Admission tickets include access to the racing and outdoor concert.

Restaurant places are already selling fast, with both the Ringside and Horizons restaurants now sold out for Jess Glynne, and limited availability for Madness.

Due to demand, the racecourse has now opened a brand-new marquee adjacent to the stage which will give fans unrestricted views of the stage, private reserved viewing area and a dedicated bar for the racing and concert.

For further information and to purchase tickets for Madness and Jess Glynne visit wolverhampton-racecourse.co.uk.

We are giving a Wolverhampton West magazine reader the opportunity to win six admission tickets to see either Madness on Friday 30th August or Jess Glynne on Saturday 31st August.

To be in with a chance to win this fabulous prize, all you have to do is answer the following question correctly:

Which feature raceday will Jess Glynne be performing at?

Email your answer to info@wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk or send on a postcard to Wolverhampton West Magazine, 1 Lytham Road, Perton, Wolverhampton, WV6 7YY, please include your name, address and telephone number.

Competition closing date Friday 9th August 2019.

Competition Terms and Conditions: To enter readers have to be at least 18 years of age. Winner will be chosen at random from all correct entries received and notified by telephone. Prize valid for Friday 30th August or Saturday 31st August 2019 (Winner’s choice which concert they would like tickets for). No cash or alternative prize available.

For details of forthcoming fixtures and events at Wolverhampton Racecourse, please visit:

w w w. w o l v e r h a m p t o n - r a c e c o u r s e . c o . u k 76

wolverhampton west magazine

ARC AND VMS LIVE PRESENTS MUSIC LIVE AT WOLVERHAMPTON RACECOURSE

LI V E AFTER R AC I N G

FRIDAY 30 AUGUST

RACING & CONCERT FROM £40 TO PURCHASE TICKETS VISIT W O L V E R H A M P T O N - R A C E C O U R S E . C O . UK www.wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk

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A summer of expectation for

Halfpenny Green Wi n e E s t a t e

After a perfect wineproducing summer in 2018, which was a delicious blend of long sunshiny days and high temperatures, Halfpenny Green Wine Estate, set in the stunning South Staffordshire countryside, waits with baited-breath to see what this year’s summer produces.

Every season is important in the wine-making world, but summer is an extra special season in that it provides the proof of the pudding; high temperatures and long sunny spells produce bigger, sweeter grapes which lead, eventually, to high quality wines!

With the holiday season in full swing, the staff at Halfpenny Green Wine Estate are hard at work, not only in the Winery, but in the shop and restaurant too. July and August are the Wine Estate’s busiest time of year, with the Great British Public in full holiday mode! What better time to learn more about the exciting work of English Wine and the reasons for its fast-growing popularity.

One of the best ways for guests to enjoy the Wine Estate and get an insight into the exciting world of English wine, is with a

Tour, Tasting & Two Course Meal package, available at just £24.95 per person. Available to book on selected dates throughout the summer months, guests will enjoy a guided tour of the vines and winery, a tutored tasting of a selection of the Estate’s award-winning wines, and a set two course meal to end the afternoon or evening. Guests will then have the opportunity to visit the three-storey shop, with its newly built Loft Balcony, to browse the full wine selection, or, following a daytime tour, relax with a drink in the tea room or explore the on-site craft centre, which is home to over fifteen individual businesses, including a Blacksmith and a zoo! It’s a great way to enjoy some of the best in English produce and, with gift vouchers

available, valid for two years at the time of purchase, it makes the perfect gift! Upcoming tour dates available for booking include Thursday 12th September and 10th October. New dates for 2020 will be released just before Christmas, so keep an eye on our websites!

If wine isn’t your thing, there’s still plenty on offer at Halfpenny Green.

If classic British spirits are more up your street, why not indulge in a Gin Tasting Experience, available in the shop’s rather impressive Wine Loft. For just £28.50 person, guests will enjoy a curated menu of four gin and tonics, carefully developed by the expert tasting staff and put together from the shop’s range of over one hundred artisan British gins. The experiences are available to book year-round, and are the perfect accompaniment to a tranquil summer afternoon on the Estate’s newly built Balcony, overlooking the beautiful British countryside.

There’s plenty on offer at South Staffordshire’s own vineyard this summer, so if you haven’t yet had a taste of the complete English wine experience, make sure you put Halfpenny Green Wine Estate at the top of your ‘to-do’ list. For more information visit the website www.halfpennygreen.co.uk.

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wolverhampton west magazine

A family business, established in 1983, Halfpenny Green Wine Estate has 30 acres of vines managed

by Martin, which produce award-winning wines, crafted by his son Clive. The acclaimed shop, restaurant, deli and tea room are run by Clive’s wife Lisa, and offer a great day out for visitors.

AWARD-WINNING ENGLISH WINES

SHOP, DELI & WINE LOFT

TRANQUIL BALCONY AREA FOR WINE AND GIN TASTINGS.

U P COM I NG E V E N TS Wine & Gin Tastings

Guided Tours

Private Dining, Functions & Tours

Available in the Wine Loft throughout the year. Call to book. Gift vouchers available.

Public tours available for booking in 2019. Upcoming dates: 12th Sept and 10th Oct.

Available to book throughout the year, with a variety of catering options available.

Tom Lane, Bobbington, South Staffs, DY7 5EP visit our website www.halfpennygreen.co.uk call 01384 22 11 22

www.wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk

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The Lyttelton Arms

By Rob Taylor

Somehow The Lyttelton Arms in Hagley seems familiar to me even though I’m certain I’ve never visited it before.

What makes things stranger still, considering that I have absolutely no ties to the area, is that I seem to know all about how nice a place it is. A lot of people must have gushed about it over the years and I must have filed said opinion polls in my cerebral black hole, labelled under “Do visit if and when time affords.” Clearly the reputation of The Lyttelton precedes it.

Well, guess what? As ever, it’s a case of “too late Taylor!”, because it’s all change now at the local landmark eaterie, which prides itself on both its rural setting and easy access to neighbouring Stourbridge,

H ag l e y

Clent and Bromsgrove. But – for once – change is not a bad thing.

The Lyttelton has just undergone a significant investment that has given the much-loved eating and drinking spot a spectacular new look and ultra-glamorous feel.

When asked if I’d like to attend the very swanky pre, re-opening press event my answer is a resounding “yes!” Partly, if I’m honest, to see exactly what all the fuss is about, but mostly because I’m a horrible foodie who can scarcely turn down the offer of a free biscuit with my cuppa let alone a complimentary three-course meal, plus drinks.

As well as the ultra-modern and sumptuous makeover (think: trendy

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London nightspot meets poshpub), there’s also a brand-new menu, which aims to deliver a social dining and drinking experience that is second to none, featuring fresh flavours and ingredients inspired by modern world food trends. Half of my party of four sit in a normal adversarial position (adversarial, because my pal and I each wager on ourselves to put down the greater volume of free ale) but not on hard-back dining chairs, instead they lounge on a low-backed sofa, like Sybarites.

We all enjoy the new decor which is ‘based around the concept of Champagne bubbles and the decadent colour of peacock feathers’. I don’t know about all that but I do see: bubbled glass fittings, contemporary satin brass, elegant curved seating and a stunning new feature bar sitting at the heart of the building, boasting a ceramic and jewel-finish. Added to this are luxury drapes, plush upholstered booths and marble topped Champagne tables.

wolverhampton west magazine

From where I’m sitting the newlook looks exactly like a premium destination for a memorable night out should. In many ways the place is best described as a ‘postpub, pub’. This summer it will be introducing regular live music as well as a host of events and parties (three private meeting spaces, a media centre, and a private dining room make The Lyttelton perfect for parties, networking etc), but don’t expect traditional pub fare nasties, like Backgammon and stale sarnies, because these events will be in partnership with a range of premium brands – so expect glitz and glamour.

A chat to manager Liz, who has over 13 years’ hospitality experience, tells us that people have been turning up all week long, itching to get inside.

“We’re not officially open yet” is the familiar refrain. Of course, now the place is open, dear readers: we don’t like to tease.

So, whether you fancy something from the grill; such as four-bone free-range New Zealand lamb rack, seabass fillet and charred octopus or expertly-aged steaks, there’s something to suit all tastes.

A range of exciting new small plates, designed for sharing, make the perfect start to the dining experience; with dishes such as sashimi grade tuna tartare, miso aubergine bao buns and

seared, wild, Atlantic scallops with lobster and crab bonbons.

We tuck into a couple of said platters and all of us have nothing but concerted praise for the offerings. A standout favourite of mine is the ‘Grilled Lamb Kofka with smoky creamed corn and goats’ cheese’. Then it’s onto a plate from the main course each (I’m a sucker for ‘Fillet Steak with Peppercorn sauce’: it does not disappoint), followed by dessert (“When did I taste a better Crème Brulee?” is a question I nurse later during the taxi ride home).

We all agree that despite hosting a room full of hungry Media-types, the staff excel. Another point of consensus is that the pricing seems spot-on. After we leave, I’m certain that the Kitchen – led by Head Chef,

Carl Grieves – is packing some major talent. And it needs every drop of it because The Lyttelton has laid down a formidable gauntlet.

The restaurant will serve Friday and Saturday-only specials of freshly-shucked rock oysters and grill sharing boards, such as Chateaubriand or trio of pork.

Premium wines such as Premier Cru Burgundy and Rioja Gran Reserva, will now be available by the glass. A new cocktail menu has also been developed by the team.

And it will still offer fantastic value too with its two-course MondayFriday lunch menu from £14.95.

Sure to be a hit with both regulars and rookie visitors alike, The Lyttelton Arms is a singular experience.

T h e Ly t t e l t o n A r m s , B r o m s g r o v e R o a d , H a g l e y, D Y 9 9 L J ww w. t h e l y t t e l to n a r m s . c o . u k www.wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk

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www.parkhousehotelshifnal.co.uk

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Contact the Hotel today for details.

For further details please contact our sales team on 01952 460128 email: weddings@parkhousehotel.net visit: www.parkhousehotelshifnal.co.uk The Park House Hotel, Park Street, Shifnal, Telford TF11 9BA

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wolverhampton west magazine

Wombourne Tandoori Restaurant Established 1989

Air conditioned

Cuisine of Bengal

Fully licensed

 FOOD HYGIENE RATING SCHEME 2011-2016

Rafique Miah welcomes you to the longest established Indian Restaurant in Wombourne Village, serving sumptuous Bangladeshi Cuisine for 30 years.

Restaurant of the year West Midlands region 2016

“We pride ourselves on our Quality of Food, Excellent Customer Service and Customer Satisfaction.”

Recently refurbished in contemporary surroundings, air conditioned and fully licensed.

Open 7 days including Bank Holidays 5.30pm until 11.30pm

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

Tel: 01902 324148 / 324437 High Street, Wombourne WV5 9DN

facebook.com/wombourne.tandoori

www.wombournetandoori.com

SATURDAY 13TH JULY ALBRIGHTON FAYRE DAY

Join us at The Shrew for the un-official after party. With Anthony Doyle from 4pm & then a DJ from 9pm until late, we have our face painters, drinks in the garden & lots of summer fun to enjoy.

SUNDAY 25TH AUGUST BANK HOLIDAY

Not made it on holiday this year? Don’t worry! We are taking you to Mexico! With Margaritas, Tequila, Sombreros & all things Mexican, we will make sure your Bank Holiday is the only holiday you will need this Summer. Think Nachos, think chilli, think HOT! One not to be missed with live music all afternoon. *subject to change

T: 01902 373003 E: theshrewsburyarms@gmail.com www.theshrewsburyarms.com High St. Albrighton, Nr Wolverhampton WV7 3LA

www.wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk

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Wombourne Tandoori Restaurant Established 1989

Air conditioned

Cuisine of Bengal

Fully licensed

Welcome you to celebrate our 30 year anniversary

sPeciaL oFFers available from sunday 30th June 2019 For customers dining in the restaurant (Sunday – Friday)

Enjoy your evening in the very popular Wombourne Tandoori and receive a complimentary bottle of house wine when 4 people dine OR 1 glass of house wine each when 2 people dine TERMS & CONDITIONS FOR USE: 1) Booking in advance for the offer. 2) Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offers or promotions. 3) Management reserve the right to refuse service without reason. 4) Offer can be withdrawn at any time.

Tel: 01902 324148 / 324437 84

high street, Wombourne WV5 9dn

For take-aWay customers (Sunday – Friday)

Enjoy your favourite curry with a complimentary bottle of Cobra (Indian Premium Beer) on every takeaway curry order TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR USE: Management reserve the right to refuse service without reason

facebook.com/wombourne.tandoori

Open 7 days including Bank Holidays - 5.30pm until 11.30pm

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Win a

meal for 2

at The Oakley Arms, Brewood This month we have teamed up with The Oakley Arms to give one lucky reader the chance to win a fabulous meal for two people including a bottle of wine.

As any hungry traveller will tell you first impressions count. Get it right as a pub and you’ll draw in people in droves – a dab of kerb appeal, a dash of plentiful parking and a smorgasbord of affordable culinary choice is always a winning trio.

Boasting all of the above in spades, The Oakley Arms in Brewood sends road-weary would-be diners careering off Kiddemore Green Road on a regular basis.

And once they’ve eaten inside they return again and again.

They are lucky enough to have the most fabulous lake which can be seen from many rooms within the pub and is flanked by the stone terrace which is the most wonderful place to dine on sunny days.

The Oakley Arms sits on the outskirts of Brewood but is a pub well within the hearts of the locals who drop by on horseback or bicycle or along with their dogs during country rambles.

This is a charming pub with well-spaced rooms with wooden floors and roaring fires, a wellstocked bar at the centre of all things and a beautiful garden room filled with light.

The menus have their roots in modern British cooking, with a hint of the more exotic about them. They change often to reflect the seasons and are supported by a wellbalanced wine list offering a good quality but affordable range that they have enjoyed researching (very much).

COMPETITION To be in with a chance of winning this fabulous prize, simply answer the following question correctly:

What is the email address for The Oakley Arms?

Email your answer including your name, address and telephone number to:

info@wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk or on a postcard to Wolverhampton West Magazine, 1 Lytham Road, Perton, Wolverhampton WV6 7YY. All entries to be received by Friday 9th August 2019.

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Terms and Conditions Winner will be chosen at random from all correct entries received and informed by telephone. To enter you must be aged 18 years or older. No cash or alternative prize will be given. Prize to be redeemed by Friday 25th October 2019. Valid from Sunday to Thursday inclusive. Booking date will be subject to availability.

wolverhampton west magazine

The Oakley Arms Brewood

We like to keep things simple, so if you like pubs, a happy, chatty atmosphere, good food and a crew who’ll love looking after you, we’d love you to join us.

Our menus are available on our website www.oakleyarms.co.uk and we would be happy to answer any questions on 01902 859800.

The back bar stocked with warming tipples to suit the season so we would love to see you. John and all at the Oakley Arms.

GIN FESTIVAL

SATURDAY 20Th JULY Tickets available

Tel: 01902 859 800 • www.oakleyarms.co.uk

Kiddemore Green Lane, Brewood, ST19 9BQ • Email: oakley@brunningandprice.co.uk

www.wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk

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Raising Funds for Birmingham Children’s Charity:

Clare’s Zipwire Challenge

Keen to raise money for Birmingham Children’s Hospital – a charity incredibly close to her heart - Clare Moore, from Penkridge is planning on undertaking an exhilarating challenge this summer at Zipworld.

“Penelope’s care had been amazing at Birmingham Children’s Hospital and although the sepsis had caused considerable damage to her right kidney, shrinking it and scarring it and decreasing its function to only 30% we were told they could operate.”

“On July 28th I’ll be completing the Velocity 2 Zipwire at Penryn Quarry so that I can raise funds and give something back to the hospital which has helped my two daughters so much this past year.”

Later that year, Clare was told that her middle daughter, Nancy also suffered with the same condition.

Clare suffers with Chronic Kidney Disease Stage 4 - which means her combined kidney function is only 24% - and she has been told that she will require a transplant in the near future. And, in 2018 she received the devastating news that two of her three daughters had the same condition.

“In April 2018, my youngest daughter Penelope was rushed to hospital and diagnosed with a UTI and sepsis. She spent a week in hospital on drips and antibiotics, including numerous lumbar punctures.”

The heartbreaking news that Penelope had the same kidney condition as Clare followed and Penelope was quickly referred to Birmingham Children’s Hospital.

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Thankfully the surgery was successful and despite one kidney still being slightly damaged Penelope should have no further problems.

“It was recommended that Nancy had a kidney ultrasound which revealed that the damage to her kidney was much more severe compared to Penelope’s, as the condition had gone undiagnosed for four and a half years.”

Nancy was referred to Birmingham Children’s Hospital for treatment under the care of the consultant who had treated Penelope, Mr Chandran, and it was determined that Nancy’s kidney had only 8% function.

“A nephrectomy (kidney removal) was recommended as the kidney had shrivelled and was essentially dead. This was a massive shock for us all but we realised that it was the best way to prevent Nancy having further problems.”

Nancy’s operation took place on 20th June and to allow time for her recovery Clare has scheduled her fundraising zip wire event for the 28th July.

“I’m really looking forward to the zip wire and raising as much money as possible.”

And Clare is really keen to express her appreciation to everyone at the hospital.

“I can’t thank the entire team enough for what they’ve done for us. It’s not just the medical and administration team which are amazing; it’s also the play staff that do those little things that make all the difference, like dressing up and making balloon animals to entertain the children.”

Zip World’s Velocity 2 Zip Wire is the fastest zip line in the world, with the possibility of reaching speeds of 100mph as you travel across Penrhyn Quarry.

“It will no doubt be an amazing experience and will hopefully raise money and awareness for this amazing hospital,” adds Clare.

If you would like to support Clare and help raise funds for Birmingham Children’s Hospital you can donate via her JustGiving page https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/clare-moore13 wolverhampton west magazine

Busy times at WLTSC The summer months are always the popular time of year for tennis at Wolverhampton Lawn Tennis & Squash club, in particular with the Wimbledon championships taking place in early July.

Already WLTSC has played host to the Annual Club Tennis Championships, sponsored by Howard Wright financial planners, and a School Rackethon for local pupils, with an RAF Training Camp and the Staffordshire County Championships also scheduled for the summer.

Tennis however remains just one part of the overall sports and social offering at WLTSC, with squash, racketball and fitness also still a major part of the summer focus.

Indeed, another sizeable team took place in the annual Wolverhampton to Aberdovey Cycle ride in June, raising funds for Compton Care, with Operations Manager Marc Hughes and Head of Fitness Paul Fothergill not only taking part on the Friday but the preceding three days through the Cotswolds, thus covering 400 miles in total.

The club is also currently trying to step up its partnerships with local businesses, both formalising and adding to corporate relationships already in place.

A brochure is planned outlining different ways that companies can become involved with WLTSC, including new digital screen advertising in operation at various parts of the club.

www.wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk

A sportman’s evening is also taking place at the club on Thursday, September 12th, in the same marquee which will be used for the Big Ball event 48 hours later.

Rugby legends Jonathan Davies and George Chuter will be joined by MC and host, former England cricket captain Chris Cowdrey.

“We are really keen to build up our partnerships with the business community, and, as a club offering a variety of racket sports and fitness activities, believe we have some very positive messages to share,” said WLTSC Chairman John Hollingsworth.

“This Sporting Dinner is another step in that process, and we are all looking forward to an excellent night which should appeal both to individual sports fans and many local businesses.” *Contact the club on (01902) 755265 to book a place.

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Cosford FOOD FESTIVAL

If you love street food accompanied by a gin or a cocktail or two... this festival is the one for you!

A tasty line-up of local producers will be heading to the Cosford Food Festival on Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 July 2019, showcasing some of the region’s finest artisan produce and locally brewed beverages.

Win Family Tickets to the Cosford Food Festival

This year’s lineup is looking impressive with some of the best street food in town serving up flavours from around the world to tempt foodies. Plus, four huge marquees packed full of local food and drink for you to sample and buy!

New for the 2019 Cosford Food Festival is Gin Flight! Sit back, relax and enjoy a unique gin tasting experience on board our VC10 aircraft. Hosted by experts from the Gin Jamboree Gin school, they will talk you through everything you need to know about gin! There will be four Gin Flights each day, sessions last 45 minutes and cost £10.00 per person (over 18’s only).

The festival is held at the RAF Museum Cosford set against a backdrop of aircraft and handily close to Cosford train station with trains running from Shrewsbury, Wolverhampton and Birmingham....allowing you to make the most of the day.

Organisers have secured some of the region’s top chefs to cook a range of dishes live on the demo stage.

Plus, festival goers can sit back and 90

We have teamed up with the RAF Museum Cosford to give three lucky readers the chance to win family passes to this year’s food festival. enjoy bands playing throughout the day on the music stage.

If you have little ones, bring them with you... there will be plenty of entertainment including kids’ cookery classes, circus skills, face painting and a tent packed full of activities.

Tickets are on sale now, visit: rafmuseum.org/cosford Admission Prices: Adult £6.00 Child (5-15 years) £2.00 Family (2 adults, up to 4 children) £14.00 Children under 5 - FREE For more details visit:

To enter the competition answer the following question and email your answer including your name, address and telephone number to: info@wolverhamptonwestmag. co.uk or send on a postcard to 1 Lytham Road, Perton, Wolverhampton WV6 7YY.

How many ‘Gin Flights’ will take place each day?

Entries to be received by Friday 12th July 2019.

Competition Terms & Conditions: To enter you must be aged 18 years or older. Winners will be chosen at random from all correct entries received and informed by telephone.

No cash or alternative prize will be given.

Facebook: @CosfordFoodFestival wolverhampton west magazine

RAF MUSEUM COSFORD

Over 100 exhibitors Celebrity chef Cyrus Todiwala* Live cooking demos Street food Cocktail bar Live music Family entertainment Gin Flight masterclass on board VC10 aircraft

10.00am–5.00pm Last admission 4.00pm

TICKET INFO:

Adult: £6.00 Child (5-15): £2.00 Family: (2 adults/up to 4 children) £14.00

Book tickets at:

rafmuseum.org/cosford

@CosfordFoodFestival Parking charges apply on Museum grounds Free shuttle bus from Cosford Train Station Only Assistance Dogs are permitted in the festival

www.wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk

Cosford, Shifnal, Shropshire, TF11 8UP (Just off Junction 3 on M54) *Cyrus Todiwala Saturday 20 July

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ADVERTORIAL

MICROBLADING How to get it right!

with Deborah Mitchell

The semi-permanent secret to faking fuller eyebrows that look totally natural, microblading might just be the hassle-free solution to spending hours pencilling in your eyebrows

Microblading A type of eyebrow architecture. It is all about creating the best shape for each face – a totally bespoke approach for each individual.

The process is very precise thanks to the tool that is used which is effectively like a pen with the nib being a sloped blade with 10-12 little needles at the end - needles that don’t penetrate the skin but just delicately scratch the surface, much like a paper cut.

The needle very finely implants featherweight strokes with a medical grade pigment on the epidermis layer of the skin, creating fine, realistic and natural hair strokes.

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Microblading, unlike tattooing, is not in the deep layer of skin, but more on the surface.

This is also not permanent, and the colour fades within 18 months. The hair strokes are far more natural and finer than any tattoo, there is no electrical gadget that permeates deep in this technique.

After Care What should I expect following treatment?

Micro-pigmentation

Keeping the area dry and clean, you do not want to mess or touch the treated area. You may cause an infection.

Similar to microblading but it’s not hair stokes it’s more like a powder look this too can last up to 18 months depending on shade of colour applied this can be performed with a blade.

Healing on brows, lip liner and eye liner depends on clients mainly the treatment is very quick to heal, up to 7 days.

Semi-permanent makeup Long lasting when naturally applied, it can last up to five years plus and can have hair strokes or a powdered look.

Brows become temporarily darker as the colour oxidises, this happens during the beginning of the healing process.

A scab will form holding the colour, your skin will take in the pigment only on the upper layers of the dermis. This happens with machine method too. The pigment can become lighter before returning darker.

As the skin heals there may be some slight redness and a healing sensation. Less than a cut.

A top up session is required after 6 weeks plus, before this time the skin is too fragile and may bleed too much, leading to colour not lasting.

No, sauna, steam room or facial steaming (this would lead to colour not taking) .

Sunbathing after treatment is possible if the brows are covered with a hat or large glasses during the healing phase. After this you may use your normal sunscreen as you do in the average sunbathing time.

Lastly the colour needs to take so do not pull the scabs off or rub them.

AFTER

BEFORE

WH AT ’ S YO U R I D E A L EYE B R OW S H A PE?

Personal treatment prices with Deborah start from £200*.

Please call: 01952 463574 or 462505 or email: sales@heavenskincare.com *Depending on area of UK or worldwide.

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B o o shTO X ® The Trusted Way to Rejuvenate your Skin The appearance of facial lines, folds and wrinkles is an all too relatable cosmetic concern.

It’s one that the experts at BooshTOX® understand well and address very effectively with their range of discreet, nonsurgical rejuvenation treatments.

Age-related skin changes can be very challenging to cover with makeup and even costly skin creams and serums are unlikely to reverse them. Understanding the role of collagen in the body takes us to the next step towards effective measures to fight back.

Collagen is a protein produced in the body. As well as the skin, it is found in our bones, muscles, cornea of the eyes, blood vessels, gut lining, teeth, and nails. The origin of the word collagen is the Greek word “kolla” meaning glue.

Essentially, it is the “glue” that holds our body together. In our youth, the body produces collagen in abundance, but unfortunately this starts to decline from our mid-20s onwards. It decreases even further in women after menopause.

In the example illustrated, pretreatment images show deep nasolabial (nose-to-mouth) skin folds. Additionally, skin creases had developed at the mouth corners, known as marionette lines. This combination was causing the client a harsh and unduly sad looking expression.

As Dr Booshan explains: “Hyaluronic acid based Dermal Fillers which simulate the lost collagen, are used to successfully rejuvenate the affected areas, producing reduced wrinkle depth without any discernible change to the client’s overall facial shape or movements. When done sensitively, in no way, does such treatment need to make the client look “done”, where others easily can tell”.

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BooshTOX® is a thriving doctorled Aesthetics and Laser Clinic founded by Dr Andrew Booshan – a dual practising Cosmetic Doctor and GP. They have an approach of comfortable, subtle cosmetic and anti-ageing enhancements with little or no downtime.

BooshTOX® is based at excellent new facilities at Pendeford Business Park near to the Jaguar Land Rover plant in Wolverhampton.

With proximity to the M54, this gives easy access to their many clients coming in from all parts of the Midlands and Shropshire.

Some of the most popular services offered are: • Anti-Wrinkle Injectables including Botulinum Toxin • Lip Enhancement Dermal Fillers – painlessly under anaesthetic nerve block • Fine Line and Wrinkle Fillers • Tear Trough (Dark Eye Circles) Treatment • Cheek Lift & Mid-face Volumisation Treatments • Nose Reshaping (Nonsurgical Rhinoplasty)

• Non-Filler Rejuvenation - Skin Boosters, Micro-needling and Mesotherapy • Plasma (Plexr) Nonsurgical Blepharoplasty • Vitamin Drips and Booster Shots • Cosmetic Minor Surgery / Benign Lesion Removal • Levura HIFU No-Needle Facelifts and Body Contouring • Laser Hair Removal – treatments by female staff The clinic has available the Venus Velocity Laser Hair Removal machine. This advanced treatment is performed by Serenna, who is an experienced laser and beauty therapist.

She explains, “We are the first clinic in the Midlands to have this bestin-class hair removal system from Canada. It is increasingly popular in the United States and London and now we have it right here”.

“It gives our clients safe, fast, comfortable and lasting hair removal on all skin types”.

BooshTOX® staff are fully qualified and insured for your maximum safety and peace of mind.

BooshTOX® Aesthetics & Laser Clinic, 7 Sidestrand, Pendeford Business Park, Wolverhampton, WV9 5HD Easy access from Wolverhampton (5 mins) and the M54 - Junction 2

24/7 Direct Online Booking is available via

www.booshtox.com They are also happy to take enquiries by phone on 01902 212 888 or text at 07555 797 234 wolverhampton west magazine

www.wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk

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YOU DO DESERVE A PAMPER ...AFTER A LONG MORNING SHOPPING

The Harvey Nichols salon offers Heaven’s 60-minute “Bee Sting” Facial as well as the 90 minute “Bee Slim” Ritual. Other treatments include LIA Therapy, the first non-surgical spiritual facial to improve skin and well-being; a range of LED and laser procedures, and a full massage menu.

Prices start from £16.

Mezzanine Floor | Harvey Nichols | The Mailbox | Birmingham BOOK AN APPOINTMENT: 0121 616 6019

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wolverhampton west magazine

CHOOSING THE PERFEC T

S U N GL A S S E S

Sunglasses are an essential part of everyone’s wardrobe and can add glamour and sophistication to your appearance.

could contribute to development of cataracts and macular degeneration.

Stylish frames with darkened lenses can make a real fashion statement, but the protective lenses in modern sunglasses also improve visual comfort and reduce the risk of certain eye- health conditions.

We all know that our skin can burn in the sun, yet it is estimated that around 50% of people don’t protect their eyes by wearing sunglasses.

Our high-quality range of sunspecs protect against harmful ultraviolet light, which occurs naturally in daylight and increases in bright sunshine. UV rays can damage corneas (the clear front part of the eye) and retinas ( the back of the eye), while long term exposure

Our sunglasses repel 100 per cent of UVA and UVB and provide a proper protection against this invisible danger, as well as improve your ability to see comfortably in bright conditions like driving towards a sunset, relaxing by the pool or sightseeing on holidays.

Polarised lenses filter out dazzling glare and reflections from the wet roads giving much clearer and safer vision in bright conditions.

blue, green, rose mirror as well as more traditional grey and brown.

Maui Jim sunglasses use supreme polarised technology which goes beyond shielding your eyes from glare and harmful UV to reveal and enhance the world’s true vivid colours in amazing detail.

A stylish contemporary and classical design frames are available as non prescription, varifocal and single vision lenses in finishes such as

As well as right lenses, choosing frames to suit your facial features is crucial, ensuring the lenses fully cover your eyes without any gaps that UV rays can get around.

You can rest assured that at Taylor Biddle our friendly and experienced dispensing team will help you to make the right choice so, as well as looking great, your glasses will be comfortable and well fitted.

Fully wheelchair accessible - New coNsultiNg rooms aNd Facilities accessible by liFt at comptoN!

Full eye examinations • Contact Lens Checks The latest eye scanning technology • OCT technology Daytona Optomap • Visual Stress Colorimetry Assessments MECS - NHS Minor Eye Conditions Service

HALF PRICE SUNGLASSES WITH PURCHASE OF PREMIUM VARIFOCALS TRY BEFORE YOU BUY VARIFOCAL OFFER (T&C’s apply) Offers end August 31st 2019

34 Windmill Bank, Wombourne WV5 9JD

39 Bridgnorth Road, Compton WV6 8AF

01902 895 909

01902 750 325

www.taylorbiddleopticians.co.uk www.wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk

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Based in the village of Penkridge, Ethereal offers each Bride to be a personal experience in choosing their perfect wedding dress.

We are proud stockists of: Eddy K Italia Beautiful by Enzoani Wtoo by Watters Johanna Hehir Also bridesmaids dresses in a wide variety of colours by Onlyway Bridesmaids and bridal accessories by Richard Designs. Now also stocking some of the most beautiful prom and evening wear from designers such as: Chic & Holland Jora Collections Ethereal welcomes browsers when the diary allows, but appointments are advised for your bespoke experience.

Specialist in house bridal alterations service available on all bridal wear regardless of where purchased.

Ethereal, Stone Cross, Staffordshire, ST19 5AR

01785 714724

etherealbridalstaffordshire@gmail.com www.etherealdresses.co.uk

'Loyalty built on trust & reliability' • Prompt, efficient service • Professional and highly trained staff • Unbeatable customer service • Walk-ins only • Loyalty card • Kids & over 65s concessions • TRiM styling products • Card payments accepted

Gift vouchers and gift boxes available for all occasions.

BilBrook

2 Lane Green Shopping Parade, Duck Lane, Bilbrook WV8 1JA

Wednesfield

2 Wood End Road, Wednesfield, Wolverhampton, WV11 1NR

BushBury

Bushbury Lane, Bushbury, Wolverhampton, WV10 9UL

Open: Mon, Tues, Wed & Fri 9.30am to 6pm and Thurs 10am to 7pm - Sat 8am to 4pm

www.trimbarbershops.co.uk

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Photography for all occasions

Newborn Family

Events Commercial

wolverhampton west magazine

Struggling

with your

weight?

Want the weight gone?

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one-to-one!

CONTACT ME TODAY AND LET ME SUPPORT YOU I too struggled with my weight but thanks to The 1:1 Diet by Cambridge Weight Plan and the support of my Consultant I have reached my weight-loss goal.

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• Available Monday to Friday 8am-8pm (weekend appointments also available) • Mobile visits available • Private Facebook Support Group

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Covering Wolverhampton and all surrounding areas Highly Commended Consultant 2015/16 Consultant to "Man of the Year" Slimmer Finalist 2016/17 Multi Award Winning Team www.wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk www.one2one.com/LouiseP CWPLouisePeck

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Summer holiday

style

By Helen Taylor

inally the summer F holiday season is here, so it’s time to start shopping for those vacation must-haves.

Whether you’re planning on spending your break relaxing on the beach or keeping busy sight-seeing, our summer holiday buys will be perfect whatever you’ve got planned.

Models wear Dorothy Perkins.

See in store or online for prices.

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White cropped jeans £18.

M&Co

‘Monti’ Swimsuit £39.

Monsoon Striped linen midi dress £29.

M&Co

Tie Dye Bardot Dress £38. Wallis

Layered top £35. Wallis

‘Jeanie’ Bikini Top £30.

Lipsy

‘Jeanie’ Bikini Bottoms £20.

Lipsy

Straw Hat £12.

Dorothy Perkins

‘Oh for Shore’ Straw Beach Bag £29. Laura Ashley

www.wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk

‘Jiji’ Sandals £48.

Head Over Heels

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01902 275 856

nuffieldhealth.com/hospitals/wolverhampton

@WolvesNuffield

N uffield Health W olverhampton Hospital wolverhampton west magazine

DETECTING OSTEOPOROSIS

REDUCES RISK New state-of- the-art bone density scanning facilities at Nuffield Health Wolverhampton Hospital can quickly and easily detect early signs of osteoporosis, which can make people susceptible to broken bones.

More than three million people in the UK already have fragile bones from osteoporosis. A DEXA scan to measure bone density is fast, simple and completely painless and the whole procedure takes less than 20 minutes. Knowing that you have the condition means you can take steps to avoid fractures and conserve bone health.

Osteoporosis, osteopenia, brittle bone disease or osteomalacia are conditions where the bones are essentially weakened and are therefore more likely to break as the result of a minor fall. Whilst there are no outward symptoms, often the first sign of osteoporosis is when a fracture occurs and this is most frequently in the hip, spine or wrist. Denser bones are less likely to fracture easily. Bone tissue naturally declines from the age of

Nuffield Health’s specialist radiographer Annisa Mulla with a patient and the latest technology, DEXA scanner

35, which merits the importance of maintaining good bone health.

Specialist Radiographer Annisa Mulla explains about the risks and what can be done for a more bonefriendly lifestyle, “Both genders and all ages are at risk, although older and post-menopausal women over age 50 are at a particular risk. Currently, every minute in the UK someone has a broken bone caused by osteoporosis and one in five women who have broken a bone, will break three or more before being diagnosed. To combat the reduction in bone density as

Radiography staff at Nuffield Health: Sarah Currie, Rebecca Kettleborough, Lindsey Wilson and Annisa Mulla

you age, be active every day with activities such as brisk walking or cycling for 30 minutes at least five times a week, eat a healthy, balanced diet, get some sunlight, don’t smoke and reduce the amount of alcohol you consume.”

The private Nuffield Health hospital in Tettenhall is fortunate in having both a highly trained, specialist team and the latest DEXA scanning technology to diagnose or assess the risk of metabolic bone disease, which includes osteoporosis. The amount of radiation used is so low that the radiographer can remain in the scanning room with the patient.

If you are over 50 and have one just one of the many risk factors, Nuffield Health Wolverhampton Hospital has a self referral route for a bone density DEXA scan but talking to your GP is a good first step.

For more information, please ring 01902 275102 or to book for our free events: www.nuffieldhealth.com/hospitals/wolverhampton/events www.wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk

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What can I do

about my Varicose Veins?

The normal function of leg veins is to carry blood back to the heart. During walking the calf muscle acts as a pump, squeezing the veins and forcing blood back to the heart.

2.

3.

To prevent blood from flowing in the wrong direction, veins have valves.

If the valves fail, blood flows back down the leg. This results in veins enlarging and becoming varicose.

Whilst there are a number of factors that are outside of your control (age, sex and genetics) there are a number of things that you can do to help prevent varicose veins or to minimise the symptoms from them.

1.

Keep active: Regular exercise helps pump blood out of the leg and reduces the congestion in the veins, particularly if your job involves sitting or standing still for long periods.

Lose weight: Excess weight can cause compression of the veins and exacerbate the symptoms of varicose veins.

Even small amounts of weight loss can help with symptoms.

and from the size and position, indicate the best treatment for you.

Recognised by all major Medical Insurers we also accept self-referrals for self-paying patients. For further information about treatments visit www. simonhobbsveins.co.uk or to schedule a Consultation contact Gill on (01902) 793216.

Wear compression stockings / socks: These help with the flow of blood out of the legs back to the heart and can be bought cheaply from most chemists. Your doctor may be able to give you medical-grade stockings on prescription.

The Vein Clinic at the Wolverhampton Nuffield Hospital, led by Mr Simon Hobbs, Consultant Vascular Surgeon, treats the vast majority of varicose veins as walkin, walk-out procedures, under local anaesthetic, with greatly enhanced recovery compared to traditional surgical treatments.

During a consultation, an ultra sound scan will be performed to detect the source of the problem

Love your legs VARICOSE VEINS are a source of discomfort and can also significantly affect your selfesteem. Having these assessed and treated could be easier than you think.

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• High quality varicose and thread vein treatments • Minimally invasive local anaesthetic techniques • Walk-in, walk out procedures • Quick recovery • Insured and self paying patients

Please call 07555 581698 info@simonhobbsveins.co.uk www.simonhobbsveins.co.uk Nuffield Health Wolverhampton Hospital Wood Road | Tettenhall | Wolverhampton | WV6 8LE

wolverhampton west magazine

S porty

f ee t

At Foot Therapy, we are here to help. We get many sports people walk through our clinic, from golfers to long distance runners, all wanting to look after their feet.

TOP TIPS to keep your toes in TIP TOP Condition • Make sure you get the correct fitting footwear for your sport and are able to wiggle your toes. This will test whether or not they are too small for you • When cutting your nails, make sure you follow the natural shape of your nail. This will avoid getting any ingrowing toenails.

• Make sure you change your socks after doing your sport. This will avoid getting fungal infections such as athlete’s foot.

TIP of the month: This month’s tip is called the ‘finger method’. This is to test whether or not the nails are cut correctly, because it is very important to ensure that: your nails are cut short, but not too short. To know that they have been cut correctly, use your finger and place this vertically against your toenail. Apply slight pressure to your finger. Your nail and the skin underneath should be level. If you can feel the nail over your toe, then this will indicate the nail is still too long.

In every sport we use our feet, with some sports more demanding than others. It is important to try and prevent the problems that could occur, rather than trying to cure them as this could reduce your performance.

Friendly Personal Service • Steri Pedicure • Custom Orthotics • Gift Vouchers Home Visits Available

TreaTmenTs for: • Nails, callus, corns, verrucas • Diabetic & arthritic feet • Heel & forefoot pain • Functional & biomechanical issues • Conditions needing orthotics/insoles

Taking the health of your feet to the forefront of importance Open: Mon-Wed 9am-6pm, Thurs 9am-8pm, Fri 9am-6pm, Sat 9am-2.30pm 1a School Road, Tettenhall, Wolverhampton WV6 8EJ For appointments please call 01902

214022

info@foottherapy.co www.foottherapy.co www.wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk

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Children’s school holiday activity camps

Affordable School Holiday Activity Camps • For children 4+ • Half-day and full-day care • Experienced childcare providers • DBS cleared • Accept childcare vouchers • Online and sibling discounts

www.aspire-sports.co.uk

www.sstaffs.gov.uk/leisure LEISURE

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2998 Advert - School Holidays 106mm x 140mm.indd 1

Codsall Leisure Centre 01902 844032

Penkridge Leisure Centre 01785 714152

Cheslyn Hay Leisure Centre 01922 417790

Wombourne Leisure Centre 01902 898202

25/04/2019 09:03

wolverhampton west magazine

WoLVERHampToN

Hip and Knee CLiNiC The Wolverhampton hip and knee clinic has been developed to provide modern, comprehensive and evidence based treatment for all hip and knee disorders.

areas of expertise: • Hip and knee arthritis • Hip and knee replacements • Custom made patient specific ‘Signature’ knee replacements • Sports Injuries • Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction surgery • Cartilage surgery • Tibial osteotomy / realignment surgery

Nuffield Health Hospital, Wood Road, Tettenhall, Wolverhampton WV6 8LE

www.wolverhamptonhipandkneeclinic.co.uk SURGEON MR DAVID SIMPSON

01902 793241 / 01902 793269 info@wolverhamptonhipandkneeclinic.co.uk

The Friends of Bantock House Museum & Park Throughout July and August an exhibition of photographs of Bantock, taken over the years by two amateur photographers, is on display in the newly opened room which is accessible from the House, the Cafe, and the Courtyard.

Taken in all seasons and at all times of day, they illustrate the extensive park environment which surrounds the buildings.

Making use of this lovely setting, an excellent production of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream performed by the Lord Chamberlain’s Men, took place in the outdoor performance space during the Spring Bank Holiday week. Attended by over 250 people, refreshments were provided by the Friends before the play and during the interval.

Proceeds from these, and from the very successful sponsored dog walk earlier in the month, will be put to good use in enhancing this popular venue that we are so fortunate to have within the city.

Happy participants in the Sponsored Dog Walk

Annual subscriptions are an important source of income which enables us to purchase additional items for the Park and House. Membership is £10 individual, £15 for a household.

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Registered Charity No 1065808

If you would like to become members and support us in our aims please telephone: FoB secretary 01902 331272 or email: bantockfriends@ virginmedia.com and forms will be sent to you.

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Reservations over home buying agreements If there’s one thing that infuriates house sellers (other than being gazumped) it’s a buyer pulling out at the last moment without a good reason.

However, the government has stepped in and announced that 2019 will see a trial of reservation agreements – which basically says buyers who pull out of a transaction because they ‘didn’t like the colour of the bathroom’ will face consequences. And those consequences could be costly.

Veronica Du’Quesnay, an Associate and charted legal executive in our residential team, examines what that will mean in reality: Part of the trial process will be to commission ‘behavioural insight’ research to identify the parameters of the reservation agreement so that they are fair to both sellers and buyers, and

that buyers don’t get trapped into buying a property they don’t want if there are justifiable reasons to withdraw from a purchase.

However, if a buyer does want to ‘get out of jail free’ by citing something trivial as a reason to pull out, then that option will be taken away, as the suggestion is they’ll have to ‘buy their way out’.

The new legislation aims to close a loophole that allows purchasers to dip out of a sale at the last minute, potentially leaving the seller out of pocket for conveyancing fees and legal costs.

Rather than introducing a reservation fee on top of the usual deposit, the new legislation looks at introducing an ‘after the fact’ charge levied to the buyer if they don’t have a reasonable cause for pulling out.

What is ‘reasonable cause’?

Veronica Du’Quesnay

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What concerns some industry watchers, though, is how that ‘reasonable cause’ is to be defined.

Obviously, if it’s for something as trivial as the colour of the bathroom suite then most buyers and sellers would agree that a penalty fee is fair.

However, if a buyer pulls out because of the discovery of subsidence that wasn’t previously known about, for example, then should they still be made to pay an exit fee from the agreement?

Getting the legal experts on your side Buying and selling a house is the single largest financial transaction most of us will ever make. It is already tangled up with yards of red tape, and those who oppose the plan say that this adds yet another layer to an already-overcomplicated process. However, most legal experts agree that in principle, the idea of a reservation clause is a good one and will give sellers a greater degree of protection.

If you’re planning to buy or sell a property and want to make sure you’re not going to end up paying more than you should, talk to a property conveyancing expert for advice on the most recent developments in property legislation.

Veronica can be contacted on 01527 588966 or V.DuQuesnay@fbcmb.co.uk. wolverhampton west magazine

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PAYCARE boss praised by WOLVES Kevin Rogers, CEO of Paycare, was announced the winner of the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Award in recognition of his and the organisation’s continued support spanning over 20 years.

Presented by Wolves’ Managing Director Laurie Dalrymple at the Wolves End of Season dinner, he praised Paycare’s long-standing sponsorship of the Baroness Rachael Heyhoe Flint Accessible Lounge, support of its Period Poverty campaign, as well as Kevin’s passion for promoting various health and wellbeing initiatives across the community.

Laurie said: “Since 1998 Paycare has held an important role at Wolverhampton Wanderers as a supporter of the Accessible Lounge, which provides a safe and comfortable space for disabled Wolves fans, as well as Founding Patron of the Way

As a not-for-profit, Paycare has donated £2.2million to charities, initiatives and projects across the UK to date.

Kevin said: “I was completely blown away when I heard my name being called from the stage.

It was so unexpected and I feel incredibly humbled, particularly given the award is presented in memory of the wonderful and sorely missed Rachael Heyhoe Flint.

Conor Coady, Kevin Rogers, Laurie Dalrymple

Youth Zone, a dedicated facility for the city’s young people.

“Kevin’s role at Paycare has been beneficial to so many across our region and on behalf of the Foundation staff, volunteers, schools, participants, and the local community, we would personally like to thank him. The work that the Foundation does wouldn’t be possible without the kindness of people like Kevin and the generosity of Paycare.”

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“As an avid Wolves supporter, this recognition means so much to me personally, and it also reflects the hard work and passion of the entire Paycare team, who bring their all to everything they do and make a real difference to the quality of lives for our policyholders, our team and the communities that we serve. Thank you!”

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Aiming High, Building Bridges, Preparing for Life

At Newbridge, we offer an exciting Residential Educational Visits Programme, which forms a valuable part of the girls’ broad and challenging curriculum.

We offer the girls a variety of venues and experiences.

Residential visits (planned throughout Year Three to Year Six) provide enormous opportunities for the girls to gain new experiences and face a range of challenges

that can significantly influence their personal development. A residential visit offers a unique variety of intensive events which encourage children to engage with staff and friends at a higher level while building relationships.

They also promote interpersonal skills, including leadership, teamwork, trust and respect; often raising self-confidence, self-esteem and resilience.

The programme builds year on year on the girls’ previous residential experiences. Year Six have recently headed off to Wales for their Ultimate Adventure week; which is metaphorically speaking like reaching the ‘summit’ of the girls time here at Newbridge – no pun intended but they do go rock climbing! It marks the beginning of the end of their time at Newbridge.

It is one last occasion to spend time away together with friends made over the years. A time to think about the new beginnings which are on the horizon in September at their new Senior Schools. A time to let their hair down, relax and reflect on all their incredible achievements. On their return, the Year Six girls start their exciting STAR programme (Summer Term Activities Refreshed). It will be a time of

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reflection on what has passed and a time of preparation for what is to come. The STAR programme is a process of letting go and one of getting ready! The events scheduled are designed to provide stimulating, thought-provoking, challenging and skill-based activities, leading to the end of the term. For our girls in Year Six, this is a celebration of their time at Newbridge Preparatory School.

We stand out from the crowd, as the only ‘Preparatory’ school in the city of Wolverhampton which is independent of any senior school.

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Education

and Schooling

by David Williams – Headmaster of Tettenhall College

These are testing times for our political process.

Since 2014 all schools in England have been bound by a commitment to teach what are termed “Fundamental British Values”. One of these key values is democracy and the promotion of our culture that is built upon freedom and equality, where everyone is aware of their rights and responsibilities. Within our curriculum and schooling we must also encourage respect for democracy and support for participation in the democratic processes, including a respect for the basis on which the law is made and applied.

I often reflect on democracy as it applies to a school and although Tettenhall College, like many other institutions, strives to take account of pupils’ views in its working it cannot be truly “democratic”. Our pupils elect a School Council, issues can be raised through and by prefects, teachers or tutors can be approached if there are concerns, pupils are consulted on whole school issues such as ICT or food or on the effectiveness of teaching in certain areas. Parents’ views are taken into account when considering major changes and regular forums or surveys canvas views on all parts of school life.

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lessons or do homework and there has to be a certain element of parents entrusting the professionals to do what is right for their child.

Experiments in truly democratic schools with extreme levels of pupil choice have often proved disastrous with a “Lord of the Flies” type scenario underlining that schools, like society as a whole, need order, systems and rules in order to function. Likewise, history and English lessons along with assemblies will inform pupils about tragic periods of history when human rights were ignored, great inequalities existed and the rule of law meant nothing. We also provide education about our institutions and the democratic process and encourage pupils to take an interest in how they can influence how they are governed. This is undoubtedly a positive step and brings us into line with countries such as France or the USA who have always taken this “civic” education very seriously.

However, what our young people make of the current political mess is anyone’s guess and surely puts a strain on the worthy ideal of a “respect for the democratic process”. They, like many in the country, would have expected that our elected politicians would have been able to deliver on the verdict reached in June 2016 in our referendum on the European Union.

Yet a recent poll in the School revealed that an overwhelming majority are now in favour of remaining in the EU rather than obeying the decision of our country three years ago to exit the EU. The situation is complicated of course by the fact that democratic arguments can be used on both sides of the Brexit debate. Some argue that to not deliver the result of the 2016 referendum would itself be ignoring the will of the people expressed in a legitimate and fair way and by a majority of the population. To rerun or demand a second vote would undermine our whole political system. Others state that we simply did not understand what we were voting for, the campaign to leave was based on lies or the number who voted does not constitute a big enough majority to make such a huge change and a second vote, to trust the people again, is the only way out of deadlock.

Whatever the outcome and one hopes that out of chaos comes some new political order and a brighter future, it is certain that the “respect” for our political systems has been severely bruised and schools now have a tougher job of selling and promoting the Fundamental British Values so beloved of our nation.

You can follow David on @tettcoll_head Twitter wolverhampton west magazine

personalised education

Become a Tettenhall College Sixth Former Scholarships and bursaries available for September 2019 Contact: admissions@tettcoll.co.uk • 01902 751119 www.wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk

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Wolverhampton Grammar School

Coast 2 Coast

2019 Year 10 students set record A group of Year 10 students from Wolverhampton Grammar School have run the famous Wainwright Coast2Coast route of 187 miles from St Bees to Robin Hood’s Bay as a tag team in just 23 hours and 6 minutes to raise vital funds for the charity Sparks.

Wolverhampton Grammar School has run an annual Coast 2 Coast challenge for over 20 years. In preparation for their challenge, the students have undertaken

Interested in joining an award winning School?

Wolverhampton Grammar School’s next Open Day is Saturday 5th October, 11am-3pm.

16 weeks of extreme training to prepare them. Members of staff support the students during their training and the challenge itself. Parents also support the students from along the route.

Each year the event raises thousands of pounds for a charity, which is chosen by the students taking part. For 2019, the students decided to support Sparks: a charity funding ground breaking research into a wide range of conditions affecting children.

There is still time to donate www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ wgscoast2coast2019

This year’s Coast2Coast runners in action

Open D a y

Saturday 5th October, 11am-3pm

Open events provide the perfect opportunity for children and their parents to meet with students, teachers, take a tour and experience sports and extracurricular activities on offer across our Junior School, Senior School and Sixth Form. Visitors are welcome to join us at any time and there is no need to pre-book.

Wolverhampton Grammar School is the top independent school in Wolverhampton for boys and girls from Year 3 to Year 13 (ages 7-18). Winners in the national TES Independent School Awards 2018 and judged “Excellent” in all areas by the Independent Schools Inspectorate.

The School attracts students from across the West Midlands, Staffordshire and Shropshire.

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If you are unable to make the open day event but would like to learn more about the school, contact Mrs Jane Morris, Admissions Registrar on 01902 422939 or email: jam@wgs-sch.net You can even beat the queues on the open evening by pre-registering here: www.wgs.org.uk wolverhampton west magazine

Independent Day School for Boys and Girls Junior School ages 7-11 Senior School ages 11-16 Sixth Form ages 16-18

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acre site

Places still available for September 2019 entry

Judged ‘Excellent’ in all areas by the Independent Schools Inspectorate

School

Open Day

Saturday 5th October 2019, 11am-3pm

Securing places at the most prestigious universities including Oxford and Cambridge

Top of the exam result league tables in Wolverhampton for grades 9-7 at GCSE

Wrap around care from 7.30am - 6.15pm

TES Independent School Award Winners 2018

For more information about the open day or joining our School, please contact Jane Morris, Admissions Registrar.

T: 01902 422939 E: jam@wgs-sch.net or register online www.wgs.org.uk www.wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk

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Royston Blythe Park House Shifnal Royston Blythe opened its doors 30 years ago in Newbridge, it started with just Royston and Lisa (his colour technician).

Sponsored by

This milestone could not go unrecognised, so a surprise party in Lisa`s honour was organised at The Park House, Shifnal. Under the pretence it was Nick`s 60th Birthday Party, everyone was stunned and delighted by Nick and Royston’s heart-warming words of their early days’ antics and their appreciation of Lisa`s hard work and dedication over the years.

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The room erupted and the party started! A real celebration for this very special lady and definitely one to remember!

1. Roy Millard, Nick Malenko, Joanne Bridgwood, Julie Millard, Royston Blythe, Malcolm Bridgewood 2. Nick Malenko, Junie Barnett, Royston Blythe 3. Georgia Bryce, Diana Bryce, Liv Price, Karen Price 4. Cilla Poxon, Jan Humphries, Georgina Barrett, Lindy Elledge, Barbera Revitt 5. Wes Fellows, Pete Snowdon, Katie Morris, Tracy Doughty, Henry Doughty 6. Robbie Hubball, Katie Hubball, Netta Hubball, Emily Leila, Matt Swann 7. Nick Malenko, Lisa Friend, Royston Blythe 8. Royston Blythe team 9. Royston Blythe team 10. Royston Blythe team 11. Royston Blythe team 12. Royston Blythe team 13. Royston Blythe team 14. Nick and Royston with waiters wolverhampton west magazine

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Molineux Stadium Wolverhampton

Sponsored by

Anita Lyons organised a special party for Pamela Jones in celebration of fifty years in business. It provided Pamela with an opportunity to thank ‘Team Officlean’ for their contribution in building the successful business of today.

With her home near Pattingham, Pamela continues to keep a keen eye on the day to day running of her business.

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Don Bartlett, Phil Shaw Dave Lyons, Anita Lyons Trudy Steventon, Pat Banbery Joanne Scott, Tracy Chatterton Anita Lyons, Pamela Jones, Annmarie Stevens Alison Stevenson, Joanne Scott, Dawn Gooden, Lisa McGregor Pamela Jones, Anita Lyons Lisa McGregor, Gail Clifton, Lisa Hunter Nicky Greer, Helen Green, Trudy Steventon, Megan Russell, Katie Bould Karen McMillan, Jayne Jones Andrew Bourne, Deborah Thompson, Roger Green Debbie Brewer, Jayne Van Straaten, Diane Palmer Alan Wright, Pamela Jones wolverhampton west magazine

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Rudells Hagley Hall A dazzling diamond extravaganza hosted

by Rudell the Jewellers took place on Thursday 13th June at Hagley Hall.

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Guests were treated to a spectacular event opening performance from ‘The Vegas show girls and boys’ who continued to wow the guests throughout the evening as they showcased Rudells stunning jewellery.

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8 Further entertainment was provided by magician ‘Richard Young’ as he mesmerised the guests with some amazing tricks.

The evening carried on in style as guests were served Champagne and canapes along with cocktails of their choice from the cocktail bar whilst being tantalized by the exquisite jewellery on show from the world’s leading designers.

1. Jon Weston, Peter and Jean Marsh 2. Devonshae Wallace, Karimah Francis, Glenn Jenkinson-Deakin and Rashida Morrison 3. Gary Jones, Shirley and Clive Goodall 4. Guests enjoying the lavish surroundings 5. Sioux Jones, Jim, Chloe and Shell Fullerton 6. The Vegas show girls and boys 7. Ann Howard and Sarah Lewis 8. Gail Willetts and Jane Watkins wolverhampton west magazine

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Himley Hall Showcase

decorated in tasteful, neutral colours, the happy couples can now select their colour theme with the confidence that there will be no clashes on their big day. Himley Hall is now truly the venue to bring romance to a wedding.

On Friday 3 May, Himley Hall opened its doors to invited individuals to showcase its new rooms, branding and wedding offering.

2. Gary Lavan, Gillian Lavan, Steph Broom, Andy Broom

The sparkling event was attended by local businesses, couples featured within promotional material and those who had already booked the venue for their big day. They had the opportunity to be the first to tour the newly refurbished rooms, meet the wedding team and sample the delicious canapes.

With its last refit being some 30 years ago, Dudley Council decided it was time for a review of its wedding rooms. Now www.wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk

1. Tracey Reece, Clare Marshall

3. Beci Allen, Greg Allen 4. Tony Billingham, Pam Billingham 5. Jane Robson, Paul Robson 6. Jo Mountford, Paul Mountford 7. Kath Harvey, Sue Murray, Alison Harvey 8. Julie Sheldon, Tracey Reece 123

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Wolverhampton Lawn Tennis & Squash Club WLTSC held its annual club summer party.

A great night was had by all at the Caribbean themed party on Saturday 15th June 2019.

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Delicious food was supplied by Rose’s Aroma and fabulous entertainment came from Steelasophical who kept guests dancing throughout the evening!

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1. Nicky Willis, Emer Morns, Ally Birkett, Gurvinder Hayer 2. Mark Fletcher, Guy Birkett 3. Andy Reddish, Meike Claassen 4. Hayley Hollingsworth, Judy Loader 5. Steve Chilvers, Maria Allenza, Dom Decosta, Salvatore Allenza 6. Geoff Barnett, Kelly Hayles, Paola Bower, Lynn Barnett, Marilyn Osbourne, Gloria Wedderburn, Adrian Watts 7. Gregg Davies, Sally Mansell, Jason Mansell wolverhampton west magazine

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Bernard Savage Wolverhampton

1. Jenny Mason, Clare Mason

Bernard Savage Kitchens & Interiors hosted a charity shopping evening at its showroom on the Tettenhall Road to raise money for Dementia UK. Local companies involved at the event included, So Sally Home Accessories, Misgraceful Jewellery & Accessories, Unique Flowers & Fragrance, Immerse Skin Therapy and Nutshell Boutique.

4. Tric Gooding, Suvi Round

It was a fantastic community event that will now be a regular feature throughout the year. www.wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk

2. Pam Baker, Liz Lewis, Glynis Westwood 3. Barbara Savage, Bernard Savage, Katie Savage, Tom Savage, Charlotte Savage 5. Jane Southall, Gurvinder Hayer, Angela Coxhead 6. Chloe Kershaw, Donna Gardner-Hickman 7. Claire Macquarie, Joanne Hollinshead, Sally Wormall, Dottie Tipton 8. Guests browsing the stalls 125

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The Park House Hotel Shifnal Beth Farney and Sarah Mills from Russell’s Hall Hospital, Critical Care Unit organised their first fundraising evening at The Park House Hotel. Everyone enjoyed a lovely 3 course meal, games and a raffle with a disco.

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The aim is to raise money and awareness for their unit, who care for critically ill and high dependency patients in the hospital. A close team of skilled doctors and nurses care 24/7 to ensure the patients receive the best

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8 care possible. The money raised helps to purchase equipment such as rehabilitation chairs, these chairs cost £3000 and are essential in each patient’s recovery.

Special mention goes to The Park House for their generosity and wonderful service provided during the event and Peony of Shifnal for donating the beautiful table flower arrangements.

1. Dr Irmeet Banga, Helga Becker, Camilla Stanley, David Stanley, Hannah Reay, Mick Reay, Nabel Amiruddin 2. Jane Bradbury, Fred Bradbury 3. Helga Becker, Stephanie Thompson, Kaye Sheppard, Mary Thompson, Paul Cardall 4. Sam Rock, Debbie Moran 5. Wayne Mills, Sarah Mills, Beth Farney, Jase Farney 6. Trevor Reeves, Amanda Reeves, Beth Farney, Sarah Mills 7. Nicola Loach, Kate Young, Kate Kemp 8. Cara Large, Bethan Moran wolverhampton west magazine

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Aristocats Patshull Park Hotel Aristocats recently showcased its Spring/Summer 2019 collections with models from The Fashion Show Company taking to the floor at Patshull Park Hotel.

The event raised a magnificent ÂŁ3,410 for the Mayor of Bridgnorth nominated charities. www.wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk

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7 1. Carol Billingsley owner of Aristocats, Councillor Ron Whittle, Mayor of Bridgnorth 2. (back row) Tricia Hayward, Cora Rees, (front row) Mary Wallback, Sandy Baker, Fran Moseley, Elaine Webb, Jane Marshall 3. Pamela Attwood, Brenda Grainger 4. Marjorie Deans, Andrea Morris, Caroline Walmsley 5. Liz Julier, Shirley Parker 6. Carol Billingsley (centre) with models from The Fashion Show Company 7. Moira Parker, Sian Bladen 127

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St. Dominic’s Brewood The Wild West came to St Dominic’s Grammar School in May 2019. The Peakman Hall was magically transformed into a ‘HeeHaw Dosey Doe’ of a Barn by The Friends

Relocatable Structures, where everyone enjoyed a good dance following the instructions from the caller.

There were bottles a plenty to quench thirsts and delicious food catered by Lorenzo of Fire and Food.

1. Gary Hartland, David Morris, Lizzie Hopkinson 2. Peter McNabb, Sara Morris, Joseph Prince

Sponsored by

3. Elisha Morris

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4. Vanessa Prince 5. Darcie Nichols, Monique Prince 6. Barn dance in full swing wolverhampton west magazine

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The Crown Pattingham

1. Duncan Evans, Richard Garbett,

Invited guests and friends came to sample

3. Luke Hill, Doreen Hill,

the new menu on Sunday 5 May 2019 when The Crown opened its doors after being closed for 4 months. During this time a ÂŁ250,000 major refurbishment took place.

Bosses decided to have two sittings on the day. Diners were given a choice menu to pick

Roy Colman – owners of The Crown 2. Simon Snape, Nick Berriman, Caroline Snape, Katie Berriman Elizabeth Hill, Peter Hill 4. Rebecca Westwood, Lindsay Winwood, David Westwood, Tim Buckley, June Buckley 5. Kelly Middleton, Tim Middleton 6. Karen Crangle, Emma Anderson

from and were delighted to discover that it was

7. Julian Brindley, Dianna Brindley

deliciously fresh-cooked food and locally-sourced.

8. Rob Northwood, Jane Whalley

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Wolverhampton Racecourse

to a night of fine dining and dancing. The evening took on a ‘music through the decades’ theme.

Businesses from around the West Midlands joined Jardine Motors Group for an evening of glitz and glamour at its annual charity ball, held at Wolverhampton Racecourse to raise much needed funds for UK charities, Whizz Kidz, Legacy4Lucy and Promise Dreams.

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Guests donned their dancing shoes for the event at Wolverhampton Racecourse and were treated

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A fantastic £13,513 was raised via ticket sales, a silent auction and raffle.

Charities - Whizz Kidz, Promise Dreams, Legacy4Lucy Compare and Entertainer - Blobbie Williams Band - Fully Funktional Helen Hammond, Alison Fowler and Kieran McDermott Individual Specialist Cars (main sponsor) Jason Guy, Aimee Parker Helen and Richard Hammond Three Pines (main sponsor) with charity representative’s McCann with charity representative’s Maryann and Dan Hargreaves Michael Pike, Laura McNab, Angello Russo Rachael Price, Graham Price The Bluebird Belles wolverhampton west magazine

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Tettenhall College 2019 Vegas Ball Over 200 people gathered for the stunning Vegas Ball at Tettenhall College, which was generously supported by AJ Wealth Management and The Studio of Tettenhall. Thanks to the creativity of a committee of volunteers, comedian Doug Parker, a live band and a surprise appearance by Elvis himself, the ball was a major success. Donations from many well-wishers - including Joao Moutinho’s signed Wolves shirt - enabled a raffle and auction to raise valuable funds to put back into the community.

1. Glynn Harvey, Sue Evans, Mary Wallbank, Ron Wallbank 2. Deborah Williams, David Williams (Headmaster)

3. Beth Heron, Annie Cartwright, Elaise Nash 4. Dave Crouch, Sandy Crouch 5. Eliza Phan, Zoja Peovic 6. Lorraine Wood, Heidi Laight 7. Emma Ray-Davies, Ashley Davies 8. Mike Oldman, Helen Oldman 9. Carolyn Holles, Adrian Holles 10. Nicky Willis, Rebecca Smith, Steve Smith, Tim Willis 11. Pali Bagry, Raj Samra, Chris Way 12. Simon Lycett, Sam Lycett, Helen Hunter, Rob Hunter 13. Satti Powar, Kelly Bradburn, Raj Kaur, Lauren Tarrant, Vicky Carney, Jay Wooton, Claire Belcher, Adam Johnson

Sponsored by

14. Alison Tomlinson, Paul Tomlinson, Clive Gilbert, Claire Gilbert

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15. Lauren Tarrant, Patricia Perrin, Amanda Freeman 16. Julie Maddox, Catherine Hammond, Vickie Jones, Sarah Houghton, Sarah Ibister (Ball Committee) wolverhampton west magazine

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Casino 36

STARTS NEW £12MILLION INVESTMENT IN DUDLEY 100 new jobs will be created for local people. There are lots of exciting things happening in the town, and I was really glad to be down at the site to be part of the ground-breaking ceremony and see the start of this £12million new development”

From the left: Corin Crane: CEO Black Country Chamber of Commerce, Adrian Ballard: Owner Casino 36 Ltd, Cllr David Stanley: Mayor of Dudley, Ian Austin MP: MP for Dudley North

Casino 36 Ltd has started work on a new £12million casino & entertainment centre at the Castlegate Retail Park in the heart of Dudley.

The project is due to take a year and it is expected to open in the summer of 2020. The Casino will employ over 100 people and will bring a new state of the art casino experience to the Black Country. It will be a two-storey building featuring the casino and bar on the first floor and an entertainment venue on the ground floor.

A ground-breaking ceremony was held on 7th June 2019 at the site and was attended by Adrian Ballard, Casino 36 Director; Mayor of Dudley, Cllr David Stanley; Ian Austin, MP for Dudley North and Corin Crane, Chief Executive of the Black Country Chamber of Commerce.

Adrian Ballard, Casino 36 Director, said he was inspired to invest in Dudley following Dudley Council’s commitment to regenerating the town centre.

to the borough. When considering which new facilities to offer, we didn’t want to just cater to an existing client market. We are determined to provide something that the area is lacking, and are focused on providing new facilities in a friendly and safe environment where people can relax in an exciting and fresh new setting.”

Councillor David Stanley, The Mayor of Dudley, said: “Dudley Council is committed to supporting regeneration, investment and enterprise in Dudley borough and it was a wonderful experience to visit the site where this new business will be based. I am delighted they have chosen Dudley for this £12m development, it will be a good addition to the leisure and retail offer at Castlegate.”

Ian Austin, MP for Dudley North, said: “I am delighted that there is new investment in Dudley and that

Corin Crane, Chief Executive of the Black Country Chamber of Commerce, said: “Casino 36 are a great local success story and their expansion into Dudley comes after substantial investment into their casino in Wolverhampton. It will also put them in the heart of Dudley which is going through a period of huge investment from the Metro extension, the development of the Institute of Technology, the massive expansion of the Black Country Living Museum. Casino 36 will hopefully become a key part of our local tourism offer and nightlife.”

About Casino 36 Limited Casino 36 Limited runs 3 casinos in Wolverhampton, Dudley and Stockport bringing modern casino gaming and entertainment to its customers. In November 2016 it opened a brand new multi-million ‘Super Casino’ in Temple Street Wolverhampton. In August 2018 it refurbished its Stockport casino and is now investing £12million in a state-of-the-art casino in Dudley. The company is based in Wolverhampton and employs over 250 people across the business.

For more information please visit www.casino36.co.uk

“Dudley has, in my eye, always been a leading market town. The plans to move the area forward are admirable, and something I am keen to be involved in,” he said.

“I feel the opportunities our new site will provide will complement these plans and be an additional vehicle to bring much needed tourism back 134

wolverhampton west magazine

Local men unite in fight against

Prostate Cancer

Men from across the area flocked to 3 Hammers Golf Complex on Friday 14th June as the innovative golf centre opened its doors for its first ever Prostate Cancer testing event.

The event proved so popular that it stopped traffic, with over a thousand people turning up to make sure that their Dads, Grandads, Husbands and Partners took the 3-minute life-saving blood test.

During the day, teams from across the region also played in a charity golf day. Local football legend, Steve Bull, was amongst the competitors, swapping his boots for golf clubs as he teed off as part of the Lloyds Bank team who were event sponsors. Special mention must go to event partner Lancaster Jaguar Land Rover Wolverhampton, which was rewarded for its key role in making the event a success when

team member Tom Bowyer was just an inch short of a hole-in-one to take the Nearest the Pin prize.

Ian Bonser, Owner of 3 Hammers commented, “I’m genuinely delighted. It was great to see Steve Bull playing here and seeing so many local people getting behind this campaign. I really hope we can continue to work with local businesses to offer this life saving event again.”

Thanks to the generous support of local businesses including Lancaster Jaguar Land Rover Wolverhampton and Lloyds Bank, free testing was available to all men who came. The event was also supported by Tettenhall Rotary Club and Wolverhampton Prostate Cancer Support Group.

Steve Bull, Phil Rowley, Mel Howard, Mark Corfield from the Lloyds Bank Team and Ian Bonser

Steve Bull holding the pose

www.wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk

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wolverhampton west magazine

Peter Baker triumphs in France Nearly a decade after his last victory, South Staffs Director of Golf, Peter Baker secured his first Staysure Tour title at the Senior Open Hauts de France by Jean van de Velde after a final round five under par 67, signing for a 13 under par total.

on it’s always hard to win, so you keep going, do the right things, and give yourself a chance.

“France has been really kind to me, “I like playing over here and it’s great to get my first win under my belt.

Pete joined the Staysure Tour in 2017 after turning 50, went wireto-wire at Arras Golf Resort, having shared the first-round lead with Miguel Angel Martín and then took a one-stroke lead into the final round.

“I’ve known Jean since we were 14 or 15, so we have a lot of history together. What he’s done this week has been fantastic, he’s been a great host, and it would be great to come back.”

Club Manager Sue LeBeau adds

“I’m delighted to get my first win on the Staysure Tour,” said Pete, who represented Europe at The 1993 Ryder Cup. “I’m relieved I’ve done it. I was in a strong position going out, I just wanted to play as well as I had done the first two days and it all came good.

“Everyone at the club is extremely proud of Pete’s achievement in France and we wish him well for the rest of the season”.

Do you want to learn from the best and improve your game?

Bookings are now being taken for group coaching sessions with Pete along with PGA professional Matthew Jacques.

Sessions for juniors cost £5.00, Men and Ladies £8.00.

Sessions are restricted to a maximum of 8 people and sessions last between forty-five minutes and one hour.

Pete and his team also offer club fitting using the latest Skytrak Launch Monitor technology.

“Hopefully this will give me some confidence to get up there again.

No matter which Tour you play

Memberships for the 10-acre golf driving range and practice area are also available.

A warm friendly welcome awaits whether you currently have a handicap or are a complete beginner COUNTRY MEMBERSHIP

FULL 7 DAY MEMBERSHIP

FLEXIBLE MEMBERSHIP

20 miles + away

7 day memberships available plus other membership categories

Local and only play occasionally?

Unlimited golf at South Staffs for £530 per annum

A voucher based membership – 10 x 18 holes and 10 x 9 holes £530

All the above membership categories are subject to affiliation fees

The club is available for hire for all private functions For more details please contact our Club Manager, Sue LeBeau on 01902 751065 or email suelebeau@southstaffsgc.co.uk

The South Staffordshire Golf Club, Danescourt Road, Tettenhall, Wolverhampton WV6 9BQ Tel: 01902 751065

@SouthStaffsgc

www.wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk

/SouthStaffsGolfClub www.southstaffordshiregolfclub.co.uk

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WERGS GOLF CLUB

NEW MEMBERSHIP OFFER 12 MONTHS FULL 7 DAY MEMBERSHIP

PLAY ANY TIME FOR ONLY £600 Limited offer, available throughout May and June 2019 *terms and conditions apply

VISITOR LOYALTY SCHEME Play 4 rounds of golf and get 5th round FREE

Sky Sports TV

NEW DRIVING RANGE

New 8 bay covered driving range open 7 days per week A great place to practice and improve your game all year around Only £3.00 for 50 balls

Free WiFi

Breakfast & Lunch

SPORTS LOUNGE Open to all – The ideal place to meet friends whether you’re a member or not!

Good atmosphere

THE IDEAL SETTING FOR SPECIAL FUNCTIONS - WAkES, CELEbRATION PARTIES, WEDDINGS, bUSINESS CONFERENCES

WWW.WERGSGOLFcLuB.cOM Wergs Golf Club Keepers Lane, Tettenhall Wolverhampton West Midlands WV6 8UA 138

e info@wergsgolfclub.com

For booKings or More inForMATion PLeAse eMAiL INFO@WERGSGOLFCLUB.COM

or cALL

01902 742 225

Prices correct at time

of going to print wolverhampton west magazine

OXLEY PARK GOLF CLUB Golf in the heart of Wolverhampton

There is a friendly atmosphere in the clubhouse with a great choice of food and drink at reasonable prices.

Award winning PGA Professional Craig Thomas offers coaching and operates a fully stocked golf shop. For the advanced golfer, a swing room allows club demos, custom fitting and coaching using Flight Scope industry leading technology. A separate short course and practice area allows beginners to gain skills before progressing to the main course.

Oxley Park is the golfing gem that brings the countryside to just a mile from the centre of urban Wolverhampton.

The picturesque 106 year old Harry Colt-designed parkland course has well-conditioned fairways that reward accurate drives and well-protected greens to test your mid-to-short iron game. Fast greens are amongst the best in the region. The 18hole 6,228-yard course is relatively quick to play, allowing golf to fit in with the rest of your day.

The course attracts many visiting golfers and societies, including the “Wolves Legends” charity golf day once again booked for 2019, featuring scores of former Wolverhampton Wanderers players and their guests.

Members joining in 2019 receive £200 worth of extra benefits including vouchers to spend in the golf shop and much more. For members there are regular competitions and matches with other clubs, plus social mix-ins several times a week – just turn up, no need to arrange a partner.

Women golfers benefit from ½ price membership in their first year (for full 7 day members). PGA Assistant Professional Megan Hopkins is on hand to support female golfers from beginner level upwards.

Junior membership starts from only £25 a year and includes free group tuition, with Oxley Park now accredited as one of only four Pathway Centres in the county for developing junior golfers under 14.

Visiting golfers are welcome on weekdays and on weekend afternoons – phone for tee availability. “Twilight golf” offers a full game for just £15 after 4pm on weekdays (excl. Wed).

FULL MEMBERSHIP 2019/20 Unlimited golf all year round including voucher benefits worth £200*

FLEXI MEMBERSHIP up to 29 rounds a year from just £12.75 per round*

ADULTS UNDER 32

up to 80% off full membership (depending on age)

Tel: 01902 773989

Stafford Road, Bushbury, Wolverhampton WV10 6DE www.wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk

LADIES GOLF NEW MEMBER OFFER 50% off 1st Year’s full 7 day membership for new women members

VISITORS WELCOME Green fees start from £15 phone to book

*Terms and conditions apply

office@oxleyparkgolfclub.co.uk www.oxleyparkgolfclub.co.uk

139

Volkswagen T - C r o ss

‘Small but perfectly formed’ loosely describes the Volkswagen Polo.

Anything that looks like a Golf that’s been shrunk in the wash gets my vote. After all, why buy increasingly large vehicles for our increasingly congested road network? In reality, all you really need is a decently-sized and spec’d hatchback – anything more and, really, you’ve just been suckered into buying beyond your needs.

Ah yes, but what about the cult of the SUV that’s currently sweeping the nation? Typically SUVs are big aren’t they? Traditionally yes; but, topically, no. The new Volkswagen T-Cross proves my point nicely. The fifth and most compact Volkswagen SUV ever, it sits below the T-Roc in the brand’s fast-growing SUV line-up and above the Polo in the full VW line-up. Underneath its bodyshell is the same platform as the Polo and as such it is very dainty indeed.

This versatile and practical urbanfriendly SUV is offered in S, SE, SEL, and R-Line trim. Entry level S trim 140

cars are identifiable by their 16-inch ‘Rochester’ alloy wheels, while the entire T-Cross range gets electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors as standard, in addition to an eightinch touchscreen ‘Composition’ Media infotainment system with VW Connect and automatic headlights.

That’s a fair amount of stuff for a fair price: the range starts at £16,995.

Other gadgets and gizmos include a city emergency braking system and ‘Predictive Pedestrian Protection’, as well as Lane Assist with blind spot plus lane-keeping system and Hill Start Assist. All of which add up to make the T-Cross a vehicle with some of the highest levels of driver assistance in its class.

And if you care enough about how it drives – and I’m not entirely sure that some people do these days – the pick of the engine line-up is the entry-level, turbocharged 1 litre three-cylinder, which produces 94bhp. Whether you mostly pootle in town or not, this gutsy power-plant gets the job done, being especially urgent at low revs (the TSI unit develops 175 Nm of torque and does 0-62 mph in 11.5 seconds).

By Rob Taylor

Another point of recommendation is the effortlessly light steering – particularly useful if you’re jammed up in a tight car parking spot or even if you’re tumbling down a country lane, because the steering adapts and weights up accordingly.

As ever be wary of over-egging it and lobbing on 17” ‘Clayton’ alloy wheels because they will in some part affect ride comfort. However, SE models come with them as standard, as well as black roof rails and front fog lights with cornering function; a leather-trimmed, multifunction steering wheel; and a variable boot floor. Thankfully all T-Cross versions benefit from a signature, sliding rear bench seat as standard. This practical feature offers brilliant flexibility – providing a choice between enhanced rear leg room or a bigger load area of up to 455 litres.

So if you want a little of what you need with a lot of what you want in a super-small package check out the new T-Cross. It fills as neat a gap in Volkswagen’s range as it does the gap in your life. Plus, you’ll be driving an SUV, so, what’s not to like? wolverhampton west magazine

FREE SUMMER HEALTH CHECK If you’re planning a summer break, it makes sense to get an expert to check your car before you go – especially if they’re happy to do it for free!

The last thing you want is to breakdown on the way to the airport or spend the first night of hols on the hard shoulder waiting for a recovery vehicle.

You can book your car in for a Free Summer Health Check at HiQ Wolverhampton anytime.

Our experienced technicians will check everything from your tyres, brakes and exhaust, to fluid levels, battery and shock absorbers.

We’ll then create an easy-to-follow report highlighting any problems.

There’s no obligation to carry out any work. But if you want us to do anything, we’ll do it, whatever you need. All you have to do is ask.

WARRANTY APPROVED SERVICING If your annual service is due, we can take care of that too. We offer the

same premium service you would expect from a main dealer - without the premium price. We use Original Equipment parts and lubricants as specified by the manufacturer, and all work is carried out by our trained technicians using the latest diagnostic equipment. So, there’s no need to worry about compromising your warranty. You’re covered.

The only difference is the price.

We’ll also replace your engine oil and oil filter. Sorted.

To book a Free Summer Check or Annual Service, or both, contact HiQ Wolverhampton on 01902 420234.

GO FOR GOLD As part of our Gold Service, we’ll carry out a 56-point check, from seat belt operation to exhaust system, brake pipes and suspension springs. We’ll also replace your engine oil, oil filter, air filter, spark plugs (additional charge for Long Life Plugs or twin spark engines), and we’ll top up your fluids and lubricants. So, when your car leaves our workshop, you’re good to go – anywhere. With total peace of mind.

GO FOR SILVER As part of our Silver service, we’ll carry out a 12-point check, from external lights to tyres.

Give us a call. You’d be barking not to!

FREE

Fitbit or dashcam when you buy two or more 16” and above Goodyear or Dunlop tyres during July and August.*

HiQ Wolverhampton 11 Chapel Ash WV3 0UB

01902 420234

www.hiqonline.co.uk/wolverhampton

Tyres • Exhausts • Brakes • Batteries • Servicing • MOTs *Applies to qualifying Goodyear or Dunlop tyres bought at HiQ centres and online at hiqonline.co.uk from 1st July to 31st August 2019. Must be redeemed by 30th Sept 2019.

100598_HiQ Wolverhampton West_Fitbit final ad.indd 1

www.wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk

14/06/2019 15:14

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The saloon

reimagined

The new MercedesBenz A-Class Saloon is now on sale at Mercedes-Benz of Wolverhampton.

The Saloon further expands the best-selling A-Class range, and showcases the latest in-car technology. It’s available in a choice of two trim lines: Sport and AMG Line. A seven-speed automatic gearbox comes as standard.

Like the A-Class Hatchback, every model comes packed with a high specification as standard.

The Sport model features twin seven-inch displays including a central touchscreen with MBUX multimedia system with ‘Hey Mercedes’ voice activation; comfort suspension; DAB radio; 17-inch alloy wheels; Artico and Fléron fabric upholstery; automatic twozone climate control; Active Lane Keeping Assist; Speed Limit Assist; and Keyless-Go starting function.

The design of the new A-Class Saloon has the proportions of a dynamic and compact saloon car with short front and rear overhangs.

The front end design looks very

progressive. Contributing to this impression is the low, elongated bonnet, the slimline headlamps with chrome element, the torch-like daytime driving lights - plus the single-louvre diamond radiator grille with the central star.

which uses artificial intelligence to learn your preferences, and features intelligent voice control with natural speech recognition.

Just say the words, “Hey Mercedes, cool me down” and let MBUX do the work for you!

Inside, the A-Class Saloon’s cabin offers the same irresistible blend of radical styling, premium quality materials and high-end technology that have made its hatchback counterpart such a success. From the striking turbine-style air vents to the innovative driver assistance systems adopted from our flagship S-Class Saloon, every element has been designed with your comfort, safety and enjoyment in mind.

“Following the successful start of the A-Class, things at MercedesBenz are happening in quick succession with regard to the new family of compact cars.

We now offer the A-Class for the first time also as a saloon car”, says Peter Smith, General Manager of Mercedes-Benz of Wolverhampton. “Anyone looking for a compact, sporty saloon with a separate boot now has a new attractive alternative, we can’t wait to have the car in our showroom soon.”

Your new car will get to know you with the MBUX infotainment system,

Mercedes-Benz of Wolverhampton, Penn Road, Wolverhampton, West Midlands WV2 4HD Tel: 01902 276977 142

wolverhampton west magazine

A new breed of A-Class…

Coming soon.

The new A-Class saloon is coming soon to Mercedes-Benz of Wolverhampton.

Call us to find out more 01902 276 977 Mercedes-Benz of Wolverhampton Penn Road, Wolverhampton, WV2 4HD Lookers.co.uk/Mercedes-Benz

Official government fuel consumption figures in mpg (litres per 100km) for the Mercedes-Benz range: urban 14.2(19.9)-62.8(4.5), extra urban 25.9(10.9)-72.4(3.9), combined 19.9(14.2)-68.9(4.1). CO2 emissions 325-108 g/km. The indicated values were determined according to the prescribed measurement method. These are the “NEDC CO2 values” according to Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP). For more information on these values and how they have been calculated please see http://www.mercedesbenz.co.uk/WLTP Official EU-regulated test data are provided for comparison purposes and actual performance will depend on driving style, road conditions, chosen optional extras and other non-technical.

www.wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk

143

SeiSdon GaraGe • Free A/C Check with every Full Service!

• re-Charge A/C From £55.00 (+VAT) • All A/C Diagnostic work available • While you wait service or we’ll come to you!

Your local Garage for MOT’s, Servicing and all your Motoring needs For Friendly advice or to book please ask for Dean or Alex:

01902 895609

www.seisdongarage.co.uk

07970 936425 (out of hours) email: seisdonmotorservices@gmail.com

Call in for further advice or A/C health check!

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INDEX OF ADVERTISERS

Aerial Photography iSky Media 62 Airport, Transfers & Executive Travel Image Luxury Travel 68 Appliances - Electrical & Gas Capital Appliance Centre 41 Washer Wise 57 Barber Shops Trim 100 Bathrooms Eaton Kitchens 25 33 Kitchen & Bedroom Technique Beauty Salons & Clinics 97 BooshTox Heaven Skin Care 94/95/98 Beds & Bedroom Furniture Cousins 10/11 31 Leekes Bedroom Wardrobes (fitted) 33 Kitchen & Bedroom Technique Blinds, Curtains & Shutters The Fabric Barn 21 Val Hever Blinds 25 Building Services & Contractors 26/27 Three Pines Butchers 71 Allan Bennett Poxons 71 Caravan Accessories 67 Cannock Caravan Accessories Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning Specialists 56 Touch Dry Carpet Supply & Fit Sandford Carpets 21 Car Sales & Service Lancaster Jaguar Land Rover Wolverhampton 147 Mercedes-Benz of Wolverhampton 143 Chiropody & Podiatry Foot Therapy 107 Cleaning services-Interior & Exterior 54 RC Cleaning Commercial Cleaning Services 64/65 Officlean Day Nurseries Sandhills 43 Delicatessen 70 Corbelli Dentistry 2/3 Willows Diet & Slimming Cambridge Diet 101 Domestic Appliance Sales & Repair 57 Washer Wise Domestic & Commercial Building Services 55 JR Latham Group Domiciliary Care Services Quality Home Care 68 Doors - Composite 45 Doorsmart Driveways 47 Resindrives.co.uk Education 112 Newbridge School Tettenhall College 115 Wolverhampton Grammar School 117

Electricians & Electrical Contractors Central Electrical Contracts 32 Entertainment & Leisure Carver Wolverhampton Half 59 Marathon Events 2019 91 Cosford Food Festival Estate Agents 13/14/15 Berriman Eaton Fencing & Gates 51 Profence Financial Advisors Midland Independent Financial 18/19 Services Fireplaces & Stoves 21 Flaming Fires Wolverhampton Fireplaces 17 Fitness & Leisure Centres 108 South Staffordshire Leisure Furniture & Furnishings 10/11 Cousins Leekes 31 Sofa Factory Outlet 29 The Wood Depot 20 Gaming & Entertainment 85 Casino 36 Garage Services 141 HiQ Tyres 144 Seisdon Garage Garage Doors 55 Garolla Roller Shutter Doors Garden Design 49 Boningale Garden Creations Gardening & Landscaping 53 Lealans Garden Centre Potting Shed 46 Golf Clubs 139 Oxley Park Golf Club South Staffs Golf Club 137 Wergs Golf Club 138 Hairdressers 92/93 Royston Blythe Health Care Cover Paycare 60/61 Home Interiors Peony Lane 39 Hospitals – Private 104 Nuffield Hotels Park House Hotel 82 Italian Deli Corbelli’s 70 Jewellers 148 Rudell The Jewellers T.A.Henn 9 Kitchens - Supply, Design & Fit 23 Carvers Dream Doors 37 Eaton Kitchens 25 Kitchen & Bedroom Technique 33 Landscaping Products/Services 44 Able Greenscapes Legal Services 111 Manby Bowdler Solicitors

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Letting Agents 13/14/15 Berriman Eaton Lighting Lighting R Us 32 Loft Ladders Lyndale 17 Markets Penkridge Market 69 Opticians 99 Taylor Biddle Orthopaedic Surgery 109 Wolverhampton Hip & Knee Clinic Painters & Decorators 57 Kevin Jackson Photography 68 Andrews Creative Crescent Imaging 100 Plumbing & Heating 54 First Choice Plumbing JB Plumbing & Heating 57 Property Maintenance Services 57 S. Parton Building Maintenance Racecourses 77 Wolverhampton Racecourse Reclaimed Timber Specialists 20 The Wood Depot Recruitment Services 63 Owen Payne Restaurants/Pubs 85 Casino 36 79 Halfpenny Green Wine Estate Oakley Arms 87 82 Park House Hotel The Courtyard 82 The Shrewsbury Arms 83 77 Wolverhampton Racecourse Wombourne Tandoori 83/84 Skip Hire 55 Wolverhampton Skip Hire Stairs & Stair Components 17 Lyndale Tailoring & Dressmaking 100 Ethereal Tennis & Squash Clubs Wolverhampton Lawn Tennis & Squash Club 89 Tiles & Interiors 7 Tile Choice Train Services West Midland Trains 73 Tyres HiQ Tyres 141 Vein Clinics 106 Simon Hobbs Vineyard & Craft Centre Halfpenny Green Wine Estate 79 Wedding Dresses 100 Ethereal Wedding Venues Park House Hotel 82 Windows, Conservatories, Orangeries 35 Tettenhall Windows

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