Lifestyle Magazine March/April 2023

INTERIOR

Fresh and Spring-like

FASHION

Flares, Frills and Fabulous

WIN

Collagen drops courtesy of Heaven

Tickets to Ibiza Classics, Weston Park

A voucher for microblading

Welcome to spring, hopefully bringing warmer weather, lighter nights, Mothers’ Day, Easter, and remember to put your clocks forward on Sunday 26th March!

Check out our interior feature for ideas to make your home spring-like and our fashion pages for your colour palettes.

Don’t forget to enter our three competitions; good luck! Congratulations to the winner of our Jan/Feb competition, Ruth Davies, for a full hair makeover courtesy of Royston Blythe.

HAND DELIVERED TO 15,000 SELECTED HOMES AND

WV6, 8 & 9: Wightwick, Tettenhall, Stockwell End, Lower Street, Claregate, Compton, Perton, Perton Ridge, Pattingham, Burnhill Green, Ackleton, Chesterton

WV15: Worfield and Hilton

WV3, 6 & 7: Finchfield, Codsall, Codsall Wood, Oaken and Lower Penn

WV5: Wombourne, Seisdon, Claverley, Trysull, and Sandford

Christine Arnold | Managing Director 07970 681004

Christine@lifestylemag.org.uk

Feature Writers and Editor:

Mike Whitehurst, Jennifer Suzanne, Sally Mansell, Louise Rose and Bob Hickman

LATEST SPRING COLLECTIONS OUT NOW. NEW PATTERN BOOKS FROM BEAUMONTS & PRESTIGIOUS TEXTILES

The easiest way to create a designer look is to add personality with home accessories.

The great thing about accessories is that you can change them with the seasons, for example - now spring is round the corner, changing up your winter looking accessories for something fresh and spring-like is an instant update to your home interior.

Accessories are items that are easy to replace and easy to move, such as vases, art, houseplants, cushions, throws, rugs, candles, trays, mirrors, books, storage baskets, decorative items and personal collectives.

If you’re not a huge fan of accessories and you prefer a minimalistic home, everything should be stored away and the floor and other surfaces kept clear and free. If this is more your style, keep your accessories to a minimum and choose quality items over quantity, a single piece of artwork, a family photograph or a vase with your favourite cut fresh flowers.

MIRRORS

A well-placed mirror across from a window will bring more natural light into your home, making it appear more spacious. Small mirrors placed in dark or small corners can draw light to the area and brighten it up. Mirrors are simply beautiful decorating items and come in many shapes and sizes. A large-framed mirror can be hung like a painting, making it a centrepiece in a room.

THROW CUSHIONS

I often get asked how to style your throw cushions. There are no strict rules but think about what look you are hoping to achieve in an informal or more formal style. A quick and easy way to keep your sofa feeling fresh is to switch up your cushions in tandem with the seasons. For example, in the spring and summer stick to linen fabrics which look a great contrast against a fabric sofa, and go for light shades of beautiful blues, teals and pinks to fresh up your look. Also try to avoid matching the cushions to the sofa fabric. If you have a velvet sofa, don’t have all your cushions in velvet. Try switching a few to plain linen or a decorative pattern in a rectangle shape as it’s nice to have something with an interesting pattern to draw the eye in.

PERSONAL COLLECTIVE

That quirky object or collection that has specific memories makes your home feel like it belongs to you. Whether it’s something unusual you collected from your travels or your collection of pottery, your home just wouldn’t feel like home without these items. Make sure they are displayed with care, hung on the wall or displayed on a bookshelf so they take centre stage in your home and are a great talking point for your guests.

HOUSEPLANTS

Houseplants are a great home accessory because they not only look good, they’re designed to make you feel good too. Studies have shown that not only do plants remove carbon dioxide from the air and convert it to oxygen, they also neutralise harmful chemicals like polyethylene and formaldehydes. These chemicals are naturally occurring in many kinds of furniture, flooring and paints used in the home, and have been linked to respiratory and other illnesses. Some of the best plants for improving air quality are, snake and spider plants, bamboo and English ivy.

To style your house plants, firstly you want to choose a plant that will thrive in your space. Check the light in your home as this can affect your plant choice. Look at the position and ask yourself if it receives bright direct light, bright indirect, moderate or low light. Heat and drafts can also have an effect. When choosing the right style of pot to suit your interior style, play with heights and scale. If you have a large empty corner, add in an oversized tree or a trio of plants at staggered heights. This is a great design focal point that draws the eye in.

CANDLE STYLING

Candles have been used throughout history to provide light, warmth and ambiance in the home. I love to use candles as accessories to provide soft lighting. Of course the best candles are ones that smell incredible. There are some fantastic scented candles available and many small businesses that you can support by buying locally.

If you’re concerned about naked flames with young children or pets around then LED and battery candles are available in many different forms and still have that lovely soft glow without the worry.

HOW TO STYLE YOUR CANDLES IN ROOMS:

In your living room, style your candle of choice on a decorative tray or in decorative candle holders on your coffee table with other small accents. Candles placed on books look very stylish on console tables. Your fireplace mantle is a great spot to put candles on display. Glass hurricane lanterns look great either side of the mantle or group your candle holders at varied heights on one side of the mantle edge for a more casual, contemporary feel.

For the dining room, opt for tall candlesticks across a table runner among some greenery for a dinner party look or for a more casual dining table, go for short cylinder candles.

Candles in your bathroom can make it feel and look like a spa so you feel even more relaxed when taking a bath. Style your candle on the bath tray. Or if you have the space, a side table next to the bath with a candle and your favourite book.

ART

Art hung as a gallery wall display is one of my favourite ways to display art. Embrace a mix of artworks and create an interesting composition to add major interest to your walls. The trick to a great gallery wall is a bit of planning, for example, you’ll see some common colours and themes in the pieces which create a sense of cohesion. Make sure you have enough space to arrange your gallery wall so measure and check first before putting any picture up.

If you prefer to show off one statement piece of art, make sure you think about where you want to show this off. An entrance hall would create a first impression of your home; above a sofa or console to balance the art piece; think centre above the sofa just not too high and hanging at eye level is a general rule of thumb.

Picture ledges are a great option if you have lots of artwork but not the space you want to hang them. They provide the perfect styling opportunity for coffee table books, artworks and smaller decor. Best of all, it’s easy to switch out pieces to continually update the look of the shelves.

Another cool and casual way to style art is to lean your art against a wall, especially if you’re renting a property and are worried about hanging artwork. Just make sure you have it out of reach to avoid it getting knocked.

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I hope I’ve inspired you with my tips on how to style your home using accessories. I would love to hear your feedback so please feel free to message me any of your questions, and if you require my professional advice in your own home about styling, I offer a one-to-one styling service bespoke to your requirements.

If you’re inspired by my 2023 interior trends, I’ll be sharing my inspiration, paint colours, wallpaper, lighting, furniture, fabrics and accessories on my social media so please follow me on Instagram page @jennifersuzanneinteriors

Jennifer Suzanne x

Instagram: jennifersuzanneinteriors www.jennifersuzanne.co.uk • jennifer@jennifersuzanne.co.uk • 07977330011

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Serendipity

SERENDIPITY IS A ‘ONE OF A KIND ‘ LITTLE SHOP THAT NESTLES WITHIN CODSALL VILLAGE.

Most of its visitors will describe it as an Aladdin’s cave and spend many an hour mooching upstairs and downstairs where both old and new items for your home are displayed in a warm and homely environment. You will find an array of lamps, cosy throws, candles, ornaments, mirrors, gifts and also unusual outdoor items for your garden.

In 2022, the owner Dee O’Hara, decided to introduce a dress agency into part of the shop which has proven to be a great success.

High-end high street labels and designer brands for both men and women, have been selling well including handbags, shoes and accessories.

(All items are requested to be brought in on hangers, clean, ironed and lightly worn). After many enquiries, Dee has also decided to take in and sell Mother of the Bride outfits on a commission basis and also sell and hire out hats and fascinators for weddings, Ascot and Cheltenham races etc.

Special occasions can be very costly so it seems that it will be a very welcome addition to this growing dress agency.

(Anybody who is interested in bringing in wedding outfits are requested to call the shop first to arrange a time to discuss pricing and displaying).

For further information on Serendipity please call Dee or Gilly on 01902 842289 or email: deeoharawishart@yahoo.co.uk

Serendipity

Serendipity also offers a house clearance service and free valuations of gold, silver, antiques, china and objet d’art.

Serendipity might also purchase items of interest such as scrap gold and silver.

Address: 5 Chapel Lane, Codsall, Wolverhampton, WV8 2EH (by Codsall train station)

Find us on: /serendipitycodsall

@serendcodsall

local triathlon club raise over £30,000 in 24 hours for the mnd association

Local triathlon club, Black Country Triathletes have recently completed an enormous challenge in aid of the Motor Neurone Disease Association - a staggering amount of over £32,000 was raised by a phenomenal group of swimmers donated by wonderfully generous family, friends and fellow triathletes.

The swim challenge was organised after the clubs swim coach Alan Bagnall sadly passed away last summer after a short but valiant battle against Motor Neurone Disease. Alan had been the club swim coach for nearly 20years, helping many of the members of the club achieve great success in triathlon events locally and around the world.

Who would have thought it? Fifty-two swimmers signed up for a journey into the unknown. The challenge which took place on the 28th to 29th December. The swimmers embarked of the challenge of swimming 24 miles, in teams of 2 over a 24 hour period, with the initial target of raising £24,000! Club Chair Andy Southall could not have been more delighted to have exceeded the target amount and by so much.

The success would not have been possible without a huge amount of help and support, especially from our club volunteers, who kept the swimmers fed, watered and, most importantly - motivated. The event would not have been possible without their help.

The event took place at Wombourne Leisure Centre and was started by Toby Robinson, the local Commonwealth Games 4th place finisher in the 10km open water swim who really showed the swimmers how it should be done

The final hour in the pool was started by Alan’s family and was joined by the Mayor of Birmingham! Andy Street.

About the swimmers. They were just a bunch of ordinary athletes who set out to just swim 12 miles each over 24 hours. 12 miles!!! An unbelievable achievement. Some battled through sickness and fatigue, but the sense of camaraderie displayed in each lane and the whole pool kept everyone battling on.

The feeling of accomplishment and pride at what they all achieved should stay with them all for a long time and has given them the confidence to continue to pursue your sporting goals.

Congratulations, everyone, on a truly memorable 24 hours.

The just giving page remains open for further donations at https://justgiving.com/fundraising/bct24

Call: 01902 758111

Visit: www.thomasharvey.co.uk

99 Oaken Park

Codsall, Wolverhampton, WV8 2BW

Purchase Price: £525,000

Situated in one of the most sought after locations in Codsall, positioned in this delightful select cul de sac just off Suckling Green Lane, this most impressive & individual detached dormer bungalow has been thoughtfully reconfigured and restyled to create superb spacious family house. Although enjoying a tranquil setting, the bungalow is still extremely convenient for the majority of amenities having Bilbrook train station & shopping parade within easy walking distance.

Entrance Hall * Living Room * Two Double Bedrooms * Shower Room * Refitted Kitchen * Side Through Lobby * Bedroom Three with Ensuite Shower Room * First Floor Bedroom Four with walk in Wardrobe/ Storage Room * Enclosed Landscaped Rear Garden * Paved Driveway * Garage * GCH & DG * No Upward Chain * EPC Rating C

Call: 01902 758111

Visit: www.thomasharvey.co.uk

2 Newbridge Drive

Newbridge,

Wolverhampton, WV6 0DF

Purchase Price: £425,000

Occupying a choice position in the exclusive & secluded private drive just off the Tettenhall Road A41 and therefore situated in a most popular residential area, this character detached property has been extensively extended and restyled over the years to create a luxury & contemporary interior yet retaining the charm and appeal of a period property. Although occupying a secluded position, Newbridge Drive is extremely convenient for easy access to both Tettenhall Village & Newbridge Shops, together with outstanding local schools nearby. An excellent example of a family home with inspection highly recommended to appreciate this first class property. The accommodation further comprises:

Entrance Hall * Front Living Room * Sitting Room with open archway to Open Plan Dining Kitchen with Family Area * First Floor Landing * Three Bedrooms * New Bathroom * Landscaped Enclosed Rear Garden * Driveway & Detached Garage * GCH & MDG * EPC Rating D

featured property

PINE TREES, 32 LANSDOWNE AVENUE, CODSALL, WOLVERHAMPTON, WV8 2EN

PURCHASE PRICE: £795,000

Situated in one of the most sought after locations in Codsall, occupying a prominent corner position screened from the road by tall ‘Pine Trees’, this individually designed detached property is one of the finest example of its type currently listed onto the market having been extensively maintained by the present owners to create a most impressive and spacious first class family home!

With no expense spared the property has been kept to a very high standard providing a host of quality fittings throughout and therefore viewing of the interior is essential to appreciate the spacious & stunning living accommodation. A number of features include a welcoming reception hall with Solid American Oak internal doors including feature c-shaped staircase, three large reception rooms, stylishly appointed décor throughout, luxury bathrooms and an attractive open plan breakfast kitchen.

The versatile and extensive accommodation includes reception hall with walk in cloaks cupboard, fitted cloakroom, front sitting room, 22ft living room, separate dining room and excellent open plan dining kitchen. The kitchen also provides access to the double glazed conservatory at the rear and internal entry to the useful utility at front which further leads onto the double width garage with remote controlled garage doors. On the first floor the galleried landing leads to four double bedrooms, two having ensuite shower rooms in addition to the family bathroom which is fitted with a wellappointed white suite. At the front of the house is a paved driveway providing off road parking for several cars and the south facing fully stocked good sized rear garden has been extensively landscaped to provide a most pleasant setting whilst offering the maximum privacy, is ideal for entertaining summer garden parties!

Within walking distance of Codsall Village & Train Station in addition to Bilbrook Station (both less than 0.5miles away) and therefore convenient for the majority of amenities including excellent schools & shops, Lansdowne Avenue is also only minutes away from the M54 motorway making it an ideal location for commuting to principal towns & cities.

Having the benefit of double glazing and, the central heating is supported by Nest Thermostat linked with wired smoke detectors in the reception hall and galleried landing. Viewing is strongly recommended to appreciate this unique opportunity to purchase a spacious and deceptive family house!

WIN four pairs of tickets to Classic Ibiza

Competition QUESTION

Name the orchestra that headlines Classic Ibiza

To enter email your answer along with your contact details to: info@lifestylemag.org.uk

CLASSIC IBIZA RETURNS TO WESTON PARK THIS SUMMER

Classic Ibiza makes its much-anticipated return to Weston Park on Saturday 15 July. With the show due to sell out, we’re offering four lucky readers the chance to win a pair of tickets worth £96.

Classic Ibiza is headlined by the 32-piece Urban Soul Orchestra, who have performed with dance music greats, including Groove Armada, Nightmares on Wax and Robert Miles. The family-friendly show also sees live performances from DJ Goldierocks, globally renowned vocalists and former Pacha and Ministry of Sound resident, DJ Jose Luis.

That’s over five hours of the very best in stately house music, accompanied by a truly awesome laser & light show! Bring your own picnic and make sure you pack your dancing shoes for an evening of tracks from Faithless, Laurent Garnier, The Chemical Brothers and many more. Local street food vendors and the San Miguel bar are also available on site.

To book tickets or for more information on this spectacular family-friendly concert, visit: www.classicibiza.co.uk

Competition Terms & Conditions

Lifestyle Magazine competition rules apply see below for details.

* There is no cash alternative to the prize. The competition is free to enter. Entrants must supply their contact details and in doing so agree that Lifestyle Magazine can use them for their own marketing purposes. Details supplied by entrants will not be passed on to any third party. All applications will be entered into a prize draw and the winner will be selected at random by the prize supplier. Winners will be notified by telephone and/or e-mail by the 7th April 2023. Entry will assume acceptance of these terms and conditions. Details of the winner available on request by writing to: Lifestyle Magazine Limited, Dominique House 1 Church Road, Netherton. DY2 0LY.

May Open Day

Wolverhampton Girls’ High School welcomes potential applicants in year 5 to their open days in May this year. The school offers a broad and rich curriculum where all students are encouraged and supported to achieve their personal best in all aspects of school life. Students are highly motivated to learn and personalised learning lies at the heart of the school’s provision.

Through a combination of high expectations and support, tailored to meeting individual needs, the school is recognised for its academic excellence. WGHS is respected as one of the best state schools in the country, regularly achieving examination results which place it near the top of national league tables. This success has also been recognised by Ofsted, with the school achieving four successive “Outstanding” inspections.

The school has an impressive record of students going on to read a variety of degree courses including Medicine and Law; and at some of the best institutions in the country including Oxford and Cambridge, alongside

securing prestigious higher level apprenticeships at companies such as KPMG.

Pastoral care at the school is exceptional, focusing upon student wellbeing. Students join the school knowing that they can fulfil their academic potential as well as developing skills that enable them to become a wellrounded individual.

Further detail about the school’s application process can be found at www.wghs.org.uk/year7admissions.

dear readers

Many of you will have heard about Tettenhall College. It’s that lovely school tucked away at the end of the high street in Tettenhall. A school whose walls create a beautiful boundary for our amazing facilities and our super pupils.

Those historic walls contain a school where the majority of the 500 pupils are British and local to this area –more than 80%. Yet it is also home to a wonderfully cosmopolitan boarding community of students from more than 24 countries, with 100 full time boarders thriving, growing and bringing so much to our school. Perhaps you have friends whose children attend TC. You might have visited us for our wonderful annual fireworks event (more than 3,000 of you did last year!). Perhaps your children have played sport on our pitches, or perhaps you drive past regularly and spot our lovely twinkling lights on a dark evening.

TC is a school that’s thriving. Under its Headmaster Mr Chris McAllister, pupil numbers have never been healthier. The school is going from strength to strength in its 160th year, with a leadership team that is driven, ambitious and experienced. It’s a team that’s bringing the school together to make it greater than the sum of its parts.

There’s a core set of values followed on a daily basis at TC: Ambition, Character, Community, Creativity and Opportunity. Simple statements perhaps. Yet values are only meaningful when the children understand their

meaning and how they can personally bring them to life in everything they do.

Children at TC are known. They are individuals whose personal skills and talents form their individual learning plan. We aspire for academic achievement and excellence for every single pupil. That’s a given. Just take a look at our university destinations. They are excellent. What is often lost in the educational landscape of today, is the importance of knowing a child, to ensure that they are fulfilled in their learning, secure in their relationships and confident in themselves. TC nurtures this and when you meet the pupils, you’ll see it. When you meet our staff, you’ll understand it.

The story of TC could fill many books and would take many words to tell. Yet we would love for as many children as possible, to experience and benefit from all that we deliver. As a registered charity we continue in our commitment to bringing scholarship and bursary opportunities to deserving children. We also ensure that every family who commits to being part of the ‘TC family’ is known and valued.

The world of today is a challenging and complicated one. TC is committed to ensuring that every pupil who experiences its education will be well placed to tackle all that they will face with compassion, gratitude, intelligence, and as a citizen of our global world.

We can’t wait to meet you and welcome you to TC.

friends for life

How many of us can say we are still in touch with a school friend? How many of us have ever been back to our primary or secondary school?

At WGS, such an enquiry is not likely to be met with a blank stare or a scratch of the head. Far from it! In fact rather than be unable to answer you, students and staff are more likely to enthuse about their long association with the School and be proud of it.

Wolverhampton Grammar School has successfully achieved the perfect blend of welcoming and warm to create a home-from-home environment where everyone feels part of a very special community. So much so that many students choose to come back to teach or send their own children to WGS. Sixteen current members of staff are former pupils or as they are affectionately known, ‘Old Wulfrunians’. Between them they span an impressive 34 years of association with the School as pupils from 1983 to 2017.

Another very special part of the School’s make-up is teacher John Johnson who at the of age 71 years has seen 48 years of students pass though the doors. John, known as ‘JJ’, is clearly the font of all knowledge and has seen many a change in Wolverhampton Grammar School’s last 50 years, including the transition to becoming an independent school, the introduction of girls to the Sixth Form and the more recent opening of the infant years in the Junior School.

JJ isn’t the only member of his family to be part of the WGS community, his wife was the former school librarian and their three children have all at some stage either worked or attended the School. His story epitomises the familial spirit at WGS and this is echoed by many a student in comments such as, “WGS is a second family to me.”

Every year the School organises events for students and staff such as reunions, sporting festivals, drinks receptions and dinners. Last year alone over 600 Old Wulfrunians (OWs) returned to WGS. Amongst them were OWs visiting on a school day to help the next generation with careers advice and mentorship. Clearly one of the advantages of attending an independent school is this network that stays with you for life.

The School has made a significant investment in staying in touch with its students and is reaping the benefits for its current students as they consider future career options and university destinations. Not only this but the Old Wulfrunians themselves can further business networking opportunities or simply enjoy the chance to reconnect with old friends. Thanks to the generosity of many former pupils, Wolverhampton Grammar School also offers means-tested bursaries to help prospective pupils with the cost of fees.

Friends for life? If you come to Wolverhampton Grammar School we can almost guarantee it! Find out more by contacting our Admissions 01902 422939 or emailing admissions@wgs-sch.net.

new headteacher announced for shropshire’s wrekin college

A leading independent school in Shropshire has announced a new headteacher has been appointed as work continues to expand facilities in 2023.

Toby Spence, currently Headmaster at Sibford School in Oxfordshire, will take up the role at Wrekin College this September.

He will take over from Tim Firth who announced he would be stepping down at the end of this academic year in a letter to parents last term.

Mr. Spence has been Head at Sibford for seven years where he has overseen considerable growth, reinforced the school’s reputation for outstanding pastoral care and wellbeing as well as developing a highly respected value-added curriculum, and achieved impressive academic improvements.

Richard Pearson, Chairman of Governors at The Wrekin and Old Hall Trust, which oversees both Wrekin College and Old Hall School, said today: “We knew finding a worthy successor to Tim would be a challenge but I am very pleased to report that after a comprehensive recruitment programme, we have found a new head for Wrekin.”

Mr. Pearson said it was thanks to the excellent work undertaken by Tim and his team for the last six years they were able to attract an impressive field of candidates.

“I am delighted to say we were able to select someone in Toby who both understands the winning formulae we have established at Wrekin but equally can articulate a path forward that will further enhance our position.”

Toby, his wife Jill, and their children will be joining Wrekin in September.

“The Governors, families, and staff at Wrekin and Old Hall will warmly welcome Toby and his family to our community.”

Mr. Spence said today he was absolutely delighted to have been appointed as the new Head of Wrekin

College, a co-educational independent school for pupils aged 11-18.

“I look forward to joining the Wrekin and Old Hall community, getting to know pupils, staff, and parents, and to building new relationships. It is an immense privilege to have been selected to lead Wrekin College at a time of ambitious development and growth which will see a new Design and Technology Department added to an already enviable campus of specialist departments and facilities. Wrekin is a school that encourages all to embrace opportunities and to be ambitious for individual and collective achievements. I am very much looking forward to leading this next stage of its continuing success.  ”

Mr. Firth said he felt it was the right time to make the move having arrived at Wrekin College in 2016 with a development plan which had not only extended the available facilities but has seen records broken both in numbers of pupils on roll and GCSE and A Level exam results.

“From the day of my first interview for the role of head, I have been impressed with the Wrekin community. The willingness to embrace change and push boundaries has created a positive, strong, and stable environment for staff, pupils and parents. It means a headteacher can be ambitious in what they look to achieve with a school. I believe Toby will continue to build on the success Wrekin can already be rightly proud of.”

Mr Spence will be present at Wrekin’s Open Morning on Saturday 18th March; book your place at www.wrekincollege.com.

how do i get into flying?

I was given a birthday gift of a ‘trial lesson’ many years ago and wasn’t really that bothered about it to be honest, however, just before the voucher expired I plucked up the courage and gave it a go… What an experience! I was greeted by a very enthusiastic instructor who took me through the basics of flight and the helicopter controls in the classroom. After around 30 minutes we made our way out to the helicopter. The first thing that struck me was “gosh, it’s not very big!” I was given a walk around and the basic parts were explained to me and that gave me a better understanding of what we had discussed in the classroom. Once inside the helicopter the basic controls were again explained and moved around; enhancing again what we had already discussed. The instructor did some safety checks and started the engine and rotors. In no time we were in the air and hovering across the grass out on to the airfield. There is a lot to take in at this point and time literally “flies by”, but the experience was simply stunning and exhilarating. We initially took a flight around the edge of the airfield at about 800 feet above the ground. This is known as a ‘circuit’ and the views were amazing. It was at this point that the instructor told me to take control of the ‘cyclic stick’ (controlling forward, backwards and side-to-side flight). Surprisingly it needed very little movement to make the helicopter move in any direction. Then it was time to take control of the ‘collective lever’. It looks like a handbrake on a car and makes the heli go up and down (very quickly if moved too fast or far). Then came the foot pedals controlling the ‘swing’ of the front of the helicopter from left to right and vice versa. After a few minutes on each control separately, I was then told to take all three controls... I was now in total control of the helicopter!! Unbelievable is the only word I can think of! Once back on the airfield and hovering at around 3-4 feet, I was again instructed to take the controls and “try” to hover. I would describe this as like trying to balance a very wet jelly on my head whilst running an egg and spoon race and not spill any jelly or drop the egg… it was so much fun! Sadly my 30 minutes was up all too soon. I certainly wasn’t finished there!! I immediately got into conversation with a few other pilots who were at the flight

school and what I noticed was how friendly and willing to share information everyone was… enthusiastic, helpful, loads of encouragement from everyone. I decided I wanted to take things further so I signed up for a course to gain my PPL (private pilots licence). Learning to fly helicopters is not a cheap thing to do but to my surprise and delight, at no point was I ever asked to pay any money upfront. The whole process was pay as you fly. Therefore I was able to budget and fly accordingly. I managed to complete the flying course, associated exams and final flight test to gain my PPL in approx. 18 months. I then proceeded to get involved with other pilots at the flying school and actually visit places by air and share the cost, e.g. if I flew the outward part of the flight I paid for that section, then someone else would fly the aircraft on the way home at their expense. We regularly arranged trips to different hotels, pubs, restaurants, overnight stays etc. all over the country many times, taking several helicopters and a gang of pilots, always having loads of fun and building experience.

I have been flying helicopters for 19 years now, always just for fun until recently when I was asked by the owner of AA Helicopters if I wanted to get more involved (we have been friends for a number of years). I said yes and now I am the operations and compliance manager for the company as well as part owner of our 4 seat Robinson R44 helicopter.

Most people learn to fly in the 2 seat helicopter, and once qualified, will take a 5 hour course to fly the 4 seater. The 4 seater is used predominantly for ‘going places’. It’s faster, more spacious and comfortable than the two seater. We also use it for our Severn Valley tour flights and experience flights/ sightseeing tours.

AA Helicopters Ltd

26 Wolverhampton Halfpenny Green Airport

Crab Lane, Bobbington, DY7 5DY

Instagram: @aahelicoptersltd

Facebook: AAHELICOPTERS LTD

“SADLY MY 30 MINUTES WAS UP ALL TOO SOON”

WIN a 15 minute “buzz flight” for 3 persons over Chelmarsh reservoir and the river severn.

How many seats does the helicopter have that you usually take lessons in?

To enter email your answer along with your contact details to: info@lifestylemag.org.uk

Competition Terms & Conditions

Lifestyle Magazine competition rules apply see below for details.

* There is no cash alternative to the prize. The competition is free to enter. Entrants must supply their contact details and in doing so agree that Lifestyle Magazine can use them for their own marketing purposes. Details supplied by entrants will not be passed on to any third party. All applications will be entered into a prize draw and the winner will be selected at random by the prize supplier. Winners will be notified by telephone and/or e-mail by the 7th April 2023. Entry will assume acceptance of these terms and conditions. Details of the winner available on request by writing to: Lifestyle Magazine Limited, Dominique House 1 Church Road, Netherton. DY2 0LY.

smoked haddock dauphinoise

with petit pois a la francais and poached egg

SERVES 6

INGREDIENTS:

2k of Maris piper potatoes

1 block of butter

2 x 600ml double cream

12 garlic cloves

Maldon sea salt

600g of smoked haddock

6 super fresh eggs (old eggs dont poach)

1 bunch of chives

1 nutmeg

A pinch of dried tarragon

Cracked black pepper

500g of petit pois

2 banana shallot

1 gem lettuce

EQUIPMENT

Large pans

Mixing bowl

Deep Roasting tray

Magimix processor with fine blade

Parchment paper

Chopping board and cooks knife

Peeler

Pastry brush

Prep time - 20 minutes

Cooking - 1 hour 30 minutes

METHOD - read through first then measure out all of your ingredients before starting

Peel and slice the potatoes then add to the mixing bowl with 1000ml of double cream and 6 garlic cloves finely sliced or crushed. Mix well.

Line your roasting tin with parchment paper. Slice the haddock thinly then layer into the tray with the potatoes and then season with salt, pepper, a few gratings of nutmeg and a pinch of tarragon. (Use fresh if you can get it). Place another piece of paper over the top and press down evenly to flatten out.

Bake in the oven at 165oC for about 1 hour or until a skewer goes through the potatoes easily. Allow to cool and the set over night in the fridge.

Next day take the dauphinoise slab out of the tray and cut out 6 rectangles. Freeze the leftovers or slice thinly to top a fish pie gratin. Place the 6 rectangles on a piece of parchment, brush with clarified butter and roast in the oven at 200oC for about 30 minutes or until brown and crispy.

METHOD - read through first then measure out all of your ingredients before starting

For the peas, fine dice the shallots and the other 6 garlic cloves. Sweat off in olive oil and then add in chicken or veg stock, reduce this and then add the cream, allow the cream to reduce and thicken up then add in the then adding the peas and sliced gem lettuce. Whilst the peas are cooking get a small pan of water on the boil. Once boiling turn the heat down to a simmer and then add in the eggs. If the whites are a little thin try adding a little dash of vinegar to help stabilise the egg whites. To serve simply add the peas to a coupe dish, place a slice of dauphinoise on the peas then top with a poached egg and a sprinkle of chives.

Serve with a crisp white wine or elderflower mineral water.

banana nut crumble with toffee creme anglais

SERVES 6

INGREDIENTS:

9 bananas

Packet of jumbo oats

Mixed nuts 100g

Pumpkin seeds 50g

Honey

Maple syrup

Sea salted butter

Soft dark brown sugar

Plain flour

EQUIPMENT

Large pans

Mixing bowl

Deep Roastin

Avocado oil

Vanilla extract

Cointreau (optional)

Prep time - 20 minutes

Cooking - 16 minutes

METHOD - read through first then measure out all of your ingredients before starting

Make granola first by combining 100g of giant oats with 50g of mixed nuts, 100g of pumpkin seeds, 1tbsp of honey, 1 tbsp of avocado oil, 45ml of maple syrup and half tsp of vanilla extract. Bake on a tray at 150oC for 30 minutes then allow to cool. Multiply this recipe if you want to have some to store in your larder for breakfast or late night snacking.

To make the crumble topping dice 100g of cold butter and rub into 125g of plain flour until it resembles breadcrumbs. Next add in 75g of Demerera sugar and 125g of the granola you previously made. Bake this for about 18 minutes at 165oC so the crumble topping starts to crispen up and brown a little.

Peel and cut each banana into 4 chunks. Melt butter in a pan and fry the bananas off for a few minutes then place into a roasting tin. Drizzle with honey and dark brown sugar then roast in the oven for about 8 minutes. Make sure the sugar doesn’t burn.

To make the toffee creme anglais heat 250ml of double cream with 1 tsp of vanilla extract until bubbles form. Whisk 4 egg yolks together with 70g of soft dark brown sugar until smooth and then gradually whisk in the warm cream to the eggs keeping whisking until the mix starts to thicken. If you get any lumps just pass through a sieve.

Once everything is ready assemble the crumbles. Place 6 pieces of banana in each bowl, sprinkle with the crumble topping and then pour over a little toffee cream. This is a very sweet but full of flavour and texture dessert. Add a ball of vanilla ice cream too if you have some.

RECIPES BY MIKE WHITEHURST

nick & royston

NEW YEAR – NEW ME

At the start of a New Year comes New Year Resolutions… drink less, eat less and exercise more to generally improve our health and to feel better about ourselves. Nick & Royston are no exception to this and after months of research and consultations, decided to take the leap and opt for surgery.

No stranger to having a little help and being very open about the treatments they try, they have both decided on a lower facelift and Nick, an eyelid lift.

Royston said Dr Marando`s passion and knowledge for surgery, instantly filled us with confidence and understanding of what we could achieve and the journey we would go on. He said, ‘You will not look 19 again (shame!!) but you will definitely look and feel more youthful’.

Dr Andrea Marando from Star Clinic in Manchester was the surgeon they finally decided on.

Nick explained that after the consultation, he asked us to go away and think about it, but we knew we wanted to go ahead and booked for January.

After the three hour operation, the surgery was a great success and only hours after, Royston was happily enjoying the clinic`s menu and quite a few Haagen-Daz ice creams to help with recovery!

After returning home the following day, they had strict instructions to relax, rest and recuperate. No driving for two weeks, sleep sitting up and wear the headband whenever possible to reduce swelling and bruising.

This is probably the hardest thing for these two workaholics, who hate sitting still. The salon’s clients had been intrigued, so Royston decided to film their surgery journey and post daily updates on Instagram, which not only kept them busy but soon became a massive hit with followers.

`The amount of well-wishes was amazing and after posting us watching our favourite show Benidorm, the creator Derren Litten, even sent us a fabulous message and invited us to visit him at his bar in Benidorm. I`m definitely up for that’, said Royston!

The results are quite amazing but why be so open about your surgery, I asked.

Nick replied, ‘We are very open about everything in our lives. I think it’s the job; as clients open up to us, we do the same. Surgery is not just for the rich and famous. Everyone wants to look their best these days, but don’t know where to go and often ask us’.

Royston said, `I still feel 20 even though I know I don’t look it, I keep trying! As we get older we take life less seriously so we thought the posts might be a bit of fun and make others laugh. After one shower scene, even I showed more than I wanted!`

But that’s another story!

dreaming of longer days and warmer weather?

With spring coming upon us, many of us are starting to dream of the return of longer days and warmer weather. What better way to do this than by booking your next summer holiday. January and February are historically one of the busiest times for bookings in the travel industry and therefore there are generally good deals to be found. If you’re looking at booking some summer sun, here is some inspiration to help you decide the best destination for you.

Katie Brook, Personal Travel Consultant

With its fantastic climate, delightful beaches, relaxed way of life and fascinating ancient history, Greece has options for everyone. The biggest question is which island do you choose, or why not island hop and see a few. From the larger islands of Crete and Corfu, to the smaller islands of Santorini and Mykonos, and everything in between, you will not be disappointed. Greece enjoys one of Europe’s warmest climates with much sunshine and little rainfall.

Spain continues to be a hugely popular destination for holiday makers from the UK, with a huge variety of options to suit all tastes. Whether you are looking to travel to one of the islands of the Canaries or Balearics, or pop over to the mainland, the variety of options across Spain ensures there is something for everyone. With relatively short flight times and numerous flight options from UK airports, it remains a great option for families, for those looking for nightlife, or for those looking to explore its cultural and historic sites.

Spain is an extremely diverse country with passionate people and amazing cuisine and wine. It offers fabulous beaches; a wonderful climate, with options all year round; amazing cities to explore; world-famous festivities; and numerous historical sites.

With its proximity to the landmass of Asia, Cyprus is one of the hottest parts of Europe, so if you’re after the sun, sea and beaches, Cyprus is a fantastic choice for you. However, in addition to this, Cyprus also offers fascinating ancient history as well as the amazing scenery of the pine-clad Troodos Mountains and Mount Olympus.

SPAIN

GREECE

CYPRUS

Turkey is an increasingly popular destination for summer holidays, with a huge array of amazing hotels offering 5-star luxury at affordable prices. If you are looking for all-inclusive luxury with activities for all the family and guaranteed sunshine, then Turkey is the place for you.

However, Turkey offers far more than this. With worldfamous archaeological sites and monuments, sitting side by side with the natural beauty of pine forested hillsides, formidable mountain ranges and long, wide beaches, Turkey has activities to suit everyone.

Italy

With its fabulous climate, beautiful scenery and magnificent architecture, it’s not surprising Italy has been a favourite place for British holidaymakers for many years. Not to mention the amazing food! With the amazing coastlines of Sorrento and the Amalfi coast or Tuscany; the islands of Sardinia and Sicily; the many Lakes; and the cities of Rome, Florence, Venice, Milan or Verona, to name a few. Italy again is a country with something for everyone, but where do you visit first?

With history, culture and spectacular scenery, it’s not surprising Croatia has become one of Europe’s most intriguing and rewarding holiday destinations. More than one hundred of its beaches enjoy blue flag status. They are mostly pebble and shingle and the waters are clean and crystal clear. Inland there are beautiful pine forests, ancient olive groves and vineyards, and fragrant lavender fields alongside the stunning lakes and waterfalls. And then you have the charming towns, pretty fishing villages and numerous UNESCO World heritage sites. It’s no wonder Croatia should be on everyone’s list of places to visit.

Get in touch

I hope this has given you some inspiration for this and future years travel. As a personal travel consultant my job is to create the perfect holiday for you, so please get in touch as I would love to help you book your next dream getaway.

Katie Brook

Personal

444245

CROATIA

ITALY

WE STILL HAVE SELECTED DATES AVAILABLE THIS YEAR EXCLUSIVE USE WITH A TWO DAY STAY

AVAILABLE FOR WEDDINGS, PARTIES & HOUSE FOR HIRE

high grosvenor house claverley, shropshire, wv15 5pg

house@highgrosvenor.co.uk

time to get excited and start planning!

When it comes to planning your wedding, it is a great idea to collate all your ideas in one safe place. Pinterest is great for this. You can create different boards for each section of your wedding. You can save directly into each board, and you also have the option to make your boards private so no-one can see your ideas. Otherwise, screenshots saved to your wedding album on your phone or tablet is good. When you have your appointments with your wedding supplier, share your images as it makes them more aware of your likes and dislikes. Personally, I just love a scrapbook... A book of sticky notes, sample fabrics, stationery proofs and cut outs of magazines, totally inspires me.

If you decide to enlist the help of a wedding planner, they will take you through the steps and will even design your mood boards and bring your ideas to life.

TOP TIPS FOR SELECTING YOUR PERFECT WEDDING VENUE

If you do choose a wedding planner, it is important to take their advice on the most important thing… your wedding venue. Here are some top tip questions to ask the venue:

WHAT TIME CAN I ARRIVE IF I’M PLANNING TO GET READY AT THE VENUE?

What is the earliest time you can access the dressing room? Some venues can be as late as 10.30am. As well as yourself, you will need to consider how many extra members of the bridal party will be getting ready on site as you may need to plan by starting the ‘getting ready’ process offsite before moving to your chosen venue. In your dressing room is there any natural light? We look different under the Hollywood style lighting. Natural light is a must, so do check your final make up before putting on your beautiful dress.

IF I CHOOSE TO HAVE AN OUTDOOR CEREMONY, WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS?

If you have your heart set on a beautiful outdoor ceremony and a few days beforehand the weather is looking unpredictable, ask the venue what the turn-around time is to move the ceremony indoors and what the cut-off point is to make that decision should the weather take a drastic turn on the day. Remember to consider if you have enough decorations for what is normally a bigger indoor ceremony room.

CAN I SUPPLY MY OWN DRINK / NO CORKAGE VENUES?

If you are thinking of no corkage venues, ask if there are any limits or restrictions on spirits. Venues may allow no corkage but would prefer you not to have a variety of spirits unless they are served in a controlled manor by their own staff.

There are so many questions and decisions to be made when choosing your wedding venue, that we couldn’t possibly list them all. These are just a few pointers for you.

Louise Rose

“Beautifulflowers,always”

hope you are all into the swing of the new season silhouettes, easy fix corset tops, super feminine dresses, dad fit trousers, earrings are back. Oversized stripe shirts are key plus the Breton are always a fresh Spring staple. Colour palettes are Magenta, Blue, Red, Lavender & White. I have enjoyed looking for a few hope you like them.

Bring on the Spring! I hope you are all into the swing of the new season silhouettes, pencil & midi skirts, easy fix corset tops, super feminine dresses, dad fit trousers, ballet flats & long earrings are back. Oversized stripe shirts are key plus the Breton stripe t shirt or knit are always a fresh Spring staple. Colour palettes are Magenta, Lime, Tangerine, Sky Blue, Red, Lavender & White. I have enjoyed looking for a few new brands online, I hope you like them.

By Sally Mansell - www.shecanstyle.co.uk

sPriNG suNrise

I love white on white, there fresh white shirt like this Arket is a store you will meandem.com & gorgeous

Square toe ballet flats are plus the midi skirt, decide

could mix orange, pink & red, well they sit happily together as you can see, this The decorum at Tettenhall is a dress to see you through the whole season, fabulous heels from anthropologie.com or ballet flats from LK Bennett, adding a from Boden for a super chic look. The oversized stripe shirt is an easy fashion fix flares or wear loose over straight leg jeans.

Who thought you could mix orange, pink & red, well they sit happily together as you can see, this gorgeous dress from The decorum at Tettenhall is a dress to see you through the whole season, dressing up with fabulous heels from anthropologie.com or ballet flats from LK Bennett, adding a Chanel style blazer from Boden for a super chic look. The oversized stripe shirt is an easy fashion fix for everyone, tuck into flares or wear loose over straight leg jeans.

boden.co.uk – York Crop Blazer 2 – thedecorum.co.uk – Charlie Dress 3 – lkbennett.com – Cara Ballet Flat 4 – anthropologie.com – Nike Retro Trainer 5 –boden.co.uk – Supersoft Stripe Top 6 – anthropologie.com – Botanist Abroad

anthropologie.com – Caverley Coco heel

Shirt

www.shecanstyle.co.uk

I love white on white, there is something about a neutral palette that is so sophisticated. Buy a fresh white shirt like this one from Arket, your options are endless, if you like contemporary fashion Arket is a store you will enjoy, how stylish is the oversized blazer, wear with the chunky loafer from meandem.com & gorgeous bag from totesluxuk, love!

Square toe ballet flats are on every website, I love this neutral pair from Next, large tote bags are key plus the midi skirt, decide what look you want.

Lime is a new trend shade, not the easiest, but worn with soft pastels or crisp white it would be very fresh. I love this suede pencil skirt from Jigsaw, wear with the stud mule from Zara, I recently bought a dress by Onjenu, super lux fabric & style, a dress with pockets, what’s not to love. Have a look at wraplondon.com I know a lot of my friends will be very tempted, soft knitwear, easy dresses & contemporary trouser shapes. Corset shape tops are a new silhouette for this season, I love this silk fronted top from Jigsaw, check out the store in Shrewsbury. Dad fit trousers are a key trend at the moment add a contrast belt & soft knitwear, I love a good shirt dress, pop to The Decorum in Tettenhall for new brands & something a bit different.

Cardigan

34 – sezane.com – Angie Cardigan

39 – farmrio.eu Pink Folk Party Maxi

39 – farmrio.eu Pink Folk Party Maxi

Leather Heeled Mule

35 – massimodutti.com – Leather Heeled Mule

Italian Check Blazer

36 – meandem.com – Italian Check Blazer

40 – anthropologie.com – Angel Alarcon Mary Jane

40 – anthropologie.com – Angel Alarcon Mary Jane

Flower Knot Earring Blouse

37 – thedecorum.co.uk – Flower Knot Earring

41 – arket.com – Leather Pouch

41 – arket.com – Leather Pouch

38 – farmrio.eu – Romantic Blouse

42 – zara.com – Ruffle Blouse

42 – zara.com – Ruffle Blouse

feel with flares & frills & fabulous Mary Jane’s, choose a blouse with applique frills for a feminine wardrobe update, I love this outfit from meandem.com add gold accessories to everything on this page. Look at sezane.com & feminine styles. Treat yourself to a pair of long earrings, instant fashion fix!

This page has a vintage feel with flares & frills & fabulous Mary Jane’s, choose a blouse with applique or a pussy bow or sheer frills for a feminine wardrobe update, I love this outfit from meandem.com wear with retro heels or add gold accessories to everything on this page. Look at sezane.com & farmrio.eu for modern feminine styles. Treat yourself to a pair of long earrings, instant fashion fix!

let’s look forward to some bright sunshiny days & fabulous new pieces to

It’s been a cold winter, so let’s look forward to some bright sunshiny days & fabulous new pieces to update our wardrobes!

Happy Shopping!

Sally x www.shecanstyle.co.uk

“My name is Jade and I specialise in Microblading after training at the leading academy in the country, Blades Academy. Microblading is a form of semi-permanent make up to create natural looking eyebrows using individual hair strokes.

I absolutely love my job, every client has their own story and reason behind wanting Microblading, being a part of their journey and helping to create their dream eyebrows is so satisfying. From clients who would like to slightly enhance their natural eyebrows to clients who have completely lost their hair, I can help them to achieve beautiful eyebrows.

After the initial treatment and 6 week top up, Microblading can last anywhere between 12 months to 3 years (some may hold the pigment longer).

All consultations are free of charge so please don’t hesitate to get in touch.”

DRESS STORE BOUTIQUE

A multi-label independent Mother and Daughter business, with a hand-picked mix of super stylish and affordable clothing, footwear and accessories. We stock brands exclusive to our area for those who hope to be inspired and enjoy fashion.

BRANDS

B.Young

ICHI

Sugarhill Brighton

Pulz Sonder Studio

N and Willow

Big Metal London Jewellery

Based on the Codsall Road, Wolverhampton, next to the Claregate Island, with designated shop frontage parking.

For regular updates on out latest stock, videos, events and opening hours follow us on facebook and instagram

Or take a browse on our website: Dress-store-boutique.myShopify.com

One size clothing

Connock of London luxury candles & fragrance

Proud London Greetings Cards

Tue - Fri: 10am till 4.30pm

Saturday: 10am till 4pm

horoscopes

PISCES

(February 19 - March 20)

Here comes a chance to break with the old routine as reorganisation seems to prevail in most sectors of your life. Ride the waves and try to adapt to change. Excitement and adventure may lie ahead.

ARIES

(March 21 - April 20)

A fresh understanding of the needs of others might help you to put things in two prospective as you trip the light fantastic through the next month or two. Let your hair down its party time!

TAURUS

(April 21 - May 20)

That powerful planet Jupiter will do you proud when it comes to personal relationships. Love is in the air.

GEMINI

(May 21 - June 20)

Don’t stand on ceremony when it comes to sorting things out properly. Get the old nose to the grindstone and enjoy creating untold income. The finance stakes looks amazing.

CANCER

(June 21 - July 21)

A major constellation affecting your chart indicates change for the better particularly in domestic and family matters. At last your advise may be listened to and taken seriously.

LEO

(July 22 - August 21)

Try to take a balanced view of everything. You need the wisdom of Solomon when making important decisions.

VIRGO

(August 22 - September 21)

Technical hitches and failiers may hack you off but take heart the financial side of things is very well starred. You could be laughing all the way to the bank.

LIBRA

(September 21 - October 22)

You can trust your own judgement and beware of “clever dicks and know it all”. Your intuition should prove very useful for those important issues.

SCORPIO

(October 23 - November 22)

Tide is turning in your favour and within the next week or two all should be well. This is not a time to take chances, but improvements are definitely on their way.

SAGITTARIUS

(November 23 - December 20)

As the moon energises your sign you may feel as if you can take on the world, and why not. The wind of change is blowing new opportunities your way.

CAPRICORN

(December 21 - January 19)

You seem to be a whisker away from great success. Put your thinking cap on and just make a smidgin more effort and you just can’t go wrong. Your luck is well and truly in.

AQUARIUS

(January 20 - February 18)

Make hay whilst the sun shines and don’t leave any stone unturned. You are in the driving seat and maybe its time to show leadership skills to other people. Put your foot down now and you won’t regret it.

Offering natural fillers to vegan facials and everything in-between with Heaven’s unique techniques, treatments and products.

Of course, there is a full range of expert skinbeautifying treatments at Heaven and Deborah has ensured that each is priced competitively so that everyone has the opportunity to look and feel amazing.

“I really feel lucky to have been able to look after so many people’s faces for so long and whether it’s one of my loyal customers at Heaven or a celebrity client it is a real privilege to make everyone look incredible,” adds Deborah.

So, why not treat yourself to an expert treatment at Heaven today? You deserve it!

SPRING OFFER

Deborah Mitchell, Founder of the world famous beauty brand, has created a luxury Garden Room at her Shifnal salon just in time for mums to enjoy some muchneeded pampering.

The relaxation space is filled with lush greenery and features vitamin D bulbs, which means you can chill out pre and post treatments … and even if you’re only popping in for a manicure you’ll look and feel better!

The special lighting also works in tandem with Deborah’s patented Prism Light Technology that she uses in her bestselling Age Defiance Cream. This clever formula harnesses the power of our skin’s own natural peptides, specifically L-Carnosine,

to not only defend against light damage, but stimulate collagen to protect it when light hits.

“It’s the perfect space to make mum or anyone you love to feel extra special” says Royal facialist Deborah. “At Heaven we understand that mums are always on the go, so what better way to take a break from things than in our new Garden Space. You can book in for a number of treatments and enjoy a half day or full day spa experience.

“We have also launched our new Heaven Bee Bee Glow, a radiance facial designed to leave you looking your beautiful best. We use a combination of vitamins, coppers and minerals that gives you a really natural glow which can last up to four months.”

Bring your mom, a friend or anyone you care about for our Spring Offer.

*This offer ends on the 31st April 2023. Offer must be taken Before the end of April 2023. The 2 for 1 offer is for treatments on that visit/day/booking, so, 2 same treatments for 2 different people for the price of one. The 2 for 1 treatments offer can be booked with Deborah but you must call the salon for bookings with her due to her diary demands. For further T&C’s please contact the salon.

SHOW YOUR MUM HOW MUCH SHE MEANS TO YOU THIS SPRING WITH THE MOST HEAVENLY TREAT FROM HEAVEN SKINCARE.

DEBORAHMITCHELL

time to check your ears?

As the days are getting longer and the warm summer nights approach isn’t it time you had your ears checked?

We think nothing of going to the optician or dentist but when it comes to our hearing there is often a reluctance to look for help. Accepting that you have a problem with your hearing is the first step. Now you can choose a hearing company that can help.

Where do I start?

Recommendation is always a great place to start. If a friend or family member has had great service then you can too! Or search online for your local audiologist, read the reviews and see what others have to say

Private Independent Audiologists

An independent hearing company, like our Hear in Hagley, Hear in Wombourne and Hear in Rubery clinics, offer a level of personal service that can’t often be provided by chain-based companies or the NHS. Our dedicated clinics are designed with you and your ears in mind!

What can I expect?

•Professional team

We pride ourselves on our professionalism and expertise. As fully qualified audiology professionals you are in safe hands. Our clinics at Hagley, Wombourne and Rubery are dedicated to hearing care, that’s just what we do.

•Personal service

You are important to us and we genuinely care about you and your ears. More often than not we can remember which hearing aids you are wearing if you pop in for filters or batteries. We are happy to chat about your health, the family and even the latest holiday you’ve been on!

We aim to give you the best customer experience, after all, this relationship can last for a number of years as we look after you on your hearing journey.

•Detailed Product Knowledge

Our excellent product knowledge with access to all the hearing aids on offer ensures that we can recommend the very latest technology to help you hear better.

Unlike the high street chains we are not tied to any particular manufacturer and we don’t have sales targets which means we can focus on you!

•Continuity of Care

As a small family business you are most likely to see the same audiologist – Jo or Sophie when you visit us. If its wax removal or hearing aid servicing, Wyll, Yvette and Julia are on hand to help. In larger organisations, you may see one of many audiologists or even a locum who will have to learn about your hearing history each time you visit.

•No need to rush

We like you to feel relaxed as we discuss your listening needs and will work with you to ensure you make the right decision. This can be done with a tea or coffee in hand, we even provide the biscuits!

Given the choice, where would you prefer to be seen when discussing your ears and hearing?

Contact us on today on;

HAGLEY/RUBERY - 01562 884400

hagley@lifestylehearingsolutions.co.uk

WOMBOURNE – 01902302266

wombourne@lifestylehearingsolutions.co.uk

Or visit our website

www.lifestylehearingsolutions.co.uk

out:

• No cross contamination

• Your feet look and feel great

for a pampering than here also (short of a that as by used also go had

the spread of infection. This can happen by using polish that has previously been used on someone with fungal nail. There is also a risk of damaging the nail plates if you go for a treatment with someone who has had inadequate training.

pedicure The perfect sterile

We all love to be pampered, whether it’s for a special occasion or just a feel good treat.

nail reconstruction

One of the most popular forms of pampering is a pedicure. There’s no better feeling than having your feet look and feel good and here at Foot Therapy, that’s our aim.

Nail Fungus is a common condition that begins as a white or yellow spot under the tip of your toenail, as it goes deeper it may cause your nail to discolour, thicken and crumble on the edge. It may go on to affect the other nails.

Aside from the 30 minute Chiropody, we also provide a service called the Steri-Pedi (short for sterile pedicure) which gives all the joy of a pedicure with a few added extras.

• You get to take the nail polish file and buffer home!

pedicure sterile

Nearly everything Foot Therapy only on you (apart from the cuticle and cuticle nipper which are sterilised 130 degrees Celsius to kill any use disposable nail brushes separate dish for base and top contaminating the bottle.

Having done our research we are pleased to offer a new treatment to help any of our patients that are left with a damaged nail.

Nearly everything Foot Therapy use is used only on you (apart from the cuticle pusher and cuticle nipper which are sterilised above 130 degrees Celsius to kill any germs). We use disposable nail brushes and a small separate dish for base and top coat to avoid

We also let you take the mini nail so it is not used on anyone else and for the odd touch up.

As a medical practice it’s important to us that we avoid any risk to our patients, such as the spread of infection. This can happen by using polish that has previously been used on someone with fungal nail. There is also a risk of damaging the nail plates if you go for a treatment with someone who has had inadequate training.

Wilde Pedique is a wonderful way of improving the look of a thickened, damaged or fungal nail. It is a temporary measure lasting between four weeks to four months offering partial or complete nail reconstruction. The odourless, flexible resin will not discolour and comes

We also let you take the mini nail varnish home so it is not used on anyone else and it’s perfect

in six shades to tone to the original nail colour. Once applied, it grows with the natural nail and just requires refilling every 4/6 weeks until the nail is grown fully. It is suitable for anyone with nail conditions such as mycosis (fungal nails), trauma, onychauxis (thickened nails) etc. LCN Wilde Pedique can even be used with anti-fungal treatments and after nail surgery once the site is healed.

What makes a Foot Therapy Steri-Pedi stand

What makes a Foot Therapy Steri-Pedi out:

Take a look at our before and after pictures and get

• No cross contamination

• Your feet look and feel great

• You get to take the nail polish buffer home!

• You get to take the nail polish file and

HCPC registered

Health cash plans redeemable

now is a great time for positive change

LighterLife has spent over 30 years developing a nutritionally complete Very Low-Calorie Diet for safe, effective and rapid weight loss, combined with a unique mindfulness approach which goes beyond what you put in your mouth and explores how your thinking affects your eating behaviour, providing you with the tools for losing weight and keeping it off.

The reason that so many ‘ordinary’ diets fail is because they don’t tackle the reasons behind why people overeat in the first place. They suggest the answers are in the food and focus on calories and complex foodplans. LighterLife offers a weight management plan to suit your weight loss needs that doesn’t just include meal replacement products but access to our unique behaviour change programme.

I am your local LighterLife Mentor and run a free weekly virtual (Zoom) session where Hot Topics are explored and discussed, along with a WhatsApp group for just my clients. I will be your FREE mentor resource, helping you to ‘find your key’ to ‘unlock the door’ to successful

weight loss and weight management.

Why LighterLife? This is the KETO advantage – our Total Plan is low enough in calories and carbs to switch your body into burning fat, whilst suppressing hunger. Motivating you towards success by losing a stone a month, every month.

We’ve a range of plans depending on how quickly you want to lose weight, all leading to personalised Management plans to help you achieve a healthy, balanced way of eating for life with on-going support.

Contact me for a free, no obligation consultation, and make 2023 your year for permanent positive change.

I live in Tettenhall and I have first-hand experience of successfully losing weight with LighterLife and am passionate about helping clients to achieve their personal goals.

Susan Wilson | LighterLife Mentor Mobile 07508 962609 Susan.Wilson@LighterLifeMentor.com

Offering endless possibilities – define your eyewear style

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Centred around the legendary Silhouette titanium rimless styles such as the iconic TMA – no frame, no screws, no hinges! – the collection also features collections from semi-rimless to the new Momentum Aurum fullrim lightweight plastic with 24ct gold plated sides.

Stockists for 25 years - ask to see the new Silhouette styles at Flint Optometry now!

a will

a

We all know that making a will is a good idea but it is something that many people put off until their later years. So what happens if you have an elderly relative who has Dementia… can they make a valid Will?

The answer is not a resounding NO as you might think. In actual fact, it all depends….

The starting point is that under the Mental Capacity Act 2005 everyone is presumed to have mental capacity unless it can be shown otherwise.

The mere fact that someone is suffering from a form of dementia does not mean that he or she lacks capacity to make a Will. Our team can guide you through the process of making a will and if there is an issue with capacity, we

can signpost you to the next step which may be getting a medical opinion to deal with the question of capacity.

So, if you or your relative wants to make a will make sure they get some sound legal advice right from the start. Alison Westwood is a member of Solicitors for the Elderly, a specialist group of experts trained to work with elderly and vulnerable clients so give her a call on 01902 313311 and get the ball rolling.

Alison Westwood Wills and Probate Team

Why? Everyone has been suffering from the increase in the cost of living, inflation is at its highest in a generation and mortgage rate rises that no one expected to see again. All of this is pounding everyone both financially and mentally. I see and hear people’s frustration all the time and this may be something that you can identify with.

So, if you are over the age of 50, the next 5 years will undoubtedly be the most important years if you are planning for your future and want to plan well for a comfortable and enjoyable retirement.

If you are anything like me, you will most likely have already started to think about retirement and what you would like to happen. Unfortunately, some of us have even started to think that retirement is either going to have to be put on hold and at best, delayed a few years. After working with many of our clients over the last four decades, I have realised that there is now a fundamental problem when it comes to planning for retirement. Escaping working life and moving to the next chapter of your life where you have more free time and can do all those things that you could not do whilst working, now requires a long term focussed effort and needs to be planned carefully. A good retirement is not going to happen by accident for most of us. The problem now is that there are now so many moving parts to income planning for retirement and the decisions that need to be made in our 50’s and 60’s have

become ever more complex leading many people to the point where they do not know what to do for the best. Frustrating, isn’t it?

What many have not realised yet, is that the problem won’t solve itself and the traditional pension companies have little or no interest in helping you understand what you need to know now and what you should do next.

So, what is the answer to the problem, that we all face?

First of all, it’s important to simplify the planning process to make what you are doing is less complicated than it needs to be. To get you started, here are the steps that I would advise you to work through, to help you understand where you are now and if you are on track.

1. Identify every retirement account that you have and list the company and plan number.

2. Contact each company and ask them to provide you with a current valuation.

3. If you have Defined Benefit pension benefits, request a Benefit Statement from the scheme Administrator – This will tell you what the forecasted income will be and when it will be paid from.

4. Request a State Pension Forecast – Again this will tell you what income you can expect and from when.

the next 5 years will be the most important years of your life

5. If you have any non-pension investments such as ISA’s or shares, contact each company and ask them to provide you with a current valuation.

6. Add up all the amounts that you have in your bank account and savings accounts.

7. Add up any other income that you will receive in retirement, such as rental income.

Once you have all the information, put the information onto a spreadsheet into two columns.

Column 1 is for all the values of your pensions, investments and savings. Basically, anything that has a value. And column 2 is for all the income that you will receive in retirement. At this point you will be able to understand what you have invested already and how much income is already secured for your retirement.

The next step of the process is to try to understand how much income you would expect to need once you are retired. The easiest way to do this is to use a spreadsheet to work out your monthly expenses. Also think about spending that is irregular and not every month. To do this check through 12 months of bank and credit card statements.

The third step is a little more tricky, but is really important. You need to assess whether you are on track, in need of doing some catch up or you can already retire on what you already accumulated. This can be the most difficult part to get right,

which is ideally when you should speak to your financial adviser as they will have the tools to help you understand this part of your financial planning.

As we generally, only get one chance at getting retirement right, it’s important to get this bit right. And the best way to make sure that it all works out well, is to start planning your retirement well in advance and understanding this sooner rather than later will keep you ahead of the game.

If you are on track and are confident that all is in order, that’s great. However, if you concerned about your plans for retirement, now is the time to take action. Delaying only makes the problem harder to solve if something needs to be fixed.

The value of your investment can go down as well as up and you may not get back the full amount you invested. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.

Martin Dodd is an Independent Financial Adviser providing financial planning advice in the Wolverhampton area. Midlands Investment Agency is based in Tettenhall High Street. Contact him on 01902 742221

ACROSS:

1 South North American republic (6)

5 Warning (3-3)

8 Version still being developed (4)

9 Boss (8)

10 Packages (7)

11 Literary work (4)

13 Donkey (5,2,6)

16 Close (4)

17 Commander in chief of a fleet (7)

20 Parasol (8)

21 Wicked (4)

22 Gorge (6)

23 Loftier (6)

DOWN:

2 Lift up (7)

3 Hebrew patriarch (5)

4 Fail to notice (8)

5 Class (4)

6 Flourish (7)

7 Eats (5)

12 Submissive to authority (8)

14 Soft and moist (7)

15 Scrutinise (7)

16 Sweatbox (5)

18 Standard of perfection (5)

19 Futile (4)

ANSWERS FOR JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2023

Across: 7 Sombrero, 8 Rack, 9 Falsetto, 10 Aids, 11 Siesta, 14 Ice cap, 15 Gas, 16 Gemini, 18

Tubing, 20 Plan, 21 Alphabet, 24 Czar, 25 Electric.

Down: 1 Rota, 2 Abuses, 3 Teat, 4 Motorist, 5 Grease, 6 Acid rain, 12 Idealize, 13 Agitated, 17

Ignore, 19 Blasts, 22 Peek, 23 Exit.

Free Wills Month!

Kenneth Jones solicitors has the pleasure of confirming that it is working with Free Wills Month in March 2023 in the Wolverhampton area.

Free Wills Month helps raise funds for a group of national charities via legacies in individual Wills. The charities supported include Age UK, Breast Cancer Now, British Heart Foundation, Guide Dogs, Marie Curie, Mencap, National Trust, NSPCC, Royal Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), The Royal British Legion, Stroke Association and Versus Arthritis.

If you or your partner are aged over 55 you could qualify for a free simple Will or mirror Wills for couples. The campaign runs between 1st March to 31st March 2023 and is subject to availability as numbers are limited. We can provide additional services for Trusts and Lasting Power of Attorney but these are at an additional cost and not covered by the Free Will Month campaign.

What is a Will?

A Will is a legal document in which a person (Testator) directs how his or her estate is distributed after their death.

What is Trust?

A trust is a legal arrangement for holding and managing your assets.

This can be a useful way to ensure that assets are retained in the family, particularly when the beneficiary is under the age of 18, vulnerable or cannot handle their own affairs. Trusts have their own specific tax implications which should be explored at the outset.

What is a Lasting Power of Attorney

A lasting power of attorney allows your appointed attorney(s) to make decision about your financial affairs or health and care. You can restrict the decisions your attorney can make and state that the lasting power of attorney only comes into force if you lose mental capacity.

This can give you peace of mind to know that your attorney will make sure that your financial affairs and health and care needs are met in the event that you lose mental capacity.

For a no obligation discussion, please feel free to call Kenneth Jones on 01902 745772 or email gavin@kenneth-jones.co.uk.

keep the ‘spring’ in your pets step

With the lighter nights and sunnier spring days, comes more fun for your beloved pets. Time to play in the garden, go for longer walks, day trips or simply bask in the sun and breath in the beautiful spring air. But with Easter just around the corner there are a few things that you need to be aware of to keep your furry friends safe.

Hot cross buns can be dangerous to pets, grapes, sultanas, raisins and currants are highly toxic to dogs and cats, a very small quantity can lead to kidney failure. Chocolate is also dangerous for dogs, cats, rabbits and many other animals too, it contains a chemical called theobromine which is toxic to them and can actually be fatal. The darker the chocolate the more dangerous it is, so keep those Easter eggs out of reach and ensure that your children don’t share their chocolate goodies with their pet siblings.

Sweets are also a popular Easter treat but these too might be dangerous for your pets, some sweets contain an artificial sweetener called Xylitol, just a small amount can be toxic. In fact, this sweetener is also found in some nut butters, cakes, jams and ice cream too.

Why not make your pets some of their very own Easter treats, there are plenty of recipes for pet treats on the internet. You could get the kids to help you come up with

names for them and make them in different Easter shapes. You could even play a pet friendly version of an Easter egg hunt with your furry one, I’m sure they will sniff out those home-made treats in no time at all.

Many of you may have daffodils and lilies in the house over Easter, please take care because they are very dangerous to pets. Daffodils are toxic to dogs and cats; the flowers and leaves can be harmful if ingested. Lilies are highly toxic to cats, it only takes a small amount to be ingested for them to be poisoned. All parts of the plant are toxic, pollen may fall from the flower on to the cat’s coat and be ingested later when they groom themselves, they may eat a petal or even have a drink of water from the vase, this can lead to kidney failure. Kittens are particularly at risk as they explore their environment and can so easily ingest part of the lily. Certain varieties of lily are also dangerous to dogs and rabbits. Rabbits will try anything, so you have to be especially careful what you have in their environment.

Keep the ‘spring’ in everyone’s step and enjoy the lighter nights and warmer days!!!

Always contact your veterinary surgeon if you are ever concerned about your pet or think that they may have ingested something toxic or something that has not agreed with them.

on its way…

Beware of sharps frosts in March and April that will spoil vulnerable plants and soft shoots – have some fleece handy and check the weather forecasts, if we’re likely to get a frost put the fleece over the tops of plants to protect them.

Dead head spring flowering bulbs as they finish, particularly daffodils, leaving the green foliage on and top dress with fertilizer, they’ll send the food back to the bulb and you’ll get a better display of flowers next year. Snowdrops can be split at this time of year into smaller clumps.

Remember to dead head spring flowering bedding plants as well to encourage more flowers. Pansies in particular are a cold weather plant and the mild wet weather during the last few weeks of December did them no favours. Black spots on the leaves are a symptom of this mild weather. Remove as much as possible and keep plants on the dry side if you can. As the spores can lie dormant in the ground avoid planting pansies/violas in the same position for 12 months. Plants can be sprayed with systemic fungicide to discourage disease spread. Many of the summer flowering bulbs and tubers can be planted outside as the weather warms up – Lilies and Gladioli. Always plant lily bulbs on their side so that water doesn’t lie in the scales and cause them to rot. Lilies, especially Tree Lilies benefit from being started off in pots and planted outside once growing strongly. They don’t reach their full potential in height for a couple of years but are well worth the wait. Dahlias can be started off in pots inside, then planted out once the danger of frosts has receded. Begonias should be pressed gently into

potting compost, curved side down – never completely covered, water and keep on a light sunny windowsill or in a heated greenhouse.

Rose pruning should be finished now, once the new growth has several sets of complete leaves open start spraying them fortnightly against black spot, mildew and aphids, best control is achieved by using two different products alternatively, so pests don’t build up a resistance to one particular chemical.

With so much damp weather over the last few months there’s going to be plenty of moss in lawns. We have in stock MO Bacter which is a slow release organic fertiliser for lawns. This feeds the lawn over a 12 week period and contains bacteria which are naturally found in the soil and which when added to fertiliser will consume material like thatch and moss, making it unnecessary to rake or scarify after treatment.

Annual herbs can be sown now – fennel, parsley, savoury, dill all need replenishing every year. Perennial herb varieties can also be planted, remember to water and feed regularly so you can keep cropping throughout the year.

Watch out for late frosts if you’ve got potatoes in tubs with plenty of leaf growth – always protect at night. Plant your first and second early potatoes followed by maincrops, again watching out for late frosts once the foliage appears.

Lealans Garden Centre

01902 700 209 enquiries@lealansgradencentre.co.uk www.lealansgardencentre.co.uk

the dancers doing great stuff for CALM

It can feel like dancing isn’t for you , but science shows that getting down on the dance floor can actually be a great way to look after your head, heart and body.

We even got a shout out from the queen of dance and our ambassador Shirley Ballas: “Thank you to everyone at Ceroc for standing with CALM against suicide. Dancing positively impacts one’s mental health but seeing the community coming together to support CALM’s services is absolutely amazing. Thank you!”

Ceroc classes incorporate elements from a lot of different dance styles and the easy to follow sessions mean dancers at any level can join a class and even those who have never danced before can leave a class a more confident dancer. After the class experienced dancers are on hand, keen to help those just starting out on their dance journey.

There is much more to Ceroc than just dancing, it doesn’t just help keep people physically fit, it helps people to

connect and combat loneliness. People join for a wide variety of reasons, the community is a safe and friendly space for people to come and relax and let their hair down for an evening. Maybe you feel nervous in social scenarios and are not sure what to say, are introverted and might feel intimidated in a group. Dancing gives you an immediate common ground for relaxed interaction and discussion of the class and practice sessions.

Ceroc DJs Play a range of music from 50s swing right through to the latest releases, so that there is something for everyone to enjoy.

So if you fancy having a go there is no need to book or bring a dance partner, just turn up at one of Ceroc Addiction’s venues across Staffordshire, Shropshire and the West Midlands where you’ll receive a very warm welcome. We can’t wait to see you on the dance floor!

For more information call 07983 703166, email dance@cerocaddiction.com or visit the national Ceroc website www.ceroc.com.

hiq inflating wolverhampton motorists’ spirits with free car checks!

Founded over a century ago in the year that Wolves once won the FA Cup, it’s safe to say that Chapel Ash-based HiQ is one of the most iconic garages in Wolverhampton.

Originally founded as Staffordshire Tyre Repair Company in 1908, HiQ has evolved like the city itself to become a leader in automotive services, with all 10 local mechanics boasting the highest qualifications in vehicle maintenance.

When it comes to conventional diesel and petrol cars – not to mention hybrids and EVs - there’s not a make and model of vehicle that the team doesn’t have experience in fixing. In many ways, very little has changed at the family-run garage over the years, with owner Simon Bennett insisting on tyre, wheel alignment and bumper-to-bumper car checks free of charge.

The customary honest service is the same as it has always been, in a warm and welcoming setting which separates HiQ from so many competitors. There are no hidden charges or nasty surprises when you book in with HiQ, only a memorable experience befitting of the Bennett family.

HiQ offers the full range of automotive services including MOTs, servicing, batteries, wheel balancing, brakes and all other mechanical repairs. Its investment in the latest Supertracker wheel alignment equipment also makes it one of the most technologically advanced garages in the area for this nature of work.

Meanwhile, its tyre range is one of the most extensive imaginable, with great performing products stored in-house for cars, vans, 4x4s, trailers, hatchbacks and sports utility vehicles. Whatever the budget, HiQ can find a solution.

Simon Bennett, who took over the reins from his dad Colin, said: “We’re extremely proud of our Wolverhampton roots and we feel like we’re a trusted part of the community.

“To see so many repeat customers does fill us with pride, but we will be equally thrilled to see some new faces, so if there are any motorists who haven’t dropped by, then we’d love to see them!”

For more information about HiQ, visit www.hiqonline.co.uk or email the team at sales@tyreswolverhampton.com or call us on 01902 420234.

cupra formentor

The name Cupra may be familiar to you as it was badged by Seat as their sporty derivative but now the company have taken the move and created the stand alone brand of Cupra and the Formentor is currently the 1st of its brand, writes Bob Hickman. While the Cupra is a sporty brand, the Formentor does have a plethora of choices when it comes to power. A 2-litre turbo petrol with 310bhp or plug in hybrid route with a 1.4-litre engine with battery. The combination really is extensive, if you really do want the performance then the 310bhp 2-litre with its 4-wheel drive and 7-speed dual clutch gearbox is a serious contender. Not only does it have outstanding performance with 0-60 in a mere 5 seconds and a 130mph top speed, it also has the advantage should you venture off-road on to the car boot field, 4-wheel drive will help to extricate you and also in winter conditions 4-wheel drive really is a bonus. The test car had a 2.0-litre petrol engine assisted by an electric motor giving a total power output of 140 bhp and it drove through a 7-speed automatic gearbox.

The front bucket seats are really supportive and hold you beautifully, the detail on the seats and the trim is one of a much higher specification vehicle. The contrast in orange stitching really was a work of art and should be commended to whoever it was did the manufacture.

The vehicle is classified as a 5-seater and in the rear there is plenty of space for 2 adults and they do have the advantage of excellent leg and headroom despite the design of a sloping roof. The very nice people at Cupra have included a huge amount of storage areas, cup holders in the centre console and different sizes so if you have a bottle or a drink they actually fit, it is also good to note that within the gear selector area there is storage for our mobile phone with a wireless charging pad. The door bins on the side will enable you to put a large bottle of water, in addition the rear passengers have not been overlooked and they have quite a lot of storage facilities in addition.

The vehicle enables you to carry 5 people and as you would expect the boot space to be accommodating and at 450 litres

it is of a reasonable size, one downside was quite a high lip to lift items in. There was also some more space beneath the boot floor.

The Cupra Formentor although being promoted as a sporty derivative, it will fit in to being a family car, during a 400 miles sojourn with the vehicle, which encompassed motorways, town work and some rural aspects we achieved according to the computer 48.9mpg, which is certainly acceptable.

The Formentor on test was one of the top specifications and the bells and whistles equipped on the vehicle was extensive. Certainly, the electronic adjustment of the front seats was a bonus feature, there is so much adjustment and the facility to press No 1 or No 2 if you have 2 drivers, that you can store in the memory system on the seats, again small but useful feature. The driving dynamics were one of a vehicle whilst having sporty connotations but still had excellent steering, little effort, parking was a delight due to the power system which eased as the vehicle gained in speed. Also, whilst the sporty nature was paramount it is not one that the suspension was so tight and hard that it rattled the fillings in your teeth, it cornered very well considering its SUV pedigree and was a willing companion, when you breathed on the accelerator pedal it took off with rapid performance.

The on the road price is £36,655 and the Cupra has a 3-year, 60,000 miles warranty.

mazda cx-5 awd gt sport auto diesel

There can be little doubt that the family SUV market is probably the most important sector for any manufacturer, and once again Mazda has come up trumps with the CX-5, writes Bob Hickman.

For once the press car arrived just at that right moment, snow and ice everywhere and a 4-wheel drive vehicle was a useful feature. The CX-5 with its All-Wheel Drive was a gem to be ensconced within and to be able to utilise the AWD drive facility in the snow and ice that left many others’ floundering.

The CX-5 has a smart exterior, the interior is well specified and I do like the factor that the rear seats recline just a little to give the rear passengers a little bit of extra comfort, so often rear passengers are overlooked.

The technology on the CX-5 is quite astounding, the huge 10.25” infotainment display has one of the best satellite navigations I have experienced in many years, Apple Play and Android Auto features are also incorporated.

The CX-5 is a big vehicle, it will easily accommodate 5 people with plenty of leg and headroom. The boot at 560 litres will accommodate big suitcase, baby buggy or even golf clubs. If you need to carry a little bit more you can always fold the rear seats down.

The CX-5 is currently available with 2 petrol and 2 diesel engines, my particular derivative was equipped with a 2191cc 4 in line diesel, producing 184bhp, a 0-60 in 9 seconds and a top speed of 129mph. The fuel consumption, Mazda suggest 42.8mpg on the combined cycle but with my time with the vehicle it was all around town and I only managed 32mpg. Disappointing in this day and age but for the size of the vehicle and the terrain and the circumstances in which it was utilised, I found it had to be acceptable.

The standard equipment is quite extensive, a feature that I can’t do without now are parking sensors, and the CX-5 had the benefit of both front and rear sensors. Climate control, air conditioning, are also included. There was

a plethora of electronic devices to help keep you safe including, blind spot monitoring, lane assist, cruise control and a Hill Launch Assist.

The driving dynamics of the CX-5 gave excellent all-round visibility, the 6-speed gearbox seemed to anticipate my every driving need and, in the snow and ice that I encountered on at least 5 days out of the 7, the vehicle found grip where even more conventional 4x4’s struggled.

From a driver’s perspective the GT version, that I had on test, had power adjustable driver’s seat with a memory. The front seats were heated and addition they also had a ventilation system built in, the brown Nappa leather really did look outstanding, brown not normally a colour that you would not normally associate with an interior, but it really did work a treat. The 10-speaker beige surround sound system gave concert performance whatever your taste in music.

The test car price on the road was £40,015, but this included £580 for the Snow Flake White paint colour.

All Mazda’s come with a 3-year or 60,000 miles warranty and they suggest servicing is every 12,500 miles or 12 months whichever comes sooner.