Our Lifestyle Magazine - March/April 2023

Welcome

Spring is here! I don’t know about you, but seeing the daylight hours stretch out really puts a spring in my step!

This March/April issue is packed with everything you need, from seasonal dishes that you can rustle up at home to inspiration on creating a new spring wardrobe. It also focuses on great, local businesses that work every day to make a positive difference to our lives.

This season is also full of celebrations, with Mother’s Day and Easter, so have fun celebrating with the family. (p.s. Don’t forget to put your clocks forward on Sunday, March 26th.)

We always welcome input from our readers and advertisers, so if you have a story or event that you think would make interesting reading then please get in touch and tell us about it.

WE ARE RECRUITING - GET FIT & GET PAID

Our Lifestyle are looking for more people to hand deliver our magazine 6 times a year through letterboxes in the local areas of Halesowen, Kidderminster, Hagley, Pedmore & surrounding areas in Stourbridge. If you are interested please give Linda a call on 07841 431446.

Danielle Scandrett Marketing & Design Manager

daniellescandrett@outlook.com

Competition Terms & Conditions

Linda Farren

Managing Director 07841 431446 linda@ourlifestylemag.co.uk

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 Our 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 15th of the second month in the issue date e.g. issue March/April the winner will be notified by 15th April. Entry will assume acceptance of these terms and conditions. Competition start date is the start of the month of the magazine issue and will run until 10th of the second month in the issue date e.g. issue March/April the competition will run until 10th April. Details of the winner available on request by emailing info@ourlifestylemag.co.uk

Every care is taken to ensure accuracy but Our Lifestyle Magazine cannot accept responsibility for any loss, damage, or omission in an advert. Our Lifestyle Magazine does not officially endorse advertising material which is printed on the understanding that descriptions of goods and services are fair and accurate. All rights are reserved.

Feature Writers: Bob Hickman, Jennifer Suzanne, Mike Whitehurst, Rebecca Underwood, Sally Mansell.

5 Star Windows and Conservatories is Worcestershire’s leading provider of windows, doors and living spaces. It is a family-owned business that has family values at its heart, with well over 30,000 installations in Worcestershire and the surrounding areas.

At 5 Star, they understand the importance of trust. It is gained, never expected, and never taken for granted. They believe it is earned through hard work, honesty, transparency and putting the customer first. They never charge for their time and let their products and services do the talking. Customers will always be always in control and fully aware of the process.

The company has two of the Midlands’ largest and best equipped showrooms in Worcester and Kidderminster. Each showroom is fully equipped to show the unrivalled choices in the very latest finishes of uPVC and aluminium windows and doors. Customers can test out the functions of our bi-folding doors, see how the heightened security of the premium windows works and even walk around the fully equipped orangeries and conservatories. These are so much more than showrooms and are a must visit.

We’re so confident in the quality of our products and workmanship that we offer a 20 year guarantee which is twice the industry average and insurance backed by the Consumer Protection Association.

5 Star Windows and Conservatories is also a member of FENSA. When replacing windows and doors, homeowners must comply with current thermal performance standards and ensure they get a certificate from FENSA or Local Authority Building Control. FENSA enables companies that install replacement windows and doors to self-certify compliance under these Building Regulations without the need for a separate assessment from Building Control.

With years of success stories, over 80% of their work originates through recommendations. If you choose 5 Star, you can rest safe in the knowledge that you are working with a professional team that puts quality and customer service first.

Because their reputation is the lifeblood of their business, they adopt a constant and neverending improvement approach to everything they do.

Enquire today with details for your latest home improvement project.

Kidderminster Showroom -

Worcester Road, Kidderminster DY10 1JR

Telephone: 01905 888320

Email: sales@5starwindows.co.uk

Worcester Showroom36 Carden Street, Worcester WR1 2AT

HigH Street, Wombourne, WV5 9DP - on tHe Village green

Featured model: Spencer Plush

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 interiors

Accessories are item’s which are easy to replace and easy to move such as, vases, art, houseplants, cushion, throws, rugs, candles, trays, mirror, books, storage baskets, decorative items and personal collectives.

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

M IRR o RS

A well mirror placed 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.

T HR o W C USHI o NS

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 if informal or more formal style. A quick an easy way to keep your sofa feeling fresh is too switch up our cushions in tandem with the seasons. For example in the spring and summer stick to linen fabrics with which look 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, for example if you have a velvet sofa don’t have all your cushions in velvet only, try switching out a few to plain linen or a decorative pattern in a rectangle shape as its nice to have something with an interesting pattern to draw the eye in.

P ERS o NA l Coll ECTI v ES

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

Ho USEP l ANTS

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 neutralize harmful chemicals like polyethylene’s 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 chose a plant that will thrive in your space, check the light in your home as this can effect your plant choice, look at the position and ask your self do I receive bright direct, bright indirect, moderate or low light. Also heat and draft can have an effect. Choosing the right style of pot to suit your interior style, and play with heights and scale if you have a large empty corner add in an oversize tree or a trio of plants at staggered height's. This is a great design focal point that draws the eye in.

Our Home

C AND l E ST yl ING

Candles been used throughout history to provide light warmth and ambiance in the home. I love to use candles as an accessories to provide soft lighting, warmth and ambiance in the home. Of course the best candles are one’s that smell incredible, there are some fantastic scented candles available and many small business that you can support with buying locally.

If your concerns about a 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.

Ho W To ST yl E yo UR CAND l ES IN R oo MS:

In your living room style your candle of choice on a decorative tray, or in decorative candleholders on your coffee table with other small accents, also candles placed on books look very stylish on console tables. Your fire place mantle is a great spot to put candles on display, glass hurricane lanterns look great either side of the mantle or grouping your candleholders at varied heights on a 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 more casual dining table go for short cylinder candles.

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

A RT

Art hung, as a gallery wall display is one of my favourite way’s 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 creates 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 in a entrance hall would create a first impression of your home or above a sofa or console to balance the art piece, think centre above the sofa just not to high, hanging eye level is a general rule of thumb.

Picture ledges are a great option if you have lots of artwork but not all 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 your renting property and worried about hanging art work. Just make sure you have it out of reach to getting knocked.

Hope I have inspired you with my tips on how to style your home using accessories. I would love to hear your feedback 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.

Thanks Jennifer x

I’ll be sharing my latest interior inspiration and current projects on my social media so please follow me on.

Instagram: @jennifersuzanneinteriors

Facebook: jennifersuzanneinteriors

Co NTACT ME WITH yo UR EN q UIRES

Email: Jennifer@jennifersuzanne.co.uk

Mobile: 07977 330011

Website: www.jennifersuzanne.co.uk

Pargeters Furniture

new furniture styles to freshen up your spring

Spring season is calling for you to update, improve or redesign your home interior? If so, you’ll be keen to find a selection of quality and contemporary furniture to complete the new look at Pargeter’s. With over three floors, packed with modern designs from leading British brands, there will be plenty to suit every home interior style.

The family-run store prides itself in specialist upholstery, which includes their luxury department that specialises in Sherborne lift and rise beds, reclining chairs - which are all exempt from VAT - as well as sofas to match. With all of this and more you’re sure to find outstanding designs and style at affordable prices when you pay a visit. In fact, customers at Pargeter’s are always surprised by the independent stores’ low prices, as Miles explains:

“Sometimes an established business and single store furniture shop can be deemed to be more

expensive to buy from than larger group stores. But I can assure you that it won’t cost you to shop at Pargeter’s, very often we are cheaper and will price-match the leading brands. We pride ourselves on offering the lowest possible price combined with the highest standard of customer service.”

Unlike their competitors, the staff at Pargeter’s aren’t on commission, which means their focus is entirely on helping you make the purchase that’s right for you – if, of course, you decide to buy from the company.

“We don’t sell ‘add-ons’ – like finance or insurance, which some companies use to boost their profits,”

We offer FREE DElIvERy within a 50-mile radius and will also take your old items away free of charge. So, whatever you’ve got in mind, Pargeter’s will help you on your way to a fantastic new style!

relationship continues to thrive between Hospice and local, loyal business

Staff at Mary Stevens Hospice have gratefully received a £40,000 donation from long-time benefactor, Mike Brown of Dreamland, Brierley Hill

This generous donation will be used towards funding the Stourbridge based Hospice’s ‘Room-to-care’ appeal.

The Covid-19 pandemic meant that the Hospice needed to adapt and change to be able to continue to care for their patients and families, but their facilities couldn’t accommodate these adaptions. Therefore, the ‘Room-to-care appeal was launched in 2022 to fund some major changes at the Hospice.

The proposed changes as part of the Room-tocare appeal will help Hospice staff ensure that they can continue to deliver the best possible care, in the safest possible environment, whilst better utilising the space that they have.

The Hospice launched their appeal and sought support from local businesses and trusts to help them fund the redevelopment of the Hospice.

Mike Brown, Owner of Dreamland Bedding said:

“At Dreamland we are immensely proud of how the local community support the business. I really wanted to give back, and the Mary Stevens have had a great impact on a lot members of the community. I felt that their holistic approach to programmes of care resonated with the ethos of the business. I have been raising money for the hospice for some time now and the total figure is over £225,000.

Training as always been a core element of the business, passing knowledge and expertise

to customers has built the reputation of the business, The Dreamland team have also been to the Hospice to see where the amazing work takes place. This has given our staff a pure passion and drive for raising awareness of the hospice.”

Amanda Bowen, Head of Fundraising and Lottery at The Mary Stevens Hospice said:

“Having recognised the need to improve our facilities to future proof our ongoing care, we were delighted to receive such a substantial donation from our long time supporters, Dreamland beds.

The sheer amount of their donations over the years has not only enabled us to take care of our patients but has helped us forge a relationship with the Dreamland team that we are extremely proud of.

Without their support and that of other local businesses, taking care of those in our community who are living with life limiting illnesses and bereavement would not be possible. We can't thank them enough.”

Find out more about Dreamland here: https:// www.dreamlandbedding.co.uk/

a BrigHt anD BeautiFul Home For 2023

Spring has now arrived and it is time to spring clean your house. The easiest way to start is to take room by room breaking up the big task with lots of smaller one. Here are some tips for the least popular tasks.

DEEP ClEANING THE KITCHEN

The best approach is the start at the top and work your way down. Tidy everything off the tops of cupboards and clear the surfaces so that you can get to grips with grease. Spray your kitchen cleaner on all surfaces, including the hob and leave for five minutes, then rinse with a microfibre cloth and warm water. Dry and polish gloss finishes and tiles with a glass cleaner an a very dry soft cloth. Remove the grills from the hood extractors and scrub with a firm brush and hot soapy water. Once they are clean, you can maintain them simply by putting them through a dishwasher cycle once a week. Use a limescale remover for the sink and polish with baby oil to make it shine. Finally, a

good vacuum and mop for the floor, with a fresh mop head.

THE BATHRooM

In a hard water area, even splashes of water cause white marks on your glass, surfaces and chrome. Always use a cleaning product specifically for bathrooms and ideally, something eco-friendly for the health of your family. You can deal with mildew by using an old toothbrush to scrub the grout in your shower. For a really shiny shower screen make a solution of one-part distilled vinegar to four parts water – spray and wipe off.

'If spring cleaning is a task you have no spare time for, give Bright & Beautiful Stourbridge a call. We offer eco-friendly, regular housekeeping services and one-off deep cleans, as well as ironing services. You can have a sparkly bathroom – but no-one said you had to do it yourself!'

Stratford 4PC White Aluminium Corner Sofa Set

The Stratford 4PC Aluminium Corner Sofa set is part of our new expanding aluminum collection range. Ideal for outdoor use, entertaining in as well as everyday outdoor living.

This is definitely an admirable set that is not too excessively occupying for your outdoors. Allowing you to add comfortable space for yourself, family, and friends to entertain with. It is manufactured with a clever minimalistic and contemporary design feature that has an edgy approach, giving it a modernlooking stylish design.

Location:

Unit 16, Bentley Lane, Trading Estate, Walsall, WS2 8TL, United Kingdom

01922 214 994

“Elevating Your Outdoor Oasis for 18 Years.”

Commercial, Industrial and Domestic sectors throughout the West Midlands and surrounding areas.

Our first class reputation for high quality work and excellent customer service.

Specialising in fencing solutions for

• House Developments

'Good At What We Do'

• Schools & Parks

• Sport Facilities

• Industrial Palisade

Providing fencing solutions in the Commercial, Industrial and Domestic sectors throughout the West Midlands and surrounding areas.

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

• High Security

• 40 years’ Experience

• Free quotations

Our first class reputation for high quality work and excellent customer service.

• local Authority Approved

We also work with Local Authorities to produce safe, dependable work within the community from which local residents can benefit.

• Competitive Prices

Specialising in fencing solutions for

• House Developments

• Schools & Parks

• Insurance Work Undertaken

• Sport Facilities

• Metal or Wood Fencing & Gates

• Industrial Palisade

• Parking Posts

• All Work Guaranteed

With free consultations, quick response times and efficient, quality turnaround of work, the company is a long standing, leading fencing specialist upon whom you can rely.

• High Security

Contact us today or visit our website

We also work with Local Authorities to produce safe, dependable work within the community from which local residents can benefit.

www.pro-fence.co.uk

With free consultations, quick response times and efficient, quality turnaround of work, the company is a long standing, leading fencing specialist upon whom you can rely.

Contact us today or visit our website

sPring is too sHort For Painting Fences- so is summer!

With summer upon us, we all want to spend more time outdoors! Post global pandemic, this has never been truer, as we can all get excited about making plans with friends and family again! Yet for many people, the onerous task of keeping the garden tidy, maintaining lawns, and fences can be all too time consuming, detracting from the joy that is to be able to sit outside.

With ColourFence, the tedious, time-consuming job of garden fence maintenance disappears overnight. Say goodbye to extra costs to paint, repair and treat your ColourFence, we’re guaranteed to not warp, crack, shrink, rot or peel for the next 25 years, making it not only one of the UK’s best maintenance-free fences, but low maintenance fence too!

But it’s not just practical – it’s gorgeous, too. With a choice of different colours, styles, and decorative touches the options are endless. ColourFence has been designed to not only be low-maintenance and cost effect, but also to extend your home to your garden. Our galvanised steel fence panels allow you to feel secure, protected within your home, as well as admire how clean it makes your garden look all year round! Plus, unlike other fences, ColourFence can withstand wind speeds of up to 130mph. So, when the next UK storm hits our shores, you won’t need to spend time on replacing your fence panels!

Whether we have another storm or heatwave this summer (which could quite possibly become regular now in the UK), your garden is set-up and weather-ready for any garden or house parties you’ll be hosting!

So sit back, relax and enjoy – whether that’s the view from indoors or, fingers crossed – glass in hand, sat in a sunny garden this Spring & Summer!

Call us today and find out why it makes sense to choose ColourFence.

www.colourfencedudley.co.uk

01384 594 791

Lawns do wonders for our wellbeing. That’s why we’ve devised three programmes of year-round treatments to keep your grass a cut above.

From controlling weeds to bringing out the green, we’ll help you to look after the lawn that looks after you.

nick & royston's Diary

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 decide to take the leap and opt for surgery.

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

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

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 were to go on. You will not look 19 again (shame!!!) but you will definitely look and feel more youthful, he explained.`

Nick, `After the consultation, he asked us to go away and think and 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- Dazs 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 head band whenever possible to reduce swelling and bruising.

This is probably the hardest thing for these two workaholics, who hate sitting still. The salons 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` 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` I still feel 20, I know I don’t look it, but I can 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!

mental ill HealtH is not just For tHe january Blues

As a counsellor, I see a pattern in the problems clients present to me, throughout the year, that could almost be looked at as being seasonal.

It’s not quite as black and white as people suffering from depression in the winter months, anxiety in the spring, couples’ issues in the summer and teenager problems in the autumn, but there does appear to be trends associated with seasons.

For example, the new school year in September and the following few months, particularly for 14 to 18 year olds, seems to bring a larger concentration of stress and anxiety related conditions.

Christmas particularly and just after, family and relationship concerns.

April, and we see a trend forming around depression illnesses (this also coincides with the highest numbers in a month, for suicide)*

Seeing a counsellor doesn't hold the stigma it used to, thankfully. When I was growing up, if someone saw a counsellor, it was a sign of weakness, particularly if you were a man and while there is still a stigma attached to seeking mental health help, it’s much less that it was.

Thankfully, we have seen a change in that way of thinking as generations come and go, meaning that for some, in fact, probably for most, counselling is now seen as a form of selfdevelopment, and in many social settings, it's encouraged. As our next generation hits the

Hilary Sims - Life Balance

workforce, even more will see counselling as a social norm.

That being said, the importance of counselling should not ever be underestimated. While it’s becoming increasingly socially acceptable to seek personal help that shouldn’t lessen the impact of counselling or make conditions that counselling or therapy treat, any less important.

The differing array of symptoms and conditions require different methods of counselling. These methods used are more down to the individual needs of the patient rather than the condition they present with. Some patients might respond better to CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) others, SFT (Solution Focused Therapy) or Humanistic Counselling.

If you have any questions or would like to book an initial consultation, please either email me on hilary@lifebalancecounselling.net or call me on 07850 447585

Website: www.lifebalancecounselling.net

*Data from the ONS

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?

a Warm Welcome at tHe gaBles

anD ParkFielD grange

The Gables Care Home in Hagley, Worcestershire is now open and Parkfield Care Home in Stourbridge is delighted to announce the opening of our new dementia care community.

Both The Gables and Parkfield Grange provide residential and respite care alongside support for people living with dementia offering a real ‘home from home’ experience. The people living and working at these two Cinnamon Care Collection homes enjoy exceptional facilities with a chance to be involved in a variety of social activities which mirror their interests and hobbies. There is also the opportunity to watch a nostalgic movie in the cinema, be pampered in the hair and beauty salon or simply to relax in a variety of comfortable lounges or the café bar. Each bedroom is comfortable, light and spacious with a walk-in shower room and thoughtfully furnished with older people in mind. There are also a limited number of care suites each with an en-suite bedroom and separate lounge with compact kitchenette – ideal for couples or singles looking for extra space and independence.

The Chefs and teams at The Gables and Parkfield Grange pride themselves on providing a superb dining experience and mealtimes are one of the highlights of the day – a time when people come together to socialise and enjoy dishes that are a match for any high-class restaurant. The teams thrive on creating delicious and nutritionally balanced menus to reflect the preferences of our residents and include some more adventurous recipes alongside more traditional fare. Homemade bakes will always be on offer – Paul Hollywood would be extremely impressed! For special occasions and celebrations there are elegant private

dining rooms for our residents to enjoy with their family and friends.

As well as residential care and the opportunity for short stays, The Gables and Parkfield Grange have a community dedicated to the care of people living with dementia – the single aim is to build on people’s abilities and life experience to help them live active and fulfilled lives.

The Gables and Parkfield Grange are part of the Cinnamon Care Collection which has recently been recognised as one of the UK’s Top 20 Large Care Home Groups by Carehome.co.uk, the UK’s leading care home reviews website.

The Carehome.co.uk awards are based on reviews from care home residents as well as their friends and relatives. There are over 17,000 care homes in the UK caring for around half a million people so being selected by Carehome.co.uk as a Top 20 Care Home Group is a significant accolade.

For further details and to find out more or book a tour email: gables.enquiries@cinnamoncc.com or parkfield.enquiries@cinnamoncc.com

How Hypnotherapy could Help you

Having suffered with anxiety in the past, working in high pressure sales roles, whilst managing the demands of two young children. I understand how stress can impact every aspect of our lives, leading to weight gain, panic attacks, insomnia and negative self-talk.

As a solution focused hypnotherapist, I help people to make significant, positive changes in their lives in a short period of time. I help my clients focus on what they want to achieve rather than on their problems. Sometimes clients feel a certain way, but they don’t know the reason why, or they don’t want to talk about why they feel the way they do.

Louise Squires HPD, DSFH, MNCH (Reg.) AfSFH (Reg.), MHS (Reg.)

I work with clients with anxiety, depression, weight management, phobias, sleep problems, confidence issues, imposter syndrome and many other areas. I help my clients to identify and work with their inner skills and resources, to help them to realise their potential and ability to make positive changes.

I offer a free initial consultation if you would like to find out more about how hypnotherapy could help you, please get in touch. Appointments are available at my clinic in Bromsgrove and I also offer online appointments, if preferred.

a to Z skin HealtHkeratosis Pilaris,

melasma & milia

Keratosis Pilaris or chicken skin, as it's often called! It's usually found on the upper arm and sometimes on the thighs or buttocks. The skin looks patchy with scaly dry bumps, and, in some cases, tiny red pinpricks developed under the skin.

• Keratosis Pilaris is a common but harmless condition. However, once developed, you should treat it regularly to reduce or eliminate it. The skin may feel itchy, and it's more common in winter when we live in jumpers and long-sleeved clothing.

Keratosis Pilaris can affect people of any age and sex. Still, people with fair skin and hair are more susceptible to developing it. It can be difficult to control; it can still clear up on its own, especially in warmer weather when you wear lighter summer clothes. As mentioned, once it's under control, you must manage it to stop it from returning.

SELF-HELP FOR KERATOSIS PILARIS

• Use the correct products.

• Exfoliate your skin regularly with a natural exfoliant or an exfoliating mitt, not by scrubbing but by polishing the skin.

• Moisturise regularly and ideally with a chemical-free product with nourishing and hydrating ingredients.

• Use mild and unperfumed soaps/shower gels.

• Avoid hot or very cold water.

• Pat your skin dry instead of rubbing.

Melasma is a common skin condition mainly affecting the face but can also develop on the thighs and buttocks. It mainly affects female adults. Melasma is a dark brown or

lisa Evans Reid Clinical Director at Reflect

greyish pigmentation that grows and is often symmetrical. People with darker skin types who live in sunny climates tend to develop this condition. Melasma usually becomes more noticeable in summer and improves during winter.

wHAT CAUSES MELASMA?

No official studies have identified the exact cause. Still, several factors may contribute, including pregnancy, hormone changes, hormonal drugs, and light-sensitive medication. Cosmetics, especially those containing perfume, can cause Melasma. Research suggests that stress can trigger and that sunshine and sunbeds can aggravate Melasma. Melasma can run in families, suggesting it's hereditary.

Melasma can develop during pregnancy, with some women developing the 'melasma butterfly mask' across their noses and cheeks. However, pregnancy related Melasma usually disappears once hormones have settled after pregnancy.

DO'S

There is no current cure for Melasma, but you can do things to help make the condition less noticeable.

• Use a factor 50 sunscreen.

• Wear wide sunglasses.

• Wear a large-brimmed hat.

• Vitamin D supplements can be beneficial.

• Seek out an aesthetician to establish the correct products.

• Consider a chemical peel explicitly designed for Melasma.

AVOID

• Oral contraceptive pills.

• Perfumed cosmetics.

• Direct sunlight and sunbeds.

• Skin-lightening agents.

• Microdermabrasion.

Milia is small cyst-like white bumps on the nose, cheeks, and around the eyes. Milia occur when keratin becomes trapped beneath the surface of the skin. Keratin is a strong protein in skin tissues and hair.

Milia can occur in people of any sex, ethnicity, skin type or age. However, they're most common in newborns!

wHAT CAUSES MILIA?

Milia tends to be caused by skin damage, including long-term sun damage, or when dead skin cells are not removed. Overusing medication like a steroid cream and even

using the wrong products will encourage milia.

HOw DO YOU TREAT MILIA?

• HydraFacial is very effective at the lift and flushing milia away.

• Plasma extraction is effective for stubborn Milia.

• Sterile needles are used to extract single Milia or Milia close to the eyes.

• Topical retinoids are vitamin A-containing creams that help exfoliate your skin, can be great for tiny masses of milia, and help deter future milia.

• A mass of milia that is a constant is often treated with peels to remove the first layer of skin and encourage new growth without milia redeveloping.

If you have any enquiries about the above, don't hesitate to contact the clinic for a free consultation.

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

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

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

– anthropologie.com – Botanist Abroad

– Caverley Coco heel

– Frankie clutch

next.co.uk – Oversized Stripe Shirt

Waist Trouser

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.

34 – sezane.com – Angie Cardigan

35 – massimodutti.com – Leather Heeled Mule

36 – meandem.com – Italian Check Blazer

37 – thedecorum.co.uk – Flower Knot Earring

38 – farmrio.eu – Romantic Blouse

39 – farmrio.eu Pink Folk Party Maxi 40 – anthropologie.com – Angel Alarcon Mary Jane

41 – arket.com – Leather Pouch 42 – zara.com – Ruffle Blouse

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!

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

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-fromhome 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@wgssch.net.

Grammar School, Compon Road, Wolverhampton, WV3 9RB www.wgs.org.uk Registered charity (England and Wales no. 1125268)

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 it's 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.

Fancy an evening of wine and cheese then having ago at some pottery making? Or a Saturday morning walk with our African Pygmy Goats? What about a family fun bake off session in our professional training kitchen? Leisure time in Halesowen has never been more exciting!

@CommunityHubatB63

For more information:

Telephone: 0121 602 7827

Email: srogers@halesowen.ac.uk

www.halesowen.ac.uk/facilities/community-hub-b63

Our training restaurant helps to develop the future stars of the catering and hospitality industries, and is open for gourmet dining on Wednesday and Thursday evenings.

We also offer informal dining for breakfast and brunch on Saturday mornings, during term time.

We have a range of themed events throughout the year from Gin Tasting evenings to Murder Mystery Nights.

To book or for more information:

Telephone: 0121 602 7829

Email: restaurant@halesowen.ac.uk

www.halesowen.ac.uk/facilities/bistro-at-b63

BistroAtB63

matcH Day Diary

Womens rugby games are usually played on a Sunday, so ideal to get a bit of a lie in. I wake up normally around 9am for a home game, and like to start with an activity to clear my head of all the initial nerves, usually walking the dog is good for this. Returning home, I’d have a substantial breakfast to maintain energy levels and drink plenty of water. I pack my kit bag with everything I will need, picking which pair of boots will suit the ground and the weather. I like to get to the club early as I find being around my teammates makes me feel less nervous and helps to get in to the game day mindset. Some of the girls prefer to stay quiet and focused by listening to their own music or podcasts whereas others will be listening to some music over the speaker from our team playlist. I’m sure I speak for every womens rugby team when I say the hair plaiters are very busy before the warm up, making sure the girls are looking good. Any taping or strapping is done in the time before the warm up so that we’re ready to go.

Heading out on to the field usually 45 minutes before kick off, we have a talk from our coaches setting our intentions for the game, individual stretching and set play run throughs. We often finish with a small amount of contact with tackle bags, to get in the right mindset to make that first hit. After a team talk from our captain, we’re ready to run out, which when at home is to ‘AC/DC Thunderstruck’. The only thoughts during the game for me are working hard for the team and pushing myself to put in place the skills we have been practising at training. Once the final whistle has gone,

regardless of the result, we shake hands with our opposition and have a short debrief with the coaches before a shower, where all the new bruises can be admired once the mud has gone. Once we’re all ready, we head to the clubhouse where both teams will join together and announce their players of the match for their own team and the oppositions. They are then awarded with a pint, and then the real competition begins, who can down the drink the fastest. For our team, we like to keep track of ‘fines’ which can be anything from turning up late, missing kit, or scoring your first try. If you are called up you get to roll the dice to decide your fate, will it be getting handcuffed to a teammate for an hour? Or drinking a pint out of your shoe? It’s anyones guess. Leaving the club I mostly feel tired and ready for an early night, but already looking forward to the same again next week.

From georgi WooD, stourBriDge PantHer Flanker….

reciPes

By mike Whitehurst

smokeD HaDDock

DauPHinoise

with petit pois a la francais and poached egg

S ER v ES 6

I NGREDIENTS

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 don’t 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

Eq UIPMENT

Large pans

Mixing bowl

Deep Roasting tray

Magimix processor with fine blade

Parchment paper

Chopping board and cooks knife

Peeler

Pastry brush

METH o D

• 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.

• 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 peas. 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

S ER v ES 6

I NGREDIENTS

9 bananas

Packet of jumbo oats

Mixed nuts

100g Pumpkin seeds

50g Honey Maple syrup

Sea salted butter

Soft dark brown sugar

Plain flour

Avocado oil

Vanilla extract

Cointreau (optional)

Eq UIPMENT

Mixing bowls

Whisk

Sieve

Roasting tin

Frying pan

Chopping board

Cooks knife

METH o D

• 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.

motHering sunDay an ancient celeBration

The origin of Mother’s Day go back to the ancient Greek and Romans.

The Greeks held an annual spring festival and used the occasion to honour Rhea, wife of Cronus and the mother of many deities of Greek mythology.

Ancient Romans, too, celebrated a spring festival, called Hilaria dedicated to Cybele, a mother goddess. The celebration lasted for three days and included parades and games.

Mothering Sunday is the fourth Sunday of Lent and this year falls on 19th March. Its often referred to as Mothers’ Day, but that is in fact, a completely different American festival celebrated at a different time of year.

Traditionally, it was a day when employees, who were staying away from home, such as domestic servants, were given a day off and encouraged to visit their mother and family.

Historically, churchgoers worshipped on Sundays at their nearest parish, known as their ‘daughter’ church. Centuries ago it was deemed important for people to return to their home or ‘mother’ church once a year.

The return to the ‘mother’ church became an occasion for family reunions. Its a popular belief that this return is what led to the tradition of Mothering Sunday.

The custom of celebrating Mothering Sunday died out almost completely by the 19th century. However, was celebrated again after World War II, when American servicemen brought the custom and commercial enterprises used it as an occasion for sales.

Today this special day, commercial or not, is a chance to reflect and give thanks to our mothers and is a particularly poignant time to remember loved ones no longer with us.

easter a sPring HoliDay

WitH religious origins

The exact origins of day are unknown. Pagan folklore claims the word Easter is derived Eastre (or Eostre), the Anglo Saxon goddess of spring. A festival called Eastre was held during the spring Equinox to honour her. Eastre’s earth symbol was a hare, also known as symbol of fertility and perhaps the origins of the Easter bunny.

The spring Equinox is a time where the earth renews itself after the winter. The egg is widely used as a symbol of new life and re-birth and so became a symbol of Easter.

In the Christian faith Easter has come to mean the celebration of the resurrection of Christ from the tomb, three days after his crucifixion. It is the oldest and most significant holiday in the church year. Easter Sunday comes after Lent, a 40 day period of fasting.

Other accounts trace Easter to the Latin term hebdomada alba, or white week. In reference to the white clothing worn by people who were baptized during that time. Through a translation error, the term later appeared as esostarum in Old High German, which eventually became Easter in English.

In Spanish, Easter is known as Pascua; in French, Paques. These words are derived from the Greek and Latin Pascha or Pasch, for Passover, which is the celebration to commemorate the liberation of Jews from the slavery of the Egyptians in ancient times.

As with most religious and historic festivals Easter has now become a commercial venture.

Did you know, over 90 million chocolate Easter bunnies are made each year.?

This year Easter Sunday falls on Sunday 9th April. Most of us will enjoy a 4 day holiday from Good Friday 7th April to Easter bank holiday Monday 10th April - and most of us will enjoy the time with family and friends eating far too much chocolate!

apricorn December 21 - January 19

Try not to buy a pig in a poke. Your wheeler dealer attitude will win the day if you can make wise decisions whilst enjoying a spot of retail therapy.

quarius January 20 - February 18

By the courtesy of the planet Venus, romance seems to be well and truly in the air perhaps this is a very good time to work on that relationship or even pop the question.

Pisces February 19 - March 20

Try to make your mind up once and for all. This is no time to be indecisive. Decide what you want and go for it. The world is your oyster.

March 21 - April 20

A new circle of friends and acquaintances could be all you need to turn your life around. There are oodles of opportunities in front of you. It's time to socialise and cash in.

21 -

20

Your skills are coming to the surface and it looks as if you could be very much in demand and probably will end up being the flavour of the month.

cancer June 21 - July 21

It should prove to be the right time to have your say particularly where important decisions are concerned. Others may be amazed at your quickfire responses and leadership skills.

July 22 - August 21

Don't dilly dally where financial matters are involved there maybe on the one chance to cash in, so don't be slow the seize the main chance. You could be laughing all the way to the bank.

Virgo August 22 - September 22

Stay on the ball where work and business matters are involved. Your chart suggests that you may benefit from a sideline which could prove lucrative and exciting.

September 21 - October 22

Cast caution to the wind and put value on yourself. You are about to gain from being bold and taking the bull by the horns. Support may come from a

October 23 -

November 22

At last it's your time to shine. As the planet Saturn looses the grip on your sign you should find the financial aspect of your life taking a massive turn for the better.

21 -

20

It's party time, celebrations, pow-wows, and family decisions figure very strongly in your chart. Talking things over will always give you the

The tide is turning in your direction as you trip the light fantastic through the month ahead. Make sure that you cross all the 'T’s and dot all the 'I's.

Down

Answers for JANUARy/FEBRUARy 23

Across: 1 Absurd, 4 Rioja, 8 Vanilla, 9 Sonic, 10 Roam, 11 Israeli, 13 Impracticable, 15 Emperor, 17 Writ, 19 Extra, 20 Ant bear, 21 Total, 22 Shekel.

Down: 1 Advertisement, 2 Sunlamp, 3 Rely, 4 Restrict, 5 Ounce, 6 Architectural, 7 Sagittarian, 12 Hairball, 14 Berserk, 16 Petit, 18 Utah.

a mini -Break in mesmeriZing municH

by rebecca underwood, travel journalist

Munich, the captivating capital of Bavaria is located on the river Isar to the north of the Bavarian Alps and offers visitors the opportunity to experience the old and the new. The modern is represented by the Allianz Arena, famous for its exterior of colour changing inflated ETFE plastic panels, and there are historic churches in the centre of the city, such as the Peterskirche, built during the Romanesque period in the 12th century, and the Frauenkirche Cathedral, constructed in 1468.

For a taste of Bavarian hospitality I visited the Hofbräuhaus am Platzl. The history of the inn dates back to 1589 when Duke Wilhelm V founded a royal brewery; a few paces away from today’s site. In 1828 King Ludwig I declared by decree that the royal beer hall would be open to the public and he remains the toast of the town. I savoured the wonderful atmosphere as the strains of the brass band enticed the diners to sing, dance and be merry and I didn’t take much persuading. The menu features a wide choice of Bavarian dishes, including the most succulent roast pork with crackling, served with homemade gravy and a fat potato dumpling and a glass of Hofbräu beer was absolutely essential for raising my

After such a sumptuous feast I was looking forward to some relaxation followed by a deep slumber. For the ideal place to stay in the heart of the city and a stone’s throw from the alluring designer boutiques on Maximillianstrasse, the Mandarin Oriental, located on Neuturmstrasse, offers guests the highest level of service and comfort. This beautiful Neo-Renaissance property, built in 1880, was once Munich’s opera house. The lavish rooms and suites are stylishly furnished with comfortable beds, spacious marbled bathrooms with under floor heating, and luxuries include a Bang and Olufsen television and a complimentary mini bar, should guests fancy a late night tipple.

Up with the larks, I embarked on a leisurely stroll around the city seeking out the local attractions such as Marienplatz in the city centre, the site of the stunning neo-Gothic New Town Hall. I paused awhile and admired the striking façade of the world famous carillon, which features eye catching gargoyles, imposing statues and a fierce looking dragon scurrying up the towering turrets. During the summer months the glockenspiel entertains

glass to King Ludwig I.

Courtesy Munchen Tourismus and Jorg Lutz

the crowds at 11am and 12pm and also at 5pm from March to October. 43 bells and 32 lifesized figures depict the story of Duke Wilhelm V’s marriage to Renata of Lorraine.

For a taste of Munich’s cultural heritage, I made my way to the Residenz Museum, a sprawling complex of buildings, which was home to the ruling Wittelsbach family from 1508 until the early twentieth century. I feasted my eyes on the glittering treasures including exquisite collections of china, silver and miniatures. There is also a fine collection of paintings and bronze sculptures dating back to the 16th century.

For a real taste of Bavarian hospitality visit Munich, it’s a city full of charm and you’ll be mesmerized.

Images excluding accommodation courtesy of München Tourismus.

Mandarin Oriental - Bavaria Suite

Mandarin Oriental - Mahjong Roof Garden

Courtesy Munchen Tourismus and Redline Enterprises

mg 4 troPHy long range e.V.

The MG4 does the basics so well. In addition, it is one of the cheapest electric cars in the UK with a claimed range of up to 281 miles, but be cautious of E.V. claims, writes Bob Hickman. It looks the part and drives extremely well. The MG4 is proof that E.V’s can be cheap to buy and own, reassuringly it has won numerous awards including “Car Wow” car of the year and “The Top Gear magazine” voted it the bargain of the year.

The new MG4. is the brand’s first venture into the electric hatchback market, and therefore you may not have considered it. My Trophy Long range version is a seriously sharp-looking car, with its angular design, LED head and tail lights, along with 17-inch alloy wheels, and a huge rear spoiler together with flamboyant orange paint, make it a little special.

The interior does not overwhelm you, a bit minimalist, for example, whilst the drivers get multi electric adjustments on their seat, front passengers get manual adjustments, a cost

saving issue. The quality is however, better than what you’d expect for the price you will be paying.

All versions of the MG4 come equipped with a 10.25-inch infotainment system and a 7.0-inch driver’s display as standard, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. I did find it a very fiddly system to use, the heater controls were tricky to work when you are driving, and it was so easy to cancel options due to the nature of the sensitivity of the touch screen. I am still to be convinced that the whole issue of controlling virtually everything from a touch screen is correct from a road safety perspective.

Space for passengers in the rear is really good, even taller adults like me had plenty of headroom. The boot at 363 litres is more than adequate for the size of the car, I would have liked to have seen the area below the boot floor used to store the charging cables to free up more space.

Currently you can choose between a Standard Range or Long-Range version of the MG4 with 218 miles range for the entry-level version, rising to 281 miles for the largest battery version. My top spec model had the larger battery driving the electric motor, producing a very healthy 203hp this was sufficient to enable a 0-60 gallop in a mere 7.7 seconds and a top speed of 100mph. The driving was so easy, get in, get comfortable turn the dial to D and off you go, no fuss, the performance is excellent especially acceleration, and it is also so quiet with little or no annoying road or wind noise. Around town is where the MG4 is most at home. Well-weighted steering makes it easy to manoeuvre, and there’s a decent amount of visibility at the front. I cannot comment of what the car is like at Motorway cruising speeds as virtually all my 300 miles was in and around town or on rural A & B twisty roads where the car performed faultlessly with no discernible vices.

MG cars of recent years have often come with the caveat of being good for the price, with the MG4 though, there’s none of that — it’s simply very good. I can firmly recommend the MG if

you are desirous of going electric especially when you compare the price of an MG to other E.V. models. With a 7 year warranty on the car and a reassuring 8-year battery warranty MG are expressing confidence in their product. The range start at £25995 and my test car was £33190 on the road.

Where I have a huge problem is the infrastructure in place to charge an E.V. During my time with the MG, I covered nearly 300 miles, this necessitated 3 charges. Firstly, I tried the Charger at my local Asda, I already had the App on my phone so one hour later the car received about 25 miles or added 7%, I then tried the Chargers at Merry Hill, the choice was excellent with about 15 empty chargers,1 hour later, (Yes, one hour). I managed to down load another app, put in my credit card and get the App to work, two hours later and we had achieved about 1517.5 %. The final commercial charge was again in Merry Hill with the same company, this time I chose the massive 72 KWH machine, my App was recognised and 50 minutes later I had 95% charge at a cost of £18.95p. A 13amp plug at home, is over 24 hours.

tHe error oF reacting to market Falls

Being an investor is never easy because, as humans, we tend to live in the moment responding to our emotions, the environment around us and the circumstances we find ourselves in. From an evolutionary standpoint this response has served us well as a species helping us to survive, but as investors we need to remain focused on the long-term goals that we have and not what is going on in the day-to-day, month-to-month or even year-to-year of the markets.

If we listen to this noise, we would spend most of our time being afraid of markets instead of embracing them for the returns that taking on sensible risks should deliver. This is obvious when looking back at annual returns of the market, and the magnitude of falls from the market high in the same years.

It is pretty evident that any investor looking to profit would need some amazing form of 20-20 foresight to predict these short-term market movements, acting in advance of them happening and then getting back into

the market again at the appropriate time. Simply reacting, post-event, to market falls will invariably be a losing strategy.

In reality, at any point in time, all of the information held by all investors trading in markets is reflected in current prices quite efficiently. Prices will therefore move only on the release of new information, which is by definition a random event and impossible to time!

As the wise industry consultant and author Charles Ellis states, ‘In investing, activity is almost always in surplus!’. We couldn’t agree more, instead remain focused on your longterm goals, stay invested and rebalance regularly, for a simpler life and the likelihood of better outcomes.

If you are interested in knowing more about how I work and you have investments of over £200,000 why not give Jo a ring on 01562 745730 to arrange a no obligation 30-minute free meeting in our office.

Siobhan Record Our Lifestyle’s Financial Expert

The information in this article does not constitute investment advice; you must not rely on the content when making investment decisions without taking advice. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. The value investments and the income from them, may fall or rise and investors may get back less than they invested.

Our Finance & Legal talBots celeBrates ten neW trainees!

Talbots Law, an employee-owned Midlands law firm, is celebrating the exciting next stages of the professional legal careers of ten members of the team, who have all now started on their pathways to becoming qualified Solicitors.

Adeela Ali, Cindy La, Denielle Chatta-Sandhu, Dominic Bowen, Emma McIntosh, Sharon Garcha, Shaye McInnis and Zara Rafiq have all become Trainee Solicitors, each undertaking a Training Contract which will see them specialise in their chosen area of law, with the end goal of qualifying and joining the national roll of Solicitors.

The new Trainees are joined by Abbie Danks and Ethan Davis, who both started the highly sought-after Solicitor Apprenticeships, which will see them progress through a work-based degree pathway whilst working at Talbots, earning the qualifications and experience required to become Solicitors.

Back in 2018, Talbots pioneered a new SRAapproved approach to Training Contracts which allowed Trainees to undertake thorough training in their chosen area of specialism pre-qualification. Talbots approach to career development is uniquely focused on the individual; professional qualifications such as Training Contracts, SQE, Apprenticeships, CILEx, CLC are factored into career progression plans for existing employees alongside workplace learning and what Talbots refers to as “role-related progression”.

The philosophy also underlines part of the firm’s “train to retain” approach, ensuring Trainees are specialised and experienced enough to take on a NQ Solicitor role with Talbots on their qualification and to move

forwards on the next step of their career progression journey with the firm.

Talbots law HR Director, Rachel Pardoe, said:

“We invest so much in our people to support and encourage them to be the best they can be. Our track-record of career development and high retention rates speak for themselves.

Our new Trainees & Solicitor Apprentices should all be incredibly proud of themselves and we hope they’re enjoying the well-deserved celebration of the start of the next chapter of the exciting journey they’re on.”

Denielle Chatta-Sandhu, a new Trainee Solicitor with Talbots, said:

“It has long been my dream to become a Solicitor and I feel incredibly grateful to Talbots for giving me an opportunity to achieve it.

Through my legal work today, I have found a real passion for residential conveyancing and knowing I’ll now have the opportunity to specialise, build experience and, ultimately, qualify in this field has given me so much motivation to crack on and make my career everything I believe it can be.”

Talbots is actively recruiting for new positions in four of their eight offices, with new opportunities becoming available throughout the year. To find out about the latest live opportunities visit https://www.talbotslaw. co.uk/site/careers/

For an informal chat about any of the current or forthcoming opportunities available at Talbots, email careers@talbotslaw.co.uk

Last year, we helped over 12,000 people to move home worry-free. Why do so many choose Talbots over anyone else?

Well, maybe it is because we have the largest Residential Property team in the area. That means we’re always there when you need us. And we understand your needs, no matter what your situation. Or perhaps people choose Talbots because we like to do things di erently – no one-size ts all for us!

No matter if you’re downsizing, a rst-time buyer or after your forever home, choose Talbots.

“The service was excellent. Friendly, helpful and knowledgeable, from the reception sta  to the law team.”