Edge Magazine June 2015 Edition (Volume 33)

Edge Magazine June 2015

(Volume 33) FREE EDITION

Warwickshire, Worcestershire, West Midlands and North Cotswolds

Food & Drink | Culture | Business | Fashion | Lifestyle

“FALL OUT AND CONSEQUENCES” THE END OF YOUR COALITION AND ITS CONSEQUENCES

SPECIALIST FAMILY LAW SOLICITORS

While the political fall out resulting from the General Election results is being debated up and down the Country you are having to deal with a much more real and personal “coalition” that has ended or is certainly heading that way. Whether you are married, in a same sex civil partnership or marriage or simply living together the first consequence of the end of that relationship is the emotional fall out and dealing with a world that right now has been turned upside down – even if you are the one that has brought the relationship to an end.

To make matters worse, the second consequence of a relationship that has ended is that it leads to further consequences – who will the children live with; when can I see my children; where is everyone going to live; will I have to pay maintenance; will I have to go to work even though I have the children to look after? Then there is the question of pursuing the division of other assets and the issue of business assets, pensions and their relevance to the overall financial settlement. Rash decisions are often made at times of stress and influence – decisions that you often regret later, or decisions that will lead to anger and resentment if you stay for the wrong reasons. Children are no fools – they pick up on anxiety and unhappiness within a family. It is far better to have 2 parents who are separated with happy children moving freely between them, than parents at war or living in unhappy circumstances.

L L Tracy Lowe. LLB

Life has to go on, even though at times you feel helpless or that you are in a hopeless situation. You may feel that you are being taken down a road that you do not wish to travel by your partner. Whatever the reason for the breakdown of your relationship I suspect that deep down you still care enough to want to resolve the problems without a full scale legal battle.

I have personally dealt with all these problems and worse. I have taken clients from the depths of despair and got them back on track so that they are looking forward to the future not dreading it.

TEL: 01905 610888 Restdale House 32-33 Foregate Street Worcester WR1 1EE 2

www.edgemagazine.org

Let me help you heal the wounds, sort out and resolve the problems and set you free to again looking to the future with confidence. At least you won’t be going through the same thing in 5 years time!

www.lowes-solicitors.co.uk

Editor’s Note

Michael Abu-Zalaf Editor-in-Chief

W

ell I was hoping to be writing that summer had arrived and that the evenings and weekends were now full of lounging around in the sunshine, smelling freshly cut grass and listening to the sizzle of the barbecue. It hasn’t quite worked out that way so far but I’m not losing faith just yet!

And we’re keeping the promise of summer alive with our cover from Riverside Shepherd Huts, a local business with a great success story. If you’re looking for new places to discover in the region, we have a feature on Hagley, where we scouted out some great businesses to look into.

We are going cycling mad in the office and so our cycling feature has got us thinking about the best cycling shops in the area and we have included our list of trusted independents ready to guide you if you’re starting afresh or hoping to get back into it.

Local jewellery designer Gilly Page has beautiful keepsake jewellery for brides and grooms and in her collaboration with florist Lisa Bailey, she has created floral crowns and headdresses with personalised silver adornments.

We also got to have an in depth chat with Andy Street, MD of John Lewis and chair of the Greater Birmingham and Solihull LEP, delving into how John Lewis have maintained their market leading position through the recent turbulent times and the main issues faced by the business community coming up.

On behalf of the team at Edge, have a great June and we hope to see you all again in July.

If you like what you see in Edge Magazine, please show your support by liking us on Facebook and following us on Twitter, as well as checking out our website at: www.edgemagazine.org

Of course weddings are going to be big this summer but it’s not too late to organise something special. Our Escape the Chains feature showcases local milliners at The Hat House and The Hattery; giving you everything you need to know about creating your own bespoke design in time for the big event.

June 2015

3

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When it comes to your reflection, you can be your own toughest critic. Even that favorite outfit can feel off-limits because of stubborn fat that resists diet and exercise. But the CoolSculptingŽ procedure shapes what you see without surgery or downtime, so you’ll look great from every angle.

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Dr. Claire Oliver (BDS)

BEFORE

" " !

! " ! ÂŽ ! ! !

" " " "

17 WEEK AFTER

COOLSCULPTINGÂŽ (Weight Change plus 5lbs) Procedure by Dr Claire Oliver, (BDS)

For further information on CoolSculptingÂŽ please visit www.airaesthetics.co.uk

AirAesthetics

Do the results last?

By the time we reach

It takes 90 days to get the results you want with body contouring treatment CoolSculpting® There is no surgery and best of all - no downtime.

adolescence the body has laid

Even if you eat right

down all the fat cells it will have

and exercise regularly,

as an adult. CoolSculpting uses

some lumps, bumps and

Cryolipolysis to precisely freeze

rolls just won’t go. Now

stubborn fat, the fat cells in

thankfully there is a way to

turn are naturally absorbed and

easily reduce love handles,

removed by the body without

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muffin top, bingo wings

Once destroyed they do not

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and naturally.

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CoolSculpting is a non-

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CoolSculpting...

The Facts • Initial results seen at 30 days with final result at 90 days

cleared by the FDA. Using revolutionary technology Cryolipolysis, it freeze only fat cells to a temperature that triggers them to die and be removed from the body in the natural way

• One treatment can reduce up to 40% of stubborn fat

and in normal amounts.

• No knives, needles or scars

can achieve up to a 40%

• Fat cells are naturally assimilated by the body in safe numbers

treated area. Initial results

• No damage to muscle or tissue • More than 1,000,000 treatments worldwide • Results are permanent once treated, the frozen fat cells are gone for good

Results have shown that a single one hour treatment reduction of fat in the are visible from 30 days with full results at 90 days.

To arrange your Complimenatary Consultation with Dr Oliver (BDS) call 0845 519 5377 or hello@airaesthetics.co.uk or visit www.airaesthetics.co.uk Air Aesthetics has clinics in Henley in Arden and Edgbaston.

CoolSculpting® is the only FDA cleared treatment in the UK.

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Everhot Cookers - The Electric Range

ChaseHeatingAd Jul14WV_Layout 1 23/06/2014 17:18 Page 1

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and more, all Good Food FANTASTIC available to see Hotshowroom Baths PIZZA OVEN! at our Warm Home ROAST • BAKE • BRAISE in Pershore

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STOCKISTS of top brands

Escape the Chains The Hat House and The Hattery

32

Charnwood Morso · Aga Parkray · Aarrow and more, all available to see at our showroom in Pershore

Rayburn Cookers on display including working models

In the kitchen with Praza’s Bishal Rasaily

38

HETAS Reg number 1981

Installation available from our qualified HETAS engineers Like us on Facebook Chase Heating Ltd

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Tel: +44 (0)1386 555 333 Fax: +44 (0)1386 552 269 E-mail: sales@chaseheating.co.uk www.chaseheating.co.uk

8

www.edgemagazine.org

[ BE INSPIRED ]

Visit the Midlands largest Stressless studio display

ALL AT AMAZING SALE PRICES!

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A B E AU T I F U L S E L E C T I O N O F TO P B R A N D N A M E F U R N I T U R E

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The home of quality furniture Unit 8, Arden Business Centre, Arden Rd, Alcester, Warks B49 6HW www.midfurn.co.uk Open 7 days a week Tel: 01789 765 123

Contents PRODUCTION

Riverside Shepherd Huts

Editorial

The New Club House

Michael Abu-Zalaf - Editor in Chief @ZalafAbu michael@edgemagazine.org Tel:07809 702 992

12

Hagley 14 18

Andy Street 20 Dressing stylishly

25

Meet Matthew Curtis

26

Mad for monochrome

28

Lucinda Bunn - Copy Editor @lucindabunn lucinda@edgemagazine.org

Air Aesthetics…the results

30

Food for healthier skin

31

Escape the Chains

32

Megan Ace - Content Editor @Megannelsey Megan@edgemagazine.org

Gilly Page Jewellery

35

A weekend of fun

36

In the kitchen with...

38

The Local Kitchen

40

Sales

See Bordeaux 44

Charlie O’Neill - Warwickshire Sales @EdgeMag_Charlie charlie@edgemagazine.org Tel: 07834 538 284

Droitwich Spa Summer Festival

47

Lighting the way

50

Fall in love with the fabulous fuschia

52

The iMow robotic mower

54

Steve Picker - Worcestershire Sales @EdgeMag_Steve steve@edgemagazine.org Tel:07515 493 703

Mercury Moon Gifts

56

Lucie Abu-Zalaf - West Midlands Sales @LucieLincolnLew lucie@edgemagazine.org Tel:07714 490 943

Acorns Children’s Hospice

62

Corporate canapés with a difference

64

Wednesday Club

65

Pensions versus ISAs

66

Top gear 58 The Hanbury Countryside Show

60

Dodderhill School 61

EstatesDirect.com 68 The Mini Hatchback: A review

70

The Mountain Can Wait: A review

72

Art in the Park at Compton Verney

74

Robert Plant 76

CONTRIBUTORS Laura Clay Tom Ware Lucie Abu-Zalaf David Hatton

Karl Strawbridge Mel Taffs Emma Jenkins Adrian Barrows

WRITE TO US MLP Publishing Ltd 3 Warwick Court Saxon Business Park Stoke Prior Bromsgrove B60 4AD

info@edgemagazine.org 10

www.edgemagazine.org

Pop of Culture

77

Walks with Hawks

78

Be Festival 80 What’s On 81

B R I N G Y O U R PA R T Y T O O U R PA R T Y !

in

& at Nailcote Hall Hotel Fri 5th Sat 13th Thu 18th Fri 19th Sat 20th

JUNE

DISCO THROUGH THE DECADES with DJ IAN ROGERS

Over the last 18 years Ian has been performing as a local DJ and has a unique ability to entertain any crowd across a vast spectrum of music genres.

‘THE ‘BEE GEES’ SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER PARTY with STAYIN’ ALIVE

The No. 1 tribute to ‘The Brothers Gibb’ covering all the hits from all the decades of the fabulous ‘Bee Gees’. You should be dancing!.

ROYAL ASCOT ‘LADIES’ DAY in THE MARQUEE

£27.50 £37.50

Enjoy a Champagne reception, buffet lunch & live big screen TV coverage of The Races, followed by afternoon tea!

After the races sing-a-long & disco with DJ Franco..

£79.50

CHARITY ROYAL ASCOT DAY with ADDICTED TO 80’s

£69.50

A Enjoy a Champagne reception, buffet lunch & live big screen TV coverage of The Races, followed by afternoon tea!

End of races Sing-a-long with West End star David Lawrence and party with Briefcase Blues - A great day out, helping a great cause.

‘MIDSUMMER BALL’ with THE BROTHERS OF SOUL

Enjoy a tribute to the greatest hits, the move, the smooth vocals and toe-tapping tunes of the Temptations and other Motown legends.

£49.50

JULY

Sat 4th Sat 25th

‘AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE DAY PARTY’ with BRIEFCASE BLUES SOUL BROTHERS

Celebrate a great July 4th by dancing the night away with non-stop movie hits with our sensational American duo, party with all the hits such as ‘Can’t Turn you Loose’, ‘Gimme some lovin’ and ‘Soul Man’.

THE HOT SUMMER PARTY with ‘TAKE@THAT’

One of UK’s leading tributes to the greatest British man band of our generation. With all the hits and choreographed dance routines, replicating a perfect likeness to the real Take That.

£32.50 £37.50

AUGUST 11th - 14th

THE FARMFOODS BRITISH PAR 3 CHAMPIONSHIP for more details: www.britishpar3.com

SEPTEMBER

Fri 4th Fri 11th Fri 18th

‘MOTOWN’ LEGENDS PARTY with SOUL LEGEND

Enjoy all the moves, the smooth vocals and dance to the hits from Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye & more with ‘Soul Legend’. You won’t be able to stay off the dance floor. Plus after show Disco.

‘MAMMA MIA’ PARTY with ‘SENSATION’ AN ABBA TRIBUTE

Enjoy a great party with our tribute to ABBA. Sensation perform ABBA’s greatest hits including ‘Mamma Mia, Waterloo, Dancing Queen, Thank You For The Music’ and many more.

A SPECIAL TRIBUTE TO WHITNEY HOUSTON with NYA KING

Without a doubt, the unprecedented replica of the voice of Whitney Houston. The incredible Nya King brings her amazing Soul and R & B style to pay tribute to this wonderful soul lady

£32.50 £37.50 £32.50

CHRISTMAS EVENTS DIARY - NOW AVAILABLE SEE OUR WEBSITE FOR FULL DETAILS

TICKET PRICES INCLUDE 4 COURSE MEAL - WE WILL CATER FOR ANY SPECIAL DIETARY NEEDS BY PRIOR ARRANGEMENT

FOR MORE DETAILS OF THE EVENTS IN RICKS BAR & THE MARQUEE VISIT

www.nailcotehall.co.uk

BOOKING HOTLINE CALL: 02476 466174 info@nailcotehall.co.uk Nailcote Lane, Berkswell, Warwickshire CV7 7DE June 2015

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Riverside Shepherd Huts Your home away from home is just around the corner iverside Shepherd Huts is a real local success story; a small business with a simple idea that has won the heart of the community.

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energy. The shepherd huts are perfect as they’re light, airy and bring you close to nature which many of Dave and Jeannie's clients find inspiring.

Based on the border between Worcestershire and Warwickshire, Riverside Shepherd Huts is a family run business by Dave and Jeannie, who work closely alongside their customers to create bespoke huts immersed in the heart of the countryside.

An expert in their field, the Riverside team has over 30 years of experience in the manufacture of all bespoke steel framed buildings, as well as agricultural buildings such as grain stores, hay barns, equestrian facilities, beef and other livestock units.

More and more people are inventing creative spaces with Dave and Jeannie.

Art studios, meditation rooms, libraries and eco-friendly escapes give you a chance to take a step back, reflect and enjoy your own time. The Honeymoon Hut, The Sauna Hut, The Rural Retreat…what may seem like a fleeting idea of your perfect getaway can soon become a reality thanks to Riverside Shepherd Huts.

The combination of Dave’s understanding of construction and Jeannie’s eye for interior design and detail allows Riverside to build for anyone and any purpose, whilst adding all the warm, personal touches to make your hut a home.

It all starts with a cup of tea and a slice of cake, these will be ready and waiting for you at the couple’s home field, where you can explore the finished shepherd huts and have a chat about how you want your hut to look.

From day one, Dave and Jeannie are keen to build a warm relationship with their customers and ensure that they have a significant impact in the decision making process, allowing the customer to be the main designer. Choose the size, finish and all the specifications of your hut. Whether it’s a home for your hobbies you’re after, a den for your teenage kids or a space for guests to stay, the possibilities are endless at Riverside Shepherd Huts.

Your shepherd hut is created entirely as you want it, a completely bespoke product so it can suit your lifestyle, both functionally and aesthetically, and creating solutions to your living space dilemmas. Understanding how you want to use the space is possibly the most important factor. Some of Dave and Jeannie's customers work from home and need an office space with a creative 12

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Tourism has taken Riverside by storm and in recent years, many farmers have approached Dave and Jeannie looking to extend their business and earn extra income by building accommodation for holidaymakers. The B&B solar hut is a perfect example of this kind of design.

It’s low maintenance, spacious and looks great inside and out.

In line with glamping, the latest countryside craze, Riverside’s huts now offer all sorts of mod cons, as well as the essentials, such as double beds, wood burners to maximise your experience and ensure that your time in the countryside is as luxurious and relaxing as possible.

Riverside Shepherd Huts Riverside Cottage Hanbury Worcestershire B96 6TG 01527 821848 www.riversideshepherdhuts.co.uk

June 2015

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Hagley Nestled in the Worcestershire countryside, between Stourbridge and Kidderminster is this out of city suburb that brings together local eats and independent businesses. From kitchen designers and estate agents to catering companies, gift shops, delis and cafĂŠs, Hagley has a lot to offer. Spend the day exploring or take a look at Hagley Hall as the venue for your next event or special occasion.

Walton & Hipkiss

You get a warm friendly welcome as you enter Walton and Hipkiss who are now celebrating 86 years in the estate agency business and who pride themselves on a wealth of experience, knowledge of local area, unrivalled cutting edge marketing technology.

To ensure the quickest possible sale they promise the best in photography and social media marketing, they also ensure the greatest possible exposure for your property on websites such as Rightmove On the Market and their own unique website with property tours, Walton & Hipkiss 111 Worcester Road Hagley DY9 0NG 01562 886688

Kensington Kitchen Design With a passion for delivering quality, designer led kitchens combined with a personal service that is second to none. Kensington Kitchen Design guarantees that every kitchen is designed, installed and project managed from concept to completion thus ensuring a stress free experience for the customer. For beautiful kitchens that create a functional and stylish space within your home, visit Kensington Kitchen Design.

Bank House, 115 Worcester Road, West Hagley, Worcestershire DY9 0NG 01562 887212 hello@kensingtonkitchendesign.com www.kensingtonkitchendesign.com

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Lily Blue Gifts

Lily Blue Gifts is fast becoming known as a goto shop for special, individual greetings cards, fabulous gifts, unique homewares and delicious Belgian chocolates sourced from across Europe.

With new stock arriving weekly there is always something special to discover.

We carry some well-known and much-loved brands including East of India, Belly Button, Lily Flame, Carrie Elspeth and Joma Jewelley to name a few; with some lesser known brands from Europe adding an international flare.

We pride ourselves on great customer service with every gift purchased wrapped and ribboned; Lily Blue Gifts are sure to delight their intended recipients.

Angela and the team look forward to welcoming you to Lily Blue very soon. www.lilybluegifts.co.uk www.facebook.com/lilybluegifts www.twitter.com/LilyBlueGifts June 2015

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Hagley Hall

Hagley Hall, last of the great Palladian houses, with its rich Rococo decoration and 350 acres of picturesque parkland, offers a splendid and unique venue for events The State Rooms boasting, ornate plasterwork, exquisite silk wall coverings and crystal chandeliers couldn’t be a more perfect for setting to impress your guests.

The versatility of the Hall means you can choose to have a wedding or conference, drinks reception and banquet for 110 or for larger numbers you can arrange a marquee in the grounds with the Hall as a spectacular backdrop.

Hall Drive, Stourbridge, West Midlands DY9 9LQ 01562 887290 www.hagleyhall.com

Hagley Café A warm welcome awaits you from Amanda and her new team. Hagley Café is a small village café that offers freshly made, home-cooked food, delicious cakes and great coffee. There’s always someone to chat to in this friendly local food spot.

92 Worcester Road Hagley Stourbridge DY9 0NJ 01562 886889

Deli in the Village Deli in the Village is set in the centre of West Hagley. Known for its friendly service and delicious food (especially the ‘Tasty and Delicious sausage rolls!)

The food is homemade, fresh and fairly priced; but more importantly, it’s made with love.

If you are in need of outside catering, that’s something the team can organise. If it’s something as special as a wedding breakfast, a loved one’s birthday, a business meeting or a funeral, the Deli in the Village is happy to help. www.deliinthevillage.co.uk

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Happy Families

Always greeted with a warm friendly welcome. Happy Families of Hagley is your one stop shop for all your gifts, quality greeting cards, toys and ladies designer clothing and accessories.

Upstairs we have some exclusive ladies designer brands that include NYDJ Jeans, Steilmann, Dutch B and Signature to name a few. We also have the perfect accessories and jewellery to match.

Downstairs is our gift shop, we stock an extensive range of contemporary menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s and ladies gifts, as well as fun educational games and soft toys for the little ones.

Our brands include Steiff, Emma Bridgewater, Jellycat, Gibson and Orchard educational Toys to name a few.

100 Worcester Road, Hagley. DY9 0NJ 01562 887188 www.facebook.com/HappyFamiliesHagley

June 2015

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The New Club House Farmfoods British Par 3 Championship venue Nailcote Hall opens brand new £1.25m clubhouse and 10 bedroom hotel extension

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ailcote Hall Hotel, the host venue of the annual Farmfoods’ British Par 3 Championship which regularly welcomes a host of top golfers including Sam Torrance OBE, Paul Lawrie OBE and Ian Woosnam OBE, kicked off the new golfing season in style with the opening of its new ‘Champions Pavilion’ clubhouse. The Clubhouse is part of a combined development with Nailcote Hall extending its current hotel offering by a further 10 luxury bedrooms which are now open for business.

The clubhouse was officially opened by none other than Tony Jacklin CBE, the two-time Major winner and the most successful Ryder Cup Captain of alltime. Jacklin, who will be hosting the Farmfoods British Par 3 Championship this August for the eighth year running, welcomed a host of special guests to the grand opening.

Without the valuable support of the Regional Development Growth Fund it would not have been possible to have proceeded with the new clubhouse development and their involvement has opened up an exciting opportunity for Nailcote Hall to extend the hotel at the same time and add an extra 10 rooms to their offering.

The new facilities include ladies’ and men’s changing rooms, a pro shop, dining for up to 60 people, plus a balcony with spectacular views of the Cromwell Course and the 10th hole, ‘Charley’s Bar’ named after the Ladies’ European No. 1 and 2014 Order of Merit winner Charley Hull. The opening of the clubhouse was attended by the golfing star’s parents Dave and Bassa Hull.

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Nailcote Hall’s owner, Rick Cressman commented: “It’s been a long time coming, but after over 20 years in the making, the golf facilities here at the Hall will give everyone who plays here an experience to enjoy from start to finish.

Charley Hull has played in the Farmfoods British Par 3 Championship for the last eight years and she is pleased to have the bar named after her. Let’s hope lots more young ladies follow her lead in the future and appreciate the value of playing a great Par 3 course.

“Par 3 golf gives people a great golfing experience without taking up an excessive amount of time and money and it can be enjoyed by everyone. With the new Champions Pavilion, I am sure we will be able to introduce and entertain many more corporate events and society golf days here at Nailcote Hall - Europe’s number one Par 3 venue.”

Tony Jacklin CBE said of the new development: “As host of the event and as a good friend of Rick Cressman, I’m extremely pleased to see this new clubhouse. It’s long overdue and goes a long way towards us making the Championship bigger and better.”

Nailcote Hall Nailcote Lane Berkswell Warwickshire CV7 7DE 02476 466174 www.nailcote.co.uk

June 2015

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Andy Street

At the forefront of driving economic growth in the Midlands Michael Abu-Zalaf

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ndy Street is the MD at John Lewis and Chair of Greater Birmingham and Solihull LEP (Local Enterprise Partnership).

We had the rare opportunity to interview Street and found his answers fascinating. A selfless individual, Street insists that his achievements and successes are down to luck and most crucially, the team around him.

Can you talk us through your rise to the top (at John Lewis)?

I went to John Lewis as a Graduate Trainee and worked my way through the organisation, starting on the shop floor at John Lewis in Brent Cross, North London, 30 years ago this summer! I became MD of John Lewis In 2007. So all in all, it took about 22 years. You quite literally go through the different layers, starting at supervisor, department manager, ran my own shop, then did a divisional board role, and then ultimately partnership boardroom.

So you’ve been a company man all your life then?

Yes I have, which of course is very unusual. They say a CEO must work around new companies, but I kept being 20

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given new jobs in JLP, so supply chain and then HR Director for 4 years before getting my current job. It’s a rather old fashion approach to career development, but it seemed to work.

What does your average working day look like?

There is no average working day. There never is. But I am very clear about the most important thing that happens in my working day. I’m not running John Lewis.

My team run John Lewis, so one of the most important things I do, is spend one on one time with my team. I am encouraging, facilitating and enabling them to do their job so talking through any particular issues they’re grappling with. My role in enabling my team, is a critical thing.

How do you explain the success of the John Lewis Partnership – particularly in the last 8 years?

Let me talk about John Lewis, in particular [not the John Lewis Partnership], otherwise that’d be unfair.

I think there’s two things. Our model of co-ownership by employee ownership has definitely been an underpinning advantage and it has enabled us to take some bold decisions and actually some counter intuitive ones. So to be precise, in 2008, the crash came, we were able to let our profit take the strain because we didn’t have to be accountable to shareholders on a quarterly basis and therefore we used that crisis to reposition the business, to get after the online success.

The second thing I would draw out is that we’ve had one consistent strategy for the past 7 years, which has been to develop ‘bricks’ and ‘clicks’ together. And the jargon is to be an omnichannel retailer.

I think we saw that ahead of others, i.e that customers would want to use both channels together. We frankly just stick to the same plan of making that a reality.

Who or what do you attribute your success to?

There isn’t one individual. A lot of luck.

I genuinely believe that you have to be in the right place at the right time. I also think finding an organisation that suited me personally; I know I would not have been as successful in other organisations.

This just fitted my personal values, so it was a stage on which I could perform.

Finding the fit for any individual is absolutely critical.

How would you describe your childhood?

Unexceptional really. I was very happy, it was a stable childhood. Unexceptional is really the right word. I wasn’t the most gifted child at school, definitely not. Some of the signs were there early on. I went to a school that taught me the notion of social responsibility and that really helped me choose John Lewis and made me feel comfortable with them as an employer.

What’s your philosophy when it comes to a work/life balance?

No question. Work hard, play hard!

Everybody needs to have a ‘hinterland’ as I call it. They need to have other things that stimulate them, where they can just put work aside and I think it’s quite useful if the boundary is a bit blurred between work and play. But definitely, I like to recruit people, who are well connected and socially aware.

How do you see the development of John Lewis in the future?

Very positively. We’re investing heavily in both physical shops and also online presence, but I think [more importantly than what we’re doing at the moment]

John Lewis has become quite an agile organisation, knowing that it can, and is prepared to take risks, and realising the customer is changing, and how retail’s changing. If you have what I call a ‘learning ability’ within the organisation you can adapt, so I’m actually extremely confident about John Lewis’ future, because of the people and the capability it’s got within it.

How does the John Lewis Partnership set a good example as an eco-conscious company?

I’ll give you a wonderful example.

Our latest shop, John Lewis, York which opened last year is the only department store in the world to have the highest BREEM rating, which is an environmental rating for construction projects. You name it, we do it; from living walls, to water retention and forms of environmentally sound heating.

The coalition government was keen to encourage more businesses to follow the John Lewis employeeowned model, what progress have you seen of this?

Lots. The coalition government made some important legislative changes to encourage co-ownership. Firstly, they changed the tax rules, so that people involved in business did not have to pay tax on their profit share and also, if you were a private owner, and moved it to a co-owned business, again, there was an advantage in that. So we saw the coalition government put their money where their mouth is. On the back of that there is a lot of exploration from all sorts of companies as to whether or not they wish to go this way. It’s a bit too soon to say and I know that this, and that company are moving this way, however, it is working and gaining attraction. It’s really encouraging, and moving in the right direction. The share of GDP taken by co–owner, company members is rising, so it’s all a positive trend.

How does your experience as the Managing Director of John Lewis give you an insight into other businesses and growing the private sector in our region?

The reason why I wanted to do this LEP job was really two things. You could see that the economic performance of the Birmingham region had been below what we had hoped for up until 2010, so I thought, rather naively, I could make a contribution to that. Why did I think that? Because if you’re CEO of a big company, particularly one of our structure, it’s about building consensus, it’s about influencing, it’s about seeing opportunities and implementing strategies that then address them. Of course, I’m not saying that it’s exactly the same, but some of my skills were transferable to the LEP job, and that’s proven to be true.

One other skill: as CEO of a company, you’re the front man, you’re the spokesman and I do think this city needs a spokesman.

Describe your role as the Chair of the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP)? And what does it entail?

I’m the facilitator. The LEP’s job is not to do everyone else’s job. We’ve got most capable councils, we’ve got most a capable chamber of commerce, we’ve got a most capable and willing investment agency. The LEP aims to glue all of that together as an overall team. That then fulfils the overall strategy and I feel that I’m the coordinator/ conductor of that.

Some things are actually done by other agencies (partners as we like to call them). A small number of things, for example administering the Growth Deal, (gaining money from central government for investments), are done by my executive team. I think the most important achievement of the LEP is to being all of those groups together to form one team for Greater Birmingham and Solihull.

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What does the LEP hope to achieve?

I want to be absolutely clear that it doesn’t achieve by itself, it does it with and through everybody else. But it is to substantially improve the economic performance of this city/region. All of our targets are based around us, becoming, again, what we were 40/50 years ago, which was quite clearly, the best performing region outside London in the UK. It’s not about politics, not about lobbying. It’s about economic outcomes.

What do you think are the country’s greatest business issues at the moment?

Definitely seeing the UK too narrowly, in a world context. We’ve just had a General Election, and we didn’t talk at all in that election about the competitiveness of the UK on a world basis. Whether you are a manufacturing company here, or whether you are talking about being a city bringing in investment, our competitors are in Berlin, Barcelona and Boston and my constant refrain, is that we have got to open our eyes to that horizon.

I have just been to South Korea. South Korea reckons it’s the country in the world that embraces technology most successfully. Those are the type of things we should be thinking about. How are we competing on a global basis are the issues that will determine the most successful countries and companies in the future.

What do you think are the primary issues in the region?

There are two issues I’d like to point out.

The first is telling our story confidently, so how we promote ourselves/how we brand ourselves and what the image is.

This might sound a bit superficial, but is very important because we have a great economic revival going on here. All the stats are clear; first for investment, first for business start-ups, first for export growth, first for rate of economic growth, best performing city in 2013. But if you lined up 100 people in London, and asked which city was performing best, the answer would be London. But it’s the wrong answer. We have to tell our story consistently, so investors from here and abroad can understand the story they can be part of.

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People here want to feel the confidence of being part of a winning team. That is why the LEP has invested in Marketing Birmingham over the competitive positioning project. So knowing our branding is critical.

How can our readers help with private sector growth?

The second one is skills. The success of an economy is absolutely down to the quality of the workforce. A successful company is dependent on the strength of the workforce. The same is true of cities.

We have not cracked this yet. There are pockets of no skills at all, and lots of low skills, so actually having a coordinated attack on that is the biggest opportunity.

Starting businesses is critical. If they have an existing business, it’s about investing and growing. They can also offer work experience for the people who are not yet employed, it helps bridge that gap. If they want to volunteer to do that, contact the LEP.

How does the LEP plan to tackle them?

Branding: we’ve put our money on the table and are working with a major marketing agency. Now we have a good story. You can’t brand anything that’s rubbish!

So the first thing we had to do was to change the substance but now’s the time to get our story out, now the substance is there.

On the skills piece there have been many good outbreaks of work on this already, but what we have to do is move from outbreaks to an overall coordinated project. We have to put a proposal to government for substantial devolution for the Skills Budget, and that’s the thing we’re currently working on. The Chancellor threw that gauntlet down in February and we will respond to that.

If they’re running their own companies, they can invest and support local businesses.

When it comes to inspiring young people to work their way up or engage in local business and even start up their own businesses, what are your words of advice?

Follow your heart. Do something and get involved in a company that you really love. Don’t worry about the intellectual advice; ‘you must get this qualification’, ‘you must do something that is going to earn you a lot of money from the start’. Instead follow something you’re genuinely interested in and opportunity will come, whether it’s employment in the field, or whether it’s running your own business. That’s what we see with all these start-ups, emotion, heart and engagement are the most powerful forces.

How do you see businesses in our region (and nationwide) becoming more socially responsible?

I think it is already, actually. The consumer, or the job applicant is making it more socially responsible.

The most heavily used part of the John Lewis website (the corporate side) is job applicants looking at our socially responsibility credentials. I am absolutely sure that businesses that are socially responsible will attract a better quality of young talent. I’m a great believer in the market and that’s a good example of how a market works.

Companies will naturally do this, as it will be in their market interest.

A bit like ‘Adam Smith’s invisible hand’?

Exactly. And I’m a huge believer in that.

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Peopleton Ɣ Pershore Ɣ WR10 2EE Ɣ 01905 840 222 www.crowninnpeopleton.co.uk

Father’s Day Treat you dad on Father’s Day 3 course meal + coffee £20.00 Children under 12 - half price

@CrownPeopleton

/thecrowninnpeopleton June 2015

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Auctioneers & Valuers Antiques | Jewellery | Watches

A SUMMER OF 15,257 LOTS, 18 AUCTIONS

ONE AUCTIONEER

Antiques & Fine Art | Antique & Modern Jewellery |Silver, Coins & Medals | The Watch Sale | Vintage Jewellery & Accessories

Register to bid at our Summer auctions, www.fellows.co.uk/register 020 7127 4198 Mayfair Office | 2nd Floor, 3 Queen Street, London, W1J 5PA Jewellery Quarter Saleroom | 19 Augusta Street, Birmingham, B18 6JA

fellowsauctions

Dressing stylishly for your summer holiday Have you booked your summer holiday yet?

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f you have then are you the type of man who thinks about the wardrobe they are going to take or will it be a last minute rush a week before you go to buy a job lot of t-shirts and shorts?

If you tend to fall into the latter category then I’m here to tell you that you’re letting your country down in the fashion stakes! I know that may sound harsh but why is it that you can always recognise the Brits when they are on holiday? It may not be quite string vests and knotted hankies but as style goes, we Brits often leave a lot to be desired when we dress for our holidays.

It’s time we took a leaf out of the books of our Mediterranean friends in Italy, Spain and the South of France, where they never seem to be so sartorially challenged. They always seem to have a ready supply of smart polo shirts, chinos, tailored shorts and stylish loafers for the day and beautifully crisp white shirts, lightweight blazers and suits, and thin cashmere sweaters for the evening.

Simple, smart and elegant attire perfect for the climate and the ambiance of a Mediterranean evening.

So this year I’m on a mission. It’s time we Brits cut more of a dash on our holidays. There’s no reason why we can’t be more stylish on our summer jaunt abroad. I’m not suggesting we copy our Mediterranean friends in how they look because at the end of the day, we are British and it wouldn’t look quite right.

However, we Brits do have our own sense of unique style and let’s face it, when it comes to fashion we don’t do too bad on the world front – think Alexander McQueen, Paul Smith, Christopher Bailey. Some of the world’s most influential designs and fashion trends have come from the UK so be proud of this tradition and let your clothes make a statement this summer.

Adrian Barrows

Think lightweight suits, tailored polo shirts and shorts, boating shoes, and elegant evening attire all with a uniquely British twist. We manufacture the best fabrics in the world and with a bit of thought to your holiday wardrobe this summer you could look every inch the finely tailored British gentleman and make your country proud!

For more information about being a sharp dressed man please see www.thebespoketailor.co.uk Adrian Barrows 07968 438717 June 2015

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Meet Matthew Curtis Renowned runway stylist and owner and director at Matthew Curtis Hair Design

T

aking the hair world by storm, Matthew Curtis is undoubtedly one of the industry’s leading hair stylists.

His innovation and influence can be felt in experimental editorial fashion and beauty features and in prominent campaigns and runway spectacles worldwide.

A regular at New York Fashion Week, Matthew and his Creative Team have been heading up teams backstage since 2010, working on and creating looks for the likes of Ted Baker, Dolce & Gabbana, Ralph Lauren, Falguni & Shane Peacock, Marc Jacobs and Alice & Olivia to name but a few. Last season at New York Fashion Week, Matthew headed up 11 shows.

Matthew’s work has the spotlight on the red carpet too. Matthew styled Australian film actress, Emily Browning at Miu Miu’s 2015 Resort Collection Presentation in Paris, and he also created American actress and model, Gabrielle Union’s head turning tresses for Miu Miu’s Women’s Tale premiere at the 70th Venice International Film Festival.

Matthew is no stranger to television; his calm and confident working style combined with his cheeky but charming personality means he’s a hit in front of the camera. In 2013, Matthew was selected to head up the styling team on Sky Living’s Britain & Ireland’s Next Top Model.

Matthew’s flagship salon, Matthew Curtis Hair Design, is located in the centre of Stratford-Upon-Avon. A beautiful boutique and buzzing salon, amongst its portfolio are Great Lengths hair extensions, Botox hair treatments, bridal services and the revolutionary Brazilian Blow Dry using leading brand, KeraStraight.

Matthew has recently launched the Hair Retreat at Staffordshire’s luxury spa hotel, Hoar Cross Hall. With an extensive menu primarily focusing on hair and scalp care, Matthew will introduce the spa’s clients to a new hair spa concept using state of the art technology and natural ingredients to deliver tailored hair care treatments and regimes for naturally beautiful, healthy hair.

At his salons, Matthew uses the enthusiasm for hairstyling which he demonstrates at New York Fashion Week and translates for the Staffordshire streets. It is his firm belief that beautiful, wearable, everyday hair should start from the root.

To book at an appointment with Matthew and his team at the Matthew Curtis salon in Stratford Upon Avon contact T: 01789 266551 or visit www.matthewcurtis.biz

T: @mcurtishair Y: www.youtube.com/matthewcurtishair

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Matthew’s summer hair tips: “Nonchalant beach waves, easily created with salt spray, is always a classic look for summer.

Perfectly pristine waves offer a smoother and chicer alternative style to beach waves and is a great look for a cocktail hour on a sunny rooftop bar. If you’re looking for a hair up style for the summer season, then a sleek, deep side parted low pony brings an element of St Tropez style and is simple to do.”

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Mad for Monochrome.

Emma Jenkins

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e've had some brilliant weather recently and it seems a lot of you are giving your summer wardrobe an airing. Our outfits are becoming a little more daring as we throw off our winter coats and jumpers.

I've been looking around recently with the goal of updating my wardrobe with a few key items. I do love colour, but for me, the perfect transitional spring to summer solution is; monochrome. You can't beat good old black and white. Whether that be a distressed pair of white jeans, a black leather jacket or silk black t-shirt - the combination is timeless but can be contemporary if you choose the right shapes and styles.

There are some great, innovative, monochrome basics and statement pieces on the high street right now. Sheer fabrics are really popular, as is modern jersey and lace. Its always worth keeping your eye out for key pieces which have little style cues and details that make an item stand out and show your individuality.

Lace Culottes £65.00 Warehouse

Jumpsuit £32.00 Next

Keeping this in mind, our high-street has a style for everyone; I'm seeing knee length tops with waist high slits, sheer vests with contrasting panels, ripped knee denim, lace cullotes and loose, flattering all-inones.

Monochrome can be as bold as you want it to be - try all white with a black rucksack, clutch or oversized bag and shoes. Or all black with a bright, white jacket. Even a monochrome print works amazingly well, take a look at some of the matching tops and trousers which are everywhere right now. Accessories wise, I always feel that delicate gold works well to add a touch of glamour, so stack those rings and layer those necklaces.

Slashed Knee Jeans £42.00 River Island

Pushed Sleeve Blazer £55.00 River Island

The possibilities are endless, be creative!

For more style inspiration, follow me on; Pintrest: Emma Jenkins Instagram: itsabeautifullifeuk Blog: www.itsabeautifullife.co.uk

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Point Flat Shoes £30.00 Next

Whisteria Ghillie Lace Up Shoes £55.00 Office

Open Frindge Top £25.99 Zara

Combined Shopper Bag £39.99 Zara

Hayley Stripe Swing Top £95.00 Whistles

Leather Fringe Clutch Bag £28.00 Warehouse

Printed Blazer Contrast Piping £59.99 Zara

Tassel Rucksack £90.00 Next June 2015

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Air Aesthetics The Results Lucie Abu-Zalaf

F

ollowing up from last month’s introduction to CoolSculpting by Air Aesthetics, nearly 3 months later, I pottered back to the clinic for my final photos and check

up.

Any swelling (and there was quite a bit for the first few days) had completely disappeared and there was no longer any tingling or numbness where I’d had the treatment, which was a relief as I was wondering if it was going to be a little bit numb forever. In actual fact it was probably only a couple of weeks and wasn’t the slightest bit uncomfortable, just a strange sensation.

So, back into the lovely paper shorts I was weighed and then took up my position to be photographed again and to see the final results. There’s good news and bad news here; the bad news was that even though I had been trying really hard to curb the sweet tooth I had obviously not been massively successful as I had gained nearly 5lbs (damn it) but sitting back down and seeing the photographs appear on screen I can only say I was seriously amazed.

Before Coolsculpting

The before and after shots next to each other, whilst clearly being me showed such a fantastic result that I was genuinely lost for words. Especially when you bear in mind that I hadn’t really done much exercise, changed my diet and that I was nearly half a stone heavier!

After Coolsculpting Now, it’s not that I thought that Dr Claire Oliver from Air Aesthetics was lying to me when she said that the treatment would work, I just sort of presumed she was being nice to me and trying to make me feel a bit better about myself, Positive Mental Attitude and all that. I do tend to be one of those people who believes that certain things really are just too good to be true and that any before and after shots tend to be trickery, clever lighting and even a little bit of photoshopping, but the results here are clear to see, with none of the above being used.

Obviously I still have a few hang ups but for doing nothing apart from a couple of appointments where I had a nice lunch, fiddled around on facebook and had a snooze the outcome is nothing short of outstanding. I had the treatment done on my stomach and my love handles, but it has had an effect on my whole trunk. Other areas that can be treated are anywhere with pinchable fat, so thighs, bingo wings and pretty much any wobbly area that you can think of that you’re unhappy with.

The whole team at Air Aesthetics are absolutely wonderful, making you feel comfortable and at ease and I cannot recommend them, or thank them highly enough. And yes, I will be returning to have a go at my thunder thighs!

Dr Claire Oliver BDS

Air Aesthetics Russell House Doctors Lane (near 50 High Street) Henley-in-Arden B95 5AW 0845 519 5377 hello@airaesthetics.co.uk 30

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Foods for healthier skin

Eat right and glow: try these skin saving foods to get ready for summer Mel Taffs

Prevent wrinkles with yogurt

Brighten up with sunflower seeds

The protein that you receive from dairy products helps skin become firmer, so it’s more resistant to lines. Greek yogurt is extremely beneficial because the protein content is often double that of regular yogurt. Eat a portion every day to make your complexion smoother.

These are loaded with vitamin E and they keep your skin supple by protecting its top layer from the sun. The high essential fatty acid content also helps with parched body parts such as lips and heels. Eat a handful daily.

Protect with pomegranates These little gems are packed with polyphenol antioxidants and these fight free radicals and regulate skins blood flow, giving your skin a rosy glow. One pomegranate or a few glasses of juice daily should do the trick.

Fight crows’ feet with peppers By eating yellow or green peppers regularly will help to diminish wrinkles, especially around the eyes. The carotenoids which are antioxidants in the peppers can decrease skin sensitivity to the sun. About two cups daily will make a difference.

Zap zits with kidney beans There is a link between blemishes and low zinc levels and kidney beans are high in zinc. Have a 4oz serving to help keep your skin clear.

Even out your skin tone with soy As soy contains minerals and proteins this is found to help with hyperpigmentation. One latte with soy milk or edamame beans daily will help even out your skin tone.

Look younger with oatmeal If you can buy organic oatmeal it’s better as it’s less processed and contains more vitamins and takes longer to break down in your body which keeps your

blood sugar level stable. This is most important as spiked sugar levels elevate your body’s levels of androgens that can contribute to wrinkles.

Calm redness with green tea This beverage is high in antioxidants particularly one named EGCG which is known to reduce redness. Have one cup a day to fight redness.

Get glowing with chocolate Cocoa hydrates your skin making it firmer and more supple. Dark chocolate contains high levels of flavonoids a potent type of antioxidant. Best to choose one that is at least 70 percent cocoa and a couple of squares a day should be enough to improve luminosity.

Soften skin with walnuts Walnuts also contain omega-3-essential fatty acids which improve the skin's elasticity. They also contain copper and minerals which boost collagen production. Have a handful a day to improve your skin's texture.

Want to lose weight and keep it off for good? Change your bad eating habits for life not just temporarily?

Email: melanietaffs7@gmail.com Call: 07792421080 for more information.

June 2015

31

Escape the chains The Hat House and The Hattery

A

Lucinda Bunn

s talented local milliners, Jane Ward and Pat Keeley carry hats inside their head, not necessarily on them. Their years of experience working as milliners in their respective businesses, Jane at The Hat House and Pat at The Hattery, have bestowed a unique insight into the way hats can make their wearer feel.

From her studio and shop in Worcester’s Friar Street, Jane works day and night blocking hats, making fabric flowers and taming silk trim.

It’s inspiring to watch her work, surrounded by millinery tools and cleverly crafted headgear.

For Jane, a hat says more about the wearer than you might imagine and she says ‘I spend a lot of time with my customers, guiding them through this process which can be fun for some.

Others are completely lost; they don’t know what suits them. It’s definitely a confidence thing.

I do think that, like jewellery, hats can give confidence too’.

Jane has worked closely with milliner Pat Keeley for years. Pat runs The Hattery at the Jinney Ring Craft Centre working with new milliner Lydia Sarjeant. Pat also creates bespoke pieces for her customers and enjoys the craft community at the Jinney Ring. After both completing three year millinery courses, Jane and Pat first built the reputation of The Hattery together before different members of their team dispersed and Jane decided to open up The Hat House in Worcester. They still share their passion and skills and often attend workshops and talks from the top people in their field, honing their craft further. ‘There’s always more skill to acquire and new techniques to master’, says Pat. Jane and Pat, at their individual studios, take consultation appointments with their customers.

This is an opportunity to discuss ideas, try on ready to wear pieces and it’s also essential to

32

bring in the outfit you will be wearing with the hat, if you have one. Jane explains ‘Some of my customers want to match the colours and that’s virtually impossible to do; particularly if the outfit has already been purchased. We often work with toning colours and I think it really comes with experience knowing what will work. This process can be very time consuming, therefore it is important to arrange an appointment in plenty of time to achieve the perfect result’.

Jane and Pat inhabit this sensual world of felt and feathers, silk and sinamay, helping mothers of the bride or groom, inspiring race-goers to dare to be different and guiding you through hat choices for any other event you may be invited to. Each of Jane and Pat’s hats and fascinators are statement pieces. Pat explains, ‘It’s important that people understand that we use the finest quality materials and create hats by hand where each element has been lovingly and meticulously crafted. You just won’t see pieces like ours on the high street’.

Jane also offers a hiring service where you can work with her to design a bespoke hat which you can then hire from her for a percentage of the full price. Hire is also available on most stock pieces. If you have an eye for design or a penchant for beautiful fabrics and coils of ribbon, you’ll love stepping inside the studio. And if not, Jane and Pat will guide you through the wondrous process. Jane adds, ‘A big part of what I do is understanding and explaining the psychology of hats; that’s a skill I have developed over time. It’s really about understanding how hats make their wearer feel.

For example, veils create an allure, an air of mystery whereas an angular, artistic fascinator makes the wearer feel vivacious; angles are attitude, afterall’.

To make an appointment with Jane at The Hat House or Pat at The Hattery, see the contact details below.

The Hat House

The Hattery

16 Friar Street

The Jinney Ring Craft Centre

Worcester

Hanbury Road, Hanbury

WR1 2LZ

Bromsgrove B60 4BU

07940529507

07974969467

www.thehathouse.co.uk

www.jinneyring.co.uk

www.edgemagazine.org

June 2015

33

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34

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Gilly Page Jewellery For the bohemian bride

J

eweller Gilly Page has recently teamed up with talented florist Lisa Bailey, owner and creative visionary of the Flower Garden, to design and make a collection of bespoke personalised bridal keepsakes with a bohemian vintage charm.

own bespoke bridal look to tell the story of your day through beautiful silver keepsakes using fresh or silk flowers, feathers and beads which can be handed down through generations.’

All keepsakes are handcrafted

by Gilly, whilst Lisa is able to bring to life your vision of your day, working with you to Inspired by 1920’s and 30’s create stunning floral bouquets, headwear, this collection has buttonholes, corsages, floral delicately entwined sterling venue decoration and wedding silver crowns, head dresses favours with a choice of fresh or and handheld keepsakes each silk flowers in the colour pallet incorporating Gilly’s trademark and theme of your choice, all of personalised hand etched fine silver charms coupled with Lisa’s which can be personalised with Gilly’s keepsake charms. ‘We are exquisite floral adornments. greatly inspired by nature and Each of Gilly’s unique jewellery the changing seasons with Lisa’s designs tell a story with flowers showcasing the very best inscriptions, fingerprints and of each season’s floral splender rustic impressions in silver and each keepsake to depict clay. Gilly says, ‘Lisa and I will your chosen theme perfectly’. work with you to create your

Gilly Page Jewellery Tel: 07702 831512 www.etsy.com/shop/GillyPageJewellery Flowers by Lisa Bailey at The Flower Garden Birmingham Tel: 0121 421 4429 www.theflowergardenbirmingham.co.uk Photography by Sarah Jones Tel: 07581 280699 Vintage Wedding Dress from The Looking Glass 8 Bank Street, Bridgnorth WV16 4AJ Tel: 01746 765883

bespoke • handmade • unique fine silver jewellery

“each piece tells a story” Gilly Page Jewellery is designed & hand crafted to make each & every piece a priceless keepsake.

Combining fine silver, leather & beads, Gilly creates jewellery to incorporate elements that are personal to you, whether an inscription, a finger print or an element of a pre-loved piece of jewellery which you want to customise & enjoy once again.

The perfect gift for a loved one.

A keepsake to cherish, hold & wear with love.

Deadline for Christmas orders 1st December.

t: 07702 831512 e: gilly.page@yahoo.co.uk www.etsy.com/shop/GillyPageJewellery

June 2015

35

A weekend of fun Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter hosts its first festival 17th - 19th July 2015

A

weekend of events that celebrate the diversity and creativity of the Jewellery Quarter is taking place in July at the first JQ Festival.

Organised by the Jewellery Quarter Business Improvement District (JQBID), the festival, which officially marks the opening of The Golden Square, will give visitors the chance to go behind the scenes to see the wide variety of creative work that takes place across the Quarter.

As part of this fun-filled event, which runs from Friday 17th to Sunday July 19th, you can take a look at some of the brilliant industries that have their home here, including graphic designers, sculptors, glass makers and etchers, film makers, photographers, jewellery makers, game designers, and 3D printers. There will also be a whole host

36

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of family- friendly activities, including old school games, helter-skelter, photo booths, face painting and workshops, plus plenty of free outdoor performances, featuring musicians, bands, theatre and dance troupes, at The Golden Square and St Paul’s Square.

The JQ Grand Bazaar event will bring together vintage and crafts, while JQ StrEAT Market will showcase the best of the JQ independent food scene.

JQBID has also worked with the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) to host an Ask An Architect stall on the Golden Square, as part of the fourmonth-long Love Architecture Festival, which is coming to Birmingham in June.

Jazz fans will also be well catered for when the JQ’s Birmingham Jazz premiere their Jazz Legends programme, which will feature performances by more than a

dozen international jazz artists and bands across a number of locations, all of which will soon be revealed.

Guided tours will give you the chance to learn about the history of this fascinating area, while beer lovers can enjoy our CAMRA-endorsed Real Ale Trail.

And if you haven’t visited the museums in the JQ, the festival will give you the perfect excuse. The Pen Museum is to hold calligraphy classes and you can enjoy a tea party at the historic Coffin Works. J.W Evans Silver factory is also opening on Sunday 19th, but you will need to book in advance to avoid disappointment on the day.

For more information visit www.jewelleryquarter.net

A unique event to celebrate the rich culture, creative flair & history of the Jewellery Quarter

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# ! ¡-+ 0 , Warstone Lane, Birmingham B18 6NA

Open Studios JQ Grand Bazaar JQ StrEAT Market Ask An Architect Theatre & Dance Performances Live Music Helter Skelter

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Birmingham B3 1QZ

June 2015

37

In the kitchen with…

Bishal Rasaily at Praza, Edgbaston

A

s the sister restaurant to the hugely successful Pushkar Cocktail Bar & Dining on Broad Street, Birmingham, Praza is lucky to inherit Pushkar’s head chef Bishal Rasaily. Praza brings Indian cuisine into the contemporary with more experimental dishes. Bishal is pushing the boundaries with this new menu, creating mouth-watering Indian food for the discerning diner.

What are some of your favourite dishes on the Praza menu at the moment?

Teen Tikki (three different types of vegetarian kebab) Ragra Patties (spiced potato patties) Duck Sheekh kebabs

Can you tell us a bit about your background and how you got into cooking?

Chicken Shashlik in lemon and black cumin marinade

I come from the small valley of Kalimpong in Darjeeling (North East India). I was a very fussy eater as a child and so my parents and my aunt in particular would try different recipes and twists on my usual meals to encourage me to eat more. I became fascinated by the process and soon got involved with the cooking. My interest continued to grow and I would try different recipes after watching cooking programmes and reading recipes from magazines when I was around 12. My mother was not greatly interested in cooking so I started innovating and adding things to dishes while she was cooking for the family, and on weekends I used to do the cooking. After school and college, I eventually decided to take up cooking more seriously and undertook a diploma in hotel management, after which I was lucky enough to work in top 5 star hotels and with top chefs in India.

Corgi Chicken Masala (a speciality dish from the corgi community of Karnataka)

What can you tell us about the concept of Praza, how does it differ from Pushkar?

Pushkar, being situated on Broad Street, can be a bit fast paced for some diners so Praza offers diners a more relaxed setting in leafy Edgbaston with its spacious Grade II listed building. Also, Pushkar is North Indian fine dining and while Praza also aims to offer a fine dining experience, it serves up dishes from all over India (not just Northern India) with a fine dining twist. We hope to introduce to the public the lesser known Indian dishes, which are equally great as the more popular ones, but not as widely explored on most Indian menus. For example, some lesser known dishes on Praza’s menu include fofos (Goan fish rolls) and Corgi Chicken Masala (a speciality dish from the corgi community of Karnataka).

Laal Maas (a traditional Rajasthani lamb curry)

What’s your dream feast?

Something tasty, healthy and enjoyed with the family.

Can you share with us a cooking tip our readers can use at home?

Don’t rely on machines/kitchen equipment and recipes – use all of your senses to judge and adjust your dish at every stage.

Why should our readers come to Praza?

Praza has the perfect setting for an evening of relaxation, luxury and indulgence. It offers an all-round great experience with our first floor dedicated to the cocktail experience where you can watch our expert mixologists shake up some amazing creations in our stylish and modern restaurant, and our second floor dedicated to our dining scene with lesser known and unusual but delicious and authentic Indian dishes available on our menu that you wouldn’t get at your typical Indian restaurant.

How would you describe the atmosphere within your kitchen?

I’m lucky to work with a young team so the atmosphere is friendly and fun with the necessary discipline and lots of enthusiasm for learning and ideas. The team are focused and understand their part in fulfilling the company’s vision of satisfying customers.

What meal do you associate with your childhood?

Momos – steamed dumplings made of lamb or chicken, in a broth or soup. It’s a Tibetan dish popular in Darjeeling.

38

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94-96 Hagley Road Birmingham B16 8LU 0121 456 4500 www.praza.co.uk

Bishal Rasaily, Head Chef, Praza

June 2015

39

The Local Kitchen Everything that’s cooking in the four counties TDL Tableware Distribution

A new eco-dining range is available at TDL on Blackminster Business Park. For those sustainability savvy foodies out there looking for stylish and practical servers and utensils, the Eco-Dining range is cool, easily transportable and made from bamboo fibre making it 100% sustainable. From salad bowls to chip and dip platters, beakers and dinner plates, you’ll find everything you need for summer barbecues, picnics in the park or dining al fresco at home. The range comes in four colour options; leaf green, terracotta orange, ivory cream and sun yellow – just perfect for healthy living in the great outdoors.

Head to TDL to find out more.

Unit 7B15 Cadbury Courtyard Blackminster Business Park Evesham Worcestershire WR11 7RE 01386 833643 www.tabledl.co.uk

English Wine Week 2015

Last month saw the celebration of English Wine Week at the Feather’s Hotel in Ledbury. In conjunction with Haygrove Evolution’s wine and cider brands (Sixteen Ridges and Once Upon a Tree) the Feather’s hosted the exclusive tasting event on May 29th. What better place to celebrate the growing success of English wine, than in the Feathers charming Tudor Coach house Hotel, which is filled to the brim with traditional English character.

Guests at the event sampled a wealth of wines from across the Three Counties. From vineyards such as: Elgar wines from Lovells vineyard, The Lea, Sparchall and Castle Brook.

Simon Day, Ledbury’s award-winning wine maker, was on hand to answer questions, along with many of the vineyard owners. It was a fantastic celebration of English wine.

25 High Street, Ledbury Herefordshire HR8 1DS www.feathers-ledbury.co.uk

The Botanist

Popular pub restaurant brand, The Botanist, has expanded to the Midlands. Adding to Birmingham’s renowned food and drink mix, The Botanist offers good, honest food from the deli and rotisserie with seating for 112 diners, as well as a range of botanical cocktails, cask ales and ciders.

Described by the general manager, Julian Rose-Gibbs, as a home-from-home, The Botanist pub and restaurant will also feature live entertainment daily. Pair this with its convenient location in the heart of Birmingham and The Botanist is set to become the perfect destination for those living, working and visiting the city.

Cheltenham House, 14-16 Temple Street, Birmingham B2 5BG

Peter Cooks Bread

Since opening a little over a year ago, the founders of Peter Cooks Bread have been busy on their mission - to share the joys of real bread with Ledbury and beyond.

From showcasing their wares at local food festivals, to running bread-making workshops at their bakery at The Hop Pocket. Not to mention, winning the top accolade at the Tiptree World Bread Awards.

You’ll find their bread on sale in delicatessens and farm shops across Ledbury, Malvern, Hereford, Worcester, Bishops Frome and Bromyard. For more details on stockists and their workshops, visit www.petercooksbread.co.uk

40

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IntroducIng the eco-dining range

PRAZA

BY PUSHKAR

Stylish, a choice of colours and eco. now you can have it all!

Side Plate

dining PLateS, BowLS & BeakerS: dinner Plate

20cm

Beaker

25cm

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Serving BowLS & imPLementS

Large Serving Bowl

Medium Serving Bowl

25.3x11.4cm

94-96 Hagley Road Birmingham B16 8LU 0121 456 4500 www.praza.co.uk

19.7x8.9cm

Bowl

15x4.5cm

Fork & Spoon Serving Set

diP trayS

Serving Platter

chip & dip Platter

avaiLaBLe in a choice of: Leaf green

terracotta orange

Ivory cream

Sun Yellow

Unit 7B15 Cadbury Courtyard, Blackminster Business Park, Evesham WR11 7RE +44 (0)1306 881546

Living eco dining

01386 833643

sales@vitalityhouse.co.uk

www.tabledl.co.uk

www.eco-dining.co.uk

sales@tabledl.co.uk

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June 2015

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WALL TO WALL CARPETS

FLOORING FLOO F G PAINTS P AIN A NTS & PAPERS N PAP S BLINDSS BLIN

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We have just revamped our showroom carpet displays and with over 40 ranges to choose from you are sure to find one that is the perfect fit for your home. Looking for something different? See our new and exclusive cork and leather ranges.

Visit our showroom or call us today on 01527 880778 Over 35 years experience Full measuring service No-obligation quotations Exceptional quality, competitive prices Professional installation Insurance work

Mon to Fri: 9am-5pm Sat: 9am-4pm 18 Worcester Rd Bromsgrove B61 7AE

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Tel: 01905 24357/ 07949 534 388 07713 027 071 Worcester Bedrooms Ltd Unit 4B St Martins Quarter Worcester WR1 2DD 42

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It’s champagne all round at The Wood Norton

STONEAGED at the White Swan

Maria and Nigel at The White Swan have brought a new social eating phenomenon to Henley-in-Arden. The concept is all about stone dining, in a relaxed, friendly and informal atmosphere.

The White Swan will be focusing on top quality steaks sourced from Devon and Cornwall, pizza and pasta dishes. You can choose from five different cuts of steak, including chateaubriand. Steaks will be presented on stone (lava rock), your pizza will be stone baked and pasta will be presented in stone bowls. Your steaks, fish or vegetarian dish will be accompanied by flavour infused Welsh butters and the finest quality steak knives you’ve ever seen.

The stoneaged phenomenon is already proving popular at The White Swan and it’s about time you went to try it.

Henley-in-Arden, Warwickshrie B95 5BY 01564 792623 www.thewhiteswanhotel.com

www.stoneaged.com

Umami Indian Kitchen delivers a taste sensation to Birmingham

A brand new Indian kitchen and cocktail bar is set to open in Birmingham later this month, as Umami brings a new taste sensation to Harborne.

Promising to serve up classic and authentic Indian dishes with a modern twist, Umami Indian Kitchen has enlisted the culinary expertise of Mandeep Bajwa to deliver a mouth-watering and unique menu. A dynamic chef with over 25 years’ experience in both the UK and abroad, Mandeep will cook up high quality, freshly produced and locally sourced ingredients.

Situated on Lordswood Road, just off Harborne High Street, the 70 cover restaurant boats a cocktail lounge area and reception bar, offering an array of cocktails, fine wines and spirits alongside the delicious food menu. www.umamiharborne.com

The Wood Norton hotel, Evesham, invites Worcestershire residents and businesses to celebrate the grand opening of its new Taittinger Terrace – the perfect location for al fresco dining and drinks receptions.

To be held on Thursday 18th June 2015, the opening marks the start of a new partnership between the hotel and famous champagne brand Taittinger. General Manager, Steve Sweeny, commented: “In welcoming local residents and businesses to join to us in our celebrations, we will demonstrate how The Wood Norton is a desirable food and beverage venue, ideal for fine dining, evening drinks or for the business world, corporate events.”

The Taittinger Terrace grand opening will commence at 11am with a tour of The Wood Norton and its formal gardens, followed by a delicious BBQ lunch and champagne on the terrace.

Steve Sweeny added: “For those who wish to join us in celebration of our new Taittinger Terrace, please RSVP to Sales Manager, Katie Butterworth at events@thewoodnorton.com – the first four people to confirm will win a hot air balloon ride on the morning or evening of the 18th June.”

Worcester Road Evesham Worcestershire WR11 4YB 01386 765611 www.thewoodnorton.com www.taittinger.com June 2015

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See Bordeaux

The more you look the more you discover Laura Clay

Competition: To win two bottles of Dourthe La Grande CuvĂŠe 2013 answer the following question: Which area is regarded as the best for dry white Bordeaux?

Send your answer to wine@edgemagazine.org by 30th June 2015.

You must be over 18 to enter. Terms and conditions apply For wine advice, tastings and courses email laura@bywine.co.uk or visit the website www.bywine.to.uk

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B

ordeaux is all about red wine. Claret. Médoc. St. Emillion. Expensive Crus Classés. But there is much more to Bordeaux than that. 89% is indeed red wine but that means that 11% is not. There’s a titchy bit of rosé made and some of the best sweet white wines in the world come from the southern end of the Bordeaux region in Sauternes and Barsac. The remaining 9% is good quality, often truly great quality, dry white.

See the whole drama unfold.

Test drive the all-new Audi TT Roadster.

Sauvignon is the key to Bordeaux Blanc, a grape variety we know and love from places such as New Zealand and Sancerre in the Loire, where most Sauvignon is planted. But it is important in Bordeaux, too. Historically white Bordeaux has been a wine blended from two, three or more varieties, and still, generally, the more serious are a mix of Sauvignon and Sémillon, but following the current trend and our drinking habits, many now are 100% Sauvignon Blanc. And importantly they label the wine as such so we know exactly what we’re getting.

It’s not just features like the electric hood that opens or closes in 10 seconds. Nor the Audi Virtual Cockpit and optional Super Sports seats with head level heating. In fact, there’s a whole sky full of reasons to experience the sheer drama of open-top driving – on a test drive in the all-new Audi TT Roadster.

Or do we? Don’t expect a Bordeaux Sauvignon to deliver masses of full-on in-your-face aromas and flavours of pungent asparagus or gooseberry as it does in New Zealand (you might also notice tropical fruit such as passion fruit or melon, or green pepper); you’re unlikely to get whiffs of smoke or gun flint as you might from a Californian Fumé Blanc or from Pouilly-Fumé. From Bordeaux, the wine is more grapefruit, cut grass and floral in character. Look out for Dourthe La Grande Cuvée from Waitrose at £8.99 which is lovely to drink on its own or with shellfish, white fish, chicken and salads. It’s not bad with asparagus either. Or goat’s cheese.

Call your local Audi Centre to book a test drive.

When Muscadelle is included to form part of the blend, as it often is in wines from Entre-Deux-Mers, the biggest region of Bordeaux, the wine is deliciously fruity making for perfect summer drinking and a great white for weddings because of its general all-round appeal. I’ve always loved Château Bonnet from the André Lurton stable, a great Bordeaux family. It’s around a tenner from Winedirect.

When Sémillon is added to Sauvignon, there’s more weight and character, producing a wine designed for drinking with heavier foods and often gives the potential for age. Very often, too, Sauvignon Sémillon blends will have spent some time in oak barrels making for a richer more complex style.

The grapes for many of these wines are grown on the left bank of the Garonne River, south of the city, in the superior appellations of Graves and the even classier, Pessac-Léognan.

Look out for these names on the labels. Expect to have to pay a bit more, certainly over a tenner, but expect too to be rewarded with more complex flavours of baked apples, ginger, camomile, crème brulée, honey, candied fruit, vanilla…….the list goes on.

Cards on the table, and you might have already guessed, I am a very big fan of Bordeaux Blanc wines in general but PessacLéognan wines in particular. One of my all-time favourites is Château Brown - pricy at £32 from Berry Brothers but worth every penny. The Wine Society sells a more affordable Graves, Drapeaux de Floridène, for £13.50 made by Denis Dubourdieu, hailed as one of the world’s best white wine makers, and he comes from that great red wine-making region, Bordeaux.

Coventry Audi

503 Fletchamstead Highway, Coventry, Warwickshire CV4 9BY 024 7667 5675 www.coventry.audi.co.uk

Stratford Audi

Western Road, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire CV37 0AH 01789 414477 www.stratford.audi.co.uk

Worcester Audi

157 Bromyard Road, Worcester, Worcestershire WR2 5EA 01905 421000 www.worcester.audi.co.uk Official fuel consumption figures for the all-new Audi TT and TTS Roadster range in mpg (l/100km) from: Urban 29.7 (9.5) – 55.4 (5.1), Extra Urban 44.8 (6.3) – 72.4 (3.9), Combined 37.7 (7.5) – 65.7 (4.3). CO2 emissions: 174 – 114g/km. Standard

EU Test figures for comparative purposes and may not reflect real driving results. Image is for illustrative purposes only.

June 2015

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Beautiful Bespoke Kitchens 5 Complete Kitchens on display at our showroom

Stockists of Karndean Floorcoverings

SHOWROOM OPEN: Tuesday to Friday 9am - 5pm & Saturday 9am - 3pm BLACKMINSTER BUSINESS PARK, BLACKMINSTER, EVESHAM, WORCS. WR11 7RE

T: 01386 830006

www.thepaintedkitchencompany.com

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Droitwich Spa Summer Festival

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Local Food, Music and Arts – 20th June to 5th July 2015

he Droitwich Spa Summer Festival is only a few weeks away and promises to be even bigger and better than last year with a range of activities to interest everyone young and old. Over a 2 week period there is a fantastic mix of activities some of which are detailed below: • Saturday 20th June - Food and Drink Festival Street Market will take place with up to 120 stalls; demonstration kitchen featuring local and celebrity chefs; junior bake off and children's food trail and street entertainment throughout the day – all in Droitwich Spa Town centre. Plus a Kids Food Zone and a Catering Village in Victoria Square. The event is being opened by Tom Parker Bowles and Charles Campion, both accomplished food writers and critics.

Also on this opening day there will be a youth theatre in St Andrew's Church organised by the Norbury Theatre.

• Saturday and Sunday 20th and 21st June a Beer and Cider Festival will take place in Vines Park supported by CAMRA. Live bands will perform on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. On Sunday there will be food stalls and a kids' area with a bouncy castle, giant inflatable side, football and lots more so a fabulous day out for the family on Father's Day! • Saturday 20th June to Sunday 5th July – Local pubs, restaurants and hotels to feature special food & drink menus under the heading “Come dine in Droitwich” during the festival. Each will be offering a special offer during June. There will also be live performances in many of the Droitwich and surrounding area pubs and clubs during the festival fortnight • Monday 22nd June – A guided tour of the mosaics of the Sacred Heart Church from 7pm

June 2015

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• Thursday 25th June – Wine and Cheese Tasting at St Andrews Town Hotel. A selection of cheeses from Croome Cuisine and Wines selected by Tanners Wine Merchants and only £15 per person • Friday 26th June – Celebration Dinner of Local Food & Drink at St Andrews Town Hotel. This will feature a 5 course dinner with local produce and will be a true celebration of all that is good in the local area and prepared by the new chef Nathan Eades at St Andrews. Tickets are priced at £45 and are available from St Andrews Hotel • Saturday 27 June - Live music at St Andrew’s church 11:00 – 16:00 “Yarn Bombing” of Victoria Square (in place for a week) “Live Lit” poetry & prose at Park’s Café from 19:00 • Friday 3rd July – Special 18th Century Dinner at Hanbury Hall. They are preparing a meal based on menus from the early 18th century when the hall was built. Tickets are limited and available from Hanbury Hall NT. • Saturday 4th July – Independents' Day Festival at Webbs of Wychbold featuring local producers of food & drink. Also available are Arts for All in Victoria Square and “A Midsummer night’s dream” Madcap Theatre at St Andrew's Church from 19.00hrs • Sunday 5th July – Big Picnic in the Park ( Lido Park) to support local schools and children’s local charity “New Hope” – Food & Drink – Music and Arts.

Throughout the festival there will be a whole host of fun activities taking place in Droitwich Spa, these include: Live music in the town centre, the Literary Festival, theatre performances including Half a Sixpence at the Norbury Theatre, jazz and classical concerts, art displays including the Netherwich Basin mural in Vines Park and activities and a selection of competitions during the fortnight.

This is just a selection of the events taking place but if you want to know more go to our website. www.droitwichspafestival.com

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Lighting the way At Hatton and Harding Interiors

L

David Hatton

ighting is one of the most overlooked and yet important aspects of your home interior. You can easily update a room with good lighting, so getting it right is paramount.

Firstly you need to consider two things, are you trying to light the whole room or are you just wanting to highlight specific elements?

The availability of natural light is obviously a consideration too. Where artificial lighting is concerned there are various types.

Accent lighting works when you are trying to highlight specific details or features, so perfect for over paintings and works of art.

Task lighting does what it says on the tin, so is the answer for close up work, such as reading lights in sitting rooms. Mood lighting uses different tones and shades and different levels of brightness to create atmosphere, think of a dinner party where you may want to change the light as the evening evolves through the meal.

Certainly if you’re starting a room renovation from scratch, go overboard with things like plug sockets to maximise your options....you can never have enough. If it’s a living room, try to think of each seating area needing its own individual lighting.

A sofa may benefit from practical swing lighting with armchairs lit with lamps.

You may want to place lamps on a console behind a sofa mid-room so it’s essential you have sockets in this area. Also consider if you want to highlight certain focal points in the room. The style of lamps are endless and there’s a definite trend towards oversized. They are now beautiful accessories in their own right rather than just functional fixtures.

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Lighting in dining rooms should be subtle yet sparkling! Chandeliers are perfect, we use Porta Romana in many of our projects.

Atmosphere is key so consider dimmers, allowing the table to be the brightest spot in the room. Kitchens possibly take a little more thought as you will probably want a mix of sources and lighting at different levels. Task lighting is obviously vital over workstations, simple decorative pendants look stylish over fashionable islands, particularly oversized and finished in industrial metals and you can even illuminate glass splash backs.

Upstairs and the bedrooms need to be far more subtle to create a tranquil haven.

Smart bedsides are a must and can help create an indulgent hotel style, while wall lights either side of mirrors in bathrooms is glamorous as well as functional. It doesn’t end there, companies are now adding to the overall look with beautiful bulbs to complement the look and in some instances you can even personalise the flex. There’s lots to choose from; this season’s must haves to timeless classics so drop in and see us if you need some guidance.

Hatton & Harding Interiors 13A Old Square Warwick CV34 4RV 01926 408892 www.hattonandharding.com

June 2015

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Fall in love with the fabulous fuchsia At Wagon House Gardens Karl Strawbridge

W

hat plant can offer a full summer display of blooms, be so versatile in its use and be herbaceous so it can be kept and used year after year? It’s none other than the fuchsia.

Discovered in the Caribbean in the 17th century the fuchsia steadily grew in popularity until the Victorian times when they reached their peak and adorned nearly every garden. The fuchsias we see today are the results of careful hybridising and breeding from those discovered by the missionary and botanist Father Plumier. There are many established fuchsia societies and clubs all over the country and fuchsias are still very popular for showing and exhibiting at flower shows, without doubt it’s so easy to get fanatical about the fabulous fuchsia. Fuchsias in the garden come in a variety of types, Standards, for centrepieces of pots or containers. Hanging or trailing ideal for baskets and window boxes. Bush or upright for containers, beds and borders.

All are decorative with an almost endless profusion of pendant almost ballerina blooms right through the summer. They come in a vast array of colours making them really useful for colour co-ordinated displays; they look simply stunning when cascading over the edge of a window box and they soften the edges perfectly. Most of these fuchsias are half hardy so they need to be removed and overwintered in a frost free place before autumn draws to its close. If you want to keep them for the next year just pot them up and water infrequently while they are dormant and then in the spring when the new growth starts to show water more regularly till you are ready to plant them back out.

Hardy fuchsias however can be left in the borders over winter as their roots go deeper; just protect the crown from the harshest frost with a little mulch then in the spring remove the old branches as the new growth appears, but be mindful they are not quite so hardy if grown in a pot. Hardy fuchsias will go on offering colour year after year and are vigorous growers easily reaching over a metre during the the summer and are just as showy as the half hardy types.

Wagon house gardens at The Jinney Ring Craft centre has over ten differing hardy fuchsia cultivars in stock. Fuchsias are not fussy about the type of soil preferred but they do benefit from regular feeding with a liquid fertiliser.

They suffer from the common leaf pests such as aphid attack or whitefly and the vine weevil larvae is quite partial to the roots of your fuchsia, but all these pests can be controlled simply and effectively. If you’re looking for something different and glamorous to introduce to the garden then consider the fuchsia.

It really is a true star of the summer garden and who knows, you too may be inspired enough to fall in love with the fabulous fuchsia.

Wagon House Gardens The Jinney Ring Craft Centre Hanbury road B60 4BU 01527 821421

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June 2015

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The iMow Robotic Mower

THE MOWER YOU CANT LIVE WITHOUT

At Vale Gardens

I

ndependent retailer, Vale Gardens Ltd is based on the border of Worcestershire, Warwickshire, and the Cotswolds within the Vale of Evesham. With a selection of fantastic, top of the range garden machinery including Stihl, Viking, Masport and Simplicity as well as animal feeds, household heating and gardening supplies, Vale Gardens focus on the rural community, providing branded, quality products and services at value for money prices with customer service and satisfaction being a priority to the farmer, smallholder, allotment holder, horse and pet owner and the gardener.

The iMow robotic mower is one of Vale Gardensâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; most hightech pieces of machinery. Once programmed, it mows the lawn automatically, avoiding obstacles and mastering even hilly terrain. Once the work is done or the battery needs charging, it automatically returns to the docking station.

You can have a perfect lawn with little or no effort. The new iMow robotic mower does most of the work for you. And because an iMow works so fast, you can enjoy your lawn unhindered. To find out more, check out the Vale Gardens website.

Vale Gardens Limited Birmingham Road

Introducing the robotic lawn mower, its fast efficient and intelligent...

Vale Gardens Ltd

Tel:01386 831000

Badsey Evesham Worcestershire WR11 7TW 01386 831000 www.valegardens.co.uk

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www.valegardens.co.uk

GBK Birmingham Mailbox, Wharfside Street GBK Leamington Spa, Livery Street June 2015

55

Mercury Moon Gifts At Blackminster Business Park

O

n Blackminster Business Park, you’ll find Mercury Moon Gifts. Gordon and Lynne Burket are building their business as a hub for the esoteric with a fantastic range of gifts and uncommon objects; think incense burners, crystals, candles and wood carvings.

Gordon is a psychic medium, and also works using astrology, numerology and tarot to give readings and guidance. Gordon makes bookings with individuals and groups as well as hosting workshops and courses nationwide.

If you’re interested in exploring the spiritual world or you’d like to learn more, Gordon and Lynne have created a light and open space where you can sit and enjoy tea and coffee and peruse the displays. Mercury Moon Gifts offers unique gift ideas including leather bound parchment journals, clever flame-effect candles and ornaments. You must go and take a look.

For more information on events and exhibitions by Mercury Moon, visit the website.

Cadbury Courtyard Blackminster Business Park Blackminster Worcestershire WR11 7RE 01386 839568 www.mercurymoongifts.co.uk

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For a fantastic range of gifts and uncommon objects Cadbury Courtyard Blackminster Business Park Worcestershire WR11 7RE

01386 839568

www.mercurymoongifts.co.uk

GO ON, THROW A

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At Good Cheer we offer our expertise and experience within the hospitality industry to help you improve your restaurant, pub or cafe, whether you are starting up or an existing business.

We believe that by asking you the right questions you'll be able to tell us what you want to achieve. We do this by completing a Good Cheer Audit.

We will then put together a plan of action/report of our findings. Whether you just want the ideas, or help to implement the plan, that's your call.

To arrange an initial meeting or just have a quick chat, contact me on: Phone: 077925 93313 or E-mail: matthew.welsh@good-cheer.co.uk www.good-cheer.co.uk

June 2015

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Top Gear

I

Megan Ace

f like me, you’ve lost your partner to his/ her bike this season, then you’ll be used to playing second fiddle to it. My (once dedicated-tome) husband’s new Giant blah de blah thingy quite literally nestles beside us in bed.

It also sits next to us during supper, propped up neatly against the fire mantle – heaven forefend it’s left on it’s own for a mere minute. It used to wait patiently in our downstairs loo for its master, but the ‘more accessible’ dining room now seems to be its preferred place of rest. Our son, at 18 months, thinks it’s as truly magnificent as his father does and seems to fiddle with it just as much. I watch both boys pretending they know what they’re doing. They don’t.

It now has two water bottle holders, in case it gets extra thirsty (the bike, not the husband) which cost a cool £50 I’m told, so presume to double that, a tracking system where by I can excitedly observe the blue dot on his way home to me, once he has ‘pinged’ me the correlating email with huge joy and a seat that I can only describe as his thrown. We seem to have encountered a few problems around the thrown, however, regarding it’s positioning, so the only thing for it is to enter into a 2 hour, 3D analysis/ bike fitting session to execute an optimum riding position.

That, I’m promised, has done the trick.

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Anyway, perhaps that’s enough of my loathe toward it. It is quite pretty after all. But don’t tell. My philosophy? If you can’t beat them, join them, so that’s exactly what I’ve decided to do this summer.

I have hung up my very sluggish 1 speed, which dons a removable basket reserved for bread and fine wine and I am on the hunt for my very first, very own performance bike.

Unlike the blue dot husband, I am on a budget.

Mainly because I want it for pleasure and for it not to take over my life. Or my finances.

Of course, not wanting to ask my Tour-de-France wanaabe competitor where on earth to start, I begin to research bike shops in the local proximity. Gulp.

What a minefield and do people REALLY spend this much on bikes?! I thought the blue-dot husband and his chums were the only ones.

After a bit of research, the team and I have found some of the best, affordable and most helpful bike shops in the area. In case if like me, the only way to see your partner is on a couple of wheels, let’s get behind them, fellow widows/ ers.

Got your own story to share with us? Email megan@edgemagazine.org

Velo Esprit, Warwick

Independent bike shop offering bikes and accessories, servicing, repairs, assembly and Wattbike training.

A very warm welcome to Velo Esprit, a friendly, helpful and trustworthy bike shop, offering premium brands for both adults and children including: Orbea, Tifosi and Early Rider bikes, Solo Clothing, Look pedals, Edco wheels and Melon helmets.

The fully equipped workshop offers a wide range of services from bike servicing, repairs as well as bike assembly.

Velo Esprit love to support the local riding community by getting involved in local events and offering our support where we can. Please pop in to see the team when you next visit the historic town of Warwick!

Website www.velo-esprit.com

Facebook veloesprit /Twitter @veloesprit / Tel: 01926 298 898

Opening Times - Monday to Friday 9:30 to 5:30, Saturday 9:30 - 5:00, Closed every Wednesday and Sunday.

Worcester Cycle Centre

Worcester Cycle Centre is your local knowledgeable, friendly and enthusiastic bike shop. Based on College Street opposite the Cathedral since 1998, they offer quality new and used bikes from brands such as Specialized, Cannondale and Trek.

With a fully equipped workshop with trained, skilled mechanics, a large clothing, helmet and accessories department, they really are the one stop shop for all your cycling needs in the city.

Call them on 01905 611123 or just pop in. www.worcestercyclecentre.com or find us on Facebook and Twitter.

Malvern Cycles

Malvern Cycles CIC from Saturday the 23rd May until the 7th June will be hosting The Big Bike Revival. Offering free coaching, maintenance courses, and trade-ins on your old bike.

The event is organised by the national cycling charity the CTC and the Department of Transport, to encourage people to show their bike some love and on the final day, Sunday 7th June, Malvern Cycles will be hosting a garden party with a live band, barbecue, and bicycle completion for the benefit of the Midlands Air Ambulance.

So come on down on the 7th of June for a great family day of activities entrance is free.

Please see the www.bigbikerevival.org.uk for more details or contact us on 01684 577238 June 2015

59

The Hanbury Countryside Show

Saturday 4th July 2015

J

aw-dropping stunts from stunt bike team Broke FMX will be the star attraction at this year’s Hanbury Countryside Show – certain to be a great day out for all the family.

The horticultural and homecraft marquee will showcase the finest blooms and vegetables in the region and the southern corner of the showground will host a display of historic and classic cars along with vintage farm machinery.

The UK’s top ranked freestyle motocross riders will jump 35 feet in the air and pull heart-stopping acrobatic stunts over gaps approaching 100 feet at the 68th annual show on Saturday July 4th.

A large shopping area will include craft, retail and food marquees as well as more than 200 trade stands selling everything from tractors and garden furniture.

A dog and duck show will also be one of the highlights of the event as man and collie dog work together to deliver a masterclass in herding ducks. Not only will the show have traditional agricultural show attractions such as pigs, sheep, cattle and poultry, but we will also have a fun dog show, a gun dog demonstration and ferret racing.

The show, which will raise money for the Midlands Air Ambulance Charity, will take place from 8am until 7.30pm at the showground at Hanbury.

For more information, visit

www.hanburyshow.co.uk.

Saturday 4th July

Main Arena Entertainment Broke FMX & The Dog & Duck Show Attractions: Craft, Food & Horticultural Marquees, Livestock & Horse Classes. Over 200 Trade Stands, Public Bar, Children`s Amusements, Fun Dog Show, Gun Dogs and Heavy Horses

A Gre at Day Out ONEY SAVE M UR TICKETS BOOK YO ONLINE NOW!

£7.50 on Adults £6 in advance, - FREE the gate. Under 12’s 60

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for all the Family !

Park Hall Farm, Hanbury, Redditch, Worcs, B96 6RD (Off the B4090)

www.hanburyshow.co.uk

Dodderhill School Start youngsters in independent education early, urges headteacher

“Tomorrow I will be even better than today.”

F

ollowing recent press reports about independent school attendance figures surging of late, the head teacher of independent girls’ school, Dodderhill School, in Droitwich Spa, is urging parents to start their children from a young age.

Recent reports state that the number of children attending private school in the UK has risen by more than 5,000 in a year (Daily Mail, Friday 1st May).

It was also reported that, with young people facing an increasingly tough jobs market, parents are responding by investing money into their children’s secondary education.

However Dodderhill’s Head Teacher, Mrs Mawston, says that when it comes to starting your children in independent education, the sooner the better. Mrs Mawston is urging parents to consider primary independent education.

“Parents that are considering independent education should really consider starting their children as young as possible,” said Mrs Mawston. “Many people choose to switch to private education in the secondary years as exams approach. However starting from primary school age, or even nursery, will expose your child to specialist teachers from an early age, as opposed to state primary schools where most of the curriculum is delivered by one class teacher. Starting children from a younger age will build a strong foundation and continuity of education.

At Dodderhill School in Droitwich, girls grow to become inspiring leaders.

A highly challenging curriculum also prepares them for the most competitive sixth forms in the area. In fact, our GCSE results consistently rank Dodderhill as one of Worcestershire’s top schools. Bursaries available for up to full fees.

What could your daughter achieve tomorrow?

Visit www.dodderhill.co.uk or call 01905 778290.

“Dodderhill offers the added advantage of being the only girls’ school in the area. Many girls come to Dodderhill and tell me that they are keen to learn, but feel that mixed sex schools distract from that.

“What sets Dodderhill apart is our unique bespoke approach to each and every girl. We adapt the curriculum to meet the needs of the student, not the other way around, which ensures everyone is challenged, stretched and stimulated at the appropriate level. Our classes are deliberately small and our exam results are consistently amongst the best in Worcestershire. It is not unusual for girls to take AS examinations with their GCSEs.” Dodderhill School provides continuity of education for girls from six weeks to 16 years old.

For more information visit www.dodderhill.co.uk, email enquiries@dodderhill.co.uk, call 01905 778290 or join Dodderhill on Twitter by following @dodderhill.

OPEN DAYS

er Friday 9th Octob 0pm-3pm 10am-12pm, 1.3 tober Saturday 10th Oc 10am-12pm to make If you are unable e to this date, feel fre a call us and arrange personal visit.

Inspiring academic and creative success

Droitwich, Worcestershire, WR9 0BE.

June 2015

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AcornsAChildren’s Hospice lifeline for the whole family

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or the past 26 years, Acorns has offered a network of specialist palliative care for life-limited and life-threatened children and young people, across the heart of England.

The support Acorns delivers is tailored to the individual needs of each child and their family and includes short break provision, emergency and end of life care.

A multi-disciplinary team, including registered children’s nurses, health care assistants and physiotherapists, provide care on a one-to-one basis.

For families, a dedicated community worker is on hand 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, providing advocacy, co-ordination of services within the hospices and with other agencies and bereavement support.

Each of the three Acorns hospices aims to offer a home-from-home environment where children and young people can take part in arts and crafts sessions and have access to toys, books, DVDs, IT equipment and computer games.

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State-of-the-art hydrotherapy pools and multisensory rooms are also available to help promote wellbeing and relaxation.

It is this network of care both inside and outside the hospice, which is vital to help families feel equipped to cope at every stage of their child’s life.

Kerry and Stephen are parents to seven year old Ben who has the life-limiting condition hypoplastic left heart syndrome, and requires round-the-clock care. As well as being tube fed, Ben will be on medication and need close monitoring for the rest of his life.

The family were first referred to Acorns four years ago and Ben now has regular short breaks at the hospice.

Kerry says: “The first couple of times, we went and stayed too. It’s not like you’d expect when you go there. It’s a lot less clinical and the staff not being in uniform helps. They’re brilliant and all seem to have the same characteristic bubbly nature.

Stephen adds: “We can completely relax and it’s nice to have that break and period away. We know he likes it there and it’s a little holiday for him too. He’s got one-to-one attention all the time and just loves it!”

Acorns' vision is that every child and young person living in the region that is life-limited or life-threatened should receive the specialist care and support they need.

It costs over £8 million a year for Acorns to run its care services and it relies heavily on the community to fund the majority of its activities.

To help support children like Ben and his family, there is plenty to get involved in over the summer and beyond to raise money for Acorns, whatever your ability.

On 21 June is the Acorns Triple Run; an event which gives participants the choice of three runs – the Malvern Half Marathon, a 1km walk or 5 km woodland trail. In October, the visually striking Acorns Lantern Walk returns, a fun, family orientated walk, which this year will be held alongside the river in Worcester.

Whether it’s achieving a new personal best, breaking a fundraising record or trying something out of the ordinary, there is an event for everyone and the money raised will help Acorns continue its work.

To find the event to suit you, call 01564 825 037, email events@acorns.org.uk or visit www.acorns.org. uk/events To find out more about Acorns, please visit www.acorns.org.uk

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Corporate canapés with a difference St Paul’s Hostel, Worcester

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orcestershire Homeless Charity, St Paul’s Hostel training former homeless people to be Kitchen Assistants with spectacular success.

With Big Lottery funding St Paul’s have been training people who stay in their Worcester hostel as Kitchen Assistants. These chefs have laid on spectacular events, for Handlesbanken of Worcester and dinners for the Mayor of Worcester and a preChristmas stunning four-course dinner for Lions District 105M DG’s Wife’s Appeal “The Homeless” at the eye-catching new Army Reserve Centre in Worcester.

Lion Joy Haffner, the wife of this year’s District Governor Ian Haffner, both members of Worcester Lions Club, said it was an absolutely “outstanding success that shows the success of St Paul’s project to re-skill people who have fallen on tough times”.

Gareth was made homeless two years ago but volunteered to work on the project at St Paul’s. He now has a home in Pershore and sees the project as ‘life saver’. Gareth and four others have been working under chef Matt Williams for the past year as kitchen assistants.

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“We were asked to deliver a four-course meal, for nearly 50 people and it had to be of exceptional standard” said Matt. “This was a tough challenge and there was no room for error”. “The evening had to be carefully project-managed with meticulous attention to detail”. He added “I am proud to work with such an amazing group of people. My team support me every bit as much as I support them. This evening was for them and they surpassed all expectations” Joy Haffner remarked that the food was of a quality that could be found in top class restaurants. “It was hard to choose a favourite course – they were all superb, but I would love the recipe for the Pork Rillettes” said Joy. Jonathan Sutton, Chief Executive at St Paul’s said “We’ve been serving this City for nearly 40 years and have been the safety net for people when they have nowhere else to turn. This kitchen project is part of our response to helping people fix their lives and then stand on their own two feet.”

If you want to host a corporate canapés or buffet with a uniqueness that will wow your guests contact St Paul’s at admin@stpaulshostel.co.uk

Wednesday Club Networking Event on 6th May ‘15 at Ostlers at Number One, in aid of Funny Blood.

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ednesday Club has been ‘in business’ for over seventeen years providing a network of over 400 female business owners and professional advisers available to support your business across Worcestershire.

Wednesday Club run quarterly events and May saw the women visit Worcester’s finest restaurant, Ostlers at Number One. The chosen good cause for the event was Funny Blood, which touched our hearts, so we wanted to tell our readers more about it.

Funny Blood raises awareness of rare blood conditions called Platelet Function Disorders (PFDs). These are rare blood conditions that affect the clotting ability of the blood. The term is applied to many conditions where platelets don’t work properly. Indeed, there are probably around 2000-5000 people in the UK who live with PFDs; it’s really hard to diagnose and data is confidential, so figures aren’t any clearer right now.

Funny Blood also signposts information to support families living with the littleknown condition and fundraises for the on-going care of sufferers at the Haemophilia Unit in Birmingham Children’s Hospital.

Funny Blood was founded by Ruby Edwards in 2009 when her son, Noah was diagnosed with a number of complex Platelet Function Disorders and Thrombocytopenia. Ruby’s motivation was to help her son, and those like him, by doing something positive. The name – Funny Blood – originated from the way she described her son’s blood to him and his sister.

Ruby has raised awareness through a number of different channels including, appearing on BBC Breakfast TV and BBC Midlands Today, meeting with David Cameron PM at 10 Downing Street, featuring on BBC Radio Hereford and Worcester and BBC Radio West Midlands, taking part in NHS Blood and Transplant‘s Christmas Campaign 2014, and providing guest blogs to MarisWorld. com and Britain’s biggest parent network BritMums.com.

In 2012, Ruby was invited to join the Worcestershire Ambassadors and was also made an Ambassador for Contact a Family.

Ruby’s on-going aim is to raise awareness of PFDs and signpost information to support families living with the littleknown condition. Funny Blood also raises money for the Haemophilia Unit at Birmingham Children’s Hospital, to support the on-going care of local children like Noah. So, monies raised go towards something positive and tangible to support sufferers directly.

If you’d like to join in with our efforts to support our local Haemophilia Units, please do get in touch. @Funnybloodtweet Facebook, FunnyBloodPage

Ruby also led efforts to raise money to support those working with families suffering from PFDs and provided ongoing funding for the Haemophilia Unit at Birmingham Children’s Hospital, Re-loved Toys to the Haemophilia Unit at Birmingham Children’s Hospital, and a care worker for Contact a Family; the only national charity that exists to support the families of disabled children.

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Pensions versus ISAs How will the changes affect you?

Tom Ware

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he changes to the ISA rules have once again brought the ‘pensions versus ISAs’ debate into sharp focus. The perfect solution is to make the most of all possible tax advantages by investing the maximum amount in both, but not everyone will have almost £60,000 to invest every year, so they need to prioritise one or another for their financial planning.

With the rule changes, the relative merits of ISAs and pensions have changed. An initial consideration for all investors will be how they want to use the products: for example, access to the underlying funds may be an issue for the under-55s. A pension cannot be accessed until 55, making it a more difficult choice for school fees planning or similar. That said, the freedom associated with ISAs may be an unwelcome temptation for less disciplined savers and they may prefer a structure that prevents them gaining access until later.

Both pensions and ISAs score equally on the ability to roll up income and capital gains, tax free. However, the real consideration for most investors is how much tax is paid on the way in and how much tax is paid on the way out.

The key advantage of pensions is tax relief on contributions – i.e. tax on the way in. For the time being at least, any

contribution into a pension attracts tax relief at an investor’s marginal rate: For a lower rate tax payer a £10,000 pension contribution would require a payment of £8,000, while a higher rate tax payer could claim a further £2,000 tax relief via their tax return. ISAs do not attract this tax relief and contributions come out of taxed income.

On the way out ISA investors receive their income tax free.

Although retirees must pay tax on their pension. However, up to 25% of a pension fund can be taken completely tax free, which swings the pendulum back towards pensions for many people.

An example - The 0 - 60 performance shootout (source: Standard Life) Assuming investments grow at the same rate for both pension and ISA, what would give the best net return?

Husband and wife both invest £15,000 into an ISA. For the same net cost they could invest £18,750 into their pension as a basic rate taxpayer or £25,000 as a higher rate taxpayer.

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With the same 4% return after charges on both the ISA and pension; how long would it take for their combined investment to grow to £60,000?

Of course, it's not just a case of looking for the first past the post but which one gives the best return after tax has been deducted. The table below shows the position for some of the most common scenarios of tax rates on the way in and way out.

Fund hits £60K

£60K in the pocket after tax

ISA

17.5 years

17.5 years

Pension (20%/20%)

12 years

16 years

Pension (40%/40%)

5 years

14 years

Pension (40%/20%)

5 years

9 years

Inheritance for pensions and ISAs

The rules around inheritance of pensions and ISAs have changed and are now considerably more favourable for both structures than previously. For ISAs, the new rules provide a surviving spouse or civil partner with an increased ISA allowance equal to the value of deceased's ISA at the time of their death. This allows the survivor to benefit from continued tax free investment returns on their spouse's investments. That said, the rest of the family could still suffer a 40% IHT charge on the second death if total assets exceed the IHT nil rate band.

Tom Ware

Churchill Investments PLC Registered in England No. 3125227 Registered Office: 9 Woodborough Road, Winscombe.

BS25 1AB 01934 844444 info@churchillinvestments.co.uk www.churchillinvestments.co.uk IMPORTANT NOTICE The descriptions of products and services in this article are not recommendations, which we will only make to individuals based on their personal circumstances and needs. Investment plans and funds may involve risks to both capital and income. Past performance is not a guide to the future and the value of investment can fall as well as rise. You might not get back the full amount invested particularly if an encashment is made in the early years.

The descriptions of tax rules are based on Churchill Investments’ understanding of law and HMR&C practice.

Tax rules are subject to change. Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage. Churchill Investments plc is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

There are also new rules on how pension wealth can be inherited. Restrictions have been lifted on who can inherit a drawdown pension. From April it will be possible to nominate anyone to receive a pension pot and for them to carry on taking an income from it. This applies even if they are below the normal pension age of 55, allowing children or grandchildren to have immediate access. This creates an effective ‘family trust’.

Unlike an ISA, this isn't limited to spouses and civil partners but can apply to anyone nominated by the deceased and the funds do not form part of the deceased’s estate.

For inherited drawdown funds, if the scheme member dies before age 75, any income drawdown by the beneficiaries will be tax free. For deaths after age 75 income will be taxed at the beneficiary's marginal income tax rate. These rates will apply regardless of whether the fund is taken as an income or a lump sum.

For retirement savings, pensions will, like for like, outperform ISAs in the majority of scenarios. This is down to the combination of tax relief on contributions and the ability to take a quarter of the fund tax free. That said, ISAs will have the upper hand where access is needed prior to age 55, or when an investor received tax relief at 20% on contributions but could end up paying tax at 40% on a large slice of their pension fund.

Equally, investors may like the simplicity of ISAs, which have been subject to considerably less government intervention than pensions.

EstatesDirect.com A better way of selling your home Megan Ace

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statesDirect.com is a personal estate agency service that charges a fair fixed-fee to sell or let any property. They offer low fixed-fee prices whilst qualified Local Property Specialists provide a one-to-one service, travelling direct to homeowners to offer free market appraisals, valuations and viewings, assistance with sales and lettings transactions and generally helping guide them through the whole process.

They use websites such as Rightmove and Zoopla to market properties for sale, with packages starting from as little as £1, as well as finding tenants from as little as just £55. Their hybrid model strikes the perfect balance between purely online agents and traditional high street agents. They are all about offering homeowners fixed fees, choice and flexibility to rival the leading high street agents charging high commissions and providing a hands-on, personalised service that many homeowners need and appreciate. On average they save their clients over £3000’s in traditional estate agency fees. We interviewed Ben 68 www.edgemagazine.org

Grove, founder of EstatesDirect.com for a more personal insight into the property business.

Who inspired you to get started in the property business?

I spent some time travelling around the world and during that time I met a successful realtor in Australia who opened my eyes to a different way of marketing and selling homes. His ethos was ‘it’s not just about putting a property on the market, but about helping people through the whole home moving process from start to finish'. It was this experience that inspired me to come home and set up EstatesDirect.com almost 5 years ago.

Where did you work before setting out on your own?

I have spent the last 15 years working for some of the largest property and advertising brands such as the REA Group, Propertyfinder.com and Newsquest along with other property portals, where I gained a wealth of online

and technical experience. My passion for technology and digital media brought about the concept of launching an online estate agent with a difference, offering a full service for a fair, fixed fee and giving the customer choice of service.

I notice the business has 5 board members, do they all play an active role in the business?

Yes they do, all of our board members are actively involved in the business & each has their individual strengths. For example Darren Richards; ex dating site founder of match.com took an industry from the high street to online, and Steve Smith; Founder of Poundland who took a value based brand and changed the way people shop in the UK. Adam Pigott owned one of the most successful lettings agents in the UK across London & the South East and has 25+ years’ experience in the industry, and Rodger Danks who has been a property investor and developer for 30 years. Together we have formed a strong senior level team to take the business from strength to strength.

What are the biggest challenges you have faced in the business to date?

Finding the right people has been a challenge, as obviously without the right staff driving the business we can’t grow.

Luckily we have an experienced and passionate team in place, which is evident in how the business performs and our growth over the last few years.

Taking a successful pilot model in Worcestershire and rolling it out to different locations in the UK is also a huge challenge, because each location is different and has its own needs/market conditions and getting the right person in the role of Local Property Specialist for that area is key. We stringently look for the best candidates; those who are truly local to their area and know the market.

Lastly staying one step ahead of our competitors, in a now fast moving and competitive online market.

What are the highs and what were the low points so far?

Highs – Successfully becoming the no 1 online listed and no 1 selling agent in our pilot territory (Worcestershire) over the last 12 months (as reported by Rightmove) - which was confirmation that we had changed a marketplace for the better.

Our success when raising investment via Crowdcube.co.uk – we were one of the top ten fastest funded pitches on record globally, which was a huge achievement and shows that the public and investors alike have interest and confidence in our business model.

Lows - I certainly don’t have any regrets but when the business was in its infancy sleeping on a mattress at the office for 6 months was a low for me personally, but very rewarding looking back.

How do you measure success?

Longevity of staff; knowing that the people you employ enjoy their work, and are with you on the journey together as a unit. As the business grows and adapts, you learn from each other and evolve. Most of the staff have been here since the beginning so we all have a connection and trust with each other. To be successful you must have trust and respect at all levels of the business, something we have worked very hard to achieve.

What is the most important thing to you?

Job satisfaction; knowing my hard work is making a difference, and of course my family.

Now you have achieved UK success, what are your plans for the future?

We are currently rolling our successful business model out across the midlands and beyond; employing Local Property Specialists in a number of key areas.

We are also breaking into the commercial property market.

Ultimately our vision is to become the UKs largest single branded personal estate agency service and change the way people buy and sell property in the UK for the better, forever.

Anything more you’d to add regarding what is happening at EstatesDirect.com?

Thanks to the incredible support we received from our successful fund raise on Crowdcube.com we have been able to invest heavily in EstatesDirect.com’s own software, and designed the EstatePad app and BOSS (Business Operations Support System) to meet the needs of our Local Property Specialists, support staff and customers. It allows us to measure up, take photos (using a professional DSLR camera), sketch the floor plan (with your finger on screen), dictate into the device (which then writes the description) and then builds the brochure in front of the client in ‘real-time’ and puts it live that evening, or at least within 24 hours. This functionality was specified by our team of experienced estate agents as well as myself. We know what estate agents need to do their jobs efficiently and quickly, so we built EstatePad with this in mind.

The process works very well and we are really excited about rolling this out across the country.

The recent investment via Crowdcube is also being used to fund an aggressive recruitment drive and regional expansion.

EstatesDirect.com already controls 41% of the online market in Worcestershire in addition to employing local property specialists in Southampton, Cardiff, Kent, Surrey, Wolverhampton and central London. We are currently growing our presence into further locations across the UK, with a real focus on the Midlands as a result of this latest investment, and are very excited about the future.

Thanks for the opportunity!

What has been your biggest wow moment?

The day ‘Poundland Steve’ and the current board members all first came to EstatesDirect.com. I remember ringing my mum saying “you’re not going to believe this but I’m about to meet the founder of Poundland and Match.com at the office!” I walked into the board room to find Steve had brought 5 of his trusted advisors with him; it’s the closest thing to dragons den I can imagine. For all of them to agree to collectively invest their time and money into the business was a first for them, and likewise I got a massive sense of pride and accomplishment.

Not only that they believed in the business model but in me also.

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The Mini Hatchback So familiar, yet so incredibly different Lucie Abu-Zalaf

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hen the Mini first underwent its transformation, I have to admit I had a bit of a soft spot for it. I test drove a couple of the Cooper S’s and even went as far as to promise myself that when I finished university that I would treat myself to one. But when that time came and I rejoined the real world, I was given a company car that wasn’t of my choosing and then kind of went off the Mini idea. Maybe I thought I was too grown up now and the hot hatch kind of lost its appeal.

So, with that in mind, part of me was looking forward to picking up the new Mini, but a larger part of me was slightly unenthused. After collecting the car from Sytner Mini in Solihull and having everything explained to me, off I went.

After a short motorway stint and a few A roads back to the office, the only word that I could really think of to describe the Mini to my colleagues was ‘stiff’. The suspension felt stiff, the steering felt stiff and it seemed I really had fallen out of love with this most popular little car.

But then, I popped in the little one’s car seat and set off to collect her from nursery. Driving down some fabulously windy country lanes. Big enough to get your foot down a little, but small enough

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to be fun. By the time I had arrived at nursery, I was starting to feel that maybe I had been a little harsh with my initial judgement. By the time I arrived home after more country lanes and a short city stint, I had admitted that I was definitely wrong. I even went the long way home and then went out to get supper, just so that I could spend a little bit more time in it.

The exterior styling of the Mini hasn’t really changed a huge amount since BMW took over the manufacture in 2000. Mini enthusiasts will beg to differ I’m sure and there is no doubting the Mini has grown substantially over the years, with the 2015 model being the biggest of the lot to date. This is mainly to enable the Mini to adhere to the strict new safety standards, but also allows for a little more room in the back and a larger boot. Under the bonnet is all new too, with a range of 1.5l 3 cylinder engines, with only the Cooper S having a larger 4 cylinder, 2.0l edition. Even with a larger car and a smaller engine, Mini have managed to increase the 0-60, with the Cooper I drove achieving this in a not-too-shabby 7.9 seconds, the official figures also boast over 60mpg and the diesel engines achieving 80 plus mpg. Inside the Mini has also undergone a transformation, not losing any of its quirky charm, but finally putting things

like the tachometer in the dash, where you can actually see it and it has also lost the thought that everything had sort of been thrown in and ended up where it landed. There is still the large circular centre console, although this is now utilised for much more sensible purposes like media and sat nav. This has been fitted with what looks a little bit like a juke box halo around it, which you can change the colour of at the flick of a switch and that fills up with the rev counter, parking aid or when nearing your turning if that sat nav is engaged which is quite nifty and also a bit of fun. The options that you have available to customise your Mini are vast, as previously and it could get a little easy to get carried away.

All in all this, little car has really grown on me, so much so that I really will be quite sad to hand it back. I don’t think you can ask for much more really, if you’re looking for a small-ish car that is superb to drive, made with precision by a premium brand that is cost efficient, look no further.

Sytner Mini 120 Highlands Road Shirley, Solihull B90 4NU 0121 733 3444

THE MOUNTAIN CAN WAIT: A review A novel by Sarah Leipciger Mike Stafford

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he Mountain Can Wait is the debut novel from Canadian writer Sarah Leipciger. Set in a Canadian landscape scarred by logging companies, it examines the relationship between planter Tom Berry and his son Curtis.

The book opens with a horrifying but smartlyrendered hit and run. The victim appears from the darkness like a struck match, and from that moment on Leipciger’s ability to write striking, evocative prose is never in doubt. Characters are rich in depth and tone, which Leipciger achieves while using only minimal dialogue and description, and the natural world is given life without sentimentality.

This isn’t an ecological novel per se, but among the stark beauty of its writing it has something to say about man’s relationship with the earth. Tom’s job is to repopulate de-forested areas with new saplings, attempting to reverse the damage done by logging.

Given the scale of the task this feels like putting a plaster over an axe wound. Beyond that, this isn’t an ethical venture but a commercial one, and there is fierce competition for the planting contract. As such, when Tom and his teams approach the work, it’s not in the spirit of healing or respect as one might expect from an indigenous people; this is manual labour to be tackled and nothing more. The underlying reason for the assault on nature is never addressed by the men, but is subtly implied by Leipciger.

Of the two main characters, Tom is the strongest and most intriguing. He is a deeply practical man who had fatherhood thrust upon him aged 21. Later, his wife’s unhinged mental state and subsequent abandonment of the family left him raising his son and daughter alone. Through several powerful flashbacks, we see the love Tom has for his children.

He has emotions which are never given a voice, and his children punish his reticence by assuming him to be cold and unfeeling We the readers know different, and it’s hard not to sympathise with Tom when on some level, everything he does is for the children.

In terms of style, there is more than a whiff of Jim Sallis here. Leipciger’s world is populated by lonely individuals, desperate for meaningful contact but never getting it. Everyone is alienated, and connections happen at a level far too superficial to satisfy the emotional needs of the characters.

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With its evocative prose, and emphasis on character and setting, this is an unabashed literary novel.

However, perhaps as a result there is a meandering quality to the plot which would be unforgivable in a genre novel. The hit and run and aftermath are the main driver of the book, but subplots concerning infidelity and professional sabotage are given enough time to see them try and muscle confusingly into centre stage. In the finale, after a book filled with nuance, diamond-edged prose and bleak emotion, the focus turns more towards action. Up to that point the drama comes from thoughts and feelings rather than deeds, and a departure from this in the final quarter puts the ending at odds with the rest of the book.

Despite this, The Mountain Can Wait is an accomplished debut. It achieves more in terms of style and character than many established authors might hope to do, and while doing so takes a breathtaking look at the scarred beauty of the Canadian landscape. www.nudge-book.com/blog/contributor/mike-stafford

Droitwich Spa

Food and Drink Festival Saturday 20 June 10am – 4.30pm Town Centre

• 120 Local quality food and drink producer stands • Demonstration kitchen featuring local chefs • Official opening by Tom Parker-Bowles (Food writer and critic) and Charles Campion (Food critic and BBC MasterChef) • Droitwich Junior Bake Off competition • Food trail for children • Kids food zone • Street entertainment and live music • Droitwich Best Pie competition • Win a hamper • Community stalls • Catering village • Real ale and cider bars If you have good taste – come and eat and drink your way round our award winning festival!

@Droitwichfest

Droitwich Spa Festivals

For further information contact Patrick Davis, Food and Drink Festival Organiser T: 07796 681518 | E: droitwichfestival@btinternet.com

www.droitwichspafestival.co.uk Event organised by Droitwich Spa Food and Drink Festival Committee supported by

Art in the Park at Compton Verney Faye Claridge: Kern Baby - Until Sunday 13th December 2015

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arwickshire based artist Faye Claridge will be creating an enigmatic new commission for the Park at Compton Verney Art Gallery, which will take on the striking form of a 5-meter high corn dolly entitled Kern Baby.

This extraordinary sculpture will also be the centrepiece for a new photographic commission by Claridge inspired by the work of historic Birmingham based photographer Sir Benjamin Stone. Faye’s work explores identity, photography and history, often using archives to look at how personal and national identity are based on ideas of tradition, customs, folklore or past events.

Kern Baby has been inspired by photographic work of nineteenth century photographer Sir Benjamin Stone, who travelled throughout Britain recording unusual festivals and customs. Faye was drawn to his photograph that depicts a ‘Kern Baby’ from a festival called ‘The Harvest Home’ in Northumberland in 1901. This festival was about the local community celebrating the corn (wheat) harvest, using the last corn that was gathered to create a human shape, dressed in fine clothes and called the ‘Kern Baby’ or ‘Harvest Queen’.

The image has prompted Faye’s Kern Baby, which is her biggest commission to date, and which she hopes will stand at Compton Verney as an exaggerated sculptural emblem of folklore, resonating with the extensive British Folk Art collection housed at the gallery.

The second part of the commission has been inspired by another of Stone’s photographs that shows the children of Whalton Northumberland standing around the Baal fire (a bonfire that was lit in midsummer on St Johns Eve). This haunting image has led Faye to create an extraordinary new photograph involving local school children from Hampton Lucy C of E Primary School and Welcombe Hills School.

Using the Kern Baby at Compton Verney’s as a prop for the children to encircle, this new photograph will be the centrepiece of a display inside the gallery. Claridge says, “Compton Verney is the ideal location to show Kern Baby, as her historic, agricultural and folk roots all have strong connections there. She will stand tall in the park, weathering gently through the seasons, and will hopefully make everyone who sees her think about impressions of the past and the relevance of tradition in our present and future global lives.

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Creating her has been a fascinating journey into archives, photography and craft and I’m looking forward to seeing visitors being drawn to her giant, uncanny form in the landscape. She is the largest example to date of my theatrically orchestrated way of producing photographs and I hope she confronts expectation about what work with archive or documentary photography can be. She is a great example of how disguised or ‘faceless’ figures raise awareness of our most common and unconscious form of interaction and judgement-making and make us question how we relate to others (in the past and present).”

For public information call 01926 645500, visit comptonverney.org.uk, follow @ComptonVerney #KernBaby. Kern Baby is a Compton Verney commission in partnership with GRAIN and the Library of Birmingham, supported by Arts Council England.

Related events and activities: Tuesday 16th June, 1.30pm - Talk, Tour and Tea: Faye Claridge and the Kern Baby Artist Faye Claridge will be talking about how her new commission Kern Babycame about; her research with the Sir Benjamin Stone archive, the technical and practical issues of creating a 5-metre high outdoor corn dolly and working with children.

Faye will also present examples of how Kern Baby relates to her previous work, exploring the ethics of photography and the draw of enigmatic folk traditions with stories of ducking stools, bed wetting cures and harvest demons capture the imagination.

Compton Verney Warwickshire CV35 9HZ 01926 645500 www.comptonverney.org.uk

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Robert Plant and the Sensational Space Shifters Woodland concerts announced

R

obert Plant and The Sensational Space Shifters have announced two special dates as part of Forest Live, the summer concert series promoted by the Forestry Commission.

After nearly 50-years in music, Plant, continues to surprise and challenge his audience with music that is smart, exciting, and completely of the moment. His incredible legacy as the front man of Led Zeppelin and as a solo artist, only serves to keep pushing him forward. Returning to his native England after an extended sojourn in America last year, saw the release of his 10th ‘solo’ album, ‘lullaby and… The Ceaseless Roar’, his latest project recorded with The Sensational Space Shifters. The album received worldwide acclaim for its contemporary song-writing and brilliant musicianship. Following a recent sellout tour of indoor venues, fans can look forward to an exceptional live show which will include tracks from the 2014 album as well as new interpretations of Led Zeppelin classics and other solo material from a long and very successful career.

Forest Live is an independent programme organised by the Forestry Commission to bring forests to new audiences. Income generated from ticket sales is spent on protecting, improving and expanding England’s forests and woodlands and increasing their value to people and wildlife.

Over Forest Live’s 14 year history, money raised has contributed to a wide range of projects, from wildlife conservation to making improvements for visitors. With everything required for a great night out, including full catering and bar facilities, the gigs are renowned for their relaxed atmosphere.

Friday 10th July - Westonbirt Arboretum, near Tetbury, Glos Saturday 11th July - Cannock Chase Forest, near Rugeley, Staffs Tickets £48.50 (plus £4.85 booking fee), call 03000 680400 or buy online: forestry. gov.uk/music www.robertplant.com www.forestry.gov.uk/music

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Pop of Culture

The science of fun - Three ways to inject science into your social life Lucinda Bunn

Brian Cox: In conversation

Saturday 6th June 2015 at the EDF Energy Arena Professor Brian Cox is due to speak at this year’s Cheltenham Science Festival. The TV presenter, particle physicist and new professor for Public Engagement in Science at Manchester University. Join in with Brian and Adam Rutherford as they discuss the need to increase public engagement with science and how we should work to make the UK the best place for science in the world.

MAD Marbles

www.cheltenhamfestivals.com

Running from Saturday 18th July - Monday 7th September 2015 The MAD (Mechanical Art & Design) Museum has recently installed a giant make-your-own rolling ball wall.

Invent your own course out of all sorts of weird and wonderful components.

MAD provides the start and finish lines and you design the rest!

Using inspiration from around the museum, the wall encourages creative thinking and systematic design but it is a lot of fun! The aim of the game is to use the various track parts to make the marble travel from the top of the wall to the bottom without whizzing off. This design competition is open to all age groups, draw your craziest creation and post it to The MAD Museum.

4-5 Henley Street Stratford-upon-Avon Warwickshire CV37 6PT Find out more at www.themadmuseum.co.uk

First Act Workshops Comedy Show

24th – 27th June 2015 at Thinktank – Birmingham Science Museum Young actors from First Act Workshops will be performing their comedy show this month with a mix of sketches, scenes and even a little stand-up. First Act Workshops is a training ground for young actors in the West Midlands, preparing talented individuals for professional film, theatre and television roles.

Millennium Point, Curzon Street, Birmingham B4 7XG www.birminghammuseums.org.uk June 2015

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Walks with hawks An unforgettable experience Lucinda Bunn

F

or a real treat this summer, any owl enthusiasts or birdwatchers would love a trip to Walks with Hawks.

Each adventure is tailored to your specific interests and gives the perfect introduction for adults and children to the ancient art of falconry.

If the thrill of watching a predator do what nature intended is for you, Walks with Hawks also run hunting trips. Not for the squeamish, the hunting experience allows you to see this incredible family of birds flying free and showing off their awesome abilities.

The professional and knowledgeable team at Walks with Hawks care for these incredible creatures and their enthusiasm and practical experience means you will learn a great deal as well as getting your own hands on experience.

A part of the work Walks with Hawks do, is raising awareness for the conservation of these amazing creatures. The team firmly believe that the way to protect them is through education and that’s why Walks with Hawks attend schools and clubs to give talks and demonstrations. These visits cover topics required through all key stages and all age ranges from reception upwards. Corporate and team days, group talks and special occasions are also possible and if you have event requests, you can just talk to the team and they will do their best to accommodate you and make your visit and unforgettable one.

The range of packages gives you a chance to handle and fly a variety of birds of prey in a stunning rural setting in Gloucestershire’s beautiful countryside. The groups are kept small so everyone is involved and each person has plenty of time with the birds.

Gift vouchers are available for owl encounters and hawk walks so if you’re looking for a unique gift and a fantastic family activity, look no further than Walks with Hawks. During your encounter you are welcome to take pictures too and why not bring a spectator to take photos!

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01452 537420 www.walks-with-hawks.co.uk

Love is Enough

25 April – 6 September 2015

WILLIAM

MORRIS ANDY

WARHOL Curated by Jeremy Deller

Marilyn Monroe, 1968 by Andy Warhol, The Andy Warhol Museum, Pittsburgh; Founding Collection, Contribution The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, Inc. The Collection of Marla and Larry Wasser, Toronto, Canada. © 2015 The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, Inc. / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York and DACS, London. Image: Maciek Linowski.

SUMMER

EXHIBITION Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery Plus, Pop Art for Kids! birminghammuseums.org.uk Funded by:

Admission charges apply Exhibition conceived by:

A Modern Art Oxford Exhibition in Partnership with Birmingham Museums Trust

June 2015

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BE Festival At the Birmingham Rep

B

E FESTIVAL has turned the notion of conventional theatre upside down and blurred the boundary between audience and artist. This year’s week long festival begins on 23 June, taking place across various stages and back-stage areas in the theatre, offering a unique programme of European theatre, dance, comedy, circus, music, visual and performing arts. The festival runs day and night with plentiful activities and shows for all ages and backgrounds.

One of the festival’s many quirks include the wonderful interval dinner when the main stage makes way for a pop up restaurant and we invite audience members, actors and staff to enjoy a meal together under the spotlights. Festival passes can include dinner each night.

BE FESTIVAL 2015 will open its doors to 20 of Europe’s most daring, innovative and experimental theatre, dance and circus groups including for the first time companies from the Czech Republic (VerTeDance) and Ireland (Squarehead Productions) plus a very special free outdoor performance, Collage, by trampolining forces of nature Bot Project (Spain), taking place on Centenary Square on 24 June at 6pm.

Evening entertainment also includes international live music, DJs and a bar; the perfect place to relax on the loungers and sofas, soak up the atmosphere and enjoy the shows.

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During the day there are visual arts installations, workshops and talks all exploring the theme of democracy and participation giving audiences the opportunity to chat with actors, artists and academics and recontextualise and analyse each other’s perspective.

BE FESTIVAL has something for everyone and offers a warm welcome to all but asks audiences to leave any preconceptions about theatre right outside The REP’s back door.

BE FESTIVAL Tuesday 23 to Saturday 27 June 2015 Birmingham Repertory Theatre, Centenary Square, Birmingham B1 2EP – entrance via the Back Door on Cambridge Street Tickets: Festival passes: £100 or £60 without dinner Passes include access to all performances, exhibitions, talks and workshops, plus the very special BE FESTIVAL dinner served during each interval during the evening theatre performances.

Day passes: £22 or £14 without dinner Box Office: 0121 236 4455 Online Booking: Birmingham-rep.co.uk www.befestival.org | www.facebook.com/ befestival | www.twitter.com/befestival

What’s on this June Sir Ranulph Fiennes: A Life at the Limits Monday 29 June, 7.30pm Town Hall As part of our Explorer Series, long-time friend and expedition partner Anton Bowring will lead Sir Ranulph Fiennes on a personal journey as they discuss his life, from his ancestral heritage to the present day.

From light-hearted to strikingly poignant, A Life at the Limits covers Sir Ranulph’s childhood, misdemeanours at school, army life and early expeditions, right through to the Transglobe Expedition and the recent Coldest Journey. Hear about all of the record breaking and immensely challenging projects which saw Sir Ranulph receive the Guinness Book of Records accolade as ‘Greatest Living Adventurer’, while suffering frostbite and risking life and limb in some of the most ambitious private expeditions ever undertaken.

Frank Sinatra Jr. and Orchestra Tuesday 30 June, 8pm - Symphony Hall

2015 marks a very special year, as one of the most loved entertainers of all time, Frank Sinatra, will be celebrated around the world with a series of commemorative centennial events.

As a part of the celebrations, Frank Sinatra Jr. will perform a special multimedia concert at Symphony Hall to pay homage to his father – the singer, the man, and the music that defines the Sinatra legend.

The History Boys Malvern Theatre 29 June – 4 July Winner of over 30 major awards including the Olivier and Tony Awards for Best New Play, The History Boys is the story of a group of bright, funny and unruly sixthformers in pursuit of sex, sport and a place at university.

Their maverick English teacher is at odds with the young and shrewd supply teacher, whilst their headmaster is obsessed with results and league tables. Staffroom rivalry and the anarchy of adolescence overflow, provoking insistent questions about history and how you teach it.

Their A Levels may be over, but their true education is only just beginning. Widely hailed as one of the greatest theatrical events of the last decade, The History Boys is a hilariously funny and exceptionally moving play about the true purpose of education.

Through stories, photos, videos and songs, Frank Sinatra Jr. will deliver first hand recollections of life on and off stage with his famous father, as he performs the music alongside the orchestra. Expect songs such as Strangers in the Night, Foggy Day in London Town, I’ve Got You Under My Skin and New York New York.

Frank Sinatra Jr. said “The music and the memories have touched so many people around the world; to be able to bring these songs back to the stage, share my personal stories of my father, alongside archive footage and pictures is a real honor.”

malvern-theatres.co.uk/ 01684 892277

June 2015

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