Birmingham Living Spring 2024 (issue 132)

DANCINGFORDISNEY

ANTHONYMADU

MICHELINCHEF

rowseanyissueofBirminghamLivingandyou’llfindnewsandfeatures highlightingthebreadth,depthandimpactonallourlivesofthesheer wonderfulnessofthecity’sartsandculturalscene.

Literallyhundredsoforganisations,largeandsmall,involvingthemostcommittedofartists,managers, helpersandvolunteersofferingahugechoicetoentertain,enthralandenrich.Theylovewhattheydo,and welovethemforit!

Manydependondonations,fund-raisingandhelpfromthelocalcommunity–bothbusinessesand individuals–andoftentoasurprisinglylargedegree.Thesignsarethatthey’regoingtohavetorelyonthat sourceofsupportevenmoremovingforwardduetotheongoingcashcrisisatBirminghamcouncil. Ashasbeenwidelyreported,thecityishavingtomakedeepbudgetcutsinabidtogetthepublicfinancesin order.That’sbadnewsforeveryoneascounciltaxeslooksettosoarandservicesfall.Theeffectispotentially hugeforartsandculturegroupswhowillseecouncilgrantsandotherprojectsaxed.

It’srightlysaidthatartsandculturearethelifebloodofahealthyanddiversesociety,openingmindsand heartstonewpossibilitiesandwaysofseeingthings.Ifnothingelse,theygiveentertainmentandjoyto thousands.So,atwhatisaverydifficulttime,it’sevenmoreimportantthatwegiveasmuchsupportaswe canbyengaginganddonatingtotheseamazingorganisationsandgroupsacrossthecityandtheregion. Withthearrivalofanewspring,comesfreshoptimism–andthehopethatevenmoreofuswillgetout,visit andsupportourwonderfultheatres,galleriesandcreativeorganisations.Theyneedusmorethanever…

SiânBrooke

Theactoronherjourneyfromam-dram tostarringinTVcopseries,BlueLights

PaulHassell

Travellingtheworldandtellingpeople’s storiesthroughthelensofhiscamera

Food&Drink

Michelin-starTomShepherd,plusrecipes, newsandGermanwine’sbigcomeback

Health

Taketheplungeandgetintheswimfor spring,plusheartwarningforthegirls

Style

Maxi,midi,mini–wepickfrocksthatrock withalookatthelateststylesandtrends

Homes

Sofa,sogood!Yourhome’scentrepieceis aninvestmentyoucan’taffordtogetwrong

FromThePottingBench

ThecountdownisontooneoftheUK’stop gardenshows,theMalvernSpringFestival

Motoring

SueCookedrivesMazda’snewSkyactiv enginewithbetterpower&fueleconomy

Young,Gifted&Brummie

Howaviralvideoturnedtalenteddancer AnthonyMadu’slifeintoaDisneyfilm

BusinessNews

Newsandviewsfromthecommercial community,plusSocialScenepages

What’sOn

Bestofthecity’stopshowsandgigsin ourround-upofthemust-seeevents

UpClose

WithClareMartin,CEOofEdward’sTrust, theWestMidlandsbereavementcharity

RYAN’SROLE

SchoolboyRyanHulance,aged11, joinedthelikesofOzzyOsbourne andthelatepoetandPeaky BlindersstarBenjaminZephaniahin anewmuralcelebrating Birminghamheroesunveiledat Birminghamairport.ArtistGent48 spent120hourscreatingthe installation,commissionedby easyJetandeasyJetHolidaysto celebratetheopeningofthe airline’snewbaseattheairport. Ryanturnswasteintocharitable fooddonationsbycollectingempty tincansfrombusinessesandlocals andsellingthescrapmetalto purchaseitemsforfoodbanks.

ON YOUR MARKS!

TheAJBellGreatBirminghamRun2024–the Midlands’premiermass-participationevent–takesplaceonSunday5May.Theroutecovers BroadStreet,CentenarySquareandtheLibraryof Birmingham,StPaul’sSquareandtheJewellery Quarteralongwithcity-centrelandmarkssuchas GrandCentralandtheMailbox.Thehalfmarathon distancetakesinthesightsofsouthBirmingham includingBournville,CannonHillParkand EdgbastonStadium.Anewpost-runpartyvillage willbesitedneartheSmithfieldfinishline.

BRINGINGYOUTHEBRIGHTEST ANDMOSTCOLOURFUL STORIESFROMACROSSTHE CITYEACHMONTH

TheBrummiesaretakingovermorningTV!With BirminghamLivingcovergirlAlisonHammond alreadyaregularhost,fellowBrummieCatDeeley hasalsojoinedThisMorningonITV.Cathastaken overfromHollyWilloughby,alongsideBen Shephard.ShepreviouslyhostedSoYouThinkYou CanDanceintheUS.Catsaid:“ThisMorningisa nationalinstitution.BenandIaregoingtodoour besttotakecareofit.”

Picture:AndrewRoberts/CoverImages

SQUEALLYCUTE

Here’sacheekybunchifeverwesawone!Thesecute pigletswereamongthenewly-bornanimalsmeeting familiesatHattonWorldofAdventure’sSpring Spectacular.Therewerealsobabylambs,kidgoats, calvesandbunniestoseeattheevent.Johnnie Arkwright,ownerofHattonCountryWorld,said:“With ourEasteregghunt,children’sshows,animalhandling andtractorrides,wehadplentygoingonbothinside andoutside.”

SPLASHOFCOLOUR

BrindleyplaceisspearheadingacollaborationbetweenluxuryBritish brandFirehorseFashionandtalentedBirminghamartistAlexander Edwards,whomarketshimselfasBrumhaus,tocreateacollectionof bespokefashionaccessoriesforthefront-of-houseteamtowear. Alexandercreatedaspecialcolourfulartworktobeprintedontosilk scarvestobewornbytheBrindleyteamsandotherluxuriousaccessories, suchashairtiesandnotebookswhichwillalsobesoldatIkonGallery andEthosFlowers.

CADBURYBOOST

Atreasuretroveof50,000historicalartifacts,documentsand memorabiliatracingtheevolutionofCadburyfromitshumble beginningstoitsstatustodayasoneoftheworld’sfavourite brands,hasbeengivenamajorcashboost.Thearchives,situated intheheartofBournvilleformorethan120years,received £350,000forrefurbishmentandinvestmentfromMondelēz InternationaltomarkCadbury’s200-yearanniversary.Thearchive includesRichardCadbury’sownpersonalwatercolourpainting bookfrom1866.

APPRENTICESTAR

BBCOne’sTheApprenticestar,Simba Rwambiwa,celebratedNationalApprentice Weekwithlocalstudents.Simba,who appearedonthehitshowlastyear,spoketo learnersatNinestiles,anAcademy,partofthe SummitLearningTrust.Hesharedhisown storybeforetakingquestions,manyasking abouthowhefoundLordSugarandhisfellow contestants.PrincipalAlexHughessaid:“I hopeouryoungpeoplewillbethinkinghard abouttheirfuturecareerpathshavingheard abouthowhehasbuilthisownsuccess.”

BABYBONANZA

Sleeplessnights,dirtynappiesandthetraumaofteething.Thejoysofhavingababy! Butbeforewegettoo‘down’,theUK’sbest-lovedpregnancy,babyandparenting event,theBabyShowwithLidlGB,isreadytohelp.TheshowatBirminghamNEC from10to12Maywillseethousandsofnewandexpectantparentsbrowsepopular babybrandsandhearfromparentingexperts.Thisyear’seventispackedwithideas–there’sevenaBuggyTestingTrackwhereyoucantryoutdifferentstrollers.

PORTRAITPOWER

Alocalphotographerand academichaswonthePortrait ofBritainAwardforcreating powerfulinsights intohomelessness.Associate professoratCoventry University,AnthonyLuvera’s winningphotograph,Assisted PortraitofMauvetteReynolds, waschosenbytheBritish JournalofPhotography.The award-winningportraitispart ofAnthony’slargebodyof worktitledConstruct,aproject centredaroundthelivesand experiencesofmorethan50 peoplefacinghomelessnessin Birmingham.

JOE’SKINGOFGYM

UNSUNGHEROESHUNT

Acampaignhasbeenlaunchedtocelebrate50yearssincethecreation oftheWestMidlands,byrecognisingvolunteerswhomakeadifference inthecounty.Thepublichasbeenaskedtoputforwardnomineesby the50forWM50campaign,organisedbytheWestMidlandsLieutenancy andsupportedbyUnitedby2022,theofficialcharityoftheBirmingham CommonwealthGames.Fiftyvolunteersfromeachofthesevenlocal authoritieswilljointheBigThankYouBasheventinJune,withan overallwinnernamed.

LOTSOFCASH

AnauctionofartworkbyaBirmingham-basedartistraised morethan£10,000forBirminghamHippodrome’sworkwith youngpeople.TheeventattheGrandHotelBirminghamwas sponsoredbyBentleyBirminghamandHeliganGroupfinancial advisoryandinvestment.TheartworkswerebyBritish-Italian andlocalBirmingham-basedcontemporaryartist,Charles Pedone.Thefundsraisedfromtheauction,whichwasrunby LichfieldauctioneerRichardWinterton,willdirectlysupport BirminghamHippodrome’sYouthProgramme.

BrummiegymnastJoe Fraserisflyinghighafter winningtheoverallsenior men’stitleattheBritish GymnasticsChampionships. Joe’sstellarperformance includedthehorizontal bars,parallelbarsand pommelhorse.Joesaid: “Thepasttwoyearswith injurieshavebeena massivebattle,butIknew onedayI’dbeback.Lifting thistrophyfeelsvery special.”CityofBirmingham alsoclinchedthegoldinthe men’sunder18all-around competition,withGabriel Langtonparticularly impressingthroughoutthe competition.

Picture:PaulHassell

CRICKETPLEDGE VIKINGCONQUERS

Meettopdog,VikingtheAustralianShepherd. VikingwascrownedBestinShowatCrufts, whichwasheldoverfourdaysatBirmingham NEC.Morethan150,000dogloversvisitedthis year’sshow,whereover19,000dogscompeted tomakejustsevenfinalistsfortheBestinShow title.Viking’sdelightedhandlerandco-owner MelanieRaymondsaidoftheirwin:“Pinchme! Thisiseveryone’sdream.”

VEGANS LOVEBRUM

AnewpollrevealsBirminghamistheeasiest placetobeveganintheUK,with63percentof adultspleasedwiththerangeofplant-based optionsonrestaurantmenus.Thepollof2,000 people,halfofwhichwerevegan,was commissionedbyViva!tolaunchits50by25 campaign,encouragingrestaurantstohavehalf veganoptionsontheirmenubytheendof 2025.Eatingaplant-baseddiet,even occasionally,issomething45percentofpeople livinginBirminghambelieveisbetterforthe environmentthaneatinganimalproducts.

WarwickshireCCCissuedakeypre-seasonmessagewithanupdatedEdgbastonfor Everyoneplan–underliningtheclub’scommitmenttoequality,diversityand inclusion.Publicationoftherevisedplanshowstheprogresssincetheclub’sblueprint waslaunchedtwoyearsagoanditspledgesforthefuture.Highlightsfromthelast12 monthsincludeorganisingthecountry’sfirsteverLGBTQ+crickettournament, hostingtheinauguralVaisakhiCricketCupatEdgbastonandassemblinganallwomengroundsstaffforawomen’sinternationalmatch.

PILLCAMFIRST

TheWestMidlandshasbecomethe firstEnglishregiontoscreenpeoplefor bowelcancerintheirlocalpharmacy, athomeorinotherlocalsettings, usingnewcoloncapsuleendoscopy services(CCE)–theso-called‘pill cam’.Screeningpeopleintheirown communityratherthaninhospitalcuts waitingtimesandspeedsuplifesavingdiagnosis.Itisexpectedthat 2,000peoplewillusethenew technologyacrosstheWestMidlands initsfirstyear. GOTANYNEWS? Emailyournewsand picturestoeditor@brumliving.co.uk

BIKEKING

Motorcycleenthusiastsarebeinggiventhechancetolead morethan3,500bikesinoneofthebiggestandmost popularbikereventsintheregion.MidlandsAir AmbulanceCharityisgivingtwoluckyridersthe opportunitytoridealongsideahostoffamous VIPsattheheadoftheprocessionaspartofits Bike4Life2024RideOutandFestivalon Sunday28April.Bikerswhohave bookedtheirplaceintheRideOut willbeenteredintotheprizedraw.

FAIRCOP

ACTORANDPROUDMIDLANDER,SIÂNBROOKETALKSABOUTTHEJOYOF

PLAYINGGRACEELLISINBLUELIGHTS,DEALINGWITHIMPOSTER

SYNDROMEANDHOWFINDINGATHRIVINGLOCALAMATEURDRAMATIC

SCENEASAYOUNGSTERWASASPRINGBOARDTOSUCCESS

YoumightknowSiânBrookefromhitBBC OneseriesBlueLightsofwhichseriestwois abouttoair.Butintruthitcouldbefromany numberofperformancesonstageandscreen.Siân hasstarredinanimpressiveclutchoftopTVshows, includingAppleTV’stouchingandfunnyseries Trying,aswellasSherlockwithBenedict CumberbatchinwhichsheplayedHolmes’sevil sister,EuruswhichtheTelegraphdescribedas‘astarmakingturn’.

Thenthere’sHBO’sHouseofDragonasQueen AemmaArrynandDeidreYounginAmazonPrime’s GoodOmensalongsideDavidTennant.Thereare theatrecreditsaslongasyourarmtooincludingnot leastOpheliaintheRSC’sHamlet,plusnumerous radiodramas.

ALITTLEGIFT

Inacrowdedcopshowgenre,thefirstseriesof BlueLightspulledinanimpressiveaverageaudience of6.4million.Itenjoyedcriticalacclaimandwas nominatedforbestnewdramaattheNTAsand votedoneofthebestTVshowsof2023byRadio Times.Withthesecondseriesabouttostartandtwo furtherseriesconfirmedbyBBCStudios,Siân says:“Iloveworkingonthisshow.Thescriptisa littlegift.”

Sheadds:“Thecharactersarefullyformed.The writingisjustbrilliantandbypagethreeofthescript Ithought‘Ihavetoplaythischaracter.’”Thetrainee officersfromseriesoneincludingSiân’scharacter

Grace,havegrownupandshakenofftherookie statusabit.Inseriestwotheirworldexpandstackling criminalgangsandallthecomplexitiesofthat.

Siânsaysthesuccessoftheshowhasbeen ‘delightfullyoverwhelming’particularlygiventhe volumeofpolicedramasavailableandaddsthatit’s impossibletobecertainyouhaveahitonyourhands evenifyouthinkthescriptisawinnerandthe performancesarestrong.Shesays:“Youjustdon’t knowhowsomethingisgoingtoland.Youcould havealltheingredients,butforwhateverreasonit mightnotcatchfire.Thankfullythiscaughton quicklyandpeoplereallyrespondedtothe characters.It’sabitdifferentfromothercopdramas. Thecharactersareinexperienced,flawedandfallible soperhapsit’smorehuman.”

LOCALSUPPORT

Growingup,Siânbenefittedfromathrivinglocal amateurdramaticscenewhichsparkedsomethingin herandgavehertheactingbug.Shespentalotoftime atSuttonColdfieldOperaticSocietyandLichfield YouthTheatreandfoundbothtobebrilliantly supportive.Withouttheencouragingwordsfromsome oftheoldermembers,shemightnothaveauditioned fortheNationalYouthTheatreorlaterRADA.

AlthoughSiânisnotfromanactingfamily–funnilyenoughherdadwasapoliceofficerandher mumateacher–shesaysbothherparentshadareal appreciationoftheartsandwerealwayssupportiveof herhobby-turned-career.Sheremembersbeing

ferriedaroundtowhereversheneededtobeasa youngstertoauditionandperform.

TheauditionfortheNationalYouthTheatre whichwasheldattheRepwasabigmilestoneand Siânsaysshewas‘petrified’.Shewassuccessful. ApplyingtoRADAfeltlikeanotherhugestep–one thatshesaysshewouldn’thavehadthegutstogofor withoutapeptalkfromoneofthewomenather localam-dramgroup.Again,shewassuccessfuland offshewenttoLondon.

Siân’sexperiencedabitofimpostersyndromenot leastbecausethereweren’tmanyMidlandsaccentsin thepublicdomainatthetime.Sherecalls:“Itwasall RP.Youdidn’thearaMidlandsaccentonthetelly, butIjustthought,sodit!Iactuallygotmyfirstjobat theRoyalCourtinpartbecauseofmyaccent.It’s muchmorenormalisednow.”

TherolethathasstretchedSiânmorethanany otherwasEurusinSherlock–anevilcharacterwith multiplepersonas.“Havingtobesomanycharacters inonewasagreatopportunityandalotoffunbuta

realchallengetoo.Thecharacteralsohadzero empathysothatwasreallyhard.”

MIKELEIGH

OneofthehighlightsofSiân’scareersofarwas workingwithdirectorMikeLeighrevivinghis1979 productionofEcstasyatHampsteadTheatrein2011. TheoriginalstarredJulieWaltersandJimBroadbent sothereweresomebigshoestofill.SiânplayedJean, acharacterwhoputsonagoodfacewhilehiding unknowndepthsofdesperationandreceivedrave reviews.TheBritishTheatreguidedescribedheras ‘thestarofthenightwhoshowsgreatdelicacyand feelinginportrayingChekhovianJean’.

Havingenjoyedsuchawonderfulintroductionto theartsatalocallevel,Siânworriesaboutfunding cuts.Shesays:“Therearegreatcreativehubsinthe Midlands,butIworryaboutthestateoffunding. Theregionsaredesperate.WouldIbeabletopursue thecareerI’vehadifIwasstartingoutnow?Ireally don’tknow.” ■

STORY TELLER

FROMSALESMANAGERTOSNAPPER,PAULHASSELL MADETHELEAP13YEARSAGOANDHASFOUND SUCCESSANDFULFILMENTINSPADES

PaulHassellisapeopleperson–warm,chatty,friendly,interestingand crucially,interested.Whilesalesandphotographyaren’tobvious bedfellows,thequalitiesthatmadePaulflourishinasalesenvironment fordecadesalsoputspeopleateaseinthestudiomakingforpleasingfinal outcomes.Hesays:“Fromtheoutset,Iknewthatmyinterestinphotographywas goingtobebasedaroundpeopleandthereforemyworkisstorydriven.Iloveto hearthestoryandjourneyofthatpersonandIhavealwaysseentheimageasa giftthatremindsmeofthattimeandplace.”

INCREDIBLEPEOPLE

Aged46,PauljoinedalocalphotographicsocietyinBirminghambecausehejust wantedtounderstandhowtouseacamerabutwasquicklyhooked.Heremembers: “FromwalkingthroughthedooronthatveryfirsteveningIknewthiswasgoingto beaplaceI’dreturnto.”ThirteenyearsofdedicationlaterandPaulhasbeenlucky enoughtophotographsomeincrediblepeopleandcapturesomespecialmomentsas wellasgaininganFRPSdistinctionwhichmeanshe’safellowoftheRoyal PhotographicSociety.

Hesays:“I’vebeenrewardedwithsomeamazing momentslikeseeingMoFarahbreaknumerous recordsinBirminghamandattheOlympicParkin 2016.I’vephotographedCommonwealthandWorld Championgymnastsandmethundredsofamazing individualswhohavesatwithmeandsharedtheir stories.”

CHARACTERANDCOMMUNITY

AparticularprojectthatPaul’sproudofishiswork inRomania.Hemadetwotripsintwoyearstothe country,documentinghowremotevillagershavelived sincetimebegan.Hesays:“Inessencetimehadstood still,butnowyoungpeoplearemovingtobigcitiesin searchofprosperityandadifferentwayoflife.They areleavingbehindtheireldersonlytoseetheir heritageslowlydisappear.”

Paul’sphotographsfromtheseareasdepictthe survivaloftheolderresidentslivinghand-to-mouth tryingtomaintaintheirtraditionsandbeliefs.Paul recalls:“Iwasfortunatetogaintheirtrustandthat engagementallowedarelationofcharacterand

communitybutalsocircumstance,whichissadly basedontheirinabilitytochange.”Goingforward Paulaimstoembarkonmoreprojectspossibly involvingnon-governmentorganisations(NGOs) inthehopethathisskillsetwillhelppeople.

STRENGTHANDMOVEMENT

Today,Paulstillenjoysengagingwithpeopleand theirstoriesandforthelastthreeyearshe’s dedicatedhistimetophotographingdancers,in particularballetdancers.He’scollaboratedwith BirminghamRoyalBalletartistswhichyoucansee moreofonhisInstagrampage.Hecapturesstrength andmovementbrilliantlybutalsoasoftness somehow.

Paulrecallslisteningtoatalkbyaprofessional photographerwhosaidthatoneofthehardest thingstodoasaportraitphotographeristogeta personinfrontofthecamera.Paulreflects:“I’ve beenveryluckyovermyshorttimeasa photographertohavesomekindofgift,torelateto thatpersonandformaphotograph.” ■

PEOPLEPERSON

CheckoutPaul’sworkatrps.org/qualifications/frps/examplefellowship-panels/paul-hassell-frpsandfollowonInstagram @ha55ellhoff

FOOD&DRINKliving

TOMSHEPHERD

BorninSuttonColdfield,TomhasworkedinsomeoftheUK’sfinest kitchens,includingAdam’sinBirmingham,beforelaunchinghisown restaurantUpstairsbyTomShepherdinLichfieldin2021wherehewas awardedaMichelinstaronlyfourmonthsafteropening

TomisoneofthreenewtrusteestojointheboardofambitiousnationalcharityKids’Village.Thecharityisraising£5million tobuildtheUK’sfirstholidayvillagetoprovidefreebreaksforcriticallyillchildrenandtheirfamiliesinWychnor.

Tellusaboutyourcooking

I’ddescribemystyleofcookingasseasonal-led, flavour-focusedandaconcentratedclassicstyleof cooking.Newseasonsalwaysexcitemeasit producesachangeofdirectionwithyourfoodand breathesfreshlifeintothekitchen.It’simportant weareledbytheseasons,asit’smuchmore sustainabletoeataproductthatisinseasonherein theUKattherighttime,asopposedtoeatingan ingredientfromanothercountry,outofseason.

Howdidyoubecomeachef?

Isortoffellintoitreally.Iwasofferedatrainee manager’spositionatNewHallHotel,Walmley whenIwas17,andpartoftheprogrammewasto spendtimeinthekitchen.Theheadchefwas WayneThomson,someoneIowealotto.Hesaw somethinginmethatnooneelsedid,Iwasalways determinedandhungrytosucceed,Ijusthadn’t foundtherightplatformtoreallyexpressthat. Wayneurgedmetoconsiderbecomingachefas heclearlysawmypotential.Ispentthreeyears withWayneandthatlearningwasanintegral partofwhereIamtoday.Myfamilyhavealways beensuper-supportiveofme,alwaysallowedmeto makemistakes,buthavealwaysbeentheretodirect andsupportmewhenI’veneededit.Ilovemy familyalot.

Whatdoyoueatathome?

Me,mywifeandlittledaughterabsolutelylovea Sundayroast,Roastbeeforchickenareourgo-to, youcan’tbeatroasties,yorkies,honeyglazed carrots,stuffing,gravy,etc.It’sjustthebestandus Britsdoitbest!

Who’sthebestchefintheworldandwhy?And who’sthebestinBrum?

That’sahardoneasitdependsonhowyoulook atit.GordonRamsaywasandstillisahuge inspirationforme.HewasoneofthefirstchefsI everwatchedandfollowedandIcouldn’tbelieve theamountofdrive,desireanddeterminationhe

hadtosucceed.Buthe’snotinkitchensnowashis careerhasjustblownupallovertheworld.Brett Graham,recentlyawardedthreeMichelinstarsand owneroftheLedburyinNottingHill,ismost certainlyabiginspirationforme,Ithinkhis cookingstyle,ethosanddeliveryisexceptionaland oneIadmiregreatly.

BestchefinBrum,that’seasy.AktarIslam,oneof myclosestcheffriends,oneI’veknownforalong timeandforhimtobethefirsttwoMichelinStar chefinBirminghamisjustmagic.Thereisn’ta nicerguy–hehassupportedmesincedayoneof Upstairs,andbefore!

Shareacookingtip,ortwo…

Supportlocalproducers.OnlybuyUKproduce whereyoucan.Alwaysrestyourmeatforaslongas youcookitfor(asitkeepscookingoutsideofthe oven/pan)andnevercookmeatorfishstraightfrom thefridge.Alwaysallowittocomeupto temperature.Andalwayshavegarlic.

Whatwasyourfavouritefoodasakid?

Easy–bangersandmash!

Foodheavenandfoodhell?

HeavenisBuffalochickenwings.Hellis aubergine.

What’sthemostunusualthingyou’veeaten?

I’veeatensomeprettyunusualthings,buta chickenfootwithnailsstillattachedhastobethe worst.

Ifyouweren’tachef,whatwouldyoube?

Ilovesports,soI’dliketothinksomethingtodo withfootball,golf,darts,fishing,maybe.Ialsohave anaddictiveobsessionwithcars–soagain, anythingcarrelated. ■

UpstairsbyTomShepherd,25BoreStreet,LichfieldCity, WS136NA.Tel:01543268877www.upstairs.restaurant

WONDERFULWATERCRESS

Watercressisbackinseason–andwe’recelebratingwiththisdeliciousrecipe

SpringheraldsthestartofBritishwatercressseason.Growninflowingspring waterthepepperyplantclingstothebed’sgravelbase,absorbingmineralsand vitamins.Packedwithmorethan50mineralsandvitaminsandsuper-richin iron,watercressboastsgreathealthbenefitsandevenhasitsownspecialcelebration–theAlresfordWatercressFestivalwhichthisyearmarksits20thanniversaryon19May. TheWatercressCompany,theUK’sbiggestgrowerofwatercress,hasdevelopedsome deliciousnewsaladrecipesperfectforbrightspringdaysstretchingintosummer–includingthistastylittlenumber.Sogoon,giveitawhirl…

HOTHONEYSALMONANDWATERCRESSSALAD

Serves2 Preptime:15minsCooktime:20mins

Ingredients

■ 80gwatercress ■ 2salmonfillets

■ 1lemon,quartered ■ 1avocado,sliced

FortheHotHoney:

■ 50mlhoney ■ 2garliccloves,halved

■ 1to2tspchilliflakes

Forthequickpickledredonions:

■ ½redonion,thinlysliced

■ 2tbspvinegar–whitewineorapplecider

■ ½tspsalt ■ 1tspsugar

METHOD:

Forthehothoney–warmthehoneygentlyinasmallpan.Add thegarlicandchilliflakesandallowtoinfuse.Oncefragrant andspicy,removefromtheheat.Fortheredonions–inabowl orjarwithalid,addtheslicedonion.Pouroverthevinegar beforesprinklinginthesaltandsugar.Giveitamix,orshake, tocombineandletitsitwhileyouprepareeverythingelse. Brushonesideofthesalmonwiththehothoney.Layitcoated sidedowninahotpanandcookfor5to6minutes.Brushthe topsidewithalittlemoreofthehoney,flipandrepeat. Toassemblethesalad–splitthewatercressbetweentwo plates.Add½theavocadotoeachplate.Topwiththesalmon filletsandaspoonfuloftheredonion.Drizzleeverythingwitha littlemoreofthehothoney.Servewiththelemons,squeezing freshlemonjuiceovereverything.

Forotherinspiringwatercressrecipes, visitwww.watercress.co.ukor https://www.facebook.com/LoveWatercress/or https://www.instagram.com/lovewatercress/

SHORTS NI BBLESand

BIRMINGHAM’SBARS,RESTAURANTSANDHOTELSAREBUZZINGWITHEXCITING,NEWVIBES. HERE’SOURINSIDERGUIDETOTHELATESTNEWSFROMTHECITY’SEATERIESANDDRINKINGDENS

FESTIVAL OFFOOD

ColmoreFoodFestivalwillreturntoitsoriginalhomeinVictoriaSquarelaterintheyear.Theaward-winningeventorganisedby ColmoreBIDwillwelcomemorethan30,000visitorsfromFriday13toSaturday14September.Stallswillbemadeupoflocal restaurants,coffeeshops,barsandhotelsofferinganaffordableselectionofmeat,vegetarianandveganoptions,aswellasa selectionofwines,beers,cocktailsandsoftdrinks.Thefestivalwillalsofeaturelivemusicfromlocalartists.

POPEYESREADYTODELIVER

FastfoodchainPopeyesUKistoopenitsfirstdeliverykitchenoutsideofLondonat Birmingham’sStGeorge’sStreet.Itwillbethebrand’sfourthopeningin2024andthechain’s 39thlocationsincearrivingintheUKinNovember2021.BringingatasteofNewOrleans, PopeyeswillbeavailablefordeliverythroughoutBirminghamcitycentrewithamenuthat includesitsfamousshattercrunchandsignature12-hourmarinatedchicken.

KIRSTIECHECKSIN

SwitchHospitalityManagement hasappointedKirstieOrtonas managerofitsflagshiphotel,Park RegisBirmingham.Kirstiejoined ParkRegisBirminghamashead housekeeperin2020.She previouslyheldpositionsat leadinghotelbrandsintheUK, includingfiveyearsasexecutive housekeeperatMarriott International,Birmingham.Most recently,Kirstiewasgroup operationsmanageratSwitch Hospitalityoverseeingoperations acrosssitesintheportfolio.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY

RestaurantchainSabaiSabaicelebratedits 20thanniversary,markingtwodecadesofserving authenticThaicuisineintheMidlands.Husbandand wifeteam,JureeandTorquilChidwick,nowhavefive restaurantstotheirname–inMoseley,Harborne, Stratford-upon-Avon,Birminghamcitycentreand Solihull.SinceopeningitsdoorsinMoseleyin 2004,SabaiSabai–whichmeans ‘chillandrelax’–hasbeencollected araftofindustryawards.

1000TRADES ONTHEPARK

RUMFESTIVALDATE

BirminghamRumFestivalisreturningtothe CubanEmbassy,Moseleythissummer.The event,nowinitsseventhyear,willcelebrate thefinestrumsfromaroundtheworldwhen ittakesplaceonSaturday29June.The festivalwillfeatureanexpanded line-upofrenownedrumbrands,crafted cocktailsandliveentertainment.Caribbeaninspiredstreetfoodwillbeavailable,while thewelcomedrinkwillbecourtesyof BurningBarn.

SMOKIN’OPENING

Thingsarereallysmokin’forfoodiesinSolihullafterthe openingofarestaurantwhichpayshomagetothespirit onNewOrleans.OrleansSmokehouseinStratfordRoad offersbig,boldBBQflavours,smokedbythe restaurant’spitmastersincludingribs,overnightpulled porkand10-hoursmokedbrisket.Therestauranttraces itsrootsbacktothemuch-lovedOldOrleansbrand whichfirstopeneditsdoorsin1985.

JustoverayearsinceJonathan’sInTheParktearoomannounceditwouldbeleaving LightwoodsHouse,areplacementhasbeenannouncedfortheBearwoodvenue.1000Trades, theJewelleryQuarterspotknownforitscosyatmosphere,greatbeersandvisitingfood vendors,hasrevealedthatitwillbelaunching1000TradesonthePark,whichitsayswillbe as‘interestingandquirky’asitsexistingbar.What’smore,TVMasterChef2021winnerDan Leeistheexecutiveheadchefofthenewlocation.

THE VENETIAN

AperfectcombinationoftwoItalian spiritsthatevokesthestreetsofVenice

Thischeekynumbercomesfromthemixologistsatthe VerveLounge,anewcocktailbaronMailboxcanal thatopenedlastmonthinthehomeoftheoldBobby Brown’snightclub.TheVenetiantakestheSpritztoawhole newlevelbycombiningtwokeyItalianspiritsandshowcasing howtheycansingasongthatwillfillthestreetsofVenice.But asalways,pleaseenjoyresponsibly. ■

INGREDIENTS:

■ 25mlAmaroMontenegro

■ 10mlLemonjuice

■ 50mlProsecco

METHOD:

■ 15mlItalicus

■ 10mlEarlGreyTeasyrup

MixtogethertheAmaroMontenegro,Italicus,lemonjuiceandEarlGrey teasyrupintoamixingcupwithice.Stirtodilutionandstrainintoan ice-filledwineglass.TopwithProseccoandgarnishwithorangepeel.

VerveLounge,52GasStreet,Birmingham,B12JT.

Tel:01216439888,vervelounge.co.uk

THEPLOUGH

21HighStreet,Harborne,Birmingham,B179NT.Tel:01214273678theploughharborne.co.uk

Havingadecentlocalboozerisnottobe underestimated.We’renotexaggerating whenwesayitcanimprovethequalityof yourlifeandpotentiallybumpupthepriceofyour house.Ifyou’reluckyenoughtohaveagemlikeThe Ploughonyourdoorstep,you’rewinning.

Wepoppedinforlunchandfoundmuchmorethan pubgrubandapint.Withamixedcrowdincludingsolo dinersworkingonlaptops,yummymummieswith bairnsinbuggiesandgroupsofmatestuckingin,itwasa livelyaffairdespitebeinganaverageWednesday.

ECLECTICMIX

Themenu’sequallymixed.Classicpubdisheslike burgers,pizza,sandwichesandfishandchipsfeature alongsidepokebowls,sweetpotatoquinoawithharissa flatbreadandwildmushroomtagliatellewithtruffle.It readslikeanidentitycrisis,butwereckonthemenuis justreflectiveofthelocalcrowd.Wethoughtwe’d samplethetraditionalandthemoreinventivedishesso

weorderedapizzaandapokebowl.

Thechickenteriyakiversionofthepokebowlwasa triumphwithsweetchunksofmango,creamy avocado,crunchyradish,sushirice,succulentteriyaki chickenalongwiththeusualedamameandseaweed. Itwasazingycolourfulbowlfullofgoodnesspacked withflavourandtexture.

ALLABOUTTHEBASE

Thenforafierychilliandndujaporkpizza.Fresh redchilliandpunchyndujaporkpunctuatedthe oozingcheesewhilethecharredblisteredcrustwas perfection.Wehighlyrecommenddunkingthecrust intotheJapanesemayothatcamewiththepokebowl.

Therearetwo-for-onedealsoncertaindishesona Monday,TuesdayandWednesdaywhichputtheprice oflunchonaparwithasubstandardcoffeeshopchain andweknowwherewe’dratherbe.Supportlocaland allthatjazznotoutofcharitybutbecauseit’s bloominggood. ■

BIRMINGHAMHOSPICE’S HIGHLYANTICIPATEDCYCLE SPORTIVEISBACKAND BIGGERTHANEVER!

BirminghamHospiceistheprimary providerofadulthospicecareinthecity anditssurroundingareas.Thecharity caresforaround1,000patientson averageeverydayacrossitsservices, includingitsInpatientUnits,LivingWell Centres,outinthecommunityandin patient’sownhomes.For2024’sRidethe Reservoir,BirminghamHospice’sEvents Teamwillbebringingbackthree much-lovedroutes,25km,75kmand 100km,aswellasintroducingabrand new100-mileroute!So,whetheryou’re newtocycling,aseasonedproor somewhereinbetween–there’s somethingforeveryone.InMarch2023, BirminghamStMary’sHospiceandJohn TaylorHospicerebrandedasBirmingham Hospice.Thecharity’snewnameand uniqueidentitycelebratesaspecial 157-yearheritageofcareacrossourcity, whilesupportingittogrowandreach evenmorepeoplewhoneeditssupport.

To ndoutmore,pleasevisit:birminghamhospice.org.uk/ride-the-reservoir

It’stakendecadesforGermanwinestobanishthestigmaof‘theBlue Nunera’ofthe80’s,buttoday’sofferingsaresomeofthebestonthe market,saysKatieGardnerofBirminghamWineSchool

RISING!

Germany,acountryrenownedforits precisionengineeringandrichcultural heritage,hasquietlybeencraftingwines thatareatestamenttothecountry’scommitmentto quality.Overtheyears,Germanwineshavefaced challengesingainingpopularityandovercomingthe stigmaattachedtothem,especiallystemmingfrom thenotoriousBlueNunerainthe1980’s.

However,recentadvancementsintheGerman wineindustry,coupledwitharenewedfocuson quality,haveusheredinaneweraofappreciationfor thesewines.Askanypersoninthewinetradetheir favouritegrape,andmoreoftenthannottheywill replywithRiesling!

The80’swasachallengingperiodforGerman wines,withtheemergenceofBlueNunasasymbol ofmediocrity.BlueNun,aLiebfraumilchwine producedinmassivequantities,wasoftenperceived asoverlysweetandlackingincomplexity.Itssuccess contributedtoageneralisationofGermanwinesas

low-quality,sweet,andunsophisticated.This reputation,howeverunfairtothediverseandcomplex landscapeofGermanwinemaking,haslingeredfor years,withmanywineloverswritingitoffaspoorlymade,sweetplonk.

NEWENERGY

Inrecentyears,theGermanwineindustryhas undergonearemarkabletransformation,focusing onqualityoverquantity.Winemakershave embracedsustainableandorganicpractices, enhancingtheterroir-drivencharacteristicsoftheir wines.Technologicaladvancements,suchas precisionviticultureandmodernwinemaking techniques,haveplayedacrucialroleinelevating theoverallqualityofGermanwines.Thereisa youngergenerationofwinemakersexperimenting withinnovativestylesandbreakingawayfrom traditionalnorms,injectingnewenergyand creativityintotheindustry.

Keygrapestolookoutfor…

UndoubtedlythestarofGermanwines,Riesling iscelebratedforitsversatilityandabilitytoexpress theterroirinwhichit’sgrown.Rangingfrombonedrytolusciouslysweet,Rieslingwinescaptivatewith theirvibrantfreshness,floralaromas,andflavoursof citrusandstonefruits.

Germany’sPinotNoir,knownlocallyas Spätburgunder,hasgainedinternationalacclaim foritseleganceandfinesse.WithaBurgundian influence,GermanPinotNoirsoftenexhibit redfruitflavours,silkytanninsandadistinct mineralcharacter.

Grauburgunder,otherwiseknownasPinot Gris,isastyleoftengrownovertheborderinAlsace inFrance.Thegrapehasaslightpinktingetothe skinandcanoftenbeslightlytintedincolourand offersalovelyweightandrichnesstobalanceits fruityfreshness.

Inrecentyears,Germanyhasundergone significantreformsinitswinelawswhichwere previouslybasedonsugarlevels,thesweetestwine beingthemosthighly-regarded.Inresponseto consumerdemand,theyhavenowintroducedthe DryQualitätsweindesignation.Thislabelling termensuresthatconsumerscaneasilyidentify wineswithminimalresidualsugar,addressingthe demandforthesleek,crispprofilethatdry Rieslingsexemplify.

DRIVINGFORCE

AdrivingforcebehindtherenaissanceofGerman winesistheVerbandDeutscherPrädikatsweingüter (VDP),anassociationoftop-qualitywineestates committedtothehigheststandardsofviticulture andwinemaking.TheVDPhasplayedapivotalrole inreshapingtheimageofGermanwinesglobally. Theyhaveintroducedtheirownclassification systemthatemphasisesterroirandqualityvery similartothatofBurgundy.Theycategorise vineyardsintofourtiersfromlowesttohighest: Gutswein,Ortswein,ErsteLage(PremierCru),and GrosseLage(GrandCru).

TheVDPmembersarecommittedtosustainable andorganicviticulturewhichishelpingtoredefine theperceptionofGermanwines.Lookoutforthe

KATIE’S4MODERNGERMANWINESTOTRY

■ DrLoosenExtraDrySektNV–£18.99fromWaitrose

Adelightfulsparklingwinemadefrom100percentRiesling.Confusingly the“extradry”inthenameactuallymeansithasaslightbitofsweetness, whichbalancesthefreshandfruityflavours.Anexcellentaperitif, somewherebetweentheFrenchandKiwistyles.

■ TescoFinestSteepSlopesMoselRiesling–£7.25fromTesco

Anabsolutebargain.Asthenamesuggests,thegrapesaresourcedfromthe steepslopesoftheMoselValley.Zestylimeandstonefruitcharacteristicsand mostimportantlyDRY!

■ WeingutFreidrichBeckerKalkmergelGrauburgunder, Pfalz–£16mixsixfromMajestic

AdryPinotGrisfromamasterproducerofthevariety.Theslightlywarmer climateofPfalzallowsforexcellentripeningofthisrichandjuicywhite wine.Veryfood-friendly.

■ TasteTheDifferenceRheinhessenPinotNoir–£8.75fromSainsburys

Anothergreatvaluewineperfectforspring.Lightandfruitywithfresh raspberryandstrawberrynotes.Chillitdownanddrinkonitsownor enjoywithsomeroastduckorpâté.

veryGermanicsymbolofaneagleholdingsixgrapes toidentifyaVDPwine.

WhileGermanyhaslongbeencelebratedforits stillwines,there’sasparklingsecretbubblingup fromitsvineyards–Sekt.TheGermansarethe biggestconsumersofsparklingwineintheworld andyettheirfizzhaslongbeenovershadowedbythe fameofChampagneandubiquityofProsecco.

Sektiscraftedfromavarietyofgrapes, showcasingthediversityofGermany’swineregions. Producerstendtousetraditionalvarietieslike RieslingandPinotNoirintheblend,mostlymade usingthetankmethodlikeProsecco,toemphasise thefruitycharacteristicsofthebasewine.

NexttimeyouseeabottleofGermanwineonthe shelf,giveitatry!Itcouldsurpriseyou… ■

BirminghamWineSchoolisanindependentwineeducation companythatoffersfuninformalwinetastingeventsand Wine&SpiritEducationTrust(WSET)coursesonline,in BirminghamandWarwick.Formoreinformationcontact KatieGardneron01212707359,orvisit www.birminghamwineschool.com

TIMETODIVEIN

Widelyregardedasoneofthemost enjoyableformsofexercise,swimmingis alsoafantastic,funwaytohelpimprove yourheartrateandbloodflowandmaintaina healthyweight.Butthehealthbenefitsdon’tjustend there.Here’sjustafewreasonswhyyoushould spendlargepartsofthissummersubmerged.

IncreasedMuscleToneandStrength

Aswaterismuchdenserthanair,swimmingisa farmoreeffectivewayoftoningyourmusclesthan anyotherformofcardiovascularexercise.Whenyou swimyougetthecardiopartofyourwork-outwhile alsoworkingonanevenbodytone.Waterprovidesa certainamountofextraresistance,whichhasa similareffectasusingalightweightonaresistance machineatthegym.

Healthyheart

Inadditiontohelpingtoneuppecs,tricepsand quads,swimmingalsoimprovesthemostimportant muscleinourbodies–theheart.Asanaerobic exerciseitservestostrengthentheheart,notonly helpingittobecomelargerbutmakingitmore efficientinpumping,whichleadstobetterblood flowthroughoutyourbody.Thiscanhelpreduce theriskofcoronaryheartdiseasebyasmuchas 40percent.

Reducedbloodpressureandcholesterol levels

Studieshaveshownthatswimmingfor30minutes atleastthreetimesaweekcansignificantlylower yourbloodpressure.Onestudyfoundthatresting heartratewasconsiderablyloweredafteronly10 weeksofregularswimming.Plus,swimmingfor half-an-hourorlongerhelpsreducethelevelsofbad cholesterol(LDL)inyourbloodwhileraisingthe levelsofHDL–goodcholesterol.

Lowerbloodsugarlevels

Swimmingforatleasthalf-an-hourthreetofour timesaweek,combinedwitheatingabalancedlowglycaemicindex(GI)diet,hasbeenshowntocontrol bloodsugarlevels,accordingtotheAmateur SwimmingAssociation,theEnglishnational governingbodyforswimming.

Low-impact

Whensubmergedinwater,thehumanbody automaticallybecomeslighterandbecausearound 90percentofyourbody’sweightisbuoyantwhen youswimthereislessstrainplacedonbones,joints andmuscles.Thismakesitafantasticexercisefor peoplewithinjuries,whomaybeoverweightor sufferfromarthritis.

Flexibility

Unlikeexercisemachinesinagymthattendto isolateonebodypartatatime,swimmingallowsyou tousealotofmusclesatthesametime.Thearms moveinwidearcs,thehipsareengagedasthelegs scissorthroughthewater,andtheheadandspine twistfromsidetoside.

Helpsmanageweight

Swimmingbreaststrokefor30minuteswillburn approximately400Kcal,dependingonyourweight andspeed.Thatbeatswalking,cyclingandeven runningat6mph,whichburns300Kcal.

Improvedsleep

Peoplewhotakevigorousexercise,suchas swimming,arealmosttwiceaslikelyasnonexerciserstohaveagoodnight’ssleep.Theyarealso theleastlikelytoreportsleepproblems,likewaking uptooearlyorhavingdifficultyfallingasleep.This meansyou’llbemorelikelytoconcentratebetter, lookmoreattractiveandlivelonger ■

LOVEYOURHEART

It’sasoberingfactthatheartdiseaseistheNo1 threattowomenintheUK.BritishHeart Foundationresearchsuggestthatwomenare twiceaslikelytodieofcoronaryheartdisease,the maincauseofheartattack,asbreastcancer.

Infact,therearearound3.65millionwomenliving withaheartorcirculatorydiseaseintheUKandone in14womendiefromcoronaryheartdisease.Your heartissomethingthatyoucanhelp,orhinder,every dayofyourlife–sofollowthesetop10tipstokeep thingstickingovernicely.

Spotthesigns: Chestpaincanbeasignofaheart attack.Butheartattacksinwomencanalsobe accompaniedbysymptomsthatcanbeconfusedwith otherailments.Shortnessofbreath,nauseaoractual vomiting,backorjawpainandunexplainedfatiguecan alsobedangersigns.Ifyou’reinanydoubt,don’thesitate toseekhelpfromyourGPjusttobeonthesafeside.

Packitin: Therearezillionsofreasonswhy smokersshouldkickthehabit.Ithelpshealthinso manywaysandloweringtheriskofheartdiseaseis rightupthere.Ifyou’vetriedtoquitandcan’t,get somehelp–GoogletheNHSQuitLine.

Getyourselfchecked: TheBritishHeart Foundationsaysthatanyoneovertheageof40 shouldbehavingregularcardiovascularcheck-ups withtheirdoctor.Thisexaminesriskfactors includingcholesterol,bloodpressureanddiabetes. Familyhistoryisanothergoodreasonforacheck, especiallyifyourmumhadaheartattackbeforethe ageof60,orifyourdadhadonebeforetheageof45.

Confrontyourfront: Themorefatyoustore aroundyourmiddle(asopposedtoyourhips,thighs orbottom),thehigheryourriskofheartdisease.But ontheplusside,thismoredangerousfatisalsothe easiesttoshift.

Cutouttransfats: Unlike‘good’fatsfoundin foodssuchasoliveoil,flaxseedoilandwalnuts,trans fatsarechemicallyalteredvegetableoilsandshould

beavoided.Theyareverycommon,turningupin everythingfromreadymealsandbiscuitstocrisps andsweets.

Getgoing: Aftermenopause,womenhavehigher concentrationsoftotalcholesterol.Tocompensate, womenneedtomaketheirlifemoreaerobic.Aerobic exercisehelpsboostyour‘good’cholesteroland lowersthebloodfats(knownastriglycerides). Exercisealsohelpsreducebloodpressure,keepsyour weightdownandmakesyoufeelgood.

Saltitout: Justapinchofsaltcanraiseyourblood pressureandyoushouldn’tconsumemorethansix gramsaday–that’saboutateaspoon’sworth.So, starttakinganinterestinthelabelsoffoodsyoubuy, andathomegoeasyonhowmuchyouuse.(Agood startisnottosaltsomethingyouhaven’ttasted.)Your bloodpressureshouldbe120/80mmHgorbelow,and bearinmindthatovertheageof55therearemore womenwithhighbloodpressurethanmen.

Somethingfishy: Trytoputfishonthemenuat leasttwiceaweek.Itcanloweryourbloodfatsand helpboostyourlevelsofHDL,or‘good’cholesterol. Inparticulargoformackerel,salmonorsardines whicharehighinOmega-3fattyacids.Theseare protectivefatsthataregoodforyourheart.

Cutdownonalcohol: Thereissomeevidence thatanoccasionalglassofredwinecanbebeneficial, butonthewholealcoholandgoodhealthdon’ttend tomix.Aswellasriskingotherproblems,women whodrinkmorethanaglassofwineadaymayfind theirbloodfats(triglycerides)startingtorise.

Reducetheriskofdiabetes: Awomanwith diabeteshasanincreasedrisk–byafactorupto seven–ofheartdiseaseorheartattack.Howdoyou knowifyou’reatriskofdiabetes?Oneindicatoristo measureyourgirth(thecircumferenceofyour abdomen,runningatapemeasureacrossyourbelly button).Ifit’sabove35inchesyourriskofdiabetes, andthereforeheartdisease,isgreater. ■

WE’RE DONE

MAXI,MIDI,MINI–WHATEVERYOURSTYLE,THE FROCKPROVIDESTHEEASIESTANDMOSTVERSATILE WAYTOROCKYOURWAYTHROUGHSPRING

THELONG ANDSHORT

Giannaembroideredpoplinshort dress£160andBonniefloralshort sleevemididress£75,Monsoon

COLLAR CREW

Siennareddress £89,CrewClothing

ATTENTION TODETAIL

RixoJuliettepolka dotmididress £285,Selfridges

BOHO VIBE

Goldandgreen metallicmini dress£95, OliverBonas

THENEW BAMBOO

Palmdress£65, JohnLewis

OHOT SPOT

PRINTS CHARMING

Dianevon FurstenbergCory printedmaxi dress£400, HarveyNichols

Khakigreenspotprinttieredhem midishirtdress£79,Sosandar

neofthejoysofthistimeoftheyearistheeaseof slippingintoadressandlooking‘done’withverylittle effort.We’realmostinbarelegterritorysoyou’re lookingatonesimplegarmentthatachievesawholeheapofstyle. Itgenuinelycouldnotbesimplerandifyourdresshaspocketsas wellaslookingbrilliant,you’vehitthesartorialsweetspot.

STYLEEVOLUTION

MAXIMUM IMPACT

AllSaintsAnna crewneckline shortsleeve cottonmaxi£99, Selfridges

GRAPHIC PRINT

AlemaisAtticus graphicprintlinen mididress£495, Selfridges

Theonlydecisiontomakeiswhichshapeandlengthmakes youfeelfabulous.Isitapreppyteadress,aswishymaxi,abottom skimmingmini?We’vetrawledtherailsandpickedoutahandful ofwinners,butasalways,tryonlotsofexamplesandperhaps samplesomestylesthatareoutsideyourcomfortzone–you mightbesurprised.Letyourstyleevolveandplayaroundwith newshapes,coloursandprints.

FLOATYORFLIPPY?

OliverBonashasanincrediblecollectionofboldcolourand strikingprintsinbothlongfloatydressesandshortflippyfrocks.

BRILLIANT BLOOMS

Cloudybloommididress

£80,OliverBonas

TERRIFIC TAPESTRY

FarmRioSeashell

tapestryfloralprint

cottonminidress

£225,HarveyNichols

SUPER SHAPE

Midaxishirtdress

£28,TUClothing

Thepricepointisreasonableforsuchstyle andquality.Atthehigherendyoucannot beatthebeautifulcutofaRixodress–ideal fortheRoyalenclosureatAscotbutequally successfuldresseddownwithapairofVejas forarelaxedlunchdate.Dianevon

Furstenbergneedsnointroductionandthis seasonweloveherCorymaxi(pictured) whichoozeseasychicconfidentstyle.

FREETHEDRESS

Don’tfallintothetrapofsavingyour dressesforbest.It’sanutterwasteoftime andmoney.Dressdownwithflatsanda cardifordaysoff,elevatetobusinessmeeting withablazerorteamwithkillerheelsand statementjewelleryfortheultimateglam. ■

TOP TRANSITION

Brushmark printmesh mididress£75, OliverBonas

ANIMAL MAGIC

Megaleopard dress£115, Scamp&Dude

SOLID COLOUR

Bluemidishirt dress£80, OliverBonas

CHIC CHAMBRAY

VeronicaBeardRuben chambraymididress £370,HarveyNichols

DayBirgeretMikkelsen Benedictstripedcotton blendmididress£220, HarveyNichols

BEAUTYUPDATE

THISMONTHWE’REGOINGFORLUMINOUSSKIN,BRIGHTEYES ANDGLOSSYLIPS.HEREARESOMEOFOURTOPPICKSFROM THISSEASON’SNEWLAUNCHESASWELLASATRUSTYOLD FAVOURITEFORGOODMEASURE

1.HOURGLASSPHANTOMVOLUMISINGGLOSSY BALM£36,HARVEYNICHOLS

WehavenevertriedanHourglassproductthatwehaven’t boughtagainandthat’squitethecompliment.Thisisno different.Itshineslikeagloss,nourisheslikeabalmandlastslike alipstick–amagictrio.Aswellasthatithasaslightplumping effectforfullerlips.

2.CLARINSTINTEDOLEO-SERUM£39,CLARINS

NewproductscomeoutoftheClarinscampatastaggeringrate. Wepredictthisplantenrichednourishingserumwillreachicon status.Withalightserumtextureandasubtlebuildabletint,it’s adoddletoapply.Youcanbuilditupifyou’dlikemorecoverage, butwelikethebarely-therefreshfinish.Thebranddescribesthe resultas‘it’syourskin,butonareallygoodday’andthatsumsit upbeautifully.

3.KATHERINEDANIELSBRIGHTEYEINSTANT EFFECTEYEMASKS£75(PACKOFFOUR), KATHERINEDANIELS

Thesesalonstrengtheyemasksarehydratinganddepuffing thankstoconcentratedseakelpandmineralcomplexaswellas hyaluronicacid.Wefoundaboostinluminositythatwehaven’t experiencedwithothermasks.Twiceaweekistherecommended usagetoachievesustainedvisibleeffectiveness.It’sfast becomingoneofourgo-tobrands.

4.SWEEDLASHESCLOUDMASCARAANDEYELASH GROWTHSERUMSET£60,HARVEYNICHOLS

We’vetriedalotoflashserumsandwe’renotsurethey’ve madeadifference,butthesciencebehindSweed’sversionis promisingandworthatry.It’spackedwithnourishing ingredientsincludingpumpkinseedextract,biotin,keratinand panthenoltocondition.Theserumencouragesthegrowth phaseresultinginlonger,thickerlashes.Popitonyourbrows too.Themascaraisvolumisingbutalsoseparatesthelashes brilliantly,creatingafan-likeeffect.

2

3

1

4

FLOWERPOWER

Floralprintshirt£24,George

GLOWUP

MOREOFASTATEMENTTHANTHEHUMBLE TEE,ASHORT-SLEEVEDSHIRTISTHE GO-TOFORWARMWEATHERCOOL

BLACKANDWHITE Patternedshirt KIN£45,JohnLewis

STATEMENTBUTTONS Belmontshirt£79.95,Barbour

BOLDANDBEAUTIFUL JacquemusLaChemise Jeanshirt£370,Harvey Nichols

OCROCHETCOOL Crochetshirt£49, JohnLewis

LEAFPRINT Shirt£16,TU

WHITESTRIPES Shirt£45, JohnLewis

ncetheill-fittingdomainoftheoff-dutymiddleagedman,theshort-sleevedshirthashadaglow up.AbigfeatureoftheSS24catwalks,versions rangefromsubtlemotifstoboldprintsandcoloursthatpack apunch.

Bothhavetheirplace–asalwaysgoforsomethingthat reflectsyourstyle.Ifthat’sasubtlestripeatKINoraplain stoneversionatBarbour(pictured)goforit.Butifyoufancy makingastatement,you’reinluckbecausethereisa staggeringchoice.It’sadifficultlooktogetwrongalthough beawarethefitreallymatters.

INTHENAVY Buglelinen shirt£44, FatFace

Toobaggyandyourisklookinglikeyou’reontheocheat AllyPallyandtoosnugwillkillanykindofstylepoints. We’vepulledtogethersomeexamplesatvaryingpricepoints togiveyouaflavourofthisseason’sbest. ■

COTTONBLEND PaulSmith embroideredshirt£165, HarveyNichols

HOMESliving

HOMEHERO

THEDOMINATINGPIECEOFFURNITUREINYOURLOUNGE,THESOFA,NEEDSTOBE SPOTON.TOOLARGEANDIT’LLTAKEOVERTHEROOM,TOOSMALLANDYOURISK CREATINGODDPROPORTIONS.THEGOODNEWSISTHECHOICEISINCREDIBLE

DESIGNERSTYLE

TheBernesofadesignedbyHenrikPedersenfromBoConcept

Thebestwaytogiveyourloungeaninjectionofstyleistoupgradeyour sofa.It’squitetheinvestmentpieceandnotaregularpurchasesoitneeds somecarefulconsideration.Aswellasaesthetics,yoursofamustbe comfortable–justhowcomfortabledependsonhowyouusetheroom.

Ifyousnuggledownandwatchmoviesgoforadeepsquishysofa.Ifit’samore formalspace,youmightwantsomethingmoreupright.Intruth,unlessyou’vea formalentertainingspaceaswellasacosylivingroom,thesofaneedstodoboth.

Themulti-taskerisyourfriend.It’spossibletocreatesomethingalmostbespoke bychoosingmodularsectionalpiecesandpickingoutaconfigurationthatsuitsthe spaceandyourtaste.Theoptiontomovetheconfigurationaroundperiodicallyto changeupthespaceisamassiveplusformodularstyle.Themodernstyledoesn’t suiteveryone,butthereareplentyofotheroptionstoo.

DOWNWITHTHEDETAIL

Getthetapemeasureoutandworkouthowbigyoucango.Mapout measurementsofyourpreferredsofainmaskingtapeonthefloortocheckitworks.

ULTIMATESQUISH

BigSoftiestraightarmcornergroupfromSofas&Stuff

Ifspaceislimited,youmightfindacoupleofwide squishychairswillworkwiththespacemore successfullythanonebigsofa.Whileit’stemptingto positionlargesofasattheedgeoftheroom,itcan makearoomlooksmaller,soconsiderotheroptions.

Also,remembertomeasuredoorwaysandthe routetothesofa’sfinalrestingplace.Ifitwon’tfit throughthedoor,youneedarethink.

PRACTICALLYPERFECT

Onceyou’vedecidedonsize,shapeand configuration,considerfabricandpattern.Ifyou havetoddlersand/orpets,considerthefabric carefully.Optforstainresistantorlookatremovable

coversandconsideraboldpattern.Mostsofasare availableindifferentfabrics,sochooseashapeyou loveteamedwithapracticalfabricyoulove.There’s noneedtocompromise.

Checkonleadtimesifyou’reinahurry.Madeto measuresofascantakeupto12weeksandyou’re probablylookingattwoweeksforsomethingoutof theshowroom.Aswithbuyingabed,werecommend tryingthesofaintheflesh.Sitonit,viewthecolour innaturallightandfeelthefabric.

Whetheryou’regoingfortraditionalorsleek,boxy orcurvedwe’vepulledtogethersomeexcellent examplestogetyoustarted.Trynottobuyinahurry –takeyourtimeandbepicky. ■

PURPLEPATCH CornersofafromSofology

MINIMUMFUSS WarmNordicsofafromNest

HOMES

SNUGVIBES

SofaandfurniturefromOKA

EARNYOURSTRIPES

SofaandfurniturefromNeptune

TRADITIONALCHARM

Midhursttwo-seatersofafromtheV&ACollection, Sofas&Stuff

Mediterraneancushion £7.99,HomeBargains

GEODREAM

Blueandwhite

geometriccushion£14,

VAVAVELVET

Cottonvelvetcushion £10,Habitat

TOUCHES FINISHING

ADORNYOURSOFAWITHSOMESUPERSCATTER

CUSHIONSFORINSTANTWARMTHANDSTYLE

RICHTAPESTRY

Jacquardeffectcushion £12,Habitat

SCANDIVIBE

FermLivingMirage cushion£55,kin.

OVERTHE RAINBOW Stripecushion £6,B&M

GOGREEN

GracecushioninIsla £133,Neptune

MELLOWYELLOW Codcushion£45, BoConcept

OHFOROCHRE

Loopochrecushion £12,B&M

INDOOROUTDOOR

FromthePottingBench withAdam

THECOUNTDOWNISONTOONEOFTHEUK’SFAVOURITEGARDENINGAND FLOWERSHOWS,THERHSMALVERNSPRINGFESTIVAL,WHICHTHISYEARWILLBE AHOTBEDOFACTIVITYFORHOUSEPLANTS.ADAMKIRTLAND,WHOWILLBE SPEAKINGANDPODCASTINGATTHESHOW,PREVIEWSTHEBIGEVENT

Aspastreaderswillknow–I’maregular speakeratgardeningandflowershowsright acrosstheUKandaconstantfavouriteof mineisalwaystheRHSMalvernSpringFestivalat thestartofMay.Thisshowprovidesplantfanswith inspirationfortheirgreenspaces,nomatterwhether they’reoutdoor…orindoor.

Houseplantshavebeengrowingrapidlyin popularityinrecentyears,partlybroughtaboutbythe extendedperiodsoftimeweallhadathomeduring lockdown.AndnowtheRHSMalvernSpringFestival isbringinghouseplantstothemasses!

NewtothefestivalthisyearistheGreenRooms Market‘FestivalofHouseplants’,completewithits ownpurpose-builtbuilding.Youdon’tneedtohavea gardentobeagardenerwhenyoucandiveintothe worldofhouseplantsatthisyear’sfestival.Whether

you’reseekinginspiration,lookingtoexpandyour collection,orsimplywantingtoimmerseyourselfinthe beautyofindoorgardening,theFestivalofHouseplants isahighlightforallplantenthusiasts.Housedinthe newKildareHall,itincludesworkshopsandtalks hostedbyindustryexperts,botanicaldisplays,exhibits andlotsofshoppingopportunities.

ThenewfestivalisacollaborationwithGreen RoomsMarketwhichisheadedupbyhouseplant enthusiast,socialmediastar,authorandhouseplant rescuer,SarahGerrard-Jones.Alongwithahostof othernames,Sarahwillbeattheshowsharingher houseplantstoriesbutshe’salsokindlysharedher fivetophouseplanttipswithme–tosharewithyou thismonth.YoucanfindmorefromSarahon Instagramat@theplantrescuerandalsoinherbook ThePlantRescuer.

SARAH’S5TOPHOUSEPLANTTIPS

1. Themostimportantthingyoucandois giveyourplantenoughlight.Therightlight intensityisessentialforplantsto photosynthesise;thisishowtheycreate energytogrow.Houseplantsaremorethan decoration–they,likeus,havebasicneedsand requireenergytogrow,andiftheycan’tmake food,theywillstarve.Allplantsneedtobeclose toawindow.Iftheyaretoofarfromawindow, theywilllookunwellandeventuallydie.

2. Don’twaterwithoutcheckingthesoil formoisture.Wateringeveryplantinyour houseonceaweekisn’tagoodideabecause somemightnotneedit.Plantsusewaterat differentratesdependingonmanyvariables, suchashowmuchlighttheyreceive, temperature,soilandpottype(plasticorterracotta). Aplantpositionedfarawayfromawindowwill likelyneedlesswaterthanoneclosesttothewindow. Alwayscheckthattheplantneedswaterbefore pouringitin.Youcandothisbyliftingthepotand weighingitinyourhandsifit’ssmall.Ifthepotfeels light,itprobablyneedswater.Oruseyourfinger, pushitintothesoilandfeelifit’sdampordry.

3. Ensureyourpothasdrainageholessoexcesswater canescape.Ifyouhavethepotinsideadecorativecover pot,takeitoutwhenyouwaterit,letthewaterdrainout andthenputitbackintothecoverpotsothewater doesn’tcollectatthebottomandcausetherootstorot.

4. Checkyourplantsforpestsonceaweek.Afew bugsarefareasiertotacklethananinfestation.Thereare manywaystotackledifferentpests,frombiological controltostickytape.Ineverusepesticidesthatharm otherinsects,likebees,oranimals.

5. Buyplantssuitableforyourhome,expertise,and lifestyle.Ifyourhousedoesn’tgetmuchlight,don’t buyaplantthatrequiresbrightlight(orbewillingto

investingrowlights).Ifyouhavebusywork,social life,oroftentravel,buyonethatrequireslesswater thanatropicalplant,likeacactus.Lastly,don’trun beforeyoucanwalk.Ifyou’renewtohouseplants,go forsomethingeasytocarefor,likePothos (Epipremnumaureum),Snakeplant(Dracaena trifasciata)orZZplant(Zamioculcaszamiifolia). ■

TicketsareavailablenowfortheRHSMalvernSpringFestival (9to12May),featuringthenew‘FestivalofHouseplants’from www.rhsmalvern.co.uk

Thefestivalalsoincludesinspirationalshowgardens,sensational flowers,giantvegandplentyofideastotryathome.Adamwillbe atthisyear’sshow–speakingonSunday12Mayandhe’llalsobe thereonSaturday11MayintheFestivalofHouseplantsdoinglive podcasts.

CHECKINWITHADAM

FollowAdamonInstagram@viewfromthepottingbenchandlistentohis podcastTalesfromThePottingBenchformoregardeninginspiration. YoucanalsoreadAdam’sblogatviewfromthepottingbench.com

SarahGerrard-Jones

MOTORING

WELCOMETO THESKYLIFE

MAZDAHASLAUNCHEDANEWSKYACTIVENGINEFOR 2024PROMISINGBETTERPOWERANDFUELECONOMY.

SUECOOKETAKESITFORASPININTHELATESTMAZDA3

The2024Mazda3isafamilyhatchbackthat haswonpraiseforitsstylingandhasthe technologythatwhilesimpletouse,should notbeallottedtoAprilFool’sday.

Mostpeopleinthemarketforanewcarthisyear willhavecomeacrosswordslikemildhybridand plug-inhybridwhichallpromisefueleconomyand zeroCO2emissions.ButMazdahasgoneonestep furtherandislaunchinganewe-SkyactivXengine for2024whichnotonlydelivershighermaximum enginetorquebutalsoimprovedfueleconomy.Out driving,themileagerangeremainingonthedial behindthesteeringwheeljustkeptincreasing!

MyfirstencounterwithMazda’sSky-active technologywasin2019,whenitwaslaunchedinthe Mazda3hatchback.Ialwaysfindthepresentationsat aMazdalaunchabittechnical,whichformeislike tryingtounderstandtaxandawoollyclouddescends. However,afterapainfulinquisitionoftheUniversity ofBathprofessor,Ibegantounderstandwhythe ‘groundbreaking’Skyactivenginesaresofantastic.

FOURINTOTWO

The2024,2.0-litree-SkyactiveGengine,switches betweentwo-cylinderandfour-cylinderoperation, dependingondrivingconditions,shuttingdown cylindersoneandfourwhencruising.Whiledriving, thisisnotperceptible.Whatisnoticeablewhenyou payyourroadtaxisthelowCO2emissionsandthe rarevisitstotheforecourt.Thereisalsoinstant accelerationwhichprovedgoodforgettingonto roundaboutsquickly.

Thereare18differentmodelsintheMazda3range for2024,with15hatchbackandthreesaloons.The 2.0-litree-SkyactivGengineisthemostpopular. Thereisachoiceofautomaticandmanualgearbox. MyroadtestcarhadthelatterwhichIfoundquite strangetodrive,followingmonthsofdrivingelectric carswithautomatictransmission.Whiledriving manuallyIwasthinkingIcoulddowithareminderof whatgearIwasin.Thereonthedialinfrontofme wasthefigurewithguidanceonwhethertomoveup ordownthegearbox.

Newtotheinterior,isalargerscreenwhichhas grownfromeighttojustover10incheswhichgivesa greatviewaheadoftheroutesfornavigation.Other

FACTSATAGLANCE

Model: Mazda3Hatchback

Price: £28,290otr

Engine: 2.0-litree-SkyactivGPetrol122PSManual Performance: 0-62mphin10.4secondsandontoatopspeedof122mph CO2emissions:127-124g/kmWLTP

Combinedfuelconsumption: 50.4-51.4mpgWLTP

connectivityupgradesincludewirelessAppleCarPlay andAndroidAuto,plusQIwirelesscharging.Ifound thewindscreen-projected,colourhead-updisplay reallyuseful.Allcarsshouldhavethisfeature.

FIRSTCLASS

TheMazda3hashighgradematerialsandfirst classqualityinthecabin.Seatsarecomfortableand supportiveandcanbeheated.Theinteriorisquiet whiledriving,butonashorttripalongtheM54the tyrenoisewasveryloud.Forpracticality,thebootof thehatchbackdelivers358litres,includinguseful spaceunderthebootfloor.Foldtherearseatsdown andthishatchbackhasa1,026-litrecarryspace.

ThehandlingcapabilitiesoftheMazda3,quiet engineandinstantresponsetoeverycommandwerea breathoffreshairforsomeonelikemewhojustloves aproperdriver’scarwithamanualgearbox. ■

SHOWROOM

JohnsonsMazdaSolihull,HighlandsRoad,Solihull,B904NU. Tel:01217562341.www.johnsonscars.co.uk

ANTHONY MADU

AVIRALVIDEOTURNEDANTHONYMADU’SLIFEINTOADISNEYFILM.LITERALLY. NOWLIVINGINBIRMINGHAM,WECAUGHTUPWITHTHETALENTEDDANCERON THERELEASEOFMADU,THEFILMOFHISEXCEPTIONALJOURNEY

ThelastfewyearsofAnthonyMadu’slife readlikeafairytale.Itstartedwithavideo ofhimdancingintherainbarefootinLagos whichbecameaworldwidesensationthatledtoa scholarshipatElmhurstBalletSchool.

Anthonydidn’tthinkthevideowouldhavean impactandnevercontemplatedmillionsofpeopleall overtheworldwatchingit.Hesays:“Igenuinely didn’texpectanyresponseatall.Itdidn’treallyseem likemuchofabigdealatthetime.Myolddance schoolusedtopostavideooftheweekonInstagram, andthiswasoneofthose.”

Afewmonthsafterthevideoblewupin2020,one ofthedirectorsfromDisneyvisitedAnthony’sschool inNigeria.Anthonyrecalls:“Wehadachatandhe watchedmyballetclass,andthenaweeklaterthey startedfilming!Itfeltexciting,butalsoabitweird, becauseofhavingcamerasaroundmeallthetime. Butthelongeritwenton,themoreIgotusedtoit.”

CAMERACREW

ThecamerasfollowedAnthonyfor15months. TheyfilmedhimathomeinNigeriaforthefirstfew monthsthenatElmhurstwherethecrewwouldfilm foraweekatatime,followedbyatwo-weekbreak andbackagain.Itsoundsintense,butitwasafun timeforAnthony.

Hesays:“Theywereagreatteam,andjusthaving differentpeoplearoundmeallthetimelikethe cameraguyandthedirectorsandtheproducerswas fun.Eventhethingsthatwerequitedifficultwere goodbecausetheteammadeitfun.”

Anthonyhasseenthefilmthreetimes–hesawthe firsteditlastyearwhichhefounda‘bitcringe’ashe didn’tlikeseeinghimselfonscreen.Thesecondtime hewatcheditwithclosefriendswhonaturallykept askingquestionsthroughoutthefilm,butduringthe thirdviewinghereallytriedtofocusandtakeitallin.

Heremembers:“WhenIwatcheditthattime,I rememberedwhenwefilmedthescenes.There’sa sceneattheairportinNigeriaanditwasreallysad leavingmyparentsandmysiblingsandI rememberedhowIfeltandIactuallycriedwhenI watchedit.”Headds:“Filmingthatscenewasn’ta set-up.Iwasactuallyfilmedgoingtotheairport, sayinggoodbyetomyfamily.Thenoneofthetwo

directors,KachiBenson,gotontheplanewithme. Hehadalittlecameraandhewasfilmingdifferent partsofthejourneytoBirmingham.”

BRIGHTSIDE

EdgbastonisafarcryfromAnthony’slifein Nigeriabuthe’srelishingtheopportunity.He explains:“Thetransitionatthestartwasquitehard becauseofmissinghomeandthedifferentculture. ButIhadtoreallythinkofthebrightside–I’mata balletschool.It’sprettymuchwhatI’vealways wantedtodo.Ihadtojustgetonwithitandnot thinkaboutallthehardstuffandjustkeeppushing.”

Headds:“Ilovethewaydancemakesmefeelwhen I’mdoingit.Sometimesit’squitehard,butthen whenyou‘getit’,it’samazing.”

AnthonygoesbacktoNigeriaeachsummerand hisfamilyaresoexcitedtoseehim.Hesays:“I alwaysgetjumpedonandthey’realltherejust waitingtogivemeamassivehug.Toseethe excitementontheirfacesthatI’mback,it’sjust amazing.Itmakesmefeelreallyhappy.”

WheninEdgbaston,Anthonysayshedoesn’tlikea chaoticlife,sohechoosestohaveasmallcircleofclose friendswhoheenjoysgoingtoCannonHillParkwith orshoppinginSellyOakwhentheyhavedowntime. Heenjoystheschooltripstoo,suchastotheMalvern Hills,theBlackCountryLivingMuseumandof coursetripstoseeBirminghamRoyalBalletatthe Hippodrome–astagewemightbeluckyenoughto seehimperformoninafewyears.

Anthonysays:“IjustwanttobethebestIcanbe. Iwanttoperform.IthinkthatifIdogetintoaballet company,I’dliketoperforminTheNutcracker.I reallyenjoyeditwhenIwatchedBirminghamRoyal Balletdoit.”SinceAnthonyhasspentsomuchtime aroundafilmcrew,he’salsoopentotheideaof actingandifthathappens,he’dliketobean Avenger!Fornow,hisheroishismum,“I’veonly gotoneheroandthat’smymum.Ireallywanttosay thankyoutoherforhowshe’salwaysbeentherefor mesinceIstarteddancing.”

WHERETOWATCH

MADUisavailableonDisney+fromFriday29March

GROWINGPLACES

CRICKETTORUGBY

Warwickshireistakingprofessionalcricketintothe communityforthefirsttimeinnearlyadecadeafter agreeingtoplaythreematchesinRugbythissummer. TheMetroBankOneDayCupgamesagainstSurrey, YorkshireandNottinghamshirewillbeplayedatRugby SchoolinAugust.Warwickshireperformancedirector GavinLarsen–picturedleftwiththeschool’sdirector ofcricketMichaelPowell–saidthematcheswould provideacommunityfestivalofcricketduringthe schoolholidays.“Thisisanamazingopportunityto taketheBearsclosertosupportersinWarwickshireand I’msurethefansandlocalcommunitywillcreatean equallygreatatmosphere,”headded.

KIDSTREADLIGHTLY

Schoolchildrenfromaroundtheregionaretakingpart inanewroyalinitiativetocreateasustainablefuture. TREADLightlyencouragesyoungpeopletotrynew waystoreducetheirimpactontheenvironment–such asgoingpaper-freeforaweek,orgrowingvegetablesto cutdownonfoodmiles.Theinitiativehasbeen developedbyWestMidlandsLieutenancyEducation Group.CherryChan,14,fromLyndonSchool,Solihull whichistakingpart,said:“Wearealreadyrecyclingand doinglitterpicksinourarea,butarenowlookingat whatelsewecando.”

CELEBRATINGHEALTHYCHOICES

Childrenandteachersfrom11Birminghamprimaryschoolswerepresented withplaquesbyLordMayorofBirmingham,CllrCharmanLal,forgrowing vegetables,cookingtheirownfoodandexercisingmoreaspartoftheHealth forLifeprogramme.HealthforLifeencouragesnurseryandprimaryschools togrowfruitandvegetables,learnabouthealthyeating,improvecooking skillsandtakepartinarangeofphysicalactivities.ItisfundedbyMondelēz InternationalanddeliveredinpartnershipwithBirmingham-basedcharity ServicesForEducation,withthesupportoftheConservationVolunteers.

SCHOOL REPORT

COOKINGWITHPOPPY

Morethan3,000Birminghamschoolchildrenswappedtheirpensforpans foracookerylessonwithTVpresenter,author,chefandinternetsensation, PoppyO’Toole.Theself-titledPotatoQueenjoinedstudentsatPenns PrimarySchool,SuttonColdfieldforahands-oncookerydemo,while38 Birmingham-basedschoolsalsotookpartviaavideoguide.Poppy,who co-hostsBBC’sYoungMasterChef,designedaspecialrecipeofmarinated lemonandhoneychickenkebabs,homemadeflatbreads,saladandmint yoghurtdressingwhichthestudentscreatedduringthesession.

PLAYBARNOPENS

StudentsfromWolverhamptonwerethefirstchildrentotrialthenewHockerhill AdventurePlaybarn,whichisnowopentothepublic.ThevisitbypupilsatSSPeter andPaulCatholicPrimaryAcademywasarewardfortheircreativityandenthusiasm aftertheteamatHockerhillhostedacompetitionaskinglocalschoolstodesigntheir ownplaygroundinspiredbyaperiodofhistorythey’drecentlylearnedabout.

ENCOURAGING GREENFINGERS

WinterfoldSchoolunveileditsGreenFingers gardeningclubinitiativebyopeninganew state-of-the-artpolytunnel.Theeventwas attendedbyWinterfold’spupils,pastand present,staffandspecialguest,renowned horticulturistJohnMassey,whoperformed thetraditionalribbon-cuttingceremony. TheclubispartofWinterfold’scommitment toprovidingauniqueandholisticlearning experienceforstudentsthatencourages themtostepoutsidetheircomfortzone.

STAR STUDENT

MoretonHalliscelebrating thenewsthatlastyear’shead girlTarrynStanhopehaswon anOutstandingStudent awardintheBritishEducation Awards.Knownasthe ‘educationOscars’, theawardshonourthe achievementsofindividual studentsonanational platform.Tarryn,who achievedfiveA*gradesin herA-Levelslastsummer, wonherawardintheregion’s A-Levelachievement category.

ARENADEALEXTENDED

UtilitaEnergyandNECGrouphave agreedtoextendtheirmulti-year partnershipwhichincludesthe namingrightsforUtilitaArena Birmingham.Aspartofthesevenfiguredeal,theBirminghamcity centrevenuewillcarryUtilita’sname throughto2030–coveringhundreds ofbig-ticketentertainmentevents. ThearenahasrenameditsVIP loungeafterthesupplier’spartner charity,UtilitaGiving,whichsupports peopleinfoodandfuelpoverty.

ANALEADSGOLFDRIVE

NEWS BUSINESS

GolfprofessionalAnaDawsonhas joinedBelfryHotelandResortas brandambassadortosupport awarenessandparticipationofgirls, womenandfamiliesintothesport. Anawhorecentlyfinishedinthird placeattheDimensionDataPro-Am atFancourtinSouthAfrica,said: “I’mveryexcitedtobeassociated withtheBelfry.Theprestigeof workingwiththehostoftheBetfred BritishMastersandthehomeof internationallyacclaimedcourses suchastheBrabazonisincredible.”

THEO’SRUTHBOOST

MENTALHEALTHHELP

Aleadingpropertyconsultancy inBirminghamhasnamedoneof thecity’smostprominentmental healthorganisationsasitschosen charity–andkickedoffitsfundraisingeffortswithamonth-long ‘getactive’challenge.Fisher GermanbasedinColmoreRow, issupportingBirminghamMind overthenext12months.Becky Cooper,accountsreceivable managerattheconsultancy’scityoffice,said:“Withoneinfourpeople experiencingamentalhealthproblemeachyear,itisvitallyimportantemployers promotepositivehealthandwellbeingintheworkplace.”

AStirchley‐basedfirmhasreceiveda businessboostfromretail entrepreneurandformerDragon’s DeninvestorTheoPaphitis.Ruth Bagnall,ownerofAisforAlice Costumes,shareddetailswithTheo ofherhandmadechildren’scostume businessduringSmallBusiness Sunday–andwasoneofsixweekly winnerstogainarepostbyTheoto hishalf-a-millionsocialmedia followers.Theinitiativesetupby Theoin2010,nowhasmorethan 3,500#SBSwinnersandsupports smallbusinessesintheUK.

BALLETPOINTEAPPEAL

BirminghamRoyalBalletprincipaldancerCèline Gittens,pictured,joinedthelaunchofthe company’s2024PointeShoeAppeal.Theappeal aimstoraisefundstokeepdancersonpointe duringBRB’snationalandinternationaltours laterthisyear.Pointeshoesarefundamentaltoa dancer,helpingtoshowcasetheirstrength,grace andagility.Eachpairofshoescosts£50andBRB dancersuseupto4,000eachyear.

Planshavebeenapprovedforoneofthelargestglampingresortsinthe UK,oppositetheNECandResortsWorldArena.Thelakesidesitewill feature59pods,withthreedesignoptions,accommodatingatotalof236 guests.Thesitewillalsobenefitfromatailormadeappofferingkeyless entry,anidyllicover-watercommunalarea,woodlandandcomplimentary golfbuggytransportacrosstheresort.TheprojectispartoftheNEC Masterplantobringnewinitiativestothesite.

WORDTECHWINNER

BirminghamlanguagetechnologycompanyWord360iscelebratingahat-trick attheBirminghamChambersofCommerceAwards,winninginthe ContributiontotheCommunity,ExcellenceinCustomerServiceandGreater BirminghamBusinessoftheYearcategories.Thecompany’sco-founderKavita Parmar,pictured,said:“Ourjourneyhasalwaysbeenaboutmorethanjust business.It’saboutmakingadifferenceindisadvantagedcommunitiesandthe livesofthosearoundus.”TheawardswereheldattheICCBirmingham.

NECGOESGLAMPING TOURISMHUBOPENS

Birminghamisthenewhubfornational tourismagencyVisitBritain/VisitEngland.The hubisbasedinVictoriaSquareHouseinthe heartofthecity,closetoNewStreetstation, Bullring&GrandCentralshoppingcentre, BirminghamTownHallandBirmingham Museum&ArtGallery.VisitBritain/VisitEngland chosethecitybecauseoftheregion’sstrong internationalandUKtransportlinks, availabilityoflocaltalentandsuccessful transitionofothergovernmentdepartments andprivatesectorcompaniestothearea.

TheUK'slargestrecruitmentagencyissupportingstudentsfromlow-income familiesatAstonUniversitybyfundingundergraduatescholarships.Pertemps isprovidingscholarshipsfor10studentswithhouseholdincomesbelow £25,000.Thecompanyhaslongbeenasupporteroftheuniversity,having previouslydonatedtowardsAstonMedicalSchool,includingamedicalPhD, involvingitsstaffintheUniversity’sDegreeApprenticeshipprogrammeand supportingAstonUniversity’scareersandplacementsteam.

SMALLFIRMSACCELERATOR

GreaterBirminghamChambersofCommerce (GBCC)isjoiningforceswithAmazonintheUK foranexclusivebusinessacceleratorprogramme designedtohelpsmallfirmsinnovateandgrow. Acohortofupto25businesseswillbeselectedto takepartintheAmazonInnovationAccelerator,a freeprogrammewhichwillshowcasethelatest trendsandstrategiesoneverythingfromtech adoptiontoleadershipandmanagement–with best-in-classguidancefromacrossAmazon,Amazon WebServices(AWS)andtheGBCC.

BUSINESS BITES

EXPRESSSTORE

AnewAsdaExpressstorehaswelcomed customerstoCalthorpeEstatesaspartof amajorUKexpansionbythesupermarket chain.ThestoreinPershoreRoadisone of110AsdaExpressconveniencestores settoopenacrosstheUKthismonth.

NEW-BUILDHOTEL

BREWMOVES

INNOVATING: HenriettaBrealey,theChambersofCommerceCEO TheIndianBreweryisexpandinginanew premisesintheheartoftheJewelleryQuarterat StPaul'sSquare.Phase1ofthedevelopmentwill focusonmakingthebreweryoperational, ensuringthecontinualproductionofadiverse rangeofbeers,saidheadbrewerJayPurewal, pictured.InPhase2,thebrewerywillintroducea uniquetaproomexperiencefeaturinganextensive numberofbeertaps,gamesareaandtheatre kitchenwithlivesportsonthebigscreen.

SCREENINGFIRST

Apioneeringscreeningprogrammetoidentifyundiagnosedheartconditionsin theyoungisbeingrolledoutinSuttonColdfieldfollowingfundingfromthe localWyldeGreenRotaryClub.RunbyCardiacRiskintheYoung,theprojectis particularlypersonaltotheclub’spresidentPaulLanewhosesondiedsuddenly ofcardiacarrestagedonly26.Itishopedthescreeningday,hostedbySutton ColdfieldTownFCon21July,willbethefirstofmanyfortheareathanksto Rotarygrantsandfund-raisingcampaignsheadedupbyPaul.

HotelIndigoCoventryhasopenedits doorsafterthecompletionofamultimillion-pound,19-monthproject.The boutiquenew-buildhotelfeaturesCogs Restaurant&Barwhichcelebrates growersandproducersinWarwickshire andacrossBritain.

LIFE-SAVINGCASH

BarrattHomesWestMidlandsraised nearly£90,000forits2023charityofthe year,MidlandsAirAmbulance.The commitmentofemployeesatthe housebuilderbasedinHalesowenin helpingfund-raisinghasresultedinthe charityunveilingasponsoredhelicopter.

AIRPORTMILESTONE

AirlineeasyJetiscelebratingcarryingmorethanfive millionpassengerstoandfromBirminghamAirport. Tomarktheoccasion,easyJetsurprisedtwolucky travellersattheairport.RachelandThomasCaulton fromCheltenhamwhowereflyingtoGenevawere presentedwithapairofreturnflightstoanywhere oneasyJet’snetwork.Theairlinelaunched operationsatBirminghamairportin2007and17 yearslater,thelaunchofanewthree-aircraftbaseis enablingtheairlinetofurtherexpandits Birminghamnetworkwith16newroutes.

Leadingbusinessandcommunityfigures,mediaand influencerscametogetherforanexclusiveeventheld byModaLivingatSimpsonsrestauranttocelebrate thelaunchofitslatestdevelopmentModa,Loudon’sYard. Guestsenjoyedathree-coursetastingmenuastheylearned moreabouttheprojectfromtheModateam,‘Resident Number1’ofTheMercianwhichlaunchedlastyear,andlocal businessownerPaulCollinsofSmoke&Ash.Moda,Loudon’s YardisthefirstneighbourhoodoftheNewGardenSquare Masterplan,offering398homesforrentalongwithbespoke amenitiesandgreenspace. ■

1 ChristieLewis,PeterGuilder,GabbyRhodes,PaulCollins,LydiaEustace,DaveyWatts,EllisRead,NickBiring. 2 GalinaThomas,Gareth Thomas,JonathanCox,SammyBromwich. 3 JasSangha,AndrewRiley. 4 JessicaLazzari,NadineHannelore. 5 LucyKemp. 6 AlexTross. 7 MaiseVioletRees,EmilyCarey,RichardO’Gorman,IanRussell.

‘FULLIRISH’ISSERVED TOMARKSPECIALDAY

TastyStPatrick’sDaybreakfast helpsraisevitalfundsforNSPCC

HotelduVinplayedhosttoaspecialSt Patrick’sDaybreakfastorganisedbythe NSPCCWestMidlandsBusinessBoard.

GuestsenjoyedatalkfromWestMidlandsmayorAndy StreetbeforetuckingintoafullIrishbreakfastand helpingraisevitalfundsfortheNSPCC. ■

PhotographybyJasSansi

WHAT’SONliving

WHAT: EdPatrick

WHEN: 26April

WHERE: GleeClub, glee.co.uk/birmingham/ TheNHSanaesthetistand authorputsonahilarious showaboutbecomingajunior doctor,thepitfallsofmodern medicineandthepowerof questioningit.(16+)

WHAT: CirqueduSoleilOVO

WHEN: 25to28April

WHERE: UtilitaArena, utilitaarenabham.co.uk

BackintheUKforthefirsttimein sixyears,thishigh-energyandhighacrobaticproductionisacolourful intrusionintoanewdayinthelife ofinsects.Basically,anon-stopriot ofenergyandmovement!

WHAT: ModelWorldLIVE

WHEN: 27and18April

WHERE: NECBirmingham, keymodelworld.com/modelworldlive Aneweventfor2024combines modellingdisciplineswiththe bestmodelrailwaysandscale modellingdisplays,demonstrations, presentations,manufacturer supportandtraders.

WHAT: TommyTiernan–tommedian

WHEN: 24April

WHERE: TheAlexandra, atgtickets.com

ThestaroftheDerryGirlssitcomalwaysputs onawild,uninhibitedandfiercelyphysical show,withamadcapparadeofcharacters, memoriesandridiculousflightsoffancy.

WHAT: TheBuddhaofSuburbia

WHEN: 18Aprilto1June

WHERE: RSCTheatre,rsc.org.uk, tel:01789331111

BasedonthenovelofHanifKureishi,thisisan irresistible,heart-breakingandjoyfulexploration offamily,friends,sex,theatre–andultimately, belonging.

WHAT: AnAudiencewithAggersandTuffers

WHEN: 6May

WHERE: TownHall,bmusic.co.uk Whetheryou’readevotedcricketfanornot, getreadyforasensationaleveningof laughterandcaptivatingstoriesasacoupleof EnglishcricketgreatspitchupatTownHall.

WHAT: ElizaCarthySoloShow

WHEN: 19April

WHERE: MidlandsArtCentre, macbirmingham.co.uk

TwicenominatedfortheMercuryPrize,the daughteroffolklegendsMartinCarthyandNorma Watersondescribesherselfsimplyasamodern Englishmusician,andshe’sactuallyoneofthe mostimportantperformersofhergeneration.

WHAT: TheFeeling

WHEN: 4May

WHERE: O2Institute2 Birmingham, academymusicgroup.com

TheFeelingcelebratetheirlatestalbum withagreatesthitstour,featuringsongs fromtheirmanysuccessfulreleases, includingthreeTop10UKsingles.

WHAT: EricClapton

WHEN: 13May

WHERE: ResortsWorldArena, resortsworldarena.co.uk

Onceamemberofsuchseminal bandsastheYardbirds,BlindFaith andCream,theguitarlegendhas carvedoutanunrivalledcareer andisontourwithalimitedrunof exclusiveshows.

WHAT: BloodBrothers

WHEN: 30Aprilto4May

WHERE: BirminghamHippodrome, birminghamhippodrome.com

WrittenbyWillyRussell,thecaptivatingandmoving talefollowstwotwinswho,separatedatbirth,grow uponoppositesidesofthetracks,onlytomeetagain withfatefulconsequences.

WHAT: BlueBeard

WHEN: 9to24April

WHERE: BirminghamRep, birmingham-rep.co.uk

Abeguilinganddisturbingtale,Blue Beardexplorescuriosityandconsent, violenceandvengeance–allthrough anintoxicatinglensofmusic,witand tendertruth.

WHAT: EdgbastonArtisanMarket

WHEN: 13April

WHERE: GreenfieldCrescent,Edgbaston, calthorpe.co.uk

Birmingham’slargestartisanmarketreturnsfeaturing independentbusinessesfromacrosstheMidlandsshowcasing thefinestrangeofartisanfoodanddrink,alongside handmadeartsandcraftsandfarmers’marketproduce.

WHAT: NewlyWeds: TheHoneymoonTour

WHEN: 21April

WHERE: SymphonyHall, bmusic.co.uk

Thenation’sfavouritenewlyweds–JamieLaingandSophie Habboo–cometoBrum, sharingtheirhilarious experiencesnavigatingmarried lifeleavingnostoneunturned.

WHAT: Take@ThatTributeParty

WHEN: 11May

WHERE: NailcoteHall,nailcotehall.co.uk

OneoftheUK’sleadingtributeactstoarguablythe greatestBritishboybandofall-time.Enjoyallthe hitsandchoreographeddanceroutinesatwhat promisestobeacrackingnightout.Ticketprice includesathree-coursedinnerandafter-showDJ.

THECEOOFEDWARD’STRUSTLEADSAVITALCHARITYTHATSUPPORTS

CHILDREN,YOUNGPEOPLEANDFAMILIESFACINGLOSSANDSURVIVING

BEREAVEMENTACROSSTHEWESTMIDLANDS

BEENTHERE,DONETHAT

I’vebeenapartofEdward’sTrustfor12years, goingfromvolunteer,topatron,trusteeandCEO.I’m asolicitor,althoughnon-practisingnow,andwas basedinBirminghamforeightyearsbeforemovingto DevonandthentoOxford.Despiterelocationanda careerbreakfromlaw,IkeptworkingwithEdward’s TrustasIampassionateabouttheirvitalworkinthe WestMidlands.

IT’SWHATIDO

Edward’sTrustisalocalcharitythatsupports bereavedparents,childrenandyoungpeoplefromall overtheWestMidlands.Wehave35yearsofexperience andprovidequalifiedcounsellingandholisticsupport forcomplexorprolongedgrief.Wedonotsettimelimits andourserviceiscompletelyfree.Myroleistoleadthe exceptionalteamsotheysupportasmanybereaved individualsandfamiliesaspossible,andtoensurewe continuetoraisevitalfundstokeepourservicegoing.

BIGGESTSUCCESS

Professionally,I’vealwaysfeltproudestofmywork withbereavedpeople–Iworkedwithgrieving individualsaspartofmyprivateclientlegalworkand nowcontinuetohelpthem,albeitinadifferentway. Offeringhelpandhopetopeopleintheirdarkesttimes isarealprivilege.Personally,Iamproudtobeadisabled CEO.MycareerbreakwasenforcedafterIwas diagnosedwithEhlersDanlosSyndrome.Ihopethat

Edward’sTrust,37CalthorpeRoad,Edgbaston,Birmingham,B151TS. Tel:01214541705.edwardstrust.org.uk

beinginthisposition,whilemanagingmydisability, mightmeanIamabletochangecertainmisconceptions arounddisabilityandchronichealthconditions.

BIGGESTLESSONLEARNED

It’soktonothavealloftheanswers.Weareall learningaswegoandbeingvulnerableandaskingfor helpisasignofstrength.

WHATI’DLIKETOSEE

Edward’sTrustjustmovedintoalargerpropertyin Edgbastonwithmoretherapyroomsandalargegroup space.Ourambitionistowidenourreachtomore grievingfamiliesandfindmoresupporterstohelp raisefundsforus.WewouldloveeveryoneintheWest MidlandstoknowaboutEdward’sTrust.

WHATILIKEABOUTBRUM

Brummiesaresuchfriendlypeople,andwhen someonecallsme‘bab’,IknowIamhome!Ourcityis richindiversityandcultureandIloveeverything aboutit.

DOWNTIME

IrunamonthlyvirtualbookclubandIalsodraw andpaintalittleandenjoytakingphotographs. Weeklyfilmnightwithmyhusband,twodaughters andourdogOscarisoneofmyfavouritethings,too.

FINALLY…

Iamalwayshappytochatwithanyonewhothinks theycanhelpEdward’sTrust.Pleasedoreachoutif youcanhelporifyou’djustliketoknowmore. ■