£2MHERO
LAUREN OAKLEY
EDITOR’SVIEW
Assomeonewhoissupremelyconfidentinforecastingtheweather,I’mgetting readyforascorchingsummer(trustme,it’sgoingtobegreat!).I’vecleaned thebarbie,washeddownthegardenfurnitureandorderedmyselfoneofthose giantparasolthingsonahumungousbasethatswingsaroundlikeadementedtentonapole,givinga lovelyshadedretreatwhenthesunreallyhotsup.
Thismonth,we’regettingreadyforsummerthroughourpages.We’venewspreviewingthefirstofthe festivalsandgigs,whileourStylesectiontakesalookatwhatweshouldbewearingtolookcoolandchic–fabulousfrocksforthegirlsandterrificteesfortheguys.
OurHomessectionmeanwhilehastipsandtrickstomakethemostofyouroutdoorspace–whethera ramblinggardenorabijoubalcony.Livingalfrescocancomewithaheftyprice-tagbutwe’vepulled togethersomeideasfromlargersuitesofgardenfurnituretocheaper,cost-effectivebitsandbobs.Great ideastohelpyourelax,enjoyandmaybemakeyourneighboursgreenwithenvyatthesametime. Whiletheoutdoorsmaybeshapingupnicely,wishIcouldsaythesameaboutmyself.Cosyingupthrough winterhassomehowgonestraighttomybelly.Currently,Idefinitelywon’tbewinninganyprizesforthe fittestguyontheblock.Buthelpisathand!OurHealthsectionincludesahandyfeatureshowinghowto slimdownandtoneupsowecanalllookatourbest,whetherlazingonthepatioorbathingonthebeach. What’smoretheregimeissoeasy,youcandoitathome. Rightthen!Ready?Bringontheheat…
DavidJohns
EDITOR: DavidJohns david@brumliving.co.uk
TracyDuffy CONTRIBUTORS: DavidCarne,AdamKirtland
JaneMorris jane@brumliving.co.uk
PHOTOGRAPHY: DavidMorphew,AndrewLlewellyn.Imagelibrary:shutterstock.com
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©RockHopperMediaLtd. BirminghamLivingispublishedmonthlybyRockHopperMediaLtdandprintedbyBuxtonPress.Viewsandopinionsexpressedbyauthorsandservicesandproducts offeredbyadvertisersarenotspecificallyendorsedbyRockHopperMediaLtd.ReproductioninwholeorinpartofthecontentsofBirminghamLivingwithoutwrittenpermissionisstrictlyprohibited.
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Highlights
News
Bringingyouthebrightest,mostcolourful storiesfromacrossthecitythismonth
LaurenOakley
StrictlyComeDancingstarongrowingup inBrum,seeingtheworldandtheglitterball
NotAllHeroesWearCapes
InGillPunt’scase,it’sapolarbearoutfit! Andshe’sraised£2mforCancerResearch
Food&Drink
MichaelBladesofUpstairsbyTomShepherd, plusnews,reviews,recipesandtopwinepicks
Health
Withholidayseasonapproachingyou’llwant thatbodyofyourstobefitforthebeach…
Style
Areyoureadytofrock?It’stimetogetthose pinsoutaswepicksummerdressestoimpress
BestoftheRest
42 50 52 56 64 66
Homes
Whetheryou’vearamblinggardenorbijou balcony,makethemostofthatoutdoorspace
FromthePottingBench
April’stipsandtaskstoturnyourgarden intoabloomingriotofsummercolour
Young,Gifted&Brummie
TalenteddancerMarloKempsey-Faggonhis dreamrolewithBirminghamRoyalBallet
BusinessNews
Allthelatestnews,views,comingsand goingsfromthecommercialcommunity
What’sOn
Bestofthecity’stopshowsandgigs inourround-upofmust-seeevents
UpClose
NicolaTurnertalksdeliveringthelegacy ofBirmingham’sCommonwealthGames
CUBANDANCE
EXTRAVAGANZA
CarlosAcosta,theartisticdirectorof BirminghamRoyalBallet,isbringing hisCubandancecompany,Acosta Danzabacktothecityfortwonights onlyon13Mayand14Mayat BirminghamHippodrome.Acosta Danza:CubanEclecticofeaturesa groupofversatileCubandancers andshowcasesworksrangingfrom moderntoAfro-Cubandance.Carlos collaboratedwithchoreographers fromaroundtheworldwhocreated piecesinspiredbyCubanculture,but withtheirown‘twist’.
BILLCOMESTOBRUM
HollywoodiconBillMurrayispromisingtotakeBirminghamonan‘unexpected journey’withgigatSymphonyHall.TheGroundhogDayandGhostbustersstarwill visitBirminghamforonenightonlyaspartofathree-UKdateNewWorldstour alongsidecellistJanVogler,pianistVanessaPerezandviolinistMiraWang.Thefilm legendwillsingandreadAmericanclassics,spanningthelikesofMarkTwainand ErnestHemingway,accompaniedbythemusiciansatSymphonyHallon25June.
BRINGINGYOUTHEBRIGHTEST ANDMOSTCOLOURFUL STORIESFROMACROSSTHE CITYEACHMONTH
MusiclegendNevilleStaple,pictured, frontmanofTheSpecials,headlinedan eveningofentertainmentattheICC Birmingham,inspiredbytheaward-winning BBCdramaThisTown.Famousfacesand charitysupporterscametogetherforthe Acorns‘ThisTown’GalaDinner,whichraised £180,000forAcornsChildren’sHospice.The eventwasmadepossiblethankstothe supportoftheshow’screatorStevenKnight –whoappearedtogetherwithThisTowncast members.Anauctionfeaturingaguitar signedbyBrummierocklegendOzzy Osbourneraised£15,000.
YAPPINGITUP
Dogscanenjoyoneofthebestwalksinthecountry ataWarwickshirepark–andthenleaveaselfieatits on-sitecafé.CoombeAbbeyCountryParkwas namedtheeighthbestplacetowalkadogintheUK inastudybyPetsurethankstoits500acresof gardens,woodlandandlakesidetrails.NoOrdinary HospitalityManagement–whichoperatestheCaféin thePark–isgivingdogownersthechancepintheir ownpictureoftheirvisitonitsnewWallofFame.
CONDUCTOROFTHEYEAR
Ladiesandgentlemen,meettheundisputedConductoroftheYear–Kazuki Yamada,musicdirectoroftheCityofBirminghamSymphonyOrchestra. KazukiwonthetitleattheprestigiousRoyalPhilharmonicSocietyAwards.He said:“Thisissuchaspecialmomentforme.MypredecessorattheCBSO,Sir SimonRattle,wasthefirsttowinthiscovetedconductorawardbackin1990. Iamhugelythankfultoreceivethesamerecognitionandthankmyorchestra andcolleaguesattheCBSOandthewonderfulcityofBirmingham.”
FLYINGVISIT
MidlandsAirFestivalispromisingahigh-flyingline-up, headlinedbytheRAFRedArrows.Thefamousaerobatic teamwillbeappearingonallthreedaysintheskiesover RagleyHallestateon30and31Mayand1June.TheRAF willalsobesendingitsBattleofBritainMemorialflightof Lancaster,Dakota,SpitfireandHurricane,plusRAFFalcons parachuteteamandaflypastfromanRAFTyphoon.The festivalfeaturesthelargestgatheringofover150gianthot airballoonsintheUK.
DJNOEL’ST20BLAST
BRITAwardnominatedDJJoelCorry–whohasfivetop10UKsingles–willbe theheadlinemusicactatthefirst-ever MidlandsManiaT20double-headerat Edgbaston.Theinternationalmusicstar, whohasoverfivebillionglobalstreams andsoldmorethan11millionsinglesin theUK,willbeperforminginthe intervalbetweentheday’stwomatches onSaturday14June.It’sthefirsttimea UKchart-toppingartisthasperformed ataVitalityBlastfixture.
SongsoftheBulbul,aferociousandcontemplativesoloforBirmingham-born dancer,AakashOdedra,iscomingtothecityfrom8to10April.Createdin collaborationwithreveredDelhi-basedKathakchoreographerRaniKhanam, ithaditsworldpremiereatlastyear’sEdinburghInternationalFestivalwhere itwasnamedBestShowbyTheList.TellinganancientSufimythaboutthe bulbul,aPersiannightingale,SongsoftheBulbulwillbeperformedat BirminghamHippodrome’sPatrickStudio.
LADYPEN’S FABDATE
SophiaMylesisinthepink–justasThunderbirdsfans wouldexpect!Sophia,who starredasLadyPenelopein the2004film,wasreunited withhericoniccarFAB1 duringavisittotheBritish MotorMuseum.Thefamous pinkcarhasbeenondisplayat themuseumsince2005and thiswasthefirsttimeSophia hadseenitsincethereleaseof thefilm.Shesignedthe dashboard,makingitextra specialformuseumvisitors whocometoseeit.
AWESOME AAKASH THAT’STHESPIRIT!
BRILLIANTTOBEBACH
BirminghamBachChoirisreturningtoLichfieldCathedraltopresent oneofJSBach’smostpopularandmonumentalworks–hisMassIn BMinor.JoiningthechoironSaturday5Aprilwillbeastarline-upof soloistsledbyfamedbaritoneRoderickWilliams,whoperformedat thecoronationofKingCharlesin2023.ConcertconductorPaulSpicer said:“Bach’sBMinorMassisoneofthegreatestworksofthehuman mind.Itisalwaysahugeprivilegetobeabletoperformthiswork, andasBirminghamBachChoir,itisalwaysahomecomingforus.”
ROLLERCOASTEROFMEMORIES
DraytonManorisplanningtocelebrateits75thbirthdayin style.Kickingoffon5April,celebrationsstartwitha FireworksExtravaganza,whichwilltakeplaceeverymonth throughouttheseason,whilevisitorsarebeingaskedto sharefavouritephotos,videos,memoriesandstoriesat 75years@draytonmanor.co.uk.tobefeaturedacrossthe park’ssocialmediachannelsandinananniversarymuseum. ForeverypieceofcontentfeaturedbyDraytonManor, guestswillreceivetwofreeticketstouseatthepark.
Michelin-starredchefand BBCGreatBritishMenu winner,TomShepherd,has launchedTwofoldSpirits,a premiumspiritsbrand createdincollaboration withhiswife,Charlotte. Havingbothsharedcareers workinginandaroundthe hospitalityindustry–includingTom’srestaurant, UpstairsbyTomShepherd –theirvisionistocreate somethingunique, reflectingTom’stalentfor craftingdistinctive,bold, anddeliciousflavour combinations.Twofold Spiritshaslaunchedtwo inauguralproducts–BananaRumandThai GreenGin.
RSC’SRARETREAT
AudiencesattheRSCareexperiencinga‘once-in35-year’experiencewiththestagingofChristopher Marlowe’srarelyperformedtragedy,EdwardII–thefirstRSCproductionoftheplaysince1990.The storyofKingEdwardIIandthemanheloves featuresDanielEvans,theRSC’sco-artisticdirector anddoubleOlivierAward-winner,inthetitlerole andanother‘first’–hisfirststageappearanceina fullactingrolefor14years.Theplayrunsatthe RSC’sSwanTheatreuntil5April.
DARKREALITY
FoxHolliesLeisureCentrehaslaunched afreenight-timewalkingandrunning clubtobackThisGirlCan’s(TGC)Let’s LifttheCurfewcampaign,whichaimsto highlightthatnearly75percentof womenaltertheiroutdooractivity routinesafterdark.TGCresearchhas shownthataroundoneinfourwomen ensuretheytakewell-litroutes,almosta quarteravoidcertainareasaltogether andoneinfiveglancebehindthemto ensurethey’renotbeingfollowed,while exercisingafterdark.Clubdetailsat: https://www.birminghamleisure.com/fo x-hollies-leisure-centre/contact-us/
GOTANYNEWS? Emailyournewsand picturestoeditor@brumliving.co.uk
SHE:MUSICLAUNCH
Anewinitiativehasbeenlaunchedtoamplifythepowerfulstoriesof emergingfemalemusiciansfromtheWestMidlands.Musiccharity B:MusichopesitsnewShe:Musiccreativeprojectwillhelpwomencarve outlastingcareersinafielddominatedbymen.Withinitialfundingfrom thePRSFoundationandWilliamACadburyCharitableTrust,B:Musichas teamedupwithGirlGrindUK,foundedbyNamywa,pictured,and WomeninJazztocollaborateonthethree-yearprojectwhichwillinclude specialistworkshopsinkeyskills.
STEVEN’SOASISMOVIE
PeakyBlinderscreatorandBirminghamLiving coverstarStevenKnightisteamingupwithOasis tomakeamovieinconjunctionwiththelegendary band’sreuniontour.Steven,whowrotethescript forOscar-nominatedfilmMaria,andDisney+ seriesAThousandBlows,willcreateandproduce thenewmovie,whichasyethasnoreleasedate. Steven,whogrewupinBirmingham,established thefilmandtelevisionstudiocomplexDigbethLoc. in2024.TheOasistourstartsinJulyinCardiff.
HundredsofcyclistsaresettosupportBirmingham Hospiceatthismonth’s10-yearanniversaryofthe charity’scycleevent,RidetheReservoir.Firstheldin 2015,cyclistshaveraisedmorethan£236,000towards vitalpalliativeandendoflifecareovertheyears.More than300cycliststookonthechallengein2024,raising over£20,000.OnSunday27April,participantswill tacklea75km,100kmor100-mileroutefromNewman University,aroundBartleyGreenReservoirandthrough thescenicWorcestershirecountryside.
DANCING QUEEN
WECAUGHTUPWITHTOPDANCERANDFORMERU21BRITISH CHAMPION,LAURENOAKLEYONGROWINGUPINBIRMINGHAM,TRAVELLING THEWORLDANDTHEPUREJOYOFSTRICTLYCOMEDANCING
Withherbigsmile,sparklyeyesandpositiveenergy,Lauren OakleyembodiesthefeelgoodvibesofStrictlyCome Dancing.In2023shewaspartneredwithnewsreaderand novice,KrishnanGuru-Murthyandwhiletheydidn’tlifttheglitterball, Laurenmouldedhimintoadecentdancerimpressingthejudgesand winningovertheaudience.Morethanthat,theirfriendshipwarmedthe cocklesandsummedupthemagicofStrictly.They’restillfriends.
HavinghadsuchapositiveexperiencewithKrishnan,Laurenwas naturallydespondentwhenshewasn’tallocatedapartnerin2024,but sherallied.Shesays:“Iwasreallydisappointed.Youjustwanttogiveit yourall,butI’mwillingtowatchandsupportandIalwaysgetonboard witheveryone’sjourney.”
InatwisttoLauren’sStrictlyjourneyshewaspickedtopartnerJBGill partwaythroughtheserieswhenaninjuryruledAmyDowdenout. SensitivetoAmy’sdisappointmentLaurensays:“Ifeltsadandsorryfor Amy–shewantedtoseeitthrough,andIthinkwhatshedidwas incredible.Itfeltlikeateameffort.Ijusttriedtokeepitpositive.”
FortunatelyforJB,thechemistrywithLaurenwasinstant,eventually pirouettingtheirwaytoahigh-qualityfinalwhiledishingupsomeofthe show’smostmemorabledancesontheway,includingabreath-taking sambaandthemostbeautiful,MaryPoppins-inspiredViennesewaltz.
INTHEGENES
Lauren’smumwasadancerandranlocalclassesinKatherinede Barnes.InitiallyLaurenstartedhavinglessonswithher,butsoon switchedasshedidn’twanthermumtellingherwhattodoathome andatdanceclass!Bytheageofseven,Laurenhadaballroompartner andwastravellingtocompetitionsaroundthecountry.Shewasin
Liverpoolfournightsaweekgettinghomeinthe earlyhoursandcatchinguponsleepinthecar. DancingpausedwhenLaurenstartedsecondary schoolatCTCKingshurstsothatshecouldfocus moreonherstudies.
Shecontinuedtotakebreaksfromdancing throughoutherteens,butLaurenalwaysmissedit andcamebackeachtime.Educationwasstill important,andLaurengraduatedfromNottingham withadegreeinbroadcastjournalism.Shesays:“I venturedintojournalismaftergraduatingwithnot muchsuccess,sothrewmyselfintodancing.”
LaurenjoinedthecompanyatBurnTheFloor–a livedanceshowthatperformsworldwide.Lauren recalls:“ItravelledwithBurnTheFloorfornine years.Ibecameaprincipaldancerandgotinvolved withthecreativechoreographysidetoo.Itwasa brillianttraininggroundforStrictly.”Lotsofthe StrictlyprofessionalsareBurnTheFlooralumni includingAlijazandJohanneswhoLaurenmet throughthecompany.ShealsoknewAmy,Kai,Neil andKatyathroughcompetingovertheyears,soshe knewwhattoexpectwhenshejoinedStrictly.
STRICTLYJIGSAW
Theshow’sproducersareawareofthetopdancers andarealwaysonthelookoutforpotentialnew names.Laurenwasn’tmessingaboutandtookthe initiativetoapproachtheproducersherself.The selectionprocesswaslengthy.There’saninterview,a screentest,ademonstrationofteachingskillsandan assessmentonhowquicklyadancerpicksuppro routines.Ifallthatworks,it’sacaseoffittingintothe Strictlyjigsaw.ThankfullyLaurendid.Shegrewup watchingStrictlyanddecidedearlyonthatshewanted tobepartoftheshow,soshereallyislivingthedream. TheonlydownsideofStrictly,isthatLaurenmoved fromherbelovedBirminghamtoReadingtobecloser toLondon.Shesays:“ImissBirminghambutI’m marriedwithfourcatssoitneededtobecommutable.” Shemissesthecity’sarchitecture,thecanalsand SuttonParkwheresheoncegotlostandsaysthecityis ‘justvibing’atthemoment.AsaproudBrummie, LaurenregretsmissingtheCommonwealthGames 2022asshewastouringandcreditsit,alongwith PeakyBlinderswithgivingtheregionaboost.
STRICTLYPARTNERS: LaurenintrainingwithKrishnanGuru-Murthy
LotsoftheprostourinbetweenseriesofStrictlyand Lauren’sbeenontheroadwithAntonforhisAntondu BekeattheMusicalsshow.Duringtheirshowthey bothsing,andalittlebirdtellsusthatLaurenhasa crackingvoice.Shemodestlysays:“Therearefour singers–twopropersingersthenmeandAnton!” Havingsaidthat,aswellasdancing,Lauren attendedStagecoachSolihullasachildandsaysshe’s stillatheatrekidatheart.Herdreammusicaltheatre gigwouldbeChicago.Yearsago,Lauren’snantook hertothecinematoseethefilmandshe’sloveditever since.Shesays:“IthinkI’mprobablymoreaVelma thanaRoxy.Iwouldlovethat.I’mmanifesting.”
Moreimmediately,whenwespoke,Laurenwas stillwaitingtoheardetailsofthisyear’sStrictlylineup-–whethersheispartoftheseriesatallandifso, ifshe’sbeenallocatedapartner.It’shardtoseewhy shewouldn’tbe,butwe’llsetaboutmanifestingjust incase. ■
NOTALLHEROES WEARCAPES
YOUMIGHTRECOGNISESUPERFUND-RAISERGILLPUNT -– SHE’SBEENINTHE PRESSALOTRECENTLYANDWASEVENINTERVIEWEDBYLORRAINE,SOYOU’D BEFORGIVENFORTHINKINGSHECOURTSTHELIMELIGHT,BUTYOU’DBEWRONG
Gill’smediashenanigansareameanstoan endallowinghertoraiseherprofileandin turnboosthercharityfund-raising.When wespoke,GillwasfreshfromcompletingthePolar NightMarathoninNorwayandwasasfocusedas everonfund-raisingforCancerResearchUK.Gill hasraisedjustshyof£2millionforthecharityandis hopingtobreakthroughthatmarkbyrunningthe LondonMarathoninMay.
RemarkablyGilldoesn’tenjoyrunningwhich makesherachievementsevenmoreincredible.She’s beenrunningandraisingfundsformorethan20 yearsandsaysshewon’tstopuntilweliveinaworld withoutcancer.Thefund-raisingwaspromptedby herfather’sdevastatingterminaldiagnosisofbile ductcancer.AlthoughGillplayedhockeyandcricket toahighlevel,shewasn’tarunnerandthoughtit wouldamuseherfathertoseeherrunningthe LondonMarathon,soshedid,andherfund-raising crusadewasborn.
POLARBEAR
Tocomplicatematters,Gillrunsdressedinapolar bearoutfitwhichherpupilsatSouthBromsgrove HighSchoolhavenamedPaulaasitsoundsabitlike polarandinhonourofdistancerunningroyalty PaulaRadcliffe.CancerResearchUKorganisesa winterrunserieswherethesupportstaffand volunteersdressaspolarbears,huskiesandpenguins whichiswheretheideacamefrom.Thefirsttime GilldonnedthecostumewasLondon2016andshe
recalls:“Asfunasitwas,itwassohot.Ineverreally thoughtI’ddoitagain.”Yethereweare. It’sthankstothepolarbearoutfitthatGillbecame araceambassadorforthePolarNightMarathonin Norwayearlierintheyearraisinganimpressive £22,000.Shesays:“Theorganisersfullyembraced theideaandthrewpublicitybehindit.Iwason NorwegianTVandinthepress.”Itwasabit unnervingattimes.Atonepointthetemperature droppedto-23degreesandGillcouldheararctic wolveshowlingwhichshesaysfocusedher!
Gillremembersrunningoutofthewildernessand intohamletswherechildrenwerestandinginthe streetsintemperaturesof-16wavingdrawingsofpolar bears.Thereweretearsinsidethecostumenotleast becauseGillknewthataweeklatertotheday,she’dbe satinthechapelatBromsgroveSchool,remembering oneofherdearfriends,Lesley,whohaddiedfrom cancer.Gillsays:“Thereisgenuinelynotafamilyin thiscountryoranycountrythathasn’tbeentouchedby cancer.Thenumberofcasesisrising,soithasnever beenmoreurgenttobeatcancer.”
Gill’strainingisconsistentbuildingtoanintense 17-weekscheduleleadinguptoamarathon.She completedherveryfirstmarathoninLondonall thoseyearsagowithminimaltrainingtowhichshe said,‘neveragain’.Shesaysyouhavetokeepthe mileageupandgetthoselongrunsin.
SIX-HITTER
AsHeadofPEatSouthBromsgroveHighSchool aswellasacoachatBromsgroveSchool,Gillfitsher runsaroundthedayjobbycompletingquick
Europeanmarathonsorrunsthatfallintheschoolholidays. Thatsaid,shehasmanagedtocompleteallsixmajormarathons intheworld–Tokyo,Boston,London,Berlin,Chicagoand NewYork–andhasbeenawardedtheSixStarWorldMarathon Majormedal.MorepeoplehavereachedthetopofEverestthan havebeenawardedthisaccolade.So,what’snext?
GillwouldliketohaveacrackattheinfamousMarathon deSableinMoroccowhichisapproximatelythedistanceof sixregularmarathonsoversevendays.Shesays:“Maybewhen Iretire.” ■
CANYOUHELP?
Ifyou’reabletosupportGill’sfund-raisingeffortsandhelpachieve the£2millionmilestone,visit
https://fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/page/gills-cruk-giving-page-1
MICHAEL BLADES
TheCVofthenewheadchefatMichelin-starredUpstairsbyTomShepherdincludes stintsatAdamsinBirminghamandRestaurantSatBainsinNottingham.Whisperit quietly…he’salsomorethanalittlepartialtomilkchocolateHobnobs!
Tellusaboutyourcooking
Mycookingstylecurrentlyisanextensionof someoftheincrediblerestaurantsandchefsIhave workedwith,mostimportantlyTomShepherd,my currentchefpatron,whoIhaveknownformore than11yearsandwhoIsupportedatthe restaurant’slaunchin2021assouschef.My cookingstyleisveryseasonalandingredientled, withflavourtakingtheforefrontofthefocus, ensuringeverythingreallypacksapunchwith flavour!
Howdidyoubecomeachef?
Ienteredaprofessionalkitchenatayoungage withapart-timejobasaKP.Ithoroughlyenjoyed theatmosphereandbeingabletoworkwith amazingproduce.Ihavealwayslovedandhave beeninterestedbyfood.Thisishowmyculinary journeystarted.IthenwenttoworkatMichelinstar restaurantssuchasRestaurantSatBains,Adamsand IwasTom’ssouschefatUpstairswhenwewonour Michelinstarjustfourmonthsafteropening.Sat andTomhavebeenmassiveinfluencesformeand mycareerandsomanymoreintheindustryIlook uptothathavecreatedincrediblerestaurants.Some ofmymostinspiringvisitshavebeen,TheLedbury, MoorHall,Rowon5.
Whatdoyoueatathome?
Anunhealthyamountofmilkchocolate Hobnobs.
Whoisthebestchefintheworldandwhy?And thebestinBrum?
AverydifficultquestionformeasIdon’t thinkthereisanyonechefthat’sthebest!They areallverydifferentandincredibleintheirown style.Forme,basedonhowmanyyoungchefs havebeeninfluencedanddevelopedandtheimpact onourindustry,IwouldhavetosayGordan Ramsay.BestinBrum(slightlybiased)wouldhave tobeTomShepherd,Ihavebeenluckytobeapart ofTom’sjourneyduringtherestaurantandhis careerandithasbeeninspiringtomeasayounger chefcomingthroughtheindustryandsimilar kitchens.
Shareacookingtip
Mytipisforcookingmeat.Restyourmeatforaround thesametimeasyoucookedit,thisreallyretainsallthe importantjuicesandflavourofyourmeat.
Whatwasyourfavouritefoodasakid?
SpaghettiBologneseandfajitas–stilloneofmy favouritedinnersnow.
Foodheavenandfoodhell?
Heavenisspicybuffalochickenwingswithblue cheesesauce.Myhellisfermentedfish–theworst foodexperienceofmylife!
What’sthemostunusualthingyouhaveeaten?
IwasveryfortunatetoeatatD.O.M,aspecial restaurantinBrazilwhereIexperiencedants–very unusualbutinteresting.
Ifyouweren’tachefwhatwillyoube?
If‘chiefmilkchocolateHobnobtester’wasn’t availableatthetime,thenajobinthemotorsport industryforsure,Aracingcardriver! ■
UpstairsbyTomShepherd,25BoreStreet,Lichfield, WS136NA.upstairs.restaurant
Amoresustainableoptionthan lamb,hoggetisasheepaged betweenonetotwoyears. Optingforhoggetormuttonmeansthe sheephavehadthetimetomatureat pasture,sothemeathasmorefatanda greaterdepthofflavour. ■
INGREDIENTS
■ HerdwickHoggetrackandshoulder (boneseparate)
■ 100ggardenpeas ■ 100gbroadbeans
■ 1bunchofmint ■ 50ggoat’scurd
FORTHESAUCE:
■ 2shallots ■ 4clovesgarlic
■ 3sprigsrosemary ■ 1ltrchickenstock
■ 150mlMadeira ■ 150mlredwine
■ 75mlbrandy
METHOD:
Preparethelambshoulderandbrineina10per centsaltbrinefor24hours.Cookitforafurther 24hoursat78degreesafterthebrining process,makesureyouwashtheshoulderforat least20minutesbeforecooking.Oncecooked, carefullyflakeitdownandrollitintoa ballantine(sausageshape)allowtosetinthe fridgeandthensliceitinto1cmthickslices readytofryinpanlater.
Forthesauce,roastthelambbonesfor40 minutes,takeoutanddrainexcessfat.Inalarge pan,frytheshallots,garlicandrosemary,add thebonesandfryforafurther2minutes.
Deglazewithallthealcoholandreducetoa glace,addstockandcookdownuntildesired consistency.Passthroughasievereadytoserve. Roastthelambrackfor8to10minutesat180 degrees,allowtorestfor10minutes.Whilethe meatisresting,ensureyoursauceishotand begintocookthepeas,broadbeansandfry lambshoulderdisc.Oncecookedbeginto assembleonaplateandfinishoffwithafew spoonfulsofgoat’scurd.
SHORTS NI BBLESand
BIRMINGHAM’SBARS,RESTAURANTSANDHOTELSAREBUZZINGWITHGREATVIBES.HERE’S OURINSIDERGUIDETOTHELATESTNEWSFROMTHECITY’SEATERIESANDDRINKINGDENS
APERITIFAFFAIR
Justintimeforspring,TheIvyhaslaunchedanewnibblesandcocktailsmenutoenjoyduringthe (hopefully)warmermonths.Availablemidweekfrom4pmto6pm,thesharingplattershavebeen craftedtocomplementasignaturedrinksrange.We’resalivatingovertheSpanish-style charcuterieplatewhichincludes16-monthcuredjamon,alongwithsalchichónandchorizo, servedwithcrispybreadsticks,olives,smokedalmondsandaredpeppertapenade.Yummy!
READYFORTHECHOP
RenownedchophouseBlacklockwillopenanew restaurantatStPhilip’sPlacethisautumn. OverlookingCathedralSquare,therestaurantwill transformthegroundfloorofVictorianStPhilip's House–oncethehomeofthecathedral’svicar –intoa100-seatrestaurantandbar.Themenu willincludeavarietyofmeatcuts–fromchops cookedundersearinghotirons,tosteaksdryaged forupto55days…allcookedovercharcoal.
NEWDISHESON THEMENU
ThreeChurchRoadrestaurantandbistrointheheart ofEdgbastonhaslaunchedastunningnewseasonal menu,featuringsomecrackingdisheslikeoxcheek croquetteswithcauliflowerpureeandMadeira sauce.Allsetinahistoricbuildingwithnatural surrounds,aprivateterraceandabeautifully decoratedroom–soundsgoodtous!
ONEOFAKYND
SPIRITOF NASHVILLE
Yeehaw!AnewAmericancountry-themed divebarhasopenedinDigbeth.Promisingthe ‘spiritofNashville’,LowPlacesfeatureslive countrymusicandlinedancing.There’salso screeningofAmericansportsandawholehost ofgamestoplay,includingcornhole, kegcurlingandshuffleboard. Arealblast!
CHOC’SAWAY
MARKETMOVE
Amajornewfoodmarketwillopen inBirminghamthissummer.St Paul’sMarketintheJewellery Quarterwillcelebratelocalchefs andrestaurants.Itwillbehoused inacurrentlyemptybuildingandis beingspearheadedbyIndependent BirminghamalongsideBaltic MarketandlocalThairestaurant BuddhaBelly.Themarketwill includesixindustrialkitchensand spacefor500peopletositand enjoytheirmeals.Therewillalso betwobars.
AnewHotelChocolatcafehasopenedatLongbridgeRetail Park.TheVelvetiserCafeservesarangeof18different ‘Velvetised’offerings,ashot,icedorChocShakedrinks.The VelvetiserisahotchocolatemachinesoldbyHotelChocolat whichmakesmilkydrinksextracreamy.HotelChocolatis offeringdairymilkaswellasplant-basedalternativesanda rangeoftoppingsforthedrinks.DirectorFrankieHaynes,said: “TheLongbridgestoremarksanotherstepinourexpansion.”
HamptonManorhasopeneditsnewrestaurant,Kynd.TheeaterychampionsBritishproduce throughaScandilens.Fromitsrustichomearoundtheestate’sVictoriangreenhouses,the menuincludescomfortingdisheslikeHuntshamPorkCollarandflatironsteakwithgarlic andonionmisobutter.ButwithMichelin-starredchefDavidTayloratthehelmthere’llalso besometreatsinspiredbythewinebarsofOslo,whereDavidwaspreviouslybased.Think artichokecrispswithamoreishartichokeandharissadip.We’reonourway…
CROWNING GLORY
CrownePlazaBirminghamCity CentrewasnamedHotelofthe YearattheannualCentreIsland HotelAwards.CentreIslandis themanagementgroupfornine CrownePlazahotelsacrossthe UK.TheBirminghamhotelwon theawardforitshighstandards ofcustomerserviceandquality ofroomsaswellasitsfinancial results.Theawardcomes weeksafteritcompletedits £8millionrefurbishmentto updateall312guestrooms.
COCKTAILOFTHEMONTH
BRAMBLEBOOST
TSkyBar&Restaurant,ResortsWorld.It’safruitylittlenumber andit’saloadoffunpoppingthemixinwithasyringe!As always,pleaseenjoyresponsibly. ■
INGREDIENTS:
■ 50mlTanqueraygin
■ 30mllemonjuice
FortheBrambleMix:
15mlcucumbersyrup
10mlCrèmedecassis
5mlblueberryliqueur
METHOD:
Fillanold-fashionedglasstumbler withice.Pourintheginand lemonjuice.PrepareallBramble Mixingredientsintoaplastic syringe.Garnishwithaskewerof blackberries,raspberriesanda stripofcucumber.Foradded theatre,allowyourgueststo inserttheirownhitoftheBramble Mix,usingthesyringeupon serving. ■
SkyBar&Restaurant, ResortsWorldBirmingham, PendigoWay,Birmingham, B401PU,rwb.co.uk
MILLERANDCARTER
Wehadn’teatenatMillerandCarterin anage,soafterabitofretailtherapy(me) andhankeringafterasteak(him)we wereluredin.Themenuismuchmoreinteresting thanwerememberedandsomuchmorethanmerely steak.Yes,youcangetyourredmeatfixinvarious guisesbutthereareplentyofveggieandfishoptions too.Andplentyofcocktails…hicc.
Adishofcrispsaltandpeppercalamariwasgreat particularlywhendunkedintoanintenselysmoked garlicandlemonaioli,whilehothoneychicken wingshadmymancooinglikeHomerSimpson. Roquitohothoneywastherightcombinationofhot andsweetwhileslawandwatercressinjectedabitof freshnessandcrunch.
ABlackAngussirloinwhichthemenusuggested mediumrarewascookedtoperfectionservedwitha brilliantbearnaisesauce,crispyfriesandawedgeof icebergwithbaconandmustarddressing.We’re eternallyconfusedbyawedge,butitaddedanice coolcrunch,nonetheless.
Spinach,feta,lemonandgarlicfilopiewaslight andsummerywithacrispytop–thinkspanakopita vibes.Itwasservedonawhoppingmoundof sauteedvegetablesandinfairnesswelookedlikewe neededsomegreens.Weoptedforfriesinsteadof newpotatoeswhichweresuper.
Theportionswerefairlyheftybutifyoulikeabit ofsweetnessattheendofameal,werecommenda minidessertservedwithacocktailorcoffee.Alright cocktail.Asaltedcaramelprofiteroleandanespresso martinihitthespotnicely.We’llnotleaveitsolong nexttime. ■
BRITOFALOVEAFFAIR
Aswebegintoemergefromspringand beginthinkingabouttheprospectofbetter weatherinjustafewmonths’time, InternationalMalbecDayon17Apriloffersa timelyreminderthatMalbecisthenaturalpairing forsteakandotherBBQfoods,whenweeventually getoutsideagain.
Malbechassmallberries,whicharedarkin colourandhavethickskins.Theresultingwines tendtohaveacharacteristicpurplecolourand brightmagentarim.AndweBritslovethem!The UKisthesecondbiggestimporterofArgentinian Malbecintheworld.
ABRIEFHISTORY
ItisthoughtthattheMalbecgrapewasfirst widelyadoptedinFrance,whereithadbecome famousasearlyasMedievaltimes.Therearea numberofstoriesaroundhowMalbecwas introducedtoFrance,oneofwhichwasthatit wasintroducedbyaHungarianpeasantofthe samename.
TheBritishloveaffairwithMalbecdatesbackto the12thcentury.ImportsofMalbecgrew significantlyaroundthistime,asaconsequenceof newtradingroutesdevelopingwhenEleanorof AquitainemarriedtheEnglishprincewhowould eventuallybecomeKingHenryII.
Despitethepopularityofthe‘blackwines’of CahorsandBordeauxinMedievaltimes, productiontodayismuchmorelimited.Theword MalbecisthoughttobecloselyrelatedtotheFrench words‘malbouche’orbadmouth,whichreflects thesomewhatnegativeviewsandlackoflovethe Frenchhaveforthegrape.
Duringthe1850s,almostallofthevinesofEurope wereaffectedbyapestknownasphylloxera,whichpretty muchwipedMalbecoutinSouth-WestFrance.This, combinedwithsignificantfrostsof1956,largelysealedthe grape’sfateanditfelloutoffashion.Givenitisquitea difficultgrapetogrow,andtheFrenchdidn’tparticularly likeitanyway,mostvineswerereplacedwithother varieties.Itis,however,stilloneoftheredBordeauxblend varieties,whereitisusedmostlytoaddcolour.
ThankstoFrenchbotanistMichelPouget transportingMalbeccuttingstoSouthAmericainthe 1850s,todaythelargestplantationsofMalbeccanbe foundinArgentina,whereitisusuallygrownat altitude.Somevineyardsareamongthehighestinthe world,locatedatover3,300mabovesealevel.Atthis altitudetheintensityofthesunlightenhancesthe aromasandflavoursoftheresultingwines.Italsohelps createpolymerictannins,whicharemuchsofterand rounder,ratherthanastringentandbitter.Thesun helpsfullyripentheberries,allowingsugarlevelstoget veryhigh,andthiscanresultinsomeveryhighalcohol wines.Argentinanowaccountsforaroundthreequartersoftheworld’sMalbecplantations.
ABOUTTHEWINES
PerhapsoneofthereasonstheBritsloveMalbecis thatitispossibletopick-upwell-madewinesforvery goodprices.Argentinianstylestendtobeeasydrinking andfruitdominatedwithblackcherry,raspberry,plum andblackberryflavoursdependingontheclimatein whichithasbeengrown.Theyoftenhavenotesof vanilla,tobacco,cocoaandviolet.Thereareofcourse stillCahorsMalbecs,whichtendtobemoreleathery, tart,andmoreacidicwithblackplum,blackpepperand spicynotes.Bothwillbenefitfromservingjustbelow roomtemperature,decantingandservinginalarge glasstoallowthemtobreathe.Ofcourse,thereare examplesofroséstyleMalbecsandevenwhiteand sparklingMalbecsaswell.
Despitetheobviouspairingwithsteak,Malbeccan alsomatchwellwithstrong(especiallyblue)cheese, auberginedishes,meatyfish,smokedfoods,andFrench styleswithduck.So,asyoudustofftheBBQandprepare forsummer,whynotlookforsomeInternationalMalbec Dayoffersinpreparation?Andhoweveryouchooseto enjoyyourwine,pleasedrinkresponsibly. ■
DAVID’STOPWINE PICKSFORAPRIL
Somethingsparkling: CodorniuVintageOrganicCavaBrut–£10,Tesco. Cavaisoneofthemostunderratedsparklingwinesandthis CodorniuVintageisagoodexampleofawell-madeentry-levelCava. Flavoursofripewhitefruits,withgoodacidity,notesofbrioche, driedfruitandnuts.Afinemousseandalongfinish.
Somethingfreshandfruity: ChosenbyMajesticRiesling2023,Rheinhessen–£9.99,Majestic. Rieslingshaveafairlypoorreputation,butthisoneisfresh,vibrant andhasnotesofstonefruitsandhoneywhichmakesittheperfect pairingtoAsiandishes.
Somethingbigandbold:
Abbotts&Delaunay‘LesFleursSauvages’Malbec2021/22, Languedoc–£11.99,Majestic.
AnoldvineFrenchMalbecwithconcentratedandboldredandblack fruitflavoursandsomeliquoriceandspiceonthefinish.
Somethingclassic:
ZuccardiSerieAMalbec2022–£15,Tesco.
Afull-bodiedMalbecwithblackcherry,plumandsubtleraspberry aromas,plussomechocolateonthefinish.Spicynotes,butvery accessiblesmoothtanninsmakingitdeceptivelyeasydrinking.
SomethingEnglish:
ChapelDown,ATouchofSparkle–£15.99,Waitrose. Tropical,citrusandfloralaromas–thinkpineapple,grapefruitand elderflower.Anicemoussewhichispersistent.Niceearthyminerality andherbaceousnettlefinish.
Somethingdifferent:
Sainsbury'sSiciliaDocGrillo,TastetheDifference–£9,Sainsburys. Fresh,fruitpalettewithstrongcitrusflavour,tropicalfruitnotesand mildfloralaromasofjasmine.Agreatwinetopairwithlightpasta, chickensaladsorsushidishes.
■ DavidisaWinesandSpiritEducationTrust(WSET)qualifiedwineexpert, BirminghamWineSchoolalumniandauthorofthealottowineabout.com websitewhereyoucanfindmorearticlesonwine.
■ TofindoutmoreaboutfuninformalwinetastingeventsandWine&Spirit EducationTrust(WSET)coursesonline,inBirminghamandWarwickcontact BirminghamWineSchool,anindependentwineeducationcompany,at www.birminghamwineschool.com
PREPAREFOR ABEACHBOD
Finally,we’vebeenblessedwithsomebeautiful weather.Theworldseemsabetterplaceandlife issweet.Italsoslightlyraisestheanxietylevels asitservesasalittlereminderthatsummeriscoming andit’stimetoprepareforswimwear.
Fancyafewtipsonhowtoleanupwithoutleaving thehouse?Herearesixeasyexerciseswhichyoucando athomeinonlyamatterofminutes.
1Stairclimbing
Runupanddownstairsatafastpacenon-stopfor oneminute–itwillboostyourheartrateandasit’s weight-bearingitwillloadyourbonestoo.Ifyoufindit easy,thentrycarryingsomethingheavy(evenlyloaded carrierbagsfullofbookswilldofine).
2Squats
Unlesswedosomestrengtheningexerciseswelose muscleandthatmeanswehavelesscalorie-burning densetissuewhichleadstoareductioninyour metabolicrate.Stronger,densermusclesburnmore caloriesevenwhenyou’reatrest.
Standwithyourfeetshoulder-widthapart(orslightly wider)andpushyourhipsbackasifyou’resittinginto animaginarychair.Lowerdownsoyourthighsareas paralleltotheflooraspossible,withyourkneesover yourankles.Pressyourweightintoyourheelsthenpush uptobringyourselfbacktothestartingposition.Work upgraduallytosquatfor30secondsthenbuilditupto oneminute.
3Ropelessskipping
Imagineholdingaskippingropethenrotatethe‘rope’ forwardasifyou’reskipping.Addinthefootwork,you canhopfromonefoottotheotherorjumpliftingboth feetsimultaneously.Remembertokeepthearmsturning –youcanalternatecirclingforwardandbackward–and keepgoingforuptooneminute.
4Theplank
Theplankworks100percentofyourabdominal musclescomparedto64percentforsit-ups.You’re alsolesslikelytostrainyourneck,whichiscommon whendoingsit-ups.
Onthefloor,getintoapush-uppositionthen bendyourelbowsat90°andrestyourweighton yourforearms.Yourelbowsshouldbedirectly beneathyourshouldersandyourbodyshouldforma straightlinefromyourheadtoyourfeet.Holdthe positionforaslongasyoucanuptooneminute (andremembernottoholdyourbreath).
5Pelvicbridge
Agreatexercisetoengagesyourcoreandglute muscleswhichcanreallyhelpimproveyourposture andanypotentialbackpain.
Lieonyourbackwithyourarmsbyyoursides, feetflatonthefloorwithyourkneesbent.Squeeze yourbuttwhileliftingyourhipsoffthegrounduntil yourknees,hipsandshouldersformastraightline andholdforafewsecondsbeforeeasingbackdown.
6Lateralraises
Standwithfeethip-widthapart,armsbyyour sidesholdingweightsineachhand.Youcouldstart withbottlesofwaterortinsofsoupthenbuildupto usinghandweights.Raiseyourarmsupandoutto thesidetoshoulderlevelthenslowlylowerthem backdownandrepeat.Don’tbetemptedtoletyour armsdropsuddenly,trytoresistgravity.Keepgoing foruptooneminute.
Doeachexerciseforuptooneminutethenasyou improveturnthisintoacircuitbyrepeatingthe sequencetwice,thenthreetimessoittakeslessthan 20minutes.Thenpreparetorockyourfavourite swimsuit–youdeserveit! ■
TIMETO‘B’AWARE
Firstthefacts!Bowelcanceristhe fourthmostcommoncancerin theUKandthesecondbiggest killercancer.Nearly44,000peopleare diagnosedwithbowelcancereveryyear intheUK.Morethannineoutof10 newcases(94percent)arediagnosedin peopleovertheageof50. Butbowelcancercanaffectanyoneof anyage.Morethan2,600newcasesare diagnosedinpeopleundertheageof50 everyyear.Onein17menandonein20 womenwillbediagnosedwithbowel cancerduringtheirlifetime.Butthepositive newsisthatit’sbothtreatableandcurable, especiallywhendiagnosedatanearlystage.
Whatisbowelcancer
Bowelcancerstartsinthelargebowel.Itcanalso becalledcolorectalcancer.Thebowelispartofthe digestivesystem.Itismadeupofthesmallboweland thelargebowel.Thelargebowelismadeupofthe colonandrectum.Bowelcancerisageneraltermfor cancerthatbeginsinthelargebowel.Dependingon wherethecancerstarts,bowelcancerissometimes calledcolonorrectalcancer.Cancercansometimes startinthesmallbowel(smallintestine),butsmall bowelcancerismuchrarerthanlargebowelcancer.
Whatarethesymptoms?
Theycaninclude:
■ Bleedingfromyourbottomandbloodinyourpoo
■ Persistentandunexplainedchangeinbowelhabit. Youmightbegoingmoreorlessoften,orhave diarrhoeaorconstipationthatmightcomeandgo
■ Suddenandunexplainedweightloss
■ Feelingverytiredwithnoobviousreasonorcause
■ Apainorlumpinyourtummy
However,rememberthathavingthesesymptoms doesn’talwaysmeanyouhavebowelcancer,butit’sstill importanttofindoutwhat’scausingthem.
Who’satrisk
It’snotknownexactlywhatcausesbowelcancer, butthereareanumberofthingsthatcanincrease yourrisk.Theseinclude:
AGE–Nearlyninein10casesofbowelcancer occurinpeopleaged60orover.
DIET– Adiethighinredorprocessedmeatsand lowinfibrecanincreaseyourrisk.
WEIGHT– Bowelcancerismorecommonin peoplewhoareoverweightorobese.
EXERCISE– Beinginactiveincreasestheriskof gettingbowelcancer.
ALCOHOLANDSMOKING– ahighalcohol intakeandsmokingmayincreaseyourchancesof gettingbowelcancer.
FAMILYHISTORY– havingacloserelative (motherorfather,brotherorsister)whodeveloped bowelcancerundertheageof50putsyouata greaterlifetimeriskofdevelopingthecondition.
Whattodo
Ifyouareconcerned,seeingyourGPassoon asyoucanwhenyouhavesymptomsisvital. Theearlierthatbowelcancerisdiagnosed,the moretreatableit'slikelytobe.Firstly,trynot tobeembarrassedtoaskforhelp.Mostofusare prettyreticenttalkingaboutpooandourtoilet habits,butthedoctorornursewillbeusedto discussingthesesymptomsandtheywanttohelp. Keepinganoteofyoursymptomscanhelpyouto explainwhatyou'reexperiencing.Writedown anythingthatmakesthemworseorbetterandtell theclinicianifyouhaveanyfamilyhistoryof cancer. ■
Formoreinformationaboutgettinginvolvedorfindingoutmoreaboutbowelcancerandwhatsupportisavailable,visit:bowelcanceruk.org.uk
living FROCK ON
SHAPE SHIFT
Whitedress withflowers
PAISLEY POWER
Dressfrom JoeBrowns
EASY WEAR
£29.99,TKMaxx
Mididress
£32,Matalan
COLOUR POP
Orangemaxi£79, JohnLewis
RixoKendalltiered mididress£185, Selfridges GREEN DREAM
Mididress fromMonsoon
We’llneverforgetthatfeelingofstepping outoftheloungewearlulloflockdown andrejoiningnormallifewearingactual clothes.Wevowedthentostopsavingclothesforbest becauseitseemedlikeasuchacrazywaste.Running withthatmindset,thedressbecamethebiggestshift inoursartoriallifeandactually,theeasiestpiecein ourwardrobetowear.
Whatcouldbesimplerthanpullingonadress? Onepiecewithaccessoriesandboom,you’regoodto go.You’llreadalotaboutrules–whichstylessuit whichbodytypes,whattheoptimumlengthis,etc–andattheriskoftalkingourselvesoutofajob,there arenorules.Theonlythingyouneedtoaskyourself is,doIfeelamazinginthisdress,anddoesitmake mesmile?Bingo!
Ifwewerelimitedtojustthreedressesinour wardrobe,we’dgoforaversatileteadressthatwill
workjustaswellataformaleventasmeeting thegirlsforcoffee.Adjusttheshoesand accessoriesandvoila.Secondly,acoolmaxi dressthatcanbedresseddownwithadenim jacketbydayandkillerheelsandaclutchby night.Andlastly,aminidressforhotdaysthat willworkathomeandabroad,againadjusting accessoriesandfootwear.
Thereareoodlesofgorgeousoptionsin between,butifyouhavethesethreeinyour arsenalyoucan’tgofarwrong.We’vepulled togethersomeofthisseason’sbestdresses ranginginpricefrom£16to£800-plustoget youstarted. ■
RUFFLE DRESS
RELAXED FIT
Tieredmididress
£29.50,F&F
SUPER SILK
ReissKoragrey
silkdress£235, JohnLewis
RIGHT STRIPES
Redstripedwoven puffsleevedress
£35.99,NewLook
PATCH WORK
Scheanamidi dress£69, FatFace
MAXIMUM IMPACT
Maxidress£26, GeorgeatAsda
ALL NATURAL
Mididress£69, FatFace
Blousonsleeve shortteadress£54, Scamp&Dude
ANIMAL MAGIC Dress£16, GeorgeatAsda
TEA DRESS
PEACHY
Paisleyprintcotton-silk wovenminidress£895,ETRO
BERRY CHIC
Blueberryprintminidress £29.99,NewLook
DENIM DAYS
Denimdress£65,FatFace
TEA DRESS
Blousonsleeve shortteadress£54, Scamp&Dude
NEWLAUNCHES
Thereareplentyofnewlaunchesthismonthandwe’vepicked fourofthebest.Thereareacoupleofproductswehaven’t includedasthebrand’sclaimsarewildandthesmallprint revealsasamplesizeof50forearms–notfaces–despiteitbeing afacialretinoid.Justaremindertoreadthesmallprint!
1.MULTI-ANTIOXIDANTRADIANCESERUM–
£14.20,THEORDINARY
WebangonaboutTheOrdinaryallthetime–apologies–butit’shard notto.Ifyou’relookingforaffordableproductsthatpackapunch,it’s thebrandforyou.Intruth,someoftheproductsmightpacktoomuch ofapunchforus–theHyaluronicAcidforinstanceisabitmuchfor oursensitiveskin,butthat’spersonal.Everythingelsewe’vesampled worksatreatandit’saffordableenoughtoplayaroundwithdifferent products.Fightingantioxidantsdayandnight,theserumdoeswhatit saysonthetinandleavesskinlookingandfeelingradiant.Noteit’snot recommendedforusealongsidepeptides,soreadthesmallprint.
2.JOMALONELONDONBEACHBLOSSOMCOLOGNE–£124100ML,JOMALONE.CO.UK
Thisactuallylaunchedlastmonthbutit’llcomeintoitsownasthe warmweatherkicksin.Acombinationofcoconutwater,mint,lime andtonkabeansmellslikesummer.It’sheavenandaswithallquality fragrances,acoupleofspritzeslastsallday.
3.INVISIBLESUNCARESTICKHIGHPROTECTIONSPF50–£25,CLARINS
Clarinshaslaunchedanewrangeofsunprotectionandthispowerful stickisourfavourite.Forfaceandparticularlysensitiveareas,it harnessesthepowerofplantstonourishaswellasprotect.Itincludes organiccocoaextracttogivecollagenaboostandvitaminEtofight wrinkles.Thestickpackagingmakesiteasytocarryaroundand reapply,too.
4.REFYLIPSCULPT–£18,REFYBEAUTY.COM
Theoriginalformulationofthisproductwentviralandthenew generationprobablywilltoo.Itcombinesthepigmentpay-offofalip linerwiththelongwearofasetterresultinginalipthatwilllastall day.Therearetwonewshades:Oatwhichisacoolnudepinkybrown andSuede,aneutraltowarmmediumbrown.There’snoneedto sharpeneitherwhichisabigbonusinourbook.
2
1
3
4
HIGHQUALITYCAREINEDGBASTON
AtEdgbastonManorandMetchleyManorinEdgbaston,ourhighlytrainedteamsare expertsinprovidinghighqualitycare,fromresidentialanddementiacaretoshorttermcare.WhilstEdgbastonManoralsoprovidesnursingcare.
Alifestyletailoredtoyou
Atour‘good’CQCratedhomeourteamsare passionateaboutsupportingyoutoenjoyafulfilling life.We’lllearnallaboutyourinterestsand preferencessowecancreateafullypersonalised lifestyleplanthatyou’llenjoy;whetherit’s gardening,cheeseandwinesocialsorplayingchess.
Luxuryliving
EdgbastonManorandMetchleyManoroffer luxuriousfacilities,includingacoffeeshop,hair salonandapub/bar.Ourchef-ledkitchenteamsare passionateaboutprovidinghigh-qualityfoodand there’salwaysachoiceofnutritiousanddelicious dishesateverymeal.
Hearwhatrelativeshavetosay
Werecognisetheimportanceoffriendsandfamily stayinginvolvedintheirlovedone’scareandlifestyle planandourregularrelativemeetingsarepopular.In ourrecentrelativesurvey,93%offamiliesatEdgbaston Manorwereimpressedwithhowthestafftreatedtheir relativewithkindness,dignityandrespect^.Whilstat MetchleyManor91%werehappythatthestaffknew theirrelativeasanindividual.^
Trustustocare
EdgbastonManorandMetchleyManorin EdgbastonarepartofCareUK,thecountry’smost awardedlargecareprovider.We’vebeendelivering high-quality,person-centredcareforover40years. That'swhyover9,000familiestrustustocarefor theirolderlovedones. ■ ^CareUKrelativesurveyApril&September2024.Study operatedbyQRSMarketResearch,anindependentsurveyagency.
TofindoutmoreaboutEdgbastonManorandMetchleyManorcall03301346257EdgbastonManor, SpeedwellRoad,Edgbaston,WestMidlands,B57PR MetchleyManor,5ChurchRoad,Edgbaston,Birmingham,WestMidlands,B153SHCareuk.com/Birmingham
WINNING TEES
THEHUMBLET-SHIRTISYOURSPRINGWARDROBESTAPLE.THEREISENDLESS CHOICEATWILDLYDIFFERENTPRICEPOINTS,SOWHERETOSTART?
TEXTUREDTEE
Stripedcotton tee£25,M&S
HELLOYELLOW
Logoprint
cottontee£185, DSQUARED2
AstackofT-shirtsprovidesthetrustyfoundation ofyourwardrobe–thescaffolding.Provided yourstackismadeupoftopsyouloveandthat fitwell,it’saneasyroutetolookingcool.Ifyouinvestin nothingelse,makesureyou’vegotthebasicsright–well-fittingcottonteesinwhite,black,greyandnavy. Fromtherebuildyourcollectiontoincludemorecolour andprint.Cruciallywhenwesaywell-fitting,wedon’t meanasecondskin.Themostflatteringfitformost peopleisclassicnottootightandnottoobaggycreating aneatsilhouette.Teamwithapairofwell-cutjeansand yourfavouritesneakersandyou’regoodtogo. ■
NOSTALGIATRIP
Logocottontee £55,DailyPaper
OUIOUI
Frenchcotton jerseytee£200, Gallery Department
WISHYOU WEREHERE HelmutLangPostcard printedcottontee £210,HarveyNichols
LOGOTEE
Valentinologo printcottontee
£550,Harvey Nichols
OLDSCHOOL CarharttWIP Flicksprinted cottontee£45, HarveyNichols
RETROVIBE Regence graphictee £53.95, Barbour
WHITEOUT Simpsons
Anydaywhite tee£20, JohnLewis
HOMESliving
GREEN WITH ENVY?
WHETHERYOU’VEARAMBLINGGARDENORA BIJOUBALCONY,NOW’STHETIMETOGETIT SORTEDSOYOUCANREAPTHEBENEFITS,IMPRESS YOURFRIENDSANDENJOYTHESUMMER
FIRESTARTER
Fireplacewithgrill£499.99,Ivyline
Treatyouroutdoorspacelikeanextraroominyourhome andapproachitwiththesamelevelofthought.Once you’vetidiedupafterthewinterbattering,considerwhat youuseyouroutdoorspacefor.Isitpurelyforrelaxationordoyou liketoentertainonabalmyBirminghamevening?Isita productivegarden–doyouneedspacetogrowyourown?The chancesare,it’sacombinationofallthreewhichrequireszoning inthesamewayyoumightsplitanopenplanspaceinsidethe home.
Naturallyyou’llbeledbythesizeandshapeofyourgarden. Assessthecurrentset-upandconsiderwhethermovingyour existingfurnitureandpotsaroundtocreateamoreefficientwayof usingthespacemightwork.Also,reallylookatthepositionofthe sunthroughoutthedaywhichmightinformyourdecisionsabout whattoputwhere.Wouldyoulikeacosyreadingcornerinthe shadeoranidealspotforasummertippleasthesunfades?The bestdecisionwemadewaseatingintoabitofthelawntocreatea smallpavedseatingareapositionedinthesweetspotwherethesun finallydisappears.It’stheperfectG&Tnookonawarmevening.
BIGTICKET
Asquishycomfortablespacetorelaxisimportant.Whether that’sanimpressivesofaarrangementoracoupleofoutdoorbean bagslargelydependsonspaceandbudget.Whateveryouchoose, ensureitcanbeleftoutsideallyearroundunlessyou’veagiant garage.Mostgardenfurniturecanbeleftoutsidebutit’sworth double-checking.It’sabigticketitemthatyouwanttolastfor manysummers.
Ifspaceisanissue,goforabeanbagorahangingeggshaped chairwhicharebothmuchmorecomfortablethanmetalbistro chairs.They’retemptingastheytendtoberelativelycheapand don’ttakeuptoomuchspace,butthey’reprettyuncomfortable.
HOMES
Nextupisdining.Theclevercorner sofaswithadjustabletablesmightbea greatoptionifyouneedrelaxationto doubleasadiningarea.Alowcoffeetable adjuststoacomfortablediningheight easily.Positionyourdiningareanearthe houseforeaseandconsideranoutdoor fridgeandevenbetter,anoutdoorkitchen whichisincreasinglypopularandmeans youdon’thavetobeseparatefromyour guests.You’reinthethickofit.It’sthe sameprincipleastheopenplan kitchen/diner–thechefisn’tsquirreled awaymissingoutonthefun.
AFTERDARK
Lightingcanprolongtheuseofyour outdoorspacebeyonddaylighthours.Take alookatsolarpoweredfestoonlightsthat areeasytosetup,fuss-freeandreasonably priced.Trailthemaroundthegardenand you’llhaveatmosphericspacecomenighttimewithminimumeffort.Candlesarea winnertoo–afewlargehurricanelanterns workparticularlywellbutifyou’reshort
onspace,dottealightsaroundforasimilareffect.
Afirepitwillpumpoutheatkeepingyouinthe gardenwellafterdark.Aswellastheobvious practicalities,there’ssomethingromanticandnostalgic aboutfire.Checkoutsomelovelyoptionsonpage48. Investinsomecosyblanketstoo.
Potscanbeaworkofartevenbeforeyou’veplanted somethinggorgeousinthem.Weprefertraditional terracottaindifferingshapesandsizes,butthere’s oodlesofchoice.Ifyou’veabalconyorroofterracelook forlightweightpotsandconsidertallnarrowversions tomakethemostofthespace.Also,strategicallyplaced mirrorsareyourfriendinasmallgardengivingthe illusionofalargerlandscape.
PLANTINGADVICE
Onceyou’vegotthezoningandpracticalitiesof yourgardennailed,checkoutourregulargardening columnist,AdamofViewFromthePottingBench fameforhorticulturaladvice.Thismonthyou’llfind himonpage50–orheadtotheBirminghamLiving websitewhereallhisarchivedcolumnsareavailable. ■
RomefurniturefromBoConcept
SCANDIVIBE
FurniturefromNest
COSYCORNER
FurnitureandaccessoriesfromJohnLewis
CASTIRON
Firepitonstand
£239.99,Ivyline
CHICSTRIPES
Stripecushioninmelon
£18,JohnLewis
TOUCHES FINISHING
WE’VEPULLEDTOGETHERSOMETOPPIECESTO
ENHANCEYOUROUTDOORSPACETHISSUMMER
TAKETHELEAP
Haresculpture£68, NationalTrust
TOPTABLE
Hayceramictable
£579,kin.store
ROUNDTABLE
FLOWERPOWER
Outdoorcandle
£19.99,Dobbies
STAYCOOL
Rhodesparasol
£499,Next
WAVYDAYS
Squiggletwoseatsofa
£549,JohnLewis
Harringtontable
£1,295,Neptune
HEATSOURCE
Fornaxfireplacein
mattblack£399.99, Ivyline
FromthePottingBench withAdam
APRIL AWAKENING
AtlonglastAprilhasarrived–andwithit comestherealisationthatspringiswelland trulyhere!Thedaysarenoticeablylonger, thesunhasalittlemorewarmthtoit,andthe gardenisrespondinginkind.Everywhereyoulook, there’sfreshgrowth,fromthefirstunfurlingleaves tothevibrantsplashesofcolourprovidedbytulips, primrosesandbluebells.It’samonthof transformation,astheslowemergencefromwinter suddenlygiveswaytoaburstofactivity.
Aprilisabusytimeinthegarden,butit’salsoone ofthemostrewarding.There’splentytobegetting onwith,fromplantingandsowingtopruningand feeding.Whetheryou’reaseasonedgardenerorjust startingout,nowisthetimetorollupyoursleeves andmakethemostoftheseasonahead.So,let’sdig inandgetstarted!
Prune,FeedandShape
Nowistheperfecttimetogiveshrubs,perennials andclimbersalittleTLC.Roseswillbenefitfroma finalprunetoshapethembeforetheyburstintofull growth.Cutbackanydeadordamagedstemsand shapeyourplantstoencouragestrong,healthynew shoots.Ifyouhaven’talreadydoneso,feedyourroses withagood-qualityfertilisertogivethemaboostfor theseasonahead.Asprinkleofslow-releasefertiliser aroundtheirbasewillsetthemupnicelyforstrong, healthybloomsinthemonthstocome.
Aprilisalsoagreattimetotidyupanyearlyfloweringshrubsthathavefinishedtheirdisplay. Forsythia,forexample,canbeprunedimmediately afterfloweringtomaintainitsshapeandencourage newgrowthfornextyear.Hardyfuchsiasand penstemons,whichmayhaveheldontotheirwoody stemsoverwinter,cannowbecutbacktoencourage fresh,bushygrowth.Alittleeffortnowwillkeepyour gardenlookingitsbestwellintosummer.
GetSowing!
Aprilisprimetimeforsowinghardyannuals, vegetablesandsaladcrops.Ifyou’regrowingflowers, nowisthemomenttosowthelikesofcosmos, cornflowersandmarigoldsdirectlyintothesoil.These
easy-to-growbeautieswillbringvibrantcolourtoyour gardeninjustafewmonths.Makesuretopreparethe groundbyrakingittoafinetilthbeforescatteringseeds andlightlycoveringthemwithsoil.Keepthearea moist,andinnotime,you’llseeseedlingspoppingup. Forthekitchengarden,there’sstilltimetosow broadbeans,beetroot,carrotsandlettuceoutdoors.If yoursoilisontheheavyside,considerstartingseedsin traysormodulesandplantingthemoutoncethey’ve developedstrongroots.Courgettes,pumpkinsand runnerbeanscanalsobestartedindoorsnow,readyto plantoutoncetheriskoffrosthaspassed.Keepaneye ontheweather–Aprilcanbeunpredictable,and youngseedlingsmaystillneedsomeprotectionfrom chillynights.
Lift,DivideandConquer!
Ifyouhaveperennialsthataregettingalittle overcrowded,nowisthetimetoliftanddividethem. Plantslikehostas,astersanddaylilieswillthrivewhen splitandreplanted,givingyouevenmoretoenjoy acrossyourborders.Gentlydiguptheclump,taking carenottodamagetheroots,thenuseasharpknifeor spadetodivideitintosmallersections.Replant immediately,ensuringeachsectionhasagoodroot system,andwatertheminwelltohelpthemsettle.
Thisisalsoagreatmomenttocheckinonyour bulbs.Ifdaffodilsandtulipshavefinishedflowering, deadheadthemtopreventenergygoingintoseed productionratherthanstrengtheningthebulbsfornext year.Resisttheurgetocutbackthefoliagetoosoon–lettingitdiebacknaturallywillensurethebulbsstore plentyofenergyfornextspring’sdisplay.Withalittle careandattentionnow,yourgardenwillcontinueto flourishwellintothemonthsahead.
So,withAprilinfullswing,it’stimetoembracethe seasonandenjoyeverymomentinthegarden.There’s plentytodo,buttherewardsaremorethanworthit! ■
FollowAdamonInstagram @viewfromthepottingbenchorlistentohis podcastTalesfromThePottingBenchformore gardeninginspiration.YoucanalsoreadAdam’s blogatviewfromthepottingbench.com
MARLO KEMPSEY-FAGG
Withoutsoundingglib,Marloissomeone withtheworld,literally,athisfeet.Each yearonehighlyratedstudentisselected fromElmhurstBalletSchool’sgraduatestobecome anapprenticetoBirminghamRoyalBallet.Thisyear thathonourwenttotheBirmingham-borndancer whogetstotourandperformwiththeCompany–he wasdancinginCinderellainSunderlandwhenwe interviewedhim.
Aswellassoakingupalltheincredibleexperiences andopportunitiesalongtheway,attheendofthe year-long‘apprenticeship’,allthingsbeingwell, Marlohopestobeofferedafull-timecontractbyBRB. Truly,thedreamcometrue.
BALLETBROTHERS
HefirststarteddancingthroughtheCompany’s DanceTrackprogrammebeforejoiningElmhurst
BalletSchool,wherehewontheElmhurstDance Awardin2020and2022.DanceTrackhadseen potentialinMarloandhisbrothers.Hisolderbrother OscaralsodanceswithBRB.Marlosaystheirparents weren’tintodance,soitwasallabitofasurprisefor themhowitpannedoutwiththeirboys!
Headmitshedidn’tloveitimmediately–itwas moreofaslowburn.Hesaystheexperienceofbeing adaypupilatElmhurstwasintensebutbrilliantand thattheteacherswereincredible.“Weweretaught aboutmentalstrengthaswellasphysicalstrength, technique,andskills,”heexplained.
“Weweretaughttokeepgoing.It’smoreofacase ofdoingthingsforyourselfwhenyougetintoa company.ThecorrectionsIwastaughtatElmhurst,I willcarryonforeverandwillcontinuetoworkon,but themindsetthatElmhurstinstilsinyougetsyou throughit.”
OftheprocessofbeingchosentojoinBRBforthe yearhesaid:“It’sverycompetitiveasthere’sonlyone spot–butaswe’reallstrivingforthesamegoal actuallyeveryone’sreallysupportiveofoneanotherat thesame.”AndsettlingintolifewithBRBhasn’tbeen thatdifficult.
“I’mluckythatI’vegotmybrotherintheCompany. Becauseofhim,Ialreadyknewandhadasocialcircle withsomeoftheCompanymembers,soIwasalready awareofpeople,andtheywereawareofme,soitwasa smoothtransitionintotheCompany.
“IstarteddancingbecauseofBRBandtheirDance Trackprogramme.EverythingIknewaboutballetwas downtoBRB,soit’salwaysbeenaplacethatIaspired tobe.AndnowI’mhere.”Marlosaysheisalready enjoyingtouringwiththeCompany.“It’sbeenniceto danceondifferentstages,gettoseemoreofthecountry andperformtodifferentaudiences,”hesaid.
DREAMROLES
Lookingforward,MarloispartofBRB2, BirminghamRoyalBallet’ssecondcompanywho willbeperformingfortheveryfirsttimeat BirminghamHippodromeon6Maywith CarlosAcosta’sBalletcelebration.
Andoncehisyeariscomplete,Marlosayshe hasonlyonegoal–tobeofferedafullcontract attheendoftheseason.Asfordreamroles, hesayshe’salwayswantedtodoTrepak andalsoplaythePrinceinThe NutcrackeraswellasbePrince SiegfriedinSwanLake.But headmitsthathisambitions “changeallthetime.”
OUTOFAFRICA
AspartoftheirOutofAfricaCreativeCurriculumtopic,Year2 childrenatBromsgrovePre-Prepwelcomedmusicianand dancerAronaLofromSenegal,WestAfrica,whoworkswith PrimaryWorkshopsforSchools.Aronadeliversengaging, curriculum-focusedworkshopsthatarebotheducationaland funandhegavepupilsanexcitingdrumminganddance experience.ThechildrenexploredAfricanrhythmsusing Djembedrums,learningabouttheimportantroleof drumminginAfricanculture,storytellingandcelebration. TheywerealsointroducedtovariousAfricandancesteps.
FUTURENHSHEROES
Morethan140studentswereinvitedtoSmethwick tolearnabouttherangeofjobstheNHShasto offeratthefirstcareerseventheldatMidland MetropolitanUniversityHospital.Theeventwas hostedbythewideningparticipationteamat SandwellandWestBirminghamNHSTrustand showcasedclinicalandnon-clinicalroles.Students fromhighschoolsandcollegesacrossthelocal area,agedbetween14and18,spoketostafftofind outmoreabouttheNHSrolethatinterestedthem themost.
SCRUM-DINGER OFASPONSOR
WestMidlandshousebuilderDavidWilsonHomeshas sponsoredalocalrugbyclubtoprovidenewhoodiesfortwo seasons.Thehousebuilderpledged£500toBarkerButtsRFC fortheclubtoprovidethekitforitsminiandjuniorgirls’ sections.Havingrecentlyacquiredthelandforaproposed developmentatPickfordGateinCoventry,thebuilderhas startedinvestinginthecommunity.GlennSouthwell,club presidentandUnder-16girlscoach,said:“Asavolunteer-led organisation,donationslikethisgenuinelymakeadifference.”
SCHOOL REPORT
RICOHSCORES
ThefootballteamatQueenAlexandraCollege,Harborne,partofthe QueenAlexandraCharityBirmingham,hasreceivedabrand-new footballkitfromRicohEurope.Thekitwaspaidforbyaseriesof minifund-raisersbytheRicohTeaminBirmingham.Theworkplace integratorofend-to-endtechnology,solutionsandserviceshas beensupportingthecharityforoverayear,includingengagingwith studentsinclassroomactivities.RicohvisitedQACtomeetmembers ofthefootballteamandcoachesandunveilthenewkit.
SUPPORTINGSTUDENTS
HeartofWorcestershireCollegeiscelebrating afteritsWellbeingandSafeguardingTeam wasnamedStudentServicesTeamoftheYear attheNAMSS(NationalAssociationfor ManagersofStudentServices)Awards.The awardrecognisestheteam’soutstanding commitmenttostudents,ensuringevery learnerreceivesthesupporttheyneedto thrive.JulieBreakwell,thecollege’svice principal&DSLstudentexperienceand support,said:“Theteam’scompassion, empathyandtirelessdedicationmakeareal differenceinthelivesofourstudentsevery singleday.Thisisamuch-deservedwin.”
INSPIRATIONAL MAYORVISIT
LyndonSchoolwelcomedSolihullmayor,CllrShahin Ashraf,aspartofitsInternationalWomen’sDay celebrations.Themayordeliveredaninspiringassembly toYear10learners,sharingherjourneyinleadership andencouragingthemtobelieveintheirpotential.A groupofKeyStage3learnersalsohadtheopportunity tovisittheMayor’sParlour.SchoolprincipalSyreeta Kapswarasaid:“Themayor’svisitwasaninvaluable experienceforourlearners,particularlyouryoung women,wholeftfeelingtrulyinspired.Encouraging ambitionandconfidenceisattheheartofwhatwedo.”
FINEYOUNG CITIZENS
Fouryoungpeopleaged betweeneightand24from acrosstheWestMidlandswere namedaswinnersoftheYoung ActiveCitizenAwardsin recognitionoftheireffortsto buildandstrengthentheirlocal communities.Theyincluded Darci-BleuStewart,pictured, fromYardleyWoodCommunity PrimarySchool,Birmingham. Darci-Bleugrewherhair followingchemotherapyfor cancerandthenhaditcutand donatedtoanorganisationthat makeswigsforchildren experiencinghairloss.Shealso helpedorganisecoffeeand cakemornings,raising£500for alocalcancercharity.
CHARITYDEAL
CreativeagencyReesBradley Hepburn(RBH)hasteamedup withMidlandsAirAmbulance Charitytodeliveraninsights drivenbrandprojectandcreative campaigns.HelenMason,headof marketingandcommunicationsat MidlandsAirAmbulancesaid: “RBHhasastrongreputationfor creatingimpactfulandengaging campaigns.We’relookingforward toworkingwiththemonanumber ofexcitingprojectsandinitiatives throughouttheyear.”
DOUBLINGUP
APRandherclienthavelaunchedabusiness collaborationafterjustoneyearofworking together–bringingacombined50yearsof experienceinanewmarketingagencyin southWarwickshire.AmandaChalmersof ChalmersNewsPRinWarwick,hasjoined forceswithBiancaRodrigues-Perryfrom Leamington,tolaunchBia’sMarketing Production&PR.Theduoteamedupafter Brazilian-bornBianca–alsoknownasthe faceofYouTube’sBia’sKitchenShow–enjoyedsuccessforherownbrandthrough Amanda’sestablishedPRagency.
BUSINESS
MAYORHOMESIN
WestMidlandshousebuilderDavidWilson HomeswelcomedthemayorofSolihullto viewtheprogressofitsAshtreeGrove developmentinHamptoninArden.Cllr ShahinAshrafwasshownpropertiesunder constructionatthe96-homesitebythe builder’smanagingdirectorHelenLewis. CllrAshrafsaid:“Theplansalso incorporateadedicatedpublicspacewhere peoplecancometogether,enjoynature andbuildastrongsenseofcommunity.I lookforwardtoseeingthisneighbourhood becomeavitalpartofSolihull.”
CHARGINGAHEAD
AWarwickshireelectronicsbusinessis ontargettodoubleitsturnoverafter pluggingintosupportintheregion. Gibutech,basedattheSpaceBusiness Centre,wasestablishedbyErnest Boatengin2022offeringconsumer electronicproducts–fromphone chargerstopowerbanksandin-car adaptorstophonecases,soldonline. Thelatestsuccesscomesaftersupport throughtheBusinessResilienceand Growthprogramme,deliveredby CoventryandWarwickshireChamber ofCommerceonbehalfof WarwickshireCountyCounciland Warwickshire’sfiveDistrictand BoroughCouncils.
CHEQUEMATES
TheLordMayorofBirmingham,CllrKenWoodand LadyMayoressBarbaraWoodcuttheribbon officiallylaunchingthePeg&Grillpubin Birmingham’sWestsideBID.Peg&GrillownerKam SinghChohanexplainedthe£500,000investment inrefurbishingthehistoricpubinBishopsgate StreetwhichfeaturesanIndianrestaurant.A£500 chequewaspresentedtotheLordMayor’sCharity whichraisesfundstobenefittheeconomic,health andsocialwellbeingofBirminghamresidents.
Alandmarksustainableoffice buildinginBirminghamcitycentre hasstartedtosellhoneyproduced fromitsownrooftopbeehives, withallproceedsgoingtoalocal charity.Afterintroducingtwohives toitsseventhflooroutdoorroof terracein2024,10Brindleyplaceis nowhometoaround60,000 bees.Followingasuccessful harvestfromthebeesinlate2024, 80jarsofhoneyhavebeen producedsofar,raisingmoneyfor inequalitycharityBirmingham SettlementbasedinLadywood.
METROSUCCESS
TheWestMidlandsMetroismorepopularthaneverwithtrampassenger numbersnowhigherthantheywerebeforetheCovidpandemic.Datafrom theDepartmentforTransportshows8.3millionjourneysweremadeinthepast year,a53.7percentincreaseover2023,andpassingtheeightmillionrecorded in2019.Theincreasefollowsinvestmentsinthesystem,includingtheWestside extensioninBirminghamandWolverhamptoncitycentreextension.
GOLDAWARD
MillenniumPointhasbeenawardedtheThriveat WorkGoldAwardforworkplacewellbeing.The awardwaspresentedbytheWestMidlands CombinedAuthority,whoseThrivescheme encouragesorganisationstofocusonemployee healthandwellbeing.MillenniumPointisthefirst Birmingham-basedorganisationtobeawarded theGoldAward.MillenniumPointCEO,Abbie Vlahakissaid:“Ourworkplacewellbeingscheme hashelpedemployeestogrowourevents business,betterserveourtenants,andincrease thereachofourcharitablework.”
Solihullbutcher,Mills,hasscoopedanationalaccoladeatthisyear’sSmithfield Awards.Oneof10artisanbutchersfromacrosstheUKtobecrownedtopof theirclass,thebutcherwontheDiamondawardinthe‘ReadyMeal’category withitsLambKeemaWellington,inwhatisrecognisedasthemeattrade’s mosthighprofileandchallengingproductevaluation.OrganisedbytheQ GuildofButchers,theawardswhichhaverunformorethan30years, recognisetheUK’sfinestcraftbutcheryproducts.
HELPFORSHOPPERS
AMidlandsbusinesswhichprovidesawiderange ofmobilityaidsiscelebratingitsfirstyearserving theneedsofMerryHillshoppingcentre.More than5,000peoplehavesofarmadeuseofthe servicesofSimplelifeMobilitywhichoffersawide rangeofmobilityaidsforhire,allowingvisitorsto shopwitheaseandindependence.Thestorealso stocksover6,000mobilityequipmentproductsfor purchase,fromriserreclinerchairstobedroom andbathroomaids.
LEGALART
Piecesofartbyartistslivingandworkingintheregionfeatureatthenew officesofinternationallawfirmTrowers&HamlinsinBirmingham.Eachpiece reflectsadifferentaspectoftheregionusingavarietyofmediaandwas sourcedorcommissionedincollaborationwiththeRoyalBirminghamSocietyof Artists,ColleyIsonGalleryandSeventhCircle.SocietydirectorRachelDowlingJonessaid:“TheartworkdemonstrateshowTrowersispractisingwhatit preachesbyembeddingitselfacrossalllevelsandpartsofthecommunity.”
HIPPODROMEFIRST
BirminghamHippodrome’sNewWorkandArtistDevelopmentdepartment hasannounceditsfirstcohortinitsbespokeartistdevelopment programme,HippodromeOrigins.LedbynewworkmanagerAnnaHimali Howardandsupportedbyheadofnewworkandartistdevelopment SophiaGriffin,the18-monthprogrammefeatureseighttheatrewritersand makersfromtheWestMidlands.Theprogrammewillallowtheartiststo developnewideas,storiesandwork,supportedbytheHippodrome.Atthe endoftheprogrammetheworkwillbesharedwithawideraudience.
INTHEPIPELINE
LawtonTubes,aleadingmanufacturer andsupplierofcoppertubingproducts, hasunveiledplansforanew£20million facility,justafewmetresfromits currentheadquarters.Thedevelopment willseethecreationofa120,000sqft, two-storeybasethatwillhousethe company’smanufacturing,storageand officeoperationsinTorringtonAvenue, Coventry.Therapidlygrowingfamilyrunbusinessboastsanannualturnover of£230millionandemploys140staff acrossitsfoursitesinCoventry, Redditch,andPoole.
PAINTPLANTHOMES
Workisunderwaytoturnapaintfirm’s historicformerpremisesintonewhomes. TheVictorianbuildingatClevelandRoad, Wolverhamptonwhichoncehoused SJDixon&Son,isthefinalphaseofthe RoyalQuarterdevelopment.Theproject byMorroPartnershipshasreceived fundingfromWestMidlandsmayor RichardParkerandwilldeliver93newsocialhomes.Withmorethan6,800 householdsand13,500childrencurrentlylivingintemporaryaccommodation,the developmentisthelateststeptowardsaddressingtheregion’shousingshortage.
LIQUIDMOVE
IntegratedcommunicationsagencyLiquidhas welcomedMichaelGrassasitsnewgroup accountdirector.Thisappointmenthighlights theagency’scommitmenttostrengtheningits leadershipteamfollowingtherecentaddition ofPaulFaulknerasseniorcounsel.Michael boastsmorethanadecadeofexperienceinPR, contentandcommunicationstrategy,witha trackrecordinmanagingteamsanddelivering multi-channelcampaignsacrossdifferent countriesandaudiences.
MATTMUSCLESIN
ASevernTrentprojectmanagerismakingwavesintheworldofbodybuilding –afterbeingcrownedMrUniverseinVenice.MattNeedham,28,isasenior projectmanagerattheMidlandswatercompanyandrunssomeofthe biggestinvestmentschemesacrosstheregion.Matt,28,said:“I’ddedicated allofmysparetimeforthatmoment–somedaysIwasinthegymfor 4.30ambeforelaterstartingwork.”MattfromWombourne,near WolverhamptonstartedoutasagraduateatSevernTrentsevenyearsago.
BUSINESS BITES
FITNESSHELP
InspiringFitnessintheCommunityhaslaunched freeweeklyfitnesssessionsattheBirmingham DeafCulturalCentre,tailoredfordeafand hard-of-hearingindividuals.Supportedby BirminghamCityCouncil’sCostofLiving Programme,theclassesaimtoremove communicationbarriersandmakehealthand exerciseaccessibletoeveryone.
AWARDWIN
JulieWhite,themanagingdirectorofD-Drill &Sawing,andchairofBuildUKandtheDrilling &SawingAssociation,wontheConstruction BusinesswomanAwardattheGreatBritish BusinesswomanAwards.Thejudgespraised Julieforherpassionateleadership,resiliencein steeringD-Drillthroughchallenges,andtireless advocacyfortheconstructionindustryandSMEs.
SENIORROLE
MidlandslawfirmmfgSolicitorshasbolsteredits PrivateClientdepartmentwiththeappointment ofnewseniorassociateSophieShakeshaft. Sophiewhojoinsthefirm’sBirminghamoffice, specialisesinwills,LastingPowersofAttorney andestateadministration.
NICK’SLUNCHDATE
OneoftheUK’stopbroadcastjournalists,awardwinningNickFerrari,willbeguestspeakeratthis month’sBirminghamPressClubcelebritylunch.Nick, whothisyearcelebrates21yearsasthehostofLBC’s weekdaybreakfastshow,isknownforhisstraighttalking,tenaciousinterviewingofpoliticians,business leadersandentertainmentfigures.Heisalsoaregular onITV’sThisMorningprogramme.Hewilltalkabout hiscareerinnationalpressaswellasbroadcastingat ParkRegisHotelonFriday25April.
SOCIALENTERPRISES TAKECENTRE-STAGE
Howbusinessisgivingdeprived youngpeopleachancetowork
PatronsandguestsofAsianBusinessChamberof Commerce(ABCC)learnedfirst-handaboutthe impactofsocialenterprisesatadinnerheldat Malmaison.RosieGinday,thefounderofMissMacaroon, spokeaboutgivinganopportunitytoyoungpeoplefrom deprivedbackgroundsinthecitythroughherhand-made Frenchmacaroonsbusiness.MissMacaroonisacommunity interestcompanythatreinvests100percentofitsprofitsinto helpingunemployedyoungpeoplegainskillsthatwillhelpto changetheirlives.MoneyChopra,clustersalesmanagerof MalmaisonandHotelduVinalsooutlinedtheopportunities availableatthehotels. ■
1 RosieGinday,AnjumKhan,OmarRashid,MoneyChopra. 2 KavitaParmar,DeeKundi,AnjumKhan. 3 SanaSaddique. 4 AhmerNawaz. 5 NeelhamAfzal,OmarRashid. 6 MonicaGhai. 7 TrinaTierman. 8 SartajGill. PhotographybyJasSansi
WOMEN’SDAYBOOST FORREFUGECHARITY
Celebratingfemaleresiliencewasthefocusofa specialeventheldatStratfordTownHallas partofInternationalWomen’sDay.Theevent wasjointlyhostedbySallyBee,presidentof ShakespeareSoroptimistsandTraceyMcAtamney, directorofLadiesFirst,fromBalsallCommon. KeynotespeakersincludedCaptainEmmaHenderson, NickyPattinsonandNatalieHeeley.Theeventhelped raisemorethan£600inaidofRefuge,acharity providingspecialistsupportforwomenandchildren experiencingdomesticviolence. ■
Specialeventcelebratesfemaleresilience whilehelpingdomesticviolencesupport 6 7
1 PaulaBelcher,SarahArmstrong,JayneMcIntosh. 2 JulieMcGarrigle,CorinneMo. 3 SiobhanRowland,HesterMaclean,LeanneHorne. 4 SallyBee. 5 NatalkaLarysa,PaolaSpigaandColleenFletcherMBE. 6 JayneMcIntoshandTraceyMcAtamney. 7 PaolaSpiga, CaptainEmmaHenderson. PhotographybyJaneCollier
Morethan150clientsandfriendsjoinedlaw firmLodderstocelebratetheofficial launchofitsnewcentralBirmingham office,followingafullrefurbishment.Guestswere welcomedbytheaward-winningNeroStringQuartet andenjoyeddeliciouscanapesfromtheWild Gourmet,aswellasachampagnereceptionandwellstockedbarbyWildfireEvents.PaulMourton, managingpartneratLodders,toldguests:“Internally thenewofficehasproventobeapopularworking spaceandexternallyithasenabledustobuildon existingrelationshipsandcreatemanynewones.” ■
6 7 8 9
1 AndyHarris,WillIrving,BradQuin,AndrewDonaldson. 2 JamesSpreckley,GailHinckes,SamWhite,HollieGordon-Walker. 3 MichelleGavin, VivienneMiddleton,BaldishKhatkar. 4 PaulMourton,RobSmyth. 5 NicHeath,HarshadBharakhada. 6 ProfSwaranSingh,NinderJohal, DamianKelly. 7 StuartPrice,RichardPugh. 8 RionaMoriarty,DavidJupp. 9 MartynEdwards,ChrisDewes,AlexiaWinn. PhotographybyJasSansi 1
Thisyear’sSignatureAwardswerehosted byAaronJamesandheldattheVox ConferenceVenueinBirmingham. Theawardscelebratesomeofthebestbusinesses fromtheregionandhighlightstheprofessionals andentrepreneurswhodriveoperational excellenceintheirfield.Winnersincluded ElisabethLewis-Jones,CEOofcommunications consultancyLiquid,whowasvotedBusiness WomanoftheYear ■
WHAT’SONliving
WHAT: MikeBrewer
WHEN: 12May
WHERE: BritishMotorMuseum, britishmotormuseum.co.uk
OneofBritain’smostprolificmotoringpresenters talksabouthislifeasaWheelerDealer,shares behindthescenesstoriesaboutmomentsthat didn’tmakeittothefinalcut–andenthuses aboutsomeoftheamazingcarsthatdid!
WHAT: GregoryPorter WHEN: 23and24April
WHERE: SymphonyHall, bmusic.co.uk
Withavoicethathasbeen describedas‘liquidgold’, Porterhascaptivated audiencesaroundtheworld withhisuniqueblendof jazz,soulandgospel.
WHAT: TitusAndronicus
WHEN: 17Aprilto7June
WHAT: Rembrandt:MasterpiecesinBlackandWhite
WHEN: Nowto1June
WHERE: BirminghamMuseum&ArtGallery, birminghammuseums.org.uk
Thismajornewexhibitionpresentsthe completerangeofRembrandt’setchings, highlightingtheartist’scenturies-long impactonthefieldofprintmaking.CoorganisedbytheAmericanFederationof ArtsandRembrandtHouseMuseum.
WHERE: RSCTheatre,rsc.org.uk,tel:01789331111
Thewarmaybeover,buttheviolencehasjustbegun. Shakespeare’sbloodiestplayseenthroughthelensof 21stcenturyaggression.Olivier,TonyandBAFTAawardwinnerSimonRussellBealetakesthetitlerole.
WHAT: Torvill&Dean:OurLastDance
WHEN: 25to27April
WHERE: BPPulselive, bppulselive.co.uk
Seizeyourchancetoseetheworld’smost famousicedancingduoperformtogether forthefinaltimebeforetheyretirefrom skatingforgood!
WHAT: ScienceMuseum–TheLiveStageShow WHEN: 11May
WHERE: TheAlexandra,atgtickets.com
Experiencethebrand-newstageshowfrom MarkThompsonProductionswhichwill igniteyourcuriosity,fuelyourimagination andinspireyouinnewandexcitingways.
WHAT: MahtabHussain: WhatDidYouWantToSee?
WHEN: Nowuntil1June
WHERE: IkonGallery,ikon-gallery.org
Thehugelytalentedartistwhowe interviewedlastmonthexploresthefine linebetweenphotographicdocumentation andsurveillancecultureaffectingthe MuslimcommunityinBritain.
WHAT: AnEveningwithPhil ‘ThePower’Taylor WHEN: 3May
WHERE: TownHall, bmusic.co.uk
Theworldhasgonecrazyfor dartsandthisisachanceto hearsomefascinatingstories fromoneofthelegendsofthe sportforanunforgettable eveningofdartsandchat.
WHAT: KinkyBoots WHEN: 15to19April
WHERE: Birmingham Hippodrome, birminghamhippodrome.com
TheBroadwayandWestEnd phenomenonstrutsbacktoBrum withajoy-filledsensation,basedon atruestoryandhitmovie,featuring musicandlyricsbypopiconCyndi Lauperandastellarcast.
WHAT: TheBabyShow
WHEN: 9to11May
WHERE: NECBirmingham, www.thebabyshow.co.uk/nec
Callingallparents-to-beandnewparents!There’s morethan350leadingbabyandboutiquebrandson showwitheverythingyouneedtogiveyourbundleof-joytheverybeststart.
WHAT: EdgbastonArtisanMarket
WHEN: 12April
WHERE: GreenfieldCrescent, Edgbaston,calthorpe.co.uk
Amust-visitasBirmingham’slargest artisanmarketreturnswithexciting tradersandahugevarietytochoosefrom someofthefinestindependent businessesacrosstheMidlands.
WHAT: MixMasters:TheDJWorkshop WHEN: 14April
WHERE: MidlandsArtCentre, macbirmingham.co.uk
Anexcitingworkshopforchildrenagedeightto16.Whether yourchildisabuddingmusicenthusiastorjustcuriousabout DJ-ing,thisisafantasticopportunitytodevelopcreativityand technicalskillswhilehavingsomeseriousfun!
WHAT: AThousandSplendidSuns
WHEN: 11Aprilto3May
WHERE: BirminghamRep, birmingham-rep.co.uk
ApowerfulnewproductionofKhaled Hosseini’sawesomenovel,thisisan unflinching,life-affirmingdramainwhich lovegrowsandsustainsthehumanspirit evenduringthehardestoftimes.
WHAT: GreatBirminghamRun
WHEN: 4May
WHERE: Heartofthecity
TheMidlands’biggestandbest runningeventreturnswith thousandsofBrummiespounding thestreetsandraisingmuch neededlollyforsomeawesome causes.Comesupportandenjoy thecarnivalatmosphere.
CLOSEWITHÁ
THECEOOFUNITEDBY2022,THECHARITYFOUNDEDTOFULFILTHE LEGACYOFTHEBIRMINGHAMCOMMONWEALTHGAMES,REVEALSHOW ITHASHELPEDLOCALCOMMUNITIESTOTHETUNEOF£15MILLION–ANDHERLOVEOFSECRETLYKAYAKINGWITHTHEDOLPHINS…
BEENTHERE,DONETHAT
IworkedontheBirmingham2022Commonwealth Gamesasdirectoroflegacy.I’mafanofsportbuthaving neverworkedinsportoreventsitwasarandomcareer swerve.IwasatAstonUniversityfor14yearsasdirectorof careersandemployabilityandanotherfiveyearsasa nationalpolicyadvisorandcommissionerforthe government,soIhaddevelopedagroundinginhowtoget thingsdoneonabigscalewithpublicmoney.Whenthe opportunitycametojointheGames’organisingcommittee, Ihadablendofskillsandexperiencefortherole.Itwas veryhardwork,butIadoredmytimeattheGames–howeverasthedirectoroflegacy,thehardworkforme startedoncetheGameswereover...
IT’SWHATIDO
ForthelasttwoyearsI’vebeenrunningthecharity foundedtokeepthegoodlegaciesgoingaftertheGames lefttown.Theeventcreatedsuchanupswinginoptimism, peopletoldustheyfeltunitedbythesummerof2022and askedustokeepthatfeelingalive.Thecharityhasplayeda mainroleinensuring£15millionhasgonetocommunities allaroundtheWestMidlands.Ifyou’veseentheorange uniformsofthevolunteersatanyofthe72eventsaround theregion,thatiswhatwedo.We’vealsosupportedmore than2,000,16to24-year-oldswhofaceincredible hardships,providingexperiencesonouryouthvolunteering pathway.Theyoungpeoplemightbecarers,careleavers, disabledorlivingwithamentalhealthconditionwhich getsinthewayoftheirdreamsandprospects.We’realso upskillinghundredsofcommunitygroupstohelpthem findsustainablefunding,andweadviselocalemployerson howtheycanbeabetterfriendtolocalcommunities.
WHATI’DLIKETOSEE
I’dlovetherestofthecountrytobelieveinBirminghamthe wayIdo.Mylatestmissionistogetourbusinessesandpublic sectoremployersworkingonthesamesocialchallenges–like youthunemploymentandhealthinequalities.Itwouldbe unbelievablypowerfultocombinethebuyingpowerofthe council,theNHS,andbusinessestomakesomecoordinated asksofthesupplierstheypurchasefromandturnthatinto tangibleopportunitiesforlocalpeople.
BIGGESTSUCCESS
IsetupDegreeApprenticeshipsinEngland.It’sgonefrom zeroin2016to55,000degreeapprenticestoday.Byworking andearningasadegreeapprentice,andnothavingtopay universityfees,itopensupacompletelynewpathwaytopeople ofallageswhowouldn’totherwiseconsideradegree.I’mso proudofthat.
BIGGESTLESSONLEARNED
Inleadership–credittheteamwhenthingsgowell,takethe hitwhenthingsgobadly.Inmanagement–discretionaleffort isthebiggestuntappedresourceontheplanet.Personally–purposegivesmewings,wishI’dknownthatwhenIwas18.
WHATILIKEABOUTBRUM
Ourpeoplearefunny,humble,diverse,creativeandweget stuffdone.Plus,we’vegotthreeBullsandaMrEgg.What’s nottolove!
DOWNTIME
Myultimatestressbusteriskayakingouttoasecret Welshbeachtowatchdolphinsasthesunsets.Preferably withacoldbeer. ■
