Birmingham Living April 2025 (issue 144)

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£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

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Squiggletwoseatsofa

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HEATSOURCE

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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. ■

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