Myohmy,wheredidtheyeargo?It’sDecemberalready,whichmeans thismonth’ssparklingissueofBirminghamLivinghasplentyofhoho-hoandall-thingsChristmas!OurvividlyredfrontcoverofJoan Armatradinglookssuitablyfestiveandmarksthemusiclegend’swonderfulcollaborationthismonthwith theCityofBirminghamSymphonyOrchestraandChoir.Homelandisaclassicalmusiccomposition whichJoansaysisalovelettertoherhomecity–theplacewhereshearrivedasaseven-year-oldfromSt Kitts,andwhichformedandnurturedthetalentwhichmadeheraBritishgreatandinternationalstar.Joan trulytranscendsmusic–writingpop,folk,blues–andnowclassical.Amazing!
AttheheartofthemagazineisourfamousBigGiftGuide.Pagesofgreatideasforperfectpresentsforfamilyand friends.Wealwayslookwherepossibletohighlightgiftswhichareavailablefromlocalretailersandaremaybea littlebitdifferent–onesyoumaynothavethoughtof,butwhichwillworkwonderfullywell. BesidesChristmas,thisissueisparticularlyspecialhereatBrumLivingtowers…It’sour150th!Wefeel incrediblyproudtohavereachedsuchamilestoneafterpublishingourfirstmagazinebackinJune2012. Overtheyears,we’veinterviewedsomeofthecity’sbiggestnames–BeverleyKnight,DavidHarewood, LennyHenry,AdrianLester,GuzKhan,AdilRay,FelicityJones,AlisonHammond…tonamebutafew. Andwe’vebeeninspiredreportingontheexploitsandachievementsofthousandsofincredible‘regular’ Brummies,too.
AswewenttopressBirminghamLivingwasnamedMidlandsMagazineoftheYearattheMidlandsMedia AwardsheldbyBirminghamPressClub.Awonderfulsurprise!Toallofyou,ourbrilliantreaders,thank youforyoursupport.WewishyouaveryhappyandpeacefulChristmas.
Coverimage: JoanArmatrading, photographedby JoelAnderson
EDITOR: DavidJohns david@brumliving.co.uk
FEATURESEDITOR: ShelleyCarter shelley@brumliving.co.uk
CONTRIBUTORS: DavidCarne,AdamKirtland ACCOUNTMANAGER: JaneMorris jane@brumliving.co.uk
PHOTOGRAPHY: DavidMorphew,AndrewLlewellyn.Imagelibrary:shutterstock.com
DESIGNER: TracyDuffy
PUBLISHINGDIRECTOR: JonathanCarter
RockHopperMediaLimited BurleighHouse,23TagwellRoad,DroitwichWR97BN tel 01905771110
©RockHopperMediaLtd. BirminghamLivingispublishedmonthlybyRockHopperMediaLtdandprintedbyBuxtonPress.Viewsandopinionsexpressedbyauthorsandservicesandproducts offeredbyadvertisersarenotspecificallyendorsedbyRockHopperMediaLtd.ReproductioninwholeorinpartofthecontentsofBirminghamLivingwithoutwrittenpermissionisstrictlyprohibited.
SUBSCRIPTIONS: Thesubscriptionrate(postpaid)is£24foroneyear(12issues).Subscriptions01905771110ISSN2051-8560
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News
Bringingyouthebrighteststories fromacrossthecitythismonth
JoanArmatrading
Homeland:Thesinger-songwriter’s classicallovelettertoBrum
AntonLesser
ActingroyaltyAntonLessercomesback tohishometowntoperformDickens
Food&DrinkwithGlynnPurnell
TheYummyBrummieonhisnewrestaurant, Trillium,plusnews,reviews,recipes&wine
Style
Fromhighstyletobohochic,ourcollection ofoptionsforallyourfestive-filledfrolics
TheBigGiftGuide
Ourfamousguideispackedwithgorgeousideas allavailableintheMidlandsforyourlovedones
BestoftheRest
26 28 54 59 64 66
We’re150Á
Lookingbackatsomeofthehighlightsas BirminghamLivingreachesaproudmilestone
Health
SeasonalAffectiveDisorder(SAD)affects morethantwomillionpeopleintheUK
JohnLeader
Wecaughtupwiththeactoraheadofhisrun playingRoaldDahl’sbelovedBFGatStratford
BusinessNews
Allthelatestnews,views,comingsand goingsfromthecommercialcommunity
What’sOn
Bestofthecity’stopshowsandgigs inourround-upofmust-seeevents
UpClose
WithNealFosterasHorribleHistories: HorribleChristmascomestoBirmingham
WILLKOMMEN CHRISTMAS!
ThelargestauthenticChristmas marketoutsideofGermanyor AustriaisbackinBrum. Birmingham’sFrankfurt ChristmasMarketatVictoria SquareandNewStreetoffersa rangeoftraditionalgifts,many handmade,includinglacework andporcelain,plusfoodand drink,includingpretzelsand bratwurstwasheddownwith gluhwein,weissbeerorhot chocolate.Themarketisopen until24December.
BRINGINGYOUTHEBRIGHTEST ANDMOSTCOLOURFUL STORIESFROMACROSSTHE CITYEACHMONTH
VENUEOFTHEYEAR
IT’SGOKÁYESITIS!
He’sknownasaTVfashionista,DJandradiostar,butGokWanhasa verydifferentrolethisChristmas–inBirminghamHippodrome’s panto,RobinHood.GokplayGokScarletandisjoinedbypanto favouriteMattSlackasRobinHood,FayeTozerasMaidMarionand MattCardleasthedastardlySheriffofNottingham.Theproduction featuresdazzlingsceneryandcostumesdirectfromtheLondon Palladium.Catchallthefunfrom20Decemberto1February.
TheBritishMotorMuseumhasscoopedtwo prizesintheannualFamtasticAwardswhich recognisethetopvenuesnationwide. Judgedbyapanelofeventsindustry specialists,themuseum–whichishometo theworld’slargestcollectionofhistoric Britishcars–hasbeennamedIndependent VenueoftheYearandUniqueVenueofthe Year.TobyBatchelor,themuseum’sheadof commerce,said:“Themuseumoffersmore thanjusteventspaces;itdeliversand createsimmersive,engaging,trulyone-of-akindeventexperiences.”
DEARENGLAND
Withnextyear’sWorldCuponthehorizon,JamesGraham’sOlivier Award-winningplay,DearEngland,iscomingtoBrumaspartofa nationaltourfollowingarecord-breakingruninLondon’sWestEnd. HeadingthecastisDavidSturzakerasEnglandmanagerGareth Southgate,withEastEndersandMountPleasantactressSamantha WomackplayingtheroleofteampsychologistPippaGrange.The upliftingstoryofSouthgate’stenureasEnglandmanagerisat BirminghamHippodromefrom10to14March.
FESTIVEFUN
There’splentyoffestivefuntobehadatTownHallandSymphonyHallthis Christmas.ToscanaStrings,pictured,bringtolifeTheSnowmanandThe Nutcrackerthroughmusicanddanceon6December.StrictlyComeDancing judgeAntonDuBekefoxtrotsintotownonthe11thwithhistroupeof dancers,whileHorribleHistoriesembarkonahair-raisingadventurethrough festivehistoryonthe23rd.LondonConcertOrchestrabringstolifethefilm scoresofHansZimmerandJohnWilliams,featuringmusicfromTheHoliday, StarWars,HarryPotterandETonthe27th.
MOULINMONEYSPINNER
AgalaeveningatBirminghamHippodromeraisedmore than£20,000tosupportthetheatre’syouthprogrammes. Thesell-outeventontheopeningnightofMoulinRouge! TheMusicalwashostedbyartisticdirector&CEOJon Gilchrist.GuestsincludedHippodromepatrons,event supporters,corporatepartnersandfunders.Themoney raisedwillexpandperformanceopportunitiesforyoung peopleanddelivercreativeeducationworkin30partner schoolsacrossBirmingham.
BRAD’SVILLADREAM
Michelin-starredchefBradCarteriscookingup somethingspecialwiththefootballclubhehas supportedfromtheageofsix.Bradiscreatinga one-of-a-kinddiningexperienceatAstonVilla’s 150Club.Thepartnershipoffersfansandguestsa uniqueopportunitytoexperienceBrad’sfoodina newsetting.Bradsaid:“Tobringmyfoodtothe clubI’velovedallmylifeisbeyondspecial.”Brad rosetoprominencethroughhisacclaimedMoseley restaurantCarters,whichheopenedwithhiswife Hollyin2010.
ImagebyMarcBrenner
GLADIATORS READY
TheGladiatorsarethrowingdownthegauntlettoBrummies.Forthefirsttime fansofthehitBBCshowcanbecomeGladiatorscontendersthemselves–testingtheirspeed,strengthandskillonsomeoftheiconicchallenges. LaunchingattheNECBirminghamfromnextMay,theGladiatorsExperience willfeatureanauthenticrecreationoftheGladiatorsarena.Theimmersive eventwhichwillspanover10,000squaremetreswillincludeauthenticprops andmuseumexhibits,innovativephysicalactivitiesandaGladiators superstore.Detailsatwww.Gladiators-Experience.com
RSC’S GROWING VOICE
TheRoyalShakespeare Company(RSC)hasappointed internationallyrenownedvoice coachPatsyRodenburgOBEas theCompany’sEmeritus DirectorofVoice.Inthe honoraryunpaidposition,Patsy willworkwithDanielEvans andTamaraHarvey,co-artistic directors,tohelpensurethe RSCremainsaglobalbeacon forclassicalvoicetrainingand performance.Patsyisalso developingarangeof programsdesignedtodeepen thecraftoftheatreandclassical voicetraininginperformance.
IAN’SBIGRUN
HATSOFFTOMUSICALMAJA
TipyourhattoMajaPluta–oneoffivecomposerswhowillworkwith Birminghamprimaryschoolsforthenexttwoyearsaspartofthe award-winningListenImagineComposePrimaryprojectrunby BirminghamContemporaryMusicGroup(BCMG).Majawilljoin childrenatYardleyWoodCommunityPrimary.Together,thefive composers-in-residencewillworkwithmorethan600children,their classteachersandschoolmusicleadstodeveloptheircomposingskills andsupporttheiremergingmusicalvoicesandidentities.
HUNTFORYOUNGHEROES
Thesearchisontofindyoungpeopledoingamazingthingsto buildandstrengthentheirlocalcommunities.Thisyear’s YoungActiveCitizensAwardshavebeenlaunchedbytheWest MidlandsLieutenancywithfouragecategories,rangingfrom 11to25years.Lastyear’swinnersincludedDarci-Bleu Stewart,agedeight,pictured,fromYardleyWoodCommunity PrimarySchool,whoafterchemotherapyforcancergrewher hairtodonateitforwigsforchildrenwithhairloss.Closing dateforthisyear’snominationsis7February.
IanMcKnightisproofthat it’snevertoolatetotick somethingoffyourbucket list.The64-year-oldfrom Bournvillesuccessfully completedthegruellingAltra 13ValleysUltratrailrace eventintheLakeDistrict afterrediscoveringhislove forrunning.Ianwasoneof 25runnersandadventurers supportedbyCoventry BuildingSocietyaspartofits SunnyDayscampaign, whichencourageseveryone tousetheir‘sunnydays savings’tomakememories. Iansaid:“Runninginthe fellsaroundKeswickgives yousuchaboostandyou reallyfeelaliveinthat moment.”
AIREPLUGGED
Alocalwriterhasreleasedanewbook whichdelvesintotheworldofArtificial Intelligence,examiningitsimpactonsociety andtechnologyasweknowit.Replugged byseasonedtechnologyleaderSatnam BainsfromSmethwick,isafieldguidefor stayinghumanasAIreshapeswork,culture andeverydaylife.Satnamsaid:“Everyfew decades,atechnologyarrivesthatreshapes thehumanstory.TheInternetandmobile changedhowweconnect,AIwillchange howwethink.Thisbookismyattemptto understandwherewe’retrulyheaded.”
WIZARDBYCANDLELIGHT
Birmingham’sStPaul’sChurchwillbe transformedbytheglowofthousandsof candlesforaspecialjourneytotheLandof Oz.Thelivemusicexperience,Candlelight: TheWizardofOz,relivesthegreatestsongs fromtheiconic1939film,TheWizardof Oz.Theeventon27Decemberisbeing presentedbyWarnerBrosDiscoveryGlobal ExperiencesandFever,theentertainment discoveryplatform,andfeaturesalocal stringquartet.
GOTANYNEWS? Emailyournewsand picturestoeditor@brumliving.co.uk
WINNINGNUMBERS
FancyaChristmasflutterwhilehelpingtoraisemoneyforlife-savingheroes? MidlandsAirAmbulancehaslauncheditsannualfestiverafflewithevery ticketsoldhelpingthecharity'sadvancedclinicalteamrespondtothemost criticallyillandinjuredpatientsacrosstheWestMidlands.There’sa£3,000 jackpot,plus16othercashprizestobewon.Eachticketcosts£1at midlandsairambulance.com/christmasraffle
TAKEITAWAY,BRUM!
Birminghamhasbeencrowned theUK’stoptakeawayhotspot. Newresearchbyinsurers SimplyBusinessnamedBrum astheUKcitywiththehighest densityofindependent takeawaybusinesses–well aheadofthelikesof Manchester,Leeds,LeicesterandLiverpool.Thestudyalsorevealedthe favouritetakeawaymeal,withtraditionalfishandchipsleadingtheway followedbyChineseandItalianfood.
How’syouriceskatingprowess?Expertlevelor couldbebetter?Eitherway,IceSkateBirmingham isofferingtheultimateexperienceforalllevels andages.Theslip-and-slidefunhasbecomea festivecityfavouritethatkeepsgrowingeachyear. TheicerinkislocatedinCentenarySquareand opendailyuntil4January2026,10:00amto 10:00pm.Ticketsarefrom£11.50.
LOVE LETTER TOBRUM
JoanArmatradingdescribeshernewclassicalworkHomelandas “alovelettertoBirmingham”.It’salovethangoesbackmore than60yearsforoneofBritain’sgreatestsinger-songwriters, whoarrivedinthecityfromStKittsasaseven-year-old.
“ThelyricstalkaboutBirmingham.I’manartistandI’ve travelledtheworld,butit’sgreattohaveahomelandsuchas Birmingham,hencethenameHomeland,”saysJoan.“Birmingham isopen,warmandfriendlyandifyouwalkpastsomeoneyou’ve nevermetandsayhello,they’llsayhelloback.It’safantasticplace.”
HomelandisJoan’snewworkforchoirandorchestrapremiered bytheCityofBirminghamOrchestraandChorus(CBSO)at SymphonyHallon7DecemberaspartofthefestiveBringingthe Lightconcert.TheworkisJoan’ssecond-everclassicalpiece followingherfirstforay,SymphonyNo.1,whichdebutedat London’sSouthbankCentrein2023togreatacclaim.
RESILIENCEANDWARMTH
Joansaid:“TheguysattheCBSOcametotheconcertwhichI didn’tknow.Theyobviouslylikeditbecausetheyaskedmetowrite forthem!HomelandisapiecethathighlightsthecityofBirmingham anditspeople,reflectingthestrongsenseofcommunity,resilienceand warmth.ItisalovelettertoaplacetowhichIambondedandoneI holdwithaffectionandpride.Throughbothwordsandmusic,the pieceweavestogetherthesounds,energyandrhythmsofthecity whilereachingoutintoitsvastsurroundingcountryside.Thisis Birminghamnotsimplyasabackdrop,butasaliving,breathing presence–anoften-underratedlandscapewhereindustryandnature existsidebysideinquietbeauty.”
Homelandisachoralpiecewith100-piecechoir,so“lotsof voices”saysJoan.Atthetimewespokewithhershehadn’theardit withthefullorchestraandchoirbutwasduetoatthefirstrehearsals andadmittedshewasfeeling“veryexcited”attheprospect.
LOVEANDAFFECTION
JoanisbestknownforherhitsongLoveandAffectionandasa multi-GrammyAwardandBRITAwardnomineeandIvor NovelloAwardwinner.AfterarrivinginBrumasachild,Joan taughtherselftoplaypianoandguitarbeforebecomingBritain’s firstfemalesinger-songwritertogaininternationalsuccess.Her songshavewonhermanyadmirers,fromBobDylantoArlo Parks.SheisthefirstUKfemaleartisttodebutatnumber1in Billboard’sBlueschartsandthefirstfemaleUKartisttobe nominatedforaGrammyintheBluescategory.Shewasawarded anMBEin2001andaCBEin2020andisalong-timesupporter andtrusteeofthePrinces’Trustcharity,mentoringyoungpeople. JoansaysofBrum:“Afterarrivingatseven,Iwatcheditchange whenIwasoldenoughtobeawareofitchanging.Itwasactuallya
Picture:JoelAnderson
bitboringandindustrialandnothingreallyexciting wasgoingon.Butit’sbeenopenedup,youcanwalk arounditwithoutcarsandthecultureandcreativity nowismassive.”
EXPLORINGSTYLES
Speakingofherfocusonclassicalmusic,Joansays thatovertheyearsshehasexploredmanymusical styles.Fordecadesshehasbeenwriting,arranging, producing,engineeringandplayingalltheinstruments inheralbums.Sheviewsthatadventuroustraitasone ofthesecretstoherpopularityandlongevity.“The peoplewhowerewithmein1972won’tnecessarilybe withmenow,soyouhavetobringonnewpeople,”she says.“It’snicetoknowI’vetouchedpeopleandallowed themtoexpressthemselves.Onceafteraninterview, theinterviewersaidtomethathewasinspiredtogo andproposetohisgirlfriend!Therearebabiesnamed aftersongs,solotsofWillowsandRosies!”
Joanhasbeenself-sufficientincareerterms,which hasmeantthatevenduringdifficultperiodslikeCovid shecarriedondoingwhatshedoes.She’salwaysbeen
ThepremiereofHomelandispartoftheBringingtheLight concertatSymphonyHallon7December,conductedby MichaelSealandpresentedbySatnamRana.Moredetailsat: www.bmusic.co.uk
interestedintechnology,soweaskedforherviewon oneofthehottopicsoftheday–AIanditsimpacton creativity.Shesaid:“PeoplegetworriedAIwilltake overeverything.Weshoulduseitlikeweuseother things.Rememberyouareahuman.It’sfinetostart theprocesswithAIbutnotfinishtheprocess.Youcan’t promptittowriteasongforyou.”Joanremembers whenshefirstgotasynthesiserandafriendasked‘why haveyougotthatJoan?’“Theinferencewasitmight diminishthecraftorwascheatingsomehowwhich obviouslyitwasn’t,”shesays.
SECONDSYMPHONY
OneofJoan’sproudestmomentswasgraduating withBAHonsinHistorythroughtheOpenUniversity. Shestudiedontourandwhilee-mailwasavailable, youweren’tallowedtosubmitessaysbye-mail–soshe hadtopostworkbackfromplaceslikeAustraliaand hopetheymadeit.ThelastdayofJoan’stourwasthe lastexam,soshehoppedoffaplane,gotstraightintoa caranddidtheexam.
Joaniscurrentlyworkingonhersecondsymphony. Shesaysshealwaysknewshewantedtowriteclassical atsomepoint.“OnedayIjuststartedwritingit–I hadn’tplannedtothatday,butitjusthappened.It’snot amillionmilesfrompop.ThebigdifferenceisIcan’t singwhatI’vewritten.Classicalissunginlonger vowelswhichpoppeopledon’tdo.” ■
LEADINGMAN
ACTINGROYALTYANTONLESSERTELLSUSABOUTALIGHTBULBMOMENTINAFRICATHAT STEEREDHIMAWAYFROMARCHITECTUREANDTOWARDTHESTAGE–ANDTHANKGOODNESSIT DID!THISMONTHHE’SCOMINGBACKTOHISHOMETOWNTOPERFORMDICKENS
Despiteanincredibleshowreel,Anton Lesserseemstoremaincomfortablyunder theradar.He’snotharanguedinthe supermarketandgoesabouthislifelargelyunfussed byfame.Andyet,he’sappearedinshowsthathave attractedhugeaudiencesandmuchcriticalacclaim suchasWolfHall,GameofThrones,Endeavour, TheCrown,Andor,PiratesoftheCaribbeanand umpteenothers.
He’sportrayedsomeofthemosthighprofile charactersonstageandvoicedmanyaudiobooks includingmostofDickens’snovelsforwhichhe wonaTalkieAwardforhisreadingofGreat Expectations.Anationaltreasureonemightsay,not thatAntonwouldseeitthatway.He’sjustkeento makeworkthatdoessomegoodandthatgives peoplehope.
EPIPHANYMOMENT
TheactingworldalmostmissedoutonAnton’s talentbutthankstoanepiphanyinNigeriaanda BritishCouncilfilmabouttheRSC,oneofthe UK’snowmostrespectedactorsheadedtoRADA. AntonsaysatMoseleyGrammarschoolhewas onlyreallygoodatEnglishsowasalwaysreading outloudinclass.Dramawasanaturalprogression andheremembersplayingthetitleroleinHamlet, butactingdidn’tfeellikeacareerpathatthattime. Unsurewhathewantedtodo,Antonheadedto LiverpoolUniversitytostudyArchitecture.While onaplacementinanarchitect’sofficeinNigeria, hewatchedaBritishCouncilfilmontheRSCand somethinginhimshifted.Antonrecalls:“Itwasa filmessentiallysaying,thisiswhattheRSCis aboutandanextraordinarythinghappened.I knewIhadtoact.I’dneverbeenmorecertainof anythinginmylifeandIcamebacktogoto dramaschool.”
RADAacceptedAntonandheenjoyeda wonderfulfewyearstrainingfollowedbyaglittering careerduringwhichhesayshe’sluckytohavenever reallybeenoutofwork.Hesays:“Outofthe21in myclassatRADAonlythreeorfourhavecontinued acting.Itcanbeprettygrim.I’mverylucky.”
RelativelyrecentlyAntonhasstartedworking withtheOrchestraoftheSwanwhowe’vefeatured inthesepagespreviously.Agroupofhighlytalented musiciansallfromtheMidlandsandledbyDavid LePage,theOrchestrahastranscendedits Warwickshirerootsperformingalloverthecountry andbeyond.Antonwasapproachedbytheorchestra withanideaaboutcombininglivemusicwiththe spokenwordwhichhejumpedat.Thismonththe orchestraandAntonarebringingDickens’sA ChristmasCaroltoTownHall.
Antonsays:“Wordsandmusicisakindof uniquegenre,neitherpurereading,noracting,but there’sthiswonderfulimmediacy,thatcomesfrom thehugeemotionalimpactthemusichasuponthe words,andviceversa,andtheinterplayweactors enjoywiththemusicianson-stage.Quitesimply, it’sthemostenjoyablethingI’veeverdone!I’m thrilledanddelighted–asaBirminghamboy–to beperformingintheactualplaceDickens’s immortaltalebegan.Theverythoughtgivesme goosebumps!”
Uniquelythemusicisintegraltotheconcertnot slottedinbetweentheaction.Themusicians heightenthesuspenseandemotioninawaythe orchestrabelievesDickenswouldapproveof. Anton’sversatility,abilitytobreakheartsand comedymakeshimtheperfectpartner.It’s somethingthattookAntonbysurprisebutheenjoys immensely.
DICKENSTOSTARWARS
Hesays:“I’mluckytohavefoundthisgroupof people–welltheyfoundmeactually.Theyarea groupofstunningmusiciansandDavidLePageis magnificent.Wehavealovelyrelationship–it’svery improvisationalandweinspireeachother.”He adds:“It’saminimalset.ForDickensthere’llbe chairsfortheorchestraandlotsofcandles.It’llbe wonderful.”
ThevarietyofAnton’sworkisatestamenttohis versatility–fromDickenstoStarWarsforinstance isquitetheleap.HesaysthewritingonAndorwas superb.“Thatsortofgenreisusuallyvery
predictablebutthiswasinterestingandcomplex. Forabigfranchiselikethatit’sunusual.”Anton isalsoplayingGarrickOllivanderintheHarry Potterseriesandhasdonemanyseasonsin Stratfordwhichhe’sloved.
AtthisperiodinAnton’scareer,he’sinthe fortunatepositionofbeingabletobemore chooseythananactorstartingout.Hesays:“For 50yearsI’vebeenpretendingandpeoplerespond sowonderfully.Myaspirationisacontinualone–toworkanddothingswhichhavegoodness comingthroughandmakepeoplefeelhope.The bitsofworkI’mofferednowIalwaysaskmyself, “doIwanttobeexpressingthisandisit uplifting?” ■
FESTIVETREAT
AntonLesser’sAChristmasCarolinWordsandMusicwithOrchestra oftheSwanwillbeperformedatBirminghamTownHallonMonday 15Decemberat7.30pm.Tickets£44.Visitbmusic.co.uk
GLYNN PURNELL
TheYummyBrummieopensanewrestaurantinthecitythismonthwithLoki Wine’s,PhilInnes.FlankedbytopchefRobPalmerinthekitchen,Trilliumpromises tobeanexcitingproposition–butitcouldhavebeenverydifferentifGlynnhad followedhisdreamofbecomingazookeeper…orarockstar…oracagefighter!
Picture:JackSpicerAdams
Tellusaboutyourcooking
Iwasclassicallytrainedbutthere’vebeen changesinmypalateovertheyears.I’venow gravitatedbacktoclassicalcooking–French, simple.Thequalityofingredientsisfirstonthe listofwhat’simportant.Ilikecookingsomething thatseemssimple,butthere’sacomplexityof flavourgoingon.Acustomermightsay,‘thatwas thebeststeakI’veeaten’buttheydon’tknowwhy –that’smagic!
Howdidyoubecomeachef?
IgrewupinCharnleyWoodandIalways enjoyedfood–wedidn’thavealotofit,soitwas joy.Ilearnedtocookpartlybywatchingmymum cook.She’sfromWorcesterandusedtocook thingslikepig’sfeetandfreshfishroe.Thenona Saturday,I’dgoshoppingwithmydadtobuybits andpiecestocookup.Hewasafactorymanand lovedwatchingFoodandDrink.He’dbecooking curriesfromscratchafterwatchingMaddahJaffry. Istartedcookingprofessionallyaged14onawork placementattheMetropoleHotel,thenmovedto SimpsonswhenitwasstillinKenilworthwhereI workedmywayuptoSousChef.Ithentrained withchefslikeGordonRamsay,GaryRhodesand ClaudeBosiandtravelledabroadtoworkwithtop chefsinEurope.
Whatdoyoueatathome?
MypartnerMollyispescatarian,soIcookalot offishathome.Or,Imightmakeawholeroast bellyofporkwithpolentaandsweetandsour tomatoesifwe’vepeoplecomingover.
Who’sthebestchefintheworldandwhy?
Andwho’sthebestinBrum?
InBirmingham,it’sAktarIslam.Hisfoodis phenomenal,andhe’sapropergentleman.I’d alsosay,RobPalmerwhoisbrilliantandis workingwithmeatTrillium.Intheworldit’s ClaudeBosi.IwashissouschefatHibiscus.Also, PierreGagnairewhohasthreestarsinfourorfive countries.
Shareacookingtip
Whenyoubuyanicesteak,takeitoutofits wrapping,dryitoffwellwithkitchenroll.Putit onaplateuncoveredinthebottomofthefridge andleaveitforoneortwodaysturningitover afterthefirstday.It’lldryagethesteaksowhen youcookit,yougetthatnicebrowncrust.
Whatwasyourfavouritefoodasakid?
Dad’spoachedeggswithhotbutteredtoastand pepper–andmum’soldschoolboiledhamand parsleysauce.
Foodheavenandfoodhell?
Oneofmyfavesisabigplateofflashfried squidwithfreshchilli,limeandseasalt.Foodhell –sprouts.Peoplewillsaytome,‘oh,buthaveyou triedthemwithbaconorgingermaybe?’I’vebeen cookingfor30years,soyes,I’vethoughtofthat! It’stheonlyrealthingIdon’tlike.
What’sthemostunusualthingyou’veeaten?
Lamb’stesticles.Claudecookedthem,then slicedthemthinlysoitwaslikealamb’stesticle carpaccio.Itwasokayandtobehonestitwas servedwithcaperssothatbecamethemain flavour.
Ifyouweren’tachef,whatwouldyoube?
Arockstar,acagefighterorazookeeper.I boxedasakidandstilltrainabitatEastsidegym. Iwantedtobeazookeeperasakidandwhen Purnell’sclosedIappliedfortheroleofassistant zookeeperatalocalzoo–Iwon’tsaywhichone. IgotaphonecallfromthemaskingifIwas the GlynnPurnellandwhenIsaidyes,theyaskedifI couldcookaMichelin-starmealforthepenguins asaPRstunt.Obviously,Isaidno! ■
Trillium,1SnowHillQueensway,BirminghamB46GH,openson 10DecemberfromWednesday–Saturdayforlunchanddinner. AdditionaldateswillbeavailableovertheChristmasperiod. Visittrilliumrestaurant.co.uk
SPAGHETTICARBONARA
What’sthat?Spaghettiatthistimeoftheyear?Youbet! It’saquickandeasytreatamidalltheCrimbochaosÁ
Weallknowthefeeling.Thesillyseasonis uponus,andtimeisatapremium.With allthechaosofcateringforfamilyand friends,it’snicetohaveasimple,deliciousrecipeat handforaquickhitofsustenance.Sowhynotkeep thisoneatthereadyforacrackingcarbonaracourtesy ofGlennPennie,headchefatEdgbastonPrioryClub. You’rewelcome–HappyChristmas! ■
INGREDIENTS
■ 100gPancettaorsmokedbacon,finelychopped
■ 100gParmesancheeseorpecorinocheese, finelygrated
■ 3Eggs
■ 350gSpaghetti
■ Freshlygroundblackpepper
METHOD
Traditionallyyouwoulduseguancialewhichis pigcheek,butpancettaorsmokedbaconworks well.Youcanalsousewholeeggsorjustthe eggyolksforaricherflavour.
Startbycookingyourbaconorpancettaslowly inunsaltedbuttersoyoucanrenderthefat down.Oncethefatstartstorenderandthe meatbeginstobrownstartcookingyour spaghettiinsaltedwater.Whilethespaghettiis cooking,mixtheeggswiththefinelygrated cheeseandcrackedblackpeppertomakea pastebeforeaddingalittlebitofthepasta watertohelppreventtheeggsfromscrambling. Takeyourpanwiththepancettaofftheheatand addthecookedspaghettiwithalittleofthe pastawaterwhichhelpsmakethesaucecreamy. Oncethepastaiscoatedintheoilsofthebacon addyourcheesyeggmixandmixwell.Aslong asyourpanisn’ttoohotyoushouldgetalovely creamycarbonarasauce.Enjoy!
EdgbastonPrioryClub,SirHarrysRoad, Birmingham,B152UZ,edgbastonpriory.com
SHORTS NI BBLESand
BIRMINGHAM’SBARS,RESTAURANTSANDHOTELSAREBUZZINGWITHEXCITING,NEWVIBES.HERE’S OURINSIDERGUIDETOTHELATESTNEWSFROMTHECITY’SEATERIESANDDRINKINGDENS
BULLRINGWELCOMESSUSHIDOG
SushiDog,achainofrestaurantsknownforcustomisableandgrab-to-gosushi,isopeningintheBullringinJanuary–itsfirst venueintheMidlands.Theneweatery,ontheupperlevel,reflectsSushiDog’ssignaturebrightandplayfuldesign.Thekioskstylevenuewillseatupto25customersandfeaturesawelcomingdine-inareaandatakeawaycounter–idealforshoppers, commuters,andsushiloverslookingforaquickhitoffresh,nutritiousflavour.
CELEBRATION OFINDIA
OMNOM,thevegetarianand veganrestaurantandwellness charity,hasopenedin Birmingham,bringingtogether Indianfood,mantramusic nightsandcommunity wellbeingevents.The150-cover restaurant’smenuisa celebrationofIndia’sculinary roots,createdincollaboration withNamasteVillage,anIndian vegetarianrestaurantgroup. ThenewFleetStreetlocation featuresOMspace,astudioand eventvenuedesignedtohost yoga,meditation,talks, workshopsandprivateevents.
STREET FOOD GEM
IndianstreetfoodcaféChaiiwalahasopenedinCapeHill,Smethwick.Thelaunchisthe latestinChaiiwala’sexpansionplans,targetingshoppingcentres,drive-thrusandpremium highstreets.FoundedinLeicesterin2015,Chaiiwalaisknownforitsauthenticandcarefully brewedKarakchaiandhigh-qualitystreetfoodburstingwithtraditionalflavours.SohailAli, co-founderofChaiiwala,said:“ThenewCapeHillstoreprovidesanopportunityforflavourloverstoenjoyauniquetasteofIndiathroughourall-daystreetfoodmenu.”
BOATOF EXCELLENCE
ChefLiamDilloniscelebratingafterTheBoatLichfield retaineditsAAThreeRosettesforculinaryexcellenceat therecentAAHospitalityAwards.Overthelasteight years,Liamhastransformedwhatwasapubintoa restaurantandmicro-farm,whichsuppliestheeatery withproducegrownonsite.TheBoat,which showcasesthebestofmodernBritishfood,is alsorecommendedintheMichelinguideand notedintheEstrellaDammTop Gastropubslist.
FESTIVEFONDUE
Followinglastyear’ssuccess,Birmingham’sVagabondWineshasbrought backitsfestivecheesefondue–buttheindulgencegoesupanotchfor 2025withthelaunchofaBlackTruffleSwissFondueupgrade,adecadent twistdesignedtoelevatethesharingexperience.MDChristobellGilessaid: “Fonduewaspurejoylastyear–itgaveguestspermissiontogather, indulgeandhavefun.Wewantedtobuildonthatenergyratherthan simplyrepeatit,sothisyearwe’veturneduptheflavourdial.”
IT’STRILLIUMTIME!
FINEDINING,NIGERIAN-STYLE
ThehistoricDogpoolHotelsiteinStirchleyhas beenrebornasEmpress,anewNigerianfine diningrestaurantthatpromisestobringataste ofregalAfricatotheheartofBirmingham.The eateryisbilledas“blendingBirmingham’s industriousspiritwiththerichflavoursand warmthofNigerianhospitality”.Signaturedishes includeSmokeyJollofRice,AssortedMeat PeppersoupandEmpressRoyalePlatterVIP SeafoodOkro,pairedwithcraftcocktailsinspired byAfricaningredientsandpalm-wineblends.
GOLDENWINNER
Birmingham’sEastsideRoomshavewonGoldintheBestVenuecategory attheMemcomExcellenceAwards.Theawardrecognisessustainability, innovation,state-of-the-artfacilitiesandexcellentcustomerservice.Tim Sparrow,generalmanagerattheEastsideRooms,said:“Winninggoldisa proudmomentforourwholeteam.Wesetouttobuildavenuethattruly servesourclients,includingthoseintheassociationandmembership sector,withtechnologythatworks,foodthatfuelsgreatconversations,and anexperiencethatisinclusiveandsustainable.”
AnewjointventurerestaurantfromtopchefGlynnPurnellandwinespecialistPhilInnesopensthismonthatSnowHill.Trilliumisa48-covereatery combiningbold,seasonalcuisinewithacarefullycuratedwinelist.“AtTrillium,choiceisattheheartoftheexperience,”saidGlynn.“Wewantour gueststoenjoythemenuhowevertheylike.Whetherthat’satraditionalthree-coursemealorapersonalisedselectionofsharingplates.It’sallabout diningonyourownterms,havingasmuchoraslittleasyoulike,withnorules.” SeeChef’sCorner
GRAPEFRUITSOUR
We’restartingtogetintothepartyspiritwiththis deliciousseasonalcocktailfeaturingaspecial,localgin
Grapefruitseasonisuponus.Yes,we knowthey’reavailablethroughoutthe year,butthey’rejuiciestandsweetestat thistimeofyear.Celebratetheseasonwiththis lovelygrapefruitcocktailmadewithaveryspecial ginfromtheWarwickshireGinCompany.It's light,deliciousandaperfectearlystarttotheparty season.Asalways,pleaseenjoyresponsibly. ■
INGREDIENTS:
■ 50mlPelotaDryGin
■ 50mlGrapefruitJuice
■ 25mlLemonJuice
■ 25mlAquafaba
■ DashofAngosturaOrangebitters
METHOD:
Fillashakerwithtwoorthreeicecubes. Addalltheingredientsthenshakehard andfastfor15to20seconds.Straininto aglass.Garnishwithasliceofdehydrated bloodorangeorgrapefruit.Enjoy!
WarwickshireGinCompany, warwickshiregincompany.co.uk
COSYCLUB
TheWater’sEdge,Brindleyplace, Birmingham,B12HL.cosyclub.co.uk
WhenlazySundayvibescollidedwitha milddisagreementoverwhattoeat,we slopedofftotheCosyClubinthehopeit wouldhealtheriftandsateusboth.There’sanew menuintownbutgivenwe’donlyeverconsumed cocktailsindaclub,anyfoodwasnewtous.
It’sabigoldmenuwithaneclecticmixofstyles–disheslikeasteaksandwichwithpeppercornsauce andmozzarellaandricottaarancinisitalongside Asian-inspiredcurries,SpanishchickenandIraqi flatbread.Therestaurantdoesn’tclaimtofitneatly intooneculinarygenresowhynot?
Thesmallplatemenuwasparticularlyappealing andweorderedthreedishesbetweentwoofusto start.Pulledbeefandsmokedbaconcroquetteswere satisfyinglycrunchyontheoutsidewithanunctuous smokymiddleenhancedwithascoopofearthyblack garlicaioli.(Agarnishofcrispyleeksaddednothing.) Crispycauliflowertossedinasweetchilliglazewith sataymayonnaise,sesameandcurryleaveswasa delight.Wecouldhaveworkedourwaythrougha verylargebowlful.Zingy,hotandsweetcombinedto createsomethingverylovelyindeed.AwarmIraqi laffaflatbreadcoatedwithaslickofmeltedbutterand seasaltwasutterlymoreish.
BacktoAsiawithastickychickensalad–sounds dull,butitwasanythingbut.Soyglazedbuttermilk friedchicken,punchykimchi,shreddedleaves,tangy pickledmooli,edamamebeansandaricewine dressingcametogethertocreateabowlofbold flavoursandtexturesthatworkedatreat.Swapthe chickenforcrispycauliflowerifyou’reveggiewhich wouldbeequallydelicious.
Asteaksandwichletthesidedownabitservedin afocacciasohardtheknifestruggled,letaloneour veneers.We’dexpectedfluffywarmbreadmoist withmeatyjuicesandamustardmayo,soitwasa bitofadisappointment.Thefillinghowever,was AubreyAllen’sfinestrumpsteak–tenderand packedwithflavourwithaccompanimentsof caramelisedonion,Dijonmayonnaiseand watercress.Weswitchedfriesforthesweetpotato varietywhichwereperfect.
Pudcameintheformofapplecrumblewithtwo spoons.Agoodcrumbletofruitratioandcreamy vanillaicecreamfeltnostalgicandperfectforachilly Sunday.We’dhealedtherift,hadaveryenjoyable lunchbeforeheadingtoIKONtomoocharoundthe marvellousDonaldLockeexhibitionandastrollby thecanal.Birmingham–you’remagic! ■
FESTIVECRACKERS!
ASDECEMBERWELCOMESCABERNETFRANCDAY,DAVIDCARNELOOKSATAWINE WHICHGROWINGNUMBERSOFDRINKERSINTHEUKAREDISCOVERING.PLUS,HE PICKSFIVEWINESYOUMAYNOTHAVETHOUGHTOFFORCHRISTMAS!
CabernetFrancishavingsomewhatofarenaissance, partlyduetoitsresiliencetoclimatechange,butit hasyettoreallyflourishintheUKmarketasa singlevariety.Andyet,asbothasinglevarietalandaspartof redwineblends,itcontributestomanyexcellentwinesinthe market.
WithoutCabernetFrancwewouldalsonothavefamous winessuchasChâteauLafiteRothschild,ChâteauCheval Blanc,LeMacchiolePaleoRossoandOpusOne.Moreover, wewouldnothavevarietiessuchasCabernetSauvignon(a crosswithSauvignonBlanc),Merlot(acrosswithMagdeleine NoiredesCharentes)andCarménère(acrosswithGros Cabernet).CabernetFrancDayon4Decembercoincideswith thedeathofCardinalRichelieuin1642,whoiscreditedwith bringingCabernetFranccuttingsfromtheLoireValleyto Bordeaux.
SowhydoBritsnotrateCabernetFranc?Theanswer
probablyliespartlyinthefactthat,despiteitbeingpartofthe blendinsomeofthebestBordeaux,TuscanandLoirewines, itisrarelymentionedonthebottle.Wealsohaveahistoric predispositiontowardsClarets,whichtendedtobe dominatedbyCabernetSauvignonandMerlot.Inourrecent past,wehavebeendrivenpartlybytasteandpartlyby affordabilitytowardsricher,fruitierNewWorldredwines. However,thecurrentdrivetowardslighterstylesofred, particularlyamongyoungerdrinkersintheUK,meansmany arenowdiscoveringCabernetFrancforthefirsttime. ThesewinesaremoresubstantialthanPinotNoiror Beaujolais,butlighterthanPrimitivoorMerlot.They’re typicallylesstannic,withred-fruitflavourssuchas strawberry,raspberry,sourcherryandplum.Someeventake onflavoursofsmokedtomatoorsweetredpepper.Cooler climatesyieldvegetalnotes(frommethoxypyrazines)and violetaromas(fromterpenes),whilewarmerregionsmay
5‘WINES’YOUMAYNOTHAVE THOUGHTOFFORCHRISTMAS!
Icewine:
Asweetwinemadefromgrapeswhicharenaturallyfrozen incoldtemperatures.Thegoodstuffusuallycomesfrom GermanyorCanada.TrythePellerEstatesVidalIcewinefrom www.ndjohn.co.uk(£40.45).
Vermouth:
Drinkitneatoraddittococktails.Ifyouactquick,you canpickupabottleofBrabourneVermouth–http://www.brabournewine.com/(£22).
Port:
Anotherfortifiedwine.Therarerwhitemakesanicemixer withtonic,butthevintagetawnyportsbringoutanuttiness whichworkswellwithmincepies.MajestichasTaylorsFine white(£14)orWarre’sOtima20-year-oldTawnyPort(£40).
Amarone:
Adryredwinemadefrompartiallydriedoutgrapeswhich giveconcentratedflavours.Luxurious,boldandusually highalcohol.CantinaNegrar'VignetidiRoccolo'Amarone dellaValpolicella2021/22isavailableatMajestic(£27).
Botryisedwine:
Winemadewithgrapeswhichdehydrateduetoa beneficialfungusthatgrowsonthemleavingtheflavours sweeterandmoreconcentrated.Majestic’sDefinition Sauternesisworthalook(£15forahalfbottle)orpick upa50clofRoyalTokaj5Puttonyos(£30),whichgoes wellwithmostsweetthings.
showdarkerfruitslikeblackberryandblackcurrant. Agedexamplesdevelopsavourynotes–vanilla,coffee, stewedfruit,figandumami-richmushroom.Bright aciditymeansthesewinesoftenagegracefully.
CabernetFranciswidelyplantedintheLoireValley whereitisoftenmadeasasinglevarietyorblended, typicallywithCabernetSauvignon.InBordeaux,itis primarilyablendinggrape,addingspice,redfruit,and softtexturetoMerlotandCabernetSauvignon;with thefinestsingle-varietyexamplesappearinginSaintÉmilionandPomerol.InTuscany,CabernetFrancis blendedwithMerlot,CabernetSauvignon,or Sangiovese,producingsoftertannins,darkerfruit,and notesofmocha,cinnamon,leather,andplum.Smaller plantingsexistinHungary,Bulgaria,Croatia,Slovenia, GreeceandSpain.
OutsideEuropeitgrowsinCalifornia,Washington,
DAVID’SRECOMMENDATIONS FORDECEMBER
SomethingFreshandFruity: JimBarry,TheAgean,2023–£17,Majestic. Stainlesssteelandoakcombineforcitrusy,mineralfreshnesswithsubtle herbalnotes.
SomethingSparkling: BouvetLadubaySaumurRoséBrut–£14.50,Majestic. CabernetFrancprovesitmakesagreatsparkle—redfruits,creamy texture,andflorallift.
SomethingEnglish:
NyetimberCuvéeChérie–£42,Majestic. Ademi-secwithcitrus(lemon,tangerine),honeyednotes,andbiscuity finish.GreatwithdessertsorAsianspice.
Somethingbigandbold: ChronicCellarsSpaceDoubtZinfandel–£14.75,Sainsbury’s. Cherry,strawberry,liquorice,florals,andawarm,gentlysweetfinish.
Somethingclassic:
Vik'A'CabernetFranc2023,CachapoalValley–£19,Majestic. ChileanexpressionofCabernetFrancwithstrawberry,plum,subtle blackberryandblackcurrantandaspicyfinish.
Somethingdifferent:
MoldovanRaraNeagră,2021–£7.99,Aldi. AgreatwineatthispricepointfromMoldova,withafruity,herby andspicypalate–greatwithcheeseormeatydishes.
Virginia,NewYorkandCanada’sNiagararegion,where coolerclimatesyieldlighter,fresherwinesandwarmer areasproducefuller-bodied,spicierstyles.Itisalsofound inArgentina,Uruguay,Chile,SouthAfrica,Australia, NewZealandandChina.
Thisisawinethatismadeforcuisine.Roastedporkor lamb,chickenorturkeydishes(especiallylighterstyles), meatballsintomatosauce,BBQfood,Camembertor feta,beetroot-centreddishesandlentilstewsallwork particularlywell. ■
DavidisaWine&SpiritEducationTrust(WSET)qualifiedwineexpert,wine educator,alumniofBirminghamWineSchoolandauthorofthe alottowineabout.comwebsitewhereyoucanfindmorearticlesonwine.To findoutmoreaboutfun,informalwinetastingeventsandWine&Spirit EducationTrust(WSET)courseonline,inBirminghamandWarwickcontact BirminghamWineSchool,anindependentwineeducationcompany,at www.birminghamwineschool.com
AMASSIVETHANKYOUTOALL WHOHAVESUPPORTEDUSSOFAR ANDHERE’STOTHENEXT150!
SAD BUT TRUE
IT’STHETIMEOFYEARWHENITGETSDARKEARLYANDTHEDAYSSEEMSHORTER.FOR MANYIT’SASIGNALFORLOVELY,COSYNIGHTSSNUGGLEDINFRONTOFTHEFIRE, BUTFOROTHERSITCANBETHESTARTOFAVERYDIFFICULTFEWMONTHSAHEAD
ForaroundtwomillionpeopleintheUKthis timeoftheyearcanbeaprettymiserabletime. That’stheestimatednumberwhogenuinely sufferfromthewinterblues,orSeasonalAffective Disorder(SAD).SeasonalAffectiveDisorderisatype ofdepressionthatcomesandgoesinaseasonalpattern. Itoftenoccursatthesametimeeachyear,typicallyin thewinterandit’ssometimesknownas‘winter depression’becausethesymptomsareusuallymore apparentandseverewhenthedaysareshorter.
ThenatureandseverityofSADvaryfrompersonto person.Forsomeitmaybemild,whileforothersitcanbe severeandhaveasignificantimpactontheirday-to-day life.Unfairly,there’softennotmuchsympathybutfor sufferersitcanhaveamassiveimpactonallaspectsoflife, fromrelationshipsandsocialwellbeingtowork,school andasenseofself-worth.
SYMPTOMSINCLUDE:
■ Persistentlowmood.
■ Lossofpleasureorinterestinnormaleveryday activities.
■ Irritabilityanddifficultyconcentrating.
■ Feelingsofdespair,guiltandworthlessness.
■ Feelinglethargic(lackinginenergy)andsleepy duringtheday.
■ Sleepingforlongerthannormalandfindingithard togetupinthemorning.
■ Feelingstressed,anxiousortearful.
■ Becominglesssociable.
■ Decreasedsexdrive.
THECAUSES:
TheexactcauseofSADisnotfullyunderstood,butit’s oftenlinkedtoreducedexposuretosunlightduringthe shorterautumnandwinterdays.Themaintheoryisthat alackofsunlightmightstopapartofthebraincalledthe hypothalamusworkingproperly.
THISMAYAFFECT:
■ Theproductionofmelatonin–ahormonethatmakes youfeelsleepy.InpeoplewithSAD,thebodymay produceitinhigherthannormallevels.
■ Theproductionofserotonin–ahormonethataffects yourmood,appetiteandsleep.Alackofsunlightmay leadtolowerserotoninlevelswhichislinkedtofeelingsof depression.
■ Thebody’sinternalclock(circadianrhythm)–your bodyusessunlighttotimevariousimportantfunctions, suchaswhenyouwakeup,solowerlightlevelsduring thewintermaydisruptyourbodyclockandleadto symptomsofSAD.
TREATMENT
AnumberoftreatmentsareavailableforSAD, includingCognitiveBehaviouralTherapy(CBT)
andanti-depressants.SomepeoplewithSAD findthatlighttherapycanhelpimprovetheir moodconsiderably.Thisinvolvessittingbyaspecial lampcalledalightbox,usuallyforaround30 minutestoanhoureachmorning.Theyproduce averybrightlight.Theintensityofthelightis measuredinlux–thehigherlux,thebrighter thelight.
Thelightproducedbythelightboxsimulatesthe sunlightthat’smissingduringthedarkerwinter months.It’sthoughtthelightmayimproveSADby encouragingyourbraintoreducetheproductionof melatonin(thehormonethatmakesyousleepy)and increasetheproductionofserotonin(thehormone thataffectsyourmood).
SELF-HELP
Somethingsyoucandotohelpimproveyour symptoms:
■ Trynottothinkofwinteranddarknessasthe enemy–it’samindset.
■ Getoutsideandtrytogetasmuchnaturalsunlight aspossible–evenabrieflunchtimewalkcanbe beneficial.
■ Makeyourworkandhomeenvironmentsaslight andairyaspossible.
■ Sitnearwindowswhenyou’reindoors.
■ Trytokeepwarm.Beingcoldmakesyoumore depressedandstayingwarmcanreducethewinter bluesbyhalf.
■ Injectbrightcoloursintoyourhomeorimprovethe lighting.
■ Takeplentyofregularexercise,particularly outdoorsandindaylight.
■ Eatahealthy,balanceddiet.Balanceyourcraving forcarbohydrates,suchaspastaandpotatoes,with plentyoffreshfruitandvegetables.
■ Itcanalsobehelpfultotalktoyourfamilyand friendsaboutSADsotheyunderstandhowyour moodchangesduringthewinter.Thiscanhelpthem tosupportyoumoreeffectively. ■
Ifyoufeelyou’resufferingwithSADtalktoyourGPwho willrecommendthemostsuitabletreatmentoptionfor youbasedonthenatureandseverityofyoursymptoms.
LITTLEBLACK DRESS
Top£18andsequin
skirt£18,George
WHAMBAM, THANKYOU GLAM
FROMHIGHSTYLETOBOHOCHIC,BRANDSHAVEUPPEDTHEIRPARTYGAMEBRINGING YOUANIMPRESSIVECOLLECTIONOFOPTIONSFORALLYOURFESTIVEFROLICS
LESSIS
Blackdressand shoesfromF&F
Richfabrics,metallicsandeye-popping embellishmentsareoutinforce sprinklingabitofChristmasmagicon yourwardrobe.Clearlytherearealotofdresses vyingforyourhard-earnedcash,soshoparound andbepicky.Ifyouoptforafrockthat’s versatileenoughtodressdownbeyondNYE,all thebetter.Astunningslipdressisyourfriendon thisscore–gorgeousteamedwithpairofkiller heelsandjewels,butalsoeasytodressdown withacuteknitandbootsgivingyouafresh outfitthat’smorecosypublunchthanNew Year’sEveglam.
SLIPUP
Bec+Bridgehasneverfailedusontheslip dressfront–thefabricistopnotch,ithangs beautifullyandlasts.Reformationisalsoagood
Jasmineknit £58,FatFace HERO DRESS
embroideredlacemidi dress£90,Monsoon
Soltieslip dress£245, Selfridges WIDE FIT
Blacksatinknot slingbackpumps £38.99,NewLook
TOP FROCK
AlyssaFloral
shout–notcheapbutgreatqualitythat’ll alsolast.It’sworthbrowsingpreloveddresses too–therearesomefantasticdesigner optionsthatmightstretchyourbudgetto breakingpointiftheywerenew.Let’snot forgettheobvioussustainabilitybenefitstoo. CowinDigbethisatreasuretroveofvintage findsfrombeltstoballgowns.
TWOPIECE
Onthehighstreet,thesupermarketshave naileditagain.Increasingly,F&F,TUand Georgearemakingiteasytopickupyour glamwhileyoudothebigshop.M&Sand OliverBonasarealsowellworthalook.Ifa dressisn’tyourthing,takealookatatrouser suit.TheJoeBrowntealLorettavelvet version(pictured)iswinning.Sequinned trouserswithasilkshirtoranembellished knitcanalsolookseriouslychic.
FANCYFOOTWEAR
Shoescanmakeorbreakanoutfit,sodon’t overlookfootwear.Ifyou’reinvestingheavily, checkoutthesupercoolA.W.A.K.EMode
Chiaramule(pictured)orthesassy,the ChristianLouboutinMissZBootyleopard printboot(pictured.)Ifyoupreferachunky heel,takealookatMonsoonorEsskafor retro-inspiredplatformsthat’llseeyou throughalongnightofdancing. ■
WELL HEELED
A.W.A.K.EMode
Chiara90PalmTree leathermules£520, HarveyNichols
FANCY FOOTWEAR
ChristianLouboutin MissZBooty100pony Bangalileatherboot £1,295,Selfridges
ANIMAL MAGIC
Blazer£85and shirt£35,M&S
BELT UP
Belted cardigan£22, Primark
INVESTMENT PIECE
DriesVonNoten
Bafyembellished woolblazer£1,890, HarveyNichols
BRILLIANT BOWS
Vittoriabow velvetT-shirt black£39, Monsoon
COOL CAMI
Satinlacecami
MONO WOW Blackandwhite dressfromF&F
top£23,M&S
SUPER STUD
GIRL BANDEAU
Mixvelvet sweetheart
bandeautop £28,Very
VivienneWestwoodFoedoraOrbCrystalEmbellishedstudearrings£90,HarveyNichols
BOHO VIBES
Tunicdress£70, JoeBrowns
BATWING BEAUTY
Darkpurpleplisse batwingmidaxi dress£37.99, NewLook
BURGUNDY
BEAUT
DoryBurch asymmetricsatin mididress£1,195, HarveyNichols
TWINKLE TOES
Burgundysatin embellishedmeshbow sandals£39.99,NewLook
ARM CANDY
Bag£26, M&S
FAUX FUR
Burgundyfaux furcoat£59.99, NewLook
KITTEN HEEL
Burgundypointed kittenheel£32, Very
LOVELY LACE
HouseofCBTiff velvetlacemaxi dress£199, Selfridges
EFFORTLESS STYLE
CalvinKleinSara drapedfineknit maxidress£3,300, HarveyNichols
SUITS YOU
Lorettacrushed velvetjacket£85, JoeBrowns
JUMP FORJOY
Azaleadarknavy jacquard jumpsuit£99, FatFace
CHUNKY HEEL
HEAVY METAL
Silvercompact sequinmini dress£32, George
Metallictwist knotplatformheels £65,Monsoon
TIE NECK
Milenametallic tieneckblouse £75,Monsoon
MIDAS TOUCH
PhaseEightEllen metallicwoven maxidress£349, Selfridges
FANCY PANTS
Shirt£22,trousers £20andheels£14, George
SKINCARELIFESAVERS
Thismonth,we’reaimingtoincludesomehydration, nourishmentanddecentsleepamongtheinevitable latenightsandover-indulgence.We’vepulled togethersomeproductsthatmighthelpandifyou’re offtotheslopes,we’vegotyourSPFcovered.
1.INKEYLISTEXOSOMEHYDROGLOWCOMPLEX,£20,SPACENK
Socialmediawentnutsforthislittlebottleofgoodness,butwemanaged togetourhandsonitafterthefirstrestock.Ifyouhaven’theardof exosomes,theypromisetoboostcollagenproduction,reduce inflammationandimproveskinrepair.Whatweknowisthatithas slippedeasilyintoourskincareroutine–we’reusingitmorningand eveningstraightaftercleansingandbeforeanyofourotherbitsand pieces.It’sunfussy,sinksinbeautifullyandhasaddedanextra smoothness.Atthisprice,it’swellworthalook.
2.OLVERUMNIGHTFALLSLEEPMIST,£26.50,UK.OLVERUM.COM
Olverumbathoilisoneofourheroproductssowe’reopentoanything thebranddoes.We’realsoupfortryinganythingthatencouragessleep. Havinguseditforahandfulofnightssofar,wedon’tknowifwe’ve sleptmoresoundlysinceusingit,butitisdefinitelyrelaxingandit smellsincrediblewithbergamot,lavender,geranium,Amyrisand chamomile.
3.OLEHENRIKSENSTRENGTHHYDRABARRIERNOURISHING FACEOIL,£46,CULTBEAUTY
We’vebeenfollowingtheHydroGlowComplex,abovewiththis luxuriousfeelingbarrier-boostingfaceoil.It’spackedwithgoodieslike peptides,ceramidesandpureberryoilsandpromisestolockmoisturein allday.Itfeelsgorgeousontheskinandisperfectforalittlefacial massage/lymphaticdrainagewhentimeallows–alovelyproduct.
4.ULTRAVIOLETTESKISCREENSPFDUO,£35,FROM ULTRAVIOLETTE.CO.UK,SPACENKANDBOOTS
Disclaimer–wehaven’ttriedtheSheenScreenforlips,butcan absolutelyvouchfortheeffectivenessandthelightweightfeelandfinish oftheVibrantScreen.Asaduothepriceseemsprettyreasonablewhich iswhywe’veincludedtheset.Aimedatprotectingskininaharsh mountainenvironment,theVibrantScreenisSPF50andwithstands sweatandsnowwhileyou’reonthemovewithoutleavingawhite finish.
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1
3
4
TOP TIER
Blacktieshouldbethesimplestofdresscodesto getright,butwe’veallbeentoenoughdosto know,it’sjustnotthecase.Themainpitfall seemstobeanill-fittingsuitwhichisnotnecessarilyfixed bythrowingmoneyattheproblem.Ifyou’veatuxat homewhichdoesn’tfitlikeaglove–bywhichwemean sharpnotburstingattheseams,it’stimetosortit.
Ifit’stoosmall,lettheVintedGodsworktheirmagic. Ifit’sadecentsuitbuttoobig,headtoatailortoseeifit’s salvablebeforeinvestinginanewone.You’llbeamazed atwhatagoodtailorcando.Bearinmindthey’rebusyso don’tleaveittoolate.Ifyouneedtostartfromscratch, shoparound.
GETSHIRTY
Classicfitwhite pleatfront eveningshirt£89, HawesandCurtis
HIGHSHINE
Loake205 patentdress shoes£185, Loake
Cornelianipretied bowtie£115, Selfridges
ATTENTIONTODETAIL
Sterlingsilveroctagonal cufflinkswithmother ofpearlandsapphirecentre £380,DeakinandFrancis
Don’tbuyonline.Youreallyneedtotrybeforeyoubuy, feelthefabricandinanidealworldgetthetailoring experience.HeadtoClementsandChurchforthe custom-madetreatment.Therearedecentoffthepeg optionsbutagain,don’tsettle.Ifthefitisn’tworking, moveonorgetitadjustedtofitperfectly–youshouldfeel chicnotcomedic.We’vepulledtogethersomeexamplesat differentpricepointswithahandfulofsharpaccessories that’llelevateyourlook. ■
TEXTUREDTIE
Silkknittedbow
tie£39.95, CharlesTyrwhitt
SHARPSUITER
TomFordShawl lapeltaperedleg masterevening suit£4,680, Selfridges
DESIGNER STYLE
DriesVanNoten
Kaynewooland silkblendsuit
£1,595,Harvey Nichols
WOOLBLEND
PaulSmithpeaklapelflap pocketsregularfitwool blendsuit£1,330,Selfridges
FragranceDuBoisParisianEauDe Parfum100ml£595,HarveyNichols, Mailbox,harveynichols.com
Pinkandredpom-pomslippers£20, OliverBonas,Harborne, oliverbonas.com
Fruu..FrostandSpicelipbalmtrio£9.99,IKONGallery, shop.ikon-gallery.org
THEBIG Christmas
ValentinoGaravanilogoplaque chevronleatherbag£2,390, HarveyNichols,Mailbox, harveynichols.com
GIFTGUIDE
Ourfamous BigGiftGuide isbackfor2025–andit’s jampackedwithgorgeousideas allavailableintheMidlands forallyourlovedones.From ceramicscraftedin KingsHeath toaJapaneseexperienceinthe JQ,it’sa wide-rangingcollectionofgoodies pricedfrom just£4toover£2,000that’llmakeyourfestiveshoppingfly. HappyChristmas!
Manicuregiftfrom£40,Beauty Made,beautymade.co.uk
RemarkablePlantsbyHelenand WilliamBynum,£20, birminghambotanicalgardens.org.uk
Silvernettleleafnecklace£115,TheNineof HeartsJewellery,thenineofhearts.co.uk
SpaceNKWinterPinediffuser (100ml)£28,SpaceNK,Touchwood, spacenk.com
AfternoonteaattheGrandHotel£35with teaor£45forasparklingversion, TheGrand,thegrandhotelbirmingham.co.uk/ afternoon-tea
Bethnalglasscarafe £79,Neptune, Edgbaston, neptune.com
ThisBookWillMakeYou AnArtistbyRuth MillingtonandEllen Surrey£14.99,NosyCow, nosycow.com
Goldbouquetfloral wateringcan £18.50,Oliver Bonas,Harborne, oliverbonas.com
Softness:AMeditationon KnittingbyJeanOberlander £8,IKONGallery, shop.ikon-gallery.org
Cosmos-Doodle#4byNeilKeating £250,DesignSnitch, designsnitch.com
MiniflowerpressbyStudio WaldxMegsville£15, Hedge,Stirchley, the-hedge.com
Smallsilverskullearrings
£65,TheNineofHearts Jewellery, thenineofhearts.co.uk
Petrolcanhipflask£9.99,BritishMotor Museum,britishmotormuseum.co.uk
Zoeheartearrings£94andZoeheartpendant£83,John Garland-TaylorJewelleryjohngarlandtaylor.com
YESBABsocks£15per pair,PunksandChancers, punksanchancers.co.uk
JoMaloneCologneCollection 5x9mlfragrances£90, JohnLewis,Touchwood, johnlewis.com
Handthrownporcelain ceramicherbstripper £27includingpostage, KTRobbinsCeramics, ktrobbinsceramics.com
Specialistskincarebeauty treatmentsfrom£50, DrAnaSkinClinic, drana.co.uk
Hatteraswoolcolour Nepsflatcap£129, PeterForson,Great WesternArcade
PizzaNapolibyPizzaPilgrimfounders ThomandJamesElliot£25,fromAmazon, WaterstonesandPizzaPilgrims Birmingham,pizzapilgrims.co.uk
Giftvouchersfrom£30,Birmingham Hippodrome,birminghamhippodrome.com
AstonVillalunchbagandbottle holder£15,shop.avfc.co.uk
Suthfieldartichokeornament£39, Neptune,Edgbaston,neptune.com
GoldenGooseKidsOld Schoolsneakers£215, Selfridges,Bullring, selfridges.com
VouchersforauniqueJapaneseexperienceatManekiRamen, JewelleryQuarterandWorcester,manekiramen.com
Handmadeporcelainfestivejumper decorations£25forasetof3,KT RobbinsCeramics, ktrobbinsceramics.com
StanleyQuencherH2.0Flowstate stainlesssteeltumbler£45, Selfridges,Bullring,selfridges.com
PaintSplatterCerealBowlfrom BrummieartistAnyaLawrence£22, IkonGalleryikon-gallery.org
BirminghamArchitecture–vintage paperbackcoverartfrom£19.99, DrawMyCity,drawmycity.co.uk
GiftamembershipBirminghamBotanicalGardensfrom£35, birminghambotanicalgardens.org.uk
EurekaCookbook bySimpsons’ AndreasAntona£19.95, simpsonsrestaurant.co.uk
MonclerFelpaAperta hoodedfleece£1,125, HarveyNichols, Mailbox, harveynichols.com
Mocastripedcottonwashbag£30, Hedge,Stirchley,the-hedge.com
BABstatementearrings£25, BrummyArtistBirmingham, brummyartist.com
ArtworkbyCherieJerrardfrom£85, SeventhCircleArtworksand Aesthetics,Digbeth,svnthcrcl.com
BoseQuietComfortUltranoise cancellingheadphoneswithmic/remote £449.95,JohnLewis,Touchwood, johnlewis.com
Everything’sBetterinBirminghammug£13.50,PunksandChancers, punksandchancers.co.uk
JoMaloneLondonxDisneyAliceIn Wonderlandinspiredgiftset£184, Selfridges,Bullringselfridges.com
BarbaraGibson’sGasStreetBasin£15(PDFdigitaldownload), GibsonKochanekStudio,barbaragibson.pl
Elphabasingingdoll£30, Selfridges,Bullring, selfridges.com
TreatsomeonetoaReformerPilatessessionfrom£22, MKReformedmkreformed.com
TheBrabazonSignatureholegolfclubheadcover £29.95,TheBelfry,thebelfry.com WolvesSekondaWatch£50, Wolves,shop.wolves.co.uk
Teatowel£8,MidlandsAir AmbulanceCharity, shop.midlandsairambulance.com
StetsonRodeo daystrucker cap£59,Peter Forson,Great Western Arcade
GestaltenPreciousPlanetBook£20, minima.,JewelleryQuarter, minimauk.com
SketchAvenueCeramicsfrom£45, SeventhCircleArtworksand Aesthetics,Digbeth,svnthcrcl.com
Sterlingsilverorangeseahorse cufflinkswithsapphireeyes £420,DeakinandFrancis, deakinandfrancis.com
VintageBirmingham JazzSleeve£40,Draw MyCity, drawmycity.co.uk
BirminghamWineSchool giftvoucherfortastingsand coursesfrom£42.50, birminghamwineschool.com
WHOOPOne5.0 healthandfitness tracker£169,John Lewis,Touchwood, johnlewis.com
Hydratingbody butter250ml£27, HarvestSkincare, King’sHeath, harvestskincare.co
WindUpShakespeare£4.50,RSC,shop.rsc.org.uk
AstonBirminghamartwork £45,BrummyArtist Birmingham, brummyartist.com
Children’ssocks£4, MidlandsAirAmbulanceCharity, shop.midlandsairambulance.com
Herbeltealolliesby FleursD’Hiver£50, DesignSnitch, designsnitch.com
GHDhairstraightenersinCherry Chic£299,HarveyNichols,Mailbox, harveynichols.com
Giftmembershipsthatincludea yearofinspiringvisitstoCompton Verneyfrom£54andkidsgofree, comptonverney.org.uk
AlessiPulcinaespressomaker £75,minima.,Jewellery Quarter,minimauk.com
MACat60keyringsbyRebecca Cowley£15,MAC, macbirmingham.co.uk
Glittersocks£8, Monsoon,Touchwood, monsoon.co.uk
TastingMenufortwopeopleat MalloryCourt£220, mallory.co.uk/gift-vouchers/
Bluesdeckchair£75, clubstore.bcfc.com
Birminghamcityscapefrom£55, Brumhaus,Brumhaus.uk
SelfridgesXDisneyEeyore softtoy£45,Selfridges, Bullring,selfridges.com
MoicaFullCeremonialMatcha TeaSet£85.99,Selfridges, Bullring,selfridges.com
TomShepherd’sThai Greengin£45, TwofoldSpirits, twofold-spirits.com
WestBromjunior snowmanbeanie £14.99,WBA, shop.wba.co.uk
ResortsWorldgiftcardsforbowling,cinema,cocktailsorforbagging someoutletbargains,resortsworldbirmingham.co.uk/gift-cards
OzzyOsbourne(MonochromeEdition)from£55, Brumhaus,brumhaus.uk
Blairtartanscarf£34.95,Barbour, Touchwood,barbour.com
AssoulineJamesBond Destinationbook£100, Selfridges,Bullring, selfridges.com
LegoBattleatArlong Parkplayset£75, Selfridges,Bullring, selfridges.com
Stainlesssteel cocktailgift£20, ProCook, Touchwoodor procook.co.uk
Marco’sVIPUltimateSteak Experiencefortwo£95, mpw.gifts/vouchers
Paristablelamp£239, BoConceptatCookes, boconcept.com
FromthePottingBench withAdam
OURRESIDENTEXPERTADAMKIRTLANDPICKSFIVEGREAT BOOKSTOGIFTTHEGARDENERINYOURLIFETHISCHRISTMAS
Andjustlikethat,Decemberishere.Thelightsaretwinkling,thedaysare short,andthegardenhasallbutfallenasleepforwinter.Whilethe bordersrestandthetoolsarecleanedaway,ourthoughtsturnindoorsto comfort,reflectionand,ofcourse,giftgiving.Ifthereisagardenerinyourlife, thereisnobetterpresentthanabooktoinspire,teachandbrightenthemonths ahead.HerearemyfivepersonalchoicesforthisChristmas.Eachisavailable fromgoodbooksellersandAmazon.
HowtoDesignaGardenbyPollyannaWilkinson
Forthosedreamingofagardenmakeover,PollyannaWilkinsonoffersexpertadvice onhowtoplananddesignaspacethatworksbeautifullyall-year-round.From structureandscaletocolour,textureandseasonalinterest,herbookhelpsyousee yourgardenthroughadesigner’seyes,whateveritssize,styleorlocation.Filled withpracticaltips,inspirationalexamplesandclearillustrations,itguidesyou throughcreatingharmoniouslayouts,selectingplantsthatcomplementoneanother andmakingthemostofeverycorner,ensuringyourgardenisbothfunctionaland visuallystunningthroughouttheseasons.
YoucanfollowAdamonInstagram@viewfromthepottingbenchorlistentohisTalesFromThePottingBench podcastformoregardeningtipsandstories.YoucanalsoreadAdam’sblogatviewfromthepottingbench.com
GrowYourGroceriesbySimonAkeroyd
Apracticalandinspiringguidetogrowingyourownfood,eveninthesmallestof spaces.SimonAkeroydcoverseverythingfromsowingseedstoharvestingfresh produceforthekitchentable,withclevertipsforcontainers,balconiesandsmall plots.Itisfullofachievableprojects,helpfulillustrationsandseasonaladvice, offeringsimplewaystosavemoney,reducewasteandreconnectwiththerhythmsof nature.Awonderfulreminderthatanyone,anywhere,cangrowsomethingdelicious andrewarding,makingittheperfectbooktoinspireamoreself-sufficientand sustainablestarttothenewyear.
TheFlowerThesaurusbyLizPotter
Awonderfulresourceforanyonewholovesflowers,thisbookexploresthemeanings, moodsandstoriesbehindthem.LizPotter’swritingispoeticandfascinating,makingit asenjoyabletobrowseasitistostudy.Itisperfectforgardeners,floristsoranyone whodelightsinthelanguageofblooms,offeringinspirationforplantingschemes, floralarrangementsandevencreativewriting.Filledwithpracticaltips,historical anecdotesandimaginativepairings,itencouragesreaderstodeepentheirconnection withplants,understandtheirsymbolism,andbringbeauty,colourandmeaninginto everygardenorbouquettheycreate.
CompostbyCharlesDowding
Amasterclassinthemagicofcompostingfromthenodigpioneerhimself.Charles Dowdingexplainshowtoturnkitchenscraps,gardenwasteandotherorganicmatter intonutrient-richblackgoldthatfeedsyoursoilandyourplants.Clear,practicaland fullofwisdom,itisamust-haveforanyonewhowantstogardenmoresustainably, reducewaste,improvesoilhealthandenjoymoreproductive,thrivingplants throughouttheyear.Withstep-by-stepguidance,tipsforavoidingcommonmistakes andinsightsdrawnfromdecadesofexperience,itisbothinspiringandentirely achievableforgardenersateverylevel.
WhatGrowsTogetherbyJamieButterworth
Abeautifulandinspiringguidetoplantingpartnershipsthatthrivesidebyside.Jamie Butterworthshowshowthoughtfulcombinationscantransformyourgardenintoaspace thatfeelsbothnatural,balancedandharmonious.Itispackedwithdetailedplanting plans,creativeideasandpracticaladviceforeverysetting,whetheryouareworkingwith aborder,abalcony,windowboxesorevenafewpotsonapatio,makingitaccessible andrewardingforgardenersofalllevels.
So,thereyouhaveit,fivethoughtfulgiftsforthegardenerinyourlife.Whether theydreamofdesigning,composting,plantingorsimplylearningmore,these bookswillbringalittlegreenjoytotheirChristmasmorning.Andifyouhappen totreatyourselftoo,well,thatsoundsperfectlyreasonable. ■
DREAM JOB
WECAUGHTUPWITHJOHNLEADERAHEADOFHISRUNPLAYINGTHE BELOVEDBFGANDDISCOVEREDANACTORWHOFINDSTHEJOYIN EVERYROLEHETAKESONANDWHOISTHRILLEDTOBECOMINGHOME
ActorJohnLeaderhasenjoyedasparkling career.Hisfirstjobaftergraduatingwasin theacclaimedWarHorseandsincethen,it’s beenonelonglistofbrilliantroles.Thismonth, John’sheadingbacktohisrootsintheMidlandsto takeonthebelovedroleofRoaldDahl’siconicBFG adaptedbyTomWells.Acollaborationbetweenthe RoyalShakespeareCompany(RSC),Chichester FestivalTheatreandtheRoaldDahlStoryCompany, theshowhasa10-weekruninStratfordwhichJohn isdelightedabout.
HavinggrownupinBirminghamandstudiedat StratfordCollege,Johndescribescomingbacktothe RoyalShakespeareTheatreasa‘fullcirclemoment’. OftheroleastheBFG,hesays:“I’mabsolutely thrilledtobeplayingsuchaniconiccharacterwho meanssomuchtosomanypeople.Everyonehas theirownpictureoftheBFG,soit’sreallyexciting tohelpbringhimtolifeonstage.It’sarealjoytobe collaboratingwithDaniel(director)andsucha talentedteamofcreativesonthisstory.”
ESSENTIALPART
Theshow’sdirector,DanielEvanssaysJohn’s castingwasanessentialpartofthepuzzleandpraises hiswarmthandhumilityaswellastheshow’s
incrediblepuppetrydesignedbyTobyOlié.John’shad experienceofworkingalongsidepuppetrythanksto hisstintinWarHorseandofferssomeinsightinto whatthat’slike.Hesays,“Youhavetotreatthemlike they’rehumanandlookthemintheeyesasifthey’re actors.They’resoalive,sorealandnotjustpartofthe set,they’reactors.Thepuppeteershavethescopeto reacttowhat’shappeningonthestage.It’smagic.”
Growingup,Johnwasintosportratherthan dramaandhadn’tconsideredacareeronthestage. Itwasn’tuntilhewasdoinghisA-Levelsthatthe actingbugstruck.Afriendsuggestedreadinga scriptwhichheagreedtoandwhichhadabig impactonhim.Johnrecalls:“Itwaslikeabomb
Picture:JosephBailey(RSC)
goingoff!”Histeachersopenedhiseyestothe possibilitiesandJohnwentontostudyactingin Stratford.Freshfromcollege,theWarHorsejob wasadreamfirstgigofwhichJohnsays:“Iwas reallyfortunate.I’vehadacareerIcouldhaveonly dreamedof.”
HUMANCONNECTION
JohnlastworkedwiththeRSCinTheMerry WivesofWindsorandTheSchoolforScandalin 2024andpreviouscreditsincludeWuthering HeightsandPeterPanattheNationalTheatre,A MonsterCallsattheOldVicandTheLion,the WitchandtheWardrobeattheBridgeTheatre.
FINDTHEMAGIC
TheBFGplaysattheRoyalShakespeareTheatreuntil31January. Ticketsstartat£16. Visitrsc.org.ukorcalltheboxoffice01789331111
Whiletheatrehasformedthelion’sshareofJohn’s career,healsoenjoysworkinginTVandfilmand sayshehasadeeploveforboth.Havingsaidthat,he admitsthere’ssomethingmagicalaboutperforming toatheatreaudience.Johnexplains:“Theatreis special.Phonesareturnedoffandaudiencesare completelytunedin.It’sanindustrysogroundedin humanconnection,sharedexperience.”
Intermsofdreamroles,Johnsayshe’sabigbeliever inmusteringupthatdreamjobfeelingineveryrole. Hesays:“Thatwayeachjobfeelsspecial–youfind thatsenseofexcitementandjoyineverythingyoudo.” Iftherewaseveramatchmadeintheatreheaven,it feelslikeJohnLeaderplayingtheBFGisit. ■
GROWINGPLACES
SPEAKINGOFFEAR
Fearofpublicspeaking,andtheanxietythatcomes withstandinginfrontofanaudiencetogiveaspeech, affectsupto75percentofthepopulation.Againstthat backdrop,SamuelJonathan,founderoftheRoyalCentre forPublicSpeaking,setuptheTellandShareProject, whichofferspublicspeakingtrainingforallages.The projectiscurrentlyrunningeverySaturdayat BirminghamCommunityLeisureTrust’sLadywood LeisureCentre,featuringahands-oncoachingcourseto buildchildren'sconfidenceandequipthemwith communicationandpresentationskills.
CREATIVECARDS
TwocreativepupilsfromaschoolinSolihullbroughta splashofcolourtoresidentsinanewhousing developmentafterwinningacarddesigncompetition. Year6pupils,JesseandSiyonafromHaslucksGreen JuniorSchoolwillseetheircardsdistributedasa welcometonewhomebuyersatDavidWilsonHomes’ AshtreeGrovedevelopmentatLapwingDrive, HamptoninArden.TheirheadteacherHelenStreet said:“We’reincrediblyproudofJesseandSiyona.This projecthasbeenafantasticopportunitytocelebrate creativityandcommunityspirit,andit’slovelytosee ourpupils’workmakingarealimpact.”
SCHOOL REPORT
HARVESTAPPEAL
ErdingtonHallPrimarySchoolsupportedtheErdington FoodBankHarvestAppealwithdonationsfromlearners, staffandfamilieshelpingthoseinneedinthelocal community.Themovewaspartoftheschool’smissionto encouragelearnerstopromotecompassion,communityspirit andsocialresponsibility.Thefoodbankhashelpedmorethan 17,000peopleduringthepastyear.SchoolprincipalJenni Downessaid:“Weareincrediblygratefultoeveryonewho donatedtotheappeal.Yourkindnessandgenerositywillhelp supportourcommunityandensurethatthosefacinghardship haveaccesstoessentialfoodsupplies.”
MARVELLOUSMURAL
HeartofWorcestershireCollegehasunveiledastreetartmuralattheRedditch CampusinpartnershipwithReimagineRedditch.Tomarktheoccasion,thecollege welcomedthemayorofRedditch,JoannaKane,andmembersoflocalcommunity groups–aswellastheinstallation’sartist,AndyDice(akaDice67),whois founderanddirectorofCheltenhamPaintFestival.Theartwork,whichisthesingle largestpieceofstreetartinRedditch,wasinspiredbythestarlingmurmuration andhighlightsthearea’sfuturepossibilities,whilepromotingprideamong students,staff,residentsandthewiderpopulation.
NEATH’SNAILS
StudentsfromThomasCookesHouse, BromsgroveSchooltookpartina24-hour dance-a-thon,raisingmorethan£3,000fora children’scancercharity.Neath’sNailswas setupbythefamilyandfriendsofNeath Simpsoninmemoryofthe12-year-oldwho diedfromarareformoflymphoma.During chemotherapytreatmentNeath’snails becamediscoloured–andasaresult,she turnedtopaintingthem.Thecharityinher nameprovidesnailcarepackages,gifts, vouchersandspecialexperiencestochildren ontheironcologyjourney.Dancingwasalso somethingNeathlovedandcontinuedtodo eventhroughouthertreatment.
FROMGAZA TOASTON
AstonMedicalSchoolhas welcomedastudentfromGaza aspartofapilotprogrammeto bringthosefromregionsof conflictandnaturaldisasterto Birminghamtoaidtheir studies.ShahdAlhajjarbegan hermedicalstudiesatAl-Azhar Universitybeforeitwas bombedintheIsrael-Palestine conflictduringherthirdyear. TheAstonprojectisbeingled byclinicalassociateDrShahid Merali,withthefirsteight studentsallexpectedtocome fromGaza.Subjecttofurther funding,themedicalschool willseekplacementstudents fromotherareas.
ARTSFORALL
ArtBytes,aninclusivenationalartprogrammeforschoolyears 5and9,hasopenedregistrationsforits2026competition.The schemehelpsdemonstratethattheworldofartsisopento studentsfromallbackgroundsandwinnershavethejoyofsee theirworkdisplayedinavirtualgallerybeforeaseriesofhighprofilecelebrationeventsatculturalvenuesthroughoutthe country.LastyearIlincaIftimoaefromStantonBridgePrimary SchoolinCoventry,pictured,claimedthecovetedNational PrimaryWinnertitle.Toregistervisit artbytes.co.uk/registration/andsignupbefore31December.
ARTSCHIEF
Meetthenewchiefexecutiveand artisticdirectorofScala, Worcester’snewartscentre.Dr HannahPhillipsisatheatredirector, writer,producerandacademicwith decadesofexperienceinthe creativesector.Hannahisalsoa visitinglecturerattheUniversityof Worcester,BirminghamCity UniversityandtheRoyal BirminghamConservatoire.Her appointmentcoincideswithScala beingestablishedasanewcharity aheadofitsopeningin2026.
BODYBOOST
AUKfitnessandwellnesscompany offeringnext-levelbodyinsightshas announceditiscomingtoBirmingham. BodyViewprovidesadvancedbody testingservices,suchasDEXAscans, 3Dbodyscans,andmetabolicratetests, helpingcustomersmakedecisionsabout theirhealthandachievefitnessand weightlossgoals.Thebrandlaunchedin 2024anditsBirminghamsite,basedat theMidlandHealthbuildingin Edgbaston,willbeitssixthbranch.
BUSINESS
FULLOFBEANS
TudorcountryhouseCoughtonCourthas partneredwithaward-winningcoffeeroastery MonsoonEstatestolaunchitsown-branded coffeetomarktheWarwickshireestate’sreturn tofamilymanagementin2026.Magnusand ImogenBirchThrockmorton,whowillbetaking overtheday-to-dayrunningofCoughton Court,haveworkedwiththeartisancoffee roastersbasedinStratford-upon-Avononthe blend,whichwillbeservedintheestate’snewlookcafenextyear.Thepartnershipispartof theThrockmortons’commitmenttoworking withlocalbusinesses.
BUILDINGROLE
PropertyconsultancyJohnson Fellowshasstrengthenedits Birmingham-basedteamwiththe appointmentofanewsenior buildingsurveyorinitsbuilding consultancydivision.NickBirdhas joinedfromPennycuickCollins, whereheledoncondition surveys,dilapidationsadviceand contractadministrationfora rangeofcommercial,residential andmixed-useportfolios.Nickhas overadecadeofexperience workingwiththelikesof Travelodge,LloydsBank,and Lendlease,andhasparticular expertiseindealingwithlisted buildingsacrossthecountry.
NEWPRESIDENT
AfamilylawexpertatShakespeareMartineau isthenewpresidentoftheAsianBusiness ChamberofCommerce(ABCC).MonicaGhai, alegaldirectorinthefirm’sBirminghamoffice, sayssheis“passionateaboutmakingsurethe voicesofAsianbusinessesareheard”after steppinguptobecomepresident.After qualifyingasasolicitorinhernativeSouth Yorkshire,MonicarelocatedtoBirmingham eightyearsagoandworkedatseverallawfirms beforejoiningShakespeareMartineauin February2020.
LIFE-SAVINGCASH
MidlandsAirAmbulanceCharitywasgivenacashboostwhenWomenin Property’sMidlandsAnnualDinnerraisedmorethan£5,800foritslifesavingmissions.Theeventbroughttogetherprofessionalsacrossthe propertyindustryandthemoneyraisedwillhelpsupportthecharity’srapid responsecriticalcarecarsandairambulancehelicopters,ensuringpatients acrossthesixcountiestheservicecoversreceiveadvancedpre-hospital emergencycare.
TOUCHWOODLAUNCH
Anindependentfemale-foundedjewelleryandgiftingbrandhasopened itsdoorsinTouchwoodshoppingcentre,Solihull.LisaAngelhassixstores acrosstheUKandspecialisesintimelessandtrend-ledjewellery, accessoriesandgifts.Thebusinesswasborn21yearsagowhenfounder andcreativedirectorLisaAngel,pictured,beganhand-makingjewellery whichshesoldatlocalcraftfairs.Lisasaid:‘We’resoexcitedtoopenour seventhstoreandjointhevibrantTouchwoodcommunity.”
MUSEUM CHAIR
AIRPORT’SHOSPITALBOOST
BirminghamAirportraisedmorethan£63,000for BirminghamChildren’sHospitalCharityatitsinaugural charitydinnersponsoredbypartnercompanyMitie. Theevent,hostedbyBBCWMDJ,EdJames,was attendedbyover400guestsfrom46partner organisationsattheHeartofEnglandConference CentreinMeriden.Thecharity’sCEOMarkBrider hostedaninspirationalinterviewwithElizabethSoffee, pictured,ayoungpatientwhoreceivedvitalcarefrom thehospitalandwhohasraisedmorethan£200,000 forthecharitytodate.
BlackCountryLivingMuseumhasappointedProfMartinLevermoreasitsnew chair.ProfLevermoreisvisitingprofessorforHealth,EducationandLifeScienceat BirminghamCityUniversityandfounderandbusinessdevelopmentdirectorof MedicalDevicesTechnologywhichsuppliestheNHS.HeisalsoaDeputy LieutenantfortheWestMidlands.Hesaid:“AsaWestMidlanderandlivingin Bloxwich–deepintheBlackCountry–Iamlookingforwardtoworkingtoensure themuseumcontinuestothrive.”
CAMPAIGNOFTHEYEAR
BirminghamperformancemarketingagencySHCDigital,pickedupaprestigiousnationalaward andtwohighlyrecommendedawardsattherecentSocialDaySocialMediaMarketingAwards.The company,whichisbasedintheAssayStudios,wontheSmallBusinessSocialMediaCampaignof theYearAwardandwashighlycommendedintheSocialMediaCampaignExcellenceandSocial MediaCampaigninPublicSectororGovernmentcategories.ItsCampaignoftheYearAwardwas forrelaunchingJapaneserestaurantchainYakinoritoBirmingham.
BUSINESS BITES
THEATRETIE-UP
TRAILBLAZERALEX
LogisticsprofessionalAlexCastlefromSuttonColdfieldhaswona nationalindustryawardforhiseffortsasaSupplyChainLeadership DegreeApprenticeatWincanton,partofGXO.AlexwontheTrailblazer AwardattheGenerationLogisticsAwardswhichcelebratetalented individualswhoarehelpingtoshapethefutureofthesector.Alexhas alsobeennamedintheCharteredInstituteofLogisticsandTransport’s (CILT)35under35,featuredonITVNews,andbecamethefirst apprenticetomanageWincanton’sInnovationCentre.
WINNERKARL
LawyerKarlBrownhasreceivedaprestigiousawardforhis dedicationtopromotingequality,diversityandinclusion(ED&I). ThecommercialpropertypartneratClarkeWillmottLLPwas presentedwiththeSirAlexanderBustamanteAwardbythe AssociationofJamaicanNationals(Birmingham)UKatitsannual galadinner.TheawardisnamedinhonourofJamaica’sfirst PrimeMinisterandrecognisesindividualsofCaribbeanheritage whohavemadeexceptionalcontributionstotheircommunities.
DAIRYDEAL
Anewstate-of-the-artmilkfactoryissettodeliverhundredsofjobsinWest Bromwich.Freshways,theUK’slargestindependentdairysupplier,has invested£2millioninthefacilitywhichwillpasteuriseandpackagenearly 900millionpintsoffreshmilkayear.WestMidlandsmayorRichardParker touredthenewdiarywhichwillemploy200people,withmorejobsto follow.Thecompanywillfocusonrecruitinglocalyoungpeopleinsupportof theMayor’sYouthEmploymentPlan.
BelgradeTheatre,Coventryand Birmingham-basedtheatreproducing studio,ChinaPlatehavelaunchedanew partnershipwhichwillseeChinaPlate supportingtheBelgradeonthedelivery offutureproductions,includingNannyof theMaroons,whichisduetoopenin spring2027.
FOODMISSION
FareShareMidlandshasannounceda mergerbetweentheUK’stwolargestfood redistributioncharitiesinafreshbidto tacklethescaleoffoodwasteandthe effectsoffoodinsecurity.FareShareand theFelixProjectareunitingtorescue good-to-eatsurplusfoodandgetittoover 8,000charitiesnationwide.
CYCLEHUB
Asecurebicyclestoragefacilitywithspace for110cycleshasopenedatRailwayDrive, Wolverhampton,nearthemainentranceof therailwaystation.Thefree-to-usehubhas beenfundedbycharityWalkWheelCycle TrustworkingwiththeDepartmentfor Transport.
LEGALSTAR
Arisinglegalstarwhosoughtjusticeforvictimsofa roguesurgeonhasbeencrownedGreater BirminghamYoungProfessionaloftheYear.Becca Horley,medicalnegligenceassociateatFletchers Solicitors,receivedtheawardattheICCBirmingham infrontofmorethan500guests.Becca,whoalso triumphedintheLegalcategoryattheawards, representsvictimsofIanPaterson,thebreast surgeonwhowasjailedfor20yearsaftersubjecting morethan1,000patientstodamagingoperations.
TeamsfromacrossCalthorpebusiness communityraisecashforEdward’sTrust 3 2 4 5 6 7
PIZZAQUIZNIGHT BOOSTSCHARITY
CalthorpeEstateshosteditssecondPizzafora PurposecharityquiznightatChapter, bringingtogether16teamsfromacrossthe Calthorpebusinesscommunityforaneveningof friendlycompetition,generosity,andgreatfood providedbySmoke+Ash.Thenightraisedan impressive£3,680insupportofEdward’sTrust,which providesvitalcareforfamiliesexperiencinglossand bereavement.FindoutmoreaboutEdward’sTrustat: https://edwardstrust.org.uk/ ■
5 StuartClark,AndyRobinson. 6 DemiSwingler,TomFoley. 7 AdelePogmore,BethanyMillett,LisaBarge,PhilPassey,MatthewStorer. 1
1 DavidBrooks,BrookSmith,MeganFreeman,AmandaMorgan,TomCaesar. 2 SarahWebb,HarryOpenshaw,AliceHobbis,JasonGriffiths, JackMcLeod. 3 TomFoley,DanielBarchet,HarmanSinghBarech,GlennKeilloh. 4 TomFoley,HaydnCooper,PhilippaGreen.
BirminghamLivingnamedMagazine oftheYearatMidlandsMediaAwards
BirminghamLivingwontheMagazineofthe Year2025trophyattheMidlandsMediaAwards, organisedbyBirminghamPressClubandheld attheBurlingtonHotel,Birmingham.TheAwards, revivedforthefirsttimesinceCovid,attractedmore than200guestsandweresupportedbyBirmingham Airport,BirminghamChinatownBusinessAssociation, HSBCUK,NUJBirmingham&CoventryBranchand UniversityofWorcester.Wolverhampton-basedExpress &StarretaineditscrownasNewspaperoftheYear (Daily),whiletheBirminghamMailwonBestWebsite. TheStratfordHeraldwasNewspaperoftheYear (Weekly).Forthefirsttime,theAwardsalsofeatureda numberofcategoriesaimedatmediastudents. ■
4 5 3 2 1
6 7 8
1 NoahCole,KaraJoubert,JamieJohnson,IonaGoodall,OliverCastle 2 MaddyMcCrann-Smith,RachaelTaylor,AlTitterington,FrancescaBallar, RebeccaWilliams. 3 TheBBCteam. 4 BarbaraGoulden,ChrisMorley,SueGreen,BeverlyRademacher. 5 TheITVNewsCentralteam. 6 HazelHorton-Peppercorn,HelenToomeyHesks. 7 CharlotteColes,GeorgieStratford,KieranWilliams,OliviaWarburton. 8 IanReddington, AmberWestgate. PhotographybyMrLaddMediaandAdrianKibbler
WHAT’SONliving
WHAT: AVeryMerryMoseleyMisfits-mas
WHEN: 13December
WHERE: MidlandsArtCentre, macbirmingham.co.uk
WHAT: SleepingBeauty
WHEN: Nowto3January
WHERE: BelgradeTheatre, belgrade.co.uk
SleepingBeautyreturnsfora fantasticshowfeaturing fairytalesets,outlandish costumes,abreathtaking dragonandenoughlaughter towakeupeventheheaviest ofsleepers.
TheMisfitsareonamissiontoshow peoplethetransformativepowerof groupmusic-makingactivities,sograb yourChristmasjumperandletthis brilliantbunchofmisfitsfillyouwithfestivecheer!Afreedrop-inevent.
WHAT: Madness
WHEN: 19December
WHERE: UtilitaArena, utilitaarenabham.co.uk
OneoftheUK’smost-belovedBritish bandspopintoBrumtoperformalltheir classichitswithspecialguestsupport fromSqueeze.
WHAT: TheNightmareBeforeChristmas inConcert
WHEN: 24December
WHERE: SymphonyHall,bmusic.co.uk
TheCityofBirminghamSymphonyOrchestrawill performDannyElfman’smusicalscorelivetothe filmingofTimBurton’stimelessholidayclassic.
WHAT: TheWonderStuff
WHEN: 18December
WHERE: O2AcademyBirmingham, academymusicgroup.com
Relivetheglorydaysofindie-rockand immerseyourselfintheanarchicenergyand infectiousmelodiesthatdefinedageneration asthelocalladsreturntoBrum.
WHAT: SusieDentWordPerfect
WHEN: 16December
WHERE: TownHall, bmusic.co.uk
Abrand-newtourofthejoysofthe EnglishlanguagewithBritain’s best-lovedwordsmith,reminding usjusthowunpredictable, waywardandutterlymagicalour mothertonguecanbe.
WHAT: SherlockHolmesandthe 12DaysofChristmas
WHEN: Nowto18January
WHERE: BirminghamRep, birmingham-rep.co.uk
Alaugh-out-loudfestivemurder mystery.It’sChristmasinVictorian Londonandaflurryofperformersare suddenlydyingmid-sceneintheWest End.StepforwardSherlockHolmes…
WHAT: WinterFunland
WHEN: 6Decemberto3 January
WHERE: NECBirmingham, winterfunland.com
TheUK’slargestindoor Christmasfunfairreturnsforthe perfectfestiveexperienceforall thefamilywhereyoucanenjoy fourhoursofunlimitedfunfair rides,skateonagiganticice rinkandvisitanamazing festival.Smilesallround!
WHAT: Christmasevents
WHEN: Various
WHERE: Touchwood ShoppingCentre, touchwoodsolihull.co.uk There’sloadsoffreeeventsin Solihullthisyear,includinga chancetomeetboththe mischievousGrinchandJingle Bellthereindeer
WHAT: FiddlerontheRoof
WHEN: 9Decemberto3January
WHERE: TheAlexandra, atgtickets.com Arareopportunitytocatchoneofthe greatestmusicalsofalltimeandan exuberantcelebrationofloveandlife.
WHAT: RobinHood
WHAT: FestiveFoodandMakersMarket
WHEN: 18December
WHERE: Brindleyplace,brindleyplace.com Exploreahand-pickedcollectionofbeautifulcreationsfrom super-talented,localindependentcrafters.There’salsoa chancetoseeSanta,eatfromstreetfoodpop-upsand enjoyfestivemusicfromtheSalvationArmyBand.
WHAT: TheBFG
WHEN: Nowuntil7February
WHERE: RSCTheatre,rsc.org.uk, tel:01789331111
GatheryourchiddlerstoseeRoaldDahl’s unforgettablestorybroughttolifeasthesmallest humanbeanandthegentlestgiantprovethata dreamcanchangetheworld.
WHEN: 20Decemberto 1February
WHERE: BirminghamHippodrome, birminghamhippodrome.com Withstunningsceneryanddazzling costumesdirectfromtheLondon Palladium,thispromisestobetheultimate sheriff-bustingpantomimeextravaganza forthewholefamilytoenjoy.
WHAT: AChristmasWassail WHEN: 14and15December
WHERE: CrescentTheatre, crescent-theatre.co.uk
BeginyourChristmascelebrationswitha festivalofchoralmusic,solosongs,spoken wordandcomedybroughttogethertowarm yourspiritswiththemagicofChristmas.
CLOSEWITHÁ
CHRISTMASISCOMINGFOLKS!ANDWITHHORRIBLEHISTORIES:HORRIBLE CHRISTMASSCHEDULINGAFESTIVEPITSTOPINBIRMINGHAMTHISYEAR, WECAUGHTUPWITHPROUDBRUMMIE,NEALFOSTER,THEMANBEHIND THESHOW’SPARTNERS,BIRMINGHAMSTAGECOMPANY
BEENTHERE,DONETHAT
Theeventsthatprobablygavemycareeritskickstart waspersuadingfamousactorsincludingDustin Hoffman,JudiDench,IanMcKellen,GlennCloseand RichardDreyfusstoletmeinterviewthemliveonstage intheWestEndandonBroadway.Theydiditfor nothingsoIcouldputallthemoneytowardsstaging TheSeagullatBirminghamRepin1990,whichwas thespringboardtoeverythingthatcameafter.
IT’SWHATIDO
I’mtheactor/managerofBirminghamStage CompanywhichIcreatedin1992andlaunched fromtheOldRep.Thecompanyhasbeenabig adventurewhichhastakenusaroundtheUKandto Dubai,AbuDhabi,Qatar,NewZealand,Hong Kong,Singapore,India,Malta,SyriaandNewYork. We’vestagedmorethan100productionsandhada fabuloustimealongtheway.
BIGGESTSUCCESS
Iamoneofthoseluckypeoplewho’sbeen involvedinsomethingspecialalmosteveryyear,so it’shardtonarrowitdown.Performinginthe ConcertHallofSydneyOperaHousewas spectacular,asisperformingintheWestEndandon Broadway.ButI’mjustashappyactingatthe fabuloustheatreinBridlingtonSpaiftheaudienceis
HorribleHistories:HorribleChristmasisatSymphony Hall,23December
upforit.It’salldowntotheaudienceintheend–if youfindagoodone,itdoesn’tmatterwhere.
BIGGESTLESSONLEARNED
Myfatherwasagreatbusinessmanwhogaveme someadvicewhenIwasateenager.Neverhavea businesspartner,neverletsomeonepushyouaround andnevergiveanyoneasecondchance.Thislastone soundedincrediblyharsh,soIchosetoignoreit,but thenfoundinmyprofessionallifethatwheneverI didgivesomeoneasecondchanceitalwayscame backtobiteme.Exceptonce–andIguessit’sthose exceptionswhichmakelifeinteresting.
WHATILIKEABOUTBRUM
IwasborninBirmingham,somyfirstimpressions aredifficulttoremember!Butmyfavouritethingisthe OldRepTheatrewhichprovidedmewiththechance tofulfilallmydreams.ItwasbuiltbySirBarry Jacksonasthefirstpurpose-builttheatreinthe countryanduntil1971housedBirminghamRepertory Theatre,untiltheymovedtoBroadStreet.Foryearsit wasusedbyamateurcompaniesuntilIpersuadedthe citycounciltoletmemovemyfledglingcompanyinto itswallsandweneverlookedback.
DOWNTIME
Ilovereadinganewspaperoveraginandtonic. I’mworriedthatbythetimeIretireallthe newspaperswillbeonline,whichismuchless satisfying. ■
