Birmingham living LORNA ROSE TREEN
THECOMEDYQUEEN OFIMPROV
Whatdoes‘flaming’Junemeantoyou?Ifyou’reagardeningfan,likeour residentexpertAdamKirtland,itmeanslookingoutonandenjoyingthe laboursofyourhardworkasariotofcolourburstsforthfromthepots and/orborders.Ifyou’reasun-lover,it’sslappingontheFactor50andlazinghopefullyonagorgeousbeach somewhereorbyacool,invitingpool.Forme,thismonthmeanscatchingthewonderfularomaoftheBBQas delishfoodsizzlesandthesmellofcharcoaldriftsacrossthepatio.Andofcourse,italsomeansgettingoutand aboutandenjoyingsomeoftheawesomeoutdooreventsandfestivalsthecityandwiderregionhastooffer. Thismonthwe’vegotsummercoveredthroughoutourpages.OurStylesectionlooksatthelatesttrendsin swimwearthat’sgreatfordippinginthesurfortoastingatthebeachbar.Ourexpertsalsoprovidesometimely tipsonhowtostandoutfromthecrowdforallthegoodreasons,ratherthanthebad.Backatthebarbie,we’ve donnedchef’shatandapronandselectedsomecookingrangesandaccessories–aswellasofferedadollopof greatadviceonhowtomakesureyouralfrescoservingsturnoutastastytreatsratherthanburntofferings.
Meanwhilegreen-fingeredAdamhasputtogetherhistoptipstomakesureyoursummerbloomerslook spectacularwiththeminimumofeffort–aswellasrevealinghoweasyandsimpleitisto‘growyourown’,even ifyou’reaveggienovice.
Finally,ournewsandwhat’sonpagesfeatureplentyofeventstoenjoyasthesummerreallystartstogetinto gear.FingercrossedtheweatherplaysitspartforajollyJune…
Coverimage: LornaRoseTreen, photographedby WilliamHearle
EDITOR: DavidJohns david@brumliving.co.uk
FEATURESEDITOR: ShelleyCarter shelley@brumliving.co.uk
CONTRIBUTORS: DavidCarne,AdamKirtland ACCOUNTMANAGER: JaneMorris jane@brumliving.co.uk
DESIGNER: TracyDuffy
PHOTOGRAPHY: DavidMorphew,AndrewLlewellyn.Imagelibrary:shutterstock.com PUBLISHINGDIRECTOR: JonathanCarter
RockHopperMediaLimited BurleighHouse,23TagwellRoad,DroitwichWR97BN tel 01905771110 ©RockHopperMediaLtd. BirminghamLivingispublishedmonthlybyRockHopperMediaLtdandprintedbyBuxtonPress.Viewsandopinionsexpressedbyauthorsandservicesandproducts offeredbyadvertisersarenotspecificallyendorsedbyRockHopperMediaLtd.ReproductioninwholeorinpartofthecontentsofBirminghamLivingwithoutwrittenpermissionisstrictlyprohibited.
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Highlights
News
Bringingyouthebrightest,mostcolourful storiesfromacrossthecitythismonth
LornaRoseTreen
Thequeenofimprovwhogaveupa ‘proper’jobtogotoclownschool
GalleryofWonder
TheRBSAGalleryintheJewelleryQuarter marks25yearswithbigplansforthefuture
Food&Drink
SecretsfromthekitcheninChef’sCorner, plusnews,reviews,recipesandtopwinepicks
Health
Toobusytoworkout?Makethemostofyour timewithHIIT(HighIntensityIntervalTraining)
Style
Supersummerswimmers!Ourpickofthe hottesttrendsinthisseason’sswimwear
BestoftheRest
40 48 54 57 64 66
Homes
Nothingsignalsthestartofsummerlikethewhiff ofBBQsmoke.So,areyoureadytogetfiredup?
FromthePottingBench
AdamKirtland’stoptipswillhelpmakeJune flamingbrilliantinyourbordersandbeds
TheRunningMan
WhylocalconstructionbossJoeBaker ran5keverydaythroughmonthofMay
BusinessNews
Allthelatestnews,views,comingsand goingsfromthecommercialcommunity
What’sOn
Bestofthecity’stopshowsandgigs inourround-upofmust-seeevents
UpClose
JenniFryer,CEOofMartineauGardens,talks therapeutichorticulture–andBruceSpringsteen
FIN-TASTIC NEWLOOK
BirminghamChildren’sHospitalhas unveiledplansfora2,200-litreaquarium asthecentrepieceofitsnewmain entrance.Thetankwillbefilledwith morethan300fishfromover60species asthefocalpointofa‘deepseaarea’–partofthe£3million‘ItStartsHere Appeal’toprovideanexcitingnew welcometothehospital.Theappealhas alreadyraised£2.5millionofitstarget, andthenewentranceaimstoprovidea child-friendly,openandbright communityspacewhichreduces patients’fearandanxiety.
BRINGINGYOUTHEBRIGHTEST ANDMOSTCOLOURFUL STORIESFROMACROSSTHE CITYEACHMONTH
VALENTINOCAPSIT! BULLISHDANCERS
Oneofthegreatestbikeracersofall-timeisraisinghiscaptoMidlands AirAmbulanceCharity’sBike4LifeRideOut&Festival.MotoGPlegend ValentinoRossihassignedaspecialcapthatwillbepresentedtoalucky competitionticketholder,watchedbythousandsattheeventatWeston ParkonSunday20July.Thefund-raisingRideOutisorganisedin collaborationwithWestMerciaPolice’sSaferRoadsPartnershipand NationalHighwaystoraiseawarenessoftheimportanceofbikersafety ontheroads.
Inahistory-making‘first’,10groupsof Morrisdancershavejoinedforcestotake partinBullsintheCity,thepublicarttrailset totakeoverBirminghamthissummer.Mercia Morrisissponsoringoneofthetrail’sbull sculptureswhileaimingtobringMorris dancingtoawideraudience.Thetrail features120sculpturescreatedbyUKartists. MerciaMorris’sbullisbeingdesignedby artist,andfellowMorrisdancer,Megan Smith-Evansandwillraisefundsfor BirminghamHospice.Toaddyoursupport visit:www.justgiving.com/page/merciamorris
ImageoftheproposedaquariumbyDesignBuro
LEGENDRETURNS
Cricket-loversaresetforatreatwiththereturntothe creaseofoneofSouthAfrica’sall-timegreats.ABde VilliersissettomakehiscomebackattheEdgbaston LegendseventintheWorldChampionshipofLegends (WCL).Afterretiringfouryearsago,deVillierswilllead theSouthAfricaChampionssideagainstateamofWest Indies’greatson19July.EnglandChampions–featuring localheroMoeenAli–willgetthetournamentunderway againstPakistanChampionson18July.
PRIZEWRITERS
YoungwritersfromBirminghamarebeinggiventhechancetowin£2,000inan essaycompetitioncreatedandjudgedbyaward-winninghistoricalbiographersand historians.CelebratedauthorsAntoniaFraserandFloraFraserlaunchedtheElizabeth LongfordBriefLives2025EssayAwardforwritersaged35andunder.Thedeadline forsubmissionsistheendofSeptemberwiththewinnertobeannouncedataspecial eventatLondon’sNationalPortraitGalleryinJanuary.Seehttps://elhb.uk/brieflives formoredetails.
CREATIVESBOOST
Anambitiousprogrammehasbeenlaunchedtohelpdevelop50 youngcreativesinBirmingham.CommunityRoutesbyPunch Recordsoffersaweek-longintensiveresidency,industry-standard masterclasses,one-to-onementoringandexclusivenetworking opportunities,Theprogrammeconcentratesonfivekeycreative careers:GraphicDesign,MusicTechnology,EventProduction,Film, andVocalPerformance.Applicationsforthe50spacesareopen until30June,withtheresidencyrunningfrom18to22August, followedbyanexclusivenetworkingeventon23August.
CELEBRATINGLENNON
ThelifeandworkofJohnLennonis beingcelebratedinanewlivestage showwhichcomestoBirminghamand Coventrythismonth.SomethingAbout Lennon–TheJohnLennonStoryisfrom thesameteambehindacclaimedshows SomethingAboutGeorge,whichsalutes thetalentoffellowBeatleGeorge Harrison,andSomethingAboutSimon whichshowcasesthemusicofsingersongwritinggeniusPaulSimon.The showisatCrescentTheatre, Birminghamon4JuneandAlbany Theatre,Coventryon19June.
ALLABOARD WITHJOE
WhatbetterwaytolearnmoreaboutwhattodoinBirminghamthanwith ‘super-Brummie’,JoeLycettasyourguide.Thecomedygeniushasbeen delightingTVaudienceswithhisaward-winningseries,JoeLycett’sUnited StatesofBirmingham.Nowhehasteamedupwithlocaltouristexpertsto produce‘10ThingsYouNeedtoDoinBirmingham,UK’.Thechecklistincludes tryingabaltiinthecity’soriginalBaltiTriangle,experiencingthefamous number11busserviceandpayinghomagetoBird’sCustardinDigbeth. Downloadthechecklistatvisitbirmingham.com/united-states-of-birmingham
LADY SAMURAI
FayGoodman,aBirmingham martialartist,composerand filmmaker,haspubliclyreleased amulti-award-winning documentaryfilmalongwithits originalsoundtrackalbum.Lady Samurai–TheFinalCutfollows Fay’sjourneyinmasteringthe JapaneseartofIaido(thewayof theSamuraisword).Produced anddirectedbyFay’sfilm companyGoodmediaLtd,the filmhaswonmorethan30 internationalawards.The documentary’ssoundtrack includescontributionsfrom famedmusicians,includingRick WakemanandGordonGiltrap.
SALLY’STERRIFICTREK
TOPMARKS
Tenoutof10.Thatwastheperfectscorefromreviewsbyparentsand carerswhichsawBromsgroveSchoolatbothBromsgroveand WinterfoldnamedintheTop20NurseriesintheWestMidlandsas partoftheDayNurseryAwards.BelindaMiles,headofearlyyearsat Winterfold,said:“Weprideourselvesonprovidinganurturing environmentwhereourchildrenthrivethroughhands-onexperiences, developingaloveoftheoutdoors.”
MEMORYWALK
BirminghamHospiceisinvitingthecommunitytocome togetherforitsannualHeartsandStarsMemoryWalkon Saturday14JuneatBirminghamBotanicalGardens.The eventoffersanopportunitytocelebrateandremember lovedoneswhileraisingmoneyforvitalhospicecare services.Thefive-milewalkstartsatthegardensattwilight. Seniorfund-raisingmanagerRebeccaRichardssaid:“Weare hopingtoraise£20,000whichcouldpayfor38daysof specialistnursingsupportinourInpatientUnits.”
Inspirationalfund-raiser SallyFranckfromBalsall Commonputonherbest walkingshoestotrek nearly200milesforcharity. Sally,wholiveswith Parkinson’s,tookonthe Wainwright’sCoastto CoastwalkfromStBees HeadinCumbriatoRobin Hood’sBayinNorth YorkshireinaidofCure Parkinson’sandParkinson’s UK.Beforesettingoffwith husbandRichardand friends,Sally,whowas diagnosedwithParkinson’s in2020,hadalreadyraised £7,000.Todonatevisit: https://www.givewheel.com /fundraising/6235/coast2 coast-20225/
HUNTFORHEROES
Thepositivecontributionofolderpeopleinthe Midlandswhoaremakingadifferenceintheir communitiesissettoberecognisedbynewLocal HeroAwards.LaunchedbyChurchillLiving,the Awardsareopentoanyoneinthelocalareaaged over60.Thewinnerwillbepresentedwiththeir awardandadonationofupto£1,000fora charityoftheirchoosingataspecialceremonythis summer.Nominationscanbemadebye-mailing ChurchillHeroAwards@crl.co.uk
VETERAN’SSTORY
Amilitarycharityreleasedaseriesof illustrations,storiesandphotographsbringing tolifetheVEDaymemoriesof13ofits beneficiaries,includingStourbridgeWWII veteran,102-year-oldJohnHaddock,pictured. BlindVeteransUK’sAftertheDarkness campaignshinesalightontheveterans’ braveservicewhileraisingfundsand awarenessofthechallengestheyfaceliving withsightloss.Thewatercolourillustrations, thatvividlyportrayVEDaymemories,were broughttolifebyMartinImpey,bestknown forprovidingtheillustrationsforthebook WarHorse.
GOTANYNEWS? Emailyournewsand picturestoeditor@brumliving.co.uk
ZEPHANIAHAWARDS
AstonVillaFoundationcelebratedtheworkof10individualsthroughthe BenjaminZephaniahLocalismAwards.CoincidingwithBenjamin ZephaniahDay,theawardshonourthelifeandlegacyofthelegendary writerandpoet,castingaspotlightonthosewhohaveembodied 'localism'intheircommunity.AmongthosehonouredwereKofiJosephs whointegratesmentalwell-beingeducationintoathletictrainingand DarnishAmrazMBEwhoworkswiththousandsofyoungpeopleatrisk ofinvolvementinseriousviolence.
YOUTHMUSIC
TheCityofBirminghamSymphony Orchestra(CBSO)hasrevealedthatits 2025-26seasonwillhaveastrongfocus onyoungpeopleandmusiceducation. Theseasonwillgivemorethan20,000 youngpeopleenrichingmusic experiences,includingschoolconcerts, noteletperformancesfortoddlersand youngchildrenandrelaxedconcertsfor pupilsattendingspecialschools.ACBSOintheCityweek(23to28July)will bringfreeorchestralperformancestounexpectedplacesacrossthecity,from canalboatstobotanicalgardens.
Theworld’sweirdestfamilyhasanewrecruit!Alexandra Burke,winneroftheXFactorandstarofhitmusicals SisterActandTheBodyguard,isturningherhandtothe spookinessthatistheAddamsFamily.Alexandraplays theleadroleofmatriarchMorticiaAddamsinThe AddamsFamily–TheMusicalComedywhichrunsfrom 10to12JulyatBirminghamHippodrome.Alsointhecast isBirdsofaFeatheractress,LesleyJoseph.Bringiton, Grandma,UncleFesterandLurch…
FRINGE BENEFITS
THEFIRSTWOMANTOWINTHEFUNNIESTJOKEATTHEEDINBURGH
FRINGEIN15YEARS,AHITRADIOSHOW,APRIMESLOTATTHERIKMAYALL COMEDYFESTIVALANDAWARDSGALORE…PLEASEPUTYOURHANDS TOGETHERFOROURVERYOWNIMPROVQUEEN,LORNAROSETREEN
CharactercomedianLornaRoseTreenmightnotbeaname yourecogniseyet,butwithasecondseriesofRadioFour’s, TimeoftheWeekintheoffing,alongrunattheEdinburgh Fringethissummer,abulgingawardscabinetandagigattheRik MayallComedyFestivalinDroitwich,she’sonetowatch
Droitwichmightnotbeaswell-knownasEdinburghforitsabilityto pullintopcomedynames,butthismonth,thebig-hitterswilldescendon thetownfortheinauguralRikMayallComedyFestival.WhenRedditch’s ownLornawasapproachedtotakepart,shejumpedatthechance,not leastbecauseshe’sahugeRikMayallfan.Shesays:“He’samassive inspiration.Growingup,Iwatchedwhatmumanddadwatchedandthat wastheYoungOnes.Iwasfartooyoung,butIlovedit!”
AlsoinspiredbyFrenchandSaunders,RubyWax,CatherineTateand VictoriaWoodamongothers,Lorna’sbrandoffunnyisdaftinthebest possiblesense.It’snosurprisethatAbFabfeaturedheavilyinLorna’s TVviewinggrowingup.Thebigcharactercomedyenergycomes throughinhershowsandTikTokvideoswhichareveryfunnyandsilly.
BBCPARODY
CastingSianCliffordofFleabagfameintheRadioFourshow,Time oftheWeekwhichLornawriteswithJonathanOldfield,wasgenius. Sian’sdeadpandeliverysqueezeseverysecondoffunnyoutofthescript. TheshowlampoonsWomen’sHour,ashowwhichLornaworkedon forfiveyears.ShehadbeenworkingonherEdinburghshowwhenshe pitchedtheideatoaproductioncompany.Oneoftheproducers persuadedLornatotakeittotheBBCwherecommissioningeditor, JuliaMackenziecommissioneditimmediately.SianCliffordcameon boardprettyquicklytoo.Lornasaysshejustgotitstraightaway.It’s
wonderfullybonkers,veryBritishandperfectlysumsup therandomnessofWomen’sHour.
Itfeelslikethere’smoreparitywithmenandwomen incomedythesedays,butLornasayswhileit’s improving,it’sstillpoor.Shesays:“Socialmediais amazinginthesensethatsomanywomenaredoing comedy,butthelivecircuitisstillpredominantlymen. There’swaymorediversityonlinebutmore opportunitiesformengenerally.There’saruleatMock theWeekthatyou’reonlyallowedonewoman.Itstarted asyouhadtohaveawomanoneachshowandbecame youcanonlyhaveonewoman!There’sawaytogo.”
LOWFILTER
AswellasherCV,Lorna’strophycabinetisfilling up.InEdinburghin2023shewonFunniestJokeat TheFringe–thefirstwomanin15yearstodoso. Shesays:“Itwasn’teventhefunniestjokeinmy show,butindustrywise,awardsmakeadifference.
INPERSON
CatchLornaattheRikMayallComedyFestival performingMidlandsChildSyndromeattheNorbury Theatre,Droitwichon1Juneat9pm.OR AttheEdinburghFringeatPleasanceCourtyard,30July to24Augustat6.20pm.
AfterwinningFunnyWomen,Igotanagent,sothat mattered,andcompetitionsareusefulifyoudowell. It’salsoabitoddthough.It’slikesaying,oh,you’re sogoodatbeingstupid!”
Lornabeganperformingatyouththeatreatthe PalaceinRedditch.Sheremembersitwasallquite serious,butshefoundhernicheduringanimprov session.Sheexplains:“Myfilterisquitelow,I’mquite quickandbecauseitdidn’thavetoberight,Islayed.” AsastudentatEdinburghUniversity,Lornajoinedan improvgroupwhichsoundsnightmarishtomany people,usincluded.Lornasays:“Fearisthesameas excitement.It’sterrifyingbutthat’safunfeeling.It’s likeexposuretherapy.”We’llsticktowriting.
WHOOPEECUSHION
AftergraduationLornagota‘properjob’in journalism.Thejournalismpartofthejobwas ‘stimulatingandcuriosityled’buttheotherhalfwas officestuffsuchasadminwhichdidn’texciteLorna. Shesaysshemissedbeingoutofhercomfortzoneand leftthejobtogotoclownschool.Lornarecalls:“My parentswereincredulous.Theycouldn’tbelieveIwas givingupmyactualjobtogotoclownschool.Iwasso poor.Ispentmysavingsandworkedeverydayteaching EnglishtoFrenchchildren.”Itwasessentiallyatheatre schoolwithaclownmasterinhiseighties.Lornasays: “Itteachesactorstobemorevulnerableonstage. There’saplayfulness,aninnocence.Whenwedid ShakespeareandChekov,wediditthroughaplayful lens.Thentherewassomepureclownstufftoolikea pieintheface,whoopeecushiontypestuff.Itwaslife givingandjoyful.”AlumniincludeTobyJones,Emma ThompsonandHelenaBonhamCarter.
IwonderwhetherwritingorperformingisLorna’s jam.Shesays:“Ilovetheblend.Writingjokesfor otherpeopleisfunbutIgetaspecialkickfrombeing anidiotinfrontofanaudience.Myabsolutedream iswritingsitcoms.”
Asfestivalseasonapproaches,Lornasays,‘it’sinher bones’andshelovesthelocalfestivalsaswellasthe obviousEdinburghFringe.ThegiginDroitwichwith JonathanOldfieldistitledMidlandsChildSyndrome andwillbea‘battleroyaletothedeath’indecidingwhich isbest–EastorWestMidlands*.Therearestilltickets availableatthetimeofwritingbutgetintherequick.
*It’sWest.Obviously! ■
GALLERYOF WONDER
THERBSAGALLERYRECENTLYMARKED25YEARSINTHEJEWELLERYQUARTER.IT’S TRULYASIGNIFICANTANDINSPIRINGPLACEFORARTISTS,ARTLOVERSAND HISTORIANSALIKEWHICHASWELLASDISPLAYSANDEXHIBITIONSINCLUDESA 200-YEARARCHIVEOFARTWORKS,CATALOGUES,RECORDSANDLETTERS–ONEFROM
Whenyou’reover200yearsold,the number25couldbeseenassomewhat insignificant.Butnotfortheglorious RBSAGalleryintheJewelleryQuarter.Opened25 yearsagobythe-then-PrinceCharles,thegalleryhas developedintoarealgemofartandartistsinthe Birminghamculturalscene.
WhiletherichlegacyoftheRoyalBirmingham SocietyofArtistsgoesbacktwocenturies,the Gallery’smuchmorerecenthistoryisbothuplifting andinspiring.Itisoneofonlytwogalleriesinthe countryrunbyasocietyofartists,deliveredand managedbyitsownmembersandtrustees,withits ownstaff.
TheGalleryheldacelebratoryexhibitionlast month,25For25,whichdrewdistinguishedguests, includingBirmingham’sLordMayor,aswellas manymembersofthepublic.Theexhibition involvedtwogroupsof25individuals,includingthe president,vice-presidents,members,associates, graduateartists,gallerystaffandvolunteers,each selectinganartworkorartefactfromthecollection.
OLDANDNEW
Thebriefwastochoosesomething,oldornew, withwhichtheyfeltapersonalconnection,with
explanationsofthechoicesalongsideportraitsand textintroducingthepeoplebehindtheRBSAandits Gallerytovisitors.Aswellasartworks,anumberof documentsfeatured,includinglettersfrom, surprisingly,BuffaloBillandBirmingham-born creatorofthecityCathedral’sfamedstained-glass windows,SirEdwardBurneJones.
TheRBSAmovedtheGallerytoitscurrent locationjustoffStPaul’sSquarein2000froma buildinginNewStreetwhichnowhousesMedicine Bakery.Asanartist-ledcharity,theSocietysupports creativesandpromotesengagementwiththevisual artsthroughahugelyvariedprogrammeof exhibitions,eventsandworkshops.
HISTORY-MAKING
WithintheGalleryistheSociety’spermanent collection–anarchiveofmorethan1,000artworks, catalogues,lettersandrecordsdocumentingthepast 200-plusyears.TheworksofmanyRBSAmembers andassociates,pastandpresent,areheldwithinthe collection,alongsideotheritemsimportanttothe historyofBirminghamasacity.TheGalleryis,asa resultofthiscollection,alsoanaccreditedmuseum andholdsexhibitionsshowingitemsfromthearchive twiceayear.TheGalleryalsofeaturesacraft
NEWLOOK: Thethen-WestMidlandsmayorAndyStreetandpreviousRBSApresident RobNeilattheGallery’sgrandre-openingeventafteritsmajorrefurbishmentin2022
shopwhichstocksjewellery,ceramics,textiles,prints, books,glasswareandgreetingscardsfromdesigners andmakersbasedintheWestMidlandsandbeyond.
Arefurbishmentprojectthreeyearsagogavethe Galleryamajorfacelift,andlastyearvisitors numbersroseto13,000.It’sanumberwhichthe RBSA’srecentlyelectedpresidentEdIsaacsiskeento growsubstantiallymovingforward.
VISITORBOOST
“Iwouldliketoseethisincreaseinthe thousands,”hesaid,“byraisingtheprofileofthe
Societyaspeopledon’tnecessarilyknowwhowe are.”Edsaysthataimisverymuchlinkedtogetting morepeopleingeneralintotheJewelleryQuarter. “TheprofileoftheJQisincreasing,butIwouldlike toseeitgrowfurther,withmorerestaurants,bars, coffeeshopsandthelikeinthearea,attractingmore visitorswhomaythenalsovisittheGallery.”
WhiletheGallery’s25thanniversaryisa significantmilestone,2007willseeamoreimportant landmark–thebicentenaryofthefirsteverRBSA AnnualExhibition.Theeventisatraditionthathas continuedunbrokenfor200yearswiththeexceptions ofthewaryearsof1940and1941andthe2020Covid lockdown.“ThisisanoccasionwhichIamvery muchworkingtowards,”saidEd.“Itspeakstothe hugelyimportantparttheSocietyhasplayedinthe culturalecologyofourcity.”
ROYALGUEST?
BearinginmindtheSociety’sroyalpatronage, couldweperhapsexpectacertainvisitorfrom BuckinghamPalacetomakeanappearancein Birminghamintwoyears’time?“That’ssomething (howcanIsay?)thatIcouldn’tpossiblycomment on,”saidEd.
OK,butwethinkwemightgetthebunting ready…justincase! ■
GURPREET SINGH
Tellusaboutyourcooking
MystyleisrootedinrefinedEnglishfinedining. I’mpassionateaboutcraftingdishesthatareboth elegantandfullofbold,unexpectedflavour.What drivesmeistransformingfamiliaringredientsinto somethingtrulymemorable.
Howdidyoubecomeachef?
Iwasbornintoahumblefarmingfamily,where earlymorningsmeantfeedingcowsandlongdays werespenttendingfields.Whilemymumworked tirelesslyoutside,Ifoundmyjoyinthekitchen, helpinghercookdinnerafterherhardday.Iwasjust achild,butthosemoments–stirringpots,learning toboilrice,watchingherhandsmovewithloveand precision–sparkedsomethingdeepinme.AsIgrew older,Ipickedupeverylittledetailmyparents sharedaboutfood.Slowly,Ibegancookingbasic curriesonmyown.Thefirsttimemywifetastedmy food,shewasamazed.Herencouragementplanteda newdreaminme–tobecomeachef.
IstartedmyculinaryjourneyinChandigarh, Punjab,whereItrainedwithdedication.After movingtotheUK,Igotanincredibleopportunityto workforGordonRamsayasaSeniorChefdePartie. There,IdiscoveredtheartofBritishcuisineand sharpenedmyskillsinoneoftheworld’smost demandingkitchens.IlaterjoinedThreeChurch RoadasasouschefandthenJaguarLandRover groupasahospitalitychefbeforereturninghome heretoStGeorge’sPlaceasheadchef.
Whatdoyoueatathome?
Simplefoodsandalotofvegetarianoptions.
Whoisthebestchefintheworldandwhy? AndthebestinBrum?
IaminspiredbychefVikasKhanna’sjourney–hislifeisapowerfulexampleofturningstruggles intostrength.BorninAmritsarwithaclubfoot, hefacedmanychallenges,butwiththesupportofhis familyandadeeppassionforcookingheroseto becomeaMichelin-starredchefintheUSA andgainedinternationalrecognition.Hehascooked forworldleaders,authoredseveralbooksand continuestoshineglobally.Despitehissuccess,he
remainshumbleandkind.Heisalso abelovedjudgeonIndiantelevision’s MasterChefIndia,andhiscompassionisseenin effortslikehisFeedIndiainitiative.Inmyopinion, thebestchefinBirminghamwouldbeGlynn Purnell.
Shareacookingtip
TogettheperfectYorkshirepuddingsalwaysbe suretogetthatoilsmokinghot.
Whatwasyourfavouritefoodasakid?
Someflavoursstaywithyouforeverandformeit’s mygrandmother’shome-madericepudding.The fragrantsmellandsweettastewassomethingIfound hardtoresist.
Foodheavenandfoodhell?
Myfoodheavenwouldbeabutterylobsterravioli inasaffroncreamsauce.Myfoodhellwouldbe overcookedliver!
What’sthemostunusualthingyouhaveeaten?
BhejaFry–that’sgoatorlambbrain,delicately cookedwithspices,onionsandherbs.
Ifyouweren’tachefwhatwillyoube?
Afarmer–thatwouldfollowwithfamily tradition. ■
ThreeChurchRoad,3ChurchRoad,Edgbaston, Birmingham,B153SH.
HAILTHEMIGHTY BEETROOT
Beetrootwithgrilledgoat’scheesemakesforasuper-tastyseasonaltreat
Lowincaloriesyethighinvaluable vitaminsandminerals,especiallyrichin folate(vitaminB9),themightybeetroot canhelpcleansetheliverandlowerincidencesof heartdisease.It’sbanginseasonthismonthand pairedwithcreamygoat’scheese,itmakesfora lovelylightsupper. ■
INGREDIENTS
■ 4rawbeetroots ■ 2x100ggoat’scheeserounds
■ 6tbspoliveoil ■ 3tbspredwinevinegar
■ 1tspsugar ■ 1tspthymeleaves
■ Rocket
METHOD
Mixtheoil,vinegar,sugarandthymeinashallowdishandseason well.Peel,thenthinlyslicethebeetsbeforeaddingtothemixand marinatingforatleastonehour,orpreferablyovernight.
Halvethegoat’scheeserounds,seasonthenplaceonanoiledbaking trayandgrillonhighheatforacoupleofminutesuntilgoldenand melting.
Dividetheslicedbeetrootbetweenfourplates.Topwiththerocket,a roundofgoat’scheeseandthendrizzlewiththemarinade.Servewith somecrustybread–andenjoy!
SHORTS NI BBLESand
BIRMINGHAM’SBARS,RESTAURANTSANDHOTELSAREBUZZINGWITHGREATVIBES.HERE’S OURINSIDERGUIDETOTHELATESTNEWSFROMTHECITY’SEATERIESANDDRINKINGDENS
INTIMATEDININGWITHJONNY
BirminghamwillwelcomeanewdiningadditionwiththeopeningthisautumnofSǣl,themuch-anticipated restaurantfromacclaimedchefpatronJonnyMills.SituatedattheGoodsyardintheJewelleryQuarter,theeaterywill havejusteightseatsarrangedaroundakitchencounter,providinganintimateandimmersiveexperience.Atitsheartis atastingmenuthatevolveswithseasonalproducefromthefinestlocalsuppliers.Front-of-housewillbehelmedby AsherBeardsmore,whoseCVincludesOpheemandTropea.
DOWNSTAIRSATTHEGRAND
TheGrandHotelBirminghamhaslaunchedDownstairsAtTheGrand,a speakeasyservingasthecitycentre’sonlylate-night,livemusicjazzbar. Entertainmentincludesboogie-woogie,cabaretandWestEndstars performingmusicaltheatre.ArtistsincludeTomSeals,whohas supportedartistssuchasJoolsHollandandGregoryPorter,saxophonist Chris‘Beebe’Aldridge,whohasperformedwithGaryBarlowandjazz iconPeeWeeEllis,andDanaGillespie,aninternationalartistwith collaborationswiththelikesofDavidBowieandEltonJohn.
WINNINGWINERY
MarlbankVineyard,asmallindependentwineryin theMalvernHills,wasthetoastoftheLondon TastingAwardsafteritwasnamedashavingthe bestPinotNoir.Thecompany’s2023vintageBlanc deNoirswasplacedabovehundredsofvineyards across32countriesandwasalsoawardedaGold Medal.OwnerJeremyMacklinsaid:“Thishasbeen ajourneyrootedinpassion,patienceandlearning. TowinaGoldMedalandbejudgedthebestPinot Noiragainstsuchinternationalcompetitionisan incrediblefeeling.”
SUMMERATSANCARLO
VERYMERRY CHICKEN
SlimChickens,theAmericanfast-casual brandservingSouthern-inspiredflavourshas openedatMerryHillShoppingCentre.Foundedin Arkansas,SlimChickenshasgrownrapidlyacrossthe UKthankstoitssignaturehandbreaded, buttermilk-marinatedchickentenders,crispywings, freshsalads,wrapsandtastysides.Tocelebrate thelaunch,anewitemwasaddedtothe menu–theBigDill,achickensandwich madeforpicklelovers.
DJLEGENDSTAKEASPIN
AJewelleryQuarterpubisjoiningforceswithBrummieDJ legendstohostadinnerandmusicalexperienceevery Saturday.Theline-upatthefamily-runTemperandBrown inAlbionStreetincludesJimShaftRyan,PhilGiffordand DJDick–providingthesoundtrackforguestsenjoyingthe bar'sCaribbeanmenu.OwnerRoifieldBrowncameup withtheideaafterreminiscingwithregularsoverthecity’s clubbingheydayandrealisingtherewasademandto recapturethatmusicalmagicintherelaxedsurroundings ofthecommunitypub.
GOODVIBESATSOPHY
Thedoorshaveopened atSophyDigbeth, Birmingham’snewbar servingup“cocktails, attitudeandgood vibes”.Takingoverthe formerKiloZiroCocktail &CaféBar,Sophyhas transformedthespace intoatwo-floorvenue madeforagirls’night out,after-workdrinks,or thatspontaneous Saturdaythatturnsinto “onemoreround”. Boastingafemale-led team,thebaris committedtocreatinga welcoming,safespace forwomentoparty— whetherinagroupor solo.
MIXINGIT WITHPRIDE
Family-runItalianrestaurantgroupSanCarlohaslauncheditssummermenuwhichshowcasesaselectionofItalianinspireddisheswithafocusonfreshseafood,premiummeatsandvibrantseasonalingredients–plussome show-stoppingnewadditions.TheBirminghameateryalsofeaturesanewrangeof mouth-wateringAntipastiandSecondidishes.Bringiton,wesay!
FlightClubBirmingham celebratedBirminghamPride weekendwithanew,limitededitioncocktail,calledLove Wins.Thesummery,tropical tipplefeaturedStonewallDry Gin,pineapple,passionfruit, limeandcoconuttoppedwith blueteaandhibiscus.Every purchasesawFlightClub donate£1toMindOut,a charitydedicatedtosupporting thementalhealthofLGBTQ+ communities.FlightClubin TempleStreetishometoSocial Darts–combiningtheheritage ofdarts,thewarmthofthe Britishpubandthethrillofthe fairground.
SPICYMARGARITA
showcasesomeofthefinest newrumsonthemarketwith livemusic,streetfoodanda bumpernewcocktailfestival menu.Tocelebrate,the CubanEmbassyinMoseley hascreatedthiscrackingSpicy Margaritatogetyouinthe partymood.Quecomiencela fiesta!Butpleasecontinueto enjoyresponsibly. ■
INGREDIENTS:
■ 50mlIslandSliceScotchBonnetRum
■ 1Lime
■ 15mlAgave/SimpleSyrup
■ 15mlTripleSec/Cointreau
■ 1ChilliPepper(optionalbutwhywouldn’tyou!)
■ 1tspSalt
METHOD:
Rimtheglasswithlimejuiceandsalt.Inashaker, combineScotchBonnetrum,thejuiceofhalfalime, agavesyrupandtriplesec.Filltheshakerwithiceand shakewellfor15seconds.Strainintotherimmedglass filledwithice.GarnishwithasliceofScotchbonnet pepperoralimewheel.
TheCubanEmbassy,23StMary’sRow,Moseley, B138HW.thecubanembassymoseley.co.uk
1000TRADESONTHEPARK
LightwoodsParkandHouse,2AdkinsLane,Bearwood,B675DP. Tel:012163804511000tradesonthepark.org.uk
Therearefewbetterplacesonasunny afternoonthan1000TradesOnThePark andthat’sahillwe’repreparedtodieon.A schooneroffruitycideranda‘posh’sandwich charmeduscompletelyasdidthebackdropofthe stunningLightwoodsHouse.
Thelunchmenuismadeupofhotsandwiches, lightbitesandcobs.Themainmenu,availableinthe evening,isessentiallyacollectionofrefinedpub classics.We’redrummingthishomebecausewe didn’tcheckbeforewewentandhadoureyeonthe BearwoodBangersforlunchwhichwasn’tanoption. Wewereabitdeflatedbutsoongotagripwhenwe sawthelunchmenu.
DRINKUP
Ifyouknow1000TradesintheJewelleryQuarter, youknowthedrill.Locallysourcedproducewhere possibleaswellasafinedrinkselectiononrotationto keepthingsinteresting.Wechoseablackberry Sandfordciderfromthetapswhichwasheaven servedwithacoupleoficecubes.Flatnotsparkling,it
wasperfect.Theotherhalfslurpedacraftlager. There’splentyofnaturalwineservedbytheglassor carafetoo.
FOODGLORIOUSFOOD
TheKatsufromthePoshSandwichmenuwasa triumph.Chickenthighratherthanbreastensured maximumjuicinesswhilepankobreadcrumbs providedasatisfyingcrunch.TheKatsucurrysauce washeadywhilepickledonionsaddedasharpness–thebalancewasspoton.Asideofchipswasstraight outofthetopdrawer.TheBlackCountry Ploughmansdidwhatitsaidonthetin–greatham, cheddar,cornichons,slicesofapple,grapes,whipped butterandagoodselectionofbread.
Therewasabitofawaitforfood,butwedidn’t noticeuntilsomeoneapologisedforthewait.It’ssuch agorgeousspottositandnatterinthesunshine.It’s relaxed–youorderatthebarandgrabyourown cutleryandcondiments,andthestaffseemed genuinelyhappytobethere.Thewholeplacehada feel-goodairaboutit.Thehappiestofdays. ■
THESWAN
WhenMichelin-starredchefTom Shepherdlaunchedaversionofhis winningGreatBritishMenupieat Marston’swethoughtwe’dgiveittheonceover.Just tobeclearwehaven’tbeenpaidtosaynicethings, wejustloveapie.
EighteenpubsacrosstheWestMidlandswillbe servingthepie–whichthey’veconfidentlynamed theBestEverPubPie–untilmid-July.Itwasn’t exactlypieweatherwhenwevisitedandintruth, we’dratherhavenibbledasalad,howeverwetook onefortheteam.
Firstthingtonoteisthepiewasn’tonthemain menucard–therewereotherpies,butnotTom’s,so askatthebar.Hisfaceadornedflyersoneverytable, soitwasn’tdifficult.At£20it’sabitpricierthan Marston’susualoffering,butit’sTomShepherd, right?
Cruciallythebeeffatshortcrustpastrywasnice andcrisp;theshreddedbeefcheekandshininside wasrichandtenderwhilecaramelisedonionsadded abitofsweetness.Therewasalayerofpotatowhich wedidn’tthinkaddedmuch,butoverall,theintense flavourwastremendous,andtheaccompanyingpot ofsilkyredwinesaucewasdelicious.Themashed potatoonthesidefeltunnecessaryandthevegetables couldhavedonewithaslickofbuttertoliventhem up,butthepieitselfwasworththetripalthough perhapsnotin24-degreeheat.
It’salsoworthnotingthere’smoretotheSwan thanTom’spie.Itmayhavepulledinsomenew punterslikeus,butwewagerthey’ll/we’llbeback. Thestaffweresuperb,theplacewaslively,thebar wellstockedandthebeergardenwasanabsolute delight.AhopskipandajumpfromBirmingham, it’sagem. ■
THEPRIDEOFSPAIN
LET’SCELEBRATERIOJA–AGREATVALUEREDWINEREGIONWHICHISALSO PRODUCINGFANTASTICWHITE,ROSÉANDSPARKLINGWINES.EXPERTDAVID CARNEREVEALSMOREANDALSOGIVESHISTOPWINEPICKSFORJUNE
ComparedwiththelikesofFrance,Spanishproducedwinescanoftenrepresentgreat value.ThisiscertainlytrueofRioja (prounounced‘Ree-o-ha’)winesfromNorthern Spain.ThesewinesareoftencomparedwithCôtes deRhônered,whichattractsignificantlyhigher prices.On9June,it’sInternationalRiojaDay,so whatbettertimetobecomefamiliarwiththe surprisingvariationinstylesofwinefromthisregion.
Eachyearapproximately343millionbottlesof Riojaaresold,41percentofwhichareexported.The UKisakeymarketaccountingforjustover30percent ofallexports,andforgoodreason.Whenwethinkof Rioja,wetendtothinkofbig,bold,redwinesavailable ataveryaffordableprice.TypicalRiojawinesarered, fullbodied,fruity,oakyandgreataccompanimentsto food.ThesewinesaredominatedbytheTempranillo grape,althoughoftenthewinesareblendswithother varieties.Butdidyouknow,Riojaisnotjustproducing bigboldredwines?
Itisalsopossibletogetwhite,roséandsparkling Riojas.Infact,ofthe14grapevarietiespermitted withintheRiojaregion,nineofthemarewhite varietiesandonlyfivearered.Whitewinesaccountfor
around10percentofproductionandrosésforaround 5percent.WhiteRiojaistypicallyawineofgood acidity,lemoncurdandhoneycombflavours,with someminerallycharacteristics.ALDI’sRiojaBlanco (BarronAmarillo)at£6.49isaveryaffordableeasydrinkingexample.YoumightlooktotrywhiteRiojaif youtendtogoforwhiteBurgundywinesorevensome moreacidicpinotgrigios,andyourbankaccountwill thankyouforit!
Thesparklingwinesaresurprisinglygood!Ifyou wanttopickoneup,MajestichastheViñaPomal ReservaBlancdeNoirsRiojaSparkling2020at£15a bottleor£12onmixsix.Ithasanicebalanceofredand whitefruits,goodcitrusacidityandsomelightspice.
NotallRiojasarecreatedequal
Spainisoneofthefewcountriesintheworldthat classifiesitswinesbytheamountoftimetheyhave spentmaturing.Generally,thelongerawinehasspent maturingthesmoother,moreroundeditwillbe,and thegreaterthecomplexityofflavour.
TograspthecategoriesofRiojawehavefourlevels tounderstand.ExamplesgivenbelowareforredRioja, thereareslightlydifferentrulesforotherstyles.
■ Riojawithoutanyageingdesignation(sometimes referredtoaJovenoryoungwines).Thesewinesare usuallywineswithlessthantwoyearsofage,whichare likelytohavehadonlyveryshortorpossiblynotime ageinginabarrel.Thesewinesarefresh,sometimes quiteacidic,witharomaswhichareprimarilyfruit based.Flavoursarelikelytobeofstrawberry,cherry, liquoriceorviolets.Sometimesawinemaking techniqueknownascarbonicmacerationisused, whichincreasesthefruitflavoursandcansometimes addnotesofripebanana,strawberrybubblegum, cinnamonandkirsch.Ifyouwanttotryoneofthese youngwines,youcouldpickupabottleofCampo ViejoRiojaTempranillofromTescofor£9orfrommost othersupermarkets.Theyareoftenavailableonmix6 orcheaperwithloyaltycards.
■ CrianzaRioja. Thesewinesmustspendatleast twoyearsinthewinery,ofwhichatleast12months mustbein225-litreoakbarrels.Thesewinesretain somefloralandfruitaromasbutpickupnotesof vanilla,coconut,warmingspiceandsometoasted wood.Irecommenddecantingthesefor30to60 minutestoallowsomeaircontact,whichwill significantlyimprovetheirdrinkingpotential.Ifyouare lookingtopickupatypicalexampleofaCrianzaRioja, thenhavealookattheTescoFinestVinaDelCura Crianzawhichyoucanpurchasefor£9.
■ ReservaRioja. Thesewinesareselecteddueto havingtherightqualitiestoageandmustspendatleast threeyearsageing,includingatleastoneyearina barrel.Aromasandflavourswillbecomemorecomplex overtime,withsomebalsamicandspicenotes.Agreat exampleofareservawineistheCuneRiojaReserva 2019,itisamixofTempranillo,Garnacha,Graciano andMazuelovarietiesandhashad18monthsin AmericanandFrenchOakbarrels.Youcanfinditat MajesticorSainsburysforaround£14.
■ GranReserva. Thetotalmaturationperiodhere mustbeatleastfiveyearsof,whichatleasttwoyears musthavebeeninoakandtwointhebottle.These winesaremuchmorecomplexwitharomasofdried fruits,clove,nutsandtoastyroastednotes.Theycan alsotakeonaromasofleather,tobaccoandforestfloor.
DAVID’STOPWINEPICKSFORJUNE
Somethingsparkling: KViñaPomalReservaBlancdeNoirsRiojaSparkling2020–£15abottleor£12onmixsix,Majestic. (Asmentionedinthemaintext)
SomethingEnglish: CandoverBrookeBrutNV–£37,https://www.candoverbrook.co.uk/ Abeautiful,slightlyfloral,sparklingwinewhichhasbeenagedinthe bottlefor3.5yearssohasdevelopedflavoursofvanilla,nutsand toast.Thefruitiscitrusywithsomegreenappleandahintofred applecomingthroughfromthePinotNoir.Alastingfinishwhichisa littleminerally/savoury.
Somethingfreshandfruity: ErrazurizEstateReservaPinotGrigio2023–£11,Ocado. AspecialPinotGrigiofromChile.Smooth,easydrinking,butwithabit ofmineralityandcomplexity.Onthenoseexpectpear,apple,melon andcitrusandsomefloralnotes.Onthepalettethisissmoothand refreshing,withsomehintsoftropicalfruits(pineappleand passionfruit)butnottart.
Somethingbigandbold:
(SelectfromthelistofRiojasinthemaintext)
Somethingclassic:
Boekenhoutskloof‘TheChocolateBlock’–£24,Tesco. Thinkdarkfruitflavours,withverysmoothtanninsandadark chocolatefinish.Thisisagreatwineforthosewhoenjoyverydeep flavourfulwines.Greatonitsown,orwithfood.
Somethingdifferent:
InvincibleNumeroUmBranco,2021–£16,Majestic. AsophisticatedanddeliciouswinefromPortugal.Wellbalanced,with somepassionfruitcomingthroughaswellassomeveryenjoyableoaky sensations.Thiswinehaslayers,whichmeanalongsatisfyingfinish.
Decanttoallowthemtobreathealittlebeforedrinking.Majestic hastheViñaAlardeRiojaGranReservaforaround£13abottle whichisgreatvalue.MorrisonsalsohasTheBestMarquesdelos RiosRiojaGranReservaat£15abottle. ■
■ DavidCarneisaWinesandSpiritEducationTrust(WSET)qualifiedwine expert,BirminghamWineSchoolalumniandauthorofthe alottowineabout.comwebsitewhereyoucanfindmorearticlesonwine. ■ TofindoutmoreaboutfuninformalwinetastingeventsandWine&Spirit EducationTrust(WSET)coursesonline,inBirminghamandWarwickcontact BirminghamWineSchool,anindependentwineeducationcompany,at www.birminghamwineschool.com
JOINTHE HIITPARADE
Lifeisrushed,I’dlovetostayinshapebut there’sjustnotenoughhoursintheday,we hearyoulament.Well,there’salwaysenough timetocatchupwithCorriebutweknowwhatyou mean!However,thereisawaytokeepupwithyour favouritesoapandstayfit–andit’scalledHigh IntensityIntervalTraining(HIIT).
HIITconsistsofshortburstsofintenseexercise alternatedbetweenperiodsofrecovery.Itisoneofthe bestwaystomaximiseyourworkoutandyourtime. Andthere’sloadsofresearchthatsuggestsHIITisalso thefastest,mosteffectivewaytoboostyourfitness.It canalsohelpyoulivelonger,helpyourheartandkeep yourmemorysuper-sharp!It’seasytofitintoabusy scheduleanddoesn’ttakeupmuchroomathome.
Thesciencesuggestsourpeakoxygenuptakeis muchhigherfollowingaHIITsessionandthisiswhat drivestheexcellentassociatedhealthbenefits.
WHERETOSTART
Togetyouonyourway,here’sasmallselectionof HIITexercisesthatprovideanall-roundmixofupper body,lowerbody,coreandcardiomoves.
Startwith30secondsofexerciseandthen30seconds restfollowingeachexercise.Theexerciseslistedwill makeuponeround.Seeifyoucanbuilduptotwoor threeroundsasyourfitnesslevelincreases.
Burpees
Startinginasquatposition,leanforwarddownonto yourhandskickingyourfeetoutbehindyouintothe pushupposition.Doonepushup,andasyoucomeup bringyourlegsupanddriveupintotheairwitha smalljumpbeforelandingbackdownintothesquat positionandrepeating.
Highplankwitharmandlegraises
Inahighplankreachforwardandliftoppositearm andlegbeforealternatingtotheotherside.
Updownplank
Startinahighplankanddropdownontoyour elbows.Alternatethearmthatyoudropdownontoand pushupwith.
Reverselungeswithkneedrive
Standingwithyourfeettogether,stepbackwiththe rightlegintoareverselungekeepingyourback straight.Driveforwardbringingyourrightlegupin frontofyou.Addalittlejumpasyoudosoforextra effort.Repeatusingyourleftlegtolunge.
Sideshuffle
Keepingthekneesbent,shufflefourorfivepaces fromsidetosidereachingdowntotouchthegroundat eitherend.
Bicyclecrunches
Lieonyourbackwithyourhandsbehindyourhead andliftyourfeetjustoffthefloor.Curlupandrotate bringingyourelbowtomeetyouroppositekneeand repeatalternatingsidesasyougo.
Spiderlunge
Fromahighplankpositionbringyourrightfootup andplaceitnexttoyourrighthand.Stepbackintoa highplankandthendothesamewithyourleftfoot. Keepalternatinglegsforeachmove.
Crabtoetouches
Sitonthefloorandliftyourselfuponyourhands andfeetintoacrabposition.Atthesametime straightenonelegupinfrontofyou.Reachforward withtheoppositehandtotouchyourtoes.
Sideplank
Holdyourbodystraightinasideplankwithyourarm straightup,concentratingonholdingyourcoretense. Holdfor15secondsandthenswaptotheotherside. ■
living
DEEP END
WEALLWANTTOFEELTIP-TOPONTHEBEACHANDTHANKFULLYTHESWIMWEARMARKET HASSTEPPEDUPOFFERINGABRILLIANTRANGEOFSTYLESTHAT’LLDOJUSTTHAT
CROCHET CHIC
Goldcrochetswimsuit
£56,RiverIsland
Shoppingaroundisthenameoftheswimweargame.It’sallvery welllookingatthemodelsonthesepagesandconcluding, ‘that’stheoneforme’,buttheseshotsarestatic.Whileyou mightbeintendingtospendmostofyourtimeonasunlounger, there’llbetheoddstrolltothebeachbaraswellasthepotential jeopardyofahalftrot,halfwalkoverhotsand.Youneedtobesure yourswimwearstaysputandultimatelymakesyoufeelfantastic. Morethananyotherpieceinyourwardrobe,fitandconfidenceis kingintheswimweararena.Feelingcomfortablenotself-consciousis whereyouwanttobe.Thegoodnewsisthatswimwearismore inclusiveandlong-lastingthanever.Youshouldn’tneedtoreplaceyour swimwearaftereveryholidayandifyoudo,switchbrandsorrethink howyoucareforit.Rinseaftereverywearandneverputswimwearin thewashingmachine.Learnfromourmistakes…
BillieFaiersone shoulderswimsuit £22,George
Seychellesbelted swimsuit£40, JohnLewis
CLASSIC STYLE
Golddiscswimsuit £30,VbyVery POTOF GOLD
Zimmerman Everleymetallic stripeswimsuit £330,Selfridges
HERO TWOPIECE
Cindybikini£80, LolaBaia
HIGH SHINE
BELT UP
It’struetosomeextentthatyougetwhatyoupayfor. Sure,therearebargainversionstobehad,butthere’sa lottobesaidforthefeel,fitandlongevityofapricier piece.HunzaGandHeidiKleinareonthemoney whileatthelowerendofthemarket,thesupermarkets arealsoworthalook.
Withincreasedfocusonsustainabilityinthetextiles industry,longevityislauded.Ontheecofront,notall brandsareequalandyoumayhavetobepreparedto payslightlymore.WeinterviewedtheBirmingham sistersbehindluxurybrandLolaBaiainlastmonth’s issue.Theylaidouttheextratimeandcostsinvolvedin creatingtrulysustainableswimwearandwe’reinawe, soifitcostsatadmore,thinkabouttheplanetandthe processbeforemovingon.
Whenyou’retryingonswimwear,don’tjuststand still.Movearound,sitdown,bendover,walk.Ifitstands uptothetestandyoustillfeelfantastic,itmightjustbe theone.Wereckonthreeorfourswimmersisidealfora week-longholidayandifyou’replanninganactive break,makesureatleastoneofthemprovidesdecent coverage.LululemonandSweatyBettyaregreatfora sportyvibethatwon’tbudge.
Lastly,enjoyyourholiday! ■
RIGHT STRIPES
Swimsuit£16,George
FLOWER POWER Swimsuit£16,Asda
INTHE PINK
Jamaicastripe
plungetop£36 andbottoms£20, BouxAvenue
Crinklegreen swimsuit£12, Primark
COOL CORAL
Minimalist bikini£39, CurvyKate
CRIMSON TIED
DelMaarfrill bikini£36, RiverIsland
HunzaGDomino seersuckerswimsuit £195,HarveyNichols
MAGIC MONOCHROME
Rivolimonochrome£52, BouxAvenue
SCOOP NECK
Contrastbikini top£17.50and bottoms£12.50, M&S ITSY BITSY Salernobikinitop £28,BouxAvenue
SUMMERGLOW
Getyourglowonthissummerwithahandful ofproductsthat’llsmoothandhydrateyour bodybrilliantly.Wehaven’tincludedSPFas thatfeelslikeagiven
1.GATINEAUGOLDENGLOWGRADUALTANCREAM 400ML–£55,GATINEAU
Thisisasfoolproofastanninggets.Thecreamgelformulamelts intotheskineffortlesslyandallowsyoutobuildanaturallooking tangradually.Theoptimumtanforusisafterthreedaysof applicationbutthat’sanentirelypersonalview.Playaroundwithit andseewhatworksforyou.
2.AMELIORATETRANSFORMINGBODYLOTION–£32,AMELIORATE
Whilethislotiondoesn’tsmellgreat,itdoesanincrediblejobof smoothinganddeeplyhydratingeveryinch.Fromthatpointof view,it’sthebestbodylotionwe’vetried,soifyoucangetover theratherclinicalsmell,whichwecan,it’llworkwonderson yourskin.
3.LAROCHEPOSAYLIPIKARSYNDETAP+CREAM WASH–£21,LAROCHEPOSAY
Gentleandbalancing,thisistheultimatebodywashthat’s nourishingaswellascleansing.It’sgentleenoughfornewborn skinsowe’lltakethat.
4.MARGARETDABBSLONDONFIRMINGLEGSERUM 200ML–£45,MARGARETDABBS
Keepyourpinsintip-topconditionwiththisoldfavourite.Adaily massageusingupwardsstrokesaidscirculation,helpsminimise waterretentionandgeneralleavesalovelysheen.
5.DRUNKELEPHANTSUGAREDKOFFIEALMONDMILK SCRUB270ML–£34,SEPHORA
We’veyettofindaDrunkElephantproductwedon’trate,butthis oneisparticularlygood.Nourishingalmondmilk,antioxidantrich coffeeseed,passionfruitandmarulaoilcombinetoleaveskin feelingandlookingsupersmooth.It’salsofreefromanynasties thatdisrupttheskin’sbalance.Massageagenerousscoopfulover dampskinandfollowwithbodylotion.
1 2
4
3
5
INSHORT
THEBEACHBECKONSANDIT’STIMETOTHINKABOUTSWIMMERS,BUT WITHSOMANYVERSIONSONTHEMARKET,WHICHONEISFORYOU?
DESIGNERSTYLE
JohnLewisswimshorts£35, RalphLaurenswimshorts £109,andsunglassesbyTom FordfromJohnLewis
ANDSTRETCH
OrlebarBrownBulldog stretchcottonswim shorts£195,Selfridges
GOGRAPHIC
COOLKHAKI
GusariTheLondonshellswim shorts£155,HarveyNichols
TCLASSICSHAPE
Stripeprintshellswimshorts£145,PaulSmith
heolderweget,themorewethinkfashion rulesareforthebirds,butwithswimwear thereareacoupleoftipsthatwillelevateyour poolsidestyle.Firstup,themostflatteringlengthis mid-thighandnevereverbelowtheknee.Second, ratherthanmaximisingyourtan,solidblackshortswill justmakeyoulookabitflat.Ifyouwanttowearasolid colourthat’llmakeyourtanpop,tryamoreflattering khakiornavy.
There’satrendfortailored-styleswimshortsthat looksharpandwilltakeyoufrombeachtorestaurant effortlessly.ReissandOrlebarBrownhavesomegreat examples(pictured).Teamwithacasuallinenshirtfor achicbeachsidelunch.
Ifyoulovecolourandprint,you’veoodlesofchoice. Fromsubtleseersuckerstripestobig,brashpatterns andeverythinginbetween,there’splenty.Ifyou’re feelingbold,consideramatchingshirt.Yes,youread thatright–theco-ordhasgonefromAmericanona cruiseshipvibetothemainstreamandwhileit’snot forthefaint-hearted,itcanbeastronglookwornwith confidence.
Addapairofchicsunniesandadecentpedicure andyou’regoodtogo.Happyholidays! ■
HackettWeavinggraphicprint swimshort£95,Selfridges
SEERSUCKER
ReissBayseersuckerstripe swimshorts£195,Selfridges
PRINTSCHARMING
Capriogeometricprint swimshorts£68,Reiss
I’VEARRIVED
Multiprintswimshorts£9 (partofaco-ord),Matalan
CLUBTROPICANA
Atlasswimshort£26,RiverIsland
HOMESliving
FIRESTARTER
NOTHINGSIGNALSTHESTARTOFSUMMER LIKETHEWHIFFOFBBQSMOKEFILLING YOURNOSTRILS,BUTHOWSUCCESSFULIS YOUROUTDOORCOOKINGPROWESS?
OLDSCHOOL
Coloradometalcookingstandwithchain£79.99,Ivyline
Weallhavethoseglorioussunnydayvisionsof cookingdeliciousfeastsforfriendsoutdoorswiling awaythesummereveningdrinking,eating, chatting.Thentherealityofcookingovercoalshits.Yourguests arepolitelynibblingsomethingresemblingachickenlegso blackenedthey’renotactuallysureit’sachickenlegand everyoneisshroudedinthicksmoke.Bubbleburst.
FUELUP
Abigpartofnailingcookingoutdoorsischoosingyourfuel wisely.Yourbestbetislumpwoodcharcoalmadefromhigh qualityhardwoodplusit’schemicalfree.Anycharcoalthat smellsofpetrolisabigredflagandcantaintyourfood. Compressedbriquettesmightseemliketheeasyoption,but they’reessentiallyamixtureofcharcoaldustandgluethatburn sohotthey’redifficulttocontrol.
TRIALANDERROR
LighttheBBQearlysothatthecharcoalhastimetoburn downandtheflamesdiminish.Anddon’tovercrowdyourgrill–oxygenneedstoreachthecharcoal.Yourgrillneedstobehotbut it’safinelinebetweentoohotandnothotenough.Ifyoucan’t standnearthegrillcomfortably,it’stoohot.There’salotoftrial anderrorandyou’llonlyreallygetthehangofitthroughpractice whichisabittrickyifyouonlywheelouttheBBQtwiceayear whenthemercuryrises.Intheoryyoucancookanythingatany timeofyearonthegrill.Ifyou’reconfidentenough,evenyour Christmasturkeycanbeatriumph.
MODERNDAYICON
Largecharcoal
KamadoEgg£1,450, BigGreenEgg
PIZZAME
Domedualfuelpizzaoven £1,599.99,Gozney
TABLETOP HYBRID
Ninjawoodfire proelectric,BBQ, grillandsmoker £399.99, JohnLewis
ALLTHEGEAR
Classicoutdoorkitchen£1,499,JohnLewis
TEMPERATURECONTROL
Ensuremeatisatroomtemperaturebeforecookinganddry itonkitchenpapertoencourageadecentcrust.Investinameat thermometertoavoidanycostlyflopsandcreatetwozoneson yourBBQ–onecoolerzone(indirect)andonedirectzone whichwillmaintainatemperaturebetween170-190degrees.If thegrillstartstogetabitoutofcontroljustmovethemeatto thecoolerareauntilthingscalmdownandremembertoallow restingtimetoensuretenderjuicymeat.Ifyou’veaparticularly toughcutofmeat,considerpushingthecoalstoonesideand poppingthelidonwiththeventsopentoallowairtocirculate freelywhichmimicsyourfanoven.
Clearlythere’smoretogrillingthanmeatandsincewe’veall probablyafewdifferentdietaryrequirementsamongour friends,alternativesareworthexploring.Charredveggies, halloumiandfishallworkbrilliantlywhileahandfuloftasty saladsonthesidetocounterthesmokyflavoursarewelcome.If youfancyoutdoorcookingbutnotinitstraditionalform,a pizzaovenisafantasticwaytoentertainalfrescowithlessfuss andjeopardy.GozneyandNinjabothhavesomegreat examplesatdifferentsizesandpricepoints.
We’vepulledtogethersomegrills,firepitsandgadgetsthat’ll makeyouroutdoorcookingjourneypop. ■
MINIMUMFUSS
Grillstreamthreeburnerhybridgasand charcoalBBQ£399, JohnLewis
CHEF’SKISS
Apron£79.95, Delivita
TOPPREP
Napoleanmarinade injector£27.99, Kitcheninthe Garden
FIVEPIECE
Utensilsetin metalbox£24.99, Dobbies
TOUCHES FINISHING
ESSENTIALKIT
StainlessBBQ tongues£29.99, Traeger
KEBABKING
Coloradostainless steelskewerset £39.99,Ivyline
THEREAREALOTOFBBQACCESSORIESANDGADGETSONTHE MARKET–SOMUCHSOIT’SABITBAMBOOZLING.WE’VEPICKED OUTAHANDFULOFTOOLSTOGETYOUSTARTED
PITSTOP
Libracontemporary firepit£229.99, Ivyline
SAFETYFIRST
ThermoProTP16digital meatthermometer £11.99,ThermoPro
SMASHEDIT
Hamburgergrill £5.99, TKMaxx
MUSTHAVEMITT
WeberBBQblack mitt£16.79, JohnLewis
QUALITYCOALS
PremiumFSC certifiedlump wood5kg£11.19, Weber
FromthePottingBench withAdam
COLOURFULFLOWERS,THRIVINGVEG…ADAMKIRTLAND GETSTHEBLOOMINGPARTYUNDERWAYASHECELEBRATES AGARDENINFULLSWINGWITHHISJUNETOPTIPS
Junehasarrived,andwithitthegardenshiftsinto overdrive.Thedaysarelong,thewarmthismore reliable,andgrowthisalmostunstoppable. Flowersareblooming,vegisthriving,anditfinally feelslikesummeristrulyhere.Afterthehustleand preparationofspringnowisthetimetonurture,tend and,mostimportantly,enjoy.
Whilesomejobsslowdown,there’sstillplenty todo.Tenderplantsaresettlingin,bordersneed attentiontokeeplookingtheirbest,andtheveg gardenisdemandingregularcare.Withalittle timeandattention,yourgardenwillrewardyou handsomely.So,let’srollupoursleevesandmake themostofJune.
PINCHINGOUTANDSUPPORTINGDAHLIAS
Ifyourdahliasareinthegroundandgrowing strongly,nowisthemomenttohelpthembecome bushierandbloommoregenerously.Pinchoutthe growingtipswhentheyreacharound30cmtall–this encouragesbranchingandamuchfullerplant.It mightfeelcounterproductive,butyou’llgetmore flowersinthelongrun.
Supportisjustascrucial.Bynow,dahliasare shootingupquickly,andagoodstakingsystemwill preventdamagefromwindorheavyrain.Bamboo canesandsofttwineworkwell,orinvestin purpose-madesupportsforaneaterlook.Keepup withfortnightlyfeedingandregularwatering, especiallyindryspells–they’rethirstyplantsonce theygetgoing!
DEADHEADINGANDSUMMERCOLOUR
Withbordersburstingintobloom,Juneisallabout maintenance.Deadheading–removingspentflowers –iskeytokeepingplantsfloweringforlonger.Roses, cosmos,marigoldsandsweetpeasallbenefitfrom thissimplejob.Italsostopsplantswastingenergyon seedproduction.
Thisisalsoagreattimetopluganygapsinyour borders.Gardencentresarefullofflowering perennialsandbeddingplantsreadytogo. Geraniums,salviasandrudbeckiaswillslotin beautifullyandprovideinstantimpact.Don’tforget towatertheminwellandmulcharoundthemto conservemoistureandkeepweedsatbay.
CARINGFORCOURGETTESANDTOMATOES
Juneseesaboominvegetablegrowth,andtwo starsoftheshow–courgettesandtomatoes–need
regularattention.Forcourgettes,keeppickingyoung fruitstoencouragemoretoform.They’reprolific producersandregularharvestingstopsthemturning intomarrowsovernight!Aweeklyliquidfeedwill helpboosttheiroutput.
Tomatoes,especiallycordonvarieties,shouldbe side-shooted–thatis,pinchingouttheleafyshoots thatappearintheleafjoints.Thiskeepstheplant focusedonproducingfruitratherthangettingtoo leafy.Tiethemintotheirsupportsastheygrowand makesurethey’regettingaconsistentwatersupplyto avoidproblemslikeblossomendrot.
Amulcharoundyourvegplantswillhelplockin moistureandreducewateringneeds.Ifyou’re growingundercover,ventilategreenhouseswellin hotweathertoavoidheatstressandfungalissues.
FINALTHOUGHTS
Juneisamonthofabundance,colourandprogress inthegarden.Withlongereveningsandwarmer weather,it’stheperfecttimetoloseyourselfinthejoy ofgardening.Whetherit’spinchingoutdahlias, toppingupbordersortendingtoyourcrops,alittle effortnowgoesalongway.
Mostofall,remembertoenjoyit.Sitwitha cuppaandwatchthebeesgoabouttheir business,breatheinthescentoftheroses,andtake prideinwhatyou’vecreated.Summerhastruly arrived,solet’ssavoureveryminuteofit.Happy gardening! ■
Forlotsmoretoptips,adviceandideasfollowAdam onInstagramandTikTokwhereyou’llfindhimas @viewfromthepottingbenchonboth.
GEORGIA DAVIS
Astheoldsayinggoes,there’snothinglikeateam player.AndBearsWomencaptainGeorgia Davisiscertainlythat.Georgia’sjourneywith theBearsstartedatUnder-10sandtheclub’syouth pathway.Now,15yearson,shehasmadeittothetopof theseniortree,skipperingthesideinitshistoricfirst season.ShetrulydoeshavetheBearsinherblood!
YoumightthinkthatGeorgiahasspentevery minuteofeverydaypractising,trainingandgenerally devotingherlifetocricket–andthere’snodoubtshe hasbeen,andis,hugelycommittedtothesport. However,herjourneyintoprofessionalcrickethas beenanythingbutconventional.
Until2023,shewascombiningaworkinglifeasa WestMidlandsPoliceofficerwithhertimeatthe EdgbastonIndoorSchoolasshepursuedherdreamof beingaprofessionalcricketer.Georgiasaid:“Itwas tough,balancingbeinganofficerwithmypassionfor cricket.IwatchedTheBillonTVgrowingupand wantedtobeapoliceofficer,butcomingoffanightshift intoagameortrainingwasparticularlyhard.Ithinkthe worstbitwasprobablyhavingtouseallmyannualleave ongames,soIendeduphavingnoofftimetomyself.”
BearsWomenarefightingfortrophiesonthreefronts thisseasonintheVitalityBlastT20,MetroBankOne DayCup,andforthefirsttimeaknockoutcompetition featuringsidesfromallthreetiersofthenationalsystem.
It’sbeentoughintheMetroBankOneDayCup afterapositivestartandacoupleofwins,includinga thumpingvictoryagainstEssexandadrawwith Hampshire,theBearslostthreematchesonthespin. ButGeorgia’sbeenongoodformwithbothbatand ballandwillhopetoendtheseasonwellwhenit finishesinJuly.
Atthetimeofwriting,theBearswereaboutto featureintheirfirsthomeVitalityBlastT20ina
doubleheaderwiththemenagainstDurham CricketatEdgbaston–afantasticopportunityfor thegirlstoshineinfrontofabig,newaudienceof cricketfans.
Georgiasaid:“Asmycricketprogressedfromalove andpassiontoapotentialcareer,withthewomen’s gameexpanding,Iknewtherewasanopportunityand oneIneededtodedicateallmyfocusontosucceed.I’m quiteproudofthefactIwasabletosustainafull-time jobforthreeyearswhichrequiredshiftsandstill performatthelevelIdid.Ilookbacknowanddon’t knowhowIdidit!”
ENGLANDCAP
Georgiacalledtimeonherpolicecareerin2023as shesteppedintofulltimecricketandaprocontract withtheformerregionalsideCentralSparks.“Mygoal wasalwaystogetasfarasIpossiblycouldwithcricket. Ilookbackatmytimewiththepolicewithfond memories…butI’mextremelyhappywithmychoice toturnprofessional,”shesaid.“Itwasadreamtobe abletohavetheopportunitytoplaycricketforaliving, andsomethingInevertakeforgranted.”
Thespinningall-rounderwastheleadingwicket takerinthe2023RachaelHeyhoeFlintTrophy,she madeittotheHundredfinalwithWelshFirelast summer,andtooktwowicketsondebutforEngland
inaODIlastSeptember.Shesaid:“Lastyearwasa greatyearandtoppingitoffwithmyfirstEngland capwasaprettyspecialmomentformyselfandmy familywhohavesupportedmeinwhateverIhave chosentodo.
“Thisyearisanexcitingoneandbeingableto callWarwickshiremyhomeagainissomethingvery
special.I’veplayedforWarwickshiresinceIwas 10andplayed100seniorgames,sotocontinue doingthisbutasaprofessionalnowisamazing forme.
“We’vegotayoungandtalentedsquadofBears Women,soit’sgoingtobeveryexcitingtoseewhatwe canachieveoverthenextfewyears.” ■
GIANTLANDSINBRUM
BritishNFLstarJermaineEluemunorreturnedhometo hosthisfirst-everyouthcampinBirminghamin partnershipwiththeNFLFoundationUKandSport England.JermainewhoplaysfortheNewYorkGiants, welcomedyoungpeopleagedeightto16atGreenLane PlayingFields,homeofPitch2Progress.Participantstook partinaseriesofdrillsbeforeshowcasingtheirskillsin competitiveNFLFlaggames.Thecampwasthenopened uptolocalfamiliestogettheirfirsttasteofthesport.
E-ACTUPFORANOSCAR
Amulti-academytrustwhichrunsnineacademies acrosstheWestMidlandshasbeenshortlistedinwhat isknownasthe‘OscarsofEducation’foritsworkin makingeducationmoreinclusive.E-ACThasbeen nominatedfortheInclusiveTrustoftheYearawardin theTesSchoolsAwards.AkeyfocusofE-ACT’s inclusionstrategyhasbeenhelpingpupilswithspeech andlanguagedevelopmentandenhancingthis provision.Thetrusthasseena300percentrisein studentsaccessingthiscrucialsupport,addressinga challengethatisnationwide.
TOPOFTHECLASS
LyndonSchool,Solihullhasbeennamedinthetop 20percentofschoolsnationallyforlearnerprogress intheEducationalOutcomesAwards.Lyndonis recognisedasoneofthehighest-performing secondaryschoolsinthecountry,basedon2024 performancedataandOfstedinformation.The awards,whichmeasurestudents’progressbetween thestartofschoolandtheirexamsattheendofKey Stage4,inYear11,arerunbySSAT(theSchools, StudentsandTeachersNetwork)andcompareall state-fundedschoolsinEngland.
SCHOOL REPORT
It’ssecondsoutasyoungboxingenthusiastsclimbintoanewringthanksto a£5,000award.BellGreenAmateurBoxingClubreceivedthecashfrom HeartofEnglandCommunityFoundationafterthegrant-givingorganisation joinedwithCoventryCityCounciltounlockdormantassetstobenefitthe voluntaryandcommunitysectorinthecity.BellGreenhasalsousedthe moneytorevampandrepaintthegym,creatingamorewelcomingspace. TheclubwastakenoverbyDamonCroftlastyearandhassinceseenan increasingnumberofyoungpeoplecomethroughthedoor.
VEDAYFUND-RAISER
HeartofWorcestershire Collegecommemoratedthe 80thanniversaryofVEDay withafund-raisingeventat itsRedditch,Bromsgrove andWorcestercampuses. Fromdeliciousstudentbakedtreatstoa1940sthemedcelebrationspace, theeventsraisedmoneyfor RoyalBritishLegionIndustries(RBLI)andhonouredthebraveryofthearmedforces,past andpresent.Studentsacrossawiderangeofcoursescametogethertomaketheeventa success,supportedbyspecialguestsfromRBLIandtheRoyalBritishLegion.
MATHS CHAMPIONS
BritishYouthInternational College(BYITC)named13 winnersinitsannual InternationalMathsOlympiad competition–andofthe thousandsofstudentsfromall overtheworldwhotookpartin theweek-longfree-to-enter challenge,themaths championsincludedtwolocal children.SakshamKataria,aged seven,whoattendsYorkswood PrimarySchool,Birmingham, wastheLevel3winner,while AaravShah,12,fromBarr BeaconSchool,Walsall,was theLevel6winner.The competitionisbasedonBYITC’s AbacusMathsprogrammewith 50questionsintotal.
MUSICALBOOST
MusiceducationinBirminghamprimaryschoolswill benefitfroma£200,000boostafterBirmingham ContemporaryMusicGroupwasawardedfundingto extenditsinnovativecomposingproject.TheListen ImagineComposePrimary(LICP)programmewillsee fiveprimaryschoolshostacomposer-in-residenceto createopportunitiesforpupilstocomposeand embedmusic-makingintotheschoolcurriculum.The moneyfromthePaulHamlynFoundation’sArtsBasedLearningFundallowstheprojecttoworkwith morethan600schoolchildrenovertwoyears.BCMG planstodevelopasacentreofexcellencefor composingwithyoungpeople.
THE RUNNING MAN
JoeBakerwhofoundedMidlandsconstruction firmSecondCityScreedisshiningalightonthe 7,000constructionworkerswhohavetakentheir ownlifeinthelastdecadeandhopestoprompt change.Hisaimistoreducethestigmaaround mentalhealthinconstruction,increaseawarenessand boosteducationandsupportforworkers.More trainingaboutcopingmechanismsandhowtospot someonewhomightbestrugglingiskey.
Joeisveryopenabouthisownbattlewith addictionaswellasisolationduringCovidand ultimatelyhisattempttoendhislife.Hesays:“I attemptedsuicide.Iwasdeepintoaddiction.Really, reallystruggling.Itwastalkingtopeoplethatsaved me.Thatandbecomingsober.Ihaven’ttrainedfor this,butthat’sthepoint–it’smeanttobehard becausethisisahardissue.”It’sapersonalmission forJoe,onerootedinpainandoptimismthatthings canchange.
LOSTCITY
Joe’ssupportingtheLostCity,apowerfulcampaign exposingthehumancostofmentalhealthneglectin trades.Byvisualisingexactlywhattheycouldhave built,theLostCityshowsthetruescaleof constructionsuicides–thecitythatcouldexistifthe constructionsuicidecrisisdidn't.
Thecampaignsaysthatthe7,000liveslostina decadeisequivalentto150,000homes,80schoolsand threehospitalsthatwillneverbebuilt.The constructionindustryhasasuicideratefourtimesthe nationalaverage.Ninety-sixpercentoftradespeople haveworkedinisolation,65percentfacesevere financialpressureand64percentturntodrugsor alcoholtocope.Yetsupportacrosstheindustryis woeful.
In2024,thesectorlost£2.4billionduetomental healthrelatedabsence.Joesays:“Theroads,the railways,thehomeswelivein—they’reallbuiltby peoplelikeus.Butwe’reundervalued. Underappreciated.Andwhenwebreak,noonenotices untilit’stoolate.”Joe’smessageisenoughisenough. He’sraisingmoneyforBandofBuildersand ConstructionSport–twocharitiesattheforefrontof mentalhealthsupportandsuicidepreventioninthe trades.
Theindustryfaceschallengesincludinganageing workforceandashortageofskilledlabourexacerbated byBrexitandtheCovid-19pandemicthathitthe availabilityofworkershard.Whiletheindustry grappleswiththeseissues,italsoneedstoaddressthe driversthatresultinpoormentalhealth.Increasedjob securityandimprovedworkingconditionswould boostoverallwell-beingandproductivity.
TalkingopenlyabouttheissuesisastartandJoe hopesthatbycompletinghischallengeandsticking hisheadabovetheparapettotellhisstorywillhelpto effectchange.Hesays:“Eachrunisasymbolofthe mentalloadsomanyintheindustrycarrysilently. Fatigue.Financialstress.Loneliness.Grief.Theseruns areforthem—fortheonesstillbattling,andtheones alreadylost.”
HOWYOUCANHELP
BydonatingtotheLostCity,youcan providemuchneededtherapysessionsfor constructionworkers.Formoreinformation andtodonatevisithttps://thelostcity.org/
ROYALREWARD
WestMidlandsbusinessexcellencewas celebratedinthelatestKing’sAwards forEnterprise.Atotalof12awards wenttobusinessesintheregion, includingCradleyHeath-basedrun-flat wheelsmanufacturerRunFlat International,recognisedforits excellenceininternationaltrade. RunFlatMDEricCarteletsaid:“This prestigiousawardreflectstheeffortsof ourentireteam,whosecommitment hasenabledustoachieveremarkable growth.”Thecompanycannowdisplay thecovetedKing’sAwardsemblem.
BUSINESS
PLANNINGMOVES
PlanningconsultancyMarronshasappointed twoexperiencedplannersinBirmingham–furtherstrengtheningitsnationaldevelopment managementoffering.SeniorplannerLeah WrightandplannerJoeFleetwoodhavemore than14yearscombinedlocalauthority experience.Leahhasledonabroadportfolioof complexmajorandminorplanningapplications atanumberofcouncils,whileJoe’srecord includesmanagingapplicationsforresidential schemesincountrysideandconservation settings.Marrons’Birminghamofficeisnow hometoanine-strongplanningteam.
SPIRITEDWIN
ShakespeareDistilleryinStratfordupon-Avonisraisingaglassto internationalsuccessfollowinga prestigiouswinattheWorldRum Awards2025.ItsJesterAgedBritish Rum,SherryExpression,earneda bronzemedal–placingitamongthe bestrumsintheworld.TheAwardsare amongthemostrespectedglobal accoladesinthespiritsindustry.Blind tastingbyexpertjudgessawJester becomeoneofonlyfourrumsto receiveamedalinitscategory.
BEARSFORLIFE
WarwickshireCountyCricketClubhas recognisedloyalBearswithhonorary lifememberships–itshighest accolade.Recipientsincludedformer SouthAfricanandWarwickshire bowlinglegendAllanDonald,former WCCCWomenplayersLauraCrofts andLizRussell,ex-captainMichael PowellandKeithCook(bothpictured). CricketoperationsmanagerKeith recentlycalledtimeona51-year careerasaBear.Therecipientsbecome partofaveryexclusive‘club’–only35 honorarylifemembershipshadbeen previouslyawarded.
ASHA’S MAINMAN
Award-winningIndianrestaurant,Asha’s,which willbecelebrating20yearsinBrumin2026,has promotedNoumanFarooquiasdirector.PaulBassi, chairmanofAsha's,said:“Withover14yearsof servicetothebusiness,Noumanhascontributedto establishingAsha’sasapremierdestinationfor authenticIndiancuisineandacelebrityhotspot.He hasplayedapivotalroleinwinningnumerous awardsandaccolades,andtherestauranthas beenrecognisedasoneofthetop10restaurantsin theUKontheBBCGoodFoodGuide.”
PREMIUMSTYLE
NewpremiumspacesareuppingthestyleatbppulseLIVEandUtilitaArena Birmingham.Inspiredbythegoldenageofdiscoandthewarmthof1970s design,thespacescombineglitz,glamourandsophistication.Alongsidethe newinteriors,botharenashaveupgradedtheirpremiumfoodanddrinkmenus. Theseincludesharingboardscompletewithbaked,smokedCotswoldbrie,hot andstickyporkbellybites,plusice-creamfromLeamingtonSpa.JenMitchell, MDofNECGroupArenas,said:“Thismarksanewchapterforourarenas.”
LEADINGATTHEDOUBLE
Anaward-winningbusinessleaderineducationandanaccomplished employmentsolicitorhavetakenchargeoftheAsianBusinessChamberof Commerce(ABCC)afterbeingelectedasco-presidents.SapreenaKumari, CEOofSKConsulting,andNeelamAfzal,solicitorandpartneratWildings Solicitors,wereappointedattheABCC’sannualgeneralmeeting.Itisthe firsttimetheABCChasappointedtwowomenco-presidents.Neelamand Sapreenapreviouslyservedasvice-presidentsfrom2023.
PIONEERINGREGINA
LocalbusinesswomanReginaMartinhasbeen nominatedforaNationalDiversityAward.The Birmingham-basedvisibilitystrategistand networkingpioneerhasbeennamedinthe EntrepreneurofExcellencecategorywhich recogniseshermissiontomakebusinessspaces moreaccessibleandempoweringfor marginalisedgroups.Regina,founderofThe ConfidenceHealerLtdandTheNETwork,hasbuilt asafeandsupportivespaceforentrepreneurs, especiallyblack,Asianandotherminoritygroups. TheNETworkoffersonlineandin-personevents, masterclassesandaffordablememberships
Birminghamhaswonthebidtohostthe18theditionoftheEuropeanRobotics Forum.Theconferenceisthemostinfluentialmeetingoftheroboticscommunityin Europe,withmorethan1,500internationalengineers,researchers,investors, entrepreneursandpolicymakersexpectedtoattend.Theevent,estimatedtobe worth£1.55milliontotheBirminghamandWestMidlands’visitoreconomy,will beheldattheICCfrom1to5March2027.BrumbeatthelikesofBrusselsand Zurichfortherighttohosttheevent.
NEWLOOKCAMPAIGN
MidlandscreativecommsagencyCampaignismarking itssixthanniversarywithanewlookandwebsite,fresh clientwinsandkeyhirestoitsgrowingteam.LauraTownsendhasjoinedasitsnewestcampaign coordinatorwithmorethan13years’experienceworkingacrossarangeofB2Bandconsumer clients.ShehasdeliveredPRanddigitalcampaignswithintheproperty,constructionandhome interestsectorsforthelikesofCalaHomes,SelcoBuildersWarehouseandBrindleyplace.
BUSINESS BITES
FIRMCHOICE
RICHARD’SIN THECHAIR
RichardCrow,partneratRapleys’Birmingham officeinColmoreRow,hasbeenappointedchair oftheRICSWestMidlands.Richardhasbeena proactivememberoftheregionalorganisation, hostingevents,deliveringpresentationsand helpingtoachieve100newfemaleRICSqualifiedmembers.InhisnewRICSrole,hewill helpdrivememberinteractionregionally,bring forwardnewideastoencouragethenext generationintotheindustryanddeliversupport tothewidersurveyingnetwork.
FASHIONFIRST
Repair,repurpose,resell…that’sthemantraatBarnardo’sSutton ColdfieldsuperstorewhichhaslaunchedtheRe-FashionHub, repurposingclothesandtextilesdestinedforwasteintouniquenew piecestosell.AfirstofitskindintheUK,theHubisashopfloorbasedupcyclingworkshopwhichallowsthecharitytoraiseeven morefundstosupportchildren,youngpeopleandfamilies.
DANNY’SWALKINGTALL
AmentalhealthgroupinSolihullhasreceiveda£1,000donationfrom developersDavidWilsonHomesMercia.MenWalkingandTalkingallowsmento cometogetheranddiscusstheirissues.Itsmostrecentwalkattractedmorethan 100participants.TherewasalsoinputfromlocalresidentswhowroteonBlue HeartsandpostedthemonthegatesofMalvernParktohelpinspirethegroup. FounderDannySmithsaid:“Istartedthegroupwhenitbecameapparentthat therearen’tenoughoptionsforsupportaroundtheregion.”
RebeccaLangtonhasjoinedcommunications firmPLMR–whichhasofficesinBirmingham andCoventry–asitsnewheadofplanningand builtenvironment.Hermostrecentrolewas withCavendishConsultingandshehasalso heldcommunicationsroleswithcharitiesand localauthorities.
ONBOARD
Twoexperiencededucationalistshavebeen appointedtotheboardoftrusteesat Birmingham-basedcharityServicesFor Education.ElunedMansellisprogrammelead forOakNationalAcademy,theindependent publicbodyfundedbytheDepartmentfor Education,whileOliverWilsonisheadteacher atWoodhousePrimaryAcademyinQuinton.
AIRPORTPLANS
BirminghamAirporthasannounceda £76.5millioncapitalinvestmentplanoverthe next12monthsasitgearsupforfurthergrowth followingitsbiggestyearforpassengers’ numbersin2024.Majorprojectsincludenew retailandhospitalityofferings,loungesand terminalrefurbishmentsandongoingupgrades totherunwayandexpansionofstandcapacity.
CITYOFEXCELLENCE
LifesciencesconsultancyCambridgeHealthcare ResearchhaschosenBirminghamforitsnewResearch CentreofExcellence,creatingupto40research analystrolesbytheendof2025.Thefacilityatthe LewisBuildinginthecitycentrewasofficiallyopened byCllrJohnCotton,leaderofBirminghamCity Council.Itwillfocusondeliveringstrategicresearch projectsforarangeofUKandinternationalclients operatinginthelifesciencessector.
GuestshonourbroadcastlegendNickas hespillsthebeansonleadingpoliticians 3 2
FERRARIPOWERAT
1 KerryandSteveSwingler,EndaMullen,Marie-HeleneMatthews,PeterSwingler. 2 ChrisMowbray,SueSmith,FredBromwich,ClaireWolfe. 3 LlewelaBailey,NickFerrari,BobWarman. 4 HazelHorton-Peppercorn,DianneHall,SteveHall. 5 ValDeeley,CindyBlack,JamesDumighan. 6 NigelandLynnWatts-Plumpkin,HarryJenkins,JackBrabant. 7 JonGriffin,NickHudson,JohnLamb. 8 KarenWebb,PaulBrown,SarahThompson. 9 JoDyer,DeborahHarries,AdrianTimberlin,TrishPutnam. PhotographybyIanTennant 1
Broadcastingtitan,LBCradiojournalistNick Ferrari,addressedBirminghamPressClubas itsfirstcelebritylunchspeakeroftheyear. Nickenthralled90guestswithanecdotesabouthis interviewswithleadingpoliticians,includingBoris Johnson,DianeAbbott,NigelFarageandRachel Reeves,aswellasotherirreverentstoriesabout householdnames.Emphasisingtheneedforquality journalismatatimewhen‘fakenews’hadbecome reality,Nickwasmadeanhonorarylifememberofthe PressClub,receivingfrompresidentBobWarmanthe traditionalgiftofabuglemadebycraftsmenatAcme WhistlesinBirmingham’sJewelleryQuarter.The lunchwasheldatParkRegisHotelBirmingham. ■
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TheNachuralEntrepreneurshipAwardstook placeattheKingPowerStadium,Leicester. Thevibrantandinspirationaleventwas hostedbyAaronJamesandcelebratedsomeofthevery bestbusinesstalentfromtheEastMidlands.Winners includedRudolph+Hellmann,Freeths,RoxyLeisure andBilalAlimahomed.Theeveningincludeda keynotespeechfromlocalentrepreneurIain McCallister,CEOofSolihull-basedMANCommercial ProtectionLimited ■
Winnersmaketheirmarkatannual NachuralEntrepreneurshipevent 8 9
Havenforwellbeingandconnection isattheheartofEdgbastonVillage 3 2 4 5 6 7 8
1 KesavenCuniappen,MavisHughes,CarolineNicoresti,TanyaAshby,JunieRabone,AnnFoster,HaydnCooper. 2 VanessaPowell,BillieFrain, BenMabbett,IzzieGould. 3 AdrianMitchell,LewisRoberts,JackBennett. 4 AdelaideHeagney,SharonGordon,SabinaHenley. 5 HaydnCooper, DeirdreAldenandMattBennett. 6 DemiSwingler,RosWilson. 7 DeniseKerby,GeraldineLeonard. 8 RoopKang,AdelePogmore,NeelamNahar, LucyGoodway. PhotographybyJonathanMiddle,CalthorpeResidentsSociety 1
CalthorpeEstatesmarkedtheofficialopening ofEdgbastonVillageCommunityGarden witharibbon-cuttingceremonyattendedby itschiefexecutiveHaydnCooperandBirmingham CitycouncillorsDeirdreAldenandMattBennett. LocatedintheheartofEdgbastonVillage,thenew gardenisdesignedtopromotewellbeing,sustainability andconnectionamongresidents,businessesand visitors.Ithasbenefitedfromtheinputoflocal schools,businessesandcommunitypartners–includingBirminghamBotanicalGardensand MartineauGardens.AnotablefeatureisaChatty Bench,donatedbyAudleyCourtaspartoftheir nationalChattyBenchInitiative. ■
Luckyfansgettomeetstarplayers atlaunchaheadofthenewseason
Around100invitedpeopleattendedthe BirminghamBearsBlastlaunchpartylast monthatthecricketsimulatorandactivitybar, SixesintheMailbox.Aheadofanexcitingnewseason thatkickedoffon30MaywithaMenandWomen’s teamdouble-header,delightedBearsfanswerejoined bystarplayersincludingGeorgeGarton,Richard Gleeson,HamzaShaikhandJakeLintott,plusDavina PerrinandCharisPavelyfromtheBearsWomen.Visit edgbaston.comforthefullBlastfixtureslistanddetails ofthespecialBlastPassseasonticket. ■
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WHAT’SONliving
WHAT: DearEvanHansen
WHEN: 17to21June
WHERE: TheAlexandra, atgtickets.com
Packedwithsomeofthebiggestmusical theatresongsofthelastdecade,thisbrandnewproductionofthemuti-awardwinning showmarksthefirsttimethattheBroadway andWestEndphenomenonwilltourtheUK.
WHAT: EdgbastonArtisan Market
WHEN: 14June
WHERE: GreenfieldCrescent, Edgbaston,calthorpe.co.uk Amust-visitasBirmingham’slargest artisanmarketreturnswithexciting tradersandahugevarietytochoose fromsomeofthefinestindependent businessesacrosstheMidlands.
WHAT: TheCroft WHEN: 10to14June
WHAT: TheVanishingElephant WHEN: 18to21June
WHERE: BelgradeTheatre, belgrade.co.uk
Amovingstoryoffriendship, belongingandoneincredible journeyfromBengaltothebright lightsofBroadway.
WHERE: BirminghamRep,birmingham-rep.co.uk
Aboldandhauntingplaywherethepresent interweaveswiththepastasancienttalessurfaceand theterrifyingtruthlurkingintheCroftisrevealed. StarringLizaGoddard.
WHAT: MammaMiawithWine WHEN: 22June
WHERE: TheMockingbird, thewineeventscompany.com
JoinTonyElvinandtheWineEventsCompany astheyreturntotheGreekIslandofKalokairifor acrackingeveningfeaturingascreeningof MammaMiaalongsideawinetastingfeaturing fivemouthwateringMediterraneanwines.
WHAT: TINA–TheTinaTurnerMusical WHEN: 17to28June
WHERE: BirminghamHippodrome, birminghamhippodrome.com
Settothepulse-poundingsoundtrackofher iconichits,discovertheheartandsoulbehind theQueenofRock’n’Roll.
WHAT: BBCGoodFood ShowSummer WHEN: 12to15June
WHERE: NECBirmingham, goodfoodshow.com/summer
Theultimatecelebrationofsummerfood returnswithsizzlinginspirationinlive demosfromtopculinarystarsincluding JamesMartin,NadiyaHussainandJohn Torode.TicketsalsoincludeentrytoBBC Gardeners’WorldLive.
Image:DennisLeupold
WHAT: LionelRichie
WHEN: 9June
WHERE: UtilitaArena, utilitaarenabham.co.uk
Theinimitableglobalicon makeshishighlyanticipated returntotheUKwithabrandnewstageproduction.His illustriouscareerspansover multipledecadeswithhugehits likeHello,AllNightLongand SayYouSayMe.Guaranteedto beagreatnight!
WHAT: MacyGray:OnHow LifeIs25thAnniversaryTour
WHEN: 28June
WHERE: TownHall, bmusic.co.uk
Withhervivaciousvoiceandfunky spirit,MacyGrayhasthatrareabilityto composerefreshinglycandidand soulfulmusicthatresonatesdeeplyand setsherapartfromhercontemporaries.
WHAT: TimKey: LABaby-BookTour
WHEN: 11June
WHERE: MidlandsArtCentre, macbirmingham.co.uk
TheEnglishpoet,comedian andstarofshowslike TaskmasterandAlan Partridgeembarksona low-gradebooktourto celebratethepublicationofhis latestanthologyofpoems.
WHAT: BrandiCarlile
WHEN: 23June
WHERE: SymphonyHall, bmusic.co.uk
Knownasoneofmusic’smostrespectedvoices, theGrammyAward-winningsinger/songwriter hasbeenthrustintothemainstream consciousnesswithherrecentcollaborationwith SirEltonJohn–socomeandfindoutmore!
WHAT: ThreadtheLoom
WHEN: 25Juneto7September
WHERE: IkonGallery,ikon-gallery.org
Combiningthetraditionofhandweavingandcomputeraideddesign,thisexhibitioninvitesweaversandartiststo exchangeideas,materialsandstructures.Featuringaseries ofmicro-residencieswithfiveWestMidlandsweaversanda numberofcelebratedcontemporaryartists.
WHAT: IrishAnnie’s
WHEN: 3June
WHERE: CrescentTheatre, crescent-theatre.co.uk
JoinlandladyAnnieandherregularmadcap customersforafunnightofmusic,comedyand mayhemasRickyTomlinsonleadsthecastin
AsaMurphy’sfantasticfeelgoodmusicalcomedy that’sanirresistiblecelebrationofIrishculture.
WHAT: TheWinter’sTale
WHEN: 12Julyto30August
WHERE: RSCTheatre,rsc.org.uk, tel:01789331111
Eveninthedarkestofwinters, redemptionmaybefound.Shakespeare’s enigmaticstoryoflove,lossandrebirthis directedbyYaëlFarber,whomakesher RSCdebutfollowingherrecentacclaimed productionsofKingLearandtheOliviernominatedMacbeth.
CLOSEWITHÁ
JENNIFRYER
THECEOOFMARTINEAUGARDENS,A2.5-ACRECOMMUNITY GARDENWHICHOFFERSTHERAPEUTICHORTICULTUREFORPEOPLE WITHARANGEOFNEEDS,ISHEADINGANEWPROJECTTOMAKE THEVENUEEVENMOREACCESSIBLE–WHILEROCKINGTOALANIS MORISSETTE,BRUCESPRINGSTEENANDAC/DC!
BEENTHERE,DONETHAT
I’maBrummiebornandbredandstartedoutasa journalistontheSuttonColdfieldObserver.ImovedintoPR andcommunications,workingoneverythingfrompubsto pipeworkanddatingtodumpertrucks.WhenIhit40,I decidedtotaketheplungeandstartedworkinginthecharity sectorwithhospices,sightlossandyoungpeople’scharities beforeIlandedinmycurrentrole.
IT’SWHATIDO
I’mCEOofMartineauGardens,a2.5-acrecommunity gardenwhichofferstherapeutichorticultureforpeoplewitha rangeofsupportneeds.We’rearegisteredcharityandare opentothepublicsixdaysaweek,alongsideschoolvisits, eventsandhiringthespace.I’minvolvedintherunningof thecharity,fund-raising,events–everythingthatdoesn’t involvediggingorplanting.(Ihaveatrackrecordofkilling plants!)
WHATI’DLIKETOSEE
Myambitionthisyearistoleadafund-raisingappealfor thegardensforanewbuilding,whichthebrilliantteamat MartineauwillbelaunchinginJune.It’safantastic opportunityforthegardenstobecomemoreaccessible.We arelaunchingacrowdfundertosupportthenextstepsinthe buildprocess.
BIGGESTSUCCESS
Inmypersonallife,raisingthreechildrensolowhilealso caringformymumwholivedwithdementia.Professionally, it’sfindingarolewhereIseetheimpactofwhatthecharity doeseveryday.Ireadtheotherdayaboutglimmers,tiny
momentsofjoythatsparkpositivefeelings.Irealisedjusthow manyofthosecomethroughsomewonderfulmomentsat workforme.
BIGGESTLESSONLEARNED
Thereisafinelinebetweenbeingcourageousandabit daft!I’veneverbeenafraidtotrynewthings,butonseveral occasionsI’veendedupover-committedandoverstretchedas aresult.
WHATILIKEABOUTBRUM
Ithastobethefood.Itdemonstratesthediversityofthe city–fromthepop-uptradersatDigbethDiningClubto Michelin-starredrestaurants,likeOpheem.Oneofmy favouritenightseverwasafund-raisingpop-uprestaurantat MartineauGardensrunbyBenWright,whowasachefat Opheematthattime.Iwaitressed–itwasbrilliantfun.But I’mequallyhappywithahot,freshsamosafromtheDesi SweetCentreonSohoRoad.
DOWNTIME
I’mahugefanofalivegigandregularlyorganisemeetupsforalocalrockgroup.ThisyearI’mofftoCardifftosee AlanisMorissette,LiverpoolforBruceSpringsteenandParis forAC/DC.Ialsoloveasmallergigclosertohome–the bluesafternoonattheHareandHounds,KingsHeathisa favourite.
ANYTHINGELSETOADD?
Whateveryoudotoday,takeawalkinthefreshairifyou can.Connectingwithnatureandbeingoutsideisoneofthe simplestandmostpowerfulwaysofboostingwellbeing. ■
