Birmingham Living 155 2026

HASAN AL-HABIB

We’veallheardoftheYummyBrummie(takeabow,superchefGlynn Purnell),butwhatabouttheFunnyBrummies?There’ssomany,it’s difficulttoknowwheretostart.Ourcityisrightlyrecognisedforproducing someofthenation’sbest-lovedandfunniestcomedians–fromstand-upsensationstosit-comstars, andeverythinginbetween!

Someareestablishedlegends.ThelikesofSirLennyHenry,orDameJulieWalters,orFrankSkinner. Whileothersaremorerecentheroes.GuzKhan,JoeLycettandDarrenHarriottspringtomind.Then there’sthenewbatchofrisingcomedystars,includingHasanAl-HabibandLindseySantoro,whoare bothfeaturedinourpagesthismonth.

Anothercomedygenius,thelate,greatRikMayallwillbehonourednextmonthinthefestivalnamed afterhiminnearbyDroitwich,wherehespenthischildhood.TheRikMayallComedyFestivalruns acrossawholehostofdifferentvenuesinthetownandfeaturesaline-upoftopcomedians,including AlexiSayle,NigelPlaner–andLindseySantoroherself!

Allofwhich,goestoprovethatinthispartoftheworldwereallydoenjoyagoodlaugh.Butdon’tjust takemywordforit.SurveysconsistentlyshowthatBrummiesareingeneralahappybunch.Andas oneofnewsstoriesthisweekreports,thegoodvibesevenextendtowalkingourdogs–withSutton Parkranking‘topofthepups’asthehappiestplaceforastrollwiththepooch.

Inthesetroubledtimeswe’realllivingthrough,it’sgoodtoknowthatthere’sstillagoodhelpingofjoy aroundtheplace…

DavidJohns

Coverimage: HasanAl-Habib Picture:MattStronge

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.

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living

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News

Bringingyouthebrighteststories fromacrossthecitythismonth

HasanAl-Habib

FunnyBrummietalksfaith,making bullieslaugh–andJackGrealish!

LindseySantoro

Thecomedykeepsoncomingwith Northfield’spink-haired,loud-mouth

Food&Drink

MichaelEdgarofRegina’sBirmingham Plus:It’sNationalDoughnutWeek!

Health

Shapingupforholidaysonthebeach andwhyyouneedto‘mindyourmind’

Style

Takingadipintothehottestnew looksforthisseason’sswimwear

BestoftheRest

Homes

Campingholidaysaremorepopular thanever.Here’showtobepitchperfect

Young,GiftedandBrummie

ActorandwriterAlexanderHoggon tellingstoriesthroughaMidlandslens

TopTierTennis

Developingthebestyoungtalentin thecountryatEdgbastonPrioryClub

40 50 54 57 62 66

BusinessNews

Allthelatestnews,views,comingsand goingsfromthecommercialcommunity

What’sOn

Bestofthecity’stopshowsandgigs inourround-upofmust-seeevents

UpClose

WithCarlPhillips,celebrating20years ofMoseleyFolkandArtsFestival

JON’SPEAKYPRIDE

Anewlookhasbeenunveiledfor thePeakyBlindersmuralnear BirminghamNewStreetstation.The 50-metreinstallationbyartistJon Jonesdepictsscenesfromthenew filmfeaturingactorCillianMurphy asTommyShelby,alongside memorablemomentsandcharacters fromthewiderseries.Jon,aproud Brummie,said:“Itmeansagreat dealtoseetheworkevolveinthe cityandcontinuetoconnectwith peoplepassingthrougheveryday.” Hisworkcanalsobefoundin BirminghamMuseumandArt Gallery,andisavailablethrough CastleFineArt.

ImagecourtesyofCastleFineArt

BirminghamRoyalBalletwillmark100yearsoffoundingdirectorlaureateandoneof ballet’smostinfluentialdirectorsandchoreographers,SirPeterWright,withaspecial galaperformanceon18JuneatBirminghamHippodrome.Thecompanywasfirst establishedinthecitybySirPeterin1990,andthegalawillfeaturehighlightsfrom someofhismostcherishedproductions.DirectorCarlosAcostawilldancetheroleof DeathinTheGreenTable–oneofSirPeter’sfavouritepieces.Carlossaid:“Nowords canexplainthescaleofSirPeter’scontributiontotheheritage,historyandlegacyofnot onlyBirminghamRoyalBallet,buttheartformasawhole.”

GALATRIBUTETOSIRPETER WINESHOWCASE

BRINGINGYOUTHEBRIGHTEST ANDMOSTCOLOURFUL STORIESFROMACROSSTHE REGIONEACHMONTH

Birmingham’swinescenetakescentrestage thismonthwiththeColmoreWineShowcase onSaturday9MayattheGrandHotel.The eventfeaturesleadingnamesincludingLoki, Arch13,Vagabond,HotelduVin,and Birmingham’sfirsturbanwinemaker MidlandsPress,alongsideexpertsommeliers. FelicityBlades,marketingmanagerat BirminghamColmoresaid:“We’rebringing togethersomeofthecity’smostexciting venuesandexpertssopeoplecandiscover somethingnew,whetherthey’recompletely newtowineoralreadypassionateaboutit.”

GRANDCELEBRATION

TheGrandHotelBirminghamiscelebratingfiveyearssinceits reopeningwithfiveuniquepartnerships,spanningfood,drink,art, cultureandwellbeing.ThefirstcollaborationfeaturesanArtist ResidencyfromCharlesPedoneArtCollective,whichturnsselected suitesintolivinggalleries,representingtheartists’visionand disciplines.HotelgeneralmanagerJohanScheeperssaid:“These collaborationsareacelebrationoftalentandcreativity.Theyreflect exactlywhatTheGrandstandsfortoday,honouringourheritage whileembracingtheenergyandinnovationofthecityaroundus.”

KINGTUTCOMESTOBRUM

TheamazingstoryoftheboywhobecameanEgyptianpharaohissettobe toldinallitshi-techglorywhenKingTutcomestoBrumnextmonth. Tutankhamun:TheImmersiveExhibitionwillopenitsdoorsattheNEC Campuson19Junefor12weeks.Alreadyseenby2.5millionvisitors aroundtheworld,theexperiencefeaturesoneofEurope’smostimmersive videomappingroomswitheight-metrehighprojections,pluscurated replicasandartefactsanda360-degreeseatedvirtualrealityjourneyinto themysticalEgyptianafterlifeandwalkthroughoftheValleyoftheKings.

SelinaBrownporedoverbooksasachild,enthralled atthewondersleapingfromthepages.Now,asa Birminghammother-of-threeandfounderofthe BlackBritishBookFestival,shehasbeennamedthe UK’sfirstNationalReadingHerobyQueenCamilla, whopresentedherwiththeinauguralQueen's ReadingRoomMedal.Selinafoundedthefestivalas asmallgrassrootseventheldattheLegacyCentrein Newtownin2021.ItisnowheldatTheBarbicanin LondonandrecognisedasEurope’slargest celebrationofblackliterature.

KRAY’SGRAMSOPENING

YoungMichelinChefoftheYear,KrayTreadwell,hasreopenedhis670 Gramsrestaurant,featuringanewbrighter,moreopeninteriorwith artworkreflectingBirmingham’sidentity,includingreferencesto SpaghettiJunction,theElectricCinemaandDigbeth.Alongsidethe revamp,ManuelRibiero,whopreviouslyworkedatGrace&Savour, MoorHallandWhatleyManor,hasjoinedasjointheadchef.Kraysaid ofthenewlook:“We’vebroughttheoutsidein,softeningthe boundarybetweentherestaurantandourlocationinDigbethand makingthespacefeelmoreconnected.”

SELINABOOKSROYALAWARD

DRONE

SPECTACULAR

AnartshowlikenootherissettolightupthenightskyoverBrumthis month.DroneArtShowpresentedbyFeverwillliftoffatAlexanderStadium on15and16May,blendingmusic,cutting-edgetechnologyandlarge-scale aerialartistryinwhatpromisestobeanunforgettableeveningsunderthe stars.Featuring1,200illuminateddrones,thefirsteveningseesa synchronizedaerialperformancetoVivaldi’sFourSeasonsandTchaikovsky’s SwanLake,whilethesecondnightwilltakeajourneythroughthecosmos toclassical,cinematicandcontemporarymusic.

REDAPPEAL CASHESIN

Wearingredhasgivenalifesavingcharitya£19,000cash boost.MidlandsAir Ambulance’sannualWearIt Redcampaignsawschools, businesses,communitygroups andsupportersdressupintheir brightestredoutfitstoraisethe vitalfundsforthepre-hospital emergencycareservice.The charity’sshopsalsojoinedin, creatingeye-catchingredthemedwindowdisplaysand encouragingsupporterstobuy reditems,helpingtoboost fund-raisingtotalsevenfurther. Meanwhile,staffatofficial sponsorM6tollhostedaredthemedbakesale.

VICKY’SAGOLDENWONDER

ARTONTHEWATER

IkonGallery’syouthprogrammeistakingtothewaterthismonth. SlowBoat2026willtraveltheWestMidlandscanalnetworkfrom MaythroughtotheendofAugust,bringingfreeworkshopsand creativecollaborationswithyoungpeople,communitiesand contemporaryartists.ThefloatingstudiowillvisitTipton, Halesowen,Stourbridge,SmethwickandfinallyBirminghamcity centre,offeringaspacetolearnfromcontemporaryartists,while exploringlocalhistoriesandco-curatingcreativeprojects.

BROLLYGOODIDEA!

BirminghameventsspecialistsOPUShasjoinedforces withthecity’sBotanicalGardenstoencourage familiestoreconnectwithnatureinanewyear-long initiative.TheNoticingNaturecollaborationwillsee OPUSdeliveraseriesofseasonalevents,each offeringafreshwayforfamiliestoexperiencethe Gardensthroughplay,imaginationandwellbeing. TheprogrammewillincludemagiceventsinMay, circusactivitiesinAugustandautumnfuninOctober.

AcharityinBirminghamhas beenhailedfortransforminga quadriplegicwoman’s confidence,leadingtoher winninggoldatawheelchair dancechampionships.Vicky Lilly,40,discoveredher passionfordanceafter attendingthedayserviceat CerebralPalsyMidlands(CPM). Vickyandherteam, FreewheelinDance,wongold attheWestOxfordshireOpen InclusiveDance Championships,Hersister Sarahsaid:“VickyattendsCPM fourdaysaweek,rehearses, performsandattendssocial events,Herstoryisoneof resilience,advocacy,andthe importanceofsafe,specialist supportfordisabledadults.”

ELO’SELECTRICGIFT

Asilverelectriccellothattouredwith Birmingham’slegendaryELOrockbandinthe 1970’shasbeendonatedtoRoyalBirmingham Conservatoire(RBC)byformerband memberMelGale.Theinstrumentjoinsthe RichardTandymemorabiliacollection,which wasgiventoRBClastyearandisnowhoused intheRichardTandyProductionSuite. MelvisitedRBCandwasjoinedbyELO drummerBevBevanandviolinistMik Kaminski.Melsaid:“Therewasnosuchthing asanelectriccellowhenELOwasperforming, sowemadeone!”

SWIMWEARSISTERS BIGSPLASH

Lessthantwoyearsafterlaunching,Lola Baia–the60’s-inspiredBirminghamfoundedsustainableswimwearlabelthat wefeaturedlastyearasaCompanyto Watch–hassecuredamajorinternational retailmilestone,debutingoninfluential fashionretailers,UrbanOutfittersUS.Lola BaiaisrunbysistersGeorgiaandDaisy Quirke,andtwooftheirdesigns–The JeanandTheDaisy–caughttheeyeof UrbanOutfittersbuyerswhenthey exhibitedatMiamiSwimWeekin2025.

GOTANYNEWS? Emailyournewsand picturestoeditor@brumliving.co.uk

MARKETSRETURNATTHEDOUBLE!

BrindleyMarketsareback–andbetterthanever!RunningfromMaytoSeptember, thisyearwillseenotone,buttwomarketseachmonth.ItallkicksoffonThursday21 MaywithBrindleyArtisanMarket,inpartnershipwithBlueMoonMarketsandEasy StreatMarkets,whichshowcasesthebestinlocallyproducedartisangoods,including food,drinkandgifts,fromceramicstoskincare.Saturday23May,willseethenew RecordandMakersMarketcreatedincollaborationwithMidlandsRecordFairsand BlueMoonMarkets,blendingthebestofvinylculturewithartsandcrafts.

PARKFORPOOCHES

Wanttoknowthebestplaceto walkyourdog?Looknofurther thanBirmingham’sSuttonPark whichhasbeenvotednumber oneintheWestMidlandsin researchbypetcarecompany, Rover.com.Theparkrated highlywithdogownersforits scenicviews,pooch-friendlytrails–andbeinghandilylocatedtopost-walk pubs!Withallthatgoingforit,it’shardlysurprisingthatthemajorityofdog ownersusedthesamewalkingroutethroughtheparkeveryday…

ThenextgenerationofDJs,vocalists,broadcasters, photographersanddigitalartistsissettogethelp tobreakintothehighlycompetitivecreative industries,thankstoBirmingham’sPunchRecords. CommunityRoutes,itsflagshipfreecreative developmentprogramme,isoffering50fullyfundedplacestoapplicantsaged18to25.The programme,whichattractedmorethan250 applicantslastyear,beginswithanintensiveweeklongsummerresidencyinBirmingham–a ‘bootcamp-style’environmentledbyindustry professionals–followedbymentoring,workshops andnetworking.Applyat: https://www.wearepunch.co.uk/community-routes

COMIC RELEASE

Picture:MattStronge

We’renotshortoffunnyBrummies–indeedwe’veinterviewedmanyof theminthesepages–andhere’s anotherhome-growntalentdoingbrilliantthings. Award-winningcomicHasanAl-Habibismore thanastringofwittyone-liners.He’splanningto turnsometrickysubjectsintololsinhisupcoming EdinburghFringeshow,StuckinTheMiddle (East)WithYouwhilehissolodebuttour,Deathto theWest(Midlands)wasasell-out.

HasanperformedattheMidlandsregionalheats oftheBBCNewComedyAwards2024,won the2023BirminghamComedyFestivalBreaking TalentAwardandwasafinalistatthe2022Chortle StudentComedyAwards.Hasanalsotookpartin BBCshowPilgrimagewhichairedlastmonth.

COULDHAVEBEENANIGHTMARE…

Ifyouhaven’twatchedPilgrimageyet,wehighly recommend.It’sagentlebutthought-provoking watchthatfollowsabunchofcelebritiesfrom differentwalksoflifeastheytakeonthePilgrimage fromWhitbyAbbeyinNorthYorkshiretoHoly IslandatLindisfarneexploringtheirfaithorlackof, astheyfollowinthefootstepsofearlyCeltic Christiansaints.Hasanhadwatchedtheshow previouslyandsincepeoplehelikedhadtakenpart, includingsomecomediansandfellowMuslims,he thoughtwhynot?Thisyear’sbunchincludedAshley Banjo,HermioneNorris,PatsyKensit,Tasha Ghouri,JayneMiddlemissandAshleyBlaker alongsideHasan.

Hesays:“Iwantedtogetanunderstandingof whatfaithmeanstotheotherpeople,particularly peopleofdifferentreligiousconvictions,orofno religiousconvictionatall.Iwantedtounderstand howpeoplewithoutaparticularreligionoperateona day-to-daybasiswithregardstoethicsandmorality.I alsolikedtheformat.There’snocompetition–no one’sgettingvotedoff.Ashley(Banjo)isn’tup againstSusanBoyle!”Headds:“Weallgotonreally well.Itcouldhavebeenanightmaresotherewas someriskinvolved.Ithoughtthey’dallbeTVpeople andtheyweren’t.”

Hasan,AshleyandTashabecameparticularly

close.EverymorningAshleyspenttimebyhimself readingtheBiblewhichmadeHasanthinkabouthis ownpractice.Hasansays:“He’saverycalmguy,and Iwonderifthatdailypracticeofremindingyourself ofwhoyouareinthisworld,whatyourroleis,and howyoubelieveyoushouldlivecontributedtothat.I reallyfeltlikeI’dlearntsomethingfromsomeoneof adifferentreligiontome.”

ThedaythegroupreachedHolyIslandwas movingnotleastthankstohugeshardsofheavenly sunbeamsbreakingthroughpictureperfectclouds. Hasanremembers:“There’ssomethingaboutthat placethat’sjustdivine.Thewaytheearlymorning lightreflectedoffthesandsaswewalkedacrosstothe islandwasstunning.IrememberAshleyBanjo saying,“guys,thisiscrazy.”Youjustunderstoodin thatmomentwhypeoplewouldtravelsofartocome here.”

Aswellasthespiritualjourney,Hasansayshe’s enjoyedfreeticketstoseeDiversityatthePalladium sothat’sabonus!What’salsoabonusisthat PilgrimagehasinsomewaylegitimisedHasan’s stand-upcareerinhisparents’eyes.They’renot againstitexactly,moreambivalent,butrecently Hasanwasintroducedtosomeonefromthecouncil byhismumas,‘myson.HehasaPhDandhe’sa stand-upcomedian’whichfeltlikeaturningpoint. ThedoctorateinoncologyfromCambridgeisoften lobbedin,butthestand-upwasanewdevelopment.

BESTAUDIENCE

HasanwontheBirminghamComedyFestival BreakingTalentAwardacoupleofyearsagowhich meantalot.Herecalls:“Itfeltsonicetobe recognisedinmyhometown.It’svalidation.Some greatpeoplewonitbeforemeandsince.”Theyear afterhiswin,Hasanplayedanabsolutelypacked show–theorganiserstellustherewasliterallyno morespaceinthevenueandtheywereturning peopleaway.

Ifyou’dliketocatchHasanlocally,he'sbooked intotheBirminghamComedyFestivalPresentsgigat MoseleyFolk&ArtsFestivalthisyear.Thefestivalis justaweekaftertheEdinburghFringeandnormally Hasanwouldn’tbookanythingsosoonafter,butthis

one’sabitspecial.It’sinhishometownforastart andanyonethat’sbeeninpreviousyearswillknowit hasawonderfulfeel-goodvibethatisabeautifulway toendsummer.HasansaysBirminghamhasthebest audiencesandinhismind,he’llmovebackhereat somepoint,butfornowLondon’shome.

THEFUNNYONE

GrowingupinBirminghamwasabitofamixed bagandschoolwasachallengeattimes.Beingthe onlyIraqiintheclassroomintheaftermathof9/11

HOMETURF

CatchHasanatMoseleyArtsandFolkFestivalonSunday6 September.Formoreinfovisitmoseleyfolk.co.uk

andtheIraqwarmeanthewasbullied.Accepting somepeoplejustdon’tlikeyou,Hasanfoundthat makingthemlaughimprovedthesituation.He adoptedascientificapproachtobeingfunnyand startedtothinkaboutthemechanicsofhowtomake peoplelaugh.Forinstance,intheclassroomHasan wouldcontemplate:“WhenGeorgespeakshe’smore likelytogetalaughthanwhenBenspeaks.Why? Isittiming,socialstatus,justbeinglabelledthe funnyone?”

Teachersthatshouldhaveknownbettertargeted Hasanwithquestionslike,whatshouldwedowith SadamHusseinafterhiscapture?WhenHasan suggestedheshouldbeexecutedbecausehe’dkilled alotofpeopletheteachersaid,“doesn’tthatmake youasbadashim?”It’sdifficulttochallengea grownupinthatpositionsoHasanacceptedthatwas howitwas.

Ontheplusside,HasanstilllovesBirmingham–theaccent,thehumbleness,allofit.HecitesJack Grealishasanexampleofsuperhumility.Stickwith us.WhenaninterviewercomparedJacktoan encyclopaediaoffootball,hewasquicktoadmithe didn’tknowwhatthatmeant.Hasansays:“Most peoplewouldpretendtheyknewwhatitmeant. WhenIwasstudyingwithalotofposhpeoplefrom thesouth,iftherewasatermtheydidn’tknow, they’dpretend.”

FRONTROW

Hasanstillfeelsthefeargoingonstage,intensified byspecificaudiencemembers.Forinstance,ifoneof hiscomedyheroes,FrankieBoyleand/orhisparents wereinthefrontrow,thatmightbeproblematic. RecentlyHasanauditionedforSNLUKwhich soundslikeanoddexperience.Inahugestudiothat seats400people,hehadtodoafive-minutesetin frontoffiveTVexecutiveswithamassivecamera andjustbeforehewentonstagearunnertoldHasan thatthecreatorofSNL,LordMichaelswaswatching livefromtheUS.

Hasandidn’tgetthegigthistimebutisthrilled theshowhasbeenasuccessandisgivingyoung comediansaplatform.Healsosaysifyoucan’t handlerejection,it’snottherightindustryforyou. ■

THINKPINK!

ALEGENDARYBRUMMIECOMEDIANWILLBECELEBRATEDNEXTMONTHWHENTHERIKMAYALLCOMEDY FESTIVALRETURNSTODROITWICH.ASWELLASHONOURINGTHEGREATMAN’SINFLUENCEONTHEALTERNATIVE COMEDYSCENE,THEFESTIVALSUPPORTSSOMEFINEEMERGINGTALENT––ANDONEHEADLINEACTTHATWE RECKONISDESTINEDFORGREATNESSISAVERYLOUD,PINK-HAIREDCOMEDIANFROMNORTHFIELD

LindseySantoro’sfirstattemptatcomedywasanopenmic nightinDigbeththatshedescribedasutterlydisastrous,but thankfullyabrighterfuturebeckonedafterenrollingona comedycourseinKingsHeathrunbyprofessionalcomic,James Cook.“Itwasreallyuseful.It’snotsomuchteachingyouhowtobe funny–you’reeitherfunnyoryou’renot–butitteachesyouabout comedy.Attheendofthecourse,youdoafive-minutebitonstage.I thoughtI’dbesickanddie”.

Althoughshestilladmitstogettingnervous,dieshedidnot,and shebravelycontinuedwithopenmicnightsandgigsaroundtheUK beforeeventuallymakingittotheEdinburghComedyFestivalin 2023.Despitefindingtheexperienceabitoverwhelming,she enjoyedremarkablesuccess,winningNextUp’sBiggestAwardin ComedyandearninganEdinburghComedyAwardBestNewcomer nominationforhercritically-acclaimeddebutshowPinkTinge.Her careerhadbegun.

TV,RADIO,ANDBEINGLAZY

JustafewyearslatershecannowboastherownBBCRadio4 comedyseries,TheLivelyLifeofLindseySantoro,andahostofTV appearancesincludingLiveattheApollo,MelGiedroyc’s: Unforgivable,andTheStand-UpSketchshowaswellasstand-up supportforthelikesoffellowBrummie,JoeLycett–“he'sa genuinelylovelyblokeandhe'sdonesomuchforme”–andRussell Kane.

Thejourneymayhavetakenawhile,butshewasfinallyfulfilling herdreamofbecomingacomedian.“It’sbeenalongerprocessforme sinceI’mlazy.Myidealgigwouldbeonerunfrommybackgarden. MyNanalwayssaid,“Imagineifyou’dtried.”Growingup,Lindsey attendedStThomasAquinasCatholicSchoolinKingsNortonand althoughshewasfarfrombeingtheclassclownshediscoveredalove formakingherfriendslaughwhichignitedthedesiretopushitabit further.“Ialwayswantedtodocomedy.InitiallyIwasnervousabout beingperfect.”

HercomedyherobackthenwasLeeEvans.“Irememberwatching himonthetellyandthinking,‘whatisthismandoing?Whydoeshe

haveatowel?Whyishesosweaty?”She’snowtrying tobringsomeofhisfamedenergyanddynamisminto herownact.“I’vestartedbeingmorephysical–Iain’t gotthecardiothough.Itakeasparepairofpants wheneverIgignow.Igetsosweatyandwhowantstobe drivingdownthemotorwaywithwetknickers?”

Lindsey’scomedystylehasbeendescribedas meetingupwithamateyouhaven’tseenforafew yearswho’srockedupwithaloadofgossip.“IfI’d starteddoingcomedywhenIwas18,I’dhavebeen terrible.Iwouldn’thavehadanylifeexperience.What wouldIhavetalkedabout?”Nowhersetrangesfrom discussingprivatepartsthatlooklikeahorse’sfaceto rockclimbingwithhermateJenny.“Wehavetostay friends–sheknowsmefromtheslagyears”–andit’s rightupourstreet.AsaproudBrummieshesays she’slookingforwardtoperformingattheRikMayall Festival,butwhatcanaudiencesexpect?“It’sabitof

funheavilybasedaroundmebeingabitofatwat.Just silliness.I’mnottryingtomakeyouthink.Justturn upandhavealaugh.”

BOOBJOB?

Otherestablishedactswillbetakingpartincluding AlexiSayle,NigelPlaner,RichardHerringandPeter Richardsonandahostofotherlocal,upandcoming comedians,likeHannahWeetman,JulesO'Brianand AbbieHale.Ifyoucan’tgetaticketfortheFestival, Lindsey’saregularatfineBrummieinstitutionslikethe GleeClubandCherryRedsandalsoco-hoststhe monthlyHareoftheDogcomedynightattheHareand HoundswiththreeotherfemaleBirminghamcreatives –JaniceConnolly,KateGlazeandAliceRosenthal.“It’s great.Ijustturnupandfannyabout.”

So,whatfutureplansforthistalented,lazy,pinkhairedlovely?“GobacktoEdinburgh,getanicetour outofit.Payoffthemortgage.Getaboobjob,thendie.” Itsurelywon’tbelongbeforeamajor,lucrativetouris secured,somakesureyouseethisfabcomedianbefore thatfinalboobjob!

living

FOOD&DRINK

Tellusaboutyourcooking

MICHAEL EDGAR

Grandad’sdelicioushome-madelemon meringuepieisachildhoodmemory thattheexecutivechefofRegina’s Bar&Restaurant,Birminghamsays hewillalwayscherish

I’machefwhosecookingisrootedinFrench andMediterraneaninfluences,withaphilosophy centredonsimplicity,balanceandrespectfor ingredients.Ibelievethatgreatcookingshould allowthenaturalflavoursofqualityingredientsto takecentrestageontheplate.

Howdidyoubecomeachef?

ItrainedatRedditchCollege,whereIdeveloped thefoundationsofmyculinarycraft.Adefining influenceonmycareercamefromAndyWaters, whotookmeunderhiswingandmentoredmeinto thechefIamtoday.UnderAndy’sguidance,I refinedmytechnique,disciplineand understandingofflavour.Foodhasalwaysbeen deeplypersonaltome.Myloveforcookingstarted inchildhoodwithmygrandparents.Oneofmy earliestmemoriesismygrandfatherRex’slemon meringuepie–adishIstillrememberfondlyeven thoughIlosthimatayoungage.Myother grandfatherJimencouragedmycuriosityinthe kitchen,lettingmehelpcookmealsandeventually trustingmetouseaknifeforthefirsttime.Those

smallmomentssparkedapassionthatgrewintoa life-longcareer.

Whatwasyourfavouritefoodasakid?

Asachild,myfavouritemealwasatraditionalroast dinner,aclassicBritishdishthatstillrepresentscomfort andnostalgiaformetoday.

Whatdoyoueatathome?

Athome,Iprefersimple,freshfoodthatreflectsmy cookingphilosophy.Mygo-tomealsareusuallypasta dishes,salads,grilledchickenandseasonalvegetables–dishesthatcelebratenaturalflavourswithout unnecessarycomplexity.

Who’sthebestchefintheworld,andthebestin Brum?

Whenitcomestoculinaryinspiration,Iregard MarcoPierreWhiteasthegreatestchefintheworld.As thefirstBritishcheftoachievethreeMichelinstars,he helpedelevateBritishcuisineontheglobalstage throughhiscreativity,boldflavoursandiconic presentation.Closertohome,IbelieveBirminghamhas someoftheUK’smostexcitingculinarytalent.Inmy

opinionstand-outchefsinthecityincludeLuke Tipping,AktarIslamandGlynnPurnell,allofwhom haveplayedasignificantroleinshapingtheregion’s reputationforexceptionalfood.

What’sthemostunusualthingyou’veeaten?

I’manadventurouseaterandenjoyexploringnew cuisinesandingredientswheneverIcan.Oneofthe mostunusualfoodsI’vetriedisalligator,whichreflects mycuriosityandwillingnesstoexperiencenewflavours. Thatsaid,therearestillacoupleofingredientsIprefer toavoid–parsnipsandsprouts.

Shareacookingtip

Myadviceforbothaspiringchefsandhomecooksis simple…alwayslettheingredientsbethestarofthe plate.

Ifyouweren’tachefwhatwouldyoube?

Althoughcookinghasalwaysbeenmyclearpath,I believethatifIhadchosenanothercareeritwouldhave beensomethingequallyhands-onandpractical. Creativity,craftsmanshipandworkingwithmyhands havealwaysbeenimportanttome. ■

Regina’s,11NewhallStreet,ColmoreRowDistrict, Birmingham,B33NY.reginas.co.uk

RINGITON!

It’sNationalDoughnutWeekinMay–allhailthenation’s favouritesweettreatandhelpraisevitalfundsforcharity

NationalDoughnutWeekisanationwidefund-raisingcampaignthat bringstogetherbakeries,cafés,businessesandcommunitiestocelebrate thedoughnutwhileraisingmoneyforcharity.Thisyear,from16to24 May,theweekwillbesupportingtheChildren’sTrust,theUK’sleadingcharityfor childrenwithbraininjury.Simplypopintoanyoneoftheparticipatingbakeries andgetinvolved.Butifyoucan’twaitforabitofdoughygoodness,here’sacheeky littlerecipeforasimpleringdoughnuttohelpscratchthatitch…! ■

INGREDIENTS

■ 200gStrongwhitebreadflour

■ 15gCastersugar

■ 7gDriedfastactionyeast

■ 50gUnsaltedbutter

■ 100mlWholemilk

■ 1tspVanillaextract

■ 1Mediumfree-rangeegg

■ Pinchfinesalt

■ Sunflowerorgroundnutoil

■ 50gCastersugarmixed witha1tspgroundcinnamon

Findyournearestparticipatingbakery at:nationaldoughnutweek.org/bakeryfinder/ormakeabakesaledonationat: thechildrenstrust.org.uk/nationaldoughnut-week-donations

METHOD

Sifttheflourintoalargebowl,addthesugar,yeastandapinchofsalt,thenmixthoroughly. Addthebutter,milkandvanillaextracttoasmallpanandwarmoveraverygentleheatuntil thebutterhasmeltedandthemilkisjustwarm,butnotboiling,thenstirinthebeatenegg. Graduallyaddthewarmmilkmixturetothedryingredientsandstirtoformaroughdough. Tipoutontoaflouredsurfaceandkneadfor10minutesaddingmoreflourasnecessaryoruntil thedoughisnotstickyandslightlyspringytotouch.Placeintoaclean,lightlyoiledbowl,cover withapieceofgreasedclingfilmandleavetoriseinawarmplaceforaboutanhour. Whenthedoughhasdoubledinvolume,kneadlightlythendivideinto12equalpieces.Roll intoballsandplaceonbakingsheetswell-spacedapart.Coverwithapieceofgreasedcling filmandleavetoriseagainfor45minutes.Rolloverthetopofthedoughnutstomakethem approximately3cminheightandthenusingasmall,lightlyoiledpastrycutter,stampoutthe middleofeachdoughnutandsetaside.

Pourtheoilintoalargesaucepantothedepthof10cmandheattobetween50and170°C (Toohot,theoutsideburnsbeforetheinsidecooks;toocold,andthedonutsbecomeoilyand dense).Carefullylower2or3doughnutsatatimeonaslottedspoonandfryfor30seconds oneachsideoruntilgoldenbrown.Servewarm.

SHORTS NI BBLESand

BIRMINGHAM’SHOSPITALITYSECTORCONTINUESTOBEABUSY,ACTION-PACKEDSCENE. HERE’SOURROUND-UPOFTHELATESTNEWSANDHAPPENINGSFROMACROSSTHECITY

CHEERSTONEWTAVERN

Multi-award-winninghospitalitygrouptheEvolvCollectionhasexpandeditsChopHouse&Tavern brandwiththeopeningofStoriesTaverninBirmingham.Designedinpartnershipwithhistorian RonCregan,knownforhisworkwithBritishheritagebrandsMulberryandtheMaybourneGroup, thespacetakesinspirationfromoriginal17thand18thcenturytaverns.Withacommitmentto makingqualitybeergenuinelyaccessible,thevenueserves£5pintsallday,everyday,including lager,IPAandGuinness,allintraditionaltankards.

HERITAGEALETRAIL

AnaletrailcelebratingLichfield’sheritageand pubculturehasbeenlaunchedina collaborationbetweenlocalartistJackie RobertsandhistorianJonoOates.The initiativeshowcases16pubs,manyofwhich arelocatedinhistoricbuildingsacrossthe city.Thetrailisdividedintotworoutes–the GarrickTrailandtheJohnsonTrail–each highlightingeightpubsandguiding participantsthroughdifferentareas.

SIZZLINGSTEAKHOUSE

Miller&CarterResortsWorldhasanewlook afteramajortransformation.There-imagined steakhousecombinesmoderneleganceanda warm,welcomingatmosphereforupto172 guestswithviewsoverlookingPendigoLake. Theeateryisperfectlylocatedforvisitorsto theNECandbppulsearenaorthoselooking tofinishoffadayofshoppinginstyle.Miller& CarterholdtheMastersofSteakawardfrom theprestigiousCraftGuildofChefs.

SING-A-LONGBRUNCH

TREES FORLIFE

BirminghamConference&EventsCentre, alongsideHolidayInnBirminghamCityCentre,has launchedanewsustainability-ledinitiativedesignedto helpeventorganisersmakeapositiveenvironmental impact.InpartnershipwithTreesforLife,thevenueis invitingclientsto‘planttheseed’fortheirnextevent. ForeverynewmeetingoreventconfirmedinMay, atreewillbeplantedonbehalfoftheorganiser withintheCairnCanopy–adedicated treegroveintheScottish Highlands.

TOPOFTHECHOPS

FOODTOURSLAUNCH

BirminghamRestaurantFestival, whichreturnsforitsfifthyearthis summer,haslaunchedanew initiative,BirminghamFoodTours, whichwillrunall-yearround.The firstguidedfour-hourexperience introducedgueststothecity’srich foodheritagewithstopsatsix hand-pickedeateriesinthe JewelleryQuarterand Birminghamcitycentre.Placeson thetourscanbebookedvia BirminghamRestaurantFestival’s website.TheFestivalitselfruns throughAugustandfeatures dozensoftoprestaurants, includingMichelin-starredThe Wilderness.

AnewrestaurantfeaturingatakeontheGreatBritish chophousehasopenedinStPhilip’sHouse, overlookingCathedralSquare.Themenuat100-seater BlacklockBirminghamfeaturesanumberofdishescreated exclusivelyforBrum.TheyappearalongsideBlacklock favourites,includingtheAllInsharingfeastofbeef,porkand lambchopsservedoncharredflatbreads,andtheawardwinningSundayRoastwithbottomlessBlacklockgravy. BlacklockfirstopenedinLondon’sSohoin2015andhassince grownacrossLondonandManchester.

AnewmusicalbrunchexperiencehaslaunchedatBOXBrindleyplace,combininglivesingalongs,bottomlessdrinksandhigh-energypartyvibes.Sing-A-LongBottomlessBrunchgives gueststwohoursofnon-stopsing-alonganthemsfrom3pmto5pmeverySaturday,withthe chancetograbthemicandbeltouteverythingfromBeyoncépowerballadsto90’s throwbacksandcurrentcharthits–allwhileenjoyinggreatfoodanddrink.Theexperience featuresHDscreens,immersivesoundandon-screenlyrics.

FESTIVALBREW

Award-winningindependent breweryAttichasbeennamedas officialdrinkspartnerforthe MostlyJazzFunkandSoul FestivalandMoseleyFolkand ArtsFestival.Stirchley-basedAttic wasfoundedbyuniversity friendsSamBlackandOliHurlow whobeganbrewingbeerinan atticinKingsHeathbefore openingtheirStirchleytaproom in2018.They'vesincewon multipleawards,withtheir Intuitionpalealerecently crownedBestSessionPaleAle (Canned)attheSIBANational IndependentBeerAwards.

PEEPINGTOM COLLINS

Alocaltwistonthe cocktailinspiredbythe legendofLadyGodiva

ThePeepingTomCollinscocktailisa twistonatraditionalTomCollins drink,inspiredbythelegendofLady Godivaridingnakedonhorsebackthroughthe streetsofCoventryinthe11thcentury.Itis namedafteratailorwhodespitewarningswas unabletoresisttheurgetolookatLadyGodiva asshepassedby–andwhowasstruckblindas aresult!Therecipeforthisversionofthe cocktailusestheaward-winningPeepingTom Ginfromlocaldistillery,theWarwickshireGin Company.Theginisgentlyspicedwithstar anise,nutmegandcinnamon–atreatforthe tastebuds. ■

INGREDIENTS:

■ 50mlPeepingTomGin

■ 25mlLemonjuice

■ 25mlCanesugar

METHOD:

FillaCollinsglasswithice,addalltheingredientsand thentopupwithsodawater.Garnishwithasliceof lemon,acherryandenjoy!

WarwickshireGinCompany, warwickshiregincompany.co.uk

BANANATREE

UpperMallWest,Bullring,Birmingham,B54BG. Tel:01212728445bananatree.co.uk

Lasttimewebaggedticketstoseeashow,we didn’thaveapre-theatredinnerbooked–rookieerror.Nottomakethesamemistake twice,enroutetowhatturnedouttobeanexcellent productionofToKillAMockingbird,wefound ourselvessomewherethathadn’tpreviouslybeenon ourradar.TheBananaTreeintheBullringlooked likeadecentoptionandwasprettyclosetothe Hippodrome,sowethoughtwe’dgiveitawhirl.

JustbyStMartin’schurch,theplacewasbasic–notinabadway,justunfussy–andwasbusyfora Tuesdayevening;peoplewerewaitingfortables whichisalwaysagoodsign.TheSouthAsianmenu isheftyandthere’splentyofchoice,maybetoo muchasweneededtobefairlyspeedy,butordered threesmallplatestoshareandacoupleofmain courseswhichwasaboutrightfortwo.

Thestaroftheshow,andcan’tquitebelievewe’re sayingthis,wasthebroccoli–BangBangBroccolito beprecise.Batteredanddeepfried,thefloretswere crunchyandservedwithaverygood,sweetchilli

sauce.Ifyourkidswon’teatgreens,bringthemhere. Duckspringrollsweremoreinventivethanthey sounded.Servedwithcrispiceberglettuceandherbs, asdirectedbyalittleaccompanyinginstructioncard, therollsweretobewrappedinthelettucealongwith freshcorianderthendippedinasweetplumsauceand enjoyed.Andtheywereindeedenjoyedverymuch. Softmoreishchickengyozawerepackedwithflavour andservedwithagarlicandherbsauce.Allthree dishesweresuperandwe’dorderagain.

ThencameapadThaiwithchickenandabowl ofsteamingramen.Whiletheyweretasty,theywere bothlessinterestingthanthesmallplates,sofelta bitdisappointing.Thestaffweregreatandifyou scurrydownthebackroutetotheHippodrome, you’reliterallyafive-minutewalkaway.It’salsoa greatlittleplaceforlunchwhileoutshopping.We’ll definitelybebacktoworkourwaythroughthesmall platemenuandnodoubtconsumeaclutchof cocktailstoo.(They’retwoforoneonaTuesdayif you’reinterested.Hic…) ■

THETASTETEST THATCHANGED THEWORLD

THE24MAYMARKSTHE50THANNIVERSARYOF THEJUDGEMENTOFPARIS–ANEVENTWHICH SENTSHOCKWAVESTHROUGHTHEFRENCHWINE ESTABLISHMENTANDHELPEDBRINGABOUTTHE RISEOFNEWWORLDWINES,SAYSDAVIDCARNE

Forthosenotimmersedintheworldofwine,theJudgement ofPariswasoneoftheeventsthatsignificantlychangedthe courseofwinehistory.In1976,StephenSpurrier,aBritish winemerchant,andhisassistantPatriciaGallagher,directorofthe AcadémieduVin,organisedablindtastinginParistobenchmark CalifornianChardonnayandCabernetSauvignonagainstthebest winesfromBordeauxandBurgundy.Apanelofnineleading Frenchwineexpertstasted10redwinesand10whitewines representingCalifornia,BordeauxandBurgundy.

HoldingatastingofCalifornianwinesinParisin1976was controversialinitself,buttheresultssentshockwavesthroughthe Frenchwineestablishment.Ofthe20winestasted,aCalifornian winewasrankedhighestinboththeredandwhitecategories,and threeofthetopfivewinesoverallwereCalifornian.

ReportingforTimemagazine,GeorgeTaberwrote:“TheParis Tastingshatteredtwofoundationsofconventionalwisdominthe worldofwine.First,itdemonstratedthatoutstandingwinecanbe madeinmanyplacesbeyondthehallowedterroirofFrance.

Second,theParisTastingshowedthatwinemakersdid notneedalongheritageofpassingthewisdomofthe agesdownfromonegenerationtothenexttomaster thetechniquesforproducinggreatwine.”

SpurrierwasaccusedoftarnishingFrenchwine,and manyarguedthatifthewineswereretastedafterageing, theresultswouldbedifferent.So,in2006,Spurrier organisedare-tasting.Onceagain,theCalifornian winesperformedextremelywell.

CHANGINGTHEWORLD

ThetastingbecameknownastheJudgementof Parisandisarguablyoneofthereasonswenowsee suchawiderangeofNewWorldwinesonshelvesand winelists.Itsparkedinterestinblindtastingwines fromnewerregionsagainsttheestablishedEuropean classics.Intruth,Spurrierhadnotsetouttochange thewineworld,hesimplywantedtopromotehiswine shopandbenchmarkCalifornianwinesagainstthe recognisedworldleaders.ItwasPatriciaGallagher whosuggestedthetastingshouldbeblindandframed asacompetitionbetweenFrenchandAmericanwines tomarktheUSBicentennial.

Nevertheless,theimpactwasenormous.The JudgementofParisputCaliforniafirmlyonthewine mapandhelpedopenthedoorforproducersfrom SouthAmerica,SouthAfrica,Australiaandmany otherregionstogaininternationalrecognition.

Eventoday,therearestillwinesbeingproducedin placesmanypeoplewouldnotimmediatelyassociate withwinemaking.Chinaisnowproducingincreasingly drinkablewines,andcountriessuchasGreece,Romania, Hungary,Georgia,MexicoandCanadaareproducing excellentbottles,oftenrepresentingverygoodvaluefor money.Andofcourse,Englandcontinuestogofrom strengthtostrength.Inarecenttastingagainst champagnesandothersparklingwines,Nyetimber,the WestSussexsparklingproducertookthetopspot.

CHALLENGES,TOO

Asclimatepatternschange,wemaysoonseequality winesemergingfromScandinavia.Iwasrecentlyata tastingwheretherewasaveryimpressivesparkling winefromTasmania,andIndiaisalsobecomingan increasinglyseriouswine-producingcountry.Itisan excitingtimeforwine,buttherearechallengestoo. SometraditionalOldWorldregionsarestrugglingwith

DAVID’SRECOMMENDATIONSFORMAY

Somethingsparkling: HouseofArras,TasmaniaBrutEliteRosé–£45,LokiWines Citruszest,floralandahitofberryfollowedbybrioche,toastand somenuttyflavoursonthefinish.

SomethingFreshandFruity: EsporãoReservaOrganicWhite2023–£19,CambridgeWine Averyelegantwine,somewhatdelicateonthepalatewith tangerine,honeyandstonefruitnotes,andsomeverysubtlesmoke andcreamfromtheoak.

SomethingBigandBold: Kaesler,TheBoganShiraz,BarossaValley–£35,LokiWines Arguablypunchingwellaboveitsweight,thisShirazhasdarkfruit notesofblackberry,plumwithsomespiceandcedarnotes.

SomethingClassic: MorrisonsTheBestChinnon–£9.25,Morrisons AverydrinkableCabernetFrancfromtheLoireValley.Raspberryand blackcurrant,withadistinctivevegetalnoteofgreenpepper.

SomethingEnglish: GusbourneBrutReserve,2020–£45,TheChampagneCompany Currentlywinningalotofawards,thisisaclean,crisp,citrusyand orchardfruitdominatedsparkling.Youmaydetectsomecaramel, alongsidethebrioche,biscuitandcoconutflavoursfromageing.

SomethingDifferent: OrielRosedeFrance2024–£7,Tesco Strawberryandwhitestonefruit,lightandeasydrinking.Perfectfor (hopefully)sunnyweather.

risingtemperatures,whicharemakingitharderto producethesamestylesofwinetheyhistoricallyhave. Growersareplantingnewgrapevarieties,changing vineyardpracticesandadaptingwinemaking techniques.Alongsidenewwinesfromemerging countries,wemayalsoseenewstylesofwinefrom traditionalregionssuchasFrance,SpainandItaly. Allofthisisgoodnewsforconsumers:morechoice, morestylesandmoreinterestingwinestodiscover.So, ifyouseeawinefromsomewhereyouhavenever heardofbefore,perhapstakeachanceandgiveitatry, andwhateveryouaredrinkingthisMayandbeyond, pleasedrinkresponsibly.

DavidCarneisaWine&SpiritEducationTrust(WSET)qualifiedwineexpert, wineeducator,aluminiofBirminghamWineSchoolandauthorofthe alottowineabout.comwebsitewhereyoucanfindmorearticlesonwine.Find outmoreaboutfun,informalwinetastingeventsandWSETcoursesonline, andinBirminghamandWarwickfromindependentwineeducationcompany BirminghamWineSchoolatwww.birminghamwineschool.com

BEATTHE SUMMERSHY

Howconfidentdoyoufeelwhenthe temperaturerisesandit’stimetothink aboutexposingthatmilkywhitebodof yours?Truthisthatmostofusareatadshywhenthe sunshines.Butitneedn’tbethatway.Afewsimple lifestylechangesandaclearfocusonthedo’sanddon’ts ofexercisecanhelpyouattainthatdreambeachlook. Here’salow-downonslimmingdownandtoningup.

Bepreparedtoputinthework –Gettinginto shapedoesn’tcomeeasy.Bepreparedtobe disciplinedwithwhatyoueatanddrinkandto exerciseatleastthreetimesperweek.

Nutritioniskey –There’snoneedtocutout everythingyouenjoy,youjustneedtoeatright80per centofthetimeandtheother20percentwon’thurt yourprogressiontoomuch.Reduceyourcarbintake (especiallyintheevening)cutdownthealcoholand eatplentyofmeat,fishandveg.Ifyoumustsnack, snackhealthy–sofruit,nuts,seedsandrawveg.

Treatyourself –That’sright…ifyoufindittoohard cuttingeverythingoutinonegogiveyourselfahealthy challenge.EatrightMondaytoFriday,don’tdrinkand stayawayfromthesweetsandchocolates.Come SaturdayandSundayyoucanrewardyourselfwithsome ofthethingsyouenjoy.Don’toverdoitthough,you don’twanttocanceloutallofthatprevioushardwork.

Shortbutsweet –There’snoneedtopoundaway onthetreadmillandcross-trainer.Withtheright adviceyoucangetafarmorebeneficialworkout doneanddustedin45minutes.Don’tgetuswrong, itwon’tbeaneasy45minutesbutgoingatithard willspeedyourmetabolismup,meaningyouburn calorieswhenyou’renotevenatthegym.

Don’tavoidtheweights –Thestrongeryour musclesarethemoreefficientyourbodywillbeat burningfat.Ifyou’reconcernedaboutgettingtoo bulky,don’tfretasweightswillnotnecessarilymake youbigger,justgiveyouaniceshape.Thisis especiallytrueforwomenasyoudon’tusuallyhave enoughtestosteroneinyourbodiestobeabletobuild massesofmuscle.Makesureyougetadvicefroma

TAKE-FIVEQUICK-FITPLAN

1.CARDIO: 30minutesofintervaltraining.Trydoingoneminutefastrunonthetreadmillfollowedbyone-minute walking.Ensureyourfastrunisenoughtomakeyouwantto stopattheone-minutemark.

2.RESISTANCE: Dobigcompoundexercisessuchassquats, deadliftsandpress-ups.Thesewillburnmorecaloriesthan thebicepcurlandtricepextensionsandspeedupyour metabolismmeaningyou’llburncaloriesfaster.

3.STRETCH: Regularstretchingwillaidyourworkouts.You willfeelstronger,yourexerciseswillfeelsaferandyouraches andpainswillbereduced.

4.TRYACLASS: Classessuchasspinning,bootcampand bodypumparesure-firewaystohitithardandeatawayat thosecalories.Ifyouarelookingforabitoffun,tryzumbato getyouinthemoodforsummer.

5.REST: Thisisthemostimportantpoint.Nomatterhow hardyoupushyourself,yourbodywillnotchangeunlessit getstherestitrequires.Alternatingyourworkoutdayswitha restdayisthebestwaytotrainmeaningyoucomeback strongandhiteachworkoutat110percent.

trainerbeforeyoustartthoughtoavoidcausing yourselfanyinjuries.

Gethelp –Personaltrainersandfitnesscoaches arethereforyourbenefitandcanreallyhelpyou reachyourgoalsfasterandsafer.Personaltraining doesn’thavetobeexpensiveandnotonlywillyousee thephysicalbenefitsyouwillundertakealifestyle changetoensureyoudon’trevertbacktoyourold waysafterthesummer.

Pictureperfect –Snapabeforeselfieinthemirror andkeepitaccessible(onyourphoneortablet)so youcanseeitdaily.Whenyoufeellikehavingthat glassofwineorchocolate,lookatthepictureand remindyourselfwhyyoushouldn’tcaveinjustyet.If youcanfindapictureofyourselfinthepastwiththe bodyshapeyouwerehappywith,keepithandytoo. Thiswillhelpyoustayfocused–ifyouhavebeen therebeforeyouknowyoucangetthereagain! ■

LOOKING AFTER YOUR MIND

THESUNISSHININGANDLIFEISSWEET.BUTFORAWHOLEBUNCHOF TEENAGERSTHESTRESSLEVELSARERISING…EXAMSEASONISUPONUS!

Evenifyou’renotsittingexams,it’ssoimportant tokeepaneyeonourmentalhealthinthese difficulttimes.Hereareafewtipstohelpkeep youontopofthingsoverthecomingmonths.

REASSURINGROUTINE

Establishingandmaintainingahealthydailyroutine canhelpputyouinapositivemind-set.Gettingupat theusualtime,preparingahealthybreakfast, schedulingtimeforexercise,settimesfordinner–all thiscanreallyhelp.

KEEPONMOVING

Expertsbelieveexercisereleaseschemicalsinyour brainthatmakeyoufeelgood.Regularexercisecan boostyourself-esteemandhelpyouconcentrate,sleep andfeelbetter.Exercisealsokeepsthebrainandyour othervitalorganshealthy.Andexercisedoesn’thaveto meanasweatytwo-hoursessionatthegym.Taking timeforabriskwalkintheparkorroundthegardenis awesomeforahealthymind.Evendoinghousework canhelpkeepyouactive.Expertssaymostpeople shoulddoabout30minutesexerciseatleastfivedaysa week.Trytomakephysicalactivitythatyouenjoyapart ofyourday.

YOUAREWHATYOUEAT

Therearestronglinksbetweenwhatweeatandhow wefeel.Forexample,caffeineandsugarcanhavean immediateeffect.Butfoodcanalsohavealong-lasting effectonyourmentalhealth.Yourbrainneedsamixof nutrientstostayhealthyandfunctionwell,justlikethe otherorgansinyourbody.Adietthat’sgoodforyour physicalhealthisalsogoodforyourmentalhealth.Try tomaintainahealthybalanceddietwithlotsofdifferent typesoffruitandvegetables,wholegraincereals,nuts, seedsandoilyfish.Eatatleastthreemealseachdayand drinkplentyofwater.Trytolimithowmanyhighcaffeineorsugarydrinksyouhave.

LIMITTHEBOOZE

Ifyou’resittingGCSEsthenthisreallyshouldn’t applybutforifyou’re18+thenbecarefulnottorely onalcoholforaliftinmood.Youmightfeelabit moreateaseintheveryshortterm,buttheeffectis onlytemporaryandwhenthedrinkwearsoff,you feelworsebecauseofthewayalcoholwithdrawal symptomsaffectyourbrainandtherestofyourbody. Drinkingisnotagoodwaytomanagedifficult feelings.Occasionallightdrinkingisperfectlyhealthy andenjoyableformostpeoplebutstaywithinthe recommendedweeklyalcohollimits.

LISTIT

Don’tunderestimatethepowerofcreatingato-do list.Arrangethingsinorderofimportanceandtryto focusonthemosturgentfirst.Ifyourlistseems overwhelminganddifficulttostart,trybreaking everythingdownintoeasierchunks,andrememberto giveyourselfcreditforcompletingthem.Trynottodo toomuchatonce.Ifyoutakeontoomuch,itcanbe hardtocompleteanyindividualtaskwell,whichitself canbehighlystressful.

THEPOWEROFPOSITIVE

Allowyourselfsomepositivity.Taketimetothink aboutthegoodthingsinyourlife.Thinkaboutwhat wentwelltodayandtrytolistthreethingsyou’re thankfulfor.There’sadirectlinkbetweenhowwethink andhowwefeel.

SWITCHOFF

Giveyourselfsome‘metime’–there’sonlysomuch effectiverevisionyoucandoinoneday.Takeadeep breath…andrelax.Tryyogaormeditation,orjustputting yourfeetup.Listentoyourbody.Ifyou’rereallytired,give yourselftimetosleep.Withoutgoodsleepourmental healthsuffersandourconcentrationgoesdownhill.

HAVEFUN

Strongfamilytiesandsupportivefriendscanhelp youdealwiththestressesoflife.Theconstantstreamof newsandsocialmediaupdatesaboutthecrisisinthe MiddleEastcanbeanxiety-inducing,somaketimeto catchupwithfriendstojusthavefunanddiscussother thingslikefilms,books,hobbies,etc.

UNLEASHTHEFEELINGS

Talkingaboutyourfeelingscanhelpyoustayingood mentalhealthanddealwithtimeswhenyoufeel troubled.Talkingthiswayisn’tasignofweakness.It’s partoftakingchargeofyourwellbeinganddoingwhat youcantostayhealthy.

ASKFORHELP

Noneofusissuperhuman.Weallsometimesget tiredoroverwhelmedbyhowwefeelorwhenthingsgo wrong.Ifyoufeelyoucan’tcope,askforhelp.Your familyorfriendsmaybeabletoofferpracticalhelpora listeningear. ■

INTHE SWIM

SUMMER’SCOMING,ANDWITH THESUNSHINECOMESSWIMWEAR SHOPPING.LOVEITORHATEIT, IT’SBESTNOTTOPUTITOFF

SIGNATURE

ZIGZAG

Audreybikini £75,LolaBaia

MissoniRaschelchevron knitbikini£410,Selfridges

TOPTIE

DYE

Orangetexturedbikini

top£19.99andbottoms £14.99,NewLook

CHIC

CHEVRON

Goldchevronbikinibottoms £10andtop£14,F&F

YITSY

BITSY

Rivierabikini£75LolaBaia

oumightthinkyou’vebetterthingstodo withyourtimethanshopforswimwear, howeverifyoudevoteabitofeffortnow, you’llthankuscomesummer.Panicbuying swimwearisneveragoodidea,sowe’vetrawledthe railstomaketheprocesseasierandcalmer.We’ve pulledtogetheraselectionofbrilliantoptions rangingfrom£10to£450togetyouinthemood. Youcanspendalotofmoneyonswimwearandin somerespects,yougetwhatyoupayfor.Thecutand fabricwillbesuperior,moresupportiveandlong lasting,soifyou’relookingtospendinthehundreds, thechoiceisincredible.Beautifulprintsat Zimmerman,flatteringsilhouettesatMelissa Odabash,signaturechevronsatMissoni,theoriginal crinkleatHunzaGandapunchycollaboration betweenLoeweandPaula’sIbizaarealltopofthe treeattheluxuryendofthemarket.Wheninvesting likethis,lookafteryourswimmers–neverputthem inthewashingmachineandavoidbeingslapdash

BLACK ISBACK

PALM PRINT

Reversiblesunsetpalmprint swimsuit£66,CurvyKate

CHANGE YOURSPOTS

MelissaOdabash Mauritiuscheetah printswimsuit£260, HarveyNichols

BE SQUARE

HunzaGsquare neckswimsuit £175,Selfridges

CHECK MATE

Lilabetsmocked swimsuit£70, DamsonMadder

BELT UP

Floralbelted swimsuit£32,Very

COOL COVERUP

Bikinitop£14and trousers£30,M&S HIDDEN SUPPORT

Darkbrownunderwired swimsuit£30.99,NewLook

withthesunscreentominimisestaining. Ifyouwanttoinvestlessyetstillfeel greatonthebeachyou’veplentyofoptions too,justacceptyoumightnotbewheeling outyourswimwearyearafteryear.New Look’sdesignershavedoneagreatjobthis season–thewholerangeisappealing whetheryou’relookingforabikiniora one-piece.Onthehighstreet,M&Sand F&Farealsowellworthalookwhile DamsonMadderandlocalbrandLola Baiaareexcellingtoo.

Theoneruletosticktoistrybefore youbuy.We’vebangedthisdrumbefore butit’sahillwe’repreparedtodieon. Whetheryou’retryingonaselectionin thefittingroomororderingafew examplestotryathome,makesureyou puttheswimmersthroughtheirpaces. Walkaround,sitdown,liedown,jumpup anddownandcheckeverythingstaysput andcomfortable.Noonelookscoolselfconsciouslyfidgeting,soensurethefitis spotonformaximumcomfortand confidence. ■

SPAGHETTI STRAPS

MondaySausalitocrinkle spaghettistrapswimsuit £135,Selfridges

HALTER NECK

Shapeenhancingruched swimsuit£28,Very

MAGIC MINT

Mykonoscrinkle swimsuit£22.50,F&F

TERRIFIC TANKINI

Malibutankinitop

£35,JoeBrowns

HIGH STYLE

ZimmermanWanderlustprinted swimsuit£350,Selfridges

BEAUTYUPDATE

THISMONTH,WEBRINGYOUAHANDFULOF NEWBIESANDAGOLDENOLDIEWE’VE SUCCESSFULLYREVISITED

1.SWEEDGLASSSKINFOUNDATION, £38–M&S

Thisisaslightweightastheycome,creatingafreshluminous complexionthatlooksmake-upfree.It’ssimilarintexturetoour favouriteLisaEldridgeskintintbutabitlighteronthepocketand thankstovitaminE,seaweedandenergisingseawaterithelps hydrateandprotectskin.

2.FACEGLOWHYDRATINGTANNINGMIST, £19.99–SUPERDRUG

Asfansofasubtletanningdropthisfeltabitdaunting,butit turnedouttobesimple.It’sbuildablesowestartedveryslowlyjust incasethingsgotoutofhand.Afterafewdaysofaquickspritzwe achievedthesubtleglowwewereafter.Ifyoupreferadarkercolour bemoreheavy-handed–itwouldbedifficulttogetitwrong.

3.PRECISIONCOLOURWAND £12–JOSHWOOD

Aneasytousewandthataddsabitofcolour(inthisinstancedark brown)toroots,whichweverymuchneeded,andeyebrows.It’s compactandeasytoslipintoyourhandbagforon-the-go retouching.It’salsogoodforbeardssoifyou’reafella,getinon theaction.

4.SUPERFACIALISTVITAMINC+BRIGHTEN CLEANSINGOIL,£14–BOOTS

We’verevisitedthisafterabreakandwecan’tforthelifeofus rememberwhywestoppedusingit.It’spackedfullofgoodiesto feedyourskin,meltsawaymake-upwithoutanyharshscrubbing andleavesyourskinfeelingdewyandnourished.It’salsoa bargain.

5.REHABSHAMPOOMILKANDCONDITIONER, £20EACH–REHAB

Thishydratingduopacksapunchintermsofeffectivecleansing withoutstrippingmoisturefollowedbystrengtheningand enrichingwitharganoilandsheabutterforahealthyshine.Hair feltsofterandsilkysoftfromthefirstuse.

1

2

3

5

4

THETHIGH’S THELIMIT

LEGDAY

Swimshortsand shirtfromVery

Retroswimmers,orspecificallytheshorter lengthofretroswimmersaredominating thestoresthissummerwithafive-inch inseamorshorterprovidingtheideal2026look. Certainly,anythinglongerthanmid-thighisout, soleaveyourbillowyboardshortsathome!

We’vepulledtogetheraselectionofexamplesat varyingpricepointsrangingfrom£20toa whopping£630atTomFordtogiveyouaflavour. Therearetwoopposinglookstocontemplate. ThefirstisadistincttailoredvibeofwhichReiss, CheandOrlebarBrownareexcellingatand secondly,morefluidformsatRalphLauren,All SaintsandM&S.Ifcomfortisking,adrawstring isyourfriendbutifyou’relookingforsomething that’lltakeyoueffortlesslyfrombeachto restaurant,youcan’tbeatthestructureofamore tailoredversion.

Wesuspectapairofeachstylewouldserveyou wellonholidaytosuityourmoodonagivenday. Asalwaystrybeforeyoubuy,particularlyifyou’re investingheavily. ■

CLASSICNAVY

PoloRalphLaurenshellswim short£89,HarveyNichols

CLASSACT

Sunsideadjusterswim shorts£68,Reiss

LOGOAPPLIQUE

Wovenswimshorts £180,AmiParis

INVESTMENTPIECE

Polkadotprintswim shorts£630,TomFord

SHORTSHORTS

CheBallernylonswim shorts£135,HarveyNichols

TOPPICK

Lucenaprinted swimshorts £135,Che

THINKPINK

OrlebarBrown Bulldogseersucker stripeswimshorts £245,Selfridges

BOLDPRINT

Aztecswimshorts

£20,JoeBrowns

HIGHSTREET

Autographswim shorts£40,M&S

ANIMALMAGIC Silesialeopardprintswim shorts£69,AllSaints

HOMESliving

THEGREAT OUTDOORS

GETTINGBACKTONATURECANDOWONDERSFORTHESOULANDWHILE CAMPINGMIGHTNOTBEARELAXINGEXPERIENCE,ITCANBEALOTOFFUN PROVIDEDYOUHAVETHERIGHTKITANDAPOSITIVEOUTLOOK...

Campingisawinnerforalotofreasons.It allowsyoutoexplorethegreatoutdoors connectingwithnatureandthedomestic landscape.It’saholidaythatrequiresclosenesswith yourfellowcampmatesthatcements(ornot!) relationships/friendships.It’sprobablythemost reasonablypricedholidayyoucantakethissummer –evenaftertakingintoaccountthegearyoumight needifyou’reafirst-timecamper.Andlastbutnot least,itkeepsyourcarbonfootprintdown!

Acrowdisbest–manyhandsmakelightworkand allthat!Ifyou’recampingwithkids,themorethe merrierisagoodmotto.They’llbemuchmore entertainedbyoneanotherwhichtakesthepressure offparents.

Tryandpickacampingspotthatdoesn’trequire gettingintoacarwhenyoufancygoingoutfor dinner.Asitewithinwalkingorcyclingdistanceofa goodpubandabeachisideal.Ifyou’restayingput foraprolongedperiod,makeyourpitchhomely. Solarfestoonlightswrappedaroundthetentropes willaddawelcomeglowafterdark.

Ifyouliketheideaofgettingbacktonature,but wanttolimitthehassle,lookatglampingwhichis essentiallyareadymadecampingtrip.Thecostis significantlyhigherthanstandardcampingandyou don’tgetthesamefeelingofmuckinginand surviving,butyoudogetamorechilledholiday. ■

BubblefromCuckooland

HAPPYCAMPING

Here’sabasicchecklistofthingsthat’llmake yourtripeasier.

■ Adecenttentthatcanwithstandtorrentialrain andhasenoughventilationtokeepitcool.

■ Qualitybeds,preferablyraisedofftheground toavoidgettingcoldand/orwet.

■ Sleepingbags,pillowsandspareblankets.

■ Agoodtorchwithsparebatteriesanda headlamp.

■ Waterproofclothesandwellies.

■ Clothespegs.

■ Asturdyfoldablepicnictable.

■ Foldablechairs.

■ Gasstove,cookingequipmentand plates/cutlery,etc.

■ Food,drinkandcoolboxes.

■ Campingtrolley.

■ Games.

■ Universalportablecharger.

■ Bluetoothspeaker.

■ Insectrepellent.

■ Sunscreen.

■ Antihistamines.

■ Decentfirst-aidkit.

■ Corkscrew.

Threepersontent

LOVESEAT

Two-seatercamping chair£24, OnlineHomeShop

WELLFED

Decathlonstainless steelcampingcook set£40,Argos

TOUCHES FINISHING

STAYCOOL

YetiTundracoolbox£340, TheOrchard

TOBED

Slumbercamp bed£45, GoOutdoors

GLOWUP Lantern£5each,B&M

TAKETHELOAD

Foldablecamping trolley£40, OnlineHomeShop

GAMESNIGHT

Spikeballstandardthreeballkit £59.94,LightningSports

POPOFCOLOUR

VangoClassicInstant 300tent£160, Snow+Rock BREWUP Siliconekettle£47.50,Regatta

FromthePottingBench withAdam

ADAMKIRTLANDPICKSOUTHISTOPFIVEJOBSFOR GARDENERSINMAYWHICHWILLSETTHETONEFORA WONDERFULDISPLAYOFBRILLIANTBLOOMSANDCRACKING CROPOFVEGETABLESINTHEMONTHSAHEAD

Mayiswhenthegardenfindsitsrhythmand settlesconfidentlyintothegrowingseason. Bordersbegintolookgenerousandfull, vegetablebedsshowrealpromiseandthewholespace seemstohumwithlifefrommorninguntilevening. Thedaysarelonger,thesoiliswarmerandgardeners everywherearehappilyjugglingamixtureofplanting, tendingandquietlyadmiringtheresultsofearlierefforts. Maygardeningiswonderfullybusybutdeeplyrewarding, becausesomuchofwhatyoudonowsetsthetoneforthe colourful,productivemonthsahead.Herearefivewell-

timedMayjobstohelpyourgardenkeepthrivingasspring reachesitsmostcheerfulstride.

PlantOutWithConfidence

Mayisthemomentmanygardenershavebeenpatiently waitingfor,whentenderplantscanfinallymakethemove outdoors.Tomatoes,courgettes,beansandbeddingplants canallbeplantedoutoncetheriskoffrosthaspassed, ideallyafterashortperiodofhardeningoff.Chooseamild day,watergenerouslyandgiveeachplantalittlespaceto stretchintoitsnewsurroundings.Thereisacertain

satisfactioninseeingtraysandwindowsillsfinally clearasthegardenwelcomesitsnewestresidents.

KeepSowingforSuccession

Justbecauseplentyisalreadygrowingdoesnotmean thesowingshouldstop.Continuesowingquickcrops suchaslettuce,radishes,beetrootandcarrotsatregular intervalstoensureasteadysupplythroughsummer. Thesesmall,repeatedsowingsarethesecrettokeeping harvestscomingratherthanarrivingallatonceina slightlyoverwhelmingrush.Afewminuteswithaseed

packetnowoftenleadstoweeksofquietsatisfactionlater.

WaterWisely

Astemperaturesclimbandplantsbegingrowingmore vigorously,wateringbecomesincreasinglyimportant.Aim towaterdeeplyandlessfrequentlysorootsare encouragedtogrowdownwardsratherthanlingering nearthesurface.Earlymorningoreveningisusuallythe besttime,allowingmoisturetosoakinproperlybeforethe warmthofthedaytakeshold.Alittleconsistencygoesa longway,andplantsrespondquicklytothoughtfulcare.

SupportGrowingPlants

Climbingvegetables,tallperennialsand enthusiasticflowerswillbestretchingskywardwith impressivedeterminationthismonth.Checksupports, addextratieswhereneededandguidestemsgentlyin thedirectionyouwouldlikethemtogrow.Doingthis regularlykeepsplantsupright,tidyandfarlesslikely tocollapseinadramatictanglelateron.Itisoneof thosequietjobsthatpaysoffhandsomelyonce everythingreachesfullheight.

EnjoytheFirstRewards

Mayoftenbringsthefirstrealharvestsoftheyear, whetheritisfreshsaladleaves,tenderherbsorthe earlieststrawberriesappearingamongthefoliage. Takeamomenttoappreciatethesesmallbut satisfyingrewards,becausetheyaretheclearest reminderofwhywespendsomuchtimesowing, wateringandoccasionallynegotiatingwithslugs. Gardeningmayinvolvepatience,butitalsooffers plentyofdeliciousencouragementalongtheway.

Mayisgenerous,livelyandwonderfullyoptimistic, invitinggardenerstostayoutsidejustalittlelongereach evening.Bykeepingupwiththeplanting,tendingand gentlemaintenancethatthismonthencourages,you helpyourgardenmovesmoothlytowardsummer.After all,thisisthestagewheretheeffortofearlyspring beginstoshowitsrewardsandthegardenstarts returningyourenthusiasminfullcolour. ■

YoucanfollowAdamonInstagram @viewfromthepottingbenchorlistentohispodcast TalesFromthePottingBenchformoregardening inspiration.YoucanalsoreadAdam’sblogat viewfromthepottingbench.com

ALEXANDERHOGG

Actingsincehewasan11-year-oldinshows suchasBrassedOffattheWolverhampton GrandandalongstintonNativity!,the unstoppableAlexanderHogghasnowwrittena four-partdramapodcastseries,ForKingand Country.Andhe’sstillonly19!

Whenyouconjureupimagesofachildstar, you’renotimaginingAlexander.There’snoegoor entitlement,justadesiretodogreatwork,all whilestudyingforadegreeinMusicalTheatreat theUniversityofChichesterConservatoire.For KingandCountryisacomedydramaabouta groupoffriendsfromtheMidlandswho inadvertentlysignupforNationalServiceand exploreshowtheycope.

Astoryoffriendship,familyandrelationships, theserieshasbeenarealcommunityeffort.It wasrecordedattheMushroomStudiosin Birminghamwithanentirelylocalteam. Alexandersays:“Championingmybeloved homeandbringingpeopletogetherbyusingmy charactersissomethingI’vetriedtodo throughouttheseriesandIhopeitfeelslikea warmhugtopeopleacrosstheMidlandsand furtherafield.”

JUGGLINGACT

Alexanderfeelsit’simportanttotellstories throughagenuinelocalMidlandslensasitcan feellikewesometimesgetleftbehindinthe media.Hesays:“Havingworkedverycloselywith iconicMidlands-basedwriterssuchasBAFTA andinternationalEmmywinnerDebbieIsitt (Nativity!)andOscarwinnerRachelShenton(All CreaturesGreatandSmall),I’vehadachanceto learnfromthebest.”Balancingwriting,acting andstudyingisajugglethatAlexanderislearning howtomanage.Universitylecturersare supportiveandifAlexanderneedstimetoworkon ajob,theygivehimthatflexibility.It’soldhatfor Alexanderashewasbalancingschoolwith performingthroughouthisthreeyearson Nativity!

Wealwaysimaginechildactorstocomefrom thespianparentsbutnotsoforAlexander.Hesays hisparentswereencouragingbutnotfromthat world.Heusedtoputonlittleshowsforthemat homeandeventuallyhisparentsfoundasuitable actingclassandanagent.Sparkedbyan advertisementinanewspaperpromoting auditionsforBrassedOffatWolverhampton Grand,Alexanderwentalongandgotthepart. Hesays:“Everythingsnowballedfromthere.I thentouredtheUKwithNativity!Iwasoneof theoriginalcastandtouredwiththemforthree years.Itgavemealotofconfidence.”Muchof Nativity!wasimprovisedbutAlexandersaysthat’s onlypossibleifyoureallyknowyourcharacter.

Alexander’sheroesarelargelycomedy performers/writerslikeMirandaHart,ScottPaige andOscarConlon-MorreyaswellasDavidJason andRonnieBarkerwhowerealwaysonthetelly athisgrandad’shouse.Hesays:“Theymakeit lookoff-the-cuff,butactuallyitismeticulously planned.Theprecisionisimpressive.”

ANYTHING’SPOSSIBLE

Likemanypeople,thepandemicgaveAlexander thespaceandtimetothinkaboutwhathewanted. Hesays:“I’djustfinishedNativity!andtheworld shutdown.Therewerenotheatrestoperformin. ThroughmyagentIdidsomescreenwork–I remembershootingacommercialinBelgiumbut Covidalsoallowedmetofocusonwriting.Ihad thetime.”GoingforwardAlexanderwouldloveto balanceactingandwritingenablinghimtotake controlofhisowncareer.

Hesays:“Idon’twanttobeputinabox.Iwant todrivethenarrative.Peopleinpowercansayyes ornoattheflipofaswitch,soI’dliketotake control.Anything’spossible.”

LISTENUP

CheckoutAlexander’spodcastseries,ForKingandCountry athttps://linktr.ee/forkingandcountrypodcast

BirminghamRephasannouncedtheeightyoungpeople whowillbethefirstparticipantsinitsnewRepStudio8 programme,offeringtrainingandexperiencetobuild careersinthetheatreindustry.MaisieBritton,Reece CameronFielding,VictorADaniels,LerissaDoré,Samuel GoldAkanbi,QuennieLim,LorettaThompsonand KevvaunaWelshwillbenefitfromworkshops, masterclasseswithleadingindustryprofessionalsand performanceopportunities–includingperforminginThe RedShoesaspartoftheRepRisingsummerfestival,and TwelfthNightaspartofaTheatreinEducation(TiE)tour. ProgrammefundinghascomefromtheJABBSFoundation.

WELCOMINGWOLVESWOMEN

StudentsfromtheUniversityofWolverhamptonstepped behindthescenesatWolvesWomen,gainingfirst-hand experienceinsportsmedia,playerengagementand professionalcommunication.Thevisitofferedvaluable exposuretoelitewomen’sfootballandthechanceto developreal-worldportfoliocontent.Students interviewedplayersandmanagerDanMcNamaraand werehostedbymembersoftheclub’smediaand marketingteam,enablingthemtodeepentheir understandingofmatchdayoperationsandtherolesthat supportaprofessionalwomen’sfootballenvironment.

SCHOOL REPORT

PEACOCKINTHEJQ

TheJewelleryQuarterAcademywelcomed CeremonialsMinisterStephaniePeacockas pupilstookpartintheNationalTheatre’sthe NextMorningschoolsprogramme.Forming partofthegovernment’scelebrationsto commemoratethe80thanniversaryoftheend oftheSecondWorldWar,theprogrammelooks athowmemoriesofthewararepasseddown throughgenerations.Year7,8and9pupilswere joinedbytheministerastheyexploredthemes ofidentity,legacy,resilienceandcommunity. Theyalsowrotelettersofhopeandaspiration abouttheworldtheywanttobuild.

KEEPONSTRUMMING

AcommunitymusicworkshophostedbyGuitariaMusicTuitionbroughttogether aspiringguitarists,familiesandmusicenthusiastsforanafternoonoflive performancesinAldridge.Theeventattractedmorethan65attendeesand showcasedperformancesfromstudentsofallagesandabilities.Organisedby localguitartutorDavidLycett,theworkshopisoneofseveralperformance sessionsheldeachyeartohelpstudentsdevelopconfidenceandrealstage experience.Theylearnpracticaltechniquesforpreparingforaperformance, managingnervesanddevelopingapositivemindsetbeforesteppingonstage.

ImagebyKrisAskew

RECOGNISINGHIDDENHEROES

REFLECTING ONSAFETY

YoungcarersfromSummit LearningTrustschoolscame togetherforaspecialevent recognisingtheir dedication,resilienceand contributiontotheir familiesandcommunities. HostedbyNinestiles,an Academy,theeventbrought togethermorethan140 youngcarersfromacrosstheTrust’snineschools.ThedaybeganwithafuntriptoAcocks GreenBowlingCentre,followedbyacelebratorygatheringintheschoolhall,lunchanda light-heartedquiz.AshortspeechwasdeliveredbyDougWrightMBEDLfromWest MidlandsLieutenancy,alongsideVinceGreen,CEOofSummitLearningTrust.

IMMERSIVEINSPIRATION

StudentsatSolihullCollege&UniversityCentre’s WoodlandsCampusatSmithsWoodenjoyedthe benefitsof360-degreesimulationsthankstoanew state-of-the-artimmersiveclassroom.Theroomallows studentstoenterenvironmentstheywouldn’t typicallygetthechancetoexperience,includinga virtualcarmanufacturingfacilitywhichallows interactionwithrobotarms.Assistantprincipalfor STEM,JohnDuffysaid:“Anothergoodexampleisa hospitalward.Youcansimulateapatientlyingin bed.Thelearnerscaninteractwiththemachinesand takereadingsandmakedecisionsinreal-time.”

PupilsatAllesleyPrimary School,Coventryreceiveda donationofreflectivebag tagsfromBarrattHomesto helpthemgettoandfrom schoolsafelyduringtheBig WalkandWheellast month.Thehousebuilder gavetheschool100hi-vis tagsforpupilstousewhile walking,cyclingorscooting downbusystreets,ensuring theycanbeeasilyseenon theroads.TheBigWalkand Wheelisorganisedeach yearbytheWalkWheel CycleTrustandinspires pupilstomakeactive journeystoschoolto improveairqualityintheir neighbourhood.

CAMERACALL: JournalismstudentMalaikaKhaninterviewsWolvesWomendefenderBethRoberts

TOPTIERTENNIS

WITHSUMMERANDTHETENNISSEASONAPPROACHING,WESPOKEWITHBRETT MCLENNAN,HEADCOACHATTHELTAREGIONALPLAYERDEVELOPMENTCENTRE ATEDGBASTONPRIORYCLUB,TOFINDOUTHOWTHEELITEPROGRAMMEAND FACILITIESAREPRODUCINGSOMEOFTHEBESTYOUNGTALENTINTHECOUNTRY

EdgbastonPrioryClubishometooneof15 RegionalPlayerDevelopmentCentres (RPDC)intheUK–aselective performance-basedprogrammethat’sintenseand drivessuccesswhateverthatlookslike.Whilethe dreamistogeteverychildtoWimbledon,it’smore roundedthanthat.Forsomeplayersitmightbe preparingthemforinternationalcompetitionatthe highestlevel,helpingthemprogresstothenational academyinLoughboroughoritmightbewinninga lucrativescholarshiptoatoptennisuniversityinthe US.Othersmightendupcarvingoutacareerin tennisoutsideofplaying.

Assumingnotallyoungtennisplayers‘makeit’, keepingthemengagedwiththesportforlifeisalso awin.Brettcomparestenniswiththestatisticsfor youngfootballplayers.Hesays:“Only0.013per centofkidsbecomePremierLeagueplayersand tennisisprobablyaboutthesame.”

Tennisisanearlyspecialisationsportandthere’sa

teamofnationalcoachesineachregionscouting playersagedbetweensevenandnineyears.Someare theninvitedtoregionalcamps.Oncetheirnameis addedtotheLTANationalLonglistmadeupof approximately250childrencountrywide,theycan registertheirinterestwithaRPDCandattendatypeof opendayandtrialsituationtocheckit’srightforthem andtheclub.

ThechildrenatRPDClevelareagedbetween10 and14,sothemorelocalthebetterasmanagingschool withintensetrainingcanbetricky,particularlyifyou throwintravellingtimetoo.Brettsays:“Wedraw mainlyfromtheMidlands–certainlywithindriving distance.WehavetheBushsisters(LeahandTegan) whotravelfromNorthamptonwhichisprobablythe furthestdistance.They’recurrentlyrepresentingGB.” It’sademandingfull-timeprogrammeeverydaybefore andafterschoolwithchildrenlookingatdropping non-coresubjectstoclawbackmoretimefortennis,so it’sahugecommitment.

ACEINTHEPACK: Brettislookingtofindanddevelopthe nextgenerationoftennistalentasheadcoachoftheLTA centreatEdgbastonPrioryClub

TheexperienceofferedatEdgbastonPrioryClub isrounded,soaswellasfourtofivehoursof strengthandconditioningteamedwithtechnical andtacticaltraining,there’salsoadedicatedmental skillsprogramme.Learninghowtouseyourmind andcontrolemotionsbuildinginnerdriveand crucially,resilienceiskey.

Brettsays:“Therearehighexpectations.The systemsellsadreamveryearlyintennis.Everybody developsatadifferentrate,sokidscanbethesame agebutbiologicallytheremightbetwoorthreeyears difference.”Bythetimeplayersmoveonfrom RPDCaged14they’restartingtomaturephysically andaredevelopingadultbodies.

TheRPDCislikeaprogrammewithina programmeatEdgbaston.It’sLTAfundedandsits withinabroaderpathwayattheclub.Thehomegrownperformanceelementandacademyis extensivewithanumberofpromisingjuniors comingthroughtheranks.Forinstance,theclub’s

minitennisprogrammeisforaspirationalplayers agedbetweensixand10whohavebeeninvitedto LTAregionaltenniscampsandarestrivingtomake theLTA’sLonglist.

Midlandstennisusedtobethestrongestregionin theUK,butit’srecentlyslippedbelowtheSouth EastbeltjustoutsideLondon.Brett’skeentochange thatandreclaimthetopspot.Hesaysit’sanecosystemanditwillonlyhappenifeveryoneplays theirpartinbuildingthefoundationsand encouragingcoachestodriveperformanceforward.

INCLUSIVITY

There’snogettingawaythattennisisstillperceived asamiddle-classsport,soaccessibilityandinclusivity isalsohighontheagenda.EdgbastonPrioryClub goesintoawiderangeofschoolstoencourage participation,andBrettsaystherearetimeswhen coachingcanbeasbasicassettingupsometapedown themiddleofanetballcourtandencouraging30kids tojustgetexcitedabouthittingaball.

Youneverknowwhomightbeinspiredtoprogress withthesportbutaswellasnurturingthenextbig stars,Brettwantsyoungsterstohaveapositivefirst experienceofthesportandbreakdownbarriers. ■

TEAMEPC

CheckoutthetennisprogrammesatEdgbastonPrioryatedgbastonpriory.com

FLYINGFIRST

SunriseMedical,aglobalmobilityaid manufacturerbasedinBrierleyHill,ishelping launchanewprogrammedesignedtomake flyingeasierforpeoplewhotravelwithbatterypoweredmobilityaids.TheFlierFriendly ProgrammedevelopedbyAviationServices UK(ASUK)–thetradeassociationrepresenting groundservicesproviders–aimstoprovide clearerguidanceforpassengersandreduce uncertaintyattheairport.Aspartofthe programme,ASUKandSunriseMedicalunveiled theEMAAirTravelPack,whichprovides practicaltoolstohelppassengerspreparein advancewithairlines.

BUSINESS

DREAM-MAKERSAT25

PromiseDreams,theMidlandscharity helpinggrantthewishesofseriously orterminallyillchildrenthanksto donationsfrombusinesses, individualsandfamilies,willhostits 25thanniversarycharityballon6 NovemberattheGrandStation, Wolverhampton.Thecharityhas deliveredmorethan1,900dreamsto date,withatargetofreachingover 2,000dreamsbytheendofthisyear. Ithasraisedinexcessof£5millionto supportchildrenandfamilieswhentheyneeditmost.Forticketsandmoredetails, contactPromiseDreamson01902212451ornikki@promisedreams.co.uk

AREALFAMILYGEM

SENIORSERVICE

LawfirmmfgSolicitorshas bolstereditscommercial litigationdepartmentwiththe appointmentofanewsenior associate.Commercialandcivil litigationspecialistIan Sheppardhasjoinedthefirm’s Birminghamoffice,working withpartnerandheadof department,SamPedley.Ian waspreviouslywithSydneyMitchellandwilladviseclientsoncommercialandcivil litigationmatters,includingshareholderanddirectordisputes,professional negligenceclaims,contractandbankingdisputes,andcourtinjunctions.

Afamily-runbusinesscelebrates40years ofcraftinghandmadejewelleryin Warwickshirethissummer.Foundedin themid-1980’s,JohnGarland-Taylor Jewellerystillmakeseverypieceusing traditionalmetalworkingtechniques. MastercraftsmanJohnbeganrestoring historicarmourforthelikesofWarwick CastleandtheNationalTrustbefore turninghisskillstojewellery.Today,he worksalongsidehissonDavidwho representsthesecondgenerationofthe business.Theworkshopoffersvisitorsa first-handexperienceofseeingjewellery beingmade–allusingmetalssourced fromBirmingham’sJewelleryQuarter.

ENDURANCETEST

AteamofstafffromEdgbastonPrioryClubtookon theultimatetestofendurancebytakingpartinthe5k and10kWolfRun,inaidofMind.TheWolfRunisa gruellingobstaclecoursethatcombinesmudruns, openwaterswimmingandchallengingterrain, pushingparticipantsbothphysicallyandmentally.The challengewaspartoftheclub’swiderfund-raising effortsforthecharitythatprovidesessentialsupport, adviceandadvocacyforpeopleexperiencingmental healthproblemsacrossthecountry.

CUTABOVE

TEAMINGUPFORARTISTS

BirminghamHippodromeandMidlandsartistdevelopmentorganisationInGood Companyhaveannouncedapartnershiptostrengthensupportforartists.The HippodromejoinsanestablishedconsortiumofpartnerorganisationsincludingDerby Theatre,NottinghamPlayhouse,Royal&Derngate,LincolnArtsCentreand YTheatreLeicester.SophiaGriffin,pictured,headofnewworkandartistdevelopment attheHippodromesaid:“ThisgreatlysupportstheHippodrome’saimsinraisingthe profileofMidlands-madeworkandchampioningartistsatallstagesoftheircareer.”

TwohairstylistsarecelebratingtheopeningoftheirnewboutiquesalonatTwo SnowHill.Bringingtogethermorethan40yearsofcombinedexperiencein high-endsalons,HarveyKhelaandMartinPalmerhavelaunchedHarveyMartin HairRoom.Knownforhisbespokecutting,Martinhasstyledroyalty,celebrities andmodelsacrossarangeoffashionandeditorialevents,whileHarveyhasbuilt areputationasahighlysought-afterstylistandcurlyhairspecialist.

RAJ’SLEADING

INSPIRINGASPIRE

Theclueisinthename.WhenNatalkaHunka foundedAspireHRandTrainingConsultantsin HockleyHeathayearago,shesayssheaimed to“makeHRsupportpractical,accessible,and human.”Nowcelebratingitsfirstanniversary, Aspirehasanationalawardtoitsname–and planstobuildonitsearlysuccess.Natalka creditsthebusiness’snewestrecruit,daughter Caitlin,whohasbattledachronichealth condition,withgivingherthebiggestdriveto succeed.AndtheAspireteamisgrowingwith newstaffadditions,allaimedathelpingSMEs withcomprehensiveoutsourcedHRservices.

GreaterBirminghamChambersofCommercehasstrengtheneditsseniorleadershipteam withthepermanentappointmentofRajKandolaasdeputyCEO.Raj,wholeadsthe Chamber’sexternalaffairsactivity,takesontherolefollowingasuccessfulyearco-leading theorganisationalongsidechieffinancialofficerHelenBates,duringchiefexecutive HenriettaBrealey’smaternityleave.Raj’sappointmentprovidescontinuityandmomentum asGBCCentersitsnextphaseofgrowthandexpandedsupportforlocalbusinesses.

TOPTEAM: HenriettaBrealeyandRajKandola

PictureJanusPhotography/EverybodySmilePhotography

HIGHSHERIFFCARMEN

CarmenWatsonwasdeclaredtheHighSheriffoftheCountyoftheWest MidlandsduringaspecialceremonyatQueenElizabethLawCourts, Birmingham.TheroleisoneoftheoldestsecularofficesintheUK,representingtheCrown’sinterestsinthe administrationofjusticeacrossthecounty.Carmen,fromWolverhampton,isoneoftheregion’smost influentialbusinessleadershavingspentherentirecareerwithPertempsNetworkGroup,risingfroman entry-levelroleinthe1970’stochairoftheUK’slargestindependentlyownedrecruitmentbusiness.

JIM’SAHERO!

BlackSabbath’sfirstmanagerwasawardedtheUnsungHero trophyattheprestigiousUKBluesAwards.JimSimpson managedOzzyOsbourneandTonyIommi’soriginalBlues bandcalledEarthin1969,relaunchingthemasBlackSabbath astheymovedintoheavymetal,andarrangingthereleaseof theirlegendaryalbumsBlackSabbathandParanoidin1970. HelostcontrolofBlackSabbathshortlyafterwards,butmore than55yearslaterJimisstillubiquitousontheMidlands’ musicscenewithhisBigBearMusiccompany.

SUITEOPENS

Amajorboosthasbeengiventodiagnosticservicesin BirminghamandtheWestMidlandswiththeopening ofanewMRIsuiteforprivateandNHSpatients. PracticePlusGroupHospital,Birmingham,known locallyastheEdgbastonHospital,unveiledthestateof-the-artfacility,whichstrengthensthehospital’s commitmenttoofferinghighquality,convenientdiagnosticimaging.Thedevelopmentenhances PracticePlusGroup’sgrowingdiagnosticcapabilityacrossits12hospitalsnationwide.

CLINICCHECKSIN

TheMoleClinic,theindependentskin-cancerscreeningandmole-check provider,hasopenedanewclinicinHarborneRoad,Edgbaston.Thelaunch reflectsgrowingdemandforrapidaccesstospecialistskinassessment, bringingexpert-ledservicestopatientsacrossBirminghamandtheWest Midlands.Skincancerisoneofthefastest-increasingcancers,withmelanoma incidencerisingsignificantlyoverthepastdecade.ClinicCEOAnnieMeharg said:“Wewantskincheckstobecomeanormalpartofpreventative healthcare,justlikedentaloreyeappointments.”

BUSINESS BITES

BULLRINGBEAUTY

ItalianbeautybrandKIKOMilanohas reopeneditsrevampedBirmingham BullringStorewitharefreshedlayout, updatedfixtures,andafocuson accessibilityanddiscovery.Thereopening coincidedwiththelaunchofthebrand’s newLoveFusioncollection,promotedby modelandactressEmilyRatajkowski.

MUSEUMCASH

BirminghamMuseumshasbeenawarded agrantof£183,000fromthe DCMS/WolfsonMuseumsandGalleries ImprovementFund.Themoneywillto supportagallerydevelopmentprojectat BirminghamMuseum&ArtGalleryto bringmoreofthecity’sdiversecollections backonpublicdisplay.

INTHECHAIR

Agrouprepresentingbusinessesinnorth Warwickshirehasanewleader.Lindsey Randle,MIRATechnologyPark’s communityrelationshipcoordinator,has takenontheroleofchairofCoventry andWarwickshireChamberof Commerce’sNorthWarwickshireLocal BusinessForum.

BUILDINGFUTUREEDGBASTON

EdgbastonStadiumhasappointedSisktoconstructthe nextstageofits£46milliondevelopment.Theproject, backedinpartbya£17.3millioninvestmentfromthe WestMidlandsCombinedAuthority,willseetheRaglan andPrioryStandsredevelopedintoanew3,200-seater standdeliveringimprovedspectatorfacilities,andanew four-starRadissonREDhotelcompletewithhospitality boxesandpitch-facingrooms.Thenewhotel developmentwillincreaseEdgbaston’slocalcommunity contributionto£40million-a-year,risingtomorethan £70millioninaCricketWorldCupyear.

REGINA’SCELEBRATES FIRSTANNIVERSARY Finediningandliveentertainment

atbarandrestaurant’sspecialevent

Regina’sBar&Restaurantmarkeditsfirstanniversary withaneleganteveningoffinedining,celebrationand liveentertainment.Theeveningincludedaspecial five-courseAnniversaryTastingMenucreatedexclusivelyfor theoccasionbychefMichaelEdgar(seeChef’sCorner,page 18)whohasreturnedtoBirminghamtobeginanexcitingnew chapterinhiscareer. ■

WHAT’SONliving

WHAT: SpaceStationEarth

WHEN: 5June

WHERE: TownHall, bmusic.co.uk

Seethroughtheeyesofan astronaut.Thisliveconcertby composerIlanEshkeriexplores howseeingEarthfromspace reshapeshumanperspective.

WHAT: TheStreets

WHEN: 6June

WHERE: O2AcademyBirmingham, academymusicgroup.com ThistourmarksthefirsttimeTheStreets willperformtheirhitalbum,AGrand Don’tComeForFreeinitsentirety, givingfansachancetoexperience thefullstoryexactlyasitwasintended.

WHAT: LesMisérables:TheArenaConcertSpectacular WHEN: 11to14June

WHERE: UtilitaArena,utilitaarenabham.co.uk

Withmorethanonemillionticketssoldacross27citiesand counting,thisground-breakingproductioncontinuestobreakbox officerecords.Featuringanextraordinarynewdesignspecifically createdforlargervenuesandbringingCameronMackintosh’s productiontolifeonanever-before-seenscale.

WHAT: TheSimon&GarfunkelStory

WHEN: 21May

WHERE: BelgradeTheatre,belgrade.co.uk

Usinghugeprojectionphotosandoriginal filmfootage,thisinternationalhitshowtells thestoryoftheoriginsandmeteoricriseof Simon&Garfunkelwithafullliveband performingallthehits.

WHAT: TheCatintheHat

WHEN: 31May

WHERE: MACBirmingham, macbirmingham.co.uk

Experiencethemischiefwiththe acclaimedstageadaptationofthe DrSeussclassic.Withthetrickiestof tricksandcraziestofideas,TheCat intheHatturnsarainyafternoonintoanamazingadventure.

WHAT: ABBAPartywithStrictlyAbba WHEN: 6June

WHERE: NailcoteHall,nailcotehall.co.uk

Thiscrackingmusicalduoactbringsthe legendarysoundsoftheSwedishsupergroup tolifewiththeirstunningrenditionsofthe band’sbiggesthits.Apropernightout!

WHAT: AnEveningwith

SirDavidJason

WHEN: 18June

WHERE: BirminghamHippodrome, birminghamhippodrome.com

FromOnlyFoolsandHorses,OpenAll Hours,theDarlingBudsofMay,A TouchofFrostandmanymore,David sharesrareclips,behind–the–scenes secretsandthemomentsthatshaped hiscareerinthisextranight,addeddue topopulardemand.

WHAT: StrictlyComeDancing: TheProfessionals

WHEN: 15and16May

WHERE: SymphonyHall, bmusic.co.uk

Take10world-classprofessional dancersfromthehitTVseries,a sensationallivebandand powerhousevocalists.Addshowstoppingchoreography,dazzling costumesandastunningset.Strictly ComeDancing:TheProfessionalsis back–bigger,bolderandmore breath-takingthanever!

WHAT: Annie

WHEN: 2to6June

WHERE: TheAlexandra, atgtickets.com

Theworld’sfavouritefamily musicalreturnstoBrumwitha terrificcastthatincludesLaVoix starringasthetyrannicalMiss Hannigan.

WHAT: TheResistibleRiseofArturoUi

WHEN: Nowto30May

WHERE: RSCTheatre,rsc.org.uk

StarringdoubleOlivieraward-winningactorMark Gatissinthetitleroleofthenotoriousgangster andsmall-timecrook,thisawesomeplayoffersa blisteringsatireonHitler’sascenttopoweranda chillingwarningfromhistory.

WHAT: ThePuppiniSisters

WHEN: 10May

WHERE: GleeClub,glee.co.uk/birmingham

Closeharmonies,corsetsandclevercovers combinedwithfabulousfrocksandfestival stages–fortwodecadesthenot-reallyrelatedPuppiniSistershavebroughtvintage glamourandvocalfireworkstoaudiences aroundtheworld.

WHAT: TheBabyShow WHEN: 8to10May

WHERE: NECBirmingham, thebabyshow.co.uk Whetheryou’repreparing foryourfirstbabyoradding toyourfamily,thisisthe idealplacetodiscover everythingyouneedfor bump,babyand beyond,allunder oneroof.

WHAT: AngeladelaCruz:Upright

WHEN: Nowuntil6September

WHERE: IkonGallery, ikon-gallery.org

Awonderfulopportunitytoseetherarely seenworksbythisleadingfigurein contemporarysculptureasshemarksher firstsoloexhibitionintheUKoutside London.

WHAT: FrankieGoestoBollywood

WHEN: 10to13June

WHERE: BirminghamRep, birmingham-rep.co.uk

BurstingwithBollywoodglamour, thisdazzlingmusicalcomedydramadivesdeepintotheglitzy, high-pressureworldofIndian cinema,wheredreamsaremassproduced,identitiesarereshapedand womenareexpectedtosmileandplay bythescriptwrittenforthem.

WHAT’SON

WHAT: Manilow:TheLast,LastBirminghamConcert

WHEN: 16June

WHERE: bppulseLIVEarena, bppulselive.co.uk

ReferredtobyRollingStonemagazineas “theShowmanofourGeneration”,Barry Manilow’slegendarycareerencompasses virtuallyeveryareaofmusic,withworld-wide recordsalesexceeding85million.

WHAT: EdgbastonArtisan Market

WHEN: 9May

WHAT: TheGreatest ShowmanwithWine WHEN: 14June

WHERE: TheOldRep, oldreptheatre.co.uk

JoinwinegeekTonyElvinof theWineEventsCompany withauniquescreeningoftherunawayhitmoviemusical alongsideafunandtheatricalwinetasting.Non-alcohol optionsavailable.

WHAT: TheGoodFoodShowSummer

WHEN: 18to21June

WHERE: NECBirmingham, goodfoodshow.com/summer

ThestellarshowreturnsalongsideBBCGardeners’ WorldLive!Anunmissableeventforfoodiesthat’s packedfullofchefsandexperts,includingJames Martin,pictured,sharingtheirculinaryskillsand cookingliveonstage.

WHERE: GreenfieldCrescent, Edgbaston,calthorpe.co.uk

Birmingham’slargestartisanmarket returnsfeaturingindependent businessesfromacrossthe Midlandsshowcasingthefinest rangeofartisanfoodanddrink, alongsidehandmadeartsandcrafts andfarmers’marketproduce.

WHAT: ThePiano:TheFinalConcert WHEN: 9June

WHERE: SymphonyHall,bmusic.co.uk

ThefinalconcertofthehitTVseriescomes toBrumasacelebrationofthenation’s favouriteinstrument.Hostedby ClaudiaWinklemanand featuringperformancesfrom Mikaandsurpriseguestartists.

WHAT: TomHingley

WHEN: 27May

WHERE: TheJamHouse, thejamhouse.com

TheAcousticSessionsreturnswiththe headlinerbestknownastheex-leadsinger withManchester’sfinestInspiralCarpets, nowforgingasuccessfulsolocareer.

WHAT: Iphotographcomedians!

WHEN: Nowuntil31May

WHERE: BirminghamMuseum &ArtGallery, birminghammuseums.org.uk

Thisretrospectiveexhibitionby BritishphotographerAndy Hollingworthfeaturesnearly80 imagesofstudioportraits,rare contemplativemomentsoff-stage andlivestageperformances, celebratingsomeiconiccomedy greats.

WHAT: GreatBirminghamRun WHEN: 3May

WHERE: Heartofthecity, greatrun.org

WHAT: YoungDriverClassic

CarExperiences

WHEN: 10May

WHERE: BritishMotorMuseum, britishmotormuseum.co.uk/whats-on Inspirethenextgenerationofclassiccarowners withtwogreatBritishmotoringclassicsto choosefrom–aMorrisMinorandanAustin7. Forkidsofallagesfrom10to100!

TheMidlands’biggestandbestrunning eventreturnswiththousandsof Brummiespoundingthestreetsand raisingmuchneededfundsforsome awesomecauses.Comesupportand enjoythepartyatmosphere!

WHAT: ShootFromTheHip

WHEN: 30May

WHAT: BirminghamRoyalBallet–SirPeterWrightCentenary WHEN: 18June

WHERE: BirminghamHippodrome, birminghamhippodrome.com

CelebratetheworkofSirPeter inhis100thyearwithhighlights fromhismanybrilliantclassical productions.FeaturesCarlos Acostatakingtothestageas DeathintheGreenTablefor thefirsttimeever.

WHERE: TownHall,bmusic.co.uk

Featuringchaoticgames,epicscenesandever-soslightlyunhingedperformances,theaward-winning TikTok-viralimprovisedcomedyactarrivesinBrumfor acompletelyunscriptedandunforgettablenight.

WHAT: TheManfreds WHEN: 28May

WHERE: TheCoreTheatre, thecoretheatresolihull.co.uk

AmemorableeveningfeaturingPaulJones andTomMcGuinness,twooriginal membersofthelegendaryrockband.

WHAT: ShrekTheMusical WHEN: 2to6June

WHERE: CrescentTheatre,crescenttheatre.co.uk

Withaheart-warmingstoryandacastof unforgettablecharacters,thismusical extravaganzafromBournvilleMusicalTheatre Companyisajourneyyouwon’twanttomiss.

WHAT: RoyalAscotLadiesDay WHEN: 18June

WHERE: ManahattaTemple Street,manahatta.co.uk

TheLadiesDaycelebrationiscoming toTempleStreet!Enjoyanafternoonof racingexcitementwithlivecoverage, stylishcocktailsandaparty atmosphere.

CLOSEWITHÁ

CARLPHILLIPS

FROM‘HANGINGAROUND’ROCKERSANDPUTTINGONBRUM’SFIRST-EVER ACIDHOUSENIGHT…IT’SBEENSOMEMUSICALJOURNEYFORTHECOFOUNDERANDCO-DIRECTOROFMOSELEYFOLKANDARTSFESTIVAL, WHICHTHISYEARCELEBRATESITS20THANNIVERSARY

BEENTHERE,DONETHAT

IwasalwaysinterestedinBirminghammusic.I usedtohangaroundRockersonHurstStreet,and thengotontoclubpromotingthroughtheirinfluence really.IputonthefirstAcidHousenightinBrumin ’88andendedupasaclubpromoterattheCustard FactoryandtheQueClub.GervHavill,theMoseley Folkco-director,printedmyflyers–that’showwe met.IdidthemarqueeforL'EspritManouche FestivalinMoseleyPark(2004-05).WhenIfound outitwasn’tgoingtobeonanymore,Ihadthissense ofitbeingabigloss,andIhadathought–wouldn’t itbegreattohaveafolkfestivalinMoseleyPark?

BandslikePentangle,butalsosomeoftheneweracts whowerebeinginfluencedbyfolk,likeTunng,Jane Weaver.ImentionedtoGervthatI’dgotpermission todoafestivalinthepark,andhesaidhewantedto getinvolved,sowewentfromthere–asillyidea that’sturnedintooneofbestideasI’veeverhad.

IT’SWHATIDO

Myrolehasevolvedaswe’vegonefromatinylittle stageunderagazebotosomethingthatdrawspeople fromallovertheworld.Mysideismoreaboutthe logisticsofbuildingthefestivalsite.GervandJohn Fell,theFestivalmanager,geteverythingbookedin, theconcessions,healthandsafety,ticketing.Allthree ofusworkonline-upstogether.

BIGGESTSUCCESS

It’sMoseleyFolkandMostlyJazzFunkandSoul Festival–whichwealsodo.I’vebeeninalotof bands,donealotofthings,academicallyatschoolI

didn’tdowell,butIlovedmusic.It’scrazytothink I’vemadealivingoutofwhatIlove–itneverfeels likework.

WHATI’DLIKETOSEE

Theactswe’vehad,somearemyheroes.Yougetto meetallthesepeople,likeGrahamNash,anditcanbe averyemotionalthing.So,myambition’sdoneinmany ways.It’smoreaboutcarryingonbringingworldleadingartiststoaconcertinthemostmagicalsetting.

WHATILIKEABOUTBRUM

Ithinkthemulti-culturalismofthecityhasalways beengreat,especiallyinMoseley.It’salwaysbeena massive,magicalmeltingpot.It’sthebohemian capitalofBirmingham,isn’tit?

DOWNTIME

Itakeuplotsofpast-timesandgetboredwith themquickly.I’vedonewoodcarving,metal detecting–longbowarcheryismylatestone!Ialso likehistory,medievalEngland…

FINALLY…

IamsoproudofthewholeMoseleyFolkthing, andwe’vegotagreatclose-knitteamthatworksso hardtomakesureitgoesoffeveryyear.So,I’dliketo thankeveryonewho’shelpedmetodothisthing that’sbecomesogreat–thissillyideathat’sbecome somethingbigger. ■

MoseleyFolkandArtsFestivalrunsfromFriday4to Sunday6September.Details:moseleyfolk.co.uk