Birmingham Living February 2020 issue 89

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EDITOR’S VIEW

W

hich is the greatest love story of them all? Because it’s Valentine’s month, and I was feeling kind of warm and cuddly, I decided to ask around friends and colleagues for their verdict in a completely unscientific straw poll.

The result confirmed that where there’s a Will, as in Shakespeare, there’s a romantic way. Virtually everyone I asked the question immediately named Romeo and Juliet as their first choice, even though most had never seen the play or ballet. One person had actually visited Juliet’s balcony with her boyfriend while on holiday in Verona, however – and guess what? That evening, he proposed to her. Aaahhh….

While he didn’t actually pop the question in February, it’s a statistical fact that more couples get engaged on Valentine’s Day than any other time of the year. So, of course, love is very much in evidence in this month’s issue of Birmingham Living.

We’ve a strong Valentine’s thread running through our Food and Drink section – I particularly recommend trying the foxy chocolate fondants in our Season’s Eating’s feature washed down with the decidedly exotic passion fruit concoction that is our Cocktail of the Month.

Meantime, our Style pages guide brides-to-be through the latest wedding dress and accessories options, from the high street to bespoke designers. Not forgetting what the bridegroom should be wearing, too.

By the way… any ideas what the second top answer was in my random poll of greatest love stories?

Would you be surprised if I told you it was the movie Titanic?

s n h o J d Davi

visit www.brumliving.co.uk @brum_living Cover image:

Barbara Nice

by Janice Connolly

/bhamliving

FINALIST

EDITOR: David Johns david@brumliving.co.uk FEATURES EDITOR: Shelley Carter shelley@brumliving.co.uk DESIGNER: Tracy Duffy

CONTRIBUTORS: Rob Price, Sue Cooke, Lisa Melvin, Hywel Davies ACCOUNT MANAGER: Jane Morris jane@brumliving.co.uk PHOTOGRAPHY: David Morphew, Andrew Llewellyn PUBLISHING DIRECTOR: Jonathan Carter

Rock Hopper Media Limited Burleigh House, 23 Tagwell Road, Droitwich WR9 7BN tel 01905 771110 © Rock Hopper Media Ltd. Birmingham Living is published monthly by Rock Hopper Media Ltd and printed by Buxton Press. Views and opinions expressed by authors and services and products offered by advertisers are not specifically endorsed by Rock Hopper Media Ltd. Reproduction in whole or in part of the contents of Birmingham Living without written permission is strictly prohibited.

SUBSCRIPTIONS: The subscription rate (post paid) is £24 for one year (12 issues). Subscriptions 01905 771110 ISSN 2051-8560

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INSIDE

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Highlights

Barbara Nice

Comedian Janice Connolly on her Britain’s Got Talent alter-ego, Peter Kay and brilliant Brum

Deana Uppal Seven years on, Big Brother star talks Bollywood, TV directing – and living with an Indian tribe

Food & Drink Love is on the menu with this month’s Valentine offerings, plus our wine expert says ‘cheese’

Style Congratulations, you’re engaged! Now for the exciting bit as we help you shop for The Dress

Health How to get fit without even trying. Our step-by-step guide couldn’t be easier!

Homes Spring is just around the corner, so now’s the time to plan the new bathroom of your dreams

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CONTENTS

Best of the Rest

58 60 64 66 78 82 february 2020

Motoring

It’s love at first light as Sue Cooke is swept off her feet by Peugeot’s handsome, hi-tech 3008

Young, Gifted and Brummie Singing for Rita Ora: Mitch Miller talks The Voice and inspiring the next generation

Up Close With Philippa Dean on her ‘dream job’ as head of guest services at Resorts World, and a passion for baking

Business Company to Watch, Rachel Simpson Shoes, plus news and views from the commercial community

What’s On Your guide to the shows, gigs and events in and around Birmingham this month

In The City LoveBrum executive director Paul Mitchell, helping Birmingham’s ‘hidden gem’ projects

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NEWS

THE MUMMY BRUMMIE The Yummy Brummie has become the Mummy Brummie – or at least a dame!

Celebrity chef Glynn Purnell swapped the kitchen for kitsch when he went behind the scenes at Birmingham Hippodrome’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs for a larger than life makeover that included show-stopping make-up, hairdo and costume. Glynn said: “I realised a dream of mine I never knew I had – to become Birmingham’s bearded Brummie panto dame!” The panto – minus Glynn – runs until 2 February.

BRINGING YOU THE BRIGHTEST AND MOST COLOURFUL STORIES FROM ACROSS THE CITY EACH MONTH

NEWS

Picture: Simon Hadley

SAVANNAH’S MISSION

BAGS FOR LIFE Life-savers are bagging vital extra seconds on emergency call-outs thanks to some new kit. Midlands Air Ambulance crews are using colour-coded medical equipment kit bags which give faster and easier access to medicines for flight doctors and paramedics and those assisting on accident scenes, such as the ambulance service. The bags costing a total of £22,000, were funded by the air ambulance HELP Appeal. More information at www.helpappeal.org.uk or call 0800 3898 999.

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A Birmingham student is aiming to help sporting talent reach the top after illness derailed her own ambitions. Birmingham City University’s Savannah Sturridge won regional titles in gymnastics and athletics before glandular fever and pneumonia left her with breathing problems. Now, she is studying for a Master’s and PhD to become an academics in Sports Science – one of the few in the UK to be both female and from an ethnic minority background.

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NEWS

HOLE LOT OF FUN

A tale of outlaws, buried treasure and ancient curses is coming to Belgrade Theatre with the staging of schools’ favourite, Louis Sachar’s awardwinning children’s novel Holes. The production is the first in an ambitious three-year plan to produce touring theatre for young people, supported by Arts Council England. The play, which runs at the theatre from 18 to 22 February, combines puppetry, music and physical theatre to bring to life Sachar’s much-loved story.

MAKING CITY SAFER

ARISE SIR DAVID! Former director of Birmingham Royal Ballet, David Bintley, has been awarded a knighthood for his services to dance. Sir David created his final work last summer after 24 years with the company. His commitment to creating new work helped affirm Birmingham as a hub of creative excellence and BRB as one of the world's top ballet companies. “I am humbled by this honour and would like to thank my friends and colleagues at Birmingham Royal Ballet, which it was my privilege to direct,” he said.

A crime-fighting network set up to tackle retail theft and anti-social behaviour in Birmingham city centre has recovered more than £135,000-worth of stolen goods in its first year. City Safe was launched in response to Retail BID Birmingham members who were concerned about business crime and the impact of anti-social behaviour on the safety of staff and visitors. The scheme uses a digital radio network, instant text messages and access to CCTV imagery.

HEARTS A’FLUTTER Nice meal, romantic music, down on one knee… the classic Valentine’s proposal. But how about something more original – like being surrounded by the world’s rarest and most beautiful butterflies? From 14 to 16 February, Stratford Butterfly Farm is handing each visitor a free marble heart to give to a loved one. In return, visitors can show their love for the environment by writing a green action promise to protect the environment which will be hung in the Discovery Zone.

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NEWS

JET 2 THE SUN Holidaymakers are set to get even more choice this summer after Jet2.com and Jet2holidays announced expansion plans at Birmingham Airport. The boost means the airline and package holiday specialist has more than 2.2million seats on sale for summer 2020 with extra flights to popular destinations in Greece, Turkey and Spain.

Airport aviation director Tom Screen said: “This is fabulous news for customers and we are delighted this trusted brand is

DATE WITH NICOLA

expanding from Birmingham.”

One of the world’s greatest violinists is coming to Birmingham to share her knowledge and expertise with the next generation of young musicians.

Nicola Benedetti is giving a public master class at Royal Birmingham

TEAM BLAZE

Meet the team from Birmingham’s newest fitness centre. They are getting visitors into shape at BLAZE by David Lloyd Clubs which opened last month in Cornwall Street, becoming the brand’s first stand-alone contemporary boutique studio in the UK. The payas-you-go studio offers high-intensity workouts led by ‘rock star’ instructors and synced to high-energy music with state-of-the-art lighting effects. Manager Zoe Mead said: “The studio is not just a fun and effective way to keep fit, but is a real lifestyle destination, too.”

NOT TO BE HISSED

Conservatoire’s Bradshaw Hall on Thursday 6 February. The master class is part of a three-day Birmingham

Looking to keep the kids under control this half-term? We

visit by Nicola which also includes

have just the thing – a bulging boa constrictor. Or maybe a

two concerts with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra.

playful python. Giant snakes will slither in for special handling sessions at Hatton World of Adventure’s February Frolics. The slippery creatures range in length up to 16 feet.

If you’d rather give the hiss a miss, there’s also a wildlife workshop to learn how to make bird feeders and toys, plus magic and puppet shows in the family theatre.

ALL A-BOARD This sure looks like a fun way to get fit. It’s a new and unique fitness class called Aquaboards. The class at Smethwick Swimming Centre uses state-of-the-art BECO BeBoards – floating fitness mats for training on the water surface, which help with better control of the muscles and their interaction. Amy Stancliffe, the centre’s fitness co-ordinator, said: “Because you constantly need to keep your balance you don’t realise how much your core body is having to work.” More details, call 0300 012 0121.

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NEWS

CHARITY DOUGH There’s dough in dough. Domino’s Pizza braches in Birmingham and Solihull raised £20,000 for Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham Charity, Heartlands Hospital Charity and Solihull Hospital Charity. The branches donated £1 from every pizza sold, took part in fund-raising events and completing challenges and activities to raise the money. Arshad Yasin, franchisee of Domino’s Birmingham stores, said: “We would like to thank our customers who helped us raise this great amount.”

IN BRIEF MUSEUM BOOST Black Country Living Museum Trust has been awarded £65,000 by Arts Council England to help fund its packaging and advertising collection which spans the late 1800s to 1950s and includes 3,000 objects.

FUEL FOR THOUGHT

STARS HAIL MR PANTO

The cast and crew of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs gathered on Birmingham Hippodrome’s stage to celebrate Michael Harrison’s tenth year directing and producing the venue’s famous annual pantomime.

Stars Lesley Joseph and Matt Slack, who have appeared in seven of Michael’s pantos, presented him with a cake featuring highlights of his past productions. During his time, Michael has staged more than 700 performances watched by over one million visitors.

The motorists of tomorrow are being given a unique insight into the kinds of cars they will be driving.

Throughout school half-term, from 15 February to 1 March, the British Motor Museum is encouraging children to explore the future, themed around its exhibition, The Car. The Future. Me. Activities include investigating what cars of their future might look

BOLLYWOOD HIT Birmingham City University has formed a formal collaboration with Mumbai-based film industry trainers Ronkel Media Education Institute which will see students handed real-world experience working on Bollywood movie productions.

DAN’S THE MAN Historian and History Hit TV presenter Dan Snow will be in conversation with best-selling author Sinclair McKay at a special event in Coventry Cathedral on 4 February to mark the 75th anniversary of the Dresden bombing raids.

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like through science shows, STEM activity, family trails and tours. Details: www.britishmotormuseum.co. uk/whats-on/february-half-

ON THE MOVE

term

The restaurant manager of Michelin-starred

Purnell’s and GQ Sommelier of the Year is striking out on a ‘wild’ new adventure! Sonal Clare has become the new general manager and head sommelier of Birmingham’s award-winning, the Wilderness. He has joined the restaurant ahead of its move later in the year to a larger site. Sonal, who spent 10 years at Purnell’s, will work with

GOT ANY NEWS? Email your news and pictures to editor@brumliving.co.uk

chef-patron Alex Claridge and his team.

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COVER STORY

NICE LIFE Barbara as in Streisand, Nice as in the biscuits! David Johns meets comedian Janice Connolly and her Britain’s Got Talent alter-ego, Mrs Barbara Nice ctress, TV comedian, stand-up, artistic director. Quite a CV that Janice Connolly’s got. But despite appearing in the likes of Coronation Street and Peter Kay’s Phoenix Nights and founding a successful theatre company, Janice will forever be known for her unforgettable debut on TV – as Mrs Barbara Nice.

A

“Barbara as in Streisand, Nice as in the biscuits,” she said, introducing herself to BGT judge David Walliams. In trademark yellow mac and clutching her bag for life (“one of 49 – I’m never going to die!”) the middle-aged mother-of-five from Kings Heath proceeded to have the live audience in stitches with her one-liners and was an equally big hit with the millions watching on TV. “I’d been thinking about doing BGT for a while, thinking shall I go for it or not? I finally thought, just do it, have a go. So I did. I wanted the chance for more people to see Barbara Nice – and I think I proved that if you are wondering whether to do something or not, you should just do it. There’s nothing to lose.”

BRILLIANT BRUM While BGT shot Janice to overnight TV sensation, she had been working steadily across a range of artistic disciplines for many years and was well known and respected by many in the business.

Barbara Nice just put Janice’s genius in front of a national audience.

“I have always been an actress as well as a comedian and get involved with lots of different things, I’m even doing a kids’ programme in the future,” she says.

Having lived in Birmingham for many years, Janice says: “I was born and brought up in Stockport so I would never have the cheek to say I am a Brummie but I think it’s fair to say that I am an adopted Brummie. Birmingham is a brilliant place. It’s relaxing, inclusive and a very low-macho place to be. I love it here.”

Janice came to Birmingham to study drama at Birmingham Polytechnic, now City University. In the early 1970s, she performed at Birmingham Arts Lab off Summer Row and over the next couple

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ME AND MRS NICE: Janice says she originally created zany Kings Heath housewife Barbara to be ‘kind' to audiences – and the character became an overnight hit on Britain’s Got Talent

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COVER STORY

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COVER STORY

of decades was part of the Birmingham independent music scene, regularly playing at the Fighting Cocks in Moseley.

PETER KAY In 1984 she became founder member of Birmingham Women and Theatre company and is still heavily involved as its artistic director. Based at the Old Lodge in Queensbridge Road, Moseley, the company is committed to social change through new theatre and drama. This year it will be staging a special performance at the Rep on the eve of International Women’s Day on 7 March. In 2017, Janice was awarded the British Empire Medal in the Queen’s New Year Honours in recognition of her contribution to community arts through her work with Women and Theatre.

Janice’s first major break came in the late 1990s, when she was spotted playing Barbara Nice by Peter Kay in a competition for new acts. She went on to appear in several of his television shows, most notably playing Holy Mary in Phoenix Nights. She says: “Being in Phoenix Nights was one of those lifechanging experiences. The show was so loved by people and touched so many lives. It was a privilege to be part of it.”

Janice explains that Barbara Nice came about because “I wanted to do stand-up comedy and thought I needed a character to make it work as at the time I thought I was a bit old to start in comedy stand-up. That’s funny looking back on it considering how old I am now! “ KIND THOUGHTS She adds: “I thought a mother character would be perfect. I wanted to have a character that was kind to audiences too. At that time stand-ups had the persona of being unkind to audiences and taking the mickey out of them. I wanted to be different.”

Far from making Janice’s diverse professional life even more complicated, stardom on BGT has actually made it easier, she says. “After BGT is became clearer what work I could do and maybe some that I couldn’t.

Generally it meant I wouldn’t have time to play smaller venues so much,” she explains.

Janice is touring Barbara Nice around Britain throughout 2020 as well as continuing her work to raise

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the involvement of local people in theatre. One of her projects is a Barbara Nice ‘older person comedy course’ for the over-50s. She explains: “ The aims is to get people together, create a group and then put on a show.”

Nice idea, Janice! I

MAKE A DATE Join Women & Theatre at Birmingham Rep on the eve of International Women’s Day on Saturday 7 March as they celebrate the launch of their new podcast and book through live readings and discussion, hosted by Janice. Tickets from £6 at https://www.birminghamrep.co.uk/whats-on/podcast-and-book-launch.html Barbara Nice is running her free stand-up community comedy course for people aged 50+ until Monday 30 March at the Brandwood Centre, Contact info@womenandtheatre.co.uk or 0121 449 7117 for details.

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FEATURE

HOUSE MOVES

Life after Big Brother has seen Deana Uppal appear in Bollywood films, direct TV documentaries and launch a charity to help a remote Indian tribe. Much to catch up on, then, during her return home to Brum lot has happened to Deana Uppal since we last interviewed her in 2013. Seven years ago our front covergirl entered the Big Brother house as a Miss India beauty queen with a promising acting career on the cards. Today she has featured in a number of Bollywood movies, been on more celebrity shows and directed and hosted a documentary which will soon be screened on TV. As if that wasn’t enough, she recently set up her own charity to help nomadic tribal children in India, directed and acted in a number of music videos and was the main lead in Punjabi cinema’s first female-led film. So, there was much to talk about when we had the chance for a catch-up chat with Deana when she returned home to Brum.

“I always love coming back to my home town,” she said. “It’s amazing to see how the city is changing every time I return. I did a winter lifestyle photoshoot in Solihull with local fashion photographer Naveen Zarub.

There is so much talent here in the Midlands from photography, to make-up artists and stylists.”

A

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Deana first hit the headlines during a torrid time on Big Brother when she set a record for the number of potential evictions she faced. Her 10 weeks in the BB house was marked by jealously from other housemates who seemed to resent both her beauty and brains.

FEMALE FIRST “When I was in high school I was bullied. So my tolerance level is quite high and my character is quite strong,” said Deana who came to the Midlands with her family when she was 12. She began modelling at 16 which led to two years in India being photographed for magazines, fashion and videos before returning home and entering and winning the Miss India UK competition.

Focusing on acting, she has developed her career in Bollywood and British Asian films, culminating in the lead role in Punjabi cinema’s ground-breaking first female-led film. “The movie was named Hard Kaur and I played the lead character named Seerat from a small village in India,” she said.

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FEATURE

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FEATURE

changing from the typical stereotypes.”

Deana’s directing kicked in after she studied a filmmaking course at London Film Academy two years ago. “Since then I had been searching for an interesting subject to make a film on,” she explained. “While travelling in India in a city named Rajasthan, I saw the Gadia Lohars, nomadic people travelling on carts.

“After a lot of research I found these people had an amazing history, so I filmed their community and lived with them for a whole year. It was one of the most eye-opening experiences I have ever had. I ended up being the director, the host and the producer. The film is set to release mid this year on TV and online platform.”

After spending so much time with the Gadia Lohar community Deana decided that she wanted to try to help them in any way she could. “They were known as one of the poorest communities in India, but to me they where the kindest and most welcoming,” she explained.

“The film was highlighting the issues Indian females sometimes have to go through living in India, such as harassment by men, how society looks on females that speak up and how to deal with these kind of issues. The role I played was completely different to any other I’ve played as I portrayed a very shy and quiet girl from a small Indian village, whereas usually I get categorised to play an outspoken foreigner living in India.”

CRITICS PRAISE The film was praised by the critics, and Deana added: “As it was Punjabi cinema’s first without a male lead and the audiences liked the film, it is showing that Indian cinema is slowly progressing now and

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SOCIAL ISSUES “I could see that they were smart and had potential but the problem was their lack off access to education. So, I decided to form a charity and raise funds to provide the adults work to support themselves and the children access to education.”

Deana’s directing includes music videos and she says: “I am really enjoying being on the other side of the camera and plan to continue to direct more. My focus is now changing more towards social issues that need attention.” Deana says she has “a few ideas in mind” for the next project which she plans to make in England.

Modelling, acting, documentary-making and charity fund-raising – we wonder if there is no end to her talents. “Well, I always have had a keen interest in investigation work,” she says. “I feel if I could rechoose my career I would have loved to have worked in the investigation department in the police force – the CID. But I know that’s just a dream now, I’ve got too many other things I want to do first!” I

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FOOD & DRINK

SUDHA SAHA The award-winning head chef at Entouraj reveals his food heaven (and hell) and how an encounter with snake meat wasn’t what he was expecting at all!

Tell us about your cooking My cooking is both modern and progressive which stems from my passion of authentic flavour. It offers a modern approach to traditional cooking and breaks down the conventional boundaries. It’s important for me to use seasonal and local produce in my cooking, as well as inspire and educate people about the finer side of Indian cuisine. For me, it’s all about being the master of my own domain, pursuing my passion and using my creative skills every day. I enjoy collaborating with farmers to find the best and most inspiring ingredients and, most importantly, I relish working with a stellar team that ensures that customers always leave happy and full.

How did you become a chef?

My passion for cooking started when I used to watch my grandmother cooking in the kitchen. She was an exceptional cook. I then went on to complete a degree in Catering Technology & Applied Nutrition in the Institute of Hotel Management and subsequently trained in Taj and Ambassador Group of hotels, which is where I honed my skills. When I came to

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CHEF’S CORNER

To make Sudha’s delicious Spiced Scented Pan-Fried Red Snapper, Spiced Chickpea, Potato and Spinach, Tomato Achar, with Coconut Milk and Tamarind Reduction, visit www.brumliving.co.uk

the UK, I continued to refine my skills and trained in a Michelin-starred French restaurant.

understanding a customer’s needs and priorities comes hand-in-hand with that.

What do you eat when at home?

Cooking at a high-end restaurant means you are dealing with a lot of good food and sometimes I almost have to force myself to eat because the hunger just isn’t there! At home I am a very simple eater, my go-to is usually a freshly made salad with seafood.

Share a cooking tip Always choose the right ingredients. Ensure you use the right quantities and make sure you follow the sequence of cooking – and never cut corners!

Who’s the best chef in the world and why?

And who’s the best in Brum?

There is a long list of chefs who have left their legacy to follow, it’s all about what they have brought to the food trade and encouraging the new generation of chefs. With this in mind, I am inspired by the late, great Joel Robuchon and Alain Ducasse, Ferran Adria and Thomas Keller. In Birmingham it would be unfair to choose just one, but with that being said the food scene in the city has changed dramatically in the last few years with the highest number of Michelin star restaurants outside London, which is a remarkable achievement. My top list includes Andreas Antona and Luke Tipping at Simpsons, Glynn Purnell, Adam Stokes, Brad Carter and David Colcombe.

Food heaven and food hell?

I love fish! Spiced pan-fried sea bass with coconut milk and tamarind reduction, finished with lemon rice – that’s one of my favourites! My hell is black pudding.

Is the customer always right?

From a chef ’s point of view not always, however from a business point of view, yes. We need to be flexible in order to run a successful business and

february 2020

What was your favourite food as a kid?

Noodles with sweet and sour sauce.

What’s the most unusual thing you’ve eaten?

Snake meat, which was an unbelievable experience because it tasted so delicate.

If you weren’t a chef, what would you be?

I was always very academic growing up and as I was raised in an Asian family, I was more inclined to study medicine. However, I insisted I become a food doctor.

What do you recommend from this evening’s menu?

Spiced pan-fried sea bass, spiced potato and spinach gateaux, topped with moilee sauce. I Entouraj, Kidderminster Road, Cutnall Green, WR9 0PW. Tel: 01299 848438 www.entourajrestaurant.com

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SEASON’S EATINGS

FOXY FONDANTS If chocolate is the food of love, this indulgent recipe delivers pure passion on a plate

hocolate has long been associated with love. And the reason isn’t just a load of mumbo-jumbo from the past, there’s science too. Chocolate contains a chemical called phenylethylamine which releases pleasure endorphins in the brain. And when your head is telling you to have fun, your heart is bound to follow! Make these foxy little chocolate fondants and you’ll see what we mean…

C

Ingredients

I 300g dark chocolate I 170g sugar

I Pinch of salt

I 4 tablespoons unsalted butter

I 255g flour

I 5 eggs

I 1½ teaspoons baking powder

I Ice cream to serve

Method Pre-heat oven to 165°C/325°F gas mark 4 then lightly coat a 12-cup muffin tin with vegetable oil. Melt the chocolate and butter in a large bowl over a saucepan of simmering water. (Make sure the bowl doesn’t touch the water.) Remove from heat.

In another large bowl, beat the eggs and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the flour, baking powder and salt then mix in the chocolate mixture with a spoon until well blended. Divide the batter evenly into the muffin tin and bake until the cakes have just cooked through, about 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for five minutes. Serve warm with your favourite ice cream.

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FOOD & DRINK

NIBBLES and SHORTS

BIRMINGHAM HAS A LIVELY AND BUZZING BAR AND RESTAURANT SCENE. HERE, WE PRESENT OUR INSIDER GUIDE TO WHAT’S GOING ON IN YOUR CITY’S EATERIES AND DRINKING DENS

DELI AND BAR OPENS AT MAILBOX MalBox deli and bar is now open at the Mailbox. MalBox serves the best of Chez Mal in the Urban Room on Level 2. The Malmaison-operated deli and bar offers a selection of cakes, pastries, salads, soup and baguettes alongside a choice of hot and cold drinks in what it describes as a perfect meeting space or as a stop-off for busy shoppers.

NEW BOSS RULES THE ROOST The new general manager of a 17th century hotel in the heart of Shakespeare’s country says she is determined to put her guests ‘centre-

BOMBAY ALL THE WAY A new restaurant is opening this

DIGBETH WELCOMES TRIO Three new entertainment venues have launched

spring promising to ‘bring together

in the Digbeth creative quarter. Gaming concept Chance

the food of all Bombay’. Dishoom

and Counters is based in the Custard Factory, while

Birmingham at One Chamberlain

‘social sports bar’ the Floodgate and the Great

Square will pay homage to the Irani cafés of Bombay and will serve chef Naved Nasir’s menu of comfort food. Dishes will be cooked in Hindu, Muslim, Irani and Parsi traditions. Inspired by Birmingham’s history as the ‘city of a thousand trades’, Dishoom Birmingham marks the parallels

Birmingham Bake Off, an interactive baking experience, are based in Floodgate Street. The businesses bolster Digbeth’s burgeoning leisure, retail, hospitality and live music scene which includes Digbeth Dining Club, Baked in Brick, The Mill, The Arena, Dig Brew,

stage’. Kate Jeffries of the Swan’s Nest Hotel said: “My focus is to provide a comfortable, welcoming environment for our guests to stay, while ensuring a smooth transition from being a branded hotel to an independent.” The hotel is run by leading independent hospitality specialists Focus Hotels and is a brief walk from the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon.

the Mocking Bird and Ridding & Wynn.

£100K REVAMP PAYS DIVIDENDS

Birmingham’s largest residential events venue, Conference Aston, is celebrating a trio of catering accolades.

The venue has received its second Sustainable Restaurant Association star, Food for the Brain Accreditation

with the markets of Bombay and

and Best Catering Service at the national Academic Venue Awards. Conference Aston’s success follows more

the importance of the city’s

than £100,000 being spent in the last year to upgrade its restaurant, food and beverage services. A number

commercial past.

of key hires have also been made, including a new head chef and executive head chef.

INDEPENDENTS JOIN SQUARE OFFERING Solihull’s Mell Square shopping centre welcomed three new independent food and beverage brands in January, located on the former Costa Coffee site. Green’s offers innovative cocktails created by acclaimed mixologist Robert Wood. Vita serves desserts and cakes from local, independent bakers and sparkling wines and Champagne in a stylish setting.

A covered outdoor pergola-style seating area is home to Taste Collective, pop-up street food traders from all types of cuisine, from fried chicken to vegan delights.

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COCKTAIL OF THE MONTH

DASH OF PASSION Let the love flow this Valentine’s month by mixing up a cheeky Passionfruit Cosmopolitan ho doesn’t want a little slug of passion on Valentine’s Day? A twist on the classic Cosmopolitan, using passion fruit which is delicious and is abundant in South East Asia, this cheeky little cocktail from the mixologists at Chung Ying Central could help spread the love this February. But before you start firing off those Cupid arrows, remember as always to please enjoy responsibly. I

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ALL YOU NEED TO MIX IT UP BEAUTIFULLY INGREDIENTS:

I 25ml Absolut Citron

I 25ml Passoa passionfruit liqueur I 12.5ml Lime

I 12.5ml Cranberry juice

I 12.5ml Passionfruit juice

I Garnish with orange peel

METHOD: Add ingredients into a shaker with ice. Shake well. Double strain into a martini glass.

Chung Ying Central, 126 Colmore Row, Birmingham, B3 3AP. Tel: 0121 400 0888 www.chungying.co.uk

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LUNCHSPOT

INDICO STREET KITCHEN 113-115 Wharfside Street, Mailbox, Birmingham, B1 1RF. Tel: 0121 643 9388 indicostreetkitchen.com he Mailbox had a couple of restaurant closures last year, not least Tom’s Kitchen that left a sizeable hole in its foodie offering. Indico has moved its vibrant brand of Indian street food into the site opposite Estrillo which fills a gap nicely. Indico has been wowing diners at its original Shirley restaurant for years.

So, what of its second site?

For a start, the interior is a joy with colourful prints, patterned crockery and a lively vibe. There’s a confidence in Indico’s rustic menu featuring snippets of information about the food’s origins in the Punjab region. The emphasis on street food means there’s a relaxed bustling atmosphere, an open kitchen, speedy efficient service and minimum fuss – you’ll find knives and forks in colourful teapots on tables.

We sampled Punjabi samosa chaat with a spicy veggie filling served on top of moreish chickpeas and a sweet chutney followed by chilli chicken – moist pieces of breast in a fiery sticky sauce with salad – one of the stand-out dishes.

There were many parts of the menu that appealed including a tandoor section, Tawa rolls which are essentially wraps made with traditional paratha, burgers – the Dirty Malai sounds like a winner – as well as curries, obviously. In the interest of trying lots

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of things we opted for a Thali – a meze of sorts with lots of small dishes to sample.

Without the starters, the Thalis would be ideal for one person. We shared the chef ’s special Thali between two given we’d already been tucking in. The thali consisted of poppadoms with all the trimmings, delicious pakora, rich daal makhani (lentils), makai palak (spinach), rice, a top-notch naan and a choice of two curries – we went for butter chicken and lamb rogan josh. It sounds like a lot of food, but with a small bowl of each it was perfect.

The lamb and chicken curries were seriously tasty while the daal makhani could have had a bit more spice for us, the makai palak which we’d never tried before complemented all the other dishes and all the accompaniments were just fantastic.

Don’t go expecting fine dining, it’s reasonably priced – very reasonable actually – and packed to its attractive rafters with flavour. I

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RESTAURANT REVIEW

PICCOLINO

9 Brindleyplace, Birmingham, B1 2HS. Tel: 0121 634 3055 individualrestaurants.com/piccolino/birmingham nce upon a time, stranded in Brindleyplace with hungry bairns on a school night – long story – we began the painful hunt for sustenance that would please the whole gang. Obviously, there’s no shortage of restaurants, but the indecision of the species known as the tweenager was immense.

After much deliberation we plonked our tired behinds down in Piccolino for a bowl of pasta.

‘That’ll do,’ we thought. Nothing like carbs and a glass of vino (me not the kids) to improve the outlook. It turns out we frequent Piccolino so infrequently we’d forgotten how much we actually rate it. For a start, the lighting is ever-so flattering. Regardless of how harangued and haggard you might feel everyone looks attractive.

I feel a filter called Piccolino Brindleyplace coming on.

Round tables with banquette seating run the length of the room is conducive to having a good time as was the plentiful selection of bread that included a punchy basil pesto for dipping flatbread, grissini, garlic and rosemary focaccia and ciabatta. A crowd-pleaser of considerable proportions. Giant green olives disappeared pronto in a blur of little hands stabbing at them with gay abandon. One of their five a day at least.

The kids went for more dough in the form of margherita pizzas. We snaffled a slice and can confirm it was properly delicious. A bit big for people who’d already devoured a fair amount of

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pane, but really great. Ravioli di zucca was another level of satisfying. The thinnest of pasta pillows with perfect bed-mates; butternut squash, sage butter, pecorino and walnuts. Some might say it was a bit heavy on the oil/butter, but not me. It was superb. You know when food tastes like people care about ingredients? That.

The mother-in-law wasn’t so blown away by risotto al funghi, but the main complaint was the size of the mushrooms – too big apparently – rather than the flavour. That was all there.

Trofiette con pollo – pasta with chicken, pecorino cream and pine nuts – pleased the other half a lot and prompted him to declare ‘we’ll be coming here more often’. What began as an entirely necessary pitstop turned into an unexpected pleasure. The waiter was slightly grumpy mind you, but we put this down to a post-Xmas slump that, let’s face it, we all felt. I

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FOOD & DRINK

SAY CHEESE!

WINE AND CHEESE GO TOGETHER LIKE LOVE AND

MARRIAGE – AND HERE’S HOW YOU CHOOSE THE PERFECT PARTNERS, SAYS OUR EXPERT ROB PRICE

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FOOD & DRINK

nt and Dec, Morecambe and Wise, Cheese and Wine… a partnership that’s meant to be where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

So why do they work so well together? Both are a product of fermentation, improve with age, are made from living substances and been going for hundreds of years. You do, of course, realise I am talking about cheese and wine!

There are many different wines and cheeses – so which ones work well together? Let’s start off with a simple guide. White wines match better with softer cheeses and reds are best with hard cheeses. But we can do better than that! Give some thought to the region of the cheese and wine. Local cheese, local wine.

A

ROB’S

TO PAIR

4

SAUVIGNON BLANC WITH SOFT GOAT’S CHEESE:

RED OR WHITE? For example, Sancerre and Crottin de Chavignol form a perfect marriage of absolute bliss. Sancerre is a crisp dry white wine made with Sauvignon Blanc.

Crottin de Chavignol is a soft goat’s cheese. If you can’t find either of these, any Sauvignon Blanc and soft goat’s cheese will work well.

Consider the strength of your cheese and wine. They should be similar in strength to prevent one from overpowering the other. Red wines are fermented with their skins, and thus have tannin and generally more flavour, affecting the pairing characteristics with cheese.

Wines with higher tannin pair better with harder cheeses whereas creamy cheeses require a wine with higher acidity.

Whiter, fresher cheeses complement a crisper fruiter wine. Heavy or rich cheeses make a fine partner to light reds or even Chardonnay. For example, Caraway cheese and Gewürztraminer, Feta cheese and Beaujolais, Havarti cheese with red Bordeaux.

Tesco sells a Kidderton Ash soft goat’s cheese that is delicious, even more so when matched with their Finest Sancerre. Want to push the boat out? Waitrose sells a Sancerre, Le Manoir, 2018, for £24. Biodynamically made, it is the best Sancerre I have tasted.

FULL BODIED RED WITH STRONG MATURE CHEDDAR: Buy any good quality aged cheddar and pair with a gorgeous Gigondas (think Chateauneuf-du-Pape, but better value) from the Wine Society. Its 2013 vintage Exhibition Gigondas is brilliant and great value at £17.

SWEET DESSERT WINE WITH BLUE CHEESE: Ned Noble, Sauvignon Blanc, sold by Majestic wine for £14.99, is an amazing complex wine made with botrytised grapes (mouldy grapes – a bit like the cheese) that fill and linger in your mouth for a deliciously long time. Now taste it with a

PORT OF CALL If you like sweet wines then you’re in for a treat, because pairing dessert wine with blue veined cheese is wonderful. Prefer port, then Stilton is a perfect match, or port with mature cheddar is equally stunning.

Now of course, while I can make recommendations nothing is more important than individual taste. While these guidelines can point you in a certain direction the fun is experimenting and trying new combinations. On my cheese and wine evenings I’m always delighted, no longer surprised, at the weird and wonderful combinations people enjoy.

Here though are my recommendations, tried and tested. So, go on – be wowed! I

Gorgonzola to think you’ve won the jackpot and nothing else in the world matters.

BAROLO WITH MANCHEGO:

WANT TO LEARN MORE?

This is a marriage of a top Italian wine with a beautiful Spanish

Birmingham Wine School holds wine and cheese pairing evenings

cheese. One of the very best Barolo’s is Renato Ratti Marcenasco.

every month and is an independent wine education company that

Sold by quite a few independent wine merchants, online Slurp

offers fun informal wine tasting events and Wine & Spirit Education

has the 2015 vintage for £43.95. Pair with an aged Manchego.

Trust (WSET) courses in Birmingham, Sutton Coldfield and Warwick.

Pop into Anderson & Hill in Great Western Arcade for a

More information from Rob Price on 0121 270 7359 or visit

magnificent Manchego, along with many other fine cheeses.

www.birminghamwineschool.com

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ONCE UPON A TIME

WHATEVER VIBE YOU’RE PLANNING FOR YOUR WEDDING DAY, BIG OR SMALL, FORMAL OR RUSTIC, IT’S WONDERFUL TO LOOK BACK ON THOSE FOREVER PHOTOS AND SEE THE BEST VERSION OF YOU BEAMING BACK ell, you did it! Congratulations – yes, you’re engaged. Now comes the exciting bit.

Shopping for your wedding dress is like no other retail therapy and can feel a bit overwhelming at times. Lots of brides have very specific ideas about what sort of style they’d like, some are open to ideas. The important thing is to shop around.

If you’re opting for a bridal designer you can expect a six-month lead time, although from experience a bit of charm goes a long way. We managed it in 10 weeks, so it’s worth asking the question. Meet a handful of designers before you settle on the one. Go for someone you like, who gets you and whose dresses you love.

Also, consider stepping outside the bridal arena. If there’s a fashion designer you like, talk to them about whether they’ll see you to discuss a bespoke gown. Ben de Lisi is a great option.

The high street has seriously upped its bridal game over the last few years, so if you’re happy to forego the

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STYLE BLING BLING

Alessandra Rich crystal hoop earrings £365, Selfridges

SATIN MATTERS

Bec & Bridge Lana caramel satin midi dress £225, Harvey Nichols

ROCK CHICK

Valentino Garavani Rockstud gold-tone leather pumps £720, Harvey Nichols

ARM CANDY

Gucci GG Marmont mini cross body bag £1,330, Harvey Nichols

MAXIMUM IMPACT

Gown from Monsoon

SHEER MAGIC

Roland Mouret Hafren semi sheer-sleeved crepe gown £2,295, Selfridges

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GREAT CAPE

Taller Marmo feathertrimmed cape gown £955, Harvey Nichols

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STYLE

BOHO CHIC

Dress from the Moonrise Canyon collection by Rue De Seine, the Wedding Club

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STYLE FINISHING TOUCHES

Luna moon and starburst stone slides, two-pack £15, Oliver Bonas

BOW BELLE

Clarette shoe £160, Dune

SMOOTH LINES

No 1 Jenny Packham £38, Debenhams

personal touch and the odd glass of champers, take a look at some off-the-peg examples. If we were getting married now, we’d be hot-footing it to Needle and Thread for some seriously dreamy options.

Shoes are important. We all know a great shoe can give a girl a bit of swagger and there are some stunning options here. Take a look at the Louboutin and Manolo Blahnik examples pictured. It might not be sexy, but it’s wise to consider comfort too – it’ll be a magical day, but a long one. Provided you go for something well-made, that doesn’t have to mean sacrificing style. Checkout Rachel Simpson Shoes for the holy grail of gorgeousness and comfort with an original vintage vibe.

Regarding jewellery, family heirlooms are ideal adding sentimentality and ticking the borrowed box, but that’s not an option for all brides.

Birmingham is blessed with some of the country’s most talented jewellery designers, so head to the likes of Magnus & Bella, Sara Preisler and Alice Stewart plus many more. Also, try Vashi at Selfridges where you can design/customise your own beautiful jewels.

Avoid any last-minute hiccups by trying everything on together in good time to iron out anything you’re not happy with and most importantly enjoy the experience. It’s pretty magical and hopefully a once-in-a-lifetime event. I

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LESS IS MORE

Dress from the Moonrise Canyon collection

by Rue De Seine, the Wedding Club

GOLD RUSH

Paco Rabanne Sparkle 1969 sequin-embellished cross-body bag £440, Selfridges

COSMIC JEWELS

Luna moon and star drop earrings £260, Soru Jewellery

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STYLE

RELAXED VIBE

Billi shoe £130, Dune

VINTAGE VIBE

Isabelle mint heels £225, Rachel Simpson Shoes

SHINE ON

Galvan Amalfi sequinned gown £1,150, Selfridges

HIGH STREET FIND

Gown £299.99, TK Maxx

WELL HEELED

Manolo Blahnik Skysan champagne silk-satin mules £885, Harvey Nichols

BEAUTIFULLY MADE

SHORT AND SWEET

Dress £120, Miss Selfridge

Louisa shoe £245, Rachel Simpson Shoes

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STYLE

PRINCESS BRIDE

Picture courtesy of Sassi Holford

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BIG DAY BEAUTY STYLE

YES, IT’S ALL ABOUT THE DRESS, BUT

SKINCARE AND MAKE-UP ARE IMPORTANT TOO FOR THE PERFECT BRIDE LOOK

he key to a healthy-looking glow on your wedding day is skin preparation and make-up that looks barely there.

Firstly, book an appointment with your favourite skincare brand – we like Natura Bisse, Dermalogica and Kiehl’s – and take their advice on a regime to kick in a few months before the big day. Remember they’re sales people as well as skincare experts, so be picky about the products they recommend.

Don’t forget the body. Dry brush and slather on the body lotion or oil daily for super glowing skin. If you’re planning to self-tan, practice with products a couple of months before. Isle of Paradise is top of the tree for streak-free bronzing in our book. If you’d rather book a spray tan with a professional, have a trial run well in advance to be sure it’s a good one.

Regarding make-up, we recommend avoiding heavy contouring and faddy trends which won’t age well – remember the photos are forever. Barely there make-up always looks more youthful than the mask.

Lastly, don’t go over the top. There’s no need to crash diet, detox or embrace fillers.

Your other half wants to spend the rest of their life with the real you not a strange Photoshopped version they don’t recognise.

We’ve picked out three products to get you started that we wouldn’t get married without. I

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Picture courtesy of Dune

3

2 1 1. AMBIENT LIGHTING EDIT GHOST PALETTE £75, HOURGLASS

The best palette we’ve tried consisting of powder, blush, bronzer and a strobe highlighter. The powder provides just the right amount of coverage and setting power without looking cakey while the highlighter is as subtle or as full-on as you like. Just build it up gradually if want a less subtle sheen.

2. KIEHL’S MIDNIGHT RECOVERY CONCENTRATE £38 FOR 30ML, KIEHL’S Pat this oil on to cleansed skin before bed and you’ll look like you’ve had eight hours of deep sleep. We don’t say that lightly as we loathe the crazy claims of some beauty brands, but this works. You don’t need to use it every day either. It’s not a cumulative effect and works after one hit.

3. MAGIC FOUNDATION £34, CHARLOTTE TILBURY Okay, so the name’s stupid. It’s not magic, but it does provide an ideal flawless base that stays put. We’ve never cried while wearing it which is highly probable on your wedding day. Maybe give it a whirl while watching ET!

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STYLE FOR MEN

DO YOU Clothing from Burton

WELL GROOMED YOU’RE GETTING MARRIED AND YOU’LL NEVER HAVE A BETTER EXCUSE TO BUY YOUR DREAM SUIT

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STYLE FOR MEN

JACKET IN Navy suit jacket £75, Burton

TRAIL BLAZER Dsquared2 zip embellished wool blazer £1,090, Harvey Nichols

FLY TIE Dries Van Noten black silk jacquard tie £145, Harvey Nichols

TRUE BLUE Static navy brogue £110, Dune

f there’s ever a time to splash out, it’s now. You want to feel the bomb on your big day, so consider your outfit wisely.

The main thing is to hang on to your personal style. If you’re a relaxed kind of dude, resist the tails and go for a gorgeous well-cut suit that you can wear again. You want to look back at your wedding snaps and like what you see. If you’re trussed up in a cheap cravat and rented tails you might not be overjoyed. A suit that fits like a glove and top-notch shoes will affect the way you feel and move. Confidence is king. Go forth, shop around and enjoy.

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SUITS YOU Tom Ford checked Shelton-fit wool and silk-blend suit £3,135, Selfridges

CHECK MATE Charcoal check jacket and trouser £139, M&S

LOAFING AROUND Gucci Jordan black leather loafers £540, Harvey Nichols

SKINNY FIT Three piece grey skinny fit suit £200, Topman

SEE YOUR FACE Christian Louboutin Greggo flat patent £635, Selfridges

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HEALTH

WALKIE TALKIE

CAN SIMPLE STEPS REALLY LEAD TO A MUCH HEALTHIER

LIFESTYLE? LET’S DISCUSS…

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HEALTH

id you know that 26 per cent of UK adults take part in fewer than 30 minutes physical activity a week? We all know that regular exercise is good for our health, but to keep our bodies – and minds – in tiptop condition we don’t need to be Olympic athletes or long-distance runners.

The simple act of walking – whether a swift stride to the shops or a leisurely stroll through the park – can have a huge impact on our well-being. Walking benefits our muscles and posture, helps to protect and repair organs, aids digestion and can even turn back the ageing of our brains.

Here are the key benefits of stepping up your walking exercise, according to not-for-profit healthcare insurance provider, Paycare.

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MAKES US HAPPY One of the major benefits of walking is stress relief as the act of physical exercise increases concentrations of norepinephrine in the body – a chemical which moderates the brain’s response to stress.

INCREASES PRODUCTIVITY Employees who regularly exercise are said to be far more productive and have much more energy than their more sedentary counterparts. Not only that, but 12 noon is apparently the optimum time of the day to reap the benefits so, if you fancy surviving the midday slump, be sure to take that lunchtime stroll.

PREVENTS DEMENTIA Walking, like all forms of physical exercise, boosts the chemicals in the brain that support and prevents degradation of the hippocampus – a vital part of the brain for memory and learning. Researchers have found that walking for just 20 minutes a day boosts memory and improves overall brain function.

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ENCOURAGES CREATIVITY It is widely reported that the late founder of Apple, Steve Jobs, regularly held meetings on the move. And research by Stanford University supports his thinking by demonstrating that walking significantly boosts creative inspiration.

STRENGTHENS FRIENDSHIPS By asking friends, family members or colleagues to join you, you can make a simple walk into a full-on social occasion.

BOOSTS THE ECONOMY Walking schemes can reduce the amount of sick days taken by staff, leading to lower absenteeism costs for the business.

GOOD FOR METABOLISM Engaging in low-level activity across the course of the day is better for regulating your metabolism than engaging small bits of intense but infrequent activity.

People tend to overestimate the benefits of going to the gym and pounding out an hour on the treadmill when they’ve been inactive for the rest of the day. In fact there is some evidence that this behaviour can lead to exerciseinduced inactivity.

IMPROVE POSTURE For many of us, the working day involves going from sitting in our car to sitting at our desk, to sitting on the sofa. This can result in a bad posture and back problems.

Getting up and walking around regularly can help prevent a bad back and improve our posture.

Regular walking really can benefit us, so be sure to get those walking shoes out of the cupboard and take them for a short stroll each day of the week! I

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HEALTH

RIDING HIGH GREAT FOR IMPROVING YOUR FITNESS AND LOSING WEIGHT, REGULAR

CYCLING CAN ALSO HELP TO RELIEVE STRESS AND TONE THAT LOWER BODY

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HEALTH

ycling is a fun way to get fit. It’s low impact exercise, meaning it’s easier on the bones and joints than running or any other high impact aerobic activities. You can burn up to 600 calories on an hour’s ride while also soaking up the sun and taking in those countryside views.

Alongside all of the health benefits, cycling is easy to fit into your daily routine because it is also a form of transport. It saves you money, gets you fit and is good for the environment – now who can argue with that? Cycling gives a great opportunity to exercise at the same time as a good natter. And don’t forget the coffee and cake stops to fuel up!

There’s no better feeling after conquering your furthest, hardest ride.

If you were an avid cyclist and it’s been a while since you’ve ventured into the saddle don’t worry, the saying is true: “You never forget how to ride a bike.” Your body has a fantastic memory and you will be able to adapt really quickly to getting your balance and picking up some speed. However it is always good to prepare yourself by making sure you stretch your main muscles and get your fitness levels up to speed.

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SPIN TO WIN

One of the best ways to get in shape is taking part in a spinning class or two per week. Spinning is based purely on stationary bikes which run on a chain (just like outdoor bikes) and will take you through different phases of a ride such as steady pace, hill climbs, sprints and double time resistance.

Alongside motivational music and with an energetic coach in front of you, the 45 minute sessions will fly by and you will have fun as well as burning anywhere between 600 and 800 calories (and getting super fit!)

Just some of the benefits of indoor cycling: I Burn calories: spinning is long known to decrease fat and help people drop pounds I Improves cardio for a healthy heart I Strengthen body and mind: enhances both your core and your mental strength I Breathe properly: as you become more experienced, you’ll learn to work on controlled breathing. This can also help with anxiety and help lower the heart rate I It’s for everyone: regardless of age, gender or experience there’s a level and class to suit I Weather non-dependent: who cares if it’s raining outside? And as you’re unaffected by the climate it’s easy to set a schedule and stick to it I Make friends: regardless of your fitness level, you’re in it together. You become part of a team and it’s a great way to meet people.

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JOYS OF FLEX The main muscles used while pedalling are the gluteal muscles (your bum), your hamstrings, quadriceps and calves. Your hip flexors will also become tight if you begin cycling on a regular basis so it would be good practice to give these a good stretch before and after your ride.

Weight training can play a part to help you become bike-fit so focusing on your main muscles is a wise move. Exercises such as squats and lunges will target a big section of the lower body while also engaging the core muscles which are your main focus when working on your balance. With weights, try and stick with higher reps – this will boost your endurance allowing you to cycle for longer and further. I Find out more about spinning classes at Edgbaston Priory Club, Sir Harrys Road, Birmingham, B15 2UZ. Tel: 0121 440 2492 www.edgbastonpriory.com

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HOMES

BRILLIANT BATHROOMS A SUPER STYLISH SANCTUARY TO RELAX IN IS WHAT WE’RE

AFTER FROM OUR BATHROOM. IT’S NOT MUCH TO ASK IS IT?

WOW FACTOR Caesarstone Airy concrete, Caesarstone.co.uk

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HOMES

ith self-care and mindfulness high on the priority list, a luxurious or at least calm space to call your own is a great start. With the right tradesmen and much forward planning, there’s no reason you need to settle for a second-rate bathroom at home.

Even better, instruct a bathroom designer for results that are beyond the untrained eye. It’s fine creating a mood board from Instagram or Pinterest, but there are a lot of technical issues to get to grips with that you need to nail in order to be successful and an experienced designer will guide you through. Bathrooms aren’t cheap, so it’s worth getting it right first time.

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SURFACE AREA Tiles have moved on. A plethora of colours, patterns, shapes and styles are available that are so chic they might inspire your entire scheme. We like Baked Tiles or Tile Giant. If you’re looking for a cleaner line, check out Dekton which provides a seamless finish free from grout lines and therefore easy to clean. Choose grout colour and type wisely as it can make or break your look.

SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF Attention to detail will produce the best results. Taps and bath fillers for example are no longer chrome or brass. Choose from dozens of finishes. Check out Axon for some cracking examples.

INFRA RED We’ve talked about infra red showers before which are set to become much more mainstream this year. A warming burst while you shower is so beneficial to health and well being. Penetrating deep into the muscles, benefits include reduction in tension,

CLEAN LINES

BRIGHT LIGHTS

Featuring Geberit Acanto, geberit.co.uk

Gubi Turbo pendant light £472, Nest.co.uk

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HOMES

TWINNING IS WINNING Twin shower wall, Merlyn Showering merlynshowering.com

MOOD LIGHTING Bathroom by Lisa Melvin Design lisamelvindesign.co.uk

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HOMES

GOLD RUSH BY AYTM Luceo wall lamp £460, Nest.co.uk

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HOMES

improved circulation and a boost to the immune system among other things.

CREATE ORDER The only way to create a calm space is to include ample storage. Utilise the cavernous space under the bath for bulky items and create storage behind mirrors to maximise space.

LIGHT UP Think about your favourite spa. It will no doubt have ambient lighting that puts you in a relaxed frame of mind. Consider your scheme from the outset bearing in mind you might also need bright lighting for some tasks in addition to a soft glow for relaxing. Look out for schemes which offer a combination of mood lighting to suit your needs. Toto Bathroom has a product that allows you to set the mood whether you’re relaxing in the tub or applying make-up.

TRADITIONAL CHARM Accessories by Amara, amara.com

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PROPERTY MALVERNS VIEW

THIS MONTH’S PICK OF TOP HOMES FOR SALE ON THE MARKET

Hall Court Farm, Ledbury Guide price: Offers over £2.2million Agent: Andrew Grant, tel: 0330 024 3000 A whopping eight-bedroom Grade II Listed historic hall with lovely gardens overlooking the Malverns.

There’s more than 5,900 sq ft to explore as well as a large American barn with 18 stables, additional farm buildings, large pond, orchards and pastureland extending over 79 acres.

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HOMES

STONE IN LOVE Dingle Lane, Coleshill Guide price: £900,000 Agent: Fine and Country, tel: 0121 746 6400 We’re loving this unique four-bedroom detached family home that’s been individually and carefully designed in keeping with the stone farmhouse look and boasts some high specification fixtures and fittings.

A particular favourite is the master bedroom with ensuite and separate dressing area.

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BARN WINNER Willow Bank Barn, Little Comberton Guide price: £1.3million Agent: Andrew Grant, tel: 0330 024 3000

A stylishly-presented period converted barn sat in more than 10 acres of woodland, paddocks and garden. As well as four great bedrooms, four bathrooms and loads of living space, there’s also a cracking Mark Wilkinson kitchen with an electric Aga, plus a separate utility room.

BIG APPLE APPEAL

Marshall Street, Birmingham Guide price: £995,000 Agent: Fine and Country, tel: 0121 272 6800 If your into loft living, here’s the perfect pad! A superb three-bedroom, New York-style loft apartment in the heart of the city that’s just a short stroll from the Mailbox and the Cube. Beautifully designed with a distinctive finish, there’s high quality fixtures and fittings throughout and wonderful high ceilings.

BRICKS&BITS

From the industry’s movers and shakers to the latest groundbreaking developments… email your property news and pictures to shelley@brumliving.co.uk

SOUTHSIDE BID

GRAND PLANS

BT SITE SWITCH

Rainier Developments based in Henley-in-Arden has bought Priory House in the city centre and is planning to make it a central part of the regeneration of Southside.

Rainier is aiming to restore the seven-storey building, creating approximately 100 apartments. Plans will be presented at MIPIM – a major property development and investment show – next month.

Plans for 2,000 homes, two new schools and two commercial centres on a site north of Stafford have been approved by the borough council. Lead consultants on the scheme, Pegasus Group, secured approval on behalf of Worcestershire-based developer Maximus. The scheme includes a mixture of two, three and four-bedroomed houses, with 12 per cent affordable housing.

A former office building in Kidderminster is set to be transformed into new homes following a £385,000 sale by agents John Truslove. Mario Construction is planning to convert the former BT Building into 13 one-bedroom flats with work beginning immediately. Jay Mann for Mario Construction, said: “It was clear from the start this property represented a significant opportunity.”

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TOP-SPEC TOWNHOUSE Westlands Road, Moseley Guide price: £550,000 Agent: James Laurence, tel: 0121 396 0153

This five-bedroom townhouse offers a contemporary classic-style of living in the heart of Moseley. There’s more than 2,000 sq ft of high-spec luxury to enjoy, including a spacious designer kitchen-come-diner and a lovely front-facing living room.

Don’t miss Property of the Week on our Facebook page every Thursday www.facebook.com/bhamliving

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MOTORING

LOVE AT FIRST LIGHT

THE NEW PEUGEOT 3008 SETS JUST THE RIGHT MOOD WITH GOOD LOOKS, GREAT TECH AND A MESMERISING LIGHT SHOW, SAYS SUE COOKE ith mood enhancing lights and a choice of fragrances, it may well be that the interior of the new Peugeot 3008 is the place to pop the proposal this month. And if you miss Valentine’s Day then there is always Leap Day on 29 February as 2020 celebrates Leap Year.

Aside from the choice of lighting colours and a mesmerising display of copper-coloured virtual dials, this SUV has a lot to love. The attractive exterior has a unique dual colour paint design on the GT and GT Line versions.

The Coupe Franche paintwork teams Nera Black paint with a choice of three different colours. The copper addition is gorgeous.

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For those of us spending many hours behind the wheel, it’s not so much exterior looks that count but what you can see in the interior. The innovative digital i-Cockpit is a standard feature on all models and it has a spectacular advanced dashboard.

FUTURISTIC GRAPHICS Sports versions feature the Aikinite copper-coloured virtual dials which at the press of a button will circle, fade in and out, flip and generally provide a fantastic display. As well as changing lighting colours and fragrances, new owners get to use futuristic graphics.

Technology also includes Mirror Link which lets you read

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MOTORING

FACTS AT A GLANCE

Model: Peugeot 3008 SUV Price: £36,140 otr Engine: 2.0-litre Blue HDi 180 EAT8 GT Line Premium Performance: 0-62mph in nine seconds and on to a top speed of 134mph CO2 emissions: 125g/km Combined fuel consumption: 58.9mpg (NEDC)

and answer messages through voice recognition. A camera gives the driver a bird’s eye view around the car which makes parking easier. The SUV has adaptive cruise control with stop function which will slow the car down and stop the vehicle if it detects that motorway traffic has stopped.

I like the high beam assistance which provides great visibility when night driving and the pool of light at the side of the car, showing the lion logo, is one of those features you can’t resist showing off. As standard, auto braking can detect pedestrians and alert the driver, which has helped to lower some insurance premiums. The four-wheel drive technology on the 3008 will keep you safer on the icy or flooded roads that February might bring.

IAM RoadSmart, the UK’s largest road safety charity comments that there is no doubt that the

february 2020

biggest influencer in fuel consumption is the driver’s right foot. But loving the 3008 just got better as Peugeot has introduced a hybrid which will save money on fuel consumption and road tax.

The GT Hybrid4 is powered by a 1.6-litre PureTech petrol engine and two electric motors, making a combined 220kW (300hp), and acceleration from 0-60mph takes just 5.9 seconds.

The 13.2kWh battery can be fully charged in less than two hours using a standard 7kW charging point and provides up to 36 miles of fully electric driving (WLTP).

The Peugeot 3008 SUV is one of those cars that is easy to drive, easy to review and easy to fall in love with, as my week of road testing just cruised by. I

SHOWROOM

Robins & Day Birmingham, 100 Small Heath Highway, Birmingham, B10 0BT. Tel: 01212 229803 robinsandday.co.uk

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YOUNG, GIFTED & BRUMMIE

MITCH MILLER The talented performer on being back in Brum, touring with Blue, that petrifying audition on The Voice and inspiring the next generation ou probably recognise Mitch Miller from his successful stint on The Voice in 2015 on team Rita Ora where he impressed audiences with his swing-inspired performances which led to West End shows and some very swanky corporate gigs.

Now back in his home-town passing on his performing wisdom to youngsters at Cadbury Sixth Form College, we caught up with Mitch.

With a song-writing father and music a constant at home, Mitch was immersed from birth and says: “Sadly I was one of those kids always performing! I vaguely remember a Grease number at primary school.” King’s Norton Primary School was the one,

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but it was at secondary school where he really found his groove although it wasn’t always appreciated by his peers.

Mitch recalls: “I got picked on a lot. Singing wasn’t cool. There was a ‘God, how embarrassing’ sort of attitude, but I did it anyway.” At the same time Mitch was performing with a City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra choir and sang at the Commonwealth Games and for the Queen at Symphony Hall among other high-profile events.

Further down the line at drama school tutors would say they could tell Mitch had a classical training. “The funny thing is I hadn’t had any classical training other

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YOUNG, GIFTED & BRUMMIE

than the sessions with the choir at the CBSO.”Sixth form with a particularly inspiring drama teacher cemented Mitch’s love of performing and led him to the well-regarded Mountview Academy Drama school in London where he specialised in musical theatre. This grounding made Mitch think the audition for The Voice would be fine, but actually it was ‘petrifying’.

The thing the viewer doesn’t know about The Voice is that the auditionees go through months of vocal coaching before the first televised audition, so the programme makers have already invested a lot in each of the hopefuls. Mitch’s vocal coach was Mark De-Lisser who was director of the Royal Wedding Choir and pretty high profile.

Mitch says: “Even if you don’t get very far you’ve already had access to amazing training and learned quite a lot.” The preparation didn’t squash the nerves of the chair-turning audition though. “The fear is that no one turns around. I arrived up with my family at 6am and my audition was at 11.30pm which built the anxiety.” He needn’t have worried.

Mitch joined Rita Ora’s team and had a ‘fabulous’ experience that definitely opened doors.

SURREAL MOMENTS A role in Godspell on the West End has been one of the highlights as well as Westside Story and Rent and his fee has certainly benefited. There’ve been some high-profile events that have been slightly bizarre. At a ‘posh cricket match’ where Mitch was performing he was sat between Nigel Farage and one of Princess Diana’s cousins, which he says was surreal.

There’ve been other surreal moments along the way like performing at Party in the Park and supporting the likes of Blue and Liberty X before the TV stuff happened. Mitch says: “I don’t really know how that came about. I used to record the demos of dad’s songs with a friend and it just snowballed from there. Party in the Park was the first time I’d really sung on my own and it was in front of 30,000 people.

I might as well have been sponsored by Reebok. It was Nineties and I was head to toe!”

After a spell in London Mitch moved back to Birmingham with his husband largely to start a

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STAR MENTOR: Mitch was on Rita Ora’s team in The Voice

family and he’s loving being back. Now with twins, Mitch’s role as a tutor in performing arts means he has a solid base for the children while inspiring young people and still performing outside college hours. “I’ve always taught between jobs as lots of performers do, but this is different. Generally, I’ve taught in drama schools where the students know exactly what they want to do and believe they will get there. Here, every kid is so different. There’s a lot of raw talent and they really don’t know how good they are. This is my passion and seeing the next generation of performers cut their teeth means the world. It doesn’t seem too long ago since I was doing the same.” I

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GROWING PLACES

MOST INFLUENTIAL

GOOD READ Kind-hearted bookworms from Winterfold School have been awarded an Outstanding School certificate for their continued support of the charity Read for Good. The charity transforms the lives of thousands of children in hospital by providing them with brand-new books, funded

by Readathon donations. The regular supply of books and visits from professional storytellers offer children in hospital the chance to escape their situation. Winterfold has raised more than

Lauren Zhang from King Edward VI High School for Girls has been featured in the arts section of the Financial Times as one of the most influential young musicians on the planet.

The pianist was described in the article as a ‘total phenomenon’ by Julian Lloyd Webber. School principal Ann Clark said: “I was thrilled to hear that Lauren had been nominated as one of the planet’s 30 most exciting young people by the Financial Times, following her nomination at the BBC’s Young Musician of the Year in 2018.”

SCHOOL REPORT

£24,500 for the charity since 1998.

SYMPHONY DRIVE Pupils from Devonshire Junior Academy were treated to an exclusive performance by Spanish cellist Pablo Ferrández. The artist performed as a thank you from Town Hall Symphony Hall after pupils from the Sandwell school named a new road after Birmingham’s world class concert venue. Maja Kuzimska, one of the children who came up with the name for the TC Homes development, said: “We suggested Symphony Drive because of Symphony Hall and it sounds like a lovely, happy place to live.”

ONE TO WATCH

Bromsgrove School pupil and budding golfer Lili-Rose Hunt was presented with her County Championship Gross and Net Trophies as well as a Certificate of Outstanding Achievement for her exceptional performances throughout 2019 at Worcestershire County Golf presentation evening. Her outstanding performances included County Championship and IAPS victories, fourth place in the Champion of Champions, qualification for the European Championship Finals in Cadiz and selection for the regional England golf squad.

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GROWING PLACES

TOP SPONSOR Alvechurch U15 ladies football team has netted a top sponsor by winning backing from community-minded law firm Clarke Willmott LLP. The team was runners-up in the 2018/19 Central Warwickshire U14s league, winners of the Open Cup and

EXHIBITION ACE

finalists in the Aces National Tournament. So far this season the girls are undefeated

Year 4 pupil Alina Muss from Moreton

in both league and cup. Team manager Scott Wilkinson said: “The girls have had a

First Prep School has been recognised in

great start and their togetherness and team spirit are really inspiring.”

a regional art competition hosted by Weston Park. The Halls Young Artist Competition attracted more than 250 entries which were judged by James Forster, paintings expert at Halls Fine Art. Alina was awarded second prize and was presented with an annual family pass to Weston Park. Her work is on show at Granary Art Gallery together with submissions by 17 other members of Moreton First who were also shortlisted.

YOUTH OLYMPICS Dorridge teenager Scott Johns was selected for Team GB in the Youth Olympic Games in Switzerland. Scott, 16, competed in ski cross on the back of a successful season which has seen both him and his older brother Owen, travel to Sweden, Austria, Switzerland and Australia to take on the best in the world. Scott’s father Kevin said: “Scott’s selection is reward for his hard work and dedication. Owen has always skied and Scott followed in his brother’s footsteps from a young age.”

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PERSON TO PERSON

CLOSE WITHÁ PHILIPPA DEAN WHETHER IT’S BAKING FOR FAMILY AND FRIENDS OR WORKING IN HER DREAM JOB, THE HEAD OF GUEST SERVICES AT RESORTS WORLD BIRMINGHAM HAS ONE MISSION – TO PUT A SMILE ON EVERYONE’S FACE

BEEN THERE, DONE THAT I was born and bred in Birmingham (Solihull). My ambition in life from the age of 10 was always to become a chef. I completed five years of intense classical cookery at Birmingham College of Food, Tourism & Creative Studies (BCFTCS, now known as UCB). My forté was Larder & Butchery (not something you’d expect a young lady to do!) I was lucky enough to work at many hotels in the city centre, working my way up to the top, cooking for the likes of the Roux Brothers and Gordon Ramsay. My career began at the Midland Hotel (now the Burlington), before working for Intercontinental Hotels Group and Lake Vyrnwy Hotel in Wales. To me personally, you can only call yourself a chef if you have been classically trained! I changed direction after 10 years, still working in hospitality to understand and explore the operational side of the industry, as a conference and events sales manager.

under one roof and outstanding service for our guests. It’s the place to go!

IT’S WHAT I DO My mantra is: “Nothing you wear is more important than your smile.” As head of guest services at Resorts World, I have now stepped into my dream job. I am known for my enthusiastic and outgoing nature – I aim to place a smile on everyone’s face that I come into contact with. I adore my job – it’s a fabulous, happy place to work and is my second home! I am able to always be myself and truly demonstrate what true, exceptional guest service is.

WHAT I LIKE ABOUT BRUM I love the mix of old and new, it’s a vibrant and exciting city.

WHAT I’D LIKE TO SEE To blow away our competitors! There is nothing around the city that offers a destination with so much fun

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BIGGEST SUCCESS Being awarded Resorts World Birmingham’s employee of the year at our in-house Awesome Awards this year meant the world to me. My second biggest success was winning chef of the year at BCFTCS. I like to think that any job I am given, I commit 100 per cent to the task in hand. I am truly humbled that I have landed on my feet and been able to excel at being me!

BIGGEST LESSON LEARNED To always be myself, try and avoid being around negative people and surround myself with positivity. Manners cost nothing, I thank my parents for a my strict upbringing and guidance that nothing in life is perfect but if you work hard at whatever comes your way, you can never say you’ve failed.

DOWNTIME Being a wife and mom to two boys, making memories is a priority as life is too short and they grow up so fast!

Cooking/baking is my second passion. My eldest son rates every meal prepared out of 10 – I’m sure he’ll be a food critic in the future! I love baking for friends, family and work colleagues. Placing a smile on someone’s face from something that is homemade means everything to me – I suppose you could call me a people pleaser. I

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ing livBUSINESS RACHEL SIMPSON SHOES

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THE RISE OF FAST FASHION PUSHED THE KING’S NORTON SHOE DESIGNER INTO

LAUNCHING HER OWN COLLECTION. IT WAS THE HEIGHT OF THE RECESSION AND PEOPLE SAID SHE WAS CRAZY – BUT 11 YEARS ON AND RACHEL HAS PULLED IT OFF

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COMPANY TO WATCH

or anyone who shopped for wedding shoes a decade ago or more, you’ll be all too familiar with the cream satin block heel that was wheeled out as standard by bridal boutiques across the land.

Thankfully current brides don’t need to suffer the same fate as the choice is vastly more varied. The likes of Jimmy Choo and Emma Hope cottoned on to the bridal market at the top end and at the other end of the price spectrum, the high street got on board. A gap in the market somewhere in between still existed, where brides hankered after a beautifully-made shoe that made them feel super special, but cost less than the dress.

Cue local shoe designer and ‘accidental businesswoman’ Rachel Simpson who, after designing for other people, launched her own collection in 2008.

Rachel has been designing shoes since 2001 and worked with brands such as TopShop and Wallis on a freelance basis for seven years before going it alone, all the while making her own beautiful shoes on a leather sewing machine in her shed.

F

FIRST COLLECTION When Rachel received identical briefs from three different freelance clients, it pushed her to launch her own wellthought out, well-made collection. At the time Primark had entered the scene and copycat fast fashion was on the rise.

Rachel recalls: “It was a catalyst for me. I thought, no. I don’t want to do this. I make proper beautifully-made shoes. I launched in 2008 just as the recession hit and everyone said I was crazy!”

Rachel designed the first collection of her now signature original vintage shoes. She says: “I didn’t look at anything in terms of trends and just designed what I loved inspired by the shoes of the 1920s and 30s which had a timeless elegance and were beautifully made.” Rachel took her sketches to a large trade fair in Milan to show potential factories. She trawled the aisles, talking to people until she found a factory in Spain she liked.

“We created samples in spring 2008 and launched at the National Wedding Show in October of the same year.

Consumer shows were great. We did Earl’s Court, the NEC and Harrogate meeting people, handing out flyers and running competitions in order to build a mailing list.”

With 12 samples, Rachel began phoning bridal shops, setting up meetings and putting in the hard yards to get her designs to market.

february 2020

The business side has been more challenging than designing. Rachel explains: “Learning to define my own role has been hard. I started designing shoes and became an accidental businesswoman. I learned things like HR, marketing and managing people as I went along. It’s all grown very organically.” She adds: “Deciding which bits to delegate was hard. At first you don’t want to delegate, then you delegate and then you spend time monitoring. As the business grows the challenges just get bigger rather than running completely smoothly.”

CHALLENGING The team of seven is based at the brand’s King’s Norton office, but it hasn’t all been plain sailing. “We have such a lovely team now, but we’ve had to kiss a few frogs before finding the right fit. It’s taken time.” Rachel is out of the office meeting people and selling often so it’s important to have the right people back at base. “People say to me, ‘oh you shouldn’t be selling,’ but actually it works. No one is more passionate about the brand than me, so the meetings I have tend to reap the best rewards.”

The choice, as with all wedding purchases is about more than just style, it’s emotional and as well as consumer shows which still work really well, social media has been key in reaching potential and existing customers.

“Instagram allows us to chat to customers and also to gauge the success of new ideas. We sneak peaked a deep forest green shoe on Instagram and it became one of our most liked posts and sold out. It also allows customers to suggest things. If enough people ask for something we’ll give it a whirl.”

Colour is one of the signatures of the collection and has evolved over the years since the first samples were created.

As you’d expect, ivory and metallics feature heavily but there’s also teal, lilac and ice blue among others.

Customers buy Rachel Simpson Shoes outside of the bridal arena and rather than being a one-hit wonder very few fall off the mailing list once married. “While we don’t want to split the collection into bridal and non-bridal, the collection can be worn day-to-day. We’ve just done a photo shoot focusing on day wear to highlight that.”

As for being based in Birmingham, Rachel wouldn’t have it any other way. “I’m a passionate Brummie. We started out in the Custard Factory before moving to King’s Norton.

Birmingham is an exciting place to have a business, it’s cool and there’s so much investment coming into the city.” I

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From only £25

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BUSINESS

COFFEE KINGS Birmingham-based espresso coffee machine manufacturer Fracino has made four new hires in its manufacturing and sales departments.

Roy Chalmers, Andrew Pate, Shane Harmon and Harry Heath join following a successful year for the manufacturer, based in Birch Road East, Witton.

Exports were up to 30 per cent of turnover and are predicted to approach 50 per cent in 2020.

BUSINESS

NEWS

FLUID MOVE

Bromsgrove-based 2KM UK and French company Poly Dispensing Systems have joined forces to launch Dosis UK, a new company specialising in supplying dispensing equipment across the country. Dosis offers dispensing solutions for fluids, from pneumatic and volumetric dispensers, robots and valves to all consumables such as syringes and needle tips. The core business is to provide a solution to dispense fluids in a precise and repeatable way within manufacturing processes.

DEFINING DECISION Offices in one of Alcester’s historic buildings are the new home of a thriving cosmetics clinic. Marie Dolan has moved her Define business to Shakespeare Chamber in the High Street in a deal arranged by property agents John Truslove. A professionally qualified nurse, Marie has worked in the aesthetics industry for a dozen years but decided to set up her own business providing a range of services including cosmetic injections, anti-ageing treatments, dermal fillers, lip fillers and skincare.

february 2020

NEW IN LAWS The family law department at Thursfields Solicitors has continued its expansion by recruiting two experienced new members.

Harbinder Gosal has joined as a senior associate and team leader in the company’s Halesowen office after more than 20 years’ experience at various law firms in the northwest and Midlands. Jill Roberts has joined as a chartered legal executive at Thursfields’ Worcester office.

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BUSINESS

TAXING ROLE

Financial and professional services firm Smith & Williamson has boosted its Birmingham team with the appointment of Krista Woodman as

E-TICKET TO RIDE Birmingham Airport has launched a fully electric bus fleet to replace its diesel vehicles – and become the first UK airport to use the ultra-low emission transport. West Midlands mayor Andy Street took the driving seating to put the new six-vehicle Volvo fleet into gear. An investment of £1.8million was made by the airport, plus a grant of £1.4million from the Department for Transport under its Ultra Low Emission Bus Scheme.

director of private client tax services. She headed up the same team at Smith & Williamson in Cheltenham up to 2018. Krista is the latest in a series of promotions at the Birmingham office which saw Stephen Drew appointed professional services managing partner and fellow partner Matt Watts become

SPORTY SIBLINGS

head of Birmingham business tax services.

Brother and sister Andrew Berry and Vicky Newhouse say they don’t fit the mould of ‘sporty fund-raisers’. But by competing in a series of marathons, triathlons and swimming events in memory of their mother, the siblings raised £4,500 for Birmingham-based charity Cure Leukaemia. Andrew and Vicky’s mum Carolyn had been treated by Cure Leukaemia co-founder Prof Charlie Craddock at the Centre for Clinical Haematology at Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

FAST FORWARD

The British Motor Museum has hit the accelerator pedal with three senior

appointments. Stephen Laing, previously the museum’s curator, has been promoted to head of collections. Cat Griffin has been promoted to take over the curator’s role, while Charlotte Gallant steps up from deputy archivist to

NICOLA STANDS DOWN The chair of the Jewellery Quarter Business Improvement District is standing down after

archivist. Stephen said: “I am fascinated by

four years at the helm. Nicola Ridler, pictured left, helped spearhead major improvements

the richness of the heritage we have here at

to the JQ and was instrumental in setting up the successful annual Jewellery Quarter

Gaydon and it is a pleasure to be able to play

Festival. Nicola was diagnosed with bowel cancer in August 2017 and given six months

an even greater part in its future.”

to live, but she is now in year three of her diagnosis and has participated in both the

ACORNS BOOST

Birmingham Half Marathon and Stoma 66 (66 days to reach 66,000km).

Specialist national law firm Kang & Co, which has offices in Victoria Square, Birmingham, has given Acorns Children’s Hospice a cash boost. The firm raised £1,500 for the Midlands charity with a Just Giving page supported by clients, suppliers and contacts. Director Manjinder Kang, pictured left, said: “The support provided to children and their families by Acorns is crucial, and I am glad that we were able to help.”

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BUSINESS

BUSINESS BITES

OARSOME RESULT

FINANCE AWARD

BMet College chief financial officer Martin Penny beat off competition to win the Finance Director of the Year award (not-forprofit) at the West Midlands Finance Awards. The award recognises those who demonstrate legacy of delivery in financial performance, leadership and management.

A team of architects raised more than £2,000 for homelessness charity Shelter after completing a 590-mile ‘Rowvember’ challenge. Twenty-seven rowers from Associated Architects completed the long-distance mission during lunch hours at the Club & Spa in the Mailbox. The row covered the distance between Associated’s Mailbox base to its Leeds office, then on to the Royal Holloway, University of London – which was recently redesigned by the practice – and back to Birmingham.

BARBER AGAINST BLADES A Birmingham barber has joined a national campaign to tackle knife crime. Jonny Cox from Clip Around The Ears, based at Tandis Hair and Beauty, Smallbrook Queensway, was joined by Zab Hussain from Southside BID to support the Barbers Against Blades campaign. Jonny is the first city centre barber to get on board with the campaign, which sees amnesty boxes placed in barbershops, giving young people a

GOLD WINNER

Learning provider, Birmingham-based Oxbridge won the gold standard award for Best Use of Blended Learning – Commercial Sector for its Classroom Heroes programme at the prestigious Learning Technologies Awards.

The awards celebrate excellence in e-learning.

£3M FOR THREE

Heart of England Community Foundation has pledged more than £3million to support a trio of charities across the West Midlands. The money will be shared between YMCA Birmingham, St Basil’s and Black Country Women’s Aid. The grants are awarded through a programme which focuses on purpose-built housing for vulnerable people in the region.

place to safely and anonymously deposit a weapon.

FULL OF BEANS A visitor to a Birmingham coffee shop loved it so much she bought it! Lydia Papaphilippopoulos-Snape, a regular at Saint Kitchen, was approached by the owner who was looking to sell the business. The Jewellery Quarter coffee shop had always been a favourite retreat for Lydia, who owns Warwick Street Kitchen in Leamington. She said: “When the owner told me he’d like me to take over Saint Kitchen, I couldn’t refuse!”

JACKET IT IN If clearing out your wardrobe in the New Year was not on your to-do-list, now’s the perfect time to de-clutter your closet – and help the Jewellery Quarter Suit Drive. The drive, which runs until 18 February, is asking businesses and residents to donate smart clothing to help unemployed men and women make that crucial first impression. Donations can be dropped off at the Big Peg, Vyse Street with all items going to the Suited for Success charity.

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SOCIAL SCENE

CHARITIES SHARE LAW FIRM CASH DONATION

1

2

Lodders Charity Foundation presents

£6,000 hand-out at special reception

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ifespace Trust and Shakespeare Hospice charities each received a £3,000 donation from the Charitable Foundation of Midlands law firm Lodders.

Foundation chairman David Lodder presented cheques to Lifespace’s Andrea Gardner and Shakespeare’s Fiona Stark at a drinks reception held at Stratford’s Castle Fine Art Gallery.

Since its launch in 2016, the foundation has raised £50,000 for regional charities. Lifespace Trust mentors young people to help them build resilience and achieve more while Shakespeare Hospice offers supportive care for patients living with life-limiting illness. I

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1 Emily Waddell, Mike Wakeling, David Lodder, James Spreckley, Alastair Frew. 2 Geoff Phipps, Jude Bowley, Diane Redmile.

3 Mark Humphries, Andrea Gardner, Fiona Legros, David Markham. 4 Andrea Gardner, David Lodder, Emily Waddell, Fiona Murphy.

5 Lord Hertford, Debbie Jagla, John Rouse, Sue James. 6 Victoria Borrow, David Lodder, Jan and Fred Mourton, Martin Green.

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Reporter is made honorary life member after 35-year TV career eteran TV reporter Keith Wilkinson was installed as an honorary life member of Birmingham Press Club following his retirement after 35 years with ITV News Central. He received the traditional Press Club bugle, created by craftsmen at Acme Whistles, from Press Club chairman and ITV colleague Bob Warman at a lunch held at the Circle Restaurant, Birmingham Hippodrome.

The occasion turned out to be a ‘nice’ lunch – as stand-up comedian Janice Connolly introduced her alter ego, Mrs Barbara Nice, a caricature of a middle-aged housewife from Kings Heath. Janice is also artistic director of Birmingham-based theatre company, Women and Theatre.

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1 Steve Hall, Dianne Hall, John Lamb. 2 Derek Inman, Dorian Chan, Alan Birks. 3 Bob Warman and Keith Wilkinson. 4 Janice Connolly as Mrs Barbara Nice. 5 Hazel Horton-Peppercorn, Tony Adams. 6 Laurie Upshon, Val Deeley. 7 Sandra Rhodes, Joyce Coakley, Radcliffe Shields.

8 Fred Bromwich, Jayne Grimes, Richard Grimes, Beryl Williams. 9 Peter Harkness, David Dunckley, Chris Mowbray, Adrian Kibbler.

Pictures: Ian Tennant

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RED CARPET NIGHT WITH SNOW WHITE

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Celebrities turn out in style at Hippodrome’s five-star show

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elebrity guests took to the red carpet for the opening of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at Birmingham Hippodrome. The line-up included Michelin-star celebrity chef Glynn Purnell, Great British Bake Off ’s Michael Chakraverty and Olympic medallist, Katharine Merry. The show, which runs until 2 February and has received five-star reviews from critics, stars Lesley Joseph, Matt Slack and Joe McElderry. I

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1 Amy Stutz, Emma Hogan, Ben Wooldridge, Jenna Hadley and Camila Poccard. 2 Richie Anderson and guest. 3 Shay Grewal and family.

4 Michael Chakraverty. 5 Satnam Rana and family. 6 Katharine Merry. 7 Bob Warman. 8 Dan Morrissey and Andy Goulding and guests.

9 Glynn Purnell and family.

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Photography by Simon Hadley

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Thousands raised at lunch in aid of Smart Works Birmingham ore than £5,000 was raised at a lunch for Smart Works Birmingham, the charity that provides high-quality work clothes and interview training to help women in need back into work. The lunch was attended by 130 people from across the West Midlands business community who heard guest speaker Isabel Spearman, brand and image consultant and former special adviser to Samantha Cameron, who is also an ambassador for the charity. She was in conversation with the charity’s Birmingham chairwoman and trustee, Philippa Pickavance. I

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1 Caroline Penn Smith, Lucy Hanslell. 2 Michelle Elleman, Alison Hill. 3 Ruth Paulin, Julia Regis, Jilly Cosgrove, Philippa Pickavance, Caroline Wilkie, Victoria Camfield. 4 Michele Clifton. 5 Alison Montieth. 6 Rhian Banks, Elizabeth Evans. 7 Joanne Penn-Crossland, Isabel Spearman, Laura Dalby, Caroline Wilkie, Philippa Pickavance. 8 Tina Cannon, Fiona Mellor, Olivia Morris, Abi Linford, Sara Garratt.

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RESTAURANT OPENS IN STYLE AT ARCADIAN

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Guests get a taste of pan-Asian glamour at Rozu preview party

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preview event was held at Rozu, the new pan-Asian restaurant at the Arcadian Centre.

Founded by Rory May, the 70-cover restaurant is inspired by the glamour of Ibiza, London and Dubai. With flamingos, flowers and jungle foliage, the tropical theme provided guests with a vibrant backdrop to enjoy the food and drink and to party. I

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1 Albee Valentine, Rory May, Ellis Porter. 2 Brad Pattni, Jack Lear. 3 Sanjeeta Bains, Jason Hadden. 4 Sunny Mandez. 5 Anita Champaneri.

6 Ruby and Kithi Bansal. 7 Ushma Valerio, Leilah Bell. 8 Jess Fitzpatrick, Rory May, Dean Gordon.

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BEST IN THE BUSINESS PICK UP TOP AWARDS 2

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Asian Business Chamber of Commerce holds its annual glittering dinner event ore than 500 guests attended the Asian Business Chamber of Commerce awards held at the National Motorcycle Museum. Winner of the top Business of the Year title was the Rape and Sexual Violence Project (RSVP) based in Bennetts’s Hill, Birmingham. RSVP also claimed the Outstanding Charity of the Year award.

Other winners included Business Woman of the Year, Fiona Allan of Birmingham Hippodrome; Start-up Business of the Year, Midland Health; and SME Business of the Year, Love Your Postcode. The President’s Award went to disability rights advocate and entrepreneur Shani Dhanda. I

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1 Bobby Singh. 2 Clive Reeves, Sam Watts. 3 Qasim Majid, Danielle Ford, Sophie Fletcher, Lisa Thompson, Nina Wadia.

4 Kavita Parmar, Anita Champaneri. 5 Paul Faulkner, Denise Sheasby. 6 Anita Chumber, Ifraz Ahmed. 7 Qasim Majid, Shani Dhanda.

8 Dr Haseena Lockhat, Steve Brittan. 9 Saqib Batti, Anjum Khan, Aftab Chughtai.

Photography by Jas Sansi

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WHAT: Half-Term Fun WHEN: 17 to 21 February WHERE: Birmingham Botanical Gardens, tel: 0121 212 3383 www.birminghambotanicalgardens.org.uk As well as the awesome glasshouse and the beautiful gardens to enjoy, there’s also loads of special activities, including arts and crafts and story trails. Great for all the family.

WHAT: Pussycat Dolls WHEN: 8 April WHERE: Arena Birmingham, tel: 0844 338 8000 www.theticketfactory.com The era-defying, chart-topping, button-pushing, mega-group are back! The girls will be performing together for the first time in more than a decade, bringing their smash hits back to life with iconic dance routines and show-stopping vocals.

WHAT: Kay Mellor’s Band of Gold WHEN: 10 to 15 February WHERE: Alexandra Theatre, tel: 0844 8713011 www.atgtickets.com/birmingham Following the huge, sell-out success of Fat Friends the Musical, Kay Mellor returns to the Alexandra with a star-studded, world premiere stage production of her multi-award winning TV series Band of Gold.

WHAT: Rebecca Ferguson WHEN: 25 February WHERE: Town Hall, box office: 0121 345 0600 www.thsh.co.uk The British singer/songwriter has four Top 10 UK albums to her name and returns to perform live all her greatest hits and songs from her forthcoming album.

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WHAT: National Wedding Show WHEN: 28 February to 1 March WHERE: NEC, www.nationalweddingshow.co.uk With hundreds of wedding specialists on show, from bridal boutiques and florists to jewellers and photographers, this is a great opportunity to try, buy, book and hire everything you need for your special day at the UK’s biggest wedding show.

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WHAT’S ON

WHAT: Jayde Adams: The Ballad of Kylie Jenner’s Old Face WHEN: 9 February WHERE: Mac Birmingham, tel: 0121 446 3232 www.macarts.co.uk Described as one of Britain’s funniest female comics, you may recognise Jayde from 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown and Comedy Central’s Roast Battle. Here she explores what it takes to be a successful, independent woman in 2020.

WHAT: Tunde Jegede

WHAT: Louise

WHEN: 5 February WHERE: Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, Eastside Jazz Club The world-renowned composer, producer, cellist and kora virtuoso brings a new vision to contemporary African and Western classical music with his unique synthesis of classical, jazz and traditional.

WHEN: 16 March WHERE: Birmingham O2 Institute, www.academymusicgroup.com/ o2institutebirmingham The diminutive pop star’s first full UK tour since her sell-out Intimate and Live mini tour at the start of 2018 and her 2017 comeback show at Under The Bridge in London. Supporting her new album, Heavy Love, expect a selection of her greatest hits, too.

WHAT: Swan Lake WHEN: Now until 4 April WHERE: Birmingham Royal Ballet at Birmingham Hippodrome, www.brb.org.uk Ballet’s greatest love story returns in this lavish production that tells the romantic fable of ill-fated passion, powerfully illuminated by Tchaikovsky’s legendary score.

WHAT: The Future of Transport WHEN: 15 February to 1 March WHERE: British Motor Museum, www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk Throughout half-term, children are being encouraged to explore what the cars of their future might look like through science shows, family trails and tours. And Professor Pickle and Doctor Pumpkin will look at different sources of future power and bring them to life with a bang!

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WHAT’S ON

WHAT: The Freddie Mercury Show WHEN:29 February WHERE: Nailcote Hall, tel: 02476 466174 www.nailcotehall.co.uk Enjoy a night of classic Queen hits with the amazing Bruce Game’s tribute as Freddie Mercury.

He will Rock You with all the hits from Bohemian Rhapsody in a night not to be missed.

WHAT: The 1975

WHAT: Valentine’s Celebration of Music and Dance

WHEN: 25 February

WHEN: 14 February

WHERE: Arena Birmingham, tel: 0844 338 8000

WHERE: Symphony Hall, box office: 0121 345 0600

www.theticketfactory.com

www.thsh.co.uk

The 1975 boys are back with a huge tour. A Brief Inquiry Into Online Relationships was their third consecutive number one record in the UK and cemented their status as one of the biggest and most exciting bands in the world.

Celebrate a romantic evening with the world-class dancers from Birmingham Royal Ballet and music from the internationallyacclaimed Royal Ballet Sinfonia orchestra. Featuring exquisite classical extracts from Swan Lake, Giselle and Don Quixote.

WHAT: Julian Cope WHEN: 1 March

WHAT: Simon Brodkin

WHERE: The Mill Digbeth, www.themilldigbeth.com

WHEN: 26 February

The singer, poet and one-time front man of the Teardrop Explodes has enjoyed a 30-year career in the rock business, releasing more than 20 solo albums, countless collaborative projects and six acclaimed books, including his autobiography Head-On and the much-lauded Krautrocksampler.

WHERE: Redditch Palace Theatre, tel: 01527 65203

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www.redditchpalacetheatre.co.uk After three hugely successful BBC series as Lee Nelson, multiple sell-out tours and various court appearances following world-famous stunts on Theresa May, Sepp Blatter and Donald Trump, the award-winning comedian unleashes his funniest creation yet… himself!

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WHAT’S ON WHAT: Crufts 2020 WHEN: 5 to 8 March WHERE: Birmingham NEC, tel: 0844 338 0338 www.crufts.org.uk The biggest and best dog show in the world is back, this time with more than 20,000 canines competing to win the prestigious title of Best in Show!

WHAT: Sounds of the 1920s WHEN: 21 February WHERE: Symphony Hall, tel: 0121 780 3333 www.cbso.co.uk/whats-on Part of the Friday Night classic series, this is a celebration of the Roaring Twenties when the whole world danced to the wild new rhythms of jazz. And on Tin Pan Alley, songwriters from George Gershwin to Irving Berlin created some of the most intoxicating songs of the new century.

WHAT: Cirque Berserk WHEN: 18 to 23 February WHERE: Birmingham Rep, tel: 0121 245 2024 www.birmingham-rep.co.uk Britain’s biggest theatre circus spectacular is back with all your favourite acts – and some thrilling new ones – all created especially for the theatre. More than 30 jugglers, acrobats, aerialists and dancers showcasing the finest in traditional circus thrills and skills.

WHAT: The Boy in the Dress WHEN: Now until 8 March WHERE: Royal Shakespeare Theatre, tel: 01789 403493 www.rsc.org.uk Dennis is 12-years-old and his school football team’s star striker.

But what do you do if you like both football and dresses?

David Walliams’ heart-warming comedy about celebrating difference is brought to the stage for the first time in a musical with songs from Robbie Williams and Guy Chambers.

WHAT: Simon Evans: The Work of the Devil WHEN: 11 March WHERE: Glee Club, www.glee.co.uk/birmingham His last tour provided a hilarious analysis of the departure of any visible sign of intelligence from modern life. But this new show raises the stakes, with a tongue-in-cheek critique of a world on fire.

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IN THE CITY WITH PAUL MITCHELL OF LOVEBRUM

TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF I am executive director of Birmingham charity, LoveBrum which aims to support local people to help to make a positive change in their local areas. We support small, hidden gem projects that are mostly volunteer-led. Every penny we receive gets distributed – we don’t take any running costs from the fund and our lean overheads are covered by companies that support us or from grants we receive. In 2019, we provided funding and support to more than 40 Birmingham-based organisations and charities.

HOW DO YOU GET INTO TOWN? We are based in the Zellig building in Digbeth, so whenever possible I cycle to work – I am lucky it’s not far!

IS BRUM A GOOD PLACE TO WORK IN? Birmingham is a fantastic place to live and work – it has so much going for it! It is diverse in every way, forever developing and changing, but also has a terrific amount of pride and sense of community.

MAKING A DIFFERENCE:

LoveBrum provided support

for more than 40 ‘hidden gems’ in 2019, says Paul

COFFEE BREAK? If I am close to home, Bloom in Kings Heath is my go-to. If I am in town, it’s Faculty in Piccadilly Arcade. If I want to hide away and work on the laptop, I love the atmosphere of the newer 200 Degrees Coffee in Lower Temple Street.

LUNCHTIME? I tend to make all my meals at home (I am a keen cook). However, being in Digbeth, we are lucky to have so many great food options, so I always make time for a weekly treat!

POWERWALKING? I tend to get my fresh air during my daily commute, which also takes in Cannon Hill Park, which is a great space to sit back and watch the world go by.

WHERE’S YOUR FAVOURITE PART OF THE CITY? I love Digbeth – it’s creative and vibrant, with a mix of cutting-edge ideas and old industry; the building scape alone never gets tiring or looks the same. I also really like Moseley and Kings Heath.

Go along to LoveBrum’s Big

Quiz at Birmingham Town Hall on 6 March for an evening of

entertainment, food, dancing,

awards and quizzing. Tickets at https://lovebrum.org.uk/event/

lovebrums-big-quiz/

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AFTERWORK PINT? We’re totally spoilt for choice in Digbeth – we seem to be getting new bars/pubs almost weekly, so still many to try! Another firm favourite is the Good Intent in Great Western Arcade – the UK’s first not-for-profit bar. It’s a fantastic drinking spot – and LoveBrum is very fortunate to receive a percentage of the bar’s takings. Closer to home, a pint in the local or a fancy glass of wine in Grace + James in York Road, Kings Heath.

HOW CAN THE CITY BE MADE BETTER? I think Brummies notoriously play down how great the city is, but they are also so proud. As an adopted Brummie, I think it really is the best city in the UK; it had its issues as all cities do, but investment and growth is happening. We do need some improved infrastructure, but it is getting there. My biggest bugbear is possibly litter – it drives me mad and is something that everyone can do something about.

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