It’sgoingtobeabigask,butlet’sgoforit!Afterlastyear’samazingsummerofsport,ledby theCommonwealthGames,canBrumtopitfor2023?Whiletheworldmightnotbe descendingenmasseonthecitythissummer,we’restillshapinguptohaveanawesomefew monthsoftop-classsportingactionwhichwillbeenjoyedbymanythousands.
CricketloverswillgetthechancetowatchthegreatestrivalryofallplayoutatEdgbastonwhentheexciting new-lookEnglandsidetakeonthearchenemyfromDownUnderintheAshes.Araucousfull-housewill roarontherejuvenatedhomesideasonlyEdgbastoncan.TheAussieswon’tknowwhat’shitthem!And thethrillskeepcomingwiththereturnofBirminghamBearsinthewham-bamVitalityBlast–complete withnewstarsigningMoeenAli.
WithWimbledonjustaroundthecorner,localtennisfanswillbelookingforwardtoseeingtheworld’sbest womenplayersgettingtheirfirsttasteofcompetingongrassatEdgbastonPrioryClubfortheBirmingham Classic.Andifgolf’syourgame,there’stwogreattournamentstoenjoy.ThelegendaryBelfryhoststhe BritishMasters,whiletheworld’sbiggestandrichestBritishPar3ChampionshiptakesplaceatNailcote Hall.Notonlyisthereagreatline-upofprogolfers,butstarsofsportandentertainmentwillalsobehaving aswinginthepro-amcompetition.
Awayfromthesportingarena,summer2023alsoseesBrumliveuptoitsbillingasBritain’stopfestivalcity, withthelikesofBirminghamJazzFestival,SolihullSummerFestandMoseley‘sMostlyJazz,Funkand SoulFestival–allfeaturingahostoftopstarperformers.Phew!Whatasummer!
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Coverimage: AshleyCain, courtesyof Club71Limited
EDITOR: DavidJohns david@brumliving.co.uk
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Highlights
AshleyCain
TVrealitystarontacklingoneofthe world’smostdangerouschallenges
MusicalCheers
BMOSMusicalTheatreCompany,the oldesttheatrecompanyintheregion
Food&Drink
ArisKabisios,headchefofsteakhouse FiestadelAsado,news,recipesandwine
Health
Howtoaddsizzletoyoursummer imagewiththeperfectbeachbody
Style
Areyoureadytotaketheplungewith thelatesthotswimwear?Yes,youare!
Homes
Apizzaoven?Asmoker?Orafull-blown outdoorkitchen?Alltheprosandcons…
48 50 52 57 64 66
Gardening Green-fingeredAdamKirtlandwith toptipsforagloriousJunedisplay
Motoring SueCookeissummercruisingin Nissan’snewAriyaelectricfamilySUV
Young,Gifted&Brummie
Award-winningperformerAlexCardall onbringingWinniethePoohtotown
BusinessNews
Thismonth’sstoriesfromcommercial community,plusSocialSceneevents
What’sOn
Latestfromcity’stopshowsandgigsin ourround-upofthismonth’sevents
UpClose
JamieWade,golfcoursemanageratthe Belfry,allsettohosttheBritishMasters
AfterasuccessfulruninPariswith morethan150,000visitors,Chandler, Monica,Rachel,Ross,JoeyandPhoebe arebringingtheFriendsExperienceto theNECBirminghamonSaturday 8July.Fansofthehitcomedywillbe abletorecreatetheirfavouritescenes andcelebratesomeofthemosticonic momentsfromthegloballylovedTV seriesinaninteractiveexperience createdbyWarnerBroswhichfeatures setsfromtheshow–includingthe legendaryCentralPerkscoffeebar.
BRINGINGYOUTHEBRIGHTEST ANDMOSTCOLOURFUL STORIESFROMACROSSTHE CITYEACHMONTH
playinthecitybetween6and16July.Headlinersincludemulti-award-winning performingartist,composerandproducerNitinSawhney,andthe‘firstladyoffolk’, singer-songwriterKateRusby,pictured.FestivalpatronJulianLloydWebberhostsa concertperformedbyhisinternationalcellistwifeJiaxinLloydWebber.Thefestivalis oneofthemosteclecticmulti-artseventsintheUK,knownforitscolourfulmixof music,dance,theatre,literary,communityandfamilyevents.
TheBirdsandtheBeesarecomingto Birmingham’sAlexandratheatre.Thehit comedy,whichstarsHelenLedererand MichaelStarke,runsfrom25to29July andissetonGail’sEastAnglianfarm, wherethehoneybeesaredroppinglike flies–justlikeherlovelife!Helenisbest knownforherroleasthedippyCatriona inAbsolutelyFabulouswhileMichael playedThomas‘Sinbad’Sweeneyin Channel4’sBrooksidefor16years.
Michelin-starchefGlynnPurnellhasopenedanewcaféand bistroatCharterhouse,oneofCoventry’smosthistoric buildings.Purnell’sCafé&BistroatCharterhouseislocatedin theGradeIlistedfourteenthcenturyCarthusianmonastery–oneofonly10everbuiltinBritain.Thebuildingisownedby HistoricCoventryTrustwhichcompleteda£12million restorationprojectinMarch.Glynnsaid:“Iamthrilledtobe partofwhatisunquestionablyaremarkablebuildingof nationalimportance.”
BirminghamPhoenixstarsChrisBenjaminandDanMousleysurprisedlocalsatthe MidnightRamadanLeaguewhentheydroppedinatEdgbastonCricketCentretoshare battingandbowlingtips,beforejoiningplayersinagame.TheRamadanMidnight CricketLeaguewasdevelopedthroughtheWarwickshireCricketBoard’sChanceto ShineStreetProgramme,offeringMuslimstheopportunitytoplaycompetitivecricket whilefasting.ChrisandDanarepartofthePhoenixline-upplayingintheHundred competitionthroughoutAugust.
TwoofBirmingham’smosthistoricbuildingsare reopeningtothepublicthismonth,givingfamiliesthe chancetoexploreandlookbackintimewhilealso enjoyingahostofspecialeventsacrossBirmingham Museums.BlakesleyHallisatimber-framedTudor housebuiltin1590,whileSohoHousewasthehome oftheindustrialistandentrepreneurMatthewBoulton from1766to1809andbecameafavouritemeeting placeoftheLunarSociety.Fulldetailsat: www.birminghammuseums.org.uk
Anursingstudentwhohasjuggledbeing amum,alearnerandvolunteeringin Africahaswonanationalaward.Jessica Vaughanadmitsshewas‘inshock’when hernamewasreadoutasthewinnerof theNursingTimesStudentoftheYear awardatLondon’sGrosvenorHotel.Jess, 31,hascombinedlearninghertradeat CoventryUniversitywithplacementsat hospitalsacrossthecityand Warwickshire,aswellasspendingtime workinginahospitalinKenya.
TheRoyalShakespeareCompanyhaslaunchedaseriesofsustainablepublic artworksinspiredbythethemesofnature,family,healingandloss,createdbyand forthecommunitiesofStratford-upon-Avon.TheRSChasbeenworkingwithsix localcommunitygroupstodevelopAtTheForest’sEdge–beautifulwillow structuresacrosssixoutdoorsitesthroughoutthetown.TheRSC’sRachelSharpe said:“AtTheForest'sEdgeisthelargestcommunityprojecttheRSC’sCreative PlacemakingandPublicProgrammesteamhavedevelopedtodate.”
ASolihullwomanisreleasing herfirstbookthismonth detailingherexperienceof caringforherhusbandwho diedfrommotorneurone disease(MND)–andhopingit willraiseawarenessand moneyforcharity.Salesof Life’sGoodbyHazelCarter willseeallofproceeds donatedtoMarieCurie,MND Association,andMyton Hospice–thethreecharities thatsupportedHazeland husbandAlan,whodiedin 2019,aged64.Togetyour copyandfindoutmorevisit: https://lifesgoodbook.co.uk
TheUK’sfirstall-wheelchairprofessionaldancecompanyhasperformed itsfirst-everliveperformancestosold-outaudiences.Birmingham-based PropelDance,whichfeaturedinlastmonth’sissueofBirminghamLiving, putonitscontemporaryversionoftheSnowQueenfairytaleatthree venues,includingMidlandsArtsCentre.PropelDance’sartisticdirector HelenMasonsaid:“Tohaveperformedourfirstshowstosold-out theatreshasbeenanunrealexperience.Whatawayforthecompanyto start!”Findoutmoreaboutthecompanyat:https://propeldance.uk/
FollowingthesuccessoftheEverywomancomprehensive healthcheck,RandoxHealthBirminghamiscontinuingto expanditsfemalehormoneandfertilityprogrammeto promotepreventativehealth.Thefertilityhealthcheck measuresmorethan45datapointslinkedto reproductivehormonelevelsandovarianreserve,ideal foranyonetryingtoconceiveorthinkingabouthavinga baby.Femalehealthchecksstartfrom£39.Usecode HEALTH10for10percentoffallin-clinichealthchecks.
familyfunrunreturnsto WalsallArboretumon Sunday23Julywithmore foamandentertainment thaneverbefore.The eventwillraisefunds towardsthecharity’scare forlocalchildrenwithlife limitingandlifethreateningconditions. Thesoapyspectacular willseehundredsof bubblersburstthrougha four-foothighseaof rainbow-colouredsuds.In thepastyear,thecharity hascaredformorethan 700childrenandnearly 1,000families.
Themulti-award-winninghitmusical Hamiltonissettoplaya10-weekseasonat BirminghamHippodrome.Thecurtaingoes upon25Juneuntil31August.Hamilton,is basedonthestoryofAmericanfounding fatherAlexanderHamiltonandfeaturesa scorethatblendship-hop,jazz,R&Band Broadway.Criticshaveacclaimedthemusical forhavingaprofoundimpactonculture, politics,andeducation.Moredetailsat: birminghamhippodrome.com
Birmingham’sworld-leading manufacturerofwhistleshascreated‘the world’sbestdogwhistle’aftera £1million,five-yeardevelopmentproject. ALPHAdogwhistlefromACMEWhistles wascreatedinasecretlabusingnew roboticinjectionmouldingmanufacturing techniques.Theresultisawhistlethatis eightpercentlouderwitha17percent increaseinrangewhencomparedto ACME’soriginaldogwhistle.“Thisisthe mostefficientdogwhistlewehaveever made,”saidheadofmarketingatACME Whistles,BenMcFarlane.
SecretCinemaisbringingitsuniqueimmersiveproductionofGrease:TheLiveExperience toBirmingham’sNEC.BasedontheSeventiesfilm,fanswillbetransportedintotheworld ofDannyandSandy,singanddancetotheclassicfilmsoundtrackandroamthecorridors withthePinkLadiesattheenhancedscreeningfrom26Julyto13August.IanTaylor,the NEC’sMDforconventionsandexhibitionssaid:“Wecan’twaitforvisitorstoseethe outdoorsattheNECtransformedintotheworldofGrease.”
AleadingBirminghammusicfestivaliscelebrating 39unbrokenyears–withanamechange!The BirminghamSandwell&WestsideJazzFestivalis nowtheBirminghamJazzandBluesFestival,atitle whichorganiserssayreflectstheincreasing importanceintheevent’sbluescontent.Nearly 200performanceswilltakeplaceover10days from14to23July,inpublicsquaresandshopping areas,gardensandparks,barsandpubs,libraries andmuseumsandcafesandrestaurantsinthecity –andalmostallarefree!
GOTANYNEWS? Emailyournewsand picturestoeditor@brumliving.co.uk
Earlycareerartistsfromthe Midlandswhohavegraduated fromaBAorMAinthepast 10yearsarebeinggiventhe chancetoshowtheirworkat theRBSAGraduateArtists 2023exhibitionwhichruns until10June.Theexhibitionis showingtheworkof15 selectedtalentedartistswho workinadiverserangeof media,includingsoil,ceramics, textiles–and1860auctioneers gavelsfallingoutofacabinet!
Injustoveramonth’stime,socialmediaandTV realityshowstarAshleyCainwillclimbaboarda one-mankayakandsetoffonasolomissionthatis arguablythetoughestandmostdangerousadventurein theworld.The1,000-mileYukonchallengestartsin CanadaandfinishesintheArcticCircle.Ashleyhasa time-limitof10daystocompletethepaddlebutbeing thesortofblokeheis,he’sconfidenthecandoitinseven oreightdays–orwhoknows,evenquicker.Assuminghe doesn’tmeetanybearsontheway!
There’snohidingplaceontheYukon1000.It’sAshley, hisseakayak,apaddle,atent,sleepinggearand whateverfoodandprovisionshecancarry.That’sit.No onetobailhimoutifhegetsintodifficultyordanger. “Peoplehavedieddoingthis,”hesays.“Thisisthe toughestchallengeIhaveevertakenon.”AndAshleyhas takenonsomebigones–fromsuccessfullycompetingin TV’sSAS:WhoDaresWins,tocompletingfive marathonsinfivedays,climbingwesternEurope’s highestmountain,the16,000ftMontBlanc,andcycling 1,700milesacrosstheContinent–allinonemonth!
GoeswithoutsayingthatAshleyissuper-fit,yetit’snot thedesireforironmanlooksandpowerthatdriveshim on.It’sthememoryofhislatedaughterandwantingto makeherforeverproudofherfather.
Allthechallengesandtargets–infactprettymuch everythingthatAshleydoesinhislifeeveryday–arefor Azaylia,whodiedagedjusteightmonthsfromarare formofleukaemiain2021,andforchildrenlikeher. DuringAzaylia’sshortlife,Ashleyandhispartner SafiyyaVorajeeraisedmorethan£1.5millionfor specialisttreatmentinSingapore.Aftershepassedaway, AshleysetuptheAzayliaFoundationasatributetohis daughterandwhichaimstoraiseawareness,actionand moneytofightchildcancer.
Ashleysaid:“Wearecommittedtoadvancingearly diagnosisandnewtreatmentavailabilityintheUK,while atthesametimesupportingchildrenfightingcancerby helpingthemaccesstreatmentnotcoveredbythe NHS.Wewanttochangeasystemthatconsiders childhoodcancertoberare,andasaresult,hasbeen underfundingchildhoodcancerfortoolong.Forunder 15-year-olds,therearefivenewcasesdiagnosedeveryday, andfourdeathsaweek.Thatdoesnotfeelrare,nottous,
nottothefamiliesimpacted,andnottothe communitiesaroundthem.Yetchildhoodcancer receiveslessthanthreepercentofcancerfunding becauseinstitutionally,itisstillconsideredtoberare.”
Ashley,32,isaformerfootballerwhoplayedfor CoventryCity,LutonTown,OxfordUnited,and MansfieldTownbeforeinjuryforcedhimintoanearly careerchange.AsanMTVrealitypersonality,he starredinExontheBeachandhasappearedonThe ChallengegameshowandBBC’sGoHardorGo Home.Hehasmodelledforclothingbrandsandhasa hitpodcastFierceMinds,KindHearts.
BesidespreparingfortheYukon1000,Ashleyhasalso beenpenninghisfirstbook,fittinglyentitledStrong, whichispublishedthismonth.Hedescribesthebookas aBeautyandtheBeastmemoir,chartingthestoryof Azayliafromherbirth,throughherfightforlifeandhis ownstrugglessinceherpassing.Struggleswhichhe revealedledhimatonepointtocontemplatesuicide.
WhileStrongisamovingtributetohisdaughter,it alsothrowsintofocusthepracticalandpositivemindset thatAshleynowembodies,tyinghisemotionaland physicalgriefintohisextremechallengesinorderto provideinspirationandcomforttoothersstrugglingwith lossandothermentalhealthchallenges.Ashleysaid: “ThetimewithAzayliawasthehardesttimeofmylife, butitwasalsothemostbeautiful.Sheallowedmetobe thebestofmeandIhopethebookdoesherjustice.”
Withhisfootballingbackground,Ashleysayshis fitnesshadalwaysbeenaboutspeedandpowerfirstand foremost.“I’dneverbeenintoendurance,”hesaid.“I didn’tlikedoingthatkindofthing.Butbeingat BirminghamChildren’sHospitalwithAzayliatheonly breakIgotwasanhourorso,soIspentthattimeby goingforarunroundthecitytoclearmyhead.WhenI losther,Ihadtowriteaeulogyandsaidthatwhilewe hadbeenconfinedtoahospitalroom,nowIwantedto takeheraroundtheworldandraiseawarenessofchild cancerinasmanyplacesasIcould.”
TheYukon1000morethanfulfilsAshley’spledge–andhe’sundernoillusionhowtoughitwillbeafter completingahard24-hour,preparationevent.“I’m aimingtopaddlefor18hoursaday,”hesaid.“Itisreally dangerousasIamtotallyonmyown,totally unsupported.IfIamingrizzlybearterritory,that’sit!I
ammentallypreparingmyselfforthefactthatImaynot becomingback.Iwanttoshowjusthowmuchmy daughterandthecauseofhelpingchildrenwithcancer meanstome.”
Ashley’scommitmenthasseentheFoundation launchtheground-breakingAzayliaChildhoodCancer PhDFundwhichaimstohelpcreatethenextgeneration ofmedicalleadersinchildhoodcancerbyofferingfullyfundedPhDsinpaediatriconcologyinpartnershipwith leadingUKuniversitiesandhospitals.TheFoundation hasalreadycommittednearly£300,000toco-fundthe firsttwoPhDcandidatesthroughapartnershipwiththe UniversityofBirminghamandBirminghamChildren’s Hospital,withanimmediateambitiontohelpfundup to10PhDsacrossthecountrywithintwoyears.
Ashleysaid:“BirminghamChildren’sHospitalwas likeasecondhomethroughthattimewithAzaylia.The wonderfulnursesandstaffwereincredibleandwhile wecanneverthankthemenough,wecantrytogiveas muchbackaspossible.”
Aswesaidearlier,everythingAshleydoesisdriven andinfluencedbytheloveforhisdaughter,including hisTVwork.Heexplained:“Therearealotofthings happeningformethisyearwhichIcan’ttalkabout rightnow,butIonlydothingsthatfitinwithmy purposeinlife.Ifitdoesn’tfit,Iturnitdown.”
EvenAshley’sstrikinglongbeardisdowntoAzaylia. “Whenwewereinhospital,Igrewitandasitgotlonger Azayliawouldtouchit,grabitandevenrubitwithher littlefeet.Iwantedtokeepmybeardbecauseshe touchedtheseveryhairsonmyface.Idon’ttrimitandI don’tshapeit.” ■
StrongbyAshleyCainispublishedby BlinkPublishingandavailablefrom Amazonandallgoodbookretailersfrom 22Junewithaportionoftheproceeds fromsalesgoingtotheAzaylia Foundation.
TomakeadonationtotheAzaylia Foundation,visitthewebsite https://theazayliafoundation.com/donate/orscantheQRcode
Entertainingaudiencesformorethanacentury, BMOSMusicalTheatreCompany,foundedin 1886,istheoldesttheatrecompanyintheregion andoneoftheoldestintheUK
Asidefromitsgreathistory,oneofthe triumphsofBMOSisitstalentedpeople andthecompany’sabilitytoadapt.Once knownastheBirminghamandMidlandOperatic Society,henceBMOS,thecompanychangedits nametoreflectitsmorecontemporaryleanings.
WherepreviouslytherewereGilbertand SullivanoperettasperformedattheBirmingham
Institute,therearenowdynamic,modern productionsofhitmusicals,suchas9to5and GuysandDolls,allperformedtoaprofessional standardattheAlexandra.
Thehistoryofthecompanyisextraordinary.For instance,throughthewaryearstheyprovided entertainmentinbarracksandhospitalsacrossthe regionbeforegettingbacktothestageatthecity’s
TheatreRoyalin1955,followedbyamovetothe Hippodromein1957.Thecurrentrelationshipwith theAlexandrabeganin2013andisahappy collaboration.Forthecastit’sathrilltoperformin suchawonderfulvenueandforaudiencestheyget toseeafantasticproductionatareasonablerate.
What’sequallyremarkableisthefactthatthisisa hobbyforcompanymembers,althoughadmittedly notyouraveragehobby.It’sauniquelyintensepast timeparticularlyintherun-uptoshowtime. Ordinarily,rehearsalshappenoneortwoevenings perweekbutthiscranksuptotwoeveningsplusa Sundayrehearsalinthefewweeksleadinguptothe performance.
Sincethecompanyislargelymadeupofpeople withdayjobs,it’squitethecommitment.Rehearsals areaccompaniedbyapiano,infact,thecompany onlyrehearseswiththeorchestratwodaysbeforethe firstperformance–gulp!TheyusetheMidland ConcertOrchestrarunbyPhilJohnsonforeach showthough,sotheyknowthedrill.
Sevencommitteemembersworktirelessly.The companyisavoluntaryorganisationsopeoplegive theirtimefreely.Costsassociatedwithputtingona productionsuchassound,lightingandtheorchestra
needtobecoveredbyticketsales,soawellsupportedshowiscrucial.
They’vehadoneproductionthatwastouchand gojustafterthepandemic,butgenerallyticket salesarehealthy.Asanextrarevenuestreamthe companyalsoperformsatcorporatefunctionsand, inaddition,thetreasurerappliestorelevantarts organisationstosecurefunding.Therearealso sporadicdonationsfrompastmemberswhichis fantasticwhenithappensbutit’snotaregular income,somoresupportisalwayswelcome.
Thecompanylikestogivebacktothecityand supportsFreeAtLastinNechells–acharitythatis committedtohelpinglocalyoungpeoplefind
9to5runsfrom13-17JuneattheAlexandra. Ticketsfrom£14.30
Visitatgtickets.com/9-5-the-musical-BMOS/ the-alexandra-theatre-birmingham FormoreinformationonBMOS,visitbmosmusicals.org
opportunitiesthatwillimprovetheirlives.BMOS workedwiththemontheirBigBalloonProject initially,butthey’vekepttherelationshipgoingand nowofferplacesfortalentedteenstogetinvolvedin thecompanywhichisworkingwell.
Thecompanyhasalsoproducedsomestarssuch asJonBoydenwhoplayedtheleadinJerseyBoysin theWestEndandMargaretPreecewhoappearedin andwasthevoiceofCarlotta(MinnieDriver’s character)inthefilmversionofthePhantomof theOpera.
Thisyear,therearetwoBMOSshowstogetyour teethinto.Firstupis9to5whichopenslaterthis month–expectfunny,fast-pacedandquirkywith someincredibleperformances,particularlythesolos we’retold.Thenthere’sclassicPeterPanin November.
Andifyou’reinterestedintreadingtheboards, BMOSarealwaysonthelookoutformoretalent. Theyseemlikeafriendlybunch,sogetintouch. ■
TheheadchefattheArgentiniansteakhouseFiestadelAsadofirstfellinlovewith freshingredientsandcoal-firedcookingathisfamily’sseafoodrestaurant
Tellusaboutyourcooking
Mystyleisloose,Iliketoberelaxedinmykitchen.Iliketo feelatonewithmyequipment,obviouslyIamclosesttothegrill asIhavebeencookingonaparillaforanumberofyears.
Howdidyoubecomeachef?
Duringweekends,Iusedtoworkatmyfamily’sseafood restaurant.Thisinfluencedmegreatlyandmademefallinlove withfreshingredientsandcoal-firedcooking.Ihavebeenat FiestadelAsadofornearlyadecadenow.
Whatdoyoueatathome?
IBBQalotathomewhentheweatherisgood.Whenit’snot,there’s nothingbetterformethanagoodsaladwithsomegrilledlambandolives.
Who’sthebestchefintheworldandwhy?Andwho’sthebest inBrum?
Idon’ttaketoomuchnoticeofothers,formeit’smy relationshipwithmyteamandthedishesIcookthatI concentrateon.Whatothersdoisnotmyconcern ☺
Shareacookingtip
Alwaysrestyourproteinsaftercooking,whethermeat,fishor shellfish,anduseagoodqualityfinishingsalt.
Whatwasyourfavouritefoodasakid?
Greeksaladwithgrilledhalloumiandsouvlaki–delicious!
Foodheavenandfoodhell?
HeavenistheFiestaempanadas,whilehellislentils.
What’sthemostunusualthingyou’veeaten?
Thatwouldbebuffalo.
Ifyouweren’tachef,whatwouldyoube? Rich!
Arissays: “Inmyopinionthisisthebest pizzadoughintheworld.It’snotmyrecipe andIcan’trememberwhereIgotitbutit’s amazingandIhavebeenusingitforyears.
Firstyouneedtomakethepoolishpizza dough–andtheingredientsforthisare:
■ 200gofwater
■ 5gofhoney
■ 200gofOOflour Mixbyhandfor15minutes,leaveoutfor15minutes uncovered,thencoverandleaveoutfor1hour. Thenrefrigeratefor16to20hour
■ 5gofyeast
Tocompletethedough:
First,placethepoolishinabowlandadd300gof Manitobaflour.Thenmix300gofwaterwith20gofsalt. Add200gofOOflourtothepoolishandManitobathen combinewiththesaltedwateruntilallisusedandmixby handuntilthedoughstartstoevenout.Oilitlightlyand restfor15minutesthenfolduntilaballforms,being carefulnottoover-workthedough.
Tocook:
Splitthedoughintotwo,270gballsdependingonsize required.Evenlyflattenthedoughbypressingtheair towardstheedge,whenyougettotheedgepressdown tosealtheairin.
Don’tusetoomuchflourasitburns,thenplaceitona sheetofbakingpaper.Usingsomethingflat,scoopitup andplacestraightontoahottrayinapreheatedoven that’sashotaspossible.
Forthetomatosauce: Simplyplace400gofgoodtinnedwholeItalianplum tomatoesinabowlwithsalt,rippedbasilandoliveoil.
BIRMINGHAM’SBARS,RESTAURANTSANDHOTELSAREBUZZINGWITHEXCITING,NEWVIBES. HERE’SOURINSIDERGUIDETOTHELATESTNEWSFROMTHECITY’SEATERIESANDDRINKINGDENS
ThePrinceofWales,Moseleyhasreopenedaftera£400,000refurbishmentbyownerGreeneKingPubPartners. ThepubisoperatedbyMidlands-basedpubcompanySheldonInnswhichrunsanumberofinnsacrosstheWest Midlands.Inside,newfixturesandfittingshavebeeninstalled,includingseatingandlighting.Outside,thepub’s gardenhasbeenrevampedwithfirepitsandabar.Alargemuralonthewallofthepubhasalsobeenrepainted.
MasterChef:TheProfessionalswinner,DanLee,istakingupasemi-permanentresidencyat HockleySocialClubfromthismonthuntilOctober.DescribedbyMichelin-starcelebritychef MarcusWareingas‘astarinthemaking’,Dan’smenuwilltakeindishessuchasHainanese ChickenRice,SiuMai,CharSiuBao,ChickenandPandanBrothandHongKongIceMilkTea. BrummieDanhasspentthelastyearcollaboratingwithsomeofthecity’sculinarystars.
Award-winningzerowasteshop, theCleanKiloinBournvillehas becomethefirstoutletintheWest MidlandstosellJapanesemilk bread,Shokupan.Thebreadis knownforitsmilky-sweettasteand softnessandisenjoyedinJapanas breakfasttoastandforsandwiches. CleanKiloco-owner,JeanettePell said:“IloveShokupanandhave triedtobakeitathome,sowe’re excitedtonowbesellingloavesin store.”Thebreadisavailablein smallquantitieswithfresh deliverieseverySaturday.
Anewrestauranthasopenedintheheart oftheChineseQuarter.ThaiClassic,owned byZiWenBooandJeremyMun,offersauthentic Thaicuisine.SituatedatthebackoftheArcadiancar park,theintimatesettinghas30coversandisopen sevendaysaweekforlunchanddinnerwithamenu deliveredbyheadchefPhoomsriRangsan. TheeateryaimstoofferaffordableThaicuisine intheChineseQuarter,whereThaifood hasbeendifficulttofindand oftenexpensive.
Theaward-winningpremiumbaroperatorbehind Manahattaisunvelingitslatestbaroffering,BOX. Thehigh-qualitysportsbarandkitchenopensin Brindleyplaceon3June.The10,000sqftvenue–in theoldPizzaExpresslocation–isspreadovertwo floorsandcanhold575guests.Thegroundfloor boastsanopenkitchen,islandbarand32TV screenstowatchthebiggestandbestsportslive. Upstairsthere’sabar,privatediningroomand outdoorareawith30seats.
Callingallcoffeelovers!BirminghamCoffeeFestivalis back,biggerandbetterthanever–andpromisinga celebrationofcoffeeculturewithaccessibleand sustainablefeatures.Aswellascoffeetastingsfrom morethan30exhibitorstalls,therewillbeadiverse rangeofactivitiesincludingtalksandpanelsandlocal brewbar–andanewcoffeecompetitioncalled ExtractedDevelopment.Thefestivalison8and9July attheCustardFactory,Digbeth.
BirminghamRumFestivalreturnsforitssixthyearwithBacardiCaribbeanSpicedasheadline sponsor.TheeventwillshowcasearangeofbrandsattheCubanEmbassy,Moseleyon Saturday24June.Thisyear’sfestivalwillgiverumenthusiastssomenewblendstotry,aswell aswelcomingbacklocalfavouritessuchasMidlands-basedBurningBarnandWildjac. Aspecially-curatedcocktailmenuwillshowcaseexhibitingbrands’bestcocktailconcoctions.
ThistraditionalSiciliandish fromChrisEmery,thehead chefatOrelle,isperfectfor awarmsummer’sevening.Itisbest servedatroomtemperature,oreven cold,withwarmbreadbutcanbe addedtospruceupanycupboardor fridgeleftoversandisespecially deliciousontopofanytoastedbread foraquicktakeonbruschetta.
INGREDIENTS
■ 2aubergines
■ 1whiteonion
■ 1tinofchoppedtomatoes
■ 1tbspcuminpowder
■ 1tspsmokedpaprika
METHOD:
Dicetheaubergineandonion–fryina panwithadrizzleofoliveoilonahigh heatuntilgoldenbrown.Addthespices andcookforaround1to2minutes.Finish byaddingthechoppedtomatoes,cook around5to6minutes,seasontotaste.
Orelle,103ColmoreRow, Birmingham,B33AG.orelle.co.uk
Sundaylunch.Inarestaurant.Weusuallyregret itandwe’reawarewe’vewrittenthatinthese pagesbefore.However,FiestadelAsadofelta safebet.Therestaurant’sArgentiniantwistonaroast wouldbethesaviourofSunday,meaningwe wouldn’tbehankeringafterourownroastathome. We’renothingifnotmodest.
Forthosenotintheknow,theFiestaisanAsado restaurantbasedontheHagleyRoad.Withit’s Argentine-heritage,thismeanswewerelooking forwardtosomeunctuous,slow-cookedmeat.And givenit’sownedbythesametop-qualityteam behindthefamousLasanrestaurant,expectations wereinevitablyhigh.Therestaurant’swelcoming andlivelywithanopenkitchenfromwhichwafted somesalivainducingaromas.Agreatstart.
Nowlet’sbeclear–themeatwasvery,verygood.But ifyouorderonethingfromthemenu,orderthe croquetteselection.Actually,ordermorethanoneplate becausetheyaremoreishashellandtheycomeinthrees soyou’relikelytofalloutwithyourlovedonesifyou stickwithanoddnumber.Crunchyontheoutside,soft ontheinside,there’sarichblacksquidinkversion,a tastytrufflefilledmorselandsaltyIberianhamtowhet
yourappetiteandhonestly,wecouldhaveordereda truckloadandstillwantedmore.Perfectwithaglassor twoofChardonnay.WheninBuenosAiresandallthat, weoptedforaveryreasonablypricedandutterly deliciousbottlefromUlentaEstateandhavevowedto leavethecarathomenexttime.
Nextup,confitshortribofbeefwithaMalbecsauce. Thebeefwasridiculouslytenderfallingofftheboneand packedwithflavourwhilethesaucewastheperfectfoil. Roastchickenrolledwithsageandonionstuffingtasted topdrawer,howevertheveloutéwasn’twhatwe recogniseasavelouté.Ittastedreallygoodbutwasthe textureofmayonnaisewhichfeltabitodd.Potatoeswere crunchyandfluffyandactually,alltheveggiesshone particularlytheroastedsweetcarrotsandgooey cauliflowercheesemadewithProvolonecheese.
PuddingisobviouslyamusttocompleteanySunday lunch.Theyoungstersplumpedforsometraditional churrostossedincinnamonsugarwhichwereverytasty butwouldhavebenefitedfromathicker,warmchocolate sauce.Rathermoresuccessfully,themoreagedmembers ofthepartysharedaclassicoozingchocolatefondant whichtoppedoffaveryfineafternoon.We’llbebackto samplethefamoussteakspronto. ■
Fancyarefreshinglittletippleonalovely summerevening?Thenpleasejoinusfora PalomaCocktail.ThissophisticatedMexican creationisgreatonitsownorworksbrilliantlywith spicyfood.Asalways,enjoyresponsibly.
INGREDIENTS:
■ 35mlofgoodqualityBlancoorReposadoTequila
■ Juiceofhalfarubygrapefruit
■ 15mlshotofagavesyruporsugarsyrup
■ 75mlclubsoda
■ Asquirtoffreshlimejuice(optional)
METHOD:
Combinethetequilagrapefruitjuiceandsugar syrupuntilwellmixed.Pouroveratallglassfilled withiceandtopupwiththesodawater.Addan optionalsquirtoffreshlimeandgarnishwitha limewedge
Whenitcomestopairingwinewithyour BBQfoodthereareafewgeneralrules tokeepinmind.Firstly,considerthe intensityofthedish.Ifyou’regrillingarich,fattycut ofmeat,suchasarib-eyesteak,thenafull-bodied winelikeMalbecisagreatoption.Ifyou’regrilling lightermeatssuchaschicken,orfish,thenacrisp, freshwhitewinelikeSauvignonBlancorRiesling, maybeabetterchoice.
Alsoconsidertheseasoningorrub.Ifyour flavoursarespicy,youmightwanttogoforawine withatouchofsweetnesstobalanceit.Ifyouhave aromaticflavoursthenyouneedawinethatwill matchuptoit.Ifyou’reafanofredmeat,thena Malbecisanexcellentchoice.Thiswineisfullbodiedandhasplentyoftannins,makingita greatpairingforrich,smokyflavours.Malbecis alsoaversatilewinethatcancomplementa varietyofdifferentmeats,includingbeef,lamb,and evenpork.
NotallMalbecwineswerecreatedequally however.ItstartedinthesouthwestofFranceina regioncalledCahors,andisalsousedasaminor
blendinggrapeintheredwinesofBordeaux.It madeitswayovertoArgentinaandisnowoneof thecountry’smostfamousexports(well,maybe afterMessi!).Thewarm,dryclimateofMendozais perfectlysuitedtotheMalbecgrapeandthe altitudeoftheAndeshelpstokeepthegrapescool forbalance.
Forthosewhopreferwhitewine,Sauvignon BlancisagreatoptionforasummerBBQ.It’sa crispandrefreshingstylewithplentyofacidity thatcanhelpcutthroughtherichnessofgrilled meatslikechickenandporkaswellassummer salads.Itisalsoaveryaromaticstylewhichcan workwellwithThai-inspiredflavourslikesweet chilli,gingerandcoriander.TheLoireValleyin Franceishometosomeofthemostprestigious winesmadefromthisgrape,includingSancerre andPouilly-Fume,butyoucanalsopickupsome better-pricedexamplesfromTouraine.Tryaglass withsomegrilledhalloumiskewersforamatch madeinheaven!
Roséisthequintessentialsummerwine,and there’snobetterpairingforasummerBBQthana ProvenceRosé.Thiswineislightandrefreshing, withplentyoffruitflavoursthatcancomplementa varietyofdifferentdishesandmostimportantly,dry!
WhenitcomestopairingProvenceRoséwithfood, thinkpink.
It’saperfectpairingforgrilledseafood,suchas prawnsorsalmonbutitcanalsoworkjustaswell withgrilledveggiesandsalads.Lookforabottlefrom theCôtesdeProvenceregionofFrance,whichisthe birthplaceofthisiconicwine,buttherearesome bargaincopycatstylestobefoundaswellfromthe broaderMediterraneanregion.
Ifyou’relookingforaredwinethat’sabitlighter thanaMalbec,thenPinotNoirisanexcellentchoice foryoursummerBBQ.Youcanlightlychillitdownto between10-15Ctobringoutthefruityflavoursand highlightthefreshacidityofthewine.NewWorld examplesaremoremedium-bodiedandhaveasilky texturethatcancomplementgrilledchickenorpork ribs.PinotNoirhasabrightjuicyredfruitflavoursthat pairwellwithgrilledvegetablesandsalads. ■
■ CatenaMalbec,Mendoza,Argentina–£13.99or£9.99 mixsix,Majestic AtextbookMalbecfromthelegendaryCatenafamily.Richsoft plumflavoursandsmoothtannins.Perfectwithajuicyburger!
■ TasteTheDifferenceTouraineSauvignonBlanc, LoireValley,France–£9,Sainsburys
Vibrantgreenapple,limeandgooseberryflavourswithatwistof acidity.Theperfectfoiltolightermeatsorasaladwithsome vinaigrette.
■ MirabeauPureRosé,Provence,France–£15.99,Waitrose Drywithstrawberryandraspberrynotesandahintofrhubarb. Thiswinehasalovelytexturewhichwillgoperfectlywithseafood.
■ TescoFinestCentralOtagoPinotNoir,NewZealand–£13,Tesco
PossiblythemostpowerfulexpressionofPinotNoirfromsomeof theworld’smostsoutherlyvineyards.Bright,juicycherryflavours withabalancedacidityandsmoothtannins.Lightlychillandserve withBBQribs.
BirminghamWineSchoolisanindependentwineeducationcompany thatoffersfuninformalwinetastingeventsandWine&SpiritEducation Trust(WSET)coursesonline,inBirminghamandWarwick.Formore informationcontactKatieGardneron01212707359orvisit www.birminghamwineschool.com.
Afewsimplestepsoflifestylechangesand knowingthedo’sanddon’tsofexercisewill helptogetyouthatsummerbeachbodyyou desire.Here’sthelow-downonslimmingdownand toningup.
Bepreparedtoputinthework –Gettinginto shapedoesn’tcomeeasy.Bepreparedtobedisciplined withwhatyoueatanddrinkandtoexerciseatleast threetimesperweek.
Nutritioniskey –There’snoneedtocutout everythingyouenjoy,youjustneedtoeatright80per centofthetimeandtheother20percentwon’thurt yourprogressiontoomuch.Reduceyourcarbintake (especiallyintheevening)cutdownthealcoholand eatplentyofmeat,fishandveg.Ifyoumustsnack, snackhealthy–sofruit,nuts,seedsandrawveg.
Treatyourself –That’sright…ifyoufindittoo hardcuttingeverythingoutinonegogiveyourselfa healthychallenge.EatrightMondaytoFriday,don’t drinkandstayawayfromthesweetsandchocolates. ComeSaturdayandSundayyoucanrewardyourself withsomeofthethingsyouenjoy.Don’toverdoit though,youdon’twanttocanceloutallofthat previoushardwork.
Shortbutsweet –Exercisedoesn’thavetobea two-hour-longsloginthegym,poundingawayonthe treadmillandcross-trainer.Withtherightadviceyou cangetafarmorebeneficialworkoutdoneanddusted in45minutes.Don’tgetuswrong,itwon’tbeaneasy 45minutesbutgoingatithardwillspeedyour metabolismup,meaningyouburncalorieswhen you’renotevenatthegym.
Don’tavoidtheweights –Thisgoesformales andfemales.Thestrongeryourmusclesarethemore efficientyourbodywillbeatburningfat.Ifyou’re concernedaboutgettingtoobulky,don’tfretas weightswillnotnecessarilymakeyoubigger,justgive youaniceshape.Thisisespeciallytrueforwomenas youdon’tusuallyhaveenoughtestosteroneinyour bodiestobeabletobuildmassesofmuscle.Makesure yougetadvicefromatrainerbeforeyoustartthoughto avoidcausingyourselfanyinjuries.
Gethelp –Ifyou’reseriousaboutgettinginshape, don’tbeafraidtoaskforhelp.Personaltrainersand fitnesscoachesarethereforyourbenefitandwillhelp
1.Cardio–30minutesofintervaltraining.Trydoingoneminutefastrunonthetreadmillfollowedbyone-minute walking.Ensureyourfastrunisenoughtomakeyouwantto stopattheone-minutemark.
2.Resistance–Dobigcompoundexercisessuchassquats, deadliftsandpress-ups.Thesewillburnmorecaloriesthan thebicepcurlandtricepextensionsandspeedupyour metabolismmeaningyou’llburncaloriesfaster.
3.Stretch–Regularstretchingwillaidyourworkouts.You willfeelstronger,yourexerciseswillfeelsaferandyouraches andpainswillbereduced.
4.Tryaclass–Classessuchasspinning,bootcampandbody pumparesure-firewaystohitithardandeatawayatthose calories.Ifyouarelookingforabitoffun,tryzumbatoget youinthemoodforsummer.
5.Rest–Thisisthemostimportantpoint.Nomatterhow hardyoupushyourself,yourbodywillnotchangeunlessit getstherestitrequires.Alternatingyourworkoutdayswitha restdayisthebestwaytotrainmeaningyoucomeback strongandhiteachworkoutat110percent.
youreachyourgoalsfasterandsafer.Personaltraining doesn’thavetobeexpensiveandnotonlywillyousee thephysicalbenefitsyouwillundertakealifestyle changetoensureyoudon’trevertbacktoyourold waysafterthesummer.
Takeapicture –Snapabeforeselfieinthemirror andkeepitaccessible(onyourphoneortablet)soyou canseeitdaily.Whenyoufeellikehavingthatglassof wineorchocolate,lookatthepictureandremind yourselfwhyyoushouldn’tcaveinjustyet.Ifyoucan findapictureofyourselfinthepastwiththebody shapeyouwerehappywith,keepithandytoo.This willhelpyoustayfocused–ifyouhavebeenthere beforeyouknowyoucangetthereagain! ■
Ifyouloveyourtennis,adateforthediaryisthe RothesayClassicwhichreturnstoEdgbastonPrioryClub from17to25June.Fullydetailsat:edgbastonpriory.com
SWIMWEARHASNEVERBEENSOVARIED,INCLUSIVE,LONGLASTINGANDSUSTAINABLE–WE’RE ACTUALLYSPOILTFORCHOICE.ADECADEAGO,THATWOULDHAVEBEENUNTHINKABLE
ItusedtobethatIfyouwerelargerthana size12shoppingforswimwearwas tortuous,whilebuyingsustainablywasa pipedream.Now,thechoiceofstylesacrossthe spectrumhasincreased–fabricisbetter,more supportiveandlastslongerandsustainabilityis frontandcentreformanybrands.
Whetheryou’regoingforfull-onglamouror timelesssimplicity,thereareoptions–lotsof them–and,whilespendingabitmoremakesa difference,therearegreatfindsacrossallprice points.We’vepickedoutexamplesranging from£18to£385togiveyouaflavour.
GLAMOUR PUSS
Bikiniandcover upfromMatalan
LOVELY LEOPARD
Oneshoulderbikinitop £12andbrief£6,George
HIGH WAISTED Orangebikinitop£14 andbrief£10,George
TERRIFIC TWO-PIECE
MelissaOdabashBelAir ribbedbikinitop£135 andbriefs£135,Harvey Nichols
TRUE BLUE
Ringdetailbikinitop£40 andbrief£35,Monsoon
MIXAND MATCH BikinifromM&S
PRINTS CHARMING
Highwaisted bikinifromF&F
MY WORD
JacquemusLeHautdeMaillot Barcounderwiredbikinitop£235 andbriefs£150,HarveyNichols
MATCHY MATCHY Bluebikiniand one-piecefromGeorge
Firstly,Totême’sscoopbacklogoswimsuitisthebestonepiecewe’veeverowned.Werecommendsizingdownforgreat supportandanincrediblyflatteringshapewithout compromisingoncomfort.It’snotcheapbutcompletelyworth itandifyouonlybuyoneswimsuitthisyear,makeitthis.
HunzaG’sdistinctiveribbedswimwearhasbecomeago-to foreasysummerchic.Cut,colourandtextureareeverything withthebrand’ssimplicityoozingconfidence.Therearesome dupesonthehighstreetwhichareperfectlygoodbutnota patchontherealdeal.
Scallopedhemfinishesareaspopularthisyearaslast–for high-endcheckoutMarysia,andonthehighstreettakealook atAccessorizeandM&Sforsomeprettygoodversions.
Asalways,MelissaOdasbashisincredibleforstyleandfit. Thisseasonisnodifferentforbothone-piecesandbikinis–we’veincludedtwoversionsherebutcouldhavefilledthese pageswiththebrand’sextensiverange.
ForamoresportylookcheckoutLululemonandSweaty Bettyforgreatfitandfabric–theywillnotbudge.Speaking ofwhich,trybeforeyoubuy.Don’tseeswimwearonamodel, immediatelybuyitandjetoff.Putiton,sitdown,standup, benddown,walk,jumpupanddownandaskyourselfthese questions:Doesitstayput?Doyoulookgreat?Doyoufeel confident?Areyoucomfortable?Youdon’tneedtocompromise thesedays,sodon’tjustsettle.Shoparound. ■
FLOWER POWER
TIMELESS LOOK HunzaG Seersucker swimsuit£155, HarveyNichols
MELLOW YELLOW Swimsuit£24.99, TKMaxx
GREEN GODDESS
Crinkleone-piecefromF&F
TAKETHE PLUNGE MelissaOdabash Panareaplunge swimsuit£260, HarveyNichols
BARELY THERE
One-piecefrom PrettyLittleThing
SUPPORT ACT
Magiccollection swimsuit£29.50,M&S
SUPER SCOOP
Totêmelogo scoopback swimsuit£140, Matches
RIGHT STRIPES
Buckleplunge swimsuit£20,F&F
OFF CENTRE
Diagonalstripe swimsuit£12, Primark
BUCKLE UP
Multiblackone shoulder swimsuit£25, F&F
BOHO CHIC Woodblockswimsuitand kaftanfromFatFace
V DETAIL RibVswimsuit
£29.50,M&S
BARGAIN BUY Goldbelted swimsuit£20, George
WHITE OUT
COOL KHAKI Khakicut-out swimsuit£27.50, F&F
ANIMAL MAGIC Brownanimal printswimsuit £20,TUClothing
Sandgoldtrimasymmetric swimsuit£25,PrettyLittleThing
THISMONTHWE’VEBEENPREPPINGTHEPINSFOR SUMMERASWELLASSLATHERINGONOURNEWFOUNDHEROFACIALOIL–PLUSWE’VEBEENWOOEDBY LIMITEDEDITIONPACKAGINGANDASUSTAINABLESTORY…
1.MARGARETDABBSFIRMANDGLOWFABULOUSLEGSDUO, INCLUDINGFIRMINGLEGSERUM(200ML)ANDREFINING GLOWLEGSPRAY(100ML)£65,M&S
Theserumisrefreshing,cooling,depuffsandsmellsdelicious.It’s onlydayfoursowecan’tvouchforreduceddimpling,buttheskin textureismuchimproved.Thespray,whichwe’vebeenusingafter theserumiseasy,non-greasyandleaveslegsglisteninginthe sunlight.Agreatcombinationforglowingsummerlegs.
2.SKINPROUDCLEAROFFMAKE-UPREMOVERPADS£12.95 FORPACKOFTWO,IAMPROUD.COM
We’reallforecooptionsaslongastheyworkandthesereusable cleansingpadsdojustthat.Theyareincrediblysoftandgentleyet effective,theylastandtheyareabargain.What’snottolove?
3.INDEEDLABSLIGHTWEIGHTSQUALANEOIL£19.99,LOOK FANTASTIC
Don’tbefooledbythelightweightlabel,thisisintenselyhydrating. We’vebeenusingonedroppermorningandnightforthreeweeks underneathmoisturiserandit’stheperfectconsistencyandpotency.It locksinmoistureandcalmsredness.It’sakeeper.
4.LAMERLIMITEDEDITIONBLUEHEARTCRÈMEDELAMER MOISTURISINGCREAM£275FOR60ML,SELFRIDGES
Disclaimer:We’vebeenwooedbyLaMer’slimited-editionpackaging. Inside,it’sthesameiconicwondercreambuiltonthebrand’s secretiveMiracleBrothwhichinpartcomesfromgiantseakelp.The brandhasputabiggeremphasisonsourcingthekelpsustainablyso thatnowmorethan90percentoftheirseaplantsareresponsibly sourced.Obviously,thisisluxury,butit’saniconwecan’tignore.
Ifyou’reacommittedbillowingboardshortkindof guy,turnthepage.Thismonthwe’relookingatthis season’smostflatteringcuts–thinkmid-thighlength swimmersaswellastailoredshortsyoucanswimin.
ThekingofthetailoredshortisfounderofOrlebra Brown,AdamBrownwhoseloathingofhavingtochange outofswimmerstoeatlunchonholidaytriggereda missiontocomeupwithsmartswimshortsthatgofrom pooltorestaurantseamlessly.Cueintensivedevelopment oftheidealcombinationofstyle,fitandfunctionality! Checkoutthebrand’sBulldogIIslimfit,pictured.
TedBakerhasteamedatailoredvibewithstriking patternsliketheKlochgeometricprint,pictured–also checkoutthezippockets.Primarkisonthebandwagon, too.Thenavyshortspicturedareastealat£14.Ifyou wantsmartishbutnotsostructured,headtoReissfor somecrackingexamplesofsubstanceaswellasstyle.The lengthofthestripedswimmerspicturedisuniversally flattering.Threadbareisalsoworthalook,asisRalph Lauren.CheBallerhaslandedsomewhereinbetween tailoredandrelaxedwiththeretrokhakishortswith creamtrim,pictured. ■
INTHENAVY
BulldogIIslim fitshellswim shorts£195, OrlebraBrown
BESEEN Representlogoprint shellswimshort£80, HarveyNichols
BOLDPRINT
PoloRalphLauren
paisleyprint recycledpolyester shorts£265, Selfridges
GOGREEN
TheKoopleselasticated waistsideslip£140, Selfridges
COOLKHAKI
Hardwarerecycled nylonshorts£125, CheBaller
Oceanrecycled polyesterblend swimshorts
£68,Reiss
HOTPLATE
Quanpremiummediumwood-firedBBQ£2,289,Cuckooland.com
Apparently,ourantipodeanfriendsareamusedbythe disposablefoilBBQsthatarereadilyavailableinthe UK.It’seasytomockwhenyou’reblessedwithreliable sunshine,butmockastheymay,we’regettinginonthealfresco cookinggameinabigwaycomerainorshine.Nomore disposables,we’regoingbig.
You’llhavenailedyourgardenset-upbecauseyoureadlast month’smagazine…buthowaboutintroducingsomeserious cookingkittoenhanceyourentertainingprowessandmakethe mostofyourgreenspace?
Therearesomanymoreoptionstoconsiderthanastraight BBQsuchasasmoker,rotisserie,pizzaoven,gas,wood, electric,solarpoweredeven.Herearesomeoptionsthat’llwhet yourappetite.
Simpletouse,easytoinstall,minimummess,maximum impact,thepizzaovenisafantasticaddition.There’sno downsideplusit’sabitoffun.JamieOliver’sbasicpizzadough recipeisperfectforthejobwhateveryourculinarylevel.Check outOoni,GozneyandBakerStoneforsomecrackingexamples.
Foraboldandsmokyflavourgoforasmokerwhichisidealfor cookingmostthingslowandslowwithgas,charcoalandpellet options.Chuckinawholechicken,ahunkofbeeforyour favouriteveggiesandthey’llbetransformedintoapunchyfeastfor acrowd.Somesmokersareonthelargeside,soperhaps
OUTDOORKITCHEN
Forwhenbudgetisnooption
reconsiderifyou’veaweegardenorconsidertheegg shapewhichsavesonspaceandisequallyeffective. LookattheCosmoGrill,theuprightProFrontierand theegg-shapedKamadoJoe.
Wellnotquite,butit’spossibletoharnessthe powerofthesuntopoweranoven.Thingsmight takelongertocookbuttheGoSunsolarovenhas reflectivesurfacesthatchannelthesun’senergy.It’s newtechsoit’slikelytobecomemoreefficientover thecomingyears.Clearlyyoudon’tgetthecharred flavouraswithothermethodsasthetemperature doesn’treachsuchheights,butonetowatchmaybe.
Obviouslythenumberonepositionwouldbean outdoorkitchen,butthat’scostlyandspace intensive.Ifyou’reluckyenoughtohavethe footprintandbudget,planitmeticulously,createa moodboardandgetprofessionaladvice.It’snot somethingyou’relikelytodoregularlysoit’sworth gettingitspoton. ■
SUMMERDAYS
It’stimetofireupthebarbie!
DOUBLEUP Makegrillingtwiceasmuchfun
FIRESTARTER
OutdoorColoradometalcookingstandwithchain £79.99,Ivyline
£2,550,Neptune
GLOVESON LeatherBBQgloves£75, Native&Co
SORTOUTYOURKITAHEADOFTHEPREDICTEDHOT SPELLFORANEASYSUMMEROFALFRESCOCOOKING
KEBABKING
Coloradostainless steelskewer £39.99,Ivyline
TOOLEDUP BBQbasket £5.99, HomeSense
ALLTHEGEAR BBQtoolset£11.99, HomeSense
CASTIRON
Firepitonstandinrust £239.99,Ivyline
HIGHSTYLE LeFeuTurtlegas pizzaoven£799, Cuckooland.com
MULTIFUEL OoniKaru12multi fuelpizzaoven £299,Dobbies
SPACESAVER
UrbanChef compactKamado BBQ£279, Dobbies
TERRIFIC TEPPANYAKI
Livivolarge teppanyakigrill £27.99,Livivo
OURRESIDENTGREEN-FINGEREDEXPERTADAMKIRTLANDGIVESHIS TOPSTIPSTOHELPYOUKEEPYOURGARDENLOOKINGGOODINJUNE
Juneiswhenperhapssomeoftherealgrowth comesaboutinyourgardensandit’salsothe timetotryandsitbackandenjoysomeof it…buthowdowekeepitlookingatitsbest?I’ve compiledmytoptipsforkeepingyourgreenspacesat theirpeakforthismonth.
Puttogetherasummercontainerorbasket
Youmayalreadyhavesomepotswithshrubsorother perennialplantsinthemthatarelookinggoodrightnow buthowaboutcreatingsomethingbrandnewforthis summer?Youcouldeitherputtogetherapotorcontainer orhowaboutasizzlingsummerhangingbasket?
Potsandbasketswereoncethoughtofasoldfashionedinthegardeningworldbutnomore!Pots areperfectforthoseofuswithtightergreenspacesand hangingbasketsareidealforcreatingsomeinterestat heightswhereplantswouldn’tnormallybe.
Puttingtogetheryourscouldn’tbeeasier–garden centresandnurseriesareawashwithsummer beddingplantsatthistimeofyearandthereisalways somethingforeveryone.Grabyourselfacontaineror basketandthenselecttheplantsthattakeyoureye. Goodstaplesarefuchsias,pansies,geraniumsand petunias–buthowabouttryingsomething differentwithherbhangingbaskets?
Aherbbaskethangingbyyourbackdooris asmashingwaytogrowafewplantsthatyou canuseinyoureverydaycooking.Whynottry mint(forthosemojitos),creepingthymeto trickledowntheedgeofthebasket,and lavenderalwaysaddsapopofpurpleinthe middle.Experimentwithafewthingsandlet meknowhowyougetonwithyours…
Tomowornottomow…thatisthequestion?
Mowingthelawnisoneofthosejobsthatno gardenerreallyenjoysbutifyoudomowyoursthen you’llwanttokeepontopofitfairlyregularly(once aweekorso)tokeepitlookingtrimandinshipshape.But…whynotgoWILDthisyearandleave some,orall,ofyourlawntodoitsownthing?
‘NoMowMay’hasbecomequitewellknownnow buthowaboutextendingthatintoJuneandleaving yourlawnaloneforthewholemonth?You’llbe surprisedwhatmighthappentoyourlawnifyou turnoffthemowerforawhile.Overthesesummer monthsyourlawnwillgrowatitsfastestrateand eventuallyit’llputoutattractiveseedheadsandyou mayevenseetheodddaisyordandelion.
Allofthismightsoundlikethestuffofnightmaresif you’reafterahighlymanicuredlawn,butithelpsnative wildlifeandinsectstothrive,andthosedandelionsand daisiesareawonderfulsourceforpollinatorssuchas beesandbutterflies.So,doyouhavethecouragetotake theplungeandgowildthismonth??
Fancytryingyourhandatsomeveggrowing?
Mostseedsowingtendstohappenduringspring, butitmightsurpriseyoutoknowthatit’snottoolate
tosowsomesuperbsaladandvegetablestokeepyou goingthroughtheseason.Anditmightalsosurprise youthatyoudon’tneedhuge,raisedbedslikeyousee onGardener’sWorldtogrowyourown.Trythese:
SpringOnions –Thesecanbesownrightupuntil Augustandifyousowsomenowandthenagainina fewweeksyou’llhavealongersupply.Thesecanbe doneinpotsandcontainerseasilyinanyspace.
Fancyapumpkin? –You’recuttingitfine,but pumpkinscanstillbegrownfromseedaslongasyou getthemgoingnowatthestartofthemonth.Just imaginehavingyourownhome-grownpumpkinto carvelaterintheyear
Andeasiestofall…Salad! –Mixedsaladleaves canbesownnowandmostlettucecanalsobesown overthismonthandnexttogiveyouplantsfor longer,justlikethespringonionsabove.Itwon’tbe longbeforeyou’reouttherepickingawholebowlof saladfromyourveryownmini-vegplot. ■
FollowAdamonInstagram@viewfromthepottingbenchorlistento Adam’spodcastTalesFromThePottingBenchformoregardening inspiration.YoucanalsoreadAdam’sblogat viewfromthepottingbench.com
JUNE,CRUISINGBEHINDTHEWHEELOFNISSAN’S IMPRESSIVEARIYAALL-ELECTRICFAMILYSUV
Model: NissanAriyaEVEvolve2wd
Price: £52,090otr
Powertrain: ElectricMotor87kWhbattery
Performance: 0-60mphin7.6secondsandontoatopspeedof100mph
CO2emissions: Zeroemissions
Combineddrivingrange: 310miles(WLTP)
Ithasbeenquitecheerytowritea‘hotsunny’ Junearticleaboutan‘electric’carpoweredbya ‘solarcompatible’homecharger,inwhathas beenaweekofnon-stoprain.Iwasnotawarethat therewasachoiceofhomechargeronthemarket, butaccordingtodatapublishedbyChargedEV, nearly70percentof8,000driversquestionedwill payupto£200moreforasophisticatedsolarfeature.
Roadtestingtheall-electricNissanAriyafamily crossover,ithasbeenusefultochargeovernightfrom home,butitdoestakelongerthanusingacombined chargingsystem.TheAriyawiththe87kWhbattery canrecoverupto217milesinonly30minutes.
TheSUVhasadistinctiveandfuturisticexterior designandisoneofthemoststylishelectriccarsI havedriven.Rearprivacyglasswillgivesomeshade frombrightsunshine.Asharkfinantennaperched ontheroofandgorgeous20-inchalloyswithaero coversgivetheAriyaasportylook.
Insidethequietcabinyoucanexpectthecomfort, spaceandrelaxingluxuryofapremiumcar.Behind thesteeringwheelIdidfeelthatIwasdrivingabig car,butwithitsflexiblemanoeuvrabilityand excellentvisibility,Imanagedtosqueezeintoavery tightparkingspaceusingthe360degreedigitallyenhancedaroundviewmonitor,withfrontandrear parkingsensors.RearcrosstrafficalertwasusefulasI backedoutofaparkingspacewithhighvehicles eithersideontoabusyroad.
Aflatopenfloorgivesplentyoflegroomand createsaloungelikeairyspace.TheAriyahasthe mostcabinvolumeforallpassengersinitsmarket segment.Anelectricpanoramicsunroofgivesthe opportunitytofeeltheJunesunshine.Apower adjustablecentreconsolegivesdriverstheoptionto slidetheunitwhichwillcreateanadaptablearmrest oradditionalspace.Driverscanalsopositionthe consolemountedgearselectorandothercontrolsto ergonomicallysuitthem.
Two12.3-inchscreensensureimportantvehicle information–suchasbatterycharge,rangeand navigation–canbedisplayedononehorizontal plane,orientedinawave-likeshape.WhenIused thenavigationsystem,thehead-updisplayshowed
practicalinformationsuchasupcomingturns.When needingtoreducetheaudiovolumewhiledriving,it isveryusefultohaveaphysicalvolumeknoband steeringwheelbuttons.
Availableintwogrades–AdvanceandEvolve–therearethreedifferentbatteryandpowertrain combinations;atwo-wheeldrive63kWh,a2WD 87kWh,andanall-wheeldrivee-4ORCE87kWh.I liketheinstanttorqueandpowerfulacceleration, givingasmoothandresponsivedrivingexperience. Withafive-starEuroNCAPsafetyaward,the Ariyaisequippedwiththelatestdriver-assist technologiesincludingProPILOTwithNavilink, NissanSafetyShield360,IntelligentAroundView Monitor,IntelligentForwardCollisionWarning, EmergencyLaneKeeping,IntelligentEmergency BrakingandRearAutomaticEmergencyBraking technology.
Ilikethehands-freepowertailgatewhichopens uptoabootthatwillhold466litres.Thereisauseful flipuppartofthebootfloorwhichsecurelyholds pottedplantsandothersmallitems.Whateveryour choiceofchargerandwhetherdrivinginsunshineor rain,thestylishNissanAriyaboastsquick acceleration,anexcellentmileagerangeandthe comfortandpracticalityofoneofthemoststylishallelectriccarsIhavedriventhisyear. ■
Wecaughtupwiththeaward-winningperformeraheadof hisrunintheadaptationofchildren’sclassicWinniethePooh
Actor,singer,drummerandwriterAlexCardall hasaddedpuppetrytohisCVforDisney’s gorgeousstageadaptationofWinniethePooh whichiscomingtotheHippodromelaterthismonth followingarecord-breakingpremiereinNewYork. Theatreaimedatyoungeraudiencesmightseemlike aneasygig,butnotso.Ithasauniquepressuresays Alex:“Itmightbethekids’firsttimeinatheatre particularlygiventhebackdropofthepandemic,soit feelsspecialandimportant.”
Feedbackfromaudienceshasbeenoverwhelmingly positiveandAlexislookingforwardtobringingthe showtohishometown.TheproductionfeatureslifesizedpuppetryofAAMilne’sclassiccharacterssetin theHundredAcreWoodandincludestheSherman Brothers’Grammyaward-winningmusic.Alexsays beingpartofitis‘arealjoy’.
Alex’spreviousworkincludesplayingDanielinBFI andBuenoFilm’sChaChaClub,developingand starringinMettaTheatre’seco-rockmusical, HousefireandperformingintheAustralian ShakespeareCompany’sproductionofWindinthe Willows.Mostrecently,AlexplayedAndyWilliamsin TheOsmondsmusical–apartthattookhimright backtohischildhoodhomelisteningtoandplaying musicwithhisdad.Alex’sfatherdiedin2017sohe nevergottoseehissonperformasAndyWilliams.
HisfatherwasatrumpeterwiththeMidlandYouth JazzOrchestraandAlexwassurroundedbywhathis dadcalled‘propermusic’athome–bigbandmainly,so lotsofFrankSinatraandAndyWilliamsaswellasLevel 42andGloriaEstefan.Alexwouldbashalongonthe potsandpansinthekitchenbeforetakingupactual drummingandfollowinginhisfather’sfootstepsjoining theMidlandYouthJazzOrchestra,aged15.Hetoured withtheorchestraasadrummerandvocalistforthree years,givinghimtheopportunitytoperformtopacked outconcerthallsandworldclassjazzfestivals.
Alwaysintomusicanddramaatschool,Alexthen attendedBirminghamOrmistonAcademyinthesixth form,followedbystudyingmusicaltheatreatArtsEdin Londonwherehegraduatedwithfirstclasshonoursand wontheRisingStaraward.HealsowontheStephen SondheimSocietyPerformeroftheYearin2018.
Duringthepandemic,Alexcamehometostaywith hismuminKnowle.Fromtherehetookpartinan onlineserieswithPitlochryFestivalTheatrecreating videosandinitiativesaswellasworkingasadrumand singingteacherwithLondonAcademyofMusicand DramaticArt(LAMDA)anddeliveringnewspapers whichinspiredhimtowriteaVictoriaWood-stylesong calledDeliveringPapersWithMyMumwhichAlexis developingintoafullscaleproduction.
Thesongislargelyabouthisexperienceduringthe pandemicandtheweirduncertaintyofthattimeand ultimatelyreconnectingwithhismum.Alexsays:“It wasniceandbloodyawfulatthesametime.It’sabout self-reflectionandcomingtotheconclusionthatwe’re doingalright.There’saguiltinvolvedwithhavinga positiveoutcomefromthepandemicassomanyother peoplehadareallytoughtime.”
Alex’snextstepistocomebacktoBrumand workshoptheplay,checkitworks,finetuneitandsecure funding,plushe’dlovetogetintofilmandTV,too. ■
WinniethePoohrunsfromFriday16toSunday18June, ticketsfrom£18.Visit: birminghamhippodrome.com/calendar/winnie-the-pooh
AyoungwriterfromSolihullhaspublishedherdebut noveltomuchcriticalacclaim.GameofIniquityisadark historicalcrimethrillersetamongtheopiumdensand politicalspheresofcriminalVictorianLondon.MirayKose, anex-BromsgroveSchoolstudentnowstudyingLawat DurhamUniversity,wasinspiredbyherfascinationwith thepoliticalworld.Shesaid:“Seeingmodernpolitical workingsandthecorruptionthattendstoplagueitwas definitelyagreatinspirationincraftingmyvillain,Lord BenedictGranville.”
AKidderminsterbandwonthegoldawardforthebest originalsong,calledGriefOfMe,intheunder14 categoryattheWorcesterCompetitiveArtsFestival heldattheMarrsBar,Worcesterinfrontofapacked audience.Retsecrow(s)–pronouncedret-see-crows, whichisWorcesterspeltbackwards–iscomprisedof fourstudentsfromHeathfieldKnollSchool,Bewdley HighSchoolandHaybridgeHighSchool.Luca(aka #21CBoy)onvocalsandguitar,Georgieonbass,Ollie onleadguitarandGeorgeondrums.
FourrisingstarstudentsatBMetaremakingtheirmarkbyinspiring leadingemployersintheirroleasboardmembersfortheGreater BirminghamProfessionalServicesAcademy(GBPSA).Ahmad,Amaan, AmanahandCameronwhoareallstudyingaLevel3extendeddiplomain businesscoursesatBMet’sMatthewBoultonCollege,havebeenworking withtheGBPSAsincelastFebruary.TheGBPSAisaconsortiumof employers,includingDeloitte,GateleyandKPMG,whoaimtodevelop students’skillsforemploymentorfurtherstudies.
SolihullPrepSchoolpupilSophieBondwasselected asawinnerintheirShowRacismtheRedCard Competition.Sophie,whoisinJ3(Year5),produced animaginativevideowhichthejudgingteamselected asoneoftheschool’soverallsubmissionstothe nationalcompetitionandwasawardedaprizeinthe AllAgesMultimediacategory.Sophiewroteapoem aboutfishnotbeingracist,andhowpeopleseeall fishasbeautiful.
StudentsfromArenaAcademy,aCOREEducationTrustschoolinBirmingham, aresupportingtherolloutofanewhealthandwellbeingappbeingdeveloped bytheNHS.Theyear10and11volunteersareworkingwithBirmingham CommunityHealthcareCharity(BCHC)tobecomedigitalexpertsonanew HealthandWellbeingAppLibrary,whichverifiessafehealthcareappsthatare recommendedbytheNHSforpeopletousetoimprovetheirhealth.
TwooldboysfromKingEdwards, SirPaulRuddockandStuart Southall,havedonatedarare stained-glasswindowofSt MargaretofAntiochbypreRaphaeliteartistSirEdward Burne-JonestotheBirmingham school.Burne-Joneswasa leadingfigureintheartsand craftsmovement.Hewas admittedonanassistedplaceto KingEdward’sSchoolatatime whentheChiefMaster,James PrinceLee,wasraisingittobe oneoftheleadingschoolsinthe country.
Face2FacePerformanceAcademy,which takesplaceattheHolroydCommunity TheatreinWestonRhyn,iscelebratingtwo sell-outperformancesofthemusical,Legally BlondeJR.LegallyBlondeJRfollowedthe journeyofElleWoods,asororitygirlwho setsouttowinbackherex-boyfriendby enrollinginHarvardLawSchool,onlyto discoverherownpotentialandbecomea successfullawyer.Aimedatpupilsagednine to18,theAcademyoffersweeklysessionsin acting,singinganddancingandisnonselective,meaningthatanyonecanjoin withoutauditioning.
BirminghamHippodromeistohavethe firstin-housemusicaltheatredepartment ataUKvenuetodevelopnewmusicalsin theWestMidlands.Thedepartmentwill commission,developandproduce musicalsaspartoftheHippodrome’score business,alongsideofferingskills development,employmentandanew WritersLab.JonGilchrist,pictured,artistic directorandCEOofBirmingham Hippodromesaid:“Over260,000people cometoseemusicaltheatreatthe Hippodromeeveryyearandweknowour audiencesarehungryfornewmusicals.”
KirpalMehtahasjoinedConferenceAston asitsnewgeneralmanagerresponsiblefor cateringandhousekeepingservices.Kirpal hasmorethantwodecadesofexperience inthehospitalityindustry,workingfor majororganisationsintheMidlands, includingWolverhamptonWanderersFC, TwycrossZooandTamworthSnowdome. HejoinsConferenceAstonasthevenue recordsasuccessfulstarttoitsfinancial year,exceedingpre-Covidpandemic businesslevels.In2022,thevenue welcomed66,746visitors,supported28 industriesandhosted737events.
Wolverhamptonbutcher,Robinsonsof Tettenhall,hasscoopedaprestigious nationalawardatthisyear’sSmithfield AwardsatButchers’HallinLondon. ThebutcherwontheDiamondaward
intheInnovativeHotEatingPie categoryforitsMintedLambPie. OrganisedbytheQGuildofButchers, theawardshaverunformorethan30 yearsandrecognisetheUK’sfinest craftbutcheryproducts.Robinsons alsomadethefinalshortlistinthree othercategoriesattheawards.
GreaterBirminghamChambers ofCommercehaspromoted DanHarrisontoheadofmedia andcommunications.Dan,who waspreviouslypressandPR manager,willleadallareasof theChamber’smediaandnews contentoperations,including externalmediaengagement andproductionofthe organisation’sprintandonline newsmaterial.Danjoinedthe Chamberin2016aspressand PRexecutivehavingspent nearlyeightyearsatAstonVilla FCasclubjournalistand matchdayprogrammeeditor.
Birmingham-basedPRagencyReevesMediahas welcomedMattWalkerasitsmanagingdirector. MatttakesoverfromfounderCliveReeves,whohas movedtotheroleofchiefexecutive.Mattjoined Reevesin2013asanaccountexecutiveandhas sinceheldseniorroles,mostrecentlyheadingup internalandexternalcommunicationsfornational propertyandconstructionconsultancyRidgeand PartnersLLP.Priortothat,heledexternal communicationsforpropertydeveloperStModwen.
CarehomemanagerSoniaTenniswoodtookpartina13,000fttandem skydivetohelpraisefundsforalocalcharity.Sonia’sleapanda communityfundayatBlossomfieldRosecarehomeattendedbymore than200visitors,made£2,000forAgeUKSolihull.Soniaenjoyedthe experiencesomuchthatsheisconsideringtrainingforasoloskydive. Shesaid:“Itwasthemostthrillingexperience.Allyouneedis20 secondsofinsanecourageandyouwon’tlookback.”
ATIptonbusinessisexportingagreenrevolutiontotheMiddleEast.
LetSanifyhassentitsfirstconsignmentofeco-friendlydisinfectantsand cleaningproductstoQatar,wheretheywillbesoldintotheLulugroupof supermarketsthathasmorethan200outletsacrosstheregion.The productsaremadefromnaturalproducts,saltandfilteredwater.They containnoalcoholorchemicalsandarenon-hazardous.WestMidlands mayorAndyStreetvisitedthefactorytoseeoffthefirstbatchtoQatar.
DavidWilsonHomesMerciahasmadea£1,500 donationtoBirminghamHospice.The housebuilder’sdonationcamefromtheBarratt DevelopmentsPlcCharitableFoundation,which isdesignedtosupportnationalandlocal charities,largeandsmall.LukeManley,senior communityandbusinessdevelopmentfundraiseratBirminghamHospice,said:“Itcosts justover£16millionayeartokeepour Birminghamhospicesrunning,soalldonations wereceiveareincrediblyimportant.”
Ateamoflawyerscompletedagruellingcountryracetoraisemoneyforcharity. FifteensolicitorsfrommfgSolicitorstackledthe10kWolfRunatLeamington Spa,raisingmorethan£2,000fortheEmilyJordanFoundation,alocalcharity whichsupportspeoplewithlearningdisabilities.TheWolfRunsawtheteam tacklewoodlandtracks,lakes,thickmudandtestingopengroundagainst hundredsofothercompetitors.TheFoundationhelpsthosewithdisabilities sociallyandtogainemploymentopportunities.
BirminghamBotanicalGardenshas appointedanewdirectorofhorticultureasit putsinplaceplanstoconservetheheritage siteforfuturegenerations.EmilyHazellwho previouslyworkedatKewGardens’ TemperateHousesaid:“Birmingham BotanicalGardens’seniormanagementand trusteeshaveboldplanstoensurethe Gardensremainsabotanicaloasisinthecity ofBirminghamforthenext190years.As partofmyrole,Iwanttowidenparticipation inhorticulture,developingandmentoring thenextgenerationofhorticulturists.”
TaborLiving,oneofBirmingham’sleadinghomelessprojects,has openedthedoorstoitsnewhomefollowinga£500,000 redevelopmentproject.Thenewfacilitywillhouseupto19people whowerepreviouslyhomelesswithnineemergencybedsand10 move-onrooms.Five-and-a-halfyearsafterlaunchingTaborHouse inDigbeth,theorganisationmovedtoitsbiggerlocationatSt CatherineofSienaChurchinBirminghamcitycentreafter17 monthsofrenovation.ThemovemeansTaborLivinghasnow doubleditscapacity.
TheMidlandslargestandoldestartisangolfclubiscelebratingits125th anniversarywitharangeofcommemorativeevents,includingagolfdayand dinnerinJuly.BasedatLittleAstonGolfClub,AldridgeArtisans’captainSteve Dyersaid:“Thegolfingworldhasevolvedsomuchovertheyears,andmany Artisanclubshaveshrunkordisappearedentirely,butwearestillathrivingclub.” Traditionally,Artisanclubsconsistedofmenhandpickedfromtheworkingclasses, providingalow-costsolutionforthoselookingtoplaygolf.
TheLord-LieutenantoftheWestMidlands, SirJohnCrabtreeOBE,announcedthe appointmentofninenewDeputyLieutenants whosebackgroundsrangefromsportand socialhistory,tohealth,businessandtackling accessibilityandinclusion.Thenew appointmentsincludehistorianProfCarlChinn andworld-recordrunnerDavidMoorcroft.
ColmoreBIDhasbeenappointedtosupport LawrenceBarton,theNight-TimeEconomy (NTE)ChampionforBirmingham,whohas beentaskedwithadvocatingonbehalfof businessesoperatinglateatnight.Therole hasbeendesignedtocreateacoherent strategicapproachtodeveloping Birmingham’sbusyandevolvingNTE.
BirminghamAirport’sdecarbonisationplanhas beenbenchmarkedbyaninternational aviationbody.SecuringLevel3(Optimisation) AirportCarbonAccreditationfromAirports CouncilInternationalisanimportantstepin theairport’sjourneytobecomeanetzero carbonoperationby2033.
BirminghamentrepreneurIsaMutlibhasbeennamed ApprenticeshipChampionoftheYear.Thefounderof CareersCamp,acareerspreparationacceleratorthat aimstoprepareandconnectunderservedtalentto topcareers,wonthetitleattheAnnual ApprenticeshipAwards.Isasaid:“Toreceivethis awardisatestamenttothehardworkanddedication oftheentireCareersCampteam.”CareersCamphas programmesfocusingonmandatoryknowledge, skills,behavioursandmindsetactivities,followedby sector-specifictraining.
THISYEAR,THEBRITISHPAR3CHAMPIONSHIPCELEBRATES25 YEARSATNAILCOTEHALL.WECATCHUPWITHTHEMANBEHIND THEWORLD’SBIGGESTPAR3TOURNAMENT
Twenty-fiveyearsagothissummerwhathas becometheworld’sbiggestPar3golf tournamentteedupinitsbeautifulnew locationinWarwickshire.Sincethefirstballwas struck,thegloriousshortcourseatNailcoteHall hasseensomeofgolfing’sgreatsgraceitsgreens,as wellasagalaxyofstarsfromtheworldofsport, entertainmentandthearts.
Thisyear’sFarmfoodsPar3BritishChampionship willseetheprofessionalplayerscompetingforarecord 150,000Europrize.Atthesametime,apro-amwillas alwaysinjectsomeextrafunandgamesandprovide additionalentertainmenttothethousandsofgolflovingspectatorsexpectedturnoutandwatchthe eventoveritsfourdaysfrom8to11August.
RickCressman,picturedabove,ownerofNailcote
Hallandthedrivingforcebehindthechampionship’s success,said:“Iamtrulyproudoftheevent,ithasbeena reallabouroflove.Ifyouwouldhavetoldme25years agothatwewouldhaveprosandcelebritiesfromaround theworldplayinghereatNailcote,Iwouldn’thave believedyou.”
Golfingstarswhohavetakenpartincludelegends suchasRyderCupcaptainsTonyJacklin,Ian WoosnamandSamTorrance,fellowMajorswinners DameLauraDavies,PaulLawrieandDannyWillett, aswellasthelikesofyoungsuperstarssuchasCharley Hull.CelebritieshaveincludedSirAlexFerguson,Sir BobbyCharlton,NigelMansell,MikeTindall,Jonny BairstowandJasperCarrott.Amongthe championship’skeenestsupporterswasStrictlyCome Dancing’slegendaryjudge,thelate,greatLen Goodmanwhocouldalwaysbecountedontocuta dashingfigureinthegolfingfashionstakes!
RickexplainedthattheBritishPar3Championship ismuchliketheMastersPar3withitbeingplayedina relaxedyetcompetitiveatmosphere.However,itholdsa veryspecialplaceinthehistoryofBritishgolfandwas playedlongbeforeitbecametraditionintheMasters. ThechampionshiphaditsoriginsintheoldShort CourseProfessionalChampionshipwhichwasplayed atthePalaceHotel,Torquayfrom1933to1973.
SidMouland,whowonatTorquayinthe1960s,was theinspirationbehindthetournament’sresurgence.
Ricksaid:“SidwastheprofessionalattachedtoNailcote HallbeforehissonMarkinheritedhispositionandhe wouldregalemewithtalesoftheoldChampionshipat thePalaceHotel.OnceSidthoughtthatNailcoteHall wasingoodenoughshapetotakeoverthe championship,therest,astheysay,ishistory...”
Rickadded:“Par3golfisthesportthatgives everyonetheopportunitytoplay.Wetryhardto makesurepeoplecanseethatgolfisn’texclusively theterritoryforthepros.Youhearsomuchtalk aboutgrowingthegameandthat’swhatwehave alwaystriedtodobyshowingpeoplewhocometo ourcoursethatgolfisabouttheartoftheshortgame andputting–it’snotjustaboutwhetheryoucan
drivetheballmilesonafull-sizecourse.
“TonyJacklinwhoisagreatfriendandhoststhe eventeachyearhasalwayssaidthattheattractionof thecourseisallthelittlefiddlybitsthatyouhaveto master.We’vebecomeamajorsportingeventinthe WestMidlandsovertheyearswhichattractsalotof peopleandiscoveredeachyearbySkySportsonTV. We’reveryproudofwhatwehaveachievedhere.”
Spectatorscanexpectthefullgolfingexperienceat Nailcote,completewiththeTentedVillagewhichisthe entertainmentandsocialhubofthechampionship. Visitorscanenjoyfoodanddrink,browsethestalls withclothing,golfingequipmentandbeautyproducts andtesttheirgolfingability.Playersandcelebritiestake tothevillageforexclusiveQ&Asessionswhicharea once-in-a-lifetimeopportunityformanyfans.
Ricksaid:“Ourwholeaimistoopenupgolftoasmany peopleaspossibleinacompetitiveyetfunway.” ■
Complimentaryfreeticketsareavailableaheadofthechampionship. Ticketsonthedayare£30each.Thereisa£10chargeforcarparking. Formoredetailsvisithttp://britishpar3.com/
TheRoyalShakespeareCompanywelcomed specialgueststotheworldstagepremiereof HamnetattheSwanTheatre,Stratford-uponAvon.Thenewplaybasedonthebest-sellingnovelby MaggieO’Farrell,hasbeenadaptedbyaward-winning playwrightLolitaChakrabartiandfeaturesMadeleine MantockasAgnesHathawayandTomVareyasWilliam ShakespearewithPeterWightreturningtotheRSCto playJohn/WillKempe.Guestsattendingthepremiere includedNiamhCusack,EmmaFielding,Olivia Williams,RhashanStone,BenMilesandSallyPhillips. ■
TheteamatCalthorpeEstateshostedaspecial Coronation-themedafternoonteanetworkingevent atEdgbastonPrioryClub.Followingpresentations fromtheclub’sCEO,MattRawnsley,andHaydnCooper, CEOofCalthorpeEstate,guestsweretreatedtoashorthighperformancetennisdemonstrationbysomeofthestudents trainingatthestunningIndoorTennisCentre. ■
WHAT: JimmyCarr:TerriblyFunny
WHEN: 11June
WHERE: SymphonyHall,bmusic.co.uk
StaroftheUK’smost-streamedNetflixcomedy specialof2021,Jimmyisbackontheroadwith brandnewmaterialfeaturingjokesaboutallkinds ofterriblethings.Terriblethingsthatmighthave affectedyouorpeopleyouknowandlove.But they’rejustjokes…andyou’vebeenwarned…
WHAT: Hamnet
WHEN: Until17June
WHERE: RSCTheatre, rsc.org.uk,tel:01789331111
WhenthePlaguesteals11-year-old Hamnetfromhislovingparentstheymusteachconfronttheirloss alone.Andyet,outofthegreatestsufferingsomethingof extraordinarywonderisborn.AnewplaybasedonMaggie O’Farrell’sbest-sellingnovel,adaptedbyLolitaChakrabarti.
WHAT: WinniethePoohTheMusical
WHEN: 16to18June
WHERE: BirminghamHippodrome,birminghamhippodrome.com
DeepinHundredAcreWoodanewadventureisabouttohappen.AA Milne’sbelovedcharacters,WinniethePooh,ChristopherRobinandtheir bestfriendsPiglet,EeyoreandofcourseTigger,allarriveonstageinthis beautifully-craftedmusicaladaptation.
WHAT: StillLifeatthePenguinCafé
WHEN: 8to10June
WHERE: BirminghamHippodrome, brb.org.uk
BirminghamRoyalBalletroundsoffthe Company’s2022-23seasonwithawitty, bittersweetandpoignantlookathuman impactontheworld.Acolourfulhost ofendangeredanimalsseekshelterfrom thestorminaproductionchoreographed bySirDavidBintley.
WHAT: JackWhitehall
WHEN: 7and8July
WHERE: UtilitaArena, utilitaarenabham.co.uk
Followingthreesell-outarenatours,the award-winningcomedian,actorand writerisbackontheroaddoingwhat hedoesbest–entertainingaudiences–inwhatheclaimstobehismost personalshowyetashehurtlestowards middleagewithoutaclue.
WHAT: Bernstein’sCandide
WHEN: 12July
WHERE: TheAlexandra,atgtickets.com
Eighteenth-centuryFrancecollideswith20thcenturypost-warAmericaforafantastical adventureintheWelshNationalOpera’snew productionofBernstein’sCandide.The Companycreatesanimaginativeworldof music,animationanddancewithpoliticalbite.
WHAT: Q&AwithMarkBillingham
WHEN: 10June
WHERE: MidlandsArtCentre, macbirmingham.co.uk
BirminghamcrimeauthorMarkBillinghamhassold morethanfourmillionbooks,continuallytopping best-sellerlistssincehisdebutin2013.Hepops intoMACtotalkabouthisnewbook,TheLast Dance,withfellowcrimeauthorMarkEdwards.
WHAT: ArgentineTangoclasses
WHEN: VariousdatesinJuly
WHERE: KilderBar,Digbeth.For moreinformation: tango.oso@yahoo.com
Danceenthusiastsandcompletebeginners areinvitedtotheseawesometangotaster classes.Nopartnerrequired,justa willingnesstothrowyourselfintothe heartbeatofBuenosAires.
WHAT: Cirque
WHEN: 1July
WHERE: TownHall,bmusic.co.uk
Theaward-winning,smash-hitcircusmusical bringsyouanightlikenoother,where musicaltheatremeetsjaw-droppingcircus spectacularwithbreath-takingaerialists, incrediblecontortionistsandthrillingfeatsof agilityandflair.
WHAT: SinatraTheMusical
WHEN: 23Septemberto 28October
WHERE: BirminghamRep, birmingham-rep.co.uk
Thefirstofficialmusicaltofocusonthe lifeandworkofthelegendaryFrank Sinatracomestotown.Theshow coincideswiththe70thanniversaryof Ol’BlueEyes’1953UKtour,which sawhimperforminBirmingham.
WHAT: BBCGoodFoodShowSummer
WHEN: 15to18June
WHERE: NECBirmingham, bbcgoodfoodshow.com/summer/
Try-and-buyfromhundredsofindependentproducers andpickupplentyofrecipeinspirationforalfresco dining,indulgentdessertsandshowstoppingdinner partiesfromanexceptionalline-upofchefsandexperts. TicketalsoincludesentryintoBBCGardeners’WorldLive.
WHAT: EdgbastonArtisanMarket
WHEN: 10June
WHERE: GreenfieldCrescent,Edgbaston, calthorpe.co.uk
Birmingham’slargestartisanmarketreturnsfeaturing independentbusinessesfromacrosstheMidlandsshowcasing thefinestrangeofartisanfoodanddrink,alongside handmadeartsandcraftsandfarmers’marketproduce.
WHAT: Disney100–TheConcert
WHEN: 6June
WHERE: ResortsWorldArena, resortsworldarena.co.uk
HostedbyStrictlyComeDancingstarJanette Manraraandcelebrating100yearsofDisney, theconcertfeatureslegendaryfilmscenesona giantscreen,withmagicalmusicalmoments broughttolifebytheHollywoodSoundOrchestra.
WHAT: MelatiSuryodarmo
WHEN: Until3September
WHERE: Ikon,ikon-gallery.org
MelatiSuryodarmoisoneof Indonesia’smostimportantliving artists.Herphysically-demanding performancescanlastseveralhours, testingthelimitsofthehumanmind andbody.
WhenIleftschoolinearly2006,myonlyreal passionwasgolf.ThatsummerIworkedatmylocal golfclub,andIabsolutelylovedit.InOctober2006,I wasluckyenoughtobeofferedafull-timejobatthe Belfryasatraineegreenkeeperandsoonafter,Ibecame aqualifiedgreenkeeper.In2012,Ileftandtravelledto AustraliaandNewZealandbeforereturningtothe Belfryin2014.OverthenexttwoyearsIwaspromoted throughvariouspositionsbeforebecominggolfcourses manager.ThroughoutmycareerIhavebeenlucky enoughtotravelacrosstheworld.Thishasincluded volunteeringforworldclasseventsinFrance,America, Australia,andwithintheUK.In2018,Ivolunteeredat theRydercupinParistohelpwithgolfcoursesetup.
Ioverseeateamof45whichincludesgreenkeepers, mechanics,irrigationtechnicians,andgardeners.Day-today,IoverseetheBelfry’sthreegolfcourses,ensuringthat weareprovidingatournamentstandardcourseforall players.OurcoursesincludetheBrabazonandPGA National,whicharerecognisedasworld-classhaving hostedTheRyderCupfourtimes–morethananyother venueintheworld.Wearealsohostingthisyear’sBetfred BritishMastersforthethirdconsecutiveyear.
Ihaverecentlybecomeadadandwanttobethebest Icanbeformyson,raisinghimwithgoodpersonal values.I’mreallyhappyattheBelfryandlovewhereI
work.It’smyambitionthough,toworkoverseasina managerialroleoverseeinganotherworld-classgolf tournamentwhilealsocontinuingtoinspireandleadthe nextgenerationofgreenkeepers.
OneofmybiggestsuccesseswasmovingtoAustraliaand NewZealandwhenIwas23topursuemygreenkeeping career.Ithelpedmegrowasapersonandtaughtmesomany personalskills.Anothersuccesswasbecominghead greenkeeperatonly27andoverseeingthreeworld-renowned golfcourseshereattheBelfry.Sevenyearsintoinmycurrent positionandIfeelsofortunatethatIamabletohelpassistwith planningandpreparationfortheBritishMasterseachyear.
Neverfailtotrymore!EarlyinmycareerIwasvery passionateandwantedtoprogress,butIdidn’thavethe confidenceandIdidn’talwaysasktherightquestions.Iwas scaredtotrynewthingsbecauseIdidn’twanttofail. Lookingbacknow,IfeelIcouldhavegotmoreoutofthe earlydaysinmycareerifI’dbeenmoreconfident.
TheinvestmentthatBirminghamhasreceivedoverrecent yearshasbeenfantastic.Theinfrastructureandarchitecture havemassivelyimprovedthroughoutthecity.
Ienjoylookingaftermygarden.Beingagreenkeeper,I ensuremygrasslooksaspristineasitcanbe.I’malsoaclean freak,soI’malwaystidyingsomething!Ihaveadog,named Cooper,whocomestoworkwithmemostdays.Ilovegoingon longwalkswithhimandfindingnewplacestovisitorsee. ■
ThegolfcoursesmanagerattheBelfryHotel&Resortis busyreadyingthefairwaysandgreenstowelcomesome oftheworld’stopplayersatthisyear’sBritishMasters
