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June 2021
BOTTOMS UP!
STUNNING SOFAS
TIME FOR TENNIS
GET FIT, HAVE FUN
RICK CRESSMAN JAIL ME IF YOU DARE!
DANCE SENSATION DEVON NELSON
CRICKET STAR AMY JONES
FROCK & ROLL
SUMMER DRESSES
DAN EVANS SIZZLING BBQs
FOOD & DRINK
ON BEATING NOVAK AND SMASHING IT AT WIMBLEDON
J 2021
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EDITOR’S VIEW
F
irst there was Henman Hill. Then Murray Mount. So, how about Evo’s Army? Kind of has a ring to it don’t you think? Evo is the nickname of Dan Evans, Britain’s number one ranked tennis player. Being the social media fiends that we are, we’re getting behind #EvosArmy as our way of showing support for the Birmingham star as he prepares to smash it at this year’s Wimbledon. So, come on join us… Dan has always been a talent in the men’s game, but he’ll admit that in the past the total focus needed to reach the top has been, how shall we say, somewhat patchy! In the past couple of years though, that has all changed and he has become our top player with some notable scalps to his name. Dan’s recent defeat of world number one Novak Djokovic in Monte Carlo showed how far he has come, and as he tells Shelley Carter in this month’s Cover Story, he’s never been happier with his game and life in general. With Dan getting set to battle it out at Wimbledon and the women stars coming to Brum for this month’s Birmingham Classic, we’re all getting really excited about the grass court season. Another local star hitting the headlines is England and Warwickshire cricketer, Amy Jones, who we’ve also interviewed this month. You may have seen Amy as one of the ‘Faces of Birmingham 2022’ featuring on posters around the city for next year’s Commonwealth Games. Fresh back from a winning tour to New Zealand, Amy tells us of her plans for the season and her excitement at going for gold with the England team as T20 cricket becomes part of the Games for the first time.
s n h o J d i Dav
visit www.brumliving.co.uk @brum_living
Cover image:
/bhamliving
FINALIST
Dan Evans
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.
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INSIDE
10 16 20 32 34 44 04 birmingham living
Highlights
Dan Evans
After beating Novak Djokovic, GB’s No 1 courts success at Wimbledon
Amy Jones England cricket star talks breaking boundaries and going for gold
Food & Drink Head chef Elia Vergnano’s passion for Italian food, plus news, reviews and wine
Health Why playing tennis is a smashing way to get fitter, healthier – and have fun
Style Say ‘yes to the dress’ as we welcome in summer. Go on, give it a twirl girls…
Homes Sofa, so good! After a year in lockdown it’s time to change our battered settee
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CONTENTS
Best of the Rest
52 54 58 61 64 66 june 2021
Motoring
All the power of a GTI with 250 miles to the gallon. Meet VW’s new Golf hybrid
Young, Gifted & Brummie Devon Nelson, one of the stars of Birmingham International Dance Festival Business Feature Jail me if you dare! Why Rick Cressman is ready to defy demands of tax man
Business News The ‘what, where and who’ as the commercial community opens up
What’s On Our round-up of events, both live and virtual, due to take place this month
Up Close With award-winning Kathak dancer and choreographer, Sonia Sabri
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NEWS
ELLIE MAKES A SPLASH
British Paralympic gold medal swimmer Ellie Simmonds took the plunge to mark the reopening of indoor swimming facilities and encourage people to support the charity, WaterAid. Ellie, from Walsall, is backing the organisation’s summer Swim Marathon challenge to raise money to help supply clean water to the world’s poorest people. WaterAid ambassador Ellie witnessed the effects a lack of clean water has on people during a visit to Uganda. More details about the Swim Marathon at www.wateraid.org/uk/events
NEWS
IN THESE MOST CHALLENGING TIMES, WE BRING YOU STORIES TO INSPIRE AND ADMIRE FROM ACROSS THE CITY
PICTURE OF HOPE
The stories of former patients like Yasmin Jukes, pictured, who owe their lives to emergency treatment given my Midlands Air Ambulance are recounted in a new outdoor exhibition. Mission Critical is on show in Chamberlain Square, Birmingham from 25 to 28 June, with other venues and dates across the region through the summer. Top fashion and lifestyle photographer Nik Hartley, who has worked with Vogue and Vanity Fair, captures patients on camera in the free exhibition. More details at midlandsairambulance.com/events
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JAZZING IT UP A new jazz festival has been announced by Town Hall Symphony Hall together with the return of its free Jazzlines Summer School for young musicians. The school, from 23 to 27 August for youngsters aged 11 to 19 years, will be led by professional trumpet and bass player Percy Pursglove and vocalist and songwriter Sara Colman. It will be run in conjunction with the new jazz festival, in partnership with Jazz FM, where audiences will be able to enjoy free and low-cost performances at various venues.
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CAR OF THE SHOW It’s been called the world’s most beautiful car and a new exhibition is marking the 60th anniversary of the iconic Jaguar E-Type. A special display of models, including the E2A Prototype, as well as rarely seen Jaguar-related documents, advertisements, artworks and artefacts are on show at the E-Type Evolution exhibition at the British Motor Museum until the end of June. Pre-booking is essential and to find out more visit britishmotormuseum.co.uk
ARTISAN MARKET TYRESE CHALKS UP WIN A deaf and partially sighted teenager from Birmingham who helped more than 80,000 people learn British Sign Language over the last year, has won the Stephen Sutton Inspiration Award at the 2021 Pride of Birmingham Awards. Tyrese Dibba, who has the rare genetic disorder CHARGE Syndrome, was star of the Sense Sign School that taught tens of thousands of people BSL via video. The campaign was launched by disability charity Sense and invited the public to sign up for free online classes.
An exciting street market is launching this month at Edgbaston Village. Working in conjunction with Mosley Arts Market, the new Edgbaston Village Artisan Market in Greenfield Crescent will feature a mix of artists, artisan food traders and funky designers showcasing handmade and locally sourced produce. The market kicks off on 5 June from 10am to 3pm. More details at edgbastonvillage.co.uk
NEW HOME
A successful contemporary homeware shop based in the Jewellery Quarter has expanded and moved into bigger premises in Hockley. Minima launched four years ago and has carved out a reputation for high quality contemporary, innovative, design-driven furniture, lighting and accessories.
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RINGING THE CHANGES Thinktank Birmingham Science Museum reopened with a new gallery, shop and entrance to enhance the visitor experience. Our Changing Planet gallery investigates how pollution, habitat destruction, species extinction and climate change are altering landscapes and lives across the world. Featuring more than 150 exhibits, it explores the impact of humans on the climate. Prior to closing due to the pandemic, Thinktank enjoyed one of its most successful years with more than 243,000 people and 45,500 school children visiting.
LET’S ROCK! What do you do if you are crazy about festivals but a pandemic scuppers all your plans? For one local family the answer was to create their own, which they called Glasthomebury. Fiona Rees, husband Matt and son Dylan, 12, recreated the festival in their back garden, complete with a pyramid stage, ribbon tower, bar, toilet tent and signage. That was in 2020, and a year on they are ready to stage a bigger, better Glasthomebury 2021 later this month, featuring five acts honouring Sir Captain Tom and the NHS.
POET BACKS APPEAL
BID TO KEEP KIDS AFLOAT A cash appeal has been made to save a summer youth programme for 400 children in Birmingham. The Sea Cadets’ On The Water project needs to find £48,000 if it is to go ahead. The programme gives children and young people a new life experience and skills as well as accredited qualifications, opening up potential job opportunities in the maritime sector and water sports industry. The effects of the pandemic have seen the cadets’ fund-raising slashed.
Birmingham Poet Laureate, Casey Bailey, is supporting Birmingham Women’s Hospital Charity’s Woodland House Appeal for a standalone bereavement centre by penning a poem about losing a baby. He said: “When writing this poem, I reminded myself how indescribable baby loss is, and how life changing.” So far, £1.6million has been raised but the charity needs another £1million to begin building the centre. Make a donation online at bwh.org.uk/woodland-house. Or to donate £5, text WOODLAND to 70970 (standard terms apply).
PRINCE’S VILLA VISIT Aston Villa’s most famous fan gave the football club’s new high-performance centre Royal approval when the Duke of Cambridge officially opened the facility at the Bodymoor Heath training ground. Prince William was given a tour of the new building by club chairman Nassef Sawiris and CEO Christian Purslow and met socially distanced groups of players and staff before hearing more about Aston Villa Foundation’s community outreach and support programmes.
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WATCH THIS SPACE
An artist’s impression of a new outdoor performance space has been revealed by the Royal Shakespeare Company as part of its summer season. The Lydia & Manfred Gorvy Garden Theatre is sited in the Swan Theatre Gardens. RSC artistic director Gregory Doran said: “By creating an outdoor theatre space for the Comedy of Errors production we hope audiences will feel safe to return to the theatre with confidence. Our buildings will gradually come back to life and the Royal Shakespeare Theatre will be ready for indoor performances in the autumn.”
NASRA’S MISSION Birmingham-based Nasra Hagi knows all too well the devastating impact that insufficient perinatal mental health care can have on
LINE OF DUTY STAR’S BRUM PRIDE The actor who millions saw exposed as H – the ultimate baddie in TV’s Line of Duty – has talked about his experience of working on the hit drama. Nigel Boyle – pictured second right above – who played Det Insp Ian Buckells, took part in an online masterclass for Royal Birmingham Conservatoire Acting students. Nigel, who graduated from Birmingham School of Acting in 2002 – now part of the Conservatoire – spoke of his pride for his home city and hopes that fellow alumni would follow in his footsteps and make an impact in the industry.
friends. The former nurse and midwife has
GOLDEN LINE-UP
women, their partners, babies and family and launched Recognize Limited, a coaching and
Birmingham Rep has announced a bumper
well-being programme dedicated to providing
autumn season programme to mark 50 years
women suffering with, or at risk of, perinatal
of the theatre in Centenary Square. Golden
mental ill health to access appropriate treatment.
anniversary highlights include the season
Nasra launched Recognize after her own struggle
opener in September, hit comedy-drama East
with postnatal depression. Discover more recognizeltd.co.uk
Is East which originally premiered on the Rep’s stage in 1996 and has since sold out three London runs and been adapted into a BAFTA award-winning film. A new musical – What’s New Pussycat? – based around the Swinging Sixties and the hits of Sir Tom Jones will feature in October/November. CELEBRATING: Pictured above, the Rep’s associate director Iqbal Khan, artistic director Sean Foley and associate director Madeleine Kludje. Picture: Kris Askey
MEL C SPICES UP WEEKEND Spice Girl Melanie C and M People’s Heather Small will be the headline acts on the first two days of Coventry’s Big Foodie Weekend which runs from 23 to 25 July. They will be joined by artists Karen Harding, Rozalla, Shena, Booty Luv, Big Brovaz, Katherine Ellis and DJ Paul Morrell. The Big Foodie Weekend aims to host the largest selection of artisan food producers in the region. TV celebrity chefs Theo Randall and Lesley Waters will be leading cooking demonstrations.
GOT ANY NEWS? Email your news and pictures to editor@brumliving.co.uk june 2021
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COVER STORY
WINNING DRIVE DAN EVANS TALKS TO SHELLEY CARTER ABOUT BEATING NOVAK DJOKOVIC, LIFE ON THE TENNIS TOUR AND BRINGING ON THE NEXT GENERATION
ritish number one and local lad, Dan Evans is riding high battling with the best in the world as he prepares for the grass court season. More than just troubling the top seeds, the number 26 ranked tennis star looks right at home most notably getting the better of Novak Djokovic in the Monte Carlo Masters. So what’s changed? We last caught up with Dan in 2015 when he hadn’t been in such sparkling form as he recovered from a knee injury. It turns out, Dan says there’s been no epiphany, it’s the day-to-day hard work and consistency that pay off and translates to a match situation. Of all the sports, tennis has probably been one of the least affected by lockdown restrictions getting back to playing competitively pretty quickly. Battle of the Brits organised by Jamie Murray in Roehampton which pitted two teams of top British talent against one another revealed a camaraderie among the Brits that we haven’t seen before – think Davis Cup Final and then some.
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There was plenty of good-humoured banter which naturally a moustachioed Evans was right in the thick of and the fierce competition showcased not only the talent, but the joy of tennis. Dan says: “The aim was to boost the game and inspire the next generation to play and I think it did that.” Sure enough. According to the LTA, between May and July last year, court bookings in parks and public spaces were up by 372 per cent on the previous year. Dan’s not just British, he’s a proper proud Brummie who still trains at his boyhood club, Edgbaston Priory when he’s in the region and is sponsored by local fashion designer Luke Roper who provides his kit. It was actually squash that peaked Dan’s interest in sport initially playing with his dad aged just seven. But once he got to grips with a tennis racket, it was obvious that was his game. Aged 10, Dan moved his training from Solihull to the top facilities at Edgbaston Priory which took his game up a notch. He says: “Priory’s a great club as are
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the people. Growing up if you knew sport, you knew Edgbaston Priory. It’s iconic. Whenever I’m back they let me use the courts. The last time was probably before the US Open.” SMALL TALK At 13, Dan moved to Loughborough to live with a host family while training at the LTA’s academy at Loughborough University. Of that time, he says: “I was not the best aged 14 or 15, in fact I was probably the worst. I was smaller than the others but I always thought I was pretty good and in the end I was the best.” We chatted on the morning of Dan’s third round match against Alexander Zverev at the Madrid Open which he was really looking forward to. “It’s not often you get to play in the Magic Box.” Zverev won, but the margins were so tight it could easily have gone Dan’s way. Beating the best in the world is something we reckon Dan will have to get used to. He says he’ll never forget beating Djokovic and is particularly chuffed he was able to do it at the Masters. It’s not all popping Champagne and patting yourself on the back mind you. He explains: “Obviously on court it’s physically and mentally tiring, but when you win a match like that there’s more to deal with off court. There’s more press to do, more attention, more messages, but you’re still in the tournament and have to focus.” WIN OR LOSE Dan’s not grumbling just illustrating it’s a newish scenario to deal with while keeping your head in the game. He says he’s always been decent at losing which sounded a bit odd at first, but he explains: “In a tournament there’s one winner and maybe 31 losers, so it’s essential to be good at it.” The Covid restrictions at tournaments haven’t affected Dan much, in fact he says because players and their teams are all in the same hotel, it’s had a bonding effect. In terms of the next few months, Dan says he doesn’t really have expectations although he says he’d love to do well at Wimbledon and is looking forward to getting on the grass. There’s no rest in the calendar, so it’s pretty non-stop playing and travelling and Dan hasn’t seen his family since January, so coming home will be a highlight. We’ve agonised over a snappy Evans alternative to Henman Hill and Murray Mount and we can’t think of one, so we’re getting behind #EvosArmy Are you with us? I
STEAL DAN’S STYLE If you like Dan’s clobber checkout another lovely Brummie, Luke Roper for more luke1977.com
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FLYING HIGH
ENGLAND AND WARWICKSHIRE CRICKET STAR AMY JONES IS JUMPING AT THE CHANCE TO COMPETE AT THE BIRMINGHAM COMMONWEALTH GAMES IN 2022. SHE TELLS DAVID JOHNS THAT AS WELL AS WINNING GOLD, SHE HOPES TO INSPIRE EVEN MORE GIRLS TO TAKE UP THE SPORT dream come true is how Amy Jones describes the prospect of competing in her home Commonwealth Games in Birmingham in 2022. The talented cricketer will be a key member of the successful England team which is among the favourites as women’s T20 cricket becomes part of the Games for the first time. “With how things have been in the pandemic, I think the Games are a real light at the end of the tunnel and something for everyone to look forward to,” said Amy. “It’s a brilliant opportunity for the city
A
– all eyes will be on Birmingham and I’m proud to be from Birmingham and having such a global event coming home.” Amy grew up in Sutton Coldfield and has more than 90 international caps for England as well as playing county cricket for Warwickshire. She is one of the stars of the Birmingham 2022 promotional campaign – celebrating elite athletes with a link to the West Midlands – and is appearing on billboards across the region as the build-up to Games continues to ratchet up.
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Amy says it is an honour to be one of the faces of 2022. “It’s incredible, seeing myself on the billboards and with my family walking past and seeing it too. It’s definitely a bit crazy to be honest but it’s something I’m hugely proud of and I feel very lucky to be one of the athletes that’s up there. It’s definitely something that I’ll not forget.” The Birmingham 2022 cricket competition will be held at Warwickshire’s Edgbaston home and wicketkeeper batter Amy says that will make the competition even more special. “I first started playing for Warwickshire at under 13 level, so it was really where I learned how to play cricket. It’s definitely a special place for me personally. I’ve only been able to play out on the main pitch a handful of times, so just to be able to play out there is one thing, but to represent England out there will be unbelievable, and I’m sure the support we’ll get there will be great as well. “Every athlete wants to inspire and the more people that can see us and see what we do and see how much fun we have when we’re out there, if that comes across to young girls maybe watching cricket for the first time, I think that is hugely important.” LUCKY BREAK Amy’s path to becoming a professional cricketer began as a youngster playing football. “I played on a boys’ football team,” she explains. “Some of my mates played cricket at the local club and I went down there. They had a girls’ team and a successful ladies’ team which wasn’t common at the time. So, I was lucky and it was quite straightforward. They had good links with Warwickshire and I had a trial at Edgbaston at 13 and I went on from there. “I was part of the first batch of professional England contracts when I was 19 and the growth of competition and raised profile in the women’s game has meant the standard of play has improved all the time. The growth in TV coverage has also been huge for the women’s game. Loads of people will enjoy women’s sport but if they don’t get to see it, then they don’t know how good it is.” Amy is a member of an England team that is among the world’s top cricket nations. When we spoke she had just returned from a winning tour to New Zealand and was preparing for the new domestic cricket season before visits by India and a return series with the Kiwis. She said: “Being away on tour during the pandemic was a bit scary at times – knowing that my mum and
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dad are getting older and having to stay indoors and me being away from them. It’s hard as an athlete or anyone when you are working away. You have the benefit of visiting some amazing countries but especially at this time, the other side of it is knowing your family are still staying safe at home.” GREATEST RIVALS The current world’s top eight women’s T20 cricket nations, which include hosts England, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and Pakistan, are eligible to compete at the 2022 Games. There’s no doubt in Amy’s mind who the greatest rivals for the gold medals are. “Australia are always our biggest competition and have a very successful team,” she said. “Much like the men’s teams, there is great rivalry. Maybe not as fierce as the men and not with the same level of sledging, but it’s still ultra-competitive. It’s not my style to sledge people, I just want to do everything I can to make sure we win matches.” Over the coming months, Amy says the most important thing is to maintain her form and avoid injuries. “Within the squad I see myself now as a senior player with more responsibility than in the past. I want to contribute to our wins and put in match-winning performances. There will hopefully be lots of opportunities to do that on big stages over the coming months and years in front of lots of people.” I
JUST THE TICKET Tickets for Birmingham 2022 will be released this summer. Sign up at www.birmingham2022.com for official updates.
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FOOD & DRINK
ELIA VERGNANO
The head chef at one of the Mailbox’s newest restaurants, Lucarelli, talks about his passion for capturing the true essence of Italian cuisine – and being a total cheese ‘monster’ and avid Avengers fan
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CHEF’S CORNER
Tell us about your cooking Naturally, I lean on my Italian heritage with my cooking. It is really important to me to always use the best, fresh ingredients and to respect the traditional Italian way of cooking. We personally select and import the highest quality Italian ingredients – it’s what really sets Lucarelli apart. How did you become a chef? I was formally trained at IPRA (Institute of Professional, Regional Hospitality) for five years. I was determined to become a chef from the age of five. Luckily my parents understood my ambitions and supported me in pursuing this. What do you eat at home? My fiancée is actually vegan so she has introduced me to a whole new world of food. You can see that influence on the menu for Lucarelli, for example our deep-fried Avocado Fries. I would like to say I always have time to cook from scratch, but sometimes you can’t beat a quick cheese sandwich on fresh white bread! Who’s the best chef in the world and why? And who’s the best in Brum? I would have to say my dad, Mario. He inspired me to become who I am. Throughout the lockdown period he has been sending me photos of new dishes and ideas, and I can’t wait to go back to Italy to try some of them! My favourite celebrity chef has always been Gordon Ramsay, and it’s a dream of mine to cook with him one day. Don’t worry, there’s not as much swearing in my kitchen though! As for Brum, can I say myself? Just joking, I’m too fickle to just pick one, as it really does depend on what kind of food I’m craving at the time. I think that’s the great thing about Birmingham, we have so many different types of wonderful food, from fine dining to street food, and more. There are always new and exciting restaurants and chefs to keep the food scene buzzing. Is the customer always, right? I don’t think it’s about being right or not, but at Lucarelli we always say: “May all who enter as guests leave as friends.”
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Share a cooking tip I have two tips for cooking pasta. Always salt the water as soon as it starts boiling and drain the pasta one minute before the suggested cooking time to ensure it is the perfect al dente finish. What was your favourite food as a kid? It’s exactly the same favourite that I have now – pizza! You can’t beat a perfectly prepared Margherita pizza with high quality mozzarella cooked in a woodfired oven drizzled with extra virgin olive oil and topped with fresh basil. Food heaven and food hell? Heaven is easy. I’m an absolute cheese monster. For me the best cheese in the world is Fontina, which is from my hometown of Aosta Valley. It’s smooth and nutty and really packs a flavour punch. My food hell would be cinnamon, it’s the only flavour in the world I really don’t like and I have no idea why. What’s the most unusual thing you’ve eaten? During my studies we tried some weird and wonderful things, I remember trying cow’s brain and being surprised at how strong the metallic flavour was. If you weren’t a chef, what would you be? Firstly, I would definitely have a few less friends. I’ve met so many interesting people through my love of food. If I wasn’t a chef, I would probably be a film critic as movies are my other big passion. I’m an Avengers nerd at heart! What do you recommend from this evening’s menu? I would have to suggest starting with our Trio Bruschetta, my favourite of the three is the classic tomato with plenty of garlic. Next up would be Risotto Fontina e Salsiccia, followed by Carré D’Agnello Arrosto, which is oven-baked rack of lamb served with rosemary roast potatoes. For dessert it would have to be the Italian classic tiramisu served with an espresso. Is that too much food? Never! I Lucarelli Restaurant, Mailbox Birmingham, 117 Wharfside Street, Birmingham B1 1RF. Tel: 0121 665 6762, lucarellirestaurant.co.uk
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NIBBLES and SHORTS
THE CLOSED NOTICES ARE DOWN AND AFTER MONTHS IN LOCKDOWN BIRMINGHAM’S BARS AND RESTAURANTS ARE FINALLY BACK IN
BUSINESS WITH A BANG AS THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY LOOKS TO PUT THE PAST YEAR FIRMLY IN THE REAR-VIEW MIRROR
BACK TO THE FUTURE It’s a case of happy returns for chef Darren Meacham who is back to lead the kitchen at Peel’s Hampton Manor, 10 years
though to lunch and dinner, with special culinary events
Michelin star. Following a stint at Harborne Kitchen, Darren
planned for the autumn. The renovation is part of a large-scale
has returned to Peel’s as the new head chef. As former sous
capital project, Making MAC More, which began in 2018.
chef, he was right and left-hand man to his predecessor Rob Palmer, who recently left Hampton Manor after 11 years to
BIG APPLE BAR
Midlands Arts Centre has launched a new café and restaurant, called KILN. The eatery, which was fully refurbished during lockdown, offers breakfast and brunch
after being part of the team that earned the restaurant its
launch his own kitchen.
KILN FIRES UP
The new-look café and restaurant will introduce seasonal menus and a wide range of meals cooked freshly on-site.
A chartered architect with a 25-year career in higher education
GASTROPUB IN A BOX
has combined his passion for property and travel to launch a
Chefs at the High Field, Edgbaston are serving up some of their
New York-inspired casual dining lounge bar in Birmingham. Prof
favourite gastropub dishes to eat at home. Peach at Home boxes
Kevin Singh, founding director of Birmingham-based architects
include everything needed to create tasty three-course meals for
and designers, the space* studio, has teamed up with
two in your own kitchen. Dishes are made with top-quality
restaurateur Maddie Aulak to open Jojolounge bar and
ingredients, like grass-fed Aubrey Allen beef, free-range
restaurant in Newhall Street. Influenced by the lounge bars of
Cotswold White chicken, Cornish lamb, native, sustainable fish
the Big Apple in the 1920s, travel-themed features include
and British seasonal vegetables and fruit. Pop them in a pan or
Vestaboards, a modern take on flight departure lounge boards.
oven, pour yourself a glass of wine… and chill…
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FOOD & DRINK
SQUID’S IN
Thai tapas chain Giggling Squid has opened at Harborne High Street in the old Zizzi All aboard the new-look Boat! Months of location. The brand, renovation work have transformed the pub in founded by husband the heart of Catherine-De-Barnes beside the Grand and wife Andrew and Union Canal in Hampton Lane, Solihull, into a Pranee Laurillard, contemporary venue for indoor and outdoor social serves ‘rustic’ Thai occasions. General manager Dan Morgan said: cuisine, with an “We’ve been waiting patiently to open our doors emphasis on seafood. and the whole team is hugely excited to finally Giggling Squid boasts welcome locals dropping in for a pint with more than 30 sites muddy paws in tow, couples enjoying a date across the UK, including in night or hosting family Stratford-upon-Avon and celebrations.” Warwick.
BOAT LAUNCHES
TASTE OF SUCCESS Jewellery Quarter whisky bar and tastings company, Birmingham Whisky Club, has a new name – Grain & Glass. After closing in the pandemic, the company turned to tastings and selling whisky and cocktail collection boxes online, attracting customers from around the UK. Owner Amy Seton said: “We’re still very much a bar for local whisky and cocktails lovers, but the change of name offers us a broader opportunity to capitalise on what we have achieved during lockdown.” Birmingham Whisky Club continues to be part of the
CHICKEN SUPREME
company, focusing on the membership arm.
A new restaurant specialising in traditional Japanese fried chicken has opened at Resorts World. Karaage is the first restaurant group in the UK to focus on the chicken dish and put it at the centre of the menu. The concept of karaage goes back to the 1920s and is a chicken, lightly marinated, covered in a traditional breading and fried. It is served with Japanese-inspired sauces. Other Japanese specialities such as gyoza, chahan, katsu curry and takoyaki will also form part of the Karaage menu.
SPA SPECIAL The Belfry Spa has launched a post-lockdown spa package for guests. The 60-minute Wellbeing Experience, priced from £64, features treatments to refresh mind and body, including back exfoliation, massage and warm mud mask application, a tension reliving calf and foot massage and mini facial. Guests can also make use of the swimming pool in the Leisure Club which also offers a gym, classes, and a state-of-the-art spin studio, or the Belfry’s brand-new Wellness Studio for yoga, meditation and relaxation classes.
WINNING CHIPS A hospitality group is set to create more than 50 new jobs. Caviar & Chips is growing the business and workforce after the end of lockdown. The group was founded in 2017 by Jonathan Carter-Morris and Marc Hornby as a bespoke wedding catering company when Jonathan couldn’t find a caterer that could help him with his own wedding plans. Since then the business has added a 16th century pub in Warwickshire and 18th century boutique wedding venue in Shropshire.
FUN RUM Local independent artisan spirit producer, Shakespeare Distillery, has launched a new white rum called Jester to its handcrafted premium products. The company has been distilling gin for the last five years on its own premises with products inspired by the Tudor period. The name of the new rum is taken from the sculpture of a jester in Henley Street, just yards from Shakespeare’s birthplace. Shakespeare Distillery is one of only a handful of distilleries in the UK to create its rum in its entirety on-site. See Cocktail of the Month
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RESTAURANT REVIEW
KOUZINA GREEK MEZE Selfridges, Bullring, Upper Mall East, Birmingham, B5 4BP. kouzinagreekmeze.co.uk e didn’t need telling twice that Kouzina had opened at Selfridges. Greek food is one of our faves. It doesn’t try too hard and is generally jampacked with flavour. Thanks to this and the fact we attempted to relive every meal we’ve ever enjoyed in Greece, we overordered massively. When we visited, Covid restrictions meant takeaway was the only option which killed the vibe a bit. We wanted a table laden with delicious meze but settled for balancing boxes of the good stuff on our knees parked up by Digbeth Funfair. Classy. Despite the dashboard picnic, the food tasted great. There are plenty of meze dishes to play with featuring all the usual suspects including a winning tzatziki. Then there are three options: The Box, The Wrap and The Salad Box. We ordered The Box (£9). You get a sizeable box filled with Greek salad plus an absolute gem of a minted slaw, skin on fries, superb freshly cooked flat bread and a choice of protein including souvlaki, kalamari, beef kofta, a spiced sausage with leeks and veggie options halloumi, falafel or
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courgette and feta balls. We tried the pork souvlaki which was pretty good and added a portion of courgette and feta balls on the side which proved absolutely the star of the show. Crispy crumbed balls filled with gooey, salty creamy feta. We argued over the last one and normally we’re reasonably polite. We also tried The Wrap filled with moreish rich lamb kleftiko and the same trimmings as The Box. In truth we can’t see much difference between The Box and The Salad Box, so didn’t duplicate. The wrap was awesome but like The Box it came with an unnecessary handful of fries. Having said that, the halloumi fries were delicious served with a mayo dip that had a subtle hint of curry flavour running through it. Really good. By the time you read this, restrictions should have been lifted and you’ll be able to eat inside which will make a big difference here. It’s the kind of hearty flavoursome food ideal for sharing that’s best enjoyed round a table with a crowd. Our advice would be to ditch the fries and order extra courgette and feta balls – lots of them! I
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SEASON’S EATINGS
UP FOR THE CUP? Celebrate National Cupcake Day this month by making these delicious Red Velvet beauties – and help the Alzheimer’s Society at the same time t’s National Cupcake Day on 17 June, and the Alzheimer’s Society is hoping as many people as possible will dust off their baking trays and make lots of the gooey goodies to sell to friends and relatives. Each cupcake sold will help raise money for vital support services – like the Dementia Connect support line – which have been used nearly three million times since March. What better excuse to give some help to a great cause while feasting on some tasty treats? Here’s some inspiration with a recipe for delicious red velvet cupcakes courtesy of food author and nutritionist Joy Skipper. Enjoy!
I
RED VELVET CUPCAKES Makes 12 Prep time: 15 mins Cooking time: 25 mins
Ingredients:
I 50g unsalted butter, softened I 150g caster sugar I 50ml vegetable oil I 1 large egg, beaten I 100ml natural yoghurt or buttermilk
I 1tsp white wine vinegar I 150g plain flour, sifted I 1tbsp cocoa powder, sifted
I 1tsp bicarbonate of soda I 2tsp red food colouring
For the icing:
I 100g unsalted butter, softened I 225g icing sugar, sifted
I ½ tsp red food colouring I red sprinkles (optional)
Method: Preheat the oven to 180°C, 160°C fan, Gas mark 5. Line a 12-hole muffin tin with paper cases. Cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Slowly beat in the oil, followed by the egg, yoghurt and vinegar. Fold in the flour, cocoa powder, bicarbonate of soda and red food colouring, until you have a smooth batter. Divide between the 12 paper cases and bake for 25 minutes, until lightly risen and springy to the touch. Remove the cakes from the tin and allow to cool completely on a cooling rack. Cream together the butter and icing sugar. Divide the mixture in half and add the red food colouring to one half. Spoon the red icing into one plastic piping bag and the white into another. Cut the ends of both and then place both of these together into a third piping bag with a star shaped nozzle. Pipe the icing onto the cooled cakes to give a twotone topping and sprinkle with red sprinkles.
Whip out your whisks and unite against dementia by signing up for Cupcake Day at cupcakeday.org.uk
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COCKTAIL OF THE MONTH
MIXING IT WITH THE JESTER
A new local white rum celebrating a Shakespearean landmark makes the perfect Caipirinha cocktail ocal independent artisan spirit producer and gin specialists, the Shakespeare Distillery, has launched its first British white rum, named Jester after the famous sculpture on Stratford’s Henley Street, just yards from the Bard’s birthplace. The twice-distilled 40 per cent ABV spirit combines tropical fruits with a hint of citrus while buttery smooth sugar cane molasses make for a rich, yet mildly sweet finish. The rum can be enjoyed neat or as a cocktail – the master distillers at Shakespeare recommend this classic Caipirinha cocktail to showcase the spirit’s natural smoothness and complexity. Easy to drink and very refreshing. As always, consume responsibly. I
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INGREDIENTS: I 6 lime wedges
I 25ml sugar syrup
I 50ml Jester rum
METHOD: Muddle the lime wedges and sugar syrup in a rocks glass. Add in the Jester rum and fill the glass with crushed ice. Churn, top with a little more crushed ice and garnish with a lime wedge.
For more recipes and details on Shakespeare Distillery visit: shakespearedistillery.com
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FOOD & DRINK
DRINK
BECKHAM
CELEBRITIES FROM DAVID BECKHAM TO BRAD PITT AND KYLIE MINOGUE ARE JUMPING ON THE ROSÉ BANDWAGON AND DRIVING A BOOM IN THE WINE’S
EVER-INCREASING POPULARITY, SAYS OUR RESIDENT EXPERT KATIE GARDNER id you know it is officially International Rosé Day on 12 June? Rosé is all too frequently written off as a frivolous, sugary confection but in fact, it’s made in a variety of styles and sweetness levels. White Zinfandel has been giving rosé a bad name for far too long, so let’s dive into some more grown-up styles perfect for lazy summer afternoons on a sun-soaked patio. To make a rosé wine, you leave the skins of black grapes in contact with the crushed juice for a few hours as it ferments. The length of time is crucial – the winemaker only wants to tint the wine and give it those delicious red berry fruit flavours. If left for longer, the juice will gain a deeper colour and develop the tannins we would normally expect from a red wine.
D
TOP QUALITY The method of making rosé by mixing red and white wine together is often used in the New World and also in the Champagne region. Sparkling rosé wines are commonly made from the Pinot Noir grape, particularly suited to the style with a naturally high acidity and red fruit flavours. It is well worth looking out for top quality English Sparkling rosé styles, which often beat Champagne in blind tasting competitions. Birmingham Wine School is an independent wine education company that offers fun informal wine tasting events and Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) courses online in Birmingham, Sutton Coldfield, and Warwick. For more information, contact Katie Gardner 0121 270 7359 or visit www.birminghamwineschool.com.
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The rosé wine market in the UK has been growing every year, mostly driven by pale pink French and Italian dry styles. Provence is the spiritual home of this style, where the warm Mediterranean climate provides the optimal conditions for ripening the blend of black grapes used in this process. The key to Provence’s success, and indeed the many copycat styles popping up along the southern French coast, is its easy-drinking, elegant style. It appeals to wine drinkers who like a crisp and refreshing white, but with an added level of interest. Flavours range from floral to delicate red berries and sometimes even a hint of dried herbs. STAR BILLING Don’t be put off by wines with a deeper pink hue, it doesn’t necessarily mean they are sweet! Rioja rosado is a perfect example, made using the same grapes as its red counterpart. It’s more fullbodied than some of its French counterparts with juicy red fruit flavours. Rioja rosado is a versatile, food-friendly option and goes especially well with barbecued chicken or salmon. Even celebrities are jumping on the bandwagon and making their own rosé wines. The first to dip their toe in were Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie with their Miraval Provence Rosé and now everyone, from Kylie Minogue to Sting, is getting in on the action. Waitrose instantly sold out of Whispering Angel (see Katie’s 4 To Try) when David Beckham posted about it on his Instagram account. By all accounts, the rosé revolution is here to stay! I
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FOOD & DRINK
4
KATIE’S
DELECTABLE ROSÉS TO TRY
Caves d'Esclans Whispering Angel Rosé 2020, Provence, France – The créme de la créme of Provence rosés, favoured by wine critics and celebrities alike. The palest of pink in colour with fresh peach and floral aromas and flavours of summer berries. £18 from Sainsburys. Muga Rioja Rosado 2019, Rioja, Spain – Spain’s most wellloved red winemaking region also makes a cracking rosé. This wine is fruity and full-bodied but distinctly dry. Available from Majestic for £10.99 (mix six price). Camel Valley Pinot Noir Rosé Brut, Cornwall, England – You don’t have to travel too far to find top-quality pink fizz. With vineyards nestled in the Camel estuary in Cornwall, this awardwinning wine is pale pink in colour with delicate strawberry aromas and a refreshing finish. £32 from Waitrose. Specially Selected Rosé d'Anjou, Loire Valley, France – If you have a sweeter tooth but want something more appealing than White Zin, try this off-dry style from the Loire Valley. The juicy citrus and red berry notes are balanced with a fresh acidity. Goes great with spicy food! Available from Aldi for £6.99
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HEALTH
HAVE A SHOT AT 32 birmingham living
TENNIS WE’RE CELEBRATING THE RETURN OF THE WORLD’S TOP WOMEN TENNIS STARS TO BRUM THIS MONTH BY STEPPING ONTO THE COURTS OURSELVES. WHY NOT JOIN US AND HAVE FUN AND GET FIT? june 2021
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HEALTH
ooray! Yet more normality is on the horizon as the world’s top women stars return to Birmingham this month as the Birmingham Classic heads to the beautiful grass courts of the Edgbaston Priory Club. As the city prepares to welcome the big-hitters, why not pick up a racquet and have a go yourself. Tennis is a great sport to improve all-round health regardless of your ability – experts say it is twice as good for your well-being as cycling, aerobics or swimming. Playing tennis increases aerobic capacities, lowers resting heart rate and blood pressure, boosts metabolic function, increases bone density, lowers body fat, improves muscle tone, strength and flexibility and increases reaction times. So, playing tennis is just brilliant for body and soul. And here’s some more reasons why…
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SHAPING UP The movements used in tennis give the body a great workout, toning and shaping muscles you never knew you had. You use your lower body for all that running, stopping and starting, jumping and crouching. And the action of hitting the tennis ball, whether it’s single or double-handed, means that your trunk does a lot of work as well, in particular your shoulders and upper back. Singles tennis can burn between 400-600 calories an hour. That’s not bad for a recreational sport that’s both fun and can be played by just about anyone. Playing tennis also has a positive impact on your bones. Exercising regularly can increase your peak bone mass and can slow the rate of bone mass loss over time. According to research, bone mass peaks around age 30 and begins to decline after that. You can maximize your bone mass prior to that age through exercise, and continuing to exercise after 30 can slow the rate of bone loss. Tennis is well suited to building strong bones.
POWER PLAY Tennis requires the cooperation of the whole body as you move your feet, arms and hands to get into the right position for the racquet to make contact with the ball. You’re then using the torso and legs to provide the power to hit the ball over the net. All these factors come together every time you hit the ball, and each shot takes flexibility, coordination and balance. Flexibility is great because it can give you a wider range of motion, help prevent injuries and even reduce muscle strain. MIND GAME And of course, like all exercise, tennis will help boost our mood helping you feel more optimistic, have greater self-esteem and even become less anxious. Learning to play tennis will keep your mind agile and all that fresh air is a great stress reliever! Playing doubles is also a great way to meet new people and most clubs offer regular social tennis sessions for members and lots of other social tournaments. SMASHING TIPS A word of warning though! If you’re a tennis beginner, haven’t played in a while, or are taking up exercise after a long time of being inactive, be sensible. Follow our top tips and you’ll have healthy, invigorating – and safe – fun! Make sure you have plenty of fluids on hand and rehydrate regularly. Don’t overdo it. Mix up your physical activity with other low-impact sports. Play at a level according to your age and physical condition. Avoid playing with a pre-existing illness or injury. If in doubt, talk to a doctor. Warm up your muscles and joints before hitting the court. Be careful if the court conditions are wet and especially if the surface is slippery.
The Birmingham Classic is at Edgbaston Priory Club from 12 to 20 June. For more details and ticketing information visit: edgbastonpriory.com or call 0121 440 2492
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ing livSTYLE
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FROCK ON
THIS MONTH, YOU’LL FIND US MOSTLY TWIRLING ROUND THE FRESHLY
PHOTOGENIC CHAMBERLAIN SQUARE IN A FLOATY DRESS WITH A BIG SMILE CANDY STRIPES
Paintbrush midi shirt £75, Oliver Bonas
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STYLE GREAT SHAPE
Linen mix dress £50, Joe Browns
MAXIMUM IMPACT
Gucci embellished collar Lurex maxi dress £2,600, Matches Fashion
e’re making up for lost time spent languishing in loungewear by packing our summer wardrobe with stunning dresses that make us feel tip-top. Structured, floaty, mini, midi, maxi, whatever your vibe, we’ve trawled the rails to bring you our pick of the best. We’ve cooed over Deborah Brett’s Instagram reel of her trying on designer frocks in a sprawling dressing room at Matches Fashion more times than we care to admit. We’ve missed this so much. ‘First world problems’ you might scoff and of course, you’re bang on. There’s been more sadness and heart-wrenching restrictions to navigate than shopping of late, but welcoming a bit of frivolity back into life feels pretty good.
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SUMMER TIME
Frill shoulder maxi dress £15, Primark
TOP SPOTS
Polka dot midi dress £24, F&F
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STYLE
FLOWER POWER
Floral ruched mini dress £13, Primark
POPPIN’ POPLIN
PRINT CLASH
Square neck dress £16, Matalan
Chevron patched floral midi dress £79.50, Oliver Bonas
WHEN LIFE GIVES YOU LEMONS
Lemon shirt mini dress £65, Oliver Bonas
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STYLE NEVER CHANGE
Jonah mini shirt dress £45, Dancing Leopard
We particularly like And Other Stories for dresses right now. Packed with pretty florals, oversized collars and statement sleeves, the brand is cool, understated and the antidote to try hard. There are oodles of sustainable options too. Oliver Bonas has come up trumps again. Our top pick is the Angel sleeve midi dress pictured. Pair with trainers for dress down cool and a pair of tan heels for a more polished vibe. We love a denim dress and the M&Co version with a large ruffle detail works for us and is a steal at £69. Head to Next for gorgeous gingham and Hope Fashion for the super simple, but oh-so-chic tiered cotton dress pictured. If vintage is your thing, check out the new Cow concession at Selfridges for some stunning preloved frocks. I
TOO CUTE
Spot print poplin dress £65, Monsoon
BARGAIN FIND
GET SHIRTY
Mono check mini dress £16, Matalan
Tie waist shirt dress £69, Crew Clothing
CHECK MATE
Check dress £38, Next
PRINTS CHARMING
STATEMENT COLLAR
Dries Van Noten Darlo printed shirt dress £685, Harvey Nichols
Collar dress £40, Next
BLACK AND BLUE
Bea dress blue and black £250, Phoebe Grace
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STYLE
IF YOU'VE GOT IT
Cocoove cotton chambray maxi wrap dress £145, Make It British
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STYLE
PICK OF THE BUNCH
Angel midi dress £75, Oliver Bonas
TIME FOR TEA
Floral print midi dress £70, Monsoon
TRUE BLUE
FAB FRILLS
Sonder Studio £69, M&Co
POCKET ROCKET
Tencel midi dress £29.99, M&Co
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Cotton stripe tiered dress £135, Hope Fashion
WARDROBE STAPLE
Denim shirt dress £20, F&F
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BEAUTY DESK
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BEAUTY
1
We’ve picked out a few of our faves from the beauty desk as well as an exciting launch we’ve yet to try
which promises the holy grail of stronger, thicker, fuller hair
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3
1. W7 COSMETICS BROWSOME! LONGWEAR EYEBROW GEL £3.95, W7MAKEUP.CO.UK So, it’s a brow gel and does what it says on the tin at a ridiculously affordable price point. Crucially it’s easy to use – there’s a doe foot applicator to add product and double ended brush to shape and define. Available in three shades, it’s a bit of a win-win.
2. ANGELA LANGFORD SWEET CHEEKS BALANCING AND CLEANSING FACE WASH £18, ANGELALANGFORD.COM We’ve been guilty over the years of putting more emphasis on what we put on our skin post cleanse than how we cleanse, but having used Sweet Cheeks for just over a week, we can confirm more than ever that it can make a big difference. It’s gentle, packed with lovely stuff like orange blossom, papaya and cypress and balances and cleans without stripping natural oils. It’s a big thumbs up. 3. THE ORGANIC PHARMACY STABILISED VITAMIN C SERUM £45, THEORGANICPHARMACY.COM If you need a bit of a post-lockdown glow-up, take a look at this brightening serum. Suitable across the board for all skin types and vegan, it feels great, perks up dull skin, reduces pigmentation and contains a concentrated antioxidant to ward off free radical damage. It’s a goodie and lasts for ages. 4. CHĀMPO PITTA GROWTH SERUM £34, CHAMPOHAIRCARE.COM Chāmpo (pronounced shar-pour) combines contemporary design and the science of trichology with active botanicals and Ayurvedic principles. This bi-active treatment serum promises to instantly volumise roots while toning the scalp to promote stronger, thicker and fuller hair. Packed with natural goodies and none of the nasties, the serum also contains anti-hair loss and anti-greying actives. Worth noting, we haven’t sampled the serum – it launches this month, but we’re very excited about it.
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STYLE FOR MEN
TAILORED TEE Muscle tee £3.50, Primark
FIT CHECK THE HUMBLE TEE FORMS THE BASIS OF OUR
WARDROBE – JUST MAKE SURE THE FIT IS KING
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STYLE FOR MEN
LOGO LOCO Moncler blue logo tee £215, Harvey Nichols
NO WALL FLOWER Multi-coloured tee £49.99, TK Maxx FLOWER POWER Floral graphic t-shirt £12.99, M&Co
hrowing open the wardrobe doors to be faced with a freshly pressed pile of tees make us very happy. Chucking on a tee you know fits you right and makes you feel great is a thing of beauty. The key is to find just the right kind of fitted – not too baggy, not too tight, but just right. This holy grail depends completely on your shape, so there’s no hard and fast rule, just get out and try before you buy. Yes, we’ve all got used to online shopping but it’s no substitute for physically browsing in terms of finding the one. Check out Selfridges Project Earth for some eco-friendly options. Head to Cow in Digbeth for some seriously cool pre-loved examples. Cotton or cotton blend are the norm with a bit of stretch added for a good fit. A thicker fabric is more flattering than thin – we don’t want to see a hint of nipple no matter how body confident you are. Once you’ve found the one, consider buying in a few colourways. It might seem extravagant, but you’ll thank us later. I
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COLLAR OR NOT Ely Pique polo in light blue £29.50, FatFace
BLACK IS BACK Cest La Vie tee £6, F&F
ECO TEE Project Earth organic crewneck tee £30, Selfridges
COOL KHAKI Khaki tee £6, Matalan GO APE A Bathing Ape college glitter logo cotton tee £95, Selfridges
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STRONG MAN Neil Barrett heavyweight Hercules cotton tee £245, Harvey Nichols
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ng il viHOMES
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BOTTOMS UP
THE UNSUNG HERO OF LOCKDOWN, THE BELOVED SOFA HAS WORKED HARDER THAN ANY OTHER BIT OF THE HOME
he kitchen is often branded the heart of the home, but we reckon there’s a new kid in town. Over the last 12 months, the sofa has become the centre of our universe – a cocoon-like piece of furniture that’s witnessed a lot. More than mere seating it quickly became cinema, theatre, playground, therapist’s couch… you get the drift! Never have we
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spent so much time with our derriere nestled in. If your’s is looking a bit battered – sofa, not derriere – decide what you want from your seating. Is it a big squishy place to snuggle down with the family or a chic spot from which to entertain? And what’s the vibe of your home? Victorian gem or the height of minimalist cool?
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HOMES
COMFORT AND STYLE Hoxton Grand sofa in bracklyn charcoal, Parker Knoll
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HOMES
CLEAN LINES Charlotte three-seater sofa £949, Lee Longlands
EFFORTLESS COOL Indivi from £3,019, BoConcept Birmingham
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HOMES
A sofa is an investment, so it’s worth considering carefully. Now we’re able to, we recommend shopping in the flesh, not least so you get an accurate idea of the colour. But also it’s important to try out some pieces, sit down, feel the fabric, and so on... Super cool Danish brand BoConcept in Edgbaston screams style and quality plus top-notch advice is standard. With Neptune and OKA opposite and Classic Interiors almost next door, this section of Harborne Road has become quite the homes hub. Sofas and Stuff in Sutton Coldfield offers a free design consultation to create your dream bespoke piece ,while Lee Longlands has a fantastic collection of styles at varying price points in a sprawling showroom with bags of inspiration. The hard part might be letting go of the trusty old couch that’s seen us through the tough times… I
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SUPER CHIC Maple sofa £2,583, Collins and Hayes
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HOMES
TRADITIONAL CHARM Alwinton three-seater in Lela Mystery Oat Indigo now £2,913, Sofas and Stuff
MELLOW YELLOW Yoko corner sofa in honey velvet £1,499, Dfs
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HOMES
MINIMUM FUSS Osaka three seater from £1,359, BoConcept Birmingham
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HOMES
STORY TIME The Monkey Puzzle Tree – How the Leopard Got His Spots cushion £108, Make It British CREATE A BUZZ Metallic bee cushion £12, Next TWO IN ONE Reversible cushion £25, Joe Browns
FINISHING TOUCHES
BEYOND THE FRINGE Cotton fringe cushion £45, Cult Furniture
NO SOFA IS COMPLETE WITHOUT A HANDFUL OF COOL SCATTER CUSHIONS. HERE’S OUR PICK…
GEO WOW Geometric deco print velvet cushion £20, Cult Furniture
POM POM PERFECTION Round pom pom cushion £14, Next
FELINE HERO Oyoy Zorro cat cushion, Amara
GREY DAYS Monteria oblong cushion £110, Soho House Retail
RICH PICKINGS Grainger cushion in fern £55, LuxDeco
ON SAFARI Zizi scatter cushion £35, Sofology GOT IT COVERED Blush Meandros cushion cover £5, Primark
LLAMA RAMA Grey two-llama cushion £16.99, Home Sense
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MOTORING
SEVEN-YEAR PITCH SUE COOKE DROVE VW’S FIRST E-HYBRID BACK IN 2014. THE LATEST, EIGHTH GENERATION MODEL IS A VERY DIFFERENT OFFERING – MORE REFINED, ECONOMICAL AND WITH POWER TO MATCH THE MARQUE’S FAMED GTI
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had forgotten that electrically-powered vehicles were on sale as far back as seven years ago. When I look at Volkswagen Golfs I have road tested it takes me by surprise that the first Ehybrid that I drove was in 2014. Seven years on and the new plug-in hybrid eighth generation Golf boasts a battery with 50 per cent more energy capacity than before and 245PS – making it as powerful as a contemporary Golf GTI. This hot hatch is also extremely frugal. VW says the GTE will achieve a whopping 246.1 miles to the gallon and with consideration to Birmingham’s new clean air zone, owners will be congestion charge free. The new ehybrid Golf will always start on electric power alone if the battery is sufficiently charged and will remain in electric mode up to 39.7 miles (WLTP combined). The cabin is extremely quiet in running mode, even when the petrol engine kicks in.
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PRIDE OF PLACE As I returned to an office in the city centre, my sevenmile run is achieved in super-quiet emode. And it doesn’t cost me a bean. When I reach the car park, I get pride of place with an electric charger, right near the entrance. If I leave the Golf overnight at home plugged into the 230 volts, 2.3kW normal domestic grid, the battery is fully charged in five hours. If the power source is a Volkswagen wall box or a charging station with 360 volts, the charging time is reduced to three hours and 40 minutes. The five-door exterior of the Golf GTE is so sporty looking that it became a subject of curiosity from local youth as it sat on my drive this week. And it does have a sporty but falsely produced engine sound which didn’t seem to put off the youngsters. The Golf is the only model in its class to provide advanced
IQ.Light LED-matrix headlights as standard. In the comfortable, quality interior a lovely strip of blue extends across the dash and elsewhere and there are 30 ambient colours to choose from. Generously equipped, the Golf eHybrid features a raft of standard-fit kit including Digital Cockpit Pro (digital instruments), Discover Media navigation system with streaming and internet, DAB+ and mobile phone interface with inductive charging function, Dynamic Road Sign Display, sports comfort seats, Adaptive Cruise Control and Lane Assist lane keeping system and the pioneering Car2X local warning system, where cars around you exchange information with your car. CAR SPEAK Compared with previous generation Golf models, many of the interior buttons and switchgear have been removed and are replaced with sliders and touch panels. On the move you can use the natural voice recognition system. So, when I told the car that my hands were cold, the heated steering wheel was automatically activated. Bliss! The initial cost is a little intimidating from £36,010, but VW has announced a more economical 204PS plugin hybrid which starts from £32,995 otr. Latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders reveal that demand for alternatively fuelled vehicles has risen from last year, amounting to a 21.5 per cent share of all cars produced – up from 13.7 per cent – meaning one in five cars is now alternatively fuelled. The new Volkswagen Golf eHybrid has progressed significantly over the last seven years and has a persuasive list of attributes, including remaining in electric mode for longer, long distance fuel economy and generous equipment. I
FACTS AT A GLANCE
Model: VW Golf GTE plug-in hybrid, 6 speed DSG Price: £36,010, includes £690 additional OTR cost (£0 ‘first year rate’ VED, £55 registration fee, delivery, number plates and VAT) Engine: 1.4-litre 245 PS TSI turbocharged petrol engine, a 110PS electric motor and a 48-volt lithium ion battery. Performance: 0-62 mph in 6.7 seconds and on to a top speed of 140mph CO2 emissions: 26g/km Combined fuel consumption: 246.1mpg
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SHOWROOM
Johnsons Volkswagen Birmingham, Lawley Middleway, Birmingham B4 7XT. Tel: 0121 703 6600 www.johnsoncars.co.uk
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YOUNG, GIFTED & BRUMMIE
DEVON NELSON AS BIRMINGHAM INTERNATIONAL DANCE FESTIVAL ROLLS INTO TOWN, WE THOUGHT WE’D CATCH UP WITH ONE OF ITS LEADING YOUNG DANCERS AND CONTRIBUTORS 54 birmingham living
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rained at the city’s Birmingham Ormiston Academy (BOA) Devon has always loved performing, but says he was a late bloomer in dance terms. While taking GCSE drama and musical theatre Devon says he thought he ought to take some dance lessons so he wasn’t confused by the dance element. Starting with tap and jazz, Devon loved it immediately. He says: “I liked the freedom and the chance to explore my body. I was never into sports, but dance gave me the opportunity to be strong, plus I was allowed to be myself.” Amateur theatre outside school as well as extracurricular dance exposed Devon to different people with the same passion. “It really opened my eyes.” Training at BOA isn’t one dimensional. Once you’ve chosen a specialism you look at all aspects of that genre, so for instance digital tech as well as performing. Devon enjoyed this aspect and began to realise that dance was so much more. Although Devon won a place at Bird College in London he realised after six months that it wasn’t really for him – it was quite narrow in terms of goals.
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SUSSING THE OPTIONS The pandemic hit and he decided to come back home to the Midlands and suss out his options. Before leaving Bird, Devon bagged himself a place at the prestigious Rambert, but still felt it wasn’t quite right. He’s spent time reflecting on what he wants to do, what makes him happy and began to feel he didn’t need an institution. After deciding on a freelance route, Devon began networking around Birmingham e-mailing lots of people and was offered a creative internship with John Orton. Then he successfully applied to BIDF to be part of the Brum Pro Class Steering Group helping drive schedules and from there was picked to be part of Beyond Borders which is also part of BIDF. A major project, Beyond Borders will be the World Premiere of a region-wide youth participation and digital project which Devon’s thrilled to be part of, creating lots of digital pieces with youth groups and dance companies. He’s also been offered a Midlands Made Short Commission to create a solo project. Devon says that although he’s keeping his options as broad as
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possible he isn’t sure whether he’ll continue performing and is leaning towards participation and outreach. REGIONAL STRENGTHS He is testament to the fact that London isn’t the centre of the arts universe and he’s had some amazing experiences already. The strength of arts in our region is palpable and BIDF produced by Birmingham-based dance house, DanceXchange reflect that. Clearly the summer edition has needed to be adapted to fit the current restrictions, but there’ll still be the same brilliantly joyful tone. Digital platform, BIDF TV will provide the virtual venue for the festival put together in collaboration with ZOO, the company behind the online presentations at last year’s Edinburgh Festival. It will be hosting screendance performances, new film commissions and more. There’s so much to celebrate. We’ll be following it closely and looking out for Devon’s work in particular. I
GET INVOLVED Birmingham International Dance Festival produced by DanceXchange Summer edition (online) 3 to 13 June. Autumn edition (outdoor) 21 September to 3 October A combination of ticketed and free events. Visit www.bidf.co.uk
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GROWING PLACES
MAKING A MARK
Schoolchildren from Woodside C of E Primary School visited a new food store to unveil a special piece of artwork they created which now adorns the shop. Entitled ‘Special Landmarks in our Community’ the artwork takes pride of place at the Central England Co-op Food Store in Grendon. Headteacher Awen Simpson said the school held a competition to give all the pupils the opportunity to have their artwork picked for the final design.
NET GAINS Birmingham-based mechanical and electrical services
specialist J S Wright has renewed its sponsorship of the West Midlands’ premier junior netball club for the third consecutive season. The company, which has its HQ in Aston, will remain the principal sponsor of Parkside in Sutton Coldfield whose girls currently play at Under 12 to Under 15 levels in the Birmingham Intermediate Netball League (BINL) and at Under 14 and Under 16 levels in the National
SCHOOL REPORT
League. The club trains at North Birmingham Academy and plays its BINL matches at the University of Birmingham.
SCHOOL OF THE YEAR Moreton Hall has been named Boarding School of the Year in the Tes Independent School Awards 2021. And in a double success, Sylvia Grace – former head of Moreton Prep and current teacher and housemistress – was awarded the Tes Lifetime Achievement Award for her contributions to education and teaching excellence. Moreton Hall was chosen from more than 400 entries across the country with judges praising it as an ‘exemplary example’ of traditional boarding school excellence for its breadth and depth of activities and dedication to pupils and local community.
ON THE HUSTINGS
BMet’s Matthew Boulton College hosted a special West Midlands Mayoral Hustings. In collaboration with the Lunar Society and New Style Radio executive producer and presenter, Charmaine Burton, the free virtual event attracted more than 200 people. Kashema Wray, a level 3 health and social care student and student governor at BMet, gave a speech about the importance of the mayoral role. She said: “I am happy to speak on behalf of young people because it’s important to hear our voice.”
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GROWING PLACES
MUSIC MAESTRO
BROUGHT TO BOOK Three colleagues at Solihull School have been getting creative during lockdown – writing, illustrating and narrating a new children’s book. Simon Grove, Gary Johnson and Thom Stafford, who all work at Solihull Prep, came together to complete the Crocolion Code, a story about friendship which centres around a character called Chris who is a Crocolion – half crocodile, half lion. The talented trio are now looking at publishing opportunities and say they would love to work together on a follow-up title.
GIRL POWER
Empowering girls to use their voices was one of the key messages in a speech that clinched the title of next head girl at Edgbaston High School, Birmingham. Voted for by staff and peers in years 10, 11, 12 and 13, Fareedat, aged 16, beat off stiff KEY MESSAGE: Edgbaston High head teacher, Clare Macro competition from six other candidates following a detailed application submission, staff panel interview and a four-minute speech delivered to the whole school. Lucy and Natalia, also in year 12, were voted in as the next deputy head girls.
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A piece of music written by a student from King Edward’s School, Birmingham struck the right chord with judges to win the Benslow Music Young Composers Competition. Year 12 student Christopher Churcher won the 18-years-and-under category for his piece Very Early Spring, which will be performed as part of the Benslow International Concert Series in August. The competition invited applicants from across the UK to compose a piece of music for one of five poems on the subject of spring.
CYBER CHAMPS Two teams from Year 9 and the Sixth Form of St George's School, Edgbaston joined some of the UK’s brightest 12 to 18-year-olds to compete in the national finals of Cyber Centurion VII, a prestigious cyber defence competition, led by global security company Northrop Grumman and Cabinet Office-backed Cyber Security Challenge UK. The teams were tasked with defending a fictional business using their cyber security skills. St George's junior team won the Junior category and the senior team took the Boys category and came third overall.
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LOCK ME UP, IF YOU DARE! The owner of historic Nailcote Hall is throwing down the gauntlet to the Government postpandemic over ‘unfair’ business taxes. Rick
Cressman says he’ll go to jail rather than pay up pending your 30th anniversary in jail… not what Rick Cressman could have envisaged when he bought historic Nailcote Hall three decades ago. But Rick is adamant that he would rather do time than cough up as a result of what he, and many others in the hospitality industry, say is unfair treatment over tax and business rates by the Government and Inland Revenue during the pandemic.
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Despite only just being allowed to reopen from lockdown, Rick is facing big backdated bills that are due to be paid on VAT and National Insurance as well as business rates which will be due at the end of June. “After everything that the hospitality industry has been through – to hell and back – with being forced to be shut for the longest period and having now just opened and desperate to start earning income again, the Government and HMRC are expecting us to pay these massive bills right away,” said Rick. PRESSURE “I can tell you, if I receive a demand from HMRC, I will be refusing to pay it – and I am prepared to go to jail if needs be for not paying it. If enough like-minded people in our industry say enough is enough and take the same action, the Government will be forced by pressure to change its unfair stance.” Rick is demanding the waiving of business rates and a new system to be introduced which is based on a business’s turnover rather than the value of the property it occupies. He also wants a Hospitalities Minister appointed who would be dedicated to looking into the huge anomalies across the business sector and to give the industry a proper voice in Government. The battle for a fairer tax and rating system is the latest in what feels like a never-ending series of battles with local and national officialdom which Rick has faced since he bought Nailcote Hall out of administration in June 1991. The former Warwickshire stately home which dates back to the 17th century, houses a four-star hotel, restaurant and spa and is a top-rated wedding and party venue. It is also famously the long-time home of the British Par Three Championship – the par three equivalent of the Open. BATTLES Rick battled for more than a decade to win planning approval to build additional hotel rooms and a clubhouse after being denied by local planners and Government inspectors before the project, conceived in 2000, finally went ahead in 2014. “While the last year can be seen as the hardest with being forced to remain closed for 15 months,” said Rick, “2000 was actually the hardest year to take. First, we were stuffed by local council and Government as we tried to turn this into a successful business, and then later the same year my brother was murdered which was obviously devastating. So, 2000 was the most difficult year I have ever had to endure
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– but the past year has been hell for the business. But, we’re still here and fighting and we have a lot of business coming up on the tracks.” Rick is demanding answers from the Government on two key questions. First, why is his, and businesses like his, being expected to pay a much higher business rate than other much bigger operations? The likes of Amazon, for example, pays a much lower rate than Rick. Second, why is the Government refusing to give businesses more time to pay deferred VAT and National Insurance bills? “They are asking businesses which have been shut the longest to repay in the shortest time,” said Rick. “That can’t be right.” REBALANCE He added: “Hospitality and high street businesses have had to borrow, borrow, borrow to get through this and we all need more time to rebalance our finances. If not a lot of businesses and the jobs they support will be ruined. We have to make the Government listen and if it won’t, they will have to sue businesses and send people like me to prison. Is Government really prepared to take that step?” It’s a scenario that Rick could well do without as he celebrates 30 years at Nailcote Hall, although he says ‘celebrate’ isn’t the right word. “We will mark 30 years, but after all that’s happened we won’t be actually celebrating. That will be for another time.” Among the good news for Rick is that the Par Three tournament, sponsored by Farmfoods, will take place at Nailcote Hall with all the usual golfing and TV and entertainment stars in attendance from 3 to 6 August. While the event won’t be open to public spectators as in previous years, it will be filmed by Sky Sports for later screening. I
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BANK GIANT EYES NEW HOME American banking giant Goldman Sachs is coming to Birmingham – with Brindleyplace being tipped as the site for its new offices. The global investment company has chosen the city to expand its UK operations later this year. The new office will eventually employ hundreds of people, both transferred and hired locally. The final location of the new office has not yet been confirmed, but a source close to the deal has revealed that Brindleyplace, which already houses several major banking institutions, is a front-runner.
CHARITY PUSH Charities who help the homeless, save lives and look after unwanted dogs are among those chosen for support by a leading Midlands legal firm over the next year. Staff at Thursfields Solicitors voted to raise money for five local causes – Birmingham Dogs Home, Father Hudson’s Care, Birmingham, Friends of Alfie Johnson, Kidderminster, Midlands Air Ambulance Charity and St Paul’s Hostel for the homeless in Worcester. Thursfields’ chairman Nick O'Hara, pictured, said: “Our teams are looking forward to raising as much as possible for each charity.”
ADAM’S A HIGH-FLIER Pilot Adam Golder has turned his passion for the skies into a business after he was furloughed from his job in commercial flying at the start of the pandemic. He used his entrepreneurial talent and network of aviation contacts to launch G6 AVIATION, a luxury charter jet and helicopter brokerage based in St Paul’s Square, Birmingham. Adam said: “We promise a personalised client experience door-to-door and the very highest level of service while guaranteeing we will beat any like-for-like quotation.”
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NEWS
BUSINESS
ROYAL ROLE FOR KATHARINE Birmingham’s Olympic medal-winning athlete Katharine Merry has been named as one of the Queen’s four new deputy lieutenants for the region. Joining her are Fiona Allen, artistic director and chief executive of Birmingham Hippodrome, Prof Stuart Croft, vice-chancellor and president at the University of Warwick, and Wade Lyn, who owns Cleone Foods, the largest manufacturer of Jamaican patties in the UK. Lord-Lieutenant John Crabtree said of Katharine’s appointment: “Her sports passion will be perfect as we host the Commonwealth Games next year.”
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SAFETY FIRST FOR IAN The site manager of a major housebuilding project in West Bromwich has been shortlisted for a national health and safety award. Ian Fellows, from Sedgley, is one of five divisional site managers in the running for the top accolade in the inaugural Persimmon Homes Health, Safety & Environment (HS&E) Excellence Awards. The awards were launched last year to celebrate best practice. The overall winner will be announced in September.
SHOWROOM OPENS The doors have opened on a designer furnishing brand’s new showroom in Edgbaston Village. The store at Harborne Court is one of just 18 BoConcept showrooms in the UK and the company’s only outlet in the Midlands. The Danish designer franchise was previously based in the Mailbox. MD David Brimson said: “Edgbaston Village is fast becoming a prime area for premium and niche independent lifestyle and leisure businesses in Birmingham and beyond and we are excited to be here.”
STREETWISE SAM Sam Neath turned his struggles with suffering from anxiety into a positive – by launching a new premium streetwear band, Zenful Men. The local entrepreneur says the brand is as much about bringing people together and promoting mindfulness as it is providing top notch fashion. Zenful Men uses manufacturers whose clients include the likes of Tom Ford and Lacoste. Ten per cent of profits go to the charity MIND.
BACKING THE BLUES SHIRTY: Blues stars Lukas Jutkiewicz and George Friend
Betting firm BoyleSports is putting its shirt on the Blues! Birmingham City FC has announced the
ON THE BENCH: Luke Crane, boss of JQBID
company will be extending its current sponsorship deal – retaining its spot on the front of Blues’ shirts until 2023. As the Blues’ main kit sponsor BoyleSports has backed the club financially, donated to charity partners including University Hospitals Birmingham and brought the city together for a West Midlands tournament at
THE CARING CEO
St Andrew’s Trillion Trophy stadium.
SITTING PRETTY IN THE JQ The JQBID has helped secure additional outdoor space for nine Jewellery Quarter venues and has repurposed Golden Square to allow for more public seating. Up to 60 people can now safely sit in the Square after 10 picnic benches were installed. Venues at St Paul’s Square have also benefitted from additional furniture, while part of Livery Street has been closed to allow local businesses to offer al-fresco dining. The quarter now has nearly 30 venues where visitors can dine outside.
Birmingham Women’s and Children’s Hospital Charity has a new chief executive officer. Mark Brider started his career in banking before setting up his own consultancy. A passion for the charity sector saw him appointed CEO of Children with Cancer UK, which specialises in funding vital life-saving research. Of his new role, he said: “I’m excited to be joining such a passionate organisation. We need to increase our charitable income to enable us to continue our mission of providing the very best care to our patients.”
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BUSINESS BITES BEAUTY BOOST TEE-TIME AT BULLRING
WINNING RECIPE
One of the UK’s leading beauty and aesthetics clinics has opened in Mell Square, Solihull. Skin HQ focuses on innovative treatments with cutting-edge technology. The clinic specialises in laser hair removal and advanced skincare – with treatments like microdermabrasion, microneedling and facial peels being offered. Hydrafacial, favoured by the likes of Beyoncé, Britney Spears and Kate Winslet, is also one of Skin HQ’s signature treatments. Founder Haroon Danis said: “We’re excited to launch our clinic in Solihull as part of our on-going expansion plans.”
made the prestigious Forbes magazine 30 Under-30 list after his company hit a multi-million-pound turnover in only three years. James Whiting, pictured, from Bartley Green, graduated with a BA (Hons) in international tourism business management. He launched sugar-free food business Skinny Food Co with co-founder Wayne Starkey using £3,000 of their own money. Skinny Food is now being
LOVE YOUR BARBIE Midlands-based firewood start-up Love Logs is igniting the summer barbecue market. The UK’s first 100 per cent plastic-free firewood retailer was launched during last year’s lockdown by Heather Emery and Paul Strachan. Now they are adding to their ethically sourced products with a Smoking and Barbecue Fuel Kit range, starting from £17.95. Since launch, Love Logs has planted more than 5,000 trees in association with Eden Reforestation Projects and continues to plant two trees for every order received.
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MORE HOMES IN LOOP
The green light has been given to 98 homes in the next phase of development at Port Loop – Birmingham’s new island community. All 98 properties, including modern mews-style houses, will be built off-site in House by Urban Splash’s modular factory before being craned into place.
SPARKLING LAUNCH
A former graduate of University College Birmingham has
hailed as ‘one to watch’ in Europe by Forbes.
Fancy a round of golf in the Bullring? Treetop Adventure Golf has announced £2.5million plans to create two 18-hole, mini-golf courses in the 17,000 sq ft unit previously occupied by fashion chain Forever 21. The Tropical Trail and Ancient Explorer courses will open next spring.
An established Birmingham-based online jewellery brand has opened a new studio and shop in the Custard Factory. No Basic Boutique will stock No Basic Bombshell Jewellery but will also be a retail space selling hand selected/ handmade homewares, clothing, accessories, plants, art and more!
CAMPAIGNER JOINS UNI TEAM Leading campaigner Marcus Ryder, pictured, has joined Birmingham City University’s groundbreaking Sir Lenny Henry Centre for Media Diversity. As head of external consultancies, the award-winner will work alongside academics and industry leaders to explore how the UK’s media reflects its population and to champion better representation across all sectors. Over more than 25 years, Marcus has led major campaigns challenging government and industry to increase representation in the media and has given evidence to the House of Lords.
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THEATRE-LAND IS FINALLY OPENING UP AGAIN… AND THERE ARE SOME CRACKING SHOWS TO LOOK FORWARD TO OVER THE COMING MONTHS. IN MANY CASES, TICKETS ARE STILL STRICTLY LIMITED SO DON’T WASTE A SECOND IN BOOKING IF SOMETHING TICKLES YOUR FANCY. PLEASE NOTE, ALL MAY BE SUBJECT TO LAST-MINUTE CHANGES OR CANCELLATION
WHAT: Rock of Ages WHEN: 19 to 21 August WHERE: The Alexandra, atgtickets.com/birmingham The award-winning, smash-hit musical returns to tour the UK and the whole thing kicks off in Brum! A cracking musical comedy featuring more than 25 classic rock anthems, played loud and proud by a brilliant live band. Unmissable.
© Stuart McIntyre
WHAT: All About the Jaguar E-Type
WHAT: The Kanneh-Masons
WHEN: 29 May to 6 June
WHEN: 27 June
WHERE: British Motor Museum, britishmotormuseum.co.uk
WHERE: Symphony Hall, thsh.co.uk A socially-distanced concert with the UK’s most famous musical family. The Kanneh-Masons are seven brothers and sisters ranging in age from 11 to 24 years of age, all playing either violin, piano or cello. Please note, tickets are extremely limited.
Celebrate the 60th birthday of the ‘most beautiful car in the world’ by exploring this awesome E-Type exhibition with costumed characters Dotty and Dougie from the Swinging 60s. If you can’t visit in person, you can still join in the celebrations online.
WHAT: Bingo Lingo WHEN: 5, 11, 19 and 26 June WHERE: Forum Birmingham, forumbirmingham.uk The Cult bingo brand has announced a summer schedule of events at the new Forum Birmingham venue. Promising an off-the-wall and exciting breed of bingo that features twerking, dance-offs and one-of-a-kind prizes, expect laughter, mayhem and random celebrity guests.
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WHAT’S ON
WHAT: Birmingham International Dance Festival WHEN: 3 to 13 June WHERE: Various, bidf.co.uk The summer edition of the city’s signature festival celebrates and showcases the region’s amazing dance offering with a new dedicated digital platform, hosting lively screen dance performances and new film commissions. The autumn edition later in the year will feature an extensive outdoor programme of local touring and youth engagement.
WHAT: Back to the Future with Wine WHEN: 4 June WHERE: Millennium Point, thewineeventscompany.com A series of live events celebrating fine wine and great movies kicks off with wine-tasting alongside Eighties’ classic, Back to the Future. Organised by the hugely popular Wine Events Company, you can enjoy five different wines in a time-bending tasting alongside Marty and Doc. What could be better?
WHAT: Lichfield Festival WHEN: 8 to 18 July WHERE: Various, tel: 01543 306271, lichfieldfestival.org Eleven days of ballet, cabaret, symphony orchestras, steel pans, drama, comedy, live cooking – and oodles of family fun – return to the beautiful cathedral city. Headline performers including Mica Paris, pictured, Alistair McGowan and Justin Moorhouse.
WHAT: East Is East WHEN: 3 to 25 September WHERE: Birmingham Rep, birmingham-rep.co.uk Opening the celebratory season, the smash-hit comedy-drama returns home for its 25th anniversary Since premiering on the Rep’s stage in 1996, East Is East has sold out three London runs, been adapted into a BAFTA award-winning film and become a modern classic of comic-drama.
WHAT: Van Gogh Alive WHEN: 25 May to 11 July WHERE: Birmingham Hippodrome, birminghamhippodrome.com Following the huge success from last year’s UK premiere, the world’s most-visited immersive, multisensory experience returns. Including more than 3,000 inspirational images with an evocative classical score, visitors are surrounded by a vibrant symphony of light, colour, sound and fragrance for an unforgettable experience.
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PERSON TO PERSON
CLOSE WITHÁ
SONIA SABRI The award-winning dancer-choreographer is artistic director
of Sonia Sabri Company which has established an international
reputation for presenting Kathak dance in a contemporary context BEEN THERE, DONE THAT I was born in Wolverhampton but moved to Birmingham when I was four. I started dance classes at six and Kathak at seven. Kathak is a classical dance form like ballet. Sonia Sabri Company was launched in 2002. Our first production was Drishti, a digital dance collaboration involving projections, motion captures and light responsive technology. We were the first South Asian dance company to have done it within the South Asian sector. We tour nationally and internationally and are the resident company at Birmingham Hippodrome. I was recently appointed resident artist at Curve theatre, Leicester. I also sit on the board of Birmingham’s DanceXchange. I have worked with the likes of Sir Trevor Nunn, Arlene Philips, Marion Tait, Jonzi D, Richard Alston, Shobana Jeyasingh and Nitin Sawhney. I have been a mentor and choreographer for BBC 4’s Young Dancer.
the way she wishes. My aim is to reach out to women and girls and give them confidence and mentorship. Professionally, one of my many ambitions is for the Company to collaborate with Birmingham Royal Ballet. Two classical artforms, Kathak and Ballet, coming together to create magic!
IT’S WHAT I DO I aim to empower others through the power of dance. I’ve worked with communities of different backgrounds and particularly women, especially from Asian, Arabian and Black communities. The Company has co-designed several projects with and for women, catering for health and wellbeing needs. We have worked with world-class artists and engaged with audiences of two million in this year alone.
WHAT I LIKE ABOUT BRUM I love lots about our diverse city. I relish meeting people of all backgrounds. I enjoy the juxtaposition of new and old architecture, top quality world cuisine, the arts community – and all the greenery.
WHAT I’D LIKE TO SEE In some communities there is a mindset where the young Asian girl is to grow up with the ultimate goal of simply getting married and starting a family. I believe every woman is dynamic and strong and should have a choice to lead her life
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BIGGEST SUCCESS I have been learning about cognitive and neurological development in adults. This is a personal learning for me and will help support the way I teach dance. Professionally, the biggest success so far has been how the Company has transformed its work for the digital world, reaching a global audience in lockdown. BIGGEST LESSON LEARNED Stay calm, have faith and always listen to your gut. Do not wait on people, get on and do things that need doing.
DOWNTIME Sitting in the garden and observing nature or escaping into a romantic film from the golden era of Bollywood. FINALLY… I am excited to be working on several dance collaborations which we are looking at touring this year, here in the Midlands and across the country. I
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