Birmingham Living June 2024 (issue 134)

LUCIE SHORTHOUSE

EDITOR’SVIEW

FlamingJune–themonthwhensummerreallystartstotakeoff.Gardensareblooming gorgeous,lookingattheirbest(ourresidentexpectAdamKirtlandhassometoptips forkeepingthemthatway),we’regettingsetforawonderfulfeastofsport(footie, cricket,tennisand,intoJuly,theOlympics),aswellasafeastofoutdoorfood–andeveryonejusthasthat sunnyfeelgoodvibe.Legsthatnevernormallygetashowing,suddenlystartappearinginalltheirglory(or not!)aswebreakouttheshorts.Thenthere’swhatmakesatrulygreatBritishJune–brilliantBritish strawberries,withlashingsofcreamofcourse,andnotforgettingtofire-uptheBBQtoo!

We’vegoneflamingmadforflamingJuneinthisissuewithlotsofsizzlingfeatures,fromthehottestfood anddrinktothecoolestoutdoorkitchenkitontheplanet.OurStylesectionispackedwithideastoshow offyourpinsinshortorder,whetherthat’sonthebeach,inthebackyard,orintheboardroom.Like everythingfashion,thehumbleshortsareconstantlychangingwithnewstylesandmaterials–soforsure you’llwanttobelookingthebee’skneesandatyourbestwhereveryouare.

OurHomessectionfocusesonthehugeriseofoutdoorcookingandkit.Anyvisittothelocalgardencentre revealsjusthowseriousweBritshavebecomewhenitcomestogoingalfresco.You’llfindtheplacerammed withoutdoorfurniturecostinganythingfromafewhundredtothousands,andbarbiesandrangeswhich makethegriddleIusedtocookthebangersandburgersonbackinthedaylookpositivelypre-historic! Now…wheredidIputmyapronandchef’shat?

DavidJohns

EDITOR: DavidJohns david@brumliving.co.uk

CONTRIBUTORS: SueCooke,KatieGardner,AdamKirtland

PHOTOGRAPHY: DavidMorphew,AndrewLlewellyn

JaneMorris jane@brumliving.co.uk

RockHopperMediaLimited BurleighHouse,23TagwellRoad,DroitwichWR97BN tel 01905771110

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living

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Highlights

LucieShorthouse

Award-winningactress’sjourneyfromthe WestEndtoTVcomedyandpolicedrama

GibsonandKochanek

Tenyearson,andthesuccessesjustkeepon comingforthecreative,adoptedBrummies

Food&Drink

PeterJackson,headchefofthenewWildmoor Oakgastropub,plusnews,recipesandwine

Health

PreandpostnatalhealthexpertMari-Carmen onbestpracticesforasafepostpartumrecovery

Style

Getshorty!Denim,plain,patterned,tailored orfloaty?Howtomakethemostofyourpins

Homes

TheGreatBritishBBQhasmovedon!Here’s howtogearupforasizzlingsummer2024-style

BestoftheRest

FromThePottingBench

Relax!AdamKirtlandrevealshistoptipsforan ‘easy-does-it’showofcolourforFlamingJune

Motoring

Money,money,money!You’llneedplenty forMercedesastonishingall-electricSUV

50 52 54 59 64 66

Young,Gifted&Brummie Adventure-hungrysixthformerJoeBoardman re-liveshisLand’sEndtoJohnO’Groatsrun

BusinessNews Newsandviewsfromthecommercial community,plusSocialScenepages

What’sOn Bestofthecity’stopshowsandgigsin ourround-upofthemust-seeevents

UpClose

WithTraceyMcAtamneydirectorof LadiesFirstProfessionalDevelopment

WHEEL THRILL

SeeBirminghamlikeyou’veneverseenit before–byridingtheCathedralSquare Wheel.Erectedinthegroundsof BirminghamCathedral,thegiantwheel boasts24gondolas,eachholdinguptosix peopleandreachingtheheightofthe Selfridgesbuildingat35metres.The attractionisopenfrom11amto10pm everydayuntil1September.CathedralCEO AnnaPittsaid:“Weareconstantlystriving tooffernewexperiencestoourvisitorsand CathedralSquareWheelprovidesaunique perspectiveonBirmingham’sskyline.”

ARTMEETSSCIENCE

contemporarydanceperformancepiecewith themesofregeneration.BALANCE,whichwill beperformedacrosstheMidlandsinoutdoor andindoorspacesthroughthesummer,sees artmeetscienceinchoreographyofthehuman immunesystemcellsandcellularmovement. PerformancesareattheResonateFestival, Coventry,SandwellMuseumsandThinktank BirminghamScienceMuseum.

DATEWITHRONAN NEWS

BRINGINGYOUTHEBRIGHTEST ANDMOSTCOLOURFUL STORIESFROMACROSSTHE CITYEACHMONTH

CallingallRonanKeatingfans.Theex-Boyzone singerwillbeheadliningthisyear’sSolihullSummer Fest,whichkicksoffonSaturday20JulyatTudor GrangePark.Theline-upalsoincludespopularacts suchasScoutingforGirls,TheFeeling,TheWailers, andaDJsetbyDeniseVanOuten.Sundaysees performancesbyTheJacksonsontheir50th anniversarytour,HaircutOneHundred,FiveStar, TPauandTheWurzels.

Picture:ChrisNash

VINCENTMASTERPIECE

Adazzlingimmersiveshowwhichcelebratesthelifeandartof VincentvanGoghreturnstoBirminghamthissummer.Beyond VanGogh:TheImmersiveExperiencehasalreadydelightedmore thanfivemillionartloversinshowsacrossNorthAmericaand beyond.Themultimediaextravaganza–at40,000sqftthelargest VanGoghshowevertobestagedinthecity–willbeat BirminghamNECfromThursday1AugusttoSunday1September. Itcombinesmorethan300paintingswithcutting-edge technologyandmusicalsoundtrack.

AMERICA’SSTORY

Lin-ManuelMiranda’smultiaward-winningmusicalHamiltoniscomingto BirminghamHippodromefora10-weekrunfrom25Juneto31August. HamiltonisthestoryofAmerica’sfoundingfatherAlexanderHamilton,an immigrantfromtheWestIndieswhobecameGeorgeWashington’sright-hand man.Themusicalhaswon11TonyAwardsincludingBestMusical,seven OlivierAwards,aPulitzerPrizeforDramaandGrammyAwardforBest MusicalTheatreAlbum.

FORCESSPECIAL

TheNationalMemorialArboretuminStaffordshirewillbe hostingaspecialeveningofentertainmentcelebratingthe serviceoftheArmedForcescommunity.BostinComedyanda RightGoodSingalongwillfeatureveterangraduatesofRBL’s ‘RecoverythroughComedy’programme,NewOrleans-style brassbandBostinBrass,and‘MASSAOKE–alivebandplaying hairbrushanthemsfromacrossthedecades,accompaniedby giantvideolyrics.TheeventonSaturday29Juneispartofthe Arboretum’sArmedForcesWeekactivityprogramme.

RUNNINGFORDAD

Thesonanddaughterofaretiredtraindriver whotookhisownlife,completedthe equivalentofsevenmarathonsinsevendays toraisemorethan£2,000formentalhealth charityMIND.IanTaylorlefthishomeinJune 2020beforehisbodywasfoundhourslater. Hischildren,TonyandNicola,ran300km alongtheThamesPath,fromKemblein GloucestershiretotheThamesBarrierin London.Tony,fromSolihull,said:“Dad supportedmanycharities,soI’msurehe wouldbeproudofus.”

WATERSIGHT!

GiantwaterliliesaresettomakeasplashatBirminghamBotanicalGardens. HorticulturistshavepainstakinglygerminatingseedsfromtheVictoriacruziana,which haslilypadsthatcanreachuptotwometresindiameterandwereonceafavourite attractionattheGardens.TheywilltakeprideofplaceintheTropicalGlasshouse, formerlyknownastheLilyHouse,whichwasbuiltin1852.Thereturnoftheliliesis partofthevenue’sGrowingourGreenHeritageproject.

YOUNGATART

TheBritishMotorMuseum haslaunchedayoungartists competitiontomarkthe openingofitsnew exhibition,TheGallery2024. Entriesinallmediums, includingdrawings, paintings,sculptures,and digitalart,aresplitintothree agegroups–under11s,11 to16,and17to25years–withthewinningartworks beingdisplayedinthe museumfromFriday26July. Thewinnerineachcategory willalsoreceive£50worth ofartvouchersfrom LifeWithArt.TheGallery 2024runsuntil30June.

RUNNINGFOROURCANALS

Theraceisontogetpeopletosupportthecity’scanalnetworkby takingpartinBirminghamCanalathon–avirtualfund-raiser organisedbyBirminghamCanalandRiverTrust.Participantsare encouragedtowalkorrun26.2milesduringJunetoraisemoneyto protectandcarefor2,000milesofwaterways.Thefirst200people tosignupreceiveafreebrandedwaterbottle,whileabranded runningvestgoestoparticipantsoncetheycrossthe£100milestone ontheJustGivingpage.

ActorandplaywrightEugeneO’HarehaswonBirmingham Rep’sinauguralVictoriaWoodPlaywritingPrizeforComedy. ConceivedbytheRep’sdoubleOlivieraward-winingartistic directorSeanFoleyinpartnershipwiththeVictoriaWood FoundationandsupportedbyBBCComedy,theprizeisthe firstevermajorplaywrighting-awarddedicatedtotheartof comedy.Eugenewontheawardforhistwo-actcomedy playPortugalaboutaworking-classwomanseekinga differentlifeawayfromherhomeinBelfast.

TALKINGSHOP

TheBullringranathreedayexperiencededicated toall-thingstech,giving visitorsachanceto reimaginehowweshop, playandrelax.Bullring TechMakeovershowcased whatthefutureofretail andshoppingmightlook likethroughimmersive experiences,specialevents andpersonalisation poweredbytechnology.It wasdeliveredin collaborationwith Birmingham-basedPR agency,EASTVILLAGE whichspecialisesinPRand eventsforconsumertech brands.

LET’SGOMOÁ

BirminghamPhoenixhavenamedtheircaptainsas TheHundredcompetitionreturnstoEdgbastonthis summer.BirminghamLivingcoverboyandlocal lad,MoeenAlireturnstoskipperthemen’steam forthefourthyearrunningwhileoneofthegame’s biggeststars,internationalall-rounderlegend EllysePerrywillleadthewomen’steam,having missedlastyear’scompetitionthroughinjury.“I’m incrediblyhonouredtobenamedBirmingham Phoenixcaptain,”saidEllyse.“Wegetfantastic crowdswithexcellentsupportatEdgbaston.”

CRAFTYMOVE

HattonGardenCentreandShoppingVillageis reclaimingitscraftrootsandwelcomingback craftersandartisans.ItsNewChapterCrafts shopsellsarangeofuniquehand-crafted goods,whilethepopularweekendoutdoor marketshavealsoreturned,sellinganything fromhomeandlifestyledécor,home-made jamsandchutneys,clothing,saucesand bakedgoods.AWorkshopCentre,runbyBull PenAntiques&Interiors,hasopenedwhere youcanlearnanewskillfrommaking macrametounderstandingtheartoffloristry.

GOTANYNEWS? Emailyournewsand picturestoeditor@brumliving.co.uk

GIRLPOWER

I’lltellyouwhatyouwant,whatyoureally,reallywant.Aseatatoneofthehottestshows intown,that’swhat!Wannabe–TheSpiceGirlsShowiscelebrating30yearsofGirlPower asthelong-runningstageproductioncomestotheAlexandraon21June.Theshowpays homagetothemusicofthebest-sellinggirlgroupofall-timeonanostalgicjourney throughSpiceWorld.Allthehits,alltheglamour,allthedanceroutines–andmore!

COFFEEFEAST

Callingallcoffeelovers! BirminghamCoffeeFestivalis backfrom5to7Julyatthe NewBingleyHall.Thefestival promisestobebiggerand betterthaneverbeforewith morethan60brands showcasingtheirofferings.A newWellbeingZonepromisesa one-of-a-kindzencoffee experience,alongwithaline-up ofexcitingactivities, competitionsanda marketplace.Soundsdelicious!

BABYLOSSHELP

AnewbabylosscentreinBirmingham hastakendeliveryofaCuddleCotworth £2,000thankstoaCoventrycharity. Thespecialcotwaspresentedto WoodlandHouseatBirmingham Women’sHospitalbytheLuca Foundation.Thefoundationwassetup bySharonLuca-Chathaaftershelosther sontostillbirth.CuddleCotsaredesigned toactlikearefrigeratortokeepthebody coldwhichallowsparentstohaveupto aweekwiththeirbaby.

EVERYBODY’S TALKING ABOUT LUCIE

IINGRITTYPOLICEDRAMA,REBUS,LUCIESHORTHOUSE PLAYSAYOUNGDCFINDINGHERGROOVEWITHA TRICKYPARTNER.WECAUGHTUPWITHTHEAWARDWINNINGACTRESSSIXYEARSAFTERSHEFIRSTFEATURED ASONEOFOURYOUNG,GIFTEDANDBRUMMIESTARS

n2018,weinterviewedLucieShorthouseforour Young,GiftedandBrummieseries.Atthetimeshe waswinningawardsforherWestEnddebutasPritti PashainEverybody’sTalkingAboutJamieandwaskeen togetstuckintosomejuicyTVroles.

Sixyearsonandshe’sdoingthatwithbellson.The secondseriesofhitChannel4comedyWeAreLady PartskickedoffinMay,andanaltogethermore seriousaffair,BBCOneScottishpolicedrama,Rebus isairingnow.

TheadaptationofIanRankin’sgrittyInspectorRebus novelswascreatedbyGregoryBurkeinwhichLucieplays DCSiobhanClarke(Shiv)alongsideRichardRankin(no relationtotheauthor)asJohnRebus.Theshowis enjoyingexcellentreviewswithprobablythemost meaningfulfeedbackfromIanRankinhimselfwho describedtheshowas‘terrific’.

FLAWEDANDMESSY

Thesix-episodeserieshasbroughtRankin’sbooksup tomoderndaywithayoungerRebus–onewho’sstill flawedandmessyjustyounger.LucieplaysRebus’s newly-appointedpartner–she’snotonlynewtotheforce, shehascomethroughanacceleratedpathwaywhich middle-agedmeninpolicedramasalwaysseemtotake umbragewith.What’smore,she’snotScottishandshe’sa

woman,sotherewereafewbarriersforSiobhanto breakdown,butLucieassuresme:“Shefindshergroove.”

ShotinScotlandlastsummer,LuciesaysRebuswas ‘lovelytofilm’anddespitethegrittynatureofthe programme,thecastandcrewhadsuchalaughitcould havebeenacomedy.IanRankinwasonsetafewtimes andwhilehewassupportivetherewasamomentatthe screeningwhereLuciehadawobbleaboutwhetherhe’d likeitornot.Sheneedn’thaveworried.

MIDLANDSLILT

Luciesaysherparentsusedtowatchtheoriginalseries, soshewasawareoftheRebusbooks,buthadn’treadany. Shesays:“IreadabitofanextractoftheoriginalsothatI couldunderstandtheworldIwassteppinginto,butI didn’twanttogotoofarinastheportrayalonscreen mightbedifferentfromthebooks.Iwantedtogetitright. IanRankinbooksarepartoftheScottishsocialfabricso therewasabitofpressure.”

WhileLuciewouldhavebeenopentodoingaScottish accentwereitrequired,she’spleasedthathernatural Midlandsliltisonshow.Shesays:“Ithinkit’sgreatthata MidlandsaccentismorecommonlyheardonTV.Ihateto sayit,butit’sbecomeabittrendy.StephenKnight’sPeaky BlindersandYourTownhavehelped,andtheBBCand NetflixarenowinvestinginMidlandsvoices.”

Whenwetalkedin2018itfeltlikeLucie’scareer wasjusttakingoff,soCovidhitatanawkwardtime professionally.Shesays:“Therewerethreeyearsof worktimeIdidn’tgettocapitaliseon.Inonewayit wasnicethateveryonestopped.There’ssomuch competitionforrolesandduringCovidwewereall onalevelplayingfield.”

Sheadds:“WeAreLadyPartswasreadytofilmin 2020soIknewIhadthatplusonapersonalnoteI movedbacktotheMidlandsjustbeforethepandemic andhadgreenspacesandfamilycloseby.IfI’dbeen livinginaboxinLondon,itwouldhavebeendifferent.”

OnmovinghometotheMidlands,Luciethinksit’s ideal.Asidefrombeingclosetofamily,Lucieenjoys theconvenienceofthelocation.Sheexplains:“Rebus wasfilmedinScotland,HenocalypseinLiverpooland IcanbeinLondonquickly,soasanactorit’sideal.” Luciehaslotsoffriendswho’vebeenpushedoutof

HIGHDRAMA

CatchRebusonBBCOne,plusallsixepisodesare availableonBBCiPlayer

Londonduetothecostandshesaysinyourlate twentiesyouthinkaboutwhatyoureallywantand makesomechanges.She’salwaysencouragingfriends tomakethemovetotheMidlands!

CLICKYFINGERS

In2018,Luciehadsaidshewantedtobe successfulbutnotfamous.Isuggestthatmightbe gettingharder,butshesaysshereallydoesn’tget recognised.ShecanstillpoptoAldilookingrough nobother.HercharacterinLadyPartswearsafull niqabsothatprobablyhelped.Luciesaysshe’dlike tobecomesomethingshecallsa‘clickyfingersactor’ whichmeansinstillingan‘oohwhathaveIseenher in?’reactioninaudiences.

Ittendstomeananactorisworkingregularlyso isfamiliartoviewersbutflyingjustundertheradar ofcrazyattention.Shesays:“I’vebeenhunteddown onsocialmediaafewtimesandpeoplehavesentme lovelymessagesbutotherthanthatI’mnotreally recognised.”IfwecatchupwithLucieinanother sixyears,wehaveahunchthatmightjustbe different. ■

LOVEAFFAIR WITHBRUM

InthedebateaboutwhethertosettleinLondon orBirmingham,ourgreatcitywonandit’sall thericherforhavingBarbaraandMartainit. ThecreativeoutputfromGibsonKochanekStudio hasbeenextraordinaryintermsofbothcreativityand thevolumeofwork.ImetBarbaraandMartaa decadeagointheirtinyJewelleryQuarterstudio whentheywereintroducingthemselvestothecity andbuildingupcontacts.

OriginallyfromPoland,theirobvioustalent, energyandcommitmentwasrefreshingandexciting.

Martasays:“WelandedinBirminghamtofulfilour dreamsblindlybelievinginourinnerstrengthand determination.Itwasn’taneasystart–butallthe upsanddownsonlymadeusstronger.”

AWARD-WINNING

Theyreckonittookaroundtwoyearstobuildtrust withinthecommunityworkinghardtoputtheir portfolioinfrontofpotentialclientsover‘endlesscups ofcoffee’,eventsandmeetings.Theyhaveacharming qualitywhichmeansyouneverfeelyou’rebeing networked–they’rewarmandenthusiasticbutnever salesy.I’veendedupchampioningthemateveryturn. WheneveranyonementionsGibsonKochanekmy immediatereactionis,‘ohBarbaraandMarta,what lovelytalentedpeople.’That’swhattheyinstil,always raisingasmile.

AtthetimeoflaunchinginBirmingham,

photographywastheirfocusandMartahadtaken aseriesofstrikingatmosphericportraitsofsome ofthedancersatBirminghamRoyalBallet(BRB) whichyoumayhaveseen.Oneofwhich–ashot ofBRBlegendCesarMorales–gainedan honourablementionintheInternationalColor Awardsportraitcategory.Outof7,500entriesjust fiveweregivenaspecialmention.Martahasalso beenrecognisedinthePortraitofBritain competitionnamedinthetop100portraitsfor anotherofhershotspictured.

Martawasopentosharingherexperienceand professionalexpertisewhichledtoaroleat BirminghamCityUniversityasavisitinglecturerin commercialphotography.Whilephotographyisstill astapleoftheirwork,thepairhadtoadapt significantlyoncethepandemichit.Allphotography workwascancelled,andthedynamicduostartedto developdigitalcontenttheycouldcreateathome.

Martasays:“Whilebeingcreativelyflexibleandopen toadapttochangeswestartedmastering photomontage/collagework,whichsoonstarted keepingusbusy.Weenteredanewmarketproviding workformagazinesliketheNewStatement,the Guardian,theEconomist,EveningStandard,Forbes andthentheRollingStone,Billboard,VanityFair, HollywoodReporter,HarvardBusiness,Politicoand manymore.”Sheadds:“Lockdownallowedustotakea stepbackanddedicateevenmoretimetodevelopment,

learningnewskillsanddiscoveringnewfields.We learnedhowtoanimatethecontentweproduced.”

CAMPAIGNTRAIL

Therehavebeenadvertisingcampaignsfor HSBC,Mailbox,BirminghamRoyalBallet, NationalExpress,BirminghamLGBTCentre, BlackCountryLivingMuseum,B:Music, BirminghamHippodrome,JQBid,ColmoreBid, ChamberofCommerceandmanymore.Barbara andMartaalsodesignedsixpostersforthe CommonwealthGamesin2022followedbyaseries ofcampaignsforUKSportandEnglandRugby. Martasays:“It’sbeenwonderfultoseeourwork onbillboardsandacrossthecitycentreincluding NewStreetstation’smediaeyeadvertisingscreen.” DesigningacoverforanAppleTV+seriesanda maintitlesequenceforHULUreleasedlastmonth isaparticularhighlight.

CheckoutGibsonKochanekStudioonInstagram@gibsonkochanekstudio andonlineatmartakochanek.comandbarbaragibson.pl

Theuncertaintyandoccasionalfrustrationofa creativelifearetemperedwithmuchjoyand satisfaction.Martasays:“It’spartofthegame.Itis whatallfreelancersandsmallbusinessesfaceand mustaccept.Allwecandoisnevertocompromise onthequalityofourwork.Westilllearn,westill develop,andwestillaimtoworkbetter,harderand moreeffectively.”

GratefultoBirminghamfortheopportunitiesit’s thrownup,BarbaraandMartaarelookingbackover thelastdecadeinacelebratorymood.“It’sbeenan amazingtime,nowthatwelookatitfroma perspectiveofadecadehere.Birminghamhas provideduswithmanyopportunitiestogrow, becomingbetterandmoreprofessional,meeting peoplewearestillintouchwithtoday,manyof whomhavebecomereturningclients,andsome havebecomeourlong-termfriends.”

BarbaraandMarta’sglasshalffullspiritis infectious–they’vefoundtheirgroove,createda nicheandarerunningwithitproducingwork they’reproudof,thatshinescreativelyandis commerciallysuccessful.Here’stoanother 10years! ■

FOOD&DRINK

PETERJACKSON

TheheadchefofthenewWildmoorOakgastropublivedoffchips asafussy-eatingyoungster–butUniversityCollegeBirmingham andthelikesofPurnell’sandSimpsonschangedallthat!

Tellusaboutyourcooking

I’mreallyjustaboutnaturalcookingthat’shonest, notfussyandortoocomplicated.Thingslikecooking meatandfishonthebone.Cookingwiththree ingredients,butingredientsthataresimple,reallygood qualityones.Easy-goingandrelatablefood.Isometimes sayIcookfromthehip–Iputgreat,simpleingredients inapanandmakeitthebestIcan.

Howdidyoubecomeachef?

Iwasapot-washatschoolandusedtowork evenings.Ithoughtchefswererockstars.Iwasquite fussywhenIwasyoungeranddidn’treallyeatvery muchofanything.ButwhenIdidstarttryingfood,it reallyopenedmyeyestowhatfoodwasanditreally interestedme.Itsparkedmypassion.Iwentontostudy atUniversityCollegeBirminghamandhadsomegreat stagesinplaceslikePurnell’sandSimpsonsbefore gettingthechancetoworkunderchefLionelLevyat theHotelInterContinentalMarseille–HotelDieu. Thatwasanamazingtimeandtaughtmealot.Asdid BradCarter.Iwouldn’tbethechefIamtodayifit wasn’tforhim,GlynnPurnellandLukeTipping–BrummiechefswhoIworkedwithearlyinmycareer. Theyinspiredmewhenyoungertogointofinedining andcookingcamenaturally.Now,I’malwayscookingto thebestofmyability.

Whatdoyoueatathome?

Idoloveacrumpet,soI’dliketomakemyownatsome point.Myfavouritetoppingisscrambledegg.Wheneating outIloveagoodpubroastandagoodcurry.

Who’sthebestchefintheworldandwhy?Andwho’s thebestinBrum?

Verydifficulttoanswer,therearetoomany!Best inBrum,Ican’tanswerthat–buttheyknowwho theyare!

Shareacookingtip

Ifdoingaonepot,poachchickeninstock. Removewhencookedandwrapinfoil.Throwyour veggiesintocookthenremove.Reducethesauceandadd spicesandthencookwithnoodles.Addeverythingback inandserve.Greatforsharingandminimalwashing-up.

Whatwasyourfavouritefoodasakid?

IwasaveryfussyeaterwhenIwasgrowingupat home.Believeitornot,Ireallydidprettymuchlive offchipsformostofmyyouth,whichisincredible lookingbackonitnowwhenyouconsiderhowmuch Iampassionateaboutfoodnow!

Foodheavenandfoodhell?

Foodheavenwouldbeacustardsliceandawhole potoftea.HellisHeinzbakedbeans.

What’sthemostunusualthingyou'veeaten?

AntsatCarters!Tastedgreatthough…butthey areants!

Ifyouweren’tachef,whatwouldyoube?

Probablyunemployed.There’snothingelseIwould wanttobedoing!Thatsaid,Iwouldhavelovedtohave beenafighterpilot.Maybe,inmynextlife… ■

SHORTS NI BBLESand

BIRMINGHAM’SBARS,RESTAURANTSANDHOTELSAREBUZZINGWITHEXCITING,NEWVIBES. HERE’SOURINSIDERGUIDETOTHELATESTNEWSFROMTHECITY’SEATERIESANDDRINKINGDENS

MICHELIN

RiverineRabbithasbeenlistedintheMichelinGuidefollowinganinspector’sreview.TheindependentrestaurantinStirchley wasopenedinJanuarybyAshandErinValenzuela-Heegerfollowingsuccessfulpop-ups.Erinleadsthefriendlyservice,while Ashdeliversherdishesfrombehindakitchencounter.RiverineRabbitcombinesSouthAfrican-inspiredflavoursfromAsh’sroots withseasonalBritishproduce.ThenameisinspiredbytheKarooDesertwheretheelusiveriverinerabbitlives.

FIGHTCLUBINBLOOM

SummerofficiallykickedoffwhenFlightClubBirminghamlaunchedFlightClubinBloom,alimitededitionsummercocktailmenuinpartnershipwithCasamigos,thepremiumtequilafromGeorge ClooneyandRandeGerber.Thecocktails,whichincludeSpicyWatermelonMargarita,Rhubarb BrambleandBotanicalGardenSpritzareavailableatthebaruntilSeptember.Atastyfoodmenu featuresburgers,sourdoughpaddleboardpizzasandsharerslikefirecracker-loadedwafflefries.

WILDMOOROAKOPENS

ThenewWildmoorOakgastropub hasopenedinBromsgroveaftera £500,000refurbishmentofthe much-lovedlocal.Leadingtheway isasmartnewinteriorand garden,withtopqualityseasonal foodanddrinkonofferfromthe highlyexperiencedteamheaded upbyBexWilkinsandwifeSarah Robinson,whospentthelast decadeatPeachPubsrunning award-winninggastropubsacross theWestMidlandsand Warwickshire.HeadchefPeter JacksonhailsfromMichelin-starred CartersofMoseleyinBirmingham.

TOP PIZZACHEF

Alocalhomepizzachefhasreachedthe semi-finalsoftheUK’sBestHomePizzaChef competition.AriAngelidesfromSuttonColdfieldpaid homagetohisGreekCypriotrootswithaGreekinspired,flavour-packedlayeredpizza.Ari,30, said:“Cookingandfoodareahugepartofmylife andbeinghalfGreekCypriothasalwayshada biginfluence.”Thenation’sbesthome pizzachefwillberevealedatthe endofJune.

SPARKLING AFTERNOONTEA

NITISHACOOKSASTORM

Award-winningMidlandschefNitishaPatel cookedupastormtoraiseawarenessof mentalhealthissuesataspecialFutureFaces networkingevent.HostedbyWillCrawford, founderofmentalhealthandwellbeing companyquietnoteandheadofthewellbeing workinggroupfortheFutureFacescommittee, theeventwasheldatLiquidPR.Nitisha cookedacoconutdahlwhiletalkingtothe youngprofessionalsabouthoweatinghomecookedfoodcansavemoney,improvemental healthandhelpyoutofocusmoreatwork.

MARCO’SSTEAKSURPRISE

SteakservedatMarcoPierreWhiteSteakhouseBar& GrillinMeridennowhasadistinctandmuchenhanced smokyflavour,thankstotheinstallationofanew charcoaloven.RestaurantandbarmanagerOuissem Mzihisaid:“Thenewovenisperfectforcookingour steakgivingaverydistinctflavourinatraditionalstyle. Weusegrass-fed,28-dayagedbeefandtheflavouris justsensational.”

TheGrandHotelBirminghamintroducedalimited-editionversionofitsafternoonteaexperience. SparklingAfternoonTea,inpartnershipwithBirmingham-basedluxuryjewellerybrandVby LauraVann,wasservedforatwo-weekperiodandbilledastheperfectwaytocelebratea specialmilestone,birthdayoranniversary.HotelmanagerCharlotteHorlersaid:“Wewantedto celebratethehistoryofBirmingham’sJewelleryQuarter,whichisonourdoorstep,byofferingour guestsauniqueexperience.LauraisaproudBrummieandwonderfulambassadorforthecity.”

THEGIGGLINGSQUID

It’smorethan20yearssincefoundersAndyand PraneelaunchedGigglingSquidfromatiny kitcheninBrighton,nowthey’ve50-ish restaurantsacrosstheUKwithtwositesonour patch.Wehadn’tbeentoeithertheHarborneor MereGreenrestaurantsbefore,sothoughtitwas timetopopalong.WechoseHarbornefornoother reasonthanit’scloser,butasachaintheexperienceis presumablythesame.

Firstup,theintriguingnamehasnothingtodo withthefoodandisthenicknameofoneofAndy andPranee’schildren.Nowgrown-up,theynodoubt shunthemoniker,GigglingSquid.Thedécoris girlieandpretty–lotsoffauxbloomsandpastelsand abitdifferenttoyouraverageThairestaurant–somethingPraneewantedtoachieve.

Themenuisheftyandintheinterestoftryingas manydishesaspossible–notbecausewe’regreedy butforyourbenefit,youunderstand–wechosea seriesofsmallplates.Wewereinforaquicklunch andthesmallplatessuitedthat.Allthedishesarrived atthesametimeandfairlypromptly.

Thetwoseafooddisheswerethestand-outs, withtheOneBiteSalmondishinparticularbeing superb.Amouthfulofsalmonwithheadyflavours ofginger,lemongrass,limeandchillidrizzled withasalty-sweetdressingwrappedinabetelleaf tastedjustgreat.Theotherwinnerwasasucculent Samuibutterfliedprawndishwithadelicious zingycitrussauce.

Chickensataywasabitunderwhelmingwhile duckspringrollsweretastyandanewcaramelised

porkbellydishachievedtheperfectflavourtrioof sweet,sourandheat.Gigglingwingsdidwhatthey saidonthetin–sticky,sweetandmeaty–whilethe GoldenMoneyBagswereahit,filledwithThai spicedchickenandplentyofherbs–particularly goodwhendunkedinasweetchillisauce. Weregrettednotorderingazingypapayasaladto balancetherichnessandsweetnessoftheother dishes,soouradvicewouldbetolosethesatayin favourofsomethingabitfresheronthepalate. All-in-all,it’saniceplace–theenvironmentis lovely,andthestaffwereenthusiasticandwarm. There’sstiffcompetitionforgreatThaifoodinthe cityandwhilewemightnottravelforGiggling Squid,asalocalrestaurantitdoesthejobsweetly. ■

BORDEAUX VSBURGUNDY

explorestheworld’smostprestigiouswineregions

Whenitcomestotheworldofwine,fewregionscan matchtheprestigeandallureofBordeauxand Burgundy.SituatedintheheartofFrance,thesetwo regionshavelongbeenreveredforproducingsomeofthefinest (andmostexpensive!)winesintheworld.WhilebothBordeaux andBurgundyboastcenturiesofwinemakingtradition,theyeach offerauniquesetofcharacteristicsthatsetthemapart.

BORDEAUX

NestledalongthebanksoftheGaronneRiverinsouth-western France,Bordeauxisrenownedforitselegantandcomplexwines. Theregionisdividedintoseveralsub-regions,eachwithitsown distinctterroirandwinemakingtraditions.Bordeauxisbest knownforitsredblends,whicharetypicallymadefroma combinationofCabernetSauvignon,Merlot,andCabernetFranc grapesaswellassmallquantitiesofPetitVerdotandMalbec.

Oneofthekeyfactorscontributingtothehighregardfor Bordeauxwinesistheregion’slonghistoryofwinemaking excellence.ManyofthetopBordeauxchâteauxhavebeen producingwineforcenturies.Thereissomecontroversyhowever

aroundhowtheBordelaiseclassifytheirwines.The GrandCruClassesystemontheleftbankcategorises winesintofirst,second,third,fourthandfifthgrowth basedontheirpriceandreputationfortheExposition Universelle,whichtookplaceinParis…in1855.There hasbeenverylittlechangetothelistsincethen,except forMouton-Rothschildwhichwasaddedtothefirst growthsinthe1970s.

Theretendstobealotofattentionandfocuson thesetopendwines,butitisimportanttoremember thatover75percentofthewinesfromBordeauxare soldforunder €15,andtheymakeroughly800 millionbottlesayearintheregion!

Bordeauxislesswell-knownforitswhitewines, buttheseareoftenarefreshingblendofSauvignon BlancandSemillonandwellworthseekingout.The famousdessertwinesofSauternesandBarsacare fromthemistybanksoftheGaronneandCiron rivers.Themistallowsthedevelopmentofnoblerot (thegoodkind!)whichconcentratesthesugarsin thegrapesandgivesthewinestheircharacteristic marmaladeandhoneycharacter.

BURGUNDY

LocatedineasternFrance,Burgundyiscelebrated foritsChardonnayandPinotNoirwines.Unlike Bordeaux,whichisknownforitsredblends, Burgundy’swinesaretypicallymadefromasingle grapevariety,allowingtheuniquecharacterofeach vineyardtoshinethrough.

OneofthedefiningcharacteristicsofBurgundy winesistheirexpressionofterroir.Theregion’s diversesoilsandmicroclimatesproduceelegantand complexwines,witheachvineyardimpartingits owndistinctiveflavoursandaromas.Thequality systemhereisalittlemoredemocratic;basedonthe vineyardlocation,aspectandsoilratherthanthe reputationofachateau160yearsago.

ThevineyardsofBurgundystretchfromChablisin thenorthallthewaydowntoBeaujolaisinthesouth, butvineyardownershipisveryfragmented.Thanksto theNapoleoniclawsofsuccessionintheregion,you canendupwithaparcelnotmuchlargerthanapostage stamp,whichhasabigimpactonproductionquantities.

MuchlikeBordeaux,Burgundywinescommand highpricesduetotheirexceptionalqualityand

KATIE’S4GREATVALUEPICKS

■ ChateauSudiratNo.1Sauternes,Bordeaux–£17.99for37.5clbottle,Waitrose Agreatvaluedessertwinefromoneofthemostprestigiousestatesinthe region.Thesweetnessisbalancedbyacrispfreshnesswithflavoursof apricotandhoney.Amazingwithcheese,fruitdessertsorrichpaté.

■ LaRaisonduChateauDesFougeres,Graves, Bordeaux–£16.50,Tesco It’sunusualtofindamatureexampleofBordeauxwinefroma supermarket,butthisiswellworthatrywithyourroastdinnerona Sunday.It’sdominatedbyMerlotsoveryapproachableinstylewith notesofblackfruits,cherriesandanearthy,graphitecharacter.

■ DomainelaTroupeCuveeMarieVire-Clesse, Burgundy–£15.99mixsix,Majestic AlovelyrichstyleofBurgundianChardonnayfromthesouthoftheregion. TheappellationofVire-Clesseisarelativelynewsodoesn’tyetcommand thepricesofitsnortherncousinsbuthasdelicious,ripeflavoursofstone fruits,honeyandvanilla.Wonderfulwithroastchickenorafishpie.

■ JosephDrouhinRully,Burgundy–£29.99,Waitrose Whilethisisstillexpensive,village-levelredwinesfromBurgundycan sometimessetyoubackhundreds,ifnotthousands,ofpoundssothisisa greatstartingpointfromalesser-knownappellationintheChalonnaise region.Thewineissoftandjuicywitharomasofvioletandraspberries. Youcouldlightlychillthisdownandservewithduckorgrilledmushrooms.

limitedproduction.Theregion’sstrictregulations andsmall-scaleproductionmethodsmeanthat Burgundywinesareofteninhighdemandandshort supply,drivingupprices.

Themostexpensivesinglebottleofwineeversold atauctionwasabottleofPinotNoirfrom BurgundianproducerDomaineRomanee-Conti from1945,whichfetched$558,000atauctionafew yearsago!Asthesetopendwinesaretradedlikea commodity,Ican’thelpbutthinkit’satravestythat noonewilleverdrinkit…

Can’taffordthetop-flightstuff?Seemypickof fourgreatvalueBordeauxandBurgundywinesto tryforyourself… ■

BirminghamWineSchoolisanindependentwineeducation companythatoffersfuninformalwinetastingeventsandWine& SpiritEducationTrust(WSET)coursesonline,inBirminghamand Warwick.FormoreinformationcontactKatieGardneron0121 2707359,orvisitwww.birminghamwineschool.com

BESTPRACTICESFOR ASAFEPOSTPARTUM RECOVERYPERIOD

THERECENTMATERNALCAREREPORTREVEALEDTHAT42PERCENTOFWOMENREPORTEDFEELINGTHAT THEIRSAFETYDURINGTHERECOVERYPERIODWASPUTATRISK.WECAUGHTUPWITHPREANDPOSTNATAL HEALTHEXPERTMARI-CARMENFORTHEBESTPRACTICESFORASAFEPOSTPARTUMRECOVERY

Welcominganewbabyintotheworldisa joyoustimeinawoman’slife,but pregnancyandchildbirthbringphysicaland emotionalchangestothemotherthatcanfeel overwhelmingordifficult.Recognisingthesechangesis thefirststepontheroadtoahealthypostpartumrecovery.

Remember,everypregnancyandpostpartum experienceisunique.Don’tgetdiscouragedby comparingyourselftoothers.Whatworkedforafriend orrelativemaynotbethebestapproachforyou.Focus onyourjourneyandprioritiseself-compassion,patience andkindness.

Asapreandpostnatalwomen'shealthexpertand mother-of-three,I’vecompiledsomeofmytoptipsfor postpartumrecovery:

1.Restwhenyoucan

Sleepistrickyinthoseearlynewborndaysbuttry tosleepateveryopportunity.Sleepisanimportant componentoftherecoveryprocess.Whenyourbaby fallsasleep,prioritiserestingyourself,evenifit’sjust ashortnap.

These‘napchains’cansignificantlyimprove daytimealertnessandoverallwell-being.Don’t hesitatetoseekhelpfromyourpartner,family membersorclosefriends.Sharingnight-timefeeding dutiesorallowingotherstocareforthebabywhileyou napcanbeinvaluable.

2.Maintainabalanceddiet

Prioritisingahealthydietpackedwithwholefoods

Mari-Carmenisanex-PICUnurseturnedwomen’s healthandfitnessexpert.She’ssincedevelopedthe FITMAMAapp,specificallydesignedtogivewomen clearandconsistentinformationabouttheirhealth andwellbeing.Visitmaricarmenfitness.com

fuelsyourbodyforoptimalrecoveryandcaringfor yournewborn.Fillyourplatewithcolourfulfruitsand vegetables,leanproteinsourceslikechickenorfish, andfibre-richwholegrains.Thesechoicesnotonly supportyourhealingbutalsoindirectlysupportyour babyifyouarebreastfeeding.

Ensuringyourdietisfulloffibrewillhelpwith bowelmovementsaswellashealingdigestivehealth, particularlyafterac-section.Constipationisa commonissuepost-birth,butstrainingduringbowel movementscanputextrapressureonthepelvisand traumatothatareawhichcanleadtopossibletears andanepisiotomywound.Ifyouhavetimebefore yourbabyisborn,batchcookheartystewsorsoups. Thiswillcreateeasyaccesstohealthymealsduring

thosebusyfirstweeks.Don’thesitatetoaccepthelp withmealprepfromlovedonestoo.

3.Addresspainanddiscomfort

Thepostpartumperiodisatimeofimmense changeandit’simportanttobegentlewithyourself. Resisttheurgetobeasuperhero–yourbodyis healingandyoudeservetoprioritiserestandcomfort. Don’thesitatetoutilisethepainmedication prescribedbyyourmidwifeorhealthcareprovider. Thesemedicationsarespecificallychosentoaddressthe discomfortyoumayexperienceafterdeliveryandtaking themasdirectedwillallowyoutofocusonbonding withyournewbornandgettingtherestyouneed.

4.Prioritisementalhealth

Thejourneyofpostpartumrecoveryextendsfar beyondphysicalhealing.Thehormonalfluctuations thatoccurimmediatelyfollowingdeliverycan significantlyimpactyourmood.Youmight experiencefeelingsofanxiety,sadness,oroverwhelm –theseareallcommonreactionstothedramatic hormonalshiftsandtheimmenseemotional adjustmentsthatcomewithparenthood.

Iftheseemotionspersist,remember–youarenot alone.Seeksupportfromyourhealthcareprovider whocanofferguidanceandexploretreatmentoptions ifnecessary.Therearealsofantasticresourcesavailable withinthematernalmentalhealthcommunity. Considerconnectingwithonlinesupportgroupslike FITMAMAorreachingouttoorganisationslike Pandas,acharitydedicatedtosupportingfamilies affectedbyperinatalmentalillness.

5.Focusonpelvichealth

Whenyoufeelcomfortable,youcanincorporate pelvicfloorexercisesanddeepbreathingintoyour routine.Theseexerciseshelpstrengthenyourpelvic floormuscles,whichcanbeweakenedbychildbirth, andimproveDiastasisrecti,aseparationofthe abdominalmuscles.

Asimplepelvicfloorexerciseinvolvestighteningthe musclesaroundyoururethra(likestoppingurine flow)andvagina,holdingforafewseconds,then relaxing.Repeatthissequence10times,aimingfor severalsetsthroughouttheday. ■

OPENINGTHEDOORSTOADIFFERENTKINDOFHOSPITAL

EARLIERTHISYEARWEOPENEDTHEDOORSTOTHEHARBORNE HOSPITAL,GIVINGPEOPLEINBIRMINGHAMANDTHEBROADERWEST MIDLANDSAREADIRECTACCESSTOTHEREGION’SLEADING SPECIALISTS,INOURBRANDNEWSTATE-OF-THE-ARTHOSPITAL.

ANEWLEVELOFINDEPENDENT HEALTHCAREINBIRMINGHAM

Designedandpurposebuiltwithyouinmind, TheHarborneHospitalbringstogetherthelatest technologicaladvancements,withtheskilland expertiseofleadingmedicalprofessionals, givingyoudirectaccesstoanewlevelof independenthealthcare.

Withover100oftheregion’sleadingconsultants, wecanprovidecareacrosseverymajormedical specialty.Ifyouareexperiencingsymptomsorneed treatment,youcanaccessroutineGPappointments, testsandscans,orthelatestsurgeryandtreatment therapies,allunderoneroof.

Wecanalsoprovidethehighestlevelofcarethrough ourdedicatedIntensiveTherapyUnit(ITU),andwe havedoctorsonsite24hoursaday,enablingustocare foreventhemostcomplexconditions.

UNPARALLELEDSURGICALCAPABILITY

Fromroutinegeneralsurgerytominimally invasivecardiacprocedures,orcomplexcancer surgery,ourteamofexpertsurgeonsaresupportedby thelatesttechnologyinourstate-of-the-artoperating theatres.Givingyouaccesstoabroaderrangeof surgicaloptions.

We’rethefirstprivatehospitalintheregiontooffer robot-assistedsurgery,usingadaVinciXirobotic surgicalsystem.Controlledbyhighlyskilled surgeons,thedaVinciXienablesthemtocarryout minimallyinvasivesurgery.

Therearemanybenefitsofthisinnovativesurgical technique,includingsmallerincisions,lesspost operativepainandfasterrecoverytimes.Roboticassistedsurgeryisbecomingaleadingtreatment optionformanygynaecological,urologicaland colorectalconditions.

YOUCANBEASSUREDYOU’REINSAFE HANDS

Ourexpertconsultantsworktogetherwithother healthcareprofessionalsinmultidisciplinaryteams. Thismeansyou’llbenefitfortheexperienceand expertiseofateamofspecialists,soyoucanbe assuredyou’reinsafehands. ■

SeeaspecialistatTheHarborne Hospitalinaslittleas24hours*

TheHarborneHospital,MindelsohnWay, Birmingham,B152FQ Call:01218123051

Search:HCAHarborne

*Appointmentssubjecttoavailability

TheHarborneHospitalislocatedontheQueenElizabethHospitalcampusin Birmingham.WorkinginpartnershipwithUniversityHospitalsBirmingham, thenewhospitalalsoprovidesdedicatedspaceforNHSpatients,including twoinpatientfloorsandanewradiotherapydepartment.

LIFE’S TOO SHORT

‘WEARTHEDAMNSHORTS’CHEERINSTA’SBODY POSITIVITYCHAMPIONS.WECOULDN’TAGREEMORE!

FLOWER POWER

FarmRioWonderfulBouquet printedlinenshorts£170, HarveyNichols

BOLD PRINT

Trailmarksshort £39.50,FatFace

PALM PHWOAR

ReissCalipalmprintbeltedlinen shorts£138,Selfridges

THINK PINK

Tailoredshort £25,Very

SHELL SHORTS

VarleyTulair shellshorts£70, HarveyNichols

PURPLE PATCH

Padstowchinoshort£39.50,FatFace

RIGHT STRIPES

Cottonstripepaper bagshorts£18,Very

PAISLEY PRINT

ZimmermanOttie printedlinen shorts£475, HarveyNichols

ANIMAL MAGIC

Zebraprintshorts £14,F&F

Whetheryouthinkyourlegsarelessthanperfect(whatever thatmeans)oryourpinsareyourbestasset,shortsare havingamomentandweurgeyoutogetonboard. Tailored,floaty,denim,plain,patterned,neutralorbold,goforit. Thankfullywe’rebeyondtightsundershortsterritoryandwe’re firmlyflauntingbareflesh.Ifthat’sdauntingheadtoPage36forsome topbeautytipsonsilkysmoothlegswhichwillenhanceyourshort wearingswag.

BEACHTOBOARDROOM

Shortscanspanmanyoccasions–frombeachtoboardroomand beyondthere’saversionthatwillfitthebill.Therearesomefantastic tailoredversionsthatwouldworkfortheoffice,smartoccasionorcity break–checkoutReiss,Zimmerman,Majeaswellassomebrilliant bargainsatNewLookandTU.Teamwithagorgeousblouseorevengo foracoolco-ordforaboldlook.

Foramorecasuallook,navytowellingatMe+Emscreamseffortless stylewhileaclassicnavyandcreamstripeatFramewillalwayswork. Varley’sshellshortfallssomewhereinbetweencasualandsmartandisa usefulpairtohaveinyourwardrobe.

DOUBLE DENIM

Indigoscalloped edgedenim shorts£58.96, Scamp&Dude

DECISIONS,DECISIONS

Everyoneneedsadenimcutoffshort–thedilemmais decidingwhichstyle.Whatlengthandcolour?Roughedge orfinished?Distressedornot?Theonlyrealwaytodecide istotryonlotsofdifferentstylesbeforesettling.We generallymakeourownshortsfromjeansinourwardrobe whichhaveseenbetterdays.Itworksatreat.Ifthat’snot yourvibetakealookatFatFace,AgoldeandScamp& Dude.Ifyouwantthelookofdenimbutfancysomethinga bitlighter,OliverBonashasalovelysoftchambrayversion.

FANCYFOOTWEAR

AcuteflatMaryJaneoraloaferwillelevateshortsfrom ordinarytochic,butdon’tdismissthepowerofahigh wedgetogiveyouabitofaddedva-va-voom.Apair oftanleatherwedgesisabrilliantinvestment–leg lengthening,versatileandcomfortable.UGGhasa fabrange–ourtanwedgesfromthebrandarefive yearsoldandstillgoingstrong. ■

SHORT SHORTS

Ecrustitch short£55, OliverBonas

DENIM DAYS

Cutoffshorts

£42,FatFace DISTRESSED DENIM

AgoldeParker distressed shorts£155, HarveyNichols

CHIC CHAMBRAY

Chambrayshorts

£55,OliverBonas

MATCHY MATCHY

Navystripe denimshorts£18, TUClothing

HIGH RISE

Me+Emtowellingnavy highriseshorts£65, Selfridges

BLACK ISBACK

Broderieshorts£55, OliverBonas

EPIC EMBROIDERY

Majeopenembroidered linenblendshorts£239, Selfridges

COOL CUSTOMER

Linenblendrelaxed fitshorts£30, CottonTraders

CRINKLE CUT

Off-whitecrinkle embroidered shorts£19.99, NewLook RIGHT STRIPES

Beltedlinenshorts

£16,F&F

PINSTRIPE PERFECT

Off-whitepinstripe tailoredshorts

£33.99,NewLook

POCKET ROCKET

BELT UP

Khakicottonbelted shorts£26.99, NewLook

LINEN BLEND

Camellinen

blendtailored shorts£33.99, NewLook

DriesVanNotenPeza beltedcottonshorts

£495,HarveyNichols

SIMPLE STYLE

Whitelinenshorts

£16,TUClothing

FIVEOFTHEBEST

SILKYSMOOTHPINSMAKESUMMERDRESSING ABREEZE.WE’VEPICKEDFIVEPRODUCTS THAT’LLKEEPYOURLEGSLOOKINGHYDRATED ANDGLOWINGTHROUGHOUTTHESEASON

1.NEUTROGENANORWEGIANFORMULADEEP MOISTUREFASTABSORBINGBODYLOTION

£3.63,BOOTS

Thisisanabsolutestaple.Weslatherthisoneveryday,sometimes twiceaday,andhavedoneforyears.It’scheapaschipsbutdoesthe jobbrilliantly.

2.ESPASKINSTIMULATINGBODYBRUSH

£14.70,ESPA

Youcanspendalotonabodybrush,butthisoneisasgoodasany we’vetriedandit’sreasonablypriced.Drybrushdailybeforea showerorbathtostimulatecirculationandgetridofdeadskincells. Whilebrushingmightminimisethelookofcellulite,bewareany productthatpromisestobanishthedimplesentirely.

3.BYOMANOURISHINGBODYOIL£14.99,BYOMA

Wetendtousethisoilasafinishingproducttoaddanextrasheentoour legswhenwearingadressorshorts.It’slightweightandfast-absorbing, sononeedtohangaroundwaitingforittosoakin.It’sfullofgoodstuff andimprovestheskin’stexture.Youcouldreplaceyourdailybodylotion withthis,butwelikethefeelofourbelovedNeutrogena.

4.SOULPROVIDERSSUGARSCRUB£50 (£16TOMEMBERS),BEAUTYPIE

Thisisbrilliant–theperfectratioofgrittyscrubtomoisturisingoil –anditsmellsatreat.BeautyPieclaimsthatduetoitshydrating oilsthere’snoneedtomoisturiseafterwardsbutwealwaysdo–possiblyunnecessarybutwe’regoingforsuperhydration.Use twiceaweekforoptimumsmoothness.

5.ISLEOFPARADISESELFTANNINGDROPS, £19.95,BOOTS

Onceaweek,mixwithyourbodylotionforasubtleglowthat evensoutskintone.It’llminimiseanythreadveinsandblemishes aswellasgivingyouasun-kissedfinish.Wedothreedropsper leg,butitdependsonhowmuchbodylotionyouuseandtherefore howdiluteditis.Playaroundwithitandfindyoursweetspot.We usethelightshade.

1 2 3 4 5

THE BEE’S KNEES

SLIMFIT

PoloRalphLauren

slimfitbrushedtwill stretchcottonshorts £139,Selfridges

TTANMAN

Stowchino shorts£46, FatFace

PRACTICALLYPERFECT

Valentinostretchcotton shorts£990,Harvey Nichols

ADJUSTABLEWAIST

Norwichsideadjustable linenshorts£195, OrlebarBrown

hefrivolousdebateaboutwhenit’sacceptablefor mentowearshortsoutsideofabeachholidayisabit daftandonlytrulydebatablewhencontemplating gettingyourkneesoutintheworkplace.You’reagrown-up, youunderstandyourofficevibe–youmakethatcall.Ifin doubt,don’t.

Whileaknobblykneecontestonthemorningcommuteisn’t appealing,what’ssowrongwithatailoredshortandacool loafer?Achinoshort,tailoredcottontwilloracottonlinen blendthatfallsroughlytwoorthreeinchesabovethekneeis theperfectsmartshortthatisbothstylishandflattering.

Youcan’tgowrongwithnavyandwe’drecommendbuying alighterecrupairtooasthebasisofyourshortwardrobe. Gomadfromthereifyoufancyapopofcolour.Awashed-out pastelpinkorbabyblueisparticularlychic.

THETHIGHSHAVEIT

Youreallyneedtotryonmultiplepairstofindyourideal brandintermsoffit–obviouslytwoinchesabovetheknee willvarydependingonyourheightsodon’tjustgooffa pictureinamagazineunlessyou’remodelheight.Ashortthat sitsonthekneeratherthanjustaboveitisawkwardand unflattering.Youcanalwaysgetthemtailoredtofitperfectly butifyoushoparoundyouprobablywon’tneedto.Ifyou’ve rugbyplayersthighs,don’tgoforaslimfitelseyou’llbe uncomfortableandfidgetyallday–checkoutLestrangeand Mugsyifyou’reparticularlylargeinthisdepartment.

Teamyourtailoredshortswithabillowyshirtandevena lightjacketdependingontheoccasionforagrown-upvibe. Youwantyouroutfittolookintentionalandconfidentrather thanakneejerkreactiontosummer. ■

WARDROBESTAPLE

Sandroregularfitside pocketcottonshorts £209,Selfridges

NEUTRALBAE

Stretchcottonshorts £80,CalvinKlein

CLASSICCUT

Sebcotton blendshorts

£140,NN.07

COOLLINEN

Coted’Azur linenshorts

£175,Gusari

ECRUCREW Kinecrushorts£45, JohnLewis

INTHENAVY

ReissConside adjustableregular fitcottonandlinen blendshorts£98, Selfridges

LIVINGWELLAT SETL

WASANCTUARYINTHECITY

ellnessisn'tjustaboutphysicalselfcare-it’saboutfindingbalance, managingstress,andbuilding resilience.It'sa£2.8trillionglobalindustry focusedonlivinglifefullyandtakingcareof ourselvesbothmentallyandphysically.Setl,anew collectionofdesign-ledhomesinBirmingham’s JewelleryQuarterhasembracedthisholistic approachtowellness,creatinganewwayofliving intheheartofthecity.

WHYWELLNESSMATTERS…

Whilemanypeoplearesatisfiedwiththeirhealth andlives,morearealsofeelinganxiousorlonely.A healthyhomeiskeytooverallwellbeing-according totheBritishInstituteofInteriorDesign,thequality oflivingspacescansignificantlyimpactmental health.Setlwasdesignedbyaward-winning

developerHBDtobeahavenofwellness,withthe resident’slivingexperienceattheforefront:

1.Naturallightgalore

The102apartmentsintheheartoftheJewellery Quarteraredesignedwithhugefloor-to-ceiling windowsthatfloodhomeswithnaturallight, creatingabrightandupliftingatmosphere.

2.Modern,calmingspaces

Setl’smodernkitchensandbathroomsexudecalm, providingserenespacesforunwinding.Theopenplaninteriorsareperfectforrelaxingalonewitha bookorhangingoutwithfriends.

3.Balancedwork-life

Thetranquilco-workingloungehelpsmaintaina healthywork-lifebalancebyseparatinghomeand office.It’sanidealspottogetworkdonewithoutthe distractionsofhome.

4.Wellnessstudio

Moveyourbodyandfindyourzenintheserene wellnessstudio.Whetherdoingyoga,meditation,ora workout,thisspacesupportsbothphysicaland mentalhealth.

5.Rooftopretreat

Enjoysweepingcityviewsfromthestunningsixthfloorroofterrace.It’stheperfectspottogetsomefresh air,improvemood,andreducestress.

6.Primelocationinabustlingcommunity

LocatedonLudgateHill,Setlisperfectlysituated forastrollsaroundthevibrantneighbourhood.Being partoftheJQcommunityoffersresidentsasenseof belongingamongstlikemindedpeople. ■

Withone-bedapartmentsstartingat£250,000andtwo-bedsfrom £355,000,Setlisaninvestmentinwellbeing. ContactKnightFrankat01212336495or newhomesbirmingham@knightfrank.com tolearnmoreandarrangeaviewing.

Setl,50LudgateHill,BirminghamB31FG,www.setl.space

HOMESliving

ALLTHEGEAR

THEPRIMITIVELUREOFCOOKINGWITHFIRE ISSTRONGBUTISYOURCURRENTSITUATION SETTINGYOUUPFORSUCCESSORFAILURE?

AreyoumoreBearGryllsorMarcusWareing?Meresurvivalor lip-smackinglydelicioussupper?Fortheavoidanceofdoubt, we’reinthelattercampandwe’reguessingyouaretoo.

TheGreatBritishBBQ,onceanoveltyeventthattookplaceonany dayhotterthan18degreeshasmovedon.ScoresofexcitableBritsin shortswouldraidsupermarketsoftheiralfrescobrandedproduce–think sicklymarinatedchicken,ready-madeburgersandtokenhalloumi kebabsforthevegetarians.Itnolongercutsthemustardsotospeak. Gonearethedaysofplayingfastandloosewithsalmonella–we’re properlycookingoutsideandwithgreatsuccess.

MaybethechangewastriggeredbythelaunchoftheBigGreenEgg endorsedbychefsallovertheland.Itintroducedtheoptionofversatile outdoorcookingwithmorecontrolthanthedisposablefoiltraybought hastilyfromthegarage.Italsolookeddifferentandcoolandcrucially wasmorecompactthananequivalenthorizontalgrill.

Theriseofoutdoorkitchenshasbeenstarktoo,potentiallythanksto lockdown.Cravingsomething(anything)thatveeredfromthedaily routine–walk,jigsaw,eat,bangsaucepan,sleep,repeat–thegarden becameourbestfriendandcookinginitfeltexciting.Wealsohadthe timetodevotetomasteringtheartofcreatinggorgeoussuppersgenerally. It’snocoincidencethehashtagtablescapepoppedupatthistime.The littlethingsbecamebiggerandmorejoyful.

We’veputtogetherahandfuloftipsfornailingcookinginthegarden successfullyandsafely.

HAPPYHAMPER SteakhamperfromImpandMaker

COOKOFF

Chooseyourmethodofcooking.Thiswillbe determinedbythesizeofyouroutdoorspaceand thenumberofpeopleyougenerallycookfor.As discussed,youhavealotofoptionsincluding smokers,rotisseries,traditionalgrillsaswellas roundermorecompactshapesliketheKamodo JoeandBigGreenEggpluspizzaovenswhichcan bemuchmoreversatilethanthenamesuggests. It’spossibletosuccessfullyroastmeat,vegandfish aswellasbakingbreadinapizzaoven.Abuilt-in versionlooksattractiveandwilldothejob beautifullyifyou’vethespaceandinclination. Obviously,built-inwouldbestaticcomparedwith thelikesofGozneyandOoniwhicharemoveable.

Youcanpickupasmallportablebarbecueforas littleas£29.99,risingtothousandsforanallsinging,all-dancingpieceofkit.Yougetwhat youpayforintermsofqualityandlongevity,so shoparoundandfindthebestfitforyourneeds andbudget.

ADDVALUE

Avoidputtingwhicheverformofcooking applianceyouchooseclosetothehouseandavoid overhangingtrees,shrubsandfencing.Ifyou’re buildinganoutdoorkitchenyouneedtoconsider electricsandplumbingandunlessyou’revery handy,werecommendgettingintheprofessionals. Itcanbecostly,buttheresultcanbebrilliantboth aestheticallyandpracticallyandwilladdvalueto yourhouseifdonewell.Consideraddingastrategic walltoprotecttheareafromwind.

GOGADGET

Asolidsetoftoolsisessentialwhateveryougo for.Atthebareminimumyou’llneedtongs,spatula, ameatthermometerandgoodcleaningbrush.It soundsdullbutkeepingyourequipmentsqueaky cleanwillavoidflare-upsandensureyourfood tastesitsbest.

There’snogettingawayfromthefacttheweather ishitandmisssothinkaboutinstallingsomesortof coveroveryourcooking/diningarealeavingplenty ofroomforsmoketoflowaway.Temporaryorfixed, thiswillallowforincreaseduse. ■

BigGreenEgglargeeggBBQwith modularnestacaciawoodexpansion bundle£2,819,JohnLewis

SMARTCHOICE

GrillfromtheBBQrangeatJohnLewis

GOODEGG

TABLESCAPE

STRIKING ADDITION

KamodoJoe classicII£1,499, BBQs2U

PIZZATHEACTION

Gozneydomedual fuelolive£1,799, Gozney

TOUCHES FINISHING

COOKUP

ASTORM

SaharaStormtwo burnerbarbecue £349,Dobbies GardenCentre

STAINLESS

STEEL

Outdoor

HEREARESOMEGREATEXAMPLESTOGETYOUCOOKINGOUTDOORS WHATEVERTHESIZEOFTHESPACEYOUHAVETOPLAYWITH.ENJOY!

SAFETYFIRSTOXO

GoodGripschef’s precisiondigital instantread thermometer

£16.50,Sainsbury’s

FIRESTARTER

Firepitwithgeometric frame£299.99,Ivyline

COOKINGONGAS

GrillstreamSmashGrillbarbecue£499, DobbiesGardenCentre

THREEINONE

Ninjawoodfireproxl electricbbqgrillsmoker £399.99,JohnLewis

INDOOR OUTDOOR

Pizzaoven£799, Ooni

Coloradoskewer set£39.99,Ivyline

BRUSHUP

Brush£2.99, HomeSense

WOODFIRED

Homebullet pizzaoven £189.99, Very

FromthePottingBench withAdam

FLAMINGJUNEISHEREAND,FINGERSCROSSED,IT’STHETIMETO SITBACK,SOAKUPTHESUNSHINEANDENJOYTHEFRUITSOFYOUR LABOUR,SAYSOURGREEN-FINGEREDEXPERTADAMKIRTLAND

Afterasomewhatwetspring,issummer finallyhere?Let’shopeso!Summeristhat timeofyearwhenIliketothinkthatwecan sitbackandstarttoenjoythefruitsofourlabour, theflowersarebloomingandyourcropsaregetting biggerasthedaysgoon.Butifyou’reitchingtokeep going(justlikeme)thenhereareafewthingstobe gettingonwiththismonth.

Fillgapswithlusciouslilies

Elevateyourgardenborderseffortlesslywith burstsofinstantcolourbystrategicallyplacingpots oftallbulbs.Incorporatethesimplicityofthis techniqueasyoufillthoseemptyspaceswiththe vibrantbloomsoffragrantlilies,gapswillbe appearingandaddingtheoddpotortwohereand therecanimproveabordereffortlessly.

Imaginethedelightofwatchingasthesetall, gracefulstemsemergefromtheirpots,reaching towardsthesky,deckedwithdelicateyetshow-

stoppingflowers.Scentedlilies,withtheir captivatingfragranceandelegantpetals,aresureto charmthesensesandbecomethefocalpointof yourgardenborders.What’smore,thisapproachis perfectforbeginners,requiringminimaleffort andexpertise.

Simplyselectavarietyoflily,planttheminpots, andpositionthemcleverlyinyourborderstofillany gapsyoufind.Withjustafewpotsoftallbulbs,you caneasilybreathenewlifeintospacesthatwould otherwisebeempty.Liliesarearelativelynewaddition toourgardenandIusedtothinktheywereoldfashionedbutonceyouacceptthattheygiveyounot onlycolour,butscenttoothenthey’rearealwinner.

Feedformaximumgrowth

Revitaliseyourgardenwithaseaweed-based gardenfeed.It’sasimpleyeteffectivewaytonourish yourplantsandpromotelushgrowth.Justfollowthe instructionsonthebottletodilutetheseaweed

Regularwatering,plusseaweed-basedfeedwillboost plantsandensureagreatshowofsummerblooms

Liliesinpotsaddinstantcolour togapsinborders

concentrate,thenwateritaroundthebaseofyour plants.Thisnaturalsolutionisteemingwith nutrientsstraightfromtheocean,providingyour gardenwitheverythingitneedstothrive.

Seaweedfeedissuitableforalltypesofplants throughouttheentiregrowingseason.Notonlydoes itenrichthesoil,butitalsoboostsplantresilience againstpestsanddiseases,ensuringahealthygarden year-round.What’smore,seaweedfeedis environmentallyfriendly,makingitasustainable choiceforgardenerswhocareabouttheplanet.By incorporatingthisnaturalfeedintoyourgardening routine,youcannurtureyourplantswhile minimisingyourenvironmentalimpact.

Itsespeciallyimportanttofeedpotsasovertime,the benefitsandnutrientsaddedtothecompostwillwear thinandthisadditionalfeedwithkeepcontainers lookingfresh,hopefullyfortherestoftheseason.

Alawntodiefor!

Keepyourlawnlookingitsbestwithregular mowingsessionsthatareaseasyasawalkinthe park.Asthesummersunshinesbright,yourlawn

willpracticallygrowbeforeyoureyesandsome summersit’llneedatrimeveryweek.Butdon'tfeel likeyouneedtoturnitintoamarathon!Breakit downintomanageablechunks,perhapstacklinga sectionatatime,makingsuretomaintainandeven lengthacrossthewholespace.

Remember,varietyisthespiceoflife–orinthiscase, thekeytoahealthylawn!Whilemowingregularly helpskeepthingstidy,leavingsomepartswildaddsa touchofnaturalbeautytoyourgarden.Allow wildflowerstoflourishincertainareas,providinga havenforpollinatorsandaddingasplashofcolourto yourgarden.Wildflowerpatchesareactually notoriouslytoughtogetgoing,butifyoustickwithit thenyoucouldcreatesomethingreallyratherspecial. Howaboutit,willyoukeep‘NoMowMay’going onintoJunetoo? ■

CHECKINWITHADAM

FollowAdamonInstagram@viewfromthepottingbenchandlistentohis podcastTalesfromThePottingBenchformoregardeninginspiration. YoucanalsoreadAdam’sblogatviewfromthepottingbench.com

LUXURY REDEFINED

STATE-OF-THE-ARTPRESTIGE,COMFORTANDTECHNOLOGY DOESN’TCOMECHEAP,BUTTHENMERCEDESNEWALL-ELECTRIC EQS580SUVISSOMETHINGVERYSPECIAL,SAYSSUECOOKE

Astateofgreatcomfortorelegance,especially wheninvolvinggreatexpense,isthe dictionarydescriptionoftheword‘luxury’ andthesewordscametomindasIdroveaMercedesBenzthismonth.

For2024,thefour-wheeldriveEQS580has receivedanextensiveupdate.Theall-electricSUV whichcurrentlyhasadrivingrangeofupto400 miles,hasanewradiatorcoverwithhead-turning chromeapplicationsandevenmorecomfortinthe rear.Toaddtothevisualdrama,therearetwohuge rearexhaustsandrunningboards,whichalsogive easieraccesstothecabin.

Cutting-edgetechnologymetthepinnacleof luxuryasIsetoutonajourneyatdusk.Thenew innovativedigitalheadlampssprungintolifewiththe mostentertaininglightshowthatIhaveeverseen. Theheadlampsworklikeaprojectorwithmorethan onemillionpixelsperheadlampthatrespondwith brilliantlighttochangingtraffic,roadorweather conditions.Theultrarangehighbeammademefeel Iwasdrivingindaylight!Onswitchingoffthe ignition,amultitudeoflightsdanceintoview,flutter, thenrisetoamajesticstaticencore.

PURELUXURY

Intheextremelyquietinterior,thereisachoiceof ambientlighting.Butwhatimmediatelyattractedme wastheMBUXmultimediasystemwhichhasthree displaysmergingalmostseamlesslyintooneanother acrossthefrontofthecabin,creatingascreenstrip thatismorethan141centimetreswide.

LuxuriouspaddedseatsinNappaleather,a Burmester3Dsurroundsoundsystemanda panoramicslidingroofcreateaverycomfortableand welcominginterior.

Theinnovative‘HeyMercedes’virtualassistant andIgotonverywell.Sheexpertlycalculatedthe fastestrouteIneededtotake,withtheshortest chargingtimeandeventoldmewherethenearest chargingpointswere.Intelligentvoicecontrol allowedmetooperatemanyoftheinfotainment functions,includingdestinationinput,phonecallsor musicselection.MBUXisabletounderstand differentaccentsandwilladjusttothedriver’svoice overtime.

FACTSATAGLANCE

Model: Mercedes-BenzEQS5804MaticSUV

Price: £153,795otr

Battery: Lithiumionhighvoltagewithelectricmotor

Electricrange: Upto400milesfor2024WLTP

ChargingTime: from31minutesto5hours30minutes

Performance: 0-62mphin4.6secondsandontoatopspeedof130mph CO2emissions: Zerog/km

ThenewEQSSUVisacompetentoffroaderand evenhasadigitalcompassintheheads-updisplay. Ground-breakinginnovationsinsafety,comfortand drivingfunctions,helpdriverandpassengersstay safeontheroad.Performanceisgeneratedbya lithiumionhighvoltagebatteryandelectricmotor. Rangeisupto400miles(WLTP)for2024and powerwillregeneratewhencoasting.CO2emissions arezero.Chargingtimetakes31minuteswithafast chargerand5hours30minswitha22kWAC.Power isinstantwhenIpresstheacceleratorandasIease off,theEQCslowsdowngradually.Acceleration fromstandstillto62mphcanbereachedin4.6 seconds.Topspeedis130mph.

Alargeboothasadoublelayerforhidinganyitems. Thetailgateautomaticallyopensandclosesby pressingabuttononthekeyfob.Storageinthe interiorisalsogenerouswithawideareainsideeach doorandthereisaverydeepcoveredstoragearea betweenthefrontseats. ■

SHOWROOM

Mercedes-BenzofBirmingham,144BromfordLane,Erdington, Birmingham,B248DE.Tel:01213123331.www.mercedesbenzofbirmingham.co.uk

JOE BOARDMAN

Oneoftheyoungestpeopletorunfrom Land’sEndtoJohnO’Groats,Joe Boardmantookonthe1,112-milejourney onawhim.Withinaweekofdecidingtohaveagoat thedauntingchallenge,Joewasoffaccompaniedby hismuminasupportvehicle–hertrustyredMini. Asidefrommeetingupwithmumperiodically, numerousfriendsandfamilyjoinedJoeforshortbursts ofrunningtosupporthim.Roughly37milesperday tookitstollphysicallyparticularlyinthefirstweekofthe challenge,butbeyondthatJoe’sbodyheldupanditwas moreofamentalbattlewhichthankfullyhewon.

Joesayshe’salwayslookingforanadventureandhas beenlikethatfromayoungage–heonce spontaneouslyran30mileswhileonatriptoScotland togetsomemilk!Andindeed,thepreparationfor Land’sEndtoJohnO’Groatswasminimal.Afriend suggestedthatJoewouldbeabletorunthemammoth distanceandaweeklater,hewasontheroad.

Joesays:“Itreallywasanamazingadventure, madeallthemoreexcitingbythespontaneity involved.WhileIdidnoformaltrainingforthis,Irun regularly.ThiswassomethingIstartedduring lockdownwithmysisterandhavekeptgoingsince.”

RunningtoraisefundsforCancerResearchUK, hehassmashedhisinitial£2,000targetreaching £3,700atthetimeofwriting.

BOILERROOM

Theweatherpresentedsignificantchallenges–atonepointJoesetoutforthedayinPitlochryin temperaturesof14degreeswhichquicklydropped to-2degrees.Joeremembers:“Ijusthadtobrave it.Thehotelwestayedinthatnighthadalovely managerwholetmesitintheboilerroomtowarm up!”Healsofacedalotofrain,floodingandsnow storms,butremaineddeterminedtofinish.

Theendoftherunwasn’ttheinstant euphorichighyoumightimagine.Heexplains: “MymumwasfullofjoyandIjustremember needingacoffee.Icouldn’treallyrespondto people.IthinkittookatollonmybrainandI justswitchedoffforacoupleofdays.”

JoeisstudyingA-Levelsinmusic,dramaand EnglishliteratureatBromsgroveSchoolandsays musicplayedabigpartinthejourney.Joe remembersrunningalongtheSevernWayinthe sunshinelisteningtoCharlesTrenet’sLaMer whichisoneofhisbighighlights.Supportfrom Joe’sschoolcommunityandbeyondhasbeen incredible.He’sfeaturedonBBCMidlandsToday andlocalradiowithhisinspiringstory.

NEWYORKTOLA

DeepintoexamseasonJoe’sbusyrevising butnottoobusytocookupanevengrander adventure–ridingonhorsebackacross AmericafromNewYorktoLA.Atleasthe’llbe satdownalthoughpeoplewhoknowhorses suggestitwillactuallybeharder.

Joe’splanningtoropeinhisequestrianlovingcousinbutwe’renotsuresheknows aboutthatyet!Joe’sadventuresfeedintohis trueloveofstorytelling.Hisbigdreamistoget intowritingforthefilmindustry–it’sallhe wantstodo,andwewouldputmoneyonhim achievinggreatthings.BravoJoe! ■

GROWINGPLACES

BULLSEYEFORNINESTILES

StaffandstudentsatNinestilesAcademyare celebratingasArcheryGB’sProjectRimaya, whichaimstoincreaseparticipationinarchery amongMuslimcommunities,receivedahighly commendedawardatthisyear’sBritishMuslim Awards.TheNinestilesarcheryclubhasbeena keypartnerofProjectRimaya–rimayaisthe Islamicwordforarchery–andChrisGuerinand AbdaShaheenfromtheschoolwereinvitedto attendtheawardsinrecognitionoftheir contributionstotheproject.ArcheryGBhas helpedNinestilestoupgradeequipment, expandtheclubandentercompetitions.

BLEEDIN’BRILLIANT

AspiringmedicsfromBromsgroveSchoolteamed upwithparamedics,policecadetleadersandjunior armyandnavydoctorsforfirst-aidtrainingat CitizenAID’sStopTheBleedDay,heldatWest MidlandsAmbulanceService’sSandwellhub. UndertheguidanceofCitizenAID’sexperts,the studentsreceivedaccessto30trainingaids.The pupilsthenputtheirknowledgeintopracticeby teachingfellowstudentswhattheyshoulddoinan emergencysituationtostopaseverebleed.

LYNDON ONTOP

LyndonSchool,Solihull,partoftheSummitLearningTrust,hasbeen nominatedforthreeprestigiousawards.Aswellasbeingshortlistedfor SecondarySchooloftheYearattheTesSchoolAwardsandafinalistinthe DiverseCompanycategoryattheHSBCNationalDiversityAwards,theschool hasalsoreceivedaBronzeAwardintheMakingaDifference–Secondary SchooloftheYearcategoryatthePearsonNationalTeachingAwards.

SCHOOL REPORT

BMethasunveiledplansforastate-of-the-artInclusivesportscentreatSutton ColdfieldCollege.Thecollegeshareditsvisionforthecentrewithbusinessesfrom acrossthecityataninauguralfund-raisingevent.The£6.5millionprojectwillcater fordisabilityandneurodiverseneedsbycreatinginvaluablecareerandwellbeing pathways.SuzieBranch-Haddow,pictured,BMet’sviceprincipalofexternal development,said:“Thisisatransformativeventurethathasthepowertofill criticalgapsintheregionandbenefitGreaterBirminghamatlarge.”

SWINGFORSCHOOLS

SCOUT’SHONOUR

Alocalscoutgrouphasreceiveda£5,000 donationfromPersimmonHomestohelp themexpandtheirkitchenfacilities.Far ForestScoutGroupwelcomeschildrenin andaroundtheFarForestarea,coveringa widegeographicaldistancedueitsrural nature.Thedonationwasmarkedbyavisit tothegroupfromRussellGriffin,managing directorforPersimmonHomesSouth MidlandsandCllrDanMorehead,cabinet memberforeconomicregeneration, planningandthegreenagendaatWyre ForestCouncil.

Golferswhoenjoyalittle swingandplayinginaquartet arebeinginvitedtothefirst evergolftournament organisedtoraisefundsfor ServicesForEducation,the Birminghamcharitythateach yearteachesmusictonearly 32,000Birminghamchildren. Thetournamentwillbehosted byHandsworthGolfClubon Monday15July.Eachplayer willreceivetwocomplimentary ticketstoBirminghamYouth PromsatSymphonyHall. Ticketsforthetournamentare £50eachandcanbebooked atBookMyPlace.

FINEYOUNG CITIZENS

Fouryoungpeoplefromthe WestMidlandshavebeen namedasthisyear’swinners oftheYoungActiveCitizens Awardsinrecognitionoftheir supportfortheirlocal communities.TheyareJoey RowleyfromFirstHalesowen ScoutGroup,JoelRushton fromWalsall,andjointwinners inthe18to25category,Mia Clarkson,nominatedbySt JohnAmbulanceforher volunteeringworkandMegan Baynham,pictured,from Birminghamwhohasshared herexperiencesgrowingup andlivingwithadisability.

THEWILLDEAL

Specialistsinwills,probateandestate administration,PSLProbateSolicitors,has becomethelatestpartnertosignuptooffer MidlandsAirAmbulanceCharity’sFreeWill WritingService.PSL,basedinKnowle,has joinedtheservicewhichoffersindividualsaged 50andovertheopportunitytomaketheirwill forfree.Aspartofthepartnership,PSLwillraise awarenessofhowvitallegacydonationsareto thecharityandthevitalroletheyplayinsaving livesinthelocalcommunity.

TEAMINGUP: Lefttoright,KerryPenn-Ashman,critical careparamedicforMidlandsAirAmbulanceCharity, KellyFranklinandCarolineWildenfromPSLLawand DavidWilliams,criticalcareparamedicforthecharity

SKINCARETIE-UP

TheBelfryHotel&ResortispartneringwithDermalogicatobecomethefirstgolf andsparesortintheUKtooffertreatmentsbytheglobalskincareexperts.The hotelhasreleasedtwonewspapackagestolaunchthecollaborationwhich includetheUltimateSkinHealthExperience,aone-hourbespoketreatment. Usingenhancedtechnologiessuchasmicrocurrent,ultrasonic,andLED lighttherapy,andprofessional-gradeactivesincludinghyaluronic acid,niacinamideandvitaminC,thetreatmentproactivelytargets skinconcerns.

AMBER’SAWARDSHOW

MEDICALPRIZE

Aspin-outcompanyfromAston University’spharmaceuticsresearchgroup haswonamedicaltechnologyandlife sciencesindustryaward.MESOX,founded bytheuniversity’spharmaceuticslecturer DrAliAl-Khattawi,wontheMedilink MidlandsStart-UpAward,whichis presentedtoanewlyestablishedcompany thatshowsapromisingfuture.The MedilinkMidlandsBusinessAwards showcasethebestcollaborationsbetween industry,academiaandtheNHSacross theMidlands.

TV,radioandsportsbroadcaster AmberSanduwillhostthisyear’s GreaterBirminghamYoung ProfessionaloftheYearAwards. TheWolverhamptonpresenter worksacrossBBCAsianNetwork andreportsforSkySportsNews ontheirPremierLeaguecoverage. Theawards,whichwillbeheldon Friday18OctoberattheICC,is thelargesteventintheFuture Facescalendarandcelebratesthe achievementsofyoung professionalsintheGreater Birminghamarea.

RISINGSTARS

TheBirminghamofficeofanationalsurveying, stakeholdercommunicationsandconsents managementpracticehaspromotedthree membersoftheteam.ArdentpromotedSukhi SomaltoseniorassociatedirectorintheLand ReferencingteamandRebeccaJamestoassociate intheLandAssemblyteam.HeatherHegartywas promotedwiththecompany’sConsents Managementconsultancy.Ardent’sBirmingham officeintheColmoreBuildingishometo42 membersofthecompany’soverallteam.

BirminghamHippodromehasannouncedthefirstgroupofAccess& InclusionAdvocateswhowillspearheadthetheatre’splanstobecomethe mostaccessiblevenueofitsscaleintheUK.Thegroupof21people,who representdifferentages,experiences,backgroundsandcultures,willmeet monthlyattheHippodromeaspartofitsnewAccess&Inclusion Advocatesprogramme.Thegroupwillexploreavarietyoftopics,ranging fromdevelopmentofthevenuetothecustomeraccessexperience.

TEEINGUPFORCHARITY

Businesseswillbepitchinginforcharityatanannualgolfday.Coventryand WarwickshireChamberofCommerce’sPresident’sGolfDayisbeingheldat Whitefield’sGolfCourse,RugbyonFriday21June,raisingmoneyforlocal charityMytonHospices.SponsoredbyMeridenfireprotectionspecialistsTBL FireProtectionalongsidetheCoventryofficeofaccountancyfirmAzets,the eventwillseethetoptwopairsinthetournamentgoontocompeteina nationalfinalagainstthebestplayersfromotherChamberregions.

HIPPODROMEFIRST HISTORICWIN

Anaward-winningbuilderscoopeda prestigiousaccoladeforitstransformationof anhistoricGeorgianvilla.Warwickshire-based Vantage&Coliftedthetitleforbestresidential propertyoftheyearattheConstructing ExcellenceWestMidlandsawardsforitswork restoringOldHeatonHouseinBirmingham. VantageworkedwithElevatePropertyGroup, D5ArchitectsLLP,KensingtonKitchenDesign, SteveAllard&SonsStonemasons,ArdenGates andFrameStudiotoreturntheruinedvillain theJewelleryQuarterbacktoitsformerglory.

AidanClucas,anassociateinthecorporateandcommercialteamatClarkeWillmott,has joinedthecommitteeofColmoreCollective,anetworkofemergingfinanceandlaw professionalsinBirmingham.Aidansaid:“Intheearlyyearsofacareeritcanbedifficult toestablishprofessionalconnectionsandfindworthwhilenetworkingevents.That’swhat theColmoreCollectivehasbeentackling,andIhopetoencouragethatevenfurther.” ColmoreCollective’slatesteventraisedmorethan£1,400forBirminghamWomen’sand Children’sNHSFoundationTrust.

NEWROLES: SukhiSomalandHeatherHegarty

SANDYTAKESCHARGE

ITsolutionsfirm,ElectronicBusiness Systems(EBS)ofErdington,hasanew managingdirector.SandyRobinson becameadirectorofthebusinessin2021 whenshe,alongwithlong-standing employeesRichardBates,SimonPritchard andDanPrice,tookoverthecompanyina managementbuy-out.Sincethen,EBShas seenyear-on-yearturnovergrowthand addedtoits20ManagedServiceand cybersecurityofferings,aswellasadding 15newstaffwithafurthereightroles beingcreatedthisyear.

GIVINGWOMENALIFT

TaraAttfield-TomesandHephziPembertonaretheco-chairs ofanewinitiativetomakehigh-growthentrepreneurship moreaccessibletowomen.TheLiftedProject,supportedby LloydsBankandledbyLiftedVentures,hascreatedfiveUK regionalgrowthboardsaimingtoincreasethenumberof female-foundedhigh-growthenterprisesby50percent withinthreeyears.TheBirmingham-basedboardiscochairedbyTara,pictured,founderandmanagingdirectorof PRagency,EASTVILLAGE.Fellowco-chairHephziisCEO andfounderofHonordexdataplatform.

GROWINGPLACES

BirminghamlawfirmmfgSolicitorshaspromotedcommercialproperty specialistPhilHunttoseniorassociate.AndrewDavies,partnerandmanaging directorofmfgSolicitors,(picturedleftwithPhil),said:“Philhasawealthof knowledgeacrosscommercialproperty,actingfordevelopers,investorsand occupiers.We’recontinuingtoexpandinavarietyofareaswithmorepeople andbusinessesturningtousforprofessionaladvice.Philsteppingupto becomeaseniorassociateshowswe’rewellpreparedforthefuture.”

JUSTTHETICKET

NECGrouphasannouncedalong-term partnershipwithAXS,agloballeaderin ticketing,toprovideanenhancedevent experienceformillionsofNECGroup visitorstotwooftheUK’slargestvenues –theResortsWorldArenaandUtilita ArenaBirmingham.

EXPRESSDELIVERY

NationalExpressisincreasingitsnetwork withnewservicesconnectingBirmingham withtheNorthandLondon.Themove comesasthecompanycelebratesayear ofpassengergrowth,withmorethan19 millioncustomerstravellingonitscoach networkin2023,up25peron2022.

BUSINESSBEACON

Solihulliscementingitsreputationasa ‘beaconofopportunityandprosperity’ thankstoanincreaseinemploymentand newstart-upbusinesses,accordingtothe ‘DoingBusinessInSolihull:AnEconomic Snapshot’report,producedbySolihull ChamberofCommerce.

MACDEAL

MidlandsArtsCentre(MAC)andEversheds Sutherlandhaveteamedupforathree-year partnershipwhichrenewsthegloballawyers’ corporatesponsorshipofmajorexhibitionsand environmentalcommunityactivities.Since2021, thefirmhashelpedMACrebuildandreimagineits relationshipwithaudiencesintheWestMidlands. Todate,thetie-uphasallowedMACtoofferfree opportunitiestomorethan15,000residents,work with1,514artistsandcreatives,curate32 exhibitionsandconnectwithover412,000young peoplethroughengagementprogrammes.

6 5

Industryleadersandbusinessprofessionalsgathered attheJamHouse,StPaul’sSquareforanetworking eventhostedbyBirmingham-baseddigitalmarketing agency,EDGECreative.Designedtofostercollaboration andsuccessamongUKbusinesses,theeventwas sponsoredbyORSUK,BoldIT,andPhoenixConsortia withdrinksprovidedbyPernodRicard. ■

7

1 NicoleBrowne,BethHodges,AnneMariePugh,DaniloBasile,JackWhitehurst. 2 PeteBuss,KellyBrown,IanClorley. 3 RemiBrown, LouisePinnington. 4 KateWhatley,AlexandraCooper. 5 HelenBowden,AlexTross. 6 KarlWard,DavidJobson. 7 SeanBarnes, MarkPanayides,TerryMichael,AnthonyBrazier.

SABAISABAIMARKS SUCCESSFULYEAR

Redcarpeteventcelebrates firstbirthdayatStationRoad

S

abaiSabaiheldtheultimatebashatits StationRoadlocationtocelebrateafabulous firstyearinbusiness.Owners,husbandand wifeTorquilandJureeChidwick,rolledoutthered carpet–andthedimsum–foranighttoremember. Araffleraised£400forcharityKids’Village–the UK’sfirstrespiteholidayvillageforchildrenwith criticalillness. ■

6 7 3 2 1

4 5

1 AnoukHorrevorts,TomCullinan. 2 LauraForde,EllieBeattie,TaylorDuffy,DebbieMurray. 3 AndrewFox,LouiseBrown,SuzanneVirdee, AndyBrown. 4 JureeChidwick,KavitaParmar,AnitaChampaneri,JasRohel. 5 GM,KritDangsuth. 6 EmmaHowden,Charlotteand KarlHarriman. 7 JureeandTorquilChidwick.

WHAT’SONliving

WHAT: TheMerryWives ofWindsor

WHEN: 5Juneto7September

WHERE: RSCTheatre, rsc.org.uk, tel:01789331111

Lies,jealousyanddirtylaundry–Shakespeare’suproarioustaleof mischiefanddouble-dealingwhere thewomengetthelastlaugh.

WHAT: Edgbaston ArtisanMarket

WHEN: 8Juneand13July

WHERE: GreenfieldCrescent, Edgbaston,calthorpe.co.uk

Birmingham’slargestartisanmarket returnswithevenmoretraders, offeringagreatervarietytochoose fromsomeofthefinestindependent businessesacrosstheMidlands.

WHAT: PorkPie

WHEN: 15June

WHERE: O2Institute2Birmingham, academymusicgroup.com

TheScottishskabandhasbeentearingup stagesthelengthandbreadthofthecountry withtheirtop-qualitydance-alongmusic.

WHAT: MirrorMartyrMirrorMoon

WHEN: 10Mayto8September

WHERE: Ikon,ikon-gallery.org

Asoloexhibitionbythe contemporaryIrishartistJesse Jones,whoseartistictalents crossesfilm,sound,performance, sculptureand installation

WHAT: Rush

WHEN: 25to29June

WHERE: BirminghamRep, birmingham-rep.co.uk

Anincrediblenarratedmusicaljourneythat tellsthestoryoftheWindrushGeneration andhowReggaetooktheworldbystorm.

WHAT: LukeKidgell:HappyHour

WHEN: 28June

WHERE: TownHall,bmusic.co.uk

You’veseenhimontheinternet,amassingmillions offollowerswithhisquick-wittedviralstand-up videos,andnowit’stimetoseehiminreallife! Luke’s3.5milliononlinefanslovehisoutrageous andquick-wittedinteractions.

WHAT: TheScummyMummies

Podcast:Live

WHEN: 6July

WHERE: MidlandsArtCentre, macbirmingham.co.uk

Heartylaughsandentertainingchatwith theaward-winningcomediansand parentingpodcastersEllieGibsonand HelenThorn,withspecialguestYardley MPJessPhillips.

WHAT: 101Dalmatians WHEN: 2to6July

WHERE: TheAlexandra, atgtickets.com

Thisclassiccaninecaperis broughttolifeonstagewith spectacularpuppetry, choreography,hilarioussongs andirresistiblepuppies! StarringKymMarshasthe terrifyingCruelladeVil.

WHAT: TheGoodFoodShow WHEN: 13to16June

WHERE: NECBirmingham, goodfoodshow.com/summer/ Theshowreturnsalongside BBCGardeners’WorldLive! Anunmissableeventfor foodiesthat’spackedfullof chefsandexpertssharingtheir culinaryskillsandcookinglive onstage.

WHAT: RoyalAscotLadiesDay

WHEN: 20June

WHERE: NailcoteHall,nailcotehall.co.uk

Enjoytheraceswithagalalunchandlivebigscreen TVcoverage,followedbyafternoontea.Plus,singalongandafter-racepartywithWestEndstarsDavid LawrenceandMichaelWatson.Agreatdayout, helpingagreatcause.

WHAT: Hamilton

WHEN: 25Juneto31August

WHERE: BirminghamHippodrome, birminghamhippodrome.com

Lin-ManuelMiranda’smulti-award-winning culturalphenomenontellsthestoryofAmerica’s foundingfatherAlexanderHamilton,animmigrant fromtheWestIndieswhohelpedshapethevery foundationsoftheAmericaweknowtoday.

WHAT: Heart

WHEN: 3July

WHERE: UtilitaArena,utilitaarenabham.co.uk

ThelegendaryrockbandandRock&RollHallofFame InducteesareinBrumaspartofasix-dateUKarena tour,withspecialguestsSqueezewhoarealso celebratingtheir50thanniversary.

WHAT: NetballSuperLeagueGrandFinal WHEN: 29June

WHERE: ResortsWorldArena, resortsworldarena.co.uk

ThetopfourteamsfromtheUK’selite domesticnetballcompetitioncometogether foronefinaldaytodecidetheplacings fortheseason.Shouldbeawesome.

WHAT: GladysKnight:TheFarewellTour

WHEN: 25June

WHERE: SymphonyHall, bmusic.co.uk

Knownforhercollectionofclassic hitssuchasMidnightTrainTo Georgia,GladysKnightisone ofmusic’siconswithan incrediblecontributioncelebrated onthisfarewelltour.

CLOSEWITHÁ

TRACEYMcATAMNEY

BEENTHERE,DONETHAT

Attheageof18,IwasCoventryCarnivalQueen andevenbackthenlovedfund-raising–myyearwas completedwithaparachutejumpwiththeLady Mayoress!Fastforward,Imarriedandhavetwolovely sons,now27and36.Twentyyearsago,whenIwasjust 38,Iwaswidowedsuddenlywhenmyhusbanddied whileplayinggolffortheLawSocietyinSpain.

Isoldourfamilylegalpracticeandfounded WarwickshireLegalRecruitmentandworkedin associationwithWarwickshireLawSocietyproviding locums,somethingIstruggledwithbeforesellingour practice.Then,whenmymumwasdiagnosedwithstage 4ovariancancer,Isoldthebusinessandheldmum’s handduringhercancerjourney.AfterherdeathI sufferedwithemptynestsyndromewithmyoldestson nowinhisownhomeandmyyoungersonatuniversity.

IwasofferedtheopportunitytotakeoveraWomen inBusinessnetwork.Ire-launchedwithinthree monthsandintroducedourLadiesFirstBusiness& InspirationalWomenAwards.It’smymottothat‘weall haveastory’,Itoldmineandwasaskedtowritea book.In2019,IbecametheauthorofHiddenStrength andsetupmyownbereavementfoundationcalled SurvivingBereavement.DuringlockdownIqualified asagriefrecoveryspecialist.

IT’SWHATIDO

AsthefounderofSurvivingBereavement,Iprovide pop-upbereavementcafesacrosstheWestMidlandsand Warwickshire.Theseprovideasafeplaceforbereaved peopletomeetothersfeelingthesameisolationofloss andloneliness.Thecafesarefreetoattendandfunded bysponsorshipanddonations.Wehavetearsbutwealso havelotsoflaughterandhugs!Ialsoprovidefree memoryboxesandbagsforchildrenandyoungadults

copingwithbereavement.Morerecently,Igivetalksin theworkplaceoncreatingacompassionateculture.

IamstilladirectorofLadiesFirstProfessional Developmentandthenetworkisbiggerthanever. ManyofthebusinessessupportmyBereavement Foundationbyofferingsponsorship.InJanuary,we launchedourawardsfromtheHouseofCommons andwearehostingour6thawardsattheIXLDallas BurstonPoloClubon13June,raisingfundsforthe GilesBrainTumourCharity.

BIGGESTSUCCESS

Personally,seeingmysonsgrowintosuchwonderful youngmen–theirdadwouldbesoproud. Professionally,mySurvivingBereavementwork,being recognisedasaPlatinumChampionforoutstanding contributionasavolunteerintheyearoftheQueen’s PlatinumJubilee.

BIGGESTLESSONLEARNED

IseethebestineveryoneandsometimesIhavebeen alittlenaïve.Willthischange?Probablynot!

WHATI’DLIKETOSEE

ForSurvivingBereavement,morecafesand volunteerstohelprunthem.ForLadiesFirst,seemy awardscontinuetogrowandencourageyoungpeople thattheycanachievewhatevertheywantinlife.

WHATILIKEABOUTBRUM

Thepeople!IlovenetworkinginBirmingham,the busyvibeandincrediblevenues.

DOWNTIME

Walkingmydogs,concerts,theatre–andI absolutelylovedancing! ■