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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?
EDITOR: DavidJohns david@brumliving.co.uk
CONTRIBUTORS: SueCooke,KatieGardner,AdamKirtland
PHOTOGRAPHY: DavidMorphew,AndrewLlewellyn
JaneMorris jane@brumliving.co.uk
RockHopperMediaLimited BurleighHouse,23TagwellRoad,DroitwichWR97BN tel 01905771110
©RockHopperMediaLtd. BirminghamLivingispublishedmonthlybyRockHopperMediaLtdandprintedbyBuxtonPress.Viewsandopinionsexpressedbyauthorsandservicesandproducts offeredbyadvertisersarenotspecificallyendorsedbyRockHopperMediaLtd.ReproductioninwholeorinpartofthecontentsofBirminghamLivingwithoutwrittenpermissionisstrictlyprohibited.
SUBSCRIPTIONS: Thesubscriptionrate(postpaid)is£24foroneyear(12issues).Subscriptions01905771110ISSN2051-8560
10 14 18 26 30 42
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
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
SeeBirminghamlikeyou’veneverseenit before–byridingtheCathedralSquare Wheel.Erectedinthegroundsof BirminghamCathedral,thegiantwheel boasts24gondolas,eachholdinguptosix peopleandreachingtheheightofthe Selfridgesbuildingat35metres.The attractionisopenfrom11amto10pm everydayuntil1September.CathedralCEO AnnaPittsaid:“Weareconstantlystriving tooffernewexperiencestoourvisitorsand CathedralSquareWheelprovidesaunique perspectiveonBirmingham’sskyline.”
contemporarydanceperformancepiecewith themesofregeneration.BALANCE,whichwill beperformedacrosstheMidlandsinoutdoor andindoorspacesthroughthesummer,sees artmeetscienceinchoreographyofthehuman immunesystemcellsandcellularmovement. PerformancesareattheResonateFestival, Coventry,SandwellMuseumsandThinktank BirminghamScienceMuseum.
BRINGINGYOUTHEBRIGHTEST ANDMOSTCOLOURFUL STORIESFROMACROSSTHE CITYEACHMONTH
CallingallRonanKeatingfans.Theex-Boyzone singerwillbeheadliningthisyear’sSolihullSummer Fest,whichkicksoffonSaturday20JulyatTudor GrangePark.Theline-upalsoincludespopularacts suchasScoutingforGirls,TheFeeling,TheWailers, andaDJsetbyDeniseVanOuten.Sundaysees performancesbyTheJacksonsontheir50th anniversarytour,HaircutOneHundred,FiveStar, TPauandTheWurzels.
Adazzlingimmersiveshowwhichcelebratesthelifeandartof VincentvanGoghreturnstoBirminghamthissummer.Beyond VanGogh:TheImmersiveExperiencehasalreadydelightedmore thanfivemillionartloversinshowsacrossNorthAmericaand beyond.Themultimediaextravaganza–at40,000sqftthelargest VanGoghshowevertobestagedinthecity–willbeat BirminghamNECfromThursday1AugusttoSunday1September. Itcombinesmorethan300paintingswithcutting-edge technologyandmusicalsoundtrack.
Lin-ManuelMiranda’smultiaward-winningmusicalHamiltoniscomingto BirminghamHippodromefora10-weekrunfrom25Juneto31August. HamiltonisthestoryofAmerica’sfoundingfatherAlexanderHamilton,an immigrantfromtheWestIndieswhobecameGeorgeWashington’sright-hand man.Themusicalhaswon11TonyAwardsincludingBestMusical,seven OlivierAwards,aPulitzerPrizeforDramaandGrammyAwardforBest MusicalTheatreAlbum.
TheNationalMemorialArboretuminStaffordshirewillbe hostingaspecialeveningofentertainmentcelebratingthe serviceoftheArmedForcescommunity.BostinComedyanda RightGoodSingalongwillfeatureveterangraduatesofRBL’s ‘RecoverythroughComedy’programme,NewOrleans-style brassbandBostinBrass,and‘MASSAOKE–alivebandplaying hairbrushanthemsfromacrossthedecades,accompaniedby giantvideolyrics.TheeventonSaturday29Juneispartofthe Arboretum’sArmedForcesWeekactivityprogramme.
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.”
GiantwaterliliesaresettomakeasplashatBirminghamBotanicalGardens. HorticulturistshavepainstakinglygerminatingseedsfromtheVictoriacruziana,which haslilypadsthatcanreachuptotwometresindiameterandwereonceafavourite attractionattheGardens.TheywilltakeprideofplaceintheTropicalGlasshouse, formerlyknownastheLilyHouse,whichwasbuiltin1852.Thereturnoftheliliesis partofthevenue’sGrowingourGreenHeritageproject.
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.
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.
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.
BirminghamPhoenixhavenamedtheircaptainsas TheHundredcompetitionreturnstoEdgbastonthis summer.BirminghamLivingcoverboyandlocal lad,MoeenAlireturnstoskipperthemen’steam forthefourthyearrunningwhileoneofthegame’s biggeststars,internationalall-rounderlegend EllysePerrywillleadthewomen’steam,having missedlastyear’scompetitionthroughinjury.“I’m incrediblyhonouredtobenamedBirmingham Phoenixcaptain,”saidEllyse.“Wegetfantastic crowdswithexcellentsupportatEdgbaston.”
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
I’lltellyouwhatyouwant,whatyoureally,reallywant.Aseatatoneofthehottestshows intown,that’swhat!Wannabe–TheSpiceGirlsShowiscelebrating30yearsofGirlPower asthelong-runningstageproductioncomestotheAlexandraon21June.Theshowpays homagetothemusicofthebest-sellinggirlgroupofall-timeonanostalgicjourney throughSpiceWorld.Allthehits,alltheglamour,allthedanceroutines–andmore!
Callingallcoffeelovers! BirminghamCoffeeFestivalis backfrom5to7Julyatthe NewBingleyHall.Thefestival promisestobebiggerand betterthaneverbeforewith morethan60brands showcasingtheirofferings.A newWellbeingZonepromisesa one-of-a-kindzencoffee experience,alongwithaline-up ofexcitingactivities, competitionsanda marketplace.Soundsdelicious!
AnewbabylosscentreinBirmingham hastakendeliveryofaCuddleCotworth £2,000thankstoaCoventrycharity. Thespecialcotwaspresentedto WoodlandHouseatBirmingham Women’sHospitalbytheLuca Foundation.Thefoundationwassetup bySharonLuca-Chathaaftershelosther sontostillbirth.CuddleCotsaredesigned toactlikearefrigeratortokeepthebody coldwhichallowsparentstohaveupto aweekwiththeirbaby.
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’.
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.
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
CatchRebusonBBCOne,plusallsixepisodesare availableonBBCiPlayer
Londonduetothecostandshesaysinyourlate twentiesyouthinkaboutwhatyoureallywantand makesomechanges.She’salwaysencouragingfriends tomakethemovetotheMidlands!
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. ■
InthedebateaboutwhethertosettleinLondon orBirmingham,ourgreatcitywonandit’sall thericherforhavingBarbaraandMartainit. ThecreativeoutputfromGibsonKochanekStudio hasbeenextraordinaryintermsofbothcreativityand thevolumeofwork.ImetBarbaraandMartaa decadeagointheirtinyJewelleryQuarterstudio whentheywereintroducingthemselvestothecity andbuildingupcontacts.
OriginallyfromPoland,theirobvioustalent, energyandcommitmentwasrefreshingandexciting.
Martasays:“WelandedinBirminghamtofulfilour dreamsblindlybelievinginourinnerstrengthand determination.Itwasn’taneasystart–butallthe upsanddownsonlymadeusstronger.”
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.”
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! ■
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… ■
BIRMINGHAM’SBARS,RESTAURANTSANDHOTELSAREBUZZINGWITHEXCITING,NEWVIBES. HERE’SOURINSIDERGUIDETOTHELATESTNEWSFROMTHECITY’SEATERIESANDDRINKINGDENS
RiverineRabbithasbeenlistedintheMichelinGuidefollowinganinspector’sreview.TheindependentrestaurantinStirchley wasopenedinJanuarybyAshandErinValenzuela-Heegerfollowingsuccessfulpop-ups.Erinleadsthefriendlyservice,while Ashdeliversherdishesfrombehindakitchencounter.RiverineRabbitcombinesSouthAfrican-inspiredflavoursfromAsh’sroots withseasonalBritishproduce.ThenameisinspiredbytheKarooDesertwheretheelusiveriverinerabbitlives.
SummerofficiallykickedoffwhenFlightClubBirminghamlaunchedFlightClubinBloom,alimitededitionsummercocktailmenuinpartnershipwithCasamigos,thepremiumtequilafromGeorge ClooneyandRandeGerber.Thecocktails,whichincludeSpicyWatermelonMargarita,Rhubarb BrambleandBotanicalGardenSpritzareavailableatthebaruntilSeptember.Atastyfoodmenu featuresburgers,sourdoughpaddleboardpizzasandsharerslikefirecracker-loadedwafflefries.
ThenewWildmoorOakgastropub hasopenedinBromsgroveaftera £500,000refurbishmentofthe much-lovedlocal.Leadingtheway isasmartnewinteriorand garden,withtopqualityseasonal foodanddrinkonofferfromthe highlyexperiencedteamheaded upbyBexWilkinsandwifeSarah Robinson,whospentthelast decadeatPeachPubsrunning award-winninggastropubsacross theWestMidlandsand Warwickshire.HeadchefPeter JacksonhailsfromMichelin-starred CartersofMoseleyinBirmingham.
Alocalhomepizzachefhasreachedthe semi-finalsoftheUK’sBestHomePizzaChef competition.AriAngelidesfromSuttonColdfieldpaid homagetohisGreekCypriotrootswithaGreekinspired,flavour-packedlayeredpizza.Ari,30, said:“Cookingandfoodareahugepartofmylife andbeinghalfGreekCypriothasalwayshada biginfluence.”Thenation’sbesthome pizzachefwillberevealedatthe endofJune.
Award-winningMidlandschefNitishaPatel cookedupastormtoraiseawarenessof mentalhealthissuesataspecialFutureFaces networkingevent.HostedbyWillCrawford, founderofmentalhealthandwellbeing companyquietnoteandheadofthewellbeing workinggroupfortheFutureFacescommittee, theeventwasheldatLiquidPR.Nitisha cookedacoconutdahlwhiletalkingtothe youngprofessionalsabouthoweatinghomecookedfoodcansavemoney,improvemental healthandhelpyoutofocusmoreatwork.
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.”
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. ■
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.
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
■ 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
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.
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.
Whenyoufeelcomfortable,youcanincorporate pelvicfloorexercisesanddeepbreathingintoyour routine.Theseexerciseshelpstrengthenyourpelvic floormuscles,whichcanbeweakenedbychildbirth, andimproveDiastasisrecti,aseparationofthe abdominalmuscles.
Asimplepelvicfloorexerciseinvolvestighteningthe musclesaroundyoururethra(likestoppingurine flow)andvagina,holdingforafewseconds,then relaxing.Repeatthissequence10times,aimingfor severalsetsthroughouttheday. ■
EARLIERTHISYEARWEOPENEDTHEDOORSTOTHEHARBORNE HOSPITAL,GIVINGPEOPLEINBIRMINGHAMANDTHEBROADERWEST MIDLANDSAREADIRECTACCESSTOTHEREGION’SLEADING SPECIALISTS,INOURBRANDNEWSTATE-OF-THE-ARTHOSPITAL.
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.
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.
‘WEARTHEDAMNSHORTS’CHEERINSTA’SBODY POSITIVITYCHAMPIONS.WECOULDN’TAGREEMORE!
FarmRioWonderfulBouquet printedlinenshorts£170, HarveyNichols
Trailmarksshort £39.50,FatFace
PALM PHWOAR
ReissCalipalmprintbeltedlinen shorts£138,Selfridges
Tailoredshort £25,Very
VarleyTulair shellshorts£70, HarveyNichols
Padstowchinoshort£39.50,FatFace
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.
Shortscanspanmanyoccasions–frombeachtoboardroomand beyondthere’saversionthatwillfitthebill.Therearesomefantastic tailoredversionsthatwouldworkfortheoffice,smartoccasionorcity break–checkoutReiss,Zimmerman,Majeaswellassomebrilliant bargainsatNewLookandTU.Teamwithagorgeousblouseorevengo foracoolco-ordforaboldlook.
Foramorecasuallook,navytowellingatMe+Emscreamseffortless stylewhileaclassicnavyandcreamstripeatFramewillalwayswork. Varley’sshellshortfallssomewhereinbetweencasualandsmartandisa usefulpairtohaveinyourwardrobe.
Indigoscalloped edgedenim shorts£58.96, Scamp&Dude
Everyoneneedsadenimcutoffshort–thedilemmais decidingwhichstyle.Whatlengthandcolour?Roughedge orfinished?Distressedornot?Theonlyrealwaytodecide istotryonlotsofdifferentstylesbeforesettling.We generallymakeourownshortsfromjeansinourwardrobe whichhaveseenbetterdays.Itworksatreat.Ifthat’snot yourvibetakealookatFatFace,AgoldeandScamp& Dude.Ifyouwantthelookofdenimbutfancysomethinga bitlighter,OliverBonashasalovelysoftchambrayversion.
AcuteflatMaryJaneoraloaferwillelevateshortsfrom ordinarytochic,butdon’tdismissthepowerofahigh wedgetogiveyouabitofaddedva-va-voom.Apair oftanleatherwedgesisabrilliantinvestment–leg lengthening,versatileandcomfortable.UGGhasa fabrange–ourtanwedgesfromthebrandarefive yearsoldandstillgoingstrong. ■
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
Me+Emtowellingnavy highriseshorts£65, Selfridges
Broderieshorts£55, OliverBonas
Majeopenembroidered linenblendshorts£239, Selfridges
COOL CUSTOMER
Linenblendrelaxed fitshorts£30, CottonTraders
Off-whitecrinkle embroidered shorts£19.99, NewLook RIGHT STRIPES
Beltedlinenshorts
£16,F&F
Off-whitepinstripe tailoredshorts
£33.99,NewLook
Khakicottonbelted shorts£26.99, NewLook
Camellinen
blendtailored shorts£33.99, NewLook
DriesVanNotenPeza beltedcottonshorts
£495,HarveyNichols
Whitelinenshorts
£16,TUClothing
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
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.
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
ellnessisn'tjustaboutphysicalselfcare-it’saboutfindingbalance, managingstress,andbuilding resilience.It'sa£2.8trillionglobalindustry focusedonlivinglifefullyandtakingcareof ourselvesbothmentallyandphysically.Setl,anew collectionofdesign-ledhomesinBirmingham’s JewelleryQuarterhasembracedthisholistic approachtowellness,creatinganewwayofliving intheheartofthecity.
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
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.
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.
Avoidputtingwhicheverformofcooking applianceyouchooseclosetothehouseandavoid overhangingtrees,shrubsandfencing.Ifyou’re buildinganoutdoorkitchenyouneedtoconsider electricsandplumbingandunlessyou’revery handy,werecommendgettingintheprofessionals. Itcanbecostly,buttheresultcanbebrilliantboth aestheticallyandpracticallyandwilladdvalueto yourhouseifdonewell.Consideraddingastrategic walltoprotecttheareafromwind.
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 GOODEGGSTRIKING ADDITION
KamodoJoe classicII£1,499, BBQs2U
PIZZATHEACTION
Gozneydomedual fuelolive£1,799, Gozney
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
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.
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.
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? ■
FollowAdamonInstagram@viewfromthepottingbenchandlistentohis podcastTalesfromThePottingBenchformoregardeninginspiration. YoucanalsoreadAdam’sblogatviewfromthepottingbench.com
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.
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.
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. ■
Mercedes-BenzofBirmingham,144BromfordLane,Erdington, Birmingham,B248DE.Tel:01213123331.www.mercedesbenzofbirmingham.co.uk
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.
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.
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! ■
StaffandstudentsatNinestilesAcademyare celebratingasArcheryGB’sProjectRimaya, whichaimstoincreaseparticipationinarchery amongMuslimcommunities,receivedahighly commendedawardatthisyear’sBritishMuslim Awards.TheNinestilesarcheryclubhasbeena keypartnerofProjectRimaya–rimayaisthe Islamicwordforarchery–andChrisGuerinand AbdaShaheenfromtheschoolwereinvitedto attendtheawardsinrecognitionoftheir contributionstotheproject.ArcheryGBhas helpedNinestilestoupgradeequipment, expandtheclubandentercompetitions.
AspiringmedicsfromBromsgroveSchoolteamed upwithparamedics,policecadetleadersandjunior armyandnavydoctorsforfirst-aidtrainingat CitizenAID’sStopTheBleedDay,heldatWest MidlandsAmbulanceService’sSandwellhub. UndertheguidanceofCitizenAID’sexperts,the studentsreceivedaccessto30trainingaids.The pupilsthenputtheirknowledgeintopracticeby teachingfellowstudentswhattheyshoulddoinan emergencysituationtostopaseverebleed.
LyndonSchool,Solihull,partoftheSummitLearningTrust,hasbeen nominatedforthreeprestigiousawards.Aswellasbeingshortlistedfor SecondarySchooloftheYearattheTesSchoolAwardsandafinalistinthe DiverseCompanycategoryattheHSBCNationalDiversityAwards,theschool hasalsoreceivedaBronzeAwardintheMakingaDifference–Secondary SchooloftheYearcategoryatthePearsonNationalTeachingAwards.
BMethasunveiledplansforastate-of-the-artInclusivesportscentreatSutton ColdfieldCollege.Thecollegeshareditsvisionforthecentrewithbusinessesfrom acrossthecityataninauguralfund-raisingevent.The£6.5millionprojectwillcater fordisabilityandneurodiverseneedsbycreatinginvaluablecareerandwellbeing pathways.SuzieBranch-Haddow,pictured,BMet’sviceprincipalofexternal development,said:“Thisisatransformativeventurethathasthepowertofill criticalgapsintheregionandbenefitGreaterBirminghamatlarge.”
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.
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.
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
TheBelfryHotel&ResortispartneringwithDermalogicatobecomethefirstgolf andsparesortintheUKtooffertreatmentsbytheglobalskincareexperts.The hotelhasreleasedtwonewspapackagestolaunchthecollaborationwhich includetheUltimateSkinHealthExperience,aone-hourbespoketreatment. Usingenhancedtechnologiessuchasmicrocurrent,ultrasonic,andLED lighttherapy,andprofessional-gradeactivesincludinghyaluronic acid,niacinamideandvitaminC,thetreatmentproactivelytargets skinconcerns.
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.
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.
Businesseswillbepitchinginforcharityatanannualgolfday.Coventryand WarwickshireChamberofCommerce’sPresident’sGolfDayisbeingheldat Whitefield’sGolfCourse,RugbyonFriday21June,raisingmoneyforlocal charityMytonHospices.SponsoredbyMeridenfireprotectionspecialistsTBL FireProtectionalongsidetheCoventryofficeofaccountancyfirmAzets,the eventwillseethetoptwopairsinthetournamentgoontocompeteina nationalfinalagainstthebestplayersfromotherChamberregions.
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.
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.
TaraAttfield-TomesandHephziPembertonaretheco-chairs ofanewinitiativetomakehigh-growthentrepreneurship moreaccessibletowomen.TheLiftedProject,supportedby LloydsBankandledbyLiftedVentures,hascreatedfiveUK regionalgrowthboardsaimingtoincreasethenumberof female-foundedhigh-growthenterprisesby50percent withinthreeyears.TheBirmingham-basedboardiscochairedbyTara,pictured,founderandmanagingdirectorof PRagency,EASTVILLAGE.Fellowco-chairHephziisCEO andfounderofHonordexdataplatform.
BirminghamlawfirmmfgSolicitorshaspromotedcommercialproperty specialistPhilHunttoseniorassociate.AndrewDavies,partnerandmanaging directorofmfgSolicitors,(picturedleftwithPhil),said:“Philhasawealthof knowledgeacrosscommercialproperty,actingfordevelopers,investorsand occupiers.We’recontinuingtoexpandinavarietyofareaswithmorepeople andbusinessesturningtousforprofessionaladvice.Philsteppingupto becomeaseniorassociateshowswe’rewellpreparedforthefuture.”
NECGrouphasannouncedalong-term partnershipwithAXS,agloballeaderin ticketing,toprovideanenhancedevent experienceformillionsofNECGroup visitorstotwooftheUK’slargestvenues –theResortsWorldArenaandUtilita ArenaBirmingham.
NationalExpressisincreasingitsnetwork withnewservicesconnectingBirmingham withtheNorthandLondon.Themove comesasthecompanycelebratesayear ofpassengergrowth,withmorethan19 millioncustomerstravellingonitscoach networkin2023,up25peron2022.
Solihulliscementingitsreputationasa ‘beaconofopportunityandprosperity’ thankstoanincreaseinemploymentand newstart-upbusinesses,accordingtothe ‘DoingBusinessInSolihull:AnEconomic Snapshot’report,producedbySolihull ChamberofCommerce.
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.
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: 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.
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.
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.
Personally,seeingmysonsgrowintosuchwonderful youngmen–theirdadwouldbesoproud. Professionally,mySurvivingBereavementwork,being recognisedasaPlatinumChampionforoutstanding contributionasavolunteerintheyearoftheQueen’s PlatinumJubilee.
IseethebestineveryoneandsometimesIhavebeen alittlenaïve.Willthischange?Probablynot!
ForSurvivingBereavement,morecafesand volunteerstohelprunthem.ForLadiesFirst,seemy awardscontinuetogrowandencourageyoungpeople thattheycanachievewhatevertheywantinlife.
Thepeople!IlovenetworkinginBirmingham,the busyvibeandincrediblevenues.
Walkingmydogs,concerts,theatre–andI absolutelylovedancing! ■