Birmingham Living March/April 2023 (issue 121)

Birmingham living

CHEEKYCHINOS SOULMAN VINCENTDARBY PICKLEBALL REVOLUTION

MINDYOURLANGUAGE

FLASHACADEMY PERFORMANCETHEATRE SPECTRA LAGHI’SDELI

uddenlyspringishere–officiallythenewseasonisfrom20March–evenifthe chillytemperaturesoflatestillfeeldecidedlywintry!It’satimeoffresh beginningswhenhopespringseternal.It’smyfavouritetimeoftheyear,not leastbecauseastheclocksgoforwardmybirthdaycomesintoview!

There’sarealspringfeeltothisissuewithloadsofgreatideastoaddsomeextrazingtolife–fromthe season’sbestfoodanddrinkpickstothebrightestnewstyletrendsforyouandyourhome.Therearealso plentyofinspirationalpeopleandorganisationsfeaturedthroughoutourpages–individualsandgroups whomakeadifferenceforthebettertoalloureverydaylives.

Amongthestoriesthatcheeredmethismonth,wasonethatharksbacktooneof2022’sbestdayswhen Birminghamputonashowthatthewholeworldmarvelledat–theCommonwealthGames.Oneofthe bigstarsoftheextravaganza(theydon’tcomeanybigger!)wasthegiantmechanicalRagingBullwhich dominatedtheopeningceremony.Aswereportedatthetime,thebullwasonlymeanttobeatemporary creation,butsuchwasitsimpactitwasdecideditmusthaveapermanenthomesomewhereinthecity. ThatdecisionhasbeenmadeandtheRagingBullwilltakeprideofplaceasalandmarkundertheatrium ofGrandCentralfromlaterthisyear.

Personally,I’dbecomeabitboredwiththeBullring’sbullalwaysbeingputforwardas‘the’imageofBrum. ThenewinstallationinGrandCentralisafreshandmuchmoredramatictake,aswellasawonderful reminderofthoseamazingdayswhentheCommonwealthcametotown!

Coverimage: HelenGeorge,with thankstoTheKingandI

EDITOR: DavidJohns david@brumliving.co.uk

ShelleyCarter shelley@brumliving.co.uk

DESIGNER: TracyDuffy

CONTRIBUTORS: SueCooke,KatieGardner,AdamKirtland ACCOUNTMANAGER: JaneMorris jane@brumliving.co.uk

PHOTOGRAPHY: DavidMorphew,AndrewLlewellyn

JonathanCarter

living

10 14 18 26 28 38

Highlights

HelenGeorge

CalltheMidwifestaronfollowingher heroesDeborahKerr&AudreyHepburn

Spectra

KateDeRight’screativevisionspreads joytotheatreaudiencesforadecade

Food&Drink

Toptreatsandeatsforthenewseason, plusnewsfromthecity’seateries&bars

Health

Passthepickle!Whypickleballisone ofthefastest-growingsportsintheUK

Style

You’vegottopickapocketortwo…we delveintothisseason’smust-havefashion

Homes

Callingallloungelovers!It’s‘chooseanew sofa’time–sowhatlookshouldyougofor?

BestoftheRest

48 50 54 57 64 66

Motoring SueCookedrivesaFordthat’ssoclever it’lleventellyouwheretobuyacoffee!

Young,Gifted&Brummie

VincentDarbyonrecording,writingand soulfulinfluences,plusSchoolReport

FlashAcademy

Educationtechcompanycelebrates teamingupwithits1,000thschool

BusinessNews

Thismonth’sstoriesfromthecommercial community,plusSocialSceneevents

What’sOn

Latestfromthecity’stopshowsandgigsin ourround-upofthismonth’smainevents

UpClose

WithSimonCreed,theatredirectorofthe resurgentAlexandratheatre,Birmingham

NEWS

BULL’S NEWHOME

Birmingham’sRagingBullhasanew, permanenthomeinthecity.Thestarof theBirminghamCommonwealthGames openingceremonywillbecomethe centrepieceundertheatriumatNew Streetstation.Afterafreshen-up,the workofartwillfinallybeinstalledthis summer.IanReid,CEOofBirmingham 2022,said:“Theresponsetothe RagingBullwasincredibleandeveryone waskeentoensurethatwewereable topermanentlydisplaythisBirmingham 2022iconinthehostcity.”

BRINGINGYOUTHEBRIGHTEST ANDMOSTCOLOURFUL STORIESFROMACROSSTHE CITYEACHMONTH

FAIRY-TALEFIRST

stageinacontemporary,reimaginedversionofthefairy-taleatthreevenuesacross theMidlandsinApril.Itwillbethenewcompany’sfirst-everliveperformancesafter securingfundingfromArtsCouncilEngland.TheSnowQueenwillvisitBirmingham’s MidlandsArtsCentreon23AprilandArenaTheatre,Wolverhamptonon27April.

Moredetailsat:https://propeldance.uk/

WALKATHONISBACK!

Birminghambasedcancersupportcharity HelpHarryHelpOthersisbringingback thefamousBirminghamWalkathon,with theeventsettotakeplaceon2April. Opentoallages,there’stheoptionof differenttypesofwalkstosuitdifferent abilities–fromthefull26milestojusta shortlaparoundKingsHeathPark.The eventwillraisefundsforHelpHarryHelp Others,BirminghamChildren’sHospital, NSPCCBirmingham,Birmingham&Solihull Women’sAidandBirminghamMind.

SPYINGGAME

Everwonderedifyou’vegotwhatittakestobeaspy? Doyouhavethenervetoconductsurveillanceona potentiallycorruptpolitician?Theopportunitycansoon beyour'scourtesyofBirmingham-basedimmersive theatrecompany,TheOtherWayWorks.AMomentof Madnessisaninteractiveonlineexperiencewhichsees playerssetoutonacovertspymission.Availableondemand,itmeansyoucangatherateamathomeand playatatimethatsuitsyou.

GEORGE’SBIGWIN

BLACKSABBATH–THEBALLET

Balletandheavymetalaresettocollideinaworldfirst–andBirminghamRoyal BalletdirectorCarlosAcostaandBlackSabbathlegendTonyIommican’twait!

TheycametogethertoannouncethepremiereofBlackSabbath–TheBallet,a full-length,three-actproductionfeaturingeightoftheband’smostfamoustracks re-orchestrated,includingParanoid.BirminghamRoyalBalletwillpremierethe productionfrom23to30SeptemberattheHippodromebeforeperformancesat othertheatres,includingLondon’sSadler’sWells,intheautumn.

ADAM’SSPRINGDATE

BirminghamLivinggardeningcolumnistAdamKirtland willbeamongspecialguestsatthisyear’sRHSMalvern SpringFestival.Adam,whowritesourmonthlyFrom ThePottingBenchfeature,willbedemonstratinghow tocreateacontainerherbgardenontheFestival’snew Tips&Tricksstage.Leadingcelebritiesappearingatthe ThreeCountiesShowgroundfrom11to14Mayinclude TVgardeningguruAlanTitchmarsh,Masterchef’s GreggWallaceandtheRepairShop’sJayBlades.Ticket detailsathttps://www.rhsmalvern.co.uk/

LuckyGeorgeLewisraisesaglasstohis goodfortuneafterbeingtoldhe’dwon £5,000afterenteringafreecompetition atAlunacocktailbarandChinese restaurantintheMailbox.George collectedhisprizeatLuluWildin Brindleyplace–Aluna’ssisterrestaurant. NaomiAly,fromAluna,said:“Wewanted togivebacktothecommunitybyhelping oneluckypersonwinalumpsumofcash whichtheycouldputtowardswhatever theychoose,beittheirenergybill,ora much-neededholiday!”

REP-ROARING NEWS

GetreadyforChristmas!BirminghamRephasannouncedthesmash-hitproduction ofCSLewis’sclassic,TheLion,theWitchandtheWardrobeissettoroarintothe theatredirectfromLondon’sWestEnd.ArtisticdirectorSeanFoleysaid:“TheRepis thehomeoftheverybestoffamilytheatreoverthefestiveperiod–andwelook forwardtowelcomingaudiencestoanothertrulymagicalexperience.”Aprevious UKtouroftheproductionwasseenbymorethan250,000people.

JOJOBOOKS TOPSPOT

Birminghammumand radiohostJoJoSmithis celebratinghernewbook becomingabest-seller. LovingYourselfBeyond Beliefhitnumber1onthe Amazonbookchartsin14 categories.JoJo,whoruns anaward-winning businessaftertwodecades workinginbusiness development,hasmadea nameforherselfinthe entrepreneurcommunity asthe‘Belief,Branding andBusinessDevelopment FairyGodmother’, completewithpinktutus and‘wonky’crown!

SIRLENNY,MANOFSTEEL

CULTCLASSIC

Who’supforsomeserioushigh-octanethrills?Following multiplehitWestEndruns,HeatherstheMusicalissettotake Birminghambystorm!Theblackcomedy,rockmusical–based ononeofthegreatestcultteenfilmsofall-timestarringWinona RyderandChristianSlater–isguaranteedtoraisetheroofwith itsstar-studdedcastattheAlexandratheatrefrom16to20May.

BRIDEANDJOY

BethanySmithandMatthewFoxhavereceivedthe bestweddinggift–£5,000towardsthecostoftheir bigdaythisAugust.Thehappycouplewontheprize whenBethanywasnamedBrideoftheYearat NailcoteHall.Fiftycouplesviedforthetopprizeina drawataspecialValentine’sevent.Bethanyand Matthew,whobothworkatLloydsBankinCoventry, firstmetasfive-year-oldsatinfantschoolbefore re-unitingagainwhenatcollege.

sculpturewhichispartof anational‘portrait benches’projectin recognitionofHerLate MajestyQueenElizabeth. SirLennyHenrywason handastheartworkwas unveiledonthelocal sectionoftheNational CycleNetworkatOsler StreetParknear EdgbastonReservoir.Local residentshadvotedto havesteelfigureserected ofSirLenny,togetherwith localTeamGBOlympians, hockeyplayerJane SixsmithandparaswimmerEllieSimmonds.

CHORUSONSONG

Whatdoamayor,primaryschoolteacher,software consultant,massagetherapistandayogateacher haveincommon?Theyareamongagroupoflocal peopleformingaCommunityChorusalongsidethe professionalactingcompanyattheRoyal ShakespeareTheatre’sproductionofJuliusCaesar. Thegroupismadeupofcommunityleaders, workingfororvolunteeringwithorganisations suchasWarwickshirePride,localchurches,and homeless,climate,andhealthandwellbeing projects.JuliusCaesarrunsuntil8April,beforea nine-datenationaltourthroughAprilandJune.

GALLERYLANDING

GLYNN’SSPANISHTREAT

Birmingham’sfirstMichelinStarchefhas openedanewSpanishtapas-inspired foodanddrinksbar.PlatesbyPurnell’sis justonestreetawayfromGlynnPurnell’s flagshiprestaurantinthecity’sColmore businessdistrict.TheYummyBrummie’s neweateryisonthesiteoftheformer Spanishcafébar,PinchosinEdmund Street.Glynnsaid:“Havingworkedin northernSpain,Iusedtospendmydays offeatinganddrinkinginsmalltapas barswhichisthesamephilosophywe wanthereatPlatesbyPurnell’s.”

GRANDEXPERIENCE

ElizabethParnhamworkedforthelargestartpublisherinEuropebefore realisingherdreamofstartingherownbusiness–andnowshehasopened AuraFineArtatTouchwood,Solihull.Elizabethandherteamofconsultants aimtoguideprospectivebuyersonworksinwhichtoinvest.Someofthe mostnotableartistssourcedbythegroupincludeBanksy,DamienHirstand AndyWarhol.TouchwoodisAura’sthirdbranchintheMidlands,following Stratford-upon-AvonandNottingham. Theworld’smostadvancedvirtualreality experience,SandboxVR,issettoopenat Bullring&GrandCentralthissummer. The13,000sqftunitintheGrandCentral mallwillbethebrand’sthirdlocationin EuropeandfirstoutsideofLondonand willcreateanimmersiveexperience withinexclusivelydesignedinteractive worlds.Alongsideitsground-breaking gameplay,SandboxVRBirminghamwill alsoincludethebrand’smuch-loved roboticbartender,Toni,shaking,stirring andservingupto80drinksperhour. GOTANYNEWS?

PINKYPONKLIFTSOFF

Anairshipflyingoverthe audienceinaUKtheatre-firstis justoneofthemagicalmoments whenthesmash-hitfamily musical,IntheNightGarden Live,comestoBirmingham Hippodrome.Theamazingflying PinkyPonkusescutting-edge aerotechnologypioneeredby thesamecompanythatworkedontheopeningceremonyoftheLondon2012Olympics. IntheNightGardenLivefeatureschildren’sfavouriteCBeebiesstars,Igglepiggle,Upsy Daisy,MakkaPakkaandfriends,andrunsfrom8to10May.

HELEN’SDREAMS COMETRUE

CALLTHEMIDWIFESTARHELENGEORGEREVEALSTHETHRILLOF FOLLOWINGINTHEFOOTSTEPSOFACTINGLEGENDSDEBORAHKERR

ANDAUDREYHEPBURNINAMUSICALCLASSICANDATVWEDDING

WelastfeaturedBirmingham-bornHelen Georgebackin2015whenshewasone ofthestand-outstarsofStrictlyCome Dancing(manyofusthoughtsheshouldhavegone allthewayandwonthething!).Sheeventually waltzedherwaytothequarter-finalsandshe certainlyhasn’trestedonherlaurelssincewithavery highprofilestartto2023.

TheseasonfinaleofBBC’shit-series,Callthe Midwife,hasjustairedwiththeclimaxbeingthe long-awaitedmarriageofhercharacter,1950’s midwifeTrixieFranklintoMatthew.Andshe’salso beeninherhometownstarringinthemultiawardwinningproductionofRodgers&Hammerstein’s TheKingandI.HelenplaysAnnaLeonowensin what’swidelyregardedasonethegreatestmusicalof alltimewithanincrediblescorethatincludes WhistleaHappyTuneandShallWeDance.

FINDINGANNA

StarringalongsideDarrenLee,Helen,38,hasstepped intotherolemadefamousbyDeborahKerrasthe BritishschoolteacherwhoishiredbytheKingofSiam toeducatehismanywivesandchildren.“I’dbeen wantingtodoamusicalforawhile,”shesays,“andI waswaitingfortherightonetocomealongandjust couldn’tsayno.It’sjustsuchaclassicalmusicaltheatre part.”

Shehadenjoyedtheshowasayounggirl,soitwas awonderfulopportunitytotaketheleadrole.“Iwent

toseetheshowwhenIwassevenoreightwhenIwas growingupinBirmingham,”shesays.“Ihaven’t gonebackandwatchedthefilmbecauseIneededto findAnnamyself,andIhadn’trealisedhowmany songsshesings.IknewthembutIhadn’tquite figuredtheywerealltogetherinthisshow.”

Theshowisagloriouslylavishproductionthat’s beenbroughttothestagebyaninternationally renownedcreativeteamunderTonyAward-winning directorBartlettSher(SouthPacific/MyFairLady/To KillaMockingbird).Aspartofarecord-breakingUK andinternationaltour,theshowenjoyedfantastic reviewsfromitsfive-daystintattheAlexandra Birmingham.

AsforCalltheMidwife,Helenhasbeeninthe showsinceitsfirstepisodein2012andhasbecome oneofthedrama’sbest-lovedcharacters,sofilming Trixie’sbigdaywasanincrediblebutexhausting experience.“Itwasalongdayandwewentoverour schedulebyaboutanhour-and-a-half.Butitwasalso abeautifulday.Therewasarealsenseofoccasion. Anditwaslovelythatallthecastgottobetogether.”

‘THAT’DRESS

Andofcourse,therewasTHATdress.Inspiredby aGivenchycampaignstarringAudreyHepburn, Helenlookedstunninginthevintage,high-neck gownthatshereportedlydidn’tseeuntilthedayof filming.“ItwasabeautifulphotographofAudrey lookingdemureandgorgeouswiththissmallpillbox

hatonherhead,andalongveil.Trixie’sversion waslooselybasedaroundthat.”

Itwasn’tuntilshewas15thatHelen,originally fromHarborne,wasbittenbytheactingbug.The daughterofapoliticsprofessorandasocialworker, shehadpreviouslybeenintoathleticsandwanted tobealongjumperbeforedecidingthatinstead she’dbethefirstfemalefootballmanagerofher favouritefootballclubAstonVilla!

TheEdgbastonHighSchoolstudentchanged directionagainafterappearinginaproductionof LesMiserablesandfromthatmomentherheart wassetonbecomingamusicalactress.She attendedregularlessonsatBrockwayMorrisSchool ofDanceandbecameajuniorassociateat BirminghamRoyalBallet.Herbedroomwallhad picturesofherfavouritedancer,CoventGarden ballerinaDameDarceyBussell.Helenworkedina localfloristtoearnmoneytogotoBirmingham SchoolofActingandthentheRoyalAcademyof Music,whereshetrainedinmusicaltheatre.

HAPPIESTTIME

Singingengagementsfollowedwhichsawher performattheRoyalAlbertHallandWembley Arena,singingbackingvocalswithEltonJohn.Her actingcreditsincludeHotelBabylon,TheThree Musketeers,ScarTissue,DoctorsandHollyoaks, plustheatrerolesinAndrewLloydWebber’sThe WomaninWhite,IntoTheWoods,andHigh SchoolMusical.

ButCalltheMidwifechangedeverythingand hasmadeHelenthehugenationally-recognised starsheistoday.Yetdespitethefame,Helenis adamantthatherhappiesttimewillalwaysbethe daysspentinBrum–“asachildplayinginmy parents’garden,whichtheystillhave,andwhere mydaughtersplay,swingingonmyswingthatmy dadmadeforme”. ■

TheKingandItourcontinuesthroughtoJulywith moredetailsavailableat:kingandimusical.co.uk

JOYFULLY CONNECTED

WecaughtupwithfounderofSpectra,KateDeRightwhose visionforcreatinginteractive,collaborativeworkhasbeen spreadingimmersivejoytotheatreaudiencesforadecade

KateDeRightfoundedSpectra10yearsago inspiredbythetypeoftheatreshelikedto seeandwithaparticularfocusonachieving astrongconnectionwithaudiencesbyincluding them,sotheyneverfeelonthe‘othersideofthe wall’.Whileit’smorecollaborativethantraditional theatreit’snotascaryforcedaudienceparticipation scenariowhich,frankly,bringsusoutinacoldsweat. Katereassuresusthereare‘broadwaystoget involved’andit’smoreaboutbeingwelcomingand inclusive.

AtthetimeofSpectra’sinception,Katewas workingwithsomepeoplewithautismwhooftenfelt liketheywereontheothersideofthewall,soshe listenedandtookonboardtheirissuesandviews creatingsomethingshe’sproudofusingtheinsight fromtheirfirst-handexpertknowledge.Thefirst showexploredinvitingtheaudienceinratherthan merelycomeinandsitdownwhichresultedin inclusivityandrelevance.

Thesedayswe’reallfamiliarwithrelaxed performances,howeverSpectraismuchmorethana fewrelaxeddateswithinastandardshow’srun–inclusionisembeddedineverythingtheycreate,it’s centraltothecompany’sethos.Ithelpsperhapsthat Spectra’sperformancesaren’talwaysintraditional theatresettings–forinstance,sometimesoutdoor,

sometimeslargeinstallations–itvariesbutthe constantisawideappeal.Katesays:“Ithasbroad appealtodifferentages.Someonecomparedour productionstotheSimpsonsinthatyoungpeople laughatitwhileolderpeopledoto,butatsomething different–politicalmaybe.”

ROOMTOGROW

ThefirsteightyearsofSpectrawereessentially aboutKate‘squirrellingaway’,thenthetheatre receivedafundinggrantthatmeantshewasableto bringbetween20and30peopleonboardfora specificproject.ThetheatreisabouttojointheArts Council’sNationalPortfoliowhichmeansSpectra willbeabletoemployacoreteamofsalariedpeople, fiveofthosefull-timewithmorebroughtinwhen needed.Kateexplains:“Itebbsandflowsdepending ontheproject.Wealsoofteninvolvedifferent communitygroups.”

Covidlockdownsclearlypresentedchallenges,but thankstoanemergencygrantfromtheArtsCouncil andKate’sinventiveleadershipthecompanytookto Zoom.IntrueSpectrastyleitwasn’tasitdownand watchvibe.Everyonewhosigneduptowatcha performancereceivedasensoryboxfullofgoodiesto enhancetheexperienceandsqueezeeverybitof enjoymentfromtheshow.

ItworkedtremendouslyandKatereceived emotionalfeedbackfrompeoplewhoweren’tableto getouttothetheatre–oneexamplesherecallswas fromthedaughterofamanwhowasbedboundand hadn’tbeentothetheatreforalongtime.He absolutelyfelthe’dbeenthereinthefleshthanksto theinclusivenatureandheightenedsensory experience.ThetheatrehascontinuedwithZoomas itreallyworksforsomepeopleandratherthan dimmingSpectra’slight,it’senhancedit.For instance,afilmmadeatMoseleyBogearlierthisyear thatwasstreamedcamecompletewithasensory parcelthatincludedawoodsmokedsmellingcandle.

ARTSSCENE

AlthoughKateisthedirector,she’skeentopoint outit’sateameffort.“Wecreatetogether.It’svery egalitarianandweholdspaceforeveryone.It’srisky –itmeansyoudon’tnecessarilyknowwhereit’s goingbutit’srewarding.Idon’tthinkwecouldreally claimtobeinclusiveotherwise.”

RegardingBirmingham’sartsscenegenerally,Kate

IMMERSEYOURSELF

thinksit’sinprettygoodshape.“Whilethere’sa generaldisinterestintootingitsownhorn,thecityis crackingonwithsomeprettyground-breaking work,”shesays.“SectorcolleagueslikeMAIA, Friction,TheGaparepushingboundariesand makingchangeinradicalwaysthroughsocially engagedpractice.”Sheadds:“We’vegotdiverse leadershipinbigorganisationsthatishelpingto bringnewperspectivesthatreflectourbrilliantly diversecity.”Onthenotsopositivesideshesays: “WithOrtGalleryclosingitsspaceandCentrala losingitsACENPOfunding,it’snotallrosesand thereisadefiniteneedforgreaterinvestment.”

Spectrawasabouttotourin2019whenCovidhit, sothey’relookingforwardtodevelopingsome touringproductionsthisyearaswellascontinuingto workwithlocalNHSTrusts.PartneredwithNHS Sandwell,thetheatrebuiltagardenatthehospital andhopestobuildasecondthisyearaswellas startingtoworkwiththenewMidlandMetHospital. Kate’spassionatethattheartsarecrucialto fulfilmentandconnectednessimpactingoverallwellbeing,soworkingwiththeNHSseemsanatural step.TheZoomshowswillcontinueasthey representtheultimateinaccessibletheatreinmany wayswhichisahugeandunexpectedplustocome outofthepandemic. ■

ReadmoreaboutSpectra’sinnovativeworkat: wearespectra.co.uk

SPRING PICKS

KATIEGARDNEROFBIRMINGHAMWINESCHOOLREVEALSHER

SELECTIONOFTHEBESTWINEBUYSFORTHENEWSEASON

Springisatimeofrenewalandfreshstarts,and whatbetterwaytocelebratethebrighter weatherthanwithaglassofwine?Whether you’relookingtoenjoyaleisurelybrunchinthe garden,apicnicinthepark,oraneveningmealwith friends,there’sawinetomatcheveryoccasion.

Springisallaboutlighter,brighter,andfresher flavours,andthesamecanbesaidforwine.Asthedays getwarmerandthesunshines,it’stimetoputawaythe heavierredwinesofwinterandembracethelighter, morerefreshingwhitesandrosés.Thesewinesare perfectforenjoyinginthesunshine,eitherontheirown orpairedwithlighterdishes.

Thebestplacetostartyoursearchforthesefresher stylesofwineisinthecoolerclimateregionsofnorthern Europe,suchasGermanyandFrance,wherethegrapes canretaintheiracidityforlongerandbenefitfroman elongatedgrowingseason.Franceisoneofthebiggest andmostdiversewinemakingcountriesintheworld–there’ssomuchtoexplore!

CRISP&ZESTY

Oneofthemostpopulargrapevarietiesforspringis SauvignonBlanc.Thiscrisp,zestywineisknownforits floralandherbaceousnotes–thinkfreshly-cutgrassand elderflower.Itmakesaperfectmatchforspringsalads andseafooddishes.TheUKisthebiggestexportmarket forNewZealandSauvignonBlanc,butthegrapes spiritualhomeisintheLoireValley.LookforthesubregionsofSancerreandPouilly-Fumeforsometop examplesoftheFrenchSauvignonstyle.

AnothergreatoptionfortheseasonisthemuchmalignedRiesling.Forgetthecheap,sicklysweetwinesof thepast(BlueNunhasalottoanswerfor!).Infactit makeswinesthatareallthewayfrombonedrytoicewein, anincredibledessertwinemadefromfrozengrapes.It keepsitshighaciditynomatterwhatthesweetnesslevelso isverywellbalanced.Forastylethatislightandfreshand justoff-dry,lookforthewordKabinettonGermanlabels. RieslingcanbeagreatoptionthatpairswellwithAsianinspireddishesandspicyfood.

Forthoselookingforsomethingalittlemoreunusual, thereareanumberofgrapevarietiesthatarewellworth trying.VenturetoAustriawhereyoucanfindthenative GrünerVeltlinergrapewithacrisp,mineralflavourthat oftentasteslikebitingintoaGrannySmithapple.It’sa greatmatchforspringgreenslikeasparagusandpeas.

KATIE’S4SPRINGWINNERS

■ LesCaillottesSancerre–£16,Sainsbury’s QuintessentialFrenchSauvignonwithripecitrusfruitsandfresh, grassyaromasandflavourswhichfinishwitharefreshing zippiness.It’sagreatchoiceforsippingonawarmdayand pairsespeciallywellwithgoat’scheese!

■ EraGrunerVeltliner–£9,Tesco

AtypicalAustrianGrünerVeltlinerwithbalancedflavoursof appleandzingycitruswithalongrefreshingfinish.

■ Dr.LoosenÜrzigerWürzgartenRieslingKabinett –£15.99,Waitrose

Madefromgrapesgrownontheprecipitouslysteepslopesofthe MoselValley.Light-bodiedandslightlyoff-drybutwithgreat concentrationofflavourfromthisclassicproducer.Trustmeandtry itwithThaifood!

■ TheBestFleurie–£11,Morrisons

ThenameFleuriecomesfromthefloralcharacterofthispretty, fruitylightbodiedred.It’smadefromGamaygrapesinoneof thetopcruvillagesinBeaujolais.

BRIGHT&JUICY

Whilelighterwhitesandroséstendtobethemost popularchoicesforspring,therearestillplentyof redwinesthatarewell-suitedtotheseason.One optiontoconsideristheGamaygrape,whichmakes alight-bodiedredwineknownforitsbright,juicy redfruitflavours.ItshomeisinBeaujolaisinthe southofBurgundy.

ThisclassicFrenchwineisnottoodissimilarfrom PinotNoirbutcomeswithouttheoften-heftyprice tag.Therearedifferentlevelsofquality,soyourbest betwouldbeaBeaujolaisVillagesorvillagesnamed onthelabelsuchasFleurie.Onawarmday,you couldevenchillitdownandpairitwithbarbecued ribsorgrilledvegetables.

Tohelpyougetstartedonyourspringwine journey,I’veputtogetheralistoffourofthebest cool-climatewinestotry. ■

BirminghamWineSchoolisanindependentwineeducationcompany thatoffersfuninformalwinetastingeventsandWine&SpiritEducation Trust(WSET)coursesonline,inBirminghamandWarwick.Formore informationcontactKatieGardneron01212707359,orvisit www.birminghamwineschool.com.

SPRING CHICKEN

Theperfectnewseasondish,whatevertheweather!

Wellit’ssupposedtobe

Springbutwith temperaturesdippingat thetimeofwriting,andeventheodd sprinklingofsnow,whynotwarm yourselfupwiththisawesome ChoozaMakhanichickendishfrom DiveshAnand,theheadchefaFive RiversALaCarteinWalsall.

INGREDIENTS

■ 1kgfreshtomatoes

■ 2tbsptomatopaste

■ ½kgdicedchickenbreast

■ 250gbutter

■ 1cupvegetableoil

■ 2tbspcashewnutpaste

■ 20gKhoya(Curd)–orusecondensedmilkasubstitute

■ 1ltrsinglecream

■ ½tbspKasooriMethi

■ ½tbspcoarseblackpepper

■ 1tbspGaramMasala

■ 2tbsphoney

■ Coriander,finelychopped

■ Redchillipowderasrequired

METHOD:

MaketheMakhanigravyfirst.Boilthe tomatoes,thensieveoutthetomato skinandseeds.Inaseparatepotput somevegetableoil,addgingerand garlicpasteandcookuntilslightly brown.Addtheboiledtomatoes,cook untiltheoilseparatesfromthemixture. Addremainingspices,butter,honeyand asmallamountofwater.Cookforupto 10-15minutes.Addthesinglecream andcookforafurther20minutesNow addchickenpiecesandcookthrough. Garnishwithfreshcreamandfresh corianderServewithsteamedRrceor TawaRoti/TandooriNaan.

FiveRivers,11VicaragePlace, Walsall,WS13NA. fiveriversalacarte.co.uk

SHORTS NI BBLESand

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

TOPTABLE ATICC

LiveeventcatererAmadeushaslaunchedachef'stableattheICCBirmingham.TheDinetableislocatedinthebustling ICCkitchensandoffersmenusthatcanbetailoredaccordingtoeventorganiserrequirements,includingbenefitting fromAmadeus’VegetarianSocietyaccreditationforitsworkwithvegandishes.Dinecanaccommodateuptonine guestsbuffetstyleorsixguestsforsit-downbanquetingoneventdaysaspartoforganisereventpackages.

BAROFTHEYEAR

ABirminghambarhasscoopedahat-trickofcovetedawards.VelvetMusicRoomswonBestBar oftheYear,generalmanagerSteveEmmisonwasnamedBestBarManagerandstaffmember HiliFletcherwasEmployeeoftheYearattheWondersofWestsideAwards–otherwiseknown astheWOWs.TheWOWsarehostedannuallybyWestsideBusinessImprovementDistrict(BID) torecogniseindividualsandbusinessesthatgotheextramileforcustomers.Sistersandbar co-ownersDaniHadleyandEilisCollinsjoinedstafftocelebratethewins.

MICHELINJOY

Birminghamplant-basedfine diningrestaurant,Land,has beenincludedinthenew MichelinGuide.Runbycoownersandheadchefs

AdrianLuckandTony Cridland,theeateryatGreat WesternArcadewaspraised bytheGuideforoffering ‘modernvegetariandishes withAsianinfluencesanda creativeedge’.Thewinning duosaid:“Itisanhonourto bementionedamongsomeof thetoprestaurantsinthe country.Thiscertainlyputsa springinourstepfor2023.”

CURRYCHAMPS

ENGLAND’S FINESTGRILL

TheBelfry’sRyderGrillhasbeennamed England’sBestHotelRestaurantattheWorld CulinaryAwards.Votedforbyculinaryprofessionals, theBelfry’ssignaturerestaurantwaspraisedforits commitmenttodiningexcellence.Executivehead chefRobertBatessaid:“It’soutstandingtohave receivedsuchahighly-regardedaccoladein theculinaryworld.I’mincrediblyproudof theentireaward-winning RyderGrillteam!”

JUSTLIKEMAMAMAKES…

EATINGTOTHEBEAT

Anewprogrammeoflivemusichasbeenlaunchedat SymphonyHall’sB:Eatscafé.Thelunchtimesessions featureperformersandstudentsonstageina partnershipbetweenB:Music,themusiccharity responsibleforTownHallandSymphonyHall,and BIMMInstitute.NickReed,chiefexecutiveofB:Music, said:“Ourmissionistoinspirealoveoflivemusic throughperformance,participationandlearning. Collaborationslikethisallowustochampionthe creativityofourcityandhelpsprovideopportunitiesfor localmusiciansandcommunitygroups.”

NEWBREWCAN’TBEBEAT

AnewcraftalebrewedinBirminghamisprovingabighit withbeerlovers.Davenports’DrumBitterusesamixof British,EuropeanandworldhopsandBritishmaltsto produceagoldencolourandathickcreamyhead.Head brewerParanSandhusaid:“Craftkegaleisafast-growing sectordominatedbylargeUKbrewingbrands,soit’sgreat toaddpersonalityandsomethinglocallybrewedtogive theconsumermorechoice.”

Anew90-coverrestauranthasopenedinBrindleyplace.Neighbourhoodpizzeria,Rudy’s,isonthesiteofthe formerCieloItalianeateryatOozellsStreetandisthesecondRudy’sinBirmingham.Rudy’sfollowstheauthentic Neapolitantraditionofpizzamaking,servingclassicrecipessuchasMarinara,MargheritaandCalabrese.Doughis madefreshdailyusingCaputo‘00’flourwhichfermentsforatleast24hours,alongsidethebestqualityingredients importedfromNaples–homeofthepizza.

BroadStreet’sIndianrestaurantandcocktailbarPushkaRwasnamedBestofBirminghamattheNation’sCurryAwards, celebratingtheUK’stopcurryhousesandchefs.AttendingtheawardceremonywerePushkaR’ssouschefVishnu KandiyalandchefdirectorVinodSingh.CreativedirectorRaiSinghsaid:“Inuncertaintimesforthehospitalityindustry, wemustkeepinvestinginstaffandpushingtheboundariestobecreativeandinnovative.Welldonetotheteamfor theirpassionandcommitment–andhugethankstoalloursupporters.”

LAGHI’S

Weweren’twowedthefirsttimeweateat Laghi’s.There,saidit.Admittedly,itwasa longtimeagoandwedidn’tenjoytheslightly chaoticcaféenergyatlunch–anunpopularopinionbyall accounts.However,theadditionofsuperchefLeoKattou tothekitchenandamorecohesivemenurunningfromday tonighttemptedusback.

Theplaceisstillshroudedinscaffoldingwhichisn’ta restaurateursdream,butonceinsideit’salittlehavenof loveliness–thelightingiswinning,everyone/thinglooks gorgeous,thestaffarecharmingandwhiletherestaurant’s small,theteamhasmadeitworkbeautifully.

It’sourfirstvisitsinceLeojoinedonthebackofalongand successfulstintatSimpsons,andwhileheisn’ttryingtoturn Laghi’sintotheMichelin-starredBirminghamicon,thefoodis brilliant.Forinstance,oozingcreamyburratawithcaramelised fennel,toastedpinenutsandadrizzleofoliveoil.Shredded porkinacrispcoatingtoppedwithsweetmatchsticksofpear, bitterchicoryandapunchymustardysauce.

Or,howaboutrichcarbonarawithplentyofsalty nuggetsofbaconrunningthroughtoppedwithoodlesof

gratedcheese.Perfectcodwithacrunchyhazelnutand trufflepestocrustservedwithearthyroastedJerusalem artichokesandfinally,aporkchop–unfathomably succulent,packedwithflavourandservedwithacepsauce sogreatwe’dbuyitbythebottleandslurpitthrougha strawonthedaily.Icouldn’ttellyouaboutpudsbecause we’dreallyhadourfillbythen,butIcanrecommenda fierylittledigestivcalledWillyChillywhichwillsendyou offintothenightwithawarmfuzzyglow.

Ifit’saneighbourhoodrestaurantowner,Lucaandthe teamwereafter,they’venailedit.It’sthesortofplaceyou wantonyourpatchpreferablywithinwalkingdistance fromhome.We’veheardsomecriticismofitbeingpricey but,honestly,Ithinkforthequality,theserviceandthe experience,it’sreasonable.Wewentthewholehogand scrimpedonnothing,butit’sthekindofplaceyoucanpop inandenjoyadeliciousplateoffoodandabottleofwine andleavejustashappy.

Ourkneejerkreactiononsocialmediaasweleftthe restaurantwas‘aproperneighbourhoodrestaurantwithabig heart’andwestandbythatinthesoberlightofday.It’ssuperb.

FRENCH75COCKTAIL

LoveginandChampagne?Combinethe twointhisclassiccocktailwithlemon

Apparently,thiscocktailgotitsnamebecause itwasaspowerfulastheFrench75millimetrelightfieldgun,knownforits accuracyandspeedandpopularinWorldWar1. It’scertainlygotakickandit’sbloomin’delicious, soremembertoenjoyresponsibly.

INGREDIENTS:

■ 20mllemonjuice

■ 10mlsugarsyrup

■ 50mlgin

■ Champagne

METHOD:

Pourthelemonjuice,sugarsyrupandginintoacocktail shakerthenfillupwithice.Shakewellandstrainintoa chilledChampagneflute.TopwithalittleChampagne, leavetosettle,thenfillupwithmorebubbly.Stirgently andgarnishwithastripoflemonzest.

UNIQUEDEVELOPMENTOFFERS BESTOFCITYCENTRELIVING

AUNIQUEDEVELOPMENTINTHEHEARTOFBIRMINGHAM’SJEWELLERY QUARTERISWELCOMINGITSFIRSTRESIDENTSTHISMONTHASANEW TOWNHOUSESHOWHOMEISUNVEILEDTOPROSPECTIVEBUYERS.

HeatonHouseisanexcitingdevelopment of14freeholdtownhousesand42 apartments,allfocusedaroundthe meticulousrestorationofthehistoricGeorgianOld HeatonHousevillaitself.

DeveloperElevatePropertyGroupsaidthegrand unveilingofOldHeatonHouseatthestartof Februarywasahugesuccess,andswiftlyfollowed byawell-attendedKnightFrankOpenDaytoview thenewly-launchedTownHouseshowhome.

Elevate’ssalesandmarketingdirector,David Hofton,saidmorethan20prospectivebuyershad attendedthelaunchoftheTownHouseon February11withthewiderschemenow75%sold.

“Weareabsolutelydelightedtoseethis prestigiousdevelopmentattractingsuchinterestand

theopendaysawseveralpeoplereserveproperties onthesameday.

“Elevatehascreatedadevelopmentofstunning newhomes,architecturallyinkeepingwiththe industrialbuildingstheyreplacebutcombining21st centurystandardsofqualityandluxurywiththe convenienceofcitycentrelivinginoneofthemost desirablepartsoftheMidlands

“We’reexpectingthefirstbuyersofourluxury apartmentstomoveinthismonthandtheTown Houseshowhomeisnowopenbyappointmentfor prospectivebuyerslookingtopurchasethese impressivetwoandthreebedroomhomesin CamdenStreet.

“AllourtownhousesareFreehold,allhaveterraced gardensandallhaveallocatedgatedon-siteparking.”

Davidsaidthedevelopment,includingsixloft apartments,wasalreadymorethan75percentsold.

“Weareurginganyoneinterestedtoviewearly giventhefeedbackatthelaunchevent.Buyersare tellingustheyarekeenonalocationwhichisjusta shortwalkfromthepopularbarsandrestaurants StPaul’sSquareyetintheheartofthesought-after JewelleryQuarter,whichwasnamedoneofthebest placestoliveintheMidlandsbythe SundayTimes.

“AllofthepropertiesatHeatonHouseofferthe verybestofcitycentrelivinganddemandhas alreadybeenveryhigh.”

OldHeatonHouse,whichstandsintheheartof thedevelopmentwasbuiltinabout1823for WilliamCotterill,awealthyBirminghammerchant ofhighstatus,butacenturyofindustryonthesite hadleftthehouseinpoorconditionandswamped byindustrialbuildings.

Elevateclearedtheareaandhaverestoredthe Georgianhousetoitsprime,withtheapartmentsand townhousessympatheticallydevelopedarounditto reflectthelocalhistoryandarchitecturewhilebringing 21stcenturystandardsofqualityandluxury. ■

Threebedroomtownhousesstartat£500,000,whileone bedroomapartmentsatHeatonHousestartfrom£252,500, andtwobedroomsfrom£310,000.Formoreinformation, visitelevatepropertygroup.co.uk/residential/heaton-house

SellingagentsKnightFrank-01212336495

Elevate-01212725729,elevatepropertygroup.co.uk

PICKLEBALLISONETHEFASTEST-GROWINGSPORTINGACTIVITIES

INTHEUS–ANDNOWIT’SSPREADINGHEREINTHEUK

PASS THE PICKLE

Pickleball.Ifyou’venotheardofit,youdon’t knowthefunyou’remissing!Itisderived fromthesportofrowingwheretheslowest craftisthe‘pickleboat’.Thesportwasinvented outsideSeattlein1965andhasgrownsteadilysince. Itcomeswithsomesurprisinghealthbenefits.

Combiningelementsoftennis,badmintonand tabletennis,pickleballisplayedonabadminton-sized opencourtandwithalowernetthantennis.Twoor fourplayersusesolidpaddlesmadeofwoodor compositematerialstohitaperforatedpolymerball, overanet.Thesoft,lightballkeepsthegamefrom beingtoofastforthoseofuswithslowingreflexes.

Thecourtissmallerthanatenniscourt(44ftx 20ft)whichmeansthereislessrunningandmore emphasisonhandskills.Itiseasiertokeeptheball inplay,allowingforlongerplaybutthesmaller courtmeansthatmostpointsdonotrequiretoo muchmovement–abouttwotofoursteps–soyou arenotover-exertedduringanyonepoint.The smallercourtalsomeanslessrunningandlesswear andtearonknees,hips,ankles–ourjoints.The paddledoesn’thavestringsandwiththesoftball makesthisalowintensityinstrumentwithminimal stressonthetendonsandmusclesofthearms.

LESSTAXING

Servingisunderhandagainmakingthegame easiertoplayandlesstaxingonthearm.Likeall racketsports,pickleballhelpswithhand-eye

coordinationandimprovesflexibilityandbalance andbooststhecardiovascularsystem,whichhelps preventmanyoftheunwantedproblemsofolderage likehypertension,strokeandheartattack.

Asanaerobicexercise,ithelpsimproveyourlung function,controlyourbloodsugarlevelsand regulateyourbloodpressure.Thecaloricburnof pickleballissomewherebetweenbadmintonand tennis.It’sestimatedthatagamecanburnupto600 caloriesanhour,makingitanexcellentwaytolose weightormaintainahealthyweight.

STRESSBUSTING

Itcanrelievestress.Theendorphinsreleasedwith allexerciseareusefulinelevatingself-esteemand combatingdepression.And,asanaddedwelcome bonus,thekitischeaperthantennis.It’sfunand social.Becauseitrequiresatleasttwoplayers, pickleballisasocialsport.It’sagreatwaytomeet peopleandmakenewfriends,especiallyifyoujoina cluborleague.Notonlywillyougettosocialise,but you’llalsogetsomeexerciseintheprocess.Areal win-win.

Youcanplayanywhereandit’sasportforallages fromnineto99,andyoudonothavetobetheworld’s mostgiftedathletetotakepartandenjoyit. ■

POCKET BOOST

FUNCTIONANDSTYLEHAVECOLLIDEDMAKINGTHEHUMBLE POCKETAPLAYFULDESIGNFEATUREASWELLASAUSEFULPOUCH

Weloveapocketortwo.Thisseason, they’refirmlyfrontandcentreand wecouldn’tbehappieraboutit.It’s notanewlook.Fashion’scyclicalandwe’reback tothelatenineties/earlynoughtiesinmany ways.Ifyou’revintageenoughtorememberAll Saintsrockinglowslungcargosandcropped tops,it’llbeafamiliar,evennostalgicvibe.

PocketladencargosatthelikesofFendi, GivenchyandVersaceaswellasonthehigh streethaveinjectedautilitarianvibewhileedgy jacketswithsubstantialpocketsprovidetheideal

KHAKI CREW

Caseycord skirt£55, CrewClothing

GET SHORTY Toffeeshort borgcoat£110, OliverBonas

HIGH NECK

Pocketfrontjacket £36.99,NewLook

CHECK MATE

Anglocheckpattern zipshirt£138,Reiss

INTHE HOOD

Lightweightparka £95,OliverBonas

COOL CORAL Baylorcoat£125, FatFace

CASUAL CHIC Cargosand cashmere fromAspiga

transitionalpiece.Thentherearecutepocketed dressesandcooljumpsuitsaswellasdenim skirtsmadealmostentirelyofpockets.As always,there’sadesignertakingthingstothe extremewithMarineSerre’smulti-taskingcoat featuringmorethan40pockets.Abitmuch maybe,butyoutakeourpoint.Pocketsarein.

Here,we’vepulledtogethersomeinspiration fromsubtletoin-your-faceatvaryingprice points.GoforthandshopormakelikeJean Vintage(pictured)andupcycleyourold denim.It’salook. ■

COTTON TOP

Doublepocket jacket£32.99, NewLook

ZIP IT

Khakitrousers

£32.99, NewLook

GOOD JEANS

LoeweTrompe

L’oeillayered widelegjeans

£825,Harvey Nichols

JUMP TOIT

Utilitywashed pinkjumpsuit

£95, OliverBonas

COOL STONE Stonewide

legcargo trousers

£25.99, NewLook

DENIM DAYS Shirleydenim shirtdress£80, Monsoon

MILITARY DETAIL

MustHavemilitary jacket£75,JoeBrowns

FINE KNIT

MissoniIntarsia metalliccardigan £860,HarveyNichols

SUPER SMART Jacket£75, JoeBrowns

TRANSITION PIECE

RIGHT STRIPES

Monclerpocket embellishedmini dress£580,Selfridges

Clothingfrom OliverBonas

WIDE LEG

Cordpocket trousers£69, CrewClothing

PICKA POCKET Loewelogo denimjacket £1,100,Harvey Nichols

SHACKET IN Leathershacket £199,JohnLewis

POCKET ROCKET

JeanVintage abstractpanels distressedupcycled skirt£150, Selfridges

THE DREAM

Bluedenim plaitpocket jacket£75, OliverBonas

BEAUTYUPDATE

1

1.ANGELALANGFORDBLOOMANDGLOWFACEOIL£20.50, ANGELALANGFORD.COM

There’sareasonwhyGoodHousekeepingvotedthispunchyoilnumber oneintheirextensivetestingofnourishingfacialoils.We’vebeenusingit everynightfortwoweeksincludingoneweekinthefullglareofthesun ontheslopesandwewouldhighlyrecommend.Itfeelsluxurious,soaks inatreatandensuresyouwakeupfeelingsmoothandhydrated.Asface oilsgo,it’sveryreasonablypricedplusonedropperisenough,soitwill last.AngelaLangfordfocusesonthoughtfulproductsmadebyhandwith onlytheverybestingredients.Inanindustrythatisoftenaboutmaking potsofcashquickly,wethinkthat’stobeapplaudedandsupported.

2.GUERLAINPOP-UP,SELFRIDGESBIRMINGHAM

There’ssomemagichappeningonthethirdfloorofSelfridges.As wellassolidadviceandconsultationsfromGuerlain,therearecute, personalisedproductsavailableatthebrand’sthree-monthpop-up. Ourfavouriteisthebrand’sbest-sellingRougeGlipstickwith complimentaryengraving.Yes,ofcoursetheymakegreatgifts,butin theinterestofself-loveandallthatjazz,it’sabsolutelyacceptableto buyyourown,isn’tit?Askingforafriend…

3.OLVERUMPURIFYINGHANDWASHANDHANDLOTION£22.50 EACH,SPACENK,HARVEYNICHOLSANDOLVERUM.COM

Apartfromlookingsupersmartinthedownstairsloo,thislovelylittle duoismuchmorethanattractivepackaging.Firstly,thefragranceis reallypleasing.Secondly,andprobablymoreimportantly,theyboth feelnourishingandluxuriousandcruciallyhavemadeabigdifference toourparchedhands.AswithallOlverumproducts,theingredients arecarefullysourced,90percentnaturalwithabsolutelyzeronasties. They’reonthepriceyside,howeveralittlegoesaverylongway.

4.JOMALONESTARMAGNOLIACOLOGNE£82(50ML) ANDHAIRMIST£40(30ML),JOMALONE.CO.UK

Launchingthismonth,theJoMaloneBlossomsCollectionincludesa gorgeouslyfreshcologneandlightweighthairmistinspiredby bloomingstarmagnolia.Aswellasthesubtle,freshspring-likescent, thehairmistgivesyourhairalustrethankstotheadditionofnatural arganoilandpro-vitaminB5.Anidealspringduo.

2 3

We’veaddedsomenewbiestoourregimeforthenew season,includinganaward-winningfaceoil,someoverdue loveforourparchedhands,aswellasafragranceandhairmist fullofthejoys–plusaverydesirablepop-upatSelfridges 4

TAKE ITON THE CHINO!

THE‘C’WORDISBACKWITHAREINVIGORATEDIMAGE,CROPOF COOLNEWFANSANDINVENTIVEREINCARNATIONS–BUTHASTHE CHINOREALLYSHAKENOFFITSSLOANEYCONNOTATIONS?

WIDELEG StoneIslandShadowProject widelegchino£210 (was£525),HarveyNichols

RELAXEDVIBE 7ForAllMankindLuxe Performancebrushedcottonblend chinos£230,HarveyNichols

Forcontext,weusedtoliveinsouth-westLondon, soourviewofthechinohasbeentarnishedbythe crimsonvarietyteamedwithaTod’sloaferanda heftywhiffofentitlement.AswellastheTimNicebutDim styleofthenineties,thehumblechinohasperiodically founditselfinmaturedadvibeterritorytoo.Surelynoother pieceofclothinghasfacedsuchPRchallenges?

Butlikeaphoenixfromtheashes,they’rebackandcooler thanever.Thisseason’sversionsoftheversatiletrewsrange fromfull-onglamouratLouisVuittontoearthyrelaxed weekendvibesatJohnLewisandevenacoolwidelegat StoneIsland.Canwegentlysuggestnotwearingthemwith apoloshirtandknitweartiedaroundyourshoulders.Give themasecond,nothirdchance.You’llnotregretit. ■

SLIMFIT

TedBakerGenayslimfitstretch cottonblendchino£90,Selfridges

SUPERSTONE Ultimatechinoinlight stone£34,CottonTraders

MINIMUMFUSS Brownchino£16,F&F

ASTEAL Slimfitchinos£19.99,TKMaxx

INTHENAVY Luke1977Alpadark navychinos£50, HarveyNichols

ADDEDDETAIL

LouisVuittongraphicembroidered regularfitstretchcottontwill cottonchinos£690,Selfridges

FLATFRONT Wrinklefree stretchchino£39, CottonTraders

Stratusthree-seatersofa£1,395andtwo-seater£1,295,Cuckooland

LOUNGE LOVER

GREENDREAM

DESIGNERSTYLE

Secondonlytoyourbed,isthereamore importantpieceoffurnitureinyourhome thanthesofa?Relativelyexpensiveandnot thesortofitemyoureplaceregularly,thesofaisabig ticketitemthatneedsconsideration.

Thetapemeasureisyourfriend.Toobigandyou runtheriskofitoverwhelmingtheroom.Toosmall anditmightjustlookabitsillyandnothavethe visualimpactorcomfortyou’dlike.Thinkabout howyouuseyoursofa.Wesuspectformostofusit needstobemulti-functional–chillingout, entertaining,theoddsofasupperandnotleast, aestheticallypleasing.

Ifthesofaismainlyforloungingandrelaxation,

youmightprefersomethingdeepandsquishylike theBigSoftiefromSofas&Stuff.Ifit’saformal entertainingspaceyoumightwantsomethingmore uprightlikethegorgeousBrenesofafrom BoConcept.Ifyouhavesmallchildrenordogs, considerthefabriccarefullyandperhapsgofora boldpattern.Withthebestwillintheworld,it won’tstaypristineforlong.Mostsofasareavailable innumerousfabrics,sochooseashapeyoulove teamedwithafabricyoulove–youreallydon’t needtocompromise.

There’snorightandwrongandintermsof aestheticsthepossibilitiesarewide-ranging,not leastbecauseit’spossibletocreatesomething

TheBernesofadesignedbyHenrikPedersenfromBoConcept

HOMES

almostbespokebychoosingsectionalpiecesand pickingoutaconfigurationthatsuitsthespaceand yourtaste.CheckouttheEavemodularsofaat Nestforsomeoptions.

Whetheryou’regoingforboxyorcurved,armless ornot,traditionalorsleek,we’vepulledtogether somegreatexamplestogetyoustarted,butwe definitelyrecommendsittingonasofaandfeeling thefabricbeforeyoubuyit.Asofamightlook dreamyinastagedphoto,butnotsomuchinthe fleshandintermsofcomfortyouneedtositonit.In truth,allsofashaveadegreeofcomfort–which furnituredesigneriscreatinganuncomfortablesofa?

None,butaswithbuyingabed,comfortisdownto personaltaste,sobepicky. ■

NEUTRALBAE Eavemodularsofaincorporatingcorneropensection andchaiselongueplinth,Nest

BIGSOFTIE BigSoftiestraightarmcornergroupfromSofas&Stuff

SNUGVIBES

SofaandfurniturefromOKA

ROUNDHOUSE

Cartmelsofa£2,295,SohoHouse

COSYCORNER SofaandfurniturefromNeptune

SPRINGVIBES

SoSimpleSamthree-seaterlounger£799,Dfs

GOLDENHOUR

VitraPoldersofaingoldenyellow£5,880,Nest

PRIMARYTIMES

FrenchConnectionzincfour-seatersofa£899,Dfs

TOPTERRACOTTA

Cirrusvelvetloveseat£995,Cuckooland

BOTANICALBEAUTY

Midhursttwo-seatersofafromtheV&ACollection,Sofas&Stuff

BOLDPRINT

Multi-colouredfloral cushions£14.99, HomeSense

BOTANICALBEAUTY

Printedvelvetcushioncover £22.50,OliverBonas

ONTHEEDGE SandersonAdelecushion £55,Next

TOUCHES FINISHING

DRESSYOURSOFAWITHGORGEOUSCUSHIONS FORULTIMATECOMFORTANDSTYLE

FRUITYFAVE

Wildstrawberry quotecushioncover £22.50,OliverBonas

CHECKMATE Cushion£12.50, Matalan

SPRINGPASTELS

Cushionsfrom Primark

BARGAINBUY Naturalwoven cushion£10,B&M

THINKPINK Sanderson Suvapink cushion£55,Next

CLASSIC STRIPE

Basicstripe cushion£6, B&M

TERRIFICTEXTURE

Setoftwogreencushions £39.99,HomeSense

FromthePottingBench withAdam

SPRINGISOFFICIALLYHEREANDOURGARDENING EXPERTADAMKIRTLANDCOULDN’TBEMORE THRILLED!JOINHIMASHEGUIDESYOUTHROUGH SOMETOPTIPSFORYOURGARDENINAPRIL

It’sofficiallythespringequinoxon20Marchand it’sthetimewhenwecansay,withfullcertainty thatweareinspring.Afteralongoldwinter(and goshhasn’titbeenlong!)thisisthetimewegetto enjoysomeofthefruitsofourlabourfromautumn whenallofourtulipsareinfullbloom.Butholdyour horses,itdoesn’tendthere–nowthelightlevelsare highandtheweatherisgettingwarmer(thelastfrost happensinApril,hurray!)thepossibilitiesofgetting outsidearefargreater.ThismonthI’msharingmy favouriteseedsfortheyearaheadandwhatyoucando withthemnow!InAprilyoucansowseedsandstill getbeautifulflowersthisyear,solet’sgettoit…

HardyorTender?

Butbeforewegetintotheplantsandseeds,let’stalk

aboutacoupleofgardeningterms.I’vealready mentionedfrostanditsworthgoingintoexactlywhat thatmeansforourplantsandwhyit’sworthwaiting untilnowtodolotsofthingswe’veallbeenitchingto doformonths.

Technicallyafrost,isaperiodwherethenight time(ordaytime)temperaturesgobelow0⁰C.In andaroundBirmingham,thelastfrostdateis usuallyattheendofAprilbutaimforthestartof Maytobeonthesafeside.Oncethetemperatures areabove0⁰Cthenwecouldstartmovingsome plantsbackoutside,ifyoubroughtthemindoors overwinterandwecansowsomeseedsdirectlyin thegroundorincontainersoutdoors.

Theterms‘hardy’and‘tender’refertohowplants reacttothisfrost.Hardyplantsarelikelytocopewith

afrostintheUK,tenderistheexact oppositeandthefrostwillkillthem off.Now,therearedegreesof hardinessandtendernesswithplants andit’sworthnotingthatwhereyou areintheUKwillalsoaffectthis.

Buthow?

Sowingseedscanseemlikea dauntingtaskifyouhaven’tdoneit before,butitcouldn’tbesimpler.You don’tneedanyfancyequipment,allyou needisaspacetogetstarted.Ifyou’vegot alargeoutdoorspacethenyou’lllikely havesomespaceinthegroundbut otherwiseyoucanuseanymannerof gardenpotorcontainer,whatevertakes yourfancyatthegardencentre.

Themostimportantthingsherearetheseeds themselves.Theseedsyoubuy,willdeterminehow theyliketobesown,soyou’llwanttochecktheback ofthepacket–butasageneralveryroughruleseeds liketobesowninoneoftwoways.Onemethodisas simpleaspoppingthemontopofthesurfaceofthe soilorcompostanddustingthemwithalight sprinklemoreofcompost,beforewateringgently. Theotherwayismuchthesamebutinstead,these seedsliketobealittledeeperinthecompost.The backoftheseedpacketwilltelleverythingyouneed toknowhere.So,whichseedscanIsownow?

Myfavourites

Itjustsohappensthatyoucansowtwoofmy favouriteplantsrightnow,SunflowersandCosmos. Thegoodthingaboutsowingbothnowisthatthey’re toughasoldbootsandyoucanpopthemstraightin thegroundorintocontainers.

Thinkcarefullyaboutwhereyouwantthemto flowerthough.Sunflowers,asthenamesuggests,are sunlovers,soyou’llwanttomakesuretoplantthese onthesideofthegardenwherethesunshinesthe most,otherwisethey’llendupfacingyour neighbour’sgarden!Theyneedafewfeetbetween eachplantsothatthey’vegotenoughroomforthe largebloomsatthetoptoopenfully.

Simplypushaseedintothecompostdowntoabout yourfirstknuckle,coverwithcompostandwater.

Soon,theseedlingwillpushitswayupthroughthe surfaceandyou’llhavethebeginningsofyourown sunflower.Astheygrow,popinabamboocaneor largesticktosupportthemastheygrowtallerand taller–theeasiestplanttogrow!

MyotherfavouriteisCosmos!Ifyouhaven’t grownorseenCosmosbeforethenyou’reinfora realtreatbecausethey’reanothereasyonetoget goingandthey’llgiveyouflowersformonthsand months,rightupuntilthefirstfrostoftheyearin November.Thesecanbesowninmuchthesame waybutwiththese,Itendtosowthemonthe surfaceofthecompostandthenaddathinlayer, maybeabout3mm,ofcompostontop–waterand letthemgerminate.Ifyou’replanningonhavinga patchofcosmosthenyou’llwanttoplantthem about30cmapartbecausetheycangetquitebushy, butwithanabsoluteabundanceofflowers.

It’sreallyassimpleasthat,twowonderfulplants thatsuitanygarden,terrace,courtyardorevena balcony!Letmeknowhowyougetonwithyoursand shareyourphotoswithmeoveronInstagram! ■

YoucanfollowAdamonInstagram@viewfromthepottingbenchor listentoAdam’spodcast,TalesFromThePottingBench,tformore gardeninginspiration.YoucanalsoreadAdam’sblogat viewfromthepottingbench.com

SPRINGKING

FORD’SKUGAPLUG-INHYBRIDLOOKSSHARP,THINKSSMART–

SUECOOKETESTDRIVESANEWSEASONFAVOURITE

Springisatimeforembracingchange,trying outnewthingsandgettingusedtodrivingto workindarkermorningsastheclocks‘spring forward’.TheRoyalSocietyforthePreventionof Accidents(ROSPA)says40percentofcollisions happeninthedarkandareincreasedwhenadriver takestheireyesofftheroad.

So,cueFordengineerswhoaretriallingnew headlighttechnologywhichwillkeepeyesonthe tarmacandinformationprojectedontotheroad fromtheheadlights.Anyupcomingturnsandeven thewidthofthevehiclewhichwouldhelpget throughagap,arelitupontheroad.

TheFordKUGAIroadtestedthisweekalready hashi-techheadlampswhichwillautomaticallydip toavoidblindingthedriverofanoncoming

car.FrontLEDfoglightsautomaticallybrightena bendasthesteeringwheelturnsintoacorner.Anda fullcolourrearviewcameragivesaveryclear pictureasIbackintoanarrowcarparkingspace.

COFFEETIME

JustwhenIthinkIhaveexhaustedeveryfeature ontheKUGAalongcomesanothergreatidea.Press abuttonusingFord’scommunicationand entertainmentsystem,SYNC3,andsay‘Ineeda coffee’andthetechnologydirectsmetothenearest coffeeshop.

Butthissportsutilityvehiclehasalotmorethan amazingtechnology.TheST-LineeditionIam roadtestinghasstyle,withsportyredbrakecalipers, abodystylingkit,largerearspoilerandblackroof

ANDWILLEVENTELLYOUWHERETHENEARESTCOFFEEIS!

rails.Thenewly-designedfrontgrilleissupersmart,andapower-operatedretractabletowbar automaticallystoresitselfoutofsightbelowthe rearbumperwhennotinuse,retainingthesleek KUGAlooks.

WhenIreturntothecar,loadedwithkidsand shoppingandrequiringimmediateaccesstotheboot, Imakeakickingmotionunderneaththerearbumper and‘opensesame’,thehands-freetailgate automaticallyrises.Therearemoreintuitivechanges insidethespaciousqualitycabinandapower openingpanoramicrooffloodstheinteriorwithlight.

HYBRIDHIT

Onabrightsunnyspringday,Ileavethehouse withthecarkeyinmypocket.Usingkeylessentry,I pullopenthelockedcardoor,slideintothe comfortablesportsseatswithredstitchingandgrab theflatbottomsteeringwheel,alsowithred stitching.Ipressthestartbuttonandthedigital colour12.3-inchinstrumentclusterlightsupwith

FACTSATAGLANCE

Model: FordKUGAPHEVSTLineEditionAuto

Price: £42,495otr(includesoptions)

Engine: 2.5-litre,four-cylinderAtkinson-cyclepetrolengineandan electricmotorgeneratorwith14.4kWhlithium-ionbattery

Performance: 0-62mphin9.2secondsandontoatopspeedof125mph CombinedCO2emissions: 127g/km(WLTP)

Combinedfuelconsumption: 49.6mpg(WLTP)

largebrightwhitenumbersandinformationonthe batteryandfuelcapacity.

Thisplug-inhybrid–whichoutsellsallother modelsintheKUGArangeputtogether–is poweredbya2.5-litre,four-cylinderAtkinson-cycle petrolengineandanelectricmotorgenerator.Ican choosehowandwhenIwanttomakefulluseofthe batterypowerandIchooseall-electricdrivingon shortjourneysoflessthan35miles.Inadditionto chargingfromanexternalpowersupply,Ican automaticallyreplenishthebatteryonthemoveby coastingdownahill.Regenerativecharging technologycaptureskineticenergynormallylost duringbraking.

It’ssoeasytoembracethetechnologicalchanges inthehybridFordKUGA,whilerelaxinginthe practicalquitebeautifulinterior,enhancedwith ambientlighting.Andwithdarkermornings,this Fordmeansgettingtoworksafely. ■

SHOWROOM

BristolStreetMotorsFordBirmingham,156-182BristolStreet, Birmingham,B57AZ.Tel:01214189981www.bristolstreet.co.uk

VINCENT DARBY

TheBirminghamOrmistonAcademyalumnitalks recording,writingandhisfamily’ssoulfulinfluences

Atjustnine-years-old,theyoungVincent DarbyopenedforFloRidaatBrum’sO2 Academyafterarecordproducerwatched himperformhisversionofAliciaKeys’ssingleFallin’ onYouTube–he’dbeensingingregularlysincehe wasfive.Fromtherehejoinedcreativeand performingartsacademy,BOA,hasperformedatBBC Radio1’sBigWeekender,releasedhisdebutEP,Still HereWeAre,recordedaroundtheglobeandhasjust droppedhisnewsingle,WeCouldBe.

Showcasedinhishome-townattheRainbow, DigbethinFebruaryandoutnow,WeCouldBeis producedbyFrenchDJandproducerBlundettoand combinesfunk,newwaveandsynth-pop.There’sa chilled-outconfidenceaboutthesinglethat’smature andeasywhichmakesforanenjoyablelisten.Inspired bytheworkofartistslikeTheWeeknd,Depeche Mode,EurythmicsandPrince,thesingleisVincent’s firstreleasesincehiscelebrateddebutEPStillHere WeAre.ThatEPattractedalotofsupportfromBBC Radio1fromtheget-go,culminatinginhis performanceattheBigWeekender,andwasselectedby BBC1Xtraastheirtrackoftheweek.

SPRINGBOARD

RecordedatShaggy’sBigYardStudiosin Kingston,Jamaica,theEPwasahighlysuccessful springboardtohiscareerwithstand-outtrackssuch asGetAwayandavant-gardejamBabyOhI.

Vincentsaidatthetime:“StillHereWeArecame

fromaplaceofnotquiteunderstandingthe ‘situation-ship’thatIwasin;astoryabouthow somethingcanbesogood,butalsosobad.”

SincetheEP,Vincent’sbeenbusywritingand recordinginJamaica,TorontoandZimbabweas wellastheUKandsayshe’sfoundanewleaseof life.Covidputaspannerintheworksandslowed thingsdown,buthe’shadtimetoreflect.Hesays: “I’vereallygrownsinceIlastdroppedmusic,the wholeworldhas.Withoutbeingtoophilosophical, today’snotthesameasyesterday,wegrow.Ithinkas anartistit’simportanttoshowgrowth”.

Thelyricsofnewsingle,WeCouldBe,detailan intentiontorepairandrebuildatumultuous relationshipelevatedbyVincent’seuphoricand virtuosicvocals.Skillfullyswitchingbetweenbreathy notesandpiercingfalsettohesingssentimental phraseslike,‘Therewillbeacompromise,because lonelyisnofriendofmine’.Thevideo,directedby EricYealandwhohasworkedwiththelikesofWiz Khalifaisslickandunfussy,puttingVincentandhis lyricsfirmlycentrestage.

OLDSOUL

VincentisaprouddescendantofJamaican grandparents,whoasmembersoftheWindrush GenerationmigratedtotheUKafterthesecond worldwar,workingasabusconductorandanurse. Heavilyinfluencedbyhismusiclovinggrandfather, whowasahospitalradioDJandvinylcollector, VincentwasexposedtothesoundsofMarvinGaye, DonnyHathaway,IsaacHayes,BarryWhite,Teddy Pendergrass,BeresHammond,DennisBrownand RichieSpice.

Vincent’sonthemoveagaincurrentlytreatingthe peopleofTorontotoahissoulfulsoundandthere’ll bemoretouringonthecards.Keentogethissound outtothewidermusicworld. ■

CHILLOUT

WeCouldBeisavailabletodownloadat: https://empire.ffm.to/wecouldbe11 Keepuptospeedwithtourdatesandmoreat: officialvincentdarby.com

JESSTALKSVALUES

CockshutHillSchoolinYardleywasvisitedbylocal MPJessPhillipswhogaveatalkonfundamentalBritish valuesandtheirimportancetoschoollearners.Jess,who hasrepresentedBirminghamYardleyinParliamentsince 2015,metwithlearnerstodiscussherroutetobecoming anMP,whyshechoseacareerinpoliticsandthe importanceofchildrenandyoungpeoplehavingavoice inpoliticalmatters.

SINGING&WINNING

PupilsfromCranmoreInfantsSchoolhavereceived medalsanda£1,000prizefollowingtheirwinatan annualschoolchoircompetitionatTouchwood ShoppingCentre.FifteenschoolsfromtheSolihull areatookpart,withCranmorereceivingnearlyathird ofthe6,000votessubmittedonline.Theprizemoney willbeinvestedintheschool’smusicdevelopment programme.LeadteacherCarolBakersaid:“Ihave beencoachingpupilsinthiscompetitionfor15years andforittobeourfirst-everwinmakesitevenmore significant.”

WHOLESELFLAUNCH

BromsgroveSchoolUpperSixthpupilsandheadsofschool, ThandoBestandJessWhitlock,launchedtheirnewinitiative,Bring YourWholeSelftoBromsgrove.Theinitiativeaimstoeducatethe schoolcommunityonequality,diversityandinclusion.ThelongtermprojecthasseenJessandThandolaythefoundationintheir finalyear,withtheaimtohandthebatonontoyoungerpupilsand toeventuallyextendtheinitiativetoincludeBromsgrovePre-Prep andtheEarlyYearssectionsoftheschool.

SCHOOL REPORT

NFLYOUTHBOOST

SportEnglandandNFLFoundationUKunveiledapartnershiptoprovidejoint grantfundingacrossBirminghamtopositivelyimpactlocalcharities.Themove followstheinitiative’ssuccessinLondon,withtheFoundation–backedby America’sNationalFootballLeague–supportinggroupsthatprovidepositive outcomesaroundeducation,employmentandmentalhealth.Thepartnership centresontheNFLFlagFootballprogramme,trainingandequipmenttohelp youngpeopleaged12to20accesspathwaysanddeveloptheskills, confidenceandself-belieftocreatetheirownfutureandreachtheirpotential.

Picture:DanKnottEventPhotography

HEALTHAWARDS

Childrenandstafffrom10schoolsmetatHighburyHalltocelebratetheirachievements overthelast18monthsaspartoftheHealthforLifescheme–aninitiativethataimsto achieveasustaineddifferenceinhealthylifestylesacrossBirmingham.After demonstratinghowtheyhaveincorporatedphysicalactivity,growingfoodandhealthy eatingintoschoollife,studentsandteacherswerepresentedwithaHealthforLife awardatthecelebrationeventbyLordMayor,CllrMaureenCornish.

WELLDONE: PupilsfromBoldmereJuniorSchoolreceivingtheirHealthforLifeaward

Birmingham’sNinestiles Academy,partoftheSummit LearningTrust,hasbeen awardedtheQualityinCareers Standard,anationalaward whichrecogniseshighquality careersprovisionforallstudents. Ninestileswascommendedfora whole-schoolapproachtoits careersprogramme,itsin-house CareersFair,extensivenetworkof KS5linksmadewithPost16 providers,localcommunity organisations,apprenticeship, trainingandvolunteering providers,anddeliveryofcareer events,STEMworkshopsand alumnitalksinallareasofthe curriculum.

CAREERS ACCOLADE BIGHELPFORLITTLECHICKS

Fundingofnearly£80,000fromthe WesleyanFoundationhashelpeddeliverthe LittleChicksLifeLessonsprogrammeto10 primaryschoolsintheWestMidlands, reaching3,150childrenandproviding9,450 books.CreatedbyMidlandsbusinesswoman AlisonDelaney,LittleChicksLifeLessonsisa uniqueeducationprogrammefocusedon developingthedreamsandaspirationsof primaryschoolchildrenandequippingthem withkeylifeskills.Wesleyan,the Birmingham-basedfinancialservicesmutual, alsosupportedthepublicationoftwonew booksbyLittleChicksLifeLessons.

MIND YOUR LANGUAGE

EDUCATIONTECHCOMPANYFLASHACADEMYHELPSSTUDENTSWHO

SPEAKENGLISHASANADDITIONALLANGUAGEMEETTHECHALLENGES OFLEARNING.WESPOKETOCEOVEEJAYLINGIAH,PICTURED,ASTHE DIGITALPIONEERCELEBRATEDPARTNERINGITS1,000THSCHOOL

VeejayLingiahknowsallaboutthe problemsfacingstudentswhospeak Englishasanadditionallanguage(EAL). Asthechildoftwoparentswhoimmigratedinto theUK,hewastheonlynon-whitestudentinhis primaryclassroom.Heremembersclearlyhow challengingthatmadeschoollifeandashegrew olderhevowedtodosomethingaboutitandto provideawaytohelpothers.

Today,theUKwelcomesmorethan200,000 immigrantsayearfromahugespreadofcountries andwithanequallylargerangeoflanguages spoken.However,withthemajorityofschoolingin theUKbeingtaughtpredominantlyinEnglish, EALchildrenareatahugedisadvantageinthe classroomiftheirEnglishlanguagedevelopmentis

notproperlysupportedandencouraged.

That’swhereVeejayandhisteamatBirminghambasedFlashAcademycomein,providingstudents fromallbackgroundswithadigitalplatformthat allowsthemtolearnEnglishandcelebratetheir homelanguagesatthesametime.FlashAcademyis aneducationtechnologycompanythatreduces marking,supportsindependentlearningand provideshundredsoffreepaper-basedresourcesto saveteacherstime.Theonlinelanguage-learning toolallowsschoolsacrossthecountrytohelpEAL studentswiththeirlanguageskillsandtointeract withtheirclassmates.Clearandaccuratereporting onprogressallowspupilstodemonstratetheir learningandidentifieswhenapupilhasmastered thenecessaryskills.

Foundedin2012asFlashSticksusingpre-printed languagePost-itNotes,thecompanylaterevolvedto FlashAcademy,amoveawayfromthephysicaltoa newdigitalsolutiontotheEALchallenge.In September2017,ClaireEvans,thendeputyheadat AndertonParkSchool,BalsallHeath,satdownwith Veejayandbecamethefirstschooltopioneertheuse oftheonlineplatformtosupportEALpupilswith theirlanguagedevelopment.

InNovember2022,FlashAcademypartneredwith its1,000thschool–andatthetimeofwritingthathad growntomorethan1,100andrisingfast!Thesmall teamatFlashAcademyhasalsogrownovertheyears toadedicatedgroupof40-pluspassionatelanguagelearningprofessionals.

POTENTIAL

Co-founderandCEO,Veejay,said:“Wesetoutwith apurposetohelpasmanyEALstudentsaspossible. Overtheyears,oneschoolhassomehowturnedinto 1,000schools,andwe’vebeenabletoprovidelanguage supporttothousandsmorechildrenthaneverbefore. We’rereallyexcitedandoptimisticaboutbeingableto helpevenmoreinthefuture,becauseitfeelslikewe’re stilljustgettingstartedandtherearesomanymore schoolsandstudentsleftforustohelp.”

Thepotentialisindeedhuge.Therearemorethan 30,000schoolsintheUKwithprimaryschoolshaving oneinfiveEALpupilsandsecondaryschoolswithone insix.Veejaysaid:“Ourplatformworksonanydevice, phones,iPadsandsoon.Thewholeaimistotryto

acceleratethepaceatwhichpupilscangetEnglishand tounlockthelanguagebarrier.SomanyEALkidsare treatedasiftheyarebehindinlearningwhenitisn’t theirfault.”Thiswasparticularlycriticalduringthe pandemicwhenallhomeworkwasbeingsenttopupils athome,andthathomeworkwasinEnglish.

GLOBALNEED

Theneedforgreaterhelpforstudentshasonly acceleratedwithgrowingnumbersofimmigrants comingfromallpartsoftheglobe.Veejayexplained: “Peoplearebeingdisplacedfromaroundtheworld andasaresultwhatusedtobeacity-basedproblemin theUKisnowanissuealloverthecountry,soall schoolsinallareasfacethechallengesofEAL students.”FlashAcademyteachesEnglishacross48 languagesandissoflexiblethatitispossibletohave multiplepupilsfromdifferentcountrieslearning togetherunderoneteacherinoneclass.

It’snotjustchildrenwhoselanguagelearninghas beenacceleratedbytheapp.FlashAcademyhas expandedtoprovidelanguageeducationforadult (ESOL)students,alongsidesupportinginternational schoolsoverseas.Theplatformhasevenbecome affiliatedwithanumberofStrategicMigrant Partnerships,helpingmigrantssuchasthosecoming acrossfromHongKongtodeveloptheirEnglish languageskills.AndStaffordshireCountyCouncil partneredwiththeapptoprovidelanguageand educationassistanceforUkrainianrefugeeslivingin thecountyundertheHomesForUkrainescheme. ■

DININGEDITOR

StayingCoolatRotundainBirminghamhas appointedAlexNicholson-Evansasthehotel’s firstresidentdrinkanddiningeditor.Alexhas livedandbreathedallthingsBirminghamforthe lastdecade,workinginitiallyascommercial directorforBirminghamMuseumsTrustalongside beingthefounderanddirectorofLivingForThe Weekend,thecompanybehindpopularcity-wide eventsBirminghamCocktailWeekend, BirminghamWineWeekendandBirmingham RestaurantFestival.

TraceyStephenson,co-founderofStayingCool, said:“Alexwillbesharingherfavouritevenuesto suitanycitycentrebreakatourapartmenthotel.”

NEWS BUSINESS LEGALHIRES

LawfirmShakespeareMartineauhas addedtoitsBirminghambankingteam withatrioofhires.AssociateMariam Mansoordevelopedherdebtfinance experienceinLeedsbeforerelocatingto theChannelIslandstospecialisein financialserviceslaw.AlsonewlyappointedareNoreenKhan-Ghalibas charteredlegalexecutiveandparalegal TinaSehmar.NaomiTudor,headof corporatebanking,said:“Wehave experiencedincreasedinstructionsfrom clientssoMariam,NoreenandTinawill helpusmeetthisgrowingdemand.”

CHARITYRUN

AnannualruninLeamingtonSpawillraise fundsforlocalchildren’scharityMollyOllys Wishes.TheWrightHassallRegency10kRun wasfirstheldin2005andhasraisedmore than£420,000forlocalcauses.Itreturnsfor its19thyearonSunday2April,organisedby LeamingtonRoundTableandsponsoredby locallawyersWrightHassall.MollyOllyswas establishedfollowingthedeathofRachel andTimOllerenshaw’seight-year-old daughterMollyfromararekidneycancer.

DANNIGETSA-HEAD

Birmingham-basedcharityGet A-Head,whichraisesfundsfor researchintoheadandneck diseases,hasappointedanew directortoleaditsteam.Danni Heathhasexperienceworkingwith charities,socialenterprisesand businessesincludingrolesin leadership,organisationaldesignas wellasinmarketingand communications.Sheisadirectorof CEmPacEurope–theCentrefor EmpoweringPatientsand Communities–providingexpertise inperson-centredcare,andalsoa directorofHeathBrown,offering strategicpeople-focussedsolutions forsocialenterprises.

ONTHEIRMARKS: HarpalSinghofLeamingtonRoundTable,WrightHassallpartnerPeterLowe,andRachel OllerenshawofMollyOllysWishes

BUILDINGFORTHEFUTURE

AMidlandsbuildingmaterialscompanyishelping MidlandsAirAmbulanceCharityrealiseitsplanfora newairbaseandcharityheadquarters–brickbybrick! IbstockBrickhasdonatedathirdofthetotalamountof bricksneededtobuildthenewfacilityatCosford.With constructionoftheprojectunderway,representatives fromIbstockBrickvisitedthesitetomarktheirdonation. Withmorethan90percentoffundingobtainedvia majorgrants,thefacilityisexpectedtobecompletedthis summer.

NECHOTELDEAL FORWARDLOOKING

TheNECGroupisteamingupwiththeHolidayInnhotelatBirminghamAirportina newpartnership.Thedealwillgivemoreflexibleaccommodationoptionstovisitors andexhibitorsattheNECCampusandshowcasethepositivelinksbetweenNEC Groupvenues–suchastheNEC,VoxConferenceVenueandResortsWorldArena–withtheeaseofaccesstoBirminghamInternationaltrainstationandtheairport.

PARTNERS: EwelinaTomiszczak,commercialdirectorforHolidayInnBirminghamAirport,andLisaJobins, regionalpartnershipssalesexecutivefortheNECGroup

SOLETRADER

AnewnamehasopenedupshopatMerryHill.Independentfootwear brand,SoleyGrailSoleyCustoms,specialisesinrestoringandcustomising trainers.SetupbyfounderandownerSarahWilkinsonfromHalesowenin 2014,thebusinesshasgrownsignificantly,nowopeningitsfirsteverstore. Self-confessed‘sneakerhead’Sarahsaid:“Realfansaregoingtolovesome oftherarepairswehaveinthestorerightnow–suchastheJordan5Retro TokyoT23firstreleasedin2011.”

AnjumKhan,directorofBirmingham’sAsian BusinessChamberofCommerce,hasjoined ForwardCarersasanon-executivedirector.The not-for-profitcommunityinterestcompanyhas supportedmorethan40,000carerstolive fulfillinglivessince2014andistheleaddelivery partnerofBirminghamCarersHubandWalsall CarersHub.Anjum,picturedright,said:“The reasonformejoiningthisboardisthatasan unpaidcarer,Itappedintosupporttheywere offeringduringCovidformyfather.”

BirminghamAirporthascelebratedits10millionthcustomerofthefiscalyear.To marktheoccasion,TurkishAirlinesjoinedtheairportinpresentingtwofreebusiness classticketstoanydestinationonitsnetworktothe10millionthcustomers–a couplecalledTonyandJen.Themilestonerepresentsastoryofsteadyrecoveryfor theairportaftertheliftingofCovidrestrictions.AviationdirectorTomScreen said:“Mythanksgoouttothestaffandeveryonewhohasgotustothispoint.”

TOPCOPDALE

Apoliceofficerhasbeenrecognisedby Birmingham’sbarsandclubsforhis contributiontothecity’ssuccessfulnighttimeeconomy.SgtDaleHarwoodof WestMidlandsPolicecitycentrepolicing teamwaspresentedwithaspecial WondersofWestsideaward.TheBest PoliceOfficeroftheYeartrophy, organisedbyWestsideBusiness ImprovementDistrict(BID),wasvotedon bybars,pubsandclubsaroundBroad StreetandBrindleyplace.SgtHarwood waspresentedwiththeawardduring regularpolicebriefinginBroadStreet.

SHEILATAKESCHARGE

TitanPartnership,aneducationcharityandmembernetwork inBirmingham,hasappointedSheilaSturgeonasitsnew chiefexecutiveofficer.SheilaledYESManchester,anawardwinningcharitythatsupportsaccesstoemployment, volunteering,andskillsandalsopreviouslyworkedforthe DepartmentforEducationasaseniorpolicyadvisorfor apprenticeships.ShesucceedsCarolynChapman-Leeswho wasTitan’sCEOforthepastsevenyears.

CREATIVETRIO

Birmingham-basedcontentmarketingbusiness,HDYAgency,hasboostedits creativeteamwiththeappointmentofcreativedirectorJonSharp.Jon, picturedcentre,willberesponsibleforastudioteamof15combiningart directors,copywriters,designers,motiongraphicsandanin-housevideo productionteam.HDYhasalsorestructureditscreativeteamwithnewlyappointedheadofcreativeKatieCollinsandheadofmotion,MorganTedd. HDYwasvotedLargeContentMarketingAgencyoftheYearattheEuropean ContentAwards2022.

BUSINESS BITES

DOUBLETOPS

CoventryandBirminghamhavetakenthe toptwospotsinatableofUKcitieswith thebiggestnumberofstart-upsperhead ofpopulationinthelast12months.Data, producedbyInstantOffices,alsoshows Stokeinfifthplace,aheadofLondon whichisonlyeighth.

MUSICMAKERS

TheCityofBirminghamSymphony Orchestraispartneringwithlocalworkplace techcompanySCCasitsnewprincipal sponsor.Thethree-yearagreementincludes supportof£100,000-a-year,aligningwith theorchestra’sSoundoftheFuture campaign.

TAGTIME

LuxurywatchretailerTAGHeuerwillopena boutiqueontheupperleveloftheBullring &GrandCentrallaterthisyear.Itwillbethe firstdedicatedTAGHeuerlocationin Birmingham.ThenewsfollowsMarks& Spencerannouncinganewstoreatthe Bullringin2023.

CLUBPARTNERSHIP

EdgbastonPrioryClubandEdgbastonParkHotel havelaunchedan18-monthpartnershiptoenhance theexperienceforclubmembersandhotelguests aswellasplayersandspectatorsathigh-profile tennisandsquashtournamentshostedattheclub. TopeventsincludeBirminghamClassictennis tournament,BritishSquashOpenandBritishJunior Open.AsEdgbastonPrioryClub’saccommodation partner,thehotelwillofferexclusiveratesonrooms, conferencespacesandeventsformemberswitha dedicatedconciergeservice.

TheannualWondersofWestsideawards(WOWs)–whichcelebrateindividualsandbusinessesinthe WestsideBIDdistrictthatgotheextramilefor customers–werehostedbytheCrescentTheatre.Morethan 25Westsidebusinessesandstaffwererecognisedduringthe eventwhichwasattendedby200guests.Thecrackingnight alsofeaturedtopsinger-songwriterAndyBennett,oncepartof OceanColourScene,treatingtheaudiencetoadazzling musicalperformancealongwithsingerLorraineOlley. WinnersonthenightincludedPushkar,UVBattheRep, VelvetMusicRoomsandJimmySpices. ■

1 BestBar,VelvetMusicRooms. 2 BestDoorman,RichardKeating,Reflex. 3 BestClubManager,JoEllerby,Popworld. 4 EmployeeoftheYear, HilliFletcher. 5 BestArtsandEntertainmentManager,JamesBooth,theCrescentTheatre. 6 LongServiceAward,SadiqZaman,Pushkar. 7 BestRestaurantManager,KostasPanagiotidis,LuluWild.

PicturesbyJasSansi

EATERYRELAUNCHES WITHALL-NEWLOOK

Modernstyleandfamilyvibe nowonthemenuatEsabella’s

uch-lovedSolihullrestaurantandbar, Esabella’srevealedanewlookata relaunchparty.Aswellasthestylish interiorfeaturingmonochrometonesandacentral bar,there’snowanewandmodernEuropean menuandbreakfastbrunchoffer.Newco-owner TobySearssaid:“Wehavetakenonboardfeedback fromregularcustomersandgivenEsabella’safresh newlookandamorefamilyvibe.Wehopethelocal communitywillenjoytherelaxedsurroundings undermynewteam.”

1 ElainaPullen,JessReid. 2 MarkandLucyRay. 3 GeorgieSwan,PhilOldershaw,AnitaChampaneri. 4 BharatChampaneri, DavinePartridge,JasRohel. 5 LauraCooper,EmmaHowden. 6 TirenaandDanNelson. 7 KatieMcPhillimey,JudiGilbert. 8 NicolaCaulfield,LauraMoore.

GRANDUNVEILINGOF OLDHEATONHOUSE

Allthoseinvolvedinstunningrestoration projectareinvitedtospecialcelebration

ElevatePropertyGroupunveiledthegrand restorationofOldHeatonHouse,invitingall thoseinvolvedinthebeautifultransformation ofthestunning200-year-oldBirminghamresidencefor drinksandcanapes.Thisbeautifulhomestandsasthe centrepieceofElevate’slargerJewelleryQuarter regenerationschemeinCamdenStreet,comprising 14townhousesand42apartments,ofwhich75percent arenowsold. ■

1 JamesCostello,SamMeeten,HarryRandle,AidanO’Gara,AndyHoggard. 2 SteveDodd,HelenandAndrewBrettell. 3 StephenRankin, RyanO’Connor,RatikaMal,AlistairBevins. 4 DavidHofton,DanBowles,MartinRennie. 5 JamesCostello,NeilInman,SavannahSevern. 6 JulesDodd,RetikaBedi. 7 LiamSmith,BenDavidson,ImogenTudor.

RESTAURANTREVEALS EXCITINGNEWLOOK

Specialeveningshowcases re-imaginedeaterytoguests

uestsenjoyedanightofcocktails,cuisine andliveentertainmentatthere-imagined FiveRiversÁLaCarterestaurantin Walsall.Party-goerssippedexoticTamarind MargaritasandChilliMartinisandsampled canapésshowcasingnewmenuitemsastheytook intherestaurant’sboldnewdécorandmezzanine cocktailbar.ShamimHM,groupdirector,said: “Wewerethrilledtorevealthenew-lookFiveRivers toourguestsoldandnew.Wehadsomewonderful feedbackonthenightwhichwasgreattohear–it wastrulyanighttoremember.”. ■

1 RebeccaClougher,GemmaMorris. 2 HeidiKaur,NikitaChumber. 3 NehaPandeya,DiveshAnand,ShamimHM. 4 KindiSunner. 5 AnitaChampaneri. 6 AnjolaAjoa,SolomonOfoaiye. 7 LorenaTolic,EmmaHowden. 8 SureetandSteveKular. 9 SunnyNandra, MonifaBobbSimon. PhotographybyiOnePhotography

9

WHAT’SONliving

WHAT: TheSpongeBobMusical

WHEN: 11to15April

WHERE: BirminghamHippodrome, birminghamhippodrome.com

WhenthecitizensofBikiniBottomdiscoveravolcano willsooneruptanddestroytheirhumblehome, SpongeBobandhisfriendsmustcometogetherto savethefateoftheirunderseaworld!Starring GarethGatesandRu-Paul’sDragRacelegend,DivinadeCampo.

WHAT: RubyandtheDiamonds

WHEN: 29and30March

WHERE: OldJointStockTheatre, bcu.ac.uk/conservatoire/events-calendar

Expecttobedazzledinaneveningpackedwith singing,dancing,comedyanddrag,courtesyof RoyalBirminghamConservatoireandBirmingham CityUniversityBurlesqueSociety.Anall-female livebandwillfeaturesongsbyMarilynMonroe, SarahVaughan,LizaMinnelliandmore.

WHAT: OllyMurs

WHEN: 4May

WHERE: ResortsWorldArena, resortsworldarena.co.uk

XFactor’smostsuccessfulmaleartistis backwithnewmusicandanarenatour for2023.Lasttimeround,hesold 180,000ticketsforUKarenas–andhe’s determinedtogoevenbigger,better andlouderthisyear!

WHAT: WishYouWereDead

WHEN: 20to24June

WHERE: TheAlexandra, atgtickets.com

Fulloftwists,turnsandedge-ofyour-seatmoments,thiswillbe thesixthstageadaptationbasedonthebest-sellingnovelsbythe UK’snumberonecrimeauthorPeterJames.StarsCorrie’sKatie McGlynn,GeorgeRainsford,CliveMantleandLeonStewart.

WHAT: WorldComedyClash2023

WHEN: 2April

WHERE: GleeClub,glee.co.uk/birmingham/ London’snumberone,originalandlongestrunning comedyclashshowcomestoBrumbypopular demandwithastar-studded,action-packedline-up.

WHAT: DinnerintheDark

WHEN: 29March

WHERE: ZenMetro, focusbirmingham.org.uk/event/ dinner-in-the-dark

WHAT: OfMiceandMen

WHEN: 18Marchto8April

WHERE: BirminghamRep, birmingham-rep.co.uk

JohnSteinbeck’sclassicnovelismorethan 80-years-old,butwiththemesofeconomic migration,racismandprejudice,itremainsa parableforourtimes.Thisisanew productionfromtheawesomeIqbalKhan.

WHAT: AnEveningwithPriscillaPresley

WHEN: 8April

WHERE: TownHall,bmusic.co.uk

TheformerwifeofElvisPresleyhasstarredin manyclassicfilmandTVseriesincludingNaked GunandDallas.Inthisintimateconversation withEdithBowmanshewillbesharing personalstoriesfromherillustriouscareer,life andmarriagetotheKingofRock’n’Roll.

Thesightlossandcomplexneedslocal charity,FocusBirmingham,ishosting thisspecialeventatoneofthecity’s favouriterestaurants.Theimmersive experiencegivesdinerstheopportunity togainauniqueperspectiveintohow sightlosscanaffectaperson’slife, whileraisingvitalfunds.

WHAT: Grayson’sArtClub:TheExhibitionIII: MeettheTeamBehindtheTVSeries

WHEN: 31March

WHERE: MidlandsArtCentre,macbirmingham.co.uk DelveintotheideasbehindthemakingoftheGrayson’sArt ClubTVserieswithitsproducersNeilCrombieandJoeEvans alongwithaselectionoffeaturedartists.Ticketsincludeentry toGrayson’sArtClub:TheExhibitionandawelcomedrink.

TributeShow

WHEN: 25March

WHERE: NailcoteHall, nailcotehall.co.uk

FeaturingallofGeorgeMichael’s greatesthitsaswellasthe

Wham!classics,thisisaflawless tributetothegreatmanby MichaelGeorge.Includesthreecoursemealandafter-showDJ.

WHAT: JuliusCaesar

WHEN: 18Marchto8April

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

Astheworldspinsoutofcontrol,chaosand superstitionleadtocivilwar.Anewleadermustrise, butatwhatcost?Shakespeare’spoliticalthriller exposestheambiguousmoralityinshiftingpower: howfarwilleachofusgoforourpoliticalprinciples?

WHAT: EdgbastonArtisanMarket

WHEN: 8April

WHERE: GreenfieldCrescent,Edgbaston,calthorpe.co.uk Birmingham’slargestartisanmarketreturnsfeaturing independentbusinessesfromacrosstheMidlandsshowcasing thefinestrangeoffoodanddrink,alongsidehandmadeartsand craftsandfarmers’marketproduce.

WHAT: Panic!AtTheDisco

WHEN: 3April

WHERE: UtilitaArena,utilitaarenabham.co.uk

Themulti-platinum,Grammy-nominatedUSrock bandhasannounceditsVivaLasVengeanceTour iscomingtojustthreevenuesintheUK, includingBrum.Theband’ssong,Houseof Memories,hashadmorethantwobillionviews onTikTok–socomeandcheckthemout!

WHAT: CBSOplaysRomeoandJuliet

WHEN: 15March

WHERE: SymphonyHall,bmusic.co.uk

MirgaGražinyt -Tylabeginstheevening withapersonalfavourite–themusicof Weinberg–beforebeingjoinedbythe greatKirillGersteininSchumann’s gloriouslyromanticPianoConcerto, followedbyProkofiev’sRomeoand Juliet,capturingtherawemotionof Shakespeare’sgreatlovestory.

WHAT: GeorgeMichael

CLOSEWITHÁ

BEENTHERE,DONETHAT

OriginallyfromSouthWales,Imovedto Birminghamin2001tobepartoftheteamreopeningBirminghamHippodromeandstayedthere fornearlynineyears,workingonsomehuge productionsincludingMissSaigon,MaryPoppins, WeWillRockYou–andmyownwedding!Inlate 2009,IjoinedthemanagementteamatMidlands ArtsCentrepriortoitsre-openingtothepublicin May2010.ThenextstopwasBirminghamTown Hall/SymphonyHall(nowcalledB:Music).Ithen helpedoperatetheArtrixinBromsgrove,whichis myhometown.Itwasasaddaywhenthepandemic causedthevenuetoclosein2020.Today,Iam focusedonbeingtheatredirectorofthefabulous Alexandra,Birmingham.

IT’SWHATIDO

I’mdelightedtobeleadingthevenuethroughan excitingperiodofresurgence.I’maninformal, positiveandenthusiasticdirectorwhichIhopethe amazingteamattheAlexappreciates.I’minvolved ineveryaspectofthetheatre,including programming,finances,marketing,sales,customer experienceandtechnicalservices.

WHATI’DLIKETOSEE

MyambitionsfortheAlexaresimple–to programmethebestproductionspossiblewhile offeringfantasticcustomerservices.Therearesome fabulousvenuesinBirminghamandratherthan seeingthemascompetitionIliketoseethemas complementarytoeachother.Asavenueanda

team,wemustensurethattheAlexandracontinuesto beavitalpartoftheBirminghamcommunity,taking partincity-wideeventssuchasBirminghamPride.

BIGGESTSUCCESS

Meetingmywifeandhavingadaughterishighonthe list–theykeepmeincheck!Anothersuccessiscalling myselfarecoveringstammerer–upuntil2001even sayingmynamewasastruggle.I’veneverlackedinselfconfidence,howevermyspeechfounditchallenging!I waspartofacoursecalledtheMcGuireprogrammeinthe earlyNoughtiesandthischangedmylife.

BIGGESTLESSONLEARNED

Mistakesareanessentialpartofanycareer,soIdon’t thinkI’dchangeanything.Ofcourse,thereare decisionsIwouldn’tmaketoday!Also,trustandrespect yourteam–youcan’tdoeverythingandyou’renotan expertineverything.

WHATILIKEABOUTBRUM

Birminghamisnotagreycity–it’sfullofcolour, cultureanddiversity.Thepeoplearesofriendly.The canalsandgreenspacesarethethingsthatmost surprisedmewhenImovedhere,andIstillenjoya strollalongthecanal.

DOWNTIME

I’magreatbelieverinhavingagoodwork/life balance.My11-year-olddaughterkeepsmeverybusyas you’dexpect!Thegreatoutdoorsismyhappyplace–goingtomusicfestivalsorthebeachinourcampervan ishighontheagendaduringthewarmermonths. ■

ThetheatredirectoroftheAlexandra,Birmingham isleadingthevenuethroughaperiodofresurgence asitcontinuestobeattheheartofcitylife