Birmingham Living March 2024 (issue 131)

Birmingham living

SPRINGFEVER TOPFITTIPS

BELLEKUMBLEROSE

t’sanexclusiveclub,beingoneofonly27restaurantsintheUKtoholdtwoMichelin stars.So,whenthelatesteditionofthefamousfood‘bible’releaseditsrecommendations for2024,thenameOpheemloomedlargeoffthepage–andthecelebrationsbeganfor anincrediblyproudAktarIslamandhisremarkableteamattheIndianfinediningeatery.

Toputtheachievementintocontext,therearegettingonfor50,000fullyservicedrestaurantsinthe country.OnlythecrèmedelacrèmeareawardedaMichelinstar.Onlythecrèmedelacrème,dellacrème areadjudgedtwo-starstatus.

Aktar’sachievementputshimonaparwiththelikesofthelegendaryRaymondBlancofLeManoir,for instance.Italsomakeshimthefirst-everchefinBrumtobeawardedtwostars.We’veknownforsome yearsnowjusthowgreatourfoodsceneishereinthecity–wehavethemostMichelinstarrestaurantsin thecountry,outsideofLondon.Nowourcuisinehashitanewhigh.

WespokewithanunderstandablydelightedAktarforthismonth’scoverfeature.Hisisaremarkablestory, comingfromaverypoorbackgroundwhichsawhimkickedoutschoolat13.Hesays,lookingback,he realiseshehadtwochoices–carryondownthatpathortrytomakesomethingofhislife.Fortunatelyfor us,andBrum,hechosethelatterandhasprovedthatwithincrediblyhardworkandarealdashoftalent, whatmayseemimpossiblecanindeedbecomecompletelypossible.

So,what’snext?Aktarstatesquiteclearlythatthereisnowayheisrestingonhislaurels.Thatjustisn’t whoheis.Maybe,threeMichelinstarsnext?Afterall,thereareonlynineofthoseinthecountry!

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Highlights

AktarIslam

Brum’sfirst-evertwoMichelin-starchef revealshisprideataccoladeforOpheem

SineadLong

Theactresstalksaheadofanationwide tourwithAnOfficerandaGentleman

Food&Drink

Chef’sCornerwithDeepakKumarofQavali, Brindleyplace,plusnews,recipesandwine

Health

WithEngland’stopplayerscomingtoBrum thismonth,whybadmintonisfitforall

Style

‘Relaxedtailoring’areamongthebuzzwordsfor thisseason.Wemakeourtopsmartcasualpicks

Homes

Withsummerjustaroundthecorner,welook athowtosuccessfullybringtheoutsidein

BestoftheRest

50 52 54 59 64 66

Gardening

Green-fingeredexpertAdamKirtland Isreadyto‘spring’intoactionforMarch

Motoring

SueCookelooksattheprosandconsof e-POWERtechnologyinNissan’slatestSUV

Young,Gifted&Brummie

SingersongwriterBelleKumbleRosechats ontheeveofthereleaseofhernewsingle

BusinessNews

Thismonth’snewsandviewsfromthe commercialcommunity,plusSocialScene

What’sOn

Bestofthecity’stopshowsandgigsin ourround-upofthemust-seeevents

UpClose

Withthe‘ladnextdoor’,JackHartshorne whobecamebossofBrockencoteHallhotel

LENNYPHONES AFRIEND

RedNoselegendSirLennyHenry hascreatedanexclusiveYouTube sketchforthisyear’sappeal.The sketchseesSirLennyphonesome ofhisfamousfriends–including Brum’sownAlisonHammond–to findouthowtheyaregoingto raiselife-changingmoneyonRed NoseDay,whichreturnsonFriday 15March.SirLennyhasalso launchedanewbook,Little People,BIGDREAMS,pictured, whichsees50pfromeachcopy solddonatedtoComicRelief.

NEWS

GRAND DISPLAY

NewcontemporaryartworksbyaBirmingham-basedartisthavegoneondisplayat theGrandHotelBirminghaminadvanceofanauctionthismonthtoraisefundsfor theHippodrometheatre’sworkwithyoungpeople.TheworksarebyCharlesPedone, whoispicturedwiththelargestpiecehehaseverproduced,hunginthehotel’s Madeleinecocktailbar.Aselectionoftheartist’sworkisbeingauctionedataspecial receptioninassociationwithBentleyBirmingham.

BRINGINGYOUTHEBRIGHTEST ANDMOSTCOLOURFUL STORIESFROMACROSSTHE CITYEACHMONTH

FOLLOWTHEBULL

Birmingham’sfamousBullringbull,createdby sculptorLaurenceBroderick,pictured,willbeat theheartofanewarttrail.Globalartsproducer WildinArtwillreturntothecityinsummer2025 todeliverthetrailinpartnershipwithBirmingham Hospice.Itwillseeindividuallydecorated sculpturescreateajourneyofdiscoveryaroundthe citythatisfreeandfamily-friendly.Attheendof thetrail,thesculptureswillbeauctionedtoraise moneyforthehospice.

FOGGYRIDESOUT

WorldSuperbikemulti-winningchampionCarlFogartyisrevvingupto takepartinthisyear’sMidlandsAirAmbulanceCharityBike4LifeRide OutandFestivalonSunday28April.Thousandsofpeoplefromacross theregionareexpectedtocometogetherforthecharity’sbiggestevent oftheyearwhichsees3,500bikersjoina26-mileride-out,culminating atalargefamilyfestivalatanewvenuefor2024–WestonParkin Shifnal.Moredetailsat:bike4lifefest.com

SWIMHEROONFILM

Anewfilmhighlightingafemaleswimmerwhocompleteda39-hour enduranceswimatWolverhampton’sMunicipalStreetBathsandbecame thefirstBritishwomantoswimtheEnglishChannel,ishittingcinema screensnationwidethismonth.ThebiopicVindicationSwimmarks InternationalWomen’sDayon8Marchandlooksatthelifeand remarkableachievementsofMercedesGleitzeinthe1920’sand30’s. SequenceswerefilmedinandaroundBirminghamatlocationsincluding AstonUniversitySwimmingPoolandtheBlackCountryLivingMuseum. Seethetrailerat:https://vimeo.com/relsahfilms/vstrailer

MOONCAT LANDS

AnewnightspothasopenedinBirmingham. MooncathasmovedintotheoldJukeboxers siteinBrindleyplace,bytheUtilitaArena. Thevenueisservinguplivemusicalongside Japanesestreetfood,cocktails,sakeand beers.There’salsoregular,liveduelling pianoeventstoenjoy.

ANTI-GUNMUM HONOURED

Ananti-guncampaignerwhosedaughterwas killedinadrive-byshootingreceivedBirmingham CityUniversity’shighesthonouratagraduation ceremonyatSymphonyHall.DrMarcia Shakespearereceivedherhonorarydoctoratefrom vice-chancellorDavidMbanearly21yearstothe dayafterher17-year-olddaughter,Letisha PreciousShakespeare,wasmurderedin Birminghamin2003.Marcia,whocompletedaBA degreeinSociology&Psychologyandhasnow embarkedonaPhD,spokeofthepowerof educationduringheraddresstograduates.

REVEALED: THENOT-SOCOYCARP

Anewglass-sidedpondisgivingvisitorstoBirminghamBotanicalGardensthechance toviewtheirshoalofkoicarplikeneverbefore.Theheatedoutdoorpoolisamong newfeaturesaimedatimprovingthevisitorexperiencemadepossiblewithNational Lotteryheritagefunding.“Thepondgivesvisitorstheopportunitytoviewthefish underwaterinawaytheyhaveneverbeenabletopreviously,”saidGardens’ maintenancemanagerDanielHusselbee,whohascaredforthefishfor15years.

CHEFBACKS £5MBID

BrummieMichelinstarchef TomShepherdhasjoinedthe boardasatrusteeofnational charityKids’Village,whichhas launcheda£5millionfundraisingdrivetobuildtheUK’s firstholidayvillagenear Lichfieldtoprovidefreebreaks forcriticallyillchildrenand theirfamilies.Theownerof therestaurantUpstairsand starofBBC’sGreatBritish Menu,said:“Iamlooking forwardtosupportingthe workofthecharitysowecan makearealdifferenceto familiesacrosstheUK.”

HOSPITALOPENS

Anew£100millionhospitalhasopenedinBirmingham.Harborne Hospital–thenewesthospitalfromprivatehealthcareproviderHCA HealthcareUK–bringstogetherleadingconsultantsandstate-of-the-art technologies.ThehospitalislocatedontheQueenElizabethHospital Birminghamcampus,andisapartnershipwithUniversityHospitals Birmingham(UHB)NHSFoundationTrust,withtwoofthehospital’s eightfloorsand72bedsdedicatedtothecareofNHSpatients.

HELLO,ITCOULDBEYOU!

MoseleyFolkandArtsFestivalhaslaunchedHelloYou! 2024–theannualbursaryschemeinhonourof renownedbroadcasterandfriendJaniceLong.Opento unsignedartistsintheFolk,Rock,Indie,Psychedelicand AlternativegenreswhoarebasedinEnglandorWales, thedeadlineforapplicationsis31July.Thewinnerwill receiveprofessionalrecordingstudiotime,anopening slotonMoseleyFolk’sJaniceLongStage,followedbya higherprofileappearance12monthslater,plusa professionalphoto-shootandbiography.

JESSIE BOOKSIN

LichfieldFestival’sfourdayLiteratureFestival returnstothecityfrom 21to24Marchwitha celebrationofthe writtenword.Authors appearingincludebestsellersfromtheworlds ofhistory,politics, economics,current affairs,plusnewfiction, memoirandbiography. Highlightsincludebestsellinghistory/historical fictionauthorJessie Childs,pictured.

WINNER: PreviousJaniceLongBursaryrecipientLouie MilesperformingatMoseleyFolkFestival

CENTREPEACE

APhoenixTreesculpturehasbeenunveiledina newpeacegarden.GeorgeWagstaffewas commissionedbyCoventryUniversitytocreate thebronzesculpturewhichsymbolisesthe city’sevolutionanddrawsonhisexperiencesof thebombingduringtheBlitzinWorldWarTwo whichleftmuchofCoventryasrubble.The four-metrehighworkisthecentrepieceofthe newgardenwhichstretchesfromCoventry CathedraltoCoxStreet.Aspecialpoemcreated byCoventryUniversitygraduateMichaela Gyetvaiisetchedontheplinth.

LET’SDRAW

Pickupyourpencils,collectyourcollage materials–andpreparetobringouttheartistin you!AnewbookbyBirminghamarthistorian andcriticRuthMillington–titledThisBookWill MakeYouAnArtist–exploresarttechniques fromaroundtheglobeandacrosstheyears, fromcavepaintingtocontemporary performance.Thebookfeaturesphotographsof realartworks,plusillustrationsandinformation abouttools,materialsandbasicarttheory, makingartmoreaccessibleandinspiring.

GOTANYNEWS? Emailyournewsand picturestoeditor@brumliving.co.uk

MUM’STHEWORD

ABirmingham-basedillustratorandhismotherhavelaunchedanewchildren’spicture book.AuthorEileenMorrisonandgraphicdesignerandillustratorTommyMorrison createdtheBim-BamBoozleBird–aquirkycharacterfortoddlersandyoungchildren. Tommy,whooriginallyattendedBirminghamCityUniversityandhasworkedinthe cityeversince,said:“Iwasinspiredbymymum’spoemstobringherstorytolifeand it’sbeengreattocollaborateonthebooktogether.”TheBim-BamBoozleBirdis availableathttps://www.boozlebird.com/

BRUM’SSPRINGFIRST

Birminghamhasbeencrownedthebest placeintheUKtovisitforaspringbreak onabudgetinanewstudybytravel expertsWildPacks.Thestudyused Airbnbdatafromanalystconsultancy AirDNAtorank52areasontheaverage costpernightoverspringandaccessto self-cateringamenities.Birmingham’s averagecostof£106with83percent ofplaceswithself-cateringfacilitiesputs thecitywellaheadofsecond-placed Manchesterandthird-placedBelfast.

SASBILLY’SNEWMISSION

Ex-SASleaderandBirminghamLivingcoverstar BillyBillinghamistakingonanewchallenge–joiningBritain’seliteenforcementteamsand policeforcesastheysecretlytrackdownthe nation’sworstenvironmentalcriminals.Each episodeofBBCOne’sSAS:CatchingtheCriminals, airinglaterthisyear,featuresastingoperationto collarthecrooks.“It’sincredibletoseepolice forcesandenforcementteamsnowadaptingSAS techniquestocatchcriminals,”saidBilly.“And seeingtheseunscrupulousindividualscaughtwill bearealthrillforviewers.”

Picture:BenjaminLawson

STAR POWER

PhotographybyScottRhodes

You’llhavetoforgiveAktarIslamifhe’slookingratherstar-struck thesedays.AlreadytheholderofonecovetedMichelinstar,he’s justbecomeBirmingham’sfirst-everrecipientoftwostars.Not badforaladwhosebackgroundwasoneofpovertyandstruggle,and whowaskickedoutofschoolataged13.

ChefAktarputsthosedifficultyearsdowntohissuccesstoday.Andthose humblerootsmayalsoexplainwhyhisfirstreactiontohisIndianfine diningrestaurantOpheembeingawardtwostarsinthenewMichelinguide wasoneofshock–inthenicestpossibleway.

“WhileMichelininspectionsarekeptincognito,whenyoualreadyhave onestaryouknowyou’reontheradar,butyou’renevertoldwhatthe outcomeis,”hesaid.“Ithinkeveryonecouldseefrommyreactionthat receivingtwostarswasasurprise.Thatdoesn’tmeanIwassurprisedwe achievedit–wepusheverydaytobebetter.Wedeliverexcellence.”

ALWAYSSTRIVING

ThatdrivetobebetterandthebestcanalsobetracedbacktoAktar’s youth.“Icamefromapoverty-strickenbackground,Iwaskickedoutof schoolat13,”heexplained.“Whentheworldwritesyouoffyoueither surpriseeveryoneordowhattheyexpect.Ichosetosurprisepeople.I thinkit’saboutpersonalcharacter–youeitherwanttobethebestor youdon’t.I’malwaysstrivingtobebettereveryday.”

Hewenton:“ReceivingtwoMichelinstarsisanincredibleexperience andfeelingforme,myfamilyandtheteam–andthecity,actually.I’vehad somanymessagesandcards.AndyStreet[theWestMidlandsmayor]who I’veknownforyearsandwhohassupportedtherestaurantasapaying customerhasbeenverykind.Thelevelofrecognitionisgreat.”

AktarisoneofBrum’selitechefs–alongsidethelikesofGlynn Purnell,AdamStokes,LukeTipping,RichardTurnerandBradCarter–whohaveelevatedthecitytoMichelin-starstatus.Aktar’sloveoffood beganwhenhestartedlearningtocookwithhisBangladeshimotherin thefamilykitcheninBrum.

FINDINGFREEDOM

Afterworkinginanumberofrestaurants,Aktarsaid:“In2016,Idecided IwantedfreedomfromtherestaurantgroupIwasworkingin.Ifelt exploitedandsuffocated.Now,I’vecreatedanenvironmentwherenoone feelsexploited.It’sasafeenvironment.Alargepartofourbudgetisspenton traininganddevelopmentknowingthatpeopleaddvaluetoourbusinessas wellasbeingthebesttheycanbe.Iftheyleave,weknowwe’resendinggood peopleoutintothewiderhospitalityindustry.”

Ofhisowngrowingexperience,hesaysthekitchenwastheonlyplace thathefelt‘ultimatefreedom’.“Withmyknives,pans,meat,fish, vegetables,herbs,spicesandcreativity,Ifeltfreefromconstraints.The moreIlearned,themoreIrealisedtherewastodiscover,andthemoreI cooked,themorebarriersIbroke,bothpersonalandculinary.Andthat’s whereyou’llfindme.Noduty.Allpleasure.”

Aktar’spastCVincludesnotableTV appearances,includingwinningGordon Ramsay’sTheFWordandtheGreat BritishMenu,whichhelaterreturnedto asajudge.Bringingthroughthenext generationofpotentialMichelin-star chefsisincrediblyimportanttohim.

Muchhasbeenspokenandwrittenabout therecruitmentcrisiswhichtheindustry hasbeenfacing.Hesays:“Noone’s immunetothat.WhenImeetupwith otherchefs,wetalkaboutit.About gettingtherightpeopleinthebusiness.”

QUALITYNOTVOLUME

OfOpheem’ssuccess,hesays:“Our businesshasalwaysbeenwell-subscribed to.Wehavetheshortestopeninghoursin thecity–we’reaboutqualitynotvolume. Ourtwo-starstatusmightpushwaiting listsfurtherintotheyear.Havingsaidthat, we’realsoaccessible–two-courselunch for£50.It’snotelitist,butitisunique.”

Headded:“We’renowherenear finished,alwaysevolving,ever-changing. Opheemisaworldclassexperience. We’restillonajourney–we’vegotmore incrediblestufftodo.Weblowourguests’ minds,that’swhatwedo.It’sinstant gratificationwhenyouwatchthe wondermentonguests’faces.Theireyes lightupandtheywonderhowyou’ve madeacarrottastelikethis.Wetryand takeingredientsandmakethemunique.”

Andit’sthispassionforperfectionthat hasbroughtBirminghamitsveryfirsttwo Michelinstarrestaurant. ■

PhotographbyScottRhodes

ACTINGUP

WECHATTEDTOBRUMMIEACTRESSSINEADLONG AHEADOFANATIONWIDETOURWITHANOFFICERAND AGENTLEMANABOUTHERLIFE-LONGLOVEOFTHE THEATRE,HERSUPPORTIVEMUMANDGIVINGBACK

BusyrehearsingforAnOfficerandaGentlemanbeforeitsopeningatthe Alexandralastmonth,SineadLongtoldusshewashappytobebackinthe Midlands.InthecitybrieflybeforetouringtheUKfor10months,Sinead saysshe’llalwaysviewtheregionashome.

Birminghamprovidedthespringboardtoanactingcareerthatbeganbyhoning hercraftasadancerandshehasfondmemoriesoftravellinginfromHalesowento attendworkshopssuchasthoseatDanceXchange.WhiledancewasSinead’smain discipline,shealwayslovedmusicalsanditbecameapparentasateenagerthatshe couldreallysingwhichwasarevelation.Sineadremembersfromanearlyagejust lovinggoingtothetheatre.Shesays:“Iwouldbeporingovertheprogrammeseeing wheretheactorscamefromandwheretheystudied.Ilovedit.”

WhileSinead’snotfromanactingdynastywithablackbookpackedwithindustry contactsorfinancialbacking,shehadamotherwhowholeheartedlysupportedher daughter’sobvioustalentandpassion.Sineadremembers:“Mumjustlovedtheatre andhadachildthatlovedit.Shemadealotofsacrifices.”Sineadsayssheneededthe fullscholarshipshewasofferedfromArtsEdinChiswickoritwouldn’thavebeen possibleforhertomovetoLondonandgodramaschool.

INJURYSHOCK

SineadsaysArtsEdisverygoodatgettingstudentsseen,andadds:“Inthethird yearArtsEdstudentsputonthreefull-scalemusicalstowhichagentsandcasting directorsareinvited.”Asaresult,Sineadwassnappedupbyanagentandgivenher firstprofessionaltheatreroleonthebackoftheshowcasesbeforeshe’deven graduated.ShewasofferedthepartofSerenainLegallyBlonde,butitwasn’tall plainsailing.Sineadsustainedaninjuryontourthatrequiredsurgery.

Thankfullyitdidn’tputastoptohercareerandshe’ssincegoneontostaron stageinproductionssuchasJesusChristSuperstar,Hamilton,JerseyBoysandmore, aswellasTVrolesmostnotablyDoctorsandPrinceAndrewTheMusical.Astintin HamiltonwasinterruptedbyCovidwhich,whileastrangetime,sawSineadfeel moresecurethanmost.

Sheexplains:“Lockdownwasatrickyone.Iwasin abetterpositionthansomeactors.IwasinHamilton whenCovidhitandbecauseitwassomassive,the showfeltsafeandunlikelytoclose.”Sheadds:“Some bigshowsdidclose,butHamiltonneverfeltlikeit would.Itwashardtoplanthough.Hamiltondidn’t wanttore-openandthenhavetocloseagain,sointhe endwehad14monthsoff.”

EMOTIONAL

Whileweallfeltthevoidandmissedthearts stronglythroughlockdowns,Sineadsaysshereallyfelt thatfromaudiences.“ThefirstshowHamilton openedpost-Covid,thewholeplaceerupted.Itwas reallycoolandquiteemotional.”Onethingthat Sineadthinkschangedforthebetterduringthe pandemicisincreasedonlineandself-tapeauditions. Forsomeonesokeentomakeacareerintheartsmore accessible,thisisagoodmovesquashingtheneedfor expensivetravelcoststogettoauditionswhichare generallyinLondon.Theneedforaccessibilityisone closetoSinead’sheart.Programmessuchasthe DADA(danceanddramaaward)whichhelpwithfees andlivingcostsatprivatedanceanddramaschoolsare

BOXOFFICE

IfyoumissedAnOfficerandaGentlemaninBirmingham, checkouttherestofthetourat officerandagentlemanthemusical.com

reducinginnumbers.Talentedactorsfrom backgroundslikeSineadmightnotgetthe opportunitiessheenjoyed.Whileonlineandself-tape auditionsareanoption,thatbecomesirrelevantif peoplecan’taffordtomoveawayandstudy.

DEMYSTIFYLIFE

SuchisSinead’smissiontoboostaccessibility,she runsaprojectcalledWestEnducatewhichaimsto ‘demystifylifeworkingintheWestEnd’.West Enducaterunsbespokeworkshopssharingprofessional knowledge.There’svocalcoachingandmusical workshopsaswellasindustryinsightandmore.Sinead explains:“Therearesomanyopportunitiesforyoung people.Withtheworkshopswefindsomeonefromthe showwe’replanningtoworkshopwhichisimportant. Wealsoofferyoungpeoplepracticalknowledgesuchas howyourlifeworkswhenyou’reinthearts.It’shardto understandthefullextentofbeingself-employedand whatthatmeans.”

SineadenjoyschattingtotheyoungstersintheQ&A sessionsattheendofaworkshop.Shesays:“The youngerchildrenwanttoknowthefunsidelike costumesetc.andtheolderstudentsaremore concernedwithmoretechnicalaspectsandnavigating gettingthebalanceright.”

Withdreamroleslike‘RoxyinChicago,anyofthe girlsinSixandmaybeCats’aswellasmoreTVonthe horizon,wereckonwe’llbeseeingalotmoreof SineadLong. ■

TRIALRUN: SineadwithGeorgiaLennon,left,inrehearsalsforAnOfficerandaGentleman.PhotographbyMarcBrenner

FOOD&DRINKliving

DEEPAKKUMAR

MeettheheadchefatQavali,theIndoPersianfine diningrestaurantinBrindleyplacethat’snamedafter astyleofSufidevotionalsinging

Tellusaboutyourcooking

Mycookingstyleissimple.Iworkwithdifferent keyingredientstokeepthedishsimpleandtasty. Presentationiscrucialwithsimplicity.

Howdidyoubecomeachef?

SincechildhoodIwasveryfondofstreetfoodand homecooking.Iusedtohelpmymominthekitchen, andIwastrainedintheRadissonhotel.Mymomplayed animportantroleasshetaughtmehomestylecooking andintroducedmetotheworldofourculture’scuisines.

TRYDEEPAK’SRECIPEFORDELICIOUS PERSIANKOOBIDEHKEBABS

Ingredients

■ 1kglambmince ■ 2mediumwhiteonions

■ 1tspsaffron ■ 6clovesofgarlic,pasted

■ 100gmbutter,melted ■ ½tspblackpepper

■ ½tsprosewater ■ ½tspsumac

■ Salttotaste

Method

Mixallthedryingredientswithlambmince.Pureetheonionsandthen straindiscardinganywater.Mixwiththegarlicpasteandrosewater thenaddtothemince,kneadinguntilalltheingredientsarecombined. Dividetheminceintofiveportions,shapeontoskewersandcookover charcoalgrillorbarbecuewhilebastingwiththemeltedbutter.Cook untilmeatistenderthenenjoywithlavashbreadorrice.

Who’sthebestchefintheworldandwhy?

Andwho’sthebestinBrum?

Mymomisthebestchefintheworld.Shewasmy firstteacherwhotaughtmethatcookingisanartand itcanonlybedonefromtheheartandwithlove. Peoplecanhavetechniquesbutnotthelovethat comesfromwithin.InBirminghamallourchefsare thebestbecauseallareworkingwithpassion.

Shareacookingtip

Alwaystastethedishinbetweenasthetaste changesduringcookingtime,socheckthattheright flavoursarecomingthrough.

Whatwasyourfavouritefoodasakid?

Samosachaat–atraditionalIndiandishmade fromboiledpotatoes,lentils,spicesandsamosas.

Foodheavenandfoodhell?

FoodheaveniseatingAlooParathainthe mountainsofIndo-PersiaandhellwaswhenIate chillisamosain50ctemperature.

What’sthemostunusualthingyou’veeaten? Frog.

Ifyouweren’tachef,whatwouldyoube?

Acop. ■

EASTERBUNNY VANILLACUPCAKES

Thesesweetlittlecupcakesareascuteas theyaredelicious.AperfectEastertreat

INGREDIENTS

Forthecupcakes

■ 175gbutter

■ 175gself-raisingflour

■ 175gcastersugar

■ 1/2tspbakingpowder

■ 1/2tspvanillaextract

■ 3largeeggs

Fortheicing

■ 175gbutter

■ 1/2tspvanillaextract

■ 3tbspmilk

■ 350gicingsugar

METHOD:

Preheattheovento180°C/gasmark4.Linea12holemuffintinwithpapercupcakecases.Putall thecupcakeingredientsintoalargebowland beatuntilsmooththendivideevenlybetween thepapercases.Bakefor20to25minutes,or untilthecakesarewellrisenandfirmontop. Transfertoawireracktocool.

Fortheicingsugar,putthebutter,vanillaextract, twotablespoonsofthemilk,andhalftheicing sugarinalargebowlandbeatuntilsmooth. Thenbeatintheremainingicingsugarandthe remainingmilk.

Whenthecakesarecool,spoontheicingintoa pipingbagfittedwithastarnozzleandpipe swirlsoftheicingontopofeachcupcake. Decoratewithshapedmarshmallowforearsand pinksweetsforthebunnynose.

SHORTS NI BBLESand

OURBARS,RESTAURANTSANDHOTELSDELIVERUNRIVALLEDFOOD,DRINKANDHOSPITALITY. HERE’STHELATESTINSIDERNEWSFROMTHECITY’SEATERIESANDWATERINGHOLES

RINGING THE CHANGES

Arefreshedbar,newsoftfurnishingsandanexpandeddiningspacearesomeofthechangesattheColebrookinShirley afterathree-weekrefurbishment.Thepubhasalsoupdateditsmenutoincludeawiderangeofnewdishes,includingSlow CookedRibofBeef,Shepherd’sPie,steaksandSundayroasts.GeneralmanagerShivaunMcCormacksaid:“We’rethrilledto welcomegueststoexperienceourpub’snewlook,whilekeepingthecosyfeeloftheColebrookweallknowandlove.”

STAR-STUDDEDOPHEEM

Opheem,theIndianfinediningrestaurantintheheartofthecitycentre,hasbecomethefirst inBirminghamtoreceivetwoMichelinstars.ChefandownerAktarIslamopenedthe restaurantatSummerRowin2018withavisionofpushingtheboundariesofIndian flavourswithprogressivecuisine.DescribingtheawardasanincrediblehonourAktarsaid hisjourneystarted31yearsagowhenhe“gotkickedoutofschool”.Adam’s,Purnell’sand Simpsonsallretainedtheirstars.

ARTISAN AMBITION

Anewrestauranthas openedwhichaimsto deliverthe“bestartisan craftofthelocalareaand celebratetheamazing growersandproducersin Warwickshire”.The100seaterCogsRestaurant& BarissituatedinHotel IndigoCoventryandcaters forbreakfasts,coffees, lunchtimeandevening meals,orforthosejust wantingtodropinfora drink.HeadchefMarekJani hasworkedacrosslarge, brandedhotels,multi-outlet cateringofferings,aswellas smallerboutiquehotels.

TEATIME TREAT

Baloci,theIndo-Persianboutiquehotel andfinediningrestaurantthatopenedin Edgbastonlastmonth,isnowservingan afternoonteaexperience.Exploreaworld offlavourswithaselectionofsweetand savourybites,eachcraftedto complementtheexoticteas availablefromtheSilk Roadregions.

BARSTOPUKLIST

TwoBirminghambarshavebeenrankedinthetop fiveofaprestigiousUKlisting.TheFranklin&SonsTop 50CocktailBars2024namedPassingFanciesin DigbethasthirdbestinBritainwhileCouchinStirchley wasnamedinfourthplace.Havingonlyopenedin 2022,PassingFancieshasalreadyestablisheda greatreputationforinnovativedrinkswithaneverchangingmenu.

BARATTHEWHARF

AnewRamenbarhasopenedserving JapanesefoodwithaKoreantwist.Ramen DonatRegencyWharf,besideKaraoke Box,boastsamenuwithavarietyofplates andbowlspricedfrom£4foredamameup toa£16.50bowlofkaramiso.Most dishesarepricedaroundthe£12to£13 markwithoptionssuchasKotteripork ramen,chickenpaitanandchickencurry donburi.There’salsoaveganversionof thekaramiso.

NEWBOSSCHECKSIN

SwitchHospitalityManagementhas appointedEhatshumChowdhuryasthe generalmanagerofthenewaparthotel BirminghamSnowhill.Bringingmorethan 10years’hospitalityexperiencetotherole, Ehatshumpreviouslyheldsenior managementpositionsat luxuryresortsandleading hotelbrandsacrosstheUK. FormerlyknownastheRoyal AngusHotel,aparthotel Birminghamoffersachoiceof 10accommodationtypes across161suites.

SPICEDBLOODORANGEMARTINI

We’rewarmingtothedecidedly-dodgyspringweatherwiththislovelytipple

Weknowit’ssupposedtobespringbutatthetimeof writingit’sbloomin’coldandwefancied somethingwarming.Thisrichandspicyrum cocktailfromthemixologistsatShakespeareDistilleryusing theirawesomeJesterSpicedRumdidjustthetrick.Superb,but asalwayspleaseenjoyresponsibly. ■

INGREDIENTS:

■ 50mlJesterSpicedRum

■ 25mlCointreau

■ 25mlbloodorangeandgingersyrup

■ 25mlpineapplejuice

■ 2-3limewedges

METHOD:

Add2or3limewedgesintoasmallcocktail tin,followedbythesyrup,andmuddle together.AddtheJesterSpicedRum,Cointreau andpineapplejuicethenfilltinwithiceand shake(werecommend20times).Finally,strain intoachilledcoupeglass,garnishwithorange peel,sitback…andenjoy!

FormorerecipesanddetailsonShakespeare Distilleryvisit:shakespearedistillery.com

RIDETHE RESERVOIR

Sunday28April2024

BirminghamNewman University|B323NT

BirminghamHospiceistheprimary providerofadulthospicecareinthecity anditssurroundingareas.Thecharity caresforaround1,000patientson averageeverydayacrossitsservices, includingitsInpatientUnits,LivingWell Centres,outinthecommunityandin patient’sownhomes.For2024’sRidethe Reservoir,BirminghamHospice’sEvents Teamwillbebringingbackthree much-lovedroutes,25km,75kmand 100km,aswellasintroducingabrand new100-mileroute!So,whetheryou’re newtocycling,aseasonedproor somewhereinbetween–there’s somethingforeveryone.InMarch2023, BirminghamStMary’sHospiceandJohn TaylorHospicerebrandedasBirmingham Hospice.Thecharity’snewnameand uniqueidentitycelebratesaspecial 157-yearheritageofcareacrossourcity, whilesupportingittogrowandreach evenmorepeoplewhoneeditssupport.

To ndoutmore,pleasevisit:birminghamhospice.org.uk/ride-the-reservoir

MALAYACLASSIC

FromthepeoplebehindHarbornefavourite HenryWongcomesMalayaClassicinthe Arcadian.Fromtheoutsidetherestaurant looksabitsoulless–kerbappealisnotitsstrong point–butontheinsideit’sawinnerandthat’swhat counts,right?Bright,characterful,warmand welcoming,it’sadelight.

Themenu’slargefeaturingMalaysiandishes alongsideChineseoptions.Weoptedforamixture.A platterofstarterstoshareincludedcrunchyvegetable frittersdeliciousdunkedinahotchillidip,chicken satayskewerswithatop-notchpeanutsauce,punchy rendangbeefspringrollsandpandanfriedchicken. Wrappedtightlyandcookedinbananaleaf,the chickenwasincrediblysucculent.

NOSTALGIATRIP

NasiLemakwithchickentookusbacktoatripto Langkawiwhereweatesomethingsimilarmostdays. Servedonthebone,thechickenwassuperbwitha generoushelpingofmoreishperfectlyspicedsauce, coconutrice,afriedegg,sambalchilli,peanuts, anchoviesandpickledvegetables.Thecombination ofheatwithsweetcoconutandsharppickledvegwas seriouslygood.Thericewasmarbledwithsomething bluewhichwasabitoffputting,butittastedgreat. Sweetandsourchickendidn’tbreakthemould,but ifitain’tbrokedon’tfixit.Itwasreallygoodandfree fromthecloyingsaucethatseemscommonplace,it tastedfreshanddelicatelyflavoured.

Abaobunwithshreddedduckandhoisinsauce wasasurprise.Weordereditmerelytosamplerather thanbecausewethoughtit’dblowoursocksoff,but itwasbrilliant.Thesoftpillowybunwasfilledwith gorgeousflavoursandtextureswedidn’texpect. We’replanninganothertripdedicatedtoworkingour waythroughtheentireselection.

Wewerewarnedthefoodmighttake15to20 minutesifweorderedfromthe‘signaturedishes’part ofthemenuwhichfeltlikeagoodsign–everything weatefeltfreshlyandthoughtfullyprepared. Obviously,thatshouldbeagivenbutit’snotalways thecase.We’dhighlyrecommend. ■

SPRINGINTHEVINEYARD

Asthedaysgraduallylengthen,vineyardscomealivewiththepromise ofanewseason,saysKatieGardnerofBirminghamWineSchool

Springinthevineyardisa timeofrenewal,where dormantvinesawakenand thedelicatedanceofnaturebegins.

TheLifecycleUnfolds:

FromBudbursttoFlowering–Springmarksthecommencementof thegrapevine’sannuallifecycle,ajourney thatbeginswithbudburst.Astemperatures rise,dormantbudsswellandburstopen, revealingthetendershootsthatwillsoongrowinto lushcanopiesofleaves.Thiscriticalphaseisnotonly avisualspectaclebutavitalmomentforgrowersasit setsthetonefortheentiregrowingseason.

Followingbudburst,thevinetransitionsinto flowering,adelicateandcrucialstage.Tiny,

inconspicuousflowersappearonthevines,signalling theonsetofgrapedevelopment.Theweatherduring thisperiodplaysapivotalroleindeterminingthe quantityandqualityoftheeventualharvest.Warm anddryconditionsareoptimal,allowingfor successfulpollination,whilecoolorrainyweather canleadtopoorfruitset,impactingfinalyields.This contributestovintagevariation,whichaffectsthe qualityofaharvestinanygivenyear.

RACEAGAINSTTIME

Spring’sgentlewarmthfostersthegrowthof leaves,whichareessentialforphotosynthesis.The expandingcanopycapturessunlight,convertingitinto energythatfuelsthevine’sgrowthandthe developmentofgrapeclusters.Thisperiodisarace againsttime,asvinesstrivetoaccumulate

enoughenergytosupportthefruitthatwillfollowas theygothroughthecolourchangeandripeningperiod duringspring.

Fruitsetinthevineyardisapivotalstageinthe grapevine’sannuallifecycle,typicallyhappeninginlate spring.Thiscrucialphasefollowsthefloweringperiod.

Fruitsetisthetransformativemomentwhenthesedelicate flowerstransitionintosmall,hardandbittergreengrape berries,markingtheinitiationofgrapedevelopment. Successfulfruitsetisparamountforabountifulharvest,as eachfertilisedflowerrepresentsapotentialgrapecluster.

ChallengesintheSpringVineyard:

WeatherandClimateChange

Whilespringbringspromisesofnewbeginnings,italso presentschallengesforgrapegrowers.Unpredictableweather patternsandclimatechangeposethreatstovineyards worldwide.Suddentemperaturefluctuations,latefrosts,or excessiverainduringthecrucialstagesofbudburstand floweringcanhavedevastatingeffectsonthecrop.

Climatechangeintroducesnewuncertainties,altering traditionalgrowingconditionsandchallenginggrowersto adapt.Shiftsintemperatureandprecipitationpatternscan disruptthedelicatebalancenecessaryforoptimalgrape development.

Tocombatthechallengesposedbyspringweatherand climatechange,grapegrowersemployvariousstrategies. Protectivemeasures,suchasinstallingfrostfansand heaters,helpwardofflatefroststhatcandamagetender buds.Advancedweathermonitoringsystemsprovide growerswithreal-timedata,allowingthemtomake informeddecisionsandimplementpreventivemeasures whenadverseconditionsareforecasted.

Additionally,sustainableandorganicfarmingpractices aregainingpopularityastheycontributetotheoverall resilienceofthevineyardecosystem.Covercropsand naturalpestmanagementtechniquesareemployedto maintainsoilhealthandbiodiversity,enhancingthe vineyard’sabilitytoadapttochangingconditions.

Ifyougettheopportunity,dovisitalocalvineyardatthis timeofyearandseethebeautyofspringforyourself! ■

BirminghamWineSchoolisanindependentwineeducation companythatoffersfuninformalwinetastingeventsand Wine&SpiritEducationTrust(WSET)coursesonline,in BirminghamandWarwick.Formoreinformationplease contactKatieGardneron01212707359orvisit www.birminghamwineschool.com.

KATIE’S4PERFECTSPRINGWINES

■ CasillerodeDiabloReservaEspecialSauvignonBlanc,Chile–Sainsburys£10

BoredofNewZealandSauvignon?TrythiscrispandfreshexamplefromthePacificcoastof Chile,withnotesofgrapefruitandgreenappleandlovelyspringfloralaromas.Itsits somewherebetweentheFrenchandKiwistyles.

■ PlanetaL’AmistanzaFianoGrecanico,Sicily,Italy–Tesco£10.50 FewerwineregionscapturethefeelingofsunshinebetterthanSicily.Thiswhitewinemade fromnativeItaliangrapesreallysingswithitsfresh,floralstyle.Greatwithpastaandseafood.

■ LeBijouRosédeSophieValroseCoteauxdeBéziers,Languedoc,France–Waitrose£9.99

TheMediterraneanregionofLanguedocisahiddengemforgreatvalueFrenchwineand thisroséisnoexception.Dry,crispandfruity,it’stheperfectwinetoemergefromthecold intotheearlySpringsunshine.

■ PaskInstinctPinotNoir,Marlborough,NewZealand–Fraziers£14.95 Oneforredwineenthusiasts,alightandfruityPinotNoirembodiesthespiritofspring. Withitsredberryaromasandsilkytexture,thiswinepairswonderfullywithspringcuisine andisperfectfortransitioningfromcoolereveningstowarmerdays.

GETTINGFIT FORSUMMER

DOYOUSTILLFITINTOLASTYEAR’SSWIMWEAR?THOUGHT NOT!TIMETOGETWORKINGONSHAPINGUPTHATBOD…

Apparently,theweatherisshowingsignsof improving,whichmeansit’salmosttimeto getoutthesummercollection…andalmost timetogetintolastyear’sswimsuit.So,comeon Birmingham,let’sgetreadytogetherandstepupthe exerciseregime.Needsomemotivation?Here’s sometoptips:

Setasidetimeforexercise–Developastructure andpatterntoyourexercise.Builditintoyourdaily routinebyaddingintoyourdiaryorblockingitout inyourworkcalendarasyouwouldaworkmeeting.

Focusonyourgoals–Setsmall,short-term achievablegoalsthatyoucanmeet,suchas‘I’lldo three,one-hoursessionsthisweek’or‘I’llusethe heavierweightsforthenextsession’.

Mixitup!–Therearelotsofdifferentclassesout thereatlotsofdifferentgyms.Eventhoughinstructors willvarytheirclasses,it’salwaysgoodtotrydifferent instructorsfornewexercisesandafreshface!

Eatwell–It’sreallyimportanttolookafteryour nutrition–maintainregularmealtimesandtryto avoidsnacking,especiallyintheevening.

Sleepwell–Makesureyouwakeupreasonably earlyandgotobedreasonablyearly.Sleepis importantforourmentalwell-being.

Havefun!–Bekindtoyourself.Ifyourbody needsarestfromitsnewexerciseroutine,takeit. Fitnessshouldbefun.

FIVESIMPLEEXERCISES

Strugglingtofindthetimetogettoagym?Here arefiveeasyexerciseswhichyoucandoathomein onlyfiveminutes.Doeachexerciseforuptoone minutethenasyouimproveturnthisintoacircuitby repeatingthesequencetwice,thenthreetimessoit takes15minutes.

1Stairclimbing

Runupanddownstairsatafastpacenon-stopfor oneminute–itwillboostyourheartrateandasit’s

weight-bearingitwillloadyourbonestoo.Ifyoufind iteasythentrycarryingsomethingheavy(evenly loadedcarrierbagsfullofbookswilldofine).

2Squats

Standwithyourfeetshoulder-widthapart(or slightlywider)andpushyourhipsbackasifyou’re sittingintoanimaginarychair.Lowerdownsoyour thighsareasparalleltotheflooraspossible,with yourkneesoveryourankles.Pressyourweightinto yourheelsthenpushuptobringyourselfbacktothe startingposition.Workupgraduallytosquatfor30 secondsthenbuildituptooneminute.

3Ropelessskipping

Imagineholdingaskippingropethenrotatethe ‘rope’forwardasifyou’reskipping.Addinthe footwork,youcanhopfromonefoottotheotheror jumpliftingbothfeetsimultaneously.Rememberto keepthearmsturning–youcanalternatecircling forwardandbackward–andkeepgoingforupto oneminute.

4Theplank

Onthefloor,getintoapush-uppositionthen bendyourelbowsat90-degreesandrestyourweight onyourforearms.Yourelbowsshouldbedirectly beneathyourshouldersandyourbodyshouldforma straightlinefromyourheadtoyourfeet.Holdthe positionforaslongasyoucanuptooneminute(and remembernottoholdyourbreath).

5Lateralraises

Standwithfeethip-widthapart,armsbyyour sidesholdingweightsineachhand.Youcouldstart withbottlesofwaterortinsofsoupthenbuildupto usinghandweights.Raiseyourarmsupandoutto thesidetoshoulderlevelthenslowlylowerthem backdownandrepeat.Don’tbetemptedtoletyour armsdropsuddenly,trytoresistgravity.Keepgoing foruptooneminute.

SMASHIT WITH BADMINTON

BWITHENGLAND’STOPPLAYERSCOMINGTOBRUMTHIS MONTH,WHYNOTTRYTHESPORTYOURSELF–ANDENJOY

admintontakescentrestageinBirminghamthis monthastheEnglandOpenChampionships returnstotheUtilitaArena.Someofthebest badmintonplayersfromaroundtheworldwillbe showcasingthespeedandskillrequiredtoexcelinthis incrediblesport.

Neverplayed?Whatareyouwaitingfor?It’safabulous alternativetothegymwithsomeincrediblehealthbenefits. Herearejustafew:

TotalBodyWorkout

Stretching,lungingandrunning…it’sallrequired, meaningyourheartwillbepumpingprovidingacracking cardioworkoutforthewholebody,includingyourcore.

Musclestrength

Thecontinuousmovementalsohelpsbuildupyour musclemass,aswellastonethemup,andstrengthens calves,quadsandhamstrings.

HeartHealth

Badmintondecreasesthelevelsof‘bad’cholesterol, whichcanblockyourbloodvesselsandimprovesthelevels ofgoodcholesterol–allgoodnewsifyouwanttohelp avoidheartattacksandstrokes.

Upwardmobility

Asweage,ourmobilitygraduallybeginstobecome morelimited.Theactivemotionofbadmintonensureswe

lubricateourjoints,helpingtominimisetheriskof arthritisandotherjointissues.

Improvereflexes

Beingaquicksport,itrequiresgoodreflexes,both physicallyandmentally,whichareessentialinallowing yourbodytoreactinwaysthathelpyoutobesafefromthe dangersoffallingover.

Boostmetabolism

Havingagoodmetabolismwithahighmetabolicrateis vitalforahealthylife.Badmintonisanactivesportwhich sweatsyououtfromtiptotoe.Thenaturalsweatingofour bodyremovestoxinsinsideoutandhelpsfightdiabetes.

Bonestrength

Thebackandforthmovementsofhands,legsandarms, aswellastheimpactfromjumpingaroundandhittingthe shuttlecock,canhelpimprovebonedensityandstrength whichhelpspreventfractures.It’salsolowerimpactthat squashandtenniswhichisgoodnews.

Weightloss

Playingagameofbadmintoncanhelpyouburn around450caloriesanhourwhichisgreatforweightloss andkeepingtrim.

IncreasedLifeExpectancy

Researchsuggeststhatracket-basedsportscanincrease

yourlifeexpectancyevenmorethanotheractivities suchascyclingandswimming.

Mentalhealth

Takingpartinanyformofregularphysicalactivity helpstoreleasethoselovelyendorphinswhichhelps fightallmannerofillslikeanxiety,stressandlackof sleep.

It’ssocial!

Badmintonisafun,flexiblesportthat’snotaffected bytheweathersoit’seasiertoplanaroundyourbusy schedule.Youcaneitherplaysinglesordoubles,soit’s highlysocialaswellasagreatworkout. ■

TheYonexAllEnglandOpenBadminton Championships2024,UtilitaArena Birmingham,12to17March.

HEALTH

SMART CASUAL

THEOXYMORONICNATUREOF‘RELAXEDTAILORING’ ISN’TLOSTONUS,BUTIT’STHEBESTWAYTO DESCRIBEONEOFTHISSEASON’SCOOLESTTRENDS

GREEN GODDESS Greenblazer£75and trousers£65,OliverBonas

NATURAL BEAUTY

LinenCorkshirt£49,Bossa Novablazer£79and trousers£49,JohnLewis

THE VIVIENNE

Trousers£169and blazer£249,Barbour

THENEW BLACK

THINK PINK

StellaMcCartney oversizedcrepe£690, HarveyNichols

StellaMcCartneyoversized blazer£1,250,HarveyNichols

FOREST DREAM

FrankieShopBearelaxedfit crepeblazer£295,Selfridges

TCOOL CARGO

Amiriwideleg cargo£890, HarveyNichols

here’sasweetspotinwhichrelaxedtailoringlooks effortlesslycool,butthere’salsoafinelinebetweenchic andill-fitting.Getitright,though,andit’stotally worththejeopardy.

SIZEUP?

No.Yournormalsizeshoulddothetrickprovidedthe garmentisdesignedtoberelaxed.Ifyoustartplayingaround withsizingtoforceapiecetobeoversized,youcancomea cropper.Sleeveandleglengthwillbeoffandwilljustlook strange.Ifyou’reawhizzwithasewingmachineyoumightget awaywithit.Ifnot,sticktothescript.

TRAILBLAZER

Blazersaretheperfectpiecetotryforsuccessfuloversized style.Teamwithmatchingtrousersforasmartishlookandjeans foramorecarefreevibe.HeadtoStellaMcCartneyandBottega Venetaforsomegorgeousexamplesatthedesignerendofthe marketandJohnLewisandM&Satmid-level.Topofourwish

STYLE

SUITS YOU

EtVousstripedlinen blazer£30and trousers£22, Matalan

LESSIS MORE

Framestripeprint cottonpoplinshirt £340,Selfridges

DOUBLEBREASTED Hadfieldcasual jacket£159,Barbour

HARD WORKER

Relaxedfitdouble-breasted jacket£85,Sosandar

PERFECT PINSTRIPE

Blazer£30,waistcoat £18andtrousers£20, George

listthough,evenabovethehigh-endversions,isthe subtlepinkViviennesuitfromBarbourwhichoozeslaidbackstyle.

Foratwistontherelaxedtheme,addamatchingfitted waistcoatunderanoversizedsuitliketheexample picturedfromM&Sforaninstantinjectionofsass.

WIDELEG

Widelegjeansandtrousersareyourfriendwiththis look.Ifyou’renotreadyforhead-to-toebillowingfabric, teamyourtrewswithafittedtoporcroppedjacketfor moreshape.RiverIslandhasacrackingnavyblueboucle jacketthat’llworkwithawidelegbeautifully.

Anepicallyoversizedshirtcanbeathingofbeauty–theholygrailofcomfortandstyleandprobablythe easiestwaytowearoversized.CheckouttheWhite CompanyforsomeclassicexamplesandFramefor somethingabitdifferent,likethecollarlessstriped poplin,pictured.

We’vepulledtogethersomeofourtoppickstogetyou started… ■

PatchpocketTencelshirt £98,WhiteCompany

ClothingfromM&S

Anydaymidwash jumpsuit£50,JohnLewis

JUMP TOIT

THREEPIECE

POCKET ROCKET

OVER IT

TheEditblazer£38and trousers£22,Primark

TOPOF THECROP NavyblueTrophy bouclecroppedjacket £70,RiverIsland

RIGHT STRIPES Pinstripetrouser£650, JWAnderson

AND RELAX Blackrelaxedlinen jacket£30,TUClothing

COOL CAMEL

Blazer£125,trousers £85,creamshirt£45 andGraysonloafer£75, JohnLewis

BEAUTYUPDATE

1.ROSE&MAGNOLIA50MLCOLOGNE£86, JOMALONELONDON

Ifyou’reinthemarketforanewscent,thisisworthalook.We’re notperfumiersbutweknowwhatwelike,andthisisdelicious. Sweet,warmandsensual,theheadycombinationofrose, magnoliaandpatchoulijustworksandaswithallJoMalone scents,onespritzgoesalongwayandwilllastallday.

2.SISLEYAL’INTEGRALANTI-AGEFRESHGELCREAM £418,SISLEY

YoumightbefamiliarwithSisley’siconicextrarichcreamandwhile thatremainsastapleofthebrand’scollection,theyarelaunching theproductinagelform.Itincorporatesmorethan50active ingredientsaswiththeoriginal,butit’safresherandlightergel cream.Itsinksintotheskinbeautifullyandresultsinasmootherlooking,highlynourishedcomplexion.Ithasaheftypricetag,so werecommendtryingasampletoseeifitworksforyou.

3.ELEMISPRO-COLLAGENCLEANSINGBALM£49, SELFRIDGES

ElemislaunchedatSelfridges,Bullringlastmonthwithmuch fanfare–you’vegottoaskyourselfwhytheyweren’ttherealready, butwe’llletthatslide.Itforcedthisclassiccleanserbackintoour psycheandwe’redelighted.We’dforgottenhowbrilliantlyitmelts awaymake-upandgrimewhilenourishingandhydrating–sometimestheoldonesarethebest.Thebrandwillbeoffering15minuteHDskinconsultationsaswellas30-minutefacialsinstore.

4.SUSANNEKAUFMANNFACEOIL£65, SUSANNEKAUFMANN

THISMONTHWEBRINGYOUTHREERECENTLAUNCHES ASWELLASACLASSICTHATHADFALLENOFFOUR RADARBUTISNOWFIRMLYBACKINTHEFOLD 3 4

Weloveafaceoilandthisisagoodie.It’slightweightsoit won’tmakeyoufeelgreasy,yetit’spotentenoughtorepairand nourishyourskin.Itcanbeusedalonefollowedbymoisturiseror youcanmixacoupleofdropsintoyourmoisturiser–whatever worksbestforyou.We’vebeenaddingacoupleofdropstoour bodylotiontoowhichfeelsabitextravagantbutitreallysoftens andhydrates.

1

2

JACKETIN

HOPEFULLYBYTHETIMEYOUREADTHISTHERE’LL BEBLUESKIESONTHEDAILYANDYOU’LLBE SHRUGGINGOFFYOURRAINCOAT.WHATFLOODS?

MRBLUESKY ClothingfromRiverIsland

We’reintolightjacketterritoryandwe’renot lookingback.Relaxedandnever‘tryhard’,a lightweightjacketisaversatilepiecethatcan layerupwellwhenneededsoyou’llgetalotofwearout ofit.Frombombersinmilitarygreentobrightblue overshirtsandcooljerseyzipjackets,therailsarefullof optionsthat’llkeepaMarchchillatbaywhilelooking supercool.

Thebomberjacketisaclassicforareason.Thisseason hasbeengiventhedesignertreatmentwithflamboyant printsandluxuriousfabric–seeEvisuandDriesVan Noten.Theshacket–aridiculoustermthatdoeswhatit saysonthetin–seemsheretostaybridgingthegap betweenindoorandouterwear,whileasimplecotton zip-upjacketwithacollarwillnevergooutofstyle.

We’vepicked10ofthebestranginginpricefrom£79 tomorethan£1,000ifyou’reinitforthelonghaul. ■

ATTENTIONTODETAIL Stoneford£179,Barbour

BRO-CADE EvisuLogopanelledbrocade bomberjacket£445, HarveyNichols

GOGREEN Recycledflannel greenshirtjacket £189,Neem

THEBOMB Tirrel£149,Barbour

LAYERUP Shacket£75, M&S

INLOVE CommedesGarcons Playheartjersey jacket£200, Selfridges

GETTOWORK Workerjacket £79,FatFace

SHACKETCREW Worthleyjacket£99, CrewClothing

INREVERSE DriesVanNotenVolker reversiblenylonbomberjacket £1,345,HarveyNichols

HOMESliving

Weseemanyconservatoriesshoe-horned intotightspaceswithatouchof80’s PVCaboutthem.That’snotexactlythe dreamandnotwhatwe’readvocatinghere.Ifyou’re shortonspace,thereareotheroptionswhichwill maximiseoutdoor/indoorspacewithhighstyleand functionattheircore.

Evenacoveredareainthegardenwithsomeform ofheating–achimineaorfirepitforinstance,will makeyouroutdoorspacemuchmoreusable.Whileit can’tcompetewithapermanentstructure,it’llbring muchjoyand,ifdonewell,willlookfantastic.

SAMEBUTDIFFERENT

Ifyou’reluckyenoughtobeabletogofora permanentstructurethereforeextendingyourhome, checkoutconservatoryandorangeryoptions.The differencebetweenthetwoisbasicallyglazing.An orangeryispartiallyglazedwithmasonrywallsanda rooflanternwhileaconservatoryisalmostentirely glazed–certainlytheroofiscompletelyglass.Both offertheluxuryofanadditionalroominyourhome whichgenuinelybringstheoutsidein.

Ifyouhavethespaceforanorangerythatwill

RUSTICCHARM

RAISEDSTRUCTURE

sympatheticallyandseamlesslyfitintotothestyleof yourhome,that’sgreat.Thereareafewthingsto considersuchasplanningandalarge-ishbudget–anywherebetween£20kand£40kgenerally.Theresult canbeincredible,givingyouanextraroomthat’s floodedwithlightviatherooflanternandpartially glazedwalls.Citrustreesandhouseplantswillthrive.

Conservatoriestendtobecheaperthanorangeries

butcandothesamejobintermsofboostingspacein yourhomeandmaximisingnaturallight.Theycan betrickytocontrolintermsoftemperature,although under-floorheating,doubleglazingandblindscan dothejob–justfactortheminwhenplanning.

Whenyou’reconsideringwhichstructuretogofor, thinkabouthowtheadditionwilllookalongsidethe restofthehouseandshoparound.Lookatprevious projectsfromdesigners/installersbeforeyoudecide.

THEFUNFACTOR

Asummerhouseorgardenpodisseparatefrom themainhouseandcanprovideahome office/workshoporanadditionalspacetoenjoythe gardenfrom.Cheaperandeasierthana conservatoryororangery,yougenerallywon’tneed planningpermission,althoughchecklocallybefore yougoahead.

Gardenpodsareabitoffunandfeelluxurious–a gorgeousspaceforentertainingwith360-degree viewsofyourgarden.Seetheversionfrom Cuckooland,pictured. ■

GOODWOOD Carmensummerhouse£1,095,Rowlinson

TABLESCAPE

Tablopicnictable,Cuckooland

ROOMWITHAVIEW

Sheepskinrugs fromBaaStool

OUTSIDEIN

4SeasonsOutdoorEvoraTeakgardencornersofa£2,565,Cuckooland

HOLIDAYVIBES ChairandtablefromNest

TABLETOP

Neoma wirelesstable lamp£125,OKA

JUSTADDBLOOMS

RoundVase£199, BoConcept

NATURALVIBE

Helgatasselled juterug£199, CultFurniture

TOUCHES FINISHING

HANGING AROUND

SikarattanRenoir hangingchair£425, Cuckooland

HEREARESOMEGORGEOUSNEUTRALPIECESTOSETOFFYOUR INDOOR/OUTDOORSPACE.ADDCOPIOUSAMOUNTSOF GREENERYANDPRETTYBLOOMSTOPROVIDETHECOLOUR

LIGHTUP

Suthfieldartichoketea lightholder£24,Neptune

COMFORTBREAK

Gironachair£550,OKA

HURRICANEVASE Brockleyhurricane vase£85, Neptune

RUSTIC CHARM

Hangingrattan lamp£149, Cuckooland

MIRROR MIRROR

Gothicmetal mirror£30, NationalTrust

PERFECTPOT

FermLiving Hourglassplant pot£325,Kin

AGAINSTTHEWALL Rigbywalllight £129, LeeLonglands

FromthePottingBench withAdam

SPRINGHASARRIVEDANDADAM KIRTLANDISONHANDTOHELP YOUSPRINGINTOACTION!

YoucanfollowAdamonInstagram@viewfromthepottingbench orlistentoAdam’spodcastTalesfromThePottingBenchfor moregardeninginspiration.YoucanalsoreadAdam’sblogat viewfromthepottingbench.com

Marchisfinallyhere,andasgardeners,this issuchadelightfulmonth–thedaylight beginstogetthatbitlongereachdayand bythetimetheendofthemonthcomesaround,itis technicallyandofficiallyspring.Afteralongwinter (andgosh,hasn’tthisonefeltlong?!)it’stimefor someseriousseedsowingtobeginandforourtwitchy greenfingerstoreallygetgardening.

Inthismonth’scolumn,I’vegotsomejobsthatwe canallhaveagowithinourowngreenspaces,no matterwhetheryou’reinalushgrandgardenorjust sowingseedsonyourkitchentable!Andwe’re focussingonvegthatyoucangrowyourself.

That’sShallot!

I’vetoldyouaboutthewondersofgrowingyourown onionsbeforebuthowaboutsomeshallotstoothistime? Theseversatilemembersofthealliumfamily,closely relatedtoonions,offerabountyofflavourtoanydish andareajoytogrow.Beginbyselectingawell-drained, sunnyspotinyourgardenorallotmentforplanting. Preparethesoilbyenrichingitwithcompostorwellrottedmanuretoensureoptimalgrowth–giveyour compostagoodmixintoensureidealconditions.

InearlyMarch,whenthesoilstartstowarmup,it’s timetoplantshallotsets.Thesearesmallbulbsthat willdevelopintomatureshallots.Plantthemabout 15cmapartinrows,witheachsetburiedatadepthof roughlytwiceitsownheight.Keepthesoilmoistbut notwaterloggedandweedregularlytogiveyour shallotsthebestchancetothrive.Withpropercareand attention,youcanlookforwardtoaplentifulharvest comesummertime,readytoaddtheirdistinctive flavourtoyourculinarycreations.

PotatoesinPots!

Marchalsobringsabouttheperfectwindowtoget somefirstearlypotatoesintheground.Potatoesalsolike asunny,shelteredspotwithwell-drainedsoil.You’ll wanttopreparethespaceinasimilarwaytoshallots withlotsofgoodqualitycompostandthiscanbedonein raisedbeds,inthegroundoreveninlargetubsorpots.If you’vegotaheadofthegamethenyou’llhave‘chitted’ yourpotatoesattheendofwinter(sittheminawarm sunnyspotandallowthemtosprout)butifnot,that’s fine–youcanstillplantthemoutnow.

Whenplanting,spacetheseedpotatoesaround 30cmapartinrows,ensuringtheyareburiedaround 10cmdeep.Keepaneyeonfrosts,asyoungshootscan besusceptible,butotherwise,earlypotatoesare relativelylowmaintenance.

Asyouseemoreandmoreleavesandshoots, continueto‘earthup‘(essentiallycoveringoverthe plant)againandagainuntiltheplantshaveflowered andarereadytoharvestinaroundJuly.Whenyou thinktheyareready,doalittlebitoftreasurehuntingto seeiftheylookbigenoughtoeat.Ifnot,thenyoucan coverthembackoverandlookagaininafewweeks.

HandyHerbs!

Nowisafantastictimetoheadtothegardencentre ortrylocalcompanyUrbanHerbs(urban-herbs.co.uk) tofillyourgardenwithdeliciouslyscented–andtasty–herbs.Youcangrowherbsinthesmallestofspaces–evenjustonyourwindowsillathome.

Choosealargepot(30cmorbigger)andyoucan fillthatwitharoundfiveorsixdifferentherbplants thatyoucangrowandpickfromallseasonlong. Personalfavouriteswillalwaysberosemary,mintand thyme–alldeliciousandallwillaccompanyyour homegrownspuds,too! ■

NEXTMONTH…

I’llbesharingsomeexcitingnewswithyouaboutanupcoming eventthatyou’reallgoingtowanttocomealongto…moreon thatnexttime!

TECHTRUMPS

NISSAN’SNEWE-POWERTECHNOLOGYWORKSATREATINALL CONDITIONSINTHELATESTX-TRAILSUV,SAYSSUECOOKE

SpringisdefinitelyintheairasIroadtest Nissan’sfamilyadventureSUVwithitsnew e-POWERtechnology.Accelerationtakesme bysurpriseasthefourthgenerationX-Trailsprings forward,achievinga0-62mphin7.2seconds. Drivingthee-POWERX-Trailissimilartodriving anelectricvehiclebutthereisnoneedtostop,plug in,orrecharge.

The‘e’standsforNissan’s100percentelectric motordrivesystemandreferstothevehicle’sphysical power,energyandall-wheelcontrol.Whenmaximum powerisrequired,theelectricmotortakeselectricity fromboththeengineandfromthebattery.

TheX-Trailwithe-POWERhaspickedupa successionofmotoringawardsandNissansaysthat sinceitsdebutmorethan100,000customershave takendeliveryofthisinnovativemodel.WhatsetsePOWERapartisthatthewheelsaresolelydrivenby anelectricmotor.Thismeansthedriveiseffortless, smoothandquiet–muchlikeafullelectricvehicle. Theadvancedandefficientpetrolenginewithinthe e-POWERsystemisusedonlytogenerateelectricity, whichchargestheon-boardbatteryandpowersthe wheelsthroughtheelectricmotor.

PLAINSAILING

Generatingelectricalenergyisalsocontrolled accordingtoroadconditions.Iwasunexpectedly caughtonafloodedroadbutthecrossovereasilycoped withthebowwavegeneratedbycarscomingtheother way.AtalltimesthelargeSUVfeltstable.Ihad previouslydriventheX-Trailatitslaunchalonga shallowriver,whichgavemesomereassurancethatthe crossovercouldcopeonafloodedroad.

Torqueisdistributedtothefrontandrearwheels whichmaximisestyregripaccordingtoroadsurface conditions.Brakingisindividuallycontrolledforeachof thefourwheels.Thankstothispreciseness,theX-Trail maintainstherightcoursewhethertheroadiswet,oily, orslippery.

Thecar’sstylingisrefinedyetrugged,andthere’sa hugeamountofstorage–idealforspringdrivingdays outwiththefamily.Ifyoucomeacrosstheoddfield, you’llfindtheX-Trailisexcellentoff-roadtoo. Luggagecapacityisaverygenerous951litreswithrear seatsupand1,752litreswiththemfolded.Alsouseful

FACTSATAGLANCE

Model: NissanX-Traile-Powerwithe-Forcetechnology

Price: From£43,110otr,including12monthsGovernmentvehicle excisedutyand£55Governmentfirstregistrationfee.Optionsare notincluded.

Engine: Duale-motorsystem(213PS)with150kWfrontmotorand 100kWrearmotor.

Performance: 0-62mphin7.2secondsandontoatopspeedof111mph

Fuelconsumption: 42.2mpgcombined.

CO2emissions: 152g/km

forfamiliesaretheUSBportsinthesecondrowof seats,andthereisachoiceofathirdrowofseats.

HAPPYFAMILIES

Foraspringbreak,theX-Trailboastsgoodtowing capabilitiesandforfamilieswhomighthavestruggled togetchildseatsandpushchairsintoothercars,the Nissanhas85-degreerearopeningdoorsandin-built rearsunshades.

Nissan’sConnectNavigationsystemiseasyto operateandthehead-updisplayshowsuseful informationatthebottomofthewindscreen.Wireless AppleCarPlayisavailableasisDABBluetoothwith audiostreaming.Othertechnologiesinclude ProPILOTAssistwithNavi-Link,andan‘Around ViewMonitor’withmovingobjectdetection.

TheX-Trailisalargecrossoverandthebiggestin Nissan’smodelline-up.Withe-Powertechnology,it’s theperfectspringchoiceforfamilieslookingforsafety, stabilityandreassuranceinanyroadcondition. ■

SHOWROOM

NissanBirmingham,127ChesterRoad,SuttonColdfield,B742EH. Tel:01215728018www.westway.co.uk

BELLE KUMBLE ROSE

WECAUGHTUPWITHLOCALSINGERSONGWRITERAHEAD OFTHERELEASEOFHERLATESTSINGLE,NV,PRODUCEDBY THEMANBEHINDSOMEOFKYLIEANDSCLUB7’STRACKS

BirminghamyoungsterBelleKumbleRose isn’tyouraverageteen.HernewsingleNV wasreleasedlastmonthtomuchacclaim, notleastforitsupliftingmessageofkindness,hope andstrengththroughadversity.ProducedbyMike Rosewho’sworkedwithGaryBarlow,andEast17 aswellasBelle’sownmum,Lolly,whoreaders mightrememberfromtheEighties.

Bellesaysshe’sconstantlywritingandis generallyinspiredbypastexperiencesaswellas moretrivialthingslikeTVshows.Shealreadyhas animpressivebodyofworkdespitebeingjust17years-old.Notmanyteenagersarejugglingsixth formstudieswithacareerinmusicanda‘bitof modelling’whiletouringschoolsinordertoinspire otheryoungpeople.

In2022,Bellecompletedatourofmorethan40 schoolsintheMidlandsandtheSouthWest.As wellasperformingtoaudiencesagedfromnineto 13years,Belleansweredquestionsaboutmental

health,onlinesafetyandcyberbullyingdrawingon herownexperiences.

MENTALHEALTH

Lastsummershetooktotheroadagainto performanend-of-school-yeartourwithan audienceofmorethan4,000schoolchildreninthe Midlands.Ofherownstruggles,Bellesays:“I’ve learntsomuchaboutmymentalhealth.Therewere timeswhenIdidn’tfeelheard,soit’snicetobeable totalktoschoolchildrenaboutthat.Hopefullythey don’tfeelalone.”

Overthelastfewyears,Bellehasmadethechoice tousehercreativeskillstoexpressempathythrough hermusicstrivingtobethenewvoiceofher generationinwaiting.Herlyricsreflectthe emotionalhighsandlowsofhergenerationandshe wantstorepresentthekidswhohavenovoice,who can’tordon’tspeakout.

Bellehasgrownupwithsocialmediaandhasa

love-haterelationshipwithitasmost teenagersdo.Shesays:“Iloveitbut it’salsohard.I’mstilltryingtofigureit out.Ijustpostwhat’sauthentictome. There’slotsofnegativityonsocial media.IfIgethatecomments,Ihaveto think,‘atleastthey’retalkingaboutme.’”

LIVEGIGS

Havinggrownupinamusicalfamily, Belleisaconfidentperformerwhorelishes livesgigs.Shehasacoupleoffestivalslined upoverthesummerincludingReading PrideaswellasRainfordFestival,plusa spotonCBBCandafewotherTVthings inthepipeline.WhileBelle’salwayshada passionforsinginginspiredlargelybyher musicalheroessuchasAlanisMorrisette, ParamourandOliviaRodrigo,thewriting bugismorerecent.

Shesays:“Somethingswitchedinmy braininlockdown.Istartedwritingpoetry andwritingaboutmyfeelings.Ibecame moreactiveonInstagramandthings startedtohappen.” ■

FOLLOWON

YoucancatchBelleonsocialmediaanddownloadherworkonher YouTubechannel.

Linktree–https://linktr.ee/bellekumblerose Instagram–https://www.instagram.com/bellekumblerose TikTok–https://www.tiktok.com/@bellekumblerose?lang=en YouTubeChannel–https://www.youtube.com/@bellekumblerose

NETBALLSTARS

BromsgroveSchoolcelebratedaremarkable achievementinnetballasallthreeagegroups–U19, U16,andU14–representedtheschoolattheWest Midlandsregionalnetballfinals.Theachievement followedtheschool’srecentvictoryasCounty Championsinallthreeagecategories.TheU16team narrowlylosttoSolihullinthesemi-finalbeforethe1st teamandU14netballsquadssecuredqualificationfor thismonth’sprestigiousEnglishSchools’National NetballFinals.

STUDENTSSHINE

ElmhurstBalletSchooliscommemorating20yearsat itsEdgbastonhomewithaphotographycampaign calledExceptionalDancers,ExceptionalPeoplewhich celebratesthediversity,individuality,andtalentofits students.Thecampaignfeatureseightstudentscaptured bydancephotographerJohanPersson.“Thestudents wereajoytoworkwith,”saidJohan.“Aphotoshootcan beanoverwhelmingexperienceandbeinginvolvedina balletphotoshootwhereyouarelookingforaperfect line,oraparticularvisuallook,isevenmore challenging.”

BREAKFASTATHATTON

Itwasacaseof‘tuckin’whentheteamatHattonAdventureWorld servedupahearty,healthybreakfasttochildrenfromFerncumbe ChurchofEnglandSchool.Thefiveandsix-year-oldswerecollected bytractorandopen-toptrailerandtransportedtothefamily attractionwheretheylearnedaboutthebenefitsofeatingahealthy breakfast–whichincludedlocallysourcedbacon,sausage, scrambledeggs,bakedbeansandwholemealtoast–allservedby membersofWarwickshirebranchoftheNationalFarmers’Union.

SCHOOL REPORT

SUPERSQUASH

EdgbastonPrioryClubSquashAcademyjuniorshit topformattheBritishJuniorChampionshipswhen twoofitspromisingyoungstarsbecameBritish championsintheirrespectivecategories.Naishe securedtheMixedU9categorywithagoldmedal, whileSionadominatedtheGU11categoryalso claimingthegoldattheeventheldinSheffield.

SINGINGSENSATIONS

PupilsfromDickensHeathCommunityPrimarySchoolsangtheirwaytofirstplace attherecentTouchwoodschoolchoircompetition.Theschoolwonthe£1,000 topprizefromatotalof20schoolswhotookpartatthecentreinSolihull.The moneywillbeinvestedinDickensHeath’smusicdepartmenttosupportlearning anddevelopmentinthearts.KinetonGreenandTidburyGreenprimaryschools tookhomesilverandbronzeplaces.

ARTS EXPANSION

BirminghamOrmistonAcademy(BOA)is expandingitssuccessfulartsprogramme whichisaimedatopeningdoorsforyoung peopleacrossBirmingham.Theprogramme hadbeencreatedaspartofthenational #WeWillcampaign,ayouthsocialaction programmefundedbyOrmistonTrustand theNationalLotteryFund.BOAhopesto shareinsightsfromitsdigital,creativeand performingartscourseswithyoungpeople fromacrosstheregion.

RSC RECRUITS

TheRoyalShakespeareCompany celebratedNationalApprenticeship Weekbyannouncingarecord numberofapprenticesrecruited withapledgetorecruit28 apprenticesandtraineesbythe springof2024.Workingin partnershipwithregionaltraining providers,includingSolihull College&UniversityCentre,the RSC’snationalApprenticeship Programmesupportstargeted apprenticeshipsacrosseveryarea ofitswork.Thefocusisonthose whoareunder-representedinthe artsindustryorthosefromlower socio-economicbackgrounds.

YOUTHBOOST

Creativeanddigitalagency Clevercherryisteamingupwith youthhomelesscharityStBasilsas partofitscommunityengagement andsocialresponsibilityprogramme. JessicaGreaney,headofmarketing atClevercherry,said:“Weare delightedtoannounceStBasilsas ourchosencharitypartnerfor2024. AsaBirmingham-basedagency,we recognisethesignificanceof contributingtoourcommunityand supportingthelocalarea.”

NEWS BUSINESS UNIWORLDFIRST

ApartnershipbetweenUKpharmaceutical companyQuestPharmandAston Universityhasdevelopedaworld-first tablettotreatmouthulcerationscausedby high-dosechemotherapy.Theuniversity’s researchindevelopingandoptimisingnovel formulationsfortabletsthatdisintegratein themouthenabledQuestPharmto developthetabletthatremainsintactinthe packagingyetdissolvesanddisperses rapidlyaftermakingcontactwithsaliva.It containsnaturalproductsalreadylicensed foruseinhumans,accelerating developmentandtheroutetomarket.

CASH4KIT

AninitiativeinMidlandsAirAmbulance Charity’sshopshasgeneratedfundsfor thelocallife-savingservice.Cash4Kit allowslocalshopperstorounduptheir spendtothenearestpoundtohelp coverthecostsofthecharity’s disposable,yetvital,equipment.Since April2023,shoppersacrossthe charity’snineretailstores,includingits shopsinMerryHill,WalsallandWest Bromwich,haveraisedmorethan £6,700fortheadvancedpre-hospital emergencyservice.

BALLETBOSS

BirminghamRoyalBallethas appointedPaulMurphyasitsnew musicdirectorandprincipal conductorleadingthecompany’s orchestra,theRoyalBalletSinfonia. Paulhasbeenamemberof BirminghamRoyalBalletfor31 yearsandwasappointedprincipal conductorin1997.Hehasbeen instrumentalindevelopingtalented youngballetconductorsthroughthe ConstantLambertConducting Fellowship.Hehasalsobeena regularguestconductorforthe RoyalBallet,CoventGarden.

HOUSEOFHOPE

Anew,dedicatedpregnancyandbabyloss centrehasopenedatBirminghamWomen’s Hospital.WoodlandHouse–thefirstofitskind inaUKhospitalsetting–isasafehavenfor familiesexperiencingtheheartbreakofloss, allowingthemtogrieveinprivateawayfromthe busymainhospital.Workonthecentre,whichis completelycharitablyfunded,started18months agoafterBirminghamWomen’sHospitalCharity reachedthe£3millionfund-raisingtargetinits WoodlandHouseAppeal.

GEMMASTEALSSHOW

AshowhomeatanewdevelopmentinRedditchwasofficiallyopenedby TeamGBjudokaathleteGemmaHowell.TheView,offBrockhillLanewill deliver960homesuponcompletion.Duringhervisit,GemmaledaQ&A sessionwithvisitorsandcarriedoutahealthyeatingdemonstrationinthe showhome’skitchen.AmandaRogers,salesdirectorforPersimmonHomes SouthMidlandssaid:“Thisisahugelyexcitingdevelopmentanditwasgreat tohaveGemmaalongfortheopeningofournewshowhome.”

SELLINGPOINT

PropertyagencyandmanagementfirmCentrickhassolditshighstreet salesandlettingsbusinesstotheLomondGroupandwilloperateunderits JohnShepherdbrand.Centrick’s25staffinBirmingham,Solihulland NottinghamwilladdtoLomond’s1,100-strongworkforceacrossanetwork of12brandswhichmanagemorethan40,000properties.Centrick,which wasfoundedin2005,saysthedecisiontomoveawayfromitshighstreet estateandlettingsagencyisinordertofocusondeliveringproperty managementandservicestotheresidentialsector.

STATIONONTRACK

Hundredsoflocaljobsarebeingpromisedas workrampsupfollowingthestartof constructionofHS2’sBirminghamCurzon StreetStation.Thestation,whichwillbenet zerocarboninoperation,willbethefirstnew intercityterminusbuiltinBritainsincethe19th century.WestMidlandsmayorAndyStreet said:“Commencingconstructionisalandmark momentforourregionandwillcreate hundredsofjobsforlocalpeople.It’saclear exampleofthebenefitsHS2candeliverinthe monthsandyearsahead.”

Aground-breakinginitiativewhichwillprovidemove-onaccommodationfor thosewhohaveexperiencedhomelessnesshasbeenlaunchedinBirmingham. YMCAHeartofEnglandhasofficiallyopenedMaryCourtinNorthfield–a transitionalhousingblockof27self-containedflatstohelpthosemovingfrom supportedhousingintoprivateaccommodation.Thedevelopmentwasmade possiblethankstoagrantofmorethan£1millionawardedbyHeartofEngland CommunityFoundationthroughitsBuildingBetterLivesprogramme.

GALLERYOFTHEYEAR

LuxGalleryhasbeennamedArt GalleryoftheYearinBirmingham, awardedbyLuxlifeMagazine‘s GlobalExcellenceAwards.The galleryaimstoputartintheheart ofthehomeorbusinesswitha uniqueselectionofartists.Thelatest awardfollowsthegallerywinning MidlandsGalleryoftheYearlast year.Luxoffersoriginalartworks from£50,withpaymenttermsto payforlargerpiecesinterest-free viatheOwnArtScheme.

MAJORCONTRACT

Aleadingpropertyconsultancyhaswonamajorcontract worth£600,000overthreeyearstoprovidecomprehensive propertyservicestoaleadingend-of-lifebusiness.Dignity, whichisbasedinSuttonColdfieldoperatesanationwide networkoffuneraldirectorsandcrematoriaandisanFCA authorisedprovideroffuneralplans.DanBallard,pictured, partneratFisherGerman,said:“Ourexpertiseacrossall areasofthebusinesswillbeusedtohelpDignitymakethe mostinformeddecisionsaboutitspropertyandtoidentify usefulopportunitiesforsavingsandgrowth.”

HAIRCAREHIT

ABirminghamhaircarecompanyhasbecomeaninternationalsustainable branddesignedtohelppeopleembracetheirnaturalcurls.CEOandfounderof Flora&Curl,RoseOvensehi,setupherbusinessafterlookingforalternativesto usingchemicalstraighteningtreatmentswhichdamagedherscalp.After launchingthreeproducts,thecollectionhasexpandedandisavailableinmore than500Bootsstoresandonlinetocustomersinmorethan80countries.A 16-strongteamisnowbehindthebrand.

BUSINESS BITES

GHANAGIFT

EdgbastonRotariansaresupportinga £40kprojecttoprovidewashroomsand toiletfacilitiesataGhanaianschool.The RotaryFoundationrecentlystartedwork atBillaMahmudMemorialFutureLeaders SchoolinAccra.

MUSICMAKERS

B:Music,thecharityresponsiblefor SymphonyHallandTownHallin Birmingham,hasraised£20,800aspart ofitsfund-raisingcampaign,theGiftof Musicappeal.Thecampaignaimsto removebarriersandopenupmusictothe region’sdiversecommunities.

CHARITYCASH

WestMidlands-basedrecruitment specialistPertempshasdonatedatotalof £100,000tonationaldisabilitycharity Sensetohelppeoplewithcomplex disabilitieslearnskills,buildconfidence andfindwork.Pertempsbeganits partnershipwithSensein2022.

HOSPICEHELP

DirectmailcompanyCentralMailingServicesin ErdingtonwillbesupportingBirminghamHospice throughout2024andbeyondwithmonthly donations,aseriesofteamfund-raisersanddirect mailcampaigns.Astheprimaryproviderofadult hospicecareinthearea,andwithrunningcosts continuingtorocket,LukeManley,thehospice’s corporatefund-raisingmanager,said:“Thiswill makeahugeimpactinenablingustoshareour storyandmakeevenmorepeopleawareofthe criticalcareweprovide.”

FAMOUSVENUEGETS NEWDASHOFVERVE

FormerBobbyBrown’sclubtransformed intocontemporarydrinksdestination

OncehometothefamouscanalsideclubBobby Brown’s,thebuildingat52GasStreethasreopenedasVerveLounge.Thecontemporary newbar,situatedonthecanalbasinbetweentheMailbox andBrindleyplace,launchedwithaVIPpartyforguests andmedia.Thespaciousbarhasapremiumdrinkand cocktailselectionandliveDJattheweekends. ■

4

1 ReeceChauhan,LaurenDobson,BethHutchinson,MollyThompson,JeromeSilcock. 2 RachaelLewis,JoeTurrell. 3 AnjolaAjao,Solomon Ofoaiye. 4 KatieCoates,ReganFrancis. 5 AlexTross,NaomiAly. 6 AbbyGoldie,LauraMcEwan. 7 EmmaHowden,TamKaur,Anita Champaneri. PhotographybyDanKnottforDeliciousPR

1

SOUTHSIDEFESTIVAL ISARECORD-BREAKER

Morethan38,000visitorsenjoy colourfulLunarNewYearcelebrations

TheLunarNewYearcelebrationsattracteda record38,000visitorstoSouthside.Thefree festivalwasproducedbyBirmingham’s ChineseFestivalCommittee,ChinatownBusiness AssociationandHippodromeandofferedaweekend packedwithperformancesandcraftactivities alongsidetraditionalandcontemporaryartsto celebratethenewyear.Thefestivalstartedwiththe much-loveddragonandlionprocessionin HippodromeSquare.Thisyear’sfestivalwas supportedbyBentleyBirmingham,SouthsideDistrict, theArcadianandBerkeleyStJoseph.Donations, partnershiporin-kindsupportwerereceivedfrom RainbowCasino,theSouthsideBuilding,Bullring& GrandCentralandHollywoodMonster.UberEats sponsoredthefestivalstageandthefamilyzonewas supportedbyBirminghamChineseSchool. ■

WHAT’SONliving

WHAT: Crufts

WHEN: 7to10March

WHERE: NECBirmingham, crufts.org.uk

Thegreatestdogshowintheworld takesplaceoverfourdaysattracting thousandsofpooches,complete withownersandhandlers, displayingcanineskillsandabilities toadoringcrowds.

WHAT: MattChorley:PollDancer

WHEN: 13March

WHERE: MidlandsArtCentre, macbirmingham.co.uk

Withageneralelectionontheway, MattChorleydrawsontwodecades ofreportingfromWestminster–and twocenturiesofhistory–todeliver hishilariousguidetowinningand losingatthepolls.

WHAT: NitinSawhney

WHEN: 8April

WHERE: TownHall,bmusic.co.uk

TherecipientoftheIvorNovello2017Lifetime Achievementawardisoneofthemostdistinctive andversatilemusicalvoicesaroundtoday.

WHAT: MotherMother

WHEN: 7March

WHERE: Birmingham02Institute, academymusicgroup.com

Singingaboutthemesofalienationand enormouslongingforselfandsocietal acceptance,theband’smissionistobea homeforsoulsthatfeeltheydon’tfitin anywhereelse.

WHAT: BhangraNation

WHEN: Nowto16March

WHERE: BirminghamRep, birmingham-rep.co.uk

WhenMaryandPreeti’sAmericancollegiate BhangrateamqualifiesforUSANationals,they setoffonopposingqueststodancetotheir ownbeat.Thisexhilaratingnewmusicalisa storyaboutfindingyourtrueself.

WHAT: TchaikovskyClassicswith BirminghamRoyalBallet

WHEN: 28March

WHERE: SymphonyHall,brb.org.uk

BirminghamRoyalBalletandRoyalBallet Sinfoniacelebratethemusicofthe legendarygeniusandcomposerofthe gloriousscoresforTheSleepingBeauty, SwanLakeandTheNutcracker–the jewelsofballet’sclassicalrepertory.

WHAT: IainStirling–RELEVANT

WHEN: 24March

WHERE: TheAlexandra, atgtickets.com

AsthevoiceofLoveIsland,starand writerofsitcomBufferingonITV,Iain arrivesinBrumwithabrandnewhour ofjokesinhisbiggesttourtodate.

WHAT’SON

WHAT: Wicked

WHEN: 5Marchto7April

WHERE: Birmingham Hippodrome, birminghamhippodrome.com

Oneofthemostsuccessfulmusicals ofalltimehasbeencastingits magicalspellaroundtheworldfor twodecades.Thisaward-winning showfliesbacktoBirminghamfor anunforgettableandunmissable experience.

WHAT: MartiPellow

WHEN: 31March

WHERE: ResortsWorldArena, resortsworldarena.co.uk

Thepopsingerandsongwriteris backwithhisbrand-newPoppedIn SouledOutarenatourin2024,a celebrationofthe1987multimillionsellingalbumwhich establishedhimasoneofthe greatesttalentstoevercomeoutof Scotland.

WHAT: MonsterJam

WHEN: 29to31March

WHERE: UtilitaArena,utilitaarenabham.co.uk

Possiblythemostunexpected,unscriptedand unforgettablemotorsportsexperienceforfamiliesand fansintheworldtodayreturnstoBirminghamforan adrenaline-chargedweekend.

WHAT: 86TVs

WHEN: 3March

WHERE: Hare&Hounds, hareandhoundskingsheath.co.uk

Havingjustbeennamedasoneofthenewartists that6Musicarechampioning,86TVshavealready causedabuzzafterreleasingjusttwosinglesand havejustreleasedtheirdebutEP,YouDon’tHave toBeYourselfRightNow.

WHAT: DirtyDancingLiveInConcert

WHEN: 16March

WHERE: SymphonyHall,bmusic.co.uk

ThetimelesslovestoryofBabyandJohnnybroughttolife inconcert-formandcelebratingthesoundtrackthat definedagenerationasthe80’sclassicisperformed alongsidealivebandandsingers.

WHAT: ExodusCrooksEpiphany

WHEN: 9Februaryto21April

WHERE: Ikon,ikon-gallery.org

AnewexhibitionfromtheBritishJamaicanmultidisciplinaryartistwhose workontherelationshipiscuratedby OrphéeKashalaandincludessculpture, film,textandsculpturalinstallation.

WHAT: AMidsummer’sNightDream

WHEN: Nowto30March

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

OnMidsummer’sNight,thereal andfairyworldscollide.Let Shakespeare’scaptivatingcomedy transportyoufromdeepestmidwinterto themostmagicalofmidsummernights.

CLOSEWITHÁ

JACKHARTSHORNE

FROMQUITTINGUNIVERSITY,TOAJOBINTHEKITCHENS,TOGENERAL MANAGEROFBROCKENCOTEHALLHOTEL.ISTHENEXTSTAGEINTHE STORYACHANCETOGETCOOKINGINTV’SMASTERCHEFKITCHEN?

BEENTHERE,DONETHAT

WorkinginhospitalitywasnotsomethingI planned.Iwasstudyingproductdesignatuniversity butleftasIwasn’tenjoyingthecourse.Atthetime,I livednexttoBrockencoteHallHotelinChaddesley Corbettandmyparentstoldmetogetajobthere–so Idid,workinginthekitchens.Iwentonajourney fromporter,toconcierge,learnedreceptionandthe bar,becametraineeassistantmanager,assistant manager,andthenrestaurantmanager.Istayedwithin EdenHotelCollectioninmynextroles,movingtothe KingsHotelintheCotswoldsandtheArdenHotelin Stratford,andnowI’mbacktowhereitallbeganat BrockencoteHall.Icouldn’tbehappier.

IT’SWHATIDO

Theroleofageneralmanageristooverseethe property,theofferingandthefinancialperformance. Butfirstandforemost,itistoensurewedeliverthe bestcustomerexperience.Asageneralmanager,the keyisnotstandingstill.Wehavegottocontinually evolvetheoffer.Wearecurrentlylookingatinnovating thefoodandbeverageoffering,includingour afternoonteasandSundaylunches.

BIGGESTSUCCESS

Iwas18whenIquituniversityandthatwasan uncertainperiod,sotogettowhereIamtoday,andthe

journeyIhavebeenonalongtheway,issomethingI amreallyproudof.

BIGGESTLESSONLEARNED

It’sokaynottoknoweverything,evenasageneral manager.Wehaveagreatteamofpeopleat BrockencoteHallandacrossthewidergroupand we’reallheretosupporteachother.It’sabitclichébut we’relikeabigfamily.

WHATI’DLIKETOSEE

BrockencotemeansalottomesoI’mexcitedtodrive itforwardasabusiness.Wehavesomuchtoofferhere, fromaward-winning3AARosettedininginthe Chaddesley,toaweddingandeventsofferingwhichhas gonefromstrength-to-strengthinrecentyears.

WHATILIKEABOUTBRUM

Thefoodsceneisareallybigdrawforthecity.One ofmyfavouritesisSimpsons.Therearesomanygreat restaurantsandIhavebeentosomanyalready,but there’salwaysmoretosee!

DOWNTIME

Mydayoffusuallystartswithmewalkingthedog–therearesomelovelywalksaroundChaddesley.I’ma bigManchesterUnitedfantoo,soIliketocatchup withanyfootballIhavemissed.Ialsoliketocookfor myfiancée,Louise.I’mquiteexperimentalinthe kitchen.Imakeameanbeefwellington,too.AndI recentlyappliedtoappearonMasterchef! ■