Birmingham Living May 2023 (issue 122)

TOPOFTHE

sIwritethis,it’schuckingitdownwithrainoutsideandblowingawind enoughtoliftyouoffyourfeet.Ah,thewondersofspringintheUK.But accordingtotheweathertealeaves,it’sallgoingtobemuchbrighterand calmercomeCoronationDaythismonth–whichisjustaswell,asBrumhasacoupleofbigopen-airdays plannedtocelebratethecrowningofKingCharlesIII.

FocusofthefestivitiesisaspecialCoronationstageinCentenarySquarewherecommunity-centred,free activitiesareexpectedtodrawthousandsofvisitorsonSaturdayandSunday,the6thand7th.Afeastoflive musicrepresentingthediversityofBirminghamandtheWestMidlandsispromised,including performancesfromlocalmusicians,choirs,bands,culturalentertainment,streetentertainersandmore!

TheCoronationitselfwillbebroadcastliveonabigscreenfrom11amontheSaturday,whilethefollowing daywillfeaturetheCoronationConcert,alsoliveonthebigscreenfrom7pm.Whetheryou’reintoyour Royalsornot,thevibrantatmosphereandattractionsinthecitycentrearenottobemissedasBrummarks anhistoricweekendasonlyBrumcan.

Andwhilewe’reinthepartymood…welearnedsomegreatnewswiththeannouncementthattheoneyearanniversaryofthecity’shostingoftheCommonwealthGamesistobecelebratedbythe BirminghamFestival23.Tendaysoffreeevents,againcentredonCentenarySquare,willrunfrom28 Julyto6AugustandbedeliveredbytheteambehindtheBirmingham2022CommonwealthGames Festival.Livemusicandperformance,creativeandparticipatoryactivitiesandbig-screencontentareall promised.Bringiton!

@brum_living/bhamliving

Coverimage: NoreenKhan, photographedby ShreenMahmood

EDITOR: DavidJohns david@brumliving.co.uk

FEATURESEDITOR: ShelleyCarter shelley@brumliving.co.uk

DESIGNER: TracyDuffy

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

PHOTOGRAPHY: DavidMorphew,AndrewLlewellyn PUBLISHINGDIRECTOR: JonathanCarter

SUBSCRIPTIONS: Thesubscriptionrate(postpaid)is£24foroneyear(12issues).Subscriptions01905771110ISSN2051-8560

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Highlights

NoreenKhan

Radio,TV,stand-upcomedy,music! Isthereanythingthat’sofflimits?

PropelDance

InspiringstorybehindtheUK’sfirst all-wheelchairprodancecompany

Food&Drink

JavierSantosheadchefoftheBelfry’s RyderGrill,plusCoronationtreats

Health

Anyonefortennis?Makesureyou givedreadedinjurytheelbow

Style

Frocksthatrock!Dressesoffering maximumimpact,minimumfuss

Homes

Bigorsmall,turnyouroutdoor spaceintoagorgeoussanctuary

BestoftheRest

48 50 52 57 64 66

Gardening AdamKirtland’sbestbuysfor Mayfromthegardencentre

Motoring

SueCookeentershush-hushworld ofLexus’snewplug-inRXhybrid

Young,Gifted&Brummie

BrothersHamimandHalimMiahset forbigbreakintheworldofsnooker

BusinessNews

Thismonth’sstoriesfromcommercial community,plusSocialSceneevents

What’sOn

Latestfromcity’stopshowsandgigsin ourround-upofthismonth’sevents

UpClose

WithUB40’sJimmyBrownaslegendary bandmarks45yearsofmusic-making

SEASONFINALE

NEWS

BirminghamRoyalBalletreturnsto BirminghamHippodromeinJunewith StillLifeatthePenguinCafé, choreographedbySirDavidBintley,to roundofftheCompany’s2022-23 season.BalletdirectorCarlosAcosta said:‘Thisprogrammereallyhas somethingforeveryoneand demonstratesacontinuationofour desireatBRBtopresentandperform workthathighlightsthecompany’srich repertoirewhilepresentingnewworks bythebestchoreographersoftoday.”

BRINGINGYOUTHEBRIGHTEST ANDMOSTCOLOURFUL STORIESFROMACROSSTHE CITYEACHMONTH

PEAKYTOPSPOLL

studybyelectricalretailgiantCurrys.TrailinginthirdplacewasrealityshowI’ma CelebrityGetMeOutofHere.Thestudyasked2,000Britstochoosebetweena selectionofBritishtelevisionshowswhichwereselectedbasedononline entertainmentdatabaseIMDBpopularity.

TRINITY’SBABYAID

Abeautycontestantwhosufferedfour miscarriageshaslaunchedaprojecttohelp otherwomenleftdevastatedbybabyloss. TrinityJeanHarper,21,hasbeendonating self-carebagstoCityHospital, Birmingham.Thesalesadministratorfrom WestBromwichsaid:“Iamnostrangerto theEarlyPregnancyUnitatCityHospital afterhavinghadfourfirsttrimester miscarriages.IamhappytonowsayI finallyhavemyrainbowbaby,alittleboy calledEvanwhoisnine-months-old.”

EMMAINBRUM

BritishtennisgoldengirlEmmaRaducanuistheplayer everyonewillwanttoseewhentheworld’stopwomen’s playerscometoBirminghamnextmonth.Britain’sNo1and 2021USOpenchampionissettomakeherfirstappearance attheRothesayClassicwhichtakesplacefrom17to25June atEdgbastonPrioryClub.Emmasaid:“I’mreallyexcitedto bemakingmydebutinBirminghaminaneventthathasso muchprestigeandhistory.”

HALALHIGHLIGHTS

GOINGGREEK

Someoftheworld’smostfamoushistoricsightsandholidayhotspotsare justaflightawaywiththereturntoBirminghamAirportofGreekcarrier AegeanAirlineswithtwiceweeklyservicestoAthens.TomScreen,the airport’saviationdirector,said:“Wearepleasedtowelcomeback Aegeanafterafive-yearabsence.Whethercustomerswanttoenjoy historicAthensortravelonwardstothepopularGreekislands,these Aegeanserviceswillbewellsubscribed.”

WINDRUSHDAY

Birmingham’sBlackstoryPartnershipandBirmingham

Repareholdingaspecialeventmarkingthe 75thanniversaryofWindrushDay.Itwillacknowledge

Birmingham’sWindrushGenerationwhocontributedto therebuildingofthecountry,pavingthewayforfuture generations.Theprogrammeon22Juneincludesa performancebynewly-formedNextGeneration Birminghamchildren’schoir,plusguestspeakersand presentations.Theeveningculminateswithajamboree ofmusicfromthe50’stomodernday.

Morethan150exhibitors,streetfood vendorsandMuslimlifestylestalls,will featureattheHalalFoodFestivalwhich makesitsdebutthismonthattheNEC. Theshow,whichincludesfoodfrom aroundtheglobeaswellaslifestyle brandsrangingfromfashiontojewellery andart,isexpectedtoattractover20,000 visitorsduringthebankholidayweekend, 27and28May.FestivaldirectorBilal Khansaid:“Thefestivalbringsfriendsand familiestogethertosocialise,eatand celebratetheHalallifestyle.”

DEATH DEFYING

Birmingham’sannualAMatterofLifeandDeathFestivalreturnsthismonthwith eventsacrossthecity.Aimedtoencourageopenandhonestconversationabout deathanddying,thefestivalincludesauthortalks,aremembranceget-togetherand walkingtour.OrganisedbyBirmingham-basedcommunityinterestcompany BrumYODO,theaward-winningfestivalrunsfrom2to16May.BrumYODOboard memberAlisonCoxsaid:“Someeventsarefun,someareinformative,someare aboutconversations,someareaboutsharingmemories.”See https://brumyodo.org.uk/events/formoreinformationandbookinglinks.

NICEMOVE

ComedystarandBirmingham

LivingcovercelebrityMrs

BarbaraNice(akaJanice

Connolly)hasspent40years givingbacktoherartas foundermemberandartistic directorofWomen&Theatre. Now,havingemployedmore than300artistsandarts workersanddelivered7,000 performances,Janice,pictured right,andexecutivedirector JessPearsonarestepping down.Janicesaid:“Iplanto stillworkonbespokeprojects, andIwillofcoursecontinue myfreelancecareer,including acting,directingandthe occasionalstagediveas BarbaraNice!”

HIPHOPCELEBRATION

FESTIVALFRENZY

Theone-yearanniversaryofthecity’ssuccessfulCommonwealth GamesistobecelebratedbyBirminghamFestival23–a10-day eventshowcasingBrum’screativityandongoingcommitmentto fundingculture.CommissionedandsupportedbyBirmingham CityCouncil,theprogrammeoffreeeventsinCentenarySquare willrunfrom28Julyto6Augustandbedeliveredbytheteam behindtheBirmingham2022CommonwealthGamesFestival.It willfeaturelivemusicandperformance,creativeand participatoryactivities,andbig-screencontent.

BARBOOST

Birmingham’sbartendershavejoinedforcestohelp keepapopularJewelleryQuarterbaropenaftera healthhorrorstruckitsowner.WhenAmanjot SinghJohaldiscoveredheneededtwosurgeries afterabrokenanklelefthimunabletowalk,he fearedhe’dbecallingtimeonhisbelovedbar40 StPauls.Butthelocalcommunityandfellowbar ownersralliedround,puttingonthemedevenings andone-offeventstoensurethebar’ssurvival.

hasannouncedB-SIDEHipHopFestivalwillreturnto thecityforsevendaysof dance,performances, competitionsand events.Thefreefestival from8to14Junewill bringtogetherthebest artistsandactsfromall fourelementsofthegenre –breakin’,graffiti,DJ’ing andMC’ing.Hippodrome creativedirectorChris Sudworthsaid:“Welook forwardtowelcoming exceptionalinternational dancers,whilealsoshining alightonthefantastic talentacrossBirmingham.”

FIRSTFOLIOTOUR

Birmingham’sFirstFolio–thefirstcollectededition ofWilliamShakespeare’splays–issettocontinue itstourofcommunityspacesthrough2023aspart oftheEverythingtoEverybodyProject.

Birmingham’scopyoftheFirstFoliowas purchasedin1881anditsuniquenesswas exploredinaspecialBBCRadio3programme, Shakespeare’sBrumTing,presentedbyProfessor ofLiteratureandHistoryatBirminghamCity University,IslamIssa,andProjectcollaboratorand artist,MohammedAli,bothpictured.

MODELPATIENTS

PatientsfromBirminghamChildren’s Hospitalunleashedtheirinner supermodelatafashionshowfeaturing clothesspeciallydesignedtomeettheir needs.Theyoungstersandstudentsfrom theSchoolofFashionatSouthandCity BirminghamCollegespentmonths workingtogetherontheirdesignsforthe show,whichtookplaceatthecollege’s Digbethcampus.Amongthepatients whotooktotherunwaywasCara Sanford-Ward,11,fromBromsgrove, picturedinavarsityoutfit,whosuffered acongenitalstrokewhichhadaffected therightsideofherbody.

NEWSTREETROCKS

TheRockyHorrorShowcelebratedits50thanniversaryinstylewithaspecial flashmobperformanceatNewStreetstation.Thecasttooktimeoutfromtheir tourdateattheAlexandratheatretodazzlecommutersatthebusyconcourse. AvideooftheirrenditionofTimewarpwentviralontheAlexandra’sTikTok channel,reachingmorethan1.2millionviews.

BUTTERFLYCROC

What’sacrocodiledoingatabutterflyfarm?TheanswerisStratford-upon-Avon ButterflyFarmhasopenedanewexhibitionentitledRainforestRealm,whichfeaturesa SpectacledCaimancroc,housedinaspeciallycreatedsinkhole,andotheranimalsthat originatefromtherainforestsofCentralAmerica.JaneKendrick,thefarm’smarketing manager,said:“Theprojecthastaken14monthstocompleteandwillenableour visitorstoseethisbeautifulpredatorinafunandsafeenvironment.”

TOM’SBOOTRACE

TakingpartintheGreatBirminghamRunis toughenough,butimaginetacklingthe half-marathoninskiboots!That’swhat 23-year-oldTomBraceyplanstodowhile settinganofficialworldrecordintheprocess onSunday7May.Thehardenedrunnerand life-longskier,said:“Ihavedoneafewhalf marathonsbutfeltmotivatedtodo somethingdifferent.”GuinnessWorld RecordshavesetthetimeforTomtobeatat threehours.TomisrunningforProtectour WintersUKclimatechangesystemsolutions.

GOTANYNEWS? Emailyournewsand picturestoeditor@brumliving.co.uk

TOPGIRL

RADIO,TV,STAND-UPCOMEDY,MUSIC,YOGA…ISTHEREANYTHING

In2022,NoreenKhanboundedontothestageat theopeningceremonyofBirmingham’s triumphantCommonwealthGameswiththe likesofJoeLycettandLennyHenrytointroducethe worldtoourgreatcityandlaunchwhatturnedoutto beajoyfulfewweeksfortheMidlandsandbeyond. ShealsohostedsomeofthecricketatEdgbaston,so shewasreallyinthethickoftheaction.Sherecalls: “Everythingwasjustbrilliant–theweather,the atmosphere–itwasjustagreatfewweeks.”Amen.

YouprobablyknowNoreen’svoicemorethanher faceasshe’sbeenontheairwavesfor13yearsmovingto BirminghamfromLondonin2010withhershowon theAsianNetwork.Sheimmediatelyfellinlovewith thecity,somuchsothatwhenthebroadcasteraskedif she’dliketomovebacktoLondon,shedeclined.She says:“IwasinLondonforsixyears,butIjustlove Birmingham.IlivedinMoseleyforsevenyearsandnow I’minEdgbaston–thewrongside!Icanwalktowork fromhomeandthereservoirisjustgorgeous.”

RADIOGA-GA

Gettingintobroadcastingisnotoriouslytough,but Noreensaysdespitethecompetitivenatureofthe business,sheneverfeltincompetitionwithanyone. Drivenbyapassionformusicandradioandinspired bytrailblazerslikeSaraCoxandZoeBall,shejustgot herheaddown.Shevolunteeredinradiostationsand focusedonbeingthebestshecouldberatherthan battlingwithotherpeopleandthehardworkpaidoff.

Despitethispenchantforhardworkand determination,Noreen’salsoaqualifiedyogainstructor whichperhapskeepshergrounded.Afewyearsago,she recognisedshewasneglectingherphysicalhealth,so startedpractisingyogaandputwellnessand

mindfulnessfrontandcentre.Shehasnoplanstoteach yoga–thequalificationwasmoreforherpersonal development.AndthisisthethingaboutNoreen.Most people,ifinclinedmightdosomeyoga.Noreenstudies itandgetssomequalifications.Atschool,shelearned oboeandviolin.Lotsofpeopleleavethemusiccareerat primaryschool.NoreenlatertouredMexico.Nothing’s ordinary,soanything’spossible.

‘OURSTORY’

Naturally,NoreenveeredtowardsTVaswellasradio andcreditsincludeBBC2’swonderfulBackinTimefor Birminghamwhichispartofthehugelysuccessfuland inventiveBackinTimeseries.TheBrumversionis slightlydifferentasnotonlydoesitfocusonaspecific placebutaspecificgroupofpeople,inthiscaseSouth Asianandtheirexperiencesfromsettlinghereinthe Fiftiestopresentday.Thestoriesfrompeople,someof themjustteenagersatthetime,whoexperiencedthe hardshipofarrivinginanewworldandthebarriersthey hadtoovercomeisbreath-taking–thelanguage, culture,inequality,racism,findingwork,missingloved ones,eventheclimate.It’sarealeyeopenerandwell worthawatch.Noreenisproudoftheshowandfeelsit’s important.“It’srelatable,it’sourstory.It’swhatour parentsandgrandparentswentthroughandhighlights therealstruggleoftheSouthAsiancommunity.”

FUNNYBONES

NotcontentwithradioandTV,Noreenlovesthe stagetooandtourswithfemalestand-upgroup, LadiesofLaughter.Theydescribethemselvesas‘kick asscomicscertaintoleaveyouinstitches’.Noreen says:“Theshowsareunique.Thenorminstand-up isstillmainlymenofacertainageandcolour.Ladies

ofLaughternotonlychampionswomen,butwomen fromeverybackgroundandwe’vehadsomebig nameslikeJudiLoveandShaziaMirza.”Wesuggest stand-upsoundsterrifyingandthestuffof nightmares,butNoreensaysit’snotdissimilarto hosting.Sheexplains:“Whenyou’rehosting,there canbedelayswhichmeansyouhavetofilltimeand interactwithaudiences.That’sagreatgroundingfor

stand-upsocomedyneverfeltstrangeorscary.You havetoholdtheaudience’sattentionandmakethem laughsoit’sanaturalprogression.”

Noreenhasnoplanstoheadtothelikesofthe EdinburghFestival.Oncethepinnacleofthecomedy scene,thefestivalisnowgenerallyrecognisedasless relevantthanatimepre-socialmedia.Notthefirst comictoquestionthefinancialinvestmentinvolved–oneofNoreen’sfriendshasspentupwardsof£20,000 onrentandshowsatEdinburgh–shefeelsthereare increasingwaystoreachaudiencesandbuilda followingonline.Therelianceonatalentbookeris diminished.InspiredbycomicssuchasShaziaMirza andPaulChoudhryandbackintheday,Good GraciousMe,Noreensays:“Representation matters.Brownpeopledoingcomedysuchas GoodnessGraciousMewasrevolutionary.”

CombiningTVandcomedywouldbethe idealscenario–perhapsapanelshowor comedyquiz.Noreensays:“I’mhopingmy breakwillcome.”ButyouknowNoreen’s doingmorethanhoping–she’llbe graftingandputtinginthehard yardstomakeithappenandwe reckonit’sjustamatteroftime. ■

Photographyby ShreenMahmood

DANCING QUEEN

Birmingham-basedPropelDanceistheUK’s firstall-wheelchairprofessionaldance company.Andthedramaticimagesyousee herefeatureBrum’sveryownRebeccaFowlerinthe company’sfirst-everliveperformanceoftheSnow Queen.

TheSnowQueenbroughttogetherprofessional wheelchairdancersfromacrossthecountry, includingRebecca,inareimaginedversionofthe classicfairytaleafterPropelDancesecuredfinancial backingfromArtsCouncilEngland.Ledbyanallfemaleleadershipteam,thecompanywasfoundedby HelenMason,aBirmingham-baseddanceartistwith atrackrecordofmakingdanceforandwithdisabled peopleformorethan20years.

CHAMPIONS

Helenhasworkedwithmanycharitiesand organisationssuchasMidlandMencap,Cerebral PalsyMidlands,SpectrumDayCentre,ParaDance UK,andWhizzKidzUK,andin2012shesetup Freewheelin,Birmingham’sfirstwheelchairand inclusivedancegroup.Freewheelinaretwo-time NationalParaDanceChampionsandhave performedattheBirminghamInternationalDance FestivalandtheEuropeanBasketballFinals.

Helensaid:“Freewheelinhasgonefromstrength tostrengthbutIwaskeentoseeifanyofour wheelchairdancerscouldgofurtherandbecome professionals.Idiscoveredthattheopportunities wereverylimited,soIthoughtIcouldputtogethera schemeandtraining.Butthenafriendwhoisa disableddancersaid‘yes’butwhatwouldtheythen goontodo.Thereisnowhereforthemtoperform professionally.So,that’swhyIsetupthePropel Dancecompanyexclusivelyforwheelchairuserswith aninternshipscheme.”

RESPONSE

PropelDanceisinitsearlydays,withdancer Rebeccaasthefirstinternplacement.Lastmonth’s shorttourofthecompany’spremiereproductionof theSnowQueenwasperformedatMidlandsArts CentreandArenaTheatre,Wolverhamptonwith

Helenencouragedbytheresponseoftheaudiences. TheplannowisforPropelDancetogobacktothe ArtsCouncilforfundingtoexpandthecompanyand itsproductions.

HelenwhowasDanceCaptainfortheOpening andClosingCeremoniesfortheBirmingham2022 CommonwealthGames,workingwithmorethan 1,500volunteers,said:“Wecaredeeplyaboutequity andequalityofopportunity.It’swhyweexist.There arefewprofessionalopportunitiesforwheelchair dancers,andwewanttoseethatchange;tocreate somethingthatenablesprogressionandinspiration tothefuturegenerations.

“Westandforcompassion,inclusion,and representationthroughoutourdanceprojectsand opportunities.Guidedbyoursharedvalues,Propel Dancehopestoinspire,leadandpropelchangein professionalwheelchairdance.”

DancerRebecca,whohadaleadroleinthe OpeningCeremonyoftheBirmingham2022

CommonwealthGamesadded:“I’mveryexcitedto workwithPropelDanceandbepartofthisgroundbreakingproject.Wheelchairdancershavebeenpart ofinclusivedancecompaniesbefore,butIameager toworkinanall-wheelchair-userdancecompany andlearntogether.Ihopethiswillcreatemanymore opportunitiesforwheelchairdancersandbethefirst ofmanyshowsforthecompany.” ■

FormoreinformationaboutPropelDance,visit: propeldance.uk

TRAIL-BLAZER: PropelDancefounder HelenMason

JAVIERSANTOS

buthe’smorethanhappycreatingwinningdishesinthekitchen

Tellusaboutyourcooking

It’sinnovativeandhasastrongFrench foundation.Usingfreshlocalproduceandforaging foringredientsiswhatexcitesmethemostabout cooking.Forexample,usingthefirstGirolle mushroomsofthelatesummerseasoninawild mushroombrothtoaccompanymyslowcooked oxtailbon-bon.

Howdidyoubecomeachef?

Iactuallybecameachefbymistake!Icametothe UKfromSpainwhenIwas18andgotajobasa kitchenporter.EventuallyIgotofferedan apprenticeshipwhichallowedmetogainexperience withpreppingandcookingfood.Iwentontowork withtheRouxbrothersfornineyearsandspenttime intheirMichelin-starrestaurantsinLondon,Wales, FranceandtheUS.IjoinedtheBelfrytwoyearsago.

Whatdoyoueatathome?

Asafamilyweeatsimplefoods–I’mmorethan happycookingsomethinglikeanomelette.Other favouritesarefreshpastaandantipastiandcured meats.

Who’sthebestchefintheworldandwhy?And who’sthebestinBrum?

Intheworldforme,it’sFerranAdria,aCatalan chefwhowastheowneratElBulli,notfarfrom whereIgrewupnearBarcelona.AlthoughElBulliis nolongerarestaurant,Ferranhasopenedhisown cookeryschool.ThebestBirminghamchefisTom Shepherd.Justfourmonthsafteropeninghis restaurant,UpstairsbyTomShepherd,hereceiveda Michelinstarwhichisanamazingachievement.

Shareacookingtip

Makesureyoucheckyour‘miseenplace’(that’s pre-prepareallyouringredients,havethemoutand makesureyouhaveworkedoutallofyourtimings beforeyoustart).Thiswillhelptokeepeverything ontrackandmakethewholeexperiencealotmore enjoyable.Secondly,taste,taste,taste!Peopledon’tdo thisenoughwhencooking.

Whatwasyourfavouritefoodasakid?

GrowingupinSpainmyfavouritefoodwasadish calledArrozalaCubana.It’sasimpledishofboiledrice, twofriedeggsandtomatosaucemadefromcanned tomatoes,onionsandgarlicsautéedinoliveoil.

Foodheavenandfoodhell?

HeavenisanagedIbericohamwithfresh tomatoes.Hellhastobeliver–thetextureandsmell massivelyputsmeoff!

What’sthemostunusualthingyou’veeaten?

Thatwouldbetripe.Icancategoricallysaythat thetextureisnotforme.I’vealsotriedafisheye–the worstbitiswhenyoubiteintoitanditexplodes!

Ifyouweren’tachef,whatwouldyoube?

WhenIwasyounger,Iusedtoplayforthe academyatFCBarcelonaandifIcarriedonplaying, whoknowswhereIwouldbenow.I’mnottalking aboutthenextMessi,butIwouldhaveenjoyed playingsemi-professionally! ■

TRYJAVIER’SCHICKENSUPREMERECIPE

Pairedwithfire-roastedalmonds,sweetpotato, braisedbabygemlettuceandasmokedgarlicjus, you’llfindtherecipeforthisdinnerparty-styledish atwww.birmingham.livingmag.co.uk

SHORTS NI BBLESand

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

CRITIC’S CHOICE

IndianstreetfoodandcraftbeerspecialistsBundobustisopeningBundobustBirminghamthissummer.Thebrand’sfifthrestaurant,Bundobust BirminghamwillopenintheGradeII-listed38BennettsHill,servingcontemporaryIndianstreetfoodandcraftbeer.Theteamhaslinedupa seriesoflocalcollaborationsandpop-upsaheadoftheopening.Bundobust’sGujaratistreetfoodandcraftbeer–describedbyfoodcriticJay Rayneras“uncompromisingandself-confidentand,aboveallelse,clever”–offersmoderntakesonstreetfoodfavourites.

NEWKIDONBLOCK

Bar+BlockhasopeneditssecondsteakhouseinBirmingham.Thenationwidesteakhouseis servingitssignaturehand-cutsteaks,grillsandcocktailcreationsatExchangeSquare.Alongside steaks,there’salsogrills,saladsandhand-groundburgers.Vegetariansandflexitarianscan chooseplant-basedoptions.All-daydiningmenusalsoincludeunlimitedbreakfastsandlunch andearlydinnerofferings,withSundaysplayinghosttosharingroasts.

HEALTHYHUB

Anewknowledgeexchangehub designedtohelpaddressissues aroundhealthyeating,foodjustice andfoodsystemsustainabilityis beinglaunchedatUniversity CollegeBirmingham.Theuniversity hasbeenworkingwiththeFood SystemTeaminPublicHealthat BirminghamCityCounciltocreatea newinnovativeCentreforUrban Food,drawingtogetherintelligence fromawiderangeofindustry partners,localcommunitiesand educationalprovidersacrossthe regiontohelpcreateabolder, healthierandmoresustainable foodsystem.

LATIN LOVELY

TouchwoodSolihullhasexpandeditsfood offeringwiththearrivalofTioLatino.TheLatinstreet foodandcocktailbaropeneditsdoorstodinersonthe centre’sUpperJubileeWalk.Theopeningmarkedthe thirdnewarrivalatTouchwoodsofarthisyear, followingclothingbrandMangoandBubbleCiTea. DeniSharankova,marketingmanageratTio Latino,said:“Touchwoodistheideal locationtointroducetheregiontoour deliciousLatinstreetfood.”

SKY’STHELIMIT…

STARQUALITY

Grace&SavouratHamptonManorinSolihullisthe latestrestaurantintheBirminghamareatobe awardedaMichelin-star.GraceandSavourhas beenopenforjustoverayearand,underthe leadershipofheadchefDavidTaylor,its15-course tastingmenucelebratessustainabilityandplaces farmersandgrowersattheforefrontofallthe dishesserved.Therestaurantjoinsfiveother Michelin-starvenuesinBirmingham–Adam’s, Carter’sofMoseley,Opheem,PurnellandSimpsons.

GINTEESUP

TheBelfryHotel&Resorthaslauncheditsownsignature gin.Labelled1960,thetippleissaidtobeablendof botanicalsandflowerynotesfromtherosesandlavenderin theresort’scourtyard,willowonthegolfcoursesand honeyfromitsveryownBelfryBees.Thename1960 representstheyeartheBelfrywasfounded,andthegin comesinaBelfryBell-shapedcutglassbottletoppedwitha goldglassgolfballasanodtotheresort’sgolfheritage.

EdgbastonStadiumhasunveiledSkyline–aroof-topterraceofferingspecialmatchdayhospitalityforguests. SituatedontheSouthStand,thespaceboastsspectacularpanoramicviewsofthepitchandBirminghamlandscape, whiledeliveringanexcitinghospitalitypackage.Themajorcontemporaryrefurbishmentincludeshigh-endhospitality andbanqueting,privatebar,receptionareas,livemusicandDJ,plussuperiorseating.ChiefoperationofficerCraig Flindallsaid:“Skylineisoneofthemostuniquespacesintheworldtoenjoyacricketmatch.”

LEADEROFTHEYEAR

TheEastsideRooms’salesandmarketingdirector,LeanneBladen, hasbeennamedSalesLeaderoftheYearinprestigiousindustry awards.TheawardwaspresentedattheAimbridgeHospitality EMEACommercialConference.Aimbridgeisoneofthebiggest hospitalitybusinessesontheplanetandoperateshotelsandvenues aroundtheworld,includingTheEastsideRooms.Leannejoinedthe venuethreeyearsago,inthemiddleoflockdown,andhassince createdareputationforexcellenceinthemeetingsandeventsworld.

CORONATIONCOCKTAIL

Whatcouldbemorepatriotic–andtasty–thanthisred,whiteandbluetipple…

AstheUKgoesCoronationcrazythismonth,thischeekylittle red,whiteandbluecocktailfromthechapsbehindThatGin Companyseemsmorethanappropriate.Arefreshingsummer drinkthat’sperfectfortheMaybankholiday,youcanalwaysreplacethe lemonadewithsodaifyoufancysomethingalittlelesssweet.Toproperly impresswithadramaticlayeredeffect,rememberthegoldenrulethatthe liquidwiththehighestsugarcontentwillalwayssinktothebottom. HappyCoronationdayeveryone,andasalways,pleaseenjoyresponsibly.

INGREDIENTS:

■ 30mlgrenadine

■ 90mllemonade

■ 30mlvodka

■ 30mlbluecuracao

METHOD:

Pourthegrenadinesyrupoverice.Addthe vodkatothelemonadeandslowlypouron topofthegrenadinethenslowlypourthe bluecuracaotofinish–thensimplyenjoy!

ThatGinCompanydeliversafantastic experienceforginloverswhocanchoosefrom morethan100bespokeflavourcombinations, concoctedespeciallyforthem–apickandmix ofginifyouwill!Visit:thatgincompany.co.uk

LASAN

gorgeousasweremember.Bigmirrors,banquet seatinganddreamylightingmakeforachic comfortablebrasserievibe.

Thefoodisthemaineventandrightupourstreet.We sharedaplattertostartwhichwehighlyrecommend.It includedmorselsofdeliciousnesslikeclayovenchicken –succulentandnicelyspicedalongwithperfectly cookedcubesofmahisalmon;meaty,charredsarson prawnandtenderchunksofBiharibeefkebabthat meltedinthemouth.Anaccompanyingzingysaladwith punchypickledcucumberworkedatreatasdidtheduo ofchutney–mintandredpepper.There’saveggie versiontoowhichlooksawesome.

Atourindecisivebest,everythingaboutthemenu appealedsowewerehappytobeledbyourwaiter.He madesomegreatchoices.Sikandarilambshankwas marinatedinKashmirispicesthenslowroastedand shredded.Tenderandsmoky,thelambwasservedwitha brilliantdhalmakhaniandfreshraita.Itwasaheftydish givenwe’djustdevouredaplatterandweprobablycould haveshared,butitwasseriouslygood.Methichicken waspanfriedservedonamoreishbhunawithspinach andfenugreek–acomplexwarmingsaucethatwe foundbestmoppedupwithaperfectnaan.

Notsomethingwe’dnormallyorder,wethenthrewin acurveballwithGobiAngari–tandoorroasted cauliflowersauteedwithnigellascentedonionmasala andcanconfirmneverhasavegetabletastedsobrilliant. Thefoodisn’ttoohot–it’smorecomplexthanthatin awonderfullywarmingway.Wewon’tbeditching Dishoomaswe’resuckersfortheblackdaal,butwewill beeatingatLasanaheckofalotmore.There’sroomin ourlifeforboth.Go. ■

3-4DakotaBuildings,JamesStreet,StPaul’sSquare,Birmingham,B31SD.Tel:01212123664lasan.co.uk

LOCK,STOCKANDSTRIKINGTRANSFORMATIONAS ELEVATEBRINGSGUNSMITHHOUSEBACKTOLIFE

THEHOMEOFONEOFTHEFINESTGUNMAKERSINTHEWORLD HASBEENREBORNANDPROVINGTOBEONEOFBIRMINGHAM’S MOSTEXCITINGNEWAPARTMENTSCHEMES

GunsmithHouse,whichislocatedonPrice StreetintheheartoftheGunQuarter,has beentransformedintothreeluxury apartmentsbyElevatePropertyGroupthatechothe distinctiveindustrialcharacteranduniqueheritage ofthearea.

WorkingwithDigbeth-basedK4architects,the uniquedevelopmentwillalsoseeafurther82brand newoneandtwo-bedapartmentsbuilttothesideof theoriginalbuilding.

Constructionworkshouldbecompletedbyearly 2024,withsellingagentsSavillsalreadyreporting that70%ofPhase1hasalreadybeensold.

“TheremakingofGunsmithHouseisreflecting itsrawheritagethatdatesbackto1901,”explained DavidHofton,Sales&MarketingDirectoratElevate PropertyGroup.

“Thelookofit,thefeelofit,theexecutionofit.It willbeaplaceitspreviouscustodianswouldbe proudof,anditisadevelopmentthatisalready

provingpopularfrombuyerskeentoownorinvestin auniquepropertyinthecentreofBirmingham.”

Hecontinued:“Therearethreeluxuryapartments housedintheoriginalbuilding;aone-bedonthe groundfloor(withterrace),atwo-bedonfloortwoand auniquetwo-bedduplexpropertywithmezzanineand vaultedceilings,bothboastingbalconies.

“Thenwehave82newbuildapartmentstothe side,whicharebeingbuiltaroundacommunal landscapedcourtyard.”

GunsmithHouseisElevatePropertyGroup’stwelfth schemeintheheartofBirminghamandtapsintothe city’svibrantleisure,culturalandenterprisescenes.

ThePriceStreetlocationislessthantenminutes’ walktoSnowHillStation,ColmoreRow’sfinancial district,BirminghamCityUniversityandthe BirminghamChildren’sHospitalmakingitidealfor professionalsandyoungcouples,whilstdownsizers willalsobeattractedtothehigh-qualityspec, balconiesandcarparkingavailableonselectedplots, andproximitytolocalattractions. ■

One-bedapartmentsstartfrom £222,500withthelargesttwo-bed apartmentsreaching£520,000. www.elevatepropertygroup.co.uk

ForfurtherinformationcontactsellingagentsSavillson01212004567.

WeallknowaboutRioja,theeasy-drinking redthatpopulatesoursupermarketshelves.

ButSpainisacountrywitharichand diversewineculture,withmorethan60recognisedwine regionsandmorethan400grapevarietiesgrown throughoutthecountry.Therearemanylesser-known grapesandregionsthatarealsoworthexploring.

Mencíaisaredgrapevarietythatisprimarilygrown inthenorthwestofSpain,particularlyintheBierzo andRibeiraSacraregions.Thisareaisquiterugged andmountainous,whichprovidesthewineswith goodconcentrationofflavour.Mencíaisoften comparedtoPinotNoir,asitcanproducewines thatarebothelegantandcomplex,withamedium bodyandflavoursofredfruits,herbsandfloralnotes.

BIGSISTER

AnotherfantasticgrapefromthenorthwestinGalicia isGodello,awhitegrapevariety.Ifyou’vetriedand enjoyedAlbariño,Godelloislikeabigsisterwithabit morerichnessandtextureandflavoursofapricot,lemon andwildflowers.Asagrape,itnearlywentextinctin the1970sasproducerswerefocusingoninternational varietiesratherthannativeonesbutluckilyitwas rescuedandtodayisthriving.WhenwethinkofSpain weusuallythinkofbeachesandheatbuttheregionof Galiciainthenorthwestismuchcoolerandrainier, whichmakesitperfectforgrowingfreshanddelicious whitewines.

It'stimetogivecavaanotherchance!Whilenot havingthebestreputation,primarilyduetotheprice andqualitybeingdrivendownbyacoupleofbig brands,cavacangiveyouagreatvaluealternativeto Champagneandforthosethatpreferadrierstyleto Prosecco,it’sano-brainer.Cavaismadeinthe traditionalmethod,inthesamewayasChampagne, andhaslovelybiscuity,briocheflavoursfromageingon itslees.ProducersarenowallowedtousePinotNoir andChardonnayaswellasnativegrapeswhichhas reallyhelpedwiththequality.

BIGBRUISER

Monastrell,alsoknownasMourvèdreinsouthern France,isagreatbigbruiserofaredgrapevarietythatis

KATIE’S4SUPERSPANISHSIPS

■ No.1CastilloPereladaCavaBrut–£11.99fromWaitrose

Thisfizzisdelicateandfreshwithacomplexfinish,perfectwith nibblesorjustbyitself!

■ AlmanovaAlmaDasDonasMencia,RibeiraSacra –£13.65fromNickolls&Perks

Madeusing50-year-oldvineswithalovelycomplexityand flavoursofjuicycherryandcranberries.

■ WinemakerSeriesGodello,Valdeorras–£9.99mixsixfromMajestic

MadeespeciallyforMajesticbyKatiaAlvarez,theawardwinningwinemakerbehindMartinCodaxwines.It’srefreshing withtropicalfruitflavoursandasea-sprayminerality.

■ TescoFinestRiberaDelDuero–£12fromTesco ThisisafantasticexampleofwhatthetraditionalRiojagrape candoinaslightlydifferentlocation!Intensedarkfruitsand plentyoftannins.

growninmanyregionsofSpain,includingJumilla, Yecla,andBullas.Monastrell(orMataroasit’salso known)isdeepincolour,fullbodiedandhasintense flavoursofblackfruit,spice,andleather.Theycanbe quitetannicandoftenbenefitfromageinginoakbarrels tosoftentheirstructureandaddcomplexity.Thisisone fortheShirazandCabernetSauvignonloverstoget theirteethintoandgoesperfectlywithagrilledsteak! ItmaybetimetostepoutsideyourRiojacomfort zone,butifyouenjoywinesmadefromtheTempranillo grape,thenlooknofurtherthanRiberaDelDuero.The areaisprettyaridanddesert-like,butthisallowsfor powerfulflavourdevelopment.Itwaspreviouslyknown asabulk-wineregionproducinglowqualitywines,but therehavebeenafewtop-flightwinemakers establishingvineyardsthereanditisnowhometosome ofthemostpremium,expensivewinesinthewholeof Spain,fromDominiodePinustoVegaSicilia. ■

BirminghamWineSchoolisanindependentwineeducationcompany thatoffersfuninformalwinetastingeventsandWine&SpiritEducation Trust(WSET)coursesonline,inBirminghamandWarwick.Formore information,contactKatieGardneron01212707359,orvisit www.birminghamwineschool.com.

TENNISHELL-BOW

Wellit’sbeenanotherwetApril,butif you’relikeushereatBirminghamLiving towersithasn’tstoppedyouplaying tennis.Andlikeusyoumayberegrettingitasdamp courtsandheavytennisballsmayhaveledtoan uncomfortablepaininyourarm.Ifso,youmaybe amongtheestimated50percentofplayerswhomay havedevelopedthedreadedtenniselbow.Here’ssome timelyadvicetohelpminimisethepain!

Tenniselbowisaconditionthatcausespainaround theoutsideoftheelbow.It'sclinicallyknownaslateral epicondylitisandit’sareallypainfulconditionthat occurswhentendonsinyourelbowareoverloaded, usuallybyrepetitivemotionsofthewristandarm.If themusclesarestrained,tinytearsandinflammation candevelopnearthebonylump(thelateral epicondyle)ontheoutsideofyourelbow.

Despiteitsname,athletesaren'ttheonlypeople whodeveloptenniselbowandanyactivitythatputs repeatedstressontheelbowjointcancauseit.

SIGNS

Youmaynoticepainontheoutsideoftheelbow, whichmaytraveldowntheforearmwhenliftingor bendingyourarm.Painandweaknessmaymakeit difficulttoshakehandsorgripanobject,turna doorknoboropenajar,holdacupofteaorpickup akettle.Youmayalsofinditdifficulttofullyextend yourarm.

HELP

Firstly,youshouldavoidtheactivitythatis causingthepainuntilyoursymptomsimprove.If thepaininyourelbowdoesnotgoawayafterafew daysofrest,it’sprobablybesttovisitaGP.TheGP willcheckforswellingandtendernessandcarryout somesimpletests,suchasstretchingoutyourfingers andflexingyourwristwhileyourelbowisstretched out.IftheGPthinksthepainisduetonerve damage,furthertests,suchasanultrasoundscanor anMRIscan,maybedone.

TREATMENT

Tenniselbowwilloftenimprovewithouttreatment, buttherearethingsyoucandothatmayimprove symptomsandspeeduprecovery.

Holdingacoldcompress,suchasabagoffrozen peaswrappedinatowel,againstyourelbowforafew minutesseveraltimesadaycanhelpeasethepain. Takingpainkillers,suchasparacetamol,mayhelp reducemildpain.Non-steroidalanti-inflammatory drugs,suchasibuprofen,canalsobeusedtohelp reduceinflammation.

Physiotherapycanalsoreallyhelpwithsome specificexercisesandstretchestoworkon.Massaging andmanipulatingtheaffectedareamayhelprelieve thepainandstiffnessandimprovetherangeof movementinyourarm.

Ifsymptomsareverypainfulandpersistent,your GPmayrecommendasteroidinjectionalthoughthis mayleadtoaweakeningonthetendon.Surgerymay beusedasalastresorttoremovethedamagedpartof thetendon.

PREVENTION

Thebadnewsisthattheconditioncanlastfrom betweensixmonthstotwoyears(although90percent willmakeafullrecoverywithinayear).Andonce you’vehaditonce,youmayalwaysbesusceptible. There’slotsyoucandotohelpavoidarepeatoffence.

Physicaltherapistscommonlyadvisethatracquet sportsplayersstrengthentheirshoulder,upperarm, andabdominalmuscles.Thiscanhelptoreducethe wristextensorsduringshoulderandarmmovements. Workonchangingandimprovingyourtechniquemay easetheproblem.

Usealighterracquetandabiggergripsizecanhelp avoidputtingextrastrainonyourtendons.Stringtension canaffecttheforcesthatpassacrosstheelbow.Ahightensionoffersmorecontrolbutpassesmoreforces throughtheelbow.Youmaywanttotryloweringyour stringtensionalittleandeventryspecialstrings.

Strappingortapingtheforearmcansupportthe areaandhelprealignthemusclefibresandrelieve pressureonthearea.

Goodluckwiththerehabandhopefullyyou’llbe fineanddandyforthesummer…■

Ifyouloveyourtennis,adateforthediaryisthe RothesayClassicwhichreturnstoEdgbastonPrioryClub from17to25June.Fullydetailsat:edgbastonpriory.com

TOP FROCKS

SAVINGYOURMOST-LOVEDCLOTHESFORBESTINCREASINGLYFEELSLIKEA RIDICULOUSWASTE,SOWE’RESHAKINGOFFTHESUNDAYBESTMENTALITYAND WHEELINGOUTOURMOSTGORGEOUSFROCKSONTHEDAILY.AREYOUWITHUS?

FLOWER POWER

FriendsLikeThese mididress£49, Lipsy

Thedressistheultimateinversatilestylingoffering maximumimpactwithminimumfuss.Dressdownwith flatsandacardifordaysoff,elevatetobusinessmeetingwith ablazerandsmartshoesorteamwithkillerheelsandstatement jewelleryfortheultimateglam.

Ahandfulofbrandshavegotushotunderthecollarthis season.Checkoutthepuffysleevesandstatementshouldersat TheVampire’sWife,floatyfloralsatZimmerman,rufflesand femininityatNeedleandThread,coldcolourwaysatMe+Em andattentiontodetailatSelfPortrait.Admittedly,theyareonthe

SUMMER VIBES

FatFacexNational Forestelmfloral forestmididress £75,FatFace

INSPIRED BYNATURE

Lottiedressinlight orange£56, FatFace

BOLD PRINT Dress£89, JohnLewis

priceyside,buttheircreationsaretimeless.Youcandipyourtoe inthewaterandhirehighendbrandsatasnipifyou’renot readytoinvest.Hurrisparticularlygood.

Onthehighstreet,therearesomebrilliantoptions.JohnLewis isexcellingthisseasonandfeelsyoungerthanusual.Thegingham smockdresswithoversizedcollarpicturedisagreatexampleasis thepolkadotmidiwhichisastealat£69.OliverBonas,asalways, isrockingsomegorgeousprints.Orangeandpinkisawinning comboparticularlyteamedwiththegeoprintpictured.Ifanimal printisyourbag,M&ShasacolourfulzebraprintwhileTUis offeringupapurpleleopardprintthatdefiesitspricetag.Asyou’d expect,Monsoonhassomedreamydresses,includingthecrochet trimblackdresspicturedthatistheultimateeasy-to-wearpiece whatevertheoccasion.

We’vescouredtherailsandpulledtogetheracollectionoftop frockstogetyoustarted.Asalways,sussoutwhatyouhavebefore youhittheshopssoyou’remakingthemostofyourwardrobeand don’tbeafraidtotrysomethingnew. ■

STARS

ALIGNED

Whiteandblackstar tiefrontmaxi£99,

CUTE COLLAR Vnecksmockdress £38,JohnLewis

BLACK ISBACK

Jerseycrochettrim blackdress£85, Monsoon

ScampandDude

SUPER SPOTS

EFFORTLESS STYLE

Shortsleeve

SWISH SWISH

Abstractpolkadot

midiwrap£37.99,

SHINE ON Paulametallic dress£120, WhiteStuff

Spottydress£69, JohnLewis

underbustmidi dress£46,Lipsy

Threadbare

ANIMAL MAGIC Dressandbag fromM&S

BUTTON UP Bluemidi dress£29.99, NewLook

GEO WOW

Pinkandorange printedmididress £85,OliverBonas

BRODERIE BEAUTY

Orangebroderie mididress£30, TUClothing

SUBTLE RUFFLES

Violadressin Marinablue £150,Aspiga

STATEMENT SHOULDERS

TheFalconetti velvetmidi dress£1,395, HarveyNichols

IFYOU'VE GOTIT

Greenfitted dressfrom F&F

MINIMUM FUSS

Greenlinen shiftdress £28,Primark

GO GREEN

Vnecktiered hemcottonmaxi dress£125, Selfridges

BEAUTY UPDATE

1

2

1.WELEDASTRETCHMARKBODYBUTTER£20.95,BOOTS

Officiallythisisaimedatpregnantwomen,butit’sawinforyourskin generallysodon’tbeputoffbythe‘mum’branding.Itsmellsamazing thankstoessentialoilslikeneroliandroseplusit’ssupernourishing leavingskinsmoothandhydrated.

2.EVELOMRENEWALTREATMENTOIL£99,EVELOM

Weloveamulti-taskingproductandthisoneisahardworker.It contains10nourishingnaturaloilsaswellasactivelipidsandskinidenticalceramidesresultinginaplumping,smoothingeffectand heightenedmoisturelevelsthatlastupto12hours.Theoilcanbe usedonitsownoraddedtoyourmoisturiserorfoundationfora glowingluminousfinish.It’sabitofaninvestmentbutalittlegoes alongwaysothiswilllast.

3.HAIRPROUDSUPERHYDRATINGSHAMPOOAND CONDITIONER£7.95EACH,IAMPROUD.COM

Weallknowthebenefitsofhyaluronicacidforourface,sowhynot ploughsomeofthewondrousingredientintoyourhairandscalp?

Crueltyandchemicalfreewithpackagingthatis100percent recyclable,theduoleaveshairhealthy,hydratedandfrizz-freewhile givingyourscalpabitofnourishinglovetoo.

4.BIOSSANCESQUALANE+VITAMINCROSEMOISTURISER £4350ML,CULTBEAUTY.CO.UK

Whetherit’sbody,faceorhair,thismonthwe’regoingfor theglowwithahandfulofproductspackedwithallthe goodstuffthat’llleaveyoulookinghealthyandhydrated 3 4

PoweredbyvitaminC,brighteningfermentedlemonpeeland nourishingsqualene,thisantioxidantrichcreamfightsageingfree radicalsandpollutionaswellasboostingcollagenproduction.Small butmighty,wearesold.

TEESME

GRAPHICTEESAREONEOFYOURBESTSARTORIAL FRIENDSENABLINGYOUTOWEARYOURSTYLEAND, INSOMECASES,YOURVIEWSONYOURCHEST

LESSISMORE

AlexanderMcQueen logoprint£320, HarveyNichols

MUSOCOLLAB EltonJohnxBravado TheLabelgraphic print£45,Selfridges

Provingit’spossibletobebothgrown-upandplayful, thegraphicteeisacooladditiontoyourwardrobe andtheultimateineasydressing.Aswithalltees, thefitiskeytocreatingthevibeyou’reaimingfor–gofor oversizedifyou’reafterarelaxedvibeorslim-fittingfora sharperlook.Pricewise,teesvarywildly–herewe’vepicked aselectionrangingfrom£16to£470.Themaindifference isfabric,fitandlongevityandinsomecasesthebrand. Generally,yougetwhatyoupayfor–thefabrichangs better,feelsnicerandlooksmorepolished.

Intermsofgraphics,it’spersonal.WelovetheElton JohnxBravadoTheLabelcollaboration–TinyDanceris picturedhere,butthewholecollectionrocks.There’sa strongandquiterandomunderwaterthemethisseason–we’vepickedoutedgysharkjawsatRepresent,butwe couldhavefilledthesepageswithmarinelife.Boldlogos arebig–checkouttheVivienneWestwooddripping aerosoltee,playfulpinkMcQueenlogoandmoreserious vibesatBarbour.ProudBrummies,headtoPunksand Chancersforanorganiclocally-madeYesBabteeor somethingmorepoliticalliketheStrikeBabandTories LieBabprints. ■

JAWDROPPING

Representshark jawsgraphictee £95,Selfridges

YESBAB

Adulttee£25,Punks andChancers

SERIOUSBUSINESS

Oscartee £32.95,Barbour

HIGHEND Lanvinprintedtee £470,HarveyNichols

MELLOWYELLOW

Sunsetseeker£16, Regatta

PLAYAWAY Commedes GarconsPlay logoprinttee £80,Selfridges

THEQUEEN

VivienneWestwood Orbprinttee£155, HarveyNichols

ONYERBIKE

FatFacexNational Forestpaintedbicycle £28,FatFace

BESTLIFE Pinktee£23, JoeBrowns

OUTSIDE IN

Wecherishedourgardensduring lockdown.Weprioritisedandcraved outdoorspacelikeneverbefore recognisingtheholisticbenefitsformind,bodyand soul.Wetreatedthegardenlikeanotherroom bringingtheoutsideinandthat’sexactlyhowto squeezethemostoutofyouroutdoorspacewhatever thesize.

Thebleaknessofwinterishopefullybehindus,so now’sthetimetoplan.Ifyou’reafterhorticultural advice,AdamofViewFromthePottingBenchfame hasgotyoucoveredonpage48.Aswellas consideringplantingdecidewhatyouwantfromyour garden.Obviously,you’llbeguidedbytheshapeand size–don’tfightwithit,rathercreatedifferentzones fordifferentactivitieslikeentertaining,dining, relaxing,cooking,playing,etc.Thatmightjustmean re-evaluatingthespaceandmovingyourexisting furnitureandpotsaroundtocreatezonesoryou mightneedtoinvestinsomenewadditions.

EATINGOUT

Putdiningareasnearestthehouseforeaseandif you’vethespace,thinkaboutanoutdoorkitchenfor theultimateinentertainingprowess.Apartfrom practicalfoodprepandcookingareas,addextra storageforhousingoutdoortablewareandifyou’ve spaceforadrinksfridge,happydays.

EATOUT

FurnitureandaccessoriesfromHomeSense

COSYCOCOON

Hangingcocoon£220,Cuckooland

LOUNGELOVER

Createanareaforlounginginasunnyspot.Addsquishylow furnitureorloungersformaximumcomfort.Gardenfurniture isprobablythemostimportantandexpensivepurchaselargely drivenbyyourspace.Choosequalityfurniturethatcanlive untarnishedoutsideallyearround.Prolongthelengthoftime youspendinyourgardenbyaddinginasourceofheatsuchas achimineaorfirepitandaddinafewcosyblanketsandyou‘ll easilyenjoythegardenwellintotheautumn.

LIGHTUP

Festoonlightingandhurricanelampsgiveagorgeousglow afterdarkcreatingamagicalambience.Solarpoweredlightsare increasinglyefficient–Lights4Funhavesomegreat,reasonably pricedexamplesthatstayilluminatedforeighthoursormore.

GROWUP

Ifyou’veabalconyorsmallspace,thesameprinciplesapply withtheexceptionofzoning.Addcomfortablefurniture, attractiveplanting–workwiththespacesogrowup,notout andaddmagicallightingforafterdark. ■

ANDRELAX

FurnitureandaccessoriesfromJohnLewis

HOMES

LANTERNLIGHT

Hangingsolarlanterns£29.99,Lights4Fun

RUSTICCHARM

AccessoriesfromtheNationalTrust

AFTERDARK

Museportabletablelamp£275,Nest

WARMGLOW

Wildlifefirepit£169, Dobbies

GREENDREAM

HayPalissadechairlow £499,Nest

ALLTHERAGE

Tetburyrattanplanter £145,Neptune

TOUCHES FINISHING

FROMMINIMALISTTOCOSY,FINDTHEPERFECTOUTDOOR

ACCESSORIESTOSUITYOURSTYLEANDMAKEYOUSMILE

MINIMALFUSS

Elbaloungechairnow£271.15 (RRP£319),BoConcept

COOKOFF

MorsoFornodeluxeoutdoor package£2,328,Cuckooland

MIRRORMIRROR

Largeoutdoormirror £49,GeorgeHome

ALLTHE ESSENTIALS

ForestGardenpressure treatedgardenstore £223.95,Cuckooland

RIGHTSTRIPES

Desertoneseater£979, FermLiving

DOUBLETROUBLE TrimmCopenhagendouble hammock£1,199, Cuckooland

WORKOFART

Libawateringcan £49,FermLiving

ROUNDTABLE

HavanaGarden4-6 seatroundtable £499,CultFurniture

FromthePottingBench withAdam

May,thatawkwardmonthoftheyear–right inthemiddleofspring,butnotquite summerjustyet.It’satouchlikethatspace betweenChristmasandNewYear,neitherherenor there.Thechancesarethatyourspringbulbshave fadedinthepotsandbordersandtherestofyour gardenisboundingintothefullswingofthings,so

JackFrosthasgone!

Mayis(usually)thefirstfullmonthwithoutany frosts,withourlastfrostdatesbeingattheendofApril. Becauseofthis,ouroptionsforsowing,plantingand

MAYISABITOFANODDMONTHINTHEGARDEN,BUTTHEREISALOT HAPPENINGSAYSOURGREEN-FINGEREDEXPERTADAMKIRTLAND

I’vecompiledafewofmyfavouritethingstotryin Maytotakeusthroughintothestartofsummer.

growingbecomeessentiallyendless!Thoseseed babiesthatwe’vebeencoddlingthroughwinterand springcannowbeplantedoutinabundanceandthe warmersoiltemperatureswillmeanthattheyhave thespacetogrowonandintotheirfullpotential. Nowisagreattimetoplantanythingoutreally, emptyyourgreenhouses,coldframes,windowsills andgetthoseplantsout.

ThismonthI’veemptiedmyowngreenhouseand itsnowpracticallyempty–exceptforafewbitsthat I’venotmanagedtofindthetimetodo!Ifyouhaven’t gotagreenhouseoryouhaven’tsownany seedsorstartedanythingoffthen that’sfinetoo,nowisagreattimeto visitagardencentretoremedythat.

Butwhattobuy?

Really,that’suptoyouandatthis timeofyearthegardencentresare practicallyburstingwithoptions,but don’tbefooledbytheplantsasyouwalk in.Mytoptipwhenbuyingfroma gardencentreisgototheback–ok,maybenotthe veryback–butdelvealittlefurtherin.Moreoften thannot,gardencentreswillputtheplantsthatare inflowerorthatarefurtherintotheirgrowinglife, rightatthefront–soyoubuythosefirst.

Takeastrollandheadinwards,thereyou’llfind slightlyyoungerplants,perhapsnotinfloweryetbut that’sagoodthing.Thoseplantsmightnotbethe sizeofsomeatthefront,butthey’llgrowonallthe sameandinthesametime,you’llbesurprisedthat someoftheyoungeronesarecheapertoo.

…andtheplants!

Luckilyyouroptionsherearehugeandthevast majorityofperennialsareavailabletobuyasyoung plantsrightnow.IfyouplantthemoutinMaythen you’llhaveagardenfullofcolourinsummersohave alookaroundandseewhatcatchesyoureye.

Alliumsareamust-buyrightnow–you’dusually buytheseasbulbsandplantinautumnbutyoucan getthemasplantsandpopthemstraightinthe ground.Thesewillgiveyoutallgreenspikeswith purpleflowersatopofeach.NothingbeatsanAllium atthebackofaborder(goodinsturdypotstoo).

Anothersolidchoicearedahliasandbynowthe

gardencentreswillhavetheirpottedupversions readytobuywithsomegrowthalreadystarted.Some ofthesewillhappilyliveinlargecontainersandwill getbiggerandbiggeruntiltheyflower,alltheway throughsummeranduntiltheveryfirstfrostslaterin theyear.Dahliasareavailableinallmannerof coloursandflowertypesandtheretrulyissomething foreveryone.Treatyourselftoacouplenowand you’llhopefullyenjoythemforyearstocome.I’lltell youinautumn/winterhowtocareforthemthrough thecoldmonths,butuntilthen–let’senjoyMay!

Finally…don’tforget,youcanjoinmeatthisyear’s RHSMalvernSpringFestivalwhereI’llbeshowingyou howtoupcycleawoodenpalletintoanynumberof things.Andthegreatthingis,youdon’tneedanyspecial skillsorcomplicatedtools.I’llbethereonThursdayand Friday,11and12MayattheThreeCounties ShowgroundatthefootoftheMalvernHills. ■

YoucanfollowAdamonInstagram@viewfromthepottingbenchor listentoAdam’spodcastTalesFromThePottingBenchformore gardeninginspiration.YoucanalsoreadAdam’sblogat viewfromthepottingbench.com

THESOUNDOFSILENCE

SUECOOKETESTDRIVESLEXUS’SLUXURYPLUG-INRXHYBRID ANDDISCOVERSANSUVTHATTICKSALLTHERIGHTBOXES

Ihavebeenlivinginasurrealworldofsilencethis weekwhiledrivingthefirstLexusRXplug-in hybrid.The450h+isamemberofthefifth generationRXfamilyandispoweredbyanultra-quiet 2.5-litrehybridengineandarechargeablelithium-ion battery.ThelargeluxurySUVwillrunupto42miles onbatteryalone,givingzeroexhaustemissions.

Lexuswasthefirsttobringelectrifiedpowertothe premiumcarmarketandtheRXrangeoffersa choiceofcleanerandmorefuel-efficientdrivingas wellasanexcitingsportydrivingexperienceinthe RX500hFSport.Lexus’sfirstperformancefocused turbochargedhybridhassix-speedautomaticgears andall-wheeldrive.

Pressthestartbuttoninthe450h+toengage powerandyouhearabsolutelynothing.Disengage thebrakelever,slidetheautomaticgearsintoDrive

mode,gentlypresstheacceleratorandglideforward. Theonlysoundyouheararethetyresquietlyeating upthetarmac.

SEAMLESSSWITCH

Presstheacceleratorharderandtheenginebursts intolife.Brakeandcruiseslowlyintrafficandyou heartheenginedieandhybridpowerkicksin.And whenthechargeinthehybridbatteryisdepleted,the vehicleswitchesseamlesslytohybridelectric performance,andthebatteryisrechargedasyou drive.Mosthybridmodelswilldefaulttoapetrol enginewhichmeanshigheremissionsandpoorer fueleconomyuntilconnectedtoapowersupplyfor recharging.

Lexusdescribestheexteriorasa‘NextChapter’ designanditisstriking.Thefrontgrillemergesinto

thebodyandwhiletheoveralllengthisthesameas thecurrentmodel,thebonnethasbeenelongated andtheApillarmovedfurtherback.Therearhasa shorteroverhangandlightsaresetinalightbarthat beautifullyspansthewidthofthecarandwraps aroundthecorners.

Inthepremiumcabin,Lexusreferstothe‘Tazuna’ driver’scockpitdesignwhichtakesitsnamefromthe Japanesewordfor‘reinsofahorse’,meaningdirect yetintuitivecontrol.Informationsourcessuchasthe extra-large14-inchmultimediascreen,multiinformationdisplayandhead-updisplayaregrouped sotheircontentcanbereadwithminimaleyeand headmovement.

WELL-EQUIPPED

Thereisalonglistofstandardequipment.The entrylevelPremiumPackincludesLEDheadlights withautomatichighbeam,blindspotmonitor,rear crosstrafficalert,apremium12-speakeraudiopackage,

FACTSATAGLANCE

Model: LexusRX450h+pluginhybridPremiumPack

Price: £64,950otr

Engine: Four-cylinder,2.5-litrehybridengine,rechargeablelithium-ion battery,rearelectricmotor

Performance: 0-62mphin6.5secondsandmaxspeedof124mph CO2emissions: 25-26g/km

Combinedfuelconsumption: 235.4to256.8mpgandEVrangeupto 42miles(WLTP)

wirelessforAppleCarPlay,awiredconnectionfor AndroidAutoandawirelesschargingtray.Thereisa newtriplezoneair-conditioningunitandthelatest generationLexussafetysystemplus.Thosewitha smartphonecandownloadtheLexusLinkappandon acoldmorningIblissfullyactivatedtheairconditioningtowarmthecabinbeforeIleftthehouse. IfoundthislargeSUVverycomfortableforlong journeys,plusthere’sallthespaceIneedforluggage andgenerousshoppingtripsat612litrescapacity withtherearseatsinplace.Thereismorespace partlybecausethehybridbatteryisnowlocated entirelybeneaththevehiclefloor.Thisalsohelps stabilisethecar’slowcentreofgravity,providing handlingthatisfirmonhardcornering. ■

SHOWROOM

LexusBirmingham,4WingfootWay,FortDunlop,Birmingham, B249HF.Tel:01213774200www.lexus.co.uk/birmingham

BROTHERS’ BIG BREAK

HamimandHalimMiahareknockingonthe professionalgame’sdoor,buttheycoulddowithsome bigBrummiegenerositytogetthemovertheline

ithaclutchoftrophiesandchampionship titles,talentedbrothersHamimand Halimareonthecuspofmakingitonto theprofessionalsnookercircuit.Theboys’father Hosoun,whoisalsoadecentplayer,firstboughthis sonsaminitablewhentheywerejusttoddlersandkept upgradingtolargerversionsastheygrew.

Hosounalsomadethebrothersastoolwhenthey weresmall,sotheycouldreachfull-sizedclubtables andheusedtofollowthemaroundmovingthestoolas theyplayed.Now,havingbeatensomeofthebest playersintheworld,HamimandHalimareworking towardstheirultimategoalofturningprofessional.

Initiallyjustahobby,theboyslovedthegame immediatelyandwhentheywerenineand10-yearsold,Hosounbuiltasnookerroomandbegancoaching themandenteringtournaments.Theywere,andstill are,verycompetitivewithoneanotherwhichprobably pushesthemtobebetter.Asteenagers,thingsgotmore seriousandtheboysstartedwinningregularlyand takinghometrophies.Itbecameclearthatthiscould bemorethanahobbyforbothplayers.

Nowsemi-professional,Hamimwhotrainsata snookeracademyinSheffieldrecentlybeatfour-time worldchampionJohnHigginsinanexhibitionmatch andhasachievedamaximum147break.Trainingatthe academyisintense,playingeighthoursaday,andcostly. Halimisn’tattheacademyyet,sofitstrainingaround full-timework,buthisimmediateaimistomovetothe academyandgainaplaceinthetopranksofthesport.

Thecostassociatedwiththeacademyandcompeting inthesportgenerallyisprohibitivewhichiswhy Hosounisonafund-raisingdrivetoenabletheboysto continueandforHalimtojoinhisbrotherinSheffield. Heexplains:“Simplyattendingtournamentsand gainingrankingpointsrequirestimeandexpensefor theboystotravelandstayawayfromhome.Clothing andequipmentalsoseethecostsmounting.Atypical seasoncostsinexcessof£12,000toallowcompetitionat allsignificantevents.”

FUTUREGOALS

Headds:“Wearestrugglingtokeepsupporting HamimwithhislivingexpensesandHalimalsohas aspirationstogetaplaceattheacademy.Wewantto enablethemtotakethatlaststridetobecomingfully professionalsnookerplayers.Theyarebothknocking onthedoorandarehighlyratedbythesport's governingbody,butweneedhelptokeepthem movingforwards.”Withaninvestmentofupwardsof £200,000alreadyintheboys’careers,Hosounis hopingthatthroughsponsorshipandaJustGiving page,theycanraisethemoneyneededtomakeit.

Bothbrothersarenationalagegroupchampions andrepresentEnglandintournamentsandhopetogo ontohavecareersliketheirheroeswhichisrealisticif theycanstickwithit.ForHamim,thatheroisRonnie O’SullivanwhileHalim’sisJuddTrumpandwhen askedaboutultimateambitions,theboysarein agreement,liketheirheroestheywantto:“Become professional,makealivingandbecrownedworld champion!” ■

BIGBREAK

Tohelpthebrothersanddonatevisit: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/michael-rigby2?utm_term=6ePa9N44R

PLAYGROUNDBOOST

Aspecialeducationalneedsschoolhasreceiveda£1,000 donationfromPersimmonHomestorefurbishtheschool’s playground,creatinganengagingenvironmentforpupils. Thedonationwasmadeaspartofthedeveloper’s CommunityChampionsinitiative.KingsburyAcademy, Coventryprovideseducationforpupilsagedfourto11 withsignificantlearningdisabilities.Morethanhalfofthe childrenattheschoolhaveautisticspectrumconditions, whileothershaveadditionalneeds,includingsensory processingdifficulties.

HARRYTHEBUILDER

SchoolboyHarryHillhasbeennamedtheMidlands’ bestLEGOcreator.Harry,12,competedagainstmore the200entrantsintheMiniMasterModelBuilder UKcompetitionatBirmingham’sLEGOLAND DiscoveryCentre.Theself-confessedLEGOfanatic hasbuiltnumerousepiccreations,includinghis favouriteNinjagoTemple.Onbeing crownedBirmingham’sbestcreator,Harrysaid: “WhenIsawthecompetitionadvertised,IknewIhad toenterandmymumsaidshe’dletmeifIpromised nottoarguewithmysister!”

SCHOOL REPORT

RECORD-BREAKERS

MoretonHall’sSeniorLacrosseteamiscelebratingbeingcrownedrunnersupintheNationalSchoolsLacrosseChampionship.Thehighlightofthe nationallacrossecalendarnormallyseesmanylargerschoolsdominatethe gruelling48hoursoflacrosseduringwhichtheteamsmakingittothefinal willhaveplayed13matches.MoretoncaptainsGeorgiaThomasandLaura Hayton-Leesaid:“We’dliketoespeciallymentionEmilyFearne,our 15-year-oldgoalie,whoeffortlesslyblockedtheshotsof18-year-old Englandplayerstimeandtimeagain.”

UB40SING-SONG

PupilsstudyingthemusicalandculturalimpactofBirmingham globalreggaestarsUB40performedtothebandataspecial assembly.TeachersatStEdward'sCatholicPrimarySchool addedlearningabouttheinfluentialBrummiemusiciansto theircurriculumasawayofintroducingdifferentmusicgenres tochildren.Thespecialeventsaw400oftheSellyPark schoolchildrensingaselectionofthegroup’shits.Thebandis givingmusicequipmenttotheschoolandofferingalegacy awardforoutstandingpupilsoverthecomingyears.

CAMILLA’SDANCEDATE

TheQueenConsortvisitedElmhurstBalletSchoolandsharedamutualloveof danceastheBirmingham-basedcentreofexcellencecelebratesitscentenary. CamillahassupportedElmhurstsince2006andthiswasherfifthvisittothe school.Shemetstaffandalumnifromtheschool’sCamberleyandBirmingham yearsandwatchedashortperformanceendingwiththeGrandDefileshowcasing all200students.Shethenunveiledaplaquewithinanewcentennialwallartin thefoyerthatspotlights10decadesofElmhurst.

LITERACY FORLIFE

Asyoungpeopleupanddown thecountrycelebratedWorld BookDay,CockshutHillSchoolin Birmingham,partofSummit LearningTrust,heldaspecial ReadingEngagementEventfor KeyStage3parentsandcarers–designedtounlockpotentialby instillingliteracyforlife.The eventincludedapresentation explaininghowreadingsupports learningintheclassroom, strategiesonhowtosupport phonics,tipsforencouraging readingforpleasureandadvice onwheretogoforfurther support.

ACADEMY PREVIEW

ShirelandCBSOAcademyinWestBromwich welcomedWestMidlandsmayorAndy Streetforanexclusivetouroftheacademy priortoitsopeninginSeptember.Thecentre willdeliverthenationalcurriculumwith musicatitscoreasitpioneersaunique partnershipwiththeCityofBirmingham SymphonyOrchestra.AndyStreetsaid: “ThisisaninnovativeprojectandIcannot waittoseethewonderfulopportunitiesthat theacademyopensuptoyoungpeoplehere inSandwell.”Facilitieswillincludea specialistauditorium,musicpracticerooms anddramaandrecordingstudios,

BONDRETURNS

TheDigbethEstate(OvalReal Estate)hasre-launchedTheBondin FazeleyStreet,Digbeth–an £18millioncontenthubfor television,filmanddigitalcontent productionandhomeforthebest creativetalentintheWestMidlands.

ChairofGreaterBirminghamand SolihullLocalEnterprisePartnership, AnitaBhalla,said:It’sgreattosee theCreativeContentHubopen!This facilityisacrucialpartofthewider planfortheDigbethCreative Quarter.”SeeSocialScenepages

BUSINESS

NEWPRESIDENT

OmarRashidwasappointedpresidentofthe AsianBusinessChamberofCommerce (ABCC)attheorganisation’sannualgeneral meeting.TheowneroftheHRDeptat BirminghamandWolverhamptonhasbeen ontheABCCexecutiveboardsince2019 andhadbeenservingasco-president alongsideAminaHussainofSME OutsourcingsinceSeptember.NeelamAfzal, partnerandemploymentlawsolicitorof WildingsSolicitors,andSapreenaKumari, executivedirectorforadmissionsandstudent recruitmentatStaffordshireUniversity,were appointedasvice-presidents.

ACTIONONABUSE

Birmingham’sColmoreBID(Business ImprovementDistrict)haspartneredwithHollie GazzardTrusttolaunchanewSupporter OrganisationSchemetoeducatestaffondomestic abuseissuesandhelpsafeguardemployees.

ColmoreBIDisthecharity’sfirstpartnertotrialthe nationalscheme.Theprogrammeprovidesnotfor-profitorganisationswithsafeguardtrainingfor staffmembers,asubscriptiontotheUK’slargest safetyappand24/7monitoringservice.Kate Bailey,ColmoreBIDboarddirector,said:“We wanttosetthestandardthatanyformofviolence againstwomenisunacceptable.”

NEWS

POTSOFCASH

Six-timesworldsnooker championSteveDavishelped pocketplentyofcashforlocal children’scharityMollyOllys withtwoappearancesin Warwick.AnEveningWith SteveDavisgavevisitorsthe chancetoenjoyanexclusive audiencewiththesporting legendatWarwickSpicein SmithStreet.

Hesharedanecdotesfromhis careerandtalkedabouthis newroleasamusicDJ.A raffleandauctionincludedthe chancetowinasigned snookercue.

ENERGYSAVERS

Alocalenergyfirmhassteppedintohelpa homelesscharitywithitsrisingbills.TheStudent EnergyGroup(TSEG)ishalvingthebillsoftheSIFA Firesidecharity.NatalieAllen,chiefexecutiveofficer atSIFAFireside,said:“Whenwelookedatrenewing ourenergyserviceswhichwere£15klastyearwe realisedthatthecostwasgoingtobecloserto£60k. ThankfullytheteamatTSEGsteppedinandnotonly halvedourbillsbutalsomadeagenerousdonation of£8.5ktothecharity.”

BESTBUILDINGS

Ninebuildings,rangingfromauniversityfacultycentretoarepurposed19thcentury barn,havebeenshortlistedfortheRoyalInstituteofBritishArchitects’WestMidlands Awards.ThefinalistsincludeBirmingham’sTwoChamberlainSquaredevelopmentby GlennHowellsArchitects,pictured.RIBAWestMidlandsjurychair,WillGamble, said:“Thisyear’sshortlistcelebratestherichtapestryofarchitectureintheWest Midlandsinbothruralandurbansettings.Thereisastrongemphasisonrespondingto ourhistoricenvironmentthroughadaptivereuseandsensitivecontextualdesign.”

TOURISMSTARS

TheWestMidlandstourismsectornameditsstarsofthelast12months, with14prizeshandedouttovisitor-facingvenuesatthe2023West MidlandsTourismAwards.Birmingham-basedwinnersincludedtheBelfry Hotel&Resort,ClaytonHotelBirmingham,MidlandsArtsCentreandthe RoundhouseBirmingham.Organisationsfromacrosstheregion’s accommodation,arts,foodanddrink,visitorattractionandheritagesectors wererecognisedincategoriesincludingExperienceoftheYear.

ABirmingham-basedresearchanddevelopment companyhasannouncedabreakthroughin diabetesmanagement.MaxBio+,co-foundedby ProfSunilShah,hasdevelopedaninsulinspray thathasthepotentialtoeliminatetheuseof needles–arevolutionaryadvancementfor patientswhorequirefrequentinsulininjections. TheteamatMaxBio+hasbeenresearchingand developingnewdeliverysystemsforavarietyof drugs,withdiabetesapriority.Thenewsprayis currentlybeingtestedwithpromisingresults.

HaircareentrepreneurKameeseDaviswalkedawaywitha£3,000prizeand packageofbespokebusinesssupportafterwinningtheMinervaBirminghamPitch UpcompetitionattheVenturefestWM2023festivalofinnovationinBirmingham. KameeserunsSandwell-basedNylahHair,HeritageandScience,whichspecialisesin providingqualityproductsforafroandcurlyhaircare.Lastyearshelandeda £50,000investmentfromSaraDavieswhensheappearedonTV’sDragons’Den.

FormerspecialforcessoldierOllie Ollertonjoinedthisyear’sBike4Life RideOutandFestivaltoraise moneyforMidlandsAirAmbulance Charity.Ollie,whostarredin Channel4’sSASWhoDaresWins andiscurrentlyinSASAustralia,led 6,000bikersinthe23-mileRide Out,sponsoredbytheBikeInsurer. Theeventhasbecomeoneofthe biggestcharitymotorbike experiencesinthecountryandisa vitalfund-raiserforairambulance operations.

CATHERINE’SONBOARD

BirminghamHippodromeTheatreTrusthaswelcomedCatherine Mallyontoitsboardoftrustees.Catherinehasbeenexecutive director,agovernorandboardmemberoftheRoyalShakespeare Companysince2012.Previouslyshewasdeputychiefexecutive ofLondon’sSouthbankCentre,leadingalloperationalactivity, includingthereopeningoftheRoyalFestivalHallafter refurbishmentin2007.Shesaid:“Iamlookingforward enormouslytoworkingwiththevoluntarytrusteesinsupporting theteamtodelivermoreHippodrome‘goosebumpsmoments’.

AIRLINEBACKSBRUM

QatarAirwaysisreturningtoBirminghamAirportfollowingathree-yearabsence. TheDoha-basedcarrierwillrestartdailyflightsofitsBoeing787Dreamlinerfrom 10July.QataroperatedfromBirminghampriortotheCovidpandemicbutceased flightsinearly2020.EricOdone,theairline’sVPSales,Europe,said:“The resumptionofflightstoBirminghamAirportfurtherestablishesourpresenceand partnershipwiththeUKwhichisaveryimportantmarket.”

BUSINESS BITES

HEALTHHELP

Anewsmallgrantschemeaimedatimproving healthoutcomesforthemostvulnerablein Birminghamhaslaunchedandisinvitingbids fromcommunityorganisations.Aninitial £200,000isavailableforgrantsofupto £10,000fromtheFairerFuturesFund.Details ofhowtoapplyfromBirminghamVoluntary ServiceCouncil,bvsc.org

GRIEFGRANT

GriefcharityLoveLifeAgainhasbeengiven vitalfundingtoallowmorepeopletoaccess essentialservices.Theprivateclinicreceiveda £26,000grantfromSuttonColdfieldCharitable Trust–enoughmoneytogivemorethan30 individualsfreeaccesstotheprivateservices.

SPORTLEADER

WestMidlandsleadingsport-for-employment charitySport4LifeUKhasappointedbusiness guruMikeGahiraschairofitsboardoftrustees. Sport4LifeUKhassupportedthousandsof youngpeopletogainqualifications,transform lifeskills,improvewellbeing,andprogressin educationandemployment.

ENGINEERINGAPP

TwoschoolfriendsfromnorthWarwickshirehave developanewappthataimstorevolutionisehow productsarelaunchedintheengineeringindustry. TomFludeandCoreyFaulconbridge,whofirstmet asstudentsatNicholasChamberlaineSchool, Bedworth,havelaunchedEngineersInsight,a businessthatprovidesadigitalplatformforthe manufacturingindustry.Theduoalreadyhasa numberofmulti-billion-poundcompaniesontheir booksastheappgoesthroughitsfinalstagesof testingbeforebeinglaunched.

InspirationalfemaleachieversacrossBirmingham andSolihullwereamongthewinnersatthefifth LadiesFirstProfessionalDevelopmentNetwork BusinessAwards.Morethan300guestscametogetherat CoombeAbbey,Coventryfortheglitteringceremony which,forthefirsttime,alsoincludedfournew categoriescelebratingtheCreativeArts.Theeventalso raised£2,300fortwoMidlandscharities–Surviving Bereavement,runbyBalsallCommon’sTracey McAtamney,andCoventryFoodbank. ■

1 LibbyWilson(ExcellenceInEducationwinner),LeiaWelland,KerrieBowers. 2 TraceyMcAtamney,CollenFletcherMP,SandraGodley. 3 JemmaPaterson,HelenBolus,HayleyMatiya. 4 HelenBenussi(FamilyBusinesswinner),KelseySeymour. 5 CatherineWilliamson (WomanofAchievementwinner),NikkiReid. 6 MarciaLewinson(AchievesForCharityAward),LisaDevine. 7 KarenJones(Inspirational WomanAward). 8 LeanneHorne(RisingStarAward),JoMeakin.

THEBONDLIFTSOFFIN STYLEWITHBIGPARTY

he£18millionhomeforTV,film,media andtechintheMidlandswaslaunched withabigpartyattendedbymorethan400 people,includingWestMidlandsmayor,Andy Street.TheBondinFazeleyStreet,Digbethis destinedtobecomethefocalpointfortheregion’s bestcreativetalent.All3MediacompaniesNorth One,OptomenTelevisionandManorProduction Serviceswillmoveintothehubthismonth,while thecentreisalsowhereJoeLycetthostshisnew FridaynightChannel4TVshow. ■

1 CarlMcCaffery,ZoeBarry,BethKelly. 2 JamesTarpey,AndrewWaldron,PamCheema.

3 AndyStreet,EdShedd,AnitaBhalla, NeilDuncanson,JamesCraig. 4 DanLee,HarrietGiles. 5 CrazyPSoundsystem. 6 HarryNijjar,PoonamGill,SunnyGill. 7 FelicityBeal,ReeshaRanat. 8 NassyKonan,ChrisTorbett,WillHiggins. 9 RichardO'Gorman,IanRussell.

£18MhubforTV,film,media andtechlaunchesinDigbeth

2 3 4 5 6

NETWORKSBLOOMAT EDGECREATIVEEVENT

Businessleadersandprofessionals

cometogetheratSaintPaulsHouse

SuttonColdfield-basedintegratedmarketing agencyEDGECreativewelcomedbusiness leadersandotherprofessionalstoSaintPauls HouseintheJewelleryQuarterfortheirfirst networkingeventoftheyear.Theeventwassponsored byAcuityFinanceandBoldwithcocktailsprovidedby drinkssponsorEdinburghGin. ■

1 SimonBateman,LouisePanayides,KellyBrown,LianeDenton. 2 AnthonyBrazier,SarahRadley,MarkPanayides,StevenBrazier. 3 D’AntoniMcNeil,OliverGaunt,LauraCooksey. 4 MarkPanayides,LiamStretton. 5 BrianChapplehow,NeilThorogood,AndrewRadley. 6 Ann-MariePugh,DavidPinnington,EmmaNeate.

JOJOHASABALLAFTER BECOMINGBEST-SELLER

BookpartyatGrandBotanicalSuite forBirmingham’sFairyGodmother

Birmingham’sFairyGodmother,JoJoSmith, celebratedbecomingabest-sellingauthorwith abookballattheGrandBotanicalSuite.JoJo launchedherbook,LovingYourselfBeyondBelief,on Valentine’sDayandsawithitnumberoneonthe Amazonbest-sellerchartsin14categories.

EntertainmentwasprovidedbyDaniWallace,founder ofFlyanywayFoundationwhichsupportssurvivorsof domesticabuse.TheFoundationandBecome,the charityforchildrenincareandyoungcareleaders, benefitedfromtheeveningwhichraised£460.Silver hairedcurvemodel,RachelPeruhostedthecatwalk. ■

1 TommyPowell,LindsayMcGlone. 2 SarahParks. 3 JoJoSmith. 4 AbigailHorne. 5 Guests. 6 SilverCurveModelRachelPeru. 7 VictoriaDioh. 8 QueenBeeDaniWallace. PhotographybyVickiHead

WHAT’SONliving

WHAT: TomAllen:Completely

WHEN: 17to19May

WHERE: BirminghamHippodrome, birminghamhippodrome.com

ThehostofTheApprentice:You’reFiredisbestlovedforhissignatureacerbicwitandriotous storytelling.Inthistour,he’seagertosharehis lifeupdatesandgetyouropinionsonhis vegetablepatch…

WHAT: PhilWang: WangInThere,Baby!

WHEN: 4May

WHERE: TownHall, bmusic.co.uk

Hotofftheheelsofhiscritically-acclaimedNetflixspecial,Phil Wangisbringinganewstand-upshowtovenuesnationwide. He’schattingrace,family,nipplesandeverythingelsethat’s beengoingoninhisPhillylittlelife.

WHAT: AcelebrationofBobWarman

WHEN: 9May

WHERE: BirminghamRep,birmingham-rep.co.uk

GetreadyforaBrummienightoutthat’smorethanbostin’withthis veryspecialeveningoffamousfaces,musicandcomedy.Hostedby JasperCarrottandcelebratingtheITVlegend’s50yearsinTV.

WHAT: MelatiSuryodarmo

WHEN: 17Mayto3September

WHERE: Ikon,ikon-gallery.org

MelatiSuryodarmoisoneof Indonesia’smostimportantliving artists.Herphysicallydemanding performancescanlastseveralhours, testingthelimitsofthehumanmind andbody.

WHAT: Cymbeline

WHEN: Nowuntil27May

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

Cymbelineisthekingofancient

Britain.HisdaughterImogenmarries Posthumusagainstherfather’swill. Inexile,Posthumusplacesabeton thechastityofhiswife,awagerhe willcometoregret.

WHAT: SoulandMotownParty

WHEN: 19May

WHERE: NailcoteHall, nailcotehall.co.uk

Getreadytogroovewiththeamazing SoultownCollective.They'llbeperforming alltheclassichitsthatwillhaveyousinging anddancingthenightaway.

WHAT: TheDeadKennedys

WHEN: 7May

WHERE: 2Institute2Birmingham, academymusicgroup.com

Formedin1978,seminalSanFranciscopunk bandTheDeadKennedysmerged revolutionarypoliticswithhardcorepunk musicandintheprocessbecameoneofthe defininghardcorebands.

WHAT: DarrenEdwards

WHEN: 18May

WHERE: MidlandsArtCentre, macbirmingham.co.uk

Sincesustainingalife-changinginjury, Darrenhascompletedsomeepic challenges,includingbecomingthefirst disabledpersontokayakfromLand’s EndtoJohnO’Groats.Here,he’llbe sharingtalesofastonishingfeatsof humanendurance.

WHAT: HeatherstheMusical

WHEN: 16to20May

WHERE: TheAlexandra, atgtickets.com

Who’supforsomeserioushighoctanethrills?Followingmultiple hitWestEndruns,Heathersthe Musicalissettotake Birminghambystorm.Thisblack comedy,rockmusicalis guaranteedtoraisetheroof.

WHAT: BadRoads

WHEN: 24to27May

WHERE: TheBlue-OrangeTheatre, HereToThereProductions.co.uk

Aheart-breaking,brutalandbitterlycomicaccountof whatitistobeawomaninwartimeUkraine.Writtenby Natal’yaVorozhbit,theleadingUkrainianplaywrightof hergeneration,thecontenthasbeencreatedfrom firsthandinterviewssothelanguageandactionisboth graphicandpowerful.

WHAT’SON

WHAT: TheHalalFoodFestival

WHEN: 27and28May

WHERE: NECBirmingham

Morethan150exhibitorsshowcase favouriteHalallifestylebrands,ranging fromfashion,jewellery,Islamicart, charitablecauses,andmore.Hostedby TiktoksensationMrTee,probablythebest icecreammaninthecountry!

WHAT: Disney100–TheConcert

WHEN: 6June

WHERE: ResortsWorldArena, resortsworldarena.co.uk

HostedbyStrictlyComeDancingstarJanetteManrara, thiscelebrationof100yearsofDisneyfeatureslegendary filmscenesonagiantscreenandmagicalmusical momentsbroughttolifebyHollywoodSoundOrchestra.

WHAT: InternationalMarquetry Exhibition

WHEN: 27Mayto3June

WHERE: MiddletonHall, middleton-hall.co.uk

SuttonColdfieldMarquetryGrouphosts thisspecialeventwhichincludesmore than200examplesofthebestofBritish contemporarymarquetry.

WHAT: KatieMelua

WHEN: 15May

WHERE: SymphonyHall, bmusic.co.uk

InsupportofhernewalbumLove &Money,theaward-winning singer-songwriterwillbe performingherclassichitsincluding NineMillionBicyclesandThe ClosestThingToCrazy,plussome crackingsongsfromthealbum.

CLOSEWITHÁ

JIMMYBROWN

ThedrummerofUB40talks45yearsofmakingmusic

preparesforabiganniversarygiginMoseleyinAugust

BEENTHERE,DONETHAT

UB40havehadsuchalong,successfulcareerthat itmeanswehavetouredeverycontinentandcountry, severaltimes.We’vetouredEurope,eastandwest, whichincludesRussia–wewereoneofthefirst bandstotourtherebackin1986,waybeforethe raisingoftheIronCurtain.Itconstantlyamazesme thatourmusichastravelledsofar.Wecangoto somewherelike,say,Samoa,and20,000peopleturn uptoseeus.Justlastyear,wesold-outthefamous HollywoodBowlandwealsoplayedto100,000 peopleonaSpanishbeach.It’samazingthatweare stillgoingstrongafter45yearsinthemusicbusiness.

IT’SWHATIDO

Asadrummerinthebandit’smyjobtokeepthe musicmovinginastraightline.Reggaemusic requiresalotofdiscipline.Ihavetorefrainfromtoo muchembellishmentbecauseIdon’twanttoomuch clutterinthemusic.Weareabigband,soIhaveto makesureIleaveenoughspacefortheother musicianstodotheirthing.

WHATI’DLIKETOSEE

Thebandhasbeensosuccessfulthatmanyofour dreamsandambitioushavealreadybeenfulfilled. Personally,musicallyI’mstillambitioustomakethe perfectrecordandtheperfectliveshow.Thereare alwaysthingsthatIwishIcoulddoagain.Nothingis ever100percentperfect.

BIGGESTSUCCESS

Therearen’tmanythingsthatthebandhaven’talready achieved.We’veneverplayedmainlandChina,whichI wouldlovetodo.Formepersonallyit’saboutfamily.Igot togetherwithmywifebeforethebandstarted,sohaving fourgrown-updaughters,allwithlong-termpartners,and grandchildren,allwell-adjustedandhappyintheirlives, givesmeanimmensefeelingofsatisfaction.

BIGGESTLESSONLEARNED

IfImetmyyoungerself,Iwouldsay‘carryonwhat you’redoing,itwillworkoutfine,sodon’tchange’.

WHATILIKEABOUTBRUM

Beingbornandraisedininner-cityB’hamwasan enormousprivilege.ItwasameltingpotofAsian,black, Arab,Irishandworking-classEnglish.Youcouldsiton yourdoorstepandseethefourcornersoftheworldgoby. Thecomingtogetherofdifferentcultureshasinspired creativityandhasalsohadaprofoundeffectonmy personallife.Mywife’sfathercametoBritainfromthe CaribbeanintheWindrushconvoyandhermotherisfrom Ireland.WhichmakesitaveryBrummiefamily.

DOWNTIME

Familyandfriendsarenumberoneonthelist.My youngestdaughterandherhusbandlivewithmywifeand myselfandthey’vegiftedmeabeautifulgrandsonwho’snot quitetwo-years-oldyetandwhoIlovespendingtimewith.I dohaveacoupleof‘hobbies’–I’mpolitically-mindedand veryleft-wingandI’malsoabitofafilmbuff.Ilovecult moviesandforeignfilms,particularlyJapaneseandSouth Koreancultmovies.Whenthebandaretouringweget throughalotofmoviesonthoselongjourneysinthetourbus.

andwhatBrummeanstohimasthelegendaryband

UB40:TheHomecoming,withSoulIISoulandguests,ison Sunday27AugustatMoseleyPark.Details:ub40.global/thehomecoming