Birmingham Living October 2022 (issue 116)

hetheryou’rearoyalistornot(Iam)thereisnoargumentthatthelate Queenleftanindeliblemarkonourgreatcity.Checkingbackonthe records,asfarasIcanmakeoutshevisitedBirminghamandtheWest Midlandsgettingonforatleast30timesduringherreign–openingthelikesoftheNEC,ICC, MillenniumPoint,NewStreetStation,TouchwoodandtheQueenElizabethHospital(namedin honouroftheQueenMother)amongothers. Shemetthousandsoflocalpeople,fromregularmumsanddadsandtheirkidswavingUnionflags, tomorefamoussubjects,suchasactorsattheRoyalShakespeareCompanyinStratford-uponAvon.Oneofherlastandmostmemorableactswastosendaheartfeltwelcomemessagetothe openingceremonyoftherecentCommonwealthGameswhichprovedsuchahugesuccess.Little didweknowthenthatshehadonlyafewweekstolive… Whilewemournherpassing,theclosenessoftheroyalrelationshipwiththecityandregionwill continue.EveninthemidstoflosinghisgrandmotherPrinceWilliam,thenewPrinceofWales, foundtimetosendhisbelovedAstonVillaandmanagerStevenGerrardagoodlucknotefortheir PremierLeaguematch.Andinwhatwasoneofthelightermoments,thePrincemetyoungfootball fansqueuingformorethan14hoursattheLyinginStateinLondonwiththewords:“Youguysare ManchesterUnitedsupporters?Well,noonecanbeperfect!”

isondisplayinthenaveofLichfieldCathedraluntil31October.Eachcentimetreofthesculpturerepresents5kmofthemoon’s surface.Lukesaid:“AsachildIalwayswantedatelescopesoIcouldstudythemoon.Nowwithmyownmoon,Icanflythere,study everydetailandsharethisexperiencewiththepublic.”Moredetails:http://my-moon.org/

peoplehonouringandrememberingtheirloved

MAKINGWAVES

TheOceanFilmFestivalWorldTour,featuringacollectionofthe bestocean-themedfilms,landsinBrumthismonth.Frombig wavesurfingtotigersharkconservation,thefestivalisa cinematiccelebrationoftheplanet’soceans,withinspirational shortfilmsfromaboveandbeneaththewaves.“Youcandive intoanightofwildseafaringvoyagesandastoundingmarine life–withoutgettingyourfeetwet!”saidtourdirectorNell Teasdale.Bookticketsforthe18OctoberdateattheCrescent Theatreatwww.oceanfilmfestival.co.uk

MAGICALMOMENT

BirminghamBotanicalGardenswillbetransformedintoamagicalwinter wonderlandforitsannualseriesofChristmasparties.Takingplacebetween 24Novemberand23December,thepartysuitesattheGardenswillseeguests surroundedbysnow-coveredChristmastrees,seasonaldecorandallthecosy comfortsassociatedwiththetimeoftheyear.Afestivethree-coursemenuwill completetheatmosphere.Ticketsstartfrom£50perpersonforexclusiveparties and£45perpersonforsharedparties.

BESTINTHEBUSINESS

TheownerofSimpsons,Edgbastonhas beennamedtheIndependentRestaurateur oftheYearatnationalawardscelebrating the‘bestandbrightestbusinessesand individualsinhospitality’.AndreasAntona, chefownerofSimpsonsandTheCrossat Kenilworth–bothofwhichholdMichelin stars–snappeduptheprizeattheCateys awardsinLondon.Winnersareall nominated,selectedandrewardedbytheir peers,includingTVandMichelin-starchef TomKerridge

LIGHTINTHEDARK

Birmingham-basedHelpHarryHelpOthersmarkedits10-year anniversarybyaskingthecityandbeyondtoshare‘alightinthe dark’.Thecharityproducedlimitededitionglow-in-the-dark bracelets–with10goldbeadsrepresentingeachyear–andasked famousfacesandmembersofthepublictowearandsharetheir braceletsandshineatorchorcandleonsocialmedia.HHHOhas helpedmorethan1,000familiesandalsorunsRespiteRenovations, whichtodatehasrenovatedfourhouses,andtheDropInCancer SupportCentre.

WATERSIDE OPENING

Anewwatersidebarandrestauranthasopenedaspartofamulti-million refurbishmentattheHiltonBirminghamMetropolehotel.BrightsmithOnThe WateroverlooksPendigoLakeanditsnameisinspiredbytheartisanmakersat theheartofBirmingham’sworld-renownedJewelleryQuarter.TomBartlett,the hotel’sdirectoroffoodandbeveragesaid:“It’sbeenexcitingtohavebeenpartof theunveilingofthehotel’smulti-million-poundrefurbishment,bringingexciting newconceptstolifeatthehotel.”

IT’SPANTO

TIME!

Whodoesn’tlikeagood pantomime?Theydon’tcome muchbetterthanDick Whittington!Astar-studded castwillbringtheshowto BirminghamHippodromethis Christmas.Theline-upfeatures MartiPellowasTheRatman, MattSlackasDickWhittington, TVDoctorandpresenterDr RanjasSpiritoftheBellsand singerandactressSuzanne Shaw,pictured,asAlice.The pantowillfeaturesetsand costumesfromtheLondon Palladiumandrunsfrom Saturday17Decemberto Sunday29January.

DRESSEDTOTHRILL

CHRISTMASCRACKERRETURNS

ChristmasinCathedralSquareisbackfor2022–andaimstotopthe morethan300,000visitorswhoenjoyedthefestivemarketlastyear. DeliveredinpartnershipwithBirminghamCityCouncil,Birmingham CathedralandDanterAttractions,ChristmasinCathedralSquarewill runfrom16Novemberto18Decemberandofferamixofawardwinninglocalcraft,gift,foodanddrinkstalls.Lastyear’seventalso featuredattractionssuchasahelter-skelter,pop-upbarandlivemusic.

Birminghamin2001,the WeddingClubhasreturned tothecitycentrewitha newshowroomatHarvey NicholsintheMailbox.Like itslocationsin KnightsbridgeandSouth Kensington,theBirmingham showroomfeatures weddingdressesand accessoriesfromrenowned luxuriousdesignerbrands. ConstantineTziambazis, salesmanageratHarvey NicholsBirminghamsaid:“A bridalshowroomwasthe missingpiecetoourstore whichalreadyoffersso muchforcouplesplanning theirspecialday.”

BOWLEDOVER

Anewtenpinbowlingcentreisprovidingastriking additiontotheMidlandsentertainmentscene.Tenpin openeditsnewvenueinWalsallwhichboasts20 bowlinglanes,plusthreethemedescaperooms,a karaokeroom,futuristiclasertagarena,largearcade withvideogamesandsevenAmericanpooltables. Foodanddrinkfeaturesburgersandpizzasandabar. Thenewcentreisoneof48Tenpinlocationsacross thecountry.

SIDE-SPLITTINGHAL

OneoftheUK’sbest-lovedcomicsHal CruttendeniscomingtoBrumthismonth–to talkaboutdivorce!Halisnewlysingleafter 21yearsofmarriageandinsteadofgetting therapyhe’swrittenashowandiscracking jokesaboutitona62-datetour.Hesaysthe show,attheOldRepon29October,willgive hopetothe42percentofthepopulationwho splitupintheUK.

FAMILY FAVOURITE

BirminghamRoyalBalletisbringingfamily favourite,Coppélia,backtotheHippodrome afterfiveyears.SirPeterWright’sclassic featuresLéoDelibes’scoreperformedliveby theRoyalBalletSinfonia.Theballet,whichwill beperformedfrom26to29October,centres oneccentrictoymakerDrCoppéliusandhis attemptstobringtolifehisdoll,Coppélia.

PARKANDPRIDE

Itmightnotfeellikeitsometimes,butBirminghamhasbeennamedthebestcityto parkyourcar.BrumtoppedthetableintheUKCarParkingIndexbySelectCar Leasing,rankingaheadofNottinghamandBristolinthetopthreespots.Downatthe bottomareLondon,SheffieldandEdinburgh.Theindexhighlightedthecentral locationandaffordabilityofParadiseCircusMSCPandtheaccessibilityofSelfridges MoorStreetcarparkforlargervehicles.

STANDOUTSTAND-UPS

Theregion’sbiggestcomedyprizereturnsthis monthafteratwo-yearbreak.BirminghamComedy FestivalBreakingTalentAwardrecognisestheWest Midlands’bestnewandemergingcomedytalent–and officiallylaunchestheannualartsfestivalonFriday7 OctoberattheGleeClub.ThefiveactsnominatedforthetitleareRichard Dadd,TalDavies,JulesO'Brian,LovellSmithandHannahWeetman, pictured,whocombinesstand-upwithherdayjobworkingina Birminghamcallcentre.Moredetails:www.bhamcomfest.co.uk

LIVEITUPATDAYOFTHEDEAD

It’sthattimeoftheyearwhenghostsand ghoulsrule!AndBrummiesarebeinginvitedto aspecialDayoftheDeadeventwithfood cookedbyaMexicanchef,atouroftopcity attractionCoffinWorks,afilmandadiscussion overcakeanddrinks.FoodForThoughtA SpecialCelebrationforDayoftheDeadtakes placeinthecaféatCoffinWorksinFleetStreet, BirminghamonThursday3Novemberfrom 6.30pmto8.30pm.Moredetailsat: coffinworks.organdbrumyodo.org.uk

GOOD AS GOLD

ISGOLD-MEDAL-WINNINGJOEFRASERTHENICESTMANINGYMNASTICS?

Softlyspokenandthoroughlylovely,JoeFraser’sdemeanour hidesasteelydeterminationthatsawhimcomebackfroma rupturedappendixjustfiveweeksbeforethe CommonwealthGamesandafracturedfootafortnightbeforethe Gamestowinthreegoldmedals.It’sbeenahellofayear.Joealso wontwogoldsattheEuropeanChampionshipsinMunichinthe all-roundcompetitionandparallelbarsandthere’sstilltheWorld Champstocomelaterthismonth.

ThelasttimewecaughtupwithJoein2017hewasfeaturedin ourYoung,GiftedandBrummieserieshavingjustwonhisfirst seniortitlewhenwereferredtohimasa‘pluckyteenager’.He wasmodestabouthisambitionandgratefultoMaxWhitlockand LouisSmithforinspiringhim.

MAGICMOMENTS

Nowolderandwiserandahouseholdnamehimself,he’stheone flyingtheflagforthesportandshowingyoungkidswhat’spossible. There’llbechildrenalloverthelandemulatingJoesomersaulting overthesofajustlikeheusedtodo.Awordtothewise–Joe’smum swiftlyenrolledhiminthelocalCityofBirminghamclubpossibly forthesakeofthesettee,soifyourchildisabundleofback-flipping energy,youneverknowhowitmightturnout.

TheCommonwealthGamesinBirminghamwasstilladream whenwetalkedtoJoefiveyearsagowiththebiddingprocessinfull swing.Thisyear,weallgottoexperiencethefullforceofthecity’s

spiritondisplayforthatmagicalsummerwhichevenas amerespectatorwasajoy,buttocompeteinahome GameswassomethingspecialforJoe.Hedescribesitas a‘rollercoasterofemotions.’

Hesays:“Thereweresomanyobstaclesthatcould havepreventedmefromevencompetinglikearuptured appendixandafracturedfoot,butitwasahomeGames andIknewhowmuchIwantedcompete.Walkingaway withthreegoldmedalsmademesoproud.Imighthave wantedtoachievemorebutgiventhecircumstancesand thethingsIovercame,Ioutdidmyself.”

DREAMTEAM

Headds:“TheGameshavedonewondersforthe cityandit’sgoingtocontinueaswetrytoshowthe amazinglegacyofwhatsportandpeoplecoming togethercando.We’vesuchanamazingcommunity here.ThatwasoneofthereasonsIwassodesperateto bepartofit.Iwassoecstatictobeouttherewith friends,family,team-mates,teacherscomingtowatch andsupportnotjustme,buttherestofthe teamandalltheothernations.”

Teamworkaswellasindividualperformance seemskeytosuccessingymnasticsandthere’sno tighterknitbunchthantheEnglandboys.Joepartly

PhotographybyPaulHassell

COVERSTORY

creditsthemwithhelpingtopullhimthroughthe injuries.Hesays:“Ourteamspiritisunmatched.We’ve trainedtogetherforsomanyyearsthatIclassthemallas mybrothers.Tobeoutthereonsuchahugestagedoingit foreachother,there’snofeelinglikeit.”

Headds:“Ilovethissportsomuch.Thepeoplethat believedinmemostwithmyinjuriespriortotheGameswere myteam-matesanditsaidalotaboutthepeopleIwas associatingwithandhowmuchbelieftheyhaveinme.Idon’t thinkI’dhavebeenbackbeingthegymnastIwasatthe Gameswithoutthem.”

INTENSETRAINING

Speakingoftraining,it’sjustsixweeksbeforetheWorld Championshipswhenwespoke,sotrainingisintense.Joe says:“We’reworkingtowardsworldchampionshipsso we’regettingreadyfortrainingcampsandtraining

competitionstogetuspreparedforit.Wedotwosessionsa day–afewhoursinthefirstsessionthentickingoverina secondsession.Whenoneofusisstrugglingwe’vegot eachtogetusthrough.We’vegotteamtargetsand individualtargetsthatIhopewecanallachieve.”

Alotoftimeawaycompetingandtrainingmeansthat whenJoe’sathomehe’srelaxingwithfriendsandfamily. “BecauseI’mawayalotIliketospendtimewithlovedones whenIcanmaybebowling,playingpoolorwatchingafilm andjustenjoyingthecompanyI’mwith.IlovethatandI alwayswill.”

Joe’sambitionsgobeyondmedals.“Iaimhighforthings outsideofthegymtoo.OnethingI’mreallypassionate aboutisincreasingparticipationingymnasticsandI’m workingonhowIcanmakeadifferencetothesport.”

Watchthisspace.Fornow,wewishJoeandtherestofthe teamalltheluckattheWorldChampionshipsinLiverpool. ■

SLAMDUNK CHAMPS

BIRMINGHAMROCKETSARESETTOLIFTOFFONANEXCITING

NEWBASKETBALLSEASON.WELOOKATTHECLUBWITHLOFTY AMBITIONS,BUTTHATALWAYSPUTSCOMMUNITYFIRST

OctoberisanimportantmonthforBirminghamRockets.

Thecity’sbasketballclubisgettingsetforthestartofanew season,filledwithexcitement,competitionandambition. TheRocketshavebeenpartofthecity’ssportingfabricsince2003and inthattimetheclubhasimpactedthelivesofthousandsof Birminghamyoungsters–fromthosewhohavetrialledandplayedon courtandmanymorewhohavetakenpartinahugerangeof outreachprogrammesinschools,youthclubsandorganisations.

GuidingtheRocketsinallthistimeisRobPalmer,thefounder andmanagingdirector.Andwhatstartedverymuchasasmall clubafterthedemiseofthepreviousBirminghambasketball club,theBullets,hasnowgrownintoanorganisationwith13 juniorteams,amen’steamcompetingintheNationalBasketball Leagueandawomen’steam.WhiletheRocketsplayinthenonprofessionalleague,theambitionistograduateintimetothe professional,high-profileBritishBasketballLeague.

“That’sverymuchtheaspiration,”saidRob.“Wealsoaimfor ourjuniorsprogrammetobecomeoneofthebestinthecountry, andtohaveevenmoreinvolvementwiththeschoolsandsee morekidscomingin.Wefeelweareonagoodpathaftersuccess oftheCommonwealthGamesinBirmingham.”

GOLDMEDALACE

ThelinkbetweentheclubandtheGamesisperfectlyhighlighted byMylesHessonwhoscoredthewinnerforEnglandinovertimein thethrillinggoldmedalmatch.Mylesstartedoutonhisbasketball journeyasayoungsterswiththeRockets.Theclub’sethosisgetting deeplyinvolvedinthecommunityandbringingfunandenjoymentto

asmanykidsaspossible,whilealsospottinglocal basketballtalentanddevelopingandbringingitthrough.

TheRocketshomecourtisatNechellsWellbeing Centrewherethesportshallwasnotsolongago refurbishedwiththesupportofthe2KFoundations andBirminghamCityCouncil,creatingashowcourt withseatingfor350spectatorswithplansto eventuallydoublethatnumber.“Wearebuildinga clubthatBirminghamcanbeproudof,”saidRob, whoatonetimewasacoachfortheoldBullets basketballclubbeforemovingintoabasketball developmentrolewiththecouncil.Nechellsbecame thehomeofwhatstartedoutasCityofBirmingham ActiveSports,andthenCityofBirminghamRockets withthesupportofthecouncilanda50percent grantfromSportEngland.

AmongRob’sfellowdirectorsisclubambassador andUSbasketballlegendHakeemOlajuwonwho wonback-to-backNBAchampionshipsintheUS withtheHoustonRocketsandwhowasthenumber onepickinthe1984NBAdraftofcollegeplayers–thesamedraftwhichsawthegreatMichaelJordan selectedatnumberthree.Hakeemhasbeenclosely associatedwiththeRocketssincehefirstcameto Birminghamwithhisfamily,metupwithRoband sawsomebasketballsessions.Hisfivesonshaveall beenthroughtheclubwhilehisdaughterstudiedat theUniversityofBirmingham.

RIDEWITHTHEROCKETS

SeetheRocketsonSaturday8OctoberwhentheyplayMyerscough

Whilethemen’steamcurrentlycompetesinthe seconddivisionoftheNationalLeague,thereare hopesthatoverthecomingseason,theRocketswill gainpromotiontothefirstdivision–thankstothe recruitmentofsomeexcitingnewplayersandthe arrivalofanewcoach,NunoRodrigues,whohas movedtoBirminghambecauseoftheRockets’ potentialhavingworkedatahighlevelofbasketball inhisnativePortugal.

MOVINGONUP

Howeverthenewseasonunfolds,withthe inevitableupsanddownsofsport,theclub’smany communityprogrammeswillcontinuetoplayan importantpartdrivinginterestinbasketballacross thecity.Theseincludeaprojectwhichfocuseson improvingbasketballexperiencesfordisabled participants,particularlyinschoolswith internationalexchanges,campsandtournaments.

TheRocketsFoundationProgrammemeanwhile providesthousandsofprimarychildrenwithan introductiontobasketballfromtheageoffivethrough until11,whiletheGameProgrammeallowshundreds ofnewbasketballplayerstojoinRocketssessionsin theirownlocality.TheRocketsSchoolsProgramme allowsPrimaryandSecondaryschoolsacrossthe regiontoexperienceaclubcoachdeliveringsessions duringcurriculumtimeandafterschool.TheRockets alsoworkwitharangeofpartnersinoutreach programmesacrossBirminghamwhichhasseen thousandsofyoungpeopleinvolvedinbasketball sessions,manyinthemostdeprivedareasofthecity.

ThetrajectoryfortheRocketscertainlylookstobe ontheup.“We’rethrilledbytheprospectofthenew seasonaswelooktogetpromotionintoNational LeagueDivision1,”saidRob.Achievethat,andthe skyisthelimitforaclubthatreallyisoneof Birminghamsport’s‘hiddengems’. ■

Tellusaboutyourcooking

Mycookingstylecouldbeknownasanyorall ofthese:rustic,countryhouse,heartyand wholesome.Developingrecipesforourmenusis veryexciting,althoughwaitingtoseehowour customersreceivethesecreationscanbeatense time.Ifthedishworksandiscomplimented that’sfantastic–ifnot,thenitisremovedfrom themenu.

.

Howdidyoubecomeachef?

WhileIwasatsecondaryschool,Ihadseveral part-timejobs–anearlymorningmilkround boy,agreengrocer’sboyandabutcherboy.Imet afriendwhohadapart-timejobatJonathans RestaurantandIwasintroducedtooneofthe twoJonathans,theowners.Theywerelooking forawasher-upandthatquicklybecameanother ofmypart-timejobs!

Whileworkingthere,JonathanBedford suggestedthatIbecomeachef.Thereweren’t anyvacanciesatthetimebutIwasoffereda part-timewaiterpositioninsteadandIlovedit. WhenIleftschool,Iwasofferedatraineechef positionatJonathans–Iwastrainedonthejob andatHalesowencollege,andbytheageof17,I waspromotedtojointheadchef.YearslaterI movedontoworkandliveoverseas–Iworked intheUS,France,CorsicaandtheChannel Islands.

Whatdoyoueatathome?

It’saverybasicdietasIstillspendlotsof hoursworkingattherestaurants.Mystaplefood lovesareancientgrainbreadswithcheeseand homemadechutney,vegetablestewsand casserolesand,whenIhavealittlemoretimeat home,IlovecookingIndianfoods.Myweakspot ispuddingsthough–freshfruitcrumbleisjust irresistible!

Who’sthebestchefintheworldandwhy?And who’sthebestinBrum?

That’sadifficultquestiontoanswerasit

dependsonsomanydifferentaspects.ThechefI respectthemostisMarcoPierreWhite.Hereally knowshisstufffromthetypeofcookwaretouse, utensils,ovens,storagepreferences,fastcook, slowcook…

Shareacookingtip

Letyourfoodcookdownastheydoin Caribbeancookery.Overalowheat,stiralittle andallowyourchoppedonions,garlic,fresh herbsandspicestoreallygettoknowone anotherinthatpot.Thiscanbethebasetoa curry,ahotpot,asteworapiefilling,and remembertoaddlotsandlotsoflovetoit.

Whatwasyourfavouritefoodasakid?

Mymom’sstewswithbreadandherYorkshire puddingsonSundays.

Foodheavenandfoodhell?

Myheavenisorganic,well-preparedand lightlycookedvegetablesaunatural.Myhellis fastprocessedfoodsfilledwithsugarsandsalts.

What’sthemostunusualthingyou’veeaten?

WhenIwasworkingatJonathans,Jon Bedfordgavemesomerawpigeonbreasttotry andIwasn’timpressed.

Ifyouweren’tachef,whatwouldyoube? I’dprobablybeanantiquesdealerworking andlivinginParis. ■

PAUL’SNICEANDEASYBIRYANIRISOTTO

MakeoneofPaul’sfavourite,tastydishesby followinghissimplerecipeonlineatourwebsite, www.brumliving.co.uk

JonathansintheRoundhouse,TheRoundhouse, 1SheepcoteStreet,Birmingham,B168AE. www.jonathansintheroundhouse.com

UNBEATABLEBEETROOT

Beetrootwithgrilledgoat’scheesemakesforasuper-tastyseasonaltreat

Lowincaloriesyethighinvaluablevitaminsandminerals,especiallyrichinfolate (vitaminB9),themightybeetrootcanhelpcleansetheliverandlowerincidences ofheartdisease.It’sbanginseasonthismonthandpairedwithcreamygoat’s cheese,itmakesforalovelylightsupper. ■

Rocket

METHOD:

Mixtheoil,vinegar,sugarandthymeinashallow dishandseasonwell.Peel,thenthinlyslicethe beetsbeforeaddingtothemixandmarinatingfor atleastonehour,orpreferablyovernight Halvethegoat’scheeserounds,seasonthenplace onanoiledbakingtrayandgrillonhighheatfora coupleofminutesuntilgoldenandmelting.

Dividetheslicedbeetrootbetweenfourplates. Topwiththerocket,aroundofgoat’scheeseand thendrizzlewiththemarinade. Servewithsomecrustybread–andenjoy!

NI BBLESand

SHORTS

YOUNG CHEF

FINALIST

EdizNiyaziEnginofOpheem,BirminghamisvyingtowinthefinaltofindtheUK’sbestyoungchef.Edizwillcompeteagainst 10ofthecountry’smostpromisingchefsunder30intheS.PellegrinoYoungChefAcademyCompetition,aglobalinitiativeto findandsupportthemostinspiringyoungchefsaroundtheworld.Edizwillpresenthissignaturedishtothejudgingpanelin Londonthismonthandifchosenasoneofthetopfourchefs,willprogresstotheGrandFinaleinMilanin2023.

KIDSTASTEOFKOREA

Korean-inspiredGroundedKitchen,whichhasbranchesthroughouttheMidlandsincluding inMoseley,haslaunchedarangeofKid’sNourishBowlscombiningfreshingredientswith theflavoursofKorea.Themealsdelivertwoofachild’srecommendedportionsoffruitand vegetablesinone,healthyandconvenientmeal.Vegetarianandveganoptionsincluding TofuandTempehareavailable,aswellaschickenandbeef.

HOTEL

FACELIFT

TheCrownePlaza BirminghamNECHotelhas unveileda£650,000facelift. Workincludesthehotel’s reception,barandlounge areaaswellasinstallingnew locally-inspiredartwork depictingBirmingham landmarksincludingthe Bullring,SelfridgesCentenary Square,NewStreetStation andGrandCentraltogether withHS2’sBirmingham CurzonStreetStation.Hotel generalmanagerMartin Woodssaid:“Thenew publicareasserveawide rangeofneeds,toget connectedforbusiness guestsorswitchofffor leisureguests.”

ROSY REVAMP

NightclubRosiesBirminghamhasbeen givena£1millionfacelift.Therefurbincludes newflooringintheMontanabar,replacement toiletsthroughoutandarevampofthevenue’s otherbars.Theimprovementworkalsoseesanew Rosieslogoandnewwallartandreplacement lightingwithlargelanternsinthefoyerarea.The BroadStreetnightspothasstayedopen throughoutthefaceliftwhichcomes fiveyearsafteritslaunch.

FANCYTHAT!

CocktailbarPassingFancieshasopenedintheCustard Factory.Thebarisheadedupbyaward-winning bartendersTommyMatthews,MattArnoldandEveGreen whopromisetobring‘affordableluxury’tothecitywith regularlychangingmenus.FoodisprovidedbyDan Sweet,formerchefatMichelin-starredSimpsons Restaurant,Edgbaston.Dan’stimeinfinediningkitchens ledhimtocreateQbox,abusinessofferingtakeaway boxesoffinediningdishes.

RUDEFOOD

Apop-upwithgreatburgersandrudestaff hasopenedinBirmingham.Yes,youheard thatright!Karen’sDineratGrandCentral, LowerTempleStreetisbilledasan interactiveandimmersivepop-updining experiencewith‘turbulentservice,singing waitersandregularguestappearancesfrom theno-nonsensemanager’.Themenu includesdirtyAmericanburgers,fries, shakesandcocktails,plusvegetarian,vegan andnon-alcoholicoptions.

GLYNNHEADSTASKFORCE

HospitalityleadersandtopBirminghamchefs tookpartinanopenforumtolauncha taskforcetoencouragepeopleofallagesto followacareerintheindustry.Chairedby Michelin-starchefGlynnPurnelland spearheadedbyUniversityCollege Birmingham,keymembersonthetaskforce includeDishoominCentenary Square,MalmaisonHotels, Warner/BourneLeisureand AstonVillaFootballClub.The taskforcewasofficiallyunveiled infrontofmorethan100guests byWestMidlandsmayor AndyStreetatBirmingham CollegeofFood.

ALBERT’SSCHLOSS

OneChamberlainSquare,Paradise,Birmingham,B33AX.Tel:01213148858albertsschloss.co.uk

So,what’severyone’sfavouriteBavarianpleasurepalacelikebyday?Abitslow?Well, yes.Grabbingaquicklunchthisisnot,butif youcanwanglelongerthananhour,it’sahappyway tobreakuptheday.

Thedecorisstunningandlikenothingelsein Brum.Big,bold,stylishit’slikeaskichaleton steroidswithpalewood,openfires,glamorous lightingandashow-stopping,well-stockedcentral bar.Theplacesuitsacrowd–therearelotsofbig tablesandbanquettesaswellascosycornersfor pairslikeus.Thelargemenuskipsaroundabit fromBavariatotheMiddleEastviaPugliatoNorth WestEngland.Asyou’dexpectthere’salpine-

inspiredfodderlikefondueaswellasschnitzel, bratwurstandpickles,butalsokebabs,pasta, hummus,burrataandaSundaylunchmenu featuringCheshirechickenandLancashirebeef.

Wehunkereddownwithagincocktailandabeer flightalongwithaplateofmoreishstickyhoneyand mustardglazedbratzwithpickledchillialongwith threehausbreads.Thetrioincludedasourdough,a pistachioandcranberryversionandanutterly deliciousPilsner,stiltonandcaramelisedonion breadthatwecouldhavegrazedonallday.

Themainswereabithitandmiss.ABlackForest chickenburgerfeltlikeithadbeenhangingaround forawhile.Thebunwasgood,butinsidethe buttermilkchickenwasabitdryandasliceof gouda,lettuceleavesandceleriacslawhadseen betterdays.BycontrastalambKoftawasexcellent–vibrantandpunchywithbagsofherbs,zingy freshnesswithnicelycookedspicedlambservedona flatbread.Itseemedabitrandomgiventheskichalet vibebutitwasabsolutelyknockout.Crunchyfries weregreat,too.

Thedessertslookfantasticparticularlyabaked Alaska.We’llsaveitfornexttime.Don’texpectfine diningbutdoexpectanexperience,anexcellentdrinks menuandmostlyheartytastyfood.

Onsupermarketshelves,wineslabelsareoften

clamouringforourattention,withrowupon rowofchoice.Itcanoftenbeanoverwhelming experience,evenwithagoodunderstandingofthesubject. Brandsandproducersneedtofindawaytostandout fromthecrowd,oftenclaimingtobe‘award-winning’or ‘85points’accordingtowhichevercriticorsystemhas reviewedthatparticularwine.

Thesepointsandawardscancertainlyprovidea usefulguide,butdon’talwaysjustbedrawntotheshiny goldstickers.Variouscriticsandretailersuseapoints system,whichwaspopularisedbyRobertParker,the famousAmericanwinecriticfrombackinthe80s.He introduceda100-pointscaleagainstwhichtoevaluate wines,althoughit’snotwidelyadvertisedthatthese scalesactuallystartat50ratherthanzero!

Hisratingshadahugeimpactonthevalueand salesofthewinesreviewed.Therehasbeenplentyof controversyovertheyears,withclaimsthatheandhis teamarebiasedtowardscertainsuppliersandinfact, despitebeingdubbedTheMillionDollarNose,Parker failedtoidentifyanyofthetop15winestastedina publicblindtasting.

MARKETINGPLOY

LidlhastheMasterofWineRichardBampfieldwho choosesaselectionofwineforeachoftheirwinetours, andtheirscalestartsfrom80.Aclevermarketingploy perhapsbuttheseasonalrangesofferinteresting,unusual winesatkeenpricepointsandwellworthseekingout.

Ioftenhavepeopleaskingaboutvintagewinesthat theyhavereceivedasgiftsinthepastandwhenthey shoulddrinkthem.JancisRobinsonisaUK-basedwine criticwhoregularlyreviewswineswithherteamof expertsandalsoprovidesvintagereportsforalltheclassic winemakingregions.WineSpectator’svintagechartsare anothergoodsourceofwhattodrinkandwhen.

Thereareafewkeywinecompetitionsheldeach yearhereintheUK;theInternationalWine Challenge(IWC)andalsotheInternationalWine& SpiritCompetition(ISWC).Thesedrawupona panelofmastersofwine,topsommeliersandindustry expertsfromacrosstheworldtotasteandjudgethe winesblindoveranumberofdaysinvariousdifferent categories.It’sworthnotingthatcompaniespaytobe awarded,entrycostsfrom£150perwine.Mostwines

KATIE’S4AWARDWINNERSTOTRY

■ PhilizotBlancdeNoirsChampagne,France,£18.99fromAldi TheBlancdeNoirsstyleofChampagneisawhitewinemadesolelyfrom blackgrapes,PinotNoirandPinotMeunier,givinggoodstructureand elegancealongwithredberryfruitflavours.AnIWCsilverawardwinner and90DecanterPoints.Italsocomesinagifttube,makingitaperfect presenttoimpressfriendswith.

■ TheSociety’sGreekWhite,Greece, £8.95fromtheWineSociety(membershiprequired)

ThisiscrackinggoodvalueforaGreekwine,whichhaverecently increasedinpricealot.It’sanIWCSilverWinnerfor2022,aswellas beingoneoftheSociety’s‘WineChampions’,chosenfromaninternal blindtastingcompetition.Veryeasydrinkingwithstonefruitsanda refreshingacidity.Trywithgrilledfishorafreshsalad.

■ TheBestValpolicellaRipasso,Italy,£11fromMorrisons ANIWCSilverawardwinner,thisrichandfull-bodiedredislikeababy Amaronewithflavoursofdarkberryfruits.Perfectwithanautumnal Sundayroastorarich,tomato-basedstew.

■ TescoFinestSwartlandShiraz,SouthAfrica,£7.50fromTesco The2020vintageofthiswinescoredanimpressive96pointsintheIWSC competition.ThisSouthAfricanShirazcomesfromthenortherncoastal regionofSwartland,whichisknownforitsoldvinesanddesert-like climate.It’sfullbodiedwithflavoursofblackberriesandspicypepper notes.Idealwithsteakinapeppercornsauce.

enteredtendtowinsomethingorother,from commended,bronze,silveranduptogold.

RATINGSAPP

Anotherusefulratingstooltohaveinyourback pocketisVivino,averycleverappwhichscansthewine labelandpullsupallsortsofinformation,fromranking withthewinemakingregionitsfrom,totastingnotes andprice.Youcansavewinesyouhaveenjoyedinthe MyWinessectionandgivethemaratingyourself,as wellasseeingwhatotherusersthink.

Whilethesesystemsandcompetitionsmightprovide ausefulguide,astheBazLuhrmannsonggoes,“be carefulwhoseadviceyoubuy”.It’sjustsomeoneelse’s opinion,andwhenbuyingandchoosingwine,yoursis theonethatcountsthemost! ■

BirminghamWineSchoolisanindependentwineeducationcompanythatoffers funinformalwinetastingeventsandWine&SpiritEducationTrust(WSET) coursesonline,inBirminghamandWarwick.Formoreinformation,contactKatie Gardneron01212707359,orvisitwww.birminghamwineschool.com.

AROYALTOAST

Amongthemanylittle joysofoursadly departedQueenwas thissimple,two-ingredient cocktail–ginandDubonnet. Dubonnetisaruby-red fortifiedredwineinfusedwith herbsandspicesandquinine,a verybitteringredientthatgives thedrinkabitofanedge. So,joinusasweraiseaglass toalifewelllivedanda monarchthelikeofwhichwe willneverseeagain.

NERVE CENTRE ALERT

CMTisthemostcommoninheritedneurologicalconditioninthe world.It’salsohighlylikelythatit’ssomethingyou’veneverheard of.CMTawarenessmonththisOctoberaimstochangethat!

Charcot-Marie-Tooth(CMT)Diseaseisagroup

ofinheriteddisordersestimatedtoaffectonein 2,500peoplethatcausenervedamage,mostly inthearmsandlegs(peripheralnerves).Thesenerves areresponsibleforpassingoncommandsfromthebrain tothemuscles(motornerves)andinformationtothe brainaboutsensations,suchaspain,heat,cold,touch, importantlyforbalance–whereyourjointsareinspace (sensorynerves).Whenthesearedamaged,peopleare saidtohaveaneuropathy.CMTdiseaseisalsocalled hereditarymotorandsensoryneuropathy.

Becauseofthisnervedamage,peoplewithCMT mayfindthatsomeoftheirmusclesbecomeslowly weakerovertheyears,particularlyintheirfeetand hands.Somefindthatfeelingbecomesdull,or numb,inthesameareas.Youmayalsoexperience lossofsensationandmusclecontractions,and difficultywalking.Footdeformitiessuchas hammertoesandhigharchesalsoarecommon. Symptomsusuallybegininthefeetandlegs,but theymayeventuallyaffectyourhandsandarms.

SYMPTOMS

ThesymptomsofCMTusuallystarttoappear betweentheagesoffiveand15,althoughthey sometimesdonotdevelopuntilwellintomiddleage orlater.CMTisaprogressivecondition.Thismeans thesymptomsslowlygetworse,makingeveryday tasksincreasinglydifficult.

PeoplewithCMTmayhave:

■ Muscleweaknessintheirfeet,ankles,legsandhands

■ Decreasedsensationoralossoffeelinginyour legsandfeet

■ Anawkwardwayofwalking(gait)

■ Highlyarchedorveryflatfeet

■ Lossofmusclebulkinlegsandfeet

■ Curledtoes(hammertoes)

■ Decreasedabilitytorun

■ Difficultyliftingthefootattheankle(footdrop)

■ Frequenttrippingorfalling

CAUSES

CMTiscausedbyaninheritedfaultinoneofthe manygenesresponsibleforthedevelopmentofthe peripheralnerves.Thisfaultmeansthenerves becomedamagedovertime.AchildwithCMT mayhaveinheritedthegeneticfaultresponsible fortheconditionfromoneorbothoftheir parents.

There'snosinglefaultygenethatcausesCMT. TherearemanytypesofCMTthatarecausedby differentgeneticfaultsandthesecanbeinheritedin severaldifferentways.ThechancesofpassingCMT toyourchilddependonthespecificgeneticfaults youandyourpartnercarry.

TREATMENT

CMTisnotlifethreateningandmostpeople withtheconditionhavethesamelifeexpectancyas apersonwithoutthecondition.Butitcanmake everydayactivitiesverydifficult.Livingwitha long-termprogressiveconditioncanalsohavea significantemotionalimpact.

There'scurrentlynocureforCMT.But treatmentscanhelprelievesymptoms,aidmobility, andincreaseindependenceandqualityoflifefor peoplewiththecondition.

Thesetreatmentsmayinclude:

■ Physiotherapyandcertaintypesofexercise

■ Occupationaltherapy

■ Walkingaids

Insomecases,surgerymaybeneededtocorrect problemssuchasflatfeetandmusclecontractures, wheremusclesshortenandlosetheirnormalrange ofmovement.

■

FormoredetailsandhowtosupportCMT AwarenessMonth,visitcmt.org.uk

Weloveacoat.It’sthepieceinyour

wardrobethat’smostcapableof transformingafairlyordinary outfittowowinseconds.Thisseason,the wowisreal.Thinkfloor-lengthfauxfurfrom SaintLaurent,playfulvibesatShrimps, fringedtrenchesatBurberryandtop-notch quiltingatGanni.Thehighstreethasitsfair shareofwowtoo–checkoutOliverBonas, AndOtherStories,Primark,TUand Monsoonforsomefabexamples.

Obviously,acoatneedstobefunctional.Style combinedwithwarmthandpracticalityisthe dream,andascoatscanbecostlyyouneedto ensurethey’reworkinghardforyou.We’ve pickedoutourfavesfromthisseasonrangingin pricefrom£30to£2,000-plus.

Beforeyoustart,digoutyourexisting collectionofcoatsandseeiftheycanberevived byaswiftlintrolleroradryclean.Assesswhat you’vegotandwhatyou‘need’.Coatstakeupa lotofspace,sosellanythingthat’sinreasonable conditionthatyou’reunlikelytowear–prelovedcoatsareparticularlydesirable.Depopis yourfriendhere.Alternatively,localhomeless sheltersarecryingoutforwarmouterwear. ■

GIRL’SBEST FRIEND Diamondquiltedcoat fromTUClothing

STYLE

TOP TEAL

PURPLE PATCH

MINT

CREAMOF THECROP Coatandjumper fromJohnLewis

BEAUTYUPDATE

Thismonth,webringyousomeofourhighlightsfrom recentlaunchespricedfrom£20to£145.Nextmonth,look outforourrundownofbeautyadventcalendarswhichno doubtwillbeevenbiggerandmoreoutrageousthan2021

1.BIOSSANCESQUALANE+ENZYMESUGARBODYSCRUB£22, SPACENK,CULTBEAUTYANDSELFRIDGES

Weuseabodyscrubeveryotherdayreligiously,butwe’renotloyaltoa specificbrandinthesamewaywearetoskincarefortheface.However, thisnewBiossancescrubisourfavouritebyacountrymile.Asidefromits topnotchbrighteningandsmoothingeffect,thescentissubtleand naturalplustheactualscrubaswellaspackagingisplanetfriendlyfree frommicrobeads.Itwillbecomearegular.

2.EVELOMRADIANCEREPAIRRETINOLSERUM£145, EVELOM.CO.UK

Theheftypricetagmeansthishastomakeadifferenceifit’storemainin theroutine.Itpromisesalotsuchasilluminating,plumping,hydrating, smoothing,reducingtheappearanceoffinelines.Goodiessuchasretinol, prebioticoatkernelferment,AHAsandbiometricmeshworktogetherto protectandrebalance,butdoesitwork?Forus,yes.It’ssolightweight thatwewonderedifitwouldpackapunch,butitdoes.Itleftourskin radiantanddewyandregenerated.Isitworththepricetag?Notsure. Theremightbecheaperproductsonthemarketthathaveasimilareffect, butworthatryifyou’retreatingyourself.

3.R.E.MMISTTHINGCALMINGFACEMIST£20,SELFRIDGES

WeweretreatedtotheentirerangeofAriannaGrande’sskincareand make-upbrandbyourfriendsatSelfridgesandwhilewehaven’tgot spacetotalkyouthroughthelot,we’vepickedoutourstand-outproduct. Wegenerallyfindcalmingmistsabitmeh,butthisoneisacracker.It’s superfineandhasasubtlelavenderscentthankstotheadditionof lavenderoilwhichmakesforarelaxingtreatasthelastpartofyour eveningskincareroutine.It’sreplacedthepillowmistwe’vebeenusing foryears.It’salsofantasticonahotdayasarefreshinghitwhenyou’re feelingabitsticky.

4.KATESOMERVILLEHYDRAKATEWATERCREAM£65,SPACENK

Theaimhereissuperlong-lastingtargetedhydrationwhereyourskin cravesitmost.Itlaunchedinmid-Septembersowehaven’tbeen usingitforlong,butwelikeitalready.It’sprobablymoreeffective whenusedwiththerechargingserum,butevenaloneourskinlooked moreluminous.

Wereckonyou‘need’threebasicsin

yourouterweararsenal–asmart woolcoat,apuffaorparkaanda mac.Onceyou’vegotthosenailed,youcanget asfrivolousasyoulikewithcoolbombers,edgy bikerjackets,floorlengthfauxfur–theworld’s yourouterwearoyster.But,awordtothe wise…keepingdetailsandembellishmentstoa minimumwillmaximiseversatilityand longevity.You’relikelytooutgrowthatfringed trenchquickerthanaclassic.We’vepickedout somecoolandpracticalcoatstoinspireyou. ■

HOMES

whattypeofstorageyouneed(cupboards,deep drawers,acombination)andstartthinkingaboutit rightatthebeginningoftheprocess.

Anexperiencedkitchendesignerwillgetunder theskinofthespaceandlistentoyour requirementsandvision.There’snorealsubstitute forthat,soifyoucan,wehighlyrecommend. They’llhaveestablishedcontactswithtradesand seedesignpossibilitiesthatyoumightnothave considered.

Ifyou’relookingtopimpupyourkitchenrather thanembarkonatotalrefurb,you’vegotoptions. Paintingcupboard/drawerfrontsandaddingnew handlescantransformyourkitchen–thereare companiesthatwilldothisforyou,butit’sa straightforwardprocessthat’sripeforDIY.

Thinkaboutchangingupyourfurniture,adding rugsorupdatingblinds,introducingnew appliancesandaccessoriesandfresheningupyour lightingschemeforanalmost-newkitchenfeel.

FromminimalScandivibestotraditional countrykitchens,here’ssomeinspirationtogetyou started. ■

GOLDRUSH AccessoriesfromHomeSense

PENDANTPOWER LightingfromNest

COLOURPOP Furnitureandaccessories fromDunelm

MINIMALFUSS

SCANDIVIBE FurnitureandlightingfromNest

FromthePottingBench withAdam

IntheWestMidlandswe’reextremelyluckyto haveaplethoraofgreenspaces,rangingfromthe sensationalSuttonParktothevastCannockChase. Butwhataboutgardens?Oh,we’vegotthosetoo!

We’veallheardofBirminghamBotanical Gardens,15acresofwonderful landscapedgardenswithmorethan 7,000plants,shrubsandtreesthatisavisitors’ favouriteandarealjewelinthecity’scrown.But haveyouheardofWinterbourneHouseand Gardens?No,Ididn’tthinkso!Iliketothinkofitas oneofBirmingham’shiddengemsasitsitsfirmly withinthegroundsofBirminghamUniversityandif you’redrivingdowntheHagleyRoad,blinkand you’llmissit.

Thehouseitselfwasbuiltin1903fortheNettlefold familyasasmallcountryestateandthegardenscame

alongsidethat.Insideyou’llfindexamplesoftheArts andCraftsmovementwiththemostexquisiteWilliam Morriswallpaperanddesignsthroughout.The displayswithinthehousegiveyouwonderfuldetail aboutthebuildingitselfandthehistoryoftheowners andhowitcametobewhatitistoday.Whenthelast privateownerpassedawayheleftthehouseand gardenstotheuniversitywhereitnowactsasa teachinggardenfortheuniversityitselfandalsofor privatecourses,includingtheRHShorticulturelevels.

Inspirationinbuckets!

Whilethehouseisbeautiful,thegardensarealso

amazing.Firstly,I’dencourageyoutovisitthem yourselfifyoucan,butI’lltrytopaintaclearpicture foryouasmuchaspossible.Althoughthe groundsarefairlysprawling, they’reexcellentlydividedinto sectionsthatcovervariousplanting styles–fromthevastwaftyborders tothemesmerisingJapanesegarden.

Youstartoffwithanoptionofleft orright.Leftwilltakeyoudown throughtheperennialbordersplanted intheGertrudeJekyllstylewitha kaleidoscopicrangeofcolours.Then ontothecoveredwalkwayandarchway beforecomingoutintothemost abundantwalledgardenyou’veever seen,completewithdahliasandawide varietyofornamentalsandedibles.If youchoosetheleftoptionthenyou’llbe guideddownabrickstaircaseand througharosewalkwaywitha heavenlyscent!

Asliceoftheorient

Onceyou’veambleddownthewindingpathsand throughtheformalgardens,you’llarriveat somethingthatisquiteasurpriseonyourfirstvisit,a Japanesewatergarden.HugeGunnera,dragonflies inabundanceandthefinestexampleofaJapanese bridgethattakesyouoverthewatertoreturnround totheroutebackuptothehouse.

Thispartofthegardenreallyisahiddengemand somethingyoujusttotallydon’texpecttoseewhen youenterthegarden.BeforeyouleavetheJapanese gardenyou’llwanttohaveawanderdownthe steppingstonesalongthestream.Butbecarefulnot toslipinasyoustoptotakeaphotoofoneofthe manygorgeousplantsthatsitalongsidethewater’s edge.ThissliceofJapaninthemiddleof Birminghamissuchasurprise,yetitsomehow seamlesslyfitsinwiththerestofthegarden–avery specialadditionindeed.

Andlastbutnotleast…

Agoodafternoontea!Notriptoawonderful gardeniscompletewithoutit.Thecaféservesa fantasticrangeofhotandcoldfood,cakesandsweet

treatsaswellasexcellentafternoonteas.Thereis trulysomethingforeveryonehereandit’stheperfect endtoawonderfulstrollaroundthisbeautiful Birminghamspace.

Letmeknow,hadyouheardofWinterbourne–or haveyoubeenbefore?Ifthereareanyothergardens you’dlikeareviewofthenheadovertomyInstagram (@viewfromthepottingbench)totellme.

■

NEXTMONTH…

It’stimetothinkaboutforwardplanningforanastonishing gardenfor2023.I’llhavesomethingforyoualltotry–inany sizedspace–forthebestspringyou’llhaveeverhad…

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

MGsaysthebrandhasgrownby75.9percentandthe companyhasexcitingfutureplansfornewcarsandmore dealershipsopeningintheUK,growingfrom153to160by theendoftheyear.

IwasinvitedtoattendthelaunchoftheMG4EV,a strikinglydesignedfullyelectrichatchback.Itisabigstep forMGasitenterstheCsegment(medium-sized) hatchbackmarketwhichthecompanyhasneverhada presenceinbefore.

FUTURISTICDESIGN

ExteriordesignoftheMG4EVisfuturisticandfeaturesa choiceofsixpaintcolours,includingstrikingVolcanoOrange. MypersonalfavouritethoughisthegorgeousHolbornBlue. Inside,themoderncabinboastsa10.25-inchcolour touchscreenwithAppleCarPlayandAndroidAutoas standard.Slidebehindthewheel,pressthebrakepedal, engagetherotarygearselectorandautomaticallytheMG4 goesinto‘Ready’mode.Behindthegearselectorsitsawireless chargingpadconvenientlylocatedonafloatingconsole.

AdvancedMGPilotsafetyfeaturesincludetrafficsigns recognitionandlanedeparturewarning.Thedriverassistance systemshaveusefulvoicecontrol.Ifyou’veeverleftyourcar inamulti-storeyandpromptlyforgottenwhichflooritison,

thenyou’llappreciatethephoneappwhichwilllocateyour

LUCY

Wechattedtothetalentedcellistand

Thisyear,forthefirsttime,BirminghamRoyal Balletofferedastudentinresidenceposition opentomusiciansfromtheRoyalBirmingham Conservatoirethatincludedopportunitiessuchasplaying withtheBirminghamSymphonia–theorchestraofBRB aswellsittinginonrehearsalsandperformances mentoredbytheorchestra’sprincipalconductor,Paul Murphyandmembersoftheorchestra.Wecaughtupwith thescheme’sinauguralstudent,cellistLucySamuels.

PickedfromhundredsofstudentsattheRoyal BirminghamConservatoire,Lucywasgenuinelysurprised tobeselectedandutterlydelighted.Ithasbeenayearof opportunityandgrowththatLucyhasrelished.The auditionprocesswasintworounds–firstaninternal auditionattheConservatoireinfrontofapanelofteachers whochoseonestudentfromeachinstrumenttogothrough toroundtwowhichwasinfrontofBirmingham Symphonia’sprincipalconductorandoneofthemusicians.

Lucysaysshehadn’tevenexpectedtobechosen torepresentherinstrumentletalonebeselectedto takeontherole.Shesays:“Thisyearhasbeenan excitingtimetobeinvolvedastheprogrammeisso variedandexciting.Insomeyears,therewouldbe alongrunofthesameproduction,butthisyear, notso.”Sheadds:“Igettoplaywithaproper orchestraatamuchhigherlevelthanI’musedto andtomeetsomebrilliantprofessionals.I’dnever consideredacareerinanorchestrabeforeleaning towardsbecomingafreelancemusicianalongside teaching,butnowIknowit’spossible.”

Lucyhasbeenluckyenoughtowatchsomeof theproductionsandsitinonballetrehearsals andassomeonewhotrainedindancefromage threetohermid-teens,thathasbeenthrilling. “I’dactuallyneverwatchedafullystagedballet beforesoI’mverylucky.”Lucycanseethatballetis agoodwayofbroadeningclassicalmusic’s appealtoo.Sheexplains:“Thevisualstorytellingis familyoriented.Therearesomanylittlegirls dressedupintutus.Youwouldn’tgetthatata classicalconcert.”

BREAKINGBARRIERS

Lucy’stakingamastersparttimewhichallows enoughspacetodevotetotheSymphoniabutalsoto outreachprogrammesandteachingwhichishugely importanttoher.“Iwouldn’thavegotintomusic withoutteacherscomingintomyschoolandIwant togivethatback.Outreachprogrammesbreakdown barriers.TheConservatoireisdoinglotsofgood workandiskeentoshowthatit’sahubformusic makingratherthananelitistorganisation–whichit absolutelyisn’t.”

Lucyisinvolvedinprovidingmusiceducationto peoplewhomighthavebarriersordinarily–such asfinancialorsocial.Shesays:“Weaskthekids whattheywanttodo–itcouldbebeats, producing,workinginabandandweintroduce themtoinstruments.”Lucyisalsoinvolvedinan ensemblethatmakesorchestrarelevantforyoung people,playingBillieEilishandDisneyfor instance.Shesaysthecelloisn’tthatvisibleinpop otherthanperhapsCleanBandit,soit’sgreatto introduceyoungpeopletoit.

Unlikelotsofmusicians,Lucydidn’tstartwith somethingsmallandmanageableliketherecorder orviolin.Shewentstraightforthecelloagedseven thankstomusiceducationservicesinherareathat cameintoherprimaryschool.Shetooktoitstraight awayandwasexcitedtoplay.“Igenuinelyloved playing–obviouslyIputinthehardworktoo,butI wasjustsoexcitedaboutit.”

DespitegrowingupnearReading,Lucycalls Birminghamhomenowandispassionateabout bangingthedrumforthecity.Shesays:“Thearts canbeLondon-centricandpeoplethinkthattobe successfulyouhavetomovethere.Idon’tbuyit.We haveamazingtheatreandartsgenerally.It’s definitelyhomeforme.”

EXAMSUCCESS

A-LevelstudentsatCentralSaintMichael’sSixthFormin WestBromwichhadasummerofexamsuccesswitha 100percentpassrateinasignificantnumberofsubjects.

Topgradeswereachievedby400studentswithan impressive99percentofstudentspassingtheirA-Levels.

PrincipalDrMattLambsaid:“Afterexperiencing unprecedentedupheavaltotheirstudiesthroughoutthe Covid-19pandemic,thisistestamenttoourstudentshard work,determinationanddrivetosucceed.”

TOP-CLASSCOLLEGE

BMethasbeenofficiallyrecognisedforprovidingtopclassEndPointAssessment(EPA)trainingand servicesforitsapprenticeshipsbyleadingnational awardingbodyCityandGuilds.Thecollege,which offersarangeofapprenticeshipsacrossitscampuses alongsideemployers,hasbeenselectedforcontinually producinghighstudentpassratesanddistinctions. Keyindividualswhoplayamajorroleinthedelivery ofapprenticeshipsatBMetwerepresentedwitha specialExcellenceinEPADeliveryplaquein recognitionofthecollege’sservices.

DEAFWORKSHOP

Morethan30youngmembersatBIDServices,basedatthe DeafCulturalCentreinBirmingham,tookpartinaworkshop runbyNationalExpressWestMidlandstoencouragegreater confidenceintravellingonpublictransport.Thecentreat LadywoodRoadistheUK’sfirstandonlyDeafCulturalCentre whichprovidesaspacewheredeafcultureiscelebrated, exploredandrepresentedthroughanumberofartand communityprojectsaswellassocialevents.

SCHOOL REPORT

OPENSTUDYMILESTONE

Leadingdistancelearningprovider,OpenStudyCollege(OSC), celebratedits15thanniversaryfollowingayearinwhichthe 110,000-studentmilestonewasachieved.Thefamily-runbusiness whichoffersthelargestselectionofdistancelearningcoursesinthe marketheldaspecialanniversaryeventatitsheadquartersinSolihull andpresentedGeorgieMoseley,founderoftheHelpHarryHelp Otherscharity,witha£5,000cheque,bringingitstotaldonationsto £16,000todate.

RECORDBREAKERS

StudentsatBromsgroveSchoolachievedrecord-breakingexamresults.AtGCSE, halfofallthegradesachievedwere8and9,while65percentofallGCSEentries wereawardedatleast7points.IntheUpperSixthyeargroup,78percentofA-Level entriesweregradedA*toB,with53percentatA*/A.IntheIBDiploma,55 studentssecuredanoverallaverageof39.3points.InBTEC,78entriessaw15 Distinction*beingachievedwithafurther25Distinctions.

UNIVERSITY CHALLENGE

AstonUniversityhaswelcomed ProfAleksSubicasitsnewvicechancellorandchiefexecutive. ProfSubicisrecognisedasa globalleaderintechnologyand innovationinhighereducation, previouslyworkinginAustralia. Hereceivedanumberof prestigiousawardsforhiswork, includingtheAustralian BusinessInnovationAwardand VictorianManufacturingHallof FameAward.ProfSubicsaid: “Iamarrivingatapivotaltime intheuniversity’shistoryto buildonthestrongfoundations establishedbyitsleadersand staff.”

SIXTHFORM

StudentsatEdgbastonHighSchool(EHS)are benefittingfromaninnovativeprojectto reinvigoratetheSixthFormCentrethathas resultedinanewandinspiringsetting, successfullybridgingthegapbetweenSixthForm studyanduniversitylife.Theprojectwas deliveredbyEnvoplan,aneducation-specific interiordesignorganisation,whosetoutto reconfigurethespacetoenhanceproductivity andimpacteducationaloutcomesthrough intelligentdesign.Theworkincludedconstruction ofacaféandrefurbishmentofstudyareas, mezzaninefloorlevelandoutsidesunterrace.

Ifitwasn’tdocumentedorfilmed,you’dthinkAaron

Twitchenwasafantasist.Largelythankstohis strategyofsaying‘Yes’toeverything,alongwithabig injectionoftalentandenergy,hehasaneclecticCV.

Acomedygigwhileswinging20metresintheairon silksyousay?NoproblemforAaron.Inhisshow, CurtainsatEdinburghFestivalin2017hedidjustthat–andhe’sdoneitafewtimessince.Weaskedhimifstandupisn’tscaryenoughwithoutthejeopardyofbreakinga fewlimbs?Aaronexplains:“Everyoneassumesstand-up isscary,butpeopledon’tunderstandhowarrogantand self-obsessedcomediansare!Ijustliketalkingabout myself.”Aaron’snotsurewhetheritwasthebest,worstor stupidestideahe’shad,buthe’sstilllookingforwaysto combinesilkswithstand-up.

WANGINGON

AaronisabouttoperformatBirminghamComedy Festivalwhichkicksoffthismonth,butnocircusstuffis planned.Orisit?Whenwespoke,hewasn’tsurewhich materialhe’dbeperforming,sowhoknows.Hesayshe hasloadsofmaterial,buthe’snot100percentdecided andmootstheideaofhangingthematerialonthewallof thevenueandaskingaudiencememberstochuckadart atittodecidewhichhe’llperform.Wethinkhe’sjoking, buttheorganisersmightwanttochecktheirinsurance! Aaronsays:“Basicallyitwillbemejustwangingon.”

Thankstohisyesmentality,Aaronendedupinan actingandwritingworkshopwithBrum’sBarbaraNice whichweimaginewashystericalandalsolandedajobin physicaltheatreasacircusperformerbytellingalittle, wellquitebigactually,lie.

Hesays:“Ididthatthinginanauditionwhereif someoneasksyouifyoucandorandomthings,justsayyes. So,IsaidIhadcircusskills.Igotthejobandhadsixweeks tolearn.”ItturnsoutBirminghamispracticallythecapital ofcircusskillstraining–there’sCircusMashinKing’s Heath,RoguePlayinDigbeth,Diamonds,andsoon.Who knew?Itallcamegoodandhe’sanaturalalthoughhedoes confess,almostasthoughit’sanegative,thatheis disciplined,soyoucanbetheputinthehardgrafttoo.

ONTHEROAD

Weirdly,askillfromhischildhoodgotAaronthrough thetoughestpartofstand-up–thetravelling.Aaron remembers:“AsacountylongdistancerunnerItravelled thecountryandthebiggesthurdletostand-upinthe

beginningisthetravelling.Iwasusedtoit.Schlepping fourhoursupthemotorwaytoperformto10peopleand travelbackagainisn’tthedream.”Itwasfunthough. AaronsaystherewasabunchofcomediansinBrum startingouttogetherandtheyusedtobundleinacarand headtoBristolforcomedynightonaThursdayandhe madesomegreatmates.

WhenCovidlockdownsstoppedliveperformance, stand-upcametoascreechinghalt.Aaronfoundhequite likedtheglacialpaceoflifealthoughnocircustrainingfor fourmonthswasn’tgreat.“Ispentafewmonthshanging fromdoorframesandsettingupequipmentinatree.” LockdownalsogaveAaronanopportunitytolauncha podcast,MatterofPride:AComedyEducationofGay Historywhichbreaksdownsomeofthemodernissues affectingqueercultureinawell-informed,thoughtfulseries withenoughcomedytokeepittypicallylightandbright.

Aaron’slong-termambitionisto‘keepbeingfunny’–a decentgoalforacomedian!Gosee. ■

LIVEGIGS

BirminghamComedyFestivalisrunningfromFriday7to Sunday16OctoberandyoucancatchAaron’sshowPageant at2.15pmon9OctoberattheVictoria,JohnBrightStreet. Forthefulllineupvisitbhamcomfest.co.uk

TECHSUPPORT

Leadersfrommajorfinancial,legaland propertyfirmsintheWestMidlandsare offeringone-on-onesupporttothe region’sgrowingtechbusinesses.The ConnectorSeriesisaninitiativeby SuperTech,theUKbodydedicatedtothe greateradoptionoftechnologyby professionalandbusinessservices companies.TheSeriesisdesignedtohelp entrepreneursgrowandaccessamarket whichgenerates£28billionannuallyinthe WestMidlandsandemploysmorethan 343,000people,saidHilarySmyth-Allen, SuperTech’sexecutivelead.

BUSINESS

PROPERTYPOST

Apropertysalesconsultantwith morethan12yearsexperience hasbeenrecruitedbyDavidson EstatesastheBirmingham company’snewhomes departmentcontinuestogrow. CliffWongjoinedfromMartin &CoLettingandEstateAgents, andpreviouslyworkedformore thanadecadeatproperty specialistTeamfullEnterprisesin HongKong.Heisoneoffour staffinthedepartmentat DavidsonEstates’branchoffice inColmoreRow.

ROYALTRIBUTE

MillenniumPointispayingaspecial personaltributetotheQueen.Itis displayingitsarchivedvisitorbookwhich wassignedbythelatemonarchandher husbandPrincePhilipwhentheyopenedthe landmarkbuildingin2002.Alongsidethe displayintheatrium,MillenniumPointwill alsobeopeningabookofcondolencefor visitorstopaytheirrespects.Abigail Vlahakis,CEOofMillenniumPointsaid:“Her Majesty’sofficialopeningofMillennium Pointwasapivotalmilestoneinourhistory.”

NEWS

PLAQUEUNVEIL

Acommemorativeplaquewas unveiledataBarrattHomes developmentinBirminghamto recognisetheworkofJohn Middlemorewhofoundedthe Children’sEmigrationHomes.In partnershipwithBirminghamCivic SocietyandBalsallHeathLocal HistorySociety,thedeveloper hostedtheeventatitsB5Central communitywithguestsincluding thecity’smayor,CllrMaureen Cornish.Theplaquemarksthe effortsoftheMiddlemoreHomesin Birmingham,whichemigratedmore than5,000childrentoCanadaand Australiabetween1873and1954.

DOGGEDPERFORMERS

AteamfromThursfieldsSolicitorsraised£860for BirminghamDogsHomebyrunningtheSolihull HalfMarathon.Therunners,includingdirector StephenRome,seniorassociateSimonHockingand solicitorSarahRooney,whoallworkinthe commerciallitigationteam,enduredheatwave weatherconditionstosmashtheiroriginalcash targetof£130.Inthanksforthedonation,staffat thedogshomenamedoneoftheirlatestarrivals ‘ThursfieldsTheo’–orTheo,forshort.

FLYINGFUNDS

Fitnessfanaticshaveraisedmorethan£11,500forMidlandsAirAmbulance Charitywhichwillfund12life-savingflights.Thecharity’sAirbaseChallenge sawparticipantsjog,walk,swimandcycletheirwayaroundfourdistances rangingfrom27to121miles.Supportershad30daystocompletethe activitywhichtheycoulddoasanindividualoraspartofagroup,and togethertheypledgedtocovermorethan4,000miles.

GROWINGPLANS

Birmingham’sRoyalOrthopaedicHospitalhasstartedworkonanew physiotherapydepartmentandgyminthecommunitythatwillallow easieraccessandupgradedservicesforpatients.Thehospitalisrelocating andupgradingphysiotherapyservicesfromthemainhospitalsiteinBristol RoadtoCollegeGreen,Bournville,investingmorethan£3.5millionover thenext25years.Thenewphysiotherapyspaceisscheduledtoopenin early2023.NikkiMason,headoftherapyservices,said:“Wearevery excitedthattheworkhasstarted.”

E-CARGO TRIALS

Businessesaretakingpartine-cargobiketrialsrunbySolihullCounciltopromote carbonreductionandcleanairusage.Thefreetrialsgivebusinessesthechanceto seeifthebikeshavethepotentialtohelpreplacecarandvanjourneysonadaily basis.CllrAndyMackiewicz,headofclimatechange,planningandhousing, said:“Thee-cargobikecouldbethesustainable‘lastmile’deliverysolutionthat businesshasbeenlookingfor.”

TOPOFTHETREE

BUSINESS BITES

SUITESUCCESS

AGradeAofficebuildinginEdgbastonhas launchednew‘plugandplay’suitestomeet thegrowingdemandforhighquality,move-in spaces.Landlord,abrdn,workedcloselywith interiordesignerstocreateworkingspaces withresidential-stylefurnitureandsoft, energy-efficientlightingat54HagleyRoad.

NEWCHAPTER

YOUNGPROFESSIONALOFTHEYEAR

Abusinessconsultantwholearnedthevalueofprotecting theenvironmentbyfeedingwildanimalsinhernative Lithuaniaintemperaturesofminus20degreeshasbeen namedGreaterBirminghamYoungProfessionaloftheYear. IngridaVengalyte,33,tooktheoverallawardafterwinning theFutureFaceofSustainabilitycategory.Shereceivedthe accoladeattheFutureFacesannualdinnerattheICCand herprizeincludesafully-fundedMBAfromAstonUniversity. IngridaworksintheBirminghamofficeofAmericanglobal solutionsproviderJacobs.

HS2JOBSBOOST

ThedrivetohelpmoreunemployedpeopleintoskilledcareersontheHS2 railprojectisprovingtobeasuccess.HS2reports2,200peoplewhowere outofworkhavenowsecuredajobhelpingtobuildBritain’snewrailway whichwillprovideahigh-speedlinkbetweenLondon,Birminghamand Crewe.IntheWestMidlands,HS2’sconstructionpartnerBalfourBeatty VINCIhashelpedhundredsoflocalpeopletosecureworkonthe90km sectionitisbuildingbetweenWarwickshireandStaffordshire.

EdgbastonrestaurantChapterhaspromoted headchefNathanSwifttotheroleof executivechef.Nathanoriginallyhonedhis skillsworkingforMichelin-starredchef MichaelCaines.Chapterbenefittedfromthe successoftheCommonwealthGames,being thevenueforalunchhostedbySpeedofor familiesofswimmersandathletes.

TOPDAYSOUT

AnewguidebookhasrevealedBirmingham’s bestaccessibledaysout.TheRoughGuideto AccessibleBritainincludesThinktank, BirminghamScienceMuseumandCadbury World.Theguideisavailabletoreadand downloadonlineforfreeat www.accessibleguide.co.uk.

LEGALTRAINEES

LawfirmShakespeareMartineauhaswelcomed11 trainees,itslargestevergroup,tothebusiness.Five ofthenewcomers–KiranKaushal,KatieParker,Helen Rowland,LucyFeghhiandSophieRoberts–arebased intheWestMidlands,primarilyinBirmingham.The traineeswillundertakefoursix-monthseatsina varietyofspecialistpracticeareasacrossthefirm, includingrealestatefinance,commercialproperty, education,socialhousingandlitigation.

Atreewasplantedaspartofthe ‘toppingout’ofanewcarehome whichopensthismonth.The ceremonyatIdealCarehomes’ Millcroftdevelopmentwascarried outbyRedditchmayorCllrAnn Isherwood,whowasgivenatour ofthefacilitieswhichwillinclude 66bedroomswithensuitewet rooms,acinemaroom,hairsalon, tearoomandSkyBar.Apreview dayonSaturday29Octoberwill allowlocalpeopletoseethe facilitiesatMillcroftforthemselves.

SUMMERSETSWITH

Gatheringalsoseestoaststothe lateQueenandnewKingCharles

GinandKetelOneVodkatohostaSundowner PartyattheirQueensHeadpubtocelebratethe sunsettingonasuccessfulsummerforthecity.Leaderof BirminghamCityCouncil,CllrIanWard,alsoraiseda toasttoherlateMajestytheQueen,aswellasthenew KingCharlesIII.Guestsenjoyeddrinks,canapesandleft withagenerousgoodybag. ■

STARNAMESHAVE

Astellarline-upofstarsfromtheworldofentertainmentandgolfcametogetherrecently atNailcoteHall.CharleyHull,GaryBeadle, GlenHoddle,TonyJacklin,EveMuirheadand CostantinoRoccawereamongthetopnamesatthe FarmfoodsPar3Championship,whichsawthepro eventwonbythree-timeEuropeanTourtournament winner,PhillipPrice. ■

WHAT’SONliving

WHAT: AChristmasCarol

WHEN: From26October

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

Thesmash-hitofChristmaspast returnswithAdrianEdmondsonas EbenezerScroogeinDavidEdgar’s critically-acclaimedadaptationof CharlesDickens’smuch-lovedclassic.

WHAT: Tartuffe

WHEN: 14Octoberto5 November

WHERE: BirminghamRep, birmingham-rep.co.uk Asharp,vigorouslyfunnyand topicalcomedy.Writtenby BAFTAandEmmyawardwinningwritersAnilGuptaand RichardPinto,thisre-imagined comedyisnottobemissed.

WHAT: DisneyonIce: DreamBig

WHEN: 26and27November WHERE: ResortsWorldArena, resortsworldarena.co.uk Believingisjustthebeginningas DisneyOnIcereturns.Share everymagicalmomentfilledwith breath-takingiceskatingand belovedsongsandstoriesthat giveeveryoneareasonto believe.

WHAT: HarryBaker:Unashamed

WHEN: 18thOctober WHERE: CrescentTheatre, crescent-theatre.co.uk Apoet,mathematicianandstand-upcomedian, HarryBakerbecametheyoungesteverWorldPoetry SlamChampionin2012andhassinceperformedall overtheworldwithashowpackedfullofheartand humour.

WHAT: HarrietKemsley

WHEN: 23October

WHAT: JustinLive–TheBIGTour

WHEN: 30October

WHERE: TheAlexandra, atgtickets.com TheCBeebiessuperstarandchildren’s favouriteisliveonstagewithashowfor allthefamilyincludingwell-known songs,lotsofdancing,hilariouscomedy andplentyofslapstickfun!

WHERE: GleeClub, glee.co.uk/birmingham/ FreshfromtheEdinburghFringe,the LiveattheApolloand8OutOf10Cats DoesCountdownpanellistisinBrum tacklingsubjectssuchasheryouthand new-mumlife,fearsforthe environmentandthebeautyindustry's effectsonyoungwomen.

WHAT: LeoSayer

WHEN: 4November

WHERE: TownHall,bmusic.co.uk

Knownbymanyforadisastrous appearanceonCelebrityBig Brother,it’seasytoforgetthat thisisonefabuloussingerloved bysomanyforsuchtransatlantic charttoppersasWhenINeedYou andYouMakeMeFeelLike Dancing.

WHAT: BirminghamRoyalBallet–Coppélia

WHEN: 26to29October

WHERE: BirminghamHippodrome, birminghamhippodrome.com

LoveconquersallinPeterWright’sworld-class productionofajoyousclassicfromthegoldenageof balletwithLéoDelibes’gloriousscoreperformedlive bythe60-pieceRoyalBalletSinfonia.

WHAT: PinkBallatTheHall

WHEN: 8October

WHERE: NailcoteHall, nailcotehall.co.uk

Thestunningblack/pinktieBall returnsforagreatevening’s entertainmentwithperformances fromtheSoultownCollective,raising fundsforBreastCancermedical equipmentforlocalhospitals.

WHAT: TheMagicofScience

WHEN: 22to30October

WHERE: BritishMotorMuseum, britishmotormuseum.co.uk/whats-on

EnjoytheBlackCatTrailandthenjointhemadscientistsforsome magical,mind-blowingexperiments,extraordinaryfamilytours,plus makeanopticalillusiontotakehome!Crackinghalf-termfun.

WHAT: PaoloNutini

WHEN: 28October

WHERE: O2Institute2Birmingham, academymusicgroup.com Nutiniisbacktouringhisfourthalbum, LastNightInTheBittersweet,a70-minute epicthatspansthedistancefromclassic rocktopost-punktohypnoticKrautrock.

WHAT: WillYoung

WHEN: 15October

WHERE: SymphonyHall, bmusic.co.uk

Thesinger-songwritercelebrates 20yearsofmusicsincebeing propelledtoworldfameasthe winnerofthefirstseriesof PopIdolin2002.

CLOSEWITHÁ

KIRSTIE SMITH

Themarketingdirectorofe-commerceanddigital agencyCakeispassionateaboutnurturingnewtalent, cycling,walking,yoga–andrenovatinginteriors

BEENTHERE,DONETHAT

IstartedworkinginretailatAllSaintsheadofficein London.Followingthat,Idecidedtomoveagencyside, justwhensocialmediahadfirstbeenborn.Backthen, InstagramwasnowheretobeseenandTwitterwasthe socialmediagoldenchild.Ithendecidedtolaunch SocialCircle,acollaborativegroupoflike-mindedsocial mediapeople,wherewesetupmonthlysocial networkingeventsandtalkaboutallthingssocialmedia. IamnowatCakewhereI’mthemarketingdirector,and IalsoguestlectureatBCUonitsDigitalMarketingand FutureMediacourse.

IT’SWHATIDO

MyworkatCakeisfocusedondrivingrevenuethrough co-ordinatede-commerce,socialmediaanddigital strategy.IntermsofmyroleasfounderatSocialCirclemy favouriteaspectofthatrole,similarlytotheguest lecturingatBCU,isthenurturingofnewtalent.

WHATI’DLIKETOSEE

CakehashadasuccessfulyearandI’mproudof everythingtheteamhasdonetosupportclients throughoutthepandemic.Thereisstillroomforusto growandIwanttobeapartofleadingthatinitiative.In termsofpersonalambitions,Iamhopingtosetupa universityprogrammeatCaketosupportstudentswith tangiblesocialmediaanddigitalskills,feedingtheminto othermarketingagenciesandbusinessesinandaround Birmingham.

BIGGESTSUCCESS

Mymostrecentsuccesshasbeenthegrowthofthe Caketeamandclientbaseinmyfirst18monthsofbeing marketingdirector.Anotherproudmomentwouldbemy involvementintheSocialDayevents.Backin2017,I attendedoneofthemanySocialDayeventsthatwere hostedinBirmingham.IwassoinspiredthatIquitmy jobagencysideanddecidedtogofreelanceasasocial mediaconsultant.Withinayear,Iwasinvitedtospeakat themainstageoftheSocialDayeventinLondonand havereturnedtospeakthereeveryyearsince.

BIGGESTLESSONLEARNED

Alwaysstaytruetoyourvalues,neverstoplearningand neverforgettohavefun.

WHATILIKEABOUTBRUM

ImovedtoBirminghamfromLeeds,andwhenIfirst droveintoBirmingham,IwentthroughtheJewellery Quarterandrememberhowmyeyesjustlitup.Ithink somepeoplereallydon’tunderstandwhatafantasticcity Birminghamis.Itissuchameltingpotofdiverseculture andtalent–andthefoodisunbelievable!

DOWNTIME

Ilovegoingforbikeridesandwalksinandaround Digbeth.Ialsoparticipateinyogawhichallowsmeto unwindfromwork.Ialsohaveapassionforinteriorsand I’mcurrentlyrenovatingaBadgeFactoryintheJewellery Quarter.