Inspirational Magazine Autumn/Winter 2014 Edition by Champions (UK) plc

INSPIRATIONAL magazine

INSPIRATIONAL

magazine SCARLETT FEVER: THE LIFE AND CAREER OF SCARLETT JOHANSSON AIR PARTNER: STYLISH PRIVATE AIR TRAVEL EDITION 6

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RUGBY: NEIL BACK MBE’S WORLD CUP PREVIEW CRICKET: MATTHEW HOGGARD MBE ON THE ICC CRICKET WORLD CUP

AUTUMN/WINTER 2014

in this edition...

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Editor in Chief Matthew Hayes Advertising Manager Sophia Hayes Production Manager Alexandra Buist Features Editor Victoria Marconetto Advertising Executive Emily Knowles Features Writers Christopher Brookes Richard Padmore William Smith Megan Smith Elyssa Fagan Francesca Bonfiglio Sophie Brennan Senior Designer Ewen Lewis Designers Kristian Goodeve Jamie Traynor Terri Burton Liam Creek Photography Kristian Goodeve Antonia Doyle Jamie Traynor Web Development David Evans Michael Pattinson

Contributors Libby Johnson Robert Johnson Sally Walder Jason Yeomans Jane Riley Tarah Hewitt

Richard Vickery Janine Edwards Tara Robinson Fash Assadi-Shoja Gail Webb Major Richard Carney

www.inspirational.uk.com For mailing list and subscription enquiries please visit www.inspirational.uk.com For advertising enquiries please contact: Sophia Hayes on 08453 31 30 31 or email: shayes@championsukplc.com Published By

editor’s note I’m delighted to welcome you to another edition of Inspirational Magazine – our sixth overall. It gives me great pleasure to see the magazine continue to go from strength to strength and our team has worked as hard as ever to compile yet another fantastic edition. I’m extremely pleased to announce that world-class air charter company Air Partner are our new air travel associate. Their exclusive service gives clients instant access to private air charter services across the globe, and what better way to enjoy the flight than by relaxing with a copy of Inspirational Magazine? On our cover is one of Hollywood’s biggest stars, Scarlett Johansson. Like the screen sirens of old, Johansson has the alluring beauty and powerful screen presence to ensure she stands out above many of her contemporaries. We take a close look at her career in film and what the future holds for the stunningly talented young star. As we have seen from the 2012 Olympic Games in London, major sporting events have the power to unite the entire nation, entertain millions of fans and give a significant boost to the economy. In this edition, we look forward to the 2015 Rugby World Cup in England by speaking to a man who has lifted the famous trophy himself, Neil Back MBE. For those looking to spruce up their home, our extended Home, House and Garden section is the place to look. As always, we have hand-picked some of the West Midlands’ best restaurants for our Fine Dining Guide which this edition is introduced by MasterChef host, Gregg Wallace. What’s more, the famous foodie has personally chosen a special dessert recipe for you to try your hand at! Our usual social pages have some fantastic events from across our region and beyond so turn to page 132 to browse through at your leisure. Make sure to visit www.inspirational.uk.com to access some exclusive content including updated features and blog posts. Enjoy the 2014 Autumn/Winter edition of Inspirational Magazine and we wish you a fabulous festive season and a wonderful New Year!

Matthew Hayes Editor in Chief

Champions (UK) plc Barrington House, Leake Road, Costock, Loughborough, Leicestershire LE12 6XA Tel: 08453 31 30 31 Fax: 08453 31 30 32 www.championsukplc.com Please note: Inspirational magazine is fully protected by copyright; no part of this magazine may be reproduced or reprinted without the complete and expressed permission of the publisher. The greatest care has been taken to ensure accuracy, however there can be no liability accepted by the publisher for errors or omissions. Inspirational Magazine can under no circumstances be held responsible for any materials, matter or photographical copy submitted for publication or not within the magazine. We cannot be held liable or responsible for any breaches of copyright from adverts, materials, photography or any other matter supplied by third parties. The views and opinions expressed within this magazine are not necessarily those of the publisher or indeed Inspirational Magazine or any featured parties.

This elegant timepiece is one of my favourites from the Tag collection, with leather strap and Anti-Reflective Treated Sapphire Crystal Glass, this is a truly inspirational watch. Gents Tag Heuer Carrera Chronograph Automatic Watch £5700 CAR2C12.FC6327 Available from: Johnsons Jewellers | johnsonsjewellers.co.uk • 02476 347 038

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86 82

30 BEAUTY, HEALTH AND LIFESTYLE

IT’S A MAN’S WORLD

Air Partner ........................................ 8

Discover that perfect present

Introducing Inspirational Magazine’s official Air Travel Associate

Men’s Gift Guide.............................. 36 Tudor Watches.................................. 62

Johnsons Jewellers introduce Rolex’s new Tudor Heritage line

Scarlett Johansson........................... 10 One of Hollywood’s finest

The Dorchester................................. 16 One of the world’s most iconic hotels

Adventure Base and Dream Guides.................................. 24 Expertly crafted active holidays

Eden Hotel Collection...................... 26 Unique in character. Individual in style.

Women’s Gift Guides......................... 30 Harvey Nichols’ festive inspiration

Rugby World Cup 2015.................... 64

Neil Back MBE analyses England’s chances at next autumn’s home tournament

Farmfoods British Par 3 Championship................................. 66 A review of August’s record-breaking premier Par 3 event

HOME, HOUSE AND GARDEN Edwards Insurance.......................... 90 Bespoke high-end insurance for your business

Suzanne Barnes Design Partnership...................................... 92 The West Midlands leading interior design agency

Charlotte Conway............................ 94 Cutting-edge, luxury bathroom design

Abel Alarms..................................... 96 Intelligent peace of mind

Grosvenor Casinos............................ 82 Announcing a major new entertainment partnership with Champions (UK) plc

ICC Cricket World Cup 2015............ 86

Matthew Hoggard MBE previews the global cricket showpiece

Highfield Dental Clinic................... 46 Cutting-edge technology paired with clinical expertise

Kellie Maloney ................................ 58 An incredible tale and an extraordinary year

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107

110

105 126 92

FINE DINING GUIDE

BUSINESS AND FINANCE

Gregg Wallace Introduction.............. 98

Champions (UK) plc...................... 107

The MasterChef judge offers a wonderfully wintery pudding recipe

Cielo ............................................... 99 Edmunds....................................... 100 Nuvo.............................................. 101 Dining at the Mailbox Harvey Nichols Café / Nando’s / Red Peppers................................... 102 The Eden Hotel Collection............. 104 34 Windsor Street........................... 105 Finest Catch.................................. 106

The lowdown on the award-winning brand agency

Gregg Wallace............................... 110 A closer look at the MasterChef star

St. James’s Place........................... 112 First-class wealth management and financial planning solutions

PMGC........................................... 118 Transforming business with ‘weightless’ technology

Harnessing the Power of the Internet ......................................... 120 Build your web presence on firm foundations

Merrill Osmond ............................ 126 The Osmonds singing legend joins Champions Celebrity

SOCIAL AND NETWORKING Socialising..................................... 132 Champions Club Celebrity Golf Day Champions Club Night At Audley Binswood Champions Club Robbie Williams at the LG Arena Champions Club – The X Factor Night Farmfoods British Par 3 Championship Tony Jacklin CBE Wentworth Charity Invitational The Birmingham Sports Awards Tudor Watch Launch Event at Johnsons Jewellers Rolex Event at The Belfry St. James’s Place Exclusive Client Day at The Belfry Harvey Nichols A/W14 Show

multiVAPE.................................... 130 Switch your allegiance from tobacco to the premier vaping brand

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BEAUTY, HEALTH & LIFESTYLE

INSPIRATIONAL

are pleased to introduce our new Air Travel Associate:

A notable history In operation for over 50 years, no other company can match the experience Air Partner has in the aircraft charter industry. In that time they have flown every mission imaginable, for every type of business and to every part of the planet.

Their expertise makes them the only aviation company with a Royal Warrant and, by building long term relationships with some of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most prestigious organisations, they are routinely recognised for their achievements. With a long history of flying high profile music industry figures, they regularly assist with the tour arrangements for some of the largest names.

Your time is a precious commodity Air Partnerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s guiding principles are simple. They take care to understand your exact needs and know you cannot afford to waste time. They attend to even the smallest of details to ensure your private jet service is delivered to the highest standards of quality and value.

Your peace of mind is at the centre of everything they do. Their first and last priority is to deliver you safely to where you need to be, on time, within budget, relaxed and ready for business or, indeed, pleasure.

Precision With 20 offices worldwide they offer truly global coverage. Air Partner has access to the largest fleet of private jets, VIP airliners and helicopters and, with the contacts they have built up over the decades, you are not restricted to commercial airports.

CharterPLUS GUA R A NTEE

Air Partner will cut down on your transfer time by flying you and your friends or business associates into the nearest airfield to your ultimate destination. They will save you all the hassle of conventional air travel and all the headaches of delayed flights and cancellations, lost luggage and crowded terminals will simply disappear. Air Partner take contractual responsibility for all their flights, so you can be fully confident your journey will be completed successfully. Their CharterPLUS guarantee ensures, at no additional cost, that you get exactly where you need to be. Whatever unexpected issues arise with aircraft or airlines, there will be guaranteed back-up aircraft at the ready.

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Flights On-Demand Air Partner offers the option to pay-as-you-fly with their On-Demand Charter, a service that lets you ﬂy on your own terms, on the private jet of your choice, to your own schedule and from the airport most convenient to you. There are no long term contracts, acquisition costs or monthly management fees. In fact, there is no commitment beyond the ﬂight.

Or you could opt for the Corporate Card. Designed to deliver the JetCard service with enhanced value for day-return users. It will save you time, money and makes sound business sense through ﬁxed pricing and guaranteed availability when pre-purchasing ﬂight time for day-return travel from your base airport.

JetCard Programmes

Whether flying for business or leisure the exclusive card options from Air Partner give you greater flexibility and value efficiencies, whenever you want to fly:

Alternatively, you might choose a prepaid solution. The JetCard offers total ﬂexibility, hassle-free convenience, style, and comfort with only 24 hours’ notice. The price you see is the price you pay. Your Air Partner JetCard can make every stage of your journey just how you want it to be. And as relaxing, comfortable, safe and hassle-free as possible.

• 25 hours of pre-purchased jet time • Choose from six aircraft categories • Aircraft guaranteed at 24hours’ notice • Dedicated account manager • No fuel surcharges • No monthly management fees • Full refund on unused hours

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As they understand the demands of work and the pleasures of a holiday, you will enjoy a relaxing, worry-free journey from the moment they pick you up to the second they drop you off. A private jet service that safely takes care of you and your passengers. A travel team taking you wherever you want to go in speed, style and luxury. Air Partner has the experience that delivers value, assurance and performance.

For more information on our services, contact our team today. +44 (0) 207 538 2273 or fly@airpartner.com We look forward to hearing from you.

www.airpartner.com

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BEAUTY, HEALTH AND LIFESTYLE

scarlett

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johansson, hollywoodâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hottest property

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Universally regarded as among the world’s most glamorous women, Scarlett Johansson’s ability as an actress is easily overlooked. Canny career choices in recent years and a readiness to take risks have made her difficult to pin down. Inspirational Magazine looks ‘Under the Skin’ of a star who in 2014 has let her work do most of the talking. One only needs the briefest of glimpses of Scarlett Johansson to recognise her star quality, the elemental beauty that rightly bears comparisons with any of the greats of the classical Hollywood tradition. Too often though we are asked to view iconic figures like Johansson in those simple terms, with emphasis placed on the superficial when a more thorough examination would aid both our understanding and our appreciation. Judging by the roles she has chosen during the past year, 29-year-old Scarlett Johansson has a growing sense of herself and, through her work, wishes to show herself as an unabridged, multi-faceted actor. For all the success of Sophia Coppola’s hypnotic Lost in Translation in establishing Johansson as a bona fide movie star back in 2003, many forget that Scarlett’s initial breakthrough role came aged just 13 in 1998 when she played the horse-riding amputee, Grace, alongside Robert Redford and Kristin Scott-Thomas in The Horse Whisperer.

At that point in time, all the talk was about an old head on young shoulders and of an exciting, precocious talent. Indeed, the old-hand, Redford, described her as “13 going on 30”. It was not until Johansson appeared as the piano-playing teenager Birdy alongside Billy Bob Thornton in the Coen Brothers’ 2001 neo-noir release, The Man Who Wasn’t There, that she was able to transition into more adult roles and, come the release of the high profile Lost in Translation and all the red carpet adulation that entailed, she emerged as the hottest sex symbol on the Hollywood block.

No one can deny either her natural, sensuous appeal or, indeed, her innate ability to perform. Now, as a fully-fledged young woman, Johansson seemed born to the role of screen siren. Even at 18 she had developed the sophistication and knowing allure needed to play characters many years older, qualities complemented by a husky voice reminiscent of the dulcet tones of a Lauren Bacall or a Veronica Lake. Scarlett had it all and her star rose in meteoric fashion.

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Images from previous page: SJ at the 63rd Annual Golden Globe Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. January 16, 2006. SJ at the World Premiere of ‘He’s Just Not That Into You’. Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, Hollywood, CA. 2009. SJ at the 77th Annual Academy Awards at the Kodak Theatre, Hollywood, CA February 27, 2005. Top left: Mickey Rourke, Jon Favreau, Scarlett Johansson, Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow and Don Cheadle at the ‘Iron Man 2’ film Photocall. Top right: Scarlett Johansson Star Walk of Fame Ceremony at Hollywood Boulevard on May 2, 2012. Bottom right: SJ poses with her award for Best Actress in Lost in Translation at the ‘The Orange British Academy Film Awards’ at The Odeon Leicester Square. Bottom left: Scarlett Johansson attends ‘Under The Skin’ Premiere during the 70th Venice Film Festival.

She enjoyed a wonderful level of critical recognition during her break-out years, most notably with a BAFTA award for Best Actress in a Leading Role for Lost in Translation and Golden Globe nominations for that film and Girl with a Pearl Earring in 2003. Having scored a hit with the dark, Southern redemption tale of A Love Song For Bobby Long, Johansson followed that up with an Oscar Wilde adaptation called A Good Woman that drew rave reviews from the critics. Soon after she enjoyed the box office success of In Good Company and her foray into film noir in Brian De Palma’s Black Dahlia went down very well in 2006. Scarlett was in great form again in her third film with Woody Allen, Vicky Cristina Barcelona, and it was clear that here was an actress making consistently good choices and Scarlett has not looked back since. Her on-screen performances have taken on a renewed vitality perhaps best demonstrated by her wise-cracking, kick-ass portrayal of the Black Widow in Iron Man 2. In We Bought a Zoo she brought such unexpected depth to a dull girlfriend role that you wished she was at the centre of the tale rather than Matt Damon. Her sassy Janet Leigh was one of the highlights of Hitchcock and her brassy, controlling Barbara was the highlight of Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s Don Jon.

2014 has been a particularly colourful year for Johansson and one that has seen her challenge the way woman are celebrated either for their bodies or for their brains but rarely for both. The year started with a remarkable disembodied performance in Her opposite Jaoquin Phoenix where she plays Samantha, a computer operating system that evolves in response to Phoenix’s needs and personality. Despite appearing in voice only Scarlett’s portrayal is as powerful as those of any of her flesh-and-blood co-stars and allows her renowned vocal talent to come to the fore, unhindered by her physical on-screen presence. Over the course of Samantha’s evolution and through her voice alone, Johansson is able to flesh out the character to the point where it is arguably more full-bodied than any other in the movie. That is real acting skill, the ability to convey a character to audiences without lavishing on them the conventional visual cues and suggestions. It is also the kind of role taken only by an actress of her fame and repute when she has every confidence in delivering the goods.

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BEAUTY, HEALTH AND LIFESTYLE

In terms of dialogue, Scarlett’s next project, Jonathan Glazer’s bleak Under The Skin, took her to the other extreme. With only 15 to 20 lines in the whole arthouse piece there was no substantive script to fall back on and a clear and present need to rely on her powers of improvisation to drive the narrative. Playing an alien who assumes human form to cruise the streets of Glasgow in a Transit van on the hunt for suitable males to devour, Johansson is far removed from how we have come to expect to see her. Dressed in a bedraggled fur coat and disguised by a scruffy brown wig, she is unrecognisable but for the red lipstick amateurishly applied by a character making the smallest attempt possible at fitting in with human society.

Scarlett’s greatest achievement in this film is to keep the alien devoid of all charm and personality and, but for a brief scene, ignorant of all human sensibilities. That is no mean feat in itself for a woman so lauded for her physical virtue but, when the nature of much of the filming is taken into account, Johansson cannot be praised enough. The van was rigged up with several concealed cameras and Scarlett, in all her dishevelled glory, approached genuine members of the public, asking directions and offering them lifts in return for their help. One can only imagine the surprise of these men when, 3 or 4 streets further along the road, it is revealed that they have just been picked up by Scarlett Johansson, no less, and are asked if they fancy being an actor for a while.

Hollywood stars of Johansson’s stature very rarely stray so far from the accepted path by taking on such a low-budget gamble, so it speaks volumes about her curiosity and readiness to take risks by accepting the roles that interest her most. It also tells us that she is a good sport and willing to go that extra mile to get the job done. Scarlett’s final 2014 release, Lucy, a bizarre sci-fi fantasy from French director, Luc Besson, again sees her shedding any vestige of charisma as a drug mule whose cargo leaks into her system. The drug gradually unlocks more and more of Lucy’s brain capacity, granting her telepathic and telekinetic abilities, among others, and enabling her to go after the traffickers who forced the substance upon her.

Without more of the drug her cells begin to disintegrate but, when she is administered more, her body starts to metamorphose into a black substance that then transforms into an advanced supercomputer. By the time Lucy attains 100% of her brain’s power, and having been on a mental trip through time to meet humanity’s oldest known ancestor, Lucy the famed Australopithecus, she disappears into the space-time continuum. As convoluted a plot as it is, Lucy can be seen to raise parallel issues to both her other projects of 2014 and casts further light on what Scarlett Johansson wants us to think about at this point in her life. Her career has been characterised by many as a search for recognition of the sum total of her talents and by discarding her physical form in Her, and then her animal magnetism in both Under the Skin and Lucy, she is perhaps confronting us with the idea that society struggles to appreciate women in their entireties.

While she may retain that timeless Hollywood allure, she has managed to obtain a certain level of inscrutability. Yet if we take a step back and view Scarlett Johansson with an objective eye, no one can deny either her natural, sensuous appeal or, indeed, her innate ability to perform.

And that puts her in exalted company as one of the very few complete stars of our time.

Main image: SJ as she attends the ‘Under The Skin’ Premiere during the 70th Venice International Film Festival. Above left image: Scarlett Johansson, Helen Mirren, Jessica Biel and Toni Collette attend the premiere of ‘Hitchcock’ at the Ziegfeld Theatre. Above right image: Scarlett Johansson & Stan Lee at the world premiere of their new movie ‘Marvel’s The Avengers’ at the El Capitan Theatre, Hollywood.

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45 Park Lane The Beverly Hills Hotel Coworth Park LONDON BEVERLY HILLS ASCOT

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Richemond HotelLePrincipe di Savoia GENEVA MILAN

Hotel Principe Savoia HoteldiBel-Air MILAN LOS ANGELES

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The Ladies’ Choice 5

H Johnson & Son • 50-51 Queens Road • Nuneaton • Warwickshire • CV11 5JX

Tel: 02476 347 038 • johnsonsjewellers.co.uk

1.Emporio Armani Ladies Watch £329 2.Rado Centrix Watch £650 3.Citizen Mother of Pearl Eco Drive £199 4.Citizen Ladies Eco Drive £169 5.Tag Heuer Aquaracer Mother of Pearl Dial £3150 6.Raymond Weil Two Tone Tango Watch £950 7.Tissot Gold Plated Lovely Watch £245 8.Longines Elegant Automatic Watch £2380 9.DKNY Ladies Chronograph Watch £185 10.Swarovski Citra Sphere Chronograph £349

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1 5

It’s a Man’s World H Johnson & Son • 50-51 Queens Road • Nuneaton • Warwickshire • CV11 5JX

Tel: 02476 347 038 • johnsonsjewellers.co.uk 1.Tag Heuer Carrera Calibre 5 Day- Date £2495 2.Hugo Boss Stainless Steel £199 3.Longines Elegant Automatic £1550 4.Citizen Titanium Chronograph £279 5.Tissot T- Race Moto GP £565 6.Raymond Weil Tango Watch £750 7.Rado D- Star Automatic £1470 8.Emporio Armani Black Roman Dial £199

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UNMISTAKABLY LONDON. DISTINCTIVELY JUMEIRAH.

Experience the ultimate London stay at Jumeirah Carlton Tower, Knightsbridge. Indulge yourself at The Peak Health Club & Spa with indoor swimming pool, steam room, sauna and Jacuzzi. The luxurious rooms and suites offer stunning views over London and you can dine in style at the award-winning Rib Room Bar & Restaurant.

Visit jumeirah.com or call 020 7235 1234 to find out more

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FITNESS RETREAT Detox after the festive period this January with a new Fitness Retreat at Jumeirah Carlton Tower, London. The luxury hotel, located off Sloane Street is partnering with its fitness experts at The Peak Health Club & Spa to offer a unique, inspirational and educational detox weekend.

Hugh Murphy, Director of Leisure at The Peak Health Club & Spa, commented: “Our Fitness Retreat is the ideal post festive detox, offering you the chance to set your fitness and nutritional goals for 2015 in luxurious surroundings whilst receiving tips from our dedicated team of fitness professionals.”

Available from 16-18 January 2015, the detox retreat equips you with ‘take home’ tools to enhance your physical and mental performance and support ongoing wellness.

Jumeirah Carlton Tower is situated in the heart of Knightsbridge and acknowledged as one of London’s finest hotels. It is noted for its fine dining, exclusive Peak Health Club & Spa and enviable location off Sloane Street – the Capital’s most fashionable shopping area. The hotel offers 216 rooms and suites, individually styled with a calm and contemporary feel, together with world-class dining in The Rib Room Bar & Restaurant, Chinoiserie and The Club Room.

Arrive on Friday afternoon and be greeted by fitness experts from The Peak, where following an introduction to the course, you will prepare for an action packed few days beginnings with a revitalising yoga session followed by a nutritious dinner. Retreat to your room at the luxurious Jumeirah Carlton Tower for a restful evening before waking to a detoxifying smoothie and establishing your fitness goals over a wholesome breakfast. Following a Pilates class, you will then partake in a nutritional workshop proceeded by a healthy lunch, served in The Club Room, with impressive views overlooking South-West London. Weather depending, there will then be a guided walk of nearby Hyde Park followed by Yoga, a swim session and dinner. Wake to another delicious detoxifying smoothie and breakfast on Sunday morning in The Club Room followed by a Pilates class and stretching with a Swiss Ball before relishing lunch. After lunch, enjoy a relaxing spa treatment at The Peak before receiving tailored dietary advice to help you continue your detox at home.

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The Peak Health Club & Spa offers state-of-the-art facilities, a fully equipped gym and aerobics studio, sauna, steam room, a golf simulator, award-winning spa and a 20-metre indoor swimming pool. Located on the ninth floor of Jumeirah Carlton Tower, The Peak also offers guests spectacular views across London during their workout. The Fitness Retreat at Jumeirah Carlton Tower will run from 16 to 18 January 2015 and cost £595 per person sharing or £835 per single person for two nights, including VAT.

To book: E: JCTreservations@jumeirah.com T: 020 7235 1234 www.jumeirah.com/jct

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MAHI MAHI SUITE TO B AG O L U X U R Y H O L I D AY A C C O M M O D AT I O N

AN IDYLLIC

BEACHSIDE CARIBBEAN RETREAT A luxurious Caribbean paradise offering an ultimate retreat for honeymooners, families, or up to three couples, the luxuriously furnished secure Mahi Mahi Suite sits on one of the most romantic beachside locations in the world. Nestled in its own private gardens on the warm sands of the extensive Grafton Beach, the first floor corner apartment offers breathtaking views and sunsets over the emerald waters of Stonehaven Bay. From enjoying breakfast on the elegant balcony to an afternoon’s rest in the sumptuous suite’s décor, the apartment is a delightful Caribbean Eden that you’ll never want to leave. You can swim, snorkel, boogie-board, stroll on the beach, or relax with a book by the garden pool. For a romantic lunch or dinner, renowned restaurants and cafés such as the famous Seahorse Inn and Fish Pot Restaurant are just minutes walk away. Watching the birds feeding as the sun rises over the Grafton Caledonia Bird Sanctuary or the occasional visiting nocturnal turtle are magical experiences, uniquely Tobago. It is also the perfect place from which to explore the stunning natural beauty and wildlife of the rainforest and its scenic coastline, or enjoy other Caribbean specialities like the Sunday school food-fair at Buccoo Reef with steelband accompaniment. Free airport transfers, welcome pack, maid service, full air conditioning, and wifi are provided. For more information about the Mahi Mahi Suite, prices, availability and booking please visit:

TobagoBeachApartment.com For an independent review go to www.mytobago.info/reviews/mahi_mahi_suite.php

UK contact information:

MahiMahi@ TobagoBeachApartment.com Telephone: 07544 051 991 Email:

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Beautiful,Elegant, Sophisticated /rwhairsolihull Solihullâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest and most successful salon is offering Inspirational Magazine readers a chance to experience a fantastic haircut, on their first visit for half price. Simply quote:

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BEAUTY, HEALTH & LIFESTYLE

ADVENTURE BASE Awe-inspiring Alpine Adventures Imagine your dream adventure holiday, complete with exhilarating activities and some of the world’s most stunning surroundings on your doorstep. Independent chalet rental company Adventure Base can make that fantasy become a reality. Based in the heart of the French Alps, Adventure Base was created with the aim of providing flexible, luxury, as well as affordable, accommodation allowing guests to ski, climb, bike or relax to their heart’s content. Six years later and Adventure Base has increased its portfolio to include multiple chalets and apartments across Chamonix, Mont Blanc & Morzine, as well as a growing list of Alpine Adventure packages headed up by their sister company Dream Guides. Offering both fully catered and self-catered chalets as well as apartments in both the summer and winter months, Adventure Base ensures that every budget and need is catered for. As beach holidays become increasingly overpriced and overcrowded, mountain adventure getaways provide the perfect solution. If you’re looking for fresh air, tranquillity, spectacular views and thrilling activities, then look no further than Chamonix in the summer. Adventure Base are more than happy to help with the details of your holiday; whether you want to add some activities to your stay or to book a variety of extras while you’re away, their dedicated team of holiday experts are on hand to help. All the Adventure Base properties are located within a short walk of mountain trails for beautiful hikes or runs. The holiday company also provides a number of exciting adventures to make the most of your time off, from white water rafting, ice climbing and heli-skiing to mountain biking. As well as holiday rentals in Morzine & Chamonix, Adventure Base works closely with, Dream Guides, to provide clients with the best in mountain guiding, off-piste skiing, alpine climbing, snowshoeing and more.

www.adventurebase.com +44 (0) 845 527 5812 24

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@AdventureBase

facebook.com/AdventureBaseChalets

AdventureBase

28/10/2014 17:16

DREAM GUIDES Reach New Heights Based in Chamonix, Dream Guides organise complete itineraries for thrillseekers looking for world-class adventure holidays. Packages include offpiste skiing clinics, alpine climbing adventures and expeditions to the highest peaks in the world such as Everest, Denali and Kilimanjaro. Dream Guides has expanded rapidly over the years to offer an even greater range of skiing, hiking and climbing adventures all over the world.

Founded in 2005 by alpine climbers and adventurers, Kenton Cool and Guy Willett,

Dream Guides specialise in bespoke climbing and skiing expeditions across the globe. Both founders are experts in skiing and climbing, and so the company’s central principle was to create courses and expeditions from the point of view of the ‘guide on the ground’, ensuring that every aspect of the trip is carefully planned to be of the highest standard. Dream Guides and sister company, accomodation business, Adventure Base work closely together to combine their services and offer thrill seekers a complete holiday experience. They carefully design itineraries that climbers and skiers would love to go on and add in a pragmatic approach to safety and logistics. One of their signature trips is to the roof of Western Europe, the summit of Mont Blanc where Dream Guides has taken hundreds of clients, including none other than Sir Richard Branson.

Dream Guides provide a wide range of worldwide winter and summer adventures including ski touring, alpine climbing and expeditions to far-flung corners of the globe. They can take care of every aspect of your trip including accommodation, itinerary and guide so all you need to worry about is having the time of your life.

www.dream-guides.com +44 (0) 845 564 5219 @DreamGuides

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facebook.com/DreamGuides74

instadreamguides

28/10/2014 17:16

BEAUTY, HEALTH AND LIFESTYLE

AA SMALL HOTEL GROUP OF THE YEAR 2014 - 2015

Eden Hotel Collection wins ‘Small Hotel Group of the Year’ at the AA Hospitality Awards Eden Hotel Collection was awarded the coveted accolade of AA Small Hotel Group of the Year 2014 at the AA Hospitality Awards at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London.

“Our commitment to delivering unrivalled and exceptional guest experiences is at the heart of everything we do and it’s what keeps our guests coming back time and time again.

The award recognises small hotel companies which have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to improve and develop their portfolio of hotels, while maintaining a high level of consistency throughout the group.

“The knowledge and experience of the AA’s inspectors is unrivalled and an AA rating is one of the most trusted forms of quality and service recognition in the hospitality industry. This achievement is an enormous source of pride to everyone who works at the Eden Hotel Collection,” added Mark.

The Eden Hotel Collection is a privately-owned group of nine luxury hotels across the Midlands, the Cotswolds and the South West. Managing Director Mark Chambers collected the award on behalf of the company at a glittering event to celebrate excellence in the hotel and hospitality industry hosted by TV newsreader Fiona Bruce. Mark said: “We are delighted and extremely proud to have been recognised by the AA Hospitality Awards, which is hugely prestigious for our industry. To win this award in a highly competitive market place is a great achievement and one which I’m honoured to share with each and every member of our fantastic team.

The AA award win caps a highly successful year of expansion and investment for Eden. In April the company announced a planned £13.5m investment in the 35-bedroom Tides Reach Hotel in Salcombe, South Devon. The site is being redeveloped to create a 50-bedroom luxury beachfront hotel and spa. And in June it acquired the 64-bedroom Bovey Castle in the heart of Dartmoor National Park and is planning a major investment in the country house estate, which today includes an 18-hole championship golf course, spa, country lodges and an outdoor pursuits centre.

Numphud, said: “We are delighted to recognise the Eden Hotel Collection with this prestigious award. This delightful small group has consistently re-invested in their hotels year on year with some impressive refurbishments. In addition, and most importantly, the strength of their hotels is their individuality and the high standards of hospitality and service delivered by their dedicated and professional teams.” Mallory Court Hotel, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire The Mount Somerset Hotel and Spa, Somerset Buckland-Tout-Saints, Kingsbridge, Devon The Kings Hotel, Chipping Campden, Cotswolds The Arden Hotel, Stratford-upon-Avon The Greenway Hotel and Spa, Cheltenham Brockencote Hall Hotel, Worcestershire Tides Reach, Salcombe, Devon Bovey Castle, Dartmoor, Devon

Praising Eden Hotel Collection’s success in winning the award, Head of AA Hotel Services, Simon

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Winter Weddings

Eden Hotel Collection welcomes Bovey Castle

Celebrate your winter wonderland wedding with Eden Hotel Collection.

Bovey Castle, a 64 bedroom country estate in the heart of Dartmoor, has recently joined the awardwinning hotel group. The hotel boasts an 18-hole championship golf course, spa and luxury lodges in the grounds.

Seasonal winter weddings are becoming increasingly popular. Sparkling frost, powdery snow and crisp winter air create a magical setting for your wedding, not to mention a beautiful backdrop for memorable photography. Your guests will be welcomed in from the frosty air with roaring fires, slow burning candles and a glass of something deliciously alcoholic with a hint of festive spices to take the chill off.

Sunday Night Offers Golf Bed & Breakfast Two rounds of golf £109.00 per person, based on two sharing

Your day and menus can be customised to the season. A warming Winter Pimm’s to greet your guests after the ceremony, a selection of seasonal canapés or perhaps a spiced scone or two with brandy cream and plum jam.

Spa Bed & Breakfast Includes an express treatment; choose from a ‘Pure Refresh’ facial, a balancing back treatment or a cooling scalp treatment. £119.00 per person, based on two sharing

Eden Hotel Collection Spas Eden’s spas are a heavenly blend of decadent products,tranquil treatment rooms and soothing hydrotherapy pools.

Call Bovey Castle to book on 01647 445 000 and quote ‘Inspirational Magazine’.

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Bovey Castle, The Greenway and The Mount Somerset hotels offer luxury breaks, day spa getaways and a range of innovative treatments using high quality products.

Hall Hotel Worcestershire

New, seasonal treatments are often introduced to keep the choices fresh and exciting. This November, The Mount Somerset are offering a ‘Hot Toddy Whiskey Wrap’ and in December the deliciously festive ‘Mulled Wine Mud Blanket’, a limited edition Christmas scrub infused with the heady aromatics of mulled wine and spices, creating a luxurious and intense body treatment.

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They’ve got it all, from state of the art fitness suites to Champagne nail bars, retail boutiques to al fresco hot tubs. The spas are an oasis of relaxation and luxury; places to sooth the soul, indulge the senses and revitalise the body.

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www.edenhotelcollection.com Gift vouchers available to buy online!

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BEAUTY, HEALTH & LIFESTYLE

GEORGIAN WEDDING IDYLL IN WARWICKSHIRE In the heart of England, set amid the picturesque village of Meriden, the 4 star Best Western Plus Manor Hotel embodies the charm and elegance of the Georgian period. Dating back to 1745 the manor house brings to the fore all the romance of a wedding with its sparkling chandeliers, manicured lawns and its sweeping spiral staircase. As home to one of the area’s most famous inhabitants, Lady Godiva, the village, originally known as ‘Alspath’, has an even deeper historical pedigree. Back in the 11th century, Lady Godiva wanted her husband, Leofric, an Anglo-Saxon nobleman, to lower the taxes on his tenants. He challenged her to ride naked through the streets of Coventry to win his acquiescence and subsequently a legend was born. Fully licenced to carry out civil services and with years of successful experience, the privately owned Manor Hotel is perfectly appointed for the most important day of your life. With four elegant ceremony and reception rooms, wedding breakfasts for up to 200 people are catered for with ease. The venue comfortably accommodates 275 for evening receptions, and boasting 112 stylish bedrooms many of your guests will benefit from special overnight accommodation rates.

With all weddings, the devil is in the detail. From the planning stages onward, a dedicated Wedding Executive is there to help and advise you on your myriad of options. They can roll out a red carpet on your arrival or have it placed smartly along the ceremonial aisle, and should you wish them to, the Event Manager will even act as ‘master of ceremonies’ over the course of your day. It really is down to you. The experienced staff are committed to wish fulfilment. As bride and groom you are invited to a menu tasting so you can choose from the 2 AA Rosette winning food and drink, and the special treatment does not end there.. In the 12 weeks leading up to the big day, you can also enjoy complimentary leisure membership at the sister hotel, Best Western Plus Windmill Village Hotel.

The Manor Hotel prides itself on the personal nature of its wedding service and their flexibility and attention to detail make them the perfect venue for the perfect day. For more information on inclusive wedding packages at Best Western Plus Manor Hotel Meriden visit www.manorhotelmeriden.co.uk Best Western Plus Manor Hotel Main Road, Meriden, Solihull, West Midlands, CV7 7NH Tel: 01676 522735 Fax: 01676 522186 www.manorhotelmeriden.co.uk

Every wedding package includes an executive bedroom for the bride and groom, complete with a full English breakfast and complimentary Champagne and chocolates in the suite. As a special touch, on your first anniversary you can revisit the Manor, dine as a couple, take a room for the night and enjoy a leisurely full English breakfast, all at the hotel’s expense.

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‘Pop the Question’ 0% interest free credit available 0% APR REPRESENTATIVE EXAMPLE Purchase price: £5,495 | 25% Deposit: £1,373.75 | Amount of credit: £4,125.25 36 monthly payments: £114.47 | Total repayable: £4,125.25 Duration of agreement: 36 months | 0% APR representative

H Johnson & Son • 50-51 Queens Road • Nuneaton • Warwickshire • CV11 5JX

Tel: 02476 347 038 • johnsonsjewellers.co.uk * Johnsons Jewellers act as a credit intermediary and offers credit products for Pay 4 Later via Secure Trust Bank plc on a non-exclusive basis. Credit provided subject to age and status

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27/10/2014 18:19

Saint Laurent Paris

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As Good as Gold Outshine the competition with fashion’s most striking palette. Giorgio Armani, Prada, Giles, Balmain, Marc Jacobs showcased shimmering lurex jackets, neoprene dresses and statement accessories for A/W14. We asked HARVEY NICHOLS BIRMINGHAM to reveal its metallic must-haves. All products featured are available from Harvey Nichols, The Mailbox, Birmingham, either in store or via the new Click & Collect service. If you need expert help with your wardrobe, visit the Harvey Nichols Personal Shopping team. For appointments call on 0121 616 6008.

Michael Kors

NARS

£229

£18.50

Watch

Eye paint in gold

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Armand de Brignac

Tom Ford

Deborah Lippmann

£285

£100

£18

Fallon

Giuseppe Zanotti

Michael Kors

£95

£565

£170

Marc by Marc Jacobs

Philip Armstrong

Marc by Marc Jacobs

£85

£795

£30

Ace of Spades Champagne

Earrings

Charm Bracelet

Sahara Noir EDP (50ml)

Metallic zip pump

Flared Neoprene Dress

Nail lacquer - Boom Boom Pow

Gold leather hi-top trainers

iPhone 5 case

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Alice + Olivia

Supertrash

Dom Goor

Black leather trousers

Poncho

£770

£270

£325

£460

Supertrash

Gucci

Jimmy Choo

Michael Kors

£250

£295

£595

£250

Michael Kors

Mulberry

Pinko

Chloe

£330

£1100

£235

£215

Gilet

Wool blend coat

Gilet

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Nappa and cashmere gloves

Del Rey bag

Biker boots

Wool blend poncho

Giuseppe Zanotti Hi-top trainers

Checked poncho

Tweed mini skirt

All items featured are available from Harvey Nichols Birmingham. 27/10/2014 15:35

Karl Donoghue

Chunky knit cardigan

Bamboo zip shopper

Gucci

Alice + Olivia

Isabel Marant

£895

£1230

£510

£430

Wool blend cardigan

Gaucho boots

Cosy up in style with winter’s chicest warmers. Oversized knits are the AW14 hero pieces, with chunky jumpers, ponchos and long-line gilets a catwalk favourite at Marc Jacobs, Helmut Lang, Stella McCartney, Phillip Lim and Michael Kors. Layer up with heritage tweed and soft leather separates in black, tan and camel to add a touch of luxury to this most laid-back of trends. LISA PIDDINGTON, FROM HARVEY NICHOLS BIRMINGHAM selects her new season edit.

All products featured are available from Harvey Nichols, The Mailbox, Birmingham, either in store or via the new Click & Collect service. If you need expert help with your wardrobe, visit the Harvey Nichols Personal Shopping team. For appointments call on 0121 616 6008. 33

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Mailbox Opening AW.indd 1

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Stark contrast This season it’s all about minimalism for maximum effect, so take your inspiration from leading menswear designers KTZ, Christopher Kane, Alexander McQueen and Tom Ford and prove everything looks better in black and white. Showcase your style with monochrome colour blocking and add an edge with statement prints from HARVEY NICHOLS BIRMINGHAM.

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Harvey Nichols

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Python effect Hi-top trainers

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Late bottle vintage port

Accessories leather wallet

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Giuseppe Zanotti

Marc Jacobs

Hi-top trainers

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27/10/2014 20:07

Elegance is an attitude

lers Since 18

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Clements & Church AW.indd 39

@LSpaTailors www.clementsandchurch.co.uk

23 Park St • Royal Leamington Spa • Warwickshire • CV32 4QN

27/10/2014 15:46

BEAUTY, HEALTH & LIFESTYLE

THE MAILBOX BIRMINGHAM FROM GOURMET BURGERS TO CLASSIC BRASSERIE DISHES WITH A MODERN TWIST, THE MAILBOX HAS A DINING EXPERIENCE TO SUIT EVERY GUEST THIS SEASON.

Throughout its exciting transformation, bars and restaurants at The Mailbox remain open and offer an irresistible selection of globally-inspired cuisines. Guests can choose from authentic, traditional dishes to the latest in fusion cooking. Parisian-inspired dining at Côte offers guests classic brasserie dishes with a modern-twist. Taking inspiration from the famous bistros of Paris in both their food and interior design, it’s perfect for a breakfast business meeting or mid-afternoon break from shopping. To ensure only the highest quality and seasonal ingredients are used, Côte has a fortnightly changing specials menu in addition to its classic a-la-carte menu. There is always something new to delight regular guests and gastronomes alike.

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The all-American beef burger is a culinary classic, so it’s no surprise that gourmet versions have become one of the biggest food trends to take-off in the UK this year. Offering the best-quality and freshest ingredients, Gourmet Burger Kitchen at The Mailbox is a burger bar with a difference. Taking pride in serving up a variety of handcrafted burgers, GBK combine 100% prime beef with fresh ingredients and burger sauces made from scratch, every day. With highly rated reviews, the Taxi Driver burger is a firm favourite and a must-try if you are looking for big eats and a twist on a classic favourite. Set along the canal with stunning views, The Oriental restaurant offers guests a variety of Pan-Asian cuisines, with over 100 different Chinese, Thai and Malaysian dishes on the menu. If that wasn’t tempting enough, its cocktails are considered to be amongst the best in Birmingham. With classics such as Martinis and Mojitos, champagne favourites and pan-Asian specials, The Oriental prides itself on using premium, freshly prepared ingredients in each and every drink. Every Thursday all classic cocktails are reduced to £4.95 each. Offering a hub of enticing and irresistible places to eat and drink, The Mailbox is Birmingham’s most stylish destination to visit.

www.mailboxlife.com 41

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La Tour editorial (ART).pdf

25/09/2014

14:11

Finally, Birmingham has a very smart hotel. C

Fabulous tech savvy rooms, great dining and the best meeting spaces in town.

HOTEL

Birmingham

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The hotel was designed with the guest in mind. We asked. They told us. We listened. Listening to your guests is a very smart thing to do. Jane Riley General Manager

If you’re a road warrior, conference delegate or city breaker there is a space that combines modern chic design with very clever thought. It’s Hotel La Tour, Birmingham. Bundle all the things you need as a business traveller into one beautiful, easy to find, easy to unwind space. La Tour comprises four customer focused spaces. Fabulous bedrooms, Grill La Tour, The Auden Rooms, and Bar La Tour. All created with the guest in mind.

For the meeting goer… The Auden Rooms feature a stylish business Lounge where delegates are met by event hosts. Tasty refreshments are served throughout the day and event organisers can choose from buffet style dining or lunch in Grill La Tour. All meeting rooms are beautifully appointed with ample daylight and a similarly generous amount of tech. Video conferencing, very fast wifi, HDTV screens, high-spec acoustic treatment and touchscreen control for every aspect of your meeting, are all at your fingertips. La Tour listened. You told us and La Tour created possibly the finest meeting spaces in the city.

For the city breaker… La Tour do fabulous rooms. Comfy beds, big screen TVs, beautifully appointed bathrooms and tech; the stuff that most hotels will be years away from having, you can have the next time you stay at La Tour. Think contactless entry, touchpad temperature and lighting and the all important media hub. Stream your movies and music direct to your TV, all from the comfort of your bed. You told us and La Tour created possibly the best rooms for the tech savvy traveller in Birmingham city centre.

For the hell of it… Finally there’s Bar La Tour – a cocktail lounge with outside terrace that’s a hotspot for great wine, live entertainment and the finest afternoon tea for miles around. Finally the city has a very smart hotel. Whether dining, staying or meeting La Tour is the smart choice for your Birmingham exploits.

For the diner… A life on the road can be tortuous. “Grabbing a snack” is no way to live or dine, you need great satisfying dishes, sourced locally and totally deserved. Welcome to Grill La Tour. An elegant hideout for amazingly succulent steaks, tempting meat and fish dishes and a fantastic glass of wine. Just what the doctor ordered and beautifully delivered in Grill La Tour every breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner. La Tour also features a private dining room and a chef’s table for more celebrations or board room soirées.

Discover more www.hotel-latour.co.uk 0121 718 8000 Albert Street, Birmingham B5 5JT

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T R E AT YO U R S E L F, E N T E RTA I N C L I E N T S O R C E L E B R AT E A S P E C I A L O CC A S I O N W I T H S O M E O N E S P E C I A L .

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27/10/2014 16:11

BEAUTY, HEALTH & LIFESTYLE

Founded by husband and wife team, Dr Fash and Naz Shoja-Assadi, the Highfield Dental Clinic breaks new ground in the West Midlands. Using a blend of cutting edge technology, clinical expertise, and a uniquely broad array of services, the clinic has established a reputation for both the high quality of its treatments and their calm, personalised delivery. Situated in a wonderfully maintained Georgian townhouse in Edgbaston and featuring some exquisite period furnishings, one could easily forget this is a high-end 21st century clinical facility. The refined décor plays a vital role in overturning common misconceptions about the world of dentistry, with clients finding warmth and tranquility where they might once have expected a cold intensity. Achieving this feel was always a key component of the Highfield Dental Clinic vision. Regardless of the treatment required, the clinic’s highly qualified staff understand that some patients may experience some dental anxiety and work hard to ensure everyone receives the same level of professional and compassionate, personal attention. Individual treatment plans are tailored to the specific needs of every patient, whether they are in need of a simple restoration, a slight enchancment of their smile or something altogether more profound. The Drs Naz and Fash Shoja-Assadi are keen to embrace the latest dental technologies so as to make certain of the best possible clinical outcomes, and in recent years many newly available techniques have led to radical improvements to their patients’ treatments.

Among these advances at Highfield Dental Clinic is the CEREC method, now the gold standard of tooth restoration. An advanced CAD technology literally designs and mills your new crown to precision while you wait, cutting out the laboratory step and eliminating the need for temporary stage. Many of the clinic’s patients now take advantage of a same-day dental implant service rather than attending numerous appointments and enduring weeks of disruption and discomfort while their implant is fabricated.

ORTHODONTICS - TOOTH STRAIGHTENING Orthodontic treatments have also undergone something of a revolution of late and have enjoyed a remarkable surge in popularity. Dr Naz Shoja-Assadi serves as Highfield Dental Clinic’s specialist orthodontist and can offer patients all the latest specialist therapies in order to harmonise their teeth and jaws, banish asymmetry and minimise the possibility of bite related headaches. These include Radiance fixed braces made from clear, polished sapphire or as an alternative, Invisalign, the new invisible braces that can be used when discretion is the watchword.

Naz and Fash Shoja-Assadi

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Set up to excel across a broad spectrum of specialisations, the clinic has a number of facilities dedicated to educational purposes and other areas of medicine. The Drs Assadi realise they have a responsibility to give something back to their profession, and as such they have designed a bespoke lecture room with a full multimedia provision, allowing students to learn their craft and fellow clinicians to pursue their ongoing professional development. The teaching facilities for hire also include a seminar room and a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;phantom headâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; room in which that all important, hands-on experience can be gained. The clinic offers a suite of private consultation rooms, all perfectly appointed for use in dermatology, physiotherapy and rheumatology for example, and there is a specialist treatment area for the performance of minor surgeries. Elegant boardroom facilities are also available for private meetings. As a flexible venue offering a wide variety of medical, aesthetic and educational services, the Highfield Dental Clinic is far more than the sum of its parts. As a rated dental practice looking to the future to find the solutions you require, it is second to none in the West Midlands.

Highfield Dental Clinic 2 Highfield Road, Edgbaston Birmingham B15 3ED 0121 455 6974

www.highfielddental.co.uk

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BEAUTY, HEALTH & LIFESTYLE

Charnley’s Opticians opened in 1921 on the Parade in Leamington Spa, and is one of the oldest opticians in the Midlands.

Over the last 25 years owners Rod Jenkins and Bernard Reilly have built Charnley’s into one of the major brand stockists in the area, with names such as Cartier, Chanel, Dior, Tiffany, Tag Heuer and Porsche. As an independent opticians, Charnley’s can offer and supply lenses from all of the major lens companies from Essilor and Hoya to Seiko and Zeiss and can source lenses for difficult prescriptions that are not normally available. Children are especially catered for with a large frame choice including the new range from Ray Ban. Specialist paediatric dispensing is also available for children and babies. Spectacles for sports such as golf, cycling and skiing are becoming an increasingly important part of any optical practice and Charnley’s specialist Pete Downing can advise on their range of dedicated sports spex which include brands such as Oakley and Adidas. Eye examinations are carried out by experienced qualified opticians who have access to equipment such as an OCT scanner which gives 3 dimensional images of the back of the eye. Charnley’s stock a comprehensive range of sunspecs from Ray Ban, Chanel, Oakley, Persol, Tiffany, Cartier many of which can be converted to take a prescription. Whether you require a sight test, have a prescription to fill or just fancy a new look, Charnley’s Opticians is the place to go.

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H Johnson & Son • 50-51 Queens Road • Nuneaton • Warwickshire • CV11 5JX

Tel: 02476 347 038 • johnsonsjewellers.co.uk

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Find your Sanctuary at The Belfry Spa

An inviting haven of tranquillity, luxury and calm. Indulgent massages, soft robes, luxurious facials, all waiting just for you. Sensational Spa Days, Breaks and Spa Wedding packages promise to transport you to somewhere truly special. Your journey to total relaxation begins and ends here.

To book call our Spa Team today 0844 980 0600 Lichfield Road, Wishaw, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands B76 9PR | www.TheBelfry.com

FROM BIRTH SHERRIE HEWSON HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN THE SHOW BUSINESS AND ENTERTAINMENT WORLD. DAUGHTER TO A SINGING FATHER AND AN ESTABLISHED MODEL AND BALLROOM DANCING MOTHER, SHERRIE WAS DESTINED FOR STARDOM

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Singing and dancing on stage from the early age of four, Sherrie won her first award, The Lawrence Olivier Shield, aged fifteen. She performed across the UK before she opted to pursue a career in acting and by the age of eighteen, Sherrie had won a scholarship at the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. Leaving Nottingham for the bright lights of London, Sherrie excelled at the academy, winning seven major awards including Best Comedy Actress and Best Actress before graduating three years later.

Sherrie’s television career kicked off with appearances in ‘Z Cars’, before moving to join the ‘Carry On’ team in 1975. Sherrie would become a regular on the show and cast on several of the ‘Carry On Laughing’ television shows. Playing a role in her first film ’The Slipper and the Rose’, with Richard Chamberlain, Sherrie would go on to act with Harrison Ford in ‘Hanover Street’. Specialising in television dramas, Sherrie soon began to become a household name with performances in programmes such as ‘Love for Lydia’, alongside Jeremy Irons. Appearances like these would secure Sherrie’s climb up the ladder to stardom whilst establishing herself as one of the UK’s leading actresses. During the 1980s Sherrie appeared in a number of TV shows including ‘Minder’ and ‘Juliet Bravo’. Underlining her versatility by moving back into comedy once again, Sherrie also took on roles in sitcoms ‘Never the Twain’, and ‘Home to Roost’, before starring famously alongside Thora Hird in ‘In Loving Memory’. Enjoying success from the outset, Sherrie appeared in many dramas and comedies, taking her career from strength to strength before heading to the famous cobbles of ‘Coronation Street’. Cast as the dizzy, accident-prone supermarket assistant Maureen Naylor in 1993, Sherrie’s character would go on to make 400 appearances and cover story lines ranging from illness, injury, marriage, divorce and betrayal. Sherrie joined ITV lunchtime chat show ‘Loose Women’ in 2003, a role she still holds and has become the longest serving panellist in the show’s history. Sherrie’s time on Loose Women allows her to be at the forefront of current popular culture and has further established her as a leading British TV personality and household name. Following on from her success on ‘Loose Women’, in late 2011, Sherrie was invited to play manager of the Solana Hotel, Joyce Temple-Savage on the ITV hit show ‘Benidorm’. Appearing in ‘Benidorm’ since its fifth series, Hewson has once again proven her acting credentials and popularity with a diverse array of audiences.

Champions (UK) plc have been working with Sherrie since the summer of 2014. A mutually beneficial relationship, Champions (UK) plc have secured Sherrie a number of brand endorsements as well as a whole host of personal appearances to heighten her public profile and inject star quality to any function she attends. Sherrie has been busy of late in her ambassadorial role for Shearings Holidays and, as we progress through autumn towards Christmas, there will be no let-up in the pace for the TV star. She recently cruised the Rhine, entertaining passengers and shipmates alike on board the MPS Rotterdam, Shearings’ flagship vessel. Upon her return she set about a schedule of dry land activities for the holiday firm. Guests at Shearings’ popular hotels enjoyed ‘An Audience with Sherrie Hewson’ as she told hilarious anecdotes from her long showbiz career. Sherrie also partnered TENA Lady during their ‘confidence campaign’, a series of events and initiatives aimed at celebrating women and encouraging them to live with greater self-assurance. She took part in a number of events, lending her open warmth and sense of humour to TENA’s campaign. She chaired a panel at Woman & Home Magazine’s London offices and talked about how women can gain extra confidence. Sherrie’s extraordinary career and remarkable life story lend themselves well to after dinner speaking, allowing guests to gain an insight into show business and the intricacies of a life in the spotlight. An engaging and captivating personality, Sherrie has entertained at numerous corporate and social events across the nation.

For more information on Sherrie Hewson and how she can assist in the promotion of your company or product, or attend and entertain at an upcoming event, call Victoria Marconetto of Champions (UK) plc on 07791 50 82 35 or email vmarconetto@championsukplc.com 53

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18ct White Gold matching bracelet and ring sets to view in store

H Johnson & Son • 50-51 Queens Road • Nuneaton • Warwickshire • CV11 5JX

Tel: 02476 347 038 • johnsonsjewellers.co.uk

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02/10/2014 17:05

BEAUTY, HEALTH & LIFESTYLE

Dame

Kiri Te Kanawa Dame Kiri Te Kanawa Takes Centre Stage At Gallipoli Centenary Celebrations Champions (UK) plc are delighted to have secured, on behalf of Saga Cruises, the booking of Dame Kiri Te Kanawa ONZ DBE AC for next year’s celebrations marking one hundred years since the Gallipoli Campaign in World War One. Dame Kiri is recognised as one of the world’s leading sopranos and has performed alongside the world’s finest orchestras in almost every major concert hall on the planet over the course of her long career. As a soloist at the wedding of HRH Prince Charles to Princess Diana in St Paul’s Cathedral, London, she faced one of the largest live audiences, estimated to be over 600 million people. In 2002 she was invited to sing at Buckingham Palace, in celebration of the Queen’s Jubilee and in March 2006 Dame Kiri sang at the Opening Ceremony of the 18th Commonwealth Games in Melbourne. Born into the Maori aristocracy in New Zealand, Dame Kiri has a close personal connection to the campaign during which thousands of ANZAC troops were killed and injured. She will perform for guests on board the beautiful Saga Cruise ship, MV Sapphire, on April 23rd 2015, and during her four night stay will also attend the ‘Gallipoli Remembered’ service at ANZAC Cove.

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For 2015 Saga Cruises is offering an incredible month-long voyage across the stunning Mediterranean. Packed with fabulous cities, sunshine islands and ancient sites, this showstopping cruise even includes an exclusive concert from legendary soprano Dame Kiri Te Kanawa.

is always friendly and relaxed – there are no kids’ areas or games rooms, just plenty of entertainment and activities tailored for you. This includes as a world-class library, indoor and outdoor pools, a stunning spa, modern gym, a show lounge, cinema and beautifully-appointed public rooms.

Step aboard the sparkling ship Saga Sapphire as she voyages through the Mediterranean, spending a whole month in the sun. From the coasts of Spain to the fabled site of Ancient Troy, there’s plenty to see, experience and enjoy. Two full days in exotic Istanbul means you can discover the Old City’s stunning mosques and the famed Grand Bazaar. While sailing around the Med, you can also look forward to relaxing in the bustling tavernas, cafes and shops dotted throughout the Greek islands, plus time ashore in both Malta and Gibraltar.

Another thing that makes Saga stand out is just how much more they include in the price. You won’t have to worry about getting yourself to Southampton and back, as Saga include a chauffeur to the port – up to 250 miles each way. Your chauffeur will even carry the bags, talk about hassle free! The great value continues on board too, with all your meals, snacks, afternoon teas and 24-hour room service included, even dining in the speciality restaurants is at no extra charge. All ‘tips’ are also included, so you’ll never have to worry about who or how much to tip on board, while other additions include free Wi-Fi internet. All in all, it’s really no surprise they’ve just scooped Best Value For Money Cruise Line at the Cruise International Awards 2014.

In addition to a packed programme of entertainment and activities, celebrated soprano Dame Kiri Te Kanawa will treat guests to a memorable concert aboard this cruise. Acclaimed by critics for the beauty and warmth of her voice, she will join passengers on board as they mark the 100 years since the Gallipoli Campaign near Anzac Cove in Turkey, something very close to the New Zealander’s heart. Famously hard-working and disciplined, Dame Kiri is one of the world’s great soprano voices and this is a rare opportunity to hear her perform. As a small ship, Saga Sapphire offers a completely different cruise experience to many other cruise lines. Completely refurbished in 2012, she has all the luxuries you’d expect on a ‘classic’ cruise, but with a modern twist. Fewer people on board means you’ll always be treated as a welcome guest, not ‘just another face’ in a crowd of thousands. And as Saga is exclusively for those aged 50 and over, the atmosphere

One of the best parts of dining on board is choice – your choice – which is why you’ll find a selection of restaurants on board. So whether you choose to eat in the main restaurant each evening, or enjoy the less-formal approach in the alternative venues, you can look forward to a deliciously different dining experience to suit your every mood. Saga Sapphire’s talented team of chefs will also offer a taste of the places you’re visiting with specially-designed menus. This could include Greek salads, freshly-caught fish barbecued out on deck, or tantalising Turkish meze. With so many ports of call, activities and days of relaxation to savour, this Mediterranean escape is surely one of the best ways to relax and really get away from it all next year.

WELCOME ABOARD SAGA CRUISES -

To book call: 0800 051 3355 or visit: www.saga.co.uk/galicia 57

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BEAUTY, HEALTH & LIFESTYLE

Kellie Maloney is available for personal appearances, after dinner speaking engagements and brand endorsements. It is an honour for Champions (UK) plc to represent and support her as she continues her journey of self-realisation. To find out more about how Kellie can benefit your business contact Victoria Marconetto on 07791 508 235 or 08453 30 31 30. Alternatively, email vmarconetto@championsukplc.com

After a year of tremendous flux and emotional strain Kellie Maloney has her eyes firmly fixed on the future... To say that 2014 has been an eventful year for Kellie Maloney would be an understatement. Back in January she was not only already embarked on a private journey of transition and self-discovery but also trying to hold her family together. By the spring her most personal struggles faced being thrown open to the public and it was only thanks to careful media management that her privacy was protected until she and her family were ready to tell her tale in August. Yet despite this year having not quite turned out how she originally thought, as Kellie exclusively told Inspirational Magazine, her future looks all the brighter for a whirlwind 2014. Until news of her gender reassignment broke in August, Kellie was best known as the former boxing promoter and manager, Frank Maloney, who guided Lennox Lewis to the undisputed World Heavyweight title and Paul Ingle and Scott Harrison to become World Champions. Frank was a

driven character, brash and somewhat flamboyant with a penchant for Union Jack suits and a controversial comment or three. He inhabited a competitive and sometimes theatrical environment where no quarter could be given and no weakness shown. Speaking to Kellie, it is clear that, although she has left Frank behind, she has learnt a great deal from him. She told us, “Frank was like Marmite - you either loved him or hated him. He could be very outspoken and judgmental on occasion but he was always confident – he had to be in that world. He wasn’t afraid to speak up and I need to keep that if I’m to continue raising public awareness of transgender issues. Besides, out shopping for clothes with my daughters lately, it’s helped me get the best bargains!” “What I’m trying to do, though, is hang on to his better points and jettison his worst

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qualities. It’s funny - I don’t like talking about myself in the third person and I need to take responsibility for what has happened in the past. I’m ashamed of some of the statements I made and I know I used to judge people. Often the things I said were outrageous but they were in the context of boxing and intended to keep the spotlight on my latest promotion. With hindsight I do think as well that, at least in part, some of my comments came out of a wish to defend the identity I’d built for myself. Maybe to deflect a little but I wasn’t bothered if I hurt people in the process, unfortunately. Things are very different now. The last thing I want to do these days is hurt anyone and I’ve learned how to be tolerant because I appreciate my own need to be accepted.” Talk turned to transgender issues when Kellie mentioned she was meeting her support group, TG Pals, that evening. She has found great solace in TG Pals since deciding to live as a woman and has been overwhelmed by the positive response she has received since August from the Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community, so much so that she wants to offer all the help she can. “I don’t want to be known as a reality TV star,” she said, “I want to be respected as a human being who has done

“The last thing I want to do these days is hurt anyone and I’ve learned how to be tolerant because I appreciate my own need to be accepted.” some good. I didn’t plan for all this to come out as soon as or in the way that it did, but I’m quite spiritual and believe things happen for a reason. It’s a trade-off – I no longer have a private life due to what’s happened but I can use my new profile to be of help to others. I want to stay as active as I can in raising transgender awareness. I’ve started speaking at a few functions recently, at LGBT youth events and at schools and I’ve needed a bit of Frank’s front for that. The first time I did it my knees were knocking a bit but when I got into it I really, really enjoyed it.” “I’m gaining inspiration from young people all the time now. I’ve had young people with gender issues telling me “Kellie, we now no longer feel the need to hide. You’ve opened the door for us” and when that happens I realise there is a lot of good that I can do. It’s a great feeling and I know what these people have gone through. If I can lessen their burden in any way, then that’s marvellous.”

Kellie was equally fatalistic about how 2014 has affected her family life. Sensitive subjects can easily divide even the closest families and Kellie’s younger daughters, 18 year old Sophie and Libby who is just 13, had difficulties when their father first told them ‘his’ secret, yet things are really looking up. “As I said, I didn’t plan this but in many ways I couldn’t have planned it better myself. The positivity I’ve had from the public has really helped my family come to terms with what’s happening. It’s brought my family back together again and I couldn’t be happier about it. We always were a close and supportive unit and, although I put that in jeopardy for a while, we’re back to that.” “My eldest daughter, Emma, has been fantastic throughout and has been a particular help to her sisters over the last year or so. I went shopping with all three of my daughters at the weekend and they’re giving me fashion tips and make-ups hints and I’m doing all I can to help them through with advice on this and that – I’ve seen all manner of things, after all.”

“Kellie, we now no longer feel the need to hide. You’ve opened the door for us” “Of course, there is still bigotry and ignorance. Amid all the positive feedback since my story came out, I’ve faced the odd keyboard warrior, terribly brave from behind their computers. The other day I was abused in the street by a drunk telling me I must be mad and questioning my credentials as a true Millwall fan. At least this guy had the bottle to say it to my face but it doesn’t change the fact that it was him who lacked understanding and empathy.” “I just walked away from the situation and got on with what I was doing – putting a bit more time on my car at the ‘Pay & Display’, as it goes. My friend told me I’d handled it extremely well and it struck me then that, had that drunk hurled insults at Frank, the outcome would have been very much different – and not in a good way!” 2014 has indeed been a landmark year in Kellie’s life. She had known for a long time that certain adjustments needed to be made and had set about building a new life for herself and for her family. Change is in many ways inevitable and it is often forced upon us by circumstance. Kellie handled the challenges this year pushed upon her and embraced that change. She has now emerged with strong senses of both purpose and identity and we wish her well on her journey. 59

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Artist Captures the Hearts and Minds of People across the Globe...

Paul Cummins was, up until this summer, a relatively unknown ceramics artist. This was until the beginning of August, when his artwork became a prominent fixture on various news titles across the world. This is because Paul is the man who devised and created the renowned ‘Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red’ installation which resided at the Tower of London from August 5th up until Armistice Day, on the 11th November 2014. The installation has been widely recognised as a monument to the centenary anniversary of the First World War – one which Paul continues to state wouldn’t have been possible without the support, help and effort of people and businesses around the country! You might have heard Paul’s name being mentioned when people talked about visiting the poppies at the Tower, but he is the man who remained in the background of the whole project, preferring his ceramic designs, set on the gorgeous backdrop of the historic British Heritage site, to speak for themselves.

Paul’s huge art installation consisted of 888,246 ceramic poppies, one for each British and Colonial fatality during the Great War. The installation stretched around the dry moat of the Tower of London, rising and falling around the entrances and exits, creating a vibrant display for all who visited between August and November. Remarkably, each poppy was handmade either by Paul himself, his team stationed at his studio in the East Midlands, or in two of the other ceramic studios in the UK, which helped to produce the poppies. Following the unveiling of the installation at the Tower on the 5th August, volunteers from all over the UK, as well as all over the world, planted 50,000 poppies a day to ensure that all 888,246 were in place by the time the installation finished on Armistice Day.

Paul created this astonishing artistic display after looking through some old records in Chesterfield. Here he discovered the will of a Derbyshire man who joined up in the war and ultimately lost his life at Flanders. The soldier wrote these poignant words: ‘the blood swept lands and seas of red, where angels fear to tread’– reading this, Paul was touched and an idea began to form. Already known in artistic circles for his striking ceramic and wire mix installations displayed at prestigious venues such as the London Olympics, Chatsworth House and Blenheim Palace, to name a few – Paul Cummins Ceramics’ latest artistic achievement catapulted his work and his name into the public arena worldwide.

Thousands of people travelled to London to plant a poppy in commemoration, this included royalty such as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry, as well as a whole host of celebrities. Even HRH Queen Elizabeth II & the Duke of Edinburgh honoured the dead and experienced the humbling display, planting a wreath of ceramic poppies in October.

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I’M ASTOUNDED AT HOW PEOPLE REACTED TO THIS INSTALLATION – AND HOW IT HAS BECOME MORE OF A COMMUNITY PROJECT THAN ANYTHING ELSE...

Paul remains staggered by the response that this installation gained from the general public. The comments from people from across the world who travelled to plant a poppy, be a part of his vision and the memorial to those who gave their lives in The Great War continue to flood in.

proceeds were also split between the six charities. Paul works on more than just large-scale installations, known for his unique take of ceramic flower designs in vibrant glazes, combined with steel and wire, his ceramic flowers have been made to adorn the houses and offices of prestigious clients from all over the world.

Paul says, “I’m astounded at how people reacted to this installation – and how it has become more of a community project than anything else. People wanted to be a part of this – made sure they made their own mark, planted their own poppy – and that I inspired people in this way, that makes me feel truly proud.”

Flatware is another speciality of Paul Cummins Ceramics – made on an order by order basis, for both individuals and corporate clients they can create a unique bowl, plate, jug, vase or trencher as a gift or as a personal treasure.

In addition to Paul’s installation, each night at twilight at the Tower, the names of 180 serving military men were read out in a roll of honour to mark their sacrifice, by both Yeomen Warders from the Tower as well as famous faces including Dame Helen Mirren, War Horse Author, Michael Morpurgo and General the Lord Dannatt. The poppies in this installation were not created purely for display but were sold off during their stay at the Tower and were sent to their new homes after the 12th November. 10% of the sale price from the sale of the poppies was distributed to six service charities: Combat Stress, Coming Home, Help for Heroes, the Royal British Legion, SSAFA and the Confederation of Service Charties (Cobseo). After the costs for the production of the poppies had been recovered, the net

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For more information on Paul, please visit... paulcumminsceramics.com

As well as this, Paul can create commissioned installations for corporate clients, organisations or private parties, to mark a specific event or exhibition as well as for display in a specific location. If you’ve got a brilliant idea for a piece but don’t know how to make this happen, or want to surprise a loved one, get in touch – Paul can help create something aweinspiring. Paul’s ‘Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red’ installation was a truly inspiring work of art for an extremely good cause, one which has touched the hearts of individuals all over the world – and raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for charity. This poignant installation is one which Paul Cummins will be remembered for, for years to come!

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IT’S A MAN’S WORLD

WATCH YOUR STYLE It was 1926 when the idea was first born - the Roaring Twenties were in full swing and everyone wanted a taste of luxury. Visionary Rolex creator Hans Wilsdorf was struck with a concept: to create a watch brand that, as he put it, ‘could sell at a more modest price than our Rolex watches, and yet one that would attain the standards of dependability for which Rolex is famous.’ It wasn’t until after the Second World War that Wilsdorf’s notion could be fully realised. Supported by Rolex’s reputation for aesthetic beauty and technical excellence, Tudor watches quickly developed their own following, unique style and personality. In 1954 Tudor set out on a path to design timepieces that could be worn by divers and operate deep beneath the ocean. The Oyster Prince Submariner was the first in the series and offered technical sophistication at a moderate price. Over the next 45 years, the Submariner timepieces continually evolved to offer divers an increasingly advanced product. Today’s incarnation is the Heritage Black Bay which shares many of the features that made the original Submariner so popular but with contemporary design elements including an interchangeable wrist band and anodized aluminium crown tube. Tudor has left its mark on the history of chronographs with its unique style and uncompromising quality. 2014 has seen a new chapter written after another Tudor collection was launched and once again captured the imagination of millions of watch enthusiasts around the world. The new Tudor Heritage line revisits some of the most emblematic models in the brand’s history, reinterpreting some of the popular past models and transporting them into the modern age. Retaining the spirit and aesthetic elegance of the original timepieces, the latest range offers a brand new selection of iconic watches. The new Heritage Ranger is inspired by the adventurers of the 20th century whose pioneering spirit took them to the far corners of the world to explore territory never before seen by mankind. Once again, the historic Ranger model provided a starting point to create a new watch endowed with a timeless aesthetic power. The bund strap is cut from light brown leather, evoking the raw leather used by the explorers of the far North. The technical prowess and robustness reflects a timepiece ready to face some of the most extreme conditions in the world. Drawing inspiration from the classic timepieces of the 1950s to 1970s, the Tudor Style range strikes a perfect balance between elegance and comfort. Designed for both men and women, the new models feature an understated minute track, lacquered dial and five-link bracelet that guarantees maximum comfort. Family-owned Johnsons Jewellers has been in the heart of the West Midlands for over 115 years and has been an official Rolex stockist for over 40 years. The new Tudor collection launched in-store in 2014 has already proven to be hugely popular and cements Johnsons’ reputation for stocking the world’s very best watch brands. The new Tudor line retains Hans Wilsdorf’s original vision while capitalising on new styles and technology. Simply put, Tudor watches are once again developing a reputation that sets them apart from their parent company and sees them take their place amongst the world’s premier watch brands. Johnsons Jewellers would be delighted to welcome you in store to view the full collection.

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Johnsons Jewellers, 51 Queens Road, Nuneaton, CV11 5JX

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IT’S A MAN’S WORLD

WORLD CUP BACK CHAT NEIL BACK MBE TALKS EXCLUSIVELY TO INSPIRATIONAL MAGAZINE ABOUT THE 2015 RUGBY WORLD CUP FINALS IN ENGLAND, ENGLAND’S PROGRESS UNDER STUART LANCASTER AND WHAT IT TAKES TO WIN THE COVETED WEBB ELLIS CUP… As we head towards 2015 questions will begin to be asked about England’s Rugby World Cup credentials. The tournament kicks off at Twickenham on Friday 18th September with England coming up against Fiji, in an opener the 2003 World Champions will be expected to win with relative ease to reinforce belief and ignite the necessary ‘feel good’ winning momentum required. In a five-team group that also contains the current World No.3, Australia, and a Welsh side hot on the heels of England in the IRB Rankings, this is a tough pool. Inspirational Magazine spoke to one of England’s most pivotal players on that momentous night at the Telstra Stadium in Sydney back in 2003, former Leicester Tigers flanker and captain Neil Back MBE, to assess England’s chances. Neil was quick to point out the huge positives strides forward England have taken under Stuart Lancaster & Co but believes there is still work to be done before they convince him they are genuine title contenders. “It is clear that, although Lancaster’s men were pipped to the Six Nations title by the Irish, England are developing a more threatening attack philosophy and now have at their disposal a strong nucleus of players with huge belief and an enormous drive to improve” he said. “The world of rugby is in broad agreement - England are a team to be wary of at the World Cup. But to my mind they are ‘good’ and the challenge is to become ‘great’, so they have it all to prove. The best way to do that is to continue building momentum by delivering against the best teams on the planet.” “In June they had an almost immediate opportunity to measure their progress to date against the All Blacks, over a three Test series in New Zealand. With the first Test at Eden Park coming just a week after the Aviva Premiership Final, England were denied the services of the finalists from Northampton Saints and Saracens, players like Owen Farrell, Courtney Lawes, Luther Burrell and Tom Wood.” “That said, the boys who had the privilege of wearing the shirt produced their best rugby of the tour and proved that competition for places is strong. We went on to lose the tour 3-0 to an outstanding All Blacks side despite all three games being highly competitive, but it’s against the very best that you have to show your mettle - unfortunately we came up a little short this time.” Much has been made of whether home advantage will help the team in their bid for glory but Neil thinks the proof will be in the pudding. “This autumn we can test that theory. During November, we’re playing 4 games at Twickenham, 3 of them against currently the highest ranked teams in world rugby – New Zealand, South African and Australia. We need to lay down a few markers and begin to build the winning belief that is so important. In the autumn of 2002 we beat them all ‘back to back’, showing we were more than up to the challenge that faced us in 2003.” “The current squad aren’t quite where we were at an equivalent point in time, pre 2003. If they’re to fulfil their ambitions they will need to continue to improve on all aspects of their play. These autumn Tests are a great opportunity to do just that.”

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“We are comparatively strong in defence but the All Black winger, Savea, showed our vulnerabilities recently. We must develop a more autonomous understanding and improve our decision-making under pressure. At the highest level you all need to be on the same page. Communication becomes simple when players can predict how their mates will react - it becomes more visual rather than verbal.” “There is a lot of debate over certain positions. Where in the back row should the captain, Chris Robshaw, play, for example, or which two players should play at 9 and 10? The combination between the centres is another issue but ultimately, despite competition for places being healthy, I now feel the Coaching Team needs to settle on their side and allow understanding to flourish.” “Owen Farrell’s clearly a fantastic player, but there are question marks over his ability to unlock the very best defences. The number 9 and the number 10 are often too close to the ball to maybe see the bigger picture, whereas the guy at 12 has more time to assess space and call the play. The communication between 10 and 12 is paramount and with that in place you still need the number 10 to have the wit and the nous to drive home any advantage.” “In 2003 I remember Mike Catt coming on against Wales in the quarter-final and changing the game with his vision and tactical nous. His experience played its part in that game but that is something our centres lack at the minute. As a player you learn quickly in the heat of battle, but I have to ask myself whether the 12 games between now and the World Cup in 2015 will be enough for them to make the transition between ’good’ and ‘great’.” Neil knows all too well that one of the biggest keys to World Cup success lies in building winning momentum. To win it you need to string seven good performances together and that is precisely what England did in 2003. When Neil points out that New Zealand and South Africa are the only two teams to have won 7 on the bounce since then, it perhaps casts light on who he thinks the Webb Ellis Trophy will ultimately be going home with. “England can find that momentum if the coaching staff show faith in a settled side and allow them to develop that sixth sense, whereby exploiting opportunities becomes second nature. Those same solid relationships must be encouraged to evolve in defence too. For me it’s about player combinations getting as much game-time together as they can between now and then.” “Pre-tournament there are 12 games, 12 opportunities, and when the World Cup starts we must hit the ground running. The autumn will be tough but it’s the ideal time to start stringing results together against the best Southern Hemisphere teams and they can then build on their belief at the Six Nations. To my mind, winning the Grand Slam is non-negotiable. During August, we warm up for the tournament with two games against the French and one against the Irish. We need to put them to the sword too.” “Winning the World Cup is a big ask and requires a huge amount of sacrifice, believe me. England have a tough group with Wales and Australia and any slip-ups in the pool stage could be fatal to their hopes. Beyond the group stage we’ll most probably need to beat the Springboks and the All Blacks to take the title. This World Cup could come a touch early for this group of players but with the right plan and a settled team we could be celebrating an historic home victory. I really hope so!” Time will tell whether Neil’s hopes are realised and, indeed, whether Stuart Lancaster has similar ideas on how to approach the tournament. Two things, however, are in no doubt. The 2015 Rugby World Cup will be a thrilling global spectacle and Neil will roar on England with all the passion and intensity he showed in leading the charge to the title back in 2003. For more information on how you and your business can work with Neil Back MBE simply contact Amelia Neate at Champions (UK) plc today by calling 07875 93 90 71 or 08453 31 30 31. Alternatively, email aneate@championsukplc.com 65

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PEPPE IT’S A MAN’S WORLD

RECORDS

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PERILL After four days of outstanding entertainment that saw the course record broken and holes-in-one galore, young European Tour star Eddie Pepperell secured the 2014 Farmfoods British Par 3 Championship title after a tense play-off with TP Tour Qualifier Jak Hamblett. Both finished on scores of seven-under-par, before Pepperell chipped in on the third play-off hole to take home the cheque for £25,000 and cap off a superb performance. In a record-breaking year, spectators flocked to Nailcote Hall to watch golfing legends, top professionals and great celebrities compete at the country’s foremost Par 3 event. Leading this year’s all-star cast of golfing professionals and hosting the event for the sixth year running was the most successful Ryder Cup Captain of all-time, Tony Jacklin CBE. Jacklin is the face of the Championship, and has been instrumental in raising the profile of the event and helping it to expand each year. He welcomed back another former winning Ryder Cup Captain Ian Woosnam OBE, as well as former Open Champion Paul Lawrie OBE, who made his debut at the Championship. Organised by Champions (UK) plc, headline sponsors Farmfoods once again pledged a £100,000 prize fund to attract a field of elite players.

As the Sky Sports cameras captured the action as it unfolded, a host of celebrities dusted off their golf clubs for the first Celeb-Am on Tuesday including: the great cricketing all-rounder, Sir Garfield Sobers; former Olympic swimmer, Mark Foster; comedian Jasper Carrott OBE; Strictly Come Dancing Judge, Len Goodman; and Ashes-winning cricketer, Matthew Hoggard MBE. European Senior Tour star, Gary Wolstenholme MBE, emerged triumphant after the first day of action with an impressive round of fourunder-par. Inspired by the performance of Wolstenholme, Farmfoods 2 were the winning team on the day with a combined total of -14. After the day’s play concluded, Nailcote Hall hosted the first of three Gala Balls to raise money for Midlands charity Rainbows Hospice for Children and Young People, and Jacklin welcomed all guests to the Championship with his inaugural welcome address. The Professional Championship began on Wednesday 6th August and was a closely-fought contest between golfing icons and current professionals. As well as Jacklin, Woosnam and Lawrie, the field featured Tommy Horton MBE, Gary Wolstenholme MBE, DJ Russell, Peter Baker, Paul Broadhurst and Eddie Pepperell. After the first day’s

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IT’S A MAN’S WORLD

For further information about the Farmfoods British Par 3 Championship 2014, call Champions (UK) plc on 08453 313031 or email bp3@championsukplc.com www.britishpar3.com

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play, talented young golfer Jak Hamblett led by a single stroke with three past winners hot on his heels: Mark Mouland, Peter Baker and DJ Russell. Always one of the highlights of the week, the Players’ Ball took place on Wednesday evening and featured a Q&A session with Sir Garfield Sobers. The celebrated cricketer discussed his illustrious career which has seen him universally recognised as one of the greatest players of alltime for his skill and versatility. There was a delicious three-course meal and entertainment was provided by Tony Christie, who gave a rendition of his hit song ‘Is This the Way to Amarillo?’ Huge crowds gathered on Thursday for the conclusion of the Professional Championship and they were treated to an incredible golfing spectacle. With Hamblett leading at the start of play but yet to tee off, Gary Wolstenholme and Paul Lawrie stormed into a joint lead of -6. Lawrie’s incredible round of -8 was a course record of 46 at Nailcote Hall and it is easy to see why he has the nickname ‘Chippy’ for his immaculate short game. As the day wore on, a battle for first place ensued before Hamblett eventually tied the lead with Eddie Pepperell to force a play-off. Aspiring young talent Pepperell ultimately came through on top by chipping in on the third play-off hole. In his victory speech, he paid tribute to the sponsors, the quality of the event and his supporters. The day also saw an incredible four holes-in-one for Gary Wolstenholme, Tommy Horton, DJ Russell and Raymond Russell to take the total for the championship to six, after Tom Reid and Gary Emerson achieved the feat on Wednesday. The leading team was the pairing between David Nelson and former Masters Champion Ian Woosnam OBE. Carl Mason won the prize for the Super Seniors contest, winning

£5,000 for the second year running, and Luke Turbutt won the Norma C Herd Silver Salver for leading amateur. Friday was the final day of the Championship and the second CelebAm tournament. The celebrities teeing off included: Coronation Street star, William Roache MBE; Rugby World Cup winner, Neil Back MBE; most-capped England footballer, Peter Shilton OBE; BBC Presenter Dan Walker; and actor Jamie Foreman. This time, former Ryder Cup ViceCaptain Peter Baker was the winner, capping off an impressive four days on the Cromwell Course. There were a whole host of activities to sample away from the course in the exclusive tented village area. One of Leicester’s highest regarded beauty specialists, Femi Health & Beauty brought their incredible range of treatments so visitors could relax with a massage, pedicure or facial. Leading lifestyle store, Harvey Nichols, brought a range of luxury products for guests to browse at their leisure. Adding even more excitement, one of the fastest cars ever made, the Caparo T1, made a special appearance at the Championship. Other sponsors of the event included Champions (UK) plc, Britvic, Nicky, Mattioli Woods, PMGC, VPAR, Colorsport, Finest Catch, Hewkin Executive, the Barbados Tourism Authority and Paradise Promotions. Throughout the day, golfing professionals and guest speakers took to the stage for exclusive Q&A sessions, telling stories of their fascinating careers and commentating on the day’s action. The final Charity Gala Ball concluded proceedings in what was a truly first-class week of golfing action at Nailcote Hall. The Farmfoods British Par 3 Championship excelled itself once again and kept its place as one of the summer’s most enthralling outdoor events.

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IT’S A MAN’S WORLD

One Time Experience at

THE RENAISSANCE CLUB

The Renaissance Club, one of the world’s most exclusive golf clubs, is delighted to announce the opportunity for non-members to experience what the club has to offer the golfing world. This opportunity is called the “One Time Experience”. It is available for all those that love the game of golf. The experience is exactly as it sounds; an individual may visit The Renaissance Club once. It might be to just play the course, or it could be to stay in the fantastic bedrooms and play the great courses in East Lothian over a week. The Renaissance Club has been lauded by critics and golfing professionals as the ‘Best New Course in Great Britain and Ireland’ by Golf Monthly and as one of the most exquisite golfing venues in the world. The Club is also delighted to announce that it will host its first tournament when it welcomes the world’s leading boy golfers, for the Boys Amateur Championship in August 2016, co-hosting alongside its neighbouring Championship course, Muirfield. Emerging on the East Lothian landscape in 2008, with its breathtaking, windswept links and stunning landscape, The Renaissance Club was the vision of its dedicated and passionate founders, the Sarvadi family, and acclaimed course architect Tom Doak. The course is everything at The Renaissance Club. Designed by world renowned golf course architect

Tom Doak, The Renaissance Club is recognised as a modern masterpiece of golf course design that many aficionados and golf media insiders consider the future of links golf and a worthy descendant of its illustrious neighbours, Muirfield & North Berwick West Links. With a recently acquired triangular piece of Muirfield-owned land, which Doak fashioned into three new holes, and the club’s recently completed three-storey clubhouse with accommodation, the showpiece is finally complete, creating a tournament quality venue and world class golfing experience, which is attracting worldwide attention.

...breathtaking, windswept links and stunning landscape,.. Doak has harnessed the rugged elegance of East Lothian’s sweeping dunes and tall pines into a truly phenomenal golfing challenge, perfectly suited to hosting any professional tournament and providing a challenging test from start to finish. The exceptional facilities of the club include a magnificent practice area, children’s golfing camps, regular ladies’ mornings and one-on-one lesson options. Some of the world’s finest golfers including Adam Scott, Jimmy Walker and Vijay Singh have walked away

from the course mesmerised. The same dedication to quality and excellence is reflected in the facilities at the clubhouse which was completed in June 2013. Members’ lodging and dining options at the club are simply sublime. Magnificent cuisine is prepared by chefs trained in Michelin-starred restaurants, while the accommodation delivers everything a member could possibly require, whether they need to conduct business or unwind in the epitome of luxury and refinement. Complete with spa, gymnasium and treatment areas, perfectly appointed locker rooms, beautiful bar, a fabulous dining experience and 23 luxurious lodging rooms, members are presented with a golfing experience guaranteed to last a lifetime. Locals call the area “The Golf Coast” with three of the most historical courses in the world – Muirfield, Gullane and North Berwick – within a five mile stretch of land. The Renaissance Club has proved to be a fabulous addition to this coastline, the East Lothian golf community and Scotland as a whole and attracts incredibly positive reviews from everyone who has been lucky enough to play on it. The “One Time Experience” offers a rare opportunity for non-members to find out more about the world class facilities available at the club.

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For details about the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;One Time Experienceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; at The Renaissance Club, membership, or for further information, please contact the club on 01620 850901 or at membership@trcaa.com The Renaissance Club, Cowden Hill Drive, Dirleton EH39 5HS. | www.trcaa.com

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Corporate Golf Days Brian Barnes (below middle), 1995 & 1996 Senior British Open Champion, six times Ryder Cup star and Super Seniors Champion at the Farmfoods British Par 3 2012.

Nailcote Hall is the perfect venue for a corporate event. Our golf course offers exceptional golf, located in the heart of Warwickshire and surrounded by the region’s exceptional views. Our Cromwell Course really is one of the best Par 3 courses in the world, and we are proud to offer it to you and your corporate guests for a business experience. What better place to mix business with pleasure than a championship course described as “better than Augusta” by Brian Barnes.

BRITISH PAR 3 CHAMPIONSHIP Our bespoke packages offer a variety of choices, including 18 holes of golf on our championship course, food and drinks. For companies looking to create a special golfing day we can offer selected menus, professional organisation of your event and sporting guest speakers. Whatever you need to make your day work, our team are here to make it happen.

Tony Jacklin CBE, Paul Lawrie OBE, Charley Hull, Brian Barnes CBE, Len Goodman and Ian Woosnam OBE seen playing at the Farmfoods British Par 3 Championship held annually at Nailcote Hall.

For more information please call 02476 466 174 Nailcote Hall Nailcote Lane Berkswell Warwickshire CV7 7DE

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Facsimile: 02476 470 720 Email: info@nailcotehall.co.uk

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Character Charm s

ituated in the heart of the beguiling Warwickshire countryside, Nailcote Hall is one of Britainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most romantic, charming and elegant country house hotels. A haven of relaxation and style, the supremely comfortable, individually designed bedrooms of the hotel make it the perfect place to leave behind the stresses of everyday life and indulge in wonderful food, regular entertainment and the fully equipped leisure club, or play a round on arguably the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best Par 3 course, The Cromwell Course. With quintessentially luxurious hospitality and a warm welcome guaranteed, Nailcote Hall offers truly unforgettable breaks.

Nailcote Lane, Berkswell, Warwickshire, CV7 7DE Telephone: +44 (0) 2476 466174 info@nailcotehall.co.uk www.nailcotehall.co.uk

IT’S A MAN’S WORLD

Owner of Magnolia Park, Alan Pither and Tony Jacklin CBE

TRUE GIANT IN THE WORLD OF GOLF, Tony Jacklin CBE massively raised the profile of the sport in Britain during his stellar playing career and, having seen it all, he has plenty to say about the game. Inspirational Magazine took the opportunity to talk to Tony about his experiences as Europe’s most successful ever captain at the Ryder Cup and gauge his thoughts on the Par 3 format, which many see as a key component of golf’s future. The two-time Major winner also shed light on an exciting new ‘TONY JACKLIN SIGNATURE’ course he plans to build in Buckinghamshire. 74

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As a pioneering Brit in America in the late 1960s, Tony quickly noticed differences in the way the game was approached on opposite sides of the Atlantic. He began to apply some of the professional methods he saw in the States and soon embarked on the hottest streak of his career, winning the Open Championship in 1969 and the US Open the following year. Tony’s endeavours that year left a highly significant legacy, inspiring the most talented generation of European golfers ever that included the likes of Sir Nick Faldo, Bernhard Langer and, of course, Seve Ballesteros. What eventually followed was an epic Ryder Cup renaissance that he would lead in person. In 1983 Jacklin was asked to captain the European Ryder Cup team. The Americans had held the cup since 1957 and, despite the rest of Europe joining Great Britain and Ireland in 1979, there was still a distinct lack of competitiveness. Tony Jacklin insisted on radical reform and, by sticking to his guns, he dragged European golf into the modern era, establishing new methods and a more professional approach. Tony also recently revealed plans to develop Magnolia Park in Oxfordshire into another of his ‘Signature’ courses. Still subject to planning approval, Tony hopes work can begin early in 2015 and that he and his architect, Bruce Weller, can create an inclusive environment that encourages people of all abilities to play golf.

“We are trying to make golf as pleasurable an experience as possible and the design of the course will certainly allow that. We want to give people confidence on the course and by making the greens that bit larger, anyone of any age or experience will be able to land shots in regulation. The way to get more people to continue with the game, especially youngsters, is to make it fun and let them see what they can do rather than to frustrate them.” “That’s the main idea behind Magnolia Park, getting everyone to enjoy their golf. We want the game to have solid foundations for the future and we can do that by encouraging greater participation. Part of that is creating a course that players can admire while they go round, really impressive surroundings that catch a player’s eye. At the same time, we’ve put emphasis on sustainability too and we don’t want the course to be high maintenance.” “Ultimately, golf is about fun and enjoyment and, if we concentrate on that side of it, the game can only benefit in the long term.” Tony Jacklin remains as passionate as ever about a sport he has served so well for six decades. As arguably the most influential figure in European golfing history and as a studious observer of the evolutionary shifts in the game, he is one elder statesman with clear 20-20 vision for the future.

To find out more about

TONY JACKLIN CBE and MAGNOLIA PARK please visit TONYJACKLIN.COM or MAGNOLIAPARK.CO.UK Alternatively, please contact

FRANCESCA BONFIGLIO at Champions (UK) plc on 07766 938 414 or 08453 31 30 31. Alternatively email

FBONFIGLIO@CHAMPIONSUKPLC.COM

Alan Pither, Bruce Weller, Tony Jacklin and Lian Kaczykowski. 75

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Golf Membership

at the home of the Ryder Cup Our three courses offer something for players of every level. Play the infamous Brabazon, one of the world’s most revered golf courses and icon Ryder Cup course. Test your swing on the PGA National, England’s only PGA-branded course. Or, for a gentler challenge, take on The Derby – our small but perfectly formed parkland-style course.

For more information call our Golf Team today 0844 980 0600 Lichfield Road, Wishaw, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands B76 9PR | www.TheBelfry.com

IT’S A MAN’S WORLD

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BUSINESS AND FINANCE

KICK THAT COLD TO THE CURB; WARM UP THIS WINTER IN ASSOCIATION WITH

Heat Holders – Making Life Warmer

As we all know, being cold can be detrimental to your health and if you remain cold for long periods of time, you’re more likely to be struck down with illness. The flu, common cold, chilblains and even serious health conditions such as pneumonia, strokes, depression and heart attacks can all be, believe it or not, brought on by being too cold. As winter approaches and temperatures across the UK drop, it’s

When staying indoors, keep your house heated to 18 - 21 °C and,

imperative that you try to keep as warm as possible – whether in the house, or out and about. There are a number of ways to help prevent that seasonal cold, or other more debilitating winter illnesses, and keep you and your family cosy throughout the winter.

if needs be, wear layers to make you extra cosy and comfy. This trick is especially useful for the older generation, so make sure your grandparents are kept lovely and warm during the winter months. A blanket or a throw over shoulders or knees can also fight off the chill, as well as keep you comfortable when you’re sat still watching the TV or curled up with a good book.

Your first port of call to staying warm lies with layering and retaining the heat in your extremities. It sounds very simple, but many people forget to pop on an extra layer of thermals under their t-shirt when the cold sets in. If you add on a warm, thick jumper and a lined coat this will help to not only increase body heat, but trap that warmer air closer to your skin – the key to keeping warm. Body heat is known to be released through your head, so adding a hat goes a long way in preserving your warmth – coupling this with some lined or thermal gloves and some thick thermal socks means you are not only doubly warm, but are more likely to keep out any airborne flu or cold germs!

Bear in mind that even the food you eat affects the temperature of your body! Protein raises your blood’s pH so stock up on meat stews, chicken dinners and good old fashioned bangers and mash to keep the warm blood flowing. Food rich in iron, like red meat, as well as leafy green vegetables such as spinach, broccoli and kale, also help to keep you warm. Iron is essential in producing the thyroid hormone which stimulates heat production – just a lovely excuse for a hearty steak or a helping of nutritious vegetables! All of these, along with warm drinks, soups and casseroles, all aid in keeping you warm from the inside out.

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Here at Heat Holders we are passionate about keeping people warm all year round as we know the importance of warmth to your health. With our ever-expanding thermal range, winter 2014 has seen the introduction of some very special products which aim to keep you even warmer! Here are our favourite products from our new range to help combat the fierce weather we have in store this winter – as well as the rest of the year!

Heat Holders Snugover™ The Snugover™ comes in a very close second to the Snuggle Ups®. A jumper that is made from the same Heatweaver® thermal fabric as the blanket, this jumper promises incredible warmth and comfort. It is generous in size meaning you can wrap up warmly on the chilly evenings heading our way. • RRP £30.00

Heat Holders Snuggle Ups® Heat Holders Snuggle Ups® blanket is what all of our die-hard fans have been waiting for! A large, luxuriously soft, fur Heatweaver® fleece that has been developed to be efficient in retaining heat, helping you stay warmer for longer whether you’re curled up on the sofa, out and about camping or in bed on a cold winter’s night. Snuggle Ups® has an official tog rating of 1.4 and is the perfect addition to your household this winter for ultimate warmth. • RRP £30.00

Heat Holders Neck Warmer The Heat Holders Neck Warmer is a great alternative to a scarf. With a sculptured fit dropping low to contour around the chest, neck and chin, the neck warmer will keep out cold drafts for extra warmth and protection. The perfect item for your winter skiing holiday or just for those long weekend walks in the country. • RRP £12.00

Heat Holders Thermal Underwear Heat Holders Original Socks Whilst the Heat Holders range has spanned further warming products such as leggings, tights, gloves, hats, blankets, jumpers, thermals and base layers – for the entire family, Heat Holders Thermal Socks are our staple and original products! The ultimate thermal socks are designed to trap warm air closer to the skin, keeping your feet warmer for longer! • Men & Women’s sizes: • RRP £10.00 • Children’s sizes: RRP £8.00

FOR ALL THESE PRODUCTS AND MORE, GO TO:

Making Life Warmer

With a host of Thermal Underwear for men & women we can ensure you’re warm and toasty from your bottom layer. We offer short and long sleeved thermal vests, as well as long johns that are all designed to keep you warm when the cold hits! • RRP £20.00

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IT’S A MAN’S WORLD

CHAMPIONS (UK) PLC FORMS STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP WITH GROSVENOR CASINOS. Champions (UK) plc have been appointed as the exclusive entertainment, strategy and delivery partner for Grosvenor Casinos. The partnership will function as a three year contract that will see the brand agency work in partnership with the Rank Group to supply Grosvenor Casinos with a diverse array of entertainment acts. Champions (UK) plc will also provide full marketing and communications activity to support the entertainment offering, communicating it effectively and in a truly innovative way.

Grosvenor Casinos continue to offer their customers a range of the best entertainment. The partnership with Champions (UK) plc will ensure that Grosvenor Casinos are recognised as leading entertainment venues. Champions (UK) plc and Grosvenor Casinos will work together to create the UK’s best entertainment offering, with exclusive acts taking to the stage to dazzle audiences time and time again. The partnership will see Champions (UK) plc provide an extensive marketing and communications package to support the entertainment activity, allowing the casinos to become synonymous with fantastic entertainment and hospitality, making Grosvenor Casinos the ideal destination for a great night out. Grosvenor Casinos will continue to cement their position as one of the country’s most exciting venues offering musicians, tribute acts, comedians, sports personalities and celebrity appearances on a weekly basis. Grosvenor Casinos are distributed throughout the UK, with a range of 56 different venues that offer something for everyone. From show bars to sports bars, more intimate to larger venues, Grosvenor offers visitors so much more than gaming with its great portfolio of entertainment, food and drink – all available in the highest quality surroundings. The new partnership between Champions (UK) plc and Grosvenor Casinos furthers the casino’s commitment to providing the best entertainment and acts in the UK, truly becoming the only place to see an exciting mix of performers that will include chart acts, the very best tributes, leading comedians, sports stars and so much more.

The accompanying marketing campaign will ensure that as many people as possible are made aware of the great entertainment available at Grosvenor venues with a range of headline acts that will continue to cement the group’s status as the UK’s leading hospitality venues. Matthew Hayes, Managing Director Champions (UK) plc and recently named ‘Top Gun’ at the haysmacintyre ‘Young Gun’ Awards (rewarding the very best UK entrepreneurs under the age of 35) is delighted to welcome Grosvenor Casinos to the brand agency’s growing client portfolio.

“We are thrilled to announce our new partnership with the Grosvenor brand and have already begun securing a fantastic portfolio of acts for 2015. We look forward to working closely with them for the next three years and beyond. We know that 2015 is going to kick off with a bang and we are dedicated to providing both a wide range of high quality and hugely entertaining acts to the Grosvenor Casinos, and a sophisticated strategic delivery, in order to increase their offering and welcome even more visitors to their fantastic venues. “Our work with the Rank Group will drive the brand expansion and entertainment delivery of Grosvenor Casinos forward. This partnership will allow us to provide leading entertainment week in, week out and continue to position the casinos as the UK’s leading venues for great entertainment. Grosvenor Casinos represent a fantastic night out in brilliant surroundings with excellent entertainment and hospitality.”

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The secret to the brand agencyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s success lies in their multifaceted approach, using multiple in house departments to provide their clients with a single solution to their brand challenges and expansion plans. Working with the Rank Group,

Champions (UK) plc will provide the organisation with a holistic entertainment and brand strategy to continue to boost Grosvenor Casinosâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; market presence for future and continued success.

For additional information about Champions (UK) plc, please call 08453 31 30 31 or email info@championsukplc.com

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With the brand new state-of-the-art IXL Events Centre on site, Dallas Burston Polo Club is one of the UK’s grandest sporting and social venues. Set within 600 acres of breath-taking grounds of the Stoneythorpe Estate, the venue proudly combines the finest hospitality, delicious food, great company and a collection of thrilling events. The recently launched IXL Events Centre is a 3000 person capacity, multi-functional, luxury conference and events venue, capable of hosting a range of business or social occasions. From intimate gatherings to large scale events, IXL is ideal for corporate and private functions in a magnificent setting. It is the only event centre in the Midlands that combines flexibility and capacity with such a high-end spec. In addition to the impressive auditorium and conference facility, the centre offers executive meeting rooms, glamourous bars and dining facilities, and elegant sun terraces. A truly spectacular venue, guests always walk away impressed after enjoying an evening’s entertainment at the IXL. One of the upcoming events that will be hosted at the IXL is the inaugural Coventry Sports Awards. This hotly anticipated awards ceremony promises to shine a light on many of those who commit time and effort to the region’s sporting culture. The glittering ceremony will welcome some of Coventry and Warwickshire’s most prominent and successful sporting personalities. As well as hosting the event, Dallas Burston were one of the sponsors of the event, as well as this year’s Birmingham Sports Awards, demonstrating their commitment to supporting the local community.

Dallas Burston Polo Club

Other on-site facilities include six polo pitches, wedding venues, the 2.4 acre all-weather DBPC SuperArena and the luxurious colonial Clubhouse. Their all-weather arena is one of the largest in Europe and is host to thrilling sporting spectacles all year round. The lavish colonial style Clubhouse features heated viewing verandas, terrace marquees, a fully licensed bar and a comprehensive menu. Further plans are in place for a thatched roof public house, residential properties and also a stunning 200 bedroom 5* hotel. The dedicated team of wedding specialists are on hand to offer advice and support to create the day of your dreams. Whether an intimate ceremony with close family and friends or an extravagant ceremony with hundreds of guests, Dallas Burston Polo Club do everything possible to ensure the day runs smoothly. One of the central aims of the club is to make polo accessible to more people. The fast paced nature of the game makes it perfect entertainment for all to enjoy including families and businesses. Ponies reach up to 40mph and riders need to demonstrate impeccable balance, excellent team work and a strong bond with their pony. 2015 is set to be another exciting year for Dallas Burston with the opening of new facilities and an action-packed calendar. The team at the club would like to invite guests to come and visit the venue for themselves to see the exceptional quality of the facilities and discover the advantages of hosting their event at the Dallas Burston Polo Club.

T: 01926 811 111 E: info@dbpoloclub.com W: www.dbpoloclub.com Dallas Burston Polo Grounds | Stoneythorpe Estate | Southam | Warwickshire | CV47 2DL

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IT’S A MAN’S WORLD

Z W O H LANKA ALIA SRI R T S U A TAN INDIA AFGHANIS E W B A B IM D Z

ICA OUTH AFR S D N A L N ENG EW ZEALA N H S E D BANGLA

S WEST INDIE AE U PAKISTAN COTLAND S D N A L IRE

the s w e i v e r p E B M d r a g g o H Matthew Cup d l r o W t e k c i ICC Cr

The 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup will be hosted jointly by Australia and New Zealand from 14th February. With 49 matches set to be played at 14 different venues, the winner will be decided in Melbourne on 29th March. Inspirational Magazine spoke to Ashes winning pace bowler, Matthew Hoggard MBE, to gauge his thoughts on the tournament and on England’s World Cup credentials. Showcasing One Day International (ODI) cricket on a truly global stage, the ICC Cricket World Cup has become one of the greatest tests in the sport since its inception in 1975. Held every four years, it stands as one of the most viewed sporting spectacles in the world, behind only the FIFA World Cup and the Olympic Games. It was not, however, the first international cricket tournament. That came in 1912 with a triangular tournament of Test matches played between Australia, England and South Africa and it would be another sixty-three years before an official World Cup was organised and held in England. That inaugural Cricket World Cup was won by the iconic West Indies side of the 1970s. They narrowly defeated Australia at Lord’s and since then the format of the tournament has changed a great deal. Starting as a single group round-robin resulting in a final, it morphed over time into the current format of two groups of seven, with four sides from each progressing to quarter-finals, followed by semis and a Grand Final.

England’s preparations for the tournament were set back by poor ODI form against India and Sri Lanka over the summer and the fallout from the Kevin Pietersen bullying allegations has been a distraction. Speaking about the upcoming tournament to Matthew Hoggard, it is clear that England have their work cut out to get their hands on the World Cup Trophy. He told us, “Our One Day form has been poor of late, if I’m honest, but with no Test cricket this winter England can concentrate on the World Cup. The seven warm-up games before Christmas against a strong Sri Lanka do give us a chance to build some lost confidence. That said, the wickets there will be typical of the Sub-Continent and unlike the ones the lads will play on at the World Cup. It’s monsoon season in Sri Lanka and it will be lower, slower and turn more than the quicker wickets down under.” Matthew took us through England’s group stage schedule, outlining a tough set of games to kick off the tournament. He told us, “Playing the Aussies in their own backyard first off isn’t ideal. Both sides will want to get one over on their opponent and set the tone for their own tournament. Australia are always strong but we can beat anyone on our day. The second game versus New Zealand at Wellington is arguably just as big. They are always dangerous, particularly in the One Day format, and will have home advantage like the Aussies.” “If those first two matches don’t go well, the pressure will be

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! T A Z W on against Scotland in the third. Ireland have shown England in the past that there are no easy games. Clichés like that come about for a reason and the Scots could be a real banana skin. With Sri Lanka in good form and lined up for the fourth game, I’d say to qualify we really must beat our friends from north of the border.” “The final group game is against Afghanistan and, although we shouldn’t take victory for granted, I’d expect us to win it comfortably. But it’s the game before that against Bangladesh that could surprise us. The Adelaide Oval traditionally favours spinners and that could play right into Bangladeshi hands. That’ll be a tricky game – and a massive one at that!” Hoggy is optimistic about England making the quarter finals. “Realistically, Australia, New Zealand and Sri Lanka should qualify from the group and I think we will too. It perhaps won’t be the case and we may be on a roll, but my worry is that a fourth place finish will see us play the winners of the other group. Whoever that is they’ll be in form and will have momentum. The margins at this level are so fine and often we see the form team win the World Cup. I’m sure it’ll go that way this time.” “There are so many sides playing well at the moment. You can never write off the Indians and as defending Champions they’ll be up for a scrap. South Africa have quality throughout the team, bowlers and batters. The West Indies may struggle in the

Test arena but ODIs are a different matter altogether for them. As Asian Cup winners, Sri Lanka have shown their potential recently and New Zealand can pose anyone a problem.” “It’s fair to say the bookies don’t fancy England but with games and hopefully some confidence-building wins under their belt on tour in Sri Lanka, the boys can go to Australia and New Zealand with their own momentum. If that happens, we could find ourselves as the ones peaking at the right time!” 2015 will be chock-full of sporting spectacles and we have the Rugby World Cup on home soil to look forward to in September. The ICC World Cup is sure to kick start the year with a wonderful celebration of cricket, featuring many of the planet’s finest players and Matthew Hoggard will study the action closely. England may have never won the tournament and they are no shoo-in this time round, but stranger things have happened!

For more information on how Matthew Hoggard MBE can benefit your brand or add star quality to your event, Please contact Benny Lawrence at Champions (UK) plc today by calling 07792 530020 or 08453 31 30 31. Alternatively, email blawrence@championsukplc.com

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HOME, HOUSE AND GARDEN

HOME, HOUSE AND GARDEN Extended edition Welcome to a special extended edition of the Home, House and Garden section of Inspirational Magazine. We know that your home is your castle and you want it to look as good as it possibly can – that’s why we have assembled this section bursting with ideas to spruce up your abode! Abel Alarms is Britain’s largest privately owned providers of top quality, residential and commercial security systems and can provide you with much-needed peace of mind. It is all about ease-of-use and they enable to control all your security systems through your tablet device. Bang & Olufsen is world-renowned as an international design icon and global symbol of audio-visual excellence. Aiming to provide art and acoustic perfection, their

team fine-tune every component ensuring stunning surround sound, clarity and power. Since setting up at the Custard Factory in 1995, the Suzanne Barnes Design Partnership has established a reputation as one of the West Midlands’ most forwardthinking design practices, specialising in both residential and corporate work and offering a range of consultancy services. Charlotte Conway Design creates exquisite, luxury bespoke bathroom concepts, with an interior designer’s flair. Each design is unique and reflects the client’s individuality and lifestyle. Browse through this section at you leisure and we hope you come away with plenty of inspiration!

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EXPERIENCE THE NEW 55” AND 85” BEOVISION AVANT

Bang & Olufsen of Leamington Spa 78 Regent Street, Leamington Spa Warwickshire CV32 4NS

An Ultra High-Definition, 4K TV with iconic sound and amazing movement on floor, wall or table stand. It takes 89 years to create movement this beautiful. Experience it in stores now. From £5,995*.

Tel: 01926 881500 Email: leamington.spa@bang-olufsen.co.uk Web: www.bang-olufsen.com/leamingtonspa *Recommended price for BeoVision Avant 55” includes BeoRemote One. Price excludes placement option on either wall, table or floor starting from £695. Energy class C.

HOME, HOUSE AND GARDEN

SPECIALISING IN PEACE OF MIND

The expert team at Edwards Insurance take the time to fully understand the needs of their clients, providing impartial advice and product recommendations. In everything they do, they aim to add value wherever possible. One of their main advantages is that they are a small team who are able to really focus on offering the best advice for each of their clients. Over the years, Edwards Insurance have built up close relationships in their insurance network and always strive to find the most appropriate cover. One of Edwards Insuranceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s core principles is to contribute directly to the community, whether supporting a charity golf day or sponsoring the organisations they serve. Managing Director David Edwards works closely with his wife, Sandy, and son Christopher, who are also Directors at the

company, alongside Hayley Mather. Never knowingly over selling or under selling any product, their central aim is to provide the optimal amount of cover so that all their clients have much-needed peace of mind. For years they have specialised in working with Churches to find their optimal insurance cover as well as providing practical advice on matters such as Health and Safety. Another area of expertise is the complex Charity and Not-forProfit sector. Edwards Insurance are also experienced working in commercial insurance and will continue to expand their involvement in this field in the future. Their most recent venture is into the high networth marketplace, in which top-quality insurance cover is an essential. Bringing the same level of first-class advice and service, this new undertaking looks set to bring even more success for the company. The extensive knowledge at Edwards Insurance allows them to work with all types of businesses with the highest level of integrity and professionalism. As a member of the Broker Network, they have access to a wide range of insurers and handle all negotiations to guarantee the very best price. From sole traders to large companies, the team always begin with a full assessment of your business and the cover required to protect your assets and business. Many high-end clients are now

benefitting from their top-quality services. The family-run company understand and take on their clientsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; concerns as their own. Working day in, day out with a strong set of guiding principles, they have built their reputation on quality advice, offering an exceptional level of service, and most importantly, providing peace of mind.

Christopher Edwards Director

CONTACT

With over a decade of experience, Edwards Insurance pride themselves on building long-term relationships with their clients and tailoring their services directly to them. No matter how big or small the organisation, at the first meeting they always send the right specialist to get to know you, and your company, first-hand. After focusing on the Church, Charity and Commercial sectors for many years, they have recently rebranded and are expanding to offer their first-class services to high net-worth clients.

01564 730 900 07968 210 911 christopher@edwardsinsurance.co.uk

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Interior Architecture and Design We are simply about design, designing space, designing interiors, designing layouts and furniture. We can package our services as a full stress free, put your feet up, turn-key option; or tailor them for those of you who like the more hands on approach with a little helping hand.

sbdp.co.uk @SuzanneBarnesDP Suzanne Barnes Design Partnership info@sbdp.co.uk 0121 455 7555

53 Calthorpe Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 1TH

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Advert.pdf

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HOME, HOUSE AND GARDEN

INTELLIGENT PEACE OF MIND Abel

The urge to protect and to nurture is one of our most basic instincts as human beings. We work hard to build comfortable homes for our families; establish successful businesses and we have to know that the fruits of our labour will be there for the long term. Yet within this most natural of impulses, shared by each and every one of us, we all have different ideas about how and what we wish to defend.

The security systems Abel design and install are tailored specifically to your individual needs, whether that is the particular requirements of your business or the unique way in which your home is configured. From the outset they focus on delivering easy to use, reliable and cost effective systems that offer you the peace of mind you are looking for in the protection of all the things closest to your heart.

Established in a small Leicester office in 1965 by the current Chairman Peter Eyre, Abel have almost 50 years’ experience protecting families, property, possessions and businesses and place high end customer service at the core of their offering. They have stuck with their commitment to outstanding service and today operate from their large Head Office near Highcross. This family owned business is overseen by Peter’s grandsons, Joel and Robin Mulloy who continue the traditions that cement Abel’s reputation for quality and service. Abel have grown to become Britain’s largest privately owned providers of top quality, residential and commercial security systems with UK coverage from 14 local branches that insulate you or your company from the effects of crime, fire and flooding.

After a detailed survey of your property, Abel’s expert installers will provide you with a system that can send any kind of alert direct to your phone - whether that’s notifying you about intruders, detecting the outbreak of fire or even flooding, and all systems can be fully integrated with CCTV, fire alarms, security lighting and hold-up alarms. Abel’s systems will also actively reduce those irritating and frightening false alarms and can be extended through your home, often wirelessly, as and when your requirements change. It is all about keeping you informed and, by the same token, in control.Yet Abel go far, far beyond just alerting you. CCTV on its own simply views and records crime, but an Abel detector-activated, monitored CCTV system allows activity on site to be transmitted to their Communication and Monitoring Centre,

www.twitter.com/abelalarm

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where fully licenced CCTV controllers can take action on the video footage they see, using either an intercom link to warn away offenders, or calling the police and specified keyholders. With an Abel system, you are safe in the knowledge that someone is always watching over everything that is precious to you.

gaseous fire extinguishers, air sampling and wire-free detectors, smoke beams and automatic door and ventilation controls.

Abel will help you determine the best system for your needs from a comprehensive range of options. This could include fixed cameras or fully functional cameras which can tilt, zoom and pan and can include security lighting when needed. They offer a wide choice of viewing and recording features to suit the size and layout of your property, including time lapse recording onto DVR (digital video recorders) and NVR (network video recorders), time and date generation for legal proceedings, instant printing of screen images and continuous monitoring and recording of multiple images.

Abel have long been installing and maintaining security systems as protection and are now integrating those measures with intelligent home automation. This allows for the control of various aspects, be it lighting, heating, air conditioning, music, video or security, all with the touch of the same button. They design, install and program systems of all sizes, from a small home cinema system to a complete, multi-room, fully integrated home.

Abelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fire systems are also highly bespoke for your home or business and giving you and the Fire and Rescue Service an early warning can stop a small incident turning into a catastrophic loss. They will tailor a system specifically for your property and install the ideal equipment ranging from systems detecting heat, smoke and water, voice evacuation and visual warning systems to fixed

With priority access to all UK Police and Fire & Rescue control rooms, by employing Abel you can depend on a prompt response to any incident.

Abel are as flexible as you want them to be. They will make sure your family and property are safe and sound, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. They will do the same for your business, no matter if it is a large corporate HQ, a school, hospital or government building, right down to the smallest of business premises. Your children and your employees, your students, patients and your clients will remain fully protected. Abelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first priority is ensuring that what you have today, you still have tomorrow.

For confidential advice and information on security systems, or to arrange a detailed, no obligation survey of your home or business premises, call Abel on 0116 2654200 or email info@abelalarm.co.uk

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FINE DINING GUIDE

INSPIRATIONAL

FINE DINING GUIDE We all know that food is at its best when in season and, with autumn upon us and with winter fast approaching, we took the chance to ask food critic and Masterchef host, GREGG WALLACE, for some pointers on where to find the very best West Midlands hearty fayre this winter. We all know that food is at its best when in season and, with autumn upon us and with winter fast approaching, we took the chance to ask food critic and Masterchef host, Gregg Wallace, for some pointers on where to find the very best West Midlands hearty fayre this winter. Drawing on Gregg’s in-depth knowledge of the region’s restaurants, Inspirational Magazine has lovingly prepared this essential fine dining guide to help you search out the very best comfort food this winter. We found that the West Midlands is a great place for foodies at this time of year. We feature again the renowned CIELO, which remains on top form, offering modern interpretations of Italian classics in an understated, chic venue. We’ll explore the Anglo-French influences on show at EDMUNDS RESTAURANT in Birmingham and we’ll venture to RED PEPPERS GRILL & CANTINA to sample their eclectic menu of dishes from all over the globe. We’re not greedy but we will leave a little room for a good taste of the new range of tapas on offer at Birmingham’s most elegant and exclusive cocktail lounge and late lounge, NUVO. Those are but a few of the quality eateries showcased in the following pages, so read on and make sure you know where to look for a treat. If you’re looking to rustle up something for yourself, why not indulge yourself with this scrumptious rhubarb crumble recipe, our special recommendation straight from Gregg Wallace, a man who knows a thing or two about desserts.

CMY

For more information on Gregg Wallace or to enquire about him appearing at your event, simply contact Jack Hayes at Champions (UK) plc today by calling 07772 440596 or 08453 31 30 31 or email jackhayes@championsukplc.com. Alternatively, please contact Victoria Marconetto on 07791 508235 or email vmarconetto@championsukplc.com 98

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FINE DINING GUIDE

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FINE DINING GUIDE

DINING at

Inspirational visits three restaurants at The Mailbox...

HARVEY NICHOLS CAFÉ

NANDO’S

RED PEPPERS

Visit the Harvey Nichols Café, a chic city hotspot this autumn. Headed up by Chef Michael Roberts, the Espresso Café in store at Harvey Nichols is the perfect location for a spot of breakfast, lunch or an early dinner.

Offering their iconic PERi PERi flame-grilled chicken, Nando’s is a firm favourite at The Mailbox. With a menu that takes inspiration from both South African and Portuguese flavours, diners at Nando’s can choose from the legendary flame-grilled chicken to steak rolls, salads and vegetarian delights. Alongside the variety of dishes, there is a range of delicious marinades and sauces. From Lemon & Herb, Mango and Lime to Medium or Hot, there’s a tantalising-taste for every diner.

With a menu that offers an array of flavours from around the globe, Red Peppers at The Mailbox is the perfect restaurant to enjoy everything from a relaxed lunch to a delicious dinner in a vibrant venue.

Located inside one of The Mailbox’s flagship stores, the café is spacious, light and airy, offering views across The Mailbox entrance. Fantastic full English breakfasts are available until noon, and the range of hot food features dishes from a range of world cuisines. With a focus on great tasting, locally sourced food and drink, the Harvey Nichols Café offers a menu featuring everything from Eggs Benedict to freshly prepared salads and pasta dishes. The indulgent selection of cakes and pastries also make it the perfect place for ‘mid-shop’ afternoon tea.

In addition to their renowned main dishes, diners can add a side or two to their meal to make it extra special. From classic cut chips, corn on the cob and coleslaw to the rich and creamy sweet potato mash. Open from 10am until late every day, Nando’s is ideal for meeting up with friends or as part of a perfect family day out. If you love chillies and you love chicken, you’ll love Nando’s at The Mailbox.

Favourites on the menu include succulent burgers and ribs, as well as specialities such as lamb moussaka and coconut chicken curry. Guests have the choice of enjoying a classic meal or sampling dishes they have never tried before. The light and airy restaurant at Red Peppers creates the perfect atmosphere to showcase the skilled chefs’ talent and expertise. Red Peppers offers fantastic value for money, with a special lunchtime menu offering delicious pastas, short-crust pizzas, sandwiches, wraps and soups. Featuring a private reservation area downstairs with a capacity for 100 guests, Red Peppers is an ideal venue to host parties and functions.

Food served: Monday to Saturday: 10.00am - 7.00pm

Food Served:

Sunday: 11.00am - 5.00pm

Monday to Sunday: 10.00am till late

Monday to Sunday: 12.00noon till late

Harvey Nichols Café 31 Wharfside St, Birmingham B1 1RE Tel: (0121) 616 6028

Nando’s 105 Wharfside St, Birmingham, West Midlands B1 1RF Tel: (0121) 643 5123 www.nandos.co.uk

Red Peppers: 117 Wharfside St, Birmingham, The Mailbox B1 1RF Tel: (0121) 643 4202 www.red-peppers.co.uk

www.mailboxlife.com/brand/ harvey-nichols-espresso-cafe

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Complimentary parking. When you shop, dine or get pampered.

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Dine at C么te Brasserie, Harvey Nichols Espresso Caf茅, Strada and Malmaison Brasserie, visit Toni & Guy Essensuals or shop at Harvey Nichols to enjoy 2 hours complimentary parking at The Mailbox. Terms and conditions apply. Please visit the website for full details.

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FINE DINING GUIDE

INSPIRATIONAL

FINE DINING GUIDE

THE BRASSERIE at MALLORY COURT

THE DINING ROOM at MALLORY COURT

Leamington Spa, Warwickshire

Providing a laid-back atmosphere with an art-deco inspired interior, the Brasserie serves delicious modern European dishes and British classics, and has been celebrated with two AA Rosettes.

For those looking for a high-quality, fine dining experience, the newly refurbished Dining Room at Mallory Court Hotel boasts opulent surroundings, a world-class menu and a huge number of awards and accolades including an ‘AA Noteable Wine List’ award. The beautiful oak-panelled restaurant has incomparable views of the gardens and Warwickshire countryside beyond.

The Waterside Brasserie offers guests a relaxed dining experience in a chic environment, complete with its own Champagne Bar and beautiful interiors.

Head chef Paul Foster and his team are deeply passionate about each and every dish, dedication that earned Mallory Court’s Dining Room a coveted 3 AA Rosettes. With menus bursting with rich flavour and innovation, the dishes reflect the best seasonal produce from local suppliers and the hotel’s own well stocked kitchen gardens and are regularly refreshed to showcase the latest creations from the kitchen.

Commitment to sustainability, traceability and the environment sets The Waterside Brasserie as a champion of food excellence, introducing customers to some of the finest artisan producers in Stratford and the bountiful countryside beyond.

In the stunning grounds of Mallory Court Hotel, the Brasserie provides a spectacular dining experience at affordable prices. A fully-stocked cocktail bar, upstairs area for private functions and walled garden for al fresco dining enhance the restaurant. The hugely popular ‘Jazz in the Braz’ events bring music from some of the region’s leading jazz musicians. Guests can relax and unwind to the soothing sounds of jazz whilst enjoying a meal or drinks in chic surroundings. Ideal for relaxing with friends and family at an informal dinner, the Brasserie ensures unparalleled hospitality that creates memorable experiences for every diner that visits.

THE WATERSIDE BRASSERIE Stratford-upon-Avon

Behind the scenes the hand-picked kitchen team work hard to ensure each and every customer enjoys exceptional food showcasing the best local seasonal ingredients available.

The Dining Room puts food and drink at the forefront of the guest experience and combine using modern techniques with revisiting ones which have been forgotten. Catering for everything from afternoon tea to lavish private banquets, the experienced team at Mallory Court Hotel meet their guests’ every desire.

Open all day Monday to Saturday 12noon - 2.30pm (last orders) 6.30pm - 9.30pm (last orders) and for Sunday lunch 12noon - 3.30pm (last orders). It is closed on Sunday evening.

Lunch 12noon last orders 1.45pm (closed Saturday Lunch) Dinner 6.30pm last orders 9.00pm (last orders on a Sunday 8.30pm)

Food is served between 7.00am and 11.00pm Breakfast: 7.00am - 10.00pm Lunch: 1.30pm - 3.00pm Afternoon Tea and snacks :3.00pm - 5.00pm Dinner: 5.00pm - 9.45pm Late supper: 10.00pm - 11.00pm Tea & Coffee served all day

The Brasserie at Mallory Court Harbury Lane, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, CV33 9QB Tel: (01926) 453 939 www.mallory.co.uk

The Dining Room at Mallory Court Harbury Lane, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, CV33 9QB Tel: (01926) 330 214 www.mallory.co.uk

The Waterside Brasserie Waterside, Straford-upon-Avon CV37 6BA Tel: (01789) 298 682 www.theardenhotelstratford.com

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For more information and for bookings, contact 34 Windsor Street on (01455) 234 342

34windsorst.com

Nestled in the heart of the beautiful village of Burbage, 34 Windsor St is the destination restaurant to experience creative modern British food. Carefully selected wines, cheeky cocktails and vintage afternoon tea can be enjoyed in the company of friends, family and loved ones in a relaxed, warm and intimate surroundings.

34 Windsor St is owner Zeffy Thompson’s creation of an array of ideas born from her own personal taste and experiences. With beautiful fabrics and soft furnishings Zeffy has designed a restaurant and cocktail bar that injects a touch of glamour into the culinary experience. An environment created for people with a huge and insatiable passion for good food, wine and an overall great time, 34 Windsor St is not to be missed. 34 Windsor St’s restaurant is all about creating a memorable experience from the moment you walk in. Head Chef, Sam Owen’s ethos is simple, ‘British food done well’. Sam’s organic methodology comes from using our very own produce fresh from our Secret Garden, locally sourced quality produce and innovative cooking techniques. Our carefully

selected wine menu compliments the dishes and constantly evolves and adapts with the season. 34 Windsor St use the same approach with our cocktail bar menu, fusing combinations of classic cocktails with our own creations using home grown produce and taking inspiration from our dishes. 34 Windsor St caters for any need throughout the week. At the weekend, relax with the Saturday papers over Chef David’s homemade croissants and legendary eggs benedict, or treat yourself to an afternoon tea with the girls. Enjoy a romantic date night, special occasion dinner or simply gather friends and family together for a delicious Sunday roast and live acoustic music. As a venue 34 Windsor St can host the smallest to the largest of celebrations and can cater to a

wide range of private events and meetings. We have a dedicated events team, state of the art audio and visual facilities and a brigade ran by Head Chef Sam Owen who will design a bespoke menu around your personal preferences and seasonal ingredients that will match the mood of any occasion.

LUNCH Tuesday - Saturday 12noon - 3.00pm

TASTING MENU Tuesday - Saturday 6.00pm - 9.00pm

AFTERNOON TEA Tuesday - Saturday 12noon - 5.00pm (reservations only)

SUNDAY LUNCH 12noon - 3.00pm

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FINE DINING GUIDE

FINEST CATCH Henley-in-Arden

Tipton

Shirley

The newest branch of Finest Catch in Shirley has become an instant success, attracting an increasing number of satisfied customers who come for the exceptional service and first-class fish and chips. With a fully licensed bar, customers can choose from a full drinks menu offering something everyone can enjoy with their food such as beers, wines and soft drinks. One of the defining messages of Finest Catch is that everybody is welcome – families with young children, couples, friends and large celebrations of all kind.

Finest Catch is an innovative chain of restaurants that is committed to providing quality fish and chips at affordable prices. The original branch of Finest Catch in Henley-in-Arden opened in 2012 and immediately captured the public’s imagination, turning it into an overnight success. Styled on a 1950’s American Diner, the interior of the restaurant is quite spectacular and adds to the warm and inviting atmosphere. Receiving rave review after rave review about the value, service and exceptional food, Finest Catch has become one of the most popular dining destinations in the region.

The Tipton branch of Finest Catch was opened after the runaway success of the Henley-in-Arden branch and follows the same formula that has made Finest Catch one of the region’s favourite restaurants. With 250 seats and ample parking spaces, the restaurant is accessible to all. Providing a warm welcome to each and every one of its customers, Finest Catch is proud to provide first-class service and ensure that no one goes home from one of its restaurants hungry! Finest Catch is about providing a fantastic overall dining experience and more than delivers every time.

Food Served:

12.00noon - 10.00pm seven days a week

12.00noon -10.00pm seven days a week

Finest Catch Birmingham Road, Henley-in-Arden B95 5QR Tel: (01564) 793 783 www.finestcatch.co.uk

Finest Catch High Street, Princes End, Tipton DY4 9JF Tel: (0121) 557 0486 www.finestcatch.co.uk

Finest Catch 1097 Stratford Road, Shirley B90 4ED Tel: (0121) 557 0486 www.finestcatch.co.uk

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INVESTING IN YOUR BRAND’S

FUTURE WITH CHAMPIONS (UK) PLC With a string of accolades highlighting the brand agency’s fast growth, Champions (UK) plc continues to cement its status as one of the UK’s most effective and diverse agencies. Founded in 2003, the business has built its success on a unique structure of five in-house departments;

CREATIVE

MARKETING

PUBLIC RELATIONS

Champions (UK) plc focusses on a results driven strategy, with all activities designed to increase market share, drive widespread brand awareness and develop brand loyalty within all relevant markets. The client portfolio is diverse and continually expanding, benefiting from the agency’s unique capability and influence across the UK and beyond. Perhaps the secret to the agency’s success is working collaboratively with their clients; a hands-on approach that sees each client benefit from the extensive experience of their account management team and the guarantee that all aspects of their brand strategy can be taken care of entirely in house. 2014 has been another hugely successful and exciting year for Midlands based Champions (UK) plc. Continuing a pattern of success that has only been buoyed by the resurgent British economy, Champions (UK) plc have used their specialised expertise in PR, marketing, creative, events and celebrity management to deliver continued success to their clients, whilst also attracting new business from brands that were to benefit from a holistic package of services delivered quickly and effectively by an expert team. Champions (UK) plc continues to work with its clients to reinforce the important role that communications and branding holds for the success of any business. For many it is seen as an additional cost and the process is often rejected as too costly and time consuming.

EVENTS

CELEBRITY

A dangerous approach, as explained by Champions (UK) plc’s managing director Matthew Hayes: “The tough economic times of the past few years have, of course, seen many businesses fail outright. For those that have weathered the storm, the necessity of an austere approach to business finance has become a mentality that is hard to shift. It is vital that businesses have a robust position within the economy and continue to build their brand, investing in its identity and its communication, as they would with any other part of the day to day activity of the organisation.” Inward investment is vitally important for the growth of any business and a focus on marketing your brand correctly should be fundamental part of any business strategy. While some businesses would automatically exclude communications support from their annual budget, it should be a core component to be valued, measured and built upon year on year. Of course, tangible ROI is the key to a positive partnership and Champions (UK) plc have a proven track record of building on the investment of their clients, even during one of the most challenging economic times for decades. They measure their own success against the results achieved for their clients, tirelessly creating effective campaigns that continually win the hearts and minds of consumers and corporate groups alike and have a large portfolio of case studies to prove their success rate.

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BUSINESS AND FINANCE

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Assigned to create, produce and manage the Farmfoods Christmas television advert for 2013, Champions (UK) plc increased sales for the period by 42% thanks to a savvy partnership with BBC Strictly Come Dancing judge, Len Goodman and effective accompanying marketing support. This work built on the longstanding relationship between the two businesses, one that sees Champions (UK) plc work with one of the UK’s most successful value driven supermarket brands to increase turnover year on year across 365 stores distributed between high street and out-of-town locations.

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The reason Champions (UK) plc has enjoyed continued success in the marketplace is straightforward. They form a partnership with their client that allows the two businesses to work together as simply as possible. Priding themselves on the variegated selection of brands they work with alongside their ability to maximise return on investment, Champions (UK) plc has attracted several new companies to become part of the Champions family. Over the years, Champions (UK) plc have been honoured with a number of business awards, showcasing and proving testament to the enduring growth and impressive results for their clients. Matthew’s management and ability to create an environment that invigorates growth led to him being awarded two highly coveted awards at the Growing Business’ Young Guns ‘Class of 2014’, in association with startups.co.uk.

Champions (UK) plc’s client base is as diverse as their service delivery and the brand agency works in partnership with each to ensure that they are provided with a bespoke and hardworking strategy that delivers great results and exceeds expectation. Managing Director Matthew Hayes explains the agency’s effective approach: “Making noise for your brand in a crowded marketplace is never easy. It is essential that you use the right people to tell the world just how great your brand is. Marketing your brand correctly is just like any investment a firm decides upon, and the return you receive on it should be measured by a marked increase of your brand presence, as well as well a boost in sales and market share. We advise each client we work with on a truly individual basis. No two businesses are alike and we create each brand strategy based on our client’s needs, expectations and goals.” Champions (UK) plc have most recently signed a three year deal with national gaming giant Grosvenor Casinos. Champions (UK) plc’s dynamic after dinner speakers agency Champions Speakers are now the sole provider of entertainment and national brand strategy for the group, a win that will see both the Speaker Agency and Champions (UK) plc the brand agency offer the group a range of comprehensive entertainment and communication services to support the brand’s growth across the UK. The success of their diverse client portfolio has aided Champions (UK) plc in its dramatic growth and the brand agency has been recognised with a string of accolades.

Matthew Hayes receiving his Top Gun award

Named as one of the UK’s most outstanding entrepreneurs aged 35 and under, Matthew was also delighted to receive the haysmacintyre ‘Top Gun’ award, an accolade delivered to the entrepreneur that stands out to the expert panel of judges. Matthew was chosen thanks to the incredible growth of Champions (UK) plc, an incredible figure of 750% over the last six years, the ever-growing portfolio of celebrities the company manages and deals with as well as the stable of national brands Champions (UK) plc supports. Previous winners of the ‘Top Gun’ award include Michael Acton Smith OBE of Mind Candy, Holly Tucker MBE of Notonthehighstreet.com and Richard Reed of Innocent Drinks, showing how highly the judges held Matthew’s achievements alongside incredibly esteemed business leaders in the UK.

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Peter Shilton OBE pictured with members of our Celebrity, PR and After Dinner Speakers teams

However this is not the only award bestowed upon Champions (UK) plc in 2014. Recognised as part of the UK’s ‘Breakthrough Businesses’, at the inaugural Santander Breakthrough 50 Awards in partnership with smarta, Champions (UK) plc is a member of a select group who ‘are transforming established industries, leading the entrepreneurial movement in the UK and inspiring others to grow into businesses that push our economy forward.’

In October 2014, Champions (UK) plc embarked on an impressive expansion of their offices in the East Midlands countryside. Doubling the footprint of the building, the new office block gives the potential to expand working capacity exponentially to ensure that Champions (UK) plc can continue to deliver the impeccable standards that it has become known for as an agency. With the build set for completion in March 2014, the extent of the work epitomises the confidence of Champions (UK) plc that its growth and reach will continue far into the future.

This success follows on from Champions (UK) plc being named one of the London Stock Exchange’s ‘1000 Companies to Inspire Britain’, demonstrating that Champions (UK) plc’s exemplary growth and formidable corporate attitude has been brought to the attention of business giants in varying professional sectors. Another development in Champions (UK) plc’s story this year was the acquisition of Warner Music & Entertainments (UK) in June. Owner of Warner Music & Entertainments (UK), Alan Warner, has enjoyed a firm friendship spanning decades with CEO of Champions (UK) plc, John Hayes and when a meeting between the two presented the opportunity to purchase the firm, both parties knew this wasn’t a chance to be missed. Alan has also decided to join Champions (UK) plc on a three year contracted deal, bringing invaluable experience to the After Dinner Speaker and Celebrity Management departments. An Executive Vice President of The Agent’s Association (GB), Alan has provided headline entertainers and musicians to the world’s leading cruise companies, theatres and venues.

Some of the rapidly expanding team at our bespoke offices in the East Midlands

2014 has showcased Champions (UK) plc yet again exceeding expectations and 2015 is set to see the company reach new heights with the added firepower of a new building and extended workforce. By incorporating these new developments and coinciding them with Champions (UK) plc’s precedents of providing highly efficient Marketing and PR services tailored to provide return on investment, Champions (UK) plc will continue to remain as one of the nation’s most creative, efficient and effective brand agencies.

Member of

For more information on how Champions (UK) plc can take your brand to new heights, please call 08453 31 30 31 or email info@championsukplc.com Alan Warner pictured with the Hayes Family

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COOKING DOESN’T GET TOUGHER THAN THIS

On 2

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G R E G G WA L L AC E Media personality, writer, businessman and former greengrocer Gregg Wallace is best-known as one of the presenters of the hit BBC cookery programme MasterChef. A self-confessed workaholic, Gregg is renowned for throwing himself into every project he gets involved with, including his recent starring turn on Strictly Come Dancing. Gregg Wallace grew up in a workingclass family in Peckham, South East London. After a troubled childhood, he found himself living on his own and fending for himself when he was just 14-years-old. Though he is now known as one of the nation’s favourite foodies, in those days he survived on a diet of fried food and take-aways.

Gregg and co-host on Masterchef, John Torode.

Gregg’s career began in the building trade before he became a warehouseman at New Covent Garden Market. During this time, he first discovered his passion for food and resolved to start his own fruit and veg business. Gregg displayed his business acumen when he set up George Allan’s, which set itself apart from its Covent Garden rivals by offering flexible deliveries that restaurant chefs wanted but couldn’t get. Instead of one early-morning daily delivery, vans would go out twice, sometimes three times a day to the same restaurant if the kitchen needed the service. Gregg turned the £15,000 that he had borrowed from friends into a business with an annual turnover of £7.5 million. Spotting the trend for local and seasonal produce, Gregg’s next venture was selling produce from Secretts Farm and garden in Milford, Surrey, operating under the name Secretts Direct. The business expanded, using lots of farms in the Home Counties and distributing high-quality produce to London restaurants in a fleet of vans. Gregg supplied ingredients for many of the nation’s leading chefs, including Michel Roux, Gordon Ramsay and Jamie Oliver. Based on his business success, Gregg’s first taste of a media career came when he was invited to co-present Veg Talk on BBC Radio 4 with Charlie Hicks. Showing a flair for broadcasting, he followed this up by becoming the original host of Saturday Kitchen in 2002 which has since gone on to become a hugely successful cookery programme.

With Merill Osmond of the Osmonds at the 2014 Wentworth Charity event organised by Champions.

On 2014’s Strictly Come Dancing.

The BBC took notice of Gregg’s presenting skills and when the popular cookery series MasterChef was revamped in 2005, he was chosen to co-host alongside professional chef, John Torode. Though MasterChef’s original series was a success, the show had lost its way after the departure of host Loyd Grossman OBE and had been off the air for four years before the BBC decided to revive the format. The pairing of Wallace and Torode proved to be instantly popular and the nation couldn’t get enough of the programme that puts amateur chefs through their paces in a series of high-intensity cookery challenges. As Gregg often says... “cooking doesn’t get tougher than this!”

In 2009 the programme moved from BBC Two back to its original BBC One home. The spin-offs came thick and fast including Celebrity MasterChef, MasterChef: The Professionals, Junior MasterChef and even a MasterChef Live event that runs annually in London. The amateur cookery programme captured the imagination of a nation and encouraged countless people to take up cookery. Unlike many reality TV programmes where the hosts change every series, the original partnership of Wallace and Torode has lasted for nearly a decade which is testament to their popularity and presenting skills. Gregg’s success in MasterChef has brought him numerous other TV opportunities including Eat Well for Less, Turn Back Time, Harvest, Supermarket Secrets and Who Do You Think You Are? A firm favourite on the nation’s favourite chat and entertainment shows, Gregg has also appeared on programmes including Alan Carr’s Chatty Man and The Graham Norton Show. After the success of MasterChef, Gregg has gone on to release three successful cookbooks: Veg: The Greengrocer’s Cookbook, A Cook’s Year and Gregg’s Favourite Puddings, as well as an autobiography, Life on a Plate. Gregg’s latest foray into reality TV saw him star on BBC’s ever-popular celebrity dancing programme, Strictly Come Dancing. Throwing himself into training with his usual enthusiasm and gusto, Gregg was unfortunate to be voted off first even though he did not finish in the bottom two in terms of judge’s points. As Gregg’s status in the cooking world continues to grow, his reputation as a culinary expert goes from strength to strength. At food festivals and roadshows, Gregg’s warm style of presentation and demonstration make him a hit with audiences. One of the nation’s favourite celebrity foodies, Gregg is always in demand for cooking demonstrations on television, at food shows and at exhibitions around the nation. Gregg’s extensive television experience has led him to be an ideal choice as a personality to host or present with professionalism and charm.

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A DV E RT I S I N G F E AT U R E

THE F LEX IBL E TO O L S Following some of the biggest ever changes to the rules on ISAs and pensions, investors need to take advantage of the new planning opportunities available

avers and investors have new financial planning opportunities following this year’s Budget, in which the chancellor changed the rules for Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs) as well as reducing restrictions on taking benefits pensions. A key change is the increase in the annual ISA allowance by more than a quarter, from £11,880 to £15,000 per adult. The old distinction between Stocks and Shares ISAs and Cash ISAs where the maximum annual subscription had been restricted to £5,940 – has also been removed. The new rules of the ‘nicer ISA’, as it has been dubbed, mean that couples will now be able to shelter up to £30,000 a year from taxes by using both their annual ISA allowances a significant sum and one that, invested wisely, can be a key component of longterm financial planning. ISAs are very straightforward to operate. There is no need to declare investments held in them in Self-Assessment tax returns, nor is there any further tax

on income or on profits when the funds are withdrawn. Of course, ISAs do not offer any protection against Inheritance Tax; planning for that must be done separately. A further advantage is that there is no minimum period for which ISAs must be held to earn their favourable tax status. The funds within them can be used for any purpose, from paying school fees to covering the cost of care for elderly parents, as well as building up a portfolio for retirement. That makes the ISA a flexible tool for use in medium and long-term financial planning objectives. Being able to save more than two and a half times as much cash in an ISA now may sound tempting as it provides confidence that there will remain £1,000 to withdraw for every £1,000 deposited. In reality, however, the returns on cash savings are currently not sufficient even to protect the value of the investment from being eroded by inflation: inflation as measured by the Consumer Prices Index was 1.5% in

May but only just over 50% of ISAs which are wholly invested in cash offer an interest rate above that (1). The history of stock market returns also strongly suggests that cash savings are unlikely to produce the highest returns over the medium to long term. For example, according to more than a century’s analysis of investment returns, shares did better than cash on 75% of all five-year periods between 1899 and the end of 2013. That suggests that ISAs invested in shares tracking a broad measure of the market would have beaten ISAs invested in cash in three out of four periods, if they were held for a five-year term. Parents considering how to invest Junior ISAs for which the maximum annual limit rose from £3,840 to £4,000 on 1 July might be interested in even longer-term performance. Where investments were held for 18 consecutive years since 1899, shares beat deposits 99% of the time (2). This reflects the fact that, while share prices can be volatile in the short

A DV E RT I S I N G F E AT U R E

term, over the medium to long term they usually make progress. “ISAs provide a flexible addition to pensions for retirement funding” One of the basic rules of investment is that building a diversified portfolio, whether geographically, by type of asset or by strategy, helps to iron out the peaks and troughs and produce smoother returns. The increase in the ISA allowance should make it easier to invest across a range of asset types each year. Because there are no restrictions on the age at which ISA withdrawals are made you can take 100% of these funds whenever you like they can provide a flexible addition to pensions for retirement funding. For many investors, a combination of both will meet long-term financial planning objectives. The Budget also proposed removing important restrictions, which are expected to take effect from April 2015, on how people spend their retirement funds. Under the proposed changes, everyone aged 55 or more with a defined contribution pension which includes all personal plans, including SIPPs, and

rising numbers of occupational schemes in the private sector should be allowed to withdraw as much as they like from these funds, although there is likely to be a tax liability depending on the amount withdrawn and the marginal rate the investor currently pays. The old legal requirement to buy an annuity or guaranteeing an income for life by the age of 75 will be scrapped, although people who still want to buy an annuity will be free to do so. Under current rules, only those who can show a ‘secure income’ of £20,000 or more from State Pensions, annuities and defined benefit schemes are allowed to withdraw as much as they like from their pension, under what was known as ‘flexible drawdown’. The proposal is to extend flexible drawdown to everyone after April 2015, regardless of the size of their pension pot or the income it will buy. Those nearing retirement now may wish to consider deferring withdrawals until the new rules take effect. Remember that annuity purchase is a once-and-forever decision; after the 30-day cooling-off period has expired, you cannot get your money back unless the annuity provider chooses to allow

this. Payments into all types of pension are expected to continue to attract tax relief equal to the individual’s top rate of Income Tax subject to restrictions including the annual allowance of £40,000 per person. All pension savers will still be able to take up to 25% of the fund value tax-free at retirement to depend on whatever they like. The changes in the Budget have greatly increased the planning opportunities for investors. If you would like any advice on the impact they will have, please contact Janine on the details below. (1) moneyfacts.co.uk, June (2) Barclays Equity Gilt Study The value of an investment with St. James’s Place will be directly linked to the performance of the funds selected and may fall as well as rise. You may get back less than the amount invested. An investment in equities does not provide the security of capital associated with a deposit account with a bank or building society. The levels and bases of taxation and reliefs from taxation can change at any time and are generally dependent on individual circumstances.

JANINE EDWARDS Principal Partner Tel: 01676 530606 Email: janine.edwards@sjpp.co.uk Web: www.janineedwards.co.uk

PA RT N E R S IN MA NAGING YOUR W E A LTH

The Partner represents only St. James’s Place Wealth Management plc (which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority) for the purpose of advising solely on the Group’s wealth management products and services, more details of which are set out on the Group’s website www.sjp.co.uk/products. The title ‘Partner’ is the marketing term used to describe St. James’s Place representatives.

H Johnson & Son • 50-51 Queens Road • Nuneaton • Warwickshire • CV11 5JX

Tel: 02476 347 038 • johnsonsjewellers.co.uk

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BUSINESS AND FINANCE

CHAM PIO NIN G SPORT IN

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CHAMPIONS Sport has an incredible power to unite entire countries, stir emotions and crown heroes. As we have seen with events like the London Olympics and Commonwealth Games, the positive effects of sport are long-lasting and far-reaching. The West Midlands has always been a hub of sporting success and, over the last couple of years, the region has been boosted by the arrival of brand new Sports Awards in Birmingham and Coventry. Organised by brand agency Champions (UK) plc and supported by Inspirational Magazine, the awards celebrate achievements and successes in a way that unites local communities. The Sports Awards are always organised in conjunction with the local newspaper: the Birmingham Sports Awards is promoted in the Birmingham Post and Birmingham Mail,

sporting winners from grass roots level to international stars, and highlighting their remarkable stories and performances. The campaign for the inaugural Coventry Sports Awards is well underway and the event will be hosted in November 2014 at the Dallas Burston Polo Club, IXL Events Centre. Some of Coventry and Warwickshire’s most prominent and successful sporting personalities will be in attendance and their presence, along with that of all the nominated sportspeople, is sure to create a real buzz on the night. One of the most exciting parts of the Sports Awards is that a host of stars are in attendance, both presenting and receiving awards. Over the years, the Awards have welcomed the likes of golfing great Tony Jacklin CBE, Rugby World Cup winner Neil Back MBE, legendary goalkeeper Peter Shilton OBE and Ashes-winning cricketer Matthew Hoggard MBE.

THE WEST MIDLANDS while the Coventry Sports Awards is covered extensively in the Coventry Telegraph, Coventry Times, Warwickshire Telegraph and Nuneaton Telegraph. A host of businesses across all sectors get on board to sponsor the awards every year, supporting a positive event in the local community as well as benefitting from a fivemonth PR campaign. The high-profile ceremony welcomes key members of the business community, national sporting stars, educational institutions and individuals, united by the power of sport and goodwill. The Birmingham Sports Awards will be entering its third year in 2015, and sponsors are already queuing up to get involved with next year’s campaign. The 2014 Awards were hosted by snooker legend, Willie Thorne, and TV weathergirl, Emma Jesson, and thirteen worthy winners were decided. Winners included Warwickshire CCC Chairman Dennis Amiss, current England cricket star Moeen Ali and Paralympic swimmer Tully Kearney. The Birmingham Sports Awards 2014 were hosted at Aston Villa Football Club and the evening was all about celebrating

The Sports Awards would not be possible without the assistance and participation of each and every sponsor, nominee, finalist and eventual winner. The events serve as an excellent reminder that our wonderful region is greater than the sum of its parts and relies heavily on the contributions of so many different individuals, teams and businesses.

Why do companies support the Sports Awards? • Media coverage with a minimum of four pages per week • Association with a highly respected and influential awards ceremony • An exceptional opportunity to network with other businesses at the event • Businesses strengthen their reputation for social responsibility by supporting the awards • An excellent opportunity to entertain and host existing clients, as well as meeting prospective clients • A fantastic way to generate media coverage for your business • Individual categories that celebrate young sportspeople, volunteers, inspirational members of the community, teams and coaches

To find out more about how to get involved with the Coventry Sports Awards or Birmingham Sports Awards 2015, please contact Sophia Hayes at Champions (UK) plc on 08453 31 30 31 or 07557 133 880 Alternatively email shayes@championsukplc.com.

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HARNESSING THE POWER OF

THE INTERNET

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This truly is a new era of global opportunity, yet taking full advantage of the freedoms it offers businesses and the connections it allows us to now forge is often seen as more complex than it actually is. With a clear plan and committed action, building your company’s internet presence on firm foundations is not only simple, but a great way of securing its future by reaching out to the world.

The growth of the internet since its embryonic days in the early 1990s has been exponential. It offers up endless possibilities for its users with any kind of information just seconds away. Our horizons have been radically broadened and as consumers we have become pretty savvy about the web. In the West the vast majority of us find the internet indispensable in our everyday lives – we would quite literally be lost without it. With lightning quick communications and with money, goods and services far freer to cross borders and continents the planet has become a much smaller place. Rapidly developing economies across the globe, from China and India to Russia, South Africa and Brazil, are all witnessing the emergence of massed middle classes with unprecedented spending power. As all this happens, the internet gives you the chance to radically expand your business or brand’s sphere of influence. The world is your oyster and, if you build your web offering on solid footings, you can now sell at the global level.

Yet, while many businesses have been quick to see its full potential, we still see too many companies failing to realise the importance and power of the internet and missing the many opportunities it has to offer. Certainly, almost every company, large or small, has a website today but often that seems to have been an afterthought, something that is merely expected and seen as relatively unimportant. With so many of us going first to the internet in our search for goods and services nowadays, we form our very first impressions of a company or brand when we come across their site – and as the old adage says, first impressions last! Imagine you are off to a networking event or an important business meeting. Put simply, you would not turn up scruffily dressed, with odd shoes and looking like you have been dragged through a hedge backwards. By the same token, any self-respecting shopkeeper would never allow his shop front to go to rack and ruin but it is surprisingly common to find websites looking, frankly, rough and unready. That is not a good look for what is, in effect, your global shop window.

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ect their web ss owners negl ne si bu e m so pressure to s why e are all under mber of reason W nu s. a on e ti ar e ep er nc th co mis sociated with Of course, see the costs as em are based on e th m of so y at an th m l t ra t limitless ly natu presence bu looks the almos er costs, so it is on ov ss it ne si le hi bu r w , ou lved when the titude minimise es the costs invo issue. Yet this at at an st er as t ov en so al pm , web develo by the internet d. ives offered up pers, are engage financial incent rienced develo pe ex h it w , cy aintain a right agen rs required to m ou -h aff an m e th res on ng to devote st erns about havi conception cent is nc m a co e on ng ic ti m vo ea m cr le co op nerally ss. Pe Another k levels and ge rd for a busine oc ha st ks g . or in w st on ti ju at ep ad th rc website ng updates, fferent to the pe nstantly applyi n completely di ai ag is y it to the task of co al re n back but the mpany ’s web rod for their ow hole of your co w e th e at m to g design will au c’s Web Team forward-lookin pl a ) h K it w (U s d tionality on an pi n, Cham rs of extra func mple to ru si ye la ly d ab ad vi en to it em g erate, offering, makin lly simple for th that is easy to op build it is equa ce of en ro es -p pr re running tu eb fu w and a evolves. A ngths, those of d re an st s al nd re pa ur ex yo concentrate on as your business te allows you to va no re d an te upda terprise. something they a successful en erce platform as m m co ean es to market. blishing eir existing rout es don’t see esta th ss h it ne w si rectly to y bu pp y ha an M they are les you to go di at ab th en g et in rn gu te ar , in at the retailers is wish to pursue . Dealing with sing the fact th is en m e em ar dl id ey m th , il they either e reta Unfortunately el powerless as to cut out thos fe u n yo te s w of lo u al yo d them r stores. your market an dependence on le items for thei sa ur of yo t In in lf. po se in it st ve problematic in demand you in wn on price or do u yo e ez ue sq ormous amount u can gain an en yo d an es pl ti ore competitive mul become even m argin taken by to es ic pr ur yo Remove the m lower e much of the u find you can and you remov y lit bi self ta ofi pr of freedom. Yo your Granting your e as increasing another party. to manner en ct ld re ho di be at the same tim a a of being engage in m to m u le yo di s d w an lo al n s. aggravatio powering and tly to their need is incredibly em d react efficien an e ic rv se or independence t . uc e horse’s mouth ers of your prod straight from th with the end us es m co ck ba le feed n seem like And that valuab ation (SEO) ca is ng im pt O e in Eng W hen evaluati idea of Search e and mirrors. e ok th d, sm te by ia it ed in s nd st To the un n it is surrou quantify the co rk art and ofte e its value or to ug ga to em unusually lt some sort of da cu ffi d timescales se it can be di an O nd SE ou of ar s fit ed ets is rare. y toss the bene measurable targ ises are routinel of om k pr al T ue e. ag ac V . pl involved ion common ys in optimisat fluid, with dela

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However, SEO, while by no means child’s play, relies on an adherence to a set of relatively simple principles. Your website requires frequent additions of fresh, high quality, unique content, rich in the keywords regularly searched by your target clients. Adding good SEO to a bad site is like building your house on sand, so it must at all times be maintained and closely monitored on a day-by-day basis, formatted extremely well and developed with Google’s best practices in mind. Ultimately, it is Google who needs to find you and rank you above your competition.

If you are concerned about the effectiveness of your web offering, there is another vital simple idea. Your online presence must always be built on the most robust foundations and layered with great quality SEO. It must be simple to run and open to upgrades and additions at any time going forward and, in short, it must be both bombproof and futureproof.

Champions (UK) plc’s web service offering is refreshingly transparent. We have the experience and expertise in-house to lay those firm foundations and to build a better future for your company. With five dedicated departments, all under one roof, we specialise in bringing integrated disciplines, smooth transitions and a continuity nobody else can offer.

Our commitment to your future means we will also build a lasting long-term relationship with you, based on openness and trust. From the outset we will take the time and the care to understand your business and its needs and wants and we will stay with you. We will listen to your feedback at all times, review our activity and monitor and report on our successes on a monthly basis.

For more information on the ways in which Champions (UK) plc can improve the performance of your website, please call 08453 31 30 31 or email

info@championsukplc.com

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OUR H O S P I TA L I T Y

Includes homegrown Christmas hamper

2014/15 Half Season Hospitality at Villa Park ON SALE NOW Prices from ÂŁ1,208 + VAT per person Inclusive games

Bonus

Call 0800 612 0960 (option 1) or visit www.avhe.co.uk ASTON VILLA FOOTBALL CLUB, VILLA PARK, TRINITY ROAD, BIRMINGHAM, B6 6HE

a cut above...

Half Season Hospitality at Villa Park 2014/15 Our home grown hospitality extends much further than what you see on a matchday at Villa Park.The club is passionate about sustainability, locally-sourced foods and staff development. We endeavour that at least 80% of our catering suppliers are based within the five counties and the majority of our soft fruit, vegetables and herbs are grown on a 4,000 square metre allotment site located a mile away from Villa Park. We do not just nurture potatoes and herbs - but also young people.

and boxholders has been highlighted by numerous awards that we have won for our unrivalled quality hospitality. We are committed to delivering sustainable and locallysourced produce served up by talented and up-and-coming hospitality staff. With the 2014/15 season well underway we still have a host of exciting Premier League games to be played at Villa Park including clashes against local rivals West Bromwich Albion, title contenders Chelsea and a classic tie against Liverpool.

Over the past year, 80 local teenagers have been involved in the allotment project and many of those are now employed at Villa Park on matchdays.

Come and experience our unrivalled hospitality served by talented up-and-coming hospitality staff. Prices from £1,208 + VAT per person.

The hard work that goes on behind the scenes to deliver an outstanding matchday experience to our valued members

Find out what makes our homegrown hospitality a cut above the rest call 0800 612 0960 (option 1).

from gate to plate...

WE USE ‘KIND TO ENVIRONMENT’ WASH

The roots of Villa’s commitment to sustainability and homegrown produce can be traced to a site the size of a football pitch located a mile from Villa Park. The allotment plot, was acquired around three years ago and was started out as a venture to produce homegrown ingredients for the club. It has grown into an exciting pilot project involving young people from the Roots and Renewal Foundation, some of these young people also serve in our hospitality suites at Villa Park. Rain water is also harvested from the stadium’s famous Holte End to help with the water irrigation at the allotment and at least 7500 bunches of herbs per year are harvested and supplied to local suppliers Interfruit. 7. WASHED & RINSED

NT OL TME

6. TAKE TO VILLA PARK

P IV LLA

THE AL

8. STORED IN FRIDGE

4. LET THEM GROW

5. HARVEST CROP 9. PREPARED FOR YOU

10. COOKED FOR YOU

12. BROUGHT TO YOU

3. NURTURE SEEDLINGS

2. PLANT SEEDS

PLATE

1. PREPARE GROUND

GATE

11. PLATED UP

BUSINESS & FINANCE

joins Lead singer in one of the most famous groups in history, the Osmond Family, Merrill Osmond is synonymous with show business and music production in some of the world’s most prestigious venues. During a trip to Disneyland, the family, then consisting of Alan, Wayne, Merrill and Jay, were hired to perform after an impromptu performance with an adult barbershop quartet. After appearing on a televised Disney special, Andy Williams took the advice of his father and decided to book The Osmonds for his show, who continued to make regular appearances from 1962 to 1969. Fame was soon upon The Osmonds thanks to their ability to combine instrumental expertise, vocal talent and nous for performing. The group’s first break into the pop charts came in 1971, signing a record contract with MGM and hitting the top spot with ‘One Bad Apple’. Ever since this moment, The Osmonds have been a prominent feature in the world of show business, touring the world to play for their fans, showing musical talent is appreciated in any nationality. The keystone of the Osmond’s resounding success, Merrill produced and wrote the music and lyrics for five number one hit records. Singing the lead on 27 gold records whilst also playing his part in The Osmonds’ total of 59 platinum and gold recordings, Merrill holds the record alongside his brothers for earning the highest number of gold records in one year, a record not even surpassed by The Beatles.

Since their inception, The Osmonds have recorded over 200 albums, producing an enormous back catalogue of music that has sealed their reputation as hugely talented and prolific musicians at the forefront of popular music. The voice behind iconic records such as ‘One Bad Apple’, ‘ Let Me In’, ‘Love Me For A Reason’, and ‘Crazy Horses’, Merrill became renowned for his ability to lead the band to greater success as well as holding production credits on a number of other artists. Bearing testament to his remarkable career, Merrill has won two ‘People’s Choice Awards’ as well as gaining two ‘Grammy Award’ nominations whilst also amassing record sales topping 100 million worldwide. Merrill’s remarkable ability to lead and a lifetime spent in showbusiness led to him becoming a producer of ABC-TV’s ‘The Donny & Marie Show’, furthering his family’s presence on television and any other media platforms. Merrill’s efforts were quickly noticed by President Ronald Regan, who engaged him to work closely with the production of his Inauguration. Such was the success of this venture, that Merrill was invited back to produce the Inaugural Ball for President George H. Bush in 1989.

A prominent music artist and exemplary philanthropist, in 1983 Merrill co-founded and assisted in creating The Children’s Miracle Network. Organising the first annual telethon at the Osmond Studios in Utah, Merrill’s tireless work brought 22 hospitals to join along with a staggering 30 television stations agreeing to broadcast the 21 hour show. The first telethon show raised $4.7 million and The Children’s Miracle Network has never looked back since, having raised a total of $5 billion by the time of its 30th Anniversary in 2013. The Network is now proud to associate itself with 170 hospitals, 200 television stations, 340 radio stations and a whole host of sponsors and celebrities. Named by USA Today as the No.1 charity in America, none of this would have been possible without Merrill and his family in the 1980s.

From l-r: Masterch

With such an illustrious career behind him, Merrill could quite easily consider retirement, but his love for entertaining and music is as strong as it has ever been. With an ethos centred round his belief that a song can change the world, Merrill will always want to make a difference to people’s lives in any way he can.

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© s_bukley/Shutterstock.com From l-r: Jay Osmond, Merrill Osmond, Vernon Osmond, Andy Williams, Jimmy Osmond, Alan Osmond, Wayne Osmond, Tom Osmond, Johnny Grant, Donny Osmond, Marie Osmond, Leron Gubler CA

Champions (UK) plc are proud to announce that Merrill has joined our ever-growing family, ensuring he continues his resounding success of over five decades here in the UK. With Merrill now on board, Champions (UK) plc have proven their ability once again to attract star quality to add to their talented roster and they look forward to working with Merrill long into the future.

From l-r: Merrill pictured with his son, Justin Osmond and his wife Kristi and Head of The Merrill Osmond Fan Club, Tracy Beaumont; with Gregg Wallace of Masterchef; and with Keith Duffy, former member of Boyzone

Appearing at Champions (UK) plc’s Tony Jacklin Charity Invitational Golf Day at Wentworth in August, Merrill raised the roof after dinner and was joined in a spark of spontaneity by Boyzone’s own Keith Duffy for a rendition of ‘Love Me For a Reason’. The performance was preceded by an inspirational speech from Keith himself about the tremendous work he has been involved in with children’s charities, as well as the importance of events such as the Tony Jacklin Invitational and huge philanthropic contribution stars such as Merrill Osmond make.

For more information on Merrill Osmond or to enquire about him performing at your event, simply contact Jack Hayes at Champions (UK) plc today by calling 07772 44 05 96 or 08453 31 30 31. Alternatively, email jackhayes@championsukplc.com

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BUSINESS AND FINANCE

Representing a group of some of the West Midlands’ most influential businesses... The Champions Club offers an annual array of exciting events for leading professionals to savour. With such wonderful networking opportunities, members of the Champions Club can be the first to hear about and react to industry developments and are able to build the strongest business relationships. Now approaching the end of its second year, the 2014 Champions Club plays host to prominent businesses and individuals from a wide range of commercial sectors, from hospitality, jewellery and finance to branding and technology. Premium Concert Hospitality experts Amplify have over twenty years’ experience of making shows and concerts even more memorable for their clients. Charles Mitchell Wines have pursued excellence in hand-crafted wines since 1981, importing from dedicated producers all over the world. Johnsons Jewellers have enjoyed over 115 years of trading, offering the finest jewellery and timepieces from their exquisite Nuneaton showroom. Nestled in the heart of Warwickshire, Nailcote Hall is one of the West Midlands’ finest retreats. It features a wonderful Par 3 golf course alongside a great restaurant and spa facilities. PMGC Technology Group are a leading provider of cloud and telecoms solutions in the region,

creating a ‘weightless’ office for any business. St. James’s Place Wealth Management build trusted relationships with clients to enhance their financial future with investment schemes, retirement plans and tax mitigation. The Champions Club were delighted to welcome two new members in 2014. Across Britain Audley Retirement villages offer high quality housing to rival any country house. Having opened Binswood, an exclusive retirement settlement in Leamington Spa, in May 2014, Audley is proving its reputation as a market leader in the industry. The Belfry Hotel & Golf Course has hosted the Ryder Cup on four occasions now and allows you to create your own golfing memories at a location that exudes luxury and exclusivity. Inspirational Magazine is the West Midlands’ leading luxury lifestyle publication, offering a definitive guide to the best quality goods and services available in the region. Champions (UK) plc are a brand agency dedicated to delivering the most creative brand management solutions in the marketplace. With its five in-house departments, Champions (UK) plc provide everything a business needs to maximise its return on investment, from creative conceptualisation right through to more than 1800 diverse and thrilling celebrity acts to add a little stardust to events.

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2014

REVIEW One of Champions (UK) plc’s most exciting roles comes in organising the Champions Club. They arranged five events for this calendar year, creating a great environment for networking and helping to knit the business community together more tightly.

The year’s first event took place in June with a Par 3 Golf Day held at Nailcote Hall. Divided into teams, the Club members were joined by celebrities, including Rugby World Cup winner Neil Back MBE, TV comedian Jasper Carrott and snooker legend Willie Thorne. Everyone got stuck into a great clay pigeon shooting experience and enjoyed the Nailcote’s fine dining at both lunch and dinner. A truly elegant day. July saw the Champions Club descend on the LG Arena with Amplify to watch pop legend and fellow West Midlander, Robbie Williams bring the house down. Treated to a champagne reception on arrival, Champions Club members drank in the atmosphere of the Amplify hospitality suite and were able to network with the assembled business leaders before being entertained by one of the world’s most renowned performers.

The next meeting of the Champions Club took place at Audley Binswood in Leamington Spa. Members were entertained by revered tenor, Laurence Robinson, and given the opportunity to explore the delights of the new five star hotel after a champagne reception and a world class food tasting session. The penultimate event of the Champions Club year celebrated one of the nation’s favourite television shows, The X Factor. Gathering at Gillian Wesley Design, the Champions Club invited The X Factor and Eurovision star, Andy Abraham, to give a private and exclusive performance. Club members enjoyed a front row seat to watch the star sing in a very intimate environment. Combining a fantastic champagne reception with delicious food courtesy of the Catwalk Café, this experience was synonymous with all the exclusivity the Champions Club represents. The 2014 Champions Club curtain will be drawn in style. Members will attend the Champions Club End of Year Ball at The Belfry Hotel and are set to be met by a sumptuous wine and champagne reception, thanks to Charles

Mitchell Wines. The evening will be hosted by snooker favourite, Willie Thorne, and musical entertainment will be provided by the incredible singer-songwriter, Anthony Kinsey. Guests will be treated to a gourmet four course dinner, accompanied by yet more wine and champagne from Charles Mitchell. The year’s final chance for Club members to network and discuss business, the evening is set to be another resounding success and a celebration of the unique opportunities that come with being part of the Champions Club. Aside from the many chances it gives its members to network and build strong relationships, the Champions Club is the perfect platform to invite your own guests to tailor-made events, organised exclusively by Champions (UK) plc. Experts at putting on a show, Champions (UK) plc has over ten years of delivering Britain’s finest events and hospitality under its belt. Joining the Champions Club will allow you to benefit from their expertise while enabling you to forge strong West Midlands business relationships to help secure your ongoing commercial success.

If you believe the Champions Club is of interest to you and your company, Champions (UK) plc would be delighted to welcome you to our exclusive club. To enquire further contact Champions’ Sales & Advertising Manager Sophia Hayes by email: shayes@championsukplc.com or by telephone: 08453 31 30 31.

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BUSINESS AND FINANCE

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Janine Edwards and the St. James’s team enjoy a well earned drink

Simon Tonks, Adam Smith, Sophia Hayes, Andy McLugh, Bobby Thompson, Luke Essex, Maurice Addison and Amelia Fisk relax between courses

PMGC’s winning team show off their prizes

Celebrity Golf Day Wednesday 11th June 2014 Duncan McKenzie presents Neil Footitt with his prize

Derek Ward looking forward to the boutique wines

The Champions Club Celebrity Golf Day saw a variety of celebrities enjoy an amazing day of golf and entertainment hosted at one of the best par 3 courses in the world, Nailcote Hall. Some of the star names that took part include former snooker player Willie Thorne, Rugby World Cup winner Neil Back MBE and comedian and TV presenter, Jasper Carrott OBE. The sunshine further glorified the course and champagne flowed throughout the day courtesy of fine wine specialist Charles Mitchell Wines.

Jasper Carrott OBE and the Johnsons Jewellers team pose mid-round

At 12.00pm a symbolic gunshot commenced the day’s play. Guests were split into nine teams split into two segments. Segment 1 enjoyed 18 holes on the scenic course while segment 2 began the Clay Pigeon shoot, before they swapped over.

Guests vying for top gun status

After a great set of activities, guests rounded off their day with a lavish 3-course meal and an entertaining evening. PMGC Technology Group, The Belfry, Audley Retirement Village and Amplify were among the exclusive Champions Club members that attended the event. Duncan McKenzie hosted the evening, which included a number of songs performed by Dean Andrews. The Champions Club, run by specialist brand agency Champions (UK) plc, regularly organises spectacular events for its members including St James’s Place, Johnsons Jewellers and Inspirational Magazine.

Simon Fleet and Chris Batty share a joke

Six times World Swimming Champion, Mark Foster, tees off

Shel Macrae, Rick Cressman, Bobby Thompson and Ivan Knezovich bonding as a team

John and Sophia Hayes of Champions (UK) plc

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Libby Johnson, Anna Wells and Sophia Hayes catch up over a drink

Howard Domney demonstrates the art of wine tasting to Ms Bruton

Stewart Potter and Keeley Walsh relax with champagne before dinner

A Night at Audley Binswood Thursday 4th September 2014 Essential reading at Audley Binswood’s extensive library

Guests wait in anticipation of culinary treats

Partners of the Champions Club were treated to an evening of luxury at Audley Binswood in September. Held at Audley Retirement’s brand new Binswood Village, guests were invited to an evening of food tasting and entertainment. Upon arrival, guests were treated to a Champagne reception provided by Charles Mitchell Wines whilst admiring the architecture of the Grade II listed Victorian Gothic hall. Guests later sat down to enjoy a world-class food tasting session, showcasing all the new 5 star hotel services Audley can provide.

Jenny Longson with Mr and Mrs Jennings preparing to eat

Throughout the evening, guests were also entertained by Laurence Robinson, a leading opera singer who ensured a relaxed and stylish ambience.

Dr and Jenny Longson with Robert Johnson sipping champagne on arrival

With guest partners including Amplify Hospitality, The Belfry, Johnsons Jewellers, PMGC, Nailcote Hall, Charles Mitchell Wines, Inspirational Magazine and St. James Place Wealth Management, the event was an ideal opportunity to create an even more tightly knit business community in the Midlands. First opened in 1847, Binswood Hall was designed in the style of the great Oxford Colleges. After undergoing a number of transformations, Audley brought the building back to life as a premier retirement destination in 2014.

Tony and Claire Walsh enjoying a selection of Charles Mitchell Wines

Sue Cressman and guests taking in the atmosphere

Mr and Mrs Edwards admiring Binswood Hall’s interior decor

Guests entertained by Laurence Robinson

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Robbie shows guests to their seats

Fash Assadi, Charlotte Conway, Michael Reed and Sophia Hayes looking forward to the show

Richard Lambourne and guests of Charles Mitchell Wines posing after the concert

Robbie Williams at the LG Arena Sunday 6th July 2014 Richard Vickery and Lynsey Stamford in conversation

Katie Niland, Wendy Allbott, Adam Bell, Jacqui Kavanagh and Rachel Sulley exhilarated by Robbie’s performance

Members of the Champions Club attended the LG Arena to watch pop superstar Robbie Williams performing live as part of his Swing Both Ways Tour. After arriving at the venue, guests enjoyed a Champagne reception and a tour of the hospitality areas around the venue. Following on from this, everyone enjoyed a two-course set menu before taking their seats in the VIP seating area. Robbie Williams entertained the crowds with an electric performance that included all his sing-along classics as well songs from his latest album.

Janine Edwards, Joyce Wells, Dave Gould, Pauline Dearlove, David and Elaine Hinds gather for a night with Robbie Williams

The event was organised in conjunction with Amplify, who are specialists in providing the very best in fantastic food and great seats for the ultimate concert experience.

Janine Edwards of St James’s Place and Sophia Hayes of Champions (UK) plc

The Champions Club, run by specialist brand agency Champions (UK) plc, regularly organises spectacular events for its members including: St James’s Place, Johnsons Jewellers, Inspirational Magazine, Nailcote Hall, PMGC Technology Group, Charles Mitchell Wines, The Belfry and Audley Retirement Village. Robbie Williams put on a fantastic show for the Champions Club, bringing all the flair and personality we have come to expect from him. The electric atmosphere in the arena was the perfect match for the camaraderie of the Champions Club members.

PMGC’s Karen Irwin and guests relax with pre-show drinks

A great occasion with wonderful company

Libby Johnson and guests discuss Robbie’s music career

Sophia Hayes and guests making the most of the LG Arena hospitality

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Photographer Antonia Doyle with Inspirational Magazine’s Sophia Hayes

The setting for the evening’s soirée - the fabulous Cat Walk Café

Carole Walsh, Rick Cressman, Tony Walk with Andy and Denise Abraham

X Factor Night at Gillian Wesley Catwalk Café Thursday 9th October 2014 Rachel Clark, Gemma Brining and Libby Johnson look foward to Andy’s performance

Richard Edwards from Charles Mitchell Wines and Janine Edwards of St. James’s Place

The Champions Club gathered on the evening of October 9th to enjoy an evening of food, drinks and spectacular musical entertainment with X Factor and Eurovision star Andy Abraham. The exciting networking event took place at Gillian Wesley Catwalk Café in Knowle. The luxurious Parisian style café boasts a red catwalk carpet and enchanting vintage décor, a wonderful place for guests to meet in style and comfort.

Janine Edwards and guests, Julie Richards, Sue Walker and Caroline Aldersely

Club members arrived to a champagne reception, supplied by Charles Mitchell Wines, before sampling a lavish array of afternoon tea delights courtesy of the Catwalk Café. After eating and mingling the guests were able to enjoy Andy’s soulful sound in an exclusive performance. His striking voice and incredible stage presence provided guests with an unforgettably intimate show.

Guests in full swing enjoying the night

The Champions Club, run by specialist brand agency, Champions (UK) plc, regularly organises spectacular events for its members, St James’s Place, Johnsons Jewellers, Inspirational Magazine, PMGC Technology Group, The Belfry, Audley Retirement Village, Amplify, Nailcote Hall and Charles Mitchell Wines. The evening provided the perfect networking environment, allowing guests to forge stronger links between some of the region’s key local businesses, as well as a chance to have fun and enjoy some great musical entertainment. Donna Hayes enjoying champagne with Rick and Sue Cressman

The man himself - Andy Abraham in full flow

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Debbie Perry from the Belfry and guests Neil Morbey, Laura Sensier and Gemma Duah

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Astrid and Tony Jacklin CBE enjoying themselves

Strictly Come Dancing judge, Len Goodman

BRITISH PAR 3 CHAMPIONSHIP Nailcote Hall, Warwickshire Tony Jacklin CBE, BP3 2014 winner Eddie Pepperell and Eric Herd

Tuesday 5th - Friday 8th August 2014

Olympic athlete, Derek Redmond and wife Maria

The 81st annual edition of the Farmfoods British Par 3 Championship was another golfing extravaganza welcoming a host of top professionals and celebrities to the stunning Nailcote Hall in Warwickshire. Hosted once again by Tony Jacklin CBE, the two-time Major winner welcomed top calibre golfers including Paul Lawrie OBE and Ian Woosnam OBE to one of the world’s premier Par 3 courses.

Former Manchester United player, Clayton Blackmore and wife Tracy

The Championship always attracts a host of stars and this year was no different with the likes of Peter Schmeichel MBE, Sir Garfield Sobers, Len Goodman, Jasper Carrott OBE, Neil Back MBE and Matthew Hoggard MBE showing off their golfing skills.

Goalkeeping great, Peter Schmeichel MBE

Champions (UK) plc organised the event and Farmfoods were once again the headline sponsor ensuring that there was an impressive £100,000 prize fund on offer to attract some of the biggest names in world golf. Away from the greens, the fantastic tented village provided a chance for visitors to enjoy a drink, browse the stalls from leading retailers, practise their golf swing or even relax with a massage. Over the course of the Championship, there were three starstudded Gala Balls which provided first-class entertainment and a valuable opportunity to raise money for Rainbows. Five time olympic swimmer, Mark Foster

The event is televised on Sky Sports and Challenge TV and covered across the media in titles including The Daily Telegraph, Golf Monthly and the Birmingham Post.

Promising young golfer, Charley Hull

INSPIRATIONAL magazine

CATCH

Strictly Come Dancing’s James Jordan

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Eddie Pepperell, winner of the BP3 2014

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Bill Roache MBE at the first tee

1991 Masters winner, Ian Woosnam OBE

Paul Lawrie OBE chips from bunker

Comedian Jasper Carrott OBE joking around

Tony Jacklin CBE watches eventual runner-up, Jak Hamblett

Steph Hayward and Peter Shilton OBE

Garden party atmosphere at Nailcote Hall

American Seniors legend, Larry Laoretti

Alan McInally and Paul Broadhurst discuss their next hole

Watchdog presenter Chris Hollins

Franklyn Stephenson and the T1 Caparo

Ola Jordan, Sue Cressman and James Jordan

Sir Garfield Sobers

Big Ron Atkinson keeps his eyes firmly on the ball

Dan Walker interviewing Peter Shilton OBE

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Keith Duffy and Merrill Osmond dueting on Love Me for a Reason

World beaters Sir Steve Redgrave, Mike Tindall MBE and Martin Corry MBE

Tony Jacklin CBE and Sir Garfield Sobers are all smiles

Wednesday 27th August 2014

Tony Jacklin CBE’s thank you speech

Hosted by the two-time Major winning golfer, the inaugural Tony Jacklin CBE Wentworth Charity Invitational took place at one of the world’s most exclusive courses. Devised, created and managed by Champions (UK) plc, the event was a star-studded occasion that combined top-quality golf with first-class entertainment.

James Nesbitt admires his approach play

Some of the other pros competing on the famous West Course included former Ryder Cup Vice-Captain, Peter Baker; European Senior Tour star, Gary Wolstenholme MBE; and European Tour winner, Paul Broadhurst. The all-star cast of celebrities booked by Champions (UK) plc included: Sir Garfield Sobers, Sir Steve Redgrave, Damon Hill OBE, Jimmy Nesbitt, Mike Tindall, Gregg Wallace and Matthew Hoggard MBE. James Nesbitt applauds Kev Orkian

After the golf, guests enjoyed a delicious three-course meal back at the Clubhouse. Entertainment was provided by comedian and entertainer Kev Orkin, as well as musical legend Merill Osmond and Boyzone singer Keith Duffy who sung a duet of ‘Love Me For A Reason’.

BBC Sport’s Dan Walker at the first tee

The event raised funds for Children’s Hospice, Rainbows, through activities including a charity auction conducted by TV auctioneer, Charlie Ross.

Gregg Wallace and Merrill Osmond enjoying the evening festivities

Marilyn Pither, Gareth Barefoot, Alison Barefoot and Alan Pither

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Guests enjoyed accommodation at the beautiful Pennyhill Park. Lyle and Scott donated all the players’ shirts for the day and there was also an exclusive whisky tasting on the first tee provided by luxury Scottish whisky maker Glenmorangie. The event was generously supported by sponsors: Farmfoods, William Hill, Glenmorangie, Lyle and Scott, Pennyhill Park and the Barbados Tourist Board.

Charlie Ross conducting the charity auction

Matthew Warner, Damon Hill OBE, Tony Jacklin CBE, Sir Roy Gardner and James Henderson

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Nigel Jemson, Dougie Keen, Tony Jacklin CBE, Chris Cockerell and Haydn Mackenzie

Tony Jacklin CBE demonstrates his legendary swing

Jamie Foreman sharing a joke with the audience

Matthew Hayes, Gareth Barefoot, Tony Jacklin CBE, Paul Addison and Mike Tindall

Ian Robertson welcoming the eveningâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s guests

Steel band courtesy of the Barbados Tourist Board

Eric Herd, Jamie Little, Tony Jacklin CBE, Basher Hassan and Stuart Downie

Kev Orkian entertaining the audience

Paul Broadhurst tees off in style

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David Nelson, Ricky Sturrock, Tony Jacklin CBE, DJ Russel and Johnstone Mackie

Glenmorangie whisky tasting on the first tee

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Event Co-Host and snooker legend Willie Thorne

Dennis Amiss MBE with his lifetime achievement award

Guests packed into the Holte Suite

Stuart Potter, Matthew Johnson and Hannah Cunningham

Steve Staughton, Cyrille Regis MBE and guest chat over a drink

Thursday 18th September 2014 After the runaway success of last year’s inaugural event, the 2014 Birmingham Sports Awards had a lot to live up to yet delivered in spades. Held in Aston Villa Football Club’s Holte Suite, the Awards were a star-studded affair showcasing a wonderful twelve months of achievement in the West Midlands sporting arena. City of Birmingham swimming club, Mike Hopkins, Heather Fisher and Fred Rumsey

Mattioli Woods table enjoying the hospitality

Hosted by an inspired pairing of ITV weathergirl, Emma Jesson, and snooker legend, Willie Thorne, the event gave local businesses and sports fans the opportunity to celebrate and recognise the sporting success that has come to characterise our region in recent years. There were 13 awards up for grabs, honouring everyone from professional sportspeople and Birmingham’s best amateurs to promising young stars, coaches and the volunteers that do so much great work behind the scenes. Plus there was a special Lifetime Achievement Award presented to Warwickshire cricket hero, Dennis Amiss, by Rugby World Cup winner Neil Back MBE. Guests took part in a number of games, including ‘stand-up bingo’ and a slient auction, to raise money for the local charities, Cure Leukaemia and The Stephen Staunton Foundation, both of whom do wonderful work in the local community.

David Brookes speaking on stage

Neil Back MBE and Neil Fletcher of Adelphi presents Dennis Amiss MBE with the lifetime achievement award

The Awards are now established as the West Midlands’ most prominent yardstick of sporting endeavour and this year’s celebration served to cement the region’s reputation as one of Britain’s foremost sporting hotbeds. And long may that continue to be the case. Such was the success of the evening, plans are already being put in place for the 2015 edition and, with all the emerging talent on show in 2014, it looks set to highlight even more wonderful sporting achievement. in association with

Sophia Hayes, Alison Leonard, Hannah England and Daniel Caines

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ITV weather presenter and event co-host, Emma Jesson

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Junior Sportsperson of the Year TULLY KEARNEY

Junior Team of the Year

Matthew Hayes from Champions (UK) plc, sponsors of Amateur Sportsman of the year and Bobby Thomson

CITY OF BIRMINGHAM SWIMMING CLUB

Volunteer of the Year JEAN BELL

Community Award SPORT 4 LIFE UK

Club of the Year

Major Richard Carney MBE from Dallas Burston Polo Club with winner, finalists and sponsors of Professional Young Sportsperson of the Year and Anna Turney

CITY OF BIRMINGHAM GYMNASTICS CLUB

Manager/Coach of the Year WEALTH MANAGEMENT & EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

PAT BENSON

Amateur Sportswoman of the Year ALISON LEONARD

Amateur Sportsman of the Year

Sponsor Zena Wooldridge OBE of Birmingham University with the winner of Professional Sportsman of the Year, Neal Radford and Tony Jacklin CBE

MATTHEW HUDSON-SMITH

Team of the Year OLD SILHILLIANS MENâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S 1ST XI

Professional Young Sportsperson of the Year JACK GREALISH Jo Jackson with Sponsors of Community Award and Zoe Hodgins of Virgin Trains.

Professional Sportswoman of the Year JODIE STIMPSON

Professional Sportsman of the Year MOEEN ALI

Lifetime Achievement Award DENNIS AMISS MBE Councillor Peter Griffiths of Birmingham City Council, Neal Radford, Jean Bell, winner of Volunteer of the Year and with sponsor Will Shaman

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Mark Rypma and Andy Tailby leaf through the product guide

David Cutler of Rolex and Derek Ward sharing a joke with guests

Tudor Heritage Ranger timepiece

TUDOR Watch Launch Event at Johnson Jewellers Friday 19th September 2014 Charlotte Southworth, Kelly Coyle and Lynn Delaney pose for a photograph

Mr and Mrs Howells relaxing with champagne on arrival

Nuneaton based jewellery suppliers Johnsons Jewellers hosted a launch party on Friday 19th September to present their new range of quality TUDOR watches. The event was in association with Ducati and introduced the luxurious watch brand, which is now available to buy in store. Leading brand Rolex selected Johnsons Jewellers as one of only 100 retailers to stock their highly sought after subsidiary brand TUDOR watches within the UK.

Tudor Heritage Black Bay timepiece

Guests enjoyed a performance from pianist and singer Anthony Kindsley to kick off the night and TUDOR staff including David Cutler, Head of Communications at Rolex UK, were in attendance alongside various guests. All guests were treated to champagne and wine during the course of the evening, as well as satisfying their appetite with some delicious canapĂŠs. Delightful TUDOR branded cupcakes were also on display all night, and given to the attendees to take home with them in addition to a TUDOR cap and a special goody bag.

Libby Johnson with Mr and Mrs Tailby discussing the new range

This was the first time that the exquisite TUDOR watch collection has been seen in the UK, and their debut was very well-received. Successful first impressions then led to numerous sales over the weekend. The unique designs were favoured by customers who loved the individuality and quality of the timepieces.

Ian Bowcott, Derek Ward and Ian Stuart enjoying the event

David Cutler from Rolex and Jenny Fews chatting about Tudor

Hands on inspection of the new Tudor range

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Libby Johnson and David Buckley watch proceedings intently

Tudor Heritage Chrono Blue, one of the many magnificent timepieces to feature at the eveningâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s launch event

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A wonderful backdrop to the event - The Belfry

Centre of attention - the latest Rolex watches

A prime networking opportunity

Rolex Event at The Belfry Tuesday 30th September 2014 Libby Johnson highlighting the Rolex Watches on display

Guests admiring the Rolex timepieces

Johnsons Jewellers celebrated their association of over 40 years with exquisite Swiss watchmakers, Rolex, by offering a select band of guests the exclusive opportunity to view the brand’s very latest releases at a lavish event held at The Belfry’s Sutton Suite. Guests were greeted by a champagne reception at 7pm before sitting down to a sumptuous three course dining experience. The evening featured sublime musical entertainment from Merrill Osmond, lead singer and bassist of the legendary 1970s band, The Osmonds, and guests were able to get up close and personal with Rolex’s newest design classics. Mr & Mrs Edwards, Mr & Mrs Crouch, Mr & Mrs Cook, John Hayes, Sophia Hayes and David Ford

Having amassed 59 platinum discs and over 100 million worldwide record sales, Merrill was the voice behind The Osmonds most iconic hits, including ‘Crazy Horses’ and ‘Love Me For A Reason’, and, as co-founder of The Children’s Miracle Network he has helped raise over $5 billion for charity.

Guests enjoying the look and feel of the latest Rolex releases

The precision timepieces on show form the most recent chapter in the history of one of the world’s greatest and bestloved brands and were first unveiled to the public in March at the Baselworld 2014 exhibition in Switzerland, the foremost event on the watch and jewellery industry’s calendar.

Libby Johnson, Merrill Osmond and Robert Johnson with Rolex’ new designs

Guests soaking up the atmosphere of The Belfry’s Sutton Suite

Libby Johnson of Johnsons Jewellers and her guests

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Models showcased Rolex’ new releases

Lead singer and bassist of The Osmonds, Merrill Osmond, performs

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Matthew Ayres, Janine Edwards and Emma Ayres

The Belfry

Exclusive Client Day at The Belfry Afia Sirkhot, Janine Edwards and Sally Walder from Amplify

Venue shot

Wednesday 2nd July 2014 The latest in Janine Edward’s highly popular client days, the event was set in a first class environment with a friendly and social atmosphere while addressing the latest wealth management news from industry experts. To start the event Janine introduced Tim Knight, Head of Investment Consultancy at St. James’s Place head office, who delivered an engaging speech around the investment market performance before moving on to provide an outlook for the economy.

Howard and Richard from Charles Mitchell Wines

Following on from Tim, the clients were introduced to Charles Mitchell Wines. Since 1981 Charles Mitchell Wines have been sourcing the finest hand crafted wines from boutique wine growers around the world and they provided an opportunity to taste some fantastic exclusive Grand Cru Champagne and Wine.

Tim Knight

To finish, clients were treated to dinner in the fantastic ‘Ryder Room’ at the newly refurbished Belfry Hotel.

If you would like to attend Janine’s next event please contact her on 01676 530 606

Janine Edwards Alison Ramoutar, Janine Edwards, Tony Billingham and Afia Sirkhot

Richard from Charles Mitchell Wines, Peter Green and Harry Kershaw

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Alison Ramoutar, Wendy Freestone, Richard CM wines, Sue Earles, Peter Yates from Bentley Leicester, Emma Ayres, Simon Fleet and Matthew Ayres

Jeanette Hill, Janine Edwards and John Hill

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Luke Boyden and Shelby Billingham

Yvette Dacre, Lystra Adams, Jamie Rose and Kellie Licorish

Adam Lowe, Dean Spragg, Tom King and Nathaniel Valentino

Harvey Nichols A/W14 Show: from Car Park to Catwalk! Birmingham’s best dressed were certainly out in force at the Harvey Nichols A/W14 Fashion Show. Stylish guests enjoyed an evening of the very latest trends at the event, which was staged in the Mailbox car park. The unusual venue proved a striking backdrop to the most sought-after pieces from the likes of Saint Laurent, Christopher Kane, Versace, Dries Van Noten, Jil Sander, Lanvin, Prabal Gurang, Kenzo, and Valentino. The event sold out in a matter of days and those lucky enough to get a ticket were treated to a Champagne reception and car park catwalk before the chance to shop the exclusive looks in store. There was also an after-show party hosted by Nuage 25 at Marco Pierre White’s.

Versace Collection dress

The show, sponsored by luxury car brand Lexus, definitely whetted the appetite when it comes to what can be expected when the new Harvey Nichols opens its doors at the Mailbox next year.

Maison Martin Margiela coat, T by Alexander Wang top, Gucci trousers, Givenchy bag

“It is events like this that confirm us as the leaders in fashion in the region,” explained Richard Vickery, General Manager of Harvey Nichols Birmingham. “We opted for the unorthodox venue because we think it summed up exactly what we are about – we continue to push the boundaries, whether that’s introducing our customers to the very latest fashion talent or the cutting edge design of our new store.” Hair on the night was styled by Paul Jones, makeup was created by the team at SpaceNK and nails were by Shavata Studio. Styling was by Rachel Story. Shelley Brumpton and Gemma Attenborrow

Giorgio Brato coat, Moschino skirt, Valentino bag

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Photos/RYAN PHILLIPS

Maison Martin Margiela coat, Jet 8 jumper

Chloe coat, Christian Wijnants jumpsuit

Carin Cartwright, Faye Cartwright and Matthew Albrow

Model wearing MSGM

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