Town & Village Life Magazine - March/April 2016 by Jonathon

TOWn & VILLAGE LIFE Magazine

March/April 2016

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TOWN & VILLAG E

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LIFE MA GA Z INE

March/April 2016

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Hello Readers, There’s always a degree of forecasting involved in any good editor’s letter. Get it right and my words will leap – at this time of year at least, like a spring lamb – from the page at precisely the proper moment. Get it wrong and I end up like Michael Fish. Necessity dictates that I welcome you all to Spring 2016; encourage you to boo uproariously at the Budget and, oh yes, get in a quick exhortation about buying Easter Eggs. But I also encourage you to read about Flaming Fires’ impresario, Jane Southall in our Meet The Boss feature; to check out Kinver Fayre on Father’s Day and get involved with the National Trust’s volunteering project to reinvigorate Kinver’s famous Rock Houses. But I can’t mention Mother’s Day because, when you read this, the day will be all but over.

Classy Rags and Diffusion and green-fingered help from Lealans Garden Centre and Boningale. Never forgetting our four-legged friends, there’s advice from Blacks Vets on what to do if your mutt is feeling ruff; a focus on Crufts and a competition to win doggy merchandise from BB Bow Wows. For you stay-at-home types, there’s lots more concerning all the latest trends in – deep breath – kitchens, bathrooms, tiling, flooring, indoor and outdoor furniture, blinds of many different kinds, soft furnishings, lighting and conservatories. Got any energy left? Then be adventurous with Compton Hospice and check out Cannock Caravan Accessories. As Del Boy used to say, you know it makes sense. In this edition of Town and Village Life Magazine, there really is something for everyone: except anyone who wants their fortune reading.

Cupid’s long gone as well, but if he’s left his mark on you, you’ll enjoy our wedding section. There’s also hair and beauty tips to make sure you are looking tip-top. There’s much fashion too: from Aristocats,

See you in May!

Contents

March/April Edition

Brierley Hill: bangers and cash 8/9 Kinver Country fayre – hitting the high notes 10 Meet the boss 16/17 Crosswords & Puzzles 22 Recipe of the month 24 Stourbridge Rugby Club 26 Carver Wolverhampton Marathon 30 Start a new adventure with the rock houses Kinver 32 A drop of the black stuff 38 Grand Theatre competition 42 Crufts 54 Puppy Love: Win a range of high-end doggy merchandise 55 Wombourne and district choral society 58 Advertising enquiries Email: gisella@townandvillagelifemag.co.uk Gisella Wiley (Sales Director) Editorial/What’s On information Email: info@townandvillagelifemag.co.uk Geoff Hall (Editor) Magazine Design Studio 28 Design & Print (www.s28.co.uk)

TOWN & VILLAGE

LIFE M AGA Z I N E

Town & Village Life Magazine Ltd Lytham Rd, Perton, Wolverhampton, WV6 7YY Tel: 01902 744217 www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

110

Geoff

Gardening with Ann Winwood Spring break Blue Ginger: Authentic tastes of India Food review: Halfpenny Green Vineyards The complete reception Beautiful Bride Ladies fashion: Stunning spring fashion Kinver Rotarians bring clean water to Uganda village Education and Schooling Social Scene Men’s Fashion Answers to Crossword & Puzzles Prime Peugeot Renault Clio

60 62 68 72/73 76/77 78 94/95 100 106 110 111 112 113 114

Congratulations to: Winner of Into The Hoods: Remixed competition at The Grand Theatre Mr Russ Byrne, Swindon Winner of The French Connection competition Mr Gerald Darby, Wollaston

We gratefully acknowledge the support of businesses whose adverts appear in Town & Village Life magazine and whilst every care is taken to ensure accuracy, The Publishers cannot accept responsibility for loss, damage or omission caused by error in the printing of an advert or editorial. All artwork is accepted on strict condition that permission has been given for use in this publication. Adverts are accepted on the understanding that descriptions of goods and services are fair and accurate. Town & Village Life magazine does not officially endorse any advertising material included within this publication. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in any retrieval system or transmitted in any form - electronic, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise – without the prior consent of Town & Village Life magazine Ltd.

Total distribution 15,500 copies bi-monthly

www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

Three Pines

excellence all round

Three Pines are always busy with various new build projects too. No matter what their surroundings, the team are used to working to the highest standards and in a professional and sensitive manner - with minimal disruption to their customers. “We have a really skilled and dedicated team working for us. Our three longest serving employees have been with us for around 30 years but we’ve got plenty of other employees who have been with us for more than a decade.”

Long-serving staff members: back l/r Bob Martin, Wayne Preece and Neil Cox with Director Graham Haughton

Top Wolverhamptonbased building contractor Three Pines has been in business since 1960. Since then the firm has laid down solid foundations in both the commercial and domestic sector, working with prominent clients like BMW, Caterpillar and Wolverhampton Wanderers FC. So, it’s no surprise that the company has built an excellent reputation over the years and earned themselves a loyal client base, as Managing Director Alan Bradshaw explains: “We’re really lucky to have established strong links with so many different clients in both the commercial and domestic sectors.”

and operation. The attainment of CHAS accreditation was a major boost for the company and is added to the membership of Constructionline, Federation of Master Builders and National Federation of Builders. “We do a lot of work for the MOD and the Territorial Army, adapting and extending the homes of disabled soldiers to improve their quality of life upon returning home.” The team regularly undertake work for various councils - completing disabled bathroom adaptations - as well as carrying out projects for the fire service and multiple car dealerships. Of course,

Many of the Three Pines team started with the business as apprentices and have remained employed by the company ever since. And Alan is keen to recognise their loyalty: “To say thank you to our three longest-serving employees - that have worked for us for 30, 28 and 23 years - we awarded each of them a watch from Rudell The Jewellers.” And the company is busy extending its offices at Cullwick Street, Wolverhampton, to accommodate their evergrowing workforce. “We started work to enlarge our premises, once again, after Christmas to make room for our expanding team,” adds Alan. There’s no doubt that 2016 is set to be another great year for the company, thanks to the hard work and dedication of its skilled and loyal team.

Taking care of refurbishments, extensions and new builds, Three Pines has been called in to undertake all manner of different projects. “We’ll undertake the smallest of maintenance work right up to the large contracts required for big business. We’ve got the skills and expertise to handle your project from planning through to completion.” Over the years Three Pines has grown considerably and has expanded both its workforce 04

Deep in thought, Three Pines MD Alan Bradshaw

town & village life magazine | march/april 2016

Whether you require refurbishment, extensions or new build, Three Pines are building contractors in Wolverhampton, who have the skills and expertise to handle your project from planning through to completion.

• Over 50 years of experience in construction • Commercial & Domestic developments undertaken • Fully qualified carpenters and bricklayers employed by the company for over 20 years • Care & consideration taken on all domestic & commercial projects • Professional & Friendly service

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Cullwick Court, Cullwick Street, Wolverhampton WV1 2UR Tel: 01902 499919 Email: info@three-pines.co.uk www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

Smart choices

for busy lifestyles The technology has been around for years, but it has successfully crept under the radar of our domestic lives. Alongside smart phones and a generation of smart watches, we now have the technical evolution of smart houses. But for millions juggling the time-taxing duties of domestic servitude, the benefits of intelligently automated living still remains one of lifestyle’s best-kept secrets. Geeky, futuristic, impractical and just too expensive? Surprisingly not! JOHN NASH unpacks the facts and meets the technophobe businesswoman whose hectic life has been transformed after having this clever Wi-Fi gadgetry installed in her home. my partner suggested that we should consider having these devices, I said: ‘What! Me?” Lisa adds: “It’s been three years since I had the first install and I was shocked just how easily I took to it. The beauty with the technology in my home is that it can grow with you. It’s modular. “Initially I just had the lights linked up. I wanted the additional security of being able to come home late and have the house looking like someone was actually there. I also have teenagers, who’d leave every light switched on in the house and being able to instantly review that while I’m away is essential, as well as being cost effective.”

The present reality of living in a ‘sci-fi’ home. Homes that think for us have for years been the backdrop of science fiction films and a staple diet of World Fairs and the Ideal Home Show. Perceived as being beyond reach, they have for many property owners remained a futuristic frontier. But now a growing number of people who wish to reimagine daily interaction with their homes are embracing the ‘future’ and enjoying a present reality of integrated living. Their smart homes are often ordinary domestic builds – semi-detached, detached and occasionally grandiose – where occupants have undergone nothing short of a major lifestyle shift for the better. For technophobe Lisa Pitt that transformation appears to have been a remarkably liberating one. Lisa, who lives in a secluded Shropshire hamlet, is New Business Manager of Financial Services for one of the largest retail chains in the UK and a convert to smart home living. She’s also a self-confessed Luddite with a deep-rooted, irrational distrust of all things digital. The premise that she would ever have the conviction to use an app on her mobile devices to control heating, lighting and security while being away from her house was not only unlikely, but also bordering on ludicrous. “You can’t imagine just how bad I am. I’m the one with a calculator hidden in the handbag. When 06

After ten minutes of exalting the benefits of “managing everything remotely or centrally,” the 48-year-old is enthusing with an almost evangelical zeal about living with intelligent automation. “Especially in the winter… I now come home and the place is always warm, welcoming and my music’s playing, even if no-one’s around.” The technology by Loxone offers easy upgrades – an opportunity too good to pass for this convert. Frustrated there was never enough hot water to indulge in a bath after returning late from business meetings, Lisa commissioned an add-on for the heating. “On the way home I can just turn it on. This technology changes the way we live for the better,” she says. Other additions have included lightsenstive window blinds, a multi-room music system, garden lighting, security cameras and alarms. And how user-friendly is the system? “My nephew, aged seven, can operate it and so can mum and dad, both in their 80s, with the touch of a button,” adds Lisa. The installation was carried out by Chancery Contracts Ltd of Trysull Road, Merry Hill, Wolverhampton. On the cutting edge of electronic installs, the company has more than 20 years’ experience in the industry, Managing Director David Lewis says: “We are a Gold Partner with smart home technology suppliers Loxone and their domestic servers are excellent. In the three years we’ve been fitting them we have never had a failure. Cost of the basic system starts at £595.”

A no-mess, no-wires option on installs – air technology that uses wireless connectivity – adds to the appeal. town & village life magazine | march/april 2016

‘The same technology works for business premises too and is limited only by our lack of imagination’ MD David Lewis of Chancery Contracts Ltd.

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Call 01902 761555 or visit www.chancerycontracts.co.uk www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

Brierley Hill: By Rob Taylor

Bangers and Cash Sausages and steel: that’s what stands out for many mature locals when asked to remember Brierley Hill as it used to be. Superdry and Sainsbury’s are more appropriate synonyms for today’s generation, such is the pull of the nearby Merry Hill Shopping Centre. But as ever, to understand the present we must first look to the past, so travel with me if you please on a journey to look

until the 19th Century for things to really heat up, as heavy industry rolled in to develop the area into being closer in size and scope to that which we know today.

at the history of this ever-soslightly-less-than-historic hill. With a name derived from three Anglo-Saxon words: ‘brer’ – which means: place where the Briar Rose grew; ‘leah’ – which means: woodland clearing; and ‘hill’ – which means, er, hill, Brierley Hill has roots stretching back as far as the Domesday Book and yet it’s scarcely mentioned in texts until the 17th Century. However it would take

Of course, since all of this development took place in a time and place when you certainly didn’t expect to be charged 5p for a carrier bag, this industrial enterprise came with certain drawbacks. In fact, such was the overspill from the collieries, quarries, glass works, and iron works – that brought mining subsidence, open shafts, cinder tips, heaps of slag and waves of black smoke – that Brierley Hill was even compared to Hell in the following poem: ‘When Satan stood on Brierley Hill, And far around it gazed, He

town & village life magazine | march/april 2016

Moor Shopping Centre today occupies the factory’s former site. From the ashes of Round Oak Steel and Marsh and Baxter came the entrepreneurial Richardson brothers and a grand plan that would point to the future of this countries’ preferred shopping habits. said, “I never more shall feel, At Hell’s fierce flames amazed.”

stroke by the recession in the early eighties. In 1982 the plant closed.

Barbs along the lines of “Merry Hell” from the unfortunate many stuck queuing to exit the countless car parks at the monolithic Merry Hill Centre just before Christmas not withstanding, such comparisons are today far from the mark. Conversely, there is much fondness forthcoming from locals about Brierley Hill, which has been a vibrant community for many.

Another popular and productive employer in Brierley Hill was sausage stuffers Marsh and Baxter. A famous Black Country name, known always to bring home the bacon, Alfred Marsh set up a butcher’s shop in Brierley Hill in 1867. By 1871 he was manufacturing sausages at his large workshop in Hall Street. He then took over the former factory of A.R. Baxter, to finally become Marsh and Baxter.

Round Oak Steelworks was at the centre of this. Founded in 1857 it employed at its peak over 3,000 employees and was an internationally renowned bastion of steel-making. With it came social clubs, football and cricket teams: a whole community – of which its people were deeply proud – supported by a single employer, all of which was ultimately undone at a

From these humble beginnings, Marsh and Baxter secured royal warrants in pork and became world famous for its hams, bacon, sausages and pork pies, supplying to notable retailers like Harrods. But the business showed signs of steady decline throughout the seventies before eventually closing its doors in 1978. The

Surpassed only by the cataclysmic shift brought about by online shopping, the creation of purposebuilt out-of-town shopping centres was even back in the early eighties seen by many to be sounding the death knell for traditional town centres and so much resistance met the proposal to build the Merry Hill Centre. But in 1981 the 300-acre site was designated as a ‘Enterprise Zone’ by a government desperate to provide incentives – like a 10 year break in business rates and relaxed planning laws – to businesses in the hope of reinvigorating industrial wasteland. Dudley Council asked Roy and Don Richardson, twin brother businessmen, to transform the former Round Oak site and a large farm space, Merry Hill Farm. Construction kicked off in 1984 and was completed in 1989 after a build that was beset with difficulty – owing mostly to the 200 remaining coal mining pits beneath the area. Since then much expansion and further development has taken place which has seen the Waterfront office complex, Food Court and other annexes added at a total overall cost of around £1 billion. Today the Merry Hill Centre brings in an annual £55 million in rent alone. The centre is still to this day a shining example of the vision and confidence needed to invest in land in an area that many had already written off. It is one of the many landmarks of which Brierley Hill should be duly proud.

www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

Photos courtesy of Purelight Photography

Kinver Country Fayre hitting the high notes Sunday 19th June There’s much more music at this year’s Kinver Country Fayre, taking place as usual on Father’s Day. For the first time, the Fayre will have a dedicated live music tent on the fields. Tim Charnock, one of the organisers of Kinver’s July Music Festival, is pulling together a varied programme of live music to keep fayre-goers entertained throughout the day. The music will be playing next to the beer tent, where a selection of renowned local brews from Kinver Brewery and nearby Enville will be on tap. Non-ale drinkers can still relax and listen, with the Pimms stall and Fayre tea room, complete with homemade cakes, not far away. Of course, there will be all the usual attractions and stalls throughout the fields and in the village High Street

– traders from around the area will be selling handcrafted goods, gifts, delicious food and home made produce. Fine Preserves, Halfpenny Green Vineyards, Beans & Leaves (specialist teas & coffees) and Chilli Zoo are just a few of the dozens of stalls coming to the Fayre to tempt you with their wares. Wenlock

Pottery will be there too with their wheel and an opportunity to try your hand at throwing your own pot. And there will be plenty to keep the children occupied, with football games, bouncy castles, animals to meet and fun from regular Fayre visitors like Mad Dominic. There is a full arena programme, including all the usual favourites such as the children’s fancy dress competition, Kinver Fun Dog Show and dance performances from the fabulous Belly Fusion. This year we have displays from well known sheepdog handler David Seamark. David will be inviting children into the arena to help him control his flock. Further performers are to be announced, including a much anticipated headline act – look out for posters! The Fayre will begin with a grand parade through the High Street, which will include steam engines, motorcycles old and new, and vintage vehicles.

If you have a particularly rare or unusual vehicle and think it might like to join in our parade, do get in touch at: info@kinvercountryfayre.com www.kinvercountryfayre.com Follow us @KinverFayre Like us /kinvercountryfayre 10

town & village life magazine | march/april 2016

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This year Tile Choice is celebrating its 25th anniversary in business. The company now boasts 16 individually designed stores throughout the Midlands and prides itself on quality and diversity in product range, along with the highest levels of customer service. Open 7 days a week, Tile Choice’s 30,000 square foot warehouse offers full support to stores and customers, allowing customer orders to be picked out on the same-day and dispatched quickly nationwide.

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Optional next-day delivery is available via in-store or online ordering. Staff are fully trained in all aspects of the tile industry; their product knowledge is key to customer satisfaction. With sound and practical advice on how to plan and prepare your room layout properly, choosing the right tiles and tools for the job needn’t be difficult. Free sample tiles are available, with product demonstrations, as well as a price matching service on all like-for-like products, including under-floor heating kits. Tile Choice also has its own vehicle fleet to service stores on a daily basis, along with a customer delivery service available via every store to guarantee high standards of service and stock availability. If you are thinking of tiling yourself, Tile Choice stock a full range of tools and tiling accessories, including well known branded products plus its own-brand adhesive tubs and bags. Practical advice is also on hand. So if you are looking for an up to the minute design for your kitchen, bathroom or en-suite; a traditional style or contemporary design for your lounge, hallway or conservatory, Tile Choice will meet your every requirement at exceptional prices. Visit today or alternatively check out: www.tilechoice.co.uk, where you’ll find all products available to buy - including tile samples. Valuable ‘how to’ tips are online also, together with suggested products.

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advertisement feature

D O Y O U h Av E M O N E Y invested IN EQUITIES? ARE YOU concerned WITh ThE CURRENT LEvEL OF vOLATILITY IN stock markets? I have many clients with monies invested in the markets who, following the negative and sensational media coverage of the falls in the FTSE 100, have felt concerned and worried that they will lose their hard earned savings. I thought that this month we would look at the reasons behind the significant falls in equities in the early part of 2016 and what we can expect for the rest of this year. There are several factors that have had a bearing on what we have seen so I will cover each area giving the real facts behind what is happening.

PrIcE oF oIl Oil price has fallen dramatically from $115 a barrel in 2014 down to $30 a barrel at the beginning of February. Why is this happening? It is simply a case of supply outstripping demand with the Saudi’s, Russia, Iran and Iraq producing more oil than ever before which in turn is making it increasingly difficult for shale producers to survive, thereby reducing future competition. It has also resulted in the closure of 35 rigs and the loss of 60,000 jobs as the price of extracting oil from the North Sea is greater than the sale price. The implications of this are felt immediately as in its peak in 2014 over 25% of the FTSE 100 was made up of mining and oil stocks which, given the fall in commodity prices, has seen their share price fall dramatically immediately impacting on the value of the FTSE 100. Long term however what we should see is a transfer of wealth in the region of $2 trillion from the commodities sector to other areas however there will be a lag before we see the results. 14

To put this in simple terms, every consumer is seeing a reduction in their fuel bills, and now, when you fill up it probably costs £30 less to fill your tank, but are people saving this money? In my experience I would say no. What they are doing is spending the surplus monies, whether it be on a visit to the cinema, a new shirt or blouse or generally just treating themselves. This will result in many other companies increasing their income and in turn their profits. What about companies? Their fuel bills have been decimated. For instance, 75% of Carnival Cruises’ expenditure is on fuel. This has now reduced enormously which should show in their future profits. On a larger scale Europe is a massive importer of oil and this saving will help its recovery. So is the fact that oil prices have fallen negative? Short term yes, longer term I don’t think so.

chIna It has been well documented that China is slowing down and their equity markets have been in freefall since the beginning of this year - so is what you read true? China is definitely slowing down, however this was always expected, as the bigger an economy gets the slower the growth. This has happened throughout history and eventually we will see China growing by about 3% a year; for 2016 it is predicted to be in excess of 6%. What about the fact that their stock market has fallen so dramatically since the turn of the year? Well, what the BBC don’t tell you, is that in the previous 12 months their stock market had increased by 152%. This was largely brought about by the Chinese Government allowing the public to open a brokerage account

and basically borrow money from the Government to invest into their equity market. In the region of 70 million individuals opened these accounts. To give you an idea of how quickly China is expanding, between the years of 2010 to 2013 they used more cement than America did in the whole of the 20th century!

amErIca This is one area of the globe that all investors need to be aware of, as whatever happens in the good old US still has major repercussions on the rest of the world. You will probably see that until September/October and the Presidential issue is sorted then very little positive news will be generated and this is probably going to be a year in limbo. The one aspect that is impacting US companies is the strengthening dollar which has seen diluted income for the likes of Google, Starbucks and McDonald’s with Apple losing $2 billion in one quarter alone due to the $ increasing in value.

UK The economy did well in 2015 and should continue throughout 2016, however, whilst the service and construction industries are growing, manufacturing industry is in decline. Wage increases in the UK are buoyant however the big problem is Government and Private debt, with the current level being 80% of GDP, together with rising taxes and austerity.

EUrozonE Recovery looks as if it will continue thanks to low oil prices and the vast Quantitative Easing project that is ongoing by the European Central Bank.

town & village life magazine | march/april 2016

If you would like more information or need advice on your specific circumstances please feel free to contact the author John Webb of midland Independent Financial Services limited on 01543 468877 or john.webb@ midlandifa.co.uk John Webb

InTErEST raTES Interest rates in the US have increased slightly and a year ago it was forecast that rates in the UK would start to increase in January of this year, now it is predicted that interest rates will not rise until the last quarter of 2017. The other interesting fact is that Japan, Europe and the Swiss have actually gone negative on their interest rates meaning it costs the banks to hold funds with their federal reserve. This is being done to encourage lending which in turn stimulates growth.

conclUSIon I think that the key when investing money is diversification and it is important to ensure that you review your investments regularly with your Independent Financial Adviser. www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

John Webb is a Chartered Financial Planner and a Fellow of the Personal Finance Society, the highest accolade designated by that organisation. The Personal Finance Society is the professional body for the Financial Advisory Profession in the United Kingdom, promoting the highest standards of technical knowledge, client service and ethical practice.

Midland Independent Financial Services is Authorised and Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Midland Independent Financial Services Ltd, 153 Avon Road, Cannock, Staffordshire, WS11 1LF. Telephone 01543 468877.

www.midlandifa.co.uk Throughout the year we at midland Independent hold investment seminars with industry experts. If you would like to attend please email: info@midlandifa.co.uk 15

Meet the boss

by John Nash

Personal touch fans the flames of business

There’s this guy I know, who names amongst his hobbies, mountains, fly fishing and his beautifully restored classic MGB ragtop, Molly. On a dismal winter’s evening he enjoys nothing more than nursing a glass of fine claret while sharing with sympathetic listeners the latest escapades these pastimes have brought about. Simple pleasures, I’m sure, but in recent years he’s discovered a new one: a generous-sized inset fireplace with an oak beam (circa 1800s) rescued 16

from a former convent and… a wood burning stove.

recital of the Woodcutter’s Ode, he could well be your dream find.

He’ll argue it’s not a hobby, but believe me, it is. With the zeal of an American TV evangelist, he’ll enthuse about the lounge’s new focal point, the gnarled, ancient oak, the stove’s unyielding efficiency, the lime-mix rendering to stop heat cracks and… I’ll stop here, shall I?

Alternatively (and strongly recommended), you may well be advise to meet the quietlyspoken Jane Southall, joint owner with husband Tony, of family business Flaming Fires in Wombourne. She’s disposed to a more measured approach in selling the virtues of best-taste, bespoke fireplaces and fires.

If you’re seeking the Holy Grail of knowledge on all things wood burners and can tolerate ad nauseum the mind-numbing science of chimney draught equations, ‘airwash’ talk, cleanburn technology chat, stuff about baffles, convection, log moisture content, primary and secondary air flows, double-skin flues, nominal kilowatt output, and the odd

She’s smart, “loves the people in the village,” has a gentle, disarming humour and knows a thing or two about stoves and fireplaces. Her business has been successfully trading for nearly 26 years – 25 of them from her welcoming display studios next to the Village Green.

town & village life magazine | march/april 2016

And helping her keep abreast of surveys, installations and maintenance is brother and business manager, Andrew Edwards, with whom she has worked for 14 years. “It’s my job to keep things clean and tidy – literally,” he says, “sorting schedules, making sure our installs are always up to our high standards and being the one at the practical end of our personal service.” On log burners: “Why buy one?” muses Jane. “Where do I start? Decide on a fireplace and then add a stove… perhaps?” The process of choice demands a fusion of disciplines. The aesthetics, personal tastes, the size of the room, the compatibility of chimney and stove, and just how such an ambient focal point would perform in its environment. Jane’s showrooms, that appear to infinitely extend Tardis-like from the street entrance to Millbrook House, offer the customer plenty of choice and it’s all “top end products.”

– and then help them to buy a service from us and not just a very high quality product. “We’ve been in this place 25 years. We’re known for our reliability and our customers respect the very personal follow-up we extend. “You can’t buy that commitment from the internet and it’s what sets us apart,” says Jane, a company director. As she nods and waves to passers-by it’s clear that this is a proper village business and that its defining personal touch is tangible. Tony, who mans the shop on Saturdays, “is the real stove genius and is passionate about them,” adds Jane. Flaming Fires offers impartial advice and fitting services for all of their gas, LPG, wood, multi-fuel and electrical products.

In a quaint Georgian setting, the displays cover three floors and range from the contemporary to the traditional. Something for all tastes, there’s the opulent, robust, minimalist, strong architectural and imaginative. In short, it’s a stove seeker’s utopia and the fireplaces are a class act too. “When customers come in I’m not here just to sell them a stove or fireplace. They can find a deal like that on any internet site. “What we do here is try to give them the important information they need – educate them

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Find us on

and 17

N D Walters Celebrates 40 Years in Business “Being a member of Greendale means that we can offer a huge range of products, but still compete in terms of price too, passing the savings on to the customer.” And there are always bargains to be had: “We have a lot of endof-roll stock available all the time, so there are plenty of exciting prices to be found in store.”

Sedgley-based carpets and flooring specialist, ND Walters, is celebrating its 40th year in business this year. It’s no surprise that the family-run company has gone from strengthto-strength over the past four decades, thanks to their complete commitment to customer care. Earning an excellent reputation in the industry, ND Walters has become the premier choice for homeowners and commercial clients alike, who are looking for superior products and service. Owner, Nick Walters, explains: “We supply all types of carpets, laminates, vinyls and rugs from our vast 6,000 square foot warehouse, that’s based on the Dudley Road, Sedgley.” Although appearing deceptively small on the outside, the showroom is in fact, packed full of all manner of quality carpet and flooring ranges. “We have a fantastic selection of Karndean, Amtico, Furlong, Quick-Step and V4 Wood flooring to choose from, as well as carpet ranges from leading manufacturers 18

like, Axminster, Brintons, Greendale and Adams Carpets.” There’s something to suit every home décor at the showroom: “We cater for all styles and tastes - we have very traditional designs, as well as the most upto-date and fashionable styles.” And that’s not all, there’s also an impressive selection of rugs to choose from too. “Rugs instantly give the home a really cosy and comfortable feel and can complete the look of your room perfectly.”

The company also offer free home consultations and come highly recommended by the Carpet Foundation - an independent organisation who monitor and check on carpet retailers to ensure standards of quality and service. And what’s more, N D Walters has even been featured on two of TV’s top DIY shows - DIY SOS and Cowboy Builders - where they helped out two families by supplying the flooring that made their home transformation complete. So, if you haven’t visited already, be sure to make a trip to N D Walters before you begin any home improvements this spring - it’ll be well worth your while.

The team at ND Walters are on hand to help and advise clients on the products that’ll be perfect for their home. “We’ve got years of experience in the trade, as well as an expertly trained team, so we can offer our customers plenty of advice. We also have our very own team of expert fitters who take care of installation.” And what’s even better is that all of the company’s products are extremely competitively priced, as the business works closely with the Greendale Group, which is the largest carpet and flooring buying company in the UK. town & village life magazine | march/april 2016

“Affordable Prices” “Expert Advice”

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Elegance We source from the most stylish manufacturers and we have more than a quar ter of a centur y of experience. We design and install inspirational bathrooms and kitchens that are totally unique to your lifestyle.

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The Art of Inspiration Stourbridge Galleries is situated in a fine Victorian house on Worcester Street, a building which provides the perfect environment for this unique Gift Shop and Gallery.

Inside you will find a wonderful mix of design-led gifts, jewellery and scarves, greetings cards, artwork and home accessories. Design, quality and value for money are paramount when selecting the stylish and eclectic collections for which the store is renowned, giving a choice of products not readily available on the high street.

Candles have introduced new fragrances to their range of Reed Diffusers â&#x20AC;&#x201C; these are an ideal way of fragrancing your home day in day out. Now offered in popular fragrances including Inspiritus, Tranquility, Sea Salt & Spring Flowers they keep your home smelling fresh all day, unlike candles that you have to blow out when you leave.

Based in Cumbria, photographer James Bell, specialises in views of the Lake District and the Scottish Highlands. His new images are exceptional â&#x20AC;&#x201C; one that particularly catches the eye is a stunning view of Rydal Water at

sunrise, with amazing light as the morning mist lifts from the lake.

With Easter not far away the galleries offer many gifts ideally suited to the season, including Jellycat soft toys and spongeware mugs and egg cups by Brixton Pottery featuring ducks, rabbits, chickens and farm animals. Greeting cards are also available either singly or in packs. Expect a warm welcome and something new and different to see each time you visit. We are sure you will agree that this is the home of a truly 21st century shopping experience.

It is difficult to pick out individual items in a shop that has so many beautiful things on display. This spring sees a new range of mugs, jugs, egg cups, tins and wooden accessories from the designer Jane Ormes. Her whimsical and decorative designs help to make your house a home with a designer twist! St Eval

Stourbridge Gift Shop

Gallery

Galleries Picture Framers

Two floors of eye catching giftware, jewellery and home accessories provides a visual treat that makes shopping here such a pleasure. To complete that perfect gift, select from a range of beautifully designed contemporary gift wrap and bags.

Open: 9.30am - 5.30pm Monday to Saturday 58 Worcester Street, Stourbridge, DY8 1AS Tel: 01384 390170 www.stourbridgegalleries.co.uk

town & village life magazine | march/april 2016

21 Enville Road, Wall Heath Kingswinford, West Midlands DY6 0JT Open Tuesday to Friday 9am - 5pm, Saturday 9am - 4pm

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Quick Crossword Across 1 Tidy (4) 3 Uneducated (8) 9 Not man-made (7) 10 Tummy button (5) 11 Premature (5) 12 Pacific and Atlantic (6) 14 Stitching (6) 16 Not present (6) 19 Vegetable (6) 21 Big cat (5) 24 Heartbeat (5) 25 Frightened (7) 26 Less than twenty (8) 27 Second-hand (4)

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WET town & village life magazine | march/april 2016

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RECIPE

Preparation time: 20 minutes Cooking time: 60-70 minutes

Banana and Walnut Loaf

INGREDIENTS FOR THE SPONGE • 225g plain flour • 2 level tsp baking powder • 80g softened or spreadable butter • 1 large egg (beaten) • 110g caster sugar • 4 medium bananas (peeled) • 50g walnuts (chopped)

4. Spoon the cake mixture into the prepared tin. Sprinkle with Demerara sugar.

Method

5. Place in the pre-heated oven so that the top of the tin is in the centre. Bake for 60-70 minutes until a skewer inserted into the cake comes out clean.

1. Preheat oven to 180C / gas 4. Grease and line a 2lb loaf tin.

6. Let the cake cool for 10-15 minutes then turn out on to a cooling rack.

2. Mash three bananas to a pulp and chop the fourth.

7. This cake is good served warm with crème fraiche, cold, or even toasted.

• Zest 1 lemon • Demerara sugar for sprinkling

3. Sift the flour and baking powder together into a separate bowl. Add the butter, egg and caster sugar. Using a mixer mix everything together for a minute or two. Add the mashed and chopped bananas and briefly whisk them into the mixture. Fold in the chopped walnuts and lemon zest.

town & village life magazine | march/april 2016

in-toto Stourbridge Shop 4, Winwood Court Norton Road Stourbridge DY8 2AE 01384 378203 www.intoto.co.uk

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Stourbridge

RFC The New Year brought mixed results for the 1st XV with victories against Sandal, and Harrogate and then followed three consecutive losses against Preston Grasshoppers, Leicester Lions and Broadstreet.

The Lions too have had mixed fortunes in their league , but have now advanced to the semi-final of the RFU Intermediate cup (Midlands). This critical match is to be played at Stourbridge on March 12th against Kidderminster. In the junior ranks we hosted a festival for North Midlands and Warwickshire Under14’s on February 28th and for the local Ridgewood High School on March 2nd. In partnership with the RFU we are starting “O2 Touch” from early March. This initiative will be held on Monday and Wednesday evenings, is for all ages and abilities, includes girls and ladies and will run throughout the summer. Moves are afoot to enhance the floodlighting necessary to accommodate the growing demand for facilities and senior management are pursuing every conceivable avenue to establish

Henry Blofeld OBE

the viability of an all -weather 3G playing surface, all of which is in close liaison with the RFU. Off the field the social scene continues. January 16th saw the inaugural Past Presidents lunch organised by Peter Millard. Twenty eight Past Presidents attended. So successful was the turn out that the date is booked for next year. For the younger club members entertainment by local band “The Space Hoppers“ was the highlight on March 5th. On March 11th the traditional Debenture Club Dinner will be held with Mike Lewis as the guest speaker. All of this intermingled with the Six Nations Internationals meant that there has never been a dull moment. And to carry on that active theme we now look forward to our Annual extravaganza weekend on Friday May 6th with our Corporate Lunch, followed on the Saturday by our May Ball. Application forms for both events in the Grand Marquee may be downloaded from our website.

This year we are privileged to have as our lead speakers for the Friday Lunch Nigel Owens, well known as the Welsh referee who officiated at the 2015 Rugby World Cup Final in October, and alongside him, fans of the Test Match Special will be delighted to see the inimitable Old Etonian cricket commentator Henry Blofeld OBE, who describes his favourite hobby as “drinking wine”. To keep them in order and to ensure the whole day runs smoothly we welcome back our Master of Ceremonies and ex British Lion John Bentley. John knows the club well and has overseen the event for the previous two years. The entertainment at the glittering May Ball will be from the “The Britpop Tribute Band” who are based in Lichfield. We are looking forward to a very busy weekend.

Robin Edwards

Chairman, Stourbridge Rugby Club

Nigel Owens

T: 01384 395000 E: rugby@stourbridgerugby.com www.stourbridgerugby.com 26

town & village life magazine | march/april 2016

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A new flavour

of k itchen

Black Country Kitchens, which was formed in July 2015 by local entrepreneur Mitchell Smith, will become the area’s only Kulhmann stockist when it launches a dedicated showroom in March 2016. Following a visit to Dortmund to seal the deal, the company has invested another £25,000 into equipping its Delph Road site with two fully fitted kitchens and a selection of finishes from the international brand’s extensive range. It’s the culmination of a flying start for Smith, who has seen his firm secure over £100,000 of orders from consumers looking for a bespoke offer and personal service. Growth has necessitated the need for six new staff, including craftsman, a delivery driver and an experienced designer. “We started out by wanting to provide the marketplace with something different and that included finding local, nationwide and international brands that embrace new design styles and trends,” explained Mitchell, who is running the company with the help of Sales Manager Bob Peters. 28

Black Country Kitchens is still committed to sourcing from the UK and, in addition to Kuhlmann, is showcasing more than 60 kitchens across its classical, contemporary and painted ranges including Burbridge, Bella and TKC brands. It offers the complete service, from talking customers through their requirements to designing their bespoke kitchens and fitting them quickly and efficiently. With its reputation growing, Black Country Kitchens has now started to tender for major new build and refurbishment projects, tapping into the skills of its sister business Smith Carpentry Services. For further information, please visit www.blackcountrykitchens.com or www.facebook.com/blackcountrykitchens town & village life magazine | march/april 2016

Why not give us the opportunity to show you what we could do in your home?

www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

CAR V ER Wolverhampton Marathon The organisers of the 19th Carver Wolverhampton Marathon Events are already busy planning for SUNDAY 4TH SEPTEMBER when they hope thousands will again take to the streets around Wolverhampton, running, cycling or walking in West Park. There is still a lot to do; there are some changes being made to the route, Course Manager Gwyn has been out measuring and planning and has come up with a modification to the existing route which he hopes runners and cyclists will find to be an improvement. The Banks’s 10K will include a Corporate Challenge this year. Individuals can sign up for the 10K and can add their company name to the form. The four people from the same company with the fastest times will take the award. THIS CHALLENGE ONLY APPLIES TO THE 10K. Sponsored by Marston’s Brewery this distance has become very popular; it starts

and finishes on the doorstep of Marston’s and carries the Banks’s brand name. The Events have become a firm fixture in the Wolverhampton calendar and attract competitors from all around the country as well as locals. Race Director Mary Harding has been forging links with Wolverhampton Public Health who are challenging people to take more exercise and improve their fitness. As Mary says “Our events offer something for everyone to take part in.” Furthermore the marathon events raise thousands of pounds each year for local charities and the official launch on February 1st saw two new charities announced. The Haven and Wolverhampton Rheumatology Support Group joined Charity Partner Compton Hospice for a share of the proceeds from the 2016 events. As always The Mayoral Charity Fund receives a share, the identity of those charities will be announced when the new mayor takes office.

The Marathon website has been updated and entry forms are in circulation. To enter any of the events visit the website www.carverwolverhamptonmarathonevents.co.uk or post your entry to Carvers. Their address can be found on the website. 30

town & village life magazine | march/april 2016

www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

Start a new adventure

with the Rock Houses and volunteer The unique Rock Houses and surrounding countryside of Kinver Edge are seeking volunteers to bring them to life. The Rock Houses, between Stourbridge and Kidderminster, will be open seven days a week in school holidays for the first time, so need extra helpers to join the team. They also want to recruit volunteers to help deliver exciting new activities, to create lasting memories for visitors

welcome, tea-room, events and education departments and find out about opportunities to volunteer. There is no need to book an appointment, just drop in on the day, but for further details call: Helen Selkirk on 01384 872553 or email kinveredge@nationaltrust.org.uk

With extra help, the National Trust hopes to bring the Rock Houses to life more than ever. The variety of roles for volunteers includes leading tours around the site, encouraging children to try traditional hands-on activities such as making rag rugs, keeping the gardens neat and tidy and serving visitors in the quaint garden tea-room. There’s also opportunities outdoors working with the ranger team to undertake practical conservation tasks on the special heathland habitat of Kinver Edge… where you might even catch a glimpse of the rare wildlife such as adders and sky lark. Helen Selkirk, Visitor Experience Officer, said: “The Rock Houses are such a unique and quirky place. We want to welcome even more people here this year, and to make sure that they have a really memorable visit. We’ve got so much to tell so just need energetic and passionate people to help us do it. We appreciate everyone’s free time is precious so our volunteer rotas can be flexible to meet people’s needs. Our volunteers are a great team and by sharing ideas, working together and creating an amazing day out, they have fun, grow in confidence and really make a difference. They help to shape the way we look after this special place, so this is a brilliant time to get involved as we make exciting changes to how we tell our visitors these fascinating stories.” Volunteering with the National Trust is a great way to socialise, as you make friends with other volunteers and share stories with visitors. It can be really helpful for people looking for work or thinking about a new career, volunteering can help by improving CVs; aiding time management, planning and prioritising expertise. New recruits will also get free training, social events, and National Trust accreditation. Volunteer drop-in days are being held at the Rock Houses on Saturday 12 March from 11am to 4pm, Wednesday 16, 11am – 1pm, and Thursday 24 1pm – 4pm, for potential new recruits to find out more. The sessions will include the chance to meet staff and volunteers from the countryside, visitor 32

town & village life magazine | march/april 2016

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Geoff Hill Electrical

‘ B e s t p r i c e , b e s t c h o i c e , b e s t s e r v i c e . . . a l w a y s .’ make donations each year. The charitable trust was formed in 1997 to help worthy causes. A competitive pricing structure means that despite being an independent store, prices match those offered by large chains. And, with offers running on a regular basis, you can be sure that you are always buying at the best price.

Geoff Hill Electrical has long been known for providing the very best in personalised customer service, as well as an extensive selection of quality products at competitive prices. That’s why the independent electrical retailer - that’s based in Amblecote, Stourbridge has earned a loyal customer base, and gained an excellent reputation, over the 55 years it has been in business. Owner Geoff Hill started the business in 1960 from small premises in the village’s high street, after much success and an ever increasing customer demand; he quickly expanded the site before moving to the store’s current premises - 7, High Street - in 1981. The expansive store is now filled with an impressive selection of the latest, and best, top branded audio-visual, electrical and white goods that suit the requirements and budgets of all.

As the business has continued to grow and flourish, Geoff has continued to make changes to the showroom to house their ever-expanding ranges and create the perfect shopping environment for customers. The store has just undergone a refurbishment which has updated and modernised the space, creating a fresh look and spacious feel. Thanks to a highly trained team of 13 employees, customer service at the store is unbeatable. With an emphasis on offering accurate, impartial and in-depth information on every product, the staff at Geoff Hill Electrical are well equipped to advise on any purchase. No matter what you’re looking for, you’ll be treated to an easy, hassle-free shopping experience. And that’s reassuring to know. What makes Geoff Hill Electrical even more special is the fact that they continually support the Geoff Hill Charitable Trust and

If you’re looking to spread the cost of your purchase, you will be pleased to hear that the store offers six months interest free finance on purchases over £200, with only a 20% deposit required, then six equal monthly payments of the remaining balance. There’s long term finance on offer too - to suit the needs of every customer - which allows you to make smaller payments over an agreed period of time and there’s even the option to pay weekly. Free local delivery - on items over £150 - makes getting your goods home easy and Geoff Hill Electrical can even take away your old appliance and recycle it for you - for a small charge of £10. So, whether you’re looking to buy an essential electrical appliance for your home or maybe the latest TV to complete your living room, there’s only one retailer to visit and that’s Geoff Hill Electrical, Stourbridge. From Friday 1st April their opening times will be changing to 9am until 5.30pm Monday to Saturday, Sundays will remain the same: 10.30am until 4.30pm.

There’s the most up-to-date digital freeview and LCD televisions, as well as an extensive selection of washing machines, dishwashers, cookers, fridges and freezers, all of which are from the leading and most popular brands - Sony, Hotpoint, Panasonic, Zanussi, Bosch, Samsung, Miele, Siemens, Kenwood, Rangemaster, Indesit and many more. 36

town & village life magazine | march/april 2016

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Geoff Hill’s Charitable Trust donates 10% of our profit towards local needy causes

A Drop of the

Black StufF

By Debbie Singh-Bhatti

James Gate, Dublin where he began brewing porter and ale.

March 17th is St Patrick’s Day - a celebration of all things Irish - and people around Ireland and throughout the world will commemorate it with a pint or two of Guinness, Ireland’s unofficial national intoxicant, with more than a 25% share of the beer market.

Porter is a dark, well-hopped beer made from brown malt. Its history is closely intertwined with that of stout, a term which originally referred to a beer’s strength but which now refers to the drink’s body and colour.

Arthur Guinness founded the brewery that makes the famous drink. Born in 1725 in County Kildare, Arthur inherited £100 at the age of 27 from his godfather, and three years later he set up business as a brewer. In 1759 he signed a 9,000 year lease on a disused brewery in St

Today’s Guinness is a dry stout available in a number of variants and strengths, including Guinness Draught, Guinness Original/ Extra Stout, Guinness Foreign Extra Stout, Guinness Special Export Stout and Guinness Bitter. It is nicknamed ‘the black stuff’ on account of its dark colour, although it is actually a very dark shade of ruby! Now brewed in 60 countries and available in over 120, the first Guinness export was to England in 1769, and by 1824 it had become a worldwide brand. Sales soared from 350,000 barrels in 1868 to over a million eighteen years later. However, by the 1970s sales were in decline and the company decided to make Guinness Extra

Stout ‘more drinkable’, resulting in a brand re-launch in 1981 with pale malt being used for the first time. Contemporary Guinness Draught and Extra Light Stout are weaker than their 19th Century counterpart, with Foreign Extra Stout and Special Export being closer to the original in character. Modern Guinness has a burnt flavour and is famous for its smoothness and thick, creamy head. The production of Guinness continues to change with the times. In November last year the company announced plans to make their beer suitable for vegetarians and vegans by the end of 2016, through the introduction of a new filtration process that will avoid the need to use isinglass from fish bladders. Claims have been made in the past that Guinness can benefit the heart by helping to prevent harmful deposit build-up on artery walls. It has also been described as a ‘meal in a glass’, and at 198 calories per pint, has slightly fewer calories than skimmed milk, orange juice and most other light beers. So, I wish you a happy St Patrick’s Day, filled with friends, fun, smiles and a drop of the black stuff.

town & village life magazine | march/april 2016

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www.blackcountryfirewood.co.uk

or visit us at

Salters Hall Farm Bobbington, Stourbridge, DY7 5DX * pack includes:

1 x Huge Bag Kiln Dried Logs 2 x Nets of Kindling Sticks 1 x 24 Natural Firelighters

1 x Box Matches

blackcountryfirewood 39

Shutters and blinds but like all other matters relating to decor, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s purely a matter of taste.

There are several styles of shutter to choose from, for example; solid shutters are designed to be folded back during the day and closed at night (or when the house is unoccupied). They resemble very much those rather elegant shutters you can sometimes see in old Victorian or Georgian houses. These have a solid raised section with decorative detailing. Then there are solid Shaker shutters that go perfectly with the latest minimalist decor. These are flat, almost featureless and have a flat, solid insert.

The way you dress the windows of your home says a great deal about you. It shows your taste, your attitude to comfort and the value you place on your home. Once upon a time, curtains were all you would see at the majority of domestic windows and curtains have excellent properties, they insulate, provide privacy and prevent the goods inside from fading in the sun. These days however, there are other, popular and fashionable alternatives, namely blinds and/or shutters. Blinds can be had in a whole range of colours and in several styles. They can be self-coloured or made-tomatch exactly, the soft furnishings in the house. There are roller blinds, Roman blinds and Venetian blinds. Each has its advantages and disadvantages but they can be installed together with the more traditional curtains adding that extra element of privacy, insulation and fade resistance. Alternatively they may be installed alone, and there are advantages to this.

purpose is generally quite other than mere dressing for eye-appeal though they can still offer insulation, privacy and fade resistance. Depending on the materials from which they are made, shutters can also offer security. Shutters are variously made from hardwood, usually elm or yellow poplar, MDF, a variety of plastic composites or steel, all of which can be finished to match either the interior or exterior decor. They can be fitted on the inside or outside of the windows; in fact they can be painted one colour on the outward facing side and another on the inside. MDF is not recommended for outside fitting or for bathrooms or steamy kitchens. Shutters in the UK are usually fitted on the inside of a window. However the more decorative, continental styles are fitted outside so they open right back, flush against the wall. Whether this arrangement is suitable for a traditional UK semi is debatable

There are also shutters that feature a solid lower half with slats on the upper half. These slats can be static or open/closable. They look particularly good over French doors. Security shutters are usually of solid steel folding sections. As with curtains and blinds, shutters can be operated by remote control. The steel security shutters however, are always opened and closed electrically. They also have safety features built in so they remain closed should there be a power cut and can only be opened any time by means of a hand held remote control. Blinds and shutters may be fitted by suppliers or on a DIY basis. It is said they are pretty easy to fit without experience if you are half-handy. Blinds can add that extra elegance to your home. Shutters however, add an extra touch of sophistication and that all important element of security. Not a matter to be ignored in these troubled times.

Blinds are generally made of spongeable materials such as plastic, wood or treated furnishing fabric. They are therefore easily cleaned - some even consider them to be much easier to maintain than curtains. However, like curtains, they can easily be custom-made to fit your windows and your interior decor. They can also be operated by remote control. Shutters on the other hand are tougher customers altogether. Their 40

town & village life magazine | march/april 2016

FREE No Obligation Measure Service FREE Installation

Established over

20 yEars

Vertical Blinds Roller Blinds Venetian Blinds Pleated Blinds Roman Blinds Perfect Fit Blinds Plantation Shutters Conservatory Blinds Motorised Blinds Awnings Canopies

Visit our Showroom

Portway House, Stream Road, Kingswinford, DY6 9NT

Monday - Friday 9:00 - 5:00 Saturday 10:00 - 4:00

Telephone: 01384 273769 www.castleblinds.co.uk www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

Grand Theatre COMPETITION

One lucky winner can win two tickets to see Annie on Monday 4th April at 7.30pm at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre.

Produced by Michael Harrison, the man behind tours of The Bodyguard, Barnum, the 2015 West End sell-out Gypsy and the Grand Theatre’s 2015/16 pantomime Peter Pan, a brand new UK tour of ANNIE will play at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre from Monday 4 – Sat 9 April 2016. Set in 1930s New York during The Great Depression, brave young Annie is forced to live a life of misery and torment at Miss Hannigan’s orphanage. Determined to find her real parents, her luck changes when she is chosen to spend Christmas at the residence of famous billionaire, Oliver Warbucks. Spiteful Miss Hannigan has other ideas and hatches a plan to spoil Annie’s search… The musical is famous for its award-winning book and score and includes the unforgettable songs ‘It’s the Hard Knock Life’, ‘Easy Street’, ‘I Don’t Need Anything But You’ and ‘Tomorrow’. Lesley Joseph will star as the tyrannical Miss Hannigan and is best known for playing ‘Dorien

Green’ in the hugely successful sitcom Birds of a Feather alongside Pauline Quirke and Linda Robson. They recorded over 100 episodes over a period of nine years. Lesley and her co-stars returned to our screens in Birds of a Feather in 2013 with a second series airing earlier this year. Lesley’s theatre credits include Miss Hannigan in Annie at the West End’s Victoria Palace and also on national tour. Her other touring credits include Calendar Girls

and Hot Flush! Both of which have played at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre in recent years. Lesley is joined by Alex Bourne as Oliver ‘Daddy’ Warbucks who recently played Khashoggi in We Will Rock You at the Dominion Theatre and Kiss Me Kate at the Chichester Festival Theatre and Old Vic Theatre. Holly Dale Spencer will play Grace Farrell, Jonny Fines is Rooster and Djalenga Scott plays Lily.

To book your seats today please go online at www.grandtheatre.co.uk or contact the Box Office on 01902 42 92 12

To be in with a chance of winning simply answer the following question correctly and send it on a postcard with your name, address and telephone number to Town & Village Life Magazine or email info@townandvillagelifemag.co.uk by Friday 25th March 2016.

What is the name of the character played by Lesley Joseph in the TV sitcom ‘Birds of a Feather’? 42

Competition Terms and Conditions Please send postal entries to Town & Village Life Magazine, 1 Lytham Road, Perton, Wolverhampton WV6 7YY or email info@townandvillagelifemag.co.uk. To be received no later than Friday 25th March 2016. Winners to collect tickets from the box office on the evening of the performance. Tickets cannot be exchanged and no cash or alternative prize nights available. Winners may be required to partake in relevant publicity.

town & village life magazine | march/april 2016

Castle Street, Dudley Centre, DY1 1LA Tel: 01384 234620 Unit, 26, Vanguard Way, Shrewsbury, SY1 3TG Tel: 01743 463261 3 Riverside, Stafford, ST16 3PT Tel: 01785 223338 Macrome Road, Claregate, Wolverhampton, WV6 9HD Tel: 01902 752764 Townsend Place, Kingswinford Centre, DY6 9JA Tel: 01384 271812 Salop Street, Wolverhampton, WV3 0RX Tel: 01902 429060 Castle Street, Hadley, Telford TF1 6GJ Tel: 01952 257007 www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

What are

LED Bulbs? LED Lamps are the latest technology in energy efficient lighting.

They are robust and long lasting and are the most flexible and versatile form of lighting and are designed to work as direct replacement bulbs for your existing light fittings I have energy saving bulbs around my house. Why should I change to LED? • LEDs reach full brightness instantaneously unlike energy saving bulbs which usually take a few minutes • LEDs are non-toxic and contain no mercury or lead so they are very eco-friendly • LEDs are long lasting – typically 30,000-50,000 hours compared to halogen/ incandescent bulbs which last 2000-4000 hours • LEDs use up to 90% less energy than halogen/ incandescent bulbs of an equivalent brightness • LEDs produce less heat so they are not hot to touch

How bright are LEDs. What wattage should I go for?

What colour LED bulbs are available?

The brightness of a bulb is measured in lumens (Lm), the higher the number of lumens, the brighter the bulb. Although LEDs use very low wattages they emit the same brightness as traditional bulbs.

• 6W LED is the equivalent of a 40W

Most LED bulbs are available in 3 colour options: Warm White which is most common as it is the ideal replacement to the halogen bulb colour and gives off an inviting, comfortable and relaxing mood. Cool White is a cooler colour option associated with fluorescent tubes in offices or retail outlets as it gives off a bright, clean and lively mood. Daylight is a very white light, almost with a tinge of blue to it and gives a very crisp, refreshing energetic mood.

• 10W LED is the equivalent of a 60W

Do I need a specific dimmer for LED Bulbs?

• 13W LED is the equivalent of a 75W

LED bulbs are available in both dimmable and non-dimmable options. You will need a specific dimmer switch with your LED bulbs as they use very little power compared to halogen bulbs. LED bulbs will not work properly on standard dimmers as this will lead to a shortened bulb life, a lower light output and a buzzing sound. For the best performance from your LED bulb you must use a trailing edge dimmer which has lower minimum loads, which are designed to be used with LED bulbs.

To make things easier; • 4W LED is the equivalent of a 25W

• 18W LED is the equivalent of a 100W How can LEDs save me money? Lighting represents 20% of the overall energy consumption in standard household or commercial premises. By switching to LED a considerable amount of money can be saved due to the lower wattages in LED Bulbs. LEDs last far longer so they won’t need changing as often which means less maintenance costs and you will start saving money in less than a year. What type of LED bulbs are available?

Come and visit our new showroom, now open, with a huge range of lighting on display including our LED lighting and bulbs or visit us online at www.lightingrus.co.uk

LED bulbs are available as replacements for most caps, shapes and sizes including standard GLS, Candles, Spotlights, Golf balls, Reflectors and Tubes.

In addition to buying your lighting from us we have our fully qualified electricians available to install using our sister company Central Electrical Contracts Ltd

town & village life magazine | march/april 2016

Lighting R Us Visit us online at www.lightingrus.co.uk

UNIT 1A WALTON WORKS IND EST, MACROME ROAD, ALDERSLEY, W’TON WV6 9HD sales@lightingrus.co.uk | 01902 757825

10% OFF LIGHTING Take this advert into store or use promo code ‘MARCH10’ on our website (excludes led bulbs & bespoke silk shades)

“Amazing choice of lights, I was impressed with the service and the fact they supply an electrician to fit the lights took the hassle out of the process. Very impressed!”  G.Phillips “Lighting R Us have an incredible amount of lights on display, so much to choose from, also the staff are polite and efficient. Overall I can’t fault the service.”  C.Westwood

WE ALSO HAVE QUALIFIED ELECTRICIANS AVAILABLE FOR ALL YOUR ELECTRICAL NEEDS

Central Electrical Contracts Ltd DOMESTIC | INDUSTRIAL | COMMERCIAL | TESTING & INSPECTING cecontracts@aol.com 01902 744100

www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

Amazing designs for your home and garden at

CANEFURNITURESTUDIO The company prides itself of its range of garden furniture: “Our garden furniture is really unique. Tables can be raised for dining, lowered for more informal use whilst our chairs can be reclined for relaxing.” It’s not just conservatory and garden furniture at Cane Furniture Studio though; the team can also supply gazebos as well as the ultimate garden luxury, a hot tub.

It’s the perfect time of year to start making those changes that’ll really improve the look of your home and garden, ready for the good weather. That’s why there’s never been a better time to pay a visit to the family-run business, Cane Furniture Studio - located in Stallings Lane, Kingswinford. With a showroom that’s fullystocked with an incredible selection of beautiful - and practical - conservatory and outdoor furniture, as well as an impressive array of stylish accessories, rugs and lighting, there’s something to suit every style and taste. “We have probably the largest selection of Cane, Rattan and garden furniture in the West Midlands,” says Sales Director, Mark Rogers. As conservatory and outdoor furniture specialists, the team at Cane Furniture Studio are able to work with their clients to find the furniture that’s perfect for their home or garden.

is to create a stunning look with just a few well-placed items.” The premier dealer for Daro Furniture in the Midlands, Cane Furniture Studio boast styles from all the leading brands. “We sell quality items from leading manufacturers like Daro, Pacific Lifestyle, Ocean Designs and Global garden furniture.” The vast showroom is complete with all manner of styles and designs. “We have everything from modern and contemporary to traditional and classic styles. Customers are always impressed by the vast selection of items we have in-store, as well as the sheer size of our showroom.” And the site has an interesting history: “We’re based in a former trouser factory that was built in 1956 and owned by the grandfather of our company director, Diana. It offers the perfect venue for Cane Furniture Studio and it’s great that the family is still operating from the site.”

“We deal with a company called Softub, a quality US manufacturer of tubs that are ultra comfortable, extremely economical and yet portable. Unlike the traditional hard shell tub, Softubs are made from Polybond and Leathertex, making them easy to install in the garden and flexible enough to fit through the front door.” The business is also complete with our very own on-site seamstresses, Pam, Sue and Hayley, who are able to give tired furniture a new lease of life. “Some customers are really happy with the frames of their current furniture, but just want to replace the cushions. Our team are extremely talented and create bespoke coverings from scratch, once clients have chosen a fabric from our extensive range of cottons, canvas, velour or chenille’s.” We also make beautiful cushions to co-ordinate with the ranges that are sold on site: “Our handmade cushions are of the absolute highest quality, yet still reasonably priced.” So, whether your current conservatory furniture needs a facelift, or if you fancy something new for indoors or your garden, call in at the showroom today and enjoy creating a beautiful new look for your home and garden this spring.

“Our ranges are displayed in settings that are complete with accessories, designed to inspire clients and demonstrate how easy it 46

town & village life magazine | march/april 2016

visit: www.caneandpatio.com

email:studio@charlesfellows.co.uk

CANEFURNITURESTUDIO

FOR THE BEST UK PRICE AND PRICE MATCH GUARANTEE CALL 01384 404455 Dawley Trading Est, Stallings Lane, Kingswinford, West Midlands DY6 7BH

QUALITY CONSERVATORY AND GARDEN FURNITURE SPECIALIST INDOOR RATTAN AND CANE COLLECTIONS GARDEN AND OUTDOOR LIVING RANGE LIGHTING MODERN ACCESSORIES CONTEMPORY ART SPACE PRICE MATCH GUARANTEE

SPRING OFFER *10% DISCOUNT OFF ALL PURCHASES *Offer valid until Saturday 9th April 2016 when you present this advert. 1 voucher per person. No photocopies accepted.

Open Monday to Saturday 10am until 5pm, Closed Sundays. Canefurniturestudio

www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

Doorsmart

open up with style

Doorsmart utilise the latest advances in composite door technology to offer customers the very best in design and quality of composite fibreglass doors. Their policy is to manufacture a composite door of the highest specification and quality and to provide a personal service to meet the needs of their customers.

Why not visit their new showroom which has a large display of composite doors in a wide range of colours, together with glass styles, furniture and accessories. Come and have a browse around at your leisure, no appointment is necessary. Their helpful staff can advise you on the benefits of the composite door range and help you choose the best door for your needs. 48

town & village life magazine | march/april 2016

SHoWrooM noW oPen!

like for y n a t a be ! We Will ten quotation it like Wr

www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

Carvers make the Leap!

Choice showroom, located next to the Bathroom showroom includes a huge range of wall and floor tiles and accessories. Chandlers Roofing and Rayton Electrical have specialist trade counters offering all manner of products and friendly advice. The layout of the new building gives a sympathetic link from new to old with a link through to the Kitchen Design Studio (situated in the former Carver boardroom), offering a wide variety of kitchen displays, featuring modern, contemporary and traditional designs along with a whole host of accessories and appliances. The specialist Cooker Centre has in-house engineers providing service and repair. The centre features a range of prestigious brands on display including Lacanche, Esse, Rangemaster, Falcon and Westahl.

February 29th is a date that only occurs once every four years, and is known as ‘leap day’. For the staff at local builders merchants Carvers, that date is prevalent in the minds of many for very different reasons. The last time 29th February made an appearance on the calendar back in 2012 it marked the day that a devastating fire tore through the Carver buildings and destroyed over 116 years' of history in the building of the Carver empire. The following day, MD Henry Carver released a statement vowing to ‘regroup and rebuild’. True to his word, Henry has been the driving force behind getting Carvers back on its feet and what a journey it has been.

The final stage of the rebuild programme was the showroom facility and Builders Village in November 2014, which expands previous trading facilities and provides a fabulous purposebuilt customer showroom.

The existing Hire Centre has been given a complete makeover (outside and in) and the hire fleet improved and updated. Tools are available to hire for as little as ‘one day’ and are also available to purchase.

Carvers are delighted to welcome; S J Dixons, Tile Choice, Chandlers Roofing and Rayton Electrical into the Carver fold, making Carvers the complete one stop shop for literally everything trade and DIY. The two storey Dixon showroom covers all manner of decorating materials, more specialist paints and wallpapers. The Tile

Henry Carver comments: “We are delighted to be operating from our new facility. The rebuild has been an exciting project for staff and customers alike. Improvements have been made in all areas to address the quality of service our customers demand and building a custom-built facility is a major step in the right direction”.

The rebuild programme itself has been an exciting process. The first Carver building to emerge was the Drive Through Warehouse in July 2013, housing a full range of insulation, plasterboards, cement, timber and joinery products. With centre drive lanes and parking lanes on either side, allowing vehicles to park next to the materials and be quickly picked and loaded, whilst all under cover. 50

town & village life magazine | march/april 2016

Create your perfect space for 2016... Visit our landscaping displays... ...the best in the Midlands!

Open to Retail & Trade customers Littles Lane, Wolverhampton WV1 1JY www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk Call: 01902 577000 www.carvers.co.uk

‘Best UK Vet’ is in the Black Country by Kevin Orembo MRCVS BVM Hospital Vet at Blacks Vets Dudley

Black Country pet owners officially have the Best UK Vet 2016 on their doorstep. Voted for by the pet owning public, Blacks Vets swept the board to win Best UK Vet 2016, with Dudley Veterinary Hospital 1st, closely followed by their Lye branch in 2nd and Sedgley branch in 3rd, in fact all 5 Blacks Vets branches made the Top 8 in the UK. “We would like to send a heartfelt thanks to all of those people who voted for us, we treat each pet as our own, we were overwhelmed when this was recognised for the second year running” said Brian Hogan MRCVS MVB Cert SAS Clinical Director & Partner.

Lungworm - It’s In the Midlands - It can be FATAL to dogs

Local vets are strongly advising dog owners to look out for the warning signs of lungworm, following research which has revealed a significant increase in the spread of the potentially fatal parasite across the UK.

In the Midlands, 199 cases of dogs infected with lungworm have been reported to the Bayer Animal Health ‘Lungworm Map’ over the last 12 months alone. In light of this increase, Blacks Vets and the Be Lungworm Aware campaign are urging dog owners in the area to speak to their vet about the risks of lungworm (Angiostrongylus vasorum). Dog owners can check the risk in their area and any area they are planning to visit by checking visiting www.lungworm.co.uk/ lungworm-map Dogs can become infected after accidentally swallowing slugs or snails carrying the lungworm larvae. Once inside the system, the parasite travels through the dog’s body eventually ending up in the heart. Left untreated, the dog’s health can rapidly deteriorate, and can even result in death. Some dogs don’t initially show visible signs of a lungworm infection, but there are a few things to look out for, including breathing problems, excessive bleeding from minor cuts, general sickness or changes in behaviour. Although accidently swallowing infected slugs and snails is likely to be the main route of exposure, new research has also found that infectious larvae can also be released through the slug and snail slime, surviving for at least 15 days.2,3 Kevin Orembo MRCVS BVM Hospital Vet said: “We would advise all dog owners to consider

lungworm as a serious risk. It is a hidden killer so we are very supportive of the ‘Be Lungworm Aware’ campaign in the hope that more dogs will be saved from this horrible disease. We urge dog owners to talk to their vet about preventative treatments and be vigilant with their dogs when in the garden or on walks. Even small slugs and snails that live on grass can be potential carriers of lungworm. It’s really important that you speak to a vet and ensure your dog is protected.”

Lungworm can be fatal to dogs*, but it can be prevented. Routine use of a specific treatment, available from veterinary surgeons, prevents dogs from developing a lungworm infection. Some pet owners believe that Lungworm can be prevented using conventional worming tablets which is unfortunately not the case. “At Blacks Vets we want to protect your pet - we are passionate about preventative care so we pass on discounts we receive to our Healthy Pet Club members. Ask us about saving up to 40%

Evidence from the Royal Veterinary College1 confirms the lungworm parasite has spread across the UK. It’s now widespread in Central England and even reaching northern regions and Scotland, with one in five vet practices nationwide reporting at least one case of the parasite. 52

town & village life magazine | march/april 2016

on preventing Lungworm as well as on vaccinations, flea and worming all year round for dogs, cats and rabbits, just call your nearest branch.” said Kevin

give your pets an extra love from Team Blacks today.

Kevin x

CHIPS become LAW for Dogs Sadly not curly, french or potato…! We are talking Microchips! By 6th April 2016 every dog in the UK MUST be microchipped with up to date registration details BY LAW. “We want to see more pets reunited with their families when they become lost, so to help our local Black Country community we are offering Microchips for only £9.99 (Usually £24.50) until 31st March 2016 for dogs, cats and rabbits. It does cost us money to do this but we want to do our bit to help.

What do I do?

Not all microchips are the same…

Check out our website for guidance on: www.blacksvets.co.uk/ services/microchipping.shtml

We use chips that have a polymer coating to reduce migration for better scanning, offer a 24/7 telephone helpline (not just web) when you need it most and we do the registration for you too so

we help to get it right. On top of that our chips have a propulsion for a more reliable insertion.

Just call your nearest branch and ask for a Microchip appointment and we will book you in with one of our caring nurses.

References:

Have a microchip but not sure if it is up to date?

That’s it from me; I’m off now to do my ward rounds here at Dudley Veterinary Hospital. Make sure you are chipped and lungworm aware folks and

*Symptoms vary, including coughing, breathing difficulties, bleeding, general sickness and sudden death. Treatment can result in full recovery but preventative products are available. 1 Royal Veterinary College survey 2012, 1,419 veterinary practices 2. Conboy et al. (2015) WAAVP Liverpool, Spontaneous shedding of metastrongylooid third-stage larvae by experimentally infected Limax maximus. 3. 95% alive after 2 days, 71 % still alive after 15 days on lettuce

Chip anyone? Microchip

£24.50 now £9.99 until 31st March 2016

For Dogs, Cats and Rabbits

PROTECT YOUR PET and save up to 40% on vaccinations, lungworm protection, wormers and flea treatment all year round... Ask us: DuDley Hospital Hillcroft, Hall Street Dudley DY2 7BT t: 01384 252509 (24/7)

lye surgery 109A Pedmore Road Lye DY9 8DG t: 01384 897632

www.blacksvets.co.uk www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

seDgley surgery 63 Dudley Road Sedgley DY3 1TF t: 01902 670900

olDbury surgery 152-154 Causeway Green Road B68 8LJ 0121 552 9996

Quinton surgery 266 Ridgacre Road Quinton B32 1JR t: 0121 248 9003

Independently rated 5* by our local clients

Crufts

Crufts, the world’s largest dog show takes place between 10 and 13 March at the NEC Birmingham.

The first of the ‘Crufts’ Dog events took place in 1891 at the Royal Agricultural Hall in Islington. It was the brainchild of Charles Cruft, hence the name. After college, Charles worked for the well-known dog food company Spratts, initially as an office boy and later as a travelling salesman across Europe. In 1878 he was asked by French dog-breeders to promote the canine section of the Paris Exhibition. Back in England, he managed the Allied Terrier Club Show at the Royal Aquarium, Westminster in 1886. He launched Crufts five years later. When Charles died in 1938, his wife Emma took over the running of the Show. She handed the mantle to the Kennel Club in 1948. The first event had 2,437 entries representing 36 breeds. This

year’s show will see over 22,000 dogs competing from around 43 countries. The event is truly international since quarantine laws were lifted in the year 2000.

The ultimate accolade, Best in Show has been contested for 87 years, and won by 43 different breeds. The most frequent champion breed with seven wins is the cocker spaniel, followed by the Irish Setter and Welsh Terrier which have each taken four titles. The first ever winner was a greyhound and the 2015 winner was a five-year-old Russian Scottish Terrier called Knopa. Winners receive a replica silver trophy and a small cash prize, but it is the prestige and future studmoney that are the real attraction. In addition to the Best in Show and Best in Breed awards, there are now many other competitions including Scruffs - for crossbreeds. Visitors can also enjoy the spectacle of activities such as fast-paced flyball, skilful agility and heelwork to

music. In many of the competitions there are junior as well as adult classes. Attendees also look forward to seeing famous names such as celebrity vets and TV personalities known for their love of dogs. There is a wealth of shopping opportunities with over 400 exhibition stands. And for those thinking of purchasing a dog the Discover Dogs section features examples, advice and information from owners of around 200 breeds.

Over the last decade £138,000 has been raised from dog exhibitors for the Kennel Club’s charitable trust which distributes money to dog rehoming, assistance dog charities, and funds research into the understanding and prevention of dog diseases. Huge efforts are now made to ensure all dogs in the show are healthy following previous concerns about welfare. Crufts is a great day out, and for dog-lovers it’s not to be missed!

town & village life magazine | march/april 2016

Puppy Love Win a range of High-End

Doggy Merchandise!

BB Bow Wows and Town and Village Life magazine have teamed up to offer an exciting prize for readers and their canine companions! Offering a range of bespoke services for your dog; from walking services to top-quality doggy merchandise, BB Bow Wows is on speed-dial for dog-lovers all over the West Midlands!

experience in canine psychiatry and care; “I’m delighted to team up with TVL, especially during this important month for dog-lovers everywhere, when we welcome Crufts to the NEC Birmingham! To celebrate, I’d like to offer readers

the amazing opportunity to win goodies and services for their dog!” To be in with a chance of your pooch winning a consultation with Bella, an hours exercise and highend merchandise (worth £150!), just answer the following question:

What breed of dog is the much-loved children’s character Scooby Doo? A: Golden Retriever B: Great Dane C: Chihuahua

With many owners struggling with hectic work schedules or limited mobility, dogs can often go days without a walk, which is vital to their health and wellbeing. BB Bow Wows, based in Stourbridge, can help alleviate this stress by creating a flexible package to walk your dog, tailored to your needs and budget. In addition to this, they offer the latest trends in doggy clothing to make them the most fashionable and comfortable in the park!

Keep up to date with the latest from BB Bow Wows on Facebook, Instagram or at www.bbbowwows.com!

Bella Bennewith, Owner and Director, has a wealth of

For more information please contact Bella at BB Bow Wows on 07954 333525 or email bella@bbbowwows.com

www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

Email your answer including your name, address and telephone number to: info@townandvillagelifemag.co.uk or on a postcard to 1 Lytham Road, Perton, Wolverhampton WV6 7YY. All entries to be received by Monday 4th April 2016. Competition Terms and Conditions: Winner will be chosen at random from all correct entries received and informed by telephone. To enter you must be aged 18 years or older. No cash or alternative prize will be given and booking date will be subject to availability. Prize valid until Tuesday 31st May 2016. All entries will be forwarded to BB Bow Wows unless requested otherwise.

• Curved Glass • Glass Balustrade & Balconies • Glass Partitions • Glass Doors, Patio Doors, Bi-fold Doors • Shop Fronts, Canopies & Entrance Glass

Tech Aluminium Systems Limited Tech Alum Systems Limited Unit 10 Rumer Hill Business Estate Rumer Hill Road Cannock Staffordshire WS11 0ET

01543 467272 admin@techalum.co.uk

www.techalumsystems.co.uk town & village life magazine | march/april 2016

Profence

Domestic, Commercial and Industrial Fencing

Established for over thirty years, Profence has long been meeting the fencing requirements of domestic, commercial and industrial clients alike.

of each of our client’s individual needs. We’ve got fencing to suit every application and environment.” Working closely with a number of local authorities, Profence carry out work for various schools, parks and public buildings across the region.

Having become one of the leading companies in the trade thanks to a commitment to excellent and efficient service in every job they undertake, the Wombourne-based business has built an extensive and varied client base across the West Midlands.

But it’s not just large scale work that the company carries out “we work with all types of property and buildings and offer advice throughout the planning, design and installation stages to ensure that everything runs smoothly”.

Owner Shane Gamble explains: “The company was started back in 1983 and over the years we have gone from strength to strength and are now a wellestablished and trusted name in the industry.”

“We employ 40 members of staff and they are all suitably trained. Our clients can rest assured that they are receiving the best service at all stages of the process from the free quotation to the finished article. After all we are good at what we do”.

“We manufacture, supply and install a range of different products which meet the requirements

Do’ ‘Good At What We Manufacturers, Suppliers & Installers of all types of domestic and commercial fencing and gates.

Call us today on:

01384 482922 Heath Mill Industrial Est, Heath Mill Road, Wombourne WV5 8AP

www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

• • • • • • •

30 Years’ Experience Free Quotations Local Authority Approved Competitive Prices Insurance Work Undertaken Metal or Wood Fencing & Gates All work guaranteed

YOU CAN COUNT ON

PROFENCE! www.pro-fence.co.uk

Dave Russon Painter & Decorator Professional Painting & Decorating

◗ Interior & Exterior ◗ Reliable & friendly service ◗ City and Guilds Qualified For a free quote please call

01902 687818 or 07710 485036 Woodbank Road, Sedgley, DY3 3NW

Wombourne & District Choral Society

to perform a spring concert of Passion Music Wombourne and District Choral Society are busy rehearsing for their next concert in March to be called ‘Music for Passiontide’ and to include ‘The Crucifixion’ by John Stainer, Sacred works by Brahms and Mendelssohn and the ‘Five Lenten Motets’ by Antonin Tucapský. These will be performed with the organ and soloists, conducted by the choir’s Musical Director, Ian Clarke. The concert will be held on Saturday 19th March 2016 at the Church of St John’s in the Square in Wolverhampton WV2 4AT, commencing at 7.30pm. Light refreshments will be available in the interval and tickets are £14 each with children under 16 free. Tickets are available from choir members, phoning 01902 744447 or at the door on the night.

composer and organist whose music, particularly The Crucifixion, was very popular during his lifetime and afterwards. His work as choir trainer and organist set standards for Anglican Church music that are still influential. He was organist at Magdalen College, Oxford and subsequently at St Paul’s Cathedral. Antonin Tucapský was born in 1928 in Czechoslovakia, where he studied before beginning his career as composer, teacher and conductor. He studied choral conducting and graduated from Masaryk University, Brno in Music Education and Musicology. In 1951 whilst teaching, he became a member of the well-known Moravian Teachers’ Male Voice, later becoming their choirmaster.

Wombourne & District Choral Society is a well-established, mixed choir of some 80 singers, drawn from the local area and has a varied repertoire, mainly full classical works, often performed with soloists and an orchestra. Patron of the choir is John Rutter, the renowned and popular choral composer. New singers are always welcome to the choir. Rehearsals are held on Monday evenings, 7.30 to 9.30pm during term time at The King’s School, Regis Road, Tettenhall, Wolverhampton, WV6 8XG. For more information, contact our Membership Secretary, Carol Dixon at cagsdixon@gmail.com

Sir John Stainer, born in London in June 1840, was an English 58

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First impressions really do last…

and Synaxis Design Consultancy can help any business make a good one The Wolverhampton-based graphic design specialists offer eye-catching solutions for companies of all sizes – including Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club. With a studio suitably situated inside Molineux, Synaxis boasts an intuitive understanding of how to leave a lasting mark with end users, be it thousands of fans inside a football stadium or recipients of an impressive business card. Synaxis’ creative services include the design of pretty much anything a company could need to make a bold impression - from an eye-catching logo through to the roll out of a whole new brand including stationery, advertising, brochures, websites, signage and more. Managing and creative director Simon Pagett revealed: “Synaxis was set up nearly seven years ago in what was a difficult time financially for many companies. “We are a small independent company allowing us to develop close, long standing client-relationships while also ensuring we can be flexible. This has always been a big help in keeping us busy, along with a great level of referrals to new clients.” Having founded the business in February 2009, Simon reflected on some of its successes so far including the Wolves match day programme winning two awards as a personal highlight. Simon added: “While we certainly don’t go looking for awards and recognition, it was a lovely feeling for the programme to be acknowledged in this way, and in our first year of designing it. “It was reassurance that we can leave a positive impression on a large audience, which is ultimately what any designer is judged on.” Simon also added that seeing start-up businesses flourish having worked with them from the very beginning is equally fulfilling. “Working with large, recognised brands is great, but to play a creative part in a small company’s development – by way of branding or marketing support – and seeing them grow is extremely satisfying as well.” With testimonials from all manner of local businesses, Synaxis, is certainly worth its weight in old gold. For more information about Synaxis Design Consultancy visit www.synaxis.co.uk www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

Spring in

Tips are provided by Ann Winwood, Lealans Garden Centre, Wolverhampton

the garden at Lealans Garden Centre Assuming that the weather for March and April is reasonably on track then we can get out into the garden and begin to weed and clean borders, after which a general purpose fertilizer can be applied before adding a mulch of compost or well-rotted manure. Empty gaps in borders can be planted up now so long as there’s no frost in the ground. For a hot sunny border that is likely to be dry or well drained try Verbascum, Foxglove Silver Fox, Red Hot Pokers, and Cistus. For shady spots try Viburnums, Skimmias, Astilbes or Hostas on moist soils and for shady dry borders use Cotoneaster and Dicentra (Bleeding Hearts). Many herbs can be grown in pots all year round and are ideal in a cold greenhouse at this time of

year – sage, thyme, parsley, rosemary are easily grown this way. If you want to grow mint in a pot, choose a large container and plant by itself as it can be very rampant. Watch out for late frosts if you’ve got potatoes in tubs with plenty of leaf growth – always protect at night. Sow your first and second early potatoes followed by maincrops, again watching out for late frosts once the foliage appears. Carrots, celery, beetroot, leeks, onions, broad beans and lettuce can all be sown or planted outside during April. Sow at regular intervals to give a steady supply of vegetables. Many people have cool greenhouses at this time of year and are eager to start growing. So long as you can provide some night heat if temperatures dip below 8 – 10 deg C then you can start growing some of the hardier

plants. Dahlias can be started off in pots inside then planted out once the danger of frost has receded. Begonia corms should be pressed gently into potting compost, curved side down – never completely covered and put on a sunny windowsill or into a greenhouse with night heat. Plug plants are now appearing in garden centres, pot them up into larger pots and keep them warm and in a sunny position. Don’t be tempted to leave them outside at the moment – the end of May is plenty early enough. Although many can be grown at low temperatures once it dips below 5 deg C they need some heat, and should be kept reasonably dry. A cooler grown plant makes a sturdier, stockier plant. Happy Gardening.

OPEN DAILY

Bridgnorth Road, Shipley, Pattingham, Wolverhampton WV6 7EZ

Don’t forget

Mothers’ Day Sunday 6th March

Tel 01902 700209 60

We have a stunning range of planted arrangements and pot plants. Full range of plug plants now in stock.

Huge range of good quality shrubs, herbaceous, trees, conifers always ready for sale.

www.lealansgardencentre.co.uk town & village life magazine | march/april 2016

THE ONLY WAY IS UP If your borders are filling up nicely but you still hanker to add more interest in your garden – there’s only one way you can go, and that’s up. Adding height to your garden (literally) lifts your eye to another layer of colour, texture and vibrancy, plus provides yet another focal point. However, don’t limit yourself to thinking just about planting trees or positioning climbers, such as clematis and honeysuckle, to creep up your perimeter fence or wall.

By Steve Tonks, General Manager at Boningale Garden Creations

Whether you have a very small outdoor space or a large garden, you can use height to help create a series of “rooms”. One very effective way to lift the eye is to add pergolas in strategic areas of the garden. Not only do these structures add architectural interest – ideal when you need visual stimulus after climbers have died down for the season – they also open more options for planting creeping plants. Position them over a seating area or over a walkway and you’ll instantly create a more intimate ambience to your outdoor space. Gazebos add welcome shade to seating areas and if planted with scented climbers will delight anyone who takes a few moments to relax in the garden. Of course, adding height to your garden can also increase privacy. Trees and hedges can be used to block out less aesthetically

pleasing views, while a trellis can disguise areas such as where the compost heap or bins are. Whatever you plan, the main thing to think about is scale – make sure your chosen structure is right for your plot. Too small and it will be lost; too big and it will overwhelm.

If you need any further information or want to seek professional advice from our award-winning garden designers please visit www.boningale-garden-creations.co.uk, or call me on 01902 376500. At Boningale we have a team of experts, from our award-winning garden design associates to our horticultural specialists and project management team, who will give you expert advice, every step of the way.

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Sp r i n g B r e a k By Kate Duggan

Spring is the perfect time to explore a new area, and there are certainly plenty of events planned across the UK this Easter to tempt you on to the road. For starters, you could head to the Isle of Skye on April 29th for a weekend of live music; more than 30 acts are planned and weekend tickets are a steal at £95. Or maybe you fancy taking in some truly breath-taking scenery? If so head to the Scottish Highlands on May 21st, for a coast-tocoast classic car tour with The Rotary Club of East Sutherland. Kids will love to explore the Lost Gardens of Heligan in Cornwall, with its outdoor sculptures, rope bridges and ‘jungle’. Or how about a trip to Escot in Devon, where they can run riot through the maze, see otters being fed, watch wild bird displays and play hide ‘n’ seek in the woods? Book into nearby Yellingham Farm B&B, or camp at Crealy Meadows Caravan and Camping Park, where you can also take advantage of the adventure park, with its huge indoor play area, sandpits and rides for all the family.

mini-break in itself. National Trust properties are usually a pretty safe bet. Choose between castles, forts and other historic buildings, or just spend a few hours wandering through the parklands or gardens. Cliveden in Buckinghamshire is a good choice for garden lovers: its Italianate Long Garden has been planted with some 20,000 sweetsmelling hyacinths, while the Water Garden will be awash with cherry blossom, wisteria and magnolias. Or why not just pack a picnic and head off to the beach or woods? Check out Walking Britain for some inspiration. www.walkingbritain.co.uk If you fancy going a bit further afield, try Morzine in the French Alps. In the winter it is a popular skiing destination, but at this time of year it’s quieter. The scenery is still stunning though, and there’s certainly plenty to keep you busy. The mountain

biking trails are among the best in the world, but there are also plenty of more leisurely sports to enjoy, including golf.

How about nabbing a last minute cruise deal? The Royal Caribbean’s Rhapsody of the Seas starts from just £569 for nine nights, and calls at Naples, Sicily and Malta to name a few destinations. If you crave the sun, Dubai is a good bet, with temperatures in April reaching 32°C. Wander around the street markets, from the Gold Souk, to Deira Fish Market, and then have a coffee in the Ramada Dubai hotel where you can admire one of the world’s tallest stained glass windows. You’re pretty spoiled for places to stay in the UAE, but the Jumeirah Dar Al Masyaf at Madinat Jumeirah is a great choice, as it’s one of the top rated hotels on Trip Advisor.

A good day trip can feel like a 62

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Cannock Caravan Accessories We are happy to bring 40 years of expertise within the industry to our premises in Cannock with 7000 square feet of leisure accessories. Cannock Caravan Accessories has a huge selection on offer whether it be for your caravan, motorhome or tent. We have all your favourite brands here for you to see all year round. With a large selection of awnings on display including Kampa, Dorema, Isabella and many more.

We pride ourselves on knowledgeable staff who are always on hand to advise and recommend items suitable for customers' specific requirements. Customer service is at the forefront of what Cannock Caravan Accessories stands for.

west at Land's End there are many wild and beautiful places to enjoy. Come and see us for all your Caravan accessories at Unit 4, Watling Street Business Park, (A5 between Norton Canes & Brownhills) WS11 9XG

Camping today is as popular as it has ever been. More and more people want to escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life to find peace or adventure in the great outdoors. Fortunately there is a great variety of open spaces in the UK with stunning national parks, forests and spectacular coastline all offering something unique. From the remote Scottish islands to the far south

We are celebrating our 1st anniversary on the 23rd April! Why not come and join us for our birthday weekend on Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th April where we will be celebrating with bubbles, cake and some great birthday offers! We are so grateful to the many customers that we have acquired over the last year, we want to thank all of them for their business. We look forward to welcoming new customers for all your Caravan accessories.

www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

PERRY AND PHILLIPS THE AUC TION EXPERIENCE Perry & Phillips (Auctioneers and Valuers) have been holding auctions in Bridgnorth, Shropshire since 1853 and auctions are still being held on a monthly basis at The Old Mill Auction Rooms in Mill Street, Bridgnorth.

sale price of the goods! Recently items have been sold and despatched to Canada, United States, Australia as well as most countries in Europe.

The first Tuesday in the month at 10.30am is always the day when their sales are held, with viewing days on the previous Saturday, Sunday and Monday to enable prospective bidders to peruse all the lots on offer.

For deceased estates, house clearances or larger items of furniture Perry and Phillips have their own vehicles and trained staff so that goods can be professionally transported to the sales room for auction.

The Auction House is situated in Mill Street, Low Town, Bridgnorth, which is adjacent to the banks of the River Severn and is in a very picturesque location. The fact that there is a large free car parking area and also an award winning tea rooms on site, makes it a very pleasant way to spend a few hours and to enjoy the experience of an auction.

All the staff at Perry and Phillips are most knowledgeable and helpful and will assist with any questions you may have and there is an amazing selection and variation of the lots in auction, from China and Porcelain, Jewellery, Paintings, Furniture, Toys, Dolls, Musical Instruments... the list is endless and quite often very surprising!

It is extremely easy to enter items into an auction: Every Wednesday from 10am to 4pm Perry & Phillips hold a free auction Valuation Day, whereby customers are invited without appointment to bring their goods to the auction rooms and a valuer will give an estimate of the price they will achieve at auction, and the lots are then entered into the next sale. Should Wednesdays be inconvenient, other days can be made available by telephoning for an appointment or prospective vendors can e-mail pictures to the e-mail address shown below.

Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t forget the first Tuesday of every month â&#x20AC;&#x201C; you will be made very welcome! Email: omac50@live.co.uk

The monthly sale Catalogue is published on the internet with images of most of the lots, and this encourages bidders from not only the British Isles but also worldwide thus increasing the number of people involved in the bidding and so increasing the

town & village life magazine | march/april 2016

OLD MILL AUCTION ROOMS MILL STREET, LOW TOWN, BRIDGNORTH WV15 5AG | TEL: 01746 762248

AUCTIONEERS OF ANTIQUES AND COLLECTABLES

NEXT AUCTIONS Tuesday 5th April Tuesday 3rd May Tuesday 7th June

VIEWING Saturday, Sunday and Monday prior to auction 10am to 5pm.

LAST DAY FOR LOTS Accepted up until 10 days prior to Auction.

SELLING AT PERRY AND PHILLIPS If you have old items around the house or you have a deceased estate to clear we have the ability and experience to help. We have monthly auctions so items can be dealt with quickly.

FREE VALUATION We have a FREE valuation day every Wednesday from 10am to 4pm. As well as discussing auction estimates we will advise on the best way to sell your items.

TRANSPORT AND STORAGE As we employ our own delivery and collection staff we can ensure your goods are dealt with by trained staff and are insured.

visit www.perryandphillips.co.uk www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

email omac50@live.co.uk 65

Wolverhampton Grand Theatre

teams up with Dudley Zoological Gardens to make pantomime a roaring success! Wolverhampton Grand Theatre and Dudley Zoological Gardens announced a pantomime sponsorship that will see both companies work together in the run up to this year’s magical pantomime adventure – ALADDIN. The Grand Theatre pantomime attracts thousands of families to Wolverhampton each year, as does a collection of the world’s rarest animals who find their home in the grounds of an 11th Century castle at Dudley Zoological Gardens. Adrian Jackson Chief Executive of Wolverhampton Grand Theatre

said: “I am absolutely delighted that Dudley Zoological Gardens have come on board as the local sponsor for this year’s pantomime, Aladdin. As two of the leading leisure attractions in the Black Country I believe it is important to develop a close working relationship to

showcase what both companies have to offer the local area.” Derek Grove Dudley Zoological Gardens Director said: “We are excited to be joining forces with The Grand Theatre, a premier entertainment attraction on our doorstep, and look forward to working closely with them in the coming months.”

DUDLEY SOUTH Ladies

Luncheon Club - Report for february 2016 At the February luncheon chairman Mary Jones was pleased to welcome two visitors and 35 members for a 3-course lunch, the AGM and the return of the very popular local historian John Sparry. The AGM gave Mary the opportunity to thank her committee, president and members for their support and generosity in 2015 and agreed to remain as chairman for another year, along with the present committee and new volunteer Sheila Gannon.

Ann Rogers is planning two outings in the spring and summer, starting with a visit to Hindley Hall for a cream tea. Pauline has now completed the programme of speakers for 2016/17 beginning with Chris Smith, a local historian on the 11th March. Meetings are held on the second Friday of each month, 12pm for 12.30pm, and visitors would be made most

welcome and can attend three times before deciding to join. The new programme includes Jewellery & Collectables, Black Country Humour, the Falklands revisited, Hand Bell Ringers, Life and Death in Dudley Limestone Mines and a Ukelele Group. Enquiries to the secretary on 01902 372984 or chairman maryjones30@sky.com

The speaker John Sparry had everyone smiling with his talk about remarkable animals. We heard stories about the Dickin Medal, equivalent to our VC, that had been presented to both dogs and cats for exceptional bravery during both the first and second World Wars, and the part played by the humble pigeon flying through heavy gunfire to deliver important messages back home. More recently two guide dogs for the blind had helped their owners descend 70 floors to safety following the attack on the World Trade Centre on 9/11. 66

town & village life magazine | march/april 2016

Olivier Award winners

MOZART

DON GIOVANNI Gluck IPHIGÉNIE EN TAURIDE MON 9 MAY 7.30PM | IPHIGÉNIE EN TAURIDE TUE 10 MAY 7.30PM | DON GIOVANNI BOX OFFICE 01902 42 92 12 GRANDTHEATRE.CO.UK www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

Blue Ginger

By John Nash

Authentic tastes of India

Blue Ginger dishes leave happy memories

I was privileged to have an early introduction to proper Indian food, a time when curry houses were homes where my school friend Sohan and his brothers lived. Some 45 years ago my senses were awakened to a new tradition of cooking food, and as if the dishes were holy, they were prepared with an almost worshipful discipline. From the Punjab, Sohan’s mother’s English was poor, but her heart was rich and generous. She would labour days in her kitchen and what she lacked in words I 68

could understand, she spoke in volumes with her culinary skills.

became thoroughly cynical about the demise of Indian cuisine.

I learned quickly that food is not really about nutrients and calories; it’s about identity, sharing and honesty.

But last year, things changed for the better. I was privileged to write a food review on Wombourne Tandoori and discovered again the virtues of Indian subcontinent cooking.

For decades, Friday nights for me were curry nights – mostly takeaways, washed down with a few cold beers. Then, over a period of months, I realised this cooking had become less appealing. Something had changed and the whole Indian food subculture that had been so buoyant in the Black Country was in decline. Of course, just because something is tradition there’s no reason to do it, but I did, every Friday until I

I was encouraged to find this village restaurant alive with activity on a Wednesday evening and every cover taken. I raved about the dishes served. Now its owner has opened a new takeaway, the Blue Ginger in Moss Grove, Kingswinford, and I was not disappointed when I went to sample its food. I’d arranged a 6.30pm Thursday evening meeting with restaurateur Rafique Miah at the premises. He

town & village life magazine | march/april 2016

had four chefs working flat out in newly-fitted kitchens and the place was buzzing. What! At half-pastsix-on a Thursday night? Yes. Customer quote: “It’s the best takeaway I’ve ever found.” And discerning ‘foodies’ kept arriving to pick up their meals. I ordered Morich Fushka (£2.99) – a whole pepper stuffed with lamb and vegetables for my starter, and friend Gill decided on the Tandoori Monkfish (£4.95). The lamb, so easy to overcook, was perfect with just enough spices to create interest, but not to swamp the taste of the meat. Loved it. Tandoori-spiced fish generally always works well, but monkfish is a test for chefs. It has to be timed perfectly – as soon as the milky juices have stopped flowing from the flesh. Overcooked by just a few seconds and its tough.

rice (£2.45) and Chicken Tikka Jaflonghe (£7.95), accompanied with mushroom pilau rice (£2.45).

The fillet was, not surprisingly, cooked to perfection and came with a crisp salad selection and raita dip.

The chicken in both dishes was tender and flavours mouthwatering. The Jaflonghe, with its barbecued breasts, peppers and onions was reminiscent of the smell and tastes in Sohan’s home.

For mains it was Chicken Tikka Seremongoli (£7.95) with egg fried

Gill’s Seremongoli – a dryish, sweet dish – also won high praise.

With a garlic nan, light and crispy poppadoms and a cold beer, this was a very satisfying ‘weekend starts here’ event, the food mirroring the high quality of the takeway’s big sister restaurant. Friday nights will now never be the same. Thanks Rafique. Blue Ginger Contemporary Bangladeshi and Indian Takeaway, 60a Moss Grove, Kingswinford, DY6 9HH, tel: 01384 402762.

Blue Ginger Contemporary Bangladeshi and Indian Takeaway

Open 7 days including Bank Holidays, 5.30pm – 11.30pm

Rafique Miah and his team are now serving restaurant quality food at their newly refurbished takeaway which boasts an open kitchen.

NOW OPEN!

Tel: 01384 402762

FREE Delivery within a 5 mile radius (min order £15) 60a Moss Grove, Kingswinford, West Midlands DY6 9HH

www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

Eating Out Promote your venue to over 32,000 readers with Town & Village Life Magazine

TOWN & VILLAGE

To find out how your venue can be featured please call Gisella on 01902 744217

LIFE M AGA Z I N E

Wombourne Tandoori Restaurant Established 1989

Air conditioned

Cuisine of Bengal

Fully licensed



FOOD HYGIENE RATING SCHEME 2011

Rafique Miah welcomes you to the longest established Indian Restaurant in Wombourne Village, serving sumptuous Bangladeshi Cuisine for over 25 years. “We pride ourselves on our Quality of Food, Excellent Customer Service and Customer Satisfaction.” Recently refurbished in contemporary surroundings, air conditioned and fully licensed. Our popular Take-away Service is still the best in Wombourne offering 10% off our Menu price.

Tel: 01902 324148 / 324437 Open 7 days including Bank Holidays - 5.30pm until 11.30pm

High Street, Wombourne WV5 9DN 70

facebook.com/wombourne.tandoori

www.wombournetandoori.com town & village life magazine | march/april 2016

Serving Fine Italian and English Cuisine including Traditional Black Country favourites

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BULLy’S MidWEEk hAT-TRick! 3 course meal for only £12.95 per person Choice menu of both Italian and English food or

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www.halfpenny-green-vineyards.co.uk Halfpenny Green Vineyards, Tom Lane, Bobbington, South Staffordshire DY7 5EP Enjoy Vintage High Tea in style, perfect for couples and groups of all sizes. Gift Vouchers available.

Local-produce farm shop selling internationally award-winning wines made at the vineyard.

Locally renowned restaurant with brand new menu for 2016. Now booking Breakfast and Sunday Lunch for Father’s Day 16th June.

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK 9.00AM – 5.00PM Tel: 01384 221122 Email: sales@halfpenny-green-vineyards.co.uk www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

Halfpenny Green Vineyards

By Rob Taylor In front of me there is a “Polite Notice” affixed to the rear of a bottle of Halfpenny Green Vineyard’s very own, homegrown Penny Red, it reads: ‘All hot food is cooked fresh to order and may take longer from ordering during busy periods.’ From this three things strike me: firstly – and most importantly – is that the need for such a notice immediately marks out the vineyard’s restaurant as being fully entitled to label the many dishes on their menu as ‘homemade.’ This in my book is a very good thing indeed. Logic dictates that an increased number of diners will lead to an increased load upon table and kitchen staff and as such will necessitate a slightly longer-than-is-usual wait for one’s ‘Homemade Chicken Liver Pate.’ I for one am always prepared to wait for good food and I don’t believe that I’m in the minority. I’m not hurriedly bolting down a Big Mac and fries, after all. Secondly, I think: since today my long-suffering girlfriend Nicola is doing the driving to and from our luncheon appointment, I really must get to work on enjoying the spoils of my job as Town and Village Life’s resident foodie. 72

And thirdly, I ask myself: I’ve seen countless “Polite Notices” on my travels through life but never an “Impolite Notice”… but, I digress. Always a popular attraction, the family-run vineyard has undergone much expansion in recent years and is today a welcome retreat from the hustle and bustle of the Wolverhampton metropolis. Nestling into the idyllic Bobbington countryside, the 30-acre site provides more than enough scope to merit an entire day-out, but right now it’s the newly-launched 2016 restaurant menu that occupies my thoughts. Stepping in from a wickedly cold February afternoon, we receive a warm welcome from vineyard impresario, Lisa Vickers, before being taken to our corner table by Restaurant Manager, Laura Mavroidi. This is not our first visit to the restaurant. We visited last year for a culinary soiree known as ‘Gourmet Night’. And yet despite the setting being the same, the story is not. The ambiance of the restaurant is today far less formal and yet just as charming. It has to it a cottage-like quality that is homely, cosy and warm and yet it is spacious, professional and modern all at the same time. There are beams, distressed candles, mismatched chair-covers and picture-postcard views, out across to neighbouring hills, from our table. Nicola sums it up best when she calls it: “Quaint and quirky.” There’s a warmth and friendliness to the staff too, even renowned wine-maker Clive Vickers pops in to light a fire beneath the wooden mantle. Despite town & village life magazine | march/april 2016

having a room full of hungry diners the waiting staff are attentive and personable, always willing to stop for a moment here and there to converse with their guests. Only the faint yet omnipresent ‘ping’ from the pick-up call bell draws them away. For me, it’s music to my ears because in some eateries the only ‘ping’ coming from the kitchen is the sound of a microwave – whether the menu reads ‘homemade’ or not. Their fare is about as “homemade” as Mr Kipling’s Mince Pies. No such nonsense here – even the wine is local, so I make a start on a glass of exquisite Pink Sparkling Rose (£4.50). We don’t have to wait long for our first course. From a menu stuffed to the gunwales, we plump for ‘Soup of the Day with Rustic Bread’ (£4.95) and ‘Smoked Haddock and Spring Onion Fishcakes, Dressed Leaves and Lemon Crème Fraiche’ (£5.50) for starters. Nicola’s soup, I am told, is “potato and leek and has been soupedup with much tasty flavour and character.” My fishcakes are light and delicate and comprise copious quantities of fish; the crème fraiche is an expertly judged and fitting complement. Now to the mains: ‘Battered Fish and Chips: Homemade Batter with Hand Cut Chips, Peas & Homemade Tartare Sauce’ (£9.50) for me; ‘Vineyard Beef Burger, Toasted Bun, Fresh Lettuce Leaves, Tomato, Red Onion and Mayo, Hand Cut Chips and Tomato Relish’ (£8.25) for Nicola. Both dishes arrive quickly and are piping hot, having been delivered promptly after an appropriate pause between courses by the capable complement of waiting staff. Special mention goes to the fine quality of the fish, which is both tender and tasty. Each dish is very well received by each of us, which is high praise indeed, since both are classic staples on the menu of so many other competing restaurants. In other words, since they are so well known to everyone it’s easy to get them wrong. But that’s not the case today. The burger is, I’m told, “well-cooked and expertly juxtaposed with a fine array of interestingly-flavoured textures and trimmings.” Both dishes are telltale of a capable and well-oiled kitchen staff. We both enjoy every morsel and now eagerly await the next course. Dessert choices of ‘Treacle Sponge Pudding’ (£5.25) and ‘Homemade Irish Cream Cake with Vanilla Ice Cream’ (£3.95) prove to be delicious also and – following a pot of tea for two (£3.40) – leave me happily spent; ruminating on a thoroughly pleasant afternoon away from the rigours of working life. “H’penny for your thoughts?” Nicola then asks. “Let’s not leave it another year before we come back here again.”

Halfpenny Green Vineyards, Tom Lane, Bobbington, South Staffordshire DY7 5EP. To book or for further details please call 01384 221122 or visit www.halfpenny-green-vineyards.co.uk www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

Himley Hall A local treasure

options for couples who will also be able to meet Himley’s resident DJ and view the ceremony rooms and North Wing artdeco style function suite.

An indulgent afternoon tea

Himley Hall is an 18th Century former stately home set amongst 180 acres of ‘Capability Brown’ landscaped parkland, situated just 6 miles north of Stourbridge and 4 miles west of Dudley. Once the family home to the Earls of Dudley and host to royalty and high society, today it offers a glamorous setting for civil wedding ceremonies and receptions, elegant afternoon teas, special occasion celebrations and parties, art and craft exhibitions as well as prestigious conference facilities and guided tours.

Weddings Open Day On Sunday 17th April couples looking for their perfect wedding venue are invited to view the ceremony and reception rooms at Himley Hall set out ready for their special day, at the Hall’s Weddings Open Day from 11.00 am – 4.00pm. Himley Hall has 3 rooms licensed for civil ceremonies, the Pink Room; once the Library of the Earls of Dudley, the Green Room; originally the formal Dining Room. Both of these rooms overlook the Hall’s terrace gardens with stunning views towards the lake. The former Billiard Room of the Hall the Oak Room, which overlooks the Hall courtyard is also now licensed for civil ceremonies. Himley Hall also offers a superb choice of wedding breakfast menus from fully inclusive three course dinner packages to high quality buffet receptions. For wedding breakfast celebrations and evening ‘after wedding’ parties the choice of Himley Hall’s North wing will ensure a couple’s wedding day experience is a special one.

Enjoy one of the true traditions of our culinary heritage in a venue where royal newlyweds spent their honeymoon and princes and earls once strolled. The classic combination of ribbon sandwiches, scones with fruit conserve and cream, sweet pastries and tea in the superb setting of Himley Hall is an afternoon of luxury that cannot be missed. Arrival at Himley Hall is at 2.00pm with guests seated in one of our beautifully refurbished ground floor rooms by 2.30pm ready to enjoy an afternoon of indulgence. Afternoon tea costs just £19.95 per person and guests may also ‘top up’ their afternoon tea with a glass of prosecco or a ‘G & T’ for a small extra charge. Afternoon Tea in Himley Hall must be pre-booked and is offered on individual weekday dates each month. Individual, small party or large group bookings are available on all Indulgent Afternoon Tea dates or for larger parties there is an option to book a private room (30- 100 persons). Gift vouchers are available if you wish to treat someone for a special occasion or simply indulge them!

Himley Hall’s wedding co-ordinators and catering managers will be available to discuss wedding day

If you would like more details on Himley Hall as a civil wedding ceremony and reception venue or for an Indulgent Afternoon Tea please call 01384 817817 or visit www.dudley.gov.uk/himleyhall 74

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www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

The complete reception There is far more to arranging a wedding reception than just booking a meal at an appropriate venue. All kinds of aspects have to be considered if the day is to go without a hitch. The wedding reception is the celebration by both the bride and groom’s families and their respective friends. It is possible that it is the first time all attending have ever met before. Traditionally, the bride’s parents send out invitations to all those from both families who are to be invited. The invitation will naturally contain the date, where the wedding ceremony is to take place, and then where the reception is to be held. If the invitations are to be specially printed, the printer will naturally be able to advise on the recognised wording, but special ‘template’ invitation

cards can also be bought when the details can be filled in by the bride’s parents. Nowadays, when tradition is less common, invitations are often sent out by the bride and groom themselves.

The actual venue must be chosen very carefully. Often it is a local catering establishment with a good reputation for providing such functions. Sometimes it is difficult to find such a provider with sufficient accommodation to cater for large numbers of guests. However, if the wedding ceremony is to take place at a registered wedding venue, and not a church or Register Officer, more often than not, they can provide a reception for up to 150 people, sometimes more. One thing is certain, if the reception is to go on during the evening, after the official wedding breakfast, and special friends invited to that alone, it is essential there be sufficient facilities to cater for those extra numbers. The wedding breakfast itself traditionally will be a three course meal with coffee. However there are many variations on this

theme. Buffets are quite popular, and often less expensive than the formal sit-down affair. With a buffet though, there should be sufficient tables and chairs so that guests do not have to juggle with eating and drinking whilst standing up, and ladies having to cope with a handbag as well. Seating should be a priority, especially if there are elderly people attending. There will inevitably be children present with their parents, and arrangements should be made to cater for their needs with regard to food, drinks, and amusements. Speeches will inevitably be made, usually immediately after the meal. Sometimes these can be very amusing, other times a bit boring. Ensure those who are to make a speech will comply with the requirements of the couple. The cutting of the wedding cake is usually carried out after the speeches, but can be done before. Arrange for the baker to deliver the cake to the venue, especially if it has more than two tiers. They are experts at the ‘construction process’. Also

town & village life magazine | march/april 2016

ensure there are an appropriate cake stand and knife. They may not necessarily be included in the cost of the cake but can be provided for an extra hire charge.

fireworks being let off at certain times, so it will be essential to contact the local authority well in advance of the date, to ascertain what the ruling is.

Some wedding celebrations may break up immediately after the meal, speeches and the going-away of the bride and groom. However the custom of extending the celebrations into the evening is now very popular. Extra guests can be invited to this ‘evening do’ where a buffet may be provided for both those who did not attend earlier in the day, and also for those that did.

There are other things that will add that extra touch to the success of the day. It is essential to ensure that transport is available for all those travelling to the reception from the ceremony location. There could well be guests who do not have cars or who are unable to drive for whatever

reason. A local taxi firm or the provider of the official wedding cars can usually oblige. The reception provider may not automatically include flowers in their ‘price per head’. If these are required, ask that they be included, or contact a local florist to make the necessary arrangements. All this will take careful planning, but you do want the wedding to be remembered for all the right reasons, don’t you?

Entertainment of some sort is essential for this part of the day. It can be a dance band complete with singer, a disco if that is more appropriate for the average age attending, or just a musician playing whatever type of music is preferred. Sometimes the evening ends with a firework display. This can be quite expensive, but some newly-weds consider it to be a special end to their special day. If the reception provider is the organiser of this, that’s fine. But care must be taken if the family is planning to this do themselves. There are bye-laws which prohibit www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

Planning Your Beauty Routine The venue is booked, the invites are posted and you’ve found your dream dress, so now it’s time to focus on your beauty routine. Courtesy of BHS

by Helen Taylor

Beautiful Bride There’s plenty to be doing in the months and weeks before your wedding, here’s where to start:

Exfoliate regularly and invest in some quality skincare products that are specially formulated for your skin type.

Begin a dedicated skincare routine as early as possible. Thoroughly cleansing, toning and moisturising every day is essential for a clear complexion.

Booking in for regular facials at the salon is a good idea too; schedule one every four to six weeks, several months before. You need to plan your hair care routine just as thoroughly, start by thinking about how you want your hair to look on your big day. If you want long, flowing, glossy tresses then you’ll need to start maximising the condition of your hair now. Book in for regular trims, ditch the heat styling tools, use quality products and try a change of hair colour. Darker shades add gloss to your locks and can help improve the overall look of your hair. It’s always a good idea to speak to your stylist and colourist to make a plan for your big day as soon as possible. Well-groomed and well-shaped brows are essential for creating that beautiful natural look that works so well with your wedding makeup. If you’ve over-plucked in the past give your brows time to fill-out by abstaining from plucking. Make regular appointments at the salon for eyebrow shaping, so that you’ll be guaranteed to have the perfect arched brow to accompany your natural make-up look. Schedule weekly manicures leading up to your big day to ensure that your nails are a uniform shape and length. Plan to get your teeth professionally whitened around three weeks before your wedding as sensitivity can hang around for a couple of weeks after the treatment. Don’t forget to avoid red wine, coffee and other teeth-staining food and drinks afterwards.

town & village life magazine | march/april 2016

Patshull Park, Hotel, Golf & Country Club

The Perfect Venue

At Patshull Park, we are very experienced in helping couples organise their perfect Wedding Day. We are conveniently located in the stunning Shropshire countryside between Telford and Wolverhampton and our beautiful grounds offer many opportunities for those perfect wedding photographs. As an independent Hotel, Patshull Park has an excellent reputation for hosting wedding receptions. From your initial enquiry, all planning and

finer details of your wedding day are handled by our professional and dedicated team, ensuring your special day is a memorable one. With breathtaking scenery, fantastic food and experienced professional staff, you are sure to make the right choice when booking at Patshull Park. The Dartmouth and Lewisham suite which is situated at the front of the hotel, has spectacular views over the Great Lake and is fully air conditioned. The suite also benefits from its own patio which has seating during the summer months. The flexibility of the suite means that it is suitable

Wedding

For the perfect

Winter Wedding Offer 2016

Patshull Park prides itself on its unique mix of hospitality and service which can be tailored to suit your individual needs. So whatever your objectives for holding your wedding at Patshull Park, we are confident you will be impressed with our venue and service. Call our Wedding Coordinator Jo Guest on 01902 700100 to book your visit.

Patshull Park Hotel Pattingham WV6 7HR www.patshull-park.co.uk email: sales@patshull-park.co.uk For a personal visit please call 01902 700 100 and ask for the sales team.

November & December 2016

£3,500.00 package including 50 lunch guests, 100 evening buffet guests plus, disco and room hire until 1.00am. Contact Jo Guest for available dates.

Experience the Scenery Breathtaking scenery and professional staff. Excellent food and friendly service. Packages for most budgets including ‘off peak’ offers. A perfect day tailored to your specific requirements.

www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

for Wedding Breakfasts up to 120 and is also licensed to hold civil ceremonies and civil partnerships. The Dartmouth and Lewisham Suite can also accommodate up to 200 guests for your evening buffet.

Wedding Fair Sunday 25th September Free Entry, 11.00am - 3.00pm Special offers for guests booking their wedding on the day.

Photography for all occasions Wedding Events

Newborn Family

Commercial Portraits

Fixed price and bespoke packages available Contact us for more details

town & village life magazine | march/april 2016

Magical party planning from

Prince & Princess

Want to plan a spectacular party that everyone will be talking about for years but don’t know where to start? Then let Prince and Princess take away the hassle and leave you with a room full of happy guests, eager to share their experiences with their friends.

With products costing as little as £1, Prince and Princess are able to turn your party from good to great! So why not get in touch and see what they can add to your event. For more information call 07887 053054 or email princeandprincess12@gmail.com or find them on Facebook by searching for ‘Prince and Princess’.

With a passion for creating not only magical events but also magical memories, the West Midlands-based company promises to bring a special flair to your party, no matter what size budget you are working with. Events catered for include christenings, birthdays, baby showers, communions, anniversaries, children’s parties… the list goes on. Be it a small private party in your home or a large extravagant gathering at a striking venue, Prince and Princess is on hand to offer you an exceptional, professional standard of service. They are able to work with you through the whole planning process from finding a location, venue, caterers, and entertainment or you can simply ask them to provide one of their fabulous balloon creations or party bags. In partnership with a range of outstanding local businesses, Prince and Princess take pride in providing a first class service and make sure that no desire is left unfulfilled and that every little detail is taken care of. A wide variety of themes can be catered for by Prince and Princess. Children can have a traditional fairy tale theme, or a Disney theme such as The Little Mermaid or Frozen. They can even arrange for the princesses to attend your party should you so wish. Imagine the faces of your amazed young guests! Prince and Princess are balloon specialists and can create fantastic beautiful bouquets for all occasions. Be it an opening of a business, an important life event or just because you want to show someone that you care, the company are on hand to make a creation to your own theme and specifications. www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

Classy Rags Casual & Designer Wear

Mother of the Bride Hats Jewellery French & Italian Casual Designer Wear 82

Shoes Evening Wear Fascinators Bags Accessories town & village life magazine | march/april 2016

Classy Rags are offering Town & Village Life Magazine readers an introductory offer of

15% OFF* Clothing and

10% OFF* Accessories purchased when you present this advert during March and April 2016 *Not valid against sale items, no photocopies and not in conjunction with any other offer

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Try a New Look for Spring at

Capelli Hairdressing of relaxation at the salon, so that our clients can relax and unwind whilst having their hair styled. We want our customers to really enjoy their time at the salon and leave feeling happy and relaxed. That’s why we pay attention to those small details that make all the difference; massage chairs, soft lighting and gentle music. Along with the usual refreshments we have a selection of herbal teas and chocolates on offer and our clients can enjoy a therapeutic head massage whilst their hair is being shampooed and conditioned. We style hair for those important occasions and beautiful wedding hair looks for brides-to-be. Every one of our clients are made to feel extra special at our salon. Clients can purchase organic hair products from our O-Way range, as well as items from a fantastic range of products by fashion-forward brand, LabelM -

Spring is here which means it’s the perfect time of year to treat yourself to a new look. So, if you fancy a change from your current Cut or Colour then visit us at Capelli Hairdressing, We believe that you, the customer, should be treated as an individual. That’s why our dedicated team aim to create an overall look based on your features, hair type and your ideas.

Our entire team is highly skilled and we keep-up with the latest cutting and colouring techniques.

We know that hair is so important and that the right Cut and Colour can completely transform your look, that’s why we work with you to achieve the style and look that suits you.

We use Ammonia-Free colours which are gentle on the scalp and give hair complete coverage and shine.

So, whether you fancy a new look or have a special occasion around the corner, book in at the salon and enjoy some pampering today.

At Capelli Hairdressing we have worked hard to create a haven

We look forward to welcoming you.

We are completely client focused and pride ourselves on offering excellent service, so it’s no surprise that we have built a loyal client base over the 22 years we’ve been in business. As we specialise in both ladies and gents hair, we’re able to create the perfect look for our clients. 84

town & village life magazine | march/april 2016

To book an appointment please call 01384 484749 Open late on Thursdays! Open: Tues, Wed & Fri 9am â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 6pm Thurs 9am until late Sat 8.30am â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 4.30pm Closed on Mondays 131 Dudley Road, Brierley Hill, DY5 1HD www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk w w w. c a p e l l i h a i r d r e s s i n g . c o . u k

Italian Ammonia free colours, also stockists of Organic products Free parking, Loyalty cards, Gift vouchers and stockists of Label M products

y t t e r Pin ! k n i P Vivienne Westwood Earrings £45

Spring/Summer is here again and we are all looking to update our current wardrobes, one of the easiest ways to make a statement is a change of accessories.

Michael Kors £155

The Spring/Summer catwalks highlighted a number of key styles including the bucket, cross- body and satchel bag. These styles are obviously nothing new but what is evident is that bags are heading to smaller dimensions. The major colours highlighted on the catwalk included soft pinks with warm neutrals, hardware on accessories and jewellery is dominated by rose gold detailing. With an expanding brand portfolio including Armani Jeans, Vivienne Westwood, Versace Jeans, Calvin Klein and Michael Kors there’s something for everyone to get excited about.

Adidas £90

Michael Kors £155

Visit Diffusion in Wolverhampton, Merry Hill Centre, Telford or Walsall, or online at diffusiononline.co.uk

town & village life magazine | march/april 2016

Armani Jeans £165 Michael Kors £155

Michael Kors £285

Armani Jeans £169

Michael Kors £315

Armani Jeans £110

www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

T u r n th e clock b a ck at

W o ll a s t o n

B e aut y C l i n i c of treatments that effectively work on trouble areas to create a more youthful look.

“CACI facials target ageing, fine lines and wrinkles, as well as lifting treatments for the jowl area and acne-scarred tissue. It’ll even offer a quick and simple lip plump that you can have in your lunch break.” The bespoke treatments have been used by many people including A-list celebrities - as an alternative to invasive surgery.

Now is the time to turn back the clock on ageing skin, thanks to Wollaston Beauty Clinic’s revolutionary new system; The CACI Ultimate machine. A favourite with celebrities, the system offers an easy and effective way of reducing those telltale signs of ageing, such as, lines, wrinkles and sagging skin. Salon manager, Jenny Birch explains: “This system is a great enhancement to our existing product ranges and our extensive treatment list. Combining Caci with Environ or Dermalogica products gives amazing results” “The CACI Ultimate machine provides real results that make great improvements to your skin, through peeling, lifting, toning and plumping.” The non-surgical beauty solution offers a comprehensive range

“The CACI Ultimate machine really is the ultimate and most versatile aesthetic treatment system. It combines Microcurrent, Facial Toning, Crystal Free Orbital Microdermabrasion and LED Light Therapy Photo Stimulation.” “That’s why we’re delighted to be able to offer this prestigious and award-winning treatment to our clients.” The comprehensive range of treatment options are perfect for female and male clients alike, as well as all different age groups, and they’ll even suit all budgets. “Lisa Snowdon, Cliff Richard, Michelle Collins, Dale Winton, Barbara Windsor and Martine McCutcheon are all big fans of CACI; in fact Jennifer Lopez is so impressed that she has one at her house.”

“We recommend a course of 10 treatments, with a oneoff maintenance treatment every 4 to 6 weeks.”

“A session lasts about 1 hour 15 minutes and the results can start to be seen after 4 or 5 treatments. Every session is completely pain-free and there’s no need for any recovery time.” Whatever your problem, CACI has the answer: “Whether you miss the plumpness and tone that your face used to have, get down about crow’s feet around your eyes, or have skin texture that gives your age away, not to mention the side effects of years of smoking, then a course of CACI treatments are perfect for you.” CACI isn’t the only thing on offer at Wollaston Beauty Clinic though: “We have everything at the salon to take care of all your beauty needs, including: ESPA facials, HD Brows, Nailtiques and Shellac manicures, St Tropez spray tans and plenty more.” A course of 10 CACI treatments start at just £240.

A unique wrinkle comb applicator combining the synergy of LED red and blue Light Therapy stimulation and high frequency Microcurrent is used to instantly plump out and soften deep lines and wrinkles, offering an effective alternative to collagen injections and dermal fillers.

town & village life magazine | march/april 2016

20% o your ff fi CACI rst facia when l you this a present dvert

A fa

ce l i

f t wit

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L ifting â&#x20AC;˘ Toning M i croder mabrasion Light therapy Jowel lifting 153 Bridgnorth Road, Wollaston, Stourbridge DY8 3NU

01384 393305

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Caprio’s Hair Studio

Achieve Great Lengths Gold Salon Status The team at Caprio’s Hair Studio have long been creating fabulous looks for their clients using Great Lengths extensions and were recognised by the prestigious brand in both 2014 and 2015, when they were assigned Silver Salon status and awarded the Silver Salon of the Year award.

to achieve Gold Salon status is amazing and just as rewarding.”

This year however, they’ve managed to achieve an even more remarkable result, gaining coveted Gold Salon status, which reflects their outstanding performance as Great Lengths extensionists.

The team also regularly attend training courses to ensure that their extension skills are secondto-none and that they stay one step ahead of the rest.

Owner Jo Barnett-Toop explains: “It was really rewarding to be recognised as the best Great Lengths Silver Salon in the country when we won the ‘Silver Salon of the Year’ award, but

The Caprio’s team are highly skilled and expertly trained, which is reassuring to know, as applying extensions that look completely natural takes skill and expertise. “Clients can rest assured that we work to only the highest standards in everything we do and are experienced and highly trained in all aspects of extensions, as well as hairdressing as a whole.”

And that’s why the salon has been awarded the top Gold Salon accolade by Great Lengths. “We’ve been transforming client’s hair using the extensions for three years now. Great Lengths really

are the ultimate in hair extensions and it’s amazing to be able to give clients the hair they’ve always dreamed of at our salon.” Great Lengths are a favourite with celebrities and have been used to create gorgeous looks for stars like Cheryl Cole and Holly Willoughby. “The extensions can be used to add thickness and length to both short and long hair and are ideal for styling your dream wedding hair, or special occasion, look.” The 100% natural human hair extensions - that are ethically sourced and of the highest quality - can be cut, coloured and styled just like your own hair and used to form any look you want. What’s more, once applied they’re virtually undetectable. “In the free consultation we offer, we will decide what you want to achieve from the extensions - whether that’s length, volume, texture or even a head-turning colour look.” ‘Cold Fusion’ technology is used to apply the extensions, meaning that the application causes no damage to your own natural hair. Costing between £400 and £1000, Great Lengths extensions, prove to be a good investment - as they last between 3-5 months and require no maintenance in the meantime - unlike so many other brands.

BEFORE

AFTER

And, with 55 colours to choose from - 17 of which are shades of blonde - there’s a colour that’s sure to be perfect for you. “There’s plenty of our client’s before and after hair transformations to view on our Facebook page.” So, to make your hair dreams a reality, call in at the salon today and see what Caprio’s can do for you.

BEFORE

AFTER

Salon owner Jo Barnett-Toop

town & village life magazine | march/april 2016

Awarded Gold Salon Status • 100% Ethical • 100% Human Hair • 55 Colours to choose from

Make your hair dreams a reality with thicker and/ or longer hair! Free no obligation consultation

Don’t settle for anything less… go for GOLD! Caprio’s are offering 15% OFF your first full head application of Great Lengths extensions. This amazing offer ends 30th April 2016 only on presentation of this advert (no photocopies accepted).

For more information and T&C’s visit Offers www.caprioshairstudio.co.uk Special

www.caprioshairstudio.com To book an appointment please call 01384 402890 Caprio’s Hair Studio, Unit 10, Stallings Lane, Kingswinford DY6 7SH Gift vouchers available www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

FREE parking at rear of salon

24/7 On-line booking available 91

2016 S p r i n g a n d S u m m e r at

Aristocats

Whatever the occasion, you are sure to find the perfect outfit at Aristocats. Clothes that will take you effortlessly to any function whether casual or formal in the daytime, after six or late evening. Fabulous quality, stylish and easy to wear. Call in at Aristocats today to update your fashion look this season.

town & village life magazine | march/april 2016

• Aldo Martins • Basler • Betty Barclay • Eugen Klein • Faber • Frank Walder • Gelco • Joseph Ribkoff • Just White • Olsen • Rabe • Oui

Open Monday to Friday 10am – 5pm, Saturday 10am - 4pm Ample parking behind the premises in New Street or on the road opposite the Esso petrol station.

Co-ordinated Day Wear • Coats • Cocktail & Evening Wear Lingerie • Accessories • Belts • Bags • Jewellery • Hosiery 234www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk Coalway Road, Penn,Wolverhampton WV3 7NN Tel: 01902 344003

Model wears: White Tiered Dress £50 Gold Crystal Earrings £16 Both River Island

Stunning

Spring Fashion By Helen Taylor Spring fashion is all about fresh hues and pretty prints, that’s why it’s the perfect time of year to rethink your style and treat yourself to a new look. And, because there’s so many flattering and feminine pieces to choose from there’s no doubt that you’ll be spoilt for choice when you hit the high street.

Model wears: Ruffle Shirt £35 Denim Patchwork Mini Skirt £35 Both River Island

Don’t forget to keep an eye out for 2016’s hottest trends for a real fashion-forward look; denim, Spanish-inspired ruffles, romantic floral patterns and off-the-shoulder tops are all big news this season. Earrings

Necklace

Ring

Cascade Collection by Fei Lui from £125 Also available in Silver and Black Rhodium Vermeil. Exclusively at T.A. Henn, Wolverhampton 94

town & village life magazine | march/april 2016

‘Carey’ Wedges £65 Dune

Off-The-Shoulder Blouse £35 Wallis

Dress £42 River Island

Silver Bag £140 Michael Kors at Diffusion

Bucket Bag £255 Vivienne Westwood at Diffusion

Trousers £35 Wallis

‘Lizzie’ Floral Dress £130 Phase Eight

Floral Knit £69 Phase Eight

Brooch £120 Vivienne Westwood at Diffusion

www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

Handbag £55 Nica at House of Fraser

High Shine Shoes £125 Michael Kors at Diffusion 95

Stretch Mark Reduction

that really works! Unsightly stretch marks can appear anywhere on the body and they can often occur as a result of weight gain.

Stretch marks pose no health risk and don’t compromise your body’s ability to function healthily. They are most likely to appear in places where fat is stored, including the thighs, breasts, abdomen, upper arms and buttocks. Much of the blame for the appearance of stretch marks can be laid at your parent’s door; a significant factor when considering why one individual may have them and not another, is their inherited genes. Weight gain from pregnancy or dieting, loss of skin elasticity and good old fashioned ‘bad luck’ all play their part. However they arise, the effects of stretch marks on self-confidence can be immense and debilitating. The Cottage Surgery - established in 1992, has over 20 years’ valuable experience in treating a variety of skin types with diverse problems, from acne and acne scarring to pigmentation and sun damage. They are at the forefront of innovative treatment methods and thoroughly test and monitor new programmes for efficacy and value for money. They are proud to be able to offer a non-invasive treatment that effectively reduces the appearance of unsightly stretch marks. Micro Needling Therapy (MNT) is a highly effective treatment which stimulates new collagen to form at a deep level; it is based on the skin’s natural ability to repair itself whenever it encounters 96

physical damage, such as cuts, burns and other abrasions. Immediately after an injury to the skin, the body re-uses the damaged collagen and elastin fibres as well as other damaged skin components to produce new ones. The concept of ‘Skin Needling’ or ‘Collagen Induction Therapy’, allows for controlled induction of this self-repair mechanism. In turn, this re-models and tightens the skin, enhancing its architecture and improving overall skin appearance and texture. The Cottage Surgery has perfected the use of (MNT) using the Clinical Dermaroller to reduce the appearance of stretch marks for many of its clients. These are the professional use only devices, not the short needle devices often imported and unregulated via China! Dermaroller is a registered single-use medical device which is NOT available in salons or outlets without qualified staff. The Clinical Dermaroller used at The Cottage Surgery contain 192 sterile scalpel sharp needles, each one being 1.5 mm long and set at an exact angle of 87.5°. The rollers have been developed, to provide the maximum effect, with the minimum trauma, by

stimulating a wound healing response deep within the skin, generating type 3collagen without the risk of permanent scarring. Micro Needling Therapy can also hugely improve acne or atrophic scars, facial and décolleté lines and wrinkles, sun-damaged skin and pigmentation. Even the backs of hands respond beautifully! This has all been confirmed by independent clinical trials and provides an effective alternative to laser skin-resurfacing. Topical anaesthetic is applied to minimise discomfort and treatment takes around 1 hour depending on the size of the area. In most cases, skin can tolerate mineral make-up application on the same day and normally settles within 2 to 3 days. The generation of new collagen begins 6 weeks after and continues for up to 6 months. At The Cottage Surgery our objective is to provide effective anti-ageing and rejuvenation treatments at fair and affordable prices, under qualified supervision within an environment which is constantly monitored for its safety and efficacy of treatment. To find out more information or to arrange a free consultation please call 01384 940488.

town & village life magazine | march/april 2016

The West Midlands’ Leading Cosmetic & Beauty Clinic The Cottage Surgery: • Established since 1992 • Professional, affordable treatments • Trained, certified staff who use state of the art technology

Anti-wrinkle injections

Before

15% OFF ALL TREATMENTS*

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“I look & feel so much younger, yet haven’t had to break the bank!” Shiela Graham , Dudley

Treatments Include… • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Acne & acne scarring Anti-ageing Anti-wrinkle injections Birth marks Chloasma Dermal fillers Electrolysis Laser hair removal Hyperhidrosis Tattoo removal Medical peels Melasma Microdermabrasion Non-surgical face lifts Pain relief Photo-rejuvenation Pigmentation Pigmented lesions/Liver spots /Sun spots/Age spots Port wine stains Rosacea Scarring Skin rejuvenation Skin tags Smoking cessation Sports injury Stretch marks Sun damage Telangiectasia Thread vein removal Verruca removal Wart removal Wrinkle reduction injections

Book Your Free Consultation Today Telephone: 01384 940488 • Email: enquiries@cottage-surgery.co.uk Website: www.cottage-surgery.co.uk * To gain 15% off any treatment, please book your treatment on or before 30th April 2016 and mention this advert. Offer cannot be claimed alongside any other offer. www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

Get fit using your TV

remote control!

Getting fit, is not always as simple as joining a gym and pounding the treadmills on a daily basis.

Club memberships can be expensive and, unless you live in a major town or city, you may not have easy access to a facility. Alternatively, your working hours may simply prohibit you from attending a gym on a regular basis, meaning that a costly membership offers poor value for money. Fortunately, you really can get fit in the comfort of your own home or even, incredibly, from your sofa. All you need is one television, one remote control and bags of enthusiasm.

Take a break! Advert breaks are traditionally the perfect time to boil the kettle or to grab an unhealthy snack from the kitchen before resuming your place on the sofa. However, a fresh approach to those annoying interludes could help to give your health the boost it needs. With each advert break lasting for approximately three to three and a half minutes, these times are the ideal opportunity to jump up and engage in an intense cardio workout, such as running on the spot, skipping (if your lounge has sufficient space without bringing down the lights) or hula hooping. Try complementing these workouts with a healthy snack such as raw carrot, nuts or celery sticks while you watch.

Create a TV mini-gym If you take a trip to your local gym, you may well see fitness equipment strategically positioned in front of ceiling-mounted televisions displaying the latest sports events or music channels. 98

You can replicate this at home by relocating your fitness machine in front of your television, so you can enjoy a workout while watching your favourite programmes. While treadmills and rowing machines do tend to be costlier, it is possible to obtain more affordable equipment, such as exercise bikes, which you can use at a pace to suit.

Tone up For effective toning that doesn’t even require you to leave your sofa, simply strap some weights to some different parts of your body while you flex your limbs as you watch television. For example, attaching the weights to your ankles and raising your feet from a bent-knee position will tone your calves and thighs, while holding weights in your hands and raising them towards your shoulders will give your biceps a workout.

Remember your all-round health Of course, good health isn’t just about keeping fit, but caring for your overall wellbeing. One step you must take this March is to arrange your health insurance plan, to provide you and your family with all the health benefits you could need, so that you can obtain fast and affordable treatment when you need it most. With an online quotation available on our website, you can even find out just how affordable Paycare’s health insurance plans could be from the comfort of your sofa, while your favourite television programme plays in the background.

Just remember to start gently and increase the mass as your muscles strengthen. town & village life magazine | march/april 2016

www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

The Rotary Club of Kinver Kinver Rotarians bring clean water to Uganda village Clean water is now flowing into a village in Uganda thanks to the fund raising efforts of Kinver Rotary Club.

for a major grant to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger in the Kititi community by developing self-sufficiency and wealth creation.

Members have donated half of the £7,000 needed to construct a bore hole which is delivering clean water to the village of Kititi in south-east Uganda where villagers, until now, have had to walk long distances to fetch filthy unhygienic water that carried risk of serious disease.

The funding requested will support job creation schemes; planned small-scale commercial farming; send a pig, egg production, growing commercial crops (coffee, tomatoes, pineapples, passion fruit, eucalyptus trees, nursery bed) catering, tailoring.

Following additional donations from Bewdley Rotary Club and a grant from the clubs’ district body the project was completed by professional civil engineers and has been officially inaugurated by the country’s Vice President, Edward Ssekadw, It will be operated by the Planting for Hope Uganda project in Kititi. The 100-metre deep well was fitted with concrete casings for the top 45 metres for protection against possible fracturing from the bedrock and to maximise the quality of water. The main aquifer yields between 35,000 - 40,000 litres of water for a single pump- far in excess of the requirements of the 300 households in the village. So thrilled with the well – and its source of clean water - are the villagers that they have erected a plinth next to the pump which reads ‘Donated to Kititi by Bewdley and Kinver Rotary Clubs, District 1060.UK, with another sign on the main road which passes the village. Kinver Rotary Club is now in the process of submitting an application to Rotary International

SPOTS!

Often appearing at the worst times; spots are unsightly and can be uncomfortable. They occur when oil called sebum comes into contact with blocked pores.

kill bacteria and speed up the growth of new skin cells. You should avoid squeezing spots as this can cause infection and scarring. Exfoliation can improve the effectiveness of topical treatments and improve the appearance of skin. Various technology products such as light and heat therapy are also available. Acne is something very different. This needs to be treated by a doctor possibly with antibiotics. More extreme cases will be referred to a dermatologist.

To reduce the risk of spots you should prevent excess oil build up by keeping your hair clean and off your face, not wearing tight clothes or bag straps which rub and not resting your face on telephones. You should also avoid the use of irritants like greasy makeup and certain sunscreens and hair products. Daily washing with a gentle cleanser is recommended and remember to wash your towels regularly because dirty ones spread bacteria. A healthy diet can also help and there are special vitamin products available to aid healthy skin. If you do get a spot you can try products which contain benzoyl peroxide, salicyclic acid and alpha hydroxy acids, as these help to unblock pores, prevent oiliness, 100

town & village life magazine | march/april 2016

An Individual Rehabilitation

Program

Aiming to achieve well-being through holistic care, we at AuraVeda combine the ancient 8000 year old Indian philosophy of long life and rejuvenation with energy field work. Ayur meaning science and veda meaning life. At AuraVeda consideration is given to the five basic elements, space, air, fire, water and earth, and the three bio-physical forces, Vata, Pitta and Kapha within each client. The treatments are targeted at the root cause of any disease rather than just the symptoms and this is achieved by not only offering hands-on treatment but by looking at other aspects of your life that may influence the way you feel right now. Daily stress takes its toll on all of us and this can have quite phenomenal repercussions on your wellbeing. With this in mind a comprehensive full health maintenance package

using the cutting edge science of Heart Rate Variability is available.

Heart Rate Variability How it works Electrical and mechanical occurrences happening in the heart create external characteristics of the pulse wave. Our diagnostic equipment analyses the heart rate using mathematical methods. It allows estimating functions of particular organs and systems, as well as the patient’s health status in general. We work with stress, insomnia, digestive problems, weight loss, detox and the menopause. We can provide functional assessments of the body, showing you what is happening to the nervous system and how this affects your bio-ageing rate. Central to our ethos is the notion of bringing the physical body into alignment with its auric field, (the layers of energy surrounding it).

AuraVeda’s assessments include: Nutrition – Advice concerning foods to favour and foods to avoid, making

a distinction between foods that can heal and foods that can aggravate. Herbal Therapy – Working with some of the leading herbalists in the country, we provide tailored herbal formulas designed to aid a multifaceted healthcare approach. Aromatherapy – Oils for selfmassage, aimed to improve health and psycho emotional state. Ayurvedic Home Remedies – Age old wisdom, recipes and practices to be performed at home and integrated into your daily lifestyle. Pilates sequences, yoga exercises and meditation techniques. Affordable options are available with one off and/or ongoing supported programs.

Comprehensive Full Health Maintenance Package As a health and wellbeing centre we offer a range of solutions to common health issues such as:

Arthritis Rheumatism Constipation Digestive Disorders Back Problems Sleep Disorders For more information or to make an appointment please contact Suzanne Taylor Please get in touch to discuss how we might be able to help.

Opening hours:

Monday to Friday 10am - 6pm Saturday by appointment only

www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

Auraveda 41 High Street, Kinver, DY7 6HF

01384 936227 hello@auraveda.co.uk www.auraveda.co.uk

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WhY is THE

Anterior Cruciate Ligament IMPORTANT? Almost everyone can remember a famous footballer who has damaged this ligament eg Michael Owen, Paul Gascoigne. Inevitably it means a missed season, whilst they rehabilitate following repair of this ligament in their knee. The knee joint is comprised of three bones; The lower end of the thigh bone, top of the shin bone and kneecap. On their own, these bones have little inherent stability and require muscles and ligaments to enable the stability necessary for normal function. The main stabilising muscle groups are situated on the front (Quadriceps) and back (Hamstrings) of the thigh. Four major ligaments provide stability to the knee; Two located on either side of the joint called ‘Collateral ligaments’ and two ‘Cruciate ligaments’ located within the centre of the joint itself. The Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) is located to the front of the knee with the Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL) hidden towards the back of the knee (see Fig 1).

The Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) This ligament is the main provider of ‘rotational’ stability in the knee. Without it the knee is prone to ‘giving way’ doing activities which require sudden changes of direction. eg. Playing football, turning quickly whilst just shopping or even walking the dog on uneven ground. Patients complain that they lack confidence in their knee.

How is the ACL damaged?

FIG 1, KNEE ANATOMY Thigh bone

Knee cap

Collateral ligament

Outer cartilage

Inner cartilage

Posterior Cruciate Ligament

Anterior Cruciate Ligament

Shin bone

Knee Examination When I assess knees with a torn ACL, the most striking feature is the amount of abnormal movement (laxity) between the thigh and shin bone, compared to the opposite knee. In most patients we confirm our diagnosis by performing a MRI scan. Images (Fig 2) show a normal and torn ACL.

How do we treat a torn ACL?

Classically, it is torn following a severe twisting injury sustained during sport, however any situation leading to an uncontrolled vigorous rotation of the joint can tear the ACL eg stumbling down some steps.

To regain the stability required for normal function, we have to reconstruct the ACL using a patient’s own tissue; either part of their patellar tendon or hamstrings. This is performed by keyhole surgery. The images (Fig 3) show actual pictures from within the knee during the operation.

Symptoms

Rehabilitation

Patients’ experience severe pain in the knee and many are convinced they must have broken a bone. Often they hear a ‘pop’ or ‘crack’ sound which is the ligament rupturing and the knee swells more or less immediately.

A structured individualised rehabilitation protocol is provided for all patients. Physiotherapy exercises will be started immediately following surgery and patients will require 2-3 weeks on crutches.

FIG 2, Knee MRI Normal ACL

Torn ACL

A return to full sporting activities is expected in approximately 6 - 9 months.

FIG 3, Keyhole surgery pictures A: New reconstructed ACL, P: Posterior Cruciate Ligament P P A

Distinct Ligament Fibres

102

No Ligament Fibres

Before reconstruction

After reconstruction

town & village life magazine | march/april 2016

WOLVERHAMPTON HIP

& KNEE CLINIC

The Wolverhampton hip and knee clinic has been developed to provide modern, comprehensive and evidence based treatment for all hip and knee disorders. Mr David Simpson is an established and experienced Consultant orthopaedic surgeon. He is the leading regional exponent of custom made, personalised ‘Signature’ knee replacements.

MR DAVID SIMPSON CONSULTANT ORTHOPAEDIC SURGEON

Areas of expertise: - Hip and knee arthritis - Hip and knee replacements - Custom made patient specific ‘Signature’ knee replacements - Sports Injuries - Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction surgery - Cartilage surgery - Tibial osteotomy / realignment surgery

To book an appointment or for further details please contact: The Wolverhampton Hip and Knee Clinic, Nuffield Health Hospital, Wood Road, Tettenhall, Wolverhampton, WV6 8LE Tel: 01902 754177 ext. 2391, 01902 793225 or visit: www.wolverhamptonhipandkneeclinic.co.uk

Creating beauty in every smile

You don’t have to let denture problems get you down. At Simply Dentures our aim is to provide the best options so you can wear dentures with confidence. The main problems tend to be either the fit, the appearance or the function. Taking time to listen to your individual needs means we are in a good place to help get things right. Call now for an information pack and book a complimentary consultation.

Mr Peter Brookes

Call free on 0800 9788 665 More info at www.simplydentures.net

Find us at Parkdale Dental Clinic 82 Tettenhall Road, Wolverhampton, WV1 4TF

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(GDC No.124429) is our leading Clinical Dental Technician and has spent over 16 years refining the skills needed to produce your high quality dentures.

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A local firm with a regional presence

Social media in the workplace, friend or foe? Nearly everyone nowadays participates in some sort of social media, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram. For most people it is part of their private social interaction with friends and family. Social media is also becoming a common means of marketing and promoting businesses. Many companies have pages they use to publicise their products, services or achievements. Some employers ask their employees to “like” or “share” their posts or pages to increase their online profile. Some even have social media sites for communicating with their workforce. Used in the right way, social media can be a powerful tool. However, it is also becoming a weapon where disgruntled employees or customers can express their dissatisfaction with a company. Employees have also been known to breach their employer’s policies by their social media posts which have ultimately resulted in their dismissal. Many people wrongly believe that they can post whatever they like without any consequence, particularly if it is on a private page in their own time. Employers such as Apple, Asda and B&Q have all been involved in Employment Tribunal cases where they have dismissed employees for derogatory comments they have made on social media sites. So, as an employee what should you do (and not do) on social media sites to ensure you do not find yourself facing disciplinary action? 1. Do not make derogatory comments about your employer or your colleagues. We all have bad days at work but venting on a social media site that can be seen either by 104

Jayne Holliday

the public or, even if you have privacy settings enabled, by other colleagues, friends and family, is not appropriate and is likely to result in disciplinary action being taken against you. “Comments” includes sharing pictures that are clearly insulting your employer or colleagues, such as:

2. If you take a day off work due to ill health and then “check in” at the local pub for lunch, bear in mind that your colleagues or managers are likely to see your post. This may seem obvious, but it is surprising the number of employees who are dismissed for “throwing a sickie” evidenced by social media activity. 3. If you are in a public-facing role, do not comment (even

if it isn’t derogatory) upon the customers or clients you have dealt with. This will breach your contractual confidentiality obligations to your employer. 4. If you are a driver, or have to go to customers’ or clients’ homes or premises, do not “check in” when you get there. Again, this is a breach of confidentiality and, potentially, data protection obligations. If you are an employer, make sure you communicate to your employees what you expect of them on social media. Tell them what is and is not confidential and explain what consequences will follow, e.g. dismissal, if they breach your rules. The best way of doing this is to introduce a Social Media Policy which is distributed to all of your employees. If you are an employee or employer and would like more information about your rights and obligations when using social media please contact our Associate Jayne Holliday, a specialist employment lawyer, at our Kinver office on 01384 883415.

town & village life magazine | march/april 2016

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Education

and Schooling

by David Williams – Headmaster of Tettenhall College

I spent Christmas Eve morning at the top of the Schiltorn, Switzerland admiring not only the fantastic views of the neighbouring mountains in the Jungfrau region but also “James Bond World”. Fans will of course know that the revolving restaurant at its summit doubled as Blofeld’s headquarters for world dominance in the film “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service”. As my children enjoyed the tastefully designed, fun and informative museum dedicated to a film made almost 50 years ago one pondered the enduring power of 007, M and Q as prior to the trip we all had also enjoyed the most recent offering “Spectre” with latest Bond, Daniel Craig. However enjoyable these films are it would be difficult to claim great meaning for the Bond series other than inspiring people to visit exotic locations, marvel at gadgetry and stunts and, at a stretch, ponder the triumph of good over evil. Yet on returning to school in January I found myself using film on two occasions as an inspiration for assemblies and reminding us of the need to appreciate what we 106

have and value others in order to achieve personal fulfilment. These lofty ideals and worthy spiritual messages are both contained in “It’s a Wonderful Life” and “Groundhog Day” with two men, for completely different reasons, seeking to commit suicide due to the futility of their existence but ultimately achieving redemption and happiness in life. Despite this enduring power of cinema at various levels, apart from at A level and universities, there does not seem to be an official role for film as a subject in our curriculum. The reality is that its potential is far greater than the traditional view of guilty “filler” at the end of term or on a wet Wednesday instead of games. A new charity Film Nation UK aims to put film at the heart of children and young people’s learning and cultural experience and thanks to their efforts film clubs are being run in more than 7,000 schools, with 220,000 young people watching, discussing and reviewing film. Their aim is that film becomes accepted alongside literature, art and music in schools and a legitimate way of understanding more about events, history and society. An inherent advantage of film is its ability to cut across all ages and

abilities as a “universal language”. We should be using this popularity in the classroom in order to enrich learning. In my career as a languages teacher its immediacy and accessibility mean that discussions and observations can be made quickly and I am always impressed by young people’s observational skills and desire to talk about what they have just seen. This can be just as effective in a 5 minute clip or, at a higher level, a three or four week study of a particular film or director’s work. Indeed my first visit to Wolverhampton some 25 years ago was made with a group of A-level pupils from Reading to attend the fantastic courses that were run by the then Polytechnic on the French director François Truffaut. Films in all their formats seem to captivate, engage and can supplement reading as a way to understand people’s behaviour or tackle the issues of today or the past. Furthermore, the digital world of mobile devices, YouTube and Netflix means that pupils are not only increasingly visually aware but, thanks to technology, have the opportunity to be creative as film-making is becoming evermore accessible and pupils can make their own high quality films with minimal equipment. The latter trend also points to career opportunities where there will be more and more jobs out there that involve the creation of digital content and require standard film-making techniques. It is with this in mind that Tettenhall College is looking to set up its own residential film course in October this year and, who knows, our wonderful grounds in the suburbs of Wolverhampton may well be chosen as a future location for some future Bond movie! You can now follow David on Twitter @tettcoll_head

town & village life magazine | march/april 2016

Release

YOUR POTENTIAL

Whole School Open Morning Saturday 7th May 2016

Tours start at 10.00am. Book Now.

www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

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New “Round the Wrekin” Cycle Sportive

in aid of Compton Hospice web results service, emergency support, on site catering, event photography, broom wagon and every cyclist that completes the course will receive a medal.

Compton Hospice is excited to stage its first cycling sportive as a new fundraising initiative for the charity in 2016. The event will take place on May 22nd and will run out of Dudley Kingswinford Rugby Club. The event is supported by World Champion Cyclist - Hugh Porter MBE who is a 4 time World Pursuit Champion and Commonwealth Gold Medalist, and is known more recently for being the voice of British cycling. Hugh will be cycling one of the routes on the day.

The sportive offers 3 routes so that every level of cyclist can take part. The Epic Route (101.5 Miles / 160 Km) (+7471ft / -7469 ft) Starting at Dudley Kingswinford Rugby Club, this route will take participants in a north westerley direction towards Church Stretton. From Church Stetton cyclists will encounter some serious hills travelling up The Burway towards The Stiperstones before turning north and heading downhill to the 50 mile point at Snailbeach. Just past Cressage the incline will again start to increase, heading north towards Uppington before heading towards The Wrekin, Ironbridge, and finally ending back at Kingswinford.

The Standard Route (64.1 Miles / 102 Km) (+4127 ft / -4123 ft) Starting again at Dudley Kingswinford Rugby Club, this route will take cyclists in a north westerley direction via Bobbington, Claverley and Worfield, then south through Bridgnorth and Upton Cressett, towards The Wrekin. The last 15 miles of slightly undulated land is where cyclists can pick up the pace through Ironbridge, Coalport, Pattingham, Seisdon, Swindon and finally ending back at Kingswinford. Finally, the Short Route (23.9 Miles / 38 Km) (+1019 ft / -1017 ft) This will again start at Dudley Kingswinford Rugby Club, this slightly undulating route will take cyclists in an north westerley direction via Bobbington, Claverley, Hopstone, Wyken and Worfield at the 10 mile point and then head north to Ackleton where the undulations will start to increase and then east through Kingslow and Pattingham. The last two miles is predominately downhill back towards Dudley and Kingswinford.

Thanks to the expertise and guidance of their two sponsors Andy Dawson of Ride Ventures, and Karl Fisher of Fishface Cycles in Wombourne, the hospice is able to stage a very professional event. Andy is a long-time sportive rider and experienced event organiser who is also a British Cycling Level 2 coach and a CTC qualified ride leader. He is heavily involved in local sportives - co-running the Tour d’Arts Alive and has just taken over the Autumn Epic. Karl will be providing mechanical back-up and small repairs on the day and he is proprietor of Fishface Cycles, a family-run independent bicycle and action sports dealership based in the heart of Wombourne. Social road rides (Fishface Cycles Gruppetto) are also run from the store every other Saturday. The sportive will include event centre facilities and parking, mechanical support, full route marking, course food stations, electronic chip timing, 108

Anyone interested in taking part in any of the 3 routes can find more information and can register at: www.roundthewrekin.co.uk or you can contact Compton Hospice on 01902 774529 or by emailing fundraising@compton-hospice.org.uk town & village life magazine | march/april 2016

www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

01952 321334 | WWW.STAFFORDSHIREOUTLOOK.CO.UK 109 5

Social Scene

BodyKraft Pensnett

Mr Pugh said: “Our new Fastrack facility is a major investment for us and will mean more jobs for people in the Black Country. It’s is the most ambitious initiative in our history.”

Accident repair firm BodyKraft recently held an event to celebrate the opening of its new £250,000 Fastrack rapid repair centre.

1. Duncan Taylor, Karl Horsley, Stephen Smith

Over 100 guests attended the VIP launch at the stateof-the-art facility, which is on Kingswinford’s Pensnett Estate, including Wolverhampton Wanderers legend Steve Bull and the Mayor and Mayoress of Dudley. Guests were treated to drinks and canapes and demonstrations of the innovative painting and drying technology which will help the Fastrack team spray and dry up to 12 vehicles each day. 110

www.bodykraft.co.uk

2. Dawn Owen and Mike Pugh 3. Dudley Mayoress Jayne Waltho, Mike Pugh, Steve Bull, Mike Freeman and Mayor of Dudley, Cllr Steve Waltho 4. John Powell, Terri Baron and Hollie Styles 5. Mark Lomas, Paul Insull and Amerdeep Johal 6. Roy Casey, Jackie Casey and James Osborne 7. Tim Freeman and Jason Parton 8. The BodyKraft Fastrack team town & village life magazine | march/april 2016

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INDEX OF ADVERTISERS Antiques & Auctioneers Perry & Phillips Appliances Electrical - Gas Capital Appliances Geoff Hill Awnings Castle Blinds Love Your Blinds Bathrooms Brierley Hill Bathrooms Roman Bathrooms Wall Heath Bathrooms Beds & Bedroom Furniture Interiors Italia Sofa Factory Outlet Woodrobes Beauticians Wollaston Beauty Clinic Beauty Clinic – Cosmetic Cottage Surgery Blinds - Curtains Castle Blinds Love your Blinds Val Hever Blinds Building & Maintenance Contractors Three Pines Builders Merchants Carvers Building Supplies Caravan Accessories Cannock Caravan Accessories Carpets – Supply & Fit ND Walters Premier Carpets Car Service/Repair Four Ashes Renault Composite Doors Doorsmart Design & Print Synaxis Design Consultancy Dentistry Simply Dentures Total Implant Solutions

65 43 37 41 33 27 19 21 34/35 31 11 89 97 41 33 39 5 51 63 19 23 115 49 59 103 2

Education Royal School 105 Tettenhall College 107 Electricians & Electrical Contractors Chancery Contracts 7 Electrical Installation & Design Chancery Contracts 7 Fashion - Retail Aristocats 93 Classy Rags 82/83 Diffusion 86/87/111 Fencing & Gates Profence 57 Fireplaces & Stoves Flaming Fires 17 Firewood Black Country Firewood 39 Furniture & Furnishings Cane Furniture Studio 47 Interiors Italia 34/35 Sofa Factory Outlet 31 Galleries & Gift Shops Stourbridge Galleries 20 Garden Design Boningale 61 Gardening & Landscaping Boningale 61 Lealans Garden Centre 60 Glass & Hardware Specialists Tech Aluminium Systems 56 Hairdressers Capelli 85 Caprios 91 Health Care Cover Paycare 99 Holistic Therapy Auraveda 101 Hospices Compton Hospice 109 Independent Financial Advisers Midland Financial Services 14/15 Indian Takeaway Blue Ginger 69

Kitchens - Supply, Design & Fit Black Country Kitchens 29 Intoto Kitchens 25 Roman Bathrooms 19 Landscaping Suppliers Carvers Building Supplies 51 Lighting Lighting R Us 45 Music lessons Rick Hampton 58 Orthopaedic Surgery Wolverhampton Hip & Knee Clinic 103 Outdoor Furniture Cane Furniture Studio 47 Painters & Decorators Dave Russon 58 Party Planners Prince & Princess 81 Photography Crescent Imaging 80 Restaurants & Pubs Bravaccio’s 71 Halfpenny Green Vineyards 71 Wombourne Tandoori 70 Solicitors Thursfields 105 Tea Rooms Himley Hall 75 Tattoo Removal Cottage Surgery 97 Theatres The Grand Theatre 67/116 Tiles & Interiors Tile Choice 13 Veterinary Services Blacks Vets 53 Vineyard & Craft Centre Halfpenny Green Vineyards 71 Water Softener Specialists D A Baldwin & Son 21 Wedding Venues & Function Rooms Himley Hall 75 Patshull Park Hotel 79 Windows & Conservatories Hayley Windows 11

Puzzle Answers Sudoku:

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Word Search: Hidden Phrase: Spring: the music of open windows Terri Guillemets

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town & village life magazine | march/april 2016

Prime

P e u g e ot

By Rob Taylor

Let’s start with some numbers:

85.6 mpg and 88 g/km. Ten years ago few people cared too much about fuel economy or especially emissions. Only car bores used to prattle on about how their motor uses .00001 of a gallon of fuel less or produces still fewer carbon dioxides than their friend’s car, but what matters today is exactly this – and almost only this. Driven undoubtedly by government interference consumers, otherwise entirely disinterested in cars, now care enough to buy on this basis alone. With this in mind it is commendable therefore that Peugeot has – in the shape of the 308 SW – bothered to engineer and build a car that is absolutely fantastic in almost every other regard as well. Yes, as unbelievably good as this – the Allure BlueHdi 120 – 308 SW’s performance is on both fuel consumption and emissions, it’s far from being the whole story. And so, just for fun, since car buyers today seem so keen on short, startling, salient stats, here begins my 20-point guide to why you should buy this car for reasons other than you-know-what.

Let’s start off objectively: It costs nothing to tax and comparatively next to nothing to buy at just £21,945; it has the largest load space in its class with up to 660 litres; it has the highest safety score possible from Euro NCAP: 5 stars; it has “Magic” foldflat rear seats and uber-practical stuff as standard, like roof and boot rails; it can come with the International Engine of the Year 2015, the 1.2 litre three cylinder petrol; it can be spec’d with a postwww.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

collision SOS location system that has to date come to the aid of over 7,000 individuals; it can park itself… if you option the ‘City Pack’; it has full LED headlights as standard; it incorporates one of the lowest boot sills in its class; and it has front and rear parking sensors as standard.

And now rather more subjectively: It offers a ride that is comfier than many other cars I’ve driven which cost twice the price; it has a silky smooth 6-speed manual gearbox that begs the question: why go auto when shifting can be executed this well?; it demonstrates beautifully the folly of forgoing a proper estate car for a fashionable crossover; it has a delightful 1.6 litre diesel engine that is both tractable and refined when stretched fully through the revrange; it has steering that is sharp and precise; it has ample head and leg room; it has an entertainment system that is easy to fathom and intuitive to use; it has a ferocious heating system which is perfect for cold winter mornings; it features a system that tucks away the wing mirrors when parked and locked, so I can tell at a moment’s glance

whether I’ve remembered to lock the doors; and it has courtesy lights that at night light the gloomy path between my home and car. So without an over-dependence on evidence consisting solely upon fuel economy and emissions a case can clearly be made for the Peugeot 308 SW, however, it’d be remiss to disregard entirely what has until this point been the elephant in the room: the headlinegrabbing 85.6 mpg figure. In a world where official fuel consumption figures are no longer credible indicators of what motorists are likely to see at the pumps, I’m pleased to report that this Peugeot – while unable to reach the promised heady heights – did return into the high sixties. And considering I used the vehicle for plenty of inner-city driving during my time with it I’d say that’s deeply impressive and a fitting note on which to end – that you did, presumably, read this far and didn’t put down this magazine after my first sentence and rush immediately to the nearest Peugeot dealer is to your enormous credit. 113

Fu e l

y ou r D e s i r e s I’m doing 76 on the motorway, but I’m not speeding. The dashboard display is showing mpg, not mph. Yes, you read that correctly: 76 mpg. And it’s still climbing.

I know what you’re thinking: I must be taking part in some geeky RAC fuel consumption study; hyper-miling in a fashion to cause tailbacks longer than those inflicted by an asthmatic pit-pony pulling a gypsy cart, or maybe that I’m some state-sponsored boffin on a simulator in a laboratory in Brussels, responsible for producing vehicles’ ‘official fuel consumption figures.’ But I’m not, honestly. I’m driving in the real world, as I normally do, in the latest Renault Clio. And I’m getting numbers which are tantamount to a motorist’s wet dream. Coming at a time when drivers are more suspicious than ever of manufacturers’ claimed fuel consumption figures, this particular version of Renault’s fourth generation Clio is just what’s needed to restore confidence in what have become spurious statistics at best.

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At the heart of the matter is a 1.5 litre diesel engine which manages to do a lot more than just achieve its attention-grabbing promise of 78.5 mpg on the combined cycle. The little 90 bhp four cylinder can more than pull its own weight, being as it is both refined and tractable at low revs, so it never requires a great deal of effort to keep pace with traffic. Which is, of course, great for driving down costs. And if you want to go one better, there’s even the option of deploying the ECO button - which is standard on this Dynamique S MediaNav iteration - to make savings of a further 12%. Plus, you won’t have to pay road tax due to admirably low emissions of 90g/km. But if you really have a burning hatred for fuelling stations and want to turn the knobs all the way up to 11, spec the ECO pack, which fits low-rolling resistance tyres and boosts savings up to a titanic class-leading 88.3 mpg. And I for one believe such numbers. Yet not everything is for purposes of pleasing parsimonious Papa, so what about Nicole? Never before has a Clio looked this good; its sleek, sexy lines embody the very style and verve which has made the French marque

By Rob Taylor

famous. A set of the most stunning 16” alloy wheels I’ve ever seen maintain the effect, as does the optional Flame Red metallic paint. And it’s loaded with high-tech systems - like Renault’s brilliantly intelligible R-Link multimedia system with Bluetooth and USB function - to keep you entertained while you’re looking good. Refusing to allow five door practicality to corrupt its design purity, the little Renault confuses many car-savvy passengers with its disguised rear-door handles; just as it boggles their minds when they experience a comfortable and refined ride atypical of most cars in this class - especially when considering the as-tested model costs only £17,625. Similarly, the Clio is chock-full of creature comforts, unlike most of its competitors: satellite navigation, cruise-control, airconditioning, auto-windscreen wipers and parking sensors all feature. All of which complement a driving experience which is in itself thoroughly rewarding; the steering is direct; the visibility, good; the handling, composed. Oh, and the fuel economy. Did I mention the fuel economy?

town & village life magazine | march/april 2016

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town & village life magazine | march/april 2016