Town & Village Life Magazine - November/December 2014 by Jonathon

TOWN & VILLAGE LIFE MAGAZINE

November/December 2014

Win tickets for Cinderella at The Grand Theatre Win a hamper of award winning wines with Halfpenny Green Vineyards

TOWN & VILLAG E LIFE MA GA Z INE

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014

Delivered to areas of: Hagley, West Hagley, Stourbridge, Pedmore, Oldswinford, Norton, Wollaston, Amblecote, Wordsley, Kingswinford, Lawnswood, Wall Heath, Kinver, Bobbington, Heathton, Stourton, Enville, Swindon, Himley and Sedgley

Local Magazine delivered to 15,500 Selected Homes and Businesses

A449 Kidderminster Road Wall Heath, West Midlands DY6 0EN T: 01384 686000 E: kingfisher@inndividual.co.uk W: www.thekingfisher.club

LIVEMUSIC

WHAT’S ON SATURDAY 01

NOVEMBER 2014

FRIDAY 07

SATURDAY 08

THURSDAY 13

FRIDAY 14

AN EVENING WITH UB40

meATloAF

soUl JUncTion

FRAnK BRUno

mADonnA

SATURDAY 15

FRIDAY 21

SATURDAY 22

FRIDAY 28

SATURDAY 29

We love 80‘s & 90’s

Alive & KicKing

The ReAlisTics

The JAm DRc

Bon Jovi

DECEMBER 2014 THURSDAY 04

FRIDAY 05

SATURDAY 06

SUNDAY 07

THURSDAY 11

Alive & KicKing

Jessie J vs pinK vs KATy peRRy vs lADy gA gA

soUl sURvivoRs

TAKe ThAT

eAsT WooD BAnD

THURSDAY 18

FRIDAY 19

SATURDAY 20

FRIDAY 12

SOLD OUT

olly mURs

SATURDAY 13

SATURDAY 14

SOLD OUT

gliTz AppeAl

RoBBie WilliAms

olly mURs

LimiTeD cLUb SeaTS

hoUse JAmmeRz

micheAl BUBle (Michael clews)

JANUARY 2015 FRIDAY 02

SATURDAY 03

FRIDAY 09

SATURDAY 10

FRIDAY 16

BAcK To The 80’s Disco

TAKe ThAT

BAcK To The 90’s Disco

pinK vs cheR (stacey green)

80 vs 90’s Disco

SATURDAY 17

FRIDAY 23

SATURDAY 24

FRIDAY 30

SATURDAY 31

BAcK To moToWn

RocK oF Ages

soUl sURvivoRs

...coming soon!

micheAl BUBle (Michael clews)

& northern soul disco

(stacey green)

A L L B O O K I N G C O R R E C T A T T I Mtown E O&F village P R I N life T. Cmagazine H E C K W| november/december EBSITE FOR DET AILS. 2014

Hello Readers, ‘Is it really that time of year again?’‘Have you done your Christmas shopping?’ Etc, etc. These are just some of the facile openings which by now you’ll have read in the opening lines of every magazine published this side of our favourite holiday. But you’ll read none of it here. At Town and Village Life we want to focus your mind upon what is fascinating and fun about the festive season here on your doorstep. Here is the read that’ll tell you where to drink - No.92 Coffee Shop in Oldswinford; where to party - Sir Jack’s at Molineux, Wolverhampton Racecourse and The Kingfisher in Wall Heath; and where’s the comfiest place to rest your weary feet - at home, while reading this magazine, of course. And there’s more, so read on for interesting insight into Slade’s Dave Hill in our exclusive interview, where the diminutive local legend talks playing Christmas songs all year round. There’s beauty and fashion tips to spruce you up; guides to which beauty rooms and hairdressers to visit and hot hints sure to start your party anon. We’ll even help you half-way along with our competitions to win a hamper of wine from Halfpenny Green Vineyards and tickets to Cinderella at The Grand Theatre. Plus there’s advice on trusty trades to transform your home just in time for a visit from the in-laws. Uh-oh: in-laws. Gulp. Be sure to create the right impression with a new front door on which to hang your Christmas wreath, from Doorsmart. Or follow in the illustrious footsteps of our restaurant reviewers by wining and dining the in-laws with meals out at Wombourne Tandoori and The Verve Bar and Grill at Village Hotel, Dudley. As you can see, we’ve got Christmas all wrapped up. Warm wishes to everyone for the festive season. Enjoy your read...

Geoff

TOWN & VILLAGE

Contents town and Village life meets a rock legend – dave hill 4 louise Presley turner – life coach

A question of kidderminster

trimmings – final touches

crosswords and puzzles

halfpenny green Vineyards competition

recipe of the month

total sewing hold a coffee morning in support of macmillan

careers in the classroom

Big ron at the kingfisher

stourbridge rugby club

grand theatre competition

family Vets for family pets

gardening with Ann winwood

the kinver fitness collective

Verve Bar & grill food review

60/61

the christmas party

wombourne tandoori food review

68/69

successful women in business – Bibi dodd

72/73

looking good

the right hairstyle for your face shape

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

Advertising enquiries

Email: sales@townandvillagelifemag.co.uk Gisella Wiley - Sales Director

Editorial/What’s On information

Email: info@townandvillagelifemag.co.uk Geoff Hall - Editor Magazine design: Studio 28 (www.s28.co.uk) 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.

ready to party get into the christmas spirit

82/83 106

social scene

109-115

Bmw xdrive – in perfect condition for imperfect conditions

118/119

Petite Polo

120

Answers to crossword & Puzzles

122

Congratulations to: Winners of the Thriller Live competition at The Grand Theatre Mrs P Willetts, Hagley Mrs Jo Bennett, Kinver Winner of the Black Country Specials meal competition at Bravaccio’s Mr Tony Sutton, Kingswinford Winner of the Sunday Lunch competition at The Village Hotel Mrs Ann-Marie Broome, Brierley Hill

*Total distribution 15,500 copies bi-monthly

www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

Town & Village Life Magazine

Meets Rock Legend…

Dave Hill

TVL: Hi Dave, tell us how it all began for Slade.

DH: We started the group in 1966; each of us lived in or around Wolverhampton, so being a very local band it was natural for us to start off playing gigs in the city’s clubs and pubs. We originally played lots of covers, so we’d regularly go to a music shop in Birmingham, Discovery, which had loads of different records from America, so that we could find unusual tracks to perform. We really got into musical styles from the states, like Motown and rhythm and blues - from artists like Four Tops, Muddy Waters and BB King. Then we progressed more into rock, with stuff like Little Richard and Chuck Berry.

Raw talent and a look which defined a generation was enough to cement Slade’s place as one of the seminal glam rock acts of the 1970s. But let’s not forget the music. Everyone - and anyone - remembers the chart-topping smash hits which rocked the Top 40, like ‘Cum On Feel The Noize’, ‘Take Me Back Ome’ and ‘Gudbye T’Jane’. The Wolverhampton-based foursome earned legions of fans across the world and inspired future bands as notable as Nirvana and Kiss with their catchy, energy-filled songs - one of which brightens every Christmas without fail.

Slowly things developed from there and after a few years we were spotted by a talent scout who was keen to record music from the Midlands. He gave us some studio time and we managed to record four songs. TVL: I suppose music from the Midlands was big business at the time, what with Robert Plant’s Led Zeppelin and Ozzy Ozbourne’s Black Sabbath. DH: Exactly; they were both from the Birmingham area. Another prominent character from the scene at the time was Chas Chandler, Jimi Hendrix’s manager; he heard us playing at a club and from there things just went onwards and upwards. Two years later, Slade had made it.

TVL: You might even say the rest is history… so what’s happening now?

DH: We’re still touring! We’re playing gigs across Russia, where we’ve got a massive fan base, this autumn; then there’s the UK dates towards the end of the year, with a special Christmas gig planned for The Robin 2 club in Bilston on 18th December. TVL: No doubt you’ll be playing a certain Christmas song… DH: Of course, we wouldn’t let our fans down! The audience always goes mad when we play ‘Merry Christmas Everybody’ - they even want to hear it in the summer. TVL: And do you play it? DH: We do, it’s a great song and a huge hit that we’re really proud of we won’t ever get tired of playing it. In 2015 we’ll be playing gigs across the UK with other acts from the 70s as part of the ‘We Love The 70s’ tour. TVL: Do you still enjoy touring after all these years? DH: It’s fantastic, playing live is amazing and it’s always been a massive part of what Slade do. Bringing pleasure and enjoyment to people in a tough world is a great feeling. The interaction between our fans loving our tunes and us playing them is why we came into the business in the first place. TVL: So no plans to stop yet? DH: definitely not. As far as I’m concerned a tour never ends, it’s an endless journey and it’s amazing to still be on stage - I’d never want to do anything else.

It’s not surprising then, that here at Town & Village Life Magazine we found it difficult to contain our excitement when it was confirmed that we’d get the chance to interview the group’s charismatic lead guitarist, Dave Hill. Despite having to endure the departure of two original bandmates - singer Noddy Holder and bassist/ keyboardist/violinist Jim Lea founding member Dave, along with drummer Don Powell are keeping the music alive and still delighting fans across the UK - and beyond - with non-stop touring. 04

town & village life magazine | november/december 2014

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Stuck in a job

you don’ t like?

Are you fed up doing work you don’t really care about? Are you looking to do something more meaningful but aren’t sure where to start? As a Personal Growth Expert, I continually work with people helping them find a more meaningful career path whether that’s finding a brand new job or starting a new business. It can be done! I’d like to share with you my eight tips to kick-start your career change.

Understand what really makes you tick. We are all unique; we all have different motivators, values and passions. In order to find a job or career that you truly love, you need to get clear about what makes you tick! Ask yourself the following questions: What do you find comes easily to you? What are you drawn to doing? What activities would you do if money were no issue?

What are you naturally good at? List five people who you trust and respect. Make sure they are from different areas of your life. Ask each of them the following questions: What do you perceive to be my greatest strengths? What do you like most about me? If you needed help with something, what would you call me to help you with?

Build your career blueprint. Before you start scouring the internet in search of a better job, it’s vital that you create your career blueprint, as this will help you to know which jobs you’ll be best suited to. Get a blank piece of paper and create six columns.

get your hands dirty and see how this influences your decisions. Most importantly, use your career blueprint to establish whether this career/job is really right for you.

Time to get in to action. It’s time to create your plan of action. Think about all the milestones you’re going to have to tackle during your transition to your new career, from funding, training, research and so on. Break your goal down in to milestones so you don’t get too overwhelmed. Your aim is to then take just five action steps each week.

Get support. Making any life-change can be tough, so it’s important you create your tribe - a team of people who can support and help you along the way. List all the people in your life that you believe can assist you on your journey, from family, friends, neighbours, old work mates or even a coach or mentor.

Start right now.

1. List all of your interests and passions. 2. List yours skills, talents and abilities. 3. List all your job likes and dislikes. 4. List your favourite types of working environment. 5. List your ideal job benefits. 6. List your ideal working location.

What are you waiting for? Don’t waste your life enduring a job that bores you to tears! Make this year the year you change direction. Start today! If you’re in need of help finding a new direction in 2015, get in touch www.thegameoflife.co.uk

Get your ideas down. Start exploring your options. Do not hold back! Let go of any limiting thinking and just let your ideas flow, both the logical and pie-in-the-sky. When you’ve finished, ask yourself which three ideas are really jumping off the page? Which three ideas really excite you and why?

Do your homework. It’s time to start exploring each of your options. Do not close the door until you’ve fully explored each one. Find out as much as you can about each type of work. The best way to find out what a job is really like is to get some hands on experience. Go and volunteer, 06

Louise Presley-Turner is a Personal Growth Expert and Author of two books. Louise’s unique style of coaching has produced some amazing results, helping people to define their goals and turn their lives around with amazing success. Get your FREE life evaluator and life planner now.

visit www.thegameoflife.co.uk

town & village life magazine | november/december 2014

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A Question of

Kidderminster

By Rob Taylor

Hill. And a shopping centre. But knowledgeable locals know this already; in fact, even barely literate types may know him as “that famous beard” from outside the town hall. How many man hours did it take to sculpt his hirsute form? That’s what I want to know. Here’s more from the website: ‘It offers three shopping centres, a retail park, numerous independent and multi-national traders providing a range of shops, pubs, restaurants and cafés and a twice weekly outdoor retail market.’

Just as trashy gossip columnists all over the internet love to occasionally pull the rug out from under unsuspecting celebrities by outing them as being toupee-wearing narcissists, I enjoy keeping things fresh and insightful too. But the matter of ‘500 words on Kidderminster’ has me flummoxed; flailing around in panic like a schoolboy with the infamous “dog ate my homework” excuse poised on his lips, just before English class. Think Kidderminster: think carpets. Think Kidderminster: think Kidderminster Harriers. Think Kidderminster: think “oh my goodness, what on earth will I write on Kidderminster?” I have, of course, got the entirety of everything ever written pertaining to the town at my disposal online, but none of it will really do as it’s just too obvious to us locals. So this time I’ve decided to pose the questions, rather than provide the answers. Here’s what the official site of the area - visitnorthworcestershire.com - has to say about Kidderminster: ‘The largest town in North Worcestershire, famous as a centre for the production of quality woven carpets, which are still manufactured in the town.’ 08

Now that’s very informative, but it doesn’t tell anyone who is familiar with the locality where they can hire a magic flying carpet. Or moreover, where to find the most competitively-priced magic flying carpet hire. We’re all on a budget these days, after all. Is it Aladdin’s on Church Street, for example? Or maybe Carpetright, which is located on - yes you’ve guessed it - Carpet Trades Way, has just launched free samples? Kidderminster is also ‘birthplace of Sir Rowland Hill, the founder of the Penny Post.’ So who exactly is this bloke you may wonder? Well he simplified the postal system to make it much easier to communicate affordably. And he’s got a road named after him: Rowland Hill Avenue, off Bewdley

This is all very interesting, but we’re still no closer to identifying exactly which market stall sells Aztec gold coins from Montezuma’s personal stash at pre-recession market prices? Or whether Dreamcatchers really work or just catch hopeless romantics? ‘A modern library and college are in the heart of the town, through which flows the River Stour and the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal. The town has mainline rail access to Birmingham and Worcester and is a starting point for the world famous Severn Valley Heritage Railway.’ Yes, but, pray tell, which locomotive is alive and answers to the name of Thomas? And does he have a friend named Gordon? ‘The Wyre Forest Glades Leisure Centre has a leisure pool with waves and flumes and the adjoining Glades Arena hosts many events and international acts. In addition to a Summer Arts Festival, numerous other arts and cultural events take place throughout the year at various locations in the town, including the Town Hall and Rose Theatre.’ This is all well and good, but still we want to know who to bribe in order to get back stage with Bon Jovi. And find out if Lionel Richie answers the phone as insouciantly as in his 1984 smash hit, “Hello”. When I find answers to any of the above, I’ll be sure to let you know.

town & village life magazine | november/december 2014

www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

Bespoke

bedrooms plus…

Woodrobes of Kidderminster has a long-established reputation for high quality products and exceptional customer service for the company’s bespoke fitted bedrooms, but more recently demand has grown to encompass other areas of the home. Transferring their design skills and considerable expertise into the living room or kitchen, Woodrobes has given many customers a home to cherish, with fitted furniture custom built to suit each particular need. Most recently the company received an unusual request from a new customer, prompted by recommendation from a friend and satisfied customer, for a shelving solution for a main living room, but not just any run-of-the-mill unit.

modern and traditional values together to give a truly stunning finish to an exquisite room. The bespoke hand-built solid oak library ladder, used to access the shelves, is the perfect finishing touch. The Painted Oak finishes used in this installation have a variety of applications and have been utilised at Woodrobes’ Kidderminster showroom in the new showcase display at the Mill Street premises and are proving to be one of the most popular finishes the company has to offer. Complementing each other perfectly, the Painted Oak can be used on both doors and carcass, adding a discreet but luxurious touch to any room. So, if you are thinking of a new fitted bedroom, visit Woodrobes at Mill Street, Kidderminster but don’t be surprised if you leave there with a host of new ideas for the whole house. Covering the whole gable-end living-room wall of a highly desirable barn conversion, some 6 metres wide and nearly as tall, Woodrobes excelled themselves with a design that incorporated a log store, cupboard units, deep drawers with hidden filing units and plenty of shelving, discreetly lit with low voltage LED lighting units all manufactured in-house to the same high specification as any of the finest fitted bedrooms the company offers. Built-in Woodrobes Rockingham design with hugely desirable White Painted Oak carcass and shelves, perfectly complemented with Stone Grey Painted Oak doors makes the overall effect impressive, mixing both 10

town & village life magazine | november/december 2014

www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

Trimmings - Final touches Shopping for the Christmas trimmings should be fun. It is an excuse to purchase all sorts of pretty nonsense with which to decorate your home, the tree and the table. Trimmings may be divided into two basic types - the natural and the manufactured. The natural include flowers, greenery and the tree. And because it is all natural, buying it all in too early will result in a display of wilt, droop and dilapidation. Some of the greenery lasts quite well though, holly is a good example. If the room is not too hot or dry the leaves will stay fresh and lustrous. If you’ve young children in the house however, use artificial berries instead of the real thing. Holly berries are not safe to eat and as holly without berries is generally less expensive, that could be a bonus. Mistletoe is another plant with inedible berries. Again if there are children in the house, it’s probably better to buy an artificial sprig or two, it does still look very good. Don’t overlook the fact that there are other evergreens on the market that you could bring into the home at this time. A bay tree in a tub is as traditional as a fir, though not 12

so well known. And instead of holly, you could hang branches of various types of fir or trails of ivy; they tend to last longer too. For that added touch of colour, look for a selection of pot plants in flower or a poinsettia with its colourful bracts. The tree is the other main living greenery we place in our homes at Christmas and little needs be said other than choose your tree carefully for shape and size. If it has roots don’t assume it will grow after Christmas. The shock of uprooting usually kills most trees. A bucket weighted with bricks and decorated with crepe paper is the best support for the tree, though there are some very handy gadgets on the market, designed to support the tree alone and unaided. Artificial, manufactured trimmings of course can go up as soon as you wish. Set pieces are well to the fore this year. Fantastic arrangements of dried fruit, flowers and artificial branches, decorated with tiny baubles, bells and spangles make eye-catching focal points in any room. And they are extremely good value for money because they can be wrapped in plastic bags and put away after Christmas to be brought out again the next year.

Mobiles driven by candle power that play seasonal tunes will fascinate the children, and Christmas card holders will both decorate a dismal corner and hold the cards safely at the same time. Candles are being made in wonderful colours and styles these days. Some are carved into seasonal figures, hand-painted and mounted on special holders looking almost too good to burn. The scented varieties add even more atmosphere to the house and kill those lingering cooking smells. And if you have had problems in the past with those breakable glass balls for the tree, take heart. The latest plastic ones look indistinguishable from the glass versions, but they don’t break. An artificial tree is a very popular centre piece in many Christmas homes. These trees are works of art in their own right gleaming in their gold, silver and green splendour, as beautiful as the real thing. Some come complete with their own, ‘built-in’ festoons and lights, and some with festive music that plays when the lights are switched on. If you are looking for trimmings for Christmas this year, you’ve a pleasant surprise ahead. The selection is bigger, better and more imaginative than ever before. It really has never been easier to fill your home with colourfully festive final touches.

town & village life magazine | november/december 2014

505652 ff ad wolv west mag:artwork

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14:31

Page 1

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will look like in their own home well before installation begins. “Our CAD system brings plans and ideas to life, meaning that customers can quickly get a good idea of how their room will look. It also means they can make changes to their initial design ideas and tailor aspects to suit their individual needs.”

Eaton Kitchen Designs

for kitchens, bedrooms and bathrooms The team at Eaton Kitchen Designs have long been helping clients make their home a dream one, by designing, supplying and installing kitchens, bathrooms and bedrooms. Established in 1996, the Finchfield-based family-run company has built an enviable reputation over the years and has become the number one choice for homeowners looking to improve and add value to their home in the West Midlands.

and choice in order to meet with all individual requirements.” Offering inspiration for homeowners is all part of the job at Eaton: “Many people feel that their home is crying out for a makeover, but they’re not sure where to start. We can help by providing focus and inspiration with our innovative designs.” Thanks to the latest computer aided design systems at the showroom, customers can get a clear view of what their kitchen; bedroom or bathroom

Quality products, exceptional customer service and competitive pricing set Eaton Kitchen Designs apart from the competition: “All of our products are of the very highest quality and are keenly priced. We offer a complete service, from start to finish and take care of every aspect of installation. We don’t use subcontractors for our installations, they are undertaken by our own trusted family team of fitters.” It’s no surprise to hear then, that the majority of Eaton’s work comes from word-of-mouth recommendations: “Eighty percent of our work comes from recommendations. We really value our customers and work hard to ensure that each one of them receives only the best service at every stage of the process.” “We want to spend time with our clients and get to know exactly what they want, because we want to ensure that they’ll be delighted with their new room for years to come.”

With a vast selection of design options available at their showroom on Finchfield Road West, Eaton have styles that will suit all tastes and budgets. Company owner, Lloyd Pitt Explains: “We create contemporary kitchens, bedrooms and bathrooms with both enthusiasm and professionalism, ensuring that we help our clients find everything they need to create their perfect space.” “We have an extensive kitchen collection on offer; contemporary, classic, traditional, curved, gloss and bespoke painted varieties. Our bedrooms are designed to fit with any home interior style, whether that’s contemporary, traditional or classic and our bathrooms offer great variety 14

town & village life magazine | november/december 2014

Kitchens with style – modern – contemporary – traditional Our Extensive range of kitchens, bedrooms and bathrooms will enable us to create the room of your dreams. Our Computer Aided Designs will give you the opportunity to experience your new room prior to installation.

For a free no obligation quote please call in at: 20 Finchfield Rd West, Finchfield, WV3 8AZ Telephone: 01902 761600 www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

w w w. e a t o n k i t c h e n d e s i g n s . c o . u k 15

Quick Crossword Across 7 Attentiveness (13) 8 Speaking (8) 9 Simple (4) 10 Breaks (7) 12 Prophecies (5) 14 Sound of a bell (5) 16 Happier (7) 19 Exhibit (4) 20 Approximate calculation (8) 22 Enquiry (13)

Sudoku

Down 1 Young male horse (4) 2 Way in (6) 3 Lures (7) 4 Boasts (5) 5 A narrow river (6) 6 Absurd talk (8) 11 Eating (8) 13 Held for ransom (7) 15 Solicitor (6) 17 Boundaries (6) 18 Large and heavy (5) 21 Implement (4)

Easy

Hard

Puzzle answers on page 122

Word Search Find the words associated with photography in the grid and the remaining letters will spell out a related phrase.

Amis

Jonson

Arnold

Lear

Austin

Lewis

Betjeman

Marlowe

Blake

Masefield

Bridges

Motion

Brock

Owen

Bronte

Pope

Brooke

Pye

Byron

Sassoon

Chaucer

Shelley

Dryden

Thomas

Hughes

Wordsworth town & village life magazine | november/december 2014

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Doorsmart

The smart choice There’s nothing more important than making a good first impression, so why do so many of us overlook our front door? It not only serves to enhance the look of our property, making it appear well-looked after, cared for and attractive, but also provides security and peace-of-mind. In fact, property experts have often remarked on the importance of fitting a smart, secure-looking door as a quick and easy way to add value to your home - whether you’re planning on selling-up or not. When it comes to choosing the right entrance for your home though, there’s plenty of things to consider; it needs to be strong, secure, durable and of course, good looking. It’s good to know then, that local composite door specialists, Doorsmart are on-hand to help you find the door that’s perfect for you. Owner Craig Broadley explains: “We’ve been manufacturers of composite doors for many years, utilising the latest in composite door technology to offer our customers the very best in design and quality.” “Although we’ve traditionally supplied to the trade only, we’ve

recently opened-up a brand new showroom at our Park Lane site, so that homeowners can get a chance to see - and purchase - our wide variety of composite doors.” Doorsmart’s doors offer outstanding insulation, weather resistance and high durability, with very little maintenance required. “Although modern composite doors are constructed of many varied materials, there’s only ours that provide the look and feel of timber.” The Doorsmart range has all the qualities of wood, like decorative graining and attractive depression mouldings, and there’s an endless choice of colour options to choose from. “We introduce colour into the fiberglass during manufacture, making a unique through colour facing, which is highly durable it’s truly a door for the future.” The Doorsmart range boasts 32 standard door designs that can be chosen in seven standard colours, but for those who want something a little more individual there’s the Doorsmart Extensive Rainbow Range. “We’ve recognised that some of our customers might want something that bit different, so with a standard BS or RAL

colour code, we can make your door any colour you want.” There’s plenty of glass designs and door furniture to choose from too: “We have a number of glass designs that feature both subtle and statement patterns in many colours and styles. We also have many options in privacy and obscure glass.” And what’s more, the team will always try to accommodate the customer’s own designs or requirements. An impressive range of striking ancillaries, door handles, knockers and letter plates allow you to add those all-important finishes to your door. It’s not all about looks at Doorsmart though; the company’s products feature excellent safety and security. Which is just as well as statistics show that a property is burgled every minute in the United Kingdom. “With a 44mm thick composite door, reinforced door outerframe and secured by design locking options, we offer the most secure door option available in the residential sector.” There certainly is no better peace-of-mind than knowing your family, home and belongings are well protected. Contact the Doorsmart team today to make sure that your home makes the right first impression.

town & village life magazine | november/december 2014

www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

Celebrate Christmas in style

at the Vineyards With Christmas fast approaching, you may want to escape the hustle and bustle and shop in a more tranquil atmosphere.

If this is the case, why not visit The Vineyards at Halfpenny Green. With its own shop, deli and much more, there really is the opportunity to find the perfect gift for even the most hard to buy for. You can even have a full English breakfast to fuel up for the day ahead, or take a break from shopping with a delicious meal, including a traditional roast available on Sundays. Set in a converted barn, complete with deli and a new chocolate counter, the shop offers a fabulous choice of gifts, hampers and wines, including gold medal winning dry white, Long Acre. The award, won recently at a wine tasting competition hosted by the Mercian Vineyard Association, recognises the quality of the wines produced at The Vineyards, with this particular wine being selected by Marks and Spencer to stock next year. In total, ten of The Vineyards wines were entered into the competition and as well as achieving gold for Long Acre, they also won two silvers and an impressive seven bronze medals!

Or, if you would like to offer a loved one a new experience, treat them by booking a high tea or even a guided tour of the Vineyards, surely a wine enthusiastâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s dream. If you are searching for a unique gift, the onsite craft centre is certainly worth a visit. With retailers ranging from jewellers, to soft furnishers to photographers, you will certainly find what you are looking for. A full list of retailers is available online at www.halfpenny-green-vineyards.co.uk

For the person who has everything, consider purchasing a Christmas hamper, which can be made to order.

Take a trip to the Vineyards and get Christmas all wrapped up.

COMPE TITION

All entries to be received by Monday 1st December 2014.

To celebrate Halfpenny Green Vineyards achievement of 10 medals for their magnificent wines they are offering a super prize to one lucky Town & Village Life magazine reader. You can win a fantastic hamper containing six of the award winning wines.

Competition Terms and Conditions: Winner will be chosen at random from all correct entries received. Winner to be aged 18 years or older. All entry details will be forwarded to Halfpenny Green Vineyards unless requested otherwise.

To be in with a chance to win this fabulous prize, simply answer the following question correctly:

Name the wine which recently won a gold medal in the Mercian Vineyards Association Competition? Email your answers to:

info@townandvillagelifemag.co.uk or on a postcard to: Town & Village Life Magazine, 1 Lytham Road, Perton, Wolverhampton WV6 7YY.

town & village life magazine | november/december 2014

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By Michael Peter Whitehurst Email: mike@takefood.co.uk

Recipe of the month Turkey, cranberry and honey roast parsnip sausage roll with pickles and homemade carrot and cardamom jam I love homemade sausage rolls, basically because I can make them using my ratio of 90% filling and 10% pastry. You can make a ruff puff pastry if you wish (see takefood.co.uk - chef’s recipes - baking essentials) but for ease and time saving purposes use a pre-made ready rolled all butter puff pastry from your local supermarket. These sausage rolls are a great way of using up leftovers from Christmas lunch and taste amazing. Makes 6 individual or 2 large ones. EQUIPMENT FOR BOTH RECIPES • • • • • • • • • • •

Carrot and Cardamom Jam INGREDIENTS

Pastry brush Small bowl for egg wash Large mixing bowl Sharp knife Chopping board Baking tray Preserving pan or heavy based pan Grater Large spoon Storage jars Serving board and small bowl for jam

• • • • • •

500 grams of carrots, peeled and grated Zest of 2 and juice of 3 unwaxed lemons 1 small sized piece of ginger grated 1 onion fine diced Zest and juice of 1 large orange 1 tablespoon of cardamom seeds, (split open the green pods of the cardamom to find the seeds) • 500g granulated sugar METHOD Grate your carrots and blanch in boiling salted water for 30 seconds, strain and set aside. In a pan on a moderate heat soften the onion and ginger in olive oil and add the cardamom seeds. Now add the citrus zest, juice and sugar. Once the sugar has dissolved turn up the heat and allow to boil for about 6 minutes - keep your eye on it. To store the jam wash some old or new jars in hot soapy water, rinse in hot clean water and now dry in your oven on 100°C to sterilise. Pour in carefully and tighten lids on. As the heat of the jam reduces this helps to create a vacuum.

Sausage Rolls INGREDIENTS • 1 roll of ready rolled puff pastry - 350g • 454g/1lb of sausage meat • A few pickings from the leg of the left over cooked turkey • 1 tbsp of cranberry sauce • 2 medium sized honey roast parsnips • 1 egg • 3 sprigs of thyme • 1 tsp cracked black pepper • A few oats and seeds

into the bowl, chop the parsnips and add to the bowl, add cranberry sauce and mix gently - you don’t want to lose the cranberry sauce into the mix. Now egg wash your pastry and take half of the filling and roll out in the centre of the bottom piece then do the same for the top piece of pastry. Fold the pastry over filling, tuck in and egg wash the top, sprinkle with oats and seeds, cut into 4 then bake on 180oC for about 35 - 40 minutes.

SERVING SUGGESTION:

METHOD

Serve your sausage rolls with any pickles that you find in your cupboard, your homemade carrot and cardamom jam, a lump of mature cheddar and a nice winter ruby slaw (see takefood.co.uk for recipe).

Lay the pastry out on your board and turn the board to portrait then cut into 2 halves left to right so you have 2 pieces top and bottom ready to wash and fill. Put the sausage meat into your bowl and sprinkle the thyme leaves and cracked black pepper, tear your turkey meat

www.instagram.com/mikewhitehurst_takefood www.takefood.co.uk mike@takefood.co.uk www.facebook.com/takefood! www.twitter.com/takefood

town & village life magazine | november/december 2014

r tmas u o r y Chris e d Or fore be n e h kitc

T A V e h t y a p ’ll e W

A fresh approach to a new kitchen! Have you always wanted the kitchen of your dreams, but can’t quite justify paying the expensive price tag that comes with it? Now you can by just swapping the doors and worktops.

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Val Hever Blinds A Perfect Fit Every Time Val Hever Blinds is based in Tettenhall Wood and run by Val and Debbie Hever.

offer a free no-obligation home appointment and the fitting service is included in the price of the blinds.

Val Hever Blinds has a reputation for the quality of their blinds, expert fitting service and great customer service.

They supply and fit blinds to not only homes, but commercial businesses, schools, colleges and local authorities.

Operating from their new showroom in Tettenhall Wood they only stock the best quality and most varied range of blinds on the market. With over 30 yearsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; experience in the trade you can trust them to give total satisfaction on all your requirements. With so much choice available, selecting the right blind for your house can be difficult, but Val Hever Blinds will help you to select the most suitable product from their extensive range and can advise you on types of blinds, textures, colours and fit. Their range of blinds includes vertical blinds, roller blinds, venetian blinds, pleated blinds, roman blinds, conservatory blinds and awnings. Their expertise lies in fitting perfect fit blinds to windows which provide a sleek finish to your window. They

New to the range are their digitally printed roller, vertical & Venetian blinds. These make a stunning addition to any home or office environment. The design possibilities are endless; the only limitation is your imagination. Quality, value for money and personal service are really important to them and they go that extra mile to ensure you are totally satisfied with your blinds. Give them a call on 01902 754129 to find out more or pop in for a coffee and meet the team. Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re always happy to help and with their huge array of styles and possibilities youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll have no problem finding the perfect blinds to dress your window!

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to a bright new world of totally unique products Using our service for digital printed made to measure Roller, Vertical & Venetian Blinds opens up a whole new world of possibilities and opportunities for both your domestic and commercial customers. Using state-of-the-art equipment we can produce photographic quality printing that is beautiful and long lasting. The only limit to this exciting concept is the human imagination.

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town & village life magazine | november/december 2014

AUGUST HOME IMPROVEMENTS WILL TURN YOUR CONSERVATORY INTO AN EXTENSION WITH A GUARDIAN™ SOLID ROOF

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Total Sewing Service coffee morning

Natalie Hemming, owner of Total Sewing Service, Kingswinford, hosted a coffee morning event in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support charity. Natalie said “The coffee morning was great fun, friends and family helped out by baking delicious home-made cakes. The morning was a great success. Everyone who attended enjoyed the lovely atmosphere over a cuppa and a cake while raising over £300 for this wonderful cause.”

lie Taylor Brian & Ju

arce eather Pe hoefer & H Nikki Bock

am Pina Benh

emming & Rose H

Hemming n & Natalie Sue Presto

ice Daniel Sarah & Al

te Elaine Whi

bro & Tracy El

die Elbro ards & Mad Chloe Rich

town & village life magazine | november/december 2014

Soft furnishings ~ Haberdashery ~ Alterations

Advice, Measure, Make, Fit

Bespoke custom made Curtains • 100’s of fabrics and wallcoverings Roman blinds made to measure • Pole and Tracks • Haberdashery Wool • Scarf Yarns • Dress Fabrics • Knitting and Dress Patterns Clothing Alterations with Tailoress on site • Phaff Sewing Machines now in stock

Made to measure Curtains with FREE LINING in time for Christmas FREE no obligation quote. 10% OFF all Wools. ChRIstmas CRaFt FabRICs and sewing boxes in stock. O p e n : 9 a m - 5 p m M o n d a y t o F riday. 9am-4pm Saturday. Tel: 01384 295960

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A family established business since 1992. Large enough to cope – small enough to care. Wet rooms and luxury bathrooms for the less abled are our speciality. Call us for a full design and in house fitting service.

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town & village life magazine | november/december 2014

interiorsitalia luxurious contemporary living

Designer brands. Unbeatable prices. Showroom open 7 days a week.

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bathed in Success Brierley Hill Bathrooms A well designed, comfortable bathroom is not a luxury, it is a necessity, a right to which we are all entitled.

They cater for both private and trade buyers in the supply and sourcing of a wide range of bathroom products at realistic prices.

A full design and fit service is available with the emphasis on top quality materials with expert fitting resulting in a high level of customer satisfaction. So if your thoughts are turning towards revamping your bathroom in the coming months a visit to Brierley Hill Bathrooms is a must.

If your present bathroom lacks some creature comforts, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s high time it was replaced. If that is the case Brierley Hill Bathrooms could be the answer if you want a touch of luxury in your bathroom. Brierley Hill Bathrooms is an established company close to the Merry Hill Centre and both Brierley Hill and Stourbridge, also supplying and fitting in towns and villages throughout the Black Country and into Worcestershire, South Staffordshire and Shropshire. They have one of the largest showrooms in the Black Country displaying an extensive range of toilets, wash basins, shower cubicles and taps by all leading manufacturers.

Brierley Hill

Bathrooms Large showroom Full fitting and design service Friendly helpful staff Free survey and quotation Please call 01384 484088 or see our website for more details www.brierleyhillbaths.co.uk

10/11 Garratt Street, Brierley Hill, DY5 1JU

town & village life magazine | november/december 2014

the solution to your building requirements call 07955 031 249 or 01902 844897

Services we offer • • • • • • • • • • • •

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Wolverhampton Fireplaces and Stoves Multi Fuel and Wood Burning Stove Specialists! Arriving Soon... Fireline PureVision HD Stoves Has To Be Seen To Be Believed!

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Mon-Sat 9.30 till 5.00 Sunday 11.00 till 3.00

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ChasewooD

The Chasewood brand of furniture has been manufactured in Staffordshire for over 20 years.

As a family business we have been designing, creating and installing beautiful fitted furniture throughout the UK offering a reliable and friendly service. In June 2013 we opened our new showroom in Burntwood alongside our production facility. Making the most of even the smallest space is what makes our fitted furniture so utterly desirable. Our innovative storage solutions provide a place for most household items, ensuring the interiors of your furniture look immaculate open or closed. We will carefully consider the style of your room and the atmosphere you wish to create, providing creative solutions for any awkward corners, uneven floors or sloping ceilings.

Our professional team will create a design tailored to your needs and life style. Your furniture will be manufactured in our Burntwood factory by our cabinet makers, some having over 30 yearsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; experience. Our expert installation teams will then skilfully install your new furniture in your home. At Chasewood we also offer a huge range of free standing furniture available to view online. Visit chasewood-furniture.co.uk to view a wide range of designs and finishes to spark the imagination. To arrange for a designer to visit your home and carry out a free survey and offer advice and discuss design solutions, please call Freephone 0800 316 1078. Alternatively you can visit our website to view products and book online. Our stylish Burntwood showroom is open to the public 6 days a week: Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm and Saturday: 10am â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 3pm.

town & village life magazine | november/december 2014

30% Sale now on selected ranges

Showroom open to the public 6 days a week. Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm. Saturday 10am - 3pm Unit 6, Ring Road, Zone 2 Burntwood Business Park. Burntwood, Staffordshire. WS7 3JQ

Freephone : 0800 316 1078 Visit our website: chasewood-furniture.co.uk www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

10 Year Guarantee Call for a Free Home Visit Call for a Free Brochure 33

Thomas Dudley Ltd to take part in this revolutionary project. Paycare worked with Highfield’s School to produce two video interviews focusing on the importance of English Language and Writing within Sales and Marketing.

Paycare goes back to school with

Thomas Dudley Ltd: careers in the classroom The Careers in the Classroom project is the latest innovative idea Dudley based manufacturer, Thomas Dudley Ltd has pioneered.

be used in the world of work. The Careers in the Classroom project gives students access to a database of video interviews which feature employees discussing how their job uses academic principles.

The aim of the project is to highlight the importance of the link between what students are learning in schools and how these skills will

Wolverhampton-based healthcare plan provider, Paycare, were delighted to be approached by

Pinky Sohal, a PR and Marketing Executive at Paycare said, “It was a great opportunity to be involved in a project that highlights the job opportunities out there for young people. The exposure to real people talking about their careers will give students an appreciation of the world of work and the skills required to succeed”. The interviews will be shown during normal lessons to emphasise the importance of careers decisions as well as the relevance of what they are learning now. The Careers in the Classroom project has worked with a number of manufacturing and engineering companies in the Midlands in order to improve the current skills shortage.

For more information visit: www.careersintheclassroom.co.uk or email admin@careersintheclassroom.co.uk To find out more about Paycare please visit www.paycare.org

Exol sponsors

Trysull Tigers U13

Exol Lubricants has continued its drive to support Midlands-based sports clubs and associations with the sponsorship of local U13s football team Trysull Tigers for the next two seasons. The team, which plays in division 2 of the Stourbridge and District Youth Football League, will benefit from new Adidas kits featuring the distinctive Exol logo along with a range of training kit and equipment.

development and enjoyment of the game. The support of Exol has been a major boost to the club, as we aim for a position of third place – or higher!” Trysull Tigers was founded in 1990 to provide opportunities for children to play football within the surrounding areas of Trysull. The club has grown and now runs 18 teams with an age range from under 6 up to an open age senior team.

Steve Dunn, Exol sales director, added: “We’re delighted to be supporting Trysull tigers and wish them well in the forthcoming season. Our support of Midlands-based sports teams and associations have become part of a major drive by Exol to encourage people of all ages to take up sport and remain active.” For more information on Exol Lubricants, please contact Mark Field on Tel: 07825 410 998 or email: mfield@exol-lubricants.com

After a testing 2013/14 season with injuries, the team finished in fourth position. An influx of new players has added fresh impetus to the squad, which is looking forward to this season. Tim Hudson, Trysull Tigers U13s manager, explains: “This season we will be aiming mainly to bring together our new larger squad and mould them into a team, primarily focusing on player and football 34

town & village life magazine | november/december 2014

NEW DESIGN SUITE

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Stream Road Kingswinford DY6 9NT www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk 01384 273769

big ron

at the kingfisher Ron Atkinson was the guest speaker at a sporting dinner at the Kingfisher in Wall Heath in September. The fund raising event for Mary Stevens Hospice was arranged in conjunction with Wombourne-based events company Route 39. A packed audience was entertained by Big Ron recounting stories from his managerial career and his work as a TV pundit on ITV. He recalled

the time, in one of his first games as manager of a struggling Nottingham Forest side, his team lost 8-1 with second half substitute Ole Gunnar Solskjaer Chris Schofield (centre), Corporate Fundraiser for Mary Stevens Hospice receiving scoring a cheque for £2,000, from Zol Cox of the Kingfisher and Steve Saul from Route 39. four goals in a little World Heavyweight Champion, over twenty minutes. Frank Bruno and comedian Mike After a sumptuous three course Farrell on 13th November and dinner, the audience was a Wolves Legends evening on entertained by top after dinner 29th January with Steve Daley, comedian John Stiles, son of Ken Hibbitt and Willie Carr. England World Cup hero Nobby. The auction, silent auction, raffle and fund raising games raised a substantial amount of money on the evening and this was generously topped up by the Kingfisher to make the total donated to Mary Stevens Hospice £2,000. Future events planned at the venue include an evening with former WBC

Dave Facer, Managing Director of the Kingfisher said, “We have developed a reputation for bringing first class entertainment to the Kingfisher. We are looking to continue this with regular sporting evenings and in doing so support the work of some fantastic local charities.”

Local drama group looking for new members

The Norton Players are a newly formed amateur theatre group who meet at Norton Community Centre, Kempton Way (off Heath Farm Road), Stourbridge. The group is looking for new members of all standards who are interested in performing plays written by published authors. The aim is to perform a varied style of plays, including comedies, family shows and classic dramas.

Rehearsals are very low pressure and the aim is to show how much fun theatre can be, with an emphasis on enjoyment of both preparation and performance. All that is asked is that people who join are dedicated to any part they may be asked to play. The only rules are; members must be aged over 16, committed, reliable and a have a slight touch of madness!

Meetings will take place on Tuesday evenings from 7pm till 9.00pm and cost £2.00 per session. For further information please call 07948 104640/01384 824766 or email: nortonplayers@yahoo.co.uk 36

town & village life magazine | november/december 2014

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stourbridge

rFc

The performances of our First XV in their pre-season games boded well for this season and our campaign to return to National One rugby. Unfortunately, we have not got off to the best start, losing four of our first seven games and leaving us in our lowest league position for a number of years. We are certain that we can turn this around and resume “normal service” at both home and away games. The excellent menus devised and presented by Glen, our chef, continue to tempt supporters to our pre match lunches and which in our humble opinion remain the best in this league. Not surprisingly they sell out quickly so if you are keen to tickle your taste buds please book early with the Club office to avoid disappointment. Our amateur sides, Lions, Hounds and Hoppers continue to enjoy their rugby in the lower, but just as competitive, leagues. The Mini and Junior sides ensure Sunday mornings remain a busy time for moms and dads and team coaches and managers with home and away fixtures. Those not yet old enough to play matches continue to swell the numbers of “Micros” who enjoy a run about with the emphasis on fun.

To that end many will be having the traditional Christmas treat of Breakfast with Santa on Sunday the 21st December in our main clubroom, hopefully having spent their pocket money earlier in the month at the Christmas Fayre which takes place on Sunday the 14th December. This event also gives an opportunity for moms and dads to acquire a few “stocking fillers” for their nearest and dearest. Our social scene on the run in to Christmas caters for both club members and those simply looking for an excellent night out at a local venue. For club members we have our Century Club dinner on the 21st November with guest speaker Mark Linnett. Mark played for Moseley for many years and earned a number of England caps. He has a wealth of entertaining stories which he will share with our members and their guests.

On the 5th December our Corporate Christmas Lunch returns to Stourton Park and sees Wolves legend Steve Kindon as the guest of honour. This four course lunch event is the ideal start to the Christmas festivities and attracts businesses and their clients from across the region. Please book your table through the Club office. The penultimate Friday of each month allows diners to sample menus inspired by recipes from around the globe and locally with our Theme Night dining. Previous evenings have seen cuisine from Spain, Italy and France grace our tables together with the entertaining Fawlty Towers, Red Neck and School Dinners themed nights. Forthcoming nights draw upon inspiration from New Orleans, the Black Country and of course Christmas. Each evening has an accompanying element of entertainment, including an appropriately themed quiz with a prize for the winning team. The Club continues to host many local celebratory events with weddings, christenings and birthday and anniversary parties making the most of our excellent facilities. So plenty of dates for your diaries and for all of the above events please call Lin in the club office on 01384 39500 or access the club website for details and contact numbers.

T: 01384 395000 E: rugby@stourbridgerugby.com www.stourbridgerugby.com 38

town & village life magazine | november/december 2014

LOVE YOUR HOME

Beautiful homes

Deserve beautiful blindsâ&#x20AC;Ś and shutters too! For impartial advice on all types of blinds, awnings and plantation shutters call Paul at our Bridgnorth showroom on:

01746 768138

or Simon at our Kinver showroom on:

01384 877518

Alternatively you can visit our showrooms at:

10 Whitburn Street, Bridgnorth & 83 High Street, Kinver

Competition One lucky winner can win a family ticket for four people to see CINDERELLA on Sunday 7th December at 6pm at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre. Have a ball at The Wolverhampton Grand Theatre 2014/15 pantomime, Cinderella starring JULIAN CLARY and Hollyoaks star JOE TRACINI. From 6 Dec to 18 Jan. The Grand Theatre has kindly donated one family ticket for four people on Sunday 7th December at 6pm for our competition. Julian Clary has established himself as one of the country’s most recognisable and popular stage and television entertainers. He has turned his hand to comedy, acting, presenting, writing and in 2012 Julian won Celebrity Big Brother. Cinderella will once again be produced by Qdos Entertainment, the world’s biggest pantomime who were behind the success of last year’s production of Sleeping Beauty. Qdos have a reputation for producing largescale West End quality shows packed with special effects and audience participation. Michael Harrison, managing director of Qdos Entertainment’s pantomimes division said: “It’s fitting that for Cinderella, the most magical family pantomime of them all, we have been able to cast Julian Clary, the most glamorous of all pantomime stars, in our Wolverhampton show this Christmas. Julian is a fine actor and a first-rate comedian and is guaranteed to keep audiences laughing right up to the final curtain call”.

To be in with a chance of winning simply answer the following question correctly and send it on a post card with your name, address and telephone number to Town & Village Life Magazine at the address below before Tuesday 25th November 2014. Only postal entries can be considered for the competition and winners will be notified by telephone.

In what year did Julian Clary win Celebrity Big Brother? a) 2010 c) 2012 b) 2011 d) 2013 Competition Terms and Conditions

For ticket inquiries and more information please visit www.grandtheatre.co.uk or call The Box Office 01902 429212 40

Please post all entries to Town & Village Life Magazine, 1 Lytham Road, Perton, Wolverhampton, WV6 7YY. To be received no later than Tuesday 25th November 2014. Winners to collect tickets from the Box Office on the evening of the performance. Tickets cannot be exchanged and no cash or alternative prize night available. Extra tickets can be purchased and are subject to availability. Winners may be required to partake in relevant publicity.

town & village life magazine | november/december 2014

12 Place Dishwasher Half Load Sensor

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Townsend Place, Kingswinford Centre, DY6 9UL Tel: 01384 271812 Castle Street, Dudley Centre, DY1 1LA Tel: 01384 234620 Macrome Road, Claregate, Wolverhampton, WV6 9HD Tel: 01902 752764 Salop Street, Wolverhampton, WV3 0RX Tel: 01902 429060

www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

Family Vets

for Family Pets

Blacks Vets celebrates the opening of its extensively refurbished and extended Veterinary Hospital with Christopher Timothy, ‘James Herriot’ from the much loved All Creature Great & Small series. “Caring for pets in the Black Country since 1958, we evolved from a single practice started by David Peel on Castle Street, Dudley. Later Alan Black joined as a partner and it became Peel and Black and moved to its present location on Hall Street, later opening branches in Sedgley, Lye, Oldbury and Quinton. Priding ourselves on being family vets for family pets, we have constantly pushed the boundaries on delivering the highest pet care through the calibre and qualifications of our Vets and Nurses and through the friendliness and professionalism of our Client Care teams. This has meant that we have continually

Blacks Dudley team

reinvested back into the Black Country to fund improvements and extensions over the years, most recently into our £500k extension and refurbishment to our Veterinary Hospital, providing the equipment, and diagnostics for when it is needed most together with the everyday great value care our patients need” In 2008 our Dudley Surgery was awarded Approved Veterinary Hospital Status by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons

(RCVS). This is the highest standard of veterinary practice and is one of the only three Veterinary Hospitals in the whole of the West Midlands. Full membership of the British Veterinary Hospitals Association is restricted to Registered Veterinary Hospitals. You know you can feel confident of the veterinary care you receive from Blacks Vets. Tel: 01384 252509 for emergencies. www.blacksvets.co.uk

town & village life magazine | november/december 2014

www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

Dudley Building Society C o n n e c t s W i th M e mb e r s

Dudley Building Society recently held its first Member Forum where Members were invited to meet Chief Executive Jeremy Wood, ask questions and share their views on the way they feel about their Society. The gathering was an informal affair over coffee and chocolate biscuits that provided an opportunity for Members of the Society to ask questions direct to the CE of the 156 year old Society, receiving an on the spot response from Jeremy and the team.

The Member Forum is another method Dudley Building Society is using to develop ways of engaging with its customer base to help inform its future. Topics raised included the journey that building societies had been on in the region and how the ones that still exist do so due to a robust business model that is unlikely to change. Other topics of conversation included the Society’s approach to community engagement, with Members reflecting that they enjoy seeing coverage of the activity in local press as well as providing positive feedback regarding the recent Dudley Branch refurbishment. When asked about the importance of engaging with

Members in this way; Jeremy said, ‘It is more than an opportunity for us to tell our member base what we do, and likewise to simply answer questions, it is a chance for us to help build understanding about what building societies are about and how we differ from banks. I really enjoyed having such open and honest conversations with the Member Forum. One comment that really stood out was a Member explaining that he wished he had built a relationship with the Dudley earlier in his life due to our straightforward approach to product and services. You really can’t beat face to face feedback sometimes.’

The Society is keen to grow the number of Members attending the Member Forum and plan to have a number of meetings throughout the year; anyone that would like to know more should contact 01384 489169 or email marketing@dudleybuildingsociety.co.uk 44

town & village life magazine | november/december 2014

Does a Jacuzzi® hot tub have a warranty?

understanding your Jacuzzi® Hot Tub

Yes, every Jacuzzi® hot tub has at least a standard 2 year warranty included.

Where should I place my hot tub?

Is a Jacuzzi® hot tub difficult to maintain?

Not only is a Jacuzzi® hot tub great for your lifestyle, it also looks fantastic as a garden feature. There are a couple of considerations to be aware of before you plan a hot tub in your garden design. For example have you left enough space around it for steps, covers and other accessories. Have you left sufficient space for upgrades or repairs to the elements inside your hot tub?

Maintaining a Jacuzzi® hot tub is easy. Depending on your use, your hot tub will need refilling and cleaning 3-4 times a year. On top of that, your filters will need cleaning regularly and your hot tub water will need treating with a small amount of chemicals.

Where is my nearest store? We have a large store based at Webbs, Wychbold, Droitwich with 8 of our top selling models on display along with hot tub chemicals and accessories. The team there are Jen, Emma and Natalie who are all fully trained and happy to deal with any Jacuzzi® hot tub enquiry 7 days a week for your convenience.

Jacuzzi® is a registered trademark.

Who does the installation? When you purchase a Jacuzzi® hot tub from the hot tub centre at Webbs, Wychbold our main priority is getting you to sit back and relax in your new hot tub at home. We’ll help you decide where to put it, work out how to get it there, deliver it and install it for you. We’ll get everything up and running so you can jump straight in. Our team will even show you how to use your new hot tub and explain about keeping the water clean and safe.

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For more information on reasons to choose a Jacuzzi Hot Tub, please visit our hydrotherapy centre at Jacuzzi® Hot Tub Centre,Webbs of Wychbold, Wychbold, Droitwich Spa, Worcestershire, WR9 0DG, tel 01527 869378, email: hottubswebbs@jacuzziemea.com or visit www.jacuzzi.co.uk

www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

christmas has arrived at

Lealans Garden centre With winter just around the corner, it’s time to make sure that anything tender has been covered up or taken inside. Get some fleece ready to put over tender plants.

plants ideal for Christmas are the Christmas Cherry with its shiny red-orange berries. Christmas cacti produce beautiful red, pink or white flowers. Azaleas will flourish in either a warm or cool room and are very easy to keep.

If the weather is not too cold, you can still plant bare root hedging. Finish planting pansies and winter bedding; November is an ideal month for planting tulip bulbs

Freshly cut Christmas trees will be available from the end of November. Put in a container that can be kept moist, as warm temperatures and dry air inside make the tree absorb water very rapidly. Keep away from hot radiators, open fires and TV sets.

One of the best Christmas house plants is the Poinsettia. It gives instant colour in a room. They like good light during the day and always a warm room, never in a draught. Only water when the soil is dry and never stand in water for longer than 10 minutes.

We have a spectacular Christmas display inside the shop. There’s a multitude of baubles, garlands, lights and lit villages and if you don’t want a real tree, there’s an excellent range of artificial ones as well as the new LED lit trees which last for many years. In the festive light department there’s so much

For a cooler room the brightly coloured cyclamen is ideal. They require good light at all times. Only water just as the foliage begins to droop and make sure that any excess water is removed after 15 minutes. Other

Excellent range of Christmas decorations available

Stunning Christmas display

choice from solar powered lights to the huge range of electrical sets. Remember the birds this autumn/winter – feed daily, and once it freezes, make sure that birds have a fresh supply of water daily.

Lealans Garden Centre is situated at Shipley, on the Bridgnorth Road. For more information visit www.lealansgardencentre.co.uk, email enquiries@lealansgardencentre.co.uk or phone 01902 700209.

OPEN DAILY

Tel: 01902 700209

Wide selection of Gift Arrangements, ideal as a living present, Gift Wrapped FREE of charge. Top quality Poinsettias, Azaleas, Kalanchoe, Solanums and our own superb Cyclamen all available now. Real Christmas Trees and Holly Wreaths available from end of November – we’ll net and load them into your car for you. Come and see our wonderful array of Christmas lights, Decorations, Artificial and Fibre Optic trees all on display now.

Lealans Garden Centre, Bridgnorth Road, Shipley, Pattingham, Wolverhampton WV6 7EZ www.lealansgardencentre.co.uk

town & village life magazine | november/december 2014

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sweeps up

Mark with new business Mark Yeomans has recently launched Wilkins Chimney Sweep Halesowen and Kidderminster, servicing Halesowen, Stourbridge, Kidderminster and all surrounding villages. The chimney sweeping sector is seeing somewhat of a boom as more people install wood burning stoves in their homes, in an effort to save on costly fuel bills. Additionally, in April the Government launched the Renewable Heat Incentive, which pays households that generate and use renewable energy to heat their buildings, e.g. by using a woodfired, bio-mass boiler. Keeping the chimneys of open fires, wood

burners and range ovens clean and free from blockages is crucial to avoid chimney fires and possible carbon monoxide poisoning. In a marked difference to the automotive industry Mark previously worked in, his new career will give him the opportunity to work directly with customers in their own homes, which he says he finds more rewarding. For customer safety Mark is fully insured and police-checked.

www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

TRADITIONAL BRUSH AND VACUUM SERVICE NESTS REMOVED CAGES, CAPS AND COWLS FITTED SWEEPING CERTIFICATES ISSUED PROFESSIONAL, CLEAN SERVICE FULLY INSURED POLICE CHECKED

01384 930930 wilkinschimneysweep.co.uk/ halesowen-kidderminster 47

the kinver Fitness collective

Local residents in Kinver are joining together to get fit and have fun, thanks to a new group set up in the village called the Kinver Fitness Collective.

The initiative of local community officer, PC Wayne Green and keen local runner and resident, Sally Harris, The Kinver Fitness Collective aims to inspire men, women and children of all ages and abilities to walk, jog, run and cycle for fun and fitness in a safe and supported environment. Kinver Fitness Collective already has over 150 Facebook members and has been posting news of free regular activities to be enjoyed by the local community. Sally Harris, age 41, who has been at the forefront of the group, explains: “It’s really fantastic and

great to see when a post goes up for a run or walk, just how many people respond and get involved. So many of the local people are getting behind the collective, which is really important because it is about everyone coming together to get fit no matter what their ability. “We’ve got, mums, dads and children all helping to set up and take part in activities and enjoy the wonderful countryside we are so lucky to be surrounded by here. We really want the children in the village to enjoy keeping fit and are keen to hear from anyone who could be a children’s coach and lead a running group”. PC Wayne Green, who has been helping to get funding for the new group added: “I see a lot of people out on runs around Kinver and on bikes and I thought with the darker nights approaching,

photo courtesy of rawphoto.co.uk

wouldn’t it be great to have a group that could provide a safe environment for people to do this in, but not be alone.” To help raise funds for the Kinver Fitness Collective, a Christmas disco is being held on December 20 at the KCA in Kinver with guest DJ’s and late bar, plus a raffle kindly supported by local traders. Anyone interested in tickets for the Christmas event, joining or helping with the group can visit Kinver Collective Facebook page.

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At Stourbridge Galleries

you will discover a treasure trove of unique and stylish gift ideas to inspire you this festive season

"oh so cuddly" faux fur snood from Hem & Edge

A great new range of Roald Dahl games for all the family

Wooden hanging Christmas decorations from Heaven Sends For the finishing touch - a selection of stylish gift wrap

Winter season soft toys from Jellycat

Charity packs of Christmas cards from Caroline Gardner

town & village life magazine | november/december 2014

Gift Shop Gallery Picture Framers

Two floors of eye catching art, 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 Open Sundays in December 11am â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 4pm

Stourbridge

Galleries

58 Worcester Street, Stourbridge, DY8 1AS Tel: 01384 390170 www.stourbridgegalleries.co.uk

www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

No. 92

Oldswinford

No.92 Oldswinford Coffee Lounge opened on 4th November and is already proving popular with local customers. It offers a wide range of cakes, pastries, sandwiches and breakfasts, including a wide variety of gluten free options.

Coffee Lounge

Inspiration for the business came from local businessman Jonathon Smith, who despite being only 23, has extensive experience in the hospitality industry. Previously Jon has managed The Cross Guns in Codsall near Wolverhampton, and more recently he has managed The Island Pool in Kidderminster. It was during a conversation with his partner Jessica and his mother Julie, when Jon struck upon the idea of a coffee shop for the local community of Oldswinford. Despite Mary Stevens Park and Stourbridge College being on the doorstep, there was not anywhere people could meet and socialise in a relaxing environment. The idea for No.92 was beginning to evolve. When a former timber suppliers shop came on the market, Jon was able to turn his vision into reality, purchasing the property and designing the interior himself. Spanning two floors, with exposed brick helping to create a rustic feel, the coffee shop exudes a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Part of

the second floor is on a mezzanine level, enabling customers to enjoy their drinks whilst overlooking the barista style bar area. Jonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s passion for exquisite coffee is evident in the fact that he travelled to London to complete his City & Guilds Barista qualification. This has ensured that No.92 serves only the highest quality beverages as well as a variety of locally-sourced products, including homemade cakes and pastries. An important part of Jonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s idea was that the coffee shop would support local residents and businesses - even the company hired to renovate the building was local! Oldswinford Coffee Lounge has a very friendly, approachable team of staff who are more than happy to help. Within this hard working team, Jon is also supported by his sister Keifer. No. 92 is open Monday to Friday 8am-5pm and Saturday 9am-4pm. For more information, call 01384 396722.

town & village life magazine | november/december 2014

www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

Cruise style with Swan Hellenic and Voyages of Discovery

Each Swan Hellenic cruise itinerary is a carefully-planned travel experience, teasing out the fascinating stories that lie behind each destination. You will travel in comfort and country-house style aboard the small ship, Minerva, with just 350 likeminded passengers and enjoy an inclusive tailormade shore excursions programme. Your cruise fare also includes all meals on board, gratuities, flights, overseas transfers and Swan Hellenic’s renowned guest speakers, who will share with you their breadth of knowledge with fascinating talks focussing on your itinerary’s destinations. Join Minerva in 2015/16 as she sails from the shores of the Red and Arabian Seas and heads off on a voyage to the southern tip of India and the mesmerising Far East. Closer to home, she navigates the Black, Aegean and Mediterranean Seas, before making her way into Caribbean waters and to South America’s diverse destinations. Enjoy the adventure of a lifetime as you set sail on a Voyages of Discovery cruise aboard small ship Voyager. She is small enough to access ports that larger vessels cannot, meaning you will discover the heart of each destination you visit. In 2015 Voyager navigates the warm waters of the Indian Ocean and around South Africa. She has Norway’s natural wonders in her sights before heading home to the British Isles then on to discover the treasures around the Mediterranean, Aegean and Adriatic Seas.

informative talks on a wide range of subjects that are relevant to each itinerary. Add to this the genuine passion and enthusiasm they have for their individual areas of expertise, and it is easy to see why a Swan Hellenic cruise is so much more than just a holiday. Our guest speakers will cover subjects such as archaeology, architecture, art history, geography, geology, literature, wildlife and volcanology. You can attend a lecture in Minerva’s elegant Darwin Lounge, watch a broadcast from the comfort of your cabin or enjoy a one-to-one conversation over dinner – whichever you choose our guest speakers bring an added dimension to your cruise experience.

Uncover the history and culture of each destination on a Voyages of Discovery cruise The eminent guest speakers who accompany each Voyages of Discovery cruise aim to ensure passengers gain the best possible understanding of each destination’s culture, history and wildlife. To achieve this we carefully handpick our guest speakers, choosing experts whose depth of knowledge and passion for their subject will truly bring each destination to life, whether you’re exploring ancient ruins or discovering breath-taking natural wonders.

Expert knowledge enhances each and every Swan Hellenic cruise There is no better way to travel than with the insight that allows you to fully embrace and understand each destination you visit. Swan Hellenic has an enviable reputation both for the excellence of its guest speakers and for the breadth of their interests. They are carefully selected to give engaging and

For further details please contact Spear Travels on 01902 752424 or 01902 750361 town & village

life magazine | november/december 2014

and Hiders delectable range of biscuits on 6th December.

Gourmet nights and tasting days at

the Vineyards Fed up of eating the same food? Searching for new ideas but not sure where to start? Why not let The Vineyards help you with their new tasting days? Based in Halfpenny Green, The Vineyards is offering customers the chance to try before they buy

on a selection of tasting days throughout autumn and winter. Visit on 15th November to sample some of Sloe Motion’s hedgerow fruit based liquors. For a cornucopia of flavours, call in on 29th November to try the wide selection of exquisite Baytree Preserves. Finally experience two tastings in one go with the House of Sarunds’ exquisite chocolates

If you are looking for a night of fabulous food in a great atmosphere, join The Vineyards for one of their luxurious gourmet evenings. Held on a Friday night on a monthly basis, clients can experience fine dining against the beautiful Vineyards back drop. Held on 7th November and 5th December, customers can enjoy an exquisite four course meal created with locally-sourced, seasonal ingredients for only £32.50. For December only, The Vineyards are holding two gourmet nights, with the second being held on Friday 19th December. This Christmas Special event features five courses and a champagne reception ensuring that you start off the festive season in style! Booking is essential for the gourmet evenings so make your reservation now on 01384 221122. Vouchers for gourmet evenings can also be purchased for that special someone to enjoy in 2015. With so many new flavours to try, and delectable meals to enjoy, a visit to The Vineyards is a must this winter.

www.halfpenny-green-vineyards.co.uk Halfpenny Green Vineyards, Tom Lane, Bobbington, South Staffordshire DY7 5EP

For a fantastic range of Christmas gifts and crafts

Delicious homemade food, including our Christmas menu - Served from Dec 1st until Christmas eve OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK 9.30AM – 5.00PM AND EVERY DAY OVER CHRISTMAS except Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day

Tel: 01384 221122 www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

Email: sales@halfpenny-green-vineyards.co.uk 55

Eating Out and Entertainment Special

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01902 671759 / 673665 Open 7 Days including Bank Holidays, Sunday to Thursday 5.30pm to 11.30pm, Friday and Saturday 5.30pm to 12 Midnight 2 Bull Ring, Dudley Street, Sedgley, DY3 1RU

 FOOD HYGIENE RATING SCHEME 2011

town & village life magazine | november/december 2014

www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

kingfisher Christmas the

bar club room partynights

club the ROOM the

3 course meal thur+sunday £24.95 3 course meal fri+sat £29.95 large 3 course meal thur+sunday £19.95 bookings SEATED PM 50+ PEOPLE 8.00 3 course meal fri+sat £24.95 SEATED 7.30PM

Live Music whats on!

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alive & kicking live musical spec pm jessie j v pink theclub sITtingS 2pm & 6 v katy perry per person v lady ga ga soul survivors includes show, meal+seats sat 6 take that sun 7 thur 11 party band from all the decades SOLDmur OUT s olly fri 12 SOLD APPE AL glITZ OUT sat 13 sun 14 robbie williams SOLD Omur s clulbimsiteed UT thur 18 olly a housejammerz ts ADULT £49.95 CHILD £29.95 fri 19 sat 20 michael buble THE ROOM 1PM THEGASTRO 2PM

thur 4 fri 5

£9.95

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To make a reservation or for more information on any of our Christmas events please call Maddison or Sadie on:

01384 686000

A449 Kidderminster Road Wall Heath West Midlands DY6 0EN E: kingfisher@inndividual.co.uk W: www.thekingfisher.club

NEWYEARS EVE £59.95

champagne drinks reception 5 course meal LIVE band - alive & kicking + dj until 2am

CLUB

THE

SEATED 7.30PM

town & village life magazine | november/december 2014

kingfisher the

bar club room

A449 Kidderminster Road Wall Heath West Midlands DY6 0EN T: 01384 686000 E: kingfisher@inndividual.co.uk W: www.thekingfisher.club

Christmas all wrapped up Thursday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday Nights throughtout December. Available dates, menu & acts can be found on our website. Flexibility to book whole rooms ... Book Now

Our Christmas shows include live entertainment, disco and table service or buffet meals from two to four courses with prices ranging from £19.95 to £49.95 depending on day and your service requirement. PLEASE CALL OUR OFFICE ON 01384 686000 FOR FURTHER ENQUIRIES.

kingfisher NEWYEARSEVE the

2015

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Best Food l Best Music l Best Night www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

Inside is sanctuary. Inside is warm and dry. And just inside the lobby to the left there is the restaurant, which is disarmingly inviting and immediately attractive to every kind of patron, whether they have travelled far and long to be hotel guests or if they are locals like us.

Village Hotel, Dudley The rain this evening is biblical. I may have a beard, but my name’s not Noah and my pets at home come in uneven number from Pets at Home. Tonight I’m in need only of a good feed and I’m in no mood to countenance calls to stay inside, to be safe; to watch The Great British Bake Off. So I brave the brutal elements at great risk to the windscreen wiper motor on my trusty bamboo green Fiat Panda and continued harmony at home, to venture into untried territory, namely to visit Verve Bar and Grill, which is secreted away at Village Hotel, Dudley. A restaurant which is, as I soon find out, one of the very best in the area. Of course I am not alone in such risk taking; I have by my side as ever my long-suffering girlfriend Nicola, to whom I have promised fine dining in surrounds which only

By Rob Taylor years’ of restaurant reviews could bestow. If not for the good grace of Town and Village Life magazine, we’d be destined to double back at Burnt Tree Island for a drivethru McDonalds. But not tonight, because that just won’t do for a lady as elegant and sophisticated as Ms. Simons; a woman who abhors convenience meals-formorons and demands only the very best in quality fresh food, which must be served in sumptuous surroundings at all costs. Needless to say if I had anything other than total confidence in the restaurant, I’d be dining alone. We arrive hungry. I’m happy to find ample parking mere metres from the imposing hotel frontage. Good, that’ll spare the hair-do of my delicious dining partner, I think. Armed with anoraks and umbrellas we advance upon the entrance with an almost military zeal, keen to escape the inclement clutches.

We receive a friendly welcome into a very modern and chic dining space. Everything is immaculately finished in accordance with a striking yet subtle contemporary design, which incorporates occasional vintage flourishes such as a retro telephone handset. All in all it is well-judged and keen not to dominate proceedings, for this eatery is designed to primarily satisfy but two of the senses, taste and smell. And, since my alimentary canal has officially now attained status as my favourite organ, it’s time to check the menu. First to speak to us is a prestarter option to share, ‘Garlic Flatbread with melted mozzarella’ (£6), which proves a welcome appetiser, and is eagerly devoured alongside our first round of drinks. And now to choose from the menu proper. We are given considerable assistance in this task from waiter Matthew, who is brimming with inside-knowledge, recommending both starters and main courses, as well as assisting in wine selection. I choose ‘Sardines on Toast, char-grilled on brioche with chilli-chutney’ (£5.25); Nicola opts for ‘Thai Chicken Spring Rolls, with Asian coleslaw and sweet and sour dipping sauce’ (£5.95). Both dishes arrive promptly and each are exquisite examples,

town & village life magazine | november/december 2014

presently in fine style. Well-judged portion servings mean that both platters are thoroughly cleaned, without compromising the main. ‘Salmon Fillet with mango, coriander, chilli salsa and buttered new potatoes’ (£13.50) is Nicola’s choice; ‘Chicken Kiev stuffed with garlic butter, fries and coleslaw’ (£12.95) is mine. We also elect to try each dishes’ recommended wine selection, paying close attention to the menu guide to matching “wine-to-main” system. Thusly I order ‘Argento Malbec’ (£6.35) and Nicola tries ‘Mamaku Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough’ (£7.35).

www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

Both wines complement our dishes, never competing with the flavours or overwhelming the palate. I am reliably informed by Nicola that the salmon is “light, full of flavour and tantalising to the taste buds.” Special mention is given to the chilli salsa also. High praise indeed, given her propensity for pithy put-downs. My chicken is tender; the outer breaded Kiev shell is crisp and tasty; the warm, buttery core explodes with taste and is enormously satisfying. After an appropriate pause, Matthew returns with dessert options.

‘Crème Brule’ (£4.75) for Nicola; ‘Eton Mess’(£4.75) for me. Both servings - together with two Lattes (£2.95) - are tasty, fresh and delicately presented. They prove to be a perfect note on which to end an evening of fine dining, in fine company. Now, I hope, if only the weather could be fine on the way home. To book a table please call 0871 222 4584. Verve Bar & Grill, Village Hotel, Dudley, Castlegate Drive, Castlegate Business Park, DY1 4TB www.VillageUrbanResorts.com

The

CHRISTMAS PARTY

This time of year you will see the real go-ahead catering establishments advertising their Christmas Party facilities.

In the weeks leading up to Christmas, hundreds of groups of people - office parties, clubs, family gatherings or just a few friends, will want to celebrate with one another. And what better way to do this than over a festive meal, perhaps dancing the night away to the sounds of a popular group or disco? The trouble is, if you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t book early, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll miss out on the choice venues, because by their reputation, they will be the first to get booked up. But if you have been given the job of organising a Christmas celebration party this year, where do you start, and where will you go? Well the first thing you do is study the advertisements in this magazine. The early advertisers are the ones who have already planned their Christmas party menus and are ready waiting for you to book up. Naturally there are considerations that have to be made. Firstly the area of the venue should be convenient for most 62

of those attending. Alternatively hired transport could be laid on for those popular establishments that are often in rural locations. Price is another consideration; some will want to pay more for a gourmet meal whilst others will be content with a good-value traditional meal. Look for an all-in price for food and entertainment (naturally drinks are always extra), that way there will be no shocks at the end of the evening. Some days of the week are obviously more popular than others, so an early decision will be most likely to provide the best selection of venues to choose from. Get sample menus from each that are of interest and discuss them with all members of your party. Some may offer just a meal with no entertainment afterwards, which for many people is just what they want, others may offer the `full works`. Once a decision has been made and your booking accepted, you may be required to pay a deposit. You as organiser are responsible for collecting deposits and paying them over to the chosen establishment. You will be asked to confirm the final number of people attending, some days before of the actual

date. If there is a choice of meals, you will also be asked to give the numbers wanting each particular dish. This is reasonable, function catering of this kind can only run smoothly if caterers can prepare in advance, thus ensuring meals are served promptly and efficiently. On the day itself, try to ensure all who attend the meal behave with due decorum. It is so easy for a minority, with too much drink, to spoil a celebration for the majority. Keep an eye on youngsters and their access to alcohol. If any look as though they may go somewhat mad, nip it in the bud fast.

Obviously we are all aware of the drink and drive laws. Organise a taxi or coach service to collect guests at the end of the evening, or ensure family or friends not attending can transport members of the party home. Never take chances, that one extra drink before driving could be the fatal one. Your main task right now though, is to select where your party is going to celebrate. If you study the advertisements in Town & Village Life Magazine, you wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t go too far wrong!

town & village life magazine | november/december 2014

Christmas at Molineux 2014

Packa still av ges on prim ailable ed throug ates Decem h ber

Packages for parties from two to 280 are now available to book, starting from £17.50 Call 0871 222 2220 option 5, email christmas@wolves.co.uk or visit corporatewolves.co.uk

Christmas at... with master chef Mario and his enthusiastic team Serving Fine Italian Cuisine & Traditional English Lunchtimes & Evenings

Bookings now Being taken

for Christmas Parties in December Italian and English menu £22 per person Christmas Day Lunch £55 per person – limited availability

Traditional Sunday Lunch from £6.95 Mid-week Black Country Specials only £6.95 (Served Tues-Thurs lunchtimes and evenings, bookings not essential)

Normal a la carte also available Opening Times: Lunchtimes Wed to Sat 12pm-2.30pm (last orders) Sunday lunch from 12 noon – a la carte menu also available Evenings Tues to Sat 5.45pm-9.30pm (last orders)

To avoid disappointment please book:

Situated at:

T. 01902 756052 E.reservations@bravaccios.co.uk www.bravaccios.co.uk

4a Upper Green Tettenhall WV6 8QQ Ample Free Parking

www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

“Steve Bull invites you to come along and sample the delights of his delightful restaurant overlooking the Green in Tettenhall”

Wombourne Tandoori Restaurant Established 1989

Air conditioned

Cuisine of Bengal

Fully licensed



FOOD HYGIENE RATING SCHEME 2011

Celebrate your Christmas Party in Style at the Perfect Venue to Dine! 5 course Festive Christmas Menu Available from 1st – 24th December for groups of 10 people or more

Papadums with relish Choice starter Chicken Tikka Onion Bhajee Samosas Chicken Chat Choice main course Chicken Tikka Masala Chicken Tikka Jalfrezi Lamb Bhuna Prawn Sagwaller Balti Vegetable Balti Rice or Nan Pilau Rice Fried Rice Mushroom Pilau Rice Plain Nan Peshwari Nan Keema Nan Tea or Coffee

only £12.95 per person

Bookings Only

Christmas Day Menu now available... Bookings now being taken for Christmas Day Lunch, Christmas Office Parties and Christmas Family and Friends Get-togethers. Rafique Miah welcomes you to the longest established Indian and Bangladeshi 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 01902 324437 Open 7 days including Bank Holidays - 5.30pm until 11.30pm

High Street, Wombourne WV5 9DN 64

facebook.com/wombourne.tandoori

www.wombournetandoori.com

town & village life magazine | november/december 2014

• ‘Stourbridge’s Best Kept Secret’ • Authentically French • Freshly prepared food from the best available ingredients • Extensive A La Carte Menu

Festive Lunch Menu £16.95 for three courses and Festive Evening Menu £25.00 for three courses all turkey free, plenty of other choices including vegetarian and gluten free.

A limited a la carte evening menu is available during December as an alternative to the fixed price festive menu. Light lunch and snack menu served from midday for those not wanting the festive lunch menu. Booking forms and menus available on-line and from the restaurant.

Deposits will be required for bookings over the Christmas period. Catering and Dine at Home Service Available – Authentic French dishes prepared for your freezer New Years Eve 3 Course Meal and Champagne at midnight £57.00 per person.

Tickets now on sale Bookings advisable for evenings please tel: 01384 390940 3 Coventry Street, Stourbridge, DY8 1EP www.frenchconnectionbistro.com info@frenchconnectionbistro.com www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

welcome to...

the

Island Pool

The Isla nd Poo l Wol verh amp ton Roa d Kid der min ster DY1 0 3RX (form erly Coo kley Arm s)

a classic country pub serving a high standard of food and great traditional ales

Come and join us for our special Christmas fayre

4 course set menu £16.95 adults £12.95 children (under 12) Served from 1st December 2014 - 3rd January 2015

Christmas Day lunch 4 course meal £57.95 adults £24.95 children (under 12) visit www.theislandpool.com to view our menus!

Carvery - serving our delicious carvery all day, every day! Our carvery offers a wide choice of freshly roasted, locally sourced meats followed by a vast selection of home prepped vegetables and to top it off, our chefs secret recipe gravy!

extensive Menu served every day!

Alongside our carvery we have an extensive menu with a range of foods to suit any and every palate. We are proud to offer exquisite beef steaks, also sourced locally and cooked to perfection.

Chef's speCials served daily

Carvery from £4.99 served from midday 7 days a week. Visit our website for more info and service times.

We look forward to welcoming you soon For bookings or further details please call 01562 850 311 or email: info@theislandpool.com

w w w.t h e i s l a n d p o o l .c o m town & village life magazine | november/december 2014

THE VILLAGE BIRMINGHAM DUDLEY

Tribute Nights Sunday 7th December – Motown - £35.00 Sunday 14th December – Movie Magic - £35.00 Sunday 21st December – Ultimate Girl Band - £35.00

Party Nights

Monday – Thursday from £19.95

Santa Sunday Lunch

Christmas Day Lunch from £39.00

7th, 14th, 21st December £20.00 Adults £13.00 Children

Newfrom Years Eve £25.00

Stay the night from £95.00 per room

Bring your children to meet Santa in his grotto and enjoy an afternoon carvery with a disco and lots of party games!

0871 222 4584

to book call option 2 VillageUrbanResorts.com/christmas Village Urban Resort Dudley, Castlegate Park, Birmingham Road, DY1 4TB T&C’s apply. Subject to availability. Calls to 0871 numbers cost 10p per minute plus network extras

www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

Tasty Tandoori Hotspot

Our editor Geoff Hall’s dreams come true when he finally gets the chance to dine at the table of Wombourne Tandoori. There are many pains which must be endured as editor of a magazine. Filling space when presented with the 100-odd blank pages of a new edition is chief among them; making sure that chief copy writer Phil Space is on his game at all times is another; as well as being prepared to work late into the night, every night, without receiving an ounce of kindness from a laptop which is at best unhelpful and - at worse - willfully Americanised. But for now I must forget the trials and tribulations to instead concentrate on the perks. There are many in number, but believe me when I say that the prospect of a night out at Wombourne’s original and best curry house, Wombourne Tandoori, is right up there. In fact, when the offer first arrived on my desk it implored me to drop to my knees to give praise to the great curry gods in the sky. Of course, I did instead maintain proper workplace etiquette, but nevertheless I allowed myself a silent celebration. Being a big fan of Asia’s finest all-time import

since I was in short pants, I have read with interest past-reviewers’ musings upon Wombourne Tandoori, always eager to try said curry for myself. Now is my time. Knowing that the restaurant is always busy, I elect to book a table a week in advance. I’m not taking any chances on the serpentine lanes which connect Wolverhampton West’s seat in Perton to Wombourne, so my party of six - including my longstanding partner and magazine sales director Gisella Wiley - travel by taxi. We are greeted by owner and manager Rafique Miah, who welcomes us warmly into the heart of the establishment he started in 1989, with his brother and head

chef Makhan. Full of life and bristling with a delightful atmosphere, we are seated quickly in the well-presented and tastefully styled modern dining space. Happily the pleasant and hospitable staff take our drinks order quickly, which consists mostly of Cobra beer and coke - with or without Bacardi - and serve up some poppadums and pickles, which in some part manage to cool my ardour, although it’s substantial food I’m really after, so it’s time to check the menu: a salivating prospect. Of course, being a little too familiar with Wombourne Tandoori’s website, I already know what I want for my starter - a King Prawn Butterfly (£5.15). For a long time I’ve lusted after the promise of giant prawn

town & village life magazine | november/december 2014

lightly-fried and marinated in fresh spices. As is typical after hearing my impromptu eulogy to the idea of selecting a crustacean-based dish, Gisella muscles in, requesting that we share. That prawn, I think, better really be giant. Thankfully when served it is just that, and tasty. So very tasty in fact that polite dinner conversation with our guests takes a back-seat, as we hoover up every last smidgen of goodness. In fact it is remiss of me that I enjoy my starter so much that I completely ignore what my friends order. I can recall however that they seem to be sharing dishes among themselves, and liking them very much, but that’s it. Whoops. And I do remember that Rafique made many recommendations for the main courses and we duly bowed to his superior knowledge of curry in all of its delicious forms. That a restaurant’s owner takes such care over the smaller things is a perfect example of why Wombourne Tandoori towers above its competitors, and this attention-todetail carries through into everything here: the table service is impeccable; the ambience is finely judged with delicate music from both TV screens and speakers and bright lighting; everything is well-manicured and exquisitely presented, from the tablecloths right through to the kitchens. But you don’t have to take my word for it: the local council has bestowed the restaurant with a five star food hygiene rating. Anyway, back to the grub: your humble editor plumps for a speciality dish, Chicken Tikka Jaflonghe (£7.75) - which is dry-cooked barbecued chicken breast with green peppers, onions and fresh herbs - along with side orders of Aloo Gobi (£2.85) and Saga Aloo (£2.85) - which we all share - and the staple choice of pilau rice (£2.25) and a Peshwari Nan (£2.15). Needless to say it is fantastic. No, scratch that, it is better than fantastic: I’m left groping for superlatives as Gisella polishes off

her Chicken Tikka Papcila (£7.35) which is boneless chicken cooked on a skewer with tomatoes, onions and capsicums - and served salad. And what about dessert you might ask? Well I can tell you that when you’ve eaten as well as we have, you’ll have no room to spare. A coffee and mint is all we can accommodate. Now I can only implore you to make room for all of the above and more, including - if you can find another

nine friends or more to accompany you, and I can’t imagine why you couldn’t - the new Festive Party Menu, which runs every evening from December 1st until Christmas Eve, is a perfect way to party away the short pre-Christmas days, with a special five-course menu at just £12.95 per head. But you must book in advance. And bookings are now being taken for Christmas Day too. Mmm: curry for Christmas. Dare I suggest it?

Wombourne Tandoori Restaurant Established 1989

High Street, Wombourne WV5 9DN

To book a table please call 01902 324148 www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

PERRY and PHILLIPS Auction

report for 7th October

it would have made even more, because they are even rarer.

by Denis Ridgway

Perry and Phillips always hold their auctions on the first Tuesday of the month and the start is 10.30am. Viewing for the auction is held on the Saturday, Sunday and Monday prior to the auction. The October auction had approximately 425 lots and although none of the lots made over £1200 there was a very

eclectic mix and the auction was extremely well attended, with the car park full very early on. The items I have highlighted, I have done so for their interest and not particularly for their value. The first item was a 1960’s G.P.O. telephone in very good order, and it was “red” -we had as many different bidders for this as any item in the auction and it eventually realised (including buyer’s premium) £425. Apparently, if it had been “green”

The next interesting item was an 18th century Iron Rush Nip. In the 18th century for approximately 30 years there was a tax on candles and because of this most people employed the local blacksmith to make a device to hold a waxed tape which could be lit to give light – it had a wooden base with a wrought iron spike and an overlapping weight to hold the taper in place. Obviously, once the candle tax was withdrawn people reverted back to candles as they were safer and so most of the Rush Nips were thrown away. The price realised for this at auction was £425 (including buyer’s premium). The next item was a World War II de-activated Hand Grenade made unusually by the James Cycle Company of Birmingham, which sold for £160. There was also an unframed Watercolour by J. Burrel-Smith entitled “Lakeside” which sold for £250, and an etching by George Phoenix of the Wolverhampton Exhibition in 1902 signed in pencil and fetched £160 As always, there was a large collection of jewellery which included an 18ct Gold and Diamond Cluster Ring selling for £350 and an 18ct Gold Ladies Fob Watch which sold for £320.Most of the jewellery exceeded estimates and all sold. All in all, an extremely successful auction, which was very well attended with many satisfied bidders.

town & village life magazine | november/december 2014

OLD MILL AUCTION ROOMS MILL STREET, LOW TOWN BRIDGNORTH WV15 5AG

TEL 01746 762248

ANTIQUE AND SELECTED FURNITURE AND COLLECTABLES AUCTIONS NEXT AUCTIONS Tuesday 2nd December Tuesday 6th January Tuesday 3rd February

VIEWING

Saturday and Sunday 10am – 4pm, Monday 10am – 5pm prior to auction

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.

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

Successful Women in Business:

Bibi Dodd At Town & Village Life Magazine, we’re always keen to celebrate the successes of women in business we know all too well that balancing work and family life isn’t easy. So, we met up with Bibi Dodd, co-owner of Medi Visage and Practice Manager at Total Implant Solutions, to hear the story of how she became a successful business woman; despite being a very busy mom and still only 32 years old. TVL: Hi Bibi, tell us how things got started for you in business. BD: I worked for many years as a make-up artist for Dior, which I loved, but the nature of the job meant I had to work a lot of irregular hours. So, I decided I wanted a new challenge that would give me a better work life balance. As my background was in sales and customer service, I wanted to continue to work in the service sector. I was introduced to Jonathon Pugh who owned a successful dental practice in the city. Jon was looking for someone to improve the patient experience at his practice and felt I had the right attributes to do this. I knew very little about dentistry, but soon learnt on the job. I firmly believed that customer care had as important a role as the high quality of the dentistry delivered to our patients. Through the summer of 2011 I began to develop the idea of launching an implant referral center. Jon had a Masters degree in implant dentistry and it was obvious that this is where his passion lay. I’ve always strived to be the best I can be in everything I do and I’ve always worked hard. Jon saw that I was motivated, driven and ambitious, and he shared his dream of becoming a dental implant surgeon with me. So together we created Total Implant Solutions and looked for new premises to work from. In little over 6 months we had purchased 82 Tettenhall Road and completely refurbished the building. Total Implant Solutions really took off and within 18 months we were the second largest user of Straumann Implants in the UK. On an educational trip to Lisbon Portugal to visit the world renowned Malo Clinic I had the opportunity to watch their highly experienced teams delivering implant treatments. I was so inspired by their professionalism I decided to qualify as a dental nurse to add in depth clinical knowledge to my customer care back ground. TVL: Tell us about dental implants. BD: Dental implants not only transform smiles, but lives too. Many of our clients have been 72

town & village life magazine | november/december 2014

Consultant supported by our therapists. We also believed that occasional treatments with dermal fillers and anti-wrinkle injections are effective but short lived. We wanted to offer a supportive program to maintain skin health and vitality. This is how we became involved with Deborah Mitchell and her wonderful range of organic skin care products and treatments. Deborah’s Heaven products and our facial aesthetic service are so synergistic.

self-conscious for years, having suffered various dental problems that had resulted in lost teeth. The services we provide solve those issues and restore smiles. It’s wonderful to see how delighted our patients are after treatment. Jon is a highly skilled Implantologist and works with a very talented team. TVL: What’s your daily role at Total Dental Implants? BD: My days are varied. I guide patients through their implant treatment, answering all of their questions and addressing their concerns - it’s an incredibly rewarding job and I really enjoy working with patients on a one-to-one basis. I also assist in surgery and manage the day-to-day running of the practice and look after our ever increasing staff. TVL: You’re the co-owner of Medi Visage, tell me about this.

As I began to explore the possibilities for MediVisage it became clear that there was a real need to fill the gap between the limitations of what the NHS can provide and what our clients wanted. So Dr Hamdi Hamad, a Consultant dermatologist joined the team and now holds regular consultations at our clinic offering a full body dermatology service. Our future plans are centred around expanding our consultant-led multi-disciplinary service into areas such as ENT, treating sleep apnoea and snoring, pain management, radiography and gynaecology.

BD: Whilst working with TIS I met Khaleeq Ur Rehman a consultant Maxillo Facial surgeon at New Cross Hospital. Khaleeq and Jon worked together on some of our more challenging implant reconstructions. Khaleeq was initially interested in offering a facial aesthetics service from our clinic. During conversations with Khaleeq and Jon it become apparent that we could do so much more so MediVisage was created. The field of facial aesthetics has little or no regulation and we believed that potential clients would value the service being delivered by a highly trained and experienced

TVL: It sounds like you’ve got a highly skilled team working at Medi Visage. BD: Yes, we have. We’re lucky to have such a fabulous team, they do amazing work. Every member of staff, at both Total Implant Solutions and Medi Visage, is passionate about what they do. We’re all really friendly and committed to ensuring that every one of our patients receives the best service possible, no matter what treatment they’re having with us. I’m incredibly proud of all their achievements.

FRAGILE RE

HANDLE WITH CA

• Facial aesthetics – anti-wrinkle treatments • Surgical and non-surgical skin therapies • Celebrity endorsed skin products • Consultant led therapies • First clinical assessment with consultant • Skin cancer screening service • 3D-lipo body sculpting

The perfect antidote to winter

To learn more CALL NOW

01902 429586 82 Tettenhall Road Wolverhampton WV1 4TF www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

Looking good We’ve all got plenty of parties to attend at this time of year, which means we’re definitely going to have a camera pointed in our direction at some point. Looking good on every photograph isn’t easy, but with these useful make-up tips and tricks, you can be confident that you’ll look totally gorgeous. Great hair and well applied make-up are essential for looking your best on camera. Choose a light-reflecting foundation, in a full coverage variety to even-out your skin tone and to create a flawless look. Sweep bronzer over your entire face and neck to avoid looking washedout. Sculpt your cheekbones by using a pinky blusher - make sure you get it in the right place by leaving the width of two fingers either side of your nose. 74

By Helen Taylor Define your eyes by using three shades of eyeshadow to contour your eyelids. Use the lightest shade on your brow bone and on the inner part of your eye, then sweep the medium colour on the natural crease, to add depth, before using the darkest shade on the outer part of the eye and extending it across your lash line to add definition. Using black eyeliner, line the eyes. Use a white eyeliner on the inner rim to create a wide-eyed look. Curl lashes and apply a coat of mascara. Apply a pair of ‘natural-looking’ false eyelashes and finish with another coat of mascara to blend them seamlessly with your natural lashes. You’ll be amazed at the difference the false eyelashes make to your photo - they immediately open-up your eyes and draw attention to them, whilst making you appear younger and more youthful. If you dye your hair, make sure that your eyebrows match your hair colour. Poorly defined eyebrows

which are too light compared to your hair will make your facial features look unbalanced, but don’t be tempted to make them too dark either, as that can result in you looking bad-tempered. To make your teeth appear whiter, choose a lipstick shade which has a blue undertone to the colour this could be a pink or red hue. A lot of cosmetic brands have lip products now on sale which have been designed with this in mind. Use lip liner to create a perfect cupid’s bow. Line your lips with a shade which matches the lipstick you’ll be using. Keep to feather-like strokes as you apply and gently ‘fill-in’ the lips with your pencil, so that there are no visible unnatural lines. Using a lip brush, coat your lips with your lipstick and finish by applying a dab of lip gloss to the centre of your lips for a fuller look.

town & village life magazine | november/december 2014

48 High Street, Stourbridge DY8 1DF Telephone 01384 394287

www.peplowjewellers.co.uk www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

W o ll a s t o n Be au t y Cl i n i c

- for all your beauty needs

Whether treating yourself to a facial, body treatment or even just a manicure, it’s essential to find a salon that’s going to make your experience totally enjoyable and at Wollaston Beauty Clinic they aim to do just that. Beautifully designed, the salon provides its clients with the ideal setting to relax and unwind. Marketing manager, Jenny Birch explains: “We want the environment at the salon to be perfect for our clients - think Paris boutique meets cosy cocoon.” Using only the very best branded products, the team offer treatments from industry-leading brands like ESPA, Dermalogica and Environ.

There are some great offers on at the salon at the moment: “There’s £20 worth of savings when you pick two treatments from a selection for just £45. Ring or go to our website for details of the current autumnal ‘set menu’.” “Our regular special offers run throughout the year and are always a great way to experience something different, at a cost you’ll love. Don’t forget to ‘like’ us on facebook to keep up to date with these deals.” With Christmas just around the corner, the highly trained team at Wollaston is waiting to make you look gorgeous for every party on your social calendar.

“Our St. Tropez spray Tanning System will add a sun-kissed glow to even the palest winter skin. We’ve got HD Brows - which are a favourite with celebrities - Shellac Nails and a great range of cosmetics to buy from bareMinerals.” Gift sets make for perfect presents and there are plenty to choose from: “We’ve got a great selection of products and sets available to purchase. What’s more all customers collect points on the products they buy from us, these points add up fast and can be redeemed on a selection of treatments to pamper and indulge.”

“We have been using ESPA at the salon for many years, it’s a British brand and it’s synonymous with quality - ESPA products are used in many of the top spas around the world and whatever your skin type or requirements we have a treatment that will be perfect for you - leaving your skin glowing this winter.” To add to their ever growing range of treatments the team is proud to announce the arrival of the celebrated Caci Ultimate System. Targeted facials, with pioneering technology, delivering peeling, lifting, toning and plumping. A face lift without surgery. “We are so excited about the launch of this prestigious facial system. Caci’s award winning treatments, developed over two decades are available to all our clients. These bespoke facials deliver on all levels and budgets. Caci has a huge celebrity following with A listers such as, Jennifer Lopez, Jennifer Aniston and Lisa Snowdon to name but a few.”

town & village life magazine | november/december 2014

Caci ESPA bareMinerals Dermalogica Environ St Tropez Nailtiques Orly

Gift hers c u o V able avail wollaston beauty clinic

where relaxing & pampering is essential

www.wollastonbeautyclinic.co.uk 153 Bridgnorth Road, Wollaston, Stourbridge DY8 3NU

www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

01384 393305

Hair Extension Experts the UK’s best Silver Salon for Great Lengths extensions.” But that’s not all: “We were finalists in several categories at the National Hairdressing Federation (Nhf) Awards 2014 including; Salon of the Year, Hairdresser of the Year and Colourist of the Year.

Jo Barnett-Toop and Courtney Edmunds

Caprio’s Hair Studio specialise in creating fabulous looks for their clients using Great Lengths hair extensions. As salon owner, Jo Barnett-Toop explains: “If you’re looking for thicker, longer, more glamorous hair, then we’re the only salon to visit.” “Using Great Lengths hair extensions we have transformed our client’s hair, giving them the style they’ve always dreamed of; whether that’s long length, volume or texture.”

“Our salon assistant, Jessica Saxon, was a finalist in both the Junior Stylist of the Year and Student of the Year groups. Impressively, she’s also made it as a finalist in the World Skills Competition - she’ll be competing this November.” The Kingswinford-based salon has a team of six experienced stylists, who together have over 70 years’ of hairdressing experience between them, as well as two junior stylists. “Our new stylist, Courtney, has just started at the salon. She’s fully qualified and has plenty of experience. She’s competent in all areas of colouring and styling, as well as men’s hair.”

Jo continues: “A big, bouncy blow-dry is a massive trend this season and Courtney is an expert in creating the look. We’re delighted to have her on-board at the salon.” Check out the Caprio’s website: www.caprioshairstudio.com - for the latest special offers including 50% OFF with new stylist Courtney.

The hair extensions are made from 100% human hair and are virtually undetectable when professionally applied. “We’ve got a great selection of before and after pictures of our hair extension transformations on our facebook page.” The team at Caprio’s have recently achieved an impressive Great Lengths award: “We won the Great Lengths Silver Salon 2014/15 award for outstanding performance. Winning this award has meant that we’ve been recognised as

BEFORE

AFTER

www.caprioshairstudio.com 78

town & village life magazine | november/december 2014

UK winner of Great Lengths Silver Salon Of The Year Award 2014/2015 • 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

Gift vouchers available

www.caprioshairstudio.com To book an appointment please call 01384 402890 Caprio’s Hair Studio, Unit 10, Stallings Lane, Kingswinford DY6 7SH All Major Credit Cards Accepted www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

The right hairstyle for your face shape You’ve probably never thought to consider your face shape when you’ve chosen a new hairstyle before, but you’d be amazed at the difference it makes. Firstly, pull all of your hair off your face and tie it up - remembering to clip back your fringe too. Then stand in front of a large mirror and trace the outline of your face with lipstick. Don’t include your ears. Follow the curve of your hairline and accurately trace the edges of your cheeks and chin. Next, step back from the mirror and take a look at the shape you’ve drawn. Is the shape you’ve created longer than it is wide? Or is it as wide as it is long?

Here’s what it all means: If your face is longer than it is wide and your forehead is just slightly wider than your chin, then you have an oval shaped face. 80

But, if the shape you’ve traced resembles a circle and your cheekbones make up the widest part of your face, then you’ve got a round shaped face. However, if your forehead, cheeks and jaw are all fairly even in size and the shape you’ve drawn looks like a long rectangle with curved corners then you’ve got an oblong shaped face. If none of the above sound like you, and you’ve drawn an outline that shows a long, pointed jaw line, broad forehead and small chin you’ve got a heart shaped face. Or maybe your shape is nearly as long as it is wide with straight sides, a broad forehead and a defined jaw, with minimal curves. That means you’ve got a square shaped face. Here’s a list of styles that will suit your newly discovered face shape best:

Oval This is the most versatile face shape, you’ll look great with long,

by Helen Taylor

short, straight or curly hair. Try out a variety of looks and rest assured that you’ll pull them off.

Round Choose long, straight styles with layers that are cut at the jaw line and that extend down to the ends. A graduated bob that is cut onto the face can work well - as long as it is cut shorter at the back of the head.

Oblong Fringes - both straight and side swept - can work really well on long faces. If you’re in to short styles choose an angular bob with short layers that hug the chin.

Heart Long hair with soft, loose curls looks great on this shape face. Choose a blunt, full fringe for a flattering result.

Square Opt for lengthy, poker straight hair with long layers or choose an extended, textured bob.

town & village life magazine | november/december 2014

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Ready to

The Christmas party season is officially here and there has never been a better time to dress to impress.

Party

Whether you’re set to attend the annual office get-together, meet-up with friends or hit the town for a festive night out, finding an outfit that’s suitably dazzling is essential. The little black dress is a classic at this time of year, but if you fancy something a little different, go for bright colours, heavy embellishment - even a jumpsuit or playsuit.

By Helen Taylor

Great accessories are a must, so team statement heels with a matching clutch and add sparkly jewellery for instant glamour.

Shoes £99.95 Moda in Pelle Dress £149 Monsoon

Black Sequin V-Neck Dress £39.95 New Look

Clutch £69.95 Moda in Pelle

Shoes £55 Debenhams

Blue Dress £60 Lipsy

Red Dress £50 Lipsy

The images used in this article are readily available in various places on the internet and are believed to be in the public domain. Town & Village Life magazine claims no credit for them unless otherwise noted.

town & village life magazine | november/december 2014

Navy Embellished Dress £210 Adrianna Papell

Lace Trim Dress£29.99 Little Mistress at Get The Label.com

Full Length Gown £119.99 New Look

‘Organza’ Shift Dress £55 BHS

Sequin Dress £190 Adrianna Papell Jennifer Lopez Collection by Endless Pointed Toe Court Shoes £65 Ravel

Bracelets from £45 charms from £25

Exclusively at T.A. Henn, Wolverhampton

Jumpsuit £70 Lipsy

If you own the rights to any of the images, or if any content appearing in Town & Village Life magazine infringes on your copyright, please notify us and they will be promptly removed.

www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

Black Dress £60 Lipsy

Get it checked – Cancer consultant Khaleeq-UrRehman BDS, FDSRCPS, MBChB, MRCS (Gen Surg), FRCS (OMFS)

Skin care plea as winter Hell warning makes us shiver

As the autumn nights draw in and warmer woollies are taken from the drawer weather forecasts are saying we’re on track for the coldest winter in more than a century. The relatively balmy climes of October are to give way to a crippling Artic freeze, according to the headlines. And with the gloomy predictions comes a warning: Don’t be lulled into a false sense of security by the Indian summer temperatures – the mercury could plummet down to –27°C. That’s seriously cool, add significant snowfalls, dense fog and total whiteouts and we shiver just at the thought. The Daily Express recently reported that sudden changes in weather and pressure systems could drag swathes of freezing air from the Arctic across the UK with cold weather likely until next spring. The predictions are in sharp contrast to the sizzling summer sunshine days we’ve experienced this year where temperatures pushing up to rival those in the Greek Islands, Italy and France. Ironically, warnings about skin care in wintertime are much the same as what they are in the height of summer. Our biggest organ, though generally robust, can also be fragile. Along with snowflakes, many experience a completely different kind of flake – flaky, lacklustre skin that has replaced that dewy glow of summer. Indeed, if the forecasts hold true, we need to take just as much care of our skin as the weather gets colder as we do when summer sizzles. Medi Visage offers a broad platform of therapies to pamper skin and cheer the heart, but also provides therapies for more serious matters. 84

With up to 90 per cent of all skin cancers caused by overexposure to UV radiation winter sports enthusiasts are at an increased risk of sun-induced skin damage and potentially skin cancer. Skiers and snowboarders often forget to use sunscreen and are more likely to associate windburn and frostbite as skin conditions derived by their sport than sunburn. What’s more, snow can reflect the sun’s UV rays by up to 80 per cent and this means the sun is every bit as damaging on the slopes as it is on the beach. Leading cancer consultant Khaleeq-Ur-Rehman BDS, FDSRCPS, MBChB, MRCS (Gen Surg), FRCS (OMFS), of Medi Visage on the Tettenhall Road, Wolverhampton, warns that skin and oral cancer are both on the increase and exposure to too much sun – even if its winter sun – is one of the main causes along with smoking and alcohol respectively. The Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon, who specialises in oral and skin cancer and facial reconstruction, ads: ”No-one likes to admit there may be anything wrong, but often early diagnosis of small changes in skin colour and texture can head off major surgical procedures. “We provide consultant-led assessment and diagnostic services for non-healing ulcers in the mouth and skin as well as lumps and bumps. “Melanoma is on the increase and I’m amazed that people do not present to us until it’s too late. It’s so aggressive, so it’s essential that pigment lesions that suddenly change get checked out. “Anything that grows needs to be checked and with my colleague, consultant dermatologist Dr Hamdi Hamad, it would literally take us 30 seconds to say whether it needs further investigations. We’ll do a biopsy and no time is wasted. “Caught at an early stage, can save lives.“ Medi Visage business partner, Bibi Dodd, says: “We have a very strong medical team here that also includes principal of Total Implant Solutions, Jon Pugh BDS MSc (implant dentistry). For those who want some self-indulgence, help with weight loss, body sculpturing, or clinical intervention on more serious matters, we’re in a great position to deliver.”

town & village life magazine | november/december 2014

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town & village life magazine | november/december 2014

FRONT VIEW

BACK VIEW have a secure, but easily opening magnetic ‘catch’ which means it’s easy to interchange charms to suit your mood or to fit any occasion. It’s not just charms that go into the lockets though: “If you have a photo or a special message that you want to include in the locket, these can be permanently printed directly onto a back plate which completes and enhances the personalising process.”

A fusion of the traditional photo locket, with its modern day counterpart. If you’re looking to find that extra-special gift this Christmas, you’ll be delighted to discover Encanto Jewellery. Bringing an exciting new concept to the UK, the business offers customers the chance to design their own locket pendant, using a choice of charms and back plates complete with special messages. Owner Cathy Middleton explains: “We specialise in creating completely personalised memory lockets that make the ideal present.

Every item is beautifully presented in either a choice of a little velvet pouch (standard packaging) or a gorgeous gift box. Cathy and her team are always available if you need any help or advice, they can be contacted via the website or their Facebook page.

“From our online shop and print shop, you can build a locket that contains a message that’s personal to you or the recipient. There’s a vast selection of charms, chains and locket designs to choose from. They are great for marking special occasions such as a wedding or the birth of a new baby. They are also an ideal choice to remember our treasured loved ones. “You can show your best friend how much you value her with a locket that’s built with friendship charms or make mum smile with a locket filled with her favourite things. And, the lockets don’t have to just be worn on a chain: “They are interchangeable and can be used as key fobs, handbag charms or pet tags.” Keen to suit all budgets, Encanto offer customers the chance to choose a locket that’s made from either stainless steel or silver plated. All lockets

incorporating

Encanto Print Shop

BESPOKE GIFTS FOR FAMILY AND FRIENDS Magnetic glass lockets with a choice of floating charms Make it unique with a personalised message or photograph of your choice We offer a wide range of other jewellery All very reasonably priced Gift boxes and pouches available

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www.encantojewellery.co.uk 87

100,000 reasons to visit

By Liz Roseblade

The Old Mill Antiques Centre Even my husband found plenty to interest him whilst I was admiring the best array of jewellery I have seen anywhere. I was in seventh heaven surrounded by diamonds, sapphires, rubies, pearls and some really eye-catching fashion jewellery – and the value for money was amazing! This is where I will be buying my Christmas presents. But this was only the beginning; The Old Mill is on four floors, all absolutely packed with everything imaginable. On the third floor we

armchair and choose from either modern or traditional fabrics. And just when we felt we were losing our bearings in this vast building we discovered a truly unusual and inviting award winning tea rooms, just in time for a nice cup of tea and a snack and time to contemplate all we had just seen. On leaving the tea rooms we stopped to look at a section with handmade baby clothes, lace table linen, bedspreads, cushions and many other items all beautifully displayed. Back on the ground floor which is truly a “treasure trove” we found hallmarked silver items, china, porcelain including some beautiful royal worcester and coalport hand painted vases, books, collectables of all types and many most unusual items! After a very enjoyable 3 hours or so, we strolled back to the car which

Last weekend I dragged my husband, Tom, shopping and we went to Bridgnorth where we discovered The Old Mill Antiques Centre in Low Town, by the river Severn. Here, we whiled away a very pleasant 3 hours or so and I can certainly say that the heading to this article probably understates the vast amount of choice of items on sale in this building!

found a little art gallery with quality oil paintings, watercolours and a selection of prints (both framed and unframed) - I bought a pair of framed prints which I’m sure my sister will love! On this floor there is a mixture of antique and modern style furniture, table lamps, tiffany lamps, mirrors, photograph frames, and crystal glassware – the list is endless. “The Old Mill Sofa Company” occupies a section on this floor and here you can design your own sofa, settee or 88

was 20 yards away (as the Old Mill has their own free car park). We had spent a most relaxing afternoon shopping – completely hassle free! This Christmas I know where I am buying my Christmas presents, even Tom said: “Why can’t we always do our shopping this way”? Old Mill Antique Centre Mill Street, Low Town, Bridgnorth WV15 5AG Tel: 01746 768778

town & village life magazine | november/december 2014

Old Mill Antique Centre Make this Christmas Special - call in and see our extensive range of Fine Gold and quality Fashion Jewellery. Dress Rings 2 Engagement Rings Bracelets 2 Necklaces 2 Earrings Brooches 2 Hair Jewellery We have a huge selection and our prices will make your Christmas sparkle!

Open Seven Days a week 10am until 5pm Old Mill Antique Centre Mill Street, Low Town, Bridgnorth WV15 5AG

Tel: 01746 768778

www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

Nuffield Health

and Wellbeing Centre Nothing is more important to Nuffield Health than getting people fit and healthy, that’s why they’ve recently taken over multiple gyms across the country including the former Virgin Active site at Wolverhampton - to create their own Fitness and Wellbeing Centres, which bring everything needed to improve the health and fitness of the nation under one roof.

TVL: I can see that promoting good health really is a high priority at the centre. DG: Yes it is. When someone joins our centre they’re automatically offered a ‘Health M.O.T’, which allows us to help them look at particular areas of their health and lifestyle which might need some attention. TA: We’re the only organisation to offer our members a service like this. Our 12 point clinically approved health check looks at things like your cholesterol, diabetes’s risk, BMI and stress levels. DG: Once we’ve looked at all of these factors we can help you work on areas you need to improve on and we’ll invite you to have another check three months later.

We met up with Wolverhampton Nuffield Hospital Director, Tony Avery and Manager of Wolverhampton’s new Nuffield Fitness and Wellbeing Centre, Damion Groom, to hear about the exciting venture.

We’ll also be launching our new interactive ‘Health Score’ system in January which will help members track things like how much exercise they’ve done, what their stress levels are if they’ve had enough sleep and adequate nutrition. It’s another useful tool to monitor your overall health and wellbeing.

TVL: What was the motivation behind Nuffield Health creating their Fitness and Wellbeing Centres?

TVL: What can people expect to find at the Health and Wellbeing Centre?

TA: Nuffield Health has long been keen to improve the health and wellbeing of the nation and so made a decision to help highlight the importance of prevention, not just cure, with their strategy of establishing centres across the country that help people to improve their overall health and fitness.

DG: We’ve got fantastic facilities, there’s both an outdoor and indoor pool, a well equipped gym, two aerobic studios, a spin studio, a sauna and steam room, we’ve got an on-site beauty salon and hairdressers, as well as a restaurant and crèche - where we hold lots of great activities to keep the kids entertained.

We have hospitals located all over the country and wanted to bring a Fitness and Wellbeing Centre to each of those areas. Although there are already plenty of centres up-and-running, we acquired nine Virgin Active gyms - including our Wolverhampton location - and one LA Fitness gym in August this year. TVL: Are the centres open to everybody or just patients of the Nuffield Hospital? TA: The centres are open to everybody - we want everyone to benefit. We offer a great range of memberships to suit all requirements for the general public, corporate clients, as well as specialist rehabilitation pathways for our patients, which serves to help them with their recovery. The Nuffield is a not for profit organisation, we’re always looking for ways to give back to the community and how we can meet the needs of the healthcare nation.

We have our own team of eight personal trainers who are available to help you with your specific requirements. Both peak and off-peak memberships are available, as well as a short-term three month agreement for those unable to commit to a longer term agreement. We also provide membership for 16 and 17 year olds. Our membership is competitively priced and offers real quality and value-for-money. TA: The facilities are great; we’re really excited about the venture and have plenty of projects and investment planned for the club over the next six months. If you have any questions or would like to make an appointment please contact us by phone on 01902 275241 or email wolverhampton.enquiries@nuffieldhealth.com www.nuffieldhealth.com

Our monthly awareness campaigns are designed to educate the public on common health problems. TVL: That sounds like a great idea, tell us more. DG: Last month we focused on women’s health as well breast cancer awareness, this month we’re drawing attention to men’s health issues. As well as providing lots of information-packed leaflets, we also have a ‘Meet Our Experts’ event. Everyone is welcome to attend - whether a member or not - to hear an expert from the Nuffield Hospital speak on the subject. There’s plenty of advice about prevention and useful information from our personal trainers as to how you can tailor your work-out to address certain issues. 90

Manager of Wolverhamptons new Nuffield Fitness and Wellbeing Centre, Damion Groom and Wolverhampton Nuffield Hospital Director, Tony Avery

town & village life magazine | november/december 2014

Our Orthopaedic specialists and Physiotherapists help you get back to doing the things you love Nuffield Health provides personal care before, during and after surgery to guarantee you a comfortable recovery. So when it comes to your bones don’t just go private, go personal.

Get in touch. And get on with your life 2

01902 275 241 Nuffield Health Wolverhampton Hospital Wood Road, Tettenhall, Wolverhampton, WV6 8LE nuffieldhealth.com/wolverhamptonhospital

*Not including private patient units at NHS hospitals. Local area defined as within 15 miles of the Nuffield Health hospital. We will match against written quotes only. Promise is valid for patients paying for themselves. **Where possible, we promise to assist you to receive any follow up advice, treatment or care that is clinically required from your Consultant for as long as you may require it. If a prosthesis is used as part of your treatment this is guaranteed for the manufacturer’s official lifetime of that prosthesis. “Clinically required” indicates where further intervention and/or monitoring of a patient’s condition is deemed necessary as a direct result of surgical intervention. ***Subject to status.

1217_Wolverhampton_Ortho_surgery_Ad V2.indd 1

www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

15/05/2014 16:29

Inac tivity

killing as many as smoking “Being inactive has such a huge impact on people’s health”, says Chartered physiotherapist, Davinder Chatha, who heads up the organisation. “As well as many other health risks, it can lead to musculoskeletal problems, which often have a devastating effect on quality of life.”

“Sitting is the new smoking” is a frequent headline we’re hearing at the moment. And today, both our work and home life can include long periods of sitting – on computers, watching TV, driving. All of this contributes to a very harmful picture for our backs and general health. This is the focus of Optispine, which has back and joint clinics in Wolverhampton, Dudley and Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter.

People with sedentary lifestyles can suffer from a whole range of symptoms, from headaches to back and neck pain, stiff joints to numbness and tingling. To keep well, it’s vital to take preventative steps and build lifelong back awareness. “Prevention is definitely better than cure as I see many patients at the other end of the spectrum, with conditions that severely affect mobility and overall health,” adds Davinder. We all know we should move more and sit less. Despite that, two out of three adults in the UK fails to do

the recommended 150 minutes of moderate physical activity per week. Optispine offers the latest and most advanced equipment and techniques, helping people to exercise safely and more effectively. Its specialised H2O Physio hydrotherapy suite features a pioneering underwater treadmill and wellness pool, where waterbased training programmes have been developed for people of all ages and all levels of fitness. Physio-led Pilates and yoga sessions are also available, as well as gym facilities and personal training. So, don’t just sit there, it’s time to get moving. Optispine is offering free assessments throughout November and December to promote better back health. For more information, visit www.optispine.co.uk

town & village life magazine | november/december 2014

Visual dyslexia - Libby’s story Three years ago, Libby Eaton - then aged six years had never been able to open a book without seeing the words moving on the page. As she started school the problems had mounted up. Mother Dawn says: “I became increasingly worried when my daughter became constantly distressed about going to school -from the mild tantrums to the more severe silences and refusing to eat. After many weeks of coaxing came the information that she felt the work was too hard and she couldn’t keep up so therefore felt stupid”. Following a teacher’s recommendation Mrs Eaton took Libby for a visual dyslexia examination at Taylor Biddle Opticians. Optometrist Olha Lac, who specialises in visual dyslexia, says: “When we read it is important to be able to aim accurately at words

amazing difference”. She added: “Not only has her reading and writing greatly improved, but so has her maths and confidence”

with the dominant eye to hold steady fixation, the non- dominant eye controls the depth perception and works together with the other eye to give stable vision. When ocular muscles are unbalanced the fixation swaps from one eye to the other, often combined with pattern glare or ‘Irlen syndrome’. As a consequence, print may appear to move, jumble or blur making the reading difficultcommonly reported symptoms in dyslexia. We are proud to be one of the first in the area to offer this service and over 100 children have been treated by us over the last 3 years with great success”.

Libby (now nine years old) said: “I love my glasses. I get lots of stars and stickers for my work now because Ola helped me to get glasses that stop the words jumping about when I read”.

Libby was prescribed corrective glasses with coloured lenses, which her mother says has made “truly

Designer Frames from… & many more Your Local Family Opticians Full eye examinations Ocular health checks The latest eye scanning OCT technology Now stocking fabulous and exclusive Oliver Peoples frames Ask about EyeDream contact lenses - worn overnight while you sleep then natural vision during the day without glasses or contact lenses.

www.taylorbiddleopticians.co.uk 39 Bridgnorth Road, Compton Tel: 01902 750 325 34 Windmill Bank, Wombourne Tel: 01902 895 909 www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

Living life

through your teeth A Radio 4 broadcast focussed on the meaning of tooth loss and replacement using implants. In Thinking Aloud, a programme on contemporary ideas, broadcaster and sociology professor Laurie Taylor explored ‘Your whole life is lived through your teeth.” The concept is true and none more so than with the effervescent Ann. Ann Skitt – new teeth, new look, new confidence

Ann Skitt retrieves her bike from the garage, deftly fixes a slipped chain, and is ready “to go anywhere.” By her own confession it’s an antique with a capacious, black leather-cloth saddlebag (no longer manufactured) and just three Sturmey-Archer gears. For nearly 20 years it’s been a faithful companion and her primary source of transport. Her enthusiasm to get on the saddle belies her years. “I don’t drive, but cycle everywhere I can,” she says. A young–at-heart 74-year-old, she oozes charisma and charm, still goes to the gym “when she needs to shed a few pounds” and is the life and soul of the party at her local Young At Heart Club where she is a volunteer worker. “The club has some elderly people who never really see anyone from week to week and I love helping,” she adds. She admits to constantly making choices to live life to limit and indulging herself as popular hairdressers’ model at Wolverhampton’s award-winning Ultimate Hairdressing salon whenever she fancies a new look. It’s hard to imagine that this retired assembly worker, who completed 45 years’ service at Willenhall’s famous Josiah Parkes & Sons lock manufacturers, could ever be knocked back. But failing teeth “became an embarrassment,” she recalls. “My remaining bottom teeth were terribly discoloured and my partial lower denture was unstable. I could never eat anything like nuts and was always so conscious of the way they looked. “If I cooked lamb chops or a steak I’d struggle to eat it,

Steven Burchell Dip CDT RCS(Eng) GDC 108353

but I can eat anything now,” she says with a smile. Ann called time on her longstanding dental problems after reading an article in her local newspaper about Steven Burchell Dip CDT RCS(Eng) and his work as principal at the Denture Clinic. “I had a couple of articles and kept them for nearly a year before I plucked up courage to see Steve. I knew exactly what I wanted,” she says. With four implants in her upper and four in the lower jaw to secure implant-retained overdentures, Ann now has a perfect smile and functional teeth. “I love my teeth and they have given me so much more confidence. You don’t realise how having bad teeth affect you until you have treatment like this and you get the confidence back. So much of what we do in life involves our teeth. The whole shape of my mouth has now changed.” Husband Brian is full of praise – “It’s taken years off her.” Her teeth were hand-crafted on the premises at the Denture Clinic and implant surgery was carried out by Jonathon Pugh BDS MSc (Implant Dentistry), principal of Total Implant Solutions in Tettenhall Road, Wolverhampton, where Steven runs one of his three clinics.

town & village life magazine | november/december 2014

ultra Suctionsystem The

Loose dentures: Suction may be your answer

A non-invasive development to help resolve stability problems faced by thousands of denture wearers is being offered by the Denture Clinic. Steven Burchell Dip CDT RCS(Eng) GDC108353, who heads the teams at his North Street practice in Dudley, and other clinics across the region, says the invention has the potential to resolve alltoo-common stability issues. Prosthetics are held in place by tiny valve-operated suction devices which are built into the prescription. A clever diaphragm principle, triggered by bite pressure on

patients’ gums, creates a ‘sucking’ vacuum between the soft-tissue mouth lining and the prosthetic.

Steven, whose clinics attracts patients from as far as Spain, the Isle of Skye and the Isle of Anglesey, adds: “The denture revolution is evolving at a frightening pace. “In recent times we have seen, what I can describe only as strident steps forward, with implant-retained over-dentures, ‘teeth-in-a-day’ implant procedures and suction solution dentures, all coming into main-stream dentistry... “Implant dentistry as a resolve for stabilisation issues, however, is not suitable for everyone, neither is it all patients’ first preference. It’s here

the Ultra Suction prosthetics offer another possibility. “The beauty of this affordable, non-invasive technology is that it can deliver for the right patient excellent denture retainer qualities.” Lower dentures can often be troublesome as stability is compromised by shrinking gums and bone erosion – it’s all part of the ageing process. Ill-fitting dentures create painful friction problems on gums and not least, be a source of compromised chewing and embarrassment.” Steven adds: “The device can be mounted on upper or lower teeth and because of its efficiency allows us to consider a reduction in the size of the acrylic ‘plate’ which can result in improved speech and taste.” Adds Steven: “And can dentures look glamorous? Emphatically, yes – we have taken years off the appearance of some of our patients.”

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Clinics at Dudley, Wolverhampton and Kidderminster www.denture-clinic.co.uk email: info@denture-clinic.co.uk

Hospital backs Wolverhampton nurses to

‘Speak Out Safely’ to protect patients healthcare provider to sign up, and I hope it inspires other independent and private organisations to sign up to the campaign.”

Wolverhampton Hospital is first to sign up to nurse-led patient safety initiative. On international Nurses Day (May 12) the hospital announced the re-launch of the Matron role, to ‘set a benchmark’ in UK nursing care. Nuffield Health Wolverhampton Hospital has signed up to the Speak Out Safely Campaign, an initiative to encourage NHS and Independent healthcare providers to actively encourage frontline staff to raise an alarm if they believe they have witnessed poor practice, and to protect them if they do. Nuffield Health is the first Independent hospital provider to back the patient safety campaign, and join a select group of NHS Trusts from across the UK who have chosen to do so. Nuffield Health hope the move will result in all Independent providers of hospital services following suit. The campaign, led by the Nursing Times, aims to promote collaboration and commitment between hospitals to empower staff to raise concerns, safe in the knowledge that they will be supported and not suffer as a consequence. The campaign also calls on the Government to introduce a statutory duty of candour compelling health professionals and managers to be open about care failings, and to protect staff who feel they need to take their concerns outside of the organisation, should they believe it to be the right course of action. 96

Speaking about the initiative, Wolverhampton Matron, Gill Fenner, said: “Any initiative which helps to raise the bar in terms of patient safety should be applauded. Nurses are at the forefront of medical care in hospitals and have a responsibility to flag up any incidents which they believe might be detrimental to the care of their patients. Following the Francis report into care at Mid Staffordshire Hospital it is imperative that we empower frontline staff to make decisions and raise concerns without fear of reprisal or bullying. There is no place for this within Wolverhampton Nuffield, nor in any modern healthcare setting.” Natalie Millward, Student Nurse said: “From the moment I walked through the doors of the Nuffield I have felt nothing less than part of the team. All of the staff are unbelievably friendly and have been proactive in my learning experience. The knowledge all members of staff hold is admirable and inspiring. Each individual member of staff is an asset to the Nuffield Hospital. I have never known an entire institute work so amazingly together as a team and it has been an absolute privilege to be part of it”. Jenni Middleton, Editor of the Nursing Times, said: “We are delighted that Nuffield Health has signed up to Nursing Times Speak Out Safely campaign. It’s really important that all organisations in healthcare encourage their staff to raise concerns and listen to them and act on them when they do. This is the only way to make healthcare organisations safe for patients. I am particularly pleased that Nuffield is the first private

The move to support Speak out Safely comes as Nuffield Health also announce the launch of the Nuffield Way of Caring – a unique Matron led programme, which further empowers the clinical leadership role of the Matron within Nuffield Health Hospitals. In a project which has spanned 18 months, and which has been led by Nuffield Health’s 31 UK based Matrons, the role has been redefined, taking the qualities of the traditional NHS matron of yesteryear, and blending it with the contemporary leadership and clinical skills required in a 21st Century healthcare environment. Nuffield Health believe the move will set a benchmark for nursing care, and provides a model for nursing care within the independent sector and the NHS. Nuffield Health’s Chief Nurse, Dickon Weir-Hughes, said: “We are absolutely committed to devising and implementing initiatives which will impact on the quality of care we provide. Much is said about Consultant led care within a hospital, but combined with our unique Matron led nursing care, patients can be assured that they are receiving focussed, individualised and holistic care, based on evidence, best practice and innovation. We want the skills and qualities found in this 21st Century Matron to filter down and provide leadership to every member of our nursing teams in order to produce a workforce absolutely committed to patient care, life-long learning and professional development.”

town & village life magazine | november/december 2014

Our lifestyles are busy – often too busy to sort out unresolved dental issues, especially denture problems. Because of advanced dental procedures we can now offer those people pushed for time a full arch or permanently implant-retained teeth in a single day. Call us, we’re friendly and offer a complimentary first consultation.

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www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

Turn your back

on pain

Sleep Sleep is an essential nutrient for our bodies and when your body is allowed to rest in its natural position, muscles are relaxed and sleep is more refreshing. Make sure that your sleeping position is comfortable and that your mattress supports your back.

Seek professional therapy If an injury or back pain occurs take measures to prevent or lessen most back pain episodes by seeking professional therapy. By having access to appropriate treatment for acute back pain at an early stage, recovery is expected within 6 weeks, whereas neglecting pain or an injured area contributes to chronic pain, weakness or recurrence of injury.

Protect your back

Back pain is becoming as well known as the common cold and the likelihood is that most of us will experience it at some point in our lives.

your abdominal and back muscles. Do about 15 minutes of exercises a day that focus on this area. You can try backfriendly yoga poses, Pilates, and sit-ups. Any of these help support and stabilize the spine.

Let’s face it, our day to day lives are becoming much busier and stress filled but we never stop to think about what affect this has on our backs. How many of us have found ourselves hunched over a desk or computer for two weeks, battling a deadline? Or helping a friend by carrying a box to their car? Even swinging a golf club a little too enthusiastically can aggravate your back. The bad news is that our lifestyles are one of the main culprits of chronic back pain. The good news is we can prevent it, but it does take work. These tips can help you prevent back pain and reduce your risk for future back problems.

Maintain good posture

Strengthen your core Back pain can have many causes. Some causes include deterioration or rupture of a disc, muscle spasms, and tense muscles. To reduce your risk for these problems, strengthen 98

Regularly slouching at your desk or leaning to one side when you’re watching TV can lead to chronic back pain or pinched back nerves. To protect your spine, remind yourself to sit up straight at your desk with your feet on the floor. Likewise, don’t twist when you’re watching TV. Your torso shouldn’t be going in one direction and your feet and legs in another. Sit in a firm, comfortable chair with adequate lumbar support. Position the TV so you don’t have to lean forward to see it.

Watch your diet Convenience food in our current busy lifestyles means that we all find ourselves carrying around a little extra weight—especially around the middle— this puts added stress on your back. Try and maintain a healthy weight and do what you can to shed a few pounds.

Nobody knows what’s around the corner and what health challenges we will face in the future but it’s always nice to know we are protected. Private Medical Insurance can be expensive but a health cash plan is an inexpensive way of getting health cover. Paycare offer health cash plans that allow you to claim back the costs of treatments such as seeing a physiotherapist or chiropractor if a future back problem was to happen. Nothing is more frustrating than having to payout on costly medical bills when issues such as back problems arise. What if we told you that you can claim this money back and seeking professional therapy no longer had to be expensive? A typical Paycare Plan protects you against the costs of dental, optical chiropody, specialist consultations, professional therapies, hospital cases and much more. A Paycare plan is designed for you to use on a day to day basis and not like other insurance products you can only use in emergencies. If you would like to protect yourself against the cost of everyday health problems visit www.paycare.org or call 01902 252265 to find out more.

town & village life magazine | november/december 2014

www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

Education

and Schooling

by David Williams – Headmaster of Tettenhall College justification or based on idle gossip. One person’s ideal school can be another’s recipe for unhappiness; no matter how high it is in the league tables or how many times OFSTED or ISI deems it to be “outstanding”. Expensive websites and marketing materials with smiling children can create an image that does not match up to the reality of a Friday afternoon in November. Examination results can be the product of an excellent cohort or a culling process at the end of Year 11 to protect statistics. The message here is that there is no substitute for actually visiting and making up your own mind.

It is the season for choosing a secondary school and how do parents make that all-important decision for their son or daughter? The urban West Midlands offers a vast array of possibilities both in the state and independent sectors and the process has the capacity to inform, confuse and bamboozle at the same time! First and foremost, as you set out it may be wise to consider the role of your child. There is a balance to be struck here; both parents and children need to be comfortable with the decision and, importantly, discuss and communicate their expectations. It may also be useful to give yourself a timeframe and limit your search to a certain number of schools – too many options may confuse and turn something which should be a pleasure into a long and arduous journey. Most parents start with the plethora of information. Parental forums discuss ad infinitum the merits of school x or y but are sometimes exercises in self100

Open days may be your first opportunity and are, in many ways, a “set piece” where a school is showing off in its finery. They should provide an opportunity for you to gain a feel for the school, meet and talk to staff and importantly pupils who will (however well they are “trained”) give you a refreshingly honest view of life there. As an ideal, this should be followed up by an opportunity to see the school on a working “taster” day. This is one of the reasons why at Tettenhall College we encourage parents to visit us several times both formally and informally so that they hopefully feel part of the community and get to know those who are already part of it. This may well be a natural process that can last a year or so. As a Head it is important that there is a good fit between the pupil, parents and ourselves, as these relationships will be vital over the years ahead. Many will suggest “killer” questions to ask but, as in many facets of life, my advice would be to be yourself and observe, ask and enquire according to your child’s individual needs as it is you that knows them best. Ultimately, it will be about choosing somewhere where a child is happy with opportunities to make friends, fulfil his or her academic potential and develop as a person. Having taught in four different schools, both state and independent, they all set out to do their very best for the children in their care, deal with the problems that inevitably arise along the way and work with parents to best prepare children for adult life. Perhaps the world of too much choice has given us an added level of problem we could do without. In the case of the many schools I visit (and indeed when I came for interview at Tettenhall College) I tend to make up my mind in the first five minutes and trust my gut instinct!

Good luck with your selection.

town & village life magazine | november/december 2014

6th Form Open Evening 25th November 2014 â&#x20AC;˘ 5.30pm â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 7.30pm To register your interest please call our Admissions Team on 01902 751119 or email admissions@tettcoll.co.uk

www.tettenhallcollege.co.uk

www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

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South Staffordshire Council

facilities

South Staffordshire Council operates four leisure centres all of which offer a great range of facilities at affordable prices. Some of the facilities available include:

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Facilities are available to suit every age and ability, and you don’t have to be a member, you can simply pay as you go. There are however flexible membership packages available for people who intend on using the facilities on a regular basis, with packages starting from just £20.00 per month… that’s just £5.00 per week! Why not give some of our facilities a try? Cut out the vouchers

below and bring them into your nearest South Staffordshire Council leisure centre which includes Cheslyn Hay, Codsall, Penkridge and Wombourne.

FREE Off Peak Exercise Class

FREE Adult Swim Pass

FREE Toning Suite Trial

(Monday-Sunday 9.00-5.00)

* Terms and conditions apply. This voucher can only be used for off-peak classes.

* Terms and conditions apply.

* Terms and conditions apply. This voucher is for new customers only and can only be used at Penkridge or Wombourne leisure centre’s.

Name……………………............................

Postcode...................................................

Contact No.................................................

Leisure Centre………………….................

Class Date/Time………………..................

Swim Date/Time………………..................

Toning Trail Date/Time………..................

Town & Village Life Magazine, offer ends 31st December 2014

(Monday-Sunday 9.00-5.00)



• Fitness Suites • Exercise Classes • Swimming Pools • Toning Suites

• Squash and Badminton Courts

town & village life magazine | november/december 2014

Adoption in the Black Country gets additional focus

Have you ever thought about

adopting a child?

Adoption in the Black Country has recently announced its expansion, with a new partner to their consortium, taking members up to five.

Come along to one of our informal information evenings for a chat.

Adoption Focus joined the Consortium in October. This is a highly significant change for Adoption in the Black Country and will see them move from a collaboration of 4 Local Authorities which operate within a sub region of the West Midlands, to a larger West Midlands wide operator and recruiter of adopters.

Our next evening starts at 6pm on 2nd December 2014 at Copthorne Hotel, Level Street, Merry Hill, DY5 1UR

The expansion means even better services for our local adopters with wider access to excellent support services. The next event for the consortiums new member will be at The Copthorne Hotel (Merry Hill) on 2nd December (6pm start). For more information see adoptionblackcountry.co.uk or call 0800 073 0597

Adoption in the Black Country

FOCUS

Freephone 0800 073 0597 www.adoptionblackcountry.co.uk info@adoptionblackcountry.co.uk

The Royal School Wolverhampton is opening its doors to new opportunities for children across the area….

I•

The Governors and Leadership team intend to formally submit an application to become a Free School with an envisaged date for opening as September 2015. If successful, the change to the School’s status to become a state-funded independent school will mean that pupils (from the UK and European Union) in the Junior, Senior and Sixth Form will no longer pay fees from this date.

M IN US• F R U

Penn Road, Wolverhampton, West Midlands, WV3 0EG Tel: 01902 341230 | mo@royal.wolverhampton.sch.uk | www.theroyalschool.co.uk

www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

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Light up a life Christmas 2014

Remember a loved one, support a hospice

Making a donation If you would like a light shining on our tree, please complete the dedication / payment form across. For each donation we will:  Dedicate a light on our tree  Record the name of your loved one in our Book of Dedication, along with your short message  Send you a Light Up a Life Memory Card for you to display in your home  Invite you to our ‘Light Up a Life’ service taking place on Sunday 7th December at St Edmunds Catholic Academy Your message will be displayed in our online Book of Dedication and also handwritten into the actual Book of Dedication at the hospice. This will be available for viewing at the above mentioned service and on main reception thereafter.

The Service You are most welcome to join us as we celebrate the treasured memories of many special people this Christmas. The service of dedication will be led by Chaplain, Revd. Elaine Anderton on Sunday 7th December from 3pm to 4pm at St Edmunds Catholic Academy, Compton Road West, Wolverhampton, WV3 9DU. Guests are invited to join us at the School from 2.30pm until 4.30pm to view the Book of Dedication and enjoy a selection of refreshments.

For further information on this year’s Light up a Life service please call 0845 2255 497

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town & village life magazine | november/december 2014

Remember a loved one, support a hospice “Today I lit a candle for you so that you might shine once more upon this world.” Christmas is a very special and poignant time to remember loved ones we have lost. Through our Light up a Life appeal, Compton Hospice offers a unique opportunity to honour those special to us, by dedicating a light on our celebratory Tree of Life. Throughout the Christmas period, hundreds of lights shine out from our tree which stands pride of place in the grounds of our hospice. Each light is a gift for that someone special, a way of remembering them, as they were, a shining light in our lives. Your gift to those who have meant so much will also be a gift to our patients and their families currently facing the challenge of living with an incurable illness.

Light up a life Christmas 2014 Payment Details

For every £1 you donate, we can collect up to nearly 25p more from the taxman! To sign up

Tel:

Email:

to Gift Aid your donation, simply tick this box.

Please find enclosed my gift of £_________ or, please debit my credit card with the amount stated (please make cheques payable to Compton Hospice, we cannot process debit cards at present) Name (as it appears on the card)

I am a UK taxpayer and would like Compton Hospice to treat this, and all future donations hereafter, as Gift Aid donations. I understand that I must have paid an amount of tax at least equal to the tax you reclaim on my donations.

I do not wish to ‘Light up a life’ but enclose a donation of £ to support Compton Hospice this Christmas.

Card No. Expiry date

Signature

Date

(Please make cheques payable to Compton Hospice. For credit card payments please see opposite)

Dedication Form Please complete the details below and return the envelope provided. I / We would like a light to shine this Christmas in memory of: (please write in CAPITALS as you wish the entry to appear in the 2014 Book of Dedication)

Further Dedications Name:

Name:

Please put in the Book of Dedication with this message (10 words maximum):

Please advise on the number of people you expect to attend the ceremony _______ (no tickets will be issued) If you no longer wish to receive correspondance from Compton Hospice, tick box 

www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

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Get into the

christmas Spirit

Whether you love them or hate them, there’s no getting away from them; Christmas jumpers are back. Have fun and embrace the festive spirit with one of these styles:

By Helen Taylor

Christmas Jumper £25 Christmas Collection at M&S

Rudolph Jumper £20 BHS

3D Snowman Jumper £28 Red Herring at Debenhams

Reindeer Novelty Knit £20 Burton Menswear

Baa Humbug Jumper £19.99 Get The Label.com

Prospex Kinetic GMT Divers Watch £479

Solar Chronograph Sportura £379

s at che ellers t a o w ew Seik enn J H . T.A

Cross Pen £65 T.A. Henn Jewellers

Light-Up Christmas Jumper £39 M&Co

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If you own the rights to any of the images, or if any content appearing in Town & Village Life magazine infringes on your copyright, please notify us and they will be promptly removed.

town & village life magazine | november/december 2014

G re e n

Blue sky thinking

NASH • C O N S U LT I N G •

Print • Digital • Audio • Video

Content Marketing • Advertising • Public Relations Call Now 01384 277448 or 07947 159664 and find out what makes us different www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

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Compton

Charity Ball

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town & village life magazine | november/december 2014

Social Scene 1

The Kingfisher Wall Heath A Robbie Williams tribute night was organised for the ladies by the Wall Heath Village People Committee. The event was to help raise funds to improve the village in both its appearance and spirit. A ‘Light Up Wall Heath’ event is planned in the village on Sunday 30th November 2014.

8 5. Sarah Tonks, Karen O’Brien, Abby Payne and Jodie Watts. 6. Noi Avey,Ying Skidmore and Michelle Preston (Chair Wall Heath Village People). 7. Natalie Neale, Karen Johnson and Fay Fisher. 8. Irene Hill, Beryl Emery, Norma Gill and Jen Tromans.

Looking for advice on cosmetic surger y?

1. Shona O’Brien and Kathy Longmore. 2. Dianne Preston, Lucy Jones and Eve Bagley. 3. Clair Walker, Kirsty Green, Emma Parkes, Jo Wood, Bev Rich and Mandy Gennard. 4. Kim Matthews,Yvonne Leach, Amber Jones and Georgia Mobberley. www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

Book a FREE 10 minute one-to-one chat with a consultant at our next cosmetic event on Tuesday 2nd December 2014. Please call 0845 603 4346 to book your place.

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Social Scene

The Kingfisher Wall Heath 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.

Luke Zacharzewski, Phil Baker, Andy Lowe and Mike Shotton. Julian Hewitt and Mike Cleveley. Ron Atkinson during his routine. Adam King and Bob Robins. Steven Clarke and Adrian Potter. Steve Bolton and Steve Lewis. Dan Paton, Paul Jones and Andy Morgan. Steve Saul and John Stiles. Nigel Round, John Hettle, Roy Blocksidge, Robert Cresswell and Gary Arnold. 10. Ian Baker, Steve Cox and Steve Priest. 11. David Bush, Mike Waldron, Bill Hatton, Paul Bullock, John Burrell, Steve Tranter and Chris Hadley. 12. David Facer, Ron Atkinson and Malcolm Braham. 110

Ron Atkinson was the special guest at the first sportsman’s evening at the Kingfisher in Wall Heath on Thursday 4th September. The former West Bromwich Albion, Manchester United and Aston Villa manager entertained a packed audience with tales from his career including the four goals in 25 minutes scored by Manchester United’s Ole Gunnar Solskjaer against Big Ron’s Nottingham Forest team. The event was the first in a series of events to support local charities and the auction and fund raising games generated £2,000 for Mary Stevens Hospice.

Looking for advice on cosmetic surger y?

Book a FREE 10 minute one-to-one chat with a consultant at our next cosmetic event on Tuesday 2nd December 2014. Please call 0845 603 4346 to book your place.

town & village life magazine | november/december 2014

Social Scene

10 www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

12 111

Social Scene

The Molineux

Wolverhampton and Halesowen Audi held a black tie event to raise much needed funds for childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s charity - Whizz-Kidz. The charity helps to transform the lives of disabled children.

1. Jake Oseland, Chris Coss, Joseph Whelan and Lee Payne.

Over 200 people attended the event with a fantastic ÂŁ7,077.74 raised for this great cause.

2. Fiorina and Vince Roberts. 3. Am and Riz Mirza.

Looking for advice on cosmetic surger y?

4. Helen Hammond and Louise Botwood. 5. Brett Fitzpatrick, Francesca Gambone, Filige Gambone and Ann-Marie Coyne. 6. Craig Gardner, Julian Hodkiss and Brian McIntosh. 7. Lance Dunkley, James Hughes, Phil Oliver. 8. Lynn and Scott Thompson, Sarah Morton and Daniel Hurcombe. 112

Book a FREE 10 minute one-to-one chat with a consultant at our next cosmetic event on Tuesday 2nd December 2014. Please call 0845 603 4346 to book your place.

town & village life magazine | november/december 2014

Social Scene

3 27

Wolverhampton Grand Theatre

1. Gemma Reid and Kristian Thomas. 2. Vicky Price, Scott Bird and Emma Acton. 3. Kirsty Bull, Steve Bull, Wendy Elwell and Andy Elwell.

The press night for Dirty Dancing kicked off the Grand Theatreâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 120th Anniversary season. Â

4. Andy Goulding and Nathan Humphries.

The evening was also a celebration of the first time the show had been to Wolverhampton Grand Theatre.

6. Jodie Varley and Fran Richards.

A VIP reception was held which was attended by members of the local media, Wolverhampton Wanderers players and Olympian Kristian Thomas. www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

5. Kyle Pedley. 7. Chris Brown and Anne Brown. 8. Richard Stearman, Beth Lay, Natalie Cutler, Danny Batth, Tara Sephton and James Henry. 113

Social Scene

Wolverhampton Racecourse

7. Lee Rudkin & Kate Norwood. 8. Mandy Swindell, Dan Parker, Mark Wilkinson & Tracy Wilkinson.

The Tile Choice Ladies Evening at Wolverhampton Racecourse was a great success with a bumper crowd enjoying an evening of fabulous racing, fashion and live music. Award winning fashion blogger Emma Lannarilli had the difficult task of judging the hotly contested Best Dressed Lady competition. 1. Lynda Eveson, Aimee Green, Gemma Howe, Jodie Read, Maxine Baugh & Colleen Green. 2. Adele Farrell (Best Dressed Lady) accompanied by Martin Jeavons from sponsors Tile Choice and Emma Lannarilli (guest judge) 3. Sam Foster, Lucy Kendrick, Sian Haughton, Kelly Dundoy & Laura Morrison. 4. Jason Hickman, Sue Davies, Andrew Latham & Tanya Davies. 5. Sue and Kevin Beasley (Tile Choice MD) presenting the winnerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s trophy to the representative of the winning owners. 6. Kirsty Page, Laura Page, Louise Jarvis, Jenny Sherwood & Charley Rogers. 114

9. Rebecca Harrison, Hayley Cater, Zarka Arif & Katie Hennessey. 10. Jess Beasley, Charlotte Cartwright & Liz Forrester. 11. Martin Jeavons & Toby Lawton. 12. Darren Fillingham & Frank Green. 13. Stuart & Charlotte Dowler, Aimee Pugh & Kevin Herbert. 14. Rachel Randolph & Karla Goldsworthy.

Looking for advice on cosmetic surger y?

Book a FREE 10 minute one-to-one chat with a consultant at our next cosmetic event on Tuesday 2nd December 2014. Please call 0845 603 4346 to book your place.

town & village life magazine | november/december 2014

Social Scene

www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

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Head to

Hagley

Driving Range & Golf Academy for quality practice with Josh’s top tip

Golf Tip

Josh Waldron PGA Coach, Hagley Golf and Country Club

We see many golfers here at the Driving Range stuck over ball as if our fibre built striking mats were made of treacle. With a swish of hands and arms they may eventually strike the ball but nowhere as consistent and powerfully as those that use the mat as a foundation for proper footwork.

Footwork 2 This should produce the classic finishing position pictured with the torso turned to the target and the sole of your back foot up and your weight settled onto your front foot. Footwork 1 Your feet are part of the dynamics of your golf swing and as such should be allowed to move as you SHIFT YOUR WEIGHT FROM BACK TO FRONT in the forward phase of your swing.

Wassell Grove Lane, Hagley, Nr. Stourbridge DY9 9JW www.hagleygolfpro.co.uk To book today email:

golfcoach@hotmail.co.uk or call 01562 883852

Show The Sole

Free 30 minute PGA Consultation quoting ‘Town & Village’ 116

We recommend ‘showing the sole’ next time you visit us here at Hagley GCC’s Driving Range and Golf Academy for better ball striking!

town & village life magazine | november/december 2014

www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

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in PeRFecT condiTion FoR iMPeRFecT condiTions

xdriVe

Weather and road conditions can change in a flash. To make sure you’re prepared, we have an intelligent four-wheel drive system that responds just as quickly. With BMW xDrive, you can still enjoy maximum driving pleasure even on difficult road surfaces such as mud, gravel or snow. Optimal traction at all times. Taking the torque to where it has maximum effect – a simple idea that the intelligent BMW xDrive four-wheel drive system puts into practice masterfully. It distributes the engine torque to the axles in a

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intelligent four-wheel driVe from Bmw

fraction of a second so that they can achieve maximum traction. The intelligent fourwheel drive system. With the BMW xDrive four-wheel drive system, each axle uses its traction to the maximum. Your BMW provides stable acceleration out of bends. If – particularly in adverse conditions – more torque has to be applied to the road, that’s when Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) comes into operation. In addition to improving traction, the system also recognises the first signs of oversteering and understeering. Within a tenth of a second it distributes up to almost 100% of the engine torque to the front or

rear axle via the transmission and an electronically controlled multipleplate clutch before returning to the normal 40:60 distribution ratio. With this technology, BMW provides an intelligent four-wheel drive system with all the benefits of four-wheel drive: precise handling, optimum cornering and a clear separation between the engine and steering. Dynamic Performance Control. Dynamic Performance Control (DPC) in the BMW X6, BMW X6 M and BMW X5 M ensures unique cornering performance. Thanks to the smooth distribution of torque between the rear wheels,

town & village life magazine | november/december 2014

traction and handling improve. This allows you to take bends with greater precision â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and accelerate out of them with optimum grip.

with BMW xDrive, Dynamic Performance Control enhances agility and dynamics on any surface.

The result is precise driving characteristics, regardless of the road conditions. In combination

An increasing range of BMW models already have xDrive and therefore offer greater traction on

BMW xDrive models.

all road surfaces. xDrive is now available on the following models: The BMW 1 Series 5-Door The BMW 3 Series Saloon The BMW 3 Series Touring The BMW X1 The BMW X5 The BMW X6

Contact Benham Wolverhampton for more information: www.benhambmw.co.uk www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

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P e t i t e Polo

By Rob Taylor

Is bigger always better? Certainly current trends in car design and manufacture would say so, but I’d like to posit that the perfunctory pursuit of portly proportions is a retrograde step. Remember the original Mini. Recall how enormous the “new” Mini of 2001 looked beside it. Now consider the over-sized heft of the newest iteration beside its predecessor of just 13 years. Bigger still. I really don’t buy into the rationale that we as people are that much larger now than we used to be. Yes, ok, maybe way back in the black and white days when consumption was something more readily associated with us rather than cars, but not since the sixties. I think smaller small cars are better suited to today’s congested roads than ever before. And before you suggest that my theory is full of holes, let me introduce the latest Volkswagen Polo, which, despite unintended connotations with the mint with something missing, happily goes against the grain and remains deliciously dainty in its dimensions. And it looks better than ever with its new LED lights and revised front bumpers. A small car ought to be unashamedly small and the Polo is refreshingly so; not too small to carry four adults in comfort, but not so big that it’ll attract planning permission to park; not too small to contain every bit of technology required to be safe and lawful, but not too big to feel ill-suited to narrow B-roads and supermarket parking spaces. In fact, whichever seat you choose to 120

sit in, you marvel at how something seemingly small enough to park in your pocket can be so generouslysized. I’m 6ft 3” and I found a comfortable driving position, with both adequate head and leg room. Another point to puzzle over is how its miniscule 1 litre engine can seem so refined. Bearing in mind that it develops just 59 polo-playing horses from its three cylinders, it never feels underpowered - providing you are not afraid to work the delightfully smooth gearbox - and it’ll lug you and whatever or whoever up hills with the kind of cheerful willingness synonymous with a dog retrieving its favourite ball. Forget the usual off-kilter tri-cylinder thrum, this Polo is a far more grown-up proposition, because it is keen to keep down road and wind noise and able to dial out almost all underfloor undulations. Inside there’s the usual high-quality VW cabin-craft, with soft-touch switchgear; ergonomic excellence and delicate plastics. Everything is run from a large central touchscreen, which is quick and easy to use intuitively. SE variants upwards offer a large 6.5” screen, which functions exactly as your smartphone does and gives access to lots of toys including DAB radio, Bluetooth and Sat-Nav, if you spec it. Impressive too is the claimed 60.1 mpg fuel consumption figure and the 106g/km emissions number, not to mention the starting price of £12,435. Not too large by any means. In fact, I’ve just realised: the Polo isn’t that much smaller than its contemporary rivals at all, it just looks smaller. An automotive illusion of sorts. Oh well, I guess that’s fine with me, maybe car designers know what they are doing after all.

town & village life magazine | november/december 2014

WHY PAY DEALERSHIP PRICES TO SERVICE

YOUR RENAULT? MINOR SERVICE £89* ALL INCLUSIVE

Servicing with us at Four Ashes will not affect your Manufactures Warranty. We also service all other Renault models out of the warranty period.

FULL SERVICE £149* ALL INCLUSIVE

www.fourashesrenault.co.uk MOT NOW OPEN FOUR ASHES ACCIDENT REPAIRS LTD ALL IN-HOUSE FACILITY OFFERING A FULL RANGE OF BODYSHOP SERVICES

FOR ALL MODELS AND MODELS! Including: * Accident and Insurance Work * Full and Partial Resprays * Scratch and Chip Repairs * Alloy Wheel Repairs

Had an accident, in need of a respray? Give Us A Call!

11 Reg Vehicles (3 years old) - Your MOT is (or soon will be) due - Check your date of registration on your vehicle log book.

• MOT testing arranged • Large stoock of new and used parts • Computerised diagnostic (main dealer equipment) • Accident/mechanical repairs & insurance work undertaken • All work is fully guaranteed! • Courtesy Cars free of charge • Pick up and Drop-off service* • Servicing while you wait *conditions apply, please call for more details

WITH ANY SERVICE

£25 *All models over 3 years old and out of Renault warranty period. Prices start from as listed. Please call for more details and exact price for your vehicle.

09 Reg and 59 Reg Vehicles DONT FORGET YOUR CAM/TIMING BELT! Most Renaults require Cam/Timing Belt change at 72,000 miles or 5 years (whichever comes first). Cam/Timing Belt failure will result in serious engine damage, so make sure yours is changed at the correct intervals. Call us for more details.

FOUR ASHES RENAULT SPECIALISTS Station Drive, Four Ashes, Wolverhampton WV10 7BU

01902 790123 www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

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INDEX OF ADVERTISERS Adoption Services Adoption in the Black Country 103 Airport, Transfers & Executive Travel Image Luxury Travel 86 Antiques & Auctioneers Old Mill Antiques Centre 89 Perry & Phillips 71 Appliances Electrical/Gas Capital Appliances 41 Geoff Hill 37 Awnings Castle Blinds 35 Bathrooms Brierley Hill Bathrooms 30 Eaton Kitchens 15 Roman Bathrooms 21 Wall Heath Bathrooms 27 Beds & Bedroom Furniture Chasewood 33 Interiors Italia 28/29 Sofa Factory Outlet 9 Woodrobes 11 Blinds/Curtains Castle Blinds 35 Love your Blinds 39 Total Sewing 27 Val Hever Blinds 21/24 Beauticians Olivias 81 Wollaston Beauty Clinic 77 Building & Maintenance Contractors Build a Solution 31 Three Pines 5 Building Societies Dudley Building Society 44 Car Sales/Service Benham BMW 124 ETB 117 Four Ashes Renault 121 Chimney Sweeps Wilkins Chimney Sweep 47 Coffee Shops No.92 Coffee Lounge 53 Composite Doors Doorsmart 19

Consumer Protection Service Approved Trader No Rogue Traders Here Cosmetic & Beauty Clinics Medi Visage Craft Galleries Bilston Craft Galleries Dentistry Denture Clinic Total Implant Solutions Education Royal School Tettenhall College Entertainment & Leisure South Staffs Leisure The Grand Theatre The Kingfisher Village Hotel Wolverhampton Racecourse Fencing & Gates Profence Fireplaces/Stoves Flaming Fires Wolverhampton Fireplaces Floral Design & Venue Styling Every Occasion Furniture/Furnishings Chasewood Interiors Italia Sofa Factory Outlet Woodrobes Garage Services ETB Four Ashes Renault Gardening/Landscaping Lealans Garden Centre MDK Garden Services Galleries/Gift Shops Stourbridge Galleries Golf Clubs/Tuition Hagley Golf Club & Pro Shop Haberdashery & Wool Total Sewing Hairdressers Caprios Health Care Cover Paycare Hospices Compton Hospice

49 43 73/85 86 95 97 103 101 102 123 2/58/59 67 57 48 13 31 86 33 28/29 9 11 117 121 46 47 51 107/116 27 79 99 105/108

Hospitals (Private) Nuffield 91 Hot Tubs Webbs of Wychbold 45 Interior Designers Total Sewing 27 Jewellery Encanto Jewellery 87 Jewellers Peplow 75 Kitchens (Supply, design & fit) Dream Doors 23 Eaton Kitchens 15 Roman Bathrooms 21 Opticians Taylor Biddle 93 Painters/Decorators Dave Russon 49 Physiotherapy Optispine 92 Plant and Machinery Hire MSM Plant Hire 49 PR & Advertising Acrobat Media Associates 107 Restaurants/Pubs Bravaccioâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 63 French Connection 65 Halfpenny Green Vineyards 55 Island Pool 66 Kingfisher 2/58/59 Saffron Pink 56 The Molineux 63 Village Hotel 67 Wolverhampton racecourse 57 Wombourne Tandoori 64 Theatres The Grand Theatre 123 Tiles & Interiors Tile Choice 7 Vineyard & Craft Centre Halfpenny Green Vineyards 55 Windows & Conservatories August Home Improvements 25 Choices Windows 17 Hayley Windows 13

Puzzle Answers Sudoku:

Easy

Quick Crossword:

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Word Search: Hidden Phrase: Poetry is what gets lost in translation. Robert Frost.

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town & village life magazine | november/december 2014

www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

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BMW Economics

Benham Wolverhampton

The Ultimate Driving Machine

RULE WITH YOUR HEART. AND WITH YOUR HEAD. BMW Select Representative Finance Example: BMW X1 xDrive18d xLine with optional metallic paint. Term of agreement

47 monthly payments

On the road cash price*

Customer deposit

Retailer deposit contribution

BMW UK deposit contribution

Total deposit

48 months

£289.00

£30,260.00

£4,799.00

£1,525.14

£2,150.00

£8,474.14

Total amount of credit

Option to purchase fee^

Optional final payment^

Total amount payable

Rate of interest

£21,785.86

£1.00

£11,407.50

£33,456.64

4.89% fixed

Representative 4.9% APR

For more information or to arrange a test drive †, call us on 01902 457000 or visit www.benhamwolvesbmw.co.uk

Benham Wolverhampton Lever Street, Wolverhampton West Midlands, WV2 1AD

BMW ECONOMICS.

(4.8l/100km). Combined 51.4mpg (5.5l/100km). CO 2 emissions 144g/km.

Figures may vary depending on driving style and conditions.

Finance example is for a BMW Select agreement for a BMW X1 xDrive18d xLine with optional metallic paint, with a contract mileage of 40,000 miles and excess mileage charge of 7.30p per mile. Applies to new vehicles ordered between 1 October and 31 December 2014 and registered by 31 March 2015 (subject to availability). Retail customers only. *On the road cash price is based on

Finance available subject to credit acceptance to UK residents aged 18 or over. Guarantees and indemnities may be required. Terms and conditions apply. Offer may be varied, withdrawn or extended at any time. ‘BMW Select’ is a form of hire-purchase agreement provided by BMW Financial Services (GB) Limited, Bartley Way, Hook, Hampshire RG27 9UF. We commonly introduce customers to

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†

Test drive subject to applicant status and availability.

town & village life magazine | november/december 2014