TOWn & VILLAGE LIFE Magazine
November/December 2016
Win 6 bottles of award-winning wines with Halfpenny Green Vineyards
TOWN & VILLAG E LIFE MA GA Z INE
Win panto tickets to see Aladdin at The Grand Theatre Win an Orla Kiely Watch with Celebrations of Stourbridge
November/December 2016
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
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town & village life magazine | november/december 2016
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Hello Readers, For me – and Andy Williams too – it’s the most wonderful time of the year, and this year’s edition of Town and Village Life is fit to burst like Santa’s sack; like Rudolph’s nose, it just has to be re(a)d. Soon even Scrooges must relent and buy a Spruce tree – we’d recommend getting yours from Lealans Garden Centre. And if you’re looking to “spruce” in a different way, there’s plenty inside to help you bring your home up to scratch in time for New Year, including curtains, carpets, flooring, conservatories, windows, kitchens, bathrooms and even Yuletide logs. There are also perfect present ideas, including every man’s best friend at Christmas: the gift voucher. Nothing says Christmas like Panto – look inside and enter to win tickets for Aladdin at the Grand Theatre - be sure to check out the recent £1.2million front-of-house makeover as well.
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Tandoori; Balti Bazaar, French Connection; Himley Hall and Halfpenny Green Vineyards – and enter our competition to win six bottles of the vineyard’s award-winning wine. Now enough about food: to keep you looking your best we have fashion, beauty and hair; gift ideas from Stourbridge Galleries and Celebrations, and seasonal decoration from Country Baskets. Christmas telly is always awful but watching it on one of Geoff Hill Electrical’s finest luxury TVs makes it an awful lot better. Also inside we give you the skinny on what’s what when it comes to TV in the 21st Century. I feel like Santa checking entries off his list. What have I missed? Oh yeah: there’s health, education, sport and some motoring squeezed in at the back. Phew! Now I’m off for the first of many mince pies. Have a merry Christmas and a peaceful and prosperous New Year.
Geoff
Since it’s time to eat, drink and be merry, read up on our eating-out guide, featuring Wombourne
See you in January!
Contents
November/December edition
Stourbridge Rugby Club 4 Are you ready to hear the truth about Experiment 41 6 Hagley Art Club 27th annual exhibition 8 Sporting Dinner in aid of Birmingham Children’s Hospital 12 Which Christmas Tree 16 Rotary Club of Kinver 16 Crosswords & puzzles 18 Buried Bridgnorth 22/23 Recipe 26 TV guide 38 Grand Theatre competition 44 Advertising enquiries Email: gisella@townandvillagelifemag.co.uk Gisella Wiley (Sales Director) Editorial/What’s On information Email: info@townandvillagelifemag.co.uk Geoff Hall (Editor) Magazine Design Studio 28 Design & Print (www.s28.co.uk)
TOWN & VILLAGE
LIFE M AGA Z I N E
Town & Village Life Magazine Ltd Lytham Rd, Perton, Wolverhampton, WV6 7YY Tel: 01902 744217 www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk
Blacks Vets: great news for Black Country 54/55 pets (and their owners) Gardening with Ann Winwood 56 The history of Christmas evergreens 58 Ain’t Life Grand 62/63 Tea for two at Himley Hall 66/67 Christmas recipe 68 Food review: Balti Bazaar 70/71 Food review: Wombourne Tandoori 74/75 Christmas is in the air at Halfpenny Green Vineyards 78/79 Hair: Christmas glamour guide 84 Women’s fashion: Dare to Dazzle - Stunning Party Looks 96/97 Social scene 108-111 Motoring: A Kia dear to the Heart 112 Answers to Crossword & Puzzles 114
Congratulations to: Winners of A Tale Of Two Cities competition at The Wolverhampton Grand Theatre Alison Grant, Enville
We gratefully acknowledge the support of businesses whose adverts appear in Town & Village Life magazine and whilst every care is taken to ensure accuracy, The Publishers cannot accept responsibility for loss, damage or omission caused by error in the printing of an advert or editorial. All artwork is accepted on strict condition that permission has been given for use in this publication. Adverts are accepted on the understanding that descriptions of goods and services are fair and accurate. Town & Village Life magazine does not officially endorse any advertising material included within this publication. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in any retrieval system or transmitted in any form - electronic, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise – without the prior consent of Town & Village Life magazine Ltd.
Total distribution 15,500 copies bi-monthly
www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk
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Stourbridge
RFC Our Annual Family Bonfire and Fireworks Night on November 4th marked the start of our winter activities at the beginning of the month.
This continues with “Ladies who Lunch” on November 22nd with guest speaker Mark Hannan, Valuer and Auctioneer, from Fieldings Auctioneers of Stourbridge. His talk will cover his specialism of Collectables and Coins and he will be relating how Fieldings have been involved with the TV programme “Flog it”. Thereafter we are holding a Bavarian night with the obligatory Oompah music on Friday December 2nd. Tickets are available from the club office. Two days later “Breakfast with Santa” is the highlight for our younger players and their siblings with Father Christmas his reindeers and accompanying elves arriving by sleigh on December 4th. Our Christmas Fayre on the 4th will feature the customary seasonal stalls offering a variety of stocking fillers, decorations and trinkets. The traditional Turkey Supper with carols is being held on Friday 16th. All these activities are open to members. The speaker at this year’s Christmas Corporate Lunch on Friday 9th December is RFU supremo Rob Andrew MBE, the ex-England and British Lions fly-half and double Blue at Cambridge University at cricket and rugby. Rugby connoisseurs will be keen to hear the goings-on at Twickenham over the last ten years and tickets are already selling fast. Again, please contact the club office if you fancy attending.
Rob Andrew MBE, guest speaker at this year’s Christmas corporate lunch
In September, we commissioned our new floodlights for two of our pitches enabling more evening training facilities throughout the darker months. Mid- week evenings are now full to the brim with all senior, mini, and junior teams able to train on a more regular basis and without necessary timing restrictions. Fifty percent of the floodlight funding came from the RFU, with the club having to finance the other half. The 1st XV have started their 2016/2017 season well, but this success is overshadowed by The Lions who stand at the top of their Midlands league. The recently regenerated Colts team, run by Sean Firth, are now regularly playing competitive rugby on Sunday afternoons, as are our girl’s team on Sunday mornings.
course sit down special menus, catering for all tastes. This year we have been able to attract several new sponsors to support the club by on site advertising and other promotional opportunities. Let us know if you think your business could benefit from such involvement. Seasons greetings to all.
Robin Edwards Chairman, Stourbridge Rugby Club
As ever the clubhouse is available for hire for private and corporate functions alongside high quality in-house catering from simple fare to our four
T: 01384 395000 E: rugby@stourbridgerugby.com www.stourbridgerugby.com 04
town & village life magazine | november/december 2016
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Are you ready to hear the truth about
Experiment 41? Kinver author A.G Smith will be returning to the village library on November 22nd to read his terrifying new ghost story ‘Experiment 41’ and chill the blood of those lucky enough to have tickets for the show. “This will be the fourth year that I have read for an audience at Kinver Library. They really are very special events here. Staffordshire Libraries always go that extra mile to make the evening memorable. As a local author I always love the chance to do a reading here in the village.” A.G Smith’s readings are always very popular and tickets can sell out
very quickly so anyone interested in hearing this story would be advised to book as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. “Christmas is traditionally associated with ghost stories. M.R James and Charles Dickens all performed readings of their wonderful spine-chillers at Christmas and for many years the BBC continued this tradition with a Ghost Story for Christmas on the television. I hope that my readings recreate some of the magic of those fireside tales.” A.G Smith has been writing since childhood and his work has gained praise from bestselling authors Anthony Horowitz, Cathy Rentzenbrink, Miranda Dickinson, Ian Thornton & Man Booker shortlisted Stephen Kelman. His work with prisoners has seen A G Smith invited to Buckingham Palace and to appear on television
with Piers Linney in Channel Four’s ‘Secret Millionaire’ and on BBC Radio Four’s PM programme. In 2016 A G Smith wrote ‘An Evening of Delectable Terror’ which had a sell-out premiere at The Bonded Warehouse in Stourbridge ahead of a tour in 2017. “This will be a real treat for anyone who loves a Christmas ghost story or just being scared. I believe that Experiment 41 is the most frightening story I have ever written. Once heard, never forgotten.”
The show is unsuitable for under 12’s or anyone of a nervous disposition. To reserve tickets (£5) please phone Kinver Library on 01384 872348 Kinver Library, November 22nd 7pm. Refreshments will be provided. You can follow A.G Smith on Twitter: @harvesterOTnow
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town & village life magazine | november/december 2016
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H A G L E Y A R T C LUB 27t h A n n u a l e x hibition 2016 • 27th Exhibition; Friday, 25th between 7pm – 9pm, Saturday, Sunday, 26th and 27th November between 10am – 4pm. • At Hagley Community Centre, Worcester Rd., Hagley. • Official opening Friday 25th, 7.30pm. • Over 200 original paintings, all new work and all for sale. • Also, crafts and cards, ideas for Christmas presents. • Tea room with refreshments available. • We are a voluntary run club, started 27 years ago and at present has 80 members. • Club meet once a month for demos on second Friday at St. Saviours Church Hall, Hagley. • Also, painting circle meet weekly at Churchill Village Hall. • Interested? Ring membership secretary: Sue Merrill 01562 700078. • Visitors welcome at demo evenings; £3.
Last year’s winner - voted for by the public. ‘River Rothay in the Snow’ (by Graham Madders)
Dudley Building Society Host Charity
Football Tournament
Dudley Building Society announced today that it had raised £3,600 to support their Charity of the Year, Mary Stevens Hospice. The money was raised via Dudley Building Society’s 5-a-side football tournament, which was held on 27 September at Goals in Rowley Regis. The tournament was a huge success attracting 10 Society partners that entered their own teams for the event. The sponsors taking part included ECA Group, FBC Manby Bowdler, Technology Management,
George Green LLP, Deloitte, Ciphr, The Partnership, Copthorne Merry Hill, KPMG, as well as a team from Mary Stevens Hospice. Mary Stevens Hospice is a registered charity offering specialist care for people living with cancer and other life-limiting illnesses, as well as dedicated support for their families and carers. These services are provided free of charge to those who need them throughout the Dudley Borough, as well as parts of south Staffordshire, Wyre Forest, Sandwell and Hereford & Worcester.
The tournament was played with a fun but competitive edge. After the final, all teams came together to applaud the winners of the tournament and an announcement was made for the total amount raised, being a whopping total of £3,600. Raj Bains, Head of Legal and Secretarial at Dudley Building Society, who hosted the tournament said: “A heartfelt thank you goes out to everyone who sponsored and supported the event. Mary Stevens Hospice carry out such amazing work and events such as this will hopefully contribute to them continuing the delivery of what is such an essential service for so many.” Dan Malin, Digital Media and PR Specialist at Mary Stevens Hospice said: “We’re fortunate to receive the continued support of Dudley Building Society, and we’re delighted that the tournament was such a success. “The Hospice team thoroughly enjoyed taking part, and it was wonderful to see so many different businesses come together in support of the families we care for in the Dudley Borough.”
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town & village life magazine | november/december 2016
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Watch Out, Watch Out there’s a
scam abOut!
her home address but addressed to someone unknown. The letter confirmed a new security number for telephone banking with regard to a new account. Our client called into the bank to query it and was told that the account had been opened online, had a nil balance and that they would not close it as it was not in her name. When she asked if this would affect her credit rating the member of staff did not know. Two months later her e-mail account was hacked and an unsuccessful attempt was made to hack her PayPal account. Once she had managed to reset her email password it became apparent that her ID had been stolen from her online account and used to purchase goods, as the attempted hack of her PayPal account had been unsuccessful the goods remained unpaid for.
As a company obviously one of our major priorities is the welfare and well-being of our clients and within the last month we have heard reports that two of them have fallen victim to scams which have caused them considerable anxiety and inconvenience, not to mention financial loss. I thought that this month I would give details of one of them, how scams can be avoided and what to do if you do fall victim to one of them. 10
There are so many scams about that we could probably fill the whole of the magazine by giving full details on them. The UK is far from immune from scams. For example, the UK is the worst in Europe in terms of identity fraud and the situation appears to be getting worse each year. In 2015 there were 1.5 million reported incidents of identity fraud and that is double the number that there were in 2014. Statistics reveal that Britons are 20 times more likely to be robbed while sitting at their computers than by being mugged on the street! Sadly, this particular case involved one of our clients who had just lost her husband. The lady in question received a letter from one of the high street banks at
In July the same lady was contacted by a building society checking if she was remortgaging her property as someone purporting to be her and having suitable ID had been trying to raise a loan against her home. This was successfully stopped and the Land Registry contacted her in order to check that there was no charge against the property. In fact, this lady’s problems continued until she contacted ActionFraud to report the internet crime, received a crime reference number and corresponded with CIFAS, a fraud prevention association that operates systems with financial services companies, mail order companies and phone companies. A credit reference agency revealed that credit card applications and mortgage applications had been made in her name. She checked with the Royal Mail in order to see if any of her mail had been fraudulently redirected and sure enough it had. Consequently all of her mail had been vetted by persons unknown including bank statements and utility bills.
town & village life magazine | november/december 2016
John Webb
These later were retained by these persons because they could be used for ID purposes; the remainder of her post was put through her letterbox. If you do fall victim to one of these scams it is absolutely essential that you act quickly. • Contact ActionFraud.police.uk or ring them on 03001232040 • Ring your Bank or Card Issuer • Speak to your Phone Company • Talk to any Debt Collecting Firms that may contact you • Don’t ignore any Court Summons
John Webb is a Chartered Financial Planner and a Fellow of the Personal Finance Society, the highest accolade designated by that organisation. The Personal Finance Society is the professional body for the Financial Advisory Profession in the United Kingdom, promoting the highest standards of technical knowledge, client service and ethical practice.
• Contact The Land Registry Property Alert Service at www.gov.uk/property-alert
• If you move house then ensure that you notify service providers
• Check your credit report by contacting Equifax, Experian or Call Credit
• Try and have a secure letter box if you live in a block of flats and check that it is tamper-proof.
• Put yourself on the Cifas Protection Register. Take precautions by: • Using strong unique passwords that mix upper and lower case, numbers, even punctuation marks. • Never share your pin number or passwords and change them both regularly. • Be cautious at all times when you are asked for information online. • Shred all financial documents before binning them. www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk
• Check with the Royal Mail to see that no mail redirection has been placed at your address under your name Tel 03457 740740 www.personal. help.royalmail.com • Visit www.identityfraud. org.uk for further information. Identity Fraud is thought by many to be Britain’s fastest growing crime. Stay watchful, stay secure, stay safe.
If you would like more information or need advice on your specific circumstances please feel free to contact the author John Webb of Midland Independent Financial Services Limited on 01543 468877 or john.webb@ midlandifa.co.uk Midland Independent Financial Services is Authorised and Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
Midland Independent Financial Services Ltd, 153 Avon Road, Cannock, Staffordshire, WS11 1LF. Telephone 01543 468877.
www.midlandifa.co.uk Throughout the year we at Midland Independent hold investment seminars with industry experts. If you would like to attend please email: info@midlandifa.co.uk 11
Sporting Dinner in aid of Birmingham Children’s Hospital
Twenty times Champion Jockey Sir Anthony McCoy was the special guest at a sporting dinner in aid of Birmingham Children’s Hospital at the Copthorne Hotel in Brierley Hill, organised by Wombourne-based Events Company Route 39.
Sir Anthony discussed his career from his early days as a flat jockey to his record breaking career in England. He recalled his greatest achievement in beating Sir Gordon Richards’ record of 269 winners in a season and receiving his knighthood from the Queen. He also posed for photographs and signed autographs during the course of the evening. Steve Saul, Managing Director of Route 39 said, “Sir Anthony was
an absolute pleasure to work with. He gave frank answers to all the questions posed by the audience and had time for everybody.” The event raised £5,000 for Birmingham Children’s Hospital. Route 39’s next event is with All Black legend Zinzan Brooke at the Copthorne Hotel on Thursday 2nd February supporting Breast Cancer Now. For further information, call Route 39 on 01902 244220.
Sir Anthony was interviewed on stage by Channel 4 racing presenter Emma Spencer with BBC Radio WM’s Paul Franks compering the event. The packed audience of over 200 people was entertained by sports impersonator Kevin Connelly from the BBC TV show “Dead Ringers”. The event was attended by Wolves legends Steve Bull, John Richards and Mel Eves. 12
town & village life magazine | november/december 2016
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With a reputation for offering outstanding customer service, Hayley Windows is the premier choice for anyone looking for a double glazing company they can trust. Specialising in windows, doors, glass extensions and roofline, Hayley combine the highest quality products with a superior level of customer service.
What’s more, the company also offers a complete design and technical service that will help any homeowner achieve the look they want for their property. “We have a group of designers, architects and window specialists on hand to offer expert advice and guidance.” And for customers looking for classic and elegant styling, there’s the new Residence 9 collection: “Residence 9 is a window and
As an independent family-run business, Hayley Windows offers a completely personalised service for every client, and works hard to meet each need or requirement a customer may have. “Crucial to our ethos is the personal rapport established between our dedicated staff, fitters and each customer. We build relationships based on quality, care and customer focus and the value of our service is not just what we put in but what you get out.”
Managing Director Mike Molineux explains: “We are nothing like the typical double glazing company, we don’t rely on hard sales techniques or telesales, instead we give the best service to our clients and are rewarded with repeat business and customer recommendations.” “All of our windows and doors are made to exceed British Standards and are fitted by our team of skilled craftsmen. We only deal in top quality frames and glass at realistic prices, and supply them with a complete 10 year insurance-backed guarantee.” 14
Hayley Windows, Conservatories and Roofline, Unit 19, Enterprise Trading Estate, Pedmore Road, Brierley Hill, DY5 1TX. Please telephone: 01384 896989 www.hayleywindows.co.uk town & village life magazine | november/december 2016
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Which Christmas Tree? By Sarah Davey
Nordmann fir trees come in lots of sizes. They are bushy and symmetrical and are a lovely colour. They last well too, even in homes where people like the central heating set to toasty levels.
The Fraser Fir has an intense festive aroma that lasts well. It’s a pretty shape and slimmer than the Nordmann so is good if you don’t have a lot of floor space. It retains its needles well.
The Serbian Spruce has a slender trunk with short, gracefully drooping branches and bright green needles. They are often sold as smaller pot-grown specimens here so they can be good for a table-top tree, and can be planted out once Christmas is over. The Rocky Mountain Fir is quite a narrow tree with a striking blue colouring to the foliage. It’s also good for needle retention. Finally the Norway Spruce, is what we think of (somewhat ironically) as a traditional British Christmas tree. It has a lovely shape but is notorious for dropping its needles. Try buying a potted tree rather than a cut one, as these hold their needles better. But actually, it’s only for a couple of weeks so a few dropped needles aren’t such a terrible price to pay for a truly lovely tree.
10k raises £5k The Dudley-based charity Action Heart is set to receive more than £5,000 from the most successful 10k run and associated 2k family fun run ever to be organised by the Rotary Club of Kinver.
The 10k event, renamed the Sheepwalks Shocker to reflect the severity of the multi terrain course, attracted more than 300 runners while 257 took part in the fun run organised in conjunction with Kinver Fitness Collective. As all overheads associated with the organisation of the races, which started and finished at Enville Hall, had already been met by main sponsor BodyKraft, of Pensnett, and associated supporters, the £4,560 entry fees paid by competitors went directly to the charity. This figure will be topped up by those runners, who gained sponsorship for their efforts, leaving the organisers expecting the final tally to be more than £5,000. Ian Maddock, President of the Rotary Club of Kinver, praised all members of the club who had organised the event and thanked all runners who took on the Sheepwalks Shocker.
Kinver Rotary Club Charities in and around Kinver together with carefully selected projects overseas are set to share in almost £4,000 raised from an afternoon garden party.
The highly successful afternoon follows the club’s increased participation at the Enville Show a week earlier which added a further £695 to the club’s charity account bank balance.
The event, organised by the Rotary Club of Kinver in the grounds of a friend of the club, was attended by more than 230 people who enjoyed live music, a buffet lunch and patronised a bar to such an extent that helpers needed to dash out for additional supplies from Enville Ales and local stores! 16
town & village life magazine | november/december 2016
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Quick Crossword Down 1 Swap (8) 2 Midday meal (5) 4 Slap (3) 5 Dialogue (12) 6 Enthusiastic (7) 7 Certain (4) 8 Animals with many legs (12) 12 Consumed (5) 13 Texts (8) 15 Largest amount (7) 19 Vegetable (5) 20 Cooled (4) 22 Winter sport (3)
Across 1 Snake-like fish (4) 3 Board game (8) 9 Get in touch (7) 10 Better (5) 11 Accomplishments (12) 14 Jewel (3) 16 Tracks (5) 17 Change colour (3) 18 Clarifications (12) 21 Punctuation mark (5) 22 Displaying (7) 23 Home-help (8) 24 Finishes (4)
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Word Search Find the words below in the grid and the remaining letters will spell out a phrase.
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Snowman town & village life magazine | november/december 2016
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town & village life magazine | november/december 2016
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B u ried
Br i dg n o r t h
By Rob Taylor Anyone familiar with the splendid tranquillity offered by a walk along the banks of the River Severn in Bridgnorth may be surprised to learn that the town was once one of the busiest river ports in Europe. Back before tourism established a foothold in the two-part (Low Town/ High Town) market town and
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demanded a clear and unpolluted Shangri-La for anglers, walkers and wildlife, early trades took their wares to the river for export, making this spot a particularly dirty and noisy place to be – certainly not somewhere you’d go for a picnic.
inns and ale-houses, the earliest of which was recorded in 1203.
Businesses involving malting, tanning, weaving, nailers, drapers and iron founders all moved goods down river in trows or barges, before using teams of men, harnessed to a tow rope, to move things back up river. Offering solace after a hard day of physical labour were the many
“On the south side of the Stoneway Steps there is a large cave in the rock, remarkable for being the repository of that excellent beer so much esteemed in London, by the name of Eaves Cave Beer. At the entrance of the cave stood a carved lion, inside the cave there was a large vessel bestrided
The town has had at least two breweries over the centuries. Castle Brewery (also known as Eaves) is brought vividly to life here in the following periodical from 1821:
town & village life magazine | november/december 2016
by a small Bacchus, which contained about three hundred and twenty gallons of ale.” This strong dark ale was extremely popular and at its height was exported as far as France. When the brewery closed, the caves became dwellings for the poor. Later, Wilson’s Brewery was established on the Cartway in 1880. Founded by Richard Wilson, famous for Wilson’s Celebrated Nut Brown Ale, the premises featured an Artesian Well, bored 75 feet through the sandstone. Thusly its water became renowned for its good brewing properties. The Cartway is itself one of the town’s most impressive streets. It leads down to the river, the cliffs and caves of Lavington Gardens and on to Severn Park and was, until 1786, the only route for carts to High Town from Low Town. Necessarily during this period it had some 50 pubs and eateries along its route, but today the only one left is the Black Boy, which is over 400 years old. Other properties of note on this historic street are Cartway Church and Bishop Percy’s House. After helping to facilitate much of the Black Country’s Industrial Revolution, river trade eventually began to drop
off after the opening of Bridgnorth railway station in 1862 and the coming age of the train. In 1895 the last barge floated down the river. And as the town began to turn away from industry many increasingly wealthy residents sought to capitalise upon the natural beauty of the town. Majestic Cinema in Whitburn Street is a towering example of how Bridgnorth went about entertaining them. Opened by Lady Acton in 1937 it is still fully functional today. It is also home to a 1940s Gaumont-Kalee 21 projector, which was used to run adverts up until 2011. Bridgnorth has also been home to an RAF station. RAF Bridgnorth, established in 1939 at Stanmore, to the east of Bridgnorth, was designed to enable the basic training of new recruits. In 1941 the station was renamed No.1 Women’s Auxiliary Air Force Depot, but again it was still involved with recruit training.
It never had a runway, nor did it ever see any real ‘action’ during World War II. Its closure in 1963 ultimately allowed for the creation of Stanmore Industrial Park. RAF Bridgnorth may be light on World War II derring-do, but that doesn’t mean the town is lacking in ‘Colditz-style drama’, because one former resident, during his time in a modest terrace house in Railway Street, dug out his own bunker from the rock-face to the rear. During much of the 1980s and 1990s artist Anthony Dracup undertook a Herculean project designed to integrate into his home the sandstone cave that lay behind it. Working with only hand-tools he created in Dracup’s Cottage, a hidden roof garden, and a spectacular entertaining space with vaulted ceilings and 24 reclaimed sandstone pillars. With the added 650 sq/ft of extra accommodation included, this Tardis-like property recently went on the market for just under £200,000 and created national attention. As Dracup’s Cottage proves, there lie secrets in every nook and cranny of Bridgnorth so you’ll be rewarded with far more than just pretty riverside walks and good fishing spots if you visit.
www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk
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As seen on...
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DIY SOS
town & village life magazine | november/december 2016
Brierley Hill Bathrooms
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www.brierleyhillbaths.co.uk 25
RECIPE
Serves 6 By Mike Whitehurst
A FESTIVE STARTER
Beetroot and gin cured salmon
• Fresh Dill • Fresh Parsley • Gherkins • Dijon mustard • Asparagus spears • 12 Large prawns with tail on • Unsalted butter
The idea of having something to eat before the huge onslaught of that rich, savoury, umami assemblage of meats and vegetables served at Christmas lunch has never really appealed to me until this little number came along. It is very light and flavoursome, most definitely eaten without bread as a starter before a large meal and a total contrast to the flavours about to be delivered by the main event. Served alongside a generous glass of Gin & Elderflower tonic with a strip of cucumber and a torn leaf of basil it is something everyone should try at least once or twice.
Equipment
with garlic and lemon prawns and asparagus and a celeriac remouladeO
Start the process 3 days before Christmas day or whichever day you’re serving it. Always read a recipe before starting it and then read through a second or third time as you attempt the dish. INGREDIENTS • 450g of organic salmon fillet, skin on and descaled • 200ml of pure beetroot juice • 1 box of Maldon sea salt • Pink peppercorns • Rapeseed oil • 2 tablespoons of brown sugar • A bottle of gin • 2 lemons • 1 celeriac • 1 small jar of Hellmans mayonnaise • Garlic clove
• • • • • • • •
Grater Cast iron pan Metal bowls Plastic container Food tray Sharp thin knife Cling film Chopping board - if you don’t have a thick wooden board ask someone for one for Christmas.
Preparation 3 days prior to Christmas day, pour the beetroot juice and 50ml of gin into the plastic container laying the salmon flesh side down in the juice and then cover and pop in the fridge until the next day. The next day take the salmon out of the fridge and remove from the beetroot juice, shake off excess juice and pat dry with kitchen towel then lay out flat on your food tray skin side down. Discard the beetroot juice. Finely chop 2/3rds of the herbs and mix with lemon zest, 2 tbsp of sugar and 4 tablespoons of sea salt and pat this down on top of the flesh side of the salmon fillet. Cover the tray tightly and leave to cure in your fridge for the next 2 days. Once it is ready it will feel firm to the touch, this is because the cure has drawn out a lot of the liquid from inside
the flesh which you will see in the tray - you can just get rid of this. Rinse off the cure mix and discard. Slice the salmon into thin even slices and set side ready to prepare the rest of the dish. Get a skillet on the heat, add a dash of rapeseed oil and a nob of butter, finely chopped garlic a few herbs and sea salt - fry the asparagus and now without cleaning the pan throw in the prawns adding more butter and a squeeze of lemon juice. Whilst the prawns and asparagus are cooling down grate the celeriac and gherkins into a bowl, squeeze over lemon juice and a tblsp of dijon mustard, mix in with a good dollop of mayonnaise, roughly chop in some parsley and dill and chill in fridge. Create a quenelle by shaping the remoulade between 2 dessert spoons. Arrange the items on a plate as per photograph and serve with a wedge of lemon and a drizzle of rapeseed oil. For any recipe queries and advice please contact mike@takefood.co.uk SERVING SUGGESTION Get the elderflower tonic and ice out, try a gin and tonic with some peelings of cucumber and a basil leaf for a change.
Recipe by Mike Whitehurst, photography by Megan Cupitt-Lawrence instagram.com/takefood www.takefood.co.uk 26
town & village life magazine | november/december 2016
in-toto Stourbridge Shop 4, Winwood Court Norton Road Stourbridge DY8 2AE 01384 378203 www.intoto.co.uk
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Manufacturing all manner of sofas, settees, chairs, chaise lounge, occasional chairs, curtains and soft furnishing from their base in Cannock, the company can create any type of design - from ultra-modern to classically traditional.
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town & village life magazine | november/december 2016
CALL FOR A BROCHURE
T: 01543 505539
Ralvern Upholstery Unit 19, Martindale, Hawks Green Cannock, Staffs WS11 7XN E: sales@ralvernupholstery.co.uk
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LOVE YOUR HOME
Beautiful homes
Deserve beautiful blinds‌ 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
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town & village life magazine | november/december 2016
• Curved Glass • Glass Balustrade & Balconies • Glass Partitions • Glass Doors, Patio Doors, Bi-fold Doors • Shop Fronts, Canopies & Entrance Glass Tech Aluminium Systems Limited
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A Commitment to Quality It’s no surprise then to hear that many clients return: “We’re starting to find that some of our clients are now returning to us after 20 years, ready to choose a new bathroom suite. Because they were so impressed with the service they received and the quality of their bathroom, they won’t consider looking anywhere else.” Many customers feel reassured that the team is always on-hand if they have any problems: “It’s rare that clients have an issue, but if they do they can contact us anytime of the day, seven days a week. This provides extra peace of mind, and sets us apart from other retailers.”
Wall Heath Bathrooms have built an excellent reputation over the 24 years they’ve been in business, thanks to their unwavering commitment to quality and outstanding customer service. Co-owner Lorraine Taylor explains: “As a family-run company we’ve placed great emphasis on quality in every aspect of our business, from the bathroom fittings we sell, the workmanship that goes into installing them and the service that our clients receive.” With a range of fine bathroom suites that suit any home interior, the team are able to meet all of their client’s requirements. “Our bathrooms cater for all tastes and room sizes; we have extravagant, opulent designs as well as minimalist, chic suites. Our ranges are both practical and stylish.” Even the tiniest of spaces can be transformed: “With the correct fixtures and fittings it is possible for even the smallest bathroom to become a pleasure to use and stunning to look at.” 32
What’s more, Lorraine believes that everyone should be able to enjoy their bathroom: “Making the bathroom accessible for everyone, regardless of age or mobility is a high priority for us. We have a variety of products that are ideal for those who need an easy-to-use suite, and none of them compromise on style.” Unlike so many other companies, Wall Heath Bathrooms undertake every aspect of design and installation: “Bathroom Consultant, Lynne and I take care of all design and planning from the showroom. My husband, Steve, who is a highly skilled engineer, goes out to measure-up in our client’s homes.”
With an extensive portfolio of work available to view in the showroom, clients can get a look at a variety of completed jobs: “We photograph many of our bathrooms so that we can show customers the high standards we work to. We’re proud of the work we carry out and are delighted to be able to provide clients with a bathroom they’ll love for years to come.” For a free no obligation quote give us a call or pop into the showroom, we are open Tuesday to Friday 9am until 5pm and Saturday 9am until 4pm.
Only trusted and experienced installers are used to ensure every bathroom installation is carried out to the highest standards. Old bathroom suites are removed with the minimum of disruption before work begins installing the new suite. Clients often remark on our friendly and polite approach and comment on how tidy we work during installation. “We have a highly skilled tiler who has been with us since day one, when he is away no tiling work is undertaken.” town & village life magazine | november/december 2016
21 Enville Road, Wall Heath Kingswinford, West Midlands DY6 0JT Open Tuesday to Friday 9am - 5pm, Saturday 9am - 4pm
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. Flexible payment terms available.
01384 400016 www.wallheathbathrooms.co.uk info@wallheathbathrooms.co.uk
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Lighting Majestic’s new
sh o wr o o m
“We’re open seven days a week and being here means we’ve got dedicated parking so it couldn’t be easier for customers to come and see us. “Having the iPads in-store has been really handy so our team can show customers every single product, discuss their requirements and even arrange installation if required. It’s now a complete service. “The response so far has been fantastic and with the darker months fast approaching, we’re expecting it to get even busier. It’s an exciting time.”
With a well-established and hugely successful online presence, it was clear Lighting Majestic needed a better bricks and mortar outlet. Previously operating out of a small shopfront on Dudley high street, the space didn’t do justice to the thousands of lighting products available to buy from the specialist retailer. As owner David Cullis puts it: “People came with high expectations and left disappointed. “We’ve got this massive website stocking every type of lighting you can imagine, so when customers spotted we had a shop they assumed we’d have all these products readily available to view, but it simply wasn’t possible.
Situated on the first floor of Junction 2 Interiors on the Wolverhampton Road the new look outlet has been doing great business since opening its doors earlier in the year.
To coincide with the new showroom, the company has also redesigned their website to ensure online customers also get five star service.
“The showroom now does exactly what it needs to be doing. People can come and look at hundreds of products and get a proper feel for the type of things they like.
“It was important we didn’t neglect the website as it’s been the cornerstone of our business up to now. The number of people using phones or tablets to shop has grown yearly so the facelift is to make sure they have a great experience.”
“Every display is setup for a specific style of lighting or room so we’ve tried to cover a broad range and cater to everyone. Indoor, outdoor, traditional and contemporary, we’ve got more or less everything.
For more information about Lighting Majestic visit www.lightingmajestic.co.uk or call 01384 831518.
“We knew we had to open a bigger showroom to cater to the needs of people who wanted that confidence of visiting us and seeing more of the products in person - so that’s what we did.” The new 2,000 square foot location is the ideal setup with hundreds of products viewable across different displays, making it one of the biggest dedicated lighting showrooms in the country. 34
town & village life magazine | november/december 2016
The brand new Lighting Majestic showroom is now open showcasing hundreds of products in a stunning range of displays. Situated on the first floor of Junction 2 Interiors on the Wolverhampton Road, the showroom is open 7 days a week to the public - ideal for anyone in the West Midlands region. With a selection of lights to see for every room, style and budget, why not stop by and speak to our helpful and knowledgeable staff? www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk
NOW OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK Monday to Saturday - 9am - 6pm Sunday - 10:30am - 4pm Lighting Majestic @ Junction 2 Interiors 870 Wolverhampton Road Oldbury Birmingham B69 4RS 0121 663 1273
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Wombourne & District Choral Society to perform
the St Paul oratorio by Mendelssohn Likely to be the first performance in the West Midlands for over a century, members of Wombourne and District Choral Society are busy rehearsing the oratorio ‘St Paul’ by Mendelssohn for their next concert, on Saturday 26th November 2016 at the Church of St John’s in the Square in Wolverhampton, starting at 7.30pm.
Tickets at £14 each with children under 16 free are available from choir members, phoning 01902 744447 or at the door on the night. Light refreshments will be available during the interval. Wombourne & District Choral Society is a well-established, mixed choir of some 80 singers, drawn from the local area and has a varied repertoire, mainly full classical works, often performed with soloists and an orchestra. Patron of the choir is John Rutter, the renowned and popular choral composer.
New singers are always welcome to the choir. Rehearsals are held on Monday evenings, 7.30 to 9.30pm during term time at The King’s School, Regis Road, Tettenhall, Wolverhampton, WV6 8XG. For more information, contact our Membership Secretary, Carol Dixon at cagsdixon@gmail.com. For further information, please contact: Mike Coope - Tel: 01902 700426 Email: mike@sensorland.com (Notes from Mendelssohn’s St Paul written by John Bawden)
Musical Director Ian Clarke will conduct the work and will be accompanied on the organ by Mark Pescott, the title role sung by Welsh baritone Gwion Thomas, a Tutor at the Birmingham Conservatoire.
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10 Pineways, Wordsley, Stourbridge DY8 5JH
town & village life magazine | november/december 2016
FREE No Obligation Measure Service FREE Installation
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TV Guide
What’s the best way to watch TV?
By Kate Duggan Most of us enjoy curling up in-front of the TV on a cold winter’s night. And, as long as you have decent broadband, these days there’s plenty of ways to watch your favourite shows. If you’re feeling a bit flummoxed by all the options available, our quick guide might help to make your mind up.
Freeview – Free As the name implies, Freeview gives you access to more than 60 TV channels, for free. You can also watch hundreds of programmes that have aired in the previous seven days. With most TVs, you shouldn’t need any extra equipment, but TVs bought before 2010 might require a set-top box, which costs from £30. You will need a TV aerial, and not all channels are available in all locations, so it’s worth checking what you can get before you buy anything. 38
Satellite TV – from around £7.50 a month There are a range of providers to choose from, including Sky, Virgin Media, BT and Talk Talk, all of which give you access to a wide range of digital channels. You will need a set-top box, and in some cases a satellite dish, which is normally included in the cost of your subscription, and you’ll need to take out a 12-18 month contract. Most providers have different packages to choose from, and you can add on bundles, such as sports channels. Some providers offer wider phone and broadband packages. BT, for example, offers 80 channels, unlimited broadband and free weekend calls from around £10 per month.
Netflix – £5.99-£8.99 per month Netflix is a subscription service that allows you to watch thousands of films and TV shows through your smart TV, laptop, phone, tablet and other devices. You can choose
what you want to watch from a huge menu, including programmes made by Netflix, such as the award-winning Orange is the New Black. You don’t need any extra equipment; there are no adverts and you can pause, rewind, fast forward and watch again as much as you like. There’s also no contract, so you can cancel whenever you want.
Amazon Prime – £79 per year Like Netflix, Amazon Prime is a subscription service that allows you to watch films and TV shows through a multitude of digital devices. With some older TVs, you’ll need to buy a fire stick (which costs around £30). There doesn’t seem to be quite as much choice with Amazon Prime as there is with Netflix, but if you take into consideration the other benefits of Prime, such as free music, next-day Amazon delivery and cloud-storage for photos, it is a great price. If you don’t want the extras, you can opt for Prime video, for just £5.99 per month.
town & village life magazine | november/december 2016
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Total Sewing Service
Update your home ready for Christmas
fabrics that are ideal for those who want to create their own festive tablecloths or aprons. “We have a fully-stocked haberdashery where you’ll find wool, dress and knitting patters, cross-stitch, craft items, buttons, dance-wear accessories and every other haberdashery product you can think of.”
There’s never been a better time to update the look of your home ready for Christmas with the addition of new blinds and soft furnishings from Total Sewing Service.
With a dedicated team of skilled machinists on site, the company offers customers an excellent made-to-measure service.
The Kingswinford-based business is already well-known for its vast choice of fabrics, from top brands like Porter and Stone, Chatsworth and Essente, but there’s a great choice of blinds on offer too.
And the company is always happy to work with clients who are supplying their own fabrics.
As owner, Natalie Hemming explains: “We make and supply all types of curtains and blinds, including Romans, rollers, Venetians and verticals.” And, for those who want the best of both worlds when it comes to blinds, Duo blinds are a must have. “Duo roller blinds allow you to have a stylish, translucent sunscreen blind for when you want to keep some of the sun out and an equally stylish blackout blind for when you want privacy.” 40
“We take care of all making and fitting, whether customers want curtains, cushion covers or Roman Blinds.”
“We can provide a makingup service for customers who already have a fabric they’d like us to work with.”
And, if you’ve got a special party dress that needs altering, Total Sewing Service can take care of it. “A Tailoress is always present to offer advice on any changes to bridal-wear, formal-wear, prom-wear, as well as any other garments,” adds Natalie. So whether you’re looking for soft furnishing, blinds, haberdashery items or an alteration, pay Total Sewing Service a visit today.
When it comes to fitting, Total Sewing Services can take care of that too. “Our team of qualified fitters can install your curtains, blinds, poles, pelmet boards and even tackle those tricky bay windows.” The company offer free, no obligation quotations and guarantee fitting in time for Christmas. At the store you’ll find a fabulous range of special Christmas
Owner Natalie Hemming
town & village life magazine | november/december 2016
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 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
7 The Cross, Kingswinford, DY6 9JA
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15 Merridale road, Chapel ash, WolverhaMpton, Wv3 9rX 01902 422111 www.wolverhamptonfireplaces.com www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk
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The Art of Inspiration
This fine Victorian house is the home of a truly 21st century shopping experience. Inside Stourbridge Galleries you will discover a unique collection of design-led gifts, jewellery and scarves, greeting cards and home accessories, from well known names such as Caroline Gardner, East of India, Frith Sculpture, Jo Downs Glass, Carrie Elspeth, Terramundi, Newgate Clocks and many more. Design, quality and value for money are paramount when selecting the stylish and eclectic collections for which the store is renowned, giving a choice of products not readily available on the high street.
This season the Galleries have introduced a lovely range of bags, purses, scarves and gloves from Edinburgh-based Earthsquared. These feature tweed fabrics in a choice of contemporary and more traditional colours and are made to the highest standards. They perfectly complement the autumn/winter collections of scarves from Hem & Edge, Peony and Peace of Mind in many beautiful fabrics including knitted chunky wool and gorgeous faux furs for those cold winter days. Christmas is only weeks away and St Eval Candle Company has two sizes of new Cauldron pots in seasonal fragrances Inspiritus, Orange & Cinnamon and Winter Berries. Evocative of long evenings spent by the fire, this collection will be the perfect addition to any home as the nights draw in and the temperatures drop. Lancaster & Gibbings are featured with their range of stylish contemporary pewter photo frames, boxes and keyrings. Designed and produced in their own workshops in the South West of England, they make the perfect gift for those who love and appreciate original design and traditional craftsmanship. You can’t afford to miss Carrie Elspeth’s exclusive new Autumn Collection of award-winning designer jewellery. For her brand new concept collection she has added a contemporary edge to her usual fusion of colour,
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sparkles and loveliness. With a great variety of styles there is something for everyone and certainly enough sparkling designs to accessorise any party outfit! Hand crafted in their traditional forge, the Belltrees Forge selection of candlelighting, lamps and accessories will greatly enhance the ambience of any home. You will also be inspired by the beautiful selection of tree decorations and seasonal ornaments made from wood, glass and metal. The store also stocks a range of on-trend, beautifully designed, occasion and Christmas cards that you will not find in high street card shops. These include hand finished cards from the award-winning Five Dollar Shake, Cinnamon Aitch and Belly Button, the quirky yet sophisticated designs of Caroline Gardner, the fine art inspired Printmaker collection from Art Angels, packs of charity Christmas cards from Woodmansterne and a superb selection of wrapping paper and gift bags to give that finishing touch to your Christmas gifts. Stourbridge Galleries exhibit many limited editions from reputed artists including Rebecca Vincent, Michael Wood, Alan Reed and many others. All artwork is framed in the Galleries own workshops, offering a comprehensive range of frames to suit both modern and traditional styles.
town & village life magazine | november/december 2016
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 – 4pm
Stourbridge
Galleries
58 Worcester Street, Stourbridge, DY8 1AS Tel: 01384 390170 www.stourbridgegalleries.co.uk
www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk
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Grand Theatre COMPETITION soprano Lucy Kay as the Princess, magician Stefan Pejic as evil Abanazar and fabulous pantomime dame Ian Adams as Widow Twankey. Also stars Neal Wright as the Genie of the Lamp and Adam C Booth as Wishee Washee.
One lucky reader can win 4 tickets to see ALADDIN on Thursday 5th January 2017 at 7.15pm at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre.
Police, internet sensation Doreen Tipton as the Lazy Empress Of China, Britain’s Got Talent finalist -
Don’t miss your chance to join this magic carpet ride! With a lamp-full of laughs as you follow Aladdin, his brother Wishee Washee and of course Widow Twankey on a spectacular adventure at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre from 10 December 2016 - 22 January 2017.
From the producers of last year’s swashbuckling pantomime, Peter Pan, Qdos Entertainment present ALADDIN Wolverhampton’s biggest pantomime ever! Starring X-Factor winner Joe McElderry as Aladdin, Lisa Riley as the Slave Of The Ring, CBeebies’ Mr Bloom - Ben Faulks as the Chief of Peking
To book your seats today please go online at www.grandtheatre.co.uk or contact the Box Office on 01902 42 92 12. To be in with a chance of winning simply answer the following question correctly and send it on a postcard with your name, address and telephone number to Town and Village Life Magazine or email info@townandvillagelifemag.co.uk by Friday 2nd December 2016.
What TV Talent Show did Joe McElderry win in 2009? A) The X Factor B) Britain’s Got Talent C) Pop Idol D) The Voice 44
Competition Terms and Conditions Please send postal entries to Town & Village Life Magazine, 1 Lytham Road, Perton, Wolverhampton WV6 7YY or email info@townandvillagelifemag.co.uk. To be received no later than Friday 2nd December 2016. Winners to collect tickets from the box office on the evening of the performance. Tickets cannot be exchanged and no cash or alternative prize nights available. Winners may be required to partake in relevant publicity.
town & village life magazine | november/december 2016
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Celebrations of Stourbridge
Amazing Gifts and Much More…
With Christmas just around the corner most of us will be spending the next few weeks desperately searching for the perfect present for our family and friends. And, whether you’re hitting the high street or scouring the internet, there’s no doubt that festive shopping can be exhausting. But, it doesn’t have to be that way because if you pay a visit to awardwinning independent family-run card and gift retailer, Celebrations of Stourbridge, you’re guaranteed to find something extra special for everyone on your gift list. With two floors filled with thousands of unique cards and gifts, for all occasions, the store is packed with everything you need to delight every one of your loved ones, both young and old. Managing Director, Roger Eames explains: “We carefully select our cards from a wide range of suppliers, including a number of smaller individual companies, to ensure we not only have a great selection but also offer something different for our discerning customers.” 46
Card ranges include a wide variety of photographic, contemporary and traditional cards, together with handmade ranges and bespoke cards that can be created for any special occasion.
pieces, as well as extra large pieces and 3D varieties.”
And Celebration’s extensive gift ranges take care of every special occasion you can think of, including birthdays, christenings, new baby, weddings and anniversaries.
And, Cath Kidson fans will be excited to hear that the entire first floor at Celebrations is dedicated to the popular range.
“We arrange our gifts according to the occasion in different room settings, making it easy for you to find just what you’re looking for.” Of course there are plenty of general gifts too from many different top quality brands: “We’ve got a range of Ted Baker and Orla Kiely gifts and Ferrari pens, jewellery from Espree, toiletries from Heathcote & Ivory and Di Palomo, Sheaffer pens and stationary, a selection of Orchard toys as well as Fulton umbrellas, Snoozie slippers and Terramundi money pots, to name a few.”
There’s also ‘What If’ and ‘Best of British’ jigsaws by renowned local artist, Geoff Tristram.
“We’re one of a limited number of official Cath Kidson stockists and are pleased to be able to offer our customers an impressive selection of Cath Kidson products.” Excellent customer service is a high priority at Celebrations and the team of friendly, highly trained staff are always on-hand to help customers find that perfect purchase. It’s not surprising then, that the company has won two industry awards in the seven years they’ve been in business.
And tucked away at the back of the shop there’s a room dedicated to all manner of jigsaw puzzles.
“We’re proud to have won ‘The Greats’ Best New Gifts Shop in the UK 2012 and ‘The Retas’ Best New Card Shop in the UK 2012.”
“We have an amazing selection of puzzles from Gibson, Ravensburger and House of Puzzles. We have everything from 100 to 2000
So why not take the stress out of Christmas shopping this year and pay a visit to Celebrations of Stourbridge?
town & village life magazine | november/december 2016
Enjoy thE diffErEncE • Large selection of cards and gifts for all occasions • Bags, homeware, watches and more from Orla Kiely • Jewellery from Espree and Equilibrium • Beautiful gifts for new baby and christening • Bags, homeware and much more from Cath Kidston
Win an Orla Kiely watch of your choice Simply pop into the shop from 1st November to register your entry Prize draw takes place on tuesday 6th december 2016
PuzzlEs • stationary • toilEtriEs • umbrEllas • watchEs
Celebrations of Stourbridge, 47 High Street, Stourbridge, West Midlands DY8 1DE
Telephone: 01384 376546
www.celebrationsofstourbridge.com www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk
Opening Times
Monday to Saturday: 9am - 5pm Sunday: closed
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Christmas Trend:
Cabin Living
by Jessica Walton from
Make your Christmas extra cosy with this beautiful Christmas trend. From rustic wooden lanterns and sentimental wooden heart decorations to wreathes scattered with berries and classic Christmas robins made from felt,
this trend has a festive forest feel that will complement your traditional decorations perfectly. Shop our selection of seasonal silk flowers to add even more colour to your Christmas, our Ava range is full of rich autumnal hues and whilst our Harvest collection offers brighter seasonal flowers that will last you a lifetime. Our silk flowers are accredited by the British Florist Association, giving you confidence that our flowers are of the highest quality, and look as realistic as possible.
in your home with Country Baskets Christmas collections. Shop our full Christmas range in-store now – or sign up online to shop and receive 10% off your very first online order.
From life-size reindeer made from twigs to owls with tartan Santa hats, our Christmas characters are full of charm and will bring your decorations to life! Inspired by snug evenings by the fire in a log cabin, this trend is all about warm rich colours, natural textures and materials with a handcrafted element. Recreate that atmosphere
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town & village life magazine | november/december 2016
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas at
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Light up your garden
like a Christmas tree
Christmas will soon be jingling around the corner, meaning the autumn equinox is coming to an end and we will be welcoming the beginning of the winter solstice. After a holiday full of darkness with Halloween in October, it’s time to restore light again and with Christmas being near, the lights won’t be going out anytime soon. Outdoor lights are essentially practical nowadays and while they grow more and more popular, we wonder how we ever coped without them.
With the nights being longer, our outdoor space needs extra security than it did in the summer, so everyone coming to and from your house can see where they are going. I suppose Santa can’t spot us either if we live in darkness! If you’re not a fan of LED reindeers in your garden and giant blow-up snowmen that are bigger than Rockefeller Centre’s Christmas Tree, then your everyday outdoor lights are definitely the way forward. Wall Lights: Outdoor wall lights are becoming a necessity when it comes to lighting up our gardens. Enjoy them while you dine al fresco, have a cosy evening 50
outside, if it’s not too cold, or fancy a bit of hot tub fun. Decking/ Patio Lights: Decking and ground lights are the ultimate modern twist to add to your home, as well as adding style and value to your outdoor area. These discreet beauties are a very effective safety feature as you can illuminate the sides of your drive and garden path. They are an easy favourite as you can install them anywhere and they also work wonders for your exterior design.
Bollards/Post Lights: Use bollards and posts to structure your driveways, mark out pathways or place on your walls for decorative purposes! Our range is beaming with variety. They look very Christmassy decorated in snow! Spike Lights: Spike lights can be temporary or permanent as all you need to do is push them into the ground and you’re good to go, as well as uninstalling them hassle-free. Most spike lights come with a pivoting head, which allows you to create the lighting design that you desire. Position them in flower beds or create a walkway on your grass for your guests. Hanging Lanterns/Porch Lights: First impressions definitely last and by installing a hanging light in your porch, guests will feel welcomed
before they even get to the front door. They are also another great safety feature for your outdoor lighting plan, if you have a dark front garden or drive. Lamp Posts: Lamp posts are not just for the streets; they look insane in your garden landscape too. They give your property an envious appeal and work effectively in large gardens as they are brilliant at casting light. A great showstopping feature when it starts to snow too! Plug and Go: Plug and go lights are a cost-effective way of illuminating your garden yourself, without the help of an electrician. You can customise your very own lighting plan and get it going as soon as you like. If you are not a DIY-friendly person, this may not be the option for you, but if you are, then you will have the time of your life as this hassle-free solution puts the star or angel on top of your garden.
town & village life magazine | november/december 2016
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Christmas with Compton Hospice
“It’s Chriiiisssssttttmmmmaaasss!”… well very nearly anyway and Compton Hospice is all set to provide the sparkle to kick off the festive season in style! Join the hospice team and their special guest stars; Father Christmas and his merry band of Elves on Sunday 27th November 11-4pm at The Cedars, Wolverhampton for a Festive Family Fun Day. Offering the full Lapland experience right here in Wolverhampton, Chief Elf Evergreen will greet you and your little ones at the door and accompany you to your first port of call; the prestigious Elf School. Here our very privileged students (not everyone gets the chance to see inside Elf School you know!) will get a chance to write their Christmas lists and make a range of Yuletide crafts. When the team have taught you all you need to know about being one of Santa’s Little Helpers, it’s off to our magical winter wonderland grotto to meet the main man himself. Take the chance to convince Father Christmas why you should be on the Good List and request your must-haves for Christmas Day. After all the excitement families can warm up with hot drinks and festive treats as they browse our hospice marketplace for Christmas gift ideas. Live music will run throughout the day with appearances from a range of local talents and there’ll be games ‘a’ plenty for all ages. Stonehill Donkey Sanctuary will also be in attendance so don’t forget to pop over and say hello. 52
Despite his busy schedule, Father Christmas – a firm friend of our staff and patients- will be taking time out before his busy Christmas Eve shift and returning to Compton Hospice for Breakfast/Lunch with his fans on Monday 19th and Tuesday 20th December. Families are invited to come along and enjoy a hearty breakfast (a mini fry up) or lunch (sandwiches and nibbles) with jolly old St Nick, take their Santa Selfies with him and even give him their wish lists in person! For all those under the age of 12 there will be a very special present waiting for you to take home at the end of the meal – it’s up to you to decide whether you stand to leave it under the tree until the big day! Christmas Market entry is free although some charges apply for various activities. Breakfast/lunch with Santa is a bookings only event. £7 per child (under 6 months old go free) and £3 per adult (includes child’s gift). This year also sees the return of the Compton Hospice mini market for our patients and their families. Many of our patients find it difficult to shop for Christmas presents and so we would like to bring the shops to them to make the festive season as special as possible. We are appealing for donations of new items such as beauty products, sporting gifts, books, toys, DVDs and music that our patients can give to their loved ones. If you would like to help please get in touch. Call fundraising on 0845 2255497 for more information on all of our events, or email fundraising@compton-hospice.org. uk. Alternatively you can visit our website at www.compton-hospice.org.uk
town & village life magazine | november/december 2016
Registered Charity No. 512387
Compton Hospice Presents
A Festive Family Fun Day Sunday 27th November 2016 11-4pm
Gift ideas, Santa’s Grotto and Elf Workshop, Facepainting, Kids Activities, Games, Live Entertainment, Food and Drink and Much More‌ The Cedars, 39 Compton Road West, Wolverhampton, WV3 9DW
www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk
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Great news for
Black Country pets (and their owners!) Picture the scene: Your much-loved pet is ill and needs treatment or expertise not currently available at your usual veterinary practice.
Fortunately, you have pet insurance, but the treatment required could be very costly and the prices vary greatly from the potential practices that could help. How can you guarantee the right level of care for your poorly pet and make the most of your policy allowances? Well, we may just have the answer‌ After many months of work, we are delighted to announce that Blacks Vets has been approved by leading pet insurance provider, RSA, as an official referral partner. This recognises that Blacks Vets referral clinicians provide excellent care at
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competitive rates. The RSA Group which underwrites pet insurance for more than a million cats and dogs in the UK, is the partner of choice for many household name retailers. RSA created its Referral Vet Network to help deliver affordable pet insurance with the very highest standards of pet care. This means that if you check your policy and your pet is insured with a company that RSA act as underwriters for, you can now benefit from competitive costs for a wide range of veterinary procedures. This makes the most of your policy’s limits and prevents the need to shop around for the best price. Absolute clarity on cost delivers peace of mind when you need it most, allowing you to focus completely on helping your ill pet recover. In maintaining costs at an affordable level, vets within the network are able to provide the very best care in a sustainable way. Insurance premiums will be lower which in
By Dr John O’Flynn MRCVS MVB Cert AVP, Partner, Blacks Vets turn helps open up pet insurance to a wider market by making it more affordable, ensuring that as many pets as possible can receive the care they need, for the right amount of time. If your pet requires a second opinion from a vet with additional expertise, the RSA network makes accessing the necessary skills easy. Blacks Vets for example, offer expertise in cardiology, orthopaedics and dermatology and often work with other local practices. As all referral partners within the network are regularly monitored by RSA, clients can also relax in the knowledge that the highest standards of clinical excellence
town & village life magazine | november/december 2016
are maintained and that your pet is in the safest hands. One of only two Midlands RSA partners, Blacks Vets five branch network spans the Black Country with practices in Lye, Oldbury, Quinton, Sedgley and a flagship Accredited Veterinary Hospital in Dudley. Serving the community since 1958, we offer state-of-theart facilities including the latest diagnostic equipment, dedicated operating theatres and roundthe-clock on-site care. Voted UK Practice of the Year two years consecutively by the pet owning public, we regularly accept referrals from across the region.
at Blacks, we encourage all of our pet owners to think seriously about investing in good quality pet insurance to ensure that you don’t have to face a situation like this. As animal lovers as well as veterinary care professionals, our priority is always to provide the very best care for a pet and the ability to react swiftly in serious clinical situations can make all the difference to some outcomes. In most cases, our dedicated in-house insurance team can take the hassle out of paperwork by
dealing directly with the insurer on your behalf, ensuring that you can devote your time and energy to being with your pet as they get well. To find out more about available services at Blacks Vets, visit www.blacksvets.co.uk or call 01384 252509.
The importance of good pet insurance When a much-loved pet is ill or injured, it is an extremely worrying time for you and your family and the last thing you want to consider is cost. No-one wants to face difficult choices with potentially life-threatening consequences for their pet, with the thought of money entering into the equation. Unfortunately, there is no NHS equivalent for pets which is why
www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk
55
Christmas
has arrived at Lealans Garden Centre
Tips are provided by Ann Winwood, Lealans Garden Centre, Wolverhampton
red-orange berries. Azaleas will flourish in either a warm or cool room and are very easy to keep.
At the time of writing America is currently suffering from storm Matthew, meanwhile we’ve had a fairly mild spell of weather, but with winter just around the corner it’s time to get the garden ready for the colder weather. Make sure you’ve got fleece or fleece bags ready to put over tender plants such as Cordylines, Hebes, Tree Ferns and other semi hardy plants once the frosts arrive. Remove leaves from around roses and other deciduous plants and put onto the compost heap. Borders can then be mulched with compost, well-rotted manure or bark. Make sure hosepipes are drained and stored in the dry before we get frosts; cover outdoor taps over to prevent freezing.
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So long as there’s no frost in the ground you can still plant bare root hedging, and for winter colour why not add shrubs such as Pernettyas, Skimmias or Sarcoccoa. Continue planting pansies, wallflowers and winter bedding, the sooner it’s done now the better. November is the ideal month for planting tulip bulbs. As the end of November approaches, many people start to purchase the traditional Christmas house plants. One of the best is the Poinsettia. It gives instant colour in a room. Give them good light during the day and a warm room at all times. Only water when the soil is dry and never stand in water for longer than 10 minutes. 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. There’s also the Christmas Cherry with its shiny
Freshly cut Christmas trees are available from the end of November. We sell both cut and pot-grown trees. The most popular cut tree being the Nordman Fir with its low needle drop. We’ve used the same grower for many years and the trees are always bushy and of top quality. Sizes range from 1m right up to 2.4m. Place in a stand or pot that can be kept moist, as warm temperatures and dry air inside make the tree absorb water very quickly. Keep away from hot radiators, open fires and TV sets. Our rooted trees have been grown in their pots and have a good chance of surviving for another year once planted outside. Our range includes Norway Spruce, Nordmans and the increasingly popular Blue Spruce. We display our trees in a cold greenhouse so even if it’s raining you can choose your tree in comfort, all our trees can be netted and loaded into your vehicle for you by our staff. Our spectacular Christmas display will be up and running from mid-October. There’s a vast array of baubles, garlands, lights and cherry blossom trees and if you don’t want a real tree, there’s an excellent range of artificial ones. Becoming more popular over the last few years are the lit ornaments – battery and mains powered and available for indoor and outdoor use – and there’s also animals, vases, Santa and snowmen and a vast array of coloured lights.
town & village life magazine | november/december 2016
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
www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk
57
The history of Christmas evergreens
Evergreens have been symbols of everlasting life since long before the Romans landed so decorating the home in mid-winter with evergreens is a very old tradition, older in fact than the celebration of Christmas itself. Greenery was gathered largely around the winter solstice and hung about the home as a sign that winter was not everlasting and to welcome the spirits of the woods into the home, hopefully, bringing good luck. Early Christians ignored the custom for many years because of its pagan origins. Centuries old habits however are hard to repress. The Church eventually accepted the inevitable and evergreen decorations became a symbol of the season at Christmas.
In various parts of the British Isles other plants achieved popularity at Christmas including rosemary, ilex, and cypress. The properties attributed to each however are very regional and rather too numerous to expound here.
Mistletoe, the Golden Bough of classical legend, was sacred to the Druids and the Norsemen. It was the plant that slew Baldur the Beautiful and was too strongly pagan to be allowed into Christian churches - a taboo that survives to this very day all over the British Isles with the exception of York Minster. In a medieval ritual, a branch of mistletoe was laid ceremoniously on the high altar and left for the duration of the twelve days of Christmas. During that time, prisoners were pardoned and liberty
proclaimed throughout the City of York. This part of the ceremony appears to have lapsed somewhat! Kissing beneath the mistletoe appears to be a purely British custom observed nowhere else in the world. In the days before the arrival of the Christmas tree, a kissing ring was hung from the centre of the ceiling.
It was a crown or globe of evergreens adorned with candles, rosettes, ribbons and red apples, with a bunch of mistletoe attached below. Often streamers were also attached suspending small gifts. The custom was to kiss and take a berry from the mistletoe. When all the berries were gone, the mistletoe had to be replaced because its magic had been used up.
Holly and ivy were among the favourite evergreens. Laurel and bay came with the Roman invasion. Holly has always been considered a lucky tree as well as a very symbolic one, its spines now act as a reminder of Christ’s crown of thorns and the berries represent the drops of blood spilt when the crown was thrust on His head. Many folk still believe it is unlucky to cut holly unless you crave its pardon first, as is the custom with the elderberry. Ivy berries were long associated with the devil and the idea was to bring the plant into the home in order to keep daemons away. To drink from a cup made of its wood was thought to be a cure for alcohol induced ills - an original hangover cure if ever there was one! 58
town & village life magazine | november/december 2016
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Local company services all types of boiler
for just £39!
Many people put off having their boiler serviced because of cost. Now, with local company Gas First servicing all types of boiler for an all-inclusive £39, there really is no excuse to put lives at risk any longer. Based in Kingswinford, Gas First utilises the very latest combustion testing equipment and provide gas safety certificates after each service. Gas First engineer Martin explains: “ The special offer really is an inclusive price, we do not charge for add ons and we do NOT attempt to sell additional services. Customers can be assured that they are dealing with a gas safe registered engineer, fully trained and insured to offer a comprehensive boiler service. Servicing normally takes one hour.”
Anything else? “We pride ourselves on punctuality; if we say 2 pm we really do mean it.” Martin added “... and if someone is not ready for their annual service yet, they can still book now and secure the offer price, even if it’s not due till next year”. Services can be booked by telephone or you can book online at gasfirst.net
So what happens if the service takes longer? Martin continues “a couple of weeks ago I spent over 2 hours sorting out a problem during a service. The customer was quite surprised when I said it was still just £39. People seem to think there is a catch, there isn’t. The offer is not FROM £39, it is £39. The offer is genuine and this is the amount you will pay.”
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town & village life magazine | november/december 2016
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Arthur’s Of The Grand Bar - Design by Grant Bushell - Photograph by Jonathan Hipkiss
A i n’ t L i fe
Grand
Serendipity is often a writer’s strongest ally – and it’s not until just before tonight’s performance of The Sound of Music at Wolverhampton’s iconic Grand Theatre that I realise I’m in luck, because right up until this point I’ve been harbouring a sliver of chagrin from having just missed out on a much-lauded performance of The Shawshank Redemption. Inspired by a firm film favourite of mine, Shawshank – I eventually realise – would have been so 62
absorbing that it may have eclipsed the primary focus of my visit, to enjoy the recent redevelopment of all three levels of the theatre’s front of house and – more specifically – the brand new Private Hire Booths, which treat parties of up to six people to sybaritic luxury: before, after and during every performance.
By Rob Taylor theatre I haven’t visited since I was sixteen, going on seventeen. Like the musical, the Grand itself has always been an “oldie but a goodie” and yet – save for the imposing exterior façade – the £1.2 million redevelopment, part-funded by Wolverhampton City Council, sees the perennial favourite of the stars from stage and screen looking sharp, contemporary and in ruder health than when it first opened its doors in 1894. And now not only theatre-goers are invited inside. The ground level couldn’t be more inviting from the pavement, now that the old confectionary kiosk has been replaced by a bar, serving everything: including fresh cakes, teas and coffees from 11am, Monday to Saturday. Adjacent
So since I – and every other person ever – have seen The Sound of Music every Christmas, I’m able to periodically tune out of the show and still not lose the plot, since I must confess that musicals are not among my favourite things. Instead I opt to ruminate upon just what a staggering The Sound of Music UK Tour - Lucy O’Byrne accomplishment has as Maria - Photograph Mark Yeoman taken place at the local
town & village life magazine | november/december 2016
Exclusive Booth Experience
is The Encore Lounge, which is brimming with booth-style seating areas and prone to hold intimate shows including live music and comedy evenings. With such rich and sympathetic rejuvenation writ large on every wall, the Grand in its latest guise cannot fail to whet the appetite of any visitor, whether newcomer or long-term supporter. As I escort my long-supporting girlfriend Nicola towards the staircase I explain to her that we’ll be sitting within the grandeur of the Dress Circle – the area once reserved only for the gentry; after first being served Prosecco and nibbles by our very own personal waiter in our exclusive booth inside the fabulously Art Deco Arthur’s of the Grand bar. There are two packages for guests to choose from, ‘Beginners’ for £50 and ‘Applause’ for £60. Both include generous drinks and snacks, but what’s really worth paying for is the flexibility to leave behind your coats in the security of the booth; the privacy to chat quietly without the din from the bar imposing upon you and your guests; the option to pop back and forth throughout the performance for a seat better than any other in the house – and to have a hot drink waiting for you at the interval. Of the five booths, the one we find ourselves relaxing in for nearly an hour before the performance is known only as ‘Gatsby.’ Evocative www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk
of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s magnum opus on decadence and excess, the booth is aptly named and does delight every one of the senses: when peering out from the gently up-lit second-floor balcony into the October night, Lichfield Street has never looked so good. Our waiter Matthew is friendly and attentive to a fault; we meander into the auditorium to find every one of the 1,200 seats renewed and offering much comfort for the impending two hours. The performance is triumphant; the set-design imaginative and it boasts a live orchestra that can do restraint as well as high drama.
My ears all too quickly attest that all of the very many trills are alive and well with The Sound of Music, in the legendarily acoustically-pleasing Grade II-listed horseshoe-shaped theatre. The Grand Theatre has been with us for even longer than The Sound of Music and this recent redevelopment ensures that it’ll be here long into the future. So before I bid you so long, farewell; I heartily recommend that you experience the theatre as only the gentry could way back when the Grand first opened, like a VIP in the lap of luxury.
The Stalls Foyer - Design by Grant Bushell - Photograph by Jonathan Hipkiss
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Food, Drink, Eating Out & Entertainment
TOWN & VILLAGE
LIFE M AGA Z I N E
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Christmas AT HALFPENNY GREEN VINEYARDS Award winning English Wines • Local produce shop and deli Renowned restaurant and tea rooms On site craft centre featuring Santa’s Grotto Restaurant and tea rooms with daily specials and a Christmas Fayre menu throughout December (until 24th.) Shop and deli set over 3 floors, with a range of our award winning wines, British gin and other alcohols, a variety of gifts, confectionery and homemade food, plus custom and corporate hampers, gift wrapping and custom wine labeling services. Vouchers available for a range of experiences including wine tasting, tours and high teas, plus many more! A La Carte fine dining evenings throughout the year - Friday 9th December Christmas themed evening (bookings only).
OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK 9.00AM – 5.00PM
Halfpenny Green Vineyards Tom Lane, Bobbington South Staffordshire DY7 5EP
TELEPHONE 01384 221122
sales@halfpenny-green-vineyards.co.uk www.halfpenny-green-vineyards.co.uk www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk
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Tea for Two
Cream scones, dainty sandwiches and a glass of bubbly or two: despite the rise of trendy coffee shops the very British institution of afternoon tea is now thriving. Rob Taylor takes a taste of what’s on offer from afternoon tea at Himley Hall.
To the delicate question of what should first be applied to the mouth-wateringly light, raisinloaded scone – Cornish clotted cream or strawberry jam – came the expertly diplomatic answer from my long-suffering girlfriend, Nicola: “There is no one right way to eat a scone. It’s all a matter of taste.” Indeed; the Afternoon Tea we are about to enjoy at Himley Hall has so very much to do with taste; all of it good, none of it bad; well, save for my decision to – again in the words of my delectable dining companion – “go all Downton Abbey” by tucking-in my shirt in readiness for our visit. After all, I reason, Himley Hall is a 18th Century Palladian mansion set among 180 acres of Capability Brown-designed parkland; it is the former seat of the Earls of Dudley; a building which has received royal patronage (in 1934 the Duke and Duchess of Kent honeymooned at Himley and The Prince of Wales – later Edward VIII – spent his last weekend
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there before his abdication) and is now owned and operated by Dudley Council, so I really ought to show some due decorum. However, despite much historical pomp and circumstance I’m delighted to find The Green Room – previously the formal dining room of the house, with views out across the terrace and on to the lake – looking supremely elegant and yet invitingly informal. Which is just as well because today it’s no longer just the rich and fortunate who can partake in the tradition first enjoyed by the seventh Duchess of Bedford and her upper class gal pals in the mid-19th century – because today just £19.95 per person (or £23.50 if you’d like Prosecco or a Bombay Sapphire G&T too) buys you a piece of luxury and tickets are unsurprisingly selling like hot cakes. Oddly, for this great British tradition there really isn’t that many rules when it comes to the food: a standard afternoon tea comprises a layer of sandwiches, a layer of cakes and a layer of scones, all presented on a pretty stand, all at once. But Himley Hall doesn’t operate a ‘dole-out and disappear’ technique, instead a friendly and highly efficient team of waiting staff deliver each exquisite parcel separately, allowing for the proper pause between courses, beginning with – what else! – tea and coffee. Immediately I realise how modern living starves us of niceties that are not missed until they are received: like linen napkins stuffed into wine glasses, crisply-laundered table cloths and proper tea delivered properly, via pot and strainer. We have learned to accept everything
as a means to an end, but at Himley Hall we are encouraged to enjoy the journey, as well as the eating; lots and lots of eating – long into the afternoon. We start with a Prawn ‘Martini’, which is a cute little novelty designed to spark the taste buds into action. Then follows a selection of ribbon sandwiches, which include: Wiltshire Ham and Tomato, Free Range Egg and Mayonnaise and Mature Cheddar Cheese and Farmhouse Chutney. Both Nicola and I are keen to sample at least one of each variant; neither of us can fault either presentation or taste. The standout sandwich is, we both agree, Ham and Tomato. Only gluttons will be left asking for more. After a well-judged sorbet palate cleanser, next up is what I’d argue to be most synonymous with afternoon tea: ‘Warm Scone served with Strawberry Conserve and
thick fresh cream’. Get this right and I’m sold; wrong, and I’m crestfallen. Happily Himley Hall nails it because these are scones to sigh for. Moist, laden with just the right number of raisins and delicately textured, they are a triumph. And – for your information – we both apply cream before jam. And so, with our waistbands now uncomfortably tight and my mind so tea-addled that I more than once mistake the giant chandelier which hovers above us to be a glowing orb of the Third Kind, here come the cakes. A selection of ‘two bite cakes’ - Vanilla Blonde, White Chocolate and Raspberry Cheesecake, Belgian Brownie and a Tarte au Citron is presented to us on what I refer to as a “food bookcase”. Each one of the bijou offerings tantalise and excite without overwhelming the senses too much: every morsel is a delight to eat. And after taking home the remnants, I’m still eating cake days later (admittedly with PG Tips). There’s a real sense of permanence at Himley Hall; every room and corridor resonates with historical import – it’s there in every nook and cranny – and with afternoon tea this good, I can see this new tradition continuing indefinitely as well. Himley Hall & Park, Himley, Dudley, DY3 4DF. Please call 01384 817817 to enquire about current dates available or to make a booking. www.dudley.gov.uk/himleyhall
www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk
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RECIPE
Serves 6 By Mike Whitehurst
CHRISTMAS INDULGENCE
This dessert is a bit of an indulgence, full of rich flavours and perfect for a gourmands Christmas lunch. There are quite a few elements to prepare ahead of time but if you want to buy something in to save time then buy the meringue but make the brownie and the other stuff is pretty easy. INGREDIENTS • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
2 250g blocks of unsalted butter 250g tub of cocoa powder 500g bag of caster sugar 1k bag of soft dark brown sugar 12 free range eggs 1 bag of organic self raising flour 150g of mascarpone 150ml of double cream 1 bottle of vanilla extract 1 bottle of baileys liqueur 1 lemon 1 pack of hazelnuts 1 pack of physalis 1 flake
Equipment • • • • • •
SALTED CARAMEL
Piping bags Baking trays Bowl and whisk Blow torch or grill Icing sugar duster Parchment paper
Melt 100g of butter with 100g of dark brown sugar 50ml of double cream and a pinch of maldon sea salt, whisk together well and put in the fridge to cool.
MERINGUE
CHOCOLATE BROWNIE Melt 250g of unsalted butter then add 500g of dark brown sugar, a splash of vanilla extract or tia maria and allow to dissolve then take off the heat and fold in 100g of self raising flour and 200g of cocoa. Now quickly beat in 4 eggs and pour into a greased and lined baking tin (12” x 8”) and bake for 30 minutes on 175oC. Allow to cool and cut a quarter of it off the slab then cut that into small squares. Wrap the remaining brownie up and keep in the fridge for up to a week.
Whisk 50g of egg white with 100g of gently heated caster sugar and a squeeze of lemon juice then spoon small quenelles or pipe onto a nonstick baking mat and dry out in oven for 1 hour on 90oC. ASSEMBLY
Beat 25g of caster sugar into 150g of mascarpone with a splash of vanilla extract and put into a piping bag.
Pour a glug of baileys liqueur into the bottom of a glass dessert bowl and place the brownie chunks on top and pour more baileys over the top. Pipe the mascarpone on top then the cocoa chantilly, crush and toast a handful of hazelnuts then sprinkle over. Spoon the salted caramel onto the brownie and break up a flake bar over the top and crush meringue over then place the physalis on top with the leaves pulled back over the fruit and twist the leaves. Now dust with icing sugar and serve. (You can heat the brownie up if you prefer.)
COCOA CHANTILLY
SERVING SUGGESTION
Whisk 100ml of double cream with 20g of cocoa powder and put in a piping bag.
Get some glasses and ice out and put the rest of the bottle of baileys in the middle of the table.
VANILLA MASCARPONE
Recipe by Mike Whitehurst, photography by Megan Cupitt-Lawrence instagram.com/takefood www.takefood.co.uk 68
town & village life magazine | november/december 2016
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
Christmas Day Menu now available... Bookings now being taken for 6 course traditional or Bengali style Christmas Day Lunch, Christmas Office Parties and Christmas Family and Friends Get-togethers.
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
Rafique Miah welcomes you to the longest established Indian and Bangladeshi Restaurant in Wombourne Village, serving sumptuous Bangladeshi Cuisine for over 28 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 www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk
facebook.com/wombourne.tandoori
www.wombournetandoori.com 69
Balti Bazaar – great ambience, even better food
Winning combination – chef Monsur Ali, centre, with Raheel Miah, left, and Shehzad Miah
Take a walk along Lye’s High Street on a busy Friday evening and your senses will be pleasantly assaulted by a myriad of Subcontinent spices all tempting you to get a table in the Black Country’s very own balti belt. If you’ve never been to this curry metropolis, it’s one for the bucket list – but believe me, you need to choose carefully. Exquisite onslaughts on the senses don’t always guarantee worthy food. Sadly, too many curry houses are happily making a living out of mediocrity, serving food
that’s surprisingly only agreeable after a skinful of ale and ‘a night out with the lads’. In sober reality, however, many of these dishes would shame the rich culinary heritage of what we have come as a nation to love: Our Indian food. Generalisms can be cruel I know, and I don’t wish to be, but may I suggest that if you do take a stroll down (there is a slight incline) the High Street in search for a spicy experience, you take a sharp left at Lye Cross and visit the Balti Bazaar directly on your right. You can’t miss it. With it’s own car park and distinctive fluted columns on its porch, the neon lights make it a prominent landmark. On and off, I’ve been partaking of Lye’s curries for some three decades and I’m not sure whether it’s a romance thing or whether our taste buds change with age. In those early years, for me, the food appeared much better. That was, of course, until I was commissioned to do a review of family-run restaurant, Balti Bazaar. Clearly it’s an award-winner – a collection of gastronomic accolades adorn the walls – and the hospitality is good too. Stereotypically Indian, in the best of ways, from the moment I stood in the reception area with my guest, Gill, we were both made extremely welcome. Other diners arrived and, reassuringly, the same cordial approach was repeated. Nothing appeared staged or scripted and there seemed to be a genuine desire to please. Ultimately it’s food that defines a
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It worked brilliantly with the side dish we were advised to order along with a shared simple rice. In summing up, Gill declared it “one of the best curries I’ve ever eaten.” I’m a lover of garlic and the Bengali dish did not disappoint. Proper chicken here – no processed stuff – and it was cooked to perfection. Fresh green chillies offered plenty of heat and this curry house believes in cooking its garlic properly. There’s nothing worse than to experience the unprovoked violence of nearly raw garlic. restaurant, but being treated well by enthusiastic staff is always a good opener for any ‘foody’ excursion. Recently refurbished with a fusion of modern and traditional styles, Shehzad (Shehz) Mia shares the management role with brother Raheel and their respected father, “Mr Miah.” After praising the capabilities of fusion chef, Monsor Ali, Shehz adds: “You can choose from our extensive menu, or, if you wish, our chef will cook you an individual dish.” The menu is indeed extensive – several pages of mains, so I decline the bespoke offer and gravitated towards the signature dishes. “We’ve been going for more than 20 years and we get a lot of diners throughout the week. It means we can always buy fresh. Nothing gets left over and stored for the following week,” he adds. It’s all the things I wanted to hear as I pored over the food options.
Pangash (or pangas) is notoriously easy to overcook and it can become dry and rubbery. Usually purchased in fillets, it’s mild, white flesh can cook in seconds – a real challenge for a chef in a busy kitchen. My dish was mildly spiced, beautifully moist and had been grilled with a mix of garlic, coriander and onion. Served with salad it made for a light, yet tasty starter. Gill’s vegetable samosas and accompanying salad also met with approval. Staff were attentive, but not overpowering and we were offered extra dips to dress our food if required. I was interested to see how Gill’s lamb would be served. The tandoori-cooked generous portion was dished up in a rich, spicy sauce infused with fresh mango, peppers and green chillies. Medium hot, it was delightful and the lamb a must-repeat, melt-in-the-mouth experience.
Everything about our experience at the Balti Bazaar was heartening. The place was buzzing with a brisk trade on a Tuesday evening. They must be doing something right! It’s hard to define yourself as different in an area where every other shop seems to be a curry house. But the brothers and their father have done it spectacularly at a price that is comparable with many other restaurants just up the road. Full-on food, great staff and a talented chef they should manacle to his stoves for life. Clearly a great cook and one that should keep the curry devotees tumbling through the Balti Bazaar doors perhaps for another 20 years. The restaurant is now taking bookings for Christmas Day dinner, to book your table please call 01384 353800. Balti Bazaar, 1a Pedmore Road, Lye, Stourbridge DY9 8DJ. contact@baltibazaaronline.co.uk www.baltibazaaronline.co.uk
I decided to indulge in the fish (pangash) tikka for starters and a Bengali garlic chilli chicken dish for mains. Gill (predictably) plumbed for a vegetable samosa starter and Khairabadi lamb, main. Of course, no curry is complete without a side dish (saag aloo), pilau rice and poppadums to get the taste buds going. The pappadums arrived hot and were delightfully light. With onions, a tasty yoghurt dip, chilli sauce and mango chutney, they went down a treat. www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk
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Himley Hall A local treasure
Himley Hall is an 18th Century former stately home set amongst 180 acres of ‘Capability Brown’ landscaped parkland, situated between Stourbridge and Wolverhampton. Once the family home to the Earls of Dudley and host to royalty and high society, today it offers a glamorous setting for civil wedding ceremonies and receptions, elegant afternoon teas, special occasion celebrations and parties, art and craft exhibitions as well as prestigious conference facilities and guided tours.
Celebration with disco, Wedding Breakfast and Evening celebration or simply a ceremony only.
In 1934 the Duke and Duchess of Kent spent the first two weeks of their honeymoon at Himley. Today, couples may marry where Royal newlyweds once took their honeymoon, and photograph their special day in the grounds where princes and earls once strolled.
The former dining room, the elegant Green Room, is perfect for larger ceremonies of up to 75 persons, and also offers Great Lake views. The terrace may again be accessed from the adjacent Pink Room.
WEDDING DAY CHOICES Himley Hall offers a range of options for weddings including full wedding packages of Ceremony, Wedding Breakfast and Evening
Himley Hall has 3 ceremony rooms, the Pink and the Green Rooms have views towards the Great Lake, and the Oak Room overlooks the Hall’s courtyard. The Pink Room, the former library, hosts up to 45 guests including the wedding couple with private access onto the Hall terrace for drinks and photographs. The Oak Room is licensed for up to 55 guests.
RECEPTION ROOMS Wedding Breakfasts for 45-90 guests may be held in several of Himley Hall’s refurbished rooms; the Green Room with its dazzling chandelier, the Oak Room; a delightful wood panelled room and in the sumptuous Art-Deco style Swimming Pool Room in the North Wing. This wing includes the Cinema Bar , the Earl of Dudley’s former private cinema, these days an elegant 1930’s style lounge bar. The Swimming Pool Room has a dance floor and lighting and sound system and can host evening functions for 80-140 guests,
following a wedding breakfast or following a late ceremony.
TREAT SOMEONE TO A TASTE OF INDULGENCE FOR CHRISTMAS If you are struggling for a gift idea for someone who enjoys the finer things in life then treat them to a ‘taste of indulgence’ with a Himley Hall Afternoon Tea gift voucher. Himley Hall’s Indulgent Afternoon Teas offer visitors the opportunity to enjoy one of the true traditions of our culinary heritage. The classic combination of ribbon sandwiches, scones with fruit conserve and cream, sweet pastries and tea in the superb setting of Himley Hall is an afternoon of indulgence not to be missed. Vouchers are per person and start at £19.95 for an Indulgent Afternoon Tea with options to add a glass of sparkling Prosecco or a G&T. Vouchers are available online at www.dudley.gov.uk/himleyhall or by calling Himley Hall on 01384 817817 Afternoon Tea in Himley Hall must be pre-booked and is offered on individual weekday dates each month. Individual, small party or large group bookings are available up to a maximum of 100 persons.
If you would like more details on Himley Hall as a civil wedding ceremony and reception venue or for an Indulgent Afternoon Tea please call 01384 817817 or visit www.dudley.gov.uk/himleyhall 72
town & village life magazine | november/december 2016
www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk
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By John Nash
A genuine ‘fresh’ approach to ‘old school’ curry I read sometime ago that ‘old school’ is the new thing with Indian cuisine.
My confession: I’m a hopeless Indian subcontinent food addict and even whilst taking part in a strict, sponsored diet, I find myself sampling
the delights of traditional Bangladeshi cooking at the Wombourne Tandoori. Torn between guilt and the undeniable pleasures of some great signature dishes, the appeal of living like a nun was subjugated in a single phone call to book a table for two. But this outing to a restaurant that is far from retro in its presentation – it’s
a clean, crisp, modern environment – had, quite literally, a hidden agenda that’s very ‘old school’. In a previous interview with restaurateur Rafique Miah he had mentioned his tantalising bespoke approach to WT dining “with up to 70 recipes not listed on the menu” and creative additions to suit diners’ preferences. From simple masalas and dhansaks to more obscure dishes, the kitchen can create dining tailored to taste. Love it. Too good an opportunity to miss, especially when many of the recipes have been sourced by Rafique in annual food pilgrimages tracing family roots.
Simple pleasures – crisp and light papadums served with sweet onions, a generous selection of pickles, chutneys and a raita dip
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For instance, the Jaflonghe dish is a generational family recipe hand-down and the Seremongoli – a dryish, sweet dish that’s popular with diners – was perfected during trips to Sylhet. Rafique is a serious food contender with a core of customers who have been loyal for more than 25 years. His pursuit of Indian food discovery keeps things fresh at his Wombourne village square premises and, in his own words, “it’s hard for my rivals to copy.” Curry heaven – top, Chicken Tikka Seremongoli, but with a spicy twist He adds: “The recipes that are and, bottom, Lamb Methi Gosht with fresh methi ‘from the market’ not on the menu help to define us. They’re our own and will remain so. Many have come from my journeys, myself and companion Gill it’s enough for a starter… they are the absolute authentic taste of Indian cuisine.” besides I can’t wait to get into the main course.
Reimaging traditional Indian food history into a trendy, busy restaurant is possible, but the clever alchemy to pull it off is a rare find. Quite how it works with the WT I’m not sure, but it does, and spectacularly so. I’m not a chef, but had a privileged grounding in Indian food as a guest in a school friend’s home. Back in the day there were no takeaways, no balti bazars, no Indian restaurants, but we did have Sohan’s mother’s Indian cooking. Since those blissfully simple days, my taste buds bar has always been high. Clearly I recall the explosion of flavours served in a front room decorated with flowers and peacock feathers. I was amazed how I could taste the full flavour of lamb (my favourite meat) in a rich spice-tingling sauce. Preserving, yet simultaneously infusing flavours, is true kitchen wizardry. On a Tuesday evening the restaurant was buzzing with most of the covers taken and I note a healthy stream of callers picking up takeaways throughout my stay. Going to Wombourne Tandoori is not a quick fix. The ethos of this restaurant is all about food quality, so expect to wait for freshly cooked dishes. Believe me, it’s small price to pay if you’re really into your curries and the front of house hospitality is always warm. The WT papadums arrive hot, are delightfully light and are served with sweet onions, a generous selection of pickles, chutneys and a raita dip. For Wombourne Tandoori owner Rafique – bespoke dining with 70 dishes not on the menu
Gill plumbed for a Chicken Tikka Seremongoli. Pineapples were introduced to India by the Portuguese in the 16th century, the Bangladesh climate suited their cultivation and they became an essential ingredient for this dish. The preparation is generally not that hot, but Gill wanted it seriously fiery. Indeed it was, the additional Naga chillies transforming this normally subtle encounter loaded with succulent chicken, into something very special. Despite the heat, it was a feast of distinctive flavours, served with pea-pilau rice and slices of naan bread. I have developed a trusting relationship with Rafique and anything he recommends is worth serious consideration. Having dined on (slimming) fish for nearly a month, I seized the opportunity for a lamb dish. Rafique: What do you want John? Me: Lamb’s good. Rafique: How do you want it? Me: Do something from your secret menu that has a kick, but not overpowering. Result: A Methi Gosht dish and taste bud heaven. Methi is a Hindi term for fenugreek and these herb leaves are used in Indian dishes. In most restaurants the methi is dried. Not only was the lamb lean and succulent – a real melt-in-the mouth experience – there was something distinctly different about my dish. Only on questioning Rafique did he reveal what it was. I’m familiar with the taste of dried methi, but in my dish the chef used fresh, green methi “from the market”. It’s a distinct, lovely taste and one not easily forgotten. Again served with naan and pea-pilau rice – just excellent. Fancy being adventurous with your curry night out? Ask for an off-the-menu treat from this Wombourne curry king. Wombourne Tandoori, High Street, Wombourne WV5 9DN. For bookings please contact 01902 324148 / 324437.
www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk
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Eating Out and Entertainment
TOWN & VILLAGE
LIFE M AGA Z I N E
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with Town & Village Life magazine. For further details contact Gisella on: 01902 744217
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Authentic Balti Tandoori Restaurant Special 5 course dinner on christmas day TRAdiTionAL
indiAn
Bread Roll with Butter
Poppadoms
Soup or Prawn Cocktail
Soup or Mixed Platter
King Prawn Mushroom with Creamy Garlic Sauce
Any 1 Main Course from Menu or Shahi Murghi
Roast Turkey Served with stuffing, gravy, roast potatoes, seasonal vegetable and cranberry sauce
(Chefs Recommendation - must be pre ordered)
Served with Pilau Rice or Nan
Christmas Pudding with Custard & Brandy Christmas Pudding with Custard & Brandy Sauce or Ice Cream or Cheesecake Sauce or Ice Cream or Cheesecake Cream Coffee with Mince Pies
Cream Coffee with Mince Pies
Adults: £28.95 child: £11.95 We are now taking bookings for Christmas Day lunch from 12.00pm till 4.00pm. 10% Deposit per person required. Advanced bookings only.
Book EARLy To AVoid diSAPPoinTMEnT!
Boxing day MondAy 26Th dEcEMBER 2016 oPEn FRoM 3.00PM TiLL 11.30PM TABLE BUFFETS Includes: Papadoms, Mix Starters, Mains Course, Rice & Nan
Book your christmas Work Party
£10.95 per person
FUncTion RooM AVAiLABLE Early Bookings Recommended!
A la carte menu also available
1a Pedmore Road, Lye, Stourbridge
Tel: 01384 353 800 / 07734 007 778 Email: contact@baltibazaaronline.co.uk
www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk
www.baltibazaaronline.co.uk
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Christmas is in the air
at Halfpenny Green Vineyards Harvest is drawing to a close, the log burners are blazing and there’s a festive mood floating around at the South Staffordshire vineyard. And this year there’s a very special guest visiting during December… That’s right; Santa himself will be bringing his grotto to Halfpenny Green Vineyards! From 3rd December until Christmas Eve Santa and his helpers will be welcoming children and adults alike, and even offering a small gift to each child or, for an extra special treat, the option to make a teddy bear after your visit with TeddyTastic! For all prices and booking information, contact Skallywags Indoor Play on 01384 77004. For the big kid this Christmas there’s plenty on offer in the way of alcoholic treats in the shop - first and foremost the award winning English
Wine! The Vineyards have taken home almost 30 awards for their wines this year, including 8 trophies, from both national and international competitions. Big winners include the white Tom Hill, which has bagged gold and silver medals at home and abroad, and the new
vintage Late Harvest, a white dessert wine, picking up two trophies and a silver medal. The Rondo 2014, a full bodied 15% red, picked up awards on the international scene with its dark, chocolatey flavours, and the Penny Black, which is one of the first ever wines made at Halfpenny Green, achieved a silver medal in a UK national competition. To really get to grips with the wines, book a tasting session in the Wine Loft, which includes a cheese pairing option from the deli, and even a self-guided trail of the vineyard! In the shop, 2015 saw the launch of a successful range of custom hampers which could be filled with any products from the shop, such as wine, gin, biscuits, chocolates, tea, sweets and even cheese! There’s a whole range of carefully sourced fresh produce and premium brand products spread over three different floors - including the Wine Loft, dedicated entirely to alcohol! In addition to the wines, the loft now plays home to almost 50 small-batch British gins, which will soon feature as part of a gin tasting menu.
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features a unique three course menu, all prepared fresh to order by the chef and his team. On the 9th December a special Christmas themed evening is taking place, which will feature classic Christmas dishes, with an A La Carte twist! Places are limited, and available by booking only, by calling the restaurant on 01384 221122. Halfpenny Green Vineyards is the perfect destination this Christmas for all of your shopping, dining and entertainment needs. With over fifteen other bespoke and artisan businesses in the on-site craft centre, plus the recently opened WILD Zoological Park, why head anywhere else over the holidays? After your visit to Santa’s Grotto and a Christmas shopping spree, you can put your feet up in the restaurant for a relaxed lunch, surrounded by the Staffordshire countryside. Lunch is served between 12:00pm – 3:00pm, featuring a full menu and daily specials all cooked and prepared fresh to order in the kitchen. During the month of December until Christmas Eve, a Christmas Fayre Menu will be available, featuring a range of classic festive meals, perfect for a Christmas get together. Private evening functions are also available upon enquiry, ideal for company meals and celebrations. For a truly unique evening, The Vineyards have recently relaunched their fine dining A La Carte Evenings taking place on a selected Friday evening each month. Each night
Halfpenny Green Vineyards, Tom Lane, Bobbington, South Staffordshire DY7 5EP Tel: 01384 221122 www.halfpenny-green-vineyards.co.uk
COMPETITION Halfpenny Green Vineyards are giving one lucky reader the chance to take home a mixed case of six of their award winning wines.
For a chance to win, just answer the following question correctly:
Name one of Halfpenny Green Vineyard’s award winning English Wines. Email your answer to: info@townandvillagelifemag.co.uk
www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk www.wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk
Or on a postcard to: Town & Village Life Magazine, 1 Lytham Road, Perton, Wolverhampton WV6 7YY. Please include your name, address and telephone number. All entries to be received by Monday 5th December 2016.
Competition terms and conditions: Winner will be chosen at random from all correct entries received. Winner to be aged 18 years or older. Wine selection is from grape wines only and includes a maximum of one sparkling wine. All entry details will be forwarded to Halfpenny Green Vineyards unless requested otherwise.
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Pourquoi, pas de dinde à Noël ? What, No Turkey at Christmas? Although we are barely into autumn, Christmas starts to loom large in the minds of all restaurateurs as the logistics of this busy period must be planned well in advance, including the all-important menu for the festive season. The French, like the English, celebrate Christmas with family meals, usually eaten on Christmas Eve rather than on Christmas day, and their meals usually start with soup followed by an entrée of fish then a roast meat then cheese and a dessert. Celebration meals in France often last four hours
or more, which is rather more than the norm here in England. Here at the French Connection we tend to follow the Gascon tradition at Christmas and do not serve
turkey as we feel that most of our customers will have this at home. This year’s menu will probably include game, and a selection of fish and vegetarian dishes with roasted vegetables in duck fat (olive oil with vegetarian dishes) and a full range of entrees and desserts to suit all tastes. Most of our dishes are gluten free and we can cater for many specific dietary requirements with very little notice as we prepare our dishes in house with our own chefs. For those who might worry about the amount of duck fat we use in our Christmas cooking here, we are pleased to say that recent studies have shown that although Gascony has the highest consumption of animal fat (duck fat) in the civilised world, it also has the lowest incidence of heart disease and some of the longest lived people in Europe! Outside of the Christmas period we offer regular theme nights to celebrate the cuisine of other areas of France and on occasion feature specific restaurants that we have found on our travels. So whether you like the sunshine tastes of Provence, the comfort food of Normandy and Brittany or the gourmet menus of Paris and the wine routes of the Rhone why not visit us for an evening of authentic French Cuisine?
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town & village life magazine | november/december 2016
Christmas Season
Festive menus for both lunch and evening are available for family or business parties and Menus will include gluten free and vegetarian options. ALL our menus are turkey free!!
Festive Fayre Available from Monday 5th December and bookings are being taken now.
Lunch Menu £18.95 for three courses and Evening Menu £25.95 for three courses and there is a limited a la carte menu too.
New Years Eve Tickets available @ £65.00 per person includes a three course menu and champagne at midnight
For booking forms and menus call: 01384 390940
www.frenchconnectionbistro.com info@frenchconnectionbistro.com 3 Coventry Street, Stourbridge, DY8 1EP
www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk
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Armani Jeans Leather Jacket ÂŁ585
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town & village life magazine | november/december 2016
Is khaki the new black? Khaki is an easy wearable colour that works with other shades of green, neutral tones, plums and bright pop colours. The colour is transitional, versatile in winter or summer, and works well with denim. Khaki has a strong sense of style and is a great alternative to black. French Connection £100
French Connection £95
Alpha Industries £145
Calvin Klein £340
Michael Kors £495
Ted Baker £159
French Connection £100
www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk
Here you can see our favourite buys.
Visit Diffusion in Wolverhampton, Merry Hill Centre, Telford or Walsall, or online at diffusiononline.co.uk
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Christmas glamour guide: Hair
Make-up done? Now it’s time to style your party hair look.
Super sleek
For a sophisticated style, simply opt for straight, sleek tresses. Hair is more manageable when it’s not freshly washed, so cleanse it the day before the party and treat your tresses to a deep conditioning treatment.
When you’re ready to style it, protect your lengths using a heat protector spray and run the straighteners through section by section. Finish with a serum for a super-shiny finish.
Messy bun For a gorgeous, full bodied up-do, that’s effortlessly chic, texture your locks by tonging them all over and spray on some dry shampoo. Gather hair up into a messy bun and go.
Classic curls Curls are the classic go-to party look and they undoubtedly create a really glamorous finish. Inject some volume into your locks by using a volumising shampoo and conditioner before drying it upside down. Part hair on the side and tong it in large sections. Finish with a hairspray for added staying power.
Half-up, half-down Can’t decide on whether to wear your hair up or down? Well, why not do both? For a sexy look, scoop half of your hair back off your face and backcomb the crown for height and lift. Finish by styling the lengths with some long loose waves. Now that your hair and makeup is looking gorgeous, it’s time to find that little black dress and head straight to the party. 84
town & village life magazine | november/december 2016
Great
news!
ck from Jo is ba leave ity matern forward s k o lo and g you to seein on! so all very
We create beautiful looking hair L’Oréal Professionnel UK Salon. Experts in hair colouring, cutting and styling for women, men and children.
Party Ready Style
Post Party Pick-Me-Up
The highly skilled team of stylists at Jon Kevan are ready and waiting to welcome you into the salon and style your hair ready for the party season. Big waves, smooth and sleek blow-drys, curls and hair-ups are all on offer, meaning that there really is something for everyone.
When the festivities are over it’s time to transform tired, dry, lifeless locks with a post party pick-me-up and Jon Kevan’s range of expert treatments are ideal. There’s conditioning masques from the Pro-Fibre range as well as the salon’s new Smart Bond strengthening enhancer, which protects hair during colouring for stronger, softer, shiner hair. Of course the salon’s team are more than happy to help you find the right product for you.
To book an appointment please call 01384 273070
www.jonkevan.co.uk www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk
Open: Mon-Tue 9am-5pm, Wed 9am-8pm, Thu-Fri 9am-7pm, Sat 8am-4pm
You’ll find us at 18 Market Street, Kingswinford DY6 9JR
Wollaston Beauty Clinic
Treatments, gifts and more… There’s plenty more than just beauty treatments at Wollaston Beauty Clinic. From now until Christmas the salon will be showcasing a fabulous range of gorgeous Christmas gifts - that are perfect for friends and loved ones- from leading brands like Espa , bareMinerals, Dermalogica, Environ, Nailtiques and St Tropez. Salon manager, Jenny Birch explains: “As well as the beauty gifts there’s also a collection of jewellery and scarves, presents for both him and her and something special for everyone - young or old.” St Tropez gifts start from only £10 and come in festive ‘cracker’ style packaging - that’s sure to look great under any Christmas tree - and Dermalogica’s Christmas box sets are priced from only £15.50. “bareMinerals are one of the top brands in mineral make-up and we’ve got a wide selection at the salon.” The brand’s Christmas gift selection starts at only £19 and includes kits for eyes lips and face. “You’ll feel like a child in a sweet shop when you select your favourite gift from the Be Present Collection, which includes a limited edition bareMinerals radiant skin kit this year.” And don’t miss the Wonder of Espa Christmas Collection, which showcases limited editions, time honoured favourites and best selling beauty icons.
ESPA Body Shimmer Collection £39
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“From inspiring stocking fillers to extravagant luxuries, there’s a gift for everyone - you’ll even want to take one home for yourself.” This year there’s the addition of a stunning ceramic oil diffuser and a ‘Winter pine’ candle that sits alongside Espa’s signature ‘Winter Spice’ home fragrance. There’s also the return of the ever popular reed diffusers. There are some great savings to be had across home gifts, body collections and skin care sets at the salon. “All of our gifts are beautifully boxed and are gift wrapped, to save you valuable time this festive season.” And don’t forget, every time you buy products and gifts from the salon shop you’ll be rewarded with loyalty points.
Bareminerals Let It Glow £29
out of the way why not unwind with a luxury massage or facial, or perhaps even something to get you looking glam for the party season, like a manicure or a tan? The team at Wollaston Beauty Clinic are all expertly trained and provide a personalised and thoroughly relaxing experience. “We specialise in Espa, Dermalogica, Environ & Caci treatments, which are perfect for helping you to relax and look your best, ready for the festivities ahead.”
“These points add up fast and can be redeemed on a selection of treatments to pamper and indulge yourself for free.”
“We have been established for over 30 years and pride ourselves on our experience and professional excellence,” adds Jenny.
Wollaston only use the very best branded products, so once you’ve got all of your Christmas shopping
So, why not treat yourself, and someone else, today at Wollaston Beauty Clinic?
town & village life magazine | november/december 2016
Wollaston Beauty Clinic where relaxing & pampering is essential
www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk
153 Bridgnorth Road Wollaston DY8 3NU 01384 393305
www.wollastonbeautyclinic.co.uk87
Aristocats Autumn/W inter Aristocats aim to provide excellent customer service to women who appreciate quality fashion.
2016
Whatever the event our stylish Autumn/Winter designs will take individuals effortlessly to a wide range of functions, casual or formal, daytime, weddings, after six, cocktail or late evening. Our professional staff are always on hand, if required, to help with decision making and offer alternatives to customers from the West Midlands, Shropshire and further afield from the wide range of fashion designers.
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• Aldo Martins • Basler • Eugen Klein • Frank Walder • Joseph Ribkoff • Just White • Olsen • Oui • Rabe • Saint James
Open Monday to Friday 10am – 5pm, Saturday 10am - 4pm Ample parking behind the premises in New Street or on the road opposite the Esso petrol station.
Co-ordinated Day Wear • Coats • Cocktail & Evening Wear Lingerie • Accessories • Belts • Bags • Jewellery • Hosiery 234www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk Coalway Road, Penn,Wolverhampton WV3 7NN Tel: 01902 344003
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Award-winning service at Caprio’s make sure that our techniques are completely up-todate, ensuring we stay one step ahead of the rest.”
The team provide a full range of hair services; cutting, colouring, styling and of course, Great Lengths extensions: “We can cut and colour your hair, dress it for those important occasions - such as your wedding or prom - and provide you with those curls and tousles you find so hard to achieve yourself, ready for that big night out on the town.” As Great Lengths extension specialists, the team have created some amazing hair transformations. Great Lengths Extensions are 100% human hair, Prebonded Keratin bonds which we apply using a cold fusion application, in other words no heat, for the kindest virtually undetectable bond between your own hair and the extension which will last you between 4-6 months. “Using Great Lengths hair extensions we have transformed our client’s hair, giving them the style they’ve always dreamed of.” Whether you’re after a completely new look, a change of colour or maybe just a trim, you can be sure that you’ll receive an award-winning service at Caprio’s.
It’s been a great year for Kingswinford-based hair salon, Caprios. Not only has the business just celebrated its 19th birthday but it’s also achieved great competition success not just regionally but nationally! As owner, Jo Barnett-Toop explains: “We were finalists in two categories at the Great Lengths Awards that were held back in September, at The New Dock Hall in Leeds.” Achieving the runner-up trophy in the ‘The Gold Salon of the Year 2016/17’ group and ‘Classic Creation-Volume’ category, the team at the salon were delighted. “The Great Lengths awards are very prestigious, so we were really proud to win the runnersup place in not one, but two categories.” And this is by no means the first accolade that the salon has achieved, as Caprio’s have a long history of competition success. “We were winners of Great Lengths ‘Silver Salon of the Year’ award for ‘Outstanding Performance’ 2014/15 and were also nominated in the National Hairdressers Federations’ competition in several categories: ‘Salon of the Year’, ‘Hairdresser of the Year’, ‘Colourist of the Year’ and ‘Junior Hairdresser of the year’.” In 2012 Caprio’s were finalists for ‘Salon Photographic Image of the Year’ and ‘Salon Website and Social Media Marketing Salon of the Year’. And, in 2006 the ‘Salon Interior of the Year’ award. “We’re really proud of what we’ve achieved over the years because we’ve always worked hard to stay at the top of our game.” Clients at the salon know that Jo and her team of stylists provide exceptional service. “We’re not just any old salon; we constantly strive to bring our clients more. We regularly attend training seminars to 90
WE ARE OFFERING TOWN & VILLAGE LIFE MAGAZINE READERS TWO SPECIAL INTRODUCTORY OFFERS
Offer 1: Introductory offer for Great Length Extensions £50 OFF your first full head set of extensions at Caprio’s during Nov & Dec 2016. £60 OFF your first full head set of extensions at Caprio’s during Jan & Feb 2017. (Full head extensions range between £550-£900 plus depending on length, colours and thickness required) T&C’s: Offer valid only on presentation of this voucher at your consultation appointment. Only one voucher per person, not to be used in conjunction with any other offer, no photocopies accepted. TVL
Offer 2: Introductory Offer £10.00 OFF your first colour service at Caprio’s when paying for a full price Reshape & Finish Valid any day with Salon Consultants and Salon Stylists only. Valid until 31st January 2017. T&C’s: Please mention this offer at the time of booking to make sure your service is booked with a valid Stylist. Only on presentation of this voucher, a skin test MUST be carried out by Caprio’s at least 48 hours prior to colour service, only one voucher per person, not to be used in conjunction with any other offer. TVL
town & village life magazine | november/december 2016
Award winning Salon
01384 402890 Caprio’s Hair Studio, Unit 10, Stallings Lane, Kingswinford DY6 7SH
TRANSFORM YOUR HAIR AND LOOKS with Great Lengths hair extensions Model styled by Caprio’s
CApRIO’S GIFT VOUCHERS
Can be purchased for any denomination. Ideal for clients who would like a set of hair extensions! Spread the cost of your extensions by either purchasing a Caprio’s Gift Voucher for any denomination or paying a 50% deposit/pre-payment in-salon. (See our offers on the opposite page)
BEFORE
A WIDE RANGE OF CHRISTMAS HAIR GIFT SETS AVAILABLE For more info follow our facebook page and salon blog
www.caprioshairstudio.com
www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk FREE parking at rear of salon
24/7 On-line booking available
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town & village life magazine | november/december 2016
Classy Rags are offering Town and Village Life Magazine readers
15% OFF* Clothing and
10% OFF* Accessories purchased when you present this advert during November and December 2016 *Not valid against sale items, no photocopies and not in conjunction with any other offer
Classy Rags Casual & Designer Wear
0121 434 3727
627 Bearwood Road, Smethwick, Birmingham B66 4BL
Mother of the Bride Hats Jewellery French & Italian Casual Designer Wear Shoes Evening Wear Fascinators Bags Accessories www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk
Freeze away the years with CooLift at Hayley’s Beauty Boutique A revolutionary new anti-ageing system has recently been introduced at Hayley’s Beauty Boutique and it promises amazing results - even after just one session. As salon owner, Hayley Churchill, explains: “The CooLift Gun works to freeze away the years by pushing a powerful CO2 flow into the facial tissues, at a very low temperature (-20°c) and high pressure, along with a high concentration of atomised active ingredients.” Safe, fast and efficient, the treatment stimulates collagen, regenerates the dermis, leaves skin intensely hydrated and improves its texture and quality. And amazingly, that’s all after just one treatment with the CooLift Gun. “The process of using cryrotherapy - cold therapy - causes vasoconstriction, reduction of blood vessels, which brings the supply of oxygen to the cells and stimulates collagen and elastin formation which are both responsible for beautiful skin.” The application of the active ingredients, pressure and temperature are technically controlled so as not to cause any discomfort. “No special care is needed after a session and every aspect of the treatment is completely painless.” A single four minute session will dramatically improve the appearance of the skin and Hayley is able advise on how many future
treatments are required depending on your individual needs. “My clients - both male and female - have been absolutely amazed by the results of the CooLift Gun.” And it’s not just CooLifting that’s available at the salon to transform your skin and erase the years, there’s also the CACI Ultimate Machine and specialist facial aesthetics treatments too. “CACI offers a comprehensive range of treatments that improve the look of lines and wrinkles and firm-up sagging skin by combining Microcurrent, Facial Toning, Crystal Free Orbital Microdermabrasion and LED Light Therapy Photo Stimulation.” The system offers a comprehensive range of non surgical treatment options which are perfect for female, and male, clients of all ages. “CACI has gained a really large following and has many celebrity fans like Jennifer Lopez, Lisa Snowdon, Cliff Richard, Michelle Collins, Dale Winton, Barbara Windsor and Martine McCutcheon.”
Hayley’s Beauty Boutique also offers clients the option to book an appointment with Dr Chloe Butler (BDS), a practising dentist who specialises in facial aesthetics and founder of Bare Face Aesthetics. “Dr Chloe Butler has specialised in facial aesthetics for over 12 years and offers clients anti-wrinkle injections, dermal fillers and hyperhidrosis.” And Bare Faced Aesthetics’ aim is to make clients feel happy and confident about the way they look. It’s not just about beauty at Hayley’s though, as clients can also schedule an appointment with a HCPC registered podiatrist. Now that Christmas is just around the corner, there’s never been a better time to visit the salon and get your skin looking amazing just in time for the party season. “Whether you want to treat yourself or someone else, you can be sure that our treatments will make a real difference to your skin.” The salon’s gift vouchers are now on sale and provide the perfect present for friends and loved ones this Christmas. “Our Dermatolgica gift sets make great presents and we’ve got plenty of fabulous products to purchase in the HD Brows make-up range too.”
Before
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After
Whatever your beauty requirements, pay Hayley’s Beauty Boutique a visit today. town & village life magazine | november/december 2016
In 4 minutes your face will change
FREE CONSULTATION, £50 PER TREATMENT, COURSE OF SIX TREATMENTS £300 AND RECEIVE AN ADDITIONAL TREATMENT FREE* (*Free treatment when 6 treatments are paid in full at time of booking. Treatments can be paid per visit).
Dermalogica Facials Manicures Pedicures LVL Lashes HD Brows Massages Waxing Tinting Spray Tans Caci Anti-wrinkle Injection Dermal Fillers Podiatry
To book please call Hayley on 01384 293998 or 07739 712499 5 High Street, Wall Heath DY6 0HB (free parking)
www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk
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Dare to dazzle:
stunning party looks By Helen Taylor Christmas is all about glitz and glamour, that’s why dressing for those all-important festive parties gives you the perfect excuse to embrace a dazzling look. Whether it’s opting for a classic little black dress, wearing a show-stopping sequin number or even a heading-turning red dress, just make sure that you do it in style this season. Here are our favourite festive fashion picks, that’ll ensure you’ll be the belle of every ball this Christmas. Red Lace Dress £49.99 New Look
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Black Dress £229 Joseph Ribkoff at Aristocats
town & village life magazine | november/december 2016
Dress £55 Petite at M&Co
Dress £99 Monsoon Bag £285 Michael Kors at Diffusion
Dress £60 Next
Dress £65 Little Mistress
Bag £229 Ted Baker at Diffusion Necklace from the Mi Moneda range Sets from £125 T.A. Henn, Wolverhampton
Jewellery Sets from £115 Coeur de Lion at T.A. Henn, Wolverhampton
Dress £90 Matthew Williamson at Debenhams
Dress £75 So Fabulous at Littlewoods
Shoes £130 Ted Baker at Diffusion
Shoes £115 Michael Kors at Diffusion Watch RRP £229, our price £195 (price match) Bering at T.A. Henn, Wolverhampton
www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk
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Facebook “f” Logo
CMYK / .eps
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WINTER WARMER
JOIN THIS NOVEMBER FOR £10
THEN PAY NOTHING ELSE UNTIL JANUARY 2017! JOIN BETWEEN 1ST - 14TH NOVEMBER 2016 PAY A SMALL INITIAL PAYMENT OF £10 THEN NOTHING ELSE
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70p
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• Fitness Suite • Exercise Classes • Studio Cycling • Swimming • Toning Suite*
Cheslyn Hay Leisure Centre 01922 417790 • Codsall Leisure Centre 01902 844032
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town & village life magazine | november/december 2016
2163CW
Penkridge Leisure Centre 01785 714152 • Wombourne Leisure Centre 01902 898202
www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk
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Get Active with
resistance bands and balls. A chair is offered for support. Classes are suitable for people with controlled heart and lung conditions as well as people who just want to feel fitter in their retirement. The classes also benefit those with conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure.
adapted to suit individuals and two instructors in class mean clients receive guidance and help to get the most out of the exercises.
Active Seniors is a ‘not for profit’ Social Enterprise delivering exercise classes for anyone post – retirement, regardless of age, who wants to become more physically active. Active Seniors is run by Kim Sproston and Angela Amphlett who are highly qualified exercise specialists with years of experience and are trained to deal with a range of health and mobility problems. Both are listed with the ‘Register of Exercise Professionals’ as level 4 Postural Stability Instructors and are also BACR IV trained (British Association of Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation). Exercise can be
Our Strength and Balance classes are particularly beneficial to those who have experienced a fall or deterioration in their balance, but we also have classes that are suitable for those that are still active and want to stay that way! The evidence based and endorsed exercises are great for those diagnosed with osteoporosis and for anyone looking to keep strong bones.
We offer a free taster session to anyone who wants to try out our classes – just call us for a chat and we can suggest a suitable class for you to try. MEN we want you – we know you are out there! Our gents in class are heavily outnumbered by the fairer sex and we would love to see more men join us to even up the numbers. Come along and try a free session at any of our venues. Strength and balance classes Tuesday mornings - Sedgley Community Centre DY5 2UE
Classes are designed to increase flexibility, joint stability, balance, coordination, agility, muscular strength and cardiovascular endurance. The workout combines balance exercises and resistance (strength) training with plenty of friendly fun. There are classes to suit a range of abilities and some include elements of tai chi style movements to improve balance. There are two levels of classes – one level for beginners and one for the more able.
Tuesday afternoons - Hagley Community Centre DY9 0NW
Our ‘Happy Hearts’ classes are great for people who wish to improve their cardiac heart health but prefer to do this indoors but away from the gym. Increase your cardiovascular and muscular endurance in this standing group exercise and circuit workout. Fitness and fun come together as you alternate non-impact aerobic exercise with upper-body strengthening exercises using hand-held weights,
Tuesday late afternoon - Hagley Community Centre DY9 0NW (starting soon please ring for dates and times)
Wednesday afternoons - Nine Locks Community Centre, Brierley Hill (near Merry Hill) DY5 2UE Thursday mornings - Wall Heath Community Centre DY6 0JT Happy Hearts classes Monday mornings - Nine Locks Community Centre, Brierley Hill (near Merry Hill) DY5 2UE 11am -12
Ring Kim or Angela on 07512 546480 for more details and class times and to book your free taster class. Get active with Active Seniors and join one of our classes – we want to make it the very best hour of your day!
Active Seniors is a ‘not for profit organisation’ T: 07512 546480
E: activeseniorsclass@gmail.com
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town & village life magazine | november/december 2016
Simply Confident, Simply Natural…
Creating beauty in every smile
NEW CLINIC NOW OPEN
Mrs Clarke had become used to having dentures that were worn out and restricted choices she made. We were able to provide new dentures that were better fitting as well as look good too. We offer a complimentary consultation in order to see how we can best give you the right smile. Life is for living; don’t let your teeth limit you! Dentures by Mr Peter Brookes DipCDT, GDC No: 124429
For an appointment or info brochure call 01902 664634 NEW CLINIC AT: 16-17 Roseville Precinct, Castle Street, Coseley WV14 9EP Also at: Parkdale Dental Clinic, 82 Tettenhall Road, Wolverhampton WV1 4TF More info at www.simplydentures.net or find us on facebook
IT Techno-Phobes
With over 35 years of IT experience, IT Techno-Phobes focus is on those who need or want the most help with their technology. With specialist skills aimed particularly for the “Silver Surfer”, we can help with most IT related topics on a one to one basis in the comfort of your own home. Whether it is for a Desktop PC, Laptop, Mobile Phone or Tablet, we can get you started, back on track or further advance your existing IT skills, delivered in a
friendly, personal and professional manner at a level that can be easily understood. As well as IT tutoring, we can help if your PC is faulty and needs repairing, has a virus or malware and needs disinfecting or perhaps is out of date and needs upgrading. We also offer bespoke Spreadsheet and Database design services tailored exactly to your own personal requirements. If the IT boom of the new millennium passed you by, help is at hand.
www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk
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Counting Our Blessings THIS CHRISTMAS
Kevin with Libra Lea
With Christmas very much around the corner, and 2016 coming to a close, we take a look back at what has been a truly fantastic year, and reflect on all of the things that we should be grateful for. We’ve taken part in many national and local events throughout the year, including World Mental Health Day, World Smile Day, Cycling to Work Week, Eating Disorder Awareness Week and many more which are aimed at raising awareness of important subjects, helping others, and just doing good things. And while we’re hugely passionate about supporting these events and in sharing our top tips, guidance, support and ways in which can improve our health and wellbeing,
we wanted to take this opportunity to highlight the importance of diverting our focus from the negatives and being grateful for all of the positive things around us. This year we became back-of-shirt sponsors for the mighty Wolves, and have continued to sponsor the club’s Paycare Accessible Lounge – a sponsorship which has spanned more than two decades. But as you may know, we’re not only proud to be hugely involved in our local Championship team, but to have remained sponsors of various local community football clubs including: •
Wednesfield Ladies FC
•
Bilston Town FC
•
Darlaston FC
And many more to establish new sponsorships, such as with Black Country Fusion – the region’s first LGTB football club.
Nouha Dicko, Kevin Rogers of Paycare, and Jordan Graham
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But it’s not just our local football teams that we love to support. We’re Founding Patrons of The Way Youth Zone, sponsors of Wolverhampton University’s Faculty of Engineering
and Biosciences award, Libra Lee Netball Club, Staffordshire Wolves Cricket Club, and have taken part as a team in events to raise funds for Compton Hospice and the Wolverhampton Outreach Service. Not only that, but we’ve been proud sponsors of this year’s Midlands Business & Community Charity Awards which were set up by the very inspirational Zoe Bennett, with the aim of recognising unsung heroes from across the region and giving recognition to people who always give. Phew! As a not-for-profit organisation, the reason that we’ve been able to do all of this and give something back is because every other spare penny we receive which isn’t spent on improving our services, is shared with these charities, clubs, initiatives and the wider communities which we serve. This is how, and who, our policyholders have helped, and we’re hugely grateful. Wolverhampton has seen some really exciting developments too, with new funding seeing new and major shops brought to the city, along with new night-life and eateries. In fact, the city was dubbed the UK’s fourth best city for start-up businesses, with entrepreneurs attracted to the lower costs of living, high broadband speeds, public transport, and much more. We’re proud to have been based in Wolverhampton since 1874, and we’ve welcomed many positive changes. So while we look ahead into 2017, we wanted to share our positive outlook on the year gone by so quickly, and reflect on some of the exciting things we’ve been able to do, and who we’ve been able to support. It can be easy to focus on the negative things in the world and events going on around us, but it’s so important (especially at Christmas) to be truly grateful for all of the positive things we have in our lives. We hope you all have a wonderful Christmas, and we wish you all the best for 2017.
town & village life magazine | november/december 2016
Would you like to reclaim the money you spend on everyday health care?
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Cover starts from as little as £6.25 per month with your first premium FREE! Easy Healthcare Benefits Plans to Recover the Cost of Healthcare A Paycare plan makes healthcare cost recovery individual plans and corporate plans let you reclaim 100% of the money spent on healthcare such as dental, optical, chiropody and many more (up to an annual limit) for a simple monthly payment.
Under 25s Paycare Go is a healthcare benefits plan designed specifically for young adults aged 18 to 24. Whether at home, away at college, or just enjoying independent living for the first time healthcare is easy to overlook.
From £5.00 per month Call 01902 371 000
Individuals
Refunds are prompt, usually within 48 hours of receipt, directly into your bank or building society account - so you are never left out of pocket for long.
Paycare direct is aimed at individuals aged between 18 & 64. No medical is required to join. With the choice of four premium levels you can choose just how much cost protection you would like to receive.
Need help? Mon to Fri 8.30 to 4.30pm or email us.
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Over 64s Paycare Gold is aimed specifically at the over 64s. There are extra benefits where seniors have an increased need: for things like hearing aids and home care assessment and support.
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Families Aimed specifically at Parents and their children, this comprehensive policy ensures that your whole family can receive necessary medical care, without worrying about making tough decisions as claims are generally settled within 48 hours.
From £30.00 per month Call 01902 371 000
www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk
www.paycare.org 103
How would you
like to be remembered? Ian Bond, a partner in Higgs & Sons’ renowned Private Client team, discusses why so many of us seem reluctant to make a will and the benefits of making clear your wishes after you have gone. We would all like to be remembered fondly when we die. Perhaps by having a tree planted in one’s memory or a bench placed in a favoured spot. Some leave money to friends, or they make a donation to charity. All ways of ensuring we are remembered with fondness. What people don’t want however is to be remembered for all the wrong reasons; for leaving behind problems, heartache and complications. But that is exactly what could happen if you die without making a will (known as dying ‘intestate’). Whatever your wishes may be, they will mean nothing unless you write them down in the form of a will. As a nation we British are extremely poor at planning for our own demise. Surveys constantly reveal that between 60-70% of the adult population have not
Ian Bond
made a will. This could be for a number of reasons; superstition that by making a will it may hasten your death, assuming that your affairs will be dealt with as you would have wished, or thinking that you will have plenty of time to sort things out ‘later’. By dying intestate you lose the choice on how you would like your assets to pass; instead archaic rules of intestacy decide who gets your assets. These rules don’t recognise boyfriends, girlfriends, fiancés, common law or cohabiting partners, but instead provide some rather unsatisfactory results. Did you know for example that last year £53 million went to HM Treasury from people who died intestate?
Another consequence of dying intestate is that the rules that then apply do not include leaving any of your assets to your friends or to your favoured charities. 74% of the population regularly supports a charity each month through the likes of payroll giving, one-off donations or regular standing orders. However only 7% of people go on to include a charitable legacy in their will. Making a will is the only way to make sure that the people that you want to benefit receive what you want them to have from your estate. By remembering to include a charity in your will you can also ensure that your legacy becomes a lasting testament. Making a will need not be difficult or expensive. For further information about making a will please contact Ian Bond via ian. bond@higgsandsons.co.uk or 0345 111 5050. Higgs & Sons Solicitors, 3 Waterfront Business Park, Brierley Hill DY5 1LX
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A very special place: Newbridge Preparatory School in confidence and their individual characters and skills develop, giving time before decisions about the next stage of their education are taken.
Creating a choice at 11+
Newbridge Preparatory School, for girls aged two to eleven years old and boys aged two to seven years old, is a very special place. Our purpose as a modern preparatory school is to offer an excellent standard of education for our pupils, balancing traditional values with high quality teaching and learning. As we are not linked to a senior school, we pride ourselves on being the only truly independent ‘Prep’ school in the City of Wolverhampton. We are a small, personal school where everyone knows everyone else – just like a family. We foster an environment in which children can grow in confidence, learning honesty, consideration, loyalty and openness.
eighteen and one form entry, each child is treated as an individual, and valued both for who they are and who they could become.
Primary school specialists with exceptional results As the only stand-alone independent preparatory school in Wolverhampton, we are dedicated to focussing only on children aged two-eleven years. Our primary aged children are at the heart of all that we do, providing an exceptional start in life. Every child is different and unique and it is at this young age that excellent foundations are laid, and a sense of aspiration created. In our primary school environment, children grow quickly
Invest now and you will have far more options when your daughter is eleven. In and around Wolverhampton, we are fortunate to have diversity of choice across both state and independent sectors for senior schools. Newbridge Preparatory School has wellestablished links with many of these schools, and we are experienced in methods of transfer and entry into them. Our experience and expertise enable us to match our knowledge of these senior schools to the girls we teach and nurture. We work closely with parents to identify the next school in which each individual child will truly flourish – we will help and support you, every step of the way, to find the right senior school for your daughter at the right time in her development.
Come and visit us Please do not just take our word for it. Read our ‘Excellent’ 2016 inspection report (www. isi.net/schools/6725) or better still come and visit us – as every day is an open day. Please ring Miss Taylor (registrar) on 01902 751088 to make an appointment.
Small school - where quality of education matters Our small school has a well justified reputation as a friendly, family school. Excellent relationships between children and staff lie at the heart of the school’s success and there are shared expectations for striving towards academic excellence, whilst ensuring that all children are nurtured to be their very best as individuals, whatever their varied strengths. Close relationships are a significant characteristic of life at Newbridge. Children and parents alike feel secure when they know they are part of a small community where everyone knows each other. With small, average class sizes of www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk
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Photographs courtesy of Crescent Imaging
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Park Hall Hotel Wolverhampton Over 300 guests attended a charity ball on Friday 9th September to raise funds for a special local girl, Elle-Mae Davidson from Kingswinford. A grand total of £15,000 was raised on the evening bringing the total now raised to £90,000 towards the £100,000 which is needed for Elle-Mae to hopefully have brain stem treatment.
Sponsored by
It was a fantastic evening with a 3 course meal, auction and entertainment provided by party band ‘Kick Up The 80’s and Saxophonist Samantha Jayne.
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A fresh approach to Dentistry
1. (Back) Amira-Mai Davidson, Leah Davisdon, Phil Davidson, Brad Davidson (Front) Elle-Mae Davidson 2. Emma Shanne, Michael Shotton 3. Thomas Hinchliffe, Olivia Jennings 4. Helen Powell, Anne Atkins 5. Jess Needham (Singer), Katie Evans (Singer) 6. Rose Neal, Liz Simmonds, Sophie Neal 7. Jake Woodley, Lorraine Woodley, Dan Watterson, Leanne Woodley 8. Narinder Johal, Ninder Johal 9. Louise Evans, Leah Davidson, Louise Faux 10. Adam Kirby, Chris Renton, Nick Robertson 11. Mary Lochhead, Janis Potts, Roger Potts 12. Abigail Blower, Elizabeth Philpott, Olivia Lucas, Emily Mcfarlane, Zoe Lloyd 13. Claire Jones, Sadja Cross, Tanya Dodds, Reg Cattigan 14. Katrina Fraser, Beth Allsopp, Simran Soomal 15. Helen Collins, Louise Beattie, Lucy Sullivan, Michelle Thomson, Keeley Jaworski
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Park View Hotel Wolverhampton
Whilst you may notice some small aesthetic changes such as the practice name changing to ‘Parkdale Dental Clinic and Implant Centre’, Jonathon Pugh and the familiar dental team will continue to look after your dental care at the practice. 1. Jon Pugh, Sam Waley-Cohen (Owner of Portman Healthcare), Bibi Hill.
Sponsored by
Parkdale Dental Clinic and Total Implant Solutions, on Tettenhall Road, held an informal get-to-gether following the announcement that they have joined the Portman Dental Group. Portman are a growing group of 47 practices throughout the U.K., who are committed to offering the best possible patient care.
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2. Helen Garbett, Alex Punter. 3. Jo Jarvis, Nicola Edwards. 4. Peter Brookes, Matt Wise, Fiona Mapp. 5. John Roberts, Liz Roberts, Richard Glover.
A fresh approach to Dentistry
6. Prit Matharu, Callum Macpherson, Garren Fletcher. 7. Portman Healthcare - Wolverhampton team and associates..
town & village life magazine | november/december 2016
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Ladies Golf Day
Maddock and Clare Langford: Kate Jones and Laura Healey from David Cutter & Co. Chartered Accountants; April Pearson-Myatt of DRP Group Ltd; Jo-Anne Till of GT Access Ltd; Lisa Winters of Handelsbanken; Lesley Wilde of Wilde Thing Ltd; and Rachel Tucker.
West Midlands Law firm Higgs & Sons hosted a golf day, the culmination of a series of driving range and practice sessions for complete novices.
1. Carole Maddock putts watched by Lisa Winters.
The 12 businesswomen enjoyed nine holes at Hagley Golf & Country Club and the event was hailed a success by all those taking part.
3. Lesley Wilde, Wilde Thing; Lucy Obrey, Higgs; Jo-Anne Till, GT Access Limited; Nyree Applegarth, Higgs.
This is the second year running that Higgs has organised the six sessions and hosted the event.
Sponsored by
Those taking part were: From Higgs & Sons, Kirsty McEwen, Lucy Obrey, Nyree Applegarth, Carole
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A fresh approach to Dentistry
2. The novice golfers pose with professional Simon Gabbitas.
4. Carole Maddock, Higgs; Jo-Anne Till, GT Access Limited; Kate Jones, David Cutter & Co Chartered Accountants; Laura Healey, David Cutter & Co Chartered Accountants. 5. Kirsty McEwen and Clare Langford, Higgs; Rachel Tucker; April Pearson-Myatt, DRP Group. 6. Kate Jones, David Cutter & Co Chartered Accountants; Carole Maddock, Higgs; Laura Healey, David Cutter & Co Chartered Accountants; Lisa Winters, Handelsbanken. 111
to the HearT
By Rob Taylor
A Kia
d e ar
It struck me strongly while enjoying majestic coastal views from the A1, north of Berwick upon Tweed, just how incredibly good the latest Kia Sportage really is.
Unsurprisingly I was driving said Sportage at that precise moment, and had been for some time – north of Berwick is for me very northerly indeed, because I’m a Black Country lad who was brought up to believe Manchester was where the map ran out, when ‘up north’ – but until that moment I think I’d only known it in an theoretical sense, and not yet discovered it directly for myself – empirically. I’ve longed held the view that to truly understand a car you have to spend many, many miles at the wheel. The notion that you can decide which vehicle is right for you after a quick test-drive, with the petrol warning light lit, at your local dealership is nonsense. To truly know whether you and a car are compatible takes much, much more: like relationships, you both need to get under each other’s skin; to discover not just petty annoyances but how to forgive them; to flush out pride and aggrandisement and learn to accept it; to uncover deeper qualities, not written about on the surface, which can make all the difference. But since these abstract experiences are really too intangible to express and because this “ode to car” is starting to read more and more uncomfortably like a romance, I’ll skip back to the facts, which can rightly sell the Sportage better than anything else. Kia’s best-selling model in the UK is now in its fourth incarnation. This all-new Sportage now boasts four engines, which have each seen major advancements in fuel economy and emissions: I have here the one most people will buy, the 1.7 litre 114 bhp diesel, which returns 61.4 mpg and releases 119 g/km Co2. 112
Because the engine is at the heart of every car; nothing defines character better. And in this case this Kia benefits enormously from its torquey power-plant – at impressively low revs this four-pot is tractable. Equally it is quiet and refined, requiring only minimal encouragement to get up to speed, and it’s more than happy to cruise, so it makes for a very useable motorway tool. It is more than able in urban environments also. The Sportage has always been a wieldy crossover vehicle, owing to a sensible footprint and good visibility. Improvements have been made still further however by lowering the position of the door mirrors and reducing the thickness of both A- and C-pillars. Dimensions remain unchanged on this new model, except for a small almost imperceptible increase in wheelbase – which rear passengers will be grateful for. Extras on this Eco ‘2’ model – which costs just £22,050 – gift to you enlarged 17” alloy wheels and a parking camera, to help you avoid scraping them, and the Sportage’s new – according to Kia – “chiselled and voluminous” rear-end. See, I’m not the first to eulogise about this car. I also think it’s rather
handsome from the front as well… [that’s enough car-love – Ed] Inside the cabin there’s significant improvements in quality – and Kia has been outstanding at this for some years, so this is improvement upon already established quality: to my eyes everything fits snugly, every surface feels beautifully tactile and serviceable for every one of the 100,000 miles (or seven years) Kia’s warranty covers for. And as is so often the case nowadays, there’s just too much technology to mention here so here’s my abridged version: you and yours will be kept very safe indeed; and very well entertained, in total comfort. The Sportage is just the sort of car to make travelling considerable miles considerably easy: but don’t take my word for it. Pack it to the rafters (bootspace is 491 litres/ 1480 litres with the seats dropped), select a comfy seat setting (there are many), connect your every gadget and widget (buzz acronyms of the moment include: USB, AUX, DAB) and set out to discover one of your as-yet-undiscovered new frontiers. I’m sure if you ask nicely you can persuade your local dealer to trust you with one of his demonstrators.
town & village life magazine | november/december 2016
NEW FOR HIM
2016 image from mannersmakethman.com
Filling Pieces £190
EA7 Trainer £110
Android Homme £230
Asics £85
Armani Jeans £149
Cruyff £100
Adidas £80
Mason Garments £230
Filling Pieces £155
Filling Pieces £235
Visit Diffusion in Wolverhampton, Merry Hill Shopping Centre, Telford or Walsall, or online at diffusiononline.co.uk
www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk
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INDEX OF ADVERTISERS Appliances Electrical & Gas Capital Appliances 45 Geoff Hill 39 Awnings 37 Castle Blinds Love Your Blinds 30 Bathrooms Brierley Hill Bathrooms 25 Roman Bathrooms 17 Wall Heath Bathrooms 33 Beds & Bedroom Furniture Sofa Factory Outlet 24 Woodrobes 17 Beauticians Hayley’s Beauty Boutique 95 Wollaston Beauty Clinic 87 Blinds - Curtains Castle Blinds 37 Love your Blinds 30 Total Sewing 41 Val Hever Blinds 20 Building & Maintenance Contractors Three Pines 5 Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning Zero Drytime 33 Carpets – Supply & Fit ND Walters 9 Virgo 20 Catering Services Scratch Cooking Caterers 76 Conservatory Roofs August Home Improvements 19 Dentistry Simply Dentures 101 Parkside 99 Total Implant Solutions 2 Education Newbridge Preparatory School 106 Entertainment & Leisure South Staffs Leisure 98
Exercise Classes Active Seniors 100 Fashion - Retail Aristocats 89 93 Classy Rags Diffusion 82/83/113 Fencing & Gates 59 Profence Fireplaces & Stoves Flaming Fires 9 Wolverhampton Fireplaces 41 Firewood 61 Black Country Firewood Floristry Supplies & Craft Products Country Baskets 49 Furniture & Furnishings Ralvern 29 24 Sofa Factory Outlet Virgo 20 Galleries & Gift Shops Celebrations 47 Stourbridge Galleries 43 Gardening & Landscaping Lealans Garden Centre 57 Gas Boiler Servicing Gas First 60 Glass & Hardware Specialists Tech Aluminium Systems 31 Haberdashery & Wool Total Sewing 41 Hairdressers Caprios 91 85 Jon Kevan Health Care Cover Paycare 103 Home Improvements August Home Improvements 19 Hospices Compton Hospice 53 Independent Financial Advisers Midland Financial Services 10/11/115
IT Support IT Techno-Phobes Kitchens - Supply, Design & Fit Intoto Kitchens Roman Bathrooms Lighting Lighting Majestic Lighting R Us Painters & Decorators Dave Russon Patrick Bellew Professional Party Planners Prince & Princess Restaurants & Pubs Balti Bazaar French Connection Halfpenny Green Vineyards Wombourne Tandoori Rugs Frith Rugs Solicitors Higgs & Sons Tea Rooms Halfpenny Green Vineyards Himley Hall Theatres The Grand Theatre Tiles & Interiors Tile Choice Veterinary Services Blacks Vets Vineyard & Craft Centre Halfpenny Green Vineyards Wedding Venues Himley Hall Windows & Conservatories August Home Improvements Choices Hayley Windows
101 27 25 35 51 61 36 76 77 81 65 69 13 105 65 73 116 21 55 65 73 19 7 15
Puzzle Answers Sudoku:
Easy
Quick Crossword:
Hard
Word Search:
Hidden Phrase: We wish you a Merry Christmas Irving Berlin
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Don’t lose your family
w e a lt h Let us steer you in the right direction and protect your estate from HMRC Midland Independent Financial Services Limited will carry out a full review of any potential liability to Inheritance Tax and will produce a detailed report indicating the options available in order to alleviate this problem.
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Throughout the year we at Midland Independent hold investment seminars with industry experts. If you would like to attend please email: info@midlandifa.co.uk
Anyone wishing to benefit from this should call Midland Independent on 01543 468877 and ask for Gerry Knowles who will arrange a meeting with one of our fully qualified advisers. Please quote Ref IHT/WW.
Midland Independent Financial Services Ltd, 153 Avon Road, Cannock, Staffordshire, WS11 1LF
Telephone 01543 468877 www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk
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