Wolverhampton West Magazine - April 2017

Wolverhampton West Magazine

April 2017

Win tickets to see Sunny Afternoon at The Grand Theatre Win a 3 course meal for two in the Drawing Room Bar and Grill at The Mount Hotel

April 2017

Delivered to areas of: Codsall, Codsall Wood, Oaken, Bishops Wood, Tong, Coven, Brewood, Compton, Tettenhall, Claregate, Finchfield, Castlecroft, Penn, Merry Hill & Bradmore 01

Local Magazine delivered to 25,000 Selected Homes and Businesses*

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wolverhampton west magazine | april 2017

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22

48/49

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94/95

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Contents April Edition

Happy 60th Birthday Royston Win a meal for 2 with The Mount Hotel Wombourne Tandoori wins prestigious award Bridle beauty: The unbeatable classic look

72/73 78 86/87 90

The local property market by Nick Berriman

10

A life on canvas

14

Home Interiors

18

Carvers Wolverhampton Marathon

22

Women’s Fashion: New season – New look

Crosswords and puzzles

24

Mind Babble: Hypnosis

108

Recipe of the month

30

Toms Tip

113

46

Education and Schooling

126

Rotary Club of Wolverhampton

134

Golf Tip

138

Grand Theatre competition Out and about near Church Stretton

48/49

Meet the boss

54

Gardening with Ann Winwood

55

Gardening in April

64

Love your independent retailers

68

Advertising enquiries Email: sales@wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk Gisella Wiley (Sales Director) Editorial/What’s On information Email: info@wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk Geoff Hall (Editor) Magazine Design Studio 28 Design & Print (www.s28.co.uk) Wolverhampton West Magazine Lytham Rd, Perton, Wolverhampton, WV6 7YY Tel: 01902 744217 www.wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk

A Fresh Look for spring – Royston Blythe Evita is coming to The Grand Theatre

Social scene

92/93 102 104/105

148-155

MINI Cooper S Seven Edition

156

Index to advertisers

161

Mercedes-Benz reveal new E-Class Coupé

162

Congratulations to: Winners of Anita & Me competition at The Wolverhampton Grand Theatre David Evans, Tettenhall Winner of Feast Food competition Louise Harris, Claregate

We gratefully acknowledge the support of businesses whose adverts appear in Wolverhampton West 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. Wolverhampton West 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 Wolverhampton West Magazine Ltd.

*Total distribution 25,000 copies across 2 months

www.wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk

03

from the editor Yet again it seems like spring has sprung itself upon us earlier than ever before.

Save for the tail end of Hurricane Doris, we’ve seen precious little of evil wintery weather in Wolverhampton this year, which is fine by us: we like spring here at Wolverhampton West, it really puts a spring in our step.

Already birds are chirping, bushes are blooming and the Great Outdoors is becoming a lot more attractive to everyone, not just those of us fond of Thermos and anoraks.

This is especially true if golf is your game – and if it’s not, we have 10 pages of reasons why it should be.

Like Beatrix Potter’s Tale of Mrs Tittlemouse, a lot of us are reaching for the nearest broom.

After all, as my grandmother used to say, a new broom sweeps clean, so in keeping with this sentiment, we’ve put together a new edition jam-packed with reasons why you should love spring as much as we do.

First off: your home. If you love it and just want to titivate, you’ll love reading all about the latest (deep breath!): fireplaces and logs, furniture, made-to-measure quality suites, wallpapering from Dixons, painters and decorators, plumbers, electricians, kitchens, bathrooms, flooring, front doors, windows, blinds, curtains, carpets, rugs, interior dry cleaning and exterior cleaning.

If you think it may take a touch more than just TLC, then check out news on building extensions, orangeries and skips, to remove all the debris. And if you’ve got nowhere else left to go but to move, take a look 04

at Berriman Eaton or their new start-up business, be-essential.com.

Next up: your garden. As this month’s features tell us, outdoor living is where it’s at right now, so read inside about gardening, fencing, new Tettenhall-based gardening shop, The Potting Shed, and our Meet the Boss feature on Ann Winwood, Director of Lealans Garden Centre. Don’t worry, if you like being outside but don’t have green fingers, then you can cut out all the hard work with artificial grass supplier, Nevermo, or go much further afield with Cannock Caravans. And get where you’re going in style with Image Luxury Cars and Perton and Bridgnorth Travel. You may even end up in Church Stretton.

Why? Our feature will tell you.

And there’s much in the way of fancy treats in this edition as well, from Heaven’s spa, a hair makeover at Royston Blythe or Salon 27, plus lots of beauty, for example from Simply Beautiful, and fashion ideas from Aristocats.

Or indulge yourself by heading out onto the town to see Evita at the Grand Theatre or go for a spot of Afternoon Tea at Gluttons in Tettenhall or for a meal at the two AA-Rosette awarded Drawing Room Bar and Grill at the Mount Hotel (you even can win tickets as part of our competition giveaway!) or try Wombourne Tandoori, newly-crowned Master Chef West Midlands Indian Restaurant of the Year winner.

We can even tell you young mums where to send your children to school with our stellar guide to local education. What you do on the next two big forthcoming calendar dates, Easter and St. George’s Day, is entirely up to your own imagination, however. But if it was me, it’d involve food. Corbelli, Poxons, Alan Bennett and Star Ago are, I always find, as good a place to start as any. Then very quickly after guilt sets in and I’m less of a glutton for nourishment, more one for punishment, I’d want to look up our pages on gyms and personal trainers, as well as the Cambridge diet plan.

We also have everything to make you look good just in time for summer from cosmetic solutions at Cosmetique to news on dentistry implants, notes on veins and chiropody, important matters at Nuffield Health - plus help to cover the costs from Paycare - and advice on eyecare from Taylor Biddle Opticians.

Get it right and you may be able to look as good as Royston, from Royston Blythe, does at 60. He seems to have discovered the wellspring of eternal youth.

Now, if only I could discover a wellspring of ideas on which to end.

See you in June…

Geoff

wolverhampton west magazine | april 2017

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05

Make it Personal, Make it Special, Make it your own…

You have found the one to have by your side, and the Big Day is fast approaching.

This person completes, fulfils, understands, and makes you feel special.

These powerful feelings give us ‘our raison d’être’ and LONDON are relevant in the choice of your wedding rings.

When you think about it, your wedding ring will be worn every day and is a constant reminder of your commitment to each other on that special day.

It is a ring gathering a lot of emotions which will make you smile when you admire it, a ring standing

the test of time, a perfect match to your promise.

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Various engraving options are available, to write the name of your beloved one in your ring, have the date of your special day engraved or even have each other’s fingers print engraved.

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06

A sophisticated yet elegant look…

The images used in this article are readily available in various places on the internet and are believed to be in the public domain. T.A. Henn & Son Ltd claims no credit for them unless otherwise noted. If you own the rights to any of the images, or if any content appearing in this magazine infringes on your copyright, please notify us and they will be promptly removed.

wolverhampton wolverhampton west west magazine magazine || april april 2017

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09

The local

property market

by Nick Berriman

There has been much discussion of late about our broken housing market.

It’s not entirely clear what is meant by this and it seems to me that there is a shift in the aspirations and aims of the new generation.

We have been a property owning democracy for several generations unlike much of Europe where renting is the norm. The financial problems of recent years have made lenders unusually cautious about to whom they lend and how much. Indeed some recent experiences make one wonder if they really want to lend. I should not tar all lenders with the same brush as, if one knows where to go, there are still lenders prepared to be flexible and not only be guided by a stringent rule book.

The problems with finding a mortgage and the difficulty in getting a deposit together drive many young couples into the rental market. It is sometimes said that rent is wasted but that is not really true as it is one way of buying accommodation. For sure it does not lead to eventual property ownership but in todays flexible job market it does mean that a job elsewhere can be taken without worrying about selling one’s property. Years ago most people had a job for life and did not change careers in mid-stream. That is no longer the case and many of the younger generation often change careers several times.

10

You may think it strange that an estate agent should discuss the benefits of renting but that is why we and many other agents now have thriving rental departments.

This is a very specialised job and needs complete dedication.

It should never be an add-on to an agents core business but should be run by experienced and qualified staff. However there is still a great feeling of pride and achievement in owning the house in which you live and finally paying off a mortgage is a sensible way of planning for retirement.

agents have done this for some time. There is also a suggestion that there will be three year family friendly tenancies to give tenants some additional security of tenure.

The government is trying to face up to the problems and has just released a white paper detailing its plans. There are 104 pages and under duress I will admit that I have not read all of them but a brief précis may be helpful.

What of our local market so far this year. Despite what I have said in the last paragraph we, and others, are a little short of new instructions. Sales are good with the modest shortage invoking the laws of supply and demand. Some properties which have been around for too long are suddenly creating interest which is a good sign but in order to keep things moving new instructions are necessary.

First time buyers are to be assisted with new build starter homes being available outside London at prices up to £250,000 for 23 to 40 year olds at 20% below market value.

Households must earn below £80,000 to be eligible and some of the discount will be repayable if the house is sold within 15 years. There will also be a project extending the Right to Buy to 3,000 housing association tenants.

There will be a push to build more new houses with developers under pressure to use land within two years and councils facing penalties if they do not allocate sufficient land for housing.

This area has never had many leasehold properties but in some areas there were many. Ground rents often increased by moderate amounts every 33 years but there has been a modern trend to dictate swinging increases on a regular basis. The government will seek to control this trend.

In essence if new houses are to be built in numbers there must be sufficient purchasers able to borrow enough to buy them.

New houses built for rent will fill a need but when we hear about a broken market and a shortage of houses it seems to ignore all agents windows which advertise many houses in all price ranges.

Our new BE Essential internet company – our response to funny coloured bricks and others –is catching on and doing good business. This is a pared down agency limited to properties up to £250,000 with a fee covering the sale and legals of £1,595.

All the multitudinous plans and schemes by government and others still depend on what state the economy will be in after Brexit and neither remainers or leavers know what that will be.

There is also to be control over landlords who do not maintain properties properly and a proposal for letting agents to join a money protection scheme. Reputable wolverhampton west magazine | april 2017

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www.berrimaneaton.co.uk 11

Exceeding Expectations We featured www.be-essential.com on, and after, their launch.

So, we were intrigued to find out how this business was getting on at the start of a promising year for property and they have some fantastic sales statistics for us and some great client feedback already!

The instructions on be-essential. com have achieved an average of 100.1% of the asking price!

Already they have agreed sales of almost £2.5 million of property sales since launch just four months ago!

What are the clients saying?

“We were really happy to be one of your first clients and you made the sale of our house very easy. Both Mel and Katie were

extremely helpful with any queries we had and Raj who dealt with the legal side was great and he ensured we were kept up to date as the sale progressed.

The team’s friendly nature made us feel very at ease. We would 100% use be-essential.com again should we wish to move.”

“I thought the be-essential.com service for the sale of our house was very good and the solicitors used were most impressive.”

“Thank you soooo much :-). We are so happy. Massive thank you to you and BE essential. com you’ve all been amazing.”

That sounds fantastic!

Let’s remind ourselves of their offering; The service is a fixed, great value fee of £1595 so when you make the decision to instruct

Meet the team: Nick Berriman, Director & Caroline Eaton, Director In 2006 Nick and Caroline merged their two firms creating the area’s leading independent agency Berriman Eaton with annual sales now being agreed on approximately £150 million of property per annum covering Shropshire, Staffordshire and the West Midlands from three offices.

Clare Norton, Director & Geoff Core, Director

Clare and Geoff together have spoken to, visited and advised thousands of estate agents on software for estate agency, property management, hardware and business marketing and management. It is these technical skills and consultative knowledge which they now bring to be-essential.com.

Katie Bannister, Negotiator

Katie has worked in the property industry for fourteen years having worked in both busy sales and lettings practices Katie has thorough knowledge of all facets of the housing market and her experience as a manager of three busy offices in Birmingham will bring a wealth of invaluable expertise to be-essential.com

Melanie Sellman, Principal Valuer

Mel has seventeen years’ experience working for both corporate and independent firms, and having successfully managed two City Centre offices, Mel joined Berriman Eaton in 2007 and swiftly became one of the most successful valuers in the company.

12

www.be-essential.com you know exactly what it will cost for both your property sale and your legal sales fees.

If your property is leasehold you may have to pay the leasehold company a small extra fee for your leasehold pack but there are no hidden fees, the service represents incredible value.

Based on an asking price of £200,000 a house sale would typically cost a seller 1.5% commission which would cost a total of £3,000 plus VAT, plus the conveyancing fees which are typically worth £770 or more from a standard agency and conveyancer.

Be-essential.com saves you money while offering a service that offers you everything you need and nothing you don’t!

What does it include?

It includes; • A personal valuation by an experienced local professional • Professional photographs, floor plans and an EPC • For sale board • Local and national advertising • Full sales conveyancing service typically costing £770.00 The company has a bespoke system which is tailored to offer the best service and to offer you the greatest control over your sale, you have the ability to arrange viewings and to know what happens when it happens.

You can accept or reject your own offers, arrange your own viewings 24/7 and all the while have the full back up of local, leading estate agency Berriman Eaton. With only a £199 upfront cost if you have a house under £250,000, in any West Midlands area, to sell and are happy to get involved in the sale of your home then this service is for you!

wolverhampton west magazine | april 2017

www.wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk

13

A Life on

C a n va s

“When I was about 17 my dad gave me an abridged version of ‘The Agony and Ecstasy’, which chronicles the life and works of Michelangelo. This really inspired me to paint seriously.”

From this seminal moment a life-long passion began for self-taught artist Ron Satterthwaite.

He’s been painting for over 40 years now and has had many ‘one-man’ exhibitions at Wednesbury, Walsall and Wolverhampton Art Galleries; Prestatyn Library; Gallery 3 in Shrewsbury; St.Paul’s at the Crossing in Walsall; and High House Gallery in Stafford. As well as this there’s been many group exhibitions, where he has won a number of awards, at Face to Face in Stafford; Ogilvy and Estille in Conway; Wednesbury Art Gallery; and, in Ron’s home town, Bilston Art Gallery.

In fact he’s characteristically modest because Ron is now a member of Wolverhampton Society of Artists and has been a friend of the Royal Birmingham Society of Artists, where he’s won a number of prestigious awards.

Ron recently returned to his roots in the Midlands after relocating to get into the Welsh art scene, which saw him land many commissions and a feature article in North Wales Living magazine. He is now living in Codsall.

For further information on Ron’s career and works, visit: www.ronsatterthwaite. com and www.Londonart.co.uk

“I do paint the occasional Landscape, but my passion is portraiture, where I paint in various styles when producing exhibition work, but work more realistically when carrying out commissioned work.

Although I’ve never had any formal art training I’ve developed my work to a good academic standard.”

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wolverhampton west magazine | april 2017

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15

Dixons - Everything for the decorator Established in 1854, S. J. Dixon and Son Ltd has a long history in Wolverhampton.

Known for providing exceptional customer service and offering an extensive range of quality painting and decorating supplies, the family-run business - that’s now in its fifth generation - has become synonymous with quality.

Returning to their landmark location in Cleveland Road, after 10 years in Old Heath Road, the company’s vast showroom is packed with every painting and decorating supply you can think of.

There are big paint brands, like Dulux, Crown, Leyland and Farrow & Ball, as well as the latest wallpaper styles from top designer names, including Sanderson, Osbourne and Little, Cole & Son and Romo.

Builders Village, that’s open to the trade and public.

There’s something for every budget at Dixons- from quality value ranges to the best luxury collections.

“Our slogan is ‘everything for the decorator’ and we really do have everything for both trade and domestic customers,” explains Managing Director, Tim Dixon.

“Many people think that buying from discount stores is the best way to re-decorate on a budget but often the products just aren’t up to the job. Our ranges represent excellent value-formoney and you can be confident that they’ll perform well, whatever the job you’re undertaking.”

And, the company has another site that’s located within Carver’s

As well as all the usual paint varieties you’d expect, such as emulsions and

gloss, Dixons also sells floor paint, exterior paint, as well as specialist formulas, like fire-resistant paint.

There’s a colour mixing service on offer too, as well as the facility to create digital printed murals – perfect for children’s bedrooms.

A highly trained and experienced team of staff are on hand to offer help and advice and there’s plenty of easy-to-access free parking.

So, why not give your home a fabulous makeover today and pay a visit to the decorating experts?

Wide Range

of Paints and Wallpapers to create a beautiful home Cleveland Road Wolverhampton, WV2 1BX Tel: 01902 872 240 Email: showroom@sjdixon.co.uk Cleveland Rd Opening times: Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat 9am-3pm

Inside Carvers Builder’s Village Littles Lane, Wolverhampton, WV1 1JY Tel: 01902 577 042 Email: carvers@sjdixon.co.uk Carvers Opening times: Mon-Sat 7.30am – 4.50pm

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wolverhampton west magazine | april 2017

FLAMING FIRES, FIREPLACES & STOVES

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17

Simple change, big difference

- update your home this spring Spring provides you with the perfect opportunity to make those changes in your home that you’ve been contemplating all winter-long.

Whether you want to create more space, update the décor or maybe treat yourself to some new soft furnishings, you’ll be amazed at the difference a few changes make.

Add more mirrors Mirrors are one of the most useful tools in creating the illusion of space in a small room. Use mirrors throughout your home to boost the feeling of space - positioning a full length mirror behind a large piece of furniture works really well and looks very chic.

To flood a gloomy room with natural light, place a large mirror opposite a window.

You’ll be amazed at the difference.

Think about furniture Nothing saps the feeling of space from a room like too much furniture. So, get rid of those unnecessary pieces and replace larger designs with smaller alternatives to open-up your room.

If your sofa is swallowing-up the space in your living room, treat yourself to a smaller – yet still comfortable – design.

Utilise storage Nothing beats a good ‘spring clean’, so clear the clutter and utilise storage space in your home by maximising the capacity of cupboards by adding shelves and storage solutions, so that you can keep the clutter out-of-sight.

Focus on flooring When it comes to flooring, continuity is key. Whether you choose carpet, vinyl or wood flooring, having the same design running throughout your home creates the feeling of space and provides a modern look.

Change the window dressings Often, we overlook our window dressings but actually they’re incredibly important for finishing the look in your room. Curtains are essential for creating a cosy look and a modern design, choose a hue that complements your room to instantly update tired décor.

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J by Jasper Conran at Debenhams

Blinds combine style and practicality and offer a really neat and modern look – whether they’re combined with curtains or used alone. What’s more, patterned designs and bold colours can create interest in an otherwise characterless room.

To complement the new window dressings, treat your room to a new rug, some scatter cushions and accessories, and enjoy the new look.

A lick of paint There’s nothing better than a lick of paint to instantly update your home and provide a clean and fresh finish. Forget boring neutrals and choose a hue that’ll add a little character to your room.

Don’t forget to take a look at wallpapers too.

Have a light-bulb moment Lighting makes a massive difference to the feel of a room. If your lighting is dated and dingy, then nothing will look good, so swap those drab shades for modern designs and instantly transform the look – and feel – of your living space.

So check out what our advertisers have to offer today! wolverhampton west magazine | april 2017

www.wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk

19

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wolverhampton west magazine | april 2017

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21

Wolverhampton Marathon

Launch

Henry Carver, Hugh Porter, Mary Harding, and Mayor of Wolverhampton, Councillor Barry Findlay officially launch the 2017 Marathon events

The 2017 Carver Marathon events, now in their 20th year are scheduled to take place on SUNDAY 3RD SEPTEMBER starting and finishing in and around West Park.

The planning committee together with invited guests attended the Mayors Parlour to officially launch the date. The Mayor’s charities benefitted from a share of the proceeds raised from the events in 2016.

In this the 20th year the committee looked back at previous events and from this study they selected charities who stood out from the others both in commitment to finding volunteers, and to maximising the benefit both to their charities and the public by the quality of their displays on the day. Compton Hospice is already a Charity Partner and joining them this year are Coven Sunnyside Kennels and Wolverhampton Samaritans. Of course there will be a

new Mayor in office by September who will have their own choice of charities that will also be supported.

Chair Mary Harding was pleased to announce that the sponsors, namely Carvers Building Supplies, Banks’s, Cousins, NJB Physiotherapy, Angel Springs Call Print and Greggs have already pledged their commitment for 2017. Our media partners Signal 107, Wolverhampton West Magazine and The Express & Star have also committed to help with promoting the events.

There are many other companies who lend support in goods and services which is of course very welcome and helps the charities.

The Marathon events are the largest sporting event in the city and to still be going and growing after 20 years is incredible.

Offers of help will be very welcome and contact can be made by contacting Carvers or leaving a message on the website info.

Entries can be submitted online or visit the website:

www.carverwolverhamptonmarathonevents.co.uk 22

wolverhampton west magazine | april 2017

Kitchen & Bathroom Design Let us inspire you...

Visit our design centre studios for a complete range of modern, contemporary and traditional kitchens and bathrooms with accessories to suit every budget.

Design and installation service available.

Littles Lane, Wolverhampton, WV1 1JY 01902 577080

www.wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk

www.carvers.co.uk

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Quick Crossword Across 7 Type of hat (6) 8 Assault (6) 9 Not pretty (4) 10 Exciting (8) 11 Style of writing (7) 13 Cold (5) 15 Freshwater fish (5) 17 Loosening (7) 20 Fruit trees are grown here (8) 21 Legend (4) 22 Mixes together (6) 23 Writer (6)

Sudoku

Down 1 Zero (6) 2 Remain (4) 3 Foretell (7) 4 Boring (5) 5 Evenly (8) 6 Economise (6) 12 Chuckling (8) 14 Uncommon (7) 16 Seldom (6) 18 Idea (6) 19 Squash (5) 21 Dumb (4)

Easy

Hard

Puzzle answers on page 160

Word Search Find the words below in the grid and the remaining letters will spell out a phrase.

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Baird

Galen

Becquerel

Gauss

Bell

Halley

Bernoulli

Hopper

Boyle

Joule

Bunsen

Kepler

Celsius

Lovelace

Crick

Marconi

Curie

Newton

Darwin

Nobel

Davy

Pasteur

Einstein

Rutherford

Fleming

Volta wolverhampton west magazine | april 2017

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DESIGNED FOR LIVING… MADE FOR YOUR LIFESTYLE Feel free to visit our showroom and discover our inspirational kitchen designs 20 Finchfield Road West, Finchfield, WV3 8AZ

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wolverhampton west magazine | april 2017

Sa n d f o r d

Ca r p e t s

Carpets, flooring and much more…

Although the Trysull Roadbased premises appears small from the outside, step inside Sandford Carpets and you’ll discover a huge selection of roll stock carpets, flooring, rugs and soft furnishings.

Established over 35 years ago, the family-run business has long been known for its quality products and competitive pricing, as manager, Kim explains: “We’ve got a huge range of carpets and flooring at our showroom, that suit all requirements and budgets. Customers are amazed when they see our vast warehouse - that’s stocked with 90 rolls of carpet - and always comment on our low prices.”

As an independent business, it’s hard to believe that Sandford can be so competitive when it

comes to pricing, but Kim and her husband Gary have proved time and time again that they’re more than able to beat the competition.

“We work really hard to ensure our customers get the best products and service at the best price.”

for clients. Customers will also find a good range of wadding, bump, interlining, fusible, blackout lining, cotton sateen lining, tie backs and curtain poles.”

A range of blinds are supplied and expertly fitted by the company too.

There are carpets from the all of the top brands at Sandford, like Brintons, Ulster and Westex, as well as a choice of wooden, vinyl, engineered and Karndean flooring.

“Our clocks, pictures and accessories are perfect for completing any room and our unique personalised gifts make the ideal present.”

“Gary provides the quotes and our specialist team of fitters handle the installations.”

And, Sandford has introduced a range of Kadi Firebowls - just in time for the summer months.

The showroom is also wellstocked with beautiful fabrics, soft furnishings, artwork and gifts.

“We’re stockists of Kadai Firebowls, which are becoming a really popular alternative to the traditional barbeque.”

““We have fabrics from well known companies, Villa Nova, Clarke and Clarke, PT, Voyage, Crowson, Linwood plus many more, our seamstress makes fabulous curtains and covering

So, whether you’re looking for carpets and flooring, fabulous fabrics or even just a special gift, pay a visit to Sandford Carpets today.

• Wolverhampton’s largest independent carpet & rug specialist

• Family run business celebrating over 35 years in business • Massive warehouse with roll stock comprising of over 90 rolls in stock • Karndean, Laminates and Wood Flooring

• Vinyls • Bigger than it looks • Personalised gifts • Clocks • Kadai Firebowls

We have now moved inside Sandford Carpets, Wolverhampton Curtains, Blinds, Stock Rolls of Curtains, Wadding, Bump, Interlining, Fusible, Blackout Lining, Cotton Sateen Lining, Tie Backs, Curtains Poles, Upholstery Fabrics and Pattern Books You will find us at: 128 Trysull Road, Bradmore, Wolverhampton WV3 7JF Tel: 01902 335599 Open: Tuesday to Saturday 9am until 5pm

www.wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk

27

Bespoke Sofas & Quality Re-Upholstery

CALL FOR A BROCHURE TEL: 01543 505539 28

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wolverhampton west magazine | april 2017

Manufacturing all manner of sofas, settees, chairs, chaise lounge, occasional chairs, curtains and soft furnishing from our base in Cannock, we at Ralvern upholstery can create any type of design - from ultra-modern to classically traditional.

Using traditional skills we can also strip down your old suite, sofa, occasional chairs and re-create the original design with our superior re-upholstery service.

OR viSiT RALvERn UpHOLSTERy, UniT 19, MARTindALE, HAwkS GREEn, CAnnOCk, STAFFS wS11 7Xn

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29

RECIPE Ham Hock

Serves 6

By Mike Whitehurst

and Mustard Flamiche

A flamiche is sort of a cross between a quiche and a vol au vent. It makes a great starter served with pickles or a light lunch served with green beans and new potatoes.

EQUIPMENT • 1 pastry 5” cutter • Baking sheet • Silicone mould with 2.5” round inserts • mixing bowl • 1 pan big enough to submerge the ham hock • rolling pin

INGREDIENTS • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

1 ham hock a few bay leaves 1 white onion 10 peppercorns 1 bunch of chives finely chopped a sprig of parsley roughly chopped 1 shallot finely chopped 2 tsp of wholegrain mustard 100g of mature cheddar - grated 1 egg and one egg yolk 200ml of double cream 1 sheet of shop bought puff pastry 1 pinch of maldon sea salt Plain flour

Simmer the ham hock with the bay leaves, white onion and peppercorns for about 3 hours or until falling off the bone. Once cooked allow the ham to cool so you can pull the meat from the bones, make sure you get the tendons and excess fat out too so you’re just left with the meat. Tear this or chop it up into small pieces and then mix with the mustard, shallot, chopped chives, parsley and grated cheddar. Now fold in the egg, yolk and cream and set aside.

(No need to season although you can add a little pepper if you like).

Roll out the pastry and cut out 6 rounds with the pastry cutter, lightly flour and roll out a little further to thin the pastry a bit more. Now take a pastry round and make a cup out of it in your hand then fill with the ham hock mix. Push down into the silicone mould and press down with a teaspoon. Repeat this with the remaining pastry rounds then place on baking sheet and bake in the oven for 30 - 40 minutes on 165°C (depending on your oven).

Once the flamiche are cooked allow them to cool until you are able to pop them out of the silicone moulds without burning your fingers. When you are ready to eat just place them back on the baking sheet to finish off for 15 minutes. If not eating on the day you can store them in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheat for 15 minutes. Freeze for a month.

SERVING SUGGESTION For a light lunch serve with green beans and a couple of new potatoes or as a starter serve with pickled cauliflower, balsamic onions and a mustard mayonnaise.

For more information on this recipe please email mike@takefood.co.uk www.takefood.co.uk 30

www.instagram.com/takefood

www.facebook.com/takefoodcatering

wolverhampton west magazine | april 2017

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Quality Products and Exceptional Service at Premier Carpets and Flooring Ltd Premier Carpets and Flooring has long been the number-one choice for discerning home and business owners who are keen to find quality products and exceptional service.

Established over thirty years ago, the family-run business supplies carpets and flooring from industryleading brands from their impressive showroom, that’s located in Macrome Road, Claregate, Wolverhampton.

With something for every home interior – and budget - as well as an extensive selection of flooring which meets the demands of the commercial sector, Premier is the only place you’ll need to visit whatever your carpet and flooring requirements.

As company owner, Roy Colman explains: “Our extensive showroom displays flooring from leading brands such as Karndean and Amtico and there’s a vast range of top quality carpets from all of the big names; Cormar, Brockway, Westex, Ulster, Brintons, Kingsmead and Victoria Carpets.”

No matter what budget you’re working to, you’ll find what you’re looking for at Premier.

“We have plenty of budget carpets to choose from too, which are particularly popular with private landlords.”

As approved Karndean suppliers – and installers – Premier offers a full design and fitting service for the ever-popular flooring.

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Owner, Roy Colman (right)

“We work with many businesses and regularly take on projects for all-manner of institutions, including schools, hospitals, residential homes, private businesses, Wolverhampton University’s campuses, HMP prison service and G4S. ” In fact, Premier has recently completed a large project for Jaguar Land Rover with Vinci construction at the new i54 development.

It’s no surprise that Premier are the go-to supplier for the commercial sector, not only do they supply commercial carpets, carpet tiles and safety floor vinyls - from brands such as Altro, Polyflor, Forbo, Heckmondwike, Interface, JHS & Rawsons - they deliver an unbeatable, ultra-efficient service, from start to finish.

That’s why companies from across the entire UK are keen to use Premier.

“Clients can book an appointment – free of charge - with one of our surveyors who will visit their home, measure up and provide plenty of help and advice before giving a quotation.”

“Our website has been designed to be an extension of our already successful bricks and mortar business. We now offer ’supply-only’ all over the UK on our extensive range of products, you can buy online and experience great advice and impeccable service all within a few clicks.”

“Premier’s loyal and dedicated installation teams have years of experience, many have been with us for over fifteen years and completed advanced Karndean fitting courses.”

We provide our services to both domestic and commercial customers and specialise in all types of floor coverings including carpet rolls, carpet tiles, Luxury vinyl tiles , planks and sheet vinyl.

Premier’s fitters are able to install any product sold by the company and can take care of all aspects of the installation process, including sub floor preparation, damp-proof membranes as well as floor-levelling screeds.

Independent local traders can also take advantage of Premier’s trade counter, which is situated in store.

It’s not just domestic clients who benefit from what Premier has to offer:

So, why not update your home – or business – with carpets or vinyl flooring from Premier?

With a team of eight office-based staff and a fleet of nine vehicles, the company is able to easily meet the demands of any flooring project.

wolverhampton west magazine | april 2017

KARNDEAN AND CARPET SHOWROOM MON - FRI 8.00am - 5:00pm SAT 10:00am - 3:00pm

For a free no obligation site survey and measuring service call 01902 745491 Unit 9 Walton Works industrial Estate, Macrome Road, Claregate, Wolverhampton, WV6 9HD

Shop online @ www.premierflooringltd.com

www.wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk

33

Local Business Owner Showcases

Success at National Co n v e n t i o n

Ian Bonser, Naga Munchetty, Rob Bluck, John Cheetham

A wealth of the UK’s golfing experts were invited to this year’s Golf Business and Industry Convention held at the 1,000 seat Royal Hall, Harrogate on 17th and 18th January 2017.

Having been in the business for over 30 years, owner of thriving 3 Hammers Golf Complex Ian Bonser, was invited to speak at the prestigious event having recently won a coveted national award for his successes in the golf market.

The renowned Wolverhampton based complex is testament that golf is not in decline as is often reported. In fact, 3 Hammers continues to go from strength to strength and their proven 34

successful formula is now recognised as a national example of good practice by the EGU, PGA and Golf Foundation.

The annual event, hosted by self-confessed golf addict, BBC’s Naga Munchetty included keynote speakers from across the industry including the Professional Golfers Association (PGA), UK Golf Course Owners Association (UKGOA), England Golf and leading golf retailer American Golf.

Ian took to the stage with 3 Hammers Academy Directors Rob Bluck and John Cheetham describing their ‘award winning formula for golf success’.

Coveted keynote speakers from top worldwide Ryder Cup venues including Celtic Manor, Medinah, Hazeltine, Gleneagles

and Le Golf National, Paris also participated in the national event.

Ian Bonser, owner of 3 Hammers said “It’s a privilege to have been asked to speak at the conference.

Having run a successful national award winning business for the last 30 years - it’s a pleasure to be able to showcase our passion, commitment and hard work and share a few of our secrets to the rest of the golfing industry.”

For additional information please contact: 3 Hammers Golf Complex, Old Stafford Road, Coven, Wolverhampton, Staffordshire, WV10 7PP Golf Reception: 01902 790428 info@3hammers.co.uk www.3hammers.co.uk

wolverhampton west magazine | april 2017

SHoWrooM noW oPen!

like for y n a t a be !

We Will ten quotation it like Wr

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As seen on...

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DIY SOS

wolverhampton west magazine | april 2017

Specialists in the design and complete installation of fitted kitchens, bathrooms and bedrooms

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Open: Monday to Friday 9.30am until 5pm Saturday 10am until 4pm

37

How many actors does it take to change a light bulb? …only one, they don’t like to share the spotlight!

Both functional and attractive, spotlights are becoming increasingly popular in our homes as they are unobtrusive but still look the part.

Typically considered for a contemporary layout, they work just as brilliantly in a traditional setting too. In this editorial, we’ll look at different ways to use spotlights and why they are such a brilliant, lighting piece in your home.

Spotlights tick all the boxes when versatility is concerned. Used for ambience, task, and accent lighting, you can place spotlights just about anywhere in your home.

Single Spotlights: Simple, small, and stylish, single spotlight fittings can be mounted on both

38

the ceiling or wall. They’re extremely handy as they will provide light where it is needed. They make great lights for using over a bed for reading, highlighting a particular feature or ornament within the room, such as on top of a picture, or to provide light in an alcove.

Multiple Spotlights: A very self-explanatory name, multiple spotlights are fitted to a ceiling plate, bar, or track. They’re very practical as you can swivel the light in numerous directions, letting a distinct pool of light onto the surface below, all from one fitting. Just like single spotlights, these pivoting geniuses are a lot safer than you would think. Their gleam can be directed further away than where you initially locate them, rather than fitting them up-close by ovens or showers. Also, by positioning spotlights correctly, you can look at computer and television screens without receiving a glare, which prevents the risk of eye strain.

be placed just about anywhere to create a dramatic effect, from your ceiling, walls, under your cabinets, going along the skirting, on the floor, on your drive, on stairs, in shelves, cupboards, bookcases, the list is endless.

They’re aesthetically pleasing and add a lot of depth, which can give your room a new lease of life.

Don’t be fooled by this modern technology though, they look just as fabulous in period homes!

Track/Cable Spotlights: Better suited for a contemporary setting, track lighting will look right at home in any room at home. The modern concept is quite easy to get your head round, it’s simply a spotlight fitted to a track, in which you can move it along or pivot the head to direct the light in any way you want. We talked before about hanging spotlights over decorative wall features; with a track, you can position it opposite, giving you the art gallery feel. Fitting a track all around your ceiling gives you both ambience and accent lighting, your room is illuminated but the light is beaming where you want it to.

Recessed Spotlights: The most versatile of them all. Recessed lights are so unobtrusive and fit perfectly into your home, with the right planning and layout. They can

wolverhampton west magazine | april 2017

www.wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk

39

Wolverhampton firm dives into Maldives deal A family holiday video of marine life has netted a Tettenhall website, design and print agency a lucrative contract with a major Maldives hotel resort.

When Kenny Andrew, a director at The Studio, used his GoPro to film of whale sharks and coral reefs little did he know it would lead to some interesting business for the firm.

“They wanted to use my footage on a documentary and as a result the general manager of the Komandoo Island resort got in touch with me. On the back of that we won a lucrative contract with the whole resort chain to create a new logo, develop their brand and supply printed thermal mugs for their gift shop.”

Steve Smith, owner of The Studio, added; “My parents set

the business up here in Tettenhall more than 25 years ago and since then we’ve had many great clients but when Kenny came back from his holiday and landed a contract with a luxury Maldives hotel chain we were very excited.

“It’s brilliant that a simple family snorkeling video of marine life netted a great contract – and the Maldives is not a bad place to visit for meetings either.”

Now The Studio, based in the Old Coach House, Upper Green Mews, has designed the Champa Resorts brands and supplies it with marketing materials from branded mugs to business cards including new marketing material for the island Hurawahli, which has the world’s largest underwater glass restaurant.

Mr Andrew, a graphic designer, said: “I was on a family holiday in the Maldives last year and was having fun snorkeling using my GoPro. I uploaded my video onto YouTube and it was picked up by The Discovery Channel.

l-r: Kenny Andrew, director and Steve Smith owner, The Studio.

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wolverhampton west magazine | april 2017

Stylish Shade Solutions for your home

Simple, elegant and robust Inshade sails keep your conservatory cool in the summer months by reducing UV rays by up to 95% whilst maintaining natural light levels.

Made in the UK from an exclusive solar control fabric – Inshade sails can be washed in a domestic washing machine to ensure they maintain their looks and performance for years to come.

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Check out our new online shop www.1stchoiceflooringsolutionsltd.co.uk

Call now & book your free estimate 01902 681522 email info@1stchoiceflooringsolutionsltd.co.uk

www.wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk

41

Exciting Times at Three Pines Building Company The team at long-established Wolverhampton-based building company, Three Pines have been busy completing a variety of exciting new projects this year, as well as launching their brand-new subsidiary company, Three Pines Quality Homes.

As Alan Bradshaw, M.D. explains: “We work closely with the Ministry of Defence and have just completed a new glider training school for them in the Cotswolds.”

Complete with en-suite accommodation, a large catering kitchen, dining room and a number of training rooms the site has been custom-built to an exact specification to meet the needs of the service.

And, the company is also due to start work on building a new Ministry of Defence cadet unit in Trench that’s designed to include classrooms, a dedicated I.T room, offices, toilets and a servery, as well as a car park.

With an excellent reputation in the industry, it’s no surprise that the company is always in

demand with both businesses and homeowners alike.

And that’s why the company carry out all-manner of different projects.

“We’re currently erecting new purpose built training towers for West Midlands Fire Service in Sutton Coldfield and Canley.”

Always keen to keep at the forefront of the building industry, Three Pines has used its multiskilled team to complete a unique project for a domestic client, based closer-to-home in Penkridge.

“Our private client wanted their new home finished using the latest ‘green’ technology as well as eco-friendly and locally sourced materials.”

In contrast, the Three Pines team has also been called in to complete

a sympathetic refurbishment of a Grade 1 listed building in Bridgnorth at Bishop Percy’s House.

“Bishop Percy’s house is thought to be the oldest building in Bridgnorth, so we are very excited to be able to undertake the project and breathe new life into the historic site.”

With plans to convert the impressive black and white building into flats and a café, as well as constructing two new builds on the land attached to the property, Three Pines will undoubtedly be giving the site a new lease of life.

And it’s projects like these that demonstrate the company’s ability to complete a diverse range of projects to the highest standards.

In fact, Three Pines is synonymous with quality, that’s why the business’s announcement to launch their new subsidiary company, Three Pines Quality Homes, is especially exciting.

“Our new company will specialise in individual house building and every new build will be built to the highest standards and specification.”

Despite the long list of projects and the introduction of the new company, the Three Pines team is still ready and waiting to take care of any of your building or maintenance work this spring.

So, why not plan your own project and call in the Three Pines team to make it a reality?

42

wolverhampton west magazine | april 2017

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

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

w w w. t h r e e - p i n e s . c o. u k Cullwick Court, Cullwick Street, Wolverhampton WV1 2UR Tel: 01902 499919 Email: info@three-pines.co.uk www.wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk

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We manufacture standard windows and doors, bi-fold and patio doors, curtain walling and balustrade at our factory in Rumer Hill, Cannock.

Whether we are asked to create and plan original bespoke designs from your requirements or we are working with other architects and designers.

We promise you that from the moment we take on your project, we will work very closely with you from the start to the finish.

Please do not hesitate to contact us with your bespoke ideas, plans and projects.

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All projects shown on this page were completed by Tech Aluminium Systems wolverhampton west magazine | april 2017

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

Unit 10 Rumer Hill Business Estate Rumer Hill Road Cannock Staffordshire WS11 0ET www.wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk

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45

Grand Theatre COMPETITION energy, and is ‘a fresh new Great British Musical’ (The Times) that will make your spirits soar.

One lucky reader can win 2 tickets to see SUNNY AFTERNOON on Tuesday 18th April 2017 at 7.30pm at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre.

Featuring the iconic hits You Really Got Me, Waterloo Sunset, Dedicated Follower of Fashion, All Day and All of the Night, Lola, Sunny Afternoon and many more, this production fizzes with

With music and lyrics by The Kinks’ frontman Ray Davies (Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement in Music), a new book by Joe Penhall and direction by Edward Hall, Sunny Afternoon’s faultless musicianship and brilliant songs come together for a moving portrayal of The Kinks’ amazing journey during the youthful, rebellious 1960s.

Tickets for Sunny Afternoon from 18 – 22 April 2017 are on sale now at the Grand Theatre Box Office.

Winner of the 2015 Olivier Award for Best New Musical, Sunny Afternoon rock ‘n’ rolls its way into the Grand Theatre from Tuesday 18 – Saturday 22 April 2017, telling the captivating tale of how one of Britain’s greatest bands, The Kinks, rose to stardom.

Step into swinging 60s Britain and discover how The Kinks found their definitive sound that rocked a nation and influenced generations.

Feel the euphoric highs and experience the power of a live Kinks performance as we witness the bands beginnings, as brothers Dave and Ray Davies join forces and write their first songs, discover how they got their risqué name, relive their barnstorming debut on Top of the Pops, their infamous American tour and their triumphant comeback.

To book your seats please go online at www.grandtheatre.co.uk or contact the Box Office by calling 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 Wolverhampton West Magazine or email info@wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk by Friday 7th April 2017.

Which two brothers joined forces to form the Kinks?

A) Mark and David Knopfler B) Dave and Ray Davies C) Gary and Martin Kemp D) Noel and Liam Gallagher 46

Competition Terms and Conditions Please send postal entries to Wolverhampton West Magazine, 1 Lytham Road, Perton, Wolverhampton WV6 7YY or email info@wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk.

To be received no later than Friday 7th April 2017. 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.

wolverhampton west magazine | april 2017

www.wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk

47

Out and About near

Church Stretton

By Rob Taylor “Top notch walking boots can cost an arm and a leg these days,” asserts the salesman in Outdoor specialist retailer Millets, before continuing, “You definitely want a pair engineered with GoreTex and a reliable waterproofing system.”

I stare at him blankly as he expands into heavy-duty detail, which is full of jargon; stuff like: “ultra-lightweight microporousexpanded Polytetrafluoroethylene membrane.”

In short, it would seem that today picking a new pair of boots can 48

be a complicated business that requires a grasp of degree-level chemistry, so if you’re on the hunt for some it’s worth taking your time, but if you have a pair already and just want to get out into the great outdoors then I have just the place to visit: Church Stretton.

as “Little Switzerland” in the 19th Century – however, it is its situation inside a wooded valley, slap bang in the middle of the Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty that pulls in most people today – especially outdoorsy types fond of anoraks and Thermos flasks.

Right on our doorstep – although the Shropshire Hills are readily accessible from the entire West Midlands, and via the M5 and M6, from many other parts of the country too – Church Stretton is at the heart of it all: a small but busy market town; 13 miles south of Shrewsbury and 16 miles north of Ludlow, it retains much of its Edwardian character and supports a variety of independent shops, traditional tea rooms, pubs and restaurants, plus a unique antiques emporium. Thus it has bags of charm – enough in fact for it to have been known affectionately

Popularly referenced in the poetry of A. E Housman, these

wolverhampton west magazine | april 2017

‘blue remembered hills’ also provided the backdrop to Malcolm Saville’s children’s stories and can be enjoyed via 37 different official walking routes.

Church Stretton can in fact lay claim to being the first town in the West Midlands to be awarded ‘Walkers are Welcome’ status, because of the litany of way-marked walks available for all abilities.

Start at Carding Mill Valley you can discover the natural water feature Victorian visitors called a “miniature Niagara”, the picturesque Lightspout Waterfall. Anyone familiar with locally-bottled Stretton Hills spring water may be interested to follow the route of the Victorian pipe previously used to carry water from the top of the valley up to the highest point of the Long Mynd.

At the top you can take in fantastic views across Shropshire and beyond. Join a local walking club for more or check out Church Stretton’s Walking Festival in June. This area is also rich with over 20 miles of bridleways for cyclists and horse-riders.

Look east to see ‘600 million years ago’ given form and character by Caer Caradoc, with its Iron Age hill-fort; the view west will take you up through the historic Rectory Wood and onto the wild heather and sheep-covered Long Mynd, as well as to the ancient barrows and hollows, scoured out in the Ice Age, known locally as “batches”. Perhaps the area’s most famous site is Carding Mill Valley, where there can be found many more activities such as bird-watching, geology, pond-dipping and astronomy. And if you’re in the market for something a little more dynamic, there’s always Long Mynd Archers. This is an archery club that boasts 10 GB accredited coaches who can take you from beginner to international competitor.

Home to BBC2’s ‘Victorian Farm’ series, Acton Scott Historic Working Farm is another mustvisit destination. So too is 100-year-old Church Stretton Golf Club, which boasts both an illustrious past – big names like Sandy Lyle, Ian Woosnam and Henry Cotton have all played there – and dazzling panoramic views.

Evidently the beautiful Shropshire Hills provide the ideal setting for just about everything that’s great about the great outdoors – just be sure to remember your walking boots.

www.wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk

49

INSURANCE COMPANY APPROVED, SPECIALIST IN FIRE AND FLOOD RESTORATION

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50

email: marcus@mbhbuilders.com

Lower Street, Tettenhall, Wolverhampton WV6 9AF

wolverhampton west magazine | april 2017

Domestic • Commercial • Industrial All electrical work undertaken • Fault Finding & Repairs • Fuse Board upgrades • Power and Lighting Design • Home Networking • Full or part Re-Wiring • Immersion Heaters • Electric Showers • Indoor & Outdoor Lighting • Phone & TV Sockets • Outdoor Wiring • CCTV & Security Installations • Minor Work - Sockets, Switches etc.

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www.excelelectrical.net 51

R C C l e a n i n g Treat your home to a professional clean Even though we all know that first impressions count many of us overlook the exterior appearance of our property.

Dirty fascias, grimy conservatories and blocked gutters don’t just look unattractive; they also devalue your property. That’s why it’s important to regularly treat your home to a professional clean.

Fortunately, the team at RC Cleaning are ready and waiting to transform your home.

“I’ve established a really good customer base over the seven years I’ve been in business and many of my clients have recommended my services to their friends and relatives.”

As owner, Richard Cotterill explains: “We undertake all aspects of exterior cleaning from top to bottom.

We clean roofs, fascias, soffits, inside and outside of gutters, window frames and sills, garage doors, porches, conservatories and orangeries.”

It’s no surprise that RC has gone from strength to strength as Richard prides himself on the work he does for his clients.

And the company also install Hedgehog Gutter Guards: “Many homeowners don’t realise just how problematic blocked gutters can be and often don’t notice a problem until they’re overflowing.”

“I’m really passionate about what I do and I take pride in my work. Cleaning is incredibly rewarding and I get real job satisfaction from seeing the transformation once a job is complete.”

When gutters become blocked water can get into the brickwork and cause damp problems in your home.

And the company also offer a professional carpet and upholstery cleaning service too.

“Well maintained gutters are essential, that’s why it’s so important to have them regularly cleaned out to keep them working effectively. Installing Hedgehog Gutter Guards prevents gutters from blocking.”

The business is accredited by Age Concern, which proves to highlight just how trustworthy and reliable Richard is.

Many homeowners have benefited from Richard’s cleaning services since he started the company in 2009.

“Homeowners can rest assured that whatever the job, they’ll receive only the best service when they use RC Cleaning.”

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Full House Exterior Cleans (including Conservatory) • Fascias • Soffits • Garage Doors Window Frames • Sills • Porches • Exterior House Roof Cleaning (including Moss)

For a free no obligation quote call Richard on Est. 2008

01902 448289 or 07792 359262 Bhylls Crescent, Merry Hill, Wolverhampton

RC Cleaning 52

Age Concern approved trader wolverhampton west magazine | april 2017

Using the latest and best equipment the team are able to take care of all of those annoying issues that make driveways look unsightly.

The driveway is one of the first things we notice when we arrive at a property, yet it’s something that we often overlook when it comes to our own home.

It’s easy to concentrate efforts elsewhere, but neglecting the driveway can really spoil the look of your property.

Fortunately, DCS are on-hand to give tired driveways a new lease of life with their professional cleaning and restoration service.

Co-owner Julie Cotterill, explains: “We take care of all aspects of cleaning, restoration and maintenance. We use a revolutionary industrial pressure rotary cleaning system and our machines are purposely designed to restore hardworking surfaces by providing a unique deep cleansing system.”

“Our deep cleaning system removes most tyre marks, most oil stains, weeds, moss and slippery algae.

We use a chemical-free industrial high pressure water system to restore the look of the drive.”

Established in 2009, the family-run business has gone from strength to strength over the years and husband and wife team, Rob and Julie and their son Richard have become highly recommended by homeowners.

“We’ve earned a great reputation in the local area and our customers have been delighted with the results and the service we offer.”

“People pay thousands of pounds to have their driveway put down, yet they don’t consider the need to maintain it, a professional clean can really bring it back to life.”

It’s not just driveways that benefit though, DCS also extend their cleaning service to paving and patios, facias, soffits, guttering and conservatories.

“We offer free no-obligation quotes and work hard to ensure that our pricing is extremely competitive.”

Excellent customer service is the number one priority for the company and they’ve even earned accreditation by Age Concern - something that reflects the high standards they work to.

So, why not contact the team for a quote today?

Homeowners are quickly learning the value of investing in maintaining their driveway.

Professional paving and patio cleaning at affordable prices, get your drive looking pristine

We specialise in: Block paving, re-sanded, sealed (optional) • Concrete inprint, recoloured and sealed • Pathways • Patios • Garden walls and stone ornaments • Conservatories • Oil stain removal • Fascias, soffits and guttering • Drains unblocked For a free no obligation quote please call 01902 448289 or 07976 880080 Bhylls Crescent, Merry Hill, Wolverhampton

www.drivecleaningservices.com Commercial work undertaken • Fully insured • Age Concern approved trader www.wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk

53

Meet the boss

A soul of the soil who’s true to her roots When it comes to gardens, our outdoor living experience is limited by only imaginings – and budgets.

Bringing the ‘garden into the home’ with strategic planting views, patio pot arrays and a superabundance of decorative features has become a national passion.

TV celebrity horticulturists and green-fingered makeover rescue teams have set the bar high – not a bad thing, perhaps, but a reality check on costing and the availability of plants can often pose an insurmountable challenge.

It may be great television, but in realising the “instant garden” dream, even the most ardent weekend grower could probably find some wise counsel with Ann Winwood, Town and Village Life’s gardening columnist and a joint director of Lealan Garden Centre.

A true soul of the soil, she was first introduced to the magic of growing seeds as a young girl after her grandfather, Fred Lealan, purchased an eight-acre plot between Wolverhampton and Bridgnorth.

Now in third generation ownership – Ann juggles the dayto-day running of the business with brother, Peter – she recalls: “From toddlers we were both part of life here [Lealan]. I grew up enjoying the outdoors and I could never have settled into an office type of job. I came here right from school.”

A genuine family business on the Bridgnorth Road, she adds: “My father, James, worked here with his sister, Bessie, and met my mother, Phyllis, here in the ’50s, so as a youngster growing up in the ’60s my life was always around plants.

“Back then we were producing tomatoes and bedding plants which were sold at the old retail market in Wolverhampton.”

54

Ann Winwood, director of Lealan Garden Centre

In those formative years ‘garden centres’ were very different to what they have evolved into today. Taking ownership of the acreage in 1935, Fred was allowed to cultivate only vegetables under a Home Front farming initiative after the outbreak of the Second World War. “He had a fruit and veg shop on The Green in Darlaston until he bought the land that the garden centre stands on in 1935.” says Ann. “We’ve always been growers and it defines our business,” she stresses.

It clearly is the central pillar of the company ethos and something of which Ann is fiercely proud.

“Everything produced here is sold here. In that respect we are still traditional growers.

“As the business has developed our range of stock has increased dramatically with all the chemicals, composts and sundries, stoneware, gravels and garden furniture. But growing plants is the main thing. We have over an acre of shrub area, plus the fields for growing wallflowers.”

Sitting in her office reflecting on the latest delivery of rattan weave garden furniture – “it’s still in the boxes” – Ann says: “It’s February and already we’re planning for Christmas, ordering cards, baubles and

other decorations and thinking of displays – it’s a huge undertaking.

In this business you’re constantly planning ahead.”

Knowledgeable –“I’ve been doing this more years than I care to remember” – approachable and with a transparent, earthy honesty, Ann admits the childhood fascination of seeing a seed germinate, mature and come into flower has never abandoned her and clearly enjoys ‘talking shop’.

“People come in with their gardening problems and we try our best to help, but it can sometimes be hard. Gardening is a science by itself. The same plant can react very differently with garden pests, soil acidity, light, watering and drainage all having a bearing,” she says.

As for current trends: Outdoor living fires a lot of interest – bistro and larger dining table sets, quality wooden benches, the rattan range and pots for planting.

There’s also an emerging interest in more traditional plants, “but blocks of solid colour are currently in fashion,” says Ann. And the future: Getting better – gardens in wintertime can be neglected and sad places, but with the Met Office predicting high summer temperatures it’s looking like Ann’s going to be busy. Fingers crossed!

wolverhampton west magazine | april 2017

Spring in the garden

at Lealans Garden Centre

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

Dead head bulbs particularly daffodils, leaving the green foliage on to send nutrients back to the bulb and top dress with fertilizer.

This should give you a good display of flowers next year. Remember to dead head spring flowering bedding plants as well to encourage more flowers. If it’s been damp and mild pansies and violas can develop black leaf spot at this time of year – remove the worst affected leaves and dispose of and spray with a fungicide to discourage the spread.

Spring is the ideal time to split snowdrops into smaller clumps.

Many summer flowering bulbs and tubers can be planted outside as the weather warms up – Lilies, Canna, Pineapple flower and Summer Snowflakes. Always plant lily bulbs on their side so that water doesn’t lie in the scales and cause them to rot. Dahlias can be started off in pots inside, then planted out once the danger of frosts has receded. Begonias should be pressed gently into potting compost, curved side down – never completely covered, water and keep on a light sunny windowsill or in a heated greenhouse.

Remove any old growth from perennials and divide if required.

Put in stakes, canes and plant supports before they get too tall and flop over. Slugs and snails love young herbaceous shoots, especially in damp conditions.

Use a deterrent to prevent the wholesale slaughter of your plants.

As the weather becomes increasingly mild, thoughts start turning to the lawn. We recommend the use of MO Bacter to moss and feed the lawn naturally. It feeds the lawn over a 12-week period and contains bacteria which are naturally found in the soil and which when added to fertiliser will consume material like thatch and moss, making it unnecessary to rake or scarify after treatment.

Annual herbs can be sown now – fennel, parsley, savoury, dill all need replenishing every year.

Perennial herb varieties can also be planted, remember to water and feed regularly so you can keep cropping throughout the year.

Watch out for late frosts if you’ve got potatoes in tubs with plenty of leaf growth – always protect at night. Sow your first and second early potatoes followed by maincrops, again watching out for late frosts once the foliage appears.

OPEN DAILY

Bridgnorth Road, Shipley, Pattingham, Wolverhampton WV6 7EZ

Open over Easter except

Easter Sunday

Tel 01902 700209 www.wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk

We have a stunning range of planted arrangements and pot plants.

Full range of plug plants now in stock.

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

www.lealansgardencentre.co.uk 55

N e v e r Mow the Lawn Again

It was not that long ago that if you mentioned you were having an artificial lawn installed to your neighbour a look of disdain would fall over their face as they visualised an 80’s style Astroturf five a side football pitch complete with shiny surface and plenty of skin burns!

of the range of benefits of doing so. So why would you consider pulling up your existing lawn and creating an artificial landscape?

Times have changed as we are now five generations of artificial grass on from that original product first laid in the Houston Astrodome ( hence the name ) and grasses are now plentiful in range of colour, texture, length and softness.

Then take the inclement British weather, wet turf is no fun for children (or their parents when it comes to washing their clothes) but with an artificial lawn play areas are useable 365 days of the year and we can even install special shock proof material beneath the lawns to soften falls from tall play equipment.

For nearly ten years at Nevermo we have been installing the perfect lawn in customers’ homes, schools and nurseries and it is becoming increasingly popular year on year as more and more people become aware 56

Well the reasons our customers provide us are numerous but amongst the most popular are dog owners who want rid of the scarred patches, worn run areas, dug holes and endless muddy paws walked into the house; I am sure every dog owner can sympathise with these reasons and artificial lawns are 100% dog proof!

Then there is the maintenance issues of a natural lawn, as we get older we all want less maintenance in our homes and gardening is no easy chore, even for people

who love it, but it is not always particularly visually appealing to pave over lawned areas just to save on cutting the lawn. Many lawns just fail to grow, due to numerous reasons including the influence of surrounding trees, high water tables etc.

Artificial lawns now look stunning and the reality is a well installed one from a quality supplier is very difficult to tell from the real thing.

A new lawn can be achieved very quickly, often in a day, with the old lawn removed and taken away, a new sub base laid and a ready to use lawn by the end of the day.

One word of caution though, the market is becoming flooded with poor quality imported material, a good quality UK sourced lawn, installed by trained installers will not be the cheapest you can buy but it will be guaranteed and stand the test of time giving years of trouble free use.

wolverhampton west magazine | april 2017

www.wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk

57

Profence

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

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

Owner Shane Gamble explains: “I started the company back in 1983; over the years we’ve grown and grown and are now a well-established and trusted name in the business.”

“We manufacture, supply and install a range of different products which meet the requirements of each of our client’s individual needs.

We’ve got palisade fences, welded mesh fences, powered gates, timber panels, picket fences, as well as close board designs too.”

Working closely with a number of local authorities, Profence carry out work for various schools and colleges across the region: “We do jobs for Wolverhampton, Walsall, Cannock and Dudley Councils, which means that we are contracted to work on all manner of different institutions.”

And that’s not all: “We work with all types of property and buildings, and we offer advice throughout the design and installation stages to ensure that everything runs smoothly.”

Shane places a great emphasis on ensuring that all of his team are fully trained, so that they can offer the best levels of service to his customers.

“I employ 40 members of staff and they are all experienced in their role. Our clients can rest assured that they are receiving the best service. We offer free no-obligation quotations, guarantee all of our work and never ask for money up-front.”

It’s not only providing great customer service that ProFence are concerned with though. The company take great care to ensure that the products they use are sourced responsibly, that’s why they’re proud to be FSC certified.

Kate Scott, Shane’s daughter and Office Manager at ProFence explains: “The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is an international network designed to promote

responsible management of the world’s forests. It provides standard setting, trademark assurance and accreditation services for companies who are interested in responsible forestry.”

“We want to ensure that we’re doing our part in helping to protect forests, by sourcing wood that comes from sustainable sources.”

ProFence also hold Chain of Custody (COC) certification: “COC certification provides independent evidence that forest products originate from well-managed forests. It helps consumers and businesses make informed decisions about the timber products they buy.”

And, the entire ProFence team work together to ensure that the chain of custody process runs smoothly.

“We only buy from companies that can supply FSC timber, when it arrives we check it has all of the correct paperwork, so that when our customers ask for FSC products we can ensure their delivery notes and invoices include our COC code.”

It’s values like these that set ProFence apart from the competition.

L/R – Andy Vaughan and Nigel Dolan (Contracts managers), Kate Scott (office manager) and owner Shane Gamble

58

Whatever plans you’ve got in mind for your garden fencing, contact the team today to make your plans a reality and enjoy the excellent service ProFence has to offer. wolverhampton west magazine | april 2017

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www.wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk

59

Looking forward to spring 2017

– KEY DESIGN TRENDS Rethinking Outdoor Experiences

As we look forward to the start of spring, Martin Neenan, Garden Creations’ General Manager reviews some of the top trends in garden design, which are set to continue this year.

As we know, an increasing number of homeowners are turning their gardens into a space they can use all year round.

This can be as simple as creating cosy sheltered areas where you can cook, eat and socialise around a fire pit, to making the garden an integral part of the home using complementary hard-landscaping materials. This trend is also now moving into more elaborate designs, including the emergence of outdoor kitchens.

Colouring Structures There is now a real demand for customers wanting more colours

out of their structures. This can be achieved by painting fences, sheds or structures like pergolas in black, dark green or dark blue. These dark surfaces also provide the perfect backdrop for vibrant planting schemes.

Low Maintenance For this piece we couldn’t leave out the growing popularity of artificial grass. This is a trend set to stay with more and more options being developed for homeowners to simulate the look and feel of real grass.

There are lots more we could focus on, from patios to driveways and even cool garden gadgets that are being integrated into modern designs – our favourite is the underground patio drinks cooler!

Come and talk to us to find out more and gain professional advice from our award-winning garden designers. Call 01902 376500 or visit www.boningale-garden-creations.co.uk

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60

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wolverhampton west magazine | april 2017

A Boutique ApproAch

to gardening at the Potting Shed • Pruning • Planting (including hanging baskets and seasonal displays) • Mulching • Jet wash • General tidy • General advice on what plants would be suitable where

The Potting Shed is a boutique gardening gift shop tucked away in Limes Court, Tettenhall village that offers a personal garden maintenance service carried out by qualified horticulturalists.

I launched the business in March 2016, after moving back to my hometown from London where I gained 10 years’ experience within the industry.

We are also a stockist of Muck Boots and Spats – the next big trend in festival footwear!

As well as our shop, we also provide gardening services. I’ve a real passion for gardening and me and my team take great pride in treating all of our client’s gardens as our own.

We offer a full maintenance service that includes: • Lawncare • Weeding

Each package is bespoke to cater for our client’s needs, and all gardens big and small.

The process starts with a free consultation and a chat to see what you’d like to achieve within your garden and then we go from there.

By choosing The Potting Shed for your garden maintenance you’re guaranteed a reliable, friendly & professional service, and benefit from a 10% off loyalty card that can be used in our shop.

“We’ve had a great first year so far, so if you haven’t visited already I’d love to welcome you to our shop & services, Look forward to seeing you!” Sarah

I wanted to open a garden shop that offered something a little different from the ‘run of the mill’ garden centre. Therefore, we stock a carefully selected range of products that make unique gifts. A lot of our products you won’t find in other local garden stores and that’s what we pride ourselves on.

We still stock essential tools, seeds, compost etc… but also have a great range of indoor plants & pots. This year we’re also going to be stocking a wide range of fresh herbs. Everything from the staple Rosemary to grapefruit mint (great in cocktails!)

L-R: Adam, Sarah, Vicki.

Open: Mon - Sat 10am - 5pm Sunday - Closed

Tel: 01902 755502 Email: info@thepotting-shed.co.uk www.thepotting-shed.co.uk www.wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk

61

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Call John 01902 279790 or 07973 295357 blakesglassandglazing@gmail.com wolverhampton west magazine | april 2017

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63

The Garden in April weeds will be smothered out, and you will be retaining valuable moisture in the soil. If you choose your mulch carefully too, the general appearance of the garden will improve enormously.

Peat or forest bark are the most attractive of the mulches, though weathered sawdust comes a close second. Don’t overlook the possibility of pea gravel to mulch around shrubs and bushes, it looks nice and is every bit as effective from the moisture retention point of view.

Watch early plant growth this month especially flowers and flower buds on fruiting subjects.

Radiation frosts can be prevalent and are especially apt to occur when the barometer is high, and clear starlit skies follow warm sunny days. As these are not particularly invasive frosts, the frost barriers you should provide will not need to be too stringent.

Hessian tents, sheet polythene, newspaper, netting or just cloches will be quite adequate.

Another feature of April weather is in a misconception.

Like February, April is said to be showery and wet. In fact it is amongst the driest of the months in the UK, so care will have to be taken to ensure seedlings and young plants out in the open, do not dry out. This is a busy month with planting, seed sowing and growth regulation.

It depends very much on your location when it is exactly right to get going on all this activity, and although in the South, early on in the month will be not too early, in the North it may be necessary to delay for a week at least.

A soil thermometer is a good investment in this respect as even some southern area soils are liable to be too cold, depending on their exact altitude and location.

One thing is certain, whilst you are doing your utmost to protect and nurse your delicate plantlets along, the weeds will be coming along like wildfire. Now you can resort to one of the many herbicides and systemic weedkillers on the market, but you know, there is nothing half as effective as a good old-fashioned hoe. If it is sharp and clean, you can lift the little perishers out, chop them up and dig them back into the soil, all without bending your back once. Keep this up and you will soon discourage anything from growing unless you want it to.

It is important to get at unwanted plant growth before it flowers and fruits though, because allowing the seeds to spread will only make life more difficult next year.

Another good way to discourage weed growth is to mulch flower and shrub borders nice and thickly. You can literally mulch anywhere in the garden if you have the materials and energy. Its benefits are two-fold, the 64

For the avid vegetable gardener, now is the time to plant a lot of tasty veg for use later on in the year. Broad beans, beet, borage, borecole, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbages, carrots, cauliflowers, chervil, couve tronchuda, kohlrabi, leeks, lettuce, pickling onions, parsley, peas, potatoes, radishes, runner beans (at the end of the month), salsify, savoy, scorzonera, spinach and turnips; all may be planted in the open.

French beans, tomatoes and endive can go in under glass, with a little heat supplied if the temperature gets particularly low for the time of year.

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www.keeperslanenursery.co.uk Open seven days a week in May and June wolverhampton west magazine | april 2017

Wi-Fi woes?

Whilst wireless networks make use of our devices much easier, there are times when they can be frustrating due to loss of connectivity and speed due to distance from the router or interference.

As ever in the world of IT, there are many ways to alleviate these problems.

?

Finchfield IT

Wi-Fi repeaters are becoming more popular.

These are usually fairly small devices that are plugged into a socket not too far from the router so they can pick up some of the signal and ‘bounce’ it to areas with low or no signal. At times where the reach of these isn’t long enough homeplug adapters can be useful. These use the mains electricity as part of a wired network, with a wireless device plugged into a socket in the area needing a signal. These devices all use a range of wireless standards, with the latest 7802.11ac the highest speed and longest range.

PC Support & Service

Whatever the problem, contact us for the answer.

Call Finchheld IT

www.wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk

01902 578235 07775 700174 www..nchheldit.co.uk

NO

call-out charge

Don’t

monkey around!

Repairs Install Websites Parts Sales Support

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C a n n o ck

Caravan Accessories

helping you enjoy the great outdoors

If you’re looking forward to taking your caravan out on the open road this spring, then you’ll need to pay a visit to Cannock Caravan Accessories first.

Stocking everything caravanners could possibly need – as well as plenty for motorhome owners and campers too - the independent family-run business supplies customers with an impressive range of products from industry-leading brands.

The Team explains: “Caravanning and camping is as popular as it’s ever been as more and more people want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and seek out an adventure – or maybe just some peace and quiet - in the great outdoors.

And Cannock Caravan Accessories can provide clients with all those essential – and luxury – items that’ll make their trip complete.

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“We’ve got an enormous range of products on sale at our 12,000sq ft store. Our caravan accessory ranges include everything from gas fittings, electric equipment and lighting to TVs, barbeques, homewares and even solar panels.”

Motorhome ranges include storage solutions, mirror guards, bike carriers and Fiamma/Thule products.

Of course, there’s all-manner of spare parts for caravans and motorhomes too.

There’s also an impressive selection of awnings from leading brands like Isabella, Kampa, Dorema, Vango and Ventura.

“Full awnings, inflatable awnings, porch awnings and motorhome awnings are all available at our store (over 30 on display).”

And when it comes to camping, there’s plenty to choose from as well: “You’ll find everything you need for a camping trip, apart from the tent!”

With more than 40 years of experience in the industry

the team have worked hard to bring their customers the finest selection of caravanning and camping accessories.

“We pride ourselves on the excellent customer service that we offer. We are a friendly team, knowledgeable and always on-hand to offer advice.”

The company has built an excellent reputation based on the excellent service and topquality products that they offer.

And you don’t have to just visit the store to benefit because the company have a comprehensive website that’s complete with all of the products you’d find in store.

“Any website queries are dealt with by all members of the team in store - who can be contacted by telephone - and our online customers can also email our different departments directly.”

So, whether you’re a seasoned caravanner or maybe just caravan curious, why not visit Cannock Caravan Accessories and start planning your getaway this spring?

wolverhampton west magazine | april 2017

www.wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk

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Love your Independent Retailers Wolverhampton Independent Retail Excellence (WIRE) Awards have launched and are looking for entries and nominations for the City of Wolverhampton’s best independent shops and businesses.

Enter now...

By entering Wolverhampton’s first Annual WIRE awards you’ll have the chance to really make your business stand out from the crowd. The Awards seek to celebrate the fantastic quality of independent retail offer we have in Wolverhampton whether its your shop, hairdressers, beauty salon, restaurant, cafe or bar. The awards are recognition of hardworking independent retail businesses that make our city streets vibrant.

Free to enter and open to independent retailers provided they have a Wolverhampton postcode, the entry process is simple, visit www.wireawards.co.uk to find all the information and the entry form which takes only minutes to complete and submit online.

All entrants will receive a welcome pack which will include a range of promotional materials to share with customers and to help your business attract votes from the public.

There are 12 honours up for grabs including: • • • • • • • • • • • •

Independent Retailer of the Year Retail Personality of the Year Excellence in Customer Service Best Dressed Shop or Outlet Employee of the Year Leader’s Award – Apprentice or Trainee of the Year Excellence in Staff Development Hospitality & Leisure Business of the Year Community Retailer of the Year Most Improved Business of the Year New Business of the Year Favourite Retailer of the Year

This is a real opportunity to showcase and promote your business, put your business on the map and be part of a prestigious Awards event in July.

Nominate your favourite...

For the independent businesses that you tell your friends about, where you can’t beat their customer service, or product range, you can nominate your favourite independent business for an award.

The closing date for entries and nominations is midnight on Sunday, 30th April, and the winners will be announced at a prestigious awards ceremony on 18th July.

Vote...

Vote for your Favourite Retailer of the Year. If you have a favourite shop that always delivers excellent customer service, that gives you extra sprinkles on your favourite cakes and always gives you that special service that makes you feel like one in a million, then let them know.

To vote for your favourite independent retailer, text WIRE plus your favourite independent retailer’s name to 60777* or visit www.wireawards.co.uk Led by Wolverhampton Business Improvement District (BID) in partnership with the City of Wolverhampton Council the awards are a real opportunity to shout about the fantastic range of independent retailers, from our small cafes and bars through to our top quality stores carrying international brands, bringing a rich diversity to our high streets.

There is an award category to suit all independent retailers, so take this opportunity to tell us about your business in our city and enter or vote for your favourite now at www.wireawards.co.uk *Standard network charges may apply

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wolverhampton west magazine | april 2017

Shop...

AT ALL OF YOUR FAVOURITE BRANDS AND FABULOUS INDEPENDENT SHOPS.

Indulge...

DISCOVER OUR GREAT RANGE OF BARS, PUBS CAFES AND RESTAURANTS DAY AND NIGHT

Nightlife...

ENJOY FILMS, THEATRE, COMEDY, NIGHTCLUBS AND A VIBRANT MUSIC SCENE!

Stay...

FOR LONGER AND ENJOY THE SITES AND ATTRACTIONS OF THE CITY.

Make a day of it... Find out more at:

www.enjoywolverhampton.com www.wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk

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Walk the walk

and help make a dream come true Wolverhampton-based children’s charity Promise Dreams is absolutely delighted to be announcing the return of its biggest single fundraising event - Walk for Dreams 2017!

You may well have heard the team on Signal’s 107 talking about this year’s event and seen the banner going up around the city!

Sunday 16th July will see walkers, family and friends return to the grounds of Himley Hall in Dudley in their thousands to set off on a 9 mile walk to Wolverhampton Racecourse. The start time is 11am and on arrival, after registration, walkers will be given a warm up to ensure they’re ready for the off and a full-on party atmosphere awaits them at the Racecourse with music, bouncy castles, face painting, refreshments and, most importantly, somewhere to rest your weary feet.

As in previous years entry to Walk for Dreams is totally free but walkers are encouraged to get sponsored or fundraise in whatever way they can as this will enable Promise Dreams to raise even more special smiles. There will also be “I walked the walk” t-shirts on sale

at both the start and finish venues for participants of the event.

The team at Promise Dreams are hugely grateful to their key partners in this project who, through their generosity, will ensure that every penny raised from the walk will go directly to the families that the charity works to support. This money will make a real difference to some very special children and help to create memories that will be treasured for a lifetime.

To sign up or find out more about Walk for Dreams simply visit www. walkfordreams.co.uk and complete

the online registration page. You can sign up individually or as a team so why not recruit as many of your friends and colleagues as you can and then see who can raise the most sponsorship.

The website shows the different amounts in relation to different dream requests so you could even set yourselves a group target and know that you’ll be fulfilling a dream through all your hard work.

For a small charity like Promise Dreams volunteer support at a big event like this is crucial so if you would like to help out on the day then you can also register on the same website to volunteer at this event.

Promise Dreams is committed to helping seriously and terminally ill children and their families see their precious dreams become reality. Whether that dream is the chance to meet a celebrity, go to the theatre or simply to have access to medical equipment that will enhance each and every day of their lives.

To find out more please visit www.promisedreams.co.uk

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wolverhampton west magazine | april 2017

promisedreams.co.uk Registered Charity No . 1086020

Join us for a with friends and family from Himley Hall to Wolverhampton Race Course and you can help to make a difference to seriously & terminally ill children.

REGISTER NOW : walkfordreams.co.uk For more information please:

Call : 01902 212451 Email : walk@promisedreams.co.uk

www.wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk

Visit : promisedreams.co.uk

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H a p p y 6 0 th B i r thday

We can barely believe it either, but Royston Blythe was 60 years old on 20th March 2017.

So, to celebrate his milestone birthday, we dug-out some old photos and asked Royston to take us on a trip down memory lane.

Our reporter, Helen Taylor met-up with him just before he jetted off to celebrate his 60th birthday in style Down Under.

Over the 44 years he’s been in the industry, Royston has done it all; he’s styled the rich and famous, travelled the world, established a highly successful brand – with his partner, Nick – and made clients everywhere look - and feel - amazing.

Yet his story started from humble beginnings.

Raised singlehandedly by his mother, Royston - and his sister - grew up on a council estate in Wednesbury.

“Money was really tight when I was growing up. I always knew I wanted to be a hairdresser and when my mum could afford a hair colour, I enjoyed doing her hair,” explains Royston.

With little interest in school, he left aged 16 to pursue his passion for hairdressing and enrolled at West Bromwich College.

“After training as a hairdresser, I started working at Peter Pyne before moving to Wolverhampton’s most prestigious salon at the time, Raymond’s.”

And it was at this salon that Royston got his first taste of working with a celebrity clientele.

Royston, the late Tara Palmer-Tomkinson, Nick

“Virtually everyone who was performing at The Grand Theatre came into Raymond’s.”

Working full time in Wolverhampton during the week, Royston headed to London at the weekend.

“I’ve always socialised in London and in the 1970’s I did Go-Go dancing twice a week and began to move in many different celebrity circles.”

Royston’s career was taking off; he was busy creating hair – and make-up – looks for top fashion photo-shoots, styling celebrities and enjoying the London lifestyle.

And, it wasn’t long before he would meet Nick, his partner of 32 years, and open his first salon.

“I met Nick whilst I was down in London. We were friends for a while before starting our relationship.”

Now highly experienced in the industry, Royston opened Royston Blythe in Newbridge, Wolverhampton - in 1989.

Twelve months later Nick joined the business becoming the other half of the Royston Blythe brand – and the duo moved to their present site in Compton.

Spending an increasing amount of time going out in London - socialising with everyone from the late Tara

Nick and Royston in December 2016

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Royston, Cherie Blair, Cynthia Payne, Kevin Horkin

wolverhampton west magazine | april 2017

Royston modelling with models

Nick, Peter Andre, Katie Price, Royston

Palmer-Tomkinson to Elton John and David Furnish - Royston and Nick purchased a flat in Sloan Square and then opened their second salon in The Dorchester Hotel in 2008.

Keen to establish another salon nearer to home, Royston and Nick left The Dorchester to open their fabulous Shrewsbury salon in 2014.

From their London location, Royston and Nick expanded their hairdressing empire, styling the likes of Peter Andre and Katy Price – for their wedding day in 2009 - Katy Perry, Tamara Ecclestone – who was the face of the brand for several years – and even international royalty.

Now, Royston is as busy as ever. He works in both salons during the week and is the International Brand Ambassador for L’Oreal.

He also features regularly – alongside Nick – on The Real Housewives of Cheshire.

“Ian Carmichael, one of our stylists at The Dorchester, visited Buckingham palace twice a week to style Queen Elizabeth’s hair.”

Royston (centre), Vivienne Westwood and Husband

And, when he’s not working, he’s keen to raise as much money as possible for many worthy causes, including Compton Hospice and Help for Heroes.

Even in his sixtieth year, Royston is still as passionate and motivated about hairdressing as ever.

Royston, Peter Andre, Nick

“I never see myself retiring; I absolutely love the industry and enjoy every moment,” adds Royston.

Young Royston

www.wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk

Party Boy Royston

Liam Payne, Royston

Royston, Zhandra Rhodes

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wolverhampton west magazine | april 2017

96 Windmill Lane, Castlecroft, Wolverhampton WV3 8HG

NEW ‘Bring your own dishes’ service We will fill your dishes with delicious meals prepared fresh in our kitchen using Poxon’s quality meats

Quality Butchers Tel: 01902 761693

www.poxonsbutchers.co.uk

Dishes include: Lasagne / Cannelloni / Meatballs / Quiches We also make sweet pies.

We now have Staffordshire spring lambs in stock

Specialists in high quality British meat for over 50 years Comprehensive range of pork pies using the finest ingredients

A member of the Guild of Q Butchers Quite simply, this means that Allan Bennett is one of the best butchers in Britain. Quality is our number one priority, and we are committed to preserving the skills passed down through generations of traditional craftsmen.

At Allan Bennett’s we produce all our products using the best English meat, which is bought from Bridgnorth market every Tuesday.

This means that all of our meat has full traceability, and guarantees you top quality meat from local farmers.

In short, you can’t buy better!

Perfect pastry aids top triumph Allan Bennett beat more than 200 competitors in the Meat Traders Journal Pork Pie contest in Bolton. Judges were impressed by the meaty contents of the pie and the perfectly produced pastry. Steven said: “The ingredients we use in the pies has been the key and it feels fantastic to have won first prize”.

Allan Bennett Ltd, 15 Station Road, Codsall. WV8 1BX Tel: 01902 842204 Open 6 days a week : Monday to Friday 7am-5.30pm, Saturday 7am-5pm www.wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk

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Eating Out, Entertainment, Food, Drink and Wedding Venues

Promote your venue to over 50,000* readers with Wolverhampton West Magazine To find out how your venue can be featured please call Gisella on 01902 744217.

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*over a 2 month period

wolverhampton west magazine | april 2017

Molineux Stadium, Wolverhampton

EVERY THURSDAY, GET TWO COURSES FOR JUST £20 per person including a complimentary half bottle of house wine.

Offer is on starter and mains only. Offer runs until end of April 2017. Excludes Gourmet evenings.

Please call 0871 222 9339 to book or e-mail candb@wolves.co.uk

The Park house hoTel Shifnal

www.parkhousehotelshifnal.co.uk

Schools Out Package

50 Day Guests 80 Evening Guests Bucks Fizz Reception 3 Course Set Wedding Breakfast Glass of Wine with the Wedding Breakfast Fizz for the Toast • Hot Pork Baps Complimentary Suite*

All for £2017 - School Holiday’s and Mid-Week Dates available **Terms and Conditions Apply**

For further details please call The Park House Hotel on 01952 460128.

The Park House Hotel, Park Street, Shifnal, Telford, TF11 9BA reservations@parkhousehotel.net

www.wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk

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Win a meal for two The Mount Hotel is giving one lucky reader the chance to win a 3 course meal for two including a bottle of selected house wine in the Drawing Room Bar and Grill.

The Drawing Room Bar and Grill at The Mount opened in 2011 and has gone from strength to strength. It offers contemporary British food with a twist as well as a fantastic grill selection. All produce is locally sourced and selected for quality and animal welfare. The head chef works closely with his team to produce exciting and well-presented a la carte dishes. The Drawing Room was a runner-up in the England and Wales Good Food Awards 2014 and 2015 as well as being awarded two AA Rosettes with its first AA Rosette in 2014.

They are open to both residents and non-residents and serve lunch and dinner 7 days a week as well as a very popular seasonal Sunday Lunch. The Drawing Room is also available for afternoon teas and periodically runs special lunch promotions.

The Mount has been awarded The LUX Award for most elegant hotel accommodation 2016, this has come after the completion of a 2-year refurbishment project in order to bring all of their 67 bedrooms to their brand standards. All rooms have been modernised extensively and now benefit from the finest in luxury furnishings and upholstery.

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

How many AA Rosettes has the The Mount Hotel been awarded?

Email your answer including your name, address and telephone number to: info@wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk or on a postcard to Wolverhampton West Magazine, 1 Lytham Road, Perton, Wolverhampton WV6 7YY. All entries to be received by Thursday 27th April 2017.

Competition Terms and Conditions Winner will be chosen at random from all correct entries received and informed by telephone. To enter you must be aged 18 years or older. No cash or alternative prize will be given. Prize valid from Sunday to Thursday inclusive and booking date will be subject to availability. Prize to be redeemed by Thursday 25th May 2017, all entries will be forwarded to The Mount Hotel unless requested otherwise.

wolverhampton west magazine | april 2017

FEAST FOODS

A HEALTHY START TO 2017...

It doesn’t have to be difficult eating healthy food, especially with FEAST Foods at your service. FEAST Foods mission is to design vegetarian and vegan dishes using fresh, beneficial ingredients at an affordable price.

FEAST Foods is created by Nadiah Sweilem who’s main passion in life is food. Nadiah recognised that the people of Wolverhampton craved healthier food options and believes it is possible to get more fresh foods into our daily diets by making some simple healthy changes. FEAST offers people the opportunity to eat at least one meal a day that is meat free, plant based and delicious.

It has been a busy start to 2017 for FEAST Foods with people wanting to eat healthy. With each meal being balanced, nutritional and full of beneficial ingredients that reward your mind and body.

A convenient healthy dish for after the gym, delivered to your office desk or straight to your front door.

Joining the FEAST revolution is simple. New menus are shared a week in advance on Mondays via our website and social media.

Just place your order by Saturday to receive healthy lunches delivered to you the next week.

No need to ever get confused with prices, each lunch is £5.

For more information on how to order take a look at FEAST Foods website www.feast-foods.co.uk ‘Nothing brings people together like good food’

website at www.feast-foods. co.uk or social media pages: Facebook: FEAST Food Instagram: Feast_Foods Twitter: Feast_Foods or telephone: 07715 680236

FEAST Foods is also very excited to announce the arrival of its first Pop Up vegetarian restaurant event. Serving a delicious 3 course Middle Eastern Vegetarian meal and a refreshing cocktail for all you lovely foodies. This event will be hosted at Perton Golf Club on Friday 7th April. To purchase tickets please head to billetto.co.uk/en/ events/feast-pop-up-restaurant To order and find out more information head to FEAST’s

FEAST

Vegan and Vegetarian Lunch Delivery www.feast-foods.co.uk

@feast_foods

www.wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk

@feastfoodswolverhampton

@feast_foods

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Gluttons for Nourishment

– New management, same coffee lounge Tettenhall’s much-loved coffee lounge, Gluttons for Nourishment is under new management and regulars will be delighted to hear that the new owner, Justine Allan, doesn’t plan to change a thing.

As she explains: “My family have enjoyed visiting Gluttons for many years and I absolutely love the coffee shop the way it is, so I certainly don’t want to make any changes - my aim is to simply improve upon it.”

The 26 year old has an impressive business background and is well-placed to ensure a bright future for the coffee lounge.

“I ran my own Ebay business for several years and worked in commercial accounting before taking on the role of United States Sales Agent for a leading German equestrian company.”

During her time working for the brand, Justine was solely responsible for the growth of the business in America.

Now, however, she’s thrilled to be able to indulge in her passion for baking and ensure that Gluttons continues to go from strength-to-strength.

“I’m really enjoying running the business and taking care of all the baking.”

Serving illy coffee alongside a long – and very delicious – menu, Gluttons’ have got something to tempt everyone.

“There are all sorts of mouth-watering dishes on the menu; salads, jacket potatoes, gourmet sandwiches, all-day breakfasts, as well as plenty of sweet treats, including gluten-free cakes.”

And Justine’s speciality, Strawberry and Vanilla Cheesecake, will soon be on the menu too.

For those who fancy something extra-special though, there’s Gluttons’ indulgent afternoon tea.

“We use vintage china to present our delicious afternoon tea. We serve guests a platter of sandwiches and potato skins, sausages - served in a maple and mustard dressing - crisps and a selection of cakes.”

And there’s unlimited coffee, tea and hot chocolate included too.

Owner, Justine Allan

Unsurprisingly, afternoon tea at Gluttons is incredibly popular, so booking is essential.

“Our afternoon teas are usually booked-up three months in advance on Saturday’s but if you don’t want to wait you can always order a cake platter when you visit if you fancy a treat.”

Sourcing the finest – and freshest – local ingredients, Glutton’s team of seven chefs work hard to ensure the highest possible standards.

And the team pride themselves on offering the best customer service too.

“I’m really lucky to have such a fabulous team of staff working for me; my kitchen manager, Laura Bradley, and my front of house manager, Helen Pemberton, work exceptionally hard to ensure the food and service is to an excellent standard.”

And Justine adds: “The coffee lounge is licensed and available to hire for private parties on Sundays. We also offer catering for a range of indoor and outdoor events and business lunches, so please feel free to get in touch so we can cook up a tailor made menu for you.”

Justine Allan with members of staff

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Whether you fancy a delicious lunchtime snack, an indulgent dessert, afternoon tea for two, or even just a coffee, make sure that you visit Gluttons today. wolverhampton west magazine | april 2017

(licensed)

Gluttons AFTERNOON TEA A selection of Sandwiches, Hot and Cold Savouries, Cakes, Scones, Meringues, Unlimited Tea, Coffee, Hot Chocolate

only £15 per person Bookings are essential

Special afternoon tea

Serving All Day Breakfast • Light Bites • Salads Oven Baked Jacket Potatoes • Gourmet Sandwiches • Open Sandwiches Cake Platters • Gluten Free Available • Hot Drinks • Hot Chocolate Syrups • Milkshakes • Cold Drinks • Wines, Beers & Bubbles Catering for local businesses and events • We sell Birthday Cakes that are made to order Open Monday to Saturday 9am - 5pm

Gluttons is available to hire on Sundays

Free WIFI

To avoid disappointment we recommend booking your table, please call 01902 755689 Tettenhall Arcade, High Street, Tettenhall, Wolverhampton WV6 8QS

www.gluttonstettenhall.co.uk facebook.com/gluttonstettenhall www.wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk

Instagram.com/gluttonsfornourishment 81

The perfect venue, whatever you’ve got planned Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and Valentine’s Day.” And special events at The Mount are held in the hotel’s most impressive room, The Great Hall.

“The Great Hall is utterly breathtaking and provides the perfect setting for weddings and those all-important occasions.”

It’s rare to find a hotel that offers everything; a beautiful setting, luxurious rooms, fine dining and excellent customer service but The Mount Hotel, Tettenhall, delivers it all.

Set in four acres of land, the imposing Grade 2 listed Victorian building boasts 67 fully-refurbished rooms – 31 of which are located on the ground floor – a restaurant that’s been awarded two Rosettes by the AA and the facility to cater for weddings, private functions and corporate events.

Originally the home of the Manders family for over 90 years, the building was sold in 1952 and transformed into a hotel. In 2011, The Mount was acquired by the Bernard family, who have invested in it heavily, refurbishing the site whilst striving to preserve its unique character.

Passionate about the hotel, the family – along with newly appointed Manager, Neil Wyatt – have worked hard to ensure the highest possible standards throughout all parts of the business.

“Our reputation is incredibly important to us,” explains Neil.

And the hotel has certainly earned an excellent reputation, with many visitors to Wolverhampton depending on The Mount to provide them with an enjoyable stay, as well as the countless locals who frequently make a trip to the hotel’s fabulous bar and grill, The Drawing Room.

“Our rooms cater to all requirements; there are deluxe, superior deluxe and executive rooms, as well as junior suites, suites and serviced apartments - which are set within a pretty courtyard.”

And both residents and nonresidents can enjoy The Mount’s fully-stocked Champagne bar - which regularly hosts live entertainment - as well as trying out the award-winning cuisine that’s served in The Drawing Room.

Of course, there’s always the option to treat yourself and a few friends to an indulgent afternoon tea in the hotel’s lounge or make plans to visit to celebrate a special occasion.

“We hold many events throughout the year to mark those important dates on the calendar, like

01902 752055 sales@themount.co.uk TheMountHotelWolverhampton/ TheMountHotelWV www.themount.co.uk

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Showcasing exquisite Edwardian design, The Great Hall – a former library - offers a spectacular backdrop and holds up to 120 people. So, it’s no surprise that many couples have fallen in love with the venue.

It’s not just The Great Hall that makes weddings at the Mount extra special though; there are also the pretty landscaped gardens – which make a great setting for photos – luxury rooms for guests and the hotel’s expert team of staff that make sure everything runs smoothly.

For smaller private parties there’s the newly refurbished Mander’s suite, The Wightwick Suite and The Drawing Room that are all available to hire. And there are also dedicated corporate facilities for business clients too.

Passionate about his role at The Mount and equipped with an impressive 20 years of industry experience, Neil has got big plans for the future of the hotel.

“We’re keen to develop a luxury spa and open up the woodland on our land to guests. We’re also determined to achieve a four star rating next year.”

So, whether you’re looking to find the perfect wedding venue or simply enjoy a meal out, why not contact the team today and see what The Mount Hotel can offer you?

The Mount Hotel Mount Road Tettenhall Wolverhampton WV6 8HL

wolverhampton west magazine | april 2017

Summer Events April

June

August

EASTER SUNDAY

FATHER’S DAY

SUMMERTIME FAYRE

Sunday 16th April

Sunday 18th June

Sunday 20th August

Three course lunch with an Easter egg hunt in the gardens for the children.

Sittings between 12pm – 1:30pm

Savoury afternoon tea, including a reception drink (ale or prosecco)

Join us from 12pm – 4pm for for our family afternoon event filled with tasty food, ice-cream and lots of fun entertainment. Entry is FREE so come along for some fun in the sun!

£25 per adult £15 per child*

£24.50 per adult £15 per child* or Father’s Day lunch with all the trimmings, including a reception drink (ale or prosecco) £24.50 per adult

*Aged 12 and under

The Drawing Room Bar and Grill is open to both residents and non-residents at The Mount Hotel, putting Wolverhampton back on the map as an exceptional dining experience.

NEW à la carte Grill Menu and Wine List now available Lunch Menu Monday – Saturday (12:00 – 15:00) Sunday Lunch Menu (12:00 – 17:00)

Book your table now!

01902 752055

T: 01902 752055 E: sales@themount.co.uk W: www.themount.co.uk www.wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk

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English wine Spr ings for ward at

Halfpenny Green Wi n e E s t a t e The majority, though, are sold through the vineyard’s own on-site shop. Set across three floors, with views over the rolling vines and lush Staffordshire farmland beyond, the shop sells a range of giftware, confectionery, preserves and sweets, as well as the extensive Wine Loft, which offers a range of alcohol, including over 50 artisan British gins. The Wine Loft is also home to the vineyard’s wine tasting sessions, and, brand new for 2017, gin tastings!

On the subject of world-class wines, you’d be forgiven if France, Italy and Australia popped into your head first.

Well, you can now add South Staffordshire to that list! Situated in Bobbington, Halfpenny Green Wine Estate is a family business that has been producing award winning wines for 30 years. Almost 30 acres of vines produce grapes that are turned into 14 different wines by the expert wine making team.

Spring is the most important time of year, as the vines must be carefully monitored and are hand-pruned to ensure the fruit gets as much sun as possible during the summer, ready for harvest later in the year.

The journey of the wine doesn’t end there, though.

The vineyard is also home to a locally renowned restaurant, serving breakfast, lunch and daily high teas, as well as cakes, sandwiches, drinks and snacks. Guests can enjoy a glass of still or sparkling wine whilst dining on the homemade produce and daily specials fresh from the kitchen, prepared from local ingredients by the team of chefs. The restaurant also hosts special A La Carte Evenings throughout the year (by booking only), as well as special Sunday lunch menus for Mother’s Day and Easter Sunday (16th April).

To learn more about the Wine Estate and the process of wine making, guided public tours are available by booking on selected dates throughout the summer months, and private tours are also available for groups of 15 or more. The site is open to the public 7 days a week 9am - 5pm, and entry is free, making Halfpenny Green Wine Estate a must-visit this spring!

Once the grapes are in, what happens next? The wine making begins! The expert team blend the grape juices and monitor the exact composition of each wine; most importantly, the alcohol content!

This ranges from 11.5% for some of the still whites - like the Gold Medal winning Tom Hill - right up to the dark, fruity 15% full-bodied red - Rondo 2014.

So where do the wines go? They’re sold in farm shops around the Midlands area, and have recently been taken on by M&S and Waitrose in the area, plus the John Lewis Food Hall on Oxford Street.

For further information on any of the above events or to book a table call 01384 221122.

Halfpenny Green Vineyards, Tom Lane, Bobbington, South Staffordshire DY7 5EP.

www.ha l f p e n n y - g re e n - v i n e y a rd s . c o . u k 84

wolverhampton west magazine | april 2017

A family business, established in 1983, 30 acres of vines are managed by Martin and produce award-winning wines crafted by his son Clive. The acclaimed shop, restaurant, deli and tea room are run by Clive’s wife Lisa, and offer a great day out for visitors.

AWARD-WINNING ENGLISH WINES

LOCAL PRODUCE SHOP & DELI

RENOWNED RESTAURANT & TEA ROOMS

U P COM I NG E V E N TS

easter sunday

à la carte evening

food & wine festival

Sunday 16th April

Friday 19th May

Saturday 10th June

Tom Lane, Bobbington, South Staffs, DY7 5EP visit www.halfpenny-green-vineyards.co.uk call 01384 22 11 22

www.wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk

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Rafique with the team from Wombourne Tandoori receiving the Master Chef Promotions award for – Restaurant of the year West Midlands region

Privileged to have an early introduction to proper Indian food in a time when curry houses were homes where his school friend Sohan and his brothers lived, our food critic John Nash reflects on the success of Wombourne Tandoori in the highly respected Midlands’ Master Chef Promotions (MCP) Awards.

Salute to the king on the

curry throne

Finally, there is some weighty recognition of Wombourne Tandoori’s cuisine with this village jewel of Indian subcontinent cooking picking up the coveted West Midlands Restaurant of the Year award.

a few cold beers. Then, over a period of months, I realised this cooking had become less appealing and sadly my favourite restaurant haunts were also uninspiring.

Something had changed and whole Indian food genre that

had been so buoyant in the Black Country was in decline.

I owe my re-awakening to Rafique’s bother, Makham, the chef who managed to capture the essence of food I’d enjoyed from my old friend Sohan’s mother,

It is, without doubt, long overdue as foodies like myself have been writing great reviews on this place for years.

For me the allurement is in the way owner Rafique Miah has managed to successfully fuse the rich, cultural traditions of Indian subcontinent cooking with modern culinary art.

For decades, Friday evenings for me were curry nights – mostly takeaways, washed down with 86

Foyzur (right) and head chef from Blue Ginger with their ‘Best Newcomer of the year’ trophy

wolverhampton west magazine | april 2017

which she prepared slowly as a love offering to her diners.

I’d been commissioned to review the food at Rafique’s curry house as part of the Wombourne Tandoori silver jubilee.

On a Wednesday evening I was encouraged to find every cover taken and I raved about the dishes served.

You can’t miss Rafique – he’s indisputably the boss and whether he relishes the attention or not, he is local celebrity.

But it was clear after the starters were served there was only one major attraction at this restaurant and it was on the table.

At the time Rafique said: “Many of the recipes have been handed down to our family and are unique to us. My mother’s dishes are served here and the recipes are a guarded secret.” For those wanting to brave something different there are up to another 70 recipes not listed and every dish can become bespoke to suit personal preferences.

Rafique and Khalid with their trophy

With a keen eye to detail and fastidious approach to customer experience, this restaurateur is fiercely proud of what has been achieved on the village square.

For good measure, Rafique’s Blue Ginger takeaway in Moss Grove, Kingswinford, was also named in the MCP awards as Best Newcomer of the Year.

With no intention of being deposed from his curry throne, Rafique is planning more recipe research trips to his homeland to keep the menu fresh.

Long may the magical alchemy of Rafique’s kitchen creations continue to enrich the diets of his customers.

Wombourne Tandoori Restaurant Established 1989

Air conditioned

Cuisine of Bengal

Fully licensed

 FOOD HYGIENE RATING SCHEME 2011-2016

Rafique Miah welcomes you to the longest established Indian Restaurant in Wombourne Village, serving sumptuous Bangladeshi Cuisine for over 28 years.

Restaurant of the year West Midlands region 2016

“We pride ourselves on our Quality of Food, Excellent Customer Service and Customer Satisfaction.”

Recently refurbished in contemporary surroundings, air conditioned and fully licensed.

Open 7 days including Bank Holidays 5.30pm until 11.30pm

Our popular Take-away Service is still the best in Wombourne offering 10% off our Menu price.

Tel: 01902 324148 / 324437 High Street, Wombourne WV5 9DN www.wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk

facebook.com/wombourne.tandoori

www.wombournetandoori.com 87

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Arrive in Style with luxury CArS within reach of every budget and we’re available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 52 weeks of the year.”

Image boasts a fleet of cars, which include a Jaguar XJ – and a Jaguar XJ Premium – as well as a Mercedes Benz R-Class.

And what’s more, Keith has just purchased a nine-seater Mercedes Benz people carrier that’s equipped with a flip-down flat screen TV – which can be used to watch Freeview and DVDs – and luxurious leather seats.

Wherever you’re going this spring, make sure that you arrive in style with a chauffeur driven vehicle from Image Luxury Cars.

The family-run business has been providing their customers with an exceptional service for nearly five years, as owner Keith Warner explains: “We’re a leading provider of chauffer driven Mercedes Benz vehicles for the V.I.P, corporate executive and more selective traveller and we pride ourselves on the excellent service that we offer,” With a vast range of driving experience, Keith holds a licence to drive all classes of vehicle - including Class 1 HGV and a PSV licence.

“I was a freelance driver for many years and completed work for multinational businesses as well as driving coaches for leading companies across the UK and continent. That’s why I’ve got a vast knowledge of the UK – as well as Northern and Southern Ireland.”

Image Luxury Cars offer a bespoke, reliable service and cover all areas of Wolverhampton, Stourbridge and surrounding areas.

“We travel to all parts of Great Britain and Ireland, taking our clients wherever they need to go.”

And when you book to be driven

by Image Luxury Cars you can rest assured that you’ll arrive at your destination relaxed, refreshed and in style.

“We take the stress and hassle out of travelling, allowing our customers to concentrate on enjoying that special event or preparing for an important meeting.”

Whether it’s for work, a special occasion or maybe a sporting event, you can depend on Image to impress with their excellent service and fleet of luxury vehicles.

“Our Jaguar is always a really popular choice for weddings and larger groups enjoy travelling in comfort in our Mercedes vehicles.”

The company also have use of a Bentley, which will delight those who really want to make an entrance.

Image Luxury Cars have already gained an impressive reputation and earned many loyal regular customers.

So, why not treat yourself and make that occasion extra special by arriving in luxury – and style – with Image Luxury Cars?

For more information call Keith on (01902) 847145 or 07772 605764.

And everyone can benefit: “We provide luxurious travel and top quality service, which is

Contact: Keith Warner on 01902 847145 or 07772 60576 email: enquiries@imageluxurycars.co.uk www. imageluxurycars.co.uk

www.wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk

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Bridal Beauty

The unbeatable Classic look There have been plenty of different wedding day hair and beauty trends over the years everything from frizzy perms and bright lipsticks to tans that were far too orangey - but there’s one look that has never gone out of fashion; the classic bridal look.

Defined by glowing skin, a perfect pout, carefully groomed brows, luscious lashes, manicured nails and glossy hair, the classic look will never date because it serves to simply enhance your own natural beauty, with the aim being to look like you on a really good day.

Here’s how to achieve it: Begin a dedicated skincare routine as early as possible. Thoroughly cleansing, toning and moisturising every day is essential for a clear complexion. Remember to exfoliate regularly and invest in some quality skincare products that are specially formulated for your skin type.

Booking in for regular facials at the salon is a good idea too; schedule one every four to six weeks, several months before the big day.

If you want long, flowing, glossy tresses then you’ll need to start getting your hair in tip-top condition as soon as possible too. That means booking in for regular trims, ditching the heated styling tools and using quality products.

Think about the hue that’ll be right for you; darker shades add gloss to your locks and can help improve the overall look of your hair, whereas blonde shades can be incredibly flattering for any skin tone.

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Model wears Celestina Dress £595. Phase Eight.

It’s essential to speak to both your stylist and colourist to make plans for your big day as soon as possible.

Well-groomed and well-shaped brows are a must for creating that beautiful natural look that works so well with your wedding makeup.

If you’ve over-plucked in the past give your brows time to fill-out by abstaining from plucking.

Make regular appointments at the salon for eyebrow shaping, so that you’ll be guaranteed to have the

perfect arched brow to accompany your natural make-up look.

Schedule weekly manicures leading up to your big day to ensure that your nails are a uniform shape and length.

Try out last extensions for beautiful eyes, book in teeth whitening for a camera-ready smile and treat your lips to lots of T.L.C before your big day because you’ll need a perfect pout for when you pucker-up for that first kiss as man and wife.

wolverhampton west magazine | april 2017

www.wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk

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A Fresh Look For spring Updating your look, just in time for spring, is easy thanks to the award-winning team at Midlands Hairdresser of the Year Salon 2016, Royston Blythe.

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We caught-up with Nick to bring you all the advice you need to style a head-turning look for the new season.

What’s your favourite style for spring 2017?

Ultra-feminine, seductive waves are perfect for spring – they’re

easy to maintain, effortless to style and completely versatile, whatever the occasion.

How do we achieve the look?

If you’re blessed with thick, luscious hair take random sections and wrap around your wand to create an unstructured look. If

wolverhampton west magazine | april 2017

What about the cut?

Soft face framing layers, sideswept fringes, and gentle wisps and waves are important to flatter every face shape for a youthful look. Keep the style feminine and full of dimension and choose short pixies, jawskimming bobs, fashion focussed lobs or simply lush long locks.

And finally, what can we do in-between salon visits to keep our hair looking great?

your hair is finer, consider opting for Rapture Hair Extensions, they’re natural, damage-free and are perfect for holding waves - as well as ensuring your hair looks lush, beautiful and healthy.

Remember to always use the best heat protection shine spray your budget will allow for. At the salon we love Kerastase Elixir Ultime.

What colours are hot this season?

The soft, subtle – and ever popular - balayage colouring technique is here to stay. At the salon we tailor the colour to work for each individual client’s face shape and hair length.

They’re plenty of playful colour options too, like beautiful rose gold tones, which are very flattering for many complexions. If you really want to push the boundaries with your colour though, then dark blues and light mint greens will be perfect for you this season.

How can our hair help us to look younger?

You can look amazing, whatever your age, with hair that’s been cleverly cut, coloured and styled.

Begin a dedicated home hair care routine and use monthly Kerastase FusioDose treatments to target specific hair issues. Don’t forget to eat well too, you can never underestimate the power of hair super-foods; keep blueberries, walnuts, eggs, avocado and salmon in your weekly diet.

At the salon we use Rapture extensions to add volume to create a fuller, youthful look and because they’re taped into hair, they’re quick and easy to apply and don’t damage the natural hair at all.

Colour is important too and the Balayage technique is incredibly effective for taking off the years.

It works so well because the colour is multi-dimensional and the brightest ribbons of colour are placed around the face and on top of the hair to add warmth, mimic a natural sun-kissed look and create a youthful look.

Warmer tones are always more flattering, so we advise our clients to choose golden tones for blondes, caramel tones for brunettes and coppers for red hair.

www.wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk

Royston Blythe 36 Bridgnorth Road, Compton, Wolverhampton WV6 8AE Tel: 01902 751720 email: info@roystonblythe.co.uk www.roystonblythe.co.uk Royston Blythe @RoystonBlythe RoystonBlytheOfficial

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Spring - Summer 2017 New Collections now on board!

Aristocats aim to provide excellent customer service to women who appreciate quality fashion.

Whatever the event our stylish Spring/Summer 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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wolverhampton west magazine | april 2017

• Aldo Martins • Basler • Eugen Klein • Frank Walder • Happy Rainy Days • Joseph Ribkoff • Just White • Michaela Louisa • Olsen • Oui • Rabe

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Perton & Bridgnorth travel • Mercedes Viano 7 seater & Range Rover available with DVD entertainment • All airports, seaports, days/nights out, corporate functions, social & sporting events and weddings • Wolverhampton, Bridgnorth & all surrounding areas • 24 hours a day, 365 days a year • No journey too far or too short • Very competitive prices • Reliable and always on time

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wolverhampton west magazine | april 2017

3D-Lipomed at

Cosmetique

The team of experts at Wolverhampton-based Aesthetic Clinic, Cosmetique, have been busy helping clients take care of all manner of beauty concerns using the latest – and best – techniques and products.

Radio frequency is incorporated into the treatment to start tightening up the skin.

“The machine also has duo Cryolipolysis, which is a system that freezes fat cells, allowing them to be drained out of the body through the lymphatic system.”

The treatments are planned around the individual needs of the client, utilising each of the systems to achieve optimum results.

Owner, Suky Chana, recently introduced 3D-Lipomed – a brand new 3D treatment.

As Suky explains: “The 3D-Lipomed is an upgraded device to 3D Lipo and it’s only available in aesthetic clinics.

It’s a powerful machine that nonsurgically removes fat cells, treats cellulite and provides skin tightening for the face and body. Clients have seen staggering skin tone, fat reduction and weight-loss results, an ideal way to get into shape after over indulging during the festive season”.

The process begins with Cavitation, a non-invasive contouring body treatment for localised fat and cellulite.

Although every treatment is bespoke, each session has a fixed price of £150.

“We use each of the different methods available from the 3D-Lipomed machine to achieve the best results for our clients and work to a set price for each session.”

Most people need an average of six to eight sessions, one each week.

“You can get a beach body in only eight weeks with our amazing treatment and you don’t even need to exercise, just attend the clinic each week. It is important to eat sensibly

though if you really want to maximise the results from the treatment.”

By introducing 3D-Lipomed to the clinic, the team at Cosmetique have made it easy for you to get the body you’ve always wanted.

So, why not book in for a treatment today?

3D –LIPOMED SPECIAL OFFER Package price only £79 per treatment.

Available throughout March and April 2017.

1 off treatment remain at £150.

570 Penn Road Penn Wolverhampton WV4 4HU

Clinically led with all procedures carried out by qualified staff • • • • • • •

Laser Hair Removal IPL Pigmentation Scars Blemishes Stretch Marks Collagen Enhancement Vitamin Infusion (vitamin boost injections)

• • • • • • •

Skin Rejuvination Anti-wrinkle Injections Anti-wrinkle Facials Dermal Fillers Tear Trough Dermapen (needling) Cryotherapy (removal of

warts, skin tags and age spots)

New 3D Lipomed Treatments now available, please call for further details

To book an appointment or further details please call 01902 334181 cosmetiqueaesthetic@gmail.com www.cosmetiqueaesthetics.co.uk www.wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk

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Simply Beautiful

- Celebrating 10 Years February 2017 marked the 10th anniversary of Finchfield-based beauty salon, Simply Beautiful.

To celebrate the special occasion, owner Samantha Preece invited clients – both old and new – to a fabulous daytime event at the salon.

As Samantha explains: “It was great to be able to celebrate the success of the salon, say a big thank you to my clients and demonstrate some amazing new treatments.”

Over the past decade, Simply Beautiful has gone from strengthto-strength, establishing a loyal clientele and earning an excellent reputation, thanks to Samantha’s hard work and industry knowledge.

“I’m really passionate about what I do and have worked in the beauty business for over 20 years. Before setting up my own salon I was fortunate enough to spend some time working on cruise ships.”

Samantha was keen to establish her own business so that she could combine family life with her love of beauty.

“I always knew that I wanted a family and my own salon.

Opening Simply Beautiful has allowed me to have both.”

And Samantha is back at work after having her second child last year.

“I’m back at the salon for good.

I’d like to thank Zoe Cooper and Tasara Taylor for looking after my clients and running the salon whilst I was on maternity leave.”

Whilst sipping a glass of Prosecco at the event that was held on the 11th February, Samantha’s clients got a first look at CACI’s new treatment, Eye Revive.

“We have many clients who rely on CACI facial treatments to improve the look of their skin, so they were excited to find out about the new treatment.”

Soothing tired and puffy eyes, combating dark circles, reducing fine lines and wrinkles as well as lifting hooded eyes, the treatment uses serum-filled CACI microcurrent eye rollers to infuse the CACI Eye Revive serum deep into the skin.

“The deeply nourishing Hydro Eye Mask is then applied to soothe the skin.”

Suitable for all skin types, the Eye Revive range has been formulated using clinically effective ingredients that deliver impressive results.

“Our clients have been absolutely delighted with the new treatment.”

age, Thalgo addresses loss of density, firmness, wrinkles and the appearance of dark spots.

“Thalgo’s Ultimate Time Solution Mask contains 100% pure natural Bio Cellulose to work deep inside the skin to create a smoother and firmer look and youthful glow.”

Whatever treatment you book in for at Simply Beautiful, you can be sure that you’ll have a great experience at the salon.

But CACI isn’t the only expert treatment on offer at Simply Beautiful, Samantha also offers a special facial from exclusive brand, Thalgo.

“We’ve got two gorgeous dedicated treatment rooms and a highly trained team. We aim to make our client’s time with us as relaxing as possible.”

“Clients who prefer a more ‘hands-on’ anti-ageing treatment love Thalgo.”

So, whatever treatment you fancy, why not book in at the Simply Beautiful today?

Offering an expert solution tailored to all skin problems related to

“We are always keen to welcome new clients,” adds Sam.

Claire Middleton, Zoe Cooper, Samantha Preece, Tasara Taylor

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wolverhampton west magazine | april 2017

Whichever treatment you book, you can be sure that you’ll have a great experience at Simply Beautiful salon.

Gift ers Vouch e bl availa

eye revive

Soothes tired and puffy eyes Combats dark circles Reduces fine lines and wrinkes Lifts hooded eyes • Spa Find and Thalgo beauty treatments and massages • St Tropez Bronzing • Eye Lash/Brow treatments • OPI Gel Polish • Manicure and Pedicure • Waxing • CACI

To celebraTe our 10 year anniversary we are offering: 20% OFF CACI EYE REVIVE* 20% OFF THALGO ULTIMATE TIME SOLUTION* *Offer valid when you mention advert at time of booking until end of April 2017.

One voucher per person, no photocopies and not to be used in conjunction with any other offers.

cHilDren’s PaMPer ParTies noW available – call For DeTails

To book please call (01902) 762387 Open Tues 9am-5pm, Wed & Thurs 10am til late, Fri 9am-5pm, Sat 9am-3pm, Mon Closed. www.wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk

Finchfield Lane, Merry Hill, Wolverhampton, WV3 8EE simplybeautiful2007 99

Beautiful hair for your big day When it comes to styling your wedding day look, your hair is one of the most important things to consider.

Whether you’re planning on opting for long flowing tresses or an intricate up-do, you’ll need to find a hairdresser that can make your hair dreams a reality.

Fortunately, the team at Salon 27 are ready and waiting to help.

As salon owner, Jodie Mason, explains: “Wedding season is here again and we’re really excited to get started on styling some amazing looks for our clients.”

Offering free consultations for brides-to-be, wedding hair specialist, Jodie, takes time to assess her client’s needs.

“We spend a great deal of time talking to our clients to determine the look they want to achieve. We always recommend that they take a look at

our website and facebook page for inspiration and of course, bring in photos of the styles they like and any hair accessories they plan to wear.”

Jodie offers her clients a wedding hair trial two or three months before the big day.

“It’s always advisable to book your make-up and hair trial on the same day and if possible, try your dress on too. You get the best results when you see the entire look together.”

Clients also benefit from Salon 27’s tailor-made packages: “We work hard to meet all of our clients’ needs and can organise both in-salon and out-of-salon visits.”

“Our stylist, Laura Fellows, is getting married in October and I’m going to be bridesmaid at my cousin’s wedding later in the year.”

Jodie has also recently been busy styling a wedding hair look for a local photographer.

So, it’s no surprise that the team are even more excited about wedding hair than usual.

“The photo-shoot – that took place in April - was great; I really enjoy creating beautiful wedding hair.”

“We really enjoy making brides look – and feel – amazing on their big day,” adds Jodie.

And the team at the salon have got some important dates on their calendar this year.

So, to find your perfect wedding look, contact the salon today.

Special offer for all new clients

CUT & FINISH ONLY £20 April offer

and receive an Easter egg!

WELLA CoNdITIoNINg TrEATmENT

ONLY £5 (WORTH £7.50)

Salon 27 are a unisex salon and have a monthly offer throughout the year, even one for the kids!

May offer

3 For 2 ON ALL STYLING PRODUCTS

Half price colour To book an appointment please call on: every Wed & Thurs with selected stylists.

Kids cut offer every www.salon27wolverhampton.co.uk Monday 3pm-5pm Find us on Facebook: Salon 27 unisex hairsalon. 65 Wakeley Hill, Penn, Wolverhampton, WV4 5BA

(01902) 836565

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Opening times:

Monday 9am – 5pm Wednesday 9am – 8pm Thursday 9am – 8pm Friday 9am – 6pm Saturday 8.30am to 4.30pm Closed Tuesday and Sunday

wolverhampton west magazine | april 2017

PERSONAL TRAINING DELIVERS RESULTS

Chris Jewkes Fitness, home of the ITV’s Biggest Loser, is the Midland’s leading fitness club, with over ten highly qualified specialist personal trainers to match your personality and fitness needs.

A limited number of VIP memberships are available, allowing unlimited access to the excellent facilities, including FREE classes.

(No joining fee, No 12 month contract) www.chrisjewkesfitness.com • Danescourt Road, Tettenhall, WV6 9BQ • 01902 750 355

www.wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk

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EMMA HATTON

Eva Peron in EVITA Moving straight from the role of Elphaba in the West End production of Wicked, Emma Hatton is now starring as Eva Peron in Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s Evita. This has kept her busy but… “as any actor would tell you, you can’t complain when you’re busy!”

“Evita is a very different experience to Wicked. For instance, the fans of Evita aren’t quite as active on social media as the Wicked fans – stage door isn’t rammed with young fans, but those who like Evita have been with the show for decades. There’s quite a responsibility that comes with that, Evita is a well-loved show but we’re doing OK at the moment, they seem to like what we’re doing with it – so long may that continue!”

Emma has understudied the roles of Scaramouche and Meat in London’s We Will Rock You at the Dominion Theatre and Donna in Dreamboats and Petticoats but Wicked was her first full-time principal role. “Playing Elphaba was very interesting, it was there that I learned how to be the leading lady, rather than just stepping into her shoes. In terms of handling the pressures of playing this type of role Wicked gave me a great footing. I still really love what I do and I think that’s the key to success,

Emma Hatton

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to make sure you enjoy what you’re doing and I still absolutely love it.”

“Eva Peron is such a great role and so different to anything I’ve ever done before – it’s a completely different challenge but I’m relishing it. We’re still very early on in the run and I’m discovering new things about her every day. With songs like Don’t Cry For Me Argentina there’s definitely a pressure to get it right and deliver it as effectively as you can. It depends on how you feel, sometimes the show takes more out of you but the music is so cleverly written and beautifully done – it’s quite an immersive experience.”

“We get to see a lot of the life story of Eva Peron in the show, she goes from being 15 to 33, which was the age that she died, the story moves so quickly and the lyrics are fundamental to the telling of the story so you need to be on top of your game every day.”

“Both Elphaba and Eva are incredibly strong women and both such a joy to play, particularly in this day and age.

They’re both role models so that’s fantastic for me to be able to portray.

Who their characters are challenge good an evil. Obviously, Wicked is a fairy-tale and Evita is based on fact but it challenges people’s perception of that ‘grey area’, people aren’t all good or all bad. It makes people think, yes she did some awful

things, but she did them for the right reason. That’s definitely clear in Elphaba’s character, she stood up for what she believed in and made herself unpopular. There are similarities and I can draw on that.”

“As a whole, this is a very strong and very slick production. It also feels very fresh – from my perspective I think we have a really strong team – there are no weak links. The choreography is beautiful also the direction, the lighting and the set just works so well, it’s not too fussy and when you’ve got all that you have a very diligent company.”

“Last year I worked on an EP with Anthony Strong, who gigs full time as a jazz singer and we’ve collaborated a few times. I do have jazz as another thing to do but we’re still quite early on in the Evita tour at the moment so I’m still working out what my capabilities are, and adjusting to being back on the road.

I’m still working furiously behind the scenes but you have to prioritise the show you’re working on. We’re creative people and it’s nice to have something else to work on so that when you come back to the show, it’s fresh again and I’m really looking forward to visiting Wolverhampton.”

EVITA is at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre from 9th – 13th May 2017. www.grandtheatre.co.uk

wolverhampton west magazine | april 2017

Treating Varicose Veins

Varicose veins are very common and affect more than one in three adults.

Often hereditary in cause, they occur because the valves of your veins weaken and fail to work effectively.

The National Institute for Care Excellence (NICE) now advises minimally invasive surgery under local anaesthetic, where patients can walk in and walk out within a couple of hours and quickly return to driving and normal activities.

Symptoms include aching and itching, swelling and restless legs at night and the sensation of throbbing over the vein. If left untreated, this can lead to bleeding, eczema, phlebitis and potentially leg ulcers, which take a long time to heal.

of course, to ease any suffering.

With local anaesthetic and short treatment time, recovery is quick and there is minimal bruising, scarring or swelling, so you can both look and feel better sooner.”

When the sun comes out, people who have been putting off surgery may feel inclined to find out more about available treatments for their blue lumpy veins. Sadly for patients the NHS no longer offers treatment for the majority of patients.

During a consultation, an ultrasound scan will detect the source of the problem and from the size and position, indicate the required treatment.

Recognised by all major Medical Insurers. For self paying patients, the consultation fee is £150 and an ultrasound of both legs is £99.

When the vein valves weaken, blood pools in certain areas and this can cause painful and unsightly bulges at the skin’s surface.

Wolverhampton based surgeon, Nuffield Health’s Mr Simon Hobbs has been a consultant vascular surgeon for the last six years and, back in his training days, can still remember the older treatment methods for varicose veins, including stripping the vein from the top of the groin. He explains that nowadays, with more technology available, guided treatment is almost painless and the results are much better. Mr Hobbs says, “In deciding when to have your veins treated, usually the sooner the better for the best results and,

Before Procedure

Post Procedure

Love your legs VARICOSE VEINS are a source of discomfort and can also significantly affect your selfesteem. Having these assessed and treated could be easier than you think.

www.wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk

• High quality varicose and thread vein treatments • Minimally invasive local anaesthetic techniques • Walk-in, walk out procedures • Quick recovery • Insured and self paying patients

Please call 07555 581698 info@simonhobbsveins.co.uk www.simonhobbsveins.co.uk Nuffield Health Wolverhampton Hospital Wood Road | Tettenhall | Wolverhampton | WV6 8LE

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New Season, New Look

Lilac Bardot Top £26.

Dorothy Perkins

Find your Spring Style

By Helen Taylor Spring is officially here, so it’s time to ditch those drab winter clothes and stock-up on a new season wardrobe that’s full of feminine styles, floral prints and colourful hues.

Whatever the occasion, you’ll be perfectly dressed for spring in a light and bright new look.

Orange Knitted Top £20 Tropical Print Skirt £32 Heels £35 All Dorothy Perkins

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Floral Blouse £25 Tailored Trousers £25 All Dorothy Perkins

Blue Tie-Up Blouse £27.99 New Look

Ripped Jeans £29.99 New Look

Denim Shorts £19.99 New Look

White Trousers £26 M&Co

Denim Jacket £49.

Maison de Nimes at House of Fraser.

Dropped Peplum Hem Top £25.

Therapy at House of Fraser.

Open Court Shoes £79.

Biba at House of Fraser.

Earrings, Necklace, Bracelet, Ring Coeur de Lion Spring Summer Collection from £25 Exclusivey from T.A.Henn, Wolverhampton. www.wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk

Top £28.

V by Very.

Ring, Necklace, Earrings Fei Liu Whispering Collection Exclusively from T.A. Henn, Wolverhampton 105

LOOKING AFTER YOUR EYES Q. Why do my eyes feel gritty and sore at times?

Why do my eyes water excessively?

You may be suffering from one of a group of conditions known as “dry eye.” (Although it seems a strange term when some people feel as though they have too many tears – these are the “wrong sort of tears”!)

Careful examination of the front of the eye can reveal the type of dry eye condition you are suffering with. There is no cure for dry eye, but with the right treatment most people can get significant relief from the symptoms.

At Taylor Biddle Opticians, our specialised Anterior Eye Clinic is very successful in treating dry eye syndrome. We use the latest technology such as BlephEx; a device which spins a medical grade micro sponge to clean scurf and debris from eyelids. Video microscopy and topography are also used to aid diagnosis and treatment

Q: I am over 4O and my reading is getting worse now, why do I need an eye test when I can see quite well with ready readers?

Good vision is essential through life.

With increased reliance on modern technology such as computers comfortable vision allows us to perform at our best. In our 40s, even if we have been lucky enough not to need glasses before, we find that our eyes change and we need more magnification to see close up. This change (presbyopia) is a perfectly natural ageing process and often is a signal that we need to start looking after the health of our eyes. Often just magnifying glasses are good enough for short spells of reading, but for more prolonged periods of close work, a more accurate prescription gives far more comfortable, relaxed vision. It is thought that we can lose up to 40% of our vision before we may notice. Early detection is a key to prevention of sight loss 106

and therefore a thorough eye examination can detect onset of eye disease at the earliest stage.

Q. Which test is the best way to pick up early signs of eye disease?

At Taylor Biddle we offer extended eye examinations which include cutting edge 3D OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography) scans of the back of the eye. These scans are very detailed and not the same as free “photos” offered by some high street multiples. The software compares measurements to age- normal values and results are analysed by our Optometrist to enable early diagnosis of common conditions such as glaucoma, age related macular degeneration, diabetes and other health conditions.

Q. I am shortsighted and hate wearing glasses.

I am thinking about laser eye correction. Is there an alternative?

We are one of the very few opticians who specialise in EyeDream OrthoKeratology overnight vision therapy which is an ideal solution for shortsighted people who are unable or find it difficult to wear spectacles or contact lenses. Custom made contact lenses gently reshape cornea during sleep and correct myopia, providing clear natural vision during the day. Because

the cornea is elastic, this is a non permanent and reversible solution, unlike more radical laser surgery.

These lenses are replaced every six months and cost about the same as daily lenses worn every day.

Q. My 12 year old son is short sighted and every time we go for eye test his prescription increases. Is there anything we can do?

A. Yes, numerous studies have shown that Eyedream Ortho-k lenses can be effectively used for slowing down or even halting progression of myopia (shortsightedness) in children.

High myopia is not only a problem with not seeing clearly without correction but can also increase the risk of developing serious eye conditions such as retinal detachment or glaucoma. The lenses are worn overnight and clear vision is restored for the day, which means less worry about lost contact lenses or spectacles! Some studies also indicated that children are likely to perform better at school if they do not wear glasses.

At Taylor Biddle Opticians we aim to exceed the expectations of our customers through the use of latest technological innovations in eyecare whilst remaining focused on exceptional, friendly customer service.

wolverhampton west magazine | april 2017

www.taylorbiddleopticians.co.uk

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Mind BaBBle:

h y p n o s i s

I’ve recently been working with a very interesting trainer, as it’s most important to keep up to date with all the new information that is coming through from the world of neuroscience.

I use a mix of techniques when I work with clients, hypnosis being a very efficient process, and I find it very useful as a quick way of ‘by passing’ the conscious mind, which has a tendency to get in the way of what is really going on ‘under the surface’ in the sub-conscious mind.

Hypnosis is extremely useful, but rather misunderstood. The media has created a false image of people being made to run around like a chicken, or eating an onion, thinking it is an apple! That’s stage hypnosis.

Hypnosis is just a way to get very relaxed and go into a different state of mind. In fact, most people have been in a form of hypnosis at some time or other. It used to be called daydreaming or going into a brown study. That’s a form of hypnosis – an altered state.

This trainer is extremely interesting, as he works very quickly. In todays modern world, we are used to getting things quickly; McDonalds, Amazon, eBay etc. So when a problem arises that requires a form of counselling, coaching or therapy, many people believe it will take weeks or months to produce a result, and this is time they don’t have.

I recently treated a smoker, who was worried that if he didn’t give up smoking, he wouldn’t be fit enough to enjoy playing sports with his daughter, or be around to walk her down the aisle. He was amazed that it only took 20 minutes to turn him

into a non-smoker! I used a mix of processes, but the hypnosis was the most useful on this occasion. I have also used it to great effect with OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder) and to help a businessman get rid of his fear of public speaking.

I also use it as part of the weight loss programme The Placebo Diet. It isn’t actually a diet; it’s a way of thinking yourself thin. And part of the process involves meditations, using a form of hypnotic language – to help your unconscious mind make healthier food choices. By retraining the mind, you will make weight loss part of your life forever, and not a temporary process, to be repeated over and over again.

When it comes to making changes you thought were impossible, it really is ‘all in the mind’! If I’ve spiked your curiosity, Look at my website or give me a ring and see if I can show you where you will find the answers to the changes I know you can make!

“I aim to help you quickly gain skills and techniques that will empower you to clear your ‘Gremlins’ and move you towards a bright future. I use a mix of new science-based processes and well established systems, suited to your own unique situation.”

Sue Wilkinson

Some of the issues I work with: Panic Attacks • Anxiety • Phobias • Obsessions Rejection / Love Pain • Public Speaking Fears • Flying/Driving Fears Self Sabotage • Low Self Esteem • OCD • Depression • Chronic Anger Irrational Guilt • Self Sabotage • General Stress • Fear of Doctors/Dentists

Find out more at mindbabble.co.uk Contact me for a FREE consultation call & see how I can help you.

mindbabble.co.uk 108

Phone: 07980 541271 email: change@mindbabble.co.uk wolverhampton west magazine | april 2017

www.wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk

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South Staffordshire

le i s u r e

South Staffordshire Council’s leisure centres offer a wide range of fitness facilities which are available to both members and non-members.

The facilities available include: •

Gyms

•

Exercise Classes

•

Studio Cycling and My Ride

•

Swimming

•

Toning Suites

£20 for access to all areas, plus use of 4 leisure centres for 1 great price

Join and receive: •

Free Health Check

•

Free Fitness Programme

•

Free Induction

The leisure centres are friendly and welcome all ages and abilities with a range of classes suitable for all fitness levels. Come and give it a try!

To find out more visit www.sstaffs.gov.uk/leisure or call: Cheslyn Hay Leisure Centre: 01922 417790 Codsall Leisure Centre: 01902 844032 Penkridge Leisure Centre: 01785 714152 Wombourne Leisure Centre: 01902 898202

NO Joining fee NO long term commitment NO cancellation fee 110

wolverhampton west magazine | april 2017

THIS MONTH’S CHOICES ARE NEXT MONTH’S BODY MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICE <> <> <> <> <>

4 LEISURE CENTRES FOR 1 GREAT PRICE ACCESS ALL AREAS FOR £20 PER MONTH FREE HEALTH CHECKS AND FITNESS PROGRAMMES CLASSES FOR ALL AGES AND ABILITIES 30 MINUTE CLASSES FOR BUSY LIFESTYLES

SSES • A L C E S I XERC RIDE Y G Y M S •E M • G C YC L I N STUDIO MMING I W S • E SUIT TO N I N G

CHOOSE FIT, CHOOSE HEALTHY, CHOOSE SOUTH STAFFORDSHIRE COUNCILS LEISURE CENTRES Cheslyn Hay Leisure Centre 01922 417790 Codsall Leisure Centre 01902 844032

Penkridge Leisure Centre 01785 714152 Wombourne Leisure Centre 01902 898202

LEISURE www.wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk

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CHIROPODY & PODIATRY CLINICS

HCPC/STATE REGISTERED

Tom Casey BSc (Hons), MCHS, SRCH Margaret Kennedy BSc (Hons), MCHS, SRCH

Treatments for: Nails, callus, corns, verrucas Diabetic & arthritic feet Heel and forefoot pain Ingrown toenails & nail surgery Functional & biomechanical issues Conditions needing orthotics/insoles

• Friendly Personal Service • Medical Centre Facilities • Secure Parking • Disabled Access • Centrally located • Home Visits Available Presentations & talks are available to interested groups.

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Park Avenue Clinic 13a Park Avenue Wolverhampton WV1 4AH For an appointment or to book a home visit please call Tom Casey on 07828 613165 or 01902 833426 For other surgery appointments please call or visit: Six Ways Clinic 24 Birmingham Road Walsall WS1 2LT 01922 622521 Albrighton For home visits, please call: 01902 754377 or 07917 520199

wolverhampton west magazine | april 2017

Tom’s tip:

Overlapping Toes

Overlapping toes look exactly how they sound— they are characterised by one toe lying on top of an adjacent toe, which often causes pain as the joints and bones of the toes and foot are affected by this development.

Overlapping toes can not only make wearing shoes uncomfortable, but they tend to interfere with normal functioning of the foot as well. It is not unusual for blisters, corns, and calluses to develop from the friction of the displaced toe rubbing against the surface of the shoe, and pain and inflammation may be present even when shoes are not being worn.

There is no singular cause of this condition, but there are a number of factors that are suspected of being responsible for the development of this affliction, such as:

Genetics: This particular condition often runs in families.

Hammer Toes: Toes that are bent into this position are more vulnerable to overlapping.

Bunions: Bunions cause the big toe to lean inward toward the second toe, and if it leans inward enough it may eventually overlap with that toe.

High Arches or Flat Feet: Abnormal biomechanics of the foot often cause the fifth toe of the foot to overlap.

Long Toes: Having long toes increases the risk of developing overlapping toes.

Ill-Fitting Shoes: High heel or shoes that are very narrow in the toe often force the toes on top of each other. Routinely wearing of this type of shoe may cause a permanent displacement to occur.

way to realign overlapping toes; there are several types of Gel toe-straighteners, stretchers, and separators. Consistent treatment matters as much as early treatment and it may take 6-12 weeks before results are seen. Surgery is an option and should only be considered if the problem is severe or fails to respond to conservative treatments. It is a highly invasive technique that may help straighten overlapping toes, but it comes with its own risks as well and should only be turned to as last resort.

Thomas Casey Chiropodist/Podiatrist HCPC registered

Injuries: Dislocated joints often cause the toes to overlap.

Orthotics designed specifically for the toes are an easy and affordable

E x c lu s i v E mobilE pErsonal training

by British and European fitness champion Nat Gill I can offer training at your home, at work, in the park or at a luxury gym in Tettenhall.

• Tailor made fitness programmes • 1-2-1 training or small group sessions • Regular progress tracking • Bridal packages available • Fully insured • Over 15 years experience

Expertise in female body transformations, building lean muscle, weight loss and nutrition.

I am highly qualified having studied sport and exercise at Wolverhampton University. I also have a Level 3 Personal Training Diploma and a Diploma in Diet and Nutrition.

For further details please call Nat at NG Personal Training on 07572 126649 or email: nattgill@hotmail.com

www.wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk

113

What does

a hip replacement operation involve?

Hip replacement is a very successful operation.

Last year in the UK, nearly 90000 hip replacements were undertaken with the average age of the patient being sixty-eight years old.

The main reason for having this operation is unrelenting pain around the hip joint (specifically; groin, thigh & buttock). Often patients have had pain for many years, but have coped with it, using painkillers when necessary. However, as time passes the pain becomes more intrusive and starts to affect important aspects of patients’ lives.

Patients complain that walking distance is limited, they struggle to walk around a supermarket and pain at night affects their sleeping pattern.

The predominant cause of the pain is arthritis, which is a destructive disease of bony joints. In mechanical terms the hip joint is a simple ‘ball and socket’ joint, supported by a surrounding capsule and muscles, which allow it to move. Figures 1 & 2 highlight the differences between a patient who has healthy pain free hips and a patient whose hips are severely worn out and painful respectively.

In the healthy hips, there is a gap between the ball and socket which is filled with a spongy lining, but in the arthritic hips the spongy lining has eroded away and the ball and socket have become misshapen causing pain when the joint moves.

Figure 2; Worn out hips.

To relieve the pain, it is necessary to completely replace both the ball and socket. In figure 3, you can see both hips have been replaced. Power instruments are used to re-shape the socket to allow a hemispherical socket to be inserted into the pelvis. The ‘ball’ part of the joint, needs to be fitted onto the top of a metal stem which is inserted into the thigh bone and fixed in the bone with cement.

Figure 3; Both hips have been replaced.

Figure 1; Healthy hips.

The operation takes just over an hour and the average hospital stay is three nights. On discharge, patients are able to walk with crutches, can manage stairs and can expect to be driving in approximately six weeks.

As this operation, relieves patients’ symptoms, without a shadow of doubt, it leads to a better quality of life and many happy individuals.

Hip replacement operations are undertaken

by Mr David Simpson FRCS (Tr & Ortho) at Nuffield Health hospital, Wolverhampton.

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wolverhampton west magazine | april 2017

WOLVERHAMPTON

HIP & KNEE CLINIC

The Wolverhampton hip and knee clinic has been developed to provide modern, comprehensive and evidence based treatment for all hip and knee disorders.

Mr David Simpson is an established and experienced Consultant orthopaedic surgeon. He is the leading regional exponent of custom made, personalised ‘Signature’ knee replacements.

Areas of expertise: • Hip and knee arthritis • Hip and knee replacements • Custom made patient specific ‘Signature’ knee replacements • Sports Injuries • Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) MR DAVID SIMPSON CONSULTANT ORTHOPAEDIC SURGEON

reconstruction surgery • Cartilage surgery • Tibial osteotomy / realignment surgery

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

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The Banks’s Round the Wrekin Sportive 2017

21st May 2017 - Supported by cycling legend Hugh Porter MBE Returning for a second year this Sportive starts at Dudley Kingswinford Rugby Club and heads out into the Shropshire Hills taking in the Long Mynd, Stiperstones and The Wrekin.

There is a choice of three routes which will challenge all levels of rider from the experienced to the beginner.

Event date: Sunday 21st May 2017 Event includes: • • • • • • • • • • •

Event Centre Facilities and Parking Mechanical Support Full Route Marking Course Food Stations Electronic Chip Timing Web Results Service Emergency Support On Site Catering Event Photography Broom Wagon Medal

Starting again at Dudley Kingswinford Rugby Club, this route will take cyclists in a North Westerly direction via Bobbington, Claverley and Worfield, then South through Bridgnorth and Upton Cressett, towards The Wrekin. The last 15 miles of slightly undulated land is where cyclists can pick up the pace through Ironbridge, Coalport, Pattingham, Seisdon, Swindon and finally ending back at Kingswinford.

The sportive offers 3 routes so that every level of cyclist can take part.

The Standard route is a hilly ride through Shropshire and over the Wrekin for fit riders who cycle regularly.

The Epic Route (101.5 Miles / 160 Km) (+7471ft / -7469 ft)

Finally, The Hugh Porter Route (23.9 Miles / 38 Km) (+1019 ft / -1017 ft)

Starting at Dudley Kingswinford Rugby Club, this route will take participants in a North Westerly direction towards Church Stretton. From Church Stretton cyclists will encounter some serious hills travelling up The Burway towards The Stiperstones before turning north and heading downhill to the 50 mile point at Snailbeach. Just past Cressage the incline will again start to increase, heading north towards Uppington before heading towards The Wrekin, Ironbridge, and finally ending back at Kingswinford.

This will again start at Dudley Kingswinford Rugby Club, this slightly undulating route will take cyclists in an North Westerly direction via Bobbington, Claverley, Hopstone, Wyken and Worfield at the 10 mile point and then head North to Ackleton where the undulations will start to increase and then East through Kingslow and Pattingham.The last two miles is predominately downhill back to Dudley Kingswinford.

The Epic route is a serious challenge with lengthy, steep hills to climb which will stretch experienced and well trained cyclists.

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The Standard Route (64.1 Miles / 102 Km) (+4127 ft / -4123 ft)

The Short route is a gentle ride around quiet lanes intended for all types of riders.

Anyone interested in taking part in any of the 3 routes can find more information and can register at www.roundthewrekin.co.uk If you want to contact Compton Hospice about this event, please call 01902-774514 or email fundraising@compton-hospice.org.uk

wolverhampton west magazine | april 2017

www.wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk

Leasehold trap rears its head for new

home buyers

New build home buyers are falling into a trap which could end up costing them tens of thousands of pounds and devalue their properties in the long term.

Residential property legal expert Annita Howard says developers are increasingly turning to the practice of selling houses on a leasehold basis, typical of flats, rather than freehold which is more traditional for houses. This means the buyer will be a tenant on the land and face annual and occasional costs which can mount rapidly.

a leasehold shortens, the value of the property can go down accordingly. Annual ground rents are usually scheduled to double every ten to 25 years.

She explains: “There’s no good reason for a house to be bought on a leasehold basis other than because the developer can sell on the leasehold to a company which specialises in such investments.

That second company is then free to increase ground rents and even the costs to homeowners of buying the freehold for themselves, by essentially any amount they like.”

Developer Taylor Wimpey has responded to the concerns, saying it is reviewing cases where homeowners have raised concerns and changed its ground rent policy so that charges are now linked with inflation.

“For that reason we would always advise people to check very carefully the land ownership arrangement for a property they buy. It’s easy to dismiss a 999-year lease as not being an issue, but those ground rents and other obligations and costs can soon become a nightmare. We would always flag-up a leasehold to a client and ensure they approach such an arrangement with their eyes wide open.”

Annita Howard specialises in residential conveyancing and has considerable experience with sales and purchases of both registered and unregistered land, remortgages, transfer of equity, lifetime mortgage, shared ownership and new build properties.

She can be contacted on 01902 702004 or by email at a.howard@fbcmb.co.uk

Championship quality golf on your doorstep…

Some homeowners are seeing ground rents double, with around 6,000 new houses sold as leasehold last year, leading to a Government All Party Parliamentary Group looking into the issue of leasehold reform.

Annita, a solicitor in the residential property team at award-winning law firm FBC Manby Bowdler, warns the existence of a leasehold also has the effect of devaluing a home as it ages, because as

Legally home buyers have the right to buy their freehold after two years, but if the leasehold has been sold on, it is likely to be at a rate far beyond what the original developer said it would charge them.

The homeowner remains responsible for all of the costs associated with the lease unless and until they can sell the property and the responsibilities which go with it.

Annita added: “Many buyers will be wary of leasehold properties, so if you own such a house, there’s a significant risk it will either be harder to sell or you will have Danescourt Road Tettenhall Wolverhampton WV6 9BQ to settle for an asking www.southstaffordshiregolfclub.co.uk price which takes the leasehold into account.

“Making golf more accessible“ GOLF LESSONS AVAILABLE 118

The South Staffordshire Golf Club

Come and enjoy one of the most accessible and finest 18 hole parkland Championship courses in the Midlands.

COURSE FACILITIES Driving Range, Practice Area, Putting Green & Golf Academy.

MEMBERSHIP Gentleman, Ladies, Juniors, Lifestyle, Student, Social & Corporate Memberships are available.

VISITORS Golf Societies, Corporate Golf Days & Captain’s Away Days are welcome.

Excellent Dining Facilities.

For more information or bookings please contact: Sue Lebeau on 01902 751065 or email: suelebeau@southstaffsgc.co.uk

Annita Howard, specialist residential property solicitor at FBC Manby Bowdler

wolverhampton west magazine | april 2017

Personal Services Buying & Selling Property Family, Divorce & Childcare Community Care Clinical Negligence & Serious Injury Wills, Probate & Lifetime Planning Disputed Probate Court of Protection Employment Law Motoring Offences

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WEST MID MAYOR

CANDIDATE PAYS VISIT TO

WOLVES HEALTH PROVIDER A West Midlands Mayor candidate has attended a leading Wolverhampton organisation to experience firsthand its ongoing work to help promote and improve health and wellbeing across the region.

The team at Paycare welcomed Beverley Nielsen, Liberal Democrat candidate for West Midlands Mayor, to its offices in George Street on Thursday 16th February for a full tour of the premises, a meet-and-greet with the team, and to learn about the ongoing investment it places in enhancing the health and wellbeing of the region’s residents, and subsequently the money that it gives back to charity.

Beverley, a candidate in the election on 4th May, has a strong background in business through her previous positions as Regional Director of CBI and Group Board Director of AGA Rangemaster plc, a FTSE 250 business. In addition, she has been Chief Executive of Heart of England Tourist Board and Director of Employer Engagement and Corporate affairs at Birmingham Beverley Nielsen, a Lib Dem candidate in the 4th May elections to become the first ever West Midlands Mayor

Kevin Rogers, CEO of Paycare

City University. She is an Associate Fellow at Warwick Manufacturing Group at the University of Warwick.

“We were absolutely thrilled to have Beverley visit us at Paycare House,” explained Kevin Rogers, CEO. “With her passion for the West Midlands and knowledge in business, it was fantastic to host her and I know that our team really valued the chance to talk to her about her own plans for the region, as well as for them to share details of some of the really exciting developments we’ve been working on within the business.”

“She has a clear passion and interest in the success of Paycare, and we were pleased to have showcased that health cash plans aren’t about selling premiums to customers, but much more about preventative healthcare, budgeting and saving costs further down the line. And with us able to donate every other spare penny to charities, initiatives and good causes, we’re in a very positive position to have donated over £2million to date.”

Beverley Nielsen added: “I was delighted to visit the team at Paycare. As an example not-for-profit organisation, it is focused on providing cash plans which help tackle the increasing challenges we face surrounding our health. Offering a range of solutions and support, I look forward to learning more about Paycare’s business and ongoing charitable work, along with their own approach to employee care, health and wellbeing.”

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wolverhampton west magazine | april 2017

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wolverhampton west magazine | april 2017

Celebrating

25 Years Managing Director of Sharratts, Jane Swancott, is celebrating her 25th year in the legal profession, providing specialist advice in all aspects of family law. She shares her journey with us: “Wow 25 years where did that go?! It seems like only yesterday that I tentatively awaited the results of my law finals.

“My first few years working were exhilarating, from attending incidents at the police station to assisting counsel with complex legal arguments at the Royal Courts of Justice. Every day was different. The time has flown by and 25 years on I still adore my job. It’s challenging and demanding but also varied and very rewarding.

“Sharratts has grown over the years, offering more advanced specialisms in all areas of family law, and physically into the second premises in the town centre. We have great plans for the future and I’m currently excited about our new arrivals who are set to join the team in the spring to further expand our services. We are also currently updating our software systems to improve customer service.

“Although we have our satellite office in the town centre, our head office remains in Tettenhall.

The village has a lovely community spirit with many independent businesses and is a great place to wander on days when work permits a break for lunch.

Jane Swancott

“We enjoy helping projects in the community, so if there are any local events or organisations that would benefit from a legal clinic or talk on any particular area of law that we cover, please contact me on janeswancott@sharratts.com “On a final note, a big welcome to our neighbours Float World who have just arrived on site, what a fabulous idea to float away your worries and stresses! I know where to go now when the day has been particularly challenging…before heading to the Crown at Wergs!

So here’s to another 25 years and the road ahead - cheers!”

For any assistance relating to children matters, divorce, separation, finances or wills and elderly people issues please do not hesitate to contact us on 01902 759500 or visit of website www.sharratts.com

Where family means everything Offering a comprehensive service in all areas of family law. Our highly skilled solicitors are friendly and approachable, providing sound and practical advice while being emotionally sensitive to your situation.

FREE

telephone consultation

Children Matters Pre Nuptial/Cohabitee Agreements Care Proceedings Separation/Divorce/Finances Child Abduction Cohabitee/Civil Partner Claims Adoption/Surrogacy Injunctions

Change of Name Deed Gender Recognition Wills & Probate Elderly Client Advice

81 Wergs Rd, Tettenhall, Wolverhampton WV6 9BP (free parking onsite) ● 01902 759500 85 Darlington Street, Wolverhampton WV1 4EX ● 0345 565 2070 info@sharratts.com www.sharratts.com

www.wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk

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You plan for everything else,

why not ICT

- it ’s th e futu re

Business planning whether you are a large multinational, a small business or a school is a standard and sensible practice but with the fastmoving world of IT how do you keep up and ensure the right systems and procedures are in place for effective short, medium and longterm growth?

Bradley Clegg, at Wolverhamptonbased Concero Technology Services, explains how robust IT development plans can save your business money and help it grow…

“Every business has to plan ahead to survive but what business owners often overlook is the way they use IT and how changes in technology can affect the way the company grows.

“We work with many Wolverhampton companies and schools, who understand the importance and value of having their own bespoke threeyear IT Development Plan.

“To ignore investment and planning on IT, until there is a crisis or an issue, is a bit like ignoring a hole in the roof – you can patch it up but at some point, if it is not looked after and maintained, the whole thing will come crashing down.

“As a professional technology support business, with a team of 124

engineers skilled in all aspects of IT, we always suggest a company, however large or small, has a realistic three-year plan of IT priorities. It not only helps grow the bottom line but can also avoid unnecessary headaches and at the very worst a catastrophic system failure, which could leave a business vulnerable and without the essential tools it needs to function.

“As part of our development planning with a company we go through everything, from updating cabling and maintaining servers to considering onsite data security and storage and off-site back-up.

We advise on e-safety, broadband and wireless communication.

“We help businesses owners avoid simple situations, like investing in new tablets or laptops for staff only to discover the wireless network isn’t good enough to cope with all that extra traffic rendering the investment ineffective and potentially having frustrated employees and customers.

“One of the most common problems we are coming across at the moment is the encryption of devices – all portable devices including memory sticks really should be encrypted to protect valuable data.

“Another area is off-site data storage, which is increasingly important for all kinds of organisations. A fire or a flood in a business could render lost data and a serious problem for trading – especially if it impacts on customers.

“All these aspects of IT need careful and sensible consideration and Concero is able to help businesses budget for all manner of IT needs.

“If it hasn’t crossed your mind to put an IT Development Plan in place then now’s the time to start thinking about it to make sure your business is as future-proof as it can be.”

For more information, contact us at enquiries@concerouk.com

www.concerouk.com

wolverhampton west magazine | april 2017

We are a trusted and established team of like minded individuals, educational specialists, strategic integrators, champions of Information Technology - driven by our core values which instinctively guide us.

We deliver, without exception, proven, non-prescriptive, reliable technology products and services, with an uncompromising can-do attitude that knows no bounds.

IT Support

CPD and Consultancy

e-Safety Accreditation

Broadband

www.wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk

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Education

and Schooling

by David Williams – Headmaster of Tettenhall College in their spare time perform better in their studies. Moreover we are also determined that the library should be integral to our teaching and learning where the librarian can teach important skills not only for those early learners but working with teachers across all subjects and pupils of all ages to help in researching a topic using resources that have been carefully chosen through consultation with subject leaders and teachers.

As part of a refurbishment of our facilities we are creating a new sixth form study centre and common room area which in turn will mean a relocation of the library to an appropriate setting in the heart of the School in a graded 2 listed building.

On reflecting on this exciting move it has also made us consider how we might use this new space to maximum effect. Previously unchallenged, the library’s traditional position as the centre of our School’s learning has, like many aspects of life including public libraries, come under scrutiny due to the rise of technology as a communication tool and the internet as a “go to” resource for research. Should this signal the death of the school library? Indeed, unlike prisons, it is surprisingly not a statutory requirement for a school to have a library so why have one?

However despite some dissenting voices in the staff room we are not ready to abandon books and will be investing significant time and effort in creating our new space.

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This will not be simply an austere venue with rows of tables for study supervision and shelves of unused books but an attractive learning centre where pupils of all ages can feel safe and comfortable. We want to (re)awaken a love of reading with the physical book very much at the centre of what we do but thriving alongside the technology. Many of us are beginning to discover that despite all the advantages of portability and convenience we are missing interacting with real products rather than online versions or downloads. The recent 25 year high in sales of vinyl records is testament to this along with the creeping trend of “digital detox” meaning that we do not want to consume everything via a mobile device.

A key role is for our libarian to encourage reading for pleasure by finding the right book for the right pupil. She is actively involved in literacy work, either directly in the classroom or by obtaining useful resources to help teachers and also promotes reading through activities such as groups, reading clubs, author visits and pupil awards. It is no surprise that those who read

The actual process of research provides a skill to be taught with the belief that pupils are naturally skilful at using the latest technology to find the information they need is simply not true. The librarian needs to teach true information literacy in finding, assessing, evaluating, using and referencing information and to help pupils understand that Google and Wikipedia alone do not constitute proper research of a subject. Librarians can help pupils to formulate, assess and evaluate what they have found and, importantly, use information in a way that develops their note-taking skills, avoiding plagiarism. We all want our pupils to be better, more independent researchers which is a skill that is highly valued not only at school but at university and in the workplace. This is driving our design of the physical environment to offer both physical and digital learning spaces attractive to pupils which will encourage this independent learning.

All of this will take time and effort and active promotion of the library will be needed with investment in resources essential and a clear leadership strategy for its use especially in the middle teenage years where reading can, for some pupils, be perceived as a chore. At Tettenhall College we do see this as a challenge but a necessary part of our job as educators.

You can now follow David on Twitter @tettcoll_head

wolverhampton west magazine | april 2017

T A K E

A

C L O S E R

L O O K

Preparatory School Open Morning

Senior School Open Morning

Friday 5th May 9am - 11.30am

Saturday 6th May 10am - 12.30pm

Independent day and boarding school for pupils 2-18 years old. www.wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk

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Inspiring growth in

mind, body and spirit

St. Dominic’s Brewood, the leading Staffordshire Independent School, has recently been graded by the Department for Education as being top of the GCSE league tables in Staffordshire.

The pupils at St. Dominic’s achieved 100% 5 A*-C grades in the core subjects. None of the students failed any of the subjects and 39% of the total GCSEs achieved at the school were graded at A* or A. For the last two years, St. Dominic’s Brewood, has been top among all Staffordshire schools in the English Baccalaureate standard, a measurement designed

by red brick universities to ensure that students include English, Mathematics, Science, History or Geography and a foreign language in their GCSE passes to gain access to the best universities.

The results for 2016 at St. Dominic’s Brewood for A-levels were also excellent. The pupils achieved a 100% pass rate of which 37% were graded at A*or A which is an increase from the previous year.

A new measure by the Department for Education this year has been the Attainment 8 Standard in which the pupils at St. Dominic’s achieved a score of 64.9, again, the highest for a school in Staffordshire.

St. Dominic’s Brewood has for many years excelled in ‘value added’ data. This is a measure of how students progress academically throughout their senior school and how they achieve in their GCSE and A Level results compared to the progress expected.

Although these academic results are extremely impressive, the school’s motto of ‘mind, body and spirit‘ is still just as important to ensure that every pupil reaches their potential in all aspects of their life, ensuring that they leave the school as happy, confident and well-rounded individuals ready to compete at the highest level in a competitive world.

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wolverhampton west magazine | april 2017

â&#x20AC;˘ New Tennis Scholarships launched for 2017 Free funded nursery education places are available.

For further information or to arrange a visit to the school please contact us on (01902) 850248 or Email: secretary@stdominicsbrewood.co.uk www.wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk Bargate Street, Brewood, South Staffordshire, ST19 9BA

www.stdominicsbrewood.co.uk

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wolverhampton west magazine | april 2017

One of the top 25

Prep Schools

in England The Sunday Times Parent Power Top 100 Independent Preparatory Schools has listed Newbridge Preparatory School in the top 25 Prep Schools in England. The rankings are based on Key Stage Two SATs (Standard Attainment Tests) results, in which Newbridge Preparatory pupils have achieved results well above the national average across all three subject areas.

As an Independent prep school, we continue to voluntarily enter our girls for SATs which we do as a benchmark to help us see where we sit amongst the state sector; ensuring our high standards are maintained and externally measured. Newbridge Preparatory School, ranked 24th in the Sunday Times listing, achieved the following percentage of pupils meeting a level 5 standard in their SATs results:

• Reading: 100% • Mathematics: 88% • Grammar, punctuation and spelling: 88%

Additionally, at level 6, which is achieved by less than 1% of

pupils taking Key Stage Two SATs, Newbridge girls achieved:

• Mathematics: 40% • Grammar, punctuation and spelling: 31%

• Level 6 SATs were additional

tests intended to challenge Year Six children who were excelling in maths and/or English. Level 6 is a standard that the average child does not reach until Year Ten.

Forefront of academic achievement Newbridge is the only prep school in the West Midlands to reach the top 25; continuing the school’s reputation for being at the forefront of academic achievement across the West Midlands. This is an outstanding achievement for a small, non-selective prep school. Many of the other schools appearing in the top 25 are selective on entry. Newbridge is thrilled with the academic success which is the result of innovative teaching, a creative curriculum and a robust assessment programme. However, Newbridge Preparatory School is about so much more than just academic results with our focus on inspiring all to achieve their potential in all areas of school life through the support and dedication

www.wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk

of the whole school community and our excellent pastoral care.

Our Upper School girls take part in over two hours of sport each week, at least two hours of music and all have dance and drama lessons. In addition, we have many ‘extra-curricular’ clubs on offer each week including our own Brownie Pack – 1st Newbridge Brownies.

Outstanding School Earlier this year, Newbridge was inspected by the Independent Schools inspectorate and was awarded an ‘Excellent’ rating (Ofsted equivalent = outstanding) the highest grading in every inspection category. So Newbridge is truly an excellent and outstanding school in every way.

Creating a choice at 11+ 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. 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.

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 01902 751088 to make an appointment. Early registration for places is highly recommended for guaranteed places.

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advertisement feature

Pension Changes and the fallout

Following my feature in the last edition regarding the recent pension changes I have, over the course of the last 2 months, been contacted by several readers regarding their circumstances, so I feel it may be beneficial to explain further exactly how the changes have affected different sectors of the pension market.

and now prohibit cash equivalent transfer values (CETVs).

I will start by looking at public sector pensions that include the following employers:

The only exception to this is the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) as this is a funded scheme that means you are able to obtain a cash equivalent transfer value. On saying that, what we are finding is that the amount being offered as a CETV is way below the levels we would expect or indeed recommend for transferral, as they do not offer

Police, NHS, HMRC and Teachers.

All of the above pension schemes are unfunded and therefore, following the pension freedom changes in April 2015, the Government changed their rules 132

What do we mean by unfunded?

Well these are, in the main, government pensions where the pension payments are covered by income received in the form of tax and national insurance. The biggest exponent of this is the State Pension, which probably explains why the government keeps extending the State Pension age – and it is because of this that it has been mooted that the children of today will not receive their State Pension until they are in their mid-70s, which is a daunting thought for the kids of today.

fair value. Whilst we are on the subject of Local Government pensions at retirement, you now have the opportunity to exchange a larger amount of your pension to give you additional tax-free cash, however, the commutation factor used is 12 to 1. To put that in simple terms, it means that for every £1 of income you give up you receive £12 in tax-free cash. This is not generous and in many cases you will receive far better value for money over the medium to long term by not taking the maximum amount of tax-free cash. If in doubt, always consult with an Independent Financial Adviser.

While public sector pensions are very limited in their options most other funded final salary pension schemes are offering attractive transfer values that, depending on your circumstances, can be life changing as you will see from the action taken by the clients I met recently.

CASE STUDY: Mr and Mrs R I met Mr and Mrs R after being introduced to them by Mrs R’s brother; he has been a client of mine for some time. They have both worked for Jaguar Land Rover Mrs R for 30 years and Mr R for 22 years. They had, prior to meeting with me, contacted the JLR Pension Scheme to request CETVs and the values quoted surprised them to say the least. Mrs R who is approaching her 58th birthday has accumulated a deferred pension of £23,017.70 per annum, payable on her 65th birthday; she was offered a transfer value of £668,776.94, should she decide to transfer away from the scheme.

Mr R who is 62 in May has a deferred pension of £14,649.63 per annum payable on his

wolverhampton west magazine | april 2017

65th birthday; he was offered £400,319.32 should he decide to transfer away from the scheme.

take as for both of them “holidays” are the love of their lives.

Their personal circumstances are a little different as Mr R still enjoys work however Mrs R yearns to retire and would stop working immediately if financially viable which, dependent upon her needs and objectives, may well be viable. Once we had gone through an in-depth analysis of their circumstances it transpires that to live comfortably the household income required is £3,000 per month which means, whilst Mr R is working he contributes £2,000, Mrs R would need £1,000 per month initially.

I must highlight that we are able to utilise the tax free cash as part of an overall tax planning strategy as they have savings elsewhere although, at some stage in the future, they may well need to replenish them from their pension fund.

With Mrs R’s transfer value being in excess of £600,000 we could utilise the tax-free cash as part of an overall tax saving strategy, take £14,666 per annum with no liability to income tax thus giving a net monthly income of £1,222 - slightly more than required but worth having to fully utilise her personal allowance. This income would be drawing less than 2.3% from the overall fund which is below the investment returns that we have achieved for our clients over the medium to long term.

Although at this stage I must point out that past returns are no guarantee of future returns.

The main difference now is that Mr & Mrs R have total control of their future and whilst this suits their circumstances, for others it can be daunting as being able to just receive a yearly pension with no input that is 100% guaranteed for the rest of their life is more suitable.

I see many clients with this dilemma and my advice has always been “if in doubt, don’t” - make sure that before taking any action you are 100% comfortable in what you are doing.

Should you have a final salary pension and want to find out what options are available to you please do not hesitate to contact us and we will gladly advise you. Initial meetings are at our expense.

Mrs R decided there and then that her life was going to change and as soon as we could arrange to proceed with the transfer she would hand in her notice and retire immediately. Mr R on the other hand wants to continue working for another 12 months however a few days after our meeting he was reprimanded for the time he likes to take off for holidays over the Christmas period and he came out of that meeting with the mind-set that if they are not happy he may well bring his retirement forward and bow out gracefully.

From an adviser’s point of view it is so refreshing to meet people and totally change their lives as, prior to our meeting, Mrs R accepted that she would have to work until her 65th birthday, whilst for 4 years her husband would be retired whereas now she is retiring before him and has already started planning the vacations they will www.wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk

John Webb

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.

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 133

The Rotary Club of Wolverhampton

On your marks... get set on 21st May 2017 - PADDLE! The Rotary Club of Wolverhampton are organising their Annual Dragon Boat Challenge on 21st May this year and inviting teams to take part.

This event is all about having fun, making friends and raising money for charitable causes at the same time.

The event is held on the Great Lake at Himley Hall and Park, 4 miles from Dudley. Quite apart from it being a fantastic day for the teams of competitors, it has also become a thoroughly enjoyable spectator sport and family day out. A team village is set up for competitors who bring gazebos, chairs and usually, catering too.

2017 will be the 17th year of the event and so far, with the help and support of all the teams that have taken part, over ÂŁ340,000 has been raised for good causes.

Each team consists of between 12 and 16 paddlers, plus a drummer who sits at the front and beats out a rhythm on a drum for the paddlers to keep to.

The event organisers provide the boats, paddles, life jackets and training - the event is very safe.

Crews raise sponsorship from friends, colleagues and family and when all is collected, half is donated to the charity nominated by the crew, and the other half to the Rotary Charitable Trust for distribution to other needy causes.

Racing for competing teams takes place throughout this fun filled day with thousands of spectators attending and cheering on too.

Each team is guaranteed three races (heats) to qualify for the finals later in the day. Finalists are presented at the end of the day with trophies and medals.

The event is a great day out for individuals, groups of friends, companies, competitors and spectators where the focus really is on having fun while raising monies for good causes.

If you would like to know more, visit www.rotarydragonboats.co.uk or call Mike Boyce on 07976 612276 for further information.

For more information about Rotary visit www.rotaryinwolverhampton.co.uk 134

wolverhampton west magazine | april 2017

DO YOU HAVE

MORE THAN ONE HANDICAP

WHEN PLAYING GOLF?

Do you have trouble treading the fairways?

Do you suffer with heel, shin or knee pain?

Contact Chiropodist/Podiatrist Tom Casey BSc (Hons), MCHS, SRCH for an appointment:

07828 613165 OR (01902) 833426

Park Avenue Chiropody & Podiatry Clinic, 13A Park Avenue, Wolverhampton WV1 4AH www.wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk

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wolverhampton west magazine | april 2017

Be treated well

with a healthcare provider

you can trust

When you choose Nuffield Health Wolverhampton Hospital you can be confident you are choosing the highest standards of treatment and aftercare available to you from an established private healthcare provider with hospitals all around the UK. Our experienced team of expert consultants, surgeons, physiotherapists and nursing staff are totally dedicated to returning you to the highest levels of health and fitness possible, as quickly as possible. We offer a wide range of services and treatments, including rapid access scans, hip & knee replacements, spinal surgery, ophthalmic and sports injury treatments. Procedures are performed in ultra-clean environments using the latest state-

of-the-art clinical equipment, and all our ensuite bedrooms are luxury standard with flat screen TV’s and Wi-Fi to ensure your stay with us is made as comfortable as possible.

There are no waiting lists, and you don’t always require a GP referral to see one of our consultants.

We accept all major private health insurance schemes and there is personal finance available to help spread the cost. And our relationship with you doesn’t end there when you walk out of one of our hospitals. As a Nuffield Health patient, you are covered by our unique Nuffield Health ‘Promise’.

This is our guarantee to you, subject to the clinical needs related to your procedure, there are absolutely no time limits on your aftercare.*

by a National UK wide scheme for providing the highest quality, timely, patient-centred care for Endoscopy procedures.

Join us for a Varicose Vein information event at our hospital in Wood Road, Tettenhall on Thursday 27 April at 6.30pm. You will also have the opportunity of a free 1:1 mini consultation with our expert consultants. Call 01902 275 867 to reserve your place. *Where necessary, we promise to assist you to receive any follow up advice, treatment or care that is clinically required.

The Nuffield Health Promise applies for patients paying for themselves.

Nuffield Health Wolverhampton Hospital has also recently been awarded JAG Accreditation. This award from the ‘Joint Advisory Group on Gastrointestinal Endoscopy’ means that our hospital has been recognised

www.wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk

137

Iain Seath

Academy Instructor 3 Hammers Golf Complex

A common mistake when golfers catch the ground first is when we see the weight fall back to the right side at impact (photo 1).

What we want to see is the weight driving forward towards the target to ensure we strike the ball first followed by a nice crisp divot after the ball (photo 2).

A simple towel drill can help improve contact during your practice.

Simply position a towel 6 inches behind the ball. If your club head hits the towel before impactâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;you have more than likely kept your weight back on the right side too long.

If you drive your weight towards the target you will be able to strike down on the ball avoiding the towel in the process.

138

In the Spring months the ground can be heavy & wet.

Any swings that hit the ground first, even just a couple of inches behind the ball, can therefore result in large divots & a huge loss of distance. The strike is therefore crucial to achieving quality golf shots this Spring.

X

ď&#x192;ź

wolverhampton west magazine | april 2017

Oxley Park: an emerald gem

in the city of Wolverhampton 103 years of age and barely a stone’s throw from the City centre. Fresh faces and fresh ideas in motion at Wolverhampton’s Oxley Park Golf Club this season mean a revitalised venue with much to offer.

Oxley’s easy walking parkland course sits in the middle of a large residential area but comfortably offers a peaceful and tranquil feel throughout. On the flip side it also presents a good deal of out of bounds, half of the holes offer that threat. It’s a tight course with a high premium on accuracy, the lush and well conditioned fairways offer a helping hand to a well aimed golf ball.

Pro Shop – Our Award Winning PGA Fellow Professional Craig Thomas and his team offer a wide range of brands and products in the newly refurbished professional shop. 2017 has seen the introduction of a swing room within the shop where club demo’s, custom fitting and coaching can take place all using the industry leading technology (FlightScope). The Golf Academy also offers an extensive range of coaching packages to meet the needs of every golfer from the complete beginner to the tour professional.

If you are interested in joining one of the best courses in the area with a friendly atmosphere please call the Pro Shop on 01902 773989 ext3 or email office@oxleyparkgolfclub.co.uk

Colt’s design made good use of the natural gently rolling landscape and it’s a good layout to test out the state of your mid to short iron game. An ongoing course improvement plan is well under way including the reconstruction of bunkers which means the course will continue to be a challenging test to all level of golfer.

19th hole – Traditional clubhouse facilities which have had minor renovations giving a fresh feel for the coming season, large club room plus a private room for hire. Great choice of menus for all occasions, and a varied social calendar.

Now the golfing season is upon us there is no time like the present to join a club and take advantage of the summer weather and lighter nights.

oxley pArk GolF Club oFFers

JuNior MeMbership

Full MeMbership - No JoiNiNG Fee Join Oxley Park and play unlimited golf for less than £17 per week. bar levy and union fees not included.

T&C’s Apply

Alternatively…

Why not consider our successful Flexi Golf scheme for just £395 and get upto 26 rounds (off peak).

Get a handicap and access to competitions.

With the summer holidays on the way it can be an expensive time trying to find something for the children to do.

From just £1.26 per week juniors can play every day of the week!

Prices will vary depending on age

group

Stafford Road, Bushbury, Wolverhampton WV10 6DE • Main Tel: 01902 773989 *2 Pro Shop: 01902 773989 *3

www.wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk

139

Golf for everyone

at Wrottesley coaching on a Saturday afternoon free of charge for pupils up to 16yrs of age and is well supported, with many parents looking on!

At the other end of the scale, and with the sponsorship of Evans Halshaw, the club hosts a very successful professional tournament for PGA players throughout the Midlands in September. The winner usually scoring par or slightly above is testament that the course is no pushover and seriously tests the pros! The tournament is well supported with cash prizes and a trophy is presented to the winner by our sponsor.

If you want a course, where you can play a round of golf after work then look no further. Book a complimentary round via the club Secretary and see for yourself what a gem of a course we have at your disposal. Remember what one of the PGA players in September 2014 said of Wrottesley, “It’s one of the two best par threes in the country”.

PGA professional Les Burlison coaching one of the Juniors

For more information, check out the website listed below, everyone is welcome to come and play this delightful course.

Wrottesley Golf Club is situated in the grounds of Wrottesley Hall on the A41 outside Wolverhampton.

The course is 3000yds long with six holes in excess of 200yds. It is a full 18hole par three layout in sweeping parkland, equally challenging to both high and low handicap players.

There are competitions each weekend, weather permitting, with trophies to be won. The men’s senior section has Tuesday morning competitions, followed by the ladies’ section competition on Wednesday. Thursday evening we have fundraising matches followed by “pie and chips”.

The club has a keen junior section and the course is a useful stepping-stone for youngsters hoping to graduate up to a full-size course.

The Junior Section has its own PGA professional, Les Burlison, previously of Oxley Park. Les provides

Andrew Qualters from sponsor Evans Halshaw, the local Ford dealership, presenting the 2016 winners’ trophy to Rob Burlison

WROTTESLEY GOLF | CLUB 140

For information on membership details please visit our website:

www.wrottesleygolfclub.co.uk or call 07910 681706

Wrottesley Golf Club, Holyhead Road, Codsall, Wolverhampton WV8 2HL wolverhampton west magazine | april 2017

Looking for a new hobby? Try Golf.

If you’d like to take up golf but can’t play, don’t have the time or don’t know the rules, don’t let it put you off!

Our 18 hole parkland Championship-level course boasts some of the best greens in the Midlands.

At South Staffordshire Golf Club, based in Tettenhall, we have a team of professionally qualified golf instructors who offer 1:1 lessons to introduce you to the wonderful game of golf.

English Senior Ladies Amateur Championship

We provide a range of tuition for beginners, the average golfer and for serious players looking to improve their game and reduce their handicap - and you don’t have to be a member of the club. Run by PGA professionals Peter Baker and Mark and Lisa Shervill they use the Club’s own 10 acre Driving Range and Practice Area.

Social scene You can make lots of new friends on the golf course and in the clubhouse. At South Staffordshire Golf Club, we organise regular social events for our members including quiz nights, dinners, themed evenings and more!

This year we celebrate our 125 year anniversary!

The club was originally formed in 1892 and ranks as one of the oldest golf clubs in the Midlands.

Various membership packages are available including: Gentlemen, Ladies, Juniors and Student - all at affordable rates.

We are hosting the English Senior Ladies Amateur Championship from 15th to 19th May. The competition is open to all Senior Lady golfers aged 50 or over with a handicap of 15.4 or better. Spectators are welcome to support the event and enjoy the beautiful surroundings.

Additionally, the week before the Championships we are holding an open am-am event. If you would like to come and play our course under competition conditions, why not consider entering a team for a bit of extra practice?

Several open events are held throughout the year. For more information visit www.southstaffordshiregolfclub.co.uk or call Sue LeBeau on 01902 75 10 65 or email suelebeau@southstaffsgc.co.uk

Championship quality golf on your doorstep…

Come and enjoy one of the most accessible and finest 18 hole parkland Championship courses in the Midlands.

COURSE FACILITIES Driving Range, Practice Area, Putting Green & Golf Academy.

MEMBERSHIP Gentleman, Ladies, Juniors, Lifestyle, Student, Social & Corporate Memberships are available.

VISITORS

“Making golf more accessible“ GOLF LESSONS AVAILABLE

The South Staffordshire Golf Club Danescourt Road Tettenhall Wolverhampton WV6 9BQ www.southstaffordshiregolfclub.co.uk

www.wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk

Golf Societies, Corporate Golf Days & Captain’s Away Days are welcome.

Excellent Dining Facilities.

For more information or bookings please contact: Sue Lebeau on 01902 751065 or email: suelebeau@southstaffsgc.co.uk

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Golf Rules OK

By Rob Taylor

Levity in sport is always important.

Any player – amateur or professional – must be able to quickly restore perspective after any misfortune or mishap – and doing so with a smile is key to enjoying any game.

Competitiveness gets you so far but it’s crucial to know when to back things off, especially if you are getting to grips with golf.

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The sport is a tough one to master so every golfer needs a good laugh now and again.

Familiar jests relating to common golfing woes abound on every course: labelling a shot with excessive spin as a “Tony Blair” and referring to a green as a “James Joyce”, in order to infer that it’s ‘impossible to read’, are two of my favourites.

modern, plain style”, written from a “player’s perspective”, which will dictate both amateur and professional play.

Now to illustrate our very own “player’s perspective”, I’ll let our esteemed editor, Geoff Hall, take his turn on the tee:

But what isn’t so amusing (and downright confounding at times) are rules of play last officially updated in 1984. A lot has changed in the thirty-odd years since: the speed of life has accelerated dramatically because of technology, golf has lost its ‘stuffy’ image and, for many golfers, the rules of the ancient game are long overdue a shake-up.

So that’s exactly what the sport’s two governing bodies, the Royal and Ancient and United States Golf Association, will deliver in the next few months: a new rulebook introducing “a wolverhampton west magazine | april 2017

who have attention spans measured in microseconds.

The R & A’s David Rickman said: “We’ve ended up with a technical and complicated code, and that’s not what we want. We need to reduce complexity and one way to do so is by putting a greater emphasis on player integrity.”

“I play golf regularly and the rules are very confusing to the amateur. We don’t have rules’ officials at our ‘beck and call’ or carry a rulebook with us during a round.

“The new rules are supposed to simplify everything, which should speed up the pace of play, making them more suitable for the modern game.”

Anyone familiar with standing in pouring rain watching a hacker hunting aimlessly for a lost ball on the eighteenth hole, while all the time waiting desperately craving a drink at the nineteenth, will welcome

plans to scrap the current five minute search allowance.

Furthermore, protocols for taking free or penalty drops will be changed, with players allowed to drop the ball from only an inch above the ground, as well as changes to recommend that no player take more than 40 seconds to hit a shot – plus lots more. Every change is designed to dramatically speed up the progress of players around courses and avoid queues at the tee.

So to boil it all down into a golf ball-sized nugget: the game will be faster, simpler - and set-up to appeal to younger generations

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As building integrity is already an essential cornerstone of the game and key to the development of youngsters, this is welcome news. Of course the change to the rules will do nothing to take away from the very many existing perks of golf, which include health and social benefits, as well as the natural beauty of a game that occupies some of the finest vistas in sport.

Golf has never before been more accessible and egalitarian (it even has the greatest leveller of them all, the Handicap System) and the forthcoming changes will only make it even more appealing. Throw in the fact that on our doorstep we are unnaturally blessed with many outstanding courses and you have a heady mix of reasons why you should get into golf.

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TopTracer will change golf practice forever!

Wolverhampton-based golf complex 3 Hammers have revolutionised its 20 bay driving range to be one of the first in the country to have the new Toptracer experience.

Formerly Protracer, the new generation technology now rebranded as Toptracer follows a take over

by Topgolf in May 2016. The state of the art technology tracks and analyses every shot hit on a driving range making golfers’ practice sessions more rewarding, and more importantly making it a lot more fun to go to the driving range.

The national award winning golf complex based in Coven is renowned for being a trailblazer in the golfing world with its first class indoor and outdoor facilities including an 18 hole golf course, indoor Golf

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Performance Studio, 5 PGA Golf Professionals and the latest Trackman 4 – the world’s leading launch monitor.

The introduction of Toptracer now enables their customers to convert shots to actual yardages, just as if they had hit a premium golf ball. Golfers can visit 3 Hammers and go through their whole golf bag from sand wedge to driver, replay all their shots and get real yardages on their smartphone or tablet… all for free!

Golf Academy Director Rob Bluck said “Toptracer adds a whole new dimension to a golfer’s practice and learning. Range practice is ideal for golfers who want to practice and get instant feedback on their practice session obtaining data such as shot shape, carry distance and distance from target. 3 Hammers continues to go from strength to strength and leads the way by offering the region’s golfers the latest, high quality facilities”.

wolverhampton west magazine | april 2017

Make Your Practice Count As soon as you hit the ball the shot flight will be shown on the touchscreen tablet in your bay. You will also see exactly how far your shot travelled in yardages. Set up the golf ball.

As soon as you hit the ball the shot trajectory is shown in the 23 inch mounted touch screen monitor. Use the menu to adjust the angle against your 3 previous shots. You can then send your scorecard via email and see if you can improve on your result at your next visit.

Toptracer was originally developed to show viewers the flight path of golf shots, the yardage and the distance the ball ends from the target. Now technology has been adapted and is available for customers to use for free of charge on their range, with custom-made screens built into 10 of their driving range bays. Customers can also download the app to their smartphone or tablet.

Toptracer gives accurate yardages on every shot, shows the shot trajectory and lets customers play exciting points games. The complex’s investment in Toptracer means game improvement has never been so accessible and enjoyable for golfers practicing at 3 Hammers. There’s no need for a device, they simply turn up and start hitting balls.

Customers can experience this groundbreaking technology and are invited to pop down to 3 Hammers and try out this revolutionary kit for themselves. They can analyse their game like the pros, either individually

or as a group of friends, in a nearest the pin, longest drive or points and skills competition. A live leader board of ongoing games is also displayed at the complex making it fun for beginners and golf Pros alike.

This pioneering technology has been introduced to the complex as part of its £210,000 driving range upgrade.

2016 saw their driving range outfield completely remodelled to make it more like that of a real golf course. Complex owner Ian Bonser said “Toptracer is very popular among golfers who not only want to improve their game but have fun too. This technology is state of the art and brings 3 Hammers truly into the 21st century”.

Golf Reception and Academy 01902 790428 Bar & Bistro 01902 791917 American Golf Store 01902 544470 Email info@3hammers.co.uk

www.wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk

3 Hammers Golf Complex Old Stafford Road Coven Wolverhampton Staffordshire WV10 7PP www.3hammers.co.uk

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Above Par

League finalists and, last year, a Junior Midland champion.

Scenic views across Sedgley Golf Course

The Mark Butler Golf Academy prides itself on providing a unique environment wherein anyone can get into the new and ever changing world of golf.

People from all backgrounds can relax, work and have fun playing golf here, as Mark Butler says: “No matter who you are, where you come from or what you believe you can or can’t do, the academy sees past labels and tailors the sport to your needs.”

And following substantial recent investment there’s never been a better time to pick up a club.

“We have a 14 bay, state of the art LED-lit driving range which uses the best Srixon range balls.

Our driving range has undergone a complete refurbishment to include new mats, which our clients love.”

And there’s still more in the offing: “Our plans for improvement do not end there because we have a new 18 Hole Adventure Mini Golf currently under construction. We can’t wait for our newest addition, as we want to make our academy the ultimate family experience.

“Already we have a 9 Hole soccer golf course, which has been extremely popular with the local football teams and schools.

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You can test your football skills for just £3 for nine holes!”

In keeping with the academy’s inclusive ethos it runs three weekly disability classes with a number of different charities and support groups.

“Our biggest achievement to date is the incredibly successful Beacon Butler Cup. This competition last year brought together 40 disabled people. Of the 40, 30 of them carried on with the game after we’d finished. And training sessions for the 2017 Cup are due to start in April.

“We take great pride in growing the game and in reaching people who would never have imagined playing before.”

A perfect pathway into the sport is via group classes, run by professionals Mark Butler and Adam Robinson.

For juniors the state of play is rosy also: “We are proud to have one of the biggest junior academies in our area, a team of West Midland

“Our belief in our juniors and the friendly atmosphere we provide makes us a thriving hub of junior golf. We encourage our children to believe in themselves, teach them to work hard, enjoy the game and have fun!”

Check out Mark Butler Golf Academy’s Facebook and Twitter accounts to see the juniors in action.

See the website www. themarkbutleracademy.co.uk for days and times of group golf classes.

And when your time on the range is over be sure to leave room for the culinary delights on offer from ‘Bobby’s Bistro’, the academy’s newest addition which opens in April. Stuart who runs the bistro has a passion for coffee and sources some of the best coffee beans available from local suppliers. If you want to taste the best coffee in the area please pop in and judge for yourself! If you fancy something more substantial there is fresh food and homemade cakes all prepared daily.

Stuart’s rustic homemade chips and beef burgers are “a must” – and he makes a mean Club sandwich as well. The bistro is open to everyone not only golfers!

wolverhampton west magazine | april 2017

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BOOK NOW 01902 880503 FOR YOUR FREE LESSON www.themarkbutlergolfacademy.co.uk | 01902 880503 The Mark Butler Golf Academy | @The_MBGA The

Mark Butler

Sandyfields Road, Sedgley, Dudley DY3 3DL

www.wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk

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Photographs courtesy of Designer Photography

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The second `Keeping It Real’ event in aid of Help Harry Help Others charity took place on 2nd March 2017, with guests enjoying networking, a fashion show, accompanied by a glass of prosecco, served with canapés.

Sponsored by

Libby Walton, Personal Stylist, styled all of the models and presented the show along with Ed James from Heart FM. The Fashion Show consisted of a range of `keeping it real’ looks from casual to chic, modelled by ‘real women’, whose lives have been touched by cancer. Selfridges provided the models clothes, with Libby showcasing their extensive range from Primark

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A fresh approach to Dentistry

to Valentino. GHD styled the model’s hair and makeup was provided by Bobbi Brown within Selfridges.

Gastro Card was partner promoting the event.

Guests enjoyed a raffle with fabulous prizes and also received a special Goodie Bag from the evening.

The event raised over £580 for Help Harry Help Others.

1. Barbara Perry, Bev Davenport,Valta Rainbow.

2. Tafadzwa Mushipe, Georgie Moseley.

3. Ed James, Danielle Lloyd, Sally Bowen, Jo Waddell, Libby Walton.

4. Ed James, Danielle Lloyd.

5. Gill Moore, Sue Fennell, Michelle Davies.

6. Ellie Hayter, Janine Hayter.

7. Dave Fellows, Libby Walton.

8. Melanie Rowley, Karen Walker.

9. Sandra Murray, Jo Waddell, Sally Bowen.

10. Lizzie Allister, Vanessa Dixon, Ashley Dixon, Linda Baker.

11. Bev Davenport , Nikki Singh, Emma Dowling.

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Goldthorne Hotel Wolverhampton Wolverhampton Wheelers Cycle Club held their 92nd consecutive dinner since 1924; this one was extra special as it celebrated their founding in 1891, 125 years ago.

Sponsored by

Each guest received a commemorative silver badge replicating the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Winged Wheelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; design from their original founding.

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There were three vintage bicycles on display all from the late 19th /early 20th century, one of which was made in Wolverhampton over 120 years ago!

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After a delightful meal awards were made to all the clubs major trophy winners, with recipients from a wide range of age groups and varied cycling disciplines.

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A fresh approach to Dentistry

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Shaun Hammond, Jayne Hammond.

Doug Pinkerton.

Matt Wedge, Katie Wedge (Time Trial Handicap).

R obin Kyte (President), Cariss Evans (Brain Tumour Community Ambassador), John Evans.

John Ruston, Susan Ruston (Treasurer & Clubman of the year).

G ary Burke, Melanie Burke.

Will Manfield, Sebastian Bacon, Gaby Homer, Matthew Lewis (Junior Champion).

Dale Lamyman, Karen Langford (Marshall of the year).

Alastair Bacon, Barbara Bacon. wolverhampton west magazine | april 2017

Photographs courtesy of Steve Elliot: www.steveelliotttog.co.uk

Social Scene

Deborah Mitchellâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Heaven Event The Cube Birmingham Highly acclaimed skin care expert, Deborah Mitchell organised a fabulous event on Sunday 22nd January at The Cube Birmingham. Throughout the day Deborah gave beauty product demonstrations, thereafter an awards ceremony took place to recognise all the hard work of the salons and spas around the world.

Guests included Dawn Ward - Cheshire Housewives, Royston Blythe & Nick Malenko - Celebrity Hairdressers, Jaime & Adele Roche - Face Ambassadors of Heaven Skincare and presenters, www.wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk

Stephanie Pratt - Celebrity Big Brother / Celebs Go Dating and Made in Chelsea & Georgia Toffolo - known as Toff on the show also Chloe Goodman who is off Ex on the Beach.

The Charity event for Action.org.uk was sponsored by the Spa at The Cube (Matt Brookes - Spa Manager), Marco Pierre White, Laurent Perrier, Peony and Jardine Motor Group trading as Lancaster.

The event culminated with everyone taking to the dancefloor to party the night away.

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Simply Beautiful Salon Merry Hill

nibbles before watching Sam perform a demonstration to showcase the new CACI Eye Revive treatment which reduces puffiness and dark circles around the eyes. The day proved a great success with everyone socialising and chilling out in a relaxing atmosphere.

Simply Beautiful salon owner Samantha Preece organised an open day at her salon on 11th February to celebrate 10 successful years in business. family, friends, clients old and new were invited for drinks and

1. Zoe, Cooper, Val Cox, Samantha Preece, Claire Middleton, Tasara Taylor.

2. Samantha Preece, Harriet Preece, Charlotte Preece, Adrian Preece.

3. Sue Deans, Claire Sumner, Nicola Deans.

4. Claire Middleton, Jane Parocki.

5. Valerie Law, Rosemary Jackson.

6. Anne Heighway, Lynda Pietrogallo, Judy Huxley.

7. Faith Jones, Val Cox.

Sponsored by

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Gluttons Tettenhall

3. Melissa Darby, Jack Fraser,

The new owner of Gluttons For Nourishment, Justine Allan, hosted a Prosecco and Cake party in February to celebrate the purchase of the Tettenhall cafe which was bought in December 2016. Attendees of the party included family and friends, employees, and customers from the local community.

5. Jane Flaherty, Steve Flaherty,

1. Kevin Allan, Manu Chadha.

2. Bally Bihia, Raj Chadha, Justine Allan, Kully Bihia, Angela Johal. www.wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk

Alison Darby, Raj Chadha.

4. Thomas Allan, Camilla Hayden, Alex Drouet.

Andrew Hayden, Angela Hayden.

6. Helen Pemberton, Allison Simpson, Amanda Woodward, Stuart Woodward, Ben Perry, Laura Bradley, Jennifer Ray. 7. Danielle Lucas, Michelle Lucas, Angela Hayden, Rita Allan.

8. Matthew Hall, Jason Green, Thomas Howard.

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The Emerald Club Wolverhampton An event was organised by local Codsall hairdresser Shannon Murphy, with the help of her mom Alison and close family friend, Gill Davies to raise funds for the Little Princess Trust, a charity which supplies and funds high quality wigs made of real hair to children who have hair loss as a result of cancer treatment or other illnesses.

Sponsored by

Two brave ladies, Maria Bramhill and Talitha Harris volunteered to have their heads shaved, along

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with Gill Davies who had her hair cut and donated the hair to the trust.

Over 150 tickets were sold, raffle prizes were donated by local restaurants and butchers, and to date a magnificent amount in excess of ÂŁ2,000 has been raised with sponsor money still outstanding.

1. Shannon Murphy, Gill Davies, Lilian Joyce, Georgia Murphy, Alison Murphy.

2. Emma Simpson, Laura Simpson, Pat Jennings, Elaine Roberts, Donna Heath, Elle-Mae Roberts, Allie Simpson.

3. Shanon Murphy, Nial Murphy, Renne Park.

4. Maria Bramhill,Talitha Harris, Gill Davies.

5. Kyi Dennis, Ken Gibbons, Sarah Gibbons, Gail Gibbons.

6. Matthew Lowe, Jordan Smith.

7. Catwalk Models.

8. Francesco Montana, Josh Richardson. wolverhampton west magazine | april 2017

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7 1. Jeremy Hobbs, David Berriman.

2. Richard Green, Geoff Lowndes, Roy Fielding, Mike Boyce.

3. Stuart Williams - President of

The Rotary club of Wolverhampton celebrated the 100th anniversary of the Rotary foundation at a special meeting, at which the guest speaker was Eve Conway, the president of Rotary in Great Britain and Ireland.

Wolverhampton Rotary, Eve Conway

The Mayor and Mayoress, Councillor Barry and Mrs Margaret Findlay, were in attendance.

Table, The Mayor of Wolverhampton,

The Rotary foundation is Rotary's own charity which has donated over $3.7 billion to innumerable good causes, including its flagship project to eliminate polio from the world.

District Governor, Peter Williams.

The occasion culminated in the presentation of the distinguished service award to Rotarian Fraser Dukes, retired Wolverhampton general practitioner, in recognition of his leadership in the polio elimination campaign. www.wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk

- President of Rotary International, Great Britain & Ireland, Marcus Francis â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Wolverhampton Round Councillor Barry Findlay, John Sayer â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 4. Mike Unwin, John Margetts, Robin Morrison, Roger Timbrell, Derek Evans, Chris Jones.

5. Mike Colley, Val Colley, Simon Bott.

6. Robin Tyler-Morris, Carol Tyler-Morris.

7. Clive Baker, Rosemary Baker.

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MINI Cooper S S even Edition

By Rob Taylor Looking back in order to move forward is nothing new. Everything ‘retro’ has taken on a life of its own lately because consumers seem to want nothing more than a well-packaged product that peeks into the past. Nothing sums this up better than a modern MINI. And the latest one, the Seven, goes even further.

Any MINI has to walk a fine line between pastiche and progress, and referencing the very first Mini, the 1959 Austin Seven, is a bold move indeed. Although the odds have been keenly weighed and I’m sure parent company BMW is prepared to gamble that few to zero potential MINI buyers have even heard of the Austin Seven, let alone ever seen one.

According to BMW this car has been “developed to showcase both the distinctive style inspired by the original Mini and the current modern values of the brand.” All I take from this is that this is another special edition vehicle from a brand that can do no wrong. Buy one, look after it 156

and it may even one day appreciate into a future classic – especially if you opt for the Cooper S I have here.

The Seven joins the current hatchback range in 5-door or 3-door form and boasts specially designed exterior and interior looks. Most notable is its striking as-standard Lapisluxury Blue paint finish; there’s also ‘Melting Silver’ roof and exterior mirror caps; MINI Seven door sill finishers and side scuttles with the Seven logo, as well as 17-inch alloy wheels in exclusive Seven Spoke two-tone design. But don’t worry if the colour blue is unlucky for you, three other body finishes are available: Pepper White, Midnight Black and British Racing Green. And as ever there are myriad customising options, including bonnet stripes.

Inside, the eye-catching design cues continue with much as-standard kit and many Seven logos: sports seats in fabric/leather, ‘Visual Boost’ 6.5’’ colour display screen with Bluetooth and USB audio and automatic dualzone air conditioning. Like your MINI hotter still? Add the Seven’s Chilli pack to nab LED headlights, cruise control and more. Got 30k to burn?

Then you can spec it into infinity with stuff like the popular panoramic glass roof, front driver and passenger heated seats, a Harmon

Kardon hi-fi speaker system, as well as MINI’s Navigation System.

I’d caution against such sybaritic luxury however, and instead just get on with enjoying the rorty character of the 189bhp four-cylinder engine, which offers plenty of low-end torque when conditions become tedious, as well as plenty of top-end fun when it’s time to play. It’ll do 0-62mph in 6.8 seconds which is no mean feat for a car with this much refinement. Yes, the Cooper S still hasn’t lost its trademark go-kart handling, but it’s definitely more grown-up than it’s ever been.

Thankfully despite its ever-growing middle-age spread (compare this version to the original BMW MINI of 2001!) it still feels small and nimble thanks to the accurate, wellweighted steering and light body shell. And with economy numbers of just 49.6mpg and CO2 emissions of 133g/km, this car is a seriously impressive all-rounder. Pricing is unsurprisingly steep - a 3-door Seven costs from £18,545 and £19,145 for a 5-door - but it feels like money well spent as this car provides a great balance between driving fizz and everyday practicality.

And that’s definitely something that didn’t exist in 1959.

wolverhampton west magazine | april 2017

Unlock your engine’s true performance

with ECU Remapping

Your car’s Engine Control Unit, or ECU for short, is the brain of the engine.

• Increased horsepower – by removing existing limitations

• Better throttle response – through smoother power delivery • Safer overtaking – sharper accelerating gives you peace of mind

It reads, understands and makes decisions to deliver the correct mixture of fuel and air to provide the best mix of economy, performance and emission control. At HiQ Wolverhampton, we can remap it to maximise your car’s potential.

Why don’t car makers fine-tune their own ECU? You’re probably thinking, if it’s so good, why aren’t manufacturers doing it already? The simple answer is they are – but then they deliberately limit the engine’s performance to meet stringent restrictions in other countries around the world. We basically just unrestrict it.

Benefits of ECU Remapping: ECU Remapping will improve power and torque figures, increase throttle response and widen the powerband, resulting in a more flexible engine and a much sharper drive.

Here are just some of the benefits: • Improved fuel economy – extra torque at the bottom of the rev range requires less throttle on acceleration

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For more information on how you can maximise your car’s performance, please contact Simon, Mac or Emma at HiQ Wolverhampton on 01902 420234.

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Best of all, it’s a simple and relatively inexpensive process. We do not change any hardware in your vehicle; we just use specialist technology to modify the ECU’s processor. The whole process can be completed while you wait and from just £195.

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for renowned experts Topgear Tuning, we can safely optimise outputs unlocking your engine’s true potential.

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Quality All Round

Elite Body Repairs

Chris has lots of work in front of him to get this MINI back to its former glory

Cars have always been a massive part of Chris Bromley’s life and since opening his body repair shop, Elite, in Macrome Road industrial estate a year ago, he’s been able to further his passion and provide his clients with the finest quality body repairs.

As Chris explains: “My dad had a vehicle restoration business whilst I was growing up and from the age of 15 I became really passionate about cars and took a real interest in learning the trade.”

Chris went to college to complete his City and Guilds qualifications in vehicle painting and valeting before undertaking DuPont and Chromax painting courses.

Gaining valuable experience working at different body shops – including Paramount Body Centre and Jaguar Land Rover’s Gaydenbased factory - where he worked on Aston Martins – Chris then went on to open his first body shop in Penn Street, Wolverhampton.

“I decided to make the move to Macrome Road so that I could expand the business and get the extra space I needed.”

Installing a custom-built spray booth, a high-tech air compressor – to provide the perfect paint finish – and a state-of-the-art infrared lamp – to cure paint – Chris has equipped the unit with everything needed to carry out the highest quality bodywork, whatever the project.

“I was keen to get the unit set-up with all of the best gear from the start.”

With this equipment and his skill, Chris is able to take care of any repair, big or small.

“I’m happy to take on any job, whether it’s a minor bumper scuff, car park dent or alloy repair, or even an extensive, full restoration project.”

With a keen interest in classic cars, especially Minis, Chris is always keen to restore a classic car to its former glory.

And, Chris also takes on insurance work and supplies pre-painted panels and wings, which he sells through his EBay store.

Bentley following paintwork restoration

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So, whether you’ve been meaning to sort out that dent that’s spoiling the look of your cars’ bodywork or maybe dreaming of restoring the classic car that’s sitting in your garage, why not contact Chris today? wolverhampton west magazine | april 2017

PAINT AND BODY REPAIR SPECIALISTS

Service You Can Trust BeFoRe

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We offer a friendly personalised service at an affordable price!

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MInI FolloWIng FUll ResToRATIon • Accident repairs • Bumper and Body scuffs • Paint scratches, chips and dents

• Alloy Wheel repairs • Interior/seat repairs • Classic car restoration • Full body resprays

Call into the workshop for a free no obligation quote or ring Chris on 01902 597847 / 07966 931704 alternatively email elitebodyrepair@outlook.com

www.wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk

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Jaivant Patel Dance & Arena Theatre present…

Holi, Basant Ke Rang on Saturday 12th November, starts 7.30pm at Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton.

Tickets are £10 (£8 concessions).

To book tickets please call the box office on (01902) 321321 or online www.arena.wlv.ac.uk Holi is globally known as the Indian festival of colour when people gather, sing and dance in celebration. Basant Ke Rang translates as ‘the colours of the spring season’.

The festival joyously signifies the arrival of spring, traditionally celebrating as thanksgiving for a good harvest.

Please join us for an entertaining evening of music and dance, celebrating the rich diverse

Photo by Matthew Cawrey.

South Asian heritage and culture present in the UK today.

This uplifting family friendly event will include performances by: Jai Jashn Dance, Aishani Ghosh, Jaivant Patel Dance, Nachda Sansaar, Saijal Patel, Bollywood Dreams Dance, Shyam Dattani, Nupur Arts Dance Academy, Gabhru Panjab De, Odissi Movement Company, Krupali Parmar, RSA Academy

& Aaja Nachle Let’s Dance.* Jaivant Patel is an independent dance artist, cultural producer, choreographer and creative consultant from Wolverhampton. #JPDHoli17 Facebook: www.facebook.com/ JaivantPatelDance Twitter/Instagram: @jaijpdc *Line-up subject to change.

Puzzle Answers Sudoku:

Easy

Quick Crossword:

Hard

Word Search: Hidden Phrase: Wonder is the seed of knowledge; Francis Bacon

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wolverhampton wolverhampton west west magazine magazine || april april 2017

INDEX OF ADVERTISERS

Airport, Transfers & Executive Travel 89 Image Luxury Travel Perton & Bridgnorth Travel 96 Artificial Lawns Nevermo 57 Auctioneers Lockdales 119 Bathrooms Carvers Building Supplies 23 Eaton Kitchens 26 37 Kitchen & Bedroom Technique Beauty Salons Heaven Skin Care 91 Simply Beautiful 99 Beauty Clinics - Cosmetic Cosmetique Aesthetic Clinic 97 Beds & Bedroom Furniture Cousins 8/9 Merridale Furnishers 15 Blinds, Curtains & Shutters Love Your Blinds 17/41 Merridale Furnishers 15 20 Val Hever Blinds Virgo 20 Building Services & Contractors MBH Builders 50 Three Pines 43 Butchers Allan Bennett 75 Poxons 75 Café’s Gluttons For Nourishment 81 Caravan Accessories Cannock Caravan Accessories 67 Car Body Repairs Elite 159 Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning Specialists Touch Dry 63 Carpets & Flooring - Supply & Fit st 41 1 Choice Flooring Premier Carpets 33 Sandford Carpets 27 Virgo Carpets & Interiors 20 Car Sales & Service Mercedes-Benz of Wolverhampton 163 Children’s Charity Promise Dreams 71 Chiropody & Podiatry Tom Casey 112/135 Cleaning Services Interior & Exterior Able Facilities Services 50 DCS (Drive Cleaning Services) 53 RC Cleaning 52 Composite Doors Doorsmart 35 Computer Services 65 Finchfield IT Delicatessen Corbelli 74 Dentistry 109 Parkdale Dentures Parkdale Implants 2 Design & Print The Studio 40 Diet & Slimming Cambridge Diet 96 Driveway 21 Resindrives.co.uk Education 131 Newbridge School St. Dominics 129 Tettenhall College 127

Electricians & Electrical Contractors Central Electrical Contracts 39 Excel Electrical Contractors 51 Entertainment & Leisure Enjoy Wolverhampton 69 88 Wergs Golf Club Estate Agents BE Essential 13 11 Berriman Eaton Fashion & Retail Aristocats 94/95 96 Darzi Fencing & Gates Profence 59 Fireplaces & Stoves Flaming Fires 17 15 Wolverhampton Fireplaces Financial Advisors Midland Independent Financial Services 132/133 Firewood Black Country Firewood 62 Fitness & Leisure Centres Chris Jewkes Fitness 101 South Staffordshire Leisure 111 Furniture & Furnishings Cousins 8/9 Merridale Furnishers 15 Ralvern 28/29 36 Sofa Factory Outlet Virgo Carpets & Interiors 20 Garage Refurbishment Services Danmarque Garages 47 Garage Services 157 HiQ Tyres Garden Design Boningale Garden Creations 60 Gardening & Landscaping Keepers Lane Nursery 64 55 Lealans Garden Centre The Potting Shed 61 Glass & Hardware Specialists Tech Alum System 45 Glazing Repairs Blakes Glass & Glazing 62 Golf Clubs 3 Hammers Golf Complex 144/145 Mark Butler Golf Academy 147 Oxley Golf Club 139 South Staffordshire Golf Club 141 Wrottesley Golf Club 140 Hairdressers Salon 27 100 Health Care Cover Paycare 121 Hospices Compton Hospice 117 Hospitals - Private Nuffield 136 Hotels Mount Hotel 83 Park House Hotel 77 Interior Designers Virgo Carpets & Interiors 20 Italian Deli Corbelli’s 74 I.T. Media & Communications Concero 125 Jewellers T.A.Henn 7 Kitchen Doors - Replacement Dream Doors 31

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Kitchens - Supply, Design & Fit Bespoke Kitchens Carvers Building Supplies Dream Doors Eaton Kitchens Kitchen & Bedroom Technique Legal Services Manby Bowdler Solicitors Sharratts Solicitors Letting Agents Berriman Eaton Lighting Lighting R Us Loft Ladders Lyndale Music Lessons Music 2000 Rick Hampton Music Shops Music 2000 Opticians Taylor Biddle Orthopaedic Surgery Wolverhampton Hip & Knee Clinic Painters & Decorators Kevin Jackson Patrick Bellew Personal Fitness Training Chris Jewkes NG Training Photography Crescent Imaging Plumbing & Heating JB Plumbing & Heating Restaurants/Pubs Halfpenny Green Vineyards Mount Hotel Park House Hotel Sir Jack’s Wergs Golf Club Wombourne Tandoori Rugs Frith Rugs Sea Food Suppliers Star Agro Marine Foods Skip Hire Wolverhampton Skip Hire Stairs & Stair Components Lyndale Tea Rooms/Afternoon Tea Halfpenny Green Vineyards Park House Hotel Theatres The Grand Theatre Tiles & Interiors Heart of Stone Tile Choice Tyres HiQ Tyres Vegan & Vegetarian Food Feast Foods Vein Clinics Simon Hobbs Vineyard & Craft Centre Halfpenny Green Vineyards Wallpaper, Paints & Decorator Accessories S J Dixon & Son Wedding Venues Mount Hotel Park House Hotel Windows, Conservatories, Orangeries Tettenhall Windows

25 23 31 26 37 119 123 11 39 26 65 65 65 107 115 62 63 101 113 119 62 85 83 77 77 88 87 19 74 63 26 85 77 164 20 5 157 79 103 85 16 83 77 25 161

MERCEDES-BENZ

REVEALS PRICING AND SPECIFICATION FOR NEW E-CLASS COUPÉ

The new MercedesBenz E-Class Coupé is now on sale with prices starting from £40,135 for the E 220 d. The E 300 is available from £41,025, while the E 400 4MATIC starts from £50,775.

The E-Class Coupé is available with a choice of one diesel and two petrol engines. The E 220 d features a 2.0-litre diesel engine, capable of generating 194 hp and 400 Nm. It emits just 119 g/km of CO2 and can achieve up to 61.4 mpg on the combined cycle. It can reach 62 mph from standstill in 7.4 seconds.

The E 300 uses a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine with an output of 245 hp and maximum torque of 370 Nm. It emits 160 g/ km of CO2 and delivers up to 40.4 mpg, while it can sprint from 0 to 62 mph in 6.4 seconds. The E 400 4MATIC has a biturbo 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine generating 333 hp and 480 Nm, while emitting 189 g/km of CO2 and delivering up to 33.6 mpg. It can reach 62 mph from standstill in 5.3 seconds.

The new E-Class Coupé is available in one highly-equipped trim line: AMG Line. Standard specification includes sports exhaust system (E

300 only); 19-inch five-twin-spoke alloy wheels; high performance LED headlights and tail lights; parking pilot including parking sensors and reversing camera; belt feeder; Magic Vision Control; ambient lighting with a choice of 64 colours; 8.4-inch infotainment screen with Garmin navigation system (Comand Online with 12.3-inch screen is standard on E 400 4MATIC); split folding rear seats; Active Brake Assist; steering wheel-mounted touchpads; Artico and Dinamica upholstery and heated front seats.

The Premium equipment line is optionally available for £2,795 and includes Memory package; panoramic sunroof; and Keyless Go comfort package. The Premium Plus equipment line (£3,895) adds Multibeam LED intelligent light system and Burmester surround sound system.

The Lane Tracking package is available for £595 and includes Blind Spot Assist and Active Lane Keeping Assist.

The £1,695 Driving Assistance package includes Drive Pilot; Active Brake Assist with cross-traffic function; Evasive Steering Assist; and Pre-Safe Plus. Drive Pilot includes Steering Pilot; Active Lane Change Assist; Active Emergency Stop Assist; Distance Pilot

Distronic; and Speed Limit Pilot (in conjunction with Comand Online).

Comand Online is available for £1,495 (standard on E 400 4MATIC) and adds a 12.3-inch infotainment screen. When combined with the £495 12.3-inch cockpit display, this creates a widescreen cabin effect. Air Body Control air suspension is available for £1,495 (standard on E 400 4MATIC).

In conjunction with the Premium or Premium Plus packages and the 360° camera, customers can also opt for Remote Parking Pilot which allows the vehicle to be parked using a smart phone. To activate Remote Parking Pilot, an £89 subscription (valid for three years) must be purchased from the Mercedes Connect me store.

Peter Smith, General Manager of Mercedes-Benz of Wolverhampton added “We’re delighted to welcome the new E-Class Coupe to the showroom.

Each model line has ample specification and there’s one to suit every customer. As a team, we always look forward to introducing the new models to our customers and I believe the new E-Class Coupe will prove popular with our customers. To book a test drive, simply call us on 01902 427897 today.”

Mercedes-Benz of Wolverhampton, Penn Road, Wolverhampton, West Midlands WV2 4HD 162

wolverhampton west magazine | april 2017

Mercedes-Benz of Wolverhampton.

Endless possibilities with the brand new Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupé.

With AMG styling, LED high performance headlamps and 19” AMG alloy wheels, the new E-Class Coupé is the ultimate head turner.

A choice of high performance engines, exceptional comfort and typical Mercedes styling makes for an exceptional car that is in a class of its own.

Mercedes-Benz of Wolverhampton Penn Road, Wolverhampton WV2 4HD Call us on 01902 238740

Model shown is an AMG Line E-Class Coupé. Official government fuel consumption figures in mpg (litres per 100km) for the E-Class Coupé range: urban 25.2(11.2)-55.4(5.1), extra urban 42.2(6.7)-67.3(4.2), combined 33.6(8.4)-61.4(4.6). CO2 emissions 189-119 g/km. Official EU-regulated test data are provided for comparison purposes and actual performance will depend on driving style, road conditions and other non-technical factors.

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wolverhampton west magazine | april 2017