Wolverhampton West Magazine - September 2017 by Jonathon

WOLVERHAMPTON WEST MAGAZINE

September 2017

Win an afternoon tea for two at The Park House Hotel, Shifnal and arrive in style Win tickets to see Spamalot at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre Win a 3 course meal for two at The Oakley Arms

SEPTEMBER 2017

Delivered to areas of: Tettenhall, Perton, Wightwick, Compton, Pattingham, Burnhill Green, Ackleton, Badger, Chesterton, Seisdon, Trysull, Claverley, Wombourne, Lower Penn, Worfield, Hilton & Albrighton

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Contents Autumn Edition The local property market by Nick Berriman 10 12 Wolverhampton Society of Artists Walk for dreams 18 Crosswords & Puzzles 22 Park House Hotel competition 24 Amy G’s new charity single – ‘Piece of Me’ 26 Recipe of the month 30 BJ’s charity walk 2017 32 Tettenhall Inner Wheel put their ‘best foot forward’ 36 38 Oakley Arms competition Meet the boss 44/45 Grand Theatre competition 54 Paycare supports local charity The Haven with night out 58 62 Gardening with Ann Winwood Peter Baker: Driving ambition 70/71 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

Halfpenny Green food review 80/81 Copthorne Hotel food review 88/89 Flamingo Pink food review 92/93 Life outside the salon: Royston & Nick 98/99 Women’s fashion: A new look for autumn 114/115 Royston Blythe competition winner 116 Mind Babble: The downward spiral 118 Tom’s Tip 125 126 Young citizen award Grand Theatre interview 134 Social Scene 142-151 Golf Tip 152 Iconic LC at Lexus Wolverhampton 154/155 158 Autosales: Over half a century in the motor trade Index to advertisers 161 Mercedes-Benz celebrates double win 162 at 2017Auto Express awards

Congratulations to: Winners of Heaven beauty competition: Luxurious anti-ageing Bee Sting Facial by Deborah Mitchell - Lisa Vickers, Tettenhall Lipolis 7 treatment - Dawn Prince, Finchfield Age Defiance Cream - Ann Beardmore, Worfield Winners of The Weddings Singer competition at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre Lesley Giles, Tettenhall and Christina Warrilow, Codsall Winners of the meal for 2 competition at The Shrewsbury Arms Amy Turner, Perton and David Sneath, Codsall Winners of a wine tasting experience competition with Halfpenny Green Vineyards Céleste Lochhead, Wombourne and Ian Coleman, Brewood

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

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from the editor With 2017 slowly slipping into the rearview mirror of life, it’s time once again to brace for the tail end of the year. For some, the best of times, for others, the worst of times, but the time is now all the same so let’s get on with it. Quite incredibly the next Wolverhampton West magazine will be your November/Christmas edition and it’ll be here before you know it! So let’s be realistic – now that your memories of summer holidays are as faint as your suntan is, it’s time to indulge me – and our dear advertisers – in a little Future Speak.

Look closely and justification from subtle clues abounds: the football season has started, the Pied Piper will soon banish children from our streets, back into classroom, and the shops are beginning to morph into something approximating a sub-standard Santa’s Grotto. By now you may have received your invitation to book for Christmas Day lunch. I know I have and I swear, you can forget forthcoming Halloween and the imminent end of Daylight Saving, for me there’s nothing scarier than meal-planning months in advance. Ideally I want the freedom to choose exactly what to eat with my sprouts on or very near Christmas itself, but if this is what it takes to avoid cremated Yorkshire puds and viscous gravy, count me in. We have 18 pages of eating out and entertainment this month, with three food reviews: Halfpenny Green Vineyards, Flamingo Pink and Copthorne Hotel. The newly AA-rated 4* Mount Hotel certainly knows how to turn out top notch taters – it’s also a perfect place to hold a special event and so too is Park House, Shifnal, Copthorne Hotel, Dudley, and Davenport House, Worfield. And then if you’re looking for a new place to party afterwards, check out Wolverhampton’s newest best-kept secret, Casino 36. Or walk across into neighbouring Lichfield Street to check out Spamalot at the Grand Theatre (enter our competition to be our guest). Memories of Monty Python always make me chuckle – reading our interview with Ray Quinn from The Wedding Singer does much the same. Wolverhampton’s regeneration is really coming on leaps and bounds this year and this year’s WIRE awards at Molineux stadium (see our Social Scene for snaps) proves that we’re heading in the right direction. Now it’s time to get down to business and Meet the Boss – Premier Carpet’s top man Roy Colman - to learn how the course of his life turned on a chance encounter. You really never know what’s around the corner. Showing us how to take inspiration from whatever life throws at us is BJ’s Charity Walk, singer-songwriter Amy G’s latest single, all of Compton Hospice’s 35 years, Paycare and Concero helping domestic abuse charity, The Haven and every one of the 20 years’ service given by the Carver Wolverhampton Marathon. On your marks, ready, steady… 04

Go… into full-on fitness mode to banish that summer hangover with Chris Jewkes Fitness and South Staffs leisure centres or take a different approach with the Cambridge Diet Plan, Cosmetique and Heaven: now with added slimming machines. Speaking of machines, one man who throughout his career had an uncanny knack of rarely ever missing a beat is former Ryder Cup star and three-time European winner Peter Baker, who now spends his days away from the spotlight as top PGA pro at South Staffordshire Golf Club. If golf is your game, be sure to swing by for a little ‘swing theory.’ Besides this we’ve got lots of news and reviews to interest any of you looking to furnish, refurnish or redecorate your home before the festive season takes hold, as well as all the usual tips, direct from the horse’s mouth, on looking after you: dentists, chiropodists, opticians, hip/knee specialists, Mind Babble and Nuffield Health all feature, plus we have CLCA: providers of personal care to people suffering from many life-limiting conditions. Celebrating a long life well spent is Newbridge Preparatory School on its 80th anniversary, so read up on all the latest goings on inside the classroom. And then join us for a fast ride in the new LC from Lexus Wolverhampton. Furthermore, our many pages of Ladies’ Fashion and Beauty are sure to see you looking your best – just as lucky competition winner, Sarah Steel, found out after a transformative visit to celebrity hairdresser Royston Blythe. Also inside, see what the fabulously festive fops, Royston and Nick Malenko, get up to away from the salon. And you too could get into winning ways by entering our competitions to win a chauffeur-driven trip from Image Luxury Travel to Afternoon Tea for Two at the Park House, Shifnal and a three-course meal for two at The Oakley Arms in Brewood. See: there’s much to be jolly about even though ‘tis not strictly the season to be so quite yet. See you in November.

Geoff

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Established 1985 09

The local

property market by Nick Berriman

affairs. On the sale of a property at £1 million while retaining the original property stamp duty amounts to £73,775 which by any standards is punitive. Message to the Treasury – hands off!

As I write this article the press is awash with criticism of stamp duty and suggestions that it is at the heart of difficulties in the market. It is said that the current high charges are dissuading older people from downsizing and freeing up their existing properties in the market. There is no doubt that stamp duty is now a serious factor. For high value properties the sums involved are eye watering. There is also the problem where a purchaser is buying before selling their existing property. This counts as a second property and attracts an additional 3%. This surcharge will be returned when the first house is sold but it has to be paid in the first place. I know of one case where the first house has been transferred to a family member before exchange of contracts so the surcharge is avoided but it does seem a ridiculous state of 10

From time to time we are involved with BE in the Community and take part in some community service projects. The latest was Sarah, Charlie and David helping in the soup kitchen run by the Little Brothers of the Good Shepherd in Darlington Street Methodist Chapel. For many years the Brothers operated from premises in Thornley Street but this was closed some time ago and they now rent space in the Chapel. Every day they serve a hot meal and on three days a week carrier bags of tinned and other foods are available. On the day our three were there the menu was soup, fried chicken, stew and bread and butter pudding. There were some one hundred participants and we were told that it can be one hundred and fifty. Advice is given about any problems with benefits and help with getting back into work. The throughput of food is enormous with most being given from almost all the local supermarkets and food businesses. Those of us lucky enough not to need that kind of help have little idea what goes on in our society and we were lucky to have our eyes opened. A quite remarkable project run by the Brothers and many volunteers. All did not run smoothly as we were met by a very large gentleman with whom one did not argue. Your first job, he said, was to clean the toilets which were in a disgusting state. We were equipped with gloves and buckets and led like lambs to the slaughter in a state of considerable alarm. Halfway there he turned and said ‘you fell for that!’ Yes, Paul had a lot to answer for. This has nothing to do with the property market but a local project which deserves recognition.

So what about our local property market? I was asked on the day I was writing this column whether it was true that the London market is in trouble but that the West Midlands was strong, with prices rising. As I have said many times over the years in this magazine statistics and averages might give an overall picture and so often the reports seem convincing but have little local relevance. There used to be a connection between the London market and the rest of the country which followed London trends a few months later. That is no longer the case as London is now so involved with foreign money and is a market of its own which has little relevance to the rest of us. Last month we had one of our better sales months with 31 days in the month and at least one house sold for every day. Nonetheless it remains patchy and not every house sells quickly. Perhaps prices are moving up but only gently and we all hope that things will stay in balance. Rentals are also doing well with the five members of that department having over 300 properties in management and letting an average of 25 per month. These sales figures are for our Tettenhall office and on top of that we also have our Wombourne and Bridgnorth branches.

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THE BEST OF TIMES

The Wolverhampton Society of Artists takes inspiration from Dickens. Open Studios Initiative October 14th – 15th Over the weekend of October 14th and 15th artists will be opening their studios (or living rooms, kitchens, gardens etc) to the public. Visitors will get the chance to glean inspiration from the artist; what inspires them, how to set up a studio, develop their own practice and how to network with other artists in Wolverhampton. The best bit is you get to drink tea and eat lots of cake and it’s free! The WSA artists group Open Studio will be at the Tettenhall Wood Institute. Participating artists are Peter Burt, Annette Hughes, Norman Keech, Chris Manley, Keith Oram and Ron Satterthwaite. After Lunch by Terry Martin

One of the most quoted phrases of all time will play a part in this year’s exhibition by the Wolverhampton Society of Artists and appropriately so it would seem, for they are, indeed, enjoying the best of times as they head for their next exhibition at Wolverhampton Art Gallery. Yet the Society is not singing its own praises, nor is it expecting to receive art work on unsurpassed happiness. As President Keith Oram says; ‘it is far more complex than that. The theme could be interpreted literally or ironically and should the artist choose to read further into the quotation, they will find a whole vista of emotions and images to draw from.’ ‘it was the best of times - it was the worst of times, it was the season of light - it was the season of darkness, it was the spring of hope - it was the winter of despair’. Keith again: ‘How can words like this fail to inspire us? It will be fascinating to see what our members come up with and with our ever increasing membership, visitors to the exhibition can expect to see a thoroughly eclectic mix of new work.’ The exhibition will run from the 23rd of September to the 19th of November 2017. It will be officially opened by Wayne Attwood, Vice President of the RBSA, who will also present the awards. He will be introduced by Margaret Jarvis who is a Past President and life honorary member of the society.

Other WSA members will be in their home studios including David Poxon at his Claverley Studio and Julia Timmins in Ackelton. For more information visit: www.wolverhamptonopenstudios.co.uk

Wolverhampton Art Gallery Saturday Demonstration programme SATURDAY 23rd SEPTEMBER 12.30pm Official Opening Event SATURDAY 30th SEPTEMBER 11.30am to 12.30pm Keith Oram - Exhibition review SATURDAY 7th OCTOBER 10.30am to 2.30pm Vic Hayward - Pastel Robert Cox - Sculptures in wood SATURDAY 14th OCTOBER 10.30am to 2.30pm Open Studios Weekend: Visit artists in their own studios throughout Wolverhampton. Find more information on our website www.wolverhamptonopenstudios.co.uk SATURDAY 21st OCTOBER 10.30am to 2.30pm Drawing - The Romance of Textiles Bring a sketchpad and join in - everyone welcome SATURDAY 28th OCTOBER 10.30am to 2.30pm Anthony Clemson - Painting with watercolour Angelo Edwards - Charcoal SATURDAY 4th NOVEMBER 10.30am to 2.30pm Tina Willis Jones - Portraits in pencil Annie Bowden - Printmaking SATURDAY 11th NOVEMBER 10.30am to 2.30pm Ron Satterthwaite – Portraiture Robert Ormerod – Sketching

On Saturdays throughout the exhibition there will be a series of free events featuring a talk about the exhibition, artists’ demonstrations on painting, drawing, printmaking and sculptures in wood plus a drawing session focussing on decorative textiles. All visitors are welcome. Wolverhampton Art Gallery is open Monday to Saturday 10.30 –to 4.30. Sunday: 11.00 am to 4.00 pm. Find out more about the society and how you can become a member by visiting their website at www.wsa-artists.com The society also has a Facebook page: www.facebook.com/WtonSA 12

Norm Keech in his home studio

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Make your Money

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This month I would like to address several areas that I believe are relevant to many people in today’s economy.

Life Assurance

The savings are created by the employer paying the premium and the employee having the amount payable deducted on a salary exchange basis.

The vast majority of today’s working population are paying for life assurance from their net income. There are now policies that can be taken out and paid for before tax and National Insurance is deducted which can mean huge savings over the term of the policy.

The savings are considerable as both the employee and employer benefit. To give you an idea of the saving - on a premium of £100, a basic rate tax payer would save £53.21 per month, whilst a higher rate tax payer would save £76 per month.

This type of life assurance is known as Relevant Life Cover and can also include critical illness cover which, for those of you who are paying for this type of cover will know, is quite expensive.

If you would like to find out more about how you can reduce your cost of life cover, we would be more than happy to run you through the process and liaise with your employer.

Interest Only Mortgages Citizens Advice has recently conducted research that shows that there are over 3.3 million interest only mortgages with over 1 million of these having no repayment vehicle. The average amount outstanding is £71,000 and, for many of these homeowners, I would imagine that as the repayment date of the mortgage term draws closer, sleepless nights are endured. For the vast majority there is now a solution in the form of Lifetime Mortgages which, over the last few years, have improved immensely and payment rates are now available from 3.86% fixed for life with the option of making wolverhampton west magazine

payments or, if income is short, having the interest rolled up. If you have an interest only mortgage and would like to discuss your options please feel free to call us. Cash On Deposit We are constantly approached by our clients who are not happy with the amount of interest they are receiving from their deposit accounts and are looking for better returns. We have, for some time, been looking for a safe alternative and I believe that we now have an option for the risk adverse individual who is looking for safe returns. The investment we are comfortable with is Octopus Choice which is a discretionary managed portfolio of loans. Octopus Choice is not directly correlated to the stock market, yet will target a variable interest rate of around 4% per annum, paid monthly. If you would like more information on this and how you can invest please feel free to contact us and we can take you through the process. Inheritance Tax This is a voluntary tax and, for the vast majority of people, easily avoidable with careful planning without having to gift or lose control of your estate.

pension schemes and are looking at the possibility of transferring. There are some companies who are, by the size of the transfer value being offered, actively encouraging members to transfer however not all schemes are equal. There are some schemes that do not offer anything like fair value, most notably local government pensions and I think the reason for this can be traced back to the fact that pension schemes’ assets and liabilities sit on a company’s balance sheet and, for most companies, this is a risk they would like to move - local government have a completely different mindset. It is important that those of you who request transfer values ensure that before completing any transfer, the amount you are being offered is sufficient to reflect the benefits you would be giving up. For anyone who has preserved pension benefits and would like to explore your options, please feel free to contact us and we can ensure that, before you make any decision, you are well informed of the facts.

For anyone with estates valued in excess of £1,000,000 for married couples or £500,000 for non-married, please seek advice before it is too late. I believe that throughout one’s life you pay enough tax without having to share your wealth with the Government on your demise. For those of you out there with Financial Advisers, contact them at your earliest opportunity and start planning today. If, however, you do not have a Financial Adviser, please feel free to contact us and we can explain how simple it is to ensure your loved ones inherit your wealth without sharing it with HMRC. Preserved Final Salary Pensions This is without doubt our busiest area currently and we are inundated with requests from individuals who have been members of final salary 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 Midland Independent hold investment seminars with industry experts. If you would like to attend please email: info@midlandifa.co.uk 15

Find your dream fireplace at Flaming Fires this winter

The cold days of winter are fast approaching, so there has never been a better time to update your living space with the addition of a brand new fireplace or stove. Whatever your home interior look, it’s essential to invest in a quality product that will combine both practicality and style, whilst guaranteeing to bring warmth into your home for many years to come. And, when it comes to making a purchase, finding a trusted retailer is a must. Established in 1990, Flaming Fires has grown to become one of the most respected gas, electric and solid fuel fires, stoves and fireplace showrooms in the Midlands. Supplying and installing quality products and treating customers to the best in personalised service has undoubtedly been the key to the company’s success right from the very start. As owner, Jane Southall, explains: “We pride ourselves on providing a full service sales experience, which includes an assessment of your current fireplace, room size, output required and expert advice on the best options for your needs.” Flaming Fire’s stunning Wombourne-based Georgian showroom displays a wide 16

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range of period and contemporary design fireplaces, fires and stoves.

– as celebrity chef, James Martin demonstrated at the event.”

“When we first started the business we mainly sold and installed gas and electric fires and fireplaces, however as we’ve grown and progressed year on year, we’ve broadened our ranges to include wood and solid fuel stoves.”

With the business continuing to go from strength-to-strength, Jane has recently employed a brand new member of staff to help manage the showroom.

The showroom is regularly updated with brand new displays and products from industry-leading brands.

“Mark Dorricott joined us at the beginning of the year as a full time member of the team; he’s new to the industry and has only recently returned to the Midlands after living in Canada for the last 35 years.”

“We’re proud to be the main agent for premium brand, Chesneys of London, who manufacture high quality fireplaces, stoves, gas and electric products.”

When it comes to fitting your new fireplace or stove you can trust that the team at Flaming Fires will carry out the job professionally and efficiently.

And Jane is looking forward to introducing Chesneys’ new outdoor Barbeque Heater to the showroom in 2018.

“We take care of all aspects of installation and you can rest assured that all of our expert engineers are either GasSafe or HETAS registered,” adds Jane.

“I recently went to the launch of Chesneys’ latest product from their Heat Collection. The Barbeque Heater is perfect for both summer living and versatile outdoor cooking

So, why not make your living room complete this winter with a fabulous new fireplace from Flaming Fires? Prices range from £500 to £10,000.

Jane Southall and Mark Dorricott in the showroom

High Street, Wombourne WV5 9DP (on the village green). Tel: 01902 898221 www.flamingfires.co.uk Find us on

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Walk For Dreams

The day was a huge success with around 800 walkers coming together from all over the country to walk 9 miles from Himley Hall to Wolverhampton Race Course. Over ÂŁ21,000 was raised to help more brave children and their amazing families to have their dreams turned into reality. We were delighted that Pete Wicks from The Only Way Is Essex joined us to walk alongside his friend Freya Felton, who we delivered a dream to five years ago. We were very lucky with the weather as the sun shone all day and our walkers were able to enjoy BBQ food, the Wimbledon final on the big screen with strawberries and cream, and live music from Strawberry Moon Records.

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Carver

Wolverhampton Marathon Events

people of Wolverhampton together. You can raise funds for your own favourite charity or the Marathon chosen charities. All entry fees go to the Marathon chosen charities.

Not long to go now before thousands take to the streets for the 20th year of the Carver Wolverhampton Marathon Events. The organisers are busy putting together the final touches and ensuring there are sufficient marshals and volunteers around the course. The Marathon Charities for 2017 are Compton Hospice, Wolverhampton Samaritans and Sunnyside Kennels in Coven who have provided their requisite number of marshals and these have been trained by Marshal’s Manager John Nightingale.

to take part. There is cycling, walking (in the park) and the children’s mini marathon. As this is a special year everyone who enters will receive a technical cool t-shirt, a special medal and a goody bag. Chair Mary Harding is pleased with the way the planning is progressing and numbers in the events are increasing daily. If you are able please consider entering one of the events and be part of this great event that year after year brings the

Once again thanks must be paid to the generous sponsors who make the event possible. This year Carvers, Banks’s, Cousins, Call Print, NJB Physio, Signal 107, Water Logic (formerly Angel Springs), Greggs and Wolverhampton West are among many who provide services and financial support. The organisers will be taking late entries on SATURDAY 2nd SEPTEMBER from 9.30 until 5.00 pm. NO ENTRIES WILL BE POSSIBLE ON RACE SUNDAY.

Course Manager Gwyn has been preparing maps and letters to be delivered to thousands of homes around the area, advising people of road closure times on the day. The events, ever popular, appeal to many different people and the organisers’ aim is to encourage young children and family groups

For more details please visit our website:

www.carverwolverhamptonmarathonevents.co.uk 20

wolverhampton west magazine

Divine Divine Designs Designs at atCarvers Carvers

Visit our showrooms and discover inspirational ideas to transform your bathroom, with Visit our showrooms and discover inspirational ideas to transform your bathroom, with the latest collections at Carvers. the latest collections at Carvers. From large and spacious to small and compact, our showrooms offer a wide selection From large and spacious to small and compact, our showrooms offer a wide selection of bathrooms and accessories from leading brands to suit all styles and budgets. of bathrooms and accessories from leading brands to suit all styles and budgets. Littles Lane, Wolverhampton, WV1 1JY Littles Lane, Wolverhampton, WV1 1JY Tel: 01902 577090 Tel: 01902 577090 www.carvers.co.uk www.carvers.co.uk www.wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk

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W i n and arrive in style an Afternoon Tea for Two

The Park House Hotel is giving one lucky reader the chance to win Afternoon Tea for Two including a bottle of Prosecco. The Park House Hotel takes pride in serving you the perfect Traditional Afternoon Tea which offers a selection of finger sandwiches, scones and homemade cakes. The Park House Hotel in Shifnal is somewhat of a landmark in Shropshire. With history dating back over 200 years and many

memories for lots of people in the village and surrounding areas, the hotel and its team are continuously working hard to take the hotel into the future. Butlers Bar and Restaurant is home to an award winning menu and daily specials board, complemented with real ales, continental lagers and an extensive selection of spirits, with the best beer garden in Shifnal! The Hotel has Wedding Packages available to suit all tastes and budgets, from the small intimate reception to the larger family gathering.

The Park House makes an ideal wedding venue amongst other things! After the summer months quieten down and autumn slowly turns into winter, the hotel becomes a hub of festive excitement, with Christmas parties starting in late November, right through until February! They offer private Parties, large mixed group parties, Tribute nights, Live Band Nights, Comedy Nights and more! With 5 different Function Suites, the Hotel offer competitive Conference and Meeting Events, great Afternoon Tea deals for Christenings, Baby Showers and birthdays. The Park House and its team are always on hand to help with any enquiry, holding a Wedding Open day every Sunday and a 24 hour manned reception. Why not pop in or call to arrange an appointment to discuss your next event.

Take a look at their website www.parkhousehotelshifnal.co.uk or call on 01952 460128.

C OM P E TITIO N Arrive VIP style, the lucky winner of the competition will be collected from the doorstep by Image Luxury Travel and chauffeur-driven to The Park House Hotel and then taken home after their afternoon tea. To be in with a chance of winning this fabulous prize, simply answer the following question correctly.

How many bedrooms are there at The Park House Hotel? 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 Friday October 6th 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 valid until Thursday 30th November 2017, all entries will be forwarded to The Park House Hotel unless requested otherwise.

wolverhampton west magazine

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

• 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 w il l b o p e n 7 d e ays f r o m S u n 1 5 t h O c t

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: Mon 10.30am - 1pm, Tues to Sat 9am - 5pm, Sun 1pm - 4pm

www.wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk

Amy G’s New Charity Single:

‘Piece of Me’ copy CD singles and I also took part in the Family Festival at Weston Park to promote the track.”

Talented Wolverhampton-based singer-songwriter, Amy G, has just released a brand new single and it’s all in aid of a very worthy cause. As Amy explains: “My Grandad passed away five years ago, following a battle with lung cancer, and that’s when I first wrote ‘Piece of Me’. It wasn’t until recently though that I decided to revisit the song as many people around me had been affected by the disease.” Keen to raise funds and share the song that expressed her feelings at a difficult time in the hope that it would help others, Amy reworked and revised ‘Piece of Me’. Soon, both Cancer Research and Compton Hospice were keen to show their support by adding their names to the single. “I was absolutely delighted that both charities wanted to get involved and that they loved ‘Piece of Me’ when they heard it. It’s a song that’s been written for the people that are left behind when they lose a loved one.”

Whether she’s performing at a private function, Holiday Park or even at a festival, Amy manages to wow every audience with her powerful vocal style, engaging performance and a set list that incorporates covers from a diverse range of genres, as well as her own material. “I’m booked-up to do performances every weekend at both private and public events across the country and from January I’ll be performing on cruise ships.” Since beginning to perform professionally only two years ago, Amy’s career has gone from strength-to-strength and she has rapidly started to gain the industry recognition she deserves, which has seen her become one of the most in-demand performers in the Midlands. “I’m really passionate about performing and I absolutely love what I do, that’s why I’m so pleased that I’ve been able to use my music to raise money for really deserving charities.” And there is no doubt that Amy is set for a glittering future, thanks to her raw talent, enthusiasm, passion for the industry and natural skills as a performer.

The single has been professionally produced and has been playing on repeat on the stereos of virtually everyone who’s heard it. “I’m really pleased that the single has had such a great response and I’m thrilled to have been able to raise so much money for charity.” Amy performed the single at the grand opening of Nuffield Hospital’s new chemotherapy suite back in August and raised an impressive £300. And her fundraising didn’t end there. “I was granted a permit by Birmingham City Council that enabled me to perform in the street and sell hard 26

wolverhampton west magazine

A FREsH AppROACH TO A NEw KITCHEN SpecialiStS in Kitchen MaKeoverS and new KitchenS

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C e l eb r a ti n g

Alan’s Success

Federation of Master Builders’ Lifetime Achievement Award Three Pines clients already know that the Wolverhamptonbased business leads the way when it comes to construction but now the company’s boss, Alan Bradshaw, has received formal recognition for his impressive contribution to the industry from the Federation of Master Builders. Presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award – a new addition to the Master Builder Awards to celebrate its 75th year anniversary – both Alan’s long career and positive influence on the building trade has been celebrated, alongside his contribution to the FMB and their community. As John Watson, Director of FMB Central commented: “Alan is a very worthy winner, his passion and dedication to his staff is infectious. He embodies what the FMB stands for and I wish him my warmest congratulations.” Alan’s career started in his teens when he completed a carpentry apprenticeship. He worked his way up from the very bottom rung of the ladder to ultimately become the Managing Director at Three Pines Building Co.

Alan with some of the Three Pines staff in celebratory mood

To this day he is still as passionate as ever and is more than happy to get his hands dirty on site. As Alan explains: “Ever since my teens I wanted to be in construction. I still want to be in construction and I’m still passionate about building. Talking to clients, doing such a wide range of work, having the ability to see in my mind the finished project and still being able to learn every day – these are the things that drive me.” Through his own first-hand experience Alan understands the importance of apprenticeships, that’s why he’s always been keen to support his staff and nurture apprentices so that they can achieve their full potential along the way. And it’s this investment in people that has seen the company always boast a dedicated and highly skilled workforce. “We’re lucky to have a fantastic team of both tradesmen and office staff working for us who ensure that every job is completed to the highest standards and in an efficient manner,” adds Alan. In fact, several members of the team have been with the company right from the start of their career when they joined Three Pines as apprentices. Thanks to Alan’s leadership and the hardworking team at Three Pines, it’s no surprise that the company is continuing to go from strength to strength.

Alan (right) accepting his award

So, whatever your building requirements make sure that you contact the professional team at Three Pines today. wolverhampton west magazine

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.

New build properties - Albrighton

New build property - Albrighton

The building company has over 50 years of experience in construction, covering commercial and domestic development, with many of the carpenters and bricklayers having been employed by the company for over 20 years. The company is well established as being outstanding in its refurbishment and maintenance contracts and is considerate of the care and understanding needed when working on projects in both domestic and commercial sectors. Refurbishment of â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;The Old Smithy - Albrighton

All work carried out on behalf of Boningale Homes

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:www.wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk 01902 499919 Email: info@three-pines.co.uk

RECIPE

Garlic Roasted

P eppe r s

Serves 4 Ready in 45 mins

These colourful roasted peppers are full of Mediterranean flavours. They make a great simple starter for a dinner party or when served as part of a buffet. To serve chilled, allow the peppers to cool completely then cover and leave in the fridge for a couple of hours. INGREDIENTS

• Fresh basil leaves, to garnish

• 4 large red peppers

METHOD

• 3 garlic cloves, peeled and thinly sliced

1. Preheat the oven to 200C, 400F, Gas 6. Slice each pepper in half, cutting though the stalks and remove the seeds. Place the pepper halves, cut side up, in a shallow roasting tin. Top with the garlic, tomatoes and olives.

• 115g (4oz) cherry tomatoes, halved • 55g (2oz) pitted black olives • 4 tbsp olive oil • 2 tbsp pesto sauce 30

• 75g (3oz) feta cheese, thinly sliced or crumbled

2. Drizzle over half the oil and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Roast for 25-30 mins until the peppers are just tender and lightly charred in places. Leave to cool for 10 mins. 3. Blend the pesto sauce with the rest of the olive oil. Serve the warm peppers topped with the feta cheese and basil dressing. Garnish with fresh basil leaves. wolverhampton west magazine

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

CELEBRATING 20 YEARS!

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

w w w. e a t o n k i t c h e n d e s i g n s . c o . u k 31

BJ’s CHARITY WALK 2017

In 2009 following a brave fight against cancer for 4 years Bijay Khela succumbed to a brain tumour. He fought his illness with tremendous courage and unswerving humour, and without a single complaint. In order to honour his memory his siblings Pete Khela and Kami Aujla decided to raise funds for charity to honour BJ’s name. In 2010 the inaugural charity bike ride took place and has taken place annually ever since. Friends and family have contributed to both the organisation and the fundraising events. In 2014 an annual charity walk was added following the passing of Gurmel Singh, the father of Bijay, also from cancer. BJ’s Charity walk had its first event in 2014 when it took place in Stratford-Upon-Avon. Also in 2014 Pete Khela did an amazing walk from Molineux stadium, Wolverhampton to the Houses of Parliament, London over a total of 5 days. The following year the walk was in the Cotswold’s around the beautiful village of Broadway 32

and in 2016 it was in the Peak District from Buxton to Bakewell In 2017 the walk took place in an around Llangollen in Wales, over a total of 12 miles. The walk commenced on the canal just above Llangollen and this section was about 5 miles. Parts of the walk had picturesque views of the valley below and other parts had tree canopies covering the canal from one side to the other providing delightful vistas when the sun streamed through. Colourful narrowboats plying their trade along the canal provided a great backdrop. This section ended with a walk across the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, which was not for the faint-hearted! The next section was a tough one through woods and steadily climbing up hills. This section then eventually opened up to the

Panorama Walk, a minor road. The Panorama is considered by many to be one of the finest viewing points in the whole of Wales. The final section was a climb up a very steep hill to Castell Dinas Bran and many breathers had to be taken on the way up. However, the effort was well worth it, as the views from the top, amongst the ruins of the castle, were truly magnificent. Obligingly, the clouds parted and the sun made an appearance to cast a beautiful sheen over the glorious countryside. After gingerly walking down the hill many walkers availed themselves of a reviving cup of tea before the coach journey home. To round the day off the walkers were able to rest their weary limbs while they had an evening meal in Wolverhampton.

Funds raised from the walk will be donated to the nominated charities: Cancer Research

Cancer Charity

Steve Bull Foundation

Various beneficiaries including children

Cardiac Risk in the young

Free screening for heart conditions

Rays of sunshine

Wishes for terminally ill children

Unique home for girls India Shelter for orphaned girls Alzheimer’s UK

Dementia Charity

wolverhampton west magazine

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As seen on...

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DIY SOS

Tettenhall Inner Wheel Calling All Stall Holders! We are inviting stall holders to be a put their “Best Foot part of this year’s Codsall Christmas Forward” for Charity Fair on Friday 1st December. President Alison Murphy and 7 of our Members, plus family and friends, Angela Coxhead, Abbi took part in Heywood, Linda Heywood, ‘Best Foot Doris Margetts & Val Watkins. Forward’ at the Aldersley Club in aid of the M S Therapy Centre, Central Stadium on Youth Theatre and Saturday, July 1st.

This great community event is back this year, bigger and better and we are aiming for nearly double the amount of stalls! If you have joined us before, you’ll know what a great event it is.

They managed an incredible 336 laps between them, with new member Angela Coxhead completing 52 laps (13 miles).

Santa’s Grotto Fairground Rides Live Music Local Artists Street Entertainers Hot Food & Drinks

Stall Rates: Standard Site: (up to 2.5 x 3m) – £20. Larger Sites: Pro Rata Food Outlets: 15% of day’s takings. Trading begins at 4pm and will continue until 8pm.

Other main attractions include:

the Rotary Charitable Trust. We also collected sponsorship monies for Compton Hospice.

Each lap walked released charity funds for the Wolverhampton Rotary

FLOORING

Last year’s turnout of 3,000 people is expected to be topped this year, making Codsall Christmas Fair the place to be.

More money was raised for local charities by our hardworking members the following weekend at the Tettenhall Fête.

WORKTOPS

FIREPLACES

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To book a stall or for more information please contact Megan Barrow on 07702 310939.

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wolverhampton west magazine

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Lower Street, Tettenhall, Wolverhampton WV6 9AF

Win a meal for two

at the Oakley Arms

This month we have teamed up with the Oakley Arms to give one lucky reader the chance to win a 3 course meal for two including a welcome drink with a bottle of selected wine during the meal. The Oakley Arms sits on the outskirts of Brewood but is a pub well within the hearts of the locals who drop by on horseback or bicycle or along with their dogs during country rambles.

They have the most fabulous lake which can be seen from many rooms within the pub and is flanked by a stone terrace which is the most wonderful place to dine on sunny days.

seasons and are supported by a well-balanced wine list offering a good quality but affordable range.

The Oakley Arms is a charming pub with well-spaced rooms with wooden floors and roaring fires, a well-stocked bar at the centre of all things and a beautiful garden room filled with light.

www.oakleyarms.co.uk

The Oakley Arms is now taking bookings for Christmas. Small and large party bookings catered for.

Menus have their roots in modern British cooking, with a hint of the more exotic about them. They change often to reflect the

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

What is the website address for the Oakley Arms? 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 Friday 6th October 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 valid until Thursday 30th November 2017. All entries will be forwarded to The Oakley Arms unless requested otherwise.

wolverhampton west magazine

Specialists in the design and complete installation of fitted kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms and office/study furniture

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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.

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Butco Turn up the Heat across the Midlands. The largest family-run Central Heating and Home CARE business with long term competitive prices, our aim is to provide continued quality and service for all our existing and new customers. With new products and services soon to come online our ambition is to provide our valued customers with a single source affordable outlet for all their household needs. The coming months and years will be exciting times.” With very competitive prices for all types of boilers, installations, fixed, low priced Annual Maintenance Contracts and highly qualified engineers, the Butco/ Centra Heat combination offers full home care for a wide range of products, giving thousands of customers peace of mind at affordable rates. For more information contact: centraheatltd@btconnect.com or 01902 845211. L-R: Alan Jones, Martin Silvester - Both retiring. James Tough & Peter Turnock - Butco Directors

Butco Heating Ltd., part of the Trinity Heatcare Group, announces the acquisition of the Wolverhamptonbased Centra Heat Ltd. Both Butco and Centra Heat each have nearly 60 years’ experience installing and maintaining Central Heating Systems in the Domestic and Commercial markets. Between them, with full 24/7 cover and Emergency Call-Outs, 365 days a year these two companies will be serving the whole of the Midlands area. James Tough, Managing Director of the ever expanding Butco Group of companies stated “I am delighted that we now offer a comprehensive, quality installation and maintenance service right 42

wolverhampton west magazine

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by John Nash

Meet the boss A UK-wide supply-only option is now available on the company website (www.premierflooringltd.com). “You can buy online and still experience, great advice and impeccable service,” he adds.

Currently with a fleet of eight vans on the road, a buoyant warehouse trade counter, comprehensive carpet and high quality vinyl options for both commercial and domestic markets, “we’re perfectly placed,” he explains. “At this optimum size, I can easily control the business and that gives strength to the important things Premier is built upon.

Roy Colman, managing director of Premier Carpets & Flooring Ltd

Fishing, floors and Roy’s mainstream Premier destiny Game angler Roy Colman admits to having a few lucky breaks in business and not least a life-changing chance encounter with a carpet fitter looking for a room to rent. The entrepreneurial spirit of this managing director of Premier Carpets & Flooring Ltd still punches through, 25 years on after establishing the business in his home. His story is a common one: after a number of failed ventures and jobs that had “come and gone” over a period of 12 years, he stumbled into his destiny at a point when he was desperate for a leg up. “To make ends meet I was letting a room in my house and a carpet fitter became my tenant. It proved to be the best thing ever,” he recalls. Soon Roy was helping the fitter and for a while they enjoyed a working relationship. 44

“He eventually left to go down south and I decided to start up on my own,” he adds. Working from his house, Roy began fitting domestic carpets and undertaking small commercial installs. By the mid-’90s business had developed to support premises in School Road, Tettenhall and a lot of domestic work was being undertaken. “There were a lot of homes in Wolverhampton that had our carpets fitted,” he says. Keen to make inroads into the commercial marketplace, Roy began pushing the boundaries of both trade supply and service options and ten years ago moved into his current large warehouse and showroom on the Walton Works Industrial Estate in Claregate, Wolverhampton. Comfortable in his own skin, he is still vigilant for new opportunities – online sales is the latest project – but admits to reining in his entrepreneurial drive on core business operations.

“Our fitters are efficient and reliable with a large percentage of domestic work in the upper end of the marketplace complementing our commercial contracts. We deliver good service and I can maintain and guarantee that excellence at the size we are and that’s so important.” With decades of hands-on experience, Roy is always willing to dispense his advice to those who will listen. “Here’s an example,” he says. “We still get elderly ladies, some in their 80s, come and ask for Axminster carpets; it’s what they’ve always had, so it seems reasonable to them to ask for it again. But some of the quality carpet they choose could outlive them by decades and is just not needed for their domestic use. “I have to honour integrity and tell them there are cheaper choices that would still do the job admirably. If they still want the best, that’s fine, but at least I will have given them the opportunity to save money with a product that would have served their purpose well. “We cover all the bases with a huge range of products and being honest with customers always pays off in the long term, even if it means we may lose some money on a job,” he adds. Carpet tiles, safety floor vinyls – from brands such as Altro, Polyflor, Forbo, Heckmondwike, Interface JSH & Rawsons – are all available for the commercial sector. wolverhampton west magazine

Roy showing a customer a range of carpets they supply

Enjoying an established reputation for handling major contracts, Roy’s company has been able to secure keenly contested flagships deals, not least working for 11 months at Jaguar Land Rover’s new engine development centre, at the i54 business park site, with main contractor Vinci Construction. The Enterprise Zone status site in South Staffordshire has created the framework for some of the biggest company investments in the UK. “We’ve just finished working there [in June], putting down a whole mix of material – sub-flooring, screed,

carpets and vinyl for development areas, offices and reception. It’s been a great experience,” says Roy. Other prime contracts ranging from £100,00 to £450,000 have come from HM Prisons Justice Services G4S, social care group Shaw Healthcare, Wolverhampton University and Accord Housing Association. For those unsure of their flooring options, Premier’s showroom displays flooring from leading brands such as Karndean and Amtico and there’s a vast range of top quality, big name carpets, including Cormar,

www.wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk

Brockway, Westex, Ulster, Brintons, Kingsmead and Victoria Carpets. “No matter what budget customers are working to, we’ll do our best to work to it,” adds Roy. A free commercial and domestic surveyor service is also available where measurements will be taken in the home and plenty of advice on options will be given before a quotation. Away from the flooring business, Roy, aged 56, enjoys fly fishing for salmon in the UK and on Russia’s spectacular premier trophy rivers. www.premierflooringltd.com

Made in Germany, Available in Shrewsbury Acoustic Boutique in the High Street Shrewsbury opened the doors to its revamped showroom in January 2017 and in March took on another quality brand in Loewe. Loewe (pronounced ‘lurver’) are a German television and speaker company founded in 1923 by two brothers, who, in 1931 with help and input from John Logie

Baird, presented the world’s first fully electronic television. Later, they were also the first to produce stereo sound in televisions. With an ever-expanding range of products, Loewe today are going from strength to strength, with all the quality attributes you would expect from a German manufacturer. The latest addition to their range is the 55” OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) Bild 5 which is currently on display in the showroom. With its modular approach, customers are

free to choose the placement of the television, from wall to floor to table, and also choose whether to add the 80 watt speaker bar or whether to incorporate it with their existing speakers - or perhaps add a full 5.1 surround sound system from a company such as Bose. The Lifestyle series from Bose is a natural addition to give the full home cinema experience and is also available for demonstration in store. The team at Acoustic Boutique pride themselves not only on the quality of their showroom and demonstration facilities, but also on their wish to find the best solution for the customer, based on their watching and listening habits. With great customer feedback like “Very knowledgeable about the products and were very helpful and explained how products could be integrated together“, it is clear that this is working. They have televisions from Panasonic and Bang & Olufsen too and can provide a range of speaker solutions for use with a television or as part of a multiroom system, and also have a number of portable Bluetooth speakers and headphones available for demonstration.

The Acoustic Boutique showroom is located at 6 High Street, Shrewsbury and their telephone number is 01743 240757. Visit their website at: www.acousticboutique.co.uk 46

wolverhampton west magazine

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Lighting R Us: so much room for choice At Lighting R Us, we know that planning a lighting layout for each room of the house is absolutely essential.

the flick of a switch. Which is why our favourites for the living room are flush fittings for ambience, along with a big floor lamp in an empty corner. For sofa side, go for matching table lamps. Not to mention, use recessed spotlights for bookshelves and alcoves, to create depth and drama.

Each room has its own individual style and size, as well as having its own individual purpose. For example, you wouldn’t light your bathroom in the same way you would light your bedroom. Have a look at our mini guide below, so you can illuminate your space with style, quality, and practicality.

Dining Room: The dining room is just as much of a social hotspot as the living room. So, whether you use it purely for dinner time with the family, playing games, having a drink with friends, hosting dinner parties etc. you need a light that’s bright enough for its purpose, as well as creating the perfect mood-lighting balance for when you want to set the tone over a romantic dinner. Our favourites feature a chandelier or statement pendant over the table, with matching wall lights.

Bedroom: Most people’s favourite room in the whole house. It’s our chill zone and a personal space that we truly make our own. The number of things you can do with lighting in your bedroom is endless. Our favourites for the bedroom are ultra-modern recessed spotlights, dimmable of course. As well as funky wall reading lights above the bedside tables. Living Room: The living room is probably the most important room in the house as it comes with so many purposes. We sink into the sofa after a long day, we snuggle and watch television, we curl up with a magazine or book, or even as a social hotspot. The list is endless. You want to be able to change the mood of your living room with

Kitchen: Here at Lighting R Us we’d be right in saying that the kitchen is the one room where we carry out most of our important daily tasks. Either way, you will need good lighting in your kitchen and lots of it. We’re not quite talking the scale of Blackpool Illuminations, but enough so you can see what you’re chopping when preparing food. One ceiling light isn’t going to do the trick as it does not source enough light to brighten up every workspace that is involved in the kitchen. We recommend recessed spotlights or track lighting for ambience and

under-cabinet recessed spotlights for task lighting. Or perhaps go for that extra-contemporary touch with LED strips. Another firm favourite is placing pendants over kitchen islands! Home Office: Lighting up your study or home office takes a lot more thought than you’d initially think. You need to ensure you decrease the risk of glare and eyestrain when staring at computer screens or reading and writing. Thankfully, we like to keep study lighting simple. Cluster spotlights with pivoting heads are good for ambience and you can never go wrong with a good old desk lamp. Hallway: The hallway is the first room of the house your guests will see when walking through the door, so why not wow them with an impressive lighting layout? By using a decorative ceiling light and matching wall lights, the eyes won’t know where to look. Our forever favourite for the hallway is our Tiffany collection. Bathroom: The bathroom is a generically well-lit room in your house, one of the brightest of them all. For the bathroom, we recommend recessed spotlights on the ceiling, in cabinets and along plinths, or even a flush fitting. All IP44+ rated of course. Outdoor: Outdoor lights are very practical nowadays because they are so multi-functional. Our favourites are PIR wall lights for security, spike lights embedded in bushes and flowerbeds, bollards to structure pathways and finally, driveover lights for the drive or patio.

wolverhampton west magazine

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Let PEJ Construction

transform your home and garden this autumn

Director Pete Woodbine overseeing a recent hard landscaping project in Alverley

If a tired, cracked or crumbling driveway is spoiling the look of your property then why not call in the professionals at PEJ Construction and transform the look of your home this autumn? Established in 2007 by Directors, Pete Woodbine and Lisa Jones, the Tipton-based company has earned a loyal client-base and has become known for providing an unbeatably quick, efficient and quality service for every customer. Working with homeowners across the Midlands, PEJ has given properties of all sizes a fantastic new look by resurfacing and laying driveways, building new patios, adding small extensions, landscaping gardens and undertaking a full range of groundworks. “Every member of our team is highly skilled, experienced and CPCS and CSCS accredited. Each job that we undertake is completed on time and with a quality finish,” explains Pete. 50

Unlike many other companies, PEJ have their own specialist vehicles and equipment which enables them to work efficiently on every site, whatever job they’re undertaking. “We use our own diggers, dumpers and grab lorries and bring our own materials to the site, which means there’s no waiting around for deliveries to be made. As a result we can work quickly and make the process completely hassle-free for the homeowner.” And when the job’s done the company clears the site and recycles any leftover materials. PEJ has become well known for their ability to work to the highest standards, whilst completing jobs in record time, that’s why the company is always in demand with both domestic and commercial clients alike. “We regularly work with big names in the construction industry, completing groundworks on new build sites for companies like Persimmon Homes, IB Construction, MG Development, Tattenhall Homes and Maythorn Construction.”

With a wealth of commercial experience, it’s no surprise that the PEJ team are adept at handling large projects but they’re always happy to undertake small domestic jobs too. “We’ve completed jobs of all different sizes for our domestic clients, everything from very small patio areas to spacious driveways.” And PEJ’s clients have been delighted with the results. “Our clients have been really impressed with the work we’ve done for them and many have recommended us to their friends and family.” The company even offer interest free credit, meaning that clients can spread the cost of work that PEJ undertake. So, whether you want to enjoy the summer months outside in a redesigned patio and garden area, extend your family’s living space with a small extension or maybe improve the look – and functionality – of your driveway, contact PEJ Construction today. wolverhampton west magazine

For all types of Ground Works, Remedials & Tarmac

We are an established and professional company that specialises in hardscaping and landscaping 12 months interest free credit or interest bearing finance 24 to 60 months available, please ask for details. (Terms and conditions apply)

Tarmac • Slabbing • block Paving Fencing • landScaPing • building Work “all Work guaranTeed” For a Free estimate call Pete Woodbine

07841 978496 PeJ construction Services Factory Locks Industrial Estate, Factory Road, Tipton DY4 9AU www.wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk www.pejs.co.uk pete@pejs.co.uk

Doorsmart

ope n u p with st y l e Doorsmart utilise the latest advances in composite door technology to offer customers the very best in design and quality of composite fibreglass doors. Their policy is to manufacture a composite door of the highest specification and quality and to provide a personal service to meet the needs of their customers. Why not visit their new showroom which has a large display of composite doors in a wide range of colours, together with glass styles, furniture and accessories. Have a browse around at your leisure, no appointment is necessary on Monday to Friday, Saturdayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s by appointment only. Their helpful staff can advise you on the benefits of the composite door range and help you choose the best door for your needs.

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Grand Theatre COMPETITION stage and trained at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts. James Collins who works regularly with Fizzog Productions will play Patsy. Sisters Natasha Bennett-Ince and Lexie Bennett will share the role of Lady Of The Lake at alternate performances. Simon McGee will play Lancelot, Mike James returns to the company after a 30 year absence as Sir Robin and Chris Dowen plays Sir Galahad. Adam Starr will play Prince Herbert.

One lucky reader can win 2 tickets to see SPAMALOT on Tuesday 10th October at 7.30pm at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre.

company and to the area Jon Ranwell as King Arthur. John has worked professionally on

Tickets for SPAMALOT at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre are now on sale.

South Staffs Operatic Company will return to Wolverhampton Grand Theatre this autumn with Monty Python’s hit musical SPAMALOT from Tuesday 10th – Saturday 14th October 2017. Monty Python’s SPAMALOT is lovingly ripped off from the classic film comedy Monty Python and the Holy Grail and tells the legendary tale of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table and features fantastic tunes more magical than a Camelot convention. South Staffs’ production will feature newcomer to the

To book your seats today 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 Monday 2nd October 2017.

Spamalot is mainly based on which Monty Python film? A. The Meaning Of Life B. And Now For Something Completely Different C. The Life Of Brian D. The Holy Grail 54

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 Monday 2nd October 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

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Zero Dry Time, dry carpet, upholstery and hard floor specialists, have four great solutions for your home, dry carpet cleaning, upholstery cleaning, hard floor cleaning and wooden floor restoration. It’s carpet cleaning – but not as you know it… The ‘on your hands and knees, scrubbing and carrying dirty water’ process is now a thing of the past. With the advancement of new technology and products, Zero Dry Time has developed a fully robust cleaning system that will enable us to give… you, the

homeowner, what you want when having your carpets cleaned. “Dry carpets and upholstery ready for immediate use with no fuss” – what’s not to like! Imagine if you were having your carpets cleaned, would you like to be told: “that they’re fresh, dry, clean and ready to use for immediate use.”

OR “they are wet, please keep your children, pets and furniture out of the room with the heating on and windows open until they are dry.” At Zero Dry Time we have developed our own unique

range of environmentally friendly products that have been tested to industry standards. • Environmentally friendly • Safe for babies, young children and animals • Sanitises and deodorises • Removes tough stains • Leaves environments fresh and clean Do you have a problem with slippy hard floors in your home? Our “invisible Antislip System” can be applied to quarry, ceramic and porcelain tiles, bath tubs and shower trays. Make your home or workplace a safer environment. Help prevent slips on all wet floors including, showers, kitchens, toilets, bathrooms, conservatories, hot tubs, Jacuzzis, office and shop-fronted areas. For a free no obligation quote on all flooring and upholstery cleaning requirements call Simon, who is based in Wolverhampton on 0800 180 4197.

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PAYCARE SUPPORTS

THE HAVEN

Wolverhampton-based Health Cash Plan provider Paycare recently held a special fundraising evening at the iconic Light House Media Centre in aid of The Haven – a local charity which supports women and dependent children who are vulnerable to domestic violence and homelessness. Providing the entertainment for the night was Paycare’s very own Chairman Dennis Whitmore and his band ‘Den & Pals’ who played a jam-packed set of music covering all genre including Rock, Blues, Country and Western, Folk and Comedy. Around 40 guests

attended the event which was held within the beautiful cobbled Victorian courtyard at the Light House with £553.78 raised for The Haven.

“We would also like to thank our wonderful hosts the Light House Media Centre, also known to many as the ‘Chubb building’. As an organisation, we will be looking to support this unique venue in the coming months to help preserve one of Wolverhampton’s most well-recognised buildings and an important part of the city’s history.”

Kevin Rogers, CEO of Paycare, A well-respected and dedicated explained: “We were delighted not-for-profit health cash plan to organise this event and offer provider, Paycare has helped our support to The Haven and all individuals, families and of the important work it does to businesses protect themselves protect women and children across against everyday healthcare the city from domestic violence, homelessness and abuse. Their costs and bills for over 140 years. work is instrumental in helping the most vulnerable members of our society, and we would like to thank everyone who Ian Dempsey-Robbins, Jade Secker, came along Dennis Whitmore, Will Morgan, Kevin Rogers on the night.

Can I reseal my

double glazing?

Double glazing Problems?

Double-glazed doors and windows are made up of two sealed sheets of glass with an insulating void between them. This gap is either in the form of a vacuum, or more commonly filled with a heavy inert gas such as argon. Together, the panes of glass and the void between them are very effective at preventing heat loss. However, over time the effectiveness of the double-glazing can wane, especially if the seal goes around one of the panes of glass, allowing air to replace either the vacuum or the inert gas between the panes. The most common side effect of a seal going is that the window will fog up, as water vapour condenses on the inside surface of the window. If you notice your windows have become foggy, misty or steamy when you try to look through them, it means that the seals have started to fail. If you have any of the above issues with your double glazing get in touch with Blake’s Glass and Glazing for a cost effective solution. 58

Double glazing repairs to all windows and doors

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BLAKE’S GLASS AND GLAZING Call John 01902 279790 or 07973 295357 blakesglassandglazing@gmail.com wolverhampton west magazine

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

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Au t u m n colour

The range of perennial plants available from garden centres for late summer/ early autumn flowering is increasing year on year.

Heuchera have lovely coloured foliage all year round from lime green, through copper and bronze and the lovely purple shades many with prominent leaf veins which make a lovely contrast. They’re easy to grow – ideal in sun or semi shade and are not damaged by slugs and snails. Another pretty summer/ early autumn flowering herbaceous plant is the Monarda (Bergamot) – they have pretty whorls of pink or scarlet flowers on stiff stems. In the veg patch, harvest onions and potatoes now – lift up onions and allow to dry out where they’ve been growing if the weather is fine, before storing. Potatoes should be stored

Now available

Autumn bedding plants pansies, polyanthus and wallflowers

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

in a cool but frost free environment. Carrots and parsnips can be left in the ground until needed. Any green waste can be put onto the compost heap. It usually takes 12 months to rot down green waste into a usable compost. Never add grass mowings that have recently been treated with lawn weed killers as this can cause problems in the future.

Hopefully our own field grown wallflowers will be available from the end of September – they give excellent value for money - flowering in the spring with the bulbs and they have a lovely perfume. When planting in tubs put several layers of bulbs in first starting with daffodils then the smaller bulbs and finally plant pansies, violas or wallflowers last.

Overwintering onions, shallots and broad bean seeds will soon be in stock, plant them as soon as you can and you’ll get an early maturing crop next year. Winter vegetable plants will arrive from the end of July onwards – Cabbages, Sprouts, Broccoli, and Lettuce - so there’s no excuse for an empty veg plot in the winter. Replant cleared borders with winter pansies, violas, sweet williams and wallflowers.

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wolverhampton west magazine

TRANSFORM YOUR OUTDOOR

SPACE WITH PORCELAIN Martin Neenan Manager of Boningale Garden Creations

Porcelain tiles are increasingly being specified over alternative natural stones because of their inherent versatility and contemporary finish. Increased supply and advancements in the manufacture of porcelain tiles have also fuelled this demand, however, as with all flooring options there are important aspects you need to consider. The Benefits

By a mile, porcelain tiles have become the most desirable outdoor paving choice this year says Martin Neenan, General Manager, at Boningale Garden Creations. Here, he discusses what you need to know about this emerging trend.

Porcelain is a type of ceramic that is stronger and harder than most durable materials. As such they require minimal maintenance, and if installed and maintained correctly can last for many years. Plus, as compared to concrete pavers, a patio laid with porcelain tiles will be more resistant to water damage, mold and scratches.

They are also available in a wide choice of attractive and sleek modern finishes; they can be smooth or textured, and can even replicate natural stone or a wood finish. Being suitable for indoor and outdoor spaces, they also make a seamless transition from one area to another. Considerations As compared to other paving materials, porcelain can be very expensive – upwards of £50 per square metre. They are also time-consuming to install – the tiles are difficult to cut and shape, and require a professional finish. To offset the initial costs you need to consider porcelain as a long-term investment; so our advice would be to consider your budget, seek expert advice and make sure you get the tiles professionally installed.

For further information, please visit www.boningale-garden-creations.co.uk, email inspiration@boningale.co.uk or call us on 01902 376500.

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Microsoft fight ransomware

In the wake of recent ransomware attacks, Microsoft has released new updates to try to tackle the problem. One of the updates sees the surprising decision to release an update for Windows XP, in spite of MS withdrawing support for this in April 2014. This is available as a manual update, also for Windows Vista and 8. Other operating systems should get

this automatically. The other update will be in the next round of large updates for Windows 10, due in September. This will see the creation of ‘Controlled Folder Access’, which will add a blacklist to the default Library folders, so any software attempting to change files in any of these folders will be blocked and the user notified. Of course, as usual, this will not be fool proof and should not be relied upon alone. You will need to ensure you have an up to date anti-virus and keep backing up your files.

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Black Country Firewood

Quality logs, excellent service Black Country Firewood has been supplying and delivering high quality logs throughout the West Midlands, and its surrounding areas, since 2012. The company - that’s based on a farm in the picturesque village of Bobbington, South Staffordshire - prides itself on supplying quality firewood at a fair price. They deliver to a wide variety of areas, within a 14 mile radius, including: Kinver, Wollaston, Stourbridge, Lye, Kingswinford, Wombourne, Enville, Bridgnorth, Pattingham and Wolverhampton. They are always happy to travel outside of the area if required.

“On Saturday October 7th 2017 between 10am to 2pm we will be hosting our first open day. This is an exciting opportunity for customers old and new to visit our Firewood Centre to learn more about the products that Black Country Firewood have to offer. “Industry experts including, our own firewood technicians, HETAS registered stove installers, and NACS registered chimney sweeps will be on hand to answer any questions. There will also be several local stove suppliers showcasing the latest in wood burning technology with live demonstrations” added Michael.

The company has proved to be a great success, with orders for logs being placed all year round. Michael says: “We have been busy over the summer processing, drying and grading the firewood ready for the winter ahead. We are now fully stocked with dry logs ready to deliver to your doorstep!

Richard Clarke and Michael Snelson

DATE FOR YOUR DIARY:

SATURDAY OCTOBER 7TH 2017 - 10am to 2pm Come and join us for a complimentary drink and slice of wood fired pizza! Keep an eye on our Facebook page and our website blog for more information on the open day, hints and tips, and special offers.

Suppliers of high quality firewood Shop and buy online

www.blackcountryfirewood.co.uk

or visit us at

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

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

1 x Box Matches

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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 lamb in stock

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

Gourmet Christmas With over 50 years experience of the meat industry, Allan Bennett and his staff strive to create the best quality money can buy. This quality has brought success at the highest level, winning national competitions for his Bacon, Black Pudding, Sausage, plus international success for pies & pastries.

Dupheshen

Our Dupheshen is based on the traditional three bird roast. A duck is boned then stuffed with chicken and pheasant breast, sausage meat, orange and apricots. Once roasted it can be served hot or cold for that special Christmas feast. Aproximate weight: 3-3.5kg, 7-8lb Servings: 10-12 people for a meal or more served on a buffet.

Visit us for help and advice to help make your Christmas a success. Winner Pork Sausage, Overall Best Product, Stafford County Show 2010

Allan Bennett Ltd 15 Station Road, Codsall, Wolverhampton, WV8 1BX Tel: 01902 842204

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Children’s Market at Penkridge Market After the huge success of their first ever Children’s Market in April, Penkridge Market will be holding a second event on the 1st October. The Market, entirely dedicated to children, consists of stall holders selling everything from nearly new children’s clothes and equipment, to toys and handmade crafts, as well as fun activities, proving a huge hit with both adults and children alike. Kate Kingsley the event organiser said:

“We were absolutely overwhelmed and delighted by the response we had to the event in April. Thousands of people attended and the feedback received was fantastic with comments such as “Made for a lovely afternoon, awesome variety of stalls , I’d definitely go again and at only £1 entrance can’t go wrong” Bernadette (Facebook). Not only could parents find great products at amazing prices, but there was plenty to keep the children entertained as well, including a petting farm, fun fair rides, bouncy castle, craft activities and more.” At the October event people will be able to buy and sell nearly new children’s clothes, toys and equipment without commission, as well as new products such as handmade crafts. Throughout the day there will be first aid demonstrations by the St John’s Ambulance. There will also be plenty of entertainment and trade stands for local children’s clubs, groups and

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organisations so that families can find out more information about the services available in the local area. If you would like to attend the event, Penkridge Market is situated in the centre of Penkridge, and is signposted off the A449. It is easily accessible from Junctions 12 and 13 of the M6 and is only 10 miles from Wolverhampton (postcode ST19 5AP).

For further information or to book a stall please telephone 01785 714221 or log onto the website www.penkridgemarket.co.uk

D r i v in g

A m b i t i o n

Peter with the bag and clubs he used during his Ryder Cup campaign in 1993, where he won 3 points out of 4 for the European team

Rob Taylor meets former Ryder Cup star and three-time European winner Peter Baker at South Staffordshire Golf Club.

in most of us and is certainly not par for the course. In Peter Baker though, it is his defining quality. And it needed to be because things were far tougher back when a young Peter was making his first foray into the game his father introduced him to at the age of five.

Before I tee off on this jaunt through Shifnal-born Peter Baker’s illustrious golfing career it’s incumbent upon me to frame his significant sporting success within context. Today, youngsters looking to make it big in sport are spoilt by a marketplace overrun with options, which pander to their every whim and cater for their every need.

“Dad took me to Lilleshall Golf Club on Saturday mornings,” remembers Peter, now 49 and speaking to me from his seat as top PGA professional at the South Staffordshire Golf Club, “we’d have one ball and one club.”

Of course success in sport – and in particular, golf – is expensive, but you can’t just buy your way in. It may appear easy to all of us armchair pundits when we watch sport on TV but the Herculean dedication required in order to win is borderline heroic. This dedication is lacking 70

“When I was in my early teens I’d think nothing of cycling from my home in Codsall to Wrottesley Golf Club; I’d stay for hours practising. In school holidays I’d routinely be there from dawn to dusk – I once played 54 holes in a day at Lilleshall.” A trailblazer of his kind, Peter found odd things – things that are today just taken for granted – challenging: “I’ve played in red wellies as a

lad because there was no such thing as golf shoes for children – I mostly ended up having to wear Ladies’ shoes.” It seems fitting somehow that he recalls using a set of [pioneering Scottish amateur Ladies’ champion] Jessie Valentine clubs. And even then he’d often require his father – who worked at Rockwell Thompson metalworks – to regularly help fix up his tired old clubs. All of this adversity served to steel his dedication still further; because already he had an insatiable appetite for the game he stills loves to this day. “I loved the fact that unlike in other sports I didn’t have to rely on anyone else. With golf, if I put in enough hard work and practice, I could achieve success.” Always a keen sportsman at Codsall High School, Peter was encouraged to further his interest in golf as often as possible while at school. His raw talent was clear to see wolverhampton west magazine

and Peter, now coached by Alex Lyle – father of notable golfer Sandy Lyle – began competing regularly. Winning a national boys’ competition run by the Daily Express at 16 brought Peter to the La Manga Club in Spain, face to face with golfing heavyweight at the time, Seve Ballesteros. It taught him that there was still much more to do: “Seve ran a clinic down there. By this point I thought I was pretty good but watching him hit for an hour brought me down to earth a little.” Peter went on to enjoy an impressive amateur career, winning the Brabazon Trophy in 1985 and representing Great Britain and Ireland in the Walker Cup. He turned pro in 1986 and really made a name for himself in 1988 by winning the Benson and Hedges International Open at Fulford, beating Nick Faldo with an eagle on the second play-off hole. A “golden” run up to the 1993 Dunhill British Masters at Woburn saw him garner a course record on the Duke’s Course, winning with a seven-shot victory over

Peter (back row 4th from right) with his Ryder Cup team

a field that included the likes of Colin Montgomerie, Bernhard Langer and Nick Faldo. “Winning there was a fantastic moment - and to win in that company, it was massive for me. When you’re playing on a top course against the top players in your home country, it’s very special.” Peter then surfed this wave of glory right onto the prestigious European Ryder Cup, putting himself among the top nine players in Europe. He continued on the European Tour for a further 15 years and at retirement had played 597 tournaments – averaging 20 or 30 a season – on courses all over the world.

Peter with cricket legend Ian Botham during a pro-am event

During his career he’s had many fond favourites – Sunningdale Golf Club in Surrey and, home to this year’s Open Championship, Royal Birkdale – as well as definite bogey courses, like Royal Lytham and St Annes, which “never suited his eye.” But, he confesses: “I was tired out from the rigours of touring in the end.” He was however always determined to stay within the game that he “still lives and breathes” and, after working as a mentor to the current crop of professional players on tour with Champions of Golf, coaching seemed obvious. That he would use his honorary PGA member coaching status at the club he has been a member of since the age of 15 was obvious also. “It has been really nice in the seven years I’ve been at South Staffs to have been able to pass on my knowledge and help people improve at the game they love.” Set in 160 acres, the 6512 yard par 71 course is considered to be one of the Midlands’ finest courses. On most days you’ll find Peter ensconced inside the Pro Shop, overlooking the first tee. From there he runs lessons on swing improvements as part of the Peter Baker Golf Academy. I point out to him on this glorious summer’s day that there must be worst places to work. He smiles and retorts: “It’s my second home.” Peter with friend and playing partner Ian Woosnam during the Ryder Cup

Peter celebrating holing a putt during the Ryder Cup

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Do you have final salary pension benefits? Would you like to find out what benefits you will receive at retirement? Do you know what the death benefits of the scheme are? Can you retire early with your existing scheme? Have you considered transferring the benefits to a pension that you control?

If you would like to explore your options e-mail us at info@midlandifa.co.uk and we will be happy to assist you.

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

Midland Independent Financial Services Ltd, 153 Avon Road, Cannock, Staffordshire, WS11 1LF 72

Telephone 01543 468877

www.midlandifa.co.uk wolverhampton west magazine

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

WHERE WILL YOUR BUSINESS TAKE YOU?

CATAPULT YOUR START-UP TO THE STARS Are you on the brink of launching a great business idea? Or do you have a business plan and getting up and running is becoming hard? Whether it’s the initial capital investment to build your prototype or learning how to start a business, a little help from a community of like-minded individuals who have already done so, is what can catapult your start-up to the stars. SPARK Incubation hub is becoming the epicentre of start-ups in Wolverhampton, boasting an impressive network of creative and tech businesses, the time has never been more right to be a part of SPARK. SPARK is located in the University of Wolverhampton’s Science Park, offering a variety of modern work space solutions across several regional business centres in the Black Country and The Marches. SPARK office solutions, and the newly refurbished Telford Innovation

Centre, were designed with the idea that as your business grows; the office space you occupy develops with you. These spaces are already home to talented entrepreneurs who are not just interested in building a business for commercial gain but individuals committed to making real social impact. Since making SPARK their headquarters, our SPARK tenants have participated in prestigious business programmes, become published authors, and supported community initiatives whilst growing their businesses. This was only made possible through SPARK’s unique business model. SPARK hub provides an all-encompassing platform that brings together innovative minds from the science, technology, engineering, and arts sectors. This inclusive nature is what makes our office spaces the future of happier and more satisfied enterprises. There are four types of flexible and cost effective business accommodation on offer, including broadband, a receptionist and

company mailbox. The co-working studio space enables a community feel, and gets rid of that isolation that often comes with growing a business. It is also the most affordable option of all our office spaces, workstations are available to rent from £60 per month inclusive of VAT. SPARK offices are fully furnished, contemporary-styled and suitable for 1 person or more. SPARK hub enables ideas to be shared and for likeminded individuals to bring new perspectives on business projects or direction, which subsequently would allow your business to grow exponentially. See how SPARK can change your business, today!

SPARK Business Incubation Hub www.sparkspace.co.uk www.wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk

01902 837400

enquiries@sparkspace.co.uk 73

Davenport House

A breathtaking wedding venue in the heart of rural Shropshire

An imposing country estate, Davenport House is exclusively yours on your special day. Set amidst picturesque Shropshire countryside, this idyllic Georgian house was extensively refurbished in 2017. Make yourself at home, celebrating your wedding day surrounded by its history, warmth and elegance.

Great Hall. At the very heart of the home, this is the perfect place in which to say your vows. Alternatively, marry in another of the great rooms, or between the pillars on the front steps of Davenport House.

Entering this great house through the magnificent double doors, you might choose to say ‘I do’ in The

Luring your guests in to dine, The Drawing Room features original paneling painted in elegant ‘tea

The Great Hall leads through to the beautiful Saloon with its marquetry floor. It is here that you might enjoy welcome drinks and canapés along with breathtaking views over the lawns beyond. Outside, the terrace, lawns and lily pond provide a sublime setting in which to mingle with a glass of fizz on warmer days.

green’. And, as day turns to evening, The Great Hall becomes your dance floor, while guests might also choose to relax in The Saloon or The Drawing Room. Four luxurious en-suite bedrooms are located in the main house, while four cottages in the grounds offer self-catering accommodation. A further cottage is offered as your bridal preparation area. From intimate to lavish, and from contemporary style to the more traditional, Davenport House is your country estate and we look forward to welcoming you.

wolverhampton west magazine

D A V E N P O R T

H O U S E

ÂŠ Andrew Gale

Your exquisite Georgian c o u n t r y e s tat e An imposing country estate, Davenport House is exclusively yours on your special day. Set amidst picturesque Shropshire countryside, this idyllic Georgian house was extensively refurbished in 2017. Make yourself at home, celebrating your wedding day surrounded by its history, warmth and elegance.

d av e n p o r t h o u s e . c o . u k | 0174 6 8 6 6 3 3 3 d av e n p o r t h o u s e w e d d i n g s W o r f i e l d , S h r o p s h i r e , W V15 5 L E www.wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk

Eating Out, Food, Drink and Entertainment

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. 76

*over a 2 month period

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Clive Farm, Pattingham, Wolverhampton WV6 7DU

For a meal to remember!

Special Offer

20% Off*

Evening A la Carte Menu Lunch Menu 2 courses £14.99 | 3 courses £19.99 Sunday Lunch 2 courses £19.99 - 3 courses £24.99

Your total bill When you presen t this advert

*Offer valid Thursday and Friday evenings only with A la Carte menu for up to a max of 8 people throughout September and October 2017 when you present this advert, no photocopies.

Christmas Bookings now been taken

Christmas Day 5 courses: £95.00

Boxing Day 4 courses: £37.50

Opening Times

Wednesday to Saturday Lunch 12pm - 2.30pm (last sitting) Wednesday to Saturday Evening 6.30pm - 9.30pm (last sitting) Sunday 12 - 5pm (last sitting)

For bookings please telephone: 01902 701888 Cowshed Pattingham

@TheCowshed1 thecowshedpattingham www.thecowshedrestaurant.co.uk

www.wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk info@thecowshedrestaurant.co.uk

Luxurious rooms and fine dining in a beautiful setting

Providing the perfect setting for any occasion, The Mount Hotel boasts luxurious rooms, fine dining and outstanding customer service. So, it’s no surprise that the Tettenhall-based business has recently been awarded a coveted four star rating from the AA. As manager, Neil Wyatt explains: “We were absolutely delighted to gain our fourth star in April this year. It’s a great achievement and it has meant that we have become the first four star hotel in Wolverhampton.” Set in four acres of land, the imposing Grade 2 listed Victorian building offers 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. And, the team have recently created the perfect space for guests to enjoy alfresco dining. “Our pretty gardens offer the ideal setting for outdoor dining, so we’ve just invested in some brand new garden furniture to make the space complete.”

The hotel holds many special events throughout the year to mark those important occasions, like Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and Valentine’s Day and there’s a fabulous evening of entertainment planned for November. “We’ll be holding our Fawlty Towers themed evening on 11th November, which includes a Prosecco reception drink, a three course meal and great live entertainment.” With Christmas just around the corner, there are plenty of special seasonal events fillingup the diary at The Mount. “We’ll be hosting a festive market – with free entry - on the 26th November, between 12pm and 7pm and our Breakfast with Santa event - which costs £17.50 for adults and £10 for children - is planned for Sunday 3rd December.” And there’s plenty of delicious festive fare to enjoy throughout the Christmas season. “We’re taking Christmas bookings now and prices start at just £29.50 per person, which includes a seasonal three course meal and a disco until 12.30am. We are also offering festive lunches, that’ll be served in The Drawing Room - two

courses are priced at £18.95 or three courses £21.95.” There’s also festive afternoon tea - £22.50 per person - as well as a very special Prosecco Brunch served on Christmas Eve. “Our Prosecco Brunch offers guests unlimited Prosecco during the two hour service of their meal for just £35 each.” For the main event though, The Mount’s Christmas Day five course meal - which includes tea, coffee and mince pies - costs just £90 per adult and £45 per child. “Boxing Day lunch is a delicious three course meal. Prices for adults are £50 and £45 for children - those under three eat free.” And even when Christmas is over, there’s still plenty going on at the hotel. “We’ve got a special five course meal planned for New Year’s Eve, which includes tea, coffee and petit fours, priced at £95 per adult, as well as a New Year’s Eve Family Gala, that’s complete with a delicious buffet costing £45 for adults and £20 for children.” So, why not make the festive season even more magical this year with a visit to The Mount Hotel? wolverhampton west magazine

Fawlty Towers Evening Reserve your table for our Faulty Towers dinner and dance on Saturday 11th November 2017. 7pm – midnight, £45 per person.

Christmas 2017

Free bubbly with Christmas Party Bookings!

From Festive Afternoon Tea to Breakfast with Santa, and Christmas day through to New Year’s Eve – we’ve got it covered. Our festive season bookings are filling up fast, so book now to avoid disappointment.

Book on one of the following dates and your party will get two free bottles of Prosecco.

For more information please contact the team on 01902 752055.

Thursday 30th November Thursday 7th December Thursday 14th December

Other dates are available, but are not included within this offer.

Wedding× Conference × Dining www.wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk

Sunday Lunch

a custom worth preserving and chicken with fish options and a vegetarian take on paella. Sunday lunch, for me is the ultimate comfort blanket. It evokes fond memories of my mother-inlaw returning from church and donning her obligatory apron to deliver the weekly family feast. She was ahead of her generation and realised neither beef or veggies had to be cooked to death. Bless… her cooking and so many other things about Iris are still unforgotten years on.

By John Nash There is a great British institution – the Sunday lunch. It’s a rare chance for families to reconnect, for children to have the option of ‘adult’ meals and to indulge in favourites like roast beef and Yorkshire pudding. Sadly, it appears such a weekly privilege is in decline with a leading foodie magazine and the ‘redtop’ news rags telling us the day of this kind of ‘roast’ is dead and buried, surpassed by quick-tocook gastro burgers and other less demanding griddle options.

I first discovered the delights of this place that can tempt the taste buds with great homecooked food and fine wines produced on the premises from its own vineyards in 2015. A third generation family business run by Clive Vickers and wife, Lisa, it continues to impress. After more than 30 years of wine production, the winery is now a serious contender with its labels at Marks & Spencer – a national endorsement of which the owners are fiercely proud. And the food is good too – the meal deals menu for Sundays offering the classics of roast beef

With a three-course option for £21.95 eating out on Sunday really need not be that expensive and the relaxed ambience combined with flexible seating/table arrangements lends itself to larger parties. And like the spacing between tables, the portions are generous too. The rustic appeal of the place with its beams, log burners, random furnishings and staff who are attentive but not invasive, ticks all the boxes for something that’s distinctly different to a pub grub outing. And quite apart from the food, this re-born farm, with its unique English charm, offers plenty other customer experiences. The Wine Loft is a must do, along with the shop adjoining the restaurant and please don’t miss visiting the deli.

But I want to share a secret: It’s simply not true – well at least at Halfpenny Green Wine Estate in Bobbington. Their Sunday lunch menu is hugely popular and when I arrived for my 12.30pm booking people were already queuing to be seated. Mums, dads, kids, grandparents, young women with babies, the frail and fit were already seated along with a couple of wheelchair users. The tables are well spaced and with easy car parking and level access, the restaurant clearly embraces ‘wheelchair-friendly’ in a big way. 80

wolverhampton west magazine

Ham hock and whole grain mustard terrine – simply excellent

For starters I ordered grilled mackerel with pickled radish, roasted radish, beetroot puree and mixed leaves (£5.95). I confess to being a bit of a fish junkie and the secret of all fish cooking is getting the timing just right. The mackerel, a large plump double fillet did not disappoint. It was succulent, well presented – congratulations to the chef on the pin boning – and in particular, the beetroot puree offered a lovely accompaniment. My guest, Gill, favoured the ham hock and whole grain mustard terrine, dished up with crostini, apple and piccalilli (£5.95). I simply couldn’t resist stealing a mouthful of the terrine. Simply excellent: good texture and full of taste. For mains I ordered the roasted chicken breast, with lemon and thyme stuffing, roasts potatoes, Penny Red jus and a mix of vegetables (£12.95). Gill selected the roast beef with Yorkshire pudding (same price) – an excellent choice.

Topside of roast beef – a must repeat experience

My chicken was pleasantly sweet, well cooked and served piping hot. The roasts were crispy and fluffy inside – just like they should be. Gill, not a great red meat fan, was gushing over the “perfect beef” declaring we needed to book again soon so she could repeat the experience. The veg selection included carrots, broad beans, spring cabbage and French beans. I rounded off my meal with an ice cream sundae (£5.95) – you get to choose from a selection of flavours including rum and raisin, double chocolate chip, Morello cherry and lemon meringue – and Gill, favoured the vanilla panna cotta with summer berries (£5.95). Both desserts were light and had our taste buds singing. A splendid afternoon’s indulgence washed down with a bottle of Wine Estate’s own Penny Black. A medium dry white, it’s satisfyingly refreshing, oozing the essence of summer. The traditions of Sunday lunch are indeed evolving and not always for the better, but as long as places like Halfpenny Green Wine Estate deliver these excellent meals at a price that won’t break the bank, this stereotypical British custom is well worth preserving – albeit in a converted barn rather than the table at home. Halfpenny Green Wine Estate, Tom Lane, Bobbington, South Staffs DY7 5EP. www.halfpenny-green-vineyards.co.uk Tel: 01384 22 11 22

Roasted chicken breast – sweet meat and well presented

The grilled mackerel – plump fish fillets and well cooked

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Deserts – the ice cream sundae and vanilla panna cotta

Casino 36

Wolverhampton’s best kept secret…

On November 12th 2016 the Rubicon Casino on Temple Street in Wolverhampton completed its £7.6 million metamorphosis into Casino 36. Out of the chrysalis came the West Midlands premier casino, not only does it have a huge live gaming floor and simply the best slot machines in the region, but it also boasts a magnificent Champagne Lounge and an atmospheric Sports Bar & Grill. On Friday and Saturday evenings the Champagne Lounge bursts into life with a range of lipsmacking cocktails and the

latest music with seating booths and of course a fine range of Champagne to choose from. It’s simply a venue unlike anything else in Wolverhampton. The Sports Bar & Grill has 13 screens showing all of the top sports action from around the world 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Four betting machines ensure you get the latest odds and can bet in play on all the sporting action. The Grill menu has all your favourite sporting dishes and the Casino 36 Tower Burger is a food challenge for anyone! An unrivalled Sports Bar & Grill in the heart of Wolverhampton – who knew! At the heart of Casino 36 is its state of the art gaming floor and slot machines. The stunning gaming floor has 10 roulette tables and all your favourite games of blackjack, three card poker and baccarat. There are jackpots galore with chances

to win on blackjack, three card poker and the electronic roulette machines. 80 brand new slot machines with all the best games give players the chance to win up to £20,000 jackpots. Casino 36 has a hectic promotional calendar and is looking forward to celebrating its birthday in November – be sure to check out casino36.co.uk so you don’t miss out on all of the action. Owner Adrian Ballard is rightly proud of what he has created describing Casino 36 as the perfect place to “Escape to the Action” he continued “where else can you watch sport, enjoy a cocktail and the excitement of the gaming floor in one place? Casino 36 truly is the Midland’s premier Casino and Wolverhampton’s best kept secret.” Is the secret now out of the bag…?

wolverhampton west magazine

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Wombourne Tandoori Restaurant Established 1989

Air conditioned

Cuisine of Bengal

 FOOD HYGIENE RATING SCHEME 2011

Fully licensed Restaurant of the year West Midlands region 2016

Celebrate your Christmas Party in Style at the Perfect Venue to Dine! 5 course Festive Christmas Menu Available from 1st – 24th December

Christmas Day Menu now available... Bookings now being taken for 6 course traditional or Bengali style Christmas Day Lunch, Christmas Office Parties and Christmas Family and Friends Get-togethers.

for groups of 10 people or more

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

only £14.95 per person

Bookings Only

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

“We pride ourselves on our Quality of Food, Excellent Customer Service and Customer Satisfaction.” Recently refurbished in contemporary surroundings, air conditioned and fully licensed. Our popular Take-away Service is still the best in Wombourne offering 10% off our Menu price.

Tel:

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

High Street, Wombourne WV5 9DN 84

facebook.com/wombourne.tandoori

www.wombournetandoori.com wolverhampton west magazine

Christmas & New Year

Christmas BroChure now availaBle... Come and join us here at The Shrewsbury Arms this Festive Season. With our Christmas Fayre Menu available from Monday 27th November, Live Music and Disco’s every weekend throughout December... it is set to be a great season! Book now to avoid disappointment!

The ShrewSbury ArmS hAS A beer gArden, live muSic on FridAy & SATurdAy nighTS, Fixed price lunch menu (2 courSeS £10.95, 3 courSeS £13.95), exTenSive cockTAil And gin menu AvAilAble, giFT voucherS, SmAll Semi-privATe evenTS And more.

The Oakley Arms Brewood

Welcome to The Oakley Arms Sitting on the outskirts of Brewood, our pub is well within the hearts of locals who drop by on horseback, bicycle or with their dogs during countryside rambles. We are lucky enough to have the most fabulous lake, which can be seen from many of the pub’s rooms; and is flanked by our stone terrace which is the most wonderful place to dine on sunny days. We like to think of ourselves as a charming pub with well-spaced rooms, wooden floors and roaring fires; as well as a well-stocked bar at the centre of all things and a beautiful garden room filled with light. We hope to see you soon. Tel: 01902 859 800 • www.oakleyarms.co.uk Kiddemore Green Lane, Brewood, ST19 9BQ Email: oakley@brunningandprice.co.uk

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Harvest Begins at

Halfpenny Green Wi n e E s t a t e December – perfect for an early Christmas lunch to tie in with a shopping trip! If you can’t visit Halfpenny Green during the day for a delicious treat, fear not, as the restaurant will also be accepting evening bookings for Christmas parties of 20+, perfect for a company outing or family gathering.

September marks the start of harvest season at Halfpenny Green Wine Estate. The brilliant green of the vines sprawls across the 30 acre site, where red and white grapes hang in abundance, plump and ready to be picked. A team of almost 30 spend around 6 weeks picking the grapes by hand, which are taken to the on-site winery at the end of each day, ready to be crafted into the Wine Estate’s international award-winning range of still and sparkling wines. Big winners from previous vintages include Rondo 2014, a deep, full-bodied red at 15% alcohol – a rarity in English wine

– and White Sparkling 2014, a traditional method sparkling wine made in the Champagne style. Both wines are available, along with Halfpenny Green’s other 12 estate grown wines, in the Wine Estate’s on-site shop and Wine Loft. With stunning panoramic views over the beautiful South Staffordshire countryside, the loft provides the perfect surroundings to indulge in a tasting, where guests can enjoy up to six of the Estate’s wines, with the option for cheese pairings too. When harvest comes to a close, a festive mood will begin to settle in around Halfpenny Green. With the nights drawing in and a nip in the air, all signs point to the inevitable Christmas rush. The Wine Estate’s shop, however, is the perfect place to take the stress out of shopping. Whether it’s simply a bottle of locally grown wine with a personalised label, or a bespoke hamper brimming with gins, jams, cheeses, and chocolates, the shop has the perfect selection of gifts for any family member.

For smaller groups and couples, an intimate A La Carte Evening may serve as the perfect culinary indulgence instead. Set in the Wine Estate’s country-style restaurant, guests choose from a special three course menu, all cooked fresh to order by the chefs, served to the table by attentive waiting staff. Upcoming evenings include Friday 13th October, Friday 17th November and Friday 15th December (all by booking only). Halfpenny Green Wine Estate is also home to a Craft Centre featuring over 15 unique businesses, all producing bespoke products, crafts and services, ideal for truly personal gifts. Also on site is WILD Zoological Park, a sprawling site filled with interesting and exotic creatures and critters from all over the world. With daily shows, and VIP experiences available, it’s the perfect experience for the whole family, and a fantastic gift idea. Join in the fun this autumn at Halfpenny Green Wine Estate, the perfect destination for local produce, gifts and experiences for the whole family.

The Wine Estate’s restaurant will also be offering a special festive menu throughout 86

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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

christmas menu available

à la carte evening

wine & gin tastings

throughout December. Bookings now being taken

13th Oct, 17th Nov & 15th Dec

in the Wine Loft throughout the year

by booking only

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

www.wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk

Past and present combine

for a midweek treat

By John Nash

There’s a clever restaurant juggling act in appealing to a discerning international audience while simultaneously celebrating the colourful heritage of good old-fashioned Black Country grub. Badly executed, it’s guaranteed to be a car crash in the making, but there’s a lesson in success to be found at Faraday’s Restaurant at Brierley Hill’s Copthorne Hotel. It’s a place where the past and present can collide in a dining experience that, if you wish, the taste buds get a flavour of yesteryear. Along with the popular gourmet burgers, steak selection and the predictable fish, chicken and spice appeal, the menu offers a ‘Taste of the Black Country’. I applaud the sense of humour and gentle irony that along with the ‘hardcore’ pork meatballs with black pudding - a tasty take on the region’s beloved faggot - we find chicken balti suet pudding with roasted masala vegetables. Quite what my miner grandfather would have made of that, I can’t imagine, but Asian cuisine has a respectably large chapter in the region’s emerging tastes for whole variety of food. For reasons I’ve never been able to fathom, I’ve always felt slightly uncomfortable dining out at hotels when not a paying guest. I get the feeling of being an interloper and dropping into a place where I don’t wholly belong… memories of being schooled in the art of under-age drinking in

a backstreet Netherton pub by non-other than a team captain in the Methodists’ Table Tennis Temperance League, loom large. My initial apprehensions were quickly allayed when I turned up at Faraday’s. It’s relaxed, the staff are attentive and friendly and it doesn’t exude that slightly stiff, aloof atmosphere of some contemporary four-star competition. Eating out is not just about the food - I foolishly always have high expectations - it’s also about service. Our waitress was excellent and clearly a real asset to the Millennium Hotel chain. Personable, happy to oblige and interested in us having a good experience, she carried out her job faultlessly. Always tempted by fishy dishes, I ordered the tandoori crab fishcakes (£7.00) for starters and my guest, the country coarse pate with plum and apple chutney and toasted onion bread.

The fishcakes were served with mango chutney and raita. Two nicely crisp cakes were dished up and the spice additions didn’t swamp the taste of crab. Dressed with a generous helping of watercress, the chutney and yoghurtbased sauce combined well. Gill’s coarse pate was nearing a hock texture with a bacon-like crust, but the taste won lots of praise. The unusual addition of onion bread was also a nice touch. Surprisingly light, the dish had that Dickensian ‘Oliver Twist’ appeal… ‘Please, sir, I want some more.’ For mains, I favoured the Copthorne pork meatballs (£12.00), stuffed with black pudding and cheese, served with mustard mash, green vegetables and mustard gravy, while Gill ordered the slow cooked lamb (£16.00) with picked tomatoes, sweet potato puree and rocket oil.

MERRY HILL 88

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I can’t honestly imagine the meatballs of gourmet history in the Black Country being so exotic, but there was more than a nod at that great local staple of faggots, mushy peas and mash. The meal captured the essence of hearty, comfort food of a bygone time and it would be

easy to imagine it being served to hardy metal bashers and miners who helped shape the black by day, black by night region. Frankly, I loved every bit of this fare. The meatballs were rich in taste with the black pudding punching through with its distinct flavour. The mash was just perfect, all that wholegrain mustard adding an appetising tangy dynamic. What more can a Black Country ‘bloke ask for?

the meal out made for a welcome mid-week treat. Faradays Restaurant, The Copthorne Hotel, The Waterfront, Level Street, Brierley Hill, West Midlands DY5 1UR. For table reservations please call 01384 482882. www.milleniumhotels.com

With a shared cabbage, leeks and peas (£4.00) side dish I ate my meal with a childlike enthusiasm. Gill’s lamb rump - she doesn’t like it too pink - came out perfectly cooked and she raved about the sweet potato puree. A world apart from my traditionally inspired regional dish, she enjoyed every mouthful. On the desserts menu I was tempted with the plum, apple and ginger crumble served with vanilla ice cream. The fruit was not over-cooked, the apple was easily defined, and the crumble not soggy. A man, I suspect with simple tastes, this evergreen recipe never fails to hit the spot for me. Gill’s lemon tart with raspberry sorbet (£6.00) was also well received - light and refreshing. Washed down with a couple of glasses of Pinot grigio,

The Waterfront, Level Street, Brierley Hill, West Midlands DY5 1UR www.millenniumhotels.com Tel: 01384 482882 www.wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk

MERRY HILL

Treat yourself to a

Prosecco afternoon tea at Faradays Restaurant Afternoon Tea includes a selection of finger sandwiches, freshly baked cakes and scones served with cream and jam, tea or coffee and a chilled glass of Prosecco for only £15.00 per person Served: Monday – sunday 12.30pm – 4pm. Bookings only and at least 24 hours prior to arrival.

What’s On Flashback through the Decades

‘Club tropicana’

December 2017 is full of

Friday 17th November

Friday 20th October

The Copthorne’s essential 80’s night returns for another sure-fire hit after hit night of everything the 80’s had to offer.

at the Copthorne hotel, Merry hill.

Take a musical trip through time from the 80’s right up to the current day with classic after classic from the past forty years. The dance floor never sleeps.

Special Offer - ticket price only £14 per person - includes a two-course meal & DJ

Special Offer - ticket price only £14 per person - includes a twocourse meal & DJ

Festive Joy

The banqueting suites and our beautiful Faradays restaurant will be themed to suit and whether you’re interested in a Joiner Party Night or a Private Function, we’ll cater for your festive requirements.

Selected dates available

- don’t be disappointed - please contact the events team to request our full brochure.

Restaurant open: Monday - Saturday evenings 6.30pm-9.45pm. Sunday Lunch served from 12.30pm to 2.30pm.

To book or for further details please call 01384 482882 or email: events.merryhill@millenniumhotels.co.uk

The Waterfront, Level Street, Brierley Hill, West Midlands DY5 1UR wolverhampton www.millenniumhotels.com Tel: 01384 482882 west magazine

The Park house hoTel Shifnal www.parkhousehotelshifnal.co.uk

Christmas & New Year

Christmas Brochure now available… Are you yet to make any plans this Festive Season? Christmas is all about spending time with those that you love, so why not come and join us here at The Park House Hotel where you can experience our Festive Party Menu, hit the dance floor with our weekly Discos, Themed Evenings or even come and see our wonderful Tribute Acts! Book now to avoid disappointment!

2 for 1 on Sunday Lunch

Book a table in our restaurant for a traditional 3 course Sunday Lunch for only £24.95 and receive another 3 course lunch FREE* *Valid until December 31st 2017. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offers. Not valid for private dining or for bookings of more than 6 people. Valid only when 3 courses are purchased.

To reserve a table please call The Park House Hotel on: 01952 460128 The Park House Hotel, Park Street, Shifnal, Telford, TF11 9BA

events@parkhousehotel.net

7 Anders Square, Perton, Wolverhampton, WV6 7QH

A truly exciting and vibrant eating experience offering exquisite fine cuisine and traditional culinary styles from India and Bangladeshi

SPECIAL OFFER WHEN DINING IN Popadom and chutney tray, Any starter, Any main dish*, Any nan bread or any rice Available Sunday to Thursday £10.95 per person / £6.95 children under 10 *Steak and king prawn dishes £2.50 extra. Game meat not included.

Christmas & New Year bookings now being taken Special 6 course Traditional English and Indian Menu available Adults £24.95 per person Children under 12 £15.95 Served between 12pm - 4pm, bookings only, deposit required Open 7 days a week 5.30pm – 11.30pm. Free home delivery within 4 mile radius, minimum order of £15. 10% discount on collected take-away orders, minimum order £10. www.flamingoperton.co.uk

To avoid disappointment please book on

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01902 744500 or 01902 745200 91

By Rob Taylor Contemporary and stylish but with just the right amount of traditional, Flamingo Pink presents itself very well. We’re given a very warm welcome by Mike and his team and seated in a quiet booth in the far corner. It may be early evening on a wet Wednesday but already the restaurant is crawling with locals – popping in to dine and to collect takeaways – who clearly know a good curry when they taste one.

“Popping out for an Indian” is a proud and infinitely popular British tradition. It’s one custom that I am particularly partial to, but with so much choice available in the West Midlands region I often wonder how exactly to pick one Indian restaurant over another and I’m surely not alone in this. You can take the lazy option and pick the one nearest to you. Choose one that delivers; opt for the cheapest, whatever. A lot of people will argue that it really doesn’t matter too much because the one thing that never changes is what we end up eating. A survey said in 2016 that across the UK’s 10,000+ curry houses 24.6 per cent of people picked chicken tikka masala as their first-choice main course. Big on thick, creamy, spicy gravy it is an Anglicised dish that makes tandoorgrilled chicken acceptable to the British palate. How exactly can the market impress us with its creativity if we as a nation are so inflexible, behaving always like two-year olds, hell-bent on repeatedly eating the same thing over and over?

stars – it’s always going to be something orange that tastes pretty much the same as the last place. Curry is, they’ll cry, best enjoyed after appropriate inebriation on a Saturday night out. Well, I disagree. Tonight is Wednesday and my long-suffering girlfriend and I are out to prove a point. In our sights is Perton’s Pink Flamingo in Anders Square. As a former resident of the large village – which is built upon the site of a former WWII airbase and has a lake at its centre (I saw only geese, no flamingos) – I’m already aware of the popular restaurant, which has been owned and managed by Mike Miah for some 23 years. The pleasing façade and neon-lit signage coupled with the heady aromas of fragrant spices wafting at us from within happily take me back to my salad days. Ducking inside to dodge the inclement weather, we’re instantly hit with a modern and clean restaurant.

I delve deep into the menu, rifling through the pages to sniff out the chef’s specials, of which there are many. Flamingo Pink’s menu is absolutely packed to the gunwales; there must be well over 100 options, many of which are curiosities that include exotic stuff like crocodile and kangaroo. Frankly I feel like a kid in a sweet shop, salivating and yet stifled by all the choice. Which, in most circumstances, is just fine. And by ‘most circumstances’ I mean that the traditional British Indian dining experience is a Friday-night skirmish comprising Chicken Tikka Masala, onion bhajis and rice, plus a funnel of Cobra lager. But I refuse to live out the cliché; from Flamingo Pink I want something more. Happily an ever attentive Mike reads my dilemma from across the room and makes an astute recommendation: a smorgasbord of specials to start, that way I can maximise the menu and in turn minimise my distress. Before the starters arrive we’re promptly served relishes and chutneys and a basket of poppadoms by friendly and endearing staff.

Some people loudly contest – in their infinite ignorance – that no matter how ‘special’ the Indian restaurant is supposed to be or how talented the chef – and a few in London even boast Michelin 92

wolverhampton west magazine

Freshly made and tasty we’re left fighting over the dregs. Our starters to share comprise ‘Crispy Chicken’ (£3.50), ‘Lamb Tikka’ (£3.50), ‘Sheek Kebab’ (£3.50), ‘Chom Chom Puree’ (£3.95) and ‘King Prawn Tandoori’ (£4.95). Immediately I go for the barbecued prawns and find them sizeable, succulent and marinated in a delicious mix of tangy yoghurt which leaves them tickled pink. Quite exceptional also is the sweet and sour sauce laden ‘Chom Chom’ chicken: so tender and

flavoursome that it drove my taste buds wild, causing Nicola to exclaim: “Does ‘Chom Chom’ roughly translate to “Yum Yum”? Meanwhile from the mains, we each dip into the ‘Tandoori Specialities’ section and select ‘Chicken Shaslick’(£8.50) and ‘Salmon Fish Shaslick’(£10.95), after another consultation with Mike, whose understanding of the cuisine on offer here is encyclopaedic. Nicola’s marinated and skewered chicken arrives with barbecued onions, tomatoes and capsicum. My panfried salmon arrives sans skewers but is rich with herbs and spices and also finished with barbecued onions, tomatoes and capsicum. Before we begin to tackle the two artfully presented hunks of happiness, we aim a sly smile at each other from across the table: “we’re going to love this” we think – and indeed we do – every last mouthful is thoroughly enjoyed. Stand out

praise goes to the capsicumlicked salmon floating in a beautiful creamy sauce, blushing rouge from tomato and aromatic spices it’s a study in subtle sophistication. Despite such a sizeable serving we still find room for dessert: ‘Pineapple Delight’ (£2.95) and ‘Strawberry Flute’ (£3.75). Nicola revels in her zingy pineapple ice cream extravaganza, whereas I lovingly nurse my vanilla and strawberry ice cream until my thoroughly stuffed stomach permits re-entry. The marvellous combination of mouth-watering meals and outstanding value for money leaves us in no doubt that we’ll be returning to dine at Flamingo Pink regularly. I’m so tickled pink that I even go so far as to boast that I won’t rest until I’ve tried every item on the menu. Praise just doesn’t come any higher than that.

Flamingo Pink: 7 Anders Square, Perton, Wolverhampton WV6 7QH To avoid disappointment please book:

01902 744500 or 01902 745200 www.wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk

South Staffordshire Golf Club

great for golf and much more… Prized by its members and praised by visitors, South Staffordshire Golf Club has long been regarded as one of the finest courses in the West Midlands and is celebrating its 125th anniversary this year. Founded in 1892, the club – that’s located just outside the picturesque village of Tettenhall, in Danescourt Road – is set in 160 acres and boasts a 6512 yard par 71 course. Originally designed by Harry Vardon in 1908, who was one of the greatest players and most influential figures in the early history of the sport, the course has been played and ‘tweaked’ by other golfing greats over the years, including Harry Colt, James Braid and most recently, Donald Steel. As Sue LeBeau, Club Manager, explains: “The course is maintained to the highest standards and offers a series of interesting and challenging holes, including no fewer than six par four holes of over 400 yards from the Medal Tees, contributing to a standard scratch of 72 and demanding a mixture of skill and imagination to play them well.”

It’s not just skilled golfers that can enjoy the club though, there’s also the Peter Baker Golf Academy that offers lessons to those looking to improve their swing in the indoor swing clinic or at the 10 acre driving range and practice area. “We also have a wellstocked Golf Pro Shop and Clubhouse that’s complete with a lounge bar, spike bar and terrace, television lounge and restaurant – all of which offer splendid views.” In fact, the restaurant’s menu has recently been transformed by the clubs’ new resident culinary experts, Neven Vukasovic and his wife, Angela, who both have an impressive background in the industry. “We’ve launched bi-monthly Sunday lunches, which we’re hoping to eventually offer on a weekly basis. We’ve also

got plans to introduce various themed events that will showcase food from around the world.” Excitingly, it’s not just members that can enjoy the club’s culinary delights and great location: “Non-members are welcome to join us for Sunday lunch or afternoon tea when they make a booking for a small party.” At just £15 for three courses, £11 for two and £9 for one course, there’s no reason not to treat yourself and some friends to a freshly prepared Sunday lunch at the club. They’ll also be some special additions to the menu in time for the start of the festive season too. “We’ll be serving Christmas Fayre from Monday 13th November until Friday 22nd December. A three course festive feast will cost just £20 per person at lunchtime or £22 per person in the evening.” If you’re planning a special event though, you’ll be pleased to know that the club is available to hire for all private functions, including weddings, small parties, Christenings and wakes. So, whether you’re keen to enjoy a great round or golf, treat yourself to a delicious meal or maybe find the perfect venue for that special occasion, you’re sure to discover just what you’re looking for at South Staffordshire Golf Club.

wolverhampton west magazine

A warm friendly welcome awaits whether you currently have a handicap or are a complete beginner

COUNTRY MEMBERSHIP

FULL 7 DAY MEMBERSHIP

FLEXIBLE MEMBERSHIP

20 miles + away

For ladies who join during this 125th Anniversary year usual price £1270. 30% discount in year 1 and 15% discount in year 2 – no joining fee

Local and only play occasionally?

Unlimited golf at South Staffs for £410 per annum

A voucher based membership – 10 x 18 holes and 10 x 9 holes £425

All the above membership categories are subject to affiliation fees

SPECIAL WINTER WARMERS OFFER

18 holes of golf including hot bap only £25pp - must be pre-booked

Sunday Lunch

Main course £9

2 course £11

3 course £15

Available for small party bookings only (min 10 diners)

Christmas Fayre Menu available from Monday 13th november until Friday 22nd december

3 course £20 lunchtimes or 3 course £22 evenings Bookings now being taken The club is available for hire for all private functions

For more details please contact our Club Manager, Sue LeBeau on 01902 751065 Or email suelebeau@southstaffsgc.co.uk The South Staffordshire Golf Club, Danescourt Road, Tettenhall, Wolverhampton WV6 9BQ Tel: www.wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk 01902 751065 @SouthStaffsgc

/SouthStaffsGolfClub www.southstaffordshiregolfclub.co.uk 95

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Life Outside the saLOn:

Royston and nick Edge, it’s open all day every day and the Italian menu is irresistible. At home in Wolverhampton though, we love to go out for a curry and the Michelin Star-rated restaurant, Bilash, is our guilty pleasure. For a mid-week catchup with friends, where would you be heading? Royston: Whatever day of the week, we know we’ll enjoy ourselves when we visit Libertines in Shrewsbury. It’s a great destination to catch-up with friends for drinks after work and we almost always bump into loads of people we know - including clients from the salon - which is an additional perk. You’ve thrown some amazingly lavish parties over the years, complete with fabulous floral decorations, so we’ve got to ask, where do you get your flowers? Nick, Matteo Beligoni (Manager at San Carlo Birmingham), Royston

When they’re not busy running two successful salons, winning awards or making their clients look amazing, Royston and Nick like to relax and unwind. We caught-up with the couple to find out what they get up to when they close the salon doors. It’s the weekend, where will you be heading for a great night out? Nick: We’ve got a wild side, so every so often a cheeky night out is a must. The Empire Club in Liverpool and Menagerie bar in Manchester are favourite celebrity haunts and they certainly never fail to disappoint us thanks to their quirky, upmarket atmosphere, great music and fabulous cocktails. Royston: Our friends, Seema and Stacey from The Real Housewives 98

of Cheshire are part owners of Menagerie so we always have a good catch-up with Dawn and the girls when we visit. Nick: If we’re out in London though, we head straight to Novikov or Nobu. How do you spend a lazy Sunday afternoon? Royston: When we want to escape the madness and spend a rare day relaxing, there’s nothing better than a good old fashioned Sunday lunch at The Red Cow in Ackleton. Nick: It’s got a fabulous laid back vibe and the staff are amazing. Where are your favourite places to dine? Nick: We never miss an opportunity to sip cocktails in Fumo before heading for a delicious meal at San Carlo in Birmingham – the atmosphere is great and the service is second to none. Royston: If we’re over in Cheshire we dine at Picolino in Alderley

Nick: Throwing lavish parties and delighting our guests with opulent surroundings, raucous yet tasteful – entertainment and delicious food is definitely our thing. Our fabulous floral arrangements come from our dear friend – and client – Julie Bates, who is the owner of Peony Flowers. Royston: We trust her implicitly to decorate the venue and create the most enchanting floral arrangements. After all the partying and the nights out are over, you’ll both be in need of some pampering. What’s your favourite beauty salon? Royston: There are times when our work and social lives are chaotic and we desperately need some time out, so we always book into Deborah Mitchell’s amazing salon, Heaven, in Shifnal to unwind. Nick: We know that, thanks to Deborah we’re guaranteed a full mind, body and soul relaxation experience when we pay a visit. Plus, the massages and Bee Sting facials are amazing. wolverhampton west magazine

Nick & Julie Bates - at RB salon, Wolverhampton

Royston, Dawn & Ashley Ward, Nick – at Marbella

Royston: For copious amounts of TLC we just wouldn’t dream of going anywhere else. You guys always look amazing, who is your go-to designer? Nick: There is no denying that we’ll use any excuse to treat ourselves to a shopping trip in London. This season D Squared and Alexander McQueen are our favourite designers. Royston: We also love the exceptional service and styling that’s delivered at Philip Armstrong in Liverpool. We recently renewed our wedding vows – the event was aired on The Real Housewives of Cheshire – and for the special occasion we wore couture embellished suits, complete

Nick, Deborah Mitchell, Royston – party at Deborah’s house

with blingy shoulder detail, from the Philip Armstrong label. We couldn’t end the interview without giving your adorable pooch a mention. Who makes her look fabulous? Nick: Ruby, our beloved poodle, needs regular grooming and pampering, so we take her to Castlecroft K-9’s where the amazing team indulge and revitalise her, as well as spoiling her with doggy treats.

WhateveR you’ve got planned this autumn, Why not head to the salon and let the Royston Blythe team style youR neW look? Royston Blythe 36 Bridgnorth Road, Compton, Wolverhampton WV6 8AE Tel: 01902 751720 email: info@roystonblythe.co.uk www.roystonblythe.co.uk Royston Blythe @RoystonBlythe

Royston, Dawn Ward, Nick – at charity event, Manchester

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RoystonBlytheOfficial Their beloved Ruby

Personal Training at Chris Jewkes:

Simply for Everyone And it’s this approach that has been so instrumental in making the fitness centre the success it is today. Personal training at Chris Jewkes isn’t just about time spent in the gym, every trainer looks closely at their clients’ lifestyle to establish the changes they need to make on a day-to-day basis to achieve real results. “Weight loss is very much a psychological issue and we really try to understand any issues our clients have, as well as identifying lifestyle issues that may be preventing them from achieving their goals.”

Personal training is evolving and the highly skilled team at Chris Jewkes Fitness are always at the forefront when it comes to employing techniques that ensure their clients attain real results. Whether it’s achieving a weight-loss goal, improving fitness, sculpting your dream body or even building strength following surgery, the team at the Tettenhall-based personal training centre are ready and waiting to get you on the road to success. As owner and trainer, Chris Jewkes, explains: “We’re the first standalone personal training centre in the Midlands and we’re committed to ensuring the best results for every single one of our clients. Over the seven years we’ve been established we’ve realised that the way to ensure success is to treat every client as an individual.”

Clients are matched with a trainer that they can relate to and one that has the skills and understanding required to meet their needs. “I have a military background and my approach to training is hard and very black and white, whereas Ade has a softer and more laid back approach. Sean is a very technical trainer and brings unique exercises into his workouts and Gordon is a retired police sergeant who loves to make his sessions fun but effective by setting them to 80’s music.” There are also young trainers, like Arran who bring a fresh approach to training, as well as Ellis who is a qualified nutritionist and Louise who runs individual and group step classes for ladies that are both effective and fun. “At Chris Jewkes we believe that personal training is simply for everyone.”

Chris and his team also focus on food and nutrition and make their clients accountable for their choices between sessions. “We use social media and Facebook groups to try to inspire and motivate our clients to make healthy meal choices. We also try to help them avoid temptation by taking notice of the factors that lead them to make the wrong choices in the first place.” The team aren’t interested in a quick fix; instead they are focused on enabling their clients to make changes for life. “I’m really lucky to have such a diverse and highly skilled team of personal trainers working for me, each one is a great communicator, passionate about what they do and keen to see their clients succeed.” So, why not call Chris Jewkes Fitness today to meet the trainer that’ll help you to achieve your fitness and weight-loss goals?

That’s why Chris has carefully selected each member of his team to bring a unique and different approach, so that clients can be matched with the trainer that suits them best. “Every one of our twelve trainers has a different personality, a unique approach to personal training and a skill set that’s individual to them. They also differ greatly in age too.” 100

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MEET THE TEAM

Personal Training is for everyone

Danescourt Road, Tettenhall WV6 9BQ â&#x20AC;¢ 01902 750 355 www.chrisjewkesfitness.com www.wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk

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Aristocats Autumn/W inter

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2017

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• Aldo Martins • Basler • Claudia C • Eugen Klein • Faber • Frank Walder • Georgedé • Joseph Ribkoff • Just White • Michaela Louisa • Olsen • Oui • Rabe

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

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

Tel: 01902 344003

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Creating beautiful looking hair Modern, stylish and offering clients – of all ages – the best in cutting and colouring techniques. Leading the way in both ladies and gents styling, the salon is still drawing in new clients, whilst taking good care of

its original clientele. The friendly, professional team offer a complimentary consultation. We caught up with Nikki Turner, artistic designer and Karina Russon, front of house to find out more about two of the team behind the business.

Questions

Answers

1. Who inspires you?

Nikki Turner, Artistic Designer

2. What’s your favourite place?

1. Jodie my boss

3. What’s your favourite meal?

2. Home

4. What do you love about your job?

3. Tomato and basil pasta

5. What’s your favourite product? 6. How long have you worked at salon 27?

3. All food 4. Love everything about my job

5. Nioxin 3D thickening spray

5. Wella products

6. 5 years 7. Spending time on holiday with my kids

8. What do you do in your spare time?

8. Retail therapy and spending time with family

9. What’s the look this season you love?

9. Messy tausselled hair, soft beach waves

1. Mom 2. Ibiza

4. The clients

7. What do you look forward to this year?

Karina Russon, Front of house

6. 9 months 7. Laura’s wedding 8. Read 9. Love to follow the fashions, and all hair colours that are creative

Special offer for all new clients

CUT & FINISH ONLY £20

September Offer

HALF PRICE COLOUR*

(*with a full price cut and finish. Excludes roots and toners).

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

October Offer

GENTS CUTS

ONLY £10

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

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 September & October 2017.

1 off treatment remain at £150.

570 Penn Road Penn Wolverhampton WV4 4HU

Clinically led with all procedures carried out by qualified staff New! LED Opera Mask (skin rejuvenation) as used by

celebrities, only available at Cosmetique for the West Midlands area.

Special offer until end of October £150 Now £49 • • • • • •

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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BECOME A MODEL

All ages welcome No experience required No height restrictions

Training and mentoring by industry professional. Break into the modelling industry safely and more efficiently.

BOOK NOW! In association with

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Tel: 07956 825601

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Make your way in modelling

ModelOnaway was created by industry professionals to assist those wanting to work in the modelling business but who had no reliable professional guidance. There are countless opportunities for both full and part-time models who know what to do and where to find the work. The flexible, five day course offered by ModelOnaway, spread over a few weeks, covers both these aspects as well as

many more; in addition, it allows the building of a strong portfolio of professional pictures. Photography is included in the fee for the five days training and as it is underwritten by the industry, this makes the cost just £250 all in. This is less than half that charged by many companies for a one day portfolio shoot. There is no height or age restriction, but the most successful who go on to work in the industry are females between the ages of 14 and 45. Places are available now.

wolverhampton west magazine

W o lv e r hampt o n

Lawn Tennis & Squash Club

Behind the setting of a 19th century house, Wolverhampton Lawn Tennis & Squash Club is Tettenhall’s best kept secret. Winner of Tennis Club of the Year in 2016, this premier club is not to be missed. The club boasts 15 tennis courts including three indoor courts. Along with tennis, we have six squash courts of which three of those are glass backed.

There are a variety of classes and coaching for all ages for all of the racket sports at the club. If racket sport isn’t your thing then you can head down to our high-quality gym where there is a variety of equipment; we also have on site personal trainers available for you to have individual sessions with or they can design a programme specific to your goals. You can also get involved in an array of exercise classes that the club currently offers.

of a private room for hire in the Wolverhampton area in which to hold a family get-together, birthday party, wedding reception, ball, or any other type of special occasion, we make sure the event is tailored to your every need. If you want to be a part of something unique then pop down and give us a visit. Call us today 01902 755265.

After all that hard work why not visit our Wellington Restaurant and Terrace Bar for a delicious meal or relaxing drink. If you are in need

O G N NIN I EE JO F

Wolverhampton’s Premier

Racquets & Fitness Club 5 Tennis Courts Surfaces, 12 Outdoor Courts 3 Indoor Courts plus Practice Wall Weekly Organised Sessions 6 Squash Courts, 3 with Glass Back Fully Equipped Gym & Group Fitness Studios Restaurant & Bar Changing Facilities & Sauna Free Wifi

01902 755265

www.wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk

www.wltsc.com

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Beauty by Stacey J, Wolverhampton

Lucy Warrall, Stacey Dodd, Ellie Yates, Shanice Hamilton

Stacey Dodd, owner, celebrated the salonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s second anniversary by sharing Prosecco, nibbles and cupcakes with staff, family, friends and clients on Saturday 12th August. Steve Ford from neighbouring Huckleberryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s menswear joined the celebrations with the ladies.

Carol Dodd, Jan Yates

Stephanie Parker, Valentina Parker, Regan Lubke

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Emma Walters, Hannah Young

Stacey Dodd, Steve Ford

wolverhampton west magazine

Celebrating

two years in business The team at Chapel Ash-based beauty salon, Beauty by Stacey J, are excited to be celebrating their second year in business this autumn, as salon owner, Stacey Dodd explains: “We’ve had a great couple of years at the salon and have been lucky enough to establish a fantastic clientele. We’re really pleased to be marking our two year anniversary and want to say a big thank you to our clients for supporting us.” Offering an impressive selection of must-have beauty services, Beauty by Stacey J quickly became a favourite amongst local ladies and has become wellknown for offering great service and providing excellent results.

Beauty by

Stacey J

“We do nail extensions, gel polish, manicures and pedicures, Nouveau, LVL lashes, tinting, Xen-Tan spray tans, waxing and facials.” And that’s not all: “We also offer Airbrush makeovers which form part of our bridal and prom packages.” For kids that love glitz and glamour there’s the salon’s pamper parties – the perfect idea for a special birthday party. “I’ve got a fabulous team working with me at the salon. My three beauty therapists, Ellie, Lucy and Shanice, are fully trained and highly experienced and we’re all really friendly.” Stacey has worked in the beauty industry for ten years and has

used her knowledge and skills to ensure that every client has a great experience when they pay a visit to her salon. “I’ve always wanted to have my own salon and it’s something that I worked hard to achieve. I’ve designed Stacey J’s to be modern and stylish and tried to ensure that it’s a relaxing and fun place to visit.” And there’s no doubt that Stacey’s customers love the salon: “We’ve had lots of really positive feedback and our clients seem to enjoy their time at the salon.”

Currently the team are busy gearing up for their busiest time of the year. “We love the Christmas party season and can’t wait to get our clients looking fabulous for all of the parties they’ll be attending in the coming months,” adds Stacey. So, whether you’ve got a special event to attend or just fancy treating yourself to some pampering, make sure that you book in at Beauty by Stacey J today – please call 01902 219600.

Open: Mon 10am-6pm • Tues-Thurs 9.30am-7pm • Fri 9.30am-5.30pm • Sat 9am-5pm

1 Merridale Road, Chapel Ash Wolverhampton WV3 9RX Beauty by Stacey j

www.wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk

Ample FREE customer parking at rear

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wolverhampton west magazine

HAVE LOVELY LOOKING LEGS

- Treating Varicose Veins

Varicose veins are very common and affect more than one in three adults. British research published in the Journal of Clinical Epidemiology shows that more men (40%) suffer from varicose veins than women (32%), yet figures compiled by Nuffield Health show that treatment is mainly sought by women. Often hereditary in cause, they occur because the valves of your veins weaken and fail to work effectively. The National Institute for Health & 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. When the sun comes out, people are more likely to think of exposing their legs to the elements. Those, 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. When

the vein valves weaken, blood pools in certain areas and this can cause painful and unsightly bulges at the skin’s surface. 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. Wolverhampton surgeons, Nuffield Health’s Mr Simon Hobbs and Mr Andrew Garnham have been consultant vascular surgeons for several years and, back in their training days, can still remember the older treatment methods for varicose veins, including stripping the vein from the top of the groin. Mr Garnham explains that nowadays, with more technology available, guided treatment is almost painless and the results are much better. Andrew Garnham says, “In deciding when to have your veins treated, usually the sooner the better for the best results and, of course, to ease any discomfort. With local anaesthetic and short treatment time needed, recovery is quick and there is minimal bruising, scarring or swelling, so you can both look and feel better sooner. “

size and position, indicate the required treatment. This could be endothermal ablation using a radiofrequency catheter for varicose veins or micro sclerotherapy for thread veins or a combination of the two. These methods have a 95% success rate, so that further treatment is unlikely to be required for at least 5-7 years. For patients who pay for themselves, prices for outpatient varicose vein treatment at Nuffield Health Wolverhampton Hospital start from £350. On the evening of Thursday 5th October, at 6:30pm, Mr Garnham and Mr Hobbs will be hosting a Free Patient Event on this subject at Nuffield Health Wolverhampton Hospital, Wood Road, Tettenhall. To book a free place at the Let’s Talk Varicose Veins event, please ring 01902 267 619.

During a consultation, an ultra sound scan will detect the source of the problem and from the

www.wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk

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DY S L E X I A

AND VISION Q. What is dyslexia?

A. The word ‘dyslexia’ comes from the Greek and means ‘difficulty with words’. It primarily affects the skills involved in accurate and fluent reading and spelling. It is believed to be one of the most common learning difficulties although many dyslexics are very bright and often have strong visual, creative and problem solving skills.

Q. What is Visual Stress? A. Simply explained, Visual Stress (also known as Visual Dyslexia or Irlen Syndrome) is sensitivity to visual patterns, particularly stripes. It can occur when a white background appears to interfere with lines of black print and causes difficulties with visual processing of the reading content.

Q. Is Visual Stress the same as Dyslexia? A.Visual stress is not the same as Dyslexia, but is more common in those who are dyslexic and can occur despite normal vision. It is thought that it affects 12% of the population and 65% of dyslexics. Many dyslexic people are sensitive to the glare of white backgrounds on a page, white board or computer screen. This can make the reading of text much more difficult.

Q. What are the symptoms of Visual Stress? A. Sufferers may report movement and blurring of the text. Letters can appear to reverse or change shape. Halos, colours or patterns, sometimes described as “rivers” or “worms”. Red, sore eyes and headaches are also frequent complaints. Frustration and low self esteem can occur in children who are underachieving at school due to 112

visual stress; therefore an early diagnosis is essential. The longer it takes to identify and remedy visual stress, the greater the loss of confidence that can result.

Q. Is there a cure for visual stress? A. There is no “cure”, but visual stress can be reduced or eliminated by the use of coloured lenses worn in spectacles. These are prescribed following Colorimetry assessment when the precise tint is selected with the aid of INTUITIVE COLORIMETER, which produces thousands of colour combinations. Degree of improvement differssome individuals reach up to 150%

increase in speed of reading, some about 20% due to other non visual learning difficulties. Very often children move up a several reading levels within few weeks. Visual Stress assessments are available at Taylor Biddle Opticians and include SCHOOLVISION assessment and Colorimetry. Please enquire for further information.

wolverhampton west magazine

www.taylorbiddleopticians.co.uk

Designer Frames fromâ&#x20AC;Ś

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A new look for

a u t u mn

By Helen Taylor

It’s time to swap summer dresses for comfy cover-ups and indulge your passion for fashion by stocking-up on this season’s most stylish high street buys.

Gorgeous knits, cosy coats and all manner of fabulous accessories are filling-up the shops and, with the cool days of autumn here to stay there’s never been a better excuse to treat yourself to some serious retail therapy.

Navy Velvet Puffer Jacket £65 Navy Lurex Jumper £28 Black Coated Skinny Trousers £25 All Dorothy Perkins

Grey Check Double Breasted Coat £69 Grey Jumper £20 Oversized Buckle Belt £12 Red A-Line Mini Skirt £22 All Dorothy Perkins

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wolverhampton west magazine

Cardigan £59 Monsoon Dress £55 Label Lab at House of Fraser

Leather Jacket £199 Wallis Jeans £50 Waven at House of Fraser

Scarf £25 Linea, House of Fraser

Handbag £189 Radley at House of Fraser

Fei Liu Cascade Rhodium Exclusively from T.A.Henn, Wolverhampton www.wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk

Colour Block Jumper £34.99 New Look

Jacket £79.99 Star by Julian Macdonald at Debenhams

Suede Gloves £22 Accessorize

Ankle Boots £29.99 New Look 115

A d r eam hai r ma k e o v e r f or our compet i t i o n w i n n er at

In desperate need of a hair makeover, Sarah Steel couldn’t resist trying her luck when she spotted our July/August reader’s competition. As Sarah explains: “When I saw that there was the opportunity to win a hair makeover at Royston Blythe, I entered straight away.” The award winning salon - that’s earned the coveted title of Midland’s Hairdresser of the Year – was offering our readers a chance to win a fabulous hair makeover using Rapture Hair extensions. “I’ve always craved long, thick hair and have wanted to try extensions for ages and I knew that there was no better salon to visit than Royston Blythe.” Stylists to a long list of celebrities including Real Housewives of Cheshire star, Dawn Ward – the Royston Blythe team are well-known for their amazing hair transformations and were ready and waiting to style Sarah’s new look. “I was utterly delighted - and so excited - when I discovered that I’d won the competition and couldn’t wait for my appointment.”

Before

After

“I couldn’t believe how amazing my hair looked when the team had finished. I absolutely love my new long, luscious locks and I’m finding styling them is really easy, thanks to the advice I was given at the salon,” adds Sarah. For those who weren’t lucky enough to win the competition though, there’s still a chance to

make your hair dreams a reality by booking in at the salon today. Whether you want a dramatic new look like Sarah’s or maybe just fancy treating yourself to a cut and blow dry, visit Royston Blythe and find out for yourself why the salon is a favourite with both locals and celebrities alike.

At the salon, Sarah was treated to a consultation with Royston before colourist, Charlie, performed a skin test, ready for her appointment later that week. “When I went back to Royston Blythe, my hair was coloured and styled and the extensions were matched to my new colour look before being professionally applied by Boo.” Rapture Hair extensions are made of the finest quality human hair and take less than an hour to apply. They can be used to boost volume and add luscious lengths and, the best part is they won’t cause any damage to your own hair. After Royston styled the new extensions Sarah’s hair transformation was complete. 116

Boo Price, Sarah Steel and Royston

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

wolverhampton west magazine

Start Your Weight-Loss Journey with Independent Cambridge Weight Plan Consultant, Louise Peck Louise supports her clients and now even leads a team of four other local Consultants. “Tanya Mercer is based in Bradmore, Su Ghale is located in Codsall and partners Tracey George and Spencer Clark work together in Castlecroft” There’s no doubt that Louise’s success has come from her friendly, understanding approach and the connection that she makes with her clients based upon her own weight-loss experience. “I really enjoy working with my clients and enjoy sharing in their success, whether their aim is a massive weight-loss, or just a few pounds.”

When it comes to achieving your weightloss goals receiving the right support is essential. You need to find a plan that’s tailored to your needs and a Consultant that’s dedicated to helping you achieve your goals. Fortunately, Consultant, Louise Peck is ready and waiting to help. As Louise explains: “I completely understand the impact that being overweight can have on your life and just how difficult it can be to take the steps you need to start your weight-loss journey.” It was after getting married and having her two children that Louise started to struggle with her weight. “I was a size 20 at my heaviest and it was just before my 40th birthday four years ago that I decided I wanted to make a change, so I started the Cambridge Weight Plan.”

In fact, Louise was so impressed with Cambridge Weight Plan that she soon decided that she wanted to help others. So, she quickly completed the necessary training to become a fully accredited Consultant herself. One year after finishing her Cambridge Weight Plan, Louise was busy helping her own clients achieve similar weightloss success whilst working part time as a Consultant. During that time her hard-work was recognised by Cambridge Weight Plan when she achieved the ‘Highly Commended Award 2015/2016’ and one of her clients was awarded the ‘Man of the Year Slimmer Finalist Award UK’ 2016. “I’d worked for Severn Trent since I was 16 years old and gradually started to build up my Cambridge Weight Plan client base whilst continuing to work for the company.”

Louise achieved excellent results and quickly lost three stone.

In June however, Louise decided that it was time to leave her job and concentrate on Cambridge Weight Plan full time so that she could meet the needs of her growing business.

“I was amazed by the results and my confidence quickly returned.”

Working from her purpose-built private home office in Perton,

www.wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk

Louise has worked with men, women and couples who are looking to lose weight and spends the first no-obligation consultation understanding their aims and assessing their lifestyle – including any medications they’re prescribed – before forming an individual plan. “It’s important that the Plan is flexible enough to fit in with the clients’ lifestyle and that support is available when they need it. Mobile visits can also be arranged if a client prefers.” Throughout their journey, Louise is on-hand to offer one-to-one support as well as allowing clients to access a private Facebook Support Group. So, whatver your weight-loss goals, why not start your journey to success with Louise today?

t: 07790 982 888

e: loupeck1@googlemail.com CWPLouisePeck CWPLouisePeck CWPLouisePeck

*The weight lost and time frames are particular to this slimmer. Everyone’s weight-loss journey is unique to them

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The downward spiral

With life having its ups and downs, we all get the odd low period when we feel a bit miserable. This is just a normal part of every day life.

When these feelings take over our thoughts and fill our days and nights with a numbing and all embracing darkness, it’s possible that you may be suffering from depression. What a lot of people don’t understand is our brain can’t let us stay in a state of happiness for too long; it’s just not safe. Imagine going through life feeling wonderful, happy and loving everyone and everything around you; sounds idyllic doesn’t it? So while you are floating around, smelling the roses and staring up at the beautiful sky, you may not notice that No. 7 bus coming towards you, or that vicious looking dog with the big teeth and unpleasant growl, heading your way. Your brain needs you to be vigilant, aware of your surroundings, so you can stay safe. This is why we often find our selves looking on the negative side of things; it’s a safety mechanism. Unfortunately, if this negative view of life gets magnified into a downward spiral of feeling deeply sad and shut down, depression sets in and it becomes a ‘default’ setting.

Many things can trigger depression. You may not even recognise when it started or what happened to set the behaviour off. If left untreated, depression can cause a complete ‘shut down’ of emotions. Some of my clients describe it as being locked in a very dark place with no way of escape. My last article on anxiety described anxious people as ‘living in the future’ always worried about ‘what if’. People with depression are at the other end of the scale; living in the past, re-living unhappy and unpleasant experiences, never able to imagine the future as anything different. This is why it is impossible for some one with depression to just ‘snap out of it’. Seeking professional help to find positive and achievable solutions is a starting point to making changes. The key factor in any change work is finding the root

cause; what triggered the behaviour. This is where hypnosis is helpful, as it gets the conscious mind out of the way and allows access to the subconscious mind, where the behaviour started. When I work with someone who is depressed, after asking some specifically designed questions, I will often use NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming) as a starting point. It helps by getting the person to use different language to describe how they feel and what they want. Just by changing the way we communicate to ourselves and others can have a dramatic result. Once I can get them to begin seeing a more positive outcome, I will use hypnosis to help them to make subconscious changes and clear hidden beliefs and behaviours. Please take a look at my website for more information and some useful tips and techniques.

“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:

Anxiety • Stress • Phobias • Self Sabotage • Limiting Beliefs • Fear • Low Self Esteem • Weight Management I run ‘at home’ VIP courses for weight management and my Platinum one to one fast track course for people with limited free time. I am available as a speaker for events and fundraisers and I hold regular courses and Wellness Yoga days throughout the year.

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

mindbabble.co.uk 118

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

Varicose Vein Treatment

First in the West Midlands.

The Vein Clinic, lead by Mr Simon Hobbs, Consultant Vascular Surgeon, is the first in the West Midlands to offer the latest in technology for treating varicose veins. The clinic, situated in the Wolverhampton Nuffield Hospital, has introduced the VenaSeal Closure system as a minimally invasive treatment option for visible varicose veins, which enables people to have their veins treated with less discomfort. The VenaSeal Closure system uses a medical grade super glue to seal off the damaged veins responsible for causing unsightly, bulging varicose veins in the legs. This treatment is performed as a walk-in, walk-out procedure under local anaesthetic, with greatly enhanced recovery compared to traditional varicose vein treatments. Compared to other minimally invasive treatments such as laser or radiofrequency ablation, the VenaSeal Closure system involves many fewer injections in the leg and there is often no need to wear compression stockings afterwards. This treatment takes the discomfort out of having your

phlebitis, brown skin discolouration and potentially leg ulcers, which take a long time to heal.

veins treated and means that you can be quickly back to full activity enjoying the benefits of healthy feeling and great looking legs.

During a consultation, an ultra sound scan will be performed to detect the source of the problem and from the size and position, indicate the optimum treatment.

Varicose veins are caused by a malfunction of valves in the veins. When the vein valves fail, pooled blood can cause painful and unsightly bulges at the skin’s surface. Symptoms include aching and itching, swelling and restless legs at night and the sensation of throbbing over the vein, with both men and women being affected equally. If veins are left untreated, they can lead to bleeding, eczema,

Recognised by all major medical insurers. For self-paying patients, the consultation fee is £150 and an ultrasound of both legs is £99. For more information visit www.simonhobbsveins.co.uk

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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Portman Dental Care

celebrates its first year anniversary in Wolverhampton referral centre but also provides a general dental service. Though treatments are provided on a referral basis patients can also contact the practices directly to arrange private consultations to discuss their treatment needs. Complex treatment plans that require a multi-disciplinary approach can be managed by the clinicians within the group. The clinics former owner, and now implant dentist at Parkdale, Jonathon Pugh has been delighted with the clinical freedom the Portman acquisition has brought. “Their over-riding philosophy and excellent management structure has enabled me to focus purely on patient care. I’m often the first clinician new patients see and working with the newly expanded team means I can not only advise on treatment options but point out which clinician is best suited to meet their needs and aspirations.”

Bibi Hill (Business Development Manager) and Jon Pugh BDS MSc (implant dentistry)

Portman Dental Care is the largest and fastest growing, privately focused dental group in the UK. Portman own and operate a group of outstanding private dental practices across the country and last summer acquired two of Wolverhampton’s dental clinics. Portman believe exceptional dentistry requires more than clinical excellence and modern, highly equipped practices. It also requires great customer service so their philosophy is to care for you in the way they would wish to be cared for. They believe that dental care should be personal, accessible and affordable. The group were recently identified as one of London Stock Exchange’s 1000 Companies to Inspire Britain, a report celebrating the UK’s fastest-growing and most dynamic small and medium sized businesses. Portman’s Wolverhampton Practices are The Parkdale Dental and Implant Clinic based on the Tettenhall Road and Parkside Dental and Orthodontic Clinic based on the West Park. Though the practices are linked through their ownership and management structure they have different focuses. Both are referral based clinics which means they are recognised as providing specialised treatments for patients who attend dental practices across the central counties of the West Midlands, Staffordshire and Shropshire. Parkdale focuses on the placement and restoration of dental implants, the construction and fitting of quality dentures and the treatment of gum disease. Parkside has a dual role being an orthodontic 120

To support Jon’s efforts Portman has recruited a wonderful (Jon’s words) hygienist Jo Jarvis. Jon and Jo had previously worked together for many years at Parkside. She has now joined Jon at Parkdale to support both him and fellow new recruit Phil Forman in providing maintenance programmes for patients who have had dental implants or who suffer with gum problems. Phil like Jon has undertaken a Masters degree. Phil in the treatment of gum disease whilst Jon in implant dentistry. Team members at Parkside also have post graduate training including Masters Degrees in Orthodontics. Liz Roberts, Dan Daly and Fausto Santi will be happy to discuss private orthodontic treatments for children who do not meet the criteria for NHS treatment and adults of all ages who simply want to improve their smile. The final new recruit to Parkdale is Julian Smith. Julian is a highly regarded dental technician and clinical dental technician. His role at Parkdale is to construct and fit bespoke implant retained and conventional dentures. Jon, the son of a dental technician himself, truly appreciates the clinical excellence that can be achieved when dentures are constructed and fitted by someone with Julian’s combined clinical and technical skills. The Parkdale Parkside support team is now headed by Lorna Hoolin the practice manager. Lorna is supported by Julie Emmitt her area operations manager, Helen Garbett Jon’s treatment co-ordinator and Bibi Hill who is working with Portman as a business development manager. Bibi is relishing the opportunities working with an expanding team brings. “Working under the Portman umbrella and with Jon’s clinical lead I believe we can not only aspire to Portman’s vision for Private Dentistry but achieve it here in my home town of Wolverhampton.” Along with Portman, Jon and Bibi are also celebrating on a personal level as they are to marry later this year. wolverhampton west magazine

Renew your smile with

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At Parkdale Clinic we offer quality patient-focused dental care in a modern and supportive environment. Our satisfied patients have found a renewed confidence after undergoing treatment with us and it is our privilege to find a solution to many problems traditional dentistry has failed to remedy.

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Parkdale Dental & Implant Clinic | 82 Tettenhall Road | Wolverhampton WV1 4TF www.parkdaledentalandimplantclinic.co.uk | parkdale@portmanhealthcare.co.uk

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Registered Charity No. 512387

2017 marks Compton Hospice’s

35th Anniversary! For three and a half decades we have been delivering care and support for families living with the effects of incurable illnesses. In that time we are estimated to have supported over 35,000 patients, plus many more family members, across Wolverhampton, the Black Country, South Staffordshire and East Shropshire.

For tickets and information please call Compton Hospice Fundraising on 0845 2255 497 or email fundraising@compton-hospice.org.uk This event is kindly sponsored by European Mezzanine Systems Limited.

To celebrate this milestone Compton Hospice invites you to join us at our 35th Anniversary Ball. Dance the night away at our black tie event taking place at Wolverhampton’s Ramada Park Hall Hotel and Spa on Saturday 7th October. The evening starts at 6.30pm with a drinks reception followed by a four-course meal and entertainment from The Commandments and a table magician. There will also be a celebratory fireworks display during the evening. Tickets cost £60 per person or £550 for a table of ten.

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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

Tom’s tip:

Shin Splints Shin Splints is a common term for shin pain during exercise. It can be a misleading term and most medical professionals try to avoid using it. This is because shin pain and ‘Shin Splints’ can be due to several different conditions. One of the most common shin conditions that is frequently labelled ‘Shin Splints’ is Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome. Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome has been reported to occur frequently in military recruits, distance runners, dancers, football (soccer) players and gymnasts. Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome has been classified into two distinct types, which affect specific tissues on the inside of the shin:

Type One

This is characterised by a stress reaction on the inside border of the

shin bone. A stress reaction is a preceding stage to a stress fracture.

Type Two

This is characterised by irritation of the outer surface (periosteum) of the inside of the shin bone at the point where the Soleus and Tibialis Posterior muscles attach. Regardless of the type, Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome is largely caused by over-use, with those who run or walk regularly on hard or uneven surfaces being particularly affected. However, there are a number of factors, such as altered foot, knee and hip posture, which can make a person susceptible to the syndrome.

Shin Splints Treatment

People suffering from Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome will feel pain on the inner border of the shin (medial Tibial border) during and following exercise. Most patients respond well to nonoperative treatment. This involves

WOLVERHAMPTON HIP

rest, strengthening and stretching exercises, followed by a gradual return to exercise after symptoms subside. In order to help prevent recurrence of the condition, a bio-mechanical analysis (an analysis of posture at rest and during walking and running) with a chiropodist/podiatrist can be very useful. This will pick up any factors that may be making a person susceptible to Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome, so that they can be corrected before a return to activity. Muscle imbalance and leg length inequality are frequent causes of mal-alignment that can be picked up during an assessment. A common cause of Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome is pes planus (flat feet) or pronated foot position (a lowered arch). These would be identified during bio-mechanical analysis. Over pronation is the uncontrolled lowering of the arch of the foot during motion. This puts increased strain on the Tibialis Posterior muscle which pulls on the inside of the shin and can produce pain. Arch supporting Orthotics/insoles can be very effective in remedying this problem.

& KNEE CLINIC

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

MR DAVID SIMPSON CONSULTANT ORTHOPAEDIC SURGEON

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

To book an appointment or for further details please contact: The Wolverhampton Hip and Knee Clinic, Nuffield Health Hospital, Wood Road, Tettenhall, Wolverhampton, WV6 8LE Tel: 01902 793269 / 01902 793241 email: info@wolverhamptonhipandkneeclinic.co.uk or visit: www.wolverhamptonhipandkneeclinic.co.uk

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Photography Courtesy of Paul Gray

GARETH FROM BILSTON WINS PRESTIGIOUS “YOUNG CITIZEN” AWARD The fourth running of “Rotary’s Wolverhampton Young Citizen” Award saw a record entry of 32 with 18 year old Gareth Rafferty from Bilston picking up the title. Gareth, nominated by Alice Vickers a Corporate Parenting Officer, is a remarkable young man who has faced many challenges in his young life. He impressed the judges with his overwhelming commitment to “Looked after Children and Care Leavers”. He has come through the City’s Care System and co-chairs the “Care Leaver’s Forum” which is the driving force for change to improve the lives and opportunities for Looked after Children. He is going on to study at Derby University in September. At the Presentation Ceremony in the Mayor’s Parlour where all seven finalists were honoured, Gareth received a cheque for £100.00 and a commemorative plaque. In addition he nominated the “Care Leaver’s Forum” to receive a donation of £500.00 from Rotary. Gareth was not the only award winner as the two joint runners-up Amy Nicholas (18) from Fallings Park and Darram Kooner (14) from Whitmore Reans each received a commemorative plaque and a cheque for £50.00. Amy is a pupil at St Chad’s Catholic Academy, was nominated by Matt Sacco from Kik FM, works with youngsters who would fall into the

“Hard to Reach” category and says she is passionate about stopping young people from joining gangs and showing them that there is much more for them to aim for in life. She has also worked to stop vandalism in her community and has volunteered to help train young people in media studies including radio, newspapers, photography and video. She has played a role in promoting digital citizenship which resulted in her receiving an award for her efforts in helping to improve communication between young and old. It is fair to say that she has been a role model for youngsters in and around Bushbury and Low Hill. Amy is set to study “Broadcast Media” at Wolverhampton University in September. Darram was nominated by Eugenio Ciliberti, a former Youth Police and Crime Commissioner for the West Midlands who described him as “one of those dynamic people who go the extra mile”. He was elected to the City’s Youth Council two years ago and is a key voice focussing on youth engagement, transport and mental health. He made a speech in the House of Commons last November which is available on You Tube and it is well worth watching. He could teach some MPs a thing or two about holding an audience. He is a student at The Royal School and volunteers helping other students to read. He has a passion for politics and plans to stand for the role of “Police and Crime Commissioner” later this year.

All the finalists with the Mayor and Rotary Presidents

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Gareth receiving the award from the Mayor of Wolverhampton, Councillor Elias Mattau

Speaking on behalf of the Judging Panel, Co-Chairman Peter Madeley (Express & Star) said that collectively this was the strongest field we have ever had with every entry matching the award’s key criteria of “going that extra mile to help others”. Picking the winner and runners- up was no easy task. The “Rotary Wolverhampton Young Citizen Award” is run by the city’s five Rotary Clubs, supported and sponsored by Wolverhampton West magazine, Express & Star, Waitrose, Wolverhampton City Council and Wednesfield Magazine Group. The award is dedicated to the memory of “Rotarian Tom Warren” a former Director of Education for Wolverhampton, who became President of Rotary Internationally representing the organisation just after WW2 in an advisory group set up in connection with the formation of the United Nations.

Amy Nicholas, Gareth Rafferty, Darram Koomer

wolverhampton west magazine

Care & compassion: when you need it most Finding the right person to look after a member of your family when they need it most can be one of the most difficult decisions you make. If their medical needs are complex, requiring a high level of knowledge, qualifications and experience, the nursing team you have around you need to be exceptional. Carerbooking.com has been launched by CLCA, a CQC regulated company, which provides registered nurses and healthcare staff of the highest calibre. These healthcare teams support both government or privatelyfunded individuals at home from hospital, in school, on holidays abroad and wherever they are needed. Recovery from a head or brain injury, a stroke or other illness that requires rehabilitation after hospital can be a long and difficult process.

client, from seizure management to home ventilation, stroke recovery, brain and spinal cord injury and degenerative diseases. “We also provide respite and palliative care, and our nurses can go overseas with their patients, whether that be for treatment, to visit family or just a holiday. “We put care and compassion at the heart of our operation and our reliability, experience and knowledge, and our consistency with your nursing team results in the best possible care for you and your family.” Established in 2012 CLCA also supplies nurses and other healthcare professionals to private hospitals, the NHS and nursing homes. And an online portal is now available to allow you to find the carer who is right for you - at the touch of a button. Visit carerbooking.com or ring our Freephone number on 0800 999 4003.

Cherry Adams, managing director of CLCA, said: “We establish and maintain care packages for both adults and children with complex medical needs. “These packages are tailored to each

Cherry Adams

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NEW PRODUCT LAUNCH

TO ENHANCE LIFE EXPERIENCES mini breaks to cinema tickets and leisure memberships.

With time-honoured research suggesting that it’s experiences that make us happy and not possessions, a Wolverhampton-based organisation has launched an innovative service aimed at enhancing not only the financial health and wellbeing of the region’s residents, but their enjoyment of lifelong memories. Leading health Cash Plan provider, Paycare, has demonstrated its ongoing investment in improving individuals’ health and wellbeing by launching ‘Paycare Perks’, a scheme designed to provide individuals with access to a suite of discounts and exclusive deals on everything from family holidays and

The celebrated study by psychology professor, Dr Thomas Gilovich, outlines the fact that possessions, whilst exciting and stimulating at the time of purchase, quickly become part of our daily lives and subsequently pale into insignificance. Owning things can also see our stress levels rise, as we find ourselves having to find more space within our homes to accommodate our latest purchases, and also encourages feelings of jealousy and resentment as we continually try to ‘keep up with the Joneses’. What in fact makes us happy, so the study says, is spending our money on activities, pastimes, or hobbies, which are much longer-lasting. Anthony Burns, Commercial Director, explained: “At Paycare, we believe wellbeing doesn’t stop with our physical health, and so we’re thrilled to officially announce the launch of our brand new Paycare Perks service. This has been exclusively designed to not

only help enhance financial health through discounts, deals, and cashback on purchases but in doing so – to enable individuals to enjoy many more of life’s experiences. “Through having the opportunity to enjoy experiences rather than belongings, we create memories, we build and develop social relationships, and we get introduced to new viewpoints, life lessons, and sensations. You’ll always remember that family holiday, your child’s first trip to a theme park, or the last festival or concert you went to, and it is these – rather than the new car parked on your drive, the latest Apple product to hit the shops, or that new pair of shoes in your wardrobe – that truly enrich our lives. “As an organisation dedicated to making people’s lives healthier and happier, we’re delighted to have launched our dedicated Paycare Perks initiative which is already proving to be a very popular addition amongst our Policyholders, and is just one of the ongoing developments we’re making in further enhancing our services and in making life a little easier, and more fulfilled, for those across the region and beyond.” For further information on Paycare Perks please visit your dedicated log-in area at www. paycare.org/MyAccount

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Same sex marriage

pension rights John Walker is an unlikely hero but his recent victory in the Supreme Court will see him go down in history as a key figure in the battle for equal rights for same sex couples.

His 11-year campaign to get the same pension rights for his husband as a wife would enjoy has set a legal precedent for other same sex married couples, according to Harbinder Gosal, Senior Associate in the family team at award-winning law firm FBC Manby Bowdler. “For years, husbands and wives have been able to retire safe in the knowledge that if they die before their spouse, part of their hard earned pension would still be paid to their loved one. “But that wasn’t the case for John Walker, who entered into a civil partnership with his husband in 2005. He had to take his former employer to an employment tribunal and the Court of Appeal before claiming victory at the Supreme Court recently,” says Harbinder.

The Equalities Act allowed the company to argue that only Mr Walker’s contributions made after the Civil Partnership Act should be counted when calculating his husband’s entitlement to a widower’s pension. If Mr Walker had been married to a woman, his whole pension would have been counted.

settlement) then their entitlement to a widow or widower’s pension is lost and they get nothing.

Should he die, Mr Walker’s husband will now receive the full spouse’s pension from his former employer.

“It is vital that people consider how divorce will affect their retirement and seek full disclosure of their spouse’s pensions.”

“This case is a major step forward in removing one of the final layers of discrimination against same sex couples but, as the victory came under EU law, it remains to be seen as to whether Brexit will impact on future decisions that may be contested through the courts. “For all married couples, pension rights can be a key issue when it comes to divorce and we often advise clients to be mindful of the effect this can have on any future pension rights when going through the legal aspects of separating their assets.

Harbinder Gosal, Senior Associate

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“It is therefore extremely important to ensure a financial agreement to include a pension sharing order, if it is relevant, is in place before the Decree Absolute.

Harbinder is experienced in all aspects of family law specialising in privately funded divorce and matrimonial finance cases. She also has experience in dealing with domestic violence and child law matters. For more information contact h.gosal@fbcmb.co.uk or 01902 392420.

“If their ex-husband or wife dies after a Decree Absolute - the final stage in divorce proceedings that ends the marriage - but before they have sorted out pension sharing (or any other financial wolverhampton west magazine

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Pattingham is looking forward to its fourth Scarecrow Festival Following the very successful Scarecrow Festivals held in 2011, 2013 and 2015 in the village of Pattingham in South Staffs, the fourth 3-day Scarecrow Festival will take place from Friday 22nd to 24th September 2017. The event will be focused around the Village Hall, where a Scarecrow Trail will begin taking visitors on a planned route around the village so that they can see over 130 scarecrow creations. Young children can also join in the Scarecrow Quiz taking part gives them a free Scarecrow badge. There will also be scarecrows in St Chad’s church plus a raffle with the first prize of a special scarecrow cake. Refreshments, including homemade ice cream, will be available at the Village Hall throughout the three days. Ample free car parking will be available close to the village centre. Evening Events During the 3 day Festival, there will be three evening events, including: Harvest Supper with an ‘Olde Pattingham’ Slide Show On Friday evening (22nd September), a traditional Harvest Supper of a hot wholesome meal with www.wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk

a sweet is planned in the Village Hall together with our own Bob Taylor and Lol Burgess giving one of their popular slide shows featuring ‘Olde Pattingham’, its places and people. A licensed bar will be operating and tickets at £7.50 each are now available from Liz Sampson on 01902 700823. Saturday Night of ‘Folk and Fun Night’ with the Elderly Brothers Saturday evening (23rd September) will see the Elderly Brothers lead by popular Will Morgan performing in the Village Hall with their particular style of foottapping music mixed with good banter and jokes together with a hearty Hog Roast Supper to be served during the interval. Tickets at £12.50 each are now available from Jill Parker on 01902 700755 or Chrissie Ringrose on 01902 700340. Again a licensed bar will be operating, making it an evening not to be missed! Special Harvest Festival Evensong The Sunday Evensong (24th September) at St Chad’s Church, Pattingham will be a special ‘Songs of Praise’ service commencing at 6.30pm For more details visit the Festival website at www. pattinghamscarecrowfestival.org or call Chrissie Ringrose on 01902 700340, or Mike Coope (Publicity) on 01902 700426. (Sat Nav Post code WV6 7DU). 131

Concero supports

The Haven

Vulnerable women seeking help from Wolverhampton charity The Haven are now getting practical online help thanks to a city business. IT experts at Newbridgebased Concero UK are providing free e-safety lessons for women at the charity. The Haven Wolverhampton supports women and dependent children who are vulnerable to domestic violence, homelessness and abuse. Set up in 1973 the charity provides both practical and emotional support services to women and children who are affected by domestic violence and homelessness. And now with help from Concero UK it is providing essential advice to keep women and children safe online. Jade Secker, The Haven senior community fundraiser, said; “Concero is supporting us in lots of ways, from sponsorship of events to practical support, which we are very grateful for. “One of the things they are helping with is online e-safety sessions for our staff and for the women who come to us for help. Many women don’t realise how easily they can be tracked via their mobile 132

phones, laptops or tablets and so this kind of security e-safety advice from experts is invaluable.” As well as using their IT expertise staff at Concero UK, which provides IT support to schools, academies and businesses across the Midlands, have helped on a recent trip to Cadbury World. Staff organised and drove two mini buses taking mums and children to the attraction for a family day out. James Morris, director, said: “As a business we have always supported good causes but more recently we have wanted to get behind a local charity and really help make a difference. Because The Haven can’t always give details about the women and children it helps, it doesn’t always necessarily get the exposure it deserves for its incredible work and for that reason we decided to get involved and help out as much as we could. “We always provide free e-safety sessions for all the staff, governors and even parents at schools our technicians work in, so it seemed logical to do the same for The Haven. “With the majority of people online these days and having an online identity, giving vulnerable women and children advice about staying safe on social media and on their mobile devices is a really practical way of offering our support.” The company is also getting behind two of the charity’s major

fundraising events – One Million Steps happening during Domestic Violence Awareness month in October and the Masquerade Ball at The Mount Hotel in March 2018. The Haven provides 63 secure units of accommodation across Wolverhampton to hundreds of women and children who are affected by domestic abuse and/or homelessness. Its refuges provide highquality accommodation including communal kitchens, dining and living areas, private bedrooms, en-suite facilities, children’s play areas and facilities for disabled residents. The Haven also offers a 24-hour domestic abuse helpline for women in need of advice or support and is a member of the Telephones Helpline Partnership. The helpline is operated by trained professionals and available 365 days a year. Jade Secker said; “Our helpline gives women the opportunity to speak anonymously and in complete confidence about their experiences of abuse. As our Helpline is based in a central location in Wolverhampton, women have the autonomy to attend information and support sessions while in the city centre and our Helpline staff can also meet with women for face to face support.” To discuss an issue or for support regarding domestic abuse call 08000 194 400. wolverhampton west magazine

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THE WEDDING SINGER

Interview with Ray Quinn It’s great to play alongside Jon Robyns, our West End legend who plays Robbie Hart in the show. Ruth Madoc brings another colour to the show, she has lots of experience in stage and screen, we’ve got a really good cast.” Ray Quinn returns to the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre stage from 3 – 7 October in a brand new production of the smash hit musical THE WEDDING SINGER which also stars Hi-De-Hi’s Ruth Madoc.

Ray: “It’s fun being bad. I’ll be doing Prince Charming in panto at Christmas though so a little bit different but still good fun, I like the variety.”

Ray talks about his role as Glenn in the show.

It seems you can turn your hand to any element of performing?

What’s scarier, the X Factor, Dancing On Ice, or 80s fashion?

Ray: “I try… I just love what I do. I throw myself into anything and I’ve been doing musicals for a long time now. It’s a job for me that I love doing and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Ray: “Definitely the fashion!” he laughs. “Actually, it’s all pretty good; I’m really enjoying the tour and looking forward to getting to Wolverhampton.” What about the music in the show?

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Are you bad for good now or is there a goody-twoshoes role in the future?

And you do all of this alongside your own musical career?

Ray: “There’s some recognisable songs from the movie, but the rest of the score is original and keeps in with the 80s. It goes down really well, the reviews have been great and we’re getting standing ovations night after night, we’re really proud of the show.”

Ray: “I managed to get an album together, I’ve finished that now and hopefully can get a single out soon. I just don’t really have the time to concentrate on a music career when I’m on tour but I know it’ll all come to light soon enough, you should keep an eye out for some new music soon.”

You play Wall Street bad boy Glenn in the show, how is the role for you?

The 80s music is a little bit before your time but does any of the music resonate with you?

Ray: “It’s a very different role to anything I’ve played before.

Ray: “I’ve got a real guilty pleasure when it comes to 80s music. I do

listen to it quite a bit even though I was only born in 88. It was a great era, apart from the fashion but a few pieces are creeping back in! I think everyone has a guilty pleasure for at least something of that era…” Coming back to Wolverhampton do you have any memories of the city? Ray: “I’ll definitely be having a good mooch around, there’s good food places in Wolverhampton so I’ll be getting some good grub and hopefully have a great meal out somewhere with the rest of the cast.” Tickets can be bought at the Grand Theatre Box Office, by calling 01902 42 92 12 or online at grandtheatre.co.uk

wolverhampton west magazine

Upcoming Open Events at NSC Shipley North Shropshire College (NSC) has recently welcomed Ashley Rose as the Centre Manager for the Shipley Campus, located on Bridgnorth Road next to Gardenlands.

Ashley Rose, NSC Shipley Campus Manager

Shipley whether it is for Animal Management or to brush up your IT skills, please come along to our upcoming open events.”

The Shipley Campus offers both full-time and parttime courses with Animal Management and Floristry being the most popular.

NSC Shipley is hosting an Advice and Guidance evening on Wednesday 30th August 4pm8pm, where Ashley and the tutors will be available to discuss any questions about courses or GCSE results.

Ashley Comments, “The campus is home to a wide range of animals including alpacas, ferrets, and many different species of reptiles. Anybody who would like to study at

The Shipley Campus also has an Open Day on Saturday 7th October 10-am-2pm. For more information, please contact Ashley on 01902 709840.

AUTUMN OPEN EVENTS

SHIPLEY CAMPUS, NEXT TO GARDENLANDS, BRIDGNORTH ROAD

Open Day - Sat 7th October 10am-2pm Taster Day - Friday 24th November • Study Animal Management at Level 2 and 3 • Dedicated Animal Care Centre with over 50 species including exotics and animals ranging from Rabbits to Alpacas. • Dog Grooming Facilities • Floristry Courses • Computer Courses • Apprenticeships in a vast range of subjects including Horticulture. Book your place on the Taster Day with Chloe Edwards Schools Liaison Coordinator via 01691 688087 or email c.edwards@nsc.ac.uk

01902 709840 WWW.NSC.AC.UK

Open Events 2017 Thursday 21st September 6pm-8pm

Saturday 7th October 10am - 12pm

Bilbrook (CE) Middle School admits students for Year 5 admissions 2018 and Year 7 admissions 2018. Limited places are available in other year groups, please contact the school to enquire.

Perton Middle School admits students for Year 5 admissions 2018 and Year 7 admissions 2018. Limited places are available in other year groups, please contact the school to enquire.

01902 840910 • www.bilbrookmiddle.com

01902 758244 • www.pertonmiddle.com

Thursday 28th September 11.30am - 1pm & 6.45pm

Thursday 19th October 6pm

Executive Headteacher’s address: 6.45pm in the Leisure Centre Sports Hall Codsall High School admits students for Year 9 admissions 2018. Limited places are available in other year groups, please contact the school to enquire.

Sixth Form Open Evening Codsall High School Sixth Form admits students for Year 12 and 13 admissions 2018.

01902 907560 • www.cc-hs.com

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Wolverhampton

Grammar School buildings wrap around the Junior School; how superb grounds, a sports centre and pavilion provide the perfect showcase for sport and how the use of green and open spaces offer the ideal setting for the development of creative and critical thinkers.

Wolverhampton Grammar School is a selective, independent school, located to the west of Wolverhampton. Families from across the West Midlands, Staffordshire and Shropshire choose the school because of its excellent reputation and mission to deliver education that transforms lives as well as minds. Founded in 1512, the school is an iconic local landmark and remains the top independent school in Wolverhampton. With over 500 years of exceptional education history, the school is still the first choice for parents who want approachability and a human dimension to education. Large enough to be able to offer an experience like no other and yet personal enough to adapt to suit the ambitions and interests of every child. The school provides education with a personalised curriculum full of academic and extra-curricular opportunities. Providing this experience to boys and girls from Year 3 through to Year 13 (ages 7 – 18) with students coming from all kinds of backgrounds and cultures. Their knowledge 136

and skills are diverse, and are a source of strength and richness to the school that partners with a range of local, national and international organisations. The School was recently inspected by The Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) as part of their programme of regular inspections required by the Department of Education. Their inspection reported on the School’s educational quality and compliance, focussing on the quality of the school’s work, academic achievement and the personal development of the students. Schools are rated on a scale from ‘unsatisfactory’, ‘sound’ to ‘excellent’. Wolverhampton Grammar School was found to be ‘excellent’ in all areas. Read more of the report at http://wgs.org.uk/blog/ wolverhampton-grammar-schooljudged-excellentin-all-areas/

The school accepts applications to the Junior, Senior School and Sixth Form throughout the year and there are a number of Scholarships and means-tested Bursaries available. As a selective, independent school all applicants (for Years 3 – 11) are asked to sit an assessment/ entrance test relevant to their year of entry. Applicants to the Sixth Form are also invited to meet with the Head of Sixth Form. Students go on to achieve great things and have their pick of the best Russell Group and International Universities. The school also has a thriving worldwide alumni community of thousands in over 30 countries. The school actively encourages all applicants to visit and experience their approach to learning and it’s famously welcoming atmosphere. To arrange a visit, taster or discover day or to register for an Open Day contact: Jane Morris, Admissions Registrar, Wolverhampton Grammar School, Compton Road, Wolverhampton WV3 9RB tel: 01902 422939, email: jam@wgs-sch.net or visit the website www.wgs.org.uk for more details.

The 23 acre school site blends stunning original architecture with creative, innovative learning spaces. Walk through the school and you will see how the Senior and Sixth Form wolverhampton west magazine

Independent Day School for Boys and Girls Junior School ages 7-11 Senior School ages 11-16 Sixth Form ages 16-18

WOLVERHAMPTON GRAMMAR SCHOOL JUDGED “EXCELLENT” IN ALL AREAS BY THE INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS INSPECTORATE

Looking for the best independent education? With outstanding GCSE and A Level results, there is only one choice.

School Open Day

Saturday 7th October, 11am - 3pm

Year 3 Open Day Saturday 11th November, 10am-1.30pm To arrange a guided tour or to learn about one of our open events please contact Mrs Jane Morris, Admissions Registrar tel 01902 422939 or email jam@wgs-sch.net “This is a remarkable school. The atmosphere we encountered as we walked round with a succession of delightful guides was smilingly friendly. There is a real feeling of happiness.” The Good Schools Guide

www.wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk

01902 421326 www.wgs.org.uk Wolverhampton Grammar School Compton Road Wolverhampton WV3 9RB

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A brief

History

of Newbridge

PreParatory School In 1946 the school became an incorporated company – Wolverhampton PNEU School Limited and in 1949 moved to its current site in ‘The Laurels’ at 51 Newbridge Crescent.

Newbridge PNEU Uniform days

80 Years Old in September 2017 The Homelands PNEU (Parents National Educational Union) School was founded in September 1937. Started by a local surgeon, Mr Robert Milnes-Walker, the school opened in Connaught Street with just four pupils. Word spread and the school numbers grew, necessitating a move to larger premises in Park Road West in Wolverhampton.

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By 1954 the school was thriving, a very happy community held together by a close knit and dedicated staff lead by Miss Hedy Joss who was instrumental in changing what was essentially a dwelling house into an efficient functioning school. This was recognised by the Ministry of Education and the school would hold its own as one of the best preparatory schools in the United Kingdom. Subsequent Headmistresses, Miss Olive Harvey, Miss Marilyn Coulter, Mrs Barbara Pring and the school’s current Head, Mrs Sarah Fisher, continued to take the school forward. It is as a result of their efforts and those of the current enthusiastic staff that the school was rated as excellent in all categories by the Independent Schools Inspectorate in 2016 – the highest possible accolade. The school has never looked back and continues to grow

whilst retaining the ‘Newbridge Family’ ethos of which it is justifiably proud. The school has a considerable standing in both Wolverhampton and within the educational community nationwide. Newbridge Preparatory School is currently rated 24th in the UK by The Sunday Times Independent Preparatory School league table (Based on Year Six) SATS. To celebrate the school’s 80th Anniversary, the school is holding a Summer Ball on Saturday 23rd September. Parents, pupils (aged over 18) and staff both past and present are invited to join our Newbridge family in this celebration of 80 years of outstanding education. If you have or have had an association with the school, you are invited to join us. Please contact the school office on 01902 751088 for further details.

wolverhampton west magazine

Current Newbridge pupils looking to the future

Newbridge when it moved to the Laurels

Newbridge 1946

Please contact the school office on 01902 751088 for further details. www.wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk

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Learn to Swim with South Staffordshire’s Award Winning Swim Academy What’s more, those who enrol get: • FREE swimming for those that pay by Direct Debit • FREE Success Tracker • Online Home Portal to allow parents to track their child’s progress easily • One to one lessons available on request (extra charge)

South Staffordshire Council’s leisure centres have recently been awarded the STAmark Gold which is an STA accreditation recognising high standards of swimming teaching. The swim academy offers:

Make a Splash this October Half Term From Monday 23rd – Friday 27th October, South Staffordshire Council’s leisure centres are providing activity camps for children aged 5-12 years old. Camps are available for half day, full day or extended days. To find out more visit www.sstaffs.gov.uk/leisure

• High quality swimming tuition at affordable prices • Lessons from 3yrs up to adults • Beginners and non-swimmers to advanced standards • Good teacher/child ratios • Lessons run throughout the whole year to ensure continual progression • Assistants in the water to aid weaker classes and give additional support for swimmers

FREE Child Swim Pass Voucher valid until Friday 27th October 2017 Voucher offers 1 free swim during a public session ~ Voucher cannot be redeemed against swimming lessons ~ Child to parent ratios apply in the water – please contact reception for full details and for swimming times ~ 1 voucher per person, per offer ~ Voucher must be presented at reception Name……………………................................................................... Postcode……………………... Date………....................…………… Leisure Centre…………………...................................................... Wolverhampton West Magazine September/October 2017

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AFFORDABLE FITNESS WITH SOUTH STAFFORDSHIRE COUNCIL’S LEISURE CENTRES

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• Lessons from 18 months to adults • Beginners and non-swimmers to advanced standards • Badge schemes to provide continual encouragement and rewards • Lessons run throughout the year to ensure continual progression • One to one lessons available on request • Good teacher/child ratios with assistants in the water to support weaker swimmers • FREE public swimming included if you pay by Direct Debit

CHESLYN HAY LEISURE CENTRE CODSALL LEISURE CENTRE PENKRIDGE LEISURE CENTRE WOMBOURNE LEISURE CENTRE www.wolverhamptonwestmag.co.uk

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Photographs courtesy of Designer Photography

Social Scene

South Staffs Golf Club Tettenhall South Staffs Golf Club held a special social event on Saturday August 5th to celebrate their 125th Anniversary. The golf club is extremely proud of its heritage and wanted to celebrate in style.

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Members and guests were treated to a delicious meal from club caterers Angela and Nev Vukasovic, with entertainment provided throughout the meal by a fabulous magician, followed with dancing in the marquee to ‘soul singer’ Rosie O’Sullivan.

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A fresh approach to Dentistry

1. Tom Hewitt, Becky Lonsdale, Gill Bowers, John Mackie 2. Denny Aston, Keith Aston 3. Peter Baker, Judy Parr, Helen Baker, Nick Parr 4. Simon Cotterill, Wendy Cotterill, Liz Harris 5. Sheila Hadley, Bob Hadley 6. John Birch, Linda Birch 7. Lisa Terry, Steve Terry 8. Nicola Crane, Chris Crane 9. Helen Wilson, Debbie Varnish, Frank Wilson, Gill Sargeant, Ann Kibble 10. Jane Percival, Howard Percival, Jane King 11. Keith Hayes, Sue Gibbon, Kim Gammon 12. Lesley Salt, Sandra Aung, Josie Tennant 13. Sue Lebeau, Ann Kibble ,Alec Smith, Sue Wilkinson 14. Sandra Hilton, Richard Hilton 15. Philip Sims, Debbie Knowles 16. Sue Lebeau, Doug Lebeau wolverhampton west magazine

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Photographs courtesy of Designer Photography

Social Scene

Birchfield School Albrighton The annual Birchfield Ball was held in a marquee on the school grounds on Saturday 15th July.

With 165 guests in attendance the theme was a ‘Las Vegas’ Ball, with full casino entertainment, including Blackjack, Roulette tables and slot machines. Rat Pack singer ‘James Sings’ provided the entertainment and had guests dancing by 9pm! Caterers - Pear tree Farm provided an American-style themed menu.

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The event was organised by the Friends of Birchfield School. An incredible £11,300 was raised for school projects; one of which being a new cricket pavilion.

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A fresh approach to Dentistry

Sponsors for the event included: Codsall and Wergs Garden Centre, Willows Dental Practice and Berriman Eaton Estate Agents. 1. Gary Norton, Charly Cambridge 2. Hugh Myott, Kate Myott 3. Alex Heath, Vicky Flavell, Jade Colton, Debbie Cambridge, Clare Norton 4. Nick Malenko, Jade Colton, Royston Blythe 5. Wes Fellows, Peter Snowdon 6. Caroline Gautier, Jeff Gautier 7. Dominic Johnston, Jacqueline Johnston 8. Show Girls 9. Rebecca Petty, Louise Bolton, Jacqueline Johnston 10. Rebecca Wood, Dawn Kidd, Andrew Wood 11. Miles Hommers, Sarah Hommers, Peter Hommers, Harriet Hommers 12. Alexandra Powell, Marie Lycette-Parkinson, Jane Prichard, Suzie Harding 13. Clare Agarwag, Victoria Attwood, Dimple O’Gorman 14. Louise Hunter, Blayne Partridge 15. Claire Lawrence, Tori Hammond 16. Iain Anderson, Vickie Barchha wolverhampton west magazine

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Photographs courtesy of Crescent Imaging

Social Scene

Molineux Stadium Wolverhampton WIRE Awards deliver a night to remember.

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Proud businesses from across the City of Wolverhampton packed out WV1 at Molineux Stadium for the inaugural Wolverhampton Independent Retail Excellence (WIRE) Awards on Tuesday 18 July 2017. The sell-out celebration was led by Wolverhampton Business Improvement District (BID) in partnership with the City of Wolverhampton Council. The evening, which saw twelve businesses scoop awards, showcased the quality, strength and diversity of independent retailers in the city and raised money for charity, Promise Dreams, on the night. Find out who the winners were at www.wireawards.co.uk

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A fresh approach to Dentistry

1. Tom & Sue Vater, (front centre) with the team from Blooms Menswear 2. Chris Bourne, John Henn, (Both members of Wolverhampton Bid) 3. K erry Anne Tonks, Caroline Richards, Lillian Constable, Jessica Richards, Victoria Richards, Lewis Miles, Stephen Richards, Adam Chapman, Shirley Fletcher, Barry Constable 4. Andre Slater, Benn Davis, Vicki Slater, Fay Slater, Hayden Brookes, Rich Smeeton 5. Carl Williams, John Henn, Sham Sharma, John Reynolds, Isobel Woods 6. Heather Ernstsons, Jason Poole, Steve Morton, Susanne Winmill 7. Beverley Bird, Dicky Dodd 8. Marcus Swain, Sarah Swain, Michelle Bridger, Jason Page, Aine Plimmer, Connell Freeman, Neil Wyatt, Scott Bernard, Nichola Pote, Vicky Parry 9. Rachael Jones, Carl Jones 10. Sarah Allington, Becky Foster, June Wagstaffe, Eleanor Gray 11. Jan Denning, David Roberts 12. Richard Brown, Elaine Brown, Patrick Eastwood 13. Suresh Bawa, Steve Bull 14. Sarah Dean, Cheryl Walters, Mandy Taylor, Sam Taylor, Chloe Hall wolverhampton west magazine

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Photographs courtesy of Crescent Imaging

Social Scene

South Staffs Golf Club Tettenhall Wolverhampton Grammar School held their annual Leaversâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Ball at South Staffs Golf Club on Friday 30th June 2017. They welcomed 115 students and staff to dinner followed by a disco. The evening was a great success and enjoyed by all.

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1. James Millichamp, Toby Hughes, Nigel Crust

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A fresh approach to Dentistry

2. Nic Anderson (Deputy Head), Kathy Crewe-Read (Head Teacher) 3. Maisy Gee, Charlotte Cocker, Chloe Hampton 4. Morgan Colley, Amelia Bywater, Max Rumble, Hal Wilson-Bett 5. Olli Hampton, Matt Bill, Tom Wassermann 6. Dan Adams, Oliver Stanley, Max Rumble 7. Emma Parlane, Ellie Watson, Caitlin Graham 8. Ajay Chandel, Eve Hoffman, Divjot Reshi 9. Scarlett Rushton, Lydia Bridgewood, Tayla Bales 10. Holly Langston, Beth Cartwright, Francis Crawford-Clarke, Tom Genner, Alex Nightingale 11. Gjurav Gaind, Manraj Dhillon, Karam Baden, Omair Ali, Rahul Suman, Aaron Bachra 12. Joe Timmins, Jonnie Frith 13. Alastair Winning, Ollie Hampton 14. Diana Ward 15. Liz Harris, Petra Grigat-Bradley wolverhampton west magazine

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Photographs courtesy of Crescent Imaging

Social Scene

Copthorne Hotel Merry Hill Over 100 people attended a Black Tie event held at the Copthorne Hotel Merry Hill. The night included a 3 course meal, silent auction, raffle and disco. The Summer Ball was in aid of local childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s charity, Promise Dreams and raised a magnificent ÂŁ1,600 for the charity.

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1. Joy Birks, Caroline Hickman, Tracy Lester, Ami Bevan 2. Kele Morris, Tracey-Ann Hibbett (Event Organisers)

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A fresh approach to Dentistry

3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15.

Dan Smith, Nikki Rowley, Claire Felton, Westley Felton Ginny Weaver, Beverley Bull (Organising Committee) Abi Crumpton, Sarah Davies, Lucy Edwards, Kirsty Jones Alison Danks, Steve Tayler Laura Taylor, Aaron Wellings Jodie Millard, Chloe Millard, Sue Crump, Jim Allder, Barry Millard, Sharon Millard Karen Smith, Helen Stanton, Sandra Fisher, Anna Hunt, Kimberley Holthan, Liz Richards Brad Jones, Sarah Bytheway, Glenys Payne Natalie Mounsey, Susanna Brooks, Laura Gibbons Charlie Verlander, Dean Verlander, Andrew Clayton, Toni Bennett, Ray Ransley, Charlotte Ransley, Rebecca Groves, Chris Groves Debbie Tomlinson, Mark Tayler Sandra Fisher, Florence Burdi Stephen Rycroft (Copthorne General Manager), Craig Matharu wolverhampton west magazine

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Iconic LC at Lexus Wolverhampton Rob Taylor grabs an early drive in the last word in luxury from Lexus Wolverhampton, the brand-new LC. I arrive loaded with anticipation and acutely aware of what a privilege it is to be afforded the chance to drive the new Lexus LC. I’m also struck by my strong perceptions of the luxury brand – that is to say that I presume to know Lexus already. Throughout my day it becomes abundantly clear that I don’t and, moreover, that Britain’s car-buying public don’t either. New Sales Manager Sacha Noble touches upon this shortly after I am received into the flagship dealership on Bilston Road. He’s interested to see how I perceive the Lexus brand, how this dealer experience matches my expectations. I tell him that Lexus is parent company 154

Toyota’s luxury arm, a big player in the U.S market; it is synonymous with Hybrid technology and CVT transmissions in the UK; it traditionally provides strong residual values for customers, and that since the early 1990s the company has built a formidable reputation for vehicle reliability. And that already I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the warm welcome from his friendly team of staff and by the overall relaxing feel of the showroom, which is entirely at odds with many other premium car retailers – I even jest that their ethos is as cold as the steel edifice in which they work. But Sacha’s shop isn’t like that – he’ll even allow fans to come into his showroom to take photos of the cars. Lexus Wolverhampton is nothing like the norm. Sacha himself is a genuine car enthusiast with a background in luxury and performance car sales; a wellspring of knowledge. I learn all sorts of stuff – how Lexus employs master

craftsman – in Japanese they are the ‘Takumi’ – to hand finish its cars (which seems entirely against Toyota’s ethos of automated production); how rare the LC will be in the UK (they’ll be around 300) and how to quickly identify a hybrid LC from its V8 twin (look at the colour of the Lexus badge upfront). We both agree that there should be a lot more Lexus vehicles on UK roads, but changing perceptions can be tough. Often inherited and absorbed subconsciously, our attitudes and opinions are usually written upon us against our will. Marketing is, of course, key to this. To paraphrase William Burroughs, the merchant of premium cars doesn’t sell his product to the consumer, he sells the consumer to his product. In a nutshell Mercedes Benz, Audi et al shout loudest. But things are changing – and about time too. I’ve long held the belief that Lexus offers consumers an untapped gold mine of riches. And the LC shows wolverhampton west magazine

optional Mark Levinson sound system with 12.3” Multimedia screen (£1,000). Interior craftsmanship is peerless and enough to leave many other premium brands red-faced, especially given the relatively keen pricing: this range-topping LC costs £85,895, and unlike its rivals Lexus gives you almost everything asstandard, so don’t expect optional extras to push prices through the roof.

off said riches better than anything else from the stable. Brimming with cutting-edge tech (it’s the first Lexus to use a Lithium-ion battery) and stuffed to the gunwales with style and elegance, this is the halo model to end all others. It is the summation of exactly where Lexus is right now, pointing to where it’s going next. Stunning to behold from every vantage point, the angular styling drips luxury from every exquisitely finished panel. It uses lightweight aluminium for the bonnet, wings and doors and you can spec a carbon fibre roof. With a petrol-electric Hybrid engine (of course!) that has a 295 bhp V6 at its heart, this Grand Tourer provides a user-friendly total output of 354 bhp. It comes in various guises – Luxury, Sport etc – but the version I have here is Sport+. This is the pick of the litter, especially for fans still pining after the mythical LFA (watch closely how the digital dials dance for shades

of the long-dead V10 colossus). This variant adds a limited slip differential, rear-wheel steering and active aerodynamics (read: pop-up spoiler): so far, so sporty, however, this is no Nissan GT-R. Yes, it’s full of technology but it’s not a weapons-grade Nurburgring-attack vehicle. The LC is a refined cruiser, built to monster miles in supreme comfort (it is Librarian-quiet at high speed), not blitz time-trials. There are many different driving modes, one for every mood in fact. You can interrupt the automatic transmission by poking paddles, but you won’t want to. In fact despite being more than capable of handling a twisty B-road, the LC is in its element in loping A-road conditions: it gifts to its passengers Sybaritic levels of comfort – from infinitely adjustable seats clad in sumptuous Alacantara fabric and copious living space to a high-end analogue clock and an

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A keen performer in the city with the electric motor chipping in, it is especially swift from standstill – covering 0-60 mph in 4.7 seconds. It feels wieldy and useable too, never too low or large for tight gaps or gnarly parking spots. Watching the optional Full Colour Head-up Display (£995) project onto the onrushing tarmac is never tedious. And neither is the much-maligned CVT transmission: now thoroughly sorted for performance and featuring a 10-speed set-up, it is an incredibly adept performer that allows the beefy V6 full room to breathe, providing a thrilling soundtrack. Japan has a history of sticking it to the big motoring manufacturers: Mazda’s MX-5 showed MG how to build a roadster; Honda’s NSX taught Ferrari a thing or two and now there’s the LC. From what I’ve seen, you can forget about BMW and Audi, this Lexus is good enough to scare even Aston Martin. Lexus Wolverhampton, Bilston Road, Wolverhampton WV2 2QE. Tel: 01902 690042 www.wolverhamptonlexus.co.uk

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NEW 67 PLATE LEXUS AVAILABLE TO ORDER

EXPERIENCE AMAZING AT LEXUS WOLVERHAMPTON Bilston Road, Wolverhampton WV2 2QE 01902 690 042 wolverhampton.lexus.co.uk Lexus range fuel economy figures: extra urban 36.2-70.6 mpg (7.8-4.0 L/100km), urban 17.5-68.9 mpg (16.1-4.1 L/100km), combined 26.2-68.9 mpg (10.8-4.1 L/100km). CO2 emissions 251-94 g/km. The MPG figures quoted are sourced from official EU-regulated test results. They are provided for comparability purposes, and may not reflect actual driving experience. The MPG figures quoted are sourced from official EU-regulated test results. They are provided for comparability purposes, and may not reflect actual driving experience.

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WOLVERHAMPTON

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OVER HALF A CENTURY IN THE MOTOR TRADE

AUTOSALES

A GENUINE FAMILY FIRM

Welcome to Autosales, three generations of the same family have nurtured this business and built it up to what it is today. With over half a century of experience in the motor trade, the firm is still owned and run by the son and daughter of the original directors.

range. In 2007 a second dealership was added when Autosales Suzuki Cannock in Progress Drive, Bridgtown opened its doors. Autosales were delighted to receive a 20 year long service award from Suzuki four years ago in 2013.

Autosales was formed in 1958 by the parents and grandparents of todays owners and in 1993 when the company relinquished the Rover brand, which they had held for 30 years - they took on the new Suzuki franchise.

Autosales want their customers to visit the dealerships safe in the knowledge that they will be treated properly, fairly, honestly and feel comfortable throughout their visit; whether it be to buy their new car, or to have it serviced or repaired by one of their highly skilled Suzuki-trained technicians.

Backing their confidence in the Suzuki brand and their products, the Bilston dealership has seen considerable investment over the years and now boasts a twelve car showroom, meaning they can display the whole Suzuki new car 158

Autosales Suzuki strive to give a personal approach along with total commitment to the needs of each individual customer, and endeavour to meet the needs of customers in a way that they would find acceptable themselves.

This approach is proven to work with many of their loyal customers coming back for over 40 years, now bringing their children and even grandchildren to buy as well.

Autosales is immensely proud of its staff and takes great satisfaction in that many have been with the company for so many years. This is very important because they know that customers like to deal with people that they have created a relationship with and whom they can trust to look after their motoring needs.

Stephen Kibble (Managing Director), Debbie Varnish (Company Secretary)

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THE ALL-NEW

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Autosales Suzuki Bilston

Vulcan Road, Bilston, Wolverhampton WV14 7JW 01902 402233 www.suzuki.co.uk/autosales

Autosales Suzuki Cannock

Progress Drive, A34 Bridgtown, Cannock WS11 0JE 01543 431360 www.suzuki.co.uk/autosalescannock

Model shown: Swift 1.0 Boosterjet SZ5 SHVS petrol manual at £14,499 on the road plus metallic paint (£485). *Available to UK, Channel Island and Isle of Man private retail customers aged 18+, subject to status. You will not own the vehicle, the vehicle must be handed back at the end of the term. Further charges may be payable depending on the condition/mileage when the vehicle is returned. Excess mileage charges apply at 7.56p per mile. Model shown: Baleno 1.2 Dualjet SZ3 petrol manual at £9,999 on the road (metallic paint available at £485); this price includes £2,000 customer saving. **£2,000 customer saving available on SZ3 model only. £1,500 customer saving available on SZ-T and SZ5 models. †Price based on Baleno 1.2 Dualjet SZ3 petrol manual OTR (excluding metallic paint but including £2,000 customer saving). *SZ-T and SZ5 models only. Model shown: S-Cross 1.4 Boosterjet SZ5 ALLGRIP petrol manual at £21,749 on the road (metallic paint available at £500); this price includes £2000 customer saving. *Based on S-Cross 1.0 Boosterjet SZ4 petrol manual OTR (excluding metallic paint but including £2,000 customer saving). †£2,750 customer saving available on DDiS models only. £1,000 customer saving available on petrol models. Additional £1,000 customer saving across the range for current Suzuki customers. Model shown: Ignis 1.2 Dualjet SZ-T petrol manual including metallic paint. *Available to UK, Channel Islands and Isle of Man private retail customers aged 18+, subject to status. You will not own the vehicle, the vehicle must be handed back at the end of the term. Further charges may be payable depending on the condition / mileage when the vehicle is returned. Excess mileage charges apply at 5.94p per mile. Vehicle must be returned in good condition to avoid further charges. Offers available to UK, Channel Island and Isle of Man private retail customers on vehicles ordered and registered between 1st July and 30th September 2017 from participating Authorised Suzuki Dealers only. Offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer unless otherwise stated. Provided by Lex Autolease Limited trading as Suzuki Contract Hire registered in England and Wales number 1090741. Registered office: 25 Gresham Street, London EC2V 7HN. All prices, specifications and offers correct at the time of going to print, and may be withdrawn or amended at any time.

Oﬃcial fuel consumption for the SUZUKI range in mpg (litres/100km): Urban 42.1 (6.7) - 68.9 (4.1); Extra Urban 55.4 (5.1) - 83.0 (3.4); Combined 49.5 (5.7) - 78.4 (3.6). CO² emissions for the SUZUKI range are 131 - 84g/km.

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Service You Can Trust PAINT AND BODY REPAIR SPECIALISTS

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INDEX OF ADVERTISERS

Airport, Transfers & Executive Travel Image Luxury Travel 106 Perton & Bridgnorth Travel 67 Audio & TV Acoustic Boutique 47 Bathrooms Carvers 21 Eaton Kitchens 31 Kitchen & Bedroom Technique 39 37 MBH Builders Beauty Salons Heaven Skin Care 97 109 Stacey J Beauty Clinics – Cosmetic Cosmetique Aesthetic Clinic 105 Beds & Bedroom Furniture Cousins 8/9 Merridale Furnishers 13 Bedroom Wardrobes (fitted) Dream Doors 33 Kitchen & Bedroom Technique 39 Blinds, Curtains & Shutters Merridale Furnishers 13 Val Hever Blinds 37 Boiler Service & Installations Butco Heating 43 Building Services & Contractors MBH Builders 37 PEJ Construction 51 Three Pines 29 Business Services Wolverhampton Science Park 73 Butchers Allan Bennett 66 66 Poxons Caravan Accessories Cannock Caravan Accessories 68 Car Body Repairs Elite 160 Care Services Carerbooking.com 127 Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning Specialists Touch Dry 55 57 Zero Dry Time Carpets & Flooring - Supply & Fit Premier Carpets 34 Sandford Carpets 25 37 Virgo Carpets & Interiors Car Sales & Service 159 Autosales Charles Clark (Lexus) 156/157 Mercedes-Benz of Wolverhampton 163 Chiropody & Podiatry Tom Casey 124 Cleaning Services – Interior & Exterior Able Facilities Services 61 DCS (Drive Cleaning Services) 59 RC Cleaning Services 59 Composite Doors Doorsmart 53 Computer Services Finchfield IT 64 Delicatessen Corbelli 67 Dentistry Parkdale Dentures 121 Parkdale Implants 2 Diet & Slimming Cambridge Diet 117

Driveways MBH Builders 37 51 PEJ Construction Resindrives.co.uk 19 Education Codsall Community School 135 Newbridge School 138/139 North Shropshire College 135 Wolverhampton Grammar School 137 Electricians & Electrical Contractors Central Electrical Contracts 49 Excel Electrical Contractors 55 37 MBH Builders Estate Agents Berriman Eaton 11 Fashion & Retail Aristocats 102/103 Fencing & Gates Profence 60 Financial Advisors Midland Independent Financial Services 14/15/72 Fireplaces & Stoves Flaming Fires 16/17 Wolverhampton Fireplaces 13 Firewood Black Country Firewood 65 Fitness & Leisure Centres Chris Jewkes Fitness 101 South Staffordshire Leisure 141 Furniture & Furnishings Cousins 8/9 Merridale Furnishers 13 Ralvern 40/41 Sofa Factory Outlet 35 Virgo Carpets & Interiors 37 Gaming & Entertainment Casino 36 83 Garage Services HiQ Tyres 153 Garden Design Boningale Garden Creations 63 Gardening & Landscaping Lealans Garden Centre 62 Glazing Repairs Blakes Glass & Glazing 58 Golf Clubs South Staffordshire Golf Club 95 Hairdressers Salon 27 104 Health Care Cover Paycare 129 Hospices Compton Hospice 123 Hospitals – Private Nuffield 111 Hotels Copthorne Hotel 90 Mount Hotel 79 Park House Hotel 91 Italian Deli Corbelli’s 67 I.T. Media & Communications Concero 133 Jewellers T.A.Henn 6/7 Kitchen Doors - Replacement Dream Doors 27

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Kitchens - Supply, Design & Fit 23 Bespoke Kitchens Dream Doors 27 Eaton Kitchens 31 Kitchen & Bedroom Technique 39 37 MBH Builders Lawn Tennis & Squash Clubs 107 Wolverhampton Lawn Tennis and Squash Club Legal Services Manby Bowdler Solicitors 131 Letting Agents Berriman Eaton 11 Lighting 49 Lighting R Us Model Agencies Model Onaway 106 Music Lessons M2K Music School 64 64 Rick Hampton Opticians Taylor Biddle 113 Orthopaedic Surgery Wolverhampton Hip & Knee Clinic 125 Markets Penkridge Market 69 Painters & Decorators Kevin Jackson 61 Photography Crescent Imaging 106 Designer Photography 106 Plumbing & Heating JB Plumbing & Heating 61 MBH Builders 37 Restaurants/Pubs Casino 36 83 90 Copthorne Hotel Cowshed 77 Flamingo Pink 91 87 Halfpenny Green Vineyards Mount Hotel 79 Park House Hotel 91 The Oakley Arms 85 The Shrewsbury Arms 85 84 Wombourne Tandoori Skip Hire Wolverhampton Skip Hire 60 Taxis ABC Cars 67 Theatres The Grand Theatre 164 Tiles & Interiors Heart of Stone 36 Tile Choice 5 Tyres HiQ Tyres 153 Vein Clinics Simon Hobbs 119 Vineyard & Craft Centre 87 Halfpenny Green Vineyards Wallpaper, Paints & Decorator Accessories S J Dixon & Son 25 Wedding Venues Copthorne Hotel 90 Davenport House 75 Mount Hotel 79 Park House Hotel 91 Windows, Conservatories, Orangeries Tettenhall Windows 23 161

M ercedes - B en z

celebrates double win

at 2017 Auto Express awards

Mercedes-Benz has won two awards at this year’s Auto Express awards. The C-Class Cabriolet was named ‘Best Convertible’, while S-Class won the ‘Best Luxury Car’ accolade. The C-Class Cabriolet was praised by the judges for its luxurious cabin and stylish looks, while the S-Class stood out thanks to its comfort and innovative technology.

luxurious cabin, superb refinement and stylish looks. It drives well, too, and its efficient range of engines means there’s no need to sacrifice fuel economy and emissions in this desirable drop-top.” Krishan Bodhani, Head of smart and Product Management, said: “The S-Class remains the very pinnacle of the Mercedes-Benz brand, it’s a showcase of the very best in comfort, luxury and technology. We introduced the

C-Class Cabriolet last year, and it’s already proving to be a big hit with customers thanks to its wide choice of engines and stylish looks.” Peter Smith, General Manager of Mercedes-Benz of Wolverhampton added “What an amazing accolade for MercedesBenz with a double win at 2017 Auto Express awards? Why not take a test drive for yourself. To book, simply call us on 01902 427897 today.”

Steve Fowler, Editor-in-Chief, Auto Express, commented: “The Mercedes S-Class is a serial winner at our Awards, but this year it had some of its toughest challengers yet. However, the fantastic mix of imperious ride quality, cosseting comfort and dazzling levels of tech means it still sits at the very top of the luxury car class.” On the C-Class Cabriolet’s win, he added: “The Mercedes C-Class Cabriolet sets a new benchmark in the convertible class, with its

Mercedes-Benz of Wolverhampton, Penn Road, Wolverhampton, West Midlands WV2 4HD 162

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The S-Class Cabriolet

Call us on 01902 276977 to book a test drive. Mercedes-Benz of Wolverhampton Penn Road, Wolverhampton WV2 4HD Call us on 01902 276977

Model shown is an S-Class Cabriolet. Official government fuel consumption figures in mpg (litres per 100km) for the S-Class Cabriolet range: urban 16.5(17.1)-23.7(11.9), extra urban 31.7(8.9)-40.4(7.0), combined 23.5(12.0)-32.5(8.7). CO2 emissions 272-204 g/km. Official EUregulated 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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163

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THE SPIRIT OF ALOHA IN CONCERT

BOOK ONLINE 164

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