BEN SHEPHARD
EDITOR’SVIEW
AbigwelcometothisspecialissueofBirminghamLiving.Christmaswouldn’tbe Christmaswithoutallthefood,drinkandmerrimentthatgoeswiththefestive seasonandwe’vegotplentyofthatinourpagesthismonth.
LeadingthewayisourBigGiftGuide–alwaysmuchlovedbecauseunlikesomanyotherguidesyou canfind,wetrytofocusonandsupporttheindependentshopsandbusinesseswhicharethelifeblood ofourcity.
Inourpagesyou’lldiscoverdozensofgiftideasfromthesmallesttrinketstothemostextravagantofferings aswellascreativepresentsthatgivemuchneededhelptocharitiesandthearts–allofitcompletelylocal. WhatbetterwaytocelebrateChristmas!
Ourresidentexpertshavealsobeenbusysearchingouttheirtopfestiveselections.BirminghamWine School’sKatieGardnerhasbeenlookingattheperfecttipplestogowithChristmasandNewYear’sEve fare–red,white,roséandfabulousfizz!Meanwhile,green-fingeredAdamKirtlandhasmadehisownlist ofgreatpressiesforthegarden-loversinyourlife.
Lastbutnotleast,ourStylesectionisreadytopartywithloadsofglamideasandtipstolookamillion dollarsatthosecrackingget-togetherswithfriendsandfamily.Sogoforit,girls–andguys! IhopeyouenjoyreadingthisChristmasissueofBirminghamLivingasmuchaswedidputtingittogether. Whereveryouareandwhateveryou’redoingoverthefestiveperiod,enjoyandstaysafe.
MerryChristmastoyouall–andseeyouagainintheNewYear!
DavidJohns
EDITOR: DavidJohns david@brumliving.co.uk
FEATURESEDITOR: ShelleyCarter shelley@brumliving.co.uk
DESIGNER: TracyDuffy
CONTRIBUTORS: SueCooke,KatieGardner,AdamKirtland ACCOUNTMANAGER: JaneMorris jane@brumliving.co.uk
PHOTOGRAPHY: DavidMorphew,AndrewLlewellyn.Imagelibrary:shutterstock.com
PUBLISHINGDIRECTOR: JonathanCarter
RockHopperMediaLimited BurleighHouse,23TagwellRoad,DroitwichWR97BN tel 01905771110 ©RockHopperMediaLtd. BirminghamLivingispublishedmonthlybyRockHopperMediaLtdandprintedbyBuxtonPress.Viewsandopinionsexpressedbyauthorsandservicesandproducts offeredbyadvertisersarenotspecificallyendorsedbyRockHopperMediaLtd.ReproductioninwholeorinpartofthecontentsofBirminghamLivingwithoutwrittenpermissionisstrictlyprohibited.
SUBSCRIPTIONS: Thesubscriptionrate(postpaid)is£24foroneyear(12issues).Subscriptions01905771110ISSN2051-8560
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Highlights
News
Bringingyouthebrightest,mostcolourful storiesfromacrossthecitythismonth
BenShephard
TV’sThisMorningstaronwhysupporting HelpHarryHelpOthersmeanssomuch
ShonaghMurray
DesigneronherfirstcollectionatLondon FashionWeekandimpressingDragRacestar
Food&Drink
Festivenews,reviewsandtopwinepicks forChristmasDayandNewYear’sEve
Style
It’spartytime!Andthatmeansembracing someseriousglamourandswagger,girls!
TheBIGChristmasGiftGuide
OurfamousChristmascrackerisback, andit’sbiggerandbetterthanever!
BestoftheRest
28 52 57 60 64 66
Health
Oh-Oh-Ouch!It’snotjustSantathatmight besufferingfrombackpainthisChristmas…
FromtheChristmasPottingBench
Green-fingeredexpertAdamKirtlandbrings youhistopgiftsforthegardenersinyourlife
BusinessNews
Allthefestivenews,views,comingsand goingsfromthecommercialcommunity
SocialScene
Fund-raisersforKids’Village,Midlands AirAmbulanceandBuddyBagFoundation
What’sOn
Bestofthecity’stopfestiveshowsand gigsinourround-upofmust-seeevents
UpClose
WithRalphMinott,masterplanningand developmentdirectorofCalthorpeEstates
BEVADDS CRIMBO SPARKLE
BirminghammusiclegendBevBevanswitched onthisyear’sMillenniumPointChristmas lights.Bev,afoundingmemberofTheMove andElectricLightOrchestra,andhiswife, singerJoyStrachan-Brain,pushedtheplunger thatfiredupthe2024decorations–including agiant39ftChristmastreefeaturing21,000 lightsand1,500baubles.Thetreetookateam of12morethan10hourstoerectand providestheperfectphotobackdropforthe thousandsofvisitorsexpectedatMillennium PointovertheChristmasperiod.
JUNIORBALLETBOOST
BirminghamRoyalBallethaswonamajorfundingawardfromJerwoodFoundationin supportofitsjuniorcompany,BRB2.The£100,000grantissplitovertwoyearsandwill support15dancersandthedeliveryoftworegionaltoursofanewballetprogramme.
BRBdirectorCarlosAcostasaid:“BRB2isattheheartofourmission todevelopemergingtalentandservesasavitalbridge enablingyoungdancerstomaketheimportanttransition fromtrainingtocommencingtheircareersas professionaldancers.”
BRINGINGYOUTHEBRIGHTEST ANDMOSTCOLOURFUL STORIESFROMACROSSTHE CITYEACHMONTH
NIGHTMARKETRETURNS
SecretSpace,Digbethisallsettosparkle astheNightMarketUKreturnswithits ChristmasspecialonFriday6December. Themarketfeatures70makers, creatives,smallbusinessownersand vintagevendorswithlocallysourcedand curatedfestiveofferings.There’salso extrastreetfoodoptions,abiggerbar andaliveDJ.NightMarketUKfounder andcreativedirectorBeccSanderson said:“We’reexcitedtoreturnto Digbeth.Whatbetterreasontoshop, snackandsipthenightaway!”
FIVE-STARCRACKER
Anattractionwhichearnedfive-starreviewsonTripAdvisor hasreturnedforathirdyearatHattonCountryWorld’s WinterWonderland.Newtothisyear’sEnchantedChristmas KingdomisMrHolly’sFestiveFriendsShowwhichwill entertainfamilieswithfestivejoyandmysteryinadditiontoa diversevarietyofanimals.Otheractivitiesincludethe3D GlowingForest,aninteractiveNorthPolepostalstation, visitingFatherChristmasinhisgrotto,gingerbreaddecorating withMotherChristmasandreindeerfoodmaking.
DAME’SMANHUNT
DameSarahtheCookisonthehuntforamantotakepartinBelgradeTheatre’spantomime DickWhittington.Ticketholderscannominatetheirhusbands,bosses,brothers,dads,colleagues andfriendsforachancetoappearonstageduringtheshow.DameSarahsaid:“I’meagerto findaverynaughtymanwhocanhelpusfightKingRatandhisarmy.Ipromisehe’llhavelotsof fun!”Thepantorunsto4January.Nominations–with‘PantoNomination’inthesubjectlineof youre-mail–to:helpoutpanto@belgrade.co.uk
CRICKETCHAMPS
Warwickshire’sUnder-15sgirlsunderlinedtheirpotentialas someofthemostexcitingyoungtalentinwomen’scricketaftera 2024seasonsawthemgounbeaten.Theachievementpointsto apromisingfutureforthenewly-formedBearsWomenasthey preparefortheirdebutseasonnextsummer.TheUnder-15swere crowneddoubleregionalcupwinnersafterliftingboththe40overandT20trophies.FaisalShahid,headhigh-performance coach,said:“Thegirls’andwomen’sgameisonlygoingtogo fromstrengthtostrengthwiththefacilitieshereatEdgbaston.”
FESTIVE TOATEE
LocalbusinessPunksandChancershas launchedafestiveT-shirtfor Christmas.TheFELIZNAVIBABglitter teesareorganiccotton,ethically tradedandmadeinfactoriesthat ‘don’tmesswiththeworkers’rights’. They’rescreenprintedinBirmingham usingwater-basedveganinks.What’s more,£5fromeveryteegoestoSIFA tohelpBrum’shomeless.Visit: punksandchancers.co.uk
BirminghamBotanicalGardensisbringingafantasticfeeltothefestiveperiod withamile-longlighttrail.TheLuminateattractionallowsvisitorsofallagesto weavetheirwaythroughthegardensasdarknessfallsandfeaturesstunning lightelementsandinteractivelightplayallsettoabeautifulsoundtrack.Newthis yearisaninstallationfeaturinghundredsofroseswhichwillbeilluminatedtoa medleyofmusic.Luminaterunsuntil1January,withtwoeveningson2and9 Decemberespeciallyforvisitorswithfour-leggedfriends.
SIRALANHONOURED
Sub-postmasters campaignerSirAlanBates hasreceivedanHonorary DoctoratefromCoventry Universityinrecognition ofhisquestforjustice.Sir Alanhasbeenthedriving forcebehindhundredsof formerpostmastersand mistressesfightingtoclear theirnamesafterbeing wrongfullyconvictedin theHorizon/PostOffice scandal.SirAlanaccepted thehonourwatchedby universitystudentsata specialceremonyat CoventryCathedral.
LIGHTS FANTASTIC LUCKOFTHEDRAW
WIZARDSHOW
BOAGroup’sChristmaspanto,theWizardofOz,isup andrunningattheOldRep.Theproductionforallthe familyisonstageuntil31December,andisdirectedby LornaLaidlaw,aprofessionaldirectorandactress.BOAhas alsoannouncedthatactressandcomedianJaniceConnolly willbejoiningtheCreativeTeamasComedyDramaturg. Janiceisbestknownforperformingstand-upcomedyas hercharacterBarbaraNice–andbeingaBirmingham Livingcovergirl!
LANDINGALANDIE
MidlandsAirAmbulanceCharity’sbiggesteverraffleprize,a LandRoverDefender,hasanewowner–andhelpedraise £45,500forthelife-savingservice.BrianHodgettsfrom Alcesterwaschosenatrandomasthewinnerofthefirstprize 2014LandRoverDefender.Brianisalong-termsupporterof thecharityandadedicatedfanofLandRovers.Thecarwas originallydonatedtoMidlandsAirAmbulanceCharityby JaguarLandRover.Moneyfromtherafflewillfund27lifesavingmissionsbythecharity’sadvancedclinicalteam.
Seemslikewe’rea luckylotinthe Midlands!New researchintothe NationalLotteryhas namedourregionas thehighestforLotto winnerswhohave scooped£50,000and overintheUK.The teamatOnlineBetting Guiderevealedthat datashowedwehave morethan6,300major winners–wellaheadof thesecond-placed SouthEast,withthe NorthWestrounding outthetopthreeareas. Londonrankedmidtableinthetop10with Walesatthebottom.
NOVELJOURNEY
Theincrediblejourneyofan85-year-oldwhite womanrebornasa23-year-oldBlackOnlyFans modelisthethemeofadaringnewnovelby BirminghamauthorKieren-PaulBrown.N-Word blendshistoricalfiction,thriller,eroticaand psychologicalintrospection.“ThoughN-Wordis layeredwithsocialcommentary,Ididn’tsetoutwith anagenda,”hesaid.“Myparamountgoalisalways tocreateastorysoengrossingthatthereaderfeels likethey'relivingthroughmycharacters’journeys.” N-WordisavailableatAmazon.
MADEINBRUM
Anewdisplayexploringthe characteristicsofBirminghamandwhat itmeanstobeshapedbythecityisat theheartofthelatestphaseof BirminghamMuseum&ArtGallery’s reopening.MadeinBirminghaminthe IndustrialGalleryincludesitemssuchas thegiantlogofromthedemolishedHP Saucefactory,asignfromtheEagle& Tunpub(madefamousinUB40’sRed RedWinevideo)andamodelshowing anabandonedvisionofwhatCentenary Squaremighthavebeen.
GOTANYNEWS? Emailyournewsand picturestoeditor@brumliving.co.uk
REINDEERTRAIL
Santa’sreindeerhavearrivedinBirminghamaspartofasculpturetrail.Using aspecialmaptolocateallninecitycentrelocations,familiescantrackdown Dasher,Dancer,Prancer,Vixen,Comet,Cupid,Donner,BlitzenandRudolph forselfiesandtosupportBirminghamChildren’sHospitalcharity.The ChristmasReindeerTrailisapartnershipbyCentralBIDandartstrailexperts WildinArt.FourofthesculptureshavebeensponsoredbytheFrankfurt ChristmasMarket,Hortons’Estate,BirminghamChildren’sHospitalCharity andIceSkateBirmingham.
CANDLECONCERT
Thefirst-everCandle-litConcertisbeingheldbyWolverhamptonSamaritans toremindusallthatnooneshouldhavetofeelalone.Allarewelcomefor thecommunityfestiveeventon12DecemberatStPeter’sCollegiate Church.TheconcertwillfeatureperformancesfromAnthemVoices,ahighly regardedlocalchoir,alongsidetheaward-winningBandofSt Gregory’s.Tickets,£10peradult,£5forchildrenunder12, from:https://samaritanscommunity.enthuse.com/cf/christmas-bycandlelight---community-fundraiser-fo
Picture:DavidRowan/BirminghamMuseumsTrust
BENAND HARRY
THISMORNING’SBENSHEPHARDRECOUNTSAMEETINGWITHA REMARKABLE10-YEAR-OLDBOYFROMSHELDONTHATCHANGEDHIS LIFEANDBROUGHTHIMEVENCLOSERTOTHECITYTHATSHAPEDHIM
BenShephardsaysanunforgettablemeetingwitha10-yearold‘funny,gigglyboy’changedhislife.“Iwashostingan eventforSeveBallesterosBrainCancerFoundationin 2010.HarryMoseleywasthekeynotespeakerinfrontofover1,000 guestsatthishugeeventfullofcelebrities,professionalgolfersand millionairebusinessmen.Hehadthewholeroomtransfixedtelling hisstory,andhehadmeinfitsofgigglesallnightwithhischeeky laughterandteasing.”
TheTVpersonalityknowntomillionsasthepresenterofITV’s ThisMorningaddsthatforsomeonesoyoungandfacingsuchan uncertainfuturetobesofullofjoy,humourandwide-eyed enthusiasmwaslikenothinghe’deverexperiencedbefore.“Hereally didchangemylife,”saidBen,whowastobecomeanambassadorfor theHelpHarryHelpOthers(HHHO)children’scancercharity,set upinitiallybyHarryandcarriedonbyhismumGeorgieafterthe youngsterfromSheldonpassedawayattheageof11.
HANDS-ON
Whilethere’snothingnewabouthigh-profilecelebritieslending theirnamestogoodcauses,helpingtogeneratepublicityand much-neededfunds,Ben’smissionwithHarry’scharityis different.It’smuchmore‘hands-on’.Asanambassadorforthe charity,Benhastakenoncountlesspersonalphysicalchallengesto raisemoneyforHHHOaswellasbeingthehighlyvisible,always availablefrontmanandchampionatmanyevents.Theseinclude theopeningofthepioneeringHHHOdrop-incentreatStechford whichprovidespracticalhelpandsupportformorethan1,500 familiesaffectedbytheimpactofchildcancerontheirlives.
ThelatestinitiativewhichBenishelpingpromote istheClubHarry’s#IAmHarryChristmascampaign toencourageregularmonthlysubscriberstothe charity.Bensaid:“WhenHarrysetuphisfoundation, GeorgieandHarryaskedmeifI’dliketobean ambassador,anditwasaveryquick‘yes’.Being aroundHarrywastofeelalivetothepossibilityof anything.Tobeasmallpartofthatjourneywasand stillisaprivilege.Ilovesupportingeverythingtheydo inHarry’smemory,beingapartofeventsandfundraisers,joiningchallengesandgenerallysharing Harry’svision.”
BenhassomeseriousrootsinBrumgoingback years.ThoughborninEpping,Essex,hestudiedat theUniversityofBirminghamwhereheearnedaBA Honoursdegreeindance,dramaandtheatrearts–andalsomethiswifeAnnie.
BESTTIMES
Herecalls:“Ilovedmytimeasastudent.Fromlife ontheValeinHallstolivinginSellyOak,itwasthe besttimeinmylife.ImetmybestmatesinBrum,my wifeinBrumandhavingfamilyrootstheremadeit feelallthemorespecial.Thecityhaschangedalot sincewewerethere.ButtheDilshadinSellyOakwas ourcurryhouse.Ifweweren’tthereatleastthree
TofindoutmoreaboutsupportingHelpHarryHelpOthers fromaslittleas£3eachmonth,visithhho.org.uk/ Usethe#IAmHarryhashtagtosupportandsharenewsof thecampaignonsocialmedia.
timesaweekwe’dgetwithdrawals.WelivedinThe OVTinSellyOakandaftergoingtoanyoftheclubs intown,ifwedidn’tvisitMrEgg,thenthenight wouldn’tbecomplete!Whodoesn’twanteggand chipsafteranightout!”
Benisstillinvolvedwiththeuniversityaspartof thealumnimentoringprogramme.Hesays:“It’s aboutofferingadvice,supportandencouragementto undergrads.ThestudentsI’mworkingwithareso motivatedandfarbrighterthanIeverwas.I’m incrediblyproudofmyconnectionwithBirmingham Uniandtobeabletomeetsomeofthestudentsand seehowmuchtheyaregraspingthatopportunity,and seewhattheyaregoingthroughnow,isasmall reminderofmyexperiencewhichstarted30yearsago –it’sgreatbutdoesmakemefeelveryold!”
TVCAREER
Ben’scareerintelevisionbeganworkingasa runnerfortheWeatherNetworkinHockley.Hewent ontoworkasthehostofChannel4’steenTVreview programmeControlFreaks,beforebecominga presenterforMTV,Channel4’sTheBiggerBreakfast, PlanetPop,andSundaymorningshowT4.
NowlivinginLondon,Bensayshelovesreturning tothecitythathasbeensuchabigpartofhislife.“I reallylovewalkingaround.WhenIcametouni they’djustpedestrianisedNewStreetandnowit’s incrediblewhatthey’vedonearoundtheBullringand citygenerally.It’sagreatcityandIstilllovethe JewelleryQuarter,asthat’swhereIstartedworkasa runnerandgotatasteforTV.”
Ofthe#IAmHarrycampaign,Bensaid:“Theidea ofitistohighlighttheimpactHarryhashad–andis stillhavingonthosehemet,inspiredandmore importantlysupported.Whetherasupporter,ora serviceuserthesepeopleareallHarry’s.”
JoiningBeninsupportingthecampaignarefellow ‘famousBrummies’andThisMorningco-hosts, AlisonHammondandCatDeeley.“Alisonknowsall aboutHarryandhasmethismumGeorgieona numberofoccasionsandbothsheandCatarevery proudBrummies,”saidBen.“Harryrepresentsthe verybestoftheMidlandssoit’sveryeasyforthemto hearabouthimfrommeandimmediatelywantto lendtheirsupporttothe#IAmHarrycampaign.” ■
MAGICALMOMENT: BenwithhisheroHarry
STATEMENT KNITWEAR
WECAUGHTUPWITHFASHIONDESIGNERSHONAGHMURRAY AFTERSHOWINGHERFIRSTCOLLECTIONATLONDONFASHION WEEKFORHERETHICALKNITWEARBRAND,SHONE
WhenShonaghMurraywasapproachedby FashionCrossoverLondon–an organisationthatchampionsemerging designers–aboutputtingaconceptcollection togetherforLondonFashionWeek,shewasthrilled andsurprised.Shonaghdoesn’thaveformalfashion trainingsodidn’thaveanyexpectationsandthought thelackoftrainingleftheronthebackfoot–actually,theoppositewastrue.
Shonewasselectedfromtheshortlistandthe designersaysitwasarealconfidenceboost.Industry professionalsfeltthatherlackoftrainingwasabenefit ratherthanacurseallowingShonaghtobefree, unconstraintbyrules.Shemakesmistakesandlearns fromthemandsays:“Youdon’tknowwhatyoudon’t know.”Shone’sconceptcollectionwasplayfuland nostalgicdrawingonNinetiesreferencesraisingasmile.
FITFORAQUEEN
Inanotherpinchmemoment,Shonagh’sunique designsalsocaughttheeyeofTheVivienneofRu Paul’sDragRacefame.Thequeenapproached Shonaghaboutcreatingagownforrunwayknitwear weekontheAllStarsversionofthehitshow.
Shonaghsays:“I’mabigfanofDragRaceandIwas
watchingtheshowwhenIreceivedthemessagefrom TheVivienne.Itwasmyfirstexperiencedoing editorialwork.Itwashighfashion,andIlovedit.It wasaprivilege.”
TohaveTheVivienneinherhouseforfittingswasa bitsurreal.AlthoughShonaghdidn’tkeeptrackofthe numberofhoursshespentcreatingtheshow-stopping gown,ittooksixweekswithmultiplehoursperday,so itwasasignificantcommitment.TheViviennewent ontowintheepisode,soitwasallworthit.
PLANTBASED
Shonagh’srouteintofashionhasbeen unconventional.Shebeganknittingin2017when shewashospitalisedforaperiodoftime.Shesays:“I neededsomethingcreativetokeepmegoing.Ibegan knitting.Itwastherapeuticandcalming.”Theyarn keptgettingchunkierandShonaghkeptpractising untilshefoundheruniquecrochetlaceeffect.
Asaveganandsomeonewholivesamindful sustainablelifestyle,usinganimalwoolwouldn’t havemadeShonaghhappy,soshesourcedan alternativethat’skindtotheenvironment. Sheusesaplantbasedbio-nylonthat biodegradesbetweenfiveand10years.
Itdoesn’tcauseplasticpollutionandismadeusinga closedloopsystemre-usingwater.It’salsoincredibly softandnotatallitchy.Shonagh’swellawareofthe massivenegativeimpactthefashionindustryhason theenvironment–itsfootprintisbiggerthan aviationandshippingcombinedandshe’skeennot tocontributetothat.Shonehasbeenawardedthe VeganSociety’sVeganTrademarkwhichisglobally recognisedacrossmultipleindustries,including textilesandfashion,aswellasfood,drinkand cosmetics.TheTrademark’srigorousstandards makeiteasierforconsumerstomakeinformed purchasingdecisions.
CHUNKYKNIT
MakingtheleapfromhobbytolaunchingShone beganonInstagramwithherfirstchunkyknit cardigan.Shonaghsays:“Ialwaysdesiredacareer making,somymindwasopentothat.WhenI postedsomepiecesonsocialmediatheygotalotof interest.”Sheadds:“Thebusinesshasbeenrunning foracoupleofyearsbutproperlyfromthebeginning ofthisyear.IsoughthelpfromthePrince’sTrust
GETSOCIAL
FollowShoneonInstagram@shone.coandcheckoutshonedesigns.com
Birminghamwhosupportmewithfinances,business plansandgeneralmentorship.”Shonaghsaysthat socialmediaisbothablessingandacurse:“It’sa trickyplace.SomeofthebestopportunitiesI’vehad havecomefromsocialmedia,butyoucanputalotof hardworkandeffortintowhatyoupostthennotget theengagementyou’dlikeandthatcanbe disheartening.Youjusthavetoworkouthowtouse iteffectively.”
BRUMMIEINBRISTOL
HavinggrownupinBirmingham,Shonaghnow livesinBristolwhichsuitsherlifestyleandethos.She explains:“There’safocusonsustainabilityand veganismandalotofopportunitytomeetother creativepeople–artists,photographers,musicians, models.Creativitybreedscreativity.”
ShesaysBirminghamwillalwayshaveaspecial placeinherheart.“Growingupinthecitywas vibrantandmulticultural.It’shelpedmeconnect withlotsofdifferentpeople.Abigpartofmy childhoodwasgoingtotheragmarketwhich probablygotmeexcitedabouttextiles.”
Nextyearlooksasexcitingasthisonefor Shonagh.Shewouldliketodoafewmoreshows, spendmoretimeonherreadytowearcollectionas wellascouturepiecesandemploysomeone. ■
Tellusaboutyourcooking
BeingbornandraisedinNaples,Iamdeeply connectedtomySouthernItalianheritage,somy cookingisfilledwithMediterraneantraditions,but withatwistandatouchofinnovation.Iloveboldand contrastingflavours,usinganarrayofspicesandrich sauceslikeragùandbéchamel.
NaturallyIloveworkingwithourfantastic suppliersatBigMamma–havingsuchexcellent Italianproduceisalwayssuchaprivilege,while pairingthemwithseasonalBritishingredientsto elevateasimpleItaliandishisveryinteresting. Theseclassicrecipeswithfunadditionsare somethingwehavetriedtocreateatLaBellezza–suchasourhomemadepiciservedinarich,but spicedlambandSanMarzanoragu.
Howdidyoubecomeachef?
Myculinaryjourneybeganattheageofeight, thankstomygrandmother.Sheinvitedmeintothe kitchentohelppreparefamilymeals,immersingmein everyaspectoftheprocessandignitingmycuriosity aboutcooking.BythetimeIwas13mypassionforthe kitchenwasblossoming,leadingmetoapplytoa culinaryschool.ImovedtoTuscany,whereIlearned manyofthetechniquesIstillusetoday.
Mygreatestinfluenceshaveundoubtedlybeenmy grandmotherandafewpioneeringchefswhomade theirmarkontelevision,suchasAntonino Cannavacciuolo.DuringmysummerjobsinNaples,I hadtheprivilegeoflearningfromtruemasterswho taughtmetheartofpizzadoughmaking.These mentorsnotonlyimpartedtheirculinaryskillsbutalso instilledinmethededication,commitment,and patiencerequiredinthekitchen–qualitiesthatare essential,especiallywhenyouconsiderthatpizza doughcantakeupto36hourstorise!
Whatdoyoueatathome?
Pasta,pasta,pasta!Inallitsshapes!There’snothing quitelikearich‘pastaalforno’togetcosyinthe winter.OneofmyabsolutefavouritesisPastaalla Genovese.Thisdishholdsaspecialplaceinmyheart, butitrequiresasignificantamountoftimetoprepare, sooftenitisbestmadeonarelaxedSundayasthe perfectlunchtoenjoywithfriendsandfamily.
Who’sthebestchefintheworldandwhy?And who’sthebestinBrum?
MassimoBotturaofOsteriaFrancescanaisachefI admirehugely.Heisalwaysevolvingandremainsat theforefrontoftheculinaryworldasatruepioneer, notjustwithinItaliancuisinebutglobally.Ialsohave greatrespectforLukeTipping.WhileIhaven’tyethad thechancetodineatSimpsons,Ideeplyadmirehis workandwouldlovetoexperiencehiscooking.
Shareacookingtip
Ihaveneversharedthisbefore,it’satreasured familysecret!ButtomakeherversionofGenovese,my grandmotheraddedapinchofbakingsodatomakethe onionscreamier.Thislittletricknotonlyenhancesthe texturebutalsoelevatestheoverallflavour.
Whatwasyourfavouritefoodasakid?
Pizzahasalwaysbeenmyfavourite!Icouldnever saynotoaclassicMargheritatoppedwithmozzarella dibufalaandplentyoffreshbasil.
Foodheavenandfoodhell?
Heavenisallaboutpizzaandpasta.Helliswhen Italianrecipesaremisinterpretedordistorted.Ilove whenpeopleembraceItaliancooking,butyoureally doneedtosticktotraditions.Takecarbonara,for example,it’sallaboutthosesimple,wonderful ingredients:guanciale,eggs,PecorinoRomano,and blackpepper.Whenpeopletossinchickenandheavy cream,itmightmakeforacreamydishbutittotally missesthatauthenticvibe.
What’sthemostunusualthingyou’veeaten?
ProbablycricketsinMexico!
Ifyouweren’tachef,whatwouldyoube?
Acareerthatinvolvesworkingcloselywithpeople. Beingsurroundedbyothersisessentialtomyidealjob. IthriveinenvironmentswhereIcanconnect, collaborate,andcreatememorableexperiences,much likeIdointhekitchen. ■
LaBelleza,TwoChamberlainSquare,Paradise, Birmingham,B33AX
SHOWTHELOVE, GETSAUCY!
Handsup,whobuyscranberrysauceinajar?Well,don’tÁbecausemakingit yourselfcouldn’tbeeasierortastier
Christmasisallaboutthelove.Thisyearwhy notshowyourlovedonesjusthowmuch youcarewithsomedelicious,homemade cranberrysauceratherthanthemiserablestuffina jar.Andthispowerfullittlewinterberryis consideredasuperfood,agreatsourceofvitamins andantioxidants,helpingkeepyournearestand dearesthealthythisfestiveseason. ■
INGREDIENTS
■ 100glightmuscovadosugar
■ 100mlorangejuice
■ 250gpackfreshcranberries(orfrozenifyouprefer)
■ Largepinchgroundallspice
■ Largepinchgroundcinnamon
Optionaltomakeitproperfestive:
■ 25mlport
■ 25mlcidervinegar
METHOD:
Tiptheingredientsintoapan,stirandbringtotheboil.Then simmerforaroundeightto10minutesuntilthecranberriesare tenderbutstillholdingtheirshape.Thesaucewillthicken asitcools.Itshouldkeepinthefridgeforaboutaweek. Ontheday,bringtoroomtemperaturebeforeserving.
SHORTS NI BBLESand
BIRMINGHAM’SBARS,RESTAURANTSANDHOTELSAREBUZZINGWITHEXCITING,NEWVIBES. HERE’SOURINSIDERGUIDETOTHELATESTNEWSFROMTHECITY’SEATERIESANDDRINKINGDENS
MILLHOUSEMAGIC
BrownsBrasserie&BarSuttonParkhasopeneditsdoorsfollowinga£1.5millionrefurbishment.PreviouslyaToby Carveryrestaurant,the18thcenturymillhousehasbeenrenovatedtopayhomagetotheGradeIIlistedbuilding’s history,whileintroducingrelaxedandelegantinteriors.Originalfeatures,suchasthe17thcenturyfrontdoororiginally fromWorcesterCathedralandtheoldmill’sleatwatercoursewhichrunsthroughthecellar,havebeenretained.
ITALIANCHIC
Afternearlytwodecadesasa cornerstoneofBrindleyplace’sdining scene,Piccolinohasunveiledan exciting£900,000refurbishment.The renovationisinspiredbythechic restaurantsofMilanandfeaturesa centrepiececocktailbaraswellasa winterterraceofferingayear-round authenticTuscanal-frescodining experience.AndrewGarton,CEOof IndividualRestaurants,said:“After nearly20yearsinBrindleyplace,itwas timetobringsomethingfreshand vibranttothetable.”
TWINE GETSWEAVING
LocalheritageandmodernBritishcuisinearebeing celebratedatTwine,anewdiningrestaurantatthe recentlyrestoredAnstyHallinWarwickshire.Twine drawsitsnamefromtheGeorgianmanor’shistoryasa huboftheweavingindustrywhenCoventry’sribbon tradeflourished.LedbyexecutivechefRyanSwift,the eateryhighlightsfreshlocalingredients.
“Ourmenureflectsthecraftsmanshipofthe Warwickshireregionwitheachdishdesigned tobringfamiliarflavourstolifein unexpectedways,” saidRyan.
BUFFETCOMEBACK
FamilyfavouritetheBoar’sHeadnearAlexanderStadiumhasunveiled anewlookwhichseesbuffetcuisinemakeacomeback.Therestaurant, nowundertheownershipofhusbandandwifeteamchefRuchikaand Sal,offersanarrayofdishesinspiredbyglobalcuisines.Thecouple havemorethan50yearsofcombinedexpertise,havingworkedwith brandssuchasLasIguanas,TGIFriday,LochFyneandRedHotWorld Buffet.Thevenuecanaccommodateupto350guestsandincludesthe newlyrenovatedMaharajaSuiteprivateeventspace.
AFFORDABLEMISSION
BRAZILIANBLEND
SouthAmericanrestaurantFazenda Birminghamhasrelaunchedits Churrascodiningexperiencewithnew menuoptions.Therestaurantcontinues toprovideitstablesideserviceofgrilled meats,cookedinthetraditionof SouthernBrazil’sPampasregion.The churrascoexperienceincludesaselection of15grilledmeats,availableonboth lunchanddinnermenus.There’salsoa rangeofnewsharingdishesforgroups offourormore.Thewinelistincludes selectionsfromArgentina,Brazil,Chile andUruguay.
FLOODOFCHEERS
Japanesekitchen,YakinoriinNewStreethasreopeneditsdoors, twoyearsafteritwasforcedtocloseafterafloodinitsbuilding. Yakinori,whichissituatedneartheFloozieintheJacuzzi,marked theoccasionbyofferingKatsuCurriesfor£1toraisemoneyfor BirminghamChildren’sHospitalcharity.AliKarakaya,founderof YakinoriwhichhaskitchensinSolihull,SellyOakandBristol,said: “Weweredevastatedwhenourrestaurantwasfloodedthroughno faultofourownandwearereallypleasedtobebackintheheart ofthetown.”
AnewbarandrestauranthaslaunchedinDigbethHighStreet.RedcorcisthebrainchildoflocalbusinessmenChrisRedmondandKieranCorcoran andaimstobringbackaffordablesocialisinganddiningout.SetontwofloorsnexttotheO2Institute,thevenuehasundergonea£300,000 refurbishment.ChrisRedmondsaid:“Wedecidedtofillagapinthemarketwithanindependentvenuethathas‘affordable’atitscore.Ourfood platesstartfrom£4.95anddrinkspricesarekepttoaminimumtoo.”
VELLUTOBLANCO
That’sWhiteVelvettoyouandme–andtheperfectChristmassycocktail
Whynottrythisperfectwinter cocktailfromLuke Hampson,managerand mixologistatTavola,oneofthenewest additionstotheMidlands’diningscene. Adelightfulmixofchocolateandcoffee liqueurwithaddednotesoftoasted almonds,apricot,vanillaandahintof toffee–whatcouldbemoreChristmassy. Asalways,pleaseenjoyresponsibly. ■
INGREDIENTS:
■ AbsolutBlueVodka
■ 50mlMozartWhiteChocolateLiqueur
■ 25mlGallianoEspressoLiqueur
■ 25mlDisaronnoVelvet
METHOD:
Startbyfillingamartiniglasswithicetochill. Next,fillaBostonshakerwithice,addallthe ingredientsandshakevigorouslyfor30 seconds,strainintothechilledmartiniglass, dustwithcocoapowder–andenjoy
Tavola,44ClarendonStreet, Leamington,CV324PE.tavolauk.co.uk
TROPEA
Thiscouldhavebeentheshortestrestaurant reviewinthemagazine’s13-yearhistory.Ifwe weren’tconstrainedbyawordcount,itwould read,‘Tropeaisperfect.Doyourselfafavourandgo.’We dohaveawordcount,soprepareforsomegushing.
Firstly,theplaceiseffortlesslycoolwhile simultaneouslyfeelingcosy–nomeanfeat.Thefocusis onbeingagreatlocalrestaurant.Thevibeischilled,the staffarebrilliantandthefoodisutterlysuperb.Small platesarewhereit’satandtherestaurantrecommends sixtosevenbetweentwo.Wehappilydidasweweretold
whiletuckingintoacarafeofItalianwhite.
Amongmultiplecontenders,thefoodisthestarof theshow.Focacciawithsundriedtomatoand rosemarywasperfection–thinkcrunchysaltycrust withalightsoftmiddle.Arancinostuffedwith butternutsquash,sageandoozingprovolonecheese wasridiculouslygood.Burrataservedattheideal temperatureachievedpeakcreaminessandwas elevatedfurtherwithagrilledredpeppersauce,basil oil,hazelnutsandasprinklingofseasalt.Gnocchi withgorgonzola,confitsweetredonionandwalnut silencedus–that’sallyouneedtoknow.
MELT-IN-THE-MOUTH
Tagliatellewithshreddedduckwhitewineragu servedwithaheftyhandfulofparmesanprompted child-likecooingandaTuscanribollita–cavolonero andwhitebeanstewwithchunkycroutons–was dreamy.Melt-in-the-mouthporkcheekbraisedin sofritoandorangewithapotatorostiandsavoy cabbagecookedinwinecompletedthesavouryline-up beautifully.Dessertwasatoss-upbetweentiramisu, canoliandpannacotta.Tiramisuwithtwospoonswon –afittinglydeliciousendtoatop-notchlunch. ■
CHRISTMAS BESTWINEBUYS
Asthefestiveseasonbeginstogetintofullswing, it'stimetothinkaboutwinesthatwillelevate ourcelebrationsandbringjoytoourtables.For bothChristmasandNewYear’sEve,wineplaysan integralrole,notjustasacelebratorytipplebutasa complementtoseasonalfoodsandtraditions.So, whetheryou'retoastingtofamilyonChristmasDayor ringingintheNewYear,herearesomefantasticwine optionstoenhanceyourfestivegatherings.
ChristmasTraditionsandWine
TheclassicChristmasmealisalavishspreadof roastturkey,stuffing,richsides,andindulgent desserts,allofwhichpairbeautifullywitharange ofwines.Redswithdepthandcharacter,suchasa goodRiojaorBordeaux,areclassicchoicesto matchtheweightofthemeal.Whitewineswith brightfreshness,likeaSauvignonBlanc,canadda refreshingcontrasttorichfoods.And,ofcourse,no Christmasfeastiscompletewithoutabottleof somethingsparklingtokickthingsoff.
WinePairingIdeasforChristmasDinner
TochoosewinesforaChristmasmeal,consider boththeflavoursandthevarietyofdishes.Roast turkey,withitsleantexture,pairswellwithboth medium-bodiedredsandrichwhites.Ifyoufancy splashingoutabitthenBurgundyPinotNoir complementstheturkeywithoutoverpoweringit, whileaChardonnaycanbalancethecreaminessof saucesorsidedishes.Forthefestivepudsand desserts,asweetdessertwinelikeSauternesora rich,fortifiedwinelikeaTawnyPortisanexcellent waytofinishthemeal.
NewYear’sEve:Ringingin2025with Style
NewYear’sEvecallsforabitofglamourandis oftenacelebrationfocusedonquaffingand canapésratherthanfullmeals.ForNewYear’s, thinkbubbles.RoséChampagneisanexcellent choiceforpairingwithsnackyfoods,particularly shellfish.Ifyouarelookingforagreatvalue alternative,thenpickupabottleofCrémant–it’s basicallyChampagnebutfromadifferentregionin France.MyfavouritesareCrémantdeLoireor CrémantdeJura. ■
BirminghamWineSchoolisanindependentwine educationcompanythatoffersfuninformalwine tastingeventsandWine&SpiritEducationTrust (WSET)coursesonline,inBirminghamand Warwick.Formoreinformationpleasecontact KatieGardneron01212707359orvisit www.birminghamwineschool.com.
KATIE’S5FESTIVEWINE RECOMMENDATIONS
1.Sainsbury’sTastetheDifferenceChablis–£13 (Perfectforturkey,gooseandcreamysidedishes) ThisChablisisaclassicchoicethatbringseleganceandversatilitytothe table.Chablis,fromtheBurgundyregion,isknownforitscrispacidity andmineral-drivenflavours,whichmakeitanexcellentpairingfor lightermeatsliketurkeyorgoose,aswellascreamypotatoorroot vegetablesides.Thewine’sfreshcitrusandgreenapplenotescut throughrichflavours,keepingthepalaterefreshedthroughoutthemeal. Ifyou'reservingatraditionalChristmasturkey,thisChabliswillbea winningchoicetobalancethefeast.
2.M&SFoundTourigaNacional–£8 (Perfectforroastbeefwithheartysidesornutroast) M&S’sFoundrangeincludesthisexcellentTourigaNacional,agrape knownasthebackboneofPortuguesewines.Itdeliversexcellentvalue anddepthwithflavoursofdarkberries,plumandsubtlespices.The winepairsbeautifullywiththestrongerflavoursofroastbeefora vegetariannutroast,aswellassidedisheslikespicedredcabbageor roastedrootvegetables.TourigaNacionalhasamediumtofullbody, withsofttanninsthatbringwarmthanddepthtoawintermeal,making itastand-outchoiceforChristmasdinner.
3.WaitroseNo.1CôtesduRhôneVillages–£12 (Perfectforturkey,hamandrootvegetables) CôtesduRhôneVillageswinesarecelebratedfortheirversatility,and thisonefromWaitroseisafantasticexample.Richyetwell-balanced, thisredcombinesnotesofriperedfruitswithhintsofherbsandspice. Thesofttanninsandmediumbodymakeitalovelypairingwithturkey, stuffingandcranberrysauce,aswellasgamiermeatslikehamorlamb.
4.Sainsbury’sTasteTheDifferenceCrémantdeLoire–£12 (PerfectforyourNewYear’sEveparty)
AnelegantblendofChardonnayandthelocalCheninBlancvariety,both grapesarewell-suitedformakingtraditionalmethodsparklingwine.This winehasazestyfreshnesscombinedwithacomplexityonthepalatethat willfoolanyofyourguestsintothinkingitcostdoubletheprice!
5.Morrison’sTheBest10-Year-OldTawnyPort–£15 (PerfectfortraditionalChristmaspuddingorcheese boards)
Thisisanown-brandstealmadebyoneofthetopPort-producing dynasties.Richandstickysweetwithflavoursofraisinsandtoffee,it’s fantasticchilleddowninthefridge(althoughbeware,itmakesitmuch morequaffableat20percentabv!)andabrilliantfoiltopudsandcheeses.
•ThisismylastwinecolumnforBirminghamLivingasIpassthebottleonto someonenewtofillthesepageswithvinousdelights.Ithasbeenapleasureto exploretheworldofwinewithyouoverthepastfewyears.Cheers!
OH-OH-OH!
Hourshunchedoveryourdeskatwork,not warmingupproperlybeforeexercise, slouchinginfrontoftheTV…sound familiar?AlmostoneinthreeofusintheUKsuffers withsomekindofbackpain–itusuallyfeelslikean ache,tensionorstiffnessandcanbetriggeredby sittingbadly,bendingawkwardly,orlifting incorrectly.(BuddingSantasbewareofthoseheavy sackscrammedwithpressies!)
Painismostcommoninthelowerback,althoughit canbefeltanywherealongyourspine,fromyourneck downtoyourhips.Butitdoesn’thavetobethiswayand therearesomepreventativestepsyoucantaketoavoidit.
Herearejustafewthingsthatcanleaddirectlyto backpainthatarealsoeasilyavoided:
•Poorposture–Inourbusylivesthepostureswe adoptareoftensubconsciousandhabitual.Poorposture whilesittingcancausemusclesandtendonsto overstrain,leavingthemvulnerabletogoingintospasm.
•Improperliftingtechniques–Ifyouliftsomething withoutbendingyourkneesortwistwhilelifting,you putpressureonmanyofthestructuresinyourlower back.Aproperliftingtechniqueensuresalltheweight andpressureisdistributedthroughoutyourlegmuscles.
•Tightbuttockandhamstringmuscles–Yourlower backisvulnerabletoinjuryifyourbuttockand hamstringmusclesaretootight.Thesemusclesattachto yourlowerbackandsupportitwhenliftingsomething fromthefloor.Theyalsoabsorbtheforcewhenwalking.
•Poorcorestrength–Ourcoremusclesare responsibleforholdingthespineandpelvisupright. Thecorealsoprotectscertainstructureswithinthe spine,likediscsandligamentsfrominjury.Ifyourcore musclesareweakthenitcanleadtotoomuchforce fromaparticularmovementgoingthroughyourlower backcausingeitheraligamentsprainorslippeddisc.
•Inactivity–Generallackofmovementandexercise causesmanyofourlowbackmusclestolosestrength andforgethowtocoordinate,leavingusvulnerableto injuringfromjustsimpleroutinemovements.
•Misalignments–Thesecanbetheresultoflimping fromapreviousinjury,softmattresses,repetitive movementsandevenpregnancy.Misalignmentsofthe spinaljointsputspressureonthelowbackmuscles duringeverymovementyoumake.
USEITORLOSEIT
Inthepast,doctorsadvisedrestforbackpain,but mostexpertsnowagreethatlongperiodsofinactivity areactuallybadforyou.Backpaincanbeimproved, orevenpreventedbydoingsomegentle,regular activity.Andit’snotalwaysheavyexertionthatcauses backpain.Regularday-to-dayactivitiescancause frustratingtweaksandniggles.
Hereareafewtoptipsforavoidingbackpain:
•BeforegardeningorDIY…dosomewarming-up exercises.Remembertoalwaysworkwithinyourlimits andtakeregularbreaks.
•Ifyouwearhighheels…trytoonlywearthem whennecessary.Walkinginhighheelscantiltyour pelvistoofarforwardandplaceunnecessarystrainon yourlowerback.
•Bewaretheironing…mostpeoplehavetheir ironingboardtoolow.Makesureitisatwaistheightto minimisebackstrain.
•Whendriving…allcontrolsshouldbewithineasy reach.Ifyourvehiclehasanylumbarsupport,adjustthis toprovideagentlepressureagainstthelowestpartofyour back.Ifyourseatlackssupport,tryusingalumbarroll.
BEDTIMEROUTINE
Wespendnearlyone-thirdofourlivessleeping,soit’s importanttolookatyoursleepenvironmentand posture.Thesetipscanhelpreducethedevelopmentor occurrenceofbackpain:
•Sleepingonyourside–Thispositionleavesyour upperlegunsupportedandthetopkneeandthightend torestonthemattress.Thisrotatesthelowerspineand maycontributetobackpain.Placeapillowbetween yourkneesandthighstoprevent.
•Sleepingonyourback–Placingapillowunder yourkneescanhelpmaintainthenaturalcurveofyour lowerback.Asmallrolledtowelunderthesmallofyour backmayalsohelp.Youshouldsupportyourneckwith apillow.
•Sleepingonyourstomach–Thiscanbe particularlyhardonyourback.Ifitistheonlywayyou cansleep,youcanreducebackstrainbyplacinga pillowunderyourhipsandlowerabdomen.Ifapillow underyourheadplacestoomuchstrainonyourback, trynotusingone. ■
Sequindress£20, George
PARTY TIME!
THISMONTHYOU’LLFINDUSSWANNINGAROUNDBIRMINGHAM WRAPPEDINSUMPTUOUSFABRIC,CLUTCHINGAFABULOUSBAG ANDWEARINGAPAIROFSHOW-STOPPINGSHOES.YOU?
GLAM SQUAD
SEQUIN OMBRE
Copperombre sequinpuffsleeve shortdress£140, Scamp&Dude
HEAD TOTOE AND/ORgold sequinskirt £75andvest £59,John Lewis
OLDSCHOOL MULE
Featherheeledsandal £40,RiverIsland
FAUX FUR
Blackfauxfur coat£55,F&F
TOP TIER
Tiermididress
£100,Oliver Bonas
LITTLE BLACKDRESS
Sequindress£30, Peacocks
OFFTHE SHOULDER
Goldmetallicmaxidress£35.99,NewLook
Partyseasonisourfaveandwe’rediving headlongintothemadnessandembracingthe glamour.We’vetrawledtherailstobringyou somebrilliantpiecesthat’lladdabitofswaggertoyour partyseason.Toughjobbutsomeone’sgottodoit!
THEBWORD
TERRIFIC TEAL
Romeovelvettealembossed £170,EsskaShoes
FANCY FOOTWEAR
JimmyChooBing65embellished leathermules£850,HarveyNichols
Firstup,burgundy.Theredwinehueis inescapablethisseasonandfeelsparticularlyfestive. TomHollandandZendayadonningmatching burgundysealedthedealandensureditsstatusasthe colouroftheseason.Whetheryougoforafloor lengthgown,velvettrousersuitorflashesofthe mulberrymagicintheformofabagorshoes,you’ll bebangontrend.Checkoutthecorsetedminifrom HouseofCBorthesimpleslipdresswithlacedetail fromJohnLewis(pictured).Burgundybagsand shoesareplentifulandasalways,onthehighstreet Dune’sofferingisstrong.
HEAVYMETAL
Fromclutchbagsandheelstohead-to-toecoords,metallicishavingamoment.Abbey Clancy’scollabwithF&Ffeaturesagorgeously simplegoldslipdresswhileBecandBridge’s gunmetalgreylacetrimslipistopofthewish list.Ifyou’venevertriedonaBecandBridge gown,pleasedo.Wellmadeandbeautifullycut, thebrandhasneverletusdown.They’renot cheapbutwilllastandlast.Onthehighstreet, checkoutOliverBonasforcutebagsaswellasa sequintieredswishygolddressthatis particularlygood(pictured).
FANTASYFOOTWEAR
Shoescanshiftthemoodofyouroutfitand boostyourconfidence.Checkouttheneutral embellishedJimmyChoomulethatwouldhave SJPswooning(pictured)orattheotherendof thepricespectrum,RiverIsland’sold-school fluffymuleisabitoffun.Ifyoupreferachunky heel,headtoEsskaforacoolretrovibe.
PRE-LOVED
Increasingly,pre-lovedoptionsgetbetterand betterandarewellworthalook.Youcanpickup someincrediblepiecesthatmightbeoutofyour pricerangebrandnewbutareaffordablesecondhand.Aswellastheobviousadvantagesofpreloved fortheenvironment,itallowsyoutopickup somethingunique.CheckoutCowinDigbeth whichispackedtotherafterswithtopvintagefinds.
FEATHER DETAIL
SLIP DRESS
Goldslipdress £22,George
MAXIMUM IMPACT
Jodiehaltersatinmaxi dress£110,Monsoon
BecandBridgeAmoraslacetrimmed satinmaxislip£330,HarveyNichols
TOP PICK
DANCING QUEEN
Redsequinstrappy dress£69,RiverIsland
LESSIS MORE
AFTER DARK
Clothingfrom Peacocks
Brownmeshdiamanteheeled sandal£40,RiverIsland
SPARKLE CITY
Pinksequinpuffsleeve shortdress£130, Scamp&Dude
IT’SA WRAP
ReneCaovillaChandelier crystalembellishedheeled leathersandal£1,550, Selfridges
WELL HEELED
Collyheel£110, Dune
CUTIT OUT
Longsleeve maxidress
£24.99, NewLook
BAGSOF STYLE
Primrosebag
£160,Dune
BEST VEST
PrimarkXRita Oraprintedcami £16,Primark
SHIP SHAPE
HouseofCB Loubellacorseted satinminidress £179,Selfridges
DOUBLE TROUBLE
ClothingfromF&F
ALLTHE FRILLS
HELLO BOW
COOL CARDI
Bowvelourcardi £22,George
Longdropbowearrings £12,Accessorize
NeedleandThread Valentinefrilled trimmini£350, Selfridges
CUTE COLLAB
PrimarkXRitaOra corsettiebackmini £20,Primark
SUITS YOU
Blacksequin jacket£29.50 andtrousers
£29.50,F&F
BLACK VELVET
Bag£39,JohnLewis
KITTEN HEEL
Goldsnakekitten heelboot£30,TU
JUMPSUIT
Blackvelvet jumpsuit£25,TU
MINI POUCH
Katlagoldminisemi-circle pouch£16,OliverBonas
BOOT CAMP
Kianaindark gold£170, EsskaShoes
BEAUTYUPDATE
‘TISTHESEASONWHENALLTHATPARTYINGAND
CHILLYWEATHERCANPLAYHAVOCWITHOURSKIN
Partyseasonisuponusmeaningallthethingsthat negativelyaffectourskinareservedupinabundance. Coldweather,alcohol,sugarandcentralheatingall playhavocandcanleaveskinlookingdullanddry.There’s littlepointhidingbehindafullfaceofmake-upifyourskin isn’tprovidingasmoothhydratedbase.Inadditionto drinkingplentyofwaterandtryingtogetadecentamountof sleep,we’vepickedoutahandfulofproducts/treatments that’llhelpkeepyourskinlookingtiptop. ■
1 2 3 4
1.SKINCEUTICALSFACIAL£145,DRANATHE SKINCLINIC,EDGBASTON
Bookafacialforthebeginningofthepartyseasonto ensureyourskinispreppedtoperfectionandanotherin earlyJanuarytorecover.WerecommendaSkinCeuticals facialwithDrAnawhichleftourskinfeelingsqueaky cleanandhydratedlikenofacialwe’vehadbefore.
2.ODACITÉCRYSTALCONTOURGUASHA–BLUESODALITE£40,CULTBEAUTY
Peakpuffinessthankstolatenightsandalessthanclean dietcanbequitethechallengeduringpartyseason. Regularlyusingyourguashaaftercleansingandwith yourregularfaceserum/oilthroughouttheseasonwill aidlymphaticdrainageandhelpkeepyoulooking fresherthanyoumightfeel.Wehaven’tgotthespace heretolistinstructionsbutdoyourresearchandpractice whatworksforyou.
3.DERMALOGICADAILYMICROFOLIANT£18, DERMALOGICA
Thegentlestofproducts,thispowdercleansbrilliantly banishingdeadskincellseffectively.Theproduct’s textureisalmostasfineasflourandfeelsnurturingon theskin.It’snotascrubinthetypicalsenseandwon’t stripyourskinofessentialoilswhichiswhyit’ssuitable fordailyuse.Itwillgiveyouasmoothbasereadyfor yourpartymakeup.
4.KIEHL’SMIDNIGHTRECOVERYCONCENTRATE MOISTURISINGFACEOIL£49(30ML),KIEHL’S, GRANDCENTRAL
Whenyouneedabigthwackofnourishment,thisdoesthe jobbeautifully.Applybetweencleansingandmoisturising beforebedandwakeuplookingfresh.It’sgotusthrough manyanoccasionwhenlookingtiredisnotoption–like thenightbeforeourwedding.Dreamystuff.
DRESS CODE
PARTYTIME
Clothingfrom
RiverIsland
Whatevertheoccasion,retainyoursenseof styleandadaptthedresscodetosuityou ratherthanbendingtofit.Investina timelesssuitthatcanalsobewornseparatelytogive youmaximumwearoutofit.Reisshassomegreat examplesasdoesPaulSmith.Teamthetrouserswith afineknittokeepthestylepointshighandpairthe jacketwithmorecasualtrousersorevenjeansif appropriate.Avelvetblazerisastaplethatcanelevate anoutfitfromordinarytofestiveinajiffyandworks inmostsituations.CheckouttheM&Sversion picturedwhichisasteal.Ifajacketisn’tessentialbut it’sstillasmartaffairconsideraslinkysilkshirtsuchas theSSDaleyexamplepictured.Nabyourselfapairof classicloafersorafreshwhitesneakerforamore relaxedvibeandyou’regoodtogo. ■
SOLEFULL
LITKNIT
Traffordmerino woolpoloshirt £98,Reiss
JimmyChooDiamondMaxi logoembossedlowtop trainer£525,Selfridges
ATTENTIONTODETAIL
Casablancaasymmetric doublebreastedwoolblendblazer£1,300 andtrousers£845, HarveyNichols
JACKETIN
TaylorWright dinnerjacket £53,Matalan
Velvettux £99,M&S
WOOLBLEND
Combowool blenddouble breastedjacket £328and trousers£168, Reiss
MAKEITCOUNT
SSDaleyElliotprint silksatinshirt£525, HarveyNichols
TWINKLETOES
Christian Louboutin
Dandysiago Strassvelvet loafer£1,250, Selfridges
TUXAWAY
Eaglecrystaldecanter£625,Deakin &Francis,deakinandfrancis.com
AllianceCoeursembellished9ktgold ring£2,795,HarveyNichols, harveynichols.com
PeppaPigdeluxebobble ride£39.99,Dobbies GardenCentre, dobbies.com
THEBIG Christmas
GIFTGUIDE 2024
JamesTSmithceramics from£25,SeventhCircle ArtworksandAesthetics, svnthcrcl.com
Ifyou’relookingforsome festiveinspiration,thenext10pagesare foryou.Featuring 70-plusgiftideas,ourguideispackedwithpresents for yourfavouritepeople. We’veincludedwebaddressestomake yourresearcheasy,butwherepossibleweurgeyoutogetoutandshopin person– retailerswillwelcomeyoursupport,plusthecityisa festivefeel-goodtreat rightnow,somakethemostofit.
Tartanpetjumper from£8,M&S, marksandspencer.com
HappyChristmas!
MonclerLestquilted jacket£1,300,Harvey Nichols, harveynichols.com
YESBABgold necklace£95, PunksandChancers, punksandchancers.co.uk
GiftvouchersatTOCASocialfrom £100,toca.social/gift-cards
Pinkfluffycat jumper£60, OliverBonas, oliverbonas.com
Cashmereneckerchiefinredberry andoat£68,Hedge, the-hedge.com
RelaxingspavouchersatSantaiSpa, ResortsWorldfrom£25to£200, gentinghotel.co.uk/santai-spa
RHSsecateurs £24.99,Dobbies GardenCentre, dobbies.com
DanielLopezLimitededitionFightingCocks-Pubfrom£120,SeventhCircle ArtworksandAesthetics,svnthcrcl.com
AppetitobyAlisonRanwell£27, Meze,mezepublishing.co.uk
Harristweedhipflask£20,theWhisky Shop,thewhiskyshop.com
Simpsonsgiftvouchers, variousprices, simpsonsrestaurant.co.uk
Yiayiaand Friendstruffleinfusedextravirginoliveoil 200ml£22.99, Selfridges, selfridges.com
RapidResponseapron£22.95, MidlandsAirAmbulance, midlandsairambulance.com
DirtyStopOutsGuideto1980s Birmingham£21.95,withaspecial collector’seditionalsoavailablefor £29.95,dirtystopouts.com
SterlingSilverZodiacSignet Ring(14x12mmOval,Dog) £400,Deakin&Francis, deakinandfrancis.com
Gardener’sAlmanac2025, £9.99,NationalTrust, shop.nationaltrust.org.uk
F1Arcade’sRaceand Refuelpackagefortwo people£90.Giftcardsare alsoavailablestartingat £25,f1arcade.com/uk/
SaintLaurentJamieXLsuede shoulderbag£3,480,Harvey Nichols,harveynichols.com
Colourblockgloves£18, Accessorize,accessorize.com
BigMammacookbookpacked withspeedyauthenticItalian recipes£25,fromLaBellezza orwaterstones.com
Signaturespadayfortwo £298,TheBelfry,thebelfry.com
SixbyNicogiftvouchersfrom£20, gifts.sixbynico.co.uk
Veganwheatfree Christmasbrowniebox £21.99for12, CutterandSquidge, cutterandsquidge.com
Brindleyplaceprint
£50,Brumhaus, brumhaus.uk/products /brindleyplace-classicpalette
BranchingOutbyPetraRöhrRouendaalsmokefiredceramic withmovable,detachable branchesasarms,suppliedwith aseparateoakbase£170,Lux Gallery,luxgallery.co.uk
GiftvoucherstowardsablissfulstayattheMarianResort andSpa,aSerenitySpaexperience,oramealatthe VIEWRestaurant,marianresortandspa.com
Christmasknitho-ho-ho throw£45,Next, next.co.uk
NormannCopenhagen fembowl£70,Kin Edgbaston,kinstore.co.uk
AESOPMorrocan Nerolishavingduet £67,Selfridges, selfridges.com
Membershipof BirminghamBotanical Gardensfrom£30, birminghambotanical gardens.org.uk
HariboRingbyDionKitson–solidsilverHaribo ringsealedwithinabagofsweets£60, IkonGallery,shop.ikon-gallery.org
AstonVillaOddballsCrestBoxerShorts£12,AVFC, shop.avfc.co.uk
BirminghamWineSchoolgift voucherfortastingsandcourses from£30, birminghamwineschool.com
Leathermediumtravelexplorer£299, Barbour,barbour.com
SelfridgesExclusiveMicroScooterMiniMicro FluxLEDscooter£88,Selfridges, selfridges.com
SimpsonsEureka cookeryschool experience£195, simpsonsrestaurant.co.uk
BitterOrange ChocolateCeramic HomeCandle £100,JoMalone, jomalone.co.uk
‘TistheSeasonpoetry £19.99,NationalTrust, shop.nationaltrust.org.uk
TheBelfry’s1960gin£65, availabletobuyatreception, TheBelfry,thebelfry.com
Personalisedphonecasefrom£17.99, CEWE,cewe.co.uk
Nameaseatforalovedone£250, BirminghamHippodrome, birminghamhippodrome.com/giveand join/individual-giving/name-a-seat/
Potternevase£79, NeptuneEdgbaston, neptune.com
SpaghettiJunction,RichardDavis–avisualportraitoftheiconicSpaghetti Junction.PhotographybyRichardDavis withanintroductionfromfellow photographerTomHicksandpoemsby HelenAngell£16,IkonGallery, shop.ikon-gallery.org
SelfridgesExclusive DriesVanNoten RocktheMyrrh parfum£260, Selfridges, selfridges.com
Marco’sVIP UltimateSteak Experiencefortwo £90, mpw.gifts/vouchers
Two-pieceSpencer Bearhatandmittens (0-3years)£12,M&S, marksandspencer.com
BirminghamCityFC umbrella£35,BCFC, clubstore.bcfc.com
AfternoonteaintheMadeleinebarattheGrandHotel–£35withteaor£45forasparklingversion,TheGrand, thegrandhotelbirmingham.co.uk/afternoon-tea
GiftticketstoIceSkate Birminghamwhichisopen until5January–earlybird pricesstartat£11, iceskatebirmingham.co.uk
BritishMotorMuseumAOK MiniPlushy£17.95, BritishMotorMuseum shop.britishmotormuseum.co.uk
Twinpackcoraland blueboxers£55,Frangipani, frangipani-style.com
BarbourXGanniwaxtotebag£235, Barbour,barbour.com
Christmascommissionsareopen,andImogenMorris canreplicatealmostanyimageoutofthreadfrom portraitsandpetstolandscapesinherDigbethstudio. Formoreinfovisitimogenmorrisart.com
Monawinesuede £170,EsskaShoes, esskashoes.com
TheSnowedInHamper£200, HarveyNichols, harveynichols.com
WBAgingerbreadman £9.99,WBA, shop.wba.co.uk
Homegintastingkitfortwo £35,ShakespeareDistillery, shakespearedistillery.com
Soko’sartisanbonbonselection£16(boxof12), SokoPatisserie,sokopatisserie.co.uk
Christmaspuddingbeanie £14,Accessorize, accessorize.com
ShakespeareInsult Generatorincludes150,000 mixandmatchinsultsinthe bard’sownwords£10.99, RSC,shop.rsc.org.uk
SunLoverbee hotel£22.99, StratfordButterfly Farm, butterflyfarm.co.uk
Christmasmacaroon giftboxfrom£13,MissMacaroon, missmacaroon.co.uk
Amuseables Bobbleavocado £23,Jellycat, jellycat.com
Jesterrumcream liqueur£30, ShakespeareDistillery, shakespearedistillery.com
ThisBookWillMakeYouAnArtistbyRuth Millington&EllenSurrey£14.99,LuxGallery, luxgallery.co.uk
Cocktailtoolset£40,John Lewis,johnlewis.com
Navybluehoodie£30, MidlandsAirAmbulance, midlandsairambulance.com
PronetoMischiefbag£22, RSC,shop.rsc.org.uk
Soapfolksleepcareset£14, NationalTrust, shop.nationaltrust.org.uk
Jumbomidnightblue tote£26,Minaand theMoon, minaandthemoon.com
Erdingtonia,ThirteenDays BeforeReferendum(2024) byTerezaBušková–a beautifuldigitalprintwith goldleafhandscreen printedoverlay,inanedition ofonly13.Signedand numberedbytheartist £400,IkonGallery, shop.ikon-gallery.org
Tastinghamperwitha brilliantselectionof Mediterraneanproduce £75,Deli17 deli17.co.uk
YESBABkhakioversize sweat£60, PunksandChancers, punksandchancers.co.uk
Fromthe CHRISTMAS PottingBench withAdam
Itsalwayswonderfultohavefriendsandfamilythathave ahobbyorinterestthatyoucanbuythemgiftsfor!My wifealwaysusedtoloveowlsandassuchI’dboughther allmannerofowlbitsandpiecesovertheyears–and gardenersarenodoubtrecipientsofsimilargarden-related trinkets!However,ratherthanbuyingthemsomethingthey don’tneed,howabouttakinginmysuggestionsforsome idealtoolsandothergardenparaphernaliaitemstoputa smileontheirfacesthisyearChristmastime?
GardeningGear
Foryears,findingtrousersthat couldwithstandhardoutdoorwinter taskswhileofferingflexibilityfelt impossible–untilItriedGenus’3-Season GardeningTrousers.Thesehavebeena totalgame-changer.
Thedesignispackedwithclever features,liketheadjustable,waterproof kneepads,whichletyoukneelor crouchwithoutasecondthought, andawaterproofseatpanel, ensuringyoucansitcomfortably anywherewithoutworryingabouta dampbehind!
Withnumerous,spaciouspocketstoughenoughtocarry secateursandallsortsofgardeningtools,thesetrousers handleanytaskyouthrowatthem.Durable,flexible,and reliable,they’vemadegardenworkabreeze.Availableat genus.gs,pricedfrom£139.99
SowingSeedsofLove
Thoughnotessential,aseed tamperisawonderfuladdition toanypottingbenchandmakes auniquegiftforgardeners.This handytoolhelpsensure successfulgerminationby pressingseedsgentlyintothe compost,maximizingtheir contactwiththesoilsurface.
MaderighthereintheUK–infact,they’rebasedin theMidlandsquiteclosetowhereIlive–Hawswatering canshavebecomeaclassic,gracingprestigiousshowslike theRHSChelseaFlowerShow.Craftedfromgalvanized OURRESIDENTGREEN-FINGEREDEXPERT
Handmadefromsturdyoakandfinishedwithoil, thesetampersarebuilttolastandbringatouchof craftsmanshiptogardeningtasks.Whetheryou’reanavid gardenerorknowsomeonewithagreenthumb,aseed tamperisbothpracticalandcharming.Availablefrom Creamore.co.uk,theystartatjust£8,makingtheman affordabletreat.
BeautifulWateringCan
Notallwateringcansare createdequal,andthisone provesthat!Sure,youcouldpick oneupatanystandardDIY store,butwhynotinvestin somethingtrulyspecial–liketheBearwoodBrookfrom Hawsintheone-gallongreenmodel?
CHECKINWITHADAM
FollowAdamonInstagram@viewfromthepottingbench orlistentohispodcastTalesfromThePottingBenchfor moregardeninginspiration.YoucanalsoreadAdam’s blogatviewfromthepottingbench.com
steelandpowder-coatedtoresistcorrosion,thiswatering canisbuilttolast.It’saperfectchoiceforpersonaluseor asathoughtfulgift.Availableathaws.co.uk,£70.Larger sizesalsooffered.
ReliableTrowel
Agardenersimplycan’tgowithouta goodtrowel–it’sthebackboneof plantingsessions,whetherforplug plantsorsettinginthose9cmgarden centrepots.Aqualityhandtrowelis essential,andmytoppickistheKent andStoweCapabilityTrowel.
Namedafterthefamedgardener CapabilityBrown,whobelievedeverythingcouldbe improved,thistooloffersmuchmorethanbasicdigging.Its serratededgetacklesweedingeffortlessly,themeasuring gaugehelpsensureperfectplantingdepthandthehammer tiponthehandleisidealforsecuringcanes.Durableand versatile,it’satrustyadditiontoanygardenkit.Availableat gardenhealth.comwithpricesfrom£12.99.
GloriousGloves
Atrustworthypairof gardeningglovesisessential whenworkingthroughall weatherconditions, andtimeandagainI’ve foundmyselfreaching forBurgonandBall’s range.Amongtheir options,theDigThe GloveandLoveThe Glovelinesareperfectforwinter gardening,providingjusttheright combinationofflexibilityandprotection.
Theseglovesallowfullmovementofhandsand fingers,makingtaskseasywhilekeepingyourhands warmanddry,evenindampsoilorchillyair. Comfortableandsturdy,they’reaninvaluablecompanion inwintergardens.Exploretheselectionat burgonandball.com,startingfrom£17.49–aworthwhile investmentforanygardenerbravingtheelements. ■
ASTONACADEMICSUCCESS
DrSamanthaStrong,aseniorlectureratAston University’sSchoolofOptometry,hasbeennamed GreaterBirminghamYoungProfessionaloftheYear (GBYPY)–TrainingandEducation.TheGBYPYawards areorganisedbytheFutureFacesdivisionofGreater BirminghamChambersofCommerce.TheTraining andEducationawardisopentothoseworkinginnotfor-profitorganisation,governmentalorganisations, theeducationsectorandtrainingproviders.Itisgiven toayoungprofessionalaged18to35whohas showndedication,talentandsuccesswithinthe educationandtrainingsectors.
BIODIVERSITYBID
SchoolsacrosstheMidlandshavethechanceto connecttheirstudentswithnatureandinspirethemto takeclimateactionbyapplyingtowinanationalprize launchedthismonth.Thecompetition,runbyLet’s GoZerowithsupportfromOVOFoundation,is offering10prizesof£1,000and15prizesof£200to fundnature-relatedprojects.Toapplyschoolshaveto explainhowthey’dliketobringstudentscloserto nature.WinnerswillbeannouncedinFebruary.
FUNDINGINNOVATORS
MillenniumPoint,Birminghamhasunveileditslatestprogramme toempoweryoungpeopleintheWestMidlands.Itissearching forschools,collegesandnot-for-profitorganisationslookingto maketheirSTEM-relateddreamsareality.Interestedgroupsare invitedtoapplyforaMillenniumPointTrustGrantfortheir Science,Technology,Engineering,andMathematicsprojects.The MillenniumPointTrustGrantsProgrammeisdesignedtoinspire thenextgenerationofSTEMprofessionals,withgrantsranging from£1,000to£20,000.
SCHOOL REPORT
Ninestiles,anAcademy,partoftheSummitLearningTrustfamilyofschools, hasrenameditslibraryinmemoryofcelebratedpoetBenjaminZephaniah, honouringboththeliteratureandheritageofthelocalarea.Anaming ceremonyattheBirminghamschoolbroughttogethercommunitymembers, studentsandliteraryenthusiastseagertopaytributetoZephaniah's contributionstopoetryandsocialjustice.Amongthemwaswriter MuhammedAhsanAl-Haadee,whogaveareadingofhisnewbook,the EternityTrain,andofferedsignedcopiestostudentsattendingtheevent.
WINNER: DrSamanthaStrong,centre,withawardshostBBCpresenter AmberSandhuandChrisCrossanfromawardsponsorArup
CEDRICONTOUR
MPINSPIRES SCHOOLSOCIETY
Thenewlycreatedstudent-ledPolitics SocietyatBromsgroveSchoolwelcomed thetown’snewestMP,BradleyThomas foranopenandstimulatingQ&A session.TheMPbravelyencouragedthe pupilstobeasdirectaspossibleandto putforwardsomesearchingquestions, gaininginsightintotheworkingsof ParliamentandhowanMPisableto workwithintheirconstituency.
HalesowenCollegehaslaunchedCEDRIC,adigital busaimedatwideningeducationalparticipation acrossthecommunity.TheprojectwillseeCEDRIC (acronymforCreatingEngagingDigitalResources IntheCommunity)touringthelocalarea,working withlocalhard-to-reachcommunitiesaswellas providingessentialITupskillingtolocal businesses.Collegeprincipalandchiefexecutive, JacquieCarman,said:“Thisprojecthasbeenafull teameffort,allowingusasacollegetoworkwith somegreatpartners.Overthecomingmonthswe lookforwardtowelcomingpeopleonboard CEDRICforafantasticlearningexperience.”
BUILDING COMPASSION
DamsonWoodNurseryand InfantSchoolandBalsall CommonPrimarySchool collaboratedonaHelpingHands fund-raisingweektopromote thevaluesofempathy, community,socialresponsibility andactivecitizenship.Graeme Burgess,CEOofCentralSchools Trust,said:“Theimportanceof teachingpupilsthevalueof givingbacktotheircommunities atanearlystageintheirlives, helpstobuildcompassionand tobroadentheirawarenessthat somehouseholdsareinneedof support.”HelpingHands,which wasestablishedin1998,has helpedthousandsofpeople overtheyearswithan emergencyfoodparcel.
BIA’SWINNING RECIPE
DIGITALHEAD
Birmingham-basedmarketingagencyDigital GluehasappointedLeeClark,pictured,asits newheadofclientgrowth.Therolewillsee Leefocusondrivinggrowthforstart-upsand scale-ups,helpingthemachievetheirfull potential.Leesaid:“Asatechfounderwho's beeninthetrenches,Iknowfirst-handthe challengesstart-upsface.I’velearnedthat perseveranceiskey,butyoualsoneedaclear roadmap.AtDigitalGlue,we’reprovidingthat roadmaptohelpbusinessesnotjustsurvive, butalsobereadytojumpwhenthebig opportunitiescomealong.”
IndependentbusinessesinCoventryand Warwickshirefeatureinanewbookcelebrating food,resilienceandcommunity.Bia’sKitchen Show:TheCookbook–ACulinaryJourneyof Gratitudeisthefirstinacollectionlaunchedby Brazilian-bornentrepreneurandfoodieBianca Rodrigues-Perry.Thebookmarksthefirst anniversaryofBia’sKitchenShowwhichcelebrates theregionshehascalledhomeforthelast15 years.Itshowcasessomeofthearea’schefs, nutritionistsandfoodanddrinkartisanswhoshare recipesandcookingtips.ToviewBia’sKitchen Showvisit:https://biaskitchenshow.com/ TheBelfryHotel&Resorthaswonsix awardsthatrecogniseexcellenceacross thebusiness.AccoladesincludeMarketing TeamofTheYearattheMidlands MarketingAwards;theExcellencein PromotingCareersAwardattheHRin HospitalityAwards;andatripletriumph atBirminghamHospitalityAssociation Awards–ledbyLauraManuel,the resort’ssalessupportmanager,whowas crownedUnsungHero.Leszek Dajnowiczhasalsotookfirstplaceinthe UKKitchenPorteroftheYearcompetition.
BELFRY’SSIXOFTHEBEST
SUNNYOPENING
Astella,theluxuryjewellerybrand ledbyyoungentrepreneurSunny Pal,hasopeneditssecondboutique storeinBirmingham’sJewellery Quarter.Followingthesuccessofits firstboutiqueinVyseStreet, Astella’snewlocationisinthe historicformerBarclaysBank buildinginFrederickStreet,which hasbeengivena£100,000 refurbishment.Thebrand specialisesinbespokeengagement andweddingrings.Sunny,26,isa graduateofBirminghamCity Universityandasecond-generation jewellerwithnearlyadecadeof experienceintheindustry
AIRPORT’SNEWPUSH
Meriden-basedcreativeagencyRBHisdelivering BirminghamAirport’sfirstmajorbrandcampaign sincethepandemic.We’reOnOurWayaimsto increaseawarenessandmarketsharebyhighlighting thewealthofdestinationsonofferfromBirmingham followinginvestmentintoexpandingroutesand customerexperience.JoRoberts,theairport’sheadof corporateaffairsandmarketing,said:“Followingthe effectsthatCovid-19hadontheindustry,thisisthe firsttimeinfiveyearstheairporthasinvestedin advertisingforbrandawarenessoftheairportitself.”
ASolihulllocalhasreopenedwithanewlook.TheFieldhousewelcomedpubgoersfollowinganextensiverefurbishmentfeaturingabrighter,contemporary makeoverwithrefreshedbar,newsoftfurnishingsandanexpandedmenuand diningspace.GeneralmanagerJohnMaguiresaid:“We’rethrilledtowelcome familiarfacesandnewfriendstoexperienceourpub’snewlook,whilekeeping thecosyfeeloftheFieldhouseweallknowandlove.”
DESIGNGRANT
AnautomotiveprototypingfirmbasedinCoventryisgearingupforacceleratedgrowth afterlandingagrantfornewequipmenttomeetrisingdemand.FuturaDesignreceiveda £25,000grantfromtheBusinessGrowthWestMidlandsteamatCoventryCityCouncilwith fundingfromtheUKSharedProsperityFund–afterreceivingsupportfromtheCoventryand WarwickshireChamberofCommerce.Thecompanymanufacturesprototypemodelsforthe automotiveindustry,andthemoneyhashelpedfundanewstate-of-theartpaintbooth.
LOCALRE-OPENS CARLOSCHAT
EdgbastonPrioryClubpartneredwith BirminghamRoyalBallet(BRB)foraspecial‘in conversation’eveningwithCarlosAcosta.The world-famousballetstaranddirectorofBRB describedhisearlydancecareerandhisarrival inBirminghamatthestartoftheCovid pandemic,throughtotherecord-breaking successofBRB’sBlackSabbath:TheBallet.Club membershadthechancetoasktheirown questionstoCarlosduringtheevening.
AirAesthetics&WellnesshasopenedanewclinicattheTherapyandFitness CentreinWarwickStreet,LeamingtonSpa.Ledbyanti-ageingpractitionerand trainedGP,DrEvaFabreguettes,pictured,theclinicoffersaholistic,multidimensionalapproachtoaestheticstocustomersinthearea.DrClaireOliver, medicaldirectorandco-founderofAirAesthetics,said:“Openingabranchin LeamingtonSpamarksanexcitingnewchapterforthebusiness,allowingusto growanddevelopouroffering.”
SANTINA’STOPTITLE
EngineeringapprenticeSantina Bunting,19,wasnamedGreater BirminghamYoungProfessionalof theYear–becomingtheyoungesteverwinneroftheprestigious accolade.Santina,anapprenticein civilandgroundengineeringwith globalconsultantsArup,took homethetopprizeattheYoungProfessionaloftheYearAwards,sponsoredby UniversityCollegeBirmingham,havingalsotriumphedintheApprenticeofthe Yearcategory.TheawardsceremonyorganisedbyFutureFacesChamberof Commerce,wasattendedbynearly500peopleattheICC.
MEXICANFIRST
FormerGreaterBirminghamChambersofCommerce presidentDebLearyhasbeenappointedasBirmingham andtheWestMidlands’firsthonoraryconsultoMexico. Theappointment–madebyMexico’sambassadortothe UK,JosefaGonzalez-BlancoOrtiz-Mena–strengthensa growingpartnershipwhichwasforgedduringDeb’sspell asGBCCpresidentbetween2021and2023.Deb,whois founderofBirmingham-headquarteredthreatintelligence expertsForensicPathwaysandascale-updirectorinthe GBCC’sInnovateUKEdgeteam–willhelpcreate economic,academicandculturalopportunities.
BREASTFRIENDSBOOST
HousebuilderDavidWilsonHomesmadea£1,500donationtoBreastFriends Solihulltosupportthosewhoseliveshavebeenaffectedbybreastcancer.The charity,whichstartedin2001,isrunbyvolunteerswhohaveallbeen affectedbythedisease.DavidWilsonHomes’donationcamefromtheBarratt FoundationwhichsupportsnationalandlocalcharitiesacrosstheUKtoleave alegacyinthecommunitiesinwhichthehousebuilderoperates.
BUSINESS BITES
£1MGYMKIT
BirminghamCommunityLeisureTrusthas upgradedfiveofitsvenueswithmorethan £1millionofnewgymequipmentatWyndley, FoxHollies,CocksMoorsWoods,Erdingtonand Northfieldleisurecentres.Theprojectwasjointly fundedwithSercoLeisure,whichoperatesthe centresinpartnershipwiththetrust,andon behalfofBirminghamCityCouncil.
GROWINGPLACES
AleadingBirmingham-basedland,consent managementandstakeholderengagement practicehasgrownbynearly40percentin thepastyear.Ardent,whichalsohasofficesin London,Leeds,Warrington,Dublinand Glasgow,hit£14.8millioninturnover.
GREENFUNDS
Plansarebeingdrawnuptounlockupto £100millionofprivateandpublicsector fundingforenvironmentalprojectsacrossthe region.WestMidlandsCombinedAuthorityhas identified200projectscovering46,000 hectaresofland–thatcouldbeincludedinone oftheUK’sfirstregionalnaturalcapital investmentprospectuses.
LOUNGELAUNCH
Midlands-basedfashionbrandLoungehasteamedup withChangemakers,theBirminghamChildren’sHospital charity,todonate£150,000overthenextthreeyears.To launchthepartnership,theLoungeFoundationhas createdanewmuralpaintedbychildrenatthehospital anddesignedbyBirmingham-basedartistPhoebe Robinson.Co-foundersofLoungeandtrusteesofthe LoungeFoundation,MelandDanMarsden,said:“Tosee thepartnershipcometolifeinawaythathasincluded thehospital,foundationandmostimportantlythe childrenhasbeenincredible.”
Magnificent£119,000raisedtowards charityprojectforcriticallyillchildren 3 2 4 5 6 7 8 9
1 GaryFletcher,SamFletcher-Goodwin,EdJames,DougWright. 2 InezandWinstonBrown. 3 AnjnaMahey,KatrinaCooke. 4 JaneandPaul Faulkner. 5 JamieandSamFletcher-Goodwin. 6 TomandCharlotteShepherd. 7 MikeHopkins,NinderJohal. 8 TimAndrewsandguest. 9 EdJames,KerriePope. PhotographybyJasSansi 1
GALADINNERBOOSTS KIDS’VILLAGEAPPEAL
Afund-raisingappealtobuildtheUK’sfirstholiday villageforcriticallyillchildrenhasbeenboosted thankstoagaladinnerwhichraised£119,000.The eventwasheldattheGrandHotel,Birmingham,whereit wasalsorevealedthat£1.52millioninpledgeshavenowbeen receivedtowardsthe£5millionneededtobuildthevillagein theStaffordshirecountryside.TheKids’Villagecharitywas co-foundedbycancersurvivorSamFletcher-Goodwinandis ledbychiefexecutiveKatrinaCookeandchairDougWright. ThegaladinnerwashostedbyHeartFMpresenterEdJames andattendedbymorethan200guests. ■
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BEAUTYRETAILER’S GRANDOPENING
BullringwelcomesSephoraUK withstar-studdedlaunchparty
S3
ephoraUKcelebratedthelaunchofitsnewbeauty retaildestinationintheBullringwithastarstuddedgrandopeningevent.Guestsincluded footballersLucyQuinn,ChristieMurray,SohuynChon andMazPachecoaswellasTikToksensation@lilmaz andaward-winningpresenter,contentcreatorandauthor LucyEdwards.Theelectricatmosphereattheeventwas keptalivethroughoutthenightbyDragMCDonOne andviralBrumpersonalitySpeakerFlex. ■ 6 7
4
5 8 9
1 DonOne,FancyShews!,BlackPeppa. 2 SylvieMoreau,GuillaumeMotte,SarahBoyd. 3 TeganMcGowan,ChristieMurray, LucyQuinn,SohyunChoandguest. 4 LaurenKateGriffiths 5 FatimaLily. 6 Romanie-JadeTulloch,GaryThompson. 7 LucyEdwards. 8 MazPacheco. 9 RoseGallagher. PhotographybyGettyImages
Charityballraises£84,000–andpays tributeto91-year-oldstalwartElspeth 3 2 4 6 5 7
AIRAMBULANCE’S RECORDBREAKER
MidlandsAirAmbulanceCharitybrokeits finalfund-raisingfigurerecordforits recentRecognitionAwardsandCharity Ballevent,raising£84,080,whichwillfund55vitally importantmissions.Theevent,hostedbyHeartWest Midlands’EdJamesandsponsoredbyHalesowenbasedITcompany,EBCGroup,recognisedseveralof itscommittedsupporters,volunteers,fund-raisersand life-savingaircrew.ElspethMartinBEM,aged91, wonthecharityvolunteeraward,whileDrMark Nash,medicaldirectorandpre-hospitalemergency medicinedoctor,wonthecrewaward. ■
CHARITYQUIZRAISES CASHFORCRISISKIDS
BLawfirmgives£3,500boost totheBuddyBagFoundation 5
irminghamlawfirmmfgSolicitorsraised£3,500 forlocalchildren’scharitytheBuddyBag Foundationataquizandnetworkingevent.The moneywillgotowardshelpingthecharitysupport childrenwhofleeviolentsituationsathome.Theevent, heldattheStableinJohnBrightStreet,saw25teams takingpartfromthelocalbusinesscommunity. ■ 7
4 6 8 3 2 1
1 DanielBirch,OliviaMcIntyre,GlennWilletts. 2 ClaireHyland,HanishaPal,BenAllen,BishCruise. 3 JamesHayes,FlickBarrett,Harrison Burroughs,JamesSpong,LucyRoberts,AlexYoung. 4 NatalieLee,RoshanPaul,BrandonLaroiya-McCarron. 5 ZoeHacking,PhilHunt, JulianMilan. 6 MaryMcAneny,FlossFisher,JackCook,KiranKaur. 7 MeganEvans,OscarMcCracken,LaurenGoode,AlenaDudrah. 8 DanielleLambert,FelicityWoodbridge.
WHAT’SONliving
WHAT: IceSkateBirmingham
WHEN: Nowuntil5January
WHERE: CentenarySquare, iceskatebirmingham.co.uk
It’sbig,it’sbeautifulandit’sback!Slipon yourskatesforsomeproperfestivefun. TheIceLoungeisalsoopendailytoo, Besttobookinadvance. NotopenonChristmasDay!
WHAT: WildlifePhotographerofthe Yearexhibition
WHAT: LittleAngelTheatre:FindingSanta
WHEN: Nowuntil29December
WHERE: MidlandsArtCentre, macbirmingham.co.uk
Filledwithquirkycharactersandloveable puppets,thismagicalchoose-your-ownadventureisafunnyandheart-warming Christmasshowthatinviteschildrentodecide howthestoryunfolds.
WHAT: FreeFamilyFun
WHEN: ThroughoutDecember
WHERE: ResortsWorldBirmingham, resortsworldbirmingham.co.uk
Loadsoffreefunactivitiesandtonsof competitionsonofferwithsomecracking prizestowin.Restaurants,bars,greatlive musicandachancetominglewithBjornthe PolarBear–whatmoredoyouneedthis Christmas?!
WHEN: NowuntilApril
WHERE: Waterhall,Birmingham Museum&ArtGallery, birminghammuseums.org.uk
OnloanfromtheNationalHistoryMuseum, theworld-renownedexhibitioniscomingto Birmingham,featuringexceptionalimages thatcapturefascinatinganimalbehaviour, spectacularspeciesandthebreathtaking diversityofthenaturalworld.
WHAT: TheRedShoes
WHEN: Nowto19January
WHERE: RSCTheatre,rsc.org.uk, tel:01789331111
DirectedbyKimberleyRampersadin herRSCdebut,thisisbotha magicalstoryandcautionary taleofpride,vanityand howwealldeservetodancehowwewishtodance.
WHAT: SamFender WHEN: 13December
WHERE: UtilitaArena,Birmingham
He’srecentlyheadlinedtheReading, LeedsandBoardmastersfestivalsand nowSamFenderembarksonhisfirstUK tourfornearlythreeyears.
WHAT: ToyCollectorsFair
WHEN: 27December
WHERE: NECBirmingham, bpfairs.com/nec-birmingham
Britain’sbiggesttoyfairfeaturesmorethan 500stallspackedwiththousandsofnewand oldcollectablesforsale.
WHAT: It’sAWonderfulLifewith Wine WHEN: 15December
WHERE: MockingbirdCinema, thewineeventscompany.com
JoinwinegeekTonyElvinandtheWine Eventscompanyteamforaunique screeningofthisholidayclassic alongsideafunandfestivewinetasting featuringfivewinesoftheseason.
Picture:NiallLea
WHAT: BlueNation
WHEN: 14December
WHERE: TheCrossingDigbeth, thecrossingdigbeth.co.uk
TheGreatMusicStories‘LiveAct oftheYear’andUKBluesnominatedlocalband,embarkon theirfirsteverUKheadlinetour, celebratingtheircrackingnew album,TheOrdinaryPeople.
WHAT: ADanaGoodChristmas! WHEN: 22December
WHERE: TownHall,bmusic.co.uk
TheoriginalDerrygirlandEurovisionlegendjoins forceswithGrimethorpeCollieryBandforapreChristmasspectacular.AlsofeaturingthelocalChoirof StMary’stheMountRCPrimarySchool.
WHAT: CBSOChristmasParty
WHEN: 21December
WHERE: SymphonyHall, bmusic.co.uk
Everyone’sfestivefavourites–allinoneconcert!Expectsleigh bells,songs,afullsymphony orchestraandplentyofChristmas spirit.
WHAT: PeterPan
WHEN: 21Decemberto2February
WHERE: BirminghamHippodrome, birminghamhippodrome.com
Followingatriumphantseasonlastyear,theQueenof BirminghamAlisonHammondreturns,thisyearleadingthe castastheMagicalMermaid!WithMattSlackandDannyMac.
WHAT: AChristmasCarol:AGhostStory
WHEN: Nowto5January
WHERE: BirminghamRep, birmingham-rep.co.uk
Filledwithspine-tinglingspecialeffects,prepare tobefrightenedanddelightedinequalmeasure asyouenterthesupernaturalVictorianworld. StarringMatthewCottleasScrooge.
WHAT: TheBookofMormon
WHEN: 3to28December
WHERE: TheAlexandra,atgtickets.com
Thisoutrageousmusicalcomedyfollowsthemisadventuresofamismatchedpair ofmissionaries,sentonamissiontoaplacethat’saboutasfarfromSaltLake Cityasyoucanget.
CLOSEWITHÁ
RALPHMINOTT
THEMASTERPLANNINGANDDEVELOPMENTDIRECTOROFCALTHORPE
BEENTHERE,DONETHAT
IdecidedIwantedtobeaquantitysurveyorattheageof 13(longstory!!!),andmadeit.IfollowedmyQSdream throughconsultancyandcontractinguntilredundancyin theearly90’srecessionledtoachanceroleofdevelopment managerinthecarehomesector.ThecompanyIworked formorphedin1998fromelderlycaredevelopmentto under-5’schildcare,whenIbecameoneofthefivefounders andheadofpropertyofLeapfrogDayNurseries,aventure capitalequity-basedstart-upthatgrewto39locations acrossEnglandandScotlandby2004.
In2004,NordAngliaEducationplcacquiredLeapfrog andwithin12monthsIbecametheirgrouppropertyand developmentdirector.Imanagedan‘eclectic’property portfolioanddevelopment,growingthenurserydivisionto 110sites,alongsidesupportingLearningServicesacrossthe UK,andtheInternationalSchools,whichincludedits expansionintoChina.WhenNordAngliasolditsday nurserydivisionin2007andthenmovedtoHongKong,I chosetostayintheUK,joiningCalthorpeEstates.
IT’SWHATIDO
Myrolecoversmasterplanning,developmentandplacemakingacrossthe1,600-acreestate,workingcloselywith thecityplanningandpolicyteams,visioningfortheestate fordecadesahead.Thishasledtotheredevelopmentof PebbleMill,NewGardenSquare,EdgbastonMillopposite ECG,anddevelopmentofEdgbastonVillageincluding GreenfieldCrescent.
WHATI’DLIKETOSEE
Personally,formeandmywifeNatalietoseeourthree ‘boys’–Reece,24,anarchitecturalassistant,Corey,23,an
apprentice/traineequantitysurveyor,andPerry,20,asite operative–tocontinuetobehappyandenjoysuccessinthe constructionindustrythatwasafoundationforme. Professionally,tohelpmaintaintheimportantsynergyofthe CalthorpeEstateandBirminghamCityCouncil,forgrowth andcontinuingsuccessfulregenerationoftheestate.
BIGGESTSUCCESS&DOWNTIME
Taekwondo!Itookupthemartialartin1978as somethingtodowhilestudyingquantitysurveyingat Trent,Nottingham,andpassedmyblackbeltin1981.I becameanEnglandandGBinternationalcompetitorand representedGBatthe1988SeoulOlympicGames.I startedteachinginner-citykidsin1984,totryandinspire belieftoachieve,andstillteachclassestoday.In2020,Iwas promotedto8thDegreeWorldMaster.
Professionally,Ihavegreatprideindrivingthesuccessof ourPebbleMillsite,from27acresoffieldsand‘dirt’in 2008,totheestablishedmedicalparktoday;withtwo hospitals,CircleandtheNHSDental,Bupacarehome, Vitastudent,andouramenityretailandF&Bsite.
WHATI’DLIKETOSEE
Iliveinavillagecalled‘Nottingham’andworkina majorcitycalled‘Birmingham’,butwouldlovetoseea Nottingham-esqtramandbussystemhere,especially throughtheestatealongHagleyRoadtoQuinton.
WHATILIKEABOUTBRUM
TheredevelopmentofParadiseCircus,ArenaCentral, CentenaryandVictoriaSquares.Thatvisionof Birmingham’sBigCityPlanof2010nowrealisedisjust WORLDCLASS! ■
