WILLIAMS
EDITOR’SVIEW
Howarethosenewyearresolutionscomingalong?I’veneverbeenmuch intomakingthemtobehonest.Butmanyyearsago,Ididmakeonewhich, forsure,turnedoutthebestthingI’veeverdoneformyownwellbeing.I gaveupsmoking.So,eversince,I’vekindoflookedatthestartofanewyearasapotentialturningpoint–a momentintimewhenwecanallstartafresh,renewourselvesandwipetheslatecleanofwhat’sgonebefore. Thisyear,I’mbeingcompletelyunoriginalandfollowingtheherdbyvowingtotryandgetfitterand healthier.Nothingcrazy.I’mnotgoingtostartpushingweightsorrunningmarathons.Butsimplestuff,like eatingamoresensiblediet,cuttingdownonsugarandsalt,etc.Andtakingmypoorpoochonmuchlonger, briskerdailywalks.
Thisissue,asbefitsa‘newyear,newme’vibe,hasahealthythemerunningthroughit.OurHealthpages lookathowchangingacoupleofsmallthingsinyourlifecanresultinbigimprovementstoyourgeneral wellbeing.WhileourStylesectionfocussesonnotonlyfeelinggoodbutalsolookinggoodasyougetfitter. WillIkeepmyresolutionsgoingbeyondtheendofJanuary?Nocomment!
VerysadnewsreachedusjustbeforewewenttopresswiththepassingofCarolineMiller,theCEOof BirminghamRoyalBallet.CarolinejoinedBRBin2018fromOrlandoBalletinFlorida.Aswellasleading oneoftheworld’sgreatdancecompanies,herlegacyinourcityalsoincludesbeingthedrivingforcebehind bringingCarlosAcostatoBirminghamasitsdirector.Shewillbegreatlymissed.
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
MarkWilliams
TheactortalksFatherBrown,growingup intheMidlands…andKarlLagerfeld!
BotanicalGardensreborn
The£25millionmasterplantobring backglorydaystothecity’s‘jewel’
Food&Drink
News,reviewsandtopwinepicks towelcomeinthenewyear
Health
Cutdownonthesugarandboxclever: Oursimpleget-healthierplanfor2025
Style
Sportforchoice!Ourpickofthegear that’llmakeyoufeelfitandfabulous
BestoftheRest
Homes
Greatideastogiveyourbathroom aluxurioussplashofglamour
FromthePottingBench
Green-fingeredexpertAdamKirtland plansyourbest-evergardenfor2025
Young,Gifted&Brummie
TomTowelling,winnerofBirmingham ComedyClub’sBreakingTalentaward
BusinessNews
40 48 52 57 64 66
Allthenewyearnews,views,comingsand goingsfromthecommercialcommunity
What’sOn
Bestofthecity’stopnewyearshowsand gigsinourround-upofmust-seeevents
UpClose
OurveryownAdamKirtlandtellshisstory, fromgardeningnovicetogardeningguru
DIVEINTO HELPKIDS
Ababyandchildswimschoolislookingfor newpoolsinSolihulltomeetgrowing demandintheareaforitsaward-winning lessons.PuddleDucksCoventry& Warwickshireisaimingtogetmorelocal childrenintothewaterbyaskingownersof poolstocomeforward.Co-ownerTom Smithsaid:“Wecurrentlyprovideanumber ofclassesinCoventryandarenowkeento offerasolutiontothedemandweare seeinginSolihull.”Tohelpwithprovidinga pool,visitpuddleducks.com
CINDERSMAKESASCENE
StagedesignerJohnMacfarlanewillrealiseadreamcometrueat BirminghamHippodromeaftercreatingthesceneryforthenew balletversionofCinderella.Aswellasthespectacularset,the production,whichrunsfrom19Februaryto1March,willfeature amixofwonderfuldanceandacastofcharactersthatincludes mice,lizardsandevenaleapingfrog!DesignerJohnhascreated stunningsetsforshowsacrosstheglobebutsays:“Therewas onestoryIreallywantedtoworkon–Prokofiev’sCinderella.”
BRINGINGYOUTHEBRIGHTEST ANDMOSTCOLOURFUL STORIESFROMACROSSTHE CITYEACHMONTH
CHARITYCASHESIN
HeadandneckhealthcharityGetA-Head roundedoffits30thanniversaryyearin styleatagalaballattheHilton BirminghamMetropolethatraisedmore than£84,000.TheBirmingham-based charitywasfoundedin1994andhasraised morethan£10milliontobuylife-changing equipmentandfundresearch,trainingand educationforhealthcareprofessionalsto softentheeffectoftreatmentforpeople withheadandneckconditions,particularly cancer.Amongtheyear’shigh-profile eventswasa52-day,four-personrow acrosstheAtlanticwhichraised£150,000.
SAM’SBIGNIGHT
ActorSamuelWestisreturningtotheRoyal ShakespeareTheatreforthefirsttimeinmorethan20 yearstoleadthecastinthenewproductionofTwelfth Night.TheactorwhostarsinTV’sveterinarydrama seriesAllCreaturesGreatandSmalllastappearedat theRSCinthetitleroleofHamletin2001.Samuel playsMalvolio,alongsideGwynethKeyworth(Viola), FreemaAgyeman(Olivia)andBallyGill(Orsino).The productionrunsuntilSaturday18January.
YOUTHSEARCH
TheNationalYouthMusicTheatreiscomingtoBirminghaminsearchofnewyoungtalentforits 2025company.AnauditionworkshopwillbeheldonSunday2February(venuetobe announced)givingaspiringperformersaged10to23achancetoshowcasetheirskillsin singing,dancingandacting,guidedbyindustryprosinawelcomingenvironment.The successfulyoungsterswillfollowinthefootstepsofhouseholdnameswhohavebenefittedfrom theTheatre,includingIdrisElbaandMattLucas.
CHAMPIONFORJUSTICE
AlawprofessoratBirminghamCity University(BCU)hasbeenrecognised forhisworkonthedeathpenaltyin theUSandaroundtheworld. ProfessorJonYorke,picturedright, directoroftheCentreforHuman RightsatBCU,receivedtheAndrew LeeJonesAwardattheAmicus ChampionforJusticeAwardsin London.Theaward,namedaftera prisonerexecutedinLouisianadespite alackofclearevidence,isgivento thosewhohavefoughtforjusticefor thoseondeathrow.
It’sJanuary,it’stimetogetfit–andthere’snobetterinspiration thanaquickdashtotheNEC’sall-things-running event,theNationalRunningShow.Whether you’reajogger,trotterorsprinter,theshowon25 and26Januaryisbilledasthebiggestcommunitymeet-upofthe yearandperfectlytimedforrunnerstrainingforeventsinthespring, withamixofinspirationalspeakers,cutting-edgetechnologiesand thebestinnutrition,allunderoneroof.
DickWhittington’scatwasinforashockwhenGuideDogpuppiestookcentre stageatBelgradeTheatreaspartoftheirtrainingprogramme.Thecastofthe panto,whichrunsuntil4January,gavethepooches,eachaccompaniedbytheir PuppyRaiser,aguidedtouroftheauditoriumandstage.Puppyraisingoperations managerforGuideDogs,AnnaStandingsaid:“Exploringthetheatreandmeeting thecastincostumeprovidedafantastic,sensoryexperienceforourpuppies.”
BRICKBANK
TheBritishMotorMuseum launchedtheBrickBank scheme,encouragingvisitors todonateunwantedor unusedLEGObrickstobe turnedintokitstobedonated tochildrenthroughlocal CommunityPantries.Museum volunteershavebeenbusy puttingtogetherthekitswith aphotoofasuggestedbuild forchildrentotryand replicate.(Fascinatingfact: LEGObricksaresohardwearingtheycanbetaken apartandputbacktogether 37,112times,meaningthe kitsdonatedcanbeplayed withagainandagain!)
PUPPY LOVE CHILLINGOUT
LIGHTINGUPTIME
BirminghamLightFestivalissettomakeitsdebut,brightening upthedarkwinternewyearnights.Thefestivalwhichruns from19to22Februarywillfeatureilluminatedartworksandan accompanyingprogrammeofeventsandbringstogetherall fiveofBirmingham’scentralBusinessImprovementDistricts (BIDs)asfoundingpartners.Theannualeventisbeing producedbyBirmingham-basedOPUSwhichcreatesoutdoor culturalevents,includingWondrousStories,thespectacular outdooropeningactfortheBirmingham2022Festival.
Morethan400peoplegave uptheirhomecomfortsfor thenighttosleeprough andraiseanincredible £70,000tohelpprevent youthhomelessness. Participantsbravingthecold atStBasilsBigSleepoutat MillenniumPointincluded individuals,corporate teams,familiesandfriends. Amongthemwerefather andsonLiamand11-yearoldFelixfromSellyOak, pictured,whoraised£750. “Mywifeexperienceda periodofhomelessnessin herearlytwentiesandwas supportedbyStBasils, whohelpedhouseherand hernewbornson,” explainedLiam.
SCHOOL’SMAKEUPWINNERS
CentralSchoolofMakeup,therenownedtraininggroundfor aspiringmakeupartists,celebratedwinningatopaccoladeatthe BirminghamAwards2024.TheschoolreceivedtheContributionto Educationawardforitsdedicationtodevelopingfuture professionals.“We’reincrediblyhonouredtoreceivethisaward,” saidLauraRachel,theschool’screativedirector.“Itacknowledgesour commitmenttosupportingeachstudent’sjourney.”Foundedin2014, theschoolisagloballyrecognisedinstitution,offeringaccredited coursesinbridal,fashion,mediaandspecialeffectsmakeup.
PRIZEFIGHTER
GoldmedalwinningboxerDeliciousOriewasamong fourAstonUniversityalumnirecognisedattheAston AchievementAwards.The2022Commonwealth GameschampioncollectedtheExceptional AchievementAward.TheEarlyImpactAwardwas wonbyChristianNwachukwu,founderof10mg PharmaandHealthBridgeAfrica,whiletheUKAward wasgiventoDrSandeepSandhu,headof stakeholderrelationshipsatInnovateUKBusiness Connect.TheInternationalAwardwenttoDrShellyza Sajwani,aclinicalpharmacistatOttawaHospitaland presidentofClimaceuticsHealthSolutions.
HUSHMAKESANOISE
Anewspeakeasy-inspiredartdeco undergroundbaristakingguestsback intimetotheProhibitioneraof 1920/30sAmerica.HushinLeamington occupiesadisusedspaceunderthe Terracewhichhasbeentransformed10 yearsaftertheRobbinsWellcellarbar closeditsdoors.Thedrinksmenuhas beencuratedbyHushgeneralmanager MatthewNisbetsandbarmanager BethanyGaunt,pictured,andincludesa listofcocktailswithProhibitionnames–suchasBootlegger’sBlush–aswellasa rangeofwinesandspirits.
GOTANYNEWS? Emailyournewsand picturestoeditor@brumliving.co.uk
OVER50’SJOINTHESCRUM
Anewpartnershipisbringingrugbytoagrowingnumberoftheover50’s. MoseleyRugbyCommunityFoundationhasteamedupwithretirement housingfirmChurchillLivingtohelpencouragetheagegroupinthelocal areatomeetup,havefunandexerciseinasafeenvironmentthroughtheir WalkingRugbyProgramme.Sessionsoffertheopportunityforpeople lookingtostayactiveintheirretirement,whilealsohavingtimetosocialise andmeetnewpeopleintheclubhouse.
JAMESIS SERVED!
Tastydishesandadishy presenter!TopTVchefJames Martinwilladdsomespiceto SymphonyHallwhenhearrives inBrumatthebeginningof March.Thedateispartofhis newtour,whichincludeshis 100thliveshowandseeshim combinecookingmouthwateringdishesonstagewith hiswarmYorkshirewit.So,all youfoodiefansoutthere,make adatewithJameson1March.
CHAMPION: DeliciousOriewithfellowwinners SandeepSandhuandShellyzaSajwani
NATIONAL TREASURE
Isnationaltreasuretoomuch?Wedon’tthinkso.Mark Williamshasachievedcross-generationalappealintheway thatJulieWaltersorthelateDameMaggieSmithhave.Older fanswillremembertheFastShowwhileGenZknowhimforthe kind-heartedArthurWeasleyinHarryPotter.
Thenthere’sBBChit,FatherBrowninwhichMarkplaysthe titlecharacter,andwhichiscurrentlyinits12thseries.That’s130 episodesofthecharmingcrimewhodunnitwhichseesthebicycleridingvicarexercisehistalentforsleuthing.
GREATSTORYTELLING
SetintheFiftiesandfilmedinapicturesquevillageinthe Cotswolds,FatherBrownhasawarmthaboutit.It’slikeamugof hotchocolateonacoldday.Markputsthesuccessdownto focusingongreatstory-tellingandthefactthatthecastallreally lovedoingit.Hesays:“It’ssetintheFifties,soit’smorepoliteand it’scosy.Thathelps.”MarksaysitwasFatherBrown’scuriosityand lackofjudgementthatappealed.Headds:“There’slotsofFather BrowninMissMarple–hesaysthingsthatotherpeopledon’t thinkareimportant.”
Acarouselofguestactorsenhancestheshoweachepisodeand Marksays:“Weareblessedwithawonderfulsetofgueststarsevery week!Ilovehavingnewactorsthatbringsuchskillandenergyto thecharacters.It’soneofmychiefpleasureswatchingthemwork.” Onmaking130episodes,Marksays:“Iwasfeelingquiteimpressed bythis,Ithoughttherecan’thavebeenmanypeoplewho’veplayed theeponymouscharacterinaseriesfor130shows.ThenIread aboutJackWarnerwhoplayedDixonofDockGreen432times,so thattookthewindoutofmysailsabit.”
PicturebyKennyMcCracken
MarksaysthatmakingFatherBrownhas enrichedhislifeimmeasurably.“Therehavebeen manyfriendshipsmade,andwehavequiteafew childrenbornduringourtimefilmingtocastand crewwhichmakesusarealtribe.AndIgivethanks toGKChesterton’screationbecauseFatherBrown haskeptmefascinated.”
Theserieswasalwaysgoingtobesetinthe Cotswolds.Marksays:“It’sclosetoBirminghamfora start,plusit’seasiertodoperiodinthecountryside.Ina city,notsomuch.”ThecastdecamptotheCotswoldsfor fourmonthsatatimeworking12hoursaday.Mark’s onlydisappointmentisthatFatherBrowndoesn’tdrive sohenevergetstotakeretrocarsonsetforaspin.
BIRMINGHAMBOY
Hesays:“BeingclosetoBirminghamandCoventry whichwerethecentreofBritishcarproduction,wehave
COSYCRIME
EpisodeoneofthenewseriesofFatherBrownairsonFriday10 Januaryat2pmonBBCOne.Thecompleteseriesisalsoavailable onBBCiPlayerfromthatdate.
thisamazingresourceofperiodmotors.There’salotof ‘ooohing’and‘aaahing’overtheamazingpiecesof machineryweget.LongforgottennameslikeArmstrong Siddeley,AlvisandSunbeam.MyproblemisFather Browncan’tdrive,soIhavetomakedowithabike.Not thatIdon’tlovemybike.It’saPashley,madeinStratford withold-fashioneddrumgears.It’sactuallyverygood uphillwhichisablessing.”
Mark’slinkwiththeMidlandsisstrongandhesays: “Birminghamispartofme.”Hisgrandadworkedat Bournville.HisothergrandadwasasprayeratAustin whilehisnanworkedatachemistandhisothernan workedinaconvalescenthomeintheLickeys.Mark’s parentsbenefittedfromapostwareducation–they bothwenttogrammarschool.Heremembers:“They werebothbrilliantatdrawing.Mumwenttoartschool whiledadwenttoarchitecturalschool.Wealwayshad loadsofbooksinthehouse.”Marksayshischildhood wasdominatedbyfactoriesandthat’sthebiggestthing that’schangedabouttheregion.Hesays: “Manufacturingwaseverythingandthenitwasn’t–almostovernightitwasn’t.”
Withnothespiansinthefamily,Markbeganto findhisfeetonstageaged11.Hesays:“Iwasina schoolplayandwhileonstageIthought,‘Icando this’.Icouldn’taddupordomuchelse!”FromNorth BromsgroveschoolMarkwenttoOxfordtoread English.Hesays:“GodknowshowImadeitthere. IcamefromacomprehensiveintheWestMidlands–maybetheywantedpeoplelikeme.”Oncehegotover thecultureshockMarkthrewhimselfintodrama.
MRWEASLEY
PlayingArthurWeasleyalongsideJulieWaltersin theHarryPotterfilmsisprobablyMark’smost recognisablerole.Hedidn’tappearinthefirstfilm andwhencontemplatinghisroleinthesecond,Mark wenttothecinematowatchThePhilosopher’sStone toseewhatallthefusswasabout.Hesays:“The placewaspacked,andIknewthenitwouldbebig.”
WeaskedMarkwhichofhisroleshe’smostproud ofandhesayshetriesnottohaveafavouritejob beyondtheonehe’scurrentlydoingandthenquotes KarlLagerfeld.Theenigmaticdesigneroncesaid,“It isbettertodothantohavedone.”Well,quite. ■
BRINGINGBACK THEGLORYDAYS
It’saninterestingandcompletelyappropriate analogy.BirminghamBotanicalGardensanda pairofold,comfyslippers!Youknowtheoneswe mean…well-worn,alittlethreadbaremaybe,butstill verymuchloved.
Incaseyou’rewondering,thedescriptionisnot ours,butthatofSaraBlair-Manning,picturedright, theGardens’chiefexecutive.Anditwasn’tsaidto bederogatoryinanyway–farfromit!Rather,Sara wassumminguptheGardensplacein Birmingham’scollectivehistory.Andthefactthata realjewelhasbecomerathertiredovertimeand definitelyinneedofsomeseriousTLC.
MASTERPLAN
Saraandheramazingteamareintheearlystages ofdoingjustthat–ofbringingtheGardensbackto theirformerglorywithamassiverestoration masterplanoverthecomingfiveyears.The £25millioncostistargetedtocomefromthe NationalLotteryHeritageFund(NLHF), charitablefoundationsandcorporateandindividual donations.Itwillseethecentrepieceofthe15-acre site,thefourmagnificentVictorianglasshouses–the LilyHouse,PalmHouse,MediterraneanHouseand AridHouse–restoredaspartofawider rejuvenationwhichwillbethebiggestoverhaulin theGardens’200-yearhistory.
TheNLHFawardedaninitialdevelopmentgrant of£590,000in2022andthiswillbefollowedupwhen theGardenssubmitanapplicationforthefirstphase oftheprojecttotalling£19million.“Weshouldhear
whetherwehavebeensuccessfulfromNLHFin June.Ifwearesuccessfulwiththeapplicationthenwe willhavefund-raisedatotalof£15.5millionfrom charitabletrustsandfoundations,”Saraexplained.
STARTDATE
“Wewillthenhaveanadditional£3.5millionleftto raise.Someofthiswillbefromadditionaltrusts, foundationsandlandfillgrants.Theremainderwill befromindividualandcorporategiving.Ifsuccessful withtheNLHFandthefund-raising,theworksare expectedtostartinmid-2026andendinlate2029.”
Aswellasrestoringtheglasshouses–whichin itselfwillrequiretherelocationofmorethan10,000
plants–theprojectledbyGlenHowellsArchitects, supportedbyconservationarchitectsDonaldInsalls, willseeanewvisitorscentretoincludeacafeand shop,anewcentralcourtyardandabuildingfor events,aswellasimprovementstocarparking.
TheGardens,whichoperatesasacharity,already attracts19,000schoolvisitsayear,atotalof225,000 dayvisitorsand35,000conferencevisitors,bringing aneconomicbenefittothecityof£6millionayear–whichisexpectedtodoubleto£12millionasaresult oftherestorationproject.Inreadinessforwhatwillbe anamazingnewfuturefortheGardens,Sarahasset herimmediategoalongettingBrummiesexcitedand talkingaboutwhatistocome.
SUPPORT
“Ourfocusisonreallyraisingawarenessright now,”shesaid.“Gettingpeople’ssupportforthe
TofindoutmoreabouttheBotanicalGardensandhowyoucanbecomea member,visit:https://birminghambotanicalgardens.org.uk/
Gardensinwhateverformthatmaytake–frommore peoplevisiting,orbybecomingmembers,orwriting totheirMPstogettheirsupport,orjustbyeveryone speakingwarmlyoftheGardensingeneral.”
Theimportanceoftheprojectcannotbeoverstated asSarastressedthatitreallyis“thelastchancetosave BirminghamBotanicalGardens”.Sheadded:“The Gardensofferarich,uniquelybiodiversenatural environmentjustonemilefromBirminghamcity centre,andweknow,throughconsultation,thatthey arehugelytreasuredbythepeopleofBirmingham andtheWestMidlands.Thisprojectwillensurethe preservationofBirmingham’spricelessheritageand savethesebeautifulGardensforfuturegenerations.
“Itisatransformationalprojectthatwillrestorethe glasshouseestatetoitsformermagnificence,improve keyspacesandfacilities,includingeducationspaces andtheplantnursery,provideasuitableenvironment tocareforthelivingcollections,strengthenfinancial resilienceandincreasepublicunderstandingof plants,sustainability,andenvironmentalissues.” ■
Picture:BanjaminTaylor
FOOD&DRINK
CHEFRUCHIKA
Producingdishesfrombasicingredientsandturningtheminto somethingextraordinary.That’sthepassiondrivingRuchika TyagiattheBoar’sHead,neartheAlexanderStadium
Tellusaboutyourcooking
Ibelievethatmycookingexplorestherealms ofversatilitycombinedwiththeauthenticityof ingredients.Whatexcitesmeistheadrenaline rushofbeingabletorefineandproduceadish fromsomethingbasictoextraordinary.Keeping itsoriginalityinmindwhichmakesits resourcing veryimportant.
Howdidyoubecomeachef?
Byaccidentorfate…Ithinkthatitwas writtenforme.Despitemyparents’numerous effortsoftryingtopersuademetobecomea doctororengineer,Iendedupinahotel managementcollegewhereIrealisedmy passionwasincookingandthatiswhereIfind mypeaceandmylanguageofexpression.
ItrainedatplaceslikeCentaurHotelDelhi, Le-MeridianDelhiandHiltonNewDelhibut professionallystartedworkingin1998asachef inIndiaHabitatCentre,LodhiRoad,New Delhi,whereIwastheonlyfemalechefamong theteamof104malechefsorcolleagues.Itwas atoughfighttostartwith,butIgavemyheart andsoultoprovemymettleandsecuremy placeintheirheartsandtheteam.
Thefamilyhasalwaysbeenimportant duringmy26-yearcareer.Initially,itjust
startedasabasicjobtoearnmoneyand supportthefamilyfinancially,butthenwith timethepassiondeepenedandthehungerto proveandmakemyselfbetterandbetterkicked in.Also,Iwasveryinfluencedbymyfriends andcolleaguesfindingworkabroad,sowhenI toldmymothershesaidIthinkyoushould giveitatry–thatishowIcametotheUK. Aftermarriage,myhusbandsupportedmein mycareerandprofession.
Whatdoyoueatathome?
MyfavouritefoodissimpleIndianlentiland ricewithvegetables–inIndiawecallitdal chawalandsabji.
Whoisthebestchefintheworldandwhy?
MypersonalfavouritechefVikasKhanna, duetomanyreasonslikehissimplicityand originality,thewayhehumblyrelatestofood, cultureandemotions.Noonedoesitbetter,he producesspectacularmasterpieceswiththe basicingredients.
Isthecustomeralwaysright?
Itisatrickyquestion,andtheanswer dependsonthesituation–thereisnoblack andwhitebecauseourmainmottoistokeep theguestshappy,wetryandmakethescenario
rightforthem.Asateamwetryandensureevery guestwhowalksthroughourdoorhasagoodtime andwalksoutwithahappyface.
Whatwasyourfavouritefoodasakid?
Ilovedthericeandcholeythatwerepreparedat traditionalIndianweddings
Foodheavenandfoodhell?
Anidealservicebeginswitheverythingand everyoneinplace:deliveriesareontime,theteamis fullypreparedwithmiseenplaceready,andafull houseofreservationsawaits.Thiscreatestheperfect environmenttofocusonguestsatisfaction.Ifeven oneoftheseelementsismissingitcanmakethings chaoticasitishardertoconcentrateondeliveringa seamlessexperiencetoguests.
Havingallthesecomponentsalignedallowsusto providethelevelofservicethatkeepsguestshappy andcomingback.
Shareacookingtip?
Keepyourknivessharpandtoolsclean.
What’sthemostunusualthingyouhaveeaten?
ThemostuniquethingItriedwasrabrika parantha[thetraditionalIndiansnackflavoured withthickenedcondensedmilk,cardamom,saffron, andnuts]inChandniChowk,Delhiintheparanthe waaligali.Itwasjustmagicaltoevenseeittake shapewithrabribeinginsoft,semi-liquidform heldandrolledinsoliddough–arealart!Thechef wasmaking20differentvarietiesofparanthas,it wasscrumptious.
Ifyouweren’tachefwhatwillyoube?
IfIhadnotbecomeachef,Iwouldhavebeena pilot.Itwasmydreamtoflyhigh…althoughIstill am–butjustwithmyimagination. ■
Boar’sHeadWorldBuffet,340AldridgeRoad PerryBarr,Birmingham,B448BH. boarsheadworldbuffet.co.uk
KOOBIDEHKEBAB
Fancysomethingcomfortingasweworkourwaythrough theJanuaryblues?WhynottrythisrecipeforKoobideh kebabfromDeepakKumar,headchefatQavali,theIndo PersianfinediningrestaurantinBrindleyplace
INGREDIENTS
■ 1kglambmince
■ 2mediumwhiteonions
■ Itspsaffron
■ 6clovesofgarlic,pasted
■ 100gmsbutter,melted
■ ½tspblackpepper
■ ½tsprosewater
■ ½tspsumac
■ Salttotaste
METHOD:
Mixallthedryingredientswithlambmince.Puree theonionsandthenstraindiscardinganywater. Mixwiththegarlicpasteandrosewaterthenadd tothemince,kneadinguntilalltheingredientsare combined.
Dividetheminceinto5portions,shapeonto skewersandcookovercharcoalgrillorbarbecue whilstbastingwiththemeltedbutter.Cookuntil meatistenderthenenjoywithlavashbreadorrice.
Qavali,60BroadStreet,Brindleyplace, BirminghamB12HJ tel:01216161786,qavali.com
SHORTS NI BBLESand
BIRMINGHAM’SBARS,RESTAURANTSANDHOTELSAREROARINGBACKINSTYLE.HERE’S OURINSIDERGUIDETOTHELATESTNEWSFROMTHECITY’SEATERIESANDDRINKINGDENS
NEWMENUSATRSC
There’sdeliciousnewsfordinersattheRoyalShakespeareCompanywithanew menufromrecently-appointedheadchefJamesEave.James,whohas closetieswithStratford-upon-Avon,boastsacareeracrosstheUK’shospitality andculinaryindustries.AnewPre-TheatreMenuintheRooftopRestaurant featuresarangeoffreshlyprepared,seasonaldishessourcedfromqualitylocalsuppliers,including BarrytheButcher,MarksCotswoldBakeryandJude’sIceCream.There’salsonewlunchand afternoonteamenus.
REGINA’SREIGN
Anewrestaurantissettotakeoverthesite previouslyoccupiedbyGlynnPurnell’s BistroandGinger’sBarattheendofthe month.LocatedoffofColmoreRow, luxuryvenueRegina’s–launchedby theteambehindNoel'sonthe Waterfront–willservemodern Mediterraneancuisinealongside cocktails,winesandbeers.Thenameof thenewrestaurantmeans'queen'inLatin, whichbossessayembodiestheirmissionto offera'regaldiningexperience'inthecitycentre.
MICHAEL’S STARROLE
MichaelBladeshasbeennamedheadchefatthe Michelin-starredUpstairsbyTomShepherdinLichfield. Thepairhaveknowneachotherformorethan11years, withMichaelsupportingtherestaurant’slaunchin October2021assouschef.Hepreviouslyworkedatthe twoMichelin-starredRestaurantSatBainsinNottingham andlaterasjuniorsouschefatAdamsinBirmingham. HetakesonhisnewroleasTomShepherd revealedhehasplanstoopena“second, moreinformalrestaurant andbar”.
SIZZLINGSARACENS
PopularSolihulllocal,theSaracensHead,isboastinganewbrighterandmoremodernmakeover followingathree-weekrefurbishment.Arefreshedbar,newsoftfurnishingsandanenhanceddiningarea havegiventhepubanewleaseoflife,providingamorerelaxed,welcomingenvironment.Alongwith thenewlook,theSizzlingSaracensHeadmenufeaturesarangeofpopularfavourites,includingthe indulgentLayingitonChickBurgerandTandooriChickenskillet.
COLETTEJOINSTHECLUB
AnewundergroundclubhasopenedinBirmingham.ClubColetteisthebrainchildofthe teambehindDigbethpartyhotspot,MamaRoux's–andislocatedrightnextdoor.Butwhile MamaRoux’sfocusesonin-your-faceentertainmentmergingelectronicandlivemusic,Club Colettedeliversaback-to-basics,intimateexperience,puttingtheDJandsoundqualityfront andcentre.ThenewLowerTrinityStreetclubissplitacrosstworooms.Itsmainspace featuresauniquetiereddesignforelevateddancing,wrappedaroundtheDJbooth.
BIGANDBOLDBOOJUM
Boldflavoursandbigportions! WelcometoBoojumwhichhas broughtitstasteofMexicotoNew Street.Aswellasitsfamous burritos,themenuincludesbowls, nachos,tacosandfreshly-made chipsandsalsas.Birminghamisthe brand'sthirdsiteinthecountry, afterLeedsandNottingham. Boojumpridesitselfontheabsence ofmicrowavesandfreezersinallits restaurants,ensuringthat everythingservedispreparedfresh instoreeachday.
WOODYOU BELIEVEIT!
AnewcafeandtaproomhasopenedinHarborne, breathinganewleaseoflifeintoanold woodworkingwarehouseafteramajor refurbishment.TheCourtyardisthelatestventure bybrother-and-sisterduoJamesandNaomi Morris,whorunMorridgeinTempleRow.The independentoatsandcoffeeshopstartedoutasa pop-upinGreatWesternArcadein2019.Situated inWarLane,theCourtyardservesMorridge's gourmetporridge,aswellas pancakesandhomemadesweet treats,beforetransformingintoa taproom-stylebaraftermidday.
MOMENTOFPASSION
Trythiscrackingtwistontheclassic Cosmopolitan,incorporatingadashof theexoticwiththesweetandtangy gorgeousnessthatispassionfruit!Andnotjust becauseit’sJanuary,pleaseenjoyresponsibly. ■
INGREDIENTS:
■ 25mlAbsolutCitron
■ 25mlPassoaPassionfruitLiqueur
■ 12.5mlLime
■ 12.5mlCranberryjuice
■ 12.5mlPassionfruitjuice
■ Garnishwithorangepeel
METHOD: AddingredientsintoashakerwithIce.Shake well.Doublestrainintoamartiniglass.Enjoy!
COWANDSOW
Yyouhaven’tbeenyet.Theirsocialmediainthe runuptotherestaurant’sopeninghadus salivatingonthedaily.Wecouldn’tmakethelaunch partysopoppedinthenextday.Ifthestaffwerejaded fromabusylaunch,theydidn’tshowit.Ifanything,the successofthepartyaddedtotheiralreadyconsiderable excitement.Ourwaiter,Ryanwasbrimmingwith unbridledenthusiasmwhichwasgenuinelyjoyful.
CowandSowisfocusedonmeatandthat’sreflected inthecarnivore-heavymenu.Ifyou’reinagroupwith anon-meateatertherearevegetarianoptionstoo.We wentall-inwiththeCowandSowsharer–crunchy saltandpepperporkrinds,babybackporkribs,potted oxcheekwithtruffle,pigsinblankets,poachedand charredpineapple,olivesandpaindechampagnewith whippedbutter.
Thestandoutpicksweretheintenselysweetand charredpineappleandthesticky,sweet,saltypigsin blankets,aseasonaladditionsothey’reforthechopthis month.We’rewonderingwhethertostartacampaignto keepthemonthemenuforgoodastheyweresuperb.
Thenaperfectlypinksucculent35-dayagedsirloin hitthespotnicelyservedwithabearnaise.Welovea
extra,butitwasn’tthebestwe’vetried.Thechipson theotherhandwereexcellent.Wetriedthe‘normal’ chunkychipsaswellasabeefdrippingversionfor comparison.Youwon’tbedisappointedbyeither.
Porchettawithmulledciderpoachedapple,carrot puree,sprouts,chestnutsandaspicedciderjuswas absolutelysuperb.Wealsosampledsomethingcalleda crispyonionblossomwhichisabitmadbutbrilliant. It’sessentiallyawholeonioncoatedinbatteranddeep friedsotheonionlayersfanoutlikeaflowertopped withblackgarlicdip.It’sasbigasyourhead,sweet, crunchyandmoreish.It’stoomuchfortwopeopleasa side–therestaurantrecommendsitforfour,butwe wereintriguedsohadagoodcrackatit.
All-in-all,CowandSowisafabadditionto Birminghaminacornerofthecitythat’sfastbecoming adestinationforfoodies.Restaurantmanager,Jordan cuthisteethatHotelduVinbeforemovingto Gaucho,soheknowshisstuffandthecitywell.That experienceteamedwithalively,efficientteamand greatfood,isthebeststart.Showthemsomelove thismonthwhenthere’susuallyalullforhospitality. (SeeSocialScenepages) ■
WELCOMETO ASEMI-DRY JANUARY
Savemoney,getinshapeanddelightyour paletteinthefirstmonthof2025withtoptips fromournew,residentwineexpertDavidCarne
Likemanypeople,youmayhavedecidedthat afterindulgingandpossiblyoverspending duringChristmasandNewYear,Januaryis thetimetocutbackonwine.Youmaybereasoning thatreducingyourintakeoffermentedgrapeswilllead tobothahealthierbodyandwallet.Andlikemany, yourNewYear’sresolutionsmayincludeparticipating indryJanuary.
Researchsuggeststhat88percentofNewYear’s resolutionsfailwithinthefirsttwoweeksofJanuary.So, I’dliketopresentanalternativewhichmightputyouin the12percentofpeoplewhoactuallymakearesolution andsticktoit.Let’scallit,‘semi-dryJanuary’(pun intended!).Mypropositionisthatinsteadofcuttingout winealtogether,buybetterwine,butlessofit.
Letmeclarify.WhatIamsuggestingisinsteadof buyingtwobottlesofyourusualwine,buyonethat costsabitmore.So,two-timesthequalityforoneand-a-halftimestheprice!
Woulditsurpriseyoutoknowthatthe£10ofwine inyourweeklyshoponlyhasaround£2worthof wineinit?Factoringinthebottle,cork,label, shipping,duty,thesupermarket’sprofitmarginand VATinJanuary2025thatisroughlywhatthewine inyourbottlewillhavecosttoproduce.Butina£15 bottleofwine,thewineitworthabout£4.54–a216 percentincreaseinvalue.Andina£20wine,a300 percentincreaseinvalue.Likechocolate,typically thebetterthequalitythelongeritwilltaketo consumeandthelessyouneed.
Drinkingattherighttemperature
However,somepeopleoftenfeelthattheycannot reallytastethequalitydifference.Oftenthisisbecause itnotattherighttemperature.Generally,whitewines tendtobeservedtoocoldandmayneedalittletimeto warmiftheyhavebeenchillinginthefridgepriorto serving.Withredwineswetendassume‘room temperature’isbest,butactuallysomewherebetween 12and18degreesisoptimal,withfullerbodiedwines beingtowardsthehigherend.
Decantingthewine
Anotherreason,especiallywithredwines,isthatwe don’tallowthewineto‘breathe’.Aeratingthewine helpstoreleasegassesbuiltupinthebottleandto enhancethefruitflavoursandsoftenthetannins.High qualitywinetendstoneedabitlongertoallowthisto happen.Thisisonethereasonsthatwedecantwine.
Thissimplyinvolvestransferringthewineoutof thebottlewherethereislittleexposuretooxygeninto avesselwithmorespaceforairtocomeintocontact withthewine.Youdon’tneedanexpensivedecanter; youcanuseaglassjugandachieveprettymuchthe sameeffect.Thirtyto60minutesdecantingcanmake aworldofdifference.
Ifyougetthetemperaturerightanddecantyour redwines,youshouldtastetheimprovementin quality.Hopefullythen,yourwallet,waistline,liver andpaletteareallgoingtothankyouforpayinga littlebitmorebutbuyinglesswhenitcomestowine.
DAVID’SNEWYEARTOPPICKSTOTRY
■ SOMETHINGSPARKLING: GrahamBeckRoseBrut,£17Waitrose Expectredfruits,suchascherry,raspberryandotherredberries,witha creamyandcitrusymouthfeel.
■ SOMETHINGFRESHANDFRUITY: BabichBlackLabelSauvignonBlanc, £18.99Loki
AstepupfromagenericNewZealandSauvignon,morecomplex,with lime,gooseberry,grassyandfloralnotes.
■ SOMETHINGBIGANDBOLD: TenutaUlisseMasseriPrimitivo2022,£22from https://thewinerackni.co.uk/ AnelegantPrimitivofromAbruzzowithwildberryflavours,sour cherry,plum,blackberry,darkchocolateandsmoothtannins.
■ SOMETHINGCLASSIC: ClosSaintVincentSaintEmilionGrandCru,£20 Sainsburys
Expectdarkfruitnotesofblackberry,blackplum,cherry,sometobacco, vanillaandsomesubtleearthy,leatheryandsmokyflavours.
■ SOMETHINGBRITISH: AlwickEstateBarrelFermentedPinotNoir2022,£22 fromhttps://aldwickwine.com/ Notyourtypicallightbodiedpinotnoir,thisoneismoremedium bodied,withcherryandredfruitcharacteristics,earthyflavoursand somevanillafromthebarrels,andsomesubtletannins.
■ SOMETHINGCOMPLETELYDIFFERENT: NavajasRiojaCrianzaBlanco2018,£13.29from https://haywines.co.uk
Expectorchardfruitssuchasappleandpearaswellasagoodbody andwoody,nuttynotesfromoakageing.
So,whetheryoudecideonadry,semi-dryor exuberantapproachtowineinJanuary,pleasedrink responsiblyandrememberultimatelywhateverthe winecosts,thebestwineistheoneyouenjoy drinking! ■
•DavidCarneisaWinesandSpiritEducationTrust(WSET)qualifiedwine expertandauthorofthealottowineabout.comwebsitewhereyoucanfind morearticlesonwine.
•BirminghamWineSchoolisanindependentwineeducationcompanythat offersfuninformalwinetastingeventsandWine&SpiritEducationTrust (WSET)coursesonline,inBirminghamandWarwick.Formoreinformation visitwww.birminghamwineschool.com
NOTSO SWEET
IFYOU’REGOINGTODOONEAWESOMETHINGFORYOURHEALTH IN2025,WHYNOTSERIOUSLYREDUCEYOURSUGARINTAKE?
Manydoctorsnowbelievethatsugaristhe singleworstingredientinthemoderndiet, contributingtoallsortsofdiseases.Hereare justsomereasonswhyyoushouldtrytoavoidit… Addedsugarcontainsnoessentialnutrientsandisbad foryourteeth:Therearenoproteins,essentialfats, vitaminsormineralsinsugar…justpureenergy.And becauseitprovideseasilydigestibleenergyforthebad bacteriainthemouthit’sharmfulforteeth.
Fructosecanoverloadyourliver:Beforesugarenters thebloodstreamfromthedigestivetract,itisbroken downintoglucoseandfructose.Alittlebitoffructoseis finebuttoomuchcanoverloadtheliver.
Resistancetoinsulin:Insulinallowsglucoseto entercellsfromthebloodstreamandtellsthecellsto startburningglucoseinsteadoffat.Havingtoomuch glucoseinthebloodishighlytoxicandoneofthe reasonsforcomplicationsofdiabetes,likeblindness. Onefeatureofthemetabolicdysfunctionthatis causedbytheWesterndiet,isthatinsulinstops workingasitshould.Thecellsbecome‘resistant’to it.Insulinresistanceisbelievedtobealeadingdriver ofmanydiseasesespeciallytypeIIdiabetes.
TypeIIdiabetes:Whenourcellsbecomeresistantto theeffectsofinsulin,thebetacellsinourpancreasmake moreofit.Eventually,asinsulinresistancebecomes progressivelyworse,thepancreascan’tkeepupwiththe demandofproducingenoughinsulintokeepblood sugarlevelsdown.Atthispoint,bloodsugarlevels skyrocketandadiagnosisoftypeIIdiabetesismade.
Increasedriskofcancer:Thereisconsiderable evidencethatsugar,duetoitsharmfuleffectson metabolism,cancontributetocancer.Insulinisoneof thekeyhormonesinregulatingthissortofgrowth.For thisreason,manyscientistsbelievethathavingconstantly elevatedinsulinlevels(aconsequenceofsugar consumption)cancontributetocancer.
Raisescholesterolthatcontributestoheartdisease:For manydecades,peoplehaveblamedsaturatedfatforthe numberonekiller,heartdisease.However,thereis growingevidencethatsugarratherthanfat,maybeone oftheleadingdriversofheartdisease.
Uniquefat-promotingeffects:Highfructoseintake mayleaveyoufeelinghungrierleadingtoincreased calorieintake.Thelinkwithobesityinchildrenis
especiallystrong,wheredailyintakeofsugarsweeteneddrinksisassociatedwitha60percent increasedriskofobesity.
Sugarishighlyaddictive:Likeabusivedrugs,sugar andmanyjunkfoodscauseareleaseofdopamineinthe rewardcentreofthebrain.Thisinturnincreasesthe needformoresugar.
MAKETHECHANGE
It’seasiersaidthandonesoherearesometoptipsto helpyouavoidsugar:
1. Watchwhatyouconsume. Makesureyoukeepa closewatchonyourfoodanddrinkand,crucially,know howmuchaddedsugartheycontain.
2. Alwaysberealistic. Kickinganaddictivesubstance likeaddedsugarisnotgoingtohappenovernight.There willbetimeswhenyourbodyneedsfuelandyouhavea limitedchoiceoffoodanddrinktochoosefrom.
3. Checkthelabel. Therearelotsofdifferent waysaddedsugarcanbelistedoningredientslabels. Theseincludesucrose,glucose,fructose,maltose, fruitjuice,molasses,hydrolysedstarch,invertsugar, cornsyrup,honey.
4. Nutritionlabelstellyouhowmuchsugara foodcontains:
Highinsugar–22.5gormoreoftotalsugarper100g Lowinsugar–5gorlessoftotalsugarper100g
5. Somepackagingusesacolour-codedsystem. That makesiteasytochoosefoodsthatarelowerinsugar,salt andfat.Lookformoregreensandambersandfewerreds inyourshoppingbasket.
6. Eatlessreadymeals. Ready-madesoups,stir-in saucesandmealscanbehigherinsugarthanyouthink. Condimentsandsaucessuchasketchupcanhaveas muchas23gofsugarin100g–roughlyhalfateaspoon perserving.
7. Bewaresnacks. Swapcrispsandchocolateforfruit (fresh,tinnedorfrozen),unsaltednuts,unsaltedrice cakes,oatcakes,orhomemadeplainpopcorn.Andbuy smallerpacks.Bewarecerealbarswhichcanbevery highinaddedsugar.
8. Bewaresweetdrinks. Nearlyaquarteroftheadded sugarinourdietscomesfromfizzydrinks,sweetened juices,squashes,andcordials.Tryswappingforwater whichyoucouldflavourwithasliceoflemonorlime. ■
BOX CLEVER
Boxingisaknockoutwaytoenjoytraining that’shighintensityandhighfun.Andit’s notaboutpunchinglikeNicolaAdamsor AnthonyJoshua.Whatboxingdoesisprovidean unbeatabletrainingregimewhichalsoboostsyourallroundflexibilityandwell-being.
Herearejustsomeofthebenefits:
1.Improveyourhearthealth
Tobegoodatboxingyouneedtobelightonyour feetandabletomovearoundquickly,soboxing-style workoutsincorporatelotsofhighintensitytraining–jumprope,circuitsandrunning–toimproveyour cardiovascularhealth.
2.Improveyourbonesandjoints
Boxingisagreatweightbearingworkoutwithall thelungingandpunching,whichmakesitaperfect waytobuildbonemass.Boxinghelpsmakesbones andjointsstrongerandlesspronetobreakagesand osteoporosisinlaterlife.
3.Improveyourmuscletone
Perfectingalltheboxingmovesrequiresfast movementsthatcombinespeedwithstrengthto provideyourarms,shoulders,legsandcoremuscles withagreatworkout–resultingintonedandtaut muscles.
4.Improveyourcoordination
Boxing-styletrainingimprovesyourall-round coordinationasyoumastertheskillofbouncing aroundwhilelandingthosepunches.
5.Helpswithweightcontrol
Onaverage,you’llburn400to500caloriesanhour
duringasparringsessionandtheintensephysical exercisemeansthatyourmetabolicrateremains high,evenafteryourworkoutisover,helpingyou burnevenmorecalories.
6.Improvesbalanceandposture
Boxingstrengthensthecoreandbackmuscles leadingtobetterbalanceandposture,whichinturn reducesyoursusceptibilitytobackpain.
7.Increasesendurance
Thecombinationofthecardiovascularworkout withthemusclestrengtheningexerciseshelpsbuild youroverallendurancewhichmeansyoucantrain forlongerwithoutgettingtired.
8.Improveyourself-esteem
Asyourphysicalhealthimproveswithboxingso doesyourself-esteem.Innotimeatallyou’llbegin tofeelstronger,healthier,inbettershapeandready togothedistance!
9.Improveyourself-defenceskills
Ofcourse,boxing-styleworkoutsaredesignedto makeyoufitbutthere’snodoubtthattheskills learnedinboxingmaywellcomeinhandyinreal lifesituations!
10.Improveyourmentalwell-being
Allthatpunchingpracticeisagoodwayofgetting ridoflife’sanxietyandfrustrationsbuttheall-round exerciseboxing-styleworkoutsprovidealsoreleases serotonininyourbrainleavingyoufeelingallround muchhappier.
So,whatareyouwaitingfor?2025isYOURyear –popdowntoyourlocalgymorsportscluband signupwithareputablecoachtodevelopforaoneto-onesessionorcheckoutwhichgroupclasseswill bebestsuitedforyourfitnesslevel.Goodluck!We knowyou’regoingtosmashit! ■
PRACTICALLY PERFECT
HAPPYNEWYEARBAB!IFYOU’REPLANNINGTOMOVEABITMORETHISYEAR, INVESTINSOMESTYLISHSPORTSGEARTHAT’LLMAKEITEASIER.IFYOU’RE MOREATHLEISURETHANATHLETICS,WE’VEGOTYOUCOVEREDTO0
THENEW BLACK
Goodmovevest
£15,M&S
GET SHORTY
STORM WEAR
Goodmovejacket
£59.50,M&S
Onmovementstretch jerseyshorts£75, Selfridges
POPPY RED
IsabelMarantEtoileround knitcottonandwoolblend jumper£295,Selfridges
BEST VEST
Goodmovejacket
£59.50,M&S
BOLD PRINT
Greendappleprint legging£16,F&F
SUPER SCULPT
SweatyBettysoft sculptleggings £88,JohnLewis
PLAID PLEASE
SoftmarkCaught stretchwoven leggings£110, BeyondYoga
MELLOW YELLOW
Clothingandaccessories fromMatalan
COOL COLLAB
AdidasbyStella McCartneybrand printhighrise leggings£110,Adidas
Thegrowthofathleisuremeansthatthe lineshavebeenblurredbetweenpractical sportsgearandfashion.Whetheryou’re planningtowalkmore,trainhardormerelylook thepart,we’vepulledtogetheracollectionofpieces that’llwork.
Justdecidewhatyouneedbeforeyoustart shopping.Realisticallywhatareyouplanningtodo? Doyouneedsomeserioussweatwickingfabricand highimpactsupport,oracuteFreePeoplefleeceand lowimpactbratop?Makealist.
LUXE JACKET
Quiltedjerseyjacket charcoalmelange £970,Toteme
HOODIE LOVE
Mochahoodie£25,F&F
KHAKI CREW
Sweatshirt£19.50,F&F
JUST CHILLIN’ 4THandRecklessArlotext embroiderycottonjersey sweatshirt£45,Selfridges
CLASSIC HOODIE
Fleecefullzipjacket£179, RalphLauren
PERFECT POUCH
Quiltedmicropouch£18, FreePeople
CALLTHEEXPERTS
Ifyou’regoingforhighimpact,investin decentshoesthatsuityouractivityandintensity. Researchwhat’sappropriateandconsidergetting yourgaittestedtakingrecommendationsfrom experts.Ifyou’rescrimpinganywhere,makeit morefrivolousitemsratherthanshoes.Don’t riskaninjurythatwillwreckyourgood intentions.
SUPPORTINGACT
Underweariscrucial.Apartfromthe immediatelyobviouscomfortfactor,therightbra willhelpavoidirreversiblebreasttissuedamage. ShockAbsorber,SweatyBettyandGymShark havesomefantasticexampleswithanimpressive breadthofsizes.
Therestofyourkitisabitmoretrivial. Breathablefabricisfairlystandardacrossall pricepoints.Thehighstreethasenteredthe sportswearmarketinabigway–youcaneven buydecentkitwiththebigshop.F&FatTescois particularlygood.
There’sstillanelementofgettingwhatyou payfor–asupermarketleggingwon’thavethe fitandfeelofamoreexpensiveversion.Gym Shark,SweatyBettyandLululemonrulethe roostatthemid-levelpricepointwhileatthe luxuryendofthemarket,Varley,AdidasbyStella McCartneyandBeyondYogaareworthalook.
GETOUTSIDE
Ifyou’retrainingoutdoors,athinwindproof jacketwithlayersunderneathisagoodideaas wellasrunningglovesandahat.Checkout Lululemon,NikeandSweatyBettyforsome greatexamples.Fororganicbeaniehatsyoucan’t beatPunksandChancers–ethical,warmand madelocally–it’sanobrainer.
ATHLEISUREWEAR
Attheathleisureendofthemarketspoil yourselfwithcashmereco-ords,luxesweatsand cutesweatersthatwillneverseetheinsideofa gymbutareperfectforbrunchwiththegirlsora spotofshopping.IsabelMarant,FreePeopleand Totemedoathleisureparticularlywell. ■
STRONG SUIT
Picturecourtesy ofShutterstock
LIGHT SUPPORT
Dayflexsquareneck stretchrecyclednylon bra£42,WeAreTala
CROSS BACK
Ultimatemicropiping scoopneckstretchwoven sportsbra£37,Adanola
HIGH RISE
Hakuunhighrisestretch jerseyleggings£50, NorthFace
INTHE NAVY
MaxMaraTechnicallogo leggings£90,HarveyNichols
COMFORT ISKING
AdidasbyStella McCartneytraininglogo printmediumsupport stretchbra£80,Adidas
LAYER UP
Serenhighneck stretchrecycledtop £119,Goldbergh
SOCKS AWAY
Raphalogo socks£14 JohnLewis
SUPERMARKET
HAIRHEROES
Ourhairhastakenabatteringoverthefestiveperiodandkeentobring backahealthylustre,we’veoverhauledourroutine,minimisedheatand introducedsomenewbiesthathavemadeabigdifference
1.GOLDWELLDUALSSENSESJUSTSMOOTH6 EFFECTSSERUM–£19.50,LOOKFANTASTIC Aswellasreducingbreakageandboostingnaturalshine, theserumalsoprotectsfromcolourfadingandsmoothsthe hairstructurethankstokukuinutoilandaspecial MicroPROteccomplex–wecouldtellyouwhat’sinit,but we’dhavetokillyou!
2.KERASILKTAMINGBALM
£24,AMAZON
Thislightweightformulaofferslong-lastingfrizzcontrol promisingtoprotecthairfromhumidityforupto72hours. Biomimeticsilkandsheaoilsmooththemostunrulyhair. Wellworthalook.
3.BATISTEDE-FRIZZDRYSHAMPOO
£4.29,BOOTS
Theoldfavouritebutwithatwist.Supersmoothing coconutextractrefreshesbetweenwashesasyou’dexpect butalsosmoothsoutfrizz.It’sawinnerinourbookanda snipat£4.29.
4.MONATDEEPINTENSIVETREATMENT
£50,MONATGLOBAL.COM
Thisisbestreservedforthickand/orcurlyhairasit’s incrediblyrich.Thesqueezablebottlemakesiteasytoapply andthecombinationofnaturalingredientsandessentialoils resultinsuperhydration.It’sonthepriceysidebutalittle goesalongwayandtheresultsareimpressive.
5.REHABSILKHEATLESSCURLER
£26.60,REHAB
Useonslightlydamphairandwaitforminimumoffour hours,evenbetterifyousleepinit.Itcreatesbouncywaves thatlastwithzeroheat.Madefromhighgradesilk,there’s nodangerofsnaggingorbreakinghair.
1
3
2
4
5
RUSEYOURHEAD
Salomonwinterbeanie £35,Salomon
ALLABOUTTHEBASE
Aclimalightwoolbaselayer £89.95,NordicOutdoor
ememberthosedailystrollsduringCovid? Whilewe’renottryingtoromanticisethat weirdestofweirdtimes,theurgetogetout andwalkforanhourwasstrongandkeptusfit-ish andsane.Itemphasisedthepowerofbeingoutdoors andmovingatwhateverlevel.It’saterrificmood boosterandit’sfree.
Giveyourselfachanceofstickingwithitbywearing kitthat’llkeepyoucomfortablethroughoutthewinter months.Firstaskyourselfwhatyouneed–areyou strolling,briskwalkingorgoingfortheburn?Doyour researchandstartwithappropriatefootwearforyour levelofintensity,bagyourselfsomebaselayersanda waterproofjacketorevenaheatedjacket(pictured)in casetemperaturesreallyplummet.Ifyou’regoingfor highstyleaswellassubstancecheckouttheBarbourX FlowerMountaincollaboration(pictured)thatisas chicasitispractical. ■
GREATVALUE
Williamszipthrough jacket£79,CrewClothing
MADEFORWALKING
ChristianLacroixX RegattaMontaud walkingboots£140, Regatta
LEGDAY
UnderArmourUA
RushSmartForm leggings£85, UnderArmour
WAXON
BarbourXMountainFlowerwax jacket£349,Barbour
GLOVELOVE
Omniheattouchglove £25,Columbia
ONTHERUN
Clifton9£130,Hoka
SHELLGAME
Onshell weatherjacket £220, HarveyNichols
FANCYFOOTWEAR
BarbourXFlower Mountain£210, Barbour
BATHROOM GOALS
Freshstartshaveuscravingorderandwe’ve committedtostartingthespringspruce upearly.Admittedlyabathroom renovationislesssprucingupandmoreserious renovationinvolvingmuchmess,butstill,if you’vethebudgetandinclination,it’llbeagreat startto2025.
Bathroomrenoneedscarefulplanningand,in anidealworld,thehelpofaspecialistbathroom designerparticularlyifyou’replanningtomove aroundyourplumbing.Anexperienceddesigner willguideyouthroughwhatcanbeabamboozling prospectandwillsuggestdesignoptionsyou mightnotsee.They’veestablishedlinkswith tradespeopleandsuppliersmakingthewhole processeasier.They’llalsobeintheknowabout latestmaterialsandtechnologieswhichasa laypersonyoujustwouldn’tbeawareof.Doyour researchandchooseadesignerthatsuitsyouand yourbudget.
Startbymakingamoodboardbutberealistic. Keepthepracticalconsiderationsofthespaceyou havetoplaywithandcurrentplumbing/electricsset upinmindsoyoudon’tgetcarriedaway.
HOTTINGUP
Ifyourbathroomissmall,youmaygetawaywith aheatedtowelrail.Inalargebathroomyou’llneed anadditionalheatsource.Underfloorheatingisthe obviouschoiceasit’seffectiveanddrieswetfloors quickly.It’smoreexpensivetobuyandinstallthan towelrailsandradiatorsbutismoreefficientinthe longrun.
FLEXIBLELIGHTING
Asuccessfulbathroomdesignincludesflexible lighting–brightlightsforpluckingyoureyebrows andsoftlightingforrelaxinginthetub.Totohasa particularlygoodambientlightingsystemthat transformsthemoodofyourroomwiththeflickofa switch.Therearemoreintegratedschemescoming tothemarketallthetimesokeepyoureyespeeled. Alternatively,checkoutoverthesinkmirrorswith softglowlightingandattractivewalllightsfor creatingarelaxingmood.
HOMES
CREATEORDER
Includinglotsofstoragewillkeepstressand messtoaminimum.Utiliselittlenooksand crannieswithbuiltinshelving,useattractive basketsandcheckoutthespaceunderthebath. Itcanbeusefulforstoringbulkyitems dependingonthetypeofbath.
GOODBONES
Ifthebonesofyourbathroomaregoodbut youfancyarefresh,checkoutaccessories–fluffytowels,newstoragesolutions,striking artwork,plantsortreatyourselftoaluxury candletogivetheroomadifferentfeel. ■
CHARACTERPACKED
APOPOFCOLOUR
AccessoriesfromJohnLewis
AccessoriesfromGeorge
NEWNEUTRAL
AccessoriesfromDunelm
DREAMSHOWER
BathroombyKuche&Bagno,photographedby MarekSikoraPhotography MONOWOW AccessoriesfromGeorge
DESIGNERSTYLE
BathroombyKuche&BagnophotographedbyMarekSikoraPhotography
MIRRORMIRROR
Talasamirror
£395,OKA
NEUTRALPALETTE
Toothbrushstorage
£5,B&M<None>
TOPBRASS
Globeribbedmetalbathroom ceilinglight£75,Habitat
TOUCHES FINISHING
PENDANT POWER
Stockholmpendant
£729,BoConcept
WE’REHOOKED
ONCEYOU’VENAILEDTHEPRACTICALITIESOFYOURBATHROOM, ADDSOMESTYLISHACCESSORIESTOCOMPLETETHELOOK
SUPERSTORAGE
Rattancaddy
£50,Dunelm
GREATLIGHTING
ClearglassHay
Coolieswanneck
walllight
£315,FritzFryer
BRUSHUP
Audotoiletbrush
£67.15,kin.store
Bamburghhook
£25,Neptune
IT’SASIGN
HeartandSoulbathroomplaque
£8,Dunelm
MAGICMAT
Bathmat£12.99, HomeSense
FromthePottingBench withAdam
ABRANDNEWYEARISHEREANDTHEPOSSIBILITIES THATLIEAHEADAREALMOSTENDLESS.SOLET’S BEGINANEW,ANDPREPAREANDPLANTOMAKE 2025THEBESTGARDENINGYEARYOU’VEEVERHAD,
SAYSADAMKIRTLAND
Anewyearreallydoesbringusanopen-ended listofoptionsinthegarden.Totrythings you’venotdoneinthepast,tobringforwards thoseideasthatdidworklastyear,toimprove,togrow (punintended!)andtoreallyplanforhowyou’dlike yourgardentobethistimearound.
Forme,I’llbestartingtheyearwithsome planting,pruningandplotting!Timetogetthetools outtheshed,dustthemoffafteraChristmasbreak andgetbackintoactionagain.So,let’sgettoit!
DropsomeSnow!
Startingnewsnowdropcoloniesinyourgardenis acrackingideaforJanuary.Whileyoucanplant snowdropbulbsinautumn,now’sthetimetofocus onestablishingtheminthegreen.Thismeans transplantingestablishedclumpsorbuyingthem freshlydugupwhilethey’restillleafy.It’smuch morereliablethandriedbulbs.
Togetgoing,diganiceholeinwell-drainedsoil, inashadyorsemi-shadyspot–snowdropslove dappledwoodlandspaces.Loosenthesoilabitand
poptheclumpin,ensuringitsitsatthesamedepth asbefore.Gentlybackfill,firmdownandwaterwell. Keepthemmoistbutnotwaterloggedwhilethey settlein.Ifyou’repinchingsomefromyourgarden’s existingclumpsremembertodividethemafter flowering,notnow.Snowdropsareslowstartersbut giveitacoupleofyears,andyou’llhavealovelydrift ofwhitenoddingflowers!
SortthoseSeeds!
Januaryistheperfecttimetosortthroughyour seedstashandgetpreppedforthegrowingseason. First,dragoutthattinbox,orwhateverchaotic corneryou’vebeenstuffingpacketsinto.Checkthe dates–mostseedshaveashelflife,andwhilesome, liketomatoes,cansurpriseyouafterafewyears otherslosetheirmojofast.Binanythingancientor thatyouknowdeepdownyou’llneversow.Be ruthless!Ifthey’restillok,butyoudon’twantthem thenconsidersharingwithfriends. Next,takestockofwhatyou’vegot.Gotloadsof courgettesbutnocarrots?Writeitdown.Dreaming
ofanewwildflowerpatchorsomejazzydahlias? Now’syourchancetogetcreative.Makeawishlist andstartbrowsingseedcataloguesorwebsitesfor freshinspiration.
Finally,organisewhat’sstaying–maybesortby sowingmonth.You’llthankyourselflaterwhen springmadnesshits.Getthekettleon;thisisgarden adminatitsfinest!
WinterSalads
January’snotjustforgardenplanning–youcan stillgrowwintersalad!Ifyou’vegotagreenhouse, coldframe,orevenasunnywindowsill,you’re sorted.Lamb’slettuceisacrackingchoice.It’shardy, tastyandkeepsgoinginchillyweather.Scatterthe seedsthinlyintraysordirectintowell-drainedsoil undercover.Keepthemmoistandinafewweeks you’llhavetender,nuttyleavesperfectforperkingup wintermeals.
Iflamb’slettuceisn’tyourvibe,trywinter varietiesofspinach.Regularpickingkeepsthem producing,soyou’llhavefreshsaladwhen
everyoneelseisdreamingofspring.
HappyHouseplants
Januaryistoughonhouseplants,sogivethema bitofTLC.Withshorterdaysmostplantsgrow slower,soeaseuponwatering–damprootsareabig no-noinwinter.Stickafingerinthesoiltocheck.If it’sdry,watersparingly.
Keepaneyeoutfordustonleaveswhichblockslight andgivethemagentlewipewithadampcloth.Watch forsneakypestslikespidermiteswhichthrivein centralheating.Ifyourplantsaresulkinginthegloom movethemclosertowindows,butavoidcolddraughts. Happyplantsnowmeanlushgrowthlater! ■
SeeUpClose,page66
CHECKINWITHADAM
FollowAdamonInstagram@viewfromthepottingbench orlistentohispodcastTalesfromThePottingBenchfor moregardeninginspiration.YoucanalsoreadAdam’s blogatviewfromthepottingbench.com
BOARDINGATQUEEN ETHELBURGA’S
LIVINGAWAYFROMHOMEISNOHARDSHIPFORSTUDENTSATQUEENETHELBURGA’SWHO AIMTOHELPBOARDERSDEVELOPTHELIFESKILLSTHEY’LLNEEDONLEAVINGSCHOOL
QueenEthelburga’s(QE)issetwithin220 acresofbeautifulNorthYorkshire countrysidebetweenHarrogateandYork. Everyboardinghouseison-site,allowingstudentsto roamthesiteandaccessallthefacilitiessafely.The campusissecludedwith24/7securitysoparentscan beconfidenttheirchildrenaresafelylookedafter.
QEwelcomeboardingstudentsfromYear3toYear 13.AttheheartofQEboardingtherearethreecentral characteristics;opportunity,individuality,andacaring community.BeingaQEboardergivesstudents opportunitiesbeyondtheordinary,whetherthatisin academicstudies,theclubstheychoose,thetripsthey
attendorinthefriendsthattheymake,theirlife. Theschoolstrivestohelptheirstudentstodevelopthe lifeskillstheyneedtobetheverybestthattheycan beandtopreparethemfortheirundoubtedly successfulfutures.
Childrenarecaredforbyateamofsupportive staffwhoareskilledathelpingtomakeboarding feellikehome,promoteindependence,andwhoare separatetoouracademicstaff.QEhaswonorbeen awardedfinalistinarangeofprestigiousboarding awardsincludingBSABelongingandInclusion (finalist,2024),BSAInnovationinBoarding(won, 2022),TESBoardingSchooloftheYear(finalist,
2022)andMuddyStilettos’OutstandingPastoral Care(finalist,2022).
Allboardingstudentscantakeadvantageof specialistacademicsupportduring‘PowerHour’and homeworkprepsessionstoboosttheirunderstanding andknowledgeofvarioustopics.Therearemore than150extra-curricularactivitiesonsitecoveringa widerangeofsports,artanddesignspecialisms, music,dance,drama,technology,lifeskills,and academicareas.
Thehustleandbustlearoundcampusmakesthe schoolfeellikeatown.Studentshaveaccesstoan activitycentre,whichishometoacinema,climbing wall,aweekendfast-foodcaféandaselectionof boardgamesandgameconsoles.Theycanalso accesstheon-sitemedicalcentre,gym,swimming pool,uniformandessentialsshop,tuckshop,coffee
shop,312-seattheatre,andplentyofoutdoorspace. Byfarthebestbenefitofboardingishavingaccessto alltheamazingschoolfacilitiesoutsideofthenormal schooldayincludingelitesportpitches,music practicerooms,dancestudiosandsportscourts. Thereisplentyonofferatweekendstoo,including performingartsorcreativeartsacademies,timetabled activitiesandexcitingtripstolocalcities,townsand activitycentres.
QEpridesitselfonthequalityofitsmodern accommodation.StudentsinYears6to13haveensuite bedroomskittedoutwithTVs,phones,desksand storage.Theyallhaveaccesstoamodern,wellequippedcommonroomwheretheycansocialiseand enjoydowntime.Sixthformstudentsalsohaveitems likegameconsoles,coffeemachines,ovens,kettlesand washingmachineswhereasyoungerstudentshave specialiseddormsandcommonroomsdesignedfor littlepeople.Theyhavechill-outspaces,awellness roomandstudypodsinadditiontothecommunal openplankitchendiningloungespace.Everyyoung boardercanalsoaskforahouseparenttoreadthema bedtimestoryandtucktheminatnight. ■
Tolearnmoreaboutboardingat QEvisitqe.org/boarding,attend ouropenmorningon 25thJanuary,oremail admissions@qe.orgtobooka privatetour.
TOM TOWELLING
TOMONTOUR
FollowTomonInstagramfor updatesongigs @tomtowellingcomedyand keepuptospeedwith BirminghamComedyFestival’s excitingplansforthisyear @bhamcomfest
InOctoberlastyear,comedianTomTowellingwaspresentedwith theBreakingTalentawardattheBirminghamComedyFestival duringaneveningoflaughsatapackedoutGleeclub.Tom treatedtheaudiencetohisuniquebrandofphysicalandmusical comedyimpressingthejudgeswhosaytheywerewowedbyhis “showmanship,unpredictabilityandimpressivemusicalsegments” whichincludedasurpriserenditionoftheNationalAnthem.
OfTom’swin,theBirminghamComedyFestivalteamsaid:“It’s toughtoselectawinnerwhenthestandardofactscomingoutofthe regionissohigh.ButthejudgesagreedthatTom’sapproachto comedywasexciting,unexpected,buzzingwithenergyandshowed greatpotential,makinghimaworthywinner.”
EYESONTHEPRIZE
OnreceivingtheprestigiousMugofVictory,pictured,Tomsayshe feltecstatic:“It’sreallygreattoseetheBirminghamcomedyscene thriving.I’mreallygratefulfortheaward,I’msochuffed. BirminghamComedyFestivalhasbeensuchamassivepartofmy comedyjourney;itprovidesanopportunitytotakerisksandaforum forcomedians.It’sbeensuchagift.”
Tomapproachedthecompetitionwithsomejeopardynotknowing exactlywhathemightdoonstage,whichisn’tcompletelyoutof character.Heexplains:“There’ssomeuncertaintythere.Allthe routinesI’veworkedonbefore,buttoanextentI’mguidedbythe atmosphereoftheroomwhenitcomestogoingintoaparticularbit.I movebetweensetpieces–thesetpiecesbringeveryonealong.”
TomisingoodcompanyaspreviouswinnersoftheBreakthrough TalentawardincludeJoshPugh,CelyaABandAndrewMcBurney. He’salsonotnewtowinningawardshavingpickeduptheMusical ComedyAwardlastyearattheBloomsburyTheatreinLondon wherehemademultipleentrancesandsangasongabouttheKing. Nowinits16thyear,12actscompetedfortheprestigiousprizebutit wasTomwhowastriumphant.
GOINGSOLO
Tomwasinvarioussketchtroupesatuniversitybeforestartingthe doubleactGoodKidswithhismateKieranFlynnknownfortheir songsandsketchesinwhichtheyhadsomesuccess.Hedabbledwith stand-upovertheyearsandstartedpursuingitmoreseriouslyinearly 2023andbecamearegularatDeepFriedComedyattheDarkHorse inMoseley.
Hedescribeshisstyleas‘deliciouslyrichandcreamy’andsayshe’s anadmirerofJohnKearns,LaraRicoteandDanielKitson. Immediateplansincludeworkinghismaterialintoanhour-long showwhichTomcantaketootherfestivalsandeventuallythe EdinburghFringe.Wecan’twaittoseehowTomdevelops. ■
RUNPRINCIPAL,RUN
Inadisplayofdeterminationandcommunityspirit, MoCusworth-Yafai,assistantprincipalatThorns CollegiateAcademy,BrierleyHill,completeda35milerunacrossShirelandCollegiateAcademyTrust’s 12schoolsinaday.Therunraisedfundsfor WaterAid,whichprovidescleanwaterand sanitationtocommunitiesaroundtheworld.More than£4,000wasraisedbythe12schoolsinthe Trustthroughavarietyofeventsandactivities.Mo said:“Mychallengewasmadeeasierbythesupport andencouragementfromover5,000studentsand staff,whohelpedmakeitanamazingexperience.”
FRUITFULSCHEME
PegasusPrimarySchoolandCockshutHillSchoolare twoof400schoolsacrossthecountrytakingpartinanew £4millionschemethatwillseeupto140,000pupils receiveatleastonepieceoffruitorvegaday.TheTesco Fruit&VegforSchoolsprogrammehasbeendeveloped inpartnershipwiththeBritishNutritionFoundationand aimstogiveyoungdietsahealthyandnutritiousboost. AdamAmes,principalatPegasus,said:“It’sbrilliantthat ourpupilswillbenefitfromthisnewprogramme.”
NETBALLSUPERSTARS
BromsgroveSchoolnetballteamswonthetitleofcountychampionsin allthreeagegroupsforthesecondconsecutiveyearattheEngland NetballSchools’NationalCompetition.EmmaBuckingham,headof girls’PEandgames,said:“Weareincrediblyproudofallthreeage groupsfortheiroutstandingperformance.RepresentingWorcestershire intheregionalfinalsisahugehonourandweareexcitedtoseewhat theycanaccomplishnext.Theirdedicationandteamworkhavebeen exceptionalandarereallypayingoff.”
SCHOOL REPORT
SolihullhousebuilderDavidWilsonHomeshaspartneredwiththe BookmarkReadingCharitytosupporttheChildren’sBookProject.The projectaimstogiveeverychildtheopportunitytoownabook.David WilsonHomesheldacollectionofpre-lovedbooksatitsdivisional officeinSolihullandgiftedatotalof140totheproject.AnnaPowell, marketingmanagerattheChildren’sBookProject,said:“Book ownershiphasbeendirectlylinkedwithimprovedmentalhealth amongchildrenandagreatertendencytoreadforpleasure.”
CHILDRENINNEED
PupilsandstafffromBalsallCommon PrimarySchoolAcademyswammorethan 1,000milestosupporttheChildreninNeed campaign.Overfiveweeks,630pupils fromReceptiontoYear6,alongsidestaff swamtheequivalentof124,578lengthsin theirpool,raisingnearly£1,600forthe charity.Theschool’seffortsculminatedina specialassemblywherepupilswere congratulatedbythemayorofSolihull,Cllr ShahinAshraf,whosaid:“Itisbrilliantthat thiscollectiveeffort,determinationand resiliencehasalsobeeninsupportofsucha worthycharity.”
FASHIONPOLICE
AVictorianjailintheheartofBirminghamplayedhost toafashionshowwithatwistasBirminghamCity University(BCU)andWestMidlandsPolice(WMP) joinedforceforthelaunchofauniqueresearchproject. Currentandformerpoliceofficersbecamemodelsfor theday,dominatingthecatwalkattheoldlock-upin SteelhouseLaneastheydisplayed11historicpolice uniformsthathadbeenrecreatedbyfashion, computing,andvisualeffectsstudentsatBCU.The showalsofeaturedavatarsdevelopedbyBCUfashion andcomputingstaff,rangingfromtheoriginalPeeler outfitof1839tothe20thcenturyriotsuit.
YOUNGCITIZENSLAUNCH
FourYoungActiveCitizens winnersagedbetweennineand 23visitedtheHouseofLordsto launchthisyear’sawards,which areopentoyoungpeopleacross theWestMidlands.Theawards celebratetheimpactyoung peoplearehavingontheir communities–fromfund-raising tomentoring,volunteeringand organisingspecialevents.Last year’swinnerswhometLord Lingfield,chairoftheChartered InstitutionforFurtherEducation, includedUnder11category winner,nine-year-oldJoey Rowley,pictured,fromFirst HalesowenScoutGroup.Closing dateforawardnominationsis 7February.
BRUMWIMLAUNCH
Anewinitiativeisaimingtounitefemale directors,leadersandmarketingprofessionals intheMidlands.ThelaunchofBRUMWIM (BirminghamWomeninMarketing)isthe brainchildofFranNolan,thefounderof award-winningcreativecontentagency Tribera.Fransaid:“BRUMWIMisn’tjusta community,it’saforce.It’saboutgiving womeninmarketingtheplatformthey deservetodemonstratetheirstrengths–right hereinBirmingham.We’resettingoutto buildbridges,shatterceilingsandpavethe wayforthenextgenerationoffierce, unstoppablefemaleleaders.”
BirminghamRephasanewartistic director.JoeMurphy,whohasbeenartistic directoroftheShermanTheatreinCardiff, willtakeonhisnewroleinthespring.His careerasastagedirectorandcreative artistincludesworkattheOldVic, Shakespeare’sGlobe,theBush,Soho TheatreandChichesterFestivalTheatre. HehastouredworktoNewYork,Moscow, Shanghai,HongKongandSingapore. DuringhistimeinCardiffthetheatrewas nominatedfortheStage’sTheatreofthe YearAwardandSkyArtsTheatreAward.
BUSINESS
JOEJOINSTHEREP
EXPRESSDELIVERY
GSFCarParts,theUK’sfastestgrowing motorfactor,haslauncheditsnew NationalDistributionCentrein Wolverhampton.The500,000sqftfacility streamlinesdeliverytothefirm’s194strongnationalbranchnetwork.The movefollowsaperiodofrapidgrowth withsalesyear-on-yearupbymorethan 22percentin2024.SukhpalAhluwalia, GSFchairman,pictured,said:"Thecentre isanabsolutegame-changerforGSFand theindustry.Noweverybranch nationwidewillgetadeliverynextday.”
BLUESTEAMUP
BirminghamCityFootballClubhas becomeapatronofGreater BirminghamChambersof Commerce.Theclubwhichwas acquiredin2023byUS-based KnightheadCapitalManagement recentlyunveiledambitiousplansto buildanew£3billionsportsquarter inthecityontheformer BirminghamWheelssitenexttoSt. Andrew’s.ClubCEOGarryCook, picturedwiththeChambers’ HenriettaBrealey,said:“Iam hugelyexcitedtostrengthenour associationwiththeChambersof Commerceatatimewhen Birmingham–andbusinessin Birmingham–isontheriseagain.”
Birmingham-basedCureLeukaemiahostedanevent tointroducetheground-breakingATICUSnetwork–aglobalfirstintransplanttrialsaimedat revolutionisingtreatmentsforchildhoodblood cancer.HeldatPWCBirmingham,theeventbrought togetherinfluentialfiguresfromtheWestMidlands businessandhealthcarecommunities,whoheard aboutthetransformativepotentialoftheinitiative. CureLeukaemiaCEOJamesMcLaughlinintroduced Club10,anopportunityforbusinessestobecome partoftheprojectbypledging£10,000ayear, directlycontributingtosavinglives.
Pinkwasthecolourwhenavanprovidingmobiletyrefittingandcarservicing acrosstheWestMidlandshittheroad.ThevehiclewaspartofHiQTyres& Autocare’sProjectPinkcampaignwhichraised£150,000forBreastCancerNow. Itwasnamed‘HiQHannah’inrecognitionofHiQdigitalandeCommerce specialistHannahBoyd,whowilltakepartintheLondonMarathontoraise furtherfundsandawarenessforBreastCancerNow.
JET-SETAWARD
BirminghamAirport’sXLRcorporatejetcentrehaswonamajoraviation industryawardforcustomerserviceandoperationalexcellence.XLRExecutive JetCentres,whichoperatesfourfacilitiesacrosstheUK,wasnamedastheAir CharterAssociation’s(ACA)HandlingAgent/FixedBaseOperations(FBO)of theYear2024.Birmingham’sXLRcentrehandled1,800flights,serving corporateandleisurevisitors,RAFcontracts,theFAandEnglandfootball teamsaswellasclubsidesWolverhamptonWanderersandAstonVilla.
INTHEPINK LAWSWITCH
Alawfirmismarkingits10thanniversaryin Solihullwithamovetonewpremises.Davisons LawwillrelocateinMarchtoanewlyrefurbished, three-storeyofficebuildingatWestburyHouse, WarwickRoad,closetoitscurrentbase.The practiceoperatesfrom12officesacrosstheWest MidlandsandsitesinCheltenhamandLondon. Thenewpremiseswilltriplethefirm’scurrent capacity,enablingplanstorecruitmorethan100 additionalstaffoverthenextthreeyears.
AMidlandscharitywhichsupportspeoplenationwidelivingwithheadandneck cancerhasappointedanewtrustee.RobSpittle,managingdirectorofGuestMotor Group–oneofthecountry’slargestcommercialvehicledealerswith15sites includingBirmingham,Coventry,WolverhamptonandWestBromwich–hasbeen madeatrusteeoftheGetA-HeadCharitableTrust. Thecharityworkstoimprovethequalityoflifeforpatientswithheadandneck diseases,particularlycancerbyfundingresearch,hi-techequipmentandeducation.
FINANCEBOOST
PROPERTYMOVE
PropertyfirmHBDhasappointed JamesWaltersasdirectorasits Midlandsdevelopmentand investmentbusinesscontinuesto grow.JamesjoinsHBD’sBirmingham teamfollowingroleswithAvison YoungandRigbyRealEstate,where hewasdevelopmentdirector.HBD hasaseriesofmajorschemesacross theMidlands,includingSPARKin Walsall,amanufacturingandlogistics hubwhichwilldelivermorethan 620,000sqftofspace.
AccountancyfirmPKFSmithCooperhasbolsteredits award-winningcorporatefinanceteaminthe MidlandswiththeappointmentofJoeAnderson, pictured.Joe,whohas10yearsexperienceatatop-10 accountancyfirmsupportingowner-managed businesses,willworkcloselywithclientsto understandtheirM&Aneedsandformulateplansto executesuccessfultransactions.PKFSmithCooperhas beenpushingforwardwithteamexpansionplans throughout2024,withJoebeingthefifthnew additiontothecorporatefinancedivision.
GAMESLEGACY
HundredsofpeopleattendedaneventinCoventrytocelebratetherecipients ofaCommonwealthGameslegacyfundwhichsawmorethan£11.8million awardedto388communityorganisationsacrosstheWestMidlandsand Warwickshireinjustsevenmonths.AnInclusiveCommunitiesFundeventwas heldatCoventryBuildingSocietyArenainadayofcelebrationinrecognition oftheorganisationswhichhavebeenawardedfundingforprojectswhichare makingadifferencetocommunitiesacrosstheregion.
GIFTS&GAMES
OfficetenantsatBrindleyplacegavefestivejoy tochildrensupportedbyLadywoodCommunity Project.Theyboughtboardgamesaspartof theirGiftsandGamesatChristmascampaign. CaronHallahanfromtheProjectsaid:“Wewere stunnedbytheamazinggenerositywhich meanssomuchtoourchildren."
KING’SAWARD
AgroupofvolunteersinHandsworthhasbeen awardedtheKing’sAwardforVoluntary Servicefor2024–thehighestawardalocal voluntarygroupcanreceiveintheUK. GrosvenorRoadStudios,acquiredbyBlack Voicesin2001,Isoneofthelargestrecording studiosintheWestMidlandsandahubfor artsandcommunitydevelopment.
PRESIDENTPRIZE
BusinessandcommunityleaderDrJason WouhrahasbeenawardedtheAsianBusiness ChamberofCommerce(ABCC)President’s Award.TheCEOofLioncroftWholesalewas presentedwiththeawardbyOmarRashid, ABCCpresident,duringtheannualdinnerand awardsceremonyattheICC.
OWNEROFTHEYEAR
MedusaSojourn,theCEOandfounderofDuckling children’snurseries,wasnamedOwneroftheYearatthe DayNurseryAwards,thebiggesteventforchildcare ownersandmanagersintheUK.Inwhatwasanexciting month,MedusaalsoparticipatedintheGlobal EducationalSuppliesandSolutions(GESS)conference andexhibitioninDubai,apremierplatformfor businessesintheEducation,EdTech,andTrainingsectors. TheconferencewasorganisedbytheDepartmentfor BusinessandTradeinassociationwiththeBritish EducationalSuppliersAssociation.
S5 6 7 8 9
peciallyinvitedguestsenjoyedoneof Birmingham’snewestrestaurantswhenCow andSowopeneditsdoors.Locatednextdoor toDishoomatOneChamberlainSquare,the steakhousefeaturesanarrayofprimeagedsteaks, fromsinglecutstoexceptionalsharingsteaksfrom grass-fedcattlealongsidedelicioussidesandsmall plates. ■
1 JamaicaRidge,CieraDolphin. 2 MichaelTushingham,GeorgeHancorn. 3 BroganandTobySears. 4 ElishaandOliverNgo. 5 GMJordanStewart,MarkWarburton. 6 MicheleWilby,PhilOldershaw. 7 AndyCleobury,AlevDervish. 8 AshaGhosh,BradPattni. 9 AnoukHorrreworts,AnitaChampaneri,KarlieBurry.
ARKLAUNCHESNEW CHAPTERINTHECITY
Financialservicesfirmreveals rebrandwithnetworkingevent
B4 5 3 2 1
irmingham-basedaccountantsand charteredtaxadvisersArk&Cocelebrated thelaunchofitsnewbrandandthe appointmentofMandeepRajputasmanaging directorwithanexclusiveeventinthecitycentre. Clients,businessesandcolleaguescametogetherat ChapterrestaurantinEdgbastonVillagetomark theoccasionwithdrinks,canapésandnetworking. PreviouslyArkAurora,thefinancialservicesfirm hasrebrandedaspartofitsambitiousgrowth strategywithMandeepjoiningexistingpartners BallyArk,GurnekArkandSuchyLidhar. ■ 6 7 8
1 RobertCasey,UpinderPokhriyal,AndyJones. 2 BallyArkandTanyaChanawithprizewinner. 3 SharanSohal,MoniqueRoyle,Mandeep Rajput,JazSohal. 4 OmarRashid,JamilShabir,AnjumKhan,SapreenaKumari. 5 MichaelKelly,JagUppal,RavBagri,MandeepRajput. 6 GurnekArk,SukhiSaini. 7 DrSarjBhaia,RanjitBhaia,JodiFlint. 8 PaulMcKeown,SuchyLidhar,SatnamParwana.
It’spartytimeasVietnameseStreet Kitchencelebratesfifthanniversary 2 3 4 6
VietnameseStreetKitchencelebrateditsfifthbirthday withaspecialpartyatitsResortsWorldvenue.The family-ownedbusinesstreatedgueststoawesome foodandsomesupercocktails,includinglycheecoolersand passionfruitmartinis. ■
1 JackSims,JamalGreave,SashaJones,LukeBennett. 2 MonicaandAndreaManenti. 3 AnnaandJohnCosgrove. 4 KirstyLo. 5 BeckyStew,JessBrady. 6 OliverNgo,OmarFletcher. 7 RossPocknell,PaulCampbell,DawnBuchanan.
SNOWBALLDELIVERS GIFTSFORCHILDEN
AnnualcharityeventsupportsSalvation Armyappealtohelplocalkidsinneed
NailcoteHallhelditsannualSnowball charityevent.SponsoredbyBidford,this year’sblack-tieballwasinsupportofthe SalvationArmyappealforChildren’sGifts,which helpsprovideforneedyyoungstersintheWest Midlands.Guestsandstaffdonatedhundredsof presentsbeforedancingthenightawaytoashowstoppingperformancefromtributeband, Take@That. ■
PhotographybyKarenMasseyPhotography
WHAT’SONliving
WHAT: Birdsong
WHEN: 27Januaryto1February
WHAT: StrictlyComeDancingLiveTour2025
WHEN: 17to19January
WHERE: UtilitaArena, utilitaarenabham.co.uk
Holdontoyoursequins,shineupthose danceshoes,andprepareforashowof pureglitz,glamour,andjaw-dropping excitement–theSCDLiveTourisback!
WHAT: PeterPan
WHEN: Nowuntil2February2025
WHERE: BirminghamHippodrome, birminghamhippodrome.com
Followingatriumphantseasonlastyear, theQueenofBirminghamAlison Hammondreturns,thisyearleadingthe castasTheMagicalMermaid!With MattSlackandDannyMac,pictured.
WHAT: Boyzlife
WHEN: 30January
WHERE: SymphonyHall,bmusic.co.uk
ThesupergroupcomprisedofBoyzone’sKeith DuffyandWestlife’sBrianMcFadden,will celebratetheiconicanddefininghitsfromboth actswiththeirfirsttourintwoyears.
WHERE: BirminghamRep, birmingham-rep.co.uk
Tellingthestoryofoneman’sjourney throughanall-consumingloveaffairand intothehorroroftheFirstWorldWar, SebastianFaulks’sepicstoryofloveand lossreturnstothestagemarkingthe 30thanniversaryoftheinternational best-sellingnovel.
WHAT: WasteAge:Whatcandesigndo?
WHEN: 9until23February
WHERE: MidlandsArtCentre, macbirmingham.co.uk
Fromfashiontofood,electronics toconstructionthisinspiring exhibitionfocusesonanew generationofdesignerswhoare rethinkingourrelationshipto everydaythings.
WHAT: JohnBarrowman
WHEN: 4February
WHERE: TownHall,bmusic.co.uk
Thenewestshowfromthestarofstage andTVisanunwaveringanduncensored eventabouthispassionforlifeandhis profoundloveofsongandstory.
WHAT: ABBAParty
WHEN: 25January
WHERE: NailcoteHall, nailcotehall.co.uk
Whetheryou'readiehardfanorjustlooking forsomegreattunes,thisspecialevening withtributeactStrictlyAbbaisgoingtobe rightupyourstreet.Includesthreecourse dinnerandafter-showDJ
WHAT: Hamlet
WHEN: 8Februaryto29March
WHERE: RSCTheatre,rsc.org.uk, tel:01789331111
Griefcanplaytricksonthemind,even conjureghosts.ButwhenHamlet’sdead fatherappearstohimonenight,he signalsmurder,notmadness.Multi award-winnerRupertGoolddirectsLuke Thalloninthetitleroleofthisnew productionofShakespeare’sfamilysaga.
Picture:PamelaRaith
WHAT: NinaGilligan
WHEN: 24January
WHERE: GleeClub, glee.co.uk/birmingham/ Knownasavivacious,life embracingperformer,jointhemultiawardingcomicforanhilarious hourofstand-up,musingoverthe thingsshecan'trememberandthat thingshewishesshecouldforget.
WHAT: WildlifePhotographerofthe Yearexhibition
WHEN: NowuntilApril2025
WHERE: Waterhall,BirminghamMuseum& ArtGallery,birminghammuseums.org.uk
OnloanfromtheNationalHistoryMuseum,the world-renownedexhibitioniscomingtoBirmingham featuringexceptionalimagesthatcapturefascinating animalbehaviour,spectacularspeciesandthe breathtakingdiversityofthenaturalworld.
WHAT: BirminghamInternationalTattoo
WHEN: 8and9February
WHERE: ResortsWorldArena, resortsworldarena.co.uk
Astunningeventwithallthepompand pageantryofmarchingbands,pipes& drumsandexcitingdisplaysincludingthe Inter-ServiceFieldGunCompetitionand dog-racing.
WHAT: DetroitSoulCollective
WHEN: 25January
WHERE: TheJamHouse,thejamhouse.com
ThecompleteDetroitSoul,plusbrasssection,cometo townwithacollectionofclassicandcontemporary music,withallofyourTamlaMotown,AtlanticSouland funkfavourites.
WHAT: TheNationalRunningShow
WHEN: 25and26January
WHERE: NECBirmingham, nationalrunningshow.com
Everythingyouneedtoknowabout running,bringingtogetherinspirational speakers,cutting-edgetechnologiesand thebestinnutrition,allunderoneroof.
WHAT: JimmyCarr
WHEN: 23January
WHERE: TheAlexandra, atgtickets.com
Ifyoulikefast-paced,edgy one-linersthengetreadytobe happy.Jimmyisbackontour withhisbrand-newshow.
Picture:SteveUllathorne
CLOSEWITHÁ
ADAMKIRTLAND
FROMPICKINGUPASPADEFORTHEFIRSTTIMEINLOCKDOWNTOTENSOF THOUSANDSFOLLOWINGHISWISEWORDSONALLTHINGSGARDENING–OURRESIDENTGREEN-FINGEREDEXPERTRECOUNTSHISUNLIKELYSTORY…
BEENTHERE,DONETHAT
Well,Icametogardeningquitelatetobehonest –whenwewereallstuckathomeaboutfouryears ago,Ipickedupaspade,putonsomegardening glovesandneverlookedback!Overthelastfour years,I’vegonefromturningourhumblelittle gardenintoafloralparadisetonowsharingwith othersonline,howtodothesame.Neverina millionyearsdidIthinkI’dbetalkingonsomeof thebiggestgardeningstagesintheworldtoo!
IT’SWHATIDO
Essentially,I’mawriter,podcaster,gardenerand I’malsoverybusyonsocialmedia.Myaimisto share,inwhateverwaypossible,justhowsimple gardeningcanbeandhowanyone(literally anyone!)candoit.Nowmorethan60,000people followmeoverInstagramandmanyofthosewill havetakenupgardeningtoo.
WHATI’DLIKETOSEE
Personally,myaimistoreachasmanypeopleas possibleandcontinuedoingwhatI’mdoing.It makesmesoincrediblyhappytoknowthatsome peoplewillhavepickedupgardeningoffthebackof oneofmyvideos,orbylisteningtomypodcast,or seeingmetalkatashow.
BIGGESTSUCCESS
Gosh,that’sadifficultone–sotoughtoanswer! I’mnotsureIcanpickjustone,buthavingsat downandinterviewedTHEAlanTitchmarshhas gottobeupthereforsure.Iremembermyparents watchingGroundForceandGardener’sWorld whenIwasalad,andgoingfromjustseeinghim onthetelevisiontonowtalkingtohim–thatblows mymindaweebit.
BIGGESTLESSONLEARNED
I’dhavestartedearlier!Whyoh,whydidIwait untilIwas32tostartgardeningproperly?!Youcan pickupgardeningatanyage,andIthinksome peoplestillthinkit’ssomethingthattheolder generationsdo–butno,getgardeningeveryone!
WHATILIKEABOUTBRUM
Birminghamissuchanunderratedcity.Asfaras citycentresgo,it’ssoaccessibleandmostthingsare withineasywalkingdistance–butI’vegottogo withagardenhaven’tI?Itwouldbemadnotto! We’reblessedwithsomefantasticgardensandone hiddengem,justoutofthecentreitselfis Winterbourne–inthegroundsofBirmingham University.Beautifulflowersandacracking afternoonteatoo–whatcouldbebetter? ■
