Birmingham Living March 2025 (issue 143)

THEWONDERFUL WOMENOFWINE

KINGOFKABADDI

ASHOKDAS

WORLDCLASSCBSO

PHOTOGRAPHER MAHTABHUSSAIN

CUUBO’SDANSWEET HELLOHYROX

ANDREAS ANTONA

EDITOR’SVIEW

Detailsemergedthismonthinvolvingtwoofthemostinfluentialnamesin thiscity’srecenthistory.ThenewsthatOzzyOsbourneandBlackSabbath arere-unitingfortheirfinal-evergigatVillaParksaysawholeheapabout howBirmingham’smostfamousrockersviewtheimportanceoftheirroots.Theycouldhaveoptedfor someswankyarenavenueintheStates,fetedbythegreatandgoodfromthecelebcircuit.Insteadthey’ve chosentocomeplayfortheirhometownfansforthelasttime.Bravotothem! WhenitcomestoBirmingham’sfoodscene,theydon’tcomeanybiggerthanAndreasAntona.Inalongcareer, thechefpatronofSimpsonswasresponsibleforearningthecity’sfirst-everMichelinstaranddevelopingahost ofgreatchefswhohavegoneonfromhiskitchenstoruntheirowneateriesandearntheirownstars. WespokewithAndreasforthismonth’scoverinterviewinwhichhetalkedabouttheharddecisionto hanguphisapronafter50-plusyearsintheindustry.“I’mnotgoingtobeshufflingmywayround Sainsbury’sorsmokingapipeinthegarden,”heassured.

Someverysadnewsnowwiththepassingofourmuch-lovedmotoringcolumnistSueCooke.Suewasa joytoworkwith,possessingaknowledgeoftheautomotiveindustryonlymatchedbyherunderstanding ofwhatreadersreallywantedtoknowaboutthenewcarsshereviewedforBirminghamLivingovermany years.Alwaysontimewithhercopy,alwayswelcomingnewideas,andalwaystimeforacheerfulchat.A thoroughlylovelylady,muchrespectedbyeveryonewhoknewherandwhoisverysadlymissed…

DavidJohns

EDITOR: DavidJohns david@brumliving.co.uk

ShelleyCarter shelley@brumliving.co.uk

CONTRIBUTORS: DavidCarne,AdamKirtland ACCOUNTMANAGER: JaneMorris jane@brumliving.co.uk

PHOTOGRAPHY: DavidMorphew,AndrewLlewellyn.Imagelibrary:shutterstock.com

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

AndreasAntona

TheGodfatherofBirmingham’sfoodscene talkshanginguphisapronandnewplans

CBSOInTheCity

Acloserlookbehindthesceneswiththe CityofBirminghamSymphonyOrchestra

Food&Drink

Chef’sCornerwithDanSweetofCuubo, plusnews,reviews,recipesandwinepicks

Health

HelloHyrox,thelatestfitnesscrazethat’s gotgymbunniesbuzzingwithenergy

Style

We’reshakingoffthewintergloomina mood-boostingpuffofprettypastels

BestoftheRest

Homes

Refreshyourlivingroomwithanewlookon areasonablebudgetwithminimumeffort

FromthePottingBench

It’sMarch,andspringissprung!So,whatare thismonth’smust-dojobsinthegarden?

NeverGiveUp

AshokDas’sinspiringjourneyseesthe KabaddiWorldCupcometotheMidlands

BusinessNews

Allthelatestnews,views,comingsand goingsfromthecommercialcommunity

What’sOn

Bestofthecity’stopshowsandgigs inourround-upofmust-seeevents

UpClose

TomMarlowofWestMidlandsGrowth CompanyandBeebfootiecommentator

BULLSIN THECITY

WestMidlandsMetroissupportinga charityartprojectcharginginto Birminghamcitycentrethissummer. BullsintheCityisanewarttrail whichwillsupportBirmingham Hospicewithaparadeoflargerthan-lifesculpturesinspiredby Brum’slegendaryBullringBull.The WildinArtprojectaimstocelebrate thecity’srichheritagewhile showcasingthetalentoflocalartists. Theinitiativewillalsoengagewith localschoolsandcommunities.

ROYALRETURN

Aftermorethanadecade-longabsenceBirminghamRoyal Ballet(BRB)isreturningtoLondon’sRoyalOperaHouse. TheCompanywillperformDonQuixoteaspartofits2026 programme.CarlosAcosta’sproductionkicksoffitsUKwidetournextFebruaryatBirminghamHippodrome culminatinglateratCoventGardenwithdates tobeannounced.Beforethat,BRB’s2025 scheduleincludestouringCinderellathisspring, followedbyperformancesofBlackSabbth–TheBalletinRotterdamandthenintheUSat theVirginaArtsFestivalandKennedy CentreWashington.

BRINGINGYOUTHEBRIGHTEST ANDMOSTCOLOURFUL STORIESFROMACROSSTHE CITYEACHMONTH

HOMESOFHOPE

WestMidlandsmayorRichardParkerhas unveileda£1.3millioninvestmentto providelearningdisabledadultswith homesthatwillhelpthemintegratewithin thewidercommunity.Thenewenergy efficientproperties,whichwillinclude featurestoimproveday-to-dayliving,are beingbuiltonthesiteofexisting,butnow outdated,supportedlivinghomesin Ironbridge.Afurther67homesforgeneral salewillalsobebuiltonthesite,providing housingforthelocalarea.

AWARDSFIRST

Classicalmusic’sbiggestawardsareheadingtoBirminghamfor thefirsttime.TheRoyalPhilharmonicSociety(RPS)Awardswill takeplaceatRoyalBirminghamConservatoireonThursday6 March.Andthere’splentyofMidlandstalentupforawards includingtheCityofBirminghamSymphonyOrchestra, WolverhamptonSymphonyOrchestraandtheSingingMedicine programmefromExCathedrawhichvisitsBirmingham Children’sHospitaleachweek.Individualperformersshortlisted includeCBSOmusicdirectorKazukiYamada.

FEASTOFSPORT

TheUK’slargestsports-focusedweekendfestivalwilltakeplacefrom1to4Augustat PackingtonEstate,Warwickshire,featuringahostofsportinglegends.Theyincluderugby prosBenYoungs,AlexGoode,SydneyGregsonandRachaelBurfordandBritishboxing championRachaelMcKenzie.DerekRedmondwillbeputtingwould-beathletestothetest, whilehockey‘goldengirls’KateandHelenRichardson-Walshwillbepassingontheir tips.Co-founderWillGreenwoodsaid:“It’sincredibletohavesomanyprofessionalsports peopleinoneplaceforoneweekend.”

WANTED:BRUMBASSADORS

GreaterBirminghamChambersofCommerceiscallingon Brummiestojoinforcestochampionwhat’sgreatabouttheircity. Brumbassadors–inpartnershipwithBirminghamCityFootball Club–isanetworkbringingtogethermembersofthebusiness communitywithaninterestinbangingthedrumforBrum.GBCC memberswillhavetheopportunitytotakepartinBrumbassadors meet-upstohearfrominfluentialspeakersandmeetorganisations whoaredoinggreatthingsinandaroundBirmingham.Thefirst meet-upison8AprilatBirminghamCity’shomestadium, StAndrew’s@KnightheadPark.

CRICKETCUISINE

Michelin-starchefTomShepherdis bringinghisculinaryskillstoEdgbaston Stadium.Hewillcurateabespokemenu forguestsintheWarwickshireSuiteat theEnglandvIndiaTestMatch,England vWestIndiesODIandVitalityBlastT20 FinalsDay.Themenuwillfeature moderninterpretationofclassicdishes, subtlyinfusedwithinfluencesfrom othercultures.Tomwhowasbornin SuttonColdfield,openedUpstairsby TomShepherdinLichfieldin2021and wasawardedaMichelinstarjustfour monthslater.

WONDER OFWOOFS

Solihullisgettingsetforatrulypawsomeevent.StBasilsWoofs2025,the dog-friendlycharityevent,istakingplaceonSunday16MarchinBrueton Park.Packedwithfunforbothdogsandtheirowners,Woofs2025supportsSt Basilsvitalworktocombatyouthhomelessnesswhilecelebratingourfourleggedfriends.TheeventwillfeatureanAgilityArena,wheredogscanshow offtheirskills,aBarkRunofferingaflattarmaccourseforarelaxingstroll,and theDogVillagefilledwithgoodie-packedstalls.

SABBATH’S SWANSONG

Birmingham’slegendary rockersBlackSabbathare cominghomefortheirfinaleverliveshow,whichwill takeplaceon5JulyatVilla Park.Theeventwillseethe band’smosticonicline-up–frontmanOzzyOsbourne, guitaristTonyIommi,bassist GeezerButleranddrummer BillWard–playlivetogether forthefirsttimeinmorethan twodecades.TheBackToThe Beginningshowwas announcedbyIommiand SharonOsbourne,Ozzy’swife andmanager.Proceedswill besharedbetweenCure Parkinson’s,Birmingham Children’sHospitaland Acorn'sChildren’sHospice.

KNIFECRIMEFOCUS

RSCVIDEOGAME

TheRoyalShakespeareCompanyhasteamedupwithaNewYork-based independentgamestudioandpublishertocreateanewinteractive game.LilifromiNKStoriesissetincontemporaryIranandputsLady Macbethfrontandcentre.ThecollaborationmarkstheRSC’sdebutin videogaming.StarringCannesBestActresswinnerZarAmirasLady Macbeth(Lili),thegameisco-producedbyherParis-basedAlambic Production.ZardrawsfromherlivedexperienceasanIranianwoman battlingagainstauthoritariangenderedoppression.

SMARTMOVE

SmartWorksBirmingham,acharitythatempowerswomen togetbackintowork,hasopenedanewcentreinDigbeth. Thespacemarksanewchapterforgrowthinsupporting unemployedwomenacrosstheWestMidlands.Smart WorksBirminghamchairAlisonArmstrongandcentre managerAnnPowellwerejoinedbyHighSheriffofthe CountyofWestMidlandsDouglasWrightandDeputy LieutenantColonelDrHeidiDoughty,alongwithSmart Workstrusteesandvolunteers,foraspeciallaunchevent.

VirtualDecisions,aleading educationalVRcompany basedinBirmingham,tookits award-winningvirtualreality (VR)headsetstotheRoost pubinBordesleyGreento offeryoungpeoplean immersiveexperiencefocused onthedangersofknifecrime. Thevisitwaspartofabroader communityresponsetothe deathof12-year-oldLeo RossinHallGreen,that underscoredtheurgencyof addressingyouthsafety concerns.VirtualDecisions founders,ClaireDownesand StuartLane,equippedyoung attendeeswithVRheadsets toexplorerealisticscenarios demonstratingthe consequencesofcarrying aknife.

Birmingham’sElmhurstBalletSchoolisopening itsdoorstothelocalcommunityaspartofthe nationallaunchofLet’sDance!Theinitiative, spearheadedbyformernewspresenterand StrictlystarAngelaRippon,aimstoraise awarenessofthebenefitsofdance,encouraging thosethatdon’tusuallydancetogiveitago.On Sunday2MarchElmhurstwillwelcome participantstotakepartinaRoyalAcademyof DanceSilverSwansclass,aspeciallydesigned balletsessionaimedatover55s.

MUSICALSSHOWCASE

BirminghamHippodromeisinviting audiencestoexperienceasnippetofsix uniquemusicaltheatreprojectsin developmentatitsfirsteverNew MusicalsShowcaseonThursday6 March.Theshowcasewillinclude extractsofshowscreatedbythe theatre’sMusicalTheatreWritersGroup, ledbyVictoriaSaxtonandTim Sutton.Alongsidetheperformances,the Hippodrome’sNewMusicalTheatre departmentwillpresentsneakpreviews fromotherprojectsindevelopment, includingthefirsteverpublicsharingof abrand-newshow.

GOTANYNEWS? Emailyournewsand picturestoeditor@brumliving.co.uk

GARDENSJOINWORLDELITE

BirminghamBotanicalGardenshasreceivedofficialaccreditationfromBotanic GardensConservationInternational(BGCI).TheaccoladepositionstheGardens amonganelitegroupofonly111accreditedbotanicgardensworldwide, recognisingitsgloballeadershipinplantconservation,environmentaleducation andpublicengagement.ChiefexecutiveSaraBlair-Manningsaid:“TheBGCI accreditationisatestamenttothededicationandexpertiseofourteamatthe BotanicalGardens.Itrecognisesourhistoriccontributionstoplantconservation andalsoenergisesourvisionforthefuture.”

YOUNGATART

TheBritishMotorMuseumhaslauncheda YoungArtistsCompetitiontocelebratethe openingoftheexhibition,TheGallery2025. Themedaround‘thecarandthe environment’,therearethreeagecategories forentry–under11s,12-to-16years,and 17-to-20.Closingdateis28April.The winningartworkswillgoondisplayintheMuseuminJuneaspartofThe Gallery2025exhibition.Thewinningartistswilleachreceiveahalf-day workshopwithaleadingartistfeaturedintheexhibition.

MICHELINMARVELS

ThelatestMichelinguidehasjust comeoutwithsuccessesfromthe Birminghamculinaryscene.Aswell asthelikesofSimpsons,Adamsand Opheemallretainingtheirstarstatus, HarbornerestaurantTropeajoined RiverineRabbitinStirchleyonthelist ofnewBibGourmandrestaurants, thatcelebrates‘goodfoodatagreatprice’.AshValenzuela-Heeger,whorunsthe RiverineRabbitwithherwifeErin,alsoreceivedaMichelinYoungChefAward.

THERETIRING TYPE?NOWAY!

THEGODFATHEROFBIRMINGHAM’SFOODSCENEISHANGINGUPHIS APRONAFTERACAREERSPANNING50GOLDENYEARS,MARKEDBY THECITY'SFIRST-EVERMICHELINSTAR.BUTDON’TEXPECTTOFIND ANDREASANTONASHUFFLINGAROUNDSAINSBURY’S–HE’SGOTPLANS!

Thenewscameasabitofashock.Afterall,whohasn’theardof Simpsons?ThefirstrestaurantinBirminghamtoearna Michelinstar.Andwhohasn’theardofAndreasAntona.The manbehindthelegendaryeatery,wheregoodfoodbecameexquisite foodandaspiringyoungchefshavebeennurturedtobecomeMichelin starsintheirownright.

So,yes,thenewsthatSimpsonsisupforsaleandthat‘TheGodfather’ ofthiscity’sburgeoningfoodsceneis‘retiring’ishardtoprocess.Butas Andreasexplained:“I’vehadagreatrun,I’mnotgettinganyyounger,and IstillhavemanythingsIwanttodowithmylifebeforemytimeisup.”

Let’sfaceit,itwouldbemeantoprotesttooloudlyhisdecisionto hanguphisapronafterallhehasbroughttoourcity,liftingitsprofile fromfranklywhatwasabitofaculinaryjoketoadiningpowerhouse toppedonlybythecapitalforMichelinstarrestaurants.

FOODIEROOTS

Andreas’sfoodierootsbeganwhenhetrainedinGermanyand Switzerlandduringhisearlyyearsasachef.OnreturningtotheUKhe workedwithluminariessuchasAntonMosimannandMichaelQuinn, formerheadchefatLondon’sRitz.Havingspent35yearsinthe kitchen,hegaveupcheffingtodedicate15yearstorunningSimpsons followedbyTheCrossatKenilworthwhichhetookoverin2013.

Andreassaid:“Lastyear,Imarked50yearsasachefandrestaurateur, havingstartedoutatEalingCollegein1974.Ifeelluckytohave witnessedtheboomanddevelopmentofourindustryintothe wonderfulprofessionitisnow.Followingalotofsoulsearching,I’ve realisedthereisneveragoodtimetoretire,butwhensomethingfrom withinistellingyoutore-evaluateandenjoylife,family,friends,travel andgolf,youneedtolisten.Itisthisrealisationthathasmademedecide

tosellSimpsons,therestaurantwheremylifeasa chefpatronbegan.

“AnyonewhoknowsmeknowsthatI’mnotonefor standingstill,andIwillcontinue,albeitonaparttimebasis,withmyotherinterestssuchasTheCross andSOKOPatisserieforthenearfuture.I’dalsolike toinvestmoretimeinprojectsclosetomyheart. Simpsonshasabigplaceinmyheartandasaleofthis importancewilltaketime.Wehaveafantasticteamin placeandIwanttobesurethatthebuyersharesour passiontocontinueandbuildonSimpsons’ssuccess.”

AWARDSGALORE

Simpsonshasachievedthreedecadesofculinary excellencewithAndreasatitshelm.Therestaurant hasheldaMichelinstarsince1999,alongsideahost ofotherindustryawardsandaccolades,including beingrecognisedbyPETAasoneofthetop10 restaurantsforplant-baseddining.Assuch,Simpsons hasestablisheditselfasafavouritediningdestination forfoodiesandrevolutionisedthediningscenein Birmingham.Carryingonthatlegacyisfrontand centreforAndreasmovingforward.“WhileIrealise thetimehascomeformetounwindabit,it’svital thatSimpsonscarriesonandgoesfromstrengthto strength.So,itwillneedsomeonewithhugeenergy, commitmentandofcoursetalent.”

ResilienceisafourthqualitywhichAndreas alludedto.“Timesareverytoughrightnowacrossthe industrywithadifficulttradingenvironment,”he

said.“Restaurantsareabarometerofthecountry’s well-being,andwearegoingthroughit.”Neverone toduckanissue,Andreasishappytostirthepot whenitcomestohisviewsonhowthenationisrun bygovernment.

“Thewholenationhasbeenletdownovermany yearsbypoliticiansofallpersuasions,”hersays.“Let downthroughtheirinterferenceinbusinesswhich doesmoreharm,insteadoflettingbusinessgeton withit.Weareover-taxedandover-regulated.You wantagrowingeconomy?Icouldachievethatintwo fellswoops–abolishthebusinessratesystemand reduceVATtoaroundfourorfivepercentforretail andhospitality.Asitstandsnow,everyonewillhaveto actuallyreducetheirpayrollduetoincreasesin NationalInsurance.”

YOUNGGUNS

Despitethiscriticism,Andreasishopefulforthe hospitalityindustryinthelongerterm.“I’mconfident thatgoodtimeswillcomeagain,”hesaid.“Thereare somebrilliantyoungchefsoutthere.Butwedoneed tocreateabroaderappealtogetkidsintotheindustry withmoretrainingprogrammesandapprenticeships. Theproblemisthatgovernmentdoesn’tlookat hospitalityasanindustry,eventhoughwearethe thirdbiggestinthecountry.Theyfocustoomuchon tech,whileourindustrygetstakenforgranted.

“Iknewat15thatIneverwantedtogoto university,soIwenttocateringcollege.My generationwantedtomakethingsbetterandwenever tooktheindustryforgranted.Iadmirekidstoday,but Idon’tsensethesamecamaraderiethatwehad.Iwas atthebeginningofagreatBirminghamrevolution whichbecameagoldenera.Lookingbackonmy career,Iwouldn’tchangeanything.”

WhileAndreasis‘officiallyretiring’hesaysthat “theGreekinmeistoalwayscarryon”.Headds:“I mayhavehungupmyapronbutyouwon’tseeme shufflingaroundSainsbury’salldaylongorretiring tothegarden.Iwillstillbegettingstuckinand involved–maybethroughmentoringorconsultancy.”

OfBrumingeneral,hesays:“Itlooksbuoyant,lots ofcranesandplentyofbuilding.There’slotsof different,ethnicrestaurantsandagreatcatering college.So,lotstobepositiveabout!” ■

CBSOINTHECITY

THECITYOFBIRMINGHAMSYMPHONYORCHESTRAISONEOFTHEWORLD’SMOST RESPECTEDORCHESTRAS.WECAUGHTUPWITHITSCEOEMMASTENNING,WHOMADE THEMOVEFROMTORONTOIN2023,TOCHATABOUTPLANSFORTHEORCHESTRAAS WELLASSOMEOFHERFAVOURITEANDNOT-SO-FAVOURITEBITSOFBRUM

EmmacametotheCBSOfromToronto’s SoulpepperTheatrewhereshelandedafter spendingadecadeaschiefexecutiveofthe historicBristolOldVic.Shewasalsoheadoftheatre atArtsCouncilEnglandandculturalprogramme advisorattheLondonOrganisingCommitteefor theOlympicGamesaswellasexecutivedirectorof BatterseaArtsCentreamongotherroles.Nowshe hasboldambitionsfortheCBSO.

Shesayshervisionistoconnectwithpeoplewho livehere:“Classicalrepertoirewillalwaysbeatthe heartofwhatwedo,howevertoday’sBirminghamis immenselymulticulturalandyoung.Weneedtobe boldenoughtoexplorewhattobecome.Weneedto beadventurousandbraveenoughtofindsomething distinctiveandstepintonewkindsofmusic.”

InApril,theorchestraisputtingonaconcertin partnershipwithPunchRecordstitledLegacywhich issurelytheCBSO’sfirstforayintogrime.Emma adds:“Themusicianslovethebreadth.They’llbe playingBeethovenNo9atSymphonyHalloneday andfilmmusicforaHalloweeneventthenext.”

NUTSBUTFUN

Lastsummertheorchestrabroughtmusicalmagic tothecitybypoppingupandperforming27free concertsinplaceslikeBirminghamBotanical Gardens,thelibraryandNewStreetstationamong others.Emmasays:“Itwassortofnutsbutthebest funever.Iwouldarriveattheofficeanditwaslike missioncontrol.Astringquartetwouldbeofftoplay inacafé,brassinthepark.Itwasmagic.”

EmmadescribesherroleasCEOasacurious one.Shesays:“Internallymyjobistocareforthe

company.Dowehaveenoughmoneyandresources? There’sastrategicsidetoo,sowhatweplayand whereaswellaspushingustothinkaboutthe future.”Sheadds:“Externally,Irepresentthe companyandtalktopartnersandcollaboratewith culturalcolleaguessuchastheballetand internationally,representtheCBSOontheworld stage.We’reinEuropeinMay,JapaninJuly.Wetake thecity’snamewithus.”

JustasEmmajoinedtheorchestra,sodidchief conductorandartisticadvisorKazukiYamadawho sheworkscloselywithanddescribesas‘completely magical’andwhosharesherlovefortheCBSO. Kazukisays:“Itisagreatorchestrawithavery

specialconnection,almostliketelepathy.Theyhave theabilitytoknowinadvanceeverythingIwant themtodo.Forme,it’sexcitingjusttothinkabout howmuchfunitistomakemusicwiththem.”

Emma’sfirstimpressionsofBirminghamwere positive.“Ilovebeinginthecity.There’savibrancy andahappinessandsomanydifferentcultures.I founditwelcoming.”Emma’stopfoodiehauntis theunassumingIndianRacer.Shesays:“It’smy favouriterestaurant.Itakeeveryone.It’sintheback ofapubandsuchanimprobablelookingplace.You gothroughacurtainandthereitis.Iabsolutelylove it.”TheonlyissuewiththecityforEmma,andone weagreewith,isthepublictransportprovisionsafter

BOLDVISION: TheCBSO’schiefexecutive,EmmaStenning

dark.Shesays:“Publictransportneeds improvingtostopthe9.30pmtransitoutof thecity.It’sterribleforthenighttime economy.Themayorcouldsortit.”

VIOLINBYZOOM

It’llsurpriseyoutolearnthatEmmaisn’t verymusicalbutthoughtshe’dhaveastab attheviolinduringlockdown.Shesays:“I madevariousattemptsasachild.Ireached grade2onthepiano.Ispentmytime dancing–balletandtap.”Sheadds: “DuringlockdowninTorontoanoddly shapedpackagearrivedfromafriendwhich turnedouttobeaviolin.Istartedaweekly Zoomclass–poorneighbours!Igottoa pointwhereIcouldplayAmazingGrace.It wasreallyenjoyable.”

EmmaheadeduptheSoulpepper Theatrethroughoutthepandemicso workedalotfromthekitchentable.Asalary subsidyschemekeptthetheatre’sstaff employed.Shesays:“Itwastheoppositeof thefurloughscheme.Herepeoplewerepaid nottoworkandinCanadathesalary subsidypaidpeopletostayemployed.We didallsorts–radioplays,sortingoutthe archive,signlanguagelessons.”

EmmasaysBirminghamislikeToronto insomeways,butshe’snotlookingback. She’slookingaheadtoapackedprogramme fortherestof2025andensuringthatthe CBSOcontinuestothrive.Shesays:“Ithas anincrediblehistory,andIfeelaprofound responsibility.” ■

PACKEDPROGRAMME

Fordetailsofwhat’sonattheCBSO visitcbso.co.uk

DANSWEET FOOD&DRINK

DreamysummersinItalyasachildinstilledaloveof ItalianfoodthatrunsthroughDanSweet’sinventive menusatCuubo.Athomeit’sadifferentstory…

Tellusaboutyourcooking

Forme,it’sseasonallybased.Welookatwhat’sin seasonandgofromthere.Mycookingisquite classicalandinfluencedinpartbymyfamilyinItaly. Asakid,Ispentthesix-weeksummerholidaysin BeneventonearCampaniawithmyItalianfamily. Theyhavealotoflandwithsheep,goatsanda vineyard.Theproduceisincredibleandeverywhere youwalkyoucanjustpickingredients.Itsurrounds you.Also,you’vegottomakesurewhatyou’re offeringisgood.Peopledon’thavemuchspare income.You’vegottokindofbendandadjusttothe marketandsituation.Itwon’tworkotherwise.At Cuubo,WednesdaysandThursdaysarequietso we’reintroducingacoupleofoffersforthosedays.

Howdidyoubecomeachef?

MyotherhalfhadahairsalonandIwasa hairdresserforsevenyears.Igotintocookingquitelate atage26andlearnedeverythingatSimpsons.I’dhad noformalcollegetrainingsowhenIhadatrialat Simpsons,theymusthaveseensomethinginme.

Whatdoyoueatathome?

I’mterribleathome!Fagsandcoffee!Myovenhas blownup,soIhavenoovenorhob.Thataside,after12 hourscooking,Ihonestlycan’tbearsed.Wehavethe oddCaribbeantakeawaywhichfeelsabithealthy.

Whoisthebestchefintheworldandwhy?

ThebestchefintheworldisJordiRoca–he’sa pastrychefatElCellerdeCanRoca(inGirona,Spain) andisamazing.InBirminghamithastobeLuke Tipping.Hetrainedmeandwasthebestpersonto learnunderunlessIpassedhimaburntgarnish.Let’s justsayIdevelopedathickskin…

Shareacookingtip?

Don’tbeafraidoffood–it’smostlycommonsense. Andseasonyourwater.Tastethewateryou’reaboutto cookyourfoodin.Simple.

Whatwasyourfavouritefoodasakid?

Italianalltheway.Bread,oliveoil,parmesanand salami.IthinkI’vebeenspoiltwithfoodfromayoung agesoI’mabitofanightmare.

Foodheavenandfoodhell?

Foodheavenwouldbesimplespaghetti,pomodoro sauceandparmesan.IlovepropertraditionalItalian food,simpleingredientsdonereallywell.Isuppose foodhellissupermarketfood.We’vebeenbrainwashed intothinking£9forareadymealatM&SandWaitrose isacceptable.Iguessit’saboutfoodthat’snotcooked properly.Justgiveitabitoflove.

What’sthemostunusualthingyouhaveeaten?

Cow’shead.InItaly,my80-year-oldunclecame homewithacow’sheadformynantocook.Shefried itupwholeanditwasjustweird.It’stheonlythingmy nanhascookedthatIhaven’tenjoyed.Sheusedto cookpig’sheadslowlyfor20hourswhichwas amazing,butfriedcow’shead?No…

Ifyouweren’tachefwhatwillyoube?

Idon’tknowwhatelseIcoulddo.Chieftaster maybe? ■

Cuubo,49HighStreet,Harborne,B179NT. Tel:01217144509,cuubo.co.uk

WHITECHOCOLATEMOUSSETART

TotallyindulgentÁohyes,sweetdreamsaremadeofthis!

WithLentalmostuponus, andnodoubtmany committedBrummies puttingchocolatetoonesidefor40days, whynottreatyourselftoonefinallittle sweethurrahwiththisdeliciousrecipe, packedwithwhitechocolateand pineapplegoodness. ■

INGREDIENTS

■ 125gsugar

■ 140geggyolk

■ 400gwhitechocolate

■ 50gbutter

■ 600mldoublecream

■ Splashofwater

■ Pre-bakedtartcase

■ Pinkpeppercorns

■ Pineapplepreparedintodices

■ 50gsugar

METHOD:

Add50gsugarto2tbspofwaterinapanover mediumheat.Allowsugartomeltandbringto aboilandwaitforittoturndarkamberin colour.Removefromheat,tossinthe pineapplechunksuntilcoatedinthecaramel thensetasideuntilcooled Addeggyolksintoamixingbowl.Addsugar intosaucepanwithasplashofwater,heattoa softballthenpourintothemixingbowlofegg yolkswhilewhiskingwithelectricmixer. Continuetowhisktheeggsuntiltheybecome lightandformasabayon(lightsauce).Melt thebutterandchocolatetogetheroverabainmarieandfoldintothesabayon. Whiskthedoublecreaminamixingbowluntil yougetsoftpeaks,foldintoitthesabayon mixtureandthenusingapipingbagfillyour pre-bakedtartcase.Addthepineapplechunks incarameltothetopofthetart.Garnishwith thecrushedpinkpeppercorns.Andenjoy!

SHORTS NI BBLESand

BIRMINGHAM’SBARS,RESTAURANTSANDHOTELSAREBUZZINGWITHGREATVIBES.HERE’S OURINSIDERGUIDETOTHELATESTNEWSFROMTHECITY’SEATERIESANDDRINKINGDENS

PINTSANDPROFITS

Birmingham-baseddigitalmarketingandwebdevelopmentagencyBrewhasservedupadatadrivenreportaimedathelpingtheMidlandspubandbarindustrythrive.Brew’sPints&Profits reportisbasedoninterviewswithmarketingleadersworkingwithinthesectorandasurveyof morethan1,000pub-goers.Datafrom750pubandbarwebsiteshasalsobeenanalysed.The reportsharesabestpracticelistofpracticaldigitalmarketingrecommendationsforpubandbar ownerstoimplement.

FRENCHCONNECTION

AnewParis-inspiredcaféhasavisionto connectculturesthroughcakeandcoffee. CakeandCultureat17HighfieldRoad ontheCalthorpeEstateboastssleek, lightmarblesurfacescomplementedby plush,neutralfurnishingsandalogo thatis‘vaguelyreminiscent’oftheiconic Chanelemblem.

WINEWINNERS

Theannualcelebrationofexcellencein theoff-trade,theDrinksRetailing Awards2025,sawLokiWinecrowned IndependentChampagne&Sparkling WineRetaileroftheYear.Heldatthe DorchesterHotelinLondon,theDRAs 2025celebratedthemostoutstanding retailersinthecountry.

CROWNING GLORY

MIGHTY MOCKTAILS

MeatClub,thenewestadditiontoBroadway Plaza,haslaunchedanexclusivemocktailmenufor thoseseekingalcohol-freerefreshments.MeatClub combinesmodernelegancewithachicArtDeco interior.ThemocktailmenuincludesclassicslikePiña ColadaandMargarita,alongsideuniqueMeat ClubcreationssuchasLycheeDelight, KiwiCoolerMojitoandMango-Passion Margarita.

TEATIMEPRIZE

NEW-LOOKARMS

TheGrevilleArmsinSolihullhas re-openedwithanewlook followingathree-week refurbishment.Abrighter,modern vibefeaturesarefreshedbar, updatedsoftfurnishingsandan enhanceddiningareaandmenu. GeneralmanagerMatasNovelskas said:“We’reexcitedtowelcome bothfamiliarfacesandfirst-timers aliketoenjoyournewlook,all whilekeepingthesamesignature sizzleyou’vecometoknowand love.”Thepubalsohasadogfriendlyareainthebarandbeer garden.

Asha’sRestaurant&CocktailBarhasdonatedanAfternoonTeaforSix asastarprizeinanonlineauctioninaidofAcornsChildren’sHospice. ThehospiceisholdingtheStageandScreen-themedauctionthis monthwithotherprizesincludingticketsforBirminghamRoyalBallet andMaryPoppinsattheHippodrome.NoumanFarooqui,general manageratAsha’s,said:“Theauctionisveryrelevantforus,asAsha’s hasastrongHollywoodconnectionbecauseofthemanystarswho havedinedhere,suchasTomCruise.”

CrownePlazaBirminghamCityCentrehascompletedits£8millionhotelrefurbishment.The projecthasupdatedall312guestroomsfollowingtheearliertransformationoftheground floorlobbyandbarareasinautumn2022.GeneralmanagerSiobhanThomassonsaid:“After listeningtoourguests’feedbackwe’vecreatedroomsthatarenotonlystylishand comfortablebutalsohighlyfunctional.”ThehoteliscontinuingitsLinenDonationScheme, whichsupportsthecommunitywhilereducingwaste,bydonatingbedlinentocharities helpingthoseinneed.

SIMPSONS ADDITION

SimpsonsinEdgbastonhas welcomedanewsommelierto thefamily.ThomasMoore workedalongsideGian GiacomoStellafortwomonths priortotakingthereins.After spendingtwoyearsworkingat Purnell’sRestaurant,hebringsa wealthofknowledgeandan excitingnewperspectivetoone ofBirmingham’sfinest restaurants.

HONEYBEECOCKTAIL

Twinningspirits.HoneybeeCocktailusesoneofourfavourites–Pugilist HoneyRum–whichispartoftherangenamedinhonourofWarwickshire’sown boxinglegendRandolphTurpin.Asalways,pleaseenjoyresponsibly. ■

INGREDIENTS:

■ 50mlPugilistHoneyRum

■ 10mllimejuice

■ Sicilianlemonadetotaste

METHOD:

Puttwoorthreelargeicecubesintoa tallglass.Addtherumandlimejuice thentopupwiththelemonade.Stir gently,garnishwithasliceofdried limeandenjoy! ■

WarwickshireGinCompany, warwickshiregincompany.co.uk

LABELLEZZA

We’veallseenLaBellezza’sdramatic interiorsonsocialmediaandinthe fleshit’sevenbetter.Thepeoplewho introducedJacuzzi’sflamboyantdécortothecapital havegivenBirminghamtheBigMammatreatment too.OnthesiteofwhatwasthecavernousVinoteca, LaBellezzafillsthespaceinawaythatits predecessordidn’t.

Packedwithoversizedchandeliers,sumptuous drapes,thousandsofbacklitcolourfulbottlesanda ladies’loothatdoublesasashrinetoFrancesco Totti,it’squitethespectacle.There’salsoaserious pizzaovenondisplaythatreaches400degreesand cooksabeautifullyblisteredpizzain80seconds.

Cocktailsareabigthingandinthecaseofthe JumboMamma,literallyso.Onourvisittherewere regularrenditionsofhappybirthdayinItalian.A candlestuckinaboozytiramisuwhilebeing serenaded?Lovely.It’sthatsortofplace.Itfeelsabit specialandperfectforacrowdcelebrating something.Anything.

Andwhatofthefood?Warmfocacciawas perfection–softwithacrispcrustandahintof oregano.Wepiledoozingsmokystracciatellaontop andheypresto,heaven.Pulledporkcroquetteswith ananchovymayowereprobablythestaroftheshow. Crunchyontheoutside,meltinthemouthtender

andpackedwithflavourontheinsideplusthe anchovy(don’tletthatputyouoff)mayowas delicious.

Wewentsimplewithpolpettealsugo.Thebeef meatballsweresucculentandmoreishwhileaSan Marzanotomatosaucewithageneroushandfulof basilwassuperb.Weorderedcrunchyroastpotatoes onthesidewhichwereokaybutnothingtowrite homeaboutwhileapiccolafinocchiosaladoflittle gem,roastedfennelandwalnutsabsolutelywowed.

RaviolialloStrachituntconsistedofhome-made fazzoletti(triangleshapedravioli)filledwithricotta andparmesanservedwithacreamyStrachitunt(raw milkblueveinedcheese)sauce.Duetothecheeses, thedishwasservedwarmratherthanpipinghotand tastedbrilliant–incrediblycheesybutbrilliant.

Wecouldn’tfacethehugelemonmeringuepie therestaurantisbecomingfamousfor,soinstead sharedaprofiterolewhichisalsoawhopperasit turnsout.Crunchychouxcutinhalfandfilledwith softMrWhippystyleicecreamwasdrenchedina hotchocolatesauce.Ittastedasyou’dexpect, bloominglovely.

Beforeourvisitweworriedtherestaurantmight beabitstyleoversubstanceandhappily,wewere wrong.It’samassiveassettothecity’sfoodscene andwellworthalook. ■

THEWONDERFUL WOMENOF CHAMPAGNE

SATURDAY8MARCHISINTERNATIONALWOMEN’SDAY,APERFECTTIMETO CELEBRATETHEMANYREMARKABLE,TENACIOUSANDINNOVATIVEWOMENWHO SHAPEDMODERNCHAMPAGNEPRODUCTION,TRANSFORMINGTHESPARKLING WINEINTOTHELUXURIOUSDRINKWEENJOYTODAY,SAYSDAVIDCARNE

Barbe-NicolePonsardinisbetterknownasVeuve (Widow)Clicquot.In1805,Frenchlawprohibited womenfromrunningbusinesses,butitmadean exceptionforwidows.Despitethechallengesofthe NapoleonicWars,VeuveClicquotnotonlyturnedaroundher husband’sfailingwinebusinessbysmugglingchampagne intoRussiabutalsopersuadedTsarAlexanderItodrinkonly herchampagne.

Barbe-Nicole’smostsignificantcontributiontomodern champagnewasthecreationoftheprocessknownas 'riddling’.Champagneisabasewine,towhichsugarand yeastareadded,causingasecondaryfermentationinthe bottle,trappingcarbondioxideandproducingbubbles.Inthe early1800s,champagneproducersremovedtheremaining sedimentfromthesecondaryfermentationbypouringthe wineintoacleanbottle.Thiswasawastefulprocessthat oftendamagedthewine.

BREAKTHROUGH

Barbe-Nicolerealisedthatifthebottlewasslowlyrotated andturnedupright,thesedimentwouldsinktotheneckof thebottleandcouldthenberemovedusingthenatural pressure.Thisbreakthroughtransformedchampagne productionandsignificantlyspeduptheprocess.Shewasalso likelythefirsttomakeroséchampagneusingtheprocessof blending,knownasd’assemblage.Champagneisstilloneof thefewwinesregionswhichallowroséwinetobecreatedby blendingredandwhitewine.

Anotherchampagnewidow,LouisePommery,iscredited

withcreatingthe‘brut’styleofchampagne.In1874,she craftedachampagnewithjusteightgramsofresidual sugar–farlessthanthe300gramstypicallyusedatthe time–toappealtotheBritishmarket,whoshe observedfavoureddryciders.Thisinnovationledtothe creationofthe‘brut’stylethataccountsforabout90per centofchampagnesalestoday.

BRUTNATURE

WidowMathildeEmilieLaurent-Perriertookthis onestepfurther,producingacompletelydry champagne(GrandvinsansSucre),whatwenowcall ‘brutnature’.LikeBarbe-NicoleandLouisePommery, herstrongbusinessacumenturnedherdeceased husband’sfailingchampagnehousearound.

LillyBollingeriswidelyacknowledgedashaving transformedchampagneintothemorerefined,complex wineweappreciatetoday.HerRécemmentDégorgé (‘RecentlyDisgorged’)champagne,madebyallowing thewinetoageincontactwiththesediment(‘lees’) fromthesecondaryfermentation,impartedthetoasty, brioche,biscuityflavoursthathavebecome synonymouswithqualitychampagne.Today,all genuinechampagnesareagedatleast15monthsbefore release,andatleast12monthsonthelees.

HEROINESLEGACY

Therearemanymoreheroinesofchampagnewe couldmention:JeanneKrug,anursefortheRedCross whoestablishedaninfirmary,school,andProtestant templeintheKrugcellarsduringWorldWarII;Camile Orly-RoedererwhosavedtheRoedererchampagnehouse frombankruptcyandlaunchedtheinfamous‘Cristal’ champagnein1945;andApollineHenriotwhofounded theHenriotchampagnehouse,tonamejustthree. Todaythislegacyofremarkable,tenaciousand innovativewomenlivesonwiththelikesofVitalie Taittinger(Tattinger),SéverineFrerson(Perrier-Jouët), EliseLosfelt(CharlesHeidsieck),JulieCavil(Krug), CharlineDrappier(Drappier)andotherswhoare producingsomeofthebestprestigechampagnesand drivingcarbon-neutralandorganicwineproduction.

AswecelebrateInternationalWomen’sDay,itseems appropriatetoraiseaglassofchampagneandtoastthe incrediblewomenwhohavemade,andcontinueto make,itthesymbolofluxuryitistoday! ■

DAVID’S6OFTHEBEST

InhonourofInternationalWomen’sDay,this month’swinerecommendationsareallfrom femalewinemakers.

Somethingsparkling: DrappierPremierCruChampagne–£39,Majestic.

Incelebrationofmodernwomenwinemakers,thisDrapperpremiercru champagneshowcasestheverybestoftoasty,briocheflavourswitha creamymousseandaromasofpearandvanilla.

Somethingfreshandfruity: EmmaMarrisSauvignonBlanc2024,Marlborough–£11.99, Majestic.

Freshandzingywithnotesoflime,greenapple,lemongrassand subtleflorals.Refreshing,butwithadegreeofcomplexity.

Somethingbigandbold: FincaConstanciaEntreLunasOrganicTempranillo–£13.95, CheersWineMerchants.

Aniceblendofbothredanddarkfruits,withhintsofchocolate, coffeeandsmoothtanninsonthepalette.

Somethingclassic:

Bread&Butter‘Winemaker'sSelection’Chardonnay2022/23–£16.99,Majestic.

Rich,fullerbodied,withabuttery,creamymouthfeel.Citrusfruit, appleandtoastonthepalette.

SomethingEnglish:

NyetimberClassicCuvee–£42,Sainsbury’s.

ThebestofBritish,Nyetimberiswidelyacclaimedasoneof,ifnot the,bestEnglishwineproducers.Expectadelicatemousse,flavours ofyellowapple,melon,mayerlemon,honiednotes,briocheand mildcookingspices.

Somethingdifferent:

Bread&ButterPinotNoir–£16,Sainsbury’s. Agrapevarietythattendstodividethecrowd.Expectalighterstyle ofredwinewhichisfreshwithcherry,raspberriesandcranberries, withsomesubtletoastyoak.

DavidCarneisaWinesandSpiritEducationTrust(WSET)qualifiedwine expert,BirminghamWineSchoolalumniandauthorofthe alottowineabout.comwebsitewhereyoucanfindmorearticlesonwine. TofindoutmoreaboutfuninformalwinetastingeventsandWine&Spirit EducationTrust(WSET)coursesonline,inBirminghamandWarwickcontact BirminghamWineSchool,anindependentwineeducationcompany,at www.birminghamwineschool.com

HELLO HYROX

FROMRELATIVEOBSCURITYTOBEINGIMPOSSIBLETO IGNORE,ITSEEMSLIKEEVERYONEISTALKINGABOUTHYROX. BUTWHATISITANDISITACTUALLYGOODFORYOU?

Foundedin2017,Hyroxisthelatestfitnesscraze thatgymbunniesacrosstheglobeare clamouringtogetinvolvedin.Essentially,it’sa highintensityworkoutinvolvinganumberofspecific disciplines,creatingachallengingfullbodyworkout thatprovidesanall-roundfitnessregime.

There’salsotheaddedspiceofacompetitiveelement withHyroxraceseventstakingplaceeverywhere.Allthe eventsusethesamerunningdistance,withthesame exercises,inthesameorder–soit’ssupereasytogauge yourcompetencylevelsandtrackpersonaldevelopment.

WHATISIT?

Hyroxismadeupofeightseparate‘movements’which involveamixtureofcardioworkandstrengthchallenges. Cruciallytheexercisesaremeanttobeapproachablefor gym-goersofallstandards,sointheoryanyonecan participate,butthey’restilltoughandthechallengeis reallywithyourownprogression.

There’sagooddealorrunningatitscorewith50percent ofaHyroxracefeaturingarunbetweenstations.Ifyou’re newtorunning,youmaywanttoinvestinaspecificrunning trainingregimebeforeyoucommittothemainevent.

THEPOWEROFEIGHT

Asalreadymentioned,thereareeightdistinct‘stations’. Initiallyyoukickoffwitha1krunbeforebeginningatthe firststationandthenyou’llcompletea1kruninbetween everysubsequentstation.Youcompletethestationsinthe followingorder:

1kmSkiErg

Whiletheskiergisprimarilyanupperbodymovement usingthelatsandtriceps,italsoworksthecore,hipflexors, hamstrings,calvesandglutes.

50mSledPush

Splitintofourlengthsof12.5metres,you’llhavetopush thesledovertheline,thenwalkaroundtopushitbackthe otherway.

50mSledPull

Asabovebutpullingthesled.Thereareanumberof techniquesyoucanusehere,backwardwalkworksbestfor us,butyoushouldexperimentonwhatworksbestforyou.

80mBurpeeBroadJump

Aburpeewithaforwardjumpattheend…asifa simpleburpeewasn’tenough!

1kmRow

Prettystraightforwardandthemostimportantthing withtherowingmachineistoincorporateagood technique.

200mFarmersCarry

Thisexerciseengagesyourupperbackandcoreand goodgripstrengthisrequired.Atfirstitcanfeelabitweird runningwithkettlebellssoit’sworthpractising.

100mSandbagLunge

Asitsounds,youcarryasandbagandperformwalking lungesfor100metres.Makesureyourkneetouchesthe groundoneachrep.

100WallBalls

Foreachrep,youmustthrowtheballuptostrikethe centreofthedesignatedtarget(ninefeethighforwomen, 10feetformen).

BEAUTIFULBENEFITS

It’sexhaustingjustreadingaboutitbutobviouslywith suchafull-onworkoutthere’sgoingtobeloadsof potentialhealthbenefits–buttonamejustafew:

■ Increasedstrength.flexibilityandendurance.

■ Improvedagilityandco-ordination.

■ Reducedbodyfatandalsohelpingbuildlean musclemass,improvingoverallbodycomposition.

■ Improvedcardiovascularhealth.

■ Improvedmentalhealth.

Hyroxreallyisaccessibletopeopleofallfitnesslevels. It’sdesignedtotestoverallfitnessandobviouslyyoucan managetheworkoutwithoutnecessarilytakingpartinthe eventsthemselves.Pleasenotetheeventshaveaminimum agerestrictionof16.

So,whatareyouwaitingfor?Popdowntoyourlocal gymtofindoutmoreanddiscusstailoringaregimethat suitsyourcurrentfitnesslevel.Welcometothe revolution! ■

THE JOYOF RUNNING

ThecountdownisonfortheGreatBirmingham Runasthousandsofpeopletaketothestreets, challengingthemselveswhileraisingvast amountsofmoneyforvariouscharitiesandworthwhile causesthroughouttheregion.

ForthemajoritytakingpartintheeventinMaymeans committingtoahalfmarathon,butthere’salsotheoption ofashorter10kaswellasthe1.5kmand2.5kmkids’races heldonthesameday.

Onething’sforsure,withtheemotionalbackstories, thejubilantcrowdsandthelookofpureelationas thousandsofamateurrunnerscrosstheline,it’llbehard nottogetcaughtupinthejoyofrunning.

Sofancytakingitup?Here’sjustafewreasonswhyyou should…

BENEFITS

LOSEWEIGHT –Runningrequiresalotoffuel.Infact, theaveragepersoncanburnasmuchasnearly500calories ona40-minuterun–evenmoreifyouthrowinafew slopesorsomeintervaltraining.

BOOSTLEGSANDCORE –It’snobigsurprisethat runningisafantasticworkoutforallaspectsofyourlegs, withyourinnerandouterthighs,quadsandhamstringsall beingused.However,it’sgreatforyourcorestrengthtoo

BUILDMUSCLESTRENGTH –Regularrunninghelpsto improveandmaintainthedensityorstrengthofyour bones,reducingyourriskofdevelopingosteoporosis.

CUTTHERISKOFDIABETES –Yourpancreasmakes insulin,whichisresponsiblefornormalisingyourblood sugarlevels.Regularexerciseandkeepingtoahealthy weightlowersyourriskofdevelopingType2diabetesbyas muchas50percent.

CUTTHERISKOFCANCER –Youcanhalveyourriskof bowelcancerbyrunningregularly.IrritableBowel Syndrome(IBS)symptomsarealsorelievedbyeasing constipationandbloating.Stresslevelsarecloselylinkedto IBStoo,sorunninghelps.

HELPTHEHEART –Youcanreduceyourriskofheart diseasebyupto35percentwithregularexercise. Reductionsinweight,bloodpressureand‘bad’cholesterol levelsleadtoahealthierheart.

BREATHEEASIER –Runningimprovesyourlung capacityandstrengthensyourrespiratorymusclesbetween yourribsandinyourdiaphragm.Yourlungsalsobecome moreefficientwhichisgreatnewsforthosewithasthma.

FEELTHEFREEDOM –Runningcostsnothing.Youcan

doitanywhere,aroundanyroutineandunlikealotof otherexercisesthere’snotmuchofalearningcurve.Plus, it’sveryeasytogoatyourownpace.

TOPTIPS

OK,soyou’resold–you’regoingtogiveitago.But howdoyoumakesureyoukeepitup?Runningcanget prettyboring,sohere’safewtipstohelpyouonyournew joggingjourney.

SETYOURSELFCHALLENGES: Themoreyoucanovercome challengesthebetteryouwillfeelandthemorelikelyyou’ll continue.Startwithsmallchallengesandthengraduallybuild uptootherthingsyoucandoto‘toughen’youup–likerun whenit’sraining,runallthehillsorrunintoaheadwind.

BREATHING: It’ssoimportanttoremembertobreathe properly.Expandingyourchestcausestensioninthe shoulders.Themoreyoucanrelax,themoreyoucanmove thebreathingtothediaphragm.Tryingtobreatheeveryfour, six,oreveneightstepscanhelptobothdistractandrelax.

POSTURE: Areyouengagingthestomachandglutes? Imaginestarringinyourownrunfilmandruntheway youthinkyouwouldwanttoseeyourselfrunning.

FORM: Lookattheshadowstoseewhatyourarmsand legsaredoing.Trytofeelwherethewindiscatchingyou andbecomemoreaerodynamic.Howmuchcanyourelax shouldersandarms?

DISTRACTIONS: Studieshaveshownthatrunningto musiccanbehugelyhelpfulbutyoucanalsotrylistening toanaudiobookorpodcast.Thereisoftenanurgetoadda bitmoredistancetogettothenextchapterbutyoualsoget toassociatelandmarks,runroutesanddistanceswith momentsinthebook.

MIXITUP: Therearelotsofthingsthatyoucanchangein yourtrainingtomakeitmoreenjoyable–tryadifferentroute, runalongoneofourawesomecanals,trygettingonatrackor youcanvarythetypeoftrainingsessionyou’redoing(like intervals,run/walkorprogressivepace).

REST: Takerestdaysbetweenyourrunningdaysand takeplentyminutestowarmupbeforeeachsession. Stretchingbeforeandafterexerciseisbeneficialand somethingthatmanyofusforgettodoenough. ■

The2025GreatBirminghamRunisonSunday,4Mayandwhile theremayonlybelimitedplacesavailable,theregistration deadlineis16Aprilsoifyoufeelinspiredvisit: greatrun.org/events/great-birmingham-run/

LIT KNIT

Openstitchcardigan

£28,Very

MARY JANE

Platformcourt£54.99, Office

TERRIFIC TURQUOISE

Opaliteheartcharm silverdropearring£45, OliverBonas

BOUCLE BEAUTY

PinkKissesbouclebag

£49,Dune

SANDAL SEASON

Tevaoriginaluniversal multi-coloured sandals£45,Office

SHEER BLOUSE

Julietruffle blouse£59, Monsoon

FLOWER POWER

Divinefloral mididress£85, OliverBonas

Pastelsareinescapablethisseasonacrossall pricepointsincludingthehumble supermarketwhichisevermorerelevantinthe stylestakes.Forinstance,GeorgeatAsdahasplayeda blindersecuringacollectionwithstylistandinfluencer EricaDaviesthatispackedwithfeelgoodvibes.

Babyblueshirtwithacutecherrymotif?Yes please.Thewholecollectiondefiesitssupermarket pricetagandiswellworthalook.Whilewe’reonthe supermarkettrain,TUatSainsburyshascreated somegorgeouspastelpiecestoo.Checkoutthefloral tiefrontwaistcoatpicturedthatisparticularlychic andasnipat£28.

Ifyou’reonthehuntforupliftingpastel-powered footwear,headtoOfficeforadreamypalepinkMary Janeorasleekmintgreenslingback.Overat Selfridges,Veja’sVolleysneakerinlilacticksallofour springboxes. PRINTS

JohnLewisandKatieLoxtonarewinning inthebattleofthebabybluehandbag, pictured,whileatHarveyNichols,checkout theAmericanVintageskybluealpaca-blend cardiganwhichisassoftasitisstylish.While you’rethere,takeapeekatAlexanderWang’s velourjerseydressthataddsabitofsasstothe sugaryshade.

Whetheryou’restartingoffslowlyand addingahintofpasteltoyourusualpaletteor fallingheadlongintothisseason’ssaccharine style,thereareplentyofoptions.We’vepicked outahandfulofourfavouritestogiveyou someinspo.Goforthandspreadthejoy! ■

TIE FRONT

Floraltiefront waistcoat£28, TUClothing

SLING BACK

STRAIGHT LEG

Trousers£89,JohnLewis

Greenslingback £45,Office

MULTIWAY BAG

Babybluemultiwaybag £39.99,KatieLoxton

CRACKING CO-ORD

Yellowco-ordfrom

JohnLewis

PERFECT TRANSITION

Yellowfluffywaistcoat£55, OliverBonas

BUTTON UP

Ruthscallopjacket£125,Monsoon

LESSIS MORE

Cindycashmere crewnecksweater £160,Monsoon

YELLOW MELLOW

Smockedteadress£28 andleopardclosedtoe sandal£20,TUClothing

ON

Cottontee£25,Flora waistcoat£59,Ashbyjeans £55andFiaretrotrainers £59,FatFace

THINK PINK

Trainers£16, GeorgeatAsda FRESH KICKS VejaVolleylogoappliquesuede lowtop£120,Selfridges

COTTON

BRINGON THEBATWING

Drapeybatwingtextured shirt£32,Very

THE BOMB

Pinkembroidered bomberjacket£34,TUClothing

GET SHIRTY

Shirt£18and jeans£17, GeorgeatAsda

DENIM DAYS

Pussybowblouse£20 andTheEditturn-up jeans£24,Primark

ALPACA BLEND

AmericanVintageVitow alpaca-blendcardigan £165,HarveyNichols

SKY BLUE

AlexanderWangtextpattern shortsleevevelourjersey dress£390,Selfridges

BRETON TANK

VerticalBretontank£55, OliverBonas

ARM CANDY

PURPLE PATCH

Anydaydrawstring bag£45,JohnLewis

Georgiasweatshirt £39.50,FatFace

BEAUTYUPDATE

Thismonthwe’vepulledahandfulofproductstogether–some old,somenew,thatwillmakeabigdifferencetoyourskinand ifyou’reacurlygirlorevenjustabitfrizzy,yourhairtoo

1.HAIRRITUELBYSISLEYCURLANDJELLYCREAM,£83–SELFRIDGES

Forcontext,wedon’thavecurlyhair–it’smorewavywithahintoffrizz. Ifyou’recurlyIimagineitwilldefineyourcurlsastheblurbpromises. Wefoundthatitsblendofwaxesresultedinasmoothinganti-frizzfinish thatlastedalldayevenintheFebruarydrizzle.

2.MEDIK8REUSABLEBAMBOOCLEANSINGPADS,£9.60 (USUALLY£12),PACKOF16–CULTBEAUTY

Inabidtobekindertotheplanet,we’vetriedalotofreusablecleansing padsandhaven’tgotonwithanyofthem.Welikethetextureofthese padswhichmakeourskinfeelascleanasever.Theycomeinahandy meshdrawstringbagthat’sperfectforbunginginthewashingmachine. Theydrybrilliantly,too.

3.MULTI-ACTIVEDELIVERYESSENCE,£10.40–THEORDINARY

AnotherwinnerfromTheOrdinary.Wedon’tknowhowtheymake sucheffectiveproductsatsuchareasonablepricepoint,butthisnew multi-activeessenceisanotherstrokeofbrilliance.It’spackedwithall thegoodstuffandactsasaprimertotheskinwhichresultsin enhancedpenetrationofyourskincare.Wellworthalook.

4.47SKIN’SDAILYSPF30,£23–47SKIN

SPFcanbeabitofnightmareifyou’veblemish-proneskinwiththe richnessofsomebrandstriggeringbreakouts.The47Skinversionhasall thebroadspectrumprotectionyouneedbutwithouttherichness.Itabsorbs brilliantly,allowsyourskintobreatheandleavesanon-stickyfinish.

5.SERUMFOUNDATION,£6.40–THEORDINARY

Thisoldfavouritewasdiscontinuedin2022tomuchhoo-ha,butthe peoplehavespokenandbadgeredthebrandintobringingitback.The lightweight,smooth,secondskin-likecoverageisonlyonlinefornow withall36shadesavailable.Thepriceisridiculouslylowbutwe’renot complaining.Wepredictasell-outandit’spossiblylimitedsoifyoulove itasmuchaswedo,don’thangabout.

2 1 3

4

5

SORBET SHADES

TPOPPIN’POPLIN

Tailoredfit

poplinshirt£69.95, Barbour

LITKNIT

Hugostriped v-neckvest £119, Selfridges

here’salotofresearchaboutskintoneand whichpastelsmightwashoutyourskinand whichwon’t,buthonestly,justplayaround andfindahuethatmakesyoufeelgreat.Itneedn’t betooprescriptive–havefunwithit.

Havingsaidthat,awordtothewiseonfit.There’s somethinguniversallynaffaboutoversizedpastels.Abig wallofbaggypastelcomingatyouhasawhiffofmidlifecrisisonacruiseaboutit,soconsideraslimmerfit thanyoumightordinarilywear–orpoponanopen shirtoveracrispwhiteteeliketheSimsversionpictured tobreakitup.

Ifsorbetshadesareoutofyourcomfortzone,dipyour toeinthewaterwithapatternorastriperatherthana solidcolour.TheHugotankisawinnerasistheLoewe stripedknitpictured,ortakealookatfootwearwhichis agreatplacetostart.TheBradlayloaferfromDuneis particularlygood–justleavethesocksathomeand wearwithaslimcutchinoordenim.

SUITSYOU

Eleventysinglebreastedtapered legsuit£1,555,Selfridges

BABYBLUE

Suprimacottontee£45,Sims

Ifyou’reinforapennyinforapound,pasteltailoring canlooksupercool.Keepthecutneatandbearinmind singlebreastediseasiertopulloffthandouble.Team withloafersorapairoffreshsneakersforalaid-back look. ■

SPECKLESHIRT

Pinksun speckledshirt £85,Frangipani

NOSWEAT

Jacquemus cottonjersey sweater£280, Selfridges

PURPLEREIGN

Loewestripedintarsia woolblendjumper £1,100,HarveyNichols

GREATFIT

PaigeStafford stretchjersey trousers£240, HarveyNichols

FANCYFOOTWEAR

Bradlayloafer£99, Dune

HOMESliving

BIGIMPACT

IFYOU’RELOOKINGTOREFRESHYOURLIVINGROOMWITHOUT STARTINGFROMSCRATCH,THEREAREPLENTYOFWAYSTOACHIEVE ANEWLOOKONAREASONABLEBUDGETWITHMINIMUMEFFORT

Cosyandcharacterfulsumsupthisseason’s livingroomtrendswithtexture,layered lightingandcolourdoingtheheavylifting. Providedyoulikethebonesofyourroom,it’s relativelystraightforwardtoachievethisby addingaccessoriesandfurniturethatwilltransform thespace.

Startwithlighting.Theeasiestwaytoshakeupyour lightingschemeistoaddmultiplesourcessuchastable andfloorlampswhichwillcreateasofterglowthan onemainceilinglight.Smallsidetablesprovideaplace toholdyourdrink,butalsodoubleasaspottodisplay plantsoranattractivevaseorpieceofart.Ifyourroom issmallthisworksparticularlywellinsteadofonelarge coffeetablethatwilleatuppreciousfloorspace.

SITTINGPRETTY

Astylisharmchairwillinjectaddedcosinessand provideareadingnook.Itdoesn’tmatterwhetherthe chairmatchesyoursofa–inmanywaysit’schicerto mixandmatchforamoreeclecticlook.Updatingyour rugisagreatwaytochange-upthelookofyourroom particularlyifit’salargepiecethatmakesabigimpact. Don’tbeafraidtoclashprintsandcolours–anything goesthisseason.

Addingcolourtoyourroomthroughsoftfurnishings andartworkistheeasiestwaytoupdatethelook.A

MODERNTAKE SofafromDfs

HOMES

handfulofcushionsand/ornewcurtains willfreshenuptheroom.Ifyoursofais pastitsbest,shoparound.It’sabigticketitemandadominatingpieceof furniturethatneedsalotofthought.If yoursofaistoobigitwilltakeoverthe roomandifit’stoosmallyourisk creatingoddproportions.

SPOILTFORCHOICE

InBirmingham,you’vealotof options.Forinstance,Neptunein Edgbastonofferstraditionalwithatouch ofcountryhousewhileBoConcept acrosstheroadhasadistinctminimalist Scandifeelandkin.onGreenfield Crescentstocksaselectionofsupercool brands.LeeLonglandshasabitof everythingandMinimaintheJewellery

Quarterservesupcoolcontemporaryvibes whileH&MHomeintheBullringispackedto therafterswithmodernhomeware.Findyour styleandshoparound.

We’vepulledtogetheravarietyoflooksto inspireyouwithahandfulofgorgeous accessoriesonpage48. ■

SIMPLESTYLE

FurnitureandaccessoriesfromJohnLewis

WORKOFART

JaggersofafromNest

NEUTRALPALETTE

MarbleArchcornersofa£3,999,Sofology

TOPTWIST

Resincandlestick

£10,SophieRobinson xDunelm

BOLDPRINT

Catenacushion£109, LeeLonglands

WALLART

TheWrongShop

NathalieduPasquier Freddo£60,Minima

LIGHTUP

&TraditionColettetable lamp£244,kin.store

TOUCHES FINISHING

ADDSOMESTYLISHACCESSORIESTO COMPLETEYOURLIVINGROOMLOOK

HELLOYELLOW

Candlestick£10.99, HomeSense

COOLCURVES

Pirroarmchair£599, JohnLewis

RGHTSTRIPES

Frillcushion

£14.99,Dobbies

WAVYDAYS

Wavymetaltray£20, SophieRobinsonxDunelm

FORESTGREEN

Florencevelvetcushion

£79,Neptune

GLASSACT

Nayaglassvase£35, OliverBonas

FromthePottingBench withAdam

ISTHISSPRING?ISITFINALLYHERE?VERYNEARLY! ANDGUESSWHAT?IT’SGARDENINGTIME,SAYSOUR RESIDENTEXPERTADAMKIRTLAND!

Springisofficiallyherethismonth,andI couldn’tbemorethrilled!There’sareal shiftintheairnow–thedaysarestretching out,thebirdsareinfinevoice,andeverywhereyou lookthegardenisslowlybutsurelywakingup. Afterwhathasfeltlikeanendlesswinter(andlet’s behonest,itreallyhasdraggedon!),March finallybringsthepromiseofbrighter,warmerdays ahead.

Withthespringequinoxlandingon20March,we cansaywithconfidencethatthenewseasonhas arrived.Thefirstdaffodilsarenoddinginthebreeze, budsareburstingintolife,andifyouwereorganised inautumn,yourtulipswon’tbefarbehind.The excitementisbuildingandI,forone,can’twaitto diveintoeverythingthismonthhastooffer. So,let’sdustoffthosegardeningglovesandstep outside–thegardeniscalling!

Tidyupandcutback

Now’sthetimetogiveyourbordersagoodtidyup.Aftermonthsofcold,wetweatherthey’llbe cryingoutforabitofattention,andtrustme,alittle effortnowwillmakeallthedifferenceinthemonths

ahead.Startbyclearingawayanydeadleavesand cuttingbackthelastofthewinterdieback–your perennialswillthankyouforit!Thenontothe weeds.Thosepeskylittlethingsarequickoffthe markasthetemperaturesrise,andiflefttotheirown devices,they’llsoontakehold.

Establishedweedsshouldbedugout,rootsand all,tostopthemmakinganunwelcomereturn.Asfor newlygerminatingones,aquickhoeonadryday willdothetrick.Justleavethemonthesurfaceto witherinthesun.Withyourbordersweed-freeand lookingsharp,yourplantswillhavethespace,light andnutrientstheyneedtothrive.It’sallaboutsetting thestageforagloriousgrowingseasonahead.

Tuckupyourplants

Mulchingisoneofthebestthingsyoucandofor yourgardenatthistimeofyear.Agenerouslayerof gardencompostwillnotonlytidyupyourborders butalsoworkwondersforthehealthofyoursoil.It helpstolockinmoisture,suppressweedsandfeed yourplantsasitbreaksdownovertime.Ifyouget intothehabitofmulchingeveryspring,yourborders willthankyouforit.

Startbymakingsureyourbordersareweed-free andthesoilisdamp.There’snopointmulchingdry ground,asthemoistureneedstobesealedinrather thankeptout.Spreadagood,thicklayerofcompost overthesurface,aroundfivecentimetresdeep,taking carenottosmotheremergingshoots.Ifyouhave particularlyhungryplants,suchasrosesordahlias, nowisagreattimetoaddalittlefeedbefore mulchingoverthetop.

Awell-mulchedborderlooksfantasticandmakes arealdifferencetoplantgrowththroughoutthe season.Itkeepseverythinglookingneatwhilegiving yourplantsthebestpossiblestart.So,graba wheelbarrow,getspreadingandletnaturedotherest. Yourgardenwillsoonreaptherewards.

Sow…gettowork!

Ifyouhaven’talready,nowisthetimetosow tomatoes,chilliesandpeppersindoors.Thesewarmweatherfavouritesneedaheadstartbeforetheycan bemovedoutdoors,sogetthemgoingnowtobe prepared.Bystartingthemindoors,you’llgivethem thebestchancetoestablishstrong,healthyroots beforethewarmerweatherarrives.

Startwithgood-qualityseedcompostandsmall potsortrays.Makeaveryshallowholeinthe compost,dropinyourseed,andcoververylightly withmorecompost.Then,popthepotssomewhere warm,likeawindowsillorheatedpropagator,to encouragegermination.Tomatoes,chilliesand peppersalllovewarmth,sothewarmeryoucankeep them,thebetter.

Keepthecompostmoistbutnotsoaking,andonce theseedshavesproutedmovethepotstoabrighter spotwithplentyoflight.Ifyou’regrowingtomatoes, remembertopinchoutthegrowingtipsofthe plantswhentheygetafewinchestalltoencourage bushiergrowth.

Bysowingthesedeliciouscropsnow,you’llbewell onyourwaytoabumperharvestlaterinthe summer.It’sasmalljobnow,butabigrewardcome harvesttime! ■

FollowAdamonInstagram @viewfromthepottingbenchorlistentohis podcastTalesfromThePottingBenchformore gardeninginspiration.YoucanalsoreadAdam’s blogatviewfromthepottingbench.com

MAHTAB HUSSAIN

AheadofMahtab’sexhibitionatIkonGallery, we’reshiningalightontheartist’sthoughtprovokingworkwhichhighlightstherichness oftheBritishMuslimcommunityandtheartist's strongconnectiontoBirmingham.Theexhibition exploresthefinelinebetweenphotographic documentationandsurveillanceculturebyaddressing theintelligencesitesestablishedtomonitortheMuslim community.

Togivetheworksomecontext,in2010WestMidlands PoliceandBirminghamCityCouncilwereforcedto apologiseoveranetworkofcameras installedintwopredominantlyMuslim

areas.TitledProjectChampion,theschememonitored SparkbrookandWashwoodHeathwith216cameras includingcovertdevicesinstalledinthestreettotrack theresidents’carsandcaptureandstoredata.

Implementedlargelywithoutformalconsultation, theinitiativewasrevealedtobeacounterterrorism projectbasedonracialprofilingandpaidforbythe TerrorismandAlliedMattersfund.Thehandfulof councillorswhowereconsultedsaytheywereledto believethescheme’saimwastotackleanti-social behaviourandwerenotmadeawareitwaspaidfor bytheTerrorismandAlliedMattersfund.The camerasweredismantledin2011.

CELEBRATNGCOMMUNITY

Mahtab’snewexhibition,WhatDidYouWantTo See?explorestheimpactofProjectChampionand prejudicemorewidely.CommissionedbyIkonand internationalphotographyplatform,Photoworks,the exhibitionwillincludeaseriesofinstallations creatingacommunalspaceinthegalleryfostering inclusionandinterculturaldialogue.

Forinstance,onespacewillincludeportraits displayedwithinaprayerroomalongsideavideoof fiveprayersequencesthatvisitorscanobserveorjoin in.Anotherroomwillbesetupasasurveillancehub,

withmorethan200camerasinstalledmakingthe viewerfeelwatchedandpotentiallyuncomfortable. AdditionalvideostakealookattheMuslim experienceintheUKbycelebratingcommunity whilealsoreflectingonMahtab’sexperiencegrowing upinBirmingham.

CHALLENGINGSTEREOTYPES

OneelementoftheexhibitionisMahtab’s documentationof160mosquesinBirmingham. Mahtabbegantakingphotosofthecity’smosquesin thesummerof2023resultinginacollectionofimages highlightingthediversityofarchitecturefromtheiconic minaretsofBirmingham’sCentralMosquetotheArts &Craftsdesignsofterracedhousesandyellowbrick churches.Collectively,thephotographsunderscorethe pervasiveactofdatacollectionandclassification.

Theexhibitionalsoincludesaseriesofblackand whiteportraitshighlightingthecity’svibrantMuslim communityembracingtheirindividualityand snubbingstereotypeslikethephotographofDaddy Shafinhismechanic’sclothing,pictured.Thereis clearlyanironyinMahtabusingphotographyasa mediumtohighlightthemisuseofcamerasand infringementofpeople’srights,however,hecombats thisbytalkingtohissittersonetooneabouttheir sharedexperiencesandhiscreativeprocess.Healso usesconsentformsandstrivestocreatesomething thesitterwouldbehappytohaveontheirwall.

CirclingbacktoProjectChampion,theremovalof thecamerasleftoddpatchesoftarmacdottedalong thepavementwhichhavebeenrepurposedforthe exhibition.Theyserveasamemoryofthetension betweensecurityandfreedomandareminderof communityresilience.Mahtabsays:“Throughmy work,Istrivetoreflecttherichnessandresilienceof Muslimcommunities,celebratingtheirindividuality whilechallengingstereotypes.Eachportraitand installationisastory,aninvitationtoconnect,anda reminderofthebeautyinoursharedhumanity." ■

WhatDidYouWantToSee?runsfrom20Marchto1Juneonthe2nd flooratIkonGallery Formoreinformationvisitikon-gallery.co.uk

FUTUREFOUNDERS

VisionforAll,aleadingMidlands-basednon-profit organisation,haslaunchedtheFutureFounders Academy,aprogrammedesignedtoequipyoung peoplewithentrepreneurialandintrapreneurial skills.LucienDarby,CEOofVisionforAll,said:“We wanttoprovideyoungpeoplewiththetools,skills andconfidencetothriveintheworldofbusiness.” TheAcademyoffersworkshops,interactivesessions andhands-onprojectscoveringessentialtopicssuch asbusinessplanning,financialliteracy,marketing strategies,andleadershipskills.

COLLEGEEXPANSION

SolihullSixthFormCollegeopeneditsnewTurvey BuildingwithavisitfromLord-Lieutenantofthe WestMidland,DerrickAndersonCBE.Thebuilding –namedafterMalcolmTurvey,whotaughtatthe collegeforhisentire44-yearcareer–isakey milestoneinexpansionplanstowelcome400new learners.Designedbyaward-winningTGEscapes andfundedviaagrantfromtheDepartmentof EducationandinvestmentfromSummitLearning Trust,itseightclassroomswillhouseA-Level Psychology,thelargestdepartmentinthecollege.

SOLIHULLACADEMY SPONSORSHIP

TouchwoodcentrehaspartneredwithlocalschoolSolihull Academytosponsoritsfootballteamkit.TheAcademyisan innovativeandtherapeuticschoolthatensuresallstudents acrosstheboroughhaveaccesstoahighquality,alternative educationalprovision.ThroughTouchwood’ssupport,the studentscanconnectwiththelocalcommunity,bridgingthe gapbetweeneducation,cultureandlocalbusiness.The Academycatersforyears7-8and8-11acrossmultiple differentsites.In2024,itopeneditsfirstprimaryprovision, Apollo,forstudentsofayoungerage.

SCHOOL REPORT

HeartofWorcestershireCollegeannouncedthelaunchofitsnew Women’sFootballAcademythisSeptember,aheadoftrialsnextmonth forbothyoungwomenandmenlookingtocombinetheirpassionfor footballwithaneducationalpathway.TheFootballAcademy programmeincludes,trainingthreetimesaweek,Wednesdaygames inAOCCollegeLeagues,theopportunitytostudyaBTECLevel2or Level3inSport,plusstrengthandfitnessconditioning.Anyone interestedshouldregisterbyemailingmclements@howcollege.ac.uk

TWINNINGIT

SURPRISEFOR SPRINGFIELD

ABirminghamschoolhasreceived£5,000worthofnewplayandgardening equipmentasathankyoufromSevern Trentafteraburstpipeledtoadayclosure. SpringfieldPrimarySchoolwasforcedto shutaftertheburstatStratfordRoad, Sparkhillledtolocalisedfloodingand supplydisruptions.Newtrikes,scooters andplantshavebeengivenafterSevern Trentteamsworkedtocarryoutrepairsof thepipeworktogetthingsbacktonormal.

TwinsZainabandHadizaDahirugraduated withdistinctionaspartofAstonUniversity’s firstcohortofpostgraduatestudentsonthe MasterofPublicHealth(MPH)programme. TheMPHprogrammewaslaunchedin2023 withtheaimofgivingstudentsthe knowledgeandpracticalskillsneededto addresspublichealthchallengesatlocal, nationalandinternationallevel.Attending AstonUniversityisbecomingsomethingofa familytradition,withZainabandHadiza’s brotherUmarGireiDahiru,cousin MuhammadZayyadUmar,andanuncleall havingalsograduatedfromtheuni.

Localstudent.GeorginaTurner hasbeenselectedtoparticipate inWarwickshireWomen's EmergingPlayerProgramme.The programme,runbyWarwickshire CountyCricketClub,provides aspiringcricketerswithaccessto elitefacilitiesandprofessional coaching,offeringapathway towardsearningaprofessional cricketcontract.The12-month programmedevelopstechnical, tactical,mental,physicaland lifestyleskillsthroughtraining, matchplay,overseascampsand classroom-basedtasks,all supportedbyprofessional coachingandsupportstaff. Georginabeganplayingcricketat theageof10,inspiredbyher fatherandolderbrother.

NEVER GIVEUP

Anyoneofacertainagemightrememberthe randomnessofChannel4televisingkabaddiin theNineties.Ihadnoideaoftherulesofthe sport,butitwascaptivating,nonetheless.Asortof wrestlingwithrhythmicchanting.Thepresidentof WorldKabaddi,Brum’sownAshokDashasworked tirelessly–aphrasewildlyoverusedbutinthiscase totallyaccurate–tomakekabaddiaccessibleinthis countryandbeyond,culminatinginthisyear’sKabaddi WorldCupcomingtotheregion.It’sthefirsttimethe tournamenthasbeenheldoutsideAsiaandwith supportfromtheregion’smayor,RichardParkerand theWestMidlandsGrowthCompany,it’shappening.

Tounderstandhowthishascomeabout,youhaveto understandAshok’sdriveandpassion.Ashokgrewup playingkabaddiinIndiabeforemovingtoBirmingham wherehe’slivedsince1986.Keentogivebacktohis community,Ashokwantedtoboostkabaddiandgive thecommunitytheirownsport–somethingtobeproud of.Hiswife,ablackbeltinkarate,hassupportedAshok inhisdecadeslongquestemotionallyandultimately, financiallyallowingherhusbandtofocusonhisdream. AshokappliedforSportEnglandfundingfor15years onthebouncebutwasunsuccessful.Asportscharity calledSportEqualcameonboardthreeyearsagowhich hashelped.BeforehisretirementfromBirmingham

CityCouncil,Ashokspentyearsjugglingthedayjobin pestcontrolwithkabaddi.Amongmanyotherthings, Ashokmadeadocumentarytoboostengagementwith a£5,000loanfromBarclays.Hethenlaunchedan EnglandteamandtookthemtoMumbaitocompetein 2004.HeapproachedtheBritisharmyaboutstarting kabadditrainingforsoldiers.Heshowedacolonelthe filmhe’dmade,andthecolonelagreedthesportwould begoodforsoldiers.

BIGDREAMS

Theycouldn’tpayAshok,butheagreedtotrain them.Fortwoeveningsaweekhetravelledtotrainthe soldiersafterworkandeventuallylaunchedaBritish armyteamthatalsocompetedinMumbai.He launchedthefirstwomen’steamintheUKandstarted approachinguniversitiesandcollegesaboutrunning kabaddiclubs,againwithzerofunding.

Itwasn’tenoughtogrowthesportintheUK–Ashokwaskeentoboostkabaddifurther.Every FridayAshokwoulddrivefromBirminghamto Luton,jumponaflighttoItaly,runtraining sessionsandflybacklateonSundayreadyforwork thenextday.Holidayswerespentincountrieswhere AshokwastryingtogrowthesportsuchasPoland andHollandamongothers.

Ashoksayskabaddiisanaffordablesport–parentscansendtheirchildrenwithoutworrying aboutmoney,theydon’tneedanykit,it’sinclusive andhewasdeterminedtogetaleagueupand running.Truetoform,oneteamgrewtoover10 clubsandnow100playerscompeteinthesport.Two yearsago,justbeforehissixtiethbirthday,Ashoksat downwithhiswifesonsandexplainedthatthebest presentwouldbetoretire.Hesayseverydaywas stressfulandhewasneverappreciatedatwork. Ashok’swifetoldhmtoleavehisjobandfulfilhis dreamandhe’sbeenfocusedonkabaddisince.

WhenJoeLevary,strategicleadofmajorsporting eventsattheWestMidlandsGrowthCompany (WMGC),approachedhimtomeetupanddiscussthe sport’sfuture,itwasawatershedmomentthatmade Ashok’sdreamscloser.ThankstotheCommonwealth Legacyfund,WMGChasbeenabletoinvest£500,000 intheKabaddiWorldCupcomingtotheregion.

Joesays:“Itisamassivehonourandveryexcitingto welcomethefirstKabaddiWorldCuptoeverbeheld outsideAsia.Thistournamentpromisestohavea tremendousimpactonthegrowthofkabaddi,bringing theWestMidlands'diversecommunitiescentrestage.”

IfeellikewecanlearnalotfromAshok.Weasked himhowhekeptgoingwhennooneotherthanhis

AshokDasseeinghisWorldCupdreambecomeareality

familybelievedinhim.Hesays:“Youhavetomake peoplebelieveinyou.Nevergiveup.”Ashokwakesup thankfuleverydayandcreditsmeditationandfaithwith keepinghimcalmandpositive.Hesays:“WhenI’m sleeping,Idon’tknowifI’llwake,soeverymorningI thankhimforanotherday.”There’salessonforusallin theresomewhere.BemoreAshok. ■

BOXOFFICE

TheKabaddiWorldCupruns24to31Marchatnumerousvenuesin Birmingham,Coventry,WalsallandWolverhampton.Forticketsandmore informationvisitwww.kabaddiworldcup2025.com

DRIVINGFORCE:

PETPROJECT

WythallAnimalSanctuaryin Birminghamhasreceived£1,500from DavidWilsonHomesaspartofthe developer’sCommunityFundscheme. Thesanctuaryisdedicatedtothecare andrehomingofarangeofanimals, includingcats,dogs,rabbitsand ponies.Italsooperatesasaforever homeforsomeanimalswhichcan’tbe rehomedforhealthreasons.Amie Lanckham-Dixon,volunteercoordinatoratthesanctuary,said:“The donationwillhelpfundvetfeesand providefoodforouranimals.”

MidlandslawfirmmfgSolicitorsis sponsoringoneofitstraineesolicitorsto punchhiswaytoaprofessionalboxing career.OscarMcCracken,25,begana trainingcontractatmfgSolicitorsin 2024andwhenhequalifiesin2026the formerUniversityofWorcesterstudent willbecometheUK’sfirst-everqualified solicitorandboxer.Oscar’sfatherisa formerprofessionalboxerandcurrent trainer,andhisuncleisRobMcCracken whohastrainedworldchampionssuch asAnthonyJoshuaandCarlFroch.

BUSINESS

OSCAR’SBOXOFFICE

DESIGNBRIEF

Workplacedesign,buildand commercialfit-outspecialistsRhino InteriorshasappointedGraceAlomas keyaccountsdirector.TheBirminghambasedgroupiscurrentlyexpandingits operationstomeetgrowingdemand. ManagingdirectorBenWheatcroft said:“Grace’sindustryknowledge, strategicmindsetandpeople-first approachwillbeinstrumentalin enhancingourrelationshipswithkey clientsandexpandingourreachacross thecommercialfit-outlandscape.”

CHAMPIONKIM

AnentrepreneurfromSolihullwho championedlocalhighstreetsand independentbusinesseshasbeen crownedoneoftheUK’smost impressivefemaleentrepreneursby SmallBusinessBritain’s f:Entrepreneur#IAlso100campaign. KimHulse,whofoundedKHulse Consultingin2012,isamong100 inspirationalfemaleentrepreneurs namedtocelebratethemultiachievementsofwomenrunning businessesintheUKtoday.Kimwas praisedforherroleatVisitKnowle, servingontheexecutivecommittee ofSolihullChamberofCommerce, andvolunteeringasamemberofthe VisitSolihullTourismSteeringGroup.

HIPPODROMEFIRST

BirminghamHippodrome’sfirsteverEducation Conferenceforteachers,educatorsandartists acrosstheWestMidlandswillbeheldthismonth. Theconferenceon31Marchwillprovidean opportunityforteachersandartiststoengagewith award-winningtheatrecompanies,enhancingskills andknowledge.Theprogrammewillincludea keynoteaddress,workshopsandaQ&Asession withprofessionaltheatrecompaniesthePaper Birds,GeeseTheatreCompanyandHighlySprung.

TwoofBirmingham’smostcelebratedinstitutionshaveformedapartnershiptopromote thebenefitsofplantsonpeople,placesandtheplanet.BirminghamCityUniversity(BCU) andBirminghamBotanicalGardens(BBG)willcollaborateonopportunitiesforlearning andresearch,whileenhancingthehealthandwellbeingofstaffandstudents.“This partnershipreflectsoursharedvisiontomakeatangibledifferencetoourcityand beyond,”saidProfDavidMba,BCU’svice-chancellor.SaraBlair-Manning,chiefexecutive ofBBG,predicted“excitingnewresearch,eventsandopportunitiesforbothinstitutions.”

PROPERTYMOVE

Apropertyconsultancyhasappointedanexperiencedleaseadvisoryexpertto growtheserviceacrossBirminghamandtheMidlands.IshfaqHussain, picturedleft,hasjoinedFisherGermanasapartnerinitsBirminghamoffice afterawide-rangingcareerincommercialleaseadvisorywork,bothin consultancyandclient-side.Ishfaqhasrepresentedhouseholdnamessuchas theNationalTrustandNFU,aswellashigh-net-worthindividualsandinvestor landlords.Oneofhisnotableachievementswasmanagingtheproperty portfolioatPatisserieValeriefollowingitsadministration.

GROWINGTOGETHER BLUESPUBDEAL

DENTAL

BirminghamCityFootballClubhasteamedup withMiXRandStonegateGroup,theUK’slargest pubcompanytoprovideBluesfanswithbenefits andopportunitiestoconnectwithfellow supportersinMiXRvenuesnationwide.By downloadingtheMiXRapp,Bluesfanscan accessBirminghamCitydiscounts,enter competitionsandenjoyspecialoffers.Jeremy Dale,pictured,interimCEOofBirminghamCity FootballClub,said:“Wearereallyexcitedabout thissignificantpartnershipasitisfocusedon deliveringbenefitsdirectlytoourfans.”

NationallyrecognisedcorporatedentalspecialistClareEmeryhasjoined AcuityLaw’sBirminghamoffice.Clarehasmorethan20years’ experiencewithinthedentalsectorandfocusesonadvisingdental professionalsastheybuy,sellandrestructuretheirpractices.Shealso hasacomprehensiveunderstandingoftheNHSandCQCregulatory frameworksandisrecognisedbytheLegal500asaleadingpartnerfor corporateandcommercialworkintheWestMidlands.

HOSPITALBOOST: LibbyHobanofBondWolfeAgencyandLily GartlandofBondWolfeAuctions

HOSPITALHELP

Stafffromcommercialpropertyagencyand auctioneersBondWolfehaveraisedmorethan £6,000inthepastyearforBirminghamChildren’s Hospital.KatieHarris,ofthehospital’scorporate partnershipsoffice,said:“BondWolfe’s commitmenttoraisingfundshasbeenamazing, enablingustogoaboveandbeyondforouryoung patientsandtheirfamilies.”Thehospitalhasthe largestpaediatricemergencydepartmentintheUK, servingmorethan63,000patientseachyear.

NEWHUBOPENS

InsuranceintermediarygroupHowdenhasrelocateditsteamofmorethan120 advisorsintoacentralhubinBirminghamcitycentre.ThenewofficeatChurch Streetunderscoresthefirm’sgrowthandambitionsforfutureexpansioninthe Midlands.ItwillwelcomeandtrainapprenticesaspartofHowden’sEarly CareersProgramme.CEOCarlShukersaid:“Meaningfulgrowthisonlypossible withtalentedpeople,whichiswhyHowdenisdedicatedtoattractingand retainingthebestlocaltalent.”

START-UPSUCCESS

ABirminghamfirmhasbeennamedintheUK’sTop100start-upsinthe annualStartups.co.ukindex.RideTandem,foundedin2019byAlex Shapland-Howes,TatsengChiamandHuwMcLeod,partnerswithlocal coach,minibusandtaxicompaniestoprovideaffordable,reliableand sustainablecommuterservices–helpingtoboostaccesstoemployment whichcanbehitbyhighcostsofcarownershipandlackofreliablepublic transport.Sofar,RideTandemhassurpassedtwomillionpassengerjourneys andistargeting10millionjourneysby2034.

GALVANIZINGFORCE

ChrisWoolridge,MDofWedgeGroup Galvanizing(WGG),hasbeen appointedchairofCBI’sWestMidlands Council.Bornandraisedin Wolverhampton,Chrishasheaded WGGsince2014.Headquarteredin Willenhall,WGGisaleadinghotdip galvanizingcompanyandsubsidiaryof BEWedgeHoldings,afamily-owned businesswithinterestsingalvanizing operationsacrosstheUSAandEurope, aswellasaUK-basedmanufacturerof galvanizingequipmentandservices exportedglobally.

TOURISMTASKFORCE

WestMidlandsmayorRichardParkerand chiefexecutiveofWestMidlandsGrowth Company,NeilRami,pictured,arejoininga newnationaltaskforceaimedatsecuring growthintheUK’stourismsector.Thenew VisitorEconomyAdvisoryCouncilis lookingtoboostcollaborationbetween governmentandthetourismindustry. Thegroupwillinformthe government’sforthcomingNational VisitorEconomyStrategyanditsplans fortheUKtowelcome50million internationalvisitorsayearby2030.

BUSINESS BITES

MOTORMATES

TheBritishMotorMuseumhasrenewedits partnershipwithPeterJamesInsurance,one oftheUK’sleadingclassicvehicleinsurance brands,forasecondyear.Thedealsees PeterJamessupportthree2025shows–theNationalMetro&MiniShow,BMC& LeylandShowandOldFordRally.

HEALTHLAUNCH

ANNA’SONBOARD

TheRoyalShakespeareCompanyiswelcomingAnna SedgleytoitsBoard.Anna’smostrecentexecutive roleswereaschieffinancialofficeratBauerMedia Groupandchiefoperatingofficerandchieffinancial officeratDowJones.Hercareerspansfinance, operationsandcorporatestrategyinthemediaand businessintelligenceindustries.RSCchair,Shriti Vadera,said:“Anna’sfinancialandchange managementexperiencewillprovidegreatsupportto theCompanyasitnavigatesfuturechangeswhichare keytotheRSC’songoingambitionandsuccess.”

MONSTERTIE-UP

HollywoodMonster,aleadingwideformatprintandsignagespecialistbased inBirmingham,haspartneredwiththeNECGroupwhichmanagesmultiple venuesacrosstheMidlandsincludingtheUK’slargestexhibitionvenue.The tie-upsolidifiesHollywoodMonster’sreputationasatrustedproviderof large-scaleprintandsignagesolutions,bringingitscutting-edgetechnology andcreativeexpertisetosupporttheNEC’sdiverseportfolioofexhibitions, conferencesandliveevents.

AstonUniversityhasopenedanew £1.5millionhealthcareteachingfacility whichincludestwointerconnectingfive-bed wardsandaninteractiveimmersiveroom. Theofficialopeningceremonywascarried outbyAstonUniversity’snewChancellor DrJasonWouhra.

GROUNDBREAKING

Kids’Village,theUK’sfirstrespiteholiday villageforchildrenwithcriticalillnesses andtheirfamilies,hasofficiallybroken groundatitsWychnorsitenearLichfield. Thecharityisaimingtoraise£5million tobuildtheresort,comprising10 four-bedroomlodgesandacentralfacility knownastheHive.

LEADERSHIPBOOST

Liquid,theBirmingham-basedcommunications consultancy,hasappointedformerGreaterBirmingham ChambersofCommercechiefexecutivePaulFaulkneras seniorcounsel.Liquidsaystheappointmentreinforcesits commitmenttostrengtheningtheleadershipteamand enhancingthefirm’sabilitytoserveclientsworldwide.The companyboastsofficesinBirminghamandBrisbane,as wellasmultipleindustryawards,includingbeingnamed PRWeek’sBestAgencyOutsideLondon.

Paul,picturedright,hasheldkeyrolesincludingchief executiveofficeratAstonVillaandNottinghamForest footballclubs

Mayorleadsguestsatlaunchof Leamington’snewspeakeasybar 3 2 4 5 6 7 8 9

HUSHARRIVESAND MAKESSOMENOISE

1 FayeMiles,MaddyPayne,ReeceSaysell,AshleyRahim. 2 IvorThomas,DianeLeathem,BernieLeathem,IanHughes. 3 JoIsherwood, JoJones,JennySmith,JacobIsherwood. 4 LauraandRobAvery. 5 JulieMcGarrigle,TraceyMcAtamney. 6 MicaPinczuk,KiranMann, CarolineIngold. 7 JordanWilliams,SophieEyers. 8 LeamingtonmayorCllrJudithClarke,NaomiBishop. 9 LeanneNguyen,KirstyLo. 1

TheMayorofLeamingtonSpawasamongguestsat thelaunchpartyofthetown’snewHushBar.Cllr JudithClarkemadeatoastaspartofthespecial evening,whichshowcasedthespeakeasy-inspiredcellarbar, takingguestsbackintimetotheProhibitioneraof1920/30s America.Offeringafive-starservice,elevatedcocktailmenu andlivemusicexperiencesfromtheperiod,itistheresultof atransformationalmakeoveroftheformerRobbinsWell cellarbarunderneathTheTerrace,whichcloseditsdoors 10yearsago. ■

1

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THOUSANDSGREET CHINESENEWYEAR

Citycomesalivewithlions,dragons, funfairridesandstreetfoodgoodies

ThousandsofvisitorsflockedtoSouthsideand beyondforthecity’sChineseNewYearFestival,a freefamilyextravaganzaco-producedby BirminghamChineseFestivalCommitteeandBirmingham Hippodrome.Thecitycamealivewithlionanddragon processionsinpartnershipwithBullring&GrandCentral, pop-upliondancesintheArcadianandstreetfood,funfair ridesandacraftmarketinSouthside.Thefestivalwas sponsoredbyUberEatsandsupportedbySouthsideDistrict, theArcadian,WingYipandBrothersFoundationand BirminghamChineseSchool.TheSaturdayprogrammewas inpartnershipwithBullring&GrandCentral. ■

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1 TakingpartintheSpringRollEatingCompetitionsponsoredbyUberEats. 2 PinyanLinChineseInstrumentEnsemble. 3 WyxpiDance CollectionStudio. 4 OCASOverseasChineseAssociationSchools. 5 Visitorsenjoyedfacepaintingatthefestival. 6 DansDance, FaceChanger. 7 KaleidoscopePerformingArts. PhotographybyJoeBailey

WHAT’SONliving

WHAT: LichfieldFestival

WHEN: 27to30March

WHERE: Variousvenues

Thisyear’spackedfour-day eventincludesbroadcasting legendSimonMayo,comedian HelenLederer,best-selling authorTessGerritsenandart expertBendorGrosvenor.

WHAT: RedLemons WHEN: 22March

WHERE: TheJamHouse, thejamhouse.com

Abandofsuperblyaccomplished musiciansperformingavast rangeofsoul&funkfavourites fromthelikesofArethaFranklin, TheTemptations,AliciaKeys, andmanymore.

WHAT: Rembrandt:MasterpiecesinBlackandWhite

WHEN: 6Marchto1June

WHAT: Hamlet

WHEN: Nowto29March

WHERE: RSCTheatre,rsc.org.uk,tel:01789331111

Griefcanplaytricksonthemind,even conjureghosts.ButwhenHamlet’sdead fatherappearstohimonenight,he signalsmurder,notmadness.Multi award-winnerRupertGoolddirectsLuke Thalloninthetitleroleofthisnew productionofShakespeare’sfamilysaga.

WHERE: BirminghamMuseum&ArtGallery,birminghammuseums.org.uk

ThismajornewexhibitionpresentsthecompleterangeofRembrandt’s etchings,highlightingtheartist’scenturies-longimpactonthefieldof printmaking.Co-organisedbytheAmericanFederationofArtsandthe RembrandtHouseMuseum.

WHAT: CarlMarah

WHEN: 4March

WHERE: KitchenGardenCafé, kitchengardencafe.co.uk

FollowingthereleaseofhisdebutsingleSiren Songlastmonth,CarlMarahisontour performinghisdistinctbrandofmusicianship thatrangesfromtenderacousticballadsto hauntingelectrifiedanthems.

WHAT: DeathofaSalesman WHEN: 11to14March

WHERE: BirminghamRep, birmingham-rep.co.uk

ArthurMiller’sheart-breakingandthoughtprovokingplayexplodesontothestagein thisfreshnewproductionledbyacclaimed actorDavidHayman

WHAT: TheMotownDivasShow WHEN: 22March

WHERE: NailcoteHall, nailcotehall.co.uk

FullMotownglamourcomestotown withtheDreamettesperformingall yourfavouritehitsfromthelikesofthe Supremes,TinaTurnerandAretha Franklin.

WHAT: Crufts2025

WHEN: 9March

WHERE: BPPulselive, bppulselive.co.uk

Getyourticketstotheworld’s greatestdogshowandwatch talentedcaninesshowofftheir skillsinexcitingdisplays,and somuchmore.

WHAT: LucyPorter:NoRegrets! WHEN: 4April

WHERE: MidlandsArtCentre, macbirmingham.co.uk

Disastrousdates,professional calamities,ruinedfriendshipsand parentingfails.Theirrepressible LucyPorterbouncesbackinto actionwithashowallabout regrets.

WHAT: AmyDowden&CarlosGu

WHEN: 10March

WHERE: SymphonyHall,bmusic.co.uk

HavingmadeastunningreturntotheStrictly dancefloorAmyDowden,accompaniedbyfellow StrictlystarCarlosGu,willshareanintimateportrait oftheirlivesandjourneysinthisinspirationalshow.

WHAT: EdgbastonArtisanMarket

WHEN: 12April

WHERE: GreenfieldCrescent, Edgbaston,calthorpe.co.uk

Amust-visitasBirmingham’slargest artisanmarketreturnswithexciting tradersandahugevarietytochoose fromsomeofthefinestindependent businessesacrosstheMidlands.

WHAT: Six

WHEN: 11to15March

WHERE: BirminghamHippodrome, birminghamhippodrome.com

ThecrowninggloryofBroadway,theWestEndand beyond,theinternationalsmashhitmusicalSixmakes itsroyalreturntoBirminghamfollowingmultiple previoussell-outsuccesses.

WHAT: GhosttheMusical WHEN: 1to5April

WHERE: TheAlexandra,atgtickets.com Themoviewasthehighestgrossingfilmof 1990andscreenwriterBruceJoelRubinhas adaptedhisscreenplayforthiscracking musicalthatfeaturessongsco-writtenby Eurythmics’DaveStewart.

WHAT: JennyEclair

WHEN: 14March

WHERE: TownHall, bmusic.co.uk

Thefirstwomantowinthe PerrierAwardinvitesyouto lookbackatwhatshecan rememberbeforeshe forgetseverything.

CLOSEWITHÁ

TOMMARLOW

BYDAY,THECOMMUNICATIONSDIRECTOROFTHEWESTMIDLANDSGROWTH COMPANYISONEOFTHEPEOPLERESPONSIBLEFORSHOUTINGABOUTALLTHE MANYPOSITIVEASPECTSOFOURCRACKINGREGION.ATWEEKENDS,YOU’LLHEAR HIMCOMMENTATINGFORTHEBEEBONOURTOPFOOTBALLTEAMS

BEENTHERE,DONETHAT

Thisyearmarksmy20thyearwiththeWestMidlands GrowthCompanyandBBCRadioWM–thankyouifyour firstthoughtwas‘hedoesn’tlookoldenough!’–havingjoined bothorganisationsaftergraduatingfromAstonUniversity.The variety,experiencesandenjoymentgainedfromworkingasa communicationsofficerwithmediaduringtheweek,andthen thereverseattheweekend,hasseenmeworkinginCannes,at ConservativePartyconferencesandCommonwealthGames.

IT’SWHATIDO

Duringtheweek,Iamacommunicationsmanagerforthe WestMidlandsGrowthCompany.Myjobistoliaisewithlocal, nationalandinternationalmedia–aswellasoursevenlocal authorities,stakeholderssuchasVisitBritain/VisitEnglandand ourgreattourismvenues–withtheaimofcreatingpositive coverageabouttheregionandattractingmoretourists, conferencesandmajorsportingeventstotheWestMidlands.I hopethatbyreading,hearingorwatchingupbeatstoriesabout theWestMidlandsinsomeoftheoutletsI’veworkedwithin recentyears,thattouristsandeventorganisersareencouraged tothinkaboutcominghere.Atweekends,Icommentateon oneoftheWestMidlands’fivePremierLeagueorEFLfootball teams–normallyAstonVillaorWalsall–soIcouldendup beinginNewcastle,NottinghamorNewportonanygiven Saturdayafternoon!

WHATI’DLIKETOSEE

IwouldlovetoseeBirminghamandthewiderWest Midlandsfeaturedmoreinnationalnewspapers’weekend travelsectionsasaviableandseriousoption,ratherthanasa surprisealternative.Itstillseemsfashionabletobash Birminghamanditssurroundingsbypeoplewho’veeither neverbeenorhaveoutdatedviews.Onthefootballside,to

commentateononeofourteamswinningatrophy.

BIGGESTSUCCESS

It’shardtolookbeyondthatfantasticsummerin2022 whenBirminghamhostedtheCommonwealthGames.It wasfantastictoseeBirminghamandtheWestMidlands gettingitstimetoshineandsomanypositiveheadlines. HavinginterviewedPeakyBlinderscreatorStevenKnightfor ourVisitBirminghamwebsitebackin2013beforethefirst serieslaunched,it’sbeenincredibletoseehowthatdramahas explodedintoaglobalphenomenon–it’shelpedmetoget somebignationalandinternationalstories.Ilove commentatingonAstonVillainbigPremierLeaguefixtures.

BIGGESTLESSONLEARNED

IwishIhadhadthickerskinwhenstartingout–I rememberbeingcalleda‘wetlettuce’onsocialmediaafter oneofmyfirstBirminghamCitymatches.

WHATILIKEABOUTBRUM

Iabsolutelyloveallofthebigsportingeventsthat BirminghamandtheWestMidlandshosts.We’vechristened thisregionthe‘heartofsport’intheUK,andwiththeAll EnglandBadmintonChampionships,KabaddiWorldCup andRocketLeagueChampionshipSeriesinMarchalone, there’ssomuchtoenjoy.

DOWNTIME

Takingmysix-year-oldandthree-year-oldoutandaboutto exploretheWestMidlandsfillsmyweekendswhenI’mnotata footballmatch.Ialsolovewatchinggameshowsandwilltell anyonewho’lllisten(morethanonce)aboutmywinon Countdownafewyearsago.It’sprobablytimeIwenton anotherone! ■