Birmingham Living January 2023 (issue 119)

appyNewYear!So,how’sthewaistline,everyone?Hmm,justasI thought…allthatfestivefunhasaddedanextracoupleofinchesto thegirth…

If,likeme,youfindtrekkingtothegymano-noatthistimeofyear(toocold,toomuchsweat,toomany peoplesettingoutonhopelesslyoptimisticNewYearresolutions)thenthisfirstissueof2023ofBirmingham Livinghasplentyofalternative,easierwaystogethealthier. Mostofoursectionshaveafeelgoodvibe,fromgreatfoodanddrink,tomoney-savingwaystoexerciseand perfectpamperingideas.Evenourcoverstoryfollowsthethemeasstand-upcomedystarDarrenHarriott revealshelostnearlytwostonetrainingasoneofthecelebritiesinthenewseriesofITV’sDancingonIce. Darrensaysthatthepunishingscheduletogetintotopshapeleadinguptothefirstshowsawthepoundsdrop off,makinghimfeellighteronhisfeet–whichhejokesisquiteanachievementforsomeonewithsize14’s!

AstheproudownerofacheekylittleminiaturedachshundcalledAmos(that’shimpicturedabove!),Ifound talkingwithFiHarrisonofBirminghamDogsHomeforthismonth’ssecondfeatureratheremotional.It’sa soberingthoughtthataslovedasmanyofourpetsare,morethan120dogs–lost,neglected,abused–aretaken intotheHome’scareeverysinglemonth.It’saremarkablestatistic,especiallywhenyouconsiderthatthe charityhasbeendoingthisworkfor130years.Likesomanyofthemostdeservingcharities,Birmingham DogsHomegetsnofinancialhelpfromgovernment.It’sannual£2.5millionrunningcostsarepaidforbyits ownfund-raising.Amazingpeople,doinganamazingjob!

hasopenedatthe ShakespeareMemorialRoom. ShakespeareIm.Printfeatures newartworkscreated throughmark-making,monoprinting,collageandmetal embossing.TheHiveinthe JewelleryQuarterand RestoreBirminghamworked withartistIonaMcCuaigto curatetheexhibitionwhich runsuntil25Februaryand includesartworksfromartists suchasPicassoandSalvador Dali.

FILMFIRST

Birmingham-basedThreewiseEntertainmentandBOAStage &ScreenProductionAcademyhaveannouncedagroundbreakingfilmandTVindustrytalentpartnership.Upto80 finalyearstudentsaged16to19fromtheLadywood academywillworkalongsideprofessionalcrewonanew featurefilm,shootingthissummer.Theproductionwillblend live-actionperformanceanddigitalmotioncapture,using thesametechnologyasHollywoodproductionslikeStar Wars,PlanetoftheApesandAvatar.

STRIKINGACHORD

TheCityofBirminghamSymphonyOrchestra(CBSO)andHyattRegency Birminghamhotelhaveagreedaformalpartnershipthatwillseethemcontinueto developtheirongoingworktogether.Thetie-upincludesHyattRegency BirminghamsupportfortwokeyCBSOevents–theAnnualLeaders’Breakfastfor theWestMidlandsbusinesscommunityandAnnualCircles’Dinner,which celebratesindividualswhodonate£1,000ormoreannuallytotheorchestra.

FEASTOFSQUASH

Birminghamissettoserveupafeastof squashin2023.TheBritishJuniorOpen Squashtournamentreturnstothecityin Januaryafteranabsenceofthreeyears, followedlaterbytheSeniorBritishOpen –theWimbledonofsquash–forthefirst timesince2001.TheJuniorOpensees morethan700playerscompetingfrom 55nations,whiletheBritishOpenin Aprilfeaturestheworld’sbestplayers liningupatBirminghamRepand EdgbastonPrioryClub.

GIRLSONTRACK

Afterallthestrikes,finallyagoodnewsstory abouttherailways!WestMidlandsTrainshas partneredwithchildren'sbookseries‘My MummyIs…’tohelpraiseawarenessofrail careersforwomen–fromtraindriverstorail engineers.Thenewbook,MyMummyisa TrainDriver,followsresearchwhichreveals justsevenpercentofUKtraindriversare female,whilewomenaccountforonly16per centoftheindustry’sworkforce.

GIANT STATEMENT

AgiantsculpturetoweredoutsideStMartin’sintheBullringtohighlighttheplight ofhomelessness.The4.3-metrefigurenamedAlexwascreatedusingface mappingtechnologytocombinethefeaturesof17peopleexperiencing homelessness.ItwasunveiledbyCharityCrisisandWestMidlandsmayorAndy Streetasnewresearchshowed300,000householdscouldbelefthomelessin 2023duetothecostoflivingcrisis.ArtistSophiedeOliveiraBaratasaid:“I’ve beenincrediblyprivilegedtoworkwithCrisistobringthissculpturetolife.”

AIDSMEMORIAL

Amemorialtohonourthoselost toAidsandlivingwithHIVhas beenunveiledinBirmingham. TheBirminghamAidsandHIV MemorialinHippodrome Squareisthebrainchildoflocal businessmanGarryJones.The six-metre-highsculpture fabricatedbyBlackCountry sculptorLukePerryfeaturestwo heartsembracing.Asthework weathers,oneoftheheartswill rust,representingthemillions losttoHIV,whiletheotheris paintedredtosymbolisethose livinglongerandhealthierlives withthevirus.

ADAM’SMUSICALCHEERS

GIVINGBACK

BirminghamHippodromehasraisedarecord-breaking£32,000 withGiftAidaspartoftheBigGiveChristmasChallenge–a match-fundingcampaignthatdoubledallonlinedonationsover thecourseofoneweek.Themoneywillbeusedtohelpenrich thelivesof5,000disadvantagedyoungpeoplethroughthe HippodromeEducationNetworkwithweeklyworkshopsin schoolsandaprogrammetoenablechildrentoseeaworldclassproductionatthetheatreforthefirsttime.

popularmusicalsis comingtoBirmingham–withoneofTVsoap’s best-knownstarsina leadingrole.Adam Woodyatt–EastEnders’ ownIanBeale–plays AlfredPDoolittlewhen MyFairLadytransfers fromtheWestEndtorun atBirmingham Hippodromefrom8to26 March.Featuringlavish setsandstunning costumes,thecastalso includesMichaelDXavier asHenryHiggins, CharlotteKennedyas ElizaDoolittleand sopranoLesleyGarrettas MrsPearce.

ATLANTICMISSION

It’sacaseof‘allaboard’asaleadingMidlands businesshasgiven£20,000backingtoabidtorow acrosstheAtlanticOceantoraisecashforcharity. CoventrycommercialpropertyagencyBromwichHardy issponsoringtheBrightsidescrewinitsbidtorow 3,000milesunsupportedfromGranCanariato Barbados.ThecrewincludesBromwichHardyfounding partnerTomBromwich’ssister,ImogenYeoman.The attemptwilltaketothewaterearlyin2024.

ONTHEBALL

Birmingham-basednationalbloodcancercharity CureLeukaemiaislaunchingthecountry'sfirst female-onlycorporatefootballtournament.The six-a-sideeventwillbeheldatStGeorge'sPark, StaffordshireonFriday31Marchandhostedby BBCSport,BTSportandWimbledonpresenter KenzieBenali.Eachteamwillbecoupledwitha femalefootballlegendonthedayastheylookto liftthefirsteverFemaleCopaDelCure Leukaemiatrophy.Allproceedsfromthe tournamentwillbedonatedtoCureLeukaemia.

STARSPEAKER

MINIREP-LICA

BirminghamRephasbeenrebuilt–inLego!Thetheatrewasunveiledasa MINILANDmodelatthecity’sLEGOLANDDiscoveryCentrebycastmembersof Nativity!TheMusical.MastermodelbuilderMichelleThompsonsaid:“Itwasan honourtobuildtheReptheatre–aniconicbuildingandapartofBirmingham’s history.”BenWooldridge,headofcommunicationsattheRep,added:“TheRep istheoldestbuilding-basedtheatrecompanyinthecountryandthefirst BirminghamtheatretobefeaturedinthespectacularMINILANDcityscape.”

CHILDLINEMILESTONE

BirminghamcharityChildlinecelebratedits20thanniversaryafter providingmorethanhalf-a-millionsessionsof supportandadvicetochildrenacrossthecountry sinceopeningin2002.TheNSPCC-runservice basedinthecity’sCIBAbuildingmarkedthe milestonebydevotinganafternoonto honouringitsteam.Inthelastyearalone BirminghamChildlinedelivered19,850 counsellingsessionstochildren andyoungpeople.Thecharityison thelook-outformorevolunteerstobecome counsellors.Contact:birminghamvolunteers@nspcc.org.uk

STANDAND DELIVER

BeingoneofthecelebsonthenewseriesofITV’sDancing onIcecouldwellbethebiggestchallengeofDarren Harriott’slifesofar.TheOldburyboy,whogrewup listeningtogarageandgrimeandwaspartofateenagegang beforegigginghiswayaroundpubsandclubstobecomeastandupcomedystar,viewsslippingandslidingontwowafer-thin piecesofsteelaswelloutofhiscomfortzone.

Forstarters,Darren’sfeetaresobigthathe’shadtohavefigure skatingbootsmadeespecially.Thatmeanshe’sbeentrainingin icehockeyskateswhichareverydifferent,sohefeelshe’salready fallenbehindtheothercelebritystars.

Darrensaid:“MyDancingonIcepartnerTippyPackardmade ittothesemi-finallastyear,sonopressure.I’vegotthedance movesandtherhythm,sowe’rejustgoingforit.Everyonethinks ‘ohthere’sthecomedian.Hejustwantstomakejokes.’No,Ilike learningnewskillsanddoingwellsoI’mgoingforit.”

WEIGHTFORIT

Darrenisdroppingweightwhiletraining.He’sbeendoing intermittentfastingeatingbetweenthehoursof2pmand10pm andhe’slost20lbssinceAugust.“Ifeellighteronmyfeet,”he declares.He’salsodoinghisusualstrengthtrainingsixdaysa week–anhourofweightsfollowedby20minutesinthesaunato sootheachingmuscles.“Iwouldnormallydocardiotoo,butthe skatingtrainingisenoughonthatscore.”

Aswellastheskatingitself,Darren–wholikenshispresence ontheicetoa“gracefulfridge”–sayshefindsthejudgesandthe

”

“Everyonethinks, ‘oh,there’sthecomedian, hejustwantstomake jokes’,butI’mreally goingforit

publicvotedaunting.“Therearesomemassivestars thatwillgetthefanvotes,sowecan’tbemediocre.” There’saliftinthefirstperformanceandthe dreadedheadbangeronthecardstoo.“It’snerve wracking,”headds.“ThisisliveTVinfrontof millions.Ithinkifanyofusstumblesormessesupit willshockeveryoneandputthefearofGodintous.”

DancingOnIceisjustthelatestappearanceon ourTVscreensforDarren,whoseemstobepopping upallovertheplace.AftereightyearsinLondon, Darrensayshewillbemovingbacktohishometown thisyear.HesaysofgrowingupinOldbury:“Itwas quitepeaceful–workingclassbutpeaceful.

COMINGHOME

“Therewasarandommadwindowcleanerwho wouldcleanthewindowswithoutbeingaskedtoand thenaskformoney.Everyonepaidhim,butitwasa bitmad.I’mmovingbackbecauseImissthe familiarityoftheplace.It’stime–Iwantmorespace, maybehaveafamilyandagarden.Agarden!Idon’t evenhaveabalconyinLondon.”

Afterlockdown,Darren’scareerstartedtotakeoff withlotsofTV.“IloveTV,butIneverexpectitto continue,”hesays.“IfeellikeIcanalwaysmake moneydoingstand-upbutTVmightdisappear. Hopefullythecomedywon’tdisappearbecauseI’ve gotnothingelse!Somecomediansusedtobe doctorsorhavequalifications–Idon’thaveany skillstooffer.”

Inhisearlieryears,backbeforeacareerincomedy wasonDarren’sradar,hewasinvolvedinalocal gang.Itallstartedinnocentlyenough–theywanted theirownT-shirts,brandingandsenseofbelonging. Butovertimetheystartedcarryingknivesandone nighttheothermembersturnedonDarren,beating himsobadlyhewokeupinhospitalonNewYear’s Eveandknewitwastimetogetout.

BOUNCINGAROUND

Hewenttocollegeandstarteddoingstand-up comedy,supportinghimselfbyworkingasabouncer –notalwaysthemostexcitingwork,oftendirecting trafficinahi-visjacket.Aged17,hesawaflyer promotingalocalvarietynight.Itwentwellandhe begangiggingregularly.“Ittakesupyourwholelife.

IspentsevenyearsgoingashardasIcouldgigging alloverthecountry.I’dtraveltoNewcastlefora10minutegigandtravelhomeagain.Itwaswild. Digbethcoachstationwasmyfriend.”

DarrensawcomicslikeJoeLycettwhostartedout atthesametimewhowereflyingandthought,‘that couldhappentome’.HemovedtoLondon,aged26. “Iwasstilllivingwithmymum,soIneededan excusetomoveoutreally.InLondonyoucangig everynightoftheweek,sotheopportunitieswere easierandplentiful.”

FastforwardtotodayandDarrenisafamiliarface asteamcaptainonGuessable,whichiscurrently filmingitsfourthseries,andasaseriesregularon TheOutsidersforDavehostedbyDavidMitchell. Heisalsoco-hostofLoveIsland:Aftersun.Other TVincludesBritain’sBestTakeawaywithSaraCox, BritishasFolk,hostofLiveattheApolloandDog AteMyHomework,plusappearancesonBackstage WithKatherineRyan,AllStarGamesforComic ReliefandGreatBritishBakeOffExtraSliceamong manyothers.

FALLGUY?

DarrenalsostarredinRealDirtyDancing presentedbyKeithLemonandAshleyRobertswhich airedonE4in2022andsawcelebritiescompetingto recreateiconicroutinesfromthefilm–asurprisingly absorbing,completelybingewatchableshow.He says:“I’dneverseenthefilm.Iwatcheditandliked it.Iliketochallengemyself,soIthought,‘yay,I’lldo that.Sure.’Theywereafriendlylot,butwetookit seriouslytoo.Wereallytried.Inhonestytherewas moretimefilmingVTstocamerathanlearningthe moves–itwasn’tStrictly.Welearnedtodanceon grassinafieldinNorfolk.”

Afieldisaninfinitelyeasierenvironmentthanice, however.So,whatcanweexpectfromDarrenwhen heglidesintothespotlightofDancingonIce? “UnlessIgetapairofskatesbigenoughformysize 14feet,Imaybedancinginmysocks,”hejokes.“My familyarealreadymakingbetsthatI’llfallonthe firstepisode!” ■

DancingOnIcelaunchesonITVon15January.

Theysaywe’reanationofdog-lovers,andin manywaysthat’strue.Figuresshowthata thirdofUKhouseholdsownatleastoneof man’sbestfriend–that’saround10millionhomesin total.Andasmostdotingdogownerswilltellyou, whenweloveourdogs…wereallyloveourdogs!

Sadly,thereverseisalsotrue,withgrowing numbersofpetsbeingabandonedandneglected post-pandemicandinthefaceofthecostofliving crisis.“Thenumbersofunwanteddogscomingtous isrisingandweexpectthetrendtocontinueto increaseaspeopledecidetheycan’taffordtofeed theirdogsandlookafterthemanymore,”saidFi Harrisonheadoffund-raisingandcommunicationat BirminghamDogsHome.

TOTHERESCUE

Thecharity,whichhaskennelson12acresjust outsideSolihullaswellasinWolverhampton, acceptsalldogsandworkswithninelocalauthorities takinginlost,unwantedandabusedanimals.Fisaid: “InOctober,whichwasatypicalmonth,werescued 121dogs,reunited32withtheirworriedowners,

rehomed97andhaveafurther73whohavebeen reservedbypotentialadopters.”

Quickmathsmakesthataround1,500petsrescued eachyear,withhalfinneedofmedicalcareasa resultofneglectorabuse.Workingthatfigureup evenfurther,thenumbersbecomesimplymindblowingwhenyouconsiderthatBirminghamDogs Homehasbeencelebratingits130thanniversary!

Itallsoundslikeamilitary-scaleoperation–with 120heatedkennels,anon-siteveterinarysurgeryand anarmyofvolunteersandstaffontheSolihullsite, plustheWolverhamptonbasewhichhousesafurther 90dogs.

What’sevenmoreamazingisthatthecharityis totallyself-funding,withnogovernmentbackingto helptowardsthe£2.5million-a-yearitcoststorun thehome.Instead,themoneycomesfromamixof donationsfromindividualsandbusinessesandgrants fromtrusts.“Alsohugelyimportantarepeoplewho leaveusgiftsintheirwills,”saidFi.“Thereis constantpressuretoraisethismoneyanditcanbea worry,especiallyattimeslikethiswhentheeconomic situationisn’tthebest.”

Ifyou’dliketolearnmoreaboutadoptingadogandhowto supportBirminghamDogsHome,visit: www.birminghamdogshome.org.uk

Oneoftheregion’soldestandbest-loved animalwelfarecharities,BirminghamDogs Homewasfoundedin1892onlandinNew CanalStreet,whereitremaineduntilmovingto itscurrent,biggerlocation.In2021,thecharity launchedafund-raisingappealtoprovideanonsiteveterinaryclinic.“Wewerespending £250,000-a-yearonoutsidevetfeeswhichwas justnotsustainable,”explainedFi.“So,we neededtofund-raisetorepurposeanexisting spaceintotheinhouseclinicwhichwe successfullyopenedin2022.”

TheclinicwasparticularlybusyaftertheCovid lockdown.“Initiallywhenlockdownhappenedand peoplewereathome,everyonewantedadog,”said Fi.“Oncethelockdownswereover,wehadareal influxofdogsandmanywereverypoorlydueto beingbadlybredbyunscrupulousbreederswhohad seenanopportunitytocashin.Now,withthe economicworriesweareexperiencingthere’sareal spikeagaininabandoneddogscomingtousvia localauthorities.”

Unsurprisingly,workingatthehomecanoftenbe anemotionaljobasdogswhohavebeendiscarded andneglectedarelookedafter,broughtbackto healthandtaughttotrusthumansagain.Fi describesthestaffas‘caninecarersatthecoalface’. Wecouldn’tagreemore! ■

Tellusaboutyourcooking

IwoulddescribeitasquiteuniqueasI’mAsianand mostofmycookingstylehasanAsianinfluenceand obviouslyaWesterninfluenceaswell.Iliketobring togetherdifferenttypesofcookingtechniquesfrom variouscultures.

Howdidyoubecomeachef?

IwastrainedinMalaysiawhereIdidadiplomafor twoyears.IthenarrivedintheUKtostudyformy degreewhichtookthreeyearsandsincethenI’ve trainedatSimpsons.EversinceIwasyoung,Iwas influencedquitealotbyJamieOliver–asachefhe’s knownworld-wide,includinginMalaysia.Ilikethat hiscookingstyleishomely,comfortfoodwhich inspiredmeespeciallyasayoungkidnotknowing howorwhattocook.Lookingathisdishesreminds meofhowmuchIlikedcookingbackthenasachild.

Whatdoyoueatwhenathome?

IeatalotofAsianfoodathomeandoccasionally Western.EventhoughI’vebeenhereforthreeyears, IstillmissmyAsiandisheswhichtendtocentre aroundrice.

Who’sthebestchefintheworldandwhy?Andwho’s thebestinBrum?

There’ssomanygoodchefsthatit’shardtosay who’sthebestintheworldbutachefwhodoesinspire meisaFrenchpastrychefcalledCédricGroletwhose dessertshavehisownuniquestyle.

ThebestchefinBirminghamhastobeLuke Tipping–hehasinspiredandinfluencedmealot whenitcomestoWesterncooking.

Shareacookingtip

Trynottoburnanything!Whenitcomesto cookingricethereisacertainratioyouneedtoget right,asinAsiawecookwithoutusingweighingscales

Whatwasyourfavouritefoodasakid?

Itwasalmostlikeasoupwhichfeaturedpork cookedinChineseherbsandspices.Itisn’tsomething youfindintheUKbutit’saveryheart-warmingsoup thatIstillliketocookathome.

Foodheavenandfoodhell?

Myfoodheavenisstreetfood.Myfoodhellisfood thatisnotcookedproperly.

What’sthemostunusualthingyou’veeaten?

I’mnotabigfanofrawseafoodorinsects,which areusedinalotofSouthEastAsiandishes.

Ifyouweren’tachef,whatwouldyoube?

IfIwasn’tachef,Iwouldbeworkinginthefinance industry.

HOWTOMAKELEE’SSPECIALEGGFRIEDRICE

You’llfindLee’sownunique,deliciousrecipeatour website,www.birmingham.livingmag.co.uk

SHORTS NI BBLESand

CLARE LEADS THEWAY

EdgbastonParkHotelandConferenceCentreiscelebratingaftercommercialofficemanagerClareBarnbrookmadeitontothe prestigiousmiaList2022,whichrecognisesthehotelindustry’sfinesttalents.Clarewassingledoutfrom15finalistsforher leadershipskillsandreceivedanindividualachievementawardataceremonyattendedby250eventsprofessionals.BillyHarris, headofcommercialatthehotel,said,“Clareplaysaninstrumentalroleinthehotel’ssuccess.Weareincrediblyproudofher.”

GRANDHOTELINUKTOP100

TheGrandHotelhasbeennamedasoneofthetop100placestostayinBritainbytheSunday Times.The185-room,GradeII-listedhotelinColmoreRowunderwenta£50millionrefurbishment whichretainedthebuilding’sFrenchRenaissanceexteriorandVictorianArts&Craftsfeatures. GeneralmanagerPeterKienastsaid:“ThisrecognitionbytheSundayTimeshonourstheheritageof thehotel,aswellasthehardworkwhichwentintoitscompleterestoration.”

DJsSPINA NEWBAR

TwoBirminghamDJsare openinganindependentcocktail barintheheartofthecity’s JewelleryQuarter.No21,in FrederickStreet,isthebrainchild ofDannyKaneandPaulos Barronwhofirstmetin2008 whenDannywasrunningthe Bushwackersclubin Birmingham.Dannysaid:“We’re thrilledtohavetheopportunity toopenabrandnewcocktailbar inwhatisalreadya neighbourhoodfilledwith fantasticindependentbarsand restaurants.Wehavesomuch experiencefromourtime workinginthemusicindustry, andweknowwhatworks!”

PIZZA PREMIERE

NeighbourhoodpizzeriaRudy’siscomingtotown inFebruarywiththeopeningofRudy'sPizza NapoletanainOozellsStreet,Brindleyplace.Serving classicNeapolitanpizzassince2015fromitsoriginal Rudy’sinAncoats,thepizzeriahassinceopened moresiteswiththenewrestaurantbeingitssecond eateryinBirmingham.Rudy’sdoughismadefresh dailyusingCaputo‘00’flourwhichfermentsforat least24hours,alongsidethebestquality ingredientsimportedfromNaples.

MICHELINACCOLADE

Black&Green–theteambehindCraft,8andAbout Dining–hasbeenincludedintheMichelinGuide. Theaccoladewasannouncedonly12weeksafter thefinediningneighbourhoodrestaurantopenedin BarntGreen.AndrewSheridan,ofBirmingham’s About8,isthemainmanbehindthestoveatthe buzzy,friendlyspot,whichisaneighbourhood versionoftheCraftrestaurantattheICC.

LASAN’SSIXOFTHEBEST

BirminghamIndianrestaurantLasanhaswon theBritishCurryAwardsforarecordsixth time.JabbarKhan,founderofLasan,said: “Achievingoursixthwinonour20th anniversaryisthecherryontheicingofthe cakeforourteam.”Lasanhasbeena trailblazerforIndianrestaurantsin Birminghamandhaselevatedtheindustryto greaterheightseversincewinningGordon Ramsay’sBestLocalRestaurantintheUK AwardonChannel4’sTheFWordin2010.

LIAM’SOLDSCHOOLTIE-UP

TVchefLiamDillonhaspartneredwithhisold schooltocreateahospitalitytraining programmeforlocalsixthformers.Liam,owner oftheBoatInn,hasappearedtwiceonBBC TV’sGreatBritishMenu.Fivestudentswill spendayearatLiam’srestaurant,across differentdepartmentsandroles,graduating withacertificateofmerit.The paidplacementwillhelpthe studentseithergainentryinto thehospitalityindustryorsupport theminapplicationsforjobsand highereducation.

COCONUTTREE

GasStreet,Birmingham,B12JT.Tel:01216610111thecoconut-tree.com

mapsoftheislandandabarthatscreamsbeachvibes. ThereareninerestaurantsintheTCTstableandwhilewe can’tspeakfortheothereight,wedidn’twanttoleavethe Birminghameatery.Wecan’tthinkofanythingdirectly comparableinthecityfocusingonSriLankanfoodofthis qualityandinventiveness.It’salsoreasonablypriced–for instance,cocktailsstartat£6–plusit’sfastenoughto squeezeintoyourlunchhour.

Sinceoneofuswouldeatmeatateverymealofevery day,wewerebothsurprisedbytheuniversalappealofan unassumingpumpkincurrycalledtheFatSister.Itwas superb–thecoconutsauce,gentlespiceandsoftsweet pumpkinblewusaway.Ifyouhaveonedish,makeitthis.

probablythehottestdishofthebunchinagoodwayand absolutelyworththestruggle.ThentherewasCheesy Colombo–generouscubesoffriedcheeseinastickysweet andhotsauce.It’sfriedcheese–what’snottolove?Kale andradishsamboladdedazingyfreshnesswithradish, gratedcoconuttomatoesandlimewhilebeefbrisket kotthuwasrichandunctuous.

Twotothreedishesperpersonisrecommend–wewent forthreeplusaparottarotiwhichwasprobablyonedish toomany,althougheliminatingonewouldhavebeenlike Sophie’sChoice.Wedidn’tbookbutwearrivedearlyso managedtobagatable.Therestaurantdidfillupswiftly aroundussoperhapsbesttobook. ■

GOLOW!

Takingabreakfromboozeafterthefestive season?Thenkeepreading!Thismonth, wearefocusingon‘noandlow’alcohol options.Ihadninewholemonthstotestoutallof thenon-alcoholicdrinksofferingswhilepregnant lastyear,soI’mheretosharemyfavouriteoptions forwhattodrinkwhenyou’renotdrinking!

Let’sstartwithadifficulttruthforawinelover… mostnon-alcoholicwinesareterrible.Theyaredealcoholised,whichiswhatusuallygiveswineits bodyandstructure.Takethatawayandyouareleft withnotverymuch.Unfortunately,manyproducers ofnon-alcoholicwinestendtoaddsugartoreplace thebodylostbyremovingalcohol.

ThebestwhitewineIfoundwasEinsZweiZero, aGermanrieslingwhichdoeshavesomesweetness, butthat’swhatyou’dexpectfromthestyleanyway anditisbalancedbyarefreshingacidity.Goesgreat withslightlyspicydishessuchasThaistirfriesor curriesandalsoChinesefood.

Redsaretrickiertogetrightwhenremovingthe alcoholasbodyismoreintegraltothestyle.Here,I wouldseekoutsomethingalittleoffthebeatentrack. OddbirdisaSwedishsocialenterpriseoffering alcohol-freewines,whichtheyrefertoasbeing ‘liberated’fromalcohol.Theirorganicredwineisa blendofmerlotandshirazfromFrance,with blackberry,cherryandplumflavoursandahintof spice.Toptip–chillthebottledownbeforedrinking tomakethemostoftheflavours.Justdon’texpectit totastethesameasafull-bodiedAussieshiraz!

CARBONFOOTPRINT

Non-alcoholicsparklingoptionsareabiteasieron thepalatebecauseoftheirrefreshingeffervescence. OneoptionistheNoughtyrangebyThomson& Scott,thewhitesparklingisanon-alcoholicdrystyle madefromChardonnaygrapeswhichisorganicand vegan-friendly.Theyalsooffsetthecarbonfootprint ofeverypurchasesoyoucanfeelgoodabouthelping theplanetwhileenjoyingyourfizz!Myfavouritewas Fizzero fromM&S,whichisnotactuallywinebutsparkling grapejuiceblendedwithgreentea.Thegreentea givesthedrinksomebodyandabitoftanninwhich helpswiththetextureandwasoneofthedriest examplesthatIfound.Itcomesinawhiteandrose format(buttheroseismuchsweeter!)

Whileonthesubjectoftea,agoodquality kombuchacanbeadeliciousgrown-upfeeling drinkifyou’resickofdrinkingsparklingwater. We’renottalkingaboutthehome-brewedstuff here!TheRoyalFlushfromtheRealDrinks Companyisasparklingnon-alcoholicdrinkmade withthehighest-qualityDarjeelingtealeaves, whicharefermentedtogiveitflavourand complexity.Theycomeinaluminiumcansaswell, providingtheperfectindividualservewhenpoured intoaChampagneflute.

KATIE’S4HANGOVER-FREEPICKS

■ LeitzEinsZweiZeroAlcohol-FreeRiesling, Waitrose,£6.99

Thisisfulloffreshflavourandhintsofcitrusandyellowstone fruits.It’swellsuitedtoarangeofdishes,includingseafood andfish,aswellasbeinganexcellentpartywineorapéritif.

■ Fizzero,Marks&Spencer,£4.50

Arefreshingandbalancedalcohol-freesparklingwinewith flavoursofappleandpear.Madeusingauniquerecipe involvingaspecialfermentationwhichensuresittasteslike wineandnotlikeasoftdrink.Greenteaisaddedtogiveita roundmouthfeel.

■ SeedlipGrove42Alchohol-FreeSpirit,Harvey Nichols,£29

Azestyandcitrusyblendofcopper-potdistillates,including orange,bloodorange,mandarin,lemon,gingerandlemongrass. It’scraftedinasimilarmannertoagin,justwithoutthealcohol–andnoaddedsugarorsweeteners.

■ RoyalFlushSparklingTea,theRealDrinks Company,£35forcaseof12cans

Fragrantandfreshonthenosewithnotesofstonefruitsand juicyblackcurrants.Delicatelyacidiconthepalatewithflavours ofrhubarb,peach,andahintofspice.

CravingaG&T?Therehasbeenarealboomof non-alcoholicspiritsonthemarketinrecentyears. Theydotendtobepriceyastheyareoftenmadein thesamewayasyourtypicalliqeuerbutthealcohol isallowedtoevaporate.Adeliciousoptionis SeedlipGrove42,verysimilartoacitrus-basedgin, withflavoursoforange,lemonpeelandlemongrass. Servewithtonic,plentyoficeandasliceoforange andyoucanalmostimagineyou’rehavinggin. Thesenon-alcoholicspiritsalsoworkreallywellin mocktails,checkouttheSeedlipwebsiteforsome recipeideas. ■

BirminghamWineSchoolisanindependentwineeducation companythatoffersfuninformalwinetastingeventsandWine& SpiritEducationTrust(WSET)coursesonline,inBirminghamand Warwick.FormoreinformationcontactKatieGardneron0121270 7359,orvisitwww.birminghamwineschool.com.

JANUARY KICKSTART

HOPEFULLYYOU’REREFLECTINGONANINCREDIBLECHRISTMASAND

Ifyou’reanythinglikeushereatBirminghamLiving Towers,you’repossiblylookingbackatafestiveseason packedwithmerrimentwithasquishywaistlineto proveit.Havenofear,reclaimedfitnessiswithinsight,but howdoyoumakesureyoustaycommittedtobecoming yourbestself?

Often,theproblemwithsettingupanexerciseregimeisthat wemakeitsobloomin’complicatedandtootime-consuming –andthereforequicklydemotivating.Butitdoesn’thavetobe thatway.Itistotallypossibletoimproveyourfitnessinafun andfuss-freeway.Soherearesomequicktipstokick-start yourdayandkeepyouonthestraightandnarrow.

WARMUP: Makesuretogetyourheartratepumpingand getyourmuscleswarmoryou’rejustaskingforinjury.Afew minutesofgentlestretchingwillmakeaworldofdifference.

JUMPINGJACKS: Agreatwaytoeaseyourselfingently, takingyourbodyfromasleeptoawake.Makesureyouclap atthetopandslapyourthighsatthebottomtoensureafull rangeofmotion.Tryanddo50.

T-ROTATIONS: Whileinthepress-upposition,reach underyourbodyasfarasyoucanthenuptotheskylooking atthehandatthetop.Thiswarmsuptheshoulder,engages thecoreandstretchesthechest.Do40(20perarm).

SPRINTERS: Stayinginthepress-upposition, bringonekneetotheoppositeelbowthen change,buildingupthepacetoa‘sprint’, twistingatyourhipsanddoingyourbesttotouch eachelbow.Gofor30(bothkneesequalsonerep).

PRESS-UPS: Keepyourcoreengagedthewhole time,makesureyourhandsarenotinfrontofthe shoulders.Aimforfullrangeofmotion,yourchest touchingthefloorandarmsfullyextendedatthetop. Seeifyoucando20.

BURPEES: Bringyourkneestoyourelbowsandbumto yourheelsbeforedrivinguptothesky.Straighteningyour bodyintheair,assoonasyourfeettouchtheground,allow gravitytopullyourbumbacktoyourheelsthenshootyour feetbackoutengagingyourcorewhilelandinginastrong press-upposition.Gofor10.

KEEPITGOING: It’simportanttocompleteallexercisesin quicksuccessiontostartyourdayright.Ifyoudothis programmethree-times-a-weekforfourweeks,bytheendof Januaryyouwillreallystarttofeelandseetherealbenefits. Trytiminghowlongittakestocompletesoyoucan measureyourprogress.

Andthenlookforwardtonextyear’sfestivities…. ■

Cyclingisafantasticformoflow-impactexercise andalsoagreatwaytosavemoneyonyourdaily commutewhilereducingyourpersonalcarbon emissions.UrbanBodyphysiotherapistSanfordMiller explainsthenumerousbenefitsofcyclingtoyourhealthas wellasyourpocket:

Mentalhealth

Veryfewsportscanmatchthesenseoffreedomand excitementthatcyclingcandeliverwhileyou’repedalling awaywiththesceneryflyingpast.Recentresearchhas foundthatpeoplewhorideself-propelledorindeede-bikes benefitgreatlyinbothmoodandanxiety,boostingoverall mentalhealth.Italsoindicatedthatcyclingimprovesour higherexecutivefunction,includingdecisionmakingand reactiontimes.Otherresearchsuggeststhatafivepercent improvementincardio-respiratoryfitnessfromcyclingled toanimprovementofupto15percentinmentaltests.

Beatillness

Moderateexercisemakesimmunecellsmoreactive,so they’rereadytofightoffinfection.Peoplewhocyclefor30 minutes,five-days-a-weektakeabouthalfasmanysick daysascouchpotatoes.King’sCollegeLondoncompared morethan2,400identicaltwinsandfoundthosewhodid theequivalentofjustthree45-minuteridesaweekwere nineyears‘biologicallyyounger’evenafterdiscounting otherinfluences,suchasbodymassindex(BMI).

Strength

Anenormousproportionofmusculoskeletalpain (relatedtomuscles,softtissuesorjoints)occurswhenwe arenotstrongenoughtodealwiththeloadsandstressesof dailylife.Havingstrongertissuesandtendonshelpsto makethemmoreresilientandtolerant,meaningyouare reducingyourriskofsufferinggeneralachesandpains oftenexperiencedwitheverydaymovement.

Cardiovascularhealth

Cyclingdevelopsourfitnesslevelinseveralways,but mostimportantlyitimprovestheefficiencyofyourheart andlungfunctionaswellasincreasingyourmetabolic rate.Thelong-termbenefitofthisisnotonlythatyou’ll becomeabettercyclistbutyou’llbenefitinallwalksoflife byreducingfeelingsoffatigueandlethargywiththeadded bonusofimprovingyourconcentration.

Inclusivity

Cyclingisforeveryone.Regardlessofage,genderor experiencethere’salevelandclasstosuit.Andregardless ofyourfitnesslevel,you’reinittogether.Youbecomepart ofateamandit’sagreatwaytomeetpeopleandmake friendswhileimprovingyourposture,co-ordinationand strengthenbones.It’snotevenasweatherdependentas youthink.Whocaresifit’srainingoutside?Popdownto thegymanduseastaticbikeandmaybeevenjoinaspin class.Ifyou’reunaffectedbytheclimateit’seasytoseta scheduleandsticktoit.

Savetheplanet

Twentybicyclescanbeparkedinthesamespaceasone car.Ittakesaroundfivepercentofthematerialsand energyusedtomakeacartobuildabike–andabike produceszeropollution.Bikesareefficient,too.You travelaroundthreetimesasfastaswalkingforthesame amountofenergyand,takingintoaccountthe‘fuel’you putinyour‘engine’,youdotheequivalentof2,924miles tothegallon. ■

UrbanBody’steamofexpertphysiosare trainedatdegreelevelandworkwithahost ofeliteathletes,includingTeamGBathletes. Tofindoutmorevisit:urbanbody.co.uk

AND BREATHE Croppedtop£35 andleggings£45, OliverBonas

TOP SUPPORT

InitialeGrisIntense £105,Empriente

BLACK ANDWHITE

PocketSportPlein Airsportsbra£45, JohnLewis

WARM UP

Lululemonhigh neckstretch jerseyjacket £118,Selfridges

positivevibes.Researchwhat’sappropriateforyour chosensport/activityandconsidergettingyourgait testedtakingrecommendationsfromexperts.Itwillbe themostexpensivepartofyourkit,butworthit.

SUPPORTINGROLE

Secondupisunderwear.Thisisn’tjustabout comfort–sure,anill-fittingsportsbrawillbe distractingbutthelackofappropriatesupportduring highimpactsportscanalsodamagebreasttissue irreversibly.CheckoutShockAbsorber,Empriente, SweatyBetty,GymSharkandLululemonforsome brilliantexamples.

RAISEASMILE

Therestofyourkitcanbelessscientificandmore frivolous.Sweatwickingbreathablefabricispreferable andisfairlystandardtoacertainextent.Thehigh streetandevensupermarketshavecottonedontothe popularityofsportswearsoyoucannowbuyyourkit alongwithyourbigshop.F&FatTescoandGeorgeat Asdahaveadecentselectionofleggingsandcropped topsinaplethoraofpatternsandcolourswhile HarveyNicholsandSelfridgesstockagorgeousrange ofhigh-endbrandsthatwillearnyousomesignificant stylepoints.ThinkMoncler,AxelArigato,Stella McCartneyandmore.

Windproofjacketsandthinlayersarethewaytogo ifyou’retrainingoutdoors–checkoutthefoldable HunterjacketandlightzippytopsatTKMaxxand Lululemon(pictured).Ultimately,aselectionof sportswearthatmakesyoufeelgoodandenablesyou todowhateverexerciseyoufancycomfortablyisa win.Enjoy! ■

PACK AWAY

Hunterpackable recycled polyesterjacket £95,Selfridges

JOG ON Goodmove Cugged sportsjogger £25,M&S

GET STRAPPY

Goodmoveblack croptop£15,M&S

PRINTS CHARMING

Powerworkout leggings£80, SweatyBetty

WOW FACTOR

SweatyBetty 7/8supersoft leggings£90, Selfridges

MEETOURHEROES

Aftertriallinghundredsofproductsinthepast12months, we’vepickedahandfulof‘hero’itemsthathavemadethe mostdifference.Ifyou’reassessingyourbeautyregime, theselittlebeautiesareworthconsidering

1.AUSSIEINSTANTHUMIDITYSAVIOURLEAVEON HAIRSPRAY100ML,£7

Foranyonepronetoabitoffrizz,thisisagamechanger.A quickspritzontodamphairandarunthroughwithawide toothedcombleavessmootherlocks.Weuseitafterevery washnotjustinahotclimate.

2.OPIDRIPDRYNAILPOLISHDRYINGDROPS27ML, £22.95

We’rerubbishatbookinginamaniand/orpedi,butthisgives yourat-homeversionasalonsheen.Italsodriessuperfast–OPIclaims60secondsandwereckonthat’sspoton.It’seasy anditworks.Arealwin-win.

3.ELEMISPRO-COLLAGENEYEREVIVEMASK,£57

Zeropuffinessandlightasafeather,thisisrefreshingand effective–morethananyothereyeproductwe’vetried.Keepit inthefridgeforextrazing.

4.LANCASTERGOLDENTANMAXIMISERAFTERSUN LOTION250ML,£28

Thispromisestointensifymelaninproductiontokickstartand prolongagoldeneventan,whichitseemstodo,butaside fromthatit’salsoabloomin’greatbodylotionleavingskin smooth,evenandyouthful–theHolyGrail.

4.KIEHL’SSUPERMULTI-CORRECTIVEFACECREAM 50ML,£60

Thisisourcan’t-live-withoutproduct–notliterally,butwe’ve alwaysgotajarwaitinginthewingstoavoidamildpanicas werunout.Wefirsttrieditinthesummerandwe’veusedit dailyeversince.Skintoneisfirmerandmoreeven.Itlooks scarilythickbutsoaksinlikeadream.

INTOTHEBLUE

Icemenblueshort £38,DKNY

JACKETIN

NikexTravisScott relaxedfitshell jacket£400,Nike

TIGHTFIT

BjornBorg recycledpolyester blendleggings £45,Selfridges

Makingtimetomoveandlookafteryour body–whatevershapeyoumightbein–ismadeahellofaloteasierwithsports gearthata)worksandb)youenjoywearing.We’ve pulledtogetherahandfulofpiecesthat’llserveup coolnessaswellaspracticality–somesocoolwe’d wearoutsideoftheexercisearena.Takethesuper chicNikexJBalvincollaborationforexample–pasteltiedyeshortsanyone?TheAdidasSupernova trainer(pictured)isalsoawinneronandoffthe treadmillandthey’rereasonablypriced.The MonclerGrenoble(pictured)islessreasonably pricedbutdoesthejobformoreserioustraining keepingyouwarmanddrywhilenotoverheating. OnRunninghassomecrackingexamples–we’ve featuredtheirnavyhalfzip,butintruththewhole collectionisworthalook.Ifyouhaven’tembraced leggingsyet,you’remissingatrick.Warm, comfortableandbreathable,makethemthebasisof youroutdoorwinterworkoutsandyou’llbethanking uslater.TheBjornBorgversionpicturediseco friendlytooforaddedkudos. ■

ONYERBIKE

RaphaCorejersey cyclingtop£60, JohnLewis

MINT

NikeAirJordan xJBalvintyedie cottonblendshorts £90,Selfridges

HOMESliving

ASANCTUARYTORETREATTO

AND RELAX

There’salottoconsiderwhenrenovatinga bathroom,notleastmanagingmultiple tradesparticularlyifyou’removingexisting plumbingaround.Itcanbemessy,expensiveand requiressignificantvision.

Ifyoucanstretchtoabathroomdesignerwe’d highlyrecommend.They’llbeabletoseecreative andpracticalsolutionsthatyouwon’t,aswellas havingbuiltupestablishedlinkswithtradespeople fromyearsofexperienceifyouchoosewell.Check outHouzzforadesigner’spreviousprojectsand ensurethey’reonyourwavelength.Agooddesigner willregularlyattendtradefairsstayingontopof latesttrends,materials,productsandtechnology.

Giventheinvestmentofanewbathroom,it’sworth spendingtimeandmoneygettingitrightfirsttime.

Ifyou’regoingitalone,don’tgetcarriedawaywith theprettyfinisheswithoutnailingthecrucial practicalbits.There’snopointhavingaroomthat lookslikeasanctuarybutdoesn’tworkproperly.Try togetrecommendationsfortradespeoplefrompeople youtrustandifyoudon’tgetagoodvibe,trustyour gutandmoveon.

Ifyou’regivingyourbathroomarefreshrather thananoverall,therearesomegorgeousaccessories that’llgivetheroomanewleaseoflifewithoutthe messandexpense.Here’ssomeinspirationtogetyou started. ■

CLEANLINES

BathroombyLisaMelvinDesign

OVERTHETOPGLAMOUR WallcoveringbyAvalana

HOMES SPAVIBES Accessoriesfrom JohnLewis

FromthePottingBench withAdam

GETAHEADOFTHEGAMEWITHTHE HOTTESTGARDENINGPREDICTIONFOR 2023FROMOUREXPERTADAMKIRTLAND

Everyyearthereareplantsandallmannerof gardeningbitsandpiecesthatpopupoutof nowhereashottrendsfortheyear(andthey sometimesgoonlongerthanthat!).Lastyearsawus rekindlingourloveofpotsandcontainersandbalcony gardenswereontherise,elsewherewecontinuedto enjoy‘growingourown’andhouseplantspopularity grewandgrew–butwhatcanweexpectforthe comingyear.ThismonthI’mtakingyouthroughmy toppredictionsfor2023.

Makingthemostofmothernature…

It’snosecretthattheweatherthispastyearhasbeen toughonourgreenspaces.Thedryheatofsummer hasgivenmineacompletebatteringandalthoughit didquicklyrecoveritstillshockedmejusthowquickly

thingsbecamebrownandscorched.Withclimate change,wedohavetostartthinkingabouthowthis affectsourgrowingandhowwehavetoadapttofitin withwhatmothernaturethrowsatus.

Now,beforeyougoanddigupyourwhole gardenlet’sthinksensibly.Thinkaboutyourgarden andwhatworkedwellthisyear,tostartwith–grow moreofthat!It’ssimplebutalwaysgowithwhat yourgardenistellingyouitwants,ifsomething isn’tworking–becauseoftheweatherornot–then it’snotworthpushingonwith.Butwhenthinking particularlyabouttheheatwehad,wemust considerwhichplantslovethisweatherandhowwe canintroducemore.

I’vetalkedaboutdahliasinmycolumnbefore,but thesearethefutureofourhotgardens.Nativeto

MexicoandcentralAmerica,thesesunloversareborn tosunbathe,andyourgardenwilldowellwiththem. Don’tletthemfoolyouthough,theydoneedwater–so,anyhosepipebanwithstanding,dogivethemsome waterwhenyoucan.Agardenfullofdahlias,willbea happyspacein2023.

Turnyourlawnintoameadow?

Howaboutreplacingyourexistingtraditionallawn (ifyouhaveone)withawildflowermeadow?Say goodbyetothesameoldgrassyou’vehadforyearsand sayhellotoapatchofnativewildflowersthatwillnot onlybepleasingforyou,butit’llalsobeawonderfor wildlifetoo.

Wildflowermeadowscanbecreatedintwoways, byscatteringyourownseedsorbybuyinginready preparedwildflowerturf,thatisalreadyinfusedwith seedsthat’llgrowforyou–theeasieroption,but slightlymoreexpensive!Thisallsoundsamazing I’msure,butwhataboutthoseofyouwithouta conventionalgrowingspaceorwithoutalawn? Worrynot–youcangrowyourownminiwildflower patchinapot!Seedsshouldbesowninaround MarchorApril,soyou’vestillgotplentyoftimeto planyourmeadowofdreams!You’llfindpacketsof wildflowerseedsinallgoodgardencentresandeven insomesupermarketsinspring.

Costsavinggardening?

Withthecost-of-livingcrisisbeingveryfirmlya thingofreality–we’llallbelookingatwaystoreduce whatwespendinthehomeandgarden.Although gardeningneedn’tbeexpensive,youcansometimes getcarriedaway(IknowIcan!)andthecostcan spiral.In2023,we’llallbelookingatwaystocutthat backandgardenonaslightlytighterbudgetthanwe havepreviously.

Luckily,therearesomefantasticwaystodothings forcheaperandevenforfree,ifyouknowwhereto look.Thankfully,I’mquiteafrugalgardenersoI’ve gotsometoptipsforgardenbargains.

Mygardenisallaboutcreatingarusticvibewith vintagemetalcontainers,pots,andwateringcans–and thiscanusuallycomewithapricetag.However,there aredefinitelywaysyoucandothischeaper–suchas usingFacebookMarketplaceandupcyclingwebsites. Marketplace,inparticularisafantasticresourcefor findingoldgardenitemsverycheaplyandsometimes fornocostatall,aspeopleareoftenhappyforyouto takethingsofftheirhands.Theaforementionedmetal containerscansometimesbeanywhereupto£40or£50 withsomegardenretailersbutI’vemanagedtofind themforfree,justbyusingthesetips!

Backtobasics

Mytoppredictionsforgardeninginthecomingyear isallaboutgettingbacktobasicsbygrowingwhatyou love,butalsoadaptingyourspacetothewaytheworld ischanging.Keepingitsimple,straightforwardand beautiful,inwhateverspaceyou’reluckyenoughto have!Allofmytipscanworkinahugegarden,aswell asasmallterrace,balconyorcontainergarden. ■

NEXTMONTH…

I’llbebringingbackmy‘WhatToDoThisMonth’featureand lettingyouknowhowyoucangetaheadstartforspringtoget yourgardensinging!Althoughwe’reincrediblyearlyintheyear, thereisstilllotstogetonwithindoors,togiveyouabitofahead startoneveryoneelse…

YoucanfollowAdamonInstagram@viewfromthepottingbenchor listentoAdam’spodcastTalesFromThePottingBenchformore gardeninginspiration.YoucanalsoreadAdam’sblogat viewfromthepottingbench.com

BentleyMotorsLtd,isembracingthebiggestofall changesintheautomotiveworld–anall-electric future.The102-year-oldcompanyinCrewehas announceditwilllaunchanewelectricmodeleach yearfrom2025andhasunveiledanothernewhybrid.

TheFlyingSpurPHEVMullinerwhichIroad testedthismonthhasfantasticenvironmental credentials.Thelargefour-doorsedan,poweredbya V6petrolhybrid,hasCO2emissionsofonly75g/km

createdbyBentley’sdivisionforbuyerswhowant uniquehandcrafteddetails.Theoldestcoachbuilder intheworldusesskillsthathavebeenhandeddown throughgenerations.

TheFlyingSpurMullinerhybridisaneconomical andpracticalGrandTourer(IneverthoughtIwould saythataboutaBentley!)withasumptuousinterior whereIspenthoursandhoursinluxuriouscomfort, droolingovereveryelegantdetail.

Formeandperhapsthemanypassers-bywho pausedtotakephotos,theexteriorfrontviewisthe mostattractive.Abeautiful‘DoubleDiamond’ radiatormatrixgrilleisflankedbyjewel-studded headlampsandtakingcentrestageistheilluminated FlyingBwhichrisesfromthebonnetonstartup.A BentleylogolitupthetarmacasIopenedthedoor–astrikingandeleganttouch!

DIAMOND-In-DIAMOND

Thespaciousairycabinhasapanoramicglasstilt andslidesunroofwithtwinblinds.Deeppile overmatsandtheheadyaromaofPortlandand Damsonleatherwithagorgeousskybluecontrast stitchandseatpiping,engagethesenses.The Diamond-in-Diamondseatquiltinginvolvesan embroideryprocessthatalonetook18monthsto develop.Eachdiamondcontainsexactly712 individualstitchesandeachoneisalignedtothe exactcentreofthediamonditcreates.

IntheworldofMullineranythingispossibleandI emittedalongsighandslightchuckleasIreadthat customersreceiveleather-boundkeysinaunique

Mulliner-brandedhandcraftedpresentationbox. Thismatchesthethree-colourcabinconfigurationof theircarandthetwokeysareprovidedinsimilarly colour-matchingcaseswithcontraststitching.

TothosepassengersIdeignedtogivealiftto,I enjoyedpointingouttheBentleyRotatingDisplayas theLEDdriver’sinstrumentpanelcomesintoview showingsat-nav,mediaandotherusefulinformation. SportspedalshaveaBlogoonthefootbrakeandthe Mullinerelectrically-operatedpicnictablesare mountedtotherearofthefrontseatswhichcanbe deployedwithasinglepressofabutton.Oh,butI couldwaxlyricalforhoursandhoursasIgleefully discoveredgadgetaftergadget...

Inkeepingwithitsstatelyexterior,thisBentley flagshipiswhisperquietasitglidesontarmac, acceleratingfrom0-60mphin4.1seconds,witha topspeedof177mph.TheFlyingSpurMullineris alsoavailablewithBentley’sV8andW12 powertrains.

Ididfeelslightlyrelievedathandingbacka quarter-of-a-million-poundcar,butitwasan amazingexperience. ■

BRANCHETTSUN

Theartistvyingforacovetedspotononeoftheworld’s leadinganimationcoursesisbrimmingwithdetermination andaworkethictomatchhercreativeability

Describedbyanindustryexpertasthe ‘HarvardofAnimation’,SheridanCollege inCanadaishighlycompetitive.For BranchettSun,whoseheroisWaltDisneyand whosedreamistodirectfilmatthelikesofDisney andPixar,she’sundeterredbytheoddsofgettingin.

Thereare6,000applicantsforonly200placesand between10and20opentointernationalstudentslike Branchett.Theapplicationprocessisintensewitha portfoliosplitintoeightsectionsincluding storyboarding,2Dand3Danimationamongotherskills whichBranchetthasbeenworkingoninherowntime.

BranchettvisitedSheridanCollegeagedjust10as partofatouringproductionofOliverTwist.She remembersstayinginoneofthedormitoriesand beingwowedbyanartwallonwhichstudents doodled.Sherecalls:“Ispenthoursstaringatit hopingthatonedaymysignaturewouldbeon there.”Shealsorecallseveryonebeingsofriendly whichleftapositivemark.

MANGASTYLE

Branchettispreparedtoapplymorethanonceifher firstattemptisunsuccessful.Sheknowsofateacherin Canadawhoappliedfivetimesbeforebeingaccepted, soshe’spragmaticabouttheprocess.Supportive teachersatEdgbastonHighSchoolforGirls(EHS), whereshehasstudiedsince2018,havehelped BranchetttobalanceherA-Levelstudieswithworking onherportfolioenablingsuccessinboth.

WhileBranchettenjoysworkingwithtraditional materialsincludingoilpaintingaspartofher A-Levelcourse,herpassionliesoutsideofthatas shecreatesmangastylecharactersandstoryboards. LuckilyEHShasthetechnologyandfacilitiesto allowBranchetttouseindustrystandardsoftware likeAfterEffectsandProcreateforherportfolio work.

Asifthatwasn’tenough,Branchettalsohasan Etsyshopsellinghercreations.Shesays:“I’ve alwayslovedDisneyandliketoredrawcharactersin myownstyle.Iamassedalotoffollowersonsocial mediaanddecidedtoopenanEtsyshopwhereIcan sellmywork.”BranchettalsohadastandatComic Conthisyearsellingherwarestoattendees.

MUSICMAKER

AswellasBranchett’sartistictalent,shehasa coupleofimpressivemusicalstringstoherbowthat canonlyenhanceherabilityasafilmmaker.She playspianotoGrade7andsingsintheCBSO BirminghamCityYouthChorusandsaysmost directorswouldplayatleastoneinstrument.

Oftenwheninterviewingyoungstersforour Young,GiftedandBrummieserieswehopethat withhardworkandabitofluck,they’llgoonto achievetheirdreams,butwe’renotsureBranchett needsourluck.She’sassteelyassheistalentedand we’venodoubtshe’llbecreditedwithdirecting manybrilliantfilmsinthefuture.

TOPTRIATHLETEBACKED

Ayoungtriathletewhoiscurrentlyrankednumberoneinthe WestMidlandsinheragegroupistobesponsoredby ThursfieldsSolicitors.OliveThomas,aged12,whoattends HaybridgeHighSchool,Hagley,finishedfirstintheWest MidlandsRegionalJuniorSeries,andhasbeenpartoftheWest MidlandsTristar2Triathlonsquadforthelasttwoyears, competinginaquathlons,duathlonsandtriathlons,which combineswimming,runningandcycling.Olive’sfather,Richard Thomas,said:“Triathloncanbeanexpensivesportand Thursfields’sponsorshipwillhaveahugeimpact.”

YOUNGECONOMIST

SolihullSchoolUpperSixthstudentBenRaybouldwashighly commendedintheprestigiousRoyalEconomicsSociety’s YoungEconomistoftheYearcompetition.Thenationalessay writingcompetition,runinassociationwiththeFinancial Times,encouragesstudentstothinkaboutcurrenteconomic issues,andBen'sessaywasselectedasan‘outstanding submissionthatshowcasedamazingcreativityandoriginality’. Ben,whoisstudyingeconomics,historyandmaths,said: “Thecompetitionwastheperfectopportunitytoapply conceptsIhadlearntinlessonstonationaleconomicissues”

FORWARDTHINKING

EdgbastonHighSchoolforGirls(EHS)istakingstepstowards future-proofingpupiloutcomesbyaddingcreativity,critical thinkingandproblem-solvingskillstothetimetable.Global industryandeducationspecialistswarnalgorithmsandartificial intelligencewillreplacemanyroutinejobs,andtheworkplaceof tomorrowwillrequirepeoplewhocancomeupwithcreativeideas andsolutionstoproblems.CognitoLessonsareEHS’sdirect responsetothosewarningsandaimtonurturethecorecognitive andnon-cognitiveskillsthatyoungpeoplewillneedinthefuture.

SCHOOL REPORT

SUMMARALLSMILES

AdentalapprenticetrainingwithMidlandscompanyPerformanceThrough People(PTP)hasscoopedthetoptrophyintheannualGreaterBirmingham ApprenticeshipAwards.SummarWilkes,pictured,fromSmileStyleDentalCare CentreinStafford,wascrownedApprenticeoftheYear.Judgespraised18-yearoldSummarforthewayshehastackledpersonalchallenges,includinghavingto careforhermother,toexcelinbothherstudiesandon-the-jobtrainingforher Level3DentalNursingapprenticeship.

SHOEBOXAPPEAL

LyndonSchoolinSolihulldonated186shoeboxesfilledwithgoodiestosupport vulnerablechildrenaroundtheworldatChristmas.Theboxescontainedusefulgifts suchaswarmclothes,games,toysandmoneyaspartoftheTeams4ucharity’s NationalShoeboxAppealtohelpcommunitiesinUkraine,Moldova,Georgia,Bosnia andRomania.Overthelast10years,Lyndonhasdonatedmorethan700shoeboxes totheappeal,whichhavebeensenttoeightdifferentcountries.

ALISON’SLITTLECHICKS

ABirminghambusinesswoman andentrepreneurhasteamedup withJohnLewisPartnershipto sponsorheracclaimedLittleChicks LifeLessonseducation programme,aspartofthehigh streetgiant’scommitmentto youngpeopleandcareleavers. LittleChicksLifeLessons,founded byAlisonDelaney,pictured,isan educationinitiativeforUKprimary schools,focusedonbuilding confidence,self-belief,resilience andfinancialawarenessin childrenandteachersalike.The sponsorshipwillallowthe programmetoreach700children, agedfourto11,intheWest Midlands.

BREAKFAST CLUB

Awellbeingclubtosupportchildrenwho finditmoredifficulttocometoschoolis beingbackedbyalocalstore.TheCo-op atBalsallwillprovidebreakfastitemssuch asbread,butter,jamsanddrinkstoBalsall CommonPrimarySchoolwhichrecently openedtheWakeUptowellbeingclub. Thebreakfastclubhasbeenmade possiblewiththehelpofCatherineEvans, communityandmembershipadviserof HeartofEnglandCo-operative,whosaid: “It’sgreattoseefirst-handwhata differencethiskindofsupportmakes.”

TIMEAND SPACEPROJECT

NICKJONESASTHEYPREPARETOBRANCHOUTANDTAKEONTHECAPITAL

restaurantsandheworkedasachefatOpusinhis youth.Hesays:“Icametocheffinglateat27and couldn’treallyearnenoughmoney.”Nickwentback touniversitytogainamastersinconstruction–healso hasadegreeinpsychologyandaWSETlevel3 qualification.Catherine–theotherhalfofthe dynamicduo–studiedinteriordesignatKLCSchool ofDesignandCentralStMartinsaswellasbuildinga successfulcareerinthewineindustry,sotogether they’vealottobringtothetable.

GETTINGTHEBUZZ

Youmightnotknow2GDesign&Build,but thechancesareyou’veenjoyeditswork.The teamattheinteriordesignandconstruction companyhasworkedonmanytopBrummie restaurantsincludingCarter’sofMoseley,The Wilderness,Land,ChakanaandLokiamongothers.

Thecompanydoesn’texclusivelyfocuson hospitality,butitsportfolioiscurrentlyweighted towardsrestaurantsandbars.Wecaughtupwithone halfofthehusband-and-wifeteambehindthe business,NickJonesonthecuspofopeninga secondofficeinLondon.

Nicksays:“Iknewhowtolayouta bar/restaurant.Growingupdadwasinconstruction andmumrantherestaurants.Insomeways,a projectfeelslikeaservice.Yougetthatbuzzasyou worktowardsgettingitready.”Openingarestaurant oftheirownisnotonthecardsforCatherineand Nickdespitetheirskillsseeminglywellsuitedtoit. Nickexplains:“Ilikebeinginvolvedona design/constructionlevel–yougettheexcitement levels,butIalsowanttospendtimewiththekids.”

©KrisAskey

HospitalityisinNick’sblood.Hisparentsran

Thefocushasbeenonindependentssofar.Nick says:“It’sthechallengeofdoingsomethingdifferent. Withachain,onceyou’vedonethefirst,therestisa bitdesignbynumbers.Wehavedonechains–we’ve

completedthreeLokisforexamplebutthey’reallvery different.”Thedreamclientisonewithaclearideaof whattheywant.Nicksays:“Ithelpschannelourideas andmakesitbetterforthem.”

Therestaurantsthey’vecompletedareallvery different–whilethefocusisalwaysqualityand creatingstronglastingspaces,thedesignsareinventive anduniquelytailoredtotheclient’sneeds.Nickand Catherinehavebuiltupatrustedandestablishedteam of20whosharetheirvisionandcommitmentto quality.

There’sacoreteamofdesignersandproject managersalongwithtradesmenaswellassome trustedsub-contractors.Anewdesignerhasjustbeen recruitedtostartthismonthwhichhasbeenalengthy process.Nicksays:“It’simportanttopicktheright person.”Theirreputationmeansclientsnowseek2G outincontrasttotheearlydayswhenthecouplehad togooutandsellthemselves.

CAPITALCHALLENGE

WordofmouthhasspreadbeyondBrumwiththe companypickingupworkinLichfieldandDerbyfor instance.“Birminghamisasmallcommunityand oncewe’ddoneacoupleofprojectswell,morework followed.”TheLondonofficemeansabitmoreselling

themselvesalthoughabodyofimpressiveworkhelps. CatherineworkedinLondonforyearsandhasa networkthere,soshe’llbespendingmoretimeinthe capitalthanNick.Hesays:“It’sexcitingandquite stressful.It’simportantwecanhandletheextra capacitywhilekeepingthequality.Wedon’twantto gotoobigtoosoon.”

Recentchallengeshavebeenplentiful,notleasta globalpandemicandrisingcosts.“Peoplearecautious. Bills,food,energycostshaveallgoneupaswellas inflation,butmorethanthatthehospitalityindustryis strugglingtorecruitandretainstaff.Alotofpeopleleft theindustryduringCovidanddidn’tcomeback.” Staffretentionaswellascustomerexperienceisa considerationfor2Gwhendesigningarestaurant.

Nickexplains:“Gooddesignismorethanjust aboutthecustomer.Thebetterlaidoutaplaceis, thehappierthestaffwhichimpactsoncustomer experience.Ifyougotoarestaurantandthe experienceisn’tbrilliantandyoujustcan’tputyour fingeronwhy,thechancesarethestaffaren’thappy. Youmightnotgobackevenifeverythingelsewas spoton.”

AWARDSSUCCESS

Covidmeantthatworkonsitestoppedforthree monthsbutthedesignworkcontinued.Theyworked throughthepandemiconalargejobonaheritage buildingintheJewelleryQuarteraswellastwoLokis andTropeainHarborne.Costsinalotofareasofthe businesshavegoneuprangingfromtradespeopleday ratestoplasterboardandtimberwhichthey’rehoping willleveloutsoon.

ListedbuildingspresentachallengethatNick welcomes.“Therearemorethingstoconsiderlike plannersandconservationists.Ienjoymixingmodern andtraditionalandputtingoldthingsback.”TheJoint WorksintheJQisagreatexampleofmixingoldand newwhichhaspromptedindustryaccolades.The schememadeittothefinaltwoprojectsintheFitOut oftheYearcategoryattheInsiderAwards.

Nicksays:“Theawardsareabigthingin construction.Thereweremulti-million-pound businessesandprojectsintheroomwithus.Tobein thesamearenaasthosepeoplewasgreat.It’sa differentlevelthatmightleadtobiggerprojects.”

PhotographybyTomBird

BACKINTHESADDLE

Acyclingclubisbackinthesaddleafterbusinessandthe localcommunitycametogethertoreplacebikesstolenby thieves.Agenda21cycleclubinWalsallhastakendeliveryof 14newRaleighbikes,helmetsandequipment,donatedby TransportforWestMidlandsandtheActiveWellbeingSociety throughtheregion-wideCyclingforEveryonescheme.The movecamefollowingarequestforhelpfromWestMidlands MayorAndyStreetandafterlocalshadclubbedtogetherto givethecyclists20refurbishedsecondhandbikes.

CAMPAIGNCHAMPS

NEWS BUSINESS

Progressiveperformanceagency, SHCDigitalbasedinBirmingham, wontheBestIntegratedCampaign awardatthePerformance MarketingWorldAwards(PMW). Thecompany,whichwassetupin July2019,hasgrownquickly despitethepandemicfollowinga successionofnewbusinesswins. FounderanddirectorSally Hawkesford,picturedwiththe award,said:“Wehavebeenonan amazingjourneysincewestarted thebusinessandthisisatestament tothehardworkofmyteam.”

CHARITYWINNERS

ServicesForEducation,theBirminghamcharity whichdeliversmusictuitiontochildrenand traininganddevelopmenttoteachingandschool supportstaff,wasnamedOutstandingCharityof theYearattheAsianBusinessChamberof Commerceannualawards.Thecharity–whichis celebratingitstenthanniversary–was recognisedforitsworkinbringingcommunities together.Earningspecialpraisewasitsinnovative HealthforLifeprogramme,whichhasengaged with226,000childrenandadultsinBirmingham toencouragehealthierfamilylifestyles.

LEGALFIRST

AnthonyCollinsSolicitors(ACS)has becomethefirstlawfirminthe MidlandstoachieveBCorpstatus, recognisingthesocialpurposeand environmentalvaluesofthe company.ACSworkswiththesocial housing,healthandsocialcare, localgovernmentandcharities sectors,aswellasprivate individuals.SeniorpartnerPeter Hubbard,pictured,said:“Clients, staffandstakeholderscanrelyon ourBCorpstatusasevidenceof ourpositivesocialimpactonsociety andtheenvironmentasa business.”

BOSSESBEHINDBARS

Businessescanputtheirbossbehindbarsand colleaguesintheclinkbysigninguptoMidlandsAir AmbulanceCharity’snewfund-raiser.Companiesacross theregionarebeingaskedtolockuptheirworkmatesto raisecashforthelife-savingcharityaspartofitsJailor Bailevent.SponsoredbyAico,theeventgivesbusiness employeesthechancetosentencetheirCEOsandsenior managerstoanightbehindbarsatHMPrison Shrewsbury’s‘TheDana’–aformerjailandexecution locationinthe1800s.Oncelockedup,inmateshave24 hourstoraise£600bailtobereleased.

ROSIE’S BIGDEAL KEVINCLEANSUP

HEALTHYHELP

AstonUniversityhasreceiveda£100,000donationfromWesleyan,the financialservicesmutual,tohelpyoungpeoplefromdisadvantaged backgroundspursuecareersinmedicineandhealthcare.Morethan100 studentsfromtheWestMidlandswillbenefit,creatingapipelineoffuture medicalprofessionalstohelpfilltheongoingshortageofdoctorsand dentists.NathanWallis,chiefofstaffatWesleyan,said:“Asabusiness that’sbeeninBirminghamforover180yearsandamutual,we’repleased tohavethisopportunitytoinvestinfuturetalent.”

MANOF THEYEAR

MOVINGUP

Azets,theUK’slargestregional accountancyfirmandbusiness advisertoSMEs,hasmadethree promotionstoitsMidlandsteam. ChanLanda,pictured,hasworkedat AzetsCoventryforoversevenyears andhasbeenpromotedtoassociate director.AndrewBatemanhasbeen promotedtoPartner,whileBenFahy hasbecomeseniormanager.The firm’sregionalCEO,PaulClifford, said:“It’sanexcitingtimeforusas wecontinuetosupportourteamsto matchbusinessdemand.”

OFFICEOPENING

InvestmentfirmCloseBrothersAssetManagementhas openedanewofficeinBirmingham.Thefull-servicebase willofferadviceandbespokeinvestmentmanagement servicesacrosstheMidlandswithateamoffinancial advisersandinvestmentmanagers.CEOEddyReynolds, pictured,said:“OurnewBirminghamsiteisoneofCBAM’s mostsignificantfull-serviceofficesintheUKandwillfurther expandtheavailabilityofourbespokeservices.”

TONY’STOPTITLE

ThebossofSolihull’sTouchwoodShoppingCentrehasbeennamed ManageroftheYear.TonyElvinwonthetitleattheSceptreAwardswhich celebratethe‘creamofthecrop’intheshoppingcentreindustry.Duringfour yearsasTouchwood’sgeneralmanager,Tonyhasworkedwithregional stakeholders,includingcommunitygroups,thelocalcouncilandSolihull BusinessImprovementDistrict,toimprovethecentre’sshoppingexperience. “Anyawardwinlikethisrequiresahugeteameffort,”hesaid.

BUSINESS BITES

FOODHUB

WestMidlandsemploymentsupport specialistsStepsToWorkhasteamedupwith YourLocalPantrytoopenacommunityhub, givingpeopleintheWalsallareathechance tobuyhighlydiscountedfooditemsand hygieneproducts.Thehubalsooffers employmentsupportandadvice.

GREENMOVE

EdgbastonStadiumhasappointeditsfirst headofsustainabilityastheclubpushes aheadwithambitiouscarbon-neutraltargets overthecomingyears.LydiaCarrington joinedfromleadingfacilitiesmanagement firmMitiewheresheworkedasa sustainabilityconsultantonmajorUK shoppingcentreandhospitalcontracts.

CUTABOVE

TimScott-WrightoftheHairSurgery, Stourbridge,wasnamedMidlandsHairdresser oftheYearatHJ’sBritishHairdressing Awards.“I’mthrilledtowin,”saidTim. ‘I’mthefirstpersontowinfourtimesin thiscategory!”

VIDEOVICTORS

VideoandanimationproductioncompanyStone’s ThrowMediawasnamedasSmallBusinessofthe YearwhileformerapprenticeOliverDuttonwon ApprenticeoftheYearintheTech,Digitaland CreativeIndustriescategoryattheExpress&Star ApprenticeshipAwards.Theawards,heldat GrandStation,Wolverhampton,celebratedthe bestorganisationsandlearnersintheregion.

Stone’sThrowMediawaslaunchedin2011by MikeChinnandMattWestonaftertheymetona UniversityofWolverhamptonmediacourse.

BALLETSTUDENTSSTAR ATCOMMUNITYEVENT

Calthorpebusinessgatheringenjoys specialperformanceofTheNutcracker

ACalthorpebusinesscommunityChristmasgathering eventtookplaceatElmhurstBalletSchool,where someoftheschool’stalentedstudentstreatedguests toafestiveperformancefromTheNutcracker.Property directoratCalthorpeEstates,RichardSuart,said:“Theteam weredelightedtowelcomefaces,oldandnew,alongtothe gathering.Wearealwayskeentosupportthelocalareaand werethrilledtohavetheopportunitytoshowcasethestudents attheschool.” ■

PhotographybyMikeKellyofPicturepress

EstateagentEstherBroomhall&Partners heldaneventfordevelopers,friendsofthe companyandclientstoshowcasetheir newlargerofficesinStationRoad,Knowle,and saythankyoufortheircontinuedsupport.Esther BroomhallsetupherbusinessamidtheCovid pandemicwithexperiencedpropertyprofessional andformercolleague,LucyCullen.Theduo coverslocationsacrossWarwickshire,providinga bespokehigh-levelservicetobuyersandsellers, includinglandappraisalandnewhomesalesfor buildersanddevelopers. ■

TOMARKANNIVERSARY

Glitzandglamourorderofthedayas charitycelebratesitstenthbirthday

Morethan430guestshelpedraise£50,000for Warwickshirechildren’scharityMollyOllysatits10th AnniversaryBlossomBall.Theeveningofglitzand glamourtookplaceattheIXLCentreatDallasBurstonPoloClub inSoutham.Guestswereentertainedbylocalchildren’sdance troupe,VivaTheatreArts,MotownbandtheSoulBrothers,a ChineselionanddrummersandlocalDJAndySaunders.They alsoenjoyedanAsianfusionmealdeliveredbySanjayFoods. ■

PhotographybyHardikPandya

MollyOllyswasfounded10yearsagobyRachelandTim Ollerenshawwhoseeight-year-olddaughterMollydied fromararekidneycancer.Visitwww.mollyolly.co.ukfor furtherinformationortodonate.

1 AmandaSilcock,JessicaRoberts,KatieandJaimie. 2 TimandRachelOllerenshaw.

SteveCrawley,SarahNewell.

JonathanSmith, AtulLakhani.

MaeveOllerenshaw,PhoebeSwanwick.

PennyandIanRavenhall, CatherineandNeilThompson.

FUNTOTHEFOREAT BUSINESSAWARDS

ThePhoenixBusinessClubAwardswereheld atMacDonaldBurlingtonHotel.Categories includedHostoftheYear,Networking VenueoftheYear,NetworkeroftheYear,andthe LifetimeAchievementAward,whichwaspresented tocompérePhilOldershaw.Afunspinontheawards seasonsawanumberof‘RoastingAwards’made. TheseincludedtheGramAward(I’mnotvain, honestguv),theScarlettPimpernel(Theymaynot evenbehere!),SponsoraSpoonAwardandthe OpeningofanEnvelopeAward(Ifit’sopening,I’m comingtoit). ■

WHAT’SONliving

WHAT: StrictlyLiveTour WHEN: 20to22January

WHERE: UtilitaArena, utilitaarenabham.co.uk Clearthedancefloorandwhipoutyour 10paddles,becausetheStrictlyCome DancingLiveTourisbackandforthe firsttime,AntonDuBekewilljoin fellowTVjudgesShirleyBallasand CraigRevelHorwoodforallthefun.

WHAT: SwanLake WHEN: 15to25February WHERE: BirminghamHippodrome, birminghamhippodrome.com ThegreatestofallromanticballetsreturnsasBirmingham RoyalBalletrevivesPeterWrightandGalinaSamsova’s gloriousjourneyintoSwanLakewiththeRoyalBallet SinfoniaperformingTchaikovsky’ssuperbmusiclive alongsideBRB’sspectaculardancers.

WHAT: IdiotsAssemble: SpittingImageSavestheWorld WHEN: 1Februaryto11March

WHERE: BirminghamRep, birmingham-rep.co.uk 40yearsafterthehugelypopular satiricalsketchshowwasfirstfilmed inBirmingham,theiconicpuppets returntothecityforwhatpromisesto betheunmissable,laugh-out-loud showtokick-start2023.

WHAT: DavidO’Doherty WHEN: 4February WHERE: TownHall,bmusic.co.uk Themulti-talentedIrishcomedian, author,musicianandactorreturns tothestagewithashowfullof talking,apologisingandsomesongs onagluedtogetherplastickeyboard from1986.

WHAT: Adultpanto: TheLittleMermaid

WHEN: 5February

WHERE: TheOldRep, oldreptheatre.co.uk Abrand-new,naughtylittletalefeaturinga castofreturningqueensandactors. Completewithhericonicredwiganda silvertail,DivinadeCampoleadsthecastin thetitlerolesoexpectsparklingcostumes andalltheusualjokes,comedyandfilth!

WHAT: MindMangler WHEN: 18January

WHERE: TheAlexandra, atgtickets.com

BestknownforThePlayThatGoes Wrongandinresponsetosoldout performancesattheEdinburgh Fringe,theOlivieraward-winning comedyfavourites,Mischief,have developedMindManglerintothis crackingtwo-actshow.

WHAT: VanleyBurkeexhibition

WHEN: Nowuntil31March

WHERE: HandsworthLibrary,SohoRoad Featuring17portraitsofmembersofMigrant Voice,amigrant-lednationalorganisation, eachimagetellsastoryofmigration, presentingaportraitofBirminghamasa superdiversecity,withresidentsfrommany partsoftheworld.

WHAT: TheTempest

WHEN: 26Januaryto4March WHERE: RSCTheatre, rsc.org.uk,tel01789331111 InShakespeare’selementaltaleof survivalandforgiveness,amother anddaughterstruggletosurvive onanislandfullofstrangesounds andwondroussights.Thenone day,theirlong-lostenemiessail intoviewonthehorizon.

WHAT: StewartLee:BasicLee

WHEN: 26and27January

WHERE: SymphonyHall,bmusic.co.uk Afteradecadeofground-breakinghighconceptshows involvingoverarchedinterlinkednarratives,massivesets andenormouscomedyprops,Leeentersthepostpandemicerainstreamlinedsolostand-upmode.

WHAT: TheArenacrossTour WHEN: 4February

WHERE: ResortsWorldArena,resortsworldarena.co.uk Europe’sleadingindoorfreestylemotocrossandraceshow returnswithanexperiencelikenoother.It’sahigh-octane extravaganza,packedtotherafterswithall-roundfamilyfun andfrenziedentertainment.

WHAT: TributetoWhitneyHouston withNyaKing WHEN: 28January WHERE: NailcoteHall,nailcotehall.co.uk TheincredibleNyaKingbringsheramazing SoulandR&Bstyletotownandpaystribute toanall-timelegend.Ticketsincludethree coursedinnerandaftershowDJ.

WHAT: PaulSmith-Joker WHEN: 1to3February WHERE: O2Institute2 Birmingham, academymusicgroup.com Bestknownforthemanyviralsocial mediaclipsofhislightningquick audienceinteraction,theScouse comicheadsbackoutontheroad withhistrademarkmixofcrowd banterandhilariouslife-stories.

CLOSEWITHÁ

JESSICAWARD

TheprincipalofElmhurstBalletSchooltalksabout herhopesanddreamsforthedancecentreof excellenceasitcelebratesitscentenarythisyear

BEENTHERE,DONETHAT

Igraduatedfromfull-timecontemporarydance trainingin1998fromTrinityLaban,Londonand joinedtheirresidentdancecompanybutsufferedan injurywhichmeantIhadtoconsidermyoptions. Teachingseemedanaturalwayforward.Istarted lecturingatLondonCollegeofDanceandwasan artistinresidenceatImpingtonVillageCollege, Cambridgebeforemyfirstteachingjobasheadof danceataschoolinIslington.Ireceivedacallabout theroleofprincipalatElmhurstandcouldn’tbelieve myluckwhenIwasoffereditin2010.

IT’SWHATIDO

Ilovemyjob.Thestudents,staff,theenvironment, theexcitementofperformance–thereisneveradull moment.Myroleistoleadandmanagetheschool, fromlearning,danceandacademicandhealth,wellbeingandboarding.Asabusinesswehave130 employees.Fundingisastruggleandsincethe pandemicwe’vehadevenbiggerissuestoovercome butIamreadywithmybrilliantteamtofacethem.

WHATI’DLIKETOSEE

MyambitionforElmhurstistobeknownasoneof thetop10balletanddanceschoolsinternationally. Notonlytoserveourstudentsbrilliantlybuttooffer somethingtoourlocalcommunity–sharingthelove ofdanceasanartformandhealthyactivity,giving youngpeopletheopportunitytoengagewithdance whomightnototherwisehavebeenableto.Iwantus

tobeaninfluenceracrossthewiderdanceand educationsectors.

BIGGESTSUCCESS

Jugglingmylife!Ihavetwogorgeousyoung childrenandIamasinglemum,soworkingfull-time andmakingsuretheygetenough‘mummytime’isa challenge.IwasnominatedintheLadiesFirst Awards’BusinessWomanoftheYearcategory2020 andwontheExcellenceinEducationAward–which wasalovelyrecognitionfortheschool.

BIGGESTLESSONLEARNED

Myparentsbroughtmeupontheprinciplethat ‘youmakeyourownluck’andthathardworkand effortareimportanttocarvingoutyourfuture.I alsoremembermumsayingtome‘jumpandthenet willappear’,soIthinktakingriskscanleadto excitingresults.

WHATILIKEABOUTBRUM

IamacompleteBrummieconvert.Thecityhasso muchtooffer–culturally,socially,food!Thepeople aregenuinelyfriendly,too.

DOWNTIME

Ilovetoexerciseandhavetoworkhardtotakethe timetopushthroughashortJoeWicksorShaunT session.IhavetwoKingCharlesCavaliers–Roxy andRuby–sowalkingthemwiththekidsisalways great. ■