Birmingham Living July/August 2023 (issue 124)

Birmingham living

IT’SABALLROOMBLITZ! DANCEYOURSELFFIT POETLAUREATE JASMINEGARDOSI BRANDONLAWRENCE

AKINWOLERE

EDITOR’SVIEW

on’tknowaboutyou,butI’mjustlovingsummer2023inBrum!

Everywhereyoulook,thecityfeelsreallyvibrant,poppingwithwonderful colourandexcitingevents,bigandsmall.Summerthrillsareathemeof thismonth’sissue,fromfabulousfashiontofantasticfoodanddrinkandgorgeousgardeningtoawesome open-topdrivinginanall-timemotoringicon.

Thecityhasalreadysoakedupthesunandtheatmosphereofsomebigeventsinthepastfewweekswith world-classtennisandexhilaratingAshescricket.OverthecomingweeksBrumwillrocktothefree10-day BirminghamFestivalwhichmarkstheone-yearanniversaryoftheincredibleCommonwealthGames.It promisestobeanexplosionofcolour,song,dance,artsandmore!

JustascolourfulisthereturnofTheHundredtoEdgbaston,whichwillseetheBirminghamPhoenix men’sandwomen’steamsbattleitoutinfrontofpackedhousesofraucous,excitedspectatorsofallages. Ifyoupreferaquieterpace,therearesomeincrediblegardenstovisitwhichareattheirpeakrightnow. BirminghamBotanicalGardensisoneofourfavouriteplacestorelaxandenjoy,asisWestbourneGardens. Anddon’tforgetallthecrackinglocalparkswhichaddsomuchtoouramazingcity.Plus,lotsofour restaurants,barsandhotelshaveopenedterracesforalfrescodrinksanddininginanticipationofthe continuinghotsummer.

Lookingfurtherafield,BirminghamisalsothegatewaytosomeofEurope’stopholidayhotspots.So,once you’vetakeninallthatsummerBrumhastooffer,whynotbookflightsabroadfromBirminghamAirport? I’mofftodigoutmySpeedosaswespeak!

FINALIST D

Coverimage: AyoAkinwolere www.brumliving.co.uk

EDITOR: DavidJohns david@brumliving.co.uk

@brum_living/bhamliving

FEATURESEDITOR: ShelleyCarter shelley@brumliving.co.uk

CONTRIBUTORS: SueCooke,KatieGardner,AdamKirtland

PHOTOGRAPHY: DavidMorphew,AndrewLlewellyn

DESIGNER: TracyDuffy

ACCOUNTMANAGER: JaneMorris jane@brumliving.co.uk

PUBLISHINGDIRECTOR: JonathanCarter

RockHopperMediaLimited BurleighHouse,23TagwellRoad,DroitwichWR97BN tel 01905771110

living

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Highlights

AyoAkinwolere

Thebroadcaster,producerandworld record-holdertalksofhisprideofBrum

ChrisWoakes

Warwickshirelegendand‘nicestman incricket’isallsetforTheHundred

Food&Drink

ToppastrychefDamienWager,plus news,reviews,recipesandwine

Health

Fromtangototap,Bollywoodtoballet, danceclassesareaboutfunandgettingfit

Style

Beboldthissummerandinjectjoyinto yourwardrobewithcolour-packedpieces

Homes

Oncereservedforramblingcountryhouses, utilityroomsarekeyinhomesofanysize

BestoftheRest

48 50 52 57 64 66

Gardening

Enjoyyoursummergarden,butthere’s stilljobstobedone,saysAdamKirtland

Motoring SueCookemarkstheendofaneraby drivingaveryspecialAudiFinalEdition

Young,Gifted&Brummie

Brum’sPoetLaureateJasmineGardosi talksaboutheraward-winningshow

BusinessNews

Thismonth’sstoriesfromcommercial community,plusSocialSceneevents

What’sOn

Latestfromcity’stopshowsandgigsin ourround-upofthismonth’sevents

UpClose

BirminghamRoyalBallet’sprincipaldancer BrandonLawrenceplansaSwissadventure

BOWLEDOVER

Edgbaston’sstatusamongtheworld's leadingcricketvenueshasbeenunderlined aftertheEngland&WalesCricketBoard confirmedthestadiumwillhostmajormen’s andwomen’sinternationalfixturesuntil 2031.ThescheduleincludesTests,ODIsand IT20sandwillbringabigeconomicboostto thecity’shotels,barsandrestaurants–estimatedataroundaquarter-of-a-billion poundsoverthesevenyears.Edgbaston chairMarkMcCaffertysaid:“It’sourlargest everallocationofinternationalfixtures,for thelongestperiod.”

MARQUEEMAGIC

anditsdiverseculturalandindustrialheritageinlovelettertothecity.The partnershipwithMarqueeTVmeansBRBcanreachouttonewglobalaudiences.

BRINGINGYOUTHEBRIGHTEST ANDMOSTCOLOURFUL STORIESFROMACROSSTHE CITYEACHMONTH

BAMBI’SFESTIVALDATE

BirminghamFestival23–the10-dayfree extravaganzacelebratingtheone-yearanniversary ofthe2022CommonwealthGames–willopen withAThousandWelcomesinCentenarySquare on28July.Thepartyeventfeaturesamixofmusic andabigscreenshowingnewshortfilmsand B2022highlights.GamesmascotPerrywillmake anappearancewithBhangragroup,theDhol Blasters,whilemedal-winningathletesfrom Birmingham2022willparade.Localmusictalent takingpartincludessinger,dancerandmultiinstrumentalistBambiBains,pictured.

SOPHIEONSONG

Platinumsellingsinger-songwriterSophieEllis-Bextorgavean exclusiveVIPperformancetolaunchthenewSkyVIPloungeat UtilitaArenaBirmingham.Sophiedelightedwithacoustic renditionsofherbiggesthitsincludingMurderonthe Dancefloor.AndyCole,directorforcommercialpartnershipsat NECGroup,said:“We’reallveryexcitedtolaunchtheSkyVIP loungeatUtilitaArenaBirmingham.Thismarksasignificantstep forwardinourongoingeffortstoprovideunparalleledpremium spacesandexperiencesforourcustomers.”

BABY,LET’SDANCE!

DirtyDancingiscomingtoBrum.DirtyDancing–TheClassicStoryon Stagefinisheditsrecord-breakingrunatLondon’sDominionTheatreat theendofAprilandisnowona24-weekUK&Irelandtour,arrivingat theAlexandra,Birminghamfrom18to22July.Followingtheiconicstory ofBabyandJohnny,theproductionfeaturesthehitsongsHungryEyes, Hey!Baby,DoYouLoveMe?andtheheart-stopping(I’veHad)TheTime OfMyLife.

CASHGOAL

LeadinghousebuilderDavidWilsonHomesMerciatook partinafootballtournamenttoraisemoneyforits charityoftheyear,HelpHarryHelpOthers.Theywere among20teamsthatenteredthecompetition,which waswonbyfathersofpupilsattendingAceAcademy.A totalof£5,500wasraisedonthedayfortheHelpHarry HelpOthersdrop-incancersupportcentrebasedin Birmingham.ThetournamentwasheldatWalsall FootballClub’sground,BescotStadium.

DESIGNWINDOW

Followinglastsummer’swindowdisplayin theMailbox,HarveyNicholsisagain partneringwithBirminghamCityUniversityto showcasethebestofthisyear’sdesign graduates.ThestorehasgivenselectedBCU SchoolofFashion&Textilegraduatesthe opportunitytodisplaytheirworkalongside someofthebiggestnamesinfashion.This year’sstrikingnewwindowwillhighlightthe workoffiveBAFashionDesigngraduates–SafaNasaar,NiahThomas,RachelHuntPearce,LaurenBoltonandCharlotteAdams.

GLYNN’S ONTHEBALL

Birmingham’sdanceandculinarytalentsareteamingupforafund-raisingevent.

ElmhurstBalletSchool’scentenarysummerballfeaturesamenucuratedby BirminghamMichelin-starchefGlynnPurnell,workingwiththeNECGroup’sawardwinningeventcaterersAmadeus.The11JulyeventtakesplaceduringElmhurst’s runofsummershows,titledCentury.Glynnsaid:“I’msopleasedtobeableto contributetocelebrating100yearsofElmhurstandhavetheopportunitytobring theatricalityandelegancetothedinnertable.”

HELPLINCOLN WALKAGAIN

Afatheristakingona‘beatthe sunrise’marathontoraise fundsforanoperationsohis seven-year-oldsoncanwalk again.LincolnHookeyfrom Warwickhascerebralpalsy whichrestrictshismobilityand independence.DadSimon,46, aservicedeliverymanager, brotherWillam,17,andothers aretakingonthenight-time26mileWarriorWalkon21July, supportedbyEdHargreavesof militarytraining-inspired WarriorStrongFitness.Money raisedwillhelppayforsurgery atAlderHeyChildren’shospital andpost-operative physiotherapy.

WICKEDLAURA

MADEINBRUM

TheMADEFestivalisreturningtoitsoriginalcitysiteinBirminghamthis summer.Theevent,nowinitsninthyear,willtakeplaceonSaturday29 JulyintheDigbethTriangleaftersuccessfuloutingsatSandwellValley CountryParkin2021andWolverhamptonRacecoursein2022.Festival directorPeteJordansaid:“TheplanwasalwaystoreturntoBirmingham. Wewillcontinuetosupportlocalmusicians,DJs,promoters,creatives, venuesandbusinessesatatimewhenmanyfacechallenges.”

Hippodromein2024 withacastledbyLaura Pick,whoplayed Elphabainmorethan 350performancesof theshowinLondon’s WestEnd.Laurasaid: “Wickedhasbeenalife changingshowforme andIamveryproudto bepartofthecast bringingittoaudiences inBirmingham.” Wickedhasbeenseen bymorethan60million peopleworldwide.The showwillrunin Birminghamfrom5 Marchuntil7April.

MEETTHECHEEKYGIRLS

Theworld’slargestdragshowisheadingtoBirminghamwith anall-newproductionthisautumn.RuPaul’sDragRaceWerq TheWorldTour2023willvisitUtilitaArenaonThursday12 October.AmongthestarswillbeJaidaEssenceHall,Kandy MuseandGingerMinj.BenHatton,directoroftheatretouring forCuffeandTaylor,said:“Theshowwillbeexciting,cheeky, outrageousandhugelyentertaining–everythingyou’d expectfromthephenomenonthatisRuPaul’sDragRace.”

©MagdaHoffmanPhotography

CORPORATECLASH

Asportingfestivalwhichpitchesbusinesses againsteachanotherinavarietyofsportshas alreadysignedupmorethan2,000 participants.TheUKCorporateGamestake placefrom3to6August,basedatthe UniversityofWarwick.Thegames,whichare celebratingtheir30thanniversary,feature21 differentsportsacrossthethreedays–from runningtofootballandgolftonetball–and aresupportedbyCoventryCityCounciland CoventryandWarwickshireChamberof Commerceaspartners.

BRIDALUNVEIL

Callingallbrides!Oneoftheworld’s fastestgrowingandmosttalkedabout bridalbrandshaslaunchedatSelfridges Birmingham.SixStorieshasseen500per centyear-on-yeargrowthwithplansfor afurther300percentthisyear.Also availablegloballyonotherplatformssuch asASOS,SixStoriesdiverserangeof bridalwearandaccessoriesincludes stunningbridesmaiddresses, contemporaryveilsandtrendy, Instagrammablecowboyhatsandcaps.

BIKERSBOOST

Thousandsofbikershaveraisedmorethan£116,000tofundover70futurelife-savingmissions forMidlandsAirAmbulanceCharity.The2023Bike4LifeRideOutsaw3,500motorbikesridein convoyfor23milesbetweenMeoleBrace,Shrewsburytooneofthecharity’sthreeoperational airbasesatRAFCosford.Theeventwassupportedbyseveralfamousnames,includingworld superbikechampionCarlFogartyandOllieOllertonofChannel4’sSAS:WhoDaresWins.

LUCKOFTHEDRAW

Birminghamhasbeennamedtheluckiest placetoliveintheUKbytheNational Lotterywith205millionaireshavingbeen createdinthecitysincethelotterybegan in1994–anequivalentofonemillionaire everysevenweeks.Therehavebeen35 millionairesmadeinthecityinthepast threeyearsalone.KathyGarrett,who handsoverprizestothewinners,saidthe distributionacrossthenationwas“quite even”,butBirminghamcameoutontop.

NOTTOBE MISSED

GOTANYNEWS? Emailyournewsand picturestoeditor@brumliving.co.uk

Anewdiscoveryguide,111Placesin BirminghamThatYouShouldn'tMiss, revealssomeofthecity’sbest-kept secrets.AuthorBenWaddington takesreadersonapersonaltour awayfromthecrowds,whilesharing entertaininginsights,cultural anecdotesandinsidertips.Theguide includessuchgemsastrackingdown theoriginsofsuper-sleuthSherlock Holmes,chillingwithheavymetal heroesBlackSabbathand encounteringanassortmentof engines,bridgesandtunnelsfrom theIndustrialAge.

MANWITHA PLAN…ORTEN

AHEADOFTHEINAUGURALBIRMINGHAM

FESTIVALWECAUGHTUPWITHHOST,PROUD BRUMMIE,BROADCASTER,PRODUCERAND WORLDRECORDHOLDERAYOAKINWOLERE

OurchatwithAyowaslengthy–hetalksalot andatlightningpace.Brimmingwith energyandenthusiasm,muchofitfor Birmingham,he’sadoerwithplansandadesireto makethingsbetter.He’stheembodimentofthat wonderfulJackLemmonquote,sendtheliftback down.Well,elevator,butyougetthedrift.

Ayo’sestablishedinhiscareerandhasafootinthe broadcastingdoor,sothroughhisproductioncompany he’sconnectingyoungpeoplestartingoutwiththe channelsandprofessionalshehasarelationshipwith. He’skeentochangethelandscapeoftheindustry givingmorewomenanddifferentethnicitiesalegup too.HetoursBritishuniversitieswithhislecture FindingYourVoiceinspiringstudentstobe broadcastersorperformersintheTVindustrywhatever theirbackground.Agoodeggwe’dsay.

FEVERPITCH

Ayo’sCVismassiveandvariedandtoolongtogo intoindetailherebutittakesinBluePeter,awardwinningdocumentaries,sportspresentingand reporting,podcasting,currentaffairs,writingforthe likesoftheTelegraph,HuffingtonPostandBBC Radio4aswellasenjoyingambassadorialroleswith charitiesStreetChildUnitedandCrisis.Healso mentorsyoungpeopleinBirminghamthroughThe Prince’sTrust.Phew.

AyoarrivedinSellyOakfromNigeriain1990aged

eightandremembersseeingsnowforthefirsttime.He recallsthecityfeelingrichlymulticulturalwhichhe tookforgranted.Hesays:“IstudiedinSheffieldwhich isalsomulticulturalbutnothinglikehere. Birmingham’sadifferentgravy.”Theloveforhis hometownisstrongsowhenBirminghamwonthe CommonwealthGamesbid,Ayopitchedhardtobe involvedintheBBC’scoverage.

Herecalls:“It’sveryrareforamajorsporting eventtobeinyourhomecity,soyes,Ipitchedthe headofsportattheBBC.”Littledidheknowthe corporation’sheadofsporthadalreadyearmarked plansforAyoduringtheGames,notleasthisown BBC3show.AyorememberstheenergyofLondon 2012andwantingthesameforBirminghamand saysproudly:“That’swhatweexecuted.Wegaveit theauthenticityitdeservedandthebuzzinthecity wasinsane.Normallywedon’tshoutloudenough buttherewasaprideineveryone’seyes.”Intermsof legacy,Ayo’skeenforlocalcommunitiestobenefit. Hesays:“Birmingham2022feltlikeacommunity Games.IusedtorunatAlexanderStadiumasa childandtoseeitnowismagic.”

PARTYATMOSPHERE

BirminghamFestivalislookingtoharnessthespirit oftheGamestomarktheone-yearanniversary.The 10-dayfestivalwillbeacelebrationofthecity,so naturallyAyojumpedatthechancetogetinvolved.He

willhosttheopeningevent,AThousand Welcomes,on28JulyinCentenarySquare.Ayo’s hopingthefestivalwillshowcaseBirmingham throughaBirminghamlens–acelebrationof multiculturalismandarealpartyatmosphere.He saysGamesmascot,Perrythebullisduetomake anappearanceaswellaspotentiallytherealstar oftheCommonwealthGames,themechanical bullwho’sofficiallybeennamedOzzyintribute toBrum’siconicrockerOzzyOsbourne.

It’ssettobeaheckofa10daysthatwillboldly showcaseBirmingham’stalentandreputationas aworldclassdestinationformajorevents. RaideneCarterwhowasinvolvedinthecultural eventsintherunuptotheGames,isthefestival’s creativedirector.Shesays:“Iamimmensely proudoftheFestival.Wehavepulledtogethera programmethathighlightsthebreadthoftalent inthecity.Allthat’smissingistheamazing Brummieturn-out–lastyearwesawthat audiencesinBirminghamarethebest!They’re relaxed,upforfunandsowelcomingtovisitors fromoutsidethecity.Theexcitementisbuilding andwehopethewarmweatherwillholdsothat peoplecanreallymakethemostofthecreative andwelcomingsite.”

QUALITYOFLIFE

Ofthecitygenerally,Ayo’sfullofenthusiasm forthewayit’schangedinrecentyears.Hesays: “It’sstartingtofulfilitspotential.”Hethinksthe braindrainhasreducedandthecreative industriesarethriving,sothere’slittlereasonfor youngpeopletoleavethecitytopursueacareer.

Aswellascareerprospects,Ayothinksthe qualityoflife,thespaceandaccesstogreeneryall impactthedecisiontomoveandstayin Birmingham.“Thiscityhasitall,”hesays. Amen. ■

IT’SABRUMTING

BirminghamFestival23runsfrom28Julyto6August.Forthefull programmeofeventsvisitwww.birminghamfestival23.co.ukand followonsocialmedia:Twitter@bhamfestival23and Instagram@BhamFestival23

SPECIAL DELIVERY

ChrisWoakes,theWarwickshirelegendwidelyacknowledgedas ’thenicestmanincricket’,isallfired-upaheadofthemadnessof TheHundredwhichrollsintotownnextmonth,saysShelleyCarter

TheHundredisbackthissummerandWarwickshire’s finest,ChrisWoakesisreadyforhisfirstexperienceofthe tournament–playinginitatleast.Theall-rounderhas beenintheBirminghamPhoenixsquadfortwoyearssinceThe Hundred’sinception,butinjuryhasstoppedhimcompeting.This yearhesayshe’sfightingfit,althoughhedoesquicklyand hopefullyjokinglyadds:“Fitsofar!”We’recrossingfingersand touchingwoodasitwouldbeincredibletoseehimfiringonall cylindersoverthesummer.

AsidefromTheHundred’sobvious‘glitzandglamour’,there’sa lottobegratefultothetournamentfor.It’sattractedrecordcrowds andboostedcricket’sprofilegenerally.Thewomen’sgamehas benefittedimmeasurably,givingtheladiesequalbillingwiththe men,andgirls’cricketisthriving.Ispeakfromexperiencewithtwo daughterswhodippedtheirtoeinthewaterafterwatchingan electricwomen’sgameatEdgbastonwhoarenowplayingtheirthird season.WeinterviewedIzzyWongduringTheHundred’sfirstyear andshewascock-a-hoopthetournamentwasmoreequal.Thingsas simpleasusingthesamegymasthemenwerenovelthen.

DIFFERENTDIMENSION

Chrishasalwaysbeenachampionofthewomen’sgame.He says:“Therehavebeenpeoplebangingthedrumforawhilethen alongcameTheHundredandtheopportunityforthewomen’s gametobeequalandprofessional.Thewomen’sgamehasgone fromstrengthtostrength.”

ChrishasplayedatWarwickshiresincehewas10-years-old havingpickedcricketoverfootballwhichhewasalsodecentatand feelsutterlyprivilegedtohavehadacareerhere.Hereflects:“Istill feelverylucky.Ifyou’dtoldmeaboutmycareerbeforeIstarted

playing,I’dhavebittenyourhandoff.Obviously, withthiscareercomesaddedpressure,butItake theroughwiththesmooth.”Chrisplayedhisfirst professionalgamein2006andhesaysEdgbaston haschanged‘ahellofalot’.Headds:“Whathasn’t changedthoughisthebrilliantpeopleandthe atmosphere.Thebackingandthehomesupportat Edgbastonaddsadifferentdimension.”

ROCKSTARS

WhenChriswasgrowinguptestcricketwasthe primaryformat.Nowthecricketingschedulelooks verydifferentpepperedwithwhiteball tournamentsandhethinksthere’sroomforboth. “It’snoteveryone’scupoftea,butit’sgotpeople watchingandit’senjoyable.”TheIPLinIndiahas beenaparticularhighlightandsomethingChris saysnothingpreparesyoufor.“Itiscrazy.You’re treatedlikearockstarinIndia.I’mpleasedtohave experiencedit–aswellasthepassionit’sareally highstandard.”Chrissaysit’dbegoodtotryto replicatethepassionhere–IsuggestTheHollies standtowardtheendofadayatTheHundredis notfaroff,nottomentionthedoubledeckerback toNewStreetStationfromEdgbaston.Rocking!

Chrisisonly34yearsoldbutisaskedabout retirementafairbitlately–fortherecord,he broughtitupnotme.Hesaysalthoughhe’s obviouslyawarethatasportingcareerisashort one,hehasn’tsetouthisstallyet.“I’mlivingin thenowwhichIthinkisimportantotherwiseI mighttakemyeyeofftheballsotospeak.” ■

THEHUNDREDLOWDOWN

TherearefourhomefixturesatEdgbastonkickingoffat2.30pm on5AugustagainsttheTrentRockets.TheBirminghamPhoenix men’steamwillbecaptainedbyEnglandall-rounderandformer BirminghamLivingcoverstarMoeenAli,whilethewomen’s skipperisAussieall-rounderandWorldCupwinnerEllysePerry. Formoreinformationandticketsvisitthehundred.com Wealsorecommenddownloadingtheappwhereyou’llfind addedinformationandplayerstatisticsaswellasfunbitsand bobstogetinvolvedin.

DAMIENWAGER

ThetoppastrychefistheowneroftheEdibleArtPatisserieMacaronBoutique whichlaunchesatHarveyNicholsBirminghamnextmonth.Hiseye-catching creationscombineclassicFrenchtechniqueswithmodernAmericanmethods

Tellusaboutyourcooking

ThestyleofpatisserieIcreateisbasedonthemodern, AmericanwayasopposedtoamoreclassicFrenchstyle.I lovecreatingdessertswhichmakepeoplequestion whetherornottheyarereal-life,orinfact‘edibleart’,but thatalsotasteincredible.

Howdidyoubecomeachef?

Istartedoffasakitchenporterwhilestudyingatcollege andworkedmywayupthroughtherankstobecomehead chefofanaward-winninghotelinCornwallatage23. Afterworkinginsomedemandingkitchens,Ifelloutof lovewiththe‘hotside’andwantedtoexplorethepastry section.ItaughtmyselfeverythingIknowaboutpastry, mainlyfromwatchingvideos,readingbooksandpractice.

Whatdoyoueatathome?

Ilikesimple,traditionalmeals–shepherd’spieisa favourite–butIalsoenjoyMexicandishesandcan’tsay notoatakeaway.

Who’sthebestchefintheworldandwhy?Andwho’s thebestinBrum?

CédricGroletwouldtaketheawardfor‘bestchef’ifyou werebasingitonpublicpopularity,butinrealityIbelievethe bestpastrychefintheworldisprobablyworkingawayina kitchensomewhere,servingsensationaldessertstolucky customers,justwithoutthesocialmediafollowing.

Howisyourrestaurantadaptingtothecurrentclimate?

Thingsaredifficultforeveryone,wearen’tobliviousto that,wejustkeeptryingtocreatedelicioustreatsthatthe publiccan’tsaynoto!

Shareacookingtip

Bemeticulous.Withpastryyoucan’ttakeshortcutsor

‘wingit’,youhavetobethoroughandprecise.Followa recipetotheT,andthelikelihoodisitwillwork.

Whatwasyourfavouritefoodasakid?

TurkeyTwizzlerswerealwayspopularinmyhouse, untilacertaincelebritychefbanishedthem!

Foodheavenandfoodhell?

Heavenisahugebowloffizzysweets.Hellwouldbea boxofmacaronsfromanywhereotherthantheEdibleArt PatisserieMacaronBoutique!

What’sthemostunusualthingyou’veeaten?

Ihavetriedallsortsofweirdandwonderfulthings,but sharkhastobethemostunusualforsure.

Ifyouweren’tachef,whatwouldyoube?

IstudiedatuniversitytobecomeaPEteacher,soifthe kitchenhadn’twonmeoverIwouldhaveprobablystuck withthat.

Giveusanice,easyrecipeourreaderscanmakeat homeusingsomeofthoselingeringitemsinthe storecupboard

Believeitornot,asimplerecipetomakeathome couldbeabasicFrenchmeringue-basedmacaron.

JustmakeaFrenchmeringuewithfiveeggwhitesand 150gofcastersugaruntilstiffpeaksform.

Next,sievetogether150gofgroundalmondsand150g oficingsugar.Foldthemeringueintothealmonds/icing mixtureinstagesuntilaribbontextureforms,before pipingyourroundshellsontoalinedbakingtray.

Leavetorestfor20to30minutesandthenbakeat135 degreesCelsiusfor17or18minutesbeforeremovingand allowingtocool.Pairyourshellsandfillwithyour favouriteganacheorbuttercreamfilling. ■

SHORTS NI BBLESand

BIRMINGHAM’SBARS,RESTAURANTSANDHOTELSAREBUZZINGWITHEXCITING,NEWVIBES. HERE’SOURINSIDERGUIDETOTHELATESTNEWSFROMTHECITY’SEATERIESANDDRINKINGDENS

MAKEIT QUICK

Birminghamhaswelcomeditsnewestquick-servicerestaurant,WingtarinAcocksGreen.AminOrdikhani, executivepartneratWingtar,saidtheeaterycombinesinnovationwithtime-honouredtraditiontopresentan “arrayofirresistiblemenuitems”.Headded:“Weaimtorejuvenatethequick-servicedininglandscape, presentingamenuthatdeliversauniqueandtastyculinaryadventure,takingfastfoodtothenextlevel.”

PASTRYCHEFOFTHEYEAR

SokoPatisserie’sgrouppastrychefandGreatBritishBakeOffTheProfessionalsfinalist,Bharat ChandegrahasbeennamedtheBritishCulinaryFederation’sPastryChefoftheYear.Bharat, whofoundedSokoPatisseriewithAndreasAntonain2022,waspresentedwiththeawardby TVpresenterNickOwenandBritishCulinaryFederationchairLeeCorke.BasedinSolihull,Soko Patisserieoffersconsumers,hotels,restaurants,cafesandpubsaselectionofcakes,pastriesand chocolateshandcraftedbyhighlyexperiencedpastrychefs.

GRANDOPENING

TheGrandHotelBirminghamhas openeditsnewGardenTerrace,an outdoorspacepartneredwithMalfy Gin.HotelmanagerCharlotteHorler said:“Asthehotelentersitsthird yearbackopen,wearethrilledto havepartneredwithMalfyGinto bringsomethinguniqueand refreshingtoourlittleoasisof greeneryinthecitycentre.The GardenTerraceisperfectforafter workdrinks,casualgatheringsor largeevents.”

IT’S THAITIME!

ThairestaurantbrandSabaiSabairecently openedaneweateryatStationRoad,Solihull.Run byhusbandandwifeteam,TorquilandJureeChidwick, thenewvenueistheirfifthThairestaurantintheWest Midlands.Establishedin2003,thebrandhasbuilta strongreputationforexceptionalThaidishesandgreat service.Thenew90-seaterrestaurantissplitinto variousareas,makingittheperfectsettingfor intimatedinners,familycelebrations, orcasualgatherings.

SPORTSBAR KICKSOFF

WINNINGBREWS

BirminghamBrewingCompanyscoredadouble victoryattheLondonBeerCompetition,winning Non-AlcoholicBeeroftheYearandBestBeerfor QualityforSoberBrummie–its0.5%alcoholbrew thatsupportsMidlandsAirAmbulanceCharity.Paul Harwood,ownerofBirminghamBrewingCompany, said:“Incontrasttomostlowandnon-alcoholic beers,SoberBrummieisbrewedinatraditional waytoretainitsflavour.Beingrecognisedbythe LondonBeerCompetitionshowsthatweare makingthetypesofbeersthatdrinkerswanttobuy andenjoy,andthattheindustrywantstolist.”

LATENIGHTDATE

Japanese-inspiredlate-nightcocktailbarNoiréheldits grandopeningatSuffolkStreetQueensway.Noirétakes inspirationfromthespeakeasiesofJapan,creatingwhat itdescribesasa“uniqueandimmersiveexperiencefor cocktailenthusiastsandsocialitesalike”and showcasingtheflavoursandcraftsmanshipofJapanese mixology.Thebarboastsasleekinteriordesignand stylishdécor,complementedbysoftlighting.

Followinganextensive£500,000renovation,theMet–anewsportsbarbyDavenports–has openeditsdoors.TripstoNashvilleandNewYorkinspiredtheinteriorswhichincludedeep leatherbooths,quirkyneonsandhugemediawallsthatensurevisitorsnevermissamoment oftheirfavouritesports.Thefoodofferingincludesbreakfastbagels,wafflesandpancakes throughtoindulgentburgers,sharersandice-creamsundaes.

THEPERFECTSERVE

TheBelfryHotel&Resortrecentlylaunchedits ownsignaturegin,1960,namedaftertheyear thattheBelfrywasfounded.It’salovelyblend ofhome-grownbotanicalsandflowerynotesfromthe rosesandlavenderintheresort’scourtyardandhoney fromtheirveryownBelfryBees.Tocelebrate,thetop mixologisttoJenBurton,theresort’sBrabazonBar manager,hascreatedthischeekylittlecocktail,called thePerfectServe.Asalways,pleaseenjoyresponsibly.

BelfryHotel&Resort,LichfieldRoad,Wishaw,Sutton Coldfield,B769PR.Tel:01675238600thebelfry.com

INGREDIENTS:

■ 50ml1960BelfryGin ■ 25mlRosesyrup

■ 25mlLemonjuice ■ Elderflowertonic

■ Sprigoffreshlavender ■ Sliceoflemon

METHOD: Fillaginglasswithplentyofice,addinthegin, therosesyrup,andlemonjuiceandstir. Topupwithelderflowertonicandgarnishwith freshlavenderandasliceoflemon

TheBelfry’snewsignature1960ginisattheheartofthischeekyconcoction

stunner.Someonehasworkedhardontheinteriors andnodoubtthrownalotofmoneyatitandit shows.There’safabulousbararea,stylishscalloped edgeseatingandstrikingfloortoceilingwindows.

However,whilewelovethiscityalmostasmuch asourownchildren,it’snotprettybydayfromthis vantagepoint–justlotsofgreyrooftops.Asthesun goesdownandgoldenhourkicksin,itabsolutely makessenseandafterdarkwithBrumtwinkling belowit’sevenbetter.

Thefoodontheotherhandisawinneranytime ofthedayornight.FromamenufullofFrench classicsandsomedisheswithamoderntake,weate likeroyalty.Theabsolutestaroftheshowwasa starterthatsoundedsimple,lookedamilliondollars andtastedincredible–dressedBrixhamcrabwith avocado,apple,sourdoughandsunflowerseeds.The crabwasrichandsalty,theapplesweetandzingy andthewholethingtogetherwasthebeststartto dinnerwecouldhavehopedfor.

Chickenballotinewithleeks,pommepurée, mushroomandtrufflejuswasknockoutdelicious. Succulentchicken,agreatsauce,earthyflavoursand perfectpommepurée–what’snottolove?Itwasa heftyserving,butwemanaged.Adessertof

chocolatemadeleine,hazelnut,whippedpannacotta andsaltedcaramelicecreamhitthespottoo–think intensepralineflavourwithahintofsalt.Italso lookedprettyasapicture.Thecheesewasabitofa drabendtodinner.Itfeltlikeithadbeenchucked ontoaplatefreshfromthefridgesoratherthan oozing,thesoftcheeseswerehard.Thetawnyport waswelcomethough.

Ourvisitwasforaspecialoccasionanddespite ourmoaningaboutthegreyrooftops,we’ddoitall again.It’sprettyexpensive–onaparwithBrum’s toprestaurants–butit’sabitdifferentandthefood andserviceareexcellent.Ouradviceifyouwantto makethemostofbeinguphighistogofordinner justasthesunsets. ■

SUMMER HOLIDAY WINES

VENTUREFURTHERTHANYOURSUNLOUNGERANDSOMEOFEUROPE’S TOPGET-AWAYDESTINATIONSAREHOTSPOTSFORSOMEBRILLIANT VINO,SAYSKATIEGARDNEROFBIRMINGHAMWINESCHOOL

Jettingoffonholidaythissummer?

Luckyyou!Ifyoutakeabreakfromthe poolorbeach,therearesomevinous wonderstobeuncoveredinsomeofthe mosticonicEuropeanholidaydestinations. Whilemostgrapespreferamilder,more moderateclimateduringthegrowing season,somehavebecomeperfectlyadapted tothehotandsunnyclimeswiththehelpof somefascinatingviticulturaltricks.

CANARYCRACKERS

Tenerife,thelargestoftheCanaryIslands,ishome tosometrulyexceptionalwines.Theisland’svolcanic terrainwithitsrich,mineral-ladensoilsbestowsa uniquecharacteruponthelocalgrapevarieties.The ListánNegroandNegramollgrapesthrivehere, producingredwinesthatboastelegantflavoursof blackberries,spices,andvolcanicminerals.Forwhite wineenthusiasts,theListánBlancograpeofferscrisp andvibrantwineswithfloralandcitrusnotes.Anyone whohasbeentotheCanariesknowshowwindyitcan get,sowinemakersplanteachvineinitsownmini crater,shieldedbyalowwallofrocks.Aslightlystrange butbeautifulsighttosee.

GREEKGEMS

ThinkGreekwineandthinkofRetsina?Fearnot, therearesomewinegemstobediscoveredallover GreeceandparticularlyinSantorini.Despiteitsarid, windyclimateandvolcanicsoil,vineyardshereflourish thankstoauniqueviticulturalpracticecalled ‘kouloura’.Vinesaretrainedintoacircularbasket shapetoprotectthemfromthescorchingsummersun. ThenativeAssyrtikograpeisthestaroftheshow, producingdrywhitewinesrenownedfortheirmineral intensity,vibrantacidity,andcomplexaromasofcitrus, pear,andseasalt.ThewinesfromSantoriniare expensivebecauseoftheuniquetechniquesusedand alsolackofspacegivenovertowinemaking(those peskytourists!)butwellworthseekingout.

FRENCHFANCIES

Thesun-kissedregionofProvenceinsouthernFrance issynonymouswithelegance,romanceandmost importantly,roséwine!TheMediterraneanclimatewith itswarmdaysandcoolingseabreezesisidealforgrape cultivation.Thedeliciouscrisp,dryroséismadefroma blendoflocalgrapevarieties,includingGrenache,Syrah, MourvèdreandCinsault.Ifyouareinthearea,check outChâteauLéoubeinBormes-les-Mimosa,whereyou canenjoyachilledbottleoforganicroséwithyourtoesin thesandatthebeachcafénexttothewinery.Bliss!

SICILIANSURPRISE

Sicilyboastsadiverseviticulturallandscapethat producesanextensiverangeofwines.Fromthe

KATIE’S4TOTRY

Mypicksarewonderfulwinesthatwilltransport youtoyoursummerholidayrighthereathome:

■ SuertesdelMarques7Fuentes,Tenerife,Spain–£16fromtheSourcingTable(online)

WinesfromTenerifecanbehardtosourceintheUKbutthisredwine fromoneofthetopproducersshowcasesthevolcaniccharacterof Tenerifewithitsexpressiveblackberryflavoursandhintsofspices.

■ AthlonAssyrtiko,Greece–£6.99fromAldi ThiswinemaynotbespecificallyfromSantorinibutit’sagreat introductiontoGreekwineandanabsolutesteal!Dryandcrispwith hintsofcitrusandpeachflavours.

■ ChâteauLéoubeOrganicRosé,Provence,France–£17fromMarks&Spencer

Adeliciousorganicroséwine,madebytheBamfordfamily(ofJCBand Daylesfordfame).Theperfectwinetodrinkinthesun–eitherin ProvenceoronyourpatioinBrum.Italsocomesinaveryprettybottle whichmakesalovelygiftforBBQhosts.

■ LeSabbiedell’EtnaEtnaRosso,Sicily,Italy–£13.99fromWaitrose

AreallygoodpriceforanEtnaRosso,withgrapessourcedfromthe slopesofEurope’slargestactivevolcano.Ripeblackfruitsanda refreshingmineraledge.

sun-drenchedvineyardssurroundingMountEtna tothepicturesquecoastalregions,Sicilyoffersa treasuretroveofvinousdelights.MountEtna, Europe’smostactivevolcano,playsapivotalrolein theproductionofuniquevolcanicwineswithits mineralrichsoils.

ItalyisknownforitsnativegrapevarietiesandSicily hasanabundance.FromNerod’Avola,afruityand richredstoGrillo,asurprisinglyfreshwhitewhich goesperfectlywiththelocalcuisine.Mypersonal favouritethoughisEtnaRossomadefromtheNerello Mascalesegrapeonthehillsidesofthevolcano.It’san elegantandrefreshingredwithadistinctiveearthy character. ■

BirminghamWineSchoolisanindependentwineeducationcompany thatoffersfuninformalwinetastingeventsandWine&SpiritEducation Trust(WSET)coursesonline,inBirminghamandWarwick.Formore informationcontactKatieGardneron01212707359,orvisit www.birminghamwineschool.com

DANCEYOUR WAYTOTIP-TOP HEALTH

FROMTANGOTOTAPANDBOLLYWOODTOBALLET,DANCECLASSESHAVESEENA

MAJORBOOMOVERRECENTYEARS,NONEMORESOTHANRIGHTHEREINBRUM.

IT’SALLABOUTHAVINGFUN–ANDGETTINGFIT–SAYSTANGOOSO’SDIANEPARKES

Whiletheresurgenceinballroomand Latincanbelinkedtothesuccessof televisionseriesStrictlyComeDancing, thisisjustthetipoftheiceberg.AcrossBirmingham, therangeofclassesisimmensefromfitness-based danceandZumba,throughurban,hip-hopand contemporaryintointernationallyinspiredCuban salsa,ArgentinetangoandSpanishflamenco.

Themessagefrominstructorsisthatyoudon’t needtobeaFredAstaireorGingerRogerstotaketo thefloor–andnobodywillbeawardingyouzero points.What’smore,danceisagreatwaytoexercise. Involvingallofthebody,dancingcanbefat-burning,

muscle-buildingandbrain-tuningwhilealsohelping reducestress.

Dancingexercisestheheartandlungs,providinga cardiovascularworkoutwhichcanhelpreduceblood pressurewhichinturnhelpsstaveoffhealthissuessuch asstrokeandheartdisease.Inspeedingup,slowing down,turningandpartnering,dancersareexercising differentmuscles,jointsandligamentsthereby increasingmusclestrength,balanceandcoordination.

BODYANDMIND

Manyclassesinvolvememberslearningset patternsofstepsormovementsintimetomusic,

requiringustoworkourbrains,helpingusretain cognitiveskillsandmemory.Furthermore,dance bringspeopletogethertoenjoyaleisureactivity, helpingbuildsocialskillsandconfidenceandstaving offisolation.

“Dancehasthepowertoinspirepeople, transforminglives,communitiesandplaces,”says BeckyBailey,headofparticipationandlearningat FABRIC,thenewstrategicdancedevelopment organisationformedbythemergerofDance4and DanceXchange.

BasedinBirmingham’sHippodromebuildingand Nottingham,FABRICoffersanextensiveprogramme ofrecreationaldanceclasses.“Danceisfun.Itisa greatwaytocometogetherinasharedactivitywith otherpeoplewhichhelpspeoplebuildconfidence andfriendships–manyofwhichcontinueoutside thedanceclass,”saysBecky.

AndFABRIChasbeeninstrumentalinbringing dancingtothestreetsofBirmingham.Itisthe producerofBirminghamInternationalDance Festivalwhichhaspresentedseveralmass participationeventsacrossthecityoverprevious years,encouragingpeopleofallbackgroundstogive danceago.

SHIMSHAM

Forexample,lastyear’sBIDFincludedSenseby CriticalMass22whichwasaninclusivedance participationprojectbringingtogetheryoung people,withandwithoutdisabilities,fromacross theWestMidlands.Andthefestivalalso featuredTappin’In,byStephanieRidingsin associationwithLouLomas,whichbroughtpeople togetherfromacrosstheregionforthecity’sbiggest taplessonandmass‘shimsham’,adanceknownas thenationalanthemoftap.

Beckyexplains:“Eventsliketheseencourageas manypeopleaspossibletotakepartindance–and experienceitshealthandwellbeingbenefits.”Like mostformsofexercise,dancingraiseslevelsofthe hormoneserotonin,whichinturnreducesstress, aidingsleep,digestionandgeneralwellbeing. AccordingtotheBritishHeartFoundation,quoting anAustralianstudy,dancerswerefoundtohavea46 percentlowerriskofcardiovasculardeathand

researchersbelievedthiswasduenotjusttothe physicalbenefitsbutalsototherelaxationand wellbeingwhichdancersexperience.

Birmingham-basedTangoOsoareencouraging peopletogivedanceagobylaunchingamonthof tasterclassesinDigbeththissummer(seebox). AndfounderDavidAcunzoisconvincedthatonce peopletrytangoandfeelitsbenefits,theywillbe smitten.

“Argentinetangoisagreatactivityforanactive andhealthylifestyleforallages,”Davidsays.“It’s knownasa‘walking’dancesoaccessibletomany.It getsyourbodymovingtomusicatyourownpace, bringingself-awarenessandconnectiontoyourbody andthatofyourdancepartner’swhilstenhancing coordinationskillsandposturealignment.Itengages yourmindasyoulearnnewskills,problemsolveand experiencethedancedifferentlyeachtimeyoudance reflectingthecreativityyoucanbring,nomatteryour ageorexperience.”

TANGOTALK

Davidsaysresearchhasrevealedthebenefitsof dancingtobothmindandbody.

“Ithasbeenshownthroughstudiesthatdancing, buttangoinparticular,hasbenefitsforthosewith Parkinson’sdiseasebyreducingtheseverityofmotor symptomsincludingfreezingandimprovingbalance andendurance.

“Amajorbenefittowardsahealthylifestyleisthat tangoissocial,soyouhavetheopportunityto connectwithadiversecommunitywhereyoubond overmanyaspectsofthedanceandotherinterests, bringingchancestomeetnewandregularfriendly faces.It’sanidealactivitytocomealongonyour own,withagroupoffriendsandasacouple.” ■

GETDANCING

Wanttogivedanceatry?Therearenumerous classesacrossBirmingham.Forwhat’savailable acrossthecityvisit:

https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/directory/47/dance_ schools_and_groups_in_birmingham

TofindoutmoreaboutTangoOso,visit: https://www.facebook.com/tango.oso/

LOCK,STOCKANDSTRIKINGTRANSFORMATIONAS ELEVATESELLSOUTPHASE1OFGUNSMITHHOUSE

THEHOMEOFONEOFTHEFINESTGUNMAKERSINTHE WORLDHASBEENREBORNANDISPROVINGTOBEONEOF BIRMINGHAM’SMOSTEXCITINGNEWAPARTMENTSCHEMES.

GunsmithHouse,whichislocatedonPrice StreetintheheartoftheGunQuarter,has beentransformedintothreeluxury apartmentsbyElevatePropertyGroupthatechothe distinctiveindustrialcharacteranduniqueheritage ofthearea.

WorkingwithDigbeth-basedK4architects,the uniquedevelopmentwillalsoseeafurther82brand newoneandtwo-bedapartmentsbuilttothesideof theoriginalbuilding.

Constructionworkiswelloncoursetobe completedbytheendoftheyear,withsellingagents Savillsreportingthatthewholeofthefirstreleasehas

beencompletelysoldoffplan,withinterest increasingasthemarketseasonallystrengthensand thebuildingtakesshape.

ElevatePropertyGrouphasnowreleasedthesecond halfofthedevelopmenttocoincidewiththelaunchof thenewshowapartmentthatisgivingpotentialbuyers atasteofwhatlifeatGunsmithHousecouldbelike.

“Thisisour11thdevelopmentinthecitycentreand arguablyourfastestselling,with50%oftheapartments nowsold,”explainedDavidHofton,Sales&Marketing DirectoratElevatePropertyGroup.

“Phase2haslaunchedwiththeopeningofthe2bed,firstfloorshowapartmentthatprovides

purchaserswithalookinsidethedevelopmentand thequalityoftheinteriorfittingsandfurnishings”.

Hecontinued:“Savillsweredelightedwiththe ‘OpenDay’launchattheendofJune,andpotential buyerscannowbookanappointmenttoseethe stunningshowapartmentanddevelopment.”

TheremakingofGunsmithHouseisreflectingits rawheritagethatdatesbackto1901.

Thelookofit,thefeelofit,theexecutionofit.It willbeaplaceitspreviouscustodianswouldbe proudof,anditisadevelopmentthatisalready provingpopularwithbuyerskeentoownorinvestin auniquepropertyinthecentreofBirmingham.

Therearethreeluxuryapartmentshousedinthe originalGunsmithHousebuilding;aone-bedonthe groundfloor(withterrace),atwo-bedonfloortwoand auniquetwo-bedduplexpropertywithmezzanineand vaultedceilings(bothboastingbalconies).

The82newbuildapartments,adjoiningtothe side,arebeingbuiltaroundacommunal landscapedcourtyard,withmanyoftheapartments havingeitherterracesorbalconies.Therearealsoa selectednumberofpropertiesthathavetheoption ofpurchasingoneofalimitednumberofgatedcar parkingspaces.

ThePriceStreetlocationislessthantenminutes’ walktoSnowHillofficesandRailStation,Colmore Row’sfinancialdistrict,BirminghamCityUniversity, andtheBirminghamChildren’sHospital. ■

ForfurtherinformationcontactsellingagentsSavillson 01212004567,viamailonbirminghamrds@savills.com orElevatePropertyGroupon01212725729.

SHINE BRIGHT

BEBOLDTHISSUMMERANDINJECTSOMEJOY INTOYOURWARDROBEWITHABIGHITOF THISSEASON’SBESTCOLOUR-PACKEDPIECES

FAB FUCHSIA Pinksheerlongline shirt£55,OliverBonas

THINK PINK

BagfromRadley

STYLISH SLIP

Pinksatinslip £18,Primark

MAXIMUM IMPACT

Halterneckmaxi £80,RiverIsland

WELLHEELED FemmeSara paddedsandal £135,Oliver Bonas

MINI MAGIC RedValentinobow embellishedcrepe minidress£550, HarveyNichols

TOPOF THECROPS

Stitchcropcardi £65,OliverBonas

We’redivingheadlongintothemood-boosting energywegetfromwearingapopofbrilliant colour–itmightbeheadtotoebrightsoraflash ofneonfootwear.Itdoesn’tmatter–wearcolourinwhatever formmakesyouhappiestandchuckouttherulebook.Mix coloursthatyourgrandmamightbalkat–‘blueandgreen shouldneverbeseen’.Pah,withallduerespect,getover yourselfgrandma.It’s2023andwe’llwearwhateverhuesin whateverformwelike!

Thejoyofcolourradiatesoutwards–itmakesthewearer smile,butitalsomakesthepeopleyouencountersmile.It’s impossiblenottoacknowledgesomeonedonninghead-totoefuchsiawithahappynod.Fashionshouldbejoyful otherwisereally,whatisthepoint?Yes,weloveamuted toneasmuchasthenextpersonandourwardrobeis30per

JUMP TOIT

Linenjumpsuit

£89,FatFace

GREEN DREAM

Claudiadressin

waterlilygreen £220,Aspiga

STATEMENT SLEEVES

centnavy,however,therearetimeswhenonlyan electricbluesuitoralimegreenmaxiwilldo.Ifyou’re twitchyabouthead-to-toecolour,goforaneyecatchingclutchorevennailpolishthatpacksapunch –moreofthatoveronourBeautypage36.

Therearefantasticoptionsacrossallpriceranges–OliverBonasalwaysdoescolourwellwhetherit’s trendingornotandwe’reoftenluredinbythe rainbowdisplaywhilewaitingforatrainatNew Street.Equally,TUatSainsbury’sisparticularlygood –theyellowlinenshortsuitpicturedisasteal.Also, checkoutthestore’spleasinggreenco-ord.River Island’sbluesatinslipdresspicturediseffortlessly cool–wearwithamulebynightandsneakersforday.

Selfridgeshassomepoppingexamplestoo,likethe greenZadig&Voltaireclutchandtheyellow Jacquemustrouser,pictured.Ifyou’vebeeninto HarveyNicholsrecently,you’llknowthestoreis shiningbrightacrossdepartments.Takealookatthe cutestofdressesfromRedValentinoandtheSolace Londonpuffsleevedressforseriousstylepoints, pictured.Andthebestaccessorytoteamwithyour new-foundloveofcolouroranyoutfitforthatmatter?

Abigdoseofconfidenceandawidegrin.Enjoy! ■

SolaceLondonLora puffsleevemididress £520,HarveyNichols

CHUNKY HEEL

Greenplatform shoe£20, TUClothing

MULE TIME

Maizelimegreen mule£90,Dune

SHORT SHORTS

Highwaistedgreendenim shorts£13,Primark

INTHE BAG

ZadigandVoltaire Rockgrained leatherclutch £350,Selfridges

BLUE SATIN

Maxidress£43, RiverIsland

WIDE LEG

Bluetrousers £18,TUClothing

PREPPY PLATFORM

Strappyplatform heeledsandal£54.99, Office

BEST STRAW

Bluestrawbag£10, Primark

TERRIFIC TREWS

JacquemusLePantalon

Feijoalinenblend

trousers£600, Selfridges

HELLO SUNSHINE

Linenshorts£16 andblazer£28, TUClothing

VEST DRESSED

Orangeracerback

£5,Primark

ARM

CANDY

Yellowopencuff

£140,Branch

Jewellery

MELLOW YELLOW

Reversiblevegan toteingreen/yellow

£189,Morphbag

COOL COMBO

Orangeand

purpleNaomi dress£125, Aspiga

SLIDE AWAY

Orangeflats

£75,Dune

FRILL SEEKER

Dressandshoes fromRiverIsland

BEAUTY UPDATE

SUMMERCALLSFORSOMESERIOUSADDITIONSTOMAINTAIN YOURUSUALHEALTHYGLOW.SO,ASSKINANDHAIRTAKEA BATTERING,WE’VEPULLEDTOGETHERSOMEQUENCHING PRODUCTSTOCOMBATTHERISINGTEMPERATURE.PLUS,AN ETHICALNAILBRANDTHATTICKSEVERYBOXANDALIGHTWEIGHT FOUNDATIONLAUNCHTHATDOUBLESASASUPERHYDRATOR

1.HIGHGLOSSNAILPOLISH£4,REVOLUTIONLONDON

Highshine,achoiceof64brilliantshades,onlyonecoatneeded,ethicaland nourishing.There’snotalotmoretosay–exceptit’sanabsolutestealatonly£4.

2.REINCARNATIONMASK£10,BLEACHLONDON

Thishydratingmaskrepairsaswellaspreventsthankstoaformulacontainingantioxidantrichsunflowerseedextractandhydrolysedwheatandvegetableproteins.Itworks howeverfrizzyordamagedyourlocksareandcomesinahandytravel-sizedmini,too.

3.MAKEUPBYMARIOSURREALSKINFOUNDATION£46,SEPHORA

LaunchinginJuly,SurrealSkinisbornoutofMarioDedivanovic’sdecadesofexperience asamake-upartistsoyoucanexpectafoundationthatdoesn’tsliporchangecolour throughouttheday,islonglastingbutnotcakeyandprovidesthekindofglowthat’ll elicit‘oohyourskinlooksamazing’remarksfromyourfriends.It’salsoavailablein30 shades,soyourperfectcolourisoutthere.Availableinstoreandonline.

4.RETINALRESCULPTOVERNIGHTTREATMENT£105,MURAD

AvailableintheUSforawhile,thistreatmenthasnowreachedUKshores.Typically, beautymediahasgonefullonhyperbolicclaimingit’slike‘afaceliftinabottle’. Whilewedon’tbuythatkindofclaim,itisimpressiveinpartbecauseitcontains transformativeencapsulatedretinal–oneofthemosteffectiveformsofvitaminA availablewithoutprescription.Itbattlescrepeyskinandsaggingjowlswhileyou sleep,sothat’sawininourbook.

5.RENEWALTREATMENTOIL£99,EVELOM

Thislittlegemispackedwithacombinationof10nourishingoilsthatabsorbseasily andreplenishesandrestorestheskin’sprotectivebarrier.Forbestresultsusewitha GuaShatoflushtoxinsandincreasebloodflowboostingradiance.Fortheultimate dewyfinishblendalittlewithyourfoundation.

2 3 4 5

COLOURPOP

SUMMERINTHECITYISABOUTEASYDRESSINGTHATPACKSAPUNCH ANDTHESIMPLESTWAYTOACHIEVETHATISWITHCOLOUR

Wornwithconfidenceandatouchofswagger, summerbrightscanlookcoolandconsidered. We’renottalkingpastelhuesalthoughdon’t getuswrong,weloveaduskypinkormintgreen.We’re talkingtangerine,cobaltblue,canaryyellow–unmissable andinyourface.Bigandboldisthemantrahere.Play withcombinations–it’snotnecessarytogoformerely onebrightcolourperoutfit.

Thereisnorulethatstates,you’rewearingabrighttop, soyoumustparedownthebottomhalf.Whynotteama brightyellowhoodiewithpoppingblueshort?Noreason. Goforit.Youareyourownstylistandwhatevermakes youfeelgreatisallowed.Getinstoreandplayaround withdifferentcombinations.Takeahandfulofitemsinto thechangingroomandtrystylesandcoloursyoumight normallydismiss.What’stheworstthatcouldhappen? ■

EVENINGCHILL

SLIMFIT Slimred chino£19.99, TKMaxx

ZIPIT

RalphLaurenzip pocketpolo£125, Selfridges

FANCYFOOTWEAR

AlexanderMcQueen oversizedsneakers

£500,Harvey Nichols

BUTTONUP VersatileHenleytop £25,JoeBrowns

BOLDSTRIPE Seatonstripetee £10,FatFace

PUNCHYPOLO Redpolo£4, Primark

Anydayrecycled puffervest£45, JohnLewis

HELLOYELLOW Maweschino shorts£42.50, FatFace

RELAXEDFIT Cobaltbluetee £4,Primark

ENGINEROOM

Ifyoufindyourselffallingovershoes,sportskit, dogparaphernalia,theclothesairerandother householddetritus,thechancesareyoudon’t haveautilityroomoryou’rejustnotusingitright. Theutilityroomshouldbeyourbestfriendandthe absoluteworkhorseofahome.

Itallowsyoutotuckawaythedullestbitsofyour household–thinkastackedwashingmachine/drier cupboard,storageforyourvacuum,mopandbucket, bulkykitchenappliances,cleaningproducts, anythingthatyoudon’twantondisplay.Lotsof effectivestorageiskeytoachievingthis.Bigbuilt-in cupboardsanddeepdrawersareideal.

PLANA

Planthespacecarefully–itcanmakeorbreak howsmoothlyyourhomeruns.Whatdoyouneedto incorporate?Unlessyou’restartingfromscratch yourlayoutmightbedictatedbytheexisting plumbing.Startthere.Whatareyouroptionsfor washingmachineandsink?Canyouaffordtogofor underfloorheatingenablingyoutoditchtheradiator andgainmorestoragespace?Aheatedwall mountedtowelrailisidealfordryingsoggycoats

quickly.Measurebulkyitemssoyoucanworkout drawertocupboardratioandhowdeepyourdrawers andshelvesneedtobe.Thenmoveontoaesthetics–materials,colours,flooring,accessories–andmake itsmileinducing.Youmightaswellbehappywhile youpoponthethirdloadoftheday.

MUDDYBOOTS

AgiantBelfastsinkisalwaysawinner–it’llensure cleaningmuddybootsandpetsisimmeasurablyeasier. Ifyou’vealargedog,considerasmallshowerspace–itsoundsextravagant,butyou’llonlywrestleaslippery Labradorupaflightofstairsoncetoknowyouneed someformofwashingfacilitydownstairs.Ifyou’vea bootroomaswellasautilityroom,well,happydays.If not,thinkaboutdedicatingpartoftheutilityspacetoa benchonwhichtotakeoffmuddybootsthatdoubles asstorage.

SEAMLESSFINISH

Ifyou’vetheinclinationandbudget,matchyour utilityroomtoyourkitchenforaseamlessfinish. However,ifthere’sadooronyourutilityroomand yourbudget’ssmall,gocheaperandsimplerthan

yourkitchen.It’snotonshowanditspurposeis overwhelminglyfunctional,soifyouneedto compromise,spendonthepracticalratherthan frivolous.Ifyougetitrightthiscouldseriously improvethequalityofyourhomelife.

PLANB

Ifyouhaven’tgotspaceforanactualdedicated utilityroom,considerthespaceyouhavegot.Isthere anookorhallwaythatcouldbecomeastorage hotspothowevernarrow?Withsomeimagination andtherightsolutions,youcouldcreateorderwhere there’scurrentlychaos–thinkadditionalhooks, baskets,abenchwithstorage,asideboardorbuilt-in cupboards/shelving.Youhaveoptions. ■

RUSTICCHARM ProductsfromMatalan

ONTHEBENCH ProductsfromCuckooland

PRACTICALLYPERFECT

UtilityroombyLisaMelvin,www.lisamelvindesign.co.uk

MINIMUMFUSS AppliancesandproductsfromJohnLewis

SPACESAVER

ProductsfromDunelm

BLENDINGHERITAGEWITH

CONTEMPORARYLUXURYLIVING

INAPICTURESQUESETTINGAROUNDAQUAINTPOND,WITHSEVERALPERIOD HOMES,OVERLOOKEDBYTHEBEAUTIFULMEDIEVALCHURCHOFSTMARY’S, YOU’LLFINDTHEPEACEFULVILLAGEOFNEWTONREGIS,NORTHWARWICKSHIRE. WITHITSSOFTREDBRICKBUILDINGS,CROFTHOUSES,ANDWEEPINGWILLOW TREESBOWINGOVERTHEPOND,HOMETOAVARIETYOFDUCKS,THEVILLAGEIS FULLOFCHARACTERWITHHERITAGEDATINGBACKTOTHE12THCENTURY.

ThevillageofNewtonRegisisa communityoflessthan700peoplewitha smallnumberoflocalamenitiessuchas theVillageHallandTheQueensHeadpub. Nestledinthecentreofthevillage,isNewton Manor,asmallcollectionofindividualnewhomes, blendedintothesurroundingsinafarmcourtyard setting.Softbrick,texturedwood,matureplanting, allcombinetocreateabeautifulplacetocallhome. Hereyou’llfindaselectionofhomesincluding restoredbarnconversions,newarchitectdesigned barnhomes,andfarmhousestyledetachedhomes, eachwithitsownuniquestyleandpaletteof materials.

Standingproudlyattheentrancetothisspecial collectionofhomesistheGradeIIlistedManor FarmHouse,datingbackto1718,withtheadditional newhomesbeingbuiltonthepreviousfarmland. Recentlyrenovatedtoitsformerglory,this distinguishedthree-storeyhomecombines18th centuryarchitecturewiththeverybestin contemporaryliving.Originalfeatureshavebeen lovinglyrestoredtoretainthecharmandheritageof thebuilding,whilstmoderndayneedshavebeen carefullyconsideredtocreateahomethatcanbe lovedandenjoyedformanyyearstocome.

Boththeindoorandoutdoorspaceshavebeen thoughtfullydesignedinharmonywithitssurroundings andsothatresidentscanfullyappreciatethisruralhaven andthepeaceandquietofthenearbycountryside.

TheWestBarn,locatedtothewesternsideofthe developmentisatastefullyconverted,singlestorey barnthatcombinesthetraditionalfeaturesofafarm barnwiththepracticalityandcomfortofanew home.Thisbrightandspaciousthree-bedroomhome retainsoriginalbeams,vaultedceilingsandupgraded originaltimberwindows.

Insideourhomes,you’llfindspacious,light-filled spacesthatcombinetraditionwithcontemporary livingtomeettheevolvingneedsofmodern-day living.Throughoutthehome,finishingsand specificationswillbeasyouwouldexpect,expertly selectedtothehigheststandard.Materialschosenfor eachhomecomplementthelocalarea,brining sophisticatedeleganceandstyletothisnewvillage.

Eachhomehasbeendesignedtotakeadvantage ofthestunningviewsandtheruralenvironment surroundingNewtonManor,whileonlybeinga5miledriveawayfromthemarkettownofTamworth andincloseproximitytoalltheamenitiesyou’ll needforeverydaylife.NewtonRegisisawellconnectedvillagewithreliabletransportlinks.With markettownssuchasTamworth,Lichfieldand SuttonColdfieldjustafewmilesaway,thereare plentyofopportunitiesforadayout.Andjust26.5 milesaway,you'llfindthehustleandbustleof BirminghamCityCentre.

Thisistheplacetorefreshyourspiritsandenjoythe slowpaceoflifewithspacearoundyoutomakethe mostofthesurroundingcountryside.Thisisahome andacommunityyou’lllovecominghometo. ■

Ourshowhomeandrestoredfarmhouseareopenfor appointmentsThursdaytoMonday11am–5pm. Visitcameronhomes.co.uk/newtonmanororscanthe QRcodetomakeyourpersonalappointment.

FromthePottingBench withAdam

THENEXTCOUPLEOFMONTHSAREWHENWE’LLALLBEAIMINGTORELAXAND

ENJOYOURGARDENSATTHEIRSUMMERPEAK–BUTTHATDOESN’TMEAN

THEREISN’TWORKTOBEDONE,SAYSADAMKIRTLAND

Tryyourbesttoenjoywhatthecoming monthshavetooffer,butifyou’vegot twitchyfingerslikemeandwantafew projectstokeepyoubusythenI’vegotyoucovered!

WhynottryyourhandatsomegardenDIY?

ForanyonethatalreadyfollowsmeonInstagram (@viewfromthepottingbench),you’llknowI’vegota hugepassionforgardenDIYandcomingupwith creativeandnewprojects.Lotsoftheseprojects involveverylittlecostandaresometimescompletely

free–andthey’reoftenidealforanysizedspace,even balconies.Ifyou’vebeenreadingforawhileyou’ll remembermementioninginthepastthatI’m somewhatofafrugalgardenersoitreallyismusicto myearswhensomethingcanbedoneforcheap!

Oneoftheseprojectsthatisalwaysverypopular andcanbedonebyanyone,nopriorskillrequired,is makingyourownherbplanterwithawoodenpallet. Allyouneedtodoisaddsomeoldcompostbagsinto each‘section’andaddyourcompostofchoice(Iuse peatfree).Onceyou’veaddedyourcompostthenyou

canplantthemupwithanythingyoulike, butnowisagreattimetobuybedding plantsinmostgardencentres.

You’llseefromthepicturethatI’veused simplemarigoldsinthisonebutyoucan alsoaddsomefantastictrailingplants, suchaslobelia,ontheupperlevelsfor interestacrossthewholepiece.Wooden palletsgiveyouagreatframeworktostart withandtheoptionsareendless.

Keepthosepotswatered (mindfully…)

Castyourmindsbackbrieflytolast summerandjusthowhotanddrywehad ithereinBirmingham.Waterwasonthe mindofmostgardenersatanygiventime, wantingtokeepplantswateredwhilealso beingawareofshortagesandhosepipebans. Thankfullytherearesomereallycreative waystosavehouseholdwatertouseoutin thegardenwhenthosedroughtshitagain.

Ifyourhottapsindoorsareanythinglike minethentheycantakeanagetoforthewaterto heatup.So,whilelettingthemrun,makesureto catchallthatwateringlassesorjugstothenuseon thegardenratherthanlettingitgodownthedrain. Anotherniftytrickistosavesomeofthewaterwhile you’rehavingashower!LastyearImadeavideoon Instagramaboutstandinginalargebucketwhile showeringanditendedupbeingseenmorethan threemilliontimes.AndIknowwhatyou’re thinking–whataboutthesoap?!Trynottoworry,if youdothisinfrequentlythenthesoapwon’tbe harmful,butevenbetterifyouuseorganicand naturalsoaps.

Keepingpotswateredcanbearealtaskinitselfso whynotuseanupturnedoldwinebottle,filledwith waterandstuckintothecomposttoslowlywater pots?Ididthislastyearwithourblueberriesandit workedatreat!

Removeoldflowerstopromotenewones!

Bynowyourgardenwillbesettledintosummerand yourpotsandborderswillalreadybefulloflifeand plentyofvigour.Butaswegoonthroughtheseason, plants(particularlybeddingplantsandannuals)will

starttolooktiredaftertimesodeadheadingisoneway tokeepthemgoingformuchlonger.

Ifyoudon’tdeadheadthenthere’sachancethe plantwilldosomethingcalled‘goingtoseed’, whichessentiallyistheprocessofthemtryingto produceseedthatwillscatteronitsowntogrow moreplantsnextyear.Thiscanbegreat,butwhatit doesmeanisthattheplantputsallofitsenergyand effortsintoproducethisseed,ratherthanproducing moreflowers.

Bydeadheading,you’retellingtheplanttostop doingthatandyou’llgetmoreflowersand sometimesastrongsecondflushlaterintheseason. Theflowerspictures(purpleareSenettiandpinkare Dianthus)willbothbenefitfromthisandyou’llhave bloomsallsummerlong. ■

YoucanfollowAdamonInstagram@viewfromthepottingbenchor listentohisTalesFromThePottingBenchpodcastformore gardeninginspiration.YoucanalsoreadAdam’sblogat viewfromthepottingbench.com

ICON’SLASTHURRAH

AFTER25YEARS,AUDIISCALLINGTIMEONITSTRENDSETTINGTTROADSTER.SUECOOKEMARKSTHEENDOF ANERABYDRIVINGAVERYSPECIALFINALEDITION

FACTSATAGLANCE

Model: AudiTTFinalEditionSlineRoadster

Price: £45,295otr(doesnotincludeoptions)

Engine: 40TFSi7-speedStronic

Performance: 0-62mphin6.9secondsandontoatopspeedof151mph

CO2emissions: 159g/km(WLTP)

Combinedfuelconsumption: 40.4mpg(WLTP)

IknowIamfortunatelivinginSuttonColdfield, inthatwithinminutesIcanbedrivinginthe countryside.Andthatisthetimetobebehind thewheelofatwo-seaterroadster.TheweekIwas askedtoroadtestthe2023AudiTTopentop,there wereplentyofthosesunshinedays.

Sadly,productionoftheiconicTTdrawstoa closeasdoesits25yearsasthetrailblazerinthe sportscarsegment.TocelebratetheTT’ssuccess story,Audihaslaunchedahighly-specifiedFinal Editionmodelwithuniquestylingfeatures.This TTisavailableasacoupéorroadsterandisalso offeredtocustomersasahigh-performanceTTS.

TheFinalEditionmodelismarkedoutbya blackstylingpackwithblackAudiringsand badging,blackdoormirrors,blacktailpipesanda fixedrearspoileralsofinishedinblack.The Roadsterhasrolloverbarsandawinddiffuser finishedinblack.Theoptionalturbobluecolour isbeautiful.

COOLCOMFORT

Opentheverywidedoorandentertheluxurious cabinandthedriverslidesintoanalmostreclining position,cushionedbytheextremelycomfortable, poweradjustablesportsseats,whichareheated.I foundgettinginsurprisinglyeasy,butIhadtobea bitofacontortionistgettingoutwhenparkedin narrowbays!

Sittinginfrontofmewasaninstrumentpanel whichresemblesanairplanewing;setlowandwith aturbinelook.Theroundairnozzles,aclassicTT feature,arereminiscentofjetengines.Akeyfeature ofthevirtualcockpitisthemulti-functionofthe fewbuttonsandonescreen.Thefullydigital instrumentclusterdisplaysalltheinformation directlyinfrontofthedriver,behindtheAlcantara steeringwheel,meaningthatthereisnoneedfora centralscreen.

Driverscanswitchbetweentwodisplaymodes. Intheclassicview,thespeedometerandrevcounter areintheforeground,whileininfotainmentmode, thevirtualinstrumentsaresmaller.Wheretheflat bottomedthree-spokewheelsitswhenturning, dependsonhowmuchofthesatellitenavigation maportheDABdigitalradiolistcanbeseen.

Openinguptotheelementsisautomatically simpleusingaflipleverbuttonandwithtopdown thereislittlewindbuffeting.TheRoadstercan touch62mphfromrestin6.9secondsandreacha governedtopspeedof151mph.Ihaven’tdrivena carsittingclosetothetarmacforsometime,soit tookmeadayortwotogetusedtopeeringaround tallSUVs.Inwhichtime,Ifoundthestandardhill holdassistfeatureveryuseful.Driveand manoeuvrabilityarewonderfullytypicalAudi–absolutelypreciselyperfect.

Ididn’texpectalotofstoragecapacityina roadster,buttheluggagecompartmenttakes280 litresandreachesfarback,sothebootsurprisingly heldacampingtableIpurchased.Thereisanother majorconsiderationindrivingaroadsterandthat isyoucannotferrythefamilyaround.So,Ienjoyed alovely,peacefulweekofdrivingsolo.

Forsunworshippers,orthoseseekingsolitary satisfaction,drivingalonganemptycountryroadin brightsunshineintheAudiTTRoadsterisarare andwonderfulopportunity.Andattheendofthe journeythereisalwaysthecharismaticsoundofthe Audi’sbeating‘heart’. ■

SHOWROOM

JASMINE GARDOSI

JasmineGardosiismorethanapoet–herdebut showcombinestheartformwithbeatboxand Celticdubstepassheexploresthemesaround genderidentity.CommissionedbyWarwickArts Centre,DancingToTheMusicYouHatepullsapart theboundariesofgenderandmusicalgenresas Jasminebreaksopenthebinarywithboldnessand humour.Shesays:“Youdon’thavetobetransor gender-questioningtoseeorenjoytheshow–thisisfor anyoneelsewho’salsowrestledwithself-expression andsocietalexpectationsofgender.ie.Everyone.”

TheshowwasshortlistedfortheSaboteurAwards BestSpokenWordShowin2022and2023,wentonto becomeVervePoetryFestival’sbest-sellingeventof 2022andsoldoutSymphonyHall’sshowatthe JenniferBlackwellSpaceearlierthisyear.Theshow’s titulartrackwasadaptedbyconductorJulesBuckley andperformedbyBBCSymphonyOrchestraforBBC Four’sInsideClassical:ABirminghamCelebration. Jasmine’spoetlaureatepredecessor,CaseyBailey describestheshowas‘themostimportantpieceofartI canrememberseeing’.Highpraise.

Birmingham’sPoetLaureatetalksaboutfindinghervoice,discovering Brum’sopenmicsceneandtouringheraward-winningdebutshow

Jasmine’sworkhasappearedonBBCFour,Sky Arts,ButtonPoetryandacrossBBCRadio,whileher poemaboutthepandemicfilmedonarollercoaster wasbroadcastacrossthepondonPBS.Shehas workedwiththeNationalTrust,thePoetrySociety andtheNationalLiteracyTrustandwaspreviously PoetinResidenceattheShakespeareBirthplaceTrust andtheBrontëParsonageMuseum.Winnerof numerousprizes,includingtheOut-SpokenPrizefor PoetryandOutstandingInternationalEntryin ButtonPoetry’sVideoContest,Jasmineisalsoa

festivalregular,withappearancesatGlastonbury, WOMADandShambala.

Beingthecity’spoetlaureateisaroleJasminefeels privilegedtohold.It’sopeneddoorsandgivenhera platform.HappytobeBirmingham’sfirstopenly queerpoetlaureate,Jasminecontinuestochampion LGBTQ+communities.Sheexploresidentityand sexualityandinvitespeopletodothesame.The applicationprocessforpoetlaureateislengthyand competitiveandJasminewasrejectedfourtimes beforebeingappointed.Sheacceptsshewasn’tready previouslyandlearnedalotfromtheprocessand fromthefeedbackshereceivedfromthejudges.She wouldurgeanyonewho’scontemplatingapplyingto goforit.Eventhemereprocessisenriching.

THRIVING

Throughpoetry,Jasminehasfoundhervoice.She says:“TherewasatimeinmylifeIthoughtmyvoice wasnotvalid.Everyvoiceisvalid.Always.”Inpart, duetoBirmingham’sthrivingopenmicscene, Jasminefoundhertribeandawaytoexpressherself. “WhenIwas21,Iwasabitlost–Ididn’tknowwhat todo.Iusedtothinkwritinginisolationwastheway, butwhy?It’slikewritingpoetryinavacuum.The openmicscenewas/issafeandcommunitydriven.”

Shedidn’tperformthefirstoreventhesecondtime shewenttoopenmicnights,butpluckedupthe courageonthethirdvisitandisstilldoingittoday. “You’reatthemercyoftheaudienceperforminglines writteninyourroom,butithithome.Ifelt understoodandthat’sbeautiful.”

Jasminestilldoesopenmicnights,soifyoupopdown tothelikesofHitTheOdeattheVictoriaoroneofthe manyofothervenuesacrossBrum,youmightjusthear hertryingoutnewwork.ItturnsoutBirminghamdoes poetryandspokenwordseriouslywell,soifyou’re curiousgoalong.There’snopressuretoperform,butyou mightjustfindyourpeopleandyourvoice. ■

FINALWORD

CheckouttheDancingToTheMusicYouHatescheduleat www.jasminegardosi.com

JasminewillalsobeperformingattheMoseleyFolk&Arts FestivalinSeptember.

HIGH-FLYINGSTUDENTS

AnambitiousprojectwhichwillseeagroupofYear9 pupilsbuildaworkingbiplanehastakenoffthankstoa grantfromtheMillenniumPointTrust.The24students fromDudleyAcademiesTrustareworkingwiththeSTEM HighFlierscharitytobuildaSherwoodRangermicrolight aircraftprovidedinkitform,fundedbyagrantof£19,700 fromMillenniumPoint’sannualSTEMgrantsprogramme. Theyoungaeronauticalengineersarespendingthree yearsbuildingtheplanewiththeaimtocompletethe projectbeforetheirGCSEs.

CAMPINGCASH

StudentsfromStBrigid’sCatholicPrimarySchool, Northfieldspentthenightsleepingoutinthegardento raisemoneytosupportpeoplewhohaveexperiencedor areatriskofhomelessnessinBirmingham.Thefundraisers–Matteo,Alfie,Millie,Maisie,Esme,Eloiseand Gipir–setouttocollect£250tosupportSIFAFireside butbeattheirtargetwithatotalto£1,500.Thegroupof Year6studentssetupaJustGivingpage,organisedthe camp-outandsoughtsponsorshipaspartoftheir SacramentofConfirmation.

DOUBLETOPFOREHS

TENNISATNUMBER10

FortystudentsfromCOREEducationTrustschools–Arena,City,JewelleryQuarterandRockwood academies–inBirminghamenjoyedprofessional coachingoncourtssetupinthegardenof10 DowningStreet.HostedbythePrimeMinister’swife AkshataMurthyforaninitiativetomarkNational SportsWeek,theyvolleyed,ralliedandacedtheir waythroughamemorablemorning.Theinvitation cameaboutthroughtheTrust’slong-established relationshipwiththeLawnTennisAssociation.

SCHOOL REPORT

EdgbastonHighSchoolhasbeenawardedthehighestpossibleratingofdouble ‘Excellent’followinganinspectionbytheIndependentSchoolInspectorate.

HeadmistressClareMacrosaid:“Theschoolsecuredafindingof‘Excellent’inboth themaininspectionheadings:forthequalityofthepupils’academicandother achievements,andthequalityofthepupils’personaldevelopment.Iam particularlydelightedtheinspectionteamreported‘pupilsofallagesandabilities develophighlevelsofself-confidence,areself-reflectiveandshowstrong resilienceinthefaceofacademicandextra-curricularchallenges’.

APPRENTICESHELPDRIVEEXPANSION

Twoapprenticesarehelpingacompany’sexpansionofitsproductionandsalesofa revolutionarywheelchairtreadmill,thankstoMidlandtrainingexpertsPerformance ThroughPeople.InvictusActive,ofFourAshes,Wolverhampton,wassetupbyScott SmithandPaulCooksey,whoarebothwheelchairusersfollowingspinalcordinjuries. ApprenticesKenzyWilkins,16,ofWolverhamptonandMichaelHogg,22,of WombournewillhelpfocusonthemarketgrowthoftheInvictusActiveTrainer,a portablefitnessmachinesimilartoatreadmill,whichhelpswheelchairuserstogetfit.

LEOSOCKSITTOTHEM

Seven-year-oldLeoConcannonput hisbestfootforwardforcharity.The youngsterfromSuttonColdfield–whosuffersfromararechildhood conditionwhichforcedhimtogiveup sports–raisednearly£1,500withhis ‘SillySocksDay’forthechildren’s charitySteps.Leowasamonga groupofyoungpeoplefromacross theWestMidlandsnamedasthis year’swinnersoftheLordLieutenant’sYoungActiveCitizens Awardsforsupportingtheirlocal communities.Otherwinnersincluded MillieClarkeandInshiraKhan.

MIDSUMMERDREAM

ThestageoftheGlobeTheatrebeckonsfor MoretonHallpupilJessicaMiddletonafter shewontheregionalfinaloftheEnglish SpeakingUnion’sPerformingShakespeare competition.Year9pupilJessica’sexceptional talentwasonfulldisplayassheflawlessly executedherperformanceasOpheliafrom Hamlet.Jessicasaid:“Ineveranticipated makingitthisfarinthecompetition.Itisan absolutedreamcometruetohavethe opportunitytoperformatShakespeare’s Globeinthefinalofthecompetition.”

ACTIVEROLE: Fromtheleft,KenzyWilkins,ScottSmithandMichaelHogg

COLMORE MOVE

LawfirmShoosmithshasopenedthe doorstoitsnewhomeintheheartof Birmingham’sbusinessdistrictat103 ColmoreRow.WestMidlandsmayor AndyStreetandmorethan140 stakeholdersattendedtheopeninginthe city’shighestofficespacetocelebrate thefirm’snewbase.Workingwithlocal designconsultancyOfficePrinciples, officeheadsAlexBishopandBeth McArdlehavetransformedthe32,900sq ftofspaceintoahybrid‘workplace destination’formorethan350 Shoosmiths’colleaguesandclients.

NEWS BUSINESS SLEEPSUCCESS

Aformerprimaryschoolteacherfrom Birminghamhassetupherdream business,workingasababyand children’ssleepconsultanttohelp tiredparentsacrosstheWest Midlandsgetabetternight’srest. LeanneWilkinson,whoworkedin educationfor20years,metupwith theteamfromaward-winningLittle DreamsConsulting,andafter completinganextensivetraining programmeshehasstartedherown LittleDreamssleepconsultancy franchiseinthecity.

ANNALEADSTHEWAY

Localachieverswereamongthosecelebratedatthe BusinessSuccessRecognitionAwards.Thirteen categorywinnersfromacrosstheUKwere announced,includingAnnaNeville,pictured,of FrenchandSpanishlanguageteachingspecialists Kidslingo,Solihull,whowasnamedBusiness Leader/ManageroftheYear.Otherlocalwinners were:BusinessStart-upoftheYear,NatalieYorkeGoldneyoftheTrampolineAcademy,Nuneatonand Warwick;AgainstAllOddsAward,KellyIslesofthe EnchantedTeaRoom,LeamingtonSpa,and NetworkeroftheYear,TraceyMcAtamneyofLadies FirstProfessionalDevelopment,BalsallCommon.

ULTI-MUTTWAYTOFLY

Theworld'sfirst‘pay-per-seat’ privatepetcharterservicehas beenlaunchedbyBirminghambasedK9JETS.“Flyingwithpets canbeanerve-wracking experienceforbothpetowners andtheirbelovedanimals,”said co-founderAdamGolder.“Most commercialairlinesrequirepets totravelinthecargowhichcan beanincrediblystressful experience.AtK9JETS,we believepetfamilymembers deservetotravelincomfortand stylealongsidetheirowners.”

GEORGIA’SGO-SLOW

TheMailboxhasbeengivingvisitorsthechanceto takeastepbackandappreciateaslowerapproachto lifewithitspresentationofLente,animmersiveart installationcreatedbyBirmingham-bornartist, GeorgiaTucker,pictured.Georgiausestechnologyand physicalinstallationstostartmeaningfulconversations andmomentsofescapismfortheviewer.Running until2July,adigitalzengardenspace,designedby GeorgiawiththesupportofExperienceStudios,has beenhousedinavacantunitonLevel2.

GLENN’SGOODBYE

BirminghamHippodromeTheatreTrusthasannouncedthatitschair, GlennHowellswillbesteppingdowninNovember.Glennbecamea trusteein2012andhasbeenchairsince2018,overseeingthe Hippodromeincreaseitsreachwithlocalcommunities.The organisation’sprogrammeofliveperformance,learningand participationandfestivalsreachesuptoamillionpeopleannually. Glennsaid:“I’mincrediblyproudatwhattheteamhasachieved.The Hippodromehasbuiltonitsrichheritage,seensignificantgrowthand becomeamorediverseculturalorganisation.”

GROWINGPLACES

LawfirmFieldfisherispushingforwarditsambitiousgrowthstrategyforthe WestMidlandswiththeappointmentofnewBirminghamofficeleader. RanjitDhindsa,pictured,willleadtheBirminghamofficethroughthenext phaseofitsstrategicdevelopmentwiththeadditionofnewservicelines. Thedevelopmentplansincorporateanofficemovefromitscurrentlocation tonewpremisesinBirminghamcitycentre.Ranjitiscurrentlyaspecial advisortoBirminghamsocialimpactbusiness,MissMacaroon.

Spockthebearhasreachedhisfinalfrontier.

GreaterBirminghamChambersofCommerce’s StarTrek-inspiredsculpture–createdin2017for publicarttrailtheBigSleuth–will‘livelongand prosper’atBirminghamconferenceandevent venueMillenniumPointafterbeingdonatedby theChamber.Spockwasoneof100bearson displayacrossthecitythroughouttheBigSleuth. Thetrailattractedthousandsofvisitors,before thebearswereauctionedofftoraisemoneyfor BirminghamChildren’sHospitalCharity.

ThebossoftheBritishOlympicAssociationhasanewhigh-flyingrole–aschairmanoftheboardofBirminghamAirport.SirHughRobertson wasMinisterforSportandtheOlympicsduringLondon2012andfrom 2018untilearlierthisyearhewasalsochairmanofCamelot,the NationalLotteryoperator.Hesaid:“Iamexcitedtobejoiningatatime whenBirminghamandtheWestMidlandsareenjoyingsuchsuccesson thebackoflastyear’soutstandingCommonwealthGames.”

RECORDVISITORS

TheWestMidlandswelcomed141.2million visitorsin2022,smashingtheprevious recordsetbeforetheCovidpandemic. ShowcasedbytheCommonwealthGames–whichattractedmorethanfivemillionpeople tothecitycentre–thefiguresrepresenta 38percentincreaseon2021andafiveper centrisecomparedto2019.Birmingham aloneattractedarecord45.5millionvisitors, worth£7.9billion,whilevisitorspending acrosstheregiontopped£14billion,saidNeil Rami,pictured,chiefexecutiveofWest MidlandsGrowthCompany.

RACINGTO22K

Apropertycompany’sannualracedayraisedmorethan £22,000forachildren’scharity.Theeventwasheldby Southam-basedWigleyGroupatWarwickRacecourseand raisedthemoneythroughracesponsorshipandanauction andmeal,whiletherewasalsoakeynotespeechfrom legendaryTVsportsbroadcasterJohnInverdale.The proceedsweredonatedtoMollyOllysWishes,whichwas set-upbyRachelandTimOllerenshawfollowingthedeathof theireight-year-olddaughterMollyfromararekidneycancer.

RETIRINGGRACEFULLY

AnewretirementlivingcommunityinWyldeGreen,SuttonColdfield,issetto completethiswinter.ConstructionbeganlastsummeratBroadleafHouse,an AdlingtonRetirementLivingcommunitywhichwilloffer57one,twoandthreebedroomretirementapartmentsfortheover55s.AlexandraJohnson,salesand marketingdirector,said:“Ourapproachtoindependentlivingensures homeownersdon’thavetocompromiseontheirlifestyle,theirsociallifeortheir independence.”FourofAdlington’sretirementcommunitieshavewonGold, SilverandBronzeAwardsattheWhatHouse?Awards.

BUSINESS BITES

NEWLOOKOPEN

NewLookhasopenedupshopatitsnew locationinBirmingham’sFortRetailPark, creating26newjobs.Thestorecovers8,288 sqftfeaturingwomen’sclothing,footwear, accessoriesandconcessionsbrandssuchas Apricot,AXParis,BlueVanilla,PinkVanilla,SIX JewelleryandSkinnydipLondon.

MIDWIFESAWARD

AmaternitysupportworkeratBirmingham Women’sandChildren’sNHSFoundations Trusthaswonanationalhonourforher exemplarycareanddedicationtowomen, babiesandtheirfamilies.MichalaRichardson wontheMaternitySupportWorkerofthe YearawardattheRoyalCollegeofMidwives (RCM)Awards.

UNI£1.8MBOOST

AstonUniversityistoreceive£1.8millionto transformtheWestMidlandsintoa powerhouseoflow-carbonproduct developmentandcommercialisation.The universitywillbebuildingonitsexisting researchfacilitiestoleadtheregion’sBiochar CleanTechAcceleratoraspartoftheWest MidlandsInnovationAccelerator.

FOURTOTHEFORE

Award-winningBelfryHotel&Resorthas announcedfourseniorappointments–Varun Shettyashotelmanager,EmmaCatterallas directoroffinance,GaryWilliamsaschief engineerandJacquesHobsonasdirectoroffood andbeverage.Theappointmentscomeasthe resortissettobeginonanexcitingredevelopment andenhancementprogramme.Resortdirector ChrisEigelaarsaid:“Theseappointmentsarekey tohelpinguscapitaliseontheadditionalfacilities thatthedevelopmentwillprovide.”

‘KICK-ASSTOCANCER’ EVENTBACKSCHARITY

TVRealHousewivesstaramongguests atfund-raiserhostedbybreweryboss

BaronDavenport,MDofDavenportsBrewery, hostedapartyandfund-raiserinhonouroflifelongfriendMariaNickells,whohasbravely foughtbreastcancerforthelast14months.Guests–includingLystraAdams,starofTV’sRealHousewivesof Cheshire–helpedraisemoneyforlocalcharity,Ladies FightingBreastCancer.Cocktailsandafternoonteawere served,whileentertainmentcamefromsingerTitine Lavoix.CharitytrusteeEileenFaganMcGeoghangavea shortspeech,whileKatieMcPhilimeypraisedMariafor herbravery–and‘kicking-asstocancer’. ■

1 CarmelBate,RealHousewivesstarLystraAdams,BaronDavenport,GraceDavenport.

2 JaneCollier,RachelNacer. 3 BaronDavenport, KatieMcPhilimey. 4 MandyPowell,LystraAdams. 5 WilliamSimpson,DavidDindol. 6 MariaNickells(inpink)withguests.

BOXBAROPENSWITH HIGH-ENERGYBANG

Sportsbarandkitchen,BOXBar,heldahighenergylauncheventwithparty-goersgreeted ontheredcarpetbycheerleadersonstilts, beforeheadinginsidetodiscoverthenewvenue. Brassband,BackChatBrass,providedentertainment whileguestsweretreatedtotastyBOXbites,cocktails andcraftbeers.With36screens,BOXBaristhe perfectplacetocatchallthesportingactionthis summer.Musicloverswillenjoyregularliveactsand Bandeoke–singalongtoyourfavouritetunetothe accompanimentofaliveband! ■

1 AndrewStrugnall,AlexMorrissey,AnniOpong,MarkAustin.

2 MarinaldoLourencoandthekitchenteam. 3 GarethVowles,John Richold,PiaBurrow,KirstyClarke,AntStansfield,MarinaldoLourenco. 4 SaraFleyfel. 5 StaceyLyttle. 6 JessicaWatson,Anna Cosgrove,MaddyWest. 7 AlevDervish,AnitaChampaneri,RubyBansal. 8 Guests.

Cheerleadersonstiltsgreetlaunchparty guestsatexcitingBrindleyplacevenue

EDGEENTERTAINS BUSINESSLEADERS

Marketingagencyhostsprofessionals networkingeventatSaintPaulsHouse

IntegratedmarketingagencyEDGECreative welcomedanarrayofbusinessleadersandother professionalstoSaintPaulsHouseinthe JewelleryQuarterforaneveningofnetworking.The eventwassponsoredbyBoldITandBuckles Solicitorsandprovidedattendeeswiththeperfect opportunitytoenhancetheirbusinessnetworksover nibblesandcocktailsprovidedbydrinkssponsor Malibu. ■

1 MatWorrall,NeilThorogood,DeanLomas. 2 MartinCallaghan,AnthonyBrazier,KellyBrown. 3 PhilRoberts,JuliaEvans. 4 SvenjaKeller, TaliaMasters. 5 MarkPanayides,SolJeewa. 6 LianeDenton. 7 IrinaPirciog,SophieCasewell,JohnHowis,LauraCooksey,SeanCaulfield, CarolinaPereira,OliverGaunt,SophieHorrocks.

PROPERTYEVENTHITS RECORDFORCHARITY

AnnualBRENDAsraisesastunning £56,000forlocalchildren’sgroups

Morethan400ofBirmingham’smostinfluential commercialpropertyprofessionalsraiseda record£56,000forlocalchildren’scharitiesat theannualBRENDAseventorganisedonbehalfof PropertyforKids.Thefund-raiseratMacdonaldBurlington HotelsaweveryonefromOzzyOsbournetoWilliam, PrinceofWalestaketothestageinaspoof,celebrity-inspired SnatchGamewherecontestantsperformedinfrontofpeers towinspeciallydesignedgnomes.Theeventwassponsored byEstilo.IndividualawardsweresponsoredbyVail Williams,GMIConstruction,NolanAssociates,Benniman, AlignArchitecture,Nurtons,AnstyHorne,ESCand WillmottDixon.

1 JohnNolan,TonyMitchell,AntonyWatson. 2 StephenCrichton,RichardFreeman,NickWarwick. 3 LukeThacker,AlexEagleton, WillWesson,WillArnold,ColinLawrence-Waterhouse. 4 AngusHuntley,GuyBowden. 5 SimonRobinson,GaryWilliamson. 6 JillyCosgrove, JackSoars,EdGamble. 7 MichelleWong,MichelleEllerman,KerryLeighPearson,DavidBrooks. 8 HelenAndrews,ShivParmar,StuartSmith.

WHAT’SONliving

WHAT: TheFriendsExperience

WHEN: Nowuntil18August

WHERE: NECBirmingham, birmingham.friendstheexperience.com Featuringavarietyofnostalgia-packed, interactivesetsthisistheperfect opportunityforFriends’fanstoexplorethe show’shistoryandre-createtheirfavourite scenes,suchaspeekingaroundRacheland Monica’spurpledoor.

WHAT: TwelfthNight,outdoor performance

WHEN: 13August

WHERE: BirminghamBotanical Gardens,birminghambotanicalgardens.org.uk/events

EnjoyShakespeare’sclassicagainstthebackdropofsomeof Birmingham’sfinestgardens.Althoughyoucouldbeforgivenfor thinkingthatthismightbethedarkestoftragedies,infact,a romanticcomedyunfoldswithamadcapfarceatitsheart.

WHAT: RickyGervais:Armageddon

WHEN: 4September

WHERE: UtilitaArena,utilitaarenabham.co.uk

He’sbeencalledthemostinfluentialBritishcomediansinceCharlie Chaplin.ThecreatorandstarofTheOfficeandExtrashascompleted sixinternationaltourstodate,includingthefastest-sellingUKstand-up showinhistory–soholdtightforacrackingnight!

WHAT: SoulfulMagic

WHEN: 22September

WHERE: TheCoreTheatre, thecoretheatresolihull.co.uk Followingasuccessfulrunatthe EdinburghFestivalFringe,thehottest Britishtalentfromthemagicscene, breakdancingmagicianandfinalistof Britain’sGotTalent,MagicalBones,pops intoBirminghamwithhisacclaimed unique,high-energymagicshow.

WHAT: NoisesOff

WHEN: 23Augustto9September

WHERE: BirminghamRep, birmingham-rep.co.uk

Hurtlingalongatbreakneckspeed,NoisesOff followstheonandoff-stageanticsofatouring theatrecompanyasitstumblesitswaythrough thefictionalfarce,NothingOn.Fromthe shambolicrehearsalstodisastrous performances,thisisbrilliantfun.

WHAT: TheOldFordRally

WHEN: 23July

WHERE: BritishMotorMuseum, britishmotormuseum.co.uk/whats-on Withahugerangeofmorethan400classics onshow–fromcarsofthepre-warausterity yearstopost-warZephyrs,Zodiacsandthe AngliasMk1andMk2–thisisamustfor enthusiastsofallages.

WHAT: TheTigerWhoCameToTea

WHEN: 22to26August

WHERE: TownHall,bmusic.co.uk

DirectfromtheWestEnd,jointheteaguzzlingtigerinthisdelightfulOlivier Award-nominatedfamilyshow,packed withoodlesofmagic,sing-a-long songsandclumsychaos.

WHAT: JamesAcaster: HecklersWelcome

WHEN: 31Augustto 3September

WHERE: TheAlexandra, atgtickets.com

Oneofcomedy’smostoriginal voices,JamesAcasterhaswrittena newshow–andhe’sveryproudof it!Thatbeingsaid,youareallowed toruinit.Fillyourboots.

WHAT: Macbeth

WHEN: 19Augustto14october

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

ReubenJosephandValeneKane willmaketheirRSCdebutplaying therolesofMacbethandLady MacbethinWilsWilson’snew productionofthisgrippingand brutaltragedy.

WHAT: Disney’sTheLionKing

WHEN: Nowuntil16September

WHERE: BirminghamHippodrome, birminghamhippodrome.com

SetagainstthemajestyoftheSerengetitothe evocativerhythmsofAfrica,theLionKingtellsthe storyofSimba’sepicjourneytofulfilhisdestinyas KingofthePridelands.

WHAT’SON

WHAT: Anton&Giovanni:Him&Me

WHEN: 29July

WHERE: SymphonyHall,bmusic.co.uk

StrictlyComeDancingjudgeand2021 championjoinforcesforthisspectacular tour.BraceyourselvesforTHEbestnight outastwoSCDlegendsshowcasetheir unrivalledrapportwithacollaborationof dance,songandlight-heartedfun.

WHAT: HorribleHistories:BarmyBritain

WHEN: 12and13August

WHERE: MidlandsArtCentre, macbirmingham.co.uk

Britain’sfavouritehistoryshowisback.It’shistorywiththe nastybitsleftin!WillyoubeconqueredbyWilliam?GohousehuntingwithHenryVIII?Theshowisfullofcrazynew charactersandrudenewrulersfromBritain’sbarmypast.

WHAT: EdgbastonArtisanMarket

WHEN: 8July,12August

WHERE: GreenfieldCrescent,Edgbaston, calthorpe.co.uk

Birmingham’slargestartisanmarkethasacouple moreeventsthissummerfeaturingindependent businessesfromacrosstheMidlandswiththefinest rangeofartisanfoodanddrink,alongsidehandmade artsandcraftsandfarmers’marketproduce.

WHAT: SuziRuffell

WHEN: 16September

WHERE: TheOldRep, oldreptheatre.co.uk

SuziRuffelllikesthingssnappy–herstand-up,herdecisionsandher suits.Thisnewshowisallabout settlingdown(butnotsettling), becomingamother(withoutbecoming mumsy)andstillworryingabout everything(haveyouseenthenews!?)

CLOSEWITHÁ

BRANDONLAWRENCE

BirminghamRoyalBallet’sprincipaldancerreflectedonhis timewiththecompanyandinthecityashepreparedfora freshchapterinhiscareerwithSwitzerland’sBallettZürich

BEENTHERE,DONETHAT

IwasborninBradford,WestYorkshireandattended theRoyalBalletSchoolatage14.Afterfiveyears,I graduatedandjoinedBirminghamRoyalBallet workingthroughtheranksfromartisttoprincipal dancer.WorkingcloselywithSirDavidBintleyand CarlosAcostahasbeenincrediblyvaluableaswellas collaboratingwithafineteamofcreativesthatwalk throughthecompanydoorseachyear.After12blessed seasonsI’mmovingtoBallettZürichtobuildonto everythingI’velearntfrommytimeatBRB

IT’SWHATIDO

AsaprincipaldancerIdancetheleadingroleson manyoccasions,partneringthewonderfulballerinasand beingastrongvoiceandambassadorforthecompany. FrommyfirstdayupuntilnowI’vebeengiven rewardingopportunitiesfromdiningwith,dancingfor andmeetingRoyaltytosegmentsonSundayBrunchand CBeebies.It’shardbeingaperformerasit’sphysically challengingandmentallytestinghoweverbeingableto transportanaudienceandbringanemotiontoa performanceissatisfyingonmanylevels.

WHATI’DLIKETOSEE

I’vealwaysjustwantedtobethebestversionof myselfbothinthestudio,onstageandinmypersonal life.Adancer’scareerisshortbutsoislife,soItryto taketheopportunitiespresentedtomeandsaviourthe experience.Myambitionistokeepgoodhealth,work hardinallareasandtobehappy.

BIGGESTSUCCESS

Todateit’sprobablybecomingaprincipaldancerina companythatIlove.It’stakenalotofhardworkwitha

goodteamaroundme,butit’sbeenanadventurewhich noteveryonegetstoexperience.EverydayIfeelthankful toseewhereIamfromwhereIwas.Ineverthoughtthis boyfromBradfordwouldevermeettheKingandQueen!

BIGGESTLESSONLEARNED

Notsay‘yes’toeverything.Therecameapoint whereIstretchedmyselfwithworksomuchthatIhad no‘me’time.IhardlysawfamilyorfriendsandIwas closetoburningout.I’velearnttothinkwiselyabout whatIcommitmytimeto.

WHATILIKEABOUTBRUM

WhenIarrivedinBirminghamin2011myfirst impressionwasexcitement.MyfirstjobandIwas movingtothesecondcitywheretherewassuchabuzz forcultureandart.Whathasquicklybecomemy favouritethingisthenumberofvenueswhereyoucan watchshows,etc…onenightattheHippodrome,the othertheAlex,thenSymphonyHallontothearena thenthe02venues.There’ssomuchonthedoorstep. SometimesIstruggletojusthaveanightathome.

DOWNTIME

Ilovecooking,bakingandmakingpasta.Spadays alwaysgodownwell,asdoesafternoonteaandlotsof walkingaroundBirmingham.Andgoodmusic–I’ma hugefanofClassicFMandSmoothChill.

FINALLY…

There’smuchIwillmisswhenIleaveBirmingham asI’vespentallofmy20shere.Lotsofmemories wrappedupinthiswonderfulcityandmanypeople who’vemadeitspecial.BirminghamandBRBwill alwaysbemyspiritualhome. ■