Birmingham Living June 2023 (issue 123)

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Birmingham living

BMOSMUSICALS REHEARSING9TO5 SUMMERLOVING BEACHBOD
THEBELFRY’S
STAYINGSTRONGINTHEFIGHTAGAINSTCHILDCANCER
HOLYSMOKE! BESTBBQKIT SIZZLING SWIMWEAR
JAMIEWADE ASHLEY CAIN

EDITOR’SVIEW

It’sgoingtobeabigask,butlet’sgoforit!Afterlastyear’samazingsummerofsport,ledby theCommonwealthGames,canBrumtopitfor2023?Whiletheworldmightnotbe descendingenmasseonthecitythissummer,we’restillshapinguptohaveanawesomefew monthsoftop-classsportingactionwhichwillbeenjoyedbymanythousands.

CricketloverswillgetthechancetowatchthegreatestrivalryofallplayoutatEdgbastonwhentheexciting new-lookEnglandsidetakeonthearchenemyfromDownUnderintheAshes.Araucousfull-housewill roarontherejuvenatedhomesideasonlyEdgbastoncan.TheAussieswon’tknowwhat’shitthem!And thethrillskeepcomingwiththereturnofBirminghamBearsinthewham-bamVitalityBlast–complete withnewstarsigningMoeenAli.

WithWimbledonjustaroundthecorner,localtennisfanswillbelookingforwardtoseeingtheworld’sbest womenplayersgettingtheirfirsttasteofcompetingongrassatEdgbastonPrioryClubfortheBirmingham Classic.Andifgolf’syourgame,there’stwogreattournamentstoenjoy.ThelegendaryBelfryhoststhe BritishMasters,whiletheworld’sbiggestandrichestBritishPar3ChampionshiptakesplaceatNailcote Hall.Notonlyisthereagreatline-upofprogolfers,butstarsofsportandentertainmentwillalsobehaving aswinginthepro-amcompetition.

Awayfromthesportingarena,summer2023alsoseesBrumliveuptoitsbillingasBritain’stopfestivalcity, withthelikesofBirminghamJazzFestival,SolihullSummerFestandMoseley‘sMostlyJazz,Funkand SoulFestival–allfeaturingahostoftopstarperformers.Phew!Whatasummer!

DavidJohns

visit www.brumliving.co.uk

@brum_living/bhamliving

Coverimage: AshleyCain, courtesyof Club71Limited

EDITOR: DavidJohns david@brumliving.co.uk

FINALIST

FEATURESEDITOR: ShelleyCarter shelley@brumliving.co.uk

DESIGNER: TracyDuffy

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

PHOTOGRAPHY: DavidMorphew,AndrewLlewellyn

PUBLISHINGDIRECTOR: JonathanCarter

RockHopperMediaLimited BurleighHouse,23TagwellRoad,DroitwichWR97BN tel 01905771110

©RockHopperMediaLtd. BirminghamLivingispublishedmonthlybyRockHopperMediaLtdandprintedbyBuxtonPress.Viewsandopinionsexpressedbyauthorsandservicesandproducts offeredbyadvertisersarenotspecificallyendorsedbyRockHopperMediaLtd.ReproductioninwholeorinpartofthecontentsofBirminghamLivingwithoutwrittenpermissionisstrictlyprohibited.

SUBSCRIPTIONS: Thesubscriptionrate(postpaid)is£24foroneyear(12issues).Subscriptions01905771110ISSN2051-8560

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10 14 18 28 30 40

Highlights

AshleyCain

TVrealitystarontacklingoneofthe world’smostdangerouschallenges

MusicalCheers

BMOSMusicalTheatreCompany,the oldesttheatrecompanyintheregion

Food&Drink

ArisKabisios,headchefofsteakhouse FiestadelAsado,news,recipesandwine

Health

Howtoaddsizzletoyoursummer imagewiththeperfectbeachbody

Style

Areyoureadytotaketheplungewith thelatesthotswimwear?Yes,youare!

Homes

Apizzaoven?Asmoker?Orafull-blown outdoorkitchen?Alltheprosandcons…

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living
birminghamliving 04

BestoftheRest

48 50 52 57 64 66

Gardening Green-fingeredAdamKirtlandwith toptipsforagloriousJunedisplay

Motoring SueCookeissummercruisingin Nissan’snewAriyaelectricfamilySUV

Young,Gifted&Brummie

Award-winningperformerAlexCardall onbringingWinniethePoohtotown

BusinessNews

Thismonth’sstoriesfromcommercial community,plusSocialSceneevents

What’sOn

Latestfromcity’stopshowsandgigsin ourround-upofthismonth’sevents

UpClose

JamieWade,golfcoursemanageratthe Belfry,allsettohosttheBritishMasters

june2023 birminghamliving 05
CONTENTS

BEST FRIENDS

AfterasuccessfulruninPariswith morethan150,000visitors,Chandler, Monica,Rachel,Ross,JoeyandPhoebe arebringingtheFriendsExperienceto theNECBirminghamonSaturday 8July.Fansofthehitcomedywillbe abletorecreatetheirfavouritescenes andcelebratesomeofthemosticonic momentsfromthegloballylovedTV seriesinaninteractiveexperience createdbyWarnerBroswhichfeatures setsfromtheshow–includingthe legendaryCentralPerkscoffeebar.

NEWS

BRINGINGYOUTHEBRIGHTEST ANDMOSTCOLOURFUL STORIESFROMACROSSTHE CITYEACHMONTH

FIRSTLADYOFFOLK

playinthecitybetween6and16July.Headlinersincludemulti-award-winning performingartist,composerandproducerNitinSawhney,andthe‘firstladyoffolk’, singer-songwriterKateRusby,pictured.FestivalpatronJulianLloydWebberhostsa concertperformedbyhisinternationalcellistwifeJiaxinLloydWebber.Thefestivalis oneofthemosteclecticmulti-artseventsintheUK,knownforitscolourfulmixof music,dance,theatre,literary,communityandfamilyevents.

THEBEES’KNEES

TheBirdsandtheBeesarecomingto Birmingham’sAlexandratheatre.Thehit comedy,whichstarsHelenLedererand MichaelStarke,runsfrom25to29July andissetonGail’sEastAnglianfarm, wherethehoneybeesaredroppinglike flies–justlikeherlovelife!Helenisbest knownforherroleasthedippyCatriona inAbsolutelyFabulouswhileMichael playedThomas‘Sinbad’Sweeneyin Channel4’sBrooksidefor16years.

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GLYNNJOINSMONASTERY

Michelin-starchefGlynnPurnellhasopenedanewcaféand bistroatCharterhouse,oneofCoventry’smosthistoric buildings.Purnell’sCafé&BistroatCharterhouseislocatedin theGradeIlistedfourteenthcenturyCarthusianmonastery–oneofonly10everbuiltinBritain.Thebuildingisownedby HistoricCoventryTrustwhichcompleteda£12million restorationprojectinMarch.Glynnsaid:“Iamthrilledtobe partofwhatisunquestionablyaremarkablebuildingof nationalimportance.”

BIGHITTERS

BirminghamPhoenixstarsChrisBenjaminandDanMousleysurprisedlocalsatthe MidnightRamadanLeaguewhentheydroppedinatEdgbastonCricketCentretoshare battingandbowlingtips,beforejoiningplayersinagame.TheRamadanMidnight CricketLeaguewasdevelopedthroughtheWarwickshireCricketBoard’sChanceto ShineStreetProgramme,offeringMuslimstheopportunitytoplaycompetitivecricket whilefasting.ChrisandDanarepartofthePhoenixline-upplayingintheHundred competitionthroughoutAugust.

DATEWITHHISTORY

TwoofBirmingham’smosthistoricbuildingsare reopeningtothepublicthismonth,givingfamiliesthe chancetoexploreandlookbackintimewhilealso enjoyingahostofspecialeventsacrossBirmingham Museums.BlakesleyHallisatimber-framedTudor housebuiltin1590,whileSohoHousewasthehome oftheindustrialistandentrepreneurMatthewBoulton from1766to1809andbecameafavouritemeeting placeoftheLunarSociety.Fulldetailsat: www.birminghammuseums.org.uk

WINNINGNURSE

Anursingstudentwhohasjuggledbeing amum,alearnerandvolunteeringin Africahaswonanationalaward.Jessica Vaughanadmitsshewas‘inshock’when hernamewasreadoutasthewinnerof theNursingTimesStudentoftheYear awardatLondon’sGrosvenorHotel.Jess, 31,hascombinedlearninghertradeat CoventryUniversitywithplacementsat hospitalsacrossthecityand Warwickshire,aswellasspendingtime workinginahospitalinKenya.

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ATTHE FOREST’SEDGE

TheRoyalShakespeareCompanyhaslaunchedaseriesofsustainablepublic artworksinspiredbythethemesofnature,family,healingandloss,createdbyand forthecommunitiesofStratford-upon-Avon.TheRSChasbeenworkingwithsix localcommunitygroupstodevelopAtTheForest’sEdge–beautifulwillow structuresacrosssixoutdoorsitesthroughoutthetown.TheRSC’sRachelSharpe said:“AtTheForest'sEdgeisthelargestcommunityprojecttheRSC’sCreative PlacemakingandPublicProgrammesteamhavedevelopedtodate.”

BOOKOF COURAGE

ASolihullwomanisreleasing herfirstbookthismonth detailingherexperienceof caringforherhusbandwho diedfrommotorneurone disease(MND)–andhopingit willraiseawarenessand moneyforcharity.Salesof Life’sGoodbyHazelCarter willseeallofproceeds donatedtoMarieCurie,MND Association,andMyton Hospice–thethreecharities thatsupportedHazeland husbandAlan,whodiedin 2019,aged64.Togetyour copyandfindoutmorevisit: https://lifesgoodbook.co.uk

DANCEDELIGHT

TheUK’sfirstall-wheelchairprofessionaldancecompanyhasperformed itsfirst-everliveperformancestosold-outaudiences.Birmingham-based PropelDance,whichfeaturedinlastmonth’sissueofBirminghamLiving, putonitscontemporaryversionoftheSnowQueenfairytaleatthree venues,includingMidlandsArtsCentre.PropelDance’sartisticdirector HelenMasonsaid:“Tohaveperformedourfirstshowstosold-out theatreshasbeenanunrealexperience.Whatawayforthecompanyto start!”Findoutmoreaboutthecompanyat:https://propeldance.uk/

BABYBOOST

FollowingthesuccessoftheEverywomancomprehensive healthcheck,RandoxHealthBirminghamiscontinuingto expanditsfemalehormoneandfertilityprogrammeto promotepreventativehealth.Thefertilityhealthcheck measuresmorethan45datapointslinkedto reproductivehormonelevelsandovarianreserve,ideal foranyonetryingtoconceiveorthinkingabouthavinga baby.Femalehealthchecksstartfrom£39.Usecode HEALTH10for10percentoffallin-clinichealthchecks.

familyfunrunreturnsto WalsallArboretumon Sunday23Julywithmore foamandentertainment thaneverbefore.The eventwillraisefunds towardsthecharity’scare forlocalchildrenwithlife limitingandlifethreateningconditions. Thesoapyspectacular willseehundredsof bubblersburstthrougha four-foothighseaof rainbow-colouredsuds.In thepastyear,thecharity hascaredformorethan 700childrenandnearly 1,000families.

birminghamliving june2023 08 NEWS
BUBBLEFUN

HAMILTONHITSTOWN

Themulti-award-winninghitmusical Hamiltonissettoplaya10-weekseasonat BirminghamHippodrome.Thecurtaingoes upon25Juneuntil31August.Hamilton,is basedonthestoryofAmericanfounding fatherAlexanderHamiltonandfeaturesa scorethatblendship-hop,jazz,R&Band Broadway.Criticshaveacclaimedthemusical forhavingaprofoundimpactonculture, politics,andeducation.Moredetailsat: birminghamhippodrome.com

GREASEISTHEWORD WONDERWHISTLE

Birmingham’sworld-leading manufacturerofwhistleshascreated‘the world’sbestdogwhistle’aftera £1million,five-yeardevelopmentproject. ALPHAdogwhistlefromACMEWhistles wascreatedinasecretlabusingnew roboticinjectionmouldingmanufacturing techniques.Theresultisawhistlethatis eightpercentlouderwitha17percent increaseinrangewhencomparedto ACME’soriginaldogwhistle.“Thisisthe mostefficientdogwhistlewehaveever made,”saidheadofmarketingatACME Whistles,BenMcFarlane.

SecretCinemaisbringingitsuniqueimmersiveproductionofGrease:TheLiveExperience toBirmingham’sNEC.BasedontheSeventiesfilm,fanswillbetransportedintotheworld ofDannyandSandy,singanddancetotheclassicfilmsoundtrackandroamthecorridors withthePinkLadiesattheenhancedscreeningfrom26Julyto13August.IanTaylor,the NEC’sMDforconventionsandexhibitionssaid:“Wecan’twaitforvisitorstoseethe outdoorsattheNECtransformedintotheworldofGrease.”

JAZZINGITUP

AleadingBirminghammusicfestivaliscelebrating 39unbrokenyears–withanamechange!The BirminghamSandwell&WestsideJazzFestivalis nowtheBirminghamJazzandBluesFestival,atitle whichorganiserssayreflectstheincreasing importanceintheevent’sbluescontent.Nearly 200performanceswilltakeplaceover10days from14to23July,inpublicsquaresandshopping areas,gardensandparks,barsandpubs,libraries andmuseumsandcafesandrestaurantsinthecity –andalmostallarefree!

ARTSHOW

GOTANYNEWS? Emailyournewsand picturestoeditor@brumliving.co.uk

Earlycareerartistsfromthe Midlandswhohavegraduated fromaBAorMAinthepast 10yearsarebeinggiventhe chancetoshowtheirworkat theRBSAGraduateArtists 2023exhibitionwhichruns until10June.Theexhibitionis showingtheworkof15 selectedtalentedartistswho workinadiverserangeof media,includingsoil,ceramics, textiles–and1860auctioneers gavelsfallingoutofacabinet!

NEWS june2023 birminghamliving 09

STAYING STRONG

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Injustoveramonth’stime,socialmediaandTV realityshowstarAshleyCainwillclimbaboarda one-mankayakandsetoffonasolomissionthatis arguablythetoughestandmostdangerousadventurein theworld.The1,000-mileYukonchallengestartsin CanadaandfinishesintheArcticCircle.Ashleyhasa time-limitof10daystocompletethepaddlebutbeing thesortofblokeheis,he’sconfidenthecandoitinseven oreightdays–orwhoknows,evenquicker.Assuminghe doesn’tmeetanybearsontheway!

There’snohidingplaceontheYukon1000.It’sAshley, hisseakayak,apaddle,atent,sleepinggearand whateverfoodandprovisionshecancarry.That’sit.No onetobailhimoutifhegetsintodifficultyordanger. “Peoplehavedieddoingthis,”hesays.“Thisisthe toughestchallengeIhaveevertakenon.”AndAshleyhas takenonsomebigones–fromsuccessfullycompetingin TV’sSAS:WhoDaresWins,tocompletingfive marathonsinfivedays,climbingwesternEurope’s highestmountain,the16,000ftMontBlanc,andcycling 1,700milesacrosstheContinent–allinonemonth!

GoeswithoutsayingthatAshleyissuper-fit,yetit’snot thedesireforironmanlooksandpowerthatdriveshim on.It’sthememoryofhislatedaughterandwantingto makeherforeverproudofherfather.

KIDSCOMMITMENT

Allthechallengesandtargets–infactprettymuch everythingthatAshleydoesinhislifeeveryday–arefor Azaylia,whodiedagedjusteightmonthsfromarare formofleukaemiain2021,andforchildrenlikeher. DuringAzaylia’sshortlife,Ashleyandhispartner SafiyyaVorajeeraisedmorethan£1.5millionfor specialisttreatmentinSingapore.Aftershepassedaway, AshleysetuptheAzayliaFoundationasatributetohis daughterandwhichaimstoraiseawareness,actionand moneytofightchildcancer.

Ashleysaid:“Wearecommittedtoadvancingearly diagnosisandnewtreatmentavailabilityintheUK,while atthesametimesupportingchildrenfightingcancerby helpingthemaccesstreatmentnotcoveredbythe NHS.Wewanttochangeasystemthatconsiders childhoodcancertoberare,andasaresult,hasbeen underfundingchildhoodcancerfortoolong.Forunder 15-year-olds,therearefivenewcasesdiagnosedeveryday, andfourdeathsaweek.Thatdoesnotfeelrare,nottous,

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birminghamliving june2023 12 COVERSTORY

nottothefamiliesimpacted,andnottothe communitiesaroundthem.Yetchildhoodcancer receiveslessthanthreepercentofcancerfunding becauseinstitutionally,itisstillconsideredtoberare.”

Ashley,32,isaformerfootballerwhoplayedfor CoventryCity,LutonTown,OxfordUnited,and MansfieldTownbeforeinjuryforcedhimintoanearly careerchange.AsanMTVrealitypersonality,he starredinExontheBeachandhasappearedonThe ChallengegameshowandBBC’sGoHardorGo Home.Hehasmodelledforclothingbrandsandhasa hitpodcastFierceMinds,KindHearts.

BesidespreparingfortheYukon1000,Ashleyhasalso beenpenninghisfirstbook,fittinglyentitledStrong, whichispublishedthismonth.Hedescribesthebookas aBeautyandtheBeastmemoir,chartingthestoryof Azayliafromherbirth,throughherfightforlifeandhis ownstrugglessinceherpassing.Struggleswhichhe revealedledhimatonepointtocontemplatesuicide.

STRONGWORDS

WhileStrongisamovingtributetohisdaughter,it alsothrowsintofocusthepracticalandpositivemindset thatAshleynowembodies,tyinghisemotionaland physicalgriefintohisextremechallengesinorderto provideinspirationandcomforttoothersstrugglingwith lossandothermentalhealthchallenges.Ashleysaid: “ThetimewithAzayliawasthehardesttimeofmylife, butitwasalsothemostbeautiful.Sheallowedmetobe thebestofmeandIhopethebookdoesherjustice.”

Withhisfootballingbackground,Ashleysayshis fitnesshadalwaysbeenaboutspeedandpowerfirstand foremost.“I’dneverbeenintoendurance,”hesaid.“I didn’tlikedoingthatkindofthing.Butbeingat BirminghamChildren’sHospitalwithAzayliatheonly breakIgotwasanhourorso,soIspentthattimeby goingforarunroundthecitytoclearmyhead.WhenI losther,Ihadtowriteaeulogyandsaidthatwhilewe hadbeenconfinedtoahospitalroom,nowIwantedto takeheraroundtheworldandraiseawarenessofchild cancerinasmanyplacesasIcould.”

TheYukon1000morethanfulfilsAshley’spledge–andhe’sundernoillusionhowtoughitwillbeafter completingahard24-hour,preparationevent.“I’m aimingtopaddlefor18hoursaday,”hesaid.“Itisreally dangerousasIamtotallyonmyown,totally unsupported.IfIamingrizzlybearterritory,that’sit!I

ammentallypreparingmyselfforthefactthatImaynot becomingback.Iwanttoshowjusthowmuchmy daughterandthecauseofhelpingchildrenwithcancer meanstome.”

FIGHTINGFUND

Ashley’scommitmenthasseentheFoundation launchtheground-breakingAzayliaChildhoodCancer PhDFundwhichaimstohelpcreatethenextgeneration ofmedicalleadersinchildhoodcancerbyofferingfullyfundedPhDsinpaediatriconcologyinpartnershipwith leadingUKuniversitiesandhospitals.TheFoundation hasalreadycommittednearly£300,000toco-fundthe firsttwoPhDcandidatesthroughapartnershipwiththe UniversityofBirminghamandBirminghamChildren’s Hospital,withanimmediateambitiontohelpfundup to10PhDsacrossthecountrywithintwoyears.

Ashleysaid:“BirminghamChildren’sHospitalwas likeasecondhomethroughthattimewithAzaylia.The wonderfulnursesandstaffwereincredibleandwhile wecanneverthankthemenough,wecantrytogiveas muchbackaspossible.”

Aswesaidearlier,everythingAshleydoesisdriven andinfluencedbytheloveforhisdaughter,including hisTVwork.Heexplained:“Therearealotofthings happeningformethisyearwhichIcan’ttalkabout rightnow,butIonlydothingsthatfitinwithmy purposeinlife.Ifitdoesn’tfit,Iturnitdown.”

EvenAshley’sstrikinglongbeardisdowntoAzaylia. “Whenwewereinhospital,Igrewitandasitgotlonger Azayliawouldtouchit,grabitandevenrubitwithher littlefeet.Iwantedtokeepmybeardbecauseshe touchedtheseveryhairsonmyface.Idon’ttrimitandI don’tshapeit.” ■

StrongbyAshleyCainispublishedby BlinkPublishingandavailablefrom Amazonandallgoodbookretailersfrom 22Junewithaportionoftheproceeds fromsalesgoingtotheAzaylia Foundation.

TomakeadonationtotheAzaylia Foundation,visitthewebsite https://theazayliafoundation.com/donate/orscantheQRcode

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SHOWTIME

Entertainingaudiencesformorethanacentury, BMOSMusicalTheatreCompany,foundedin 1886,istheoldesttheatrecompanyintheregion andoneoftheoldestintheUK

Asidefromitsgreathistory,oneofthe triumphsofBMOSisitstalentedpeople andthecompany’sabilitytoadapt.Once knownastheBirminghamandMidlandOperatic Society,henceBMOS,thecompanychangedits nametoreflectitsmorecontemporaryleanings.

WherepreviouslytherewereGilbertand SullivanoperettasperformedattheBirmingham

Institute,therearenowdynamic,modern productionsofhitmusicals,suchas9to5and GuysandDolls,allperformedtoaprofessional standardattheAlexandra.

Thehistoryofthecompanyisextraordinary.For instance,throughthewaryearstheyprovided entertainmentinbarracksandhospitalsacrossthe regionbeforegettingbacktothestageatthecity’s

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TheatreRoyalin1955,followedbyamovetothe Hippodromein1957.Thecurrentrelationshipwith theAlexandrabeganin2013andisahappy collaboration.Forthecastit’sathrilltoperformin suchawonderfulvenueandforaudiencestheyget toseeafantasticproductionatareasonablerate.

UNIQUELYINTENSE

What’sequallyremarkableisthefactthatthisisa hobbyforcompanymembers,althoughadmittedly notyouraveragehobby.It’sauniquelyintensepast timeparticularlyintherun-uptoshowtime. Ordinarily,rehearsalshappenoneortwoevenings perweekbutthiscranksuptotwoeveningsplusa Sundayrehearsalinthefewweeksleadinguptothe performance.

Sincethecompanyislargelymadeupofpeople withdayjobs,it’squitethecommitment.Rehearsals areaccompaniedbyapiano,infact,thecompany onlyrehearseswiththeorchestratwodaysbeforethe firstperformance–gulp!TheyusetheMidland ConcertOrchestrarunbyPhilJohnsonforeach showthough,sotheyknowthedrill.

JUSTTHETICKET

Sevencommitteemembersworktirelessly.The companyisavoluntaryorganisationsopeoplegive theirtimefreely.Costsassociatedwithputtingona productionsuchassound,lightingandtheorchestra

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needtobecoveredbyticketsales,soawellsupportedshowiscrucial.

They’vehadoneproductionthatwastouchand gojustafterthepandemic,butgenerallyticket salesarehealthy.Asanextrarevenuestreamthe companyalsoperformsatcorporatefunctionsand, inaddition,thetreasurerappliestorelevantarts organisationstosecurefunding.Therearealso sporadicdonationsfrompastmemberswhichis fantasticwhenithappensbutit’snotaregular income,somoresupportisalwayswelcome.

Thecompanylikestogivebacktothecityand supportsFreeAtLastinNechells–acharitythatis committedtohelpinglocalyoungpeoplefind

WORKIT

9to5runsfrom13-17JuneattheAlexandra. Ticketsfrom£14.30

Visitatgtickets.com/9-5-the-musical-BMOS/ the-alexandra-theatre-birmingham FormoreinformationonBMOS,visitbmosmusicals.org

opportunitiesthatwillimprovetheirlives.BMOS workedwiththemontheirBigBalloonProject initially,butthey’vekepttherelationshipgoingand nowofferplacesfortalentedteenstogetinvolvedin thecompanywhichisworkingwell.

STARMAKER

Thecompanyhasalsoproducedsomestarssuch asJonBoydenwhoplayedtheleadinJerseyBoysin theWestEndandMargaretPreecewhoappearedin andwasthevoiceofCarlotta(MinnieDriver’s character)inthefilmversionofthePhantomof theOpera.

Thisyear,therearetwoBMOSshowstogetyour teethinto.Firstupis9to5whichopenslaterthis month–expectfunny,fast-pacedandquirkywith someincredibleperformances,particularlythesolos we’retold.Thenthere’sclassicPeterPanin November.

Andifyou’reinterestedintreadingtheboards, BMOSarealwaysonthelookoutformoretalent. Theyseemlikeafriendlybunch,sogetintouch. ■

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ARISKABISIOS

TheheadchefattheArgentiniansteakhouseFiestadelAsadofirstfellinlovewith freshingredientsandcoal-firedcookingathisfamily’sseafoodrestaurant

Tellusaboutyourcooking

Mystyleisloose,Iliketoberelaxedinmykitchen.Iliketo feelatonewithmyequipment,obviouslyIamclosesttothegrill asIhavebeencookingonaparillaforanumberofyears.

Howdidyoubecomeachef?

Duringweekends,Iusedtoworkatmyfamily’sseafood restaurant.Thisinfluencedmegreatlyandmademefallinlove withfreshingredientsandcoal-firedcooking.Ihavebeenat FiestadelAsadofornearlyadecadenow.

Whatdoyoueatathome?

IBBQalotathomewhentheweatherisgood.Whenit’snot,there’s nothingbetterformethanagoodsaladwithsomegrilledlambandolives.

Who’sthebestchefintheworldandwhy?Andwho’sthebest inBrum?

Idon’ttaketoomuchnoticeofothers,formeit’smy relationshipwithmyteamandthedishesIcookthatI concentrateon.Whatothersdoisnotmyconcern ☺

Shareacookingtip

Alwaysrestyourproteinsaftercooking,whethermeat,fishor shellfish,anduseagoodqualityfinishingsalt.

Whatwasyourfavouritefoodasakid?

Greeksaladwithgrilledhalloumiandsouvlaki–delicious!

Foodheavenandfoodhell?

HeavenistheFiestaempanadas,whilehellislentils.

What’sthemostunusualthingyou’veeaten?

Thatwouldbebuffalo.

Ifyouweren’tachef,whatwouldyoube? Rich!

TRYARIS’S’SRECIPEFORPIZZADOUGH

Arissays: “Inmyopinionthisisthebest pizzadoughintheworld.It’snotmyrecipe andIcan’trememberwhereIgotitbutit’s amazingandIhavebeenusingitforyears.

Firstyouneedtomakethepoolishpizza dough–andtheingredientsforthisare:

■ 200gofwater

■ 5gofhoney

■ 200gofOOflour Mixbyhandfor15minutes,leaveoutfor15minutes uncovered,thencoverandleaveoutfor1hour. Thenrefrigeratefor16to20hour

■ 5gofyeast

Tocompletethedough:

First,placethepoolishinabowlandadd300gof Manitobaflour.Thenmix300gofwaterwith20gofsalt. Add200gofOOflourtothepoolishandManitobathen combinewiththesaltedwateruntilallisusedandmixby handuntilthedoughstartstoevenout.Oilitlightlyand restfor15minutesthenfolduntilaballforms,being carefulnottoover-workthedough.

Tocook:

Splitthedoughintotwo,270gballsdependingonsize required.Evenlyflattenthedoughbypressingtheair towardstheedge,whenyougettotheedgepressdown tosealtheairin.

Don’tusetoomuchflourasitburns,thenplaceitona sheetofbakingpaper.Usingsomethingflat,scoopitup andplacestraightontoahottrayinapreheatedoven that’sashotaspossible.

Forthetomatosauce: Simplyplace400gofgoodtinnedwholeItalianplum tomatoesinabowlwithsalt,rippedbasilandoliveoil.

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FOOD&DRINKliving
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june2023 birminghamliving 19 CHEF’SCORNER

SHORTS NI BBLESand

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

PRINCELY REVAMP

ThePrinceofWales,Moseleyhasreopenedaftera£400,000refurbishmentbyownerGreeneKingPubPartners. ThepubisoperatedbyMidlands-basedpubcompanySheldonInnswhichrunsanumberofinnsacrosstheWest Midlands.Inside,newfixturesandfittingshavebeeninstalled,includingseatingandlighting.Outside,thepub’s gardenhasbeenrevampedwithfirepitsandabar.Alargemuralonthewallofthepubhasalsobeenrepainted.

MASTERCHEFDANJOINSCLUB

MasterChef:TheProfessionalswinner,DanLee,istakingupasemi-permanentresidencyat HockleySocialClubfromthismonthuntilOctober.DescribedbyMichelin-starcelebritychef MarcusWareingas‘astarinthemaking’,Dan’smenuwilltakeindishessuchasHainanese ChickenRice,SiuMai,CharSiuBao,ChickenandPandanBrothandHongKongIceMilkTea. BrummieDanhasspentthelastyearcollaboratingwithsomeofthecity’sculinarystars.

BREADWINNER

Award-winningzerowasteshop, theCleanKiloinBournvillehas becomethefirstoutletintheWest MidlandstosellJapanesemilk bread,Shokupan.Thebreadis knownforitsmilky-sweettasteand softnessandisenjoyedinJapanas breakfasttoastandforsandwiches. CleanKiloco-owner,JeanettePell said:“IloveShokupanandhave triedtobakeitathome,sowe’re excitedtonowbesellingloavesin store.”Thebreadisavailablein smallquantitieswithfresh deliverieseverySaturday.

THAITIME

Anewrestauranthasopenedintheheart oftheChineseQuarter.ThaiClassic,owned byZiWenBooandJeremyMun,offersauthentic Thaicuisine.SituatedatthebackoftheArcadiancar park,theintimatesettinghas30coversandisopen sevendaysaweekforlunchanddinnerwithamenu deliveredbyheadchefPhoomsriRangsan. TheeateryaimstoofferaffordableThaicuisine intheChineseQuarter,whereThaifood hasbeendifficulttofindand oftenexpensive.

AREYOUREADY TORUM-BLE?

INTHEBOXSEAT

Theaward-winningpremiumbaroperatorbehind Manahattaisunvelingitslatestbaroffering,BOX. Thehigh-qualitysportsbarandkitchenopensin Brindleyplaceon3June.The10,000sqftvenue–in theoldPizzaExpresslocation–isspreadovertwo floorsandcanhold575guests.Thegroundfloor boastsanopenkitchen,islandbarand32TV screenstowatchthebiggestandbestsportslive. Upstairsthere’sabar,privatediningroomand outdoorareawith30seats.

FESTIVALOFCOFFEE

Callingallcoffeelovers!BirminghamCoffeeFestivalis back,biggerandbetterthanever–andpromisinga celebrationofcoffeeculturewithaccessibleand sustainablefeatures.Aswellascoffeetastingsfrom morethan30exhibitorstalls,therewillbeadiverse rangeofactivitiesincludingtalksandpanelsandlocal brewbar–andanewcoffeecompetitioncalled ExtractedDevelopment.Thefestivalison8and9July attheCustardFactory,Digbeth.

BirminghamRumFestivalreturnsforitssixthyearwithBacardiCaribbeanSpicedasheadline sponsor.TheeventwillshowcasearangeofbrandsattheCubanEmbassy,Moseleyon Saturday24June.Thisyear’sfestivalwillgiverumenthusiastssomenewblendstotry,aswell aswelcomingbacklocalfavouritessuchasMidlands-basedBurningBarnandWildjac. Aspecially-curatedcocktailmenuwillshowcaseexhibitingbrands’bestcocktailconcoctions.

birminghamliving june2023 21 FOOD&DRINK

UBER AUBERGINES

AubergineCaponataissupertastyandsimpletoprepare

ThistraditionalSiciliandish fromChrisEmery,thehead chefatOrelle,isperfectfor awarmsummer’sevening.Itisbest servedatroomtemperature,oreven cold,withwarmbreadbutcanbe addedtospruceupanycupboardor fridgeleftoversandisespecially deliciousontopofanytoastedbread foraquicktakeonbruschetta.

INGREDIENTS

■ 2aubergines

■ 1whiteonion

■ 1tinofchoppedtomatoes

■ 1tbspcuminpowder

■ 1tspsmokedpaprika

METHOD:

Dicetheaubergineandonion–fryina panwithadrizzleofoliveoilonahigh heatuntilgoldenbrown.Addthespices andcookforaround1to2minutes.Finish byaddingthechoppedtomatoes,cook around5to6minutes,seasontotaste.

Orelle,103ColmoreRow, Birmingham,B33AG.orelle.co.uk

birminghamliving june2023 22 SEASON’SEATINGS

Sundaylunch.Inarestaurant.Weusuallyregret itandwe’reawarewe’vewrittenthatinthese pagesbefore.However,FiestadelAsadofelta safebet.Therestaurant’sArgentiniantwistonaroast wouldbethesaviourofSunday,meaningwe wouldn’tbehankeringafterourownroastathome. We’renothingifnotmodest.

Forthosenotintheknow,theFiestaisanAsado restaurantbasedontheHagleyRoad.Withit’s Argentine-heritage,thismeanswewerelooking forwardtosomeunctuous,slow-cookedmeat.And givenit’sownedbythesametop-qualityteam behindthefamousLasanrestaurant,expectations wereinevitablyhigh.Therestaurant’swelcoming andlivelywithanopenkitchenfromwhichwafted somesalivainducingaromas.Agreatstart.

Nowlet’sbeclear–themeatwasvery,verygood.But ifyouorderonethingfromthemenu,orderthe croquetteselection.Actually,ordermorethanoneplate becausetheyaremoreishashellandtheycomeinthrees soyou’relikelytofalloutwithyourlovedonesifyou stickwithanoddnumber.Crunchyontheoutside,soft ontheinside,there’sarichblacksquidinkversion,a tastytrufflefilledmorselandsaltyIberianhamtowhet

yourappetiteandhonestly,wecouldhaveordereda truckloadandstillwantedmore.Perfectwithaglassor twoofChardonnay.WheninBuenosAiresandallthat, weoptedforaveryreasonablypricedandutterly deliciousbottlefromUlentaEstateandhavevowedto leavethecarathomenexttime.

Nextup,confitshortribofbeefwithaMalbecsauce. Thebeefwasridiculouslytenderfallingofftheboneand packedwithflavourwhilethesaucewastheperfectfoil. Roastchickenrolledwithsageandonionstuffingtasted topdrawer,howevertheveloutéwasn’twhatwe recogniseasavelouté.Ittastedreallygoodbutwasthe textureofmayonnaisewhichfeltabitodd.Potatoeswere crunchyandfluffyandactually,alltheveggiesshone particularlytheroastedsweetcarrotsandgooey cauliflowercheesemadewithProvolonecheese.

PuddingisobviouslyamusttocompleteanySunday lunch.Theyoungstersplumpedforsometraditional churrostossedincinnamonsugarwhichwereverytasty butwouldhavebenefitedfromathicker,warmchocolate sauce.Rathermoresuccessfully,themoreagedmembers ofthepartysharedaclassicoozingchocolatefondant whichtoppedoffaveryfineafternoon.We’llbebackto samplethefamoussteakspronto. ■

june2023 birminghamliving 23 RESTAURANTREVIEW FIESTADELASADO 229HagleyRoad,Edgbaston,B169RP.Tel:01214559331,fiestadelasado.co.uk

MEXICANFAVOURITE

We’resippinginstylewithasophisticatedPalomaCocktail

Fancyarefreshinglittletippleonalovely summerevening?Thenpleasejoinusfora PalomaCocktail.ThissophisticatedMexican creationisgreatonitsownorworksbrilliantlywith spicyfood.Asalways,enjoyresponsibly.

INGREDIENTS:

■ 35mlofgoodqualityBlancoorReposadoTequila

■ Juiceofhalfarubygrapefruit

■ 15mlshotofagavesyruporsugarsyrup

■ 75mlclubsoda

■ Asquirtoffreshlimejuice(optional)

METHOD:

Combinethetequilagrapefruitjuiceandsugar syrupuntilwellmixed.Pouroveratallglassfilled withiceandtopupwiththesodawater.Addan optionalsquirtoffreshlimeandgarnishwitha limewedge

birminghamliving june2023 24 COCKTAILOFTHEMONTH
june2023 birminghamliving 25

SIZZLINGWINES FORYOUR SUMMERBBQ

Whenitcomestopairingwinewithyour BBQfoodthereareafewgeneralrules tokeepinmind.Firstly,considerthe intensityofthedish.Ifyou’regrillingarich,fattycut ofmeat,suchasarib-eyesteak,thenafull-bodied winelikeMalbecisagreatoption.Ifyou’regrilling lightermeatssuchaschicken,orfish,thenacrisp, freshwhitewinelikeSauvignonBlancorRiesling, maybeabetterchoice.

Alsoconsidertheseasoningorrub.Ifyour flavoursarespicy,youmightwanttogoforawine withatouchofsweetnesstobalanceit.Ifyouhave aromaticflavoursthenyouneedawinethatwill matchuptoit.Ifyou’reafanofredmeat,thena Malbecisanexcellentchoice.Thiswineisfullbodiedandhasplentyoftannins,makingita greatpairingforrich,smokyflavours.Malbecis alsoaversatilewinethatcancomplementa varietyofdifferentmeats,includingbeef,lamb,and evenpork.

NotallMalbecwineswerecreatedequally however.ItstartedinthesouthwestofFranceina regioncalledCahors,andisalsousedasaminor

blendinggrapeintheredwinesofBordeaux.It madeitswayovertoArgentinaandisnowoneof thecountry’smostfamousexports(well,maybe afterMessi!).Thewarm,dryclimateofMendozais perfectlysuitedtotheMalbecgrapeandthe altitudeoftheAndeshelpstokeepthegrapescool forbalance.

GREATOPTION

Forthosewhopreferwhitewine,Sauvignon BlancisagreatoptionforasummerBBQ.It’sa crispandrefreshingstylewithplentyofacidity thatcanhelpcutthroughtherichnessofgrilled meatslikechickenandporkaswellassummer salads.Itisalsoaveryaromaticstylewhichcan workwellwithThai-inspiredflavourslikesweet chilli,gingerandcoriander.TheLoireValleyin Franceishometosomeofthemostprestigious winesmadefromthisgrape,includingSancerre andPouilly-Fume,butyoucanalsopickupsome better-pricedexamplesfromTouraine.Tryaglass withsomegrilledhalloumiskewersforamatch madeinheaven!

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26
IT’STIMETOBREAKOUTTHEBARBECUEANDENJOY SOMEDELICIOUSFOODANDWINE,SAYSKATIE GARDNEROFBIRMINGHAMWINESCHOOL

Roséisthequintessentialsummerwine,and there’snobetterpairingforasummerBBQthana ProvenceRosé.Thiswineislightandrefreshing, withplentyoffruitflavoursthatcancomplementa varietyofdifferentdishesandmostimportantly,dry!

WhenitcomestopairingProvenceRoséwithfood, thinkpink.

It’saperfectpairingforgrilledseafood,suchas prawnsorsalmonbutitcanalsoworkjustaswell withgrilledveggiesandsalads.Lookforabottlefrom theCôtesdeProvenceregionofFrance,whichisthe birthplaceofthisiconicwine,buttherearesome bargaincopycatstylestobefoundaswellfromthe broaderMediterraneanregion.

Ifyou’relookingforaredwinethat’sabitlighter thanaMalbec,thenPinotNoirisanexcellentchoice foryoursummerBBQ.Youcanlightlychillitdownto between10-15Ctobringoutthefruityflavoursand highlightthefreshacidityofthewine.NewWorld examplesaremoremedium-bodiedandhaveasilky texturethatcancomplementgrilledchickenorpork ribs.PinotNoirhasabrightjuicyredfruitflavoursthat pairwellwithgrilledvegetablesandsalads. ■

KATIE’S4TOTRY

■ CatenaMalbec,Mendoza,Argentina–£13.99or£9.99 mixsix,Majestic AtextbookMalbecfromthelegendaryCatenafamily.Richsoft plumflavoursandsmoothtannins.Perfectwithajuicyburger!

■ TasteTheDifferenceTouraineSauvignonBlanc, LoireValley,France–£9,Sainsburys

Vibrantgreenapple,limeandgooseberryflavourswithatwistof acidity.Theperfectfoiltolightermeatsorasaladwithsome vinaigrette.

■ MirabeauPureRosé,Provence,France–£15.99,Waitrose Drywithstrawberryandraspberrynotesandahintofrhubarb. Thiswinehasalovelytexturewhichwillgoperfectlywithseafood.

■ TescoFinestCentralOtagoPinotNoir,NewZealand–£13,Tesco

PossiblythemostpowerfulexpressionofPinotNoirfromsomeof theworld’smostsoutherlyvineyards.Bright,juicycherryflavours withabalancedacidityandsmoothtannins.Lightlychillandserve withBBQribs.

BirminghamWineSchoolisanindependentwineeducationcompany thatoffersfuninformalwinetastingeventsandWine&SpiritEducation Trust(WSET)coursesonline,inBirminghamandWarwick.Formore informationcontactKatieGardneron01212707359orvisit www.birminghamwineschool.com.

june2023 birminghamliving 27 FOOD&DRINK

BE ACHBOD

june2023 HEALTH 28 birminghamliving
DOTOADDSOME‘SIZZLE’TOOURSUMMER2023BODY!

Afewsimplestepsoflifestylechangesand knowingthedo’sanddon’tsofexercisewill helptogetyouthatsummerbeachbodyyou desire.Here’sthelow-downonslimmingdownand toningup.

Bepreparedtoputinthework –Gettinginto shapedoesn’tcomeeasy.Bepreparedtobedisciplined withwhatyoueatanddrinkandtoexerciseatleast threetimesperweek.

Nutritioniskey –There’snoneedtocutout everythingyouenjoy,youjustneedtoeatright80per centofthetimeandtheother20percentwon’thurt yourprogressiontoomuch.Reduceyourcarbintake (especiallyintheevening)cutdownthealcoholand eatplentyofmeat,fishandveg.Ifyoumustsnack, snackhealthy–sofruit,nuts,seedsandrawveg.

Treatyourself –That’sright…ifyoufindittoo hardcuttingeverythingoutinonegogiveyourselfa healthychallenge.EatrightMondaytoFriday,don’t drinkandstayawayfromthesweetsandchocolates. ComeSaturdayandSundayyoucanrewardyourself withsomeofthethingsyouenjoy.Don’toverdoit though,youdon’twanttocanceloutallofthat previoushardwork.

Shortbutsweet –Exercisedoesn’thavetobea two-hour-longsloginthegym,poundingawayonthe treadmillandcross-trainer.Withtherightadviceyou cangetafarmorebeneficialworkoutdoneanddusted in45minutes.Don’tgetuswrong,itwon’tbeaneasy 45minutesbutgoingatithardwillspeedyour metabolismup,meaningyouburncalorieswhen you’renotevenatthegym.

Don’tavoidtheweights –Thisgoesformales andfemales.Thestrongeryourmusclesarethemore efficientyourbodywillbeatburningfat.Ifyou’re concernedaboutgettingtoobulky,don’tfretas weightswillnotnecessarilymakeyoubigger,justgive youaniceshape.Thisisespeciallytrueforwomenas youdon’tusuallyhaveenoughtestosteroneinyour bodiestobeabletobuildmassesofmuscle.Makesure yougetadvicefromatrainerbeforeyoustartthoughto avoidcausingyourselfanyinjuries.

Gethelp –Ifyou’reseriousaboutgettinginshape, don’tbeafraidtoaskforhelp.Personaltrainersand fitnesscoachesarethereforyourbenefitandwillhelp

TAKE-FIVEQUICK-FITPLAN

1.Cardio–30minutesofintervaltraining.Trydoingoneminutefastrunonthetreadmillfollowedbyone-minute walking.Ensureyourfastrunisenoughtomakeyouwantto stopattheone-minutemark.

2.Resistance–Dobigcompoundexercisessuchassquats, deadliftsandpress-ups.Thesewillburnmorecaloriesthan thebicepcurlandtricepextensionsandspeedupyour metabolismmeaningyou’llburncaloriesfaster.

3.Stretch–Regularstretchingwillaidyourworkouts.You willfeelstronger,yourexerciseswillfeelsaferandyouraches andpainswillbereduced.

4.Tryaclass–Classessuchasspinning,bootcampandbody pumparesure-firewaystohitithardandeatawayatthose calories.Ifyouarelookingforabitoffun,tryzumbatoget youinthemoodforsummer.

5.Rest–Thisisthemostimportantpoint.Nomatterhow hardyoupushyourself,yourbodywillnotchangeunlessit getstherestitrequires.Alternatingyourworkoutdayswitha restdayisthebestwaytotrainmeaningyoucomeback strongandhiteachworkoutat110percent.

youreachyourgoalsfasterandsafer.Personaltraining doesn’thavetobeexpensiveandnotonlywillyousee thephysicalbenefitsyouwillundertakealifestyle changetoensureyoudon’trevertbacktoyourold waysafterthesummer.

Takeapicture –Snapabeforeselfieinthemirror andkeepitaccessible(onyourphoneortablet)soyou canseeitdaily.Whenyoufeellikehavingthatglassof wineorchocolate,lookatthepictureandremind yourselfwhyyoushouldn’tcaveinjustyet.Ifyoucan findapictureofyourselfinthepastwiththebody shapeyouwerehappywith,keepithandytoo.This willhelpyoustayfocused–ifyouhavebeenthere beforeyouknowyoucangetthereagain! ■

Ifyouloveyourtennis,adateforthediaryisthe RothesayClassicwhichreturnstoEdgbastonPrioryClub from17to25June.Fullydetailsat:edgbastonpriory.com

june2023 birminghamliving 29 HEALTH

INTHE DEEP

SWIMWEARHASNEVERBEENSOVARIED,INCLUSIVE,LONGLASTINGANDSUSTAINABLE–WE’RE ACTUALLYSPOILTFORCHOICE.ADECADEAGO,THATWOULDHAVEBEENUNTHINKABLE

ItusedtobethatIfyouwerelargerthana size12shoppingforswimwearwas tortuous,whilebuyingsustainablywasa pipedream.Now,thechoiceofstylesacrossthe spectrumhasincreased–fabricisbetter,more supportiveandlastslongerandsustainabilityis frontandcentreformanybrands.

Whetheryou’regoingforfull-onglamouror timelesssimplicity,thereareoptions–lotsof them–and,whilespendingabitmoremakesa difference,therearegreatfindsacrossallprice points.We’vepickedoutexamplesranging from£18to£385togiveyouaflavour.

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30
Bikinifrom PrettyLittleThing
POOL PERFECT

GLAMOUR PUSS

Bikiniandcover upfromMatalan

LOVELY LEOPARD

Oneshoulderbikinitop £12andbrief£6,George

HIGH WAISTED Orangebikinitop£14 andbrief£10,George

TERRIFIC TWO-PIECE

MelissaOdabashBelAir ribbedbikinitop£135 andbriefs£135,Harvey Nichols

TRUE BLUE

Ringdetailbikinitop£40 andbrief£35,Monsoon

MIXAND MATCH BikinifromM&S

PRINTS CHARMING

Highwaisted bikinifromF&F

MY WORD

JacquemusLeHautdeMaillot Barcounderwiredbikinitop£235 andbriefs£150,HarveyNichols

june2023 birminghamliving 31
STYLE

MATCHY MATCHY Bluebikiniand one-piecefromGeorge

ONE-PIECEWONDERS

Firstly,Totême’sscoopbacklogoswimsuitisthebestonepiecewe’veeverowned.Werecommendsizingdownforgreat supportandanincrediblyflatteringshapewithout compromisingoncomfort.It’snotcheapbutcompletelyworth itandifyouonlybuyoneswimsuitthisyear,makeitthis.

HunzaG’sdistinctiveribbedswimwearhasbecomeago-to foreasysummerchic.Cut,colourandtextureareeverything withthebrand’ssimplicityoozingconfidence.Therearesome dupesonthehighstreetwhichareperfectlygoodbutnota patchontherealdeal.

Scallopedhemfinishesareaspopularthisyearaslast–for high-endcheckoutMarysia,andonthehighstreettakealook atAccessorizeandM&Sforsomeprettygoodversions.

Asalways,MelissaOdasbashisincredibleforstyleandfit. Thisseasonisnodifferentforbothone-piecesandbikinis–we’veincludedtwoversionsherebutcouldhavefilledthese pageswiththebrand’sextensiverange.

SPORTFORCHOICE

ForamoresportylookcheckoutLululemonandSweaty Bettyforgreatfitandfabric–theywillnotbudge.Speaking ofwhich,trybeforeyoubuy.Don’tseeswimwearonamodel, immediatelybuyitandjetoff.Putiton,sitdown,standup, benddown,walk,jumpupanddownandaskyourselfthese questions:Doesitstayput?Doyoulookgreat?Doyoufeel confident?Areyoucomfortable?Youdon’tneedtocompromise thesedays,sodon’tjustsettle.Shoparound. ■

FLOWER POWER

TIMELESS LOOK HunzaG Seersucker swimsuit£155, HarveyNichols

birminghamliving 32 june2023 STYLE
COVER UP OrlaKielyx Regattascuba top£80,Regatta
Multifloral ruffleswimsuit £22.50,F&F
BE BOLD
EtVous swimsuit£23, Matalan

MELLOW YELLOW Swimsuit£24.99, TKMaxx

GREEN GODDESS

Crinkleone-piecefromF&F

TAKETHE PLUNGE MelissaOdabash Panareaplunge swimsuit£260, HarveyNichols

june2023 birminghamliving 33 STYLE

BARELY THERE

One-piecefrom PrettyLittleThing

SUPPORT ACT

Magiccollection swimsuit£29.50,M&S

SUPER SCOOP

Totêmelogo scoopback swimsuit£140, Matches

RIGHT STRIPES

Buckleplunge swimsuit£20,F&F

OFF CENTRE

Diagonalstripe swimsuit£12, Primark

BUCKLE UP

Multiblackone shoulder swimsuit£25, F&F

birminghamliving 34 STYLE june2023

BOHO CHIC Woodblockswimsuitand kaftanfromFatFace

V DETAIL RibVswimsuit

£29.50,M&S

BARGAIN BUY Goldbelted swimsuit£20, George

WHITE OUT

COOL KHAKI Khakicut-out swimsuit£27.50, F&F

ANIMAL MAGIC Brownanimal printswimsuit £20,TUClothing

Sandgoldtrimasymmetric swimsuit£25,PrettyLittleThing

june2023 birminghamliving 35 STYLE

BEAUTY UPDATE

THISMONTHWE’VEBEENPREPPINGTHEPINSFOR SUMMERASWELLASSLATHERINGONOURNEWFOUNDHEROFACIALOIL–PLUSWE’VEBEENWOOEDBY LIMITEDEDITIONPACKAGINGANDASUSTAINABLESTORY…

1.MARGARETDABBSFIRMANDGLOWFABULOUSLEGSDUO, INCLUDINGFIRMINGLEGSERUM(200ML)ANDREFINING GLOWLEGSPRAY(100ML)£65,M&S

Theserumisrefreshing,cooling,depuffsandsmellsdelicious.It’s onlydayfoursowecan’tvouchforreduceddimpling,buttheskin textureismuchimproved.Thespray,whichwe’vebeenusingafter theserumiseasy,non-greasyandleaveslegsglisteninginthe sunlight.Agreatcombinationforglowingsummerlegs.

2.SKINPROUDCLEAROFFMAKE-UPREMOVERPADS£12.95 FORPACKOFTWO,IAMPROUD.COM

We’reallforecooptionsaslongastheyworkandthesereusable cleansingpadsdojustthat.Theyareincrediblysoftandgentleyet effective,theylastandtheyareabargain.What’snottolove?

3.INDEEDLABSLIGHTWEIGHTSQUALANEOIL£19.99,LOOK FANTASTIC

Don’tbefooledbythelightweightlabel,thisisintenselyhydrating. We’vebeenusingonedroppermorningandnightforthreeweeks underneathmoisturiserandit’stheperfectconsistencyandpotency.It locksinmoistureandcalmsredness.It’sakeeper.

4.LAMERLIMITEDEDITIONBLUEHEARTCRÈMEDELAMER MOISTURISINGCREAM£275FOR60ML,SELFRIDGES

Disclaimer:We’vebeenwooedbyLaMer’slimited-editionpackaging. Inside,it’sthesameiconicwondercreambuiltonthebrand’s secretiveMiracleBrothwhichinpartcomesfromgiantseakelp.The brandhasputabiggeremphasisonsourcingthekelpsustainablyso thatnowmorethan90percentoftheirseaplantsareresponsibly sourced.Obviously,thisisluxury,butit’saniconwecan’tignore.

birminghamliving june2023 36 BEAUTY
1 3 4
2

SHORTORDER

june2023 STYLEFORMEN
birminghamliving 38
TRANSFORMYOURHOLIDAYLOOKFROMORDINARY TOSHARPWITHTHISSEASON’SSLICKESTSWIMMERS
BEACHLIFE Swimshorts fromThreadbare

Ifyou’reacommittedbillowingboardshortkindof guy,turnthepage.Thismonthwe’relookingatthis season’smostflatteringcuts–thinkmid-thighlength swimmersaswellastailoredshortsyoucanswimin.

ThekingofthetailoredshortisfounderofOrlebra Brown,AdamBrownwhoseloathingofhavingtochange outofswimmerstoeatlunchonholidaytriggereda missiontocomeupwithsmartswimshortsthatgofrom pooltorestaurantseamlessly.Cueintensivedevelopment oftheidealcombinationofstyle,fitandfunctionality! Checkoutthebrand’sBulldogIIslimfit,pictured.

TedBakerhasteamedatailoredvibewithstriking patternsliketheKlochgeometricprint,pictured–also checkoutthezippockets.Primarkisonthebandwagon, too.Thenavyshortspicturedareastealat£14.Ifyou wantsmartishbutnotsostructured,headtoReissfor somecrackingexamplesofsubstanceaswellasstyle.The lengthofthestripedswimmerspicturedisuniversally flattering.Threadbareisalsoworthalook,asisRalph Lauren.CheBallerhaslandedsomewhereinbetween tailoredandrelaxedwiththeretrokhakishortswith creamtrim,pictured. ■

INTHENAVY

BulldogIIslim fitshellswim shorts£195, OrlebraBrown

BESEEN Representlogoprint shellswimshort£80, HarveyNichols

BOLDPRINT

PoloRalphLauren

paisleyprint recycledpolyester shorts£265, Selfridges

GOGREEN

TheKoopleselasticated waistsideslip£140, Selfridges

COOLKHAKI

Hardwarerecycled nylonshorts£125, CheBaller

Oceanrecycled polyesterblend swimshorts

£68,Reiss

june2023 birminghamliving 39 STYLEFORMEN
ZIPIT Klochgeometricprintswim shorts£70,TedBaker CATCHTHEWAVE Swimshorts£14,Primark SHORTSHORTS Kemtailored swimshort£14, Primark NAUTICAL BUTNICE

COOKOFF

HOMESliving birminghamliving june2023 40
GOLDENHOUR Takealfrescodiningtoanewlevel

HOTPLATE

Quanpremiummediumwood-firedBBQ£2,289,Cuckooland.com

Apparently,ourantipodeanfriendsareamusedbythe disposablefoilBBQsthatarereadilyavailableinthe UK.It’seasytomockwhenyou’reblessedwithreliable sunshine,butmockastheymay,we’regettinginonthealfresco cookinggameinabigwaycomerainorshine.Nomore disposables,we’regoingbig.

You’llhavenailedyourgardenset-upbecauseyoureadlast month’smagazine…buthowaboutintroducingsomeserious cookingkittoenhanceyourentertainingprowessandmakethe mostofyourgreenspace?

Therearesomanymoreoptionstoconsiderthanastraight BBQsuchasasmoker,rotisserie,pizzaoven,gas,wood, electric,solarpoweredeven.Herearesomeoptionsthat’llwhet yourappetite.

THAT’SAMORE

Simpletouse,easytoinstall,minimummess,maximum impact,thepizzaovenisafantasticaddition.There’sno downsideplusit’sabitoffun.JamieOliver’sbasicpizzadough recipeisperfectforthejobwhateveryourculinarylevel.Check outOoni,GozneyandBakerStoneforsomecrackingexamples.

HOLYSMOKE

Foraboldandsmokyflavourgoforasmokerwhichisidealfor cookingmostthingslowandslowwithgas,charcoalandpellet options.Chuckinawholechicken,ahunkofbeeforyour favouriteveggiesandthey’llbetransformedintoapunchyfeastfor acrowd.Somesmokersareonthelargeside,soperhaps

june2023 birminghamliving 41 HOMES

OUTDOORKITCHEN

Forwhenbudgetisnooption

reconsiderifyou’veaweegardenorconsidertheegg shapewhichsavesonspaceandisequallyeffective. LookattheCosmoGrill,theuprightProFrontierand theegg-shapedKamadoJoe.

HOTTERTHANTHESUN

Wellnotquite,butit’spossibletoharnessthe powerofthesuntopoweranoven.Thingsmight takelongertocookbuttheGoSunsolarovenhas reflectivesurfacesthatchannelthesun’senergy.It’s newtechsoit’slikelytobecomemoreefficientover thecomingyears.Clearlyyoudon’tgetthecharred flavouraswithothermethodsasthetemperature doesn’treachsuchheights,butonetowatchmaybe.

DREAMKITCHEN

Obviouslythenumberonepositionwouldbean outdoorkitchen,butthat’scostlyandspace intensive.Ifyou’reluckyenoughtohavethe footprintandbudget,planitmeticulously,createa moodboardandgetprofessionaladvice.It’snot somethingyou’relikelytodoregularlysoit’sworth gettingitspoton. ■

birminghamliving june2023 42
HOMES
UPPERCRUST Pizzaperfectwithapizzaoven
june2023 birminghamliving 43 HOMES
GOODWOOD MorsoFornodeluxeoutdoorpackage£2,328,Cuckooland.com

SUMMERDAYS

It’stimetofireupthebarbie!

DOUBLEUP Makegrillingtwiceasmuchfun

birminghamliving june2023 44 HOMES

FIRESTARTER

OutdoorColoradometalcookingstandwithchain £79.99,Ivyline

june2023 birminghamliving 45 HOMES

£2,550,Neptune

GLOVESON LeatherBBQgloves£75, Native&Co

TOUCHES FINISHING

SORTOUTYOURKITAHEADOFTHEPREDICTEDHOT SPELLFORANEASYSUMMEROFALFRESCOCOOKING

KEBABKING

Coloradostainless steelskewer £39.99,Ivyline

TOOLEDUP BBQbasket £5.99, HomeSense

ALLTHEGEAR BBQtoolset£11.99, HomeSense

CASTIRON

Firepitonstandinrust £239.99,Ivyline

HIGHSTYLE LeFeuTurtlegas pizzaoven£799, Cuckooland.com

MULTIFUEL OoniKaru12multi fuelpizzaoven £299,Dobbies

SPACESAVER

UrbanChef compactKamado BBQ£279, Dobbies

TERRIFIC TEPPANYAKI

Livivolarge teppanyakigrill £27.99,Livivo

birminghamliving june2023 46 HOMES

FromthePottingBench withAdam

OURRESIDENTGREEN-FINGEREDEXPERTADAMKIRTLANDGIVESHIS TOPSTIPSTOHELPYOUKEEPYOURGARDENLOOKINGGOODINJUNE

Juneiswhenperhapssomeoftherealgrowth comesaboutinyourgardensandit’salsothe timetotryandsitbackandenjoysomeof it…buthowdowekeepitlookingatitsbest?I’ve compiledmytoptipsforkeepingyourgreenspacesat theirpeakforthismonth.

Puttogetherasummercontainerorbasket

Youmayalreadyhavesomepotswithshrubsorother perennialplantsinthemthatarelookinggoodrightnow buthowaboutcreatingsomethingbrandnewforthis summer?Youcouldeitherputtogetherapotorcontainer orhowaboutasizzlingsummerhangingbasket?

june2023 GARDENING birminghamliving 48

Potsandbasketswereoncethoughtofasoldfashionedinthegardeningworldbutnomore!Pots areperfectforthoseofuswithtightergreenspacesand hangingbasketsareidealforcreatingsomeinterestat heightswhereplantswouldn’tnormallybe.

Puttingtogetheryourscouldn’tbeeasier–garden centresandnurseriesareawashwithsummer beddingplantsatthistimeofyearandthereisalways somethingforeveryone.Grabyourselfacontaineror basketandthenselecttheplantsthattakeyoureye. Goodstaplesarefuchsias,pansies,geraniumsand petunias–buthowabouttryingsomething differentwithherbhangingbaskets?

Aherbbaskethangingbyyourbackdooris asmashingwaytogrowafewplantsthatyou canuseinyoureverydaycooking.Whynottry mint(forthosemojitos),creepingthymeto trickledowntheedgeofthebasket,and lavenderalwaysaddsapopofpurpleinthe middle.Experimentwithafewthingsandlet meknowhowyougetonwithyours…

Tomowornottomow…thatisthequestion?

Mowingthelawnisoneofthosejobsthatno gardenerreallyenjoysbutifyoudomowyoursthen you’llwanttokeepontopofitfairlyregularly(once aweekorso)tokeepitlookingtrimandinshipshape.But…whynotgoWILDthisyearandleave some,orall,ofyourlawntodoitsownthing?

‘NoMowMay’hasbecomequitewellknownnow buthowaboutextendingthatintoJuneandleaving yourlawnaloneforthewholemonth?You’llbe surprisedwhatmighthappentoyourlawnifyou turnoffthemowerforawhile.Overthesesummer monthsyourlawnwillgrowatitsfastestrateand eventuallyit’llputoutattractiveseedheadsandyou mayevenseetheodddaisyordandelion.

Allofthismightsoundlikethestuffofnightmaresif you’reafterahighlymanicuredlawn,butithelpsnative wildlifeandinsectstothrive,andthosedandelionsand daisiesareawonderfulsourceforpollinatorssuchas beesandbutterflies.So,doyouhavethecouragetotake theplungeandgowildthismonth??

Fancytryingyourhandatsomeveggrowing?

Mostseedsowingtendstohappenduringspring, butitmightsurpriseyoutoknowthatit’snottoolate

tosowsomesuperbsaladandvegetablestokeepyou goingthroughtheseason.Anditmightalsosurprise youthatyoudon’tneedhuge,raisedbedslikeyousee onGardener’sWorldtogrowyourown.Trythese:

SpringOnions –Thesecanbesownrightupuntil Augustandifyousowsomenowandthenagainina fewweeksyou’llhavealongersupply.Thesecanbe doneinpotsandcontainerseasilyinanyspace.

Fancyapumpkin? –You’recuttingitfine,but pumpkinscanstillbegrownfromseedaslongasyou getthemgoingnowatthestartofthemonth.Just imaginehavingyourownhome-grownpumpkinto carvelaterintheyear

Andeasiestofall…Salad! –Mixedsaladleaves canbesownnowandmostlettucecanalsobesown overthismonthandnexttogiveyouplantsfor longer,justlikethespringonionsabove.Itwon’tbe longbeforeyou’reouttherepickingawholebowlof saladfromyourveryownmini-vegplot. ■

FollowAdamonInstagram@viewfromthepottingbenchorlistento Adam’spodcastTalesFromThePottingBenchformoregardening inspiration.YoucanalsoreadAdam’sblogat viewfromthepottingbench.com

june2023 birminghamliving 49 GARDENING

SOLARCOASTER

SUECOOKELOOKSFORWARDTOAFLAMING

JUNE,CRUISINGBEHINDTHEWHEELOFNISSAN’S IMPRESSIVEARIYAALL-ELECTRICFAMILYSUV

FACTSATAGLANCE

Model: NissanAriyaEVEvolve2wd

Price: £52,090otr

Powertrain: ElectricMotor87kWhbattery

Performance: 0-60mphin7.6secondsandontoatopspeedof100mph

CO2emissions: Zeroemissions

Combineddrivingrange: 310miles(WLTP)

birminghamliving june2023 50 MOTORING

Ithasbeenquitecheerytowritea‘hotsunny’ Junearticleaboutan‘electric’carpoweredbya ‘solarcompatible’homecharger,inwhathas beenaweekofnon-stoprain.Iwasnotawarethat therewasachoiceofhomechargeronthemarket, butaccordingtodatapublishedbyChargedEV, nearly70percentof8,000driversquestionedwill payupto£200moreforasophisticatedsolarfeature.

Roadtestingtheall-electricNissanAriyafamily crossover,ithasbeenusefultochargeovernightfrom home,butitdoestakelongerthanusingacombined chargingsystem.TheAriyawiththe87kWhbattery canrecoverupto217milesinonly30minutes.

TheSUVhasadistinctiveandfuturisticexterior designandisoneofthemoststylishelectriccarsI havedriven.Rearprivacyglasswillgivesomeshade frombrightsunshine.Asharkfinantennaperched ontheroofandgorgeous20-inchalloyswithaero coversgivetheAriyaasportylook.

BIGCARFEEL

Insidethequietcabinyoucanexpectthecomfort, spaceandrelaxingluxuryofapremiumcar.Behind thesteeringwheelIdidfeelthatIwasdrivingabig car,butwithitsflexiblemanoeuvrabilityand excellentvisibility,Imanagedtosqueezeintoavery tightparkingspaceusingthe360degreedigitallyenhancedaroundviewmonitor,withfrontandrear parkingsensors.RearcrosstrafficalertwasusefulasI backedoutofaparkingspacewithhighvehicles eithersideontoabusyroad.

Aflatopenfloorgivesplentyoflegroomand createsaloungelikeairyspace.TheAriyahasthe mostcabinvolumeforallpassengersinitsmarket segment.Anelectricpanoramicsunroofgivesthe opportunitytofeeltheJunesunshine.Apower adjustablecentreconsolegivesdriverstheoptionto slidetheunitwhichwillcreateanadaptablearmrest oradditionalspace.Driverscanalsopositionthe consolemountedgearselectorandothercontrolsto ergonomicallysuitthem.

Two12.3-inchscreensensureimportantvehicle information–suchasbatterycharge,rangeand navigation–canbedisplayedononehorizontal plane,orientedinawave-likeshape.WhenIused thenavigationsystem,thehead-updisplayshowed

practicalinformationsuchasupcomingturns.When needingtoreducetheaudiovolumewhiledriving,it isveryusefultohaveaphysicalvolumeknoband steeringwheelbuttons.

FIVE-STARSAFETY

Availableintwogrades–AdvanceandEvolve–therearethreedifferentbatteryandpowertrain combinations;atwo-wheeldrive63kWh,a2WD 87kWh,andanall-wheeldrivee-4ORCE87kWh.I liketheinstanttorqueandpowerfulacceleration, givingasmoothandresponsivedrivingexperience. Withafive-starEuroNCAPsafetyaward,the Ariyaisequippedwiththelatestdriver-assist technologiesincludingProPILOTwithNavilink, NissanSafetyShield360,IntelligentAroundView Monitor,IntelligentForwardCollisionWarning, EmergencyLaneKeeping,IntelligentEmergency BrakingandRearAutomaticEmergencyBraking technology.

Ilikethehands-freepowertailgatewhichopens uptoabootthatwillhold466litres.Thereisauseful flipuppartofthebootfloorwhichsecurelyholds pottedplantsandothersmallitems.Whateveryour choiceofchargerandwhetherdrivinginsunshineor rain,thestylishNissanAriyaboastsquick acceleration,anexcellentmileagerangeandthe comfortandpracticalityofoneofthemoststylishallelectriccarsIhavedriventhisyear. ■

june2023 birminghamliving 51 MOTORING
NissanWestWayBirmingham,127ChesterRoad,Streetly,B742HE. Tel:01215028170www.westway.co.uk
SHOWROOM

ALEXCARDALL

Wecaughtupwiththeaward-winningperformeraheadof hisrunintheadaptationofchildren’sclassicWinniethePooh

YOUNG,GIFTED&BRUMMIE

Actor,singer,drummerandwriterAlexCardall hasaddedpuppetrytohisCVforDisney’s gorgeousstageadaptationofWinniethePooh whichiscomingtotheHippodromelaterthismonth followingarecord-breakingpremiereinNewYork. Theatreaimedatyoungeraudiencesmightseemlike aneasygig,butnotso.Ithasauniquepressuresays Alex:“Itmightbethekids’firsttimeinatheatre particularlygiventhebackdropofthepandemic,soit feelsspecialandimportant.”

Feedbackfromaudienceshasbeenoverwhelmingly positiveandAlexislookingforwardtobringingthe showtohishometown.TheproductionfeatureslifesizedpuppetryofAAMilne’sclassiccharacterssetin theHundredAcreWoodandincludestheSherman Brothers’Grammyaward-winningmusic.Alexsays beingpartofitis‘arealjoy’.

Alex’spreviousworkincludesplayingDanielinBFI andBuenoFilm’sChaChaClub,developingand starringinMettaTheatre’seco-rockmusical, HousefireandperformingintheAustralian ShakespeareCompany’sproductionofWindinthe Willows.Mostrecently,AlexplayedAndyWilliamsin TheOsmondsmusical–apartthattookhimright backtohischildhoodhomelisteningtoandplaying musicwithhisdad.Alex’sfatherdiedin2017sohe nevergottoseehissonperformasAndyWilliams.

PROPERMUSIC

HisfatherwasatrumpeterwiththeMidlandYouth JazzOrchestraandAlexwassurroundedbywhathis dadcalled‘propermusic’athome–bigbandmainly,so lotsofFrankSinatraandAndyWilliamsaswellasLevel 42andGloriaEstefan.Alexwouldbashalongonthe potsandpansinthekitchenbeforetakingupactual drummingandfollowinginhisfather’sfootstepsjoining theMidlandYouthJazzOrchestra,aged15.Hetoured withtheorchestraasadrummerandvocalistforthree years,givinghimtheopportunitytoperformtopacked outconcerthallsandworldclassjazzfestivals.

Alwaysintomusicanddramaatschool,Alexthen attendedBirminghamOrmistonAcademyinthesixth form,followedbystudyingmusicaltheatreatArtsEdin Londonwherehegraduatedwithfirstclasshonoursand wontheRisingStaraward.HealsowontheStephen SondheimSocietyPerformeroftheYearin2018.

Duringthepandemic,Alexcamehometostaywith hismuminKnowle.Fromtherehetookpartinan onlineserieswithPitlochryFestivalTheatrecreating videosandinitiativesaswellasworkingasadrumand singingteacherwithLondonAcademyofMusicand DramaticArt(LAMDA)anddeliveringnewspapers whichinspiredhimtowriteaVictoriaWood-stylesong calledDeliveringPapersWithMyMumwhichAlexis developingintoafullscaleproduction.

Thesongislargelyabouthisexperienceduringthe pandemicandtheweirduncertaintyofthattimeand ultimatelyreconnectingwithhismum.Alexsays:“It wasniceandbloodyawfulatthesametime.It’sabout self-reflectionandcomingtotheconclusionthatwe’re doingalright.There’saguiltinvolvedwithhavinga positiveoutcomefromthepandemicassomanyother peoplehadareallytoughtime.”

Alex’snextstepistocomebacktoBrumand workshoptheplay,checkitworks,finetuneitandsecure funding,plushe’dlovetogetintofilmandTV,too. ■

BOXOFFICE

WinniethePoohrunsfromFriday16toSunday18June, ticketsfrom£18.Visit: birminghamhippodrome.com/calendar/winnie-the-pooh

june2023 birminghamliving 53 YOUNG,GIFTED&BRUMMIE

CRIMEDEBUT

AyoungwriterfromSolihullhaspublishedherdebut noveltomuchcriticalacclaim.GameofIniquityisadark historicalcrimethrillersetamongtheopiumdensand politicalspheresofcriminalVictorianLondon.MirayKose, anex-BromsgroveSchoolstudentnowstudyingLawat DurhamUniversity,wasinspiredbyherfascinationwith thepoliticalworld.Shesaid:“Seeingmodernpolitical workingsandthecorruptionthattendstoplagueitwas definitelyagreatinspirationincraftingmyvillain,Lord BenedictGranville.”

FESTIVALWINNERS

AKidderminsterbandwonthegoldawardforthebest originalsong,calledGriefOfMe,intheunder14 categoryattheWorcesterCompetitiveArtsFestival heldattheMarrsBar,Worcesterinfrontofapacked audience.Retsecrow(s)–pronouncedret-see-crows, whichisWorcesterspeltbackwards–iscomprisedof fourstudentsfromHeathfieldKnollSchool,Bewdley HighSchoolandHaybridgeHighSchool.Luca(aka #21CBoy)onvocalsandguitar,Georgieonbass,Ollie onleadguitarandGeorgeondrums.

RISINGSTARS

SCHOOL REPORT

FourrisingstarstudentsatBMetaremakingtheirmarkbyinspiring leadingemployersintheirroleasboardmembersfortheGreater BirminghamProfessionalServicesAcademy(GBPSA).Ahmad,Amaan, AmanahandCameronwhoareallstudyingaLevel3extendeddiplomain businesscoursesatBMet’sMatthewBoultonCollege,havebeenworking withtheGBPSAsincelastFebruary.TheGBPSAisaconsortiumof employers,includingDeloitte,GateleyandKPMG,whoaimtodevelop students’skillsforemploymentorfurtherstudies.

birminghamliving june2023 54
GROWINGPLACES

ANTI-RACISMSTORY

SolihullPrepSchoolpupilSophieBondwasselected asawinnerintheirShowRacismtheRedCard Competition.Sophie,whoisinJ3(Year5),produced animaginativevideowhichthejudgingteamselected asoneoftheschool’soverallsubmissionstothe nationalcompetitionandwasawardedaprizeinthe AllAgesMultimediacategory.Sophiewroteapoem aboutfishnotbeingracist,andhowpeopleseeall fishasbeautiful.

HEALTHSUPPORT

StudentsfromArenaAcademy,aCOREEducationTrustschoolinBirmingham, aresupportingtherolloutofanewhealthandwellbeingappbeingdeveloped bytheNHS.Theyear10and11volunteersareworkingwithBirmingham CommunityHealthcareCharity(BCHC)tobecomedigitalexpertsonanew HealthandWellbeingAppLibrary,whichverifiessafehealthcareappsthatare recommendedbytheNHSforpeopletousetoimprovetheirhealth.

WINDOWGIFT

TwooldboysfromKingEdwards, SirPaulRuddockandStuart Southall,havedonatedarare stained-glasswindowofSt MargaretofAntiochbypreRaphaeliteartistSirEdward Burne-JonestotheBirmingham school.Burne-Joneswasa leadingfigureintheartsand craftsmovement.Hewas admittedonanassistedplaceto KingEdward’sSchoolatatime whentheChiefMaster,James PrinceLee,wasraisingittobe oneoftheleadingschoolsinthe country.

SELL-OUT SHOW

Face2FacePerformanceAcademy,which takesplaceattheHolroydCommunity TheatreinWestonRhyn,iscelebratingtwo sell-outperformancesofthemusical,Legally BlondeJR.LegallyBlondeJRfollowedthe journeyofElleWoods,asororitygirlwho setsouttowinbackherex-boyfriendby enrollinginHarvardLawSchool,onlyto discoverherownpotentialandbecomea successfullawyer.Aimedatpupilsagednine to18,theAcademyoffersweeklysessionsin acting,singinganddancingandisnonselective,meaningthatanyonecanjoin withoutauditioning.

june2023 birminghamliving 55 GROWINGPLACES

MUSICAL FIRST

BirminghamHippodromeistohavethe firstin-housemusicaltheatredepartment ataUKvenuetodevelopnewmusicalsin theWestMidlands.Thedepartmentwill commission,developandproduce musicalsaspartoftheHippodrome’score business,alongsideofferingskills development,employmentandanew WritersLab.JonGilchrist,pictured,artistic directorandCEOofBirmingham Hippodromesaid:“Over260,000people cometoseemusicaltheatreatthe Hippodromeeveryyearandweknowour audiencesarehungryfornewmusicals.”

BUSINESS

ASTONARRIVAL

KirpalMehtahasjoinedConferenceAston asitsnewgeneralmanagerresponsiblefor cateringandhousekeepingservices.Kirpal hasmorethantwodecadesofexperience inthehospitalityindustry,workingfor majororganisationsintheMidlands, includingWolverhamptonWanderersFC, TwycrossZooandTamworthSnowdome. HejoinsConferenceAstonasthevenue recordsasuccessfulstarttoitsfinancial year,exceedingpre-Covidpandemic businesslevels.In2022,thevenue welcomed66,746visitors,supported28 industriesandhosted737events.

UPPERCRUSTAWARD

Wolverhamptonbutcher,Robinsonsof Tettenhall,hasscoopedaprestigious nationalawardatthisyear’sSmithfield AwardsatButchers’HallinLondon. ThebutcherwontheDiamondaward

intheInnovativeHotEatingPie categoryforitsMintedLambPie. OrganisedbytheQGuildofButchers, theawardshaverunformorethan30 yearsandrecognisetheUK’sfinest craftbutcheryproducts.Robinsons alsomadethefinalshortlistinthree othercategoriesattheawards.

NEWS

DAN’STHEMAN

GreaterBirminghamChambers ofCommercehaspromoted DanHarrisontoheadofmedia andcommunications.Dan,who waspreviouslypressandPR manager,willleadallareasof theChamber’smediaandnews contentoperations,including externalmediaengagement andproductionofthe organisation’sprintandonline newsmaterial.Danjoinedthe Chamberin2016aspressand PRexecutivehavingspent nearlyeightyearsatAstonVilla FCasclubjournalistand matchdayprogrammeeditor.

june2023 birminghamliving
BUSINESS 57

MEDIAMOVE

Birmingham-basedPRagencyReevesMediahas welcomedMattWalkerasitsmanagingdirector. MatttakesoverfromfounderCliveReeves,whohas movedtotheroleofchiefexecutive.Mattjoined Reevesin2013asanaccountexecutiveandhas sinceheldseniorroles,mostrecentlyheadingup internalandexternalcommunicationsfornational propertyandconstructionconsultancyRidgeand PartnersLLP.Priortothat,heledexternal communicationsforpropertydeveloperStModwen.

SONIADIVESIN HOMESHELP

CarehomemanagerSoniaTenniswoodtookpartina13,000fttandem skydivetohelpraisefundsforalocalcharity.Sonia’sleapanda communityfundayatBlossomfieldRosecarehomeattendedbymore than200visitors,made£2,000forAgeUKSolihull.Soniaenjoyedthe experiencesomuchthatsheisconsideringtrainingforasoloskydive. Shesaid:“Itwasthemostthrillingexperience.Allyouneedis20 secondsofinsanecourageandyouwon’tlookback.”

GREENCLEAN

ATIptonbusinessisexportingagreenrevolutiontotheMiddleEast.

LetSanifyhassentitsfirstconsignmentofeco-friendlydisinfectantsand cleaningproductstoQatar,wheretheywillbesoldintotheLulugroupof supermarketsthathasmorethan200outletsacrosstheregion.The productsaremadefromnaturalproducts,saltandfilteredwater.They containnoalcoholorchemicalsandarenon-hazardous.WestMidlands mayorAndyStreetvisitedthefactorytoseeoffthefirstbatchtoQatar.

DavidWilsonHomesMerciahasmadea£1,500 donationtoBirminghamHospice.The housebuilder’sdonationcamefromtheBarratt DevelopmentsPlcCharitableFoundation,which isdesignedtosupportnationalandlocal charities,largeandsmall.LukeManley,senior communityandbusinessdevelopmentfundraiseratBirminghamHospice,said:“Itcosts justover£16millionayeartokeepour Birminghamhospicesrunning,soalldonations wereceiveareincrediblyimportant.”

Ateamoflawyerscompletedagruellingcountryracetoraisemoneyforcharity. FifteensolicitorsfrommfgSolicitorstackledthe10kWolfRunatLeamington Spa,raisingmorethan£2,000fortheEmilyJordanFoundation,alocalcharity whichsupportspeoplewithlearningdisabilities.TheWolfRunsawtheteam tacklewoodlandtracks,lakes,thickmudandtestingopengroundagainst hundredsofothercompetitors.TheFoundationhelpsthosewithdisabilities sociallyandtogainemploymentopportunities.

birminghamliving june2023 58
ONTHE
BUSINESS
RUN

EMILYTAKESROOT

BirminghamBotanicalGardenshas appointedanewdirectorofhorticultureasit putsinplaceplanstoconservetheheritage siteforfuturegenerations.EmilyHazellwho previouslyworkedatKewGardens’ TemperateHousesaid:“Birmingham BotanicalGardens’seniormanagementand trusteeshaveboldplanstoensurethe Gardensremainsabotanicaloasisinthecity ofBirminghamforthenext190years.As partofmyrole,Iwanttowidenparticipation inhorticulture,developingandmentoring thenextgenerationofhorticulturists.”

HOMELESSBOOST

TaborLiving,oneofBirmingham’sleadinghomelessprojects,has openedthedoorstoitsnewhomefollowinga£500,000 redevelopmentproject.Thenewfacilitywillhouseupto19people whowerepreviouslyhomelesswithnineemergencybedsand10 move-onrooms.Five-and-a-halfyearsafterlaunchingTaborHouse inDigbeth,theorganisationmovedtoitsbiggerlocationatSt CatherineofSienaChurchinBirminghamcitycentreafter17 monthsofrenovation.ThemovemeansTaborLivinghasnow doubleditscapacity.

ARTISANSTEEUP

TheMidlandslargestandoldestartisangolfclubiscelebratingits125th anniversarywitharangeofcommemorativeevents,includingagolfdayand dinnerinJuly.BasedatLittleAstonGolfClub,AldridgeArtisans’captainSteve Dyersaid:“Thegolfingworldhasevolvedsomuchovertheyears,andmany Artisanclubshaveshrunkordisappearedentirely,butwearestillathrivingclub.” Traditionally,Artisanclubsconsistedofmenhandpickedfromtheworkingclasses, providingalow-costsolutionforthoselookingtoplaygolf.

BUSINESS BITES

ROYALROLES

TheLord-LieutenantoftheWestMidlands, SirJohnCrabtreeOBE,announcedthe appointmentofninenewDeputyLieutenants whosebackgroundsrangefromsportand socialhistory,tohealth,businessandtackling accessibilityandinclusion.Thenew appointmentsincludehistorianProfCarlChinn andworld-recordrunnerDavidMoorcroft.

NIGHTSHIFT

ColmoreBIDhasbeenappointedtosupport LawrenceBarton,theNight-TimeEconomy (NTE)ChampionforBirmingham,whohas beentaskedwithadvocatingonbehalfof businessesoperatinglateatnight.Therole hasbeendesignedtocreateacoherent strategicapproachtodeveloping Birmingham’sbusyandevolvingNTE.

AIRPORTPLAN

BirminghamAirport’sdecarbonisationplanhas beenbenchmarkedbyaninternational aviationbody.SecuringLevel3(Optimisation) AirportCarbonAccreditationfromAirports CouncilInternationalisanimportantstepin theairport’sjourneytobecomeanetzero carbonoperationby2033.

APPRENTICECHAMPION

BirminghamentrepreneurIsaMutlibhasbeennamed ApprenticeshipChampionoftheYear.Thefounderof CareersCamp,acareerspreparationacceleratorthat aimstoprepareandconnectunderservedtalentto topcareers,wonthetitleattheAnnual ApprenticeshipAwards.Isasaid:“Toreceivethis awardisatestamenttothehardworkanddedication oftheentireCareersCampteam.”CareersCamphas programmesfocusingonmandatoryknowledge, skills,behavioursandmindsetactivities,followedby sector-specifictraining.

june2023 birminghamliving 59
BUSINESS

ANNIVERSARYTEE

THISYEAR,THEBRITISHPAR3CHAMPIONSHIPCELEBRATES25 YEARSATNAILCOTEHALL.WECATCHUPWITHTHEMANBEHIND THEWORLD’SBIGGESTPAR3TOURNAMENT

Twenty-fiveyearsagothissummerwhathas becometheworld’sbiggestPar3golf tournamentteedupinitsbeautifulnew locationinWarwickshire.Sincethefirstballwas struck,thegloriousshortcourseatNailcoteHall hasseensomeofgolfing’sgreatsgraceitsgreens,as wellasagalaxyofstarsfromtheworldofsport, entertainmentandthearts.

Thisyear’sFarmfoodsPar3BritishChampionship willseetheprofessionalplayerscompetingforarecord 150,000Europrize.Atthesametime,apro-amwillas alwaysinjectsomeextrafunandgamesandprovide additionalentertainmenttothethousandsofgolflovingspectatorsexpectedturnoutandwatchthe eventoveritsfourdaysfrom8to11August.

RickCressman,picturedabove,ownerofNailcote

birminghamliving june2023 60 FEATURE

Hallandthedrivingforcebehindthechampionship’s success,said:“Iamtrulyproudoftheevent,ithasbeena reallabouroflove.Ifyouwouldhavetoldme25years agothatwewouldhaveprosandcelebritiesfromaround theworldplayinghereatNailcote,Iwouldn’thave believedyou.”

STAR-STUDDED

Golfingstarswhohavetakenpartincludelegends suchasRyderCupcaptainsTonyJacklin,Ian WoosnamandSamTorrance,fellowMajorswinners DameLauraDavies,PaulLawrieandDannyWillett, aswellasthelikesofyoungsuperstarssuchasCharley Hull.CelebritieshaveincludedSirAlexFerguson,Sir BobbyCharlton,NigelMansell,MikeTindall,Jonny BairstowandJasperCarrott.Amongthe championship’skeenestsupporterswasStrictlyCome Dancing’slegendaryjudge,thelate,greatLen Goodmanwhocouldalwaysbecountedontocuta dashingfigureinthegolfingfashionstakes!

RickexplainedthattheBritishPar3Championship ismuchliketheMastersPar3withitbeingplayedina relaxedyetcompetitiveatmosphere.However,itholdsa veryspecialplaceinthehistoryofBritishgolfandwas playedlongbeforeitbecametraditionintheMasters. ThechampionshiphaditsoriginsintheoldShort CourseProfessionalChampionshipwhichwasplayed atthePalaceHotel,Torquayfrom1933to1973.

SidMouland,whowonatTorquayinthe1960s,was theinspirationbehindthetournament’sresurgence.

Ricksaid:“SidwastheprofessionalattachedtoNailcote HallbeforehissonMarkinheritedhispositionandhe wouldregalemewithtalesoftheoldChampionshipat thePalaceHotel.OnceSidthoughtthatNailcoteHall wasingoodenoughshapetotakeoverthe championship,therest,astheysay,ishistory...”

GROWTHEGAME

Rickadded:“Par3golfisthesportthatgives everyonetheopportunitytoplay.Wetryhardto makesurepeoplecanseethatgolfisn’texclusively theterritoryforthepros.Youhearsomuchtalk aboutgrowingthegameandthat’swhatwehave alwaystriedtodobyshowingpeoplewhocometo ourcoursethatgolfisabouttheartoftheshortgame andputting–it’snotjustaboutwhetheryoucan

drivetheballmilesonafull-sizecourse.

“TonyJacklinwhoisagreatfriendandhoststhe eventeachyearhasalwayssaidthattheattractionof thecourseisallthelittlefiddlybitsthatyouhaveto master.We’vebecomeamajorsportingeventinthe WestMidlandsovertheyearswhichattractsalotof peopleandiscoveredeachyearbySkySportsonTV. We’reveryproudofwhatwehaveachievedhere.”

Spectatorscanexpectthefullgolfingexperienceat Nailcote,completewiththeTentedVillagewhichisthe entertainmentandsocialhubofthechampionship. Visitorscanenjoyfoodanddrink,browsethestalls withclothing,golfingequipmentandbeautyproducts andtesttheirgolfingability.Playersandcelebritiestake tothevillageforexclusiveQ&Asessionswhicharea once-in-a-lifetimeopportunityformanyfans.

Ricksaid:“Ourwholeaimistoopenupgolftoasmany peopleaspossibleinacompetitiveyetfunway.” ■

HOWTOWATCH

Complimentaryfreeticketsareavailableaheadofthechampionship. Ticketsonthedayare£30each.Thereisa£10chargeforcarparking. Formoredetailsvisithttp://britishpar3.com/

june2023 birminghamliving 61 FEATURE

TheRoyalShakespeareCompanywelcomed specialgueststotheworldstagepremiereof HamnetattheSwanTheatre,Stratford-uponAvon.Thenewplaybasedonthebest-sellingnovelby MaggieO’Farrell,hasbeenadaptedbyaward-winning playwrightLolitaChakrabartiandfeaturesMadeleine MantockasAgnesHathawayandTomVareyasWilliam ShakespearewithPeterWightreturningtotheRSCto playJohn/WillKempe.Guestsattendingthepremiere includedNiamhCusack,EmmaFielding,Olivia Williams,RhashanStone,BenMilesandSallyPhillips. ■

VIPGUESTSSAVOUR RSCOPENINGNIGHT Hamnetmakesitsworldstage premiereattheSwanTheatre 3 4 2 5 6 7 8 9
birminghamliving june2023 62 SOCIALSCENE
1 GriseldaYorke,GeorginaGatti,CaroNewling,RebeccaTreanor. 2 MaggieO’Farrell,MadeleineMantock. 3 GregoryDoran. 4 SallyPhillips. 5 TomVarey,PeterWight,FrankieHastings. 6 AlexJarrett,AjaniCabey. 7 OliviaWilliams,RhashanStone. 8 LolitaChakrabarti. 9 EricaWhyman.
1
PhotographybyJoeBailey

AFTERNOONTEAWITH CORONATIONTHEME

RoyalflavouratCalthorpebusiness eventheldatEdgbastonPrioryClub

TheteamatCalthorpeEstateshostedaspecial Coronation-themedafternoonteanetworkingevent atEdgbastonPrioryClub.Followingpresentations fromtheclub’sCEO,MattRawnsley,andHaydnCooper, CEOofCalthorpeEstate,guestsweretreatedtoashorthighperformancetennisdemonstrationbysomeofthestudents trainingatthestunningIndoorTennisCentre. ■

3 4 5 6 7 2 1
1 NeilGlasspool,ZoeBaxter,MagdalenaKowalczyk. 2 AnnaMiller,JewelKattri,RebeccaWilliams. 3 ShreetiCrome,Emma Davenport. 4 LeanneAllbright,NabilaAzim. 5 HaydnCooper,JackSummers,HarveyPearson. 6 LucyTrueman,Catherine Wiseman,MagdelenaKowalczyk. 7 RosWilson,AngelaSanders,MattRawnsley.
june2023 birminghamliving 63 SOCIALSCENE

WHAT’SONliving

WHAT: JimmyCarr:TerriblyFunny

WHEN: 11June

WHERE: SymphonyHall,bmusic.co.uk

StaroftheUK’smost-streamedNetflixcomedy specialof2021,Jimmyisbackontheroadwith brandnewmaterialfeaturingjokesaboutallkinds ofterriblethings.Terriblethingsthatmighthave affectedyouorpeopleyouknowandlove.But they’rejustjokes…andyou’vebeenwarned…

WHAT: Hamnet

WHEN: Until17June

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

WhenthePlaguesteals11-year-old Hamnetfromhislovingparentstheymusteachconfronttheirloss alone.Andyet,outofthegreatestsufferingsomethingof extraordinarywonderisborn.AnewplaybasedonMaggie O’Farrell’sbest-sellingnovel,adaptedbyLolitaChakrabarti.

WHAT: WinniethePoohTheMusical

WHEN: 16to18June

WHERE: BirminghamHippodrome,birminghamhippodrome.com

DeepinHundredAcreWoodanewadventureisabouttohappen.AA Milne’sbelovedcharacters,WinniethePooh,ChristopherRobinandtheir bestfriendsPiglet,EeyoreandofcourseTigger,allarriveonstageinthis beautifully-craftedmusicaladaptation.

WHAT: StillLifeatthePenguinCafé

WHEN: 8to10June

WHERE: BirminghamHippodrome, brb.org.uk

BirminghamRoyalBalletroundsoffthe Company’s2022-23seasonwithawitty, bittersweetandpoignantlookathuman impactontheworld.Acolourfulhost ofendangeredanimalsseekshelterfrom thestorminaproductionchoreographed bySirDavidBintley.

WHAT: JackWhitehall

WHEN: 7and8July

WHERE: UtilitaArena, utilitaarenabham.co.uk

Followingthreesell-outarenatours,the award-winningcomedian,actorand writerisbackontheroaddoingwhat hedoesbest–entertainingaudiences–inwhatheclaimstobehismost personalshowyetashehurtlestowards middleagewithoutaclue.

WHAT: Bernstein’sCandide

WHEN: 12July

WHERE: TheAlexandra,atgtickets.com

Eighteenth-centuryFrancecollideswith20thcenturypost-warAmericaforafantastical adventureintheWelshNationalOpera’snew productionofBernstein’sCandide.The Companycreatesanimaginativeworldof music,animationanddancewithpoliticalbite.

WHAT: Q&AwithMarkBillingham

WHEN: 10June

WHERE: MidlandsArtCentre, macbirmingham.co.uk

BirminghamcrimeauthorMarkBillinghamhassold morethanfourmillionbooks,continuallytopping best-sellerlistssincehisdebutin2013.Hepops intoMACtotalkabouthisnewbook,TheLast Dance,withfellowcrimeauthorMarkEdwards.

WHAT: ArgentineTangoclasses

WHEN: VariousdatesinJuly

WHERE: KilderBar,Digbeth.For moreinformation: tango.oso@yahoo.com

Danceenthusiastsandcompletebeginners areinvitedtotheseawesometangotaster classes.Nopartnerrequired,justa willingnesstothrowyourselfintothe heartbeatofBuenosAires.

birminghamliving june2023 64

WHAT: Cirque

WHEN: 1July

WHERE: TownHall,bmusic.co.uk

Theaward-winning,smash-hitcircusmusical bringsyouanightlikenoother,where musicaltheatremeetsjaw-droppingcircus spectacularwithbreath-takingaerialists, incrediblecontortionistsandthrillingfeatsof agilityandflair.

WHAT: SinatraTheMusical

WHEN: 23Septemberto 28October

WHERE: BirminghamRep, birmingham-rep.co.uk

Thefirstofficialmusicaltofocusonthe lifeandworkofthelegendaryFrank Sinatracomestotown.Theshow coincideswiththe70thanniversaryof Ol’BlueEyes’1953UKtour,which sawhimperforminBirmingham.

WHAT: BBCGoodFoodShowSummer

WHEN: 15to18June

WHERE: NECBirmingham, bbcgoodfoodshow.com/summer/

Try-and-buyfromhundredsofindependentproducers andpickupplentyofrecipeinspirationforalfresco dining,indulgentdessertsandshowstoppingdinner partiesfromanexceptionalline-upofchefsandexperts. TicketalsoincludesentryintoBBCGardeners’WorldLive.

WHAT: EdgbastonArtisanMarket

WHEN: 10June

WHERE: GreenfieldCrescent,Edgbaston, calthorpe.co.uk

Birmingham’slargestartisanmarketreturnsfeaturing independentbusinessesfromacrosstheMidlandsshowcasing thefinestrangeofartisanfoodanddrink,alongside handmadeartsandcraftsandfarmers’marketproduce.

WHAT: Disney100–TheConcert

WHEN: 6June

WHERE: ResortsWorldArena, resortsworldarena.co.uk

HostedbyStrictlyComeDancingstarJanette Manraraandcelebrating100yearsofDisney, theconcertfeatureslegendaryfilmscenesona giantscreen,withmagicalmusicalmoments broughttolifebytheHollywoodSoundOrchestra.

WHAT: MelatiSuryodarmo

WHEN: Until3September

WHERE: Ikon,ikon-gallery.org

MelatiSuryodarmoisoneof Indonesia’smostimportantliving artists.Herphysically-demanding performancescanlastseveralhours, testingthelimitsofthehumanmind andbody.

birminghamliving 65 june2023
WHAT’SON

CLOSEWITHÁ

JAMIEWADE

BEENTHERE,DONETHAT

WhenIleftschoolinearly2006,myonlyreal passionwasgolf.ThatsummerIworkedatmylocal golfclub,andIabsolutelylovedit.InOctober2006,I wasluckyenoughtobeofferedafull-timejobatthe Belfryasatraineegreenkeeperandsoonafter,Ibecame aqualifiedgreenkeeper.In2012,Ileftandtravelledto AustraliaandNewZealandbeforereturningtothe Belfryin2014.OverthenexttwoyearsIwaspromoted throughvariouspositionsbeforebecominggolfcourses manager.ThroughoutmycareerIhavebeenlucky enoughtotravelacrosstheworld.Thishasincluded volunteeringforworldclasseventsinFrance,America, Australia,andwithintheUK.In2018,Ivolunteeredat theRydercupinParistohelpwithgolfcoursesetup.

IT’SWHATIDO

Ioverseeateamof45whichincludesgreenkeepers, mechanics,irrigationtechnicians,andgardeners.Day-today,IoverseetheBelfry’sthreegolfcourses,ensuringthat weareprovidingatournamentstandardcourseforall players.OurcoursesincludetheBrabazonandPGA National,whicharerecognisedasworld-classhaving hostedTheRyderCupfourtimes–morethananyother venueintheworld.Wearealsohostingthisyear’sBetfred BritishMastersforthethirdconsecutiveyear.

WHATI’DLIKETOSEE

Ihaverecentlybecomeadadandwanttobethebest Icanbeformyson,raisinghimwithgoodpersonal values.I’mreallyhappyattheBelfryandlovewhereI

work.It’smyambitionthough,toworkoverseasina managerialroleoverseeinganotherworld-classgolf tournamentwhilealsocontinuingtoinspireandleadthe nextgenerationofgreenkeepers.

BIGGESTSUCCESS

OneofmybiggestsuccesseswasmovingtoAustraliaand NewZealandwhenIwas23topursuemygreenkeeping career.Ithelpedmegrowasapersonandtaughtmesomany personalskills.Anothersuccesswasbecominghead greenkeeperatonly27andoverseeingthreeworld-renowned golfcourseshereattheBelfry.Sevenyearsintoinmycurrent positionandIfeelsofortunatethatIamabletohelpassistwith planningandpreparationfortheBritishMasterseachyear.

BIGGESTLESSONLEARNED

Neverfailtotrymore!EarlyinmycareerIwasvery passionateandwantedtoprogress,butIdidn’thavethe confidenceandIdidn’talwaysasktherightquestions.Iwas scaredtotrynewthingsbecauseIdidn’twanttofail. Lookingbacknow,IfeelIcouldhavegotmoreoutofthe earlydaysinmycareerifI’dbeenmoreconfident.

WHATILIKEABOUTBRUM

TheinvestmentthatBirminghamhasreceivedoverrecent yearshasbeenfantastic.Theinfrastructureandarchitecture havemassivelyimprovedthroughoutthecity.

DOWNTIME

Ienjoylookingaftermygarden.Beingagreenkeeper,I ensuremygrasslooksaspristineasitcanbe.I’malsoaclean freak,soI’malwaystidyingsomething!Ihaveadog,named Cooper,whocomestoworkwithmemostdays.Ilovegoingon longwalkswithhimandfindingnewplacestovisitorsee. ■

ThegolfcoursesmanagerattheBelfryHotel&Resortis busyreadyingthefairwaysandgreenstowelcomesome oftheworld’stopplayersatthisyear’sBritishMasters
birminghamliving june2023 66 PERSONTOPERSON
TheBetfredBritishMasters2023returnstotheBrabazonCourseatthe Belfryfrom29Juneto2July.Visitthebelfry.com

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