Birmingham living
CHEEKYCHINOS SOULMAN VINCENTDARBY PICKLEBALL REVOLUTION
MINDYOURLANGUAGE
FLASHACADEMY PERFORMANCETHEATRE SPECTRA LAGHI’SDELI
HELEN GEORGE DREAMSCOMETRUEFORCALLTHEMIDWIFESTAR
uddenlyspringishere–officiallythenewseasonisfrom20March–evenifthe chillytemperaturesoflatestillfeeldecidedlywintry!It’satimeoffresh beginningswhenhopespringseternal.It’smyfavouritetimeoftheyear,not leastbecauseastheclocksgoforwardmybirthdaycomesintoview!
There’sarealspringfeeltothisissuewithloadsofgreatideastoaddsomeextrazingtolife–fromthe season’sbestfoodanddrinkpickstothebrightestnewstyletrendsforyouandyourhome.Therearealso plentyofinspirationalpeopleandorganisationsfeaturedthroughoutourpages–individualsandgroups whomakeadifferenceforthebettertoalloureverydaylives.
Amongthestoriesthatcheeredmethismonth,wasonethatharksbacktooneof2022’sbestdayswhen Birminghamputonashowthatthewholeworldmarvelledat–theCommonwealthGames.Oneofthe bigstarsoftheextravaganza(theydon’tcomeanybigger!)wasthegiantmechanicalRagingBullwhich dominatedtheopeningceremony.Aswereportedatthetime,thebullwasonlymeanttobeatemporary creation,butsuchwasitsimpactitwasdecideditmusthaveapermanenthomesomewhereinthecity. ThatdecisionhasbeenmadeandtheRagingBullwilltakeprideofplaceasalandmarkundertheatrium ofGrandCentralfromlaterthisyear.
Personally,I’dbecomeabitboredwiththeBullring’sbullalwaysbeingputforwardas‘the’imageofBrum. ThenewinstallationinGrandCentralisafreshandmuchmoredramatictake,aswellasawonderful reminderofthoseamazingdayswhentheCommonwealthcametotown!
Coverimage: HelenGeorge,with thankstoTheKingandI
EDITOR: DavidJohns david@brumliving.co.uk
ShelleyCarter shelley@brumliving.co.uk
DESIGNER: TracyDuffy
CONTRIBUTORS: SueCooke,KatieGardner,AdamKirtland ACCOUNTMANAGER: JaneMorris jane@brumliving.co.uk
PHOTOGRAPHY: DavidMorphew,AndrewLlewellyn
JonathanCarter
DavidJohns
march/april2023 birminghamliving 03
EDITOR’SVIEW
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SUBSCRIPTIONS: Thesubscriptionrate(postpaid)is£24foroneyear(12issues).Subscriptions01905771110ISSN2051-8560
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living
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Highlights
HelenGeorge
CalltheMidwifestaronfollowingher heroesDeborahKerr&AudreyHepburn
Spectra
KateDeRight’screativevisionspreads joytotheatreaudiencesforadecade
Food&Drink
Toptreatsandeatsforthenewseason, plusnewsfromthecity’seateries&bars
Health
Passthepickle!Whypickleballisone ofthefastest-growingsportsintheUK
Style
You’vegottopickapocketortwo…we delveintothisseason’smust-havefashion
Homes
Callingallloungelovers!It’s‘chooseanew sofa’time–sowhatlookshouldyougofor?
march/april2023
birminghamliving 04
BestoftheRest
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Motoring SueCookedrivesaFordthat’ssoclever it’lleventellyouwheretobuyacoffee!
Young,Gifted&Brummie
VincentDarbyonrecording,writingand soulfulinfluences,plusSchoolReport
FlashAcademy
Educationtechcompanycelebrates teamingupwithits1,000thschool
BusinessNews
Thismonth’sstoriesfromthecommercial community,plusSocialSceneevents
What’sOn
Latestfromthecity’stopshowsandgigsin ourround-upofthismonth’smainevents
UpClose
WithSimonCreed,theatredirectorofthe resurgentAlexandratheatre,Birmingham
march/april2023 birminghamliving 05
CONTENTS
NEWS
BULL’S NEWHOME
Birmingham’sRagingBullhasanew, permanenthomeinthecity.Thestarof theBirminghamCommonwealthGames openingceremonywillbecomethe centrepieceundertheatriumatNew Streetstation.Afterafreshen-up,the workofartwillfinallybeinstalledthis summer.IanReid,CEOofBirmingham 2022,said:“Theresponsetothe RagingBullwasincredibleandeveryone waskeentoensurethatwewereable topermanentlydisplaythisBirmingham 2022iconinthehostcity.”
BRINGINGYOUTHEBRIGHTEST ANDMOSTCOLOURFUL STORIESFROMACROSSTHE CITYEACHMONTH
FAIRY-TALEFIRST
stageinacontemporary,reimaginedversionofthefairy-taleatthreevenuesacross theMidlandsinApril.Itwillbethenewcompany’sfirst-everliveperformancesafter securingfundingfromArtsCouncilEngland.TheSnowQueenwillvisitBirmingham’s MidlandsArtsCentreon23AprilandArenaTheatre,Wolverhamptonon27April.
Moredetailsat:https://propeldance.uk/
WALKATHONISBACK!
Birminghambasedcancersupportcharity HelpHarryHelpOthersisbringingback thefamousBirminghamWalkathon,with theeventsettotakeplaceon2April. Opentoallages,there’stheoptionof differenttypesofwalkstosuitdifferent abilities–fromthefull26milestojusta shortlaparoundKingsHeathPark.The eventwillraisefundsforHelpHarryHelp Others,BirminghamChildren’sHospital, NSPCCBirmingham,Birmingham&Solihull Women’sAidandBirminghamMind.
birminghamliving march/april2023 06 NEWS
SPYINGGAME
Everwonderedifyou’vegotwhatittakestobeaspy? Doyouhavethenervetoconductsurveillanceona potentiallycorruptpolitician?Theopportunitycansoon beyour'scourtesyofBirmingham-basedimmersive theatrecompany,TheOtherWayWorks.AMomentof Madnessisaninteractiveonlineexperiencewhichsees playerssetoutonacovertspymission.Availableondemand,itmeansyoucangatherateamathomeand playatatimethatsuitsyou.
GEORGE’SBIGWIN
BLACKSABBATH–THEBALLET
Balletandheavymetalaresettocollideinaworldfirst–andBirminghamRoyal BalletdirectorCarlosAcostaandBlackSabbathlegendTonyIommican’twait!
TheycametogethertoannouncethepremiereofBlackSabbath–TheBallet,a full-length,three-actproductionfeaturingeightoftheband’smostfamoustracks re-orchestrated,includingParanoid.BirminghamRoyalBalletwillpremierethe productionfrom23to30SeptemberattheHippodromebeforeperformancesat othertheatres,includingLondon’sSadler’sWells,intheautumn.
ADAM’SSPRINGDATE
BirminghamLivinggardeningcolumnistAdamKirtland willbeamongspecialguestsatthisyear’sRHSMalvern SpringFestival.Adam,whowritesourmonthlyFrom ThePottingBenchfeature,willbedemonstratinghow tocreateacontainerherbgardenontheFestival’snew Tips&Tricksstage.Leadingcelebritiesappearingatthe ThreeCountiesShowgroundfrom11to14Mayinclude TVgardeningguruAlanTitchmarsh,Masterchef’s GreggWallaceandtheRepairShop’sJayBlades.Ticket detailsathttps://www.rhsmalvern.co.uk/
LuckyGeorgeLewisraisesaglasstohis goodfortuneafterbeingtoldhe’dwon £5,000afterenteringafreecompetition atAlunacocktailbarandChinese restaurantintheMailbox.George collectedhisprizeatLuluWildin Brindleyplace–Aluna’ssisterrestaurant. NaomiAly,fromAluna,said:“Wewanted togivebacktothecommunitybyhelping oneluckypersonwinalumpsumofcash whichtheycouldputtowardswhatever theychoose,beittheirenergybill,ora much-neededholiday!”
march/april2023 birminghamliving 07 NEWS
REP-ROARING NEWS
GetreadyforChristmas!BirminghamRephasannouncedthesmash-hitproduction ofCSLewis’sclassic,TheLion,theWitchandtheWardrobeissettoroarintothe theatredirectfromLondon’sWestEnd.ArtisticdirectorSeanFoleysaid:“TheRepis thehomeoftheverybestoffamilytheatreoverthefestiveperiod–andwelook forwardtowelcomingaudiencestoanothertrulymagicalexperience.”Aprevious UKtouroftheproductionwasseenbymorethan250,000people.
JOJOBOOKS TOPSPOT
Birminghammumand radiohostJoJoSmithis celebratinghernewbook becomingabest-seller. LovingYourselfBeyond Beliefhitnumber1onthe Amazonbookchartsin14 categories.JoJo,whoruns anaward-winning businessaftertwodecades workinginbusiness development,hasmadea nameforherselfinthe entrepreneurcommunity asthe‘Belief,Branding andBusinessDevelopment FairyGodmother’, completewithpinktutus and‘wonky’crown!
SIRLENNY,MANOFSTEEL
CULTCLASSIC
Who’supforsomeserioushigh-octanethrills?Following multiplehitWestEndruns,HeatherstheMusicalissettotake Birminghambystorm!Theblackcomedy,rockmusical–based ononeofthegreatestcultteenfilmsofall-timestarringWinona RyderandChristianSlater–isguaranteedtoraisetheroofwith itsstar-studdedcastattheAlexandratheatrefrom16to20May.
BRIDEANDJOY
BethanySmithandMatthewFoxhavereceivedthe bestweddinggift–£5,000towardsthecostoftheir bigdaythisAugust.Thehappycouplewontheprize whenBethanywasnamedBrideoftheYearat NailcoteHall.Fiftycouplesviedforthetopprizeina drawataspecialValentine’sevent.Bethanyand Matthew,whobothworkatLloydsBankinCoventry, firstmetasfive-year-oldsatinfantschoolbefore re-unitingagainwhenatcollege.
sculpturewhichispartof anational‘portrait benches’projectin recognitionofHerLate MajestyQueenElizabeth. SirLennyHenrywason handastheartworkwas unveiledonthelocal sectionoftheNational CycleNetworkatOsler StreetParknear EdgbastonReservoir.Local residentshadvotedto havesteelfigureserected ofSirLenny,togetherwith localTeamGBOlympians, hockeyplayerJane SixsmithandparaswimmerEllieSimmonds.
birminghamliving march/april2023 08 NEWS
CHORUSONSONG
Whatdoamayor,primaryschoolteacher,software consultant,massagetherapistandayogateacher haveincommon?Theyareamongagroupoflocal peopleformingaCommunityChorusalongsidethe professionalactingcompanyattheRoyal ShakespeareTheatre’sproductionofJuliusCaesar. Thegroupismadeupofcommunityleaders, workingfororvolunteeringwithorganisations suchasWarwickshirePride,localchurches,and homeless,climate,andhealthandwellbeing projects.JuliusCaesarrunsuntil8April,beforea nine-datenationaltourthroughAprilandJune.
GALLERYLANDING
GLYNN’SSPANISHTREAT
Birmingham’sfirstMichelinStarchefhas openedanewSpanishtapas-inspired foodanddrinksbar.PlatesbyPurnell’sis justonestreetawayfromGlynnPurnell’s flagshiprestaurantinthecity’sColmore businessdistrict.TheYummyBrummie’s neweateryisonthesiteoftheformer Spanishcafébar,PinchosinEdmund Street.Glynnsaid:“Havingworkedin northernSpain,Iusedtospendmydays offeatinganddrinkinginsmalltapas barswhichisthesamephilosophywe wanthereatPlatesbyPurnell’s.”
GRANDEXPERIENCE
ElizabethParnhamworkedforthelargestartpublisherinEuropebefore realisingherdreamofstartingherownbusiness–andnowshehasopened AuraFineArtatTouchwood,Solihull.Elizabethandherteamofconsultants aimtoguideprospectivebuyersonworksinwhichtoinvest.Someofthe mostnotableartistssourcedbythegroupincludeBanksy,DamienHirstand AndyWarhol.TouchwoodisAura’sthirdbranchintheMidlands,following Stratford-upon-AvonandNottingham. Theworld’smostadvancedvirtualreality experience,SandboxVR,issettoopenat Bullring&GrandCentralthissummer. The13,000sqftunitintheGrandCentral mallwillbethebrand’sthirdlocationin EuropeandfirstoutsideofLondonand willcreateanimmersiveexperience withinexclusivelydesignedinteractive worlds.Alongsideitsground-breaking gameplay,SandboxVRBirminghamwill alsoincludethebrand’smuch-loved roboticbartender,Toni,shaking,stirring andservingupto80drinksperhour. GOTANYNEWS?
PINKYPONKLIFTSOFF
Anairshipflyingoverthe audienceinaUKtheatre-firstis justoneofthemagicalmoments whenthesmash-hitfamily musical,IntheNightGarden Live,comestoBirmingham Hippodrome.Theamazingflying PinkyPonkusescutting-edge aerotechnologypioneeredby thesamecompanythatworkedontheopeningceremonyoftheLondon2012Olympics. IntheNightGardenLivefeatureschildren’sfavouriteCBeebiesstars,Igglepiggle,Upsy Daisy,MakkaPakkaandfriends,andrunsfrom8to10May.
NEWS march/april2023 birminghamliving 09
Emailyournewsand picturestoeditor@brumliving.co.uk
HELEN’SDREAMS COMETRUE
CALLTHEMIDWIFESTARHELENGEORGEREVEALSTHETHRILLOF FOLLOWINGINTHEFOOTSTEPSOFACTINGLEGENDSDEBORAHKERR
ANDAUDREYHEPBURNINAMUSICALCLASSICANDATVWEDDING
WelastfeaturedBirmingham-bornHelen Georgebackin2015whenshewasone ofthestand-outstarsofStrictlyCome Dancing(manyofusthoughtsheshouldhavegone allthewayandwonthething!).Sheeventually waltzedherwaytothequarter-finalsandshe certainlyhasn’trestedonherlaurelssincewithavery highprofilestartto2023.
TheseasonfinaleofBBC’shit-series,Callthe Midwife,hasjustairedwiththeclimaxbeingthe long-awaitedmarriageofhercharacter,1950’s midwifeTrixieFranklintoMatthew.Andshe’salso beeninherhometownstarringinthemultiawardwinningproductionofRodgers&Hammerstein’s TheKingandI.HelenplaysAnnaLeonowensin what’swidelyregardedasonethegreatestmusicalof alltimewithanincrediblescorethatincludes WhistleaHappyTuneandShallWeDance.
FINDINGANNA
StarringalongsideDarrenLee,Helen,38,hasstepped intotherolemadefamousbyDeborahKerrasthe BritishschoolteacherwhoishiredbytheKingofSiam toeducatehismanywivesandchildren.“I’dbeen wantingtodoamusicalforawhile,”shesays,“andI waswaitingfortherightonetocomealongandjust couldn’tsayno.It’sjustsuchaclassicalmusicaltheatre part.”
Shehadenjoyedtheshowasayounggirl,soitwas awonderfulopportunitytotaketheleadrole.“Iwent
toseetheshowwhenIwassevenoreightwhenIwas growingupinBirmingham,”shesays.“Ihaven’t gonebackandwatchedthefilmbecauseIneededto findAnnamyself,andIhadn’trealisedhowmany songsshesings.IknewthembutIhadn’tquite figuredtheywerealltogetherinthisshow.”
Theshowisagloriouslylavishproductionthat’s beenbroughttothestagebyaninternationally renownedcreativeteamunderTonyAward-winning directorBartlettSher(SouthPacific/MyFairLady/To KillaMockingbird).Aspartofarecord-breakingUK andinternationaltour,theshowenjoyedfantastic reviewsfromitsfive-daystintattheAlexandra Birmingham.
AsforCalltheMidwife,Helenhasbeeninthe showsinceitsfirstepisodein2012andhasbecome oneofthedrama’sbest-lovedcharacters,sofilming Trixie’sbigdaywasanincrediblebutexhausting experience.“Itwasalongdayandwewentoverour schedulebyaboutanhour-and-a-half.Butitwasalso abeautifulday.Therewasarealsenseofoccasion. Anditwaslovelythatallthecastgottobetogether.”
‘THAT’DRESS
Andofcourse,therewasTHATdress.Inspiredby aGivenchycampaignstarringAudreyHepburn, Helenlookedstunninginthevintage,high-neck gownthatshereportedlydidn’tseeuntilthedayof filming.“ItwasabeautifulphotographofAudrey lookingdemureandgorgeouswiththissmallpillbox
COVERSTORY birminghamliving march/april2023 10
march/april2023 birminghamliving COVERSTORY 11
hatonherhead,andalongveil.Trixie’sversion waslooselybasedaroundthat.”
Itwasn’tuntilshewas15thatHelen,originally fromHarborne,wasbittenbytheactingbug.The daughterofapoliticsprofessorandasocialworker, shehadpreviouslybeenintoathleticsandwanted tobealongjumperbeforedecidingthatinstead she’dbethefirstfemalefootballmanagerofher favouritefootballclubAstonVilla!
TheEdgbastonHighSchoolstudentchanged directionagainafterappearinginaproductionof LesMiserablesandfromthatmomentherheart wassetonbecomingamusicalactress.She attendedregularlessonsatBrockwayMorrisSchool ofDanceandbecameajuniorassociateat BirminghamRoyalBallet.Herbedroomwallhad picturesofherfavouritedancer,CoventGarden ballerinaDameDarceyBussell.Helenworkedina localfloristtoearnmoneytogotoBirmingham SchoolofActingandthentheRoyalAcademyof Music,whereshetrainedinmusicaltheatre.
HAPPIESTTIME
Singingengagementsfollowedwhichsawher performattheRoyalAlbertHallandWembley Arena,singingbackingvocalswithEltonJohn.Her actingcreditsincludeHotelBabylon,TheThree Musketeers,ScarTissue,DoctorsandHollyoaks, plustheatrerolesinAndrewLloydWebber’sThe WomaninWhite,IntoTheWoods,andHigh SchoolMusical.
ButCalltheMidwifechangedeverythingand hasmadeHelenthehugenationally-recognised starsheistoday.Yetdespitethefame,Helenis adamantthatherhappiesttimewillalwaysbethe daysspentinBrum–“asachildplayinginmy parents’garden,whichtheystillhave,andwhere mydaughtersplay,swingingonmyswingthatmy dadmadeforme”. ■
TheKingandItourcontinuesthroughtoJulywith moredetailsavailableat:kingandimusical.co.uk
birminghamliving march/april2023 12 COVERSTORY
JOYFULLY CONNECTED
WecaughtupwithfounderofSpectra,KateDeRightwhose visionforcreatinginteractive,collaborativeworkhasbeen spreadingimmersivejoytotheatreaudiencesforadecade
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KateDeRightfoundedSpectra10yearsago inspiredbythetypeoftheatreshelikedto seeandwithaparticularfocusonachieving astrongconnectionwithaudiencesbyincluding them,sotheyneverfeelonthe‘othersideofthe wall’.Whileit’smorecollaborativethantraditional theatreit’snotascaryforcedaudienceparticipation scenariowhich,frankly,bringsusoutinacoldsweat. Katereassuresusthereare‘broadwaystoget involved’andit’smoreaboutbeingwelcomingand inclusive.
AtthetimeofSpectra’sinception,Katewas workingwithsomepeoplewithautismwhooftenfelt liketheywereontheothersideofthewall,soshe listenedandtookonboardtheirissuesandviews creatingsomethingshe’sproudofusingtheinsight fromtheirfirst-handexpertknowledge.Thefirst showexploredinvitingtheaudienceinratherthan merelycomeinandsitdownwhichresultedin inclusivityandrelevance.
Thesedayswe’reallfamiliarwithrelaxed performances,howeverSpectraismuchmorethana fewrelaxeddateswithinastandardshow’srun–inclusionisembeddedineverythingtheycreate,it’s centraltothecompany’sethos.Ithelpsperhapsthat Spectra’sperformancesaren’talwaysintraditional theatresettings–forinstance,sometimesoutdoor,
sometimeslargeinstallations–itvariesbutthe constantisawideappeal.Katesays:“Ithasbroad appealtodifferentages.Someonecomparedour productionstotheSimpsonsinthatyoungpeople laughatitwhileolderpeopledoto,butatsomething different–politicalmaybe.”
ROOMTOGROW
ThefirsteightyearsofSpectrawereessentially aboutKate‘squirrellingaway’,thenthetheatre receivedafundinggrantthatmeantshewasableto bringbetween20and30peopleonboardfora specificproject.ThetheatreisabouttojointheArts Council’sNationalPortfoliowhichmeansSpectra willbeabletoemployacoreteamofsalariedpeople, fiveofthosefull-timewithmorebroughtinwhen needed.Kateexplains:“Itebbsandflowsdepending ontheproject.Wealsoofteninvolvedifferent communitygroups.”
Covidlockdownsclearlypresentedchallenges,but thankstoanemergencygrantfromtheArtsCouncil andKate’sinventiveleadershipthecompanytookto Zoom.IntrueSpectrastyleitwasn’tasitdownand watchvibe.Everyonewhosigneduptowatcha performancereceivedasensoryboxfullofgoodiesto enhancetheexperienceandsqueezeeverybitof enjoymentfromtheshow.
march/april2023 birminghamliving 15 FEATURE
ItworkedtremendouslyandKatereceived emotionalfeedbackfrompeoplewhoweren’tableto getouttothetheatre–oneexamplesherecallswas fromthedaughterofamanwhowasbedboundand hadn’tbeentothetheatreforalongtime.He absolutelyfelthe’dbeenthereinthefleshthanksto theinclusivenatureandheightenedsensory experience.ThetheatrehascontinuedwithZoomas itreallyworksforsomepeopleandratherthan dimmingSpectra’slight,it’senhancedit.For instance,afilmmadeatMoseleyBogearlierthisyear thatwasstreamedcamecompletewithasensory parcelthatincludedawoodsmokedsmellingcandle.
ARTSSCENE
AlthoughKateisthedirector,she’skeentopoint outit’sateameffort.“Wecreatetogether.It’svery egalitarianandweholdspaceforeveryone.It’srisky –itmeansyoudon’tnecessarilyknowwhereit’s goingbutit’srewarding.Idon’tthinkwecouldreally claimtobeinclusiveotherwise.”
RegardingBirmingham’sartsscenegenerally,Kate
IMMERSEYOURSELF
thinksit’sinprettygoodshape.“Whilethere’sa generaldisinterestintootingitsownhorn,thecityis crackingonwithsomeprettyground-breaking work,”shesays.“SectorcolleagueslikeMAIA, Friction,TheGaparepushingboundariesand makingchangeinradicalwaysthroughsocially engagedpractice.”Sheadds:“We’vegotdiverse leadershipinbigorganisationsthatishelpingto bringnewperspectivesthatreflectourbrilliantly diversecity.”Onthenotsopositivesideshesays: “WithOrtGalleryclosingitsspaceandCentrala losingitsACENPOfunding,it’snotallrosesand thereisadefiniteneedforgreaterinvestment.”
Spectrawasabouttotourin2019whenCovidhit, sothey’relookingforwardtodevelopingsome touringproductionsthisyearaswellascontinuingto workwithlocalNHSTrusts.PartneredwithNHS Sandwell,thetheatrebuiltagardenatthehospital andhopestobuildasecondthisyearaswellas startingtoworkwiththenewMidlandMetHospital. Kate’spassionatethattheartsarecrucialto fulfilmentandconnectednessimpactingoverallwellbeing,soworkingwiththeNHSseemsanatural step.TheZoomshowswillcontinueasthey representtheultimateinaccessibletheatreinmany wayswhichisahugeandunexpectedplustocome outofthepandemic. ■
birminghamliving march/april2023 16 FEATURE
ReadmoreaboutSpectra’sinnovativeworkat: wearespectra.co.uk
SPRING PICKS
KATIEGARDNEROFBIRMINGHAMWINESCHOOLREVEALSHER
SELECTIONOFTHEBESTWINEBUYSFORTHENEWSEASON
march/april2023 birminghamliving FOOD&DRINK
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Springisatimeofrenewalandfreshstarts,and whatbetterwaytocelebratethebrighter weatherthanwithaglassofwine?Whether you’relookingtoenjoyaleisurelybrunchinthe garden,apicnicinthepark,oraneveningmealwith friends,there’sawinetomatcheveryoccasion.
Springisallaboutlighter,brighter,andfresher flavours,andthesamecanbesaidforwine.Asthedays getwarmerandthesunshines,it’stimetoputawaythe heavierredwinesofwinterandembracethelighter, morerefreshingwhitesandrosés.Thesewinesare perfectforenjoyinginthesunshine,eitherontheirown orpairedwithlighterdishes.
Thebestplacetostartyoursearchforthesefresher stylesofwineisinthecoolerclimateregionsofnorthern Europe,suchasGermanyandFrance,wherethegrapes canretaintheiracidityforlongerandbenefitfroman elongatedgrowingseason.Franceisoneofthebiggest andmostdiversewinemakingcountriesintheworld–there’ssomuchtoexplore!
CRISP&ZESTY
Oneofthemostpopulargrapevarietiesforspringis SauvignonBlanc.Thiscrisp,zestywineisknownforits floralandherbaceousnotes–thinkfreshly-cutgrassand elderflower.Itmakesaperfectmatchforspringsalads andseafooddishes.TheUKisthebiggestexportmarket forNewZealandSauvignonBlanc,butthegrapes spiritualhomeisintheLoireValley.LookforthesubregionsofSancerreandPouilly-Fumeforsometop examplesoftheFrenchSauvignonstyle.
AnothergreatoptionfortheseasonisthemuchmalignedRiesling.Forgetthecheap,sicklysweetwinesof thepast(BlueNunhasalottoanswerfor!).Infactit makeswinesthatareallthewayfrombonedrytoicewein, anincredibledessertwinemadefromfrozengrapes.It keepsitshighaciditynomatterwhatthesweetnesslevelso isverywellbalanced.Forastylethatislightandfreshand justoff-dry,lookforthewordKabinettonGermanlabels. RieslingcanbeagreatoptionthatpairswellwithAsianinspireddishesandspicyfood.
Forthoselookingforsomethingalittlemoreunusual, thereareanumberofgrapevarietiesthatarewellworth trying.VenturetoAustriawhereyoucanfindthenative GrünerVeltlinergrapewithacrisp,mineralflavourthat oftentasteslikebitingintoaGrannySmithapple.It’sa greatmatchforspringgreenslikeasparagusandpeas.
KATIE’S4SPRINGWINNERS
■ LesCaillottesSancerre–£16,Sainsbury’s QuintessentialFrenchSauvignonwithripecitrusfruitsandfresh, grassyaromasandflavourswhichfinishwitharefreshing zippiness.It’sagreatchoiceforsippingonawarmdayand pairsespeciallywellwithgoat’scheese!
■ EraGrunerVeltliner–£9,Tesco
AtypicalAustrianGrünerVeltlinerwithbalancedflavoursof appleandzingycitruswithalongrefreshingfinish.
■ Dr.LoosenÜrzigerWürzgartenRieslingKabinett –£15.99,Waitrose
Madefromgrapesgrownontheprecipitouslysteepslopesofthe MoselValley.Light-bodiedandslightlyoff-drybutwithgreat concentrationofflavourfromthisclassicproducer.Trustmeandtry itwithThaifood!
■ TheBestFleurie–£11,Morrisons
ThenameFleuriecomesfromthefloralcharacterofthispretty, fruitylightbodiedred.It’smadefromGamaygrapesinoneof thetopcruvillagesinBeaujolais.
BRIGHT&JUICY
Whilelighterwhitesandroséstendtobethemost popularchoicesforspring,therearestillplentyof redwinesthatarewell-suitedtotheseason.One optiontoconsideristheGamaygrape,whichmakes alight-bodiedredwineknownforitsbright,juicy redfruitflavours.ItshomeisinBeaujolaisinthe southofBurgundy.
ThisclassicFrenchwineisnottoodissimilarfrom PinotNoirbutcomeswithouttheoften-heftyprice tag.Therearedifferentlevelsofquality,soyourbest betwouldbeaBeaujolaisVillagesorvillagesnamed onthelabelsuchasFleurie.Onawarmday,you couldevenchillitdownandpairitwithbarbecued ribsorgrilledvegetables.
Tohelpyougetstartedonyourspringwine journey,I’veputtogetheralistoffourofthebest cool-climatewinestotry. ■
BirminghamWineSchoolisanindependentwineeducationcompany thatoffersfuninformalwinetastingeventsandWine&SpiritEducation Trust(WSET)coursesonline,inBirminghamandWarwick.Formore informationcontactKatieGardneron01212707359,orvisit www.birminghamwineschool.com.
march/april2023 birminghamliving 19 FOOD&DRINK
SPRING CHICKEN
Theperfectnewseasondish,whatevertheweather!
Wellit’ssupposedtobe
Springbutwith temperaturesdippingat thetimeofwriting,andeventheodd sprinklingofsnow,whynotwarm yourselfupwiththisawesome ChoozaMakhanichickendishfrom DiveshAnand,theheadchefaFive RiversALaCarteinWalsall.
INGREDIENTS
■ 1kgfreshtomatoes
■ 2tbsptomatopaste
■ ½kgdicedchickenbreast
■ 250gbutter
■ 1cupvegetableoil
■ 2tbspcashewnutpaste
■ 20gKhoya(Curd)–orusecondensedmilkasubstitute
■ 1ltrsinglecream
■ ½tbspKasooriMethi
■ ½tbspcoarseblackpepper
■ 1tbspGaramMasala
■ 2tbsphoney
■ Coriander,finelychopped
■ Redchillipowderasrequired
METHOD:
MaketheMakhanigravyfirst.Boilthe tomatoes,thensieveoutthetomato skinandseeds.Inaseparatepotput somevegetableoil,addgingerand garlicpasteandcookuntilslightly brown.Addtheboiledtomatoes,cook untiltheoilseparatesfromthemixture. Addremainingspices,butter,honeyand asmallamountofwater.Cookforupto 10-15minutes.Addthesinglecream andcookforafurther20minutesNow addchickenpiecesandcookthrough. Garnishwithfreshcreamandfresh corianderServewithsteamedRrceor TawaRoti/TandooriNaan.
FiveRivers,11VicaragePlace, Walsall,WS13NA. fiveriversalacarte.co.uk
birminghamliving march/april2023 20 SEASON’SEATINGS
SHORTS NI BBLESand
BIRMINGHAM’SBARS,RESTAURANTSANDHOTELSAREBUZZINGWITHEXCITING,NEWVIBES. HERE’SOURINSIDERGUIDETOTHELATESTNEWSFROMTHECITY’SEATERIESANDDRINKINGDENS
TOPTABLE ATICC
LiveeventcatererAmadeushaslaunchedachef'stableattheICCBirmingham.TheDinetableislocatedinthebustling ICCkitchensandoffersmenusthatcanbetailoredaccordingtoeventorganiserrequirements,includingbenefitting fromAmadeus’VegetarianSocietyaccreditationforitsworkwithvegandishes.Dinecanaccommodateuptonine guestsbuffetstyleorsixguestsforsit-downbanquetingoneventdaysaspartoforganisereventpackages.
BAROFTHEYEAR
ABirminghambarhasscoopedahat-trickofcovetedawards.VelvetMusicRoomswonBestBar oftheYear,generalmanagerSteveEmmisonwasnamedBestBarManagerandstaffmember HiliFletcherwasEmployeeoftheYearattheWondersofWestsideAwards–otherwiseknown astheWOWs.TheWOWsarehostedannuallybyWestsideBusinessImprovementDistrict(BID) torecogniseindividualsandbusinessesthatgotheextramileforcustomers.Sistersandbar co-ownersDaniHadleyandEilisCollinsjoinedstafftocelebratethewins.
MICHELINJOY
Birminghamplant-basedfine diningrestaurant,Land,has beenincludedinthenew MichelinGuide.Runbycoownersandheadchefs
AdrianLuckandTony Cridland,theeateryatGreat WesternArcadewaspraised bytheGuideforoffering ‘modernvegetariandishes withAsianinfluencesanda creativeedge’.Thewinning duosaid:“Itisanhonourto bementionedamongsomeof thetoprestaurantsinthe country.Thiscertainlyputsa springinourstepfor2023.”
CURRYCHAMPS
ENGLAND’S FINESTGRILL
TheBelfry’sRyderGrillhasbeennamed England’sBestHotelRestaurantattheWorld CulinaryAwards.Votedforbyculinaryprofessionals, theBelfry’ssignaturerestaurantwaspraisedforits commitmenttodiningexcellence.Executivehead chefRobertBatessaid:“It’soutstandingtohave receivedsuchahighly-regardedaccoladein theculinaryworld.I’mincrediblyproudof theentireaward-winning RyderGrillteam!”
JUSTLIKEMAMAMAKES…
EATINGTOTHEBEAT
Anewprogrammeoflivemusichasbeenlaunchedat SymphonyHall’sB:Eatscafé.Thelunchtimesessions featureperformersandstudentsonstageina partnershipbetweenB:Music,themusiccharity responsibleforTownHallandSymphonyHall,and BIMMInstitute.NickReed,chiefexecutiveofB:Music, said:“Ourmissionistoinspirealoveoflivemusic throughperformance,participationandlearning. Collaborationslikethisallowustochampionthe creativityofourcityandhelpsprovideopportunitiesfor localmusiciansandcommunitygroups.”
NEWBREWCAN’TBEBEAT
AnewcraftalebrewedinBirminghamisprovingabighit withbeerlovers.Davenports’DrumBitterusesamixof British,EuropeanandworldhopsandBritishmaltsto produceagoldencolourandathickcreamyhead.Head brewerParanSandhusaid:“Craftkegaleisafast-growing sectordominatedbylargeUKbrewingbrands,soit’sgreat toaddpersonalityandsomethinglocallybrewedtogive theconsumermorechoice.”
Anew90-coverrestauranthasopenedinBrindleyplace.Neighbourhoodpizzeria,Rudy’s,isonthesiteofthe formerCieloItalianeateryatOozellsStreetandisthesecondRudy’sinBirmingham.Rudy’sfollowstheauthentic Neapolitantraditionofpizzamaking,servingclassicrecipessuchasMarinara,MargheritaandCalabrese.Doughis madefreshdailyusingCaputo‘00’flourwhichfermentsforatleast24hours,alongsidethebestqualityingredients importedfromNaples–homeofthepizza.
BroadStreet’sIndianrestaurantandcocktailbarPushkaRwasnamedBestofBirminghamattheNation’sCurryAwards, celebratingtheUK’stopcurryhousesandchefs.AttendingtheawardceremonywerePushkaR’ssouschefVishnu KandiyalandchefdirectorVinodSingh.CreativedirectorRaiSinghsaid:“Inuncertaintimesforthehospitalityindustry, wemustkeepinvestinginstaffandpushingtheboundariestobecreativeandinnovative.Welldonetotheteamfor theirpassionandcommitment–andhugethankstoalloursupporters.”
birminghamliving march/april2023 21 FOOD&DRINK
LAGHI’S
Weweren’twowedthefirsttimeweateat Laghi’s.There,saidit.Admittedly,itwasa longtimeagoandwedidn’tenjoytheslightly chaoticcaféenergyatlunch–anunpopularopinionbyall accounts.However,theadditionofsuperchefLeoKattou tothekitchenandamorecohesivemenurunningfromday tonighttemptedusback.
Theplaceisstillshroudedinscaffoldingwhichisn’ta restaurateursdream,butonceinsideit’salittlehavenof loveliness–thelightingiswinning,everyone/thinglooks gorgeous,thestaffarecharmingandwhiletherestaurant’s small,theteamhasmadeitworkbeautifully.
It’sourfirstvisitsinceLeojoinedonthebackofalongand successfulstintatSimpsons,andwhileheisn’ttryingtoturn Laghi’sintotheMichelin-starredBirminghamicon,thefoodis brilliant.Forinstance,oozingcreamyburratawithcaramelised fennel,toastedpinenutsandadrizzleofoliveoil.Shredded porkinacrispcoatingtoppedwithsweetmatchsticksofpear, bitterchicoryandapunchymustardysauce.
Or,howaboutrichcarbonarawithplentyofsalty nuggetsofbaconrunningthroughtoppedwithoodlesof
gratedcheese.Perfectcodwithacrunchyhazelnutand trufflepestocrustservedwithearthyroastedJerusalem artichokesandfinally,aporkchop–unfathomably succulent,packedwithflavourandservedwithacepsauce sogreatwe’dbuyitbythebottleandslurpitthrougha strawonthedaily.Icouldn’ttellyouaboutpudsbecause we’dreallyhadourfillbythen,butIcanrecommenda fierylittledigestivcalledWillyChillywhichwillsendyou offintothenightwithawarmfuzzyglow.
Ifit’saneighbourhoodrestaurantowner,Lucaandthe teamwereafter,they’venailedit.It’sthesortofplaceyou wantonyourpatchpreferablywithinwalkingdistance fromhome.We’veheardsomecriticismofitbeingpricey but,honestly,Ithinkforthequality,theserviceandthe experience,it’sreasonable.Wewentthewholehogand scrimpedonnothing,butit’sthekindofplaceyoucanpop inandenjoyadeliciousplateoffoodandabottleofwine andleavejustashappy.
Ourkneejerkreactiononsocialmediaasweleftthe restaurantwas‘aproperneighbourhoodrestaurantwithabig heart’andwestandbythatinthesoberlightofday.It’ssuperb.
birminghamliving march/april2023 22 RESTAURANTREVIEW
22-24IslingtonRow,Edgbaston,Birmingham,B151LD.Tel:01214550660laghis.com
FRENCH75COCKTAIL
LoveginandChampagne?Combinethe twointhisclassiccocktailwithlemon
Apparently,thiscocktailgotitsnamebecause itwasaspowerfulastheFrench75millimetrelightfieldgun,knownforits accuracyandspeedandpopularinWorldWar1. It’scertainlygotakickandit’sbloomin’delicious, soremembertoenjoyresponsibly.
INGREDIENTS:
■ 20mllemonjuice
■ 10mlsugarsyrup
■ 50mlgin
■ Champagne
METHOD:
Pourthelemonjuice,sugarsyrupandginintoacocktail shakerthenfillupwithice.Shakewellandstrainintoa chilledChampagneflute.TopwithalittleChampagne, leavetosettle,thenfillupwithmorebubbly.Stirgently andgarnishwithastripoflemonzest.
march/april2023 birminghamliving 23 COCKTAILOFTHEMONTH
UNIQUEDEVELOPMENTOFFERS BESTOFCITYCENTRELIVING
AUNIQUEDEVELOPMENTINTHEHEARTOFBIRMINGHAM’SJEWELLERY QUARTERISWELCOMINGITSFIRSTRESIDENTSTHISMONTHASANEW TOWNHOUSESHOWHOMEISUNVEILEDTOPROSPECTIVEBUYERS.
HeatonHouseisanexcitingdevelopment of14freeholdtownhousesand42 apartments,allfocusedaroundthe meticulousrestorationofthehistoricGeorgianOld HeatonHousevillaitself.
DeveloperElevatePropertyGroupsaidthegrand unveilingofOldHeatonHouseatthestartof Februarywasahugesuccess,andswiftlyfollowed byawell-attendedKnightFrankOpenDaytoview thenewly-launchedTownHouseshowhome.
Elevate’ssalesandmarketingdirector,David Hofton,saidmorethan20prospectivebuyershad attendedthelaunchoftheTownHouseon February11withthewiderschemenow75%sold.
“Weareabsolutelydelightedtoseethis prestigiousdevelopmentattractingsuchinterestand
theopendaysawseveralpeoplereserveproperties onthesameday.
“Elevatehascreatedadevelopmentofstunning newhomes,architecturallyinkeepingwiththe industrialbuildingstheyreplacebutcombining21st centurystandardsofqualityandluxurywiththe convenienceofcitycentrelivinginoneofthemost desirablepartsoftheMidlands
“We’reexpectingthefirstbuyersofourluxury apartmentstomoveinthismonthandtheTown Houseshowhomeisnowopenbyappointmentfor prospectivebuyerslookingtopurchasethese impressivetwoandthreebedroomhomesin CamdenStreet.
“AllourtownhousesareFreehold,allhaveterraced gardensandallhaveallocatedgatedon-siteparking.”
birminghamliving march/april2023 24 ADVERTORIAL
Davidsaidthedevelopment,includingsixloft apartments,wasalreadymorethan75percentsold.
“Weareurginganyoneinterestedtoviewearly giventhefeedbackatthelaunchevent.Buyersare tellingustheyarekeenonalocationwhichisjusta shortwalkfromthepopularbarsandrestaurants StPaul’sSquareyetintheheartofthesought-after JewelleryQuarter,whichwasnamedoneofthebest placestoliveintheMidlandsbythe SundayTimes.
“AllofthepropertiesatHeatonHouseofferthe verybestofcitycentrelivinganddemandhas alreadybeenveryhigh.”
OldHeatonHouse,whichstandsintheheartof thedevelopmentwasbuiltinabout1823for WilliamCotterill,awealthyBirminghammerchant ofhighstatus,butacenturyofindustryonthesite hadleftthehouseinpoorconditionandswamped byindustrialbuildings.
Elevateclearedtheareaandhaverestoredthe Georgianhousetoitsprime,withtheapartmentsand townhousessympatheticallydevelopedarounditto reflectthelocalhistoryandarchitecturewhilebringing 21stcenturystandardsofqualityandluxury. ■
Threebedroomtownhousesstartat£500,000,whileone bedroomapartmentsatHeatonHousestartfrom£252,500, andtwobedroomsfrom£310,000.Formoreinformation, visitelevatepropertygroup.co.uk/residential/heaton-house
SellingagentsKnightFrank-01212336495
Elevate-01212725729,elevatepropertygroup.co.uk
march/april2023 birminghamliving 25
ADVERTORIAL
PICKLEBALLISONETHEFASTEST-GROWINGSPORTINGACTIVITIES
INTHEUS–ANDNOWIT’SSPREADINGHEREINTHEUK
PASS THE PICKLE
march/april2023 HEALTH
26 birminghamliving
Pickleball.Ifyou’venotheardofit,youdon’t knowthefunyou’remissing!Itisderived fromthesportofrowingwheretheslowest craftisthe‘pickleboat’.Thesportwasinvented outsideSeattlein1965andhasgrownsteadilysince. Itcomeswithsomesurprisinghealthbenefits.
Combiningelementsoftennis,badmintonand tabletennis,pickleballisplayedonabadminton-sized opencourtandwithalowernetthantennis.Twoor fourplayersusesolidpaddlesmadeofwoodor compositematerialstohitaperforatedpolymerball, overanet.Thesoft,lightballkeepsthegamefrom beingtoofastforthoseofuswithslowingreflexes.
Thecourtissmallerthanatenniscourt(44ftx 20ft)whichmeansthereislessrunningandmore emphasisonhandskills.Itiseasiertokeeptheball inplay,allowingforlongerplaybutthesmaller courtmeansthatmostpointsdonotrequiretoo muchmovement–abouttwotofoursteps–soyou arenotover-exertedduringanyonepoint.The smallercourtalsomeanslessrunningandlesswear andtearonknees,hips,ankles–ourjoints.The paddledoesn’thavestringsandwiththesoftball makesthisalowintensityinstrumentwithminimal stressonthetendonsandmusclesofthearms.
LESSTAXING
Servingisunderhandagainmakingthegame easiertoplayandlesstaxingonthearm.Likeall racketsports,pickleballhelpswithhand-eye
coordinationandimprovesflexibilityandbalance andbooststhecardiovascularsystem,whichhelps preventmanyoftheunwantedproblemsofolderage likehypertension,strokeandheartattack.
Asanaerobicexercise,ithelpsimproveyourlung function,controlyourbloodsugarlevelsand regulateyourbloodpressure.Thecaloricburnof pickleballissomewherebetweenbadmintonand tennis.It’sestimatedthatagamecanburnupto600 caloriesanhour,makingitanexcellentwaytolose weightormaintainahealthyweight.
STRESSBUSTING
Itcanrelievestress.Theendorphinsreleasedwith allexerciseareusefulinelevatingself-esteemand combatingdepression.And,asanaddedwelcome bonus,thekitischeaperthantennis.It’sfunand social.Becauseitrequiresatleasttwoplayers, pickleballisasocialsport.It’sagreatwaytomeet peopleandmakenewfriends,especiallyifyoujoina cluborleague.Notonlywillyougettosocialise,but you’llalsogetsomeexerciseintheprocess.Areal win-win.
Youcanplayanywhereandit’sasportforallages fromnineto99,andyoudonothavetobetheworld’s mostgiftedathletetotakepartandenjoyit. ■
march/april2023 birminghamliving 27 HEALTH
Formoredetailsvisit:pickleballengland.org
POCKET BOOST
FUNCTIONANDSTYLEHAVECOLLIDEDMAKINGTHEHUMBLE POCKETAPLAYFULDESIGNFEATUREASWELLASAUSEFULPOUCH
living birminghamliving march/april2023
28
POCKET PACK BarbourZalejacket £139,Barbour
Weloveapocketortwo.Thisseason, they’refirmlyfrontandcentreand wecouldn’tbehappieraboutit.It’s notanewlook.Fashion’scyclicalandwe’reback tothelatenineties/earlynoughtiesinmany ways.Ifyou’revintageenoughtorememberAll Saintsrockinglowslungcargosandcropped tops,it’llbeafamiliar,evennostalgicvibe.
PocketladencargosatthelikesofFendi, GivenchyandVersaceaswellasonthehigh streethaveinjectedautilitarianvibewhileedgy jacketswithsubstantialpocketsprovidetheideal
KHAKI CREW
Caseycord skirt£55, CrewClothing
GET SHORTY Toffeeshort borgcoat£110, OliverBonas
HIGH NECK
Pocketfrontjacket £36.99,NewLook
CHECK MATE
Anglocheckpattern zipshirt£138,Reiss
INTHE HOOD
Lightweightparka £95,OliverBonas
march/april2023 birminghamliving 29
COOL CORAL Baylorcoat£125, FatFace
STYLE
CASUAL CHIC Cargosand cashmere fromAspiga
transitionalpiece.Thentherearecutepocketed dressesandcooljumpsuitsaswellasdenim skirtsmadealmostentirelyofpockets.As always,there’sadesignertakingthingstothe extremewithMarineSerre’smulti-taskingcoat featuringmorethan40pockets.Abitmuch maybe,butyoutakeourpoint.Pocketsarein.
Here,we’vepulledtogethersomeinspiration fromsubtletoin-your-faceatvaryingprice points.GoforthandshopormakelikeJean Vintage(pictured)andupcycleyourold denim.It’salook. ■
COTTON TOP
Doublepocket jacket£32.99, NewLook
ZIP IT
Khakitrousers
£32.99, NewLook
GOOD JEANS
LoeweTrompe
L’oeillayered widelegjeans
£825,Harvey Nichols
JUMP TOIT
Utilitywashed pinkjumpsuit
£95, OliverBonas
COOL STONE Stonewide
legcargo trousers
£25.99, NewLook
birminghamliving 30 march/april2023 STYLE
march/april2023 birminghamliving 31 STYLE
DENIM DAYS Shirleydenim shirtdress£80, Monsoon
MILITARY DETAIL
MustHavemilitary jacket£75,JoeBrowns
FINE KNIT
MissoniIntarsia metalliccardigan £860,HarveyNichols
SUPER SMART Jacket£75, JoeBrowns
TRANSITION PIECE
RIGHT STRIPES
Monclerpocket embellishedmini dress£580,Selfridges
birminghamliving 32 STYLE march/april2023
Clothingfrom OliverBonas
WIDE LEG
Cordpocket trousers£69, CrewClothing
PICKA POCKET Loewelogo denimjacket £1,100,Harvey Nichols
SHACKET IN Leathershacket £199,JohnLewis
POCKET ROCKET
JeanVintage abstractpanels distressedupcycled skirt£150, Selfridges
THE DREAM
Bluedenim plaitpocket jacket£75, OliverBonas
march/april2023 birminghamliving 33 STYLE
BEAUTYUPDATE
1
1.ANGELALANGFORDBLOOMANDGLOWFACEOIL£20.50, ANGELALANGFORD.COM
There’sareasonwhyGoodHousekeepingvotedthispunchyoilnumber oneintheirextensivetestingofnourishingfacialoils.We’vebeenusingit everynightfortwoweeksincludingoneweekinthefullglareofthesun ontheslopesandwewouldhighlyrecommend.Itfeelsluxurious,soaks inatreatandensuresyouwakeupfeelingsmoothandhydrated.Asface oilsgo,it’sveryreasonablypricedplusonedropperisenough,soitwill last.AngelaLangfordfocusesonthoughtfulproductsmadebyhandwith onlytheverybestingredients.Inanindustrythatisoftenaboutmaking potsofcashquickly,wethinkthat’stobeapplaudedandsupported.
2.GUERLAINPOP-UP,SELFRIDGESBIRMINGHAM
There’ssomemagichappeningonthethirdfloorofSelfridges.As wellassolidadviceandconsultationsfromGuerlain,therearecute, personalisedproductsavailableatthebrand’sthree-monthpop-up. Ourfavouriteisthebrand’sbest-sellingRougeGlipstickwith complimentaryengraving.Yes,ofcoursetheymakegreatgifts,butin theinterestofself-loveandallthatjazz,it’sabsolutelyacceptableto buyyourown,isn’tit?Askingforafriend…
3.OLVERUMPURIFYINGHANDWASHANDHANDLOTION£22.50 EACH,SPACENK,HARVEYNICHOLSANDOLVERUM.COM
Apartfromlookingsupersmartinthedownstairsloo,thislovelylittle duoismuchmorethanattractivepackaging.Firstly,thefragranceis reallypleasing.Secondly,andprobablymoreimportantly,theyboth feelnourishingandluxuriousandcruciallyhavemadeabigdifference toourparchedhands.AswithallOlverumproducts,theingredients arecarefullysourced,90percentnaturalwithabsolutelyzeronasties. They’reonthepriceyside,howeveralittlegoesaverylongway.
4.JOMALONESTARMAGNOLIACOLOGNE£82(50ML) ANDHAIRMIST£40(30ML),JOMALONE.CO.UK
Launchingthismonth,theJoMaloneBlossomsCollectionincludesa gorgeouslyfreshcologneandlightweighthairmistinspiredby bloomingstarmagnolia.Aswellasthesubtle,freshspring-likescent, thehairmistgivesyourhairalustrethankstotheadditionofnatural arganoilandpro-vitaminB5.Anidealspringduo.
2 3
We’veaddedsomenewbiestoourregimeforthenew season,includinganaward-winningfaceoil,someoverdue loveforourparchedhands,aswellasafragranceandhairmist fullofthejoys–plusaverydesirablepop-upatSelfridges 4
birminghamliving march/april2023 34 BEAUTY
TAKE ITON THE CHINO!
THE‘C’WORDISBACKWITHAREINVIGORATEDIMAGE,CROPOF COOLNEWFANSANDINVENTIVEREINCARNATIONS–BUTHASTHE CHINOREALLYSHAKENOFFITSSLOANEYCONNOTATIONS?
STYLEFORMEN
birminghamliving 36
OFFDUTY ClothingfromM&S
WIDELEG StoneIslandShadowProject widelegchino£210 (was£525),HarveyNichols
RELAXEDVIBE 7ForAllMankindLuxe Performancebrushedcottonblend chinos£230,HarveyNichols
Forcontext,weusedtoliveinsouth-westLondon, soourviewofthechinohasbeentarnishedbythe crimsonvarietyteamedwithaTod’sloaferanda heftywhiffofentitlement.AswellastheTimNicebutDim styleofthenineties,thehumblechinohasperiodically founditselfinmaturedadvibeterritorytoo.Surelynoother pieceofclothinghasfacedsuchPRchallenges?
Butlikeaphoenixfromtheashes,they’rebackandcooler thanever.Thisseason’sversionsoftheversatiletrewsrange fromfull-onglamouratLouisVuittontoearthyrelaxed weekendvibesatJohnLewisandevenacoolwidelegat StoneIsland.Canwegentlysuggestnotwearingthemwith apoloshirtandknitweartiedaroundyourshoulders.Give themasecond,nothirdchance.You’llnotregretit. ■
SLIMFIT
TedBakerGenayslimfitstretch cottonblendchino£90,Selfridges
SUPERSTONE Ultimatechinoinlight stone£34,CottonTraders
MINIMUMFUSS Brownchino£16,F&F
ASTEAL Slimfitchinos£19.99,TKMaxx
INTHENAVY Luke1977Alpadark navychinos£50, HarveyNichols
ADDEDDETAIL
LouisVuittongraphicembroidered regularfitstretchcottontwill cottonchinos£690,Selfridges
FLATFRONT Wrinklefree stretchchino£39, CottonTraders
march/april2023 birminghamliving 37 STYLEFORMEN
Stratusthree-seatersofa£1,395andtwo-seater£1,295,Cuckooland
LOUNGE LOVER
birminghamliving march/april2023 38
HOMESliving
GREENDREAM
DESIGNERSTYLE
Secondonlytoyourbed,isthereamore importantpieceoffurnitureinyourhome thanthesofa?Relativelyexpensiveandnot thesortofitemyoureplaceregularly,thesofaisabig ticketitemthatneedsconsideration.
Thetapemeasureisyourfriend.Toobigandyou runtheriskofitoverwhelmingtheroom.Toosmall anditmightjustlookabitsillyandnothavethe visualimpactorcomfortyou’dlike.Thinkabout howyouuseyoursofa.Wesuspectformostofusit needstobemulti-functional–chillingout, entertaining,theoddsofasupperandnotleast, aestheticallypleasing.
Ifthesofaismainlyforloungingandrelaxation,
youmightprefersomethingdeepandsquishylike theBigSoftiefromSofas&Stuff.Ifit’saformal entertainingspaceyoumightwantsomethingmore uprightlikethegorgeousBrenesofafrom BoConcept.Ifyouhavesmallchildrenordogs, considerthefabriccarefullyandperhapsgofora boldpattern.Withthebestwillintheworld,it won’tstaypristineforlong.Mostsofasareavailable innumerousfabrics,sochooseashapeyoulove teamedwithafabricyoulove–youreallydon’t needtocompromise.
There’snorightandwrongandintermsof aestheticsthepossibilitiesarewide-ranging,not leastbecauseit’spossibletocreatesomething
march/april2023 birminghamliving 39 HOMES
TheBernesofadesignedbyHenrikPedersenfromBoConcept
HOMES
almostbespokebychoosingsectionalpiecesand pickingoutaconfigurationthatsuitsthespaceand yourtaste.CheckouttheEavemodularsofaat Nestforsomeoptions.
Whetheryou’regoingforboxyorcurved,armless ornot,traditionalorsleek,we’vepulledtogether somegreatexamplestogetyoustarted,butwe definitelyrecommendsittingonasofaandfeeling thefabricbeforeyoubuyit.Asofamightlook dreamyinastagedphoto,butnotsomuchinthe fleshandintermsofcomfortyouneedtositonit.In truth,allsofashaveadegreeofcomfort–which furnituredesigneriscreatinganuncomfortablesofa?
None,butaswithbuyingabed,comfortisdownto personaltaste,sobepicky. ■
birminghamliving march/april2023 40
NEUTRALBAE Eavemodularsofaincorporatingcorneropensection andchaiselongueplinth,Nest
BIGSOFTIE BigSoftiestraightarmcornergroupfromSofas&Stuff
SNUGVIBES
SofaandfurniturefromOKA
ROUNDHOUSE
Cartmelsofa£2,295,SohoHouse
march/april2023 birminghamliving 41 HOMES
COSYCORNER SofaandfurniturefromNeptune
SPRINGVIBES
SoSimpleSamthree-seaterlounger£799,Dfs
GOLDENHOUR
VitraPoldersofaingoldenyellow£5,880,Nest
birminghamliving march/april2023 42
HOMES
PRIMARYTIMES
FrenchConnectionzincfour-seatersofa£899,Dfs
TOPTERRACOTTA
Cirrusvelvetloveseat£995,Cuckooland
BOTANICALBEAUTY
Midhursttwo-seatersofafromtheV&ACollection,Sofas&Stuff
march/april2023 birminghamliving 43 HOMES
BOLDPRINT
Multi-colouredfloral cushions£14.99, HomeSense
BOTANICALBEAUTY
Printedvelvetcushioncover £22.50,OliverBonas
ONTHEEDGE SandersonAdelecushion £55,Next
TOUCHES FINISHING
DRESSYOURSOFAWITHGORGEOUSCUSHIONS FORULTIMATECOMFORTANDSTYLE
FRUITYFAVE
Wildstrawberry quotecushioncover £22.50,OliverBonas
CHECKMATE Cushion£12.50, Matalan
SPRINGPASTELS
Cushionsfrom Primark
BARGAINBUY Naturalwoven cushion£10,B&M
THINKPINK Sanderson Suvapink cushion£55,Next
CLASSIC STRIPE
Basicstripe cushion£6, B&M
TERRIFICTEXTURE
Setoftwogreencushions £39.99,HomeSense
birminghamliving march/april2023 44 HOMES
march/april2023 birminghamliving 45
FromthePottingBench withAdam
SPRINGISOFFICIALLYHEREANDOURGARDENING EXPERTADAMKIRTLANDCOULDN’TBEMORE THRILLED!JOINHIMASHEGUIDESYOUTHROUGH SOMETOPTIPSFORYOURGARDENINAPRIL
It’sofficiallythespringequinoxon20Marchand it’sthetimewhenwecansay,withfullcertainty thatweareinspring.Afteralongoldwinter(and goshhasn’titbeenlong!)thisisthetimewegetto enjoysomeofthefruitsofourlabourfromautumn whenallofourtulipsareinfullbloom.Butholdyour horses,itdoesn’tendthere–nowthelightlevelsare highandtheweatherisgettingwarmer(thelastfrost happensinApril,hurray!)thepossibilitiesofgetting outsidearefargreater.ThismonthI’msharingmy favouriteseedsfortheyearaheadandwhatyoucando withthemnow!InAprilyoucansowseedsandstill getbeautifulflowersthisyear,solet’sgettoit…
HardyorTender?
Butbeforewegetintotheplantsandseeds,let’stalk
aboutacoupleofgardeningterms.I’vealready mentionedfrostanditsworthgoingintoexactlywhat thatmeansforourplantsandwhyit’sworthwaiting untilnowtodolotsofthingswe’veallbeenitchingto doformonths.
Technicallyafrost,isaperiodwherethenight time(ordaytime)temperaturesgobelow0⁰C.In andaroundBirmingham,thelastfrostdateis usuallyattheendofAprilbutaimforthestartof Maytobeonthesafeside.Oncethetemperatures areabove0⁰Cthenwecouldstartmovingsome plantsbackoutside,ifyoubroughtthemindoors overwinterandwecansowsomeseedsdirectlyin thegroundorincontainersoutdoors.
Theterms‘hardy’and‘tender’refertohowplants reacttothisfrost.Hardyplantsarelikelytocopewith
march/april2023 GARDENING birminghamliving 46
afrostintheUK,tenderistheexact oppositeandthefrostwillkillthem off.Now,therearedegreesof hardinessandtendernesswithplants andit’sworthnotingthatwhereyou areintheUKwillalsoaffectthis.
Buthow?
Sowingseedscanseemlikea dauntingtaskifyouhaven’tdoneit before,butitcouldn’tbesimpler.You don’tneedanyfancyequipment,allyou needisaspacetogetstarted.Ifyou’vegot alargeoutdoorspacethenyou’lllikely havesomespaceinthegroundbut otherwiseyoucanuseanymannerof gardenpotorcontainer,whatevertakes yourfancyatthegardencentre.
Themostimportantthingsherearetheseeds themselves.Theseedsyoubuy,willdeterminehow theyliketobesown,soyou’llwanttochecktheback ofthepacket–butasageneralveryroughruleseeds liketobesowninoneoftwoways.Onemethodisas simpleaspoppingthemontopofthesurfaceofthe soilorcompostanddustingthemwithalight sprinklemoreofcompost,beforewateringgently. Theotherwayismuchthesamebutinstead,these seedsliketobealittledeeperinthecompost.The backoftheseedpacketwilltelleverythingyouneed toknowhere.So,whichseedscanIsownow?
Myfavourites
Itjustsohappensthatyoucansowtwoofmy favouriteplantsrightnow,SunflowersandCosmos. Thegoodthingaboutsowingbothnowisthatthey’re toughasoldbootsandyoucanpopthemstraightin thegroundorintocontainers.
Thinkcarefullyaboutwhereyouwantthemto flowerthough.Sunflowers,asthenamesuggests,are sunlovers,soyou’llwanttomakesuretoplantthese onthesideofthegardenwherethesunshinesthe most,otherwisethey’llendupfacingyour neighbour’sgarden!Theyneedafewfeetbetween eachplantsothatthey’vegotenoughroomforthe largebloomsatthetoptoopenfully.
Simplypushaseedintothecompostdowntoabout yourfirstknuckle,coverwithcompostandwater.
Soon,theseedlingwillpushitswayupthroughthe surfaceandyou’llhavethebeginningsofyourown sunflower.Astheygrow,popinabamboocaneor largesticktosupportthemastheygrowtallerand taller–theeasiestplanttogrow!
MyotherfavouriteisCosmos!Ifyouhaven’t grownorseenCosmosbeforethenyou’reinfora realtreatbecausethey’reanothereasyonetoget goingandthey’llgiveyouflowersformonthsand months,rightupuntilthefirstfrostoftheyearin November.Thesecanbesowninmuchthesame waybutwiththese,Itendtosowthemonthe surfaceofthecompostandthenaddathinlayer, maybeabout3mm,ofcompostontop–waterand letthemgerminate.Ifyou’replanningonhavinga patchofcosmosthenyou’llwanttoplantthem about30cmapartbecausetheycangetquitebushy, butwithanabsoluteabundanceofflowers.
It’sreallyassimpleasthat,twowonderfulplants thatsuitanygarden,terrace,courtyardorevena balcony!Letmeknowhowyougetonwithyoursand shareyourphotoswithmeoveronInstagram! ■
YoucanfollowAdamonInstagram@viewfromthepottingbenchor listentoAdam’spodcast,TalesFromThePottingBench,tformore gardeninginspiration.YoucanalsoreadAdam’sblogat viewfromthepottingbench.com
march/april2023 birminghamliving 47 GARDENING
SPRINGKING
FORD’SKUGAPLUG-INHYBRIDLOOKSSHARP,THINKSSMART–
SUECOOKETESTDRIVESANEWSEASONFAVOURITE
Springisatimeforembracingchange,trying outnewthingsandgettingusedtodrivingto workindarkermorningsastheclocks‘spring forward’.TheRoyalSocietyforthePreventionof Accidents(ROSPA)says40percentofcollisions happeninthedarkandareincreasedwhenadriver takestheireyesofftheroad.
So,cueFordengineerswhoaretriallingnew headlighttechnologywhichwillkeepeyesonthe tarmacandinformationprojectedontotheroad fromtheheadlights.Anyupcomingturnsandeven thewidthofthevehiclewhichwouldhelpget throughagap,arelitupontheroad.
TheFordKUGAIroadtestedthisweekalready hashi-techheadlampswhichwillautomaticallydip toavoidblindingthedriverofanoncoming
car.FrontLEDfoglightsautomaticallybrightena bendasthesteeringwheelturnsintoacorner.Anda fullcolourrearviewcameragivesaveryclear pictureasIbackintoanarrowcarparkingspace.
COFFEETIME
JustwhenIthinkIhaveexhaustedeveryfeature ontheKUGAalongcomesanothergreatidea.Press abuttonusingFord’scommunicationand entertainmentsystem,SYNC3,andsay‘Ineeda coffee’andthetechnologydirectsmetothenearest coffeeshop.
Butthissportsutilityvehiclehasalotmorethan amazingtechnology.TheST-LineeditionIam roadtestinghasstyle,withsportyredbrakecalipers, abodystylingkit,largerearspoilerandblackroof
birminghamliving march/april2023 48 MOTORING
ANDWILLEVENTELLYOUWHERETHENEARESTCOFFEEIS!
rails.Thenewly-designedfrontgrilleissupersmart,andapower-operatedretractabletowbar automaticallystoresitselfoutofsightbelowthe rearbumperwhennotinuse,retainingthesleek KUGAlooks.
WhenIreturntothecar,loadedwithkidsand shoppingandrequiringimmediateaccesstotheboot, Imakeakickingmotionunderneaththerearbumper and‘opensesame’,thehands-freetailgate automaticallyrises.Therearemoreintuitivechanges insidethespaciousqualitycabinandapower openingpanoramicrooffloodstheinteriorwithlight.
HYBRIDHIT
Onabrightsunnyspringday,Ileavethehouse withthecarkeyinmypocket.Usingkeylessentry,I pullopenthelockedcardoor,slideintothe comfortablesportsseatswithredstitchingandgrab theflatbottomsteeringwheel,alsowithred stitching.Ipressthestartbuttonandthedigital colour12.3-inchinstrumentclusterlightsupwith
FACTSATAGLANCE
Model: FordKUGAPHEVSTLineEditionAuto
Price: £42,495otr(includesoptions)
Engine: 2.5-litre,four-cylinderAtkinson-cyclepetrolengineandan electricmotorgeneratorwith14.4kWhlithium-ionbattery
Performance: 0-62mphin9.2secondsandontoatopspeedof125mph CombinedCO2emissions: 127g/km(WLTP)
Combinedfuelconsumption: 49.6mpg(WLTP)
largebrightwhitenumbersandinformationonthe batteryandfuelcapacity.
Thisplug-inhybrid–whichoutsellsallother modelsintheKUGArangeputtogether–is poweredbya2.5-litre,four-cylinderAtkinson-cycle petrolengineandanelectricmotorgenerator.Ican choosehowandwhenIwanttomakefulluseofthe batterypowerandIchooseall-electricdrivingon shortjourneysoflessthan35miles.Inadditionto chargingfromanexternalpowersupply,Ican automaticallyreplenishthebatteryonthemoveby coastingdownahill.Regenerativecharging technologycaptureskineticenergynormallylost duringbraking.
It’ssoeasytoembracethetechnologicalchanges inthehybridFordKUGA,whilerelaxinginthe practicalquitebeautifulinterior,enhancedwith ambientlighting.Andwithdarkermornings,this Fordmeansgettingtoworksafely. ■
SHOWROOM
BristolStreetMotorsFordBirmingham,156-182BristolStreet, Birmingham,B57AZ.Tel:01214189981www.bristolstreet.co.uk
march/april2023 birminghamliving 49 MOTORING
VINCENT DARBY
TheBirminghamOrmistonAcademyalumnitalks recording,writingandhisfamily’ssoulfulinfluences
Atjustnine-years-old,theyoungVincent DarbyopenedforFloRidaatBrum’sO2 Academyafterarecordproducerwatched himperformhisversionofAliciaKeys’ssingleFallin’ onYouTube–he’dbeensingingregularlysincehe wasfive.Fromtherehejoinedcreativeand performingartsacademy,BOA,hasperformedatBBC Radio1’sBigWeekender,releasedhisdebutEP,Still HereWeAre,recordedaroundtheglobeandhasjust droppedhisnewsingle,WeCouldBe.
Showcasedinhishome-townattheRainbow, DigbethinFebruaryandoutnow,WeCouldBeis producedbyFrenchDJandproducerBlundettoand combinesfunk,newwaveandsynth-pop.There’sa chilled-outconfidenceaboutthesinglethat’smature andeasywhichmakesforanenjoyablelisten.Inspired bytheworkofartistslikeTheWeeknd,Depeche Mode,EurythmicsandPrince,thesingleisVincent’s firstreleasesincehiscelebrateddebutEPStillHere WeAre.ThatEPattractedalotofsupportfromBBC Radio1fromtheget-go,culminatinginhis performanceattheBigWeekender,andwasselectedby BBC1Xtraastheirtrackoftheweek.
SPRINGBOARD
RecordedatShaggy’sBigYardStudiosin Kingston,Jamaica,theEPwasahighlysuccessful springboardtohiscareerwithstand-outtrackssuch asGetAwayandavant-gardejamBabyOhI.
Vincentsaidatthetime:“StillHereWeArecame
march/april2023 YOUNG,GIFTED&BRUMMIE
birminghamliving 50
fromaplaceofnotquiteunderstandingthe ‘situation-ship’thatIwasin;astoryabouthow somethingcanbesogood,butalsosobad.”
SincetheEP,Vincent’sbeenbusywritingand recordinginJamaica,TorontoandZimbabweas wellastheUKandsayshe’sfoundanewleaseof life.Covidputaspannerintheworksandslowed thingsdown,buthe’shadtimetoreflect.Hesays: “I’vereallygrownsinceIlastdroppedmusic,the wholeworldhas.Withoutbeingtoophilosophical, today’snotthesameasyesterday,wegrow.Ithinkas anartistit’simportanttoshowgrowth”.
Thelyricsofnewsingle,WeCouldBe,detailan intentiontorepairandrebuildatumultuous relationshipelevatedbyVincent’seuphoricand virtuosicvocals.Skillfullyswitchingbetweenbreathy notesandpiercingfalsettohesingssentimental phraseslike,‘Therewillbeacompromise,because lonelyisnofriendofmine’.Thevideo,directedby EricYealandwhohasworkedwiththelikesofWiz Khalifaisslickandunfussy,puttingVincentandhis lyricsfirmlycentrestage.
OLDSOUL
VincentisaprouddescendantofJamaican grandparents,whoasmembersoftheWindrush GenerationmigratedtotheUKafterthesecond worldwar,workingasabusconductorandanurse. Heavilyinfluencedbyhismusiclovinggrandfather, whowasahospitalradioDJandvinylcollector, VincentwasexposedtothesoundsofMarvinGaye, DonnyHathaway,IsaacHayes,BarryWhite,Teddy Pendergrass,BeresHammond,DennisBrownand RichieSpice.
Vincent’sonthemoveagaincurrentlytreatingthe peopleofTorontotoahissoulfulsoundandthere’ll bemoretouringonthecards.Keentogethissound outtothewidermusicworld. ■
CHILLOUT
WeCouldBeisavailabletodownloadat: https://empire.ffm.to/wecouldbe11 Keepuptospeedwithtourdatesandmoreat: officialvincentdarby.com
march/april2023 birminghamliving 51 YOUNG,GIFTED&BRUMMIE
JESSTALKSVALUES
CockshutHillSchoolinYardleywasvisitedbylocal MPJessPhillipswhogaveatalkonfundamentalBritish valuesandtheirimportancetoschoollearners.Jess,who hasrepresentedBirminghamYardleyinParliamentsince 2015,metwithlearnerstodiscussherroutetobecoming anMP,whyshechoseacareerinpoliticsandthe importanceofchildrenandyoungpeoplehavingavoice inpoliticalmatters.
SINGING&WINNING
PupilsfromCranmoreInfantsSchoolhavereceived medalsanda£1,000prizefollowingtheirwinatan annualschoolchoircompetitionatTouchwood ShoppingCentre.FifteenschoolsfromtheSolihull areatookpart,withCranmorereceivingnearlyathird ofthe6,000votessubmittedonline.Theprizemoney willbeinvestedintheschool’smusicdevelopment programme.LeadteacherCarolBakersaid:“Ihave beencoachingpupilsinthiscompetitionfor15years andforittobeourfirst-everwinmakesitevenmore significant.”
WHOLESELFLAUNCH
BromsgroveSchoolUpperSixthpupilsandheadsofschool, ThandoBestandJessWhitlock,launchedtheirnewinitiative,Bring YourWholeSelftoBromsgrove.Theinitiativeaimstoeducatethe schoolcommunityonequality,diversityandinclusion.ThelongtermprojecthasseenJessandThandolaythefoundationintheir finalyear,withtheaimtohandthebatonontoyoungerpupilsand toeventuallyextendtheinitiativetoincludeBromsgrovePre-Prep andtheEarlyYearssectionsoftheschool.
SCHOOL REPORT
NFLYOUTHBOOST
SportEnglandandNFLFoundationUKunveiledapartnershiptoprovidejoint grantfundingacrossBirminghamtopositivelyimpactlocalcharities.Themove followstheinitiative’ssuccessinLondon,withtheFoundation–backedby America’sNationalFootballLeague–supportinggroupsthatprovidepositive outcomesaroundeducation,employmentandmentalhealth.Thepartnership centresontheNFLFlagFootballprogramme,trainingandequipmenttohelp youngpeopleaged12to20accesspathwaysanddeveloptheskills, confidenceandself-belieftocreatetheirownfutureandreachtheirpotential.
birminghamliving march/april2023 52
GROWINGPLACES
Picture:DanKnottEventPhotography
HEALTHAWARDS
Childrenandstafffrom10schoolsmetatHighburyHalltocelebratetheirachievements overthelast18monthsaspartoftheHealthforLifescheme–aninitiativethataimsto achieveasustaineddifferenceinhealthylifestylesacrossBirmingham.After demonstratinghowtheyhaveincorporatedphysicalactivity,growingfoodandhealthy eatingintoschoollife,studentsandteacherswerepresentedwithaHealthforLife awardatthecelebrationeventbyLordMayor,CllrMaureenCornish.
WELLDONE: PupilsfromBoldmereJuniorSchoolreceivingtheirHealthforLifeaward
Birmingham’sNinestiles Academy,partoftheSummit LearningTrust,hasbeen awardedtheQualityinCareers Standard,anationalaward whichrecogniseshighquality careersprovisionforallstudents. Ninestileswascommendedfora whole-schoolapproachtoits careersprogramme,itsin-house CareersFair,extensivenetworkof KS5linksmadewithPost16 providers,localcommunity organisations,apprenticeship, trainingandvolunteering providers,anddeliveryofcareer events,STEMworkshopsand alumnitalksinallareasofthe curriculum.
CAREERS ACCOLADE BIGHELPFORLITTLECHICKS
Fundingofnearly£80,000fromthe WesleyanFoundationhashelpeddeliverthe LittleChicksLifeLessonsprogrammeto10 primaryschoolsintheWestMidlands, reaching3,150childrenandproviding9,450 books.CreatedbyMidlandsbusinesswoman AlisonDelaney,LittleChicksLifeLessonsisa uniqueeducationprogrammefocusedon developingthedreamsandaspirationsof primaryschoolchildrenandequippingthem withkeylifeskills.Wesleyan,the Birmingham-basedfinancialservicesmutual, alsosupportedthepublicationoftwonew booksbyLittleChicksLifeLessons.
march/april2023 birminghamliving 53 GROWINGPLACES
MIND YOUR LANGUAGE
EDUCATIONTECHCOMPANYFLASHACADEMYHELPSSTUDENTSWHO
SPEAKENGLISHASANADDITIONALLANGUAGEMEETTHECHALLENGES OFLEARNING.WESPOKETOCEOVEEJAYLINGIAH,PICTURED,ASTHE DIGITALPIONEERCELEBRATEDPARTNERINGITS1,000THSCHOOL
VeejayLingiahknowsallaboutthe problemsfacingstudentswhospeak Englishasanadditionallanguage(EAL). Asthechildoftwoparentswhoimmigratedinto theUK,hewastheonlynon-whitestudentinhis primaryclassroom.Heremembersclearlyhow challengingthatmadeschoollifeandashegrew olderhevowedtodosomethingaboutitandto provideawaytohelpothers.
Today,theUKwelcomesmorethan200,000 immigrantsayearfromahugespreadofcountries andwithanequallylargerangeoflanguages spoken.However,withthemajorityofschoolingin theUKbeingtaughtpredominantlyinEnglish, EALchildrenareatahugedisadvantageinthe classroomiftheirEnglishlanguagedevelopmentis
notproperlysupportedandencouraged.
That’swhereVeejayandhisteamatBirminghambasedFlashAcademycomein,providingstudents fromallbackgroundswithadigitalplatformthat allowsthemtolearnEnglishandcelebratetheir homelanguagesatthesametime.FlashAcademyis aneducationtechnologycompanythatreduces marking,supportsindependentlearningand provideshundredsoffreepaper-basedresourcesto saveteacherstime.Theonlinelanguage-learning toolallowsschoolsacrossthecountrytohelpEAL studentswiththeirlanguageskillsandtointeract withtheirclassmates.Clearandaccuratereporting onprogressallowspupilstodemonstratetheir learningandidentifieswhenapupilhasmastered thenecessaryskills.
birminghamliving march/april2023 54 BUSINESS
Foundedin2012asFlashSticksusingpre-printed languagePost-itNotes,thecompanylaterevolvedto FlashAcademy,amoveawayfromthephysicaltoa newdigitalsolutiontotheEALchallenge.In September2017,ClaireEvans,thendeputyheadat AndertonParkSchool,BalsallHeath,satdownwith Veejayandbecamethefirstschooltopioneertheuse oftheonlineplatformtosupportEALpupilswith theirlanguagedevelopment.
InNovember2022,FlashAcademypartneredwith its1,000thschool–andatthetimeofwritingthathad growntomorethan1,100andrisingfast!Thesmall teamatFlashAcademyhasalsogrownovertheyears toadedicatedgroupof40-pluspassionatelanguagelearningprofessionals.
POTENTIAL
Co-founderandCEO,Veejay,said:“Wesetoutwith apurposetohelpasmanyEALstudentsaspossible. Overtheyears,oneschoolhassomehowturnedinto 1,000schools,andwe’vebeenabletoprovidelanguage supporttothousandsmorechildrenthaneverbefore. We’rereallyexcitedandoptimisticaboutbeingableto helpevenmoreinthefuture,becauseitfeelslikewe’re stilljustgettingstartedandtherearesomanymore schoolsandstudentsleftforustohelp.”
Thepotentialisindeedhuge.Therearemorethan 30,000schoolsintheUKwithprimaryschoolshaving oneinfiveEALpupilsandsecondaryschoolswithone insix.Veejaysaid:“Ourplatformworksonanydevice, phones,iPadsandsoon.Thewholeaimistotryto
acceleratethepaceatwhichpupilscangetEnglishand tounlockthelanguagebarrier.SomanyEALkidsare treatedasiftheyarebehindinlearningwhenitisn’t theirfault.”Thiswasparticularlycriticalduringthe pandemicwhenallhomeworkwasbeingsenttopupils athome,andthathomeworkwasinEnglish.
GLOBALNEED
Theneedforgreaterhelpforstudentshasonly acceleratedwithgrowingnumbersofimmigrants comingfromallpartsoftheglobe.Veejayexplained: “Peoplearebeingdisplacedfromaroundtheworld andasaresultwhatusedtobeacity-basedproblemin theUKisnowanissuealloverthecountry,soall schoolsinallareasfacethechallengesofEAL students.”FlashAcademyteachesEnglishacross48 languagesandissoflexiblethatitispossibletohave multiplepupilsfromdifferentcountrieslearning togetherunderoneteacherinoneclass.
It’snotjustchildrenwhoselanguagelearninghas beenacceleratedbytheapp.FlashAcademyhas expandedtoprovidelanguageeducationforadult (ESOL)students,alongsidesupportinginternational schoolsoverseas.Theplatformhasevenbecome affiliatedwithanumberofStrategicMigrant Partnerships,helpingmigrantssuchasthosecoming acrossfromHongKongtodeveloptheirEnglish languageskills.AndStaffordshireCountyCouncil partneredwiththeapptoprovidelanguageand educationassistanceforUkrainianrefugeeslivingin thecountyundertheHomesForUkrainescheme. ■
march/april2023 birminghamliving 55 COMPANYTOWATCH
birminghamliving march/april2023 56
DININGEDITOR
StayingCoolatRotundainBirminghamhas appointedAlexNicholson-Evansasthehotel’s firstresidentdrinkanddiningeditor.Alexhas livedandbreathedallthingsBirminghamforthe lastdecade,workinginitiallyascommercial directorforBirminghamMuseumsTrustalongside beingthefounderanddirectorofLivingForThe Weekend,thecompanybehindpopularcity-wide eventsBirminghamCocktailWeekend, BirminghamWineWeekendandBirmingham RestaurantFestival.
TraceyStephenson,co-founderofStayingCool, said:“Alexwillbesharingherfavouritevenuesto suitanycitycentrebreakatourapartmenthotel.”
NEWS BUSINESS LEGALHIRES
LawfirmShakespeareMartineauhas addedtoitsBirminghambankingteam withatrioofhires.AssociateMariam Mansoordevelopedherdebtfinance experienceinLeedsbeforerelocatingto theChannelIslandstospecialisein financialserviceslaw.AlsonewlyappointedareNoreenKhan-Ghalibas charteredlegalexecutiveandparalegal TinaSehmar.NaomiTudor,headof corporatebanking,said:“Wehave experiencedincreasedinstructionsfrom clientssoMariam,NoreenandTinawill helpusmeetthisgrowingdemand.”
CHARITYRUN
AnannualruninLeamingtonSpawillraise fundsforlocalchildren’scharityMollyOllys Wishes.TheWrightHassallRegency10kRun wasfirstheldin2005andhasraisedmore than£420,000forlocalcauses.Itreturnsfor its19thyearonSunday2April,organisedby LeamingtonRoundTableandsponsoredby locallawyersWrightHassall.MollyOllyswas establishedfollowingthedeathofRachel andTimOllerenshaw’seight-year-old daughterMollyfromararekidneycancer.
DANNIGETSA-HEAD
Birmingham-basedcharityGet A-Head,whichraisesfundsfor researchintoheadandneck diseases,hasappointedanew directortoleaditsteam.Danni Heathhasexperienceworkingwith charities,socialenterprisesand businessesincludingrolesin leadership,organisationaldesignas wellasinmarketingand communications.Sheisadirectorof CEmPacEurope–theCentrefor EmpoweringPatientsand Communities–providingexpertise inperson-centredcare,andalsoa directorofHeathBrown,offering strategicpeople-focussedsolutions forsocialenterprises.
march/april2023 birminghamliving
ONTHEIRMARKS: HarpalSinghofLeamingtonRoundTable,WrightHassallpartnerPeterLowe,andRachel OllerenshawofMollyOllysWishes
BUSINESS 57
BUILDINGFORTHEFUTURE
AMidlandsbuildingmaterialscompanyishelping MidlandsAirAmbulanceCharityrealiseitsplanfora newairbaseandcharityheadquarters–brickbybrick! IbstockBrickhasdonatedathirdofthetotalamountof bricksneededtobuildthenewfacilityatCosford.With constructionoftheprojectunderway,representatives fromIbstockBrickvisitedthesitetomarktheirdonation. Withmorethan90percentoffundingobtainedvia majorgrants,thefacilityisexpectedtobecompletedthis summer.
NECHOTELDEAL FORWARDLOOKING
TheNECGroupisteamingupwiththeHolidayInnhotelatBirminghamAirportina newpartnership.Thedealwillgivemoreflexibleaccommodationoptionstovisitors andexhibitorsattheNECCampusandshowcasethepositivelinksbetweenNEC Groupvenues–suchastheNEC,VoxConferenceVenueandResortsWorldArena–withtheeaseofaccesstoBirminghamInternationaltrainstationandtheairport.
PARTNERS: EwelinaTomiszczak,commercialdirectorforHolidayInnBirminghamAirport,andLisaJobins, regionalpartnershipssalesexecutivefortheNECGroup
SOLETRADER
AnewnamehasopenedupshopatMerryHill.Independentfootwear brand,SoleyGrailSoleyCustoms,specialisesinrestoringandcustomising trainers.SetupbyfounderandownerSarahWilkinsonfromHalesowenin 2014,thebusinesshasgrownsignificantly,nowopeningitsfirsteverstore. Self-confessed‘sneakerhead’Sarahsaid:“Realfansaregoingtolovesome oftherarepairswehaveinthestorerightnow–suchastheJordan5Retro TokyoT23firstreleasedin2011.”
AnjumKhan,directorofBirmingham’sAsian BusinessChamberofCommerce,hasjoined ForwardCarersasanon-executivedirector.The not-for-profitcommunityinterestcompanyhas supportedmorethan40,000carerstolive fulfillinglivessince2014andistheleaddelivery partnerofBirminghamCarersHubandWalsall CarersHub.Anjum,picturedright,said:“The reasonformejoiningthisboardisthatasan unpaidcarer,Itappedintosupporttheywere offeringduringCovidformyfather.”
BirminghamAirporthascelebratedits10millionthcustomerofthefiscalyear.To marktheoccasion,TurkishAirlinesjoinedtheairportinpresentingtwofreebusiness classticketstoanydestinationonitsnetworktothe10millionthcustomers–a couplecalledTonyandJen.Themilestonerepresentsastoryofsteadyrecoveryfor theairportaftertheliftingofCovidrestrictions.AviationdirectorTomScreen said:“Mythanksgoouttothestaffandeveryonewhohasgotustothispoint.”
birminghamliving march/april2023 58
AIRPORT MILESTONE BUSINESS
TOPCOPDALE
Apoliceofficerhasbeenrecognisedby Birmingham’sbarsandclubsforhis contributiontothecity’ssuccessfulnighttimeeconomy.SgtDaleHarwoodof WestMidlandsPolicecitycentrepolicing teamwaspresentedwithaspecial WondersofWestsideaward.TheBest PoliceOfficeroftheYeartrophy, organisedbyWestsideBusiness ImprovementDistrict(BID),wasvotedon bybars,pubsandclubsaroundBroad StreetandBrindleyplace.SgtHarwood waspresentedwiththeawardduring regularpolicebriefinginBroadStreet.
SHEILATAKESCHARGE
TitanPartnership,aneducationcharityandmembernetwork inBirmingham,hasappointedSheilaSturgeonasitsnew chiefexecutiveofficer.SheilaledYESManchester,anawardwinningcharitythatsupportsaccesstoemployment, volunteering,andskillsandalsopreviouslyworkedforthe DepartmentforEducationasaseniorpolicyadvisorfor apprenticeships.ShesucceedsCarolynChapman-Leeswho wasTitan’sCEOforthepastsevenyears.
CREATIVETRIO
Birmingham-basedcontentmarketingbusiness,HDYAgency,hasboostedits creativeteamwiththeappointmentofcreativedirectorJonSharp.Jon, picturedcentre,willberesponsibleforastudioteamof15combiningart directors,copywriters,designers,motiongraphicsandanin-housevideo productionteam.HDYhasalsorestructureditscreativeteamwithnewlyappointedheadofcreativeKatieCollinsandheadofmotion,MorganTedd. HDYwasvotedLargeContentMarketingAgencyoftheYearattheEuropean ContentAwards2022.
BUSINESS BITES
DOUBLETOPS
CoventryandBirminghamhavetakenthe toptwospotsinatableofUKcitieswith thebiggestnumberofstart-upsperhead ofpopulationinthelast12months.Data, producedbyInstantOffices,alsoshows Stokeinfifthplace,aheadofLondon whichisonlyeighth.
MUSICMAKERS
TheCityofBirminghamSymphony Orchestraispartneringwithlocalworkplace techcompanySCCasitsnewprincipal sponsor.Thethree-yearagreementincludes supportof£100,000-a-year,aligningwith theorchestra’sSoundoftheFuture campaign.
TAGTIME
LuxurywatchretailerTAGHeuerwillopena boutiqueontheupperleveloftheBullring &GrandCentrallaterthisyear.Itwillbethe firstdedicatedTAGHeuerlocationin Birmingham.ThenewsfollowsMarks& Spencerannouncinganewstoreatthe Bullringin2023.
CLUBPARTNERSHIP
EdgbastonPrioryClubandEdgbastonParkHotel havelaunchedan18-monthpartnershiptoenhance theexperienceforclubmembersandhotelguests aswellasplayersandspectatorsathigh-profile tennisandsquashtournamentshostedattheclub. TopeventsincludeBirminghamClassictennis tournament,BritishSquashOpenandBritishJunior Open.AsEdgbastonPrioryClub’saccommodation partner,thehotelwillofferexclusiveratesonrooms, conferencespacesandeventsformemberswitha dedicatedconciergeservice.
march/april2023 birminghamliving 59
BUSINESS
TheannualWondersofWestsideawards(WOWs)–whichcelebrateindividualsandbusinessesinthe WestsideBIDdistrictthatgotheextramilefor customers–werehostedbytheCrescentTheatre.Morethan 25Westsidebusinessesandstaffwererecognisedduringthe eventwhichwasattendedby200guests.Thecrackingnight alsofeaturedtopsinger-songwriterAndyBennett,oncepartof OceanColourScene,treatingtheaudiencetoadazzling musicalperformancealongwithsingerLorraineOlley. WinnersonthenightincludedPushkar,UVBattheRep, VelvetMusicRoomsandJimmySpices. ■
AWARDSNIGHTWOWS ATCRESCENTTHEATRE Morethan200guestsattendbig WondersofWestsidecelebration 3 2 4 5 6 7
birminghamliving march/april2023 60 SOCIALSCENE
1 BestBar,VelvetMusicRooms. 2 BestDoorman,RichardKeating,Reflex. 3 BestClubManager,JoEllerby,Popworld. 4 EmployeeoftheYear, HilliFletcher. 5 BestArtsandEntertainmentManager,JamesBooth,theCrescentTheatre. 6 LongServiceAward,SadiqZaman,Pushkar. 7 BestRestaurantManager,KostasPanagiotidis,LuluWild.
1
PicturesbyJasSansi
EATERYRELAUNCHES WITHALL-NEWLOOK
Modernstyleandfamilyvibe nowonthemenuatEsabella’s
uch-lovedSolihullrestaurantandbar, Esabella’srevealedanewlookata relaunchparty.Aswellasthestylish interiorfeaturingmonochrometonesandacentral bar,there’snowanewandmodernEuropean menuandbreakfastbrunchoffer.Newco-owner TobySearssaid:“Wehavetakenonboardfeedback fromregularcustomersandgivenEsabella’safresh newlookandamorefamilyvibe.Wehopethelocal communitywillenjoytherelaxedsurroundings undermynewteam.”
M4 5 6 7
3 2 1
1 ElainaPullen,JessReid. 2 MarkandLucyRay. 3 GeorgieSwan,PhilOldershaw,AnitaChampaneri. 4 BharatChampaneri, DavinePartridge,JasRohel. 5 LauraCooper,EmmaHowden. 6 TirenaandDanNelson. 7 KatieMcPhillimey,JudiGilbert. 8 NicolaCaulfield,LauraMoore.
8
march/april2023 birminghamliving 61 SOCIALSCENE
■
GRANDUNVEILINGOF OLDHEATONHOUSE
Allthoseinvolvedinstunningrestoration projectareinvitedtospecialcelebration
ElevatePropertyGroupunveiledthegrand restorationofOldHeatonHouse,invitingall thoseinvolvedinthebeautifultransformation ofthestunning200-year-oldBirminghamresidencefor drinksandcanapes.Thisbeautifulhomestandsasthe centrepieceofElevate’slargerJewelleryQuarter regenerationschemeinCamdenStreet,comprising 14townhousesand42apartments,ofwhich75percent arenowsold. ■
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birminghamliving march/april2023 62 SOCIALSCENE
1
1 JamesCostello,SamMeeten,HarryRandle,AidanO’Gara,AndyHoggard. 2 SteveDodd,HelenandAndrewBrettell. 3 StephenRankin, RyanO’Connor,RatikaMal,AlistairBevins. 4 DavidHofton,DanBowles,MartinRennie. 5 JamesCostello,NeilInman,SavannahSevern. 6 JulesDodd,RetikaBedi. 7 LiamSmith,BenDavidson,ImogenTudor.
RESTAURANTREVEALS EXCITINGNEWLOOK
Specialeveningshowcases re-imaginedeaterytoguests
uestsenjoyedanightofcocktails,cuisine andliveentertainmentatthere-imagined FiveRiversÁLaCarterestaurantin Walsall.Party-goerssippedexoticTamarind MargaritasandChilliMartinisandsampled canapésshowcasingnewmenuitemsastheytook intherestaurant’sboldnewdécorandmezzanine cocktailbar.ShamimHM,groupdirector,said: “Wewerethrilledtorevealthenew-lookFiveRivers toourguestsoldandnew.Wehadsomewonderful feedbackonthenightwhichwasgreattohear–it wastrulyanighttoremember.”. ■
G4 5 6 7 8
3 2 1
1 RebeccaClougher,GemmaMorris. 2 HeidiKaur,NikitaChumber. 3 NehaPandeya,DiveshAnand,ShamimHM. 4 KindiSunner. 5 AnitaChampaneri. 6 AnjolaAjoa,SolomonOfoaiye. 7 LorenaTolic,EmmaHowden. 8 SureetandSteveKular. 9 SunnyNandra, MonifaBobbSimon. PhotographybyiOnePhotography
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march/april2023 birminghamliving 63 SOCIALSCENE
WHAT’SONliving
WHAT: TheSpongeBobMusical
WHEN: 11to15April
WHERE: BirminghamHippodrome, birminghamhippodrome.com
WhenthecitizensofBikiniBottomdiscoveravolcano willsooneruptanddestroytheirhumblehome, SpongeBobandhisfriendsmustcometogetherto savethefateoftheirunderseaworld!Starring GarethGatesandRu-Paul’sDragRacelegend,DivinadeCampo.
WHAT: RubyandtheDiamonds
WHEN: 29and30March
WHERE: OldJointStockTheatre, bcu.ac.uk/conservatoire/events-calendar
Expecttobedazzledinaneveningpackedwith singing,dancing,comedyanddrag,courtesyof RoyalBirminghamConservatoireandBirmingham CityUniversityBurlesqueSociety.Anall-female livebandwillfeaturesongsbyMarilynMonroe, SarahVaughan,LizaMinnelliandmore.
WHAT: OllyMurs
WHEN: 4May
WHERE: ResortsWorldArena, resortsworldarena.co.uk
XFactor’smostsuccessfulmaleartistis backwithnewmusicandanarenatour for2023.Lasttimeround,hesold 180,000ticketsforUKarenas–andhe’s determinedtogoevenbigger,better andlouderthisyear!
WHAT: WishYouWereDead
WHEN: 20to24June
WHERE: TheAlexandra, atgtickets.com
Fulloftwists,turnsandedge-ofyour-seatmoments,thiswillbe thesixthstageadaptationbasedonthebest-sellingnovelsbythe UK’snumberonecrimeauthorPeterJames.StarsCorrie’sKatie McGlynn,GeorgeRainsford,CliveMantleandLeonStewart.
WHAT: WorldComedyClash2023
WHEN: 2April
WHERE: GleeClub,glee.co.uk/birmingham/ London’snumberone,originalandlongestrunning comedyclashshowcomestoBrumbypopular demandwithastar-studded,action-packedline-up.
WHAT: DinnerintheDark
WHEN: 29March
WHERE: ZenMetro, focusbirmingham.org.uk/event/ dinner-in-the-dark
WHAT: OfMiceandMen
WHEN: 18Marchto8April
WHERE: BirminghamRep, birmingham-rep.co.uk
JohnSteinbeck’sclassicnovelismorethan 80-years-old,butwiththemesofeconomic migration,racismandprejudice,itremainsa parableforourtimes.Thisisanew productionfromtheawesomeIqbalKhan.
WHAT: AnEveningwithPriscillaPresley
WHEN: 8April
WHERE: TownHall,bmusic.co.uk
TheformerwifeofElvisPresleyhasstarredin manyclassicfilmandTVseriesincludingNaked GunandDallas.Inthisintimateconversation withEdithBowmanshewillbesharing personalstoriesfromherillustriouscareer,life andmarriagetotheKingofRock’n’Roll.
Thesightlossandcomplexneedslocal charity,FocusBirmingham,ishosting thisspecialeventatoneofthecity’s favouriterestaurants.Theimmersive experiencegivesdinerstheopportunity togainauniqueperspectiveintohow sightlosscanaffectaperson’slife, whileraisingvitalfunds.
birminghamliving march/april2023 64
WHAT: Grayson’sArtClub:TheExhibitionIII: MeettheTeamBehindtheTVSeries
WHEN: 31March
WHERE: MidlandsArtCentre,macbirmingham.co.uk DelveintotheideasbehindthemakingoftheGrayson’sArt ClubTVserieswithitsproducersNeilCrombieandJoeEvans alongwithaselectionoffeaturedartists.Ticketsincludeentry toGrayson’sArtClub:TheExhibitionandawelcomedrink.
TributeShow
WHEN: 25March
WHERE: NailcoteHall, nailcotehall.co.uk
FeaturingallofGeorgeMichael’s greatesthitsaswellasthe
Wham!classics,thisisaflawless tributetothegreatmanby MichaelGeorge.Includesthreecoursemealandafter-showDJ.
WHAT: JuliusCaesar
WHEN: 18Marchto8April
WHERE: RSCTheatre,rsc.org.uk, tel:01789331111
Astheworldspinsoutofcontrol,chaosand superstitionleadtocivilwar.Anewleadermustrise, butatwhatcost?Shakespeare’spoliticalthriller exposestheambiguousmoralityinshiftingpower: howfarwilleachofusgoforourpoliticalprinciples?
WHAT: EdgbastonArtisanMarket
WHEN: 8April
WHERE: GreenfieldCrescent,Edgbaston,calthorpe.co.uk Birmingham’slargestartisanmarketreturnsfeaturing independentbusinessesfromacrosstheMidlandsshowcasing thefinestrangeoffoodanddrink,alongsidehandmadeartsand craftsandfarmers’marketproduce.
WHAT: Panic!AtTheDisco
WHEN: 3April
WHERE: UtilitaArena,utilitaarenabham.co.uk
Themulti-platinum,Grammy-nominatedUSrock bandhasannounceditsVivaLasVengeanceTour iscomingtojustthreevenuesintheUK, includingBrum.Theband’ssong,Houseof Memories,hashadmorethantwobillionviews onTikTok–socomeandcheckthemout!
WHAT: CBSOplaysRomeoandJuliet
WHEN: 15March
WHERE: SymphonyHall,bmusic.co.uk
MirgaGražinyt -Tylabeginstheevening withapersonalfavourite–themusicof Weinberg–beforebeingjoinedbythe greatKirillGersteininSchumann’s gloriouslyromanticPianoConcerto, followedbyProkofiev’sRomeoand Juliet,capturingtherawemotionof Shakespeare’sgreatlovestory.
birminghamliving 65 march/april2023
WHAT’SON
WHAT: GeorgeMichael
CLOSEWITHÁ
BEENTHERE,DONETHAT
OriginallyfromSouthWales,Imovedto Birminghamin2001tobepartoftheteamreopeningBirminghamHippodromeandstayedthere fornearlynineyears,workingonsomehuge productionsincludingMissSaigon,MaryPoppins, WeWillRockYou–andmyownwedding!Inlate 2009,IjoinedthemanagementteamatMidlands ArtsCentrepriortoitsre-openingtothepublicin May2010.ThenextstopwasBirminghamTown Hall/SymphonyHall(nowcalledB:Music).Ithen helpedoperatetheArtrixinBromsgrove,whichis myhometown.Itwasasaddaywhenthepandemic causedthevenuetoclosein2020.Today,Iam focusedonbeingtheatredirectorofthefabulous Alexandra,Birmingham.
IT’SWHATIDO
I’mdelightedtobeleadingthevenuethroughan excitingperiodofresurgence.I’maninformal, positiveandenthusiasticdirectorwhichIhopethe amazingteamattheAlexappreciates.I’minvolved ineveryaspectofthetheatre,including programming,finances,marketing,sales,customer experienceandtechnicalservices.
WHATI’DLIKETOSEE
MyambitionsfortheAlexaresimple–to programmethebestproductionspossiblewhile offeringfantasticcustomerservices.Therearesome fabulousvenuesinBirminghamandratherthan seeingthemascompetitionIliketoseethemas complementarytoeachother.Asavenueanda
team,wemustensurethattheAlexandracontinuesto beavitalpartoftheBirminghamcommunity,taking partincity-wideeventssuchasBirminghamPride.
BIGGESTSUCCESS
Meetingmywifeandhavingadaughterishighonthe list–theykeepmeincheck!Anothersuccessiscalling myselfarecoveringstammerer–upuntil2001even sayingmynamewasastruggle.I’veneverlackedinselfconfidence,howevermyspeechfounditchallenging!I waspartofacoursecalledtheMcGuireprogrammeinthe earlyNoughtiesandthischangedmylife.
BIGGESTLESSONLEARNED
Mistakesareanessentialpartofanycareer,soIdon’t thinkI’dchangeanything.Ofcourse,thereare decisionsIwouldn’tmaketoday!Also,trustandrespect yourteam–youcan’tdoeverythingandyou’renotan expertineverything.
WHATILIKEABOUTBRUM
Birminghamisnotagreycity–it’sfullofcolour, cultureanddiversity.Thepeoplearesofriendly.The canalsandgreenspacesarethethingsthatmost surprisedmewhenImovedhere,andIstillenjoya strollalongthecanal.
DOWNTIME
I’magreatbelieverinhavingagoodwork/life balance.My11-year-olddaughterkeepsmeverybusyas you’dexpect!Thegreatoutdoorsismyhappyplace–goingtomusicfestivalsorthebeachinourcampervan ishighontheagendaduringthewarmermonths. ■
ThetheatredirectoroftheAlexandra,Birmingham isleadingthevenuethroughaperiodofresurgence asitcontinuestobeattheheartofcitylife
birminghamliving march/april2023 66 PERSONTOPERSON
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