Birmingham Living May 2024 (issue 133)

ORCHESTRAOFTHESWAN SUPERSWIMWEAR BORNTORUN

AMA AGBEZE

EDITOR’SVIEW

Canyourememberatimewhenitwasn’training?Wellfinally,after monthsofunceasingdampmisery,thesunisbeginningtoshine,and wecannowconfidentlylookforwardtoanawesomefewmonthsof top-classsportingactionforthousandsofustoenjoyacrosstheregion.

ForcricketloversEdgbastonhoststhefirstmatchofajointseriesagainstPakistanthismonthasEngland’s Men’sandWomen’steamsarebackinactionfollowinganelectricjointAshesserieslastsummer.Andthe thrillskeepcomingwithlocalheroessuchasAmyJones,IssyWongandMoeenAlireturningtotheir stompinggroundwiththeBirminghamPhoenixandanotherseasonoftheutterlycompellingHundred. WithWimbledonjustaroundthecorner,localtennisfanswillbelookingforwardtoseeingtheworld’sbest womenplayersgettinganearlytasteofcompetingongrassatEdgbastonPrioryintheRothesayClassic Birmingham.Andifgolf’syourgametheworld’sbiggestandrichestBritishPar3Championshiptakesplace atNailcoteHall.Notonlyisthereagreatline-upofprogolfers,butstarsofsportandentertainmentwillalso behavingaswinginthepro-amcompetition.

Awayfromthesportingarena,atthetimeofgoingtopress,wewereallpreparingtovoteforourMayorofthe WestMidlands.It’sclearlygoingtobeaclosecallandwhetherAndyStreetsecuresa3rdtermorperhaps there’sanewbossintown,let’shopewecanallcometogethertosupporttheminpursuitofafairer,safer andkinderWestMidlands.

DavidJohns

EDITOR: DavidJohns david@brumliving.co.uk

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

PHOTOGRAPHY: DavidMorphew,AndrewLlewellyn

living

10 14 18 26 30 40

Highlights

AmaAgbeze

TheformerEnglandnetballcaptainand proudBrummieonwhyshecan’tstandstill

OrchestraoftheSwan

Thebrilliantorchestracommittedtoblending genresandthetherapeuticpowerofmusic

Food&Drink

Michelin-starRichardCraven,plusrecipes, newsandsupersummercocktails

Health

Ifyou’vebeeninspiredbytheBirmingham GreatRunwhynottacklethe5kchallenge

Style

It’stimetogetreadyforthebeachwith ourtopguidetogorgeousswimwear

Homes

Withahintofaglorioussunshineahead, someinspirationforyouroutdoorspaces

BestoftheRest

FromThePottingBench

MoveoverSpringasAdamKirtlandhelps youmakethebestsummergardenever

Young,Gifted&Brummie

Whywe’reclaimingrisingtennisstar,Oliver CrawfordasoneofBirmingham’sfinest

48 52 56 58 64 66

CompanytoWatch

Therestaurateurscelebrating20yearsof servingfineThaicuisinetotheMidlands

BusinessNews

Newsandviewsfromthecommercial Community,plusSocialScenepages

What’sOn

Bestofthecity’stopshowsandgigsin ourround-upofthemust-seeevents

UpClose

WithJohnLawrenceastheheadofgrounds atEdgbastonPriorypreparesforTheClassic

BIRTHDAY BONANZA

RoundhouseBirminghamisgearing uptocelebrateabigbirthdaythis month,asthebuildingturns150 yearsold.Tocelebratethemilestone theRoundhouseisholdingaweekend oftoursandexperiencesforthewhole familyfrom10to12May.Visitorswill enjoyahostoffreeactivities, includingfamilycrafts,kayaking sessionsandthechancetoexperience theRoundhouse’saward-winning BustlingBirminghamtour.Thepopular HeritageWorkingBoatsTourisalso backforthefirsttimethisyear.

NEWS

AMERRYWELCOME

line-upofwatch,jewelleryandaccessorybrands,including thelikesofRado,Pandora,TAGHeuer,andClaire’s.

JonathanPoole,centremanager,said:“We’re delightedtowelcomethereturnoftwowell-loved brandsatanexcitingtimeforthecentreas wecontinuetodevelopourstrong fashionoffering.”

BRINGINGYOUTHEBRIGHTEST ANDMOSTCOLOURFUL STORIESFROMACROSSTHE CITYEACHMONTH

THEBHANGRABEAT

TheenergyofBhangrabeat,Westernrockand classicalstringsiscomingtogetherinfusionof musicanddanceandstorytellingatBirmingham TownHall.BhangraSymphonicaon8Juneisa collaborationbetweenBhangra-RockbandKissmet –formedbybrothersRonandBuzzSinghwho grewupintheMidlands–andOrchestraofthe Swan.Ronsaid:“What’smostimportantisthevibe andenergythatcanbegeneratedbypeopleofall faithsandbackgroundscomingtogethertocreate somethingpowerfullypositiveandmemorable.”

MUSICALMAKERS

BirminghamHippodromehaswelcomed15musicaltheatre writersandcreativestotheirnewMusicalTheatreWritersGroup programme.Thegroupisakeydevelopmentalprogrammethat focusesonthecraftofwritingmusicaltheatre.Sixwritingteams willworkwiththeHippodrome’snewmusicaltheatredepartment todevelopanewmusicaloverthecourseof12months.The groupwillattendmonthlysessionsattheHippodromewitheach memberofthewritingteamsreceivingabursaryof£2,000,along withtravelexpensestoattendthesessions.

STEPPINGUP

FESTIVALAPPEAL

ROSE’S£3MWIN

Followinghugedemand–includingtheAlexandra’sfastestsellingon-salein history–theproducersofthenewmusicalHere&Now,presentedbypop legendsSteps,haveannouncedtheshowwillplayanadditionalweekatthe theatre.Theshow,featuringthegroup’shitsongs,willnowrunin Birminghamfrom9to30November2024.Stepssaid:“Wewerethrilledand gratefulfortheresponsewereceivedwhenweannouncedtheshow,people werequeuingupoutsidethetheatrefrom3amtopurchasetickets!” BirminghamdinnerladyRoseDoylehitthejackpotwhen shewonthekeystoa£3millionhouseinCornwall, alongwith£100,000incash.Roseclaimedthecoastal dreamhomeintheOmazeMillionPoundHouseDraw whichwasheldinaidoftheWorldWideFundfor Nature.Thepropertycomesmortgagefreeandwithall legalfeescovered.AllRoseneedstodonowisdecideto eitherliveinthehouse,rentitoutorsellitandbecome acashmulti-millionaire.

Organisersofthethree-dayALSO24Festival areaskingforvolunteerstobringtheevent tolife.Nowinitseleventhyear,ALSO24on 12to14Julybringstogetherperformers andmusicians,best-sellingauthors, celebratedscientistsandexpertsinavariety offieldstocreateaone-off‘magicaland immersiveexperience,’inComptonVerney, Warwickshire.Anyoneinterestedin volunteeringcanregisteronthewebsiteor emailvolunteers@also-festival.comfor moreinformation.

OWZAT, SPORTSFANS!

Thebiggeststarsinwomen’scricketarereadyto kick-startasummerofsportwithbatandballin Birmingham.Thecity’sownAmyJones,pictured,issettofeatureinajointseries alongsidethemenagainstPakistan,startingwiththefirstIT20atEdgbastonon Saturday11May.Laterthissummer,theaction-packedHundredreturnsonSaturday3 August,featuringBirminghamLivingcoverstarsIssyWongandMoeenAliandthe restoftheBirminghamPhoenixsquad.

HEALTHBOOST

Birmingham-basedcharity,Help HarryHelpOthershasjoined forceswithNHSEnglandto supporttheTargetedLung HealthChecks(TLHC) programme,whichaimsto improveearlydiagnosisoflung cancer.AmobileCTscanning unit,whichfirstarrivedatthe charity’sheadquartersin StechfordlastApril,isnowa permanentfixturefollowingits successfulrolloutwithinthe community.HelpHarryHelp OtherswasfoundedbyGeorgie Moseley,pictured,following thepassingofhersonHarry, 11,whoraisedmorethan £750,000forcancerresearch.

BUDDHABLAST

Vibrantcolour,laughteranddanceroutinesarepromisedasthe BuddhaofSuburbiacomestotheRSCSwanTheatre,Stratford-uponAvon.Showinguntil1June,theBuddhaofSuburbiaisKarim'sstory, hurtlingthroughlifeasa17-year-oldinthe1970swhileonajoyful andheart-breakingdiscoveryoffriendsandfamily,loveandsex,and ultimatelybelonging.

ROB’SDININGMOVE

Award-winningchefRobPalmerhas announcedanewfinediningventureaspart ofanexcitingcollaborationwithHogarths hotelinSolihull.HogarthswillwelcomeRob andhisteamfrom7May,bringinghis distinctivestyletoitsBrasserieMenu, AfternoonTeaLoungeMenuanditsSunday Lunchoffering,beforetheofficiallaunchof thenewToffsatHogarthsinSeptember.

Theatre-makerCJLloyd Webleyhasreceivedthe MidlandsArtsCentre(MAC) TheatreCommissionAward forhisprojectexploringthe historyoftheformer LyndhurstEstatein Erdingtonwherehegrew up.Theawardprovidesa £10,000grantand15days offreestudiospaceatMAC andwascreatedin responsetotheongoing challengesfacingthe theatresector.CJLloyd Webleysaid:“I’mthrilledto havesecuredthe commissionformyproject whichwilldelveintothe memories,experiencesand legacyofthischerished community.”

BACKTOTHESIXTIES

BirminghamRep’snewstageadaptationof BruceRobinson’s1987Britishtragi-comedyfilm, WithnailandI,istakingaudiencesbacktothe swingingSixties.DirectedbytheRep’sdouble Olivieraward-winningartisticdirectorSean Foley,WithnailandIfollowstwoyoung unemployedactors,theflamboyant,boozy Withnail,andtheshy,contemplativeMarwood wholiveinasqualidflat,prayingforajob.The productionsrunsuntil25May.

IRISHCREAM

Gaelicfootballhasnewchampions–from Coventry!Thecityuniversity’sladiesteam wontheBritishUniversityChampionship titleforthefirsttimeafteratoughweekend ofcompetitionheldinLiverpool.The successwasdowntotheplayers’and coaches’bondoffthepitchasmuchasonit, withmanyofthemhavingalreadyknown eachotherforyearsbeforearrivingat CoventryUniversitythankstoitslink withAtlanticTechnologicalUniversity(ATU) inLetterkenny,CountyDonegal.

FEASTOFHIP-HOP

B-SIDEHip-HopFestivalisheadingbacktoBirminghamforitsninthyear.Thefour-day festivalfrom6to9JunewilltakeplaceacrossBirminghamHippodrome,Southside andBullring&GrandCentral.ChrisSudworth,creativedirectoratBirmingham Hippodrome,said:“We’reexcitedbytheline-upforB-SIDE2024,acrosstheelements ofHip-Hop.Onceagainhiphopwilltakeovertheblockaroundandinsidethe HippodromefromThursdaytoSaturday,withthefinalsatBullringonSundaytoclose theweekend.”

GOTANYNEWS? Emailyournewsand picturestoeditor@brumliving.co.uk

CANINECHALLENGE

BirminghamDogsHomeisencouragingthe localcommunitytowalk100kinMayfor NationalWalkingMonthwhileraisingfunds tosupporthomelessdogsintheWest Midlands.Thecharityhaslaunchedthe SpringintoMaychallengeinwhich participantscancomplete100kthrough walking,running,swimmingorcycling. Fundsraisedwillcontributetothecare, shelterandmedicaltreatmentofthedogsin BirminghamDogsHome’scare.Moredetails at:birminghamdogshome.org.uk/supportus/spring-into-may-2024/

PUNCHLINE

TheassistantdirectorofBirminghamRoyal Balletswappedthestagefortheboxing ringwhenDominicAntonuccisparredwith heavyweightLewisWilliams,whowona goldattheCommonwealthGamesin Birmingham.Dominicincorporatedboxing intohistrainingasadancerafterclose friend,TV’slegendaryfootballandboxing presenterGaryNewbon,introducedhimto trainerJonPegg.Garysaid:“Dominicwas celebratinghis50thbirthdayrecentlysoI secretlyarrangedforhimtofaceLewisto markthemilestone.”

Picture:TyroneSingleton

Picture:TyroneSingleton

NET WINNER

FORMERENGLANDNETBALLCAPTAINANDPROUDBRUMMIE,AMAAGBEZEDOESN’TSTANDSTILL. SHEHASMEDIAWORK,NON-EXECDIRECTORANDTRUSTEEROLESASWELLASHERWORKASA

SOLICITORANDMOTIVATIONALSPEAKER.WHILEREWARDING,NONECOMESCLOSETOTHE COMMONWEALTHGAMESGOLDMEDALWININ2018,WHICHSHE’LLBERELIVINGWHENSHE’S90

Ifyoudidn’twatchthe2018Commonwealth GamesfinalinwhichEnglandtriumphedover Australia,whattheheckwereyoudoing?Itwas tear-jerking,pride-inducing,anepicmatch andsportingmomentthatwillgodownin history.EnglandcaptainedbyAmaAgbezewerebrave andbrilliant.

Participationinnetballrocketedaftertheirwinand it’ssomethingAmawillcherish.Shesayswhenshe thinksbackandvisualisesthatmatchit’salmostlike watchingtheactionunfoldfromabove.Sheexplains:“I lovethatmoment.Withthefinal,thelastbitfeelslikea dronewatchingfromoverhead.Itwastheculminationof yearsofhardwork.WhenI’m90,I’llstillhavethat feeling.Itwarmsmyheart.”

Goingbackabit,it’squiteremarkablethatAma playedforEnglandatthislevelatallasshewas droppedfromtheteam,toldshewasn’tverygoodand thatheragewasanissue.Shewas30atthetime.Ama saysshethoughtlongandhardaboutwhethertocarry onbuteventuallymadethedecisiontotravelto Australiaandplayintheirsecond-tierdevelopment leagues–eachstatehasitsownleagueandthe standardiscomparabletotheBirminghamLeague.

Amaexcelled,winningplayeroftheseasonamong otheraccolades.Itdidn’tgounnoticedbytheEnglandsetupandselectionfollowed.WhenshegottheEnglandcallup,shesays:“Idecidedtocomebackeventhoughthey didn’treallywantme.Peopleweresurprised.”Ama’svery matter-of-factandnotatallbitter.Shesays:“High performancesportisbrutal.Therealityistough.”

CAPTAINSENSITIVE

BackintheEnglandfoldAmabecamecaptainwhich shehasmixedemotionsabout.“AsacaptainItriedtobe moresensitivetootherpeople.There’sverylittletimeto givefeedbackduringamatch,soithastobedirectand specific.”Withnotimetosugarcoatfeedback,Amasays thecoachingstaffcouldbeharshastheytriedtoconveya messageclearlyandswiftly.Knowingtheteamandhow differentplayersdealtwiththat,Amawouldpickupthe piecesboostingtheplayersthatneededit.

Shesays:“Oneofmythingsisoutcomefocused. Howcanyougetthatpersontoplaywell?Makeit aboutthem.OccasionallyI’dtakepeopletooneside.It wasadifficultrole,butIthinkIwasgoodatit.”She adds:“It’scompletelydifferentfrombeingjusta player.You’renotpartofthemanagementteam

influencingdecisionsatthatlevelandyou’renotjusta player.IthinkIlearnedtodealwithitwell.”

MAGICBIRMINGHAM

WhenBirmingham2022rolledaround,Amawasinitially disappointednottobecompeting.Shethoughthowspecial itwouldbetorecreatetheteam’ssuccessontheGoldCoast righthereinfrontofahomecrowd,butintheend,shewas pleasednottobeplaying.Itwasadifferentexperience,but Amawasinvolvedinawaythatallowedhertoenjoyitand soakupthemagnificenceofthecityinthatmagicfortnight.

Amasays:“Toplayathomeinthatenvironmentwould havebeenamazing.Iwasontheboardoftheorganising committee,soIfeltpartofit.Iwouldn’tchangeitnow.As anathleteyoudon’talwaysgettoattendtheopeningand closingceremoniesdependingonyourplayingandrecovery schedule.It’sessentiallysleep,eatandtrain.”Amahad mediaworkaroundtheGamesfortheBBCaswellasher organisingcommitteeroleandwasabletoimmerseherself intheatmosphere.Shesays:“Thefestivalthatranalongside thegamescelebratingtheartsaswellassportwas magnificentforthecity.”

INWARDINVESTMENT

PassionateaboutthelegacyoftheGames,Amaiskeento shoutdowntheargumentthatthathostingthemcontributed

tothefinancialfailuresofthecitycouncil,whichisblatantly untrue.ShesaysinwardinvestmentthankstotheGameshas beenhugeaswellasincreasedjobsandapprenticeships.She says:“Wefoughttokeep£70millionintheregionaswellas equipmentwhichhasgonetolocalschoolsandclubs.”She alsosaysthatit’stestamenttoBirminghamthatwealready hadfacilitiessodidn’tneedtostartfromscratch,suchas AlexanderStadium.

Ama’salsopassionateaboutgettingkidsintosportand recognisesthatwehaveaproblemnationally.Shesays:“Sport isseenasanadd-onwithPEonceortwice-a-week.Itshould almostbeasimportantasmathsorscience.Itenablesachildto besomuchmore,boostingphysicalaswellasmental wellbeing.Weneedtogivechildrentheopportunitytothrive.”

NEXTSTOP

WhileAmahasnaturallyfounditdifficultmovingon fromthenicheworldofprofessionalsport,she’sbusyand lovesthevarietyofhermanyroles,somesport-related,many not–globalheadofInclusionatBUPAforinstance.

SpendingmostofhertimeinBirmingham,Amahasa husbandfromNewZealandwho’slivinginNorway,soshe travelsalottoo.Whileshehasn’tcompletelyruledout coachinginthefuture,shedoesn’tseeitonthehorizon althoughshedoestalkofapotentialshake-upofthenetball superleaguewhichcouldcreateaBirminghamfranchise. ■

AmawithColinJackson

creditJasSansi

BREAKING BOUNDARIES

WECAUGHTUPWITHTHECLEVERPEOPLEATTHE ORCHESTRAOFTHESWANANDFOUNDAN UNCOMPROMISINGFORCEFORGOODCOMMITTED NOTONLYTOPERFORMINGGREATMUSIC,BUT CREATINGADVENTUROUSORIGINAL WORK,PUSHINGBOUNDARIESANDCHAMPIONING THETHERAPEUTICPOWEROFMUSICFORALL

Abrilliantorchestra?Yes,that’sagivenbutthe OrchestraoftheSwanissomuchmore.In additiontosupportinglocalcommunity projects,they’realsosellingoutvenues,climbingthe ClassicalMusicchartsandenjoyingradioplayon6 MusicandRadio3,nottomentionover10million digitalstreamsglobally.

Foundedin1995andbasedattheWarwick SchoolsFoundation,theorchestrahasalwaysbeen committedtopromotingaccessibilityandinclusivity. Believinginthetherapeuticpowerofmusic,the orchestradeliversactivitiesforpeoplewithdementia, visualimpairment,PTSDandarangeofmental healthissues.Theyrunaregulardementiafriendly caféaswellasperformingfamilyconcerts introducingyoungaudiencestomusicinarelaxed andengagingway.

COREVALUES

UndertheartisticdirectionofDavidLePage,this multi-facetedorchestraenjoyspushingboundaries, blendinggenresandpoppingupinvenuesyoumight notexpecttoseeorhearanorchestra.

Theirupcomingproject,BhangraSymphonicais agreatexample.Theorchestraiscollaboratingwith Bhangrarockband,Kissmetinagigat Birmingham’sTownHallwhichpromisestobe thrilling.FoundedbyRonandBuzzSingh, Kissmet’ssoundreflectsthebrothers’experienceof growingupinmulticulturalBritain.Describedasa fusionofthetraditionalPunjabifolkdancemusic,

BhangraandRock,Kissmet’sinfluencesinclude classicalHindiandPunjabiaswellasTheClash andLedZepellin.It’srousing,upliftingandunique –asoundthatmightjustmakeyouweepinthe verybestofways.ThecombinationofBhangraand classicalstringsmightsoundabitbonkersbutit works.Davidsays“Asfarasweareawarethis remarkablecollaborationisfirstofitskind!The

creationofBhangraSymphonica,blendingtwo totallydifferentmusicalgenresissuchan exhilaratingexperiencewhichwillchallengeand exciteusasartistsandperformers.”

Thenthere’stheNightOwlconcertsthatare intimatecabaret-stylegigsmoreakintojazzthanthe confinesofclassicalperformance.Creativelighting, stagingandnarrationcreateamorerounded

engagingexperience.It’sinnovativeandunexpected, whereaudiencescanexpecttohearanythingfrom BachtoRadiohead.

There’salsoanewtouringseriescalledSwan Projects–thefirstofwhichtitledEarthcyclefocuses ontheimpactofclimatechange.Itfeatures Vivaldi’sFourSeasonsaswellasjazz,baroqueand folktokeepaudiencesontheirtoes.Inpartnership withtheStratfordLiteraryFestival,theorchestra hascreatedaseriesofpodcaststoaccompany Earthcyclefeaturingenvironmentaljournalist GeorgeMonbiotandaudioproducerMadeleine

Finlay.Alongthesameclimateemergencytheme, theorchestrahasproducedaNurtureNaturevideo aimedatprimaryschools,thattacklethetopicina creativeage-appropriateway.

MODERNDAYMIXTAPE

AdaptingtoCovid,theorchestrabeganproducing digitalmixtapeswhichhavebeenhugelysuccessful andcontinuetogaincriticalacclaimandairplay.The mixtapealbumswhichfeaturemusicrangingfrom BowietoBachhavebeennominatedfor Gramophoneawardsaswellasachievinghealthy

ArtisticDirector,DavidLePage

streamingnumbers.Thealbumsaresupportedby seventhemeddigitalconcertsinventivelystaged aimedatcontemporaryaudiences.

Theorchestraperformsinforty-fiveconcertsper yearcollaboratingwithcelebratedguestconductors andsoloartists.Thisfeedsintothedesireand commitmenttonewwork.Theorchestrahasworked withcomposerssuchasRoxannaPanufrikandHuw Watkinstoproduceover70premieres.

There’sacoreofmusiciansthatmakeupthe regularorchestraplusadministrationstaffand composers,musiciansandartistswhocomeinona project-by-projectbasis.Partneringwithlocal organisationssuchasStratfordPlayHouse, BirminghamConservatoire,theArmedForcesand CoventryUniversity,musiceducationisatthecore oftheorchestra’sethosandacommitmentto provideasmanyschoolsaspossiblewithaccessto professionalhigh-qualitymusicalandperformance experiences.

TheorchestrarunsatafinanciallossdespiteArts Councilfundingwhichishard.SellingouttheRSC helpsofcourse,butmoreofthatwouldbevery welcome.Whiletheorchestraismakinganamefor itselfbeyondtheMidlandstravellingisn’teasy particularlyacrossEuropethankstoyouknow whatwhichisfrustrating.Thedigitaloutput solvesthisprobleminpartbutthere’snothinglike liveperformance. ■

BLENDINGGENRES

Ifyouhaven’texperiencedtheOrchestraoftheSwanyet,Bhangra Symphonicawouldbeawildandmostenjoyableintroduction. Thereareticketsavailableatthetimeofwriting.

Date: June8,2024

Venue: TownHall,VictoriaSquare,Birmingham

Tickets: Visitbmusic.co.uk/events/bhangrasymphonica

BhangraSymphonicaisacollaborationwithBhangrarockband,Kissmet

RICHARDCRAVEN FOOD&DRINK

ThechefpatronattheMichelin-starredRoyalOakinWhatcote, Warwickshirerevealswhyastrawberrytrifleholdsaspecialplacein hislife,whilesmokedkippershavetheoppositeeffect

Tellusaboutyourcooking

Mycookingistotallyinspiredbymysurroundings,I liketocallitpropercountryfood.Weworkreallyclosely withourcommunityoflocalfarmersandestateowners andthemenuiswrittenaroundthebestthateachseason hastooffer–bethatwildfallowshotamilefromthe frontdoorandskinnedbymyapprentice,orsquirrelto helpalocalestatemanagetheirwoodland,world-class farmedmeatsuppliedbyourneighboursatPaddock Farm,whoreargrassfedHerefordsorTamworthpigsthat respectivelygrazeandroutnearthepub.

Howdidyoubecomeachef?

IwenttoschoolinChippingCampdeninthe Cotswoldsandstartedworkinginkitchensasakitchen porterbecauseitwaswarmerandbetterpaidthanmy paperround!Ireallyenjoyedtheenvironmentandwent full-timeafterschoolinwhatwassupposedtobeagap yearbeforeuniversity.Afterinitially‘falling’intothe industryIcametotherealisationthatithadbecomea careerthatIwouldpursue.IspenttimeinSouthAfrica whichwasagreatsourceofinspirationtome–the restaurantatLeQuartierFrancaishadadistinctivestyle usinglocal,sometimesunusualingredientswithastrong focusontheindigenousgame.Itmadesensetohighlight alltheamazingproduceavailableintheCotswoldswhen wereturnedtoEngland.

Whatdoyoueatathome?

Simple,seasonaldishes.MywifeSolanchealwayssays thatwhenwefirstmetlwasworkinginanItalian restaurantandthatitmademeanattractiveproposition… soIdon’tstraytoofarfromthoseearlydishes!

Who’sthebestchefintheworldandwhy?Andwho’sthe bestinBrum?

IknowandhaveeatenwithalotoftheBirmingham chefs,sothat’sareallytoughone.IloveeatingatCarters, andobviouslyAktarIslamhasjustbecomeBirmingham’s firsttwoMichelin-starredchef.MyoldsouschefJohn BluckisheadchefatGraceandSavourandvery talented.AndI’mreallylookingforwardtoeatingwith AshandErinatRiverineRabbitinStirchleysoon.The bestchefintheworldisincrediblytoughandpersonal.I thinkitdependsonyourmood,therearerestaurantsthat canbeinspiringandluxuriousandthosethatarefor family.Foodcanbesopowerfulandevocative,andfor

me,thebestchefwasmygrandmother,orPaulineasshe wouldhavepreferredtobeknown.

Shareacookingtip

MakeabigbatchofhomemadewildgarlicpestoandAglio eOlio(garlic,chilliandparsley)andkeepitinKilnerjarsin thefridgeunderalittleoliveoil,theoliveoilsealsitanditwill keepformonthsandisperfectfastfoodwithdriedpasta.

Whatwasyourfavouritefoodasakid?

Dad’sself-proclaimed‘poorman’srisotto’,whichwasn’ta risottoasyouknowitnow.Ithadlong-grainricecooked withthechickencarcassfromtheweekendroastandany vegetableswehadtohand.

Foodheavenandfoodhell?

Heavenismygrandmother’sstrawberrytrifle.Hell wouldbesmokedkippers,notgreatearlyinthemornings whenIworkedbreakfastshiftsinhotels.

What’sthemostunusualthingyou'veeaten?

I’lleatalmostanything,thestrangestwoulddefinitelybe reindeerpenisatRestaurantFrantzen.Ithadbeencuredand gratedasaseasoning,ratherthanadishwithtexturethankfully.

Ifyouweren’tachef,whatwouldyoube?

WhenIwasatschoolwehadacareerstestwhich suggestedagamekeeperorworkinginconservation,bothof whichIwouldhavedefinitelyenjoyed.Asayoungsterliving inthecountryside,theoutdoorswasalwaysattractivetome, helpingmydadwithoddjobsorbeatingforaninformal shootonthefarmthatwelivedontheedgeof.

Giveusaniceeasyrecipeforourreaderstomakeathomethat makesuseofthoselingeringitemsinthestorecupboard.

Wealwaysseemtohaveajaroflentilsinthecupboard andlotsofdriedspices.Boilthelentilsfor10to15minutes untilsoftwithalittlebite,heatbutterandoilsweatoffan onion,garlicandchillies(orusechillipowder)addcumin, cardamom,cinnamonandgarammasala.Addatinof tomatoesandtomatopaste.Simmerforafewminutes beforeaddingthelentilsandcombiningtogetherandseason withsalt.Ifyouhavefreshcorianderit’sevenbetter. ■

TheRoyalOak,Whatcote,Shipston-on-Stour,CV365EF. Tel:01295688100,theroyaloakwhatcote.co.uk

IT’SASPARAGUSTIME!

TVchefMattTebbutservesupawinnerwiththebestofBritishasthecentrepiece

TheBritishversionofasparagusis absolutelythebestontheplanetbutit’s aprettyshortseasonandonlyavailable fromMaytoJuly,sodon’tdelay.Notonlydoesit tasteawesome,butit’salsojam-packedwithhigh levelsofvitaminsAandC,potassium,ironand calcium.Whencooking,simplicityisthekey,so whynottrythislovelylittlerecipefromcelebrity chefMattTebbut.

Toptip:We’resureyoualreadyknowthis,but remembertoprepareasparagussimplysnapoffthe woodyendswherevertheynaturallybreakand you’regoodtogo. ■

INGREDIENTS

■ 4asparagusspears

■ 100gricotta

■ juiceof½lemon

■ 2springonions

■ 1tbspchoppedfreshmintleaves

■ 1smallgreenchilli,chopped

■ oliveoil

■ 1tbsphoney

■ Saltandpepper

METHOD:

Mixthericottawiththelemonjuice andapinchofsaltandblackpepper. Setaside.

Cutthepreparedasparagusinto quartersandaddtoalargepanof boiling,saltedwater.Blanchfor2 minutesuntiljusttender.

Inabowl,tosstheasparaguswith springonions,mint,chillianddrizzle ofoliveoil.

Spreadthericottaontoadish,drizzle overthehoneyandspoonoverthe vegetables. Serveandenjoy!

SHORTS NI BBLESand

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

MEATBALL MAGIC

Ifyou’reintostreetfoodyou’llwantatasteofanewarrivalatDigbethDiningClub.TheStreetBallerspecialisesinItalianAmericanmeatballdishes,withbothmeatandveganoptions.Theventurehasbeenlaunchedbyformerengineerand BrummienativeSeanMcCabewhosoughtthehelpoffriendsintheindustry–suchasBruceKingsleywhorunsthe popularBrúmMistreetfoodbrandbasedoutoftheDarkHorseinMoseley–tohelpmakehisdreamareality.

BOOSMASHESIT

MerryHilliswelcomingsmashburgerspecialists,Boo.Theeaterysits60dinersforitsfreshly preparedin-houseofferingsusinglocallysourcedingredients,includingBritishBlackAngus beef.SinceopeninginLeicesterin2017,BoohasgoneontooperatesitesacrosstheUKand globally,withitsfirstoverseasrestaurantinAbuDhabi’sYasMalllaunchinglastyear.Offerings includetheOGClassicAngusbeefburgerandthebuttermilkfriedChick-a-Booburger.

PRIZEVISIT

GueststoapopularSolihull restaurantcouldwinatriptothe stunningAmalfiCoastinItaly.The competitionforthethree-night breakisbeingheldatMarco PierreWhiteSteakhouseBar& Grill,intheManorHotel,Meriden. Theprize,inconjunctionwith MalfyGin,includesflights,luxury hotel,boattourofCapriandsightseeingcoasttripinaclassicFiat 500.Allguestshavetodotoenter isenjoyamealordrinkatthe restaurant.

CURRY NEWCOMER

Brummiesloveacurrylikenoother–andnow there’sanewkidontheblocktowhetthosespicy tastebuds.DilSeopensintheMailboxthismonth, offeringacontemporaryfusionofNorthandSouth Indiancuisine.DilSe,whichmeans‘fromtheheart’, willfocusitsculinaryjourneyonSouthernIndian, withaparticularemphasisonKerala,astateon India'stropicalMalabarCoast–whichmeans thecuisineisheavilyinfluencedbyfish andcoconutdishes.

SEAFOOD LAUNCH

BURGERFEST

Let’scelebratetheburger!Birmingham SeasonalMarketsarehostingBurgerFeston 15JuneattheBond,Digbethinwhatpromises tobeadayofmouthwateringburgers,live music,kidsentertainment,DJsanddrinks.The pattieswillbecraftedbythebeststreetfood vendorsfromtheWestMidlandsandbeyond –includingZephyrBurgers,BaggioBurger, Yardbirds,StripclubStreetFood,What’sYour Beef,MeatCastles,BakedinBrickandmore! We’refeelinghungryalready…

SCOREDRAW

Theworld’sonlyimmersivefootballexperienceis openingattheBullringon3June.TOCASocialoccupies thesitepreviouslyhometoDebenhamsandfeatures23 interactivefootballboxesandfourbarsacrosstwo floors,becomingoneofthecity’slargestcompetitive socialisingexperiences.Afoodmenufeatureshandheld sharersforgueststoenjoywhileplaying.Londonbased Chick‘n’Sours,willbeonthemenubringingatasteof their‘nextlevelfriedchicken’tothecityforthefirsttime

ThebrainsbehindVietnameseStreetKitchenarelaunchinganewseafoodboilrestaurant calledSeafoodCityintheArcadianthisJune.Theconcepttakesinspirationfromtheoriginal southern‘seafoodboil’madefamousinLouisianaintheUSDeepSouth,whichusesa traditionalcookingmethodtolockinthetasteofthesea.Sincethen,thecookingstylehas beenadoptedbytheVietnamesecommunityandemboldenedwithnewflavours.Theeatery boastsacocktailbarasthecentrepiece,plusadditionaloutdoorseatingforsummerdays

LADYINBLUE

Cheerstoasuper-smooth,gin-basedtipplethataddsanewtwisttoacocktaillegend

Thiscrackingcocktailfrom themagicmixologistsatthe

SkyBar&Restauranttakes itsleadfromtheclassicsuper smooth,gin-basedWhiteLady,as developedbythebartendinglegend HarryCraddockthatfeaturesinthe theSavoyCocktailBook.This versionisvibrantbluewithan elegantshimmer.Atitsheartthere’s adrytouchfromthegincoupled withadelicateandperfectly complementarysweetorangeand lemonflavour.Thisisthewayginis supposedtobedrunk! ■

INGREDIENTS:

■ 60mlTanqueraygin

■ 25mlBlueCuracao

■ 50mlAquafaba

■ 25mllemonjuice

■ 15mlsugarsyrup

■ 3salinedrops(moreaccuratethanapinchofsalt)

■ 1tspofedibleblueglitter

METHOD:

Addalltheingredientstoashakerfilledwithice.Shake andthenstrainintoaglass.Garnishwithtwoflowersand enjoyresponsibly.

SkyBar&Restaurant,ResortsWorldBirmingham, PendigoWay,Birmingham,B401PU. resortsworldbirmingham.co.uk

SANCARLO

laughter.

Wehadacustomaryglassofproseccotokickoff–wheninRomeandallthat–andnibbledabowlof plumpgreenolivesandabasketofItalianbreadwith atangysundriedtomatopasteandaricholive tapenade.Anicestart.

Therearesomedishesnewforsummer(ha),one ofwhichblewoursocksoff-carpacciooftuna.Wafer thinsashimigradetunawithazingysesameand limedressing,capersandchunksofsweetorangewas delightful.Thenanoldfavourite,acomforting spaghetticarbonara.Abowlfulofsmoky,cheesy, unctuousloveliness.What’snottolove?

Agnocchettipastamelanzaneesalsiccia–Sardinianstylepasta(shapedlikegnocchihencethe name)withanaubergineandsausageraguwas delicious.Thesaucewasarichtomatonumberwith abighitoffennelcomingfromthesausage.Weloved itbutacceptit’sanacquiredtaste.Itwasamammoth portionthatcouldhavefedtheentiretablebutapart fromthat,itwasacrackingdish.

Wewerepiggyandsharedadessert.Amintteaor

adigestivwouldhavebeenabetterideagiventhe amountoffoodwe’deaten,butamillfogliewas winking.TheItalianversionofmillefeuille,crisp puffpastrywithasimplevanillalacedChantilly cream.Itwastastyandpleasingtofinishwith somethingsweetbutnotwowinducing.

Wehadn’tbeentoSanCarloforyearsbeforethis visit–certainlypre-pandemicandwe’dforgotten howwelltheydothisrestaurantstuff.Theywould, wouldn’tthey?Charmingstaff,nononsensetasty food,goodvibesandagreatwinelist–simple. ■

RAISEAGLASSTO THELOVELYLOIRE

TheLoireValleyofFranceboastsstunningsceneryandaselectionof wonderfulwines,saysKatieGardnerofBirminghamWineSchool

Nestledamidthepicturesquelandscapesof France,theLoireValleyisaregion renownedforitsbreathtakingbeautyand, ofcourse,itsexquisitewines.Stretchingalongthe banksoftheLoireRiver,thisenchantingareais dividedintoseveralsub-regions,eachofferingits ownuniqueterroirandgrapevarieties.

Theregionhasarichwinemakinghistorythat datesbacktoRomantimes.Manyofthevineyards andwineriesintheregionhavebeenproducing wineforcenturies,andtheareaisdottedwith historicchâteauxandmedievalvillagesthataddto itscharmandallure.Ifyouareplanningtovisit Francethissummer,agreatwaytoexploretheLoire isbybike,cyclingbetweenpropertiesandsampling thedelightsofthedifferentsub-regions.

DIVERSEMICROCLIMATES

TheLoireValleybenefitsfromadiverserangeof microclimatesthankstoitsexpansivestretchof500

milesofvineyardsfromtheAtlanticcoastnearNantes tothecentreofFrance,oneofthelargestregionsinthe country.TheLoireisdividedintoseveraldistinctsubregions,eachcharacterisedbyitsownsoiltypes, elevationandproximitytotheriver.

Startingfromthewest,thePaysNantais,nearthe Atlanticcoast,isknownforitsmaritimeclimate, withcooltemperaturesmoderatedbythenearby ocean.Thisiswhereyou'llfindthefamous Muscadetwines,producedfromtheMelonde Bourgognegrape.Thoughitmayhavefallenoutof fashionlately,Muscadetistheperfectwinefor spring.Saline,crisp,freshandgreatwithseafood andgrilledfish(theclassicpairingisoysters!). Whendecipheringlabels,lookoutforthewords ‘SevreetMaine’meaningthewinecomesfromthe bestqualitysub-zone,andalso‘surlie’which meansthewinehasrestedonitsleesandwillhave abitmorecomplexityandtexture.

Movinginland,Anjou-Saumurenjoysaslightly

warmerclimate,whileTouraine,furthereast, hasamorecontinentalinfluence.Thecentral vineyardsofTourainearerenownedfortheir diversity,producingeverythingfromcrispwhites tofull-bodiedreds.OneofmyfavouritelesserknownregionsinAnjouisSavennières,whichis renownedforitselegantCheninBlancwines. UnlikethelighterVouvraystylesfromfurther east,thesewinesarecharacterisedbytheir vibrantacidity,richtexture,andcomplexaromas ofhoney,quince,andfloralnotes.Savennières pairsbeautifullywithroastchicken,turkey orrisotto.

WhilethefocusofLoirewinestendstobeonthe whites,ChinonintheTourainesectionproduces exceptionalredwinesfromtheCabernetFranc grape.Chinonwinesareknownfortheirfreshred fruitflavours,earthyundertonesandsupple tannins.Theypairwonderfullywithgrilledmeats, charcuterieandrusticFrenchcuisine.

KATIE’S4LOIREWINESTOTRY

■ DomainedelaTourmaline‘SurLie’Muscadetde SèvreetMaine–Majestic£11.29,or£9.99mixsix Madefromoldvinesandspendingtimeontheleesforextracomplexity, thisdeliciouswhiteismineralandfreshwithapple,pearandcitrus flavours.Perfectforaseafoodsupper.

■ TheBestTouraineRosé–Morrisons£8.50 AgreatvaluedryrosémadefromCabernetFrancandGamaygrapes. Prettyraspberryandredcurrantaromasandgreatwithasalad.

■ ChâteaudelaMulonniereSavennieresEffet Papillon–Waitrose£19.99

Aclassy,biodynamicwinemadefromCheninBlanc.Withcomplex aromasofhoneyandtruffle,it’sworthitsheftypricetag.It’sdefinitelya foodiewine,greatwithstrongcheeseorarich,creamydish.

■ Lulu‘l’AlouetteOrganicChinon–Majestic£13.99, or£11.99mixsix

Fragrant,lightandapproachablewithavibrantredfruitcharacter. Youcouldevenchillitdownonawarmdayandenjoywithaducksalad.

GREATVALUEROSES

Theregionisalsohometolotsofgreatroséwines. Usuallymadewithablendoflocalgrapessuchas CabernetFrancorGamay,theycanofferagreat-value alternativetotherosésofthesouth.Atthepricierend ofthescale,lookoutfortheelegantSancerrerosé, madefromPinotNoirbutourbetisonTouraine rosé.Dryanddelicate,itpairsperfectlywithlight salads,seafoodpaella,andsummerpicnics(sunshine permittingofcourse!).

SituatedintheUpperLoire,rightintheheartof France,Menetou-SalonproduceselegantSauvignon Blancwinesreminiscentofitsfamousneighbours, SancerreandPouilly-Fumé(butwithoutthehefty pricetag!)Thesewinesoffercrispacidity,citrusand grassyflavoursandadistinctminerality.MenetouSalonpairsexcellentlywithgoatcheese,grilled vegetablesandsushi. ■

BirminghamWineSchoolisanindependentwineeducation companythatoffersfuninformalwinetastingeventsandWine& SpiritEducationTrust(WSET)coursesonline,inBirminghamand Warwick.FormoreinformationcontactKatieGardneron0121 2707359,orvisitwww.birminghamwineschool.com

WELCOMETOTHE HUMAN‘RACE’

Theemotionalbackstories,thejubilantcrowds andthelookofpureelationasthousandsof amateurrunnerscrosstheline.It’shardnotto getcaughtupinthejoyofrunningwhenyouwatch theseamazingeventstakeplace,raisingvastamountsof moneyforarangeofcrackingcharities.

Butifyou’veneverreallyrunbefore,thethoughtof 26.2milesofphysicalpainisprobablyprettydaunting andoff-putting.Well,whynotjointheever-increasing throngofpeoplewhoregularlypartakeinthemuch morepalatabledistanceof5k.It’sagreattargetfor beginnerrunnersasit’slongenoughtofeellike you’veachievedsomething,yetshortenoughtotake onafterjustacoupleofmonths,orlessifyou’rein reasonableshape.

Here’sourguidetohowtosafelypreparefora5kin justamatterofweeks.

EASYDOESIT

Whenyoufirststartrunning,don’ttrytodotoo muchtoosoon.Anaveragebeginner’spaceisaround 13minutespermile,butifyoufindthattoohard,or notchallengingenough,simplyadjustyourtraining accordingly.You’llsoongetafeelforwhatyourbody cando.

Setyourselfatargetdateforrunningyourfirst5k. Allowforeightweekstoprepareanditmightbeeasier tocommittoanofficialracedayforextramotivation. Forbeginners,it’sbesttoschedulethreerunning sessionsperweekduringthelasteightweeksbefore yougoforit.

Atfirstyouonlyneedtodo20minutesofalternate runningandwalking,buildingupto40minutesas youprogressandD-Daygetsnear.Ifyou’rereallynot usedtorunning,orsufferingweightproblems,then it’sfinetowalkthroughoutyourfirstsession.Next timetryrunningforafewminutes,thenwalkuntil youfeelreadytorunagain,butwhenyouwalk,take brisk,purposefulstrides.

RESTDAYS

Schedulerestdaysbetweenyourtrainingdays andtakeplentyofminutestowarmupbeforeeach

session.Stretchingbeforeandafterexerciseis beneficialandsomethingthatmanyofusforgetto do.Byweekthree,you’llalreadybestartingto experienceatleastsomeofthemanybenefitsof regularrunning.

Ideallyyoushouldtrytoworkuptorunningforat leastsevenminutes(justoverhalfamile)non-stop beforetakingawalkbreakbytheendofweekthree. Youshouldalsoincreasethelengthofyourtraining sessionstohalf-an-hour,andonceyoucanrunfor sevenminutes,aimtorunforeight,andthennine, whichyoushouldbeabletoachievebytheendof weekfour.

KEYTIME

Weeksfiveandsixareakeytime.Nowitistimeto runforatleast15minutes(justoveramile)nonstop.Aimtobuilduptorunningforatleast20 minutesbytheendofweeksix.Bytheendofweek sevenyou’llberunningfor35minutesnon-stop, whichshouldgetyoutoadistanceofalittleoverfour kilometres.Itisstillabsolutelyfineforyoutotakethe oddwalkbreakifyoureallyneedto,justgetrunning againassoonasyoucan.

Inweekeightyoushouldreallyenjoyyourfinal weekoftraining.Asessionwhereyourun30minutes, thentakeaone-minutewalkbreakbeforerunningfor another10minutes,scheduledearlyintheweek, shouldprepareyounicelytorunyour5krace.After thatjustonemore20-minuteruninthemiddleofthe weekisallyouneedtodo.

5KDAY!

It’stargetdayandifyoufeelnervous,that’sfine!If youarerunninginanactualrace,mostoftheother runnerswillbetoobutjustlapuptheatmosphereand remindyourselfthatyouarefullypreparedtodothis. Treattodayasacelebrationofhowfaryouhavecome injustacoupleofmonths.Youraimistogothe distancewithoutstopping,butifyouneedtotake walkingbreaksthat’sfine,thisisonlyyourfirstfull5k andhopefullyitwillbethefirstofmany.

Goodluck! ■

STAYSAFEINTHESUN

SCARECLOSETOHOMEATBRUMTOWERS,IT’SAREMINDERTHATWEALLNEEDTO BESUPERCAREFULBEFOREVENTURINGOUTINTOTHESUN…

MillionsofBritsjetofftoforeignholiday hotspotseveryyearanditalsolookslikewe’re headingforagorgeoussummerheretoo–but healthexpertswarntheUKsuncanbejustasdangerous asrelaxinginmoreexoticclimes.

It’samessagethat’softrepeatedbutrightlyso–unlessyougiveyourskinthecorrectprotectionyouare storinguppotentiallydeadlyconsequences.Sunburn increasesyourriskofskincancer.Sunburndoesnotjust happenonholiday.YoucanburnintheUK,evenwhen it’scloudy.

There’snosafeorhealthywaytogetatanandit’soneof thegreatmythsthatatanmakesyouhealthier.Atthevery best,thesun’srayswillcauseprematureageingofyourskin, whiletheworst-casescenarioisthattheycancauseskin cancer.Whilewedon’twanttobeseenasspoilsports,we askedtheexpertsfortheiradvicetomakesureyoucanenjoy thesummersunsafely.Here’stheirtoptips:

SLAPONTHESUNSCREEN

Applylotsofit,often.Makesuretoespeciallycover areasatthebackoftheneck,topoftheearsandscalp.UV raysfromthesunarereflectedfromsandandseaandany otherbrightsurfacesontoyourskin,whetheryou’reinthe shadeornot.

AIMHIGH

GoforasunscreenwithahighSPF.Thehigherthe SPFnumberthemoreprotectionthereisfromburning causedbyUVBradiation.Whilesunburnismainlycaused byUVB,expertssayUVAraysmaybejustasimportantin causingprematureskinageingandcancer.

KEEPITCOVERED

Revealingtoomuchfleshisdangerousinthesun.Wear aT-shirtorloose,lightclothingtocoveryourchestand shoulders.Ahatandsunglassesareamust-have,too.

STAYINTHESHADE

Enjoythesummerweatherbuttryandstayintheshade ratherthanbeingdirectlyinthesun.It’sagoodideatohavea sunshadetositunderwhenthesunisatitsheight.IntheUK, thisisbetween11amand3pmfromMarchtoOctober.

TAKECAREATWORK

It’ssimpletoremembertoprotectyourselfagainstthe sunwhenyou’reathomeattheweekendoronholiday–

butremembertotakesunscreentoworkwithyouand applybeforesittingoutsideonyourlunchbreak.

PROTECTYOUREYES

Adayatthebeachwithoutpropereyeprotectioncan causeatemporarybutpainfulburntothesurfaceofthe eye,similartosunburn.

CHECKYOURSKIN

Ifyouhaveanymolescheckthemforchangesincolour, sizeorshape.Ifsomething’snotquiteright,askyourGP.

DON’TFAKEIT

Contrarytowhatmanypeoplebelieve,havingafaketan won’tprotectyourskinfromthesun’sUVrays.

SUNBEDWARNING

Expertssaythere’sa20percentincreaseintheriskof melanomanomatterhowinfrequentlyyouuseasunbed.

WHATTHENUMBERSMEAN

UVBrayscausesunburnandplayakeyroleincausing skincancerwhileUVAisthemaincauseofskinageing.A sunscreen’sSPFnumberrefersprimarilytotheamountof UVBprotectionitprovides.Lookforasunscreenthatcan protectfrombothUVAandUVB.Asunscreen’sSPF numbertellsyouhowlongthesun’sUVradiationwilltake tomakeyourskinreddenwhileusingtheproductversusthe amountoftimewithoutsunscreen.Factor30takesyou30 timeslongertoburnthanifyouweren’twearingsunscreen. AnSPF30screenallowsaboutthreepercentofUVBraysto hityourskin,whileSPF50allowstwopercent.So,asa generalrule,thehighertheSPFthebettertheprotection.

HOWTOAPPLYSUNSCREEN

Mostpeopledonotapplyenoughsunscreen.Asaguide, adultsshouldaimtoapplyaroundsixtoeightteaspoonsof sunscreenifyou'recoveringyourentirebody.Ifsunscreenis appliedtoothinly,theamountofprotectionitgivesis reduced.Ifyouplantobeoutinthesunlongenoughtorisk burning,sunscreenneedstobeappliedtwice,30minutes beforegoingoutandthenjustbeforegoingout.

Sunscreenneedstobereappliedliberallyandfrequently, andaccordingtothemanufacturer’sinstructions,andthis includesapplyingitstraightafteryouhavebeeninwater, evenifit’s‘waterresistant’,andaftertoweldrying, sweatingorwhenitmayhaverubbedoff. ■

ONEPIECE WONDER

SwimsuitfromF&F

BEACH BODY READY

DON’TOVERTHINKITBAB.IFYOU’VEGOTABODYAND YOU’REOFFTOABEACH,YOUAREINFACT,BEACHBODYREADY. GRABYOURSELFSOMEGORGEOUSSWIMMERSANDENJOY

POOL CHIC

Swimsuit£36, JohnLewis

GREAT SHAPE

Sparsechocolate andcreamone shoulderswimsuit

£40,Accessorize

SCALLOP

EDGE

MarysiaSantaBarbara oneshoulderswimsuit

£345,HarveyNichols

Youcanspendalotofmoneyonswimwearandinthis instance,yougetwhatyoupayfor.Thecutandfabricare superior,moreflattering,supportiveandwilllastlonger. Fromthemuch-copiedcrinkleeffectatHunzaG,theclassic shapesatMelissaOdabashandthestunningprintsat Zimmerman,thetopendofthemarketiswinning.

Havingsaidthat,ifyou’renotlookingtospendbig,thereare somecrackingexamplesonthehighstreettoo–justacceptthefit mightnotbeassnugandthefabricmightnotlastaswell.You canpickupmixandmatchbikinibottomsatPrimarkforaslittle as£2.50.Thequalityisclearlynotgoingtobetopnotch,but there’samarketforit.

TERRIFIC TEXTURE

Monochrometextured shapingswimsuit£40, Accessorize

SIMPLE STYLE

TwistandShout swimsuit£56, CurvyKate

F&Fhassomegoodexamplestoo,butrulingtheroostatmidlevelisAccessorize.Notusuallyabrandweassociatedwith swimwear,they’vesomegreatoneandtwo-piecesthatdefythe reasonablepricetag.Weparticularlylovetheasymmetricmulti stripeone-piecepicturedwhichis£45wellspentinourbook.

Reissisalwaysworthalook–abrandthatbridgesthegap betweenhighendandhighstreet.TheGiabluelatticedetailone piecepicturedisgorgeous,flatteringandwilllast.Atjustshyof £100it’sthemostvalueformoneyexamplewe’veincluded consideringitsqualityandcut.

Probablymorethananyotherpurchase,trybeforeyoubuyis thenumberonerulewithswimwear.Don’tjuststandposingin themirroreither.Sit,benddown,walkaroundandcheckitstays putandyoufeelcomfortable.Fidgetinginanill-fittingswimsuit doesn’texactlyoozeconfidence,sowhenyoufindtheonethat worksforyou,considerbuyingitinafewcolourways. ■

NOTSO MELLOWYELLOW

Solutionswimsuit£22.50,F&F

MULTI STRIPE

Multistripe asymmetric fluteswimsuit

£45, Accessorize

CLASSIC SHAPE

MelissaOdabashLisbon bowembellishedswimsuit

£270,Selfridges

COLD SHOULDER

Goldfoilswimsuit

£12.50,F&F

TAKETHE PLUNGE

ZimmermanJunieplunge neck£330,Selfridges

BOLD PRINT

Swirlprintswimsuit

£14,George

COOL COBALT

ReissGiahalterneck latticetrimswimsuit

£98,Selfridges BABY BLUE

HunzaGDomino seersuckerswimsuit

£175,HarveyNichols

AND RELAX

Bikinitop£30and bottoms£18, JohnLewis

MIXAND MATCH

Bikinitopsand bottomsfrom£2.50 each,Primark

GREEN DREAM

Seersuckerbikinitop£12 andbottoms£10,F&F

COLOUR POP

Abstractbrightbottoms £18andtop£18, Accessorize

WIDE STRAP

Brownruchedbikini bottoms£12andtop£14, PrettyLittleThing

HIGH RISE

Batikdyebikinitop

£45andbottoms

£40,Monsoon

GREAT GINGHAM

Bikiniset£22, Monsoon

TIGER STRIPE

Sparsewhitetiger bottoms£18andtop£25, Accessorize

TWIST ANDSHOUT

TwistandShoutblack bikinitop£33andbottoms £21,CurvyKate

BEAUTYUPDATE

WEOFTENSAMPLEAFEWDUDPRODUCTSTHATDON’TLIVEUPTOTHEIRHYPE,SOTHEYDON’T APPEARINTHESEPAGES.HOWEVER,THISMONTHWE’VEBEENSPOILTWITHSOMEABSOLUTE CORKERSTHATWE’LLBEREPURCHASINGPRONTO.FROMACIDFIRMINGNIGHTCREAMTOANUDE LIPTHATLASTSALLDAY,HEREAREOURTOPPICKS

1.ISLEOFPARADISEGRADUALTAN£8.99,BOOTS

Thisisabitmorepotentthanweimagined.Weapplieditwithbare handsjustlikeabodylotionbuttakingabitmorecarearoundthe kneesandelbows.Afteroneapplicationthecolourwasperfectfor us–inourcaseLight/Medium–andtheskinfelthydrated.We’re usingitonceaweektokeepupasubtlesunkissedlook,butyou coulduseitdailytobuildadeepertan.Light/Mediumwassoldout atthetimeofwritingsokeepaneyeoutforarestock.

2.HUDABEAUTYBOMBSHELLLIPDUOSET£41, HUDABEAUTY

Ifmattenudelipsarewhatyou’reafter,thiscutelittlesetisworth alook.WemayhavebeendoingthisintheNinetiesandhave seriousdejavu,butthisiswherewefindourselves.Technologyhas movedonandtheproductsaremorehydratingandlongerlasting. Thepencilissoftandeasytoapplyandwhilethelipstickglideson likeagloss,itdriesinminutestoamattefinishthatdoesn’t smudgeorflake.

3.OLEHENRIKSENDEWTOPIA5%ACIDFIRMING NIGHTCRÈME£51,OLEHENRIKSEN

Thebrand’sblurbpromises‘nearmiraculousresults’andwhilewe areseriouslypleasedwiththisproduct,it’snotturningwaterinto winejaw-dropping.Packedwithallthegoodstuff–AHAsand edelweissstemcellsupportingtheskin’snaturalrepairprocess–it feelslikeaseriousgrown-upcream.Itsmooths,hydratesandour skin’sbrighterandtighterinthemorning.Thisoneisakeeper.

4.SOLDEJANEIRORIORADIANCEOILSPF50£38, CULTBEAUTY

Ifyou’veteenagegirlsinyourhousethere’sahighchanceyou mightbesickofthisbrand,howeverthisgorgeousoilmight temptyouback.Itfeelsluxuriousaswellasprotectingandgives abrilliantsheen.Thespraybottleiseasytousemakingeven applicationadoddle.Italsosmellsdeliciouslylikeholidays–thinksweetcoconutandvanilla.Itisonthepriceyside,butworth it.Justkeepitawayfromyourkids!

1

2

3

PRINTS CHARMING

UPGRADEYOURSWIMMERSANDSTANDOUTFROMTHE CROWDINSOMEOFTHISSEASON’SHOTTESTPRINTS

1 BESQUARE

PaulSmithsquareprintrecycledpolyester £135,Selfridges

2 CLASSICSTRIPE

Boldstripeswimshorts£110,AndreaKosta

3 FLOWERPOWER

Floralshorts£32,M&S

4 RIGHTLINES

FrescobolCaviocaAngraCamadarecycled polyesterswimshorts£125,HarveyNichols

5 BLUEANDORANGE

Trevoseorangeswimshorts £38,FatFace

6 GRAPHICPATTERN

Speedoswimshorts£34,Selfridges

7 FLATTERINGFIT

Floreprintshorterlengthswimshort£295, OrlebarBrown

8 CLUBTROPICANA

Palmpatternswimshorts£18.99,H&M

9 SHELLPRINT

CheSintraprintedshellswimshorts£125, HarveyNichols

Whereswimshortsareconcerned,patternisthe newblackandwe’reembracingit wholeheartedly.Fromsubtleditsyprintstoinyour-facebold,thechoiceisendless.Gomid-thighorshorter forthemostflatteringoptionandprovidedyou’rehappywith thefit,beboldwiththepattern.Onthehighstreet,theusual suspectsarewinninglikeFatFace,SpeedoandGeorge.The higherendofthehighstreetanddesignerleveloffer increasedqualityfabricandfitwhichisnottobesniffedat. CheckoutOrlebarBrown,PaulSmithandFrescobol Caviocaforsomegorgeousexamples.

HOMESliving

ROOMWITHAVIEW

DESPITETHEDODGYSTARTTOTHEYEAR,WE’REINNODOUBTTHATWE’REINFORA GLORIOUSSUMMER(AHEM!)SOWE’REGETTINGOUROUTDOORSPACESUNSHINE-READY

DREAMSETUP

Romesofasfrom£2,999andAdelaidediningsetchairsfrom£269andtablesfrom£1639,BoConceptBirmingham

HANGOUT

Eggchair£499,Dobbie’s

Themoodboostingeffectofbeingoutdoorsisundisputed,solet’smakethemost ofourgardenwhateverthesize.Thebiggestimprovementyoucanmakeinyour gardenisashiftinmindset.Starttreatingyouroutdoorspacelikeanotherroomin yourhomeandit’llbetransformative.

Firstly,giveyourgardenatidy.It’sbeenbatteredbywindandrainforasustained periodandcouldprobablydowithabitoftlc.Getridofbrokenpots,tieinclimbers, pruneovergrownshrubsandgiveeverythingagoodscrub.Powerwashyourpatioor deckingandthensitbackandassessthespace.

Askyourselfwhatdoyouwanttodoinyourgarden?Relax,eat,entertain,grow yourown,exercise?Writeitalldownandbeginzoningthespace.Naturallyyou’llbe ledbythesizeandshapeofyourgarden.Itmightjustmeanre-evaluatingthespace andmovingexistingfurnitureandpotsaroundoryoumightwanttoinvestinsome newadditions.

LOUNGELOVER

Anareaforloungingisagiven.Ifyou’vespace,goforsquishysofasorloungers formaximumcomfort.Furniturecanbepriceybutshouldlastforyearsifyougetit right.Optforfurniturethatcanbeleftoutsideallyearroundandmakesureyou’ve storageforthecushions–awaterproofboxinthegardenorspaceinyour garage/loft.Putdiningareasnearestthehouseforeaseandifyou’vethespaceand budget,thinkaboutanoutdoorkitchen.

Ifspaceisanissue,checkoutallweatherbeanbags–they’remuchmore comfortablethanspindlychairs.TheExtremeLoungingBBagisawinner,canbe leftoutsideallyearandcomesinagoodrangeofcolours.Ahangingchaircouldbea greatoptionforasmallgardentoogoingverticalratherthanout.

WARMGLOW

Considergivingyourgardenmorelongevityby addingasourceofheat.Afirepitandsomecosy blanketsworkatreat.Also,thinkaboutlightingasaway ofextendingyourtimeoutdoors.Festoonlightsandlots ofcandlescreateawarmambienceandarerelatively cheap.Solarpoweredlightshaveimproved immeasurably.Lights4Funhaveserveduswelloverthe lastthreeyears.

Potscanbeaworkofartevenbeforeyou’ve plantedsomethinggorgeousinthem.Weprefer traditionalterracottaindifferingshapesandsizes, butthere’soodlesofchoice.Ifyou’veabalconyor roofterracelookforlightweightpotsandconsidertall narrowversionstomakethemostofthespace.Also,

strategicallyplacedmirrorsareyourfriendinasmall gardengivingtheillusionofalargerlandscape.

PLANTMAN

Foractualhorticulturaladvice,AdamfromView FromthePottingBenchisyourman.Checkoutpage 48forthismonth’scolumnandheadtothe BirminghamLivingwebsiteforhisarchivedpieces.He islocalandwhilehedoesn’thaveahugegarden,his cleveruseofspaceandplantingisamasterclassin creatingsomethingwondrousoutofanuninspiring patchofland.Adampostedabefore-and-afteronsocial mediarecentlyandit’sabsolutelyworthalook.Also, getoutinBirminghamandbeinspiredbylocalspots likeWestbourneHouseortheBotanicalGardens. ■

COCKTAILO’CLOCK

KEEPCOOL

Riviera parasol£59, George

COLOURPOP

Fourpackmelamine plates£16,Next

TOUCHES FINISHING

ELEVATEYOUROUTDOORSPACEFROMORDINARY TOSTYLISHWITHTHESEGORGEOUSPIECES

CUTECUSHION

Printedroundfloorcushion £20,B&M

TAKEASEAT

Squigglebench£349, JohnLewis

MODULARSYSTEM

Comptonmodularsofa,armchairand coffeetable£4,682,Neptune

DIAMONDPATTERN

Gardenretreat

£16.99,Dobbies

INSECTREPELLANT

Citronellagardenlightwith hanger£6.99,Ivyline

CHAIRWITHFLAIR

Hangingchairwith woodenstand£149,George

PADITOUT

Bluebellseatpad£30, NationalTrust

GREENERY BOOST

Aubreycornergardensofa £1,799,CultFurniture

SUPERCOOL

HayPalissadechaiselongue/sun lounger£815(was£959),kin.

FromthePottingBench withAdam

MOVEOVERSPRING,SUMMERISONTHEWAY!ANDADAMKIRTLANDISHERETO

HELPYOUMAKETHEBESTSUMMERGARDENYOU’VEEVERHAD

I’vetalkedinthepastaboutthosepeskyawkward monthsoftheyearthatwe’reinrightnow–it’s theendofspring,thebulbsarefadingand disappearingforanotheryear,butsummerisn’tquite herejustyet.Butit’snotallthatfarawayatallandwith alittletime,somemuddyfingers,andatriptothe gardencentre,youtoocouldhavethebestsummer gardenyou’veeverhad.Thankfully,I’vegotthreetop jobstokeepyoubusyinyourgarden,whichwilltake youheadfirstintotheseasonaheadofus.

Don’tdilly-dallyondahlias

IfyoufollowmeoveronInstagram (@viewfromthepottingbench)thenyou’llappreciatemy adorationfordahliasandtheabundanceofcolourthey givetoeverygarden.Regardlessofthesizeorthespace youhaveandwhetheryouhavelengthybordersorjusta coupleofpots,thereisadahliaforeverysituation.

Youhaveheardstoriesthatdahliasaredifficult,but nothingcouldbefurtherfromthetruthwithalittlebit

ofknow-howandinsiderknowledge!Yourdahlia journeyforthisyearmayhavealreadybegunandyou mighthavepottedupyourtubersmonthsagoandthey couldevenbeinthegroundbynow,butfearnot–you haven’tmissedoutjustyet.

Ifyoupoptoyourlocalgardencentre(and thankfullywehaveplentyaroundthewidercity)right nowyou’relikelytostillfindsome‘potteddahlias’that youcanbuyandsafelyplantstraightoutintoyour gardenswithverylittlechanceofanyfurtherfrosts nippingatthem.Youroptionsmightbeslightlymore limitedthantheywouldhavebeenafewweeksago, butyoushouldstillhaveplentytochoosefromina widerangeofcoloursandstyles.

Fillupyourgardens

Ifyoudohappentohavealargegarden,orevenjust aslimborder–thoseestablishedperennialplantsthat you’vehadforyearsoryouplantedoutlastyear,willbe wellintotheirnewgrowthbynowandyou’llbeableto

seewherethey’regrowingandanyspaceyoumight havelefttofill.

IoftenfindthatIstillhavegapsbetweenplants, eventhoughwe’vebeeninthisgardenforanumber ofyearsnowandthat’salrightbyme,asitgivesmea chancetotrysomenewthingsthatI’venottried before.Ifyou’recannyaboutitthenyoucantrya widerangeofannualplantsthatwillgrow,flower andthendieallwithinthisgrowingseason,soifyou likethemyoucangrowthemagainnextyearorif youdon’t,thenthere’snoworryofthemcoming backagainfor2025.

Bybuyingseedsandsowingthemdirectlyinthe groundnow,you’llstillhaveplantswithbountiful flowersthroughsummerwithoutanyofthefaffof havingtosowthemindoorsearlierintheyear–soa win-win!Mygo-toannualswillalwaysbeCosmosand you’llbesurprisedbyjusthowmanythereareonoffer eitheronlineoringardencentres.

Swapspringorsummer

Andfinally,ifyou’vegotpotsandcontainersthen bynowthosespringfloweringbeddingplantsthat

youplantedupinwinterwillbelookingraggedy andabittired.Butyouguessedit…anothertripto thegardencentreisinorder!

Whileyou’retherelookingforyourpotted dahlias,you’llbemetwithswathesuponswathesof traysandpotsofakaleidoscoperangeofcolours,all readytoplantupathome!Beddingplants,ifthisis yourfirsttimewiththem,aregenerallyfairlyshortlivedplantsthatareperfectforcontainersthatwill addimmediatecolourtoyourgarden.

SomesummerfavouritesofmineareBacopa, CalibrachoaandBidens,andthey’llflowerall summerlong,beforeyou’llwanttotakethemoutto replacewithwinterbedding(butmoreonthatin winter!)Doyourselfafavourthisyearandplant evenjusttwoofthreepotsfullofbeddingandyou’ll beoh-so-gladyoudid. ■

CHECKINWITHADAM

FollowAdamonInstagram@viewfromthepottingbenchandlistentohis podcastTalesfromThePottingBenchformoregardeninginspiration. YoucanalsoreadAdam’sblogatviewfromthepottingbench.com

RIDINGHIGH

SUECOOKETESTDRIVESTHENEW,SECONDGENERATIONTOYOTAC-HRASTHEJAPANESECARMAKER ADDSITSSUPPORTTOWORLDPRODUCTDAY

Toyota’ssecond-generationSUVwasofficially launchedinOctober2023andfor2024, Toyotahasunveiledaself-chargingorpluginhybrid.IroadtestedtheC-HR–whichstandsfor CoupeHighRider–withboldtwo-tonepaint,a sharper,sleekerbodyandasyouwouldexpectfrom theJapanesecompanythatissupportingWorld ProductDayon15May,thisSUVisinnovativeand differenttoothercarsthatmaygracethetarmac.

WorldProductDaylooksathowproductsare developed–inthiscaseit’stheuseofahighpower lithiumionbattery,locatedbeneaththerearseat, whichcombineswitha1.8-litreor2.0-litrepetrol

enginetosaveonfuelconsumption,cutCO2 emissionsandwhenthebatteryisdepleted, automaticallyswitchtopetroluse.

STYLING

Newstylingfeaturesincludesidediamondcut characterlinesandanglesanddoorhandleswhich emergewhenunlockispressed.Whenbraking,the nameToyotaC-HRlightsupintheLEDrearlight barandisilluminatedinthewelcomeandgoodbye sequences.

Insidethecabinthecentreconsolehasroomfor twodrinksbottlesandthecentrestorageboxislarge.

Thegloveboxisalsosurprisinglylargeandaddsan additionaltrayabove.AsI’dforgottentochargemy phone,itwasgoodtobeabletouseawireless chargingtraywhichactuallyoffersspacefortwo smartphones.Graphicsaresharpandinformationis easytoreadonthe12.3-inchscreen.Dependingon trimchosen,ambientlightinghas64colouroptions. Youcanevenchoosebrightmorningtonesormore relaxingonesintheevening.

Thelightingschemehelpsenhancesafetyasthe audibleandvisualalertsoftheSafeExitAssist systemisreinforcedandtheinteriorlightingchanges tored,towarnofadoorbeingopenedwhenthereis ariskofcollisionwithtrafficorcyclistsapproaching fromtherear.

Ifyouoptforthefixedpanoramicroofwhichmakes thecabinlightandairy,you’llbenefitfromaninfraredreducingcoatingwhichkeepsheatinsidethe cabininwinterandpreventsoverheatinginsunny weather.It’sanextrawellworthpayingfor.Seatsare comfortable,andthere’samemoryfunctiononthe driver’sside.Pressthestart-stopbuttontoendthe journeyandtheseatautomaticallyreversestoallow foramucheasierexit.Onentryandatstart,theseat automaticallymovesforwardintothecorrectposition.

FACTSATAGLANCE

Model: ToyotaC-HRPremiereEditionfront-wheeldrive,second generationSUV

Price: £42,720otr

Engine: 2.0-litrehybridautomatic

Performance: 0-62mphin8.1secondsandontoatopspeedof112mph

Combinedfuelconsumption: From57.65mpg(WLTP)

CO2emissions: From110g/km(WLTP)

SAFETY

Anextendedsafetypackageincludeslanechange assist,frontcrosstrafficalertandadaptivehighbeam. Futuresystemsoftwareupdatescanbedeliveredoverthe-air,sononeedforaretailervisit.Thetop-hinged tailgateopensautomaticallytoalargebootwithsome veryusefulhooksforkeepingshoppingbagsupright.

Therearethreeelectrifiedpowertrains–a1.8-litre hybridanda2.0-litrehybrid,witha2.0-litreplug-in hybrid(PHEV)cominginJuly.Theall-electric drivingrangeisupto41mileswhichisinexcessofmy dailycommute.Accelerationisquickandmuch quieterandmorerefinedthanthefirstgeneration. Drivingandhandlingissmooth.

ToyotaistheJapanesebrandthatWhichconsumer guidesayshassolidreliabilityandtheC-HRticksthe boxesforsafetyandeaseofuse.ThesecondgenerationSUVaddsinnovation,anengagingdrive andisaproductworthyofWorldProductDay. ■

SHOWROOM

ToyotaBirmingham,6WingfootWay,FortDunlop,Erdington, Birmingham,B249HF.Tel:01213868700. www.toyota.co.uk/dealers/steveneagellbirmingham

The24-year-oldmayhavebeenbornin SouthCarolina,butbothofhisparentsare proudBrummies,sowhenOliverswitched hisnationalityfromAmericantoBritishearlierin theyear,wejumpedatthechancetointerviewhim. Wecaughtupwithhimonthebackofhisfirstever GrandSlamwin.

Oliverisstillintheearlystagesofhiscareerbut hasachievedmuchalready.Hewasatop10ranked junioratWimbledon,RolandGarrosandtheUS Open.Hehasacareer-highATPrankingof190and hasreachedthefinaloftwoATPChallengersaswell aswinningeightITFtournaments.Heplayedthe qualifyingtournamentoftheAustralianOpenthis yearaswellastheUSOpenin2021.

Hesays:“Everystepupisachallengeandmynext goalistobreakintothetop100.Thatwillrequire someATPChallengertournamentwinsanda consistentperformanceoverthenextseveralmonths. Iamreadyforthechallengeandexcitedtogetthere.”

Oliverisbeginningtobuildateamaroundhim–a coach,trainer,physioandanagentaswellas sponsors.Hesays:“Togetherwecreatewinsand opportunityanddealwithsetbacksandlosses.”

LIFEONTHETOUR

Oliverhasplayedtournamentsinmorethan30 countriesacrosssixcontinents.Thankfullyheloves travellingandgettingtoexperiencenewcountries andcultures,soforhimjettingaroundtheworldis notachorealthoughheacceptsitcanbearduous andlonelyforsome.Oliverviewsitasaprivilegebut explainsthatwithlimitedfundsandfewresources andlargelytravellingonyourown,itcanbetough.

Inthebeginning,withnoteamaround,aplayeris responsibleforeveryaspectoforganisingtravel, training,findinghittingpartners,stayinghealthy physicallyandmentallywhichentailsdealingwith defeat,overcomingboredom,managingexpectations andtryingtostaybalancedandfocused.It’sabigaskfor ayoungperson.Oliversays:“Itisnotaglamorous lifestyleandthemajorityofprofessionaltennisplayers donotmakeitthroughthisstage.”Oliverwasalways committedtopursuinghisdreamofbeinga professionalplayerwhichhelpedhimintheearlydays–healsocreditshisverysupportivefamily.

UNCLEIAIN

Speakingoffamily,theconnectiontoBirminghamis strongandOliverhasspentmanysummersand Christmasesinthecity.LastyearhisuncleIaingavehim averypersonaltour.Oliverrecalls:“Hetookusona13milewalkfromMoseley,throughSellyOak,Edgbaston, FiveWays,andintotheJewelleryQuarter,stoppingoffat ‘important’placesalongthewaylikethehouseswhere theygrewup,theschoolstheywentto,thepubsthey frequented,andnotablechipshopsandcurryhouses.”

WhileinthecityOliverhaspractisedatEdgbaston Priorywhereseveralofhisfamilyaremembers.He reallyratesthefacilitiessaying:“Theclubisfantastic, theamenitiesandcourtsarefirstclass,andthestaff veryfriendly.Ihavehadlittleexperienceofgrass courts,soIamlookingforwardtospendingsome moretimeontheminEdgbaston.Iamhopingthatit becomesabiggerpartofmysummerschedule.”

PleasedwiththeBritishset-up,Oliverhasfound otherplayers,coachesandstafftobe‘incredibly encouragingandwelcoming’.Headds:“Iam lookingforwardtogettingmoreinvolved.Clearly, therearesomeworld-classBritishplayersanda stronggroupofhighlytalentedyoungerprofessionals too.Iamexcitedandproudtoberepresenting Britain.IfIcangetthechancetoplayonanational teamthatwouldbewonderful.”

Oliverlovescompetingone-to-one,sotennis particularlyappealsfromthatpointofview.Hesays: “Ultimatelytheperformanceisdowntoyou.There arefewsportswhicharesoindividuallyfocused.I alsolovethephysicalnatureoftennis.Itisa gruellingsport,wherespeed,stamina,skilland powerallcomeintoplay.Differentplayershave differentblendsoftheseattributesandhowyou combinethemdeterminesyourstyleofplay,which tournamentsofferyouridealconditions,andhowto approachaparticularopponent.”Thevarietyof surfaces,changeableconditionsandevendifferent matchformat(threeorfivesets)excitesOlivertoo.

Oliversayshisshort-termgoalistobreakintothe top100andplayinthemaindrawofalloftheGrand Slams.Beyondthat,hesays:“Iamlookingtoplay mybesttennisandreachmyfullpotential.Everyone dreamsofwinningtournamentsandbeingnumber one,Isharethesamedreams.”

FESTIVALSUCCESS

WinterfoldSchool’sfestivalchoirsecuredfirst placeinthechoirsectionattheDudleyFestival ofMusicandDrama.Thefestival,steepedin traditionanddrawingparticipantsfromthe surroundingarea,providesavaluableplatform forstudentsacrosstheregiontoshowcasetheir talentsandpassionforthearts.Theschool achievedothernotableindividualtriumphs includingGeorgiaL’s1stplaceintheGrade4to 5stringclass,andJemimaC’ssuccessinthe Grade1stringscategory.

SWIMSENSATION

ReptonSchoolswimmerEvaOkarohasmadehistory bybeingselectedtorepresentTeamGBatthis summer’sOlympicGamesinParis.Eva,17,whowill beoneoftheyoungestcompetitorsattheGames,is currentlystudyingforherALevels.SheisthefirsteverOlympicswimmerfromReptonSchool, demonstratingtherapidriseofReptonSwimming sinceitsinceptionin2019.Evawillalsobethefirst blackwomantorepresentGBinthepoolatthe Olympicsandonlythefourthblackswimmerto makeaBritishOlympicsteam.

LITERACYLIFELINE

Leadingnationalchildren’sliteracycharity,BookmarkReading,haslaunched itsYourStoryCornerprogrammeinWolverhampton,providingliteracy supportfor64primaryschoolsinthecity.Theschemeprovidesa£2,000-perschooldonationofhigh-quality,diversebooksandteachingresources,as partofBookmarks’visionofhelpingallchildrentodiscoverthejoyof reading.Wolverhamptonwasidentifiedasanareaforsupportduetothe majorityofschoolsqualifyingfortheeligibilitycriteria,includingahigher thannationalaverageforchilddeprivation.

SCHOOL REPORT

LACROSSECHAMPS

ThebestyounglacrosseplayersinthecountrytookpartintheNational SchoolsLacrosseChampionships–anditwasMoretonHallschoolwho broughthomethecovetedChampionsCup.Despitegoingbehindearly inthefinal,thegirlsfoughtbacktowin4-3inamemorablevictory. HeadcoachCarinaWalshsaid:“Ican’tputintowordswhatthismeans fortheplayers,thestaff,andthisschool.Weareasmallschoolandhave achievedtheultimateprize.”

INVESTINGINCREATIVITY

BIMMUniversityhasannouncedexpansionplansforbothitsPerformersCollege andScreenandFilmSchoolatitscampusinDigbeth.The£2.1millioninvestment willhelpprovidestudentswithstate-of-the-artresources,includinganewhigh-spec studiotheatrewithindustry-standardsoundandlightingequipment,retractable bleacherseatingandaharlequinfloor,cateringtoanaudiencecapacityof120.

EXPANSIONPLANS

Workhasbegunona£1.2millionexpansion atoneofBirmingham’sbestperforming prepschools.HallfieldSchool,which celebratedits145thanniversaryinJanuary, hasappointedtheWigleyGrouptocarry outtheworks,duetobecompletedinthe summer,creatingtwonewstate-of-the-art classroomsalongsideanewcommonroom andmaleandfemaletoilets.Theprojectis partofanongoingprogrammeof investmentattheschoolandaddsto £4.5millionworthoffundingoverthelast fiveyears.

BRILLIANT BRANCHETT

Weweredelightedtohear thatoneofourprevious YoungGifted&Brummie featurestarshasachievedher dreamofbeingacceptedinto theprestigiousSheridan University,Ontario.Described asthe‘HarvardofAnimation’ thecollegeisnotoriously difficulttogetintoand BranchettSunreturnedto EdgbastonHighschoolto sharetheexcitingnewswith headofart,MissMullett, pictured.

BUSINESSliving SABAI SABAI

Husbandandwifeteam,JureeandTorquilChidwick,hadadream20yearsago asuniversitygraduatestobringauthenticThaicuisinetotheMidlands. They’veachievedthat–andsome–withtheirfiveaward-winningrestaurants

SabaiSabaiRestaurantrecentlycelebratedits 20thanniversary,markingtwodecadesof servingauthenticThaicuisineandservicein theMidlands.ThefacesbehindSabaiSabai–which means‘chillandrelax’–areownersJureeand TorquilChidwick,thehusbandandwifeteamwho firstopenedinMoseleybackin2004andwhonow haveanimpressivefiverestaurantstotheirname–sinceaddingfurthereateriesinHarborne,Stratfordupon-Avon,BirminghamcitycentreandSolihull.

Torquil,whowasbornandraisedinMoseleyand Juree,werebothstraightoutofBradfordUniversity whentheystartedtheirbusiness,andknewitwasn’t alwaysgoingtobeplainsailing.Jureesaid:“My hearthasalwaysbeeninThailand,andwithmost ofmyfamilyworkingaschefsorowningrestaurants overthereitseemedonlynaturaltoopena restaurantandbringalittlebitofThailandtothe WestMidlands.”

MUM’STHEWORD!

Jureeadded:“WhenTorquilandIventuredinto ourfirstvenueinMoseley20yearsagotherewasa

lackoffundingavailable,sowehadtoscalebackon alotofthings.Therewerenotahugenumberof ThaichefsintheUKsorecruitinggoodchefswas prettytricky–butluckilymymumhelped!The shortageofstaffforcedustobedeeplyinvolvedin everyaspectofoperations.Weworemultiplehats, fromcleaningandcustomerservicetomanaging financesandcooking.Everystephasbeenahuge learningexperienceforus.”Enlistingthehelpof theirfamiliestogetthebusinessofftheground includedhavingJuree’smotherrunningthekitchen forayear,whileTorquil’sbrotherworkedfrontof house.

TheirsecondventureinHarborneHighStreet openedin2011,followedbyStratford-upon-Avon, wheretheyopenedtheirthirdsiteinaGradeII listedbuildinginWoodStreet,justastone’sthrow fromtheRSC.Hotontheheels,thefollowingyear JureeandTorquilmadethemoveintoBirmingham citycentreinWaterlooStreet.Torquilsaid:“Over thepast20years,SabaiSabaihasbecome synonymouswithexcellenceinThaicuisine,thanks toourdedicationtousingonlythefreshest

ingredientsandtraditionalcookingtechniques passeddownfromJuree’sfamily.”

CHALLENGES

Aswithallindependentsinthehospitalitysector, thecouplehavefacedchallengesalongtheway, pandemicclosures,staffingandrisingratebills,but theirpassion,dedicationandcommitmentto consistentlygreatfoodandgoodcustomerservice hasenabledthemtoweatherthestormandstay robustpost-pandemic.Lastyear,despite extortionatebusinessratesandthecostofliving crisis,theyopenedtheirfifthrestaurantinthe couple’shometownofSolihull.

Jureesaid:“Therehavebeensomanymemorable momentsovertheyears,likeservingbehindthebar inthenewly-openedHarbornejusttwodaysbefore givingbirthtomyson!”Torquiladded:“My favouritetimewaswhenTVChefAinsleyHarriot andStrictly’sLenGoodmancametofilmusfor theirBBCTVshow.Theywerehystericallyfunny. Theteamhadagreattime.”

Thepairhavewonastringofawardsalongthe

way–JureewasnamedEntrepreneuroftheYearat theWestMidlandsWomenoftheYearAwards2016, andSabaiSabaiwasBestRestaurantatthe BirminghamAwards,BestOrientalRestaurant2016 and2017,andwasnominatedagainforthe MidlandsFoodDrink&HospitalityAwards2018.

FOLLOWTHEDREAM

Oftheirsuccess,Jureesaid:“Mymotherhas alwaystoldmetofollowmydream,surround myselfwithlike-mindedpeopleandnotwaitforthe perfectmoment.Runningarestaurantis demanding,youcannoteverfullyswitchofffrom work.Itisnotjustajobitisalifestyle.Remaining resilientandadaptablehasbeenkeytooursuccess. Forexample,weintroducedmoretake-away servicesduringCovidanddevelopedourowntakeawayappwhichhelpedusincreasesales.

“Wewanttocontinueinnovatingandrefiningour offers,creatinganddevelopingnewdishesandideas toenhancethediningexperience.Wewanttofocus onourfivesitestoensureSabaiSabairemainsone ofthebestThairestaurantsintheMidlands.” ■

ELY’SBACK!

PRandmarketingconsultancyRewired hasbolstereditsseniormanagement teamwiththeappointmentofElyPriceas clientservicesdirector.Withmorethan 15yearsofcommunicationsexperience acrossconsumerandbusiness-to-business sectors,Elypreviouslyworkedfor Rewireduntil2022.Sherejoinsthe agencybasedinColmoreRowfroman in-houseroleatautomotivebusiness LEVC.Asclientservicesdirectorshewill leadonservicedeliveryandsupportthe company’sambitiousgrowthstrategy.

NEWS BUSINESS

BELFRY’S£80MBOOST

WORLDFIRST

Birminghamhasbecomehometotheworld’sfirstclinictoofferMEGbrainscans directlytoconsumers,tosupporttheearlydetectionandpreventionofneurological conditions.Theclinichasbeenlaunchedbybrainwellnessandanalytics companyMYndspan.CaitlinBaltzer,co-founderandCEOofMYndspansaid:“Thisis ahistoricmilestoneinbrainhealthempowermentasit’sthefirsttimethistechnology anditsinsightshavebeenmadeaccessibletothepublic.”

Amajorexpansionandrenovation projectisunderwayattheBelfry Hotel&Resort.The£80million project,dueforcompletionin autumn2025,willseethe852sqm MastersSuitebuilttohost648 guestsforbanquetingwitha maximumcapacityof920–making itperfectforconferencesand productlaunches,miniexposand weddings.ChrisEigelaar,resort director,pictured,said:“TheSuite willallowustoaccommodatemajor eventsthatwehaven’tbeenableto caterforbefore.”

HEADOFPOLICY

GreaterBirminghamChambersof CommercehasappointedEmilyStubbsas itsnewheadofpolicy.Emilyhasbeenpart oftheChamber’spolicyteamsince2017 andinhernewpositionshewillhave responsibilityfordevelopmentofthe organisation’spolicy,campaignsand researchactivity.Inhermostrecentroleas seniorpolicyandprojectsmanager,she managedthedeliveryofresearchand engagementprojects,focusingonareas includingeducation,employmentand skillsandbusinessproductivity.

CONVENTIONSBOSS

TheNECGrouphasannouncedthatAndyGibb willjointheleadershipteamasmanagingdirector ofconventions.Hewillheadtheconventionsand conferencedivisionbasedacrossICCBirmingham, NECBirminghamandtheVoxConferenceVenue, workingonattractingdomesticandinternational business.HejoinsfromStadiumMK,wherehe wasgroupsalesandmarketingdirectorfornearly sevenyears.Priortothat,hewasamanaging directorattheRicohArena.

PASTURE’SNEW

PasturegroupissettoopenitsfirstrestaurantinBirminghamthismonth.The eaterywilloccupy6,500sqftacrossoneflooroftheformerBarclaysBank buildingatFifteenColmoreRowandcelebratefire-basedcookingwithlocal ingredients.Chef-ownerSamElliott,pictured,alreadyrunstworestaurantsin bothBristolandCardiff.Hesaid:“Birminghamisourbiggestrestauranttodate andwillhaveseatingforupto40peopleinourbarandafurther180coversin themaindiningroom.”

BirminghamRoyalBallethas appointedClaireDersleyasitsnewhead oforchestraoperations,workingwith theacclaimedRoyalBalletSinfonia. Clairehasbeenorchestramanagerat CityofBirminghamSymphonyOrchestra since2009,workingcloselywitheachof itsmusicdirectors–AndrisNelsons, MirgaGražinyt -Tylaandcurrently chiefconductorKazukiYamada.A trainedcellist,shehastouredEurope andinternationallyaswellasworked onprojectsincludingthe CommonwealthGamesOpening CeremonyandBBCProms.

FAMILYHELPSFAMILIES

MotherandsonJemmaLuizandSamHarrisonare teamingupasbusinesspartnerstoprovide affordablehomecareandsupportintheSutton Coldfieldarea.WithJemma’stwodecadesof experienceinthecareindustryandSam’sdesireto makearealimpactinhiscommunity,theduohave launchedHubCareSupport.Theinitiativeprovides servicestoresidentsinStreetly,LittleSutton, Minworth,Erdington,QueslettandSutton Coldfield.JemmaandSam’slonger-termgoalisto expandthroughoutBirmingham.

PEAKEFFORT

TwostaffmembersfromPrincipleEstate Managementclimbedthecoldandcloudypeaks ofSnowdontohelpraisemorethan£2,500fora cancerpatient.AlanisGriffin,business developmentassistant,andSeranFitzpatrick, clientservicesassistant,climbedthe3,560ft mountainaspartofanine-milefund-raising walktosupportthemanageroftheFoundry GyminChelmsleyWood,whosedaughteris battlingthroatcancerattheagedofjust19.

AnewyogastudioisopeninginBirmingham.LocatedintheColmore BusinessDistrictHotpodYogaishousedinthepenthousesuiteof37A WaterlooStreetandoperatedbyBirmingham-bornLibertySelvesterWebbandUniversityofBirminghamgraduateKellyMorris.Liberty alreadyrunsasuccessfulHotpodYogastudioinRedditch.Tocelebratethe launch,theduohostedaseriesofcomplimentarytasterclasses.Hotpod YogaisUK’slargestyogabusinesswithmorethan50studiosnationwide.

CAREHOME

ShenstoneCourtCareHomewasofficiallyopenedbyMPforHalesowenand RowleyRegis,JamesMorris.TheMPcuttheribbontogetherwithCountry Courtco-CEOsAl-KarimandAlykhanKachra.ShenstoneCourtCareHomeis thelatestcarehometobeopenedbytheaward-winningPeterborough-based carehomeoperator.Thenewlybuiltluxuryhomewillprovideresidentialand dementiacareforup63people,whilecreatingmorethan60newjobs.

YOGAOPENING PRIDEOFAFRICA

AleadingproviderofauthenticAfricanCaribbeanfoodproductsheldagrandopening fortheirventure,PrideofAfricaTradeCash andCarry.FoundedbyOlusegunAkandeand hiswifeOyetola,it’sthefirstone-stopAfrican tradecashandcarryintheUKthatis exclusivelyblack-owned.Theopeningsaw broadcastersMarverineColefromGMBand NikkiTapperfromBBCWMcuttheribbonat theNewJohnStreetWestwarehouse,which offersawiderangeofspecialtyitemssourced fromAfrica.

CBREInvestmentManagementcelebratedabraceofwinsattheprestigiousBritish CouncilforOfficesMidlands&CentralEnglandAwardsforitslandmark£40million back-to-framerefurbishmentof10Brindleyplace.Theawardsrecognisetheregion’s mostoutstandingworkplace–and10BrindleyplacereceivedboththeESGand Refurbished/RecycledWorkplaceaccolades.Judgespraisedtheproject’s65percent reductioninenergydemandaswellasfocusonwellbeingstrategiesandamenities, includingmultipleroofterraces,aclimbingwall,gymnasiumandeventsspace.

LUXURYHOMES

Anew£34millionluxuryresidentialschemehas beenlaunchedintheJewelleryQuarter. DeveloperHBD’sSetlcanal-sideschemeboasts 102apartmentsavailabletobuy,withone-beds startingat£250,000andtwo-bedsfrom £355,000.Setlresidentswillhavearangeof hotel-styleamenitiestochoosefrom,including astylishco-workinglounge,wellnessstudioand privateroofterrace.SimonRaiye,directorat HBD,pictured,said:“Welookforwardto openingSetlinearlysummer,settinganew standardforcitycentrelivinginBirmingham.”

BUSINESS BITES

GINWIN

ShakespeareDistillery’sGinSchoolhasbeen namedExperienceoftheYearintheWest MidlandsTourismAwards.Theindependent artisanspiritproducerbasedinStratfordupon-Avonpickedupthetopgoldaward ataceremonyattheBearGryllsAdventure inSolihull.

GRANDARRIVALS

CREATIVEMOVE

NexusCreativehaswelcomedHaydnRogerstoits teaminamovetobolsteritsdigitalpresenceand enhancemarketingstrategies.Withabackgroundin videographyandexpertiseinYouTube,Haydnbringsa wealthofexperiencetoNexusCreative'svisionfor innovativecontentcreationandengagement.Hesaid: “YouTubepresentsaremarkableplatformfor businessestoconnectwiththeiraudienceonadeeper level,andIlookforwardtoleveragingmyskillstohelp NexusCreativeanditsclientsachievetheirgoals.”

CHARITYPOP-UP

Ayouthhomelesscharityopeneditsfirstpop-upvintageshopatGreatWestern Arcade.StBasils,whichsupportsyoungpeopleaged16to25,issellingoff vintageclothing,sportsmemorabiliaandtrainersfromthepop-up.Theitems anduseofthestorehavebeendonatedbyarcadeownersAshtromProperties. Ashtromgiftedtheitems–leftbyabusinesswhichvacatedthearcade–toSt Basilstosellwith50percentoftheprofitsretainedbythecharity.

Hammersonisincreasingitspresenceat BullringandGrandCentral,aspartofa repositioningoftheshoppingcentresandthe repurposingoftheformerDebenhamsstore space.SwisswatchmakersSwatch,footwear brandClarks,MexicanrestaurantZambrero andindependentretailbrandPopStreetwill allbejoiningZara.

FEMALELEADERS

FemalebusinessownersinSolihullarebeing giventheconfidenceandsupporttotaketheir companiestoanotherlevelthankstoa programmespecificallydesignedforwomen SolihullFemaleBusinessLeadersProgrammeis beingrunbyBusinessGrowthWestMidlands andwithmeetingsattheBlytheValley InnovationCentre.

COCKTAILACCOLADE

AnAstonUniversitygraduateandaward-winning cocktailentrepreneurhasbeennamedintheForbes30 under30EuropeArtandCulturelist.GraceUbawuchi completedadegreeinbusinessandinternationalrelations beforesettingupafrozencocktailcompany.She collaboratedwithscientists,mixologistsandchefsto developthetechnologytofreezealcoholathigh percentagesandherfrozensorbetcocktailcompanyXin andVoltairewasborn.Shenowsellsdirecttoconsumers, aswellasin300locations,includingMandarinOriental UK,SelfridgesandSohoHouse.

Excitingplanswillseeaward-winner addtotheEdgbastonVillageoffering 3 2 4 5 7 6

1 GemmaLane,EmmaPrice,SatishJakhu,KateHodgetts. 2 AndrewWinstanley,BrettWilliams,RalphMinott. 3 SaharRezazadeh, HaydnCooper,NickShioleftou. 4 DaveyWatts,KrishnaPastakia. 5 PaulCollins,PhilInnes. 6 JuliePerks,AlexTross,EmmaDavenport. 7 BenMappett,IreneAllan,PaulGillott. 8 SimonTrimmer,GeorgiaStokes,TomFoley. PhotographyMikeKelly 1

CalthorpeEstateshelditslatestCalthorpe BusinessCommunityeventatChapter Restaurant,Edgbaston.Invitedguestsheardbrief presentationsfromchiefexecutiveHaydnCoperand masterplanninganddevelopmentdirectorRalphMinott beforeSarahMullenofGreenHeartBooksannounced excitingplansfortheaward-winning,independent bookshoptoopenatGreenfieldCrescentinEdgbaston Villagelaterthisyear. ■

8

LAWFIRMOPENSNEW CITYCENTREOFFICES

Guestsjoinpartnersandstaff forspecialwelcomereception

orethan100guestsfromacrossthe region'sbusinesscommunityjoined partnersandstafffrommfgSolicitorsto marktheofficialopeningofthelawfirm'snew BirminghamcitycentreofficesatWaterlooHousein WaterlooStreet.OverlookingVictoriaSquare,the newly-fittedoutofficesincludeseveralmeeting rooms,breakoutareasandopenplandeskspace. WelcomedbychairmanIainMorrisonandoffice partnerChrisPiggott,guestsweretreatedtoa canapeanddrinksreceptionduringtheevent. ■

7 8 3 2 1 M

4 5 6

1 BrianFlint,AndrewDavies,GrahamThompson. 2 DavidRichardson,LauraCharles,TrevorStevenson-Platt. 3 KiranKaur,FayeTaylor, JackCook,ChloeBickley. 4 LizSmith,ClareLang. 5 IainMorrison,ChrisPiggott. 6 AdamCollins,TonySeaton,PraveenGupta. 7 DanielMorgan,RogerBetts,PhilHunt,MeganElcock. 8 JasonClines,BethMargetson,IainMorrison.

WHAT’SONliving

WHAT: TheGoodFoodShow

WHEN: 13to16June

WHERE: NECBirmingham, goodfoodshow.com/summer/ Thestellarshowreturnsalongside BBCGardeners’WorldLive!An unmissableeventforfoodiesthat’s packedfullofchefsandexperts sharingtheirculinaryskillsand cookingliveonstage.

WHAT: JohannesRadebe: HouseofJoJo

WHEN: 23and24May

WHERE: TheAlexandra, atgtickets.com

Jointhedancesensationandahost ofeclecticcharactersinthisbrandnewtheatricalcelebrationjam-packed withroof-raisingmusic,dazzling costumesandworld-classdance.

WHAT: EdgbastonArtisanMarket WHEN: 11Mayand8June

WHERE: GreenfieldCrescent, Edgbaston,calthorpe.co.uk

Birmingham’slargestartisan marketreturnswithevenmore excitingtradersandagreater varietytochoosefrom,courtesy ofthefinestindependentbusinesses acrosstheMidlands.

WHAT: WhitneyHoustontribute

WHEN: 7June

WHERE: NailcoteHall,nailcotehall.co.uk

TheincredibleNyaKingbrings heramazingSoulandR&Bstylewith anunprecedentedtributeto thelegendaryWhitneyHouston. Includesthreecoursedinnerand after-showDJ.

WHAT: TheMerryWivesofWindsor WHEN: 5Juneto7September

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

Lies,jealousyanddirtylaundry–Shakespeare’s uproarioustaleofmischiefanddouble-dealing wherethewomengetthelastlaugh.

WHAT: JerryLeger

WHEN: 22May

WHERE: KitchenGardenCafé, kitchengardencafe.co.uk

TheCanadiansinger-songwriterreturnstothe UKwithhisbandTheSituationgiving audiencesthefirstopportunitytosavourlive, tracksfromhisacclaimednewalbumDonlands.

WHAT: James WHEN: 12June

WHERE: UtilitaArena, utilitaarenabham.co.uk

Thebandhasjustreleasedits17thstudioalbum andisbackontheroadwithatourthatincludes Razorlightasaspecialsupportingact.

WHAT: BalletBlack:Heroes WHEN: 13and14June

WHERE: BirminghamRep, birmingham-rep.co.uk

CassaPancho‘sBalletBlackreturnstoBrum withanewdoublebillfeaturingworkfrom award-winningchoreographerMthuthuzeli NovemberandSophieLaplane,theFrancoBritishartistandchoreographerin residenceatScottishBallet.

WHAT: RedHotChilliPipers

WHEN: 21June

WHERE: TownHall, bmusic.co.uk

Themostfamousbagpipe bandontheplanetis celebratingits20thanniversary withasizzlingtourthatalso featuresitsincredibledancers.

WHAT: GirlsAloud

WHEN: 18to20June

WHERE: ResortsWorldArena, resortsworldarena.co.uk

GirlsAloudembarkonahugearenatourtocelebrate 21yearssincetheall-conquering,legendarypopband formed.Strapyourselfinforanamazingshow.

WHAT: Collabro

WHEN: 7June

WHERE: SymphonyHall, bmusic.co.uk

Tenyearstothedaysincetheir winningperformanceonBritain’s GotTalent,Collabrowillreunite foronenightonlyinastunning 10thanniversaryconcert.

WHAT: ComeFromAway

WHEN: 21Mayto1June

WHERE: BirminghamHippodrome, birminghamhippodrome.com

Theincrediblereal-lifestoryofthe7,000airpassengers whoweregroundedinCanadaduringthewakeof9/11 andthesmallNewfoundlandcommunitythatinvited themintotheirlives.

WHAT: MarkThomas

WHEN: 1June

WHERE: MidlandsArtCentre, macbirmingham.co.uk

Jokes,rants,politicsandtheoccasional singsong.InhistimeThomashasforced apoliticiantoresign,changedlawsontaxandprotest–andgenerallymucked abouttryingtohavefunandwindtherightpeopleup.

WHAT: MirrorMartyrMirrorMoon

WHEN: 10Mayto8September

WHERE: Ikon,ikon-gallery.org

Asoloexhibitionby thecontemporaryIrish artistJesseJoneswhose artisticpracticecrossesfilm, sound,performance,sculpture andinstallation.

CLOSEWITHÁ

JOHNLAWRENCE

BEENTHERE,DONETHAT

IbeganworkingattheNottinghamTennisCentre, initiallyasacasualmemberofstaff.Thatgotmyfoot inthedoor,andthenIhadthechancetodosome groundsworkinmyfirstsummerduringthe NottinghamOpentennisevent.Aged24Imadethe movetoBirminghamtotakeuptheroleofassistant groundsmanageratEdgbastonPrioryClub.Iheld thatrolefornearly10yearsbeforebecomingheadof groundsatthestartof2024.

IT’SWHATIDO

Ileadthegroundsteamthatlooksafterthe14-acre sitethatmakesupEdgbastonPrioryClub.Wehave32 tenniscourtsofvaryingsurfaces,aswellaslargeareas ofmanagedlawns,shrubbedsandborders,hedges, treesandseasonalflowerdisplays,allofwhichfalls undertheremitofourgroundsteam.Juneisprobably thebusiestperiod,whenwehosttheRothesay BirminghamClassicTenniseventonourgrasscourts. Preparationgoesonallyearbutit’snotunusualfor ourteamtowork100-hourweeksforatleastamonth aroundtheevent.

BIGGESTSUCCESS

Professionally,therelationshipwehavewithHeartof BirminghamVocationalCollege(HBVC)reallystands out.Eightyearsago,westartedworkingwiththemto providesomeoccasionalworkexperienceonceaweek onthegroundsteam.Nowwehavesupportedinterns

learninginmultipledepartmentswithintheclub.Based onourrelationshipasaclub,Ihaveendedupwiththe privilegeofbeingthechairofgovernorsforthecollege, whichissomethingIfindmassivelyfulfilling.

BIGGESTLESSONLEARNED

Neveraskanyonetodosomethingyouaren’t willingtodoyourself.Ifyouwantpeopletorespect you,youneedtoleadfromthefront.Theeasiestway tostartearningthatrespectistotakeonsomeofthe worstjobsyourself!

WHATI’DLIKETOSEE

I’mstillrelativelynewinmyrole,sointheshorttermIreallywanttoworkhardtoprovemyvalueand demonstratewhatIamcapableof.Asidefromthat, I’mveryproudoftheworkweasaclubdowith HBVC.Inrecentyearswe’veprogressedourworking relationshiptoincludeasatellitehorticultural educationprovisionbasedhereattheclubandI’d reallylovetoseethatgrow.

WHATILIKEABOUTBRUM

Location.Mypartner’sfamilylivenearLondon,so itdoesn’ttakeustoolongtogetdowntherewhenshe wantstovisit.I’malsonottoofarfromNottingham whenIwanttoheadbackoverthere.

DOWNTIME

IdoviewthethingsIgettodowithHBVCas downtime–it’snotworkifyou’reenjoyingit!I’malso abigicehockeyfan,soIspendalotoftimetravelling aroundtowatchtheNottinghamPanthersplay. ■