Birmingham Living November 2022 (issue 117)

owcoolisEllieSimmonds!NothingfazesBirmingham’sgoldengirlof swimming.MultipleParalympicandWorldgoldmedals–check!TV presenteranddocumentaryfilmmaker–check!BoarddirectorofBrum’s hugelysuccessful2022CommonwealthGames–check!StrictlyComeDancingstar–check!Isthereanything ourNo1Brummiecan’tdo?Absolutelynot.

ItwasmypleasuretointerviewEllieforthismonth’scoverfeature.We’dspokenbeforewhenshewasstill collectingheramazingtallyofmedalsandtherewasnotalkthenofifandwhenElliewouldgiveupcompetitive swimming.Whenthetimefinallyarrivedforhertoquitthepool,Ellieapproachedthenextstageofherlifewith thesameenthusiasmandcompetitiveness.Butwhoknew,amongalltheprojectsshehassincetakenon,thatshe wouldbecomeaballroomdancerandcaptivatemillionsofviewerswholoveStrictlyeachweek. WhatyouseeistotallywhatyougetwithEllie.Sheisajoyouspersontotalkto,withanupliftingattitudeand aninfectiouspersonality.Couplethosequalitieswiththemindsetofatopathleteandyouhavesomeonewho believesanythingispossibleandnothingisimpossible.

WhenImentionedtoherthatIhadwatchedherTVdocumentaryondwarfismandfounditbothinformative andhumbling,shesaid:“Wow,really?That’samazing,thankyousomuch.”Theresponsewasthesamewhen complimentingherdancing.

Inspirationalisamuch-overusedword.It’softensaidwhensomeoneisexceptional,orexciting,orjustdarned goodatwhattheydo.EllieSimmondsisallofthesebutwhatmakesherinspiringismorethanher achievements.It’sheroutlookonlife,heroptimismandherall-roundlovelinessasaperson.Ellieisbest summedupbyherownfavouriteword:Amazing!

COMEDYROAD

CastmembersfromBirminghamRep’sproduction

HANNAH’SBIGBREAK

Itwasathumbsupfromcomedian

outcrowdatBirmingham’sGleeClub,

PEAKYPROFIT

BRUMTOPS

Birminghamwascrowned

2022.CartersofMoseley, WildernessandGrace&Savour allfeaturedintheTop20list. TheGuidepraisedBirmingham, saying:“NootherEnglish provincialcityisaswellserved withsucharangeofunique andfrequentlyexceptional restaurantsrightacrossthe pricerange.Atthetopofthe scale,threeexceptionalplaces fromtheBirminghamarea featureinour20mostexciting restaurantsinBritain–an extraordinaryfeat.”

JQMODERN

AnewflexibleworkspacehasbeenunveiledintheJewellery Quarterfollowinga£5millioninvestment.Formerlyknownas theBigPeg,thenewlylaunchedJQModernoffersarangeof

ofupto50people.JQModernsitsintheheartofthe JewelleryQuarter,withtramandtrainstopsafewyardsfrom thefrontdooranda600-spacecarparkimmediatelyadjacent.

forBirmingham Hippodrome’sworkwith youngpeopleatagala evening.Celebratingthe worldpremiereofRambert andtheHippodrome’s productionofRambert DanceinPeakyBlinders: TheRedemptionofThomas Shelby,guestsenjoyedapie supper,post-showparty withmembersofthe company,livespeakeasy entertainmentandprizewinnersannouncedby PeakyBlinderscreator, StevenKnight.Ticketsare onsalenowforthe Hippodrome’snextgala eveningatMatthew Bourne’sSleepingBeauty onThursday9February.

ALEDANDRUSSELLONSONG

It’sbeginningtolookalotlikeChristmas–andwhat betterwaytocelebratethanjoiningAledJonesand RussellWatsonwhentheirmagicaltourcomesto BirminghamSymphonyHallon2December.Theduo areperformingtogetherforthefirsttimeinthreeyears andtheeveningwillfeaturetheirnewalbumof Christmassongsandcarols.“Ithinkthisisprobably thebestalbumthatRussandIhavedonetogether andwecan’twaittotakeitontour,”saidAled.

TOPDOG

Anartinstallationofamonumentalredballoon doghasbeenunveiledatBirminghamChildren’s Hospitalforpatients,familiesandstafftoenjoy. StretchingBalloonDogisa14fttallsculptureby artistWhatshisname,otherwiseknownas SebastianBurdon,andhasbeengiftedtothe hospitalbyitscharitypartnerCastleFineArt. StretchingBalloonDogisbasedonPolish-born Sebastian’sownpetsandarrivedatthehospital followingacclaimedexhibitionsinOxfordand London’sCoventGarden.

SHAKESPEARE ANDSANTA

WINTERFUNLAND

Timetogetyourskateson!WinterFunland,completewithagianticerink,is returningtoBirminghamNECthisChristmas.TheUK’slargestindoorfunfair willbeopenfromSaturday10DecembertoMonday2January2023.As wellastherink,there’sa2,000-seatcircusshow,full-sizefairground,Santa’s grottoandafestivesweetandsavouryfoodanddrinkmarket.Nottobe missedaretheelvesperformingabreath-takingmotorbikeaerialdisplay.

ECORAPUNZEL

SuttonColdfield’sbiggestannualfamilyshowislooking tohaveaneco-friendlythemethisChristmas.Rapunzel andtheRascalPrincewillrunfrom6to31Decemberatthe TownHallinKingEdwardsSquare.TheteaminSuttonare callingoncommunityartsvolunteerstohelpcreatefrontof houseandbartheming,includingcreatinga‘GreenandPleasant’ eco-friendlywelcome.Thepantomime,producedinpartnership withtheTownHall’smanagementbytheProductionExchange, featuresaprofessionalcastofactor/musicians,plusayoung ensembleoflocalperformers.

LIONKINGINTOWN

Hippodromefor10weeksfrom6July

artisticdirectorandchiefexecutive officer,JonGilchristsaid:“We’rereally

theWestMidlandsaspartofour

tourofTheLionKingbrokeall-time

HAVINGA (GLITTER) BALL

EllieSimmondssaysbeingpartofStrictlyComeDancing

2022isthehardestthingshe’severdone.Really,no kidding?“Absolutely,”saysthegoldengirlofswimming. “I’veneverdoneanythingbeforethat’ssochallenging.Attheend ofrehearsalsandtheshowseachweek,I’mexhaustedandIache inmybody…everywhere!”

NoneofwhichpreventsEllieintheslightestdescribingStrictly ashermostexcitingtime.She’shavingaball–aglitterball.“I can’texpressreallyhowmuchIloveitall,”shesays.“Ilovethe dancing,Ilovethedresses,IlovethewholeStrictlyteam,the wholeexperience.Iwouldn’tchangeanything.Andmostofall, mypropartnerNikitaisjustthemostincrediblepersonandhas becomemygreatestfriend.Alltheothercelebritiestakingpartare amazingtoo–it’struewhentheysaythatStrictlyisonebig, happyfamily!”

HIPSANDSHOULDERS

WecaughtupwithEllieforachatinabriefbreakinrehearsals asshepreparedtodanceSalsainthefollowingweekend’slive show.“It’sallaboutthehipsandCubanvibes,pushingmybody toitslimitsandwithmyfeetonNikita’sshoulders–that’sscary,” saidEllie.

Rehearsalsare9to6andfull-oneverydayleadinguptothe liveshows.TheBrummieParalympicstarandNikitawerein Londontogetsomeadvicefromchoreographerswhospecialise

inthedance.Andtheirtipscertainlyworked,asEllie andNikitasparkledandshimmiedacrossthe ballroomfloorontheSaturdaynight,drawinghigh praiseandmarksfromthejudges.Voterswatchingat homeobviouslyagreedasElliesailedthroughthe resultsshowtothenextround.

“ThesupportI’vebeengettingisamazing,”said Ellie.“I’veneverdancedbeforeandobviouslywe’ve hadtofigureoutandworkroundtheheight difference.Ithinkpeoplehaveappreciatedwhatwe’re doing.BeingwithNikitaeveryday,ourpersonalities justclicksowell.Ihaveallmytrustinhim.”

YEARTOREMEMBER

Strictlyistheicingonwhathasbeenabrilliantyear forEllie.ShepresentedanamazingTVdocumentary ondwarfismwhichbothenlightenedandchallenged bytakingusonanumberofdeeplypersonaljourneys andconfrontingsomeuncomfortableissues.Then camethesuccessfulBirminghamCommonwealth Games–ElliewasontheGamesboardofdirectors andakeymemberofBBC’sdailycoverageteam.

“Yes,it’sbeenanamazingyear,”saidEllie.“Since retiringfromswimmingI’vebeengoingontothenext chapterofmylife.Itwasespeciallyamazingtobepart

Picture:BBC/RayBurmiston

oftheCommonwealthGames–andI’mstill involvedinthelegacycharitytocontinuethegood workstartedbytheGamesthemselves.”

You’llhaveprobablynoticedthatElliesays ‘amazing’quitealot.“It’samazingtheeffectStrictly hasonpeople,”shesaid.“Iaskedsomeonewherethe nearestsupermarketwasbecauseNikitaandIwanted somethingforlunchandwedidn’tknowthearea.The guyturnedaroundandthenjumpedoutofhisskin andshouted‘Ohmygod,it’syou!’Itwasamazing!”

SIMPLYSMASHINGIT

TellingpeoplelikeElliethattheyareinspirational cancomeacrossasabitnaff,condescendingeven. Butinhercase,itringstrue.WhenItoldherabouta brilliantcommentpiecewrittenintheGuardian newspaperbyCathyReayinwhichthedisabled authorrevealedherprideinElliefor“smashing prejudices”,Elliesaid:“Really?Ididn’tknowabout that!That’ssoamazing.Whenyou’reonStrictlyyou getsweptupbyitandyoucanforgettheimpactyou

canhaveoutsidethebubble.It’snotjustaboutus, meandNikita,it’sgreatforthedwarfismcommunity asawhole.”

Ellie’sbiggestStrictlyfansareherparentsSteve andValwhosaidtheywereworriedatfirstwhenshe decidedtodotheshow.“Wewereabitconcerned howshewoulddealwiththeintensityofit,butdeep downtherewasarealsenseofpridethatshewas breakingdownbarriersagainandshowinganything ispossible,”saidSteve.

PLANSAFTERSTRICTLY

Ellieplanstocontinuepushingthenarrativeonce herStrictlyjourneyends.Shewasinthemiddleof workingonanotherITVdocumentarywhichwas putonholdtemporarily.“Theprogrammewillfocus ondisabilityandadoption,”Ellierevealed.“Areally highproportionofchildrenincarehavedisabilities–andIask,whyisthat?WelookintotheissuesandI followsocialworkerstofindoutmore.”

Butbeforethat,Elliehadherfingerscrossedthat hertimeonStrictlywouldgoon…andon.“Itake eachweekasitcomes,”shesaid,“andI’menjoying everyminuteofit.”Whateverhappens,Ellieissure ofonething–shewillalways‘KeepDancing!’

Picture:BBC/GuyLevy

OFLOVE

HelpHarryHelpOtherslitupBirmingham tomark10remarkableyearsoffund-raising andcommunitycare.WetalktoGeorgie Moseleyaboutthewonderfulcharitywhich remembershersonineverythingitdoes

BittersweetishowGeorgieMoseleydescribesthe 10thanniversaryofHelpHarryHelpOthers. ThecharitywaslaunchedbyGeorgieasa legacytohersonHarrywhocapturedtheheartsofthe nationwhenheraisedmorethan£750,000forcancer researchinthelasttwoyearsofhislife,beforepassing awayon8October2011,agedonly11-years-old.

Inthe10yearssinceitbecameanofficialcharity, HelpHarryHelpOthers(HHHO)haslivedupto Georgie’spromisetocelebratethelifeofher remarkablesonbyhelpingmorethan1,000families andgivingover£2.6millioninhisname.

ThecharityrunsRespiteRenovations,itsown ‘DIYSOS’stylemakeoverscheme,whichtodatehas renovatedfourhouses,aswellastheday-to-day runningofitsDropInCancerSupportCentre openedinBirminghamin2015.Thecentrewhich bridgesthegapbetweenhospitalandhospicesees morethan150peoplewalkthroughthedoorevery weektogetemotionalandpracticalsupportfroma rangeof20servicestosupportfamiliesinevery aspectoutsideoftreatment–frommentalwellbeing tofinancesandhousing.

Thecharitymarkeditsanniversarywithaspecial ‘lightinthedark’campaign,producinglimited editionglow-in-the-darkbraceletswith10goldbeads representingeachyearandaskingfamousfacesand membersofthepublictowearandsharethe bracelets.Someofthecity’slandmarkswerealsolit uptoraiseawareness,includingtheBullringBull, whichwasilluminatedwithspeciallymadelightup HHHObracelets.TheLibraryofBirmingham, AstonVillaFootballClub,NewStreet’slineoftrees andotherbusinessesandorganisationsinthecity, alsoshonetheirlightstosupportthecharity.

Georgiesaid:“Theanniversaryisreallya bittersweetmoment.It’shardbecauseweseeHarry

GeorgieandtheteamatHelpHarryHelpOthershave

■ LaunchedBirmingham’sfirstDropInCancerSupportCentrein2015.

■ Provided£240,000tofundvitalresearchviathecharity’sHelpCUREfund.

■ Donated£400,000tofamiliessufferingfinancialhardshipviatheHHHO HelpCOPEfund.

■ Givennearly£740,000viatheHelpCAREfund,includingdonationsto othercharities.

■ Helpedmorethan1,000familiesviatheDropInCancercentre.

■ Reachedits£1millionofgivingin2019,meaningover£2.6millionhas beengiventodateinHarry'sname.

■ Completeda22-hourrollerskatingchallengetomarkHarry’s 22ndbirthday.

■ CompletedtheThreePeaksChallenge,twicein10days,andkayaked fromLondontoBirmingham.

■ ReceivedaHarryHonouredStaronBroadStreet.

■ Broketheworldrecordforworld'slongestchainofbeads(31,234,48ft).

predictedtorisesubstantiallyinthecomingyears. Researchisimportant,butwhatarewedoingasa communitytohelp?TheNHSistherebutitisa healthspecialistanddoesn’tofferthevitalsupport beyondtreatmentthatisneeded.”

SUPER-LEANTEAM

SinceGeorgielaunchedHelpHarryHelpOthers herwholefocushasbeenstructuredaroundwhere sheknewmoresupportwasneededforfamilies.The charityhasaccesstoexpertsofferingadviceandskills frommentalandemotionalsupporttofinancial,debt andbenefitadviceandevenpracticalhelpsuchasbra fittingforthosedealingwithbreastcancer.

Remarkably,thecharityoperatesonastaffofjust fouremployees.It’sasuper-leanteamwithnoroom forthelikesofaneventsormarketingteam.“That’d beme!”saysGeorgie.“Butofcoursewehaveaccess tolotsofserviceproviderswhocomeinandcharge usforthedayandthenwillgiveusanotherdayfor free.”

Morethan£200,000needstoberaisedannuallyto keepHHHOgoingandunsurprisinglywiththe pandemiclockdownsandeconomiccrisisthat’s provingtougherthanever.“It’sverychallenging,” saidGeorgie,“andthat’swhyitissoimportanttodo allwecantokeepawarenessofwhatwedo.Weneed toworkharder,clevererandcontinuetobe innovative.”

Thecharityhasanumberofhigh-profile supporters,includingTVpresenterBenShepherd, whonamedHarryasoneofhisheroesinhis HumbleHeroesbookwhichwaspublishedin September.

“TherewasnoonequitelikeHarryandevennow Ifeelsoluckytohavespentevenashortamountof timewithsuchauniqueandwonderfullyinspiring youngboy,”saidBen.“I’msoproudtobeflyingthe HHHOflaginhisname,knowingthedifferencethis ismakingtopeople’slives,andkeepinghislegacy aliveisasimportantnowasiteverwas.”Oliverand JamesPhelps,bestknownastheWeasleytwinsin HarryPotter,arealsoambassadorsforHHHO,and said:“Thelevelofsupportandservicessuchasmall teamproducesisincredible.”

Georgie,whohadthehonourofbeingoneofthe batonbearersfortheBirmingham2022 CommonwealthGames,added:“Reachingour10th anniversary,IamsoveryproudofHarry’scharity andeverythinghislegacyhasachieved.Ithasbeen anunbelievablejourneysofar.We’vecreateda wonderfulcommunityandwhilewehavefacedsome verychallengingtimes,there’sneveradullmoment atHHHO–whichisexactlyhowHarrywouldhave wantedit.”

SUPPORTER: TVpresenterBenShepherd,whonamedHarry asoneofhisHumbleHeroes,withGeorgie

Tellusaboutyourcooking

Mystyleofcookingisverymuchingredientled. ThewayIliketocookistotakethebestproducewe canfind,respectitandletitdothetalking.What excitesmeisthequalityandvarietyofproducethatwe getinatOrelle.Mymenuhasbeendesignedto showcasethebestofBritishproduceandcelebratethe storiesbehindlocallysourcedingredients.

Howdidyoubecomeachef?

IbecameachefwhenIwas16aftergoingtocatering college,butIknewitwaswhatIwantedtodofromthe ageoffive.Bothofmygrandmotherswereastrong influenceonme.Onewasabaker,andIspentalotof timewithher,theotherwasaveryproudladywho wouldalwayshostdinnerparties,andIwouldrun aroundherfeetandgetintheway!I’veworkedatsome incrediblerestaurantsincludingTheAliceinOxford andJasonAtherton’sMichelin-starredPollenStreet SocialinLondonandTheClocktowerinNewYork, andI’mexcitedtobebringingmyownmenutoOrelle.

Whatdoyoueatathome?

OnmydaysoffIliketocooksimplefoodthatmy partnerlikestoeat,whichisusuallyclassicBritish dishes.Weloveagoodpie,andifI’moffonaSunday ithastobearoastdinner!

Who’sthebestchefintheworldandwhy?And who’sthebestinBrum?

ChefDanielHummisahugeinspiration,notonly hashewonthreeMichelinstarsathisrestaurant ElevenMadisonParkinNewYork,buthehas achievedthiswithanentirelyplant-basedmenu, showcasinghugecreativity.Heisalsowidelyrespected forhischaritywork.Birmingham’sreputationfor goodfoodiscontinuingtogofromstrengthto strength.I’verecentlymovedtothecitysoI’mexcited tobeabletotrymoreofourfantasticrestaurants.

Shareacookingtip

OverlockdownIreallygotintogrowingmyown produceandIwouldencourageanyonetotrythe same–theflavourandenjoymentyougetfrom pickingandcookingfreshingredientsfromyourown gardenisincredible.

Whatwasyourfavouritefoodasakid?

MyparentsbothhadbusyjobssogrowingupI literallylivedonfrozenmeals.Myall-timefavourite waschickennuggets,chipsandbeans.

Foodheavenandfoodhell?

I’msurroundedbyfoodheaveneverydaybutmy numberonehastobefreshlybakedbread.Forfood hell,that’sadifficultoneasIeatprettymuch everything,butIwouldhavetosaysteamedcabbage!

What’sthemostunusualthingyou’veeaten?

ItriedscorpiononholidayinEgyptwhenIwas about13–itreallydidn’thaveagreatflavourand wasabitbland!

Ifyouweren’tachef,whatwouldyoube?

Goingbacktomyloveforproduce,Iwouldsaya farmer.ThatstemsfromtheenjoymentIgotfrom growingproduceoverlockdown,Igotanew-found respectforit. ■

CHRIS’SDELICIOUSCHICKPEAPANISSERECIPE

MakeoneofChris'sfavouritetastydishesbyfollowinghis simplerecipeonlineatourwebsite,www.brumliving.co.uk

Orelle,103ColmoreRow,BirminghamB33AG.orelle.co.uk

littleclassicSexontheBeach.Asalways,pleaseenjoyresponsibly.

pineapplesoda.Ifyou’rereallygoingforit,finishbygarnishingwith oneblackandoneredtuille,araspberryandaflower.

BirminghamB401PU.resortsworldbirmingham.co.uk

SHORTS NI BBLESand

TRIOOFNEWBARS

TheCocktailClubhasopenedits16thandbiggestsiteatTempleStreet.Designedby award-winningBritishinteriordesignerMatthewWilliamson,thevenuefeaturesthree uniquebars.TheTempleBar,holdsawoodencabanaandapaintingbyGerman illustratorOlafHajek,whiletheEdenBarfeatureshanginggardensanda1970slit cheetahcentrepiece.TheStarBarusesintimatemidnightbluevelvettones,antiquemirror andgoldenbrass.TheClubhasacapacityof450,setacrosstwofloorsandthreerooms.

GOLDENCHOPSTICKS

ChungYingCantoneserestauranthas struckgold–bywinningatthenational GoldenChopsticksAwardswhich recognisethebestofEastandSouthEast Asiancuisine.TheeateryinBirmingham’s ChinaTowntookthe‘BestDumplingsin theUK’trophyattheawardsheldin London’sMayfair.ProprietorJamesWong said:“Itwasawildnightandwegotto rubchopstickswithsomefamousfaces likeGokWan,KenHomandother fantasticrestaurateurssuchasPark Chinois.”ChungYinCantoneseisthe oldestChineserestaurantinBirmingham havingbeenstarted40yearsagoby James’sfather.

TOP10FOR8

Arestaurantthatopenedin2020duringthepandemic hasbeenplacedinthetop10percentofUKrestaurant bytheAA.Theorganisationawardeditshighest3AA Rosettesto8attheICC.OwnerSamMorgansaid:"We areproudofwhattheteamhasachievedsinceopening insuchachallengingyear.Therestaurantwasonlyopen threeweeksofthatyearandthenjustsixmonthsof 2021.So,tobeconsideredinthetop10percentis somethingshortofastonishing."

PITCHPERFECT

ThePitcher&Piano,Brindleyplacehasreopened

hasbeengreat.”

FromthepeoplebehindTigerBitesPigand

TierraTaco,JQItalianeaterieTrentinaisfour monthsinandflying.Despitethediffering culinarygenres,there’saconsistentthemerunning throughallthreerestaurants–confidence,simplicity, singlemindednessandquality.

Interiorsarebasicbutstylish–young,fresh, nothingfancy.Thefoodiskingandtherearezero gimmicks–ahandfulofdisheswithtopnotch ingredientswithsupplierslistedandasuccinctdrinks listwithplentytowetyourwhistle.

Therearesmallplatesandpastadishes.Wewentfor acoupleofsmallplatesandtwopastadishesbetween twowhichwasperfect.Stacciatellaakathegooey middlebitofmozzarellaservedwithherbyoiland quarteredfigswassensational.Zingy,fresh,tart,sweet –somuchtolove.Werecommendscoopingitupwith warmfocaccia.Wealsopolishedoffagenerous selectionofpunchy,pepperycharcuterie.

Shreddedporkshoulderraguwithpappardellewas richandbrimmingwithflavour.ThenforTrentina’s socialmediahit,spinach,ricottaandduckeggraviolo. Itwaslikenothingwe’veeatenbefore.It’sessentially onebigpastaparcelfilledtothebrimwithcreamy

oozingdeliciousness.Ifyouthinktexturallyitsounds likeitwouldbeabitsoft,itis,butitdoesn’tmatter,it’s heavenly.Regardlessofthefactit’sutterlygorgeous, there’ssomechatteraboutitnotbeingonthemenu beyondtheendofOctober.Weassumeit’saPRstunt. Ifnot,we’retakingtothestreets.

Insummary,Trentina’severythingyouwantfroma localrestaurantincludingbeingflippin’goodvalue–forinstancethespinach,ricotta,duckeggpastais £8.50,theporkragu£9.50.IfwelivedintheJewellery Quarterwe’dbetemptedtopopinforabowlofpasta andaMonteandtonicmultipletimesaweek…

PUTTINGTHEBOOTIN

KATIE’S4FOOD-FRIENDLY ITALIANWINESTOTRY

■ BardolinoChiarettoRosé–£9fromMarks&Spencer

MadefromtheclassicValpolicellagrapesofcorvina, molinaraandrondinella,thiscrisp,dryroséis burstingwithjust-riperedberryflavours.Perfectwith aplateofcharcuterie,cheeseandolives.

■ ValpolicellaRipassoSuperiore–£7.99fromAldi

ThisisabrilliantvaluewineforAmaronelovers! Cherriesandplumswithavelvetytextureanda subtlehintofbitteralmonds.

■ TheBestFalanghina–£7.25fromMorrisons

Azestyandflavoursomewhitewinewhichisvery easy-drinkingandpairseasilywithavarietyofdishes.

■ MeliniChiantiGoverno–£9fromTesco

Medium-bodied,fruityredfromtheTuscanyregion withripeandgeneroustannins,greatwithtomatobasedpizzaandpastadishes.

whichtendtohaveabitmoreintensityand concentrationduetotheirproximitytothealtitudeof theAlps.Ifyou’reafanofProvencerosé,trythe refreshing,dryandfruitychiarettowinesofBardolino. Alsofromthenortheastofthecountry,ifyoulove Amaronebutdon’twanttopaytheprice,lookfor ValpolicellaRipasso,awinemadewiththeleftover driedgrapeskinsfromAmaronewinebutmuchmore approachable(andeasieronthewallet!).

Ifyoupreferlighterreds,lookforlightandfresh styleslikedolcettofromthePiemonteregionin northwestItaly.Thenamemeans‘littlesweetone’ duetoitsvibrantredfruitflavours,withalightbody andsoftandsilkytannins.Itpairsbrilliantlywith cheese,ortrywithamushroomrisotto.

Chiantihasfallenoutoffashionlately,reminiscent oflocalItalianrestaurantswithmeltingcandlesticks stickingoutofbottlesinthetraditional“fiasco” baskets.Ifyoulovepizzaandpasta,it’stimeto revisit!Tuscanwinesmadefromthesangiovesegrape arehighinacid,perfectforpairingwithtomatobasedpastadishesbutwithenoughtanninsto withstandapepperonipizzaorspagbol.

EXPERIMENT

bodiedrichredsfromtheNewWorld,southernItaly isreallycomingintoitsown.TheMediterranean climateofPuglia,BasilicataandSicilyistheperfect environmentforthenativeredgrapevarietiesof Primitivo,NegroamaroandAglianico.Aglianicoin particularcanproducedelicious,age-worthywines, oftenrivallingBarolo.

UpinnorthernItaly,Venetoisprimarilyknownas PinotGrigiocountry,aswellasproducingthe nation’sfavouritefizz–Prosecco.

INTENSITY

Ifyouwanttotrysomethingalittledifferent,look forwinesmadeinAltoAdigeorFriuli-Venezia-Giula,

Whenitcomestopairingwithfood,Ilove experimentingwithItalianwhitewines.Itcanbe trickytonavigatethelesser-knownnativevarieties, buttopairwithfoodyouwantplentyofacidityanda bitofdepthandtexture.Falanghinaandpecorinoare twogreatoptionstoexplorefromcentraland southernItaly,orventuretotheislandsofSicilyfor thebrilliantvaluegrillo,orfreshandfloral vermentinofromSardinia.

MypersonalfavouriteisfianofromtheCampania region.It’sanotherancientvarietythatwasknownas “vitisapiana”or“vineofthebees”totheRomans andusedintheirApianumwine.Itusuallyhasa fairlyfullbodywithplentyofaromatics,thinkwild flowers,honeyandspice.Fantasticwithfriedwhite fishorseafoodpasta. ■

BirminghamWineSchoolisanindependentwineeducationcompanythatoffers funinformalwinetastingeventsandWine&SpiritEducationTrust(WSET) coursesonline,inBirminghamandWarwick.FormoreinformationcontactKatie Gardneron01212707359orvisitwww.birminghamwineschool.com.

SIGNSOFHEARINGLOSS

Hearinglossoftenhappensgradually,soyoumightnot noticeitatfirst.Therearesomecommonsignstolookoutfor.

■ TurningtheTVuplouderthanyourfamilywantsittobe.

■ Findingithardtofollowconversationinpubsand restaurants.

■ Strugglingtohearonthephone.

■ Oftenaskingpeopletorepeatwhattheysay.

■ Havingyourpartnercomplainthatyoudon’tlistentothem.

■ Feelingthatotherpeoplemumble. Therearetwomaintypesofhearingloss.It’spossibleto havebothtypes,andthisisknownasmixedhearingloss. Sensorineuralhearingloss:Thisiscausedbydamageto thehaircellsinsidetheinnerear,ordamagetothe hearingnerve,orboth.Itmakesitmoredifficulttohear quietsoundsandreducesthequalityofsoundthatyou canhear.Sensorineuralhearinglossispermanentbutcan oftenbetreatedwithhearingaids. Conductivehearingloss:Thishappenswhenablockage, suchasearwax,stopssoundpassingfromyourouterearto yourinnerear.Soundswillbecomequieterandthingsmight soundmuffled.Itcanbetemporaryorpermanent. Conductivehearinglossisusuallycausedbyearproblems.

Takingcareofyourhearingisasmallpricetopayfor healthyears–evenifyou’reyoungandyourhearingis fine.Hereareafewbasictipstohelpkeepyourearsat optimumhealth:

LOUDNOISES

Exposuretoloudnoisesforlongperiodscouldputyou atriskofpermanenthearingloss.Tinnitus–orringingin theears–canbeanearlywarningsignofhearing damage.Themostworryingthingisthatyouwon’tknow ifyou’vedonepermanentdamageuntilit’salready

areregularlyexposedtowaterandcanbemorevulnerableto Otitisexterna,or‘swimmer’sear’.Symptomsincludeear pain,itching,discharge,tendernessandevenadegreeof hearingloss.

Ifyou’reakeenswimmerorspendalotoftimeinthe pool,thentherearesomethingsyoucandotoprotect yourselffromswimmer’sear.Wearearplugstokeepwater outofyourearcanal.Usespecialeardropsthathelpdryout yourearcanalafterswimming.

FOREIGNOBJECTS

Earsarenormallyself-cleaningsotryingtostopearwax isasfutileastryingtopreventtheproductionofurine. Stickingcottonbudsorpentopsintotheearsimply pushesthewaxintoofarandstopsitcomingoutofthe ear–sodon’tdoit!Earcandlessupposedlyhelpremove

it’stooloud.Ifyou’reinanoisyenvironmentyoucanalways

Sparkles,richfabrics,killerheels–welove

itall.Asalways,pulloutyourexisting partyclobberfromyourwardrobeand assessthesituation.Whatcanyoure-wear,jazz up,recycle,sellon?That’syourstartingpoint. Youmightbeingoodshapeandjustfancysome newaccessoriestoenhanceanexistingoutfit,or youmightbeinthemarketforawholenew look.Whicheveritis,thisseason’sbestbitswill haveyouswooning.

Whatyouwearclearlydependsonthedress code.Nowadays,smartcasualseemstofitthe billformostoccasionswhichkeepsthingsnice andsimple–you’vethefreedomtogoglamif youfancy,butit’snotprescribed.Ifyouareoff toablacktieeventweurgeyoutosticktoyour stylegunsandnottoabandonyourusualvibe. It’snot1950.Ifyou’renotafloorlengthgown andglovessortofgirl,checkoutotheroptions–acooltuxedoorjumpsuit,acuteminior knockoutLBD.

Intermsofdresses,you’respoiledforchoice. TakealookatIntheMoodForLove,Aspiga,

COUNTINGDOWN

25DaysofWellnesscalendar£95,OliverBonas Themostreasonablypricedcalendarofourtoppicks, withcutepackagingand25generoustreatsincluding agorgeousvelveteyemaskandrosequartzrolleras wellasplentyofproduct.Facemasks,bathsalts,hair oil,luxuriousbodywhip,theemphasisisonwell-being andrelaxation.

TheCarnivaldeLaMerAdventCalendar£450,LaMer Worth£560,thereare12best-sellingproductsfrom theluxurybrandhousedinastunningcalendarwith sturdydrawers.It’saninvestmentandonlyreally worthitifyouloveLaMer–oraregiftingtosomeone elsewhodoes.Thequalityofproductsand ingredientsistopnotch.

JohnLewisBeautyadventcalendar£179, JohnLewis Abrilliantcollectionofbrands–27products,with 14ofthemfull-sized.You’llfindthelikesofOlaplex, CharlotteTilburyandSundayRileyhere.Perfectif you’renotloyaltoonebrandandfeellikesampling plenty.Theproductsareworth£771soithasthe biggestsavingofanyofthecalendarsfeatured.

TheExtraordinaryAdventCalendar£140,Lancôme Lookinglikeaworkofart,designedincollaborationwith FrenchsculptorRichardOrlinski,thisbeautycontains £400worthofLancômetreats,includingsomeofthe brand’smosticonicproducts–withthe‘most extraordinarysurprise’undertheEiffelTowernumber24. It’sgrownup,seriousskincareandmake-upandat£140 representsvalueformoneyinthisadventcalendarspace.

JoMaloneAdventCalendar£350, JoMaloneLondon It’snotofficiallybeauty,butitwouldn’tbeChristmas withouttheclassiccreamandblackofJoMalone. Twenty-fivetreatshousedinpackagingthat’sakeeper literally–wehaveoursfromtwoyearsagotostore littletrinkets.

BEAUTYADVENTCALENDARSSEEMTOGETEVERMOREEXTRAVAGANTANDWE’VESELECTEDOUR FAVOURITESFROMTHISYEAR’SEDITIONS

We’realmostinChristmasjumperterritory

whichweacceptisfun,butknitwearisso muchmorethananovelty.Andajumper isneverjustajumper.Therearetoomanystylesand materialstolumpthemalltogether.Theneckisthe biggestdifferential–crew,roll,V-neck,collar/no collar.Anddon’tgetusstartedonthehumbleornot sohumblecardigan.Oncethedomainofthenation’s grandads,thecardiisprettycoolrightnow.We’ve pulledtogetherafewgreatexamplestogetyoustarted. Whilewe’reallusedtocheckingtheprovenanceofour food,youmightbeshockedatthesizeofthecarbon footprintofyouraveragesweater.YanTanRevolution launchedbyeveryone’sfavouritetanningguru,Jules VonHepp–soundsrandom,butstickwithus–is committedtosupportingtheBritishfarmingindustry byusingonlyhome-grownwool.Julesisfroma farmingfamily,soheknowshisstuffandissuperkeen togetbehindBritishfarmers.It’sworthexploringthe issueandperhapsbuyingless,butbetter. ■

FESTIVEFOLK

Foramore‘puttogether’table,getinspiredby someoftheexamplespicturedandheadtosomeof theacestoresinBrum.It’dbeashamenotto browsethestoresthatwe’respoiltwithacrossthe city,sostepawayfromthelaptopandgetamongst itinstore.Yougetarealfeelforthefabricsand qualityintheflesh,soit’sdefinitelyworthatrip. TryplaceslikeKINHome,BoConcept,Minima, Neptune,LeeLonglands,OKA,Arketamong manyothers.Makealistbeforeyoushop–everything’ssogorgeousit’sveryeasytogetcarried away.Justus?Oh.

Detailslikefestiveflowersandplentyofpineand eucalyptusaddtothesumptuousnessalongwith lotsofcandlesandsomegreatcrackers.Trytoavoid thosewithplanetbustingplastictatthatgoes straightintothebin.Foreco-friendlyversionstake alookatEtsy,KateSprostonDesignforreusableas wellasNotOnTheHighStreetandtheultimate planetfriendlycrackerfromMyGreenChristmas whichcontainsapacketofseedsaswellasthe customaryjokeandhat.Oryoucouldmakeyour owncrackerstailoringgiftstoyourguestsfora highlypersonaltouch.

Mostly,enjoycreatingsomethinglovely.It’smeant tobejoyful,soplanearlytoremovethestress. ■

WINTERWONDERLAND

FromJohnLewis

GROWNUPGLAMOUR

FromJohnLewis

Afantasticwaytogetadisplaythatlastsweeksand

earlyasFebruary,thedaffodilsaroundMarchand thenthetulipsafterthat,untilApril(orthereabouts).

soggycompostwon’tbehappyandarelikelytorot. Usesomebrokencrockstohelpwithdrainage.

Addyourfirstlayerofcompost –about10to15cmwilldo–then yourtulipswhichcangoquite closetogetheraslongastheyaren’t touching.Addenoughcompostto coverthislayer,repeatwithyour daffodils,thenmorecompostand finallyyourcrocusbulbs.Topthisoff withafinallayerofcompostthatcomes justbelowtherimofthepot.Tostop anycritterssuchassquirrelsgettingto yourbulbsaddwoodchip,gravelor grittothetop–don’tworry,thebulbs willgrowthroughwithnoproblems.

Givethepotagoodwaterand thenleaveit!Don’tbetemptedto messaroundwithitatall,andit won’tneedwateringagainuntilthefirstsignsof growthinspring.Then,allthat’slefttodoissitback andwaitforyourlasagnetodoitsthing.

Comeoutofthekitchen!

Whilesomebulbssuchasdaffodilsdowellinpots, whenthey’reinthegroundthey’llhaveachanceto multiply.Ifleftaloneinthebordersorinbedsthen eachandeveryyear,they’llgetbiggerandspread whichmeansmoredaffodilseverynewspring.

We’veallseendaffodilsinmassivedriftsonthesides ofcountrylanesandinwoodland,andthere’sno reasonyoucan’tdothesameinyourgarden.Daffodils aren’texpensive,andyoucanbuylargebagsofthem frommanyDIYshopsorbargainstorestogetyou going.Therearesmalloneswithlotsofscent,suchas Tête-à-Tête,andsomeparticularlybeautifulones,like Narcissuspoeticusvar.recurves,morecommonly knownas‘pheasantseye’–whichhavethemost strikingwhitepetalswitharedtippedcentre.Two fantasticthingsaboutpheasantseyearethesweet citrusscentandthefactthattheyflowerlate, appearinginaroundmid-April,helpingtoextend springjustthatlittlebitfurther.

Somethingtotry!

We’veallheardoftulipsanddaffodils,buthow aboutsomethingalittledifferent?Perhapsthe imposingFritillariaimperialis,Crownimperial?It’sa littlelateintheseasontobeplantingthesenowbutif

youdoitrightatthestartofNovemberyoumightjust beokwiththem.Theselargefloweringbulbswill comeoutbetweenAprilandMaywiththemost intriguingflowerheads,quiteexoticandlikenothing you’veseenbefore.Or,maybetryAlliumRed Mohican–bearingbizarre,bulbousflowers(socalled astheyresembleaMohicanhaircut)aboveloftystems, theyaresuretoturnheadsinanygarden.

So,whatwillyoutry?

I’dbeabsolutelythrilledifIknewthatthegardens ofBirminghamweresoontobefilledtothebrimwith tulips,daffodilsandwhoknowselsewhat!So,havea try,letmeknowwhatyougowithandsharethem withmeoveronmyInstagrampage.

Springbulbsarearealhighlightinthegardenafter alongwinter,soseehowyoucanbrightenupyour greenspace.Nomatterhowbigorsmall! ■

NEXTMONTH…

I’llbebringingyouallmymust-havegiftsforgardenersforChristmas! Nomatterthesizeofthegardenorevenjustapot….I’llhave somethingforeveryoneofyourgreenfingeredfriends!

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

WhatIwantthemostfromanyjourneyis

todriveacarwhichoffersmeeaseof use,stress-freedrivingandis economical.Andifit’spartlyengineeredin Birmingham,evenbetter.

Afteraweekofroad-testingBMW’s2-Series LuxuryActiveTourer,Ihadreachedevery journey’sendfeelingcompletelycalm,evenwhen encounteringmotorwayqueues.Usingnew featureswhichwerepreviouslyreservedforthe brand’slargermoreexpensivemodels,Iwasableto

activateroutediversions,allwhilesittinginthe luxuriousinterior.

Thetwolatestgenerationthreeandfour-cylinder petrolenginesarebuiltatBMWHamsHallnear Birmingham.Officiallyopeningandstarting productionin2001,theplanthasacommitted workforceofmorethan1,000peoplesupportingthe day-to-dayoperationsofthesite.Morethanfive millionengineshavebeenproducedsincetheplant opened,withannualproductioninrecentyears exceeding375,000engines.

Idrovethepowerful1.5-litrethree-cylinderunit withmildhybridtechnologythatcanpartially rechargethebatterywhenbraking.Plug-in hybridtechnologywillshortlyjointherangeand thereisalsoanextensivelydeveloped2.0-litre dieselengine.

TECHGALORE

Thefeaturelistonthe2-SeriesissolongthatI amwritingaboutjustafewthatIfoundnotable. ThelatestversionoftheParkingAssistantis standardandhelpedmetoparkinspacesparallelor perpendiculartotheroadusingthekerbasaguide. ReversingAssistanthelpedmetoreverseinthe confinedspaceofamulti-storeycarparkwhereIdid nothaveaclearview.Brilliant!CruiseControlwith brakefunctionisfittedasstandard.

Comfortandsafetyareenhancedwiththelargest selectionofautomatedassistancefunctionsever offeredinacompactBMW.Thesefunctionscanbe improvedorexpandedbymeansofremotesoftware upgradesandfunctionsondemand.

Thespaciouscabinhasbeencompletely redesigned,takingitscuesfromtheBMWiXwitha framelessglasssurfacefrontdisplayangledtowards thedriverwhichisveryclear.ASportsteeringwheel isstandard.IenjoyedplayingwiththeBMW IntelligentPersonalAssistantaskingthesystemto opentheoptionalelectricpanoramicroof,opena windoworchangetheair-conditioning.Thereisa choiceofSport,LuxuryorMSportspecification.I

FACTSATAGLANCE

Model: BMW2-SeriesLuxuryActiveTourer

Price: £39,479.99withoptions

Engine: 1.5i,220imildhybridpetroland48velectricmotor, combinedoutputof170hp

Performance: 0-62mphin8.1secondsandontoatop speedof137mph

CO2 emissions: 141g/km(WLTP)

Combinedfuelconsumption: 43.5-47.9mpg

roadtestedtheLuxurytrimwhichincludes17-inch V-Spokealloywheels,aluminiumexteriortrim, Vernascaleatherupholsteryandheatedfrontseats.

GOINGLARGE

Thenewmodelislargerthanitspredecessor–by32mminlength,24mminwidthand21mmin height.Aknowledgeablerearseatpassenger commentedontheincreaseinkneeroomoverthe previousmodelandsaiditwasmorecomfortablefor longdistancetravel.Thebackrestanglecanbe adjusted,whichincreasesspaceinthebootbyupto 90litres.Loadcapacityisalreadygoodat415litres andcanbeexpandedto1,405litres,soplentyofroom forsurfingorgolfingequipmentorevenagenerous shoppingspree!

InnovativetechnologyintheBMW2-SeriesActive Tourergavemeanenjoyableweekofstress-free driving.AndasaBrummie,IwasproudtosayIwas drivingacarthathaditsrootsatBMWHamsHall. ■

SHOWROOM

SytnerOldburyBMW,819WolverhamptonRoad, Birmingham,B688DA.Tel:01217565962 www.sytner.co.uk/bmw/dealerships/oldbury

Theuniquetalentdevelopmentprogramme,

theB:MusicJazzlinesCommission,isinits thirdyearandgivestwoBirmingham-based jazzmusiciansanopportunitytoproducenew projectsshowcasingtheirwork.Thisyear,it’s baritonesaxophonistAliciaGardener-Trejoand guitaristSteveSaundersalongwiththeirchosen collaborators.WehadachatwithSteveacoupleof weeksbeforehisworkpremiered.

Steve’schosencollaboratorisAsgerNissen,a DanishaltosaxophonistbasedinBerlin,whichis wheretheymet.Inthethirdyearofhiscourseat RoyalBirminghamConservatoire,StevespentalifechangingfourmonthsattheJazzInsitutBerlin.He says:“IwentthroughtheErasmusschemeanditwas suchaspecialplace.Thestandardattheschoolwas reallyhighandstudentshadsuchstrongidentities andvoices.”

Headds:“Iwassomuchyoungerthanthe musiciansinBerlinandfeltabitoutofmydepth. Europeanplayerstendtostartstudyingwhenthey’re older–they’renotinanyrushandfindtheirvoice growsatadifferentrate.Hereit’seasytogetswept alongwiththeA-levelthenuniversityroute potentiallyrobbingpeopleofself-discovery.Itwas themosttransformativeyearofmylife.”Steveand Asgerkeptintouchandthecommissionseemeda greatopportunitytoreconnect.

TRANSFORMATIVEYEAR

Theprojectwillbeabass-lesstriofeaturingthe greatJeffWilliamsondrums.Steveexplains:“This projectisachanceforustoexplorebringing contemporaryclassicalinfluencesintoanimprovised contextwhilebeingfirmlyrootedinthejazz tradition,withamasterdrummerwhocouldn’tbe moreconnectedtothehistoryofjazz.I’mincredibly excitedtobeabletocreatethisprojectandbringitto SymphonyHall.Everythingsoundsmassiveat SymphonyHall.Fortheaudiencethemusicsounds likeit’srightnexttothemandcrystalclear.”

Steve’sroutetojazzwasfairlylengthyandcame aboutbecausehereallyrelishesachallenge. Surroundedbymusicathome–hisdadplayed organandhisolderbrotherplayedpiano–when Steve’syear3teacheraskedpupilsiftheywantedto

playguitarhejumpedatthechance.“Iloveditand gotreallyobsessed.Igotanelectricguitaratone stageandasmallbatterypoweredamp.Iusedto walkaroundthehouseplaying.Mybrotherwas thesame.”

Steve’sbrotherhadaradioinhisroomwhichwas firmlytunedintoKerrangandtheduolistenedtoa lotofrock.Stevestartedplayingdrumsaswellas guitarandworkedhiswaythroughthegrades.Steve likedtochallengehimselfandwantedtofindthe hardestthingtolearn.Whenstudyingforgrade8 guitarhefoundthescaleshardandaskedtheteacher whenyoumightusethesescales.Histeachersaid jazzwhichwaslikelayingdownthegauntletto Steve.“Ihatedjazzatfirst.Iwasusedtorockmusic sobigbandsfromthefortiesjustfeltlikeoldmusic. ThenIfoundthingsIliked.JohnSchofieldfor examplewhoplaysjazzbutfromarockbackground andthatwasmygatewayin.”

WORLDCLASS

WhenSteve’sschoolinRedditchannouncedthey wouldn’tberunninganA-levelmusiccoursebecause hewastheonlystudentwhohadsignedup,hehad tofindanalternative.Hestayedathissixthformbut studiedA-levelmusiconaWednesdayeveningatthe Conservatoire.“Itwasamazing.Theclasswasme andtwoothermusicianswhoarestillfriends.”The teacherwasworldclassand‘blewSteve’smind’.

Heregularlyfoundhimselfrunningforthelast trainhometoRedditchbecausetheclasshadrun overbyhoursastheywerejusttalkingandplaying. StevestarteddoingtheSaturdayjazzclassesat B:Musictoowhichsealedthedeal.“Thefreedomof themusicrespondingtoeachotherwastheperfect balance.It’saseriousdisciplinewhichIsupposefit thedesiretobechallenged.Itwashardworkbut superfun.”TeacherssuchasPercyPursglovemeant theSaturdayjazzensemblewaslikegettingaworld classeducation.

BeyondtheJazzlinesCommissionwhichishis focusrightnow,SteveplanstostayinBirmingham writing,composingandplayingaswellasleading largeprojects.“IlikethepaceofBirmingham–the spaceandtimethatthecityoffersplusthe communityissostronghere.” ■

NEWLEADER

BirminghamOrmistonAcademy(BOA)hasappointedKate TagueasCEOfollowingtheretirementofGaynorCheshire. KatepreviouslyheldaCEOroleatWMGAcademyTrust wheresheopenedanddevelopedtwospecialistacademies. “I’mdelightedtobeappointedChiefExecutiveOfficerofthe BOAGroup,”shesaid.“It’sbeenfantastictowitnessthe successoftheGroupoverthepast10yearsandwiththe additionoftwonewacademies,it’saprivilegetoleadthe teamduringthisexcitingperiodofgrowth.”

CURTAINCALL

TheRoyalShakespeareCompanyhasrevealedthenamesofthe childrenwhowillappearalongsideAdrianEdmondson(Scrooge) initsproductionofDickens’s,AChristmasCarol.Theroleof TinyTimwillbesharedbyfouryoungactors–JasiriBrown, GracieCoates,JasperDanceandAlexanderJoseph.Eachhas challengessuchasmobilityproblems,limbdifference,cerebral palsyandjuvenilearthritis.DirectorRachelKavanaughsaid:“All fourbringsomethingexceptionalandjoyoustotherolethrough theirownuniqueexperienceandtalent.”

SCHOOL REPORT

HANDSON

SolihullSixthFormCollegeislaunchinganewTLevel courseinEducation&Childcare,duetostartnext September.Thetwo-yearqualificationwillequip learnerswithcoreknowledge,skillsandexperiences thatwillenablethemtoworkconfidentlyinthe industryormovetohighereducationtopursuea careerinteaching.Thecourseinvolvesthreedaysin collegeandtwodaysonaplacementeveryweek.

DREAMBIG

ElmhurstBalletSchoolhascontributedtoaDisneyOriginaldocumentaryaboutone ofitspupils,AnthonyMadu.Aftera44-secondvideoofhimdancinginhishomeon theoutskirtsofLagoswentviralin2020andafterbeingofferedascholarshipat Elmhurst,Anthony’slifechangedforever.He’snowlivinghisballetdreamsand hopesthedocumentary,titledsimplyMADU,willencouragepeoplefrom communitieswithlimitedopportunitieslikehistothinkbig.

HONORARY FELLOW

Entrepreneurandadvocatefor boostingopportunitiesfor youngpeople,ProfPaul Cadman,hasbeenmadean HonoraryFellowofUniversity CollegeBirminghamwherehe studied30yearsago.Paul,who struggledthroughhisown educationduetoundiagnosed dyslexia,saysheunderstands theperceivedbarriersyoung peoplefaceandislooking forwardtostrengthening employabilityforstudentsatthe university.Hesitsonmultiple charitableboardsalongsidehis businessinterestsandischairof StepstoWork.

©KrisAskey

IqbalKhan’striumphantdirectorshipoftheCommonwealthGamesopeningceremonyishis

‘biggestsuccess’todateandcertainlythemosthigh profile.Morethanabillionpeopleacrosstheglobe watchedthespectaclewhichIqbaldescribesasthe ‘ultimatecelebrationofcommunities’thatrepresented thecitysobrilliantly.

Hedescribestheexperienceas‘stressfulbuta privilege’asthecityhasamassivestorytotellandthat washisdilemma–howtotellthestory.Heexplains: “It’stheyoungest,punkestcityinEurope.Iwantedto changethewaythisplacewasseenandrepresentits communitiesproperly.”

Ofeveryone’sfavouritebovine(sorryBullring)he adds:“Thebullwasanincrediblepieceofengineering andIsupposeitwasinevitablethat peoplewouldcareaboutitandtake ownershipofit.Itwasneverconceived tobearoundthislong,sowe’vehadto getextrafundingtomakechangesto keephimlongterm.”Bytheway,he couldtellmewherethebullwill reappear,buthe’dhavetokillmeso understandablyIdidn’tpushit.

Withjust18monthstopullthe showtogetherfeaturing2,500 performers,aglobalpandemicinthe run-upandtoughrestrictionsthat meantitwasachallenge.Meetings werevirtual,supplychainswereaffected,peoplecame downwithCovidperiodically,butitallcametogether. Therewasahiccupwhenthebullmalfunctioned duringtherehearsalwhichwasakintohim‘havinga stroke’butthankfullyheperformedonthenight.

NEWWORK

Lastmonth,TartuffeattheRep–whereIqbalis associatedirector–wasalsoatriumph.Reviewsof hisadaptationoftheMolierecomedyfromthe1600s wereglowing.Bringingtheplaytomodern-day PakistanicommunityaroundStratfordRoadwas inventive,funnyandfresh.Theambitiousscaleand rangeofworkattheRepgetsIqbalexcited.

Hisrolemeanshedoesanumberofprojectsatthe Repwhilealsohavingfreedomtodootherthings.So, it’sawin-win.Interpretingclassics,makingworkfor

audiences,broadeningtheatre’sappealreaching youngerpeopleanddevelopingBirmingham nationallyisIqbal’sgoal.Andbringingoperatothe masses.Hesays:“Iloveoperaandwanttodoalot more.There’salwaysthisperceptionthatit’selitist, butitshouldn’tbe.”

Ithasn’tallbeenplainsailing.Twentyyearsago whenIqbalwasstartingoutintheatreasanactorfrom anethnicminority,hefeltapressuretogivepeople whattheywantedratherthanwhohewasandwhathe wantedtodo.Herecalls:“ThepartsIwantedwere classicalwhichalienatedagentsastheyjustthoughtit wasnotpractical.Thankfully,theworldhaschanged andperformerswhowantto,can.Therearean enormousnumberofopportunitiesnow.”

ClearlyCovidwastoughforanysortoflive performancewithcripplinglockdownsenforcedon venuesandIqbalthinksithighlightedthe importanceoftheatre.“Itreallyshowedushow fragiletheindustryis.It’ssoimportant–there’sa holistichumanneedaswellasaneconomicneed.” Healsofeelsit’snecessarytotellurgentstoriesof allianceinresponsetoBrexit.Hesays:“Itwasa defensivedecisionthatcamefrompeoplefeeling vulnerable.Weweresortofturninginon ourselves.”

BornandbredinBrum,Iqballivedawayfor30 years.Ofthecityhesays:“It’snottheBirmingham thatIgrewupin.Ienjoythejoyousconfusionofthe city–itsoptimismandinnocence.Duringthelast10 to15yearsthepaceofchangehasbeenexponential, andthespiritisthrilling.” ■

Buildingproductsmanufacturer Forterradonated£1,000toKatNat DisabledEquipmentaspartofits CommunityFund.KatNat,locatedin WolverhamptonclosetoForterra’s CradleySpecialBrickfactory,isa one-mannot-for-profitcompanyled by60-year-oldarmyveteranMark Dickinson,pictured.Thecompany producestherapyequipmentfor disabledchildrentohelpthembuild strengthandmobility.Markstarted makingtheequipmentin2020to helphisfour-year-oldgranddaughter Nathalenewhohascerebralpalsy.

Birmingham-basedcreativeanddigitalagency Clevercherryhasexpandeditsteam,welcoming StaceyCramptonandZoeEllisasdigitalaccount managersandJessicaGreaneyasheadof marketing.Staceypreviouslyworkedinaccount anddevelopmentprojectmanagementwitha premiumautomotiveclient,whileZoehasdigital agencyexperienceworkingwithbothB2CandB2B clients.HeadofmarketingJessicawasnamed YoungProfessionaloftheYearintheSutton Coldfield,Lichfield&TamworthandCannockChase ChambersofCommerceawardsearlierthisyear.

HEY!IT’SCOFFEETIME

Anewindependentcoffeeshop hasopenedinSellyOak,creating sevenjobs.MylesHibbsopened HeyBrewEspressoinBristolRoad, offeringspecialitycoffee,brunch, lunchandon-the-gooptions.The 28-year-old,fromCoventryhas workedinhospitalitysincehewas 14inrolesfromrunner,tofrontof-houseandmanagement.He previouslyco-ownedacoffeeshop inWarwick.HemovedtoBristol Roadwiththehelpofsolicitor NathanHinksofLeamington lawyersWrightHassall.

BUSINESSOFTHEYEAR

Automotivesalesandservicingcentre,MotorServ UK,celebratedadoublewinatSolihullChamberof CommerceAwards.MDKamranSaleemandhis teamclaimedtheAwardforExcellenceinCustomer ServiceandtheheadlineBusinessoftheYeartitles. Kamransaid:“TobenamedBusinessoftheYearis somewhatoverwhelming.Asaborn-and-raised SolihullresidentI’macutelyawareoftheweight theseawardsholdinthelocalcommunity.Itistruly anhonourtoreceivesuchrecognition.”

CLINICOPENING

SolihullMayorCllrKenMeesonofficiallyopenedUrbanBody’snew physiotherapyclinicatWarwickRoad,Olton.Namesfromtheworldofsport, includingOlympicbobsleighmedallistJoelFearonandformerAstonVilla playerGarryThompson,attendedtheopeningparty,alongwithtoprunning coachArjThiruchelvam.UrbanBodywaspreviouslybasedatWest WarwickshireSportsClub.Thephysiotherapybusinesswasfoundedfive yearsagobyPhilEvans,whotrainedatLoughboroughUniversityandhas treatedEnglandcricketers,TeamGBathletesandEnglandrugbyplayers.

AnewpizzeriaandbarissettoopenthismonthinEdgbaston.Smoke+

MDPETERJOINS

MANAGING

JamieHalcrowhasjoinedMichel-starrestaurantSimpsonsasgeneralmanager.He previouslyworkedforLondon’sCapriceHoldings,wherehewasseniorassistantgeneral manageroverseeingworld-renownedrestaurantssuchasScott’sofMayfair,SexyFish andJSheekey.HewasgeneralmanagerofRokaMayfair,thegroup’sbest-performing restaurant.Jamiejoinedtheindustryattheageof19whenhewashelpingafriendparttimeatCarluccio's.Hewentontoworkinmorethan20Carluccio'slocations.

TALENTSHOW

TheBBCshowcasedhome-growntalentit hasrecruitedtoworkwithsomeofthe Midlandstopcreativebusinessessince launchingtheApprenticeHubearlierthis year.TheeventwhichtookplaceatAustin Court,Birmingham,washostedbyBBC presenterAmberSandhu,whoalsoentered theindustrythroughaBBCearlycareers scheme.TheHubisapartoftheBBC’s AcrosstheUKplanswhichsees Birminghambecomeayouthhubwith Radio1’sNewsbeatandtheAsianNetwork relocatingtothecityalongsideBBCThree.

BUSINESS BITES

LETTINGSHEAD

Aleadingestateagenthasappointed experiencedmanagerJamesGwynneto headtheexpansionofitslettingsteam. JamesjoinsNicol&Coaftermorethan 10yearsworkinginthesectorandis basedattheagent’sDroitwichHQ.

LAWAWARDS

TOP50RISINGSTAR

SeniorassociatedirectoratPrincipleEstate Management,DanielleLannon,hasbeennamedas oneofthetop50risingstarsinthesectorinthe PropertyManagement50HallofFame2022. Danielle,whograduatedwithaBScinRealEstate ManagementfromtheUniversityCollegeofEstate Managementin2019,isamemberofboththeRoyal InstitutionofCharteredSurveyorsandInstituteof ResidentialPropertyManagement.TheHallofFame ishostedbyFlatLivingandsponsoredbyPMR.

ShoosmithsscoopedtheLawFirmof theYearawardattheLegalBusiness AwardsinLondon.TheBirminghamfirm wasalsoshortlistedforlegaltechnology teamoftheyearforitsAIcontract reviewplatform,Cia,afterwinningthe awardthepreviousyear.

ALLABOARD

Eco-friendlyboathirecompanyGoBoatUK hasannouncedthereturnofitsCommunity Cruises,offeringgroupsofpeoplewith disabilitiesrespitefromsocialissuesand therisingcostoflivingwithfreeboating experiencesfromitsBrindleyplacebase.

AGENCYMISSION

Anup-and-comingBirminghamagencyIsonamissionto createequaljobopportunitiesinthedigitalmarketing sector.GetFoundisaBlack-owneddigitalmarketing agencysetupin2019thatworkscloselywiththe communitytocreateequaljobopportunitiesthrough comprehensivetrainingprogrammes.“Wehavealways aimedtonotonlyprovideexcellentservicestoourclients, butalsotogivebacktothecommunityandprovidefair employmentopportunities,”saidJasonJackson,cofounderanddirector.

LawfirmLoddershostsbig dayatEdgbastonGolfClub

LawfirmLoddershosteditsannualgolfdayatEdgbastonGolfClubforthefirsttime.Thefour-ball ledbyLodders’LeeMcBride,partnerandheadofthe firm’senvironmentalteam,andOliverThompson(Cameron Homes),KevinRendellandLawrenceRoberts(Christie Finance)recordedthebestscoretotaketheoverallGolfDay winnerstitleandaluxuryhampereach.“Itwasafabulous–if notratherrainy–dayofgolfatthefamousEdgbastonGolf Course,”saidGrahamSpalding,partnerinLodders’corporate

charityenjoyathree-coursemeal,entertainmentand liveauction.StBasilsaimstoraise£1millionoverits anniversaryyeartobuildonthesuccessofitsSandwell

Birminghamcitycentrewhichwillenablemoreyoung peopletolive,work,earnandlearn.

Solihullwelcomeslaunchof EmporioAtaribarandcafé

hasopenedEmporioAtari–anItalianbarandcafé inspiredbyoneoftheoldestcoffeehousesinItaly–inTouchwoodshoppingcentre,Solihull.Award-winning ItaliancelebritychefAldoZillihasbroughthisexpertiseto helpcreatenewsignaturedishesfortheupcomingseasonal menus.AswellasofferinggreatItaliancoffee,EmporioArtari servesLucarelli-stylecicchettifood,includingsharingplatters, arancini,oven-bakedlasagneandpaniniandevenan

EmmaHowden,

state-of-the-artcancertreatmentatlocal

organisedbythehotel’sco-ownerandtwo-timecancer survivorSueCressmanwhounderwentamastectomy 10yearsagoandhascontinuedtogivebackbydonating atotal£250,000worthoflife-savingmedicalequipment sofartolocalhospitals.Theballwasattendedby170 guestswithproceedsfromticketsales,anauctionand rafflegoingtoSolihull,HeartlandsandQueen

WHAT’SON

WHAT:

WHERE:

Theaward-winningwinemerchantsLokiis backagainatMillenniumPointforthelargest wineeventoftheyear.Thisyearfeatures moredrinksthaneverbefore,withthe additionofmorespirits,andwinesaswellas forthefirsttimesomebeersonshow.

WHAT:

WHEN:

WHERE:

calthorpe.co.uk

Apre-ChristmasspecialwithBirmingham’slargest

WHAT:

WHAT:

WHERE:

offame,fortuneandtheruthlessrealities ofshowbusinessasthisdazzlingmultiaward-winningshowarrivesdirectfrom theWestEnd.

WHAT:

WHEN:

WHERE: ResortsWorldArena, resortsworldarena.co.uk

ThisyearsawBiffyClyroproclaimedas theKerrangBestBritishBand, coincidingwiththeirlong-awaited returntofull-scaletour.

BEENTHERE,DONETHAT

AfterworkingintheRoyalAirForceinGibraltarfornearly threeyears,IcamebacktoBirminghamintheearly1960s, workingasaphotographerandjazzmusician.Igotto photographthelikesofMuddyWaters,ChuckBerry,Little Richard,JerryLeeLewis,MickJaggerandNinaSimoneas wellasbandsthatestablishedBirminghamastheRockand RollcapitaloftheUK.Withmyownband,Locomotive,I frequentedaWestIndianrecordstoreanddiscoveredRock Steady–themusicfromtheIslandsthatprecededSkaand Reggae–resultinginLocomotivehavingahitrecordwith Rudi’sInLove.IquitplayingtrumpettomanageLocomotive andalsoabandcalledEarth.Ihatedthatnameandpersuaded themtochangeittoBlackSabbath.In1970,Itookthemtoa hitsingleParanoid.SincethenI’vebeenrecordingAmerican Bluesmen,jazzmusiciansfromalloverandlocalbands.

Wehaveorganisednumerousfestivals,including38 editions(sofar)ofBirmingham,Sandwell&WestsideJazz FestivalandsixyearsoftheMarbellaJazzFestival.We relaunchedHenry’sBlueshousein2019,nowatVelvet MusicRoomsonBroadStreeteveryTuesday.

IT’SWHATIDO

I’mgoodatcomingupwithideasforprojectsbutnotso hotatputtingthemintoaction.SometimesIover-estimate thecapabilitiesofoursmallcompany–justfiveofus.I’m happiestintherecordingstudiobutdon’talwaysfindit easytoeffectivelymarketourreleases.

WHATI’DLIKETOSEE

Todigitiseandreleaseourrecordcatalogueof unreleasedmusic.Tocontinuetoplayourpartinkeeping thoseBluesalive.Todoourbesttocontinuepresenting whatweconsidertobetherealjazz.

BIGGESTSUCCESS

Stayinginwhatwelaughinglycallbusinessfor54years andcounting,workingwithrealmusicians,nobacking tracks,noDJs.

BIGGESTLESSONLEARNED

I’vealwaysbelievedthatifyoudoajobproperly,deliver onwhatyousetouttodo,thenthoseupthere,the decision-makers,willtakenotice.It’stakenalongtimeto finallyacceptthatthisdoesnotwork.

WHATILIKEABOUTBRUM

Howlonghaveyougot?TheBirminghamaudiencefor music,theyneverletyoudown.Theirappetiteand preparednesstolistentosomethingnew.Birminghamis theUKcapitalofRockandRoll,itisalsosignificantwhen itcomestojazzandblues–andBirminghamisonlya15minutedrivetothatfieldofdreams,HalesowenTown FootballClub.

DOWNTIME

What’sthat?Ienjoywritingandcurrentlyhavetwo bookspublishedco-writtenwithmybrotherRon.

FINALLY…

Thedecadeischronicledlikeneverbeforeinournew book,DirtyStopOut’sGuideto1970sBirmingham.Duran Duran,UB40,DexysMidnightRunnersandmanymore foundinitialsuccessinthe1970sandfeatureinthestory.

JimandRonSimpsons’DirtyStopOutsGuide