EDITOR’SVIEW
ThehomecomingeventforBritain’samazingParalympicsteamheldrecentlyatBirmingham’s UtilitaArenawasanawesomeexperience.ShownliveonTV,theglitteringeveningwasa fittingtributetotheeffortsoftheathleteswhowonatotalof124medals,49ofwhichweregold.
AshowbizvibecamefromactsincludingCraigDavid,theSugarbabes,AitchandJonasBlue.
AshowbizfeelingwasalsoinevidenceatStAndrew’s,homeofBirminghamFC,wherefansweretreated tothesurrealsightofco-ownerandAmericanfootballlegendTomBradyhostingnoneotherthanDavid Beckhaminthedirectors’box.AlongsidethemwasHollywoodstarRobMcElhenney,whotogetherwith fellowA-listerRyanReynoldsisco-owneroftheBluesopponentsontheday,WrexhamCity.
Bothoccasionsareexamplesofhowsportcanbringgreatpositivitytoacitythroughtheexcitementoffans andthemediaattentiongenerated.AstonVilla’sgreatstartintheclub’slong-awaitedreturntothe ChampionsLeaguefurtheraddstothatfeelingofgoodtimesaheadforBrum.
Don’tknowaboutyou,butthechildreninmyfamilyarealreadygettingexcitedaboutHalloween.I’mnot sureifthey’llgoasfarastrickingandtreating,butgruesomefacepaintingandcostumesareassured. Anothertraditiontheyloveiscarvingpumpkins.Thisyear,we’redeterminedtobemore‘authentic’and pick-our-ownstraightfromthefieldratherthanfromthesupermarketshelf.
AquickGooglewillrevealplentyof‘spooky’localfarmsandvenueswhereyoucandothesame,plus loadsofHalloween-themeeventsforallthefamily.Woooooooo…
DavidJohns
EDITOR: DavidJohns david@brumliving.co.uk
TracyDuffy CONTRIBUTORS: SueCooke,KatieGardner,AdamKirtland
JaneMorris jane@brumliving.co.uk
PHOTOGRAPHY: DavidMorphew,AndrewLlewellyn
RockHopperMediaLimited BurleighHouse,23TagwellRoad,DroitwichWR97BN tel 01905771110 ©RockHopperMediaLtd. BirminghamLivingispublishedmonthlybyRockHopperMediaLtdandprintedbyBuxtonPress.Viewsandopinionsexpressedbyauthorsandservicesandproducts offeredbyadvertisersarenotspecificallyendorsedbyRockHopperMediaLtd.ReproductioninwholeorinpartofthecontentsofBirminghamLivingwithoutwrittenpermissionisstrictlyprohibited.
SUBSCRIPTIONS: Thesubscriptionrate(postpaid)is£24foroneyear(12issues).Subscriptions01905771110ISSN2051-8560
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Highlights
News
Bringingyouthebrightest,mostcolourful storiesfromacrossthecitythismonth
AdrianChiles
TheTV,radiopresenterandwritertalks abouthisnewbook,CuriousColumns
AMerryDance
JockeyMorriscelebrating75thanniversary instyleinheartofBirminghamcitycentre
Food&Drink
News,reviews,recipes–andamust-try selectionofwonderfulwinesfromArgentina
Health
Facinguptothegrowingchallenges aroundourmentalhealthissues
Style
Autumnishere!Beautifulboots,cosy knits–andbestofall,gloriouscoats
BestoftheRest
Homes
Crackingkitchens!Howtogiveheartof thehomebagsofstyleandpracticality
Motoring
Asautumnleavesfall,SueCookedelivers verdictonFord’snewKugaplug-inhybrid
42 52 54 59 64 66
Young,Gifted&Brummie
ParabasketballplayerSiobhanFitzpatrick ongivingyoungpeoplechancetoachieve
BusinessNews
Newsandviewsfromthecommercial Community,plusSocialScenepages
What’sOn
Bestofthecity’stopshowsandgigsin ourround-upofthemust-seeevents
UpClose
CarolineDavisofOPUSArtstalksballet andkeepingcityfullofjoyandwonder
HIGH-FLYING RESTAURANT
Greatfoodandastunningview–what’snottolike!Rooftopeatery Orelle,locatedonthe24thfloor of103ColmoreRow,wasnamed BestRestaurantInBirminghamat theBritishRestaurantAwards. RichardChiswell,general manageratOrelle–thefirst BirminghamlocationforD&D London–said:“Thisawardisa realboostforourincredibleteam thatworkssohardtoensure everyvisitisexceptionaland memorableforourguests.”
TOURDEFORCE
Someoftheworld’sbestyoungdancerswillfeatureinBirminghamRoyal Ballet’sthirdUKtourannouncedfor2025.Thestarsofthefuturewillperform inanewgalaproductioncreatedbyBRBdirectorCarlosAcosta whichhighlightsatroupeofrebeldancers,musiciansand designerswhofledRussia.Thecompanywillmakeits BirminghamHippodromedebutbeforetravellingto Sadler’sWellsEastwhereitwillbethefirst balletcompanytoperforminits inauguralseason.
BRINGINGYOUTHEBRIGHTEST ANDMOSTCOLOURFUL STORIESFROMACROSSTHE CITYEACHMONTH
AWESOMEASTON
It’sabigthumbsupforAstonUniversity whichhasbeennamedUniversityofthe YearforStudentSuccess.Astonbeatmore than130UKuniversitiesinthe2025Daily MailUniversityGuideduetoitsimpressive resultsingraduateoutcomes,including highearnings,highlyskilledjobsand proportionofstudentsachievingfirstclass anduppersecondclassdegrees.The accoladefollowsAstonbeingrankedeighth intheBestUKUniversitiesforJobProspects intheStudentCrowdawardsandinthetop 30percentof1,500institutionsworldwide.
WINNINGARTISTS
Award-winningartworksfromtwoBirminghamartistshave beenunveiledatanewcitycentreresidentialdevelopment. Thepieces–inspiredbythecity’sheritageandculture–were revealedattheSilverYardinExchangeSquareaspartofan artscollaborationbetweenGraingerplcandBirminghamCity University.StudentMatthewBrotherson,picturedleft,from BromforddepictedanabstractviewofBirmingham’siconic bullwhileJohnHall,right,ofMoseleyhighlightedthecity’s greenspaces,sportinghistoryandfoodoffering.
PANTOTIME
ThatfamouslaughwasmuchinevidencewhenBrummieTVpresenterAlison HammondcamefacetofacewithOzzytheBullatNewStreetstation.Alisonwasinfull pantogear,alongwithPeterPanco-starsMattSlackandAndrewRyan,astheystopped commutersintheirtrackstolaunchtheHippodrome’srenownedannualpanto.Alison willplaytheMagicalMermaidintheproductionwhichrunsfromSaturday21 DecemberuntilSunday2February.Moredetailsatbirminghamhippodrome.com
BOOSTFORBEARS
FormerEnglandWomenassistantcoachAlastairMaidenhas beennamedasthefirstheadcoachofthenewBearsWomen team.Dudley-bornAlastair–whowontheICCWorldCup withEnglandWomenin2017–willtakechargeofBears Women’sinauguralseasonin2025.HearrivesfromYorkshire CCCwherehe’sbeenbattingcoach.Alistairsaid:“I’mexcited tobejoiningBearsWomenrightatthestart.Someofthe game’smostexcitingyoungtalenthavealreadysigned contractswiththeteam.”
BAKEOFF CALENDAR
Twostarsofthisyear’sBakeOff:The ProfessionalsTVserieshavecreateda specialadventcalendar.BharatChandegra andJohnAlmeidaofSOKOPatisseriein Solihullhaveputtogetheracollectionof mouth-wateringflavourcombinationsinthe countdowntoChristmas.Theofferings includesaltedcaramelandpassionfruit, mincepie,gingerbreadandBaileysCream. Thecalendarcosts£36from sokopatisserie.co.uk
PicturebySimonHadley
INLOVEANDWAR
DION’SGOLDENBITES
Birminghamcontemporary artistDionKitsonhasworked hismagiconanunlikely subject–Greggsthebakers! Dionhastransformedsome oftheirbakesinto22-carat gold-platedjewellery–includingsausageroll earringsandjammyheart locketnecklaces.Greggs first-everjewellerycollection featuresfivepiecescreated bytheartist,whosaid:“It’s abouthavingfunwith somethingweknowand loveintheUK.”
Birmingham’sIkonGalleryis depictingtheroleoffriendshipin contemporarylifeinanexhibition aspartofits60thanniversary year.FriendsinLoveandWar featuresworksborrowedfrom theBritishCouncilCollectionand macLYONby20leadingartists, includingDameTraceyEminand FrancisUpritchard,whose sculptureispictured.The exhibitionalsofeaturespainting, drawing,photography, printmaking,textile,filmand installation.
SPICINGITUP
GAMESTRIBUTE
Asculpturedepictingabladedrunner,symbolisingexcellence alongsidedisabilityandcelebratingtheBirmingham’s2022 CommonweathGames,wasunveiledatNewStreetStation.Thework entitledOneGiantLeapforHumankindisbysculptorJacobChandler, himselfadisabledartist,andimmortalisesthespiritoftheGamesas wellasthatofthe2012LondonParalympics.Thesculpturehasbeen acquiredbyBirminghamMuseumsforthecity’sprestigious collection.Jacobsaid:“Throughart,wecaninspirepositivechange andfosteramoreinclusivesociety.”
CURTAINCALL
TheRoyalShakespeareCompany’snewproductionof Othelloissettoopenthismonth.Thecastfeatures Tonyaward-nominatedactorJohnDouglasThompson asOthello,WillKeenasIago,JulietRylance,pictured, asDesdemonaandAnastasiaHilleasEmilia.Directoris TimCarroll–artisticdirectorofCanada’sShawFestival anddirectoroftheaward-winningTwelfthNightand RichardIIIfeaturingMarkRylanceatShakespeare’s Globe,intheWestEndandonBroadway.
ThirtyyearsofGirl Powerisbeing celebratedat MillenniumPoint.Top tributeact,theSpice GirlsExperience,will taketothestageon19 Octoberandperform thegroup’sbiggesthits. Guestswillbetreated toacomplimentary cocktailonarrivalanda chancetostruttheir stuffonthedancefloor toaDJbetweeneachof theliveperformances. There’llalsobea chancetograbsome pre-showsnapsusinga rangeof90sprops–plusprizesforthebest 90’s-styleoutfits.
SLICEOFOZZY
Here’sourveryownOzzyOsbournelikeyou’ve neverseenhimbefore–immortalisedincake! Thelife-sizecreationofBrum’sfavouritesonis celebratingCakeInternational’s30thanniversary shownextmonthattheNEC.CakeInternational hasgrownintothetopglobalgatheringforcake enthusiasts,professionals,andartists, showcasingthefinestincakeartistryand innovation.Thisyear’seventfrom1to3 Novemberfeaturesaspecialtwo-metre-wide cakedisplayattheentrance.
LEGENDLES RADIOSIN
LocalradiolegendLesRossisbackonthe Birminghamairwaveswithanewshowon BRMB–22yearsafterheleftthestation. BRMBreturnedlastyearfollowingan11yearbreakandLesbroadcastonthefirst anniversaryofthestation’srelaunchon4 Septemberbeforepresentingfull-timehis newmorningshowfrom7am.Les,pictured left,whowasawardedanMBEin1996, joked:“I’vefinishedcuttingthebacklawn forthesummerandneedsomethingtodoin themornings.”
GOTANYNEWS? Emailyournewsand picturestoeditor@brumliving.co.uk
SPORTINGSEARCH
AnewcampaigntofindthenextgenerationofTeamGBandParalympicsGBathletesis underwayinBirminghamoverthenextthreemonths.UKSporthaslaunchedFind YourGreatness,targetedatactiveandsporty16to24-year-olds,includingthosewith physical,visualorintellectualimpairments.ThemovefollowsUKSportrepresentatives holdingafocusgroupatBeaconHillAcademy,allowingstudentstofeedbackon potentialcreativeroutesandultimatelydefinewhatthefinalcampaignwascalled, andwhatitlookedlike.Tofindoutmorevisit:https://findyourgreatness.co.uk/
DOUBLETOPS
CharityBirminghamMindishopingtohitthebullseyeatadarts eventonThursday10OctobertomarkWorldMental HealthDay.ThesocialatTheRectoryis beingorganisedbyFutureFacesmember KerrieHenry-Edge,fund-raisinglead fromBirminghamMind,withLauren Willis,headofsalesatMosaicPub andDining.Kerriesaid:“Wehope lotsofpeoplecomealongand showtheirsupport.”Formore detailsandtickets,visit BirminghamMind’swebsiteor contactfundraising@birminghammind.org
COFFEE ANDCARE
Newfreecafeshavebeenlaunchedfor peoplewithdementiaandtheircarers. BCOP(BroadeningChoicesforOlder People)isprovidingtheinitiativewith BirminghamDementiaCarersHub–a partnershipbetweenAgeUK Birmingham,AgeConcernBirmingham andDementiaCarersCountBirmingham. ThemonthlymeetingsatNeville WilliamsHouseinSellyPark,Robert HarveyHouseinHandsworthWoodand AnitaStoneCourtinMoseleyarerunby experiencedhostswhoprovidepractical support,adviceandinformation.
VincentCole/PAMediaAssignments
LOVEAT FIRSTWRITE
Wewereluckyenoughtoreadan advanceofAdrian’sbookCurious Columnsaheadofthewriter’s appearancelaterthismonthatStratfordLiterary Festival,andevenluckiertothenchattotheman himself.Thebookisessentiallyacollectionof Adrian’sGuardiancolumnsandbeingaregular readerofthecolumn,it’sfunnytoseethemwritten downinoneplace–itaccentuatestheirwild randomness.
Therandomnessisamajorpartofthecolumn’s charm–adislikeofbendingdownoneweek,the deathofhisfatherthenext.It’samusingly observational,likeanewspapercolumnversionofa PeterKaystand-uproutine,butAdriansaysit’snot aneasyprocess:“I’vetosubmitathousandwords everyWednesdayandforthelastfouryearsI’ve giventhemaheartattack.SometimesItrytoget aheadandstartonaMonday,butIlosethethread byWednesday,soit’salwaysabitlastminute.The importantthingiswhenyouthinkofsomething, you’vegottojotitdown.”
EMBARRASSINGLYPERSONAL
Compilingthebookhasmeantgoingthroughall hiscolumnsandcuttingthemdownbyroughly50 wordsinordertofitthebook’sformat.Adriansays:
“It’salookbackatyourbodyofworkifyoulike. Goingthroughthecolumns,Irealisesomeofthem work,someofthemdon’tbuttheyallbenefited frombeingtrimmed.IalsorealisedhowmuchI writeaboutdaddying–it’samazinghowoftenI mentionit.Imentionbothmumanddadalot actually.”Healsorealisesalotofhismusingsare ‘embarrassinglypersonal,someofitabsurd’.One columnrecalledaboutofrepetitivestraininjury causedbycontinuouslystirringpolentafor45 minutes.
Adriancreditsthecolumnwithmeetinghis wife.Itwasjustafterthe‘dislikeofbending down’ramblingswerepublishedthathewas invitedtomeetthenewspaper’seditor-in-chief, KatharineViner.Shelikedwhathewasdoing, andthepairarenowmarried.Adriansays Katharineisparticularlyunderstandingofthe chaosofhisADHDbrain.
Hetalksaboutthediagnosiswhichcamefive yearsago.He’dbeentestedpreviously,andthe resultscamebackwithawishy-washy,‘youmight haveit,butyoumightnot’conclusionthatcame witha£1,500pricetag.Hesays:“Itfeltlikeprivate medicinegonemad!”Whenhewasfinally, properlydiagnosedlotsofthingsinAdrian’slife begantomakesense.
FAMILYMATTERS
Adriansays:"Italkaboutmumanddadalot,actually"
He’skeentopointoutthatthenotionthata diagnosisplusmedicationmeansall’swellisfalse. Heexplains:“That’snotthecase.You’vetoputin thehardworkalteringthewayyouapproachlife. It’shard,boringandrepetitive.Youhavetofigure outhowtodealwithit,howtofinishonejob beforestartinganother.Ihaveanunderstanding partnerbutalsoonewho’sabletodrawalineand won’tacceptcominghometoabombsite.”
Headds:“ImighthaveADHDbutIstillhave agency.Mybiggestconclusionisthatthediagnosis hasbeenimportantbutnotexistential.Iwouldstill havebeenfunctioningandearningaliving.” Adriangoesontosay:“Theproblemismostpeople don’tgetadiagnosis.Kidsarefailinginschoolor endingupinprison.Prisonsarefullofpeoplewith ADHD.”AdriantalksmoreabouthisADHDin numerousofhiscolumnswithhisusualdry, humoroustwist.
DespitetheextensivewritingIthinkofAdrianas abroadcaster,buthesayshealwaysthoughthe’d
STRATFORDLITERARYFESTIVAL
Ifyou’replanningtoattendStratfordLiteraryFestival, Adriansayshe’ll‘talkaboutanything.’He’sbeing interviewedonFriday25Octoberbyformereditorof BirminghamLivingmagazine,DeidreShieldssowe suspectit’llbeagreatchat.Forticketsandinfovisit www.stratfordliteraryfestival.co.uk/events/adrian-chiles
beawriter.“WhenImeetpeoplewhosay,‘Isaw youonthetellyorheardyouontheradio’–that’s nice,butwhenpeoplesaytheyreadthecolumnit’s anotherlevel–thatpeoplebotheredtoreaditreally meanssomething.”
FULLCIRCLE
Adrian’sfirstwritinggigwasworkexperienceat theStratford-upon-AvonObserverwherehesays helearntalot.“It’smuchharderbeingalocal journalistthanattheBBC.You’vegottoworkhard tofindthestoriesratherthanthemcomingtoyou.” DespitelivinginLondon,Adrianwillalwaysfeel connectedtotheMidlands.Hesays:“WhenI arriveatNewStreet,Igetexcitedbythefamiliarity ofit.I’vestrongrootsintheMidlands.Mymum’s inHagleyandIwondersometimeswhat’llhappen whenshe’snothereanymore.Whatthen?”
Adrian’sloveforWestBromiswelldocumented. Hesays:“IlovetheWestBromSmethwickarea.It hasasenseofitself.”Ofthewiderregionhesays: “Therestorationofthecanalsisamassivething. TheimprovementaroundtheJewelleryQuarteris quitesomethingpluswe’vegotthecountrysideon thedoorstep.TheClentHillsisjustbeautiful.”
Andheadds:“Inanerawhereitseemsyouhaveto showoff–likeManchester,LiverpoolandGlasgow sayingthey’rethebestcitiesonearth–wedon’tdo that.Ilikeit.”
A MERRY DANCE
So…whoknewMorrisdancewasatraditiongoing back75yearsinBrum?Noneitherdidwe,buta chatwiththecrewatJockeyMorrissoonsetus straight.Theclubiscelebratingitslandmarkanniversary thisyearintheonlywayitknowshow–withaspecial danceeventinBirminghamcitycentreon12October withguestsattendingfromacrosstheMidlands.Andas theclub’sSquire(that’sChairtotherestofus)Peter Austinsays:“Havinglotsoffun,too.”
JockeyMorriswasformedin1949andhasrepresented dancingandthecityofBirminghaminplacesasfarflung asFrance,Flanders,Cyprus,HollandandGermany,aswell asnearertohomehereintheUK.“Weliketokeepour nationalfolktraditionalivebothathomeandabroad,” explainedPeter.
Theclub’sfounderGwenJohnsonwasamemberofthe EnglishFolkDanceandSongSociety(EFDSS),andshe formedJockeyMorrisafterbecomingunimpressedwiththe standardofMorrisDancingingeneralandinBirmingham inparticular.Inspirationfortheclub’snamecamefrom JockeyRoad,SuttonColdfieldwhereGwenlived.The distinctiverosetteswornonmembers’kitsaretakenfromthe SuttonRosemotifandtheBlueBaldricksarefromthecolour associatedwiththeCityofBirmingham.
ALLAGES
YoumaythinkthatMorrisdancingisonlyassociatedwith theperiodaroundMayDay.You’dbetotallywrong,asit’sa formofdancethat’spracticed,perfectedandperformedall yearround.Youmayalsobeunderthemisapprehensionthat itappealstoacertain(moremature)agegroup.Againwrong!
JockeyMorrishasmembersfromallwalksoflifefrom studentsandprofessionals,rightuptoasprightly80-year-old. Petersaid:“Ifyoucanwalk,wecanteachyoutodance!”
JockeyMorrispracticeallyearroundonFridayeveningsat HighgateBaptistChurch,inConybereStreet.“Afterexerting ourselvesinanenergeticwayforacoupleofhoursorsowe thenusuallyretiretotheLampTavernonBarfordStreetto refreshourwearybodies,”Peteradded.Whilethedancingis keywith‘routines’datingbackmanycenturies,thesocial sideisalsoimportant.
Ofhisownbackground,Peterexplained:“I’dalways enjoyedfolkmusicandwhenIcametoworkin Birmingham,Iwaslookingforasocialactivitythatappealed tomymusicalbackgroundandwhichwasonaFridaynight soIcouldunwindfortheweekendahead,andjusthavefun. IdiscoveredJockeyMorrisandhavelovediteversince.”
ALLWELCOME
Therearemorethan600MorristeamsintheUKwith nearly18,000members.Aswithallformsofdance,thereare numeroustraditionalstepsandperformancestolearnand follow,butthatdoesn’tmeanMorrisisrigid.“AtJockey,we’ve addedourownandI’veevenwrittensomedancesmyself,” saidPeter,whoalsoservesassecretarytooneofthenational Morrisdancingorganisations.
BrummieswillgetthechancetoseeJockeyMorris celebrateits75yearsinstylethismonthwithanniversary performancesaroundthecitycentre,includingatNewStreet stationandoutsidethelibrary.Gowatchtheminaction,and youmayjustbetemptedtojoinJockeyyourself.AsPeter says:“Everyoneiswelcome.Itshouldbeagreatday.” ■
CLAUDENIR MAICROVICZ
TheheadchefatBelezaRodizio,aproperBrazilian steakhouserenownedforauthenticrodizio-styledining, giveshistipsonpreparingandcookingmeattoperfection
Tellusaboutyourcooking
IuseatraditionalBraziliangauchostyleofcooking–selecting differentcutsoffreshandsucculentmeatwhichisthenseasoned andslowlyroastedoveracharcoalfire.
Howdidyoubecomeachef?
WhenIwas18,Istartedworkinginarestaurantandfellinlove withtheBraziliangauchostylethroughwatchingachefprepare thistypeofcuisine.Iworkedinseveralrestaurantswithdifferent chefsandlearnedalittlefromeachone.
Whatdoyoueatathome?
Everyoneinmyhouseloveseatingavarietyofmeatandfish. Wetrytositdownasafamilyasmuchaswecantoenjoy eatingtogether.
Who’sthebestchefintheworldandwhy?Andwho’sthebestinBrum?
It’simpossibletopickjustone!Ibelievethateachchefhastheir ownessenceandtheirownwayofpreparingfoodthatcreates somethingspecialandunique.
Isthecustomeralwaysright?
Yes!Buttherearesomeexceptions…
Shareacookingtip
Don’tbeafraidofseasoningyourmeatwell–there’snothing worsethanabland,tastelesssteak!It’salsoveryimportanttotake careofthetemperatureofthemeatsothatitcomesoutsucculent, tastyandcookedtopreference.
Whatwasyourfavouritefoodasakid?
Definitelyagoodlasagne
What’sthemostunusualthingyou’veeaten?
Fishsoupwithmilk
Ifyouweren’tachef,whatwouldyoube?
Anelectricalengineer
Whatdoyourecommendfromthisevening’smenu?
Picanhaasadaasupunto–acutofsteakwithfatthatmeltsin yourmouth.
BelezaRodizio,18BellCourt,Stratford-upon-Avon, CV376EX.Tel:01789647278,belezarodizio.co.uk
CUUBO
I’msureyou’vereadfoodcriticJayRayner’s glowingreviewintheGuardianwhichsent bookingsatHarbornenewbieCuubosoaring. HighpraisefromthebigmanmeantthatchefDan Sweethadadreamstarttohispocket-sizedrestaurant.
WhenJayvisited,thediningroomwasn’tthe finishedarticle,butwhenwepoppedinlastmonth, itoozedminimalchicwithcreamywalls,wishbone chairsandgolddetails.Somereviewershave claimedtherestaurant’snotfinishedandthere’s artworkstilltobehung,butwereckonit’s intentionalminimalistperfection.
Onthattheme,they’vekeptthingssmallinthe menudepartmenttoo.Thewinelist’sshortbut includesenoughtosatisfy–aSicilianRosatohitthe spot–andthemenuissuccinct.Weatefromthelunch listing(£38forthreecourses).There’satastingoption ifyoureallywanttosampletheCuubomagic(£75).
Wekickedthingsoffwithonionsoup.Itsounds dullbutwasanythingbut–creamy,smoothand moreishwithgeniusadditionslikeburntsourdough crumbsaddinganintensetoastedflavouraswellas pinenutsandahealthydoseofchoppedchives whichenhancedtheonionflavour.It’swonderful andwedon’tsaythatlightly.
Rich,unctuousporkbellywithskinrankinghighon thecrunchscaleservedwithbaconcream,punchy ndujaoilandazingyfennelsaladwasatreat.Dan’s spenttimeatSimpsonssoweknewstandardswould behigh,butstill,wewereblownawayatthispoint.
Abeautifullycookedcodfilletwasservedwith borlottibeans,tomato,courgette,andujasauce packedwithheatandflavourfinishedwithherboil impressed,asdidabrilliantbeefdish.Braisedslowly, themeatwassotenderitwasfallingapartwrapped inaRomainelettuceleafservedwithadeep,glossy beefsauce,sweetshallots,baconandcreamypotato straightfromthetopdrawer.
Dessertisnotmythingbuttheotherhalfconvinced metoorderonesohecouldtrytwo.Hedidn’tget muchofalookinasadishofchilledlemoncustard withsaltedricottaricecreamwithlittlegemsof pistachio,biscuitandatangoffennelwas unbelievable.Theotherhalfpolishedoffasuperbly richchocolatedelicewithalmond,sweetpoachedpear andafreshyogurtsorbet.
I’mnotsurewhatweexpectedbutitwasn’tthis despitehavingreadJay’sreview.IfyouliveinHarborne, welldoneyou.Ifyoudon’t,it’sworththejourney.We’d travelasignificantdistanceforfoodthisgreat. ■
CREMEBRULEE THATISN’T!
SimilartotheFrenchclassic,onlyLeitedeCrémeisatastyPortuguesedessert
ThisrecipefromJohnAlmeidaof SOKUisaperfectautumnal pick-me-up.It’safavourite PortuguesedessertcalledLeitedeCrème that’sverysimilartocrèmebrulee.It consistsofaPortuguesecustardthatyou canflavourwithanything.Makesureto caramelisethetopwithsomeDemerara sugarforthatextratexture. ■
INGREDIENTS
■ 1mlWholemilk
■ 70gCastersugar
■ 40gCornflour
■ 120gLiquideggyolk
■ 2Vanillapods
METHOD:
Bringthemilkwiththevanillapodstoaboil. Makesureyouscrapethepodtoo.Mixthe sugarwiththeeggyolkandcornstarch.Adda bitofmilkwhilemixingtotemperthemix.Pour everythingbackintothepanandcookuntilit thickensandtheflavourfromthecornstarchis gone.Leaveinthefridgetoset.Sprinklesome sugarontopandpasstheblowtorchto caramelisethesugar. Happyeating!
SOKOChocolatier&Pâtisserie,Unit14, RadwayRoad,Shirley,Solihull, B904NR.sokopatisserie.co.uk
SHORTS NI BBLESand
BIRMINGHAM’SBARS,RESTAURANTSANDHOTELSAREBUZZINGWITHEXCITING,NEWVIBES. HERE’SOURINSIDERGUIDETOTHELATESTNEWSFROMTHECITY’SEATERIESANDDRINKINGDENS
BRUMMIEBELLINIANYONE?
The1565Bar&TerraceatParkRegisBirminghamhaslaunched anewrangeofsignatureBirmingham-inspiredcocktails.Fromthe city’scanalsanditsrichhistoryofchocolate,toOzzytheBullatNewStreet Station,thenewmenupaystributetoBrum’smosticonicspots,through luxuryliquorsandexpertlymixedingredients.TheyincludeBotanicalGardenPunch, NewStreetStrawberrySunset,BournvilleVelvetandBrummieBellini.
CELEBRITYMAKEOVER
OneofBrum’sfavouritecelebrity hangoutshasreopenedaftera £500,000makeover.Thenewlook foraward-winningAsha’sIndian Restaurant&CocktailBarin NewhallStreetincludesthe restaurantarea,updatedbar, newprivatediningspaceandan upgradedkitchen.Thevenuehas hostedcelebritiesincludingactors TomCruiseandJackBlack,musicicons theRollingStonesandEdSheeranand boxingchampionAmirKhan.Singing starPinksaidthathercurryatAsha's wasthebestshehadeverhad.
BERRY GOODNEWS
Health-consciousfoodlovershaveanew destinationwiththeopeningofOakberry’sfirstgraband-golocationinBirminghamattheBullring.The pioneeroforganic,vegan,non-GMOaçaiproductshas gainedinternationalrecognitionsinceitsinceptioninSao Paulo,Brazilin2016.Ithasbecomeafavouriteamong A-listcelebritiesandboastsmorethan800locations worldwide.Themenufeaturesawidevarietyof açaioptions,eachpackedwith antioxidantsandenergy-boosting nutrients.
ULTI-MUTTINNPLACEFORFIDO
Lookingfortheperfectpubtohaveapintwithyourpooch?Expertsatthe world’slargestonlinepetcaremarketplacehavenamedtheBritishOakin Stirchleyasthebestdog-friendlypubintheWestMidlands.Rover.com’s ‘TavernTasters’madetheirpickaftervisitingdozensofinns.Theypraised theBritishOakforprovidingdogtreatsatthebar,staffpersonallygreeting houndsandevenofferingspecialburgerpattiesforcanines.
OPPORTUNITYKNOCKSFORBAR-CAFE
FOODHUBLAUNCHSET
AnewfoodhubiscomingtoBrum.Society Birminghamwillbehometofiveindependent kitchenseachhostedbyatalentedfood traderaswellasacentrepiecebarfeaturing 36craftbeerssourcedfromthebest breweriesintheworld,acocktailbarand coffeeshop.TheopeningatOneColmore SquareissetforFebruary2025andwill accommodatemorethan350guestsintoits openplandininghallandoutdoorterracefor alfrescoeatinganddrinking.
BIGMAMMA’S NEWBABY
AnewItalianrestaurantissettolaunchinBirminghamonthesiteof theformerVinotecawinebar.LaBellezzawillbeopenedatParadise,2 ChamberlainSquareattheendof2024bytheBigMammaGroup whichowns26restaurantsinEurope,includingPinkMammainParis, BelMondoinMadridandGloriainMilan.LaBellezzawillbeatrattoria withroomfor150diners,servingauthenticItaliandishesusing ingredientssourcedfrom170Italianartisans.
Ahighstreetrestauranthasrelaunchedasabar-café.Firstopenedin2017,BistrotPierreinMereGreenhasbeenrenamedPierre’saftera completerefurbishment.Thenew-lookoffersdiningwithavalue-for-moneymenu,coffee,cocktails,andsmallplatesandsharingdishesina warm,welcomingatmosphere.CEONickWhitesaid:“LaunchingPierre’srepresentsathrillingopportunityforustoprovideafantastichospitality venuetosuitalloccasionsandoffersomethingforeveryone.”
DARKTEMPEST
ShakespeareDistillery.It’sasimplebut beautifulmixtureoftheiraward-winningJester SpicedRum,spicygingerbeerandzingylime. Asalways,enjoyresponsibly. ■
FormorerecipesanddetailsonShakespeare Distilleryvisit:shakespearedistillery.com
■ 2Limewedges
■ 100mlGingerbeer
■ Angosturabitters
METHOD:
Addasqueezeoflimetotheglassandthenfillwithice. Pourinthegingerbeer,add2-3dropsoftheAngostura bitters,thenslowlypourinthespicedrumtofloat.Add alimewedgeforgarnishandenjoy
DICK’SSMOKEHOUSE
Wcoupleoftimesbeforeclockingit.Itlooks likeanendofterracehousealthough perhapsthegiantstar-spangledbanneroutfront shouldhavebeenagiveaway.There’snodedicated parkingbutifyou’redriving,thehugetrainstation carparkisashortwalk.
ThefoodisbilledasclassicAmericanstyleBBQ cookedovernaturalcoalandwood.Cookingislow ’n’slowresultingintender,smokymeat.Therearea coupleofveggieoptions,butthefocusismeatas you’dexpect.
Wefoundthestartersandaccompanimentssuitedus betterthanthemaincourses.Forinstance,sticky,zingy chickenwingsweredeliciousanddevouredby everyoneatthetable.Cauliflowerbites–deepfried floretswithayoghurtyranchdressingwerealsosuperb.
Themaincourseswereabitlargeforuswhichwe knowisapositiveforalotofpeople.Weleftsomuch foodthatthewaitresscameovertoaskifsomething waswrong.Itwasn’t–allthefoodwasperfectlytasty. Thepulledporkandtheshreddedbeefwereboth tenderandsmokywhilepicklesandsaucesweretop notch.Hotdogsweresomewherebetweena
frankfurteranda‘normal’sausageandhadanicebit ofheatservedwithcrispyonionsandmustardina briochebun.
AsanAmericaninspiredrestaurant,itworksatreat anddoeswhatitsaysonthetin.It’snotfinedining butit’salotoffun.Thereareplentyofcocktailsand mocktailstowhetyourwhistletoo.Ifyoulovethis kindoffood,andlotsofit,Dick’swillhitthespot.We mightgobackandworkourwaythroughthestarters likeaUS-styletapas.Thatwouldbegreat. ■
Overthepastfewdecades,Argentinahas transformeditswineindustryfromone primarilyfocusedondomestic consumptiontoaninternationallyrecognised producerofhigh-qualitywines.Centraltothis evolutionistheMalbecgrape,whichhasbecome synonymouswithArgentinewine.Butthestoryof ArgentinewinemakinggoesbeyondjustMalbec. WithavarietyofothergrapeslikeTorrontés,Pinot Noir,andBonarda,Argentinaoffersadiversewine landscapethatreflectsitsrichterroirsandinnovative winemakingspirit.
Malbec,originallyfromFrance,particularlythe Cahorsregion,foundanewleaseonlifeinArgentina. WhileitstruggledinFranceduetoitssensitivityto frostandpests,MalbecthrivedinArgentina'shighaltitudevineyards.BroughttoArgentinabyEuropean emigrantsinthemid-19thcentury,Malbechassince becomethecountry'sflagshipgrape.Thedry,sunny climateofArgentina,especiallyinMendoza,allows Malbectoripenfully,developingitscharacteristic dark,ripefruitflavours,smoothvelvetytannins,and spicyfinish.
MendozaisundoubtedlytheheartofArgentina’s wineindustry,producingnearly70percentofthe country’swine.Itprovidesidealgrowingconditions fortheMalbecgrape.Thebackdropofthemajestic Andesmountainsprovideshighaltitudeandwide temperaturefluctuationsbetweendayandnight.This helpstoretainfreshnessanddevelopcomplex flavoursinthegrapes.
DIVERSE
Ifyou’rearealMalbeclover,youshouldlookoutfor Mendoza’ssub-regions,suchasLujándeCuyo, TupungatoandtheUcoValley,aseachofferunique microclimatesthatcontributetothediverseexpressions ofArgentineMalbec.InTupungato,forexample,higher altitudesandcoolertemperaturesleadtowineswith morefreshnessandfloralnotes,whileinLujánde Cuyo,Malbecsareoftenricherandmorefull-bodied. IntheUK,Malbechassurgedinpopularityover thelastdecade.Britishconsumershaveembraced ArgentineMalbecforitsboldflavoursandversatility, whichmakeitanexcellentaccompanimenttoa varietyoffoods.AclassicpairingiswithArgentine
steak,wheretherobuststructureofMalbec complementstherich,savouryflavoursofthemeat. However,italsopairswonderfullywithgrilled vegetables,hardcheeses,andevenchocolatedesserts withsweeterstyles.WhileMalbecmightbethestar internationally,Argentina'swinerepertoireisdiverse. Thecountryboastsarangeofclimatesandterroirs, allowingforthecultivationofvariousgrapevarieties.
TorrontésisArgentina'ssignaturewhitegrape variety,anditoffersarefreshingcontrasttothebold redsthecountryisknownfor.Grownprimarilyinthe high-altitudevineyardsoftheCafayateValleyinthe Saltaregion(upto3,000metresabovesealevel!), Torrontésthrivesinthewarm,sunnydaysandcool nights.Thisgrapeisknownforitsaromaticprofile, oftendrawingcomparisonstoSauvignonBlancor Gewürztraminer,withfloralandfruitynotessuchas rosepetals,jasmine,andcitrus.
AROMATIC
Torrontésisoftenenjoyedonitsownasalight, aromaticwine,perfectforsippingonawarmday.It alsopairswellwithspicyfoods,makingitanexcellent matchfordisheslikeThaicurryorspicyMexican cuisine,whereitscrispacidityandfruityflavourscan standuptoboldspices.
InthecoolerclimateofPatagonia,particularlyin theregionsofNeuquénandRíoNegro,PinotNoir hasfoundacomfortablehomeandiswellworth seekingout.Patagonia'scoolertemperaturesandlong growingseasonallowPinotNoirgrapestodevelop slowly,leadingtowineswithgreatbalance,bright acidity,andacomplexflavourprofilethatincludesred berries,earth,andsubtlespices.Itpairsbeautifully withdishessuchasroastedchicken,mushroom risottoorevensalmon.
Bonarda,originallyfromItaly,isArgentina’ssecond mostwidelyplantedredgrapeafterMalbec.Itis primarilygrowninMendozaandSanJuan.Foralong time,Bonardawasusedmainlyinblends,butitisnow gainingappreciationasavarietalwine.Argentine Bonardaischaracterisedbyitsdeepcolour,medium body,andflavoursofredfruits,herbs,andsometimesa hintofspice.It’sanincrediblyversatilewinethatpairs wellwithawiderangeofdishes.It’sexcellentwithpasta intomatosauce,pizza,orgrilledsausages. ■
KATIE’S4ARGENTINECORKERS
■ TriventoGoldenReserveMalbec–£16fromSainsbury’s Fromoneofthetopsub-regionsinMendoza,Lujande Cuyo,thisstepupfromthestandardTriventoiswell worththeextrapounds.Itisagedfor12monthsinoak barrelsgivingthewineadistinctivespicycharacter.
■ TescoFinestTorrontes–£8.50fromTesco Agreat-valuewaytotastesomethingdifferentfrom Argentina,thisisacrispandzingydrywhitewith flavoursoflychee,orangepeelandcitrus.
■ PasarisaPatagoniaPinotNoir–£12.99fromallaboutwine.co.uk Adelicate,floralPinotNoirwithsoftcherriesand strawberriesonthenosebutplentyofbodyfromageing inFrenchoak.
■ SantaJuliaReserveValledeUcoBonarda–£10.99fromWaitrose LighterandfresherinstylethanMalbecwithflavoursof blackcherryandsofttannins.
BirminghamWineSchoolisanindependentwine educationcompanythatoffersfuninformalwine tastingeventsandWine&SpiritEducationTrust (WSET)coursesonline,inBirminghamandWarwick. FormoreinformationcontactKatieGardneron0121 2707359orvisitwww.birminghamwineschool.com
ASK THE EXPERT
Whatisbreastcancer?
INSUPPORTOFOCTOBER’SBREASTCANCERAWARENESS MONTH,WESPOKEWITHMRNARENBASU,CONSULTANT ONCOPLASTICBREASTSURGEONATHCAHEALTHCAREUK,THE HARBORNEHOSPITAL.HESHAREDHISEXPERTADVICEONTHE SIGNSANDSYMPTOMSOFBREASTCANCERTOBEAWAREOF, ANDHOWBREASTCANCERISDIAGNOSEDANDTREATED.
Breastcancerhappenswhencellsinthebreastgrow abnormallyandformatumourorlump.Breast cancerscanbeeitherinvasiveorpre/non-invasive. Mostinvasivebreastcancersbegininthebreastducts orglandsandspreadoutsidetosurroundingbreast tissue.Invasivecancershavethepotentialoftravelling beyondthebreasttissuetootherpartsofthebody.
DuctalCarcinomainSitu(DCIS)isatypeof non-invasivebreastcancer.Itisoneoftheearliest typesofbreastcancer,wherethecancerisonlyfound inducts.Itdoesnothavethepotentialtospreadto otherpartsofthebody.
Advancedbreastcancer,ormetastaticbreast cancer,iswhenthecancerhasspreadoutsidethe breastthroughbloodvesselsandlymphvesselsto anotherpartofthebody.
Whatarethemainsymptomstolookoutfor?
Breastcancerismostcommoninwomenoverthe ageof50,althoughcandevelopinyoungerpeople and,althoughrare,inmen.It’simportanttobe breastawareregardlessofageorgender.
Themostcommonsymptomisalumpinyour breast.Othersignsincludechangesinsizeor shape,changestotheskinornipple,like dimplingorpuckering,arasharoundthenipple, unusualnippledischarge,orachangein appearanceofoneofyournipples.Somepeople mightnoticeswellingandpainintheirchest, breastorarmpit.
Thekeymessageistobeawareofwhat’snormal foryourbody.Ifyounoticeanychanges,don’tignore them,speaktoyourdoctor.Itmightnotbeanything concerningbuttheearlierbreastcancerisdiagnosed,
theeasieritistotreatandthehigherthechanceof successfultreatment.
Howisbreastcancerdiagnosed?
Breastcancerisdiagnosedthroughacombination ofclinicalexamination,imagingandbiopsy.The firststepisusuallyamammogram(forthose40 yearsandabove),whichisanX-rayofthebreast. Sometimeswemayuseultrasoundtogetaclearer picture.Ifweseeanythingunusual,we’llperforma biopsy,whichinvolvestakingasmallsampleof breasttissueforanalysis.Thishelpsusdetermineif thecellsarecancerous,andifso,thetypeandgrade ofbreastcancer.
Breastcancerscreeningandonestop breastclinics
Regularbreastscreeningcanfindany irregularitiesattheearliestpossiblestage,beforeany obvioussymptomsdevelop.Weofferroutinebreast screeningtowomenovertheageof40,whoaren’t experiencinganysymptomsandhaven’thada mammograminthelast12months.
Youmaybereferredtoaone-stopbreastclinicifan irregularityhasbeenfoundduringyourroutinebreast screening,orifyouhavebreastcancersymptoms.AtThe HarborneHospital,ourone-stopbreastclinicsare designedtohelpyougetquickeraccesstoadiagnosis, withthecareandsupportofourexpertteam.Youwill haveallyourinitialdiagnostictestsonthesameday, includingaconsultationtotalkthroughyoursymptoms, physicalexamination,mammogram,andanultrasound ifrequired.Ourteamwilldiscusstheresultsofthese testswithyouatyourvisit.Ifnofurthertestsare required,youcangohomewithpeaceofmind. Ifyourtestsshowanyirregularities,wemaytakea biopsy,andyourresultwillbeavailabletodiscuss withindays.
Whattreatmentoptionsareavailable?
Treatmentvariesdependingonthetypeandstageof thedisease.Surgeryisoftenthefirststepandmaybethe onlytreatmentrequired.Additionaltreatments,suchas chemotherapy,radiotherapy,hormonetherapyor targetedtherapiesmayalsobeneeded.AtThe HarborneHospitalourMultidisciplinaryTeam(MDT) ofexpertsprovidepersonalisedtreatmentplansbasedon eachindividualdiagnosisandpersonalpreferences. ■
Ifyouwouldliketobookaroutinebreastscreening,orareexperiencingsymptomsandneedtosee aspecialist,callTheHarborneHospital0121468177orsearch'HCAHarborne'
FACINGUPTO MENTALHEALTH
Accordingtoleadingmentalhealthcharity, Mind,oneinfourpeoplewillexperiencea mentalhealthproblemofsomekindeach yearinEnglandwithoneinsixpeople experiencingacommonmentalproblem,suchas anxietyanddepression,inanygivenweek.The overallnumberofpeoplereportingmentalhealth problemshasbeengoingupinrecentyears, increasingby20percentinbothmenandwomen. WorldMentalHealthDaythismonthisaiming tohelpraiseawarenessandvitalfundsforafuture wherewecanallgetqualitymentalhealthcare whenweneedit.Inthemeantime,herearejusta fewtipsthatmayhelpifyou’restruggling.
ROUTINE
Establishingandmaintainingahealthydaily routinecanhelpputyouinapositivemind-set. Gettingupattheusualtime,preparingahealthy breakfast,schedulingtimeforexercise,settimesfor dinner–allthiscanreallyhelp.
STAYCONNECTED
Stayintouchwithfamily,friendsandgroupsin yourlife—technologymakesthiseasierthanever. Havingorbeingapersontotalkwithcanbe reassuringandcalming.
GETACTIVE
Expertsbelieveexercisereleaseschemicalsinyour brainthatmakeyoufeelgood.Regularexercisecan boostyourself-esteemandhelpyouconcentrate, sleepandfeelbetter.Exercisenotonlyincreases feelingsofwellbeingbutifdoneinthecompanyof othersoffersthechancetobuildupyoursocialskills. Spendmoretimeoutdoorsenjoyingmothernature.
EATWELL
Therearestronglinksbetweenwhatweeatand howwefeel.Forexample,caffeineandsugarcan haveanimmediateeffect.Butfoodcanalsohavea long-lastingeffectonyourmentalhealth.Yourbrain needsamixofnutrientstostayhealthyandfunction well,justliketheotherorgansinyourbody.
DRINKSENSIBLY
Weoftendrinkalcoholtochangeourmood.Some peopledrinktodealwithfearorlonelinessbutthe effectisonlytemporary.Whenthedrinkwearsoff, youfeelworsebecauseofthewayalcohol withdrawalsymptomsaffectyourbrainandtherest ofyourbody.Drinkingisnotagoodwaytomanage difficultfeelings.Occasionallightdrinkingis perfectlyhealthyandenjoyableformostpeoplebut staywithintherecommendedweeklyalcohollimits
SWITCHOFF
Giveyourselfsome‘metime’.Takeadeep breath…andrelax.Tryyogaormeditation,orjust puttingyourfeetup.Listentoyourbody.Ifyou’re reallytired,giveyourselftimetosleep.Withoutgood sleepourmentalhealthsuffersandour concentrationgoesdownhill.
BEKINDTOYOURSELF
Buildonsmallachievementsandyouwillfeel betteraboutyourself.Somedaysyoucanevenfeel proudthatyoumadeitoutofthehouse.
TALKABOUTYOURFEELINGS
Talkingaboutyourfeelingscanhelpyoustayin goodmentalhealthanddealwithtimeswhenyou feeltroubled.Talkingthiswayisn’tasignof weakness.It’spartoftakingchargeofyourwellbeing anddoingwhatyoucantostayhealthy.Justbeing listenedtocanhelpyoufeelsupportedandless alone.Anditworksbothways.Ifyouopenup,it mightencourageotherstodothesame.
ASKFORHELP
Noneofusissuperhuman.Weallsometimesget tiredoroverwhelmedbyhowwefeelorwhenthings gowrong.Ifyoufeelyoucan’tcope,askforhelp. Yourfamilyorfriendsmaybeabletoofferpractical helporalisteningear.Localservicesarethereto helpyou,too. ■
WorldMentalHealthDayisonThursday10October.Fordetailsonhowto getinvolvedandseeksupportvisit:mind.org.uk
DREAM SEASON
Wereadsomewherethatyoushouldbe preparedtopayamonth’ssalaryona coat.Wedon’tbuythatnecessarily, butifyou’relookingforaninvestmentpiece,it’s certainlypossibletospendamonth’ssalary.It’s difficulttotellthedifferencebetweenthefabric andfitbylookingatthephotosinthesepagesor online,soacoatisoneofthosepurchasesthat’s beneficialtoshopinstore.Tryonavarietyof differentstylestodecidewhichsilhouettessuit you,haveagoodfeelofthefabricandcheckthe caredetails.
Beforeyoustartshopping,assesswhatyou alreadyhaveandwhetheryouneedsomething newatall.Cleanyourcoatsandgetthedefuzzer onyourwoolversionsiftheyneedit.Selloldcoats thatyouwon’twearagainordonatetolocal charities.Aswinterapproaches,outerwearis
precioustolocalhomelesscharitieslikeSifa Fireside.Contactthemandseewhattheyneed.
GIRL’SBESTFRIEND
Onceyou’vegotyourwardrobeshipshape, decidewhatyou’dliketoadd.Startwiththebasics–acaramelcolouredwoolcoatisyourbestfriend.It’ll gowithanythinginyourwardrobe–greatwhen dresseddownwithtrainersandjeansandchicwhen dressedupwithheelsorboots.It’sano-brainer. Decideonabudgetbecauseaclassicwoolcoatcan bespenny.AtthetopendheadtoMaxMara,Stella McCartneyandByMaleneBirger.Atmid-level headtoWhistlesandJohnLewisandforabargain checkoutPrimarkandTU.Checkoutdifferent coloursandembellishedversionsoftheclassicwool coattoo.TheZadigandVoltairemerinowool versionpicturedfeaturesbeautifulembroidery.
CARAMEL
THEALMIGHTYTRENCH
Trenchcoatsnevergooutofstyle.Theperfect transitionpiece,thetrenchwillcomeintoitsownthis month.Itwon’tkeepyoutoastyonasnowydaybut it’llseeyouthroughmanycold/wetdayslookingchic. It’seasytowearandagreatadditiontoyourwardrobe. Thehighstreetisinontheactioninabigwaythis season.JohnLewishasabrilliantcheckedversion (pictured)that’sastealat£139givenitshighquality.
PUFFERPOWER
Forpaddedandquiltedjackets,thechoicecanbe bamboozling.TheoldfavouriteslikeMonclerand CanadaGoosearerockingtheluxuryendofthemarket aswellasrelativenewbie,Ganni(pictured)offeringthe ultimateinwarmthaswellasstyle.Monsoon,which doesn’timmediatelyspringtomindforpufferjackets, hasacoupleofcoolkhakiversions-longandshortthat tickboththepracticalandstylishboxes.
RAINYDAY
Fromapracticalpointofview,youneedacoat thatwillwithstandapropertorrentialdownpour. Ourlong,hoodedRainscoathasneverletusdown. It’sagreatlength,hasaperfecthoodwithdraw stringsandisentirelywaterproof–notonedropgets through.WetesteditwalkingaroundtheEden Projectinwhatfeltlikeamonsoonwiththerain cominginsidewaysandweweredryasabone.
FURENOUGH
FauxfurfeatureseveryAWscreamingcosyand cool.Thereisadifferencebetweenthefeelandlook ofhighstreetversusluxuryprobablymorethanother typesofouterwear.Thesoftnessofhighendis unmatchedbybargainversions,however,ifit’sabit offunyou’reafterratherthanlongevityandquality, there’splentyofchoice.
VINTAGEFINDS
Coatsareanareawhereprelovedworks particularlywell.Youcanpickupareasonablypriced classicthatmightbeoutofreachifitwerebrand new.It’sdefinitelyworthhavingagoodrummageat CowinDigbethwhichhasagreatselection. Happyautumn!We’reofftofillourhomeswith pumpkinsandrestockthelogstore. ■
COOL KHAKI
Formalbeltedtrench coat£64.99,NewLook
RETURNOF THEMAC
Brownmac£35, Primark
SETIN STONE
Stonelongline trench£42 TUClothing
SUPER SLEEVES
ByMaleneBirgerAlanis stretchcottontrenchcoat £710,HarveyNichols
TERRIFIC TRANSITION
Trenchcoat£45,Primark
TOP TRENCH
Cottonblendhooded trenchcoat£65,Very
SMARTEN UP
Blairbeltedcoat
£140,Monsoon
ATTENTION TODETAIL
ZadigandVoltaireSalonny flowerembroiderytie waistmerinowoolcoat
£675,Selfridges
BELT UP
WhistlesCelia checkedwoolblend coat£205(was£329), Selfridges
SUBTLE SAGE
Woollookunlinedcoat£65, CottonTraders
FLOWER POWER
Paddedjacket fromChristian LacroixxRegatta collection
ANY WEATHER
Quiltedborgcoat£50,Monsoon
LONG LINE
Emmypaddedgreen coat£120,Monsoon
STAY DRY
THE BOMB
Khakibomber£120, ScampandDude
Milhaudlongcoat £155,Regatta
RAIN COAT
Rainshighneck slimfitshell jacket£105, Selfridges
PAD ABOUTIT
Ganniblackquilted shellcoat£425, HarveyNichols
PERFECT PUFFER
Emmypaddedcoat£120, Monsoon
BEAUTYUPDATE
WEFINALLYGOTHOLDOF THAT EXFOLIATINGSTICKANDIT TURNSOUT,IT’SWORTHTHEHYPE…
1.THEINKEYLISTGLYCOLICACIDEXFOLIATINGBODY STICK45G–£15,CULTBEAUTY
Ifyoubuyoneproductthismonth,makeitthisone.Aquickslick morningandeveningontodryelbowsorcrackedheelsandproblem solvedwithinaweek.We’renotonestospreaddaftbeautyclaims butthisisbrilliantandit’sreasonablypriced.Italsoclaimstobanish KPbumps,butwehaven’tputthatonetothetest.Itsellsoutrapidly. WemanagedtogetholdofonethroughCultBeauty,butkeepyour eyespeeled.
2.GISOUHONEYINFUSEDLIPOIL8ML–£24,CULTBEAUTY
EnrichedwithMirsalehihoneyrichinvitamins,minerals,amino acidsandantioxidants,thisisdeeplynourishingandmoisturising andwillcombatthedrynessofchangesintemperatureandcentral heating.Itgivesahighshinefinishandaslightgoldenhue.
3.HELLOKLEANPURIFYINGSHOWERHEAD–£65,HELLOKLEAN
Ifyouhaveparticularlyhardwaterthisshowerheadisgreat.Ithasa two-stepfiltrationsystemthatremoveswatersolublemetals,resulting inashowerthat’skinderonyourscalp.We’vebeenusingitforthree monthsandhaveseenaremarkableimprovementinourscalphealth.
4.VANISHSEAMLESSFINISHCONCEALERBRUSH–£38,HOURGLASS
Thehalf-moonshapeandsoftnessofthisbrushmakesitawinnerin ourbook.Thehandleisweightedenablingprecisionandperfect blendingplusthebrand’sethicalstanceonanimalcrueltysealsthe deal.It’sonthepriceyside,butworthit.Ifyoutakecareofit–Fairy liquidandwarmwaterwilldo–itwilllast.
5.HUDABEAUTYEASYBLURFOUNDATION350G–£32,HUDABEAUTY
Welovetheserum-liketextureofthisfoundation.Itevensoutskin beautifullyandminimisesporesaswellasanywe’vetried.It’seven betterwhenusedwithaprimerandlastsallday.
1
2
3
45
COAT TALES
LOOKINGCOOLWHILETEMPERATURES PLUMMETHINGESONTHERIGHTCOAT AESTHETICALLYANDPRACTICALLY
STATEMENTBUTTONS
Kincarcoat£139, JohnLewis
WAXON
BarbourBedalewaxed cottonjacket£240, Selfridges
YFADETOSUEDE Jacket £169,M&S
DIAMONDGEEZA Drivingquiltedwax jacket£669,Barbour
es,acoatneedstobepracticalbutit’sperfectlypossibletostay warmanddrywhilelookingstylish.We’vehadatrotthroughthis season’srailsandpickedoutahandfulofcoatsthatfitthebillfora varietyofoccasionsandtemperatures.Fromlighttransitionpiecesto seriouskitforneararcticconditions,we’vegotyoucovered.
Firstly,ifyoubuyonecoat,makeitaneutralthree-quarterlengthwool coat.Bythatwedon’tnecessarilymeanacaramelhue–asmallcheckisa neutralinourbook.LookattheM&Sversionpicturedthatwillworkwith everythinginyourwardrobe.
OrmakelikeLiamGallagherandbagyourselfanedgyparka.Almost aspriceyasOasistickets,theRickOwensversionpicturedhaspaddingfor extrawarmth.Abitofaninvestmentbutit’sakeeperthat’lllastlongafter theTicketmasterfurorehasdieddownifyoulookafterit.
Iftheweather’skind,asuedejacketmightsuffice.Welikethedusky blueCarharrtversionpicturedandtheclassicbrownexamplefromM&S that’swellcutandeffortlesslycool.Ifyou’refeelingfancy,considera funnelneckliketheonepicturedfromReiss–astorethat’srepeatedly becomingourgo-tonotjustforcoatsbutknockouttailoringtoo.
Aclassicwaxjacketshouldliterallylastalifetime.GowiththeOG Barbouroraddatouchofquiltingforamorechapabouttownvibe.Pricey butworthit.IfwehaveaBeastfromtheEastmoment,Regattahas developedaheatedjacketwithabatterypacktowarmthecockles.It’sa lookeraswellaspractical.Happydays.
Whenyouneedalightjacketbutnothingthat’lladdwarmthcheckout alightwindbreaker.WelovethegreenversionfromtheAnydayrangeat JohnLewiswithoversizedpocketsthataddatouchofcool. ■
CHECKPLEASE
ClothingfromM&S
MINIMUMFUSS
ReissPlayerfunnel neckmid-length hybridcoat£328, Selfridges
GOODINTHEHOOD
Anydayhooded windbreaker£55, JohnLewis JACKETIN CarharttWIPMichiganlogofaux suedecoat£240,HarveyNichols
Doublebreasted carcoat£150, M&S
INTHENAVY Kinnavyjacket £129JohnLewis
COLDSNAP
Heatedjacket £230,Regatta
NOSTALGIATRIP RickOwenspadded hoodedcottonparka £2,025,HarveyNichols
CARCOAT
HOMESliving
SOMETHING OLD, SOMETHING NEW
THEKITCHENISPROBABLYTHEMOSTIMPORTANTROOMIN THEHOUSE–THEHEARTOFYOURHOME,SOWHETHERYOU’RE PLANNINGAFULLOVERHAULOFTHESPACEORGIVINGITA REFRESH,MAKEITSTYLISHANDCRUCIALLY,FUNCTIONAL
COUNTRYHOUSEVIBE HenleykitchenhandpaintedinsagefromNeptune
LOVELYLINEN
Akitchenissomuchmorethanaroomtocookin. It’samulti-functionalspacethatneedsto combineavarietyofactivities–cooking,dining, relaxing,entertaining,working–yougetthegist.It’smore ofagenerallivingareathatcravespracticalityaswellas style.Itneedstoworkhardforyouandyourhousehold.
DESIGNERSTYLE
Ifyou’replanninganentirelynewkitchen,ripping outyouroldoneandmovingthingsaround,it’sworth gettinginaspecialistdesigner.They’llseedesign optionsthatyouwon’t,andthey’llbeabletoguideyou throughpotentialissueslikeplumbingandelectrics whichcanfeelbamboozlingfortheaverageperson.
They’llalsohaveexistingrelationshipswith tradesmenwhichisinvaluable.It’lltakesomeofthe stressout–yes,it’llstillbemessyandexpensive–but itwillbeminimised,andtheresultswillbeworthit. We’reabitspoiltforchoiceintheMidlandssoshop around.Meetdesigners,checkoutpreviousprojects onwebsiteslikeHouzzandfindonethatgetsyou andcrucially,onethatyoulike.It’sabigexpense,so youwanttogetthisright.
REFRESHANDRESET
Ifyou’relookingtorefreshyourkitchenrather thanstartabuildingproject,therearealsooptions. Providedyourcabinetryisingoodcondition,your
kitchencanbetransformedwithalickofpaint andnewhandles.Ifyourworktophasseen betterdays,considerwrappingit.Wrappingis becomingincreasinglyfashionableandwhileit feelsabitBluePeter,theresultsareimpressive. Unlessyou’reparticularlyhandyandpatient, we’dgettheprofessionalsin,andwe’dalsowant toseetheproductinthefleshbeforecommitting asit’shardtogetanaccuraterepresentation online.It’sagreatoptionthough.
Thinkaboutwallpaperasawaytoupgrade thespace.TheSandbergversionpicturedis stunningbutalsocheckoutOsborneandLittle, SandersonandGrahamandBrownwhoallhave greatexamplessuitableforkitchenareas.
NEWADDITIONS
Considerreplacingyourappliances–achic kettleandtoastercombo,acolourful KitchenAid,newblinds,agreatrugandlighting mightnotincreasethefunctionalityofthe kitchen,butitwillraiseasmileandmakeyou loveitmore.Headtokin.andMinimainthe cityforgreataccessories.Afreshdiningtable andchairscanbetransformativetoo.BoConcept inEdgbastonhassomecoolScandiexamples whileacrosstheroad,OKAandNeptuneoffer morerusticcharm.
We’vepulledtogetherafewexampleshereto getyouinspired. ■
GOODWOOD
BodahlLokidiningtablewiththreecantileverdiningchairs anddiningbenchset£3,899,fromFurnitureVillage
OLDSCHOOL AccessoriesfromHomeSense
POPOFCOLOUR AccessoriesfromDunelm
LIGHTUP
Pendantsfrom FritzFryer
WORKOFART
MajSandstonewallpaper£103perroll,Sandberg HEARTOFTHEHOME
PaintedshakerkitchenbyKitchenMakersthroughClassicInteriors.Kitchensstartat£16,000.
FromthePottingBench withAdam
WITHTHEFIRSTTOUCHOFAUTUMNUPONUS,THEGARDENIS BEGINNINGTOCHANGE–BUTADAMKIRTLANDISALREADY
LOOKINGAHEADANDPLANTINGAHOSTOFGOLDEN DAFFODILSFORANEXPLOSIONOFCOLOURNEXTSPRING
Whenwereachthistimeofyear,things starttotakeaturn–andnotalways fortheworst!Autumnisafantastic seasonandtruthbetold,it’soneofmyfavourites, notleastofallbecauseit’srightaboutnowthat I’mdeepinplanningmodeforthegardenfornext yearandjusthowwe’regoingtohaveabigger, betterandbolderspringdisplayofdaffodils(and more)tobegintheyear.
Thenipintheairsignalsthechangingseasons andthecurtainsclosingonanothersummergoneby, butwhatasummerit’sbeen–amixedbagof weather,that’sforsure!Butwemoveforward,and ourresilienceasgardenerscarriesusonintowhat delightsthegardenholdsforusinabrand-new calendaryear.Butlet’snotjumpthatfaraheadjust yet,hey?Herearesomejobstokeepyouandyour handsbusyinthegardeninOctober.
Plantupdaffodils
Plantingdaffodilbulbsinthegardenthistimeof yearisasimpleandrewardingtaskthatcanbring vibrantcolourrightatthebeginningofspring. Startbyselectingasunnyorpartiallyshadedspot withwell-drainedsoil,whichisessentialfor healthygrowth.Digaholeroughlythreetimesthe heightofthebulb,typicallyaround10-15cmdeep. Placethebulbintheholewiththepointedend facingupwards,asthisiswherethestemwill emerge,somebulbsarelessobviousthanothers sointhiscase,plantontheirsideandthey’ll figureitout!
Spacethebulbsabout10-15cmaparttoensure theyhaveenoughroomtogrowanddevelop.After positioning,coverthemwithsoil,gentlyfirmingit downtoremoveanyairpocketsthatcouldhinder growth.Watertheareathoroughlyafterplantingto helpthebulbssettleandestablishroots,butthey won’tneedanymorewaterfromyouuntiltheystart toappearnextyear.Overthecomingmonths,the bulbswillremaindormant,butbyearlyspring,you'll begreetedwithcheerfuldaffodilblooms,brightening yourgardenandmarkingthestartofanew gardeningseason.
Reuseoldcompost
Asyoustarttothinkaboutusingsomeofyour summerpotsforevenmoreofthosebulbs, considerreusingthecompostfromtheseasmulch onyourgarden...Startbyemptyingtheoldpots andbreakingupanylargeclumpsofcompost. Checkforandremoveanyplantrootsordebris thatmayberemainingbeforeyoumoveontothe nextstep.
Onceyou’vedonethis,spreadthecompostevenly acrossthesoilinyourgardenborder.Aimforalayer about2-3cmthick,butanythingisbetterthan nothing.Thiswillhelpretainmoisture,suppress weeds,andgraduallyimprovethesoilasitbreaks down.Thecompostwillnotonlyprotectthesoil duringwinterbutalsoaddanynutrientsthatmaybe remaininginthecompost,directlyintoyoursoil, givingyourplantsahealthystartwhenthegrowing seasonbeginsagain.
Makeyourchoice
Decidingwhentocutbackperennialsdependson yourgardenandyourownpersonalpreference,but cuttingthembacknowtidiesupthegardenandgive youanideaofspacesandgapsyoumightwantto fill.However,leavingperennialsstandingprovides foodandshelterforwildlifeduringwinterand canaddvisualinterestwithseedheadsandfrostcoveredstems.
Waitinguntilspringtocutthembackalsohelps protecttheplantsfromharshweather.Ifyouprefer aneatgarden,cutbacknow;ifyouvaluewildlife andwinterinterest,waituntilspring(whichis whatIdo!).Therearesomefantasticperennialsthat lookincredibleoverwinter,Rudbeckiaand Echinaceacometomindandyou’llstillseebirds peckingattheirdryseedheadsthroughthedarker monthsahead. ■
CHECKINWITHADAM
FollowAdamonInstagram@viewfromthepottingbenchandlistentohis podcastTalesfromThePottingBenchformoregardeninginspiration. YoucanalsoreadAdam’sblogatviewfromthepottingbench.com
TURNINGOVER ANEWLEAF
ASAUTUMNLEAVESSTARTTOFALL,SUECOOKEDELIVERSHER VERDICTONFORD’SNEW,HIGHER-TECHKUGAPLUG-INHYBRID
Onanunexpectedsunnydayfortheautumn season,Ileavethehousewiththecarkeyin mypocket.Usingkeylessentry,Ipullopen thelockedcardoor,slideintothecomfortablesports seatswithredstitchingandgrabtheflatbottomsteering wheel,alsowithredstitching.Ipressthestartbutton andthedigitalcolour13.2-inchSYNC4touchscreen instrumentclusterlightsupwithlargebrightwhite numbersandinformationaboutthebatteryandfuel capacity.WelcometothenewFordKugaST-Line!
Theplug-inhybridIamroadtestingispoweredbya 2.5-litreDuratecFHEVCVTAutomaticFWDpetrol engineandanelectricmotorgenerator.Icanchoose howandwhenIwanttomakefulluseofthebattery powerandIchooseall-electricfordrivingshort journeysoflessthan35miles.Inadditiontocharging fromanexternalpowersupply,Icanautomatically replenishthebatteryonthemovebycoastingdowna hill.Regenerativechargingtechnologycaptureskinetic energynormallylostduringbraking.
LIGHTWORK
Autumnisaseasonoftheyearwhenscattered leavesandberriesmakeforslipperyroadsandthere aredarkernights.Apparently,accordingtoresearch, weliketotravelinthisseasonastherearefewer tourists!ThenewKugahasheadlampswith amazingtechnologywhichwillautomaticallydipto avoidblindingthedriverofanoncomingcar.Front LEDfoglightsautomaticallybrightentheroad.As thesteeringwheelturnsintoacorneranadaptive beampatternadjuststotheroadahead.Afull-colour rearviewcameragivesaveryclearpictureasIarrive andbackintoanarrowcarparkingspace.
TheSYNC4touchscreenprovidesadditional connectivity,withwirelessAppleCarPlay&Android Auto,5GModem,andovertheairupdates.Justwhen IthinkIhaveexhaustedeveryfeatureonthisnew Ford,alongcomesanothergreatidea.Ipressa buttonusingtheSYNC4systemandsay:“Ineeda coffee”–andthetechnologydirectsmetothenearest coffeeshop.Wonderful!
Butthissportsutilityvehiclehasalotmorethan amazingtechnology.ThenewST-LineeditionIam drivinghasstyle,withamoremuscular-lookingstance. Rideheightisincreasedandtherearbumperlowered.
FACTSATAGLANCE
Model: FordKugaPHEVST-LineEditionAuto
Price: £42,165otr
Engine: 2.5-litreDuratecFHEVCVTAutomaticFWD
Performance: 0-62mphin9.1secondsandontoatopspeedof122mph
CombinedCO2emissions: 125g/km(WLTP)
Combinedfuelconsumption: 51.4mpg(WLTP)
Sportyredbrakecallipers,abodystylingkit,largerear spoilerandblackroofrailsenhancethedesign,plus thereisanew-lookfrontgrille.Thereisalargerangeof attractivealloywheeloptionsandachoiceofTitanium, ST-Line–whichIroadtested–orActiveseries.
Inside,you’llfindaqualitycabinwhichhasmore thanenoughroomforlong-leggedpassengersthanksto rearseatsthatslideback,whilethebootoffersupto536 litresofspace.Towingcapacityhasincreasedto2,100 kgandonboarddataandmapscalculatetowfriendly routestogetyoutotheaction.Thepower-operated retractabletowbarautomaticallystoresitselfoutofsight belowtherearbumperwhennotinuse,retainingthe sleekKUGAlooks.
There’sgoodnewsforbusinessuserstooasthenew Kugaplug-InhybridhasalowerHMRCBenefit-inKindrateofeightpercentversus12percentforthe outgoingmodel(basedoncurrent2024/25taxrates). ■
SHOWROOM
FordBirmingham,156-182BristolStreet,Birmingham,B57AZ. Tel:01214186152
https://www.bristolstreet.co.uk/find-a-dealer/ford-birmingham/
SIOBHANFITZPATRICK
THEPARABASKETBALLPLAYERHASACHIEVEDTHEHIGHEST ACCOLADESINHERSPORTANDISKEENTOENSUREALLYOUNG PEOPLEAREGIVENTHEOPPORTUNITYTOPARTICIPATEANDTHRIVE
GreatBritainandLoughboroughLightning parabasketballplayer,SiobhanFitzpatrickis keentoensurethatallchildrenaregiventhe opportunitytoparticipateinsportatgrassrootslevel–anopportunityshewasn’talwaysafforded,butone she’spassionateabout.WiththatinmindSiobhanis supportingthePlayTheirWaycampaign.
Thecampaignwaslaunchedin2023withthe aimoftransformingthewayyoungpeoplearecoached byprioritisingtheirrights,needsandenjoymentina child-firstapproach.FundedbySportEnglandandthe NationalLottery,thecampaignisprovingasuccessful, inclusiverouteintosportforallandissomething Siobhansaysshewouldhavelovedasachild.
Siobhanwasn’tallowedtotakepartinPEasa youngsterasherschooltoldhertheyweren’tinsuredto letherparticipate–aproblemthatunbelievablystill existsinsomeinstancestoday.Grassrootssportwasn’t setupforpeoplewithdisabilitieseither,soSiobhan’s participationwasanon-starteruntil2010thankstoa playgroundtopodiumeventwhichintroducedherto basketball.She’sneverlookedback.Asajunior SiobhanplayedatCoventryWheelchairBasketball Academy(CWBA)whereshewassuccessfulinthe JuniorChampionshipsandSchoolGames.Shealso competedintheclub’sNationalandWomen’sleagues. Siobhanwentontoco-captaintheGBteamtobackto-backchampionshipwinsatthe2015U25Worlds
and2016U24EuropeanChampionships–somethingnot achievedbyanyotherfemaleGBjuniorteam.Thiswasallwhile studyingforA-Levels!In2018thesquadretainedtheirU24 Europeantitleandin2019theteamwontheU25World Championshipbronzemedal.
HISTORYMAKER
SiobhanattendedherfirstseniorGBcampin2013andbegan trainingfull-timewiththenationalsquadforthe2016/17 season.HavingnarrowlymissedoutonselectiontotheGBteam forthe2016RioParalympics,Siobhanmadeherseniordebutat the2017EuropeanChampionships.She’snowaregular memberoftheGBsquadandwaspartoftheteamthatmade historyatthe2018Hamburgworldchampionshipbybeingthe firstfemaleBritishteamtoqualifyforafinalandclaimthesilver medal.Andin2021,SiobhanwaspartoftheLoughborough LightningsquadthatwonthefirsteverBWBWomen’sPremier Leaguetitle.
Lastmonth,Siobhancamebacktoherformerclub, WarwickshireCubstohighlighttheimportanceofpositive experiencesforallchildreninsport.DuringtheWheelchair BasketballforAlleventattheNechellsWellbeingCentre,Siobhan helpedleadasessioninwhichbothdisabledandnon-disabled childrentookpartinsporttogether.Whetherhavingfunand stayingactiveorinstillinghopesoffutureOlympianand Paralympianlevelcompetition,Siobhan’sinvolvementatthisgrass rootsisinspiringyoungsterstogetintosportandcrucially,feellike theybelongthere. ■
DOITYOURWAY
FindoutmoreaboutPlayTheirWayatplaytheirway.org
BCUWELCOMESNEWCHANCELLOR
TVpresenter,journalist,disabilitycampaignerand ParalympicmedallistAdeAdepitanIsBirminghamCity University’snewChancellor,succeedingSirLennyHenry. The51-year-old,whowasamemberoftheGreatBritain wheelchairbasketballteamthatwonbronzeatthe2004 GamesinAthens,willtakeuphisnewpositionattheend of2024.AdealsohelpedGBwinwheelchairbasketball goldatthe2005ParalympicWorldCupinManchester. Adesaid:“It’sanhonourtobetakingoverfromSirLenny, whohasalwaysbeenaheroofmine.”
AWESOMEANWAR
AnwarKhattak,thefounderofBirminghamYouthSport Academy(BYSA),willbetakingpartinStBasilsBIG SleepOuton29NovemberatMillenniumPoint.Joining himwillbetheyoungpeoplehecoaches,unitedinraising awarenessandfundstocombatyouthhomelessness. Anwar,awardedtheBritishEmpireMedal(BEM)forhis voluntaryservice,isapassionateadvocateforyouth empowerment.ThroughBYSA,whichhefoundedin 2002,hehashelpedmorethan1,000youngstersfrom deprivedcommunitiesstayoffthestreets.
ACADEMICSUCCESS
MoretonHallpupilsandstaffarecelebratingamazingacademic achievements.AmongtheoutstandingperformancesareIsla Rotherawhoachievedafullhouseofgrade9sandinternational studentReginaLokWunLee,whosesevengrade9sincludean impressivemixofSTEMsubjectsaswellasinEnglishLiterature. AndwithMoretonHallhometotheHolroydCommunityTheatre, thefullhouseofgrade9sawardedtothisyear'sGCSEDrama studentsisanothercauseforcelebration.
SCHOOL REPORT
TOPTEACHERS
AstonUniversityhasbeenawardedthree2024teachingexcellence awardsbyhighereducationcharityAdvanceHE.TheProfessional ExperienceImplementationGroup(PEIG)inAstonUniversity’sSchoolof PharmacywonaCollaborativeAwardforTeachingExcellence(CATE), whileProfGoudarzPoursharif,foundingdirectorofAstonProfessional anddeputydeanforeducationoftheCollegeofEngineeringand PhysicalSciences,andDrRobertNash,readerintheSchoolof Psychology,havebeennamedasNationalTeachingFellows(NTF).
SUPPORTINGSCHOOLSSPORTS
EstateagencyNicol&Coishelpingkeepup theenergylevelsofhundredsofchildrenat schoolsportsdays.Theresidentialsalesand lettingagency,whichhasofficesinDroitwich, WorcesterandMalvern,hasbeensponsoring sevenschoolsportsdayswithbrandedbottles offilteredwaterandarangeoffreshfruit fromtheThreeCountiesProducestorein Worcester.MattNicol,managingdirectorof Nicol&Co,said:“Wefeltthiswouldbea greatwaytogivebacktothecommunityand showourappreciationfortheexcellent primaryschoolswehaveacrossthecounty.”
LASTINGLEGACY
StudentsandstafffromCOREEducation TrustinBirminghamenjoyedatwo-week tripofalifetimetoSouthAfrica.The studentsfromthetrust’sfourschools–Arena,City,JewelleryQuarterand RockwoodacademiesinBirmingham–partneredwithShiyaneHighSchoolinKwa ZuluNataltoimprovefacilitiesatthe school.Projectsfocusedonenhancingthe Shiyanestudents’learningenvironmentand includedfixingaboreholepumptoprovide twoworkingtapswithcleandrinkingwater.
RECOGNITION FORRAY
ABirminghammusicteacher whoencouragedhundredsof youngpeopletotakeup singingandperformingin Gospelmusic,hasbeenmade aFellowoftheGospelMusic IndustryAlliance.RayPrinceis ateacherwithBirmingham charityServicesForEducation –whicheachweekteaches musicto32,000Birmingham children.Rayisthefounderof theGospelRevisitedProject, createdin2017asagrassrootsproject.TheFellow awardhonoursthemost notableperformers,artists, educatorsandcontributorsto theinternationalmusic industry.
GREENDEAL
Brindleyplaceisfurtherfocusingonits sustainabilitytargetsbypartneringwith GreenzoneFacilitiesManagement,a nationalwastemanagementandrecycling provider,tohelpithititssustainable businessgoals.Anumberofinitiatives havealreadybeenimplementedacrossthe estate,includingextensiveuseofsolar panels,smartmeters,airquality monitoringandstate-of-theartsoftware analysistohelpreduceenergy consumption,whilewastematerialsare alreadyrecycledandrepurposed.
CHARITYDRIVE
ProfessionalstookpartinacorporategolfdaytoraisethousandsforaMidlandscharity. Sixty-eightplayersteedupatArdent’ssecondannualgolfdayatLittleAstonGolfClubin Birmingham.Theeventraised£7,600forAcornsChildren’sHospiceafterthecharity, whichofferspalliativecareandsupporttochildrenandtheirfamilies,wasnominated byteammembersfromArdent’sBirminghamoffice.
NEWS BUSINESS
WONDERWALL
OneoftheOlympicsmosttalkedaboutsports hasreachednewheightsatBrindleyplace. FlexibleworkspaceoperatorSpacemadehas addedaclimbingwallintoitsbreakoutspace atits10Xlocation.Co-founderJonny Rosenblattexplained:“Wewanttocreatean environmentwhereteamsfeelmotivatedand inspireddaily.Theclimbingwallisn’tjusta symbolofphysicalactivity,it’saboutthe challengeswefacetogether.Byclimbingthe wallduringamentalblockorabreak, memberscanovercomeapersonalobstacle, boostingmoraleandconfidence.”
WINNINGPITCH
Acompetitiontoshowcasethe WestMidlands’bestwomen-led SMEandstart-upbusinessesis returningforasecondyear.The WomenEntrepreneursPitch competitionisdeliveredbyGreater BirminghamChambersof Commerce,NatWestandthe BritishBusinessBank.Itprovides femaleentrepreneurswithan opportunitytopresenttoapanel ofinvestors.Finalistswillmake theirpitchesinBirminghamon13 November.Lastyear,biotechfirm SymbioTexwasselectedasthe winnerfollowingasuccessfulpitch byCEOandfounderOlivia Simpson.
HOMEHELP
DeveloperDavidWilsonHomeshasmadea £1,500donationtoBirminghamMind,supporting thelocalcommunityinthebattleformental health.Thecharityoperatesclosetothe homebuilder’sTenchleePlacedevelopmentinHall Green.MoneydonatedtoBirminghamMind supportstheoperationofitsWellbeingHubwhich providesin-personadviceandinformationaswell asasafeandquietspaceinthecitycentrefor thosewhoneedit.
ARTINTHESQUARE
WashingtonGreenFineArtcelebratedits40thanniversarywithanexhibitionof artworkspublishedoverthelastfourdecadesatVictoriaSquare,Birminghamin partnershipwithCentralBID.Foundedin1984byGlynWashingtonandPaulGreen, WashingtonGreenistheUK’slargestfineartpublisherandworkswithleading contemporaryartists,includingBobDylan,BillyConnollyandJohnnyDepp.Steve Hewlett,CentralBIDmanager,said:“WashingtonGreenisaglobalsuccessstory andthrivingtodaywithgalleriesintheMailbox,ICCandacrosstheUK.”
MAKEOVERMOVE
AwaitingroomatQueenElizabethHospitalBirminghamhasbeengivena makeoverthankstofundingfromaMidlandscharity.TheGetA-Head CharitableTrust,whichsupportspeoplewithheadandneckdiseases,donated £3,500tohelpwiththerefurbishmentoftheroomonthehospital’sear,nose andthroatward.Therefurbishmentincludesnewpaintwork,agiantwall muraldisplayingamountainlandscapeandnewfurniture.
BirminghamCountyFootballAssociation(BCFA) haspartneredwithSTEAMhouse,thecity’s leadinginnovationhub,inanewecoinitiative. Thetie-upcentresonaprogrammedesignedto identifyinnovativesolutionstoreducethe environmentalimpactofsingle-useplasticinthe sport.Itisestimatedthatoverthecourseofthe footballseasonintheregion,16.54tonsof plasticwastearegeneratedalonefromsingle-use disposableicepacksusedtotreatplayerinjuries.
TheRoyalShakespeareCompanyhasappointedProfEmmaSmithtoits board.ProfSmithhasco-chairedtheRSCExpertResearchGroupforthe TimeToActprojectwhichlooksattheimpactartslearninghasonyoung people’slanguagedevelopmentandconfidence.RSCchairShritiVadera said:“EmmaisoneoftheUK’sleadingShakespearescholarsandhasbeen helpingusmakeourhouseplaywright’sworkaccessibletoaudiencesand participantsofallagesformanyyears.”
HIGHWIREAWARD
ABirminghamcarehomethathelped fulfilaresident’sdreamtotakepartin azipwirechallengehaswonatop award.Otterburncarehome,partof ExemplarHealthCare,wasnamed FundraisingGroupoftheYearatthe Huntington’sDiseaseAssociation Awardsinrecognitionofitsefforts. StaffatthecarehomeinBrandwood ParkRoadapproachedZipWorldin WalestohelpfulfiladreamforPatrick, aresidentwithHuntington’sdisease andself-confessedadrenalinejunkie.
WELCOMEPARTNER!
LegalfirmHCRLawhasstrengthenedits commercialteamwiththeadditionofTracyLakeas apartnerintheBirminghamoffice.Tracy's experienceincludesin-houseroleswithutility companies,includingSevernTrentWaterand NationalGrid,aswellaspositionsatotherlaw firmswheresheservedasheadofcommercial. WithdeeprootsinBirminghamandacrossthe Midlands,shehasstrongconnectionssupporting manybusinessesinachievingtheirstrategicand commercialobjectivesacrossvariousprojects.
NEWSPORTBOSS
AprominentWestMidlandsbusinessfigurehasbeenappointedasthenew chairofSportBirmingham.ThemoveseesMarkTaylor–co-founderof businessadvisoryfirmElement45andformerBirminghammanagingpartner ofRSMUK–leadtheorganisation’sgrowthanddevelopmentintothenext decade.SportBirminghamworkswithlocal,regional,andnationalpartners tomaximisethepositiveimpactthatphysicalactivityandsportcanmaketo peopleandcommunities.
ADOPTIONAID
Midlands-basedadoptionagency AdoptionFocushasannouncedanew partnershipwithTheGoodTravelAgent. Underthenewpartnership,theagency willreceiveadonationfromtheagent whencustomersquoteAdoptionFocus whenbookingtravelarrangementsvia thewebsiteorbyphone.
SUITEOPENING
ThenewMastersSuiteeventsspaceat theBelfryHotel&Resorthasopened–onemonthaheadofschedule.Part ofawider£80milliondevelopment project,thesuitehasamaximumcapacity of920,makingittheresort’sbiggest eventsspace.
LIQUIDASSET
CommunicationsagencyLiquidhas reneweditssponsorshipdealwithWest BromwichAlbionFC.Thepartnershipis oneofanumberwithlocalandnational sportingteams,includingAstonVillaFC, EnglandGolfandSportEngland.
BLOODBOOST
Alocalheatingandventilationcompanyhasplayeda majorroleingettingvitalbloodandbloodproductsto hospitalpatients.LordCombustionServicesinOldbury fundedanewToyotaYarisforMidlandsAirAmbulance Charityearlierthisyear.Thecarandteamofvolunteers havealreadytravelledmorethan10,000miles,making morethan125roundtrips,transportingbloodbetween theBloodBankatQueenElizabethHospitalin Birminghamandthecharity’sStrenshamairbase.
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THESTARSTEEUPAND COMEOUTSWINGING
Worldofentertainmentandgolfcome togetheratannualPar3Championship
Oneofthebigannualeventsofthesporting andsocialcalendarsawtheworldof entertainmentandgolfcometogetherat NailcoteHalltocelebratethisyear’sFarmfoods BritishPar3Championship.FormerOpen ChampionshipwinnerPaulLawrieemergedasthe overallchampionafteraholeinonehelpedhimto claimvictoryandthe €50,000firstprize.Watchedby abigcrowd,hefinishedoneshotaheadofrunner-up JarmoSandelin. ■
WHAT’SONliving
WHAT: FriendsinLoveandWar
WHEN: From2October
WHERE: IKONGallery, ikon-gallery.org
Aspartofits60thanniversaryyear,in partnershipwithmacLYON,theIkonpresents aspecialexhibitionwhichreflectsonthe natureandroleoffriendshipincontemporary lifewithworksbymorethan20artists.
WHAT: BecomingNancy
WHEN: 2Octoberto 2November
WHERE: BirminghamRep, birmingham-rep.co.uk
Acracking,coming-of-age storyaboutfirstlove, friendshipandfindingyour voice,basedonthenovelby TerryRonald.
WHAT: RBCSalsaOrchestra
WHEN: 24October
WHERE: EastsideJazzClub,Royal BirminghamConservatoire
ThenewnamefortheAfro-CubanJazz Orchestra,astherepertoirehasexpandedto coverLatinmusicfromallovertheregion.A fabulousensemblepackedwithfreshtalent andcoolsounds.
WHAT: TheNationalWeddingShow
WHEN: 4to6October
WHERE: NECBirmingham, nationalweddingshow.co.uk
Speakwithhundredsofthetopwedding supplierstohelpplanforthebigday. There’salsocatwalkshowstohelpvisualise yourdreamdress,mini-makeovers,puppy yogaandcelebrityguests.
WHAT: SirRanulphFiennes
WHEN: 30October
WHERE: TownHall,bmusic.co.uk
Spendaneveningintheextraordinarycompany oftheworld’sgreatestlivingexplorerashe goesbeyondhisrecord-breakingachievements toexplorethemanbehindthemyth.
WHAT: BirminghamImprovFestival
WHEN: 9to13October
WHERE: MidlandsArtCentre, macbirmingham.co.uk
Fivegloriousdaysofworkshops,showsand more.Anditallkicksoffwithaneveningof pizzaandjam–what’snottolove!
WHAT: TheNewReal
WHEN: 3Octoberto2November
WHERE: RSCTheatre,rsc.org.uk, tel:01789331111
Inafarawaycountry,aferocious electionisabouttobefoughtandit's hardtotellwhat’srealandwhat’sfake.
WHAT: HorseoftheYear Show
WHEN: 9to13October
WHERE: ResortsWorld Arena, resortsworldarena.co.uk
Thebiggestweekoftheyear forequestrianentertainment isbackwithsomethingfrom everymemberofthefamily toenjoy,includingallthe sport’snewestconverts.
WHAT: Disney’sAladdin
WHEN: 9Octoberto 3November
WHERE: Birmingham Hippodrome, birminghamhippodrome.com
Thisexuberantproductionis filledwithunforgettablemagic, comedy,breath-takingsetsand dazzlingcostumes.Enchanting stuffnottobemissed.
WHAT: BRB’sLuna
WHEN: 3to5October
WHERE: BirminghamHippodrome,brb.org.uk
Apowerfulandmovingnewballet.Withanallfemaleinternationalcreativeteam,thisisajourneyto themoonandback,toldwithlove,compassionand creativityandgroundedinreallifeexperience.
WHAT: IlDivo
WHEN: 26October
WHERE: UtilitaArena, utilitaarenabham.co.uk
Theglobally-renownedclassical crossovervocalgroupiscelebrating its20thanniversarywithavery specialtour,filledwithhitsfromavast catalogueofsongs.
WHAT: EdgbastonArtisanMarket
WHEN: 12October
WHERE: GreenfieldCrescent,Edgbaston, calthorpe.co.uk
Birmingham’slargestartisanmarketreturnswithsome ofthefinestindependentbusinessesacrossthe Midlandsonshow.
WHAT: MostHauntedLive
WHEN: 14October
WHERE: TheAlexandra, atgtickets.com
TheacclaimedWorldNo1 paranormalshowpremiersits spine-chillingtheatreshow. YvetteFielding,KarlBeattieand theMostHauntedteamtakeyou onthedarkest,mostterrifying journeyofyourlife.
WHAT: AdamAnt
WHEN: 22October
WHERE: SymphonyHall, bmusic.co.uk
Thepopiconreturnsto Birmingham,performinghis classicchart-toppinghitsand personalfavourites.
CLOSEWITHÁ
CAROLINEDAVIS
THEFOUNDEROFOUTDOORPLACESUNUSUALSPACES(OPUSARTS) TALKSPRODUCINGBIRMINGHAMROYALBALLET’SNEXTBALLET,LUNA, ANDHERAMBITIONTOKEEPOURCITYFULLOFJOYANDWONDER
BEENTHERE,DONETHAT
I’vebeenaproducerinthecityformorethanadecade, workingfirstatBirminghamHippodromebeforesetting upOPUSwhenIwaspregnantin2018.I’vehadthe pleasureofworkingonlotsofbrilliantcityevents,the 2012CulturalOlympiadandBirminghamWeekender.In 2022,IwastheexecutiveproducerforMotionhouse’s sitespecificspectacleWondrousStoriesthatopened theCulturalProgrammeoftheCommonwealthGames andtheeventdirectorforthefestivalsitesthattookover thecity.
IT’SWHATIDO
IamcurrentlyproducingBirminghamRoyalBallet’s nextfull-lengthballetLuna,thefinalpartofCarlos Acosta’sBirminghamTrilogywhichincludesCityofa ThousandTradesandBlackSabbath–TheBallet.This involvesahugeamountofcoordinationtobringcomplex productionslikethistolifewithfivebrilliantfemale choreographers,creativesplansandschedules.Imanage budgetsandcontractsbutmostlyImanagerelationships. Itakealotofjoyfromworkingwithcreativepeopleand particularlylovetellingstoriesofthisgreatcitywelivein.
WHATI’DLIKETOSEE
Myambitionistokeepthiscitythatishomefullof joyandwonder.AlthoughIamcurrentlyworkingon myfirsttheatreproductionwiththeballet,youwill generallyfindmeoutdoorsbringingthepublicrealmtolife throughinterventions.Iamcurrentlycompletingmy studiesinculturalleadershipandmyambitionisto continuetogrowourreachfromthecitynationallyaswe arestartingtodonow,tointernationally…watchthis space!
BIGGESTSUCCESS
Keepingsanewhilerunningmultipleprojectsand raisingafiercebutkinddaughter…sureotherpeople canrelate!
BIGGESTLESSONLEARNED
Ibelieveeverythinghappensforareasonandonsliding doorsmentality.Youhavethepowertodecideifyouare walkingthroughorwalkingaway,andmakinglegitimate decisionswithoutregret.
WHATILIKEABOUTBRUM
Theinspiringwomenthatliveandworkhere.Thereare somanytalentedpioneersandhardworkingwomenthat workhardtomakealifeinthismeltingpotof Birmingham.Lunaexploresmoreofthisinanabstract manner–pickingoutthemesaroundovercomingadversity andfemaleempowerment.Wearesoluckytohavethe balletherewherewecanseesuchstoriesexploredon beautifulbigstages.
DOWNTIME
Mydowntimeisspentatothereventsandinthetheatre, andnowsharingthatwithmyfive-year-olddaughter.Ihave setmyselfataskofamusicalamonthin2024–realisinghow muchjoytheartformstillbringsmeandhowluckyweareto havetheregionaltheatreofferthatwedo–Hamiltonwastop butwecurrentlyhaveanexcitedfive-year-oldlisteningnonstoptoAladdin.Iamnotcomplaining!
FINALLY…
BirminghamRoyalBalletperformstheworldpremiere ofLunaatBirminghamHippodromefrom3October.For furtherinformationgotohttp://www.brb.org.uk/ ■
