Birmingham living
SPOOK-TACULAR HALLOWEEN
IT’SAWRAP WINTERCOATS
HENRYWONG
FUSIONCUISINE
FULLOFGLEE RACHELBAKER
HENRYWONG
FUSIONCUISINE
FULLOFGLEE RACHELBAKER
safully-paid-upmemberofthemediaitpainsmetosaythis,buttherehas beensomemightilyill-informedcommentmadeinthepressandonradio aboutthefutureofBirminghaminrecentweeks.Yes,weallhaveto acknowledgethediresituationofBirminghamCouncil’sfinances.Andyes,itwouldappeartobetheresult ofhighlyquestionablemanagementoveranumberofyears.Butthisshouldn’tbeconfusedwiththewider pictureofthecityitselfwhichshowssomeamazingpeople,businessesandorganisationsreallyflourishing. Againstthebackgroundofachallengingnationaleconomy,thisissomethingofwhichweasacityand regionshouldberightfullyproud.Ourbusinessnewspageseachmonthhighlightmorecompaniesopening upinandaroundBirmingham,sothere’sstillplentyofinvestmentcomingin.
AndwhataboutthenewspieceIreadwhichreportedBirminghambeingnamedEventDestinationofthe YearattheEN(ExhibitionNews)SupplierAwardsaheadofloadsofothercitiesandcountries,suchas Miami,Spain,Greece,JapanandDubai.
Ofcourse,theLondon-centricnationalmedianevermissesanopportunitytoknockourcity.Ireadone particularlydamningpiecebyadailypapercolumnist,whowrote:“Birminghamusedtobeemblematicof Britishinnovation.”Notethewords‘usedtobe’.Whatcomplete,uninformedtosh!Birminghamisas innovative,pioneering,entrepreneurialandcutting-edgeasever.Arguablymorethanever.Justlookatthe numberofhi-techpioneersandleadersbasedinthearea,withmorearrivingbythemonth.Thatdoesn’t soundlikeafailingcitytome.
BirminghamtheCouncilmaybeamess,butBirminghamtheCityisdoingjustfine…
Coverimage: KarenCarney
EDITOR: DavidJohns david@brumliving.co.uk FEATURESEDITOR: ShelleyCarter shelley@brumliving.co.uk
DESIGNER: TracyDuffy
CONTRIBUTORS: SueCooke,KatieGardner,AdamKirtland ACCOUNTMANAGER: JaneMorris jane@brumliving.co.uk
PHOTOGRAPHY: DavidMorphew,AndrewLlewellyn PUBLISHINGDIRECTOR: JonathanCarter
SUBSCRIPTIONS: Thesubscriptionrate(postpaid)is£24foroneyear(12issues).Subscriptions01905771110ISSN2051-8560
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Highlights
KarenCarney
Ex-EnglandfootballertalksLionesses, women’ssport…andbeingatrueBlue
BirthdayBull
Alookback–andforward–astheBullring celebrates20yearsastheheartofBrum
Food&Drink
ChefTuckWengLeeofHenryWonggoes full‘fusion’,plusnews,reviewsandwine
Health
Thinkpink!BreastCancerAwarenessMonth highlightshowtodetectanddefeatdisease
Style
Fromschoolruntoswankysoiree,acoatcan transformanoutfitfromordinarytostand-out
Homes
Theonce-trendywhitekitchenisout–and colourfulcarpentryandrichmarblingisin!
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Gardening AdamKirtlandhunkersdownwithOctober jobs–andplansforabrilliantSpring2024
Motoring Wattacharmer!SueCooketestsSkoda’s newcutting-edgeelectricEnyaqCoupe
Young,Gifted&Brummie
You’vegottolaugh…RachelBakeronbeing recognisedasanemergingcomedytalent
BusinessNews
Thismonth’sstoriesfromcommercial community,plusSocialSceneevents
What’sOn
Latestfromcity’stopshowsandgigsin ourround-upofthismonth’sevents
UpClose
DanielBridgewaterofUK’sonlytickets andactivitiessubscriptionserviceBuckt
BirminghamRoyalBallethasraised thecurtainonVirtualStage–a tech-focusedprojecttobringdance tolifeinnewways.Developed withCanonandRiVR,itwillallow theBRBteamtodiveintotheworld ofimmersivetechnologies, featuringcontentthatexploresthe differentwaysthatAR,VR,3D mappingandMotionCapturecan enhanceexperiencesand interaction.BRBdirectorCarlos Acostasaid:“Iamexcitedabout thepossibilitiesthisworkhasfor reachingyoungerandnew audiencesacrosstheglobe.”
headlineshows,beginninginher homecityattheO2Academyon 7November.Afterclimbingthecharts withhersummersingleLittleThings, JorjareleasedFallingorFlying,a soulfulofferingtakenfromherhighly anticipatedsecondalbumofthesame name.Inadditiontoreleasingthenew single,Jorjaalsounveiledthetracklist forthealbumwhichwillinclude featuresfromBritishrapperJHusand JamaicansingerLilaIke
BRINGINGYOUTHEBRIGHTEST ANDMOSTCOLOURFUL STORIESFROMACROSSTHE CITYEACHMONTH
EnglandrugbystarsJamesHaskellandMike TindallaregettingbackonthetourbusforaWorld CupAfterPartyastheybringtheirhitpodcastThe Good,TheBad&TheRugbybacktoBirmingham. TheduowillteamupwithformerSkySports’ rugbypresenterAlexPayneattheAlexandraon Monday,13Novemberaspartofa17-venuetour. TheGood,TheBad&TheRugbyhasbecomethe world’sbiggestrugbyshowwithmorethan 12millionlistensand50millionviewsonline.
KarmaChameleonlegend,BoyGeorge,istakingonanew roleasCaptainHookinPeterPanatResortsWorldArena from22to24December.TheadaptationofJMBarrie’s talepromisesaspectacularspinonthetimelessclassic adventure.BoyGeorgesaid:“I’mreallylookingforwardto showingoffmyevilside!”Theshowfeaturescirque performers,aerialstunts,agiantbattlewheretheaudience throwcannonballsatHook’sship,andadeath-defying escapefromawatertank.
Feelingbrave?DigbethpartyvenueLunaSpringsislaunchingacustombuiltscaremazethisHalloween.Immersivehorrorexperience
MELTDOWNisdesignedaroundanabandonednuclearfacilityinthe heartofBirmingham’sindustrialdistrict.Alongsidethesoundofdistant alarms,therewillbeliveactorskeepinganyonewhodarestoenteron theirtoes.Preparetobe‘a-mazed’from18Octoberto4November. Strictly18+only.Age14+sessionseverySundaytoWednesday,4pm7pm.Mustbeaccompaniedbyapayingadult.
BirminghamHippodromeandBullringandGrandCentralwelcomed morethan125,000peopletoitsfreefamily-friendlyfestival, BirminghamWeekender.Apackedprogrammefeaturedinstallations, interactiveexperiencesandenergeticperformances.Highlights includedagiantswingsetonCentralStreet,spectacularstage curatedbyyoungpeopleatRotundaSquare,andtheLumini–an inflatablewalk-throughwhichhostedworkshops,includingyoga, sensorysessionsandAfricandrumming.Thefestivalculminated withWeekenderCarnival,amusicalanddancecelebration.
Aspecialconcertwillbepullingoutallthe stopstocommemorateThomasTrotter’s40 yearsasBirminghamCityOrganist.Thomas, whowasawardedtheQueen’sMedalfor Musicin2020,isamongtheworld’smost celebratedorganistsandonlytheseventh toholdthepositioninBirminghamsinceit wascreatedin1834.B:Musicwillhosta concerttocelebratetheanniversaryat SymphonyHallonFriday6October.
AninflatablewhalenamedWalterhastakenupresidenceatMoseleyRoad BathsoverlookingBalsallHeath’sLivingRoomintheGalaPool.Walterhas alongassociationwithBalsallHeath–originally,hewasanenormous sculptureatMalvernStreetAdventurePlayground.ArtistandcuratorTim MillsworkedwiththepublictocreatetheinflatableversionofWalter, referencingtheapparatusofaswimmingpoolandaplayfulnodtothe importanceofwaterinourlives.
Anaward-winningmusic producerwhohasworked withsuperstarssuchas
RobertPlant,GraceJonesand CelineDion,hasreleasedhis firstsinglein30years. Wolverhampton’sGavin Monaghanisatwo-timewinningBMAProducerofthe YearandStudiooftheYear, whohassoldmorethan20 millionrecordsandbeen awardedover30goldand platinumalbums.Thesingle,I WantWhatIWant,isbynew band,MAMAft.Antonella.A secondsingle,RealGirl,has alsobeenreleasedwitha videofilmedinBirmingham.
Alwayswantedtocreateyourowndreampad?KevinMcCloudand theGrandDesignsLiveteamwillhaveideasgaloretohelpyouwhen theUK’stophomedesignandinnovationexhibitionreturnsto Birmingham’sNECfrom4to8October.Thisyear’sshowfeatures exhibitorsinfourdifferentsectors–build,kitchensandbathrooms, gardensandinteriorswithexpertguestshostingstagetalks. Architects,buildingsuppliersandkitchenandbathroomdesignerswill alsobeonhandtogiveadvice.Theexhibitionwillalsoshowcase somewaystomakegreenlivingaccessibleforall.
BirminghamhasbeennamedastheUK’ssecondwittiestcity. Brumearneditsplacebehindtable-toppingBelfastinasurvey whichlookedattheartofbanteramongthepopulation–encompassingcleverretorts,self-deprecatinghumourand amiablejests.TheresearchwascarriedoutforPreply,a languagesharingplatform.Brummieswererevealedtobebig onusingsarcasmandironyintheirday-to-dayconversations, withoneinfivesayingtheylovedpokingfunatothers!
TheundisputedQueen ofBritishSoul, Wolverhampton’svery ownBeverleyKnight,is comingtotownto celebrateher50th birthday.Beverleywill taketothestageat SymphonyHallon4 Novemberaspartofa special20-dateUKtour. Togetherwithherlive band,shewillperform herclassichitsandfan favouritesalongwith somenewsongs. Beverleysaid:“Thereis nothingliketheenergy ofaliveaudience showingloveinreturn foryougivingthem everythingyou’vegot.”
GolferRobertRockcarriedoffabarrow-load ofcashafterwinningthe90thanniversaryof theFarmfoodsBritishPar3,heldatNailcote Hall.Robert,whoalsowonthetitlebackin 2001,claimedthefirst-placeprizeof50,000 eurosafteredgingoutJarmoSandelinand MattCourtwithascoreofeightunderpar. Hewasalsopartofthewinningteamevent, partneringLeeGodfreytoa14underpar score. SeeSocialScene
Birmingham’sfavouriteHalloweeneventisreturningtoCannonHillPark.Spooky WellyWalkisbackonSaturday28October,conjuringupfang-tasticfunforallthe family.Idealforchildrenagedthreetoeight,awiderangeofHalloween-themed activitiesincludethebugfestbeautyparlour,creepycrafts,spookystorytimeand slimemaking.Ticketsare£6or£20forafamilyoffour,withunder-2sfree.All profitsgototheRoyCastleLungCancerFoundation.
SolihullartistCharlieKirkhamwasselectedaspartof thefirstRoyalBirminghamSocietyofArtists’ DrawingPrizeexhibition.Herinkdrawing,The VillagersDecide,ispartofaseriesofworksonthe themeofStGeorgeandtheDragon,a contemporarytakeonthetraditionalEnglish folktale.Charlieusestraditionalink drawingandlaseretchingtocreate artworkthatmergesoldandnewthemes. TheexhibitionisattheRBSAGalleryin BrookStreetuntil15October.Entryisfree.
TheUK’sbiggestregionalpantomimehas addedmorestarnamestoitsline-upfor thisChristmas.SamanthaWomack,best knownasTVsoapEastEnders’Ronnie Mitchell,andBrummielocalAlexanda O’ReillyjoinBirmingham’sownThis MorningstarAlisonHammondandMatt SlackinJackandtheBeanstalkat BirminghamHippodrome.Thepanto whichwillfeaturesetsandcostumesfrom theLondonPalladium,runsfromSaturday 16DecembertoSunday28January.
GOTANYNEWS? Emailyournewsand picturestoeditor@brumliving.co.uk
EightWestMidlandsartists createdtheirBullring&Grand Centralofthefuture,bringingto lifehowtheiconicdestination couldlookintwodecades’time. Theretailandleisurecentre collaboratedwithBirmingham DesignFestivaltomarkits20th anniversary.RavnitaRayetwho hasworkedwiththelikesofNike, HarveyNicholsandTimberland, createdTheTakeover,pictured,a digitalillustrationofthecityof Birminghamwithafuturistictwist. SeeBirthdayBull,page14
THEREAREPLENTYOFHIGH-PROFILEBRUMMIESTO SHOUTABOUT–INDEEDWEDOITFREQUENTLY–BUTNONEMOREIMPRESSIVEORLIKEABLETHAN FORMERENGLANDFOOTBALLERANDCHAMPION
If,likeus,youbecamecompletelyobsessedwiththeLionesses’ worldcupcampaign,youcan’thavefailedtonoticeformer EnglandstalwartKarenCarney’ssmartanalysisaswellasher liltingWestMidsaccent.Notonestopassupanopportunityto chattoaninspiringBrummie,wegotintouch.
KarengrewupinSolihullandisalifelongBluesfan–ourMD isaVillansoitwastouchandgowhetherthispiecewouldrun! Sheadmitsshedidn’tgetachoicecomingfromamassive BirminghamCityfamilyandsaysthatfrombirth,hersupportfor theclubwas‘non-negotiable’.“We’reallBirminghamCitythrough andthrough.”
Ofcourse,itwasn’tagiventhatKarenwouldplaythegame–mostpeoplecheerfromthesidelinesafterall,butonceshe’dkicked aball,shewashooked.Shesays:“Iwastotallyobsessed.Iwasthe onlygirlthatplayedandIrememberateachersaying,‘thelittle one’squitegood’.Onthebackofthatpotentialtheschoolstarteda five-a-sideteamandwewonatrophy.”
Holidaycampsfollowedandherloveforthegamegrew.Every birthday,KarenreceivedanewBCFCkitaswelltheBrazil version.Sheremembers:“Wedidn’thavemuchmoney,soitwasa fakeBrazilkitforawhile!”Agedeightyears,youngKarenwas
treatedtoamascotexperienceandwalkedoutontothe pitchinherbelovedBlueskitwithherfavouriteplayer, SteveClaridgeandratherprophetically,shegottodo somepitchsidepunditrywithbigheadphonesanda microphone.Sherecalls:“Itwaswicked!”Karenmade herdebutforBirminghamCityladiesagedjust14 goingontoplayforArsenal,ChicagoRedStarsand Chelseaaswellasrepresentinghercountryfrom2005 to2019.
Karen’ssuccessistingedwithabitofsadnessasher bigsister,who’s12yearsherseniorlovedtoplay footballbutatthetime,therewasn’taplaceforherto play.Shegotinvolvedwithfootballregardless becomingafantasticambassadorforthesportcoaching andrefereeing,butKarenknowshersisterwouldhave relishedtheopportunitiesshe’senjoyed.Notthatit’s beeneasyforKaren,butatleastplayingthegamewas anoption.
Havingtocontemplateawayofearningaliving whileplayingfootballwastricky.Karenlefthomeat 16onascholarshiptoLoughboroughUniversity. Shesays:“I’mfromaproperworkingclassfamily, notacademic–smartbutnotacademic.University wouldn’thavebeenonthecardswithoutfootball andsport.”
AfterLoughborough,Karenstartedinterviewingin Birminghamcitycentreforreceptionistroles.She remembers:“Icamehomeandsaidtomymom‘Idon’t wanttodothis.IwanttogotoAmerica’.Iworkedhard inthegymandintheparkandgotdraftedtoChicago RedStars.”KarenmovedtotheUSfortwoyearsona professionalcontractbeforecomingbacktoBCFC.
Mediaworkcroppedupquiterandomlyduringa periodofinjuryatBirminghamCity.Shesays:
“Womenweren’treallyinthemediacommentingon football,soIcreditBluesandRadioWMforhavingthe foresight.IstartedtocovergameswhileIwasinjured andlearnedquicklythatpreparationiskeyinliveTV andradio–anythingcanhappen.”
Karensaysshe’sattackedeverythingshe’sdonewith ‘passionandhardwork’andthat’scertainlyevidentoff thepitchaswellasonit.Postherplayingcareer,she’s flourished.AswellashervisibleTVworkandsports journalismshe’sgainedamastersandanMBA,she championswomen’ssportateveryopportunity,not leastchairingasignificantGovernmentreviewlooking attheuniquechallengesfacedbygirlsandhowto overcomethose.
Sheworksasabusinessconsultantandaspeaker anddoesitallwithwarmth,humilityandgratitude. She’stheultimatefemalerolemodelofwhich, thankfully,thereareanumberinfootballtoday.Karen says:“Ifyouaskedmysisterwhoherfemalerole modelswereinfootball,shewouldn’thavehadone. My16-year-oldniececouldnamelots.”
DespitenowlivinginLondon(we’lloverlookthat), KarenwillalwayscallBirminghamhome.“I’mjustso proudofthepeopleingeneralandI’dliketodomore stuffinthecity–notnecessarilyfootballrelated.Iwant tohelpBirminghamanywayIcan.Ialwayswantthe citytothriveandwantthebestforit.” ■
TheBullringiscelebratingits20thanniversarywhichhasseen itgrowfromaretailcentreintoamulti-culturalvenuewith oneoftheworld’smostrecognisablepiecesofartatitsheart
Nexttimeyou’repassingtheBullinthe Bullring,givehimapatontheheadand wishhimHappyBirthday.It’s20years sincehetookupresidenceinthethennewly-opened Bullring,andwhatstartedoutasverymucha destinationforshoppershasbecomeacentrenot onlyforretailbutforleisure,thearts,food, celebration…andmuchmore.So,wedecideditwas onlyrighttomarkthisimportantanniversary ourselvesthismonth!
WhentheBullringopenedin2003itwasoneof Europe’slargestcitycentreretailregeneration projects,helpingrevitaliseBirminghamcitycentre, connectingimportantstreetswhilespearheadingthe regenerationofbothNewStreetandMoorStreet stationsandthesurroundingareas.Itcreatedanew meetingpointandcivicheartforthecity.
ThedramaticbronzeBull,weighing6tonnesand standing2.2metreshigh,createdbysculptorLaurence Broderick,becamenotonlythesymbolofthenew Bullringlocally,butalsoofthecityitselfnationallyand
globally.Onopeningday,theBullringwelcomed 276,000customers–todaymorethan30million visitorscometothecentreeveryyear.Famousfaces haveincludedVictoriaandDavidBeckham,Peter Andre,GirlsAloud,JLSandMcFlytonamebutafew. TheBullringhasplayedasignificantrolein Birmingham’seconomicgrowthinbothsupporting employmentandattractingvisitorsfromnearandfar.
TobyTait,directorofassetmanagementofBullring ownersHammerson,said:“We’veevolved considerablyduringour20years.Wesitattheheartof thecity’ssocial,culturalandartsprogrammeand todayyou’rejustaslikelytovisitustoshopinZara andSelfridgesasyouaretoparticipateinBirmingham WeekenderorBSideHipHopFestival.”
ApartnershipwithBirminghamHippodromesix yearsagohasbeeninstrumentalinrealising ambitionsandchangingtheperceptionofthe BullringandGrandCentralfromaplacewhere
customerscomeonlytoshop.“Overtheyearswe havedeliveredsomefantasticevents,including BirminghamWeekender,B-SideHipHopFestival andIt’sCarnivalwhichhaveallcreatednew reasonsforpeopletovisit,”saidToby.
“Apersonalhighlightwasoursponsorshipofthe CommonwealthGameslastyear.Thiswasaproud momentforBirminghamandshowedtheworld howfantasticthiscityis.Throughourpartnership, weprovidedasuiteofchargingpointswithin Bullring’scarparkfortheGames’officialfleetof electricvehicles–supportingtheambitiontobethe mostsustainableCommonwealthGamesyet.”
The20-yearlandmarkcomesamidabigyearfor theBullringandGrandCentralwithexcitingnew conceptsandleadingbrandsintheoffing.New entertainmentandleisurebrandsincludeSandbox VR,Lane7andTOCASocial,alongsidehigh-profile retailersincludingM&S,Bershka,Pull&Bearand WatchesofSwitzerland.
Tobyadded:“Thereareplanstore-imaginea former200,000sqftofretailspacetocreateDrum,a newwellbeingdesignedofficespacecomplementing theexistingfoodandsocialhubinGrandCentraland theretailandentertainmentbrandsBullringhasto offer.Withanexcitingselectionofupcoming occupiers,brandpartnersandtherepurposingand introductionofDrum,alongwithourcontinued effortstoinnovate,wearepoisedtoshapethenext chapterofBirmingham’sretaillegacy.Ican’tsayfor certainwhatBullringwilllooklikein20years’time butwedon’tplantostandstillandarealready lookingaheadtoseeingBullringat40.”
Onethingisforsure–theBullringBullwill continuetoguardthecentreandremaintheundisputed emblemofBirmingham.Anddon’tjusttakeourword forit–aprestigiousWorldTop10ofpiecesofpublicart featuredBrum’sBullinitslisting,alongwiththelikes ofNewYork’sEmpireStateBuilding,Florence’s sculptureofDavidbyMichelangeloandLandseer’s lionsinLondon’sTrafalgarSquare.Now,that’swhat wecallmakingamark… ■
TheexecutivechefatHenryWongtalks‘fusion cuisine’,nameshischoiceastheworld’sbest chefanddescribesjustwhatit’sliketoeatants’ eggs–andit’snotwhatyou’dexpect!
Tellusaboutyourcooking
Iwoulddescribemystyleas‘fusioncuisine’.This isacuisinethatcombineselementsofdifferent culinarytraditionsthatoriginatefromdifferent countries,regionsorcultures.AsaMalaysian,Igrew upinamulti-culturalcountrywherethefoodreflects themulti-ethnicmake-upofthepopulation.During mytimeinMalaysia,Irealisedthatfoodisa beautifulwaytoconnectpeoplefromdifferent culturesandorigin.Thisinfluencedmydecisionto becomeacheffocusingonfusioncuisine.
Howdidyoubecomeachef?
Iwasinspiredbymymothertobecomeachef.I lovedtheinnovativewaythatshecookedwhen creatingnewdishes–blendingdifferentcuisines, experimentingwithnewingredients,spicesand techniquestocreatedishesthatarenotlimitedby traditionaldishes.EveryMalaysian’shomemust haveitsownuniquedishescreatedbythemother whichyoucan’tgetanywhereelse.
Whatdoyoueatathome?
AsaMalaysian-bornChinese,Ican’tlivewithout rice.Ricewithdifferentdishesismydailydiet
Who’sthebestchefintheworldandwhy?
GordonRamsay.Hispassion,workethicandselfconfidencehasnodoubtinspiredtheworld.Heis notonlyachef,butalsoaleader,amentor–manyof hisprotegéshavegoneontoshineontheirownand verybrightly.
Isthecustomeralways,right?
No,butnomatterifthecustomeristechnically rightorwrong,alwayslistentothecustomer feedbackandconcernsandmakesuretheyfeel heard.Everycomplaintisanopportunitytocollect valuablefeedback.
Whatwasyourfavouritefoodasakid?
Alltypesofsnacks.InMalaysia,eventhesnacks aremulti-cultural!
Foodheavenandfoodhell?
Myfoodheavenisanythingwithseafood.Food
hellcanbeanythingpreparedbyachefthathaslost passionforcooking.
What’sthemostunusualthingyou’veeaten?
Anteggs.Theytastealittlebitsourandhavea creamyandnuttyflavour.
Shareacookingtip
Thesecrettechniquetoroastthecrispyporkbelly istoapplyalayerofwhitevinegarontheporkskinto enhanceitscrispiness.Thecriticalpartistoensure thehoneyroastedporkisthoroughlymarinatedby repeatedly‘bathing’theroastporkusingthehoney glazeevery15minutesandreturningtotheoven.
Whatdoyourecommendfromthisevening’smenu?
Ourhouseroastedcrispyporkbellyandhoney roastpork.
Ifyouweren’tachef,whatwouldyoube?
Iwouldhavelovedtoplaybadmintonforaliving. Istilltrytoplayasoftenaspossible.EventhoughI didnotbecomeabadmintoncoach,mysondid! ■
BIRMINGHAM’SBARS,RESTAURANTSANDHOTELSARELOOKINGTOBOUNCEBACK.HERE’S OURINSIDERGUIDETOTHELATESTNEWSFROMTHECITY’SEATERIESANDDRINKINGDENS
ShakespeareDistilleryhaslaunchedanewRaspberryandHibiscusVodkaavailableasalimited-editionDistillerySpecial.The independentartisanspiritproducerregularlyreleasesnewspiritsasspecialeditionsinlimitedquantities.Successfulsmallbatchproducers ofginandrum,thisisonlythesecondtimetheteamhasdistilledvodka.Thenewvodka,madebyslowlydistillinghand-peeledoranges andlemons,isavailableonline,atthedistilleryshoporfromNo1HighStreet,Stratford-upon-Avon. SeeCocktailoftheMonth
Birminghamhasbeennamedthe‘BestUKCityforRooftopBars’.SkyByTheWaterand Henman&Coopercameoutassomeofthetop‘skyhigh’venuesinthecityinastudy conductedforElectricRadiatorsDirect.Thestudylookedatthenumberofvenuesversusthe population,chanceofrain,averagesummertemperatures,costofapint,airpollutionlevels andthenumberofskyscrapers,torevealthetoplocations.Birminghamishometo12 differentrooftopbars.
TheBlackSwanatHenley-inArdenofficiallyopenedits doorswitharibboncutting ceremonybytheHighBailiff ofHenley-in-Arden,Alistair Price.Thenewlyrebranded HeartwoodInns(formerlythe WhiteBrasserieCompany) tookovertheHighStreet eateryearlierintheyear beforerestoringthepub’s Tudor-frontedbuilding,and givingtheinteriora makeover,whileretaining manyofitsoriginalfeatures, includingalargeinglenook fireplace.Theinnboasts120 restaurantseats,60seatsin thebaranda100-seat garden. SeeReview,page24
VisitorstoOltonTavern,Solihullaregetting usedtoabrighter,warmernewlookafteran extensiverefurbishment.Changesincludea refreshedbar,newsoftfurnishingsandan improveddiningarea.GeneralmanagerAdrian Batessaid:“Theleveloftransformationwe’ve hadisamazingandthewholeteamhasbeen incrediblyexcitedtorevealtheOlton Tavern’snewlooktoourguests, bothnewandold.”
Award-winningPan-Asianrestaurant,BananaTree,has openedaneweateryatStMartin’sWalkintheBullring andGrandCentral,creating10newjobsandproviding newrolesfortheteamfromRouge,whichwaspreviously intheunit.BananaTreepicksthebestdishesfrom Thailand,Singapore,Indonesia,VietnamandMalaysiato featureonitsmenuincludingsoupsandsalads,woktossednoodles,stirfriesandcurries.Morethan40per centofBananaTree’smenuisplant-based.
Motorracingfansstartyourengines!F1 Arcade–theworld’sfirstofficialFormula1 simulatorracingexperience–islaunching itssecondUKvenueinBirmingham’s ChamberlainSquarethismonth.The experiencefeatures53full-motionracing simulatorsdesignedinconjunctionwithF1. OnGrandPrixraceweekends,theArcade willhostpartyexperienceswithDJshelping tocreateaworldofhighoctane,speedand entertainment.
AstonVillaCateringClubhaslauncheda freeeight-weektrainingcourseatVillaPark. Uponcompletion,participantswillreceivea HospitalityandCateringPrincipleslevel2 classification,NCAASlevel2foodhygiene classificationandLPGgassafety acknowledgement.Thecourseisbeing deliveredinpartnershipwithDigbethDining Club,South&CityCollege BirminghamandNCASS NationwideCaterers Association.
Thisintriguingly-namedcocktailhasbeencreatedto celebratethelaunchofanewlocally-producedvodka
TheShakespeareDistilleryin Stratford-upon-Avonhasjust launchedanewRaspberry andHibiscusVodkathathasalight, refreshingcitrusbase.Tocelebrate,the distillery’sexpertmixologist,Sam,has createdthisfreshandfruitycocktail.As always,pleaseenjoyresponsibly. ■
INGREDIENTS:
■ 50mlRaspberryandHibiscusVodka
■ 20mlpeachschnapps
■ 100mlcranberryjuice
METHOD:
Fillahighballorrocksglasswithice.Add vodka,peachschnappsandcranberry juice.Garnishwithfreshraspberriesora limewedgeandasprigofmint.
Formorerecipesanddetails aboutShakespeareDistillery, visit:shakespearedistillery.com
significanceofthebears,butyoucould.
Theinterior’sfreshwithanattractivetiledfloor, foliageandlemonshangingfromtheceilinganda hugeshow-stoppingpizzaoveninanopenkitchen. Staffwerefriendlyandenthusiastic–theplacehad beenopenforsixweekswhenwevisitedsoearlydays, buttherearemoresitesacrossBirminghamsoit’snot completelynew.
Itwouldhavefeltwrongnottosamplethepizza giventheimpressiveoven,soweorderedtwo.The basewasbrilliant–soft,charredandblistered–just howwelikeit.Thebest-sellingParadisopizzawas heavyonthetoppingsrangingfromsweetbeetroot creamandfreshchillitowaferthinchickenand24 caratgoldleaf–yesthat’sright.Allinall,ittasted great.Thesweetbeetrootcreamwhichsoundedodd, workedatreatwiththeheatofthechilli.Therewasa tonneofmozzarellasoifyoulikeanespeciallycheesy pizza,thisisforyou.Thegoldleafisabitgimmicky butperhapsthat’sthepoint–it’sabitoffunand probablyveryInstagrammable.
ThentherewastheCapricciosawithfreshartichoke hearts,punchyolivesandsaltyham.Again,itwas seriouslycheesy.Therewerethreedipsforscoopingup themoreishcrust–garlic,tomatoandchilli.Beware,
thechilliversionmightjustblowyourheadoff!The waitressrecommendedchipsloadedwithgratedtruffle andparmesan.Wewouldn’tnormallyorderchipswith pizza,butwewereconvincedandtheyweregreat, especiallywithadollopofthegarlicdip.
Aswellaspizza,there’spastaandabrunchmenu serveduntil3pmfullofappealingdisheslikeburrata withhotspicyhoney,asupergreenomelettewithfeta, spinachandchilliflakesandcroissantsloadedwith smokedsalmon,poachedeggandmascarpone.
It’sworthmentioningthere’snoalcoholat Paradisoandthere’snobring-your-ownoptionwhich isnotanissuebutit’sgoodtoknowinadvance.We sampledaSoberGinandtonicwhichwasgoodplus there’snon-alcoholicwineandbeer,too.
Inthecontextoftheincrediblepizzaavailablein thecity,theofferingatParadisoisn’ttopdrawer. Havingsaidthat,thedoughisdefinitelyupthere.It’s earlydays–there’stimetopolishtheexperienceand we’llcertainlybebacktosamplebrunch. ■
Chocolateboxperfectandbrimmingwithkerb appeal,Henley-in-Ardenisnotshortoffood haunts.Thehighstreetlooksnothinglikeyour currentaverageUKhighstreet,sounsurprisingly, investmentisincoming.
TheBlackSwan,onceacosypubwithamassivecar park,hasbeengivenanextensivemakeover.Theresultisa largerearextensionhousingabeautifuldiningroom,plus agardenareacarvedoutofwhatwasonceparking.There’s stillparkingoutbackbutonalessinvasivescale.Thecosy puboutfrontremainsandwaspackedwithcharacterand punterswhenwevisited.Thediningroom’seasy,relaxed andcoolwithaFrenchbistrovibeoverlookingapatiowith colourfulparasols.
Ourwaiterwasutterlycharming,smileyand knowledgeable.Wedidn’tneedmuchpersuadingtodive intoacarafeofrose–theperfectamountfortwoatlunch orasourwaitersuggested,perfectifyourpreferencesdiffer enablingyoutoindulgeinoneofeachflavour.Wedidn’t butit’sagoodpoint.
Weexpectedthemenutobecomfortingpubclassicsand there’scertainlyanelementofthat,butit’smuchmore inventivethanpubgrub.Forinstance,astarterofperfectly oozingburratawithsweettomatoesandapunchylovage andbasilpestowasservedwithashotofessenceoftomato tobesippedalongsidethefood–itwasintenseand enhancedthedish.Simplebuteffective.
Thentherewasbeetrootdonethreeways–candied, roastedandworkedintoasweetgelservedalongsidecubes
ofdeepfriedgoat’scheeseinbreadcrumbs,guacamoleand balsamiccream.Itsoundsabitconfusedwhenwritten downlikethat,buttastedbrilliantandlookedpretty.
Ourmaincourseswereabitmore‘pubby’intermsof sizeaswelltheme,butstilldelicioussuchastender,rich shortribofbeefwithdauphinoisepotatoes,greensanda tastygravyandaflavourpackedfishcaketoppedwithasoft poachedeggandalovelybutterysaucewithwelcome tartnessfromcapers.Dessertsarenotourthing,buta pistachiosoufflewinkedvigorously.Thewaitergaveusa tipandsuggestedswitchingtheaccompanyingchocolate icecreamwiththehoneycombvarietyanditwassuperb.
Soenjoyablewaslunch,weleftHenleyfeelingenvious ofthelocals.Forcontext,wehaveatiredpubattheendof ourroadwhichisnothingliketheBlackSwansowe’ve caughtourselvesday-dreamingofasimilaroverhaul. There’snosignofitsofar,butweliveinhope. ■
THISMONTHKATIEGARDNEROFBIRMINGHAMWINESCHOOLLOOKSATTHEGROWING POPULARITYOFORANGEWINES–WHICHDESPITETHENAMEHAVENOTHINGTODOWITHORANGES
Inrecentyears,thewineworldhaswitnesseda remarkableshiftinpreferences,withasurgein popularityoforangewinesandabroaderembrace ofthenaturalwinemovement.Thisshiftrepresentsa departurefromconventional,oftenheavilyprocessed, winestoamoreancientandholisticapproachto winemakingthatemphasisesminimalintervention,a returntotraditionaltechniques,andacelebrationof authenticity.
Orangewines,alsoknownasskin-contactwinesor amberwines,arenotwinesmadefromorangesbutare essentiallywhitewinesmadelikeredwines.Whatsets themapartistheextendedcontactbetweenthegrape skinsandthejuiceduringfermentation.Thedurationof skincontactvariesbutcanrangefromafewdaysto severalmonths,dependingonthewinemaker's preferences.Thisprocessnotonlyaddscolourbutalso impartsflavoursandaromasthatareabsentin conventionallymadewhitewines.Expectnotesofdried fruits,tealeaves,andexoticspices,alongwithapleasantly grippytexturefromthetanninsfoundintheskins.
Thepracticeofmakingorangewinesharksbackto ancientwinemakingtraditions.Infact,beforetheadvent ofmodernwinemakingtechniques,thiswasthestandard
approach.Beforethearrivaloftemperature-controlled stainless-steelvats,fermentingwhitegrapeswiththeir skinswascommonpracticeinregionslikeGeorgiaand Armenia,wherethewinewasburiedinclayvesselscalled ‘qvevri’forextendedperiods.Thisprocessallowedthe winetodevelopatannicstructureandanamberhue.
Orangewinesformpartofalargermovementtowards naturalwinemaking,whichessentiallymeansintervening withthewinemakingprocessaslittleaspossible.Oneof thedefiningcharacteristicsofnaturalwines,including someorangewines,istheirminimaluseofsulphites. Sulphurdioxide(SO2)isacommonadditivein winemaking,usedasapreservativetopreventoxidation andmicrobialspoilage.
However,manynaturalwinemakerschooseto minimiseoreliminateitsuse.Thisdecisionalignswith thedesiretocreatewinesthataremoreauthenticand lessmanipulated.Whilelowsulphitelevelscanmake naturalwinesmoreapproachableforthosesensitiveto sulphur,theyalsomeanthatthesewinesshouldbe consumedrelativelyquickly.
Anotherdistinctivefeatureofnaturalwinesistheir
lackoffiltration.Conventionallyproducedwinesare oftensubjectedtoheavyfiltrationtoachieveclarity andstability.Naturalwines,however,embracea certaincloudinessorhaze,whichisaresultofnot filteringoutthetinyparticlesandsediment.This minimalinterventionapproachpreservesmoreof thewine’scharacterandcanevenenhancethe overalldrinkingexperience,butitiscertainlyan acquiredtaste!
Naturalwinesareoftencloselylinkedto biodynamics.Thisisaholisticapproachtowine whichfollowstheteachingsofanagriculturalist calledRudolphSteiner.Biodynamicwinemakers believeinpruningandharvestingtheirgrapesbythe phasesofthemoonandburyingcowhornsfilled withmanuretouseasfertiliser!
Sohowaboutsomefoodpairings?Orangewineis certainlyanunusualtastingexperience,butthe flavoursandtexturescanworkbrilliantlywhen pairedwithfood.Trywithautumnalrootvegetables likeroastedbutternutsquash,pumpkinorparsnips tocomplementtheearthyflavoursofanorange wine.ItcanalsoworkwellwithMediterraneanand MiddleEastern-inspireddishessuchasmoussaka, tagine,houmousandfalafel.Forcheeses,trywitha creamyBrieasacontrastorastrongblue,asorange winestendtohavegoodaciditytobalanceoutthe saltiness. ■
■ ForzadellaNaturaOrangeWine,Sicily,Italy–Waitrose,£9.99
Agreatentryintobothorangewineandnaturalwinewiththisskin contact,unfilteredwinefromSicily.It’smadefromorganicCatarattograpes whicharenativetotheregionandhasflavoursofmelon,peachand nectarine.
■ TbilvinoQvevrisRkatsitelli,Georgia–Majestic, £13.99or£11.99onmixsix
Wantatasteofhistory?Thiswinetakesusbacktotheancientwayof fermentinginclaypots.ThegrapevarietyRkatsiteliisoneoftheoldest intheworld.It’sanamberstylewinewithnotesofapricotandpear.
■ HeinrichNakedRed,Burgenland,Austria–TheSourcingTable,£17
Thebesttypesofnaturalredwinesinmyopinionarefruityandeasy drinking.Thisbiodynamicwineisablendofthreelocalgrapes,Zweigelt, BlaufränkischandStLaurentandisbright,lightandjuicy!
■ MaceraoNaranjoOrangeWine,Chile–Waitrose,£8.99 Wanttodipyourtoeinfirst?Thisisa“not-too-funky”skin-contact winemadefromMoscatograpes.Ithasalovelybitoftextureanda hintofhoneywithoutbeingtoocomplicatedorheavy.
BirminghamWineSchoolisanindependentwineeducationcompany thatoffersfuninformalwinetastingeventsandWine&Spirit EducationTrust(WSET)coursesonline,inBirminghamandWarwick. FormoreinformationcontactKatieGardneron01212707359orvisit www.birminghamwineschool.com
ThismonthwillseethousandsoffundraisingeventstakeplaceacrosstheUK–includingrighthereinBrumandtheWest Midlands–toraiseawarenessandmuch-needed fundstofightbreastcancer.It’satime,morethan anyother,whentheworldturnspink!
Oneofthekeymessagesofthemonthishighlighting thesignsandsymptomsandtohelpyouunderstand whatbreastchangestolookoutfor.Everyone’sbreasts aredifferent–theycanchangewithageandatdifferent timesofthemonth.Whenyouknowhowyourbreasts normallylookandfeel,itwillbeeasiertospotifthere areanyunusualchangesforyou.
Pickingupabnormalitiesasearlyaspossibleis vital,whichmeansit’simportantthatwomenselfexamineregularlyandknowwhattolookfor. Throughoutalifetimethelevelsofthefemale hormonesoestrogenandprogesteronevary,causing thebreaststochange.
Foryoungerwomen,thebesttimetoself-examine thebreastsisaboutthreetofivedaysaftertheperiod startsbecausebreastsarenotastenderorlumpyat thistimeinthemonthlycycle.Womenwho’vegone throughmenopauseshouldexaminetheirbreastson thesamedayeverymonth.
Toself-examine,placeyourrighthandbehind yourhead.Withthemiddlefingersofyourlefthand, gentlyyetfirmlypressdownusingsmallmotionsto examinetheentirerightbreast.Next,sitorstand. Feelyourarmpit,becausebreasttissuegoesintothat area.Gentlysqueezethenipple,checkingfor discharge.Repeattheprocessontheleftbreast.
Thenstandinfrontofamirrorwithyourarmsby
yourside.Lookatyourbreastsdirectlyandinthe mirror.Lookforchangesinskintexture,suchas dimpling,puckering,indentations,orskinthatlooks likeanorangepeel.Alsonotetheshapeandoutlineof eachbreast.Checktoseeifthenippleturnsinward. Dothesamewithyourarmsraisedaboveyourhead.
1. Alumponoraroundthebreast.Thismaynotbe seenbutmightbefelteitherinthebreast,upper chestorarmpit.
2. Persistentlumpyareaorunusualthickeningofthe breasttissue.
3. Anyconstantpaininpartofthebreastorarmpit.
4. Changeinsizeorshapeofeitherofthebreasts.
5. Rednessorrashontheskinthatlookslikeeczema.
6. Changeinappearanceordirectionofthenipple onthebreast.
7. Nippledischargefromthebreast. Ifyoudospotanyunusualchangestoyourbreasts youshouldgetthemcheckedoutbyyourdoctor.
Every10minutes,someoneintheUKhearsthe words“youhavebreastcancer”.Bytakingpartin wearitpink,youcouldhelpfundalife-saving researchbreakthrough.Youcouldgivesomeone informationtheycanrelyonwhentheyneeditmost. Ordriveforwardvitalcampaigning,tomakesure everyonelivingwithbreastcancergetsthebest possibletreatmentandcare. ■
FormoredetailsonBreastCancerAwarenessMonthand wearingpinktoraisemoneyandhelpfundlife-changingbreast cancerresearchandsupportvisit,wearitpink.org
FROMSCHOOLRUNTOSWANKYSOIREE,ACOATCANTRANSFORM ANOUTFITFROMORDINARYTOSTAND-OUTINAJIFFY
Happiestwhencocoonedincashmereor sportingthepuffiestofpuffers,weare cock-a-hooptobetalkingcoats.Classic andchicorcoolandedgy?Whichareyou?
Realisticallywe’reprobablyabitofbothdepending onthemoodandtemperature.
Ontheclassicside,it’sbeneficialtohaveatimeless camelwoolcoatinyourarmoury–itwillworkwith therestofyourwardrobewhatevertheoccasion. Dressdownwithsneakersorupwithachicbootor killerheels.Ifyoubuyadecentversionandlookafter it,youcouldbewearingitfordecades.Stella McCartneyandMaxmaraarewinningattheluxury endofthemarketwhileyoucanpickupgood cheaperversions(somepicturedhere)ifyou’rehappy toforgoquality,cutandlongevity.Ifyou’refeeling flush(anyone?)afewlongwoolcoatsindifferent colours/patternsisafabwaytoshakeupaclassic lookandaddmoreinterest.
Quiltingisalwayswelcomeinacoldsnapnone moresothanthehighshine,longlengthBarbour Marsett(pictured)servingupstyleandsubstancein spades.Aswellasthestrikingfinish,cinchedcuffsand astatementcollartakeitupastylenotchor10.Ifyou’re intobuyingclothingwhiledoingthebigshop,George
atAsdahasamutedgreenquiltedjacketthatdoesn’thavethewow oftheBarbourbutcouldbeacuteadditiontoyourouterwear wardrobe,whiletheshortmetallicversionatTU(pictured)hasan edgydesignervibethatdefiesit’ssupermarketpricetag.
TeddycoatsareabitofaMarmitetrendthatwethought wouldbeaoneseasonwonderbutlookssettostay.Isabel Maranthaselevatedthefluffycoattochicwiththeadditionof oldschoolduffelbuttonsandacutehood.Fromapracticalpoint ofview,getyourselfalongRainswaterproofcoatforthe inevitablegreatBritishdownpour.Ourshasneverfailedus. Greatlength,perfecthood,dryasaboneevenintorrentialrain. Werecommendsizingdownasthey’reparticularlyroomy.
Ifyou’reafterashowstopperratherthanmerepracticality, takealookatstatementsleevesandinventiveshapes.Jacquemus LeManteauCroissantcoat(pictured)isagreatexample.It oozeseffortlesschicandconfidence.Yes,it’saninvestmentpiece butitwilllastalifetime.
There’snogettingawayfromthefactthatreallygreat outerwearispricey.Wetendtoevaluatewhatwehaveeach autumnandperhapsaddonecoatintothecollectionperyear–notnecessarilyaninvestmentpiece.It’sgreattobefrivolousand acceptthatacoatwon’tlastalifetime,butitwasfunwhileit lasted.Nobody’ssuggestingoverhaulingyourentirecoatrack withinvestmentpieceseverywinter.
Finally,considerdonatingyouroldouterwear.Youmight thinkit'spastit’sbestbuttherearemanycharitiesinthecitythat arecryingoutforwarmclothingaswinterapproaches.
HEAVY METAL Metallicgreenquilted coat£40,TUClothing
CUTE QUILT Quiltedparka£35, George HIGH SHINE PremiumMarsettquilt £369,Barbour
MINIMUM FUSS
Solidlong-lineformal camelcoat£32,George
CAMEL CREW
Woolcoat£199, CrewClothing
COOL KHAKI
CoatfromMatalan
SHAPE SHIFTER
JacquemusLeManteau
Croissantfeltcoat£1,540, HarveyNichols
THINK PINK
Fauxsuedecoat £20,Primark
CUT ABOVE
StellaMcCartney doublebreasted woolcoat£1,550, HarveyNichols
LAPELS FORLIFE
TedBakerRoseanne beltedherringbone woolcoat£325,Selfridges
TERRIFIC TRENCH
Stonecheck beltedtrench £59.99,NewLook
LONG GAME
Papayared checkcoat £48,Matalan
BE SQUARE
Dogtoothlongline formalcoat£20, George
CHECK MATE
NewYork-stylecoat £95,JoeBrowns
EARNYOUR STRIPES
Diagonalstripe bondedcoat£115, OliverBonas
EVERYDAYHAIRCAREDUO,AFACEOILTHATPACKS APUNCH,ADREAMYCOLLABANDCALMINGCBD
OILTHATNIPSJANGLINGNERVESINTHEBUD
1.BIOSSANCESQUALENE+VITAMINCROSEOIL,£57BIOSSANCE.COM
WereceivedthisinminiatureformfromCultBeautyaswe’realoyalcustomer.Translation: wespendfartoomuchmoneyonCultBeauty.Thataside,weuseduptheminiatureand we’reontooursecondbottle.It’sfantastic.Youneedthetiniestamount–halforevena thirdofadropper–Isupposemoreifyouhavedryskin.Playaroundwithitandfindyour level.Wewentforafulldropperinitiallyandfeltabitslipperyallday,buthalfunderour usualmoisturisergivesahealthy,youthfulglow,butmorethanthat,skinisgenuinely hydratedandnourished–itdoesn’tjustlookit.Weuseitmorningandevening.
2.ARKIVEALLDAYEVERYDAYSHAMPOOANDCONDITIONER,£12EACHFROM BOOTS.COM
Apartfromthefactthesquarebottleslookstylishonthebathroomshelf,theyoutperformtheir pricetagbyamile.Theshampoodoesn’tlatheruploadsbutdon’tletthatputyouoff.A trichologistoncetoldusarichlatherisasignofcheapnasties,sotakeitasapositive.Baobab oilnourishesthescalpwhiletheBoababproteinstrengthenshairandnaturalbetaineboosts shine.It’sreasonablypricedtoosoyoudon’tneedtohideitfromthekids!
3.TRIPWILDMINTANDCHAMOMILECBDOIL,£18DRINK-TRIPP.COM
Ifyou’repronetoabitoftwitchiness–I’mreluctanttocallitanxietyasthatmightbelittle actualanxiety,morelow-levelstress–thenthisisgreat.We’renotmedicssodoyour research,butwefindhalfadropperfirstthinginthemorningnipsanyjanglingfeelingsin thebud.Potentiallyjusttheroutineofdoingitiscalmingbutwe’refinewiththattoo.If youdon’tknowwhatwe’retalkingabout,youdon’tneedit.
Ordinarilywedon’twriteaboutproductswehaven’tsampled,butwe’rebreakingthatrule withacollaborationwe’retooexcitedaboutnottoshare.Bythetimeyoureadthis, itwillbealreadyontheshelvesandwereckonyou’llneedtomovefast.Naturalskincare wizardSuzanneKaufmannhasteamedupwithBenGorhamofluxuryfragrancebrandByredo tocreateadeeplymoisturisingscentedoil.Bestmassagedintodampskinpostbathorshower, theoilispackedwithantioxidantsandplantoilsandfragrancedwithjasmineandsweetfigs.
LOOKINGHOTDURINGACOLDSNAPISADODDLE WITHTHISSEASON’SSTYLISHOUTERWEAR
SUPERSMART
Doublebreasted herringbonecoat£195, JohnLewis
THEBOMB Thermowarmth bomber£59,M&S
We’vetrawledtherailsforsomeofthisseason’sbest coatsranginginpricefromasnipat£59toan investmentat£1,190andhere’swhatwefound.
Alongwoolcoatwillseeyouthroughthecoldweather lookingchicandputtogether.Theherringboneversionfrom JohnLewis(pictured)isslick–detailsliketheoversizedcollar andbeautifulcutmeanitdefiesitspricetag.
Wemayhavepinchedthepeacoatfromthenavyinthe 1800s,butit’sbroughtrightuptodatefor2023.Lessformal thanalongwoolcoat,it’seasiertowearbutstillsuperstylish andpractical.Speakingofpractical,awaxjacketisthe ultimateinwinterouterwear.We’veincludedanexample fromBelstaff,butequally,atrustyBarbourwillseeyou throughmanyawinter.
Acoolbomberjacketisn’tsopracticalalthoughitwill providesomeseriousstylepoints.Thehighshineversionfrom Faces+Places(pictured)istopofthewishlistandwon’t breakthebank.M&Shasintroducedwhatthey’recallingthe Thermobomberwhichdoeswhatitsaysonthetinandkeeps youtoastyaswellaslookinggood,whilelocalladLuke Roper’sWorldyquiltedjacket(pictured)isawinner.
You’llnevergowrongwithawell-cutmacandM&Shas naileditthisseason.Theneutraltanexample(pictured)is versatileaswellassmartandwilllookasstylishoffdutyas wellaswithworkwear. ■
LOCALBRAND
Luke1977Worldy darkcobaltjacket
£145,HarveyNichols
LONGLINEPUFFER
Longlinecoat £120,FatFace
RETURNOFTHEMAC
Shirtcollarmac
£69,M&S
COOLCAMEL Brownwoolblend coat£79.99,TKMaxx
HIGHSHINE
Places+FacesAngel embroideredregular fitjacket£200, Selfridges
CLASSICWAX
BelstaffTour waxjacket
£325,Selfridges
CHICSHAPE
AllSaintsherringbone panelleatherjacket
£399,Selfridges
PERFECTPEACOAT
Burberrywool blendpeacoat £1,190,HarveyNichols
KitchenbyClassicInteriorsfeaturedinslateblue classicinteriors.co.uk
Whetheryou’reoverhaulingyourkitchenor givingitarefresh,colourwillbeonyour mind.Fromdarkandmoodytobrightand light,colourishavingahotminute.Whiledeepblueis thecolourdejour,considerracinggreen,mustard yelloworonthebrighterside,aprettypastelandif you’refeelingparticularlybouji,goldcabinets.
Also,considerthenaturallight,ceilingheightand sizeofyourkitchen.Apredominantlydarkcolour mightswampasmallspacesouseitinsmalldoses–perhapsgoforanaccentwallorjustlowercabinets ratherthanthewholeshebang.
WoudAnnularpendantfromNest
BANGUPTODATE
We’renotsuggestingrippingoutyourexisting whitekitchenunlessofcourseyou’reluckyenoughto bedueanewone,butyoucaneasilyandrelatively cheaplygiveitarefresh.Tryaddingstrikingaccent colours,boldprints,brightappliancesandaccessories tobringtheheartofyourhomebanguptodate. Checkoutpage46forsomeideas.
Ifyou’replanningabrandnewkitchen,luckyyou, butremembertrendscomeandgo.Futureproofyours bynotbeingtootrendfocusedwiththefixedelements ofthedesign.Kitchensarecomplicatedandcostlywith multipletradesinvolved.Wewouldalways recommendakitchendesignerwhowillcomeupwith solutionsforyourspacethatyouwouldneverconsider withouttheirexperteyeandyearsofexperiencethere’snorealsubstituteforthat.Accessories,rugs, wallcolourandmoveableappliancescanbereplaced easily,butyou’renotlikelytoreplaceyourkitchenfora coupleofdecadesifyougetitright. ■
HEARTOFTHEHOME
KitchenbyKitchenGallerykitchengallery.co.uk
TOPTRIO
ClearglasspendantsbyFritzFryer
MINIMUMFUSS
TheHadleighinmattanthracitefromTheRange
COPPERTOP BialettiVenusinduction stovetopcoffeemaker £54,JohnLewis
INTOTHE BLUE Colander £4.99,TKMaxx
CUPBOARD OFDREAMS Hewittlarder unit£1,495, FurnitureVillage
FROMRACINGGREENTOBABYPINK,INJECTABITOFCOLOURINTO
THEHEARTOFYOURHOMEWITHTHESEGORGEOUSADDITIONS
BOWLEDOVER Three-piecemixing bowls£9,Dunelm
CAFFEINE FIX Cafetiere £8,Dunelm
RAISE YOURTOAST HaySowden toasterby Hay£99,kin
PASTEL POWER Platesfrom Dunelm
EATTHE RAINBOW Saladservers £7.99, TKMaxx
GOGREEN Avatablerunner £75,Neptune
YES,IT’SOCTOBER…ALREADY!ANDTHATMEANSSTARTINGTOTHINKABOUT THEDREADED‘W-WORD’,SAYSGREEN-FINGEREDEXPERTADAMKIRTLAND
Gosh,wheredidsummergo?Anddidsummer evengetstartedproperly?Jokingaside,we’vehad suchanoddmixtureofweatheroverthelast seasonbutultimatelyitistimetostartthinkingaboutthe dreadedW-word–Winter,andhowourgardensand
greenspaceschangeovertheseasonsofautumnandwinter. Focusingonautumnhere,I’vecompiledmytoptipsfor planningaheadNOWforafantasticshow-stoppinggarden inthenewyearandsomethingsyoumighthavenot thoughtaboutdoing…solet’sgettoit!
Nowthatwe’reoutofthesummerseason(sorry tosayit!),you’llwanttocastyoureyeoverthe gardenandthinkaboutwhatyou’vegotandif you’vegrownanythinglikeDahliasthatneedlifting. Dahlias,asyoumayknow,aregorgeousplantswith anabundanceofflowersrightthroughsummer(you mightevenhavesomestillflowering) buttheyaren’tthebestforsurvivinga longcoldwinter,whichissomething wehadlastwinter!You’vegottwo optionswhenitcomestoprotecting themandensuringyou’vegotthemfor nextyearandI’llguideyouthrough thosehere.
Thefirstoptionistoleavetheminthe groundandhopeforthebest!Thisismy leastfavouriteoptionasthereisahigh likelihoodthatyou’lllosethemtothe harshcold,evenifyougivethemathicklayerof mulch(compostisgoodforthis)thenthisisstilla possibility.Iprefertocutthemback,digupthe tubersandhoseallthesoilfromaboutthemand tuckthemawayinacrateofsawdustordrycompost andputthemsomewherefrostfreeandawayfrom sunlight.Thenyoucanbringthembackoutin springandplantthemupagain.
AlthoughI’vegotahugeloveforDahlias,myreal passioninthegardenisthespringtime–mainly becauseofspringbulbs!Thankfully,Octoberisa wonderfultimetobuyyourbulbsandplanan almightydisplaycomespring.
Ilovethechoiceyouhavewithbulbs,namely daffodilsandtulipsandifyou’recareful,itneedn’tbe anexpensiveprojecteither.Anothergoodreasontogo withbulbsisthattheyallgenerallyworkexceptionally wellinpotsandcontainers,whichmeansthatyoucan growtheminanytypeofspace,bigorsmall.
Ifthisisyourfirsttimegrowingbulbsthenyou’rein forarealtreatbecausethey’reveryeasytoplantand youlargelyjustgettositbackandwaitforthemto grow.You’llbeabletofindtonsonofferinalmostevery gardencentreandaparticularfavouriteofmineis HillierGardenCentreHampton-in-Arden!Grabafew pots,abagortwoofcompostandafewbagsofbulbs
andthat’senoughtocreateasmallclusterofpotson yourpatioforspring.Makesureyoufollowmy Instagram(@viewfromthepottingbench)forlotsof spring-timeinspiration!
Unknowingly,I’vegonedownabulbrouteinthis month’scolumnbutit’sonlybecausethey’reallso simple!However,inthissectionI’vegotsomething edibleforyouthatIbetthemajorityofyouhaven’t grown,despitethefactthatwealluseitregularlyand perhapsdon’trealisejusthoweasyitistogrow–garlic! Muchlikethebulbsofspring,itcanbeaseasyas poppingtheminapotwithsomecompostand bidingyourtimeuntilthey’rereadytoharvestnext year.Butnothingreallydoesbeatthetasteof homegrown,andgarlicisnodifferent.Again,you’ll likelyfindtheseinthegardencentretooandnowis abouttheperfecttimetogetplanting.Asaruleof thumb,individualclovesshouldbeplantedaround 5cmbelowthesurfaceofthecompostandina decentsunnyposition.Ifyouplantnow,then dependingonyourvariety–you’llhaveaharvest betweenJulyandAugustnextyear. ■
YoucanfollowAdamonInstagram@viewfromthepottingbenchor listentohisTalesFromThePottingBenchpodcastformore gardeninginspiration.YoucanalsoreadAdam’sblogat viewfromthepottingbench.com
Skodaisamostthoughtfulcompany–it’sthe onlymotormanufacturerthatincludesan umbrellainthecarasstandard,forgoodness sake!Usefulforautumnalrainydays.Drivingthe EnyaqCoupethismonthI’vefoundfeatureswhich couldonlyhavebeenintroducedbyonevery consideratedesigner.
Doorsopeneasilyfrominside,asthere’sareally handygripinthecentreofeach.Theboot,witha generouscapacityof570litres,haswidehooksthat pullouteachsidetoattachcarrierbags.AndI’venever seenawidehookcentrebackoftherearseatsbefore–sousefulforhangingalargeritemandkeepingit securewhiletravelling.
TheEnyaqisavailablewith3-Zoneairconditioningthatallowsthedrivertosetadifferent temperatureforrearseatpassengers.Andwhile they’rekeepingniceandcooltheycanalsobe
entertained,thankstoatabletholderthatclipsonto thebackofthefrontseat.
Bothsportyandelegant-looking,theEnyaq boastslargealloywheelsandastrikingrearview. It’salsoequippedwithalonglistofactiveand passivesafetyfeatures.FrontAssistmonitorsthe roadaheadandthetechnologycanapplythebrakes toavoidanaccident.Adaptivecruisecontrol watchesoutforpotentialfrontalimpactsandcan stopthecarcompletelyifnecessary.Thereareboth headlightandrainsensors.
Thecabinhasmanyusefulstandardfeatures–like gesturecontrolwhichoperatesthe13-inchcentral infotainmentsystemwithawaveofthehand.Skoda saysthattheLauradigitalvoiceassistantcan understand15languages!There’sawi-fihotspotforup
toeightdevices.IntelligentParkAssisthasanew function,wherefrequentlyaccessedparkingspacescan bestoredinthesystemandoncelearnt,theEnyaqwill automaticallyparkinthesespacesondemand.Clever!
Theinteriorisluxuriouswithqualitytrimand feelsairyandspacious.Myrearpassengers commentedonthegenerousamountofspaceinthe backandoncetheOctobersunpeekeditsheadout oftheclouds,saidthereweregreatviewsthrough thedarktintedpanoramicglassroof–it’sthelargest intheSkodarange,spanningtheentireroofand comescompletewithblinds.Thesearepartofthe ‘Clever’package.The‘Plus’packagewhichwas addedtomyroadtestcarincludesanelectrically operatedtailgatewhichcanbeopenedbymakinga kickingmotionundertherearbumper.
Thedriver’ssoftblackleatherseatisextremely comfortableandIfeltasifIwas‘gliding’ratherthan drivingwhichwasgreatforlongdistancejourneys. TheEnyaqcoupeiVisavailablewiththree performancelevels.Idrovetheversionpoweredbyan
Model: SkodaEnyaqCoupeiV
Price: £44,825otr
Power: 82kWh204PSDSG
Performance: 0-60mphin8.2secondsandontoatopspeedof99mph CO2emissions: Zero
EVrange: 339miles(WLTPcombined)
82kWhbattery.Skodahaslauncheditsfirsteverall electricvRSversionwhichwilldeliver220kW.
Theofficiallyquotedrangeis339miles,andmytest confirmedthisfigureasaccurate.Iwasalsoimpressed withtheconvenientfastchargingathome,overnight. (ThebonusofovernightchargingisthatIonlypay fivepercentVAT.)
So,inshort,Skodahasproducedapractical,easyto-driveandattractive-lookingofferingintheshapeof itsEnyaqCoupeiV.Jobdone! ■
JohnsonsSkodaBirmingham,585TyburnRoad,Erdington,B249RX. Tel:01213820077www.johnsoncars.co.uk
HavingjoinedthecomedysocietyattheUniversityof Birminghamtherisingstarbegangiggingtwoyearsago andthismonthshe’sperformingatGlee
ComicRachelBakerhasbeenshortlistedfor theBirminghamComedyFestival’s BreakingTalentAwardwhichrecognises thebestnewandemergingcomedictalentfrom acrosstheWestMidlandsandshe’s‘overjoyed’. Naturally,wenabbedRachelforachataheadofthe awardswheretheshortlistedactswillperforminfront ofjudges,includingJoEnright,attheGleeClub.
Growingup,Rachelsaysherbiginspirations wereCarolineAherneinTheRoyalFamily,Victoria WoodandJulieWalters.Racheldescribesherown brandofcomedyas‘hecticinacontrolledway’and says:“IfIhaveathought,Isayit.Igooffscriptand Isupposeit’sabitcheeky.I’mquitephysicaltaking inspirationfromcharactercomicsandI’vebeen likenedtoJenniferSaundersinAbFab.”Rachel occasionallydoesacharactercalledGwenaged47 whorunsamulti-levelmarketingschemeandhasa boyfriendaged23.Itsoundsahoot.
Audienceinteractionisagiven.Shesays:“Ilike findingthefunninessintheroom.I’vedonelotsof newmaterialnightsinBirminghamwhicharefun. TheaudienceisnotexpectingittobeperfectandI
likethefeedbackandchattingtothem.Eachgigis different.I’vejuststartedgettingmorepaidgigsso obviouslythematerialismorehoned.”
MainlygigginginandaroundBrumuntilnow, workisbeginningtocomefromfurtherafield althoughRachelsaysshemightneedtolearntodrive prontoasthetrainiscripplinglyexpensive.Theday jobatMacartsisonesheloves.Rachelsaid:“The programmeiseclecticandit’ssuchanicehubin Birmingham.SometimesI’minthecinema, sometimestheartgalleryandsometimeshelpingkids afterschool.”Itmightalsoprovidematerialasshe saysshehassomefunnyinteractions.“Peoplearejust funnyday-to-dayaren’tthey?It’sfascinatingtothink aboutwhat’sfunny.”
OftheBirminghamsceneshesaysit’sa‘reallynice community’withmanyfriendlyandinclusivespaces poppingup.BarbaraNice,akacomicJanice Connolly,hasbeenparticularlysupportive.Rachel says:“She’sbuiltacommunityandchampioned womenparticularly.ThefirstgigIdidinfrontofherI gotsuchbrilliantfeedback.”Nice’stheHareofThe DognightattheHareandHoundsisafavouriteof Rachel.Shesays:“It’sbrilliantandjoyful.There’slots ofdancingandimprovandlargelyreturnaudiences.”
Thisyear’sComedyFestivalwillbeRachel’sfirst timeperformingatGleeandshesays:“I’mreally lookingforwardtoitbutalsoabitscaredand intimidated.Afriendsaidtome‘it’sagreat opportunity,justhaveloadsoffunwithit’whichI will.SometimesI’veperformedtoanaudienceof threeorfourwhichisfun,butitwillbeatreattobe inalovelyvenuelikethis.”Intermsofthefuture, Rachelsays:“DefinitelyIwouldlikecomedynotto beahobby.” ■
CatchRachelandfellowfinalistsHasanAl-Habib,JoeBingham, JoshReynoldsandChrisYatesattheBirminghamComedyFestival BreakingTalentAward2023attheGleeClubonFriday6October. ThenightiscompèredbyJamesCookandcloseswithaspecialset fromJoshJones.Tickets£12(£10NUS)+bookingfee.Formore informationvisitwww.bhamcomfest.co.uk
AstonVillaFoundation’sVillaVisioninitiativehasbegun workwithSummitLearningTrusttoestablishthe programmeintosecondaryschools.Alreadydeliveringin fourprimaryschoolswithintheTrust,theinitiative successfullypilotedtheprogrammewithYear7students fromCockshutHillSecondarySchoolinMay,withplansto expandintoallthreesecondaryschoolswithintheTrustin the2023/24academicyear.Studentsfirsttookpartinan interactivelesson,learningabouttheimportanceofeye healthusingVRheadsetsand3Deyemodels.
LocalcollegeBMetandtheMidcountiesCo-operative haveforgedanewpartnershiptoopen-upmore inclusiveopportunitiesforstudentsintheWest Midlands.Theinitiativeissettowidenthepooloftalent withintheEarlyYearsChildcareandTraveland Tourismsectors,bydevelopingnewlearningmodules andgivingstudentsfromdiversebackgroundssupportin developingtheircareer.
Thiswilltaketheformofpracticalsupportandwork experienceopportunitieswithinMidcounties’YourCoopTravel,YourCo-opHolidaysBusinessandCo-op Childcare’sLittlePioneersnurseries.
Level3Business&FinancestudentsatSouthandCityCollegeBirmingham havecombinedhealthylivinghabitswithenterpriseacumentobuilda successfulbusinessbysellingsmoothiesfromafleetofbikes.DalbirKaur, Birmingham-basedentrepreneurandthefounderandCEOofthehealthapp Makemefitclub,hasbeenmentoringthestudentsandteachingthemkey transferrableskills,suchascommunication,problem-solving,andteamwork. Kaurandthestudentshavelaunchedsmoothiebikebusiness,Super Smoothies,toconvertclassroomeducationintoreal-worldopportunities.
WarwickSchooliscelebratingreceivingtheArtsmark PlatinumAwardfromArtsCouncilEngland.Theawardisthe onlycreativequalitystandardforschoolsaccreditedbythe ArtsCouncilandsupportsthedevelopmentandcelebration ofartsandculturaleducation,puttingcreativityand wellbeingattheheartofthecurriculum.Awardassessors praisedtheschool’sartsprovision,stating:“Pupilsare extremelyfortunatetobepartofaschoolwhichseesthe valueoftheArtssoclearlyandengageswiththe communitybeyondthesetting.”
TheEducationTeamatWestMidlandSafariParkhaswelcomedagroupof studentsaspartofaprogrammetohelpthemprogresswithuniversity applications.Thethree-dayprogramme,namedConservationPioneers,works withcollegesandsixthformstohelpstudentsgainexperienceforuniversity coursesrelatedtoecology,animalscienceandzoology.ThePark’sEducationTeam setuptheprojectfollowingresearchfromTheNuffieldFoundationwhichshows studentswhoseparentsarenotgraduatesarelesslikelytogotouniversity.
TherolesofchiefmasterofKing Edward’sSchool(KES)Birmingham andPrincipalofKingEdwardVI HighSchool(KEHS)forGirlsare beingbroughttogethertocreatea newroleofchiefmasterand principalofbothschools.Kirstyvon Malaise,KEHSprincipal,willtake upthenewpositionfrom September2024–thefirsttimein theschools’historiesthatajoint headshipappointmenthasbeen made.ThemovecomesafterDr KatyRicks,KESchiefmaster, decidedtoretireattheendofthe 2023/24schoolyear.
AllsectionsofBromsgroveSchoolwererecently inspectedbyateamfromtheIndependent SchoolInspectorateandtheSeniorSchool, PreparatoryandPre-Preparatoryhaveallbeen judgedasdouble‘excellent’bytheinspectors–thehighestpossiblegrading.Headmaster MichaelPuntsaid:“Weareabsolutely delightedthattheinspectionreportsprovide independentverificationoftheexcellent educationandcarethatweareprovidingfor childrenandyoungpeople.”
YOUNGPEOPLEINFOSTERCARESINCE2002.HERE,HALIMAANDADAMTELLTHEIRSTORYOFHOW
WELCOMINGA16-YEAR-OLDINTOTHEIRFAMILYPROVEDTOBE‘WONDERFUL’EXPERIENCE
Halima,32,andAdam,37,arethe pinnacleofa‘modern-dayfostercarer’–fosteringa16-year-oldboyalongside theirbirthchildren,anearlytwo-year-olddaughter andaneight-year-oldson.Theirstoryisabout growingtogetherasafamilyandhowwonderfully successfultheirfosteringjourneyhasbeen,butalso howit’snotnecessarilyyourtypicalstory.Justlike anyfosteringjourney,theyhavehadhighsandlows. Still,theirreflectionontheirpersonalandfamily journeyisinspiring.
Theywereapprovedasfostercarersnearlyfive yearsago,offeringrespitecareforthefirstfewyears.
“Respiteworkedverywelloriginallybecausewesaw ourselvesprovidingthisintense,fun,almostholiday experience,buildingsignificantmemoriesforthese children.”theyexplain.“Wewouldhaveaweekend orweek,anditwouldbeaholiday,andthatwaswhat wefeltcomfortablewith.Therealityisyoucanread itonapieceofpaper,butuntilyouaretryingit,it’s differentwhatcanyoustretchto.”
Afternumerousrespiteplacements,they welcomedtheirfirstlong-termchild.“Youdon’t wanttoletthechilddown;it’ssuchabigprocess butlookatwhatyougetattheend.Yougetanother familymember,”theysaid.HalimaandAdamwere nervousabouttakingonafosterchildandthelifechangingdecisionstheyhadtomake.“Nexus FosteringandourSupportingSocialWorker supportedus,empoweringustomakedecisions.
Wehadnoexperience,butIguessNexusFostering sawwhatwehadthatwedidn'trecognisewehad, anditpositivelypushedus.Itfeltsafeandjust beyondourcomfortzoneintherightway.When ouryoungboymovedin,hewasatherapeutic-led placement,whichwedidn’tknowanythingabout atthetime,otherthanitinvolvesmuchmore support.”
HalimaandAdamsaytheiryoungboyhasbeen partofthefamilysincedayone.“He’ssoconsiderate andawareofthings,he’samazingwithouryounger children.Escapingthenarrativethatchildreninthe caresystemareseenasscapegoatsastheyhave ‘problemsandissues’.Everypositivestoryalways outweighsthenegatives.Otherwise,wewouldn’tbe heretoday;howeverhardthestoryhasbeen,weare stillhere.Wewentintoitthinking,ofcourse,we’re goingtoadvocateforhim,aswewouldanychild. Butputtingthatintopracticeisverydifferentfrom thinkingaboutitasyoucomeupagainsteveryonein thesystem.
“Beingfostercarersiswhatweweremeanttodo; itfeelsholisticandintegratedforus.Westillwant ourchildrentobearoundotherchildrenthatway; thatisimportantforus.Openingyourselfupto buildingafamilywithyoungpeopleandembracing themaspartofyourlife,givesyouabeautythatisn't normallythere.Thechallengesareawonderful experience,they’rereal,they’reaccessible,andyou canimpactyoungpeopleandtheirlivesaswellas yourown.
“Ifyoucanofferanotherpersonasafespaceand joinyourfamily,thentherewon’tbeamoment whereitfeelsrightmorethannow.Youaresupported throughthatprocess;wecan’timaginedoingitwith anyoneelse.Youcanhaveawonderfullife experiencingjoyanddespair,growing,developing, andformingbeautifulrelationships.” ■
Halesowen-basedhousebuilder BarrattHomesWestMidlandsraised nearly£20,000atagolftournament foritscharityoftheyear,Midlands AirAmbulance.Morethan90 membersofstaffandsub-contractors tookpartinthecompetitionat RedditchGolfClub,withthewinning teamfromPGHopkins.JonCottrell, thecharity’sseniorpartnerships executive,said:“Theeventraisedthe equivalentof12life-savingmissions, fivebyairambulanceandsevenby criticalcarecar.”
Aleadingpropertyconsultancy issettoopenanewofficein theheartofBirmingham’s businesscommunity.Fisher German’s7,300sqftofficeat 15ColmoreRowwillsee70 staffmovefromexistingsites thismonth.Thefirm,whichhas 27officesacrosstheUK,is lookingtoemploymorepeople overthenexttwoyearsasit lookstogrowitsengagement withthebusinessandproperty communityinthecity.
ForensicPathways–aBirmingham-based companyrenownedforitsinnovativethreat intelligence,cyberandriskandreputation technologies–hasbecomeapatronofGreater BirminghamGlobalChamberofCommerce.Led
bychiefexecutiveandfounderDebLearyand directorBenLeary,pictured,ForensicPathways hasanaward-winningteamofin-house softwaredevelopers,computerscientists,and investigators.Overthepast22years,the companyhaspioneeredthedevelopmentof darkwebmonitoring,socialmediaintelligence, andinvestigativeservices.
TheRoyalShakespeare CompanyhasappointedCharlotte Suttonasitsnewheadofcasting.
Charlotteiscurrentlyanartistic associateoftheYoungVicandwas thecastingassociateatChichester FestivalTheatrefrom2017to2023.
“Iamdelightedtobejoiningthe RSCatsuchapivotalmomentfor theorganisation,”shesaid.
“GrowingupinLeicestershire,we maderegularschooltripstosee playsinStratford-upon-Avon,sothe RSCformedakeypartofmy formativetheatre-going experience.”
Businessesarebeingurgedtohelpsaveoneof Birmingham’smosthistoricalbuildings.Theroofof GradeIlistedStPaul’sChurchneedstobereplacedata costof£660,000asthebuildingandcontentsareat riskofbeingdamagedbyflooding.Birminghamglobal trainingcompany,OTD,hasbecomethefirstlocal businesstosupporttheappealwitha£2,500donation. VicarofStPaul’s,DavidTomlinson,said:“Wehave givenourselves250daystoraisethemoney.”Full detailsat:www.stpaulsjq.church/raise-the-roof
BowlingfansarehavingaballatthenewHollywoodBowlMerryHill. The£3.7millioncentrefeatures24state-of-the-artbowlinglanes, includingsixseparateVIPlanes.There’salsoarangeofarcadegames, pooltablesandaloungearea,aswellasanLA-stylebarandAmerican diner.ManagerScottJonessaid:“Alotofworkandenthusiasmhas goneintothisprojectandbeingpartofMerryHillasthefocalpointof theemergingleisurequarteranditsentertainmentofferingisfantastic”.
Abankmanagerishelpingtosolveaspikyproblemawayfromherdayjob. SharonBaker,whoworksatDeutscheBankinBrindleyplacerunsahedgehog rescueservicecalledArray4hogsfromherhome.Shetakesinupto150 hedgehogseachyearsinceconvertinghergardenshedintoananimalrescue centre.Sharon,whohasbeenwithDeutscheBankfor11years,said:“Istarted fosteringhedgehogsoverthewinterperiodandbeforeIknewwhathappenedI wassettingupmyownrescueservice!”
SpecialistHRrecruitmentconsultancyMacmillan DavieshasopenedanewMidlandsofficein Birmingham’sbusinessandfinancialquarter.The officeisledbyassociatedirectorNicolaMorris whohasjoinedMacmillanDaviesafterworkingin bothin-houseHRrolesandwithinrecruitment agenciesandin-housetalentacquisitionteams. DarrenHayman,MDofMacmillanDavies,said: “Birminghamisahiveofeconomicactivitywitha thrivingbusinesscommunityandourcentralcity locationmeansourMidlandsteamisatitsheart.”
TheNECGrouphasappointedMelanieSmithasthecompany’snewchief executiveofficer.ShesucceedsPaulThandiwhobecomeschairmanafter nearly17yearsasCEO.Melaniebringsmorethan25years’experiencein executiveandoperationalleadershiptotheUK’sleadingliveeventsbusiness, mostrecentlyasCEOofOcadoRetail,theonlinegrocerandretailcompany. ShepreviouslyheldseniorpositionsatMarks&Spencer,Bupa,TalkTalkand McKinsey&Coandisanon-executivedirectoratenergycompanySSEplc.
South&CityCollegeBirminghamhas launchedaboxingfacilityatitsBournville Campustoprovidecoachingcoursesand trainingforlocalpeoplefromtheageof 14upwards.Theinitiativeisbeing supportedbyformerworldmiddleweight championWayneElcock,renowned boxingcoachPaddyLynch,thePaddy BensonBoxingAcademyandthecollege’s seniorambassador,sportsandradio presenterTomRoss.
Redditch’sKingfisherCentreiscelebratingits50th anniversarywithafreeexhibitionofphotos,oldadverts andevenpalmtrees!‘Kingfishtory’isaimedatevoking memoriesforthosewhohavevisitedthecentresinceit openedin1973andtellsthestoryofhowithasevolved overtime.Thecentre’smanagementteam,ledbygeneral managerAdrianField,pictured,trawledthearchivesto producetheexhibitionat24WalfordWalk(opposite Clintons)andwhichrunsuntiltheendoftheyear.
BrandandwebagencyPLOTTiscelebratingadoubleboostafterbeing nominatedforAgencyTeamoftheYearattheMidlandsMarketingAwardsand addingtwonewteammembers.ManagingdirectorAnnaPlotneksaid:“It’s thrillingtoberecognisedfortheworkwedo.”Thenewteammembersare graphicdesignerAlexSmithandfront-endwebdeveloperEwanLockwood, pictured.Theagencysaysitsgrowthisaresultofconsecutivesuccessfulyears, drivenbycreativeoutputandclientrelationships.
ITservicesproviderIntercityTechnology hasannouncedanewpartnershipwith Edgbaston,becomingthecricketstadium’s officialITpartner.Intercitywillsupport Edgbaston’sambitiousregenerationplans andvisionofbecomingaworld-classtechenabledstadium.
Aphotographyexhibitionorganisedby ColmoreBID’sOutstandingPlacesWorking GrouphonouredthelateDaveOram,who setupBirmingham-basedphotography website,Brumpic.TheexhibitionatSnow HillSquareshowcasedhiscontributionand legacytothecity’sculture.
QuilterCheviothaslauncheda12-month InvestmentManagementInternship Programme,whichhaswelcomedtwo internswhoarelookingtobeginacareer withinthewealthmanagementindustryat theirBirminghamoffice.Theinternswill begivenaninsightintospecificareasof thebusinessthroughouttheyear.
Abusinessestablishedandgrownbya Warwickshiremumwhilehome-schoolingher daughterhaswonaregionalawardandreacheda keystaffmilestone.KathrynBrooksstarted WarwickHRin2019afterofferingtohelpalocal businessthatpostedforHRsupport.WarwickHR nowhas10staffandhasmovedintomorespace atPureOfficesatTournamentFields–andthe businesswasnamedLeadingOutsourcedHR ProviderattheMidlandsEnterpriseAwards.
TAKE‘TEE’ATNAILCOTEHALL BritishPar3Championshipcelebrates 90thanniversaryinstylewithtopnames fromworldofgolfandentertainment
Oneofthebigannualeventsofthesportingand socialcalendarsawtheworldofentertainment andgolfcometogetheratNailcoteHallto celebratethe90thanniversaryoftheFarmfoodsBritish Par3Championship.Thisyear,thesuperstarfield includedBobbyDavro,TonyJacklin,AlanMcInally, JasperCarrottandBrianMcFadden.RobertRockwonhis secondtitleattheworld-famousevent,takinghomethe first-placeprizeof50,000euros. ■
WHAT: CharlieandtheChocolate Factory–TheMusical
WHEN: 12Octoberto5November
WHERE: BirminghamHippodrome, birminghamhippodrome.com
Escapetoaworldofpureimaginationwiththis spectacularstageshowthatcombinesthe memorablesongsfromtheoriginal1970’s motionpicturewithall-newnumbersfromthe multi-award-winningsongwritersofHairspray.
WHAT: SpookyWellyWalk
WHEN: 28October
WHERE: CannonHillPark, roycastle.org/events
Thispopularfamilyevent
returnstoBirmingham.Idealforchildrenagedthreetoeight, yourlittlemonsterswillhavethechancetoditchthescreensand enjoyawiderangeofHalloween-themedfun.Theeventalso raisesfundsfortheRoyCastleLungCancerFoundationcharity.
WHAT: CowboisbyCharlieJosephine
WHEN: 14Octoberto18November
WHERE: RSCSwanTheatre,rsc.org.uk,tel01789331111
WhenhandsomebanditJackCannonswaggersintoasleepy townintheWildWest,theexplosivearrivalinspiresagender revolution–andstartsafireunderthepetticoatofeveryoneof thetown’srepressedinhabitants.
WHAT: TomJones
WHEN: 16December
WHERE: ResortsWorldArena, resortsworldarena.co.uk
OneofBritain’sall-timegreatestvocal talents,theinternationaliconandliving legendbringshisAges&Stagestourto Birminghampromisinganunforgettable performanceofhistimelesshits.
WHAT: ReverendRichardColes: BorderlineNationalTrinket
WHEN: 27October
WHERE: MidlandsArtCentre, macbirmingham.co.uk
Themandubbed‘Britain’smost famousvicar’comestotownwithhis poignanttakeonloveandloss,lifting thelidonhislifeasthenation’s much-treasuredjack-of-all-trades.
WHAT: ELOAgain
WHEN: 24October
WHERE: TelfordTheatre, telfordtheatre.com
Thetoptributeshowisbackwiththe stunningRe-DiscoveryTourcelebratingthe trulyuniversalmusicofJeffLynneandthe ElectricLightOrchestra.
WHAT: StuartBroad
WHEN: 7November
WHERE: TownHall,bmusic.co.uk
Freshoffthefieldaftertakinghisfinalwicket, joinoneofEngland’sgreatestcricketersashe divulgesthehighsandlowsofasensational 17-yearlongcareertocelebratethereleaseof hisnewsportingmemoir.
WHAT: DarrenHerriott
WHEN: 24October
WHERE: GleeClub, glee.co.uk/birmingham/
TheBirminghamLivingcoverboyhas comealongwaysincehisearlydays giggingintheBlackCountry.Hisnew show,Roadman,chartshisrisefrom wannabebadboy,togangmember,toTV mainstay–whichmeanshispopularityat hismom’slocalCo-ophasskyrocketed!
WHAT: EdgbastonArtisanMarket
WHEN: 14October
WHERE: GreenfieldCrescent,Edgbaston, calthorpe.co.uk
Birmingham’slargestartisanmarketreturns featuringindependentbusinessesfromacross theMidlandsshowcasingthefinestrangeof artisanfoodanddrink,alongsidehandmadearts andcraftsandfarmers’marketproduce.
WHAT: TheLion,theWitch andtheWardrobe
WHEN: 14Novemberto 28January
WHERE: BirminghamRep, birmingham-rep.co.uk
DirectfromtheWestEnd,thisbreathtakingstageshowofCSLewis’s classicnovelcomestotownforthe mostmagicalofshowsforChristmas.Stepthroughthewardrobeintothe kingdomofNarniaformarvellousmysticaladventuresinafarawayland.
WHAT: MaliMorris
WHEN: Nowuntil22December
WHERE: Ikon,ikon-gallery.org
AsoloexhibitionofMaliMorriswhohasbeen exploringthepossibilitiesofabstractpaintingfor morethan50years.Herrecentpaintingscreatevisual arenas,wherecolourmovesthroughspaceandspace movesthroughcolour.
WHAT: TheChemicalBrothers
WHEN: 3November
WHERE: UtilitaArena,utilitaarenabham.co.uk
Themulti-award-winningduorecentlyreleasedtheirfirst newmusicintwoyears,theunmistakeableand irresistibleacidtrackNoReason.Arguablyoneofthe mostinfluentialelectronicactsofalltime,they’realso famousfortheirmind-bendingliveshows.
WHAT: JamesMartinLive
WHEN: 23October
WHERE: SymphonyHall,bmusic.co.uk
Thecelebritychefturnsuptheheatwitha brand-newtourfeaturinglivedemonstrations andcookingtasks.Expectfun,laughter,food andevensomelivemusicinthisexclusive gastronomicexperience.
WHAT: PrettyWomanTheMusical
WHEN: 17to28October
WHERE: TheAlexandra, atgtickets.com
Bignightout.Big.HUGE.Makea datetoseeHollywood’sultimate rom-com,liveonstagewithablazing rockscorefromGrammywinners
BryanAdamsandJimVallancemaking forasensationalshowthatwilllift yourspiritsandlightupyourheart.
I’mveryproudtobethefounderandCEOofBuckt, aBirmingham-bornbusinessandtheUK’sonlytickets andactivitiessubscriptionservice.AstheCEO,I’m responsiblefortheultimatesuccessofthebusinessand ensuringwearegrowingintherightdirectionforour teamandsubscribers.Onaday-to-daybasismyrole varies,fromoverseeingourmarketingactivitytogrowth andbudgetmanagementandsupportingstaff,ensuring theyfeelhappywithintheirroleandabletoperformto thebestoftheirabilities.
AlthoughI’mdelightedtoseeBuckt’simpactonthe leisureindustry,Ihaveambitionstotakethecompanyto thenextlevel.Therearesomanypossibilitiesforthe businessandwe’realreadyworkingonsomeamazing things.StartinginBirmingham,Buckthasexpandedto fourkeylocationsnationally(GreaterBirmingham, London,LiverpoolandMerseysideandGreater Manchester).Ourgoalistoseethebusinessgaina presencewithineverymajorcityintheUKandthen expandinternationally.
SecuringourfirstroundofinvestmentforBuckt wasahugesuccessforme.Fromayoungladwatching TheApprenticeandDragons’Den,I’dalwaysaspired togrowabusinesstoapointwheresomeonebelieved initenoughtoinvestmoneyintoit.AsidefromBuckt, I’vebeenfortunateenoughtoreceivemany opportunities,specificallyrelatedtomyfirstbusiness FourthWallandmyinvolvementinthecommunity. FourthWallisasocialenterprisethatrunsprojects withyoungpeopleindisadvantagedcommunities.As
aresultofFourthWall,andmypositionasatrusteefor leadershipcharityUpRising,Iwasinvitedtomeet KingCharles(then,PrinceCharles)atBuckingham Palace.IalsoreceivedaPointofLightAwardfrom DavidCameronandafollowinginvitationto10 DowningStreetbyTheresaMay.
Asanentrepreneur,youareconstantlylearning.My adviceis,beforestartingabusiness,testasmuchasyou can.Peopleoftenjumpintothingswithoutconsidering theendcustomers’needs.Askyourself,dotheyhavea problemthatyourproductistryingtosolve?Ifthe answerisno,startagain.Oneofmybiggestlessonshas beendecidingwhentosay‘no’ortogivesomethingup, andwhentopushforwardwithanidea.
WHATILIKEABOUTBRUM
Birminghamwasonce‘thecityofathousandtrades’. NowIseeitasthecityofathousandopportunities.The cityisbigenoughtoofferopportunities,butsmall enoughthatyoucanhavearealimpact.Bigenough thatyoucanalwaysfindwhatyou’relookingfor,but smallenoughthatyoucanbuildmeaningfulcrosssectorrelationships.Moretangibly,Iwasborn,raised, educated,inemploymentandnowrunabusinessin thiscity—Birminghamhasalwaysbeenmyhome.
DOWNTIME
Assomeonewhosebrainisalwaysgoing100-milesan-hour,watchingagoodfilmorTVseriesistheperfect waytohelpmeswitchoffandchillout.I’verecentlygot backintofootballandofcourse…Ilovedoingfun leisureactivities!IparticipateinBucktactivitiesasoften asIcanandI’malwaystryingnewthings. ■
ThefounderandCEOofBuckt,theUK’sonlyticketsandactivities subscriptionservice,outlineshisgoaltoseetheBirmingham-born businessexpandintoeverymajorcityinthecountry–andbeyond