IEDITOR’SVIEW
’masuckerforgreatcomedy.Stand-up,sit-com,sketchshows,Improv.Younameit,chances areI’llbedoubledupwithlaughter.Itdoesn’tevenneedtobeparticularlyintellectual.Iwas givenTimVine’sBiggestEverJokeBook,crammedwith1,000pun-tasticgagslastChristmas, andlovedit!(Example:TheotherdayIsatonahairdryer.Thatputthewindupme!)
OurcoverstarthismonthisJoEnright–andiflikemesheisalsooneofyourfavouritecomedians,you’re inluckbecausesheisamongthebignamesappearingatthisyear’sBirminghamComedyFestivalnext month.Birminghamisblessedwithaclutchofgreatfestivals–alsocomingupsoonareColmoreFood Festival,FierceFestivalandBirminghamCocktailWeekend(enjoyresponsibly!).ButtheComedyFestival isatruegemandreallydeservestobeshoutedabout.
AstheUK’ssecondlongest-runningcomedyfestival,ithasbeendrawingattentiontoBirmingham’s vibrant,andoftenunsung,comedyscenesince2001.Thelistofcomedianswhohaveappearedreadslikea Who’sWho.PeterKay,LeeEvans,MichaelMcIntyre,SeanLock,HarryHill,JohnBishop,Sarah Millican(who’sbackagainthisyear)tonamebutafew.Andnotforgettingourown‘local’stars,suchas JoeLycett,LennyHenry,ShaziaMirza,JasperCarrott.Thelistgoeson… Thefestivalisnotjustabout‘thestars’though.OneofthehighlightsistheannualBreakingTalentAward heldattheGleeClubwhichseekstofindup-and-comingcomedyheroesofthefuture.So,makeanotein yourcalendarandcatchoneofmorethan150performerswhowilltaketothestageatover20venuesover 10days,starting4October–andgiveyourselfarealtreattoliftthespirits!
DavidJohns
EDITOR: DavidJohns david@brumliving.co.uk
SueCooke,KatieGardner,AdamKirtland
DavidMorphew,AndrewLlewellyn
living
06 10 14 24 30 40
Highlights
News
Bringingyouthebrightest,mostcolourful storiesfromacrossthecitythismonth
JoEnright
Thecomedian,actressandwritertalks BirminghamComedyFestivalandknitting
Food&Drink
OliverNgooftheArcadian’snewSeafood Cityeatery,plusnews,recipesandwine
Health
SteppingoutandsupportingMidlandAir Ambulance’sWalk4Life,plusHotpodYoga
Style
Theclassiccheckisbackwithmorethanahint ofdéjàvu.Wepreviewthisseason’startanarmy
Homes
Timetoswitchupyourlightingandchangethe moodofaroomreadyforthosedarkerevenings
BestoftheRest
FromThePottingBench
CatchuponallthetoptipsforSeptember fromourgardeningguru,AdamKirtland
Motoring
Thecarthepotholeshate!VW’snewTouareg handlestheworstourroadscanthrowatit
48 50 52 57 64 66
Young,Gifted&Brummie
Moseley’sMackenzieGriffithtalksskiingfor GreatBritainandbuildingabuddingcareerinTV
BusinessNews
Newsandviewsfromthecommercial Community,plusSocialScenepages
What’sOn
Bestofthecity’stopshowsandgigsin ourround-upofthemust-seeevents
UpClose
SamFletcher-Goodwin,co-founderofKids’ Villagecharityforchildrenwithcriticalillness
WHATAWEEKEND!
TheextravaganzathatisBirmingham Weekenderhitnewheightsoverthe BankHolidaybreakwithfree performances,installationsandpopupsspreadacrossthecity’sstreets, squares,shoppingcentresandeven aboveBrum!Amonghighlightsof theevent,producedbyBirmingham HippodromewithBullringandGrand Central,wasGorillaCircus,a spectacularintheskiesfeaturing hair-hangingartists,dancetrapeze andhigh-wirewalks.Forselfiefans, theSelfieStudioinsideBullringput visitorsinthepicturewithanew commissionfromBirmingham creativesPickleIllustration.
COMEDYFESTIVAL
Morethan150performerswillbetakingtostagesatover20venuesacrossthecity duringthe10-dayBirminghamComedyFestivalinOctober.Someofthebiggest namesinstand-up,suchasSarahMillican,pictured,andShaziaMirzawillbe rubbingshoulderswithup-and-comersandthecreamoftheregion’scomedy scene.Thefestival,whichrunsfrom4to13October,alsoincludestheprestigious BirminghamComedyFestivalBreakingTalentAward2024heldattheGleeClub. Moreinformationandticketsatbhamcomfest.co.uk
BRINGINGYOUTHEBRIGHTEST ANDMOSTCOLOURFUL STORIESFROMACROSSTHE CITYEACHMONTH
SELFIEWITHTHEBARD
TheimageofWilliamShakespearewasput inthespotlight–orrathertheframe–as partofafreeFamilyFriendlyexperience heldatShakespeare’sSchoolroomand GuildhallinStratford-upon-Avon.Visitors sawadisplayofShakespearebusts decoratedbyartists,putthemselvesinthe framewithaselfieopportunityandentered acompetitiontoseetheirown Shakespeariandesigncometolife.The interactiveSchoolroom&Guildhallisthe currentSmallVisitorAttractionoftheYear 2024fortheWestMidlands.
PAUL’SPARPRIZE
FormerOpenChampionshipwinnerPaulLawrieadded anothertrophytohiscabinetwhenhewonthe FarmfoodsBritishPar3Pro-AmcompetitionatNailcote Hall.Paulemergedthewinnerafteraholeinonehelped himtoclaimvictoryandthe €50,000firstprize.Watched byabigcrowd,hefinishedoneshotaheadofrunner-up JarmoSandelin.Paulsaid:“There’ssomethingabout FarmfoodseventsthatIclearlylike–thisismythirdwin inoneoftheireventsandI’mobviouslychuffedtobits.”
WE’REALLA-FLUTTER
AButterflyTrailisbringingthevibrantcoloursandbeautyofexotic butterfliesfromaroundtheworldtoBrum.ThetrailatBirmingham BotanicalGardens’ButterflyHouseprovidesanengagingnewwayto explorethe15-acreattraction.Costing£1.25atthewelcomedesk,thetrail mapguidesvisitorsthroughaseriesofdiscoverypointswhereyoucan learnmoreabouttheincredibleinsects.
BRUMROCKSÁ
MisfitsMusicFoundation’s14-monthBrumRocksproject culminatedinBirmingham’sbiggestrockbandatForum Birminghamwith400musicians,singersandaudience memberscomingtogetherforaliveconcerthostedbyBRMB Radio’sLukeCrawford.Highlightwasthenewanthemfrom JasmineGardosiBrummieSteelwhichisinspiredby Birmingham’sindustrialrootsanddiversity.Videowell wishescamefromthelikesofJoanArmatrading;NickMason ofPinkFloydandOzzyandSharonOsbourne.
CITIZENS’JURY
BirminghamMuseumsTrusthaslaunchedthe UK’sfirstCitizens’Jurytoaskwhatthecity needsandwantsfromitsmuseums. Residentsreceivedaninvitationbypostwith 30selectedtoformthejurywhichwillhear fromexpertcommentatorsanddebatethe futureofBirmingham’smuseums.Thejury willproduceasetofrecommendationsfor BMT'sBoardandExecutive.SaraWajidand ZakMensah,co-CEOsofBirmingham MuseumsTrust,pictured,said:“Weare ensuringthatwetrulyreflecttheneedsand aspirationsofourcitizensandcommunities.”
LOOKAT HIMFLY!
Thislittlepocket-rocketwasoneofmorethan700dogswhodescendedon WarwickshirefortheFCIEuropeanOpenAgilityChampionshipswhichwereheld intheUKforthefirsttime.Thechampionships,oneoftheworld’smost prestigiousdogagilitycompetitions,tookplaceatDallasBurstonPoloClubin Southam.Theeventsawanaction-packedfourdaysofdogsandtheirhandlers competeinagilitywiththeUKrepresentedbytheKennelClubAgilityTeamGB.
CHAMPIONCARER
ASolihullcarerjoined hundredstrekking13miles tohelpsupportvital dementiaservices.Emma Ruscoecaresforhusband Simonwhowasdiagnosed withearly-onsetAlzheimer’s in2020.Thecouplehas receivedongoingsupport fromtheAlzheimer’sSociety andthecharity’sTrek26 fund-raisingeventalongthe Suffolkcoastwastheperfect wayforEmmatohelp supportthem.SofarEmma, whowasnamedAdultCarer oftheYearbyCarersTrust SolihullinJune,hasraised £1,800forthesociety.
THANK-A-THON
ECOTRAVELHUBS
Newhubsofferingsustainabletransportforshort-distancetripsare beingrolledoutinHalesowenaspartofayear-longpilotproject.The LocalTravelPointsatHuntingtreePark,AndrewRoadbyHalesowen busstationandCrossStreet,giveusersaccesstoWestMidlands CycleHirebikesandeBikes,securebikestorage,cycletoolstation andpassengerinformation.TheschemebyTransportforWest Midlands,DudleyCouncilandBlackCountryTransport,willalsosee electriccarchargingandby-the-hourcarrentalintroduced.
LocalhousebuilderDavidWilsonHomesdonated£1,500 toArriveAlive,theonlyregisteredcharityofitskind dedicatedtosupportingCommunityFirstResponders.The donationwillhelpprovideadditionalequipmentforthe charity’sexistingfleetof13voluntarilyoperated999 vehicles.HelenLewis,MDatBarrattandDavidWilson HomesMercia,said:“Weareproudtohavebeenableto supportArriveAlive,whichoffersessentialsupportand servicesthroughoutBirminghamandtheWestMidlands.”
MidlandsAirAmbulance CharityhostedaThank-AThontoshowgratitudeto itssupportersin celebrationofnational ThankYouDay,which acknowledgesthekindness andgenerosityfrom individualsandbusinesses inlocalcommunities.The charity’saircrew,staffand volunteerscontactedmore than28,000supportersby phoneande-mail.Emma Wood,headoffund-raising andengagement,said: “Whetheritisourdonors, volunteers,local businessesorcommunity groups,wearealwaysso humbledbythegenerosity showntowardsourcause.”
CHOIROFTHEYEAR
AmalevoicechoirfromBirminghamsangitsway tothe2024MidlandsChoiroftheYeartitleina competitionorganisedbyLichfieldFestival. MaleVoxsawofffiverivalsinthefinal,claiming thewinner’strophyand£1,000cash.Thea cappellagroupimpressedjudgeswith performanceswhichincludedGershwin’sIWas DoingAlright.Aspartofitsprize,MaleVoxwill singatthe2025LichfieldFestival.Staffordshire ShowChoirwasnamedjointwinnersofthe AudienceAward,sharinga£500prize.
MUSICALCHEERS
Meetthemanwhoischampioning‘the powerofmusictochangelives’.DrSteve Ball,directorofBirminghamArtsSchooland formerassociatedirectorofBirminghamRep, hasbeenappointedindependentchairat ServicesForEducationwhichistheMusic HubLeadOrganisationforBirminghamas partoftheGovernment’sNationalPlanfor MusicEducation–ThePowerofMusicto ChangeLives.ForBirmingham,theplan includesinvestingupto£650,000innew musicinstruments,equipmentand technologyforchildrenandyoungpeople.
GOTANYNEWS? Emailyournewsand picturestoeditor@brumliving.co.uk
‘WILLKOMMEN’EVERYONE
GetreadytodonyourLederhosenandraiseyoursteins!Albert’sSchlossisaimingto turnBirminghamintoaBavarianwonderlandfrom21Septemberto6Octoberto celebrateOktoberfest24.Anarrayofprogrammesthroughoutthe16-dayfest includeseverythingBavarianfromkegtappingandsausageeatingtothemust-see eclecticentertainmentandbestdressedcompetitions.AndAlbert’sSchlossistheonly placeinBrumservingupallsixofficialOktoberfestbeers!
IT’SACATWRAP
Thousandsoffelinefans areexpectedtoattend thefirstCatShowLive eventatNECBirmingham.Theshowon 14Septemberwillfeature250pedigree catsondisplayandmorethan100trade standssellingahugearrayofcat-related products–fromgourmettreatsto bespokeaccessories.Visitorstoaspecial 250-capacitytheatrehostedbyOlympic medallistandanimalloverIwanThomas willhearfromspeakersontopics includinggrooming,behaviour,health andthelatesttrendsincatcare.
THEATREFIRST
BirminghamHippodrome’snewworkand artistdevelopmentdepartmenthas launchedHippodromeOrigins,abespoke artistdevelopmentprogrammefortheatremakersfromtheWestMidlands. HippodromeOriginsofferstheatrewriters andmakersauniqueopportunitywhich includesartisticdevelopmentandsupport withworkshops,resourcesandaplatform tosharetheirwork.The18-month programme,ledbytheHippodrome’snew workmanagerAnnaHimaliHoward, picturedleft,isopentoartistsover18and offersabursaryof£2,500.
COMIC CRAFTER
WECAUGHTUPWITHCOMEDIAN,ACTRESSANDWRITERJOENRIGHTAHEAD OFHERGIGATBIRMINGHAMCOMEDYFESTIVALANDTALKEDSTAND-UPLIFE, THECITY’STHRIVINGCREATIVESCENEANDKNITTING.YES,KNITTING!
Wehadnoideawhatabrilliantchampion oftheBirminghamcomedysceneandof buddingcomicsJoEnrightwasuntil now.She’sbeencuratingamonthlynightatGleefor 11yearscalledRoughworkswhichallowscomicsto comeandtryoutnewmaterial.Shesays:“Ifound moreandmorecomedianscomingoutof Birmingham,soIapproachedGlee.Thesceneinthe cityishealthy,supportive,uncompetitiveand unpretentiousandthere’srespectfromtheindustry.” BirminghamComedyFestivalkicksoffinvarious venuesacrossthecitynextmonthwhichJowillbe partof.She’sperformedatthefestivalseveraltimes, sometimesshesaysaccidentally!Whenwechatted, JowasgettingoverCovidwhiledeftlydealingwitha seven-year-oldinthebackground.Sheprobablyfelt prettyrough,butyouwouldn’tknowit.
WHO’SWHO
Charming,generousandfulloflovefor Birmingham,Jowasajoy.Notcrackingjokeslike someofthecomicswe’veinterviewed–welikeagag asmuchasthenextpersonbuttherewassomething refreshingandgentleaboutJo.Itcouldhavebeen downtoCovidandperhapsordinarilyshe’s shoehorningjokesintoconversation,butwedoubtit.
Jo’sCVislikearollcallofwho’swhointhe
comedyworld.Aswellasstand-up,Johasworked extensivelywithpeoplewhorecogniseherabilityto playacharacter.Stand-upwasasidelineinitiallybut afterthreeyearsshewentfull-time.Jobecame friendswithPeterKaybondingovertheirworkingclassbackgroundsandIrishfamilies.Shesays:“We couldrelatetoeachother’sworlds.”
ThefriendshipledtoworkonThatPeterKay ThingandPhoenixNights.“PeoplecouldseethatI coulddocharacter,soitcaughttheirattention.I’ve workedwithSteveCoogan,JohnnyVegas,Ricky Gervais,StephenMerchant,sostand-upopened doorsforme.”
JohasdonealotofTVworktooandIwonderif sheprefersstand-uporscreen?Shesays:“TVpays betterthanstand-upandasafreelanceralumpsum iswelcome,butit’ssomebodyelse’sline,somebody else’screation.TVisalwaysgoodtohaveontheCV andIenjoythevariety,butwhenI’vedonesomeTV Ican’twaittogetbacktostand-up.”
Jocreditsbeingaboredteenagerwithaveryfunny bestfriendforignitinghercomedyspark.They beganwritingsketchestogether.Jowentontostudy A-Levelsandthenwasunemployed.Shediscovered adramagroupforunemployedpeoplein HandsworthrunbyMalcolmCleland.Hewaskeen tobringhisskillstopeoplewhowouldn’tnormally
haveaccesstothatkindofeducation.
Josays:“Hetrainedusforayearandgotusinto goodshapetogoandaudition.Igotaplaceat MiddlesexPolyandaspartofthedramacoursethere wasamoduleonstand-up.”Theassessmentwasa five-minuteset.Johadaglassofwineandwentforit. Shesaysstand-upismorethantellingjokes.It’sa craft.Jobecamefascinatedbytheuseofdrama, actingandstorytellingandinspiredby“excellent comedianslikeRichardPryor,RobinWilliamsand VictoriaWood”.
BRUMCENTRAL
LondonbeckonedandJoworkedinthecapitalfor 14years.Shesays:“Thebigthingforstand-up comediansisstagetime.CanIgetenough?London offeredmethisatthetime.ApartfromGleethere weretwoclubsinBirmingham.Asthecity’sscene hasdevelopedyoucanstayaroundtheMidlands successfully.IstillworkinLondonandtestnew materialbutthere’snoneedtolivethereanymore.”
JociteslocalcomedianslikeJaniceConnollyand JamesCookaspushingtheenvelopeforthe Midlands.Theybothteachcoursesonbeing comedians.Shesays:“It’saffordableandpeoplegeta tasteofstand-up.”ShetalksofJoeLycettboosting
INREALLIFE
CatchJoatBirminghamComedyFestivalonMonday7 OctoberatArtum,HockleySocialClubat8pm.Tickets£10. Thefestivalruns4to13Octoberatvariousvenuesacrossthe city.Formoreinfovisitwww.bhamcomfest.co.uk
thecity’sprofiletryingoutnewmaterialatGleeand choosingtofilmLateNightLycettinDigbeth. There’sAlexEganrunningthreenewmaterial nightsinthecityaswellasJamesnurturingfresh talentnottomentionupandcomingcomedianslike EricRushtonwhowontheSeanLockAwardand JoshPughwhohasalotofmomentum.Josaysit’s notjustagreattimetobeincomedyinBirmingham, butthecreativeindustriesgenerallyarethriving.
COVIDCRAFTING
Ithasn’tallbeenabarreloflaughsthough. Obviously,thingswentquietduringthepandemic althoughJomanagedtorallyandmakethebestofit. Shesays:“I’djustdoneatoiletriesadcampaign whichsustainedmefinanciallyandaRadio4series beforelockdown.”Aswellaswritingandputtingout morestuffonline,Jobegancraftingtowhileawaythe hours.Shesays:“Istayedcreative.Iwrotealotand becameacrafter–aknitter.”
Joknittedalot,rangingfromchildren’sshoesto ValentinesDayhearts.Sheputtheheartsoncards withthemessage‘lockdownlove’.Oneladybought 15tosendtoherfriends.Itsortofsumsupourview ofJo–overwhelminglykind.We’renotsureit’sa sentimentwe’veassociatewithcomedyinthepast, butshesaysoffellowcomedians:“Yourarelycome acrossanyonewho’sarrogantintheindustry.It’sa vulnerablejobandwe’veallhadknockbacksso there’sacamaraderieandrespect.”
Jo’sthesortofpersonwhorestoresyourfaithin humanityatatimewhenitmighthavebeenbashed abit.Agoodeggandaverytalentedoneatthat. ■
FOOD&DRINK
OLIVER NGO
TheowneroftheVietnameseStreet Kitchensrestaurantshasjustopened hislatestventureintheArcadian. SeafoodCityisinspiredbythe original‘seafoodboil’madefamousin LouisianaintheUSA’sDeepSouth.
Tellusaboutyourcooking
Mystyleissimple,freshingredientsdoneinastreet foodstyle.It’straditionalVietnamesestreetfood,but withaBritishtwist.Foodhasalwaysbeenbiginmy familyandrecipeshavebeenpasseddownthroughthe generations.However,thefoodatSeafoodCityisall aboutdivingrightin,puttingyourbibapronsonand gettingyourhandsmessysothatyoucanenjoyseafood inanunpretentiousway,enjoyingtherichesofthesea inthesimplestwaypossible.
Howdidyoubecomeachef?
Ikindoffellintocooking.Iworkedinfrontof houseforawhilethentookajobinthekitchenat DistrictOneinPutneyinLondonwhichisa Vietnamesestreetfoodrestaurant.Ijustfellinlove withcooking.I’dalwayslovedeatingandtrying differentflavourcombinations,butwhenI
experiencedlifeinthekitchenmyeyeswereopened. Itwasalwaysdynamic–theearlymorningshifts bakingbaobunsandfreshbaguettes,themarinating, grillingandbriningofthemeatformaximum tendernessandflavour.Itwasexciting!
Whatdoyoueatathome?
MainlyVietnamesefood–Ijustloveitoran Indiancurry.
Who’sthebestchefintheworldandwhy?Andwho’s thebestinBrum?
ThebestchefintheworldisJamieOliver.A Britishguytakingonanothercountry’scuisineis braveandsomemightnotagreewiththe authenticity,butIappreciateadaptingtosuita market.Ican’tsaythebestchefinBirmingham,but therestaurantIlovemorethananyotherisKenHo
nexttotheHippodrome.Theserviceis–let’ssay–notamazing,butthefoodis10outof10.
Isthecustomeralwaysright?
No.Ifyouwanttopleaseeveryone,youpleaseno one.Youhavetobeconfidentandthink‘thisiswhat weoffer.Thisisourfood’.
Shareacookingtip
Usethefreshestingredientsyoucan.
Whatwasyourfavouritefoodasakid?
BanhMiwhichisessentiallyaFrenchbaguette–there’salotofFrenchinfluenceinVietnam.The baguetteisfilledwithpate,ham,pickledcarrot,mayo. Theflavourprofileisspoton.Thewaythehamis
marinated,thepickledtones.It’samazing.Tryit!
Foodheavenandfoodhell?
Heavenisawell-madetraditionalBalticurrywith freshnaan.Hellisanythingblandwithnoflavour.
What’sthemostunusualthingyou’veeaten?
OnatriptoVietnam,Iateabeatingsnake’sheartin vodka.Itjusttastedofvodkaandslippedstraightdown. Ifyouweren’tachef,whatwouldyoube?
Astand-upcomedian.Ilikeinstantfeedback,soI thinkthatwouldbegood. ■
SeafoodCity,ArcadianCentre,BirminghamB54TD. Tel:01217981425,seafood-city.com
STRAWBERRY &GINGER CHEESECAKE
Joinusforahelpingoflate-summerscrumptiousness!
Thesummerisnearlyover(sob!)butwe’renot readyquiteyettobiditfarewell.So,pleasejoinus asweenjoyonefinalsummeryhuzzahwiththis deliciouslittledessert.NextstopChristmas…■
INGREDIENTS
■ 300ggingernutbiscuits ■ 100gbutter
■ 1-2tspsvanillaextract ■ 300gmascarponecheese
■ 300mlwhippeddoublecream ■ 400gstrawberries
■ 50-100gsiftedicingsugar
METHOD:
Tomakethebase,putthebiscuitsinafoodprocesserandblend untilcrumbled.Meanwhile,gentlymeltthebutterinalarge saucepanandleavetocoolslightly.Transferthecrumbsintothe panandmixthoroughly.Tipthemintoaloosebottomedcaketin, pressdownfirmlytocreateanevenlayer.Chillinthefridgeforan hourtosetfirmly.
Chopthestrawberrieslengthways.Placethestrawberriesagainst theinsidewallofthecaketin,withthebottomoftheslicesdirectly onthebiscuitbase.
Whipthedoublecreaminabowluntilitstartstothicken.Placethe mascarponeinabowlandsoften.Addtheicingsugarandvanilla extract,mixthoroughlyuntilsmooth.Gentlyfoldinthewhipped doublecream.
Tipthemixtureintothecaketinintwoorthreeparts.Witheach part,addtothecentrethenpushthemixturefirmlytotheedgesto securethestrawberriesandfillinthegapsagainstthesideofthe tin.Refrigerateideallyovernightbutforatleastthreetofourhours untilthefillingisfirm.
Removefromthefridge.Removefromthetin–placethebaseon topofaflat-bottomedtumblerortincan,thengraduallypullthe sidesofthetindown.Placethecakeontoaservingplateandpile theremainingstrawberrypiecesoramixtureofsummerberrieson top.Serveatroomtemperature.
SHORTS NI BBLESand
BIRMINGHAM’SBARS,RESTAURANTSANDHOTELSAREBUZZINGWITHEXCITING,NEWVIBES. HERE’SOURINSIDERGUIDETOTHELATESTNEWSFROMTHECITY’SEATERIESANDDRINKINGDENS
HOT SHOT OFFERING
Ahi-techindoorclayshootingexperience,completewithpremiumfoodandcocktailoffering,iscomingtoBirmingham’s historicPiccadillyArcade.BrumwillbeClays’firstvenueoutsideLondonandpromisescompetitivesocialisingforgroupsofup to20peopleperpeg,withafullydigitisedclayshootinggameusingadvancedtechnology.PiccadillyArcadewasoriginally openedasa600-seatcinemain1910beforebecominganarcadeofshopslinkingNewStreetandStephensonStreet.
CHAMPIONSLEAGUEBREW
FootballstarspastandpresentaretoastinganewAstonVilla-inspiredbeer.Currentplayers havejoinedlegendsfromthe1982EuropeanCup-winningteamtoendorseUpTheVilla,an IPAcraftbeermadewithEnglishhopsbylocalbrewery,TrinityBrewCo.Thebeerhasbeen launchedtocelebrateVillareachingthisseason’sChampionsLeague(previouslythe EuropeanCup)forthefirsttimein40years.TrinityfounderJohnWatermansaid:“Having legendaryplayersendorseournewbeerishuge.”
PARADISE STEAKHOUSE
Independentaward-winning steakhouserestaurantCow&Sow issettoopeninOneChamberlain Square.Theneweaterywill occupyspaceontheeasternside ofthebuildingatParadise Birmingham,nextdoortoIndianIranirestaurantDishoom.Mark Warburton,founderofCow&Sow, said:“Birminghamhasathriving culinaryscenewecan’twaitto becomepartof.Wearereally lookingforwardtoworkingwitha locallyhiredteamandsupport localsuppliersandcharities”
MOSELEY MOVE
AyearafterMichelin-starredCartersofMoseley closeditsdoors,afamiliarnameinBirmingham’s foodscenehassteppedintotakeovertheempty restaurant.SatoriisdescribedonitsInstagrampageas Birmingham’sfirstJapanesefinediningrestaurant. ThenewbrandhasbeenlaunchedbyFBHoldings whichrunsseveralotherpopularrestaurantsin thecity,includingTheMayanattheMailbox, BalociinEdgbastonandQavali, Brindleyplace.
FABULOUS FOODFESTIVAL
HISTORICREVIVAL
Apubdatingbackto1820hasre-opened underthenameTemperandBrown.The historichostelryatGradeII-listed12-13 AlbionStreetintheJewelleryQuarter,blends moderngastropubwithtraditionalpubcharm. Owner,entrepreneurRoifieldBrown,said: “WeaimtocelebrateBritishandJamaican cultureandfeatureevents,likean‘Audience With’seriesfeaturingnotablepersonalities. Sundaysareforourreggae-infusedroast sessions,bringingthecommunitytogether withgreatfoodandclassictunes.”
FOODGEMFORJQ
TheJewelleryQuarteriswelcomingJapaneserestaurant ManekiRamenat21LudgateHill,theVictoriancanalside propertyjust100yardsfromStPaulsSquare.Theneweatery isownedandoperatedbytheRuleofTumGroupwhichruns restaurantsacrosstheMidlands,includingManekiRamenin Worcester.DorianKirk,oneofthegroup’sfounders,said: “Welovebasingourrestaurantsinpropertiesthathave historyandwejustlove21LudgateHillwithitsperiod featuresinthegreatlocationoftheJewelleryQuarter.”
Top-notchfoodanddrinkaresettogetthetastebudstinglingatthismonth’sawardwinningColmoreFoodFestival.OrganisedbyColmoreBusinessDistrict(BID),theline-upof traderstakingparton13and14SeptemberinVictoriaSquarefeaturessomeofBrum’sbest hospitalitynames–includingAshas,Issacs,Vagabond,Jamaya,Zambrero,HotelduVin, Gaucho,JAVA,F1Arcade,Loki,theQueen’sHead,WaylandsYard,PurecraftBar&Kitchen… plusmanymore.Festival-goerscanalsoenjoyperformancesfromlocalentertainers, includingmusiciansanddancers.
LIMONCELLOSPRITZ
It’sthespritzoneveryone’slips–andhere’showtomakeitlikethepros!
MoveoverAeprol,the latestspritzon everyone’slipsseemsto betheLimoncelloversion.It’sthe perfectsummercocktail–light, bubblyandreminiscentoftheItalian southerncoast–butjustsoyoudon’t embarrassyourself,Francesco Putignano,groupbardevelopment manageratleadingItalian restaurant,SanCarlo,showsushow itshouldbemade. ■
INGREDIENTS:
■ 60mlprosecco
■ 50mllimoncello
■ 30mlsodawater
■ Freshthymesprig
METHOD:
Fillawineglasswithice. Pouroverthelimoncelloand topupwiththeproseccoand soda.Stirandgarnishwith thethymesprig.
SanCarlo,TempleStreet, BirminghamB25BN. Tel:01216330251
sancarlo.co.uk
WILDMOOROAK
Ifyouwerefamiliarwiththestrikingbluehueofthe WildmoorOakpre-spring2024,it’snow unrecognisable.We’veseenthebeforeshotsand whatdynamicduoSarahRobertsandBexWilkins achievedinjusteightweeksofrenovationisstaggering. Thevibeisclassiccountrypubinsidewiththeprettiest ofgardensoutside.Businessisbooming,probably helpedalongbythegardenandsunshinecolliding.
Wesatinside–itwastoohotoutside–andaswe visitedonaSundaythemenu’sabitdifferenttothe usuallunchmenu.Devoncrabcakesfromthespecials menukickedthingsoffingreatstyle–crispouterand generousonthecrabservedwithasqueezeoflemon andapunchyshellfishmayonnaise.Adelicious mackerelpâtéincludedsomechunksofmackerel ratherthanacompletelysmoothaffairwhichweloved. Servedwithacontrastingpickledcucumberand crunchysourdoughtoast,it’sonetoshoutabout.
Afull-onroastbeefwithallthetrimmingsononeof thehottestdaysoftheyearmighthavebeenmisguided, buttocallthisbeautyamistakewouldbewrong.The AubreyAllenbeefrumpwaspinkanddelicious accompaniedbyabigyorkie,crunchyroastpotatoes,a generousslugofrichgravy,somegreensandglazed carrots.Weorderedasideofcauliflowercheesewhich wethoroughlyrecommend.
Amoresummery,perfectlypan-friedbreamwith
newpotatoes,greenbeansandazingychivebutter saucehitthespottoowhileasharedchocolatedelice withhoneycombfinishedlunchonasweethigh. Intruth,theplaceisthekindoflocalyoudreamabout. Customersaregreetedlikeoldfriendsandtheplaceis buzzingwithamixedbagofpeople–familieswith babies,groupsofmates,couples,theoddlocalpropping upthebar.Everyone’swelcomeandtheimpressivefood anddrinkaretheicingonthecake.Bravo! ■
CRACKING
Summerisagreattimeforalovelyglassofbubbly, saysDominicHewettofBirminghamWineSchool
Formethereissomethingupliftingabouttearingthefoil, looseningthewirecage,theneasingoutthemushroomshapedcork.Letthecorkflyandyougetabetterpop,but pleasedon’tpointthebottleatyourguests–thecorkleavesthe bottleatabout40mph!
Inthemodernworldofwine,youarespoiltforchoice.Thereis ItalianProsecco,SpanishCava,EnglishFizzandgreatnew worldoptionsfromplaceslikeSouthAfricaandAustralia.Of course,thisleavesoutonecountrythatreallyknowswhatitis doingwhenitcomestomakingsparklingwinesandthatis France.Champagne,whichisarguablythemostfamousfizzof all,isproducedinhugeamountsandisenjoyedalloverthe world.However,mostChampagneisanexpensiveoptionsoif youarelookingforsomethinglessdemandingonyour pocketthenlooknofurtherthanCremant.
LIGHTER
Cremantisaregionalsparklingwinethatis producedacrossnolessthaneightwineregionsin France.Itisbottlefermentedinaverysimilarwayto Champagnebutwithacoupleofimportant differences.Firstly,thegrapesusedtomakeitvary dependingontheregionthatitcomesfromand secondlyitisnotagedaslongasChampagnebefore itisreleased.WhereasmostChampagneisagedfor atleasttwoorthreeyears,mostCremantisonly agedforninemonths.
Giventhenumberofdifferentregionsandgrapes usedthereisalargevarietyofstylesofCremantbut thewinesaregenerallylighterandfruitierwithless ofthebreadyandpastrylikenotesthatyouoften findwithChampagne.Theearlierrelease,withthe associatedsavingsinstoragecostsalsomeansthe winesareinmostcaseslessexpensive.
Therearefourregionsthatleadthewaywhenit comestoCremant.Alsace,nestledontheEastern sideoftheVosgesmountains,istheleading producer.Morethan25percentofAlsace productionisCremantandover38millionbottles weresoldin2022.Herethewinesaremadeusing PinotBlancandPinotGrisandareslightlyfuller bodied.
VERSATILE
FABULOUS4TOTRY
■ CavedeTuckheim,Cremantd’Alsace MadebyoneofthebiggestproducersinAlsacethisis brilliantvalueforthequality.Likeapplepieinaglass! £13.99atWaitrose.
■ SimonnetFebvre,CremantdeBourgogne Brut –FromthefamousChablisproducercomesthis Chardonnaydominantfizz.Thishasfinebubblesand headycitrusnotes.£15atTesco.
■ DomainedeLandreau,CremantdeLoire Brut –AnelegantbubblymadeusingablendofChenin BlancandCabernetFranc.Thisisagedforalongerperiod oftwoyearswhichaddsnuttynotesofhazelnutand almondtothebaseofappleandlemonbalm.£17at TivoliWines.
■ EtoiledeTimberlay,CremantdeBordeaux –Thisinsanelygoodvaluefruitforwardfizzismadewith Merlot,SemillonandCabernetFrancandat£10from Marks&Spenceryoujustcan’tgowrong.
InclosepursuitareBurgundyandtheLoire. Thesetwofamousregionsproduceasimilaramount ofCremanttoeachother.InBurgundythewinesare basedonChardonnayandPinotNoirandinthe LoireonCheninBlanc.Thenfinallythereis Bordeaux.Yes,muchbetterknownforredwines, Bordeauxhashoweverbeenproducingsparkling winesforalongtime.Herethewinesaregenerally madeusingSemillonbutothergrapes,likeCabernet Franc,MuscadelleandevenMerlotaresometimes blendedforadditionalcomplexity.
Cremantisalsoasversatileasitisgoodvalue.It’s perfectonitsownasanaperitifbutevenbetter alongsidesmokedsalmoncanapes.It’sbrilliantwith foodtoo.TryCremantalongsidefishandgoat’s cheesestarters,salmonencrouteorclassicfishand chips.Thenwhenitcomestocheesethesewinesare fabulouswithsoftandcreamyoptionslikeBrie, Langresandforatrulyindulgenttreattrythetriple creamBrillat-Savarin!YoucanalsouseCremantin arangeofsparklingwinecocktails. ■
BirminghamWineSchoolisanindependentwine educationcompanythatoffersinformalwine tastingandWine&SpiritEducationTrust(WSET) coursesonline,inBirminghamandWarwick.For moreinformationcontactKatieGardneron 01212707359,orvisitbirminghamwineschool.com
HELLO HOTYOGA
YogahasseenamassiveupliftintheUK overrecentyearswiththeindustrynow estimatedtogeneratearevenueofmore than£895millionin2023.Thishugegrowthhas beenbuiltonthemanyassociatedhealthbenefits ofyogathatincludeimprovedflexibility,building musclestrength,improvedbonehealth,lowering bloodsugarlevels,increasingyourbloodflowand helpingyourcirculation,especiallyinyourhands andfeet.
ButhaveyouheardofHotYoga?Incorporating everythingyogastandsfor–mindfulness,balance ofbodyandspirit,alleviationofstressand anxiety;alongwiththedetoxifyingbenefitsofthe addedheat,therewardsofhotyogaarecountless.
IT’SNOTJUSTPHYSICAL
Greatforbeginnersaswellasexperiencedyogis, hotyoga–carryingoutyogaintheheat–is designedtostretchandstrengthenmusclesthrough asequenceofstaticasana(postures)whichleave youfeelingstronger,renewed,andflexible.The heatenablesjointsandmusclestoloosenandopen up,allowinganincreasedrangeofmovementwhile cleansingyourbodyfromwithin.
Increasedsweatimprovescirculationand increasesoxygen-richbloodtoyourskincells, providingyouwithapost-yogaglow.Sweating fromexercisecanactuallyreversesignsofageing fromacellularlevel.Thepositiveimpactmeans yourskincanproducemorecollagen,better hydrationandlesssagging.
Workingoutinahotroomwillalsomeanyour heartandlungsworkalittlehardergivingyour respiration,heartrateandmetabolismaboost. Thereisalsosomeearlyevidencetosuggestthat yogacanimprovebrainhealthandaspectsof brainfunctionlikecognition,attentionand processingspeed.
REDUCESEVEREDEPRESSION
AnewstudybyresearchersatMassachusetts GeneralHospitalintheUS,alsofoundthat regularhotyogaclassesareaneffectivetreatment forsymptomsofdepression.Thestudyshowed that44percentofadultswhoparticipatedinat leasttwohotyogaclassesperweekhadseensuch adramaticimprovementinsymptomsthatthey werenolongerclassedasclinicallydepressed.
HOTPODYOGA
Ifyouhaven’ttriedhotyogayet,there’sasuper coolnewadditiontotheyogafamilythatmayjust appeal.HotpodYogawaslaunchedin2013by yogateacherNickandstrategyconsultantMax withasimpleambitiontocreateayogaexperience likenoother–onethatturnedupthedialstonew levels,includingcalmingscents,glowinglights andrelaxingbeatsaswellastheheat.
Fusinginnovativedesignandintricate detailing,it’sbasicallydoingyogainaspecially designedpodthat’sheatedto37˚C,andsinceits launchnearly500,000peoplehavetakenpartin classesacrossmorethan50locationsintheUK. Andit’snowarrivedinBrum!
SCIENCEBEHINDTHESWEAT
Whileyogaisafairlylowintensityformof exercise,theheatofthePodraisesyourbody temperature.Bymimickingtheeffectsofamore intensephysicalactivity,itincreasesyourheart rate,providingachallengeforyourcardiovascular system.Moresothanunheatedyoga.And,of course,regularcardiovascularexerciseequalsa healthyheart.
Thefactthatittakesmuchlesstimeintheheat toloosenupthosemuscles,isoneofthebig benefitsofhotyoga,allowingyoutogettothose deeperstretchessooner. ■
WALK4LIFE
Whetheryoulivenearwoods,fieldsorcity centres,walkingisacheapandcheerfulway ofexercising.Thesimpleactofwalking–whetheraswiftstridetotheshopsoraleisurelystroll throughthepark–canhaveahugeimpactonourwellbeing.Andthismonthseesanaddedincentivetostep out,asMidlandsAirAmbulanceCharityhasannounced thereturnofitsWalk4LifeChallengeinSeptember.
Bywalking2,000stepsadayfortheentiremonth,not onlycanyouhelpraisevitallife-savingfundsbutalso seriouslyimproveyourfitnesslevels.
HEREAREJUSTSOMEOFTHEKEY
IMPROVETHEIMMUNESYSTEM
Yournose,gutandairwayscontainlotsofgood, naturalkillercells(NKCs)whichattackpotentially harmfulvirusesbeforetherestoftheimmunesystem, calledthebcellimmunesystem,comesonboardand startscreatingantibodies.ThenumberofNKCsincreases whenyoutakeawalk.
BOOSTMENTALHEALTH
Whenyou’rewalking,youreleasesomethingcalled brainderivedneurotrophicfactor,orBDNF.Theonly thingthatgetsitoutintothebodyisexercise–it’s absolutelydependentonusmovingaround.BDNFhelps reduceinflammationwhichnotonlycausesphysical problemsbutpotentialissueswithourmentalhealth,too. So,bywalkingandreducingityoucanhelptacklethings likeanxietyanddepression.
MAKEUSHAPPIER
Oneofthemajorbenefitsofwalkingisstressreliefas theactofphysicalexerciseincreasesconcentrationsof norepinephrineinthebody–achemicalwhich moderatesthebrain’sresponsetostress.
AIDCREATIVITY
Walkingcanreallygetyourcreativejuicesflowingand there’slotsofanecdotalevidencethatsomeofhistory’s greatestphilosopherswereactivewalkers.Let’sfaceit, youarefarmorelikelytohavegotagoodideaifyou’re walkingthroughabeautifulforestthanifyou’resitting down,doingnothing.Itiswidelyreportedthatthelate
founderofApple,SteveJobs,regularlyheldmeetingson themove.AndresearchbyStanfordUniversitysupports histhinkingbydemonstratingthatwalkingsignificantly boostscreativeinspiration.
INCREASEPRODUCTIVITY
Employeeswhoregularlyexercisearesaidtobefar moreproductiveandhavemuchmoreenergythantheir moresedentarycounterparts.Notonlythat,but12noon isapparentlytheoptimumtimeofthedaytoreapthe benefitsso,ifyoufancysurvivingthemiddayslump,be suretotakethatlunchtimestroll.
GOODFORMETABOLISM
Engaginginlow-levelactivityacrossthecourseofthe dayisbetterforregulatingyourmetabolismthan engagingsmallbitsofintensebutinfrequentactivity. Peopletendtooverestimatethebenefitsofgoingtothe gymandpoundingoutanhouronthetreadmillwhen they’vebeeninactivefortherestoftheday.Infact,there issomeevidencethatthisbehaviourcanleadtoexerciseinducedinactivity.
IMPROVEPOSTURE
Formanyofus,theworkingdayinvolvesgoingfrom sittinginourcartosittingatourdesk,tosittingonthe sofa.Thiscanresultinabadpostureandbackproblems. Gettingupandwalkingaroundregularlycanhelp preventabadbackandimproveourposture.
STRENGTHENANDREPAIRJOINTS
Themoreyouwalk,themoreyourepairyour cartilage,andthethickerthecartilagebecomesandthe strongerthejointbecomes.
PREVENTDEMENTIA
Walking,likeallformsofphysicalexercise,booststhe chemicalsinthebrainthatsupportandprevents degradationofthehippocampus–avitalpartofthebrain formemoryandlearning.Researchershavefoundthat walkingforjust20minutesadayboostsmemoryand improvesoverallbrainfunction. ■
FormoreinformationabouttheWalk4LifeChallengeandhow youcangetinvolved,visitmidlandsairambulance.com
ASK THE EXPERT
MrFurtadospecialisesinconditions affectingthespine,spinalcord,and nerves.Heofferstreatmentsfor sciatica,backandlegpainfromstenosis,armpain relatedtonervecompression,spinaltumours, spinalreconstructionfromadeformityrelatedto degenerativeconditions,traumaorspinal infections.MrFurtadotakesapersonalised approachtocare,tailoringtreatmenttoyour individualneedsandcanofferminimallyinvasive treatmentsaswellasmorestandardspinalsurgical interventions.
Whatissciatica?
Sciaticaiswhenthesciaticnerveiscompressedor irritatedandreferstopainthatrunsdowntheroute ofthesciaticnerve,thelongestnerveinyourbody. Thesciaticnerverunsfromthebackofyourpelvis tothebottomofyourfeet.Thesciaticnervebeing
MRNAVINFURTADOISACONSULTANTNEUROSURGEONAND SPINALSURGEONATHCAUKTHEHARBORNEHOSPITALIN BIRMINGHAM.WECAUGHTUPWITHHIMTODISCUSSHIS EXPERTADVICEONSCIATICA,FROMDIAGNOSISTOTREATMENT.
compressedorirritatedcanbecausedbyanumberof things,butisoftencausedbyaslippedorherniated discinyourback.Adisccan‘bulge’or ‘prolapse/herniate’andputpressureonthenervesin yourspine,causinginflammation,pain,numbness andsometimesweakness.Itisimportanttonotethat notallchangestothediscsinyourbackwillcause sciatica.Verylargediscprolapsescandamagenerves controllingbladderorbowelfunction.
Whatarethemainsymptomstolookfor?
Themainsymptomofsciaticaispainthatisoften feltinthelowerbackandcanradiatedownoneor bothlegs,andthebuttocks,whichcanbequite uncomfortable.Youmayfeelanythingfromadull achetoasharppain,andevenatinglingsensation leadingtonumbnessandweaknessinyourlegin severecases.Thepainfromsciaticacanvaryfrom daytodayandcanbedifficulttomanage.
Howissciaticadiagnosed?
SciaticacanbediagnosedbyyourGPor healthcareprofessionalfromyourhistoryand distributionofpainandbyaphysicalexamination, lookingatyoursensation,strengthandrangeof movement.Ascanisnotusuallynecessaryformost peopleduringtheearlystagesofsciatica,asmany caseswillsettlewithtime.Ifyoursymptomspersist youmaybereferredtoaspecialistandanMRIscan mayberecommendediftreatmentisgoingtobe required.Ascanmayalsoberecommendedif sciaticaisbeingcausedbyanotherseriousmedical condition,howeverthisisrare.
Whattreatmentoptionsareavailable?
Sciaticawilloftengoawaynaturallyinafew weeksformostpeople,butforotherpeopleitcan lastalotlonger,andtherearearangeoftreatment optionsavailable.Painrelievingmedicationcanbe prescribedtohelpyoumanagethepainofsciatica, andthereareotheroptionsincludingpainkilling injectionsorsurgerythatmayberecommended. DuringrecoveryIwouldrecommendslowly introducingactivity,suchaslightexerciselike walking,butitisimportanttobuildthisupslowly asthesciaticnervecanbeverysensitive. ■
DRESS ITDOWN
ClothingfromJoeBrowns
TARTAN ARMY
LIKEALLCLASSICS,THEHUMBLECHECKIS REGURGITATEDINDIFFERENTGUISESEVERY YEARANDTHISSEASONISNOEXCEPTION
ARM CANDY
VivienneWestwoodHeather cottonandlinenblendshoulder bag£710,Selfridges
JACKET IN
Bouclejacket
£32.50,F&F
TRAIL BLAZER
Relaxedbutton blazer£75,M&S
TPERFECT
PINAFORE
Checkbouclepinafore
£33.99,NewLook
WOOL BLEND
Woolblendblazer£129, CrewClothing
heclassiccheckisbackwithmorethanahintofdéjàvu.Yes, therearereimaginedversionsbutessentiallyyoucanprobably mineyourexistingplaidandstillbebanguptodate.Makethat yourstartingpointandworkfromthere.
CHECKPLEASE
Whethersubtleorhead-to-toe,thisseasonwe’reembracingthe squaresfromboldheritageweavestoblackandwhitechecksandkookie colourcombos.Iftraditionalisyourvibe,makeliketheRoyalswitha classictartanskirt,cashmeresweaterandridingbootsfora quintessentiallyBritish,timelesslook.SeeCelticandCo,pictured.
Alternatively,ifyou’refeelingbrave,wearclashingprintsandcolours forabohemianlook,alaHelenaBonhamCarter,orgoforapunktartan vibeinspiredbythelategreatVivienneWestwood.Checkoutthe Drunkentartangatheredshirt,pictured.Itisn’tcheapbutitwilllast foreverifyoulookafterit.
SUCKIT ANDSEE
Seersuckerdress
£75,Monsoon
PLAIDFAD
Blazer£39.50and skirt£18,F&F
There’sabigspacewheremostofusfindourselves somewhereinbetweenPrincessAnneandtheSex Pistolswhereclassicchecksarecoolwithoutpushing boundariestoofarorapingroyalty.So,withthatin mind,we’vepickedoutourfavouritepiecesfromthis seasontogiveyouabitofinspo,butalsoweurgeyou toconsidervintage.
Sincechecksandtartanhavebeenaroundforever, you’relikelytofinddecentpre-lovedpieces–that’sif anyonehasbeendaftenoughtopurgethemof course.HeadtoCowinDigbethforadeepdive… youneverknowwhatyoumightfind! ■
Jacquardjumper
£69,CrewClothing
Abigailsleevelessknitted jumper£64.95,Barbour
ClothingfromJoeBrowns
DriesVonNotenTilburg
tartanwoolblendmidi
skirt£495,HarveyNichols
Skirt£16,F&F
Trousers£29and top£27.50,F&F
VivienneWestwoodDrunken
tartanprintgatheredshirt £415,HarveyNichols
Jacket£199.99 (RRP£745), TKMaxx
TERRIFIC TRENCH
Browntrenchcoat£139, JohnLewis
CHIC SHACKET
Checkedovershirt
£49,M&S
SUBTLE STYLE
JosephRolletdoublefaced tartanwoolcashmereblend coat£875,Selfridges
COLOUR POP
Charlottecheckcoat
£200,Monsoon
CLASSIC COAT
Carcoat£160,M&S
SUPER SCARF
Checkblanket scarf£35, Monsoon
Maddisonjacket
£169,Barbour
TOPOF THECROPS
Jacket£16.99, TKMaxx
MONO WOW
NEWLAUNCHES
THISMONTHWEBRINGYOUAHANDFULOFNEWLAUNCHES TOTHROWINTOYOURBEAUTYMIX,PLUSABRILLIANTSPF
WE’VETESTEDALLSUMMERTHAT’SSTAYINGWITHUSINTO THECOLDERMONTHS
1.LAMERREJUVENATINGNIGHTCREAM–£350,LAMER
Thisisquitetheinvestment,butituniquelyoffersan alternativetoharshretinolsoifyouusuallystrugglewith irritatingsideeffects,thiscouldbetheoneforyou.LaMeris snappilycallingitsmarineretinolMRA-3andthis,teamed withthebrand’ssignatureMiracleBroth(giantseakelpplus someothergoodies),hasarejuvenatingandrechargingeffect. Seeifyoucangrabasamplefromyournearestcountersoyou getafeelforhowitworksforyoubeforeyoucommit.
2.ANOKHABAMBOOANDYUZUFACIALSCRUB–£86.50,ANOKHASKINCARE.COM
There’salottolikeaboutthislittlepowerhouse.Riceand bamboopowdersgentlyliftdeadskincellseveningoutskin toneandtexture.It’sidealforboostingbrightnessandisperfect forsensitiveskinthatmightnotreactwelltoharsherscrubs. Plus,it’s100percentnaturalandvegan.
3.NEUTROGENAHYDROBOOSTHYDRATINGFLUID SPF50–£16.50,BOOTS
Thisisakeeperandwe’llbewearingitthroughoutthecolder monthsoverourusualmoisturiser.We’retakingSPFseriously andthisislightweightenoughtoaddaquickslickattheendof ourmorningroutinewithnobother.Itmeltsintotheskinand feelssuperhydrating.
4.THEORDINARYBODYCARERANGE–FROM£11.70,THEORDINARY
Ifyou’reafanofTheOrdinary’sskincareproducts,thenew bodycarerangeisworthalook.Aswithallthebrand’sproducts, thereasonablepricepointdefiesitspotency.Aserum,ahybrid emulsionandamoisturisinglotionpromisegreatthingsand frompastexperience,webelievethem.
2
1
3
4
CHECK MATE
AFADETOGREY
CarharttWIPBlanchard checkedshirt£100, HarveyNichols
ZIPIT
ReissStamford brushedwoven overshirt£148, Selfridges
checkedshirtisyourmostwearableoptionandcanbe easilydressedupordown.Wearwithjeansandathin teeforarelaxedvibeortailoredtrousersanda lightweightjacketforsmarterdays.Ifwe’retreatedtowarm Septemberdays,ashort-sleevedoptionlikethediamondprint (we’reputtingitinthecheckedcamp)fromPercivalisperfect. Ifyou’relookingforfullonsmart,acheckedsuitisyourfriend. We’dgoforsubtle.ThegreyversionpicturedfromM&Sisthe perfectoptionforaclassiclookandwouldbeequally appropriateataweddingasabusinessmeeting. Avoidgarishcoloursthatwillmakeyoulookcomedicrather thanchic.TheheritageblazerpicturedfromJoeBrownsin mutedgreenistherightsideofstylish,butthat’sprobablyour limit.Intermsofouterwear,theunlikeliestcollaborationofthe seasonbetweenRegattaandChristianLacroixhasbirtheda hoodedraincoatthat’ssurprisinglygood.Itturnsoutthatthe practicalityofRegattaandstyleofLacroixisamatchmadein outerwearheaven.It’swellworthalook. ■
SUNDAYBEST
Freshheritage blazer£120, JoeBrowns
LAYERUP
Anydaychecked overshirt£45, JohnLewis
BUTTONEDUP Etonhoundstooth checkwoolblend overshirt£550, Selfridges
TERRIFICTRANSITION
Phoenixovershirt £109,Barbour
CHECKSFORDAYS Ettrickovershirt £99.95,Barbour
WHATEVER THEWEATHER
RegattaxChristian Lacroixlong waterproofjacket £260,Regatta
DIAMONDGEEZA
Percivaldiamond printshirt£150, HarveyNichols
HOMESliving
SWITCH UP YOUR LIGHTING
DRAMAQUEEN PendantfromNest
Lightingisneverreallythestaroftheshow.In fact,youmightnotevennoticegreatlightingat all,butyoucertainlynoticebadlighting.Poorly thought-outlightingjustfeelsoff,themoodisn’tright, butyoucan’tquiteputyourfingeronit.Conversely, greatlightingenrichesthespaceandmakesitfeelput together.Theambiencefitstheoccasion/timeofdayand feelsgood.
LAYERUP
Sincemanyoftheroomsinourhomesaremulti use,flexiblelightingandlayeringworksbest.For instance,youmightneedbrightlightsinyourkitchen forfoodpreparationbutsoftlightingfordining. Loosely,therearethreetypesoflightingtoconsider–backgroundorgenerallighting,tasklightingand accentlighting.Generally,acombinationofallthreeis themosteffectiveandmostversatile.Themorelight sourcesyouhave,themoreversatilethespaceis providedthey’recontrolledseparately.
Backgroundlightingsuchasceilinglightsthatgive theoverallilluminationtoaroomistheplacetostart. Lookatlargependants,downlightsandwalllightsand forincreasedflexibilityalwaystryandoptfordimmer switches.
HOMES
Tasklightingismoretargeted.Tousethe kitchenexample,thismightbealightinthe cookerhoodtoilluminatethehoborstrip lightingunderyourwallcabinetsto illuminatetheworktop.
Accentlightingismorefrivolousbut equallyeffective,highlightingfeaturesyou’d liketodrawattentiontosuchasartworkor anarchitecturalfeature.
SIMPLECHANGES
Lampsarethesimplestwaytochangeup yourlightingschemewithouttheneedfor messyelectricalwork.Carefullyplaced,they candirectpoolsoflighttocreatethelook you’reafter.Trymovinglampsaroundyour homeandseewhatthedifferenteffectis. Also,itmightseemsimple,butareyour bulbsworkingforyou?Playaroundwith differenttonestocreatewarmthwhereyou wantitandchoosetherightshapeofbulb. Differentshapescanprovideadifferent spreadandangleoflight,soshoparound.
ECOCREDENTIALS
Checkoutvoice-activated,motionsensor lightingandautomatedsystemstolimit waste.Energysavingbulbsaremore expensivethanyouraveragebulb,butthey’re freefrommercuryvapour,use90percentless energyandlastaround100,000hours.
SHOPLOCAL
We’vepulledtogetherafewexamplesto inspireyou,butbearinmindit’shardto visualiselightingfromanimagesogoout andshop.Viewinginpersonwillgiveyoua moreaccurateideaofhowthelightingwill lookinyourhome.We’vemassesofchoicein Birmingham.HeadtoEdgbastontotakein Kin.andBoConceptforamoderntakeon lightingorNeptuneandOKAforamore countryhousevibe.HeaddownBroadStreet toLeeLonglandsforabitofbothand MinimaintheJQforcontemporary examples. ■
SMALLBUTPERFECTLYFORMED Tablelamp£65,Habitat
MINIMALFUSS
LightingandfurniturefromM&S
ISLANDDREAMS
LightingfromFritzFryer
MULTIUSESPACE
LightingfromFritzFryer
CURVEDLINES
Paddlependant£729,
BoConcept
AFromthePottingBench withAdam
SEPTEMBERISWHENSUMMERREALLYGETSINTOITS STRIDE,SAYSOURRESIDENTGARDENINGEXPERTADAM KIRTLAND.HERE’SHISQUICKTIPSTOKEEPEVERYTHING LOOKINGBLOOMINGLOVELY…
fterasomewhatdrabstarttotheyear,the gardenisnowinfullswingandthe sunshineandraincombinationweendured waybackthendoesn’tseemtohavedampenedthe spiritsofourplants.Ifanything,thatmixturehas giventhemsometenacitytofightthroughthose roughertimes,whichreallyhasgivenusasummer gardentobeproudof.
Ifyourgardenisanythinglikeminethenithas reallycomeintoitsstridenow,laterthanusualbut it’shereandallthatgrowthhasbroughtan abundanceofblooms(andhopefullyfruitandveg too!).ThismonthI’dreallylikeyoutoputyourfeet upandtrytoenjoyitall,butifyou’reitchingtoget gardeningthenI’vegotsomesimplejobstokeep youroccupiedthroughoutSeptember.
Deadheaddaily!
Septemberisamonthtokeepondeadheadingto ensurecontinuedbloomsandmaintainthehealthof yourplants.Dahlias,forinstance,thrivewithregular deadheading.TodeadheadDahlias,lookforspent flowersandsnipthemoffjustabovethenearestsetof healthyleaves,usingclean,sharpscissorsorpruners. Thisencouragestheplanttoproducenewsideshoots andflowersratherthanputtingenergyintoseed production.Rosesalsobenefitfromdeadheadingthis month,andit’sasimilarprocedureforthesetoo. Withmosttypesofroses,cutthestembacktothe
firstsetfiveleaves,ensuringyoumakeacleancutat anangletopromotequickhealing. Similarly,beddingplantslikepetuniasand geraniumscanbedeadheadedtoprolongtheir floweringseason.Pinchoffthefadedflowerswith yourfingersorsnipthem,takingcaretoremovethe entireflowerheadincludingthebasetopreventseed podformation.Perennialslikerudbeckiaand echinaceaalsorespondwelltodeadheading.Cut backtheflowerstemstojustabovealeaforbudto encouragemoreblooms.Deadheadingnotonly keepsyourgardenlookingtidybutalsopromotes vigorousgrowthandalongerbloomingperiod, ensuringyourgardenstaysvibrantthroughtothe endofsummer.
Thinkahead,saveyourseeds!
Thismonththegardenisbrimmingwith opportunitiestosaveseedsforfutureplanting. Sweetpeas,forexample,areexcellentcandidatesfor seedsaving.Whileitisalittleearlytolettheplants formtheirseedpods,occasionallyyou’llmissone andinthatcase,itisworthsavingtheseseeds insteadofspendingmoneyonnewones.Oncethe flowershavefaded,allowtheseedpodstodevelop andthenwhenthepodsturnbrownanddryout, collectthemandcarefullysplitthemopentorelease theseeds.Drytheseedsthoroughlybeforestoring theminacool,dryplace.
Aquilegiaisanotherplantwhoseseeds canbesavedinSeptember,too.After flowering,aquilegiadevelopsseedpods thatwilldryandstarttocrackopen. Harvestthepodsjustbeforetheysplit completelyandshakeouttheseedsintoa paperbag.Lettheseedsairdryforafew daysbeforestoringtheminlabelled envelopesorjars.Alternatively,ifyou leavethesepodsonyourAquilegia plants,theywillself-seedinyour bordersorpotsandgrowmore plantsnextyear.
Fruitfulfruit!
Ifyou’vegotfruitgrowinginyour gardenorgreenspacethenthereare afewthingsyoucanbedoingin September.Applesandpearsareripe now,sostartcheckingforreadiness. Gentlyliftthefruit—ifitcomesaway easily,it’sreadytopick.Blackberriesand raspberriesareinfullswing,perfectfor fresheating,jamsorfreezing. Plumsarealsoabundant;pickthem whentheyareslightlysofttothetouch. Forthoseofyougrowingstrawberries, makesuretoregularlyharvesttheripe onestoencouragemorefruiting–the moreyoupick,themorewillgrow! Additionally,keepaneyeonthesesofter fruitsastheycanbesomewhatappealing forbirds.
Don’tforgettowateryourfruitplants regularly,especiallyduringdryspells,to ensuretheyremainhealthyand productive.Agoodfeedeveryfewweeks, especiallyoftomatoesisalwaysadvisedto maximiseyourharvests. ■
CHECKINWITHADAM
SMOOTHOPERATOR
VW’SLATESTTOUAREGSUVBUILDSONITSREPUTATIONFORLUXURY, AGILITYANDHANDLINGTHEWORSTOURPOORLYMAINTAINEDROADS CANTHROWATIT.SUECOOKETRIEDTHEE-HYBRIDVERSIONFORSIZE
PoorlymaintainedUKroadsandincreasing floodsmakesacompetent4x4averyattractive purchase.In2002,theTouaregwasthefirst SUVfromVolkswagen,asluxuriousasasaloonandas agileasasportscar.So,whatofthenewthird generationTouareg?
Well,forstartersithasexcellentoff-roadabilitiesand highlyefficientengines.Therearetwoplug-inhybrids versions,inadditiontoaturbochargedpetrolengine. Thereisalsoachoiceoftwoturbodieselengines.Allare pairedasstandardwithaneight-speedautomatic gearboxand4Motionpermanentall-wheeldrive.
Thenewfrontendhasaredesignedradiatorgrille, headlightsandapron.Therearissharperwitha gorgeouscontinuoushorizontalLEDstripforthe taillightclusters.ThisLEDstripincorporatesthe Volkswagenlogowhichisilluminatedinred,making thenewTouaregimmediatelyrecognisable.
BRILLIANTNEWS
Andbrilliantnewsforpeoplelikemeisthatthe Touaregcomeswithbrightheadlightsthatdon’tdazzle. Assomeonewhodoesnotparticularlyenjoydrivingat night,theTouaregprovidesalaneoflightaheadofme thatgivesfantasticvisibilityandconfidence.Morethan 38,400LEDsturnnightintodaywithoutdazzling oncomingtraffic–ifonlyothercarswereasgood! Unsurprisingly,VWsaystheTouaregoffersoneofthe bestlightingandnightvisionsystemsintheworld.
Meanwhile,thecar’sinteriorboastsalonglistofhitechenhancements.Ifoundthesat-navsystemeasyto use,witha15-inchtouchscreenandclearmapdisplay, whichwasrepeatedinthescreenbehindthesteering wheel.Thevoicecontrolsystemhasbeenupdatedand phoneappscannowbeintegratedwirelessly.
SUNNYSIDEUP
Thereisalarge,widecoveredcentralstoragearea betweenthecomfortablefrontseatswhichalsoactsas anarmrest.Thereisevenpaddingonthecentre consoletocushionthedriver’skneesfrombumps. Andthestorageareasarejusttherightsizeforholding twowaterbottles.Thereisachoiceoffourdriver settings,Eco,Comfort,NormalandSport.
Theoptionalpanoramicsunroof,whichhasan electrically-operatedsunblind,stretchesthewhole
FACTSATAGLANCE
Model: VWTouaregEleganceplugine-hybrid Price: £68,810totalRRP
Engine: 3.0-litreTSIeHybrid4Motion
Performance: 0-62mphin5.9secondsandontoatopspeedof155mph
Combinedfuelconsumption: 128.4mpg(WLTP)
CO2emissions: 51g/km
lengthofthecarandrearpassengersmuch appreciatedthelightairycabin.Thebootishuge andhasahiddencompartmentunderneathandtwo usefulhooksatthesideforcarrierbaghandleswhich keptshoppingfromfallingout.
Usefultechnologyincludesa360-degreebird’seye viewofthearea,whichisusefulwhenreversing.Park AssistPlushasremoteparkingcapabilitysoIcouldeven parkstandingoutsidethevehicleusingtheapp.Thereis alsoalonglistofsafetyandsecuritystandardfeatures.
Whileroadtestingtheplug-inhybridinEcomode, Iwasamazedatthefantasticacceleration–62mph fromstandstillwasreachedin5.9seconds!Thelarge 4x4isagileandsportywhenquickovertakingis neededaroundtownbutwillcruiseonthemotorway withatranquilambience.TheTouaregiseasytodrive andsensorsmakeiteffortlesstopark.
Thisautumn,whetheryou’relookingforarugged off-roader,asmoothlong-distancecruiseroratowing workhorsewithachoiceofhybrids,thelatestTouareg hasthesuperiorcomfortandhi-techfeaturesyou’d expectfromVolkswagen’sflagshipmodel. ■
SHOWROOM
JohnsonsVolkswagenBirmingham,LawleyMiddleway,Birmingham, B47XT.Tel:01217036600www.johnsonscars.co.uk/volkswagen/
MACKENZIEGRIFFITH
Moseley’sMackenzieGriffithhashadalot ofbarrierstoovercomegrowingup.That elitepara-skiingwasonatallistestament toMackenzie’spluckyspiritandobvioustalentbut alsotheirparents’determinationtogiveMackenzie alltheopportunitiesthattheirolderable-bodied daughterenjoyed.
Bornat23weeks,Mackenziehascerebralpalsywith hemiplegiaontheirrightsidewhichaffectsmuscle toneandstrengthfromheadtotoe.Mackenziesays theyweretreatedthesameastheirable-bodiedsister whowasfiveyearsolder,sotheyjustgotonwithit.
Mackenziedescribestheirparentsas‘absolutelyski mad’.MumgrewupinSwitzerland,soskiingwas partoflife,anddadstartedskiinginhisteens. Mackenziesays:“Istartedskiingagedthree.Ilearnt togoagedthreeandtostopagesix!”Betweentheages ofsevenand11Mackenzieskiedonadryslopeand competedinable-bodiedcompetitions.
MENTALCHALLENGE
Theybecamedisillusionedandstoppedforawhile asitwasnighonimpossibletobeascompetitiveas theywantedtobeastheygrewolder.Mackenzieskied recreationallywiththefamily,butaftertheSochi Gamesin2015,Mackenzie’sdadsaid,“IthinkMac coulddothat.”Thissetinmotionajourneytoelite parasportthatwasbothbrilliantandfrustrating. AtalentIDdayfollowedwhereadevelopmentcoach fromtheeliteparaset-upwatchedMackenzieski.He
YOUNG,GIFTED&BRUMMIE
hadachatwithMackenzieafterwardsandsaidthatwhateverthe goal,theycouldachieveit.Mackenzie’sdreamofcompetingat theParalympicswason.TraininginManchesteronaTuesday eveningbecamethenormandinNovember2015Mackenzie travelledtotheNetherlandstobeassessedandwasgivena classificationtocompetein.
TherewerechallengeswiththeGBset-upandthesheer numberofhoursonthesnowteamedwithgymworkwasalot andMackenziefatiguedquickerthansomeoftheothers.Aswith allelitesport,thementalchallengesweregreatincluding sacrificingbirthdays,weddingsandthelike.Foreightyears Mackenzie’slifewasskiing.Mackenzie’sschool,EdgbastonHigh Schoolwasverysupportive,andtheheadmistressencouraged theirtrainingandcompetition.IntheendMackenziewasat school50percentoftimeandendedupachieving10GCSEsand oneA-Levelwhichisremarkable.
GOLDMEDAL
ThefirstyearofparasportinAlberta,Canadawas‘brilliant’. Havingbeeninaminoritytheirwholelifeuptothispoint, Mackenziewasinthemajorityinthisenvironment.Therewere prostheticlimbslyingaroundandwheelchairseverywhere. Mackenzierecalls:“Iwasnolongerself-conscious.We’dlaugh andteaseoneanother.Inoneofmyfirstraces,Iwontheyouth goldmedal.Iusedthearmofthesilvermedallisttohelpgetonto thepodiumandIpulledabittoohard.Shefelloffandendedup onthefloor!”
WhenMackenzieflewbacktoCanadaforanotherseason,itwas anon-starter.Theylosttheirpassport,sprainedtheirfootandthe programmewascancelledforanumberofreasons.Withinaweek Mackenziehadgonefromamassivehightoahugelow.Getting emergencytraveldocumentssotheycouldflyhomewasamission. Mentally,Mackenziefelttheycouldn’tgobackouttotrainand compete.Theysay:“Theplanwastostayathomeforthreeweeks thenheadtoSaltLakeCityinUtah,butmentallyIwasn’tupto it.”Whileitwasatoughdecisiontotake,Mackenziedoesn’tregret athingandcherishesthelifelongfriendstheymade.Italsoallowed Mackenzietopursueadifferentavenueofwork.
ThroughoutthepandemicMackenziestartedtogetmore interestedinTVandbroadcasting.TheyjoinedLateNight LycettforsixweeksasatraineeandsayJoewas‘adreamandas downtoearthasyou’dexpect’.Mackenziehasappliedtobea level4productionco-ordinatoronMasterchefwhichisnow filmedinBirmingham.Atthetimeofwriting,Mackenziehad gonestraightthroughtothesecondroundofwhichtherearefive. Psychometrictestingisupnext.We’veeverythingcrossed! ■
AT-LevelengineeringstudentfromSolihullCollege& UniversityCentreisgearinguptostartherfour-year apprenticeshipwithcargiantJaguarLandRover. LemeahSimpson-Smith,18,whoenjoysgoingtocar shows,drawingcarsandwouldlovetoracethemtoo, said:“MygrandadusedtoworkatJLRandhasbeena massiveinspirationformetogetintotheautomotive industry.Ican’twaittodohimproud!”Lemeahisone ofonlyahandfulofapprenticestakenonbyJLRina highlycompetitiveprocess.
CRICKETSUCCESS
Nowonderthey’reallsmiles!SolihullSchool’sU17 girls’cricketsquadwascrownedchampionsinthe EclipseT20NationalPlateCompetition.Theteam triumphedawayatSeafordCollegecomingbackfrom 55forfivetopostawinningtotalof144off20overs. OthercricketingsuccessesforSolihullincludetheU17 boys’XIclaimingtheirspotintheNationalCupFinal forthefirsttimeintheschool’shistory.Thatmatchwill beplayedthismonthagainstEpsomCollege.
ROCKIN’THEALBERTHALL
London’sRoyalAlbertHallwastheexcitingsceneaschildrenfromSpecial SchoolsinCoventryperformedtheirownnewly-pennedsongtoanaudience of5,000people.TheyoungstersfromBagintonFieldsAcademyand SherbourneFieldsSchool,allofwhomhavemoderatetoprofoundspecial educationalneeds,performedtheirpieceatACAcademyDoestheRoyal AlbertHall,amusicgalaorganisedbytheWarwick-basedchoirandmusic charityArmonicoConsort.Theysharedthestagewith2,000pupilsfrom50 mainstreamschools,aswellasprofessionalsingersfromArmonicoConsort, OrchestraoftheSwan,anddancersincludingStrictlystarKarenHauer.
SCHOOL REPORT
Year1pupilsatBalsallCommonPrimarySchoolAcademyputtheirbestfoot forwardinafund-raisingcampaigntosupportBirminghamChildren’sHospital bywalkingandskipping5,000stepsontheschool’splayingfield.“Weare incrediblyproudoftheirdedicationtothiscampaign,”saidheadteacherMark Mitchell.“Itnotonlysupportsavitalcommunityresourcebutalsoprovides ourpupilswithameaningfulandengagingeducationalexperience.”Hospital regionalfund-raiserWilliamGravesadded:“Initiativeslikethisprovidemuchneededfundsbutalsoinspirehopeandsolidarity.”
APPRENTICEOFTHEYEAR
MechanicalandelectricalapprenticeNeave Sprosoniscelebratingwinningatop award.NeavewhoworksattheWest BromwichandBirminghamCentraldepots ofNationalExpressWestMidlandswas namedBestElectricDrivelineApprentice followinganationalIRTESkillsChallenge competition,alongwiththecoveted Judge’sChoiceaward.Morethan60 apprenticeengineersfromacrossthebus andcoachindustrycompetedinthe challengewithNeaveachievingthehighest scoreinhercategory.
SHININGATSYMPHONYHALL
TwomusiciansfromCockshutHillSchool performedamedleyofhitsattheServicesFor Education(SFE)YouthProm.Accompaniedby theirperipateticmusicteacherChrisBowden andPAtotheprincipalClairePilkington,Alex (year10)ondrumsandCaitlyn(year7)on keyboards,playedRickAstley’sNeverGonna GiveYouUp,BackstreetBoys’IWantItThat WayandBonJovi’sLivin’onaPrayer.The performancewasoneoffourconcertsat SymphonyHallfeaturingmorethan4,500 youngmusiciansfromacrossBirmingham.
SchoolchildreninErdington andLadywoodaregetting theirmorningsofftoa splashingstartaslocal swimmingbreakfastclubs continuefollowingagenerous donation.Energyand regenerationexpertEquans, whichmanagesrepairs, maintenanceand refurbishmentservicestomore than37,000homesonbehalf ofBirminghamCityCouncil, hassteppedintofundthe activities.The28-week programme,organisedandrun byBirminghamCommunity LeisureTrustinpartnership withSercoLeisure,provides swimmingandwatersafety sessionsfor30childreneach weekatErdingtonand Ladywoodleisurecentres.
LOTTERYWIN
YouthhomelesscharityStBasilshasbeen awardedmorethan£1.1millionfromthe NationalLotteryCommunityFundtosupport youngpeoplelookingtoreturntoeducation, employmentortraining.Theawardwillsee morethan600youngpeopleaccesssupport fromthecharity’semployabilityteam.Jean Templeton,chiefexecutiveatStBasils,said: “Jobsandhomesarecriticalprotective factorsparticularlyforyoungpeoplemoving intoindependencewithlimitedresources. WearegratefultotheNationalLottery CommunityFundforrecognisingthat.”
NEWS BUSINESS
MEDIAMOVES
CitybasedmarketingagencySwof Mediaisexpandingwithnew appointmentswhilecelebratingits 12thanniversary.ChesterBoothehas joinedasclientrelationshipdirector, whileJayMuldoonhasbeen appointedthefirm’snewmarketing manager.FounderandCEOSteve Swoffersaid:“Wehavestrengthened ourteamwithtwonewsenior memberswhichhasincreasedthe resourcewecanoffertoourclients andhasalsoimprovedtheefficiency ofouroperations.”
GATEWAYGO-AHEAD
ModaGrouphaswonplanningpermissionfor thenextphaseofitscitygatewaymasterplanin Edgbaston,pavingthewayforafurther462new homes.Plansforthe37-storeybuild-to-rent developmentweregiventhegoaheadby BirminghamCityCouncil.Moda,inpartnership withlandownerCalthorpeEstates,saysitwill deliverastrikingbuildingwithaninnovative ‘steppedbar’design.RalphMinott, masterplanninganddevelopmentdirectorat CalthorpeEstates,pictured,said:“Thislandmark developmentmarksasignificantmilestoneinthe transformationofNewGardenSquare.”
LAWLANDMARK
ABirminghamlawfirmhas celebratingits10thanniversary. PreviouslyknownasCatoSolicitors until2022,WitanSolicitorshas evolvedundertheguidanceofits foundersandcurrentleaders.Under theleadershipofQarrarSomji, pictured,thecurrentdirectorand ownerofWitan,thebusinesshas doublingitsrevenueandstaff numbers.Qarrarsaid:“Overthe last10years,thecompanyhas grownfromstrengthtostrength. Lastyearwasourbestyeartodate intermsofturnover.”
BirminghamJazzandBluesFestivaldirectorand firstmanagerofBlackSabbath,JimSimpson,has beenawardedanhonorarydoctorateofmusicby theUniversityofBirmingham.Aspartofthe graduationceremonyintheuniversity’sGreatHall, Jimreceivedthehonourinrecognitionofhismany yearsofworkonthefestivalandinmusicaround Birmingham.Thisyear’sfestivalheldinJuly celebratedits40thanniversaryandfeatured nearly240performances.
MEDICALPRIZE
Aspin-outcompanyfromAstonUniversity’spharmaceuticsresearchgroup, MESOX,haswonamajornationalmedicaltechnologyandlifesciencesindustry award.MESOX,whichwasfoundedbyAston’spharmaceuticslecturerDrAli Al-Khattawi,hasbeenawardedtheNationalStart-UpAwardfromMedilinkUK. Theawardsrecogniseoutstandingcontributionstomedtechlifesciences. DrAl-Khattawisaid:“ThisisaproudmomentfortheMESOXteamanda testamenttothepotentialofourcompany.”
MOWINGGREEN
Warwickshirehasbecomethefirstprofessionalcricketclubinthecountryto useanall-electricfleetofgroundsequipmenttomaintainitspitches.Theclub hasreceived10battery-poweredmowersforitsEdgbastonpitchandColts traininggroundaspartofanewpartnershipwithleadinginternationalgrounds equipmentbrandDennisMowers.Replacingtheoutgoingpetrolversions,the newkitwillsavetheclub£4,500ayearinfuelcostsandreduceitsCO2 emissionsbymorethanseventonnesannually.
A£3millionappealislookingtotransformthe frontentranceofBirminghamChildren’s Hospital.TheItStartsHereAppealfollows feedbackfromfamiliesthattheexisting entranceisstressfultonavigatewith pushchairs,wheelchairsandmedicalequipment anddoesn’tputchildrenatease.Thenew designwillbemorewelcoming,openand bright.Giftsandpledgesfromindividualsand organisationsmeanthereisnow£1.6million lefttoraisefromthepublictomeetthetarget.
TheRSChasappointedBaileyLockasitsnewexecutiveproducer(Stratford),working alongsideco-artisticdirectorsTamaraHarveyandDanielEvansandexecutivedirector AndrewLeveson.Baileyiscurrentlyco-executivedirectoroftheUnicornTheatre,the UK’sleadingchildren’stheatre.DuringhertenuretheUnicornhascollaboratedwith Regent’sParkOpenAirTheatre,theRoaldDahlStoryCompany,EnglishNationalBallet, TalawaTheatreCompany,Upswing,SheffieldTheatres,Children’sTheatrePartnership, ATGCreativeLearningandtheNationalTheatre.
WORKOUTFIRST
BoutiquegymoperatorMKHealthHub haslaunchedanewpilates-inspired fitnessworkout,MKReformed,withits firststand-alonestudioinKnowle.MK Reformedcombinesthebestofpilates, yogaandstrengthtraining.Thenew siteisthecompany'sthirdvenue, joiningitsgymsinSolihulland Birmingham.MattKendrick,CEOand founder,said:“Theresponsewe’vehad fromthelocalcommunityhasbeen nothingshortofincrediblewithfull classesfromdayone.”
FASHIONSHOWCASE
HarveyNicholsBirminghamhasteamedupwith BirminghamCityUniversitytoshowcasethebestof thisyear’sSchoolofFashionandTextiledesign graduates.AstrikingnewwindowintheMailbox highlightstheworkoffiveBAFashionDesign graduates–ConorHolmes,KatieGarcha,Sedra Mohan,RhiannonChriseneandShashaZhang.Also featuredarestunningpiecesfromBAJewellery& ObjectgraduatesEmilyKnight,AnnebelMerheim Kealy,BoranZhang,SameKelletandSunZiyiatthe renownedBCUSchoolofJewellery.
DesignfromShashaZhang
BULLRINGBEAUTY
BeautyandwellbeingbrandRitualshasopenedanewstoreintheBullring. MDAnnemarieForsythsaid:“Ournewstoremarksanexcitingstepinour WestMidlandsexpansion.JoiningoneofEurope’slargestcitycentre shoppingmallsisafantasticopportunity.”BullringandGrandCentral destinationdirectorDanMurphyadded:“Ritualsisagreatadditionwitha fantasticrangeofwellbeingproductsacrossbody,homeandnaturalskincare whichwillreallyresonatewithourcustomerbase.”
WELLBEINGCAFE
Mentalhealthorganisation,LivingWell Consortium,hasopeneditsnew wellbeingcafe,grounded.inthe JewelleryQuarterfollowingthesuccessof itsfirsttwogrounded.wellbeinghubs. Thenewsitehostsacoffeeshopand professionalmentalhealthsupport.
TEAMBUILDING
HCRLaw’scommercialteamhas strengtheneditsclientofferingwiththe additionofTracyLakeasapartnerinthe Birminghamoffice.Tracy'sexperience includesroleswithutilitycompanies, includingSevernTrentWaterand NationalGrid.
HOTELREFURB
MalloryCourtHotelandSpain LeamingtonSpahasunveilednew-look luxurybedroomsfollowinga£1.5million refurb.Theprojectwasworkedonby directorofEdenHotelCollection, MarianCartter,whoheadsupthegroup’s designteam,alongwithinteriordesigner LucyYarwood.
£1MCREATIVEPLAN
Anewplantocapitaliseonthepotentialoftheregion’s culturalandcreativeindustrieshasbeenlaunchedby WestMidlandsCombinedAuthority(WMCA).Overthe nexttwoyears,WMCAwilluse£1milliontooffera packageofskillsandbusinessdevelopmentsupportfor earlyandmid-careerfreelancers,smallcultural organisationsandcreativebusinesses.TheActivate programmewillprovideupto100individualsandsmall organisationswithworkshops,mentoring,masterclasses, networkingopportunitiesandwellbeingsupport.
TALKINGPOINTS:TheActivatelaunchincludedapanel discussionwithNyashaDaleyandAmyDalton-Hardy,ofthe WestMidlandsCulturalLeadershipBoard,andfellowfreelancers JamieWrightandNavkiranMan
Founders,investorsandstakeholders attendlaunchoftheLiftedProject 3 2 4 5
Femalefounders,investors,andstakeholders cametogetherfortheofficiallaunchofthe LiftedProjectinBirmingham.HeldatGowling WLG,guestsdiscussedhowtheycouldcollectively movethedialforfemale-ledbusinesses.Co-chairedby TaraAttfield-TomesandHephziPembertonfrom Honordex,withthesupportofLiftedVentures’Jordan Dargue,theeventsawthedebutofthedata-led initiative,whichaimstoincreasetheflowofcapitalto high-growthfemalefoundersintheregion. ■
1 HephziPemberton,TaraAttfield-Tomes,JordanDargue. 2 AlexandraBrodie,SandyReid. 3 MabsAli,AmberStrickland. 4 RupertLyle. 5 JoannaBirch. 6 MelissaSnover. 7 CraigMcVoy,OyinAdebayo. 8 NicolaGittins,RoxanneGoodman,SheridanSulskis.
HIPPODROMECASH BOOSTFORYOUTH
Galadinnerraises£10,000fortheatre’s vitalcommunityworkacrossthecity
Morethan140guestsattendedafund-raisinggala dinneralongsideaperformanceofthehit musicalHamiltonatBirminghamHippodrome. ComperedbybroadcasterNikkiTapper,theeveningwascohostedbytheHippodrome’sboardofdirectors,Catherine MallyonandartisticdirectorandCEOJonGilchrist,with supportfromBlackBusinessMagazine.Morethan£10,000 wasraisedforthetheatre’syouthprogrammesforunderservedcommunitiesacrossthecity.ShirelandCollegiate Academyperformedhip-hopdanceandtherewasapostshowappearancebyHamiltonresidentdirectorOliver KaderbhaiandartistAishaJawando. ■
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1 CatherineMallyon,SusanFoster,HarjMillington. 2 KullyKhalia,IndiDeol. 3 ArunPhotay,DaphneHall,OliverKaderbhai,LizHall, SharanPhotay. 4 DaveShaw,SarahRussell,LindaandMarcusDaly. 5 JamesPenny,AishaJawando,HelenPenney. 6 DrTruPowell, JonGilchrist,JusticeWilliamsMBE,ChilinaMadon. 7 JoandAlexTross,NicoleFleet-Milne,KirstyCove.
Guestsshareideasateventhosted bydigitalagencyEDGECreative 3 2 4 5 7 6 8
7 BhavanJhita,IanMcKinney,JackCook. 8 HarryMoore,TurkayHasan,KatieRidleyStuartMacDiarmid,RichardCrathorne,GarySammons. 1
DigitalmarketingagencyEDGECreative welcomedprofessionalsfromacrossthe MidlandstotheJamHouseinBirmingham’s StPaul’sSquaretoconnectandshareideas.The‘You HeardItThroughTheGrapevine’eventwassponsored byBoldITincollaborationwithDrayTek,Verlingueand JohnShepherd,withguestsabletoenjoygreatwines fromSwallowDrinks. ■
PhotographybyArjanBillan/JackWood
1 LianeDenton,SeanCaulfield,LouisePinnington,LauraCooksey,KarenO'Donovan,JessicaGreaney,MarkPanayides. 2 SidCollis, EmilyEaston,StevenBrazier,SeanBarnes,RupertErskine 3 JamesHall,KarenO'Donovan,SamFoster. 4 CraigLand,JustinPrimus. 5 TiaChandler,RupertErskine,AlexandraCooper,SarahSeeley. 6 MarkPanayides,NickSingh,StevenCloves,MelissaDanks.
SEAFOODBOILCONCEPT OPENSINTHEARCADIAN
It’spartytimewithLycheeCoolersand PinaColadasatSeafoodCityrestaurant
Partyguestsenjoyedlobsterandcocktailsasthenew SeafoodCityrestaurantintheArcadiancelebrated bringingthefamousseafoodboilconceptto Birmingham.VIPssoakedupthesunshinewithLychee CoolersandPinaColadastotoastthelaunchofthelatest restaurantfromOliverNgoofVietnameseStreetKitchen. GuestsexploredthefunkyinteriorcreatedbyFaberDesign andposedforselfiesinfrontoftheneonsignsandseafood graphicwallart.Oliversaid:“Everyonehasbeenveryexcited toseewhatatraditionalseafoodboilislike.Thisisthefirst restaurantofitskindinBirminghamandI’mdelightedto havebroughttheconcepttothecity”. ■
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1 OliviaFox. 2 EmmaHowden,AnitaChampaneri. 3 OliverNgoandteam. 4 StaceyLyttle. 5 JuliaRobinson. 6 EthanMiddleton, MattCooper. 7 YazziRehman,AlevDervish. 8 BennellBrew-koufie,OmarFletcher,JamaicaRidge. PhotographybyDanKnott
WHAT’SONliving
WHAT: JoeLycett’sArtHoleLive
WHEN: 21September
WHERE: TownHall,bmusic.co.uk
Celebratethelaunchofhisall-newbookinhis hometownwithashowbrimmingwith surprisesasJoereadssomeofhis favouritestoriesfromthebook, alongsidethepaintings thatwereinspiredbythem.
WHAT: BecomingNancy WHEN: 2Octoberto 2November
WHERE: BirminghamRep, birmingham-rep.co.uk
Acrackingcoming-of-age storyaboutfirstlove, friendshipandfindingyour voice,basedonthenovelby TerryRonald.
WHAT: NiyoFest
WHEN: 3to5October
WHAT: EdGamble
WHEN: 26September
WHAT: HorseoftheYearShow
WHEN: 9to13October
WHERE: ResortsWorldArena, resortsworldarena.co.uk
Admitit…theOlympicshasgotyou hookedondressage!Well,thebiggest weekoftheyearforequestrian entertainmentisbackwithsomethingfor everymemberofthefamilytoenjoy.
WHERE: TheAlexandra, atgtickets.com
Theco-hostoftheaward-winningpodcast OffMenuandjudgeonGreatBritish Menuisliveonstagewithallhis usualranting,raving,spluttering andabellyfulloflaughter.
WHERE: MillenniumPoint,niyofest.com
LedbytheNiyoGroup,thecollectiveofdisruptivebeautyand educationtechbrands,thisexcitingfestivalwheretechmeets culturebringstogetherinnovators,industryleadersandenthusiasts fromaroundtheworldtocombinetech,beautyandculture.
WHAT: JanetJackson
WHEN: 27September
WHERE: UtilitaArena, utilitaarenabham.co.uk
Offthebackofhersold-outTogetherAgain tourinNorthAmerica,thefive-timeGrammy award-winningRockandRollHallofFame inducteeisintownwithherfirstUK performancesinceher2019Glastonbury Festivalperformance.
WHAT: EdgbastonArtisanMarket
WHEN: 14September
WHERE: GreenfieldCrescent,Edgbaston, calthorpe.co.uk
Amust-visitasBirmingham’slargestartisan marketpopsupwithevenmorenewexciting tradersandagreatervarietytochoosefrom courtesyofthefinestindependentbusinesses acrosstheMidlands.
WHAT: SoulandMotownParty
WHEN: 13September
WHERE: NailcoteHall, nailcotehall.co.uk
AtributetothelegendsofSouland Motownfeaturingthesilkysmooth soundsofDaytonGrey.Ticketsincludea three-coursemealandafter-showDJ.
WHAT: Engelbert Humperdinck
WHEN: 10September
WHERE: SymphonyHall, bmusic.co.uk
Onegoldenvoice,50iconic years!Boastingsalesinexcessof 140millionrecords,including65 goldalbumsand35platinum,a GoldenGlobe,andstarsonthe HollywoodWalkofFame,thisis onespecialguynottomiss.
WHAT: Pericles
WHEN: Nowuntil21September
WHERE: RSCTheatre,rsc.org.uk, tel:01789331111
WhenPrincePericlessolvesariddlesetbytheKing, heknowstheanswercouldgethimkilled.Fleeingfor safety,hefindshimselfsweptawayonanepic voyage.
WHAT: TheVamps
WHEN: 14and15September
WHERE: O2Institute2Birmingham, academymusicgroup.com
TheBritishpopbandarebackoutonthe roadtocelebratetheirtenthanniversary, playingtheirdebutalbumMeetTheVamps initsentiretyaswellasthrowinginsome otherfanfavourites.
WHAT: BRB’sLuna
WHEN: 3to5October
WHERE: BirminghamHippodrome, birminghamhippodrome.com
Apowerfulandmovingnewballet.Withanall-female internationalcreativeteam,thisisajourneytothemoon andback,toldwithlove,compassionandcreativity,and groundedinreallifeexperience.
WHAT: BenjaminZephaniah: ACelebration
WHEN: 1September
WHERE: MidlandsArtCentre, macbirmingham.co.uk
Anafternooncelebratingthepower ofpoetry,musicandartintribute tothemuch-lovedBirmingham poet,activistandactorwitha specialline-upofguest artists.
WHAT: TheCatShowLive
WHEN: 14September
WHERE: NECBirmingham
Withmorethan250pedigreecatson display,thisextraordinaryeventoffers visitorsauniqueopportunityto engagewiththesemajesticfelinesand interactwiththeirdevotedowners.
CLOSEWITHÁ
BEENTHERE,DONETHAT
Iworkinlotsofdifferentrolesfollowingvarious passions.I’mtheco-founderofKids’Village,asportand children’spresenter,producer,authorandspeaker.Iwas luckytosurvivecancerasachildandIbelievethatthe hope,joyandescapeIexperiencedonaholidaytoa placeinAmericacalledGiveKids’TheWorldVillage playedabigpartinthat.WithKids’Villageweare buildingtheUK’sfirstholidayvillagejustforchildren withcriticalillnessandtheirfamiliestostayforfree.
IT’SWHATIDO
Asthefounder,I’vedonealmosteveryrolethereis withinKids’Village,fromworkingonplanningto accountinganddesigningthelogo!Butnowthatwe haveexpandedtheteam,I’mabletofocusonthebits I’mgoodat–socialmedia,commsandspeakingat eventsandtointeresteddonors.I’mco-hostofthe dailychildren’spodcastTodaywithToniesforthe brandTonies;IworkinfootballfortheBBCand StokeCityFC;IhostT20blastgamesfortheECB andhaveaweeklysportsshowonBBCRadioStoke. Myfirstchildren’sbookhasalsorecentlybeen published,andI’mworkingonthenextone.
BIGGESTSUCCESS
Abreakthroughformeinpresentingwashosting cricketfortheCommonwealthGamesatEdgbaston. I’malsoreallyproudofgettingtheplanningpermission tobuildKids’Village.Andearlythisyearateamofus setouttoclimbMountKilimanjaroforKids’Village andI’mincrediblyproudtohavemadeittothetop.I nowweararingwithTanzanitethatweboughtafter theclimbtoremindmethatIcandohardthings.
BIGGESTLESSONLEARNED
Abigoneformeistomeasurebackwards.I’m alwayslookingforthenextbigthingthatI’dliketo achievesoIfindthatI’mmostlyfocusedonthe future,butthiscanleadtofeelingdisappointedabout whereIamnow.So,I’velearnedtolookbackwards, anditchangesmyperspectivecompletely.Ifeel gratefulandI’mremindedthattheversionofmethat waslyinginahospitalbedortryingtobreakinto radiowouldbeamazedofwhereIamtoday.Ashoutouttomydad,Gary,forsharingthispowerfullesson withme!
WHATI’DLIKETOSEE
Professionally,buildingandopeningKids’ VillageisjustthestartofhowI’dliketosupport childrenandfamilies.Personally,I’mincredibly luckywiththemostamazingfamily,groupof friendsandwonderfulhusband.I’dlovetohavemy ownlittlefamilyandcontinuetolivelifefindingfun everyday.
WHATILIKEABOUTBRUM
I’mforeveranambassadorforhowgreat Birminghamis.Myfavouritethingisprobablythe food!Wehavesoooomanyincrediblerestaurantsthat Ilove.
DOWNTIME
Travellingismyabsolutefavouritething.ButIlike todosomanydifferentthings–eatingout,grabbing coffee,watchingmyhusbandplaycricket,watching football(oranysportreally!),running,thegym, walkingmydog,shopping…
