Birmingham Living September 2023 (issue 125)

Birmingham living JORJASMITH

EDITOR’SVIEW

W

estMidlandsmayorAndyStreettalksalotofsense–thoughhedoesn’tneed metotellhimthat!Andbeforeanyonegetsupinarmsaccusingmeofbeing political,I’mnot.Rather,I’mcommentingonarecentinterviewhegavein whichheruledoutBirminghamhostingtheCommonwealthGamesagainin2026.

ThemayorhadbeenaskedifBrumcouldhosttheGamesafterVictoriainAustraliabackedoutatwhatisthe last-minuteintheplanningofsuchamassiveevent.HesaidofcourseBrum‘could’stepin,butitshouldn’t. Notbecauseofthecost–thoughthatwouldbeaveryvalidreason.Butbecausethe2022Gameshadbeen sucharousingsuccessforthecityandwiderWestMidlandsasawhole,itwouldbenear-impossibletorepeatit sosoonafter.What’smore,theGamesshouldneverbeseentobeinonecity,oronecountryforthatmatter. ThelegacyoftheGamestolocalpeopleissubjecttoanongoingdebatewhichhappenswheneverand whereverhugelycostlyeventsarestaged.Onethingisforsurethough.Birmingham’sGamesremainthe bestthere’sbeen–andthat’snotupfordebateatall.

Oneveryvisualreminderofthatwonderfulsportingbonanzaof2022cannowbefoundinallitsglory dominatingtheconcoursatNewStreetstation.OzzytheBull,thedramaticgiantstaroftheGames openingceremony,hasbeenofficiallyunveiledinhisnewhome.

NamedafterBrummielegendandBlackSabbathfrontmanOzzyOsbourne–aname overwhelminglychoseninapublicvote–OzzytheBullwaswelcomedataspecialceremonyby well-wishers,includingnoneotherthanSharonOsbourne,therockstar’swifeandTVcelebrityin herownright.

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living

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Highlights

JorjaSmith

Allroadsleadbacktoherrootsfor award-winningsinger-songwriter

MissMoneypenny’s Asiconicclubbrandmarksits30years wetalktofounderDJJim‘Shaft’Ryan

Food&Drink

AngelinaAdamooftheHippodrome’s CircleLounge,plusnewsandreviews

Health

OnYerBike!Followinginthetyretracksof BrummiebroadcastinglegendTonyButler

Style

Switchitupfromsummertoautumnwith thisseason’sgrown-upputtogetherlooks

Homes

Lightingisthedesignfeaturethat’llchange thefeelofyourhomemorethananyother

BestoftheRest

48 50 52 57 64 66

Gardening AdamKirtlandonwhySeptemberisfullof surprises,includingaspecialplacetovisit!

Motoring SueCookeheadsfortheopenroadtotest driveMazda’sre-christenedMX-5Roadster

Young,Gifted&Brummie

MusicaltheatreperformerLauraBryantakes theleadinfast-pacedhitshowBringItOn

BusinessNews

Thismonth’sstoriesfromcommercial community,plusSocialSceneevents

What’sOn

Latestfromcity’stopshowsandgigsin ourround-upofthismonth’sevents

UpClose

HelenWadleyofBirminghamMindtalks mentalhealthandthenewwellbeingcafe

HERITAGEWEEK

Birmingham’spopularHeritageWeek returnsforitsninthyearthismonth. Thecity-widefestivalshinesa spotlightonBirmingham’shistorywith someofthecity’smostimportant heritagelocationsandunique buildingsopeningtheirdoorsfortalks, tours,workshops,walksandmore. RunningfromFriday8toSunday17 September,the10-dayfestivalwillbe takingplaceacrossBirminghamwith hundredsofdifferentevents.

BirminghamHeritageWeekis sponsoredbyBirminghamCityCouncil andorganisedbyBirmingham MuseumsTrust.Fulldetailsat www.birminghamheritageweek.co.uk

NEWS

BRINGINGYOUTHEBRIGHTEST ANDMOSTCOLOURFUL STORIESFROMACROSSTHE CITYEACHMONTH

PAW-FECTGUESTS

Lookslikethesepoochesareinforapamperingtreat!They’resettlinginnicelyafter hearingthenewsthattheBelfryHotel&Resortisnowwelcomingfour-legged friendstothevenue.Guestswillbebookedintoadogfriendlyroomontheground floorwitheasyaccesstooutdoors.Roomsalsocomecompletewithadogbowland bedtoensureallpetshaveapaw-fectstay.And,witheverydogthatstaysatthe Belfry,theWarwickshireresortwilldonate£1toBirminghamDogsHome.

ALISONHAILSLIFE-SAVERS

swappingthestudiosofITV’sThisMorning programmetoreturntoherhomecityandhelp paytributetolocallife-savingheroesandtheir supportersatEdgbastonStadium.Alisonwilljoin HeartWestMidlands’EdJamestohostMidlands AirAmbulanceCharity’srecognitionawardsand ballallonFriday22Septemberwhichcelebrate theservice’saircrew,fund-raisers,supporters, corporatepartnersandvolunteers.

ProudBrummieAlisonHammondwillbe

GYMDREAM

FatherandsonPaulandBenWorrallhaverealisedadreamby launchingtheirowndedicatedgymnasticscentre.Headcoach Benisrunningclassesseven-days-a-weekatRedditch GymnasticsClub,basedontheEnfieldIndustrialEstate, followingamajorrefitofthepremises,whichwerehandledby commercialpropertyagentsJohnTruslove.Bensaid:“Wehad beenoperatingataleisurecentrebutthedreamhasalways beentohaveourownpremisessowecanrunclassesfulltime.”

DISNEYDEBUT

ABirminghamartistfeaturedonBBCTVpaintingacrocodilehassnapped upherfirstcommissionfromHollywood–topaintanalligator.AwardwinningRoxanaHallswasaskedbyDisneytocreateaseriesofportraits fortheirnewblockbusterfilmHauntedMansion,whichstarsJamieLee CurtisandDannyDeVito.Centrepiecesinthehouse’sStretchingRoom arefourspooky,five-foot-highpaintings,createdbyRoxana,thatcome tolife.Roxanasaid:“Ipaintedthesecharactersinmystudioinan abandonedtheatre–initselfakindofhauntedmansion.”

MEMORYWALK

Preparetostepoutforagreatcause!WestMidlandsresidents arebeinginvitedtotakepartinthisyear’sMemoryWalk,along withfamily,friends,colleaguesandevenpets.TheAlzheimer’s Societyiscallingonitssupporterstojointhousandsofothers andsignupforfreetoitsfund-raisingBirminghamand CoventryMemoryWalkstohelpstopdementiafrom devastatinglives.TheBrumwalkisinSuttonParkon16 September,whileCoventry’sWarMemorialParkwillhostits walkon24September.Joininat:memorywalk.org.uk

JURYSERVICE

DallasiscomingtotheAlex!PatrickDuffy, whoplayedBobbyEwinginthefamous USTVsoapseries,willstarinthestage versionoftheclassicfilmTwelveAngry Menwhenthecurtaingoesuponthe productionattheAlexandraTheatrefrom 30Octoberto4November.Theactorplays jurornumber8–therolethatHenry Fondamadefamousinthe1957movie. ThedramacomestoBirminghamaftertwo successfulseasonsinLondon’sWestEnd.

FITFORPURPOSE: BenTruslove,left,ofJohnTruslovewithBenWorrall

Thedramaticcentrepieceoflastyear’sCommonwealthGames–Ozzythe Bull–hasbeenwasofficiallyunveiledathisnewhomeatBirmingham NewStreetstation.NamedafterOzzyOsbourne,onlookersincludedthe Brummiemusiclegend’swife,Sharon.Thebulltookmorethanamonthto installonthestation’sconcourseandbecomesanunmissableattractionfor thethousandsofpeoplewhousethestation.ThebullwasnamedOzzyas aresultapublicvote.

ROCKET SHIPMATES

Brum’stopbasketballclubis allatsea–inthebest possibleway!Cityof BirminghamRocketshas teamedupwiththeRoyal NavyandRoyalMarinesasa primarysponsorforthe season.Thedealseesthe seniorservicesupportingthe club’sfirstteamswithlogos onclothing,matchfloor branding,advertisingboards andonlinematchnight streaming.Lastseason’s RocketsNationalLeague DivisionTwochampionshipwinningrosterincludedtwo playerscurrentlyservingin themilitary.

OZZY SETTLESIN WHALEOFATIME

CARINGCOUPLE

AcouplewhofellinlovewhileworkingatacarehomeinBirmingham haveofficiallytiedtheknot—withasurpriseweddingreception thrownbycolleagues,residentsandfamilywithinthecarecommunity wheretheyfirstmet.AlexandLaceyHalapciucmetwhentheyboth joinedAbbeyRose,astate-of-theartcarehomeinErdington.Four yearslater,thecouplearenowmarriedandweresurprisedwitha weddingreceptionattheIvyfieldRoadhome.

An18-metreinflatable whalewasthebig attractionofaspecial sustainabilityeventin Solihulltowncentre.A Whale’sTale, organisedbySolihull BID,invitedchildrento stepinsideMoby’s bellyandwatchthe freeinteractiveturtle show,tellingtalesof theplanet’splastic oceancrisis.Therewas alsothechanceto meetArielandPurgo, MobytheWhale’s protectivemermaids andvisitthemermaid themedbeachin TheatreSquare, Touchwood.

BOATSTATIONSETSSAIL

Thousandsofyoungpeoplewillbenefitfromanewstate-of-the-art MidlandsBoatStation.A‘breakingground’ceremonymarkedthe beginningoftheconstructionoftheSeaCadetsprojectonthe banksofBirmingham’sEdgbastonReservoir.Seacadetsfromall overthecountry,togetherwithlocalschoolsandyouthgroups,will beabletotakepartinsailing,paddlesports,powerboating, rowingandwindsurfing.Oncecompletedinautumn2024,theboat stationwillbehometoBirminghamSeaCadetsUnit,TSVernon.

TOMTOUCHESDOWN

OneofAmericanfootball’sbiggeststars, seven-timeSuperbowl-winningquarterback TomBrady,hastoucheddowninBrum.The NFLlegend,whoendedhisplayingcareer earlierthisyear,isgettingtogripswithanew challengeasminorityownerofBirmingham CityFC.The46-year-oldischairmanofanew advisoryboardattheChampionshipclub. TomWagner,co-founderoftheBlues’new ownersKnightheadCapitalManagement, said:“Tomjoiningisastatementofintent. Wearesettingthebaratworldclass.”

JODIE’SWORKOFART

CreditcontrollerJodieJohnsonissittingprettyat work,surroundedbyartthatshecreated.Jodie paintedfivepicturesforthewallsofPrinciple EstateManagement.Theacryliconcanvasworks arebasedonnearbywatersidescenesoftheGas Streetbasin,showingbridges,bargesand neighbouringbuildingsalongthecanalsthat meetinthecitycentre.GenerousJodierefused tobepaidforthepaintings,sothecompany donated£250toitscharityoftheyear,the BritishRedCross,instead.

TRIUMPHTWOSOME

TwoTriumphsupercarsseparatedby70yearshavebeenwowingvisitorstotheBritishMotor MuseumatGaydon.ThenewTriumphTR25producedbyUKdesignhouseMakkinajoinedits originalinspiration,the1953landspeedrecord-breaking‘Jabbeke’TriumphTR2.Stephen Laing,themuseum’sheadofcollectionssaid:“Thisyearmarks70yearssinceTriumphsetthe productioncarrecordandtheTR25isaveryfittinghomagetotheJabekkecarandalsoto Triumph,aniconicBritishmarque,initscentenaryyear.”

NINA’SINTOWN

FormerEastEndersactressNinaWadiawillbe amongstarsatthisyear’sDESIblitzLiterature FestivalinBirmingham.Ninawillbemakingan appearanceon20OctoberattheUK’sleading literaturefestivalforauthorswithIndian, Pakistani,BangladeshiandSriLankanroots.The festivalrunsuntil29Octoberandshowcases thebreadthoftalentandcreativityinBritish SouthAsiancultureacrossmultiplelocations inBrum,includingBMusic(formerly SymphonyHall).Ticketsarefree.

READYTO ROCK

GOTANYNEWS? Emailyournewsand picturestoeditor@brumliving.co.uk

SomeofthebiggestmusicstarsofalltimehavearrivedinBirmingham–courtesyofrockartistKirkAndrews. LegendsincludingBlackSabbath,Amy Winehouse,DebbieHarry,Prince,Iggy PopandDavidBowieareamong50 portraitsinKirk’slatestcollectionof charcoalandIndianinkportraitson showatVelvetMusicRooms,Broad Streetinanexhibitionwhichrunsuntil 29October.There’salsochancestosee Stourbridge-basedKirkcreatingnew workatthevenue,aswellas workshopsandmeettheartistsessions.

JUSTJORJA

MULTI-TALENTEDBRITAWARD-WINNINGSINGER-SONGWRITER JORJASMITHISCOMINGHOMEASHERNEWALBUM,FALLINGOR FLYING,ISRELEASEDTHISMONTH.SHEEXPLAINSTOJULES

BOYLEWHYALLROADSHAVELEDHERBACKTOHERROOTS

Seeingthesky,thetrees–andfeelingalotmore likeherself.That’showthesupremelytalented singer-songwriterJorjaSmithdescribedher decisiontomovebacktoherhometownafterspending yearslivingandworkingoutofLondon.Andthe catalystforreturningtoherWalsallrootswashernew albumFallingorFlyingwhichreleasesthismonth.

Jorjaexplained:“IstartedgoingbacktoWalsall beforeIbeganworkingonthealbum,thenwhenI finishedit,IrealisedhowmuchIactuallymissedbeing homeandhowmuchIneededit.I’mdefinitelya small-towngirlandaWalsallgirlinparticular.IthinkI wasjusttoooverstimulatedandtoooverwhelmedby London,soit’snicetobeabletojustseetheskyand sometreesnow.

“IfeelalotmorelikemyselfandthatIhavealife here.InLondonit’sjusttoomuch.Itwasthealbum thatbroughtmehomethough,asitwasmostly producedbymyfriendsDamDam,whoareaduofrom there.Ilinkedupwiththemoriginallywhentheyhada studioinBirmingham,thentheymovedtoLondonso weworkedtheretoo,butallroadsledbacktoWalsall!”

INFLUENCES

Nowaged26,Jorjahasbeenwritingsongssinceshe was11afterherfather,himselfaformermusician, encouragedhertohavepianolessonsasaneight-yearold.Shegrewuplisteningtoreggae,punk,hip-hopand R&BandsaysshewasinspiredbyAmyWinehouse’s approachtosong-writingaboutsocialissues.

JorjaearnedamusicscholarshipatAldridgeSchool whereshelearnedtoplaytheoboeandstudiedclassical singingbeforetakingmusicatA-Level.Atage15she

wasuploadingvideosofherselfsingingcoversongson YouTubeandwasscoutedbyamanagerwhocouldsee herpotential.Aftergraduatingat18shemovedto Londonwhereshecontinuedwritingsongsand workingasabarista.

In2016,herdebutsingleBlueLightssampled DizzeeRascal’ssongSirensandrackedupmorethan 400,000playsinamonthonstreamingsite SoundCloud.TwoyearslaterherdebutalbumLost& Foundwasreleasedtocriticalacclaim,peakingat numberthreeintheUKalbumchart.Inthesameyear shewontheBritCritics’ChoiceAward.Andin2019, shewasnamedBestBritishFemaleArtistattheBrit AwardsandwasalsonominatedforaGrammyAward.

WOMANHOOD

Jorjasaid:“MyLost&Foundalbumwasmearound 16to20,whilethisnewoneismeat24to26,soI’ve steppedintowomanhood.I’malotmoresureofmyself andI’vegotmorethingstosay,withlessobservations andmoreactuallived-inexperiences.I’mstillinthe earlystagesofwomanhoodtobefair,butI’mdefinitely moreconfidentinwhoIamnow.I’vealwaysloved experimentingwithdifferentsoundsandideas,soI’m evenmoreupfordoingthatkindofthing.Thiswasthe firsttimeImadeanalbumafteralreadymakingone before,soIhadlearnedsomuchalready,butthere’s nowsomuchmoreI’velearnedthatIwilldefinitelybe takingontomythirdalbumwheneverthatis.”

Wesuggestthatthenewrecordfeelslikeitcouldbea realstatementofwhoJorjais?“Ineverhaveanagenda whenI’mmakingtunes,Ijustlikesingingand jamming,”shesays.“There’snoconceptorthemes,but

Iguessthere’salotofself-realisationaseverysongends withafullstop,likeveryabruptlyandjustlike*that*, whichwasn’tplannedeither,soit’sallverydefinitive andverymuchwhereIamrightnow.So,withoutit beingadeliberatestatement,itis.

“Thetitle,FallingorFlying,ishowIfeltbothinmy careerandinmylife,Iliterallydidn’tknowifIwas fallingorflying.They’rebothcompletelytheopposite, butalsososimilarformeinthatIdidn’tknowifIwas doinggoodorbad.It’salsoareferencetomeandmy personality,asanyonewhoknowsmeknowsIhaveno middleground.Nohalf-measures!”

PUBLICEYE

Afterbeinginthepubliceyesinceshewasa teenager,Jorjasaysthatinrecentyearsshe’scometo realisehownaiveandconfidentshewasinthe beginning.Whileshe’sstillsuper-confidentonstage,

Jorja’snewalbumFallingorFlyingisreleasedgloballyon 29September.Detailsandticketsforthelaunchliveshowsare availableat:jorjasmith.com

AlsofollowJorjaonlineatInstagram,Facebook,TwitterandTikTok.

she’smorecautiouswhenitcomestothingslikethis –interviewsandphotoshoots!“Ithinkitcomesfrom alwayshavingpeople’seyesonme.It’sweird though,asnobodyteachesyouanyofthisand there’snohandbook.Youjusthavetofigureitout yourselfasyougoalong.I’vebeenluckythatI’ve metsomegoodpeoplewho’vebeentherebeforeand beenabletogetsomegoodadvice,butattheendof theday,youjustneedtoworkitalloutforyourself.I feellikeI’mstillnotfinishedgrowingup,tobe honest.I’mstillonly26!”

Jorjahighlightsthepressurethatsomanyartistsare putundertoperformnotjustinthestudiooronstage butalsoonsocialmedia.Shesaid:“I’mfortunatethat I’mnotonamajorlabelwherethere’salotofpressure tobeonsocialmediaeveryday.Ihaveafunny relationshipwithsocialmedia,actually.Again,it’sallor nothingwithme,assometimesI’malloveritand happytobepostingthings,thensomedaysIjust cannotbeassedwithitandwon’tgoanywherenearit, evenifIshouldbedoingsomething!”

EXCITEMENT

Jorjahassomelaunchshowsforthenewalbum comingupwhichsheisexcitedabout,aswellasthe prospectforafulltour.Shesaysshelovesplaying showsthemostbecausethenshecanseewhat impacthersongshave.“Ifpeoplearesingingalong, ifthey’resmilingorcryingandjusthowtheyare enjoyingthemselves.That’swhenIknowI’mnot falling,I’mflying!Iabsolutelycannotwaittotour.I don’thavedatesyet,butthey’recomingIpromise you.I’veneverbeenmoreexcitedtogetonstageand letpeoplehearwhatI’vebeenworkingsohardon theselastfewyears.”

Jorjahasworkedwithartists,fromDrakeand CalvinHarristoStormzyandLoyleCarner,and saysthere’ssomanymorepeopleshe’dloveto collaboratewith.“I’malwaysscaredtosaythemout loudincaseIjinxit!ButFrankOcean,100percent FrankOcean.Iabsolutelylovehim.”Butsheadds: “AsmuchasIliketoplanthingsI’mverymuch neverlookingtoofarahead,likeI’mdefinitelynot thinkingaboutfiveor10yearsinthefuture.I’m verymuchaboutbeinginthemoment,seeingwhat happensandhopingforthebest!” ■

MUSICMAKER

IconicclubbrandMissMoneypenny’smayhavebeenconceivedinBrum butitsappealquicklyspreadacrosstheUK.Wecaughtupwithfounder andDJJim‘Shaft’RyanaheadofMoneypenny’s30thanniversary

TheinceptionofBrummieinstitutionMiss Moneypenny’sgoesbacktothelateeighties withhumblebeginningsinaclothingstore. FounderJimRyansaysitwasacaseof‘righttime, rightplace’,buthedeservesmorecreditthanthat. AlongwithhisbrotherMichael,Jimcreatedaspace thatbecametheepicentreoftheravesceneinthe formoftheirclothingshop,Depotwhichiswhere thekernelofanideastartedtogrowintosomething thatwouldtouchthelivesofanunimaginable amountofpeople.

Jimsays:“Kidswouldbuytheirticketsforraves, purchaseDJtapes,videosoftheraveandcollectflyers ofupandcomingraves.So,wewereinthemiddleof thatculturalphenomena.”Thebrothers,realising theyhadanaudience,startedorganisingsmallevents ontheRiverSeverninvitingtheshop’scustomers, friendsandfamilywhichevolvedintowhatbecame knownasChuffChuffparties.

BANDOFBROTHERS

Theeventsgainedlegendarystatuswhere hedonismreignedandpeoplecouldjust completelyletgo.Clockingthepopularityofthe parties,theymovedfromsmallboatstostately homesandhotelstoaccommodatelargercrowds. In1993,theChuffChuffpartiesmorphedintoa weeklyclubinBirminghamandMiss

Moneypenny’swasborninitiallyattracting800 peoplerisingto1,500initsheyday.

Moneypenny’ssuccesswasinpartduetoJim’s rightplace,righttimephilosophybutalsothe brotherswereactivemembersoftheclubscenenot justinBirminghambutalsoinNottinghamand Londonbuildinganetworkofpeople.Location hadsomethingtodowiththeappealof Moneypenny’stoo.Ideallyplacedinthemiddleof thecountry,itwaseasyforpeopleacrosstheUKto travelto.“Itpulledadiverseandveryglamorous crowd.Wehadalargegayfollowing.Itwasaplace wherepeoplecouldexpressthemselves.Asenseof freedomifyoulike.”

HOCKLEYMASSIVE

Theclubwouldbepackedby9.30pmwith coachloadsofclubbersbusedinfromasfarafield asScotland.Jimremembersthecelebrity following,too:“Itsoonattractedpopstarssuchas RobbieWilliams,BoyGeorge,ThePetShopBoys, MickHucknall,HeatherSmall.TVcelebssuchas ZoeBall,MelindaMessenger.Sportsstarssuchas LennoxLewis,MartinOffiah,ShaunEdwardsto namebutafew.Itmadeahugenationalimpact, capturingtheimaginationofthenationalcelebrity columns,allfromaclubontheoutskirtsofthe cityinHockley.”

TheconcepttouredtheUKandthenwent global.InIbiza,MissMoneypenny’s residencieswerelegendaryrunningfor15 seasons,firstatPachathenElDivinowhich ledtothelaunchofrecordlabelMiss Moneypenny’sMusic.Atop10hitwithTom Novy’sYourBodyfollowedaswellasother releasesincluding21compilations.

Jimsays:“Asaclubbrand,theamount ofpeoplewetouchedisjustphenomenal. Andthatdoesn’ttakeintoaccountthe tours,theinternationalgigs,themagazine articlesandthecolumninchesandTV appearances.ForawhileMiss Moneypenny’swaseverywhere.”

FREEDOMFIGHTERS

AbigpartoftheprideJimhasin Moneypenny’sstemsfromthediversity, acceptanceandfreedomitfostered.Hesays: “IamproudthataconceptsuchasMiss Moneypenny’scamefrommyhomecityof Birmingham.Itincorporatedwhatisthe bestofourcity,adiverseaudience,before thenotionofdiversitywasevenconceived. WeputBirminghamonthemapinterms ofclubbingbecauseofourvalues.”

TodayJimisbusypenningIbizaThe Musicalandisintalkswithanumberof Birminghamtheatresaboutproduction partnershipsaswellasbeingapublished poet.He’salsoworkingonaprojectcreating aplatformtopublishphotographsandvideos fromgigs,albumsandartworkwhichJim’s hopingwillbecompletedin2024–plus there’sadocumentaryinthepipeline focusingonDJlifeontheroadinthe90sand early2000s.Despitehavingtravelledthe worldDJing,Jim’sneverplayedBrazilor Argentinasothat’sonthebucketlistalong withaGlastonburyset–we’dlovetoseethat.

The30thanniversarycelebrationskicked offwithagigatCrookedHouselastmonth, butinrelationtotheactualbigbashJim’s stayingtight-lipped–butyoucanbetyour bottomdollarit’llbeoneheckofaparty! ■

ANGELINAADAMO

ThechefandownerofMidlands-basedTuttoAppostoisthebrainsbehindthenew diningconceptatBirminghamHippodrome’spre-showexperience,theCircleLounge.

Herethosistoensure‘everythingisasitshouldbe-tuttoAPPOSTO’

Tellusaboutyourcooking

IalwaysdreamedofworkinginthreeMichelin-starred restaurantsbutcametotermswiththefactitwasn’t makingmyhearthappy.Ittaughtmesomuch,butfood thatgivesyouahugandseasonal,qualityingredientsthat youdon’thavetomessaroundwith,makesmehappy.

Howdidyoubecomeachef?

Ididwellatschoolbutrememberteachersbeing disappointedaboutmycareerchoice,sayingIwasgoingto wasteallmyhardwork.Toprovethemwrong,Istartedmy trainingatUniversityCollegeBirmingham.Myfirstjob wasinasportsbarflippingburgersandsteaks300timesa night–atleastittaughtmehowtocookasteak,washup fastandlisteninservice.Iworkedinabighotelunderhead chefCharlotteFoster,whoI’llalwaysbegratefulfor,before landingajobatHarveyNicholsandthengoingtoworkin Yorkshireandbeingaskedtojointhejuniorculinaryteam forEngland.Therun-throughkitchenwasin Birmingham,whereLeoKattouofSimpsonsrestaurant offeredmeajob.ChefLukeTipping,AndreasAntona,Leo andeveryonewhoworkedtherearerealinfluences.

Whatdoyoueatathome?

Afteran18-hourshift,it’seitherbeansontoastwith theplasticsausagesandthemostmaturecheddar going,oraplateofmomma’sfinestpastathatstillgets leftinthemicrowaveforme!

Who’sthebestchefintheworldandwhy?Andwho’s thebestinBrum?

BesidesmyNonna,it’sItalianthreeMichelin-starchef MassimoBottura.Theguyisalegend.BestinBrum?IfI reallyhavetogothere,thepizzachefatOtto’shasmy heart.Thesouschefnick-named‘Cheese’atPurnells cooksmeatandfishlikeI’veneverseen.

Shareacookingtip

There’spowerinrestingmeat,andfishandgarlicis queen.Also,experiment.It’sokaytoclosetherecipebook anddowhatyoufeelisright.

Whatwasyourfavouritefoodasakid?

Mom’samazingpicnics.We’dmakeadeninthe gardenandenjoythebestcharcuterie,cheeses,scotch eggsandeventhosehorrificprocessedseafoodsticks! AnddadwouldmakethebiggestCadbury’shot chocolatewithacustardcream.

Foodheavenandfoodhell?

Heavenisspaghettivongoleandawedgeoftiramisu oraGreeksouvlaki,Greeksalad,andachunkof watermelon.Asforhell,Iamadramaqueenwithspice, soanythinghotandspicyisno-go.

What’sthemostunusualthingyou’veeaten?

AlexClaridgefromtheWildernessrestaurantgaveme antsonmyicecream…deliciousinallhonesty!

Ifyouweren’tachef,whatwouldyoube?

Aglassblower.Ithinkit’sincredibleandifcheffingall goespete-tong,maybeI’llgiveitashot.

Giveusanice,easyrecipeourreaderscanmakeat homeusingsomeofthoselingeringitemsinthe storecupboard

Everyone’sgotdriedpasta,abitofcheeseanda peppergrinder.CacioPepeisoneofmyfavourite dishes.Boilyourpasta,drainandsavetwoladlesof thewater.EmulsifyParmesanofftheheattomakea creamysauce.Addasmuchpepperasyouwant.If you’vegotalemon,grateandsqueezethatinthere andgoandpouryourselfaglassofAmerone. ■

SHORTS NI BBLESand

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

HUNDRED’S SMASH-HIT PIZZADISH

LocalrestaurantSmoke+AshwontheFireInYourBellychallengeorganisedbyBirminghamPhoenix,thecity’s hometeamincricket’sTheHundredcompetition.ThechallengesawsomeofBrum’sbestindependentrestaurants designadishthatchampionedtheircuisineandshowcasedthecitythroughthepoweroffood.Thewinningdish wasapizzanamedFlavoursofBirminghamwhichdrewinspirationfromIndianandPakistaniinfluences.

CHEERSTONEW-LOOKPUB

Pub-goersareraisingaglasstothenewly-refurbishedBull’sHeadinHallGreen.A refreshedbar,newsoftfurnishingsandanimproveddiningareahavegiventhe19th centurypubamorerelaxedandwelcomingfeel.Thepub’sgeneralmanagerAbbyStone said:“Theleveloftransformationwe’vehadisamazingandthewholeteamhasbeen incrediblyexcitedtorevealthenewlooktoourguests.”

HELLOHARBORNE!

Neighbourhoodpizzeria,Rudy’sPizza Napoletana,hasbroughtitsrelaxed diningconcepttotheformer HawksheadTaphouseinHarborne HighStreet.TherestaurantisRudy’s thirdlocationinBirminghamand followstheauthenticNeapolitan traditionofpizzamaking,serving classicrecipes,alloriginatingfrom Naples,thebirthplaceofpizza.

GeneralmanagerLouisSymeonides said:“We’vebeenwelcomedwith openarmsbythelocalcommunity.”

ROSIEFUTURE

AnapprenticechefatSimpsonsinEdgbaston hasbeenawardedadistinctionintheRoyal AcademyofCulinaryArtsChefsApprenticeship Scheme.Aftercompletingthethree-yeargoldstandard vocationalcourseRosieChippingwillnowtakeona full-timejobattheMichelin-starrestaurant.Simpsons executivechefLukeTipping,whohelpedmentor Rosie,said:“Everyoneattherestaurantwishes hereverysuccessinhernewroleandI havenodoubtshe’llhavea brightfuture.”

BARWINSAT THEDOUBLE

ITALIANMAGICFORJQ

Ifyou’realoverofauthenticItaliandishesthere’sa newopeningintheJewelleryQuarterthat’srightup yourstrada!Paradisopizzeriaandpastatrattoria boastsatraditionalAmalficoast-inspiredmenu.It’s thefourthParadisointheWestMidlands,with othersitesinOldbury,BromsgroveandHallGreen. TherangeofpizzasincludestheBirminghamStar withgrilledchickenandItalianbeefpancettaatits heart,toppedwithhomemadecreambeetrootand 24caratgoldleaf.Yum!•SeeSocialScene

GOODFOODTITLE

ItalianrestaurantTropeahasbeennamedregionalwinner andbestlocalrestaurantinCentralandEastofEnglandby theGoodFoodGuide.TheHarborneeaterywasoneof onlyeightregionalchampionsfromacrossBritain.Tropea isthecreationofBenRobinsonYoungandKasia Piatkowska,whometwhilestudyingCulinaryArtsatthe UniversityCollegeBirminghamin2010.BenandKasia said:“Tropeahasbeenshapedbytheneighbourhoodand peopleofHarborneandBirminghamandwereallyfeelit ispartofthecommunity.”

KiloZiroscoopedawinningdoublewithtwotopawardsattheMidlandsFood,DrinkandHospitality Awards.ThecaféandcocktailbarwasnamedAfternoonTeaEstablishmentoftheYearand SustainableFoodBusinessoftheYear.KiloZiro’smissionin2022wastocreateacafébarthataligned withtheethosofsisterestablishment,Digbeth-basedCleanKilozerowastegrocerystore,whichis focusedonsupportinglocalbusinesses,reducingfoodwasteandminimisingplasticpollution.

MIXEDBERRYMOJITO

Assummerofficiallydrawsto aclosewe’reeverhopefulfor somelateseasonalsun–and wethinkthisdelightful,refreshinglittle numberisaperfectendofdaysundowner.It’sdeliciousandnon-alcoholic soeveryonecanenjoyittogether.With thanksfromtheteamatAlunainthe MailboxforthisrecipefortheirMixed BerryMojito. ■

INGREDIENTS:

■ 3blackberries ■ 3raspberries

■ 3blueberries ■ 8to10mintleaves

■ 30mllimejuice ■ 30mlstrawberrysyrup

■ applejuice

METHOD:

Placetheberriesintoaslingglass.Addthemintleaves.Muddle berriesandminttogether–youcanuseaspoontodothis.Addlime juiceandstrawberrysyrup.Addcrushedice.Andchurn–again,you canuseaspoontodothis.Topwithapplejuice.Garnishwitha raspberry,blueberry,blackberryandmintsprig.

Aluna,128-130,Mailbox,WharfsideStreet, Birmingham,B11RQ.Tel:01216339987aluna.uk.com

Fearnot,there’sstilltimeforadashoflatesummersun–togetherwithasplashofthisgreatlittlerefresher!

FUMO

relaxed,Fumoismorefancywithlotsofmarble, goldaccentsandstatementlighting.

PartoftheSanCarlogroupofrestaurants,Fumo isn’tnewonthescene,butit’sbeenawhilesincewe visited.Also,ouroptionswerelimitedasfindinga restaurantopenonaMondayinBrumisliketryingto bagticketsfortheErastour.Ifyou’recelebratingany occasiononaMonday,godspeed.Asignofthetough timeshospitalityandindeeddinersfindthemselvesin.

Cicchetti–Italianmediumplatesratherthansmall–isthenameofthegameatFumoandthemenuis massive.WequaffedChampagnewhilewegottogrips withitwhichhelpedimmeasurably.Onethingtonoteis thedishesaren’tmuchsmallerthanyouraveragemain course.Therestaurantsuggestsfiveorsixdishes betweentwopeoplewhichturnedouttobealotoffood.

SLOWCOOKED

Alsoworthnoting,wechoseahandfulofthe heavierdishesonthemenusuchasmagnificent gnocchiwithgorgonzola,richtastylasagneanda meltinmouthslowcookedshortribofbeef.They weregreat,butthereareplentyoflighterplatestoo.

Thebeetrootcarpacciowassuperb,servedwith goat’scheeseandtoppedwithherbycrunchy

breadcrumbs.Nicelycookedhalibutwithsamphire, tomatoandchilliwasknockoutandthepollo Milanesewasperfectwithasqueezeoflemon.

Thestaffwerefantasticandwithoutprompting, clockeditwasacelebrationandbroughtoutaplate ofdessertswithacandleandabirthdaymessage pennedinwhitechocolate.Anicetouch.Having endedupatFumopartlybydefault,itturnedinto oneofthosememorablelunchesthatdriftsintolate afternoonlimoncelloterritoryleavinguswithhappy heartsandfullstomachs.Whatelsedoyouneed? ■

WewerenervousgoingtoPlatesbyPurnell’s becausewerateditspredecessor,Pinxtosalot.

Itwasanabsolutegeminthecity.Like nowhereelseitserveddeliciousSpanishtapasinan environmentthatfeltauthentic–buzzy,friendly,casual andintimate.ItfeltsoSpanishthatourmatewheeledout hisbestGCSEespañolwithoutasecondthought!

Itturnsoutourworrieswereneedlessbecauseaside fromthelogoonthesignageandmenus,youwouldn’t knowthedifference.Theplacehasn’tlostanyofitscharm –ifyoupickeduptherestaurantandpoppeditbackdown inBarcelona’sGothicquarter,itwouldslotrightinandno doubtitwouldbepackedeverynight.

MOUTH-WATERING

It'ssmall,soexpectabitofasqueezebutthekindyou’d relishifyouwereonacitybreaksomewheremoreexoticthan Brum.Despitetwolivelychefsworkingfromanopenkitchen thesizeofasmallcar,thefoodisbrilliant.It’snotfancybutitis delicious.Simplesoundingdisheslikebreadwitholiveoiland tomatoareelevatedtomouth-wateringandthat’ssomeskill.

Wecooedoverplateafterplateoffoodsuchasoozing, crispcheesecroquetas,perfectlycharredpadronpeppers, juicygarlickyprawns,punchypatatasbravasandarich flavourpackedcassouletofchickpeas.Dishesrangefrom £2forsmokedanchoviesto£9foramoresubstantialplate

andwerecommendthreetofourdishesperperson.Intruth wecouldhavegrazedtheafternoonawayworkingourway throughtheentiremenu,butworkgotintheway…

Perhapsthedrinksmenucoulddowithabitofattention –infacttheplacehasa‘bringyourown’vibethatwecan’t reallyexplainasit’snot,sopleasedon’trockupwitha coupleofbottlesunderyourarm!It’sthekindofplacewe’d lapupifwewereonholidayandit’sonourbloomin’ doorstep.Whetheryoupopinandgrabastoolbythefloor toceilingwindowsorhunkerdowninacosycorner,you’re inforatreat.UseitorloseitBrummies–thislittlefoodie additionshouldbeakeeper. ■

EXPOSED: WINE’SGREATESTMYTHS

KATIEGARDNEROFBIRMINGHAMWINE SCHOOLSEPARATESFACTFROM FICTIONTOMAKEYOURDRINKING EXPERIENCESEVENMOREENJOYABLE

Wine,withitsrichhistoryandcomplex flavours,hasalwaysheldacertainallure. However,certainmisconceptions surroundingthisbelovedbeveragepersist,leadingto confusionandmissedopportunitiesforwine enthusiasts.Let’sbustsomemythsandenhanceyour enjoymentofthegoodstuff!

Myth1–I’mallergictosulphites

Onecommonmythisthatpeopleareallergicto sulphites,oftenblamingthemforheadachesandallergic reactions.Sulphites,whichoccurnaturallyinwine,serve asapreservative,preventingoxidationandmaintaining wine’sfreshness.Whilesomeindividualsaresensitiveto sulphites,winecontainsfarfewersulphitesthanother everydayfoodslikedriedfruitsorprocessedfoods.

Inreality,reactionstowinearemorelikelyrelatedto histaminesorothercompoundspresentinthewine.If youexperienceadversereactions,considertakingan anti-allergytabletwithapintofwaterbeforedrinking. Ifyouarepolishingoffthebottlethough,nothingcan helpyouwiththathangover!

Myth2–Serveredwineatroomtemperature

Doyoukeepyourwineinyourkitchen?Withallthe brightspotlightsandtemperaturefluctuationswhen cooking,it’sprobablytheworstplaceforit.Servingwineat theappropriatetemperaturesignificantlyimpactsitstaste andaroma.Forredwines,suchasCabernetSauvignon andMerlot,anidealservicetemperatureisbetween15and 18°C.Thisrangeallowsthewine’sboldflavoursand tanninstoshinewithoutoverwhelmingthepalate.

Youdon’tneedawinecellartostoreyourwines,just somewherecoolanddarklikeagarageorcupboardis ideal.Wetendtoserveourwhitewinestoocold.Ifyou drinkstraightfromthefridge,yourwinewilljusttasteof ‘cold’,whichisperfectlyfineforaglassofplonkaftera longdaybutifyouarespendingalittlemoreordrinking somethingmorefull-bodiedlikeaChardonnaythenwait 15minutesorsotoallowittowarmupalittlebefore drinking.Youwillfindthattheflavoursaregreatly enhanced!Expertsrecommendbetween6and10°Cto serveyourwhitewine.

Myth3–Thiswinehasgreatlegs!

Thequestionof‘legs’comesuptimeandtimeagain atourwineschooltastings.Youmayhavenoticedwhen swirlingyourwinearoundtheglassthatyouseedrips ortearsfallingaroundthesides.Thisisoftenreferredto asthe‘legs’ofthewine,andsomepeoplethinkthatifa winehasthickerlegsthenitisofhigherquality.The realityisthatitissimplydowntothehighersugaror alcoholcontentofthewineinquestion.Allwineshave legsandyoucan’tmeasurequalitybythem!

KATIE’S4TOTRY

■ Sainsbury’sTasteTheDifferenceDiscoveryCollection Lugana,LakeGarda,Italy(Sainsbury’s,£12abottle) Adelicious,easy-drinkingandrefreshingwhitewinefromthebeautifulLake GardainnorthernItaly.Itgoesgreatwithcreamyrisottosorfishdishes.

■ HoneyDropCheninBlanc,Swartland,SouthAfrica (Majestic,£13.99or£9.99mixsix)

Creamytropicalfruitnotesandtouchofvanillafromoakageing,thisisa top-notchwhitewinefromoneofSouthAfrica’smostexcitingwine regions.Tryitwithroastpork.

■ SpeciallySelectedRiberadelDuero,Spain (Aldi,£7.49abottle)

ThiscrackingredwineisfromoneofSpain’sbestup-and-comingwine regions.MadefromthesamegrapeastheyuseinRiojabutmoredeepand powerfulinstyleduetotheharsher,desert-likeconditionsoftheRiberaregion.

■ WynnsTheSidingCabernetSauvignon,Coonawarra, Australia(Tesco,£15abottle)

Fullofripeblackberryandcherryfruitwithatouchofsmokyspiceand greatstructurefromthetannins.Idealforyourroastdinnerorasteak.

Myth4–Youshouldalwaysdecantredwine Decantingwineservestwoprimarypurposes: separatingsedimentinoldwinesandmoreimportantly, aeratingthewine.Notallwinesbenefitfromdecanting forlongperiodsoftime,particularlyoldwineswhich areverydelicateandunstablebutmostboldredwines likeCabernetSauvignonandShiraztendtobenefitthe most.Todecant,standthebottleuprightforafewhours beforepouringitgentlyintoadecanter,leavingany sedimentbehind.Youdon’tneedanyfancyequipment forthis,youcouldjustuseacarafeorevenaPyrexjug! Theprocessallowsthewinetobreathe–reactwiththe oxygenintheairtofullydevelopitsflavours,enhancing youroverallwineexperience.

Myth5–Moreexpensivewinetastesbetter Winetastingissuchapersonal,subjectiveexperience andifyoulikeacheaperwinemorethanathanan expensiveone,enjoyit! ■

BirminghamWineSchoolisanindependentwineeducationcompany thatoffersfuninformalwinetastingeventsandWine&SpiritEducation Trust(WSET)coursesonline,inBirminghamandWarwick.Formore information,contactKatieGardneron01212707359,orvisit www.birminghamwineschool.com

ONYERBIKE!

LASTMONTH,WESAIDGOODBYETOBRUMMIEBROADCASTINGLEGENDTONYBUTLER.IN HONOUROFHISFAMOUSCATCHPHRASE,WETAKEALITTLEPEEKATTHEBENEFITSOFCYCLING

Overrecentyears,thecountryhasgone bonkersoverthebenefitsofcyclingwith thenumberofpeoplegoingforaride increasingby200percentonweekendsand100per centonweekdays.It’snottoolatetojoininthecycle revolutiontokeepfit,lookaftertheplanetandsave money.Here’sjustafewreasonswhyyouneedto dustdownyoursaddleandgetriding.

It'sarealall-rounder

Cyclingincreasescardiovascularfitness,muscle strength,jointmobility,posture,coordinationand bonestrength,whiletargetingandtoningupthe ankles,arms,shoulders,calves,thighsandglutes.

It’salow-impactformofcardio

Gettingonthebikeismucheasieronthejoints andyourskeletalsystemthanmostcardioworkouts, likerunningandHIITworkoutsthatinvolvejumps suchasburpees.It’sgreatforanyonesufferingwith, orrecoveringfrom,injury–butrememberthat weight-bearingactivitiesarerequiredforpromoting bonedensity–theseincludewalkingandstrength training.

Weightlossandmusclestrengthening

Asamoderatelyintenseexercise,cycling associatedwiththeusualbenefitsandcansupport weightloss.Ridingabikefor20to30miles,three timesaweekcanhelpbudgestubbornbellyfat,as wellasstrengtheningyourquads,glutes,hamstrings andcalves.

Boostsimmunity

It’sbeenshownthatcyclistshaveimmune systemstypicalofyoungerpeople.Moderate exercisemakesimmunecellsmoreactive,sothey’re readytofightoffinfection.Peoplewhocyclefor30 minutes,five-days-a-weektakeabouthalfasmany sickdaysascouchpotatoes.King’sCollegeLondon comparedmorethan2,400identicaltwinsand foundthosewhodidtheequivalentofjustthree, 45-minuteridesaweekwerenineyears‘biologically younger’evenafterdiscountingotherinfluences, suchasbodymassindex(BMI).

Healthyheart

Cyclingregularlyaslittleas20milesaweekcan cutyourriskofheartdiseaseby50percentby stimulatingyourheart,lungsandcirculation, accordingtorecentstudies.

Mood-boosterandstress-reliever

Cyclingisproventoeasestressandanxietyby calmingexternalthoughtsandforcingyouto concentrateonyourcadenceandanyspeedorincline youmightbeworkingwith.Studieshaveshownthat thepositivementalfeelingsthatcomefromcycling arelargelydowntothereleaseofendorphinsinyour bodywhichcountertheproductionofcortisol(the stresshormone).Thesameresearchalsofoundthat cyclingoutsideincreasedtheseeffects.

Flexibility

Cyclingisnotasweather-dependentasyouthink. Whocaresifit’srainingoutside?Andratherthanthat longcountrysideride,popdowntothegymandusea staticbikeandmaybeevenjoinaspinclassorjustbash awayonthePelotonparkedinacornerofyourhome! Ifyou’reunaffectedbytheclimateit’seasytoseta scheduleandsticktoit

Suitableforeveryone

Regardlessofage,genderorexperiencethere’sa level–andaclassofcycling–tosuit.Cycling appealstobothbeginnersandadvancedexercisers. Yourworkoutcanbeadaptedtosuityourfitnesslevel –goforlowintensityifyou’rejustgettingusedtoit ortrysprintorinclineintervalsifyou’reupfora challenge.

Environmentallyfriendlyandcheap

Recentresearchfoundthatcommutingbybikeover caronceadaydecreasesyourcarbonfootprintby67per cent,whileittakesapproximatelyfivepercentofthe materialsandenergyneededtomakeacar,andabike, ofcourse,produceszeropetrol.Bikesareefficient,too. Youtravelaroundthreetimesasfastaswalkingforthe sameamountofenergyand,takingintoaccountthe ‘fuel’youputinyour‘engine’,youdotheequivalentof 2,924milestothegallon. ■

TRANSITION VAMP

SWITCHITUPFROMSUMMERTOAUTUMNINSTYLE

WITHTHISSEASON’SGROWN-UPPUTTOGETHERLOOKS

WritingaboutAW23trendsisquite bizarregivenwehaven’thadan opportunitytowheeloutthe summerwardrobeyet.Perhapswe’llbesoaking upthevitaminDthismonthandtransitional wearwillbepushedback.Havingsaidthat, printdeadlineswaitforno(weather)mansoif we’reinthemiddleofanIndiansummerwhen youreadthis,grabitwithbothhandsandsave thisforlater.

ALLGROWN-UP

TheoverwhelmingthemeofAW23is grown-upchicintheformoftweedMary Janes,Chanelinspiredskirtsuits,terrific trenches,dramaticscarves,slinkyshirtsand fancybuttonslikeGrandmausedtowear.Bold floralprintsinautumnalmutedtonesarebig tooandBarbourhavesomegorgeousexamples.

Bagsaresmallandstructured–think MargaretThatcheralthoughdon’tletthatput youoff.Forfeminineandcool,seetheRadley crossbodybagwithaclassicgoldchain.

COOL CAMEL

Belleviewbag

£70,Dune

BUTTON UP

SelfPortraitcontrast

trimpatchpocket

knittedcardigan

£390,Selfridges

CHECK MATE

ClothingfromMatalan

Bouclepocket detailjacket

£28,Very

SUITS YOU

Clothingfrom Primark

GREY DAYS

Greyshortfrill denimjacket£99, ScampandDude

LIT KNIT

Nordicheart halfzip£69, WhiteStuff

ATTENTION

TODETAIL

Indigoplaitdetail dress£135, ScampandDude

SMARTCASUAL

Onthemorecasualside,we’re teamingsmartishwidelegjeans andMaryJaneswithaclassic navystripeoracardiequipped withstatementpocketsand gleamingbuttons.Afitted embellisheddenimdressfitsthe smartcasualAWbrieftooandwe loveScampandDude’sversion pictured.

Neutralsofallhuesare throwntogetherwithsuper stylishresults.Mixcarameltrews withacamelknit,tanbagand beigetrenchforminimumfuss withmaximumimpact.

Havingsaidallofthis,we hopeyou’resippingpinacoladas inacutebikini.Wecandream. ■

POCKET ROCKET

Blumarineribbedwool cardigan£1,160, HarveyNichols

RIGHT

STRIPED

Satindill stripeshirt £22,Very

DAY OFF

Clothingand shoesfrom JohnLewis

DRESS ITUP

ClothingfromBarbour

NEW NEUTRALS

Clothingand accessoriesfrom JohnLewis

LOOSE FIT

Monogramembroidered silksatinshirt£540, HarveyNichols

WHONEEDS SLEEVES

SleevelessAviator£38,George

BELT UP

Khakibelted trench£49.99, NewLook

NEUTRAL BAE

ReissMarlieslimleghigh risestretchwoolblend trousers£150,Selfridges

STYLEAND SUBSTANCE

Monacoquiltcrossbody bag£44.95,Barbour

WEEKEND VIBES

Tevashoes fromOffice

BEAUTY UPDATE

THISMONTHWE’VETRIEDACOUPLEOFCLASSICSAS

WELLASSOMENEWBIESTOENHANCETHESKINCARE

ROUTINE,ALONGWITHACOUPLEOFPRODUCTSTHAT MEANSALONSTANDARDNAILSATHOMEAREANOPTION

1.BOOTSNAILPOLISHCORRECTORPEN£4,ANDSALLYHANSEN INSTA-DRYTOPCOAT£7,BOTHFROMBOOTS.COM

Iflikeusyoucan’tbefaffingaboutwithregulartripstothenailsalon,thesetwo beautieswillchangeyourlife–well,yournailsatleast.Howevermessyyouare whenapplyingvarnish,thecorrectorpengetsridofanyuntidyedgeswhilethe topcoatdriesincrediblyquicklywithahighshine.Forcontextwe’vetriedgelsand ournailsareweakerandlesssmoothforit,sowe’llnotbepersuadedtogoback.

2.NO7PROTECTANDPERFECTINTENSEADVANCEDDAY£24.95,AND PROTECTANDPERFECTINTENSEADVANCEDNIGHT£25.95,BOOTS.COM

TheintensityofthelaunchofProtectandPerfectbackinthedaywasonlyrivalledbythe restockingofthemuch-hypedsnailserumatAldi.Anyway,we’vegonefulldayandnight routineandit’smadeadifference.Thedaycreamneedsagoodrubtosoakinwhichwe likebecauseitmeanswe’reforcedtomassageitinproperlywhichhastobebeneficial. Thenightcreamfeelslightbutpacksapunch.Wedefinitelylookmorealiveinthe morningdespiteafewweeksofbrokensleep–wewon’tboreyouwiththedeets…

3.PIXIVITAMIN-CSERUM£26,PIXIBEAUTY.CO.UK

Thetextureofthisserumdoesn’tfeellikeitwilldoanythingwhenyouapplyitandwe wereabitscepticalforthefirstcoupleofapplications.However,stickwithitandthe brighteningeffectofVitaminCbecomesevidentafewdaysin.It’sasmallbottlethat wefinddoesn’tlastlong–weuseitmorningandevening,sowealwayshavea replacementatthereadywhichisquitethetestament.

4.ISLEOFPARADISEBODYSELFTANNINGDROPS£26.95, THEISLEOFPARADISE.COM

We’reatitagain–Iknowwe’vementionedIsleofParadisebeforebutonaquesttofind thissummer’sbest(i.e.natural)self-tan,allroadsleadbacktoIoP.It’stotallyfoolproof–weusethelightshade.Justafewdropsinyourusualbodylotiondoesthetrickforasunkissedglow.It’saseasyasputtingonbodylotionandwealldothatwithoutahiccup. Hopefully.Giveyourhandsagoodwashafterwardsandyou’regoodtogo.

ECLECTICAVENUE

THISSEASONHASTHROWNUPAMELTINGPOTOFSTYLESFROM STATEMENTCOLLARSANDSHARPTAILORINGTOSERIOUSGRUNGE

DISTRESSED FORSUCCESS

PalmAngelsdistressedjeans £705,HarveyNichols

Here,we’refocusingonthefreshly-titled Grungecoreandifyourageisnorthof20years itmightallseemabitfamiliar.Wedidn’tcall itGrungecorebackintheday,butinessenceit’sthesame justslightlymorerefined.Slouchyknitwear,lotsof layering,boldprints,oversizedshirtsandbigbaggy bottomsarestaplesofthislook.

It’salookthat’ssimpletopulloffaslongasit’sgenuine you–amerewhiffofinsinceritywilllookmorefancy dressthannonchalantcool.Theextremelooksonthe catwalkwillnottranslatewell,soatoneddownversion ofGrungecoremightbemoreyourcalling.Threadbare knitsatGucci,rippedcardisatMembersofRageand‘dirty’ jeansatEgonlabareallbangontrend.Teamwithan essentialbeanietofinishthelook. ■

OVERSIZEDKNIT Supersoftjumper £19.50,M&S

LAYERUP Grungecoreonthe runwayinParis

BOLDMOVE KavuTeannaway fleece£85, JohnLewis

AGAINSTTHEGRAIN LoeweAnagramwide legjeans£825, HarveyNichols

CHECKMATE Checkedovershirt £39.50,M&S

RIGHTOF PASSAGE Stripedjumper £19.50,M&S

RETROCOOL Coralstripe shirt£79.99, TKMaxx

FORKICKS Turquoiseandorangetrainers £29.99,TKMaxx

CHILLOUT Hoodie£55,JoeBrowns

EMBRACETHE IMPERFECTIONS

MembersofRagedistressed oversizedwoven-blendcardigan £575,Selfridges

OLDSCHOOL Stepupcardigan £59,JoeBrowns

Lightingsolutionsareplentifulwhichisbothgood andbad.Choiceisalwaysgood,buttoomuchcan feelabitbamboozling.Forasuccessfulscheme,first askyourselfthequestion,‘whatdoyouusethespacefor?’ Oftenthatisn’tassimpleasitsoundsgivenmanyspacesin thehomearelikelytobemulti-use.

Forinstance,yourkitchenprobablydoublesasan entertainingspace,yourdiningroommightbecomeyour officebyday,youmightwantyourbathroomtofeellikea dimlylitspabutalsoaplacetopluckyoureyebrows,etc. Itgoeson.Yes,thehumbledimmerswitchisyourfriend, butyou’vealsoaccesstoambientlightingwhichwill enrichthefunctionanddesignofyourhome.

LAYERUP

Thequickestandprobablycheapestwaytochangeupthe moodisthroughlamps.Carefullyplacedtheycandirectpools oflighttocreatethelookyou’reafterfromdramatictoasoft glow.CheckoutthearchitecturalnatureofBoConcept’sKuta floorlamportheneutraltonesoftheKoentablelamp.Using layeredlightingbycombiningfixtures,lampsandevenfairy lightsandcandlescreatesawarmwelcomingspace.

Pendantsareagreatwaytoaddinterestastheactual fittingslookstrikingaswellasaddinglight.Clumped

togetherorinalineaboveatableorislandworksparticularly well.We’veincludedafewexampleshere,liketheoversized MuutoStrandandtheLouisPoulsenPaterapendant.

GRANDDESIGNS

FritzFryerhasdoneapropergrown-upnumberrestoring thestunninglightingatBrum’sownballroomatTheGrand (pictured).We’reguessingyourroomsareatadsmallerthan aballroom,butashow-stoppingchandeliernevergoesout ofstylewhateversizeyourroom.Ceilingheightisyouronly barrier,sogetoutthetapemeasure.

SHOPLOCAL

Whateveryourstyle,we’respoiltforchoicein Birmingham.Kin.onGreenfieldCrescenthasaninspired collectionifyou’relookingforamoderntakeasdoes MinimaintheJewelleryQuarter.Scandistylerocksat BoConceptonHarborneRoadwhileLeeLonglandshas animpressiveselectionofbothmodernandtraditional. Neptuneprovidesatouchofcountryhousecoolwhile nextdoor,OKAoffersupglamour.It’shardtovisualise lightingfromanimageonlinesogooutandshop–old schoolweknow,butviewinginpersonwillgiveyouan accuratevisionofhowlightingwilllookinsitu.

CURVEDLINES Paddlependant£729,BoConcept

HIGHCEILING HighstyleatTheGrandbyFritzFryer

MINIMUMFUSS Kutafloorlamp£449,BoConcept

DESKTOP FurnitureandlampfromDunelm

TERRIFICTRIPOD

ENERGYZAPPER

Onceyou’venailedthelook,considerenergy consumptionandecocredentials.Checkoutvoiceactivated,motionsensorlightingandautomatedsystems tolimitwaste.Energysavingbulbsaremoreexpensive thanyouraveragebulb,butthey’refreefrommercury vapour,use90percentlessenergyandlastaround100,000 hours,sothey’reworthalook.Also,choosetherightshape ofbulb.Itsoundssillybutdifferentshapescanprovidea differentspreadandangleoflight,sodon’trushit–not allbulbsareequal.

Zuivercanetripodlamp£269,Cuckooland

BLACKOUT

Copenhagendropchandelier£982,Nest

BIGLIGHT

MuutoStrandpendantlight£535,Nest

NEUTRALTONES

Koentablelamp£59,CultFurniture

HOMES

SLICKERWICKER

Wellingtonwickerpendants £300,FritzFryer

ALLTHAT GLITTERS

Zojaglitter tablelamp£95, OliverBonas

BOBBINUP Slategreybobbin tablelamp£50, Next

TOUCHES FINISHING

WE’VEPULLEDTOGETHERAHANDFULOFLAMPSAT VARYINGPRICEPOINTSTOENHANCEYOURLOOK

CURVELURVE Mushroom tablelamp £45,Habitat

BARGAIN BUY

Blacklowfloor lamp£25, George

TOP TERRACOTTA

Verlaribbed tablelamp£99, CultFurniture

LIFE’SAPEACH

Matinfloorlamp £465,Nest

FULLCIRCLE

Altracircletablelamp £99,CultFurniture

HANDLE WITHFLAIR

WoudGhosttable lamp£348,Nest

COOL CONCRETE Bloomsbury concrete lampstand £171, Neptune

HARDLINES

Anglepoise+ NationalTrust

TheOriginal1227 floorlamp£329, NationalTrust

FromthePottingBench withAdam

SEPTEMBERISAMONTHWITHMANYSURPRISES–MOSTLY GOOD!WHILEANEWSEASONISBECKONINGONTHE HORIZON,DON’TBIDYOURFAREWELLSTOSUMMERINTHE GARDENJUSTYET,SAYSOUREXPERTADAMKIRTLAND

ManypeopleseeSeptemberasthe spiritualendtosummer,withautumn justaroundthecorner.Butsummer–evenalargelywetonelikewe’veexperienced–still hasbundlestooffer,inbothyourowngardenand elsewhere.ThismonthI’mbringingyoumyusual round-upof‘jobsforthemonth’,plusI’vegota gardenthatIthinkyou’llquiteliketovisit–but moreonthatlater..

Theendoftheseasonandthebeginning ofanother…

Summerisclosingitsdoorsforanotheryear,butif yourgardenisanythinglikemine,itfeelsasthough it’sreallyatitspeakrightnowasweheadthrough September.Rightnow,youcanbedoingafewthings tokeepitlookingfreshwhilecastingacarefuleye hereandtheretoprepareforyoursummergarden fornextyear.Therearesomeplantsthatwillbe

reallyattheirpeak,suchasdahliasandif youcontinuetocutthem,they’llkeep rewardingyouwithbloomsuntilthefirst frostslaterintheyear.

You’lllikelybeseeingasecondflush aboutnowwithotherfavourites;rosesin particularwillhaveanotherhurrahbefore bowingoutuntilnextyear.Whilethereis stillmuchtoenjoy,otherpartswill undoubtedlybefading–thisistheideal timetogetthenotebookoutandtake stockofthegardenyou’veproducedthis yearandwhat,ifanything,you’dliketo changefornextyear.First,startwiththe thingsyou’velovedandwanttokeepand notethosedown–it’salsoworthlabelling theseuptoosoyouknowwheretheyare. Butatthesametime,bestrictandtakeout anythingyoudon’twanttocomeback–youcaneitherdigupandputintopotsto gosomewhereelseorpassontoafriend; plantsarealwaysawelcomegift(butIwould saythat!)

Fillthegaps–buthow?

Now,ifyou’vefollowedmyadviceabove,it’slikely thatyou’vegotafewgapstocontendwith,orquite possibly,you’vegotsomegapsinyourgardenalready (IknowIhave!)Ifeitherarethecase,thenallhopeis notlostasthisistheperfecttimeforatriptothe gardencentretograbyourselfsomeperennials.

Whiletherestofyourplantsareattheirbestand essentiallyattheirfullheightandgrowingsize,you’ll beabletoseeexactlywhatspaceyouhavebetween themandbuynewplantsaccordingly.Weare approachingtheendoftheseasonsoyou’reunlikelyto seemuchmoregrowth,ormanymoreblooms,on anythingyoubuynow,butifyoubuyperennialsthen they’llcomebacknextyearwithmoregrowth.

Whenyougotothegardencentre,you’llstillsee someplantswithflowersonthem,butthey’relikelyto losethesequitesoon.Youmightevenbeluckyenough toseesomethatare‘pasttheirbest’thathavebeen reduced.Allthisislikelytomeanisthatthey’vehad theirfloweringperiodfortheyearandaren’tlooking atgoodasthegardencentrewantthemto–but they’restillfantasticplants,worthyofahome.If

you’restillinneedofsomeinspirationafterallofthis, thenI’vegottheperfectplaceforyoutovisit.

TheGardenofDreams…

Slightlyoutofourarea,butworththeshortdrive anywayarethebeautifulgardensofWollertonOld HallinMarketDrayton.Setarounda16thcentury hall(whichisn’topentothepublic)arefouracresof stunningmodernformalgardensthatwillleaveyou speechless,trustme.

EvenrightnowinSeptemberthey’relookingat theirbest,withsomeoftherichestcoloursand deepestbordersyou’lleversee.You’reboundtowant totakephotosandideashometofillyourborders andevenifyou’vegotasmallerspacewithjustpots, you’llbeleftwithideasforthosetoo!Luckily,there isalsoaplantshopwhichsellsvarietiesyou’llhave seenfromallaroundthegardenitself.I’llsayno more,asIdon’twanttospoilthesurprise! ■

YoucanfollowAdamonInstagram@viewfromthepottingbenchor listentohisTalesFromThePottingBenchpodcastformore gardeninginspiration.YoucanalsoreadAdam’sblogat viewfromthepottingbench.com

THENAMEGAME

MAZDAHASGIVENITSMUCH-LOVEDSOFT-TOPANEWNAME FOR2023TOREFLECTMODERNBUYERS’TASTES.SUECOOKE TRIESOUTTHERE-CHRISTENEDMX-5ROADSTERFORSIZE

Therearestillsomesummerdaysleftin September,buttherearefewernew convertiblecarstochoosefromtoday comparedwiththepasttwodecades.Accordingto CarGurus,themultinationalonlineautomotive platformforbuyingandsellingvehicles,intoday’s market,consumershavethechoiceofonly24new convertiblemodelsacrosstheUK’s30mostpopular manufacturers–adeclineof56percentofthose availablebetween2005and2010.

TheMazdaMX-5,hasbeenonsaleintheUK since1990andfor2023Mazdahaschangeditsname fromconvertibletoroadster.TrimlevelsarePrime, ExclusiveandHomura.NamedWorldCarDesignof theYearwhenthefourthgenerationmodelwas launchedin2015,thegorgeousstylingofthe2023 MX-5hasthankfullybeenleftalone.Duringmyweek ofroadtestingthetwo-seater,therewereplentyof commentsonthesportystylishexteriorlooks.

OPENANDSHUTCASE

Openingthefabricrooftotheelementsisquickand easybymanuallyunclippingtheroof,pushingitback andintoplacebehindtheseats.Aclearoptionalwind breakavoidsanybuffetingintheinterior.Theengine line-upisunchangedandthe2.0-litre,184PSHomura modelwhichIroadtestediseasilyidentifiedbyitsred frontBrembobrakecallipers.IntroducedinSeptember 2018,theSkyactiv-Genginehasincreased performanceoverthe160PSmotorthatfeaturedinthe fourth-generationMX-5.Withincreasedtorque,the 2.0-litrered-linesat7,500rpm.

Thisisacarforpeoplewhojustlikedriving.More than24,000ofthefourthgenerationsportscarhave beensoldsinceitslaunch.Iroadtestedthethird generationMX-5in2007.TimehaspassedandI wasn’tquitesurehowIwouldcopenowwiththe day-to-daydrivingofalow-sittingtwo-seater,butI waspleasantlysurprised.

Whilethechassisdoessitlowtotheground,Ifound iteasytogetinandoutof.Doorsarewide,andlight andstayopenwhereyouwantthemto.Intruesports style,seatsarebucket-shapedwithintegratedheadrests andIfoundthemverycomfortable.Spaceinsidethe cabinisasIexpectedinatwo-seatersportscarbut thereareinnovativestoragespacesandthereisalong listofstandardspecificationitems.

FACTSATAGLANCE

Model: MazdaMX-5RoadsterHomura

Price: £32,410otr

Engine: 2.0-litreSkyactiv184PSmanual

Performance: 0-62mphin6.5secondsandontoatopspeedof136mph CO2emissions: 155g/km(WLTP)

Combinedfuelconsumption: 40.9mpg(WLTP)

Thesix-speedmanualgearboxandmanualhand brakeareallreminiscentofdrivingasitusedtobe. AllMX-5modelsfeatureKinematicPostureControl, whichisdesignedtoincreasestabilityduring corneringwithoutimpactingthepurityoftheMX-5’s handlinganddriverengagement.Automaticstop/start isstandardwhichmeanstheMX-5ismore economicalthanever.Afteradayofdriving,Ididn’t reallynoticethequietandquicksystemrestart.

LIMITEDEDITION

MazdahaslaunchedalimitededitionoftheMX-5, theKizuna,basedonthe1.5-litre132psExclusiveLineRoadster.The£30,265Kizunaexteriorincludes 16-inchbrightalloywheelsandcanbeorderedina complementaryDeepCrystalBlueorMachineGrey paintwhichismatchedtoapremiumbluefabric hood.DroptheroofandtheKizuna’sLightStone Nappaleatherinteriortrimandseatingaredisplayed, complementingtheexterior.

IwillmisstheMazdaMX-5Roadsterwithits ground-breakingSkyactivfuelsavingtechnology.The openairtwo-seaterprovidedmewithaweekofdriver focusedenjoymentforwhichthisroadsterisloved. ■

SHOWROOM

JohnsonsMazda,HighlandsRoad,Shirley,Solihull,B904NU. Tel:01217450745www.johnsonscars.co.uk

LAURA BRYAN

Wecaughtupwiththemusicaltheatreperformerasshe preparedtotaketheleadinfast-pacedhitshowBringItOn

LauraBryanisbackinherhometown starringastheleadintheAlexandra’s StageExperienceproductionofBringIt On.Eachsummerthetheatreinvitesrisingstars fromacrosstheregiontoauditionforaweek-long runofahitmusicalaspartoftheiryouththeatre productionprogramme,StageExperience.

Theestablishedprogrammehasbeenrunning for18years,givingcountlessyoungstersvaluable experienceofaprofessionalset-up.Lastyearit wasFamewhichLaurawaspartof(pictured). Thisyearit’sJeffWhittyandLin-Manuel Miranda’sBringItOn,inwhichsheplays Campbell–competitivequeenbee,peoplepleaser andsquadcaptainatTrumanHighSchool.

FRENETICFORTNIGHT

WecaughtupwithLaurabeforetheshow openedandshewasitchingtogetstarted.Sincethe showhascheerleadingatitsheart,ofwhichLaura hasnoexperience,thetwo-weekrehearsalmightbe neededandpossiblypainful!Havingsaidthat Laurahasalwaysdanced–ballet,jazzand contemporary–andhasdoneabitofgymnastics, soshereckonsshe’llbeokay.Twoweeksisn’tlong topolishashowascomplexasBringItOn,but Laurarecognisesit’sagreatopportunity.

GrowingupinDorridgemeantthatLaurahad Brum’stheatresonherdoorstepandfromanearly ageindulgedherpassionformusicaltheatre. HavingbeenaregularattheAlexandraasachild, it’sadreamperformingonthestage.

Dancingsinceshewasjustthree-years-oldand singingforsevenyears,LaurajoinedBirmingham’s SchoolofTheatreExcellence(SOTE)andcarried onclassesonlinewiththemthroughlockdown

followedbytwoyearsboardingatTringParkSchoolfor PerformingArts.Goingfromlockdowntoboarding schoolandbeingawayfromfamilyseemslikequitea leap,butLaurasaysshedidn’toverthinkitandjustthrew herselfintoitmakingthemostoftheopportunity.

ShehasperformedwiththeD-DayJuniors,most recentlyappearingasaguestactonBritain’sGotTalent andhasalwaysgrabbedopportunitiestobepartof musicalproductionsinsideandoutofschool,including playingtheleadroleinLegallyBlondeJunior.

BRIMMINGBRUMMIES

OftheAlexandra’sprogramme,SimonCreed,theatre director,says:“TheWestMidlandsisameltingpotof theatricaltalentandStageExperienceformsahugely importantpartoftheAlex’scalendar.”Successful applicantslikeLauraworkalongsideindustry professionalsincludingdirectors,choreographersand technicalteams,tobringafull-scaleproductionto audiencesinjusttwoweeks.Forthosewhohavean interestinworkingbehindthescenes,inlighting,sound, wardrobe,stagemanagementandmore,therearea numberoftechnicalplacementsavailable.

Asyou’dexpect,inacitybrimmingwithsuchtalent, thefocusonyouthprogrammesatBirmingham’stheatres generallyisimpressivewithallthemajorvenuesexcelling. Forinstance,theHippodromerunsaMusicalTheatre YouthCompanyforyoungstersagedbetween11and18 yearsmeetingeverySaturdaywhiletheReprunsaYoung Repprogrammeforbuddingactorsagedsevento18years. Thereisachargeforbothbutbursariesareavailable.

FUTUREGOALS

LauraconsiderstheopportunitythatStage Experiencehasgivenheracrucialpartofher development.Theprogrammeisbilledasa‘onceina lifetime’experienceexceptLaura’sdoneittwice!As wellasgainingexperienceinaprofessionalsetting, theintensityoftheproductionandshortleadtime meansshe’sforgedfirmfriendshipstoo.

Thetalentedteenhopestobuildontheexperienceand enjoyanexcitingcareerlikeherheroes,includingCarrie HopeFletcherfamedforplayingÉponineandFantinein LesMiserablesandSamanthaBarkswhosecareertook offaftercomingthirdintheBBC’sI’dDoAnythingand whowentontostarasElsainFrozen. ■

PREPSCHOOLOFYEAR

EversfieldPreparatorySchool,Solihullwasnamed IndependentPrepSchooloftheYearattheTesSchools Awards–dubbedtheOscarsofEducation–that celebratethecommitment,qualityandinnovationshown byteachersandsupportstaffinindependentandstate educationacrosstheUK.

RobertYates,headmasteratEversfield,said:“Itisagreat honourtoreceivethisnationalaccoladefortheschoolandI amtrulypleasedforallthestaff,pupilsandcommunity.It reflectsthecommitmentandpassionthatIseeeveryday.”

ENTERPRISING EXCELLENCE

BromsgroveSchool’sYoungEnterpriseteamis celebratingremarkablesuccessin2023.Afterbeing crownedYoungEnterpriseCompanyoftheYearatthe 2023CompanyoftheYearFinals,theteam,named Monito,representedtheUKattheEuropeanfinalsin Istanbul,whereitsmanagingdirectorOwaisIqbal receivedtheJAAlumniEuropeLeadershipAward. Followingtheirsuccess,fivemembersofMonitohave registeredthecompanyandintendtogrowthebusiness beyondtheYoungEnterpriseProgramme.

MEDICALMOVES

MillenniumPointwelcomedmorethan800local schoolchildrentoexploremedicalcareersatan interactiveSciMEDeventaimedatinspiringyoung peopletoconsidertherangeofSTEMcareerswithin thebroadspectrumofthemedicalsector.Pupilsfrom acrosstheWestMidlandswereinspiredwithall things‘medical’,fromtraditionalrolesofdoctors, vetsanddentiststowiderSTEM-relatedsectorssuch asphysiology,health,wellbeing,pharmaceuticals–andmore.

SCHOOL REPORT

CREATIVEWINNERS

ThecreativetalentsoftwoWorcestershirestudentshaveearned thematopaccoladefromtheircollege.TeenagersMaddyMarley andSennenAshfordwerenamedjointoverallwinnersof WorcesterSixthFormCollege’sArt&DesignDepartment.Maddy wholivesinInkberrow,planstocontinueherstudiesbytakinga fineartsdegreeatHerefordCollegeofArts.TutorAliceMalone, picturedwithMaddy,said:“MaddyisaverytalentedartistandI amsureshewillgofar.”

STARTEACHER

AteacherfromNinestilesAcademyhasachievedaSilverTeachingAwardatthe prestigiousPearsonNationalTeachingAwards.EnglishteacherIbraheemTalibis oneofonlyahandfulofteachersacrossthecountrytohavebeenrecognisedwith thesilveraward.Hewillnowbeconsideredforagoldaward,whichwillbe announcedinNovember.IbraheemwasnominatedbyprincipalAlexHughesfor hisall-roundexcellentteachingpracticeandadditionalsupportinsettingupa publicspeakingextra-curricularclub.

CAREHOMEHONOUR

ABirminghamcarehomehonoureda localsecondaryschoolwithaspecial awardduringitsend-of-year presentationevening–recognising theirlong-standingpartnership. ChurchRose,adiversecarehomein Handsworth,presentedthe CommunityAwardtostudentsof HolyheadSecondarySchoolto acknowledgetheirgratitudefortheir integrationintothehome–a relationshipthathasgrownoverthe past10years.Studentsperformand readtothePaytonRoadhome residents,aswellascollaborateon artsandcraftsandotheractivities.

BOOKHUBBOOST

WestHouseSchoolinEdgbastonhas partneredwiththeChildren’sBookProjectto establishaSouthBirminghamcollectionand distributionhub.WestHouseisnowan officialdrop-offpointforpeopletodonate ‘gentlyloved’books.Withthehelpofstaff andchildrenfromEHSPrepSchoolandWest HouseSchool,togetherwiththeChildren’s BookProject,1,500bookshavealreadybeen giftedtothreeprimaryschoolsinSouth Birmingham.TheChildren’sBookProject aimstogiveeverychildtheopportunityto owntheirownbook.

CAREERCHOICES: MillenniumPointCEOAbbieVlahakis andAmanvirGillfromTividaleCommunityPrimarySchool

HISTORYRESTORED

Followingtheguidanceofanassigned conservationofficer,CameronHomeshas takenontherestorationofanearly18thcenturyfarmhouse,successfullytransforming thepropertyintoavillagecentrepiecefitfor modernluxuryliving.CameronHomes acquiredtheGradeI-listedbuildingin NewtonRegis,Warwickshirein2021and securedplanningpermissionforafivebedroomhomeafterpresentingadetailed heritageproposal.Chiefoperationsdirector PaulMorrissey,said:“Werecognisedthat thesiteisanintegralpartofthevillage’s architecturalheritageandembracedthe communitythroughouttheproject.”

BUSINESS

TOWERINGFIRST

CBREInvestmentManagementhas completedits‘backtotheframe’ transformationof10Brindleyplace–Birmingham’slargestofficerefurbishment scheme.Withafocusonthreepillarsof technology,sustainabilityandwellness, 10BrindleyplaceisthefirstFitwel accreditedofficeinBirmingham–a standardthatmeasuresoccupanthealth andwellbeing.The210,000sqftgradeA officespaceschemehasalsoachieved sustainabilitycredentials,includingan EPCArating,aBREEAMExcellentrating andaPlatinumWiredScore.

BACKTOTHEBEGINNING

ALeamingtonlocalwhostartedhercareer atthetown’sMalloryCourtHotelandSpa hasreturnedinthetopjobafterbeing appointeditsnewgeneralmanager.

JosefineBlomqvistfirstworkedatthe

HarburyLanevenue,whichisownedbythe EdenHotelCollection,in2005whenshe helpedlaunchitsBrasserierestaurant.She takesthereinsafteradecadeasgeneral manageratitssisterArdenHotelin Stratford-upon-Avon.Originallyfrom Sweden,JosefinehaslivedinLeamington Spafornearlytwodecades.

NEWS

DOCTORDEBORAH

DeborahCadmanisallsmilesafterthe chiefexecutiveofBirminghamCity Councilreceivedanhonorary doctoratefromAstonUniversity.The DoctorateinBusinessAdministration wasawardedinrecognitionofher significantcontributiontopublic serviceataceremonyatBirmingham’s EastsideRooms.Deborahhasnearly 40yearsofexperienceinpublic serviceandhasservedasthechief executiveofdistrict,countyandcity councils.ShewasawardedanOBEin 2006andfeaturesinLocal GovernmentChronicle’s‘100Most InfluentialintheSector’.

GREETINGSGEORGE

ExperiencedcharteredsurveyorGeorgeXydiashas joinedleadingretailandleisurepropertyagency, CreativeRetailPropertyConsultants.Theformeragency directoratCentrickCommercialhasbeenappointedas adirectoroftheBirmingham-basedfirmwith responsibilityfordiversifyingCreativeRetail’sportfolio. ScottRobertson,directorofCreativeRetail,said: “George’svastexperienceandconsiderableknowledge ofthecommercialpropertymarketwillbeahugeasset andmakeasignificantcontributiontoourcontinued growthanddevelopment.”

WELLDONE,SON ARDENTAMBITION

WestsideBusinessImprovementDistrict(BID)saiditwithflowersasa special‘thankyou’totheproudmumofcitycentrestreetwarden, EnochWhite.Eighty-seven-year-oldJaneWhitewaspresentedwitha bouquetfromEthosFlowersofBrindleyplace.ElaineWeir,business liaisonmanagerforWestsideBID,said:“Enochnotonlyprovides regularassistanceforworkersandvisitors–hismostrecentmissionwas helpingpolicetosaveawomanwhofelloffabridgeintothecanal oppositetheNationalSeaLifeCentre.”

CAREOVERCOFFEE

Twomentalhealthorganisations–LivingWellConsortiumandBirminghamMind

–havejoinedforcestolaunchBirmingham’sfirstwellbeingcafé.Withfunding fromNHSEngland,grounded.basedinSellyOakoffersvisitorsaplacetorelax andrecover,withcommunityeventsandworkshops,aswellasgroupandoneto-onetherapies,onoffer.BenHowells,CEOatLivingWellConsortium,said: “grounded.isablueprintforhowacommunitycafécanprovideaplacewherea cupofcoffeemeetsamomentofmindfulness.” SeeUpClose,page66

ABirmingham-basedsurveyingandconsents managementpracticewithofficesacrosstheUK andIreland,hasbroken£10millionturnoverfor thefirsttimeandundergoneamajorimage change.Ardent,previouslyknownasArdent Management,hasexpertiseinthetransport, renewables,utilitiesandregenerationsectors.The businessaimstomorethandoubleturnoverand itsexisting125-strongstaffoverthenextthree years.GroupMDJonStott,pictured,saidcore focuswillbeinsectorsdeliveringlife-improving changeforcommunitiesandfuturegenerations.

Multi-award-winningPRagency,EASTVILLAGE.haswelcomedtwonewteam memberstobolsteritsexpertiseinlinewithafreshfocusforthebusiness.Demi SwinglerandConnorKirtonjointhebusinessasitannouncedamoveintodelivering PRforemergingtechbrands.FounderandmanagingdirectorTaraAttfield-Tomes said:“ThisisanexcitingmomentforEASTVILLAGE.Overthepastyear,we’ve uncoveredemergingtechasourspeciality–thoseexcitingfemtech,healthtechand techforgoodbrandsthataremakingmovesandgenuinelychangingtheworld.”

GULFDEALS

ThreemajorMiddleEasternairlinesannounceddealswith BirminghamAirportinwhatisbeinglabelled“aglimpseinto ourfuture”.QatarAirwaysisflyingdailytoDoha,withSaudia threetimesaweektoJeddahandEmirates’A380adding capacitytoitstwice-dailyDubaiservice.Airportchiefexecutive NickBartonsaid:“Thisisaglimpseintoourfuture...world-class airlinesservingtheglobalgatewayoftheWestMidlandsaswe eagerlyawaitthearrivalofthenewHS2railway.”

BUSINESS BITES

WINNINGPOINT

MillenniumPointhaswonMostVersatile VenueofitssizeattheConference& Events2023Awards.Afterwinning multiplelocalawards,itisthefirsttime thevenuehasbeenrecognisednationally. MillenniumPointcompetedagainstother prestigiousvenuessuchasLambethTown HallandtheMinistryVenues.

TEAMPLAYER

HIPPODROMEHEAD

BirminghamHippodromehasappointedaheadofnew musicaltheatre.DeirdreO’Halloraniscurrentlyliterary managerattheBushTheatre,London.Shewillleada specialistteamandcollaboratewithcreativesandpartners tocreatenewproductionopportunitiesinBirminghamand beyondaspartoftheHippodrome’splanstobecome hometothefirstin-housemusicaltheatredepartmentin theUK,developingnewmusicalsintheWestMidlands. DeirdrestartshernewroleinOctober.

PicturebyCallumHeinrich

WAGGYWELLBEING

Acharity-owned,market-leading supplementbrandbasedin Worcestershirehasjoinedforceswith BirminghamDogsHometocreatea WaggyWellbeingProgramme designedtohelpfurryresidents receivehigh-qualitynutritional support.Theyear-longprogramme fromCytoplanwillincludenutritional protocolsandsupportfordogs beingcaredforatthehome’s Solihullcentre.BirminghamDogs Home–whichhasfeaturedin BirminghamLiving–caresformore than2,500dogs,365days-a-year,all withoutgovernmentfundingand relyingonsupportfromthelocaland businesscommunities.

BondWolfehasrecruitedGarryJohnsonas theagencyteamattheBirmingham-based propertygroupcontinuestogrow.Hejoins havingmostrecentlyspentfouryearsat AvisonYoung,workingwithinthe restructuringteam,andhaspreviouslyheld rolesinfinancialaccounting.

GAMEGAINS

Morethan2,600jobshavebeen deliveredbyaneconomicdevelopment programmethatranalongsidethe Birmingham2022CommonwealthGames. Thenewscameattheofficialclosing eventfortheBusinessandTourism Programme(BATP),heldattheRepand theLibraryofBirmingham.

GROWINGPLACES

Acompanywhichhashelpedcreatethousandsof jobsintheUKisexpandingitsownoffice.EBShas takenadditionalspaceattheUniversityof WarwickSciencePark’sWarwickInnovation Centreandislookingtoaddafurtherfivestaffto theteamtosupportitsongoinggrowth.EBS offersbusinessesfromoverseasa‘softlanding’ intotheUKbyprovidingarangeofservicesfrom registeringabusiness,openingabankaccount, accountancyandotherbrokerageandadvice.

BUSINESSCELEBRATES UNIQUEANNIVERSARY

Birmingham’sUniqueNetwork marks‘fantastic’firsttwoyears

Birmingham’sUniqueNetwork(BUN) celebratedtwoyearsofbringingBirmingham businessestogetherathospitalityvenuesacross thecity.FoundedinJuly2021byUniqueVenues BirminghaminpartnershipwithSheilaKelly-Trow, BUNstrivestocreateavibrantnetworkforBirmingham businessestoshareexpertiseandraisetheirprofiles. SheilaKelly-Trowsaid:“ThefirsttwoyearsofBUN havebeenfantastic.Wehaveseensomegreat partnershipsasaresultoftheLunchBUNeventsand welookforwardtocontinuingtofacilitategreatbusiness networkinginBirmingham.” ■

1 SarahMillington,AnnaCosgrove,BasAbdul,SuzannaReid,SigitaPjampite. 2 TaylaHearst,VictoriaHicks,AnnaCosgrove,PaulPalmer. 3 SarahOverton,BarinderSumon,DaisyAndrews. 4 BasAbdul,SheilaKelly-Trow,AzadKayes. 5 MoreguestscelebrateBUN’stwo-year anniversary. 6 JulianGrainger,PatHemming,JohnHepherd.

Businessleadersandotherprofessionalsfrom acrossBirminghamandSolihullgatheredat Harry’sBarintheRegencyHotel,Shirley,for thefirstevernetworkingeventfromTheCircle.The eventwashostedbyEDGECreative,Brookvale DevelopmentSpecialists,SmartHomesNewHomes andGlennClarkeFinancialPlanning.ForecastFinance andBucklesLawwerethesponsors.Guestsenjoyed deliciousappetisersfromthechefsatHarry’sBarand drinksfromPeroniCapri. ■

1 MarkPanayides,LouisePanayides,GlennClarke,PhilRobertsandJuliaEvans. 2 EdWylie,DavidPinningtonandPaulAtkinson. 3 DeanLomasandTerryDickson. 4 JoshFieldandAdamCox. 5 PaulRouseandKateRouse. 6 MarkPanayides,prizedrawwinner BethanyClarkandJuliaEvans.

VIPWELCOMEFOR NEWRESTAURANT

BusinessescelebratelaunchofJewellery

Quarter-basedpasta-pizzeria,Paradiso

Localbusinesseswerewelcomedtothelaunch ofParadiso,anauthenticItalianPizzeriaand PastaTrattoriabasedinBirmingham’s JewelleryQuarter.TheVIPeventwasattendedby leadersandprofessionalsfromacrosstheregion,from architectfirmsandmarketingagenciestochocolatiers andprofessionalprinters.Paradiso’sregional operationsmanager,SalimAhmed,said:“We complementourfoodwitharangeofdrinksthatwill makesureyoucanrememberyourvisitwithpleasure, asallourdrinksarealcohol-freeaswewanttoprovide ahealthierandmoremindfulexperience.” ■

1 NigelClarkeandson. 2 TeamfromCakeAgency. 3 CatalystMarketing. 4 ChouchouteLuxuryChocolates. 5 SophiePoduval-Morrelland friend. 6 LouisMastersonandfriend. 7 TheParadisoteamofchefs. 8 TeamfromBailyGarner.

WHAT’SONliving

WHAT: GracePetrie:ButchAdoAboutNothing

WHEN: 30September

WHERE: MidlandsArtCentre, macbirmingham.co.uk

Withareputationasthefolkscene’sfunniestlesbian, Petriewasasmashatlastyear’sEdinburghFestival. Havingbeenincorrectlycalledsireverydayofher adultlifeandhavingfinallyrunoutofthingstowrite whinysongsabout,she’sputtingdowntheguitarto tryandworkoutwhy.

WHAT: SinatratheMusical

WHEN: 23September

to28October

WHERE: BirminghamRep, birmingham-rep.co.uk

ThefirstshowofitskindtoexploreFrank’slifeoff-stageand on.Discoverstoriesyoudon’tyetknowalongsidesongsyou loveinthisworldpremieremusicalabouthisrenownedlife andenduringlegacy.

WHAT: AnEveningwithHarryRedknapp

WHEN: 17September

WHERE: TheAlexandra,atgtickets.com

Themuch-lovedfootballmanagerandI’maCelebrityGetMeOut ofHerewinnerwillbeintowntellingstoriesfromhisplaying daysandhistimeinthejungle.Expectahilariouseveningfroma greatraconteur.

WHAT: SoulfulMagic

WHEN: 22September

WHERE: TheCoreTheatre, thecoretheatresolihull.co.uk

FollowingasuccessfulrunattheEdinburgh FestivalFringe,thehottestBritishtalentfrom themagicscene,breakdancingmagician andfinalistofBritain’sGotTalent,Magical Bones,popsintoBirminghamwithhis acclaimeduniquehighenergymagicshow.

WHAT: GrandDesignsLive

WHEN: 4to8October

WHERE: NECBirmingham, granddesignslive.com

Thegrandhomeeventfullofinspirationand expertadviceisbackwithmorethan400 exhibitorsspanningfourdifferentsectors–Build, KitchensandBathrooms,Gardens,andInteriors. Withexpertadviceandlivetalksfromanarrayof industryexpertsthisisanunmissableshow.

WHAT: ABBAPartywithStrictlyABBA

WHEN: 29September

WHERE: NailcoteHall,nailcotehall.co.uk

Thistalentedmusicalduoactbringsthelegendary soundsofABBAtolifewithstunningrenditionsof theband'sbiggesthits.Acrackingnightwhich includesthree-coursedinnerandafter-showDJ.

WHAT: Macbeth

WHEN: 19Augustto14October

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

ReubenJosephandValeneKanewill maketheirRSCdebutplayingtherolesof MacbethandLadyMacbethrespectively inWilsWilson’snewproductionofthis grippingandbrutaltragedy.

WHAT: MiriamMargoyles: OhMiriam!Live

WHEN: 18September

WHERE: SymphonyHall, bmusic.co.uk

TheBAFTA-winningactorisone ofourmostlovedand outspokennationaltreasures. Joinheronstagetohearabout herextraordinarylifeinher biggesttouryettomarkthe launchofhernewbook.

WHAT: BlackSabbath–TheBallet

WHEN: 23to30September

WHERE: BirminghamHippodrome, birminghamhippodrome.com Sparkswillundoubtedlyflyinthis intriguingnewresponsetoBlack Sabbath’smusicandlegacy–thefirst trueheavymetalballetexperience. CarlosAcostaisturningupthevolume onBirmingham’smusicallegacywitha spectaculartheatricaleveningwith musicfromtheRoyalBalletSinfonia.

WHAT: HorseoftheYearShow2023

WHEN: 4to8October

WHERE: ResortsWorldArena, resortsworldarena.co.uk

Thebiggestweekoftheyearforequestrian entertainmentisbackasthe74theditionofthis remarkableshowreturnstoBirminghamwitha jam-packedschedulethathassomethingfrom everymemberofthefamilytoenjoy.

WHAT: SuziRuffell

WHAT: EdgbastonArtisanMarket

WHEN: 9September

WHERE: GreenfieldCrescent,Edgbaston, calthorpe.co.uk

AnotherchancetovisitBirmingham’slargest artisanmarket,featuringindependentbusinesses fromacrosstheMidlandsofferingthefinestrange ofartisanfoodanddrink,alongsidehandmade artsandcraftsandfarmers’marketproduce.

WHAT: RickyGervais:Armageddon

WHEN: 4September

WHERE: UtilitaArena,utilitaarenabham.co.uk

Comeandenjoythemanconsideredthemostinfluential BritishcomediansinceCharlieChaplin.Thecreatorandstar ofTheOfficeandExtrashascompletedsixinternational tourstodate,includingthefastest-sellingUKstand-up showinhistory–sothisshouldbeacrackingnight!

WHEN: 16September

WHERE: TheOldRep,oldreptheatre.co.uk

SuziRuffelllikesthingssnappy:herstand-up,her decisionsandhersuits.Thisbrand-newshowisall aboutsettlingdown(butnotsettling),becominga mother(withoutbecomingmumsy)andstillworrying abouteverything–ofcoursesheis–haveyou seenthenews?

WHAT: GylesBrandrethCan’t StopTalking!

WHEN: 3October

WHERE: TownHall, bmusic.co.uk

He’sback–andhe’sunstoppable.The jumper-lovingThisMorningstarhas beenburblingandbabblingsincehe wasababy,andinhishilariousnew one-manshowtheaward-winning raconteuristryingtoworkoutwhy.

CLOSEWITHÁ

HELENWADLEY

Thefocusonmentalhealthhasneverbeengreater,butthe CEOofBirminghamMindsaysthereisstillmuchtodoasthe citymarkstheopeningofitsfirstwellbeingcaféthismonth

BEENTHERE,DONETHAT

IstartedatBirminghamMindin1995asasenior supportworkerandhadavarietyofdifferentroles beforebecomingCEOin2005.Ilovethecharityand theMindnetwork(weareaFederatedStructure).The localdeliverybythelocalMinds,withthenational campaigningthatNationalMinddoes,helpstomakea strongstructureformovingmentalhealthservices forward.

IT’SWHATIDO

IfeelextraordinarilyluckytobetheCEOof BirminghamMind.Wearenotperfectandthereis alwaysroomforimprovement,butweareacharitywith morethan220staffwhoregularlygotheextramileto helppeoplehaveandattainthelifetheywant.Ispenda lotoftimeinMentalHealthNHSmeetings, particularlynowthatIhavebeenelectedchairof VCFSEMentalHealthCollective(morethan120 VCFSEorganisationsinBirminghamandSolihull focusingonmentalhealth/wellbeingorganisations).But Ialsogettomakegreatlinkswithotherorganisations andgrounded.(Birmingham’sfirstwellbeingcafé,see BusinessNews)isourlatestexampleofworkingwith LivingWellConsortium.Iamproudofourpartnership work–wecanreachmorepeoplebyworkingtogether andwecaninfluencethementalhealthsystemforthe betterwhenwehaveastrongunitedvoice.

WHATI’DLIKETOSEE

Professionally,toseeBirminghamMindcontinueto flourishandthrive.Personally,Ilivewithchronicpain andmobilityissuesandthishaschangedmyviewon whatisimportantinmylife.Inowvaluespendingtime withfamilyandfriends,nurturingtheserelationships.

BIGGESTSUCCESS

AstrongmemoryIhaveiswhenIfirstmetthe CEOoftheMentalHealthTrustafterIbecame CEOofBirminghamMind.Icouldn’tbelievehow farIhadcomeasIwasnowmeetingherasanequal, when15yearsbeforethatIwasapatientinthatvery samebuilding.Itwassurreal,butitalsohelpsmeto keepmyfeetontheground.Projectslikegrounded. makemeproudtobeinvolvedinbringingsupportto peopleintheircommunity,supportthatis normalisingdistressandnormalisingseekinghelp fordistress.

BIGGESTLESSONLEARNED

IfIcoulddomycareeroveragain,Iwouldn’tdo anythingdifferent.OnapersonalbasisIwouldhave travelledmoreasthisissomethingIcan’tdonow.

WHATILIKEABOUTBRUM

Ilovetheculturalrichnessofthecity.Ithassomany wonderfulpartsandpeoplethataretrulyfocusedon makinglifebetterforthemandtheirneighbours.

DOWNTIME

Gardening.DuringCovidIhadsuchastrongurgeto tendseedsandplantsthroughtothembecoming beautifulflowers.Inowhaveagardenthatgivesmegreat pleasureandrelaxation–andisfullofalotofflowers!

FINALLY…

IfIhadamagicwand,Iwouldwanttoaddressthe structuralinequalitiesanddiscriminationinservices andlifeingeneral.Untilwehaveamoreequaland acceptingsociety,wewillcontinuetohaveagrowing mountainofmentalhealthproblems. ■