Glossy Magazine Jun | jul 2024 by Glossy Magazine

Los Angeles

Gorgeous beaches and endless days of sunshine

Best Family Escapes

We’ve rounded up some of the best stays for families across the globe

Welcome to our June/July magazine and hopefully some long, sun-drenched days and balmy evenings.

In this issue, we invite you to dive into the essence of summer, with fashion to get you ready for a garden party, the races, or a wedding, ways to make your living spaces inside and out blooming lovely, and a couple of recipes from River Restaurant at The Lowry to serve your guests alfresco, weather permitting!

Travel continues to be one of our favourite themes, so if you haven’t booked a family holiday yet, check out our Best Family Escapes for some inspiration and read all about Salim’s trip to La La Land – home of Hollywood stars, gorgeous beaches and endless days of sunshine! If you don’t want to venture too far though, take a look at James’ Places country inns for a short break in an idyllic location.

This month we reviewed the new menu in The Suntory Garden at The Black Friar in Salford, which is always delicious and a pleasure to visit, the sweet and savoury platters at Zouk Tea Bar and Grill, which is how I’d love to spend each Saturday morning, and Asha’s at FortySeven, where the food was amazing, as was the hotel. So, I hope you enjoy reading more about them, and give them all a try.

Life can sometimes be unexpectedly brief, so as you enjoy these sunlit days, remember to cherish the small moments that make life wonderful, and savour every second, from laughter shared with loved ones, to the simple joys that summer brings.

58 What’s On Lots of exciting shows/events to choose from

60 Motoring So, what are the real outdoors adventurers driving?

Mahshid

ASK the Physio

56 Tech

Here’s our pick of the latest imaging gadgets

15 Everything in the garden is lovely Blur the threshold between inside and outside to make the most of the long hot summer

FOOD & DRINK

39 The Black Friar “a perfect blend of British charm and Japanese elegance”

40 Recipe: The River Restaurant Five-star dining experience which you can recreate at home

43 Glossy Eats... Zouk Tea Bar & Grill

55 Asha’s at Forty-Seven “Forty-Seven winks – better than forty winks”

TRAVEL

BEAUTY

12 Fashion Get ready for a season of garden parties, races and weddings

18 Postcard from Andalucía Can’t cook. Won’t cook

19 The Woof Guide to… Hyatt Regency, Manchester

21 Los Angeles Glossy Magazine visits La La Land

26 Best Family Escapes Planning the ultimate family holiday is no easy task!

57 Outdoors EVERYONE loves cycling and the rest…

05 We LOVE...

47 Meet Maria Kemp Headteacher at St Bede's Catholic College

54 Rent this beautiful villa in Marbella!

WIN Glossy Magazine has teamed up with The Jockey Club Live, bringing you a summer to savour WIN

Country inns with stunning views, historic hotels in idyllic locations and a spring/summer schedule packed with unmissable events.

There are 8 hotels, inns and restaurants to choose from - days out and short breaks sorted with James’ Places!

See you  the bar!

Bringing you the latest fashion, beauty, lifestyle, travel, news and food

@theGlossyMag

GROUP EDITORIAL DIRECTOR

Beverley Uddin-Khandakar beverley@glossymagazine.co.uk

GROUP MANAGING DIRECTOR

Salim Uddin-Khandakar salim@glossymagazine.co.uk

@glossymagazine_

ADVERTISING

Please call the sales team on 0161 388 2353 info@glossymagazine.co.uk

ART DIRECTION & DESIGN

Paul King / Claire King www.twistedgifted.co.uk creative@twistedgifted.co.uk

CONTRIBUTORS

Catherine Reed

Fay Wertheimer

Oliver Chesher

Catherine Saunders

Janet Reeder

Claudia Gallagher

Dee Gallagher

Mark Kureishy

PHOTOGRAPHY

PR Shots

Bigstockphoto.com

istockphoto.com

Press Loft

This Magazine is published six times a year by UK17 Consultancy Limited. The contents may not be reprinted or reproduced without prior written permission. The publishers are not liable for statements made and opinions expressed. While every care is taken, prices and details are subject to change and the publisher can take no responsibility for omissions and errors. UK17 Consultancy Limited. 6 The Stables, Wilmslow Road, Didsbury, Manchester M20 5PG 0161 388 2353 | www.uk17consultancy.co.uk. Full terms and conditions can be found on the Glossy Magazine website – glossymagazine.co.uk

Retirement Living at Belong Morris Feinmann

Move into a light modern apartment at Belong Morris Feinmann in Didsbury, Greater Manchester, and combine the freedom of independent living with a caring community close by.

Choose from one or two bedroom apartments

Option to purchase or rent to suit your personal circumstances

Super on-site amenities, including synagogue, kosher bistro, hair salon and gym on your doorstep

Extensive and varied programme of activities and events promoting wellbeing

For those in need of more support, home care packages are available from Belong’s awardwinning home care service, Belong at Home, ranked number one in the UK’s Top 20 home care groups by homecare.co.uk

Belong Morris Feinmann 178 Palatine Road, Didsbury, Manchester M20 2UW 0161 804 4200 enquiries@belong.org.uk www.belong.org.uk

b.box

Spoutless Training Rim Cup, the lid funnels liquid into the rim for easy, free-ﬂowing drinks, £19.98 and the b.box Insulated Food Jar keeps food hot for up to ﬁve hours, or cold for up to seven hours, £33.99, amazon.co.uk

Sophie Allport

Strawberries Picnic Blanket & Melamine Collection, £48, sophieallport.com

Talking Table’s Orange & Lemon Dinner Candles, £15, talkingtables.co.uk

Discotheque

Rejuvenate your home with room-ﬁlling scents from the luxury home fragrance brand, Discotheque. Made from fully traceable, sustainable, high-grade vegan wax, these products are formulated, crafted and hand-poured in the UK, £54 each, discothequefragrances.com

WE LOVE...

Two Person

Nautical Picnic Hamper, £65, aplaceforeverything.co.uk

Large Black & Gold Wire Planter Pot Stand, 55cm, melodymaison.co.uk

Popcorn Shed

Veeva Classic Indoor-Outdoor Aqua Blue Bean Bag, £49.99, beanbagbazaar.co.uk

Pete's Oven Fire Pit & Pizza Oven, £644, ﬁrepitsuk.co.uk

Popcorn Shed is now available in portion-sized gourmet snack packs. With a burst of ﬂavour in every bite and 24 ﬂavours to choose from, both sweet and savoury, they are perfect for road trips, picnics and parties, 24g, £1.70, popcornshed.com

experts in hair and beauty

Fixx Salons in Altrincham was established in 2018 and boasts a dynamic and inventive team offering hair, colour and beauty services to both women and men.

Each and every hair stylist has the vision and imagination to offer clients a look and feel that is inspired by the latest trends and styles. Services range from a cut and blow dry to balayage and hair extensions.

“Co-founder Lauren says:

“We are all about results and our team is dedicated to providing a personalised service that remains unrivalled within the industry.”

”The salon is also home to Skin Deep Medispa, specialising in skin treatments and facials.

Rated as a ﬁve-star business, the expert practitioners pride themselves on their services in both beauty treatments and medically led aesthetics.

The medispa team includes Dr Simona Juverdeanu, an experienced GP working in the aesthetic ﬁeld since 2008.

Her focus is on restoring conﬁdence by enhancing the natural features of her clients. She truly believes that anti-ageing and non-surgical, restorative medicine must work together with the right skin care. This can be provided by Dr Simona Aesthetics and Skin Deep Medispa run by Natasha at Fixx Salons.

Fjör – Where Scandi meets Japan

The world’s ﬁrst Hydrolytic® Serum provides deep hydration and anti-aging effects for all skin types while restoring the skin’s microbiome and supporting the skin’s natural barrier. The unique formula includes four hero active ingredients: the proprietary Hydrolytic® Enzyme, peptides, collagen and hyaluronic acid, £97

The world's ﬁrst Hydrolytic® Moisturiser provides long-lasting hydration and microbiome rebalancing for all skin types while supporting the skin's natural barrier, £45 Available at www.fjor.life

Paula’s Choice Liquid Exfoliant improves the skin’s ability to renew and disrupts discoloration without causing post-inﬂammatory hyperpigmentation, £35, paulaschoice.co.uk

RoC Multi-Correxion® Even Tone & Lift Daily

Moisturiser SPF 30 reduces hard-to-treat dark spots and hydrates the skin while protecting it from UVA/UVB rays, £32.99, rocskincare.co.uk

Curél Replenishing Night Cream

replenishes the skin’s moisture barrier during the overnight restorative process, £25, curel.com

Il Makiage Uncensored Lip

Plumping Gloss creates a visibly bigger, smoother pout in seconds, £31, Ilmakiage.com

SBC Skincare

BEAUTY BOX

An anti-wrinkle, firming hydrating cream that protects against free radicals, Sisleÿa L'Intégral Anti-Âge Fresh Gel Cream is an incredible global solution that attacks the different causes of skin aging. From the first few applications, a smoothing action softens fine lines, skin is plumper and lastingly moisturised, and signs of fatigue are reduced. After four weeks, wrinkles are visibly reduced. The face regains the firmness, density and radiance of younger skin. After two months, skin is glowing with health; it is restructured and regenerated. There is a visible reduction in perceived age.

Sisleÿa L'Intégral Anti-Âge Fresh Gel Cream, £418, www.sisley-paris.co.uk

Luxury oceanic skincare and supplement brand SEABODY unlocks the regenerative power of ocean algae from the Irish Atlantic coastline to create bestselling, efﬁcacious products powered by sustainable cellular biotech, with integrity and impact at the core. Meet the bestsellers!

Glycan Enrich Moisturiser

is a supercharged moisturiser packed with multi-functional marine actives. It replenishes moisture, reduces the appearance of ﬁne lines and wrinkles and neutralises free radicals from environmental stressors, £34

Hydra-Collagen Micellar Gel Cleanser This pH balanced, sulphate-free gel cleanser is the ultimate fuss-free formula, for all skin types, even sensitive, no need for water, £18

Hydra-Collagen Intensive Serum This concentrated serum is boosted with superhero ingredients to moisturise and smooth the skin, minimising the appearance of ﬁne lines and wrinkles, £29.50

Bakuchiol Serum This silky, lightweight formula spreads smoothly over your skin and absorbs effortlessly to leave your skin feeling wonderfully smooth and looking perfectly radiant, £39.50 Available at ww.sbcskincare.co.uk

Pentabrite Eye Serum is the latest addition to the SEABODY skincare range. This powerhouse serum is enriched with a cocktail of carefully chosen active ingredients to support the appearance of a ﬁrmer, smoother, brighter looking eye area, £70 Available at seabody.com

Get ready for an incredible season of live music at Haydock Park Racecourse this summer, and you and a friend can be there!

A day at the races promises to be more exhilarating than ever before, combining a nail-biting evening of racing followed by full headline performances. The lineup this year includes Pete Tong’s Ibiza Classics returning with a brand-new set for 2024, the Earth, Wind & Fire Experience by Al McKay and the beloved pop band Busted. Pete Tong’s Ibiza Classics with the Essential Orchestra promises a hedonistic night of fun and nostalgia on Saturday 22 July. The iconic DJ reimagines your favourite club tracks with the 65-piece orchestra, coupled with incredible visual effects and the latest in music technology

Busted, having marked 20 years as a band last year with a huge arena run, continue the

festivities at Haydock Park on Saturday 20 July. Since the irrepressible pop-punk energy of their debut single What I Go To School For, Busted have sold over ﬁve million records worldwide and most recently claimed their ﬁrst UK #1 album with their Greatest Hits 2.0 compilation.

Powerfully delivering hit after hit of the supergroup's songs, the Earth, Wind & Fire Experience by Al McKay upholds the high standard of live excellence that established the original Earth, Wind & Fire sound. Expect to hear timeless hits including September, Boogie Wonderland, Let’s Groove, After The Love Has Gone plus many, many more on Friday 8 August.

Molly Dingwall, general manager at Haydock Park Racecourse said: “We’re excited to welcome a diverse range of music acts to Haydock Park Racecourse this summer, there’s truly a headliner for everyone. Tickets are selling quickly so act fast to secure your spot at what will be a set of unmissable shows. See you all on the racecourse!”

The world-class racing coupled with the informal, relaxed and inviting open-air setting makes Haydock Park the perfect location to spend a summer evening with your nearest and dearest. To top it off, there is an array of award-winning restaurants that cater for all tastes, from ﬁne dining through to delicious bistro food.

About The Jockey Club Live The Jockey Club Live is an innovative event entertainment promoter specialising in combining live music and racing. Since its launch in 2014 the Jockey Club Live has promoted more than 120 concerts with a combined attendance of more than one million and was revealed by Music Week as the UK’s sixth largest music promoter. The Jockey Club Live’s vision is to bring the biggest names in pop music to racing events across the country, giving consumers an exceptional experience of live music and racing. thejockeyclublive.co.uk

About Haydock Park Racecourse Haydock

Should Every Business Have A Shareholder Agreement?

Jabbar Khawar, Partner and head of Corporate Law at Blackstone Solicitors, discusses shareholder agreements and how his team can help you.

Disputes happen in life - between friends, family and most definitely in business. Growth, change of direction and financial worries can put a strain on any relationship and business relationships are no different. Putting a well drafted Shareholder Agreement in place can save your working relationships, as well as your bank balance.

What is a Shareholder Agreement and why do I need one?

A Shareholder Agreement is a contract between shareholders in a business, which regulates their rights and obligations and provides a sensible mechanism for making decisions within the company.

A good Shareholder Agreement protects the business as well as your own investment, giving you peace of mind and the freedom to focus on the growth and success of your business.

What are the risks of not having a Shareholder Agreement and what are the key provisions used to prevent them? Not having a Shareholder Agreement can potentially create a serious risk of disputes between shareholders. A good Shareholder Agreement can pre-empt potential problems and sets out ways to deal with them. There is no agreement that’s a ‘one-size fits all’, so it’s important to get advice from a legal

professional to tailor provisions to your company’s needs, however, there are a few popular provisions that are often incorporated within an agreement, such as:

Good/Bad leaver provisions:

A ‘Good’ leaver may be a shareholder retiring, and a ‘Bad’ leaver may be a shareholder breaching the terms of the agreement. Bad leavers can by their actions adversely affect the reputation and good will of the business. This can be reflected by a reduction in the share value of their shares whereas Good leavers typically receive market value for their shares.

Compulsory transfers: Provisions that set out certain events, such as retirement, death or bankruptcy, that trigger a shareholder to transfer their shares to a fellow shareholder, stopping shares ending up in the wrong hands.

Drag-along/Tag-along Rights:

Drag-along rights allow a majority shareholder to force a minority shareholder to join in the sale of their shares, which creates a better deal for the buyer, whereas Tag-along rights offer minority shareholders the option to take part in a sale of shares by the majority shareholders, protecting the minority shareholders.

Deadlock or Casting vote:

These provisions set out what would happen in the event of irreconcilable conflict between the parties and allows a shareholder to have an extra vote if the vote is tied.

Why instruct a solicitor to draft a Shareholder Agreement?

It may also become necessary for your legal adviser to amend other related documents such as your Articles of Association once the Shareholder’s Agreement is drafted. It’s important that both agreements exist harmoniously together and do not conflict.

Businesses are unique. Just like no business is the same as another, no two Shareholder Agreements should be the same either. Your Shareholder Agreement should always be bespoke and tailored to encompass your own business and personal needs.

If you are thinking of getting a Shareholder Agreement prepared for your business or need general corporate advice, please contact us on 0161 929 0121 for more information.

Gold

FASHION

Leem asymmetric neckline woven midi dress, £165, selfridges.com

Rotate Sunday ﬂoral-print chiffon and stretch-tulle mini dress, £270, harveynichols.com

Marc-Antoine Barrois, Tilia, from £105, marcantoinebarrois.com

Jimmy Choo Dellena 100 metallic espadrille sandals, £550, harveynichols.com

Anine Bing Palermo Tote Bag, £415, blackwhitedenim.com

Leem abstract print skirt, £110, selfridges.com

GUESS jacket, £102, guess.eu

GUESS trousers, £102, guess.eu

By Janet Reeder

Ruched bust corset strappy midaxi dress, £60, prettylittlething.com

On your marks

Get ready for a season of garden parties, races and weddings

There are so many ways to enjoy a summer of events, parties and alfresco lunches, none of which should include agonising over what to wear. Now, there are those of you who love planning your outﬁt down to the very last detail, while there are others who go into a last-minute panic as the big day looms and just nothing in the wardrobe will do. The temptation is to dash out and buy a so-so outﬁt that you will never wear again. To that I say woah! Hold it right there. The rush buy is never a great idea, honestly, it’s better to drag out the faithful little black dress you adore and invest in a cool pair of heels, fabulous jewellery, new fragrance, or outrageously bright lipstick to give it a new lease of life, than buy something just for the sake of it.

But of course, with all the new season clothing now tempting us to splash the cash, ﬁnding something new for a do should be pretty simple. The trick is if you see it and you love it then buy it – that way you’ll always have something in your wardrobe ready and waiting for a fabulous summer event.

It doesn’t have to be a posh frock. A summery jacket and trouser combo can be dressed up with heels, a shimmery vest top and statement earrings for a day at the races, or dressed down with a bikini top, ﬂats and a straw hat for a relaxed day. So, invest in separates and at least one fabulous dress and you’ll have most of the summer season covered.

Alias Mae Kerryn sandals in natural, £180, blackwhitedenim.com

Rebecca Rhoades wrap midi, £275, rebeccarhoades.com

Say I do... TO YOUR DREAM VENUE

From a classic country inn and a simply astounding contemporary mill conversion to gorgeous stately homes and romantic manor houses, we have the perfect venue to make your dream wedding day come to life.

Our newest addition to the Dream Venues Collection, Wennington Hall in Lancaster, is open for viewing from June 2024.

You’re invited to WENNINGTON HALL for a private showaround

Be one of the ﬁrst to experience the magic of the latest jewel in the Dream Venues Collection crown.

Please see the website for full details of our open day events and to pre-register for a private showaround.

PHOTOGRAPHERS: Emily Robinson, Beth Alderson, Emilie May, Nick English, Adam Joe Roberts & Envision Images.

As summer approaches it’s time to blossom, both inside and outside. In this way you’ll be able to blur the lines between the garden and the living spaces in the home, making everything look blooming lovely! While you will certainly refresh your alfresco spaces for summer with new furniture, outdoor textiles and lighting, it’s easy to overlook the fact that your living space is still stuck in winter. A few tweaks are all that’s needed to ensure that everything looks much brighter.

By Janet Reeder

Outside, follow the trend for pastel-hued garden furniture, daybeds and sofas, outdoor rugs and artsy pieces. Indoors, it is oh-so-simple to compliment your external revamp with a few new pieces, such as beautiful, ﬂoral-themed cushions and rugs, as well as bright wallcoverings and lighter furniture. This means that whether you are indoors or outside, you’ll enter a space that has an equally sunny outlook.

Buckingham Fire Pit, £299.99, ivylinegb.co.uk

Sorrento grey garden day bed set with rising table now, £2,299, housingunits.co.uk

Antigua pink string garden lounge set, £345, clickstyle.co.uk

Bamboo –Grove, Green, £42 per m2, sandbergwallpaper.com

George Prairie planter, £10, direct.asda.com

Mazie bench, £399, dobbies.com

George Frieze abstract outdoor indoor washable rug, £40, direct.asda.com

hand embroidered

Petra Palumbo peony carafe and tumbler set, £88, petrapolumbo.com

from Andalucía POSTCARD

Confession time… I don’t know how to cook. A shameful truth that is not going down well here in rural Andalucia. My old nickname, la extraña dama inglesa – the strange English lady – is back.

Now, dear reader, you know how much I love growing my own food. I spend most days in my huerto (allotment) working, watering, weeding, up to my eyes in muck. Veggies, fruit, herbs – you name it, I can grow it. I just don’t know what to do with it all. Which is where Lord Muck comes in. He loves to cook. Or, rather, he has to cook; otherwise, we would starve.

To be fair, at the beginning of our relationship, I did try to cook. But it never ended well. On our first Christmas together, I forgot to take the bag of giblets out of the turkey. On our first New Year, I forgot to remove the polystyrene bases from the pizzas. And Lord Muck’s all-time favourite, on our first Valentine's Day, I forgot to gut and de-scale the fish! Thankfully, it was his Lordship who took the first bite. Yum. So, after 30 years together, we have found a way that works for us: I grow stuff, he cooks it.

All was going swimmingly well until Anto nia started asking questions. What dishes did I like cooking? Could I share my recipes? Did I love sewing? What about lace-making? Was I a morning cleaner or after sunset? Did I have a favourite biscuit recipe? Did I use a steam iron or a presser? Oh. Dear. God.

After much snorting from Lord Muck, sitting alongside me in his un-ironed shirt, I ummed and arred, squirmed and explained that cooking and cleaning wer en't really my forte. Well… I might as well have confessed to a triple murder. Antonia looked at me in horror. Jose looked at my husband with pity. I looked at my feet. Lord Muck laughed.

But here in Spain, our older, more traditional Andalucian neighbours seem utterly be mused by our situation. For them, the house is the señorita’s domain, and the outside is the señor’s. Take last month for example, we were invited to our new neighbours, Antonia and Jose’s, casa for dinner. Antonia had clearly been cooking all day – the smells as we walked up their track were mouth-watering. To start, homegrown aubergines fried with honey; then Ajo Blanco, a cold soup made with almonds, olive oil, garlic, bread and vine gar; followed by a seafood paella to die for. All accompanied by Jose’s favourite Verdejo wine.

Thankfully at that moment, Antonia and Jose’s 22-year-old granddaughter, Casandra, arrived home from university and was able to act as a generational mediator. So much so that Antonia became rather intrigued by my life choices, which is how, later that night, fuelled by vast quantities of Verdejo, three generations of women, wandered off to my huerto and spent a wonderful couple of hours under the stars, realising we had much to learn from one another. Antonia will spend time with me learning how to grow stuff. I will spend time with Antonia learning how to cook. And Casandra wants to learn from both of us. Lovely.

Catherine Saunders

Right, must dash. The pallet load of survival rations that Lord Muck ordered when he heard I was learning to cook has just arrived…

The Woof Guide to the Hyatt Regency, Manchester

Peppa spices up her life on curry night at a very special hotel

Manchester has more students than any where else in Europe, and they all seemed to be out when we went to stay at the Hyatt Regency, an impressive four- star hotel right in the heart of the university district.

By Janet Reeder

It suits me because I love exciting, vibrant places and on that score the Hyatt Regency did not disappoint. It has a bril liant location, just outside of the city, and all around is buzzing with bars and restaurants. But it also feels pretty peaceful, especially when we shut the door on our fabulous 17th ﬂoor room.

The decor is minimalist, modern and very relaxing, and there are brilliant views over Manchester and towards the Emirates stadium. Gazing out of the windows I feel it’s the nearest I’ll get to being a bird.

We are made to feel at home straight away (I even get a welcome card from the staff). There’s a massive, comfortable king-sized bed for the humans and a ﬂuffy dog bed for me. Two little bowls are provided for my food and water, and I am sure if I needed anything else they’d be only too glad to supply it, because as soon as I head down to the bar and restaurant the staff can’t do enough to make me feel like a princess.

The humans gaze over at the hotel’s Laureate Restaurant where we are not al lowed because of moi. But hey, none of us feel like third-class dog people in the bar. In fact, we have designer chairs to lounge in and an elegant table for pre- dinner drinks, I even get VIP cuddles from dog-loving staff and guests. The hu mans enjoy Moët and mojitos while looking at the restaurant menu, which has all the classics, like burgers and steak, but also world cuisine that includes Middle Eastern dips and Thai curry. Because it’s Thursday, they decide to opt for trying the all-you-can-eat menu of authentic curries.

What makes the Thursday Treasures menu so special is that it has been inspired by family recipes that members of the hotel team have shared with the chef, and you really feel like you’ve been welcomed into the heart of a huge family. Dishes are a big warm hug of crisp poppadoms accompanied by sweet, tangy chutney and then a choice of curries including: Sandeesh’s signature Ghar Ka, Chicken Tikka Masala and Lufti’s Indonesian Beef Rendang to a Classic Paneer Do Pyasa and Matt’s Jamaican Chicken.

Also on the menu is a mouthwatering Ker alan New Mango and Prawn curry, Joy’s One Pot Thai Chicken Massaman, Joseph’s Keralan Cheru Payar and a Classic Lamb Rogan Josh. We have a table near the window, which is great because I love people watching and I can say hello to everyone entering and leaving the res taurant. In the morning, we have the same table for breakfast which is a veritable feast of cereals, breads, cold cuts and eggs made to order, plus there a few titbits for me too.

So woof woof! The positives here are many, including brilliantly efﬁcient service, lovely fresh foods and staff who care not just about the humans, but dogs too. I loved it!

Peppa and her humans were guests of the Hyatt Regency, 55 Booth Street West, Manchester M15 6PQ / 0161 359 5550 / www.hyatt.com/hyatt-regency

Crowne Plaza Manchester Airport Hotel

The Crowne Plaza Manchester Airport Hotel has opened its doors to showcase the ﬁrst phase of an impressive £8 million refurbishment to its 299 bedrooms and public spaces. opens to showcase an £8 million refurbishment

There is nothing ‘plane’ about the airport hotel’s vibrant new open lobby, with a sparkling new bar and a wide range of colourful seating options. This multi-faceted area allows visitors space to work, socialise or relax comfortably with thoughtful design touches, where Starbucks coffee is served, and the all-day lounge bar is open from 10am. The reception area has been redesigned for ease and speed, and guests can arrive for dinner in the open lobby from 5.30pm and enjoy a modern British and international cuisine, featuring a wide range of choices from super healthy to more indulgent treats for weary travellers.

For guests checking in ahead of an early morning flight, 24-hour room service is available, plus wake-up calls on request, and breakfast starts from 5:30am in the fresh open lobby. The new and improved bedrooms feature high-quality Egyptian cotton sheets, large flatscreen TVs, highspeed wi-fi, bathtubs and double-glazed

windows for noise reduction. Every spacious room has a modern and calming colour palate for a peaceful night’s sleep and those who upgrade to a club room can enjoy added comforts such as deluxe toiletries, a king-sized bed and ample working space.

The Crowne Plaza Manchester Airport Hotel is ideally located next to all three terminals, and Terminal 2, where the airport train station is located, is just a 10-minute walk away. Trains to Manchester city centre take just 20 minutes and the M56 motorway is close by. The hotel offers a convenient airport shuttle service as well as competitive ’park, stay and ﬂy’ packages.

Additional facilities at the hotel include a 24-hour ﬁtness centre and eight versatile meeting rooms with a dedicated on-site coordinator. Guests can host meetings or events for two to 70 people and enjoy the use of the business centre.

The Crowne Plaza Manchester Airport Hotel is also part of IHG Green Engage which means it’s eco-certiﬁed. This property has made huge commitments towards sustainability and participates in the Green Tourism Programme; it has currently achieved Bronze status. The programme measures the property's impact on one or more of the following: environment, community, culturalheritage and the local economy.

There’s even more to come soon, with a new club lounge extension, improved guest facilities and a stand-alone restaurant. Travel and business guests will ﬁnd everything they need in between their wider journeys and adventures, whether that’s to plug in and catch up, or completely relax and switch off.

The new facilities will also be a welcome addition for business locals and networking groups alike.

So, if you’re jetting off on an early morning ﬂight, book in, get a peaceful night’s sleep and turn up refreshed for your ﬂight ahead. You won’t be disappointed.

STOP PRESS: Since we visited the hotel they have moved in to the second phase of their refurbishment –The Club Lounge is now open and Sampans Restaurant is due to open on 19th July. Watch this space for our review.

By Beverley Uddin-Khandakar

Los Angeles

‘The City of Angels’

Glossy Magazine’s Salim Uddin-Khandakar visits La La Land, home of Hollywood stars, the TV and movie industry, the Oscars, gorgeous beaches and endless days of sunshine

Los Angeles (LA), situated on America’s west coast in Southern California, on the glistening shores of the Paciﬁc Ocean, is a sprawling metropolis with each neighbourhood offering its own unique ﬂavour and character, and towering skyscrapers that punctuate the skyline. Downtown LA is a vibrant hub of culture and commerce, boasting attractions such as the historic Olvera Street, the futuristic Walt Disney Concert Hall and the bustling Grand Central Market.

For a taste of Old Hollywood glamour, head west to Hollywood. Experience the glitz of the entertainment industry and discover a melting pot of cultures, reﬂected in its vibrant arts and culinary scene. LA is synonymous with entertainment and nowhere is this more evident than in its world-class venues and attractions. Catch a live performance at the legendary Hollywood Bowl, where the sounds of symphonies and rock concerts ﬁll the night air. Experience the magic of the silver screen at Universal Studios Hollywood, where thrilling rides and behind-thescenes tours offer a glimpse into the world of moviemaking. For a taste of the high life, head to the glamorous neighbourhoods of Beverly Hills and Bel Air, where luxury boutiques, upscale restaurants and celebrity sightings abound. Indulge in a spot of retail therapy on Rodeo Drive or take a leisurely drive through the tree-lined streets of some of the most exclusive neighbourhoods in the world.

STAYING

Located directly opposite the Crypto.com Arena, home of the world famous LA Lakers, this hotel’s timeless Spanish heritage can be described as cheeky yet charming. Boasting 12 brand new restaurants, bars and clubs, you won’t be disappointed here, with ﬂoor-to-ceiling windows offering some magniﬁcent views and 347 modern and spacious

rooms. Prices for rooms at the AC Hotel Downtown Los Angeles start at $209 per night (£165 at current exchange rates).

Silver Lake Pool and Inn

Located on a corner just south of the Sunset Junction in the heart of Silver Lake, one of the most vibrant and exciting neighbourhoods in LA, this property is proud of its community vibe. Take a walk out to some of the best restaurants in the city and discover an active art and music scene, with indie shops, galleries and cafés ﬁlled with locals who inspire and inﬂuence the neighbourhood’s one-of-akind culture.

Rooms and suites offer everything you would ever need for a comfortable stay, all with a front-row seat to Silver Lake’s dynamic energy. The décor is modern and ﬂushed with warm, lush and luxurious touches and a healthy dose of Southern California sunlight. With free Wi-Fi, fully stocked gourmet minibars, 55″ HDTVs, safes and Diptyque bath amenities lovingly included. Rooms start at $325 per night (£257 at current exchange rates).

EATING

The dining and drinking options at AC Hotel Downtown LA are exceptional. There’s breakfast, dinner, or drinks with a view at the intimate AC Bar and Lounge on the 34th ﬂoor. La Lo La Rooftop offers tapas and cocktails with views of the Hollywood Hills. The hotel also houses

the one-stop hospitality complex Level 8 where you will discover the exceptional South American grill Qué Bárbaro, the Japanese cuisine at both Maison Kasai and Lucky Mizu, and Sinners y Santos, a cathedral-inspired nightclub.

AC Hotel

With poolside carousel bar Golden Hour, alfresco oyster bar Mother of Pearl and The Brown Sheep on the terrace, you’ll never run out of views or vibes. Be ready for some extraordinary entertainment... this is La La Land after all.

Great White

Breakfast at Great White located in the lovely village of Larchmont. This communityfocused casual café restaurant reminded me of Victors in Hale. The menu is coastalCalifornian with a focus on fresh produce, superb coffee and a buzzing vibe.

The avocado toast with fresh chilli, market radish and chilli oil on sourdough is sensational.

Smorgasburg

The largest open-air food market in the USA, Smorgasburg have locations in New York, Jersey City, São Paulo, Miami, Toronto and Los Angeles.

Almost 100 small businesses showcase some fabulous food, beverage, fashion and independent traders. With a familyfriendly beer garden, it’s the perfect place to spend a Sunday.

Bacari Silver Lake

A Venetian-inspired eatery situated in a beautiful open-air herb garden with an electric atmosphere, serving small plates featuring Mediterraneaninfluenced dishes created by Chef Lior Hillel. This is the fifth restaurant by the Kronfli brothers, a family-owned group of restaurants trending in LA. Here you’ll find a rotation of craft cocktails, small production wines and eclectic beers from around the world.

Honey Hi

If eating sensibly and responsibly matters to you, Honey Hi serves food that promotes personal, public and planetary well-being.

The team strives to source and prepare food, as well as cultivate community, in thoughtful ways that support this mission.

The company are always pushing to improve and build new relationships with non-industrialised farms, individuals and companies. This is essential because they place equal value on where and who produces the foods and its nutritional integrity, as they do on the way it tastes. The menu mainly consists of local, organic vegetables from small farms at the Echo Park in Hollywood and Santa Monica farmers markets.

El Compadre

Opening in 1975, El Compadre Restaurant in Hollywood has been one of Southern California's hot spots for Mexican cuisine. Situated along trendy Sunset Boulevard, the restaurant fashions the look and feel of an old-world hacienda. Lined with clay roof tiles, wrought iron lanterns and stained-glass chandeliers, its walls grace Mexican heritage with paintings, artifacts, antiques and vase ﬂoral trimmings.

Enjoy family recipes handed down over generations using select cuts of meats, and choice seafood alongside season fresh vegetables. And be sure to try their legendary Flaming Margarita. Coupled with nightly live music from a trio singing Mexican classics, paired with dimly lit, sultry lighting, the romantic ambience is unmatched.

Pijja Palace

This interesting concept is an Indian sports bar with large ﬂatscreen TVs showing every sport available. But don’t be put off by this if you’re not a die-hard sports fan – it’s not rowdy football fans, but a sophisticated clientele who have come to enjoy onion rings coated in dosa batter and chicken wings marinated in cilantro-mint chutney. The fusion of India meets Italy brings me on to the rigatoni in a creamy tomato masala that evokes a vodka tomato sauce with thin, saag smeared pizzas. Be warned, Pijja Palace requires pre-booking so expect at least a two-week lead time, it’s that popular!

TO DO

Food Tour with Six Taste Tours

Meeting at Angels Flight Railway on Hill Street, this guided tour lasts approximately two hours. Founded by Sally Tiongoo in 2009, you’ll unearth the hidden historic and cultural gems of the LA neighbourhoods. Make sure you’re hungry as all the food is included! Six Taste Tour guides are well informed, and their local knowledge ensures your experience is an amazing one with plenty of food, fun and facts.

Fashion | Flower | Jewellery District Tour

With over 4,000 independently owned and operated retail and wholesale businesses, this colourful neighbourhood covers 107 blocks steeped in culture and history. Get inspired as you explore LA’s cutting-edge creativity, hotels, galleries and eateries. The area is the epicentre of LA style.

LA Lakers

The LA Lakers are the world-famous basketball team playing in the NBA’s Paciﬁc Division. The Lakers’ star-studded team include LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Spencer Dinwiddie. Based at the Crypto.com Arena, watching a game is a family experience not to be missed. Go Lakers!

The Academy Museum

Surprisingly only ﬁve years old and housing more than 13 million objects, this homage to the art and science of the movies is not to be missed. Fast track tickets enable you to skip queues but be sure to get there early anyway, as you can spend hours reliving those classic movie scenes on the huge screens dotted around the various exhibitions.

For a small additional fee, get to lift an actual Oscar at your own presentation which is captured and sent to you via email in seconds. This immersive, educational and entertaining part of the tour makes the Academy Museum a must.

The Grove and Original Farmers Market

The origins of The Grove date back to 1880, when A.F. Gilmore and a partner purchased two dairy farms. Ten years later, Gilmore took control of the 256-acre ranch which is now a hive of shopping, dining and entertainment, with top brands, a cinema and restaurants in a picturesque setting.

The Original Farmers Market opened in 1934 and boasts a nostalgic atmosphere with diverse food stalls, speciality shops and fresh produce. Expect to ﬁnd both locals and tourists alike, embodying the vibrant spirit that makes LA what it is.

LA Walking Tours

Running since 2009, this informative tour will educate you on the history of the city – from the creation of the vibrant neighbourhoods to the current stunning skyline. Tours are tailored for visitors, whether you’re on a ﬂeeting visit or chilling for a few months, and are informative, educational and engaging.

You’ll certainly leave having learnt something new about the city.

Echo Park

This culturally diverse neighborhood has become known for its trendy local businesses, as well as its popularity with artists, musicians and creatives. The neighborhood is centered on the eponymous Echo Park Lake. Originally built in the 1860s as a reservoir for drinking water, today Echo Park Lake is an iconic LA landmark that functions primarily as a detention basin in the city’s storm drain system, while providing recreational beneﬁts and a wildlife habitat.

Take out one of the new swan boats and pedal across the lake. Rated among the best activities in LA, Echo Park pedal boats are a great way to enjoy the outdoors and were voted in the top 10 things to do in Los Angeles!

LA Bike Tour

My personal favourite 'to do’ was the E-Bike Tour. These eco-friendly bikes are an exhilarating way to discover lesserknown neighbourhoods and find LA’s hidden gems. We headed on a threehour ride through Griffiths Park with a 360-degree view of the iconic Hollywood sign and Griffiths Observatory, stopping at LA Zoo and Cathy’s Corner (where the iconic La La Land dance scene was filmed). You may even see a bobcat, cayote or hawks on the way. With a 100% Tripadvisor recommendation I can highly endorse this as a must when in LA.

Sony Pictures Tour

The chances are that the last movie you’ve seen was in some way created at Sony Pictures. This year Columbia Pictures (a Sony Company) celebrates its centenary. Step inside the gates and step back into a legendary time on the Sony Pictures Studio tour. One of the most historic and exciting studio lots in the world, this two-hour guided walking tour will give you the real experience of a working studio.

Getting there

Visit soundstages of iconic ﬁlms like The Wizard of Oz, Men in Black and Spider-Man. Swing by the smash-hit game shows Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune. You might even catch a glimpse of the Barbra Streisand scoring stage or Walter White’s RV from the hit series Breaking Bad. And witness where John Williams created all those iconic soundtracks that accompany some of the most famous movies ever.

Keep your eyes open... you never know what – or who – will be around the next corner!

Citizens Public Market

This 7,500 square foot, best-in-class food and drinks offering in the heart of Culver city, is a great place to socialise, chill and take in the sights and sounds of one of LA’s trendiest neighbourhoods.

Aer Lingus offers seamless connections from Manchester to Los Angeles, flying via Dublin where customers can preclear US Immigration before stepping onboard their transatlantic flight. Economy fares from the UK start from £229 each way and business class from £1,299 return including taxes and charges. This includes 23kg of complimentary baggage, meals and soft drinks on board plus the very latest inflight entertainment system boasting the latest blockbusters, box sets and more. Business class customers can enjoy spacious seats that transform into fully lie-flat 6.5ft long beds, as well as luxury dining with fresh ingredients sourced from all over Ireland, complimentary alcohol and a generous baggage allowance of 63kg. www.aerlingus.com

Venice Beach

Is it the bohemian spirit, the buzzing beach, upscale residents, trendy shops, street performers, the skate parks or Muscle Beach Gym that make Venice Beach so special? Answer – all of them! Take time out to explore Abbot Kinney Boulevard, featuring foodie hot spots, stylish boutiques and coffee bars. Discover a picturesque enclave of canals surrounded by modernist homes. And treat yourself to a cocktail or two at Hotel Erwin’s Rooftop Lounge with its stunning views of the beach and the Paciﬁc Ocean.

LA with its glittering skyline, vibrant culture and natural beauty certainly offers something for every traveller. From iconic landmarks to hidden gems, the City of Angels invites you to embark on a journey of discovery and adventure. So, pack your bags, hit the road, and prepare to be dazzled by the endless possibilities that await in Los Angeles – and with a climate best described as mild to hot all year round, what’s not to like! www.discoverlosangeles.com

Emerald Maldives Resort & Spa

Found in the Raa Atoll, surrounded by 1.5km of soft white sand on a private 20-hectare island, Emerald’s deluxe all-inclusive formula allows little ones to have their pick from all food and drink outlets at the resort; from Latin American food at Amazònico Restaurant to Asian at Le Asiatique Restaurant.

The Dolphin Kids Club is the largest in the Maldives, covering 1,500 square metres. The club has both an indoor and outdoor playground, swimming pool, zip line, climbing wall, slides and a Tibetan bridge. Programmes change daily, with games and activities for each age group, from sandcastle building classes to kids’ yoga. There are even cooking classes where little ones can make pizza, cotton candy and barbecue favourites. To book: www.emerald-maldives.com

Best Family Escapes

Cullinan Belek, Turkey

Cullinan Belek is a luxury all-inclusive resort that offers a stress-free getaway for families, with everything conveniently located in one place. This Turkish resort boasts a 3,000 square-metre water park that gives both children and adults the chance to try out the 13 slides on offer. Upupa Kids Club has a wide range of shows and activities for kids aged from two to 16. Young guests can explore the soft play adventure park, compete in board games and participate in activities including painting, ceramics, dancing and DJ workshops; all whilst under the careful supervision of the trained team on hand. To book: www.cullinanhotels.com

For the sports-mad

Hotel Village at Chia Laguna Resort sits on the southern coast of Sardinia and boasts spectacular views of rolling hills, turquoise waters and even a flamingo-filled lagoon; perfect for getting your children interested in the great outdoors. The kids’ club was recently renovated and now features a cinema alongside new educational entertainment and activities. Children from ages three to 17 can spend time with others their age and get involved in a wide range of group sports including five-a-side football and beach volleyball. The expansive kids’ club even organises sports tournaments, theme-based nights and barbecues until 11pm.

Most excitingly, the resort will also be introducing the Juventus Resort Experience, where youngsters aged from ﬁve to 16 can be coached by two Juventus coaches for multiple one-week sessions across the season. Aspiring footballers will don a Juventus jersey, practice their football skills and eat like a pro-baller, all culminating in an exciting ﬁnal tournament. To book: https://www.chialagunaresort.com/en/hotel-village/ 3 4

For the adventure seekers

Masseria Torre Maizza, A Rocco Forte Hotel

Part of Rocco Forte Hotels, Masseria Torre Maizza is a renovated 16th-century Masseria on the Italian Adriatic coast. Found in Puglia, surrounded by ancient olive groves, the hotel’s mascot Olivia, a teacupsized sea turtle, is just one of the ways children are made to feel like the most important guests in the hotel. Children receive a personalised Rocco Forte Kids passport at check-in, along with yummy treats, pint-sized bathrobes and of course their own personal Olivia cuddly toy. With lots of exciting days out just around the corner such as Europe’s second largest wildlife park – Fasano’s Zoo Safari, Egnazia Aquapark, and a go-karting course, there is certain to be something to keep your kids happy and entertained for your entire trip.

To book: www.roccofortehotels.com/hotels-and-resorts/masseria-torre-maizza

Hotel Village at Chia Laguna Resort, Sardinia

Ask the Expert

Dr Mahshid Nickkho-Amiry

An esteemed consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist at The Wilmslow Hospital, specialising in a wide range of conditions, including menopause, polycystic ovarian syndrome, ovulation disorders, menstrual irregularities and premature ovarian insufﬁciency. She has been awarded a PhD for her research into endometrial cancer and published papers on menstrual disorders, endometrial polyps and fertility.

Should I worry about a painful bump on my vagina? It’s always a bit worrying when something new or unusual appears in intimate areas but try not to panic. Painful bumps near your vagina or labia are common, and there could be a number of innocent causes, like a pimple, cyst or an ingrown hair, which can be caused by shaving. But if the bump and pain are there for more than a few days, it’s essential to see your doctor or a gynaecologist to get a proper diagnosis and some treatment if required.

My periods have become irregular, should I be concerned? It’s not uncommon to notice changes in your menstrual cycle

patterns, often this can be due to stress, certain medications and even excessive exercise. However, persistent irregularities may indicate a more serious underlying issue. Conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), thyroid disorders or hormonal imbalances can affect you period, your reproductive health and your overall health and wellbeing. So, if you have noticed a change to your periods, particularly a lasting change, don’t delay in seeking advice from your GP or gynaecologist. They can help diagnose what's causing this change and assess whether it's something that needs treatment.

Helen Proctor

Wedding & Events Manager, James’ Places

Helen Proctor began her career as a retail manager at Selfridges, honing her skills in event planning. Transitioning into hospitality after the birth of her son, she found her passion. Two years ago, Helen joined the James’ Places Group, overseeing the group's Dream Venues Collection, which comprises six spectacular wedding venues across Lancashire and the Yorkshire Dales, and leading a team of dedicated wedding planners.

Helen believes every couple deserves their dream wedding day and hopes to help you have a stress-free planning journey. We asked Helen for her direction on ﬁnding your perfect location for the big day:

What advice would you give to a newly engaged couple? Many couples are uncertain about the type of wedding they want, or the budget required. I recommend starting by envisioning your ideal wedding style. Browse venue websites and social media to narrow down your choices to three, plus a wildcard. Most couples experience that "just know" feeling when they ﬁnd the right venue, and it's a magical

moment during a show around when the excitement builds as they picture their big day.

Should I attend many wedding fairs? At the venue search stage, wedding fairs can be overwhelming. I suggest opting for a private viewing instead. However, wedding fairs are invaluable for meeting suppliers and gaining inspiration. Suppliers at venue-speciﬁc fairs are often handpicked for their familiarity with the venue and can provide great inspiration and tips.

How far in advance should I book my venue? For speciﬁc dates, especially Fridays

I’m bleeding between periods, should I be worried? If you're noticing unexpected bleeding when you're not on your period, it can be a bit alarming. There are many reasons this might be happening, from hormonal changes and infections to more serious issues like polyps or cervical problems. The most important thing to do is see your doctor or gynaecologist right away. They'll be able to do some tests, ﬁgure out what's causing the bleeding, and help you get the right treatment.

If you need support with these conditions or have other health concerns, we’re here to help. Contact The Wilmslow Hospital: 0333 060 3706

or Saturdays, I recommend booking 12 to 36 months in advance. If you're ﬂexible on dates, six to 18 months is usually sufﬁcient. Planning a wedding in six to nine months requires organisation, but with the support of your venue, it can enable you to take advantage of late availability deals, especially if you're on a budget.

TOP TIP!

Don't lose sight of the big picture. Everyone will offer opinions and advice about your wedding but remember nothing about a wedding is as important as the marriage that will follow.

Ask the Expert

Mr Jeremy Oates

Mr Oates is a consultant robotic and urological surgeon, specialising in the diagnosis and management of prostate cancer. He works at The Christie Private Care and The Wilmslow Hospital, both part of HCA Healthcare, and Urology Clinics Manchester.

urologyclinics.co.uk / T: 0161 327 1269

Why do men get prostate problems as they get older?

The prostate sits underneath the bladder and is shaped like a donut with the waterpipe passing through it. Every prostate grows with age, causing pressure on the waterpipe, reducing the ﬂow and causing dribbling. Symptoms can be minor, though if there are issues, they can usually be very successfully treated with medication or a wide range of procedures to improve the ﬂow.

Are waterwork symptoms a sign of prostate cancer?

Almost always not! A prostate grows

and almost every man will have some symptoms of normal growth, whereas cancers are usually relatively small, often too small to cause problems. However, sudden onset symptoms must be investigated, particularly leakage or blood in the urine.

Should I be tested for prostate cancer?

Unlike some diseases, there is no screening programme for prostate cancer currently. This is because the prostate blood test (PSA) is not particularly accurate and testing can often raise more questions than it answers. It is important that before you undergo a PSA test that

Mandy White

Director of the Altrincham Business Improvement District (BID).

BIDs have been in the UK for 20 years and provide a way for areas like town centres to generate additional funds to support footfall, enhancing the town centre environment through greening and cleaning, positive PR and business support.

Why has the regeneration of Altrincham been so successful?

Altrincham has reinvented itself in recent years as a ‘modern market town’ and the regeneration of Altrincham Market, along with other signiﬁcant public and private sector investment, has undoubtedly been the catalyst for growth. It feels as if the town’s identity has been re-established with the market at its heart and from there a fantastic independent food and drink scene has grown, alongside many independent shops and national brands. The town’s success is the result of the hard work of the businesses and many other individuals, true partnership working.

What’s in store for the future?

It’s an exciting time for Altrincham with continued investment in the town including Trafford Council and Bruntwood’s Foundation, which has recently opened. This is a mixed-use development in the Stamford Quarter on the site of the old House of Fraser department store, boasting an incredible Hyvert living wall. It is currently home to Sportﬁve, the global sports marketing agency, with Starbucks, Lane 7 and two restaurants due to open on the ground ﬂoor in the coming months. There are also some exciting new tenants coming to the Stamford Quarter itself.

you discuss the pros and cons of testing with a healthcare professional, as it’s not right for everyone.

However, men at a higher risk should consider testing, in particular men with a family history of prostate cancer, men of certain ethnic backgrounds or those who have had female family members diagnosed with breast or ovarian cancer at a young age. If you have any doubts, Prostate Cancer UK has a great online risk checker or alternatively we’d be happy to see you at Urology Clinics to discuss your circumstances.

Where can I ﬁnd out more about Altrincham?

Altrincham BID produces VisitAltrincham.com where you can ﬁnd out more about the town and plan your visit. The website has a comprehensive events section as well as offers and jobs. We also have social media: @visitaltrincham on Instagram and Facebook, and @altrinchambid on X and LinkedIn. It’s a fabulous town to enjoy either during the day or in the evening. Market days are Tuesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday but there are so many great reasons to visit.

ASK the Physio

Harris & Ross was formed 20 years ago by Jeff Ross (and former partner Rob Harris). Now with four clinics across the Northwest, it was created with the goal of providing the same level of care that is given to elite athletes to the general public. We’ve asked physios at the Altrincham, Wilmslow and Manchester clinics about when we should seek treatment from a physiotherapist, and what to expect when we do.

I’m about to run my ﬁrst half marathon. Should I be having pre/post event treatment?

Our ﬁrst piece of advice for anyone beginning their running journey would be to get a screening done with a physio if you can. This will give you an insight into the some of the day to day things you can do to keep yourself training and avoid

If I wake up in the morning with a really sore neck or back, should I go to my GP or to a physio?

One in ﬁve people consult a GP about a musculoskeletal problem each year and

never seen a Physio before. What can I expect? New patient assessment sessions can vary from clinic to clinic. Here at Harris & Ross, we like to spend a full hour with you the

injury and ensures you're doing everything right from the get-go! Following that, any runner will greatly beneﬁt from pre and post event Sports Massage. The aims of treatment are different between pre and post event:

Pre-event, massage ensures you are feeling good and prepared for your event to help maximise your performance. It increases muscle stimulation, range of motion and improves your mental state. This should take place anytime from 2 days to right before the event. Tight muscles will reduce the range of motion around your joints, leading to a sub-optimal performance, pain and potentially injuries. The increased blood

17-30% of GP appointments are for these types of problems. Most musculoskeletal conditions can be treated by a physio –it’s rare that neck or back pain has a more serious cause. We can identify symptoms that might not be of a musculoskeletal nature and make recommendations for onward referral when need be, such as for pain relief, orthopedic referral, scans or possible underlying health issues.

Neck and back pain may have a more serious cause if it’s persistent and getting progressively worse, or if there are

ﬁrst time we meet you. This enables us to learn about your life, and the impact your injury is having on it. You will be asked some speciﬁc questions about the injury of course, but also about things away from the injury – such as your job and any hobbies you have. This allows your clinician to get a good picture about you, your lifestyle and your goals. The clinician will need to look at the injured area so please come prepared wearing comfortable, loose clothing. Also, please bring some appropriate and comfortable footwear, as it may be that we need to go through

flow caused by a pre-event massage will improve muscle elasticity therefore reducing muscle tightness. Post-event massage is best performed from 30 minutes to 72 hours after competing. The goal is to work deeply within the muscles to encourage blood and lymphatic flow and restore the body. This will significantly reduce any soreness or fatigue and help to restore range of motion after exercise. The techniques used will help remove waste products created during exercise, like lactic acid, and helps relieve delayed onset of soreness (‘DOMS’). Post-event treatment will help you recover quicker and return to training without risking injury. It’s the perfect time to address any niggles felt during the event too!

additional symptoms, such as a lack of co-ordination, problems walking and so on. A serious cause is more likely if you’ve had a recent, signiﬁcant injury. At Harris & Ross we would begin with an assessment initially in order to establish the extent of the problem and the likely diagnosis.

Our treatment could then be in a number of forms: hands-on treatment such as manual therapy and acupuncture, or exercises in the form of a tailored exercise programme, as well as advice on how to manage pain and prevent recurrence.

some functional exercises to assess your current abilities, or start to do some rehab. After the assessment, we’ll tell you what the cause of your issue/ injury is and will ensure you fully understand how we can work together to resolve it.

There will also usually be time to provide you with some hands-on treatment and some rehab. This will mean you’ll be well on your way in your journey to being pain-free and back to your ultimate goals!

I’ve

Here, Mr Paul Goldsmith, acid reflux specialist and consultant general surgeon at The Wilmslow Hospital, part of HCA Healthcare UK, answers our questions about the causes of acid reﬂux, effective treatments, preventative measures and its potential link to more serious conditions.

What is acid reﬂux?

Acid reflux occurs when your stomach acid flows into your oesophagus, causing irritation and discomfort. Normally, a ring of muscle called the lower oesophageal sphincter (LES) acts as a barrier between your stomach and oesophagus, preventing this backward flow of stomach acid. However, when the LES muscle weakens or relaxes abnormally, acid reflux can occur.

In addition to heartburn, the symptoms can include difﬁculty swallowing, chest pain, chronic cough and a sore throat.

What causes acid reﬂux?

There are multiple factors that can contribute to the development of acid

Tired of feeling the burn?

Understanding acid reﬂux: causes, treatments and tips for relief

Do you ever experience a painful burning sensation in your chest after a meal or when lying down? If so, you’re not alone. You could be suffering from acid reflux, a common digestive disorder affecting millions of people worldwide. While occasional heartburn may seem harmless, persistent acid reflux can lead to serious complications if left untreated. It’s estimated that approximately 20% of the UK population have problems with severe acid reflux, which can have a real impact on quality of life.

reflux, but several factors can certainly in crease the risk:

Diet: Acidic, spicy or fatty foods, as well as caffeine, alcohol and carbonated beverages, can trigger acid reflux symptoms. Being overweight: Excess weight can put pressure on the stomach which can cause acid to reflux into the oesophagus. Smoking: Smoking weakens the LES and increases the production of stomach acid. Pregnancy: Hormonal changes and increased pressure on the abdomen during pregnancy can lead to acid reflux.

Certain medications: Some medications, such as nonsteroidal anti-inﬂammatory drugs (NSAIDs), can relax the LES, contributing to acid reﬂux.

What are the treatment options?

Fortunately, there are lots of effective treatments available to manage acid reﬂux and alleviate the symptoms.

Occasional acid reﬂux may be managed with lifestyle changes. Adopting healthy

habits such as maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding foods that trigger reﬂux, eating smaller meals, avoiding eating late at night or right before you go to bed, quitting smoking, reducing alcohol intake and refraining from lying down after eat ing can all help to reduce episodes of acid reﬂux.

Persistent or severe symptoms may require medical intervention. Over-the-counter antacids, H2-receptor antagonists and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) can help neutralise stomach acid and reduce its production. When lifestyle changes and medications are ineffective, surgery may be recommended to strengthen the LES and prevent acid reﬂux.

While occasional acid reflux is common and usually harmless, chronic acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can lead to more serious conditions; it’s important to manage acid reflux effectively to reduce the risk of developing these se rious complications.

Are you worried about a lump?

Mr Amit Kumar is a consultant orthopaedic and oncological surgeon. As a leading NHS specialist in the treatment of Sarcoma, he founded Manchester Lumps Clinic, a private clinic, to help patients receive peace of mind through faster diagnosis and earlier treatment. The clinic offers patients direct access to his expertise without joining a waiting list.

Your questions about lumps answered

What is a lipoma?

A lipoma is one of the most common lumps found in the body and is non-cancerous (benign). A lipoma is a growth of fatty tissue derived from our normal cells in the body called fat cells (adipocytes). They can present innocently over a few months, or you may have noticed it there for a long time. They can also present as multiple lumps in different locations (multiple lipomatosis).

What are the symptoms of a lipoma?

Lipomas rarely cause pain and are usually asymptomatic. They may rub on clothing

or cause irritation. If large, they can press on local muscle and nerves, therefore causing pins and needles for example. This is particularly the case if a large lipoma is on the back of your neck or on your back. The most common areas include the shoulders and thighs. Very large lipomatous tumours can be deep and cause diffuse swelling, pain and reduced function. Atypical lipomatous tumours can grow to beyond 10cm in size and become very large, thus compressing on local structures.

How do you diagnose it?

The majority of fatty lumps / lipomas are diagnosed by a clinician. Lipomas are not

cancerous and are classed as benign lumps. The size of the lump is assessed and most lumps less than 5cm do not require investigation unless there’s pain, a change in size or if it's located in the deeper structures. If further imaging is required to determine the nature of the Sarcoma (commonly done if it's larger than 5cm) then most lipomas can be diagnosed with an ultrasound from our specialist radiologists. Some will require further assessment, particularly large lipomas, with an MRI scan, and an injection of a dye (contrast) may be needed. Very occasionally a biopsy may be required on complex lipomatous lesions which will be assessed by a pathologist.

If you have a lump that you’re concerned about please book in to see us via the contact details below www.manchesterlumpsclinic.com / E: info@manchesterlumpsclinic.com / T: 07585 064963 /lumpsclinic /manchester-lumps-clinic @lumpsclinic @manchesterlumps

, Oak House, 2 Gatley Road, Cheadle SK8 1PY

Highﬁeld Hospital, Manchester Road, Rochdale, Lancashire OL11 4LZ

Partnership, 144 Dialstone Lane, Heaviley, Stockport SK2 6AP

A troublesome and embarrassing infection for men

Mr Karyee Chow and Mr Aziz Gulamhusein share the facts –on prostatitis and what to do if you’re suffering with it.

Mr

Karyee

Chow,

Consultant Urological Surgeon

What is prostatitis?

Prostatitis literally means inﬂammation of the prostate gland.

What is the prostate?

The prostate is a small gland located be tween the penis and the bladder. Its function is to produce ﬂuid that is mixed with sperm to create semen.

What are the symptoms of prostatitis?

The typical symptoms involve pain in the pelvic area. This can be felt in the perineum (the area between the scrotum and anus), lower abdomen and genitals. There may be pain on ejaculation and /or on passing urine. There may be other urinary symptoms such as frequency, ur gency or difﬁculty in urination. These symptoms can vary from being mild to severely debilitating.

What is the cause of prostatitis?

Prostatitis may be acute when the symptoms are severe and come on sud denly. Acute prostatitis is usually due to a bacterial infection. The chronic form of prostatitis is more common – this is when

the symptoms are present for more than three months. Chronic prostatitis may or may not be associated with the presence of bacteria. In some instances, there may be symptoms of prostatitis but no inﬂammation which is called prostatodynia.

Symptoms of prostatitis may be made worse by stress, constipation and certain foods that irritate the urinary tract such as spicy foods, acidic fruits (citrus), caffeine and alcohol. There is no link between prostatitis and prostate cancer.

What assessments and investigations are needed?

The initial assessment would include an examination of the prostate which is done with a ﬁnger through the back passage. The urine is checked for an infection. Sometimes secretion from the prostate or a semen sample will be obtained to check for bacteria. Other investigations that may be carried out include blood tests, a scan of the urinary tract and prostate, urinary ﬂow assessments and camera or endoscopic inspection of the urinary tract.

Mr Aziz Gulamhusein, Consultant Urological and Robotic Surgeon

What are the treatment options?

Antibiotics are prescribed as an initial treatment. This is because one cannot be completely certain that there is no infec tion, and patients often experience some improvement with antibiotics. It is difficult for antibiotics to penetrate prostate tissue and so the treatment course is longer than usual (four to six weeks). Certain antibiotics classes also work better (quinolones such as ciprofloxacin). Other treatments include anti-inflammatories, alpha-blockers (such as tamsulosin which relaxes the muscles of the prostate), drugs that reduce the size of the prostate (such as finasteride or dutasteride), chronic pain medicines, anti-depressants and muscle relaxants.

Often the symptoms improve with treatment but they may take many months to fully resolve. The symptoms may also recur, sometimes many months or years later.

For some patients who have significant pain that do not respond to the above treatments, a referral to a chronic pelvic pain specialist may be required. Pelvic floor therapy and pelvic nerve blocks are treatment options that may also be of benefit.

This article is intended to inform and give insight but not treat, diagnose or replace the advice of a doctor. Always seek medical advice with any questions regarding a medical condition.

Please see website for offer

“Peace of mind for you and your family at all times”

The Private GP & Night Doctor Service

Dr Bruce Jobling

We are a group of experienced GPs based in South Manchester, we offer the highest level of medical care, above and beyond the NHS. Whilst the NHS is a good system, demand has increased so much that it has become almost impossible for it to offer the prompt and personal care that we all wish for.

We believe our registered patients want a professional service with peace of mind at all times – from

prompt telephone advice, a face to face consultation or organising an admission into hospital, anytime, day or night – all provided by a small group of doctors whom they know.

Hopefully, you will not need to see a doctor urgently, but accidents or illnesses can occur when least expected, and having to travel or wait several hours for healthcare can only make the ordeal worse.

You can stay registered with your NHS GP, as our aim is not to replace your care but to work alongside it, providing you with our extra medical care when you or your family need it most.

It only takes two minutes to register online today, so we can look after you in the future.

• 24 hrs a day

• 7 days a week

• Personal and confidential

• Well-being and full health checks with general blood tests

• Night and weekend home visits

• Quick and easy to book a routine or same day or evening appointment

• Covering Hale, Wilmslow, Alderley Edge, Didsbury and their surrounding areas

Registration fee from £19 per month plus consultation fees

You can remain with your NHS GP • Additional surgery in Hale If this service is of interest to you or your family, please contact us to register.

Getting You Back to the Life You Love Sooner

with the OrthTeam Centre

Why wait for treatment?

At the OrthTeam Centre, we offer fast access face-to-face and virtual consultations with our experts who have trained to develop the highest level of specialisation in their chosen area. This includes all aspects of orthopaedics, neurosurgery, peripheral nerve, neurology, pain management, rheumatology and sport and exercise medicine.

State-of-the-art facilities at the OrthTeam Centre:

● Seven consulting/examination rooms

● Cutting-edge 3T MRI scanning suite

● Digital X-ray facility

● Ultrasound room

● Fluoroscopy room for guided injections

How to access our leading consultants:

Paying for your own treatment

You can self-fund your own private healthcare at the OrthTeam Centre without using medical insurance. Just pay for what you need, as and when you need it, putting you in complete control of your care.

How to use your private medical insurance

If you’re using your health insurance

to pay for treatment, check with your insurance company first if you need a GP referral. If so, simply visit your GP and ask them to refer you to a consultant who practises at the OrthTeam Centre. You can also do this via a private GP. Please ensure that you have contacted your insurance company to check that you are covered for your condition before attending your first appointment. Your insurance company should provide you with an authorisation code, so please bring this with you to your first appointment.

To ﬁnd out more about our consultants and treatments, or to book an appointment, please visit orthteamcentre.co.uk or call 0161 447 6888

The Black Friar Salford

Collaborating with authentic Japanese spirits brand, House of Suntory, historic pub, The Black Friar, located on Blackfriars Road just a 10-minute walk from Deansgate, has transformed its outside tavern into a captivating Japanese-inspired cherry blossom garden, just in time for Sakura season.

House of Suntory has also crafted an exclusive cocktail menu featuring their authentic spirits that start from £12 and include the following: Coco Roku – a mix of Roku gin, Blackfriars Pilsner, Angostura, honey and lemon; Suntory Spritz – a mix of Haku vodka, watermelon soda, mint, strawberry and lime; and the Zensen Boulevardier – a mix of Toki whiskey, Campari, Dom Benedictine and Martini Rubino.

The cocktail menu is available every day in all areas of the pub and during exclusive Suntory Sessions held every Saturday between 3pm and 5pm with live music, and guests can enjoy specialty Suntory drinks for just £8.

The Suntory Garden also features a new vibrant à la carte menu, offering enticing options such as braised beef shin cannelloni, lamb shank kleftiko with moussaka

potatoes, curried line-caught hake and red lentil dahl and Creedy Carver duck with confit leg, breast and bubble and squeak. All mains can be complemented with a choice of sides including triplecooked chunky chips, hasselback potatoes with truffle and chive cream cheese or charred hispi cabbage. The menu also includes daily changing market fish dishes and the renowned Black Friar daily pie specials.

We enjoyed a meal for two on a Saturday evening in the Suntory Garden. Following baked sourdough and whipped butter, we ordered chargrilled hispi cabbage with crispy Burford brown egg and Shetland seared king scallops, followed by the main event of curried hake, and lamb shank kleftiko. The lamb just fell off the bone. Delish!

By Beverley Uddin-Khandakar

All dishes were delicious, but the king scallops, kleftiko lamb and rhubarb triﬂe were our absolute favourites. The Suntory Garden is a great area for any occasion, with twinkling lights, heaters, blankets and great staff; the ambiance reﬂects “a perfect blend of British charm and Japanese elegance”.

The Suntory Garden is open every week from Thursday to Sunday for drinks or dining and is fully covered and heated.

The Black Friar is open every day from 12pm, and if you’re looking for the perfect spot for an after-work tipple, Happy Hour runs from 4 to 6:30pm every weekday and offers £4 pints, £15 bottles of wine and £6 classic cocktails.

We were pleasantly full, but decided we needed to try the desserts, so we ﬁnished with a raspberry and lemon drizzle knickerbocker glory and rhubarb custard triﬂe.

GLOSSY COOKS

The River Restaurant Reimagined

This month Head Chef Bartosz Szynaka has taken the Two AA Rosette River Restaurant in a bold new direction offering French cuisine for the modern palate. With a meticulously designed menu, created to showcase a symphony of ﬂavours and the intricacy of French cooking techniques, the River Restaurant offers a ﬁve-star dining experience which you can create at home.

Ingredients:

4 duck eggs

Flour for dusting

300g white bread

180g fresh herbs

(parsley, chervil, basil)

20g Grana Padano

Asparagus

Courgette

Choron base :

350g white wine

6 sprigs lemon thyme

3g coriander seed

150ml sushi vinegar

3 sprigs tarragon

2g peppercorns

80g egg yolk

3g salt

60g cold butter cubes

30g tomato paste

Sweet baby peppers

White asparagus

peeled pieces

Baby courgette

Purple asparagus

Chopped chervil

Lemon zest

Chives

Maldon sea salt

Crispy Soft Duck Egg

Served with asparagus Mélange, courgette and a drizzle of Choron sauce, our crispy yet soft duck egg is perfect when served as a starter or main. It’s a beautiful and bright dish that will leave your guests talking. Make sure to keep an eye on your eggs whilst boiling, and always use the egg from room temperature, to ensure a picture-worthy, golden runny yolk.

Method:

1. Bring the eggs to room temperature and then boil for ﬁve minutes and 30 seconds in simmering water, then cool down immediately in ice.

2. Gently peel the eggs and dust with seasoned ﬂour, then dip into seasoned egg wash and roll them gently in the breadcrumbs to coat evenly.

3. Deep fry on 160C for around three to four minutes until golden brown and crispy. Dry on a kitchen towel and season with Maldon salt.

4. For the Choron base, mix the white wine, lemon thyme, coriander seed, sushi vinegar, tarragon and peppercorns together and let it simmer over a low

40C Trout Sous Vide

Our sea trout dish is served with a wonderful creation of nettle Spaetzle, which are tiny, traditional German dumplings, crème fraîche and sea fennel, a truly unique set of ingredients which sing in harmony on the plate. When making your Spaetzle, ensure you knead out any lumps before pouring the mixture through the colander to ensure the perfect shape for your homemade Spaetzle.

Method:

1. Portion up the trout and make sure there are no bones, then season with salt. In each vacuum pack bag, place a portion of trout, splash of oil, peel of lemon and spring of thyme. Cook ‘sous vide’, or low temperature, at 44C for 20 minutes then ice bathe it.

2. Blanch 75g nettle and 50g spinach and turn them into a purée. Bring the water and tapioca to the boil, mix in the nettle purée and take it off the stove. Pour the mix on a ﬂat tray and dehydrate in the sham at 90C, once crisp and dry, fry it at 195C.

3. Sweat off the shallot and two cloves of garlic in a splash of extra virgin olive oil

then add 200g nettle and the rest of the spinach. Sauté off and then blend to a smooth purée, adjust ﬂavour with salt to taste.

4. Whisk together eggs, ﬂour, milk and salt, stir until well combined with no lumps.

5. Add a large pot of salted water and bring to the boil.

6. Pour your mix over a colander, cook the Spaetzle for two minutes then take them out and toss in oil to prevent sticking and allow to cool.

7. Fry the Spaetzle in clariﬁed butter and season with cracked pepper and salt.

heat. Once reduced, strain off and keep the liquid.

5. Add the base and some salt to a pan and bring it to a boil. Then, using a hand blender, add the egg yolks and mix some air into the liquid. Next, beat it while cooking it on medium heat, then turn off the heat and add the butter cubes. Gently whisk and add tomato paste.

6. For the accompanying vegetables (asparagus, peppers), peel, de-seed and cut into even pieces. Half and score the baby courgette and purple asparagus.

7. Once prepared, sauté all the vegetables to obtain colour, then season and toss them in chives, chervil and lemon juice.

Ingredients: Trout

Lemon peel

Thyme Oil

400ml water

120g tapioca

starch

150g spinach

275g nettle leaves

4 eggs

1/3 cup of milk

2 cups of ﬂour

Pinch of nutmeg

1 shallot

Extra virgin olive oil

2 cloves of garlic

Clariﬁed butter

Asha’s at Forty-Seven

The offering just got better at 47 Peter Street

I think the last time I went to Asha’s was pre-covid for one of our Glossy networking events, and to this day I still talk about a small plate of keema and chunky double-fried chips that I enjoyed most at the event.

Asha’s at Forty-Seven Peter Street is situated in a Grade-II listed former shipping warehouse in the heart of Manchester, called Lancashire House. With elegant, lavish interiors and a warm and friendly vibe, Asha’s has become a ﬁrm favourite of regional and international diners.

Serving authentic Indian food, awardwinning Asha’s has thirteen opulent restaurants located in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Birmingham and Manchester. Boasting a plethora of awards, its most recent being the ‘Best of Manchester’ at the Nation’s Curry Awards 2023, with many more dating back over the years.

We arrived on a Saturday evening at 8.30pm, and after ordering prosecco and poppadoms we spent a while scrutinising the menu. As Indian food is our favourite, we wanted to avoid ordering our usual dishes.

By Beverley Uddin-Khandakar

Leaving my specs at home wasn’t good, as I had to rely on Mr U-K to read the menu. I’m sure he only read out the dishes he wanted to eat, but whatever, he made great choices. To start with, we shared 'barrah kebab’ or spicy lamb chops, chilli garlic prawns, and salmon tikka. All three were perfectly spiced to our liking, delicious and moist. For mains we went for the king prawn curry, and our usual ‘dal tadka’ –not forgetting sides of naan bread and spicy hand-cut double-fried chips.

Our lovely waitress didn’t have to ask twice if we wanted to see the dessert menu. So, after a short break we ordered a sticky toffee pudding to share. It was divine, as were our mains, and we were now pleasantly bursting at the seams.

Fortunately, we didn’t have far to go home, because we were staying at Forty-Seven, Manchester’s latest boutique hotel with 13 lavish suites – a range of duplexes and signature suites – and 32 bedrooms. We stayed in a Signature suite that offers high-end luxury, plenty of windows and exposed brickwork. These suites have a kitchenette with a coffee machine, with space for entertaining and dining, as well as to work, and a comfortable seating area for relaxing.

The bathroom features a free-standing bath and walk-in rain shower with luxury toiletries and the ﬂufﬁest of bathrobes. The bedroom has dual aspect windows, more exposed brickwork, a full wall velvet headboard and a 50” smart TV and blackout blinds.

“Forty-Seven is where elegant interior design schemes dance with the contrast of Manchester’s industrial past. Showcasing impeccable décor and individually themed suites that capture the imagination”

The Peterman at Forty-Seven is the bar; a haven of luxury where you can enjoy breakfast, lunch and afternoon bites, with a cocktail menu featuring the classics and signature cocktails, and where you can hide away with friends or loved ones, sipping cocktails late into the night. It was an unusually hot day in Manchester, so we didn’t arrive at Asha’s at FortySeven until 8.30pm. But had we realised what a wonderful place it is, we would most deﬁnitely have arrived earlier and enjoyed a cocktail (or two) in The Peterman before our wonderfully delicious meal.

Pop in and see for yourself –you don’t know what you’re missing! www.fortysevenmanchester.co.uk

GLOSSY EATS...

Zouk

Tea Bar & Grill

There is no exact translation for the word ‘zouk’, but in English, it loosely translates as ‘the best of style and the best of taste’, which is what Zouk offers every time a guest orders from its menu.

Zouk has recently launched its breakfast and brunch sharing platters that feature best-loved dishes from their extensive brunch menu. These platters are the perfect indulgence and come in sweet and savoury, as well as a mixed variety, and are on offer Monday to Saturday from 12 noon to 3pm and Sunday from 8am to 12 noon.

The savoury sharing platter features a perfect blend of spicy Indian dishes and the classic breakfast fare, including fried eggs, toasted mufﬁns, grilled tomatoes, crispy turkey rashers and more. There is a whole host of your favourite breakfast dishes, and lashings of hollandaise for dipping and pouring.

The mixed sharing platter includes pancakes and maple syrup, with crispy turkey rashers, eggs and wafﬂes, plus all your favourites like chicken sausages, hash browns, Anda Bhurji (scrambled eggs) and chocolate sauce!

The sweet brunch sharer serves wafﬂes, pancakes and French toast with an array of fruits, sauces and cream to drench them in.

You can order the sharing platter for four people for £45, or two people for £25. The sweet platters include a range of treats, but if you’re missing the classics in the savoury platters, then there’s a mixed platter where you can get the best of both worlds and have a mix of the two.

Meet Maria Kemp

Headteacher at St Bede's Catholic College

Empathetic Maria Kemp, the Madrid-born headteacher of St Bede’s Catholic College, believes implicitly in the uniqueness of every human being and regards each of our lives as a gift.

Head of this private school since November 2021, Mrs Kemp constantly strives to encourage self-assurance and individuality in her 203 full and part-time staff members, her 770 pupils, aged from three to 18, and naturally, in her own seven children. Founded in 1876, and co-educational for the last 40 years, St Bede’s College boasts a 60% Catholic intake, guaranteeing that its students experience the life-enriching reality of a diverse community, whilst simultaneously afﬁrming their own faith. For example, Mass is attended once each half term where spiritual Maria, a ﬁrm but never dogmatic believer, explains to pupils what it means to be Catholic.

On taking up her post, the positivethinking Mrs Kemp quickly focused her attention on her teachers as well as her pupils. Intuitively drawn towards boosting morale, she replaced various negative educational ploys, such as ‘tick-boxes’, with an all-encompassing and afﬁrmative reward system. Its impact by 2023 was clear as St Bede’s College attained its best-ever ISI rating. This spelled gratiﬁcation for

the dedicated, hard-working staff and success for the pupils themselves.

Kemp’s parallel roles as educator, headteacher, parent and grandparent afford her many insights. Relishing the challenges of this, her second headship, she adds: “Any journey you have walked along brings you wisdom. If you’ve had children, you understand completely the concerns of parents for their offspring and the subsequent need to provide them with the best. Their happiness is paramount and we are entrusted with a crucial part of each individual child’s upbringing. Youngsters are very clever and do not respond to mediocrity.

“Moreover, we are not here to police them but to be inspired by their good behaviour and to be aware of the inner satisfaction they gain by doing good for others. Our pupils are now proud to do well and will open the door for you with pleasure. We want them to believe in themselves in order ultimately to cope with anything, no matter what life will throw at them.”

She continues, “When children realise you have given them self-ownership in order to also be a gift to others, many of their unwanted behaviour patterns change completely. I want our students to understand their own actions and reactions, to choose how they behave and to instinctively develop the senses required to survive and thrive.”

To maintain a strong teacher-pupil relationship, to foster stability and to get to know each other well, pupils spend ﬁve years with one form tutor in classes of around 15. Additionally, they receive monthly one-to-one mentoring to ensure any problems are swiftly noted and attended to.

The remarkable 51-year-old Mrs Kemp’s goals extend beyond the classroom in supporting parents to teach their children a true appreciation of the good in the world around them.

Let St Bede’s Catholic College offer your child its excellent academic, sporting and performing arts education.

St Bede’s College Alexandra Park, Manchester M16 8HX / Tel: 0161 226 3323 / Preparatory Department: 0161 226 7156

By Fay Wertheimer

Claire Hunt, the energetic Head Teacher of St Bede’s Prep School talks about the advantages of a Bed ian Prep education from her unique, multifaceted, perspective, as a former pupil, teacher, mother to Bedian’s Emily and Anna and of course, since 2013 as Headteacher of St Bede’s Prep.

Claire quotes the words of one of her Prep parents to explain why so much of her own life has been spent at St Bede’s “When you choose St Bede’s you are not walking into a school, you are walking into a family that will ignite your child’s curiosity, imagination and sense of joy and discovery for life”.

At St Bede’s we never, ever take our parents and families for granted, we fully recognise the challenges and sacriﬁces that they make. For their part our students are inspired by

each other, with a ﬁrmly committed mindset, which grows in fortitude, to consistently ﬁnish what they start.

Being grateful is at the heart of life in St Bede’s and our pupils learn that they are created uniquely to make the most of their talents. There is never a “one size fits all” approach to learning in the Prep. Claire and her well established team foster a lively culture of curiosity and inquiry where Bedians are encouraged to explore, question and discover. There is no better example of this than the newly re-invigorated outdoor learning programme, culminating in the launch of the “Bedian Rangers” programme. In preparation for this Claire and some of her team spent three days at Lomond School in Argyll, Scotland to bring the absolute best of outdoor learning from the magniﬁcent Scottish countryside to St Bede’s city environment.

In addition to the small class sizes and individual approach to learning throughout St Bede’s Prep School the Pre-College Yrs 5 and 6 beneﬁt directly from the wealth of facilities and opportunities that the College possesses. Speciﬁcally Design Technology, Performing Arts and Science are all taught by Specialist teachers in the recently modernised state of the art College facilities. Years 4-6 are also invited to join the college for Hockey and Netball. Pupils, therefore, transition into College, at age 11, with well developed leader-

ship skills in a seamless way being amongst older, established friends. To provide more opportunities for individual ability based learning in small classes we double our entry from Prep 4 (Age 8-9).

Prep 4 and Prep 5 are really wonderful years to join our Bedian family. We are just about to have our dress rehearsal for our Prep production of The Sound of Music, following on from the success of The Greatest Showman and Matilda in previous years. Drama is a particular strength at St Bede’s. So whether it is embracing new technology and methods of teaching or adding to the extensive opportunities in daily Co-curricular clubs, Mrs Hunt symbolises that St Bede’s remains true to its timeless values and strengths.

Prestigious Artsmark Award for Bolton School Girls’ Division

Pupils and staff in the Junior and Senior Girls’ Schools at Bolton School are celebrating after receiving a prestigious Platinum Artsmark Award. It is the highest accolade afforded by Arts Council England, and the deﬁnitive creative quality standard for schools.

Assessors commended the school for taking a highly strategic approach to the Arts. Beyond the core offerings of design technology (including textiles), art, music and theatre, the school hosts a regular Cul ture Festival and has a governor who oversees arts provision, along with senior leaders and a director of creative learning. The school was praised for its active role in the Local Cultural Educational Partnership and for helping shape the local arts strategy. Special mention was made of the

A stellar spring season of sport for Withington

While academic excellence and outstanding pastoral care are recognised as cornerstones of Withington Girls’ School, another thriving aspect of school life is the growing legacy of sporting success, underpinned by a vibrant sports culture. Several signiﬁcant milestones were achieved during the spring term to add to previous national and regional successes.

Withington’s netball teams played in four national championship finals in March, resulting in the addition of four pieces of silverware to a growing collection. The U15s won the Independent Schools’ Netball Cup for the second consecutive year; the U14s finished third in the Sisters n Sport National Cup; the U12s were runners-up in the finals of School Sports Magazine’s National Knock Out; and at the prestigious England Netball National Schools Final, the U16s played su perbly to reach the final after winning all eight group matches. The gripping final game concluded with WGS earning silver medals, repeating the achievement of last year’s U14s at this top-level competition.

At the England Lacrosse National Schools Championships, also in March, the senior team were the U19 Division One runners-

efforts the school makes in consulting with young people in the delivery of strategy, including partnering with NW Youth-Zones and Creatives Now. Much of its work in boosting children’s cultural appreciation has been in geographical areas of those receiving free school meals, using BeeWell data to shape activities to meet children’s needs.

On receipt of the award, Lynne Kyle, head of the Girls’ Division said: “We’re very proud of achieving a Platinum Artsmark Award. This is a thriving area of school life, with pupils beneﬁting greatly from the huge range of activities we offer. All pupils participate in public concerts, including events at the Bridgewater Hall. In addition to traditional musical theatre, the opportunities available to pupils have included the ESU Performing

Shakespeare Competition, our Festival of Culture and outdoor theatre productions –which have involved 1600 school and com munity participants over the last two years.

"There's also a musical for the younger years alongside the mainstays of senior theatre and musical theatre, to give a few examples. Many pupils take private music lessons, with dance and acting certiﬁcates added to this. Outside school, our youth-led social arts initiative has, in the last couple of years, involved over 350 participants, 15 projects and 18 cross-sector partnerships. We’re very much committed to delivering a high-quality arts and cultural education and we look forward to continuing to grow with Artsmark.”

up, marking Withington’s first ever final in this age group. The U14s then fought hard later in the competition to finish in the top eight nationally. In hockey, another national final place was secured by the U16s after they became the North West champions in the Tier 3 Championship.

Following the appointment of former Lioness and Everton defender Lindsay Johnson as Withington’s director of sport, football is flourishing too. The U15 football team are through to the semi-final of the Greater Manchester Cup in which the U12s also reached the semi-final, and the U13s and U14s both played in the quarter-final. In the Manchester seven-aside Inspire League,

the Key Stage 3 team have ﬁnished the season unbeaten and top of the league. Sport at Withington is broad and appeals to a range of interests. The PE Department ensures there is a balance between striving for excellence in elite competitions and participation by pupils across the school in the widest possible range of sporting activities, supporting the department’s belief that PE should stand for ‘positive ex perience’ for everyone.

Pupils at Withington benefit from a supportive environment that nurtures their intellectual curiosity and encourages them to explore their interests, enabling them to reach their full potential and shine.

Alumni event unites pupils from The Manchester Grammar School, Manchester High School for Girls

and Withington Girls’ School

Alumni from The Manchester Grammar School, spanning every decade since the 1950s, gathered for a memorable drinks reception with the High Master, Dr Boulton, in Piccadilly, London. For the ﬁrst time in the school’s history, a formal event took place with alumnae from Withington Girls’ School (WGS) and Manchester High School for Girls (MHSG) also present. Headmistresses Sarah Haslam from WGS and Helen Jeys from MHSG joined the 150-strong reception sponsored by MGS alumnus Sandip Jobanputra.

Simon Jones, MGS director of development, who attended The Manchester Grammar School between 1988 and 1995, said: “Our friendships with the girls at WGS and MHSG were a huge part of the school ex perience and remain so to this day. From shared journeys on the school bus to joint charity events, meetings of the Philosophical Society, Thursday Singers and drama pro ductions, the pupils of the three schools have always formed friend-

ships, and the occasional marriage! I hope this is the ﬁrst of many joint alumni events – we’re already planning the next one.”

Sarah Haslam, headmistress at Withington Girls’ School, commented: “Withington was delighted to partner with The Manchester Grammar School and Manchester High School for Girls in holding this very special reunion. It was wonderful to welcome many different generations of Withington pupils and to see alumni from all three schools reconnecting, sharing memories, forging new friendships and creating such a warm and vibrant atmosphere. We are grateful for the support of Manchester Grammar alumnus Sandip Jobanputra for his support of this event, and we hope that this marks the ﬁrst of many joint reunions for our alumni communities.”

Helen Jeys, headmistress at Manchester High School for Girls, said: “On 7 March 2024, we joined with WGS and MGS alumni in London for our very first joint reunion. It was a really special event – seeing

Former King's School Captain

returns to inspire pupils about a global future

Brilliant former pupil of The King’s School in Macclesﬁeld, Emily Middleton, told the present generation “to ﬁnd and build your own teams, to stand up for others and to enjoy the journey”, as she gave the guest speech at King's Founders' Day Service.

A straight-A student at King's, with a ﬁrstclass degree from Oxford and a master’s from Harvard, Emily now travels the world as a partner in the ground-breaking Londonbased company 'Public Digital'. At the heart of empowering regional and national gov ernments worldwide to set up digital data units to improve service delivery and policy making, Emily is at the forefront of positive change.

"I've pitched to the CEO and the board of the largest bank in Indonesia when I was the only woman in the room, and I've pre sented to hundreds of ﬁnance ministers and senior government ofﬁcials in Vienna.

It was my experiences at King’s, especially those outside the classroom, that made me able to put myself in those intimidating situations." Emily always had a go at every thing at school: "I was in many teams, plays, talent shows, competitions and bands. Sometimes I was the captain or the lead but just as often I was a team player."

At King's, Emily represented the school in the European Youth Parliament's debating ﬁnals and won a national poetry competition, reciting her work on Radio 4. However, it was organising and completing her World Challenge expedition to Bolivia at the age of just 17, volunteering for the National Children's Bureau, Amnesty Inter national and UNICEF, plus completing her Duke of Edinburgh Awards that saw her ﬁnd her true direction.

Now she is a global digital government ex pert. "Public Digital works with United

Man chester High School for Girls’ alumnae meeting friends from their own school as well as those from MGS and WGS was really wonderful. What really stood out for me was witnessing how the community extends beyond its boundaries, with alumnae who were currently at university in London, as well as those who had left decades ago, meeting and discussing their shared experiences.

“We always say that the friendships made across the schools are so important. Whether they are made on the bus to and from school, in the joint choirs and drama productions, book clubs or proms, those shared experiences form a foundation of friendship that lasts a lifetime. Our first re union was, therefore, a joyous event and one that I hope becomes a regular ﬁxture in our joint calendars. Many thanks to the generous MGS alumnus for sponsoring the event; it was a privilege to attend, and so special for MHSG that this took place during our 150th birthday celebrations!”

Nations agencies, the World Bank and gov ernments around the world to improve public services through digital technologies."

Alongside that commercial role, Emily has continued her charitable work, which she promises will be 'a lifelong commitment'. "I'm currently on the board of Plan International UK, a charity that focuses on chil dren's rights and equality for girls. I was especially proud when Plan International, working with a grassroots charity Our Streets Now, succeeded last September in making public sexual harassment illegal in the UK.”

Rent this beautiful villa in Marbella!

Located in the hills of Elviria in east Marbella is a beautiful, traditional, Mediterranean style villa

Hathaway Home Services

Email: info@bhhsmarbella.com / www.bhhsmarbella.com

Revel in panoramic sea views from every corner of this three-level property that comprises on the ground level of an entrance hall, a living/dining room leading to a beautiful terrace with breathtaking sea views, a fully equipped kitchen with outdoor access, and two ensuite double bedrooms.

The upper level is dedicated to a spacious master suite with a 30m² terrace also offering breathtaking sea views and an ofﬁce area. The lower level comprises two further double bedrooms with access to the patio and a further staff suite. In addition, the property offers a gym, cinema room and games room.

Nestled in a tranquil area of Elviria, just a 5-minute drive from Marbella's ﬁnest beaches and 25 minutes from Malaga airport.

This residence seamlessly blends luxury, functionality, and an idyllic coastal lifestyle.

Berkshire

Marbella - Urb. Torres de Aloha - Avda. del Prado, Edf. Lequeitio, 29660 Nueva Andalucía - Marbella, Málaga

LENS WITH BENEFITS

EVERYTHING has a lens on it nowadays – from your doorbell to your smartwatch –and that’s the theme of this issue’s Tech page. Now that we’re used to the fact that our devices can see everything, rather than considering it weird, we seem as a society to be embracing the lens in more and more ways, from labour-saving to old-fashioned fun. Here’s our pick of the latest imaging gadgets:

Furbo 360° Dog Camera

If you’ve got an anxious dog at home, imagine being able to chat to them, keep an eye on them and even dispense treats via your device from wherever you are in the world?

Granted, the rotating camera and two-way audio aren’t exactly brand-new technology, but it’s the inbuilt snack ﬂinger that really made me want one of these. £179, furbo.com

Fujiﬁlm Instax Mini Link 2 Mobile Photo Printer

A nod to the old school here – in fact isn’t this what lenses were originally intended for? A good old-fashioned photo that you can keep in your wallet or pin on your wall. It’s lovely to see how ﬁlm and print photography is experiencing a resurgence, and as long as there are weddings there will always be instant cameras! This clever little toy from Fujiﬁlm means you can turn any wirelessly connected device into an instant printer, plus you can use the app to enhance and draw on your photos, and you can even grab split-second stills from video and print them in the palm of your hand. £114.99, John Lewis

GoPro HERO12 Black

I’ve been a GoPro fan since the earliest generations of the now-ubiquitous HERO action cameras. Anyone that’s into adventure sports, from mountain biking to paddleboarding, will have experienced the way such a compact package could capture cinematic video and stills, even underwater. The biggest revolution in the technology over the years has been image stabilisation: when I upgraded my 7th generation model to the HERO10, I couldn’t believe how you could hammer a bike down a teeth-chattering trail and still get ultra-smooth ﬁlm as clean as any drone. So I can only imagine how good it is on the 12th iteration! Available now from £399.99, gopro.com

Canon PowerShot ZOOM

See those telephoto lenses that the press photographers use at football grounds? Massive aren’t they? At a fraction of the size (and price), this compact monocular camera for the hobbyist is the next best thing. Whether you’re into wildlife photography, sports or spotting boats out at sea, this is the way to snap things from afar – even with high-deﬁnition video. With optical zoom options of up to 400mm and a digitally extended 800mm, it’s a powerful little gadget. £259.99, canon.co.uk

By Oliver Chesher

OutdOors

GREATEST CLIMBS

EVERYONE loves cycling nowadays. Well, at least if I had my way they would. Bikes are best. Admittedly nowadays my daily ride is a patient school run with my three infants on their Islabikes, followed by a gamble with death on the A6 into town. But every now and again I still get to head for the mountains, dreaming of ﬂying up the Alps like Marco Pantani in my youth.

If you’re thinking of heading to France for a crack at the Étape du Tour, trust me: you’ll need to train. Is that possible here in the North West of England? Absolutely! Here’s my pick of local climbs that will make even a pro rider beg for mercy.

Swiss Hill, Alderley Edge

At less than a kilometre long and with a maximum gradient of 11%, you might scoff at this one and believe it to be easy. But the road surface is cobbled and in the wet no amount of power and skill are guaranteed to get you up it cleanly. A few reps up and down this one, from the village to the Wizard, will turn your legs to jelly.

Leather’s Smithy to Macclesﬁeld Forest

We call this one the Tarmac-Licker. Find the Leather’s Smithy pub in Sutton then head north east towards Macclesﬁeld Forest. You’ll see why. The road ramps up so steeply in front of you it gives the optical illusion that you could lean over the handlebars and lick the tarmac as it rears up. That’s how steep it gets. This whole area is loaded with killer climbs too – from short and steep Pym Chair to the iconic Cat and Fiddle, one of the longest road climbs in England. A few day-rides around Macclesﬁeld can easily prepare you for the Alps.

Winnats Pass, Peak District

This is a classic day ride, on which the fearsome Snake Pass (connecting Glossop to Shefﬁeld) is only the warmup. Winnats is a mist-swirled limestone gorge that towers above the village of Castleton and is a honeypot for uphill cyclists. The climb from the cattle grid at the bottom to the one at the top is hotly contested by amateur and pro riders battling against the clock and each other. Most of us are just ﬁghting against the brutal steepness – over 20% at some points – and if there’s a headwind then grit your teeth.

Hardknott and Wrynose Passes, Cumbria

Tackle these two together in one ride and you’re looking at arguably the most extreme mountain climbing in UK cycling. At little more than 5 kilometres of uphill bits, you might be forgiven for assuming this would be easy, but it’s the unrelenting steepness that catches you out. With consistent sections at an insane gradient of 30%, with off-camber and sketchy road surfaces in the mix, plus the likelihood of some of that famous Cumbrian weather, this is the crucible where legs of iron are forged.

By Oliver Chesher

WHAT’S ON

Summer comes knocking, and with it, lots of fun family events and shows arrive in our theatres and open-air spaces. Manchester Day returns to the city on 27 July for another fun-ﬁlled, free day. There are family shows galore in the theatres including Bluey, Zog and Charlie Cook. There is also plenty of drama and music with A Chorus Line at The Lowry and 101 Dalmatians at The Palace.

DRAMA

Dracula: The Bloody Truth

Bolton Octagon / 11 – 29 June

In this madcap and hilarious comedy retelling of the iconic gothic classic, professional vampire hunter Van Helsing has gathered a troupe of highly trained, versatile actors to tell the story of the vampire who sailed from Transylvania to Whitby, leaving a trail of destruction in his wake. Age 12+

The Importance of Being Earnest

Royal Exchange / 14 June – 20 July

Oscar Wilde’s legendary, quintessential comedy, directed by Josh Roche, receives a dazzling makeover. This timeless tale of identity, opulence and sharp-tongued wit follows the lives of the rich and ridiculous, all looking for something to do and somewhere to belong.

Coram Boy

The Lowry / 21 – 29 June

Angels and abandoned children, glorious music and murder most foul whirl through this enthralling, moving and richly colourful tale of 18th century England. This epic production takes us from heartbreak to hope and carries a message of optimism and salvation, wonderfully portrayed through the beautiful music of Handel.

Life of Pi

The Lowry / 2 – 6 July

This truly spectacular production is coming back to The Lowry for one week only following its smash hit run last Christmas.

It is award-winning, jaw-dropping and world class – what more can you ask from a show this summer? Life of Pi tells the hugely popular story of a journey of endurance and hope, with stunning puppetry and staging.

Beautiful Evil Things

Bolton Octagon / 4 – 6 July

A high-energy, one-woman show from Ad Inﬁnitum combining physical storytelling with cut-throat wit.

Exhibitions and Special Events

Music of Coldplay on Strings

Manchester Cathedral / 14 June

Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live experience to awe-inspiring locations under the glow of candlelight – this evening celebrates the music of Coldplay. For more information and other events go to manchestercathedral.org

House of Mcr

HOME / 20 – 22 June

For three glamorous, glorious nights, performers will slay the runway in six categories with host Rikki BB making certain you have the night of your life in a joyous celebration of Manchester’s legacy of love. An evening ﬁlled with fashion, killer dance moves and plenty of glitter!

ZenAM

The Tipi, Lymm / 22 June Relax and recharge with a wellness

morning to support Brainwave, a charity that helps children with additional needs fulﬁl their potential. You'll enjoy yoga and a sound bath, followed by a talk on nutrition, plus tips from a life coach to put you in a perfect state of Zen – and all whilst raising vital funds. spicepr.co.uk/events

Art At The Crescent

Buxton Crescent Hotel / 5 – 7 July

This diverse exhibition, which is a showcase by Peak District Artisans, features paintings, prints, ceramics, jewellery, photography and textiles from some of the best professional artists and makers in the Peak District.

Queens – The Exhibition

The Lowry Galleries / From 20 July

This exhibition, inspired by SIX The Musical, celebrates queens of every description and features new commissions from artists and photographers including local Instagram legend The Mancorialist. Queens will include a display of the SIX iconic costumes from the show and will ask “what kind of queen are you?” During the exhibition visitors can enjoy some food and drink in The Queen’s Head and take part in activities such as the SIX Dance Party, as well as numerous interactive events in the Galleries.

Manchester Day City Centre / 27 July

Manchester Day is back with a fun-ﬁlled action-packed day of free activities, events and performances across the city. Check out visitmanchester.com for more information.

Circus

Brave Space

The Lowry / 18 – 20 July

Brave Space is described as an impulsive congregation in the tiniest of tents.

Intimate and low-tech, the audience is invited to sit nose-to-nose with an all-female cast to build a space they can share. Together, performers and audience physically construct the show and keep the artists aloft.

Family / Children

Milkshake! Live On Holiday!

Stockport Plaza / 6 July

Join your favourite Milkshake friends on holiday with Chase and Marshall from Paw Patrol, DORA, Pip and Posy and many more.

Zog

and the Flying Doctors HOME / 13 – 14 July

Based on Julia Donaldson and Axel Schefﬂer’s bestselling sequel, Zog and friends return for another adventure in this truly modern take on a classic fairytale.

Charlie Cook’s Favourite Book

The Lowry 23 July – 4 August

Come and delve into a wide range of books with Charlie, brought to life with puppetry and enchanting songs. This lovely show for children aged two-plus

is based on the original book written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Schefﬂer.

Bluey’s Big Play

The Lowry / 31 July – 11 August

Bluey’s Big Play is a brand-new theatre adaptation of the Emmy award-winning children's TV series with an original story and new music, featuring brilliantly created puppets.

Shark in the Park HOME / 2 – 4 August

Featuring all three Shark in the Park series, this ﬁn-tastic family musical follows Timothy Pope and his telescope on three exciting adventures.

MUSICALS

Merrily We Roll Along

Altrincham Garrick / 17 – 22 June

This powerful and compelling musical comedy, about friendship and the high price of success, is a spirited and cautionary tale for anyone who has ever pursued a dream.

Aladdin

Palace Theatre / Until 7 July

Disney’s enchanting musical Aladdin is an energetic, exciting theatrical phenomenon ﬁlled with unforgettable magic, comedy, breathtaking sets and amazing costumes. A show where one lamp and three wishes make the possibilities inﬁnite!

& Juliet

Opera House Manchester / 8 – 20 July

Join Juliet on a sensational journey of self-discovery and second chances told through some of the most glittering pop anthems of the last three decades from legendary songwriter Max Martin, including Can’t Feel My Face and Baby One More Time. This irreverent musical proves that when it come to love, there is always life after Romeo.

Hairspray

Palace Theatre / 16 – 27 July

Featuring some of musical theatre’s biggest songs including You Can’t Stop The Beat and Good Morning Baltimore, Hairspray is a joyous, hilarious and inspiring musical that everyone can enjoy. Expect fabulous dance routines and a chance to join in the beat!

A Chorus Line

The Lowry / 23 – 27 July

A Chorus Line is a musical masterpiece that revolutionised Broadway, with creator Michael Bennett using real life testimonies from late night recordings with dancers. Celebrate the lives of theatre’s unsung heroes and their stories of ambition, shattered hopes and what it really costs to follow your dreams.

101 Dalmatians

Palace Theatre / 30 July – 10 August

This smash hit musical stars Kym Marsh as Cruella De Vil - the greatest villain of them all. Dodie Smith’s classic canine caper is brought to life on stage with spectacular puppetry, with songs and of course – puppies!

By Catherine Reed

OUTBACK WITH A VENGEANCE

NOW that the SUV – and off-roader-adjacent styles – seem to be the most popular type of car for today’s motorists, it’s worth remembering that the vast majority of these vehicles aren’t actually intended, designed or expected ever to go off road.

It’s easy to spend over a hundred grand on a thoroughbred 4x4 with all the cutting-edge traction settings, hill descent and drivetrain technologies of a real expedition vehicle, and then spend plenty more on huge rims, low-proﬁle semi-slick tyres and ground-scraping body kits to make it incapable of crossing a muddy puddle. Lots of people do this.

So, what are the real outdoors adventurers driving? One carmaker that’s never far from the top of the list is Subaru.

The award-winning Subaru Outback range has now been en hanced with the addition of a new Outback Touring X. This new, range-topping special edition is limited to just 100 units in the UK and is available from 1 May 2024, priced at £43,635 on the road.

The Subaru Outback, which features the brand’s renowned permanent Symmetrical All-Wheel-Drive and X-MODE terrain system, combines strong, robust exterior styling with the latest driver assistance technology to make it the most capable, luxu rious and safest Subaru Outback yet.

Built with outdoor adventures in mind, the Outback Touring X includes dark metallic 18-inch alloy wheels and black roof rails with an increased load capacity. With a high level of standard speciﬁcation, the Touring X Limited Edition also includes a luxurious Nappa Leather interior, heated front and rear seats, smooth leatherwrapped steering wheel, sunroof and digital reversing camera. An 11.6-inch Subaru Infotainment and navigation system is portraitmounted and comes with an 11-speaker Harman/Kardon sound system.

Proving ever-popular with customers since its introduction in 1995 as an off-road-focused variant in the Subaru Legacy line-up, the Subaru Outback was recently named Overlander 4x4 Best Crossover in 2024, taking the award for the second year in a row.

Fact ﬁle

Subaru Outback Touring X / Powertrain: 2.5-litre four-cylinder

Power: 173bhp / Torque: 235Nm / Launched 1 May 2024

Price: £43,635 on the road

By Oliver Chesher