J'AIME NOVEMBER 2018

N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 8 

J’AIME 

Y O U R L O C A L L U X U R Y L I F E S T Y L E M A G A Z I N E 

WIN 

TICKETS TO BBC 

GOOD FOOD SHOW 

WINTER 

Work it out: 

Fitness tips from a 

Lichfield personal trainer 

SOAP STAR TO RACE ACE: 

EMMERDALE’S KELVIN FLETCHER 

ON LIFE ON AND OFF THE TRACK 

Your winter wardrobe 

wrapped up

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Welcome to J’AIME 

We’ve got a rather sporty feel to this month’s 

issue, headlined by an exclusive interview by 

our resident motors expert Martin Plowman 

with his team mate, former Emmerdale 

actor Kelvin Fletcher - AKA Andy Sugden. 

Kelvin gives us the lowdown on life on and 

off the track, and takes a look at his journey 

from TV favourite to race ace. 

Elsewhere, Lichfield personal trainer Raul 

Romero has some top tips for getting fit - 

and staying that way, while Jack Regan has 

a rather adrenaline-fuelled encounter with a 

15 ton tank! 

As the nights draw in, we want to make our 

homes as cosy as we possibly can, so our 

interiors trends might give you a nudge in 

the right direction. We’ve also got a seriously 

toasty competition courtesy of Abbey Fire 

Centre, where our lucky winner will receive 

a stove accessories pack worth £150 - perfect 

for helping you to keep warm during the 

winter months. 

It’s a great time of year to indulge your most 

fashionable side, and we showcase the best 

of two of the season’s big ticket purchases 

- gorgeously cosy coats and beautiful boots. 

The only dilemma with be choosing which 

one to give your precious wardrobe space to! 

As always, we’ve got a few foodie treats to 

tickle your tastebuds, plus there’s the chance 

to win one of five pairs to tickets to the BBC 

Good Food Show Live Winter at the NEC 

later this month. Good luck! 

EDITOR: AMY NORBURY 

EDITOR@JAIMEMAGAZINE.COM 

ADVERTISING: JAN ASHLEY 

ADVERTISING@JAIMEMAGAZINE.COM 

07388 335 931 

DESIGN: DESIGN@JAIMEMAGAZINE.COM 

CONTRIBUTORS: MARTIN PLOWMAN, OLIVER 

BROAD, LISA PIDDINGTON, PATRICK GAUNT, 

RAUL ROMERO, JACK REGAN, TOM LINDSEY 

AND RORY MCKERRELL 

J’AIME IS PUBLISHED BY ASHBURY 

PUBLICATIONS LIMITED AND PRINTED 

BY KEP LIMITED, TAMWORTH. 

Check us out online at: 

WWW.JAIMEMAGAZINE.COM 

Find us on 

/JAIMEMAGAZINE 

@JAIMEMAGAZINE 

@JAIMEMAGAZINE 

3

CONTENTS 

InsideJ’aime this month... 

6 Kelvin Fletcher - J’AIME’s motors expert 

Martin Plowman chats to the Emmerdale 

actor-turned-racing driver about his sporting 

ambitions 

12 Property - Property of the month 

14 Interiors - Think pink 

18 Interiors - Bedroom havens 

22 Interiors - Get folksy 

28 Competition - Win a £150 stove accessories 

bundle from Abbey Fire Centre 

30 Interiors - Walls of style 

32 Ambition Personal Training - Top tips to get fit 

from Lichfield PT Raul Romero 

36 Food & drink - Reviewing The Four Seasons 

Restaurant at Swinfen Hall 

38 Food & drink - Cocktail of the month from 

Lichfield’s The Spirit Works 

40 Food & drink - Exclusive picks from Ital Sardo 

42 Competition - Win tickets to the BBC Good 

Food Show Winter 

44 Travel - The Joanna Lumley effect 

48 What’s On - Our pick of events around our 

area this month 

52 What’s On - The hottest tickets around 

Birmingham 

56 Man on the edge - J’AIME’s columnist Jack 

Regan does battle with a tank 

60 Fashion - Wrap up in the hottest coats for 

winter 

62 Fashion - Boss those boots 

66 Beauty - Winter shades from Harvey Nichols 

Birmingham 

68 Health - A robot revolution 

69 In the news - Streetly salon scoops awards; a 

TV appearance for Blackbrook Interiors; and 

Brazil comes to Birmingham 

4

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Open: Tuesday - Saturday 10am - 5pm, 

Sunday 10.30am - 4.30pm, Monday closed. 

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Work also available from: 

Craig Davison, Caroline Shotton, Paul James, 

John Wilson, Nic Jolly, Paul Oz, Peter Smith, Stuart 

McAlpine-Miller, Simon Claridge, Alex Echo, 

Jeff Rowland, Ronnie Wood & Bob Dylan 

Refreshingly Different 

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FEATURE 

Soap star to track titan 

J’AIME’S RESIDENT RACING DRIVER AND MOTORING EXPERT MARTIN PLOWMAN CHATS TO HIS 

ACTOR-TURNED-RACE ACE TEAM-MATE KELVIN FLETCHER ABOUT LIFE ON AND OFF THE TRACK 

BIRMINGHAM’S KELVIN HAS MADE CANALS THE MOVE 

PROVIDE FROM SMALL A SETTING SCREEN FOR STAR 

HELEN’S TO RACE NOVELS ACE 

Kelvin Fletcher, or Andy Sugden from Emmerdale 

as many of you may know him, has graced our 

TV screens for the last 20 years, but there’s a lot 

more to this talented lad then just being ‘that bloke 

on the telly’. This year he was my team-mate and 

racing co-driver in the British GT Championship 

that sees professional and amateur drivers pair up in 

endurance races and do battle to claim the British 

Championship. The dust has finally settled on the 

2018 season, where we came painfully short of 

claiming the championship in only Kelvin’s fourth 

year of racing. We sat down to talk about his passion 

for racing and where he sees this journey going. 

MP: When did you first develop the racing 

bug and how did you get involved in 

motorsport? 

KF: I wouldn’t say that I ever had the racing bug 

growing up, I was definitely into cars and was always 

around people who worked on cars. My dad was 

a diesel fitter, so I always took an interest in what 

he was doing as a kid, and would often go to bed 

holding onto spanners. My parents bought me an 

old Mini when I was 13 and I always loved watching 

motorsport as a spectator, but I didn’t actually get 

the bug to race myself until much later when I was 

28, my dad and I went to the Autosport Show in 

Birmingham where I saw an advert for a classic Mini 

racing car and we both decided to buy it for a bit 

of fun. We started out going to local club races as a 

family and quickly realised that we were in the deep 

end as these guys were constantly tweaking their cars 

to make them faster, whereas we thought all you had 

to do was make sure the wheels were fixed on and 

away you go! 

MP: So did you win your first race? 

KF: Somehow I actually managed to put it on pole 

position for my first race! Back then, it wasn’t as 

professional or scientific as it is today with computer 

6

telemetry. I would just go out and drive as hard as I 

could, then after the chequered flag my dad would 

hand me a piece of paper with the times on. The 

race was pure chaos and a lot of fun, but I ended 

up finishing second. I definitely realised there was so 

much that I needed to learn about racing after that 

first weekend, but I was very encouraged that I could 

hold my own against guys who had been racing for 

years. That was the first time that I thought that this 

racing thing might actually go somewhere. 

MP: Are there any qualities or skills you have 

developed as an actor that have helped you to 

flourish as an amateur racing driver? 

KF: I guess the ability to focus, the adrenaline you 

feel as an actor is very similar at the start of a race, 

especially just before the lights go green, that is very 

similar to when I go on stage or before I go and do 

a take or something like that. Your adrenaline’s up 

there, your heart rate’s up there and it’s just getting 

that clarity and ability to focus, you’re feeling nervous 

but you tell yourself that’s fine, you work with it, 

rather than that being a bit of a mental block, that 

you get so worked up and anxious that you forget 

what you’re doing. I’ve learnt to embrace that 

nervous energy and use it for good, so after you get 

through turn one… boom! It all quiets down and you 

get on with it, away you go. 

and different distractions 

on race weekend, how do 

you channel that focus 

between Kelvin Fletcher 

the famous actor and 

flip the switch to become 

Kelvin Fletcher the racing 

driver? 

KF: It’s always been a 

challenge, because generally I 

am one of the busiest drivers 

on race weekends, but as 

(the racing) it’s got more 

competitive every year, like 

last weekend when we were 

going for the championship, 

you obviously want to be 

calm and relaxed to focus 

on the race, but in a way 

the outside distractions help 

because when you are taken 

away you’re able to stay relaxed. Sometimes when 

you’ve not got that distraction and all you can think 

about is racing, that’s when I find myself get too 

nervous, too worked up… you know what you need 

to do instinctively when you get in that car, you just 

work off your instincts anyway and from what you’ve 

(Martin) taught me. 

KELVIN ON THE BRITISH GT 

CHAMPIONSHIP PODIUM 

MP: You were consistently one of the fastest 

amateur drivers this season in British GT 

and a stand-out performer against newer, 

faster cars. How do you feel you can improve 

on this season? 

KF: The main way I need to improve is to just be 

quicker. I need to keep comparing myself and learn 

from the pro drivers out there. If I am already one 

of the fastest amateurs like you say I am, then unless 

I aim higher I’m not really going to reach higher. 

My goal for next year has got to be to close that gap 

between the amateurs and the professionals. If I can 

get myself in the mix and be mid-pack amongst the 

professionals that would be my target for next year. 

I think I might as well wipe off (sic), not bother trying 

to chase you, because at one point this year I think 

I got within six tenths of a second a lap from you, 

and then you just go back out and go another half a 

second quicker and I think…f***g hell Martin! 

MP: How do you cope with the pressure, 

because obviously you’re a popular lad and 

you get pulled in a million directions by fans 

MP: That’s one thing that I’ve noticed is 

that you’ve definitely been pushing me 

and keeping me on my toes, because you 

7

are getting to the point where you are 

dangerously close to usurping me and 

putting me out of a job, so I have to pull my 

socks up so to speak! When you’ve put in a 

fast time, I think “bloody hell Kelvin”, now I 

have to go back out there and put everything 

on the line and take big risks to restore world 

order! 

KF: Naturally I want to be as fast as possible and put 

in a fast lap time, but to win a championship there 

are so many dynamics away from just one quick 

lap. Can I stay out of trouble? Can I stay consistent 

with my times? There are so many more factors with 

endurance racing that I’ve had to understand and 

realise that there’s more value in those than in just 

setting a fast time. 

For me, when you get in the car and set a lap time 

and if I’m there or thereabouts I’m happy with that, 

regardless of what the other cars are doing, because 

if Martin Plowman does that time in that car then 

that’s what that car can do. I know it’s the limit of 

the car. That’s a relief for me really because I only 

have to focus on being close to you. 

MP: I’m going to make that the bold quote! 

KF: Exactly! Make that the headline. 

MP: What’s the one track that you want to 

win at and why? 

KF: I think looking forward to British GT again next 

year, the Silverstone 500 is the one that I want to 

win. There are no particular tracks I want to win at 

and I would gladly take a win anywhere, it’s just that 

for the last two years I’ve had my best performances 

MARTIN PLOWMAN WITH 

FORMER EMMERDALE ACTOR 

AND TEAM MATE KELVIN 

FLETCHER 

at Silverstone, but the win has always eluded me 

through no fault of my own with punctures or 

other gremlins holding us back, so I have unfinished 

business there. 

MP: Motorsport history is dotted with 

success by high-profile celebrities such as 

the iconic Steve McQueen and more recently 

Patrick Dempsey. What lasting impression 

do you hope to leave on motorsport? 

KF: I guess, I want acknowledgment and respect 

from my racing peers. To earn that respect, from 

people like yourself who turn around and say “yeah 

he was good”. I don’t know if that’s the wrong thing 

to chase because I don’t even know if I’m ever going 

to get that or for it to be as credible as I would want. 

As an actor I feel confident, although subjective, 

an opinion or a reputation can be based on my my 

talent of what I’ve done, whereas with racing no 

matter how well I do, no matter how quick I could be 

I feel it’s hard for people to see past me as an actor 

and take me seriously as a driver… 

MP: Do you feel that you have a chip on your 

shoulder in a way? To prove people wrong? 

KF: Yeah I guess so, but the only people I have to 

prove myself to are my team, the people I’m racing 

with at the time. Whatever reputation that creates is 

out of my hands. In five, 10 or 20 years time I don’t 

know how people will speak of me in the motorsport 

realms, but I certainly want it to be more than “he 

did a bit of racing, he had a go!” for me it means a 

lot more than that now. Yes, I did start out racing 

for a bit of fun, but I’m at a level now where it’s way 

beyond that and I do 

kind of want some 

recognition for the 

ability and skill that 

I’ve shown. 

MP: All those 

guys have gone on 

to perform on the 

world stage either 

in the driving 

seat or as teamowners 

such as 

Dempsey, who is 

now a successful 

Le Mans-winning 

team owner in his 

own right. Guys 

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like Paul Newman and 

Steve McQueen were badasses 

both on screen and 

on the track, do you feel 

like you need results to 

prove that? 

KF: Yeah, ultimately it’s the 

results, the big races that 

matter. I’ve never been involved 

in any of the big races on the 

scale of those guys of course. 

The Silverstone 500 is my 

biggest so far and gave me a 

glimpse of what it could be 

like. You’ve had a taste of 

the big races like Le Mans, 

so you probably know more 

than me, but it’s all about results. It’s not until I 

win the Silverstone 500, win a championship, win a 

European race. That’s probably the aim and where I 

want to be. It would be great to emulate and do what 

those guys have done. I think I’m capable, it’s just the 

process and I’ve just got to keep following the process 

that I’ve applied for the last four years. That’s the 

stage I want to get to, I want to be involved in those 

big races. 

MP: Acting is still very much your day job, 

but if you had to choose between winning Le 

Mans or winning an Oscar what would you 

do? 

KF: My day job is still as an actor, that’s still my 

biggest passion. If someone was to say, “Would you 

rather win the 24 hours of Le Mans or get cast in 

a big film, win an Oscar or an Olivier Award” or 

something like that, I would always pick acting. 

Because that’s where my heart is, something I’ve 

KELVIN FLETCHER 

IN RACE MODE 

SELFIES IN THE PADDOCK 

done from a kid. Probably like racing is with you, 

that’s what acting is to me. Then again, racing is the 

only thing in my life that I have ever experienced that 

comes a very, very close second. The feeling of doing 

a really good scene and nailing a performance, of 

doing it justice, you feel proud, you feel fulfilled. All 

those feelings when you’re actively chasing a dream 

and you’re fulfilling that dream. The only thing that 

has ever come close is racing, to win a race. 

MP: So what’s next for you what do you have 

in the pipeline? Rumour has it that you’re 

about to swap your carbon-fibre racing 

helmet for a tin helmet in an upcoming role? 

KF: My next role as an actor does always change; 

at the beginning of the year I was playing a young 

professional, who was dating a guy, living in 

metropolitan Edinburgh, in suave suits, very well 

groomed, in a new TV drama (Editors note: The 

Shore is a yet-to-be-released TV drama described as 

a cross between Glasgow-based soap River City and 

political drama House of Cards) and then 

the next thing I’m dressing up as the Tin 

Man in a musical in London! That’s the 

beauty of acting, I guess, that’s the reason 

why I left Emmerdale because I wanted the 

chance to explore and fulfil these different 

characters and different platforms. So 

yeah! I will very much be swapping my 

carbon helmet for a tin hat in a Seladoor 

production of The Royal Shakespeare 

company’s highly-acclaimed adaptation 

of The Wizard of Oz! Hopefully it’s a 

sell-out! The show runs from December 

7 to 30 at the famous Blackpool Winter 

Gardens. Come check it out! 

10

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PROPERTY 

Property of the Month 

WE TAKE A SNEAKY PEEK AT SOME OF THE HOTTEST PROPERTIES ON THE MARKET IN 

THE AREA EACH MONTH. THIS MONTH’S SELECTION IS A LUXURIOUS FAMILY HOME IN 

ONE OF THE MIDLANDS’ MOST DESIRABLE LOCATIONS 

Long Field, Park Drive, Little Aston Park, Sutton Coldfield: £1,875,000 

On the market with Quantrills Sutton Coldfield: 0121 354 9229 

THE AGENT SAYS: A delightfully situated, deceptively 

spacious detached luxury family residence with separate selfcontained 

two bedroom accomodation, Long Field occupies an 

outstanding secluded position set in mature grounds of approx 

two-thirds of an acre in the heart of the private Little Aston 

Park renowned for its rhododendron-lined roads and regarded 

as one of the finest residential locations in the West Midlands. 

With a study, lounge, conservatory and dining room, there is 

ample space for family living, while the kitchen with dining and 

family area is fully fitted and offers a range of appliances. A 

snooker room and bar provide additional space for entertaining. 

There are six bedroom, of which four have en suites, and the 

master bedroom also has a dressing room with fitted wardrobes 

and dressing table. 

Recently refurbished and remodelled by the present owners 

to a high specification, this luxury family residence is set back 

from the road behind secluded mature foregardens with gated 

entrance and sweeping gravel driveway. 

The secluded mature gardens extend to approximately twothirds 

of an acre, with the attractive rear gardens having a 

larger patio with loggia, decking with balustrade, lawns, mature 

trees, shrubs and bushes and further decked area with lighting. 

There is also potential to convert the garage to further 

accommodation incorporated within the self-contained annex 

and build a detached three car garage with accommodation 

above subject to planning. 

W E L O V E : 

THAT GLORIOUS GARDEN, 

PERFECT FOR ENTERTAINING 

12

INTERIORS 

Think pink 

DUSKY, old fashioned pinks are all the rage for 

autumn, which is a perfect antidote to the rusty tones we 

usually see coming into play at this time of year. Paint 

powerhouse Farrow and Ball has given a nod to the 

trend at the launch of its nine new colours with Sulking 

Room Pink, described as ‘a romantic and muted rose 

with enormous warmth’. 

Adding a playful touch of colour to your home, these 

tones will work especially well alongside metallics, 

contemporary greys and the new wave of darker 

neutrals. If you’re feeling bold, go for statement 

upholstery in vibrant pink velvet, or introduce the hue 

with painted furniture to breathe new life into your 

room. For a more understated take, use as an accent 

colour to partner cool greys, or team with brass and gold 

tones for a luxe look. 

FORM VELVET AND BRASS BAR STOOL IN BLUSH 

PINK, £129, DANETTI. WWW.DANETTI.COM 

£38 

MUUTO AMBIT PENDANT 

LIGHT, WWW.NEST.CO.UK 

£269 

£32 

KARLSSON ORIGAMI CERAMIC 

WALL CLOCK, HURN & HURN. 

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£14.95 

£14 

KULPA VASE, OLIVER BONAS. 

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GOOD MORNING MUG, 

AUDENZA. WWW.AUDENZA.COM 

BLUSH PINK FLOWER TEA LIGHT 

HOLDER, MARQUIS & DAWE. 

WWW.MARQUISANDDAWE.CO.UK 

14

BLACKBROOK INTERIORS 

We are a family run business home to an impressive range of furniture, 

interior furnishings, mirrors, accessories, antique and modern lighting and 

Chandeliers. We have huge courtyards full of interesting bronze statuary, 

fountains, stoneware and garden items. 

www.blackbrook-interiors.co.uk 

Open: Mon - Fri: 9am - 5pm. Sat: 9.30am - 5pm. Sun: 11am - 5pm 

Tel: 01543 481010 - Email: info@blackbrook-interiors.co.uk 

London Rd, Lichfield WS14 0PT 

blackbrook_interiors Blackbrook Interiors @BlackbrookWS14

£32.50 

BAVARIA CHAIR, £245, AND LOVESEAT, 

£455, PEPPERMILL INTERIORS, 

BURNTWOOD BUSINESS PARK. 

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£109 

ORLA KIELY SQUARE FLOWER 

LAYERED VASE, AMARA. 

WWW.AMARA.COM 

£50 

MONGOLIAN SHEEP POWDER PINK 

CUSHION, THE FRENCH BEDROOM CO. 

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£45 

PINK 70S GLASS VASE, 

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BALTIMORE LOW STOOL, 

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£179 

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PAISLEY MIDI SOFA, £1,638, 

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FARROW & BALL SULKING ROOM PINK, 

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FLORA ARMCHAIR, £395, OLIVER BONAS. 

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ALEXANDER AND JAMES JEAN MAXI SOFA, 

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SOPHIA SOFT PINK BED, £POA, COVET HOUSE. 

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INTERIORS 

CHEVRON BEDSIDE DRAWERS, 

£229, ATKIN AND THYME. 

WWW.ATKINANDTHYME.CO.UK 

Create a 

haven 

WHEN it comes to bedroom decor, mindfulness and 

well-being are the buzzwords for 2018 and beyond. 

This sacred space is our personal haven, a place where 

we can switch off from our busy lives and retire for a 

restful night’s sleep. It’s also a space where were are 

spending more and more time, often the only room in 

the house where we can get any peace. 

Away from maximalism trends which promote 

abundance in decor throughout the home, the 

bedroom is the one place where a ‘less is more’ 

approach continues to reign supreme. Opt for a 

feeling of calm, visually quiet with painted wood grain 

effect furniture and clean lines being used to create a 

timeless feel. 

Highly tactile fabrics and ambient lighting are key 

to creating the right atmosphere to promote rest and 

relaxation; look out for sumptuous throws and cushion, 

as well as a range of low lighting options to add a 

sense of sanctuary. 

£12 

£235 

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LIME LACE. WWW.LIMELACE.CO.UK 

GOLD EFFECT LEAF TRINKET 

DISH, LAURA ASHLEY. 

WWW.LAURAASHLEY.COM 

£50 

DUCK EGG KNITTED POM POM 

BLANKET, LAURA ASHLEY. 

WWW.LAURAASHLEY.COM 

£135 

JOHN LEWIS BOUTIQUE HOTEL VELVET 

STITCH THROW, WWW.JOHNLEWIS.COM 

18

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J'Aime Jewellery Generation Sale Winter Ad.indd 1 15/10/2018 16:43

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Get 

folksy 

WITH all of us spending more and more time on 

social media, there’s a move towards more conscious 

and folk-inspired handcrafted homewares. Having 

pieces that feel great will be key; tufted rugs, decorative 

quilts and rattan lamp shades will all be popular. 

There’s a need for textures that create interest visually 

while retaining a cosy feel to help us through those 

darker months. 

This trend encompasses a combination of rich earthy 

tones along with patterns and motifs from traditional 

folk culture, and designs from the 18th and 19th 

century. It’s warm and cosy, with lots and lots of 

accessories on display. 

Don’t be afraid to layer up the look and pile it all on; 

it’s about creating a personal haven packed to the 

rafters with individual, artisan pieces artfully collated 

for an abundant vibe. 

SAINSBURY’S HOME 

MACRAME CUSHION, 

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£20 

£105 

£18 

CLAY POT, SCARAMANGA. 

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£95 

£95 

TIERED MACRAMÉ LAMPSHADE, 

IAN SNOW. WWW.IANSNOW.COM 

BLOOMINGVILLE TASSEL THROW, 

AMARA. WWW.AMARA.COM 

DUTCHBONE KUBU RATTAN WALL MIRROR, 

WWW.CUCKOOLAND.COM 

22

IN AID OF 

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MARKET 

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CRAFT, 

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WEEKDAYS 

7.30AM 5.00PM 

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8.00AM 4.00PM

ARTISAN ROUND JUTE RUG, 

HOUZZ. WWW.HOUZZ.CO.UK 

£35 

£35 

£80 

BARRINGTON COURT POTTERY 

SAGE JUG, NATIONAL TRUST. 

WWW.NATIONALTRUST.ORG.UK 

TALA CUSHION, COX & COX. 

WWW.COXANDCOX.CO.UK 

£17 

£45 

£119 

BLOOMINGVILLE CAMO 

WATER HYACINTH SIDE 

TABLE, AMARA. 

WWW.AMARA.COM 

COLUMBUS FLOOR LAMP, 

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£820 

DEBENHAMS NKUKU 

ARTISAN FRENCH BOWL, 


£249 

£135 

BLOOMINGVILLE TERRAIN 

BAMBOO STOOL SET OF TWO, 

AMARA. WWW.AMARA.COM 

VIOLET MINDI ARMCHAIR, 

SWEETPEA & WILLOW. 

WWW.SWEETPEAANDWILLOW.COM 

DUTCHBONE ROUND PIX RUG WITH TASSELS, 

£349, WWW.CUCKOOLAND.COM 

ALEXANDER AND JAMES BETSY CHAIR, 

WAS £607 NOW £449, COOKES FURNITURE. 


24

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THREE NATURAL & WHITE ARTISAN 

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COMPETITION 

Stay toasty 

A ROARING FIRE IS THE HEART OF THE HOME DURING THE WINTER MONTHS - AND YOU COULD WIN A 

£150 STOVE ACCESSORIES BUNDLE OR £150 TOWARDS A NEW INSTALLATION, COURTESY OF ABBEY FIRES 

Abbey Fire Centre’s reputation for no-nonsense 

excellence has seen them earn a place as the Midlands’ 

go-to choice for all things fires. 

Run by siblings Kieran Neville and Maria Higginson - 

after being established in 1981 by their father Finbarr 

Neville - Abbey Fires offer an abundance of experience 

and technical knowledge which is second-to-none, 

combined with a warm and friendly service which has 

seen the company grow over the past 37 years thanks to 

word-of-mouth recommendations. 

Finbarr was well known within the community as a big 

Irish chap with an even bigger personality - to this day, 

previous customers will still drop in to see if he is about 

for a chat. A builder by trade, having built houses all over 

Birmingham including Edgbaston and Four Oaks Park, 

to name of couple of places, he settled on creating what 

he thought should be the focal point in everyone’s house 

- where the warmth is. 

During his reign, you could find him sitting with some 

graph paper and a pencil - Kieran has inherited his love 

of graph paper - designing fireplaces that would then 

appear in homes all over the Midlands. He could turn 

his hand to anything, and as a result Abbey Fires became 

known as the fireplace shop of choice if you wanted a 

gas, solid fuel or electric fire. In fact, Abbey Fires were 

installing log burners more than 30 years ago, long 

before they became popular. 

Having worked there from a young age during school 

holidays, Kieran and Maria have fire in their blood. 

They bring different skills to the table; Kieran is the 

HETAS and Gas Safe engineer, and heads up the 

installation side of the business, while Maria can be 

found running the showroom and marketing side. 

Andy makes up the last part of Abbey Fires, on the 

installation side of the team. Andy has been with Abbey 

Fires in one form or another ever since he left school and 

can turn his hand to anything - especially carpentry. 

Abbey Fires’ extensive showroom has more than 20 

brands to peruse over, meaning the onus is on customer 

choice rather than pushing any particular brand. And 

from the first enquiry to the final installation, everything 

is kept in-house, ensuring that each job is completed to 

the same quality standard. 

Getting each installation just right is at the heart of 

Abbey Fires’ ethos. Sometimes, what a customer 

would like, isn’t the right thing for them, given their 

circumstances, and Kieran and Maria are always 

honest, even to the detriment of doing business with 

the customer. They believe honesty is the best and most 

appreciated policy. 

So if you’re looking for a new fire, pop into Abbey 

Fire Centre on High Street, Erdington, or call 

0121 384 5251 for a no-obligation chat. 

The competition 

J’AIME HAS TEAMED UP WITH ABBEY FIRE CENTRE 

TO OFFER READERS THE CHANCE TO WIN A 

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TO BE IN WITH A CHANCE OF WINNING, SIMPLY 

ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTION: 

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SEND YOUR ANSWER, ALONG WITH WITH YOUR 

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28

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Suppliers of: Contura, Jotul, Gazco, Paragon, Scan, Town 

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INTERIORS 

Wall of style 

MOVE OVER PAINT, SAYONARA WALLPAPER; THERE’S A NEW WALL COVERING CHOICE IN TOWN 

IN THE FORM OF A THOUSAND-YEAR-OLD TECHNIQUE BROUGHT BANG UP TO DATE 

Walls a bit tired, a bit dated and 

in need of a revamp? Looking for 

something with a bit more pizazz 

than your usual wallpaper, paint or 

tile options? Want to make a real 

designer style statement in your 

home? 

Venetian plastering is poised to 

take the interior design world by 

storm, offering something a little 

more dramatic than your usual 

wall-covering options. The stunning 

polished plaster - which has been 

used for thousands of years and can 

be found on many of the glorious 

buildings in Venice - is beautifully 

crafted to create a real talking point. 

“It’s more like an art form than a 

trade,” says master applicator David 

Lawley, who runs Midlands-based 

Venetian Wall Designs. 

“I’m trying to break people away 

from the paint, the wallpapers, the 

tiles, and trying to bring in a modern renaissance in 

interior design. In London it’s everywhere, and now 

I’m trying to bring it into the Midlands.” 

A plasterer by trade, working in the industry for the 

past 20 years, David has been trained in the art of 

Venetian plastering for around two-and-a-half years. 

And while the striking effect of Venetian plastering 

has made it a popular choice for commercial 

properties looking to make a style statement, David is 

finding more and more people are choosing the wall 

covering for their homes. 

The two most popular styles are the grassello di 

calce, which creates a highly glossed finish with a 

mirror effect when looking side-on, and mamarino, 

which offers a more textured effect. 

David won an award for the Venetian wall design 

installed at the Rachel Lamey salon in Rugeley, while 

another recent installation has been named Best 

Bespoke Surface Design in the Midlands. 

“The materials are hand mined from mountains in 

Italy, and the lime is slaked for 15 years before it’s put 

into the product,” explains David. “And then you’ve 

got the colours; there are so many different varieties 

of colour, and shades to every colour, it’s like a paint 

chart.” 

When properly sealed, Venetian plaster is waterproof, 

making it ideal for wet rooms and showers, as well 

as suitable for use externally. The lime plaster is also 

fully breathable, and more flexible than traditional 

plaster, less susceptible to shrinking and movement. 

“And it’s very low-maintenance,” explains David. 

“Other than recommending re-waxing every 18 

months, it will stay looking perfect for years to come. 

It adds a real luxury and richness to a space.” 

And the beauty of Venetian plaster is that, unlike 

paint colours and wallpaper choices, each installation 

is truly unique, due to the highly skilled application 

technique which brings out individual features on 

each wall and adds depth. 

“There’s only ever one wall like it,” says David. “I 

could try to replicate it but it would never be the 

same. Every wall is a one-off.” 

For more information, visit 

www.venetianwalldesigns.com, email 

info@venetianwalldesigns.com or find 

Venetian Wall Designs on Facebook and Instagram. 

30

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FEATURE 

Let’s get physical 

IN AN ATTEMPT TO KICKSTART A NEW FITNESS REGIME, AMY NORBURY GETS PUT THROUGH HER 

PACES BY LICHFIELD PERSONAL TRAINER RAUL ROMERO, OF AMBITION PERSONAL TRAINING 

“A few more seconds,” smiles 

Raul Romero as the class takes 

a collective last push through 

the final round of a gruelling 

workout. “Keep going…” 

It comes to something when 

the prospect of planking for 

50 seconds is the easiest, and 

possibly most enjoyable, part 

of a gym session, but Raul is 

certainly one for putting you 

through your paces. And then 

some. 

As founder of Lichfield-based 

Ambitional Personal Training, 

Raul puts his two decades of 

experience in the fitness industry 

to the test, helping clients fulfill 

their ambitions and achieve their 

health goals. His boutique studio 

in the heart of the city hosts daily small group classes 

as well as one-to-one sessions in a friendly, non 

intimidating yet challenging environment. 

After the obvious ‘new year, new you’ mindset which 

sees us rushing to the gym in our droves, eager and 

motivated - albeit often only temporarily - to whip 

our post-Christmas bodies into shape, it is these 

autumnal months which, says Raul, tend to see the 

biggest spike in people embarking on - or getting 

back into - a fitness regime. With the summer 

holidays a distant memory, kids back in school and 

the daily grind back into a more settled routine, 

many people find it easier to make time for a gym 

class. 

Fitness has been a lifelong passion for Raul. Growing 

up in Barcelona, he loved sport, particularly 

basketball and skateboarding, so it was only natural 

that he would pursue a career in fitness. After 

studying sports science at university, followed by a 

PGCE and Masters in Teamwork, he hit the ground 

running as a fresh-faced graduate where he gained 

experience in all the different sectors of the fitness 

industry, including as a fitness instructor, group class 

TRX IS AN INNOVATIVE 

SUSPENSION TRAINING 

SYSTEM 

instructor and personal trainer. And it was here that 

he was first introduced to the concept of TRX. 

TRX is the innovative suspension training system 

which is a major focus of Raul’s training methods. 

It uses your own bodyweight, constantly challenging 

the core while engaging a broad range of muscle 

groups all at once, improving total body strength and 

mobility. 

Raul was headhunted to set up a new gym in 

Barcelona from start to finish, where he was 

responsible for choosing the equipment, planning the 

design and space, creating the class timetables and 

managing and motivating the team of staff. He also 

introduced new and innovative TRX classes, which 

made the gym the first in Barcelona to boast the 

TRX and TRX classes. 

After moving to England in 2012 for the London 

Olympics, Raul met his wife and settled in the 

Midlands, working as a personal trainer at a bigname 

health club in Lichfield. He branched out on 

his own, setting up the Ambition Personal Training 

studio a year ago with the aim of offering a unique 

and quality personal training and small group class 

service to all those who want to reach their fitness 

32

goals and ambitions without the pressure of signing 

up to a ‘big gym’ membership contract which, so 

often, goes unused. 

Now many of us may think we’re not fit enough or 

ready to work with a personal trainer, preferring 

to go it alone in the gym. But, says Raul, this is 

counterproductive to getting the most out of your 

fitness regime. 

When you think about it, it makes perfect sense 

for gym newbies to start their new workout plan 

with the help of an expert who can guide them 

through the right kinds of exercises to help them 

achieve their goals, rather than wade in blindly, 

focussing on intense cardio when it’s more strengthbased 

fat-burning they need, or aiming just to burn 

calories when toning exercises will make more of a 

difference. 

I started my own personal fitness journey with Raul 

looking to regain the fitness level I’d let slide since 

having my son nearly four years ago. As a dedicated 

gym bunny pre-baby, I was probably more active 

throughout my pregnancy - with four-times-a-week 

gym sessions, running, pilates and yoga almost to the 

bitter end when I could no longer see my feet, let 

alone get into a convincing down dog pose - than I 

have been since the little one arrived. 

The thought of heading back to the gym, to packed 

classes and aimless treadmill pounding, didn’t fill me 

with motivation. But Ambition Personal Training 

isn’t your average gym. 

The first session - a one-to-one where Raul assessed 

my fitness, helped with my technique and guided 

me through a comprehensive circuit of weight, 

strength and cardio exercises - was undeniably tough, 

AMBITION PERSONAL 

TRAINING FOUNDER 

RAUL ROMERO 

especially after four years of little to no exercise. But 

it did the trick in reigniting my interest in fitness. 

I committed to twice-weekly group classes, with a 

TRX Fit session combining TRX exercises with 

cardio, and Super Circuits which sees you blast 

through everything from tricep dips and press ups to 

planks and weighted squats… lots of squats. 

One of the main things which sets Raul’s classes 

apart is the sense of camaraderie between members; 

with such small class sizes people get to know each 

other quickly, and that friendly atmosphere sees 

everyone motivating everyone else through those 

tougher exercises. 

After a month in Raul’s expert hands, it was time for 

the first progress report. The weigh-in - even after 

a weekend of birthday-related indulgence - showed 

I was moving in the right direction. However, the 

biggest difference for me, personally, isn’t seen on 

the scales. It’s in the improved toning and definition, 

particularly on my arms - goodbye bingo wings! - 

and, more importantly, the difference I feel in my 

fitness levels. 

From struggling through the first few sessions - and 

feeling the burn for days afterwards - I now find 

myself powering through an hour of TRX or Super 

Circuits with, well not ease but certainly a damn 

sight less huffing and puffing, and looking forward to 

the next session. 

Thanks to Raul, a fitness focus has become a part 

of my weekly routine, and one I feel is genuinely 

making a difference. If you’re struggling with getting 

- or keeping - fit, then I’d heartily recommend 

abandoning the ‘big gym’ for a more personal 

approach. The results speak for themselves. 

33

Here, Raul Romero, Lichfield’s favourite Spanish 

personal trainer and founder of Ambition Personal 

Training, busts one of the biggest fitness myths 

around; that lifting weights make women bulky… 

Does lifting weights make women bulky? 

In short…NO! It’s amazing the number of female 

clients who come to me for help with toning up and 

losing weight, who although have exercised, have 

never lifted weights due to fear of ‘bulking up’ and 

looking like Hulk! It is one of the biggest myths 

around when, in actual fact, lifting weights is key to 

losing weight and toning up. 

The truth behind testosterone 

Yes that’s right, testosterone. The truth is that women 

have lower levels of testosterone than men. This is 

relevant as testosterone is the hormone that produces 

muscle mass growth. So it is a lot more difficult, 

and a lot more work is needed, for women to grow 

muscles like men do and thus ‘bulk up’. 

In order for women to ‘bulk up’ Hulk style, they 

need to put in a ginormous amount of effort and 

time training everyday, and eating a massive amount 

of extra calories. Female bodybuilders need to train 

longer and harder than men to achieve the same 

goals. 

This is not, however, what the average woman does, 

therefore for everyone else, who quite simply wants 

to get lean, tone up, and change their body shape, 

weight training, combined with a healthy eating plan 

is key. 

2. Boost your body’s metabolic activity. 

The more muscle mass you have (that is built 

through weight training), the more calories your 

body will need to function. If you combine weight 

training with controlling your diet and limiting your 

intake of calories, your body will turn more to its fat 

stores to function, thus helping you lose body fat and 

consequently volume and size. 

3. Help strengthen your muscles and bones. 

This isn’t usually one of the principal goals for 

weight training, but instead a nice extra added 

benefit! Not only will it help you do your daily jobs 

more efficiently and easily, but it will also help reduce 

and sometimes even prevent osteoporosis. 

4. Increase self-confidence and self-esteem. 

As obvious as this sounds, it really is true! The more 

you incorporate weight training into your workouts, 

the more likely you are to tone-up, change your body 

shape and decrease your fat percentage, thus making 

you feel great! 

Hopefully this has given you a glimpse into the 

wonderful world of weight training. For more 

information or help from Raul, you can find him at 

the Ambition PT studio in central Lichfield at Unit 

5, Wiltell Works Industrial Estate, Upper St John 

Street, or get in touch via email at 

raul@ambitionpt.co.uk 

What effect does weight training 

really have on a woman’s body? 

1. Give you a more toned, defined 

shape. 

Like with most things, consistency is key 

in order to achieve this. This works best 

with great planning at the start of the 

week; plan in two to three workouts a 

week that include some form of weight 

training; this does not have to be what 

immediately comes to mind - lifting 

heavy bars and dumbbells at the gym) 

- but instead can also include body 

weight training. Your plan can include 

independent gym sessions, group classes, 

or a mixture of both. Be consistent, be 

patient and most importantly, stick to 

your plan and you will notice changes in 

your body shape sooner than you think. 

BUSTING GYM MYTHS - 

WEIGHT TRAINING IS THE 

KEY TO SUPER TONING 

34

F O O D & D R I N K 

Autumnal abundance 

A TASTING MENU OF AUTUMNAL ABUNDANCE - COOKED WITH NO SMALL AMOUNT OF FLAIR - HERALDS 

A NEW ERA FOR SWINFEN HALL’S RESTAURANT THE FOUR SEASONS, AS AMY NORBURY DISCOVERS 

A top notch chef maketh the 

restaurant, and when said chef 

parts ways there’s always the 

worry that the food, well, just 

isn’t going to be what it used to. 

After making a suitably 

delectable impression at The 

Four Seasons, former head chef 

Ryan Shilton recently hung up 

his Swinfen Hall apron to go it 

alone, with the opening of his 

Larder restaurant in Lichfield’s 

historic centre due later this 

month. 

Luckily, the man to step into 

Ryan’s oh-so talented shoes 

has an impeccable pedigree 

of his own. Darren Meacham spent seven years 

at Hampton Manor just outside Solihull, and was 

the senior sous chef when the hotel’s lauded Peel’s 

Restaurant landed its Michelin Star and four AA 

rosettes. 

With a couple of stints at Ynyshir under Gareth 

Ward also under his belt, Darren’s cooking reveals 

an intriguing mix of classical French and Japanese 

influences. 

Darren made the move to a head chef role at the 

acclaimed Harborne Kitchen, renowned for its 

unfussy fine dining, before turning his back on city 

life to take Swinfen Hall’s award-winning restaurant 

into its next chapter. 

So we were delighted to be invited over for a quick 

chat with the man himself, and a sample of the 

restaurant’s new six-course tasting menu. 

Just three weeks into the role many chefs would still 

be finding their feet, but Darren is cooly taking to 

the task at hand with the confidence of a man on 

a mission. And it seems to be a marriage made in 

heaven, with Darren’s flair and creativity perfectly 

complemented by the abundance of produce 

available, quite literally, on the doorstep from 

Swinfen Hall’s impressive walled garden. 

The tasting menu, priced at £70 per head, is a 

celebration of local, seasonal produce, reflecting both 

the surroundings and Darren’s personal influences. 

Relaxing with drinks in front of the fire in Swinfen’s 

opulent lounge, we are treated to our first morsels 

of Darren’s culinary showcase. And what a first 

impression it is. The perfectly crisp cracker topped 

with cheddar cheese cream and a lovage mayonnaise 

is a tantalising mouthful, but it is the chicken liver 

parfait tartlet which really impresses. The finest 

pastry, the silkiest parfait and a lick of damson 

chutney create a sensational bite. 

36

Despite the inviting fireside setting, we’re eager to try 

more so off we head to the restaurant, where a rather 

good bottle of Maison de las Paix Vielles Vignes 

carignan is waiting at our table. The bold red fruit 

flavours offer a nice complement to the autumnal 

feel of the menu, while the well-rounded wine also 

represents decent value for money at £24. 

A platter of supremely crusty poolish bread - a cross 

between a white and a sourdough - provides a little 

something to nibble on while we await the start of 

the feasting proper. 

Up first, we have an amuse bouche of Jerusalem 

artichoke mousse with artichoke crisps and an 

intriguing vinegar caramel. Another luscious 

mouthful, the mousse is light and airy enough to 

melt on the tongue, while the crisps add a lovely 

textural contrast and the caramel a pleasingly sharp 

sweetness. 

It’s good, and it only gets better. 

Not a huge fan of beetroot, I wasn’t overly excited 

about the next dish, but I’m pleased - not to mention 

surprised - to report that I’m a convert. Earthy 

sweetness from a selection of beets, a tang from a 

mildly pickled sliver and a rich beetroot ketchup 

showcased the simple vegetable in myriad delicious 

ways, perfectly complemented by a creamy smoked 

ricotta and wafer thin pieces of toasted poolish. 

The next dish proffered was probably my personal 

favourite of the evening, although we were certainly 

spoilt for choice when it came to highlights. A 

beautifully pan-fried slab of monkfish, with light 

caramelisation and opaque flesh, was a perfect 

partner to the rich and smoky shiitakes and sublime 

yeasted cauliflower - seriously, this was cauliflower 

unlike any you’ve ever tasted. A luxurious white wine 

and parsley sauce brought the dish together to create 

a delectable plate. 

If the first three dishes represent refined classic 

cooking, the following one was a flavourful smack 

in the mouth. Dubbed N.A.F.P by my dining 

companion - in homage to Alex Claridge’s Not 

Another F’ing Balti which made a similar impact 

last month - this was parsnip, but not as you know 

it. Packed with delicate spices, this humble vegetable 

had been elevated to the rock star of the plate, 

accompanied by a parsnip bhaji, plump pickled 

golden raisins and a refreshing yoghurt sauce. While 

parsnip and curry doesn’t immediately conjure up 

images of fine dining, this refined dish with pictureperfect 

presentation did just that. 

The main event was the one I was most looking 

forward too, and happily it lived up to its promise. A 

beautifully pink duck breast, fat rendered and skin 

crispy sat atop a mound of swede mash and pear, 

while a rich vein of Colston Bassett blue cheese 

added a powerfully savoury counter-balance to the 

sweetness. The duck jus was so rich and punchy that 

a little went a long way, and strands of puffed rice 

- again something we saw from Alex Claridge last 

month - added a little bite. 

With five dainty yet satisfying courses behind us, we 

were ready for a sweet treat. However, the cheese 

board, with its five fromages, proved rather tempting 

- and impressive, it certainly was. 

The pud offered a bold combination of flavours, 

with chocolate several ways - a wafer-thin tuile, white 

chocolate aero and a rich, dark ganache - teamed 

with lime, peanut and miso. Now, while I was in my 

element with all the chocolatey goodness, the miso 

missed the mark for me; it was just too overpowering, 

and too savoury. 

Still, with just three weeks in the job, to have crafted 

a tasting menu which offers such a wealth of culinary 

delights is no mean feat. And if this is just a promise 

of things to come, then The Four Seasons is most 

certainly one to watch. 

37


Cocktail of the month 

TOM LINDSEY AND RORY MCKERRELL, FOUNDERS OF FIFTH SPIRE GIN AND OWNERS OF THE 

SPIRIT WORKS BAR IN LICHFIELD, SHARE A REFRESHING FAVOURITE FROM THEIR CURRENT MENU 

The lemon fandango 

50ml Doorly’s 5 Rum 

25ml Orgeat (an almond syrup) 

A lemon 

Soda water 

This fairly simple rum-based 

refreshing cocktail is built and 

stirred in the glass, and is perfect 

whatever the weather. 

Start with a channel knife to cut 

a long spiral of lemon peel and 

carefully place into a Collins glass 

along with a load of ice cubes. 

Juice what is left of the lemon 

over the ice and then add the 

Doorly’s 5 (feel free to interchange 

your favourite dark rum) and 

Orgeat. 

Stir well in the glass to mix and 

chill the contents. Finally, top up 

with soda water and give it a final 

gentle stir, being careful not to 

over-excite the gas and flatten it. 

Enjoy! 

38

SHOWCASING 

THE BEST OF BRUM 

SIX CHEFS | SIX STARS | ONE UNMISSABLE EVENT 

Join us for a 6 course tasting menu with Birmingham’s finest 

plus snacks from Liam Dillon of The Boat Inn, Lichfield! 

DECEMBER 3 | EDGBASTON CRICKET GROUND 

GLYNN PURNELL 

ADAM STOKES 

LUKE TIPPING 

BRAD CARTER 

ROB PALMER 

ADAM BENNETT 

Start your Christmas festivities with friends and colleagues in style! 

6 amazing courses, snacks, welcome drink & entertainment | £170pp 

{RETURN TRANSPORT AVAILABLE FROM LICHFIELD £5PP} 

book online at saucesupper.club.co.uk


Sardinian specialities 

PATRICK GAUNT, OPERATIONS MANAGER FOR SPECIALIST WINE COMPANY ITAL SARDO, 

SHARES NEWS OF SOME EXCLUSIVE WINES WHICH ARE NOW AVAILABLE 

With one year of trading under our belt, we have 

looked to take the next big step. Providing wines from 

Italy and Sardinia has been an absolute pleasure 

so far. Working directly with the winemakers has 

allowed us to ensure transparency throughout the 

company. Happy winemakers, means happy wine 

drinkers! 

Allow me to introduce Santa Maria La Palma, a winery 

that we have been given exclusive rights to in the 

Midlands area. 

A range that has been extremely popular with all 

our clients so far, it is known conveniently as ‘The 

Lobster Bottles’. Vermentino is the base grape for 

the white and sparkling wines, offering a refreshing 

change from pinot grigio and sauvignon blanc. Both 

the still and sparkling Vermentino have strong hints 

of grapefruit, with a savoury almond finish. This 

allows for an easy drinking wine, that pairs perfectly 

with shellfish and the majority of seafood dishes. 

Catering for all who strive for something new with 

our still and sparkling white and rosé wines, we are 

delighted to be able to offer these highly exclusive 

Sardinian specialities that look great, taste better and 

really represent what we do as a company. We hope 

we are delivering the UK with something that is 

exciting and new, with guaranteed quality. 

I would like to personally thank everyone who has 

supported us so far and hope that you have enjoyed 

the fantastic wines that we aim to continue to bring 

to you. 

Our full range of wines are available to view on our 

website at www.italsardo.com 

As a small company, we believe in offering a 

personal and professional service to all of customers. 

Therefore, we welcome any requests and look 

forward to hearing from you. You can contact us via 

email wine@italsardo.com or call our office 

01283 711588 

ARAGOSTA ROSÉ ARAGOSTA VERMENTINO ARAGOSTA 

SPUMANTE ROSÉ 

ARAGOSTA 

SPUMANTE 

40

A 

Finnish 

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We’re sending the winner of our competition 

to Lapland on 7th to 10 th December! 

Look out for your surprise gift when you reserve one of 

our selected magical homes in October and November 

Visit our website to find out more 

bovishomes.co.uk 

Offer available on selected homes for reservations taken between the 1/10/2018 and 18/11/2018 and for legal completion on or before the 19/12/2018. Offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other purchase or exchanged for a cash equivalent. Trip 

date is set from the 7/12/2108 to the 10/12/2018 and cannot be changed. Competition T&C apply. Ask our sales advisor for details.

CO M P E T I T I O N 

The home of Good Food 

ONE OF THE NATION’S MOST LOVED FOOD EVENTS, THE BBC GOOD FOOD SHOW WINTER, RETURNS TO 

THE NEC BIRMINGHAM FOR FOUR DAYS OF FESTIVE INSPIRATION FROM THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29 TO 

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 2 - AND YOU COULD WIN ONE OF FIVE PAIRS OF TICKETS 

The flagship event will run 

just in time for Christmas and 

will bring together some of the 

biggest names in the industry for 

a foodie celebration. Visitors can 

enjoy live cooking demonstrations 

from the likes of Tom Kerridge 

and Mary Berry, get insight from 

local heroes including Glynn 

Purnell, and get into the spirit 

of the season as more than 400 

exhibitors will be showcasing 

their products and produce. 

This year, the famous Big 

Kitchen will welcome some of 

the most recognisable chefs in the 

country; James Martin, Nadiya 

Hussain, Michel Roux Jr and 

more will all be cooking live on 

stage and sharing exciting recipe 

ideas to make your Christmas treats extra tasty. 

Whether it’s taking a seat in the Seasonal Kitchen 

and picking up festive inspiration, getting involved in 

hands-on masterclasses led by the experts at the Skills 

Schools, or discovering your favourite chef ’s secrets 

to success in live interviews at the BBC Good Food 

Stage - this year’s event is set to be the ultimate day 

out for food lovers. 

For those looking for the perfect Christmas gift ideas, 

The Producers’ Village is packed full of small artisan 

producers who pride themselves on the quality and 

provenance of their product. 

Tom Kerridge, who will be cooking live on the Big 

Kitchen, said: “The great thing about the British 

food industry is that it is filled with passion. The 

world of food is surrounded by people who do it 

because they love it - it’s not a job to them, it’s a way 

of life. 

“BBC Good Food Show at the NEC Birmingham 

brings together the very best products, people and 

exhibitors, and everything you can taste and see at 

the Show has so much to heart, soul and love.” 

For full information on how to purchase tickets, what’s 

on and to see a full list of exhibitors, please visit 

www.bbcgoodfoodshow.com/birmingham-winter 

The competition 

FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN ONE OF FIVE PAIRS 

OF ADMISSION TICKETS, SIMPLY ANSWER THE 

FOLLOWING QUESTION: 

WHERE IS BBC GOOD FOOD SHOW WINTER 

TAKING PLACE THIS YEAR? 

A) NEC BIRMINGHAM 

B) TOWN HALL SYMPHONY HALL 

C) ARENA BIRMINGHAM 

SEND YOUR ANSWER, ALONG WITH WITH YOUR NAME, EMAIL ADDRESS 

AND POSTCODE BY EMAIL TO COMPETITIONS@JAIMEMAGAZINE. 

COM WITH BBC GOOD FOOD SHOW WINTER COMPETITION AS THE 

EMAIL SUBJECT. ENTRIES MUST BE RECEIVED BY 5PM ON WEDNESDAY, 

NOVEMBER 21, AND OUR WINNER WILL BE NOTIFIED BY FRIDAY, 

NOVEMBER 23. 

TERMS AND CONDITIONS APPLY. THERE WILL BE FIVE WINNERS, EACH 

WINNER WILL RECEIVE A PAIR OF GENERAL ADMISSION ENTRY TICKETS 

ONLY. TICKETS ARE ONLY VALID ON THURSDAY, FRIDAY OR SUNDAY; NO 

SATURDAY ADMISSION.GENERAL ADMISSION TICKETS DO NOT INCLUDE 

A SEAT IN THE BIG KITCHEN. BIG KITCHEN SEATS ARE AVAILABLE TO 

PURCHASE ON THE DAY FOR £5, SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY. CONTACT 

INFORMATION WILL BE SUPPLIED TO A THIRD PARTY WHO WILL POST 

YOUR WINNING TICKETS DIRECTLY TO YOUR HOME ADDRESS. VISIT 

WWW.JAIMEMAGAZINE.COM FOR FURTHER DETAILS. 

42

T R AV E L 

The Joanna Lumley effect 

A FAR CRY FROM HER AB FAB DAYS AS CHAMPAGNE-SWILLING, CHAIN-SMOKING FASHION EDITOR PATSY 

STONE, JOANNA LUMLEY HAS SEEN HER CAREER TAKE A TURN FOR THE MORE ADVENTUROUS, THANKS TO 

HER POPULAR TRAVEL DOCUMENTARIES. RB COLLECTION DIRECTOR OLIVER TAKES A LOOK AT SOME OF THE 

DESTINATIONS DISCOVERED IN HER MOST RECENT ITV SERIES, JOANNA LUMLEY’S SILK ROAD ADVENTURE 

BEAUTIFUL VENICE WAS 

THE ENTRY POINT TO 

EUROPE FOR TRADERS 

TRAVELLING THE SILK 

ROAD 

I recently saw Joanna Lumley perform her touring 

show at Birmingham’s Symphony Hall. It was 

an entertaining evening as Joanna took us down 

memory lane and through the decades of her career 

with amusing anecdotes and stories. 

One moment which really stood out, and had the 

audience gripped, were the questions surrounding 

her various travels. Joining Joanna onstage was her 

grandfathe’rs travelling case from India, as well as 

various keepsakes from around the world. 

Her search for the Northern Lights was officially 

her most memorable trip while Japan, Egypt and her 

most recent Silk Road adventure were all mentioned, 

and it was a joy to recap the memories together with 

the audience. 

There is no doubt; Joanna really brings a 

destination to life, but of course there is nothing like 

experiencing the real thing for yourself. 

With this in mind I thought I would take a look at 

some of the destinations Joanna recently toured 

along the Silk Road and the opportunities for our 

clients to visit them for themselves. 

Venice 

Often referred to as the most romantic city in the 

world, Venice was the entry point to Europe for 

traders travelling along the Silk Road. The influences 

the city absorbed from the array of different cultures 

which the traders and visitors brought with them 

is all around. The highlight for many will be a visit 

44

to the Doges Palace, but we would also 

recommend a visit over to Murano Island 

to see the skills of the glass blowers. Winter 

is a beautiful time to visit, when the crowds 

reduce a little and you can wonder until your 

heart’s content along the canals. 

A nice respite from the hustle and bustle of 

the city is Venice Lido. This green oasis is 

just 20 minutes by boat and is a great place 

to visit or stay at one of the beachfront 

hotels. For a really luxurious treat, why 

not book onto the Venice-Simplon Orient- 

Express eastwards to our next stop; Istanbul. 

Turkey 

Istanbul is a remarkable city with an array 

of ancient monuments, fun bazaars to 

explore and fascinating religious buildings to 

tour. The city is easily combinable with the 

Cappadocia region where Joanna explored 

the underground cities that formed the heart 

of the Hittite empire. These unique caves 

are architectural marvels and like nothing 

you will have seen before. The scenery is 

spectacular too, with ‘fairy chimney’ rock 

formations dotted around. You can even stay 

in one of these unique cave hotels, many 

of which are some of the most luxurious in 

Turkey. Seven-day holidays to both areas 

with a comprehensive tour programme with 

private car transportation, flights from the 

UK and luxury hotels starts from £920 per 

person, based on two people travelling privately. 

THE REMARKABLE CITY 

OF ISTANBUL 

Georgia 

With a complicated past, Georgia is a fascinating 

country to explore and learn more about. One of 

the world’s oldest Christian 

nations, Georgia has plenty of 

TBILISI, GEORGIA beautiful churches to visit, as 

well as Roman fortresses and 

rock cave monasteries. Joanna 

also visited some of the more 

remote parts of this country. 

The lush-green landscapes 

that the silk road winds along 

are home to remote villages 

working off the land with ageold 

traditional means. In stark 

contrast, the capital city of 

Tbilisi is a buzzing cultural hot 

spot and is quickly becoming 

one of the ‘must-see’ cities of 

the area. Access to the country 

is easy too, with no current 

visa requirements for UK 

passport holders. Nine-day 

escorted group tours start from 

£1,335 per person with flights. 

45

Azerbaijan 

The capital city Baku was one of AZERBAIJAN 

the stand-out moments of Joanna’s 

documentary for me. This vibrant, 

modern metropolis with futuristic 

architecture is developing at a 

fast pace. The city offers plenty 

to discover from the past in the 

10-century old town, and provides 

an exciting look into its future too 

with jaw-dropping masterpieces 

from some of the world’s top 

modern architects. Away from 

the city, one of the highlights to 

visit would be Ateshgyakh Fire 

Worshippers’ temple at Absheron, 

as well as ancient rock carvings at 

Gobustan, a Unesco world heritage 

site dating back 20,000 years. 

Few would tour around just 

Azerbaijan, instead opting to 

combine with neighbouring 

Georgia and Armenia. We offer a 

14-night escorted group tour that 

does just that, taking all three states 

of the southern Caucasus starting 

in Azerbaijan on the shores of 

the Caspian Sea where a visit to 

the Khan Palace in Sheki is also on the agenda. 

The tour then heads to Georgia, famous for its 

ancient monasteries and viticulture, and ends in the 

small, proud nation of Armenia, one of the oldest 

Christian countries in the world. Prices start from 

£1,995 per person including flights. 

SHIRAZ, IRAN 

Iran 

In Episode Three, Joanna was very excited to have 

their visas granted so they could visit Iran, and it 

soon became apparent why. A key part of the Silk 

Road’s history, the home of the Persian civilisation 

has some of the most wonderful architectural sites 

of the ancient world 

including the tiled 

mosques of Isfahan. 

Other highlights 

include the 

verdant gardens of 

Shiraz, the ancient 

Achaemenian 

capital of 

Pasargadae, the 

desert architecture 

of Yazd and the 

splendid bas-reliefs 

of the Palace of 

Persepolis. 

Iran has certainly 

become more 

popular in recent 

years and booking 

onto an organised, 

group tour, with likeminded 

travellers in 

46

our opinion, is the best way to do it. Nineday 

fully escorted group tours start from 

£1,780 per person. We also offer a longer 

tour focussing on arts and culture, which is a 

much more comprehensive programme with 

specially arranged visits to unique places with 

local experts, from £4,495 per person. 

Visiting Iran on a group tour is one of the 

best ways to see what the country has to 

offer. Explore grandiose historical sites with 

a group of like-minded travellers in a hasslefree 

manner. 

FOOD IN UZBEKISTAN 

Uzbekistan 

The final stop on the documentary was 

Uzbekistan, a country which we first 

encountered around 10 years ago when my 

colleague visited. It was once one of the main trading 

stops on the Silk Road and home to impressive, bold 

and colourful Islamic architecture. The country has 

a history of many conquerors and nomads who left 

behind a legacy of architectural sites and cultural 

influences. The towering fortresses of Khiva and 

Bukhara and the Islamic architecture of Samarkand 

are all a must-see, once some of the most powerful 

cities in the world. More recent Soviet history can 

be discovered in the modern day capital city of 

Tashkent, a modern day, well-planned and laid out 

city. Well worth a visit is also the sleepier Uzbek 

town where mud-walled houses are surrounded 

by traditional farmers. 12-day group tours around 

Uzbekistan with flights start from £1,845 per person. 

To plan and book your holiday along the silk 

road call RB Collection on 01543 258631 or 

email vip@rbcollection.com 

BUKHARA, UZBEKISTAN 

47

LO CA L A R E A 

What’s On Local 

YOUR GUIDE TO THE BEST OF WHAT’S ON IN AND AROUND 

SUTTON COLDFIELD, LICHFIELD, WALSALL AND BEYOND 

WHAT: MURDER MYSTERY EVENING 

WHERE: THE GEORGE HOTEL 

WHEN: NOVEMBER 2 AND 23 

The George’s popular Murder 

Mystery evenings allow you to put 

your investigative skills to the test 

and enjoy an evening of murder, 

mystery and intrigue, courtesy 

of Murder Mystery Productions. 

The story of ‘Death Penalty’ will 

unfold during dinner and it will be 

up to you to work out ‘whodunnit’ 

by questioning the characters and 

examining the clues. The evenings 

are great fun, but, be warned, they 

sell out frighteningly fast! 

Tickets are priced £33 per person, 

or why not stay overnight? The great 

value package includes two Murder 

Mystery Evening tickets plus an 

overnight stay in a double room with 

full English breakfast for £135 per 

couple. For more details visit 

www.thegeorgelichfield.co.uk 

WHAT: SHERLOCK HOLMES - THE 

SIGN OF FOUR 

WHERE: LICHFIELD GARRICK 

WHEN: NOVEMBER 8 TO 10 

“When you have eliminated the 

impossible, whatever remains, 

however improbable, must be the 

truth.” 

Crammed full of adventure, 

romance, comedy and of course one 

or two rather brilliant deductions, 

The Sign of Four is Arthur Conan 

Doyle’s epic second Sherlock Holmes 

tale, a breath-taking yarn brought 

to life in this spectacular new stage 

adaptation. When Mary Morstan 

arrives at 221B, Baker Street to 

request help with the mystery of her 

missing father, Holmes takes the case 

and together with his companion 

Dr Watson enters a murky world of 

deception and trickery, unravelling 

a complex plot involving murder, 

corruption and stolen jewels. 

Don’t miss Blackeyed Theatre’s 

stunning world premiere of Sherlock 

Holmes: The Sign of Four. Original 

live music, stylish theatricality 

and magical story-telling combine 

for an unforgettable theatrical 

experience. The game’s afoot! 

For more details visit www. 

lichfieldgarrick.com or call the 

box office on 01543 412121. 

WHAT: SQUEEZE’S CHRIS DIFFORD 

WHERE: SUTTON COLDFIELD 

TOWN HALL 

WHEN: NOVEMBER 22 

Real music is back at Sutton 

Coldfield Town Hall starting this 

month. #Soundcheck nights, 

presented by CUE Stage, will be 

held regularly throughout the year 

with the aims of diversifying events, 

helping through new and exciting 

local acts as well as celebrating the 

established icons from over the 

decades. 

The historic opening night show 

will be headlined by none other 

than Chris Difford. The Squeeze 

co-founder has made a lasting 

contribution to English music with 

hits such as Cool For Cats, Up 

The Junction, Labelled With Love, 

Hourglass and Tempted. 

All updates for future #Soundcheck 

events can be found on Sutton 

Coldfield Town Hall’s social media 

& website. There is also a dedicated 

Facebook page @soundchecksutton 

which will have all the breaking 

news and updates as soon as we 

get them – so do keep an eye 

out. For more details visit www. 

townhallsuttoncoldfield.co.uk 

48

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WHAT: FINDING JOY 

WHERE: ARENA THEATRE, WOLVERHAMPTON, 

AND RSC THE OTHER PLACE, STRATFORD-UPON-AVON 


Theatre-goers in the UK have one last chance to see an 

award-winning production about dementia this month. 

Finding Joy, by Vamos Theatre, the country’s leading 

full mask company, will visit venues in the UK this 

autumn, stopping off in Wolverhampton and Stratfordupon-Avon, 

before the show continues to tour across 

the world in 2019. 

Finding Joy was first performed in 2013 and has 

become the epitome of the company’s funny, fearless, 

wordless theatre, seen by more than 23,000 people at 

over 200 performances to date. 

Vamos Theatre’s artistic director Rachael Savage 

sought out a real-life experience as her inspiration 

for Finding Joy when she was approached by The 

Courtyard Theatre, Hereford to co-create a show about 

dementia. Keen to find a story that went beyond the 

dementia diagnosis faced by more than 850,000 people 

every year in the UK, Rachael found the true story 

of a young carer and his unconventional approach to 

looking after his grandmother. 

Finding Joy tells the story of Joy, who is 83. She is 

funny, loves to dance, and is losing her memory. Her 

grandson Danny is rebellious, bright and always getting 

into trouble. When Danny decides to look after Joy, 

they discover a shared playfulness and mutual affection. 

But is that enough to take on the challenges ahead? 

Marking the end of a two-year Strategic Touring 

Project funded by Arts Council England, the 32-date 

tour aims to increase dementia awareness through 

this powerful and unusual style of theatre. Part of 

Vamos Theatre’s mission is to encourage empathy and 

understanding through the power of full mask theatre, 

and it’s clear that the show has an enormous impact on 

audiences, who consistently express how the show has 

changed how they relate to people living with dementia: 

many people call it ‘life changing’. 

With more than a million people in the UK set to 

be diagnosed with dementia by 2025, Finding Joy 

approaches the subject with humour and humanity, 

and aims to welcome as many people as possible to 

performances: the tour will include dementia-friendly 

performances, and its wordless style makes the show 

fully accessible to d/Deaf audiences without the need 

of a signer. 

Praised by press and public alike for its consummate full 

mask skills, engaging storytelling, physical dexterity and 

emotional insight, the company will continue to involve 

and engage audiences with Finding Joy internationally 

after 2018. What’s On Stage said: “Finding Joy can 

be summed up in two words: simply beautiful.” For full 

tour dates and to book tickets go to 

www.vamostheatre.co.uk 

50

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LO CA L A R E A 

What’s on Second City 

A LOOK AT SOME OF THE BIGGEST AND BEST 

EVENTS TO COME TO BIRMINGHAM THIS MONTH 

WHAT: THE LOVELY BONES 

WHERE: BIRMINGHAM REP 

WHEN: OCT 30 TO NOV 10 

The REP brings best-selling novel 

The Lovely Bones to the stage for the 

very first time. 

Susie Salmon is just like any other 

young girl. She wants to be beautiful, 

adores her charm bracelet and has a 

crush on a boy from school. There's 

one big difference though - Susie is 

dead. 

Now she can only observe while her 

family manage their grief in their 

different ways. Her father, Jack is 

obsessed with identifying the killer. 

Her mother, Abigail is desperate 

to create a different life for herself. 

And her sister, Lindsay is discovering 

the opposite sex with experiences 

that Susie will never know. Susie is 

desperate to help them and there 

might be a way of reaching them… 

Alice Sebold's novel The Lovely 

Bones is a unique coming-of-age tale 

that captured the hearts of readers 

throughout the world. Awardwinning 

playwright Bryony Lavery 

has adapted 

it for this unforgettable play about 

life after loss. For more details visit 

www.birmingham-rep.co.uk 

WHAT: BIRMINGHAM FESTIVAL OF 

REMEMBRANCE 

WHERE: BIRMINGHAM TOWN HALL 


Birmingham Canoldir Male Choir 

with the English Association of Male 

Voice Choirs hosts the Birmingham 

Festival Of Remembrance at Town 

Hall this month. The massed male 

voices with celebrity compère Don 

Maclean, soprano Denise Leigh and 

Gemini Brass will be joining together 

to commemorate the end of the 

First World War in this celebratory 

remembrance concert. 

Tickets are priced from £15, and 

the concert will be in support of 

Troop Aid, a West Midlands charity 

supporting injured troops. For more 

information and to book tickets visit 

www.thsh.co.uk 

WHAT: DIRTY DANCING 

WHERE: NEW ALEXANDRA THEATRE 


Dirty Dancing is back on stage, 

exploding with heart-pounding 

music, breathtaking emotion and 

sensationally sexy dancing. Seen 

by millions across the globe, this 

worldwide smash hit tells the classic 

story of Baby and Johnny, two 

fiercely independent young spirits 

from different worlds, who come 

together in what will be the most 

challenging and triumphant summer 

of their lives. 

Featuring 35 hit songs, including 

Hungry Eyes, Hey Baby, Do You 

Love Me? and the heart-stopping 

(I’ve Had) The Time Of My Life, 

the iconic score is brought to life on 

stage, where live cast performances 

are seamlessly blended with the 

movie soundtrack. 

Don’t miss your chance to see this 

sensational new production. For 

more details visit www.atgtickets. 

com/birmingham 

52

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WHAT: THE FULL MONTY 

WHERE: BIRMINGHAM HIPPODROME 


The Full Monty is one of the most 

acclaimed British films ever, and 

The Full Monty stage play has 

become one of the most phenomenal 

theatrical productions ever. 

This brilliant production about 

six out-of-work, impoverished 

steelworkers from Sheffield with 

nothing to lose, took the world 

by storm and has become one of 

Britain’s most successful shows. 

Based on his smash hit film and 

adapted for the stage by Oscarwinning 

writer Simon Beaufoy, this 

hilarious and heartfelt production 

has received standing ovations every 

night and won the prestigious UK 

Theatre Award 

Featuring Hollyoaks’ Gary Lucy, who 

has made the part of Gaz his own, 

plus an all-star cast, and with songs 

by Donna Summer, Hot Chocolate 

and Tom Jones you really should 

drop absolutely everything and book 

today. For more details visit www. 

birminghamhippodrome.com 

WHAT: DAVE GORMAN 

WHERE: BIRMINGHAM 

SYMPHONY HALL 

WHEN: NOVEMBER 22 AND 23 

Dave Gorman, the man behind 

Dave TV’s hit show Modern Life 

Is Goodish as well as Are You 

Dave Gorman? and Googlewhack 

Adventure, is back on the road 

with a brand new live show, With 

Great PowerPoint Comes Great 

ResponsibilityPoint. 

As the title suggests, he’s bringing his 

laptop and projector screen with him 

so expect the ‘King of Powerpoint 

comedy’ (Guardian) to have more 

detailed analysis of those parts of life 

you’ve never stopped to think about 

before. Hey, not all heroes wear 

capes. 

The Evening Standard said: “There 

is no need to draw a graph to 

calculate that this is an extremely 

entertaining evening”. For more 

details visit www.thsh.co.uk 

WHAT: MUMFORD & SONS 

WHERE: GENTING ARENA 


Mumford & Sons are bringing 

their huge world arena tour to 

Birmingham this month in support 

of their forthcoming fourth album, 

Delta. 

With an incredible 800,000 tickets 

on sale, this is the band’s biggest tour 

since forming ten years ago, and 

they’ll perform the show on a new 

ground-breaking stage right across 

the middle of the room. Support in 

the UK comes from the magnificent 

Maggie Rogers. 

Mumford & Sons release Delta on 

November 16 through Gentlemen 

of the Road/Island Records. 

Introduced by the frenetic, persistent 

rhythms of first single Guiding Light, 

it’s a wildly experimental record 

that effortlessly marries the intimacy 

and jubilance of the band’s first two 

records, with the scope and stadiumsized 

dynamics of 2015’s Wilder 

Mind. For more details visit 

www.gentingarena.co.uk 

WHAT: MS. LAURYN HILL 

WHERE: ARENA BIRMINGHAM 


The Grammy Award-winning 

Ms. Lauryn Hill is coming to 

Birmingham this month as part of 

her new world tour, celebrating 20 

years of her anthemic debut solo 

album The Miseducation of Lauryn 

Hill. 

Multi-platinum artist Ms. Lauryn 

Hill established herself in the music 

world as the lone female member 

of The Fugees, whose record sales 

would make them the second biggest 

selling R'n'B act worldwide since 

Michael Jackson, before taking the 

world by storm two decades ago as 

a solo artist with the release of the 

commercially successful and critically 

acclaimed album The Miseducation 

of Ms. Lauryn Hill. Singles including 

Doo Wop (That Thing) and 

Everything Is Everything catapulted 

her to superstardom, ultimately 

lauding her with ten Grammy 

nominations and a record-breaking 

five Grammy Awards including 

'Album of the Year' and 'Best New 

Artist'. For more details visit 

www.arenabham.co.uk 

54

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F E AT U R E 

Tanks, but no tanks! 

JACK REGAN, A CREATIVE AT TITAN. THE ADVERTISING AGENCY IN BIRMINGHAM, TAKES A MORE 

ADRENALINE-FUELLED APPROACH TO LIFE. THIS MONTH’S HE’S DOING BATTLE... WITH A TANK 

Good God Almighty, but this is all a bit too far 

above and beyond the call of duty, for a chap of my 

vintage, is it not?! No, no, no this is just not cricket at 

all. 

I'm driving a fifteen ton tank, for crying out loud! 

Yes, A TANK! Gone a bit mutton jeff, here, 

sorry! SORRY, VICAR, IT'S THIS INFERNAL 

BLOODY RACKET! Flat out, pedal to the metal, 

bouncing about like a pinball inside this growling, 

hulking behemoth, the sweat cascading out of me 

and some war-torn, 'Nam fixated commander type 

nutter shouting and bawling directions at me down 

my headphones while two lily-livered pansies behind 

me are whimpering into their comfort blankets about 

the quality of my driving, fcs! The fumes in here are 

potent enough to KO Zammo McGuire offa Grange 

Hill and, to top it all off, there's some sniggering posh 

boy careening, spiral-eyed right behind us in another 

tank, trying to bazooka us all to oblivion or beyond! 

This is a blitzkrieg to the senses like few experiences 

one could ever dare imagine. 

And it's just so aggressively deafening and effin' 

and jeffin' LOUD in here too. And everything's too 

smotheringly, overbearingly close around you. It's... 

actually it's a bit like being trapped inside a drunken 

American, is what it is. Sweet, I suppose, if that 

American's called Kardashian but not if it's called 

Sherman! No siree! 

But I'm trying to chill. I am! I'm trying to focus here. 

Just bare with me here for a tick ‘til I, y'know, ‘til I 

sort myself out a tad. 

It's all a bit frantic this armoured vehicle lark, isn't it? 

All a bit frenetic and discombobulating when you're 

used to driving a clapped out Prius, like me. 

Sure, yes, it had all sounded like good clean fun when 

the column was suggested too. All very sedate and 

Dad's Army and all that. 

The tanks are from the Seventies, so I reckoned 

there'd be more chance of the steering wheel falling 

off than of one of these things ever working up a 

decent head of steam again. 

Now I have a heavily bruised coccyx to prove just 

how wrong I was about that. And, yes, that's every bit 

as painful as it sounds, thank you very much. Matter 

56

アパート 

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伀渀攀漀昀琀栀攀氀愀爀最攀猀琀挀漀氀氀攀挀琀椀漀渀猀漀昀 

挀漀渀琀攀洀瀀漀爀愀爀礀 ǻ 渀攀樀攀眀攀氀氀攀爀礀椀渀琀栀攀唀䬀 

匀瀀攀挀椀愀氀椀猀琀猀椀渀搀攀猀椀最渀椀渀最愀渀搀洀愀欀椀渀最 Ⰰ 

爀攀洀漀搀攀氀氀椀渀最愀渀搀爀攀昀甀爀戀椀猀栀椀渀最昀漀爀アパート礀攀愀爀猀 

䄀䰀䰀䔀一䈀刀伀圀一䨀䔀圀䔀䰀䰀䔀刀夀 

䠀攀愀爀琀漀昀吀栀攀䌀漀甀渀琀爀礀匀栀漀瀀瀀椀渀最嘀椀氀氀愀最攀 

匀眀椀渀昀攀渀 Ⰰ 䰀椀挀栀 ǻ 攀氀搀 Ⰰ 

匀琀愀昀昀漀爀搀猀栀椀爀攀圀匀㐀㤀儀刀 

㔀㐀アパート㐀㠀㤀㐀㠀 

眀眀眀 ⸀ 愀氀氀攀渀戀爀漀眀渀樀攀眀攀氀氀攀爀礀 ⸀ 挀漀 ⸀ 甀欀 

昀椀琀 

#LichfieldWinter 

Ice Rink, Party Nights, Stand 

Up Comedy, 

Street Food, Crafts, Bars, 

Attractions & Rides 

Beacon Park

of fact I didn't even know what a coccyx was or that 

I was in actual possession of such a thing until about 

ten minutes previous. 

Right, but hang on, sorry folks, let me explain. 

I'm on a tank driving experience here. Somewhere 

deep into Leicestershire with a mob called 

Armourgeddon, which is a cool name for any 

organisation that's in the S&M business, like this mob 

would very much seem to be. 

And I'm simulating battle now on a World War II 

bombing range, driving this tank hell-for-leather 

with these two lily-livered peaceniks whimpering 

behind me while another tank attempts to shoot 

us up the arse with its cannon that's equipped with 

massive paintballs. All a bit breathless, as previously 

described. 

The object of the game here is to basically be the 

tank that splatters the other tank with more of these 

paint bombs than the other guy, so that means us 

tearing ferociously around the countryside hiding in 

bushes and thickets and under cow dung, desperately 

trying not to get splattered. 

When the artillery and flak starts flying thick and fast 

we're ordered to get the turrets down and so I end up 

driving this hell on wheels looking through a bit of 

muddy glass about the size of a fag packet. 

Which means I have my face squished right up next 

to it and getting my eyes battered and blackened and 

my nose mashed every time we hit a bump. Which is, 

y'know, every other second in here! 

Are you sensing that I'm not that chuffed about all 

this madness? Good, good. Delighted I'm managing 

to communicate that. 

I mean I suppose it would be a good laugh if you're 

coccyx is made out of plasticine and you don't mind 

every single filling you ever had from the dentist 

being chattered and harried and crunched right out 

of your skull, but for me this is worse than war! 

For the detail fixated among you, this tank runs a big 

Rolls Royce multi-fuel engine and gets about 5mpg. 

It weighs 15 tons and can reach speeds of 32 mph. 

Though no one alive has ever recommended that - 

even under enemy fire. 

Apparently rough and ready types can't get enough 

of this stuff, booking and rebooking again months 

in advance, but I must be one of those unusual 

creatures whose preference is to enjoy his spinal 

column linked together. 

Bizarrely enough, this very tank I'm being tortured 

in is the same one that Princess Diana drove during a 

state visit to Berlin in nineteen canteen and she loved 

it, bless her. She must have been made of sterner 

stuff than me. 

So I've spent the worst part of an hour in this vicious 

hulk, seeing off the cacophonous challenges of 

umpteen posh boy weekend warriors and I've had 

enough. And am now skidaddling shamelessly for the 

sanctuary of my little Prius where I shall listen to the 

soothing cadences of Radio 

Four all the way home and 

I can tell you I hope I never 

see the likes of that bloody 

contraption ever again. 

I think I'd rather endure 

enemy fire, quite frankly. 

But that shouldn't stop any 

of you lot giving it a bash. 

Just, y'know, you-have-beenwarned. 

God speed to you 

and may The Force be with 

you and all that malarkey, 

if you decide you genuinely 

fancy it. 

Tanking is an adventure 

or a gift that should be 

undertaken or supplied 

exclusively to the very, very 

machoest of men. Y'reading 

this Mum?! Never again, 

says I! NEVER, EVER, 

EVER AGAIN! 

58

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FA S H I O N 

A style superhero 

WINTER IS COMING AND YOU DON’T WANT TO BE UNPREPARED, SAYS AMY NORBURY. WHATEVER STYLE 

YOU’RE AFTER, INVESTMENT IS KEY WHEN YOU’RE SHOPPING FOR THAT ALL-IMPORTANT WINTER COAT 

AS autumn rolls on and the last vestiges of an 

Indian summer - which has seen temperatures 

stay warm enough to require nothing more than 

a casually thrown-on jacket - makes way for 

somewhat chillier climes, it’s time to turn your 

attention to what is considered the most important 

fashion purchase of the year; the winter coat. 

The season’s big ticket buy, it makes for a 

tantalising proposition. After all, this is the piece 

which is going to take you right through to spring, 

a trusty companion from office to bar and beyond, 

and a worthy complement to any outfit. 

Outerwear options for AW18 are seriously exciting: 

will you switch between trench styles, rendered in 

leather, or opt for heritage tweeds? Could a cosily 

practical puffer catch your eye, will you wrap up in 

a teddy coat or are you one to stand out from the 

crowd in luscious leopard? 

Investing in a sumptuous belted number was the 

top choice of many a designer across the AW18 

catwalks; it’s classic, elegant and oozes refined 

style. Keep it nicely cinched at the waist, spacious 

enough to accommodate those autumnal layers 

and, for a dramatic flair, look for ankle-grazing 

lengths; this coat means business. 

One of the hero styles to come to the fore is taken 

as the fashion world’s rather literal response to the 

female empowerment movement which is sweeping 

in with a renewed focus on crusading women in 

politics, film and fashion. In these post #metoo 

and #timesup days, it seems only fitting that the 

resurgence of the cape as the outerwear choice du 

jour is set to make superheroes of all of us. 

Take it sharp and structured, as seen at Loewe 

and Saint Laurent, for added power dressing or go 

cosy with Isabel Marant and Missoni's blanket-like 

iterations. 

Finding the perfect winter coat is a tough ask, 

particularly if you’re looking for an investment 

piece to last. But this season gives plenty of 

seriously stylish choice, enough to satisfy even 

the most discerning fashionista. The hard part? 

Deciding which one to give your precious wardrobe 

space to... 

LIMITED EDITION COAT, 

£99, MARKS AND SPENCER 

60

LOEWE BELTED OVERSIZED 

COAT, HARVEY NICHOLS 

£99 

£85 

PATENT TRENCH, 

RIVER ISLAND 

£1,995 

KHAITE CHARLOTTE DOUBLE 

BREASTED COAT, HARVEY 

NICHOLS 

£1,735 

M&S COLLECTION COAT, 

MARKS AND SPENCER 

STUDIO BY PREEN CAPE, 

DEBENHAMS 

CHLOÉ LIGHT CAMEL 

WOOL CAPE, 

HARVEY NICHOLS 

GEORGIANA LEOPARD 

PRINT COAT, HOBBS 

£229 

£99 

£1,795 

TEDDY COAT, £65, 

MISS SELFRIDGE 

CAMEL CROMBIE COAT, 

£69, DOROTHY PERKINS 

CHARLOTTE MAXI COAT, £160, 

MONSOON

FA S H I O N 

Boss those boots 

PUT YOUR BEST FOOT FORWARD WITH THE SEASON’S MOST COVETED BOOTS. 

AMY NORBURY ROUNDS UP OUR PICK OF AW18 STYLES 

BOOTS. The most crucial part of your seasonal 

wardrobe arsenal, essential for weather-proofing 

your tootsies against the vagaries of the harsh 

winter weather while ensuring you remain on 

point in the style stakes. New boots remain a 

given for most fashionistas, but which styles have 

reached the pinnacle of sartorial chic for AW18? 

Leopard print prowled most of the AW18 

runways and many of the highlights were in 

footwear form, so if you’re ready to take a walk 

on the wild side then these are the boots to opt 

for. Animal patterns extended outside of the 

cat family, too. There were zebra prints at Tom 

Ford and Balenciaga and snake prints and faux 

stamped crocodile everywhere else. 

Western style boots were given the chicest of 

green lights by Raf Simons’ Calvin Klein debut a 

year ago, and now you’ll find iterations of classic 

cowboy-inspired boots all over the catwalks and 

high streets. With a tendency to be sleeker and 

less pointy than the traditional styles, the style is 

more refined, and any boot height goes as long as 

it has Western finishing touches. 

And if you’re not going Western in your 

embellishment, then opt for rock chick chic with 

buckles, studs and strap detail - preferably all at 

once. 

Hot on the heels of the 80s fashion comeback 

which has seen puffy shoulders and power suits 

being brought up to date for 2018, the decade 

is now lending an influence to footwear in the 

shape of cone heels and slouchy styles. Ever since 

Anthony Vaccarello showcased his Swarovskiencrusted 

Saint Laurent numbers last year, the 

slouch boot has been top of every fashionista’s 

wish list. Opt for soft suede or fabric to truly 

create that part-boot, part-legwarmer effect and 

wear calf, knee or even thigh-high for maximum 

impact. 

ZEBRA PRINT CONE 

HEEL BOOTS, £45, 

DOROTHY PERKINS 

62

www.neroebianco.co.uk 

Nero e Bianco Exclusive Fashion & Bridal 

Barton Marina Burton upon Trent DE13 8AS 

01283 346704

£765 

£55 

£120 

DARK GREY DENIM SLOUCH 

BOOTS, STELLA MCCARTNEY 

AT HARVEY NICHOLS 

NINE BY SAVANNAH MILLER 

BOOTS, DEBENHAMS 

FAITH KNEE-HIGH SLOUCH 

BOOTS, DEBENHAMS 

£59 

£72 

£125 

NINE BY SAVANNAH 

MILLER LACE DETAIL BOOT, 

DEBENHAMS 

CONE HEEL ANKLE 

BOOTS, NEXT 

PAGENT BUCKLE BOOTS, 

DUNE LONDON 

£165 

LEOPARD ANKLE 

BOOTS, OASIS 

£70 

SARENTO SLOUCH BOOTS, 

DUNE LONDON 

£850 

CONE HEEL SLOUCH 

BOOTS, NEXT 

CHLOE SUSANNAH 

STUDDED BOOTS, 

HARVEY NICHOLS 

£130 

£160 

£179 

PAPAIYA STRAPPED BOOTS, 

DUNE LONDON 

ROSEWOOD FUR-TRIMMED 

BOOTS, DUNE LONDON 

LINDEN CUBAN 

BOOTS, HOBBS 

64

CHRISTMAS 

16 Nov | 5–8pm 

LATE NIGHT SHOPPING 

AND THE START OF OUR 

CHRISTMAS TREE FESTIVAL 

24 and 25 Nov 

CHRISTMAS MARKET 

SANTA, MUSIC, GIFTS 

AND MORE! 

heartofthecountryvillage.com 

Swinfen, Lichfield. WS14 9QR 

Festive Dining 

Celebration Carvery Lunch 

A Enjoy a traditional 3 course carvery lunch 

Celebration Dinner 

Join us for a special celebratory festive meal in Darwin’s 

Santa Sunday Lunch 

Bring the whole family along to enjoy great food and fun 

Festive Afternoon Tea 

The perfect Christmas treat! 

Festive Dining 

Oak Room Restaurant 

A wonderful setting for a festive celebration lunch or dinner 

Country Kitchen Carvery 

Enjoy a relaxed carvery meal with a special festive flavour 

Family Lunch with Santa 

Bring the whole family along to enjoy great food and fun 

Festive Afternoon Tea 

The perfect Christmas treat! 

Bird Street, Lichfield WS13 6PR 

01543 414822 www.thegeorgelichfield.co.uk 

Book your festive dining now. Full details in our Christmas brochure 

Moor Hall Drive, Four Oaks, Sutton Coldfield B75 6LN 

0121 308 3751 www.moorhallhotel.co.uk 

Book your festive dining now. Full details in our Christmas brochure

B E AU T Y 

A stylish shade of winter 

PICK UP ON FASHION’S EARTHY TONES OF GLIMMERING GOLD, RICH BURGUNDY AND DUSKY PINK 

TO BRING YOUR MAKEUP BAG BANG UP TO DATE. LISA PIDDINGTON, FROM HARVEY NICHOLS 

BIRMINGHAM, SELECTS THE CATWALK-INSPIRED COLOURS THAT ARE SET TO WOW THIS PARTY SEASON 

Create sparkling eyes in an instant 

with Hourglass Scattered Light 

Glitter Eyeshadow, £26. The 

hybrid cream formula is infused with 

refined glitter and light-reflecting 

pearls for a sophisticated finish; 

while the weightless formula glides 

across your lids and dries for smooth, 

comfortable wear. Simply apply with 

your fingertips to build intensity. 

Be bold with 

Fenty Beauty 

Mattemoiselle 

Plush Matte 

Lipstick in Bold 

Burgundy, £16. 

It’s a long-wearing, 

petal-soft matte 

finish designed to 

flatter all skin tones 

and its weightless, 

colour-intense shade 

certainly makes 

a statement for 

AW18. 

With its buttery matte and 

lustrous satin shades, reveal 

your true colours with Duo 

Eyeshadow Kalahari palette, 

£24, from NARS. Designed to 

deliver rich, high-impact colour, 

this innovative set ensures your 

eyes stand out with instant glitter 

gratification. 

Part of the new Holiday Collection, Marc Jacobs 

See-Quins Glam Glitter Eyeshadow, £21, 

adds a super-shimmering dimension to any look. 

The innovative, demi-pressed process allows 

the pigments to apply more vividly for 

maximum sparkle. Use this gorgeous jewel 

tone on your eyes, cheekbones or lips. 

For long-lasting colour, plump 

for Stila Stay All Day Liquid 

Lipstick, £16 – a creamy-matte, 

full-coverage lip colour that delivers 

intense moisture that stays in place 

for up to six hours. What’s more, 

this rich formula won’t bleed or 

transfer... perfect for those sneaky 

mistletoe moments. 

Yves Saint Laurent 

Vernis à Lèvres Vinyl 

Lip Cream, £28, is ultra 

feminine yet ultra modern. 

This ultra-pigmented intense 

purple shade is the perfect 

blend of gloss and lipstick 

with a comfortable, vinyl 

shine finish for strong and 

seductive lips. 

PRODUCTS FEATURED ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE BEAUTY HALL AT 

HARVEY NICHOLS BIRMINGHAM OR ONLINE AT HARVEYNICHOLS.COM. 

68

DISTRIBUTORS 

REQUIRED 

DISTRIBUTORS ARE REQUIRED TO DELIVER 

J’AIME TO SELECTED HOMES IN YOXALL, 

BRANSTON AND CANNOCK ONCE A MONTH. 

MUST BE RELIABLE. 

CONTACT JAN ASHLEY ON 07388 335931 

OR EMAIL EDITOR@JAIMEMAGAZINE.COM 

Autumn Spa Day Offer 

Includes a 25 minute Thalgo Discover Cold Cream facial, 

use of the facilities including gym, indoor pool, spa bath, 

sauna and steam room, access to fitness classes, 

lunch and refreshments and use of a robe for the day. 

ALL FOR ONLY £65! 

Available Monday to Friday until 30th November 2018 

November Spa Offer 

Honey Oil Massage & Indian Head Massage 

£70 (normally £102) 

Available Monday to Friday until 30th November 2018 

J’AIME 

/jaimemagazine 

@jaimemagazine 

www.jaimemagazine.com 

Moor Hall Drive, Four Oaks, Sutton Coldfield B75 6LN 

0121 334 2323 www.moorhallhotel.co.uk 

Francesco Group Streetly take position at the top of the 40 salon-strong Group as 

Technical Team of the Year 

As an introduction to our Award Winning Team enjoy... 

25% OFF Hair Services 

4 B u r n e t t R o a d , S t r e e t l y , S u t t o n C o l d f i e l d B 7 4 3 E J 

t: 0121 353 3888 

T’s & C’s: Not valid in conjunction with any other offer or promotion. Valid for new clients only at Francesco Group Streetly with selected stylists on selected days. 

Quote ADJAIME25 on booking. Skin Allergy Test required 48 hours prior to colour appointment. Appointments are subject to availability.

H E A LT H 

Pioneering robot is a surgical revolution 

PATIENTS IN THE MIDLANDS CAN NOW BENEFIT FROM A REVOLUTIONARY HELPING HAND WHEN 

IT COMES TO KNEE AND HIP REPLACEMENT SURGERY, THANKS TO A PIONEERING ROBOT 

Spire Little Aston Hospital in Sutton Coldfield is 

the first private hospital in the Midlands to offer 

a revolutionary new technology which is set to 

transform hip and knee replacements. 

Mako, the state of the art robotic arm, is a 

precision tool now used by selected surgeons at 

the hospital, and is offered as an alternative to 

traditional hip and knee replacements. 

The very first Mako robotically assisted knee 

replacement took place at Spire Little Aston 

during October and since then, the hospital has 

seen increased demand for the robotically assisted 

procedure as word spreads about its benefits. 

The robot has the capability to achieve never 

before seen levels of accuracy during surgery. 

This pioneering technology results 

in improved precision, quicker 

recovery times and less pain for 

patients. 

Ved Goswami, the surgeon 

behind the first procedure at Spire 

Little Aston commented: “The 

Mako robot has a track record 

of delivering outstanding results 

for patients. More than 100,000 

procedures have been carried out 

using the robot across the world 

and it’s a real pleasure to be able to 

bring this technology to Midlands’ 

patients for the very first time. For 

me, seeing patients return to the 

lifestyle they know and love faster 

than ever is a huge satisfaction.” 

“We’re delighted to be able to 

offer our patients the very latest 

in hip and knee surgery” added 

Richard Foulkes, hospital director. 

“We are seeing record levels of 

interest from across the Midlands 

from patients seeking the Mako 

technology over traditional hip and 

knee replacement techniques. The 

Mako robot is very much at home 

here in the hospital and we’re over 

the moon with the initial results our 

patients are experiencing.” 

MR GOSWAMI AND THE SURGICAL TEAM 

AFTER COMPLETING THE FIRST PROCEDURE 

AT SPIRE LITTLE ASTON 

THE MAKO ROBOT IS SET TO 

REVOLUTIONISE HIP AND KNEE 

REPLACEMENT 

68

I N T H E N E W S 

Francesco Group Streetly 

win big at in-house awards 

Francesco Group Streetly were one of the big winners 

at the recent Francesco Group Winner’s Dinner and 

in-house awards event, which took place at Bank, in 

Birmingham’s BrindleyPlace. 

With some 42 salons competing for honours, made up 

of more than 450 team members, the Streetly salon’s 

haul of four awards made them one of the evening’s 

stars. 

The first Winner’s Dinner celebration was a decadent 

evening of glitz and glamour. Staff were treated to a 

three-course-meal and the company’s top performers 

were rewarded for their hard work over the last year 

in an intimate ceremony, hosted by managing director 

Ben Dellicompagni. 

FG Streetly won Technical Team of the Year, a 

formidable foursome of a team that boasts more 

than 40 years of salon expertise between them and 

three Master Colour Experts. Galina from the team 

was also placed fourth in the whole company for 

Technician of the Year. 

The salon also walked away with third place in the 

Retailer of the Year category, demonstrating their 

talent for understanding hair types and providing 

clients with expert advice and the ideal products to 

maintain hair vitality following each and every service. 

The night was topped off with Paul Corbett, who runs 

the salon alongside his wife, Saranne, being placed 

seventh in the Franchisee Stylist of the Year category. 

Speaking of the salon’s success, Paul said: "We are so 

proud of what we have achieved as a team and would 

like to dedicate our win to our amazing clients who 

have all been so supportive of us in everything that we 

do.” 

If you are wondering where to book your next salon 

appointment, look no further than Francesco Group 

Streetly. They have a talented team of experts on 

hand to cater to every hair need, in a welcoming and 

friendly atmosphere. 

Contact them on 0121 353 3888 to book your free 

consultation. 

FRANCESCO GROUP STREETLY'S 

AWARD-WINNING TECHNICAL TEAM 

69

I N T H E N E W S 

Small screen role for Blackbrook Interiors 

Eagle-eyed viewers of a new BBC TV show will be 

able to spot a familiar location later this month, when 

Blackbrook Interiors makes a guest appearance. 

Make Me A Dealer is a new, one-hour BBC1 prime 

daytime show, hosted by Paul Martin from Flog It. 

The premise of the programme sees aspiring dealers 

go to auction and buy items using their own money, 

before travelling to local dealers to attempt to sell the 

items they buy at a profit. 

For the Midlands-based episode, the contestant is local 

hotelier Steve Cuddy, owner of the Grimscote Manor 

Hotel in Coleshill. After purchasing his auction items, 

Steve will be seen on the show visiting Blackbrook 

Interiors in an attempt to sell his wares to one of the 

Blackbrook team, Ben Rowan. 

But will he be successful? You’ll have to tune into 

episode 19, due to air in late November, to find out. 

South American dining in style 

The latest addition to the Birmingham food scene, 

Fazenda, will be opening its doors to the public this 

month, bringing authentic Brazilian dining to the city. 

Located at 55 Colmore Row, the premium rodizio 

restaurant opens on November 16 and prides itself 

on a unique dining experience unlike any other, with 

the Fazenda passadores offering continuous tableside 

service, carving guests a wide range of beef cuts, pork, 

lamb and chicken. 

Inside, the interiors will feature the signature dark 

colour palette contrasted by warm ambient lighting, 

cow hides and stucco walls. Along with a 50-seater bar, 

the restaurant will also have two intimate dining rooms 

for up to 14 guests, and a private hire dining and events 

space to accommodate for 60 people. 

The large event space will cater for Christmas parties, 

corporate functions and celebrations alike, and will be 

available from the restaurant's opening day. 

As well as a first-rate meat, fish, vegetarian and vegan 

offering, Fazenda has made a name for itself in the 

North for its exquisite wine list. Each bottle is handpicked 

from the finest wine producing regions across 

South America, alongside a selection of the best 

wines from across the world. 

Fazenda co-founder, Tomas Maunier said: 

“Fazenda Birmingham is inspired by the type of 

restaurants you would find in Rio and São Paulo. 

The whole team are incredibly passionate about the 

brand and ensuring each visit is a memorable one." 

Tomas, who was born in Brazil and raised in 

Argentina, added: “Growing up, this is how I would 

eat with my family and friends, and I can't wait for 

the people of Birmingham to have a true Fazenda 

experience - just like how it is back home." 

To book a table visit www.fazenda.co.uk. 

70

TRACK DAYS 

REDEFINED 

Velocity is a new breed of track day company offering the chance to race real racing cars on the UK’s finest 

circuits, tutored by Le Mans Winner Martin Plowman and BTCC and Emmerdale Star Kelvin Fletcher. 

There’s no better way to engage with clients or reward loyal teams. Choose from one of our great packages 

or let us build you a bespoke day. 

GET IN TOUCH TODAY AND LET US BUILD 

THE PERFECT EXPERIENCE 

www.velocitytrackdays.co.uk 0115 888 3288 info@velocitytrackdays.co.uk

J'AIME NOVEMBER 2018

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