J’AIME NOVEMBER 2021

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
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
N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 1
The Sutton
Coldfield cyclists
on a fundraising
mission
GET
FESTIVE!
Your perfect
Christmas
starts here
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Welcome to J’AIME
Christmas. There, we said it. Here at J’AIME HQ
we’re already in full swing with preparations for the
most wonderful time of the year and, after the festive
season flop that was 2020, we’re getting into the
Christmas spirit - or should that be spirits?! - in a big
way.
As always, supporting local, independent businesses is
at the heart of what we do here at J’AIME, and our
festive gift guide is made up of exclusively local shops
and producers. If you like what you see then please
buy from them - you’ll make our local businesses very
happy! Part two of our gift guide will run next month,
so if you’re a local business who wants to be featured
then please get in touch.
We’ve also teamed up with the amazing independent
businesses at Woodmill Farm in Yoxall to bring you
some top expert tips on creating the perfect festive
feast; it’s never too early to start planning your menu!
Elsewhere, we chat to a group of Sutton Coldfield
cycling enthusiasts who came together over lockdown
about a mammoth charity ride, and a Rugeley author
about his locally-based tales, as well as discover a
rather novel use for a British design icon in Streetly.
It’s an exciting time to be a food-lover in Lichfield;
after Tom Shepherd’s grand opening last month,
we check out Michelin-starred chef Rob Palmer’s
residence in the city at Thyme Kitchen. Plus, we get
all the news from Staffordshire’s biggest, and newest,
foodie weekender Love Cheese Live.
If you enjoy what you read in this issue, then why not
help us to spread the word? As well as being delivered
directly to homes in selected postcodes across the
area, you can pick J’AIME up free of charge in major
supermarkets around the Midlands, as well as read the
whole thing - and plenty more! - online at
www.jaimemagazine.com
EDITOR: AMY NORBURY
EDITOR@JAIMEMAGAZINE.COM
ADVERTISING: JAN ASHLEY
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07388 335 931
DESIGN: DESIGN@JAIMEMAGAZINE.COM
CONTRIBUTORS: JAZZ SHERGILL,
KATY EDGINGTON, NATHAN COLLINS,
DEBORAH MITCHELL
J’AIME IS PUBLISHED BY ASHBURY
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CO N T E N T S
InsideJ’aime this month...
6 Cycloholics - The Sutton Coldfield cycling
group on a fundraising mission
10 Love Cheese Live - All of the news from
Staffordshire’s newest foodie weekender
14 Richard Winterton - A new auction house for
Tamworth
18 Property - Property of the month
20 Property - Property picks from Chosen Home
22 Christmas - Shop Local gift guide
26 Christmas - Festive family fun
28 Christmas - Prepare a festive feast with
Woodmill Farm
32 Food and drink - Reviewing Rob Palmer @
Thyme Kitchen
34 Food and drink - Creating the perfect
cheeseboard
38 Interiors - Mulled wine-inspired picks
42 Interiors - Kitchen accessories
46 Author Mike O’Brien - A Rugeley page-turner
50 The Exchange - A library with a difference
comes to Streetly
54 Travel - Winter getaways with RB Collection
58 What’s On - Events around the Midlands this
month
60 Fashion - A passion for puffers
62 Beauty - Passionate about organic skincare
63 In the news - A double milestone for Allen
Brown Jewellery
64 Health - Take care of your joints
66 Health - Achieve your dream smile
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F E AT U R E
Men on a mission
A GROUP OF FRIENDS FROM SUTTON COLDFIELD AND BIRMINGHAM WHO FOUND A LOVE FOR CYCLING
DURING THE PANDEMIC AND HAVE TAKEN IT TO NEW HEIGHTS. JAZZ SHERGILL FINDS OUT MORE
THE CYCLOHOLICS ON A RIDE
One thing that many of us have learnt from the
pandemic is to live life to the fullest. That may have
been finding a new hobby, spending more time with
loved ones, doing something for charity or simply just
living in the moment.
A group of friends put all these together and formed
the Cycloholics. What started off as small bike rides
in their local park for good pals Dal Singh, Kush
Dubb, Amit Ram, Arun Dubb, Manraj Dubb, Jeevan
Bhopal, Dal Gillar and Sanj Bahia, turned into a
126-mile ride from Birmingham to London to help
create awareness of suicide and mental health within
the male population in the UK.
“During the Covid-19 pandemic me and a few of
my close friends decided to start cycling, to stay fit,
socially active, and get away from the doom and
gloom of lockdown,” says Jeevan Bhopal, one of the
group’s founders.
“In all honesty, it was a way to stay mentally stable
and keep a positive mindset. From what started with
small rides to Sutton Park and back, developed into
large rides through Birmingham and the Midlands;
we grew to a group of around 20 and began taking
cycling a lot more seriously! As a group we were
thinking of doing a ride which would challenge us
mentally and physically but also give us a sense of
monumental achievement.”
On Saturday, October 9, the Cycloholics took on
the challenge of tackling a ride from Birmingham to
London without an overnight stay, all in aid of men’s
mental health. With meticulous planning, plenty of
food and prayer, off they went. Some 126 miles and
approximately 11 hours later, all eight riders reached
their final destination.
6 www.jaimemagazine.com

“The journey to London started around 4am, we got
prepared, put our lights on, checked tire pressure,
topped up on protein and energy drinks,” says
Cycloholic Dal Singh.
“Another group member Dal Gillar put on a religious
prayer before we all set off which was a really nice
touch. We broke down the ride in segments, so it was
relatively easier on the mind, knowing that we have a
stop coming up to refuel definitely helped.
“At around 60 miles we were in Buckingham, our
friend Yatmit turned up with some Indian flat breads
which was really nice of him to do; then when we go
to around the 90 miles mark, I think it became really
testing that we had been on our bikes for so long at
that point.
“When the ride was almost coming to an end and I
think for about 10 miles nobody said a word to each
other. My brother Amarpreet and Taran turned up
with a van and they took our bags off us which were
weighing us down. At one point one of the riders
said he couldn’t continue, and I said think about
your girls, think about the story you’re going to tell
them, mentally be strong for them and I think that
helped him plough through the ride. It was a really
good team bonding exercise; we spoke about our
lives which I don’t think would have happened in any
other environment,” Dal adds.
The Cycloholics wanted their chance to give back
to the community. Mental health has been a huge
talking point over the last few years, and the group
came to realise the impact that ill mental health has
on men. As well drawing upon personal experiences,
they wanted to help spread more awareness around
the topic.
“I came across a charity called CALM (Campaign
THE CYCLOHOLICS ARRIVED IN
LONDON FOLLOWING THEIR 126-MILE
JOURNEY FROM BIRMINGHAM
THE CYCLOHOLICS HAVE RAISED MORE
THAT £7,000 FOR CALM
Against Living Miserably); their focus is to lead a
movement against suicide which is the single biggest
killer of men under the age of 45 in the UK and that
really hit home to me,” says group member Amit
Ram.
“It came to fruition during the Covid-19 pandemic;
everyone was locked inside which could have easily
led into anxiety, depression, stress and the whole
change in lifestyle. The only way for people to meet
up was some form of exercise, so during covid we
got into cycling and we thought that it was a great
way to meet up and get through the
lockdown together. CALM was a
fitting charity to support with our
ride to London because our love for
cycling happened because of the
pandemic and it was all in aid of
CALM.”
The group of enthusiastic cyclists
decided to set up a fundraising
page for their charity and have so
far raised an impressive £7,000 and
counting.
Something that has touched the
group is how people have reached
out to them to talk about their own
struggles with ill mental health, and
how they’ve been affected by loved
ones who have taken their own
www.jaimemagazine.com
7

lives.
“The greatest thing that has come out of this is the
awareness, especially in Asian communities, explains
Dal Gillar.
“With anything involving mental health, people don’t
really talk about it; there’s this opinion that you can’t
talk about feelings or just expressing yourself. So, it’s
the awareness that has been amazing.
“There’s the fitness side to it as well; from hardly
ever riding a bike since I was a kid to going with
the lads often, it’s been great. Even just getting out
and talking to someone; when we would go on bike
rides, we would speak about things that you wouldn’t
usually speak out about.
“I wasn’t the best rider out of the group and
sometimes I’d be really behind; one of the other guys
would stay with me and we would end up talking. It
helped to release your mind and focus on the positive
things and what I need to prioritise in life.”
The journey doesn’t end here; there are more bike
rides planned and the Cycloholics are ready to take
on more challenges to continue their mission to help
those in need.
“Completing the Birmingham to London ride has
definitely given us all the confidence to take on
more cycling challenges together in the future,” says
Cycloholic Manraj Dubb.
“In terms of future plans, we believe London to
Amsterdam is potentially on the horizon; cycling for
THE GROUP BONDED ON THEIR BIKES
DURING LOCKDOWN
CYCLING HELPED THE GROUP
DURING A DIFFICULT TIME
two consecutive days is definitely the next step for
us to take given how well we completed the London
ride. We want to continue doing this for charity and
to raise awareness for people who need it most.”
This experience has opened up a new and very much
needed conversation among the community; the
learning journey for each rider has been individually
touching and they welcome people to join them on
their bike rides.
“From our perspective, we didn’t know there were so
many people in our circle of friends who had been
affected by mental health issues, or know someone
who’s been affected by them,” adds Dal Singh.
“It’s so important to talk, go to an environment
where you can’t be distracted, go for a walk and let it
out. Maybe do something you’ve never done before;
the cycling actually helped clear our minds and it
allowed us to be at one with our thoughts on the bike
because you’ve got nothing other than cycling and
the road in front of you to think about, and that was
quite useful for myself and the other riders
“I hope this bike ride can give others encouragement
to get out there and do something you’ve never done.
If anyone is local to us in the Midlands then we’re
phone call away, a text away, come and meet us,
jump on a bike with us and the more the merrier.”
If you’d like to make a donation, please visit
www.justgiving.com/team/cycloholics
The Cycloholics would like to give a special thank
you to Yatmit, Amarpreet, Taran, Diya, Ava, Amber,
Avie, Aryan, Anya, Jaya and Milan.
8
www.jaimemagazine.com

F E AT U R E
A celebration of cheese
THE WEEKEND OF THE INTERNATIONAL CHEESE AND DAIRY AWARDS AND LOVE CHEESE LIVE,
HOSTED IN STAFFORDSHIRE THIS YEAR FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME, FINALLY CAME AROUND.
KATY EDGINGTON BRINGS YOU ALL THE HIGHLIGHTS.
Following on from a busy trade day, which saw
hundreds of judges assemble to judge thousands of
award entries, Love Cheese Live opened its doors
on Friday, October 22, in Staffordshire County
Showground’s Bingley Hall. Hundreds of exhibitors
and a cast of well-known chefs welcomed the public
to meet, eat, learn and shop across a packed two-day
programme of demos, talks and tastings.
We caught up with Saturday Kitchen’s Matt Tebbutt
shortly after his demo on the Saputo stage on Friday
afternoon. Matt made kapsalon, a dish originating
from Rotterdam in the early 2000s. “People love
it because it’s deep-fried and a bit dirty - it’s filthy,
actually,” Matt says. “It was a Turkish barber in the
Netherlands who invented this new late night snack,
with layers of spicy shawarma chicken meat, deepfried
potatoes, chilli sauce, garlic sauce, a bit of salad,
and melted cheese. I like the story and it tastes really
good.”
His second, equally voluptuous, demo dish was a
Gruyère fondue with butternut squash cooked in
bacon fat with crispy bacon and garlic, accompanied
by truffled potato ravioli for dipping. Matt was more
than happy to sing the praises of British cheese.
“Cheese is one of those things we do really well in
this country. I’ve been to the United States a number
of times and, apart from a few artisans here and
there, they don’t have that love that we have for
cheese. British cheese is up there with the best in
the world, because we have that great tradition of
cheesemakers.”
Although he struggled to pinpoint a favourite cheese
recipe, Matt reckons “the nicest breakfast you’ll
ever eat” is a fresh Italian ricotta, first thing in the
morning, with an espresso and a spoon of honey.
So, what would you find on his perfect festive cheese
board?
“Definitely a good Stilton or a Roquefort. An aged
hard cheese like a cheddar. A mountain cheese like
Beaufort - one of the reasons I go skiing is to eat
good mountain cheese. I would have to have a soft
goats’ cheese, and I might have truffled-something
10 www.jaimemagazine.com

THE FIRST LOVE CHEESE LIVE
AT STAFFORDSHIRE COUNTRY
SHOWGROUND
for a bit of decadence. It would be quite a big
cheeseboard, really. That’s the nice thing about
Christmas - you can’t over-cater. You bring the same
board out Christmas Day, Boxing Day and keep
going until it all becomes grated cheese toasties.”
In the main exhibition hall, smaller regional
producers sat alongside the giants of the dairy
industry. Ornua Foods, the largest supplier of British
and Irish cheese in the UK market, were serving up
free cheddar toasties and margherita pizza from their
stand. Sharon Hurdsman, who was there to represent
the Leek-based manufacturer of brands including
Pilgrim’s Choice and Kerrygold butter, said it had
been great to engage with customers again.
“The response to our cheese has been really positive
and it’s lovely to see that people want to be out and
about. They love the venue and there’s a really good
mix of producers - you could definitely start your
Christmas shopping!”
Whitchurch-based wholesalers Westry Roberts
and Co supply farm shops, delis, butchers and
corner shops across Shropshire, Cheshire, parts of
Wales and Staffordshire. Manager
Becky Williams was delighted to
be showcasing some of the many
producers they represent at the show.
“We’re spotlighting the Hartington
Creamery range with their blended
fruit and savoury cheeses, and their
blue cheeses as well. Obviously
Stilton has protected designation of
origin (PDO) status - it can be made
in Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire
or Derbyshire - and this is the only
one still made in Derbyshire, at the
Creamery in Pikehall. We had a very
nice shoutout from James Martin
for our own farm butter, which he
used on stage, so that has been very
popular!”
In the Staffordshire room there
were plenty of local treats to
be found. Guernsleigh and
Staffordshire Cheese Co - the
only two artisan cheesemakers in
the county - were there alongside
cheese accompaniments from
Staffordshire Savoury Scotch
Eggs, Jethro’s Marinades and
Sauces, and Hearts Distillery. Local
cheesemaker Mary Button from
Staffordshire Cheese Co expressed
how important it is for a show on
this scale to also represent smaller producers.
“It’s a bit overwhelming because the show has so
many big producers, but we’re reminding people that
there are lots of small producers out there making
great cheeses. We are a team of three, and our three
main cheeses all have PDOs.
“My personal favourite is the Staffordshire. It’s a
traditional hard-pressed cheese. We make it, press
it overnight and then it’s left to mature for three
months, turned once a week. It’s creamy with a bit
of a citrus note - so a little sharpness - but it’s a very
nice cheese, great for cooking, and we’re the only
people that make it.”
Indeed, visitors on Friday might have seen
Thom Bateman, chef-patron of The Flintlock at
Cheddleton, use Staffordshire cheese in one of his
demos.
Also there was Lymestone Brewery from Stone, who
won a silver for Foundation Stone and a bronze for
their milk stout in the Cheese Board Awards. After
the great success of their cheese and beer pairing
MARCO PIERRE WHITE WAS ONE
OF THE STAR NAMES AT LOVE
CHEESE LIVE
www.jaimemagazine.com
11

ox in the run up to Christmas 2020,
Lymestone are now taking orders for
this year via their website.
“We introduced online ordering because
of the pandemic, and we have a history
of working with other local suppliers,”
explains brewer’s wife Viv Bradford.
“Before Christmas last year we made
contact with Mary at Staffordshire
Cheese and asked if she fancied some
joint working. She sent over some
samples and we sat together for a cheese
and beer sampling afternoon. We
matched the cheeses with the beers and
the Cheese Box was born. In there you
get six lovely cheeses, six different Lymestone beers,
and a little board as a gift set.”
On the upstairs mezzanine, alongside the M&S
Cookery School, charity pumpkin decorating with
Checkley Hall Farm and a children’s cookery school
where little ones could make their own pizza, were
Dalton’s Dairy from the Staffordshire-Derbyshire
border. Fresh from winning Family Farming
Business of the Year at the British Farming Awards
in Birmingham on Thursday, they were offering
visitors the opportunity to pat their own butter as
well as serving their fruit spinners from a specially
imported machine. The first and only one of its kind
in the UK, it combines real frozen fruit with Dalton’s
vanilla to create a delicious, swirled ice cream.
“It has a taste similar to frozen yoghurt, and the real
fruit tastes very natural,” Rosie Dalton explains.
“People have been enjoying shaping their own butter
to take away. We pat every single block of butter
individually in the traditional way. We milk the cows
and separate the milk from the cream, which takes a
day, and then the next day we can make the butter.”
With two main stages and multiple smaller stages
VISITORS ENJOYED MANY
CHEF DEMONSTRATIONS
including the M&S Chef ’s Kitchen, plus tastings
including Belton Farm’s cheese and beer pairing
talks, there was plenty going on to keep visitors
entertained.
On Friday afternoon, Marco Pierre White
demonstrated the simple three step process of
creating a fantastic risotto for a crowd of selfconfessed
risotto lovers who doubted their own
ability to make a good version at home.
“Risotto is a great dinner party dish because you can
cook it with all your guests around you,” Marco says.
“Someone asked if I add wine. Some chefs do and
some chefs don’t. I taste the wine and if it’s delicious,
it stays in the glass. If it’s quite aggressive I put it in
the pan and reduce it down, to reduce the acidity.”
Marco confesses that he prefers to eat cheese rather
than cook with it, and found Long Clawson, from
Leicestershire, a highlight of the show. “Their Blue
Stilton was so deliciously creamy, the Red Leicester
beautifully aged, and the white Stilton was so
delightfully crumbly, which of course is what you
want from a Stilton,” he says. “But I’m a lover of
cheese so I’m easily seduced.”
Does he think the pandemic has
changed our attitudes to food and
cooking?
“People have been at home and
working from home, so they’ve had
to cook. The standard of cooking in
Britain must have gone up enormously,
because the more time you spend at
the stove the more confidence you
grow - and that’s the whole thing about
cooking. Before the pandemic, lots
of people never even thought about
cooking, but now it’s their new hobby.
They always say there’s a silver lining to
every cloud, and there it is.”
12 www.jaimemagazine.com

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F E AT U R E
In Tamworth we trust
STAFFORDSHIRE AUCTIONEER RICHARD WINTERTON HAS TRANSFORMED AN HISTORIC
TAMWORTH TOWN CENTRE BUILDING INTO A NEW AUCTION HOUSE, BRINGING AUCTIONEERING
BACK TO THE ANCIENT MERCIA CAPITAL FOR THE FIRST TIME IN DECADES
Richard Winterton Auctioneers has
launched a new auction house in the
heart of Tamworth, a move which also
secures the future of one of the town
centre’s most-loved buildings.
The family firm’s new premises at 34-
35 Church Street opened last month
and receives consignments straight to
auction 9am-4pm Monday to Friday.
Free valuations by appointment are
also available, with various specialists
on different days, and staff can assist
with enquiries on house clearances and
downsizing solutions.
Originally a 19th century music hall,
the 3,700 sq ft premises has already
started hosting live auctions, with the
debut sale on October 26 – thought to
be the first in Tamworth for decades.
Auctioneer Richard Winterton – a
familiar face from BBC Bargain Hunt
and Dickinson’s Real Deal – said: “It
has been a massive team effort to bring
our project to revitalise this lovely
Grade II listed building to fruition.
“It has long been a dream for us
to expand in Staffordshire and
wonderful to be able to do so in the
ancient capital of Mercia; to be in this
important building too is the icing on
the cake!
“We have a lot of regular clients in the Tamworth
area and they are delighted to have an auction house
on their doorstep.
“We’ve also had some wonderful feedback from local
residents who are over the moon to see the former
Arts Centre full of life once more.”
Valuers have already helped Tammies discover
hidden treasures.
Appointments for jewellery, watches and silver can
be booked for Mondays and Thursdays, with toys
on Tuesdays and general valuations for all types of
THE HISTORIC 3,700 SQ FT
PREMISES HAS ALREADY STARTED
HOSTING LIVE AUCTIONS
collectables and antiques on Wednesdays.
On Friday, November 12 and 19, people can book
to meet technology specialist Stuart Hay to discuss
cameras, hi-fi and records.
To make a valuation appointment, email tamworth@
richardwinterton.co.uk or telephone 01827 217746.
The next Tamworth auction is scheduled to start at
10am on Tuesday, November 23 with viewing on
Monday, November 22 from 9.30am-4.30pm.
As with the firm’s current sales, auctions at
Tamworth will be broadcast online with a live video
feed allowing thousands of bidders to join in from all
over the world.
14 www.jaimemagazine.com

Originally built as a town theatre 250 years
ago, the Church Street premises was later
used as a malt house before Sir Robert Peel
loaned it to the Baptist Church, to whom he
subsequently sold the building in 1872.
Fast forward a century and the Lower
Gungate building was earmarked as an
“ideal location” for a town arts centre as
Tamworth’s Baptist Chapel prepared to move
out to Belgrave.
It was bought by Tamworth Borough Council
and converted into a 100-seat auditorium,
multi-purpose rooms and a coffee bar, opening as
Tamworth Arts Centre in November 1975 and
becoming a lynchpin on the town’s music scene for
two decades.
More recently, Staffordshire County Council
converted the building into a register office but
vacated in 2020.
Councillor Daniel Cook, Tamworth Borough
Council’s cabinet member for economy, said the
auction house ‘definitely brings something new and
exciting to the high street’, hopefully drawing in
more visitors from across the area.
“This is great news for Tamworth and as well as
bringing a much-loved historic building back into
use, it’s also a real vote of confidence in Tamworth
RICHARD WINTERTON AUCTIONEER’S
NEW TAMWORTH AUCTION HOUSE
BREATHES NEW LIFE INTO THE TOWN’S
FORMER ARTS CENTRE.
town centre as a place to invest in,” he added.
The Winterton family’s auctioneering heritage began
at the Smithfield livestock market in Lichfield – now
the site of the city’s Tesco superstore – and linked
with agricultural auctions in Tamworth.
The family firm, which has been auctioneering
in Staffordshire for seven generations since 1864,
previously had an office just yards away from its new
Tamworth premises on Colehill.
Its head office at The Lichfield Auction Centre,
Fradley Park, holds regular sales of anything from
jewellery, watches and silver to pictures, furniture,
toys, militaria, stamps and automobilia.
Visit www.richardwinterton.co.uk and
follow the Tamworth saleroom on Twitter
@AuctionwintTam
AUCTIONEER RICHARD
WINTERTON, LEFT,
WITH LUCY HUGHES
AND BEN WINTERTON
AT THE OPENING
www.jaimemagazine.com
15

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Jaime_DoubleSpread_November2021.indd 2 19/10/2021 12:33:36

P R O P E RTY
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 AN EXTRAORDINARY
FOUR-BEDROOM BARN CONVERSION WITH STUNNING ORIGINAL FEATURES IN A
SEMI-RURAL LOCATION WITH WIDE VIEWS OVER OPEN COUNTRYSIDE.
Oak Farm Barn, Drayton Lane, Drayton Bassett: £1,175,000
On the market with Aston Knowles: 0121 362 7878
THE AGENT SAYS: Oak Farm Barn was converted in
2002 and is set in private grounds of approximately 1.96
acres in a beautiful semi-rural location on Drayton Lane.
The spacious open plan drawing/dining room features
beautiful solid oak wooden flooring and exposed wooden
beams and eye-catching exposed brick walls. An original
feature log burner is located in one corner, adding a rustic
feel to the space, while the white walls and large windows add
a contemporary touch and let in plenty of natural light.
A special feature is the winding wrought-iron staircase leading
to the first-floor accommodation. There is ample space for a
dining area to the other side of the space. Leading on from
here is the study featuring original brick-laid flooring.
The kitchen features a high-spec range of floor units and
walnut-coloured worktops. There are various high-quality
built-in appliances, and space for a dining area overlooking
the rear garden and lovely view beyond.
The master bedroom is accessed via the winding staircase in
the drawing room and features an en-suite bathroom with
corner bath and solid oak wooden flooring. There are two
further bedrooms as well as a family shower room.
The first-floor accommodation accessed from the staircase
in the kitchen comprises the spacious landing with sitting
area and guest bedroom with walk-in wardrobe and en-suite
shower room.
The basement is accessed from the kitchen and consists of
a games room with ample space for a cinema area and pool
table, perfect for entertaining.
The property features stunning views over greenbelt land
and an extensive gravel driveway. A canopied patio area is
ideal for enjoying the views, relaxing, and entertaining. An
additional walled and decked patio to the rear of the home
forms a lovely space for al fresco dining and entertaining
friends and family. The landscaped garden also features a
cottage vegetable garden with a 100-year-old natural well.
W E L O V E : T H E F E E L ING O F SP A C E AND T H E
Q U A L I T Y F IN I S H
18 www.jaimemagazine.com

0121 362 7878
astonknowles.com
NEW
THE MILL HOUSE, MILL LANE - Little Aston
GUIDE PRICE £1,950,000
A beautiful Grade II listed Water Mill, sympathetically
converted into a contemporary five-bedroom home in an
idyllic semi-rural location.
This truly unique and stunning Mill House has been exquisitely
refurbished into this outstanding five-bedroom family home. Offering
the beauty, charm and character of a sympathetically restored Listed
building with all the modern conveniences for contemporary family
living.
ACCOMMODATION
Ground floor: Entrance Hall. Playroom/snug. Dining room/sitting room with
working mill. Kitchen/breakfast room. Study. Storeroom. Utility room with internal
access to garage/gym. Guest cloakroom.
First floor: Sitting/entertainment room with three Juliet balconies. Bedrooms
two and three with en-suite bathrooms with walk in shower. Bedrooms four
and five both with built in wardrobes. Family bathroom with bath and walk in
shower.
Second floor: Principal bedroom suite with walk in dressing room, Juliet
balcony, en-suite bathroom with freestanding tub and access to the grounds
from external staircase.
Outside:Block Paved Drivewway. Double garage with internal access. Mill lake
with fishing rights.
Set on a beautiful plot in a semi-rural location, thanks to its discrete
position features private and peaceful views over the Mills lake. The
THE DETAILS
property is privately gated, with a driveway leading you to the front
door and into this spectacular home.
5 BEDS 4 BATH GATED DRIVE
Approximate gross internal floor area 4,886 sq feet (454 sq metres)
2 CARS HISTORICAL PROPERTY
ASTON KNOWLES 8 High Street, Sutton Coldfield B72 1XA 0121 362 7878 enquiries@astonknowles.com www.astonknowles.com
@astonknowles

P R O P E RTY
History meets contemporary
WE CHECK OUT TWO TOP PROPERTY PICKS
ON THE MARKET WITH CHOSEN HOME
EAST WING, ELFORD HOUSE: £695,000
Originally built in the mid 1800s, Elford House was
converted into three homes in the 1950s and now
forms part of an exclusive community of just six
homes. One such home is East Wing, offering spacious
accommodation which is overflowing with a plethora
of period features and charm yet having all the
modern conveniences one could want.
Bordering open countryside and the River Tame, East
Wing is just a short distance from the amenities of
the village of Elford while Tamworth is just over four
miles away and Lichfield approximately 6.5 miles.
Having three large bedrooms, two bathrooms and
generous living spaces, this home has a few surprises
thrown in too and must be viewed to be appreciated.
One such surprise is the magnificent tree house built
around one of the many ancient trees within the large
gardens. Featuring a bar area and complete with log
burning stove, the tree house is a perfect getaway for
grown-ups and children alike.
The modern kitchen has a range of integrated
appliances while the sitting room has a real sense of
grandeur, with a large bay window overlooking the
gardens, original shutters, ornate coving and cornice,
marble fireplace with open fire, and tiled floor. The
dining room has French doors to the garden, flagstone
tiled floor, ornate coving and cornice, marble fireplace
with open fire and stairs to the first floor.
HILLWOOD, FOUR OAKS, SUTTON
COLDFIELD
Hillwood is a unique and exclusive gated development
of just four individual and contemporary architect
designed homes located on the outskirts of Four Oaks,
and with two of the properties already reserved,
it is proving very popular. Surrounded by open
countryside affording spectacular views towards
Lichfield and the Peak District beyond, yet within easy
reach of the shopping centre at Mere Green these
stunning homes are designed for the sophisticated
and discerning buyer. Finished to exacting standards
with five large bedrooms and a double garage,
these spacious homes offer contemporary living in a
delightful setting.
These exceptional homes are being constructed
using handmade bricks featuring an environmentally
friendly ‘green’ roof, and light will flood in courtesy
of floor-to-ceiling windows and glazed roof panels to
make the most of the fabulous views and landscaped
gardens. Other features include individually designed
high quality kitchens and bathrooms, aluminium
windows and bi-fold doors, oak and glass staircases,
underfloor heating throughout, solid oak internal
doors and more. Buyers who reserve at an early
enough stage will be able to bespoke the kitchens and
bathrooms as well as having an input on the overall
finish.
To find out more about these beautiful homes, please
contact Chosen Home on 0121 222 1180 or email
team@chosenhome.com.
20 www.jaimemagazine.com

“ Chosen Home were
excellent! Very efficient
and proactive, they made
my life incredibly easy.
I couldn’t speak more
highly about their quality
of service. Brilliant!”
“Excellent”
Mr J.T.
Call 0121 222 1180
chosenhome.com
Will sell your home for free.

G I F T G U I D E
Totally locally festive
SPREAD A LITTLE FESTIVE CHEER AMONG YOUR LOCAL SHOPS AND BUSINESSES WITH
YOUR CHRISTMAS GIFTING THIS YEAR. THERE’S NEVER BEEN A MORE IMPORTANT TIME
TO SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL INDEPENDENTS, SO WHY NOT MAKE IT YOUR AIM TO SHOP
AS LOCALLY AS POSSIBLE IN THE RUN-UP TO THE FESTIVE SEASON? THAT WAY, YOU
CAN ENSURE THAT MORE OF YOUR HARD-EARNED POUNDS GO BACK INTO THE LOCAL
COMMUNITY, WHILE YOUR NEAREST AND DEAREST CAN ENJOY A UNIQUE GIFT FROM
SOME OF THE AMAZING SHOPS AND PRODUCERS WE HAVE HERE IN THE MIDLANDS
9CT WHITE GOLD PENDANT SET WITH 0.25CT
OF ROUND BRILLIANT CUT DIAMONDS AND
BLACK DRUSY ONYX, FROM ALLEN BROWN
JEWELLERY AT HEART OF THE COUNTRY
SHOPPING VILLAGE, SWINFEN.
WWW.ALLENBROWNJEWELLERY.CO.UK
£50
£29.95
£1,860
GIN-IN-A-TIN 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS BOX
SET, FROM THE DEER PARK, HOAR CROSS.
WWW.DEERPARK.FARM
ELVINS DRY GIN, CREATED IN LICHFIELD.
WWW.THELIQUORMAN.COM
£33.99
£12.99
HENRY, CASA HOME AT BARTON MARINA.
WWW.CASAHOME.CO.UK
GIFT BOXED DISNEY MUG, CURBOROUGH
GIFT SHOP AT THE CURBOROUGH CENTRE
LE GAVROCHE GIN BY
MICHEL ROUX JR, DISTILLED
AT NELSONS DISTILLERY IN
UTTOXETER. AVAILABLE FROM
SCRUMMYS AT THE BARN,
WOODMILL FARM, YOXALL
£49.99
FROM
£29.99
HOME COMFORTS RANGE,
CASA HOME AT BARTON MARINA.
WWW.CASAHOME.CO.UK
£48
CAT SCULPTURE, CASA
HOME AT BARTON MARINA.
WWW.CASAHOME.CO.UK
22 www.jaimemagazine.com

ART FOR ALL
Browse Our Large and Diverse
Range of Art and Sculpture at
Eden Gallery
Curborough Countryside Centre
As specialists in Original and Limited Edition artwork, we feature a comprehensive range of framed
art from established international artists. Together with our large and varied range of art, we now
stock a selection of affordable sculptures by talented sculptors from across the UK.
Take a look at our website to view more of our featured artist’s work.
Yoo Hoo – Framed Ltd Edition
by Nicky Litchfield
(Framed Size 55cm x 69cm)
Price: £230
Again, Again, Again – Framed
Ltd Edition by Alexander Millar
(Framed Size 83cm x 67cm)
Price: £545
Pony & Foal Nickel Resin
Sculpture by Keith Sherwin
Price £185.00
(Height – 28.5cm)
Eden Gallery, The Hexagon Centre, Curborough Countryside Centre, Watery Lane, Lichfield, WS13 8ES
Telephone: 01543 268393 - www.edenartandframing.co.uk. Opening hours: Wed - Sun 10.00am - 4.00pm
rob palmer
C hristmas Day Menu

VINEYARD ARTISAN CHOCOLATE BY
STAFFORDSHIRE-BASED WNDER CHOCOLATE.
WWW.AGEOFWNDER.COM
£46
£39.95
£6.95
YUM YUM & FRIEND BRONZE RESIN SCULP-
TURE BY PAUL JENKINS, EDEN GALLERY AT
THE CURBOROUGH CENTRE
SIXTOWNS STAFFORDSHIRE DRY GIN,
AVAILABLE FROM SCRUMMYS AT THE
BARN, WOODMILL FARM, YOXALL
SILVER AND 18CT YELLOW GOLD PENDANT
SET WITH AMAZONITE, ALLEN BROWN
JEWELLERY AT HEART OF THE COUNTRY
SHOPPING VILLAGE, SWINFEN.
WWW.ALLENBROWNJEWELLERY.CO.UK
£55
£242
PERSONALISED ‘A NEW DAY’ LICHFIELD PRINT,
FROM CHRIS DAY DESIGN.
WWW.CHRISDAYDESIGN.CO.UK
£8.49
POWDER DESIGN MENS’ SOCKS, £8.49 PER
PAIR, CURBOROUGH GIFT SHOP AT THE
CURBOROUGH CENTRE
SIGNATURE 69% DRINKING CHOCOLATE,
£14, FROM STAFFORDSHIRE-BASED WNDER
CHOCOLATE. WWW.AGEOFWNDER.COM
THE ANCHOR FRAMED LIMITED EDITION BY
GARY WALTON, £145, EDEN GALLERY AT THE
CURBOROUGH CENTRE
24

Curborough
Gift Shop
GIFTS & CARDS FOR ALL OCCASIONS
Lichfield Garden Centre
Inspired Gardening
Autumn has arrived...
Plant Spring Flowering Bulbs
NOW for easy colour next spring
and years to come
Locally grown Pansy, Violas &
Wallflowers in stock - replant your
pots & baskets for winter to keep
the colour coming
CURBOROUGH COUNTRYSIDE CENTRE
WATERY LANE, LICHFIELD WS13 8ES
TEL: 0843 289 4525 OR 07885 387640
OPENING HOURS: 10AM – 4PM TUESDAY TO SUNDAY
WWW.CURBOROUGHGIFTSHOP.CO.UK
FOLLOW US
HOME DECOR
SOFT FURNISHINGS
LIGHTING
TABLEWARE
FURNITURE
OUTDOOR
GIFTS
AND MORE ….
Large range of Autumn Shrubs
perfect for planting NOW - the
soil is still warm and they will
establish quickly
Trees & Fruit Trees
Now In Stock
This year demand is set to be
high, so buy early for the best
selection - autumn is
a great time for planting.
Autumn is the best time
to plant fruit trees too!
Whether you want to grow
your own fruit trees, or enjoy
the seasonal leaf & bark
colour of trees..
see our extensive range
Coach Trips are back in 2022!
See our website soon for more details!
HO HO HO! Christmas is on the way - our 2021 Shop
opens soon. See our Website & Facebook for latest news
Find us at Curborough Countryside Centre (off Eastern Avenue),
Lichfield. Postcode for your Sat Nav : WS13 8ES.
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook & Twitter
www.casahome.co.uk
Barton Marina, Burton upon Trent, DE13 8AS
01283 716524
Telephone : 01543 254306
Website : www.lichfieldgardencentre.co.uk
E-mail info@lichfieldgardencentre.co.uk

W H AT ’ S O N
Family festive fun
IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR A MAGICAL CHRISTMAS TREAT FOR ALL THE FAMILY, THERE
ARE PLENTY OF ATTRACTIONS ON OFFER AROUND THE MIDLANDS. BUT HURRY; WITH
TICKETS ALREADY BEING SNAPPED UP, IT’S TIME TO GET BOOKING
WHAT: NORTH POLE ADVENTURE
WHERE: NATIONAL FOREST ADVENTURE FARM, BURTON-ON-TRENT
WHEN: SELECTED DAYS THROUGHOUT NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER
Check-in and collect your Elf Coins before setting off on a wonderful festive family experience. Journey
through the Magical Portal to the North Pole, where you can explore the Victorian High Street and
Sweet Shop. Decorate Gingerbread with Mother Christmas, meet the talking polar bear under the
Northern Lights, sing songs with Silvermist the reindeer and even enjoy a special meeting with Father
Christmas himself. www.adventurefarm.co.uk/northpoleadventure
WHAT: WINTER WONDERLAND
WHERE: SNOWDOME TAMWORTH
WHEN: SELECTED DAYS FROM NOVEMBER 13 TO DECEMBER 31
Santa’s back at the SnowDome for Christmas 2021 with a family festive extravaganza. From
November 13, his magical winter wonderland in the snow returns and this year he’s all set to
spread extra special magic along the way, including a new larger theatre experience. With real
snow, real animals and the all-new winter wonderland show, it’s the ultimate Christmas adventure
for all the family. www.snowdome.co.uk/santas-winter-wonderland
WHAT: THE STATFOLD SANTA EXPRESS
WHERE: STATFOLD BARN RAILWAY, TAMWORTH
WHEN: SELECTED DAYS FROM NOVEMBER 26 TO DECEMBER 23
Children will collect their Golden Tickets as the whole family join the jolly elves and climb aboard the
Statfold Santa Express and be transported to the North Pole in the beautifully lit steam train where an
abundance of fun and excitement awaits. Alight the train at the North Pole and immerse yourself into
the Statfold Christmas experience, with the opportunity to experience lots of Christmas characters
around the award-winning museum, including lots of surprises. www.statfold.com/santa-express
WHAT: XMAS@LOWER DRAYTON FARM
WHERE: LOWER DRAYTON FARM, PENKRIDGE
WHEN: DECEMBER 2 TO 24
Visit the festive farm for a fun-packed Christmas adventure. Your Christmas adventure begins as you
arrive where children will get their very own Christmas passport. Friendly elves will then show you
to the magical elf workshops, guiding you through a series of fun festive activities; gaining a passport
stamp once each is complete. Santa will be waiting to meet you in his cosy grotto to receive your letters
and pose for photos with the little ones, and each child will get a magical Christmas coin to use in
Santa’s Toy Shop. www.playatthefarm.co.uk/christmas
WHAT: DRAYTON’S MAGICAL CHRISTMAS
WHERE: DRAYTON MANOR
WHEN: NOVEMBER 13 TO DECEMBER 31
Discover falling snow, enchanting decorations, a dazzling 35ft symphony tree, cheeky elves frolicking
around the park and more than 25 child-friendly rides and attractions including Europe’s only Thomas
Land and a 15-acre zoo at Drayton Manor’s festive extravaganza. Enjoy live entertainment and a
brand-new live show, A Christmas Wish, then, end your day watching a magical firework display by the
lake - featuring Father Christmas, Mrs Claus and the elves for a singalong show like no other.
www.draytonmanor.co.uk
26
www.jaimemagazine.com

Check out what’s coming up at the newly refurbished
Tamworth Assembly Rooms Theatre – lovingly preserved
and modernised for future generations to enjoy.
Psychic Sally
1 & 2 November
The Opera Boys
Thursday 4 November
Noasis
Friday 5 November
T’Pau
Saturday 13 November
Come What May -
Moulin Rouge Thur 18 Nov
La Voix
Friday 19 November
The Christians
Saturday 20 November
Comedy Night
Thursday 25 November
Fast Love - George
Michael Tribute 26 Nov
Purple Zeppelin
Saturday 27 November
SHOWTIME! - Xmas
Variety Shows 28 & 30 Nov
Xmas with The Rat Pack
Wednesday 1 December
Box Office: 01827 709618 www.tamworthassemblyrooms.co.uk
Corporation Street, Tamworth, Staffordshire. B79 7DN
*Please note that these events were correct at time of print and are subject to government guidelines, please check our website for latest updates.

F O O D & D R I N K
Prepare for a festive feast
THE PERFECT FESTIVE FEAST TAKES PLANNING, AND THERE’S NO TIME LIKE THE PRESENT TO
START. AMY NORBURY TALKS TO EXPERTS FROM EACH OF THE INDEPENDENT BUSINESSES AT
WOODMILL FARM IN YOXALL ABOUT HOW TO CREATE A CHRISTMAS DINNER TO WOW
Creating a Christmas culinary experience to
remember can be a bit of a mammoth task; from
deciding what you’re going to make to shopping for
supplies, and then the endless rounds of cooking,
Christmas dinner can be a bit of a minefield.
But it doesn’t need to be.
If you’re already planning your festive menu, then
the independent businesses at Woodmill Farm will
ensure everything on the table is fabulously fresh and
top notch - and as local as can be.
From show-stopping birds and joints of meat, to
the freshest of seasonal veg, delectable seafood to
delicious baked goodies - and not forgetting, of
course, the best tipples to accompany every element
of the feast - you are guaranteed to find everything
you need down at the farm.
THE MAIN EVENT:
When it comes to the festive table centrepiece,
butcher Paul Shum’s pick might be a somewhat
surprising one. Rather than tackle a turkey, Paul rates
a beautiful piece of beef as the star of the show.
“The beef we have here is dry-aged, so we hang
it for a month in the traditional way,” says Paul.
“Because it’s dry-aged it has a lot less moisture in
it so it needs a lot less cooking; we’re here to give
people advice on the cooking of their beef to ensure
it’s perfect.”
BEEF IS PAUL’S PICK
FOR A TOP FESTIVE
FEAST
Pop into Paul’s butchers and deli and you’ll be
greeted by the most beautiful selection of high
quality, locally sourced meats - just what you need for
the cornerstones of your Christmas table.
“A lot of people have changed from traditional
turkey to turkey breast fillets; it’s a great alternative
to a full bird and generally means there’s much less
waste,” says Paul. “We can stuff them, wrap them in
bacon, there are lots of different options.
“If people want something other than turkey, we
do free-range Packington cockerels, and free-range
ducks, which are both great alternatives. A nice
honey-glazed ham is always nice too; it’s a good idea
to do a couple of smaller joints rather than one big
one so people have choice.”
Away from the meat, Paul offers a plethora of fresh,
local veg for creating those sumptuous side dishes,
while the deli is also packed with beautiful local
produce - including more than 40 cheeses to create
the perfect festive cheeseboard.
PAUL’S FESTIVE TIPS:
Use a temperature probe: “A lot of people
overcook turkey because they’re worried about not
cooking it properly, so a temperature probe is a
great investment. The core temperature needs to be
between 75 and 80 degrees for a perfectly cooked
28 www.jaimemagazine.com

Christmas at
woodmill farm in yoxall
butchers
Fresh, locally sourced meat;
beautiful deli with home-made
products and huge range of
cheese; fresh fruit and veg
butchers and
delicatessen
butchersofyoxall.co.uk
A fantastic selection of freshbaked
bread and home-baked
cakes and sweet treats, made
with love and care. Also sharing
platters and grazing tables
bakery and
patisserie
greendoorcaterers.co.uk
bakers
fish
drinks
A range of gins, wine, ales
together with gifts, art, festive
wreaths, fresh flowers and
much more
gins, wine & ales
01543 472379
Serve luxurious fish with your
festive dining: smoked salmon,
lobster, prawns, crab, mussels
and much more - fresh and
delicious.
fish & seafood
facebook.com/sandsfreshfish
four wonderful family businesses putting the heart
and soul into your festive food and drinks
Woodmill Farm...
making shopping a complete gift!
come to see us for a warm welcome at woodmill farm,
yoxall, de13 8pg • head out of yoxall and look out for the signs!
open tuesday to saturday every week

ird, and you should check in the thickest part of the
meat. A lot of the turkeys we sell now come with a
small temperature probe which pops out when the
bird is ready.”
Let your meat rest: “Once your turkey is cooked,
take it out and leave it to rest for a good 40 minutes
or more, wrapped in tinfoil. It will continue to cook
while it rests which is why it’s so important not to
leave it in the oven for too long.
“If you’re having beef, most beef joints need cooking
to medium and then resting; the resting stage is
probably the most important part, you need to let
the muscles relax. If you’ve rested your beef properly
you should be able to cut it on a white plate and have
no blood or juice coming out.”
Make the most of leftovers: “Put all of your veg,
some of the meat and a bit of gravy in a dish then
top with mashed potato to make a leftover pie; it’s
really nice, and a great way to use up your leftovers.
It’s a lovely thing, and you can freeze it too for
dinners further down the line. The key thing is not to
waste anything.”
A LUXURIOUS TOUCH:
When it comes to the traditional seafood offerings
which accompany the festive feast, fishmonger
Karen Sands says that, this year, it’s all about adding
some ‘bling’. From lobster-laden buffet tables to
caviar-topped canapes, people are going all out with
luxurious twists.
“After the times we’ve gone through, it’s lovely to put
that little bit of extra effort in, and I think people are
looking forward to that this year,” says Karen.
Sands Fish have been popping up at Woodmill Farm
every Saturday - and in spring, they will be opening
a permanent home in a converted hay barn on the
farm.
“We’ve had superb feedback from our customers,
and working with Paul, as well as Green Door and
Scrummys here, has been fantastic,” says Karen. “It’s
such a nice destination to come to, to get really great
SEAFOOD STARTERS ARE THE
PERFECT, LIGHTER CHOICE FOR
CHRISTMAS DINNER
GRAZING BOXES
ARE PERFECT FOR
CHRISTMAS EVE
quality food.”
For Christmas week, Karen and the team will be at
the farm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday to
ensure customers can pick up the freshest fish and
seafood for their festive fayre.
KAREN’S SEAFOOD SELECTIONS:
Prawn cocktail: “It’s one of the most traditional
starters, and hugely popular, but this year we’re
seeing people adding gorgeous larger prawns to
the usual peeled cocktail prawns. We can supply
everything here apart from the lettuce - but you’ve
only got to pop next door to Paul for that!”
Smoked salmon: “We have wonderful Scottish
smoked salmon which is thinly cut; it’s gorgeous to
offer to your guests when they arrive, on a blini with
a glass of fizz - what could be better?”
SAVE ROOM FOR PUD:
Trish McCann, from the Green Door Bakery and
Patisserie, is offering an array of solutions to take the
hassle out ofChrismtas catering. From festive grazing
boxes and Christmas Day breakfast pastries, to
puddings and pies galore - as well as plenty of vegan
and gluten-free options - the bakery will be heaving
with delectable, homemade goodies throughout
December.
Trish also runs Green Door Caterers, offering outside
catering for all occasions. For the festive season, the
bakery and catering side will be working together to
offer solutions for all your Christmas dining needs.
“Everything is about giving our customers the
ultimate choice,” says Trish. “Having both the
bakery and catering side means we can offer so many
different things.
30 www.jaimemagazine.com

“Once we hit December it will be full-on festive;
we sell mince pies in their hundreds, and we’ll have
Christmas puddings and cakes, as well as ‘hug-in-amug’
chocolate bombes which make lovely stocking
fillers.”
TRISH’S TOP TIPS:
Mix and match: “We’re offering individual desserts
so people can mix and match instead of having to
have one large dessert, which is great for catering for
your guests as they can all have a different dessert.”
Go mini: “If people are too full for a big pudding,
we’re also doing mini canape-style desserts so you
can still have that sweet taste at the end of the meal;
they’re indulgent bitesize pieces.”
Make it easy: “Christmas Eve can be really hectic,
so if you’re looking for an easy option we’re offering
Christmas Eve sharing boxes, filled with beautiful
meats, cheeses and more. They slide out on a
presentation board so all you need to do is tuck in!”
TERRIFIC TIPPLES:
No festive feast would be complete without a
complementary tipple or three - and Scrummys
at the Barn offers an array of locally produced
beers, ciders and spirits for all occasions. Scrummys
also partners with wine merchant Vin-X, based
in Barton-under-Needwood, to bring customers a
fantastic selection of wines which you most definitely
won’t find on the supermarket shelves.
Owner Jane Scrimshaw has a wealth of knowledge
to help you find the perfect drinks for your festive
YOXALL ICE DESSERT PERRY IS
ONE OF JANE’S TOP PICKS
SCRUMMYS STOCKED AN
ARRAY OF QUALITY WINES
celebrations.
Boozy gifts are also in plentiful supply, with local
gins, rums, beers and ciders available to be gift-boxed
and wrapped, ready to pop under the Christmas tree.
Jane is also making pretty gin-filled baubles, which
are sure to go down a storm over the festive season.
With a range of Christmas cards and wrapping
paper, as well as some fabulous handmade craft gifts
from local artisans, Scrummys is a festive gifting
haven.
JANE’S PERFECT PAIRINGS:
To celebrate: “For fizz, I’d recommend something
a little different. From South Africa’s Stellenbosch
region we have the Pongracz, which is a pinot noir
and chardonnay grape, and it’s made in the same
traditional way as Champagne. We’ve got both
the white and rosé versions and these are great
celebration wines, perfect for Christmas lunch, New
Year’s Eve, Boxing Day - or even breakfast. It’s £21,
and for the price it’s fantastic. I like my fizz, and this
is lovely - it’s my go-to.”
With dinner: “Paul has recommended beef as his
top dinner choice, and with that I’d probably go for
a pinot noir or a primitivo; primitivo is Italian, a
good heavy, robust fruity red, while a nice Chilean
pinot noir is something a little bit lighter but would
go equally well if you prefer your reds on the lighter
side.
“Turkey’s not a particularly strong-flavoured meat
so it can take quite a robust white so I’d go for
something like a Marlborough sauvignon blanc,
or a South African chenin blanc - both would pair
beautifully.”
For dessert: “Keeping it really local, we have
Yoxall Cider’s Yoxall Ice dessert cider and dessert
perry, which are both delicious. The dessert perry,
made with pears, is a Great Taste 2021 award
winner; that bit sweeter than the cider version, I
think this would be the perfect pairing for your
Christmas pud.”
www.jaimemagazine.com
31

F O O D & D R I N K
A starry showcase
IT’S A FINE DINING FEAST IN LICHFIELD AS MICHELIN-STARRED CHEF ROB PALMER TAKES
OVER THE REINS AT THYME KITCHEN. AMY NORBURY POPPED ALONG TO DISCOVER MORE
It’s an exciting time to be a foodie in Lichfield.
Hot on the heels of the opening of local boy
Tom Shepherd’s city centre fine dining restaurant
Upstairs, there’s a new Michelin-starred residency in
town.
Rob Palmer won a coveted star for his work at Peels
Restaurant at Hampton Manor in 2016, retaining
it every year since, alongside an impressive four
AA rosettes. And ahead of the opening of his first
solo venture next spring, Rob has joined forces with
Lichfield fine dining supremos Sauce Supper Club to
take over the evening service at Curborough’s Thyme
Kitchen until the end of the year.
Offering a seasonally-inspired menu which will
showcase the kind of dishes Rob will be offering
at his restaurant Toffs when it opens in Solihull
next spring, this is a tasty opportunity for Lichfield
diners to try Michelin quality cooking in their own
backyard.
Beth and Jon Toovey, who run Sauce Supper Club,
are no strangers to bringing the finest of dining to
ROB PALMER IS TAKING
OVER EVENINGS AT
THYME KITCHEN
Lichfield, with their pop-up events seeing acclaimed
chefs from all over the country delighting diners with
their culinary craft.
Now, the opening of Thyme Kitchen last year - a
fantastic brunch eatery by day, and the supper
club’s home by night - has given Beth and Jon the
opportunity to offer a more substantial billing to a
guest chef.
And Lichfield is welcoming Rob with open arms.
The J’AIME team were delighted to be invited down
to Thyme Kitchen to sample Rob’s debut menu.
Priced at £65 per head for six courses - including a
choice of main dish - it represents excellent value for
a chef with such a prestigious pedigree.
If you’ve not been down to Thyme Kitchen yet, then
it’s the perfect excuse to do so. The restaurant is
stylish yet cosy, offering a rustic chic vibe which suits
its countryside location at Curborough to a tee.
We were shown to a cosy table for two and started
proceedings with a little aperetif; the cocktail menu
offers some seriously tempting options, and both
the espresso martini and pornstar martini are
exceptionally good.
Although we decided against it, diners can also
choose to go for the wine pairing, priced at £40,
which offers a perfect pick for each dish.
32 www.jaimemagazine.com

The first little morsel to arrive was a delightful snack;
a cracker topped with a silky smooth Berkswell
cheese cream and rings of pickled red onion. It was
a bite full of big flavours, which was swiftly devoured
and left us wanting more.
Rob’s ethos is all about taking simple, fresh and
seasonal produce and elevating it to dishes worth
talking about.
Now goats’ cheese and beetroot is a classic
combination which always delivers, and Rob’s take
on the duo brought the best out of each element.
A rich goats’ cheese ice cream, earthy beetroot
morsels studded with sweet pear, a luscious beetroot
reduction and a sourdough crumb for texture made
for an accomplished dish.
It’s hard to pick a dish of the night, but the dish
which followed was certainly worthy of the plaudits.
A slice of potato terrine, all crisp edges and buttery
soft middle, topped with sweet shrimp and sat in a
puddle of creamy sauce flavoured with Rob’s British
take on the Chinese XO, it was comfort food heaven
elevated to something seriously special indeed.
When it comes to devising a tasting menu, it’s a
bold step to include a dish which may prove to be
divisive among diners. Raw meat is a rather Marmite
ingredient, so the venison tartare may not be to
everyone’s tastes.
Happily, we love a good tartare - and this was an
exceedingly good tartare. Beautiful venison, strands
of sweet red cabbage, crunchy walnuts and a punch
of Old Winchester cheese liberally scattered atop
for good measure, it was a perfectly autumnal dish,
executed superbly.
Moving onto the main event, somewhat unusually
for a tasting menu Rob offers a choice of dishes;
monkfish with salsify, shellfish and Champagne, or
duck with onion, mushroom and peppercorn sauce.
The monkfish, by all accounts, looked sublime, but
it was the duck which won us over. Seared slices of
gloriously pink duck were melt-in-the-mouth, with
an intensely savoury note coming from the charring
on top.
A baby onion stuffed with duck offcuts was a delight,
while a punchy peppercorn sauce was a beautiful
accompaniment. But it was the mushroom ketchup
which stole the show; bottle it, we’ll buy it. Please.
Dessert was a chocolate lover’s dream, showcasing
the good stuff in three different ways with a
beautifully rich ganache, dark chocolate tuile and
a chunk of aerated milk chocolate - a posh Aero, if
you will. The accompanying ice cream was a glorious
vanilla hit, flecked with oodles of vanilla seeds and
silky as you like.
If was just enough sweetness to satisfy at the end of
what had been a fabulous dining experience.
Chatting to Rob between courses, it is clear to see
his passion for the produce he works with, enabling
him to get the most out of every morsel. His stellar
achievements at Peels go without saying, and this
sneak preview makes Toffs - named in honour of
the Palmer family’s nickname, as well as being a nod
to its salubrious location - an exciting proposition
indeed.
Rob’s residency in Lichfield may only be a shortlived
one, but it is most certainly sweet. Get in there
while you can because, come spring, Solihull’s gain
will be Lichfield’s loss.
www.jaimemagazine.com
33

F O O D & D R I N K
Build the best cheeseboard
NO FESTIVE GATHERING IS COMPLETE WITHOUT A CHEESEBOARD, AND IF
YOU’RE STARTING TO PLAN WHAT YOURS WILL LOOK LIKE WE HAVE SOME
FANTASTIC POINTERS FOR YOU FROM A TRUE EXPERT IN THE FIELD
At the International Cheese and Dairy Awards on
October 21, a prestigious international event held
for the first time this year at the Staffordshire County
Showground, we got the inside track on pulling
together the perfect cheeseboard from Noémie
Richard.
Noémie is cheese training manager at Savencia
Fromage and Dairy, whose brands include Saint
Albray, Le Rustique and Saint Agur, a food engineer
at the French agricultural college Isara Lyon, and a
Maître Fromager of La Guilde Internationale des
Fromagers. So it’s safe to say she knows what she’s
talking about when it comes to all things cheese.
To build her cheeseboard, she goes right back to
basics, starting circa 4,000 years ago in Mesopotamia
with the very first type of cheese to be ‘discovered’.
This was the original agricultural revolution, when
shepherds stored milk in the stomachs of goats and
sheep. The rennet and natural microorganisms
caused the milk to solidify, resulting in simple fresh
cheeses much like the soft goats’ cheese you can find
in the shops today.
You could use a Chavroux for this element, simply
draining any excess liquid and gently placing it
on your slate or board as if you were building a
sandcastle. A drizzle of runny honey complements
the slightly acidic, milky notes.
In areas where milk is available year-round, there is
less need for it to be preserved, and in France that
resulted in short shelf-life cheeses such as camembert.
It’s no accident that soft rind cheeses like brie are
made in a wheel. The shape makes a huge difference
in the maturation process - which happens from the
outside in - and therefore the taste.
34
www.jaimemagazine.com

Enjoy a delicious meal in the elegant
surroundings of Moor Hall Hotel & Spa’s
AA Rosette restaurant which is the
perfect setting for a special festive
celebration.
Available from 25th November
(Thursdays & Fridays)
£25 per person includes a glass of prosecco
Available from 4th December
(Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays)
£35 per person, Thursday to Friday
£39 per person on Saturday
FESTIVE AFTERNOON TEA
Available 1pm to 5pm from Friday 19th November
Adults: £25 | Children £15
SUNDAY LUNCH IN THE OAK ROOM
29th November | 5th December | 12th December | 19th December
Adults: £30 | Children £19
FESTIVE DINING IN THE COUNTRY KITCHEN
Open for lunch on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays
from 19th November
3 courses: Adults: £18 | Children £14
Open for dinner every evening and all day Sunday from 18th November
3 courses: Adults: £20 | Children £14
BOXING DAY LUNCH
Choose The Country Kitchen Adults: £35| Children £18
or The Oak Room £45 per person
NEW YEAR’S EVE DINING IN THE OAK ROOM
Enjoy a five course meal: £82 per person
Roasted butternut squash and thyme velouté,
bruschetta toast, toasted pumpkin seed V
Game terrine, pear and raisin chutney,
ciabatta crisps, potato straw
Venison tartare, caper berries, shallots,
mustard aioli, confit egg yolk GF
Smoked haddock and chive bon bons,
chilli marinated tiger prawns, gribiche
Baby beetroots, whipped goats cheese,
chicory and walnut salad V GF
Turkey and pancetta roulade, fondant potato,
honey glazed root vegetables, festive chipolata,
prosciutto crisp, red wine reduction GF*
Slow roasted belly of pork,
pork crisp, green apple gel, potato terrine GF*
Slow cooked shin of beef, pomme purée, burnt
onion purée, wild mushrooms, pancetta jus GF**
Crispy skin stone bass, braised fennel,
mussel and clam bouillabaisse GF*
Butternut squash and wild mushroom wellington,
crushed new potatoes, winter greens,
creamed sauce V
Traditional Christmas pudding, brandy sauce GF*
Dark chocolate delice,
cocoa nibs, malted milk ice cream
Pear and almond choux bun,
caramel, pear purée, almond cream V
Cheese board, pickled walnuts, grapes,
red onion chutney, crackers V* GF*
A selection of ice creams and sorbets V GF
Moor Hall Drive, Four Oaks, Sutton Coldfield B75 6LN
0121 308 3751 christmas@moorhallhotel.co.uk
www.moorhallhotel.co.uk/christmas/
Mince pie

A cheese like Caprice des Dieux (literally ‘whim of
gods’) shows off the results perfectly in it’s unusual
oval shape. The soft rind encloses a liquid layer and
at the centre you find the creamy ‘lactic heart’ of the
cheese. It’s delicious paired with something slightly
sweet, and will look stunning on your board if you
gently pare the centre of the rind away and spoon on
some tangy citrus marmalade.
For a well-balanced cheeseboard, Noémie advises
thinking about the different ‘families’ of cheeses
as well as including varieties from different regions
or even different countries. We already have a soft
and a soft-ripened cheese on our board, so the next
selection should be an example of a washed rind
cheese.
Maroilles is a cow’s milk cheese made only in the
regions of Picardy and Nord-Pas-de-Calais in
northern France. Like Stilton or Brie de Meaux it
has protected designation of origin (PDO) status. Its
distinctive orange rind is the result of an eight-week
maturation process during which it is repeatedly
washed with a damp cloth containing microflorae
that produce carotene. The intense, savoury taste
balances well with the spicy sweetness of gingerbread
loaf in place of the more familiar cracker. You can
even sprinkle a little crystallised ginger over the top.
Ideally it works best to have a larger piece of each
cheese on the board for your guests to see, alongside
smaller pieces that they can easily take
One real must-have is a palate cleanser. Fresh
slices of apple are the go-to for professional cheese
graders - and, indeed, the International Cheese
and Dairy Awards judges - with the Granny Smith
recommended above all for its crispness and tartness.
Plus it will look great as part of your display.
Next to add is a hard cheese. These contain more
milk solids, which means they require longer
to mature and are generally more intense and
concentrated in flavour. The Tomme de Brebis that
Noémie recommends is on the softer side of hard
- a relatively young cheese from the French Basque
Country with a mild, nutty taste that works really
well with a few drops of honey and a scattering
of blueberries. Simple accompaniments like this
are all these cheeses need, Noémie explains, as the
maturation process has already done the hard work
of creating complex and satisfying flavour profiles.
The Tomme de Brebis is a ewe’s milk cheese, adding
an extra dimension of variety and interest to the
board.
The final cheese family to consider is blue, and
on this occasion it is Saint Agur. Produced in the
Auvergne region of central France, this blue cheese
gets its exceptional creaminess from the milk of the
Montbéliarde cows that thrive there. They produce
milk with a very high protein and fat content, ideal
for the Penicillium roqueforti fungi that make the
cheese blue. It melts on the palate without losing its
intense character - the perfect finishing touch for
your festive cheeseboard.
36 www.jaimemagazine.com

FREE
PARKING
Interesting Shops
Festive Food and Drinks
Dedicated Christmas Shop
Late Night Opening
JOIN US FOR
Friday 3rd December
5pm-8pm
Christmas!
Choir, 100 goodie bags,
complimentary mince pies
and mulled wine
Additional
pop-ups
Weekends from
13th November to
5th December
heartofthecountryvillage.com
Swinfen, Lichfield. WS14 9QR
CHRISTMAS AT
THE GARRICK
Thu 25 Nov 2021 - Sun 2 Jan 2022
Sat 11 - Fri 24 Dec
Sat 11 - Fri 24 Dec
Sat 11 - Fri 24 Dec
box office | 01543 412121
www.lichfieldgarrick.com

I N T E R I O R S
Mulling
it over
IT wouldn’t be winter without a mug or two of mulled
wine on the go, so it should come as no surprise that this
festive favourite has served as inspiration for one of the
most enduring decor trends at this time of year.
This rich, velvety, versatile shade is a staple in both fashion
and interiors during the autumn/winter season, and for
good reason. Integrating this moody, deep red wine hue
into your space can effortlessly add a touch of drama and
sophistication, helping to create an intensely cosy, seasonal
vibe.
Go bold with mulled wine wallcoverings if you want to
add some serious impact to your room, or opt for larger
furniture pieces in lush materials; think rich velvet,
sumptuous leather and faux fur.
For a swift festive injection, add a few mulled wine
accessories; a luxurious blanket here, some throw
pillows there will update your space without too much
commitment.
Mulled wine pairs perfectly with lush deep greens and
warm gold hues to create an opulent scheme, while paredback
white offers a contemporary vibe. If you’re feeling
brave, try teaming with blush pink for a stylish colour
clash.
ANNIE SLOAN WALL PAINT IN PRIMER RED,
£49.95/2.5L AND CHALK PAINT IN PRIMER RED,
£21.95/L. WWW.ANNIESLOAN.COM
DULUX HERITAGE VELVET MATT PAINT
IN FLORENTINE RED, AVAILABLE FROM
TIPPERS. WWW.TIPPERS.COM
£30
£23.50
CASHMERE TOUCH FLEECE THROW
IN MULBERRY, WALTON & CO.
WWW.WALTONSHOP.CO.UK
REFILLABLE INITIAL CANDLE,
LITTLE KARMA CO.
WWW.LITTLEKARMACO.COM
HARPER FOOTSTOOL IN PLUM
SMART VELVET, WWW.SOFA.COM
£550
38 www.jaimemagazine.com

t he heart of t he home...
Visit our showroom to be amazed by the choice -
from traditional to modern
With such a wide range of fires, fireplaces and stoves
there is sure to be a style to suit you & your home
WE OF F ER
A C OMP LE T E
INST ALLA T ION
SERV ICE
Visit our showroom and be amazed by the choice! With such a wide range from traditional to modern, there’s sure to be a style to suit you!
5 Stafford Road, Lichfield WS13 7BZ - Tel: 01543 263 383 • www.thefireplacelichfield.co.uk • Email: sales@thefireplacelichfield.co.uk
Opening hours: Open Tuesday to Saturday 10am - 4pm. Closed Sundays, Monday’s and bank holidays . FREE ON-SITE PARKING.
SOMERTON
KITCHEN
ELEGANT & CONTEMPORARY
EUROPA WAY, LICHFIELD, WS14 9TZ
01543 440020 | SHOWROOMS.TIPPERS.COM
BOOK AN
APPOINTMENT
APPOINTMENTS.
TIPPERS.COM
WEEKDAYS
7.30AM - 5.00PM
SATURDAY
8.00AM - 2.00PM

£15.50
BURGUNDY EUCALYPTUS LIGHT UP GARLAND,
COX & COX. WWW.COXANDCOX.CO.UK
£3,364
HOLLAND FIXED COVER MEDIUM SOFA
IN MERLOT EASY CLEAN PLUSH VELVET,
DARLINGS OF CHELSEA.
WWW.DARLINGSOFCHELSEA.CO.UK
SORRENTO VELVET OCCASIONAL TUB
CHAIR IN WINE RED, PEPPERMILL INTERIORS,
BURNTWOOD BUSINESS PARK.
WWW.PEPPERMILLINTERIORS.COM
£425
£395
£60
FITZPATRICK FLOOR LAMP IN BURGUNDY
WITH TEAL FLORAL SPOT SHADE,
FLORENCE BROADHURST.
WWW.FLORENCEBROADHURST.CO.UK
BURGUNDY PHEASANT GLASS TRAY,
DECORALIST. WWW.DECORALIST.COM
£120
£15.99
IMPERIAL ROSELAND CAST IRON
BATH. AVAILABLE FROM TPPERS.
WWW.TIPPERS.COM
BURGUNDY RIBBED GLASS
HOLDER, IVYLINE.
WWW.IVYLINEGB.CO.UK
TURIN VELVET DINING CHAIR WITH ARMS
IN MALBEC RED, PEPPERMILL INTERIORS,
BURNTWOOD BUSINESS PARK.
WWW.PEPPERMILLINTERIORS.COM
SET OF TWO BURGUNDY AND GOLD
GARLANDS, £35, COX & COX.
WWW.COXANDCOX.CO.UK
FAUX STEM PANICLE GRASS FEATHERS,
£89.99, IN GREY RIBBED GLASS VASE, £79.99,
DOWSING AND REYNOLDS.
WWW.DOWSINGANDREYNOLDS.COM

LOAF DIXIE SOFA IN MERLOT CLEVER DEEP
VELVET, £1,745. WWW.LOAF.COM
PLUM METRO TILES, £16/SQM, TILE
MOUNTAIN. WWW.TILEMOUNTAIN.CO.UK

I N T E R I O R S
Kitchen
dramas
IT’S that time of year again - the nation’s favourite baking
show is back, which means we’re all glued to our TVs on
a Tuesday evening and itching to get into the kitchen to
recreate those Bake Off showstoppers come Wednesday.
As every GBBO enthusiast knows, a well-stocked - and
well-organised - kitchen is essential if you want to earn the
coveted title of star baker. From hi-tech kitchen gadgets to
traditional tools of the trade, you need to make sure your
kitchen is up to scratch if you want to impress Prue and
Paul with your masterpieces.
Invest in some baking essentials which are as pretty as they
are practical; a beautiful stand mixer will add a touch of
style to your kitchen sides, while decorative cake stands
offer form as well as function. The key is to opt for pieces
which you can have on display - rather than hide away.
Now - on your marks... get set... BAKE!
MARBLE ROLLING PIN, £60, COX & COX.
WWW.COXANDCOX.CO.UK
£19.95
£32 £65
SET OF FOUR GEESE PASTRY
FORKS, ANNABEL JAMES.
WWW.ANNABELJAMES.CO.UK
AGNES ENAMEL MEASURING CUPS
IN GOLD, BOMBAY DUCK.
WWW.BOMBAYDUCK.COM
AGNES ENAMEL THREE TIER
CAKE STAND, BOMBAY DUCK.
WWW.BOMBAYDUCK.COM
£18
£25
ENCHANTED FOREST DOUBLE
OVEN GLOVE, WALTON & CO.
WWW.WALTONSHOP.CO.UK
LARGE GREY ORLA JAR, FIKA LIVING.
WWW.FIKALIVING.CO.UK
42 www.jaimemagazine.com

The Holly Prince Trust
CharityChristmas Market
Friday 5th - Saturday 6th November
10am - 4pm
The Deer Park, Maker Lane, Hoar Cross

£39.95
£34.95
£16.95
SPECKLED SPOT MEMPHIS STYLE
CAKE STAND, CIELSHOP.
WWW.CIELSHOPINTERIORS.COM
GEESE CAKE SLICE, ANNABEL JAMES.
WWW.ANNABELJAMES.CO.UK
£9.50
FRENCH GREY MECHANICAL
SCALES, KITCHENCRAFT.
WWW.KITCHENCRAFT.CO.UK
£319
THE HONEYCOMB GOLD WIRE
GLASS JAR, HOUSE OF FLORA.
WWW.HOUSE-OF-FLORA.COM
£19
KITCHENAID STAND MIXER IN RED,
TIPPERS. WWW.TIPPERS.COM
STONEWARE MIXING BOWL,
PROCOOK. WWW.PROCOOK.CO.UK
ALDERLEY KITCHEN. AVAILABLE
FROM TIPPERS LUXURY KITCHEN AND
BATHROOM SHOWROOMS, LICHFIELD.
WWW.TIPPERS.COM
44 www.jaimemagazine.com

SET OF THREE CAKE TINS, £37.95,
AND CLIP TOP STORAGE CADDY,
£7.95, ANNABEL JAMES.
WWW.ANNABELJAMES.CO.UK
BROMPTON COOKBOOK HOLDER IN
ANTIQUE BRASS FINISH, £25, GARDEN
TRADING. WWW.GARDENTRADING.CO.UK
SMEG HAND MIXER IN RED, £149,
WWW.SMEGUK.COM
SOPHIE ALLPORT BEES COLLECTION
STONEWARE MUG, STONEWARE
JUG, DOUBLE OVEN GLOVE AND
TEA TOWEL, FROM £11.
WWW.SOPHIEALLPORT.COM
VANQUISH KITCHEN, AVAILABLE FROM KESSELER
BIRMINGHAM, THORNHILL RD. SUTTON COLDFIELD.
WWW.KESSELERBIRMINGHAM.CO.UK
45

F E AT U R E
A Rugeley page-turner
RUGELEY RESIDENT MIKE O’BRIEN IS A MAN OF MANY TALENTS - A TEACHER, A MUSICIAN
AND SONGWRITER AND A POET - AS WELL AS AN AUTHOR LOOKING FORWARD TO BRINGING
HIS THIRD NOVEL INTO THE WORLD. KATY EDGINGTON DISCOVERS MORE
AUTHOR MIKE O’BRIEN IS ALSO
A MUSICIAN, PERFORMING HIS
ORIGINAL SONGS IN FOLK AND
ACOUSTIC CLUBS
When former teacher and longtime Rugeley resident
Mike O’Brien sold the bar he had taken on as a
retirement option, he found himself with time to
invest in his passion - writing.
Born in Birmingham, Mike taught in the second
city for many years, eventually becoming deputy
head of a comprehensive school. He had long
dabbled in creative writing but found that his other
commitments meant that he lacked the time to tackle
anything substantial.
“I’ve always written but because of time constraints,
rarely anything of any length,” he explains. “I’m also
a singer-songwriter, so my creative impulses went into
songwriting for a while.”
Although he still enjoys playing his original songs
in folk and acoustic clubs, and even recording
music with his children and their partners - several
of whom are professional and semi-professional
musicians - he finds novel writing is intensely private
and solitary by contrast.
Since semi-retiring, Mike has published two novels:
War on Wasps in 2015 and A Can of Serpents
in 2017. Part political exposé, part psychological
thriller, both novels explore the impact of terrorism
and corruption on relationships in modern society.
Perhaps surprisingly, the inspiration for War on
Wasps originally came from Mike’s time in the
classroom.
“For years I’d been setting a GCSE creative writing
assignment,” he explains. “The example was a
46
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true story about one of the first aircraft terrorism
incidents - a Jordanian journalist who planted a
bomb in his pregnant girlfriend’s case. I thought, ‘I
have to do it myself, otherwise I’m a fraud’.”
Several characters appear in both novels at different
stages of their lives. George Orwell obliquely
comments throughout A Can of Serpents on themes
of power, terror and fear in the form of quotes from
1984, his vision of a future dystopia.
Mike’s novel is set principally in Rugeley, and
captures the tense atmosphere in the town at the
height of the miners’ strike in 1984. For Mike,
concentrating on his own locale was only natural.
“Rugeley is a great place - it has the countryside, the
rivers, the mines and it used to have the power works.
It’s a tidy little community in its own right and there’s
a lot to be said about it. I did use some poetic license,
but I live here - I know the roads and the walks.”
That’s just a small part of the research process,
however. Mike often uses the internet and social
media to research not only places, but also people’s
attitudes, opinions and manners of speaking.
“The big bonus of the internet and writing now,
is that I can sit here in my office and find the road
layout of Richmond in London, for example. I can
‘walk’ up and down those roads and get 360 degree
shots of the station. I can find out very intimate
details of places without ever having to visit them.”
Writing songs and poetry has always been an
important part of Mike’s life, and he currently has
a poetry collection in competition. He says time is
a big factor in his creative output. Although poems
RUGELEY AUTHOR MIKE
O’BRIEN
MIKE HAS PUBLISHED TWO
NOVELS, AND IS CURRENTLY
WORKING ON A THIRD
require a lot of work, they generally require shorter,
more intense chunks of time and, he believes, distil
more of experience onto the page than a novel.
“Putting together the collection coincided very much
with the death of my dad and decline of my mum
into dementia, and wanting to keep short records
for her grandchildren, or even great-grandchildren,
in poetic form. It’s not sentimental at all, but it’s
therapeutic for me and it’s a legacy that will exist
after I’ve gone,” he says.
Particularly during the first lockdown last year, when
we all became afraid to go anywhere or stand too
close to anybody, Mike felt the urge to put pen to
paper once more and record history as it happened.
He very quickly began narrating a story that weaves
together many threads, including J.R.R.Tolkien as a
character. Between November 1915 and June 1916,
The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings author was
stationed at Rugeley and Brocton Military Camps
on Cannock Chase, not far from where Mike lives. It
may well become the third novel in what was always
intended as a trilogy.
“The story moves back and forth in time and
also looks at the Cultural Revolution in China.
I’m 20,000 words in at the moment, but there’s a
lot of material there that will definitely turn into
something.
“I want my work to be literary, but I want it to be
accessible. Tolkien’s principal theme, of course, was
about how the small people - the hobbits - can make
a big difference in the world. That’s how I like to
think about writing.”
War on Wasps and A Can of Serpents are available
in paperback or on Kindle from Amazon.
48 www.jaimemagazine.com

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F E AT U R E
An icon reborn
A DISUSED FORMER ICON OF BRITISH DESIGN IN STREETLY HAS BEEN GIVEN A NEW LEASE OF
LIFE. JAZZ SHERGILL CAUGHT UP WITH ANNE-MARIE GOODCHILD AND MARY WHEELER,
VOLUNTEERS AND MEMBERS OF THE STREETLY COMMUNITY GROUP, ABOUT THE EXCHANGE
THE VOLUNTEERS AT THE
GRAND OPENING OF THE
EXCHANGE
There’s a new library in town but it’s not like your
usual one. This one doesn’t have any librarians,
computers or even a quiet place to sit back with a
book. It has, however, got a stamp in history and
was voted to be the greatest British design of all time
in 2015 but due to today’s modern-day technology
there simply isn’t a use for its original purpose.
Any guesses what it could be?
It’s the iconic red telephone box.
There were once more than 70,000 of these red
kiosks in the UK but approximately only around
10,000 remain. One was spotted in Streetly Village
where telecommunications company BT had posted
a notice on it saying that it will be removed.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the removal of
the phone box had been delayed and the note was
seen by Anne-Marie Goodchild while on a walk.
With a love for the phone box design and having
always wanted one in her back garden, a petition was
then set up to save the iconic kiosk, which received
700 signatures for it to stay put. BT approved for
Shenstone Parish Council and a group from the
community to maintain the telephone box under
their adopt-a-kiosk scheme.
“I used to work for BT, so I contacted the head of
payphones and asked them to delay the recovery of
the whole phone box because they weren’t just going
to take the phone out; they were going to remove the
entire red phone box,” explained Anne-Marie.
“I got in touch with Shenstone Parish Council,
50 www.jaimemagazine.com

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and I prepared a business case which we discussed
over Zoom and it turned out they’d got a kiosk in
Wall and Shenstone which they had adopted. They
were a bit concerned about Streetly because they
said it wasn’t as rural as the other areas and they
thought there might be damage to it but in the end
they adopted it for a pound and then I got some
wonderful volunteers and we started to renovate it.”
The perfect team of volunteers - Anne-Marie
Goodchild, Mary Wheeler, Will Wheeler, Katie
Blabey, Ramona Milhailescu and Phil Campion -
came together to restore the kiosk and help bring the
new library to life. The windows were repaired, a
new coat of paint was applied, and custom-designed,
handmade shelves were added. In went in the books,
DVDs, CDs, jigsaw puzzles and even flower seeds for
the public to take, swap and add; it was named The
Exchange.
“Together Will and Phil designed the shelves, Will
then made them to go inside which were very good
and they’ve received a lot of compliments,” Mary
added.
“There’s also a planter that wraps around the box
and we’ve had plants donated by William Wheat and
Sons. We constantly get compliments about it and
the community seems to really appreciate it.”
The entire renovation took approximately six months
to complete. The Exchange was opened up by Dave
Salter, Chair of the Shenstone Parish Council; he
said it was the best renovation he had seen.
“It was a big team effort, and it was a lot of hard
work but it was all well worth it,” said Anne-Marie.
“We had a lovely official opening and now it’s
literally just a case of maintaining it. We did need
extra money, so we did the Streetly Walking Market
and had stalls outside there. At Christmas we had
non-alcoholic mulled wine, Mary made some cakes,
we had a tombola and so we raised a PayPal account
and had a lot of money donated from the event.”
Since the opening, word has got around; and it’s
proving to be popular with the younger generations
too. Sometimes, books don’t get used or there simply
isn’t enough shelf space for them. Anne-Marie and
Mary tell us what happens to the extra stock:
“You’ll see the kids sometimes running there on a
Saturday morning, you know they’re going there
with books and they’re going to the Exchange. When
we’re in there tidying up or refreshing the books, you
see a lot more of the cookery books that get left and
have been there for a long time. We do occasionally
have to take some to charity shops because we don’t
just want to throw them away.”
The Exchange has built a real sense of community;
it was there to be used in the pandemic when places
were not open for everyone to enjoy.
“When the libraries were closed during the
lockdowns, the books were there for people to
borrow and have a look at; grandparents have told
us that they entertain their grandchildren by taking
them down to the box and choosing books. A lot of
community events have been triggered as a result of
what we’ve been doing.” said Mary.
“It’s very much a community hub as well as an
exchange for books and it’s open 24 hours; we have
built new friendships with people that we wouldn’t
have otherwise, there’s been a lot of appreciation
from the community and just actually being able to
save it has been worth it,” added Anne-Marie.
If you’d like to donate books to The Exchange, you
can leave them on the shelves if there is space or,
alternatively, there are contact details on the phone
box where you can arrange for any books, CDs,
DVDS and jigsaw puzzles to be collected.
If you want regular updates from The Exchange,
follow the Facebook page www.facebook.com/
StreetlyExchange where you can also look at the
titles of books before going down to make a visit.
BOOKS GALORE LINE THE SHELVES
52 www.jaimemagazine.com

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T R AV E L
Winter travel top tips
AS THE WORLD OPENS UP AGAIN, NATHAN COLLINS FROM LICHFIELD EXPERTS RB
COLLECTION HAND-PICKS HIS TOP TIPS FOR THAT ALL-IMPORTANT WINTER GETAWAY
THE PATINA RESORT OFFERS THE ULTIMATE LUXURY
MALDIVES EXPERIENCE
Whether you need a week on the beach, quality
family time or something a little more adventurous,
this winter is an exciting opportunity to travel once
again, and don’t we all deserve a break!
TROPICAL ISLAND…
For those who need some quality R&R, there are
some exciting new opportunities this winter. Some
of the main tropical islands such as the Maldives,
Mauritius, and Seychelles are already open and can
be accessed from Birmingham or Manchester via
Dubai, or direct from London.
Mauritius is perfect for Christmas with the family
and the island has much more to offer than stunning
beaches. The national park is beautiful as are the
hiking trails and tea plantations. Thrilling activities
such as kite surfing can be found on the south coast.
If you have older members of the family, the island
is a good choice to keep them occupied. We have a
12-night all-inclusive Christmas special with flights,
private transfers, free land and water sports from
£4,899 per person, departing December 19; drop
me a line for details.
If you are seeking that ultimate Maldives experience,
there are some new and exciting resorts to choose
from including the Ritz Carlton and Patina – all on
the brand-new Fari Islands. The flight time is around
11 hours, and we usually select islands that have
shorter seaplane or speedboat transfers so you can
get to your luxury hotel in good time.
54 www.jaimemagazine.com

THE WINTER MONTHS ARE
GREAT FOR A TRIP TO VENICE
The islands are very popular around Christmas and
New Year. For the best prices we can look at the start
or end of the peak seasons. I’ve visited a few islands
myself – it can be a needle in a haystack and, like
many popular tourist destinations, standards do vary
a lot. Even within the five star category you do have
to be careful with your choice of island so just let
me know if you need guidance when booking your
Maldives luxury holiday with us.
Antigua has proved popular so far this year, with
one of the easiest entry requirements of all the
Caribbean islands. Many of the top hotels are
smaller and sell out early. If you want to visit the
island and soak up the Caribbean culture and see
the sights, Antigua is a good option. The island has
a handful of scenic spots and a great sunset party
at Shirley Heights. Direct flights are from London
with British Airways or Virgin, who offer upgrades to
Premium, Club/Upper and First Class (BA only).
This winter we welcome a new direct flight from
Manchester to Barbados with Aer Lingus (they
are also launching Orlando and New York too).
Barbados is one of the more popular islands; a flatter
island than Antigua and St
Lucia but has a great restaurant
and bar scene if you want to
soak up the local vibe.
WINTER WARMTH
CLOSER TO HOME
If you prefer not to fly too
far, the best options for winter
sun are the Canary Islands.
Tenerife, Gran Canaria and
Lanzarote continue to be some
of our most popular islands
with a flight time of around
four hours from most local UK
VIRGIN ARE LAUNCHING A NEW DIRECT
FLIGHT FROM LONDON TO CAPE TOWN
airports, including Birmingham and
East Midlands.
If you have already visited the Canary
Islands, consider a multi-centre driving
trip around Gran Canaria as my fellow
MD did earlier this year. Oliver stayed
in the capital city La Palma, then drove
up to the mountains staying at the
Paradores Tejeda, ending with a few
days by the beach. See www.rbcollection.
com or www.jaimemagazine.com for
the full report, or contact us to put the
itinerary together for you.
If you prefer your holiday not to be
too hot, some of our favourite luxury
hotels on the Andalusian coast are open year-round,
with heated pools and specific winter-time bars and
restaurants open to enjoy. Puente Romano and the
Marbella Club would be our top picks and we have
personally visited them, so we know which is best to
recommend to different clients. The interior design
at Marbella Club is superb and remains one of the
most sought after places to stay in the Marbella area.
THE WORLD’S GREATEST SHOW!
All eyes are on Dubai this winter as Expo 2020
finally opens after being delayed for a year. This
world fair spectacular includes innovative technology
and showcases the world of tomorrow.
Various countries from around the world have built
pavilions including Spain, which will showcase
a hyperloop vehicle made by Zeleros. Sweden’s
pavilion, The Forest, is a wooden structure designed
to reduce CO2 emissions and act as a carbon sink.
The event is colossal and will no doubt draw in
visitors from around the world and is a must-see for
any visitors over the next year. Visit
www.expo2020dubai.com for more details.
www.jaimemagazine.com
55

IT’S SAFARI TIME!
Africa’s safari hotspots are finally
reopening and, to celebrate, Virgin
Atlantic are launching a new direct
flight from London to Cape Town
in South Africa, in addition to the
existing Johannesburg flight. Virgin
last flew to Cape Town in 2014
and so it is great news this will start
again.
British Airways also fly to South
Africa’s capital, which is a great
place to start your tour or selfdrive
holiday of the Winelands
and Garden Route. I visited the country twice and
Oliver drove himself a couple of years ago too. It is
one of our favourite countries and we already have
a handful of regular clients booked to revisit this
winter.
In addition to South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, and
Botswana are all on my hot list for this winter. Each
offering varying safari experiences, I have been
lucky to enjoy them all and can’t recommend them
enough. There are new itineraries on the luxurious
Blue Train to enjoy too; drop me a line for details.
CITY BREAKS
Winter is a nice time to visit some of the more
popular cities which can suffer overcrowding in the
summer months. It is a great time to visit Venice;
flights from Birmingham start again on February
10, 2022. Birmingham’s Rome flight also restarts in
February, with four departures per week. Why not
combine a few Italian cities and travel by the reliable
high speed train service?
Through the winter, there are twice-weekly flights to
THE ARCTIC BATH IN SWEDEN MAKES
FOR A UNIQUE WINTER BREAK
ENJOY A LUXURY CRUISE
EXPERIENCE ON THE
EMERALD AZZURA
the Austrian capital of Vienna. The top hotel there
is called the Hotel Sacher and we had clients visit
this autumn who loved it! Other popular city breaks
from Birmingham include Barcelona, Prague, Paris,
Budapest and Lisbon, all of which have flights during
the wintertime.
Further afield, New York is set to make a big
comeback this year as we are finally allowed to visit
the USA once again. The city has welcomed back
Broadway shows and is buzzing with excitement to
welcome back visitors. Why not combine New York
with Boston, or get the high speed train down to
Washington DC?
WINTER ACTIVITIES
Are you feeling a little more active? New ski flights
from Birmingham include Chambery, which saves on
transfer times to popular resorts where you used to
have to fly to Geneva. Ski resorts are already filling
up as so many skiers transferred from last year. Our
tip would be to look for resorts which have longer,
more snow-sure seasons such as Val d’Isère in the
French Alps which is good for an Easter ski trip.
For a more unique experience, the
popular Ice Hotel in Sweden is back
with an exciting season and combines
well with the Tree Hotel or Arctic
Bath, just three-and-a-half hours
away by train. Sweden is famous for
its unique hotels, and we are lucky to
have visited so do ask for details as
they are quite specialist styles of trips.
Visit www.IceHotels.co.uk for more
details.
There is also a new direct flight to
Lulea in Sweden from London, which
is handy for some of these hotels
which all offer amazing opportunities
to see the Northern Lights.
56 www.jaimemagazine.com

LATEST NEWS FROM ASIA
Asia is understandably a region which is slower to
open than some of those I have already mentioned.
However, it is worth noting Thailand, for example,
has been running their ‘Sandbox’ tourism schemes
since the summer to allow visitors with certain
restrictions.
The trial was a success and now the country has
announced they will open further for visitors this
winter. There are certain restrictions as to where you
can go and what you can do, but at least it opens the
door once again for us to visit one of our favourite
parts of Asia.
CRUISE HOLIDAYS
As cruise lines restarted their sailings, we were
quick to get onboard. I spent a week on Seabourn
Ovation around the Greek Isles while Oliver tested
out Regent Splendour and Norwegian Epic. We have
now experienced nearly all the premium luxury ships
so can compare each for their varying merits.
Oliver’s top tip for Norwegian Epic is their ‘Haven’
ship-within-a-ship concept. This luxury area within
the ship offers more spacious suites,
a dedicated pool, spa and speciality
restaurant. You can continue to use the
facilities of the rest of the ship, including
superb Broadway shows!
During the winter months, cruise lines
traditionally reposition their ships from
the Mediterranean over to the Caribbean.
With limits to where they can cruise
further around the world, some of the
ships will stay in Europe this winter.
Regent Seven Seas, for example, are
offering a lovely itinerary down the east
coast of Spain down to the Canary Islands
and back. There are changes taking place
all the time with more new winter cruising
opportunities on offer.
One of my top picks would be a new
luxury yacht experience onboard Emerald
Azzura. This stunning brand new ship
carries only 100 guests and 64 crew.
Itineraries range from Croatia coastal
cruises in the summer and then in the
winter she sails down to the Red Sea from
Jordan to Egypt and then onto Saudi
Arabia which has recently re-opened for
tourism. Oliver visited last year so if you
are interested in this fascinating country,
please do contact us.
AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND
This is possibly the region we are most asked about;
and understandably so. Australia has confirmed they
will be opening to double vaccinated visitors but,
at the time of going to print, the exact details and
requirements were not published. We expect New
Zealand to open later but hope it won’t be too much
longer with so many family members and friends
desperate to re-unite. Keep an eye on our blog for
updates at rbcollection.com/blog.
FINAL THOUGHTS
As you can see, there are a host of winter holiday
destinations opening. One thing is for certain; the
increased demand will put a strain on supply and so
my final tip is to book early. Leaving it last-minute for
peak times such as Christmas, New Year, February
half term and Easter will be risky, especially for the
more popular destinations or smaller, boutique and
luxury hotels. I hope this guide has helped; if you
would like to discuss anything in more detail call us on
01543 258631. Remember to mention J’AIME when
you call to help support our local fellow business.
L U X U R Y & S P E C I A L I S T T R A V E L
I N V E S T I N Y O U R
H O L I D A Y W I S E L Y
www.jaimemagazine.com
57

W H AT ’ S O N
What’s On this month
WITH THE NIGHTS DRAWING IN AND FESTIVE EVENTS STARTING TO CREEP ONTO OUR
CALENDARS, THERE’S PLENTY TO KEEP YOU BUSY ACROSS THE MIDLANDS THIS NOVEMBER
WHAT: POPPY FIELDS
WHERE: LICHFIELD CATHEDRAL
WHEN: NOVEMBER 6 TO 13
After first appearing in 2018 to mark the centenary of
World War One, the award-winning sound and light
show Poppy Fields will return to Lichfield Cathedral this
November.
Created and produced by Luxmuralis Artistic
Collaboration, the immersive show will see cascading
poppies and flowers projected across the ceiling, walls and
floor of the 900-year-old Cathedral. With accompanying
music by David Harper and poetry read by Oscarwinning
actor Eddie Redmayne, this promises to be a
poignant call to remember and honour those who have
lost their lives in service for our peace and safety.
Poppy Fields will be at Lichfield Cathedral from
Saturday November 6 to Saturday November 13. Timed
tickets are available from 5.30pm until 9.30pm, with last
entry at 8.30pm. Tickets are priced at £7.50 per adult
and £6.50 per child. Under threes go free. For more
details visit www.lichfield-cathedral.org
WHAT: BEDKNOBS AND BROOMSTICKS
WHERE: THE ALEXANDRA, BIRMINGHAM
WHEN: NOVEMBER 10 TO 14
Classic Disney movie Bedknobs and Broomsticks has
been reimagined as an exciting new musical and it arrives
at The Alexandra Theatre in Birmingham this month.
The show made its world premiere back in August in
Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and tells the story of the three
orphaned Rawlins children. Evacuated from wartime
London, they have no idea what adventures lie ahead
when they move in with Eglantine Price, who they
discover is a trainee witch.
Eglantine and the children join forces to find a spell
to defeat the enemy, armed only with an enchanted
bedknob, a bewitched broomstick and a magical flying
bed. Recommended for ages three and up, children
will love watching their journey to the depths of the
beautiful briny sea.
Tickets are available from £13 (plus transaction fee)
for shows on Wednesday at 7.30pm, Thursday through
Saturday at 2.30pm and 7.30pm, and Sunday at 2.30pm.
For more details visit www.atgtickets.com
58 www.jaimemagazine.com

WHAT: 9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL
WHERE: THE ALEXANDRA, BIRMINGHAM
WHEN: NOVEMBER 16 TO 20
Fresh from sell-out audiences and five-star reviews in the West End, Dolly Parton’s
smash-hit show 9 to 5 the Musical comes to Birmingham this month.
Starring singer-songwriter Louise Redknapp and with an Oscar, Grammy and Tony
award-nominated score by Queen of Country herself, this new production recounts
the story of three workmates who are pushed to their limits by a sexist, self-centred
boss. The women hatch a plan to kidnap this unsavoury character and teach him a
lesson, but audiences will be on the edge of their seats wondering what happens next
when the company CEO pays an unexpected visit…
Ticket prices for 9 to 5 the Musical start from £13 (plus transaction fee). You can
catch it at The Alexandra Tuesday to Saturday at 7.30pm, or head to the 2.30pm
matinee on Wednesday, Thursday or Saturday. It’s recommended for ages 12+. For
more details visit www.atgtickets.co.uk
WHAT: BIRMINGHAM FILM FESTIVAL
WHERE: MILLENNIUM POINT AND THE GRAND HOTEL
WHEN: NOVEMBER 19 TO 28
Over a period of 10 days this November, you’ll find numerous screenings, events
and awards for film makers from around the world as part of the international
Birmingham Film Festival. Around 200 films will be screened over the course of the
festival - including features, shorts, documentaries, music video and screenplay - as
well as workshops, seminars, industry Q&A panels and networking opportunities for
filmmakers and lovers of film.
Birmingham Film Festival is a great platform to discover new films and new talent
with 350 seats available and screenings free to attend. The Festival invites talented
and independent filmmakers from all over the globe to take part. The celebration
of film craft will culminate in a glittering black tie Awards Gala ceremony at The
Grand Hotel, where the winners of each competition category will be announced in
style on November 27.
For more details visit www.birminghamfilmfestival.com
WHAT: MEET THE AUTHORS
WHERE: MUSEUM OF CANNOCK CHASE
WHEN: NOVEMBER 26
You’re invited to get involved in some Festive Fiction action at the Museum of Cannock
Chase on the last Friday in November. Local author, publisher and book blogger Kim
Nash will host a special Christmas panel of authors.
Warwickshire-based Erin Green, whose novel From Shetland with Love at Christmas is
published this month, is joined by local author Philippa Ashley, whose latest release, A
Special Cornish Christmas, also appears on November 11. A lively discussion will run
from 6pm to 8pm, with the opportunity to have your books signed at the end of the
evening.
Tickets cost £8 per person with mulled apple juice, tea or coffee and a mince pie included
in the price. Advance booking is required by calling the Museum on 01543 877666.
WHAT: LICHFIELD CHRISTMAS LIGHTS SWITCH ON
WHERE: MARKET STREET, LICHFIELD
WHEN: NOVEMBER 28
Lichfield’s spectacular Christmas lights switch on takes place on the last Sunday
of November this year. As ever, it promises to be a fun-packed all-day event for the
whole family. There’s plenty to get involved with in the city centre, from fairground
rides for the kids to shopping and eating at the festive food and gift market, plus the
various music and entertainment acts to enjoy on the stage in the Market Square.
If it’s a little too chilly outside, you can warm up at the Samuel Johnson Birthplace
Museum where hands-on activities and festive refreshments including mulled wine
will be available from 3.30pm until 6pm. The illuminations will be switched on at
5pm, kicking off the festive season in the Cathedral City. Shortly afterwards, keep a
keen ear out for the bells that signal the arrival of Santa.
www.jaimemagazine.com
59

FA S H I O N
A passion for puff
TRANSITION YOUR WAY TO THE COLDER MONTHS WITH A COSY
COAT TO KEEP THE CHILLS AT BAY, SAYS AMY NORBURY
COSY has been an overriding theme throughout fashion
collections ever since the pandemic reared its ugly head.
From luxe loungewear to oversized knits, comfort has been
the name of the game, and designers and consumers alike
have got fully on board with this laid-back approach to
dressing.
But now the fashion world is starting to embrace glitz and
glamour wholeheartedly once again, that cosy vibe has
come into play in another arena: outerwear.
This season’s big-ticket buys are taking comfort to the next
level, with cocooning coats the most covetable choices
from catwalk to high street.
And no coat embodies this ethos more than the puffer.
A quilt in coat form, the puffer is the ultimate winter
warmer. No longer the preserve of adventure-seeking Bear
Grylls explorer types or inner city teenagers, the puffer
is now a legitimate style choice worn by everyone from
Premier League football managers to Downing Street
prime ministers, to your mum and grandma.
Designers everywhere had puffers galore to showcase in
their autumn/winter shows, with everyone from Chanel to
Tom Ford to Balenciaga including the ubiquitous puff in
their collections, some even going so far as to add puff to
dresses, skirts and more, as well as outerwear.
While a full length offering from puffer aficionados
Moncler will set you back north of £1,500, it’s a safe
investment which will last a lifetime; a quick cost-per-wear
analysis makes that initial price tag much more palatable -
if you need the justification, that is.
Thankfully, the high street is awash with more pursefriendly
options, so if you fancy dabbling with a puffer, the
time is now. We guarantee that once you partake in the
puff, you won’t go back.
If you’re not quite ready to plump for a puffer, there are
plenty of other comfort-forward options for your winter
coat instead.
Teddy bear coats have been a firm favourite for the past
few winters, while faux fur and shearling numbers bring
the apres ski vibe to outerwear dressing.
For maximum protection from the elements go full-length,
with ankle-skimming numbers the most practical, stylish
choice to keep even the harshest winter chills at bay.
FULL LENGTH COAT, £129, SONDER
STUDIO. WWW.SONDERSTUDIO.CO.UK
60 www.jaimemagazine.com

£1,595
£89 £150
FALMARUS BLACK FUR-TRIMMED QUILTED
SHELL COAT, MONCLER AT HARVEY
NICHOLS. WWW.HARVEYNICHOLS.COM
FATFACE CARLA COAT IN RUST.
WWW.FATFACE.COM
LONG HARLEY PUFFER IN NAVY,
FATFACE. WWW.FATFACE.COM
£260
£100
KATRINA CREAM BELTED FAUX FUR
COAT, JAKKE AT HARVEY NICHOLS.
WWW.HARVEYNICHOLS.COM
GREEN LONG QUILTED COAT,
RIVER ISLAND. WWW.RIVERISLAND.COM
CRIMDON QUILT COAT, £239, AND BILTON BOUCLE
SCARF, £32.95, BARBOUR. WWW.BARBOUR.COM
STELLA SUSTAINABLE QUILTED COAT, £99, MONSOON.
WWW.MONSOON.CO.UK

B E AU T Y
Why I love organic skincare
USING ORGANIC INGREDIENTS IS AT THE HEART OF HEAVEN SKINCARE. FOUNDER AND ROYAL
FACIALIST DEBORAH MITCHELL TALKS ABOUT WHY USING NATURAL INGREDIENTS IS SO VITAL
Tell us why you started to use organic
ingredients?
When I launched Heaven 26 years ago, it was
important that right from the start my products
were not only results-driven but completely natural
so I started using organic ingredients whenever
and wherever I can. I suffered from really bad acne
throughout my teens and tried all manner of things
to help it, but because most products back then
contained chemicals, they just irritated my skin even
more. It was really a case of having to think outside
the box because my skin flared up when I used
anything that wasn’t natural and I didn’t want my
clients to suffer the same issues. Your health and your
skin is worth applying the very best ingredients; after
all your body reaps the benefits of what you use on
your face.
When it came to using natural ingredients,
you were very much ahead of the curve?
Long before it was a “thing”, I was one of the few
people in the industry trailblazing the move away
from nasty chemicals and instead opting for organic
formulas. At the time I’m sure many people thought
I was crazy! My ingredients use the very best nature
has to offer, from the anti-ageing vitamin C in my
Divine Cream and nettles in my new vegan range to
the Manuka honey in my exclusive Gold Bee Venom
Mask as well as countless essential oils, fruit and
herbs across the whole collection.
You use some very interesting organic
ingredients in your products. Tell us
more about ABEETOXIN® and its vegan
counterpart NETTATOXIN®?
My patented ABEETOXIN® controls the facial
muscles to tighten, firm and lift while at the same
time penetrating fine lines to give an immediate antiageing
effect. Historically, bee venom has been used
as pain relief but it had never been used as a skincare
product before. I wanted to find an alternative to
Botox after I noticed wrinkles starting to appear on
my face. My sister is a beekeeper, so I had a lot of
information about bees and honey in my head and I
just knew what I had to do. It took me years to create
NETTATOXIN®, which is the vegan version using
common nettles that I gather from the hedgerows
near my home. It works because the venom of
the nettle causes a reaction similar to that of bees
when they sting – the skin goes into rapid repair on
first contact leaving you with a lifted, more radiant
complexion.
Why is using organic ingredients important?
What we put on our skin is vital to having a healthy,
radiant complexion, especially if you suffer from
conditions such as acne, open pores, rosacea,
psoriasis or eczema because harsh
chemicals in some products will
just make them worse. I believe
that consumers should be given the
knowledge on how to make better
choices when buying their skincare
and know that there are many
products out there that are free from
parabens, SLS, petroleum, silicones or
derivatives.
Heaven Skincare by Deborah
Mitchell is available at Heaven
Health & Beauty, 13a Market
Place, Shifnal, Shropshire and
at Harvey Nichols Birmingham.
You can also shop online at
heavenskincare.com.
62 www.jaimemagazine.com

I N T H E N E W S
A milestone celebration
A STALWART LOCAL BUSINESS BASED AT HEART OF THE COUNTRY
RECENTLY CELEBRATED A DOUBLE MILESTONE IN STYLE
Fine jewellery designer and maker
Allen Brown has been a constant
presence at Swinfen’s Heart of the
Country Shopping village since the
early 1990s. And it was cause for
celebration at the Allen Brown Gallery
recently, as Allen commemorated an
impressive 35 years in business - and 30
years at the Heart of the Country.
Over the birthday weekend, customers
and visitors to the gallery were
treated to an array of goodies. With
personalised cupcakes on offer and
balloons to decorate the gallery, as well
as some special prizes which were given
to lucky customers, there were plenty
of festivities to mark the occasion.
Allen says: “What a fantastic time we had at our
double celebration weekend. Not only did we
celebrate our 35th birthday here at Allen Brown
Jewellery, but also 30 years at our home at Heart of
the Country Shopping Village.
“I’ve been very touched and humbled by the
response from past and present customers. 35 years is
a long time but the success of the business is largely
due to the help and support of all my amazing Allen
Brown team. Heart of the Country has been a great
location for my business, a visionary concept of
Lesley and Simon Stubbs.”
Allen added: “We also enjoyed showcasing our
special anniversary piece; an 18ct white gold kunzite
and diamond pendant. Thank you to all who visited
us to help make the weekend extra special.”
Allen Brown is renowned for his contemporary
classic designs using coloured diamonds, platinum
and other precious metals.
He has come a long way from the farmer’s son who
helped milk the dairy herd with his parents on the
farm in Staffordshire, to the successful business
owner he is today.
Allen learned the basics of jewellery making while
JEWELLERY DESIGNER ALLEN
BROWN CELEBRATING 35
YEARS IN BUSINESS
at King Edward’s School in Lichfield in a general
studies class, progressing to an Art and Design course
at Stafford College, then onto a BA course in threedimensional
design with an emphasis on jewellery
and silversmithing from Sheffield Hallam.
He then went from holding exhibitions in a workshop
made out of an old chicken pen on his parents’ farm
to acquiring a unit at Ridware Arts Centre.
Allen also lectured part time at Burton College and
went on to employ one of his students who showed
he had a natural talent – he still works for Allen now
30 years later. Charlie can always be found on the
bench in the onsite workshop crafting and creating
fine pieces of jewellery.
In the early 1990s Allen moved to Heart of the
Country at Swinfen where he has remained ever
since.
Inside the beautiful jewellery gallery customers are
given the time and space to browse, and can view
commission or remodelling examples, design sketches
and the vast collections of gold and silver jewellery,
as well as watch pieces being made in the workshop.
“Heart of the Country has been a perfect location
for my business, creating a stylish and relaxed
environment for our customers,” Allen adds.
www.jaimemagazine.com
63

H E A LT H
Taking care of your joints
EXPERTS AT SPIRE LITTLE ASTON HOSPITAL, IN SUTTON COLDFIELD, OFFER
THEIR TOP TIPS FOR BUILDING AND MAINTAINING HIP AND KNEE HEALTH
As you get older, you may find
that your hips and knees ache or
feel stiff more often. This may be
down to natural wear and tear;
however, injuries, osteoarthritis
and accidents can also affect your
joints and cause mobility issues.
Building and maintaining hip
and knee strength is essential to
help your joints work well so you
can get on with everyday tasks
without discomfort and enjoy a
full and active lifestyle.
While some wear and tear to
your knees and hips may need
medical attention, there are
things you can do to protect and
strengthen your joints and therefore reduce your risk
of problems.
Here are some easy ways to take care of your knees
and hips, ensure they stay strong for as long as
possible and reduce your risk of osteoarthritis:
Maintain a healthy weight
Your weight can have a huge effect on your joints,
especially your knees and hips as these are loadbearing,
which means they carry your body weight.
Extra weight puts extra pressure on them, which can
cause them to wear out much faster.
Stay active
Inactivity can cause your joints to become stiff and
weak, reducing your range of motion. To keep your
knees and hips working properly, you need to keep
moving.
This doesn’t necessarily mean you need to head
to the gym every day. There are plenty of gentle
exercises you can do on a daily basis that will help,
including walking and other low-impact activities
such as cycling and Pilates. Swimming or exercising
in water reduces the pressure on your joints, while
still allowing you to build their strength.
SWIMMING REDUCES PRESSURE ON
YOUR JOINTS WHILE ALLOWING YOU
TO BUILD STRENGTH
Improve your posture
Good posture isn’t just vital for a healthy spine, it can
affect every part of your body, including your knees
and hips. If you don’t pay attention to your posture,
it’s easy to start slouching, especially if you work at a
desk during the day. Your posture can also worsen as
you get older, causing you to become stooped.
Strengthen your knee muscles
When it comes to reducing knee pain and improving
overall knee health, it isn’t just about the joints. You
also need to strengthen the muscles that support
your knee joints. Doing exercises that build up your
hamstrings, abductors and quadriceps will help to
protect the cartilage in your knee joints and therefore
maintain your joint health.
Watch your diet
Believe it or not, what you eat affects your hip and
knee health. Eat a diet rich in omega–3 fatty acids as
they help reduce stiffness in your joints and reduce
inflammation that can lead to joint pain. You can
either take omega–3 supplements or eat oily fish,
such as salmon and mackerel, several times a week.
Vitamin E is also important for joint health as it too
can reduce inflammation. Maintaining good vitamin
64 www.jaimemagazine.com

OILY FISH IS A GREAT SOURCE OF
IMPORTANT OMEGA-3 FATTY ACIDS
You can reduce any pain or swelling
in your knees or hips by applying an
ice pack to help reduce inflammation.
Don’t put the ice pack directly on
your skin, instead wrap it in a tea
towel or flannel, and don’t leave it
on for longer than 20 minutes. For
stiffness, heat packs or soaking in
a warm bath can help relax your
muscles and ease any tension.
E levels has been found to lower the risk of joint
damage. Good sources of dietary vitamin E include
nuts, sunflower seeds and avocado.
A diet rich in antioxidants is also great for your joint
health as they reduce inflammation, which often
occurs in arthritis and causes joint pain. Blueberries,
strawberries, raspberries, spinach, kale and beetroots
are all good sources of antioxidants.
Wear supportive shoes
The shoes you wear can have a big impact on
the health of your knees and hips. Hard-soled
shoes allow the impact of your foot hitting the
floor to be felt right up through your legs and
into your knees and hips. Meanwhile, wearing
heels can affect your centre of gravity, putting
extra pressure on your knees and hips.
Wearing comfortable shoes that provide the
right support will improve the alignment of
your joints and reduce the pressure on them.
Your shoes should have a soft, shock-absorbing
sole to reduce the impact of your feet hitting
the floor with each step and should also be
fitted correctly to stop your feet rolling inward
or outward.
With fast access to consultations
and diagnostic tests and scans, Spire
Little Aston Hospital can provide
expert advice to help you make the
right decision about your care. From
surgical procedures to non-invasive methods, we offer
an extensive range of treatments to help you get back
to doing what you love.
Book to see an expert today; call 0121 514 7034 or
search ‘Spire Little Aston Hospital’.
EXERCISE IS IMPORTANT - BUT
LISTEN TO YOUR BODY
Listen to your body
While regular stretching and exercising are
important to keep your knees and hips healthy,
you need to make sure you’re not overdoing it.
Carrying on with your routine if your joints
are painful, swollen or stiffer than usual can
cause further damage.
Take stock of any discomfort or pain you’re
experiencing and if you notice your symptoms
getting worse during a particular activity, take
a break and look after your joints.
www.jaimemagazine.com
65

I N T H E N E W S
The clear way to straighter teeth
DENTIST SWETA NAGAR, FROM BUPA DENTAL CARE WHILE ROAD, IN
SUTTON COLDFIELD, SAYS THAT INVISALIGN IS A GREAT WAY TO ACHIEVE
A STRAIGHTER SMILE WITH MINIMAL IMPACT ON DAILY LIFE
“Invisalign is completely different to traditional
orthodontics,” declares Sweta Nagar, the Invisalign
dentist at Bupa Dental Care While Road practice in
Sutton Coldfield.
“For a start, it uses virtually invisible, removable
aligners as opposed to traditional metal wires and
brackets… a fantastic way to deliver cosmetic
dentistry. It is a minimally invasive way to achieve
straight teeth with little or no interference with daily
life.”
Patients first see Sweta for an initial check to assess
suitability. This would involve developing a 3D
virtual treatment plan where you will be able to see
your teeth before and after the Invisalign treatment.
This aspect is amazing as you know what to expect
before you commit to the treatment.
She might also suggest treatments, such as teeth
whitening, composite build-ups, veneers and
crowns, which can be carried out after straightening
your teeth.
This ABC (Align, Brighten and Contour) approach
put together will help achieve the satisfaction of
having a beautiful smile without undergoing drastic
teeth modifications.
Treatment involves wearing removable clear aligners
for 20–22 hours a day. These are removed only
when eating, drinking or cleaning teeth. Treatment
times are an average of 15 to 20 weeks and Sweta
DENTIST SWETA
NAGAR
sees her patients every four weeks to supervise the
transformation and check all is going as it should.
Sweta finds the whole process “very interesting and
immensely satisfying” and loves the “appreciative”
reactions of her patients at the very end. When she
shows them the before and after images, they are
“over the moon!”
Fascinatingly, she frequently hears that they “got on
so well with Invisalign that they were going to miss
it!” One recent patient had “watched her husband’s
Invisalign journey” and she was interested too.
Sweta guided her through the process: “Sweta was so
welcoming and made my treatment enjoyable.”
“I found Invisalign really easy and straightforward,
I still can’t believe how quickly I saw results. My
journey took 20 weeks and every step was easy with
no pain or problem. I can’t thank Sweta and the
team enough.”
If you’d like to find out more about achieving your
perfect smile, Sweta at Bupa Dental Care Sutton
Coldfield While Road would be delighted to see you.
To book an Invisalign consultation with Sweta call
0121 392 1654. An Invisalign consultation fee is
£54 and a COVID-19 safety tariff will apply. Patients
must be 18 years or over. Consultations are subject to
availability.
66 www.jaimemagazine.com

Established – Professional – Transparent
The Winterton family name has been synonymous
with auctioneering in Staffordshire since 1864
Probate and formal valuations for
inheritance tax purposes
Our reliable and sympathetic
team can assist all executors in the
administration of deceased estates
From jewellery and large collections
to cars, furniture and household items,
we handle everything
Comprehensive, bespoke
clearance service and
downsizing solutions
We handle clearance of an entire
estate from houses, bungalows and
flats to offices and all other buildings
Jewellery, Watches & Silver
Sutton Coldfield
The Trinity Centre
Church Hill, Mill Street, B72 1TF
Discover that hidden gem with your local auctioneer
We specialise in:
Antique and modern jewellery
Watches
Gemstones
Silverware
Coins, medals and militaria
Works of art
Whisky and wine
Vintage toys
Stamps and ephemera
Cameras and record collections
Scientific equipment
Antique and modern furniture
Modern toys and Pokémon
Musical instruments
FREE LOCAL VALUATIONS - NEAR YOU
Watches, Jewellery, Silver & Antiques
Lichfield
The Hub at St Mary’s
Market Square, WS13 6LG
Qualified
All members of our jewellery
department are certified
gemmologists and diamond graders
Record-breaking
international sales
More than 3,800 bidders from
all over the world joined our
online auctions last month
Online services available
Virtual estimates, online auctions
and contactless collections.
Valuations, viewing and consignments
by appointment only
Jewellery, Watches & Silver
The Lichfield Auction Centre
Fradley Park (close to the A38)
Wood End Lane, WS13 8NF
Mondays
9am - 12pm
Meet valuer Louise
for help and advice
(except bank holidays)
Tuesdays
9.30am - 11am
Meet Ben for general
advice and auction
consignments
BY APPOINTMENT
Thursdays
9.30am - 4pm
With Heather,
gemmologist
& diamond grader
FREE General Valuations of your pictures, antiques and collectables
By appointment only - with our team on Thursdays from 9.30am - 4pm Call 01543 251081
01543 251081
www.richardwinterton.co.uk
office@richardwinterton.co.uk
The Lichfield Auction Centre, Wood End Lane, Fradley Park WS13 8NF
J'Aime Ad 190x280_June 2021.indd 5 24/09/2021 15:18