Birmingham Living April 2026

SUZI PERRY

NomatterwhatyoumightreadinthenationalpressorseeonTV,therearestilla lotofverygood,kind-heartedandcaringpeopleabout–nonemoresothan righthereinBirmingham.

Caseinpoint,themorethan16,000participantswhowillbesettingoutonnextmonth’sAJBellGreat BirminghamRunfromCentenarySquare.Theywillberunning,jogging,andmaybeevenwalkingabit,to raisemuch-neededmoneyforamyriadofgreatcharitiesandcauses.Lastyear’seventraisedwellinexcessof £1million.Since2017,runnershaveraisednorthof£10millionforcharity.That’sseriousmoney.Moneywhich especiallyintoday’scash-strappedtimes,ismoreimportantthaneverforthebrilliantvoluntaryorganisations whosupportthoseinmostneed.

Toallthosetakingpartinthehalfmarathonand10keventson3May,wesaluteyou!Fingerscrossedthat theweatheriskindforthethousandsofsupporterswhoareexpectedalongtheroutethatshowcasesthe verybestofourcity.

Interviewingourfrontcoverstarthismonthwasarealjoy.SuziPerryisaveryfamiliarfacetoanyonewho lovestheirsport–fromFormulaOnetoMotoGP,theOlympics,RoyalAscotandeventheBoatRace!Thisyear seesSuzicelebrate30yearsinbroadcastinginacareerthatspanstheBBC,SkyandmostrecentlyTNTSports. WecaughtupwiththeQueenofSpeedjusthoursaftershereturnedfromfrontinglivecoverageofthe200mph superstarsofbikeracingatthefirstMotoGPraceinThailand.Despitehavingspentthreedecadescriss-crossing theworldforwork,SuzilikesnothingbetterthanbeinghomeinherbelovedWolverhampton–livingjust acrosstheroadfromherdad.

DavidJohns

EDITOR: DavidJohns david@brumliving.co.uk

FEATURESEDITOR: ShelleyCarter shelley@brumliving.co.uk

CONTRIBUTORS: DavidCarne,AdamKirtland ACCOUNTMANAGER: JaneMorris jane@brumliving.co.uk

PHOTOGRAPHY: DavidMorphew,AndrewLlewellyn.Imagelibrary:shutterstock.com

DESIGNER: TracyDuffy

PUBLISHINGDIRECTOR: JonathanCarter RockHopperMediaLimited BurleighHouse,23TagwellRoad,DroitwichWR97BN tel 01905771110 ©RockHopperMediaLtd. BirminghamLivingispublishedmonthlybyRockHopperMediaLtdandprintedbyBuxtonPress.Viewsandopinionsexpressedbyauthorsandservicesandproducts offeredbyadvertisersarenotspecificallyendorsedbyRockHopperMediaLtd.ReproductioninwholeorinpartofthecontentsofBirminghamLivingwithoutwrittenpermissionisstrictlyprohibited.

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06 10 14 18 26 30

News

Bringingyouthebrighteststories fromacrossthecitythismonth

SuziPerry

Thequeenofspeedtalkstousasshe celebrates30yearsinbroadcasting

TheChoirofJoy

Singingthepraisesofamazing BirminghamInclusiveChoir

Food&Drink

LuciCampbellofJuciLuciCakes, plus:Eastereats,treatsandtipples

Health

Itchyeyes,sneezesandwheezes! Getreadytofighthayfeverhell

Style

It’stimetofrock’n’rollandget dressyforthesunnydaysahead

BestoftheRest

42 52 56 59 64 66

Homes

Howtoturnyouroutdoorspace intoagorgeousroomwithaview

Young,GiftedandBrummie GlobalartistandfounderofPlayback Creates,DrHarpreetJandu,aka‘PBN’

SupportForAll BehindthescenesofBirmingham LGBT’snewpurpose-builtcentre

BusinessNews

Allthelatestnews,views,comingsand goingsfromthecommercialcommunity

What’sOn Bestofthecity’stopshowsandgigs inourround-upofmust-seeevents

UpClose

WithMandyRose,renownartsPR andfounderofM7PublicRelations

RIDEOUTWITHFOGGY

Twoluckymotorcycleenthusiasts arebeinggiventhechanceto joinSuperbikeslegendCarl Fogartyandleadmorethan 3,500bikesinMidlandsAir AmbulanceCharity’sBike4Life RideOutandFestivalonSunday 17May.Bikerswhohavealready bookedtheirplaceintheRide Out,oranyonewhobuysaticket by5pmonThursday9April,will beenteredintothedrawtoride alongsideFoggy,TV’sEmergency BikersMarkHayesandSteve Harris,andBenPearson,starof Channel5’sPoliceInterceptor.

INSPIREDBYBENJAMIN

Poemsinspiredbythelifeandworksofinternationallyacclaimedpoet,authorand activistBenjaminZephaniaharetakingoverBirminghamBotanicalGardensthisspring. Visitorscanread18winningpoemsfromBirminghamCityUniversity’s2025Benjamin ZephaniahFutureWriterscompetitionandhearthembeingrecited.QianZephaniah, Benjamin’swife,said:“Tohavethesevoices–inspiredbyhiswork–echoingthrough theBotanicalGardenswherehelovedtowalkandthink,feelslikecominghome.”

BRINGINGYOUTHEBRIGHTEST ANDMOSTCOLOURFUL STORIESFROMACROSSTHE CITYEACHMONTH

T20COUNTDOWN

Incaseyouhaven’theard…theICC Women’sT20WorldCupiscomingto Edgbaston!Andthestadium’sfamous scoreboardiscountingdownthedaysin style.EnglandwilltakeonSriLankaon12 Juneinthefirstmatch,andcaptainNat Sciver-Bruntwasjoinedbyteammates SophiaDunkleyandLaurenFileratthe groundasthehometeamlookstobecome worldchampionsinoneofthebiggest sportingeventsoftheyear.Ticketdetails at:tickets.womens.t20worldcup.com

OPENDAYATTHEALEX

Birmingham’sAlexandratheatreiskickingoffits125thanniversary celebrationswithafreefamilyopendayonSaturday2May.Visitors cangobehindthescenesofthehistoricvenueona'darkday'when thetheatreisusuallyclosedtothepublic.There’splentyoffun promisedforallages,includingcraftactivitieswithartistand designerGarryJones,technicaldemonstrationsinflying,lightingand sound,plusfacepainting.Therewillalsobetheopportunityfor historyloverstouncoverthetheatre’sricharchive.

DREAMMACHINE

BirminghamcitycentrewasstoppedinitstrackswhentheiconicDeLorean carfromfilmclassicBacktotheFuturemadeasurprisestopinVictoria Square.ThevisitcoincidedwithticketsgoingonsaleformultiawardwinningBacktotheFutureTheMusicalwhichiscomingtoBirmingham HippodromeinMarchandApril2027aspartofitsfirst-everUKtour. Passers-bygatheredtocapturephotosofthetimetravelvehicle,with88 luckyguestsreceivingexclusivegoodiebagsfromtheshow.

COMEDYCENTRAL

Someofthecountry’sbest-knowncomedy namesaresettotakepartinamassivefestival oflaughterthissummer.TheRikMayallComedy FestivalwilltransformDroitwichSpaintoa town-widestagefrom29Mayto6Junewith morethan200eventsinavarietyofvenues, includingpubsandcafes,abeautysalonand evenacanalboat!AlexeiSayle,NigelPlanerand LauraSmyth,pictured,willfeatureinheadline eventsattheNorburyTheatreinthetownwhere YoungOnesstarRikgrewup.

BirminghamCityCouncilandkeyinvestorslaunchedthe BirminghamCentralHeartregenerationschemeatMIPIM,the internationalpropertyconferenceinCannes.Thescheme,billed asa‘onceinagenerationopportunity’,bringstogetherseveral majorsites,includingMartineauGalleries,MartineauPlace, CherryStreet,CannonStreet,CarrsLane,UnionStreet,42High StreetandCityArcade,tocreatemorethan5,000newhomes, 400,000sqmofcommercialfloorspaceandmorethanseven hectaresofnewandimprovedpublicspace.

PRIESTLY CALL

ABirminghampriestischampioningadocumentaryaboutnunswho rescuedhimfrompovertyasachildinthePhilippines.Thefeaturefilm–whichisabouttheworkoftheSistersofMaryorderwhichcaresfor thousandsofchildreninthepoorestpartsoftheworld–isamongthe finalistsintheprestigiousSmileyCharityFilmAwards.FatherFretch Ballesteros,whoisatrusteeofWorldVillagesforChildrencharity,said:“I amsogratefultothedonorswhohelptheSisterssothattheycouldhelp peoplelikemeontoabetterlife.”

SOLIHULL SHINES

Youngtalentisbeingputin thespotlightbySolihullShines –ashowmarkingthefirst yearinofficeofthetown’s mayor.TheCoreTheatrewill hosttheeventonFriday10 Aprilwhichfeaturesamixof vocal,dance,theatreand spokenwordperformances. Theevening’sline-upincludes Birmingham’sYoungPoet Laureate,JapmehKaurGujral, pictured.Moneyraisedwillgo tomayorCllrAnnette Mackenzie’sthreechosen charities–CameronGrant MemorialTrust,Newlands BishopsFarmandOurVoice, OurServices(OVOS).

BEN’S BRONZE

KNIGHTRIDER

PeakyBlinderscreatorStevenKnightunveiledaWestMidlandsMetro tramnamedinhishonouraspartofthebuild-uptothepremiereat SymphonyHallofthefeaturefilmbasedonhisblockbusterTVshow. ThetramfeaturedanimageofCillianMurphyasTommyShelby alongsidethemessageHomeofthePeakyBlinders,celebratingthe show’sdeepconnectiontotheregion.Stevensaid:“Thisisagreat honourforme.IamimmenselyproudofwhereIamfrom,and everythingthatgoesoninthisgreatcity.”

DRAGONBOATRACE

BirminghamHospice’sdragonboatracehasanew venue.Thefund-raisingeventwilltakeplaceat Brindleyplacecanalandbeheldovertwodayson Friday26andSaturday27June.SamanthaJulius,the Hospice’seventsofficer,said:“We’resohappywe’ve beenabletoextendthedragonboatraceacrosstwo dayssowecanwelcomemoreteams–andeven morethrilledtobeholdingitatBrindleyplace.Weare hopingtoraise£20,000fromtheevent.”

UniversityofBirmingham studentBenLevyhas announcedhisarrivalon thejudoworldstageby winningabronzemedal attheParisGrandSlam, theinternationalevent whichsitsjustbelowthe OlympicGamesand WorldChampionshipsin prestige.Itwasthe21year-old’sfirstGrand Slammedalonhisdebut appearance,and competingagainst Olympicandworld champions.Bensaid: “Thisresultputsmeina reallygoodmindsetfor thestartofOlympic qualificationinafew months.”

BLOOMINGBRUM

Birminghamhasbeennamedinaspring getawayreportasoneoftheUK’stop hotspotsfor‘bloomcations’–where travellersseekoutblossomtreesand seasonaldisplaysofnature.Thereportby holidaycompanyselfcatering.co.ukpicked outasahighlightthestunninggroupof cherrytreesinOozellsSquare,Brindleyplace, pictured,whichisoneofthecity’smost photographedspringattractions.Othercity destinationshighlightedbytravellers includedWorcesterandNottingham.

HEAVYMETALMEDAL

Organisersofnextmonth’sBirminghamRun haverevealedtheBrummierock-inspired medalthatfinisherswillreceive.Themedal paystributetothecity’sculturallegacy,with anodtoheavymetalpioneersBlackSabbath throughitsstrikingpurplecolourpalette.The deeppurpletonesalsoechotheiconic Cadburyheritagethathashelpedshape Birmingham’sidentityworldwide.Onthe reverseisa3Dembossedbull–areference totheBullring.TheRunhitsthecity’sstreets onSunday3May.

GOTANYNEWS? Emailyournewsand picturestoeditor@brumliving.co.uk

ROMEFROMHOME

The‘eternalcity’iscomingtoBrum–thankstonewflightstoRomefrom BirminghamAirport.TheneweasyJetserviceoperatesfourtimesaweekon Mondays,Thursdays,FridaysandSundays.ThissummereasyJetwillalsowelcome asixthA320familyaircrafttoitsfleetattheairport,offeringmorechoiceforflights andholidaysacrossEuropeandbeyond.

BOSONPATROL

CalthorpeEstatesis reinforcingitscommitment tosafe,welcomingand well-managedpublic spaceswiththe introductionofadedicated streetwarden.Operating onfootandfroma speciallyliveriedvehicleMondaytoFriday,streetwarden‘Bos’coversthe commercialareasacrossEdgbastonVillage,PebbleMillandEdgbastonMill, providingadeterrenttoanti-socialbehaviourandofferingpracticalsupport andreassurancetobusinesspeopleandvisitors.

ThegrandfinalofChannel4’shitTVshow,ThePiano,iscomingtoBrum.Six finalistswillbecompetingtowinthecompetitionhostedbybroadcasterClaudia Winkleman.Theywillbementoredbyinternationally-acclaimedmusicianMika. Nowinitsfourthseries,ThePianohaspreviouslyvisitedmajorculturalvenues, theSouthbankCentre,AvivaStudiosandThe Glasshouse.ThegrandfinalatSymphonyHall onTuesday9Juneplacesthespotlight firmlyonBirminghamasacentre forworld-classmusic-making.

LIFEINTHE FASTLANE

TRACKSHE’SJUSTASBUSY,PRESENTINGTHEHUGELYPOPULARGADGETSHOWPODCAST,CHEERING ONHERBELOVEDWOLVES–ANDLOOKINGAFTERHERDAD,WHOLIVESRIGHTACROSSTHEROAD!

Highoctane!Thatwouldbetheperfect waytodescribethedaysthatpreceded ourinterviewwithSuziPerry.After frontingTNTSportsliveTVcoverageofMotoGP’s firstbikeraceoftheseasoninThailand,Suzifaced theuncertainandpotentiallyperilousjourneyback totheUKonthedaywhentheUSbeganits bombingcampaignagainstIran–thenoncehome, shedashedtoMolineuxtocheeronherbeloved WolvestoadramaticwinoverPremierLeague champions,Liverpool.

“Wow,yes,it’sbeenwhatIguessyou’dcallquite afewdays,”saidSuzi,whoselifehasalwaysseemed asfast-pacedasthe200mph-plusracersshefollows aroundtheworld–goingrightbacktowhenshe frontedBBC’scoverageofFormulaOnewiththe likesofthelegendaryMurrayWalker.Thisyearis especiallynotableforSuziasshecelebrates30years inbroadcastingaswellascompletingafour-year houserenovationwhichnowseesherliving oppositeherdadinWolverhampton.“It’sbrilliant,” shesays.“Icanseewhatmydadisuptoinhis livingroomovertheroadasIlookoutofmyfront window.Eversincemymumpassedaway,I’ve wantedtokeepaneyeonhimwheneverIcan.”

SLEEPLESSNIGHTS

WespoketoSuziinwhatqualifiesasherbrief ‘downtime’.HavinglandedfromThailandthe previousdayandbeenatthefootballafewhours later,Suzihadgrabbedaquicknap,before presentingherhugelypopularGadgetShow podcast.Minutesafterwrappingupthat,shefound timeforus.Howdoesshedoitall?“I’vealways beenabitofalivewire.”Quitesome understatement!

Shefollowsthatupwithanapology.“I’vegota sorethroat,sorryaboutthat!It’salltheshoutingat Molineuxlastnight.”TosaySuziisacommitted Wolvesfanisanotherunderstatement.“WhenIwas inThailand,IreallywantedtowatchtheWolvesVillagame,butthekick-offwasat3aminthe morningThaitime.Istartedofftryingtogetsome sleepat1am,butIwasjustlayingthereand

couldn’tstopthinkingaboutthegame.So,I thought,tohellwithit,andputthematchonTV. Wolveswontwo-nil.Thenwhenitwasover,I phonedmydadtotalkaboutit.So,nosleep!Iwas ruinedthenextday!”

Suzi’sMotoGPscheduletypicallyseeshertravel tothetrackonaThursday,presentlivecoverage culminatingonracedayonSundaybeforeflying homeontheMonday.Thisyear’schampionship features22races,spanningtheglobefromAsiato SouthAmerica,Europe(includingtheBritishGP atSilverstoneinAugust),theUSandAustralia,and runsrightthroughtomid-November.Fittedin betweenistheGadgetShowpodcastwhichSuzi presentswithJasonBradbury.Suziadmitstobeing a‘technologynut’andwaspartoftheoriginal Channel5TVteamforeightyears,covering17 series.ShealsopresentedGadgetShowLiveatthe NEC.

SPORTFORCHOICE

Lookingbackonthehighsofher30yearsin broadcasting,Suzisays:“Nostalgiaisaweirdthing. Idon’tthinkanyonereallyunderstandstime–somethingsthathappenedseemliketheywerejust yesterday.Itfeelslikeonlyfiveminutessincemy firstbroadcastwhenIwas27yearsoldbackinthe 90’s.IfeelveryluckyinallthethingsIhavedone, andespeciallyluckytohavehadmycareerin sports”

SuziwasbornatRAFCosfordinShropshirebut raisedinWolverhampton,andhasbeenaWolves fansinceachild.Herfatherwasamusicpromoter, andSuzi’sloveforlivemusichasremainedwith her.Herbreakintotheworldofsportcameinthe late90’sasareporterforSkySports–previouslyshe hadworkedasafashionmodelandappearedinTV commercials.Shethenbecamethefirstpermanent femaleanchorforBBC’sFormulaOnecoverage, butwhenitlefttheBBC,Suzireturnedtoherlove ofmotorbikes,joiningBTSport–nowTNTSports –astheirchannelambassadorandhosttothe MotoGPcoverage.Suzisaid:“Ihavehadthegood fortunetohavetravelledtheworldreportingfrom

tracksideandspeakingtothebiggestnamesin motorsport.”

HerCVisn’tjustaboutmotorsportthough.Her creditsincludepresentingatRoyalAscot, Wimbledon,theLondonMarathon,Troopingthe Colour,theOlympics,theGreatNorthRunand theBoatRace.In2009,Suziwasawardedan HonoraryFellowshipatWolverhampton University,andthenin2016,theuniversity presentedherwithanHonoraryDoctorof Engineering.Inthesameyear,Suziwasalso honouredwithaWolverhamptonFamousSons andDaughtersAward,whichshesaysstill remains“veryspecial”.

Earlierthisyear,Suziwasnamedasan ambassadorforWolverhamptonGrandTheatre withaVIPboothintheDressCirclebarnamedin herhonour.Suzi’sfirst-everjobwasbackstageat theGrand,andnowshejoinsfellowambassador, WolveslegendSteveBull,andsingingstar BeverleyKnightwhoisatheatrepatron.Suziis alsoanambassadorwiththeWolvesFoundation charity,helpingthoseinthelocalcommunity.

SPECIALMOMENTS

Duringanamazingcareer,Suzisaystherehave beenmanyspecialmoments.“Workingwith MurrayWalkerwasjustamazing–hisenergywas incredible.Heisstillthepersoneveryonethinks ofastheVoiceofF1.Thentherearethemoments whenthosewhobecomethegreatsofsportwin theirfirstchampionship–likeLewisHamiltonin F1andValentinoRossiinMotoGP.AndI’llnever forgetfilmingwithEwanMcGregorforSports PersonalityoftheYear.Hejustlovesmotorbikes andwhenwefilmedwithhim,hehadjustdone StarWars.Hewassochilledandnormal,drinking teaandeatingabaconsandwich.Itwasso special!”

Lookingforward,Suzisaysshe’dliketodo moreradioand“somethingmorewith Wolverhampton”probablywiththeFoundation. “IlovebeinghereintheMidlands,”sheadds.“It hassomuchtooffer.Ilovethepeople.Ilovethe food.Iloveitssoul.” ■

THECHOIROFJOY

BIRMINGHAMINCLUSIVECHOIRISANAMAZINGPROJECTWHICHBRINGS TOGETHERYOUNGPEOPLEWITHPROFOUNDLEARNINGDISABILITIESANDFOSTERS ASENSEOFBELONGING,COMMUNITYANDFUNTHROUGHMAKINGMUSIC

Achoirthatstartedinlockdownwhich enableschildrenandyoungpeoplewith severeandprofoundlearningdisabilities toenjoymusicandsingingismakinganamefor itselfinBirmingham.Nowinitsfifthyear, BirminghamInclusiveChoirbringstogether youngpeoplefromacrossthecitytoplaymusicmakinginstrumentsthatincludetambourines, maracas,xylophoneandeggshakersfor percussion.

Thechoir–whichisrunbyBirminghamcharity ServicesForEducationwithnationalcharity Soundabout–recentlystagedaspecialShowcase concertatMidlandsArtsCentre(MAC).Itwasthe firsttimethechoirhashelditsownShowcaseevent havingperformedatServicesForEducation’s OutdoorFestivalatMACinMay2025,which featureditsMusicServices’ensembles.

Thechoirisfundedthroughgrantsandfundraisingandcosts£15,000ayeartorun.SharonBell,

chiefexecutiveofServicesForEducation,said: “BirminghamInclusiveChoirishugelyimportant, fosteringasenseofbelonging,communityandjoy–regardlessofmusicalbackground,physical,or cognitiveabilities.Anenvironmentiscreated wherechoirmembersdevelopstrongbondsand lastingfriendships,whereeveryvoiceisvalued,and participants,regardlessoftheirbackgroundor abilities,haveequalstatus.We’redelightedour skilledandenthusiasticstaffenablethischoirto

makesuchacontributiontothelivesofyoung people.”

ENJOYMENTANDEXPRESSION

Thechoirholdsface-to-facesessionsduringterm timeatMACwithadditionalonlinesessions happeningaspartofWestMidlandsInclusiveChoir. Participationisfree,withnoauditionsor requirementtoreadmusic—thefocusison enjoymentandexpressionratherthanperformance skill.Experiencedchoirleadersandpractitioners fromServicesForEducationandSoundabouttailor activitiestosuittheneedsofthoseattending.There aredifferentwaystotakepart,fromsinging, vocalisingsounds,playingpercussioninstruments, movingtomusic,orsimplylistening.Songsrange fromchildren’sfavouritestopopclassics,often chosenwithinputfrommembersthemselves.Some songshavingphysicalactionsand‘callandresponse’ momentsforeveryonetojoininwith.

Inadditiontolivegatherings,thechoircanconnect withthewiderWestMidlandsInclusiveChoir networkthroughonlineorhybridsessions,helping participantsengageeveniftheycan’tbetherein person.Thechoiralsoparticipatesinperformances andcollaborativeprojects,sometimesworkingwith otherinclusivechoirsacrosstheUK.Richard

Mabbott,headoftheMusicServiceatServicesFor Education,said:“Thechoirisjustabrilliantwayof bringingmusictothelivesofchildrenandyoung peoplewithcomplexsupportneeds.Theyandtheir family,friendsandcarersreallyenjoyandgetpleasure fromsingingandplayingsoundmakers,listening, vocalisingandmovingtothemusic.

HOTFAVOURITE

“It’sjustamazingthatnearlyfiveyearsonfrom beingestablishedinlockdown,whentheonlyway theycouldgettogetherwasonline,Birmingham InclusiveChoirisstrongerandmorepowerfulthan everbringingjoytothechoirmembers’lives. Whetherit’sAbba’sDancingQueen–alwaysahotfavourite–orsimplymakingmusic,thechoirjust lovesperforming.”

Familiesregularlyhighlighttheboostin confidence,connection,andenjoymentthatchoir

ThenextBirminghamInclusiveChoirsessionisatMAConSaturday morning,18April.Formoreinformationvisit www.servicesforeducation.co.uk/our-offer/inclusive-choir

membersgetfrombeingpartofthegroup.Naomi Stevensonismumtoeight-year-oldThomas,who joinedthechoirin2023.Shesaid:“AtfirstThomas wasalittlenervous(aboutattending),butnowhe absolutelylovesit.Irememberthefirsttime–onhis thirdvisit–heactuallyinteractedwithpeople.It'sall aboutlearningsocialskillsandcommunicationskills thathehasstruggledwithbutwhenithappened,it wasjustlikebeinglifted.Thomaswasgoingwith oneoftheleaders,helpingherwiththemicrophone andtakingdrumsroundandgivinginstrumentsto theotherchildren.I’dneverseenhimdothatbefore. Itwasabsolutelyamazing.”

ThechoirisledbyHelenPhipps,whohasworked inthevocaldepartmentforServicesforEducation forthepast18years;EmilyTullyofSoundaboutwho isaBirmingham-basedmusicspecialist;andMartin Fisher,whohasworkedpart-timeforSoundabout since2019,includingthreeyearsataschoolin Coventryforchildrenofallschoolageswithabroad rangeofspecialeducationalneeds.Helensaid:“I finditajoycomingtogetherwiththeparticipants everymonth–justseeingthesmilesthesongsbring totheirfaces.” ■

LUCI CAMPBELL

TheownerofJuciLuciCakeCompany–andbetterhalfofUB40’sRobinCampbell–hasjustpickedupthetitleofUKWedding CakeDesigneroftheYearattheAsian WeddingAwardsforthesecondtime

Tellusaboutyourcooking

I’mabaker–Imakeweddingcakesthatlean moretowardAsianevents,simplybecausemystyle anddesignsseemtofitwellintothegrandeurand ceremonythatsurroundsaSikh,HinduorMuslim wedding.There’slittlemoreexcitingthansettingup ahugeweddingcakeinthemiddleofadancefloor, wherethesceneissetforittositcentre-stage,likea chandelier,untilthebrideandgroommaketheir epicentrance.

Howdidyoubecomeabaker?

MyfirstcareerinvolvedlotsoftravelandwhenI decidedtostop,Ifoundedacupcakebusinesswhich quicklygrewintoacakebusinessasIploughedall themoneyImadebackintolessonstolearninghow tomakecakesproperly.Itookafewclassesatacake school,agovernment-backedcourse,andseveral privatetutorialsfromartistsIadmired.Istilltake decoratingtechniqueclassesnow–you’renevertoo oldtolearn!

Whatdoyoueatathome?

Notcake!Idolovecookingfromscratchthough whenIgettime,andIfancymyselfasprettygoodat aThairedcurry.

Whatwasyourfavouritefoodasakid?

Myparentsgaveusahugerangeoffoodthatmost kidsdon’ttry,andconsequentlyIhadaquite precociouspalate.Mymummadealemonsyllabub thatIadoredandprobablyshouldn’thavebeen alloweduntilIwas18!

Who’sthebestchefintheworld,andthebestin Brum?

GlynnPurnellisundoubtedlythekingofchefsin Brum.I’maregularatPlatesbyPurnellsandI’moff toTrilliumthismonthformybirthday.

Foodheavenandfoodhell?

Heavenisfreshseafoodinanyshapeorform. Especiallyservedwithaglassofice-coldpink champagne.RecentlyoneoftheIndianchefsIwork

withgavemeafetacheeseandspinachsamosa. HandsdownthetastiestsamosaI’veeverhad. Asforhell…BizarrelysinceIloveseafood,Idon’t likefish.

What’sthemostunusualthingyou’veeaten?

InJapanintheearly90’s,ifyouwenttoabar, you’dgetaplateofbigfatsnails.Iembraceditatthe time.I’mnotsureI’dbesokeennowthough!

Ifyouweren’tabaker,whatwouldyoube?

BeforeIwasaweddingcakedesignerIlooked afterlotsofdifferentbandsontourandactorsin theatresinLondon’sWestEnd.Ilookedafterthe backstagearea,thedressingroomsandthe wardrobe,andwaspersonaldressertoactors likeDameEmmaThompson,SirStephenFry andSirMichaelGambon.IworkedwithIron Maiden,Whitesnake,theMonkees,theKinks, Squeeze,SophieEllis-BextorandUB40,among manyothers,fromtheageof17.Ilovedmylife thenandwoulddoitalloveragain.It’salsohow Imetmyhusband,whowasafoundingmember of,andstillisin,Birmingham’sveryownreggae stars,UB40.

Shareabakingtip

Asacakebakerahugetipisthatyoucanstore eggsinthefreezer.Nooneseemstoknowthis!You mustcrackthemintoacontainerandwhiskthema littletobreaktheyolks.Ialwayswriteontheside whentheywerefrozentoo.It’sagoodwaytosave eggsifyoufeelyoumayendupwastingthem. Defrosted,theyalsocreatefluffiersponges.

Giveusaniceeasyrecipeforourreaderstomake athome.

Togetaperfectsponge,weighyoureggsinthe shellandusethatweightforyourself-raisingflour, butterormargarine,andcastersugar.Thisworksfor cupcakes,too. ■

JuciLuciCakeCompany,jucilucicakecompany.com

TEMPTINGTIRAMISU

Aclassicdessertthat’seasytomake,aslongasyouhavegoodingredients–andalittlepatience!

Thisrecipeforaclassictiramisucomes courtesyofAngelinaAdamowhohas broughtherexpertiseandSicilianheritageto thecityastheco-founderofVieniwhichopenedin

theJewelleryQuarterlastmonth.Tiramisuisoneof thosedessertsthatfeelsspecialbutisactuallyvery easytomakeathome.It’sallaboutgoodingredients andalittlepatiencewhileitsets. ■

INGREDIENTS

Forthecream:

■ 250gmascarpone

■ 25gvanillasugar(oralittlevanillaextract)

■ 3eggyolks

■ 100gcastersugar

■ 3eggwhites

■ 250gdoublecream

Forassembly:

■ 250-300gsavoiardi(ladyfingers)

■ 300mlstrongespresso,cooled

■ 2–3tbspMarsala,rum,orcoffeeliqueur (optional)

■ Unsweetenedcocoapowder,fordusting

METHOD

Inabowl,beatthemascarpone,vanilla,andeggyolksuntil smooth,creamy,andslightlyfluffy.Then,inacleanbowlwhisk theeggwhites,graduallyaddingthesugar,untilyoureachfirm, glossypeaks.

Inanotherbowl,whipthedoublecreamtofirmpeaks.Gentlyfoldthe whippedcreamintothemascarponemixture,thencarefullyfoldintheegg whitesinbatchestokeepitlightandairy. Mixthecooledespressowiththealcoholifusing.Quicklydipeach ladyfingerintothecoffee(just1or2seconds–don’tsoakthem)andlaya layerinyourdish.Spreadhalfthecreamoverthebiscuits.Repeatwith anotherlayerofdippedladyfingers,thenfinishwiththeremainingcream. Coverandchillforatleast4hours–overnightisevenbetter. Justbeforeserving,dustgenerouslywithcocoapowder.

Vieni,41PitsfordStreet,Goodsyard,Birmingham,B186LJ.Tel:01218060080,vieni.co.uk

SHORTS NI BBLESand

BIRMINGHAM’SBARS,RESTAURANTSANDHOTELSAREBUZZINGWITHGREATVIBES.HERE’S OURINSIDERGUIDETOTHELATESTNEWSFROMTHECITY’SEATERIESANDDRINKINGDENS

PUBSPORTSNEWLOOK

TheGoldenHindinKingstandinghasrelaunchedaftera£270,000-plusrevamp.Thecommunity pubhasbeentransformedintooneofMarston’slatestGrandstandsportspubswithcinema-style bigscreens,tieredseating,localsportsmemorabilia,andanewMatchDaymenualongsidepub classics.ArefurbishedoutdoorareawithTVscreensisalsobeingadded.Thepubwillshowall keysportingfixtures,includingfootball,rugby,cricket,tennis,F1,darts,horseracing,andmore.

SPIRITEDFESTIVAL

Ginandrumloversareinforatreatwiththe returnofStratfordGin&RumFestivalonSunday 19JulyattheCrownePlaza.Takingplacebeside theRiverAvon,thefestivalwillbringtogether craftginandrumdistilleriesofferingawide varietyofpremiumspirits.Theeventwillalso featuretastinganddiscoveryseminars,arange offoodoptionsandlivemusic.Ticketsincludea souvenirfestivalglass,welcomedrinkandentry totheCrownePlaza’sriversideterracearea.

GOLDENWONDER

DishoommarkedBritishPieWeeklastmonthby announcingitisbringingtogetheramuch-loved houseclassicandfamousLondonpieandmash –toofferitsnewChickenRubyPie.Createdin collaborationwithchefCalumFranklin,the limited-editiondishwrapsDishoom’sChicken Rubyingolden,buttery,flower-stampedpastry. Alimitednumberofthepieswillbeavailablein DishoomandPermitRoomcafesfrom9March to19April.Delicious!

DONQUIXOTEONMENU

FAMOUS FIVEPIES

AvillagepubnearHockleyHeathisprovingithas therecipeforsuccessafterscoopingastringofawards forfiveofitspies.TheFleurdeLysshortlistedrecipes havebeenselectedfromhundredsofentriesinthe prestigiousBritishPieAwards.Thepub’sButterChicken PiescoopedGoldwhiletheBeef&Mushroom StroganoffPietookSilver.Bronzewasawardedfor totheButternutSquash&GoatsCheesePie, CheeseburgerPieandChristmas SteakPie.

SHUFFLE,SIP,SUPPORT

PIZZERIAOPENS

AnewRudy’spizzeriahasopened inSuttonColdfield.The BirminghamRoadeateryoffers 100coversindoorsand32 outdoors,servingNeapolitan pizzausingtraditionalmethods passeddownbyNeapolitan pizzaioli.Doughispreparedfresh eachdayusing00Caputoflour, doublefermentedfor24hours, whileSanMarzanotomatoes comefromthefootofMount Vesuvius.Pizzasalsofeaturethe world’screamiestmozzarella,Fior diLatte.TherestaurantisRudy’s fifthintheWestMidlands, followingitscitycentre, BrindleyplaceandHarbornesites.

NewhallStreetTavern,offColmoreRow,haslauncheda newmonthlyshuffleboardcompetitioninaidoflocal charities.Theeventswillseethevenuepartnerwitha differentcharityeachmonth,donatingproceedsfromthe shuffleboardcompetitiontocausesthatsupportpeople andcommunitiesacrossthecity.Theshuffleboardisfree fortheevening,withguestsencouragedtodigdeepand makeadonationtoplay.Thenightswilltakeplaceonthe lastFridayofeachmonth.

Adiningcollaborationbetween24StoriesandBirminghamRoyalBallettomarkthe productionofDonQuixotelastmonthprovedsopopularitisbeingextended.Whilethe ballethasfinisheditsrunattheHippodrome,thediningexperiencecreatedintheshow’s honourat24Storiesremainsavailableuntil25April.ThespeciallycraftedDonQuixoteSet Menutakesitscuefromtheballet’sSpanishflairandenergy,featuringseasonalBritish ingredients.

CAFÉIS AGEM!

Anewcafebarandcommunity spaceisopeningintheMuseum oftheJewelleryQuarter.Craft& Cultureonthegroundfloorin VyseStreetservesspecialitycoffee duringtheday,andabarwitha curatedwinelistandcraftbeer selectionintheevening.The venuewhichopensonThursdays, FridaysandSaturdaysfrom2April, willalsohostbeerandwine tastings,jewelleryandcreative workshopsandcollaborations withguestmakersandartists.

ESPRESSO MARTINI

Joinusingivingspringarealkickstart bymixingupthisabsoluteclassic!

TheawesomepeopleatDelVillaggiohave givenustheirrecipeforthemuch-lovedcoffee cocktail.Richandsmoothwithanicelittle kicktohelpwelcomeinsomesunniertimes!Asalways, pleaseenjoyresponsibly. ■

INGREDIENTS:

■ 50mlVodka

■ 50mlKhalua

■ 50mlEspresso

METHOD:

PouringredientsintoaBostonshakerwithice.Giveita goodshakebeforeslowlystrainingstraightinto achilledMartiniglass.Tofinishgarnish withafewfreshcoffeebeans.

FUMO

TFumoafteraperiodofabstinence.Andwe havetosaythatitfeltprettygoodsteppingbackin. We’dforgottenhowbuzzyandboujiethebarisand justhowmuchweloveadecentcocktail.

Foodwise,thecicchettistylemenuhasalways beenrightupourstrada.Dishesarriveina processionasandwhenthey’rereadywhichfeels civilisedand,crucially,theyarehotandfreshfrom thekitchen.There’snohangingabout.

BIGFLAVOUR

Prawnswithleccinoolives,tomatoandPernod wasapunchylittledishwithabiganiseedflavour. Welikeaniseed.Ifyoudon’t,thisisn’tthedishfor you.Aselectionofbreadwasstrongservedwitha tastytangytapenade.Sicilianaranciniwithabeef ragumiddlecouldhavebeenbetter,though–the raguwasabitthinonthegroundwhichmeantthe ballsweredry.

Gnocchigorgonzolaontheotherhandwas cheesy,salty,oozy,richasyoulikeandwecouldhave devouredasecondplate.Therewerealmostfisticuffs overthelastmouthful.Mafaldineconragudi

manzo–wavypastawithaslowcookedbeefragu–wasrich,unctuous,packedwithflavourandfeltlike topnotchcomfortfood.

RIGHTGIGGLE

Withnoroomfordessert,westrolledoutinto thesunshinefeelingsatedandabitdaftwehadn’t beenbackforsolong.Wehadarightgiggle.It’sa fun,glamorousplacefullofpeoplehavingagreat time.Whenvisitagainthough,inJoeyTribbianistyle,we’renotsharingourgnocchigorgonzola.It’s allours. ■

GENDER ONTHEAGENDA

WITHWINECONSUMPTIONHEAVILYSKEWEDTOWARDSWOMEN,EXPERT DAVIDCARNEASKSWHYTHEWINEINDUSTRYITSELFCONTINUESTOBE MALE-DOMINATED–ANDARGUESTHATCHANGEISLONGOVERDUE

IhavewrittenpreviouslyforBirminghamLiving onthesignificantrolethatwomenhaveplayed inwinemaking,particularlyinareassuchas Champagne.Longbefore‘WomeninWine’became ahashtag,womenwerequietlyshapingeveryvintage –fromancientEgyptianhouseholdstoChampagne’s mostfamouscellars,leavingalegacypouredinto everyglass.

Howwomenareaddingvaluein winemaking

Today,womenareleadingvineyarddesign,soil management,andharvesting,introducing innovationsincanopymanagement,yield optimization,climate-adaptedpractices,and sustainablewinemaking.Femaleownersand executivesarereshapingbusinessthroughfresh marketing,direct-to-consumersales,andglobal branding.Wineriesledbywomenareoften overrepresentedintopwinerankings.

Anunder-representedgroup

Buttheindustryremainsstubbornlymaledominated. Globally,womenrepresentaround30percentofwine

industryprofessionals.Evenwithinthisstatistic,women represent50percent-plusofentrylevelroles,buttheir presenceinseniorrolesdropssignificantly.Womenmake uplessthan10percentofvineyardowners,eightper centofMastersofWine,11percentofUKsommeliers, roughly20percentofwinemakers,andaquarterofwine judgingpanelmembers.

Whyitmatters

Firstly,whilewinemakinghasbeenmale-dominated, wineconsumptionskewsheavilytowardsfemales.In theUK,womenarenearlytwiceaslikelyasmento preferwine,favouringwhite,rosé,andsparklingstyles, andareoftenmoretolerantofslightlysweeterwines whilesensitivetotannins.Iftheindustrybetterreflected itsconsumers,itcouldinfluencenotjustwhomakes wine,buthowwineevolves.

Secondly,womenaredrivingsustainable winemaking.Biodynamicandorganicvineyardsare growing,andwomenarestatisticallymorelikelyto adoptthesepractices.Withincreasingdemandfor ethicalandenvironmentallyfriendlywines,women areleadingthechargetoprotectvines,soils,and practicesforthefuture.Thisishelpingensurethatwe

notonlyhavebetter,healthiergrapestoday,butthatthevines survivetoproducethewinesoftomorrowaswell.

Thirdly,winesuffersfromastuffy,elitistimage.Greater femalerepresentationcouldhelpmakeitmoreaccessible, especiallyasyoungerpeopleturnawayfromtraditionalwine culture.Consumerswantwine,andinformationaboutwine,to beaccessiblesotheyknowhowtochoosewinestheywillenjoy. Someofthebestwinecommunicatorsarewomenandthe morewomenarerepresentedinseniorwinemakingpositions, themorelikelytheperceptionsofelitismwillfade. ■

DavidisaWine&SpiritEducationTrust(WSET)qualifiedwineexpert,wine educator,alumniofBirminghamWineSchoolandauthorofthe alottowineabout.comwebsitewhereyoucanfindmorearticlesonwine.To findoutmoreaboutfun,informalwinetastingeventsandWine&Spirit EducationTrust(WSET)courseonline,inBirminghamandWarwickcontact BirminghamWineSchool,anindependentwineeducationcompany,at www.birminghamwineschool.com

DAVID’SRECOMMENDATIONSFORMARCH

Inhonouroffemalewinemakersworldwide,allsixofthismonth’swinerecommendationscomefromwineries wherewomenhavehadasignificantinfluence.Theyareallexcellentwines–pleaseenjoythemresponsibly.

Somethingsparkling:

AlbertdeVilarnauXarel·loFermentadoenCastañoGran Rerserva–£35.64,Decantalo,(www.decantalo.co.uk)

Aremarkablewineonmanylevels.MadebyVilarnau’stalented winemakerEvaPlazasTorné,whohasover30years’experience andisnowheadwinemakerandgeneralmanager.A10-year-old sparklingwineforunder£40,withsixmonthsinchestnutbarrels addingsubtleclove,nutmeg,cinnamon,herbs,andhoneyednotes. Onthepalate,tropicalflavoursminglewithcreamyalmondand pastryfromleesaging.

SomethingFreshandFruity:

BeroniaRuedaVerdejo2023–£11.75,Sainsburys. Abright,elegantVerdejofromBeroniaRuedaunderwinemaker MarianSantamaríadelasHeras,whohasledtheRuedateamsince thewineryopened.This2023whiteoffersintensecitrusandwhite fruitaromaticswithherbaceousfennelnotes.Onthepalateit’scrisp andfreshyettexturallysilky,balancingzestylime,whitepeachand melonwithatouchofherbalcomplexityfromthedualharvestblend.

SomethingBigandBold:

KleineZalzeVineyardSelectionCabernetSauvignon2022–£16.99,www.elliescellar.com/

AclassicallystructuredStellenboschCabernetfromKleineZalze’s VineyardSelection,craftedbyateamincludingwinemakers NataleéBotha,HanriFerreiraandCarlavanWyk.Aromasof herbalspiceandintensedarkfruit(cassisandblackcherry),fine

tanninssoftenedafterextendedmaturation.Balancedand savoury,it’sagreatmatchforgrilledmeatsormaturecheese.

SomethingClassic: RobertOatleySemaphoreShiraz2024–£11.75,Co-op. AvibrantMcLarenValeShirazfromRobertOatley’sSignature/ Semaphoreseries,craftedundertheguidanceofseniorwinemaker DebbieLauritz.The2024isdeepincolourwithblueberries,dark cherryandspiceaswellasnoticeableFrenchoak.Ithasasmooth, elegantfinishandwouldpairwellwithredmeatsorhardcheeses.

SomethingEnglish: BrabourneBlancdeNoirs,2020–£37, www.brabournewine.com AcharmingEnglishtraditional methodsparklerfromBrabourne Vineyard,whereHesterFenwick’shands onapproachtovineyard careshapesthepersonalityofeveryrelease.Expectaromasofred appleskin,stonefruitandcrumble,withcrispacidity,and hazelnutandbriocheonthefinish.

SomethingDifferent: ZuccardiQChardonnay2024–£16.50,Tesco. AbeautifulchardonnayfromArgentina,craftedundertheguidance ofLauraPrincipiano,headwinemakeratZuccardi.Thisinnovative winewasfermentedinconcreteandusedoakbarrelsusingnative yeasts.Theresultisanexplosionoflemon,butterandcream. Discerningdrinkerswilldetectsomefloralandmineralnotes.

Morethanoneinthreeofthepopulationwill beaffectedbysomeformofallergyduring theirlives.Somesurveyssuggestthatit couldevenbeashighas44percentofBritishadults whosufferfromsomeformofinvisiblehellandthe figuresoarstomorethan50percentamongchildren.

Ofallallergies,hayfeverisoneofthemostcommon, affectingaroundaquarterofus–sowhenthesun comesoutandthetemperaturesrisesodoesthemisery forasignificantchunkofthepopulation.

‘TISTHESEASONTOSUFFER

Astuffynose,itchingandredeyes,uncontrollable sneezingfits,painfulsinusesandascratchy,sorethroat arealltoofamiliarformany.Twomaintypesofpollen affecthayfeversufferersintheUK–grasspollenand treepollen.AccordingtotheNHS,about95percentof sufferersareallergictograssandaround25percentto treepollen–whichmeanssomeareallergictoboth. TheMetOfficeofficialpollencountmonitoringservice runsfromlateMarchwhentreepollenstarts,through thegrasspollenseasoninmid-Mayandfinishingatthe endofSeptemberwhentheweedpollenends.In reality,thepollenseasoncanstartmuchearlier! ■

FIGHTBACK

Thereareactionsthatcanbetakentomitigatethe symptoms.Youshouldalwayscheckwithyour GPfirst,buthereareafewtoptipsthatmightjust helpnavigatehayfeverseason:

■ Getusedtocheckingthepollencountonadailybasissothat youcanplanyourday.

■ Alwaysdryclothesindoorsratherthanonaclotheslineto preventpollenparticlesbeingblownontothem.

■ Planoutdooractivitiesafteranyrainasthepollencountwill belower.Whenyouareoutside,putpetroleumjelly(suchas Vaseline)aroundyournostrilstotrappollen.

■ Trytyingyourhairupandwearingacaporhatwhenoutside topreventpollenparticlesgettingcaughtinyourscalp,aswell asusingwrap-aroundsunglassestopreventthemcominginto contactwithyoureyes.

■ Whenyoucomehomechangeoutofyouroutdoorclothesto preventspreadingpollenaroundthehouse.Washyourfaceas soonasyougetindoorsonhighpollencountdaystoremove allergenssothattheycan’tcauseareaction.

■ Springcleanthehousebeforespringsoyouarenotsneezing andsufferingwhiledisturbingdust.Vacuumingthehouse regularly,especiallybedsandfabricshelpstoremovepollen particlesandallergens.

■ Showeratnightbeforesleepingtoremovepollenparticles fromyourhairandbody.Remembertocleanmouldinthe bathroomregularlytoavoidthespreadofmouldspores.

■ Ensureyouhavegoodventilationinthebathroomandkitchen toremoveexcessmoisturetoavoiddamp.Lowerdamplevels meanlessmouldsporesanddustmites.Ifnecessary,buya dehumidifiertoreducemoisturelevels.

■ Makeyourbedroomanallergy-freehavenwhereyoucanrest andgetagoodnight’ssleep.ClosewindowsoruseanairconditionerpreferablywithaHEPA(HighEfficiencyParticle Arresting)filtertocapturethepollenandcirculatetheair.

BORNTORUN

THECOUNTDOWNISONTONEXTMONTH’SGREAT BIRMINGHAMRUN,ANDEVENIFYOU’RENOTONEOFTHE THOUSANDSTAKINGPART,IT’SAGOODTIMETOGRABA PAIROFTRAINERSANDSTARTHITTINGTHESTREETS!

TheAJBellGreatBirminghamRunwillsee thousandsofproudBrummiespoundingthe streetstoraisecashforamyriadofgreatcauses. Youmaynotbetakingpartbutit’shighlylikelythat you’llgetcaughtupinalltheemotionandwillvowto donapairoftrainersandfinallytakeuprunning. Butisitreallygoodforyou?

Simplyput,runningwillgiveyouatotal bodyworkoutandimprovesloadsofaspects ofyourhealth.Here’show…

Loseweight

Runningrequiresalotoffuel.Infact,theaverage personcanburnasmuchasnearly500caloriesona40minuterun–evenmoreifyouthrowinafewslopesor someintervaltraining.

Boostlegsandcore

It’snosurprisethatrunningisafantasticworkout forallaspectsofyourlegs,withyourinnerandouter thighs,quadsandhamstringsareallbeingused. However,it’sgreatforyourcorestrengthtooasthose deepmusclesplayimportantrolesstabilisingyour spineandtransferringpowerbetweenyourswinging armsandlegs.

Buildmusclestrength

Thisincreaseswithrunning,reducingjointproblems, loweringbloodpressureandimprovingall-roundfitness. Regularrunninghelpstoimproveandmaintainthe densityorstrengthofyourbones,reducingyourrisk ofdevelopingosteoporosis.

Cuttheriskofdiabetes

Yourpancreasmakesinsulin,whichisresponsiblefor normalisingyourbloodsugarlevels.Regularexercise andkeepingtoahealthyweightlowersyourriskof developingType2diabetesbyasmuchas50percent.

Cuttheriskofcancer

Youcanhalveyourriskofbowelcancerby runningregularly!IrritableBowelSyndrome(IBS) symptomsarealsorelievedbyeasingconstipation andbloating.StresslevelsarecloselylinkedtoIBS too,sorunninghelps.

Getanendorphinhit

Feelgoodbrainchemicalsandhormonesarereleased whenyourun,helpingtoeasestressandanxietyand treatdepression.Inaddition,yourriskofdementiaand strokefallsasbraincirculationiskepthealthy. Concentration,memoryandmotivationsharpenand sleepimproves,too.

Healthyheart

Youcanreduceyourriskofheartdiseasebyupto35 percentwithregularexercise.Reductionsinweight, bloodpressureand‘bad’cholesterollevelsleadtoa healthierheart.

Breatheeasier

Runningimprovesyourlungcapacityand strengthensyourrespiratorymuscles–thesearethe musclesbetweenyourribsandinyourdiaphragm.Your lungsalsobecomemoreefficientwhichisgreatnewsfor thosewithasthma.

Feelthefreedom

Runningcostsnothing.Youcandoitanywhere, aroundanyroutineandunlikealotofotherexercises there’snotmuchofalearningcurve.Plus,it’sveryeasy togoatyourownpace. ■

The2026GreatBirminghamRunhalfmarathonand 10keventsareon3May,bothstartingatCentenary SquareonBroadStreetandfinishonJennensRoad intoAstonUniversity’svibranteventvillage.Come andcheeronthethousandsofheroestakingpart!

TOPTIPS

OK,soyou’resold–you’regoingtogiveitago.But howdoyoumakesureyoukeepitupanditbecomes partofyourregularroutine?Runningcangetpretty boring,sohere’safewtipstohelpyouonyournew joggingjourney.

EASYDOESIT: Whenyoufirststartrunningdon’ttrytodotoo muchtoosoon.Anaveragebeginner’spaceisaround13minutesper mile,butifyoufindthattoohardornotchallengingenough,simply adjustyourpaceandyou’llsoongetafeelforwhatyourbodycando.

GETCOMFORTABLEKIT: Youdon’tneedtospendafortune butclothinghastofeelcomfortable.Socks,vests,shortsandadecent pairoftrainerswillallhelp–themoreeverythingsitscomfortably thelesstheybecomeanexcusetostop.

SETYOURSELFCHALLENGES: Themoreyoucanovercome challengesthebetteryouwillfeelandthemorelikelyyou’llcontinue. Startwithsmallchallengesandthengraduallybuilduptoother thingsyoucandoto‘toughen’youup–likerunwhenit’sraining, runallthehillsorrunintoaheadwind.

BREATHING: It’ssoimportanttoremembertobreatheproperly. Expandingyourchestcausestensionintheshoulders.Themoreyou canrelax,themoreyoucanmovethebreathingtothediaphragm. Tryingtobreatheeveryfour,six,oreveneightstepscanhelptoboth distractandrelax.

POSTURE: Areyouengagingthestomachandglutes?Imagine starringinyourownrunfilmandrunthewayyouthinkyouwould wanttoseeyourselfrunning.

FORM: Lookattheshadowstoseewhatyourarmsandlegsare doing.Trytofeelwherethewindiscatchingyouandbecomemore aerodynamic.Howmuchcanyourelaxshouldersandarms?

DISTRACTIONS: Studieshaveshownthatrunningtomusiccan behugelyhelpfulbutyoucanalsotrylisteningtoanaudiobookor podcast.Thereisoftenanurgetoaddabitmoredistancetogetto thenextchapterbutyoualsogettoassociatelandmarks,runroutes anddistanceswithmomentsinthebook.

MIXITUP: Therearelotsofthingsthatyoucanchangeinyour trainingtomakeitmoreenjoyable–tryadifferentroute,runalong oneofourawesomecanals,trygettingonatrackoryoucanvarythe typeoftrainingsessionyou’redoing(likeintervals,run/walkor progressivepace).

REST: Takerestdaysbetweenyourrunningdaysandtakeplentyof minutestowarmupbeforeeachsession.Stretchingbeforeandafter exerciseisbeneficialandsomethingthatmanyofusforgettodo enough.

NO RULES

POLKADOT

Peridress£75, fromMonsoon

Dress£29.50, M&S

Ifyou’rethekindofpersonwhosavesyour dressesforbest,askyourselfwhy?Whatare youwaitingfor?Ifanitemofclothingmakes youfeelgreat,wearit.Whetheryou’redressing yourfrockupwithheelsortakingitdownanotch withsneakers,justwearthedress.

MAGICTRIO

Whiletherearenorules–youknowwhatsuits youandmakesyoufeelgreatafterall–wereckon therearethreestylesofdressthatmakeupa usefultriotobuildon.Firstly,aversatileteadress liketheAlice+OliviaHenriettaorMonsoon’s Parispolkadotversionthatwillworkjustaswell ataformaleventasforcoffeewiththegirls.

Next,acoolmaxithatcanbedresseddown withadenimjacketbydayandkillerheelsanda clutchbynight.Takealookatthesatinnavymaxi fromCottonTraders(pictured)–admittedlyit’s

notabrandwe’reusuallyshouting about,butthisisjustagreatdressatan excellentprice.

Finally,addaminithat’llworkat homeandabroadsuchasthebrilliant bluebroderiedressfromScamp&Dude ortheprettyfloralversionfromNew Look(bothpictured.)Ifyoucannail thosebasicthree,you’recoveredfor mostoccasionsfromweddingguestto relaxedstrollinthecity.

We’vebeenmoochingaroundthe railstobringyouacollectionof examplesinvariousstyles,lengthsand pricepointstogetyouinthemood. Enjoy! ■

SQUARE NECK

OFFTHE SHOULDER

Blackjersey dress£29.99, NewLook

TARTAN ARMY

Dalburymididress £149,Barbour

WINNING MIDI

Alice+OliviaHenrietta

floralprintstretch

cottonmididress£535, HarveyNichols

SILK BLEND

AlemaisSaraprinted cottonsilkblendmidi

shirtdress£670, HarveyNichols

RUFFLE LOVE

Siennafrillneckmidi dress£150,Monsoon

PUFF SLEEVES

Cobaltbluepuff sleevemididress

£95,OliverBonas

BRILL BRODERIE

Bluebroderieshort

Vneck£100, Scamp&Dude

HYBRID MINI

Denimknithybrid

minidress£62, RiverIsland

BACKYOURBARNET

HAIRISWHEREIT’SATTHISMONTHWITHSOME NEWLAUNCHES,ANOLDFAVOURITEANDTHE SIMPLESTOFTOOLSTOSMOOTHFLYAWAYS

1.AVEDAMIRACULOUSOILHIGHSHINECONCENTRATE –£34,BOOTS

We’vechattedaboutthisgorgeousoilbeforeandwe’reyettofinda betteroneintermsofsmoothingandcreatinghighshinewithout leavinganykindofresidueoroilfilm.IntypicalAvedamanneritalso smellsdeliciouswith25flowerandplantessences.Alittlegoesalong way,sogoeasy.

2.THEINKEYLISTGLYCOLICACIDEXFOLIATINGSCALPSCRUB 150ML–£14,CULTBEAUTY

We’reincreasinglytreatingourscalplikefacialskincareandthe additionofthisscrubhasbeenagamechanger.Glycolicacid encouragescellturnoverandremovesdeadskinwhilebiodegradable castorbeadsboosttheexfoliatingpower.Microalgaeregulatessebum levelsandprotectshairfromenvironmentalnastiesresultingin healthy,swishyhair.Thenozzleapplicatormakeslifeeasyandmess free.Onceortwiceaweekisrecommended.

3.SISLEYHAIRRITUELBLONDE,WHITEANDGREYBEAUTIFYING HAIRCAREMASK–£90,SISLEY

There’snodoubtthisispriceybutitreallypacksapunch.Itcancels outbrassytonesthankstowalnuthusk.Simultaneously,artichokeleaf protectsagainstUVdamagewhilemyrtlecombatstheeffectsof pollution.

4.LIVINGPROOFSTYLEREFRESHMIST–£27,LIVINGPROOF

ThecleverpeopleatLivingProofhavedoneitagain.Launchedlast month,thissuperfinemistprolongsthatjust-washedfeelingwellinto daytwothankstoablendofaminoacids,polypeptidesandhydrating actives.Itneutralisesodour,smoothsfrizzandprotectsagainstheatup to210degreesforsecond-daystyling.

5.LARRYKINGHAIRCAREFLYAWAYWITHMEKIT –£20,SELFRIDGES

Thisissosimple,reasonablypricedandworksatreat.Thefinishing creamisbrilliantforsmoothingbabyhairsandflyawaysaswellas tidyingupasleekponytailorbunwhenappliedwiththehandydualendedbamboobrushandcomb.

2

3

1

4 5

STRETCHCOTTON

RaithPecoritailored shorts£30(was£60), HarveyNichols

ALOGOPATCH

Loeweturnup

cottonshorts£795, Selfridges

smart-ishshortisthehardestworking iteminyourwardrobeoverthesummer monthsbarnone.Thelengthoftheshort dependsonwhatyou’recomfortablewith,butasa rule,mid-thighisthemostflattering.Thetrickto shortsuccessislookingconsideredratherthanlike you’vebeensurprisedbyawarmdayanddon’t quiteknowwhattowear.Tailoredshortsarethe wayforwardandassomehaveaslightstretchand partelasticatedwaist,they’reascomfortableas theyarestylish–MrMarvisandBossbothhave somecrackingexamples.MrMarvisparticularly hasahugerangeofcoloursandwesuggestifyou ratethefitandqualityasmuchaswedo,bag yourselfacoupleofpairsindifferenttones.Ahuge LululemonstoreisopeningsoonattheBullring andtheirclassicshortsarewellworthalook. Teamyourshortswithacoollinenshirtandapair ofloafersforatimelesspreppylookthatnevergoes outofstyle.We’vepulledtogetherahandfulof examplestoinspireyou. ■

PLEATSPLEASE

GusariCoted'Azur shorts£175, HarveyNichols

CHECKMATE

Fifecheckedshorts £109,Barbour

THEONE

Chinoshort£79, MrMarvis

COOLGREY Cottonshorts £24.99,TKMaxx

BLUEGREY

Bosselasticated waistslimfit stretchwoven shorts£119, Selfridges

TOPSET

CotswoldAcaciawoodloungesofa£799andcoffeetable£229, NationalTrust

Thetrendforbespokekitchens,built-in firepitsandcovereddiningareastellsyou allyouneedtoknowabouthowattitudes havechangedtowardsthegarden.It’smorethana spacetohangoutinthesummer–ithasbecomea livingspacethatwedemandmaximumusefrom. Crucialtoachievingthatissomesortofheat sourcelikeachimineaortwoandweatherproof shelterlikeacoveredpergolaoveradiningtableto prolongalfrescoseason.

LOUNGING

Workwiththesizeandshapeofyourgarden creatingdifferentzonesfordifferentactivitiesand observethesun’spositionthroughoutthedaysoyou canplaneffectively.Asunnyareaforloungingis alwaysawinner.All-weatherfurnitureanddeepseatedsofascanbeasgorgeousandcomfortableas thoseinsideyourhomeandmostcanbeleftoutside allyear.Qualityoutdoorfurniturewilllastadecade ormoreiftreatedwithcare,sodon’tscrimpifyou canhelpit.Saveonthedecorativebitsratherthanbig ticketitems.Consideracosyreadingspotwitha decentchairorevenanall-weatherbeanbag–

they’resomuchmorecomfortablethantheylook,canbeleft outdoorsandtendtobecheaperthanactualfurniture.

CHINCHIN

Positiondiningareasnearestthehouseforeaseandifyou entertainalot,thinkaboutanoutdoorkitchen.Aswellasareas forfoodprepping,includestorageforoutdoortablewareanda drinksfridge.Again,ifyou’reonatightbudget,don’tscrimpon diningfurniture.Saveelsewhereonmorefrivolousdetails.

AFTERDARK

Festoonlightingandhurricanelampscreateamagicalvibeonce thesunhasgonedown.Solarpoweredfestoonlightsareafantastic optionandworkatreat.Youcanleavethemupallyearroundas longasthey’resecurelyfitted,soevenwhenyou’renotusingthe garden,youcanenjoyasoftglowfromyourwindow.

SMALLBUTPERFECT

Ifyou’veabalconyorsmallspace,addcomfortablefurniture andlushplanting.Workwiththespacesogrowup,notoutwith appropriateclimberslikejasmineoradelicateclematisthat’llbe simpletocontrol.Ifyou’relivinginablock,checktheruleson what’sallowedonyourbalconyastheycanvarywildly.

Pembreysix-seatersetwithcoffeetablefromNeptune

URBANSPACE

Vitratoptonchair£355,Nest

PIECESOFEIGHT

Stanwayeight-seatersetfromNeptune

HIGHSTYLE

Cancúnoutdoorloungefurniture range,from£499,BoConcept

INDOOROUTDOOR

Tropezstripemulticolourrug£829,Ruggable

BEANBAG

HabitatXScion

Kukkiabeanbag

£45,Habitat

THROWSOME SHADE

Sunbeam1.6m

parasol£25, Habitat

MAGICTRIO

BaladLEDsetof3 outdoortablelamps

£155,Heal’s

INREVERSE

Beautifullyboldreversible cushion£26,JoeBrowns

SWINGSEAT

Oakthree-seaterswing seat£4,434,NationalTrust

TOUCHES FINISHING

FROMCUTECUSHIONSTODESIGNERCHAIRS, POLISHYOUROUTDOORSPACEWITHAFLOURISH

REGALRUG

SandersonKasuriindooroutdoor rugfrom£325,JohnLewis

CANDLELIGHT

Henleylargelantern

£75,JohnLewis

GREATPOT

Tazzada

Cancelliterracottapot

£695,NationalTrust

SIMPLESTYLE

CarlHansenand SonBK11outdoor loungechair

£1,281,minim

RIGHTLINES

Stripeprintcushion

£6,B&M

FromthePottingBench withAdam

APRILISENERGETIC,COLOURFULANDOCCASIONALLY DEMANDING,BUTREWARDSEFFORTGENEROUSLYWHEN EVERYHOURSPENTOUTDOORSPAYSYOUBACKINFRESH GROWTHANDRENEWEDENTHUSIASM,SAYSADAMKIRTLAND

Apriliswhenthegardenstopshintingandstarts performingproperly.Growthgatherspacealmost overnight,bordersfilloutwithconfidentcolour andthesoundoflawnmowersreturnstotheweekend soundtrack.Thereisexcitementintheairnow,butalsoa noticeableincreaseinjobsthatseemtomultiplythe momentyouturnyourback.Aprilgardeningisabout keepingupwiththesurgewithoutlosingthejoy, embracingthebusynesswhilerememberingtopauseand admirewhatisunfolding.Herearefivewell-timedApril jobstohelpyourgardenthriveasspringhitsitsstride.

SowWithConfidence

Aprilisprimetimeforsowing,bothoutdoorsandunder cover,withsoilwarminganddaylightstretching generouslyintotheevening.Carrots,beetroot,lettuceand radishescanallbesowndirectlyoutside,whilecourgettes, pumpkinsandsweetcorncanbestartedindoorsfor plantingoutlater.Preparethegroundwell,raketoafine tilthandwatergently,becauseseedsappreciateconsistency ratherthanchaos.Thereissomethingdeeplysatisfying aboutneatrowsofnewlysowncrops,eachoneasmall promiseofmealsandcolourtocome.

PlantOut,ButKeepanEyeontheSky

Hardyannualsandrobustyoungplantscan beginmovingintobedsandcontainersthismonth, graduallyacclimatisedtooutdoorconditionsifthey wereraisedinside.Chooseacalm,milddayfor plantingandwatereverythinginthoroughlyto helprootssettlequickly.Thatsaid,Aprilisnot abovetheoccasionallatefrost,sokeepfleecewithin reachandavoidgettingtoocomplacent.Alittle cautionnowpreventsagreatdealofapologisingto wiltedplantslater.

StayAheadoftheWeeds

Withwarmthandrainworkingtogether,weeds seemtoappearwithimpressiveenthusiasminApril. Tacklethemearlyandregularly,hoeingondrydays andremovingthembeforetheyhavethechanceto flowerandsetseed.Itisfareasiertomaintaincontrol withsmall,frequenteffortsthanoneheroic afternoonthatleavesyouachingandslightly resentful.Thinkofitasgentlepersistenceratherthan warfare.

SupportandTieIn

Climbingplantsandtallperennialsbegintheir upwardjourneyinearnestthismonth,andabitof earlysupportmakesallthedifference.Installstakes, canesorframesbeforeplantsbecomeunruly,andtie innewgrowthlooselybutsecurely.Doingthisnow savesyoufromthedelicateandslightlyawkwardtask ofwrestlingstemsintoplacelaterintheseason.

FeedandRefreshContainers

Potsandcontainersquicklyexhausttheirnutrients oncegrowthaccelerates,sorefreshthetoplayerof compostifneededandbeginaregularfeeding routine.Checkdrainageholesareclearandwater consistently,especiallyduringdryspellsthatcan catchusoffguard.Containersareoftenthefirstto looktiredifneglected,buttheyarealsothequickest torespondtoalittleextracare.

Aprilisenergetic,colourfulandoccasionally demanding,butitrewardseffortgenerously.By stayingattentive,organisedandjustalittlebitahead oftherush,youallowyourgardentoflourish withoutfeelingoverwhelmed.Thisisthemonth wherespringfeelsreal,progressisvisibleandevery hourspentoutdoorsseemstopayyoubackinfresh growthandrenewedenthusiasm. ■

YoucanfollowAdamonInstagram @viewfromthepottingbenchorlistentohispodcast, TalesFromThePottingBench,formoregardening inspiration.YoucanalsoreadAdam’sblogat viewfromthepottingbench.com

DRHARPREET JANDU‘PBN’

Underhisartistname‘PBN’,Dr HarpreetJanduhasdevelopedhis careerasanindependentartistand producer,releasingmultiplealbumsandsingles collaboratingwithartistsandperformingfor audiencesaroundtheworld.PBN’smusichas reachedmillionsoflistenersglobally,withmore than100millionviewsandstreams.Alongside Harpreet’sworkinmusic,hehasalsobeen involvedinprojectsacrosstheatre,TVandfilm, contributingcreativelytostorytellingacross differentmediums.

Now,throughPlaybackCreates,he’sgiving back.Thenot-for-profitplatformisdedicatedto developingtalent,celebratingcultureand creatingpathwaysintothecreativeindustries. Hesays:“EverythingI’veachievedtodaycomes fromthoseearlygrassrootsbeginnings,andit’s whyIremainpassionateaboutsupporting emergingtalentandhelpingcreateplatforms thatgivethenextgenerationofartiststhesame opportunitiestogrow.It’swhatIdo.”

OPENINGDOORS

Playbackisaboutopeningdoorscreating opportunitiesforartiststodeveloptheirskills, gainconfidenceandaccesstheindustrythrough mentoring,liveshowcasesandcollaborative projects.Harpreetsays:“ThroughmyroleIlead thedevelopmentofcreativeprojects,talent programmes,andculturalplatformsthatsupport emergingartistsandstorytellers,particularly fromunderrepresentedcommunities.”Headds: “Forthepeopleweworkwith,it’softenabout morethanjustmusicorperformance.It’s aboutsupport,guidanceandcreatingpathways thathelpthenextgenerationoftalentgrowand beseen.”

WhenHarpreetstartedout,hefoundhewas figuringthingsoutashewentalongwithout muchguidance,structureoraplatformtowork with.HesaysthatthroughPlaybackCreates,he wantstochangethatforotheryoungstersand thatmeanscreatingprogrammes,partnerships

andopportunitiesthatgenuinelyhelpcreatives movefromgrassrootsbeginningsintosustainable careers.

BIGGESTLESSON

OneofthebiggestlessonsHarpreetlearned andonethathe’skeentopasson,isthe importanceofunderstandingthebusinesssideof theindustry.Hesays:“Whenyoufirststartout, you’refocusedonthemusic,thecreativityand performing,whichishowitshouldbe,butover timeyourealisehowimportantitisto understandthingslikeownership,publishing, andthelongtermvalueoftheworkyoucreate.”

OfthecreativesceneinBirmingham, Harpreetsays:“Thecityhasalwaysfeltfullof energyanddiversity.OneofthethingsI’ve alwayslovedaboutitisthemixofculturesand howthatnaturallyfeedsintothecreativescene. There’sarealsenseofcommunityhere,andso muchtalentacrossmusic,arts,andculture.” Harpreet’sworkhasbeenrecognisedbythe UniversityofWolverhamptonwhichawarded himanhonorarydoctorateofmusicwhichhe describesashumbling.

FULLCIRCLEMOMENT

“Forsomeonewhostartedoutthrough grassrootscommunityinitiativesandlocal platforms,itfeltlikeafullcirclemoment.What makesitevenmorespecialisknowingthat momentslikethatcaninspireothersfrom similarbackgroundstobelievethattheirwork andtheirvoicecanbevaluedatthehighest leveltoo.”

EvenwhenHarpreethasabitofdowntime, he’slikelytobeimmersedmusic.Hesays: “WhenIgetabitofdowntime,Iliketostep awayfromthepaceofworkandreset.Musicis obviouslyabigpartofmylife,butinterestingly oneofthewaysIrelaxisbylisteningto completelydifferentgenresanddiscoveringnew sounds.Ithelpsclearmyheadandoftensparks newideas.” ■

GROWINGPLACES

SKILLSCAMPUSOPENS

SandwellCollegeshaveofficiallyopenedtheir £9.3millionCradleyHeathSkillsCampus.Fundedby SandwellCouncil’sTownsFundProgramme,the campuswillplayapivotalroleinboostingskills, employmentandsocialinclusion,deliveringpractical training,adultlearningandcommunity-focused education.LisaCapper,CEOandprincipalofSandwell Colleges,said:“Wehaveinvestedincreatingindustrystandardlearningenvironmentsatthenewcampus. Thefuturestartshereforpeoplewhowanttochange careers,gainqualificationsforprogression,orsimply developnewskills.”

INSPIRATIONALDANCERS

ApplauseYouthDanceFestival(AYDF)hasannounced 23successfulcompaniesandsoloperformersfromthe Midlandswhowillbeperformingataweekend celebrationofyouthdanceattheRoyalConcertHall NottinghamonSaturday11andSunday12April.The festivalshowcasestheworkofdancersaged11to19, andupto25fordisableddancers,fromschools, colleges,youthdanceorganisationsandprivatedance schools.TheyincludeSterranDanceCompany,ACE YouthCompany,LindenYouthandtheNextDoor DanceYouthCompany,pictured.

SCHOOL REPORT

FABFIFTEENTOTHEUSA

Fifteenfootballcoachingandperformancestudentsfrom theUniversityofWolverhamptonhavesecuredsoughtaftercoachingcontractsintheUSthissummer–thethird consecutiveyearofsuccessfulrecruitmentthroughthe university’spartnershipwithChallengerSports,oneof NorthAmerica’sleadingyouthcoachingorganisations. Thestudents,alongwithlearnersfromtheWolves FoundationDegreepartnership,havebeenoffered placementsinTexas,Chicago,Kansas,Californiaand Washington.Theuniversityisalsopartneringwith California’sSoCalRedsFCwithsixcurrentthirdyear studentsandtworecentgraduatesofferedfull-time,18monthcoachingcontracts.

TOPTRIONETSELITEFEAT

ThreestudentsfromEdgbastonHighSchoolforGirlshavebeenselectedaspartof BirminghamPanthersU17NationalPerformanceLeague(NPL)netballsquad,arare tripleselectionthatisanexceptionalfeatamongelitenetballcircles.Alongsidemore than15hours-a-weekofhigh-performancetrainingandcompetition,LucciaBaldwin, AmeliaRossandIslaBatchelorbalancethedemandsofGCSEstudy.Theschool’selite netballdirector,SophieMastersonsaid:“Thisachievementspeaksvolumesabouttheir talent,workethicandresilience.”ThePanthersNPLprogrammeisrecognisedasakey stepping-stonetowardsSuperLeaguefranchisesandprofessionalnetball.

CREATIVEMENTORING

JewelleryQuarterAcademyiscelebratingthe successofitsCreativeMentoringprogramme, deliveredinpartnershipwithRecre8now,a psychology-baseddramaorganisationdedicatedto nurturingpositivepersonalandsocialgrowth throughhigh-quality,evidence-informedarts engagement.Acrossfourdays,studentstookpartin arangeofcreativeandconfidence-building activities,includingicebreakinggamesand collaborativedramapieces.HeadteacherJamie Henshawsaid:“Opportunitieslikethisallowour youngpeopletogrowinconfidence,develop teamworkskillsandexpressthemselvesin meaningfulways.”

PITCHPERFECTED

AteamofstudentsfromtheUniversityofBirmingham hasbeencrownedwinnersofThePitch2026–the annualglobalstudentcompetitionrunbythe CharteredInstituteofMarketing.Thisyear's competition,inpartnershipwithIBM,set postgraduatesthechallengeofcreatingastrategic planthatpositionsIBMasthegloballeaderin‘Green AI’–thefutureofsustainableartificialintelligence. PitchPerfected–madeupofAudreyBerlingand JanhaviTamhankar–wowedthepanelofindustry expertsfromCIM,IBM,HaysandMintel,pipping morethan150teamstothetopspot.

ASPIRETOASTON

Agroupofyear9learnersfrom CockshutHillSchoolvisited AstonUniversityaspartofthe AspiretoAstonProgramme. Duringthevisitstudents enjoyedarangeofactivities, includingacampustour,and receivedvaluableguidanceto supporttheirforthcomingGCSE optionchoices.Theprogramme aimstoinspireyoungpeopleby givingthematasteofuniversity life,helpingthemtosethigh aspirationsandmakeinformed decisionsabouttheirfuture.

SchoolprincipalJodyClarke said:“Theprogrammeisan excellentopportunityforour learnerstoexplorehigher education.”

SUPPORTFORALL

BIRMINGHAMLGBTHASOPENEDASWANKYPURPOSE-BUILTCENTREINTHECITY’SGAYVILLAGE AFTER12YEARSATTHEORGANISATION’SPREVIOUSHOMEINHOLLOWAYCIRCUS.WECAUGHTUP WITHBIRMINGHAMLGBTCHAIRSTEVEBALL,WHOALSOAPPEARSTOBEBRUM’SBIGGESTCHAMPION

OpenedbyformerPoetLaureate,Jasmine GardosiandactorAnnieWallace,thenew BirminghamLGBTcentrerepresentsahuge boosttoLGBTQ+supportinthecityandincludes enoughspaceforservicestogrowfurther.SteveBallwas involvedinthepreviousincarnationofBirmingham LGBTwhichwascalledBirminghamPride CommunityTrust.

TwentyyearsagoitwastheorganisationbehindGay Prideandthenamesuggesteditwasmerelyabouta weekendofcelebrationwhenitwasmuchmorethan that.Stevesays:“NotallLGBTQ+peoplegotoPride. It’samoregeneralorganisationwithsupportforall.” Andso,BirminghamLGBTwasborn.

BirminghamLGBTisaregisteredcharityand openedthecountry’sfirstLGBTQ+Health& WellbeingCentrein2013.It’sgrownfromateamof twoto26andtheservicesdeliveredarewideranging includingsexualhealthtesting,counselling,domestic abusesupport,youthwork,outreachandpeergroups,

aswellasShout,theorganisation’sartsandculture programme.Inthelast12monthstheorganisationhas deliveredmorethan3,500briefinterventions,1,770 specificinterventions,roughly750HIVpointofcare tests,1,100selfsampledSTItests,380substance supportsessionsandsupportedover160domestic abusesurvivors.

COMMUNITYHUB

ThecentrehasbeendeliveredthroughOutpost Management’sjointventurewithBlackRockReal Estate,inpartnershipwiththeGalliardApsley Partnership,andformspartofOutpost’sLowerEssex Streetdevelopmentandwillenableincreasedsupport servicesandcommunityspaceformorepeople.Steve says,“It’sintheheartofthegayvillage.It’saccessible andprovidesagreatbaseforservices.There’salarge communityhubwherepeoplecanconnect.”

Thebreadthofcommunitygroupsisincredible includingthegayfilmsocietyandtheGoldenBabsover

GROWINGPLACES: BirminghamLGBTchairSteveBall,right,welcomesthenewground-breakingcentre,alongwiththosetoastingitsofficialopening,above

55samongmanyothers.Fundingtendstobeintheform ofprojectgrants.Thesexualhealthelementisfundedby theNHSwhiledomesticabuseservicesarefundedby BirminghamCityCouncil,andtheresttakesona project-basedpiecemealapproach.

Whilethegrassrootscommunityisthriving,the venuesarebeingsqueezedliketherestofthehospitality sector.Stevesays:“Fortypercentof18to25-year-olds don’tdrinkwhichhasanimpactonthenight-time economy,sothequeersceneinthegayvillagehasits challenges.”Tryingtoencouragethecommunitytouse venuesandworkingwithSouthsideBIDtosupport themiskey.

BIGUPBRUM

SteveisalsochairofSouthsideDistrictBoardandas such,isabigchampionofthecityandthewiderregion. He’sbeeninBirminghamfor40yearsandasan honoraryBrummiehe’skeentoespousethepositivesof thecityanddispelsomeofthenegativemyths.Firstup, isthatthecityisbroke.“There’samassiveperception thatit’sbankrupt.Thecityisthriving.BirminghamCity Councilhasasignificantdeficit–it’snotthesamething asthecitybeingbankrupt.”

OfthemagicalfortnightoftheCommonwealth Games,Stevesays:“CouncilleaderIanWardsaidthat theGameswasthestartofagoldendecadefor Birmingham.Weneedtostartmarketingandadvocating

forourselves.Getthechipofftheshoulder.We’rea young,diversecityandthere’ssomuchpositiveenergy.” Headds:“Ourculturalofferisfantastic.We’vethree largetheatresaswellassomesmallerones.We’vegotthe bestconcerthallinEuropeandthebestcollectionofpreRaphaelitesintheworldatBMAG.Digbethcontinues tobeontheup–StevenKnightstudiosareagood example–plusoursportsofferisalsofantastic.”We couldn’tagreemore. ■

BIRMINGHAMLGBT

Thecentreisnowopenat151HurstStreet, Birmingham,B56EW. Visitwww.blgbt.orgformoreinformation.

THENECAT50

TheNECGroupismarking50yearssincethe openingoftheNECbybringingitsvenues togetherunderasinglebrand–theNation’s ExperienceCapital.Duringfivedecades,the Groupvenueshavewelcomedmore than153millionvisitorstoover36,000 events,generatinganestimated £50billionfortheWestMidlandsregion.The business–whichencompassestheNECCampus, bppulseLIVE,Voxconferencevenue,Utilita ArenaandICC–hasgrownintoamulti-venue operator,hostingexhibitionsandconferences alongsideinternationalarenatours,major sportingeventsandimmersiveexperiences.

CLASSICDAYTEESUP

TheBelfryHotel&Resortisteaming upwithTurkishAirlinesasthe headlinesponsorforitsBelfryClassic GolfDayattheBrabazoncourseon 21May.Theevent,whichraised morethan£100,000forcharityonits debutlastyear,willbringtogether VIPsandcelebritiesfromtheworldof sportandTVtoplayinanexciting four-ballformation.BroadcasterDan Walkerwillbereturningashost. Awayfromtheaction,thedaywill featureliveentertainment,drinks receptions,agaladinnerandauction.

NEWS BUSINESS

MATT’SWINNINGMISSION

BANK-BEATINGPLAN

Anenergybrokerwholaunched amillion-poundmissiontogive backtogoodcausesafter overcomingalife-threatening braincondition,tookthetop prizeatanawardsceremony organisedbythreeregional ChambersofCommerce.T150 Energy,foundedbyMattSmall, wascrownedBusinessoftheYearattheSLTCAwards,heldbytheRoyalSutton Coldfield,Lichfield&TamworthandCannockChaseChambers.TheRugeley-based firmalsocollectedtheCommunityBuilderawardattheeventsponsoredby AmazonandSouthStaffordshireCollege.

Offa,theleadingIslamicproperty financefintechfirmbasedinSolihull, haslaunchedahighstreet‘bankbeating’HomePurchasePlan(HPP), theIslamicequivalentofa conventionalresidentialmortgage, withoffersbeingmadewithinanhour thankstoafast,paperlessapplication process.Offa’sHPPincludesthefirst everSharia-compliantFamily Assistfeature,allowingcustomersto addfamilymemberstotheirplan. SagheerMalik,chiefcommercial officer,pictured,said:“Weare revolutionisingthecumbersomeworld ofIslamicfinance.”

CULINARYHUB

Anewcommunityhubwherebusinesses,volunteers, familiesandlocalorganisationscancometogetherto cook,learnandmakeameaningfulimpactacross Birminghamcommunitieshasbeenlaunched.Blend CulinaryFoundation,basedatAlfredWorksCookery SchoolintheCustardFactory,aimstotacklefood povertyandexpandaccesstofoodeducation.Leading theprogrammeischefinstructorJoDingwall,whohas morethan25yearsofprofessionalculinaryexperience aswellasstronglocalroots.

GETTINGA-HEAD

HeadandneckcancercharityGetA-Head,foundedinBirminghammorethan30 yearsago,hasrevealedthehugeimpactitsworkhashadoverthelast18 months.Itsnewlyreleased2024/25ImpactReportrevealsthatitraisedmore than£220,000tosupportitswork,distributedover£194,000ingrantsto accelerateresearchandenhancepatientsupportandcontributed£40,000tothe nationwideHeadandNeckCancerAudit,acriticalprojectdesignedtoimprove outcomesanddriveconsistencyincare.

BEN’SBLUEBADGERS

Alocalmumwhosesonwasdiagnosedwithaveryrareneurological conditionhaswalkedawayfromasuccessful20-yearcorporatecareertoset upherownbusinesstohelpcarers.StephanieJacksonlaunchedBlueBadgers, aone-stopplatformthatdeliversmeaningfulsavingstoacommunityofnot justthedisabledbuttheircarers–whileputtingthefunbackintoshopping anddaysoutandshowinggenuineappreciationforunpaidcarers.

Stephanie’ssonBen,nowagedeight,wasdiagnosedwithYou-Hoover-Fong syndromein2020,requiringlifelongmedicalcareandsupport.

EDTAKES CHARGE

TOLL’SCAREAID

TheoperatorsoftheM6tollhavenamed HolbrooksCommunityCareAssociation, CoventryasrecipientoftheirIntheCommunity fundingprogramme.Thetolloperators,Midland ExpresswayLimited(MEL),willprovide£1,250 towardsaprojectfocusingonreducing isolation,increasingconfidenceandensuring olderresidentscanaccessmeaningfulactivities andguidance.MarkGraham,community developmentofficeratHolbrooks,said:“The M6tollcontributionwillmakearealdifference byhelpingusprovidewelcoming,inclusive spaceswhereolderresidentscanconnect,build friendshipsandstayactive.”

WestMidlandsCombinedAuthority(WMCA)hasconfirmedEdCoxas itschiefexecutive.Ed,picturedright,hasledtheorganisationsince June2025inaninterimcapacity,drivingdeliveryofthemayor’s prioritiesonjobs,homes,growthandtransport.Birmingham-bornEd’s appointmentwasconfirmedbythemayorandtheleadersoftheseven localauthoritiesthatmakeuptheWMCABoard.Hefirstjoinedthe WMCAinMay2020asdirectorofpublicservicereform.

TOUCHWOODBOOST

Birmingham-basedSEOagency,SEOResults,hashelpedTouchwoodshopping centreinSolihullenhanceitsvisibilityacrosshigh-intentlocalandregional searchesthroughatailoredsearchstrategy.TonyElvin,Touchwood’sgeneralmanager,picturedrightwith DanTweedie,commercialdirectorofSEOResults,said:“IthasbeenagreatexperienceworkingwithSEO Results,notjustseeingourmeteoricrisetoprominenceonGoogle,butalsogettingtheopportunityto reviewresultswiththeteamandexploreopportunitiestocontinuegrowingourdigitalfootprint.”

PROPERTYPROMOTION

BirminghamandSolihull-basedcommercialpropertyadvisory firmShepherdCommercialhasstrengtheneditssenior leadershipteamwiththepromotionofRossBendallto director.Ross,picturedcentre,joinedthefirmasassociate directorin2024.HeteamsupwithexistingdirectorsKaine ArkinsonandChrisPeuthererinoverseeingagrowing portfolioofagency,managementandvaluationinstructions acrosstheMidlands.Theappointmentcomesduringa sustainedperiodofgrowthfortheWestMidlands-basedfirm.

WELCOMEJAY!

BirminghampropertyconsultancyJohnsonFellowshasboosted itsfacilitiesmanagementteamtosupportthecompany’s growingprofileofcommercialandresidentialproperties.Jay Chauhanhasjoinedtheteamashelpdeskmanager.Shejoins fromSanctuaryHousingAssociationbringingmorethan13years ofexperienceworkingwithMainstayGroupandPrincipalEstate Management.JohnsonFellowswasestablishedinBirmingham in1984,withadditionalofficesinLondonandManchester.

LAWPARTNER

LawfirmSquirePattonBoggshaspromotedcorporatelawyerClaireO’Connor toapartnerwithinthecompany.Clairejoinedthefirmin2010asatrainee andadvisesdomesticandinternationalcorporatesandfinancialinstitutions. Herspecialisminreorganisationsprovidesbroader-rangingadviceto significantcorporateclients.TomDurrant,managingpartnerofthefirm’s Birminghamoffice,said:“Claire’spromotionunderlinesthestrengthofour practiceandourinvestmentinitscontinuedgrowth.”

BUSINESS BITES

NEWPATRON

MidlandsAirAmbulanceCharityhas appointedSirDavidNicholsonKCBCBEas itsnewpatron.SirDavidhasdecadesof seniorleadershipexperiencewithinthe NHS,includingservingasChiefExecutiveof NHSEngland.Hisstrategicinsightwill supportthecharityasitcontinuesto advanceitsclinicalcapabilitiesandinvestin lifesavingcriticalcareprovision.

OURCITYIN2050

Amajornewcreativecampaigniscalling onpeopleacrossBirminghamtoimagine whatthecitycouldlooklikein2050. Birmingham2050isinvitingsubmissionsin anycreativeform,fromtraditionalartwork andmodelstowriting,music,digitaldesign andvideo,viaitsdigitalplatformat birmingham2050.co.uk.Thecampaignis backedbyMillenniumPoint.

HOMELESSCHIEF

YouthhomelesscharityStBasilshas appointedMarshaBlakeasitsnewchief executive.Marsha,whohasbeenwith StBasilssince1999,succeedsJean Templetonwhoissteppingdownafter 26yearsintherole.

ABUSEACTION

Twosurvivorsofonlineabusearebackinganewtoolkit designedbyAstonUniversitytohelpcombatviolence againstwomeninthedigitalsphere.Academicand researcherDrNinaJonesPatelandbroadcasterKiratAssi praisedtheCyberDIVA(DarkWebInvestigationof Violence&Abuse)initiative,createdbyDrAnitha ChinnaswamyinpartnershipwithForensicPathwaysand fundedbyInnovateUK.Thetoolkitflagswarningsigns ofabuseaswellasanemojidefinitionguidewhichcan beusedtoidentifyhiddenmeaningsbehindthegraphics whenusedonsocialmedia.

STORIESTOINSPIREAT LADIESFIRSTEVENING

WarwickCastleturnspurpleahead ofInternationalWomen’sDay

Inspirationalmessageswereattheheartofaspecialevening atWarwickCastleaheadofInternationalWomen’sDay. ThestunningvenuewaslitupwithpurpleIWDcoloursin honouroftheevent,organisedbyLadiesFirstProfessional DevelopmentNetworkGroupwhichcelebratedthisyear’s themeofGivetoGain.Speakerswhosharedtheirpersonal storiestosuccesswereTVnewsanchorandfreelancejournalist SuzanneVirdee,fromRedditch;retiredCoventryMPCollen FletcherMBE;founderofPentlandsAccountantsandAdvisors inLeamington,ElinorPerry;founderoftheHoskingHouses TrustinStratford,SarahHoskingOBEandchief superintendentofWestMidlandsPolice,KimMadill. BroadcasterArtiHalaihostedtheevening,whichsupportedthe ShineTogetherInitiativeandEstherProjectcharities.. ■

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NEKOHEALTHOPENS INHEARTOFBRUM

Nextgenerationtechnologyshows whatpreventativecarecanlooklike

Guestsincludingnewsreader SatnamRanaandOlympian KatharineMerryhelpedcelebrate theunveilingofanewhealthcentreinthe heartofBirminghamlastmonth.Neko HealthinLiveryStreetrevealeditsnextgenerationscanroomswhereafusionof advancedtechnologyanddesign-led precisionisredefiningwhatpreventative carecanlooklike. ■

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4 5 6

WHAT’SONliving

WHAT: StopgapDanceCompany: LivedFiction

WHEN: 23April

WHERE: MACBirmingham, Theinternationallyreveredcompany invitesyoutoexperiencedancefrom multipleperspectiveswithmasterful performancesfromdeaf,disabled, neurodivergentandnon-disabledcreatives.

WHAT: GregorFisher

WHEN: 12April

WHERE: GleeClub, glee.co.uk/birmingham JointheScottishstageand screenlegendforalaughterfilledeveninginconversationas hesharesstoriesandanecdotes fromhislifeandcareer.

WHAT: TheTalentedMr.Ripley

WHEN: 13to18April

WHERE: BelgradeTheatre,belgrade.co.uk

Stepintoaworldofdeception,desireand deadlyambitionwhenaninnocentopportunity spiralsintoachillinggameoflies,identitytheft andmurder.StarringEdMcVeyandEastEnders’, MaisieSmith.

WHAT: Blue

WHEN: 12April

WHERE: SymphonyHall,bmusic.co.uk

AllriseforoneofBritain’sbiggestpopforcesof the21stcenturyastheyreturntoBrumfora blockbustingnight,withspecialguests,911.

WHAT: TheCharlatans WHEN: 1May

WHERE: O2Academy Birmingham, academymusicgroup.com The‘Madchester’stalwarts werefamedforfusingdance rhythmstoclassicrockinfluencesandreturnedlastyearwithan impressivenewalbum,WeAreLove–theirfirstnewmaterialsince 2017–extendingtheirappealtoawholenewfanbase.

WHAT: TheResistibleRiseofArturoUi

WHEN: 11Aprilto30May

WHERE: RSCTheatre,rsc.org.uk

StarringdoubleOlivieraward-winningactor MarkGatissinthetitleroleofthenotorious gangsterandsmall-timecrook,thisawesome playoffersablisteringsatireonHitler’sascentto powerandachillingwarningfromhistory.

WHAT: SmallIsland WHEN: 1to18April

WHERE: BirminghamRep, birmingham-rep.co.uk

Journeyfromthesun-drenchedshoresof Jamaicatothecold,greystreetsof 1940’sLondonwiththisintimate portrayalofAndreaLevy’smultiawardwinningnovelonaworldshapedby empireandentitlement.

WHAT: RuPaul’sDragRace UKSeasonSevenTour

WHEN: 28April

WHERE: TownHall, bmusic.co.uk

Expecttheunexpectedwitha showthatfeaturesthefull SeasonSevencast,hostedby DragRaceUKSeasonOnestar DivinaDeCampo.

WHAT: ClassicAntiqueFairs

WHEN: 24to26April

WHERE: NECBirmingham, classicantiquefairs.co.uk

Withitemstosuitallbudgets, there’savastrangeofexhibitors ontapfromanarrayoffields includingart,glass,furniture, silver,porcelain,pottery, jewelleryandsculpture.

WHAT: DaniLarkin

WHEN: 19April

WHERE: TheKitchenGardenCafé,kitchengardencafe.co.uk

Theacclaimedsinger-songwriterblendstraditionalIrishmelodies withamodern,poeticstyle–whileshowcasinghernewalbum, NextofKin,whichhasreceivedravereviewsinMojo,TheIrish TimesandHotpress,tonamejustafew.

WHAT: HotWheelsMonsterTrucksLive

WHEN: 11and12April

WHERE: UtilitaArena, utilitaarenabham.co.uk

AllyourfavouriteHotWheelsMonsterTrucks broughttolife,includingMegaWrex,TigerShark, BoneShaker–andintroducingSkelesaurus,the giantthatunleasheshisfossilfury.

Barnum WHEN: 21to25April

WHERE: BirminghamHippodrome, birminghamhippodrome.com

Steprightupandenterthedazzlingworldof PTBarnum,whereimaginationandambitionknowno bounds.StarringWestEndfavouriteLeeMead.

WHAT: AngeladelaCruz:Upright

WHEN: Nowuntil6September

WHERE: IkonGallery, ikon-gallery.org

Awonderfulopportunitytoviewrarely seenworksbythisleadingfigurein contemporarysculptureasshemarksher firstsoloexhibitionintheUKoutside London.

WHAT: RubyWax: AbsolutelyFamous

WHEN: 18April

WHERE: TheAlexandra, atgtickets.com

Provocativeandabrasive,the starofTV’sI’maCelebrity appearslive,reviewingclipsfrom someofherextraordinaryshows andopeninguponscandalous storieslikeneverbefore.

CLOSEWITHÁ

MANDYROSE

BEENTHERE,DONETHAT

Ioriginallywantedtojointhepoliceforcefrom college,buthavingpassedtheexamsIdecidedit wasn’tforme.Ihadalwayslovedtheartsand althoughIhadnotraininginPR,Isecuredajobat ArtsCouncilEngland’spressofficeinBirmingham.I thenbecamepressassistantatBirmingham Hippodromeandworkedmywayuptopressofficer andmediaandcommunicationsmanager.Igotto workonsomeofthebiggeststageandoutdoor productions,fromSirCameronMackintosh’sMary PoppinsandLesMistopantomimeanddance productionsandoutdoorevents.Imetmanytalented actors,musiciansandperformers,includingDarcey Bussell,KennethBranagh,BrianMay,JoanCollins andmanymore!IwasspecialprojectsofficeratthethenNIAandNECArenas,workingonlargescale concertsfromthelikesofACDCandU2toRobbie WilliamsandBritneySpears.

IT’SWHATIDO

Isetupmyownconsultancy,M7PublicRelations in2016focusingonartsandculture.Ihelpedto createcontentforTV,radio,onlineandprinttoraise clients’mediaprofiles,whichinturnhelpedto promotetheirproduct.Ialsoservednearlyfiveyears ontheboardoftrusteesatOpenTheatreCompany.

BIGGESTSUCCESS

premierewasattendedbySharonOsbourne(ina fabuloustrousersuit!)andmembersofBlack Sabbath.Definitelyoneforthememorybox!

BIGGESTLESSONLEARNED

Don’teverdoubtyourself,orbeafraidtochallenge people,ormoveoutofyourcomfortzone–lifeistoo short.

WHATILIKEABOUTBRUM

That’seasy!Despitefundingchallenges,therich culturesceneinBirminghamandacrosstheWest Midlandscontinuestoprovideaudienceswithsucha varietyofthingstogoandseeandexperience.From BirminghamRep,toSymphonyHallandthe HippodrometofamouscompaniessuchastheCBSO andBirminghamRoyalBalletwhotakethenameof thecityacrosstheUKandinternationally.Andthere’s allthesmalltomiddlescalecompanies,interesting venuesinpubsandsmallertheatres–notforgettingthe vastnumberofoutdoorfestivalsandlivemusicevents!

DOWNTIME

Irecentlymovedtoamarkettowninthe StaffordshireMoorlandswithmyhusband.It’savery creativeplacewithafantasticartscentrewhichIvisit alot.I’mlookingforwardtogettingbackto travelling.IhaverelativesinAustraliathatIwantto seeandIwanttoexploreSouthAmerica.There’sso muchtodiscoverintheUKtoo,soweplantogeta campervanatsomepoint.Retirementhasgivenme thespaceandtimetoreflectonthenextchapterand, inallhonesty,it’sgreattojust‘be’forawhile.■ THEFOUNDEROFM7PUBLICRELATIONSRECENTLYRETIREDFROM

HavingBirminghamRoyalBalletasaclientfrom 2022uptomyrecentretirement.Duringthistime,I hadtheopportunitytoruntheregionalPRforCarlos Acosta’sBlackSabbath–TheBallet.Theworld