J'AIME SEPTEMBER 2019

S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 9 

J’AIME 

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

Win 

DREAMS COME 

TRUE FOR A WALSALL 

CHILDREN’S AUTHOR 

A RURAL 

OVERNIGHT 

BREAK FOR 

TWO 

Go green 

ECO-FRIENDLY IDEAS FOR 

YOUR HOME AND WARDROBE

Welcome to J’AIME 

Well, we’re back from our summer break 

feeling refreshed, revived and raring to 

go - but it isn’t always that easy to get back 

into the swing of things. If you’re suffering 

from post-holiday blues then our health and 

fitness expert, Lichfield personal trainer 

Raul Romero, has some top tips to beat the 

daily grind, while our travel experts at RB 

Collection have the perfect destination for 

your next glorious getaway - after all, what 

better way to get over your holiday woes 

than to plan your next break! 

We chat to Walsall children’s author Serena 

Patel, whose debut novel - set to be released 

early next year - was subject to a bidding 

war between four publishers, about getting 

into the industry and achieving her dreams. 

Serena will be talking at this month’s 

Kenilworth Arts Festival, which transforms 

the historic town into a world-class stage for 

arts, music, performance and the spoken 

word. 

Elsewhere, we’ve got competitions galore 

lined up - our lucky readers will have the 

chance to win a bespoke cocktail masterclass 

in Birmingham, courtesy of Lanique Spirit 

of Rose, as well as a relaxing rural overnight 

break for two at Tuppenhurst Barn and a 

£100 voucher to spend on beautiful interior 

accessories and giftware at Lichfield’s 

Heritage Rooms. 

With all of your usual interiors, fashion, 

beauty and foodie favourites, we hope there’s 

plenty here for you to enjoy. 

EDITOR: AMY NORBURY 

EDITOR@JAIMEMAGAZINE.COM 

ADVERTISING: JAN ASHLEY 

ADVERTISING@JAIMEMAGAZINE.COM 

07388 335 931 

DESIGN: DESIGN@JAIMEMAGAZINE.COM 

CONTRIBUTORS: MARTIN PLOWMAN, 

SAMUEL COOPER, LISA PIDDINGTON, JILL 

HARTLEY, THE GINTLEMAN, RAUL ROMERO 

J’AIME IS PUBLISHED BY ASHBURY 

PUBLICATIONS LIMITED AND PRINTED 

BY KEP LIMITED, TAMWORTH. 

Check us out online at: 

WWW.JAIMEMAGAZINE.COM 

Find us on 

/JAIMEMAGAZINE 

@JAIMEMAGAZINE 

@JAIMEMAGAZINE 

SPONSORED BY 

3

CONTENTS 

InsideJ’aime this month... 

6 Serena Patel - The Walsall children’s author 

living the dream 

10 Property - Property of the month 

12 Interiors - Get the green light 

16 Interiors - Weave some magic 

22 Competition - Win £100 voucher to spend at 

Heritage Rooms Lichfield 

26 Interiors - Advice from the experts at Mood 

Interiors 

28 Charity auction - Goods under the hammer 

at Richard Winterton Auctioneers for We Love 

Lichfield 

30 Food & drink - Reviewing Ellis Barrie at Sauce 

Supper Club 

32 Food & drink - The Gintleman checks out some 

perfect pairings 

36 Competition - Win a bespoke cocktail masterclass 

in Birmingham with Lanique Spirit of Rose 

38 Competition - Win a rural break at Tuppenhurst 

Barn 

40 Health - Lichfield personal trainer Raul Romero 

on beating the post-holiday blues 

42 Travel - An island paradise in Mauritius 

46 Fashion - Slow down 

48 Fashion - Eco-friendly options with Nero e 

Bianco 

52 Beauty - Getting serious about skincare with 

Mode Laser Skin Clinic 

54 Beauty - Discover your skin type with Harvey 

Nichols Birmingham 

55 In the news - A Rolex revamp; a fundraising 

village in bloom; and a young driver racing 

ahead 

57 Motors - Martin Plowman tests the new 

Chevrolet Corvette 

SPONSORED BY 

4

FEATURE 

Written in the stars 

WALSALL CHILDREN’S AUTHOR SERENA PATEL IS SET TO MAKE A SPLASH ON THE PUBLISHING 

INDUSTRY WITH HER DEBUT NOVEL. SHE CHATS TO AMY NORBURY AHEAD OF HER APPEARANCE 

AT THE LITERARY WEEKEND OF KENILWORTH ARTS FESTIVAL LATER THIS MONTH 

For Serena Patel, it was Roald Dahl. As a youngster, 

she would while away countless hours immersed 

in the worlds of Oompa-Loompas and Everlasting 

Gobstoppers, snozzcumbers and gruesomely named 

giants, enraptured by the adventures of Matilda, 

Charlie Bucket and Willy Wonka, Sophie and the 

BFG. 

And now she’s hoping that her own literary creation 

will be as inspiring to young readers today as her 

childhood favourites were to her. 

The Walsall author’s debut novel, Anisha Mistry: 

Bridesmaid Detective, is set to be published next 

year by leading publishing house Usbourne. The 

hilarious book follows the tale of irresistible heroine 

Anisha, who is preparing to be a bridesmaid at her 

aunt’s wedding when Uncle Tony, Aunty Bindi’s 

husband-to-be, is kidnapped. Anisha turns her hand 

to detective work to find out where Tony is to try and 

save the Indian wedding of the year. 

“I wanted to write a story that I would have loved 

to have read as a child: a story about a girl who feels 

like she doesn’t fit in with her family or at school,” 

says 40-year-old Serena, who works as a training 

coordinator for a law firm. 

“I wanted to have her realise that, actually, her 

family really does need her: she doesn’t have to hide 

in the background; she can be the heroine and save 

the day. I feel very lucky that Anisha Mistry is being 

published by Usborne and hugely excited to see this, 

my very first novel, making its way out into the world 

and into the hands of children.” 

Self-confessed bookworm Serena has been an avid 

writer for as long as she can remember. 

“I’ve always written; when I was at school it was a 

lot of poetry, and I used to write a lot in my diaries, 

which were full of the usual teenage angst,” laughs 

Serena. 

“It was a real release for me; I don’t think I realised 

it at the time but writing has always been a kind of 

sanctuary for me, and a way to explore those things 

WALSALL AUTHOR 

SERENA PATEL 

that you don’t particularly want to talk to other 

people about, particularly as a teenager!” 

As she left those awkward teenage years behind, 

Serena’s writing endeavours went by the wayside. But 

her gift for storytelling and love of children’s books 

came back with a vengeance when she had her two 

children Alyssa, now seven, and Reiss, six. 

“I’ve got a young niece too and I was always making 

up stories for her, just chatting along and telling 

stories verbally, then it came to me that I should be 

writing them down,” explains Serena. 

“I had my two children close together, so I went back 

to work briefly after I had my daughter, but when my 

son came along I took a year off. During that time 

I found myself scratching about and finding that 

I needed to do something, and so I started writing 

again.” 

After googling creative writing courses, Serena 

6

came across the Golden Egg Academy, which offers 

courses run by industry professionals who help 

aspiring children’s writers to hone their work and get 

noticed by publishers. After applying for their picture 

book programme and being rejected, Serena saw 

they were offering a year-long foundation course for 

novels. 

The only problem was that Serena didn’t have a 

novel to put forward. Yet. 

“I started putting together a rough idea for a novel 

aimed at readers aged eight to 12,” says Serena. “I 

wrote about 3,000 words and sent it off, and to my 

great surprise they really liked the idea and wanted 

to work with me.” 

With mentorship from an industry professional 

to help guide and read through her drafts and 

workshops run at Scholastic’s headquarters in 

London, as well as weekly online sessions with the 

rest of the budding authors on the course, Serena 

saw her novel take shape. 

Now with 5,000 words under her belt, Serena 

took a chance and sent off her budding novel to a 

competition called Undiscovered Voices, an initiative 

by the Society of Children’s Book Writers and 

Illustrators British Isles to help fresh, new voices in 

children’s literature. 

“I got an email to say I’d been longlisted, which was 

amazing,” she says. “And then a few weeks later I got 

a phone call, which I honestly thought was a prank, 

saying I was a finalist for the competition.” 

The finalists’ work is published in an anthology 

which gets sent to major agents and publishing 

houses, which greatly increases an author’s chance of 

getting a book deal. 

“It’s really well thought of in the world of publishing 

and it opens a window of opportunity,” says Serena. 

“I was getting emails from agents and publishers 

wanting to read the full book, which I hadn’t even 

finished! 

“Golden Egg have a ‘first look’ deal with a literary 

agent called Kate Shaw, and because of all the 

publicity with Undiscovered Voices they wanted to 

show her the book in its current state.” 

Serena met with Kate, who loved the novel, 

and the duo started working together to 

hone Anisha Mistry until the story was 

ready to face the publishers. 

As a debut novelist, getting that big break 

which sees your work make its way into 

print and onto bookshelves up and down 

the country is the stuff of dreams - and for 

many budding authors, a dream is how 

it remains. But Serena’s story sparked a flurry of 

excitement in the publishing world, not only landing 

her a book deal, but seeing her creation become the 

subject of a bidding war between four publishing 

houses. 

“Because of all the interest in the novel we’d given 

publishers a one-month deadline to declare their 

interest,” explains Serena. “On deadline day I went 

to the cinema with my niece as a distraction because 

I knew I’d be climbing the walls all day if I didn’t do 

something. When I came out I had all these messages 

and emails, which were offers from publishers. 

“With four offers it went to an auction situation, 

which I never imagined would happen in my wildest 

dreams, it was an amazing situation to be in, just 

surreal.” 

With the first Anisha Mistry book due to be 

published early next year, Serena is now working on 

the second and third books in the series. 

“Anisha has really resonated with publishers and the 

children I’ve shown the book too,” says Serena. 

“There’s a big thing at the moment about 

representation in children’s books. When I was 

a child the books I read were wonderful, I loved 

reading and escaping into books. But I couldn’t 

see myself in those books as a British Indian child. 

And now the industry is working towards having 

more books with Black, Asian or other Minority 

Ethnic (BAME) main characters, so children can 

see themselves in the books they read. I feel it’s 

an important thing to do and I’m lucky to be in a 

position to do it.” 

This month Serena will be sharing tales about her 

journey into the world of children’s publishing 

at Kenilworth Arts Festival’s literary weekend on 

September 22, as part of a panel of industry experts 

looking at the challenges and opportunities in the 

book world. 

“When I started with the Golden Egg course I never 

envisaged any of this,” says Serena. “I didn’t ever 

imagine I’d actually get a publishing deal and be able 

to say ‘my book’s coming out next year’.” 

ROALD DAHL WAS 

SERENA’S OWN 

FAVOURITE AUTHOR 

AS A CHILD 

7

FEATURE 

Five minutes with Lewis Smith 

AS THE UK’S YOUNGEST FESTIVAL DIRECTOR, KENILWORTH ARTS FESTIVAL HEAD LEWIS SMITH HAS 

CREATED AN ECLECTIC ARTS EXTRAVAGANZA IN THE WARWICKSHIRE TOWN. HE CHATS TO AMY 

NORBURY AHEAD OF THIS YEAR’S PROGRAMME, WHICH TAKES PLACE FROM SEPTEMBER 19 TO 28 

Kenilworth Arts Festival is set to take over 

open spaces, theatres, churches, bookshops 

and streets this month, transforming 

Warwickshire’s famous historic town into a 

world-class stage for arts, music, performance 

and the spoken word. 

The festival’s literary weekend will see 

Walsall author Serena Patel take to the 

stage for a discussion about the children’s 

publishing industry, as well as appearances 

from renowned writers including best-selling 

author of The Shock of the Fall, Nathan 

Filer, and award-winning Guardian journalist 

Amelia Gentleman, whose tenacious work 

exposed the Windrush scandal. 

Director Lewis Smith has been the driving force 

behind the festival since its relaunch from an old arts 

festival back in 2016, when he was still a student at 

the University of Warwick. 

“We wanted to bring high quality arts events to 

the county,” he explains. “Kenilworth has lots of 

really unique spaces and we thought it would be an 

interesting experiment to bring together a series of 

one-off events featuring world-class musicians and 

visual artists to different venues around the town. 

“We’ve been growing year on year since, and 2019 

is our biggest year yet with more than 35 events 

taking place in venues around the town over ten days, 

ranging from concerts to talks and readings, UK 

premieres, art installations and street parties - it’s a 

very eclectic programme. 

“One of the most exciting developments with the 

programme this year is that it’s championing new 

work and collaborations between artists. And this 

year we’ve got some really exciting and unique art 

installations which will be on display around the 

town.” 

One of the most intriguing is the work of Irish 

sculptor Donnacha Cahill; ‘the Gramophone’ is a 

10ft mobile fully-working gramophone which will 

be making its way around the town throughout the 

festival. 

THIS GIANT 

GRAMAPHONE WILL 

BE MAKING ITS WAY 

AROUND KENILWORTH 

DURING THE FESTIVAL 

“It really is a thing of wonder,” says Lewis. “We’re 

going to be touring it around town and trying to get 

the whole town involved in the festival. People can 

bring along their own records and get them played 

on the giant gramophone - I think it will be really 

quite a spectacle. 

“It’s a relatively small programme so it’s really 

important that we believe in everyone we put on,” 

adds Lewis. 

“My personal highlight - if I had to pick one event 

- is the opening concert on September 19, where we 

have New Zealand singer-songwriter Nadia Reed 

coming over to do a one-off solo concert in a 12th 

century church. Nadia is a phenomenal musician 

who has been on Later...With Jools Holland and has 

been nominated for New Zealand’s biggest arts prizes 

and has received global acclaim for her music. 

“I’ve been a fan for a long time and every year I’ve 

emailed her booking agent asking if she might be 

in the UK, and every year - given the geographical 

inconvenience with her being based in New Zealand 

- the answer has been no, until this year when it 

became possible. So it really is a dream to be able to 

welcome Nadia to the festival.” 

For more information visit 

www.kenilworthartsfestival.co.uk 

8

Break free 

from hip and 

knee pain 

“I was standing up the same day, completely pain free, but the 

key for me was being given permission to sit back on my horse.” 

Sally Johnson, Mako robotically assisted hip replacement patient at Spire Little Aston 

Come along to our free event to meet the experts at 

Spire Little Aston Hospital. 

We are offering free consultations with two of our 

specialist orthopaedic consultants, Mr Arbuthnot and 

Mr Makrides. During your appointment, you will have 

the chance to discuss your symptoms and receive 

expert advice on the treatment options available. 

Meet the experts 

Monday 30 September, 6.30pm 

Hip and knee pain 

Book to see an expert today 

Search ‘Spire Little Aston Hospital’ 

Call 0121 514 7034 

* Mini consultations are an opportunity to ask any questions you have about surgery and are not a formal 

outpatient consultation. If you wish to proceed to surgery or your consultant suggests that further treatment 

may be necessary, a full outpatient appointment will be required to assess your suitability for surgery/treatment.

PROPERTY 

Property of the Month 

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

IN THE AREA EACH MONTH. THIS MONTH’S SELECTION IS A TWO-HOUSE SITE WHERE 

TRADITIONAL MEETS CONTEMPORARY IN A GLORIOUS RURAL SETTING 

Hillside Farm and Hoggrills House, Hoggrills End Lane, Nether Whitacre: £1,400,000 

On the market with Kingsman Estate Agents: 0121 695 7785 or 01926 494 556 

THE AGENT SAYS: A rare opportunity to acquire two 

properties, independently run from one another but situated on 

the same gorgeous plot of 3.5 acres and semi rural setting. 

Hillside Farm offers a characterful four bedroom country 

residence full of period and character beams and a fantastic 

blueprint for those looking to modernise to their own tastes and 

style. 

Briefly, the accommodation presents a welcoming reception 

hallway with guest WC, magnificent quadruple aspect lounge 

with great views, large garden room, separate dining room, 

open plan kitchen with family room and breakfast area summer 

kitchen doubling as a utility and rear boot room. 

The first floor offers a tremendous principal bedroom with walk 

in wardrobe and luxury en-suite. Three further double bedrooms 

share a family bathroom and all enjoy wonderful, uninterrupted 

views to rear. 

Hoggrills House stands discreetly to the side of the main 

residence. With boundary fencing the two could feel worlds 

apart as each property enjoys its own gated driveway access. 

The recent conversion undertaken has all been motivated by a 

desire to keep the onward maintenance and running costs low 

(near Carbon Neutral) it offers underfloor heating throughout, 

solar panels, Air Source heat pump – just take a look at the EPC 

rating. 

To offer as a rental we understand the property could provide 

a return in the region of £2,500 pcm. Alternatively it would 

be the perfect residence for extended family wishing to retain 

independence but still within a heartbeat of the family! Outside 

the grounds extend to 3.5 acres and are the perfect therapy to 

unwind from the toils of the working week and a great place for 

children to play freely and safely – who could ask for more? 

W E L O V E : 

TWO FABULOUSLY DIFFERENT 

PROPERTIES ON ONE STUNNING PLOT 

10

BAYLISS 

creating bathroom envy since 1929... 

Visit our extensive prestigious bathroom and tile showroom.... 

regarded as one of the finest in the Country! 

Bayliss Limited, 23 Gate Lane, Boldmere, Sutton Coldfield B73 5TR 

T: 0121 362 1800 www.baylisslimited.co.uk

INTERIORS 

Get the 

green light 

IT’S been one of the strongest and most enduring 

colour trends of the past few years and, as we head into 

autumn, green’s reign as the interior colour du jour 

shows no signs of slowing down. Away from the fresh 

greens of spring and the vibrant jewel-tones which 

created a lush, tropical vibe throughout the summer 

months, this season’s greens are deeper, more muted and 

almost moody. 

This year Farrow and Ball released Bancha, a deep 

green inspired by the Japanese tea of the same name, 

and with a real oriental vibe its sober tone is perfect for 

creating a sense of calm and serenity. 

Search out forest, olive and sage hues for walls with 

impact to create a protective haven. Team with rich 

mahogany and walnut woods, and gold metals for an 

opulent vibe, or opt for white accents and pale woods to 

create a more pared back look. 

Keep the green tones running throughout your scheme 

with accessories and furniture pieces to maximise the 

statement. 

FARROW & BALL BANCHA, FROM £46.50 

FOR 2.5L. WWW.FARROW-BALL.COM 

£26 

A MODERN GRAND TOUR MINI FEATHER 

LAMP, SWEETPEA & WILLOW. 

WWW.SWEETPEAANDWILLOW.COM 

BLOOMINGVILLE GREEN GLASS CANDLE 

LANTERN WITH STRAP, HURN & HURN. 

WWW.HURNANDHURN.COM 

£1900 

£425 

£89.99 

CHAMBERY VELVET ARMCHAIR, PEPPERMILL 

INTERIORS, BURNTWOOD BUSINESS PARK. 

WWW.PEPPERMILLINTERIORS.COM 

ICON MONGOLIAN FAUX FUR 

BEAN BAG, BAZAAR GROUP. 

WWW.BEANBAGBAZAAR.CO.UK 

12

Specialists in designing and making, remodelling and refurbishing

JADE COFFEE TABLE, ATKIN AND THYME. 

WWW.ATKINANDTHYME.CO.UK 

£279 

£19.99 

RILL GLASS VASE, MY FURNITURE. 

WWW.MY-FURNITURE.COM 

£199 

£155 

GREEN ALBERT KUIP CHAIR BY ZUIVER, 

ROSE & GREY. WWW.ROSEANDGREY.CO.UK 

£659 

THE SKINNY TALL LOCKER IN 

OLIVE GREEN, ROSE & GREY. 

WWW.ROSEANDGREY.CO.UK 

UMAGE AUDACIOUS CABINET, SWEETPEA & WILLOW. 


£345 

£POA 

CHAMBERY VELVET OCCASIONAL 

TUB CHAIR, PEPPERMILL INTERIORS, 

BURNTWOOD BUSINESS PARK. 

WWW.PEPPERMILLINTERIORS.COM 

ERCOL MARINELLO SNUGGLER 

CHAIR, COOKES FURNITURE. 

WWW.COOKESFURNITURE.CO.UK 

FERN IN LUSH GREEN WALLPAPER, £85, 

WALLPAPER AND MAGNOLIA. 

WWW.WALLPAPERANDMAGNOLIA.CO.UK 

TOULON GREEN BED, £499, THE ORIGINAL 

BED CO. WWW.OBC-UK.NET 

14

HEALTH | 

07815 460786 

01827 892952 

Time for a Hand 

Health Check 

Put your hands in our hands 

Our hands are so important to us, yet like many other areas of health and wellbeing 

we take them for granted and probably don’t look after them as much as we could. 

There are many things we can do to ensure we keep our hands in the best of health. 

Avoid Static or Repetitive 

Activities 

When you stay in one position 

for a long time some muscles 

overwork pulling the joint out 

of alignment. This leads to 

more pain and damage to the 

joint. Take regular rests when 

performing repetitive activities. 

Avoid Prolonged Periods of 

Activity 

Try to begin to become aware 

of the warning signs you feel 

that your joints are becoming 

fatigued or strained and stop 

before you reach this point in 

the future. 

Avoid Activities that Require 

Prolonged Gripping 

Tight small grips place increased 

strain through the joints which 

will increase your pain and can 

further damage your joints. It 

is better to avoid it. There are 

many ways to reduce small or 

prolonged gripping. E.g. use 

thick or padded pens for writing, 

rest books on a table or book 

rest and use easy grip cutlery 

and utensils. 

Balance of Rest and Activity 

It is important to balance your 

rest and activity to allow your 

joints time to rest and repair. 

Try to stop before you feel tired 

or are in pain and avoid activities 

that you can’t stop when you 

need to. Try to plan ahead and 

keep a diary allowing rest and 

activity periods. 

At The Midland Hand Clinic, lead 

by Mr G Shyamalan, Consultant 

Hand Surgeon, we work closely 

with all our patients before, 

during and after treatment 

to provide expert advice on 

protecting and caring for our 

hands and joints. 

Midland Hand Clinic lead by 

Mr G Shyamalan FRCS NHS 

consultant hand surgeon. 

All patients welcome whether 

you have private medical insurance 

or you are self-paying. 

Ask us about our self funding 

prices for minor hand surgery. 

Hand Clinic PA: Pam Dziubany 

Email: pdziubany@hotmail.com 

Call: 07815 460786 - 01827 892952 

www.midlandhandclinic.com 

Do you have Rheumatoid Arthritis? 

We are running a free meet the expert evening on Wed 18th Sept 7-9pm in association with the National Rheumatoid Arthritis 

Society at the Silhillians Sports Club, Warwick Road, Knowle, Solihull B93 9LW. Come along to join us for a talk from Mr Shyamalan 

and let us help answer any questions you may have on management and treatment options for Rheumatoid Arthritis of the hand, 

wrist or elbow. Places are limited so please call 01827 892 952 to reserve your place. 

olihull AUG 19.indd 11 26/07/2019 09:13

INTERIORS 

Weave 

some magic 

AS we’re becoming increasingly more conscious of 

our environment and the effect that we have on it, it’s 

no surprise that we are seeking more natural, organic 

designs to fill our homes. In the spirit of recycling, 

there’s also an element of what goes around comes 

around, and a much-loved trend from decades past is 

seeing a resurgence in our homes for 2019. 

Rattan and wicker was a huge hit in the 70s and one 

that lasted a good decade - remember the iconic peacock 

chair which kickstarted the trend? And after years of 

being relegated to conservatory and outdoor furniture, 

rattan is back on the interior it-list. 

Craftsmanship as a whole has been a key trend of 

2019 and this iteration forgoes those synthetic rattans 

we’ve become used to in favour of embracing natural 

materials and weaves. 

In its natural, organic state rattan works wonders with 

neutral or earthy tones, and pairs perfectly with other 

natural materials such as linen, wood and stone to create 

a calming decor scheme. 

From woven seats, cabinet fronts and screens, to light 

fittings and statement furniture pieces - we love it! 

BOHEME PEACOCK CHAIR, £600, 

SWEETPEA & WILLOW. 


CULT LIVING SVANA WOVEN RATTAN 

LOUNGE CHAIR, CULT FURNITURE. 

WWW.CULTFURNITURE.COM 

BLOOMINGVILLE FISHERMAN’S BAMBOO 

PENDANT LAMP, BEAUMONDE. 

WWW.BEAUMONDE.CO.UK 

£155 

AMILIA LANTERN, THE TAYLOR. 

WWW.THE-TAYLOR.CO.UK 

£85.75 

£129 

WOVEN BAMBOO TEA LIGHT HOLDER, THE 

FARTHING. WWW.THEFARTHING.CO.UK 

£8 

16

interiors 

REPLACE YOUR TILES & GROUT 

WITH GLASS SPLASHBACKS 

Ideal for kitchens & bathrooms 

Give your home some l ve 

Coloured Glass Splashbacks • Glass Window Cills • Reflective & Hygienic • Glass 

Counter Tops • Toughened Mirror Splashbacks • Glass Balustrading • Custom Shower 

Screens & Doors • 1000’S Of Colours & Finishes • Templating & Fitting Service 

For more interior ideas & FREE QUOTE call Louise 01922 411077 

www.lovelaneinteriors.co.uk • Email: louise@lovelaneinteriors.co.uk

£295 

£32.95 

LARGE WOVEN TRAY, FLO & JOE. 

WWW.FLOANDJOE.CO.UK 

COLUMBUS FLOOR LAMP IN RATTAN, 

CUCKOOLAND. WWW.CUCKOOLAND.COM 

£749 

£275 

SAMIRA WOVEN RATTAN ARMCHAIR, 

CUCKOOLAND. WWW.CUCKOOLAND.COM 

SET OF TWO OPEN WEAVE BASKETS, 

GARDEN TRADING. 

WWW.GARDENTRADING.CO.UK 

£249 

TRIPOD FLOOR LAMP BASE AND 

RATTAN SHADE, ABODE LIVING. 

WWW.ABODELIVING.CO.UK 

LIANA WOVEN CABINET IN ASH AND 

RATTAN, MADE. WWW.MADE.COM 

£120 

HADID HAND WOVEN RATTAN SET OF TWO 

BASKETS, £79 MADE. WWW.MADE.COM 

18

B E S P O K E S O F A M A N U F A C T U R E 

& R E - U P H O L S T E RY S P E C I A L I S T 

CALL 01543 505539 FOR A BROCHURE 

Our skilled craftsmen can create any type of design, 

from ultra-modern to classically traditional. 

As an alternative if you cannot part with your existing suite, we 

offer an exceptional re-upholstery service that goes above and 

beyond recovering your choice of fabrics and leathers. 

Unit 19, Martindale, Hawks Green,Cannock, Staffordshire WS11 7XN 

sales@ralvernupholstery.co.uk - www.ralvernupholstery.co.uk 

Visit our website for a virtual tour of our showroom

CULT HOME SMALL SEAGRASS WOVEN 

BASKET, £49, CULT FURNITURE. 

WWW.CULTFURNITURE.COM 

WOVEN ANIMAL HEADS, FROM £38, BOHEMIA DESIGN. 

WWW.BOHEMIADESIGN.COM 

CHATEAUNEUF RATTAN BED, £1,395, 

THE FRENCH BEDROOM CO. 

WWW.FRENCHBEDROOMCOMPANY.CO.UK 

20

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Langan Carpets & Interiors 

Woodburning & 

multifuel stoves 

Telephone: 0121 308 8998 - langancarpetsandinteriors.co.uk 

1 Cremorne Walk, Lichfield Road, Four Oaks, Sutton Coldfield, B75 5AL 

Telephone: 0121 308 3895 

www.langancarpetsandinteriors.co.uk 

1 Cremorne Walk, Lichfield Road, Four Oaks, Sutton Coldfield, B75 5AL 

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: Mon-Fri 9.30am - 4.30pm • Sat 10am - 4pm. Closed Sundays and bank holidays. FREE ON-SITE PARKING.

CO M P E T I T I O N 

Interiors and gifts galore 

TO CELEBRATE THEIR RELOCATION TO LICHFIELD’S PICTURESQUE TUDOR ROW, WE HAVE TEAMED 

UP WITH HERITAGE ROOMS TO OFFER ONE LUCKY READER A £100 VOUCHER TO SPEND IN STORE 

When Tim and Noreen Neenan launched their 

business Heritage Glass Rooms in 2012, they filled 

the interior of their traditional timber framed 

orangery, displayed at the Mitchell Centre in Sutton 

Coldfield, with a range of giftware. They soon 

realised that they needed more room to display their 

stock and 

two years later they moved the giftware business into 

a separate shop also based at Mitchells, known as 

Heritage Rooms. 

Filled with an eclectic range of interior gifts, the 

business outgrew its premises and has now relocated 

to Tudor Row in Lichfield city centre, a picturesque 

walk-through pathway lined with several interesting 

and inviting shops situated alongside the historic 

Tudor Cafe in Bore Street. 

Set over two floors, Heritage offers a diverse range 

of tasteful giftware, encompassing home interior 

products such as lamps, throws, unusual candles 

and no end of quirky gift ideas. One of their most 

popular lines is the unique suspended fairy and 

mermaid wire sculptures which are truly unique to 

Heritage. 

Noreen has also diversified her stock and added 

a small selection of children’s organic clothing, 

ladieswear and fashion jewellery, as well as a wide 

range of greetings cards which are a delight to the 

more discerning card buyer. 

For more information pop down to Heritage Rooms 

at 8 Tudor Row, Lichfield, to browse the gorgeous 

range of gift and interiors ideas on offer, or find 

Heritage Rooms on Facebook. 

The competition 

J’AIME HAS TEAMED UP WITH HERITAGE ROOMS 

TO OFFER READERS THE CHANCE TO WIN A £100 

VOUCHER TO SPEND IN STORE. 

FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN, SIMPLY 

ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTION: 

WHERE HAS HERITAGE ROOMS 

RELOCATED TO? 

Send your answer, along with your name, address and telephone 

number, by email to competitions@jaimemagazine.com with 

Heritage Rooms Competition as the email subject. Entries must 

be received by 5pm on Friday, September 27, and our winner 

will be notified by Wednesday, October 2. Terms and conditions 

apply. No cash alternative is offered. Visit www.jaimemagazine. 

com for further details. 

22

® 

Tel: 01543 416572 

www.thecourtyardfineartlounge.co.uk 

email: art@thecourtyardfineartlounge.co.uk 

Title: Stone Cold Classic 

– Borth Beach Mid Wales 

Medium – Original Oil 

on Glass 

Price: £895 

Title: Last Night – 

Borth Beach Mid Wales 

Medium - Original 

Oil on Glass 

Price: £745 

We are thrilled to announce that the captivating Local Birmingham 

Artist Richard King referred to as ‘The Modern Day Turner 

on Glass’ will be joining us in the gallery for his very first public 

exhibition entitled ‘ Fragile Planet’ on 

SATURDAY 28TH SEPTEMBER 1.00PM – 3.00PM 

Richard approached us when we first launched The Courtyard, Fine 

Art Lounge last November to represent him here in the gallery. We 

have been privileged to be part of his very exciting journey. We are 

proud to announce that he has now been signed to one of the largest 

publishing houses in the UK and we will be unveiling his latest 

extraordinary Landscape, Seascape and Cityscape collections 

– ‘painted behind glass’ a very unique and difficult technique to 

achieve which Richard appears to have perfected effortlessly! 

Richard is also happy to undertake commissions working from 

photographs. Being an extreme artist the inspiration behind his 

work is taken from places he has personally visited being an avid 

mountaineer, canoeist, kayaker and explorer. 

Refreshments and Canapes will be served. 

Amanda and the team look forward to welcoming you. 

R.S.V.P 

The Courtyard Fine Art Lounge, 2a Dam Street, Lichfield, WS13 6AA 

Gallery Opening Hours: Monday - by private appointment only. Tuesday - Saturday 10.00am - 5.00pm. Sunday 11.00am - 4.00pm 

WE HAVE 

RE-LOCATED 

HERITAGE ROOMS 

GIFTS 

We are set over two floors offering 

a diverse range of tasteful giftware, 

including suspended Fairies and 

Mermaids that are exclusive to Heritage, 

home interior products, lamps, throws, 

unusual candles. We have a wide range 

of greetings cards and a small selection 

of organic childrens clothing, plus ladies 

wear and jewellery. 

WE HAVE RE-LOCATED TO 8 TUDOR ROW, 

(OFF BORE STREET) LICHFIELD WS13 6HH. 

TEL: 01543 263883 

PREVIOUSLY FROM MITCHELLS 

CENTRE, SUTTON COLDFIELD.

I N T E R I O R S 

Designs on interiors 

INTERIOR DESIGNER PREET ANAND, OF MOOD INTERIORS, 

EXPLAINS WHY DIY MIGHT NOT BE ALL IT’S CRACKED UP TO BE 

INTERIOR DESIGNER PREET ANAND 

OF MOOD INTERIORS 

With inspiration from so many interior design 

programmes, it can be tempting to try to transform 

your home yourself. But where do you begin? And 

how can you ensure you’re not spending your 

hard-earned money trying to achieve the seemingly 

unachievable? 

We caught up with interior designer Preet Anand, of 

Mere Green-based Mood Interiors, to talk about why 

opting to hire an experienced interior designer might 

actually be more cost-effective than you might think. 

“I’m often approached by clients who want their 

home to have the wow factor, but don’t know 

where to start. Many people have already had a go 

themselves and spent considerable sums on interiors 

that don’t give them the result they’d hoped for, or 

have purchased expensive pieces that have quickly 

gone out of fashion,” says Preet. 

“One of the examples I like to use here is the yellow 

and grey trend. Used correctly, it’s a fantastic colour 

combination, but it’s now so popular that it has lost 

its luxurious and exclusive feel. 

“Striking the balance between luxury, exclusivity and 

practicality is a fine art – and by basing your interiors 

on what’s hot right now, might mean you’re investing 

in new interiors every three to four months. 

“For most of us, this approach isn’t possible. So, 

when working with my clients, I always ensure 

that the starting point is finding out as much as I 

can about them. This means I am able to create a 

luxurious space that truly reflects their personality, 

and one that they love for years to come. 

“This approach is far more sustainable, and really 

showcases what a person or family is all about.” 

So, what exactly does an interior designer do? 

“Many people are surprised to learn that, as an 

interior designer, you wear many hats. From creative 

visionary to project manager and chief product 

sourcer and negotiator, there’s little that we don’t 

24

Jean Lamb Wealth Consultancy 

My offices are situated in the historic city of Lichfield and I have been providing personal 

wealth management advice to my clients for more 

than 25 years. 

I specialise in the following key areas 

and welcome your enquiry: 

• Investment Planning 

• InheritanceTax and Estate Planning 

• Pre and Post-Retirement Planning 

• Care Fees Planning and Funding for Care 

Telephone: 01543 417342 

Website: www.jeanlamb.co.uk 

Email: jean.lamb@sjpp.co.uk 

Office: 6A Market Street, Lichfield, WS13 6LH 

Jean Lamb Wealth Consultancy is an Appointed Representative of and represents only St. James’s Place Wealth Management Plc (which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority) 

for the purpose of advising solely on the Group’s wealth management products and services, more details of which are set out on the Group’s website www.sjp.co.uk/products. 

Refreshingly Different 

Visit our Stylish Showroom 

11 Belwell Lane, Sutton Coldfield, B74 4AA - Tel: 0800 996 1241 

Visit our fantastic website www.jmiwindows.co.uk - enquiries@jmiwindows.co.uk 

Windows | Doors | Bi-Fold Doors | Garage Doors | Conservatories | Orangeries | Secondary Glazing | Window Repairs

get involved with from a property point of view,” 

explains Preet. 

“At Mood Interiors, quite a lot of our work revolves 

around full project management, where clients are 

looking to completely redesign their home – from 

structure right through to fixtures and fittings. We 

come up with the creative vision and through our 

industry contacts, make it happen. 

“The other popular service that is increasing in 

popularity is home staging ready for resale. With so 

many properties on the market, making yours stand 

out and achieve the price you want is so important. 

“The importance of showing your property in its 

best light when getting it ready to sell cannot be 

underestimated, and often a few tweaks here are 

enough to make the difference and allow vendors to 

command a much higher sale price. 

:One of the key perks to hiring an interior designer 

is that we have access to all the trades and people a 

project might need. This takes any headaches away 

from the client and enables them to focus on other 

things.” 

So, what’s Preet’s advice for people looking to spruce 

up their property? 

“When it comes to luxury interiors, there’s a definite 

shift away from high street looks and a growing 

demand for more original, artisan pieces that ooze 

wow factor. Whether it’s a bold, hand illustrated 

wallpaper or a striking piece of furniture design, it’s 

definitely the little details that will set your property 

apart,” she says. 

“If you’re looking to inject je ne sais quoi into your 

home, be sure to take the time to source unique items 

and don’t be constrained by the trend of the month. 

Follow your heart and go with what you love – after 

all, it’s your space to express yourself! 

“Finally, don’t be scared to inject some colour to your 

surroundings. Colours can have a huge impact on 

your mood, so why not be brave and try something 

new?” 

Due to an unprecedented demand for luxuriously 

unique interiors, Mood Interiors has opened its 

first exclusive showroom at Fine & Country, Sutton 

Coldfield 46-48 Mere Green Road Sutton Coldfield, 

B75 5BT. The showroom is open to the public from 

11am to 4pm, Tuesday to Wednesday, and between 

11am and 6pm on a Thursday to Saturday. 

26

Proud to be 

a family run 

business for 

over 35 years 

HOME IS WHERE THE WARMTH IS 

“Fantastic 

service and great 

products. Thanks 

Kieran” 

Sam McD, 

Whitaker Heath 

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

& Country Fires, ACR Heat Products and many more 

Installers and suppliers of gas fires, bespoke limestone 

surrounds, and gas and woodburning stoves, since 1981. 

R E C L A M A T I O N 

YOUR RECLAIMED BUILDING & LANDSCAPING MATERIAL SUPPLIERS 

WE SELL RECLAIMED BRICKS, BEAMS & NATURAL STONE SLABS 

Bricks • Roof Tiles • Quarry Tiles • Natural Stone Walling & Paving • Rockery 

• Granite Sets • Cobbles • Stone Troughs • Oak Beams • Cast Iron Radiators 

• Lamp Posts • Fire Places • Doors • Chimney Pots • PLUS MUCH MUCH MORE! 

Telephone: 0121 308 0554 

Opening Hours: Monday - Friday 8.00am - 5.00pm • Saturday 9.30am - 1.30pm 

35 Holding, Shirral Drive, Nr Drayton Bassett B78 3EQ 

www.fouroaksreclamation.com 

www.ebay.co.uk/usr/fouroaksreclamation 

www.facebook.com/fouroaksrec 

1/7 High Street, Erdington B23 6RG Next to Highclare School 

Telephone: 0121 384 5251 - www.abbeyfirecentre.co.uk 

Open: Mon - Fri: 9am - 5pm (closed Wednesdays), Sat: 10am - 4pm 

abbeyfirecentre 

@abbeyfirecentre 

abbeyfirecentreltd

F E AT U R E 

A successful sale 

DESIGNER GOODS AND CHARITY LOTS WENT UNDER THE HAMMER IN LICHFIELD FOR 

RICHARD WINTERTON AUCTIONEERS’ FIRST SPECIALIST WATCH & DESIGNER SALE 

A glittering auction in the heart of 

Lichfield has raised £1,500 for charity. 

Richard Winterton Auctioneers’ Watch 

& Designer Sale at St Mary’s in the 

Market Square generated £1,000 for We 

Love Lichfield and a further £500 for 

the Guild of St Mary’s. 

The July sale began with three charity 

lots – a 2019 ICC World Cup England 

jersey, fully signed by the England team 

at Edgbaston before the semi-final 

against Australia; a cricket bat signed 

by cricketer Graeme Swann and sports 

broadcaster Pat Murphy; and a limited 

edition RAF Red Arrows 2019 artwork 

signed by ‘Red 1’ through to ‘Red 10’ 

and the aerobatic team’s commanders, 

donated by Michael Mullarkey and 

Michael’s Menswear. 

These resulted in a total of £500 raised for the We 

Love Lichfield fund. 

THIS 18CT CARTIER WRISTWATCH SPARKED A BIDDING 

FRENZY BEFORE FINALLY SELLING FOR £7,400 

AUCTIONEER RICHARD WINTERTON 

DURING THE SALE AT ST MARY’S 

A percentage from the entire auction is also to be 

donated to We Love Lichfield, with a matched 

amount going to The Guild Of St Mary’s – equating 

to £500 each. 

In the past year, Richard Winterton Auctioneers has 

already presented £3,000 to We Love Lichfield. With 

this latest amount and fundraising continuing, family 

firm is well on the way to the £5,000 milestone. 

Introducing the auction, We Love Lichfield patron 

Simon Price said the fund is ‘giving money back to 

our community’. 

“Volunteers are wonderful people. Lichfield is full of 

volunteers and you don’t realise how wonderful these 

people are until you actually meet them,” he said. 

“Lichfield is getting bigger, funding is getting smaller 

and the pressure on voluntary groups is just growing 

and growing and growing. 

“We raise money, we invest money and we give that 

money back. It’s like a pension fund for the future – 

the pot never gets smaller. 

“We aim to give £50,000 a year away and [since the 

fund started] already we have helped 154 different 

voluntary organisations in the district of Lichfield. 

“By Christmas 2019 we will have given back to our 

own community £200,000. But we do need to do 

more – it’s about helping our own community, our 

own people.” 

28

Richard Winterton said: “We Love Lichfield is such 

an important fund which helps so many small local 

voluntary-run clubs and projects which so often 

provide an absolute lifeline in their community. 

“It is a real privilege to be involved in this wonderful 

organisation and we are delighted to have been able 

to help.” 

The auction featured a fabulous array of designer 

items and luxury objects of desire, including Rolex 

watches and Chanel handbags. 

The 140 lots included a fabulous 18ct Cartier 

wristwatch with a long rectangular case and a signed 

Jaeger LeCoultre movement, which sparked a 

bidding frenzy before finally selling for £7,400. 

Richard Winterton Auctioneers has a long-term 

partnership with St Mary’s in the Market Square and 

offers free expert appraisals of jewellery, watches and 

designer items in the upper floor exhibition space 

every Monday (except Bank Holidays) from 9.30am- 

12.30pm. 

And due to popular demand, free valuations are also 

now being offered weekly by Richard Winterton 

Auctioneers in the Royal Town of Sutton Coldfield. 

Specialists will be giving auction estimates on all 

manner of items including watches, jewellery, 

pictures, whisky, wine, port, works of art, antiques 

and luxury designer goods at The Trinity Centre, 

Church Hill, Mill Street, Sutton Coldfield, between 

2pm-3.30pm every Monday (except Bank Holidays). 

Visit www.richardwinterton.co.uk. 

Another specialist Watch & Designer Sale at St 

Mary’s is in the pipeline for later in the year. 

For more details on Richard Winterton Auctioneers’ 

Designer Goods department, email 

ben@richardwinterton.co.uk. 

For jewellery valuations, house clearances, 

professional insurance valuations and probate 

services, email office@richardwinterton.co.uk or 

telephone 01543 251081. 

THESE CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN BLACK PATENT HEELED 

SHOES WITH THE ICONIC RED SOLE SOLD FOR £240 

WE LOVE LICHFIELD PATRON SIMON PRICE 

INTRODUCING THE AUCTION 

THE SIGNED 2019 ICC WORLD CUP 

ENGLAND JERSEY AND THE CRICKET 

BAT SIGNED BY GRAEME SWANN AND 

SPORTS BROADCASTER PAT MURPHY 

THIS SINGLE STONE DIAMOND 

PENDANT SOLD FOR £1,600 

29

F O O D & D R I N K 

Welsh wonders 

GREAT BRITISH MENU CHAMPION ELLIS BARRIE, OF THE MARRAM GRASS 

IN ANGLESEY, SERVED UP A DELECTABLE MENU OF WELSH WONDERS AT THE 

LATEST SAUCE SUPPER CLUB, AS AMY NORBURY DISCOVERED 

ELLIS BARRIE, HEAD CHEF OF THE 

MARRAM GRASS IN ANGLESEY, 

WAS THE STAR OF A RECENT 

SAUCE SUPPER CLUB EVENING 

When it comes to fine dining offerings in Lichfield, 

pop-up wonders Sauce Supper Club have earned 

an enviable reputation for putting together events to 

whet every foodie’s appetite, bringing them back for 

more and more. 

Attracting star culinary names from near and far to 

the cathedral city, diners have been lucky enough 

to be able to sample exciting tasting menus from 

local leading lights including Midlands Michelin 

stars Glynn Purnell, Brad Carter, Adam Stokes, Rob 

Palmer and Luke Tipping, as well as Alex Claridge 

of Brum hotspot The Wilderness and a host of 

MasterChef finalists including Brummie wonders 

Louisa Ellis and Leo Kattou, and current incumbent 

Laurence Henry alongside fellow finalists Oli Martin, 

Matthew Ryle and Dean Banks. 

And if that isn’t enough to get your tastebuds 

tingling, there have been visits from renowned chefs 

from further afield including two Michelin-starred 

Tom Kerridge, Gareth Ward of Wales’ first ever 

five rosette restaurant Ynyshir, Simon Hulstone of 

Torquay’s The Elephant - home of the best value 

Michelin-starred lunch in the UK, and a whole host 

of exciting, up-and-coming talent. 

The supper club’s latest outing saw genial - or 

should that be genius? - Liverpudlian (and honorary 

Welshman) Ellis Barrie popping up at The Barn in 

Lichfield with a delectable culinary celebration of the 

best of Wales. 

Proprietor of the Marram Grass in Anglesey - widely 

regarded as one of the finest eateries in Wales - Ellis’s 

passion for food started at an early age, beginning his 

culinary journey by attending junior cooking courses 

at a local community college in Liverpool. In 2005, 

aged just 15, he started at the city’s 2 AA Rosette 

Radisson Blue Filini under Chris Marshall, whom he 

followed to Panoramic 34 also in Liverpool. 

After a stint in Australia, Ellis joined his family as 

they relocated to run a caravan park in Anglesey. 

Alongside brother Liam, he quickly transformed an 

old chicken shed on the Anglesey coast into one of 

the most talked about restaurants in Wales, and in 

2013 the Marram Grass won Best Bistro/Brasserie 

of the Year at the Anglesey Tourism Awards, 

attracting the attention of the Good Food Guide in 

the process. Ellis himself picked up an Acorn award 

from The Caterer as one of the most promising 

figures under 30 in hospitality. 

With his culinary career on an upward trajectory, it 

was his appearance on TV favourite Great British 

30

Menu which propelled Ellis, and the Marram 

Grass, to stardom. 

The self-taught chef was named the North West 

champion on the hit BBC show for the past two 

years running, impressing the judges with his 

creativity and ebullience and beating the eight 

other finalists to cook the fish course for the final 

banquet at the second time of asking. 

Ellis’s Supper Club menu got off to a flying 

start with a mouthwatering morsel - a Menai 

oyster with dill, pork fat and a smoked Solaris 

vinaigrette. The treat was beautifully presented 

and created a wonderful mouthful, with the rich, 

crispy pork fat and dill freshness adding depth 

and textural contrast to the smoothness and 

intense sea flavours of the oyster. 

Fans of The Great British Menu may remember 

Ellis’s Wyau Ynys Mon starter, which won rave 

reviews from the judges - and the version served 

up to Supper Club guests won rave reviews 

from us too. Served up in a delicate eggshell, 

the Anglesey poached egg was unctuous, combined 

with a lavish potato and leek mousse and a cheddar 

and charcoal crumb; it was an innovative dish which 

certainly impressed. 

Unsurprisingly given Anglesey’s coastal location, 

Ellis’s menu had a prominent featuring of seafood; 

up next was a rather wonderful take on a risotto. 

Using celeriac in place of rice and laced with a 

generous smattering of brown Anglesey crab, this 

was a firm favourite, with plenty of bite coming from 

the celeriac and sea vegetables and sea buckthorn 

balancing the sweet crabmeat. 

Home-reared pork is a mainstay of the Marram 

Grass menu; the Barrie brothers quickly expanded 

from growing their own veg to keeping pigs in order 

to offer the best pork around, breeding their stock 

to have plenty of fat, which aids the cooking process 

and adds flavour. 

And the Supper Club menu also made the most of 

their porky produce, from the fat accompanying the 

oyster and the pork fat butter which we slathered 

liberally on slices of treacle bread, to the main event. 

A simply beautiful piece of aged pork with the most 

delicious layer of gently rendered fat, accompanied 

by a sweet carrot puree and a luscious sauce dubbed 

‘Anglesey XO’ - a flavour bomb of dried seafood and 

ham - it was just sublime. 

Onto the menu’s sweet treats and the ‘cheese’ course 

of Anglesey sheeps’ cheese, burnt pastry and a celery 

sorbet was a nicely refreshing pre-dessert. 

And a pud combining three of my favourite things - 

coffee, chocolate and cherries - was a glorious end to 

proceedings. 

After a wonderful feast, we were lucky enough to 

grab a few words with the man himself. Nicknamed 

‘the laughing chef ’ on The Great British Menu, Ellis 

was as affable in person as he appears on screen, 

happy to chat despite being in the middle of a rather 

busy service in a strange kitchen. 

Although, he explains, he’s used to hectic - as well 

as running the kitchen show at the Marram Grass 

(brother Liam, meanwhile, is the business brains), 

he’s dad to not-quite-two-year-old Albert, as well as 

being busy setting up the Barrie brothers’ second 

restaurant back in their home city of Liverpool - 

which is certainly set to be one to look out for. 

Exciting chefs, enticing menus and a convivial 

evening with like-minded foodies are hallmarks of 

Sauce Supper Clubs offerings, and once again they 

delivered in spades. Who’s next for the bright lights 

of Lichfield? Watch this space. 

31

F O O D & D R I N K 

Perfect pairings 

THIS MONTH THE GINTLEMAN, THE MIDLANDS’ LEADING RACONTEUR AT HOUSE PARTIES 

AND VENUES THROUGHOUT BIRMINGHAM, SHARES HIS MUSINGS ON GIN MATCHING 

FOUR PILLARS 

BLOODY SHIRAZ GIN 

When you think of gin, your mind may 

automatically turn to a tonic match, then onto 

seeing how good your garnish game is in order to 

create the perfect G&T. A free-to-download app for 

iPhone or Android called Ginventory should now 

alleviate those combination headaches. And so the 

next phase to master is ‘What food will work for my 

next G&T soirée?’ 

Gin’s a surprisingly versatile drink to snack 

match; aside from the plethora of cake-flavoured 

gin liqueurs, there’s that afternoon tea staple of 

cucumber sandwiches, or scones with clotted cream 

and Pinksters gin-infused jam. 

I’m sure you’re all aware of foods with the words 

‘gin and tonic’ in the title, whether it’s crisps, 

popcorn, ice cream, lollies and chocolate, or ginfused 

cheese, sausages and salmon and so on; mayonnaise, 

thankfully, may be a bridge too far! I do like the look 

of Patchworks pâtés - pheasant liver with Chase 

Sloe and Mulberry Gin, with its autumnal hedgerow 

flavours for later this year. But I digress. 

Over the last few years at my bite size gin tastings, 

I’ve placed an emphasis on serving simple hors 

d’oeuvres that compliment the citrus, floral, spicy, 

savoury and fruity flavour profiles, as well as the 

botanical compositions that categorise the most 

popular gins. Here are a selection of non gin tainted 

appetisers... 

Nuts 

Almonds, with their smooth, salty, rich and creamy 

nuttiness balance citrus, floral and woody notes in 

gin, as do hazelnuts and macadamias. 

Seafood 

Cold cured smoked salmon, such as Heston’s 

Lapsang Souchong tea smoked salmon with 

an added citrus bite of lemon juice, will always 

compliment the variety of citrus, floral and 

herbaceous themed gins plus salted foraged 

botanicals like samphire and seaweeds. Ideal when 

complemented with dill and capers or cucumber 

ribbons on a cocktail blini pancake. Also try crab 

cakes with a citrus aioli, mackerel pâté, scallops and 

oysters or quality sushi with a Japanese gin and yuzu 

tonic. 

32

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Cured meats 

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snacks. 

COLSTON BASSETT STILTON 

IS A PERFECT PAIRING WITH 

SLOE GIN 

Indian starters 

Gin’s botanicals lend themselves very well to being 

paired with the variety of spices used in Indian 

cooking including three Cs: coriander, cardamom 

and Ceylon Champagne aka cinnamon. Try 

tandoori prawns, pakoras, samosas and dusted 

masala popcorn or, for the more adventurous, 

mango and chilli paneer or, as served at a Passage to 

Gindia event recently, lamb nargisi kofta, an Indian 

style scotch egg made with a quails’ egg and spicy 

lamb, served with pickled onions and chutney. 

Cheese and crackers 

Gin and tonics pair well with cheese (so much so I’m 

running several gin and cheese evenings later in the 

year) especially strong-flavoured varieties that hold 

their own on a nice charcoal cracker, so here’s a few 

combinations to wet the appetite: 

Slingsby Gooseberry and Fevertree Elderflower with 

sliced pear, a flavoured honey, walnut and goats 

cheese/chèvre: this combo also works great with 

citrusy G&Ts or pick up some Joe & Sephs goats 

cheese popcorn for something moreish. 

Whitley Quince and Lamb & Watt Cucumber tonic 

with the fragrant hybrid apple and pear’s partner in 

crime, Manchego. 

And referring back to sloe gin as a poor man’s 

Port from last months article, Chase Sloe Gin and 

Mulberry or a Four Pillars Bloody Shiraz is a taste 

revelation with Pedrino Port tonic and the Rolls 

Royce of stilton - Colston Bassett - available from 

Anderson & Hill in Birmingham’s Great Western 

Arcade. 

TEAM SLINGSBY 

GOOSEBERRY WITH FEVER 

TREE ELDERFLOWER TONIC 

AND GOATS’ CHEESE 

34

Christmas Party Nights 

Celebrate in style! Includes a glass of prosecco on arrival, 3 course 

meal and disco. Various dates available. From £28 pp 

Murder Mystery Evenings 

Something a bit different and with plenty of yuletide fun! 

3rd, 10th, 16th & 17th December. £42.50 pp 

Christmas Carols & Afternoon Tea 

A deliciously festive afternoon tea with carols from our live choir. 

3rd, 10th, 16th & 17th December. £25 pp 

Family Lunch with Santa 

Enjoy a 3 course lunch with a magic show and visit from Santa. 

1st, 8th, 15th, 21st & 22nd December. £29 per adult, £20 per child. 

Christmas Party Nights 

Celebrate in style! Includes a glass of prosecco on arrival, 

3 course meal and disco. Various dates available. From £26 pp 

Wreath Making Workshops 

A two hour workshop with mulled wine and nibbles. 

27th & 28th November. £36 pp 

Christmas Carols & Afternoon Tea 

A deliciously festive afternoon tea with carols from our live choir. 

5th, 13th, 18th December. £19.50 pp 

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

0121 308 3751 www.moorhallhotel.co.uk 

Visit our website for more events, menus and to book 

Bird Street, Lichfield, WS13 6PR 

01543 414822 www.thegeorgelichfield.co.uk 

Visit our website for more events, menus and to book 

Galettes 

+ CRêPES 

Home-made French cuisine 

in a family-run restaurant 

Al Fresco dining in our 

stunning courtyard 

Vegetarian, vegan and gluten 

free options available 

Unique wine list, French/ 

Belgian beers and cocktails 

01543 481807 www.peartreecreperie.co.uk 

Follow us 

Heart Of The Country Village, SWINFEN, Lichfield WS14 9QR


Win a bespoke cocktail masterclass 

J’AIME HAS TEAMED UP WITH LANIQUE SPIRIT OF ROSE TO OFFER READERS THE CHANCE TO WIN A 

BESPOKE LANIQUE COCKTAIL MASTERCLASS AT ONE OF BIRMINGHAM’S COOLEST BARS, LOST & FOUND. 

Over the course of two hours, the VIP prize winner and 

five friends will enjoy creating delicious cocktails with 

their very own mixologist who will take them through 

a range of different serves. Lanique offers the cocktail 

lover huge versatility and the guests will be able to 

sample the signature serve of Lanique Rose and Tonic, 

a sophisticated twist on a G&T, to the more classic 

cocktails such as a Lanique Rose Mojito or a Lanique 

Negroni. 

Enjoyed for more than 200 years by European 

aristocracy, Lanique is a distinctive spirit liqueur, made 

to an original recipe that uses thousands of hand-picked 

rose petals, giving Lanique its natural rose taste and 

aroma. 

The luxurious drink was first enjoyed in the Kingdom 

of Prussia and Austria where it was much favoured 

and enjoyed by the elite at celebrations and grand 

balls, sipping it neat in small tasting cups. Legend has 

it that Lanique was created by a princess who owned 

a distillery close to her castle in what is now modern 

day Poland. The origin of the name is lost in the mists 

of time but became synonymous with luxury and 

sophistication. 

Lanique is distilled from Attar of Rose, which is a liquid 

as valuable as gold. This exotic ingredient is created by 

steam-distilling thousands of hand-picked rose petals 

that are sourced from the East. The Attar of Rose is 

then added in a slow, multi-part process with carefully 

selected sugars and a neutral fine grain spirit. 

The rose petals provide the vibrant and bold pink 

colour and Lanique is best enjoyed with tonic water 

as an alternative to a gin and tonic - Lanique Rose & 

Tonic, as a champagne cocktail - Lanique Rose Royale, 

or enjoy a refreshing Rose Summer Spritz which 

combines Lanique, prosecco and tonic water. 

Lanique is priced at £23 for 50cl and from £29 for 

70cl. Stockists include Harvey Nichols, Amazon and 

The Drink Shop. Visit www.lanique.co.uk or follow 

Lanique across social media @laniquedrinks 


FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN THE FABULOUS COCKTAIL 

MASTERCLASS FOR YOU AND FIVE FRIENDS, SIMPLY 

ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTION: 

WHICH VALUABLE LIQUID IS DISTILLED 

TO CREATE LANIQUE SPIRIT OF ROSE? 



Lanique Cocktail Competition as the email subject. Entries must 



apply. No cash alternative is offered and no alternative can be 

given for any product. Entrants must be aged over 18 and based 

in the UK. Visit www.jaimemagazine.com for further details. 

36

MEET THE ARTIST EXHIBITION 

Saturday 21st September 1-3pm 

We are delighted to welcome the talented artist Kimberley 

Harris to the gallery for her exhibition at Bluebird Fine Art. 

Kimberley’s highly textured oil paintings focus on the natural 

beauty of the countryside and radiate feelings of warmth, peace 

and tranquility. With her originals being in high demand we are 

thrilled to offer you an opportunity to view a wide range of her 

paintings during our exhibition. 

Kimberley will be personally unveiling her new collection on 

Saturday 21st September between 1-3pm and we do hope you 

will join us for a wonderful afternoon of art. 

RSVP to info@bluebirdfineart.co.uk or 

contact the gallery on 01283 204753 

Bluebird Fine Art, 

Mercia Marina, Findern Ln, 

Willington DE65 6DW 

Open: Monday - Saturday 10am - 5pm, Sunday 10.30am - 4.30pm 

T: 01283 204753 info@bluebirdfineart.co.uk www.bluebirdfineart.co.uk 

W I N E , C H O C O L A T E , C O F F E E A N D G E L A T O 

Our New Vegan 

Wine Selection 

Now in Store to 

Complete our 

Extensive Italian 

Wines Range 

Coffee, Chocolate, Pastry, Dessert, Gelato 

Wine by the Glass, Bottled Beers, Spirits and more… 

Barton Marina Burton upon Trent DE13 8AS 01283 716 062 www.indulgenceshop.co.uk


Escape to the country 

WHETHER YOU LONG FOR SOME PEACEFUL DOWN TIME WITH YOUR PARTNER, OR AN ESCAPE FROM THE 

CHILDREN THAT’S NOT TOO FAR AWAY FROM HOME, J’AIME HAS TEAMED UP WITH LUXURY BED AND 

BREAKFAST TUPPENHURST BARN TO OFFER READERS THE CHANCE TO WIN AN OVERNIGHT STAY FOR TWO 

Located in the shadows of Lichfield, this newly-opened 

family-run boutique bed and breakfast has a unique and 

very special charm all of its own. 

Situated on a working farm that dates back to 1914, the 

beautiful accommodation offers visitors the chance to 

escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and relax in 

the peaceful surroundings of Staffordshire farmland as 

far as the eye can see, with picturesque canal-side walks 

also on the doorstep. 

When back at the barn, guests are treated to 

professionally-styled opulent bedrooms which perfectly 

marry together contemporary touches with original 

features, luxurious beds to guarantee a lovely night’s 

sleep and small attention-to-details throughout. Guests 

will feel right at home from the moment they step foot 

through the front door and are guaranteed to leave 

feeling refreshed, relaxed and ready for the day ahead. 

Melissa Bettson, the founder of Tuppenhurst Barn says: 

“I’m absolutely thrilled with how Tuppenhurst Barn has 

evolved, and within such a short period of being open, 

the rave reviews we’ve received from local people who 

have stayed with us and also those from further afield 

and even overseas. 

“As the world of farming is diversifying we wanted to 

bring new life to a once neglected building and create a 

special place that would keep the history and heritage 

of Tuppenhurst alive – and the bed and breakfast and 

café have done just that. 

ENJOY A RURAL 

BREAK AT 

TUPPENHURST BARN 

“The restoration and renovation work that has gone 

into this barn of ours now offers visitors the chance to 

hear peaceful birdsong, sample delicious food and drink, 

all while taking a glimpse into the world of a working 

farm. 

“In addition to our luxury accommodation, our café is 

the perfect place for our overnight guests to enjoy their 

full English or continental breakfast and for local people 

to drop in for home-made breakfast, lunch or sweettoothed 

delicacies, accompanied by some of the finest 

beverages around. 

“Dogs are a big part of our family so four-legged friends 

are welcome, and they even have their own special 

menu of dog-friendly treats to choose from. 

“We’re excited for 2019 and beyond and look forward 

to welcoming many more guests through our doors.” 

Tuppenhurst Barn is situated on Tuppenhurst Lane, 

in between Lichfield and Armitage and offers luxury 

accommodation, a café, with beautiful countryside 

walks in all directions and which is dog-friendly too. 


TO BE IN WITH A CHANCE OF WINNING AN 

OVERNIGHT STAY FOR TWO, SIMPLY ANSWER THE 

FOLLOWING QUESTION 

WHERE IS TUPPENHURST BARN LOCATED? 



Tuppenhurst Barn Competition as the email subject. Entries must 



apply. Visit www.jaimemagazine.com for further details. 

THE BEDROOMS 

ARE BEAUTIFULLY 

APPOINTED 

38

F U R N I T U R E • G I F T S • A C C E S S O R I E S 

Inspirationally French 

La Maison Bleue, Heart of the Country Village, WS14 9QR 

Tel: 01543 481414 - Email: info@lamaisonbleue.co.uk 

Open 10.00 - 5.00 Tues to Sun 

Donington 

Park 14/15th 

September 

La Maison Bleue sponsors of Sam Smelt and 

Aron Taylor- Smith driving a Mustang GT4 in 

the British GT Series for Race Performance. 

www.tuppenhurstfarm.co.uk 07932 266 515 Tuppenhurst Farm, Armitage, Rugeley, WS15 4HJ 

Now 

Open 

Tuppenhurst Barn B&B and Cafe 

A converted Grade II farm with over 100 years 

history, transformed into a cosy B&B and Cafe, 

nestled in quiet, rural Staffordshire. Just a stones 

throw from peaceful walks through beautiful 

countryside, it’s the ideal getaway - If only for a 

coffee and cake. 

Open: 9:00am - 5:00pm Monday-Sunday 

Get Social

H E A LT H 

Beat the post-holiday blues 

SLAP, BANG... JUST LIKE THAT, SUMMER IS OVER AND IT’S BACK TO THE GRIND, SAYS LICHFIELD’S 

FAVOURITE PERSONAL TRAINER RAÚL ROMERO, OF AMBITION PERSONAL TRAINING 

Had a fab summer? Been away somewhere nice and 

hot? Enjoyed time with family and friends? Most of 

us definitely have, and then all of a sudden in the 

blink of an eye, summer is over, and winter looms 

ahead. 

In the UK, more than 50 per cent of us experience 

post-holiday blues upon returning back to the same, 

monotonous grind after the holidays. We come back 

refreshed and ready to take on the world, but soon 

realise that nothing has changed and it’s back to the 

same daily repetitive routine. 

So how can we put those post-holiday blues to bed 

for good? 

Well first and foremost, recognising and accepting 

that unless we consciously MAKE some changes, 

nothing will change and we will continue to feel as 

‘blue’ as we do. 

The first step in taking control of making changes 

is simply, making a list. Taking some time out in the 

day to sit down and note the things we want, and 

things we don’t want. Although it sounds easy, it is 

often harder than we expect as it makes us really 

think about the changes we need to make to beat the 

blues and make us happier. 

Secondly, PLANNING is key. As fun as it is booking 

holidays, it’s unrealistic to live from holiday to 

holiday when the majority of us take one ‘proper’ 

holiday a year. Surely we can’t expect to only be 

truly happy once a year while sunning ourselves and 

sipping something tasty? This is where PLANNING 

really is key. Sit down with your diary and plan in 

things to look forward to NOW, this week… it could 

be something simple like meeting up with an old 

friend, booking a table at a new restaurant or even 

trying a new exercise class. 

With all the best intentions in the world, if these 

things aren’t planned in, they just won’t happen, and 

the monotonous daily routine cycle will continue 

without change. 

Thirdly, get CREATIVE! Do something a little bit 

different, maybe even pushing yourself out of your 

comfort zone. It could be taking on a new hobby, 

learning a new language (Spanish for example!), or 

cooking a new recipe - perhaps even emulating your 

favourite holiday dish and experiencing a piece of 

that happiness and recreating those memories in the 

comfort of your own home. 

TRY SOMETHING 

NEW - LIKE A NEW 

FITNESS CLASS 

40

Raul’s fresh and creamy hummus 

This year, I have been fortunate enough to visit 

the Middle East. One of the highlights for me 

was the food, in particular what I really enjoyed 

was the beautiful soft creamy hummus. I’ve been 

craving it ever since, so I did exactly as above, 

and have tried a fresh hummus recipe to enjoy 

in the comfort of my own home. For me, it is 

something so simple, yet healthy and enjoyable. 

The best thing is, I can whip it up in only ten 

minutes. 

INGREDIENTS: 

A 400g can of drained chickpeas 

2 tbsp of extra virgin olive oil 

3 tbsp tahini paste (I usually use Sainsburys own 

brand) 

1 garlic clove, peeled and crushed 

Juice of 1 lemon 

METHOD: 

• Rinse the chickpeas under cold water 

• Blend the chickpeas 

• Add the olive oil, garlic, lemon juice and tahini 

• Add 1/4 glass of water (approx. depending on 

your preferred consistency) 

• Blend the above until it reaches a smooth, 

creamy consistency 

Serve and enjoy with fresh pita or flatbread, or a 

healthier alternative such as crudités. 

A lot of my clients have been away over the 

summer period and I look forward to welcoming 

them back, ready to kickstart a new fitness 

season. There are a plethora of different fitness 

sessions at the Ambition PT studio everyday 

that can be found at www.ambitionpt.co.uk. For 

more information or to try a session at Ambition, 

contact Raúl at raul@ambitionpt.co.uk. 

41

T R AV E L 

Island paradise 

SAMUEL COOPER, FROM LUXURY TRAVEL SPECIALIST RB COLLECTION, ESCAPES TO THE 

INDIAN OCEAN TO EXPLORE THE TROPICAL ISLANDS OF THE MALDIVES AND FIND HIS HAPPY PLACE 

THE MALDIVES IS FAMED 

FOR ITS WHITE SANDS AND 

TURQUOISE SEAS 

I have been very lucky to travel to some amazing 

destinations during my time at RB Collection, 

but this trip was a far cry from my adventures to 

Costa Rica, Thailand and South Africa where I 

focussed more on cultural and wildlife experiences. 

The Maldives has always been the ultimate beach 

destination where you can really unwind and switch 

off. For those who know me well, I don’t switch off, 

and I rarely unwind, so that in itself was going to be 

a new experience. 

My journey began at Birmingham Airport where I 

would fly to the Maldives via Istanbul with Turkish 

Airlines. Check in was a breeze and on this occasion, 

I used the fast track lane (highly recommended 

during busy times) so I could make the most of the 

VIP lounge before departure. 

A comfortable four-hour flight took me to Istanbul’s 

brand-new airport which covers 76 million square 

metres, which cost a staggering US$12 billion to 

build and transports 90 million passengers a year! 

Once the entire airport is complete in 2025, it will 

be able to handle 200 million passengers a year and 

will be the world’s largest airport. The airport is 

light, bright and very well signposted throughout. It’s 

difficult to get lost here which surprised me. 

An eight-hour flight from Istanbul took me to Male 

Airport in the Maldives. The airport itself is very 

small and you are out before you know it. When you 

walk into the arrival’s hall, you are greeted by all the 

various hotel representatives ready to whisk you away 

by speedboat to your little piece of heaven. It had a 

magical charm about it with all the boats waiting to 

transport the arriving guests, a very different feel to 

any place I had ever experienced before. 

I meet my hotel representative and he showed me the 

speedboat which would take me to my first hotel for 

the night, a 40-minute journey to Helengeli which 

was located in the North Male Atoll. 

With zero expectations I arrived in style to golden 

sand beaches, and every shade of blue you could 

think of. From here I could experience 20 nearby 

dive sites as well as snorkelling on the house reef and 

even channel diving. 

The next day, after breakfast on the terrace, I visited 

the PADI School and met up with a diving expert 

who took me out to sea to see what was hiding 

underneath. I saw an array of sea life, fish of all 

shapes and sizes, the colours were breath-taking. 

Later that morning, I met with my speedboat crew 

who would take me to the next hotel, which was 

only a 20-minute ride away. I was greeted in true 

Maldivian style, banging drums, horns blowing; I 

think all the staff turned up to meet me and I felt 

rather special. 

The island didn’t seem too small or even too big. The 

staff were really friendly, everything was pristine, and 

looking fresh. 

I was guided to my one-bedroom pool villa where I 

would spend the next two nights. The rooms were 

spacious, warm, and the amenities were of higher 

42

A ROOM WITH A VIEW AT OZEN 

quality. My room felt private with the foliage, plus 

I could hear the lapping waves of the sea as it was 

only a few steps away. That’s what I like about the 

Maldives; you are only ever a few feet away from the 

calming waters. 

The resort also has a beautiful infinity pool which 

looks over the beach straight to the sea, this was the 

central point of the resort and they also have an 

adult only pool hidden away. 

Some worry about ‘island-fever’ in the Maldives, 

but the resorts combat this by ensuring there is 

atmosphere in the resorts (without being too in your 

face). On this island, a singer entertained us in the 

evening during dinner and drinks and later a DJ gave 

the island a real lift. Not all hotels in the Maldives 

will have a DJ, especially as many couples are here 

on honeymoon, although when I looked around, 

everything one seemed happy enjoying the music. 

It was great to enjoy my own private pool villa, and a 

must for honeymooners! 

Here, I enjoyed their restaurant, Just Veg. As the 

name says, its serves vegetarian dishes and the variety 

and quality of what was on offer was excellent. 

As I was eating so much at this point, I made the 

most of the gym, which was adjacent to the water 

villas, so as you can imagine, when I was on the 

treadmill, I felt like I was running into the waves. 

It was the best gym view I have ever come across 

to date! As with the vast majority of hotels in the 

Maldives, you can choose from an array of water 

sports and here they promoted sunset fishing too. 

I have never been on a seaplane before, so the 

journey to my next resort was an experience in itself. 

They are much smaller than I thought, but it’s a 

great way to see all the various atolls and really take 

in the views from above. After 35 minutes, I landed 

at Kanfusihi. Once again, I was greeted to drums, 

horns and I think the whole island came out to 

welcome me. 

My first impressions of Kanifushi is that it felt a 

much larger island and I certainly had that feeling 

that you were the only person around. The width 

of the island is 2.5km whereas Male is 1.9km wide 

and so if you want a big island with lots of bar and 

restaurant options, this is the place to be. 

What I really liked about this hotel was if you were 

to walk from one side to the next, it would take you 

a while but every so often you could find an outdoor 

fridge full of drinks, so you never go thirsty. 

I had a beach villa at this resort and if you are keen 

on a stretch of beach, and more privacy this is a 

good option for you. 

The quality of the food and the setting was perfect, 

this was all I expected of the Maldives. I was sitting 

outside eating traditional Maldivian cuisine, my 

taste buds were having a feast and so were my other 

senses; my eyes could see the blue waves crashing 

against the rocks, and I could feel a warm breeze, I 

really felt in my happy place. 

A range of activities are on offer such as a sunset 

cruise, twice daily snorkelling excursions, and a PADI 

diving school for those who want to venture further 

SAM WAS WELCOMED TO 

THE ISLAND IN STYLE 

43

into the sea plus other water sports. 

My final resort stay was my favourite of all the 

luxury resorts. We travelled onboard a very swish 

speedboat which set the scene for this impressive 

destination. 

Champagne and strawberries were handed to me 

while I took the short walk to reception. There was 

not a single cloud in the bright blue sky above, I had 

to wear sunglasses looking at the sand, it was bright 

white and the sea was clear enough to see fish close 

to the shore. I immediately felt like I was in a five-star 

hotel, the attention to detail was excellent. 

My home for the next couple of nights was a onebedroom 

pool beach villa, the best of the entire trip. 

It was extremely spacious, warm and inviting, a little 

dark - which offered respite from the bright sky and 

sand - but once you opened the doors, I was only a 

few steps from the sea… absolute bliss! 

This was the Maldives of my dreams and it was not 

disappointing at all. 

Although at other hotels I could see the sunset from 

either the bar or my room, at Ozen I really got to 

experience it on three occasions. It might sound 

trivial, but there is something so beautiful about 

watching the sun go down on the horizon in a place 

like the Maldives. I would sit on my bean bag, no 

music, no books, just the sound of the gentle waves. I 

can still feel the warm breeze begin to cool as the sun 

went down, I never wanted that moment to end. For 

me, they were the highlights of the whole trip. 

I found white sand that I thought was reserved 

DELICIOUS MALDIVIAN 

CUISINE 

only for dreams, it was like talcum powder, so soft. 

I walked to the other side of the island, which was 

only about 500 feet away and the sea here was like a 

pond, I could see the fish all round my feet. 

Just before bed, I would walk along the beach in the 

dark and have a moment to think on my own. I’m 

a huge fan of space and what is beyond this world, 

so when I looked up and I could see a black cloth 

full of white lights, I couldn’t believe my eyes. The 

stars were out in full force, and what gave it the wow 

factor was when I looked in the distance, I could see 

them curve in the sky. 

Ozen is an ultra-all-inclusive resort, so you will 

struggle to spend your money. Even some spa 

treatments are included. They have a huge array of 

water sports, sunset cruises, tennis courts and you can 

even visit local islands and see how the locals live. 

The dining options here were excellent, a real step 

up in terms of quality and number of places to eat 

and drink. You could have anything from sushi to 

Indo-Ceylon which offers Maldivian, Indian and 

Sri Lankan fusion dishes, and they even have an 

underwater fine dining restaurant; a real food and 

dining experience for all your senses. 

Like all great trips, they have to come to an end. For 

me, the Maldives is definitely the ultimate beach 

destination, the best I had ever experienced. It offers 

great weather, clear blue sea, white sand and the 

resorts appeal to both couples or families. 

For me, it will make you reconnect which in today’s 

fast-paced, digital world is the most important aspect 

of such a trip. 

What made it so special for me is that for someone 

who can’t relax and is always on the move, this place 

makes you take stock, it slows you down without 

you even paying attention, and you leave with your 

stresses left behind. 

44

My top tips for 

the Maldives 

If travelling with a family with small 

children, we can advise how shallow 

the water is. On some islands, I 

found the water was quite shallow 

for longer, and in other parts, it 

went quite deep rather quickly. 

THE STUNNING 

MALDIVES FROM THE AIR 

I visited during the rainy season and 

I was lucky to have one day of rain. 

During this time, my pool in the villa 

came in very useful as certain islands 

do not allow swimming in the sea 

for safety reasons. 

Find a good book that you want to 

read, and a pack of playing cards. 

They will come in useful! 

Sun cream! Make sure you cover up 

well. Even when you think you can’t 

get burnt; the UV rays can be high 

due to the lack of air pollution. 

Seek advice of a specialist. With 

so many resorts and islands to 

choose from you can quickly make 

a bad decision. It will no doubt be 

a special trip of a lifetime and so 

no one wants to waste their money. 

This is where me and my colleagues 

can help at RB Collection. Nathan 

and Nicola have also visited so you 

are in very good hands. 

LUXURY TRAVEL SHOW 

9 T H O C T O B E R 2 0 1 9 

S W I N F E N H A L L H O T E L 

J’AIME reader offer 

Limited tickets: 01543 258631 - rbcollection.com/events 

MENTION J’AIME FOR YOUR 

COMPLIMENTARY ROOM 

UPGRADE AT CERTAIN 

HOTELS WHEN BOOKING 

BEFORE SEPTEMBER 30, 2019. 

APPLICABLE TO NEW BOOKINGS 

ONLY, SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY, 

TERMS AND CONDITIONS. 

TO BOOK, CONTACT SAM ON 

01543 258531 OR EMAIL VIP@ 

RBCOLLECTION.COM TO PLAN 

AND BOOK YOUR HOLIDAY TO 

THE MALDIVES. 

45

FA S H I O N 

Slow down 

IN AN EVER INCREASINGLY FAST-PACED WORLD, IT’S HIGH TIME WE SLOW DOWN AND 

TAKE A MORE ETHICAL, SUSTAINABLE APPROACH TO FASHION, SAYS AMY NORBURY 

DAME Vivienne Westwood summed it up perfectly 

back in 2017 when she stated consumers should “Buy 

less, choose well, make it last.” Speaking backstage 

at her London Fashion Week Men’s show - where 

she paraded a circus-themed collection featuring 

recycled plastic bottles as shoes and aluminium cans 

pinned to tights as a campaign against fashion waste 

- the legendary designer urged the fashion industry 

to move away from producing so many cheap 

clothes, and for fashion fans to make more conscious 

decisions about the life cycle of their purchases. 

And so comes the rise of ‘slow fashion’. 

In a backlash against the rush of ‘fast fashion’ which 

has saturated our high streets thanks to budget 

retailers and expanding supermarket fashion aisles 

where you can pick up a whole new wardrobe 

alongside your weekly shop, more and more 

designers and brands are taking a good, hard look 

at their ethical credentials and working to provide 

consumers with an alternative way of thinking and 

shopping. 

As consumers are becoming ever more conscious 

about their ethical and environmental impact, it’s 

time to embrace a more sustainable approach to your 

wardrobe choices. 

In stark contrast to the high street’s disposable 

fashion ethos - with its ‘pile it high, sell it cheap’ 

mantra - slow fashion is all about taking a long-term 

view; shopping sustainably, opting for quality over 

quantity and timeless pieces rather than transient 

trends. 

After all, if you invest in a high quality, well made 

classic winter coat which will last decades rather 

than buying cheaply every season for something 

which won’t last you the year, not only will your 

environmental impact be significantly less, but you’ll 

actually save money in the long run on a cost-perwear 

basis. 

Focusing on designing, producing, consuming and 

living better, slow fashion is a more sustainable 

approach by which designers, buyers, retailers 

and consumers are more aware of the impacts of 

products on workers, communities and ecosystems. 

Set up in 1991 by social entrepreneur Safia Minney, 

BROOKLYN DENIM DUNGAREES, 

£119, PEOPLE TREE. 

WWW.PEOPLETREE.CO.UK 

46

People Tree were pioneers of ethical and sustainable 

fashion, aiming to create stylish, innovative and 

affordable fashion while respecting people and the 

planet. Designer Stella McCartney made ethical 

fashion a pillar of her eponymous label long before 

sustainability became an industry buzzword, 

establishing herself as the go-to luxury label for 

environmentally-friendly fashion, while there are 

a whole host of sustainable fashion brands that 

produce high-quality, eco-friendly collections. 

Luxury shoe brand NAK - short for No Animals 

Killed - uses a vegan leather alternative and the 

traditional manufacturing methods the Italian shoe 

industry is famed for, to create classic but cruelty-free 

products, while London-based vegan bag company 

Fablou crafts affordable stylish bags ethically 

manufactured from super-soft silicone which are 

scuff, scratch and stain resistant and designed to last. 

And slow fashion doesn’t stop at the point of 

purchase. Since the concept is the antithesis of 

disposable fashion, you need to think about the life 

cycle of your garment once you’ve bought it. 

If you’re buying less in the first place - and only 

buying what you love - then you’re more likely to love 

and cherish each piece, and wanting to wear them 

more in the process. Take time to repair - rather than 

replace - damaged garments where you can, and 

if you decide you’re finished with something then 

donate or upcycle into something new, rather than 

sending it to landfill. 

So the next time you decide on a wardrobe update, 

take time and think slow to make that change. After 

all, a change will do you - and the planet - good. 

£325 

BLACK STRAIGHT LEG JEANS, 

STELLA MCCARTNEY AT 

HARVEY NICHOLS 

NAK JACKIE STILETTO PUMPS, 

WWW.NAKFASHION.COM 

£200 

£260 

£995 

PRINCE OF WALES CHECK WOOL 

BLAZER, STELLA MCCARTNEY AT 

HARVEY NICHOLS 

£70 

CHELSEA BAG, FABLOU. 

WWW.FABLOU.COM 

SARAH SNEAKER, NAK 

BRIGITTA JUMPSUIT, £59.90, THOUGHT. V&A COSMIC PRINT SHIRT DRESS, £125, 

WWW.WEARETHOUGHT.COM PEOPLE TREE. 

47

FA S H I O N 

Go green 

JILL HARTLEY, CO-FOUNDER AND DIRECTOR OF NERO E BIANCO EXCLUSIVE FASHION AND BRIDAL 

BOUTIQUE AT BARTON MARINA, TAKES A LOOK AT SOME OF THEIR ECO-FRIENDLY RANGES 

Here at Nero e Bianco we like to support the environment as much as we can, which is why throughout each of 

our shops we have vegan, organic and eco-friendly alternatives to some products. Also, rather than supplying 

you with your typical plastic bag to take your goods home in, our bags are much more environmentally friendly 

paper bags that look good while doing good. This article is going to take you through all three of our shops 

based at Barton Marina and look at the ways in which each store helps the planet. 

Nero e Bianco 

Nero e Bianco Maternity 

and Childrenswear 

Coming soon to Nero e Bianco we have our range 

of luxury ladies’ handbags that are all vegan. Our 

extensive new vegan range of bags will include body 

bags, tote bags, clutch bags, handbags, backpacks 

and so much more, in a range of autumnal colours 

– black, olive, grey, dusty lavender as well as velvets 

and croc-prints. All of these bags are perfect to 

transition you from day through to evening and 

there’s definitely something for everyone. 

Our children’s shop has recently introduced two very 

special brands – Cheeky Chompers and Piccalilly. 

Cheeky Chompers features bibs and teethers that are 

100% organic for your little one and completely safe 

for their little teeth to chew on while they develop. 

While Cheeky Chompers offers a range of products 

for their teeth, Piccalilly offers a range of 100% 

organic clothes. They are free from nasty chemicals, 

fair trade, child labour free and eco-friendly! 

48

Nero e Bianco Occasionwear & Ladieswear 

Barton Marina Burton upon Trent DE13 8AS 01283 346 704 

www.neroebianco.uk

Indulgence by Nero e Bianco 

Indulgence are extremely proud to stock a range of organic products that are free from any artificial 

ingredients and preservatives. As well as organic certified wine we also stock vegan friendly wines that contain 

no animal by-products, and completely organic craft beers. 

MEZZA DI MEZZACORONA, ITALIAN GLACIAL 

BUBBLY: A new addition to the Indulgence range is 

this fantastic sparkling wine from Mezzacorona. If 

you like prosecco or any sparkling wine, this is a musttry! 

All wines from Mezzacorona are vegan friendly. 

47 ANNO DOMINI VEGAN/ORGANIC PINOT 

GRIGIO: This wine is a great example of a crisp, 

refreshing pinot grigio. An elegant wine that makes a 

perfect aperitivo or would pair beautifully with lightly 

spiced dishes. 

47 ANNO DOMINI ‘SOTTOVOCE’ VEGAN/ 

ORGANIC MERLOT DOC: This Merlot is so special 

it has won a host of awards, most recently receiving a 

silver international organic wine award. Rightly so to; 

this is a pleasure to drink. On the palate there is light 

tannin, with a silky smooth texture. 

BIRRA FLEA: Birra Flea is completely green! Birra 

Flea strive to produce their beer using only natural 

local water sources and sustainable local barley. We’re 

proud to serve four different Birra Flea beers from 

their extensive range. 

50

The hair destination for 

fabulous, wearable looks 

THE SALON EXPERIENCE 

Set in a haven of luxury and relaxation 

we have the perfect environment to 

achieve the style you really want. 

Our award winning team of stylists will give you their 

undivided attention - our priority is to make every 

client look and feel fantastic. 

Call or visit to experience it for yourself, 

we would love to take care of you. 

T: 01543 481900 www.anthonyjohn-salons.co.uk 

Heart of the Country Shopping Village, Swinfen, Lichfield, Staffordshire WS14 9QR

B E AU T Y 

Feel radiant 

SKINCARE EXPERT KATHRYN LOLLEY, FROM MODE LASER SKIN CLINIC IN LICHFIELD, WEAVES 

HER MAGIC ON AMY NORBURY WITH A NEW AESTHETIC FACIAL FROM DERMAQUEST 

It’s never too early - or too late - to start taking better 

care of your skin, advocates skincare expert Kathryn 

Lolley. 

Environmental factors and sun exposure can play 

havoc with our skin, leaving it tired, damaged and 

dehydrated, and once you hit 40 natural collagen 

production ceases, meaning you need a helping hand 

to keep your skin looking smooth, firm and youthful. 

Kathryn is the founder of Lichfield’s Mode Laser 

Skin Clinic, which celebrates its 11th birthday this 

month. Her mission is to help clients become the best 

version of themselves by offering a broad range of 

non-surgical and cosmetic medical treatments. 

“The aesthetics industry has changed dramatically 

over the years, moving away from the ‘fake’ look and 

the desire to look ten or 20 years younger, to wanting 

to look the best they can for their age,” says Kathryn. 

“People no longer want to look totally different; it’s 

more about looking really good and really fresh, and 

making the most of their natural look.” 

From hair reduction to treatment for skin conditions 

such as rosacea, red veins, acne, pigmentation 

as well as tattoo removal and skin rejuvenation 

treatments including skin peels, micro-needling and 

microdermabrasion, Mode have built a reputation 

for superior treatments and outstanding results, 

becoming synonymous with looking and feeling good 

and offering a personal approach to professional 

skincare. 

DERMAQUEST ARE AT THE 

FOREFRONT OF AESTHETIC 

SKINCARE 

KATHRYN LOLLEY OF 

MODE LASER SKIN CLINIC 

As specialists in laser treatments, Mode have invested 

in the Lumia by Lynton Lasers, an award-winning 

piece of kit which is highly regarded as the Uk’s 

foremost removal system. Clinician Kathryn has 

continual intensive, hands-on training from Lynton’s 

team of in-house doctors and clinicians, and has 

acquired the CIBTAC Level 4 Laser and Light 

Therapy qualification, meaning she is trained to the 

highest standard. 

Kathryn’s business partner is her father, a retired 

GP, so the clinic is doctor-led and benefits from his 

medical expertise. 

As a passionate advocate for skincare, Kathryn is 

always on the lookout for the best new products and 

treatments to offer her clients. Her latest range is the 

Sweet Collection facials from DermaQuest. 

DermaQuest has been at the forefront of aesthetic 

skincare since 1990. Its highly concentrated range 

of treatments and products are used in clinics 

worldwide to bring unrivalled results to clients 

looking to manage the ageing process and tackle 

various skin concerns. 

These facials, explains Kathryn, are the perfect 

compromise between a pampering cosmetic facial - 

which may make your skin feel good for a few hours 

52

ut offers no lasting results - and the deep treatment 

of a skin peel, which requires preparation of the skin 

beforehand and avoidance of sun exposure on the 

delicate fresh skin for weeks afterwards. 

DermaQuest’s superior ingredients and formulas 

tackle complex skin issues at a cellular level using 

advanced layering technology and effective delivery 

systems that ensure maximum effectiveness and 

absorption into the epidermis. 

While a single treatment is a fabulous treat and will 

make an instant difference to the appearance of your 

skin, Kathryn recommends a course of six facials, 

four weeks apart, to get the most benefit. 

As a busy working mum of a boisterous pre-schooler, 

time out to look after myself is few and far between, 

so when Kathryn invites me to the clinic to try a 

treatment firsthand I jump at the chance; after all, 

the tired, dull reflection staring back at me in the 

mirror is begging for a little TLC. 

For my treatment, Kathryn opts for the Sweet 

Radiance, which is packed with vitamin C and 

antioxidants to tackle signs of premature ageing, 

dull, tired and environmentally or sun-damaged skin 

- basically all of my concerns addressed in one fell 

swoop. 

Kathryn also recommends microdermabrasion 

alongside the facial to really make the most 

difference; this deeper, controlled exfoliation results 

in noticeably improved skin tone, leaving the skin 

looking refreshed, cleaner, softer, more supple and 

younger. 

The treatment starts with a series of deep cleanses 

followed by prep and prime with DermaPrime. The 

Glycolic Acid Resurfacer, which is the cornerstone 

of the DermaQuest treatments, is up next - this 

stellar exfoliant hydrates the skin and stimulates cell 

turnover, increasing collagen and elastin. 

A skin brightening solution is followed by the 

microdermabrasion treatment to really give my tired 

skin that much-needed boost, and a soothing mask 

which is left to work its magic for a few minutes. 

The last step is the laying of finishing products, 

starting with a hydrating serum, followed by a series 

of repair serums and eye cream, moisturiser and, 

finally, a layer of high factor SPF - an essential tool in 

your skincare arsenal and something we should all be 

using on a daily basis, says Kathryn. 

My skin is left feeling softer and smoother than it has 

in years, and a quick glance in the mirror shows a 

brightness and radiance that was previously absent. 

I leave the clinic feeling both pampered and freshfaced; 

the improvement in my skin’s appearance and 

texture definitely noticeable. 

Mode’s aim is simply to make people feel better 

about themselves - and to that end, the DermaQuest 

treatment certainly ticks all the boxes. 

The DermaQuest Sweet Collection facials are priced 

at £50, and Kathryn also offers a package including 

a facial and microdermabrasion treatment for £95. 

Mode Laser Skin Clinic is based at Essington Clinic, 

132 Birmingham Road, Lichfield, Call 01543 

256844 or visit www.mode-clinic.co.uk 

KATHRYN CARRIES 

OUT A TREATMENT 

53

B E AU T Y 

Know your type 

FROM AN OILY T-ZONE TO A FLAKY FOREHEAD, UNDERSTANDING YOUR COMPLEXION IS ESSENTIAL 

WHEN PICKING THE MOST EFFECTIVE PRODUCTS. LISA PIDDINGTON, FROM HARVEY NICHOLS 

BIRMINGHAM, REVEALS THE SKINCARE HEROES DESIGNED TO CATER TO YOUR SPECIFIC NEEDS 

DRY SKIN: If 

your skin is tight, 

flaky and dull 

opt for hydrating 

hyaluronic acid 

which can hold 

1,000 times its 

weight in water. 

Avoid using 

abrasive scrubs 

and products that 

contain alcohol 

to prevent further 

irritation and dryness. 

Made using 85% organic prickly pear seed oil, 

Huxley’s refreshing Secret of Sahara 

Essence, £38, absorbs quickly and deeply into the 

skin to provide intense hydration. 

The Ordinary’s Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5, 

£5.90, hydrates and plumps without drawing water 

out of the skin. Add to your foundation or favourite 

moisturiser for a real beauty boost. 

OILY SKIN: Using oil 

on your face can stop 

your skin thinking it 

needs to produce any 

more, so add a serum 

to your daily routine. 

Clarifying products, 

specifically formulated 

for oily skin, can draw 

out impurities and clean 

pores. 

DHC’s Velvet Skin Coat makeup primer, 

£19.50, minimises the look of fine lines, pores and 

imperfections while reducing oiliness to help makeup 

glide on and last longer. 

Clarifying Serum, from Heaven Skincare, 

£55, contains microbes, which naturally occur in 

the oil, that kill off bacteria to bring the skin back to 

equilibrium. 

COMBINATION 

SKIN: If your face 

is oily in some places 

– say, across the 

T-zone – and feels 

dry in others choose 

lightweight, dual 

purpose products 

that tackle both issues 

and restore a healthy 

balance. Go easy on 

exfoliators and toners 

to avoid breakouts. 

Biotec Skin 

Energising Day Cream, £75, from Elemis 

smooths and hydrates to leave you with a fresh, 

shine-free and balanced complexion. 

Designed to help your skin feel strengthened, soothed 

and protected use La Mer’s The Concentrate, 

£155, for a healthy-looking vitality. 

ACNE-PRONE 

SKIN: If you 

tend to get spots 

and acne use 

products containing 

enzymes, glycolic 

acid and salicylic 

acid to help 

detox and gently 

exfoliate the skin, 

and prevent pores 

getting clogged and causing even more spots. 

The best-selling Mario Badescu Drying Lotion, 

£16, contains a blend of calamine and salicylic acid 

to clear up and soothe unsightly whiteheads and 

quickly dry pimples. 

The Dr Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Ultra 

Gentle Daily Peel, £87, safely polishes even 

sensitive skin without stripping the moisture barrier 

or causing irritation. 

PRODUCTS FEATURED ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE BEAUTY HALL AT 

HARVEY NICHOLS BIRMINGHAM OR ONLINE AT HARVEYNICHOLS.COM 

54

I N T H E N E W S 

Rolex revamp for 

Johnsons Jewellers 

Johnsons Jewellers are a fine family jewellers based 

in Nuneaton, in the heart of Warwickshire. Johnsons 

are proud to be part of the worldwide network of 

Official Rolex retailers, and are authorised to sell 

Rolex watches. 

Having been a stockist of Rolex watches for more 

than 50 years, the in-house Rolex area has recently 

undergone a major expansion and refurbishment. 

The bespoke showroom has been crafted in warm 

American Walnut, royal green interior, luxurious 

limestone and stylish cream leather finishes. 

Additional seating areas have been added to the 

showroom allowing customers to be fully submerged 

in the Rolex experience of buying a fine Swiss 

timepiece. 

Customers are welcome to view the extensive Rolex 

collection relaxing with a glass of champagne, whilst 

being taken care of by our Rolex specialist team. 

Director Libby Johnson said: “The new showroom 

has been in development for several years and it 

has taken a lot of work behind the scenes to make it 

happen. We are all thrilled with the end result and 

look forward to welcoming customers old and new 

to experience our expanded dedicated Rolex area. 

The new showroom allows us to present the Rolex 

watch collections in a luxurious relaxing environment 

befitting to what Rolex timepieces deserve.” 

The Rolex watch collection can be viewed in 

Johnsons Jewellers’ Rolex showroom at 51 Queens 

Road, Nuneaton, CV11 5JX. 

For more information on the Rolex watch collection 

visit www.rolex.com and to see more about Johnsons 

Jewellers visit www.johnsonsjewellers.co.uk. 

THE NEWLY REFURBISHED ROLEX 

AREA AT JOHNSONS JEWELLERS 

55

I N T H E N E W S 

Blooming marvellous village fundraiser 

Fantastic floral displays took over Swinfen’s Heart of the 

Country Shopping Village over the summer as part of a 

picturesque charity fundraiser. 

The Village in Bloom event at the shopping village near 

Lichfield was to raise funds for The Alzheimer’s Society, 

and the boutiques, shops and restaurants throughout the 

village took part in creating a variety of beautiful displays. 

Other events included a Forget Me Not Picnic hosted 

by The Lichfield Tea Company, a floral inspired silver 

jewellery making course at Allen Brown Jewellery in 

their workshop, and an antique jewellery and silverware 

valuation day hosted by Hansons Auctioneers and Allen 

Brown Jewellery. 

The finale of the week was the Swinfen Supper Club 

where people could experience three unique tasting plates 

in the shopping village’s three fantastic restaurants: The 

Barn at Swinfen, Lichfield Tea Company and Pear Tree 

Creperie. Each tasting plate was enjoyed in a different 

location, allowing for a very social atmosphere. 

THE VILLAGE IN BLOOM 

The proceeds of the events held throughout the week 

meant that £1.930.70 was raised for The Alzheimer’s 

Society, the UK’s leading dementia support and research 

charity to help anyone affected by any form of dementia. 

They believe passionately that life doesn’t end when 

dementia begins and help keep people with dementia 

connected to their lives and the people who matter most. 

Racing ahead with Sam 

A young driver is motoring into the last race of the 

season with backing from a local sponsor. 

Julie Smelt, owner of La Maison Bleue at Heart 

of the Country Shopping Village, has pledged her 

business’s support to her son Sam Smelt, who races 

in the British GT4 class for Race Performance. 

Sam, who’s 22, began his racing career at the 

tender age of 13 in karting doing club events, and 

progressed through the karting ranks racing in 

Europe between the ages of 15 to 19. 

Julie says: “His first race in cars was in the VW cup 

in 2017 where he did this for the first half of the 

season before he was asked if he wanted to move 

to the British Formula 4 for the remainder of the 

season, which he did. 

“The 2018 season saw a big jump up to the British 

Touring Car Challenge, where Sam joined AmD 

Tuning driving an Audi, and where he probably 

learnt the most in his racing career as this is a very 

competitive class.” 

In 2019 talented Sam got the opportunity to drive 

in the British GT series, where he is driving the 

Ford Mustang GT4 for Race Performance alongside 

team-mate Aron Taylor-Smith. 

Julie adds: “This series is more of an endurance 

where most of the races are two hours long and one 

race is three hours. They have had quite a tough year 

but are hoping to finish the last race which will be at 

Donington Park on September 14 and 15.” 

RACING DRIVER 

SAM SMELT 

56

M OTO R S 

Life in the fast lane 

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

GETS TO GRIPS WITH THE NEW CHEVROLET CORVETTE STINGRAY 

The launch of the 2020 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 

has been turning heads for many reasons. As far as 

new-generation cars go, this is a pretty bold new 

look for the American classic. It’s been completely 

redesigned from the ground up, with only a single 

part surviving from the previous model. 

My first impression of this car is that it’s as if a 

Ferrari 488, Honda NSX and Mclaren MP4-12 C 

all combined to make a super-baby. It’s a pretty good 

looking car in my opinion, but it has created a bit 

of a stir among Corvette owners and aficionados. 

The main reason for the discontent is that the guys 

at General Motors broke away from tradition by 

switching from a front-engine arrangement to a 

mid-engine configuration. In fact, it’s the very first 

Corvette to do so in its 66-year history. 

So what’s the big deal? 

The deal with the new configuration is that a lot of 

Corvette owners feel that the new car betrays the 

history and heritage of what a Corvette is meant to 

look like. It’s a departure from the long, scooping 

front-end and instead what the mid-engine layout 

gives you is a very modern, European supercar look. 

Is that really such a bad thing? Of course not! I guess 

some people just hate change and are always looking 

for something to complain about. 

57

Why the switch to a mid-engine layout? 

A mid-engined layout car will give you a much more 

nimble car as the engine’s weight is more centrally 

located, giving you a more even weight distribution 

and a lower moment of inertia under acceleration or 

braking. In a nutshell, the handling will be better. 

The fastest production to date 

The 2020 Corvette is the fastest production Stingray 

that General Motors has produced to date. With 

their brand new small-block 6.2l V8 engine cranking 

out 495bhp, it’s a full 10 per cent more powerful than 

the last generation. It has been carefully designed to 

be lighter and sit lower to the ground too meaning 

that handling will be a tick better as well. 

The interior gets a premium overhaul 

One of the most impressive improvements in the new 

Corvette is its interior. Everything about the interior 

feels premium. There’s not one single piece of plastic 

panelling. Everything is either leather-wrapped, 

carbon-fibre or aluminium. All of the controls are 

ergonomically thought out for the driver and sitting 

in the driver’s seat has a feel like you are in the 

cockpit of a fighter plane with all of the buttons and 

screens focused on you. 

The price 

Now the most shocking thing about the new 2020 

Corvette is its price. When you think about its direct 

competitors in the mid-engined supercar market 

like the Acura NSX, Audi R8 or Lamborghini 

Huracan, you are expecting a hefty six-figure pricetag. 

Instead, the new Corvette’s base price is reported 

to be a ridiculously low $60,000! (£48,000 in today’s 

exchange rate). I’m massively excited about this 

car purely for its value alone, but it also leaves me 

sceptical… how can something so good on paper, be 

so affordable? You are getting a car that is a supercar 

killer for the price of a bog-standard Audi A7... 

I know they say everything is bigger and better in 

America… but I really hope that this car isn’t too 

good to be true! 

EVERYTHING ABUT THE 

CAR SCREAMS LUXURY - 

INCLUDING ITS PREMIUM 

INTERIOR 

58

Free Valuations 

at our Head Office in Fradley 

Every Tuesday 9.30am - 4pm 

We’re ready to help you find that hidden 

gem, be it jewellery, watches, silver, 

bronzes, glass, ceramics, antiques, 

a work of art, stamps, an old toy, 

heirlooms and collectables…... 

THE LICHFIELD AUCTION CENTRE 

WOOD END LANE, FRADLEY PARK, WS13 8NF 

01543 251081 

www.richardwinterton.co.uk 

office@richardwinterton.co.uk 

Medals & Militaria 

Technology 

Come and meet our team 

NEW MONDAY VALUATIONS 

Just for jewellery and 

watches at St Mary’s 

in the heart of Lichfield 

Wines & Spirits 

Coins & Banknotes 

More than just your local auction house 

The Winterton name has been synonymous 

with auctioneering throughout 

Staffordshire since 1864. 

INSURANCE VALUATIONS | PROBATE SERVICES 

NO OBLIGATION HOME VISITS | HOUSE CLEARANCES 

FIND US UPSTAIRS 

St Mary’s in the Market Square 

Lichfield City Centre, WS13 6LG 

Mondays 9.30am-12.30pm (except bank holidays) 

J'Aime Ad 190x280_July 2019.indd 1 10/07/2019 16:19

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Where everything sits well 

Quality time relaxing with loved ones, box-set marathons, or 

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28 Goosemoor Lane, Erdington, Birmingham B23 5PN | 0121 250 5050 | cookesfurniture.co.uk

J'AIME SEPTEMBER 2019

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