J'AIME APRIL 2020

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Welcome to J’AIME
Well, the world seems a very different place
right now to what it was this time last month.
With the inescapable realities of the Covid-19
crisis having greater and greater impact as each
day passes, it has meant a devastating impact to
many small, local businesses - J’AIME included.
Over the past three years we have loved playing
a part in the local community; telling the stories
of inspirational local people, bringing a local
angle to a wide variety of topics and connecting
local businesses with our army of loyal readers,
and for that support we cannot thank you all
enough. However, it is with a heavy heart that
we have had to make the decision that this issue
will be the last printed and delivered issue of
J’AIME for the foreseeable future.
But fear not; this is not the end of the J’AIME
you have come to know and love. From the next
issue we will continue to publish the magazine
in its entirety in a series of digital formats. We
will have an enhanced online reader at www.
jaimemagazine.com as well as a brand new
J’AIME app coming very soon for phone and
tablet - so you’ll be able to keep your issue of
J’AIME right there in your pocket.
In order to be able to deliver this service, we’re
asking you, our readers, to like and follow our
Facebook page at www.facebook.com/
jaimemagazine as well as follow us on
Instagram and Twitter @jaimemagazine
or pop by our website www.jaimemagazine.
com for the latest updates.
As always, we want to continue to tell the stories
that are important and interesting to our local
community, so if you have a story you think is
worth shouting about, please drop us an email
and if you’re a business which wants to shout
about their services to our readership then
please get in touch. With your support, we hope
J’AIME can continue to thrive in these uncertain
times.
EDITOR: AMY NORBURY
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CO N T E N T S
InsideJ’aime this month...
6 The Wilderness’ Alex Claridge - The Brummie
chef on a chocolate collaboration with charity
SIFA Fireside
10 Property - Property of the month
12 Interiors - Spring storage solutions
17 Interiors - Sutton Coldfield interior designer
Preet Anand answers your design dilemmas
18 Food and drink - Reviewing Exose Grant at Sauce
Supper Club
20 Food and drink - A tasty recipe from The Boat Inn,
Lichfield
22 Food and drink - Just the tonic from The
Gintleman
24 Health - Counsellor Alyce Williams on staying
calm in a crisis
26 Health - Fitness advice from Lichfield personal
trainer Raul Romero
30 Travel - A Middle Eastern adventure in Oman
34 Fashion - Lounging around
36 Fashion - Summer style staples from Nero e
Bianco
39 Beauty - Men’s grooming must-haves from
Harvey Nichols Birmingham
40 Health - Back pain advice from Spire Little
Aston
41 In the news - An announcement from Richard
Winterton; and a leading hairdresser’s new move
42 Motors - Martin Plowman takes a look at the JRM
GT23 race car
SPONSORED BY
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アパート
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昀 椀 琀

F E AT U R E
Into the wilderness
FRESH FROM TACKLING THE GOVERNMENT OVER THE CORONAVIRUS CRISIS ON BEHALF OF THE
HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY, BIRMINGHAM CHEF AND WILDERNESS RESTAURATEUR ALEX CLARIDGE
HAS SET HIS SIGHTS ON RAISING AWARENESS OF THE ISSUES OF HOMELESSNESS IN THE
SECOND CITY - THROUGH THE MEDIUM OF CHOCOLATE. AMY NORBURY DISCOVERS MORE
Alex Claridge is no stranger to a
little controversy. The Brummie chef
and restaurateur - the brains behind
acclaimed Jewellery Quarter fine
dining eatery The Wilderness - made
a splash during his recent appearance
on BBC favourite Great British
Menu when he adorned his first dish
presented to Midlands heat mentor
Paul Ainsworth with mealworms,
locusts and ants. It was a move which
may well have captured the brief
perfectly, encapsulating the children’s
literature theme by taking inspiration
from the Revolting Recipes found
in Roald Dahl’s much-loved books.
But it proved a divisive choice with
Ainsworth and his fellow chef
competitors.
Anything but shy and retiring,
outspoken Alex hit the headlines a couple of years
ago for replying with his trademark ‘dry humour’ to
myriad Tripadvisor reviews.
But these days, he’s using his voice more
constructively.
In the wake of the current Covid-19 crisis - which has
had a devastating impact on the hospitality industry
across the country - it was Alex who launched a
petition imploring the government to do more to
support the country’s third largest industry sector and
safeguard the jobs of more than three million people
who work in hospitality, following Boris Johnson’s
‘advice’ to the public to avoid restaurants, pubs, bars
and other such establishments.
Garnering more than 200,000 signatures in just
48 hours, the campaign was backed by leading
industry professionals including MasterChef judge
and restaurateur Monica Galetti, and celebrities
including Piers Morgan, who tweeted: “Do pubs,
CHEF AND OWNER OF THE
WILDERNESS ALEX CLARIDGE
bars, restaurants, cafes, theatres, cinemas close or not?
Ridiculous of Boris Johnson to just ‘suggest’ it and
not ban it. Not least because these businesses will be
forced to close but can’t claim on insurance if they’re
not ordered too. This must be clarified – urgently.”
He also worked with industry charity Hospitality
Action to set up a support fund for those worst
affected in hospitality - a lot of critical action to take
in just a few short days.
And this passionate mobilisation for causes close to his
heart is something Alex is no stranger to.
He has been a longtime supporter of Birmingham
charity SIFA Fireside, actively speaking out on the
issue of homelessness in the city; a growing issue in
the metropolitan area, and often with nowhere for
those affected to turn to.
“SIFA Fireside are a charity in Birmingham, based in
Digbeth, which looks after mainly homeless people,
who they call clients, but also vulnerable people, so
they deal with things like modern slavery, domestic
6

abuse,” says The Wilderness’s marketing manager
Emma Tronson.
“They’re a hub who also deal with loads of different
charities out there, so they don’t just feed their clients,
they offer showers and loads of additional services
like doctors, dentists, vets, they’ve got a safe where
homeless clients of theirs can store important personal
belongings like passports that they don’t want to lose
while they’re on the streets.
“It’s a charity that’s very close to our hearts here at
The Wilderness; Alex is a patron, and we feel very
strongly about their work.
“We’ve looked at various ways that we can fundraise
for them over the past year or so; we’ve done events
like Sip for SIFA in collaboration with Downtown in
Business, which was a fundraising event, we’ve done
the ‘No Bab’ T-shirts with Punks and Chancers where
a proportion of the sale of each T-shirt went to SIFA,
and that’s raised about £2,000 for them so far with
just that initiative.”
The latest collaboration between The Wilderness and
the charity is inspired by a growing area of Alex’s
business.
Last year Alex launched The Wilderness’s boutique
chocolate strand, selling bespoke and handcrafted
confectionery shaped as hearts, lips and skulls
and filled with an array of tempting flavours in limited
edition collections.
And the next collection to launch will be inspired by
SIFA Fireside’s work - and the individual stories and
experiences of people the charity has already helped.
“For me, the important thing is the awareness side,
and the story side,” explains Alex.
“Fundraising is great and we’ll do that wherever we
can, but with homelessness in particular - and I’m as
guilty of this as anyone - is that it’s easy to be quite
tokenistic. You buy someone a sandwich or you
donate ten quid at Christmas, whatever the case may
be, but fundamentally that doesn’t assist in a cultural
change, which is the only thing which will eradicate
it as a problem. If you feed someone, you’re dealing
with the short term problem of welfare and it’s not
that simple.
“We’re fortunate to have a platform to say stuff, and
to have an audience who will listen. And I think as
important as anything else we do about this, is to try
to tell the story.
“This collection came about from the desire to tell the
story of individuals, to de-homogenise the term. The
term ‘homelessness’ in itself is quite problematic for
me, because it turns individuals into a collective mass.
It turns them into a problem, rather than individuals
THE WILDERNESS’S
CHOCOLATIER BHARAT
CHANDEGRA
who are going through situations which are all
infinitely complex.
“And within the parameters of creating a singular
product which can in some way speak of these
individual’s experiences, I think chocolate suits really
well.
“Chocolate is such an exciting medium to work with
creatively. With any other food you have multiple bites
and textures, but you don’t have that with chocolate.
Instead, it’s a singular mouthful in which you have to
achieve whatever you want to say with it.”
In order to gain ideas and inspiration for the
collection, Alex and his Wilderness pastry chef Bharat
Chandegra - a former Bake Off: The Professionals
finalist - paid a visit to some of SIFA Fireside’s clients,
to hear individual tales of life on the streets directly
from the people affected.
“These are not stories which are easy to listen to; these
are deeply affecting stories about how cruel life can
be, how unfeeling society can be if things go wrong
for you, and how quickly life can go south,” says Alex.
“We interviewed a few of the guys there and they
spoke of childhood memories, of the chocolates and
flavours they loved, as well as the things they enjoy
eating in general,” added Bharat.
“There are quite a few interesting ideas which have
come up, perhaps the most difficult one to translate
into chocolate is chicken wings! But we’ll get there
with some work and development, we’re going to
work on some flavours and take them back to see what
the guys think of them.”
7

Always looking to push culinary
boundaries, Alex found the
inspiration process for the chocolate
collection a refreshing one.
“It’s good for both myself and
Bharat, because if you only take
inspiration from food it’s quite
a closed circuit, and the kind of
inspiration you get from sitting
with someone who’s not from that
world really pushes you out of your
comfort zone,” says Alex.
“These are not flavours that chefs
would perhaps think of, but in
learning to manipulate ideas which
seem out of the obvious lexicon
of flavour, it actually does more to
progress what we do from a culinary
perspective than just sitting there looking through
another recipe book from some beautifully attractive
French man!”
And transforming those off-the-wall ideas into a
harmonious collection has proved to be no easy task.
“It’s quite challenging because one person will design
or pick the flavours they like for one chocolate, but
then to make four people’s ideas merge into a whole
collection and work together is the difficult part,” says
Emma.
“That’s one of the hardest things about any chocolate
collection; you have to look at it as a cohesive
collection; it’s not just a singular selection of tracks,
you have to make an album,” adds Alex.
“They have to be engineered to eat together; you
don’t want to eat one chocolate then put the next one
in and have it not work!
“The first fella loves olives and loves coffee, and
while coffee is the more obvious flavour I think we’re
going down the olive route. We’ve actually done
an olive caramel chocolate before, and I think it’s a
very rewarding way to replace the salinity of a salted
caramel.
“For him, there’s a lot of sentimentality around the
experience of sitting and eating olives in the sun -
which is something we can all relate to - and I think
it’s really special to capture happy memories, because
memories are sometimes all a lot of these guys in
these horrible situations have. When you’re going
through horrible stuff you do have to return to happy
places and happy memories, and chocolate can be
very nostalgic in that way; it’s very powerful.”
The next piece in the collection will be inspired by a
confectionary classic; the walnut whip, created using
THE WILDERNESS’S BESPOKE
CHOCOLATE BUSINESS
LAUNCHED LAST YEAR
marshmallow and 50/50 milk and white chocolate.
“There was this beautiful moment where he wanted
us to do a 50/50 chocolate because he said that
mirrors his experience of life, where it’s 50/50 and
you either get lucky or you don’t,” says Alex.
To incorporate the spice and chicken wings elements
inspired by one story, Alex and Bharat are turning to
Frank’s Hot Sauce as a predominant flavour to create
a chilli caramel chocolate, while the final treat in the
collection incorporates mushroom - incidentally, an
ingredient already used in one of The Wilderness’s
signature desserts.
Since launching just over a year ago with a Christmas
chocolate box, The Wilderness has produced some 14
confectionery collections. The aim now is to develop
the chocolates into a brand of their own.
“I like chocolate and I cannot lie,” laughs Alex. “It’s
an exciting medium, I like the aesthetic of it. And
there’s a lot more up Bharat’s proverbial sleeve; we’ve
worked on other patisserie items and things like our
alcoholic gummy bears, which we’re keen to expand.
“The Wilderness is my first-born and I love that, but
realistically it’s a special-occasion kind of place, it’s
not an everyday luxury. We make it as inclusive as
possible but it’s a different vibe.
“The patisserie side of the business is about finding
products that are still without compromise on quality,
but which are little everyday moments which can
make people happy. Because that’s essentially what it’s
all about; making people happy.”
For more details on The Wilderness x SIFA Fireside
chocolate collection visit the online shop at
www.wearethewilderness.co.uk/shop
and follow The Wilderness on Instagram
@thewildernessrestaurant
8

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P R O P E RTY
Property of the Month
WE TAKE A SNEAKY PEEK AT SOME OF THE HOTTEST PROPERTIES ON THE MARKET IN THE
AREA EACH MONTH. THIS MONTH’S SELECTION IS A STUNNING FIVE BEDROOM FAMILY HOME
ON A SIZEABLE PLOT IN SOUGHT-AFTER SUTTON COLDFIELD
The Summer House, Park View, Sutton Coldfield: £1,500,000
On the market with Fine and Country Sutton Coldfield: 0121 272 6900
THE AGENT SAYS: This beautifully extended and
refurbished five bedroomed property sits in a stunning plot
of 0.71 acres of carefully landscaped and mature gardens.
Approached through electronic gates on a private road,
The Summer House offers spacious and modern living
accommodation which flows nicely, with all the primary
rooms leading off the welcoming reception hallway.
There is a modern shaker-style kitchen in a pale grey finish
with light composite marble tops, a Smeg dishwasher and a
built-in Siemens microwave. The kitchen leads onto a light
and airy family room with French doors opening onto the
rear gardens. There is a formal dining room off the kitchen
again with doors out to the gardens.
The drawing room is a very elegant room which features a
wood-burning stove and can be separated from the adjoining
garden room with bi-fold doors, or left open to create a lovely
open space for entertaining. The garden room itself is a new
addition to the property and is flooded with light from the
two lanterns in the vaulted ceiling and the full height French
doors leading to the rear garden. There is a good-sized study
on the ground floor which is situated at the front of the house
with a window overlooking the front gardens and a recently
refitted downstairs cloakroom.
On the first floor there is a galleried landing leading to the
master suite which is a lovely large space which includes
a dressing area with a comprehensive range of fitted his
and hers wardrobes. There are glazed double doors in this
room with a floating glass Juliet balcony which overlooks
the gardens and park beyond. The en suite bathroom is
luxuriously appointed with a Villeroy and Boch suite, Aquata
corner shower and Grohe shower fittings with twin body jets,
there is also an overhead Halo heating unit incorporating
four high power heat lamps.
W E L O V E :
THE GARDEN ROOM MAKES A
PERFECT LUXURIOUS HIDEAWAY
10

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I N T E R I O R S
Time to
declutter
WHETHER it’s under the guise of spring cleaning, or
you’re finally taking inspiration from the experts and
Marie Kondo-ing your living space, a good declutter can
work wonders. And with more and more of us set to be
working from and spending ever more time at home over
the coming months, it’s important that our environments
are as chaos-free and calming as possible. The old adage
says ‘A place for everything, and everything in its place’,
and that mantra is a great one to live by when it comes to
decluttering.
With that in mind, good storage solutions are key to
creating the serene, tranquil and ordered homes we crave;
from open shelving units to neatly display our greatest
treasures, to clever multi-use units where we can stash
those necessary items we don’t necessarily want to see,
there are some great options out there at the moment.
Start by taking a look at your bigger furniture pieces; do
they offer enough storage for your decluttering needs?
Storage baskets and boxes can provide essential extra
space, while organised shelving units lend to an overall air
of orderliness and tidiness.
RUSH NATURAL STORAGE BASKET, £18;
WOODEN STORAGE BASKET, £22; CREAM
MACRAME BASKET, £12; AND BELLY BASKET,
£10, ALL DUNELM. WWW.DUNELM.COM
£90
£105
SET OF TWO JUTE WOVEN BASKET, CULT
FURNITURE. WWW.CULTFURNITURE.COM
£25
KIN BLACK WOVEN SEAGRASS
LAUNDRY BASKET WITH LID, HABITAT.
WWW.HABITAT.CO.UK
£23.95
VINTAGE RETRO MAGAZINE RACK, MELODY
MAISON. WWW.MELODYMAISON.CO.UK
CIRCULAR METAL SHELF, MATALAN.
WWW.MATALAN.CO.UK
12

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14

HEALTH |
07815 460786
01827 892952
Carpal Tunnel Surgery
An Excellent Outcome
Put your hands in our hands
Do you find you are waking in the night with a buzzing
sensation in the hand? Do you have problems doing your
shirt buttons up due to decreased feeling in your fingers?
You may have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome which affects about 5% of the UK population and it is
caused by pressure on a nerve in your wrist. But don’t despair as The Midland Hand Clinic can
diagnose immediately with same day tests.
A recent patient shares his experience with The Midland Hand Clinic…“I was suffering with
pins and needles, numbness and pain in the night. Injections from my GP only temporarily
improved my symptoms and I was told I had Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
Reading the testimonials online about Mr Shyamalan
gave me a high degree of confidence so I decided to
travel. It was quick and easy to gain an appointment
and communication was very professional. They
accommodated my every need and it was also very
cost effective.
My outcome was excellent. So much so that I sought
out Mr Shyamalan when I had problems with my other
hand. For any hand or wrist problem and for an expert
opinion I’d certainly trust The Midland Hand Clinic”.
Don’t struggle on with pain in your hands, book an
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Midland Hand Clinic lead by
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All patients welcome.
Ask us about our self funding
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Hand Clinic PA: Pam Dziubany
Email: pdziubany@hotmail.com
Call: 07815 460786
01827 892952
www.midlandhandclinic.com

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BROOKVILLE SHELF UNIT, £287.50, COX AND COX.
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16

Preet on interiors
I N T E R I O R S
SUTTON COLDFIELD INTERIOR DESIGNER PREET ANAND, OF MOOD INTERIORS,
OFFERS SOME COLOURFUL HOME INSPIRATION
Quite frankly, the UK has been in panic lately over
the virus I dare not mention, so I felt we needed a
fresh new topic to talk about and wanted to brighten
up the mood to talk about colour. We have seen so
many gorgeous new paint colours come out from
brands such as Little Greene, Farrow & Ball and,
my personal favourite, Craig & Rose. With 11 new
colours added to their range, it’s a real delight that
we can go beyond our usual safe colours in the home,
and add a touch or more of vibrant coral reds, soft
baby blues and warm mustards. Whether it is pastels
you prefer, or something a little more vivid, there is a
lot to be excited about in the world of paint.
We are really confused on what colour to
paint our new house; how can we decide?
It’s all down to the atmosphere and feeling you want
to create, are you going for more cool or warm? That
doesn’t mean to say if you went to the blue route your
room would feel cold, but to choose a colour tone
based on the overall feeling you wish to create is a
good way to start. Fresh shades such as greens, blues
and greys versus more cosy shades of yellow, orange
and reds would be a great starting point. Don’t
dismiss the complimentary shades too, and actually
mixing blues with oranges or greens with reds can
give that welcome compromise.
How can I make a statement in my tiny
downstairs cloakroom?
Good things can come in small packages! Take
advantage of the minimal wall space with a more
premium, statement wallcovering or perhaps consider
one of the epic new paint colours on the market now.
Statements don’t need to be made just on the walls;
you could go bold with floor tiles, or a statement
piece of furniture. Just because the space is small
and perhaps underused, doesn’t mean it can’t create
an unexpected impact. I love the idea of iconic loos
when visiting restaurants, friends or anywhere really.
The design of the downstairs toilet can be a strong
way to communicate a wild side, or add a bit of fun
to the rest of the house.
INTERIOR DESIGNER PREET ANAND
What wallpaper style is in fashion at the
moment?
Interior trends are ever changing, along with fashion
so it can be expensive to keep changing it. Wallpaper
is something that does always remain a constant and,
with a vast range of designs out there, it really comes
down to the style or scheme you’re going for in your
room. We see new geometrics, textures, florals and
even plains coming out in the market all the time.
Whichever you choose to go with, realise the power
of wallpaper. Busy rooms can be made to feel calmer,
rooms without any atmosphere can start to sing and
it even has the ability to make rooms feel bigger or
smaller. Whether you’re looking to spend £100s on
rolls, or budget your interiors, ensure the impact
created is in keeping with the overall style you’re
looking for.
Send your questions on interiors to
info@moodinteriors.net and you might
find Preet answering your dilemma in
next month’s issue.
SPONSORED BY MOOD INTERIORS
0121 809 7333 - WWW.MOODINTERIORS.NET
INFO@MOODINTERIORS.NET
17

F O O D & D R I N K
A master at work
MASTERCHEF: THE PROFESSIONALS FINALIST EXOSE GRANT COOKED UP A STORM FOR
DINERS AT LICHFIELD’S SAUCE SUPPER CLUB EVENT, AS AMY NORBURY DISCOVERED
PHOTOGRAPHY BY BECKY TRANTER PHOTOGRAPHY. WWW.BECKYTRANTER.COM
If, like me, you were an avid viewer of the recent
series of MasterChef: The Professionals, you couldn’t
help but be wowed by Exose Grant.
The Manchester lad made his mark early on in
the competition by turning out exciting, flawless
dishes which impressed judges Marcus Wareing and
Monica Galetti no end and saw him progressing
through each round at a rate of knots.
And as if his culinary skills weren’t enough, Exose’s
affable demeanour and that killer smile certainly
marked him out as a fan favourite.
While my personal money was on Brummie lad and
eventual champion Stu Deeley - at the time head
chef at one of my absolute favourite restaurants,
Jewellery Quarter gem The Wilderness - it was clear
that Exose had what it took to go the distance.
As a chef de partie and head of pasty at James
Martin’s flagship Manchester restaurant - not to
mention a former Bake Off: The Professionals
contestant and owner of a cake business which he
set up at the tender age of 17 - it should have come
as no surprise that Exose’s delectable desserts were a
particular strength on the show.
And it was one such delectable dessert which
really got the diners talking when Exose popped
up in Lichfield at St Johns House for an evening to
remember, courtesy of Sauce Supper Club. But more
on that sweet treat later.
After the success of last year’s tour, once again,
Beth and Jon Toovey of Sauce Supper Club got the
Masterchef: The Professionals finalists on board for
a series of exciting pop-up fine dining events around
the country, beginning in champion Stu Deeley’s
home city at Simpson’s with all three finalists - Stu,
Exose and Olivia Burt - before heading off on their
travels. When the Lichfield leg was announced as the
Exose show, we couldn’t wait to discover what this
talented young chef had in store.
We arrived at St Johns House to a packed dining
room; the foodies of Lichfield were obviously as keen
to sample some Masterchef cookery as we were.
Once seated, it was our first chance to glimpse the
evening’s menu; and all eyes headed straight for
the dessert course. The rather innocuous sounding
sheep’s yoghurt parfait and strawberries was to be
the grand finale - so how was Exose going to elevate
these simple flavours to Masterchef heights? Well,
more on that later.
18

A platter of freshly baked sourdough with beef
dripping and beef vinaigrette served to whet our
appetites nicely for what was to follow. And the first
course proper was certainly a treat.
A silky smooth Jerusalem artichoke veloute with a
nice textural contrast from confit artichokes and
a slightly sweet, smoky hint from a scattering of
onion ash was a beautifully balanced and extremely
moreish dish; to be honest, I could have eaten a large
bowlful and still gone back for more.
It was followed by a rather lovely selection of fresh
and flavoursome heritage tomatoes, ribbons of
courgette and a little tempura, finished with a rich
baba ganoush - a real celebration of the intense
flavours you can get in a vegetarian dish.
Perhaps surprisingly for a chef heavily influenced
by the tastes and spices of his African heritage, the
menu was full of classic combinations. And the confit
salmon with cucumber and a buttermilk and dill
sauce which came next exemplified classic cooking.
The salmon was perfectly done, a thick, succulent
piece treated with the utmost care, a little sushi-esque
salmon and cucumber roll and a charred cucumber
bringing wonderful depth to the dish, alongside that
luscious sauce. As a fish lover, it was a heavenly little
plate.
Chef Exose continued to hit the heights with his final
savoury offering. A slice of poached chicken breast
which was quite possibly the most moist, tender
chicken I’ve ever had, a crispy chicken bonbon,
baby leeks and hen of the woods mushrooms, with
an unctuous sauce packed with umami goodness.
If was, once again, careful consideration of simple
ingredients to create something memorable.
And finally. Finally, we reached the dish everyone
had been waiting for. As one of the later tables to
dine, we’d heard rumours of a bonbon described as
‘out of this world’. And when dessert arrived, it was
certainly worth the wait.
The smooth, rich parfait was luscious with a slight
tang, the flavour of strawberry busting through
every mouthful on the plate. And then, there was
the bonbon. An edible take on a strawberry daiquiri,
it was filled with a delicious rum and strawberry
concoction and coated with crisp meringue pieces
- best eaten in one go, lest you spill any of that
delectable filling. It was the thing which had guests
begging the kitchen for spares - one just wasn’t
enough.
At the end of the evening - and after a long day
of cooking for a packed dining room of eager
guests - Exose popped out of the
kitchen to chat to diners. Stopping
at each table in turn, he was full
of enthusiasm as he answered
questions and posed for selfies with
everyone who asked.
So what does the future have in
store for this prodigious talent? Will
we see an Exose restaurant any time
soon?
It is, he said, a dream to run his own
place but the ever-humble 22-yearold
believes he’s still got a lot left to
learn before he’s ready to take that
step.
On the strength of our evening with
Exose, I have the feeling that dreams
may come true much sooner than
he thinks.
19

F O O D & D R I N K
Dining delights
LIAM DILLON, CHEF PATRON OF THE AWARD-WINNING THE BOAT INN,
LICHFIELD, SHARES A DELICIOUS QUAIL RECIPE TO TRY AT HOME
Recently voted ‘Best Independent Restaurant in Staffordshire’ by readers of What’s On, Lichfield’s The Boat Inn is
a jewel in the Midlands dining crown. And in response to the current coronavirus crisis, chef patron Liam Dillon has
launched The Boat Shop, offering essential packs and high quality produce aimed at those who are self isolating or
unable to source food items, as well as hot meals and meals prepped and ready to cook at home. For more details call the
restaurant on 01543 361692 or visit www.theboatinnlichfield.com
Quail and courgette
Ingredients: serves four
4 patty pan courgettes
2 baby courgette
2 courgette flowers (where possible)
30g pak choi cress
2 whole quail
1l white chicken stock
1 garlic bulb
3 sprigs thyme
500ml brown stock
Butter
Carrot
Onion
To prepare the quail remove the head, legs, wings
and the innards. Remove all blood from the quail
and clean out with a cloth. Salt the legs with herb
salt and then leave them for an hour. After this time,
wash them off and lightly colour them in a pan with
butter and thyme. Place in a larger pan and cover
with brown stock.
Roast the carrot, onion, garlic and thyme and add
to the pan. Cover with baking parchment and
simmer for two to three hours until the legs are
tender. Once cooked remove from the heat and
allow to cool in the liquid.
Once cool, remove the thigh bone carefully so as
not to damage the rest of the leg and place onto a
clean tray until time to serve.
Poach the quail crowns in white chicken stock with
garlic and thyme for two to three minutes until the
breasts slightly tighten. Chill the crowns, remove the
breasts and store ready for service.
Blanch and refresh the patty pan courgettes, then
slice into quarters. Slice the baby courgettes thinly,
dress in rapeseed oil. Reheat the quail leg under the
grill while lightly blow torching the quail breast skin.
At The Boat, Liam serves the quail and courgette
with walnut puree, lentils and a fried quail egg.
Finish
the dish with baby pak choi cress or courgette flower
leaves.
20

The
Boat Inn
Lunch menu
TWO COURSES FROM £8 THREE COURSES £10
Christmas Party Menu
et, Lichfield, Staffordshire, WS13 6DP – Tel: 01543 257 986
Lunch 321 – 3 Mondays Courses £10
Woodburning &
SERVED 5.45-6.30 TWO COURSES multifuel £10 stoves
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
Dinner
TWO COURSES £15 THREE £18
THREE COURSES TWO PEOPLE
AND A CARAFE OF WINE £30
STARTERS
Early doors menu
otato & Coconut Soup with Crusty Bread & English Butter v GFr
3-5 LOMBARD STREET, LICHFIELD. WS13 6DP
01543 257986 - NEW WEBSITE LIVE WWW.WINE-DINE.CO.UK
Sherry Pate served with Orange and Cranberry Compote &
Toasted Brown Bread
Beetroot, Stilton and Walnut Gallette v
WE OF F ER
A C OMP LE T E
INST ALLA T ION
SERV ICE
t he heart of t he home...
Chestnut & Tarragon Casserole with Gnocchi Dumplings v GFr
rel, Horseradish & Dill Mousse served with Oatcake Biscuits
and Pea Shoots
We are now offering
‘essential packs’ to those self
isolating or unable to source
essential products.
Meals can also be collected
and possibly delivered on
request.
Order online or call
the restaurant
01543 361692
See our website
for the menu
the boat inn, Walsall Road,
Lichfield WS14 0BU
MAIN COURSES
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!
rizo Meatballs Served on Penne Pasta in a Rich Tomato,
& Spinach Sauce topped with Mozzarella & Cheddar
Roast Potatoes, Root Vegetables, Cranberry & Stuffing Vol-au-Vont
with a rich Gravy £1 supplement
ignon Served on Horseradish Mash with Glazed Carrot
& Kale Savoury Crepe topped with Shropshire Blue Cheese Sauce
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.
with skin-on fries or Green Salad

F O O D & D R I N K
Just the tonic
THIS MONTH THE GINTLEMAN, THE MIDLANDS’ LEADING RACONTEUR AT HOUSE PARTIES
AND VENUES ACROSS BIRMINGHAM, CHECKS OUT SOME MARVELLOUS MIXERS
TO provide a quick pick-me-up within this current
period of uncertainty, until a newfound sense of
normality returns and we all then make up for lost time
by helping an ailing hospitality industry and affiliated
suppliers get back on their collective feet, for this
month’s brief musings I wanted to focus on the other
50-75% of your gin experience, showcasing its partners
in crime; mixers. With a few new flavour combinations
you may want to experiment with if staying in
ultimately becomes the new going ‘out’ this summer.
After the relentless juggernaut that has been the
dominance of Fevertree since 2005, the mixer market
leader has seen a slowdown in market share this
year, recently diversifying into flavoured sodas for
those who just can’t enjoy the subtle quinine taste
of contemporary tonics or want to steer clear of the
overtly sweeter rose lemonade.
Having been working on the flavours throughout 2019
to accentuate a variety of spirit profiles, the one that
jumped out was their white grape and apricot soda
- perfect for your new peach or floral gins and fruity
summer spritz. Wonderfully tart white grapes pair
perfectly with the sweet apricot top notes from Italy
with a complex herbaceous back note balanced with
the subtle floral French verbena oil.
Anybody who’s ever done one of my tastings will
vouch for my penchant for the self-styled champagne
of tonic - 1724. This has been a staple for me since its
introduction, along with savoury Gin Mare in 2010.
Seventeen Contemporary Mixers, launched in
February, is an expansion of new products to sit
alongside 1724 and, although the tonic’s liquid remains
the same with a new branding makeover, the other
flavours piqued my interest and were worth bringing to
your attention:
Ginger Beer: a soft and balanced ginger beer with
hints of pink grapefruit and guayana (giving the mixer
a little caffeine kick) for a new gin twist to a classic that
influenced the Moscow Mule and Dark and Stormy;
the Gin Buck.
Apple Kombucha: a blend of fermented black tea,
fermented apple and pear flavours, not something I’ve
jumped onto the bandwagon from a flavour perspective
but the profile sounds intriguing, especially with an
orchard-inspired gin.
Spicy Tomato: A tomato juice mixer with hints
of fino sherry, a big kick of celery and pepper could
potentially rival Big Tom as your Sunday morning
mixer to complement a savoury gin inspired Bloody
Mary alternative; the Red Snapper cocktail.
And finally, Gascoigne’s Tonics & Mixers based in
Yorkshire are offering a case of 12 available from www.
haworthsteambrewery.co.uk priced £19.50, including:
Marmalade Tonic: the best Spanish oranges pressed
with a little zest then filtered to give a clear punchpacked
mixer for a citrus gin taste sensation.
Pomegranate Tonic: for herbal or spicy gins.
Red Gooseberry Tonic: the finest pressed
Gooseberries from Norfolk fruit growers create a
powerful unique flavour blended with all natural
quinine and will compliment Elderflower or lighter gin
flavours
Gascoigne’s Sour Bramley Apple Mixer: sour
pressed Bramley apple juice which has been filtered
and paired with unripened English apple varieties to
give a sour crisp mixer which will enliven a gooseberry
gin.
Fingers crossed normal service returns for May’s
musings and you can all start planning belated
ginspired experiences...
22

Mad Hatter's Afternoon Tea on Tuesday 7th & Thursday 9th April
Afternoon tea and a live choir. Adults: £24 | Children: £16
Dirty Dancing Tribute Evening on Friday 10th April
3 course dinner and entertainment. £47pp
Magical Family Sunday Lunch on Sunday 12th April
A 3 course lunch with a visit from the Easter Bunny and
a family magic show. Adults: £30 | Children 12 & under: £21
Peaky Blinders Murder Mystery on Friday 17th April
3 course dinner and entertainment. £41pp
St George's Day Lunch on Thursday 23rd April
3 course dinner and entertainment. £32pp
Abba Tribute Evening on Saturday 25th April
3 course dinner and entertainment. £47pp
Best of British Celebration Dinner on Friday 17th April
A delicious four course dinner with a British flavour. £35pp
Spring & Summer Flower Arranging
on Wednesday 29th & Thursday 30th April
Includes coffee on arrival, a flower arranging
demonstration and a three course carvery lunch. £25pp
Afternoon Tea with Swing Classics on Sunday 3rd May
Afternoon tea and a live choir. Adults: £22 | Children: £15
An Evening with Lola Lamour on Friday 15th May
3 course dinner and entertainment. £33pp
Sherlock Murder Mystery Evening on Friday 19th June
3 course dinner and entertainment. £35pp
Moor Hall Drive, Four Oaks, Sutton Coldfield B75 6LN
0121 308 3751 www.moorhallhotel.co.uk
Bird Street, Lichfield WS13 6PR
01543 414822 www.thegeorgelichfield.co.uk
FURNITURE • GIFTS • ACCESSORIES
Inspirationally French
La Maison Bleue, Heart of the Country Village, WS14 9QR
Tel: 01543 481414 - Email: info@lamaisonbleue.co.uk
www.lamaisonbleue.co.uk
Open 10.00 - 5.00 Tues to Sun
THANK YOU!
TO ALL OF OUR LOVELY
CUSTOMERS WHO HAVE
SUPPORTED OUR EVENTS.
WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD
TO BRIGHTER TIMES AND
SHOWCASING MORE
INCREDIBLE CHEFS WITH
YOU SOON.
OUR GIFT VOUCHERS MAKE GREAT
PRESENTS AND ARE CURRENTLY
ISSUED WITH NO EXPIRY DATE.
#STAYHEALTHY #SUPPORTLOCAL
www.saucesupperclub.co.uk

H E A LT H
Facing crisis together
COUNSELLOR ALYCE WILLIAMS TAKES A LOOK AT THE MENTAL HEALTH IMPACT OF
THE CURRENT CORONAVIRUS SITUATION, AND OFFERS SOME TIMELY ADVICE ON
LOOKING AFTER OURSELVES IN TIMES OF CRISIS
There is no doubt about it; as a nation we are feeling
the impact of the pandemic Coronavirus. There is
an air of uncertainty in the air and this is leaving
many of us all feeling vulnerable, overwhelmed and
insecure.
Feelings such as these are quite normal when
something big like this happens; as humans we desire
a certain amount of certainty to feel safe so when
that safety feels at threat, we become anxious. In fact,
uncertainty is a breeding ground for anxiety and
when we feel anxious, we often want to feel more in
control to create a sense of safety.
This explains why people are panic-buying hundreds
of loo rolls and all the pasta in the shops. The belief
system around this is ‘I’m protecting myself by
having all this stuff now I can feel safe’, however this
is a false sense of security because it further down the
line, the panic buying will create other problems, like
the anxiety of a food shortage. So, trying to control
the uncontrollable is futile and exhausting and often
creates a cycle of anxiety, which is trickier to get out
of.
I think the truth now is we are all going to feel some
level of anxiety over the coming days, weeks and
months as big changes are in process and change is
scary for everyone. It seems to me that the key is how
we collectively respond to this to help look after our
own and other people’s mental health.
Being a counsellor and working in mental health I
have spent some time reflecting on how I think we
can all achieve this to a level and try to stay mentally
and emotionally as fit as we can in such turbulent
times. Here is what I have come up with somehow,
and I really hope it is a help.
Firstly, talk to people. Express how you feel and don’t
think you are alone in those feelings; most of us, if
24

not all of us, are having a similar response. By talking
about how you feel it lightens the burden and helps
us realise we are not alone in our feelings, we are
not so different from the next person. I think this is
important, this creates a sense of ‘we are all in this
together’ and I think that feels good.
That leads me nicely onto self-isolation. Even the
term is intimidating, and for many of us this is going
to be our new reality. So how can we help others who
are either faced with or currently in this situation?
Stay in contact, call, write, email, set your Granny
and Grandpa up on social media - anything that will
alleviate feelings of loneliness, it is simple, and it is
important. Humans are pack animals and we thrive
off human contact. It’s a case of all hands-on deck
here; we need to keep everyone linked to the outside
world and other humans.
High on my priority list next is exercising a little
kindness. Kindness mostly costs nothing or very little
at all, but it also carries us a long way. I encourage
you all to get outside of yourselves and show some
kindness. A few daffs out of your garden in a jam
jar on the doorstep of your neighbour, dig out some
old magazines and reading material and post them
or drop them into someone in need, run errands for
people, take them some cake when it’s safe. Kindness
creates hope and hope helps sustain us during dark
times. I am all over kindness!
GET BACK TO NATURE,
SAYS ALYCE
ALYCE WILLIAMS IS
A PERSON-CENTRED
COUNSELLOR WITH
CLINICS IN SHENSTONE,
RUGELEY AND
SWADLINCOTE
Get creative. See this time as creative space to do
the things your busy life does not always allow you
to do. Paint, write, make music, bake, cook, get a
jigsaw; this stuff is good for your soul and, in my eyes,
feeding your soul helps keep you emotionally more
balanced and centred. Good mental health relies on
nurturing mind, body and soul so take this downtime
and use it wisely.
Finally, get back to nature. Whenever you can, get
your feet on the earth; connecting to the earth keeps
us feeling more grounded and relaxed so get in your
garden and put your feet on the grass, plant some
flowers or pull up the weeds. If you are able, take a
walk and get some exercise. Nature stabilises us and
the fresh air is rejuvenating so don’t underestimate
its healing properties, particularly if you have been
cooped up and unwell in doors for a period.
So good luck all and try to keep in mind that
sometimes out of crisis can come opportunity; stay
hopeful in these dark times as they shall pass.
Alyce Williams is a person-centred counsellor
with clinics in Shenstone, Rugeley and
Swadlincote, as well as offering telephone
consultations. For more details visit www.
alycewilliamscounselling.co.uk and to book
an appointment call 07546 465652 or email
alycewilliamscounselling52@gmail.com
25

H E A LT H
Fitness begins at home
THIS MONTH, LICHFIELD BASED PERSONAL TRAINER RAÚL ROMERO
SHARES HIS TOP TIPS ON KEEPING FIT FROM HOME
Keeping fit from home is an ever increasing trend,
especially in the current climate. Although there is
that certain special spirit and exhilarating energy
of going to train at the gym or training studio, in
today’s society, it is not always possible to take time
out of every day to hit the gym, hence why keeping
fit from home is a fab alternative.
With ever evolving technology, there are a plethora
of options for keeping fit from home, from Les
Mills on Demand and Peloton, to Youtube channels
galore. Although each have their advantages, the
key is ensuring you choose quality over popularity or
ease. Whichever option you select, it is a great way of
not only keeping fit, but also working out with your
family.
For a more personalised approach, it can often pay to
look local. With technology working it’s magic in our
society, there are various online options available that
can motivate and help keep you fit from home with
more personalised training tailored to you.
At Ambition PT, we are proud to help our clients
achieve their goals face-to-face as well as virtually
through 1-2-1 online programmes and virtual group
sessions.
Quite simply put, there is a solution for everyone
to keep fit and healthy from home. Even if online,
virtual training doesn’t tickle your taste bud, we can
all easily do certain exercises at home that don’t
require any equipment at all, yet can still make all
the difference in helping us achieve our fitness goals.
So with that in mind, here are five simple yet highly
effective exercises to do from the comfort of your
own home with no special equipment required:
1. Pulse squats
Start by standing with your feet shoulder-width
apart, resting your arms down at your sides.
While bracing your core and keeping your chest up
and neck neutral, bend your knees and push your
hips back as if you’re going to sit in a chair. When
your thighs are parallel to the floor, pause.
The benefit of pulsing is that you are constantly
PULSE SQUAT
stimulating and engaging the muscles. This also
allows you to hold the movement longer as you are
not releasing and re-engaging that connection. You
can do more reps with smaller movements (like squat
pulses), which work your muscles in a different way
than doing full-range.
2. Press ups
Yes, one of the good old classic exercises that even
after years, is still one of the best exercises you can
do equipment free.
The best way to do a push-up is to think of it as a
moving plank. The correct setup for a standard pushup
is to position your hands shoulder-width apart, or
a little bit wider. As you bend your elbows and lower
toward the ground, your elbows should be at about a
45-degree angle to your body.
26

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3. Running on the spot
This is ‘exactly what it says
on the tin’! A great fat burner
where you can choose the
intensity level to suit your
needs.
Begin by standing with the
feet shoulder-width apart snd
hands by your side. Engage
your core, lift your feet only
an inch or two off the ground,
hopping from foot to foot.
Move your arms as you jog on
the spot.
4. Side plank leg lift
This is fab for not only
working the abs, but also
toning legs, bums and tums!
Lie on your side with your
elbow directly underneath your shoulder and your
forearm perpendicular to your body. Shoulders
should be stacked and chest perpendicular to the
ground. Stack your feet together and place your top
hand on your hip. Then drive your hips up to form a
straight line with your body from head to toe.
Continue to keep hips elevated and avoid sagging
of the lower hip. Be mindful of contracting your
abs, quads, and more significantly your glutes. Raise
your top leg into the air and maintain a straight leg
throughout the movement. Hold this position for 2-3
seconds for each rep.
BIRD DOG
SIDE PLANK
LEG LIFT
5. Bird dog
With this exercise, you can really zone in and work
your back, glutes and core. Kneel on the floor and
support the body with both hands and both knees.
Position the back so that it is flat and neutral.
Simultaneously raise the right arm and left leg until
the extended arm and leg are horizontal.
Pause briefly before lowering the arm and leg in the
same path as the upward movement. Alternate the
side of the body worked with each repetition.
As with all goals, the key is taking the plunge
and starting; however small the step, every little
counts when it comes
to building and
maintaining fitness.
Keeping fit and active
impacts and helps us
in every aspect of our
daily lives, from mental
health to keeping
physically fit.
Now more than ever,
the importance of
making a conscious
effort to move and keep
fit is key.
For any further
questions about
keeping fit from home,
contact Raúl at raul@
ambitionpt.co.uk.
28

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

T R AV E L
A heartfelt Oman
ROBBIE SINCLAIR REFLECTS ON A MAGICAL MIDDLE
EASTERN ADVENTURE THROUGH AMAZING OMAN
VIEWING PLATFORM AT THE
MOUNTAIN TOP ANANTARA AL
JABAL AKHDAR RESORT
Nothing could have prepared me for the kindness
of the people I encountered in Oman. It wasn’t the
first time I had visited the region, but it was definitely
one of the most memorable and enjoyable, a more
enriching experience than I had previously.
I had heard great things about Oman; the beaches,
mountains, shopping, culture, historic sites and
variety of areas to visit so I was keen to explore. My
overnight flight was only six-and-a-half hours so I
tried to get in as much shut eye as possible because I
had a busy day of excitement ahead once we landed
in Muscat.
After collecting our baggage (many of them half
empty in preparation for the shopping I predicted I
would do), we jumped in our rental car and hit the
road to head to the W Hotel which was only a 15-20
minute drive away. EASY! The roads were quiet and
easily navigated.
Our room was perfect with pretty garden views and
a large comfortable bed, the space was ideal. The
rich mix of traditional Arabic design and modernism
still looked fresh as the hotel was only three months
old. We ditched our bags, showered and changed,
and jumped back in the car ready to explore.
First stop! The souk. Muscat’s topography is unique,
with mountains behind the main city centre and
small canyons separating a few of the different areas.
We drove just 20 minutes over the rugged landscape
that surrounds the city and found a parking space
and entered the treasure filled market. As the opulent
aromas of frankincense and rich oud hit my nose
I could feel myself getting more excited about the
new world I was about to enter. When travelling
I think it’s important to throw yourself in and try
EVERYTHING, and I did.
I’m always a little nervous when going to souks
because I don’t want to get hassled but the Mutrah
Souq was much more relaxed and everything I
needed it to be. The traders were so respectful and
friendly it really was like nothing I had experienced.
Just under two hours later I emerged from the souk
carrying a silk embroidered jacket, four pillows, two
footstools and a bag of freshly cooked sambosa (what
we know as samosa) to keep me going. These spicy
pockets of mixed vegetables or falafel are the perfect
tasty snack at the end of a shopping spree, and easy
to find in the souk.
Feeling a little tired, we decided to head back to the
W Hotel for an afternoon rest. The hotel’s pool area
is beautifully landscaped and perfectly designed with
vast amounts of room and great service too. The W
brand has a more vibrant image. Music was playing
which added to the fun atmosphere and it was
great to see younger families enjoying the afternoon
30

vibe. The hotel is great for young
couples but also with little ones in tow,
offering a range of activities and daily
programmes.
As we sat in our cabana sipping
on margaritas, we debriefed the
excitement of the souk and discussed
plans for the rest of our trip.
The next morning we ate breakfast at
D’arcy’s Kitchen, a cheery vintagethemed
eatery with a great menu of
pancakes, international treats and
familiar favourites matched nicely
with gingham check and sunflower
yellow decor. It was only a few
minutes walk from the W and an ideal
area with cafes and restaurants for a
change of scenery from the hotel.
On our return, we witnessed local
fishermen returning to the beach with the early
morning catch. Families gathered around to assist
and purchase fresh buckets for their family feast later
that day. This was a lovely glimpse into daily Omani
life.
Feeling ready to start the day we jumped in the car
and headed to Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque. This
incredible place of worship took almost seven years
to build and is made from 300,000 tons of Indian
sandstone. Non-Muslims can enter between 8.30am
and 11am but even if you don’t make it inside, the
impressive architecture and gardens are still a must.
We couldn’t resist a little more shopping to hunt out
unique finds from the Middle East and surrounding
regions. After more of the souk we stopped by a
humble but delicious restaurant called Cornich
Cafe for sambosa, olives and the best hummus I’ve
eaten before heading back for some all important
relaxation by the pool.
After watching the sunset behind the pools gorgeous
TAQAH CASTLE, SALALAH
BEACH AT AL BALEED RESORT
SALALAH BY ANANTARA
backdrop of palms and glimmering waterfalls we
headed for dinner. We tried out the Siddharta
Lounge in the W where we enjoyed succulent
chicken and fresh sushi. The restaurant is attached to
the hotel’s popular and lively rooftop nightclub with
its own infinity pool. The atmosphere was electric
and cocktails flowed all night long, a total contrast
to the walk around the traditional souk. We really
enjoyed this aspect of Oman, the old and new which
existed harmoniously together.
For our final night in Muscat, we once again drove
through the meandering canyon highway, watching
the evening buzz of the city come alive. We were
heading a little further this time, along the famous
Mutrah Corniche to watch the sun set at Al Alam
Palace. This peculiar palace was re-built as a
Royal Residence in 1972. It isn’t the palatial grand
structure one would expect in the Middle East,
especially having stayed in some pretty opulent hotels
in the past. It has become somewhat an Instagram
icon due to its unique retro design and colourful
paint work. There is nothing ornate,
or even palatial about it, but its
unique look and surrounding area
make it a worthwhile trip.
We continued our journey along
the coast for an evening visit to the
Al Bustan Palace, a Ritz Carlton
Hotel. This is the most opulent of
all the luxury hotels in Muscat. The
grand lounge and reception area is
most impressive and the hotel offers
beautifully landscaped gardens and
a stunning beach.
On the way back to the city we
stopped at Bait Al Luban for a
traditional Omani evening and it
31

was the perfect end to our first few days. We sat on
floor cushions around a large wooden table and as
we filled our stomachs on homemade breads and
curries of chicken, fish and spinach, and we spoke of
our experience so far.
The next day, our morning flight took us south to
Salalah where we stayed forfour nights at the Al
Baleed Resort Salalah by Anantara, just a 25-minute
drive from the airport. We were greeted by Precious
who took us to our garden view pool villa which
really did exceed our expectations. High walls offered
total privacy to the pool area and sundeck, perfect
for romantics and honeymooners. For dinner we
ate dim sum and fresh fish at the hotel’s Mekong
restaurant.
I knew the Al Baleed resort was beautiful but I
hadn’t realised how great it was until I sat down for
breakfast on our second morning. Overlooking a
pristine beach and pool area, the breakfast buffet
gave me everything I needed and more. Warm
flatbread filled with cheese and thyme, classic
breakfasts from around the world and a sweet station
that would keep my dentist in business for the next
year!
With our stomachs full we hit the road in search of
historic sites in the area. We heard great things about
Salalah, an often overlooked beach resort that has
never hit mass commercial tourism which means
it keeps its small-town charm. An easy 25 minute,
quiet drive and we had arrived at the 19th century
Taqah castle in Dhofar. As we paid our small cost to
enter the building, the guard instantly doubled up as
a tour guide and gave us lots of information about
the family who lived here and what life was like back
then. I thought about other heritage sites and castles
I had visited over the years but couldn’t think of
another place where such pride and willingness to
share stories about one’s culture existed.
Once again we were back in the car
headed towards an old settlement
but not quite sure what to expect.
We pulled up at the 6,000 year old
site and were blown away by the
views, and the fact that we could walk
among the historic foundations of
early settlers. As we walked around
the walls I closed my eyes and tried
to imagine what life was like here
back then. Children had played here,
families had prayed and cooked
together, and as I stood there in my
bright white trainers and printed
vacation shirt I chuckled at the
absurdity of it all. Two very different
worlds coming together albeit
thousands of years apart. I said a silent hello to the
people who had been here before me and thanked
them.
On our way back we had just enough energy
for another souk. As a designer, I’m an obsessive
collector of ‘things’, so wherever I go I love to hunt
out great fabrics and objects to inspire my day job
and I have to say that Oman was one of my favourite
spots for such items. We pulled up to the gold souk
and I dashed around soaking up all the clashing
patterns and filling my lungs with the rich scents of
amber, saffron and leather oud.
Forgetting my very British nervousness around
bartering, I negotiated some great prices for fabrics
and jewellery and a beautiful smelling incense burner
which smokes away as I write this article, helping me
transport myself back to that magical place.
We woke the next morning and after a delicious
breakfast we headed to the airport for our short flight
back to Muscat for our next leg in our exploration.
Fueled by coffee we jumped into our 4x4 and
prepared for the exciting road trip ahead. The next
leg of the journey took us two hours drive inland
from Muscat and up... quite a way up to the top of
the cool mountains where (if Google is anything to
go by) I was about to see some of the most incredible
views in the Middle East.
We passed the checkpoint at the foot of the
mountain and we were greeted by a friendly guard
who chatted with us about our trip and told us about
all of the places we have to see before we leave. After
advising us on which setting to put our 4x4 in, he
waved us off and wished us a safe journey.
Jagged mountains and rocks jutt upwards from the
ground as if they are trying to grab the stars that will
no doubt glitter across the ink blue sky that is due to
arrive in a couple of hours time. With only a short
time to go before we enter the Anantara Al Jabal Al
PRIVATE POOL VILLA, AL BALEED
RESORT SALALAH BY ANANTARA
32

Akhdar Resort, we drove in silence soaking in
the views stretched out all around us.
Sipping on Arabic coffee as we check in,
we are offered macaroons and dates and of
course we oblige. The time is 17:23 and the
sun is about to set at any second so as I make
polite chit chat with our porter, I rummage
around for my camera in preparation for the
plummeting sun. As I sat on the glass terrace
looking at our surrounding mountain view at
the red, pink and orange glow that beamed
from behind the ad-hock silhouette of the
mountains, I thought about how lucky I was to
visit such a place.
We rose early and grabbed our cameras to take
more pictures of the fresh morning sky and
rocky mountains and as we caught a view of
the incredible pool area we decided that a lazy
tanning day is a top priority. This just isn’t any
hotel swimming pool. Comfy lounge chairs
look out across the cavernous mountains and
the infinity pool makes you feel like you are
floating amongst the rocks. As I sit in silence
I feel the last of my worries melt away. I can’t
imagine going back to my desk and checking
an email or meeting a deadline, for now all I
need to do is close my eyes and relax.
It would be hard to pick a favourite hotel as
they all offer such different experiences from
the W’s glamorous pool area and delicious
cocktails to the hidden oasis of Al Baleed
Resort Salalah by Anantara or the Anantara
Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort’s otherworldly
mountain retreat. I know that I would visit all
of them again in a heartbeat.
The Middle East always divides opinion and,
before visiting, I too was influenced by the
media and had my reservations about coming
but nothing prepared me for the kindness I
felt in Oman. It is a very special country and
will always hold a dear place in my heart.
The people are warm and welcoming and
the culture seems to hold a magical mysticism
that reminds us of its rich past that people still
respect today whilst still embracing change.
As I write this article I’m reliving all of the
fond memories I made and I feel Oman
tugging at me to come back, and I can’t wait.
MOSQUE, MUSCAT
For Oman travel ideas and holiday
packages speak to the experts at RB
Collection on Boley Park, Lichfield,
on 01543 258631 or email vip@
rbcollection.com rbcollection.com/
oman
33

FA S H I O N
Stay cosy
WITH THE PROSPECT OF SPENDING INCREASING AMOUNTS OF TIME AT HOME ON THE HORIZON,
AMY NORBURY CHECKS OUT SOME OF THE LATEST LOUNGEWEAR LOOKS SO YOU CAN KEEP
COMFY WITHOUT COMPROMISING ON STYLE
STAYING in is set to become the new going out. In
the wake of the C-word crisis, more and more of
us will be spending ever increasing amounts of time
indoors. If you’re one of those people (and who isn’t?!)
who reaches for the comfort of PJs the second they
get home from work, then the prospect of spending
all day lounging around in your favourite comfies is
probably an enticing one; after all, there’s no denying
the comfort of slipping into something cosy to give us
a mental health boost in these uncertain times.
For those who will be starting to work from home
though, getting dressed can be one of the best ways to
boost your mood and keep productivity levels high.
However, it can be tricky to know what to wear for a
day in the make-shift office, with the pyjamas that you
just rolled out of bed wearing deemed too uninspiring
and wholly inappropriate should the need for a video
call strike, while pulling on your usual office regalia
means compromising on comfort.
The solution here is to dress in clothes that hit the
sweet spot between workwear and PJs.
Thankfully, acquiring a wardrobe that you can proudly
hunker down and work hard in without getting dolled
up to stay at home has been made much easier thanks
to that perfect workaround - loungewear.
Everyone from luxury nightwear brands to high street
heroes have been getting in on the loungewear act,
delivering everything from cashmere co-ord tracksuits
to luxurious cardigans, on-trend hoodies to slippers
packing some serious style. The time has come to
forget the sofa-bound stereotype because staying in
never looked so good.
And while slipping on your high heels or office shoes
is set to become a thing of the past, it doesn’t mean
settling for your battered old slippers as the indoor
footwear of choice.
Ever since the Gucci furry slides became the fashion
icon of 2015, comfort-seekers have witnessed a
blurring of lines between outside and indoor shoes,
with fancy slides and satin slippers becoming the
ultimate in luxe footwear.
Once mocked for their distinct lack of aesthetic
appeal, the rubbery pool slides and moccasin slippers
of the past have received a luxury makeover and now
come adorned with embellishments galore.
So fashion lovers rejoice, and embrace the style of
staying in.
IVORY TOP, £15, AND JOGGERS, £15,
MISS SELFRIDGE
34

£185
£35
KHOST CLOTHING GREY POPPER
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IVORY HOODIE AND CUFFED
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FA S H I O N
Style it for summer
JILL HARTLEY, FOUNDER OF LUXURY BRIDAL AND FASHION BOUTIQUE NERO E BIANCO,
AT BARTON MARINA, LOOKS AHEAD TO SOME OF THE HOTTEST SUMMER STYLES
It’s time to start thinking about those staple pieces for your summer wardrobe. As always at Nero e Bianco our
mission is to help women look amazing and feel empowered. Here’s a selection of styles that will put you in the
lead for on trend style in the coming month.
One of the biggest trends is stripes; featured here
with this beautiful blouse and pleated skirt duo. This
playful ensemble is the perfect statement look for the
summer. The sunshine yellow and sea blue colours
offer much-needed calming vibes. You can easily wear
this for both daywear and evening events by switching
up the footwear and accessories. Both items can be
worn separately with more simpler pieces for a more
subdued look.
Another trend is the ultimate female power-suit. This
is the blazer of dreams; with mesh panelling detail and
a chiffon cape it not only elongates your torso but also
gives you a slender figure. This ecru white is incredibly
on trend as lighter colours are perfect for the summer.
Add a pop of personality with colourful shoes and
accessories to minimise the white look, or keep it sleek
and sophisticated by sticking to the light-coloured
trend.
36

w w w . n e r o e b i a n c o . u k
Nero e Bianco Exclusive Fashion & Bridal
Barton Marina, Burton upon Trent, DE13 8AS
01283 346704

These trousers look also phenomenal paired with the
jacket we’ve just seen, but why not mix it up with a
simpler top and still create a killer look. This lilac shirt
featuring an abstract design pocket is so stylish; pastel
colours are everywhere at the moment. Shirts are so
effortless and always make you look put together. This
outfit looks great paired with a sandal heel or mule but
is equally as stylish matched with a white trainer for
the ultimate casual look.
This vibrant orange shirt dress is one of our favourite
looks because you can dress it up or down no matter
the event. It is the kind of dress you can throw on
quickly and head out the door and still look incredible.
A shirt dress is so flattering as it suits all body types.
Pair with stylish sandals, wedges or trainers, or dress
up with heels for a more evening look. For a different
take, we love this layered look with an organza blouse,
belt and statement jewellery.
This tear patterned dress features pearl detailing
on the straps and these gorgeous blue tones scream
holiday by the sea. The wrap-around fit of the dress
creates such a flattering look and the bow adds a chic
detail. This would not only be perfect for holidays and
trips abroad but also barbecues and summer parties.
Finally, this little green number has become the little
black dress of the holiday season – it’s a must-have!
In a beautiful khaki colour, it’s a simple dress but
should not be underrated. It’s one of those dresses
that we all need, because it’s just so effortless to style.
Featuring an A-line fit, it is so flattering on every body
type. Pair with a statement belt, jewellery and sandals
for the ultimate summer look!
View a wider range of our summer collection at www.neroebianco.uk
or visit us in store at Barton Marina, Barton under Needwood.
38

B E AU T Y
Tackling men’s
skincare needs
FROM CONCEALERS TO ANTI-AGEING EYE CREAMS, GROOMING IS NOW A MULTI-BILLION POUND
INDUSTRY WITH FIGURES SHOWING MORE THAN 40% OF MEN AGED 31-45 SPEND UP TO 45 MINUTES
PREENING EVERY MORNING. TO HELP GET YOUR SKINCARE ON POINT, LISA PIDDINGTON REVEALS THE
MANLIEST MUST-HAVES FROM HARVEY NICHOLS BIRMINGHAM
GIVE NATURE A HELPING
HAND: There are days when we
could all do with a little help when
it comes to our skin, and tinted
moisturisers are designed to not
only even tone and brighten the
complexion but also cover those
blemishes. The Let’s Face It
BB Tinted Moisturiser, £25,
from Shakeup, is available in
three shades. It’s suitable for all
skin types and contains vitamin E,
peppermint and eucalyptus oil to
cool and freshen.
FIND YOUR SKIN TYPE: Do you
have dry, oily or combination skin?
This can help you pick the right daily
essentials. Because most men have
combination skin it’s best to opt for lightweight,
easily absorbed products that can
add hydration to areas most in need.
ESPA’s lightweight Hydrator,
£32, works to nourish and soothe skin.
Mineral-rich birch sap and hyaluronic
acid maintain optimum levels of
moisture, while antioxidant vitamin E
replenishes.
ADD PRODUCTS
TO YOUR SHAVING
RITUAL: You may well understand
how to shave correctly, but aftercare is
equally important to keep skin in tip top
condition. Opt for products that protect
and repair post-shave damage, improving
texture and adding nourishment. The
SOS Shave Oil, £40 from Heaven,
is designed to improve the texture of
your skin. It’s easy to use; simply add a
few drops to your shaving cream or leave
on overnight for added nourishment.
OPT FOR ANTI-
AGERS: As your skin
ages, its requirements
change – it may be less
hydrated and fine lines
and discolouration
start to appear. Serums
are an effective way of
feeding and plumping
your skin and can
be teamed with
your favourite daily
moisturiser.
Sisley’s Sisleÿa
L’Intégral Anti-
Age Anti-Wrinkle
Concentrated
Serum, £350, boasts
a powerful combination of plant-based active
ingredients that smooth the visibility of fine lines.
LOOK AFTER YOUR EYE
AREA: The skin around your eyes
is much more sensitive than the skin
on the rest of your face, so you need
to choose creams that are not only
effective for this delicate area but
also lightweight.
The anti-ageing Elemis Time
Defence Eye Reviver, £42, is
clinically proven to help smooth
lines while at the same time it also
boosts hydration.
ALL PRODUCTS FEATURED ARE AVAILABLE
FROM THE BEAUTY HALL AT HARVEY NICHOLS
BIRMINGHAM, THE MAILBOX, AND ONLINE AT
HARVEYNICHOLS.COM.
39

H E A LT H
Specialist says ‘you don’t
have to live with back pain’
CONSULTANT ORTHOPAEDIC SPINAL SURGEON MR AMIT BHALLA FROM SPIRE
LITTLE ASTON HOSPITAL IN SUTTON COLDFIELD DISCUSSES THE MAIN CAUSES
OF BACK PAIN AND HOW WE CAN AVOID IT
BACK AND NECK PAIN CAN
AFFECT UP TO 90 PER CENT
OF THE POPULATION AT
SOME TIME IN THEIR LIVES
Back and neck pain can affect up to 90 per cent of
the population at some point in their lives and is one
of the most common causes for GP appointments.
It’s also the most common cause for absence from
work in those aged under 45.
“I see patients of all ages; unfortunately no one is
immune to developing back pain. The most common
risk factors are age (over 40s tend to be the most
common group), a physical job and family history
of back conditions,” says Mr Bhalla, consultant
orthopaedic spinal surgeon at Spire Little Aston
Hospital.
In most cases, the pain isn’t caused by anything
serious and will resolve itself in time. Treatment
can be as simple as a course of anti-inflammatory
medication combined with gentle exercises.
“Maintaining an active lifestyle is really important
when managing back and neck pain. If your pain
has not settled within six weeks then I would insist on
further investigation,” Mr Bhalla adds.
The following symptoms, however, do require
investigation:
• Back pain lasting more than six weeks
• Back pain in patients with previous history of cancer
• Bowel/bladder dysfunction
• Fever/unexplained weight loss
• Muscle weakness/footdrop
Not all back conditions require surgery and Mr
Bhalla offers a variety of treatments to suit the
patient.
“Non-invasive treatments are always my first port
of call,” he says. “Physiotherapy and manipulation
therapy combined with medication is often a good
starting point. Other treatments I offer include spinal
injections, and the final option is surgery such as
spinal decompression, discectomy and fusion.”
For routine surgery, patients can expect to go home
within 24 hours and a normal return to activities
within six to 12 weeks.
“My goal is to recondition the back; it’s the most
rewarding part of my job to see my patients return to
the hobbies and lifestyle they love - pain free.”
To book an appointment with Mr Bhalla please call
0121 580 7119.
40

I N T H E N E W S
Military collection up for auction
He’s been described as ‘the ultimate
professional soldier’.
But now former SAS trooper Peter
McAleese is bidding a farewell to
arms – in fact his entire archive
documenting his explosive career is
coming up for auction.
Glaswegian McAleese, 77, has served
with Britain’s Parachute Regiment,
the SAS, Rhodesia’s SAS and the
South African Defence Force.
He’s battled drug barons in
Columbia – including a covert
operation to locate and “deal with”
narcotics baron Pablo Escobar –
trained bodyguards in Moscow and
taken on security work in Algeria and
Iraq.
Now McAleese’s personal collection
is to go under the hammer in Richard Winterton
Auctioneers’ Fine Arts and Specialist Sale.
At the helm is his three-bar General Service Medal
named to Trooper SAS as part of a unique group of
nine medals.
The collection, which also includes McAleese’s
berets, dog tags and even a handmade ceramic
plaque painted by staff in Algeria as a tribute during
his stint organising security, is estimated to fetch up
to £22,000.
The divorced dad-of-three has decided to part
with the archive of a lifetime’s soldiering after
downsizing to a one-bed flat in his adopted home of
Birmingham, where he once ran The Gunmakers
Arms pub.
“I’m just an ordinary person, who happened to find
himself doing extraordinary things. I mean that from
the bottom of my heart,” McAleese said.
PETER’S EXTENSIVE
COLLECTION
FORMER SAS
SOLDIER PETER
MCALEESE
“I’ve had a great life. I’m extremely happy at the
moment and I have a marvellous relationship with
my family.
“I enjoyed the Army – the Army was good to me. It
just came to an end.
“I was a professional soldier and like a guy who is a
brickie, for example, you go where the work is.”
He added: “I’ve ended up with quite a lot of
personal militaria relating to my career and there
was just too much stuff – it was just gathering dust.”
McAleese has detailed his extensive experiences in
several books, including the stone-cold classic No
Mean Soldier.
Nick Thompson, medals specialist at Richard
Winterton Auctioneers, said: “Peter McAleese not
only served his country with distinction but led a very
colourful military career throughout.
“Because of the secretive nature in which the SAS is
run – for all the right reasons – it’s sometimes very
hard for the collector to find out the story behind the
medals but not in this case. It’s all there in the books.
“This collection represents a unique insight to the
tough world of a professional soldier.”
Due to COVID-19, Richard Winterton Auctioneers’
Fine Arts and Specialist Sale is currently rescheduled
to a one-day auction on Monday, April 27. Please
keep checking www.richardwinterton.co.uk as dates
continue to be subject to change.
Messages and emails are picked up daily –
contact 01543 251081 or
office@richardwinterton.co.uk.
41

M OTO R S
Life in the fast lane
J’AIME MOTORING EXPERT AND RESIDENT RACING DRIVER MARTIN PLOWMAN TAKES A LOOK
AT AN EXCITING NEW ROAD LEGAL RACE CAR WHICH IS ABOUT TO START PRODUCTION
Now here’s something to hopefully cheer you up
from the doom and gloom we are all facing… JRM,
a UK-based advanced engineering company that
has a history steeped in motorsport success, has
taken their world-championship winning expertise
and developed a limited-edition race car that is road
legal!
As GT1 title winners in the Nissan GT-R Nismo
GT1, as well as building and running the GT3 for
customer racing, JRM is releasing their version
of the ultimate race car for the road. Limited to
a run of only 23 cars, all hand-built at their UK
headquarters in Daventry with each limited-edition
chassis individually numbered, JRM’s GT23 will
commence production in Spring 2020. It will be
available to customers around the globe and preorders
started being taken in December last year.
In creating the GT23, JRM has reviewed all the
major systems in the car, and where appropriate r
edesigned components to enhance track
performance. The holistic approach has included
significant changes to weight, weight distribution and
inertia which required significant changes to engine
position, gearbox, and suspension architecture. The
engineering behind the JRM GT23 has been totally
functionally driven to make it a car that can deliver a
real race-driving experience.
JRM managing director Jason King says: “To
develop a car of our own has always been a goal
for JRM and we’ve been working behind the scenes
to make this a reality. It’s time to show people what
JRM can do. It’s always been hidden away, putting
someone else’s label on our work in performance
engineering. We know the GT-R inside out and our
team of designers, engineers and racing drivers have
taken this cult car to a whole new level - the GT23 is
incredibly special.”
JRM technical director Elliot Dason-Barber says:
“With a full aero package and light weighted to
achieve 500 bhp per ton, the GT23 is an impressive
package. This car is born from racing. Every
system the team has put on it has racing pedigree
and they’ve done a great job. To take a car that is
already a serious machine and hone it to our racing
specification, that includes the new JRM sensor
system, has been incredibly rewarding and enabled
us to demonstrate our capabilities to a market that
really know their cars.
“The racing elements this car delivers are like
nothing else on a road car, not even the very special
ones. It really is an authentic race car. ”
If you’d like to register your interest in a JRM GT23,
visit www.jrm-gt23.com or email Graham Prew on
gprew@jrm-group.com.
THE JRM GT23
42

COMING SOON
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&
Specialist Sale
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Lot: 42
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INSURANCE VALUATIONS | PROBATE SERVICES | SPECIALIST SALES | HOUSE CLEARANCES
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