J'AIME MAY 2020
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M AY 2 0 2 0<br />
J’AIME<br />
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<br />
The<br />
Lockdown<br />
Special<br />
Celebrating<br />
local heroes:<br />
MAKING A DIFFERENCE<br />
WIN FINE DINING AT HOME<br />
WITH SAUCE SUPPER CLUB<br />
AND TOM SHEPHERD<br />
Perfect<br />
patios:<br />
SPRUCE UP YOUR<br />
GARDEN FOR SUMMER
DINE AT HOME WITH<br />
TOM SHEPHERD<br />
As lockdown continues and restaurants look set to close for some<br />
time we have teamed up with Tom Shepherd to bring you a<br />
restaurant experience in your own home.<br />
We will deliver a luxurious box containing 3 courses prepped,<br />
ready for you to flash fry, stir and bake to create your own plates<br />
of delicious food by following the clear instructions provided<br />
for a serious lockdown treat.<br />
Deliveries take place every Friday and Tom will change his menu weekly using<br />
seasonal, local produce. If you have an anniversary, a postponed wedding day,<br />
birthday celebration or just fancy a weekend treat this is perfect for you!<br />
Stay safe and fine dine at home!<br />
ORDER ONLINE www.saucesupperclub.co.uk or call 01543 415855<br />
*FREE DELIVERY TO LICHFIELD & SURROUNDING AREA - £5 DELIVERY CHARGE TO WIDER AREA<br />
DINE AT HOME WITH<br />
TOM SHEPHERD<br />
EXAMPLE MENU<br />
BREAD<br />
Milk bread with marmite butter<br />
STARTER<br />
Ham Hock, parsley and grain mustard terrine,<br />
Piccalilli purée, sweet and sour cucumber,<br />
treacle bread<br />
MAIN<br />
Slow cooked blade of beef, bourguignon sauce<br />
dauphinois potatoes, carrots cooked in beef fat,<br />
wild garlic pesto<br />
DESSERT<br />
Baked pink lady apple, ginger sponge soaked in<br />
Calvados, salted caramel sauce, vanilla creme<br />
patisserie, pecan crunch<br />
TREAT<br />
Chocolate fudge
Welcome to J’AIME<br />
As the coronavirus crisis continues to affect daily<br />
life for us all, we bring you J’AIME’s ‘lockdown<br />
special’ - an issue packed with inspirational<br />
stories and ideas to enjoy during these most<br />
strange of times.<br />
One of the most striking positives to come out<br />
of the pandemic has definitely been the sense<br />
of community togetherness, and we’ve been<br />
hearing so many stories of ordinary people<br />
doing extraordinary things to help and support<br />
others - a handful of which are highlighted on<br />
our pages.<br />
We also chat to the Birmingham REP’s new<br />
artistic director, Oliver Award-winning writer,<br />
director and actor Sean Foley, about the affect<br />
the pandemic has had on the theatre industry<br />
and how they are working through the crisis,<br />
while personal trainer Raul Romero takes a<br />
look at virtual workouts where you can workout<br />
together, at home.<br />
If you’re missing dining out and craving a bit of<br />
lockdown luxury - and after all, who isn’t?! - then<br />
we’ve got the perfect competition for you. We’ve<br />
teamed up with local fine dining specialists Sauce<br />
Supper Club and top chef Tom Shepherd to<br />
bring you an ‘at home’ fine dining experience for<br />
two worth £75, as well as a bottle of handpicked<br />
Worth Brothers wine to complete the ultimate<br />
lockdown foodie experience.<br />
And if you’re not lucky enough to scoop this<br />
fantastic prize, then you can console yourself<br />
with an indulgent pud courtesy of MasterChef:<br />
The Professionals winner Laurence Henry,<br />
which you can whip up at home.<br />
Remember, with this online version you can click<br />
directly through to all websites mentioned from<br />
our pages and adverts - while many physical<br />
shops and showrooms are currently closed, you<br />
can still browse our advertisers’ wares online, so<br />
why not take a look?<br />
We hope to be back printing and delivering<br />
J’AIME soon, but in the meantime follow us on<br />
Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for the latest<br />
updates. Stay home, and stay safe!<br />
EDITOR: AMY NORBURY<br />
EDITOR@JAIMEMAGAZINE.COM<br />
ADVERTISING: JAN ASHLEY<br />
ADVERTISING@JAIMEMAGAZINE.COM<br />
07388 335 931<br />
DESIGN: DESIGN@JAIMEMAGAZINE.COM<br />
CONTRIBUTORS: JASPREET SHERGILL, JAIDE<br />
EMMA SMITH, ROBBIE SINCLAIR, DEBORAH<br />
MITCHELL, RAUL ROMERO, LAURENCE HENRY,<br />
ALAN DOVEY<br />
COVER PHOTOGRAPHY BY BECKY TRANTER<br />
WWW.BECKYTRANTER.COM<br />
J’AIME IS PUBLISHED BY ASHBURY PUBLICATIONS<br />
LIMITED AND PRINTED BY KEP LIMITED, TAMWORTH.<br />
Check us out online at:<br />
WWW.JAIMEMAGAZINE.COM<br />
Find us on<br />
/JAIMEMAGAZINE<br />
@JAIMEMAGAZINE<br />
@JAIMEMAGAZINE<br />
SPONSORED BY<br />
3
CO N T E N T S<br />
InsideJ’aime this month...<br />
6 Local heroes - Some inspirational tales of ordinary<br />
people doing extraordinary things to help others<br />
through the coronavirus crisis<br />
10 Property - Property of the month<br />
12 Interiors - Outdoor living<br />
16 Sean Foley - Birmingham REP’s artistic director on<br />
how theatre will survive the crisis<br />
18 Rainbows of hope - Colouring sheets from<br />
Lichfield graphic designer Chris Day<br />
19 Competition - Wine a luxurious ‘at home’ fine<br />
dining experience from Sauce Supper Club and<br />
Tom Shepherd<br />
20 Food and drink - An indulgent pud from<br />
MasterChef’s Laurence Henry<br />
22 Health - Fitness advice from Lichfield personal<br />
trainer Raul Romero<br />
24 Education - Former headteacher Phil Sharrock<br />
examines why we shouldn’t be in a rush to get<br />
back to school<br />
26 What’s On - Lichfield concert moves online<br />
27 Travel - A Spanish desert and the world’s most<br />
Instagrammable hotel<br />
30 Fashion - Fashionably fit<br />
32 Beauty - Salon skincare at home with Heaven<br />
Skincare’s Deborah Mitchell<br />
34 Health - Zoom consultations from Spire Little<br />
Aston<br />
35 Health - Looking after your mental health with<br />
Alan Dovey<br />
SPONSORED BY<br />
4
During the current Covid-19 crisis I can offer tele-therapy<br />
through Skype or Zoom or telephone conversations.
F E AT U R E<br />
Come together<br />
AS THE GLOBAL CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC CONTINUES TO DAILY AFFECT LIFE AS WE KNOW IT,<br />
OUR LOCAL COMMUNITIES ARE SHOWING AMAZING SPIRIT AND A SENSE OF TOGETHERNESS<br />
TO GET THROUGH THE CRISIS. AMY NORBURY, JASPREET SHERGILL AND JAIDE EMMA SMITH<br />
TAKE A LOOK AT THE INSPIRING STORIES OF JUST SOME OF OUR LOCAL HEROES<br />
These are truly unique times. The global<br />
health pandemic has left no life untouched,<br />
creating a new daily life where millions of<br />
us remain at home to curb the spread of this<br />
devastating disease, while key workers are out<br />
in force to ensure our health service can cope<br />
with the evolving crisis, our food, medicine<br />
and essential supplies are affected as little as<br />
possible and our streets are kept safe.<br />
But in these darkest of days, there have been<br />
amazing beacons of hope. Every Thursday<br />
at 8pm neighbourhoods around the country<br />
come together to clap for the NHS and key<br />
worker heroes who have been at the forefront<br />
of the crisis, spending two minutes together<br />
- at a safe social distance - to show our<br />
appreciation for those who are making huge<br />
sacrifices to keep the country going.<br />
Captain Tom Moore, who has now just celebrated<br />
his 100th birthday, became a national treasure and a<br />
symbol of that fierce community spirit after raising<br />
more than £30 million for NHS Charities Together<br />
CROCHET EAR SAVERS<br />
HAVE BEEN DISTRIBUTED TO<br />
HOSPITALS AND MEDICAL<br />
CENTRES AROUND THE AREA<br />
THIS AMAZING PORTAIT OF<br />
CAPTAIN TOM MOORE BY<br />
RUGELEY ARTIST POLLY ORTON<br />
HAS RAISED NEARLY £1,000<br />
by walking 100 laps of his garden to celebrate his<br />
own century milestone.<br />
And up and down the country there are stories of<br />
ordinary people doing extraordinary things to help<br />
their communities, their vulnerable and their hero<br />
key workers.<br />
Here are the stories of just some of our own local<br />
heroes.<br />
Laura Sutton, from Lichfield, has gathered together<br />
a group of volunteers to help elderly and vulnerable<br />
people in and around the cathedral city.<br />
Laura says: “At the very beginning of this crisis,<br />
I knew there would be lots of elderly people in<br />
Lichfield stuck inside for a long time due to being<br />
high risk. So I had a few thousand leaflets printed<br />
and got a handful of friends and local business pals<br />
together and we distributed them around the areas<br />
we lived and focussed on any areas where there were<br />
lots of elderly. We especially looked for areas where it<br />
was unlikely they would have younger neighbours to<br />
look out for them.<br />
“We have grown week-on-week and we now have<br />
6
more than 20 volunteers supporting<br />
more than 100 people in Lichfield who<br />
are high risk, shielding or self isolating.<br />
We do a weekly shop for them and<br />
collect prescriptions as well as many<br />
other random requests! We support them<br />
however we can. We also just call them<br />
for a chat, and at Easter gave them cards<br />
made by local children, I made cupcakes<br />
and the Lichfield Round Table donated<br />
Easter Eggs for them.<br />
“We will continue to support any one that<br />
needs a little help as long as it is needed. It<br />
has been so lovely to help these vulnerable<br />
people and bring a little joy and happiness<br />
to them, it really does make it worthwhile,<br />
and they are so, so grateful. I could not do<br />
it without my amazing team of volunteers<br />
though!”<br />
Laura, who runs celebration cake business<br />
The Cake Spa, has also been busy making<br />
cakes and sweet treats for local key workers, with<br />
ingredients funded through donations from her<br />
clients and social media followers.<br />
“Donations meant we have been able to send cakes<br />
and marshmallows to Burton Queens Hospital,<br />
Walsall Manor Hospital, St Giles Hospice, local<br />
supermarkets, pharmacies and doctors surgeries,”<br />
Laura adds.<br />
“I am also now selling baking essentials around<br />
Lichfield so people can continue to have fun baking<br />
at home!”<br />
Over in Sutton Coldfield, Reverend Daniel Ramble,<br />
vicar of St. James Hill in Mere Green, is also helping<br />
to bring the community together to serve vulnerable<br />
families during the health pandemic. St James<br />
Church Centre has been opened to members of the<br />
community and local chefs to prepare and deliver<br />
free hot meals and free food parcels for those who<br />
need it most.<br />
ST JAMES HILL IN MERE<br />
GREEN HAVE ALSO BEEN<br />
DONATING HOT MEALS TO<br />
FAMILIES IN NEED<br />
VOLUNTEERS AT ST JAMES<br />
HILL IN MERE GREEN<br />
Reverend Ramble said: “Many of these volunteers<br />
are ordinary people but doing extraordinary things in<br />
these challenging times. I am so humbled by people’s<br />
generosity and their selfless acts of kindness.”<br />
As well as more than 180 volunteers and a waiting<br />
list of 322 people ready to offer help, there are<br />
also two professional chefs from The Cornerstone<br />
Kitchen in Sutton Coldfield, who are cooking 40 free<br />
hot meals daily for those in the need. The fresh meals<br />
are transported in thermostat boxes and delivered to<br />
homes within 30 minutes.<br />
The church is working with 11 local schools around<br />
the area where the most vulnerable families are<br />
offered the vital support needed.<br />
“For us it’s not about religion, it’s about generosity,<br />
it’s about grace, it’s about hope,” said Reverend<br />
Ramble.<br />
But it does not end here. Volunteers have helped with<br />
more than 200 shopping lists and prescriptions for<br />
those in isolation and high-risk groups.<br />
Reverend Ramble added: “We<br />
have also had more than 2,000<br />
befriending conversations for those<br />
who are isolated and on their own<br />
to hear a friendly voice every day.”<br />
More than £2,500 has been raised<br />
to help support this project. If you<br />
would like to donate, visit www.<br />
justgiving.com/crowdfunding/<br />
hopeforsutton<br />
Rugeley artist Polly Orton, of<br />
Origin Bespoke, has showcased her<br />
talents by creating an incredible<br />
7
portrait of inspirational Captain Tom<br />
Moore, which she is raffling off to donate<br />
to Tom’s fundraising campaign. She<br />
aims to raise £1,000 with the project.<br />
Polly says: “For many of us Tom<br />
symbolises hope, courage and possibility.<br />
When I saw his campaign I wanted to<br />
donate but being a single mother and a<br />
self-employed artist I knew my donation<br />
would be a drop in the ocean. Every little<br />
helps of course but I wanted to give<br />
more than I was able to afford.<br />
“So I decided to draw a portrait in<br />
the hopes I could sell it for £50 and<br />
that could be my donation. However<br />
as soon as I posted it online the response has been<br />
phenomenal and quickly someone suggested I<br />
should raffle the drawing to give more people the<br />
opportunity of donating and to hopefully raise more<br />
money for Tom so that is what I did.<br />
“I set up my own Just Giving page so I can keep<br />
track of donations and I am counting every £1<br />
donated as an entry to win the portrait. So far I have<br />
raised more than £900 and there is still lots of time<br />
to enter. The winner will be announced via a live<br />
stream on VE Day, Friday May 8, at 8pm. So far the<br />
post has been seen more than 40,000 times and has<br />
been sent all over the world. To donate visit www.<br />
justgiving.com/crowdfunding/pollysportrait<br />
“Tom reminded me that we can all do something.<br />
This portrait is my contribution and has reignited a<br />
passion for portraits. I have since set up another page<br />
to showcase my charcoal works @pollyorton_art on<br />
Instagram and who knows where this journey will<br />
lead.”<br />
Freelance fashion designer Rebekah Brennan, from<br />
LAURA SUTTON HAS ALSO<br />
BEEN DONATING SWEET<br />
TREATS TO KEY WORKERS.<br />
PHOTO BY DANI SALMON<br />
PHOTOGRAPHY<br />
KIRAN RAI IS HOPING TO<br />
SPREAD POSITIVITY BY<br />
SENDING HAND-WRITTEN<br />
CARDS AND LETTERS TO<br />
PEOPLE IN ISOLATION<br />
Sutton Coldfield, has recently moved back home<br />
from New York where she had plans to return to<br />
working as a full time fashion designer - plans which<br />
have been put on hold due to the pandemic.<br />
Since coming back Rebekah has had a lot of free<br />
time on her hands and decided to use it productively.<br />
She was introduced to schemes such as For the Love<br />
of Scrubs, and Loft 25 – NHS PPE Campaign by<br />
friends to make up scrubs, overalls, NHS headbands<br />
and scrub bags.<br />
Rebekah has not been doing this alone; her mum<br />
Christine Babbington has also been doing her bit.<br />
Christine has been an interior and soft furnishings<br />
seamstress all of her life, so together they make quite<br />
the team.<br />
All of these amazing necessities for our front line<br />
staff have been provided free of charge but donations<br />
of fabric have been provided as well as Rebekah<br />
and Christine buying their own. The scrubs have<br />
been given to staff at Walsall Manor, scrub bags to<br />
Good Hope, and the overalls will be distributed to<br />
clinics and hospitals across Birmingham. So far the<br />
duo have made some 30 scrub sets with<br />
more in progress, 25 scrub bags, and<br />
20 hearts, with headbands and masks<br />
currently in the making.<br />
“Although the world seems a different<br />
place outside, being able to do positive<br />
things and having a focus to help is<br />
rewarding in more ways than one,” says<br />
Christine.<br />
Rebekah adds: “Take one day at a time,<br />
and remember the little things can<br />
help!”<br />
NHS administration assistant Louise<br />
Tomlinson, from Castle Bromwich,<br />
volunteers for a leading first aid charity<br />
and has raised £300 through a donation<br />
8
page on Facebook. But she wanted to do more to<br />
help support the wider NHS team.<br />
Louise, who enjoys crocheting as a hobby, was<br />
introduced to the concept of the ‘ear saver/mask<br />
adjuster’ by her daughter and decided to put her<br />
skills to use by creating them. These handy devices<br />
are designed to fit around the back of the head and<br />
take the strain of the elastic on PPE masks from<br />
behind the ears.<br />
To date Louise has given out 200 of these helping<br />
hands, free of charge, to staff in a variety of<br />
establishments such as Heartlands ICU, Good Hope,<br />
private care homes, doctors’ surgeries, UHCW and<br />
Solihull council.<br />
Louise has a message for everyone staying safe at<br />
home during the crisis. She says: “We are isolating<br />
now, so all of our loved ones can be present when we<br />
can get together.”<br />
After seeing a nurse on Facebook describing how<br />
dry and chapped her lips were from wearing masks<br />
at work, Sammi Eadon decided to help. The payroll<br />
administrator, from Great Barr, had noticed people<br />
were raising money for hand creams for nurses and<br />
doctors but not lip balms, so she set up a Go Fund<br />
Me page on both Facebook and Instagram telling<br />
people what she wanted to do and how they could<br />
help.<br />
After raising £245 through her initiative, Sammi<br />
bought 30 tubs of Carmex, 50 Vaseline and 16 FM<br />
lip balms, which were taken to Good Hope hospital<br />
where they were distributed between wards including<br />
A&E and the intensive care unit.<br />
Kind-hearted taxi driver Martin Keay, from Great<br />
Barr, has been<br />
offering his services<br />
free of charge to<br />
carers and hospital<br />
staff needing to get<br />
to work safely or<br />
needing to visit the<br />
supermarket after<br />
long, tiring shifts, as<br />
well as helping people<br />
in the community<br />
by dropping off<br />
medication to those<br />
who are high risk<br />
and are following<br />
government advice to<br />
isolate.<br />
Martin has also been<br />
shopping for elderly<br />
neighbours who aren’t able to go out. He has been<br />
on call at all hours, be it early in the morning or late<br />
at night, to help out where he can - and this is all in<br />
between his normal job as a taxi driver.<br />
Martin says: “During these times we all need to stay<br />
safe and look out for the people around us.”<br />
For many of us in isolation, not being able to see,<br />
touch or feel close to our loved ones can be really<br />
difficult. Experiencing these strange times can often<br />
leave us with feelings of sadness, loneliness and<br />
trying to keep positive isn’t always the easiest.<br />
Kiran Rai, founder of The Search for Happiness, is<br />
on a mission to spread positivity, love and happiness<br />
in this time of need. Her idea stemmed from her<br />
blog TSFH, which she started following a breakup,<br />
during this time she experienced times of<br />
feeling alone which sparked a thought to set-up a<br />
COVID-19 project to help those that are particularly<br />
vulnerable and don’t have family around them.<br />
“The idea of the project is people can reach out to<br />
me and I will send them a letter filled with positive<br />
messages to help us through these difficult times,”<br />
says Kiran, from the West Midlands.<br />
The cards can also be sent to a friend or family<br />
member as a surprise. The message is handwritten<br />
to add a personal touch and can also be sent as<br />
attachments as an email.<br />
“It’s a helping hand, I’m putting my hand out to<br />
help others so they know that someone is there… this<br />
could make a huge difference to someone’s life.”<br />
This project is for everyone so if you would like to<br />
receive or send a card, get in touch with Kiran at<br />
www.tsfh.co.uk or kiran_rai672@gmail.com.<br />
LICHFIELD VOLUNTEER<br />
CO-ORDINATOR LAURA<br />
SUTTON. PHOTO BY DANI<br />
SALMON PHOTOGRAPHY
P R O P E RTY<br />
Property of the Month<br />
WE TAKE A SNEAKY PEEK AT SOME OF THE HOTTEST PROPERTIES ON THE MARKET IN THE<br />
AREA EACH MONTH. THIS MONTH’S SELECTION IS A BREATHTAKING SIX-BEDROOM FAMILY<br />
HOME SITUATED IN ONE OF SUTTON COLDFIELD’S PREMIER LOCATIONS WITH VIEWS<br />
ONTO MOOR HALL GOLF CLUB<br />
Greenside, 12B Moor Hall Drive, Sutton Coldfield: £1,750,000<br />
On the market with Aston Knowles: 0121 362 7878<br />
THE AGENT SAYS: This beautiful property lies off the<br />
sought-after Moor Hall Drive approached from a private<br />
gated driveway. The attractive Tudor-style and red-brick<br />
façade makes a wonderful first impression. The arched open<br />
fronted porch leads to the spacious and impressive reception<br />
hallway which opens up into the kitchen, drawing room, and<br />
study. From here a guest cloakroom can also be accessed. The<br />
reception hallway is wonderfully contemporary yet classic,<br />
with its porcelain tiled floor and walls, together with the<br />
attractive oak front door and staircase leading to the firstfloor<br />
accommodation. The entire ground floor benefits from<br />
underfloor heating.<br />
The open plan kitchen/family/dining area forms the heart of<br />
the home and is perfect for modern family living. It is a bright<br />
space, with bi-folding doors opening out onto the stunning<br />
manicured rear garden and bathing the space in natural light.<br />
The kitchen, with oak floor and wall units features a stunning<br />
Rangemaster gas-fired hob with extractor hood above,<br />
integrated fridge, two dishwashers, and a wine fridge, as well<br />
as a complimentary island with cream faced units providing<br />
for additional storage and workspace.<br />
The sizable master bedroom with rear aspect boasts two<br />
walk-in wardrobes and an en-suite bathroom luxurious fitted<br />
with a white suite featuring double shower cubicle, bath and<br />
walls fully tiled in ceramics.<br />
The property lies at the head of a private gated driveway<br />
flanked on both sides with mature plants and shrubs. The<br />
integral garage and spacious driveway provide ample space<br />
for parking.<br />
There is a spacious rear garden, mainly laid to lawn bordered<br />
for privacy with conifers and a large paved patio area<br />
immediately outside the house which lends itself for al fresco<br />
summer dining and relaxing. The garden has views to the<br />
rear over the 16th hole at Moor Hall Golf Club.<br />
W E L O V E :<br />
THE SPACIOUS FEEL AND GENEROUSLY<br />
PROPORTIONED GROUNDS<br />
10
I N T E R I O R S<br />
Outdoor<br />
living<br />
WITH coronavirus lockdown restrictions firmly in place,<br />
our own personal outdoor spaces have never been more<br />
important. We’ve already had an early taste of the<br />
beautiful sunshine and clement weather which, hopefully,<br />
lies ahead during the summer months - which has inspired<br />
many of us to start readying our gardens for a slice of<br />
outdoor living.<br />
Rather than distinct spaces all of their own, our gardens<br />
are becoming more and more an extension of our<br />
homes. Furniture is comfortable and oh-so-stylish as well<br />
as practical, while the addition of weather-proof soft<br />
furnishings helps to define lounging areas.<br />
Outdoor kitchens have seen a surge in popularity as<br />
our love of cooking and dining al fresco continues to<br />
grow, while picnic benches are being replaced by chunky<br />
wooden tables which wouldn’t look out of place inside.<br />
And rather than cold flagstones or concrete patio slabs,<br />
stylish porcelain tiles can help to create that indoor/<br />
outdoor vibe we crave.<br />
Add in some substantial planters filled with greenery, as<br />
well as a liberal smattering of ambient lighting and you’ll<br />
have a garden space you won’t want to leave - even after<br />
the sun goes down!<br />
CAMLEY TABLE SET, £550, GARDEN TRADING.<br />
WWW.GARDENTRADING.CO.UK<br />
£39<br />
£120<br />
£2,995<br />
INDOOR OUTDOOR PALM LEAF POUFFE,<br />
ELLA JAMES. WWW.ELLAJAMES.CO.UK<br />
HEATSAIL DOME FREESTANDING ELECTRIC<br />
PATIO HEATER FLOOR LAMP, CUCKOOLAND.<br />
WWW.CUCKOOLAND.COM<br />
£14.99<br />
CHARCOAL GREY HEXAGON<br />
GEOMETRIC PRINT OUTDOOR<br />
CUSHION, BAZAAR GROUP.<br />
WWW.BEANBAGBAZAAR.CO.UK<br />
SEVILLE OUTDOOR TABLE WITH<br />
PLANTER, ELLA JAMES.<br />
WWW.ELLAJAMES.CO.UK<br />
DOT OUTDOOR LIGHT, LIGNE ROSET.<br />
WWW.LIGNE-ROSET.COM/UK<br />
£POA<br />
12
£32.99<br />
£349.99<br />
£159.99<br />
DALAT GARDEN ARMCHAIR,<br />
WWW.MADE.COM<br />
SPIRAL OUTDOOR CEMENT<br />
WATER FEATURE, LIME LACE.<br />
WWW.LIMELACE.CO.UK<br />
OUTDOOR KEW FIRE PIT<br />
IN BLACK IRON, IVYLINE.<br />
WWWIVYLINEGB.CO.UK<br />
£499<br />
£399<br />
STRIPED HANGING GARDEN CHAIR,<br />
VONHAUS. WWW.VONHAUS.COM<br />
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14
OnTheBreadLine<br />
Sebastian Clough, a former student of University College,<br />
Birmingham, and the French Pastry School in Chicago, has<br />
now perfected his baking skills, to produce the highest quality<br />
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onthebreadline<br />
onthebreadline
F E AT U R E<br />
Only the interval<br />
WITH THE CORONAVIRUS CRISIS WREAKING HAVOC ON THE THEATRE INDUSTRY, AMY<br />
NORBURY CAUGHT UP WITH BIRMINGHAM REPERTORY THEATRE’S NEW ARTISTIC<br />
DIRECTOR, OLIVIER AWARD-WINNING WRITER, DIRECTOR AND ACTOR SEAN FOLEY, TO<br />
DISCOVER JUST HOW THE SHOW WILL GO ON<br />
As one of theatreland’s most sought-after comedy<br />
writers and directors, Sean Foley’s appointment<br />
as The REP’s new artistic director has been a<br />
huge coup for the Midlands. He has already been<br />
nominated for a Tony Award and has two Olivier<br />
Awards under his belt - including for the Kenneth<br />
Branagh-directed Morecambe and Wise tribute The<br />
Play What I Wrote, which Sean co-wrote and starred<br />
in.<br />
He has directed five Olivier-nominated productions,<br />
including the recent West End stage production of<br />
Ben Elton’s Upstart Crow starring David Mitchell.<br />
Sean was enticed away from the West End to begin<br />
work at the REP at the start of the year, following his<br />
appointment last summer.<br />
Describing himself as “half Irish, half Brummie”,<br />
having grown up in the Second City’s suburbs,<br />
Sean has been hugely excited to return to working<br />
in Birmingham, bringing with him a powerful<br />
creative vision for the Birmingham REP. Until,<br />
that is, the coronavirus crisis hit hard, changing<br />
the entertainment industry - among many others -<br />
completely, overnight.<br />
But as the curtain came down prematurely on Sean’s<br />
impressive first season of eclectic entertainment, his<br />
ambition to put the REP on the map firmly remains.<br />
This is, after all, only the interval...<br />
You’re a recent addition to The REP family -<br />
what attracted you to take up the post?<br />
Several things - the incredible unrivalled pioneering<br />
history of The REP within the UK theatre industry,<br />
the fact that it has three auditoria - meaning you can<br />
stage very different types and sizes of shows - and the<br />
fact that Birmingham seems to be on the verge of a<br />
major civic and cultural renaissance, all combined<br />
to create a wonderful opportunity. The REP was the<br />
first ever purpose built Repertory Theatre in the UK,<br />
and was the template for both the RSC and The<br />
National Theatre. I believe that The REP can and<br />
should have that kind of influence again, and look<br />
forward to realising the huge potential of this theatre<br />
in a great international city.<br />
SEAN FOLEY, ARTISTIC DIRECTOR<br />
OF THE BIRMINGHAM REP.<br />
CREDIT KRIS ASKEY<br />
It’s an exceptionally strange time to work<br />
in theatre, and must be even more so being<br />
relatively new to this particular role. How<br />
have your first few months been?<br />
After being appointed last summer, I had a number<br />
of freelance shows still to direct before landing<br />
properly in the job… the last of these was Upstart<br />
Crow in the West End, which I opened in mid-<br />
February, and by mid-March not only was that shut,<br />
but all our theatres at The REP were too. In a word<br />
- chaotic!<br />
How deeply has the Covid-19 crisis affected<br />
the entertainment industry, and the theatre<br />
in particular?<br />
Like others in our industry, I am humbled by the<br />
amazing work of the NHS, key workers of all types,<br />
and everyone supporting the civic response to this<br />
crisis. What we are going through obviously pales<br />
into insignificance compared to the efforts currently<br />
16
eing made elsewhere, but there’s no doubt that<br />
Covid-19 poses an existential threat to our industry<br />
- we are shut down now and will no doubt be one<br />
of the last industries allowed to re-open. Our job is<br />
to entertain, and people will need that wonderful<br />
experience of collective live entertainment on the<br />
other side of this… we need to make sure we’re in<br />
good enough shape to provide that.<br />
How is The REP dealing with the current<br />
situation?<br />
We have furloughed as many staff as possible<br />
and are maintaining a much smaller skeleton<br />
staff focussed on what we can still provide for the<br />
community - anything from digital youth theatre,<br />
to online masterclasses, to engaging with the many<br />
marginalised adult groups we work with.<br />
Your wardrobe department have been<br />
helping to sew gowns for the NHS - how did<br />
the theatre get involved with this?<br />
We have some truly inspiring individuals who work<br />
at The REP. When we furloughed staff - meaning<br />
they couldn’t work for us during this period - we<br />
realised that we had a lot of skills within the staff<br />
team that could be applicable in other situations. We<br />
encouraged people to volunteer their skills in new<br />
settings - and the Wardrobe Department came up<br />
with this themselves.<br />
Are there any other ways you’ve been helping<br />
the local community or theatre professionals<br />
during the crisis?<br />
We have many other staff volunteering their services.<br />
We have launched an online service called REP<br />
RELOADED that focuses on continued digital<br />
engagement with youth and adult groups that we<br />
work with already. We are also starting to think<br />
about how we can provide shows to people in these<br />
socially distanced times… perhaps by touring work<br />
around Birmingham, and working more closely with<br />
community groups and local actors to make fun and<br />
impromptu shows in public spaces - look out for<br />
THE REP - UP YOUR STREET!<br />
As they say, ‘the show must go one’ - how is<br />
The REP preparing for the future and the<br />
reopening of theatreland?<br />
We want to be the place where people think of when<br />
they want a Great Night Out. We think The REP<br />
can be nationally known as the place for artistically<br />
ambitious popular theatre. We are aiming to have<br />
some great, national and international talent at The<br />
REP, and while we are dark now, we are working<br />
hard to come back with a bang. There’s going to be<br />
a lot of fantastic shows here that are Playful, Popular<br />
and Pioneering!<br />
You have big ambitions for the theatre -<br />
what’s next in the pipeline for the REP?<br />
We’re in conversation with the BBC regarding<br />
an exciting new creative project which we’ll be<br />
announcing later in the year. We’re going to be doing<br />
our first digital theatre broadcast. We’re working with<br />
Talawa, the UK’s primary black led touring theatre<br />
company, to create a season of amazing new work.<br />
We’re working right now with great Birmingham<br />
talent to produce new exciting shows.<br />
Are there any shows in particular that you’re<br />
looking forward to bringing to Birmingham?<br />
Yes! The show I’m directing this autumn -<br />
Something Rotten. It’s a 10-time Tony-nominated<br />
spectacular that is one of the funniest shows I’ve<br />
ever seen, and it’s my first show at The REP and<br />
it will be a UK premiere. A musical comedy for<br />
people who don’t like musicals! And people who<br />
do! A Shakespearean comedy for people who hate<br />
Shakespeare! And people who love him…! Check<br />
out the songs online, including the classic I Hate<br />
Shakespeare.<br />
For more details of The REP’s forthcoming<br />
productions, visit the website<br />
www.birmingham-rep.co.uk<br />
THE REP<br />
PHOTOGRAPHY BY<br />
ROSS JUKES<br />
17
LO CA L A R E A<br />
Rainbows<br />
of hope<br />
LICHFIELD GRAPHIC DESIGNER CHRIS DAY HAS CREATED A SERIES OF INSPIRATIONAL<br />
COLOURING SHEETS WHICH ARE FREE TO DOWNLOAD AND COLOUR IN AT HOME, FEATURING<br />
BOTH LOCAL AND WORLD LANDMARKS - SUCH AS THIS ONE FEATURING LICHFIELD CATHEDRAL.<br />
GET YOURS AT WWW.CHRISDAYDESIGN.CO.UK/HOPE AND GET COLOURING IN NOW, THEN<br />
SHARE YOUR CREATIONS ON INSTAGRAM AND FACEBOOK USING THE HASHTAG AT THE<br />
BOTTOM OF EACH DESIGN<br />
18
CO M P E T I T I O N<br />
A taste of lockdown luxury<br />
J’AIME HAS TEAMED UP WITH SAUCE SUPPER CLUB AND CHEF TOM SHEPHERD TO<br />
OFFER LUCKY READERS THE CHANCE TO WIN A LUXURIOUS HOME FINE DINING BOX<br />
FOR TWO, WORTH £75, WITH A WINE PAIRING FROM WORTH BROTHERS<br />
PHOTOS BY BECKY TRANTER. WWW.BECKYTRANTER.COM<br />
As lockdown continues and restaurants look set to close<br />
for some time Sauce Supper Club have joined forces<br />
with acclaimed chef Tom Shepherd to bring you an<br />
innovative restaurant experience in your own home.<br />
The brains behind Lichfield’s premier fine dining pop<br />
up events, Sauce Supper Club are now delivering their<br />
trademark foodie experiences directly to you. They<br />
will deliver a luxurious box containing three sublime<br />
courses, all prepped and ready for you to flash fry, stir,<br />
bake to create your own plates of delicious food by<br />
following the clear instructions provided for a serious<br />
lockdown treat.<br />
Freshly baked bread and a final treat complete the<br />
indulgent experience.<br />
After two years at one Michelin Star Adams<br />
Restaurant in Birmingham as head chef, Tom is ready<br />
to start his next chapter and is preparing to open his<br />
own restaurant in the centre of Lichfield, and now you<br />
can be the first to try his new menu in your own home.<br />
Tom will change his menu weekly using seasonal,<br />
local produce. If you have an anniversary, a missed<br />
wedding, birthday celebration or just fancy a weekend<br />
treat, this is the perfect way to indulge.<br />
Dishes including Creedy Carver corn-fed chicken<br />
terrine, slow roasted lamb fab with potato boulanger,<br />
and baked choux buns with hot orange sauce kicked<br />
off the launch menu - so keep your eyes peeled to<br />
discover what delights Tom will be serving up next.<br />
Stay safe… fine dine at home!<br />
The box includes free delivery to Lichfield and the<br />
surrounding area, with a £5 delivery charge to the<br />
wider area. To check availability for your postcode<br />
email beth@saucesupperclub.co.uk and to order<br />
visit www.saucesupperclub.co.uk<br />
FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN A SAUCE<br />
SUPPER CLUB AND TOM SHEPHERD FINE<br />
DINING BOX FOR TWO, WORTH £75, AS<br />
WELL AS A PERFECTLY PAIRED WINE FROM<br />
WORTH BROTHERS, SIMPLY ANSWER THE<br />
FOLLOWING QUESTION<br />
AT WHICH BIRMINGHAM<br />
RESTAURANT WAS TOM SHEPHERD<br />
PREVIOUSLY HEAD CHEF?<br />
Send your answer, along with your name, address and telephone<br />
number, by email to competitions@jaimemagazine.com with Sauce<br />
Supper Club competition as the email subject. Entries must be<br />
received by 5pm on Friday, May 15. Terms and conditions apply.<br />
Visit www.jaimemagazine.com for further details<br />
THE COMPETITION<br />
19
F O O D & D R I N K<br />
Masterchef magic<br />
FORMER MASTERCHEF: THE PROFESSIONAL WINNER LAURENCE HENRY<br />
SHARES A LUXURIOUS LOCKDOWN PUD RECIPE FOR YOU TO TRY AT HOME<br />
MasterChef favourite Laurence Henry has teamed up with local fine dining specialists Sauce Supper Club to bring<br />
his MasterChef Home Comforts meals directly to you at home. If you are self isolating or just don’t fancy visiting the<br />
supermarkets but fancy some great food, then these options are perfect. Laurence’s menu includes favourites such as<br />
lasagna, chilli con carne and apple and rhubarb crumble, as well as more indulgent pulled lamb with salsa verde and<br />
tomato salad, and white chocolate and passionfruit cheesecake. All meals come as individual portions, ready to oven<br />
cook, and are priced at just £6 for mains and £5.50 for desserts.<br />
Delivery is twice-weekly, on Tuesdays and Fridays, available for Lichfield and the surrounding area. For more details visit<br />
www.saucesupperclub.co.uk<br />
Millionaires chocolate delice<br />
For the base:<br />
100g white chocolate<br />
25g butter<br />
65g praline paste (or hazelnut spread)<br />
90g crushed biscuits<br />
For the chocolate delice:<br />
200g chocolate<br />
90g sugar<br />
3 egg yolk<br />
50g milk<br />
350g cream<br />
Pinch sea salt<br />
For the caramel sauce:<br />
120g butter<br />
120g brown sugar<br />
120g double cream<br />
1 tsp sea salt<br />
For the biscuit base, melt the white chocolate, butter<br />
and praline paste together. Crush biscuits to a fine<br />
crumb and fold into the chocolate mix, then roll out<br />
between baking parchment around 3mm thick.<br />
For the delice, whisk the egg yolks until they double<br />
in volume and are light and fluffy. Put the sugar<br />
in a saucepan and cover with a little water, heat<br />
until it reaches 118C. Carefully pour over the egg<br />
yolks, whisking at the same time - use a stand mixer<br />
or enlist some help for this part! Gently heat the<br />
cream to around 80C and pour over the chocolate.<br />
Mix until all the chocolate has melted and is lovely<br />
and smooth. Carefully fold in the egg yolk mixture<br />
and mix until smooth. Cut the base out with a<br />
ring cutter (or build the desserts in small bowls if<br />
you don’t have), pour in the chocolate mixture to<br />
just below the top of the ring (or to your desired<br />
quantity), and refrigerate for an hour or so until set.<br />
For the caramel sauce, gently heat the sugar in a dry<br />
pan, then once melted whisk in your butter, followed<br />
by the cream. The mixture will seize and go hard<br />
but don’t worry, it will all melt down to form a<br />
smooth caramel sauce. Sieve to remove any small<br />
bits of sugar and cool in the fridge.<br />
To serve, carefully release the chocolate delice from<br />
the ring mould. Spoon over the caramel sauce and<br />
roughly chop some of the leftover base to garnish<br />
the top of the delice.<br />
20
SAUCESUPPLIES<br />
additional items:<br />
free range eggs<br />
fresh milk<br />
TEACAKES<br />
Delivering fresh, quality fruit & veg boxes to your<br />
door in Lichfield and the surrounding area<br />
We’ll bring you fresh produce to feed your whole family direct from the regions best<br />
suppliers. Our fruit and veg boxes also include delicious freshly baked bread. We will<br />
make arrangements to leave your box in a safe place on your agreed day.<br />
Order online at www.saucesupperclub.co.uk, call 01543 415855<br />
or email hello@saucesupperclub.co.uk for more info.<br />
LARGE FRUIT & VEG BOX | £24.95<br />
MEDIUM FRUIT & VEG BOX | £16.00<br />
SMALL FRUIT & VEG BOX | £10.00<br />
Each box will contain a selection of fresh, good<br />
quality produce such as bananas, apples, oranges,<br />
seedless grapes, cauliflower, carrots, red & white<br />
onions, broccoli, parsnips, courgettes, potatoes,<br />
cabbage and a freshly baked loaf of bread.<br />
JUST SALAD | £12.50<br />
JUST FRUIT | £15.00<br />
DELIVERY | TUESDAY &<br />
THURSDAY<br />
www.saucesupperclub.co.uk<br />
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our aPProval, Please fIll In the sectIon below anD<br />
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JANE GALVEZ: 07771 780 146 - jane.galvez@ripple-hr.co.uk - ripple-hr.co.uk<br />
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DATE ....................................................................
H E A LT H<br />
Stay home, stay safe, keep fit!<br />
LICHFIELD’S FAVOURITE PERSONAL TRAINER RAUL ROMERO TAKES A LOOK<br />
AT HOW WE CAN STAY FIT AND WORK OUT - TOGETHER - AT HOME<br />
Hola everyone!<br />
Naturally, in these unprecedented times when we are<br />
probably spending more time than usual at home, a<br />
hot topic burning through lots of people’s minds is…<br />
HOW DO WE KEEP FIT FROM HOME?!<br />
For many of us, although we may be homebound, it<br />
is a mega busy time for us, trying to juggle working<br />
from home with ‘homeschooling’, entertaining the<br />
kids, sorting out family meals/snacks and trying to<br />
keep on top of the house work. For our wonderful<br />
key workers, they are doing all of this, as well as their<br />
phenomenal jobs in helping our society get through<br />
this pandemic. Others may have unexpectedly found<br />
themselves less busy than usual and actually have a<br />
bit more free time on their hands.<br />
Whatever your situation, it seems easier than ever<br />
to stay at home and spiral into a snacking frenzy,<br />
relaxing in front of the telly and bingeing on<br />
whatever treats we can get our hands on!<br />
Of course, doing this everyday, along with having<br />
to stay at home so probably being less active than<br />
usual, it is inevitable that we will slowly but surely<br />
start piling on the pounds. From this, other negative<br />
physical and mental issues can also transpire.<br />
So, it is no surprise to you then, when I say it is more<br />
important than EVER to make a conscious effort to<br />
remain active and healthy as much as possible.<br />
This does not have to be taxing or expensive. In<br />
fact nowadays, with our wonderful ever-evolving<br />
technology, there are so many ways for us to keep fit<br />
from home without any specialist equipment needed.<br />
The role of personal trainers and fitness experts has<br />
become even more important in order to help and<br />
guide us in keeping fit from home safely.<br />
One of the nation’s favourite lockdown P.E teachers<br />
Joe Wicks has been leading live workout sessions<br />
every morning to help keep the nation fit. This<br />
incredible initiative is a perfect example of how<br />
EVERY ONE of us can keep fit from home without<br />
any specialist equipment, just a willingness to maybe<br />
try something new out of our comfort zone and<br />
learn as we go along.<br />
ONLINE WORKOUTS ARE A<br />
GREAT WAY TO KEEP FIT DURING<br />
LOCKDOWN<br />
On a more local and personal level, I have to say<br />
I am exceptionally proud of many Lichfield locals<br />
who have been participating in the free online fitness<br />
sessions that Ambition PT have been leading online<br />
through Zoom and Instagram since the lockdown<br />
began. The attitude and commitment to staying fit,<br />
not only from regular Ambition PT clients, but also<br />
new members from all across the world who have<br />
22
never trained with us before has been unbelievable.<br />
The feedback from the community has been<br />
phenomenal with many commenting on how great<br />
they feel working out from home yet still within a<br />
community and really feeling part of a team.<br />
We are extremely thankful and humbled by all of the<br />
support we have received and will continue to put on<br />
free online workout sessions until we are back at the<br />
studio at least. For anyone who has not yet given it<br />
a go, it’s as simple as visiting www.ambitionpt.co.uk<br />
and booking a free session. If you fancy giving it a<br />
go, we look forward to seeing you there!<br />
For those who aren’t quite ready to make that step<br />
but would like some further information and ideas<br />
on how to keep fit and healthy from home, we have<br />
created a YouTube Channel dedicated to sharing<br />
health and fitness tips, including workouts from<br />
home with minimal equipment. You can find it on<br />
YouTube by searching ‘HOLA HEALTHY LIFE’,<br />
again, we look forward to seeing you there!<br />
For any other information, please do not hesitate to<br />
contact us at raul@ambitionpt.co.uk<br />
Stay Safe and Keep Fit.<br />
PERSONAL TRAINER<br />
RAUL ROMERO<br />
RAUL HAS BEEN RUNNING A SERIES<br />
OF VIRTUAL WORKOUTS THROUGH<br />
ZOOM AND INSTAGRAM<br />
23
E D U CAT I O N<br />
Time for change<br />
AS MILLIONS OF PARENTS STRUGGLE TO GET TO GRIPS WITH THE REALITIES OF HOME-EDUCATING<br />
OUR CHILDREN DURING THE CORONAVIRUS CRISIS, FORMER MIDLANDS HEADTEACHER AND<br />
EDUCATION CAMPAIGNER PHIL SHARROCK SAYS IT’S TIME FOR A MORE RELAXED APPROACH - AND<br />
EXAMINES WHY WE SHOULDN’T BE IN ANY RUSH TO RETURN TO SCHOOLING AS WE KNOW IT<br />
How exciting for us all, schools will<br />
be returning soon! Or is it?! The<br />
neverending, seemingly daily rhetoric<br />
from political parties on all sides that<br />
schools need to open to get our economy<br />
back on track is in full swing.<br />
May I make a small point?<br />
First, I don’t care about the economy.<br />
I think it was Harold Wilson who said:<br />
“Nobody can get the economy right,<br />
there are only degrees of getting it<br />
wrong.” Well it’s gone wrong now hasn’t<br />
it? And I respectfully suggest it will be Mr<br />
and Mrs Joe Public that will have to bail<br />
it out yet again.<br />
Secondly, what about the health and wellbeing of<br />
our children?<br />
Thirdly, will you ignore the teachers and people on<br />
the ground who you will expect to do thy bidding?<br />
Finally, SCHOOLS HAVE NEVER BEEN<br />
CLOSED. Teachers and support staff work every<br />
day to supervise the key workers’ and vulnerable<br />
children, they check on the vulnerable children NOT<br />
in school, they sort out some form of structured<br />
learning (which I will return to in due course),<br />
they are feeding families who are now in dire<br />
circumstances.<br />
The Secretary of State for Education, Gavin<br />
Williamson, has said in the last week that there are<br />
five non negotiables before schools return: “First<br />
we must protect the NHS’s ability to cope, and be<br />
sure that it can continue to provide critical care and<br />
specialist treatment right across the whole of the<br />
United Kingdom.<br />
“Second, we need to see daily death rates from<br />
coronavirus coming down. Third, we need to have<br />
reliable data that shows the rate of infection is<br />
decreasing to manageable levels.<br />
“Four, we need to be confident that testing capacity<br />
and PPE is being managed, with supply able to meet<br />
PARENTS SHOULDN’T FEEL<br />
PRESSURED TO BE TEACHERS<br />
DURING THIS TIME<br />
not just today’s demand, but future demand.<br />
“And fifth, and perhaps most crucially, we need to be<br />
confident that any changes we do make will not risk a<br />
second peak of infections.”<br />
I really hope they follow this advice. But I suspect<br />
the weight of pressure will be told, and you can<br />
all celebrate soon and get your children back into<br />
school.<br />
But what is that school going to look like? Education<br />
correspondent Anya Kamanetz suggests in her piece<br />
for NPR that schools will look different when (and if)<br />
they reopen:<br />
• Stepped up health and hygiene methods<br />
• Class sizes of 12 or fewer<br />
• Staggered schedules<br />
• Younger kids first<br />
• New term times<br />
• Different attendance policies<br />
• No assemblies, sports, games or parent teacher<br />
conferences<br />
• Remote learning continues<br />
• Social, emotional and practical help for kids<br />
So you see, don’t celebrate just yet. This is not<br />
going away, not in the short term. In general I’m in<br />
agreement with what Anya is saying but I need to<br />
ask… have you ever tried to keep 12 five-year-old<br />
24
children two metres apart all day? Have you ever<br />
tried to get any children at all to stay two metres<br />
apart all day? What about the staff who are now<br />
suddenly exposed to extra risk - will they get the PPE<br />
they need?<br />
This, if history is anything to go by, will be chaotic.<br />
And I fear the blame for it will be laid squarely at<br />
the feet of the head teachers and teachers who are<br />
already on their knees from years of political bashing.<br />
Parents are not fully qualified teachers. It took me<br />
four years to qualify. And I have been learning for<br />
another 24 years how to improve my trade. Do not<br />
try to be me!<br />
Be Mum, Dad, carer… nothing more. Give, love,<br />
support, security, make your children feel important<br />
and valued, do those activities that you never get the<br />
chance to do when the world is running at 200mph.<br />
Problem-solve, build dens, plant, cook, paint, draw,<br />
build and demolish… do the things that are real and<br />
important for life.<br />
Schools teach facts; if you think “prepositional<br />
phrases and subordinate clause recognition in texts”<br />
is important then you are daft - oh, and wrong.<br />
But that is what the government would have you<br />
believe. Your children do not need to catch up,<br />
they are not behind, they are coping and doing<br />
wonderfully well in these very strange times with<br />
your love and help.<br />
I was contacted by a parent a few days ago who<br />
said the school had set her daughter six hours of<br />
work a day. And that it was being checked they were<br />
doing it. Her daughter was in tears. Real humanity,<br />
compassion and understanding showing through<br />
from a school so fearful for its future because of<br />
‘standards’. I fear it is not the<br />
only one; in fact I know it’s<br />
not the only one.<br />
Which brings me to the<br />
question we ALL need to<br />
ask: “What is the point of<br />
Education?” Prince EA did<br />
a nice little video on this<br />
very topic on YouTube.<br />
If it’s not to prepare our<br />
children to enter the world<br />
of ‘adulthood’ then what is<br />
it for? Since the early 1900s<br />
schools have been exam<br />
factories, designed to churn<br />
out conforming people who<br />
can read and write and do<br />
as they are told. Look at<br />
the current celebration of zero tolerance behaviour<br />
policies and school. We all walk in silence don’t we?<br />
It’s a 19th century system, with 20th century<br />
teaching methods in 21st century buildings. It is<br />
NOT going to work. Parents, we need to challenge<br />
this archaic system. I’d recommend watching Sir Ken<br />
Robinson’s wonderful TED talk on “Do schools kill<br />
creativity?”.<br />
We need to Change Education. It is no longer fit for<br />
purpose. ‘Learn a fact, revise it, pass a test, forget it’<br />
has had its day.<br />
A fabulous campaign called Change Education <strong>2020</strong><br />
is trying to do just that. It has seven aims:<br />
• High stakes accountability in its current form must<br />
stop (Ofsted is not fit for purpose)<br />
• End testing, particularly at primary school<br />
• A realistic and hugely reduced National<br />
Curriculum (currently 201 pages long for primary<br />
and 105 for secondary)<br />
• One union. Not the plethora we have now, so a<br />
consistent and coherent voice can be heard.<br />
• A 10-year funding plan for education, like our<br />
NHS.<br />
• Scrap the league tables<br />
• Make education apolitical<br />
Come and join us all, and there are many of<br />
us, on Facebook: Change Education <strong>2020</strong>,<br />
Instagram @changeeducation<strong>2020</strong> and Twitter @<br />
CEducation<strong>2020</strong><br />
There is also a www.change.org petition; search<br />
for Change Education <strong>2020</strong>.<br />
Do what’s right for your children. Challenge the<br />
school system. Please don’t just accept it. For your<br />
children’s sake.<br />
THE EDUCATION SYSTEM IS<br />
RIPE FOR AN OVERHAUL, SAYS<br />
FORMER HEADTEACHER PHIL<br />
SHARROCK<br />
25
W H AT ’ S O N<br />
Online show for folk duo<br />
WITH THEIR LICHFIELD CONCERT ON <strong>MAY</strong> 22 UNABLE TO GO AHEAD DUE TO CORONAVIRUS<br />
RESTRICTIONS, LICHFIELD-AMERICAN FOLK DUO A DIFFERENT THREAD ARE TURNING TO<br />
SOCIAL MEDIA TO BRING THEIR LIVE SHOW DIRECTLY TO FANS AT HOME INSTEAD<br />
Transatlantic folk group, A Different Thread, were<br />
due to perform a special record release show for<br />
their new EP, Some Distant Shore, in Lichfield at<br />
The Hub at St Mary’s this month.<br />
A collaboration between Robert Jackson from<br />
Lichfield, and Alicia Best from Durham, North<br />
Carolina, A Different Thread pulls from their<br />
respective roots, having developed a sound that<br />
embraces elements of country, ‘70s folk revival, and<br />
piedmont blues as well as traditional English, Celtic,<br />
and Appalachian folk. Their blend of intimate,<br />
raw vocals with atmospheric instrumentation is<br />
reminiscent of Gillian Welch and Dave Rawlings,<br />
while offering hooks in the style of folk rockers like<br />
The Cranberries or The Lumineers.<br />
Both traveling songwriters in their own right, they<br />
first met busking in Galway, Ireland, back in 2016<br />
and have been on the road together ever since.<br />
Traveling is very much a theme; from the lyrics,<br />
right down to Alicia’s homemade suitcase drum kit.<br />
The duo officially formed after winning Shrewsbury<br />
Folk Festival’s open-mic competition in 2017, then<br />
went on to land interviews and live sessions on both<br />
the BBC and NPR radio. The debut album, On A<br />
Whim, released in September 2018, was described<br />
as “a strong independent new sound” by Folk<br />
Radio UK and a single from the album, Potter’s<br />
Field, reached the semi-finals in the International<br />
Songwriting Competition in 2019.<br />
In light of the current global pandemic,the duo are<br />
taking a break from their usual nomadic lifestyle.<br />
Instead, they will be releasing their new folk EP,<br />
while finishing up the songs for their next full album<br />
of original material, until they can return to touring<br />
and life on the road.<br />
Their planned Lichfield concert will now instead be<br />
broadcast via Facebook Live at 7.30pm on Friday,<br />
May 22.<br />
Fans can now watch the concert by visiting their<br />
page at www.facebook.com/adifferentthread<br />
with no account or sign-up required, and more<br />
information can be found on their website at<br />
www.adifferentthread.com<br />
ALICIA BEST AND ROBERT<br />
JACKSON FORM FOLK DUO A<br />
DIFFERENT THREAD<br />
26
T R AV E L<br />
The desert next door<br />
THE DESERT-LIKE LANDSCAPE<br />
OF THE BARDENAS REALES<br />
NATURAL PARK<br />
Robbie Sinclair and husband Oliver, from Lichfield<br />
travel experts RB Collection, finished their week of<br />
driving around Southern France and Spain with a<br />
scenic trip taking them from the culturally rich and<br />
foodie haven of the Basque Country, to an area of<br />
stark contrast; one of Spain’s most scenic deserts<br />
where they stayed in one of the country’s most<br />
unique - and Instagrammable - hotels<br />
After a few glorious days driving over The Pyrenees<br />
and through the Basque Country I had become used<br />
to seeing jaw dropping lush landscapes at every turn.<br />
Babbling brooks, waterfalls and endless skylines of<br />
green stretched out before us as we sat in our 4×4<br />
watching in amazement while trees whizzed past<br />
our windows. The roads were strangely quiet and<br />
this beautiful backdrop felt like it was just for us as<br />
we cruised around hairpin turns and over serene<br />
mountains. It was magical.<br />
The road journey from Biarritz to the Bardenas<br />
Reales Natural Park should be about a two-and-ahalf<br />
hour drive. However we took a little longer so<br />
we could take lots of scenic photos along the way.<br />
The extra time we spent was worth it and we made<br />
sure we had plenty of pastries and coffee which we<br />
had bought in a quaint little bakery. It was just us<br />
two, a podcast, tasty treats and stunning views.<br />
Our sat-nav instructed us to turn onto a small dirt<br />
track and it was time for our next adventure. As we<br />
entered the Aire De Bardenas hotel compound, I felt<br />
like I was headed to a space station outpost. We were<br />
full of excitement and intrigue as we pulled into the<br />
parking area of the semi-permanent structure. The<br />
single story hotel is boarded with repurposed wooden<br />
pallets that blend in with the landscape surrounding<br />
it and after the glamour of Biarritz it was really nice<br />
to add on a quirkier element to our trip.<br />
After staying at a number of unusual places<br />
including Petit St Vincent - a private island in the<br />
Caribbean - and The Ice Hotel and Tree Hotel<br />
in Sweden, we have grown a penchant for unique<br />
hotels. Aire de Bardenas was the perfect choice for<br />
our next out-of-the-box stay.<br />
Sat in a wheat field, Aire de Bardenas looks out<br />
onto the town of Tudela and behind it sits the most<br />
incredible desert view. The unique part of this hotel<br />
isn’t its incredible setting, nor is it the homegrown<br />
vegetables or its friendly staff, although these are<br />
all high up on the list. The thing that makes Aire<br />
de Bardenas so amazing is their bubble tent rooms<br />
that allow you to sleep under the stars and be at one<br />
with nature. The aluminium and reinforced plastic<br />
structure boasts an inflatable dome that houses a<br />
transparent bedroom and covered private bathroom,<br />
all cleverly situated to avoid prying eyes. We had<br />
a more “traditional” room so after taking a look<br />
around the space we collected our keys and turned
THIS UNIQUE SPANISH HOTEL<br />
IS ONE OF THE WORLD’S MOST<br />
INSTAGRAMMABLE<br />
onto the strange sci-fi like corridor to find our room,<br />
we entered number nine; the last room on the left.<br />
The simple room seemed very Scandinavian.<br />
Simplicity and functionality is teamed with quiet<br />
design details at Aire De Bardenas and I instantly feel<br />
a sense of calm. At the end of the bed there is a large<br />
window with a lazy day bed and on the other side<br />
of the window sits the wow factor moment. A large<br />
metal bathtub resides in a stark yard that reminds<br />
me again of a moon base only seen in sci-fi movies.<br />
Despite the unusual design, the unique landscape<br />
seems utterly romantic and feels like a perfect option<br />
for honeymooners or those wanting to reconnect<br />
with each other.<br />
When booking a hotel my top priority is always a<br />
bathtub so I was pleased to see that the reception<br />
area stocked LUSH products to satisfy the instagramhungry<br />
hashtaggers that frequented the hotel. I,<br />
of course, was no exception so I dashed out to buy<br />
a new one. Although the<br />
thought of a hot bubble<br />
bath and a glass of wine<br />
seemed very tempting we<br />
couldn’t stop and relax just<br />
yet, there was one more<br />
thing on the list we needed<br />
to see, so we grabbed our<br />
map and some water and<br />
jumped back into the 4×4<br />
to hit the road.<br />
This time we headed<br />
towards Bardenas Reales<br />
Natural Park which was<br />
just 5km from our hotel.<br />
I had heard great things<br />
about this place but couldn’t<br />
quite believe my eyes as<br />
we entered the desert. It<br />
took me a minute to realise<br />
that I was actually in<br />
Spain and not in mini<br />
Monument Valley.<br />
As we drove onto<br />
the small rough road<br />
towards the natural<br />
park, Google tells me<br />
that it was declared a<br />
Biosphere Reserve by<br />
UNESCO and never<br />
fails to surprise its<br />
visitors… I can see why!<br />
Boasting a whopping<br />
42,500 hectares of<br />
photographable desertlike<br />
landscape it feels<br />
more like a film set from<br />
Star Wars rather than a natural park in Spain!<br />
The soils are made up of sandstone, chalk and clay<br />
and thanks to years of wind and water damage<br />
the landscape has eroded away to create the most<br />
fantastical natural hills, craters and gorges. They say<br />
that seeing is believing and you do REALLY need<br />
to see this place to believe it. As we drove through<br />
the park we noticed a military firing range and some<br />
buildings that felt very top secret. After around two<br />
hours of exploration and around 200 photographs<br />
we called it a day and headed back. We cruised past<br />
the many cyclists in the park and ventured out.<br />
Back in the quietude of our hotel and with a large<br />
glass of red wine I watched the bath bomb fizz<br />
around the huge tub creating swirls of orange. I<br />
closed my eyes and thought about our adventure.<br />
This trip had felt like four holidays in one, lush<br />
mountains and plush spa days juxtaposed with dry<br />
deserts and off road driving. It was perfect!<br />
THE DRIVE OVER THE PYRENNES<br />
AND THROUGH BASQUE COUNTRY<br />
OFFERED JAW-DROPPING SCENERY<br />
28
BARCELONA<br />
AND DESERT<br />
TWIN-CENTRE<br />
BREAK<br />
· Return flights to Barcelona<br />
· Pre-booked seats and checked in<br />
luggage<br />
· Arrival private transfer from airport into<br />
the city<br />
· One night 4* hotel in Barcelona with<br />
breakfast<br />
· City centre car hire collection, three days<br />
hire<br />
· Two nights Aires De Bardenas Bubble<br />
with breakfast<br />
· Advice and hints on enjoying the desert<br />
drive<br />
· Self-drive back to airport for car drop off<br />
· From £949 per person, subject to<br />
availability, terms and conditions.<br />
For more details and to enquire about<br />
booking, email vip@rbcollection.com, call<br />
01543 261550 or visit www.rbcollection.com<br />
THE AMAZING BUBBLE ROOMS<br />
HAVE A SCI-FI QUALITY<br />
29
FA S H I O N<br />
Fashionably fit<br />
AS GETTING SOME EXERCISE BECOMING INCREASINGLY PART OF OUR<br />
DAILY ROUTINES, AMY NORBURY TAKES A LOOK AT SOME OF THE TOP<br />
ACTIVEWEAR PICKS, SO YOU CAN KEEP WORKING OUT IN STYLE<br />
HANDS up if you’ve been religiously tuning into<br />
personal trainer Joe Wicks’ daily PE sessions on<br />
YouTube? Or if your hour-long ‘Boris Walks’ have<br />
become an integral part of your routine?<br />
As lockdown continues, it seems that getting our daily<br />
exercise is becoming more and more of a priority<br />
for everyone, whether that’s working out at home or<br />
getting out in the fresh air for a quiet solo walk, jog or<br />
cycle.<br />
This - for many of us - newfound love of working out<br />
means one thing: our wardrobes could do with an<br />
injection of stylish new sportswear. After all, if you’re<br />
kitted out correctly, it not only puts you in the best<br />
frame of mind to put your all into exercising, but good<br />
sportswear is tailored specifically for the best possible<br />
performance.<br />
And forget the dull grey jogging bottoms of yesteryear;<br />
today you can make a real fashion statement while<br />
you’re pounding the pavements or working up a sweat<br />
in front of the TV.<br />
When it comes to effective exercising, comfort is key.<br />
There’s nothing worse than feeling restricted in your<br />
workout by unsuitable clothing. Opt for leggings and<br />
vests which fit closely to the body for maximum range<br />
of movement and look out for functional materials<br />
which draw sweat away from your body to keep you<br />
dry and comfortable throughout your training session.<br />
A solid sports bra is a must too, whatever your size.<br />
The right footwear is also a must; it’s always best to<br />
get fitted for sports trainers by a professional, but since<br />
that’s not an option right now, do your research so you<br />
can understand exactly what type of shoe you need.<br />
With our wardrobes at the moment eschewing office<br />
attire and fancy going-out threads in favour of a more<br />
casual, comfortable approach, your new, seriously<br />
stylish sportswear is sure to become an instant day-today<br />
wardrobe favourite.<br />
SOLASTA SPORTS BRA TOP, £30, TALA.<br />
WWW.WEARETALA.COM<br />
30
£140<br />
£63 £170<br />
£45<br />
FLO PINK STRIPED LEGGING,<br />
VAARA AT HARVEY NICHOLS<br />
ANATOMIC HOODIE,<br />
TRIBE SPORTS AT<br />
HARVEY NICHOLS<br />
TECHLOOM BLISS STRETCH<br />
KNIT SNEAKERS, ALTHLETIC<br />
PROPULSION LAB<br />
UNDER ARMOUR COLD GEAR<br />
GRAPHIC LEGGINGS, FIGLEAVES.<br />
WWW.FIGLEAVES.COM<br />
£80<br />
£45<br />
UNDER ARMOUR COLD<br />
GEAR CREW TOP, FIGLEAVES.<br />
WWW.FIGLEAVES.COM<br />
£30<br />
SWEEPER CAMOFLAGE<br />
BRA TOP, KORAL<br />
ACTIVEWEAR AT<br />
HARVEY NICHOLS<br />
UNDER ARMOUR SPORTS BRA,<br />
FIGLEAVES. WWW.FIGLEAVES.COM<br />
£85<br />
ADIDAS ORIGINALS FALCON<br />
SNEAKERS, HARVEY NICHOLS<br />
GILET, £25; JACKET, £29.50;<br />
SPORTS BRA, £15; GO TRAIN<br />
LEGGINGS, £29.50; AND<br />
TRAINING SHOES, £45, ALL<br />
FROM THE GOOD MOVE<br />
COLLECTION AT MARKS<br />
AND SPENCER<br />
PATTERNED<br />
LEGGINGS, £28,<br />
FROM THE EMMA<br />
WILLIS COLLECTION<br />
AT NEXT<br />
31
B E AU T Y<br />
Skincare as easy as 1 2 3<br />
CELEBRITY FACIALIST AND HEAVEN SKINCARE FOUNDER DEBORAH MITCHELL<br />
OFFERS TIPS ON HOW TO REPLICATE A SIMPLE BUT SALON-WORTHY THREE-STEP<br />
BEAUTY ROUTINE IN THE COMFORT OF YOUR OWN HOME<br />
Whatever your skin type – be it oily, sensitive or spot-prone – a twice-daily skincare regime is essential to<br />
ensure your face is at its healthiest. Throughout the day, your skin comes into contact with all manner of dirt,<br />
pollutants and environmental factors; not looking after it properly morning and night and you’ll soon find<br />
you’re suffering from constant break-outs, blocked pores, grease and early ageing signs. However, you don’t<br />
need all manner of high-tech beauty devices, this simple three-step routine will ensure your complexion gets<br />
the lockdown love it deserves.<br />
1: Start with a thorough cleanse to remove the build-up of daily dirt and makeup.<br />
Soak your face with warm water, making sure it’s not too hot as this can actually<br />
dehydrate your skin and damage sensitive areas, before applying a small amount of<br />
cleanser. Gently massage in a circular motion, avoiding the eye area, for between<br />
30-60 seconds so it can work its magic. Rinse thoroughly and pat, not rub, your face<br />
dry with a clean, soft towel.<br />
Heaven Hydro Cleansing Milk, £37.90 (120ml)<br />
Heaven Cleanse & Foam, £37 (145ml)<br />
2: I often get asked ‘why do we need to tone our skin’ and the answer is<br />
simple... it helps maintain a healthy and clear complexion. Toners are designed<br />
to restore your natural pH balance while removing leftover impurities,<br />
unclogging your pores and reducing breakouts. Opt for a toner that is suitable<br />
for your skin type for maximum hydration and use after your cleanser and<br />
before moisturising.<br />
Heaven Bee Polish, £37 (30ml)<br />
Heaven Orange Flower Cell Renewal Hydrogel, £27 (120ml)<br />
3: Finish off with a small amount of moisturiser (remember a<br />
little goes a long way) and gently massage with your fingertips,<br />
not forgetting to cover the all-important neck area; you don’t<br />
want the skin on your face looking healthier than the skin on<br />
your neck. Choose a product that is designed for your skin,<br />
for example a gentle formula for sensitivity issues or a thicker<br />
cream for more mature skin, and opt for a specific one for your<br />
more delicate eye area.<br />
Heaven Divine Cream, £64 (50ml)<br />
Age Defiance Cream, £73 (50ml)<br />
PRODUCTS FEATURED ARE AVAILABLE ONLINE AT HEAVENSKINCARE.COM<br />
32
Rosemary Lodge Care Home for elderly ladies and gentlemen offers a level<br />
of care, community and comfort that is second to none. Situated a short way<br />
from the bustling City Centre of Lichfield and set in landscaped gardens,<br />
Rosemary Lodge is light, spacious and beautifully decorated, offering residents<br />
just the right combination of activity and relaxation. Residents are encouraged<br />
to retain their independence and individuality whilst being fully supported to<br />
live a fulfilled and enjoyable life.<br />
Based in the heart of Staffordshire in the picturesque village<br />
of Alrewas, our shop is packed with ideas and inspiration for<br />
your home. Incorporating Jo Raybould Interior Design within,<br />
for those who require the services of a professional designer.<br />
needwoodliving.co.uk<br />
136 Main Street Alrewas, DE13 7ED<br />
01283 711 272<br />
info@needwoodliving.co.uk<br />
Online Valuations & Estimates<br />
Due to COVID-19 we are<br />
temporarily closed to the public<br />
Messages and emails are picked up daily.<br />
For advice please contact:<br />
richardwinterton@richardwinterton.co.uk<br />
A family run concern that has been a highly regarded part of the community<br />
for almost 30 years. Offering 24- hour care, fully trained staff work together<br />
to communicate with residents to ensure that personal care needs are met in<br />
a fully person-centred approach, thus building an important relationship of<br />
trust and friendship.<br />
Two qualified chefs offer a nutritionally balanced and varied menu, catering<br />
for any dietary requirement, using fresh, locally sourced produce, served in<br />
a spacious dining room that offers views out towards the Orangery and the<br />
gardens and fountain.<br />
The Orangery offers the perfect space for residents, family and friends to<br />
meet up, chat enjoy coffee and snacks at any time of the year.<br />
Richard Winterton<br />
Auctioneers offer a<br />
range of professional<br />
services tailored to<br />
your specific needs.<br />
Get in touch, we’re<br />
here to help.<br />
See our website for<br />
full details.<br />
The Lichfield Auction Centre<br />
Wood End Lane, Fradley Park, WS13 8NF<br />
House Clearances<br />
Downsizing<br />
Jewellery<br />
Valuations &<br />
Probate Services<br />
Free Valuations &<br />
Insurance Service<br />
SUPPORTING<br />
LOCAL MEDIA<br />
01543 251081 | www.richardwinterton.co.uk<br />
All rooms are en-suite, and are designed to comfortably accommodate<br />
individuals and couples. Full wi-fi throughout to allow residents to keep in<br />
touch with family and friends through video link or FaceTime.<br />
Regular activities and entertainment include movement to music, musical<br />
theatre groups, pet therapy, pub lunches, and visits to local events are regularly<br />
organised. However, privacy and peace and quiet is also ensured. There is also<br />
an on-site hairdressing and beauty salon.<br />
Rosemary Lodge also offers respite care, holiday stay and limited day care.<br />
Rosemary Lodge Residential Home<br />
191 Walsall Road, Lichfield. Staffs. WS13 8AQ.<br />
In the first instance please contact Jane Evans - Registered Care Manager<br />
or Shirley Kent - Administration Manager.<br />
01543 415223 - Email: roselodgehome@aol.com<br />
www.rosemarylodgecarehome.co.uk<br />
CQC RATING GOOD
H E A LT H<br />
Zoom in for online consultations<br />
WE <strong>MAY</strong> WELL BE GOING THROUGH LOCKDOWN - BUT THAT DOESN’T MEAN WE CAN<br />
IGNORE THE DANGERS TO OUR SKIN CAUSED BY TOO MUCH EXPOSURE TO THE SUN.<br />
SPIRE LITTLE ASTON HOSPITAL ARE HERE TO HELP<br />
As summer approaches, four<br />
consultant dermatologists at Spire<br />
Little Aston Hospital are offering<br />
online consultations on Zoom so<br />
that patients with worrying skin<br />
symptoms can be given advice<br />
during the Coronavirus pandemic.<br />
As both UK Sun and Skin<br />
Awareness weeks run in May,<br />
Doctors Jon Goulding, Clare Defty,<br />
James Halpern and Haytham<br />
Al-Rawi have made themselves<br />
available for virtual consultations<br />
for people worried about skin<br />
problems.<br />
Government figures show that skin<br />
cancer is the most common form<br />
of cancer in the UK and rates continue to rise with<br />
at least 100,000 new cases diagnosed each year<br />
resulting in approximately 2,500 deaths.<br />
Dr Goulding explained: “We are absolutely still<br />
open to see patients. Having the capability of Zoom<br />
consultations means that, if necessary, patients can<br />
actually show us the moles or skin tags they are<br />
worried about. We often then supplement this with<br />
review of separate high-quality patient photographs.<br />
“The 30-minute virtual consultations allow us to<br />
hear about patients’ skin concerns and decide what<br />
action, if any, is needed. If we think an immediate<br />
face-to-face consultation is necessary then we can<br />
arrange that. The important thing at the moment is<br />
to make an early assessment of any problems, which<br />
these on-line consultations are making possible.”<br />
Melanoma is the most deadly form of skin cancer. It<br />
can appear as a new mole or an existing mole that<br />
changes in size, shape or colour - left untreated it<br />
can spread to other parts of the body.<br />
Melanoma can appear on any area of the body –<br />
even where the skin is not normally exposed to the<br />
sun.<br />
Look at your skin and examine your moles regularly<br />
(1-3 monthly), since the sooner a skin cancer is<br />
detected and treated – the better your chances of<br />
cure.<br />
Skin cancers seldom cause symptoms – however if<br />
a mole starts to itch, become painful, bleeds, gets<br />
crusty or inflamed consult your doctor.<br />
Remember the ABCDE rule, which is a common<br />
screening tool, used to compare the appearance of<br />
normal moles versus a possible melanoma:<br />
ASYMMETRY: when one half of the mole doesn’t<br />
match the other.<br />
BORDER: when the borders are irregular, ragged<br />
or blurred.<br />
COLOUR: when the colour changes or varies<br />
throughout and/or there appears to be no uniform<br />
pigmentation.<br />
DIAMETER: when the diameter is greater than<br />
6mm (but could be smaller).<br />
EVOLVING: changes in the mole over time: weeks,<br />
months or years.<br />
Not all melanomas fit into these rules, so if in doubt<br />
see your doctor. If a mole changes in size, shape or<br />
colour, consult your doctor as soon as possible.<br />
To book a 30-minute virtual Zoom consultation with<br />
a dermatologist call Spire Little Aston Hospital on<br />
0121 580 7119.<br />
34
ALAN DOVEY AND MICHAEL SWIFT, OF WORKING MINDS, OFFER SOME TIPS<br />
FOR MANAGING YOUR MENTAL HEALTH DURING THE CORONAVIRUS CRISIS<br />
H E A LT H<br />
On the front line of mental health<br />
Mental health; those two words that have become<br />
increasingly referenced over the previous decade are<br />
now expected to have a more detrimental effect on<br />
our well-being than ever before. Experts have seen<br />
increases of health anxiety, panic, stress and low<br />
mood, however there are several ways of maintaining<br />
your mental well-being during this time.<br />
The brain is primed for two things basically, which<br />
is threat and loss. However, in these unprecedented<br />
times the accuracy of these basic functions become<br />
less accurate and, in fact, irrational at times.<br />
It is important to identify whether you are<br />
overestimating the danger that is present and<br />
underestimating your ability to protect yourself from<br />
these dangers. In times of perceived ‘crisis’ we are<br />
hardwired to be concerned and anxious; however<br />
our worry is not always justified. By rationalising<br />
our thoughts, we can successfully reassert our<br />
control over anxiety. It is hard to do this when we<br />
are isolated, so try to keep making connections with<br />
those in your social group and stay connected to<br />
those you are close to.<br />
Create a new daily routine that prioritises looking<br />
after yourself and others in your household. You<br />
could use this time to develop an exercise routine and<br />
try new healthier eating habits. We know that it’s not<br />
always the easiest, but reducing fast acting sugars,<br />
fatty foods and increasing exercise is not only great<br />
for heart health but also for your mental health. Why<br />
not try planning your exercise and dietary changes<br />
with the family to connect more with others!<br />
The media - and particularly social media - is one of<br />
the increasing ways that we source information on<br />
world events. The problem, however, is how do we<br />
know we are receiving information we can trust? We<br />
recommend using a couple of credible resources such<br />
as the World Health Organisation or the Centre for<br />
Disease Control. Outside of this, limit watching the<br />
news to 10 minutes in the morning and 10 minutes<br />
in the evening. Think about it - if you had a big sign<br />
saying ‘DANGER’ in front of you 24/7 do you think<br />
you would feel more in danger?<br />
Time and time again researchers have shown that<br />
sleep is essential to not only our levels of energy but<br />
our mental health. Try to maintain a similar sleep<br />
routine as before lockdown and remember ‘LITE’:<br />
L - Keep light levels as low as possible; I - Reduce<br />
intensity of thoughts through deep breathing; T -<br />
Keep the temperature of the room cool; E - Do not<br />
use electronic devices before trying to sleep.<br />
Most importantly, this is a time that helps show the<br />
good in us all. We have seen families reconnected,<br />
friends overcoming distance to stay in contact, the<br />
charitable giving to heroes and the roars of applause<br />
for our national health service.<br />
Indeed, the coronavirus pandemic<br />
may mean that mental health may<br />
never be the same again and maybe<br />
it shouldn’t. We hope that this<br />
opportunity will lead to a greater<br />
emphasis on maintaining mental<br />
health and ultimately providing new<br />
and improved help to those who not<br />
only need but deserve support.<br />
Finally, my one piece of advice that<br />
overrides it all is to laugh when you<br />
want to laugh and to cry when you<br />
want to cry.<br />
That’s called being normal.
Thank you<br />
TO ALL THE NHS AND KEY<br />
WORKERS SUPPORTING THE<br />
COUNTRY AT THIS TIME<br />
J’aime