DINING REVIEW The Green Man Middleton ................................ Located <strong>in</strong> the qua<strong>in</strong>t village of Middleton, near Tamworth, The Green Man has recently undergone a dramatic refurbishment to become the perfect country pub, with a premium feel and a vibrant twist. So when <strong>Citylife</strong> was <strong>in</strong>vited to sample the excit<strong>in</strong>g menu, we jumped at the chance to see the renovation for ourselves! Structurally, the build<strong>in</strong>g rema<strong>in</strong>s the same however the décor has been substantially refreshed. Featur<strong>in</strong>g deep, rich hues of peacock blue, green and purple, the once dark and traditional <strong>in</strong>terior has been transformed <strong>in</strong>to an opulent space with a contemporary vibe. The menu boasted country fayre classics, with modern twists, such as the Sticky Pig Shar<strong>in</strong>g Board which comb<strong>in</strong>ed favourites such as sausage roll, scotch egg and pork belly with beetroot piccalilli, smoky creamed corn and apple sauce and crackl<strong>in</strong>g. Delightfully large and succulent lamb chops were cooked to perfection (p<strong>in</strong>k and juicy) and served with chorizo, butternut puree and dauph<strong>in</strong>oise potatoes. Support<strong>in</strong>g the British fish<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>dustry, there were dishes of fresh fish caught <strong>in</strong> the North Atlantic, and a delicately cooked skate w<strong>in</strong>g arrived with accompaniments of brown shrimp, garlic samphire and mashed potato. Impressively, there is a full vegan menu available also, with wellthought out dishes lov<strong>in</strong>gly created by the masterful cul<strong>in</strong>ary team. To f<strong>in</strong>ish off what had been a feast fit for a K<strong>in</strong>g and Queen, the flamboyant Icon Shar<strong>in</strong>g Dessert Birdcage played host to three fantastic sweets and certa<strong>in</strong>ly created an <strong>in</strong>terest<strong>in</strong>g talk<strong>in</strong>g po<strong>in</strong>t! Burntwood Group Transforms Smallest Park ............................... Pr<strong>in</strong>ce’s Park <strong>in</strong> Burntwood, which holds the Gu<strong>in</strong>ess World Record of Brita<strong>in</strong>’s Smallest Park, was spectacularly transformed to create an Armistice Day Memorial by Friends of Pr<strong>in</strong>ces’ Park, part of Burntwood Action Group. The display shows the silhouettes of two life-sized soldiers either side of a refurbished bench, along with 1,000 poppies made out of recycled plastic that cover the base of the small park’s three trees and are dotted along the rail<strong>in</strong>gs. The two soldier figures were made from plywood and timber donated by G. E. Collis & Sons Ltd of Chasetown, and made by Barry Colbourne from a template supplied by Redwood Roof<strong>in</strong>g. Crown Cutt<strong>in</strong>g Ltd of Chasetown carried out a free ground <strong>in</strong>spection to ensure no essential services were beneath the area where the soldiers were secured with wooden posts. Pa<strong>in</strong>t for the bench and rail<strong>in</strong>gs was supplied by Tonks Brothers Tree Services and <strong>Lichfield</strong> District Council’s parks team, which also removed, transported and refitted the heavy cast iron bench so it could be fully refurbished by members of the friends group. Dr<strong>in</strong>ks-wise, the pub offers everyth<strong>in</strong>g you would expect, plus a little bit extra. From real ales to quality w<strong>in</strong>es, and even cocktails, there’s someth<strong>in</strong>g for everyone. Even those driv<strong>in</strong>g can pick from a special alcohol-free menu, mean<strong>in</strong>g that no-one gets left out! If you’re look<strong>in</strong>g for somewhere to take family and friends to impress them this festive season, then The Green Man comb<strong>in</strong>es <strong>in</strong>credible food with lavish décor <strong>in</strong> a tranquil countryside sett<strong>in</strong>g. Visit The Green Man at Church Lane, Middleton, Tamworth, B78 2AN or onl<strong>in</strong>e at www.thegreenmanmiddleton.co.uk. Volunteers made 1,000 poppies out of old plastic bottles which they pa<strong>in</strong>ted before be<strong>in</strong>g secured around the base of each of the trees and along the rail<strong>in</strong>gs. Burntwood Action Group is shar<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>formation about the project as it progresses on its Facebook page, and has added a donation button so followers can donate to the Royal British Legion. So far more than £150 has been raised. 18
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