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J'AIME AUGUST 2020

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J’A<br />

A U G U S T 2 0 2 0<br />

E<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 />

Pretty and<br />

practical:<br />

SUMMER’S<br />

FAVOURITE<br />

WARDROBE<br />

COMBO<br />

Nostalgic<br />

style:<br />

embracing<br />

‘granny chic’<br />

THE WONDER OF<br />

CHOCOLATE FROM<br />

A NEW MIDLANDS<br />

ARTISAN<br />

Find<br />

your next<br />

‘staycation’


Probate and formal valuations<br />

for inheritance tax purposes<br />

Our reliable and sympathetic<br />

team can assist all executors in the<br />

administration of deceased estates<br />

From jewellery and large collections<br />

to cars, furniture and household<br />

items, we handle everything<br />

Comprehensive, bespoke<br />

clearance service and<br />

downsizing solutions<br />

We handle clearance of an entire<br />

estate from houses, bungalows and<br />

flats to offices and all other buildings<br />

We specialise in:<br />

Antique and modern jewellery<br />

Watches<br />

Gemstones<br />

Silverware<br />

Coins, medals and militaria<br />

Works of art<br />

Whisky and wine<br />

Vintage toys<br />

Stamps and ephemera<br />

Cameras and record collections<br />

Scientific equipment<br />

Antique and modern furniture<br />

Record-breaking<br />

international sales<br />

More than 3,000 bidders from<br />

all over the world joined our latest<br />

online Fine Arts Sale<br />

Online services available<br />

Virtual estimates, online auctions<br />

and contactless collections.<br />

Valuations and viewing by<br />

appointment only<br />

Qualified<br />

All members of our jewellery<br />

department are certified<br />

gemmologists and diamond graders<br />

Established – Professional – Transparent<br />

The Winterton family name has been synonymous<br />

with auctioneering in Staffordshire since 1864<br />

01543 251081<br />

www.richardwinterton.co.uk<br />

richardwinterton@richardwinterton.co.uk<br />

The Lichfield<br />

Auction Centre,<br />

Wood End Lane,<br />

Fradley Park<br />

WS13 8NF<br />

NAJ A4 ad_August_<strong>2020</strong>.indd 1 08/07/<strong>2020</strong> 15:56


Welcome to J’AIME<br />

Who doesn’t love chocolate? As a little everyday<br />

treat, a thoughtful gift or just something you<br />

can’t live without, chocolate is the perfect pickme-up.<br />

And, much like the recent boom in<br />

craft coffee producers, specialty chocolate is<br />

becoming increasingly sought-after. We chat to<br />

artisan Midlands chocolate maker Luke Pearson,<br />

founder of Wnder Chocolate based at the Thorpe<br />

Constantine Estate near Tamworth, about the<br />

trials, tribulations and rewards of crafting the<br />

perfect specialty chocolate bar as Wnder Chocolate<br />

launches this month.<br />

And if you’ve perhaps done a little too much<br />

bingeing on chocolate during lockdown, we<br />

welcome back Lichfield personal trainer Raul<br />

Romero, who has a plan to banish those bingo<br />

wings with some simple exercises you can do at<br />

home.<br />

Elsewhere, if you’re after a dining out treat we take<br />

a look at some local eateries who have signed up to<br />

the Eat Out to Help Out scheme,offering discounts<br />

during August, plus there’s all your usual interiors,<br />

fashion, beauty and travel favourites.<br />

Remember, with this online version you can click<br />

directly through to the websites mentioned from<br />

our pages and adverts - so why not take a look?<br />

We’re delighted to be back into print for September<br />

issue and delivering to homes in and around Sutton<br />

Coldfield, Lichfield and the surrounding villages.<br />

And if you don’t benefit from our home delivery,<br />

we are expanding our reach as you will now be<br />

able to pick up your free copy of J’AIME from a<br />

selection of supermarkets around the area, so you’ll<br />

never have to miss out on your favourite monthly<br />

glossy magazine.<br />

We are now taking advertising bookings for<br />

September issue and beyond, so if you have a<br />

business you’d like to shout about then please drop<br />

us an email to advertising@jaimemagazine.com for<br />

our media pack and full details.<br />

In the meantime follow us on Facebook, Instagram<br />

and Twitter for the latest updates. 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: NATHAN COLLINS, AKTAR<br />

ISLAM, RAUL ROMERO, DEBORAH MITCHELL,<br />

DIETER JANSONS<br />

J’AIME IS PUBLISHED BY ASHBURY<br />

PUBLICATIONS LIMITED AND PRINTED BY KEP<br />

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 Wnder Chocolate - A new artisan chocolate<br />

maker launches in the Midlands<br />

10 Property - Property of the month<br />

12 Interiors - Embrace granny chic<br />

16 Interiors - Mixed metallic messages<br />

20 Food and drink - Time to eat out<br />

24 Food and drink - A delectable dish from Aktar<br />

Islam at Birmingham’s Opheem<br />

26 Sutton Coldfield Town Hall - Youth theatre<br />

appeals to boost food bank<br />

28 Travel - The new ‘staycation’<br />

32 Fashion - Rock the dress and trainers combo<br />

34 Beauty - The truth about serums with Heaven<br />

Skincare’s Deborah Mitchell<br />

36 Health - Banish those bingo wings with<br />

personal trainer Raul Romero<br />

38 Health - Exploring emotional abuse with Dieter<br />

Jansons<br />

40 Business - Travel Counseller Charlotte Mitchell<br />

41 Business - Ikew Designs’ James Wilson<br />

SPONSORED BY<br />

4


F E AT U R E<br />

The age of Wnder<br />

AN ARTISAN CHOCOLATE BRAND INSPIRED BY LICHFIELD HERO ERASMUS DARWIN AND THE<br />

AGE OF WONDER LAUNCHES THIS MONTH. AMY NORBURY SPOKE TO WNDER CHOCOLATE<br />

FOUNDER AND CHOCOLATE-MAKER LUKE PEARSON TO DISCOVER MORE<br />

Hot air balloons, mammoth stories of botanical<br />

discovery and a fusion of art and science were all<br />

hallmarks of the Age of Wonder, the period of<br />

enlightenment and invention during the late 18th<br />

century which saw the birth of modern science.<br />

And it is in homage to one of key figures of this<br />

period - and one of Lichfield’s most famous sons -<br />

that fellow Lichfeldian and artisan chocolate-maker<br />

Luke Pearson has named his new chocolate brand,<br />

Wnder Chocolate.<br />

“We’ve lived in Lichfield for many years and<br />

we’re really connected to the city, and when I was<br />

developing the brand I was looking at some leading<br />

figures from Lichfield who have done really cool<br />

things,” says Luke.<br />

“Erasmus Darwin was a physician by trade, but what<br />

really put him on the map was poetry. He was a poet,<br />

a writer, an artist at one point, and he did all these<br />

amazing things which saw the arts and science come<br />

together. He’s from a time which has now been called<br />

the Age of Wonder, and it’s the first time you can see<br />

this happening en masse.<br />

“Erasmus Darwin was also one of the first people<br />

to put to the British government an anti-slavery law,<br />

which ties into everything we believe when it comes<br />

to the ethics of our chocolate, and it just hit the nail<br />

on the head for us.”<br />

Much like the Age of Wonder introduced the world<br />

to the wonders of modern science, Luke’s chocolate<br />

is very much modern chocolate.<br />

“We want to change how people perceive chocolate,”<br />

explains Luke. “For us, labelling it as modern<br />

chocolate is our way of saying it’s well-sourced, both<br />

environmentally and ethically, and that there’s no<br />

forced labour, slavery or child labour in the origins<br />

of the beans we use. Sadly, it’s a widespread problem<br />

in the chocolate industry and big companies have<br />

been trying to tackle it for the past 20 years with little<br />

success, although things are definitely changing.<br />

“But we don’t want to be preachy or take any of<br />

WNDER CHOCOLATE<br />

FOUNDER LUKE PEARSON<br />

the fun out of chocolate at all; it’s an everyday treat,<br />

a little pick-me-up and a great way to escape for a<br />

moment.”<br />

Wnder Chocolate’s home is on the picturesque<br />

Thorpe Constantine Estate, just outside Tamworth.<br />

Adjoining the small factory room, where Luke works<br />

his magic, is the Saddle Room, a beautiful space<br />

where Luke plans to hold chocolate tastings and<br />

workshops.<br />

Food, and particularly chocolate, has long been a<br />

passion for Luke.<br />

“I’m a bit of a geek at heart,” laughs Luke. “I’ve<br />

always loved food and drink, and as a kid I used to<br />

try to skive days off school so I could stay at home<br />

and watch cooking channels.”<br />

After a stint at catering college, where Luke realised<br />

that, while he loved that world, formal education<br />

wasn’t for him, he started working at a restaurant in<br />

Birmingham, first waiting tables before finding his<br />

calling behind the bar.<br />

“I was seeing so much creativity on the bar side of<br />

things, as well as that instant customer reaction that<br />

6


LUKE SOURCES THE COCOA<br />

BEANS FOR HIS FIRST TWO<br />

RELEASES FROM NICARAGUA<br />

AND PAPUA NEW GUINEA<br />

you get from that face-to-face moment,” explains<br />

Luke. “I wasn’t that great at being locked away in a<br />

kitchen, but being able to play with ingredients and<br />

have that interaction with customers at the same time<br />

was a real buzz. I was hooked.”<br />

After quickly working his way up to become head<br />

bartender, Luke spent a few years in Birmingham<br />

working at various high-end cocktail bars and<br />

Michelin-starred restaurants, being a part of the<br />

team opening The Edgbaston Hotel, before the<br />

bright lights of London came calling.<br />

“My dream was very much to work in five-star<br />

hotels; I’ve always loved that luxury element and<br />

that ability to really create a moment,” says Luke. “I<br />

wanted to work for the best, and be the best.”<br />

After embracing the London lifestyle for a couple<br />

of years, Luke began to pine for the Midlands.<br />

And when the opportunity came up to become the<br />

manager of The Edgbaston Hotel, he grabbed the<br />

chance. But after a while, Luke began to question his<br />

future in the industry as a whole.<br />

“It’s a hard industry, and being in that line of work<br />

eventually takes its toll on you,” he says. “You’re<br />

working 70-hour weeks, and while you’re engaging<br />

with a lot of people it’s actually quite isolating at<br />

times. There were lots of elements that I loved about<br />

the work, but there were lifestyle things I needed to<br />

change.<br />

“I also loved the creativity, but alcohol was very<br />

much a key part, and often people were just looking<br />

for the side-effects of drinking alcohol, rather than<br />

the flavours and ingredients of the drink itself.”<br />

It was then that Luke met Ben Branson, the founder<br />

of non-alcoholic spirit company Seedlip.<br />

“It captured my imagination that I could work in<br />

this world, and have that creativity and innovation,<br />

but without any alcohol. These drinks weren’t<br />

about getting you drunk any more, it was about the<br />

experience of flavour - much like a great plate of<br />

food.”<br />

After starting out as an ambassador for the brand<br />

before moving into a research and development role,<br />

Luke spent two years stretching his creative muscles<br />

coming up with delicious cocktail ideas, as well as<br />

gaining a valuable insight into how a young brand is<br />

created and developed.<br />

“Ben has always been a person who is passionate<br />

about allowing young people to develop their skills<br />

before going on to start their own businesses,” says<br />

Luke.<br />

“Running my own business is something I’ve always<br />

wanted to do, and after two years it felt like the right<br />

time to move away and start something of my own.<br />

“The luxury elements and the creativity are<br />

something I’m really passionate about, and I<br />

wanted something to bring together these elements.<br />

Originally I wanted to create a box of chocolates;<br />

I’m a bit obsessed with boxes of chocolates, I think<br />

there’s something so magical about them. And they<br />

have a lot of synergy with cocktails, they’re seen as<br />

a luxury, they have intense injections of flavour and<br />

you can have a lot of fun with them.<br />

“But looking at the raw materials, you’re only as<br />

good as the chocolate you use - and to be honest<br />

I wasn’t blown away by what was available. More<br />

importantly, I started to understand the procedures<br />

WNDER VINEYARD AND CAMPFIRE ARE THE<br />

FIRST TWO CHOCOLATES LUKE IS LAUNCHING<br />

7


and processes of making<br />

chocolate from beans. And<br />

I was instantly hooked.”<br />

Luke started experimenting<br />

with making chocolate at<br />

home, with friends and<br />

family as his willing taste<br />

testers. And as his time at<br />

Seedlip came to an end,<br />

it seemed like a natural<br />

progression to develop his<br />

chocolate obsession into<br />

something more.<br />

Luke got the keys to the<br />

Saddle Room in February,<br />

and has spent the past<br />

few months honing his<br />

chocolate-making skill and<br />

perfecting his recipes.<br />

“Throughout this time I’ve been able to do lots<br />

of recipe testing and development; I’m so used to<br />

cocktails, and with them, if the balance of acidity or<br />

sweetness isn’t quite right you can instantly change<br />

it,” says Luke. “With chocolate you don’t have that<br />

privilege. Essentially you have to spend another five<br />

days to even get close to where you want it to be, and<br />

if it needs another tweak it takes another five days.<br />

“I get excited by the raw ingredients of chocolate,<br />

but it can be an extremely laborious process. We<br />

literally sort our cocoa beans by hand to get rid<br />

of any bad ones and ensure we’re happy with the<br />

quality!<br />

“The hardest thing in terms of making chocolate<br />

is sourcing; sourcing beans from the right<br />

origins, which do the right things ethically and<br />

environmentally, as well as hitting the flavour profiles<br />

you’re looking for, and in the right quantities.<br />

“Receiving the beans is a really exciting moment<br />

for any chocolate-maker. There’s not much you can<br />

do in terms of altering the flavours as such, we’re<br />

definitely guided by the raw product, so sourcing the<br />

right beans is the way to get the flavour profile we<br />

want.”<br />

For Wnder’s launch this month, Luke has<br />

developed two distinctly different bars, both with<br />

a characteristically light roast and sweetened with<br />

a small amount of Brazillian cane sugar from<br />

pioneering company Native. The high cacao content<br />

of both bars enables the beans to do the talking,<br />

while the bars have been aged for between five and<br />

six weeks to round out all the flavours and prevent<br />

any bitterness.<br />

Vineyard is 76 percent cacao using beans from<br />

THE SADDLE ROOM, WHERE<br />

LUKE WILL BE HOLDING<br />

TASTING WORKSHOPS<br />

Nicaragua, and has notes of grape skin, citrus<br />

blossom and fig, while Campfire, at 80 percent cacao,<br />

is from Papua New Guinea and offers slightly richer<br />

flavours with subtle elements of smoke and spice.<br />

“We don’t want to be too pretentious with it; we<br />

want people to take from it what they experience,<br />

but what we’re trying to achieve is a moment and an<br />

element of escape,” says Luke.<br />

“Vineyard is designed to be very approachable,<br />

whereas Campfire is a bit more akin to what I’m<br />

used to doing in the cocktail world, challenging<br />

people’s understanding of what certain things are.<br />

We’ve been going camping every year for the past<br />

ten years and, for me, there’s nothing better than<br />

building a campfire and gazing at the stars. It’s a<br />

memory I wanted to capture and when I tasted these<br />

beans I was instantly transported to that moment.<br />

“It’s not a quick turnaround, with five days of<br />

making and then the aging process, but it’s hopefully<br />

worth the while in terms of the flavour at the end of<br />

it. We just try to be respectful of the origins of the<br />

beans and where they come from. That’s where the<br />

mastery is, on the plantations.<br />

“And I think our chocolate can offer that needed<br />

moment of escape, a little midweek pick-me-up<br />

which takes you somewhere that’s not your couch on<br />

a Wednesday evening. You can taste the landscape<br />

and where the cocoa is grown, and be transported<br />

around the world, all without having to get on a<br />

plane.”<br />

For more information and to preorder your bar of<br />

Wnder Vineyard or Campfire chocolate, priced<br />

£6.95 for 65g including delivery, visit<br />

www.wnderchocolate.com and you can also find<br />

Wnder on Instagram at<br />

www.instagram.com/wnder_chocolate<br />

8


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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 STUNNING FIVE-BEDROOM DETACHED<br />

FAMILY HOME IN ALDRIDGE WITH A SUPERB BASEMENT ENTERTAINMENT SUITE<br />

1 Chester Wood, Aldridge: £1,050,000<br />

On the market with Aston Knowles: 0121 362 7878<br />

THE AGENT SAYS: Built by Friel Homes, the property has<br />

been constructed to a high specification with a classic theme<br />

and comprises the entrance porch, which is approached<br />

through the mature front garden, lined with various shrubs.<br />

The tiled reception hallway provides access to the drawing<br />

room, dining room, kitchen/breakfast room, and a study,<br />

as well as a guest cloakroom, basement and first-floor<br />

accommodation.<br />

The contemporary kitchen/breakfast room is perfect for<br />

family living. With contrasting cream and walnut faced<br />

wall and floor cupboards and complimentary floor tiles, the<br />

kitchen has been finished to the highest standard. With space<br />

for an additional informal dining area, this is the perfect area<br />

for family dinners and elaborate weekend breakfasts.<br />

The master bedroom features views of the rear garden<br />

beyond and benefits from an en suite bathroom with Jackand-Jill<br />

washbasin and a dressing area. A sliding wardrobe<br />

discreetly leads to a home gym with a sauna.<br />

The first floor also features a guest bedroom with en suite<br />

shower room, two further double bedrooms, a family<br />

bathroom, and an additional study/playroom<br />

The superb basement leisure suite can be accessed from the<br />

reception hallway and comprises a spacious entertainment/<br />

games room with bespoke bar, perfect for hosting parties,<br />

watching movies as a family or relaxing with friends. This<br />

room can also be accessed independently via stairs at the side<br />

of the house.<br />

The property benefits from a beautifully landscaped rear<br />

garden with various patio areas, ideal for summer barbecues<br />

and enjoying the various shrubs, trees, and the pond beyond.<br />

There is also a lawned area enclosed with private close board<br />

fencing.<br />

The fore garden is established with shrubs and trees and<br />

enjoys the fabulous open greenbelt views in front of the<br />

house; one of the main features of this property.<br />

W E L O V E :<br />

THAT BASEMENT ENTERTAINMENT<br />

SUITE BRINGS THE WOW FACTOR<br />

10


BRAND NEW<br />

PORCELAIN<br />

PAVING RANGE<br />

IN-STORE NOW<br />

1200MM X 600MM X 20MM<br />

DUPLOCEM RANGE IN GRIS £48.99<br />

PER M 2 | PLUS VAT<br />

EUROPA WAY, LICHFIELD, WS14 9TZ<br />

01543 440000 | TIPPERS.COM<br />

WEEKDAYS<br />

7.30AM - 5.00PM<br />

SATURDAY<br />

8.00AM - 4.00PM


I N T E R I O R S<br />

Mixed<br />

messages<br />

WE’RE always in the mood for metallics; adding a touch<br />

of glamour to any interior decor scheme, hues of copper,<br />

gold, brass and nickel have long vied for supremacy in the<br />

interior design world.<br />

The bold tones of copper, gold and brass add a warming,<br />

luxurious feel to your space, while also pairing perfectly<br />

with the trend for darker shades in bathrooms and kitchens<br />

to create a welcome contrast. On the other hand, the<br />

cooler nickel and pewter hues bring a more modern<br />

aesthetic with their minimalist vibe, as well as been the<br />

original cornerstones of industrial chic.<br />

But for <strong>2020</strong>, there’s no need to pick a favourite. This year,<br />

when it comes to metallics, more is most definitely more -<br />

and the more tones, the better.<br />

Warmer toned metals pair perfectly with their cooler<br />

counterparts as their different undertones create an<br />

authentic and unique interior. When you mix warm hues<br />

with cool, it creates a luxurious yet minimalistic look.<br />

From chair legs and artwork, to large furniture pieces,<br />

wall coverings and decorative pots and planters, it’s time<br />

to make metallics rule supreme in every corner of your<br />

home.<br />

CUPID COPPER TABLE IN LARGE, £79,<br />

CUCKOOLAND. WWW.CUCKOOLAND.COM<br />

£119<br />

£79<br />

£49<br />

BUDE 16 MIXED METALLIC PIECE<br />

CUTLERY SET, WWW.MADE.COM<br />

£59.99<br />

INTERNOITALIANO TURI WALL CLOCK,<br />

WWW.NEST.CO.UK<br />

£399<br />

MASTERCLASS 5-PIECE BRASS-<br />

COLOURED STAINLESS STEEL<br />

KNIFE SET, KITCHEN CRAFT.<br />

WWW.KITCHENCRAFT.CO.UK<br />

ORION COFFEE TABLE, ATKIN AND THYME.<br />

WWW.ATKINANDTHYME.CO.UK<br />

12<br />

DEXTER CEILING PENDANT IN<br />

BURNISHED COPPER, ATKIN AND THYME.<br />

WWW.ATKINANDTHYME.CO.UK


£99<br />

£579<br />

£35<br />

ZIGGY CABINET, SWOON EDITIONS.<br />

WWW.SWOONEDITIONS.COM<br />

GOLD PLANT POT TUB ON<br />

STAND, OLIVER BONAS.<br />

WWW.OLIVERBONAS.COM<br />

£85<br />

£275<br />

HUTTON TRIPOD FLOOR LAMP<br />

IN COPPER, CULT FURNITURE.<br />

WWW.CULTFURNITURE.COM<br />

LA FORMA PHIL METAL SIDE TABLE<br />

IN COPPER, CUCKOOLAND.<br />

WWW.CUCKOOLAND.COM<br />

COPPER ROUND TABLE WITH<br />

BRASS LEGS, BOMBAY DUCK.<br />

WWW.BOMBAYDUCK.COM<br />

£449<br />

FAROE CONTEMPORARY TV STAND IN BLACK,<br />

BRASS, NICKEL AND COPPER, SWOON EDITIONS.<br />

WWW.SWOONEDITIONS.COM<br />

GASTON WALL LIGHT IN BRASS AND<br />

PEWTER, £85, LOAF. WWW.LOAF.COM


PASCALI BRASS BEDSIDE DRAWERS,<br />

£269, ATKIN AND THYME.<br />

WWW.ATKINANDTHYME.CO.UK<br />

GARDEN TRADING ROUND WALL<br />

PLANTER IN ANTIQUE PEWTER, £8.<br />

WWW.GARDENTRADING.CO.UK<br />

JONATHAN ADLER ALPHAVILLE COCKTAIL TABLE IN<br />

BRASS, £1,995, SWEETPEA AND WILLOW.<br />

WWW.SWEETPEAANDWILLOW.COM<br />

BROOKLYN KING SIZE BED, £579.99.<br />

OAK FURNITURELAND.<br />

WWW.OAKFURNITURELAND.CO.UK<br />

14


OPEN<br />

FOR NEW<br />

RESIDENTS<br />

WE<br />

REMAIN<br />

COVID<br />

FREE<br />

FURNITURE • GIFTS • ACCESSORIES<br />

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 />

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 />

Inspirationally French<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<br />

La Maison Bleue, Heart of the Country Village, WS14 9QR<br />

Tel: 01543 481414 - Email: info@lamaisonbleue.co.uk<br />

www.lamaisonbleue.co.uk


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F O O D & D R I N K<br />

Time to eat out<br />

WITH THE GOVERNMENT’S ‘EAT OUT TO HELP OUT’ SCHEME COMING INTO<br />

EFFECT FOR THIS MONTH, WE TAKE A LOOK AT SOME OF THE PARTICIPATING<br />

TASTY DINING-IN OPTIONS AROUND THE AREA<br />

There’s no doubt that the coronavirus pandemic<br />

and subsequent lockdown restrictions have had a<br />

devastating effect on the hospitality industry. Forced<br />

closures saw many canny restaurant owners turn<br />

their hand to delivery and collection services to keep<br />

business ticking over - and to keep us in an array of<br />

tasty dining options to be enjoyed from the comfort of<br />

our own homes.<br />

But since lockdown easing measures last month have<br />

allowed eateries to reopen - albeit with stringent<br />

Covid-19 protection measures in place - it seems our<br />

appetite for eating out has returned with a vengeance.<br />

And from August 3 to 31, diners will be able to<br />

benefit from the government’s new Eat Out to Help<br />

Out scheme, which sees a 50% discount on food<br />

or non-alcoholic drinks to eat or drink in, up to a<br />

maximum of £10 discount per diner, every Monday,<br />

Tuesday and Wednesday this month at participating<br />

establishments. Those establishments will then be able<br />

to claim a reimbursement from the government for the<br />

discount they’ve given.<br />

Here we take a look at just some of the local,<br />

independent eateries which have signed up for the<br />

scheme. Why not pay some of these a visit and help to<br />

get the hospitality industry back on its feet.<br />

POM’S KITCHEN<br />

AND DELI<br />

20


With the promise that your holiday plans are in the safest<br />

possible hands.<br />

Remember how easy taking a holiday used to be? When someone<br />

else took care of everything?<br />

As your local Four Oaks Travel Counsellor, I believe everybody<br />

deserves their own expert to deliver such a personal service.<br />

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looking for a holiday to remember, that is stress free , with full<br />

financial protection, and a personal service you won’t find<br />

anywhere else - I’m here to help!<br />

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Travel Counsellor<br />

0121 314 6650 or 07860944207<br />

charlotte.mitchell@travelcounsellors.com<br />

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CASUAL EATS:<br />

Bean Green Kitchen: 297 Lichfield Road, Sutton<br />

Coldfield - A deli sandwich and salad bar in the<br />

heart of Mere Green, serving classic cafe favourites<br />

with some healthy twists and tasty alternatives. From<br />

the fresh fruit, vegetables and locally sourced freerange<br />

meats to their specially selected coffee and the<br />

community ethos, Bean Green Kitchen is a true feelgood<br />

eatery.<br />

Windowbox Cafe: 418 Birmingham Road, Sutton<br />

Coldfield - A local high street cafe, serving simple,<br />

freshly made, wholesome food and a variety of teas<br />

and coffees. Offering an array of tasty options for<br />

breakfast, brunch and lunch - their pancake stacks are<br />

a firm favourite.<br />

Cigno: Ammnet House, 3 Lichfield Road, Burntwood<br />

- This family-run cafe is a real gem in Burntwood.<br />

The perfect place to meet friends and family in relaxed<br />

surroundings, where you can grab a locally roasted,<br />

hand-crafted coffee and delicious breakfast or lunch.<br />

It’s a popular spot though, so booking is advised.<br />

The Hub at St Mary’s: The Guild of St Mary’s<br />

Centre, Market Square, Lichfield - Who wouldn’t<br />

want to while away an hour in this stunning building,<br />

sipping on a perfectly barista-brewed coffee? The Hub<br />

coffee shop is a social enterprise, meaning the profits<br />

from everything you buy goes back into subsidising<br />

outreach activities for the whole community. You don’t<br />

just drink good, you feel good too. Closed on Mondays.<br />

The Bureau: 34-36 Market Street, Lichfield - A<br />

new addition to Lichfield’s dining scene, The Bureau<br />

offers delicious food from morning to night, as well as<br />

their own blend coffee. Evenings during August will<br />

see a grill night on Monday, Eastern night on Tuesday<br />

and Bureau Bites on Wednesdays - and although not<br />

included in the scheme, their cocktail range is certainly<br />

impressive.<br />

Pom’s Kitchen and Deli: 20-22 Bird Street,<br />

Lichfield - Pom’s Kitchen has long been a firm<br />

favourite with Lichfield diners. Offering a plethora<br />

of tasty breakfast, brunch and lunch options, their<br />

daytime menu is a real feast, focusing on fresh produce<br />

and local suppliers, while the deli shop sells a range<br />

of local and award winning products from fresh<br />

vegetables, meats, eggs, jams, chutneys, beer and more.<br />

Pear Tree Creperie: Heart of the Country<br />

Shopping Village, Swinfen - Situated at The Heart of<br />

the Country shopping village, The Pear Tree Crêperie<br />

is an authentic French crêperie with bags of character<br />

and a relaxed, informal atmosphere. The crepes<br />

and galettes are always a hit, with sweet and savoury<br />

variations to tickle all taste buds. Booking is essential.<br />

DINING TREATS:<br />

The Bracebridge Restaurant: Sutton Park<br />

- Enjoying the most beautiful setting overlooking<br />

Bracebridge Pool at the heart of Sutton Park, The<br />

Bracebridge is the perfect place for a tranquil bite to<br />

eat. While the restaurant itself remains closed, the<br />

Terrace and the Kiosk are open, serving a delicious<br />

menu of first class food from breakfast til early evening.<br />

Moor Hall Hotel: Moor Hall Drive, Sutton<br />

Coldfield - A Sutton Coldfield stalwart, Moor Hall<br />

Hotel offers a warm welcome, whether you’re staying<br />

the night or just popping in for a bite to eat. The<br />

reduced menu is small but perfectly formed, with main<br />

dishes, light bites and scrummy desserts all on offer.<br />

Choose to dine in the socially distanced restaurant,<br />

lounge bar or outside on the terrace. Booking is<br />

essential for non hotel guests.<br />

The Fig and Olive: Coppice Garden Centre,<br />

Coppice Lane, Middleton - Situated at the Coppice<br />

Garden Centre in Middleton, The Fig and Olive offers<br />

a great spot for dining from breakfast until dinner.<br />

Treat yourself to a dry-aged steak from their own<br />

butcher, or try a freshly made pizza, sharing board or<br />

more.<br />

Sorriso: 28 Bird Street, Lichfield - Authentic<br />

Italian fayre is the name of the game at this Lichfield<br />

favourite. Freshly made pasta, tasty risottos, pizzas,<br />

steaks, seafood… it’s a veritable feast for the taste buds.<br />

Sorriso is closed on Mondays but diners will be able<br />

to take advantage of the scheme on Tuesdays and<br />

Wednesdays, from the a la carte menu only.<br />

MOOR HALL HOTEL IS<br />

A SUTTON COLDFIELD<br />

STALWART<br />

22


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F O O D & D R I N K<br />

Indian cuisine redefined<br />

ACCLAIMED CHEF AKTAR ISLAM, HEAD OF BIRMINGHAM’S NEWEST MICHELIN STARRED<br />

RESTAURANT OPHEEM, SHARES A DELECTABLE DISH SHOWCASING CRAB THREE WAYS<br />

Birmingham born and bred, Aktar Islam started out in the<br />

restaurant industry aged just 16 at his father’s restaurant. His<br />

mission from a young age has been to showcase the flavours of<br />

the Indian subcontinent in dishes fit for kings and emperors,<br />

and his hard work received the ultimate accolade last year when<br />

Opheem was named as the newest Brummie star in the <strong>2020</strong><br />

Michelin Guide.<br />

Aktar says: “The kitchen was the only place that I experienced<br />

ultimate freedom. With my knives, pans, meat, fish, vegetables,<br />

herbs, spices and creativity, I felt free from constraints. The more<br />

I learned, the more I realised there was to discover, and the more<br />

I cooked, the more barriers I broke, both personal and culinary.<br />

And that’s where you’ll find me. No duty. All pleasure.<br />

“When you come to Opheem, you get an insight into the inner<br />

workings of my mind. We’re striving to push the boundaries with<br />

Indian flavours, but with cooking techniques from all over the<br />

world, some traditional, and some very modern. At Opheem,<br />

I’ll be using the same paints as I’ve always done, to create a very<br />

different picture, on a very, very different canvas.”<br />

Soft shell crab | Dressed crab | Crab cake<br />

For the soft shell crab:<br />

8 soft shell crabs, cleaned<br />

3 tbsp yoghurt<br />

1tbsp garlic and ginger paste<br />

1/2 tsp ajwain seeds, lightly<br />

toasted and coarsely crushed<br />

3/4 tsp black salt<br />

1 tsp Kashmiri chilli powder<br />

Juice of 1/2 lemon<br />

50ml sparkling water<br />

handful of finely chopped<br />

coriander<br />

100g gram flour<br />

100g corn flour<br />

salt for seasoning<br />

Chaat masala for dusting<br />

For the dressed crab and<br />

crab mayo:<br />

1 large cock crab<br />

1 egg yolk<br />

1 big pinch salt<br />

1 tbsp dijon mustard<br />

1 tbsp white-wine or cider vinegar,<br />

or lemon juice<br />

250ml crab oil (see ingredients below)<br />

25ml extra-virgin olive, walnut or<br />

rapeseed oil<br />

For the crab oil:<br />

1 kg crab shell<br />

1 onion, brunoise<br />

1 carrot, brunoise<br />

1 celery, brunoise<br />

2 bay leaf<br />

4 lemon thyme<br />

1tsp tomato puree<br />

1ltr veg oil<br />

For the crab cake:<br />

450g white crab meat<br />

400g brown crab meat<br />

400g potatoes boiled and mashed<br />

75ml coconut oil<br />

1 1/2 tbsp of black mustard seeds<br />

20 curry leaves, coarsely chopped<br />

2 onion, finely chopped<br />

3 tsp red chilli powder<br />

1 tsp turmeric<br />

3 tsp garlic, finely minced<br />

3 tsp ginger, finely chopped<br />

3 tsp green chillies, finely chopped<br />

2 tsp chaat masala<br />

Potato flour if needed<br />

24


METHOD<br />

Wash the soft shell crabs and dry on some kitchen<br />

towel. Make a smooth batter with the rest of the<br />

ingredients and adjust the seasoning. Dip the crabs in<br />

the batter and deep fry in corn oil at 160ᵒc for 5-6<br />

minutes. Remove from oil and dust lightly with chaat<br />

masala.<br />

For the dressed crab, steam the large cock crab and<br />

pick the white meat. Make the crab oil by breaking the<br />

shells into pieces. Sauté the carrot, onion and celery<br />

until soft in a saucepan. Add shells, tomato puree and<br />

cook for a further 5-8 minutes. Pour in the remaining<br />

oil, add the bay leaves and thyme. Reduce to low and<br />

allow to cook for at least three hours. Cool, and strain<br />

through chinois.<br />

To finish, bind the crab with crab mayo, fine brunoise<br />

of chilli, shallot and chopped coriander, finish with salt<br />

and lemon. Place a quenelle on the plate and dress with<br />

julienne apple.<br />

For the crab cakes, heat the coconut oil, add the<br />

mustard seeds, curry leaves and chopped onion and<br />

sauté until the onion turns translucent. Add the<br />

chopped garlic, ginger and green chilli to the pan<br />

and sauté briefly, then add the red chilli powder and<br />

turmeric. Add crab meat and cook till dry.<br />

Season with chaat and salt to taste. Once cool, add to<br />

the potato, make patties. Deep fry - if they don’t hold<br />

add some potato flour to the mix.<br />

Aktar serves his crab three ways with green mango<br />

chutney and tomato chutney.<br />

AKTAR ISLAM HAS<br />

WON A MICHELIN<br />

STAR AT OPHEEM<br />

25


F O O D & D R I N K<br />

Food for thought<br />

SUTTON COLDFIELD TOWN HALL’S FOOD BANK PROJECT HAS RECEIVED A BOOST<br />

FROM SUTTON COLDFIELD MUSICAL YOUTH THEATRE’S FUNDRAISING APPEAL<br />

Sutton Coldfield Musical Youth Theatre has<br />

launched an appeal to help Sutton Coldfield Town<br />

Hall’s food bank donation point, which has been<br />

running at the venue since the start of lockdown.<br />

The town hall, in King Edward’s Square, switched<br />

from hosting entertainment to helping those who<br />

have been struggling to put food on the table once<br />

shows were closed in March.<br />

The entrance hall of the heritage building is being<br />

used to collect donations from locals on a Monday<br />

and Friday. New features of the project include free<br />

coffee or tea for donors, a ‘support local businesses’<br />

idea and charity stalls on a Friday.<br />

While unable to rehearse, SCMYT decided to help<br />

the town hall in its efforts with a campaign to raise<br />

as much money as possible for the food bank. Food<br />

bank leaders have indicated that local centres could<br />

be under more pressure in the coming weeks and<br />

months, as more families are hit by the economic<br />

impact of the virus. The town hall has been a major<br />

support to the award-winning youth theatre since it<br />

started almost two years ago, and it is the venue for<br />

both SCMYT’s performances and rehearsals. Now<br />

SCMYT wants to do something to support those<br />

that support it. They have launched a JustGiving<br />

page to raise money for food and toiletries for local<br />

foodbanks.<br />

Sarah Clarke, SCMYT chairman, said: “What<br />

the town hall has done to help people in Sutton<br />

Coldfield through the current pandemic is fantastic<br />

and demonstrates how much it truly cares about the<br />

local community. The town hall and its patrons have<br />

always been so supportive of our youth theatre and<br />

we cannot thank them all enough. Knowing what the<br />

town hall was doing during lockdown, and following<br />

a suggestion from one of our youth theatre parents,<br />

we decided to launch a fundraising campaign to give<br />

something back to the community by giving the food<br />

banks a boost.”<br />

The youth theatre appeal has already raised more<br />

than £100 and the group thanks people for their<br />

generosity so far. It plans to shop for the food banks<br />

once it has raised £300 and hopes that the money<br />

will enable them to buy essentials for Sutton families<br />

who really need assistance.<br />

Town Hall managing director Julie Rennison added:<br />

“This gesture is typical of this group, who create<br />

such magnificent work on stage. To put their energy<br />

into helping others at a time they are not performing<br />

is a really positive thing to do. We’d ask anyone who<br />

can help to donate to the page.”<br />

Anyone who would like to donate to SCMYT’s<br />

appeal to help Sutton Coldfield Town Hall’s food<br />

bank can do so through JustGiving at<br />

www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/scmyt-townhall<br />

For those wanting to donate long-life food or<br />

toiletries in person, the entrance hall is open on a<br />

Monday and Friday, 10am to 2pm. Donations are<br />

collected by two centres in Erdington and two in<br />

Sutton Coldfield. Fresh produce, including allotment<br />

produce, is used by a further Foodbank canteen in<br />

Four Oaks. For further information, a short film<br />

about the project can be found on the Town Hall’s<br />

Facebook page<br />

www.facebook.com/suttontownhall<br />

SCMYT’S BEN HAYFIELD AND<br />

ANNEKA HORNE FUNDRAISE<br />

FOR FOODBANKS<br />

26


End of<br />

Season<br />

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T R AV E L<br />

Staycations with a difference<br />

NATHAN COLLINS, JOINT MD AT LICHFIELD LUXURY TRAVEL EXPERTS RB COLLECTION,<br />

TAKES A LOOK AT SOME UNIQUE AND MEMORABLE STAYCATION IDEAS<br />

A BIRD-WATCHER’S PARADISE<br />

IN THE ISLES OF SCILLY<br />

While many know us for luxury and specialist<br />

holidays to exciting far flung destinations, we have<br />

always enjoyed recommending unique and special<br />

trips to our clients closer to home too. Here, we have<br />

pulled together some of our top tips for a special<br />

‘Staycation’ which can help create unique, long<br />

lasting memories for all involved.<br />

From an Aston Martin 007 Experience to luxury<br />

tree houses, Harry Potter inspired train rides and<br />

UK small island escapes, we have some great<br />

suggestions and will be here to help take care of the<br />

arrangements for you.<br />

Let’s start with a wonderful trip that captures the<br />

style and glamour of the timeless Bond films. This<br />

break lets you enjoy the thrills of driving a stylish<br />

Aston Martin through stunning Scottish scenery and<br />

around key locations associated with the films. You’ll<br />

pass by Faslane Naval Base, featured in The Spy<br />

Who Loved Me, and the loch by Crinan, the scene<br />

of a boat chase through the Bosphorus in From<br />

Russia with Love.<br />

What screams Bond more than staying on a private<br />

island? Here you’ll learn how to make the ultimate<br />

Martini! This very special short break includes an<br />

exclusive speedboat trip past Duart Castle, family<br />

seat of the real-life inspiration of 007. And who<br />

could resist powering through Glencoe, setting for<br />

the dramatic finale of Skyfall?<br />

Pick up your Aston Martin in Edinburgh and head<br />

off on a route which will take you past some of the<br />

most famous 007 Scottish sights. For two nights you<br />

will stay on your own private island on the west coast<br />

of Scotland, near to Oban. Cross the rickety bridge<br />

from the west coast mainland to this idyllic five-star<br />

28


THE ISLES OF SCILLY OFFER A<br />

TIMELESS, MAGICAL BREAK<br />

hideaway and you enter a different world – a world<br />

of luxury, seclusion and a little eccentricity! You’ll<br />

find intriguing contrasts and pleasant surprises at<br />

every turn. Choose to stay in a characterful room<br />

in the castle-style baronial mansion or splash out<br />

– literally – on a spa suite, complete with private<br />

conservatory, patio, large lounge and outdoor<br />

Jacuzzi.<br />

Get really into the spirit of the<br />

Bond lifestyle with a pre-dinner<br />

Vesper Martini – very definitely<br />

shaken, not stirred. It’ll whet<br />

your appetite perfectly for the<br />

delights which await in the<br />

acclaimed Michelin-starred<br />

restaurant. The young head<br />

chef designs a daily-changing<br />

menu to reflect the best<br />

available seasonal produce,<br />

with fish and seafood from<br />

surrounding waters and meat<br />

and game from local estates.<br />

Leisure facilities at the Stables<br />

Spa are a testament to<br />

streamlined modernity with a<br />

ENJOY A LUXURY GROUP<br />

GETAWAY AT FARLEIGH WALLOP<br />

17-metre indoor heated swimming pool<br />

and full range of ESPA treatments. The<br />

rooftop terrace, overlooking the water, is a<br />

tranquil spot for leisurely lunches. There’s<br />

even a challenging nine-hole golf course,<br />

with superb views from its greens and<br />

fairways, plus a croquet lawn where you<br />

can try your hand at the most refined –<br />

and competitive – of British past-times.<br />

Be whisked by speed boat around Lismore<br />

island and past Duart Castle on Mull,<br />

traditional home of the MacLeans. The<br />

castle fell into ruins but was restored<br />

early in the 20th century and is once<br />

again the seat of the clan chief. The<br />

exploits of soldier and diplomat Fitzroy<br />

Hew MacLean, who parachuted into<br />

Yugoslavia to assist the resistance in<br />

WW2, are said to have been the origins<br />

of Ian Fleming’s James Bond and 007.<br />

Your return journey saves the best for last,<br />

with a spectacular drive through Glencoe,<br />

setting for the dramatic finale of Skyfall.<br />

What more could any Bond fan ask for!<br />

Continuing in Scotland and still with a<br />

movie theme, how about a trip on board<br />

the now infamous Jacobite Train made<br />

famous from the Harry Potter films?<br />

Breath-taking scenery and fantastic<br />

journeys by mainline and steam railways,<br />

this tour takes in the very best of northern<br />

Scotland from your base in Inverness - the gateway<br />

to your Highland adventure. This five-day tour also<br />

takes in a journey on the Kylie line, the Strathspey<br />

Steam Railway plus visits Eilean Donan Castle and<br />

the Culloden Battlefield and visitors centre.<br />

Our final stop in Scotland continues our railway<br />

29


THE ULTRA LUXURIOUS BELMOND<br />

ROYAL SCOTSMAN<br />

theme onboard the ultra-luxurious Royal Scotsman<br />

train. Embark on a Grand Highland Fling; riding<br />

Belmond Royal Scotsman is one of those pinchme<br />

moments. Ranking amongst the world’s most<br />

luxurious trains, the mahogany-clad cars marry<br />

Edwardian elegance with the comforts of a country<br />

house. Ten intricately designed carriages, including<br />

the sublime Bamford Spa, form a palace on wheels.<br />

Over in Ireland you can also taste luxury onboard<br />

the Grand Hibernian, one of Belmond’s<br />

more recent additions to their collection of<br />

famous trains which also features the Venice-<br />

Simplon Orient-Express.<br />

Crisscross acres of patchwork fields and<br />

craggy coasts, stopping in some of Ireland’s<br />

most storied cities. Belmond Grand<br />

Hibernian gets right to the green and gallant<br />

heart of the Emerald Isle. The elegant<br />

sleeper carriages are inspired by Dublin’s<br />

Georgian architecture. The Observation Car<br />

offers all the warmth of a classic saloon, with<br />

live musicians and animated storytelling.<br />

The UK is home to stunning islands<br />

including Jersey, Guernsey, Isles of Scilly,<br />

Sark, Herm and Alderney. Islands are special<br />

places, with a totally distinct feel, sparkle,<br />

and local community charm that sets them<br />

apart from anything you will find in a<br />

mainland destination holiday resort.<br />

When you travel to any one of these islands,<br />

you get the feeling that you have arrived<br />

somewhere truly unique, and in the Isles of<br />

Scilly is there a better way to arrive than by<br />

helicopter? With flights from many regional<br />

airports throughout the UK as well as many<br />

ferry crossings, accessing these hidden gems<br />

is becoming easier.<br />

The Isles of Scilly are an archipelago around<br />

30 miles off the south-western<br />

tip of England. Though<br />

numbering more than 50<br />

islands in total, only five are<br />

inhabited. The total population<br />

of St Mary’s, Tresco, Bryher,<br />

St Martin’s and St Agnes is<br />

just over 2,000, contributing<br />

to that special ‘step-back-intime’<br />

feeling and providing<br />

a taste of the timeless magic<br />

of childhood holidays. Amid<br />

wonderful scenery, younger<br />

children can explore rock pools<br />

and endless sandy beaches,<br />

while the older ones – and the<br />

adults – can hike nature trails,<br />

hire bikes, or ride horses along<br />

the shore.<br />

The Isles of Scilly are a bird-watcher’s paradise,<br />

with approximately 435 species of birds, including<br />

cormorants, gannets, oystercatchers, manx<br />

shearwaters and puffins to name but a few. On Scilly,<br />

everything revolves around the sea, so why not take<br />

the opportunity to spot some Atlantic grey seals?<br />

Eating out in the Isles of Scilly is often just that: an<br />

alfresco delight. What could be better than enjoying<br />

THE JACOBITE TRAIN WAS MADE<br />

FAMOUS IN THE HARRY POTTER<br />

FILMS<br />

30


fresh fish and chips on<br />

the beach, gazing out at<br />

waters the same colour as<br />

those in the Caribbean, or<br />

a delicious freshly-caught<br />

lobster salad in one of the<br />

local restaurants.<br />

If you are looking for a<br />

unique place to spend a<br />

night or two for a special<br />

occasion how about<br />

wonderful luxury tree<br />

houses in Hampshire? They<br />

vary in size, from studios to<br />

a completely private escape<br />

sleeping 12! Consider it<br />

the most secluded abode to<br />

nestle in the tranquil New<br />

Forest; the private treehouse<br />

CHANNEL JAMES BOND WITH AN<br />

ASTON MARTIN EXPERIENCE IN<br />

SCOTLAND<br />

is a place where you can gather those closest to<br />

you and immerse yourself in the trees together for<br />

the most extraordinary experience. Equipped with<br />

a wood burner in the heart of the living space,<br />

beautiful rich tones of green and grey echo the<br />

environment beyond the balconies. The owners have<br />

carefully considered the interior design to create a<br />

real sense of luxury that still has an essence of earthy<br />

tranquillity to compliment the idyllic surroundings.<br />

If you need a private estate to hire for a group or<br />

family occasion, then Farleigh Wallop in Hampshire<br />

is a great find. An hour from London, Farleigh<br />

Wallop is perfect for private events, house parties,<br />

corporate gatherings and exclusive use holidays. It<br />

sits at the heart of a 4,000-acre Hampshire estate,<br />

down a tree-lined avenue. Set back from the road,<br />

it is a classic English home whose interior has<br />

been recently redesigned and fitted with modern<br />

amenities. A luxurious retreat, it is completely<br />

private. The house has eight reception rooms, all<br />

adaptable in format. The dining room is ideal for<br />

grand dining or a reception for 40. Eleven bedrooms<br />

and nine bathrooms provide beautifully appointed<br />

accommodation. A bespoke marquee area, adjacent<br />

to the house, caters for larger parties.<br />

As you can see, there is plenty to discover closer to<br />

home and we look forward to helping create those<br />

special travel memories.<br />

Call RB Collection on 01543 258631 or email<br />

vip@rbcollection.com to book your next unique<br />

or luxury staycation.<br />

THIS HAMPSHIRE TREE<br />

HOUSE PROVIDES A UNIQUE<br />

DESITNATION FOR A SPECIAL<br />

OCCASION<br />

J’AIME<br />

READER OFFER<br />

Book any of these mentioned<br />

holidays or hotels before the end of<br />

September <strong>2020</strong> for any date in the<br />

future and receive a complimentary<br />

bottle of British sparkling wine from<br />

Hattingley Estate, winner of this year’s<br />

International Wine Challenge. Simply<br />

mention J’AIME magazine when you<br />

first enquiry to qualify, applicable to<br />

new bookings only.<br />

31


FA S H I O N<br />

Pretty practical<br />

IT’S FAST BECOMING THE STREET STYLE STAPLE OF SUMMER - THE DRESS<br />

AND TRAINERS COMBO IS THE ONE TO ROCK FOR EFFORTLESSLY LAID-BACK<br />

DRESSING, SAYS AMY NORBURY<br />

LOCKDOWN has had an effect on every part of our lives - and<br />

our wardrobes are no exception. With loungewear overtaking<br />

tailoring as the work attire du jour, and our ‘going out’ outfits<br />

eschewed in favour of home comfies, we’ve had a serious rethink<br />

about how we approach daily dressing.<br />

And thanks to lockdown, the words ‘heel’, ‘stiletto’, and ‘wedge’<br />

have been noticeably absent from the fashion lexicon for the past<br />

few months. Because who would opt to wear sky-high stompers<br />

when flats have become more than acceptable all-day wear?<br />

This summer’s ‘effortless chic’ award goes to a daily uniform<br />

which embraces comfort all the way, while still looking perfectly<br />

put-together. That’s right, the trusty dress and trainers combo is<br />

the top choice for those whose only opportunity to show off their<br />

breezy summer garb has been on the supermarket dash. Now,<br />

with picnics in the park the height of social activity, adding our<br />

sportiest trainers to our floatiest dress is a foolproof approach to<br />

dressing for a park outing.<br />

Having perfected the art of the ‘sunny mini-dress worn with<br />

trainers’, Hollywood starlet - and self-confessed sneaker<br />

obsessive - Emily Ratajkowski is a poster girl for the look. The<br />

supermodel has long had her Nike Cortez, Air Force 1s and<br />

Keds on pretty much permanent rotation.<br />

So how to work the combo? Thankfully, it’s one which doesn’t<br />

require much forethought - simply throw on your favourite<br />

summer dress, add your comfiest trainers and you’re good to go.<br />

The classic Converse Chuck Taylor All Stars are a footwear<br />

go-to for myriad occasions and outfits - this timeless canvas<br />

shoe comes in enough colour variations to match pretty much<br />

anything in your wardrobe. Opt for crisp, clean white - or<br />

even white leather for a smarter look - to pair seamlessly with<br />

patterned and floral dresses, or try one of the cool prints to add<br />

a fun touch to a plain sundress.<br />

Elsewhere on the trainer front, Adidas Originals’ go-to Stan<br />

Smiths, or the aforementioned Nike Air Force 1s so beloved by<br />

Emily Ratajkowski, are a worthy investment for optimum dresspairing.<br />

Every wardrobe needs a good shirtdress or three, and while they<br />

can be dressed up effortlessly with heels, they look just as stylish<br />

teamed with a sporty pair of trainers for a touch of everyday<br />

elegance.<br />

Whatever your style, the dress and trainers combo is one that<br />

can be worked with very little effort - and we’re hoping this<br />

comfortable approach to dressing sticks around long after<br />

lockdown ends.<br />

DRESS, £30, TRAINERS, £32, BAG,<br />

£22, AND SUNGLASSES, £10, ALL<br />

MISS SELFRIDGE.<br />

WWW.MISSSELFRIDGE.COM<br />

32


£55<br />

CHUCK 70 MINT CANVAS<br />

HI TOPS, CONVERSE.<br />

WWW.CONVERSE.COM/UK<br />

£35<br />

£70<br />

£70<br />

WHITE AND DUSKY PINK STAN<br />

SMITHS, ADIDAS ORIGINALS.<br />

WWW.ADIDAS.CO.UK<br />

£39<br />

£220<br />

PRINTED OFF-THE-SHOULDER DRESS,<br />

RIVER ISLAND. WWW.RIVERISLAND.COM<br />

TIE DYE KNITTED DRESS, RED<br />

HERRING AT DEBENHAMS.<br />

WWW.DEBENHAMS.COM<br />

£85<br />

BRODERIE BARDOT DRESS, RED<br />

HERRING AT DEBENHAMS.<br />

WWW.DEBENHAMS.COM<br />

INES TAUPE SEERSUCKER DRESS, BIRD<br />

AND KNOLL AT HARVEY NICHOLS.<br />

WWW.HARVEYNICHOLS.COM<br />

£70<br />

ELECKTRO TRAINERS, DUNE LONDON.<br />

WWW.DUNELONDON.COM<br />

CHUCK 70 MARBLE PRINT CANVAS SNEAKERS,<br />

CONVERSE. WWW.CONVERSE.COM/UK<br />

KHOST CLOTHING YELLOW BELTED SHIRT<br />

DRESS, £49, M&CO. WWW.MANDCO.COM<br />

DRESS, £39, AND TRAINERS, £25, MISS<br />

SELFRIDGE. WWW.MISSSELFRIDGE.COM<br />

33


B E AU T Y<br />

What’s the fuss about serums?<br />

SO YOU KNOW YOUR MOISTURISERS FROM YOUR TONERS BUT DO YOU KNOW WHAT<br />

SERUMS ARE FOR? AND, MORE IMPORTANTLY, HOW THEY CAN BENEFIT YOUR COMPLEXION?<br />

ROYAL FACIALIST AND FOUNDER OF HEAVEN SKINCARE DEBORAH MITCHELL EXPLAINS<br />

PUT simply, a serum is a product that you apply to<br />

your face and neck straight after cleansing and before<br />

you moisturise. Perfect for tackling fine lines and<br />

dehydration, they deliver a potent shot of ingredients<br />

directly into your skin. In fact, while cleansers and<br />

moisturisers usually contain between five and ten per<br />

cent of active ingredients, serums can boast up to 70<br />

per cent. And unlike traditional face creams they have<br />

smaller molecules so can penetrate the epidermis.<br />

That might make you think you should replace your<br />

regular moisturiser and use a serum on its own, but<br />

this isn’t the case. A daily moisturiser is still essential<br />

as it is richer and may have the added benefit of SPF.<br />

Instead, using one in tandem with a serum – and<br />

trust me, you only need a few drops – means your<br />

skin is getting a much better level of care.<br />

If you have multiple concerns – say fine lines and<br />

wrinkles or dry skin – you can layer your serums for<br />

multiple benefits in one application. To determine<br />

what order to use them start with the one that targets<br />

your main concern first and then layer the others<br />

order of priority, allowing 30 seconds in between for<br />

the ingredients to soak in. You can even add a few<br />

drops to your foundation for an added beauty boost.<br />

Heaven’s LIA Oil Serum works to reduce redness<br />

and rosacea, and rejuvenate dull skin. The addition<br />

of organic rose and neroli repair helps prevent<br />

broken capillaries and reduce scarring.<br />

Perfect for people with eczema or sensitive skin, the<br />

microbes in my Clarifying Oil Serum kill bacteria<br />

and condition skin to bring it back to equilibrium.<br />

My SOS Oil Serum is designed to balance oil levels,<br />

hydrate and feed the skin while its vitamin content<br />

can help to repair acne, scars and damaged skin. It<br />

can even be used on dry hair and nails to soften and<br />

repair.<br />

Use my Dream Oil Serum in tandem with your<br />

overnight cream to balance oil levels, hydrate and<br />

feed the skin; its combination of organic jasmine<br />

promotes relaxation and induces sleep.<br />

All products featured are available from<br />

www.heavenskincare.co.uk<br />

34


Millarde Fashions<br />

of Sutton Coldfield<br />

CLOSING DOWN SALE<br />

EVERYTHING MUST GO<br />

396 Birmingham Road, Wylde Green, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands B72 1YJ<br />

0121 373 4834 - www.millardefashions.co.uk - enquiries@millardefashions.co.uk


H E A LT H<br />

Bye bye bingo wings!<br />

THIS MONTH, LICHFIELD’S SPANISH PERSONAL TRAINER RAÚL ROMERO<br />

TALKS BINGO WINGS, AND HOW TO BLAST THEM FOR GOOD!<br />

Bingo wings; the bane of many of my clients’ lives.<br />

Over the years I have had this question posed to me<br />

more times than I can remember, on the whole by<br />

female clients...how to get rid of bingo wings and<br />

achieve strong, toned arms for good?<br />

Despite there being no magic quick fix, the great<br />

thing is that with only a few small daily changes,<br />

effort and consistency, it is very much possible to<br />

achieve from the comfort of your own home without<br />

any specialist equipment. In fact, the only thing<br />

needed for the below workout to blast those bingo<br />

wings is an ordinary household object: a chair!<br />

Here I will share with you some simple yet extremely<br />

effective exercises that can be done from the comfort<br />

of your own home in only five minutes everyday with<br />

simply a chair. The key is consistency and planning<br />

in those all-important five minutes in your daily life<br />

in order to achieve and really notice results. It is<br />

possible for EVERYONE!<br />

Do the following exercises for only five minutes<br />

everyday to get results:<br />

1. Triceps press-ups<br />

Kneel on the floor and place your hands a narrow<br />

width apart, palms down, in front of you. Keep your<br />

bottom tucked in and your body straight. Then,<br />

slowly drop your body down to the floor bending<br />

only your elbows and maintaining a straight posture.<br />

If you can, do two sets of 10-15 repetitions to begin<br />

with, then you can slowly build it up as you get<br />

stronger.<br />

2. Triceps dips using a chair<br />

Place the chair against the wall or something firm<br />

for safety. Then sit down on the floor directly in front<br />

of the chair with the chair behind you. Place your<br />

palms on the chair, still facing forward and lift your<br />

bottom up from the floor, straightening your arms.<br />

Your body weight should be exerted into your arms,<br />

specifically your tricep muscles as they hold your<br />

weight as your bottom is lifted off the floor. Then<br />

slowly bend your arms and drop your bottom back<br />

down to the floor, then push up again to repeat. If<br />

you can, do two sets of 10 repetitions to begin with,<br />

then again you can slowly build it up as you get<br />

stronger.<br />

To see the correct technique of how to complete<br />

these two exercises, you can view a specific video on<br />

it that I have recorded and uploaded onto Youtube<br />

- just search my Youtube channel Hola Healthy<br />

Life, or contact me and I will be happy to talk you<br />

through it.<br />

TRICEP DIPS<br />

TRICEP PRESS UPS<br />

36


As well as these two simple exercises, other daily<br />

activities that can help get rid of excess fat, not only<br />

in the arms, but all over are:<br />

1. Getting a good night’s sleep: When we lack<br />

sleep, our bodies go through changes that can lead<br />

to weight gain. Sleep deprivation can cause changes<br />

to hormones that regulate hunger and appetite.<br />

We have a hormone leptin that suppresses appetite<br />

and encourages the body to expend energy. Sleep<br />

deprivation reduces leptin. The hormone ghrelin,<br />

on the other hand, triggers feelings of hunger - and<br />

ghrelin increases when we are short on sleep.<br />

2. Healthy eating: As obvious as this sounds,<br />

eating plenty of fibre in the form of vegetables<br />

and fruits (avoiding sugary fruits), avoiding ultra<br />

processed foods with high amounts of trans fats,<br />

cutting back on unnecessary carbs and sugars, and<br />

not drinking too much alcohol, can all help blast<br />

excess fat.<br />

3. Controlling stress levels: Again another<br />

obvious one that doesn’t always affect everyone.<br />

If,however, your stress levels do tend to increase, it<br />

is important to find strategies and activities to help<br />

you control and reduce them (for example yoga or<br />

meditation).<br />

4. Include cardio or hiit workouts into your<br />

weekly routine: This will undoubtedly help blast<br />

the excess fat as it will enable your body to expend<br />

more calories.<br />

Good luck to all of you who manage to give the<br />

above exercises a go. I would love to hear how you<br />

get on! For any questions or more information on<br />

blasting those bingo wings, please contact me via<br />

social media or email raul@ambitionpt.co.uk<br />

INCORPORATING CARDIO<br />

OR HIIT SESSIONS INTO<br />

YOUR WEEKLY WORKOUTS<br />

WILL HELP TO BLAST FAT<br />

37


H E A LT H<br />

Spotting the signs of emotional abuse<br />

WITH INCIDENCES OF DOMESTIC ABUSE ON THE INCREASE DURING LOCKDOWN, DIETER<br />

JANSONS, MSC PSYCHOLOGY, FROM WORKING MINDS, TACKLES THE OFTEN-HIDDEN<br />

SUBJECT OF EMOTIONAL ABUSE; WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR AND WHERE YOU CAN GET HELP<br />

“You wouldn’t have that if it weren’t for me.”<br />

Constant criticism? Never good enough? Walking on<br />

eggshells? It’s often phrases like this above, where an<br />

emotional, abusive partner would utter derogatory<br />

comments to wear down a person’s self-esteem.<br />

Whether the contents are subtle and insidious or<br />

overt and manipulative; emotional abuse is one of<br />

the challenging forms of abuse to recognise and can<br />

severely impact your mental health.<br />

In general, mental abuse is often used as a way<br />

to maintain power and control over someone;<br />

invisible to others, a victim may begin to doubt their<br />

perceptions and sense of self. Research indicates<br />

that the consequences of an emotional abusive<br />

relationship is just as severe, and damaging, as a<br />

physical abusive one.<br />

How to spot emotional abuse<br />

When examining your own relationship, remember<br />

that emotional abuse is often subtle. As a result, it<br />

can be very hard to detect. If you are having trouble<br />

identifying whether or not your relationship is<br />

abusive, stop and think about how the interactions<br />

with your partner, friend or family member make<br />

you feel.<br />

If you feel aggrieved, frustrated, confused,<br />

misunderstood, depressed, anxious or worthless at<br />

any time, chances are high that your relationship<br />

is emotionally abusive; even if your partner only<br />

does a handful of these things, you are still in an<br />

unhealthy relationship.<br />

Some examples may include:<br />

• Being dissatisfied no matter how hard you try or<br />

how much you give<br />

• ​Accusing you of being “too sensitive,” “too<br />

emotional,” or “crazy-psycho”<br />

• Refusing to acknowledge or accept your opinions<br />

or ideas as valid<br />

• Accusing you that your perceptions are wrong<br />

38


“you’re blowing this out of proportion,” or “you<br />

exaggerate”<br />

• Accusing you of being selfish, needy, or<br />

materialistic if you express your wants or needs<br />

(the expectation is that you should not have any<br />

wants or needs)<br />

• ​Constant remarks at your clothes, your hair, your<br />

work, and more<br />

• Manipulating and controlling you by making you<br />

feel guilty<br />

• Exaggerating your flaws or pointing them out<br />

in order to deflect attention or to avoid taking<br />

responsibility for their poor choices or mistakes<br />

• Denying that an event took place or lying about it<br />

• Treating you like you are inferior<br />

• Blaming you for their mistakes and shortcomings<br />

Do not fall into the trap of telling yourself “it’s<br />

not that bad” or “could be worse” to minimise<br />

their behaviour. Remember, everyone deserves to be<br />

treated with kindness and respect.<br />

Seeking help and recovery<br />

It is important for a person who is currently<br />

experiencing, or who has ever experienced,<br />

emotional abuse to know that the abuse is never<br />

their fault. In some cases, a partner may even be<br />

using emotional abuse to prevent the person from<br />

leaving or seeking help. The first step in dealing with<br />

an emotionally abusive relationship is to recognise<br />

that it is happening; make yourself a priority,<br />

establish boundaries, stop blaming yourself, realise<br />

you can’t change them, avoid engaging, build a<br />

support network, and work on an exit plan.<br />

According to gov.uk: “the household isolation<br />

instruction as a result of coronavirus does not apply<br />

if you need to leave your home to escape domestic<br />

abuse.”<br />

If you need to talk to someone for free and<br />

confidential advice you can call…<br />

National Domestic Abuse Helpline – 0808 2000 247<br />

www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk<br />

The Men’s Advice Line, for male domestic abuse<br />

survivors – 0808 801 0327<br />

The Mix, free information and support for under<br />

25s in the UK – 0808 808 4994<br />

National LGBT+ Domestic Abuse Helpline – 0800<br />

999 5428<br />

Samaritans (24/7 service) – 116 123<br />

Alternatively, you can text the police on 61016 for all<br />

non-emergency incidents. In an emergency, always<br />

dial 999.<br />

EMOTIONAL ABUSE IS<br />

OFTEN SUBTLE, SO CAN BE<br />

DIFFICULT TO DETECT<br />

39


B U S I N E S S<br />

Well travelled<br />

AS THE LOCAL TRAVEL COUNSELLOR FOR FOUR OAKS, INDEPENDENT TRAVEL<br />

AGENT CHARLOTTE MITCHELL SPECIALISES IN TAILOR-MADE HOLIDAYS<br />

Charlotte says: “I started my travel journey studying<br />

travel and tourism at Worcester College aged 17,<br />

and worked part-time at a local independent Travel<br />

Agency, Atlas Travel, until I finished my studies.<br />

“In 2006, when my husband finished university,<br />

we moved to Bristol, where I joined Thomas Cook<br />

as a sales consultant, becoming a customer service<br />

manager and staying for over four years. Many of<br />

the holidays I worked on here were packaged by<br />

Thomas Cook and were the days of when clients<br />

would come into the shop armed with brochures and<br />

we would go through the options the customer had<br />

marked, one-by-one.<br />

“I needed a new challenge and an opportunity<br />

became available for me to work as a business<br />

development manager for an independent travel<br />

agency, Travel Solutions. Working on business travel<br />

is very different to leisure travel and I missed the<br />

excitement created when clients came in with their<br />

ideas for holidays. So, in 2011, I moved within the<br />

same company to Oxford to become manager of the<br />

Summertown branch. Here I organised our amazing<br />

wedding in Cyprus at the fabulous Aphrodite Hills,<br />

Paphos and our multi-centre honeymoon to Hawaii.<br />

“The types of holidays I started to create changed.<br />

Customers wanted to go off and explore; they didn’t<br />

just want to sit by a pool for two weeks but wanted<br />

to really engage and visit as many destinations as<br />

possible. Having the same passion, tailor-made<br />

holidays became my thing – road trips are the best!<br />

“For many years I had a dream of starting my own<br />

travel business, but the timing was never right, or<br />

the thought of doing it was too huge. But in 2016<br />

we moved to Four Oaks and the following year I<br />

took the leap and started my own franchise business<br />

with Travel Counsellors. With a 24/7 duty office<br />

across seven countries, access to thousands of<br />

trusted suppliers and full financial protection, Travel<br />

Counsellors ensure every holiday is created with care<br />

and protection. All you need to worry about is the<br />

happy holiday memories.<br />

“Starting my own business has seen many challenges,<br />

both personal and professional; from creating new<br />

relationships with clients and business peers, but also<br />

reaching so far out of my comfort zone by public<br />

speaking and networking. The help and support of<br />

local businesses has been incredible as the majority<br />

of my business is via personal recommendations.<br />

“<strong>2020</strong> has been the biggest shock to the travel<br />

industry that I have ever experienced. However, I<br />

am extremely confident that we will bounce back – it<br />

may take some time to find the new ‘normal’, but we<br />

will get there! And when that time comes, I will be<br />

ready for the new challenges ahead. No matter what,<br />

I will always go above and beyond to deliver a service<br />

that exceeds expectations. Take comfort in knowing<br />

that you are booking with someone you can trust,<br />

and who will be with you every step of the way.”<br />

For more details, visit Charlotte’s website at<br />

www.travelcounsellors.co.uk/charlotte.mitchell<br />

or find Charlotte on Facebook at<br />

www.facebook.com/CharlotteMitchellTC<br />

CHARLOTTE IN SINGAPORE<br />

40


B U S I N E S S<br />

Intelligent creativity<br />

GRAPHIC DESIGNER JAMES WILSON, FOUNDER OF IKEW DESIGN LAUNCHES HIS NEW<br />

DESIGN STUDIO IN MERE GREEN, OFFERING A COMPLETE DESIGN AND SIGNAGE SERVICE<br />

James says: “I created Ikew Design four years ago, as<br />

a self-employed graphic designer and have worked<br />

from home until now, so I’m excited to announce the<br />

imminent launch of my new studio in Mere Green,<br />

offering a vast array of promotional and marketing<br />

tools to all businesses large and small, and a place for<br />

inspiration, ideas and solutions to promote businesses<br />

to their next level.<br />

“As a sole trader, I offer my design skills from<br />

drawing to brand and logo creation and stationery;<br />

and my professional experience of signs and<br />

graphics, from exhibitions, promotional graphics,<br />

banners to shop, office and building signage. I have<br />

many suppliers who I collaborate with providing<br />

the perfect solutions to businesses design needs and<br />

requirements.<br />

“My appreciation of design came from my art<br />

teacher in primary school, who told me to keep<br />

growing and learning, and that to do what you love<br />

is one of the most important things in life. For me to<br />

remember that, shows how important I felt it was,<br />

and I have kept in the forefront of my life, especially<br />

as I wasn’t allowed to do art and design at secondary<br />

school, due to lack of interest. Nevertheless, I<br />

continued to get qualifications in design technology<br />

at school and graphic design at college.<br />

“I then went on to summer work experience at a sign<br />

and graphics company, which I loved, where they<br />

employed me, continuing through and gaining much<br />

knowledge with several sign and print businesses,<br />

exhibition design and business signage companies.<br />

I then trained in advertising and marketing and<br />

became marketing manager for a children’s book<br />

company in Birmingham, where I also perfected<br />

my skills on all major design software packages.<br />

Following redundancy from this position, I felt a<br />

good time to be my own boss, and four years later, I<br />

haven’t looked back.<br />

“This recent pandemic forced me to look at what<br />

was right going forward in this ever changing world,<br />

as I’m sure many reading this have, and made me<br />

refocus on what my unique skills are that I can<br />

offer to my customers to help and enjoy watching<br />

them grow. To many of my customers, I’m their<br />

on-call graphic designer, their ideas factory (soon to<br />

physically visit) and go-to sign and graphics company<br />

for any visual communications and promotions,<br />

whether print or online.<br />

“I look forward to welcoming you to my studio<br />

very soon, to share ideas and designs for you to be<br />

inspired and hopefully take the next step in your<br />

business development. Here’s to exciting times<br />

together, looking good, getting noticed and being<br />

better and brighter than ever. Let’s re-open…. the<br />

next chapter. Ikew - designing your intelligence.<br />

Graphic design with flare - signs and graphics with a<br />

bit more style.”<br />

ikew (IQ) ‘Creativity is Intelligence having<br />

fun’ – Albert Einstein<br />

For more details visit Ikew Design’s website at<br />

www.ikew-design.co.uk or email<br />

james@ikew-design.co.uk<br />

SOME OF JAMES’<br />

RECENT SIGN WORK<br />

41


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