F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 1
J’AIME
Y O U R L O C A L L U X U R Y L I F E S T Y L E M A G A Z I N E
LICHFIELD MAN’S
VEGAN RECIPE BOX
GOES NATIONAL
The
Maldives:
YOU CAN GET A
BETTER NIGHT’S
SLEEP - HERE’S HOW
THE PERFECT
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254 Lichfield Road, Four Oaks, Sutton Coldfield, B74 2UH
Offices in Colmore Row l Cotteridge l Edgbaston l Solihull l Stratford-upon-Avon l Sutton Coldfield l Weoley Castle l Wolverhampton
Welcome to J’AIME
February is traditionally the month of love, and we
hope you will love reading the contents of this month’s
magazine. We aim to be upbeat, inspiring and to bring
some sunshine into your life regardless of the weather
or a certain global pandemic.
2021 has brought exciting developments for J’AIME.
You’ll see the address of our website across the
bottom of each page in this magazine and that’s
because we’ve given www.jaimemagazine.com a
wonderful revamp. You can now visit the website to
read everything you see in the magazine plus much,
much more. The website is updated each day and
includes positive, uplifting lifestyle articles from right
across the Midlands.
As well as being delivered to homes in selected
postcodes J’AIME is now available to pick up free of
charge in major supermarkets around the Midlands.
You can also read a digital version of the magazine
free of charge at read.jaimemagazine.com
Within the February magazine you can read about the
new national vegan recipe box service that was devised
in Lichfield, find out why a tiny wedding doesn’t have
to be a bridal disaster and read our interview with a
Sutton Coldfield woman determined to help tens of
thousands of vulnerable children.
Add to that our usual mix of interiors, property,
fashion, beauty, travel, fitness, what’s on and food and
we hope we have something for everyone.
At the time of going to press we have no idea of when
coronavirus restrictions will ease in the region. We
hope our upbeat, positive content will bring a little
positivity to your life.
Please don’t forget to support your local independent
businesses. When you buy from a small business you’re
supporting your community and helping to keep
people in jobs.
From everyone at J’AIME, may we wish you a happy
Valentine’s Day. Please stay safe.
EDITOR: AMY NORBURY
EDITOR@JAIMEMAGAZINE.COM
ADVERTISING: JAN ASHLEY
ADVERTISING@JAIMEMAGAZINE.COM
07388 335 931
DESIGN: DESIGN@JAIMEMAGAZINE.COM
CONTRIBUTORS: JENNY AMPHLETT, NATHAN
COLLINS, JANE DAYUS-HINCH, LIAM DILLON,
DEBORAH MITCHELL
J’AIME IS PUBLISHED BY ASHBURY
PUBLICATIONS LIMITED AND PRINTED BY KEP
LIMITED, TAMWORTH.
Check us out online at:
WWW.JAIMEMAGAZINE.COM
Find us on
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CO N T E N T S
InsideJ’aime this month...
6 MasterChef’s Alex Webb - When a
MasterChef winner came to Lichfield and
cooked your dinner
8 Buddy Bags - Meet the Sutton Coldfield
woman who’s helped thousands of
vulnerable children
10 Property - Could this be the home of your
dreams?
12 Interiors - Pantone’s Colours of the Year
16 Interiors - The home office edit
20 Food and drink - The new vegan recipe box
devised in Lichfield
22 Food and drink - Our new food column
24 Food and drink - Takeaways don’t have to be
unhealthy
26 Travel - Dive into the Maldives
30 What’s on - Ideas for when nothing’s on
32 Fashion - Cosy up for date night
34 Weddings - Why a tiny ceremony and
celebration can be perfect
36 Health - Tackling the winter blues
38 Health - How to get a good night’s sleep
40 Valentine gifts
42 Beauty - Love your skin
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F E AT U R E
A master chef at work
HE’S ONE OF THE BEST PROFESSIONAL CHEFS IN THE COUNTRY, AND THAT’S OFFICIAL. JENNY
AMPHLETT MET MASTERCHEF: THE PROFESSIONALS WINNER ALEX WEBB WHEN HE VISITED
LICHFIELD TO COOK FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE MIDLANDS
PHOTOGRAPHY BY BECKY TRANTER
Alex Webb was crowned
champion of MasterChef:The
Professionals 2020 little more
than a month ago – yet he’s
still found time to travel to the
Midlands to cook his TV recipes
for you to enjoy at home.
The 25-year-old, who is usually
the head chef of a restaurant
in Essex, joined forces with
Lichfield-based Sauce Supper
Club to guest create their Dine
at Home boxes for one week
only.
He spent the week working in
the Sauce Supper Club kitchen
to recreate some of the dishes that helped secure
him the coveted Masterchef title.
His 115 boxes each included everything needed for
a fine dining experience at home for two people.
One even went to the home of MasterChef: The
Professionals judge Marcus Wareing.
The food was all prepared and cooked by Alex
personally and simply needed to be heated and
plated, following instructions prepared by Alex and
shared in a YouTube video.
He said: “I think everyone is struggling in one
way or another at the moment. At the end of a
tough week people can look forward to having a
Dine at Home box at
the weekend. It’s like
eating out, and a great
way for people to give
themselves a treat.”
Alex is currently
furloughed from his
role as the head chef of
a restaurant in Great
Dunmow, Essex, so
is spending his time
cooking for people’s
own fine dining at home
experiences - including
creating the dine at
home boxes for Sauce
Supper Club.
It involved spending a
week in Lichfield, a city
he’d never previously
6 www.jaimemagazine.com
visited.
“The closest I’d ever been was Birmingham, to
watch the football. It was lovely to walk through
Lichfield itself and to see all
the cobbled streets and the old
buildings.
“The people I’ve encountered
have all been incredibly friendly,
including John and Beth at Sauce
Supper Club.
“The dine at home boxes sold
out pretty quickly - within a day.
It was lovely that so many people
wanted to try my cooking.
“Although everyone eats the food
in their own home it can be a
shared experience if they post
photographs on social media for
other people enjoying the food to
see.”
Alex’s menu, priced at £75 per
person, included the likes of scallops,
poached chicken breast and peach
parfait.
He adapted some of the recipes
that helped him on the way to being
crowned MasterChef champion, but
multiplied the quantities of ingredients
required many times over.
“I followed my soda bread recipe and
multiplied it by 34,” he said. “And I
made 21 kilos of vanilla parfait using
600 eggs.
“I was creating enough food for 230
people - which is an awful lot of people
even in more normal times. John and
Beth were great at helping me with any
extra ingredients I needed.
“The most time consuming part of
creating the dine at home boxes was
putting everything into individual tubs
and pots rather than straight onto a
plate as we would usually. That takes
some getting used to.”
In more normal times Alex is the head
chef of the same restaurant he started
work in at the age of 15, when he was
employed as a part-time pot washer.
He has worked in Michelin-starred
restaurants in London along the way,
including The Connaught and Roux,
before returning to his hometown as a
head chef in 2018.
To find out more about Dine at Home visit
www.saucesupperclub.co.uk
www.jaimemagazine.com
7
F E AT U R E
Karen’s a buddy for
vulnerable children
MEET THE SUTTON COLDFIELD MUM WHO HELPS CHILDREN
ACROSS THE UK FLEEING FROM DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
Karen Williams was at a crossroads in her
life. The Sutton Coldfield mum of three had
sold her family business and was looking for a
new purpose. Now, six years later, she runs a
charity she personally set up, has helped tens
of thousands of vulnerable children across
the UK and was awarded an OBE in the New
Year Honours.
It’s a staggering achievement from someone
who simply started out seeking a new
challenge.
“I did a lot of personal development then
went to visit my family in Australia,” she said.
“I read an article about a charity over there
and it touched my heart. I was in the right
place at the right time to get the inspiration
for what was to come next - all the pieces of
my jigsaw came together.
“Reading that article stirred a deep emotional
reaction within me and as a mother I just had
to do something for children in emergency
care back home in the UK.”
Karen set up The Buddy Bag Foundation,
a charity that provides rucksacks filled with
essentials for children fleeing domestic
violence.
The 59-year-old has raised more than
£750,000 and alongside a team of volunteers
has packed and delivered more than 30,000
of the bags.
Each bag costs around £25 to put together and
contains essentials like toiletries, pyjamas and
underwear plus comforting items including books
and teddy bears.
Many of the youngsters who receive them arrive at
a refuge, hostel or B&B in the middle of the night
and have had to leave all their toys, clothes and
other possessions behind.
“I came home from my trip to Australia, did some
research and realised there was no service in the
UK providing bags of love for children who go into
women’s refuges,” Karen said.
“I had no experience in the charity sector and it
took me nearly 12 months to get set up. It was
certainly a learning curve.”
She set herself the goal of handing out 20,200
buddy bags by 2021, but has actually managed
thousands more than that.
“With the assistance and support of all our
volunteers we have realised this dream.
“We have packed over 30,000 Buddy Bags, far
exceeding our initial target and look to the future
with optimism at the challenges and opportunities
8 www.jaimemagazine.com
that lie ahead.
“Thank you to all our volunteers and supporters –
together we have achieved and are continuing to
achieve something truly special.”
Importantly for Karen every penny donated to the
charity goes towards the bags, with nothing taken
out for admin costs. She built the charity up through
business networking and has numerous professional
partners who offer their time and services
free of charge to help out.
Karen says she was ‘honoured and
humbled’ to be awarded an OBE in the
New Year’s Honours, particularly because
of the publicity and awareness it could
bring for the charity.
It follows on from a Points of Light award
Karen received from then prime minister
Theresa May in 2017 and being a finalist
in Lorraine Kelly’s Woman of the Year
contest in 2018.
But she says the best reward is hearing
how much families appreciate the help
she’s been able to give them.
“I get postcards from some of the children
and I need a hanky when I read them,”
she said. “They say things like thank you
for caring, thank you for remembering
about us or that it makes them feel that
they matter. It makes me realise what a
genuine difference we make for them.
“We always put a reading book in there - it
might be the first book that some of them
have ever owned.”
Domestic violence rates have soared
during the pandemic, which has meant an
even greater need for Karen’s bags.
“A lot of women’s refuges are full
because of COVID-19,” said Karen.
“We’re aware of many children in the
Birmingham area having to go into
basic B&Bs or hotels because there’s
nowhere else for them, and those
places have no facilities whatsoever for
their particular needs. We’d like to be
able to provide as many of them as
possible with a buddy bag.
“The chances are that domestic
violence rates have increased again
during the third lockdown. Demand
for our bags is greater now than it has
ever been.”
Karen is always looking for companies
or individuals willing to donate their
services, money or items for goody bags. Crafters
can also help out by knitting soft toys to go into the
bags.
To find out more about Karen’s work
and how you can help The Buddy Bag
Foundation visit
www.facebook.com/BuddyBagFoundation
www.jaimemagazine.com
9
P R O P E RTY
Property of the Month
EACH MONTH WE SHOWCASE ONE OF THE MOST LUXURIOUS PROPERTIES
CURRENTLY ON THE MARKET IN THE MIDLANDS. THIS HIGH SPEC HOUSE WILL
STOP YOU IN YOUR TRACKS
23 Claverdon Drive, Little Aston Park. Offers in excess of £1.5 million.
On the market with Aston Knowles: 0121 362 7878.
Take a video tour at https://vimeo.com/488618392/9e2443c4a2
THE AGENT SAYS: The property has been re-planned,
extended and finished to a luxury modern standard. Its high
quality and bespoke finish is complementary throughout the
house and external areas. The layout offers lavish and flexible
accommodation with a variety of combinations possible.
There is an abundance of natural light from the full-height
windows to the front elevation, created in an iconic style of
design.
Accessed through the contemporary front door is the
impressive hall providing access to the ground-floor reception
rooms and a large study, currently furnished as a snug. The
hall offers excellent storage space and features large ceramic
tiles to the floor area. A spacious ground-floor cloakroom is
fitted with a quality white suite with contemporary circular
hand basin and WC. A Velux skylight allows natural light into
the space and walls are adorned with metallic tiling.
A gymnasium is located to the front of the property and is
accessible from the kitchen/breakfast room. The gym has the
benefit of a shower room opening off. This area would also
ideally lend itself to becoming a ground floor bedroom with
en suite.
The open plan drawing room is a beautiful space to relax
with a contrasting interior of white walls, and panelled oak
ceiling. A centre transparent gas fire provides a centre piece
to allow a flow of accommodation from the drawing room
into the family room where full-height sliding doors give
access onto the properties landscaped terrace. The dining
room is then accessed via the family room which similarly
enjoys full height sliding doors out to the gardens.
W E L O V E :
THE HUGE GLASS WINDOWS AND THE
HIGH SPEC FINISH THROUGHOUT THE
HOUSE.
10 www.jaimemagazine.com
0121 362 7878
astonknowles.com
GUIDE PRICE £2,995,000
GUIDE PRICE £1,200,000
HASELOUR LANE - Tamworth
An extraordinary Elizabethan residence with private chapel, set in grounds of
10 acres and dating back to the sixteenth century.
This remarkable home is steeped in history and with over 19,000 square feet in
area, the hall boasts extensive living, sleeping, and working accommodation
complemented throughout by magnificient original features. The propety features
various reception and entertainment rooms throughout. Within the grounds of the
hall are a number of outbuildings, including stables, garages and storerooms, a
self-contained three-bedroom annexe, and a beautiful private chapel.
Approximate floor area 19,536 square feet. EPC rating Exempt.
THE DETAILS
DRAYTON LANE - Tamworth
A wonderful four-bedroom barn conversion with stunning original features as
well as a high-spec games room, set in a breathtaking semi-rural location with
wide views over open countryside.
Kitchen/breakfast room, drawing room, study, guest cloakroom, utility, work room,
two storerooms, basement entertainment/games/cinema room.
Master bedroom with en-suite bathroom, guest bedroom with en-suite shower room
and walk-in wardrobe, two further bedrooms, family shower room.
Gravel in/out driveway, extensive landscaped gardens.
Approximate floor area 3,309 sq ft (excluding storerooms). EPC rating E.
THE DETAILS
11 BEDS 6 BATHS
SWIMMING POOL
4 BEDS
3 BATHS
PRIVATE
NEW
GUIDE PRICE £550,000
NEW
GUIDE PRICE £2,750 pcm
TO LET
ALDRIDGE ROAD - Little Aston
An exciting opportunity to acquire a spacious ground-floor apartment
overlooking the spectacular grounds and magnificent lake of the Grade II
listed Little Aston Hall.
Reception hallway, drawing/dining room, kitchen, master bedroom, second
bedroom, shower room, bathroom.
Gated driveway, landscaped grounds and lake, parking, tandem garage in
separate block.
Approximate floor area 1,125 sq ft. EPC rating Exempt.
THE DETAILS
THE BOULEVARD - Sutton Coldfield
A fully furnished contemporary four-bedroom home in an attractive location,
ideal for modern family living.
Reception hallway, drawing room, kitchen/dining/family room, utlity, shower room,
storeroom.
Master bedroom, two further bedrooms, fourth bedroom/study, family bathroom,
separate WC.
Rear garden with patio area, tarmacked driveway.
Approximate floor area 1,896 sq ft. EPC rating D.
THE DETAILS
2 BEDS 2 BATHS
GATED
PRIVATE
4 BEDS
2 BATHS
ASTON KNOWLES 8 High Street, Sutton Coldfield B72 1XA 0121 362 7878 enquiries@astonknowles.com
www.astonknowles.com
I N T E R I O R S
A winning
combination
THE Pantone Colour of the Year for 2021 has been
announced - and this year it’s a story of two halves in the
shape of uplifting yellow Illuminating and the contrasting
Ultimate Gray.
Ultimate Gray reflects on 2020 as a year, while
Illuminating is full of hope for the future. Ultimate Gray
also brings a sense of comfort, and Illuminating a sense of
positivity making these two shades the perfect combination
for 2021’s colour of the year.
“The selection of two independent colours highlight how
different elements come together to express a message
of strength and hopefulness that is both enduring and
uplifting,” explained Leatrice Eiseman, executive director
of the Pantone Color Institute.
“Practical and rock-solid but at the same time warming
and optimistic, this is a colour combination that gives us
resilience and hope.”
The pairing of grey and yellow has long been an interiors
favourite, with the bold colour pop bringing a playful vibe
to the more solid neutral base. Look for key items in bright
yellow hues to add a stylish update to your interior space.
ASTORIA ARMCHAIR IN YELLOW VELVET, £429,
ATKIN & THYME. WWW.ATKINANDTHYME.CO.UK
£21.95
£7.50
£345
MINI YELLOW GLAZE VASE, MINT & MAY.
WWW.MINTANDMAY.CO.UK
£29.99
NEWGATE ECHO ALARM CLOCK IN
CHEEKY YELLOW, ANNABEL JAMES.
WWW.ANNABELJAMES.CO.UK
TITAN SIZE 3 PENDANT IN YELLOW,
ORIGINAL BTC. WWW.ORIGINALBTC.COM
LARGE BAMBOO STORAGE CANISTER
SET, CURATED PIECES.
WWW.CURATEDPIECES.COM
12
www.jaimemagazine.com
£79 £9.95 £28
CONSEC BAR STOOL, CULT FURNITURE.
WWW.CULTFURNITURE.COM
DOVE GREY AND YELLOW VELVET POM POM
CUSHION, THE FRENCH BEDROOM CO.
WWW.FRENCHBEDROOMCOMPANY.CO.UK
£35
CONTEMPORARY YELLOW NO 2 POSTER,
DESENIO. WWW.DESENIO.COM
BENITA BREAD BIN AND STORAGE JARS SET,
WWW.MADE.COM
£57.99
MERINO THROW, WELSH OTTER.
WWW.WELSHOTTER.CO.UK
£25.99
DARIO TABLE VASE, WAYFAIR.
WWW.WAYFAIR.CO.UK
£82
WADE LOGAN ALANIZ CUSHION, WAYFAIR.
WWW.WAYFAIR.CO.UK
INTERIOR DESIGN INFLUENCED BY
PANTONE’S COLOURS OF THE YEAR BY
NAOMI STARR AT NAOMI STARR DESIGN.
WWW.NAOMISTARRDESIGN.COM
MILAN GEOMETRIC PATTERNED WALLPAPER,
£15.99 PER ROLL, CULT FURNITURE.
WWW.CULTFURNITURE.COM
HARLOW GREY SOFA, £599.99, FURNITURE
CHOICE. WWW.FURNITURECHOICE.CO.UK
SOFOLOGY NEST CHAIR IN LEAD GREY,
£699, AND NEST FOOTSTOOL IN LEAD GREY,
£349, WWW.SOFOLOGY.CO.UK
MALONE COTTON THROW, £39,
WWW.MADE.COM
14
Jean Lamb Wealth Consultancy
My offices are situated in the historic city of Lichfield and I have been providing personal
wealth management advice to my clients for more
than 25 years.
I specialise in the following key areas
and welcome your enquiry:
• Investment Planning
• InheritanceTax and Estate Planning
• Pre and Post-Retirement Planning
• Care Fees Planning and Funding for Care
Telephone: 01543 417342
Website: www.jeanlamb.co.uk
Email: jean.lamb@sjpp.co.uk
Office: 6A Market Street, Lichfield, WS13 6LH
Jean Lamb Wealth Consultancy is an Appointed Representative of and represents only St. James’s Place Wealth Management Plc (which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority)
for the purpose of advising solely on the Group’s wealth management products and services, more details of which are set out on the Group’s website www.sjp.co.uk/products.
V I R T U A L
APPOINTMENTS
N O W A V A I L A B L E
BOOK ONLINE AT
APPOINTMENTS.TIPPERS.COM
EUROPA WAY, LICHFIELD, WS14 9TZ
01543 440020 TIPPERS.COM
I N T E R I O R S
Out of
office
WITH the Covid-19 pandemic seeing working from home
become the ‘new normal’ for many of us, there comes
a point where the kitchen table just doesn’t cut it as a
productive workspace.
If 2020 taught us anything, it’s the importance of being
able to separate our work and home lives, even when the
setting is the same for everything from Zoom meetings
with clients to family movie nights. It’s so much harder
to switch out of ‘office’ mode if our living rooms are
cluttered with laptops and work paraphernalia, so a
dedicated home office is rapidly becoming top of the
interiors wishlist.
A well-organised desk, comfortable chair and plenty of
storage options are a must for any home office; you want
to create a space which inspires productivity.
Transforming a spare bedroom or living room into a
dedicated workspace means you can shut the door on your
duties when the work day is done, while a separate garden
building - if space and budget allows - means you can still
technically leave the house to go to work.
LONDON TABLE LAMP IN YELLOW, £515, ORIGINAL BTC.
WWW.ORIGINALBTC.COM
WREN INDUSTRIAL OFFICE CHAIR
IN TAN LEATHER, CULT FURNITURE.
WWW.CULTFURNITURE.COM
£39
ASTRID DESK IN ASH, BLACK AND GOLD,
CULT FURNITURE. WWW.CULTFURNITURE.COM
£299
£299
STEADY METAL DESK LAMP IN DUSKY
PINK, CULT FURNITURE.
WWW.CULTFURNITURE.COM
16
www.jaimemagazine.com
£199 £155
£75
MADE ESSENTIAL LARSEN DESK,
WWW.MADE.COM
WOODEN FLO DESK WITH DRAWERS,
CUCKOOLAND. WWW.CUCKOOLAND.COM
DEEP SAGE AND BRASS ROUNDED DESK LAMP,
COX & COX. WWW.COXANDCOX.CO.UK
£339
£299
£129.99
MOLANDER DESK IN BLACK AND GOLD,
CULT FURNITURE. WWW.CULTFURNITURE.COM
BECKETT WOODEN OFFICE CHAIR,
LAKELAND FURNITURE.
WWW.LAKELAND-FURNITURE.CO.UK
BLOOMINGVILLE ASH FLOOR
LAMP, CUCKOOLAND.
WWW.CUCKOOLAND.COM
‘WORKING FROM HOME’ POSTER, £4.50,
ALBERT MOON ON ETSY. WWW.ETSY.COM/UK
BLUSH VELVET FLUTED OFFICE CHAIR, £225,
COX & COX. WWW.COXANDCOX.CO.UK
HEWITT OFFICE CHAIR, £160, AND ELLIOT DESK,
£99, NEXT. WWW.NEXT.CO.UK
DESK PAINTED IN ANNIE SLOAN CHALK PAINT IN
CHICAGO GREY, WALL PAINT IN ENGLISH YELLOW.
WWW.ANNIESLOAN.COM
PORTLAND DESK, £669, THE PAINTED FURNITURE
COMPANY. WWW.PAINTEDFURNITURECO.CO.UK
HOME OFFICE SET-UP, FROM A SELECTION AT SWOON.
WWW.SWOONEDITIONS.COM
GROSVENOR PADDED OFFICE CHAIR IN
BLACK AND GOLD, £169, CULT FURNITURE.
WWW.CULTFURNITURE.COM
Refreshingly Different
A new door for the new decade
Visit our Stylish Showroom
11 Belwell Lane, Sutton Coldfield, B74 4AA - Tel: 0800 996 1241
Visit our fantastic website www.jmiwindows.co.uk - enquiries@jmiwindows.co.uk
Windows | Doors | Bi-Fold Doors | Garage Doors | Conservatories | Orangeries | Secondary Glazing | Window Repairs
F O O D & D R I N K
Get Grubby in the kitchen
A STAFFORDSHIRE MAN’S PLANT-BASED RECIPE SUBSCRIPTION BOX HAS
GONE NATIONAL. JENNY AMPHLETT MET THE BRAINS BEHIND GRUBBY
When foodies across the UK sign up to
receive a Grubby recipe box they’re buying
into an idea dreamt up by a Lichfield
boy who cut his culinary teeth working at
Thrales restaurant in the city.
Now Martin Holden-White, who first started
work at the restaurant while still at King
Edward VI school, is running a national
plant-based recipe box.
Each week people the length and breadth of
the country are buying boxes of ingredients
to cook up vegan dishes invented by Martin
and his team at their experimental kitchen.
Currently based down in London, the
29-year-old honed the idea for Grubby when
he returned home to live with his family in
Lichfield during the first lockdown.
“I’d already launched Grubby in a different
way, through vending machines, as a way
for people working in offices in London to
pick up healthy and inexpensive ingredients
for recipes that they could take home to
cook. They could scan a QR code, buy the
ingredients and then go home with a recipe
card.”
But then COVID-19 hit, offices closed
and Martin found himself back home in
Lichfield.
“I’d launched the vending machines in three
London offices, but then offices closed. I had
an investor and we came up with the idea
of raising money and putting some recipe boxes
together to help NHS staff.
“At this point I was in lockdown with my parents
in Lichfield but I managed to put together and
deliver more than 1,000 recipes boxes to hospitals in
London. It was all paid for by donations.
“I started to realise that plant-based recipe boxes
were a business model that would work, and we
already had the operational procedures set up for
the NHS boxes.”
Martin had a website built from scratch and the first
Grubby boxes went out to homes in May 2020. He
personally delivered the first boxes himself using his
bike.
He quickly joined forces with a start-up cycle
courier, so that all London boxes are delivered by
bike. At Christmas Grubby launched nationally,
including to Martin’s family back home in Lichfield.
There are now 11 Grubby team members and they
work out of a development kitchen in Hackney,
London.
They offer weekly or fortnightly subscriptions which
include the ingredients for two or three vegan
recipes, with each recipe designed to serve two to
three people.
20
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“People can choose which recipes they receive the
ingredients for or we can choose for them but make
sure they receive a variety. We have 40 different
recipes at the moment and it’s growing all the time,”
said Martin. “Our subscribers get different recipes
every single week.”
He may have set up a plant-based recipe
subscription service but Martin is not vegan himself.
“I eat plant-based food four or five days each week,
which is a big increase for me as I used to eat meat
every night of the week. I think for a lot of people
it comes down to traditions and what they learnt in
the kitchen as a child.
“Changing that mindset can be a really big shift for
people. Having plant-based food that is accessible
and convenient helps. The premise at the beginning
was to try to make things simple for people, and
we’ve done that.”
He says around 70% of
Grubby’s customers are
flexitarian rather than vegan.
“It shows that the sort of
people eating plant-based
food is changing. People are
changing their eating habits
and replacing meat or fish
from some of their meals.”
Sustainability is key, hence
the cycle delivery in London.
Grubby also uses as little
plastic as possible and works
with a UK-based farm that
grows organic vegetables.
Martin chose to call his
business Grubby because it’s
gender neutral, eye catching,
links back to the soil on fresh
vegetables and ‘because there’s
a special wrongness about the
word Grubby’.
He started work at Thrales in
his mid-teens, and says he was
thrown in at the deep end and
helped cater for weddings at
Tutbury Castle.
He went on to study hospitality
and business management at
Oxford Brookes University,
which included a stint working
for Cunard aboard the Queen
Elizabeth. He’s also worked
at the likes of Royal Ascot,
international golf tournaments
and most recently as the business manager for an
office restaurant company.
Launching a new business during a global pandemic
is undoubtedly challenging, but Grubby has grown
quickly enough to already need a team of 11 staff.
“COVID-19 has meant people are replacing going
out for meals with food experiences such as Grubby.
We’re offering something a bit different and firmly
believe that cooking should be pleasurable, it should
be something people enjoy.
“We even put together a Spotify playlist for every
recipe, so that people can listen along while
they’re cooking. Food should be fun, enjoyable and
relaxing.”
To find out more about Grubby visit
www.getgrubby.co.uk
www.jaimemagazine.com 21
F O O D & D R I N K
High steaks cooking
LIAM DILLON, AWARD-WINNING CHEF PATRON OF THE MICHELIN-RECOMMENDED
THE BOAT INN IN LICHFIELD, STAFFORDSHIRE’S ONLY THREE AA ROSETTE RESTAURANT,
SHARES HIS TOP TIPS FOR COOKING A WEEKEND FAVOURITE
Liam says: “I often get asked what’s easy to cook at
home, and steak, chips and peppercorn sauce is a
perfect Friday or Saturday night winner!”
Top tips:
• Work with your butcher to make sure you know
where your meat is from and how it was looked
after. Choose a breed of beef with good fat content.
Speak to your butcher and build up a relationship
with them. I’m always talking to Bradshaws of
Cannock.
• Don’t run before you can walk. Get used to cooking
steaks before trying something on the bone or
bigger sharing cuts.
• Use a chipper potato for the chips, such as Maris
Piper or King Edward. Potatoes with a high sugar
content will brown before they get crispy.
• Marinade the steak in herbs, pepper and oil. Only
add salt just before going into the pan. Season and
oil the steak rather than the pan. Too much oil at
this point will reduce the pan’s heat and not give a
great colour to the steak.
Mistakes to avoid:
• Don’t be scared to leave your steak out at room
temperature before cooking for 10-15 minutes. We
are all scared of meat being left out of the fridge,
but having a steak that is fridge temperature in the
middle will always give you different results and be
harder to nail that perfect end result.
• Don’t just dive in when it comes out of the oven.
Resting a cooked steak is just as important as
cooking it! Let it rest for as long as possible for the
meat to relax. If it needs a little heat before serving,
do it!
Peppercorn Sauce:
I do like a rich sauce with my steak, so either a
blue cheese or a peppercorn. Here is how we
make our peppercorn sauce at the restaurant:
Finely dine two shallots, two cloves of garlic,
half a red chilli (deseeded) and half a teaspoon
of finely grated ginger.
Sweat on a medium heat until onions become
translucent. Grind a mixture of pink, green
and white peppercorns (teaspoon of each)
using a pestle and mortar or food processor.
Add ground peppercorns to the pan along with
a knob of butter and cook out for two minutes.
Add 300ml of a quality beef stock and some
resting juices and reduce by half. Then finish
with a splash of double cream. If you like your
sauce smooth, pass through a fine sieve just
before serving.
Heat at Home
Liam is offering ‘heat at home’ boxes with a direct link to his YouTube channel where he explains the menu
while showing a novice cook how to put the dishes together. A bit of fun at an affordable price, these boxes
are available for nationwide delivery from February. The boxes are £31.95 for the normal menu and £29.95
for the vegan menu, and can be ordered online at www.theboatinnlichfield.com/online-ordering
SPONSORED BY THE BOAT INN, WALSALL ROAD, LICHFIELD, WS14 OBU
WWW.THEBOATINNLICHFIELD.COM - 01543 361692
The
Boat Inn
22 www.jaimemagazine.com
DINE AT HOME | FEBRUARY
PLAN YOUR PERFECT VALENTiNE’S
DiNNER WiTH A SPECiAL MENU
FROM TOM SHEPHERD, AND TREAT
YOURSELF TO MASTERCHEF: THE
PROFESSIONALS FiNALiST’S
COOKiNG WiTH BART VAN DER LEE
12-14 feb
SEE WEBSITE FOR ALL FEBRUARY MENUS
AND TO BOOK YOUR DINE AT HOME BOX!
#staysafe #dineathome
26-27 feb
T 01543 264050
E hello@saucesupperclub.co.uk
www.dine-athome.co.uk
F O O D & D R I N K
Guilt-free takeaway treats
WHILE REACHING FOR THE TAKEAWAY MENU CAN BE A HEALTHY-EATING NO-NO THERE
ARE OPTIONS TO MAKE YOUR TREAT A MORE NUTRITIONALLY BALANCED ONE IF YOU
CHOOSE WISELY, WRITES AMY NORBURY
It’s Friday night, you’ve had a long, hard week and
the thought of putting your feet up and
ordering food in, rather than slaving over the stove
again, is just too tempting.
But you’ve promised yourself you’ll be good. Which
means your favourite takeaway is out, right? Well,
happily, that’s not necessarily the case.
We all know that many takeaways can be laden with
artery-clogging saturated fats, far too much salt and
enough calories to send our daily recommended
allowances skyrocketing into orbit. But, if you
choose carefully, you can still enjoy a tasty treat -
without the guilt.
A common misconception is that all fat in foods is
bad for us; some fat is essential for survival and 25%
to 35% of calories in our diet should come from fat.
However, we should limit the amount of saturated
fat in our diet, which is found in more processed
foods, meats and dairy products.
Try choosing low-fat dairy products and leaner
cuts of meats such as chicken as these contain less
saturated fats.
We should also focus on healthier fats which are
found in things like olive, peanut and sunflower oil,
soybeans, salmon, avocados and olives.
FISH AND CHIPS:
When it comes to takeaway options, a top
nutritionally-balanced treat is that Friday night
favourite - fish and chips.
White fish, such as the cod and haddock chipshop
staples, is packed with protein and low in fat
and calories. It’s the batter coating which tips it
over into nutritionally dodgy territory. Look out
for breadcrumbed fish instead of batter as the
breadcrumbs will absorb less oil during cooking, or
simply leave some of the batter behind - especially
any soggy bits which will be oil-laden.
A portion of mushy peas will count towards your
five-a-day, while thicker-cut chips are healthier than
thin ones as these will also absorb less oil.
Chip shops tend to go heavy on the salt, so make
sure you ask for your meal without salt and then
add your own if needed, or leave it out totally if you
can.
Go for: fish in breadcrumbs or less batter, thick cut
chips, mushy peas
Cut down on: sausages, pies, excess added salt
24 www.jaimemagazine.com
INDIAN:
Clarified butter and creamy sauces are the major
health pitfalls of Indian cuisine, piling on the
saturated fats and calories. But never fear; there are
usually plenty of diet-friendly options on the menu.
Tandoori dishes are one of the healthiest ways to
enjoy a takeaway treat as the meat or seafood is
grilled rather than fried, which means it packs a
flavour punch without the excess calories or fats.
When it comes to curries, the ones to avoid are the
cream-laden masalas and kormas - try a tomatobased
or dry curry instead, and go for a bit more
spice to satisfy the taste buds.
Indian cuisine offers a fantastic array of vegetablebased
side dishes, so opt for these instead of deep
fried onion bhajis, pakoras and samosas, and choose
plain steamed rice over buttery pilau. If you must
have bread, a wholemeal chapati or roti is a much
healthier option than a heavy naan bread.
Go for: tandoori grills, plain rice, vegetable-based
curries and side dishes, tomato-based sauces
Cut down on: creamy sauces,
naan breads, deep-fried bhajis
and samosas
KEBABS, PIZZAS AND BURGERS:
While doner kebabs are certainly high in fat, kebabs
made using grilled chunks of lean meat or vegetables
are a much healthier option. Pile on the salad, too,
for an extra nutritional boost.
Thin-crust pizzas will help to cut calories, as will
avoiding processed meat toppings such as pepperoni
and bacon in favour of vegetables, lean chicken and
seafood. Extra cheese, sadly, is a no-go.
When it comes to burgers, grilled chicken breast is
the best choice; and again, add on some extra salad.
Go for: grilled meat or vegetable kebabs with pitta
bread and salad, thin-crust pizzas, chicken breast
burgers
Cut down on: doner meat, deep-pan pizzas, extra
cheese
And one last thing to remember is that moderation is
key - so it’s still fine to enjoy the occasional takeaway
as part of a healthy, balanced diet.
CHINESE:
As much as Western palates
love the deep-fried treats and
gloopy, salt-heavy sauces, these
are least healthy options when
it comes to Chinese food.
Sticking to the more traditional
steamed or stir-fried dishes can
help to curb calorie intake,
and again, there are plenty of
options which are heavy on the
vegetables to help towards your
five-a-day intake.
Battered dishes are another
health no-go, so avoid things
like sweet and sour pork or
chicken balls, and anything
marked as ‘crispy’ which means
it will be coated in batter.
Go for: boiled or steamed rice,
plain noodles, vegetable stir-fry,
steamed dumplings
Cut down on: deep-fried
starters such as spring rolls,
wantons and prawn toast, sticky
sauces like sweet and sour, eggfried
rice, anything in batter
www.jaimemagazine.com
25
T R AV E L
Dive into the Maldives
THE MALDIVES HAS BECOME THE ULTIMATE HOLIDAY EXPERIENCE FOR 2021 AS
NATHAN COLLINS, JOINT MANAGING DIRECTOR OF RB COLLECTION, EXPLAINS
The Maldives was in huge demand in 2020 and it’s
easy to see why. The region had very low Covid rates
and the authorities very quickly realised they needed
to keep these low if they were to protect the local
economy which relies mainly on tourism.
They brought in a strict testing regime in September
for all visitors, insisting they have a negative Covid
test no later than 96 hours before departure to be
allowed to board flights to the islands. This sensible
approach boosted consumer confidence and tourists
flocked from around the world in relative safety.
For UK visitors the Maldives was on the flight
corridor list too which meant you didn’t have to
quarantine when you returned home.
The very nature of a Maldives holiday is a great
benefit during a pandemic. Resorts are spacious,
allowing guests to enjoy facilities with little or no
contact to each other.
I’m sure the image of idyllic over-water villas or
beachfront villas spring to mind when you think of
the Maldives. With your own access to a pool, the
sea, a beach, in-room dining, beautiful scenery and
sunshine there can be little reason to leave your
accommodation which reduces contact points and
promotes a safe holiday environment. Some of the
villas come with their own waterslide for families
such as the Ozen Reserve Bolifushi, Soneva Jani and
Gili Lankafushi.
There is even the opportunity to hire entire islands
on a private basis which is perfect for larger families
or groups.
The selection of resorts and islands to choose from
is huge! For many, choosing an island can be like
looking for a needle in a haystack which can be
daunting. It is my job to find you the most suitable
island for you, but the key fact for you to know is
there is an island for everyone in terms of style,
facilities, size and taste.
26
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Because of the travel slowdown there is
a backlog of brand-new resorts but also
plenty which opened in 2019 and early 2020
which are yet to become popular. One of
the exciting new openings for this year is
the Ritz Carlton Fari Islands, part of a new
three-island project including 100 villas.
New openings can often mean some great
special offers with many resorts offering up
to 50% if booking early.
During the months of May and June the
rain gets heavier and the wind can pick up,
but apart from then the Maldives can be
visited year-round. This is perfect for those
looking for a winter escape, but also for
those restricted to summer holidays, which
means the islands have come up with some
great family offerings too.
I’m sure we all know someone who had to
postpone their wedding and honeymoon
or special celebration in 2020. This meant
many couples and families looked at the
Maldives as a safe opportunity to visit for
their special occasion and catch up on lost
time.
For many, some of our fondest early travel
memories were traveling around in our early
20s, backpack on and map in hand. As we
grow up we start to enjoy the finer things in life but
still like to kick off our shoes and long for the days
without a suit and tie.
Luxury holidays are not all about gold taps and
marble bathrooms. Hotel designers appreciate this
and a new breed of ‘barefoot luxury’ hotels started to
emerge, pioneered by Sonu and Eva Shidasani who
launched the Six Senses hotel brand with its notion
of ‘slow-life’.
Their hotels offered intelligent luxury where
local materials were used to respect the resort
surroundings and offer the ultimate authentic yet
luxurious experience. Today they focus on two
resorts in the Maldives, Soneva Jani and Soneva
Fushi, and they are both worth a look if this kind of
style appeals to you.
From underwater restaurants to an underwater
villa, diving to shipwrecks, stargazing, dining out at
sea or on your own private beach – some of these
things cannot be done anywhere in the world except
the Maldives. This makes a trip to
the Maldives difficult to compare
to anything else and worthy of the
investment.
These are just some of the reasons
the Maldives has been popular
during the pandemic, and as the
world rolls out vaccine programmes
we expect demand to increase even
further.
For some, a tropical island holiday
in the Maldives sounds like paradise,
for others it can be quite the opposite
with worries of island fever, high
costs and boredom creeping in. With
this in mind I want to look at busting
some of these popular Maldives
myths.
www.jaimemagazine.com
27
Some of these are also understandable concerns too
and I have experienced them myself and many times
with clients. This kind of holiday is a big investment
and so it is important to get it right but having
visited I can assure you there really is something for
everyone.
‘I’m worried about getting Island Fever’
It is true some of the islands can be walked around
in 15-20 minutes and this is what the
Maldives has become famous for.
However there are larger islands big
enough to take an 18-hole golf course
(Shangri La Villingili). I would suggest
not letting the idea of a small island put
you off and instead ensuring you receive
good advice and be honest with your
concerns from the outset as there will be
a good alternative for you.
You could consider island hopping
if you are more of an independent
traveller or even combining with
another destination such as Sri Lanka,
the Middle East or Asia.
‘I think I’ll get bored’
A common concern is one half of a
couple or family wants to sit and relax
and the other needs to keep active.
It is important to strike a balance, so
everyone is happy. Think back to your
favourite holiday experiences so far and
ask yourself what you enjoyed the most.
This kind of information can then help
us match you to the right island.
If one of you is more active and
worried about getting bored then we
need to find things to keep you busy.
Most hotels will offer spas plus land and
water sports but there is much more too
if you seek something different. Many
open up their kitchens for cooking
courses and bring local artisans in
to showcase crafts in an interactive
way.
New resort developers are
combatting this too by designing
resorts which include connecting
smaller islands and allocating
each one to a different activity
such as a nature parks or food
and drink such as Siyam World
which is aiming to offer something
very unique and will be great
for those who want to avoid tiny
islands with 6km of beaches and a
floating adventure water park.
Different resorts cater to different
mindsets and interests and a lot
of these programmes are adapted for children. You
could see your trip to the Maldives as the opportunity
to learn something new such as gain a PADI diving
certificate or work with marine conservationists by
volunteering time out of your trip.
If diving worries you, snorkelling is the next best
thing and the Maldives is possibly the best place in
28 www.jaimemagazine.com
the world to experience this. 2021 marks the 75th
anniversary of the British Loyalty Shipwreck which
is a must do for those who do enjoy exploring the sea.
‘I’m worried I can’t afford it’
This is a really common concern and as the Maldives
is one the most unique places in the world it can
command a certain price. However, we noticed
some more affordable four star hotels coming onto
the market and there are some great enticing offers
to attract new clients to experience everything the
Maldives has to offer.
One of the hot topics is always the cost of food and
drink. Historically, hotels were aware they have a
captive audience and this was an area where they
could really make a big profit. In recent times they
understand they need to be more flexible and so
a range of packages is increasingly offered. These
range from fully all-inclusive so you don’t have to pay
for anything when on holiday, full-board, half-board
and also drinks packages.
We do recommend a minimum of half-board and
then depending on your own eating and drinking
habits we can work out the best option for you.
It is important to recognise any extras that may be
included too. For example water sports, activities and
spa treatments can all quickly add up so once some
analysis is made it soon becomes apparent the value
you are receiving.
‘Isn’t the Maldives only for couples?’
I took my first Maldives holiday with my family in
tow and really put it to the test. As a young family it
was important to us to feel safe and ensure we could
continue routines and enjoy activities together. I was
really impressed at how the hotels adapted to families
of all ages, but especially how they ensured the adults
had a holiday too.
Each family is different and so is each resort and
island. There are so many to choose from and while
some may say they are family friendly, think about
what is important to your family specifically and
then we can match the most suitable resort to you. It
could be a great opportunity to gain some new skills;
swimming lessons for example for the little ones or
learning about herbs and spices in the resort’s on-site
kitchen garden.
‘It’s hard to get to the hotels’
After your international flight some are worried
about long onwards connections, but the truth is
there are lots of resorts close to the main airport.
You do have to get there by boat or seaplane but
the journeys do not have to be too long. Remember
the further away from the main airport the more
tranquil the experience can be.
‘I don’t like small planes’
Not all the islands need to be accessed by a small
seaplane, some are just a speed boat ride away from
the main airport such as the OZEN by Atmosphere
at Maadhoo.
In conclusion, holiday destinations will continue
to be more limited this year so I would definitely
recommend a visit to the Maldives whether it is
a dream holiday or something that you had not
considered before. Feel free to call me on 01543
258631 for some honest advice.
www.jaimemagazine.com
29
W H AT ’ S O N
What’s on (when nothing’s on)
THE CHANCES ARE THAT WE’LL ALL BE FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS TO STAY AT HOME
AGAIN THIS MONTH, BUT THAT DOESN’T MEAN THERE ISN’T WHAT’S ON FUN TO BE
FOUND COURTESY OF THE WONDERS OF MODERN TECHNOLOGY
WHAT: MEET THE ANIMAL SESSIONS
WHERE: PEAK WILDLIFE PARK, STAFFORDSHIRE
MOORLANDS (BEAMED TO YOUR HOME)
WHEN: 9AM EACH MONDAY, TUESDAY AND FRIDAY
The visitor attraction may be closed to the public at the moment due
to COVID-19 restrictions but that doesn’t mean the hard work stops
for the staff of Peak Wildlife Park in the Staffordshire Moorlands.
They are still busy feeding, cleaning out and caring for the many
different creatures that call the park their home.
Luckily for those of us stuck at home the staff are broadcasting
around three Facebook Lives each week, featuring different animals
each time. Look out for goat walks, llama training sessions and even
breakfast with the pigs.
WHAT: 3D VIRTUAL TOURS OF MUSEUMS, ART GALLERIES
AND HERITAGE SITES
WHERE: VENUES ACROSS THE WORLD (BEAMED TO YOUR
HOME)
WHEN: NUMEROUS DATES AND TIMES
A new app has been created so that we can enjoy 3D virtual tours
of museums, art galleries and heritage sites in real time led by the
experts and curators who know them best.
Curatours, which is due to launch early this year, will offer live 3D
tours run by guides who can answer questions along the way.
One of the highlights of the app is that it will allow groups of friends
or family to participate in the tours together so that it will feel like a
shared experience even if they are located many miles apart.
WHAT: WEEKLY CONCERTS
WHERE: ROYAL BIRMINGHAM CONSERVATOIRE (BEAMED TO
YOUR HOME)
WHEN: 1PM ON MONDAYS
Being confined to the house doesn’t mean you have to miss out on
listening to wonderful live music.
Musicians at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, who are at the
very highest level of study and already launching their professional
careers, are live streaming concerts each Monday lunchtime.
On Feb 1 you can enjoy pianist Salome Chitaia performing music by
Scriabin, Ravel and Chopin. On February 8 soprano Jessica Hope
will be joined by the brass department for songs by Britten, Wolf
and Tippett. Then on February 15 it will be the turn of pianist Pan
Yicheng, who will play music by Brahms and Schubert.
30 www.jaimemagazine.com
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FA S H I O N
Cosy up
A VALENTINE’S DAY DATE OUT MIGHT BE OFF THE CARDS, BUT COSYING UP WITH YOUR
OTHER HALF AT HOME CAN BE JUST AS ROMANTIC. AMY NORBURY CHECKS OUT SOME
LUXURIOUS OPTIONS FOR LOUNGING AROUND IN
DRESSING up for date night is so 2019. With
Valentine’s Day in lockdown, it means that putting on
your gladrags and hitting the town for a swanky dinner
and cocktails for two just isn’t on the agenda. But with
restaurants and bars galore doing delicious menus for
home delivery, you can still create that date night magic
at home.
And the bonus of not leaving the house means the
restrictive dresses and vertiginous heels can stay in the
wardrobe; after all, getting all dressed up lockdownstyle
means opting for a more stylish take on your trusty
pjs.
And nightwear has well and truly had a luxurious
makeover in recent times; gone are the shapeless
T-shirts and baggy jogging bottoms, firmly eschewed in
favour of classically cut pyjama shirts and trousers, or
slinky camis teamed with sweet shorts. Luxury brands
have honed in on the nightwear market, offering ontrend
options which combine comfort with style.
And when it comes to creating cosy vibes for your
lockdown lounging, fabric is key. Look out for super soft
cottons, buttery satin and slinky jerseys which scream
‘cosy up’, or get seriously snuggly in quality cashmere.
It’s a treat to slip into - and out of.
Bold, playful prints are the order of the day, so make
a style statement in beautiful blooms and exotic jungle
motifs, or opt for a laid back vibe in classic plaid.
Celestial prints are another firm favourite, perfect for
channeling a relaxing night.
STELLA STAR PRINT PYJAMAS, £48, CYBERJAMMIES.
WWW.CYBERJAMMIES.CO.UK
BLOOM PYJAMAS, £99, NEVER FULLY DRESSED.
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32 www.jaimemagazine.com
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£45
£135
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33
W E D D I N G S
“I had a tiny wedding -
and it was perfect”
LICHFIELD-BASED WEDDING PLANNER JANE DAYUS-HINCH SAYS THE WEDDING CAN GO ON,
AND SHARES THE DETAILS OF HER OWN SMALL CEREMONY AND CELEBRATION
In January 2019 we pre-booked Solitude, a 10-bed
holiday home in Newtown in Wales, so that the
family would be able to spend a week together over
the Christmas holiday. Little did we know how things
would transpire.
Three months later, whilst enjoying a weekend away
at Pale Hall in Bala, Robert got down on one knee
and changed my world.
During the following weeks of congratulations and
well wishes the inevitable ‘when are you getting
married?’ was asked time and time again.
As a wedding planner of 35 years I found the
prospect of planning my own (second) wedding
very daunting. I have planned and organised more
than 2,000 weddings of every faith and culture and
embraced every custom and tradition in the UK
and across the world including in Estonia, Egypt,
Canada, St Lucia, Dubai and the US.
By the June we had decided we would do what we
wanted to do and just have the immediate family
at our wedding, and the only time that would be
occurring was at our Christmas gathering that had
already been planned.
We made enquiries at the local All Saints Church
and met Canon Nia Wyn Morris who agreed to
marry us by special licence, which meant we had to
attend church six times prior to the December.
The wedding was booked for Christmas Day at
11.45am, immediately after the morning Eucharist
service. We had already booked a family lunch in
a private room at the local hotel, Maesmawr Hall.
Then we made the decision to keep it secret and pull
off the best surprise we could ever do for our family.
Why did we decide on the secrecy? It was for so
many reasons. I have witnessed firsthand how
stressed people become as soon as the word wedding
is mentioned. Responsibilities, speeches, what to
wear, who does what, the cost of everything and the
weather. I didn’t want anyone to stress out, I wanted
them to all enjoy the best Christmas and this was it.
I planned everything using local suppliers from the
stationery, the flowers (using two florists), hairdresser
etc and it gave me the opportunity to be a bride,
seeing everything from the bride’s perspective.
We made many two-hour journeys to Wales and
incorporated visits to see grandchildren and other
family and it was such a happy time, with everyone
blissfully unaware of what we were doing.
Being an older bride, I wasn’t going to wear
traditional white. I was going to be married on
Christmas Day and the colour theme started to come
through as red.
I saw my gown while shopping for one of my brides
who wanted an American-style bridesmaid’s dress,
and it was there, in a fabulous wedding dress shop,
hanging at the end of a rail. There was one dress, in
my size and it was as simple as that.
For my birthday Robert had bought me a pair of
Louboutins and black became the secondary colour.
Robert bought a new dark suit. We found his red rose
tie and pocket square online and I bought him gold
cufflinks for his birthday. We were enjoying choosing
things together, designing the order of service, which
I wrote, and the wording was in Welsh and English.
Alice, the harpist, was a member of the congregation
and she was thrilled to be asked to play for us.
Everyone was asked to pre-order what they wanted
to eat for their Christmas Day lunch. As it was only
34 www.jaimemagazine.com
10 adults and two children we all enjoyed exactly
what we wanted, including peanut butter cheesecake.
Each individual menu was printed with their name
on, which doubled up as their place card. We did
have a menu and wine tasting prior and booked a
bedroom to store everything in and for the children
to have a nap if they needed to on the day.
Everyone was told that there was a formal dress code
at the hotel and only suits, shirts and ties could be
worn. This is how we got everyone to dress up for the
church and photographs.
I took the time to hand make the crackers for the
table with personalised gifts and I embroidered the
cloth for the cake table with a Welsh dragon and
made up two sacks of presents for the boys (aged four
and two) to put under the tree in the room. There
were printed candles as little gifts and we had a unity
candle in church with the words to our song printed
on it. When you have a small wedding you can
personalise and do so many small finishing touches.
The wedding cake became the biggest focal point,
with each guest sitting round the decorated oval
table. I’ve known Carole Gregory, master cake baker,
for almost 30 years and have recommended her to
brides. I transported the cake on the front seat of my
car. It was nerve wracking.
The sun shone on Christmas morning. There were
blue skies and it was glorious. Everyone was up
and dressed and we travelled into Newtown to the
10.30am service. We sang carols, said our prayers
and received Communion. At the end of the service,
when the congregation gathered at the back of the
church for tea and coffee and a mince pie, I quickly
popped into the vestry where the florist had delivered
my bouquet of red roses and buttonholes and
corsages for the ladies. I had help getting into my
gown and heavy red velvet cape. I slipped into my
shoes, put my bespoke red crystal tiara on and the
excitement began.
Fraser, my son, was so surprised when I asked him
to walk me down the aisle. The dream was now
reality, the harpist played and the smiles grew bigger
and bigger. We exchanged rings (handmade in
Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter) and everyone took
photographs and recorded it all on their phones.
The only bit of silliness (which you have to have at
some point in the day) was the snow machine outside
Maesmawr Hall. The boys and I loved it! We had
fake snowballs and it was great fun before we sat
down to eat.
The fire was lit, the tree in the corner looked
fabulous and the Wainscot Parlour was Christmas in
a room! The florist from Welshpool had decorated
the table in a Victorian style with red roses,
poinsettias, cinnamon sticks and dried oranges in
garlands. It was sumptuous and smelt divine.
The food was delicious, Robert made his speech and
Fraser handed round the ceremonial Quaich and we
were toasted. We finished off the wedding breakfast
with outdoor sparklers (it was dark by 4pm) and
afterwards we drove away with Just Married cans
tied on the back of the car. We were in the hot tub
by 7pm drinking champagne and, to us, we had a
perfect ‘surprise’ wedding day!
Little did we know that in December 2019 we
would be setting a trend for small, intimate, family
weddings. Within 12 weeks we were in lockdown.
The world of weddings changed in the blink of
an eye. Weddings of 100 people or more were
gone, being postponed, cancelled and couples were
spinning with their wedding venues and suppliers.
As the weeks went on there was much confusion with
cancelled wedding insurance and the re-booking and
paying of more deposits.
As a wedding planner I am at the sharp end of ever
changing Government guidelines and directives.
Some couples are now going ahead with smaller
numbers, with the promise of a big party sometime
in the future when restrictions are lifted. I am seeing
daily the closure of venues, florists, cake decorators
and photographers finding other revenue sources and
DJs and bands disappearing. The wedding industry
is in turmoil. A multi-million-pound industry that has
gone online and couples are waiting…. for how long?
If you want to get married, just do it! Book a date
and go to your local register office in your jeans and
T-shirts. Complete the legal process and paperwork
with two witnesses. Then book a wedding celebrant
and write your own ceremony, vows, choose your
music and plan your fabulous wedding day. Have
exactly what you want, where you want (back garden,
local beauty spot) with just the two of you. Make it
special, make it memorable. Invite your closest family
or friends to witness your special moments, once
rules allow. Have it all photographed and recorded.
Share it with extended family members and friends,
you can even live stream to anyone overseas. I can
help you with lots of ideas. We have to keep moving
forward. Life is now. No-one knows what’s round the
corner. You’re in love, you want to be married, pick a
date, make it happen!
Jane Dayus-Hinch BA is a wedding and event
planner, toastmaster and funeral celebrant.
She is the host of the TV show Wedding SOS.
www.jaimemagazine.com
35
H E A LT H
Beat the winter blues
IF THE WINTER MONTHS LEAVE YOU FEELING DOWN IN THE DUMPS IT’S
GOOD TO KNOW THAT YOU’RE NOT ALONE, WRITES AMY NORBURY
If you’re feeling down in the dumps after months of
short days and dark evenings, you’re not alone - the
winter blues is much more common than you might
think.
One contributor to the winter blues can be a vitamin
D deficiency.
Vitamin D is also known as The Sunshine Vitamin
because it can be synthesised by our bodies when
sunlight hits our skin. Despite the name, Vitamin D
is actually considered a pro hormone rather than a
vitamin and is extremely important in helping build
bone strength and keeping muscles strong.
It also protects us from gum disease, boosts brain
function and may improve heart health so it’s vitally
important to know that you are getting what you
need.
As well as being detrimental to bone and muscle
health, a lack of vitamin D has also been linked to
low moods, with people who are deficient in vitamin
D being more at risk of depression.
Between late March/early April to the end of
September, most people can get all the vitamin D
they need through sunlight on their skin and from a
balanced diet.
However, during the autumn and winter, you need to
get vitamin D from your diet because the sun is not
strong enough for the body to make vitamin D.
But since it’s difficult for people to get enough
vitamin D from food alone, everyone should consider
taking a daily supplement containing 10 micrograms
of vitamin D during the autumn and winter.
And this year, the NHS says it’s more important
than ever to keep a check on our vitamin D levels
as many of us have spent much more time indoors -
and therefore out of the sunshine - than usual due to
Covid-19 lockdown restrictions.
While many of us can suffer from a bit of a low
mood during the darker, colder winter months, for
some people it can have a much greater effect.
If the change in the seasons leaves you suffering from
a persistent low mood; a loss of pleasure or interest
in normal everyday activities, irritability; feelings
of despair, guilt and worthlessness; feeling lethargic
and sleepy during the day; or craving carbohydrates
and gaining weight, you make be one of the millions
of people in the UK affected by Seasonal Affective
Disorder.
According to the NHS, the exact cause of SAD is not
fully understood, but the main theory is that a lack
of sunlight might stop a part of the brain called the
hypothalamus working properly, which may affect the
production of melatonin. Melatonin is a hormone
that makes you feel sleepy; in people with SAD, the
body may produce it in higher than normal levels.
It may also affect the production of serotonin – a
hormone that affects your mood, appetite and sleep.
A lack of sunlight may lead to lower serotonin levels,
which is linked to feelings of depression.
The body’s internal clock (circadian rhythm) uses
sunlight to time various important functions
such as when you wake up, so lower light levels
during the winter may disrupt your body clock and
lead to symptoms of SAD.
It’s also possible that some people are more
vulnerable to SAD as a result of their genes, as some
cases appear to run in families.
If your feelings are interfering with your day-to-day
life, it is advisable to see your GP. There is a range
of treatments available, from lifestyle measures
including getting as much natural sunlight as possible
and exercising regularly to light therapy, cognitive
behavioural therapy and counselling.
36 www.jaimemagazine.com
eyond the horizon
Let’s create something to look forward to
OPEN
FOR NEW
RESIDENTS
WE
REMAIN
COVID
FREE
Nothing can beat personal advice when you’re looking to put
the last few months behind you and make plans to look
forward, whether that’s a last-minute getaway or you’re
planning ahead to next year.
You will always have the support of a real person,
be it face-to-face, by video, phone or email -
whenever you need me.
Charlotte Mitchell
Travel Counsellor
0121 314 6650 or 07860 944207
charlotte.mitchell@travelcounsellors.com
www.travelcounsellors.com/charlotte.mitchell
www.facebook.com/CharlotteMitchellTC
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Rosemary Lodge Care Home is a family
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Our two qualified chefs offer a
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www.rosemarylodgecarehome.co.uk
H E A LT H
An expert’s guide to sleeping well
RESTFUL SLEEP CAN BE DIFFICULT FOR SOME OF US EVEN WHEN WE’RE NOT IN THE MIDDLE
OF A GLOBAL PANDEMIC. JENNY AMPHLETT SPOKE TO A PSYCHOLOGICAL WELLBEING
PRACTITIONER FOR SOME EXPERT TIPS TO HELP YOU GET A GOOD NIGHT’S SLEEP
Many of us go through phases of struggling to sleep,
whether that’s finding it difficult to drift off in the first
place or waking at intervals during the night. But if
we arm ourselves with the right tools, sleep doesn’t
have to be a battle.
As a psychological wellbeing practitioner with the
NHS’s Talking Therapy Service, Lauren Wright
often encounters people dealing with disturbed sleep.
“I see clients for low mood and anxiety, OCD,
generalised anxiety, sleep problems, depression and
panic attacks,” she says.
“It’s not often that I see a client whose only problem
is with their sleep, but sleep problems are often part
of other issues that we look at.
“I often help clients with what we call sleep hygiene -
that’s helping them to cope with problems with their
sleep and helping them to improve their sleep.”
Lauren says sleep problems can actually be down to
people worrying about sleep, so she tries to educate
them about the sleep process so that they understand
why they wake up in the night.
She also tries to arm her clients with a sleep toolkit,
to help them to get the best possible night’s sleep.
38 www.jaimemagazine.com
This includes:
• Lauren tells people that their bed should only be
for sleep or sex. She says: “It’s become a massive
problem that people use their bed for everything,
they even work in bed and watch TV in bed. This
issue has increased even more with people working
from home and needing to find a quiet, unshared
space to work.”
• Lauren gives people a quarter of an hour rule. She
tells them that if they have been in bed and trying
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they should get up and do something boring, that
will hopefully help to make them feel tired. The
aim is to avoid lying in bed watching the clock and
becoming stressed or anxious.
• Lauren recommends a good pre-bed routine.
“Don’t work, do anything too mentally taxing or
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you go to bed, or it’s going to wake you up. Give
yourself 15 minutes at the end of the day for a
routine which could include washing your face,
putting on your pyjamas and cleaning your teeth.”
• If you have naps in the day, Lauren says you
should try to break the habit as it will make it more
difficult to fall asleep at night.
• Try to get up and go to bed at the same time each
day. Lauren says that many people don’t realise the
impact this one step alone can have on their sleep.
• Lauren says it’s a myth that everyone needs eight
hours of sleep. “Not everyone needs eight hours.
Some people need six hours of sleep. Everyone is
different. If you can’t sleep for eight hours at night
it may just be that you don’t need to sleep for that
long.”
• Limit your alcohol intake and don’t drink alcohol
right before you try to go to sleep. Lauren says that
having alcohol in your system means you won’t
sleep as well.
• Limit nicotine before you go to bed.
• Caffeine can take six hours to leave your body so
don’t have tea, coffee or fizzy drinks for six hours
before you go to bed.
• Lauren recommends limiting noise at bedtime and
making sure that your bedroom isn’t too warm as
it’s easier to sleep in a cooler temperature.
• Try to limit the light in your bedroom and dim the
lights for a while before you get into bed.
• Don’t exercise right before going to bed.
www.jaimemagazine.com
39
G I F T G U I D E
This is dedicated...
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G I F T G U I D E
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41
B E AU T Y
Love your skin this
valentine’s day
OK, YOU WON’T BE GOING OUT FOR A ROMANTIC CANDLELIT DINNER THIS VALENTINE’S
DAY SO WHY NOT SHOW YOUR SKIN SOME TLC INSTEAD? WE ASKED CELEBRITY FACIALIST
AND FOUNDER OF HEAVEN SKINCARE DEBORAH MITCHELL FOR HER TOP TIPS FOR GREAT
LOOKING SKIN LONG AFTER THOSE RED ROSES HAVE BEEN THROWN AWAY
1: CLEAN UP YOUR ACT: Start your skincare
routine with a good cleanse to ensure you wash
away the daily dirt and grime that causes rashes
and breakouts. My New Edition Cleansing Cream
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ABEETOXIN® formula so it not only gives a deep
clean but it also has an immediate tightening effect.
Added to that, its Vitamin A helps resurface and
repair cells, and promotes eyelash growth.
2: EXFOLIATE TO REMOVE DEAD CELLS:
Hard-working exfoliators are designed to wash
away dead cells from the surface of the skin and
used regularly they’ll keep your complexion in great
condition. My non-abrasive Bee Polish (£37.90,
30ml) targets fine lines, helps lighten pigmentation
and extracts toxins without harming the outer layer
of the skin. Thanks to its echinacea content it boosts
the immunity of the skin too, making it ideal for
those who suffer with acne.
3: THE HYDRATING BEAUTY BOOST: Water
is essential for our skin – it is, after all, the body’s
biggest organ – and ensuring we take in enough of
nature’s good stuff every day is essential.
My innovative Orange Flower Hydrogel
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4: TREAT YOUR SKIN TO A
REGULAR MASK: One of Heaven’s
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facial muscles to tighten, firm and lift. An
effective anti-ageing solution, it penetrates
fine lines and wrinkles. Easy to use and a
little goes a long way, simply apply after
your cleansing routine, layer on top of your
usual moisturiser or combine with a serum.
5: INVEST IN AN EFFECTIVE
MOISTURISER: When it comes to your daily
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type – for example, a gentle formula for sensitive
skin. Heaven’s Divine Cream (£64, 50ml) is suitable
for all skin types but it works particularly well on
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face and gently massage with your fingertips, not
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6: ADD A SERUM TO YOUR SKINCARE
ROUTINE: Perfect for tackling fine lines and
dehydration, a serum delivers a potent shot of
ingredients directly into your skin. Use my Dream
Oil Serum (£55, 30ml) to keep oil levels at the
correct balance while hydrating and feeding the skin.
It contains microbes that kill bacteria and bring skin
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and can be used before bed to promote relaxation
and induce sleep.
You can shop the complete range of Heaven
products online at heavenskincare.com
42 www.jaimemagazine.com
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J'Aime Ad 190x280 - Feb and ideas 2021.indd 1 06/01/2021 16:45
44 www.jaimemagazine.com