J'AIME April 2021

A P R I L 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

Between

the lines:

SPRING’S MOST

STYLISH PRINT

J O I N O U R

#LOVE

LOCAL

C A M PA I G N

SERENE SPA

VIBES FOR YOUR

BATHROOM

MASTERCHEF’S BART

VAN DER LEE COOKS UP

A STORM IN LICHFIELD

P R E P

All our parents have one thing in common – they do not want their children to grow up too fast.

Childhood is the precious time when imagination knows no bounds.

Repton Prep is set in 55 acres of Derbyshire countryside. It is a magical place where children can

be children and yet learn at the same time. A den in the woods and an English lesson, a picnic in the

bluebells and a Science class – at Repton Prep, all of these experiences are learning opportunities.

Our co-ed community of 440 happy pupils welcomes full and flexi-boarders from age 7-13 and day

children from age 3-13.

“ WE WANT OUR

CHILDREN TO

STAY CHILDREN

FOR LONGER.”

reptonprep.org.uk

To arrange your personal virtual tour for you and your child please

call us on 01283 707112 or email registrar@repton.org.uk

Welcome to J’AIME

April has all the makings of a month to remember. It’s set

to be the month when we can finally get a haircut, enjoy

lunch outside a cafe or shop in person for things that aren’t

just the absolute essentials.

Here at J’AIME we couldn’t be more excited about

getting some of our freedoms back and seeing some of

our favourite local businesses opening their doors once

again. That’s why we have chosen this month to launch

#LoveLocal, a campaign to highlight some of the

amazing independents based right across our patch.

Over the next six months we will be celebrating local

businesses as they reopen and life starts to return to

something a little more like normal. In this month’s

#LoveLocal coverage you can read about pubs investing

in their outdoor spaces, read about the plans of three

local food and drink businesses, hear more from a hair

salon owner about her reopening plans and read about

three Lichfield businesses. Keep an eye out for more

#LoveLocal content next month.

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 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, flick-through version of the magazine free of charge

at www.jaimemagazine.com

Within the April magazine you can read our interview with

MasterChef: The Professionals finalist Bart van der Lee

and read about an award-winning artist who paints mobile

phones into his masterpieces.

Add to that our usual mix of interiors, property, fashion,

beauty, travel, fitness and food and we hope we have

something for everyone.

We hope our upbeat, positive content will bring a little

added cheer 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, sunny,

cheerful April.

EDITOR: AMY NORBURY

EDITOR@JAIMEMAGAZINE.COM

ADVERTISING: JAN ASHLEY

ADVERTISING@JAIMEMAGAZINE.COM

07388 335 931

DESIGN: DESIGN@JAIMEMAGAZINE.COM

CONTRIBUTORS: JENNY AMPHLETT, NATHAN

COLLINS, DEBORAH MITCHELL, RAUL ROMERO

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

/JAIMEMAGAZINE

@JAIMEMAGAZINE

SPONSORED BY

FEATURE

A work of Bart

TV CHEF BART VAN DER LEE HAS BEEN COOKING UP A STORM IN

LICHFIELD, SO J’AIME SENT JENNY AMPHLETT TO MEET HIM

PHOTOGRAPHY BY BECKY TRANTER

MasterChef: The Professionals finalist Bart van

der Lee usually spends his days working as the

private chef for a wealthy family in Chelsea,

creating healthy daily meals and catering for

the glittering parties they held pre-coronavirus.

But the 33-year-old runner-up in the 2020

series of the TV show took a week out from

cycling around the capital in search of the

best quality seafood to cook for people in the

Midlands instead.

Bart, who is originally from the Netherlands

and runs his own recipe website, spent a week

in Lichfield creating exclusive dine at home

boxes with Sauce Supper Club.

The three course meals were based on the recipes he

cooked in the final of MasterChef: The Professionals,

including a starter of scallops and a beef sirloin

main.

“The dine at home boxes were a real hit and they

all sold out very quickly,” he says. “I was cooking for

around 250 people, so very different to my day to

day life when I’m mostly cooking for one family and

their private parties.”

Bart found himself faced with no less than 45 kilos of

sirloin steak and 35 kilos of oxtails.

“I looked at all those oxtails and thought how

on earth am I going to pull it all off the bones.

Thankfully I had a couple of great guys working with

me in the kitchen.”

It was the first time Bart has visited Lichfield or

even the Midlands, and he says he enjoyed a bit

of sightseeing as he cycled between his hotel and

Thyme Kitchen, where Sauce Supper Club is based.

“It’s been lovely to cycle past the cathedral and the

pools, to get to know the area a little bit,” he says.

“I’m usually down in Chelsea making breakfasts,

lunches and dinners for one family. It’s incredibly

personalised; I’ve known the family for more than

10 years so I have a very good idea of what they

do and don’t like to eat. Before that I’ve worked in

restaurants and been a private chef on a yacht.

“When you’re a private chef you know all about

every individual dietary requirement but also need to

be able to create big dinners for parties.

“The last year hasn’t involved any parties though,

just mainly lots of very healthy seafood and fish.

“So I usually spend my days cycling around West

6 www.jaimemagazine.com

London going to markets to buy the best produce

and then preparing a delicious lunch.

“The family never tell me what I have to cook so

I’m completely free to be creative and use the best

ingredients I can find.”

Bart says the opportunities he’s been given as a result

of appearing on MasterChef: The Professionals have

been ‘amazing’.

“I’ve been given the chance to do things I could

never have imagined,” he says. “I was a simple and

humble chef and I still try to be that, but people

want to celebrate and have offered me the chance to

do all sorts of new things.”

Bart has a recipe website and an online shop and is

currently working on ideas for a television series.

“I have an idea for me and my family to go on a

culinary world tour, traveling to different countries

and trying different cuisines,” he says. “I’m trying to

get it televised.

“I had no idea quite how exciting life would become

after appearing in MasterChef: The Professionals.”

To find out more about Sauce Supper Club and

Dine at Home visit www.saucesupperclub.co.uk

www.jaimemagazine.com

FEATURE

Art for the smartphone generation

AWARD-WINNING ARTIST PETER DAVIS LIKES TO CAPTURE HIS PORTRAIT SUBJECTS

USING THEIR ELECTRONIC DEVICES. JENNY AMPHLETT MET HIM TO FIND OUT MORE

Like a Renaissance painter capturing women with

flowing locks and enigmatic smiles or a pop artist

depicting tins of soup, Peter Davis is representing

a moment in time when he has his portrait subjects

pose with their mobile phone in their hand.

Peter, who was born and raised in Birmingham,

is keen to stress that he isn’t passing judgment on

people for using devices, merely including devices as

they are now as integral a part of a person’s being

as the clothes they wear or the style they choose for

their hair.

“Most of my work has a person on their phone

or using a technological device of some kind. It’s

something that we stop seeing when we look at other

people, it’s just become so normal, but when we see

it depicted in art we do see it because it’s unexpected

in art. The role of an artist is to put a mirror up to

society. I’m enjoying doing that.

“If you went back 20 years and said everyone was

going to have this thing they’d be glued to and

that they’d be living a digital life we wouldn’t have

thought that would happen.

“The rate at which society has changed is fascinating,

but I don’t see it as a negative. I see it as a moment in

time and it’s lovely to document it.”

The 50-something has just had his work selected

for the John Moores Painting Prize exhibition at the

Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool, the equivalent of

receiving an Oscar nomination in the art world.

It’s the UK’s most celebrated and well-known

painting competition, with past winners including

Patrick Heron, David Hockney, Euan Uglow and

Peter Doig.

“I’m thrilled to have been selected,” he says. “There

were more than 3,000 entries this year and only 67

paintings were selected for the show.

www.jaimemagazine.com

“It’s an honour to participate as it showcases the

best of what British contemporary painters are

doing.”

The selected painting, Wetin Dey, is a portrait

of Solomon Onaolapo, a music producer

and co-founder of Rising Stars North West, a

community project that provides support for

aspiring young musicians who are disadvantaged

and unable to afford a rehearsal and recording

space themselves. Wetin dey is a Nigerian

greeting meaning “Hey, what’s going on?”

It isn’t Peter’s first experience of art awards.

He won first prize in the Three Counties

Open Exhibition in 2017 with Golden Girl, his

portrait of Joyce Richards from Walsall. The

same painting won a prize at the RBSA Gallery

in Birmingham in 2018.

Peter studied at Manchester Polytechnic School

of Art before a career as an art director in the

advertising industry.

“As time went on, more and more of the work

I was doing in advertising was aimed at people

accessing it on their devices and on phones, by

using technology,” he says.

“As I migrated into becoming a fulltime professional

artist the idea of people using technology became

a fascination for me. 10 to 15 years ago there was a

seismic shift with technology.”

A contemporary portrait painter, Peter’s work

became more difficult when the pandemic prevented

him from having sittings with his subjects.

So instead he started to develop a new series

capturing urban landscapes, including in Life is

Too Short to be Unhappy, which features a brightly

coloured panel on a derelict building in Hanley,

North Staffordshire.

“I walked past one day and saw this wonderfully

uplifting statement and Mondrian-style pattern

and just felt compelled to capture it in a

painting.” he says.

“My urban landscapes look at our communities,

towns and cities. They also usually have

somebody in there on their device.

“They’re very ordinary scenes that people might

look at and say ‘that’s just life’, but for me it’s

like looking at amazing photographs from the

1950s and 60s. I’m documenting it because I

think it’s amazing.

“As an artist it’s up to me to look at these things

with a fresh set of eyes. I’m looking at modern

life and documenting it.”

You can visit the John Moores Painting Prize

exhibition virtually at

www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/jmpp/

john-moores-painting-prize

Peter is represented by Barewall Gallery and

you can see more of his work at

www.barewall.co.uk

PROPERTY

Property of the Month

EACH MONTH WE SHOWCASE ONE OF THE MOST LUXURIOUS PROPERTIES

CURRENTLY ON THE MARKET IN THE MIDLANDS. THIS HOUSE IS IN ONE OF

THE MOST SOUGHT AFTER SPOTS IN THE REGION

Cherrywood Way, Little Aston. £1,995,000.

On the market with Aston Knowles: 0121 362 7878.

THE AGENT SAYS: This beautiful modern family home

is located off a privately gated road and features extensive

living and entertainment accommodation. The block-paved

driveway leads up to the porch entrance and front door and

into the welcoming reception hallway with stunning walnut

hardwood flooring that comes back throughout the ground

floor. Double doors lead off to the right to the drawing room

and to the left to the games room. A guest cloakroom is

located further along the hallway. A spacious and carpeted

study is also located off the hallway with rear aspect bay

window overlooking the sizeable garden and offering a perfect

space for working from home. This space could alternatively

be used as a playroom. The drawing room with bay window

to the front offers great scope for relaxing and entertaining,

with an amazing feature Stovax log burner set in an exposed

brick surround. Double French doors lead out to the garden.

The games room is located on the opposite end of the

hallway and is a truly breathtaking entertainment space with

wooden flooring and a feature bespoke walnut cabinetry with

lighting and two built-in wine fridges. Double French doors

lead out to the garden, offering the opportunity to open the

space up in summer and a door to the side leads into the

laundry room. The laundry is finished to a beautiful standard

with bespoke cabinetry, sink, and further work and storage

space as well as a washing machine, space for a tumble dryer,

and access to both the garage and the garden.

W E L O V E :

THE HUGE GAMES ROOM WITH ITS

BUILT-IN WINE FRIDGES.

10 www.jaimemagazine.com

FOUR OAKS

SOLD IN

2021

GUIDE PRICE £2,500,000 GUIDE PRICE £1,325,000

ONE OF A KIND

ASTON KNOWLES

Here at Aston Knowles, we are committed to providing the best service possible to our clients.

This means treating every client individually and tailoring our approach

to meet your specific needs.

Our focus is on client care and communication. This, together with our skill at combining the

right people with the right property, positions us perfectly to achieve the best results

over and over again.

The property market in Sutton Coldfield and surrounding areas is currently experiencing an

imbalance in supply and demand, with a strong interest in premium property from proceedable

purchasers. If you are considering selling your home, now is the ideal time to book

a no-obligation market appraisal.

GET IN TOUCH WITH OUR TEAM | Book your FREE Sales/Lettings Appraisal today!

ALDRIDGE

SUTTON

COLDFIELD

GUIDE PRICE £1,050,000 GUIDE PRICE £1,050,000

HAMMERWICH

DRAYTON

BASSETT

GUIDE PRICE £795,000

GUIDE PRICE £550,000

0121 362 7878

enquiries@astonknowles.com

www.astonknowles.com

@astonknowles

INTERIORS

Sage

advice

AS we head into spring proper, it should come as no

surprise that we’re taking more and more inspiration

from nature and the outside world when it comes to our

interiors.

Greens are considered to be calming, peaceful hues so

after such a tumultuous year it seems only right that

they’re coming to the fore.

Moving away from the deep dark forest hues of autumn

and super-sweet pastel shades, the greens of choice for

spring are a sophisticated bunch. Muted midtones of sage

and the slightly deeper and richer olive work perfectly in

any room and with a plethora of design schemes, from

pared-back freshness when mixed with whites and pale

woods, to beautifully bold when teamed with darker hues

and warm metallics.

For a spring style statement, sage is fast becoming one of

the hottest colours for kitchens; opt for the same shade for

both cabinetry and walls for a seamless transition which

makes the most of the hue.

BRINDLE SMALL SIDEBOARD, £479.99, OAK

FURNITURELAND. WWW.OAKFURNITURELAND.COM

ORIGINAL BTC TITAN SIZE 5 PENDANT,

OLIVE GREEN WITH VISOR.

WWW.ORIGINALBTC.COM

£79

£38

£439

BALTIMORE LOW STOOL IN SAGE GREEN

VELVET, CULT FURNITURE.

WWW.CULTFURNITURE.COM

£36

OLIVE GREEN CERAMIC VASE SET,

MARQUIS AND DAWE.

WWW.MARQUISANDDAWE.CO.UK

SAGE GREEN LUCY VASE, ELLA JAMES.

WWW.ELLAJAMES.CO.UK

12 www.jaimemagazine.com

£89.99 £79

£750

GEORGETTE ROUND FOOTSTOOL

IN OLIVE PURE COTTON MATT VELVET,

WWW.SOFA.COM

ICON INDOOR OUTDOOR BEANBAG

ARMCHAIR, BAZAAR GROUP.

WWW.BEANBAGBAZAAR.CO.UK

STELLA BAR STOOL IN SAGE

GREEN VELVET, CULT FURNITURE.

WWW.CULTFURNITURE.COM

SELKY BEDSPREAD,

WWW.MADE.COM

£59

£720

PIRO PENDANT, SWOON EDITIONS.

WWW.SWOONEDITIONS.COM

£49.99

SAGE ADVICE EMULSION AND EGGSHELL

PAINT, DOWSING & REYNOLDS.

WWW.DOWSINGANDREYNOLDS.COM

£1,395

£99

MARGAUX BAR STOOL IN OLIVE,

WWW.SOFA.COM

SLIM JIM SOFA IN CLEAN GREEN BRUSHED

COTTON FABRIC, LOAF. WWW.LOAF.COM

PUDDING SOFA IN THYME GREEN VINTAGE

LINEN, £1,395, LOAF. WWW.LOAF.COM

14 www.jaimemagazine.com

BAYLISS

creating bathroom envy since 1929...

Visit our extensive prestigious bathroom and tile showroom....

regarded as one of the finest in the Country!

Bayliss Limited, 23 Gate Lane, Boldmere, Sutton Coldfield B73 5TR

T: 0121 362 1800 www.baylisslimited.co.uk

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

HAZE FREESTANDING BATH IN TRANQUIL DAWN,

£2,495, ELEMENTS COLLECTION, WATERS BATHS

OF ASHBOURNE, AVAILABLE FROM BATHART,

MITCHELLS CENTRE, SUTTON COLDFIELD.

WWW.BATHART.CO.UK

EGYPTIAN COTTON TOWELS IN FOREST

AND SAGE GREEN, FROM £5, DUNELM.

WWW.DUNELM.COM

SANTINO ACCENT CHAIR IN SAGE GREEN,

£679, SOFOLOGY. WWW.SOFOLOGY.CO.UK

SCINTILLA OLIVE GREEN STAR PATTERN

TILES, £24.95/SQM, WALLS AND FLOORS.

WWW.WALLSANDFLOORS.CO.UK

For safe, professional care at

home, contact Givecare on

0182763560

Because there is nothing

like home.

Find out more about our

services by visiting

givecare.co.uk

Part of Bosworth Homecare.

ANGLIA RANGE IN BLANCO

CALIBRATED TO 20MM

605MM X 605MM £25.93

PER M 2 PLUS VAT(£9.49 PER TILE)

EUROPA WAY, LICHFIELD, WS14 9TZ

01543 440000 TIPPERS.COM

MON-FRI

7:30AM - 5:00PM

SATURDAY

8:00AM - 2:00PM

INTERIORS

Small space,

big impact

WHEN it comes to interior makeovers, it is one of the

smallest rooms which can have the biggest impact. That’s

right; the bathroom can make or break a property.

We want our bathrooms to be smart, luxurious and, above

all, rooms we can retreat to - a miniature haven where we

can relax and unwind from the stresses of the day.

After the chaos that was 2020, it’s unsurprising that

bathroom trends for 2021 centre around the trend for

creating a home spa; a cocooning space which offers a

sense of quiet luxury. From mood lighting to oversized

baths, massage showers to luxurious fittings, bathrooms

today are so much more than purely functional rooms.

Moving away from clinical white and polished ceramics

with their clean, contemporary - and, dare we say it,

boring - feel, bathrooms are becoming more and more a

space where we can be bold and expressive, playing with

colour and texture to create a seamlessly blended space.

When it comes to styling, vintage meets modern with

Victorian rolltop baths pairing perfectly with modern tech

for a fabulous fusion.

BREEZE FREESTANDING BATH, £2,495, WATERS BATHS OF

ASHBOURNE. AVAILABLE FROM BATHART, MITCHELL CENTRE,

SUTTON COLDFIELD. WWW.BATHART.CO.UK

£65

£89

VASILO BATHROOM 3 LIGHT CEILING

LAMP, WWW.MADE.COM

£325

FABULOUS FEATHER MIRROR, JOE BROWNS.

WWW.JOEBROWNS.CO.UK

WYE VALLEY BATHROOM PENDANT

LIGHT, FRITZ FRYER LIGHTING.

WWW.FRITZFRYER.CO.UK

£75

NOBLE ISLE FIRESIDE GLOW 3 WICK CANDLE,

AMARA. WWW.AMARA.COM

www.jaimemagazine.com

£45

£870

£400

LUXE MARBLE LOOK VANITY TRAY AND

BATHROOM ACCESSORIES, AMARA.

WWW.AMARA.COM

MENU NIMBUS MIRROR BRONZED BRASS,

AMARA. WWW.AMARA.COM

£120

MENU MARBLE SHOWER TRAY, AMARA.

WWW.AMARA.COM

MENU TOWEL LADDER, NEST.

WWW.NEST.CO.UK

STRAIT BATH IN MINT GREEN, WATERS BATHS OF

ASHBOURNE. AVAILABLE FROM BATHART, MITCHELL

CENTRE. SUTTON COLDFIELD. WWW.BATHART.CO.UK

QUARTZITE GREY MATT TILES, £17.49, TILE MOUNTAIN.

WWW.TILEMOUNTAIN.CO.UK

MILANO BARQ WET ROOM SHOWER ENCLOSURE,

FROM £309.99. BIG BATHROOM SHOP.

WWW.BIGBATHROOMSHOP.CO.UK

DRIFT FREESTANDING BATH, £1,895 - WATERS BATHS

OF ASHBOURNE. AVAILABLE FROM BATHART, MITCHELL

CENTRE, SUTTON COLDFIELD. WWW.BATHART.CO.UK

ADELPHI CABINET, £265, ADELPHI MIRROR, £75, AND

ADELPHI TOWEL LADDER, £90, GARDEN TRADING.

WWW.GARDENTRADING.CO.UK

MILANO DALTON DOUBLE BASIN WITH BLACK

WASHSTAND, £299.99, BIG BATHROOM SHOP.

WWW.BIGBATHROOMSHOP.CO.UK

LINEAR GEO TOWELS, FROM £8, NEXT.

WWW.NEXT.CO.UK

LAYERED BATHROOM LIGHTING WITH LUCCA

UPLIGHTS, OSLO FLOOR WASHERS AND POLESPRING

DOWNLIGHTS, FROM A SELECTION AT JOHN CULLEN

LIGHTING. WWW.JOHNCULLENLIGHTING.COM

Advanced technology

for superior hearing

Offering the latest in hearing technology, award winning local audiologists

Steven Hale Hearing are one of the very few hearing specialists qualified

to fit Lyric, the world’s only 100% invisible hearing aid.

MAKE YOUR APPOINTMENT NOW AND

FIND OUT HOW LYRIC WILL TRANSFORM

YOUR QUALITY OF LIFE

0121 308 2550 info@stevenhalehearing.co.uk stevenhalehearing.co.uk

#LOVELOCAL

J’AIME

#LoveLocal Lichfield

OVER THE COMING MONTHS WE WILL BE CELEBRATING SOME OF THE BRILLIANT INDEPENDENT

BUSINESSES FROM ACROSS OUR PATCH. HERE ARE THREE FROM THE LICHFIELD AREA

ALLEN BROWN

These gorgeous 18ct white gold earrings with 0.24ct multi coloured

sapphires are priced at £1,420 and available online from Allen

Brown Jewellery at www.allenbrownjewellery.co.uk

Formed in 1986, Allen Brown Jewellery is renowned for its

contemporary classic designs that draw on Allen’s love of coloured

diamonds, gems, platinum and other precious metals. Timeless

favourites, his collections are both beautiful and practical.

The business is based within Heart of the Country Shopping Village,

Swinfen, Lichfield but has been trading online during the lockdown.

ROSEMARY LODGE

A residential care home for elderly ladies and gentlemen, Rosemary

Lodge aims to provide levels of care, community and comfort that

are second to none.

Based in Walsall Road, Lichfield, Rosemary Lodge is open to new

residents and remains COVID-19 free.

It is situated just a short distance from the bustling centre of Lichfield

and is set in landscaped gardens. The care home offers respite care,

holiday stay and limited day care in addition to residential care.

Visit www.rosemarylodgecarehome.co.uk to find out more.

RIPPLE HR

Run in Lichfield by Jane Galvez, Ripple HR has been operating

throughout the pandemic to help businesses navigate human

resources issues.

Jane set up and ran a successful e-Learning business and moved into

HR within that business. After several years she then worked in a

variety of SMEs, always taking responsibility for HR. She became

Head of HR in an international automotive business, then set up

Ripple HR.

Visit www.ripple-hr.co.uk to find out more.

22 www.jaimemagazine.com

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Specialists in designing

and making, remodelling

and refurbishing

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We make it happen

Moving House

Family Matters

Wills

Cannock

01543 466 660

Lichfield

01543 263 456

Halesowen

0121 550 0010

Sutton Coldfield

0121 716 3716

#LOVELOCAL

J’AIME

#LoveLocal

Hospitality

STAFFORDSHIRE-BASED INDEPENDENT PUB OPERATOR PUNCH PUBS HAS SPENT

£1 MILLION PREPARING ITS VENUES FOR OUTDOOR REOPENING THIS MONTH

Outdoor spaces such as beer gardens, patios and

courtyards have never been so important in the world

of pubs.

Punch Pubs, based in Burton upon Trent, has

invested in a million-pound Inside|Outside

programme to help publicans make the most of

trading safely outside while also complying with

Government guidance.

The success of the scheme will allow many pubs to

open outdoors on April 12, including plenty that

previously would have not had the capacity.

This means 662 (72%) Punch pubs in England are

now set to welcome guests back to their local this

month.

Andy Spencer, managing director of Punch Pubs,

says: “Working together with hundreds of our

publicans, we have breathed new life into many of

our pub gardens and outdoor spaces. Creating safe,

warm, and welcome environments to give our guests

fantastic experiences when we reopen and for the

future.

“Like all of our publicans able to reopen, we are

excited to welcome our customers back in April.

However, it remains vitally important to remember

that pubs will be operating at a significantly reduced

capacity.

“We need restrictions to continue to be relaxed

during the reopening period to ensure the long-term

survival of the Great British pub.”

Punch and their publicans have been working in

tandem to create solutions from new furniture to

stretch tents, festoon lighting, cosy huts, and allimportant

outdoor heating.

The scheme has already seen hundreds of projects

completed across the country.

24 www.jaimemagazine.com

#LOVELOCAL

J’AIME

AS PART OF OUR #LOVELOCAL CAMPAIGN, OVER THE COMING MONTHS WE WILL CELEBRATE

SOME OF THE BRILLIANT HOSPITALITY BUSINESSES ACROSS OUR PATCH AS THE WORLD

GRADUALLY OPENS UP ONCE MORE

THYME KITCHEN

Waffles with crispy bacon, fried eggs and maple syrup is just one of

the recipes chef Susie Mandleberg is trying out ahead of the planned

official reopening of Thyme Kitchen on May 18.

The head chef of the breakfast, brunch and lunch venue, at

Curborough Countryside Centre, Lichfield, is currently developing a

new menu ahead of the reopening.

Thyme Kitchen is also the base for Sauce Supper Club and its Dine

at Home boxes.

Sauce Supper Club events are set to resume on May 29 with a six

course dinner prepared by chef Tom Shepherd.

To find out more about Thyme Kitchen visit

www.thymekitchen.co.uk

MOOR HALL

The terrace at Moor Hall Hotel and Spa, in Four Oaks, Sutton

Coldfield, will reopen for outside dining on April 12.

Afternoon teas, graze and laze boxes and pizzas are just some of

the options that will be available between 8am and 8pm each day.

There will be screens, blankets, parasols and heaters to help keep

things cosy and people are invited to take along their own picnic

blankets if they wish.

Tables should be booked in advance and diners are asked to

mention when they book if they would like to order afternoon tea.

For more information visit www.moorhallhotel.co.uk

THE GEORGE HOTEL

The George Hotel’s city centre courtyard will be the perfect place to

enjoy outdoor dining in Lichfield when it reopens on April 12.

Food will be served between 8am and 8pm every day and there is

no need to book in advance, but diners are asked to pre-book if they

would like to order afternoon tea.

Heated canopies mean that guests will be able to enjoy their alfresco

dining experience whatever the good old British weather decides to

throw at them.

The menu will include lunches, evening meals, light bites and hot

drinks.

For more information visit www.thegeorgelichfield.co.uk

www.jaimemagazine.com

F O O D & D R I N K

Gin Rummy

A STAFFORDSHIRE FAMILY WHO LAUNCHED THEIR OWN GIN AFTER COVID-19

STOPPED THEIR BUSINESS FROM OPERATING HAVE NOW CREATED A BRAND

OF RUM AND STARTED A PROJECT TO HELP BEES

When Alex and Natalie Conti’s arts and travel

business was grounded by coronavirus the Lichfield

couple were determined not to waste their newfound

free time.

The keen beekeepers installed a vast new apiary as

a lockdown project then, when faced with kilos of

surplus honey, masterminded a new brand of honey

gin.

Just a few months later they have two varieties of gin,

a newly launched honey rum and have brought an

historic beekeeping site back to life with an adopt a

hive scheme.

“We wanted to install more hives to produce more

honey so we found a beautiful spot,” says Alex.

“We’d already chosen it when we discovered that

it actually used to be an apiary around 150 to 200

years ago.

“Staffordshire County Council and our local

councillor have been incredibly helpful and we have

all kinds of plans on the go including planting huge

swathes of wild flowers to go alongside new hives

we’ve commissioned.”

Alex is making 12 hives available for

adoption by people who love the idea of

safeguarding the future of honeybees,

having a regular supply of locally-produced

honey from their own colony and helping a

small, independent business along the way.

Adopting a hive for one year for £250

buys people the chance to visit and handle

their own bees during the summer, regular

updates, a welcome pack with honey plus

honey gin or honey rum and then 10 pots of

honey from their very own bees.

It’s an innovative project which Alex

believes may be one of the first of its kind.

“It’s very exciting and just the start of

lots of ideas we have for the future,” he

says. “We’re very much looking forward

to welcoming people to the site once

coronavirus restrictions have lifted so that

we can share our enthusiasm for bees and

honey.”

The honey rum was a natural progression for the

business.

“We’d always been thinking of other spirit types in

the background,” says Alex. “Spiced honey rum is

already a thing but we couldn’t find a honey rum on

the market in the UK that interested us.

“My wife used to live in Cuba, where honey rum is

very popular, and I’ve travelled to Cuba a lot over the

years so this is exciting for us both.

“Our honey rum is Cuban in spirit but it’s entirely

made in the UK, right down to the base spirit, and

uses our own Staffordshire honey.

“We realised very quickly that our own honey was

never going to be plentiful enough for us to keep

pushing the Apiarist brand forward, which is why we

had to think about extending the apiary.

“Being able to bring an historic apiary back to life

along the way has been a wonderful byproduct of

that.”

Apiarist products are available from

www.theapiaristgin.com

Experience informal outside dining with

fantastic views at Moor Hall Hotel & Spa

in Sutton Coldfield this Spring!

Our Terrace reopens on 12th April

for outside dining every day between

8am and 8pm.

AFTERNOON TEA*

NEW GRAZE & LAZE BOXES* FOR PICNICS

COFFEE REPUBLIC HOT DRINKS

FULL DRINKS MENU

BRUNCH | SANDWICHES | SALADS

PIZZAS | MAIN MEALS

* Please pre-book

Our Lichfield city centre courtyard is the

perfect spot for a hot drink, light bite,

lunch or evening meal this spring!

Our courtyard reopens on 12th April for

outside dining every day between

8am and 8pm.

AFTERNOON TEA* | SOUPS & SANDWICHES

JACKET POTATOES | MAIN COURSES

HOT DRINKS

* Please pre-book Afternoon Tea

Moor Hall Drive, Four Oaks, Sutton Coldfield B75 6LN

0121 308 3751 www.moorhallhotel.co.uk

Visit our website for menus and to pre-book your table

Bird Street, Lichfield, WS13 6PR

01543 414822 www.thegeorgelichfield.co.uk

Visit our website for menus and to book your table

DINE AT HOME | APRIL

AS NEW SHOOTS START TO CREEP

THROUGH, iT’S TiME TO SWAP

THOSE HEARTY ROOT VEGETABLES

FOR SPRiNG iNGREDiENTS!

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www.saucesupperclub.co.uk

T R AV E L

Holiday hot list

WE’RE GETTING EXCITED ABOUT THE PROSPECT OF FINALLY HEADING OFF ON HOLIDAY

AGAIN. NATHAN COLLINS, JOINT MD OF LICHFIELD-BASED RB COLLECTION, LOOKS AT SOME

OF THE EXCITING NEW DESTINATIONS AND HOLIDAY OPTIONS WE CAN LOOK FORWARD TO.

Despite significantly fewer

holidays taking place over the

past 12 months many hoteliers,

destinations and cruise lines

continued to work on exciting

new properties, itineraries and

experiences in the background.

This means there are a lot of fresh

opportunities ready and waiting

for you.

Exciting new hotels

The Ikos brand has made a name

for itself in Greece, offering a fresh

approach to the all-inclusive model

in Kos, Halkidiki and Corfu. I

stayed at their Halkidiki resort a

couple of years ago with my wife

and two boys and was really impressed. Opening

this year will be their first resort outside of Greece in

Andalucía, Spain.

Their chic and stylish family-friendly resorts

effortlessly combine five-star service with the ease

and comfort of luxury all-inclusive. You won’t find

any wristbands or long queues at buffets here. The

quality of the food and beverages offered is superb

and it was certainly a cut above many other allinclusives

I have stayed at.

New hotels like these in familiar areas such as

the Marbella area don’t happen very often. It is

refreshing to see Ikos take on the challenge in such

a popular and vibrant resort. Just one hour from

Malaga airport, it will no doubt be popular with

British tourists who are already familiar with the area

but seek somewhere new to try.

Over in the Balearic Islands, Ibiza welcomes two

new luxury hotels this year. Famous for its nightlife

and party weekends, the island also has a more

sophisticated side with popular up-market beach

clubs, sunset bars and now more luxury hotels on

offer too. There are plenty of flights from the UK

but its popularity and small size does mean we

recommend booking early.

Six Senses are known for their resorts in Thailand,

Oman and the Maldives but recently expanded into

Cambodia, Portugal and China. This year the group

plans to open in Ibiza and Israel. Their hotels always

have dramatic locations and a real wow factor.

Their Ibiza hotel is located in the north east of the

island above the crystalline waters of Cala Xarraca

Bay. Like all their properties, the hotel is designed to

reflect its surroundings seamlessly. Design elements

are earthy and natural whilst comfort, wellness and

relaxation play an important role. The hotel will be

a unique sanctuary, away from the crazy wild side of

the island. As a small island however, everything is

within easy reach if you need a party fix.

Due to open this July, Six Senses Ibiza will be the

talk of the town and we are really looking forward to

visiting and showcasing it to our clients. We’ve stayed

at some of their Thailand properties and they are

really special indeed as they offer a unique take on

modern luxury.

Staying with the laidback luxury theme is the new

Oku Ibiza, just outside Sant Antoni. If you want to

be closer to the action this will be a great option. The

hotel continues the current luxury trend for moving

28 www.jaimemagazine.com

away from gold taps and marble bathrooms, instead

opting for earthy tones, inspired by Japanese design

like their original hotel on the Greek Island of Kos.

Oku Ibiza has one of the largest pools on the island

and 200 rooms which includes an ocean view

penthouse and private four-bedroom villa. This is

another unique new hotel for Ibiza. Combined with

Six Senses and the Kempinski 7Pines which opened

in 2018, we are reminded that Ibiza is one of the

most aspirational luxury places to stay in the world.

Staying in the Mediterranean, we are excited to hear

about the new Four Seasons San Domenico Palace

in Taormina, Sicily. This iconic hotel dates back to

1896 and was really popular with our clients as well

as famous names such as Oscar Wilde, King Edward

VIII, Elizabeth Taylor, Audrey Hepburn and Sophia

Loren. Four Seasons has totally refurbished this 14th

century monastery. It’s close proximity to the town,

stunning infinity pool and Four Seasons luxurious

style and standards mean this hotel will no doubt

attract a lot of attention this summer.

The chic Greek island of Mykonos welcomes an

extraordinary ensemble of boutique villas that

overlook the turquoise Aegean Sea. The Myconian

Panoptis Escape has an exclusive, hilltop position,

surrounded by the wild, natural sun-caressed beauty

of Mykonos. This island sanctuary promises serenity

in every sense. Think soft breezes, soul-affirming

views, mesmerising sunsets and exceptional service.

Bound by imaginative contemporary architecture,

minimalist styling and artisan craftsmanship,

everything about Panoptis Escape is the definition of

less is more. I hope to visit Mykonos in June for my

wedding anniversary and look forward to comparing

it to our visit to the quieter Santorini a few years

back.

New Rail Route

Over the Atlantic, the famous Rocky Mountaineer

Railroad with its domed viewing cars has expanded

from Canada south into the USA. The new scenic

route from Colorado to Utah is a really exciting

development for the company and we expect this to

be popular. Many clients have already enjoyed the

stunning journey through the Canadian Rockies

and now have the opportunity to enjoy a different

view and country with the same level of service and

experiences.

The new itinerary is called Journey through the Red

Rocks and offers two days of varying landscapes

through Moab, Utah and Denver, Colorado. You

will witness vast canyons, inspiring deserts, natural

archways and enchanting hoodoos, the famous rock

formations the area is well known for.

Many highlights best seen by train include Ruby

Canyon, Mount Logan and crossing the Continental

Divide. You can also add on pre and post extensions

with options to start or end your journey in Las

Vegas or Salt Lake City.

New Flights and Airline Innovations

Airlines have understandably been forced to reassess

their schedules following the pandemic. This has

resulted in a number of new routes too. Many of

these are in anticipation to holiday demand this

summer including Turkey, Cyprus and Greece, the

latter of which has a number of new flights later into

the autumn as holiday companies look to extend the

summer season.

Birmingham welcomes a new direct service to

Gibraltar as well as Athens which will be good news

to cruise lovers as many Mediterranean cruises

depart from the Greek capital. To fulfil demand

to the West Country, there is a new Manchester

to Newquay flight too. Long haul, Boston will be

connected to Heathrow with a new service from

United Airlines.

Emirates have responded to demand to allow

passengers to purchase empty seats around them

to have more free space if they wish. They are also

in the process of rolling out their new Premium

Economy cabin on select A380 services. Services

from Birmingham are due to continue as they prove

popular to connect holidaymakers to the Arabian

Peninsula and onwards to Asia and Australasia.

Additional flights are also being laid on from

Birmingham to Majorca from a number of airlines

including Eurowings who launch their first holiday

routes to the UK.

Finally, Aer Lingus are moving into the long-haul

market from Manchester with a direct service to

Orlando, Boston and New York.

Cruise holidays

Pre-pandemic, the cruise industry was literally

riding a wave of huge popularity. Despite the pause

in operations and some changes in fleets there

are still many new ships, itineraries and product

enhancements in the pipeline.

There are so many different types of cruise holidays

now on offer, from large ships with endless things

to do, to luxury liners offering more space per

passenger, luxury yacht cruises that can access

smaller ports and coastal routes to popular river

cruises which can book up very early (especially on

the Douro in Portugal).

The ultra-luxurious cruise line Regent Seven Seas

recently announced they will position one of their

ships in Barbados this winter instead of Miami.

This move will certainly be attractive to UK cruises

as they will be able to fly direct from the UK to the

Caribbean island, bypassing the USA where their

cruises usually depart from. I toured one of Regent’s

ships last year and was struck by the vast amount

of space onboard. The ships take around 700

passengers so a lot less than some of the larger lines.

Celebrity Cruises have adapted their board basis to

be all-inclusive as a minimum. They offer additional

packages to upgrade to, but all cruisers can now

relax knowing their drinks, WIFI and gratuities are

all included.

For those looking for a more adventurous cruise,

destinations such as the Galapagos and Antarctica

are seeing new ships and itineraries go on sale right

up to 2023.

These smaller vessels and unique

expert-led itineraries are always

popular and following a year of

paused operations it is no surprise

they are on sale so far in advance to

fulfil pent up demand. My fellow MD

Oliver visited the Galapagos so can

offer his take on the variety of ships

and itineraries.

One of these purpose-built

expedition ships is the Seabourn

Venture. The first of the line’s two

new Polar class vessels has only

132 suites with two custom-built

submarines, kayaks and 24 Zodiac boats.

Smaller still, luxury yachts allow you to cruise

smaller ports and coasts. In recent years these have

been popular in Croatia and Montenegro as well as

around the Greek Islands.

Emerald are well known for river cruises and are now

offering itineraries on their new purpose built, 110

metre long, 5* luxury yacht. You’ll be one of only

100 guests onboard with plenty of space and a really

personalised and intimate experience. Itineraries

commence in 2022 and will explore the Adriatic

Coast, Eastern Mediterranean, the Red Sea, Western

Mediterranean and in 2023 the Black Sea.

Closer to home and more imminent (pending

government permission), a number of the large

cruise brands such as P&O, Princess, Hurtigruten,

Cunard and Fred Olsen have all announced plans for

UK cruises this summer. This is another example of

how the industry is adapting to consumer demand to

stay closer to home for now.

Other new ships on the horizon include Virgin

Voyages three new vessels: Scarlet Lady, Valiant

Lady and Resilient Lady. Due to launch just before

the pandemic, Virgin aims to disrupt the cruise

industry offering their own take on the large cruise

experience. Their uniquely designed ships offer a

younger vibe.

As you can see, there are lots of developments in

the world of travel and we are all gearing up for

an exciting time ahead. The pent-up demand will

no doubt mean many of the new offerings will be

popular and book up early. My advice is to secure

your places as far in advance as possible and at

the time check the flexibility and conditions when

booking which should now be much more favourable

than before the pandemic.

To discuss your next special holiday give

me a call on 01543 258631 or email

vip@rbcollection.com. Remember to

mention J’aime magazine when you call.

30 www.jaimemagazine.com

OPEN

FOR NEW

RESIDENTS

REMAIN

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We are a trusted, local family, dedicated to providing

a truly personal service for those who need us

Burials, Horse-drawn Funerals, Bespoke

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The perfect ‘Home from Home’

at Rosemary Lodge in Lichfield

Rosemary Lodge Care Home for

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way from the bustling City Centre of

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Rosemary Lodge is light, spacious and

beautifully decorated, offering residents

just the right combination of interest,

activity and relaxation. It is a place that

encourages residents to retain their

independence and individuality whilst

being fully supported to live a fulfilled

and enjoyable life.

Rosemary Lodge Care Home is a family

run concern, and has been a highlyregarded

part of the community for

almost 30 years. Offering 24 hour care,

our fully trained staff work together to

communicate with residents and ensure

personal care needs are met in a fully

person-centred approach, thus building

an important relationship of trust and

friendship.

Our two qualified chefs offer a

nutritionally balanced and varied

menu, (catering for any special dietary

requirements) using fresh, locally

sourced produce and served in a

spacious dining room that offers views

out towards the Orangery and to the

gardens and fountain. The Orangery also

creates a perfect space for residents,

family and friends to meet up, chat,

enjoy coffee and snacks and take

advantage of the sunshine, no matter

the season! The on-site hair and beauty

salon also ensures that little bit of

pampering is always available.

All rooms are en-suite, and are

designed to comfortably accommodate

individuals and couples. There is full

WiFi connectivity throughout to allow

residents the opportunity of keeping in

touch with family and friends through

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Regular activities and entertainment

such as movement-to music, musical

theatre groups, pet therapy, pub lunches

and visits to local events are regularly

organised, but privacy and peace-andquiet

is also ensured in this beautiful

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trips and community activities are just

on the doorstep.

Our commitment to offering just the

right amount of care and support

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value our staff highly, and recognise that

their care and commitment are a great

part of our success.

We also offer respite care, holiday

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Manager, please see contact details

below.

All-inclusive Funeral Packages for

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01543 529813 (Anytime)

Visit our web and Facebook sites to see our reviews

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191 Walsall Road, Lichfield. Staffs.

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For more information please contact

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01543 415223 - Email: roselodgehome@aol.com

www.rosemarylodgecarehome.co.uk

FA S H I O N

Between the lines

IT’S TIME TO EARN YOUR FASHION STRIPES IN THE MOST

VERSATILE PRINT FOR SPRING, SAYS AMY NORBURY

HORIZONTAL or vertical, diagonal or zig-zag;

when it comes to prints, there’s one particular

standout as we head into the warmer months.

Fashion’s love affair with stripes is welldocumented,

with this perennial favourite

popping up in multiple guises from season to

season. From the preppiness of the ultra-classic

Breton stripe to the playful rainbows which make

up fashion giant Missoni’s signature look, it’s a

look which we’ve turned to time and time again.

And perhaps that’s part of the message behind

some of the trends which have emerged for

spring and summer; in times of uncertainty,

there’s comfort to be found in sticking to what

you know and making the most of what you

have. After all, most of us will have some stripey

numbers lurking in our wardrobes which can be

resurrected and refreshed for 2021.

So, how to wear your stripes this season? Well,

the bigger, the bolder, the better was the message

from the SS21 catwalks, where everyone from

Burberry to Bottega Veneta was toeing the line

with stripes galore.

The freshest way to incorporate stripes was a

case of ‘more is more’, with head-to-toe and

rainbow brights emerging as the most impactive

iterations.

Elsewhere, monochrome magic came into

its own as the pared-back palette offered an

elegantly wearable take on the trend.

Team a classic Breton striped top with widelegged

trousers for instant casual chic, opt for a

striped blazer as your spring outerwear of choice

or feel spring fresh with a striped midi dress,

perfect for dressing up or down as the occasion

demands.

For a bolder touch, look to animal prints; zebra

and tiger stripes offer a playful take on the trend,

or add a stripey splash with striped detailing on

block colour.

STRIPED MIDI DRESS IN LINEN BLEND, £70, MONSOON.

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32 www.jaimemagazine.com

£45

£39

£235

£65

STRIPED KNITTED TOP, KHOST

CLOTHING AT M&CO.

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STRIPED STRETCH MIDI SKIRT, VICTORIA,

VICTORIA BECKHAM AT HARVEY NICHOLS.

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LINEN MIDI DRESS, KHOST CLOTHING

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STRIPE SHIRT DRESS, MONSOON.

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JUMPER, MAX MARA AT HARVEY NICHOLS.

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CANPAR CANDY STRIPED DRESS, £179,

TED BAKER. WWW.TEDBAKER.COM

PINK AND RED SWAT TOP, £39.50, AND

JOGGERS, £45, OLIVER BONAS.

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#LOVELOCAL

J’AIME

#LoveLocal Hair and Beauty

AS HAIR AND BEAUTY BUSINESSES PREPARE TO REOPEN THIS MONTH, WE CAUGHT UP WITH THE

OWNER OF AN INDEPENDENT SALON IN STAFFORDSHIRE TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT HER PLANS

If you can’t wait to head back to the hairdressers to

have your unruly mop sorted out then just imagine

how frustrating it must feel for stylists who have been

waiting months to pick up their scissors once again.

Fringe, in Upper Brook Street, Rugeley, is one of

so many salons around the UK eagerly awaiting

reopening day on April 12.

“There are so many of us in this boat,” says business

owner Anna Waterworth. “We have four stylists,

three helpers and a beautician and we’re selfemployed.

“We’ve been doing this for a long time and all have

our own regular clients, who we can’t wait to see

again.”

For Anna, the stop and start nature of trying to trade

around three national lockdowns has been difficult

but she says she was pleasantly surprised when it was

announced salons would be amongst the first wave of

businesses to reopen.

“Hairdressers were amongst the last to reopen after

the first lockdown, but it worked out pretty good

for us this time. At this stage the opening date is still

provisional, but we’re going to carry on making plans

to reopen until we’re told otherwise.

Anna, who has owned the business for five years, has

put in place a number of safety measures including

dividing screens between customers. Staff will wear

both a mask and a visor, a plastic apron plus gloves

wherever possible.

“We have to ask clients to wait outside until it’s their

turn, rather than in an indoor waiting area, but

everyone has been very good about that,” she says.

Anna says she and the team are genuinely excited

about getting back to a job that they all love.

“Our job is so sociable, it’s a happy job,” she says.

“We all love what we do, we all love coming to work.

“Over the years our clients have become our friends,

in fact sometimes we end up seeing them more than

we see members of our own family.

“We’ve been getting lots of texts from people saying

they can’t wait to be back in the chair and having a

pamper session.

“Going to a salon is a treat for a lot of women. It’s

time out, something for them and they can’t wait to

get back to that.”

Fringe will reopen its phone line for bookings from

April 1 and Anna is expecting an initial surge of

interest.

She adds: “Like all salons, the pandemic has

definitely put us in a difficult financial situation, but

we just can’t wait to welcome people back.”

Fringe, Upper Brook Street, Rugeley,

www.fringe-hairsalon.co.uk

34 www.jaimemagazine.com

eyond the horizon

Let’s create something to look forward to

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

Spring is in the air...

is there a spring in your step?

Or are you concerned about your

profit because your people are not

performing well or just don’t ‘get it’?

Ripple HR can help with HR ISO9001 processes

which support your business through tough

times and good times.

Call us to talk about how Positive HR

can ripple through your business.

07771 780 146

jane.galvez@ripple-hr.co.uk

ripple-hr.co.uk

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.

B E AU T Y

Why you need a moisturiser

WHEN IT COMES TO LOOKING AFTER YOUR SKIN A MOISTURISER IS INVALUABLE, BUT

WHICH ONE IS BEST FOR YOU? WE ASKED CELEBRITY FACIALIST AND FOUNDER OF HEAVEN

SKINCARE DEBORAH MITCHELL TO TAKE US BACK TO THE BASICS

Put simply a moisturiser is used to protect,

hydrate and lubricate the complexion.

Because the skin on your face is thinner

than anywhere else on your body it can

become dehydrated; by not keeping skin

moisturised it quickly shows early signs of

ageing.

Think about it, you wouldn’t go a day

without drinking water, right? So don’t

go a day without hydrating your skin; the

benefits of using the correct moisturiser

will be visible years into the future.

HOW TO MOISTURISE

Apply a small amount of moisturiser onto

your face and gently massage with your

fingertips, not forgetting to cover the allimportant

neck area. Choose a product

that is designed for your skin type – for example, a

gentle formula for more sensitive skin – and opt for a

specific cream for your delicate eye area.

Some people make the mistake of only applying

moisturiser when their skin feels dry but you should

be applying it every day, morning and night. After

cleansing, exfoliating and toning your skin you

should then apply the correct moisturiser for your

skin type.

FOR DRY OR DAMAGED SKIN:

My signature Silver Bee Venom Mask works to

control facial muscles by tightening, firming and

lifting and at the same time penetrates fine lines for

an immediate anti-ageing effect. Apply after your

cleansing routine and combine with a serum for

long-term results.

FOR MATURE SKIN:

My Divine Cream contains organic mandarin and

orange, both natural sources of Vitamin C which

help boost collagen and elastin while working to

reduce pigmentation, acne scarring and blemishes.

It’s light on the skin, making it the perfect all-day

cream.

FOR NIGHT TIME:

Thanks to its vitamin B content, Heaven’s Overnight

Success Cream releases oxygen to detoxify and

replenish your complexion. Perfect for dull or

damaged skin, it can also be used during the day –

especially in the summer – and also helps keep acne

at bay and controls rosacea.

FOR EVERY DAY:

My Youthful Moisturiser is designed to bring all

skin types – even the most sensitive – back to a state

of equilibrium. It may feel light in the skin but its

innovative formula means it long-lasting too. It’s

great if you suffer from blackheads and enlarged

pores.

FOR YOUR EYE AREA:

My vegan Nettle Venom Eyes is designed to ease

puffiness and dark circles while relaxing fine lines

and wrinkles. It’s light enough so that it doesn’t

weigh down the area yet effective enough to really

make the eyes glow.

You can shop the complete range of moisturisers

exclusively online at heavenskincare.com

36 www.jaimemagazine.com

PUT YOUR HANDS IN OUR HANDS

DO YOU FEEL SYMPTOMS OF PAIN, CLICKING,

NUMBNESS OR TINGLING IN YOUR HANDS?

HAVE YOU NOTICED ANY SIGNS OF HAND LUMPS,

SWELLINGS OR MUSCLE WASTING?

If you answered yes - see below for some common hand conditions.

Carpal Tunnel – Common symptoms include pins and needles, numbness

and tingling in the fingers waking you from sleep.

Trigger Finger – Signs of finger locking and clicking in the fingers and

thumb.

Dupuytren’s Contracture - A thickening of skin in the palm and fingers

are experienced, along with a fixed bending of the fingers meaning hands

cannot be placed comfortably flat on a table.

Arthritis of the Thumb – Signs include a general dull ache around the

thumb base, which may mean sufferers struggle to open tight jars. The

thumb position may change.

If you detect any signs or symptoms of a hand condition, let the Midland

Hand Clinic help you to reach the correct diagnosis and receive the right

treatment.

More and more people are choosing to pay for their treatment and find

costs are often less than they had anticipated.

Online consultations are available as well as face to face appointments, if

you would like to be seen but would prefer not to attend a hospital setting.

For more information visit www.midlandhandclinic.com

Midland Hand Clinic lead by Mr G Shyamalan FRCS

NHS consultant hand surgeon.

All patients welcome whether you have private medical

insurance or you are self-paying.

Hand Clinic PA: Pam Dziubany

Email: pdziubany@hotmail.com

Call: 07815 460786 - 01827 892952

www.midlandhandclinic.com

H E A LT H

Squat hard or go home

LICHFIELD PERSONAL TRAINER RAÚL ROMERO TALKS SQUATS

AND JUST HOW TRANSFORMATIONAL THEY CAN BE

For years, squats have been a firm favourite of

trainers to work out the lower body. They can

have a whole array of benefits that can truly

be transformational if performed correctly and

consistently. So what exactly are those benefits?

Strengthening and toning the muscles

Squats predominantly work our lower bodies,

specifically the quadriceps and glutes. The position

of the knees in particular, when bent to a 90 degree

angle or lower, helps activate these muscle groups

effectively. They also work the abductors, adductors,

hamstrings and calves. To top it off, they engage our

core muscles with stabilising the body during the

movement. They really are a win win in terms of

versatility in engaging so many muscles.

Burning calories and losing weight.

This is probably one of the most common goals I

hear from my clients and squats are a great way to

help make this happen. Squats, used as a strength

exercise, can be an important part of any successful

weight loss plan. Regular strength training helps

increase our metabolism and can decrease body fat.

The great thing is that squats work so many muscles

simultaneously. This ensures an extra boost of

calorie burning and increase of anabolic hormone

production, which is one of the main hormones

that help lose fat and build muscle.

Reduced risk of injury.

Squat movements strengthen the

tendons, bones and ligaments around

the leg muscles, and can help take

some of the load off our knees and

ankles, thus helping to reduce the

risk of injury. Of course, once we

lose weight (which again can be

accelerated by incorporating squats

into our workouts), there is a lower

load on our joints which in turn also

helps to reduce the risk of injury.

To reap all of these benefits, how can

we perform the perfect squat?

38 www.jaimemagazine.com

• Stand up straight with your feet shoulderwidth

apart and your chest facing forward.

• Bend the knees and hips, sticking your bottom

out as if you’re sitting down on a chair.

• Squat down until your thighs are parallel to

the floor. Then squat a bit lower so your hips

are below parallel. Your knees from above

should be behind your toes.

• Pause for a second. Your back should be

straight, not curved at all.

• Press into your heels and straighten your legs

to return to the upright, standing position.

For more detailed instructions and to check your

technique it’s always best to contact a qualified

personal trainer in order to avoid injury from

incorrect technique.

Variations

Variety is the spice of life. There are a whole

range of different types of squats that can be

incorporated into workouts to help keep them

fun and varied. It’s so easy to get bored of

always performing the same old exercises so

adding variety to our workouts will really help

with maintaining motivation and not getting

bored and giving up. Different squats also

target the muscles slightly differently, for

example squatting with the legs further apart

works the inner thighs and glutes a little more

than the quads.

If a squat variation includes an upper-body

movement, like an overhead press, our upper

bodies will then also be worked (in this case

some shoulder and arm work).

Squat variations that include plyometrics,

like a jump, can increase our heart rate

quickly, making them great for combining

cardio training as well as lower body strength

training.

Equipment can be used to vary squat

workouts, such as dumbbells, kettlebells,

barbells and resistance bands.

My clients’ firm squat favourites are: sumo

squats, single leg squats, prisoner squats, front

squats, squat pulses, squat jumps, narrow

squats and overhead squats. There are many

more to choose from and enjoy in your

workouts.

For more information on squats, squat

techniques or anything else fitness related,

contact Raul at raul@ambitionpt.co.uk

or via social media. Happy squatting!

H E A LT H

Your health’s best friend

THEY’RE MAN’S BEST FRIEND, BUT DID YOU KNOW THAT DOGS CAN ALSO HELP IMPROVE OUR

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH? JENNY AMPHLETT HAS BEEN FINDING OUT MORE

When Cheryl Beaumont’s husband was

left disabled after an accident their GP

made a surprising recommendation to

improve family life - getting a pet dog.

Cheryl, who was in her mid-20s at the

time, had recently lost her mum and was

in the midst of grief as well as dealing

with her husband’s health issues.

“Our doctor recognised that we both

needed something else to focus on,” says

Cheryl.

“My husband suffered a back injury

and still has a lot of pain from that. The

advice was that a dog would give him

something else to focus on, that it would

get him out of the house and help to

keep him active.

“I needed something else to focus on too,

something that would bring a little bit of

happiness and joy back into my life.”

Fast forward nearly two decades and

Cheryl, now 43, and husband Simon, 49,

are devoted dog owners.

They have two dogs, a patterjack called

Ozzy and a jackapoo called Star. Cheryl

says she and Simon both feel the mental

and physical health benefits of being dog

owners.

“My husband is able to work full time but

he still suffers with a lot of pain and his

condition is progressive. Having the dogs

gets him out of the house to walk them.

When you have dogs you don’t really

have a choice in the matter.”

Cheryl’s job involves delivering health

and social care training at care homes across the East

Midlands.

She was furloughed for four weeks at the beginning

of lockdown while key worker Simon left the house

each day to work in mental health. Cheryl says the

dogs helped to get her through that difficult time.

“Having dogs gives you a focus and a reason to get

up and get dressed in the morning, because the dogs

need a walk.

“Having dogs forces you to get out and about, to get

exercise and to see people.

“Then there’s the unconditional love you receive

from dogs. They’re always happy to see you - you

can’t be in a bad mood when you come home and

see your dogs.

40 www.jaimemagazine.com

“You could be gone for five minutes but to them it’s

as if you’ve been gone for hours. There’s so much

affection from them.”

Cheryl’s job has also given her an insight into

the role animals can play in a care environment,

particularly with elderly patients or patients with

Alzheimers.

“I’ve observed a pet activity, where a carer brought

in her cat from home for elderly residents in a care

home to spend time with. People could touch and

stroke the cat and have it sitting on their knee.

“It worked fantastically. The residents who took

part thoroughly enjoyed it and got a lot out of the

experience.

“I think for some of them it brought back memories

of their own pets. Being able to play with an animal,

to touch and cuddle it, meant such a lot to them. It’s

an activity that would work particularly well with

patients with dementia.”

For Cheryl, the many benefits of dog ownership far

outweigh the financial costs involved.

“Dogs aren’t very expensive really, not when you

think of the happiness they bring to your life.

“They give you a purpose - you’ve got to walk, clean,

bath and feed them. They also give you so much love

and can do wonders for your wellbeing.”

Dog ownership has soared during

lockdown, with extra time at home

prompting many families to consider taking

on a pet.

According to research by Ipsos MORI, nearly

half of families who already owned a dog

introduced at least one new animal to their

family during lockdown.

Around 80% of dog owners credit their pets

with helping them to stay fit and active and

around 40% say they are now taking their

dogs for longer and more frequent walks.

Around 37% of people who worked from

home during lockdown say they feel they

now have a stronger relationship with their

animals than they did before the pandemic.

According to the RSPCA the physical

benefits of dog ownership include improved

cardiovascular health, increased physical

activity, fewer visits to the doctor and

reduced risk of allergies for children.

Mental health benefits can include a more

structured life, enforced exercise and fresh

air, stress relief, reduced loneliness and

unconditional love.

www.jaimemagazine.com

F E AT U R E

A supportive start

A LOCAL ONLINE SUPPORT GROUP HAS BECOME AN INVALUABLE SOURCE OF ADVICE,

COMFORT AND LISTENING FOR NEW PARENTS STRUGGLING THROUGH AN UNPRECEDENTED

START TO THEIR PARENTHOOD JOURNEYS. AMY NORBURY DISCOVERS MORE

When mum-of-two Helen Campbell spotted a

Facebook post on a Lichfield community group by a

new mum, it got her thinking about just how much

the coronavirus pandemic and lockdown restrictions

were affecting pregnant women and new parents at

one of the most incredible - and yet daunting - times

of their lives.

With women facing scans and hospital appointments

alone and new parents left with limited contact from

health professionals, new rules meaning extended

families were unable to meet new additions, and

the closure of face-to-face baby groups which many

parents rely on in those early days, the journey into

new parenthood had suddenly become a lonely one.

“When my first, Toby was born I depended upon a

support network, new friends, old friends, meeting

mummy friends, so much to get you through those

first few months that is the amazing whirlwind of

having a newborn,” says Helen.

“At the point of the first lockdown being announced,

I couldn’t stop thinking about all those poor new

parents, this whole section of the community, who

were going to be completely without that support

network.

“Then I saw a post from a new mum on the

Facebook Lichfield community group looking for a

takeaway recommendation because she had a daysold

baby and wanted somewhere that was going to

be safe to collect from. I remember those early days

when you just need food bundles being delivered to

your house by your friends and family, so I contacted

her and asked if I could take some food around to

her.

“Later I messaged her to ask that if I set up a

Facebook group to put pregnant ladies and new

parents in touch with each other, would that be

helpful, and she said yes. So I did.”

Now, a year later, the Lichfield 2020 Babies and

Beyond Facebook group is celebrating its first

anniversary with some 1,100 members, having

become a lifeline for local parents and parents-to-be

THE LICHFIELD 2020 BABIES AND BEYOND FACEBOOK

GROUP HAS BEEN AN INVALUABLE SUPPORT FOR LOCAL

PARENTS DURING THE PANDEMIC

at a time when many traditional forms of support

have been unavailable.

“I’m immensely proud how everyone within the

group has made it into such an amazing community,”

says Helen. “Everyone is so genuine and so kind. I’m

overwhelmed with how much support, love, care and

thoughtfulness there is in the group, with people who

haven’t even met each other.

“When you’re a new parent and you’re flustered

by everything, having other mums and dads come

forward to help out is just the best thing.”

The group has also attracted the attention of local

healthcare professionals, with many health visitors

joining so they can be on hand to share their wisdom

and offer advice directly.

Local businesses offering everything from baby

classes to buggy refurbishment to breastfeeding

support have also joined, able to offer their services

straight to the people who need them.

“Going forward, there are so many ideas as to what

we can do,” says Helen. “It’s great that we can help

local businesses as well as local mums and dads who

are desperate for these services.”

And between lockdowns, the group has spilled over

from online friendships to real-life support, with

buggy walks, meet-ups and baby groups arranged.

“Just knowing that we, as a group, have helped

people through this time is amazing,” says Helen.

“Hearing that people have made friends for life,

or met people that, in that moment of need, have

helped them, feels really special. I’m so proud of

what this group has become.”

42 www.jaimemagazine.com

Discover that hidden gem with your local auctioneer

Probate and formal valuations

for inheritance tax purposes

Our reliable and sympathetic

team can assist all executors in the

administration of deceased estates

From jewellery and large

collections to cars, furniture and

household items, we handle

everything

Comprehensive, bespoke

clearance service and

downsizing solutions

We handle clearance of an entire

estate from houses, bungalows and

flats to offices and all

other buildings

We specialise in:

Antique and modern jewellery

Watches

Gemstones

Silverware

Coins, medals and militaria

Works of art

Whisky and wine

Vintage toys

Stamps and ephemera

Cameras and record collections

Scientific equipment

Antique and modern furniture

Modern toys and Pokémon

Musical instruments

Qualified

All members of our jewellery

department are certified

gemmologists and

diamond graders

Record-breaking

international sales

More than 3,800 bidders from

all over the world joined our

online auctions last month

Online services available

Virtual estimates, online auctions

and contactless collections.

‘Click and collect’ service

for consignments strictly by

appointment only

FREE AND SAFE SERVICES

Virtual valuations on everything from jewellery,

watches, pictures, furniture and all your antiques

Start the conversation by emailing images and details

of your items directly to our valuers via our website

Free contactless courier service available

Safe online auctions held most Mondays

Established – Professional – Transparent

The Winterton family name has been synonymous

with auctioneering in Staffordshire since 1864

HOUSE CLEARANCE

We don’t cherry-pick!

Whole properties cleared including

garages, sheds and gardens.

“Look after the pennies and

the pounds will look after

themselves!”

01543 251081

www.richardwinterton.co.uk

richardwinterton@richardwinterton.co.uk

The Lichfield Auction Centre

Wood End Lane

Fradley Park

WS13 8NF

J'Aime Ad 190x280 - Feb and ideas 2021.indd 1 03/02/2021 15:55

44 www.jaimemagazine.com

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