J'AIME SEPTEMBER 2021
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S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 1<br />
J’AIME<br />
Y O U R L O C A L L U X U R Y L I F E S T Y L E M A G A Z I N E<br />
Autumn<br />
style<br />
UPDATES FOR HOME<br />
& WARDROBE<br />
LOVE<br />
CHEESE<br />
LIVE:<br />
A new food and<br />
drink weekender<br />
comes to the<br />
Midlands<br />
Win!<br />
An online masterclass<br />
with MasterChef’s<br />
Bart Van der Lee<br />
THE LICHFIELD GIN<br />
HONOURING BABIES<br />
BORN DURING THE<br />
PANDEMIC
P R E P<br />
A thousand years of lear ning; you r limitless f ut u re.<br />
A world-class boarding and day school in the hear t of the Midlands f rom 3-13.<br />
OPEN DAY: SATURDAY 2 OCTOBER <strong>2021</strong><br />
“ WE WANT OUR<br />
CHILDREN TO<br />
STAY CHILDREN<br />
FOR LONGER.”<br />
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Call 01283 559222 or email admissions@repton.org.uk to book a place on our Open Day.
Welcome to J’AIME<br />
What a difference a year makes! As we head into<br />
autumn, this year we’ve swapped whispers of<br />
lockdowns for getting out and about, and Zoom<br />
gatherings for dinner dates with friends. Of course,<br />
there’s still plenty to be cautious about post-Covid, but<br />
the hope that life is getting back to normal is very real.<br />
One man tasked with reviving the area in the wake of<br />
the pandemic is West Midlands mayor Andy Street,<br />
who was elected for a second term earlier this year. We<br />
catch up with him to discover more about his plans for<br />
the region’s future.<br />
We also talk to a Lichfield couple who have created a<br />
new gin to honour all of the babies born during the<br />
pandemic, which will be raising funds for maternity<br />
charity Pregnant Then Screwed.<br />
If you’re a foodie, we’ve got an action-packed<br />
issue for you, with news of a brand new food and<br />
drink weekender coming to Staffordshire, featuring<br />
celebrity chefs James Martin, Marco Pierre White and<br />
Michel Roux Jr, plus you can win an online culinary<br />
masterclass with MasterChef: The Professionals<br />
finalist Bart Van der Lee.<br />
The past 18 months have been a challenging time<br />
for many small, independent businesses - something<br />
which we at J’AIME know all too well. As a<br />
completely independent publication, we are proud<br />
that we’ve survived these unprecedented times, and<br />
we remain passionate about supporting other small,<br />
independent businesses along the way - it would be<br />
great if our readers would join in and continue to<br />
support the businesses in our community.<br />
If you enjoy what you read in this issue, then why not<br />
help us to spread the word? As well as being delivered<br />
directly to homes in selected postcodes across the<br />
area, you can pick J’AIME up free of charge in major<br />
supermarkets around the Midlands, as well as read the<br />
whole thing - and plenty more! - online at<br />
www.jaimemagazine.com<br />
We hope, as always, that our upbeat, positive content<br />
will help to put a smile on your face. Enjoy!<br />
EDITOR: AMY NORBURY<br />
EDITOR@JAIMEMAGAZINE.COM<br />
ADVERTISING: JAN ASHLEY<br />
ADVERTISING@JAIMEMAGAZINE.COM<br />
07388 335 931<br />
DESIGN: DESIGN@JAIMEMAGAZINE.COM<br />
CONTRIBUTORS: GARY PHELPS, JENNY<br />
AMPHLETT, JAZZ SHERGILL, NATHAN<br />
COLLINS, SUSIE MANDLEBERG, DEBORAH<br />
MITCHELL, RAUL ROMERO<br />
J’AIME IS PUBLISHED BY ASHBURY<br />
PUBLICATIONS LIMITED.<br />
Check us out online at:<br />
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CO N T E N T S<br />
InsideJ’aime this month...<br />
6 Elvins Gin - The Lichfield gin inspired by<br />
babies of the pandemic<br />
10 Andy Street - The West Midlands Mayor on his<br />
plans for the future of the region<br />
12 Property - Property of the month<br />
14 Property - A successful first year<br />
18 Interiors - See red for autumn<br />
22 Interiors - Let there be light<br />
26 Paralympics - Jack Hodgson goes for gold,<br />
with help from Steven Hale Hearing<br />
28 Food and drink - Reviewing Hoar Cross Hall<br />
30 Food and drink - A sumptuous salad from<br />
Thyme Kitchen<br />
32 Food and drink - Love Cheese Live comes to<br />
Staffordshire, and you can win tickets<br />
36 Competition - Win an online culinary<br />
masterclass with Bart Van der Lee<br />
40 Staffordshire author - Debbi Vosey discusses<br />
her debut novella<br />
44 Travel - Holidaying in a post-pandemic world<br />
47 Health - Lichfield personal trainer Raul<br />
Romero on being the healthiest version of you<br />
50 What’s On - Events around the Midlands this<br />
month<br />
54 Fashion - Transitional style<br />
56 Beauty - Take it off, says Heaven Skincare’s<br />
Deborah Mitchell<br />
57 Beauty - Our pick of the best face serums<br />
60 In the news - From field to fashion for luxury<br />
British brand<br />
62 In the news - Capturing perfect moments<br />
64 Health - Sight-saving surgery for world title<br />
hopeful<br />
66 In the news - A new opening for family funeral<br />
company<br />
SPONSORED BY<br />
4
F E AT U R E<br />
For our babies<br />
A NEW GIN, CREATED BY A LICHFIELD COUPLE TO HONOUR ALL OF THE<br />
BABIES BORN DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC HAS JUST HIT THE SHELVES.<br />
AMY NORBURY DISCOVERS MORE<br />
MATHEW AND MARIA HUNTER, WITH<br />
THEIR SONS ELLIS AND ELVIN<br />
When the Covid-19 pandemic hit, it affected life in<br />
myriad ways.<br />
Among the chaos, pregnant women and new parents<br />
had an additional layer of worry, with conflicting<br />
advice and uncertainty as to how Covd-19 may affect<br />
their babies, both in utero and as newborns.<br />
Faced with midwife visits, hospital appointments and<br />
scans alone, and with medical staff hidden behind<br />
layers of PPE, it added unprecedented worry to what<br />
is, an already highly emotional time.<br />
As a mental health nurse, working predominantly<br />
with women and mothers, maternal mental health is<br />
a cause extremely close to Maria Hunter’s heart.<br />
And this came to the fore last year when the 30-yearold,<br />
from Lichfield, gave birth to her second son<br />
Elvin in October, following a pandemic-dominated<br />
pregnancy - and just as the country headed into<br />
lockdown for the second time.<br />
It was a tumultuous time for Maria, as it was for<br />
all pregnant women and new parents, with the<br />
pandemic presenting many challenges as she got<br />
to grips with the isolation of being a new mum in<br />
lockdown, as well as balancing the needs of baby<br />
Elvin with homeschooling her eldest son, five-yearold<br />
Ellis.<br />
Now, as the country is getting back to a sense of<br />
normality, Maria is determined to commemorate the<br />
experience of being a pandemic parent.<br />
So alongside husband Mathew, Maria has created<br />
Elvins Gin, in honour of their little own Elvin and all<br />
of the babies born while coronavirus raged on.<br />
While a gin may seem like a leftfield choice in the<br />
circumstances, any parent who has endured enforced<br />
homeschooling will testify to the pleasure of a chilled<br />
G and T at the end of the week. And for the couple,<br />
it’s a case of doing what they know best.<br />
Mathew, also known as The Liquorman, specialises<br />
in the wholesale and distribution of craft beers,<br />
ales and spirits - so he knows a thing or two about<br />
handcrafted, small batch gins.<br />
6 www.jaimemagazine.com
Mathew says: “The idea for Elvins was essentially<br />
came from the fact that we had Elvin during the<br />
pandemic, and all of the horrors and troubles that<br />
came from that, not being able to attend scans,<br />
all of the extra worry that we, and other couples,<br />
encountered during this time.”<br />
A percentage of the profits from all sales of Elvins<br />
Gin will go to Pregnant Then Screwed, a charity<br />
which is dedicated to helping pregnant women and<br />
mothers.<br />
Maria says: “I already followed Joeli Brearley, who<br />
founded Pregnant Then Screwed and knew about<br />
her journey, how she’d faced discrimination when she<br />
got pregnant, how she was sacked from work.<br />
“Throughout my pregnancy with Elvin, Pregnant<br />
Then Screwed provided a range of resources and<br />
advice, and we are so very thankful that this space<br />
exists for pregnant women and mothers. It seemed<br />
like a perfect fit for us.”<br />
Pregnant Then Screwed is dedicated to stop the<br />
systemic, cultural and institutional discrimination<br />
faced by a vast amount of pregnant women and<br />
mothers every year. Founder Joeli Brearley and her<br />
team fiercely break down the walls against maternity<br />
discrimination, through campaigning to have voices<br />
BABY ELVIN, WHO WAS BORN<br />
DURING THE PANDEMIC IS THE<br />
INSPIRATION BEHIND ELVINS GIN<br />
heard while simultaneously ensuring that they<br />
provide up-to-date information about employment<br />
rights and options, whether this is legal advice or just<br />
a listening ear.<br />
Joeli said: “‘We are so delighted that Elvin’s gin will<br />
be donating a percentage of their profits to Pregnant<br />
Then Screwed as a way to honour the challenges<br />
pregnant women and new mothers have experienced<br />
during the pandemic.<br />
“The money will go towards developing our support<br />
services for women who experience discrimination<br />
and fighting to change the systems which prevent<br />
them from having equal access to the labour market.<br />
Plus, the gin is absolutely delicious! So it’s a win-win<br />
all round.”<br />
The two iterations of Elvins, a dry gin and a pink,<br />
have been handcrafted and distilled locally by<br />
Mathew and Maria, who tried, tested and tweaked<br />
the recipes, playing around with the botanicals until<br />
they were confident Elvins was just right.<br />
Mathew says: “In terms of the Elvins Dry, we’ve<br />
made it to be very classy and elegant, very citrusforward<br />
to adhere to the London Dry principles. In<br />
terms of the botanical split it’s actually 68 per cent<br />
juniper, which is really heavy juniper.<br />
“The juniper is backed by white lavender, lemon<br />
thyme, grapefruit and lemon rind, which allows it to<br />
be a citrus-forward gin with a floral backbone and a<br />
nice, clean finish.”<br />
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7
“With the pink we toyed with a lot of different<br />
recipes, we discussed doing lingonberry as something<br />
different, but essentially we want to hit a slightly<br />
different demographic of drinker, but to keep it<br />
classy.”<br />
The result is Elvins Pink, a wonderfully fruitful gin<br />
bursting with British strawberry, raspberry and rose.<br />
All natural flavours are used to create a grown-up<br />
iteration of a pink gin, backed by the 43 per cent<br />
ABV, the same strength as the dry version.<br />
While Mathew’s expertise in the drinks industry has<br />
enabled the couple to create a small batch gin which<br />
would sit proudly on any shelf, it is Maria who has<br />
driven the look and feel behind the brand.<br />
The tall, slender, elegant bottle has been imported<br />
from Italy, carefully chosen for its unusual aesthetic.<br />
“We wanted something which looks different and<br />
stands out - not easy when there are more than 3,000<br />
gins on the market,” says Maria.<br />
The label, designed by Maria, is handwritten to<br />
display each bottle’s number within the batch. And<br />
with a tiny batch of each gin - just 150 bottles of the<br />
dry gin and 158 of the pink have been made in this<br />
first batch - customers know they’re getting a truly<br />
bespoke product.<br />
While Mathew is used to championing handcrafted,<br />
small batch spirits, this is his first foray into<br />
developing a product of his own. Elvins Dry and<br />
Pink join an impressive line-up of some 75 spirits<br />
PREGNANT THEN SCREWED<br />
FOUNDER JOELI BREARLEY<br />
from small distilleries across the UK and beyond.<br />
“We are passionate about independent businesses<br />
and the stories behind them,” explains Mathew.<br />
“The craft alcohol sector is the fastest growing<br />
segment of the market and the innovation and<br />
diversity means there is a product to suit any taste.”<br />
Mathew is an advocate for independent, small<br />
brands. Having worked in the hospitality industry<br />
from the age of 14, eventually working his way up to<br />
be operations manager, he has seen first-hand how<br />
difficult it can be for small brands to get shelf space.<br />
“Throughout various companies, I found that<br />
whenever a small, independent distillery or brewery<br />
would approach us, the bigger boys would just offer<br />
more incentives, deals and freebies. I was getting<br />
really frustrated that I couldn’t get the smaller brands<br />
stocked; it was just impossible for them to compete.”<br />
So Mathew decided to take matters into his own<br />
hands, starting up The Liqourman in a bid to get<br />
independent brands stocked in other independents.<br />
“Every brand that we stock is very small and<br />
independent,” says Mathew. “Recently we had one<br />
product which went into Morrisons, which was great<br />
for them, but we delisted the product because that’s<br />
not what we’re about. Our products are all from truly<br />
independent makers.<br />
“And we buy independent and local as much as we<br />
can ourselves, because while you may pay a little<br />
more, you’re supporting someone and buying a<br />
product that’s made with care and love.”<br />
Elvins Dry Gin and Elvins Pink Gin are available<br />
from www.theliquorman.com priced at £29.95,<br />
with free delivery within five miles of Lichfield.<br />
8<br />
www.jaimemagazine.com
F E AT U R E<br />
Man on a mission<br />
AFTER A TUMULTUOUS 18 MONTHS FOR THE WEST MIDLANDS IN THE WAKE OF THE<br />
CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC, MAYOR ANDY STREET KNOWS HE HAS A SIZABLE JOB TO DO.<br />
GARY PHELPS DISCOVERS MORE ABOUT HIS PLANS<br />
Andy Street is a man on a mission – to revive the<br />
West Midlands as it emerges from the coronavirus<br />
pandemic. And after being re-elected for a<br />
second term as the West Midlands Mayor in May,<br />
the former boss of John Lewis is showing his<br />
characteristic energy to get the job done.<br />
And it’s a big job. Over the last 18 months the<br />
West Midlands – made up of Birmingham,<br />
Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall and<br />
Wolverhampton – was economically the worst<br />
affected region of the UK.<br />
Yet, despite these challenges ahead, Andy remains<br />
positive.<br />
“There is no doubt, we are facing real challenges<br />
here,” he says.<br />
“But I know that we have the innovation and drive<br />
to overcome these challenges. This region has always<br />
bounced back in times of adversity, thanks to the<br />
nature of the area and the people who live here, and<br />
I believe we are beginning to see that happen again.<br />
“The last two years have seen lots of examples of<br />
determination and resilience from the communities<br />
that make up our region, and now I think you can<br />
sense a similar determination to get back to where<br />
we were before COVID hit.<br />
“We West Midlands people may not have the<br />
same kind of swagger you get in other parts of the<br />
UK – we tend to be more modest and just get on<br />
with things – but we are resilient, innovative and<br />
industrious.”<br />
Andy is a Brummie, from a Brummie family, who<br />
says he was born in Banbury ‘by accident’ because<br />
his parents were working there. The Streets moved<br />
back to Birmingham when he was just ten months<br />
old. He grew up in the Second City, going to King<br />
Edward’s School before attending university.<br />
His first ambition was to become a social worker<br />
but instead he chose a life in retail. After being<br />
turned down by Marks and Spencer, he got a job as<br />
trainee at John Lewis, beginning a three decade-long<br />
association with the company that saw him rise to<br />
Managing Director.<br />
WEST MIDLANDS MAYOR ANDY STREET<br />
10 www.jaimemagazine.com
But after a decade<br />
of running the high<br />
street giant, he saw an<br />
opportunity to return to his<br />
roots – and swap the high<br />
street for high office.<br />
“I had really enjoyed<br />
running John Lewis,” he<br />
says “then the idea of a<br />
West Midlands Mayor<br />
began to be talked about. It<br />
really interested me.<br />
“The more I thought about<br />
it, the more it seemed like<br />
the perfect opportunity to<br />
swap the job I loved for the<br />
chance to serve the region<br />
where I grew up. In the<br />
end, it was simply too good a chance to miss.”<br />
After being elected in 2017, Andy applied the lessons<br />
of his years in business to his role as Mayor, focussing<br />
on attracting investment and delivering tangible<br />
results that would revive the region.<br />
As he approached the end of his first term that<br />
approach was delivering record house-building<br />
figures, high employment levels and the highest<br />
growth rate of any UK region outside London.<br />
But then COVID hit, bringing tragic consequences<br />
for thousands of local families and economic turmoil.<br />
Elections were postponed for 12 months, while Andy<br />
led the West Midlands through the pandemic.<br />
That meant uniting the region to ensure a joined-up<br />
approach, while providing a valuable direct link to<br />
government.<br />
As well as this huge professional test, Andy faced a<br />
ANDY STREET WAS ELECTED<br />
FOR A SECOND TERM IN MAY<br />
personal challenge. In early <strong>2021</strong>, he lost his mother<br />
to COVID. She died just days before she was due to<br />
be vaccinated.<br />
He says: “It has been a very difficult time, and the<br />
most difficult of it all, of course, was when mum died<br />
as a result of COVID. It was an incredible shock.<br />
“I really didn’t anticipate it at all – I was out walking<br />
with her just a week before she went into hospital.”<br />
Andy says he dealt with this personal tragedy by<br />
‘doing one thing at a time’ while accepting his<br />
responsibility to lead the region while so many others<br />
were going through similar experiences.<br />
He says: “I kept thinking ‘people expect me to lead<br />
here, that is my job as mayor. I’ve got to step forward<br />
and demonstrate that I can do that’.<br />
“So, I tried to concentrate on what our citizens<br />
expected of me as the region’s leader at such<br />
a difficult time – things like providing clear<br />
communication, telling them<br />
things straight and always<br />
being positive about where<br />
the opportunities are.<br />
“Because in times of<br />
adversity, people want some<br />
positivity to believe in.”<br />
That positive outlook played<br />
a huge role in his re-election<br />
in May this year – and it is<br />
now a driving factor in his<br />
determination to help revive<br />
the region as we look ahead<br />
to life post-pandemic.<br />
That means pressing on<br />
with his plans for the future,<br />
whether that’s building<br />
www.jaimemagazine.com<br />
11
thousands of new homes, revolutionising the region’s<br />
transport system, meeting net zero carbon ambitions<br />
or delivering on his commitment to create 100,000<br />
new jobs over the next two years.<br />
He says: “Of course, we must be cautious and<br />
sensible as restrictions are eased, and I have no doubt<br />
that we have many challenges ahead, but we also<br />
have to recognise and seize the opportunities that can<br />
help us get back to where we were.<br />
“We are seeing millions of pounds being poured into<br />
our town centres, and our transport system is being<br />
transformed, with railway stations reopened and new<br />
Metro lines being built.<br />
“We’re leading the way in the new science of<br />
reclaiming old derelict sites for redevelopment.<br />
This means that we can remove eyesores that blight<br />
communities, while building new homes where<br />
they can create footfall for town centres rather than<br />
destroying greenbelt land.<br />
“This ‘brownfield first’ policy was inspired by the<br />
loss of so much greenbelt in Sutton Coldfield, which<br />
happened before I became mayor, and it is making a<br />
difference.<br />
“We have also set ourselves the challenge of<br />
becoming a carbon neutral region by 2041, which<br />
will bring with it all kinds of opportunities as we<br />
change the way we live.<br />
“And then, of course, we also have the<br />
Commonwealth Games in Birmingham next year,<br />
which will provide a well-timed boost for everyone,<br />
both economically and culturally.”<br />
With his second term as West Midlands mayor<br />
underway, does he feel the role has been fully<br />
accepted by the region’s people?<br />
“Well, I think it’s fair to say that when I was first<br />
elected, back in 2017, the job seemed like an<br />
experiment,” he says.<br />
“You have to bear in mind that it’s still a relatively<br />
new thing here – after all, we have had a mayor<br />
for four years, while London has had one for two<br />
decades.<br />
“It’s also important to remember that our region had<br />
been in decline for 40 years. Our communities were<br />
more likely to compete with each other than unite to<br />
attract investment.<br />
“But I think people are beginning to understand<br />
how the Mayor’s role can be a catalyst for change, as<br />
well as uniting all those different communities to win<br />
investment.<br />
“The current push to ‘level up’ the nation, and<br />
perhaps devolve further powers to the regions, to<br />
increase local decision making, can really help the<br />
region’s fortunes.<br />
“I’m certain that, even after the hardships of the<br />
last two years, the West Midlands is a much more<br />
confident place – and I’m optimistic about the<br />
opportunities that lie ahead.”<br />
MAYOR ANDY STREET IS A MAN ON A MISSION TO<br />
REVIVE THE REGION IN THE WAKE OF THE PANDEMIC<br />
12 www.jaimemagazine.com
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P R O P E RTY<br />
Property of the Month<br />
WE TAKE A SNEAKY PEEK AT SOME OF THE HOTTEST PROPERTIES ON THE MARKET IN THE AREA<br />
EACH MONTH. THIS MONTH’S SELECTION IS AN INCREDIBLE FIVE-BEDROOM FAMILY HOME WITH<br />
EXTENSIVE AND WELL-PRESENTED LIVING ACCOMMODATION IN SOUGHT-AFTER FOUR OAKS<br />
32 Streetly Lane, Four Oaks, Sutton Coldfield: £1,050,000<br />
On the market with Aston Knowles: 0121 362 7878<br />
THE AGENT SAYS: This beautiful five-bedroom family<br />
home is sure to make an incredible first impression. The<br />
gravel driveway leading up to the porch entrance offers ample<br />
parking space. The porch entrance leads into the welcoming<br />
reception hallway via the heavy oak front door with brass<br />
knocker. The hallway is sure to take your breath away, with<br />
its stunning high ceiling, wooden floor, and log burner. The<br />
stairs are tastefully set behind a partitioning wall and lead up<br />
to the mezzanine landing.<br />
The spacious drawing room with front and side aspect<br />
is located off to the right and features a lovely coal-effect<br />
fireplace with oak surround along one wall.<br />
An internal hallway leads off from the reception hallway and<br />
into the generously sized kitchen/breakfast/family room.<br />
This is a stunning space, truly designed to be the heart of the<br />
home and an excellent space for family living.<br />
The kitchen features lovely slate grey wall and floor<br />
cupboards and high-gloss black granite worktops. Built-in<br />
appliances include a large gas-fired hob with double oven and<br />
extractor fan above.<br />
The principal bedroom suite is set on the first floor and<br />
features a stunning outlook onto the garden and space for<br />
a sitting area, as well as a walk-in wardrobe with built-in<br />
wardrobes on both sides and an en-suite bathroom, featuring<br />
a modern suite with grey tiling.<br />
The first floor benefits from three further bedrooms, all<br />
with built-in wardrobes, an airing cupboard, and a family<br />
bathroom with a beautiful white suite and separate walk-in<br />
shower.<br />
Finally, the home offers an amazing second-floor split-level<br />
bedroom suite with shower room and walk-in wardrobe.<br />
Steps lead up to a higher level, ideal for a sitting area or<br />
study/workspace.<br />
W E L O V E : T H E S T UNN ING V IE W S O V ER A G O L F C O UR S E<br />
14 www.jaimemagazine.com
PREMIUM LETTINGS<br />
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P R O P E RTY<br />
A whirlwind year in business<br />
A YEAR HAS PASSED SINCE MIDLANDS ESTATE AGENCY<br />
CHOSEN HOME LAUNCHED - AND WHAT A YEAR IT’S BEEN<br />
Despite launching in the midst of a pandemic,<br />
the company has thrived through two national<br />
lockdowns to reach its first anniversary, scooping a<br />
prestigious award and growing its team further along<br />
the way.<br />
Director Nicki Ash said: “The past 12 months have<br />
been something of a whirlwind and we can’t quite<br />
believe we’re already marking our first anniversary<br />
in business. In that time, Chosen Home has become<br />
one of the region’s fastest-growing independent<br />
estate agents, priding itself on providing exceptional<br />
customer service, excellent communication and<br />
guidance, and first-class marketing packages, while<br />
not charging our clients a penny.<br />
“We’ve made a real impact on the Midlands<br />
marketplace, and we’re especially proud of how our<br />
reputation within Sutton Coldfield is growing; so<br />
much so that we’ve recently appointed a new sales<br />
manager to help meet the demand for our services<br />
and maintain the high standards we’re committed to<br />
delivering,” she added.<br />
The transparent and effective ‘we sell your home for<br />
free’ model, which sees purchasers pay the business’<br />
fee of one per cent of the asking price, has proved a<br />
huge hit, with Chosen Home having listed or sold 40<br />
properties with a total value of almost £40m to date,<br />
and having been presented with a gold accolade in<br />
the British Property Awards, which were created by<br />
an independent team of former estate agency owners<br />
to recognise credibility and outstanding customer<br />
service.<br />
The most recent addition to the team is Hannah<br />
Delaney, who has a strong background in the<br />
property sector, most recently as senior sales manager<br />
at residential development specialist, Seven Capital.<br />
She joins Nicki and fellow sales manager Rob<br />
Shotton to develop the business’ sales potential.<br />
Hannah said: “Having spent nine years specialising<br />
in residential sales, I was looking for a new challenge,<br />
and after meeting the Chosen Home team, I knew<br />
this was it. The experienced team are so passionate<br />
about what they do, and believe strongly in the<br />
unique model that the business has created, that we<br />
are all focused on driving it forward.<br />
“The past couple of months have been incredibly<br />
busy with the well-documented demand in the<br />
current climate to buy and sell homes, and it’s<br />
exciting to see the brand evolving - I get a real sense<br />
of pride every time I drive past a Chosen board,” she<br />
added.<br />
Chosen Home is now setting its sights on further<br />
expansion as it moves into its second year, and<br />
aims to extend its reach into the Solihull, Knowle,<br />
Dorridge, Harborne and Edgbaston areas in the<br />
coming months.<br />
For more details about the business, visit<br />
www.chosenhome.com.<br />
16 www.jaimemagazine.com
The Sutton<br />
Coldfield<br />
estate agent<br />
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Call 0121 222 1108
I N T E R I O R S<br />
See red for<br />
autumn<br />
AS the last vestiges of summer give way to more autumnal<br />
feels, it’s time to look forward to some of the hottest design<br />
trends which are set to make an impact on our homes this<br />
season.<br />
At this time of year, a colour palette inspired by nature<br />
comes to the fore, and one of the standout shades from<br />
<strong>2021</strong>’s offerings is sun-dried tomato.<br />
A more muted, burnt orange-toned take on red, a<br />
sun-dried tomato hue is perfect for injecting a touch<br />
of warmth into your decor scheme, without it feeling<br />
overpowering.<br />
If you’re looking to make an impact with your paint<br />
choices, the pared-back, almost russet-like vibes of sundried<br />
tomato offer a more sophisticated look than bright,<br />
bold pillarbox red or vibrant cherry.<br />
A few well-chosen accessories will add an autumnal colour<br />
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green tones for a more vibrant look.<br />
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18 www.jaimemagazine.com
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WELCOME TO BAYLISS BATHROOMS,<br />
THE LARGEST INDEPENDENT LUXURY<br />
BATHROOM SPECIALIST IN THE REGION.<br />
OUR UNRIVALLED ONE STOP PROJECT<br />
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We offer a complete ‘One Stop’ process to turn your bathroom dreams into reality, which includes:<br />
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• Expert knowledge of our partner brands giving you access to superb products and tiles.<br />
• In-house installation teams working to the highest possible standards<br />
• Management of all aspects of the Project, providing you with a single point of contact, every step of the way<br />
• For those customers who require a Supply Only service, access to all leading brands at competitive cost.<br />
BAYLISS BATHROOMS, 23 GATE LANE, BOLDMERE, SUTTON COLDFIELD B73 5TR<br />
0121 362 1800 - www.Baylissbathrooms.co.uk
I N T E R I O R S<br />
Let there<br />
be light<br />
WHEN it comes to creating stylish spaces, you can’t<br />
underestimate the importance of lighting. In the midst<br />
of choosing colour schemes, picking paints and finding<br />
furniture, lighting can often be a bit of an afterthought<br />
- but the right lighting has the ability to pull everything<br />
together and set the tone for the entire space.<br />
Want a bright, airy, open space? Glass pendants and large<br />
chandeliers can flood your room with the light you need.<br />
Looking to create an intimate, cosy vibe? Opt for ambient<br />
lighting from strategically placed lamps, or go for discreet<br />
wall lights instead of large ceiling lights.<br />
Lighting can be used to tie in and enhance your decor<br />
scheme, from metal fixtures for an industrial feel to<br />
opulent crystal for a palatial touch, or chintzy fabrics for a<br />
more retro take on tradition.<br />
Even the smallest lighting solutions can have an impact;<br />
think candles and string lights for a quick lighting refresh<br />
with a big<br />
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22<br />
www.jaimemagazine.com
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22 www.jaimemagazine.com
BOOK YOUR<br />
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LIVE THE LIFE YOU<br />
LOVE IN THE MIDLANDS<br />
Hagley Rd<br />
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Bath Row<br />
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Harborne Rd<br />
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AUDLEY ST GEORGE’S PLACE OWN YOUR RETIREMENT<br />
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you want to visit Birmingham’s glorious Botanical Gardens, catch a day’s play at the famous<br />
Edgbaston Cricket Ground, or head into the heart of Birmingham to enjoy the hustle and bustle<br />
of city life – it’s entirely up to you.<br />
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Scan to find<br />
out more<br />
AY_005225_ST_GEORGES_PRESS_AD_REGIONAL_216x303_JAMIE_AW_v2.indd 1 23/08/<strong>2021</strong> 17:01
F E AT U R E<br />
Powering a Paralympian<br />
PARALYMPIC JUDO FIGHTER JACK HODGSON IS GOING FOR GOLD IN TOKYO - WITH<br />
A LITTLE HELP FROM SUTTON COLDFIELD AUDIOLOGIST STEVEN HALE HEARING<br />
PARALYMPIAN JACK HODGSON<br />
It was a toss-up between tutus and takedowns for<br />
Team GB paralympian Jack Hodgson.<br />
The 24-year-old, who is currently making his mark<br />
on the judo competition in Tokyo, started out in a<br />
ballet class before making the switch which would<br />
eventually see him joining the British Judo team and<br />
competing all over the world.<br />
Jack, who lives and trains with the Paralympic Team<br />
GB in Walsall, says: “When I was younger, I lived<br />
on a military base and there were only two clubs<br />
available to kids my age – ballet and judo! Initially<br />
my mum put me in the dance class, but I was way<br />
too clumsy so naturally found my way to the fighting<br />
sport of judo, which suited me far better!”<br />
However, Jack was born with Usher Syndrome. This<br />
rare genetic disorder is characterised by hearing<br />
loss and an eye disorder called retinitis pigmentosa,<br />
which causes degeneration of the retina until only<br />
the ability to see straight ahead - tunnel vision -<br />
remains.<br />
But Jack has never let his condition hold him<br />
back from his dream to fight for a medal at the<br />
Paralympics.<br />
Tokyo marks Jack’s second Paralympic Games, after<br />
making his debut as a teenager in Rio in 2016 -<br />
where he finished in seventh place.<br />
“I have spent the past five years competing in various<br />
events around the world – places as far afield as<br />
America, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Japan, Uzbekistan<br />
and many others!” says Jack. “The rules are the<br />
same as in Olympic Judo, except for the fact that the<br />
two fighters start ‘gripped up’. Qualifying has been<br />
lengthy and gruelling, but worth every minute!”<br />
Jack’s hearing difficulties have proved challenging<br />
within his sport. However, support from Sutton<br />
Coldfield-based Steven Hale Hearing and hearing<br />
aid brand Phonak has enabled Jack to compete at the<br />
very top level, thanks to the combination of Phonak<br />
Audéo Paradise hearing aids and Roger On.<br />
“Well, not being able to hear your coach ‘in action’<br />
26 www.jaimemagazine.com
was a massive issue at first, and then<br />
we started to use hearing aids,”<br />
explains Jack.<br />
“However, I struggled for many years<br />
with my aids breaking as soon as they<br />
came into contact with sweat, which<br />
was frustrating, and really hindered<br />
my improvement as a judo fighter.<br />
Then along came Phonak, and their<br />
receiver in canal Audeo hearing aid.<br />
Wow! What a difference! Not only do<br />
they sit completely in the canal, so<br />
they are safe, clear and comfy, but they<br />
also have the NEW UV drier/cleaner<br />
portal which will dry and clean the<br />
aids usually within three hours! I never<br />
even knew about this technology, so<br />
it’s brilliant to have it at my fingertips! Also, Roger<br />
On is a microphone dedicated to conversations that<br />
occur over distance – so now my coach can shout at<br />
me from the side-lines!”<br />
Audiologist Steven Hale, who fitted Jack with his<br />
equipment, says: “These hearing aids are also<br />
Bluetooth compatible, so if Jack has any issues while<br />
he’s in Tokyo, I can help him! It’s a bit like standing<br />
in his corner with him!”<br />
Phonak’s latest hearing aids Audéo Paradise deliver<br />
a crisp natural sound, brilliant speech understanding<br />
and personalised noise cancelling. Not only that, they<br />
are rechargeable and connect to a large array of<br />
multimedia devices including smart phones, tablets<br />
and TV.<br />
Roger On will give Jack the flexibility to focus on<br />
conversations whenever and wherever he may be, it is<br />
fully automatic depending on when used on a table,<br />
held in his hand or clipped on to a main conversation<br />
partner. Roger On uses Multibeam 2.0 technology<br />
JACK IN TRAINING<br />
JACK WITH AUDIOLOGIST STEVEN HALE<br />
to distinguish the direction of incoming speech and<br />
automatically selects the person who is talking. Jack<br />
is also using the Phonak Charge and Care which is a<br />
charger that dries hearing aids - perfect for athletes<br />
and their gruelling training regimes.<br />
“I hear so much better with my new hearing aids<br />
compared to my older ones,” says Jack.<br />
“I have been super impressed with the clarity. It<br />
is great that they are rechargeable and can be<br />
controlled by an app. This makes it easy to turn the<br />
volume up and down and change programmes. I also<br />
think Charge and Care is a fantastic piece of kit! In<br />
the past when I’ve had a hard, sweaty training session<br />
I have to take my aids out and it takes some time for<br />
the aids to dry out – if they ever do! But now using<br />
Charge and Care is quick, easy and successful.<br />
“My Roger On is great as I can hear my coach - he<br />
just has to remember that I can now hear him and<br />
not say anything he doesn’t want me to hear! I’m also<br />
really looking forward to using Roger On during the<br />
flight to Tokyo. To listen to music<br />
or watch a film on my phone has<br />
always been difficult, so now my aids<br />
have Bluetooth and I can stream my<br />
multimedia direct to my ears, it will<br />
be much easier. I am also hoping I<br />
will get some sleep easier as I won’t<br />
be having to wear bulky headphones<br />
and still have some awareness<br />
around me.”<br />
Jack adds: “I am honoured to<br />
represent Paralympics GB, in what<br />
has been a life-changing time for me.<br />
The support and investment from<br />
Phonak and Steven Hale Hearing<br />
has been immense and means that I<br />
really can ‘Go for Gold’ to the very<br />
best of my ability!”<br />
www.jaimemagazine.com<br />
27
F O O D & D R I N K<br />
A fine place to dine<br />
STATELY SPLENDOUR ABOUNDS AT HOAR CROSS HALL, AND THEIR NEW HEAD<br />
CHEF AND HIS TALENTED TEAM ARE ENSURING THEIR CULINARY OFFERINGS<br />
MATCH THE SURROUNDINGS, AS AMY NORBURY DISCOVERED<br />
Hoar Cross Hall has long been a landmark in the<br />
area, attracting visitors from all over the country to<br />
enjoy its renowned spa and sumptuous rooms for a<br />
luxury retreat.<br />
With a focus on wellness, it may come as a surprise<br />
that Hoar Cross Hall’s restaurants are less health<br />
food and more about food which nourishes the soul<br />
- at this retreat the emphasis is most definitely on the<br />
treat.<br />
The jewel in the crown is fine-dining in The<br />
Ballroom. A grand space with opulent decor, The<br />
Ballroom is certainly an impressive setting for any<br />
meal.<br />
And with a covered AA rosette among its credentials,<br />
you can rest assured that the culinary experience<br />
matches the stately setting.<br />
My colleague and I were greeted warmly by front-ofhouse<br />
team member Owen, and shown to our table<br />
in one of The Ballroom’s vast bay windows, where<br />
we could enjoy the beautiful views over the grounds.<br />
The restaurant offers plenty of space between tables<br />
to ensure the utmost comfort for diners, while hand<br />
sanitiser on arrival and staff in face masks remain the<br />
only clues that we’re still not out of the Covid woods.<br />
Our waiter for the evening, Jack, proffered menus<br />
and took orders for pre-dinner drinks to sip while we<br />
perused.<br />
Hoar Cross Hall’s ethos is one of seasonality and<br />
sustainability, using the freshest produce from<br />
renowned local suppliers, as well as making the most<br />
of the hall’s own substantial gardens and woodland<br />
to cultivate herbs, wild garlic, fruits and more.<br />
The menu changes with the seasons to really make<br />
the most of that wonderful produce, offering a<br />
selection of carefully thought-out dishes which<br />
showcase the bounty available.<br />
As you may expect from a health spa, dietary<br />
requirements are exceptionally well catered for, with<br />
allergens clearly marked, and plenty of options for<br />
vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and dairy-free diners.<br />
Happily, free-from doesn’t mean any compromise<br />
on taste or quality, as my gluten-free colleague<br />
discovered.<br />
To start, I opted for the ham hock terrine with chilli<br />
pineapple salsa, while my colleague was won over by<br />
the promise of the honey truffle goats’ cheese with<br />
28<br />
www.jaimemagazine.com
oasted and pickled beetroot and<br />
pine nuts.<br />
Now, they say you eat with your eyes<br />
first, and this was most definitely the<br />
case at Hoar Cross. Presentation for<br />
both dishes was beautiful, perfectly<br />
showcasing the ingredients - and<br />
both dishes lived up to that initial<br />
delicious promise.<br />
The terrine was rich and hearty,<br />
with the pineapple salsa adding a<br />
delightfully fresh mouthfeel to each<br />
bite, while the chilli kick was just<br />
enough to keep things interesting.<br />
The goats’ cheese dish is apparently<br />
a favourite of executive head chef<br />
James St Claire-Jones - and it’s easy to see why.<br />
The salty tang of the light, whipped goats’ cheese,<br />
the earthy sweetness of the beetroot and the slight<br />
sharpness coming from the pickles was, proclaimed<br />
my colleague, a match made in heaven.<br />
Baskets of freshly made bread - gluten-free,<br />
of course, for my colleague - were a welcome<br />
accompaniment.<br />
Onto the main event, and I plumped for the breast<br />
of duck with fondant potato and cauliflower purée,<br />
duck being a personal favourite but something we<br />
rarely cook at home, so something I tend to gravitate<br />
towards on any menu.<br />
The duck itself was beautifully cooked, with seared<br />
skin, rendered fat and perfectly pink meat. With the<br />
buttery fondant, and hints of sweetness from the silky<br />
cauliflower purée and a lovely duo of carrot, it made<br />
for a rather indulgent plate.<br />
My colleague’s spiced monkfish with lentil dhal,<br />
spinach, pickled cauliflower and coriander oil was<br />
a dish packed with wonderfully balanced flavours.<br />
The spicing, she said, was just enough so as not to<br />
overwhelm the delicate monkfish, while the delicious<br />
dhal was a great accompaniment. It was a dish, she<br />
remarked, that she’d be happy to order again and<br />
again.<br />
Side dishes of triple-cooked chips - after all, who<br />
can resist such an offering? - a more virtuous veggie<br />
selection of tenderstem broccoli and French beans,<br />
and a flavour-packed salad of English heritage<br />
tomatoes, basil and baby mozzarella, rounded the<br />
main event off nicely.<br />
The heavenly-sounding dessert selection proved far<br />
too tempting to resist - especially when my colleague<br />
discovered a gluten-free version of sticky toffee<br />
pudding on the menu, a rare treat indeed.<br />
And it was a treat worth waiting for, she said as she<br />
happily devoured every moreish morsel.<br />
I was torn between said sticky toffee pud and the<br />
lemon creme brûlée, with the brûlée eventually<br />
winning out.<br />
Rich, creamy, with a subtle citrus zing and a<br />
caramelised sugar top which gave way with a<br />
satisfying crack, it was a very good pud indeed.<br />
The pistachio biscotti on the side were just right for<br />
scooping up the last remnants too.<br />
We finished what had been a suitably refreshing and<br />
refined evening with a selection of British<br />
cheeses, crackers and chutney - because<br />
why not? - and an after dinner cocktail; the<br />
espresso martini is seriously good.<br />
Service throughout the evening was as<br />
impeccable as the surroundings, with our<br />
waiter Jack going above and beyond at every<br />
turn to ensure we had a wonderful experience.<br />
And wonderful it was. After months of<br />
uncertainty for the hospitality industry, the<br />
team at Hoar Cross Hall have proved beyond<br />
doubt that their credentials as a fine dining<br />
destination are as strong as ever.<br />
www.jaimemagazine.com 29
F O O D & D R I N K<br />
Best of British<br />
SUSIE MANDLEBERG, HEAD CHEF OF THYME KITCHEN AT CURBOROUGH, SHARES A<br />
DELICIOUS SALAD WHICH MAKES THE MOST OF THE HUMBLE BRITISH TOMATO<br />
Panzanella<br />
salad<br />
Ingredients<br />
500g British cherry or baby plum<br />
tomatoes<br />
1 bunch basil<br />
2 red peppers<br />
3 slices of day old bread (we use<br />
sourdough)<br />
Good quality extra virgin olive oil<br />
1 tbsp dried oregano<br />
Salt<br />
For the dressing:<br />
1 small shallot, finely chopped<br />
2 tbsp red wine vinegar<br />
Susie says: “This is such a simple,<br />
summery salad that makes the most out<br />
of the stunning tomatoes we grow in<br />
the UK. This recipe traditionally uses<br />
anchovies in the dressing, which you’re<br />
more than welcome to add back into the<br />
dressing, or leave this recipe veggie, like<br />
we do.<br />
“Start by roasting the red peppers for<br />
10 mins at 180°C. Once cooled, peel off<br />
the skins and slice the peppers into thin<br />
strips.<br />
“Tear the pieces of bread, drizzle over<br />
some olive oil to coat them, and sprinkle<br />
over the salt and oregano. Toast in the<br />
oven for 15 minutes, or until crisp.<br />
“Cut each tomato in half, and place in<br />
a large bowl. Tear the basil, add in the<br />
sourdough pieces, shallots and red wine<br />
vinegar, and stir all together. Drizzle<br />
over a little more olive oil, and serve at<br />
room temperature.”<br />
30 www.jaimemagazine.com
Christmas at the Hall<br />
FESTIVE SPA<br />
PARTY<br />
DECADENT<br />
WINTER<br />
EXPERIENCES<br />
NIGHTS<br />
DINING<br />
ESCAPES<br />
Escape from the cold to<br />
the tropical temperatures<br />
of our award-winning<br />
spa, with experiences<br />
guaranteed to leave you<br />
feeling utterly rejuvenated.<br />
• Festive Afternoon<br />
Tea Spa Day<br />
• Festive Twilight<br />
Spa Evening<br />
Get your glad rags on<br />
and make it a night to<br />
remember, as you join<br />
us for an evening of<br />
feasting and frivolities in<br />
spectacular surroundings!<br />
• Party Night with<br />
Overnight Stay<br />
• Ball at the Hall<br />
Let our talented team<br />
of hard-working kitchen<br />
elves spread a little magic<br />
at this special time.<br />
• Christmas Day Lunch<br />
• Private Dining<br />
at the Hall<br />
• Festive Lunch with Santa<br />
• Festive Afternoon Tea<br />
From family breaks to<br />
couples retreats, our festive<br />
overnight stays have got<br />
your Christmas covered.<br />
• Three Night<br />
Festive Escape<br />
• Splash and Stay<br />
• Family Escape One<br />
Night Stay<br />
hoarcross.co.uk | events@hoarcross.co.uk | 01283 477900<br />
HCH_0934 J'aime Christmas Advert.indd 1 18/08/<strong>2021</strong> 14:44
F O O D & D R I N K<br />
Love cheese - and more!<br />
A BRAND NEW CHEESE AND FOOD WEEKENDER IS COMING TO STAFFORDSHIRE NEXT<br />
MONTH - AND YOU COULD WIN ONE OF FIVE PAIRS OF TICKETS TO THE SHOW<br />
Leading chefs James Martin, Marco Pierre White,<br />
Michel Roux Jr and Matt Tebbutt will be just some<br />
of the star attractions at the inaugural Love Cheese<br />
Live weekender, which takes place from October<br />
22 to 23 at the prestigious Staffordshire County<br />
Showground.<br />
Sharing some of their ultimate cheese-themed dishes<br />
on the Cathedral City Main Stage and Le Gruyere<br />
Kitchen Stage, the foodie favourites will be cooking<br />
up a storm over the two days of the show, as well as<br />
meeting and greeting fans over the weekend.<br />
The chef demonstrations will be just some of the<br />
highlights of what promises to be an action-packed<br />
show, featuring the best of all things cheese and<br />
cheese-related.<br />
More than 150 well-known cheese and dairy brands<br />
will be in the Love Cheese Pavilion, which also<br />
hosts the world’s largest cheese and dairy show; the<br />
International Cheese and Dairy Awards.<br />
THERE WILL BE CHEESES GALORE<br />
TO SAMPLE AT THE SHOW<br />
MARCO PIERRE WHITE<br />
IS ONE OF THE STAR<br />
NAMES APPEARING<br />
AT LOVE CHEESE LIVE<br />
Formerly part of Nantwich Show, the International<br />
Cheese and Dairy Awards has moved to Staffordshire<br />
to be a part of this exciting new food and drink<br />
extravaganza. Attracting some 5,000 entries from all<br />
four corners of the world, the ICDA will crown the<br />
best of the best in categories ranging from hard and<br />
soft cheeses, to sheep and goats’ cheeses, as well as<br />
butters, milk and yoghurts.<br />
Learn how cheese is judged and what it takes to be<br />
the best. With entries from all categories on display<br />
throughout the show, there’s a lot of cheese to learn<br />
about - from the very best cheddars to the finest<br />
fetas, from halloumi to stilton, there’s a cheese for<br />
everyone.<br />
But Love Cheese Live is about so much more than<br />
just cheese.<br />
There will be more than 400 food producers<br />
covering a wide range of products, including areas<br />
of the show dedicated to regional producers such<br />
32 www.jaimemagazine.com
as Taste Cheshire, Eat and Drink Staffordshire and<br />
Deliciously Yorkshire. Each area will also have its<br />
own demonstration stage, featuring outstanding local<br />
chefs and produce.<br />
At the Marks and Spencer Cookery School, you’ll<br />
be able to get hands-on following demonstrations<br />
from chefs including celebrity chef Chris Baber - and<br />
there’ll be plenty of time to enjoy the fruits of your<br />
labour.<br />
Another exciting attraction is the Cheese Board<br />
Pavilion, dedicated to all of those delicious things<br />
that perfectly partner cheese. Sponsored by Marks<br />
and Spencer, the area also includes talks from leading<br />
experts, pairing experiences and demonstrations<br />
from some of the finest food producers in the<br />
country. The accompanying Cheese Board Awards<br />
will help visitors discover the best of the best.<br />
Elsewhere, award- winning cheese-maker Belton<br />
Farm will be hosting cheese and beer pairings<br />
compered by USA ambassador and pairing expert<br />
Michael Landis; while award-winning Welsh cheesemaker<br />
Snowdonia will be showcasing the art of<br />
creating the perfect grazing board for the ultimate<br />
casual at-home dining experience.<br />
There is something for all the family, with children’s<br />
cookery schools for the littlest foodies, as well as live<br />
music and outside attractions.<br />
DISCOVER THE TOP<br />
TIPPLES TO PAIR WITH<br />
DIFFERENT CHEESES<br />
TV FAVOURITE<br />
JAMES MARTIN<br />
WILL BE TAKING TO<br />
THE STAGE<br />
And over the course of the show, visitors will be able<br />
to taste and buy some amazing combinations of<br />
award-winning cheese and accompaniments from<br />
leading UK producers and retailers.<br />
For a truly indulgent show, the VIP experience will<br />
offer an extra special day out, starting with a glass of<br />
fizz on arrival and access to the exclusive VIP suite<br />
and garden, where you will receive a copy of the<br />
Love Cheese Live guide as well as a goody bag to<br />
take home.<br />
The Love Cheese Live VIP experience gives you<br />
access to meet and greet with the celebrity chefs and<br />
an exclusive wine and cheese pairing session where<br />
guests will learn what cheeses are suited to which<br />
wines and why. Relax in fabulous surroundings<br />
and enjoy use of the exclusive VIP bar, where<br />
refreshments are available throughout the day. There<br />
is also the option to add on a VIP lunch or luxury<br />
afternoon tea.<br />
Tickets to Love Cheese Live are available to<br />
buy online now, priced at £15 for adults general<br />
admission, with under 16s going free, and from £50<br />
for VIP tickets. Tickets for the chef demonstrations<br />
are priced at just £5, and must be booked alongside<br />
an admission ticket. For more details visit www.<br />
lovecheeselive.co.uk<br />
www.jaimemagazine.com<br />
33
Cathedral City<br />
Main Stage<br />
FIND OUT WHAT MAKES A<br />
PERFECT PAIRING<br />
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22<br />
10.00am - Mario Olianis<br />
11.00am - Marco Pierre White<br />
12.00pm - Will Holland<br />
1.00pm - Matt Tebbutt<br />
2.00pm - TBA<br />
3.00pm - Marco Pierre White<br />
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 23<br />
10.30am - Mario Olianis<br />
11.30am - Matt Tebbutt<br />
12.30 - Will Holland<br />
13.30 - TBA<br />
14.30 - Michel Roux Jr<br />
Competition!<br />
J’AIME has teamed up with Love Cheese Live to offer readers the chance to be<br />
a part of the action, with five pairs of general admission tickets up for grabs.<br />
For your chance to win, simply answer the following question:<br />
Name one of the celebrity chefs who will be appearing at Love Cheese Live <strong>2021</strong>.<br />
Send your answer, along with your name, address and contact number,<br />
to competitions@jaimemagazine.com before midday on Friday, October 1.<br />
Winners will be informed via email shortly after the competition has closed.<br />
Terms and conditions apply. For more details visit www.jaimemagazine.com<br />
MATT TEBBUTT WILL BE<br />
APPEARING AT LOVE<br />
CHEESE LIVE<br />
ACCLAIMED CHEF MICHEL<br />
ROUX JR WILL BE A FAMILIAR<br />
FACE TO FOODIES<br />
34<br />
www.jaimemagazine.com
LCL-<strong>J'AIME</strong>-FullPage-Ad-June<strong>2021</strong>-190x280-PRINT.qxp_Tf-Ocado 17/08/<strong>2021</strong> 16:59 Page 1<br />
THE UK’S LARGEST<br />
CHEESE AND<br />
FOOD FESTIVAL<br />
22 nd - 23 rd OCTOBER <strong>2021</strong><br />
Staffordshire County Show Ground, Weston Road, Stafford ST18 0BD<br />
There’s something for all the family at Love Cheese Live,<br />
with more than 350 of the UK’s finest cheese, food and<br />
drink producers and over 5,000 entries to the International<br />
Cheese & Dairy Awards. Enjoy our star chefs’ cooking<br />
demonstrations, cookery schools, wine masterclasses,<br />
cheese pairing experiences and activities for the children.<br />
It’s sure to be a great day out…<br />
LIVE DEMONSTRATIONS<br />
Live demonstrations from leading chefs James Martin, Michel Roux Jr,<br />
Marco Pierre White, Will Holland, Matt Tebutt, Mario Olianas and Chris Baber.<br />
TICKETS:<br />
Adults: £15 online - £20 on show days<br />
Children (1-16): FREE<br />
VIP TICKETS AVAILABLE FROM £50<br />
To purchase tickets at discounted prices visit www.lovecheeselive.co.uk
F O O D & D R I N K<br />
Lessons from a MasterChef<br />
MASTERCHEF: THE PROFESSIONALS FAVOURITE BART VAN DER LEE IS HELPING<br />
PEOPLE TO UP THEIR GAME IN THE KITCHEN, THANKS TO HIS NEW ONLINE CULINARY<br />
MASTERCLASS. AMY NORBURY CAUGHT UP WITH THE TALENTED CHEF - AND YOU<br />
COULD WIN ACCESS TO HIS DELECTABLE COURSE<br />
Since reaching the final of MasterChef: The<br />
Professionals last year, Bart Van der Lee has been a<br />
chef in demand.<br />
From working behind closed doors as the private<br />
chef for a family in Chelsea, the 33-year-old was<br />
catapulted into the spotlight, thanks to his television<br />
success which saw him consistently wow judges<br />
Michel Roux Jr, Monica Galetti and Gregg Wallace.<br />
Eagle-eyed foodie fans may have spotted the<br />
Netherlands native cycling around Lichfield earlier<br />
this year, firstly when he spent a week in the<br />
cathedral city with the team at Sauce Supper Club,<br />
creating an exclusive recipe box for their ‘Dine at<br />
Home’ customers, and then when he popped up at<br />
Sauce’s home Thyme Kitchen for a delicious dinner<br />
experience in July.<br />
And now, Bart is aiming to help food fans up<br />
their own skills in the kitchen, thanks to his online<br />
Culinary Masterclass course. With eight video classes<br />
featuring an array of delectable starters, main dishes<br />
and desserts, the course will enable even those less<br />
confident cooks to create a stunning three-course<br />
dinner in their own home.<br />
“The main reason behind the masterclass is that,<br />
because I’m a private chef, I work behind closed<br />
doors, and I don’t get to share my food in the same<br />
way that I would if I worked in a restaurant,”<br />
explains Bart.<br />
“People are really interested in cooking and<br />
learning, and want to be better in the kitchen, so the<br />
masterclass is a great way for me to help people with<br />
that.”<br />
Each beautifully-shot video gives you all of the<br />
detailed instructions you need to recreate Bart’s tasty<br />
dishes, from perfectly seared scallops to pancettawrapped<br />
monkfish, a beautiful rack of lamb to an<br />
indulgent chocolate fondant.<br />
“These are beautiful dishes which aren’t too difficult<br />
or time-consuming to make, but might require a few<br />
tips to finish them off correctly,” says Bart.<br />
“I like to show people how to take care of the details,<br />
with some chef ’s tricks and tips which people can use<br />
to elevate their cooking”<br />
The recipes included in the masterclass are all<br />
favourites of Barts, which he has perfected over a<br />
long culinary career working all over the world.<br />
36 www.jaimemagazine.com
CHRISTMAS THYME<br />
CHRISTMAS PARTY MENU NOW AVAILABLE TO BOOK<br />
Open Daily 10am-4pm | Evenings Thursday-Saturday<br />
Curborough Countryside Centre, Watery Lane, Lichfield, WS13 8ES<br />
Telephone: 01543 264050<br />
BRUNCH | LUNCH | DINNER<br />
www.thymekitchen.co.uk @thymekitchen
“I’ve always been wild and free, I wanted to travel<br />
and when i was old enough I set my sails, started<br />
working in some of the most beautiful restaurants<br />
around the Netherlands, with chefs who have taught<br />
me everything, my love for produce, my love for<br />
fish, and all these amazing techniques I’ve picked up<br />
working with these amazing chefs,” says Bart.<br />
After honing his skills in Michelin-starred kitchens,<br />
Bart took on his first head chef position at the age<br />
of just 22, in the luxury Resort of El Gouna, on the<br />
red sea coast in Egypt. From there, he travelled to the<br />
Caribbean, as head chef at an ultra luxury resort in<br />
Turks and Caicos.<br />
It was there Bart met his wife Ana, and after years<br />
living on the other side of the world the couple<br />
decided that it was time to move back to Europe<br />
and be closer to their loved ones. London came into<br />
the picture, and that is what they have called home<br />
ever since. The reason to come back was family, and<br />
not long after that they have created their own, as<br />
parents to their two little ones.<br />
“Food is what we live, what we breathe and what<br />
we do every single day,” says Bart. “People gather<br />
around food, it’s such an amazing thing to bring<br />
people together, around the table, to share the wine,<br />
share the bread and have that experience of having<br />
something delicious.<br />
“I hope my masterclass will help to share some of my<br />
passion and knowledge, and things which will bring<br />
families together over a beautiful meal.”<br />
With the first Masterclass now live, Bart is already<br />
planning a second course, as well as a meat speciality<br />
course, where he plans to dive into different cuts of<br />
meat and look at the best techniques for preparing<br />
and cooking each piece properly.<br />
Bart says: “My goal is to build up an online<br />
classroom, featuring beautiful, classic dishes and<br />
techniques that every good chef should know.”<br />
Bart Van der Lee’s eight-class Culinary Masterclass<br />
is available now at masterclass.bartvanderlee.<br />
co.uk priced £49.95. Visit the website for more<br />
details and to sign up.<br />
Competition!<br />
J’AIME has teamed up with chef Bart Van der Lee to offer readers the chance to<br />
win one of three online culinary masterclass courses, worth £49.95 each.<br />
For your chance to win, simply answer the following question:<br />
Which television competition did Bart reach the finals of last year?<br />
Send your answer, along with your name, address and contact number, by email<br />
to competitions@jaimemagazine.com with the subject heading Masterclass<br />
Competition. The competition will close at midday on Friday, October 1 and the<br />
winners will be notified by email shortly after.<br />
Terms and conditions apply. For more details visit www.jaimemagazine.com<br />
38<br />
www.jaimemagazine.com
T H E<br />
M e y n e l l I n g r a m<br />
A R M S<br />
A traditional country pub with a menu of stunning, locally sourced food and<br />
a vast range of drinks, including local ales, an array of gins and fine wine.<br />
Following significant renovations in 2019, The Meynell now offers relaxed dining, with a high quality<br />
food and drink offer throughout a variety of different dining areas including; the main restaurant,<br />
Sam’s bar, and the original dog friendly Meynell bar and restaurant. In addition the much redesigned<br />
courtyard and garden with beautiful private dining pods equipped with optional heating and music,<br />
provide a fabulous space for outdoor drinking and dining. So whether it’s a quick pint after work, a<br />
light lunch with friends or a special celebratory dinner, we hope to have something to suit all.<br />
Contents<br />
Festivities<br />
AT THE MEYNELL INGRAM ARMS<br />
berkeley inns locations ................... p11<br />
pre-order forms .................................... p12<br />
Festivities<br />
AT THE MEYNELL INGRAM ARMS<br />
1st december - 24th december<br />
christmas day<br />
Bar | 11:00-6:00pm<br />
Restaurant | 12:00-4:00pm<br />
*Christmas Day Menu<br />
boxing day<br />
Bar | 12:00-8:00pm<br />
Restaurant | 12:00-6:00pm<br />
* Normal Menu & Festive Menu<br />
new year’s eve<br />
Bar | 12:00-2:00pm<br />
Restaurant | 12:00-2:00pm<br />
* Pizzas Only<br />
MEYNELLWOOD TICKETED EVENT 5PM & 8PM<br />
new year’s day<br />
Bar | 12:00-8:00pm<br />
Restaurant | 12:00-6:00pm<br />
* Normal Menu<br />
‘We look forward to welcoming you at the Meynell Ingram Arms this festive season.<br />
Come and feast on our stunning dishes prepared by our fantastic chefs<br />
and relax by the fire with a warm mulled wine. There is no better place to spend this winter season than<br />
in our traditional country pub, where we have something special for all’<br />
seasons greetings from all at Berkeley Inns &<br />
a very prosperous new year<br />
‘We look forward to welcoming you at the Meynell Ingram Arms this festive season.<br />
Come and feast on our stunning dishes prepared by our fantastic chefs<br />
and relax by the fire with a warm mulled wine. There is no better place to spend this winter season than<br />
in our traditional country pub, where we have something special for all’<br />
seasons greetings from all at Berkeley Inns &<br />
a very prosperous new year<br />
Festive<br />
festivities ......................................................p3<br />
OPENING TIMES<br />
festive menu ................................................p5<br />
Festive Season<br />
christmas day ............................................p7<br />
1st december - 24th december<br />
New Years Eve.............................................p9<br />
Bar | Monday -Thursday & Sunday 12:00-11:30pm<br />
OPENING TIMES<br />
Friday - Saturday 12:00pm-12:00am<br />
gift vouchers ......................................... p10<br />
Restaurant | Monday - Thursday 12:00-9:00pm<br />
Friday - Saturday 12:00-9:30pm<br />
terms & conditions ............................ p10<br />
Sunday 12:00-8:00pm<br />
Season<br />
<strong>2021</strong><br />
christmas eve<br />
We<br />
Bar<br />
look<br />
| Monday -Thursday & Sunday 12:00-11:30pm<br />
Friday<br />
forward<br />
- Saturday 12:00pm-12:00am<br />
to welcoming you at the Meynell Bar | 12:00-11:30pm Ingram Arms<br />
Restaurant Friday | Monday - Saturday - Thursday 12:00-9:30pm<br />
12:00-9:00pm<br />
Restaurant | 12:00-8:30pm<br />
* Normal Menu & Festive Menu<br />
this festive season. Come and feast on our stunning dishes prepared<br />
Sunday 12:00-8:00pm<br />
Bar christmas | 11:00-6:00pm<br />
day<br />
by our fantastic chefs and relax by the fire with a warm mulled wine.<br />
Restaurant | 12:00-4:00pm<br />
Bar christmas | 12:00-11:30pm<br />
eve <strong>2021</strong> *Christmas Day Menu<br />
There is no better place to spend this winter season than in our<br />
Restaurant | 12:00-8:30pm<br />
* Normal Menu & Festive Menu<br />
traditional country pub, where we have something special for all.<br />
Bar<br />
boxing | 12:00-8:00pm<br />
day<br />
Restaurant | 12:00-6:00pm<br />
* Normal Menu & Festive Menu<br />
Festive menus available now on our website<br />
new year’s eve<br />
Bar | 12:00-2:00pm<br />
Restaurant | 12:00-2:00pm<br />
* Pizzas Only<br />
MEYNELLWOOD TICKETED EVENT 5PM & 8PM<br />
TO MAKE A BOOKING, CALL 01283 575988<br />
OR VISIT WWW.MEYNELLINGRAM.CO.UK<br />
new year’s day<br />
Bar | 12:00-8:00pm<br />
Restaurant | 12:00-6:00pm<br />
* Normal Menu<br />
The Meynell Ingram Arms, Abbots Bromley Rd, Hoar Cross, Burton-on-Trent DE13 8RB<br />
Tel: 01283 575988 • Email: info@meynellingram.co.uk • Facebook|Instagram: @themeynellingram<br />
Opening Hours: Sun - Thurs: 12:00 - 23:00. Fri - Sat: 12:00 - 00:00
I N T H E N E W S<br />
A very personal story<br />
STAFFORDSHIRE AUTHOR DEBBI VOISEY HAS BEEN WRITING SINCE SHE WAS A<br />
LITTLE GIRL BUT HAS JUST ACCEPTED HER FIRST BOOK DEAL IN HER 50S. SHE<br />
TELLS JENNY AMPHLETT ABOUT HER DEBUT NOVELLA, ONLY ABOUT LOVE<br />
STAFFORDSHIRE AUTHOR<br />
DEBBI VOISEY<br />
The debut novel by Staffordshire author Debbi<br />
Voisey reads like the work of someone who has spent<br />
decades honing their craft - because that’s precisely<br />
what it is.<br />
Born and bred in Stoke-on-Trent, Debbi spends her<br />
working days crafting newsletters and bulletins for<br />
DHL and then every spare moment she can find<br />
working on her own creative writing.<br />
That dedication has seen her longlisted and<br />
shortlisted in the likes of Bath Short Story Award,<br />
Flash 500 and Reflex Fiction. She’s a past winner of<br />
Staffordshire University’s Too Write creative writing<br />
competition, where her prize was presented by<br />
former Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy.<br />
Her first book, Only About Love, was published last<br />
month. Unlike many debut works, the novella-inflash<br />
is not self-published but rather is published by<br />
Oxford-based Fairlight Moderns.<br />
Although a work of fiction, the book is based on<br />
some of Debbi’s own experiences including watching<br />
the decline of her own dad to Alzheimer’s.<br />
“The character Frank is definitely based on my dad<br />
and a lot of the things in there are true,” said Debbi.<br />
“My mum doesn’t mind that certain things are being<br />
exposed.<br />
“It’s based on his life but the family in the book is<br />
entirely fictional. I talk about him having an affair<br />
but I don’t know the details so a lot of things I<br />
40 www.jaimemagazine.com
HAND HEALTH CHECK<br />
BOOK NOW FOR OUR FREE<br />
MINI CONSULTATION<br />
PUT YOUR HANDS IN OUR HANDS<br />
Are you suffering with hand or wrist pain? Have you seen your GP? Or are you<br />
currently on a long waiting list for surgery?<br />
We would like to invite you to join us ‘virtually’ on Monday 4th October for a free<br />
mini consultation with Mr Shyamalan, Consultant Hand Surgeon at Spire Little Aston<br />
Hospital.<br />
The free 10 minute mini consultation will give you the opportunity to ask any<br />
questions you may have and for Mr Shyamalan to provide you with the information<br />
on various conditions and treatments available, such as:-<br />
• Carpal Tunnel<br />
• Arthritis in the hand and wrist<br />
• Trigger Finger<br />
• Dupuytren’s<br />
• Joint injections<br />
How do I book?<br />
Places are limited so pre-booking is essential. Either visit www.spirehealthcare.<br />
com/spire-little-aston-hospital/events or call 0121 580 7119 and the advisors<br />
at Spire Little Aston will be happy to help you. You will be offered a free 10 minute<br />
mini consultation between 6pm and 8pm on Monday 4th October <strong>2021</strong>.<br />
The event will be hosted via Zoom. You will be sent an event link upon calling<br />
to book.<br />
So, if you detect any signs or symptoms of a hand condition, don’t delay, let<br />
the Midland Hand Clinic help you to reach the correct diagnosis and receive<br />
the right treatment!<br />
Midland Hand Clinic lead by Mr G Shyamalan FRCS<br />
NHS consultant hand surgeon.<br />
All patients welcome whether you have private medical<br />
insurance or you are self-paying.<br />
Hand Clinic PA: Pam Dziubany<br />
Email: pdziubany@hotmail.com<br />
Call: 07815 460786 - 01827 892952<br />
www.midlandhandclinic.com
describe are totally made up. It’s based on him but<br />
fictional.<br />
“Dad was ill and in a home for a few years and I<br />
found myself writing all these little flash fictions.<br />
Then when I came to write the novella I had all these<br />
linking stories which I expanded and added to.<br />
“What’s really sad about this book is that dad isn’t<br />
here to see it being published. I had to dedicate it to<br />
him.”<br />
In snapshots through time, Only About Love takes a<br />
sweeping loop around protagonist Frank’s life as he<br />
navigates courtship, marriage, fatherhood and illness.<br />
Told through the perspectives of Frank and his<br />
family, the story is one of intense honesty about the<br />
things we do to those closest to us.<br />
Although she hasn’t self-published, Debbi says people<br />
who go down that route work extremely hard at it.<br />
“There are a lot of people who assume that I’ve selfpublished,<br />
but I haven’t, not that there’s any shame<br />
in that,” she said.<br />
“The marketing is all down to them and a lot of<br />
people have become very successful releasing books<br />
that way.<br />
“I’m being paid in advance and will be paid royalties<br />
as well,” said a proud Debbi.<br />
“The publisher put out<br />
an open call for novellas<br />
so I applied. They loved<br />
what I sent in and wanted<br />
more to develop it a bit. I<br />
doubled it in length.<br />
“They’re such great<br />
publishers to be with, so<br />
proactive and they aim<br />
to only publish quality<br />
fiction.”<br />
The novella-in-flash has<br />
been around for many<br />
years but has become<br />
increasingly popular over<br />
the past three or four<br />
years. Every chapter of<br />
a novella-in-flash can be<br />
read as a standalone story,<br />
but they also link together<br />
and make sense as part of<br />
a wider story.<br />
“They’re short chapters<br />
so they’re easy to read,<br />
you can read one of two<br />
chapters if you only have<br />
a few minutes,” she said.<br />
DEBBI’S DEBUT BOOK ONLY<br />
ABOUT LOVE IS OUT NOW<br />
“You can be very experimental with flash fiction<br />
and use a lot of different techniques. I enjoyed<br />
putting some lists in there - including the items in an<br />
adulterer’s holdall. The first chapter is a breathless<br />
paragraph - which purposefully has no punctuation.”<br />
Debbi’s debut has already earned rave reviews<br />
from fellow writers, with Tracy Fells, 2017 regional<br />
winner (Canada & Europe) of the Commonwealth<br />
Short Story Prize calling her writing ‘breathless,<br />
red-raw and brutally honest,’ while Lisa Blower,<br />
author of Pondweed described Only About Love<br />
as ‘gut wrenching, heart-warming, playful with<br />
time, language, and memory; a gathering of special<br />
moments relived that remind us that time is never on<br />
our side so to make the most of it whilst we have it.’<br />
Debbi added: “When I won the Too Write<br />
competition five years ago mum and dad went to<br />
accept the prize on my behalf as I was away on<br />
holiday. Dad was so proud, he cried. That was just<br />
before he started to get really ill.<br />
“When I heard about this book being published he<br />
was still alive but was too ill to understand. I still wish<br />
I could tell him about it.”<br />
Only About Love by Debbi Voisey, published<br />
by Fairlight Books, is out now, priced £7.99.<br />
42 www.jaimemagazine.com
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T R AV E L<br />
Post-Pandemic<br />
Travel Questions<br />
LOCAL TRAVEL EXPERT NATHAN COLLINS, FROM RB COLLECTION, ANSWERS YOUR<br />
QUESTIONS ABOUT TRAVELING ABROAD IN A POST-PANDEMIC WORLD<br />
MAURITIUS IS NOW OPEN TO UK TRAVELLERS<br />
We are Green for Go! Holidays restarted this<br />
summer and while there were a lot less people taking<br />
a trip overseas than normal, those who did jet off<br />
have sent in very positive feedback. Understandably<br />
many were confused by the Government’s travel<br />
policies in place, and we helped navigate clients<br />
through these by keeping things simple and stress<br />
free - it is, in fact, a lot easier than it may seem.<br />
I wanted to answer some of the most common<br />
questions brought up this summer to explain a little<br />
more about how holidays work in a post-pandemic<br />
world.<br />
What needs arranging before I travel?<br />
Firstly, remember that going on holiday is a fun<br />
and exciting experience – so don’t let the new<br />
requirements take away the shine! We have a<br />
checklist to help and will guide you through the<br />
requirements so it is stress free. I’ve done it myself<br />
with my wife and kids so I know first-hand that it’s a<br />
lot simpler than expected – plus we have researched<br />
and tested some of the cheapest and most convenient<br />
testing services on the market too.<br />
Where can I go?<br />
The list is expanding all the time as destinations<br />
reopen to allow UK visitors in and our Government<br />
expands the green list. The latest updates are<br />
published every three weeks on the FCDO website,<br />
and we have a handy ‘Travel Updates’ page on our<br />
website.<br />
Over the summer we have sent clients to Majorca,<br />
44<br />
www.jaimemagazine.com
Ibiza, Bermuda, Spain, Croatia, the<br />
Canary Islands and Greece. A lot<br />
of the Caribbean is already open as<br />
well as Mauritius, the Maldives and<br />
Middle East.<br />
MARRAKECH IS ONE OF<br />
NATHAN’S TOP CITY BREAK<br />
PICKS<br />
How does the traffic light<br />
system work?<br />
Put simply, for those who are double<br />
vaccinated you can travel to green<br />
and amber destinations without the<br />
need to quarantine when you get<br />
home. Most also have their FCDO<br />
travel advice lifted and most also are<br />
allowing UK visitors in.<br />
What if a green destination<br />
turns amber while I am abroad?<br />
First, don’t panic! You do not need to rush home or<br />
change your plans. There is no difference between<br />
green and amber for most of us who are fully<br />
vaccinated. If not vaccinated, there is a ‘test to<br />
release’ scheme after five days.<br />
What insurance do I need?<br />
Simply ensure your insurance provider covers you<br />
if you catch Covid before or during your trip. Many<br />
policies are starting to do this now. If you have<br />
annual cover with your bank, for example, do check<br />
this detail carefully.<br />
THE STUNNING KRKA<br />
NATIONAL PARK IN CROATIA<br />
I desperately need a break in the sun! Where<br />
should I go?<br />
There is still time to enjoy end of season sunshine<br />
in some of the popular Mediterranean resorts on<br />
the Balearic Islands, on the Algarve in Portugal,<br />
Croatia and in Greece. Ibiza welcomed a number<br />
of new and exciting hotels this year if you want to<br />
try something new and all these destinations are<br />
good for private pool villas too if you want a more<br />
independent trip. We can have a quick chat and<br />
get to know you and recommend the most suitable<br />
destination.<br />
Where have you been this summer?<br />
I had a couple of weeks in a part of Croatia I had<br />
not visited before with the family. The feeling of<br />
our first beach holiday in more than 18 months was<br />
overwhelming. The boys were so excited, and we saw<br />
some stunning natural scenery including the Krka<br />
National Park. It helped recharge the batteries and<br />
reminded us about the importance of quality time<br />
together overseas, and how this can help with the<br />
kids’ learning and development too.<br />
How were the queues at the airport?<br />
The airport experience was not as busy as we<br />
expected. Some airlines require you to upload your<br />
documents before you travel to reduce queues. We<br />
flew with Jet2 and everyone was being checked<br />
carefully, but it didn’t take much longer than usual.<br />
Security was quiet and boarding was civilised.<br />
How did it feel being away?<br />
It reminded me how much we have missed exploring<br />
new destinations and increasing our knowledge,<br />
seeing and experiencing wonderful things. Seeing<br />
my children’s faces again made a few extra tests and<br />
checks seem like a breeze!<br />
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45
What changes are hotels<br />
making?<br />
In short, the hotels we have<br />
personally experienced at RB<br />
recently in Croatia, Ibiza,<br />
Spain and the Canary Islands<br />
have all had excellent Covid<br />
protocols in place. Generally<br />
speaking, all of the facilities<br />
remain in place including<br />
the pools, restaurants, bars<br />
and so on. There were a<br />
few changes, such as more<br />
spacious outdoor seating<br />
areas, hand sanitisers<br />
provided around the resorts,<br />
optional breakfast in your<br />
room and amended cleaning<br />
services to suit your requests.<br />
LISBON IS PERFECT FOR CHILLED CULTURE<br />
I’ve got a holiday booked, when will I know it<br />
will continue as planned?<br />
This depends on the trip. For example, cruise<br />
companies make decisions very early - months in<br />
advance - and escorted tour companies do too.<br />
Package holidays can be a month or so in advance<br />
and others a few days before you go. It all depends<br />
on the status of the destination and logistics. As<br />
more destinations open back up and are added to the<br />
green list, there are more positive signs holidays can<br />
continue as planned.<br />
When should I be booking for Christmas or<br />
2022?<br />
With so many holidays already postponed to 2022,<br />
peak times such as Christmas, New Year, February<br />
half term and Easter are already extremely busy for<br />
th,e popular destinations. It has become increasingly<br />
expensive to postpone some holidays to 2022 and<br />
so my advice is to book early and check the flexible<br />
terms which are much improved now compared to<br />
pre-pandemic times.<br />
I want a little culture and city-life, where do<br />
you suggest?<br />
There are some great options around Europe such<br />
as Athens, Lisbon, Barcelona and a little further<br />
afield but only three hours away, Marrakech. All are<br />
bursting with a variety of options of things to see<br />
and do. Marrakech would be my top pick as you can<br />
opt for a stunning riad in the city which acts as your<br />
oasis away from the hustle and bustle of the markets.<br />
What is the latest regarding cruise holidays?<br />
Most of the major cruise lines have restarted their<br />
programmes already. Some of these have been<br />
around the UK, others in the Mediterranean and<br />
further afield. Silversea launched their newest ship,<br />
Silver Moon, in Greece to much fanfare while<br />
Regent Seven Seas will begin sailing this month.<br />
My fellow MD Oliver will be experiencing his first<br />
cruises as they set sail this autumn so we can inspect<br />
their protocols and report back to our clients.<br />
Final thoughts?<br />
It is understandable some people are nervous and<br />
concerned about an overseas holiday. Our main<br />
message is don’t believe everything you read. Speak<br />
to professionals who have tested protocols and<br />
procedures and can give you independent, honest<br />
advice. Maybe start with something simple like a<br />
week in the Med. Maybe revisit an old favourite<br />
resort you haven’t seen for a few years, so you feel<br />
more comfortable and have a little nostalgia too.<br />
Whenever you are ready, we will be here to help.<br />
Notes on the latest advice: I’ve written this as close to<br />
J’AIME’s deadline as possible but, of course, there<br />
may be further updates from the Government since<br />
the magazine was printed. I always suggest speaking<br />
to our travel professional for the latest information<br />
and checking the FCDO website (www.gov.uk/<br />
foreign-travel-advice). We also have a handy Travel<br />
Updates page at www.rbcollection.com/travel-reopening-update.<br />
How to book your next luxury or specialist<br />
holiday: Call Nathan on 01543 258631or email<br />
vip@rbcollection.com. Remember to mention<br />
J’AIME when you call.<br />
46<br />
www.jaimemagazine.com
F I T N E S S<br />
Achieve a healthy lifestyle<br />
that works for you<br />
THIS MONTH, LICHFIELD’S FAVOURITE PERSONAL TRAINER RAÚL ROMERO HIGHLIGHTS THE<br />
CHALLENGES OF GETTING BACK TO THE DAILY GRIND, AND REITERATES WHAT WE NEED TO<br />
CONSIDER IN ORDER TO BECOME THE FITTEST VERSION OF OURSELVES<br />
So the summer holidays have come<br />
to an end, kids have returned to<br />
school and we are back to the daily<br />
grind and trying to settle into a<br />
regular routine. This year continues<br />
to be full of ups and downs<br />
with the pandemic still lingering<br />
which has affected so many of us<br />
in our everyday lives, including<br />
maintaining and taking control of<br />
our fitness.<br />
This month, I’d like to go back<br />
to the bread-and-butter basics of<br />
what we need to consider to be<br />
the healthiest, fittest version of<br />
ourselves. You know, the stuff that<br />
everyone knows really but where<br />
the brain doesn’t always connect to<br />
the belly or body to ensure they act<br />
upon what the brain knows!<br />
So, what are the five most important components<br />
to achieving a healthy lifestyle, and what can we do<br />
to nudge our belly and body along to ensure they<br />
comply?<br />
Well, most basically, the five areas to consider are:<br />
NUTRITION - REST - EXERCISE -<br />
POSTURE - AVOIDING ALCOHOL<br />
CONSUMPTION<br />
Upon reading this list, your strengths and weaknesses<br />
in these areas will immediately jump out to you. This<br />
is a great first step to take; analyse strengths and<br />
weaknesses in these five areas. Once you have done<br />
this, it will be easier to know what your focus area<br />
is and concentrate on what you need to do to take<br />
control and improve.<br />
1. NUTRITION FOR A HEALTHY<br />
LIFESTYLE<br />
I prefer not to use the word ‘diet’ as, in recent years,<br />
MEAL PREPPING CAN BE A<br />
SAVIOUR DURING A BUSY WEEK<br />
‘diet’ has often been coined as something we do for<br />
a short period of time to achieve quick and often not<br />
long-lasting results.<br />
Nutrition is key, and should be something realistic<br />
that can be sustained as a way of life over a long<br />
period of time. Following the 80/20 rule is a great<br />
way of maintaining healthy nutrition, where we<br />
eat ‘clean’ and healthy 80 percent of the time,<br />
and indulge in the not-so-healthy sweet treats the<br />
remaining 20 percent of the time. This way, we<br />
don’t have to cut anything out food-wise, reducing<br />
the chances of massive sugar cravings which then<br />
snowball into an unhealthy eating habit.<br />
Here are my top tips to help take control of your<br />
nutrition and master a healthy way of eating over a<br />
long period of time:<br />
Meal plan! Write down a weekly menu or meal<br />
plan to organise all of your meals. This will really<br />
help you take control and think about the different<br />
food groups and ingredients you need for different<br />
meals. Remember the importance of including all<br />
www.jaimemagazine.com<br />
47
the categories from the Food<br />
Pyramid in their recommended<br />
percentages (fruits and<br />
vegetables, grains and potatoes,<br />
protein sources and beans, fats<br />
and oils).<br />
Simplicity really is key here,<br />
but you can always swap basic<br />
meals for more elaborate meals<br />
if you have time on the day.<br />
Make a shopping list! And stick<br />
to it! This should be done after<br />
you have meal-planned so you<br />
know exactly what ingredients<br />
you need. Armed with your list,<br />
you are less likely to chuck extra<br />
treats into your trolley as you<br />
don’t need them. Don’t buy anything that is not on<br />
your list (you can of course plan your 20 percent of<br />
treats for the week so you’re not depriving yourself).<br />
Supermarkets are full of products ready to ruin our<br />
nutrition and they know how to stock them to claim<br />
our attention and raise our temptation. If you are<br />
not very good at controlling your temptations at<br />
the supermarket, a good alternative is to order your<br />
shopping online.<br />
Food prep! This is one of my personal favourites.<br />
After meal planning and doing the weekly shop on a<br />
Saturday, the few hours I spend prepping my meals<br />
on a Sunday undoubtedly help make my week run<br />
much smoother in being able to work hard, spend<br />
quality time with the family and also eat nutritiously<br />
without getting stressed or without cooking feeling<br />
like a chore. The beauty of food prep is that you<br />
can do as little or as much as you like depending on<br />
DON’T UNDERESTIMATE THE IMPORTANCE OF<br />
POSTURE, SAYS RAUL<br />
how much time and effort you wish to put in; some<br />
people prefer to have everything cooked and ready<br />
whereas others prefer to have the veggies chopped<br />
and ingredients prepped ready to cook fresh.<br />
Drink, drink and drink some more! Water that is!<br />
The NHS recommends drinking six to eight glasses<br />
of water a day (approximately two litres) to keep the<br />
body well hydrated.<br />
2. REST AND RECOVERY<br />
It often feels like as the years pass by, life seems to get<br />
busier and busier. Especially for those of us who are<br />
always on the go, finding time for rest and recovery is<br />
essential in maintaining the body in optimum health.<br />
Though they are basic, a few things to remember to<br />
try and nail are:<br />
Sleep! Understandably not always possible due to<br />
work, kids and a plethora of other reasons, but our<br />
bodies really do need sound uninterrupted sleep<br />
every night in order to function<br />
right and feel fresh and focused.<br />
Work-out recovery. Taking<br />
enough recovery time between<br />
workouts is essential to maximise<br />
all the benefits of training.<br />
Massage. Sport and relaxation<br />
massages are great alludes to<br />
regenerate our bodies. These can<br />
also help us sleep better so are<br />
especially great for those who are<br />
in pursuit of a great night’s sleep!<br />
EXERCISE IS ESSENTIAL FOR YOUR HEALTH AND<br />
FITNESS GOALS<br />
3. EXERCISE<br />
If you are new to exercise, or<br />
haven’t exercised in a while, check<br />
in with your doctor first to ensure<br />
48 www.jaimemagazine.com
you are ready to challenge your body and will be<br />
able to cope with the different exercises and intensity<br />
levels.<br />
So what is the recommended amount of exercise?<br />
Well the NHS recommends following these basic<br />
guidelines:<br />
Strengthening activities that work all the major<br />
muscle groups (legs, hips, back, abdomen, chest,<br />
shoulders and arms) at least two days a week;<br />
To do at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity<br />
activity a week or 75 minutes of vigorous intensity<br />
activity a week;<br />
To spread exercise evenly over four to five days a<br />
week, or every day;<br />
To reduce the time sitting or lying down and to break<br />
up long periods of not moving with some activity.<br />
This nicely leads me on to my seven favourite tips<br />
to take control of your health and fitness goals and<br />
smash them this season:<br />
Establish a ROUTINE!<br />
Start with exercises you like. Make it FUN!<br />
Seek expert SUPPORT.<br />
Join GROUP sessions for that extra support and<br />
motivation (if possible).<br />
Be KIND to yourself.<br />
Try and find a training BUDDY.<br />
TRACK your progress.<br />
DRINK MORE WATER AND CUT BACK<br />
ON ALCOHOL, SAYS RAUL<br />
4. POSTURE<br />
This is one that doesn’t always spring to mind<br />
when contemplating health and fitness but I really<br />
do believe it is a vital contribution in becoming<br />
the fittest, healthiest versions of ourselves. Many<br />
studies have shown that poor posture can cause<br />
problems with fatigue, circulation, arthritis, mood,<br />
musculoskeletal dysfunction, jaw pain, breathing<br />
efficacy, headaches, sexual function, and shoulder<br />
and back pain.<br />
These issues really highlight just what a massive<br />
effect correct posture can have on keeping our<br />
bodies in optimum condition. Some of my favourite<br />
activities that are not only fun to do, but also help<br />
improve posture are yoga, pilates, body balance and<br />
tai chi.<br />
5. AVOID ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION<br />
Yes, this is a tough one for many of us, especially as<br />
the summer slips away and the cold, dark nights start<br />
drawing in, but alcohol has such a massive impact<br />
on our health that we just can’t get away with not<br />
contemplating it.<br />
The following extract from the NHS website has<br />
really helped some of my clients put this point in<br />
perspective:<br />
“Did you know a standard glass of wine can contain<br />
as many calories as a piece of chocolate, and<br />
a pint of lager has about the same number of<br />
calories as a packet of crisps? So, if you’re trying<br />
to lose weight you need to think about what<br />
you are drinking as well as what you are eating.<br />
Drinking four bottles of wine a month adds up<br />
to a yearly consumption of around 27,000kcal<br />
which is equivalent to eating 48 Big Macs per<br />
year. Drinking five pints of lager each week adds<br />
up to 44,200kcal over a year, equivalent to eating<br />
221 doughnuts.”<br />
Is evident that we have to consider liquid calories<br />
as part of the equation when discussing nutrition<br />
and leading a healthier lifestyle. For weight<br />
management, especially when embarking on a<br />
weight loss journey, it’s fundamental to count<br />
them in your daily calorie count intake.<br />
For any further help or support on maintaining or<br />
improving your health and fitness, or to join any<br />
of our group fitness sessions, please feel free to<br />
contact me at raul@ambitionpt.co.uk or via<br />
social media @ambitionpersonaltraininguk.<br />
I wish you all the best with your autumn health<br />
and fitness journey.<br />
www.jaimemagazine.com<br />
49
W H AT ’ S O N<br />
What’s On this month<br />
WITH ENTERTAINMENTS AND ARTS VENUES SLOWLY GETTING BACK TO NORMAL, WE TAKE<br />
A LOOK AT SOME OF THE BEST EVENTS HAPPENING AROUND THE MIDLANDS THIS MONTH<br />
WHAT: LAWYERS ARTS CLUB X DIGBETH ART SPACE<br />
WHERE: DIGBETH, BIRMINGHAM<br />
WHEN: <strong>SEPTEMBER</strong> 3 TO 30<br />
For the past six months, Birmingham based artists Harri Hampson and George<br />
Cox have created a series of handmade artworks each with a legal story behind<br />
them for the exhibition. It includes more than 60 original pieces of art on<br />
display for the first time on the opening night.<br />
Throughout this month LAC will be holding multiple events and talks in<br />
the exhibition space, surrounded by the organisation’s original artwork. The<br />
showcase will offer a place to reflect, as well as spark important and relevant<br />
discussions.<br />
For more details visit www.lawyersartclub.com<br />
WHAT: ADAM FROST<br />
WHERE: LICHFIELD GARRICK<br />
WHEN: <strong>SEPTEMBER</strong> 12<br />
Gardeners’ World favourite Adam Frost will be appearing at the Garrick this<br />
month for an evening of conversation, covering all things gardening and more.<br />
Adam appears regularly on the BBC’s coverage of RHS Flower Shows, and has<br />
also featured on The One Show and DIY SOS as well as The Alan Titchmarsh<br />
Show. Since 2007, Adam has amassed seven gold medals at the RHS Chelsea<br />
Flower Show. He is a regular contributor to Gardeners’ World and other<br />
horticultural magazines.<br />
Adam’s love for the great outdoors started from a young age when he helped<br />
on his grandparent’s allotment. His fascination with watching plants and<br />
vegetables grown and the wildlife it attracted has stayed with him and he<br />
remains passionate about passing this on to future generations.<br />
Tickets are priced at £21.50. For more details visit<br />
www.lichfieldgarrick.com<br />
WHAT: AVIJATRIK (THE WANDERLUST OF APU)<br />
WHERE: MAC BIRMINGHAM<br />
WHEN: <strong>SEPTEMBER</strong> 18<br />
The Birmingham Indian Film Festival returns from Saturday, September 18<br />
to cinemas and online for an autumn edition of premieres, shorts and classics.<br />
One of the highlights is set to be the UK Premiere of the Bengali drama<br />
Avijatrik (The Wanderlust of Apu), directed by Subhrajit Mitra; a new tale<br />
based on the legendary character Apu who was first brought to the screen<br />
by India’s most internationally acclaimed director Satyajit Ray, in his Apu<br />
Trilogy in the 1950s. Lovingly shot in black and white and keeping an eye<br />
on the continuity to Ray’s classics, the new film Avijatrik focuses on Apu’s<br />
overwhelming wanderlust to discover the world beyond Bengal with his<br />
doting six-year-old son Kajol.<br />
This is a must see for all Satyajit Ray fans in the centenary year of his birth<br />
anniversary and is screened for one night only at Midlands Arts Centre in<br />
Birmingham. For more details visit www.macbirmingham.co.uk<br />
50 www.jaimemagazine.com
THEATRE LISTINGS<br />
ADAM FROST<br />
SUN 12 <strong>SEPTEMBER</strong> | 7.30PM<br />
FORBIDDEN NIGHTS<br />
WED 15 <strong>SEPTEMBER</strong> | 7.30PM<br />
THE MAN WITH THE<br />
GOLDEN PEN<br />
FRI 8 OCTOBER | 7.45PM<br />
SEVEN DRUNKEN NIGHTS<br />
WED 13 & THU 14 OCTOBER | 7.30PM<br />
DAD’S ARMY RADIO SHOW<br />
SAT 23 OCTOBER | 7.30PM<br />
FASCINATING AIDA<br />
WED 27 OCTOBER | 7.30PM<br />
THE JOHNNY CASH<br />
ROADSHOW<br />
THU 28 OCTOBER | 7.30PM<br />
AN EVENING WITH<br />
SIR GEOFFREY BOYCOTT<br />
FRI 29 OCTOBER | 7.30PM<br />
VOICE OF THE HEART<br />
SAT 30 OCTOBER | 7.30PM<br />
www.lichfieldgarrick.com
WHAT: JEREMY VINE - WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?<br />
WHERE: SUTTON COLDFIELD TOWN HALL<br />
WHEN: <strong>SEPTEMBER</strong> 24<br />
Jeremy Vine increasingly finds himself asking “What the hell is going on?”. He<br />
explains that in a world where it is easy for information and misinformation to<br />
become muddled due to the sheer volume, people are becoming more reliant on<br />
anecdotes to tell a story.<br />
The show will see the popular broadcaster explore some of the 25,000 questions<br />
his daily BBC Radio 2 show the Jeremy Vine Show has received from listeners.<br />
Get ready to laugh and cry as Jeremy tries to make sense of a world that<br />
increasingly makes no sense at all!<br />
Jeremy will be doing a pre-event book signing in the Sir Doug Ellis lounge bar<br />
from 6pm, and a Q&A session will follow the talk. For more details visit<br />
www.suttoncoldfieldtownhall.co.uk<br />
WHAT: MALVERN AUTUMN SHOW<br />
WHERE: THREE COUNTIES SHOWGROUND, MALVERN<br />
WHEN: <strong>SEPTEMBER</strong> 24 TO 26<br />
The Malvern Autumn Show returns for a harvest festival packed with special<br />
guests, giant vegetables, floral displays, and family entertainment. This year’s<br />
three-day show will take place at the Three Counties Showground in Malvern.<br />
Explore a range of drinks at the Gin Show, have a few nibbles at the new openair<br />
food & drink village, browse the nursery and RHS flower show displays and<br />
be wowed by the size of the vegetables on display in the CANNA UK National<br />
Giant Vegetables Championship.<br />
Adult tickets are £18, under 16s go free. Visit www.malvernautumn.co.uk<br />
WHAT: HAIRSPRAY!<br />
WHERE: BIRMINGHAM HIPPODROME<br />
WHEN: <strong>SEPTEMBER</strong> 27 TO OCTOBER 2<br />
The international musical phenomenon Hairspray returns to Birmingham<br />
Hippodrome this month following its postponement in March. After breaking<br />
box office records and delighting audiences in the West End, on Broadway and<br />
on the big screen since 1988, this smash hit musical-comedy has quite the legacy.<br />
Welcome to the 60s, where everyone’s grooving to a brand-new sound! Enter<br />
our vivacious heroine Tracy Turnblad, who has big hair, a big heart, and big<br />
dreams to dance her way onto national TV, and into the heart of teen idol Link<br />
Larkin. When Tracy becomes a local star, she is able to use her newfound fame<br />
to fight for liberation, tolerance, and interracial unity in Baltimore. But can she<br />
win equality – and Link’s heart – without denting her ‘do?<br />
This fun-filled, feel good show is bursting with show-stopping numbers, dazzling<br />
costumes, and dizzying dance routines that you can’t help but shimmy to! For<br />
more details visit www.birminghamhippodrome.com<br />
WHAT: ROMEO AND JULIET LIVE RECORDING<br />
WHERE: LICHFIELD GARRICK STUDIO<br />
WHEN: <strong>SEPTEMBER</strong> 28<br />
Romeo and Juliet risk everything to be together. In defiance of their feuding<br />
families, they chase a future of joy and passion as violence erupts around them.<br />
This bold new film brings to life the remarkable backstage spaces of the National<br />
Theatre in which desire, dreams and destiny collide to make Shakespeare’s<br />
romantic tragedy sing in an entirely new way.<br />
Jessie Buckley (Wild Rose, Judy) and Josh O’Connor (The Crown, God’s Own<br />
Country) play Juliet and Romeo. The award-winning cast includes Tamsin<br />
Greig, Fisayo Akinade, Adrian Lester, Lucian Msamati, Deborah Findlay.<br />
Tickets are priced at £16.50. For more details visit www.lichfieldgarrick.com.<br />
52 www.jaimemagazine.com
Jean Lamb Wealth Consultancy<br />
My offices are situated in the historic city of Lichfield and I have been providing personal<br />
wealth management advice to my clients for more<br />
than 25 years.<br />
I specialise in the following key areas<br />
and welcome your enquiry:<br />
• Investment Planning<br />
• InheritanceTax and Estate Planning<br />
• Pre and Post-Retirement Planning<br />
• Care Fees Planning and Funding for Care<br />
Telephone: 01543 417342<br />
Website: www.jeanlamb.co.uk<br />
Email: jean.lamb@sjpp.co.uk<br />
Office: 6A Market Street, Lichfield, WS13 6LH<br />
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)<br />
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.<br />
SOMERTON<br />
KITCHEN<br />
ELEGANT & TIMELESS<br />
EUROPA WAY, LICHFIELD, WS14 9TZ<br />
01543 440020 | SHOWROOMS.TIPPERS.COM<br />
BOOK AN<br />
APPOINTMENT<br />
APPOINTMENTS.<br />
TIPPERS.COM<br />
WEEKDAYS<br />
7.30AM - 5.00PM<br />
SATURDAY<br />
8.00AM - 2.00PM
FA S H I O N<br />
Layers of style<br />
AS SUNNY DAYS GIVE WAY TO CHILLIER CLIMES IT CAN BE DIFFICULT TO DRESS<br />
FOR THE WEATHER. AMY NORBURY PICKS OUT SOME PERFECT PIECES TO SEGUE<br />
SEAMLESSLY FROM SUMMER TO AUTUMN<br />
AAH, the in-between season. Where it can be gloriously sunny<br />
one moment, and torrential downpours the next. As we move<br />
from the halcyon days of summer to distinctly autumnal chills,<br />
choosing an outfit which stays weather-appropriate all day long<br />
can prove to be somewhat challenging.<br />
So it is at this time of year that more really is more - layers, that<br />
is.<br />
Layering up is the stylish solution to transient weather dressing.<br />
Opting for several lighter layers which pair perfectly and can<br />
be removed or added as the day wears on makes light work of<br />
dressing for all weathers at once.<br />
And since our great British summer has been more or less a<br />
washout this year, a few nifty layering tricks will help you to<br />
make the most of your summer wardrobe for a little while<br />
longer.<br />
Take those beautiful, floaty summer dresses, for example. They<br />
may be perfect for parading up and down the beach, but it<br />
doesn’t end there. Swap your sandals for boots and throw over a<br />
lightweight knit, and your warm weather wardrobe has suddenly<br />
got a new lease of life as a transitional style saviour. Add a cosy<br />
gilet, and that same dress will take you right through autumn<br />
and beyond.<br />
Finding the right knitwear is key to between-season dressing.<br />
Before we get onto the chunky knits of deepest winter, fine knits<br />
are perfect for layering with shirt and blouses, teaming with<br />
floaty maxi skirts and wearing over dresses and jumpsuits, to add<br />
an extra bit of warmth without being too bulky.<br />
Ever the librarian’s favourite, the cardi has been making a<br />
serious style comeback in recent seasons, with designers galore<br />
opting for a touch of granny chic on the catwalks. A chunky<br />
cardigan is ideal for when it’s too warm outside for a coat, but<br />
not warm enough to do without that extra layer entirely.<br />
Extend your knitwear arsenal to include dresses, skirts and<br />
trousers for cosy style as the thermometer starts to plummet and<br />
the promise of sunny days looks to be firmly behind us until the<br />
new year.<br />
And when it comes to outerwear, a blazer will be your<br />
transitional dressing hero. Light enough to be part of your<br />
outfit, rather than an outerwear add-on, a blazer is perfect for<br />
smartening up jeans or adding a style statement to girly dresses.<br />
ENCHANTING AUTUMN DRESS, £49, AND<br />
70S VIBE FEDORA, £25, JOE BROWNS.<br />
WWW.JOEBROWNS.CO.UK<br />
54 www.jaimemagazine.com
DENIM SHIRT DRESS, OLIVER BONAS.<br />
WWW.OLIVERBONAS.COM<br />
£45<br />
CHUNKY CARDIGAN, RIVER ISLAND.<br />
WWW.RIVERISLAND.COM<br />
£65<br />
£109<br />
£69.50<br />
BUTTON THROUGH SAGE GREEN<br />
KNITTED DRESS, OLIVER BONAS.<br />
WWW.OLIVERBONAS.COM<br />
£65<br />
£129<br />
BARBOUR INTERNATIONAL<br />
SOLITUDE JUMPSUIT.<br />
WWW.BARBOUR.COM<br />
BARBOUR MATILDE BOOTS.<br />
WWW.BARBOUR.COM<br />
CREAM BELTED BLAZER, RIVER ISLAND.<br />
WWW.RIVERISLAND.COM<br />
BARBOUR CRESSWELL DRESS, £89.95.<br />
WWW.BARBOUR.COM<br />
THE HERITAGE JACKET, £85, GRAPHIC HOODIE, £45,<br />
AND ROCK CHICK LEATHER LOOK TROUSERS, £45,<br />
JOE BROWNS. WWW.JOEBROWNS.CO.UK
B E AU T Y<br />
Take it all off before bed!<br />
WE’VE ALL DONE IT; GOING TO BED WITHOUT HAVING TAKEN OFF YOUR MAKEUP HAPPENS TO THE BEST<br />
OF US BUT IT IS ONE OF BEAUTY’S BIGGEST SINS. IF YOU REGULARLY HIT THE SHEETS WITHOUT FULLY<br />
CLEANSING YOUR FACE YOU’LL BE STORING UP A WHOLE HOST OF SKINCARE WOES, EXPLAINS ROYAL<br />
FACIALIST AND FOUNDER OF HEAVEN SKINCARE DEBORAH MITCHELL<br />
WRINKLES: Sleeping with your<br />
makeup is instantly going to age your<br />
skin, simple. Make sure you find the<br />
time to have a proper cleanse – it’ll<br />
only take a minute and I promise you<br />
your complexion will be very grateful.<br />
My New Edition Cleanser contains<br />
my patented ABEETOXIN® formula<br />
so it not only deeply cleans but also<br />
tightens and firms. The addition of<br />
vitamin A helps resurface and repair<br />
cells, and also promotes eyelash<br />
growth.<br />
DRY SKIN: By not removing<br />
your foundation at bedtime<br />
you starve the skin of essential<br />
oxygen, making it dry and<br />
sensitive. Sleep is vital<br />
when it comes to repairing,<br />
regenerating and restructuring<br />
the skin but you can help this<br />
process by finding time for an<br />
effective routine before you go<br />
to bed.<br />
Thanks to its vitamin B content my Overnight<br />
Success Oxygen Cream releases oxygen to<br />
detoxify and replenish your complexion. Perfect for<br />
dull or damaged skin, its anti-ageing properties help<br />
boost collagen production.<br />
BREAKOUTS: Unsurprisingly,<br />
if you continue to hit the sack<br />
without properly cleaning your<br />
face first then you will become far<br />
more prone to spots, especially<br />
around the chin and nose, and<br />
across your cheeks.<br />
My Willowbee Mask and<br />
Cleanse not only detoxes your<br />
skin, but it heals imperfections too. It’s the first<br />
Heaven product to contain the bark from the willow<br />
tree, a natural and organic alternative to aspirin.<br />
Because of this it is ideal for all skin types, especially<br />
those prone to breakouts.<br />
BLOCKED PORES: Pores are tiny openings<br />
in the skin, connected to your hair follicles. They<br />
release our natural oils<br />
to ensure skin is healthy<br />
and moisturised. Leaving<br />
makeup overnight means<br />
bacteria causes blockages,<br />
making pores appear<br />
larger and darker.<br />
Give your skin a helping<br />
hand with regular<br />
exfoliation; my Bee<br />
Peel has a potent mix of ingredients – including<br />
ABEETOXIN®, organic coconut and raw cane<br />
sugar – to resurface and even out tone, minimises the<br />
visibility of dark spots, blemishes and enlarged pores.<br />
IRRITATED EYES: If your eyes are going to<br />
spend the night fighting off leftover bacteria then<br />
they will look red and feel<br />
sore by morning. The delicate<br />
skin around them will be dry,<br />
leading to dark circles and<br />
puffiness.<br />
My hard-working yet gentle<br />
Nettle Venom Eyes is ideal<br />
for those mornings where<br />
darker circles are more visible<br />
as it hydrates the delicate<br />
skin around your eyes, penetrating fine lines and<br />
eliminating bags. Vitamin A and hyaluronic acid<br />
work in tandem to reduce heaviness, making skin<br />
brighter.<br />
You can shop the complete range of Heaven<br />
Skincare online at heavenskincare.com,<br />
from the Heaven flagship spa in Shifnal or at<br />
Harvey Nichols Birmingham.<br />
56 www.jaimemagazine.com
Order now for pre-Christmas installation<br />
FREE no obligation design service with our kitchen specialists<br />
16 -18 Britannia Way Britannia Enterprise Park, Lichfield WS14 9UY • 01543 263340<br />
info@lichfieldkitchensandbedrooms.com • www.lichfieldkitchensandbedrooms.com<br />
Opening Hours: Monday - Friday 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Saturday 10:00am - 4:00pm<br />
Proud to be a family run business for over 35 years<br />
HOME IS WHERE THE WARMTH IS<br />
See our<br />
new range of<br />
‘Clock’ stoves<br />
- all British<br />
built<br />
Suppliers of: Contura, Clock, Jotul, Gazco, Scan, Town & Country Fires, ACR Heat Products and many more<br />
Installers and suppliers of gas fires, bespoke limestone surrounds, and gas and woodburning stoves, since 1981.<br />
1/7 High Street, Erdington B23 6RG Next to Highclare School<br />
Telephone: 0121 384 5251 - www.abbeyfirecentre.co.uk<br />
Open: Mon - Fri: 9am - 5pm (closed Wednesdays), Sat: 10am - 2pm<br />
abbeyfirecentre @abbeyfirecentre abbeyfirecentreltd<br />
For your safety and to observe social distancing we are asking that you<br />
telephone or email to arrange a personal viewing of our showroom.
B E AU T Y<br />
New Season, New Skincare<br />
J’AIMES TOP PICKS FOR SERUMS IN PREPARATION FOR THE NEW SEASON. NO<br />
MATTER WHAT YOUR SKIN TYPE OR BUDGET THERE IS A PRODUCT FOR YOU<br />
As we say goodbye to summer and welcome in<br />
autumn, it’s important that we don’t forget to adjust<br />
our skincare routine as each season changes. The<br />
difference in weather can impact our skin in many<br />
ways and if we’re not using the right products, we<br />
may not be looking our best. This month we’ll see<br />
cooler temperatures and lower humidity levels which<br />
means the dry air draws moisture away from the<br />
skin, so now is a good time to look at adding a little<br />
more hydration into our face to keep us glowing!<br />
Using a face serum daily is a great and easy way to<br />
give us a collagen boost to the skin which will leave it<br />
feeling nourished and radiant, let’s look at J’AIME’s<br />
top picks.<br />
LA MER - The Concentrate<br />
£305 (30ml)<br />
If you want to go for ultimate<br />
luxury, look no further than the La<br />
Mer The Concentrate. This small<br />
green bottle includes ingredients<br />
such as lime tea, eucalyptus and<br />
lavender oil to renew, strengthen,<br />
protect and soothe the skin. La Mer<br />
recommends gently pressing and<br />
massaging onto the skin twice a day.<br />
CHARLOTTE TILBURY -<br />
The Magic Serum Crystal<br />
Elixir £60 (30ml)<br />
One of Charlotte Tilbury’s<br />
biggest secrets…The Magic<br />
Serum Crystal Elixir. This<br />
water-based formula is suitable<br />
for all skin types and can be<br />
layered under moisturiser and<br />
sunscreen. Adding this into your<br />
daily skincare routine will give<br />
you intense hydration and firmer<br />
looking skin.<br />
OLAY - Collagen Peptide Serum<br />
£34.99 (40ml)<br />
Looking to spend a little less but still<br />
get great results? Olay’s new skincare<br />
range offers their collagen peptide<br />
serum which includes niacinamide<br />
to regenerate skin. The lightweight,<br />
fragrance-free formula smooths and<br />
strengthens skin while also giving it<br />
that much needed moisture for the<br />
colder months.<br />
FENTY BEAUTY - Fat Water<br />
Pore-Refining toner serum £25<br />
(150ml)<br />
Fat Water Pore-Refining toner serum<br />
by Rihanna’s Fenty Beauty is a 2-in-1<br />
toner and serum – revolutionary!<br />
As well as having the benefits of a<br />
traditional serum, the toner in the<br />
formula helps pores to appear smaller<br />
as well as evening out skin texture<br />
over time. Your skin will be left feeling<br />
smooth, plump and replenished.<br />
THE ORDINARY - Buffet<br />
£12.70 (30ml)<br />
One of the most popular and<br />
affordable toners on the market is<br />
the classic cult favourite ‘Buffet’<br />
serum by The Ordinary. This little<br />
bottle is packed with peptides that<br />
help stimulate collagen in the skin.<br />
Incorporate this into your skincare to<br />
achieve more plumper and smoother<br />
looking skin over time.<br />
For more on skincare visit<br />
www.jaimemagazine.com<br />
58 www.jaimemagazine.com
The Salon Lichfield<br />
Welcome their new stylist Jemma<br />
Jemma brings a wealth of hairdressing experience to ‘The Salon’<br />
having spent the last 12 years as a ‘hairdressing educator’. Working<br />
alongside the award winning Wella colouring stylist Ricky Harding<br />
MCE and his partner Deborah Morgan, Jemma, who was initially<br />
trained at one of the industry’s best known salons, will add her own<br />
considerable hairdressing skills and artistic flair to the team. Jemma<br />
will be in the salon every Tuesday, Friday and Saturday.<br />
20% off when you recommend a friend<br />
3 Bolt Court, Lichfield WS13 6LA - 07583559128<br />
Based in the heart of Staffordshire in the picturesque<br />
villages of Alrewas & Tutbury, our shops are packed<br />
with ideas and inspiration for your home. Incorporating<br />
Jo Raybould Interior Design within, for those who<br />
require the services of a professional designer.<br />
needwoodliving.co.uk<br />
info@needwoodliving.co.uk<br />
136 Main Street<br />
Alrewas, DE13 7ED<br />
01283 711 272<br />
7A High Street,<br />
Tutbury, DE13 9LP<br />
01283 813 322<br />
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and refurbishing<br />
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匀 Staffordshire 琀 愀 昀 昀 漀 爀 搀 猀 栀 椀 爀 攀 WS14 圀 匀 㐀 9QR 㤀 儀 刀<br />
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眀 www.allenbrownjewellery.co.uk<br />
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昀 椀 琀
I N T H E N E W S<br />
A passion for<br />
sustainable fashion<br />
FROM ‘FIELD TO FASHION’ IS THE PHILOSOPHY OF JO WHITEHOUSE’S FASHION BRAND<br />
ETON TAYLOR, WHICH NOW HAS A PERMANENT HOME AT THE DEER PARK AT HOAR CROSS<br />
Timeless and elegant style staples which look fabulous,<br />
yet are practical enough for the rigours of the great<br />
British countryside throughout the seasons, are at the<br />
heart of luxury British fashion brand Eton Taylor.<br />
Founded by Jo Whitehouse in 2018, the company can<br />
be found adding a touch of style to game fairs, horse<br />
trials and country shows around the UK, earning a<br />
loyal customer base which travels around the country<br />
to peruse Jo’s wares.<br />
And now, customers old and new will be able to enjoy<br />
the Eton Taylor experience at The Deer Park at Hoar<br />
Cross, where Jo has recently opened her first retail<br />
shop.<br />
For Jo, fashion has been a lifelong passion. Her mother<br />
opened her fashion shop, Joanne’s, when Jo was just<br />
a baby, so she grew up around glamorous ladies and<br />
beautiful clothing.<br />
As a teenager she started modelling for her mother at<br />
local fashion shows - something she still does to this<br />
day.<br />
Eton Taylor harks back to the days when women<br />
would invest in timeless, classic clothing, rather than<br />
change and replace the contents of their wardrobe<br />
season after season.<br />
“It’s about women feeling fabulous, and having a<br />
wardrobe which is an investment which will last for<br />
years,” says Jo. “I’m not into fast fashion.<br />
“Eton Taylor came about because I found it hard to<br />
find things I liked, and that I would wear for years.<br />
Here, I have a core selection - my tweeds, my suedes,<br />
my Toscanas, my white shirts, my wraps, they are my<br />
core products and they don’t change throughout the<br />
year.<br />
“I pick certain things that I think will work for<br />
everybody; colour-wise, size-wise, style wise. Our<br />
customer age range goes from 18, up to ladies in their<br />
nineties.<br />
“It’s all about having key basics. If you’ve got a classic<br />
jacket, a crisp white shirt, a beautiful scarf, a stylish<br />
coat and a fabulous piece of knitwear, then you’ve got<br />
ETON TAYLOR FOUNDER<br />
JO WHITEHOUSE<br />
the essence of a wardrobe you can wear throughout<br />
the seasons.<br />
“We work with British companies; our tweed coats are<br />
made in the UK, our classic ladies’ shirts are made in<br />
the UK, and we stock a good mix of natural fabrics,<br />
from suede to sheepskin, to cashmere.<br />
“Versatility is also a big thing for me. It’s all about how<br />
versatile pieces can be and how much wear you can<br />
get out of them.”<br />
Customer service is key for Jo, who is on hand to help<br />
her customers find exactly the right outfit for any<br />
occasion, or item to complete their wardrobe. And<br />
for customers who can’t get to the shop, or visit Jo at<br />
one of her shows, she also offers virtual consultations<br />
where clients can receive the full Eton Taylor service<br />
from the comfort of their own home.<br />
“I love helping my customers find something that<br />
they really love,” adds Jo. “It’s about helping ladies to<br />
utilise that piece of clothing in their wardrobe, to feel<br />
comfortable in it and get the most out of it.”<br />
Eton Taylor at The Deer Park is open<br />
Wednesday to Saturday, from 10am until 5pm.<br />
For more details, visit the website at www.<br />
etontaylor.co.uk or call Jo on 07720 548510.<br />
Follow Eton Taylor on Instagram and<br />
Facebook.<br />
60 www.jaimemagazine.com
I N T H E N E W S<br />
Capturing<br />
the moment<br />
DESPITE OPENING DURING THE PANDEMIC, PORTFOLIO PHOTOGRAPHIC STUDIO AT THE DEER<br />
PARK IS THRIVING A YEAR ON, THANKS TO OWNER STUART ADAM’S PASSION FOR PICTURES<br />
Photography has been a lifelong passion for Stuart<br />
Adam. Since picking up the camera at the tender<br />
age of just five, Stuart has been a prolific snapper,<br />
capturing memories with his beautiful images. He<br />
estimates that he takes around a staggering 100,000<br />
images every year - and that’s even before he<br />
launched his photography business.<br />
The 61-year-old started Portfolio Photographic<br />
Studio as a business to focus on during his semiretirement<br />
after years of working in the automotive<br />
and aerospace industries as an engineer by trade -<br />
although the thriving studio has put paid to any ideas<br />
of an easier working life.<br />
“It’s something I love, and something I’ve always<br />
wanted to do,” explains Stuart. “My dad bought me<br />
a camera when I was five to document our holidays<br />
in Scotland, and that was it. And for as long as I can<br />
remember photography has been such a big part of<br />
my life.<br />
“I’ve been a wedding photographer for about five<br />
years, and wedding photographers don’t generally<br />
need studios because they’re always working on<br />
location. But I liked the idea of what I could do in<br />
the studio, to do something different.”<br />
Stuart initially set up a small studio at home, where<br />
he would do cake smashes, family shoots and more,<br />
before looking for dedicated premises to move into.<br />
In March last year, Stuart’s wife Toni, a wedding<br />
cake maker and talented photographer who often<br />
works as Stuart’s second shooter, discovered that<br />
some spaces were available at The Deer Park at<br />
Hoar Cross. The site, which was then still a work in<br />
progress, immediately captured Stuart’s imagination.<br />
“The whole thing just felt right,” explains Stuart.<br />
“The location, the space, what they’re trying to<br />
create here, it was all just perfect.”<br />
With building work put on hold as the pandemic hit,<br />
it was August until Stuart was finally able to open<br />
his studio to the public. Alongside weddings, which<br />
STUART ADAM, OF PORTFOLIO<br />
PHOTOGRAPHIC<br />
are coming thick and fast since restrictions on events<br />
have been lifted, Stuart is booked up with family<br />
portraits, cake smashes, couples’ shoots and more.<br />
“Because I’m an engineer, I can’t draw, and I’m<br />
not artistic at all,” laughs Stuart. “So the way I can<br />
create something is through my photography.<br />
“My style is really natural and engaging, a relaxed<br />
style of photography which just captures moments as<br />
they happen.<br />
“And I love weddings because they’re a big gig, every<br />
wedding is different and weddings these days are<br />
more diverse than ever. And that’s fabulous because<br />
it makes every wedding unique.”<br />
Since moving into the studio, Stuart has become a<br />
key part of the business community at The Deer<br />
Park, helping the other companies with their product<br />
photography, and being on board with wedding<br />
fayres and fashion shoots.<br />
“A year on, and I think we’re still exploring<br />
everything we can do here,” Stuart says. “There’s so<br />
much potential and so many ideas, it’s exciting to see<br />
what we can do next.”<br />
For more information visit Stuart in his studio at<br />
The Deer Park, Hoar Cross, or visit<br />
www.portfoliophotographic.co.uk<br />
62 www.jaimemagazine.com
WE ARE A TRUSTED, LOCAL FAMILY, DEDICATED TO PROVIDING<br />
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ALL NEEDS AND WISHES CATERED FOR.<br />
PRE-PAYMENT FUNERAL PLANS AVAILABLE<br />
OUR SECOND FUNERAL HOME IS NOW OPEN AT<br />
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VISIT OUR WEB AND FACEBOOK SITES TO SEE OUR REVIEWS<br />
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Rosemary Lodge Care Home is a family run home and has<br />
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years. Offering 24 hour care, our fully trained staff work<br />
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All Rosemary rooms are Lodge on-suite, Care Hoe is and a family are run designed home and to has comfortably<br />
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care. To arrange a visit or to learn more about us please<br />
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in this beautiful ‘home from home’<br />
Our commitment to offering just the right amount of care and support has led<br />
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commitment are a great part of our success.<br />
We also offer respite care, holiday stay and limited day care. To arrange a visit<br />
or to learn more about us please get in touch using the contact details below.<br />
Rosemary Lodge Residential Care Home<br />
Rosemary Lodge Residential Home<br />
Rosemary 191 Walsall Lodge Road, Residential Lichfield. Staffs. WS13 Care 8AQ. Home<br />
191 Walsall Road, Lichfield, Staffordshire, WS13 8AQ<br />
In the 191 first Walsall instance Road, please Lichfield, contact Jane Staffordshire, Evans - Registered WS13 Care Manager 8AQ<br />
Please contact or Shirley the Registered Kent - Administration Care Manager. Jane Evans<br />
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CQC RATING GOOD
H E A LT H<br />
World title is the target after<br />
sight-saving eye surgery<br />
AN INTERNATIONAL AWARD-WINNING SHOOTER FEARED HE MIGHT HAVE TAKEN AIM FOR THE<br />
LAST TIME WHEN HE VIRTUALLY LOST ALL SIGHT IN HIS LEFT EYE. BUT FOLLOWING LASER SURGERY<br />
CARRIED OUT AT SPIRE LITTLE ASTON, IN SUTTON COLDFIELD, HE IS BACK IN ACTION<br />
Donovan Jenkin started shooting at the age of 10,<br />
and competes in Helice shooting – an offshoot of<br />
clay pigeon shooting – where targets with propellers<br />
are released from a series of ‘traps’. But where clays<br />
travel in a predictable direction, a Helice target has<br />
an unpredictable flight path.<br />
He was runner up in the 1990 English Open and<br />
won the Le Touquet Grand Prix in France in 1992<br />
and won the Grand Prix de France in 1993 when he<br />
decided to take a break from the sport to concentrate<br />
on his ever-expanding landscaping business.<br />
When he decided to retire in 2016 he began<br />
competing again and was soon back to winning ways<br />
– adding another Le Touquet Grand Prix in 2017 to<br />
his honours list.<br />
But within weeks of that victory he began having<br />
problems with vision in his left eye and was advised<br />
to wear prescription glasses. However, the problem<br />
continued and it wasn’t long before he had lost<br />
virtually all sight from that eye.<br />
“I shoot from the left shoulder so I am left eye<br />
dominant – it looked like my shooting days were well<br />
and truly over,” he explained.<br />
It was discovered he had astigmatism and had<br />
surgery to fit a replacement lens that should<br />
have solved the problem. But the blurred vision<br />
quickly returned and he was advised to meet with<br />
ophthalmic consultant Mr Daniel Calladine at Spire<br />
Little Aston Hospital in Sutton Coldfield.<br />
Mr Calladine explained: “Mr Jenkin has undergone<br />
lens replacement surgery at another centre to help<br />
correct his distance vision and also reduce his<br />
astigmatism.<br />
“Technically the surgery had gone well but,<br />
unfortunately, he was left with residual astigmatism.<br />
This is not uncommon following refractive type lens<br />
surgery and can mean patients often have to go back<br />
to wearing glasses.<br />
“We were able to correct the astigmatism using an<br />
excimer laser which we brought into the centre as<br />
part of a £200,000 investment package. It meant we<br />
were able to reduce the astigmatism to practically<br />
zero while also altering the focus of his eye to<br />
improve his long distance vision.<br />
“I am delighted to say it was an excellent outcome<br />
and really gives him the eagle-eye vision he needs to<br />
take part in Helice shooting.”<br />
Six weeks after the operation Donovan was back in<br />
Le Touquet to win his third Grand Prix and then<br />
came second in the British Helice Grand Prix.<br />
He said: “It is remarkable. I thought my shooting<br />
days were over and here I am competing at<br />
International level again. Now I’m really looking<br />
forward to the World Championships.<br />
At Spire Eye Centre, the expert consultant<br />
ophthalmologists use some of the latest medical<br />
treatments for a wide range of eye problems,<br />
including eye disease such as diabetic retinopathy;<br />
conditions commonly associated with age such as<br />
cataracts and glaucoma; and correcting eyesight<br />
problems through laser eye surgery.<br />
On October 7, consultant ophthalmologist Mr<br />
Thomas Ressiniotis is offering expert advice on<br />
cataracts and glaucoma treatments available in the<br />
Spire Eye Centre. Call 0121 514 7034 to book your<br />
free mini virtual consultation.<br />
64 www.jaimemagazine.com
Celebrate Christmas & New Year at The George Hotel<br />
in Lichfield city centre. Book now for a range of festive events,<br />
stays and dining experiences.<br />
CHRISTMAS PARTY NIGHTS | FAMILY LUNCH WITH SANTA<br />
MURDER MYSTERY EVENINGS<br />
AFTERNOON TEA WITH CAROLS<br />
AFTERNOON TEA WITH SONGS FROM MICHAEL BUBLE<br />
CHRISTMAS DAY LUNCH | NEW YEAR’S EVE DINNER & DISCO<br />
Celebrate Christmas & New Year at 4* Moor Hall Hotel & Spa<br />
in Sutton Coldfield. Book now for a range of festive events,<br />
stays and dining experiences.<br />
CHRISTMAS PARTY NIGHTS | FAMILY LUNCH WITH SANTA<br />
MURDER MYSTERY EVENINGS | COMEDY DINING<br />
AFTERNOON TEA WITH CAROLS<br />
AFTERNOON TEA WITH SONGS FROM MICHAEL BUBLE<br />
FAMILY PANTOMIME | BREAKFAST WITH SANTA<br />
CHRISTMAS DAY LUNCH | NEW YEAR’S EVE DINNER & DISCO<br />
Bird Street, Lichfield, WS13 6PR<br />
01543 414822 www.thegeorgelichfield.co.uk<br />
Visit our website for more events, menus and to book<br />
Moor Hall Drive, Four Oaks, Sutton Coldfield B75 6LN<br />
0121 308 3751 www.moorhallhotel.co.uk<br />
Visit our website for more events, menus and to book
I N T H E N E W S<br />
A new opening for<br />
funeral firm<br />
A STAFFORDSHIRE FUNERAL FIRM WITH A REPUTATION FOR THEIR<br />
UNRIVALLED CARE AND SUPPORT TO BEREAVED FAMILIES HAVE<br />
OPENED A SECOND FUNERAL HOME IN BURNTWOOD<br />
Since opening up their funeral home in Cannock in<br />
2017, the O’Malley’s have built up a reputation for<br />
providing a truly personal service during what is one<br />
of life’s most difficult times.<br />
With funerals conducted across the Midlands and<br />
beyond, the independent, family-run firm pride<br />
themselves on catering for all needs and wishes,<br />
giving each family they care for the opportunity<br />
to say goodbye in their own unique way, all while<br />
offering competitive and transparent pricing.<br />
This year has seen the second branch of O’Malley<br />
Family Funerals opening in Burntwood, the<br />
hometown of founder Jack O’Malley, who runs the<br />
firm alongside his brother Luke and sister Grace.<br />
The new home is named the John Joseph Funeral<br />
Home, in memory of the siblings’ beloved grandad.<br />
Jack O’Malley says: “We have always lived in<br />
Burntwood and are so proud to have a second<br />
funeral home there. My first real exposure to the<br />
funeral profession was as an altar boy at St. Joseph’s<br />
Catholic Church, just opposite our new premises.”<br />
The team at O’Malley Family Funerals are not what<br />
people may perceive as ‘typical’ funeral directors.<br />
After assisting voluntarily at many funerals, Jack<br />
became actively involved in the wider funeral<br />
OFFICE MANAGER GRACE IS THE<br />
YOUNGEST OF THE SIBLINGS<br />
BROTHERS JACK OND LUKE O’MALLEY<br />
profession at the age of 16, even working while<br />
completing his A-level studies and during his time at<br />
the University of Birmingham where he obtained his<br />
Honours degree in English.<br />
Jack was in his early 20s when set up O’Malley<br />
Family Funerals in 2017, with older brother Luke<br />
and younger sister Grace coming on board to offer a<br />
truly family focused service.<br />
Jack says: “We are all family at O’Malley’s and it is<br />
our promise to treat all those we care for and support<br />
as if they are family too. Me and my siblings Luke<br />
and Grace are also supported by uncles Andy and<br />
John and cousin Ian who assist with funeral services.”<br />
Since launching O’Malley Family Funerals, the<br />
siblings have gained an enviable reputation and<br />
have attracted the attention of media across the<br />
world, appearing on the BBC, ITV, Dutch television<br />
and in the New York Times. Their service has<br />
been awarded five star reviews across Google, Yell,<br />
Facebook, Funeral Guide and more.<br />
O’Malley Family Funerals can be contacted day or<br />
night, 365 days of the year and serve all areas with<br />
no restrictions, offering free home visits to all. For<br />
more details visit www.omalleyfunerals.co.uk<br />
66 www.jaimemagazine.com
Established – Professional – Transparent<br />
The Winterton family name has been synonymous<br />
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we handle everything<br />
Comprehensive, bespoke<br />
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We handle clearance of an entire<br />
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Jewellery, Watches & Silver<br />
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Church Hill, Mill Street, B72 1TF<br />
Discover that hidden gem with your local auctioneer<br />
We specialise in:<br />
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Watches, Jewellery, Silver & Antiques<br />
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More than 3,800 bidders from<br />
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Wood End Lane, WS13 8NF<br />
Mondays<br />
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Meet valuer Louise<br />
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Thursdays<br />
9.30am - 4pm<br />
With Heather,<br />
gemmologist<br />
& diamond grader<br />
FREE General Valuations of your pictures, antiques and collectables<br />
By appointment only - with our team on Thursdays from 9.30am - 4pm Call 01543 251081<br />
01543 251081<br />
www.richardwinterton.co.uk<br />
office@richardwinterton.co.uk<br />
The Lichfield Auction Centre, Wood End Lane, Fradley Park WS13 8NF<br />
J'Aime Ad 190x280_June <strong>2021</strong>.indd 5 14/05/<strong>2021</strong> 15:43