J’AIME JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022

J’AIME
Y O U R L O C A L L U X U R Y L I F E S T Y L E M A G A Z I N E
J A N U A R Y / F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 2
Peri
nice:
2022’s colour
of the year
revealed
GOING
VEGAN?
The Lichfield
guru’s advice on
plant-based eating
Hi-de-Hi!
THE LEGENDARY
SU POLLARD ON HER
NEW STAGE SHOW
STAFFORDSHIRE CHEF
MATT WILLDIGG SHARES HIS
MASTERCHEF EXPERIENCE

アパート
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Welcome to J’AIME
It’s the start of a new year, and the new beginning brings
a whiff of optimism that 2022 might just be the one
where we find the words ‘pandemic’ and ‘lockdown’
slipping out of our everyday vocabulary.
If the past two years have left you in dire need of a
much-missed getaway, the experts at RB Collection
take a look at some of the most exciting luxury travel
opportunities for the next 12 months and beyond; a
stylish sojourn to Paris, an exciting Icelandic trip or a
Middle Eastern adventure all sound idyllic to us!
The entertainment industry is, thankfully, back in full
swing, and this month sees the effervescent Su Pollard
bringing her tour to Tamworth for one night only. Su
was a hoot on Celebrity MasterChef last year, and we
caught up with her about all this and more ahead of her
visit, plus we round up some of the best events for all the
family taking place this month.
Speaking of MasterChef, we also chat to Professionals
final week contenter Matt Willdigg about his journey
from Staffordshire to the small screen, and his new
venture with fellow MasterChef alumni Oli Martin.
If you’ve taken part in Veganary, or are looking for
inspiration to incorporate more plant-based meals into
your diet then Martin Holden-White, the Lichfield
founder of vegan recipe box company Grubby, offers
some top tips, as well as a delicious plant-based recipe to
try at home.
After a festive season spent at home, the start of the year
is usually the time when we decide to start refreshing our
rooms, and we look at some of the hottest new interiors
trends.
With all your usual favourites, from fashion and beauty,
to fitness and food, we’ve got a jam-packed issue full of
things to love.
If you enjoy what you read in this issue, then why not
help us to spread the word? As well as being delivered
directly to homes in selected postcodes across the
area, you can pick J’AIME up free of charge in major
supermarkets around the Midlands, as well as read the
whole thing - and plenty more! - online at
www.jaimemagazine.com
EDITOR: AMY NORBURY
EDITOR@JAIMEMAGAZINE.COM
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CONTRIBUTORS: KATY EDGINGTON,
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DEBORAH MITCHELL
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CO N T E N T S
InsideJ’aime this month...
6 Su Pollard - The entertainment legend brings
her new show to Tamworth
10 Everybody Sings - Discover the joy of singing
with a Sutton Coldfield choir
14 Property - Property of the month
16 Property - Ambitious plans from Chosen Home
18 Interiors - Pantone’s Colour of the Year
22 Interiors - Declutter for the New Year
26 Interiors - Terrific tigers
30 Valentine’s Day - Gift guide
34 Auction treasures - Wine and whisky expert
Robert French looks at investment potential
36 Food and drink - Reviewing The Red Lion at
Bradley
38 Food and drink - MasterChef’s Matt Willdigg on
his small screen experience
42 Food and drink - Vegan tips and ideas from
Grubby’s Martin Holden-White
46 Food and drink - MasterChef winner Dan Lee
shares a recipe
48 Health - A fitness boost for new parents
52 Travel - Luxury travel ideas for 2022 and
beyond
56 What’s On - Events around the Midlands this
month
60 In the news - A original art showcase at Artifex
62 Fashion - Best foot forward
64 Beauty - New Year beauty resolutions
66 Health - Winter skincare advice from Spire
Little Aston
SPONSORED BY
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F E AT U R E
The nation’s favourite
happy camper
NATIONAL TREASURE SU POLLARD HAS BEEN A FIXTURE OF BRITISH TV, THEATRE AND PANTO
FOR NEARLY FIVE DECADES. KATY EDGINGTON LEARNS MORE ABOUT HER NEW TOUR
SU HAS BEEN SEEN ON TELEVISION RECENTLY AS
A CONTESTANT ON CELEBRITY MASTERCHEF
The ever bright and effervescent Su Pollard first
made her television debut on Opportunity Knocks
in 1974, where she came second to a singing Jack
Russell terrier. Best known for her role as Peggy
in the BAFTA-winning sitcom BBC One sitcom
Hi-De-Hi, Su most recently graced our screens as
a contestant on Celebrity MasterChef last summer,
and in the Christmas Cook-off.
Putting her somewhat controversial ham hock,
broccoli, apricot and kimchi sandwich behind her,
Su is about to embark on her ‘An evening with…’
tour, which is sure to be filled with laughter and a
few tears. The tour, which has been in the making for
several years, starts February 2 and runs until the end
of March, stopping off in Tamworth at the Assembly
Rooms on February 4.
Fortunately, Su has never minded travelling and
enjoys the camaraderie of being on the road. This is
the first tour of its kind she is doing, so I wondered
why now and what can audiences expect?
“I did a show about 30 years ago with a 10-piece
orchestra, so when I was offered this I thought ‘that
might be rather nice’. In these uncertain times you’re
just trying to offer people lighthearted entertainment.
It’s a mixture of everything, a few songs, anecdotes
and chats, with a meet and greet beforehand,” she
says.
As well as talking about her exceptional 45-plus
year career, Su will also be opening up the floor
for audience Q&A. But is there any question she
wouldn’t answer?
“Probably not,” she ponders. “It just depends
how it was asked and how I could formulate an
answer. If there was a question I thought might
6 www.jaimemagazine.com

e a bit personal, I’d have to think on
my feet because these things can be
misinterpreted. You have to be a bit
careful, but I wouldn’t want to be totally
censored. I’d like to be as honest as I
can.”
Born in Nottingham in 1949, Su
embraced the freedom of growing up
in the Midlands in the 50s and 60s. The
tour will visit intimate venues of around
400 seats including The Palace Theatre
in nearby Newark, but won’t quite
take her back to Nottingham, where
she discovered a lifelong love of the
entertainment business.
“I’d go three times a week to the local
amateur theatre group and it was
terrific,” she says. “I started when I
was 11. I love Nottingham; it’s a great,
vibrant city in my view, but equally I
wouldn’t want to leave London because I
really love it here.”
Despite a staggering list of TV, film,
West End, theatre and pantomime
appearances (not to mention a hit single)
many people still know Su best as Peggy,
the chalet maid and eventual Yellowcoat,
from Hi-De-Hi. The show aired between
1980 and 1988 and made Su a household
name. She believes there is a simple
reason for its enduring popularity.
“I think it was because it had a lot of
heart to it - it was real,” she says. “I
mean, I know it was high comedy but it was all about
people that wanted to better themselves. Look at
poor Yvonne and Barry - terrible snobs, but they
were trying to get on in life - and so was poor old Ted
Bovis. All Gladys wanted to do was love and be loved
in return.
“And because it was silly kind of stuff, anyone could
love it - eight-year-olds could love it and so could
80-year-olds. The characters were probably like your
friends in real life. We’ve all known a Gladys, and
we’ve all known a Miss Cathcart.”
From acting to singing to writing, Su has done it all
over the course of her career. For her, the medium
is secondary as long as the topic is interesting.
The acclaimed one-woman hit play Harpy has
been a particular highlight, in which she explores
her character’s struggles with mental health and
loneliness, as manifested through extreme hoarding.
“Harpy is an old-fashioned word for somebody, like
SU POLLARD BRING
HER ‘AN AUDIENCE
WITH...’ TOUR TO
TAMWORTH THIS
MONTH
a bird, that swoops down and grabs everything and
takes it back to its nest - so a hoarder, basically,” she
explains. “The writer, Philip Meeks, did ever such a
lot of research. There are millions and millions of
hoarders around the world, so it’s always going to be
relevant. It’s usually to do with something the person
has lost years and years before. It goes much deeper
than just keeping stuff. I loved doing that play.”
Su counts Les Dennis and her Hi-De-Hi colleagues
as some of those she has most enjoyed working with,
feeling very fortunate to have worked with so many
like-minded people who take their work seriously, but
have fun as well: “Every day, if you can, you make
life as pleasurable as you can for yourself and other
people, I think. If you’re working together you have a
duty to do that.”
The energetic, bubbly and colourful Su you see on
screen is very much what you get in real life: “I do
like to be on the go, as it were. Even when I walk, I
walk fast. But equally, when I do get some downtime
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7

I might watch a movie or something. I don’t just sit
about, generally, because I think you’re a long time
dead. I’ve been fortunate; I think if you’ve got energy
and you’re lucky enough to be healthy, you have to
make the most of what you’ve got.”
This philosophy shone through on Celebrity
MasterChef 2021, which was won by Paralympic
athlete Kadeena Cox. After being asked by an old
friend from This Is Your Life, Su agreed to get
involved partly because of the ongoing effects of the
pandemic.
“None of us could work, per se, at the time and so I
had plenty of time to prep and get the ingredients.
It wasn’t so much pressure as it might’ve been if I
was doing a show as well. When you do MasterChef
you realise that there’s a lot of effort involved, not
just from the person participating, and it’s a lot of
commitment. It’s not just cooking, it’s all the other
elements that go with it. You are nervous, because if
you’re out of your comfort zone you’re going ‘what
am I doing? Is it going to be alright? What if I burn
everything?’”
In the end she thoroughly enjoyed the whole
experience, and even bought herself some serving
spoons and proper measuring spoons. Despite
learning all about sauces and spices, she confesses
she hasn’t been putting that newfound knowledge to
great use.
“I haven’t really done that much cooking since, but
I am that much better than I used to be,” Su says.
“So it proved to be very beneficial for me, to be fair.
And I met some great people so it was a really good
experience.”
Following on from the tour, Su will star in
Tickledom, a West-End-style family musical in which
she plays Fluella the icy cold witch alongside a host
of colourful and curious characters all based on
plants, flowers and herbs.
“I wanted to do it because there are some great
numbers in it - the music is fabulous,” she says.
“It’s only on for about four or five weeks, but it was
something that caught my interest. Beyond that,
I don’t really know. I might even give myself two
months off and go travelling, for pleasure you know.”
Su has certainly been lucky in the sense that her
work has taken her all around the world, travelling
in Southeast Asia, Oman, New Zealand, Australia,
America and India. Top of her list of holiday
destinations is a rather unlikely choice - perhaps for
anyone but her.
“I’d like to go to Antarctica. There was an article in
the paper and I thought ‘wow, this is really fabulous’.
It was a little island populated only with wolves. I
thought, ‘I could howl here with the wolves’. You
could yell to your heart’s content! You’d probably
have to get special permission to go there. I’d
definitely love to fulfil that, but we’ll have to wait and
see.”
oh….and another thing….An Evening With Su
(POLLARD) will be at Tamworth Assembly Rooms
on Friday, February 4. For tickets visit
www.tamworthassemblyrooms.co.uk
ACCLAIMED ONE-WOMAN PLAY
HARPY HAS BEEN A HIGHLIGHT
OF SU’S CAREER
8
www.jaimemagazine.com

will be exhibiting a collection of
original 19th & 20th century paintings
by recognised British and European artists.
Exhibition runs from Jan 22nd to Mar 31st 2022.
Prices from £1,000 to £18,000
William Raymond Dommersen (Dutch 1850-1927)
‘A view of Flushing’
William came from a famous family of Dutch artists who
moved to England in the 1860’s. He travelled extensively
around Europe and England painting genre, town scenes
and marine scenes with great success. His works are
widely exhibited throughout Europe and North America
and are on show at many galleries worldwide.
John Robert Dicksee (1870 – 1905)
‘The Love Nest’
John was born in Westminster London
and was the most successful of a family
of 19th C painters including his uncle Sir
Frank, president of the Royal Academy.
He was a genre and portrait painter
renowned for his superb attention to
detail. He regularly exhibited at the RA
(1850-1900) and was head art master at
the City of London Art School.
James Thomas Linnell (1820 – 1905)
Royal Academy Exhibit 1857 ‘The mountain pass’
James Thomas Linnell studied at the Royal Academy. He was
the son of John Linnell one of Britain’s most successful early
19th Century Landscape painters along with Samuel Palmer
who was married to James’ sister. This particular painting
is an exceptional example of one of his most accomplished
works. He used the Pre-Raphaelite technique of setting the
painting on a white ground so that it has a superb luminosity.
His works are displayed in 12 UK museums, as well as stately
homes and appear in major US collections.
The Midlands leading gallery for original paintings, designer jewellery,
handmade ceramics, glass and bespoke furniture.
www.artifex.co.uk - 0121 3233776
The Mitchell Centre, Weeford Road, Sutton Coldfield B75 6NA
Open 7 days a week. 10am to 5pm (4pm Sundays)

F E AT U R E
Sing me sunshine
CHOIR MISTRESS HELEN WILLIAMS LOVES TO SHARE HER PASSION FOR SINGING AND ALL THE
BENEFITS IT BRINGS, ESPECIALLY AT THIS GLOOMY TIME OF YEAR. KATY EDGINGTON LEARNS MORE
“My love of singing with gusto came from singing at
school. Then I studied classical singing, and that was
my life - to be a performer,” says local choir mistress
Helen Williams.
Helen has always sung herself, but it was a little
over 10 years ago when she was asked to run a local
school choir and - rather reluctantly at first - agreed.
From there, she embarked on conducting courses
and running choirs has been her life for nine years
this January. Helen now runs four course-based
community choirs under the Everybody Sings
banner - two in Sutton Coldfield, one in Lichfield
and one in Solihull.
Although most of those who attended are retired,
there are some choir members in their 20s and 30s,
and people of all ages are welcome. The music each
choir learns and performs is a mixed bag, from folk
songs and pop songs to songs from musicals and
more.
“In Everybody Sings, I want to give my members
what they want to sing,” explains Helen. “We did
21 songs on Zoom over the lockdowns in 2020 and
2021, so we’ve been revisiting those together. They’re
songs like Loch Lomond, Blue Moon, Skye Boat
Song, Memory from Cats, True Colours, The Way
You Look Tonight; good, wholesome, hearty songs
that it makes people happy to sing. If they’re not
feeling uplifted and better by the time they leave the
rehearsal then I haven’t done my job properly!”
EVERYBODY SINGS BRINGS PEOPLE
TOGETHER FOR A SINGALONG EVERY WEEK
CHOIR MISTRESS HELEN WILLIAMS
Helen works with the same accompanist, Clare, at
each Everybody Sings session, and Clare is also her
partner on Sing Me Sunshine, a pay-as-you-go choir
in Boldmere on Tuesday afternoons. Starting off as
a dementia choir, it soon evolved as the pair realised
just how much isolation and loneliness were affecting
the community. Now, many more
people with other health conditions
- and their carers - benefit from an
hour a week around the piano. They
include a 93 year old man and a 93
year old woman who have started
attending since lockdown restrictions
were lifted.
“The lady said she hadn’t been out
in two years, but this is now the
highlight of her week,” said Helen.
“It’s about the social enjoyment of
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singing. We sing in parts so we have
music, but most people don’t read the
music; it’s all about getting people
laughing and singing and chatting. We
do have regulars who come along every
week without fail, but sometimes they just
can’t make it.”
Understandably, the pandemic had a
huge effect on Helen, who was teaching
singing and piano as well as doing the
choirs when everything ground to a
halt. The singing groups moved online
onto Zoom, which she describes as “an
absolute saving grace”. Around 70 people
each week attended this way, keeping the
choir connected and engaged while most
members were unable to go anywhere
or do anything. Helen still hosts Zoom sessions on a
Friday for those who are still reluctant or unable to
go out, as well as for others who have come back to
live rehearsals but enjoy the online interaction.
“Because I thought we might have lots of technical
hitches - I’d never even heard of Zoom before
lockdown and I knew lots of my members hadn’t - I
decided to open up half an hour before we started
singing,” says Helen. “In fact, the technical hitches
were sorted out pretty instantaneously, but we kept
that half hour. Now when I do live rehearsals we
open up early for some social interaction, because we
all need it now more than ever, I think.”
Indeed, Helen believes Everybody Sings might
have folded because of COVID - as many other
choirs did - without the transition to online practice.
Not only that, but singing together was even more
important in keeping everyone’s spirits up during the
lockdowns.
ZOOM KEPT THE CHOIR GOING
THROUGHOUT LOCKDOWN
THE EVERYBODY SINGS GROUP IN SUTTON COLDFIELD
“Even though they couldn’t hear everyone else
singing - just themselves singing individually -
keeping that choir community together really helped.
My members have been really happy to come back.
Over the four sessions, I have about 150 members,
which is amazing, so I’m thrilled to be back doing
it. I have a riot. I feel like I go out to play and other
people come out to play with me.”
You might be surprised by what Helen loves most
about being a choir mistress, as it’s not those perfect
two-part harmonies!
“I love getting people singing, but I love getting
people laughing,” she says. “If I can hear the room
erupt into laughter then it’s happy days for me,
because it’s such a tonic.”
Equally, for the choir members it can be the amazing
friendships that they form, the bonds that are built
by singing together, that are most rewarding. The
pandemic was a chance to form new friendships
when members of the various Everybody Sings
choirs met on Zoom. Helen explains
how they now sometimes come to other
rehearsals just to see each other.
“They would never have known each
other if not for the choir. It’s an amazing
thing to combat loneliness, which is a
major problem.”
Sing Me Sunshine is tremendously
important in this regard - not just for
people living with dementia and other
conditions - but for the people who look
after them, by helping them to deal with
the pressures and stresses of being a carer.
If you’re thinking, “this all sounds
marvellous, but I can’t sing!” Helen would
encourage anyone who is nervous or
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11

worried about singing in front of other people just to
come along and give it a go.
“It’s called ‘Everybody Sings’ for a reason. Even
people who don’t think they can sing should, because
of the benefits it brings. I think there’s a lot to be
said for safety in numbers; you can hide within a
body of people. Like any skill, the more you sing the
better you get at it. In all the years I’ve done this, I’ve
worked with hundreds of people but only four or five
of them really couldn’t sing.”
Those benefits are mental and physical, with the
endorphins released by singing in a group creating
a feelgood factor that Helen reckons can rival the
euphoria many people experience after running or a
gym session.
“Michael Mosley did a podcast called ‘Just One
Thing’, about little things that you can do in your
everyday life that make a difference to your health,
and one of those was singing,” she says. “He made
reference to ‘endocannabinoids’ - chemicals that are
released in your body that give you a kind of natural
high. When you sing on your own it’s good for you,
but singing with others is much better.”
Whether you decide to go it alone with a hairbrush
in front of the mirror or you think joining a choir
could be for you, Helen has these recommendations
for songs that will help lift those post-Christmas
winter blues.
“Bring Me Sunshine is always a good one. We’re
starting Don’t Worry Be Happy for the new year,
which seems fitting, and we’ve been doing a really
fun arrangement of Mr Sandman which is quite
challenging and very uplifting.”
Everybody Sings takes place
weekly in term time at the
following venues and online.
• Solihull Women’s Institute, Warwick
Road, Solihull: Tuesday morning
(doors at 10.45am, singing
11.15am-12.45pm).
• Lichfield Methodist Community
Centre, Backcester Lane, Lichfield:
Wednesday morning (doors at
11.30am, singing 12pm-1.30pm).
• Holy Trinity Catholic Church Hall,
Lichfield Road, Sutton Coldfield:
Wednesday afternoon (doors at
1.00pm, singing 1.30pm-3.00pm)
and Thursday morning (doors at
9.30am, singing 10.00am-11.30am).
• Zoom: Friday morning (chat opens
at 10.00am, singing 10.30am-
11.30am).
Sing Me Sunshine is hosted at St
Michael’s Church Hall, Boldmere
Road, Sutton Coldfield. It takes
place on Tuesday afternoons from
2.00pm-3.00pm and is £5 per
session including tea and biscuits.
Head to the Everybody Sings
Facebook page to find out more,
including how to get involved.
Alternatively, you can call Helen on
07981 957061.
CHOIR MEMBERS SANG AT LICHFIELD CHRISTMAS
FAYRE TO RAISE MONEY FOR PARKINSONS UK
12 www.jaimemagazine.com

P R O P E RTY
Property of the Month
EACH MONTH WE SHOWCASE ONE OF THE MOST LUXURIOUS PROPERTIES CURRENTLY ON
THE MARKET IN THE MIDLANDS. THIS MONTH’S SELECTION IS A CHARMING, CHARACTERFUL
FAMILY HOME SITUATED ON THE CANWELL ESTATE NEAR SUTTON COLDFIELD
Keepers Lodge, Canwell Drive, Canwell, Sutton Coldfield: £925,000
On the market with Aston Knowles: 0121 362 7878
THE AGENT SAYS: Keepers Lodge, which dates back
to the early 1900s, used to serve Canwell Hall and has
maintained many of its period features including its
impressive ornate high ceilings, shaped windows and large
marble fireplaces.
This delightful property is set in a rural location on the
Canwell Estate. Approached via a country lane, the
property has views of the greenbelt to the front of the
house and is full of character and charm.
The ground floor accommodation comprises a welcoming
reception hall with Minton tiled flooring, spacious lounge,
separate dining room, farmhouse kitchen/breakfast room,
utility room and guest shower room.
The dining room is bright and light with picture windows
overlooking fields to the front of the house. The room
is perfect for formal dining and entertaining, with its
oversized marble fire surround and strip wood flooring.
The drawing room is located on the other side of the
reception hallway. The windows to one side provide views
over the greenbelt and bask the room in natural light and
make the space feel inviting and homely.
The farmhouse kitchen/breakfast room towards the rear
of the home features a comprehensive range of wall and
floor cupboards with butcher block worktops and flagstone
tiled flooring. A signature blue Aga is a stunning feature of
the kitchen.
Additionally to the ground floor is a spacious utility room
and re-fitted fully tiled shower room.
The basement has underfloor heating and offers flexible
additional accommodation including a store area, fitted
shower room and a fifth bedroom/office.
To the first floor there are four bedrooms; the master and
second bedroom both enjoy picture windows overlooking
horse fields to the front of the house.
W E L O V E : T H E S T UNN ING P ER I OD DE T A I L S
14 www.jaimemagazine.com

PLANT A TREE
We are delighted to announce that we will be supporting The Queen’s Green Canopy,
unique tree planting initiative ‘Plant a Tree for the Jubilee’. We will be planting a tree
for every home that we sell during 2022. By choosing to sell your home with us, you
will be playing a part in creating a legacy for future generations to come.
Book your free, no obligation, valuation today.
0121 362 7878
sophiebullock@astonknowles.com
www.astonknowles.com
@astonknowles

P R O P E RTY
A different approach
to property
LOCAL KNOWLEDGE, LISTENING AND LOVING WHAT THEY DO; THE SECRETS
TO MIDLANDS ESTATE AGENCY CHOSEN HOME’S SUCCESS SO FAR
THE CHOSEN HOME TEAM WAS NAMED
DISRUPTOR OF THE YEAR AT THE WEST
MIDLANDS BUSINESS MASTERS AWARDS
As award-winning Midlands estate agency Chosen
Home looks to implement its expansion plans in 2022,
the business has reflected on the success it has enjoyed
since its launch in September 2020, with director
Nicki Ash citing its willingness to respond to client
needs, a flexible approach and a strong knowledge of
the local area as the key secrets to its success.
Nicki said that when she and her fellow directors
formed Chosen Home, they took on board the
feedback of hundreds of former clients from previous
roles to ensure the business delivered a first-class
service, ensuring that every detail was considered.
“The key issue I wanted to focus on was
communication. Unfortunately estate agents have
a reputation for following their own agenda rather
than that of their customers. We pride ourselves on
consistent, excellent communication – our clients
know exactly what we’re doing, when, and have an
immediate progress report, so that they are involved at
every stage of the sales or purchase process.
“It’s crucial to listen to a client and look to fulfil
their requirements, not just go through a box-ticking
exercise of showing a buyer all of the properties on
our books, and that’s where having spent my whole
life living in Sutton Coldfield has worked in my favour.
Knowing the area back to front means that when
16 www.jaimemagazine.com

someone has an area,
or a school, or a specific
house-type in mind, I can
use that knowledge to
hone in on the appropriate
properties to suit them.
CHSEN HOME HAVE MARKETED SOME STUNNING
PROPERTIES SINCE LAUNCHING IN SEPTEMBER 2020
“Listening is essential,
and I think that’s part of
the reason we’ve received
consistent five-star
TrustPilot reviews: I know
from experience now the
most common questions
I’m going to get asked by
a potential buyer - Where
is the boiler? Which parts of the garden get full sun,
and at what time of day? - so I always spend time
with a vendor to get the answers to all those questions
in order to host an efficient viewing and respond to all
the enquiries I’m likely to get about a property, and
I’ve worked with my colleagues to ensure they do the
same.
“As far as Chosen Home is concerned, the job isn’t
done until the new owner has the keys in their hands.
CHOSEN HOME DIRECTOR NICKI ASH
Recently, we have been working with our clients to
speed that up – as anyone who has bought or sold a
property will testify, one of the biggest hold ups in the
journey is the legal process, so one of the biggest tasks
we’ve taken to undertaking is to handle the contact
with solicitors ourselves in order to get those deals
over the line,” she added.
Nicki said that the business, which initially launched
with a unique sales model whereby the purchaser pays
the sales fees as opposed to the vendor, has honed
the way it operates to make it more flexible,
coining the phrase ‘You choose with Chosen’
to decide how the agency’s fees are paid.
As the company looks to 2022, it has its
eyes on growth, without compromising its
principles.
“Those principles have secured us some
prestigious awards – earlier this year we
were presented with a gold accolade in the
British Property Awards, which acknowledge
outstanding service within the estate agency
sector, and we picked up the Disruptor
Of The Year Award at the West Midlands
Business Masters; the annual leadership
awards held by news site The Businessdesk.
com recognising the achievements of new
and established companies across the region,
an award we really wanted to win as it
summed up exactly what we set out to do
when we launched last September; disrupt the
marketplace, shake up the sector and change
the way people buy and sell houses for the
better.
“We plan to continue to do just that, and
we plan to grow the contents of our trophy
cabinet, as well as our business, over the next
year,” she said.
www.jaimemagazine.com
17

I N T E R I O R S
Peri
nice
THE colour gurus at Pantone have made history with their
Colour of the Year for 2022 - by creating a brand new,
never-seen-before shade from scratch.
PANTONE 17-3938 Very Peri is, says Pantone, ‘a
dynamic periwinkle blue hue with a vivifying violet red
undertone’ which blends ‘the faithfulness and constancy of
blue with the energy and excitement of red’ to create the
‘happiest and warmest of all the blue hues’.
Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone
Colour Institute continued that `Very Peri ‘displays
a spritely, joyous attitude and dynamic presence that
encourages courageous creativity and imaginative
expression.’
This modern hue is perfect for injecting a sense of playful
freshness into home interiors, enlivening a space through
unusual colour combinations. A versatile shade, Very Peri
is perfect for providing a pop of colour into your living
space; opt for a bold painted wall or statement furniture
for a generous splash, or choose Very Peri as an intriguing
and eye-catching accent in a pattern.
BENJAMIN MOORE INTERIOR PAINT
IN SHADOW, FROM £24.50.
WWW.BENJAMINMOOREPAINT.CO.UK
£5,731
OPAL QUIZ FREESTANDING BATH IN
VERY PERI, ACQUABELLA.
WWW.ACQUABELLA.COM
£27
£48
£420
SMALL CUSHION VASE IN AMETHYST,
DARTINGTON CRYSTAL. WWW.DARTINGTON.CO.UK
JULIETTE FEATHER AND BRASS
LIGHT, COLDHARBOUR LIGHTS.
WWW.COLDHARBOURLIGHTS.COM
ORGANIC LUXE CRYSTAL AGATE
SALAD SERVERS, CIELSHOP.
WWW.CIELSHOPINTERIORS.COM
18 www.jaimemagazine.com

The Sutton
Coldfield
estate agent
that doesn’t
charge you to
sell your home?
“Excellent”
Sold.
chosenhome.com
Call 0121 222 1180

WISTFUL RECOLLECTIONS CANVAS
CUSHION BY ALPENGLOW WORKSHOP,
FY! WWW.IAMFY.CO
£POA
£59
CHUKKA TABLE LAMP, £116, WITH 20CM WIZARD
HAT SHADE IN COBALT SILK WITH VELVET TAPE,
£48, POOKY. WWW.POOKY.COM
TOGO SOFA IN KYOTO BLUE PURPLE
LEATHER, LIGNE ROSET.
WWW.LIGNE-ROSET.COM/UK
£679
£22
£17.99
ARTIFICIAL PURPLE THISTLES STEM,
WAYFAIR. WWW.WAYFAIR.CO.UK
£99
JACOBSEN-STYLE EGG
CHAIR, PASH CLASSICS.
WWW.PASH-CLASSICS.COM
BUNCH OF DRIED LILAC CAPE
BLOOMS, THE HAPPY BLOSSOMS.
WWW.THEHAPPYBLOSSOMS.COM
CATANA RETRO ROUND TABLE,
OUT & OUT. WWW.OUTANDOUT.COM
SELECTION OF VERY PERI INSPIRED ART
PRINTS, FROM £18, CLAUDE & LEIGHTON.
WWW.CLAUDEANDLEIGHTON.COM
20 www.jaimemagazine.com

ONCE UPON OUR TIME WALLPAPER,
£98 PER ROLL, MINEHEART.
WWW.MINEHEART.COM
ABERDEEN CHAIR, £POA, KOKET.
WWW.BYKOKET.COM
AND THAT’S THE TEA WALLPAPER,
£180 PER ROLL, BOBO 1325.
WWW.BOBO1325.COM
LILAC BERTIE PENDANT LIGHT,
£169, GLOW LIGHTING.
WWW.GLOWLIGHTING.CO.UK
52
KOSSET BELFORD TWEED TWIST CARPET IN
AMETHYST, £21,99/M2, CARPETRIGHT.
WWW.CARPETRIGHT.CO.UK

I N T E R I O R S
Time to get
organised
FOR many of us, the start of a new year means a time to
take stock and get the house in order. After the chaos of
the festive season, we’re craving calm - and there’s nothing
like a good old-fashioned tidy up to invoke that sense of
serenity within our surroundings.
Cluttered spaces can be, at best, uninviting, and at worst,
anxiety-inducing, so having a thorough sort out often
proves to be quite cathartic.
If the thought of a whole house blitz feels a tad
overwhelming, break the task down into manageable
chunks, tackling one room at a time and making sure you
finish the job before moving onto the next.
Donate or recycle anything you no longer have a need for,
and once you’ve cleared away the clutter, make sure you
have plenty of stylish storage solutions to keep the rest of
your belongings in check.
HADDON RANGE IN PAINTED CHARCOAL BY
BURBIDGE & SONS KITCHEN MAKERS. AVAILABLE
FROM TIPPERS LUXURY KITCHEN & BATHROOM
SHOWROOMS, LICHFIELD. WWW.TIPPERS.COM
£95
£645
£695
POT PIE STORAGE FOOTSTOOL,
LOAF. WWW.LOAF.COM
£30
X-FRAME BOOKSHELF, PEPPERMILL
INTERIORS, BURNTWOOD BUSINESS PARK.
WWW.PEPPERMILLINTERIORS.COM
YELLOW RETRO TV STORAGE CABINET,
RED CANDY. WWW.REDCANDY.CO.UK
FOLDING BRASS WIRE MAGAZINE RACK,
HEAVENLY HOMES AND GARDENS.
WWW.HEAVENLYHOMESANDGARDENS.CO.UK
22 www.jaimemagazine.com

WELCOME TO BAYLISS BATHROOMS,
THE LARGEST INDEPENDENT LUXURY
BATHROOM SPECIALIST IN THE REGION.
OUR UNRIVALLED ONE STOP PROJECT
MANAGED SERVICE, FROM DESIGN
THROUGH TO INSTALLATION, IS FOCUSED
ON TURNING YOUR DREAM BATHROOM
INTO REALITY.
WHATEVER YOUR REQUIREMENTS,
WE CAN PROVIDE YOUR BATHROOM
SOLUTION. WE WELCOME YOU TO VISIT
OUR NEW WEBSITE OR SHOWROOM TO
EXPLORE THE BAYLISS EXPERIENCE AND
ALL THE OPTIONS AVAILABLE TO YOU
We offer a complete ‘One Stop’ process to turn your bathroom dreams into reality, which includes:
• A bespoke 2,500 sq ft showroom with over 20 bathroom displays located in Sutton Coldfield
• A specialist design team to create designs to match your every need
• Expert knowledge of our partner brands giving you access to superb products and tiles.
• In-house installation teams working to the highest possible standards
• Management of all aspects of the Project, providing you with a single point of contact, every step of the way
• For those customers who require a Supply Only service, access to all leading brands at competitive cost.
BAYLISS BATHROOMS, 23 GATE LANE, BOLDMERE, SUTTON COLDFIELD B73 5TR
0121 362 1800 - www.baylissbathrooms.co.uk

£329
INDUSTRIAL KIDS LOCKER STORAGE
BENCH IN HERTOG GREY BY WOOOD,
CUCKOOLAND. WWW.CUCKOOLAND.COM
£POA
FOUR GOLDEN BELLS NAPKIN
RINGS, COX & COX.
WWW.COXANDCOX.CO.UK
£99.99
FLUTED GLASS WITH MATT BLACK METAL FRAME
STORAGE SIDEBOARD, BESPOKE OPTIONS
AVAILABLE, KESSELER BIRMINGHAM.
WWW.KESSELERBIRMINGHAM.CO.UK
LENA RATTAN STORAGE UNIT,
VONHAUS. WWW.VONHAUS.COM
£420
£475
NOSTALGIC COAT STAND WITH
MIRROR, CUCKOOLAND.
WWW.CUCKOOLAND.COM
SAXTON WOODEN SIDEBOARD, PEPPERMILL
INTERIORS, BURNTWOOD BUSINESS PARK.
WWW.PEPPERMILLINTERIORS.COM
HIDEY-HO STORAGE SIDE TABLE, £225, LOAF.
WWW.LOAF.COM
24

BELLWOOD STORAGE TABLE, £85,
BEAUMONDE. WWW.BEAUMONDE.CO.UK
TWO DRAWER ZINC STORAGE UNIT, £42.50,
COX & COX. WWW.COXANDCOX.CO.UK
BURFORD OAK STORAGE BENCH,
£425, COX & COX.
WWW.COXANDCOX.CO.UK
ORTHEX SMARTSTORE RECYCLED
BASKETS, FROM £5, HOMEBASE.
WWW.HOMEBASE.CO.UK

I N T E R I O R S
Feline
fierce
AS the Chinese New Year rolls around this month
heralding 2022 as the Year of the Tiger, it’s time to take a
walk on the wild side and incorporate a little of that feline
fierceness into your interiors.
Bold, fun and full of confidence, the tiger motif has been
a firm favourite in interiors for a while now, perhaps in no
small way inspired by the standout Netflix hit Tiger King,
which was on just about everyone’s watchlist at the start of
the Covid-19 pandemic.
With animal prints galore and jungle botanicals featuring
on everything from wall coverings to textiles, it’s now
the turn of the tiger to come to the fore - and we’re not
just talking tiger stripes. Look out for full blown cool cats
creating sculptural details for lamps, candle holders, vases
and more.
If you’re feline bold, opt for tiger-inspired wallpaper
or murals, or just go for a splash here and there with
accessories to channel the look and give your decor some
added grrrr.
KALEIDOSCOPE TIGER 100% SILK CUSHION,
£145, CATHERINE ROWE DESIGNS.
WWW.CATHERINEROWEDESIGNS.COM
GOLD RESIN TIGER CANDLESTICK,
HEAVENLY HOMES AND GARDENS.
WWW.HEAVENLYHOMESANDGARDENS.CO.UK
£17 £65
£89
TIGER LAMPSHADE, MOUNTAIN & MOLEHILL.
WWW.MOUNTAINANDMOLEHILL.COM
BOLD MONKEY SONGS OF THE
NIGHT TIGER VASE, CUCKOOLAND.
WWW.CUCKOOLAND.COM
£27
TIGER RATTAN ART, HEAVENLY HOMES AND GARDENS.
WWW.HEAVENLYHOMESANDGARDENS.CO.UK
26
www.jaimemagazine.com

Walsall Wood
✓ Friendly in-home service ✓ Options for every budget ✓ Price includes measuring & fitting
YOUR LOCAL BLINDS,
CURTAINS & SHUTTERS
SPECIALIST
• I provide expert advice on the
best window solutions
• Flexible appointment times
• Blinds & curtains tailor-made
here in the UK
“My local advisor helped me
find a blind to fit my budget.
The service was second to none”.
Laura Jackson, customer
• Ask me about multi-blind
discounts
• I won’t be beaten on price*
• Electric blinds available
ROLLERS | ROMANS | VERTICALS | VENETIANS | CURTAINS | SHUTTERS | WOODEN BLINDS
Call me for a free in-home appointment:
Michael Holdway 07949383322
*Based on the same spec, size & levels of service.
Refreshingly Different
Treat yourself to a new door for 2022
Visit our Stylish Showroom
11 Belwell Lane, Sutton Coldfield, B74 4AA - Tel: 0800 996 1241
Visit our fantastic website www.jmiwindows.co.uk - enquiries@jmiwindows.co.uk
Windows | Doors | Bi-Fold Doors | Garage Doors | Conservatories | Orangeries | Secondary Glazing | Window Repairs

£25
£82 £26
SET OF FOUR SAFARI
COASTERS, JONATHAN ADLER.
UK.JONATHANADLER.COM
TIGER HOOK, MINT & MAY.
WWW.MINTANDMAY.CO.UK
PROWLING TIGER CUSHION, MINT &
MAY. WWW.MINTANDMAY.CO.UK
£158
£195
SAFARI NEEDLEPOINT
CUSHION, JONATHAN ADLER.
UK.JONATHANADLER.COM
NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM X MADE.
COM VINTAGE TIGER SET OF THREE
FRAMED PRINTS. WWW.MADE.COM
BENTLEY THE BENGAL TIGER PERSPEX
WALL ART, £395, YARDART UK.
WWW.YARDARTUK.CO.UK
28 www.jaimemagazine.com

FREE no obligation design service with our kitchen specialists
16 -18 Britannia Way Britannia Enterprise Park, Lichfield WS14 9UY • 01543 263340
info@lichfieldkitchensandbedrooms.com • www.lichfieldkitchensandbedrooms.com
Opening Hours: Mon - Fri 9:00 am - 5:00 pm Sat 9.30am - 12.30pm 12.30pm – 4.00pm by appointment only.
STOCKISTS OF ALL LEADING QUARTZ AND GRANITE BRANDS IN THE WORLD:
SILESTONE · DEKTON · FUGEN WORKSURFACES · CRL · CAESARSTONE & MANY MORE
A FAMILY-RUN BUSINESS OPEN TO BOTH TRADE & PUBLIC
* Fully fitted showroom with 7 displays of high quality quartz, granite and stone worktops
* Over 100 plus EXTRA LARGE samples showing the true detail of the material
* FREE sample service. See our website for details.
* Email us with a plan/drawing of dimensions and requirements and we will quote you within 24 hours
UK Stoneworx Ltd. Unit 28a Ring Road, Burntwood Business Park,
Burntwood WS7 3JG (opposite Peppermill Interiors)
Open Mon - Friday 8am - 4.30pm. Sat 9am - 3pm. Closed Sundays
01543 742272 · www.ukstoneworx.co.uk · email: info@ukstoneworx.co.uk
Facebook · Instagram · LinkedIn @ukstoneworx

G I F T G U I D E
To the one I love
SHOW YOUR SIGNIFICANT OTHER JUST HOW MUCH YOU CARE WITH A TOKEN OF YOUR
AFFECTION - OR A GRAND DECLARATION OF YOUR LOVE. WITH VALENTINE’S DAY JUST AROUND
THE CORNER, WE ROUND UP SOME LITTLE TREATS WHICH ARE SURE TO HIT THE RIGHT NOTE.
£865
£1,100
18CT WHITE GOLD EARRINGS SET WITH TWO HEART
SHAPED FINE AQUAMARINES, ALLEN BROWN
JEWELLERY, HEART OF THE COUNTRY SHOPPING
VILLAGE. WWW.ALLENBROWNJEWELLERY.CO.UK
18CT WHITE GOLD 16 DIAMOND OPEN KISS
HEART PENDANT, JOHNSONS JEWELLERS.
WWW.JOHNSONSJEWELLERS.CO.UK
DELIZIE DI CALABRIA LOVE’S BOMB
HOT CHILLI SAUCE, HARVEY NICHOLS.
WWW.HARVEYNICHOLS.COM
£369
£5.95
£1,295
18CT WHITE GOLD EMERALD CUT DIAMOND
CLUSTER RING 0.50CT, JOHNSONS JEWELLERS.
WWW.JOHNSONSJEWELLERS.CO.UK
APPLE WATCH SERIES 7 IN MIDNIGHT.
WWW.APPLE.COM
£32
HEARTS KNITTED PICNIC BLANKET,
SOPHIE ALLPORT.
WWW.SOPHIEALLPORT.COM
£79.95
I LOVE YOU BUNCHES, DRIED FLOWER
BUNCH, THE HAPPY BLOSSOMS.
WWW.THEHAPPYBLOSSOMS.COM
£41.50
£37
HORDEN OVERSHIRT, BABOUR.
WWW.BARBOUR.COM
HARE CASHMERE SOCKS, SOPHIE ALLPORT.
WWW.SOPHIEALLPORT.COM
30 www.jaimemagazine.com

Your health
doesn’t have
to wait
Few things in life are as important as
your health. That’s why Spire Little
Aston Hospital gives you access to
world-class experts when you need
them most. Join us at one of our free
health mini consultations and speak to
our consultants directly.
Meet the experts
Come along to one of our free virtual events* to meet
the experts at Spire Little Aston Hospital. You can
get advice and information on the best treatments
available from the comfort of your own home.
10
Feb
Treatments for hip and knee pain, 6.30pm
with Mr Amit Kotecha and Mr Shiv Jain
17
Mar
Find out about weight loss options, 6.30pm
with Mr Amir Khan
Booking is essential, so please visit our website or call
0121 514 7034 to book your place.
Book to see an expert today
Search ‘Spire Little Aston Hospital’
Call 0121 514 7034
*All events are being held virtually via Zoom, you will not need to attend the hospital, and you can
receive expert advice from the comfort of your own home. Mini consultations are an opportunity to
ask any questions you have about surgery and are not a formal outpatient consultation. If you wish
to proceed to surgery or your consultant suggests that further treatment may be necessary, a full
outpatient appointment will be required to assess your suitability for surgery/treatment
www.jaimemagazine.com

£16.50
£2,655
£45
PLATINUM HEART SHAPED DIAMOND
CLUSTER RING 0.90CT, JOHNSONS JEWELLERS.
WWW.JOHNSONSJEWELLERS.CO.UK
£28
LOVE YOU CANDLE, MINT AND MAY.
WWW.MINTANDMAY.CO.UK
MIRABEAU DRY ROSE GIN,
HARVEY NICHOLS.
WWW.HARVEYNICHOLS.COM
£9
£275
SILVER ENAMEL 18CT YELLOW GOLD PLATED AND
DIAMOND EARRINGS, ALLEN BROWN JEWELLERY,
HEART OF THE COUNTRY SHOPPING VILLAGE.
WWW.ALLENBROWNJEWELLERY.CO.UK
£4,255
TWIRL COUPE SET OF TWO, FIVE AND DIME.
WWW.FIVEANDDIME-INTERIORS.COM
RASPBERRY MACARON SELECTOR,
HOTEL CHOCOLAT.
WWW.HOTELCHOCOLAT.COM
PLATINUM THREE STONE EMERALD CUT DIAMOND
CLUSTER RING 0.81CTS, JOHNSONS JEWELLERS.
WWW.JOHNSONSJEWELLERS.CO.UK
£299
£85
GABRIELLE FOOTSTOOL, SOFOLOGY.
WWW.SOFOLOGY.CO.UK
£30
DEVERON QUILTED JACKET, BARBOUR.
WWW.BARBOUR.COM
STORK PINK GOWN, ONE HUNDRED STARS.
WWW.ONEHUNDREDSTARS.CO.UK
STRAWWBERRY ‘I LOVE YOU’ TRAY,
DAISY PARK. WWW.DAISYPARK.CO.UK
£99.95
32 www.jaimemagazine.com

Check out what’s coming up in 2022 at the newly
refurbished Tamworth Assembly Rooms Theatre – lovingly
preserved and modernised for future generations to enjoy.
An Evening with Su
Friday 4 February
The Music of
Northern Soul Sat 5 Feb
MJ The Legacy
Friday 11 February
Coldplace
Saturday 12 February
Wrestle Carnival
Thursday 17 February
Herman’s Hermits
Friday 18 February
TwirlyWoos Live
Thursday 24 February
The Billy Joel Collection
Saturday 19 February
The AMAZING
Bubble Man! Fri 25 Feb
The Roy Orbison
Story Saturday 26 February
Scummy Mummies
Thursday 3 March
Box Office: 01827 709618 www.tamworthassemblyrooms.co.uk
Corporation Street, Tamworth, Staffordshire. B79 7DN
*Please note that these events were correct at time of print and are subject to government guidelines, please check our website for latest updates.

F E AT U R E
In search of liquid gold
WHISKY HAS BECOME THE ULTIMATE LONG-TERM TIPPLE – AS EXCITING TO KEEP AS IT IS
TO DRINK. ROBERT FRENCH, WINE AND WHISKY SPECIALIST AT RICHARD WINTERTON
AUCTIONEERS, RAISES A GLASS TO THE QUINTESSENTIAL CONSUMABLE COLLECTABLE
Neat, as a highball or in a cocktail, our love of
whisky is far from on the rocks.
But whichever way you opt to quaff, another option
for the forward-thinking is not to drink it at all.
Straight up!
There’s a world of whisky out there which may never
see the inside of a glass – or, if it does, will form a
very pricey tipple indeed.
Wealth reports regularly show the golden spirit on or
around the top of the Luxury Investment Index and
in some circles it has become quite the status symbol.
In October 2019, a bottle of The Macallan 1926, a
‘Fine and Rare’ 60-year-old from the hallowed cask
263 and one of only 40 bottles ever produced, set
a new world record after selling for £1.5 million at
Sotheby’s.
In effect, it values one shot of the Scotch as costing
the same as a Porsche.
More recently, The Macallan Red Collection – a rare
set of six whiskies, including two of the distillery’s
oldest at 74 and 78 years old – sold at £756,400 at
Sotheby’s in November 2020, with proceeds going to
food charity City Harvest London.
But aside from these lofty highs, there’s a wealth of
whisky worth cashing in right now.
Scotch squirrelled away in the 1970s could be worth
four figures today.
While top-end rare whisky prices have risen by as
much as 400 per cent in the last decade, demand is
strong across the board and spirits, wine and port
sections in our auctions regularly achieve a 100 per
cent selling rate.
But how do you know there’s a whisky windfall
hiding away unopened in the back of your drinks
cupboard?
Ones to watch out for include Scottish single malts
such as The Macallan, Clynelish, Benromach,
Lagavulin, Ardbeg, Glenlugie, Brora, Bowmore and
Ben Wyvis.
A bottle of The Macallan 25th anniversary fetched
£2,700 with Richard Winterton Auctioneers in
ROBERT FRENCH, WINE AND
WHISKY SPECIALIST AT RICHARD
WINTERTON AUCTIONEERS
2019, and we sold a bottle of Bowmore Bicentenary
1779-1979 Islay single malt for £2,600 in 2020.
And last year a bottle of Laphroaig malt whisky – a
rare example from a limited amount exported to
America in the late 1950s – made £3,300.
Also highly collectable is unusual whisky such as
Loch Dhu, also known as ‘The Black Whisky’. Very
different to the golden tones classically associated
with Scotch, this very distinctive single malt gets its
signature colour from maturing in double-charred
casks and regularly sells at auction for £200.
The most coveted whiskies come from low-yielding
batches; others to collect include product from
distilleries no longer producing – so-called ‘silent’ or
‘lost’ distilleries such as Glen Mhor, St Magdalene
and Ladyburn.
34
www.jaimemagazine.com

A project to reopen one such lost distillery, the
renowned Port Ellen, is still ongoing and if and when
production recommences, it will be a most eagerly
sought spirit indeed.
We’ve found ourselves firmly footed north of the
border today talking Scotch but there is of course a
whole catalogue of fine whiskey – note the ‘e’ in the
spelling – from Ireland and America with bourbon
booming – despite a 25 per cent tariff on imports, it’s
estimated that one in 12 bottles of whisky sold in the
UK is American whiskey with Jack Daniels still being
number one.
Crafted from corn mash as opposed to Scotch, which
is made from malted barley and water, other popular
brands of bourbon include Stagg, Old Forester,
Benheim and Woodford Reserve.
Japanese whisky – note we are now back to spelling
without the ‘e’! – has its own proud heritage and
traditions, offering innovative and complex flavours
garnering huge respect and credibility in the whisky
world from distilleries such as Yamazaki,
Hakusku and Nikka.
These, too, can be smart investments as
well as delicious drinks.
In August 2020, a bottle of 55-yearold
Yamazaki sold for HK$6.2 million
– equivalent to more than £605,200
– establishing a new world record for
Japanese whisky at auction.
If you believe some of the reports in
the press, up to a quarter of us started
drinking more during lockdown, while
alcohol sales in general have risen by
nearly a third.
With many distilleries temporarily
closing due to Covid and production
slowing, casks produced in 2020 could
prove highly sought-after – although
that, of course, will not be proven for
many years to come.
While for many gin remains the ‘in’
spirit, it’s one to drink now rather than
an investment. Fine wines, whisky and
port will always be the ones to watch –
with the latter becoming increasingly
popular at auction.
Warres, Graham’s, Niepoort and Quinta
do Noval are all names to look out for,
with good years including 1966, 1977,
1983, 1985, 1992, 1995, 2003 and 2007.
You won’t be drinking it for many years
but 2015 was also a good year and is
possibly one to look at for an investment.
For it’s worth remembering that whereas whisky
only matures in the cask – once it is bottled it will
taste exactly the same, provided it has been stored
correctly, even after many, many years – port, like
fine wine, will continue to mature in the bottle for
half a century or more if stored correctly.
So, to drink or not to drink? That could indeed be
the million dollar question!
If you have a mystery bottle, do drop us a line and
together we can see if you’ve struck liquid gold.
For free valuations of whisky, wine,
port, spirits and cigars, email rob@
richardwinterton or call 01543 251081
to book an appointment at The Lichfield
Auction Centre, Fradley Park, WS13 8NF. You
can also see Robert French at The Tamworth
Auction Rooms at 34-25 Church Street, B79
7BX – call 01827 217746 to book. Visit
www.richardwinterton.co.uk.
THIS BOTTLE OF LAPHROAIG
WAS VERY UNUSUAL AS IT WAS A
RARE EXAMPLE FROM A LIMITED
AMOUNT EXPORTED TO AMERICA
IN THE LATE 1950S. IT SOLD FOR
£3,300 LAST YEAR
www.jaimemagazine.com
35

F O O D & D R I N K
A new dawn for The Red Lion
ACCLAIMED STAFFORDSHIRE PUB THE RED LION AT BRADLEY IS TRIUMPHING
WITH A NEW KITCHEN TEAM AT THE HELM, AS AMY NORBURY DISCOVERS
Businesses the world over have endured
a torrid two years in the face of the
global coronavirus pandemic. And
no industry has been harder hit than
hospitality. Pubs, bars and restaurants
were forced to close their doors for
months, then jump through endless
hoops in order to continue serving
customers.
And just as it felt hospitality was seeing
brighter days, acclaimed Staffordshire
pub The Red Lion was hit with another
setback as it was forced to close its
kitchen unexpectedly once again in the
autumn when the newly-recruited head
chef opted - at the last minute - not to
take up the role.
But, happily, The Red Lion is back with a bang - and
an exciting new kitchen team to boot.
Nestled in the Staffordshire village of Bradley, not
far from the county town, The Red Lion is part of
the Lewis Partnership, whose flagship venue is the
renowned Moat House at Acton Trussell. And the
pub is not short of an accolade or two itself, having
featured in the Michelin Guide and awarded a
prestigious Michelin Plate for the past four years.
The Michelin inspectors praised the pub’s ‘hearty,
flavoursome dishes’, noting that it was worth
diverting off the M6 for a visit.
And I concur.
After a higgledy-piggledy drive through the
Staffordshire countryside, The Red Lion is a beacon
of hospitality, drawing diners from miles around to
this pretty little village. The pub itself is a tale of
two halves, with a beautiful oak-framed conservatory
creating a bright and airy bar area, before a quaint
and quirky snug - anyone taller than my five foot
three inches will need to mind their heads on the low
beams - leads through to the cosy dining room.
In the kitchen is new head chef Kris Redshaw, who
spent most of his early career in the Michelin-starred
kitchen of The Chester Grosvenor Hotel under
Simon Radley and Nick Brodie and has staged in
some of Britain’s top restaurants owned by the likes
of Tom Kitchin, Daniel Clifford and Tom Brown.
A keen forager, Kris is also passionate about
growing veg in his family’s allotment - both
influences which can be seen on The Red Lion’s
menu.
J’AIME was invited over to give Kris’s dishes a
try, and we jumped at the chance to venture out
for a bite to eat on a dreary January Saturday
evening.
We were greeted in the restaurant by manager
Sophie and shown to a cosy table tucked in the
corner. It was right at the start of evening service
but a handful of tables were already occupied,
and by the time we left the pub would be filled
36 www.jaimemagazine.com

with diners - a heartening sight in these Covid times.
A nice pint of ale and a crisp G&T were perfect
for slaking our thirst while we perused the menu,
accompanied by a pile of the lightest, warm focaccia
and a moreish Marmite whipped butter.
On the succinct side with just seven options each for
starter and main, the menu was nonetheless perfectly
formed, with each choice sounding as tempting as
the next one.
The torched mackerel, chicory marmalade, pickled
black radish, and toasted barley sauce, £8.50, caught
my eye, as did the pan seared scallops with scallop
roe emulsion and butternut squash textures, £10. But
it was the chicken and black pudding terrine with
Earl Grey and date purée and toasted milk bread,
£8.95, which sealed the deal. And it was a stellar
choice. The terrine was succulent, with a flavour
punch from the black pudding, the sweet date puree
cutting through the richness perfectly.
My husband’s seared pigeon breast, salt baked
swede, sunflower seed paste and pear, £8, was a
dainty morsel which looked pretty as a picture and
tasted just as good.
Moving onto the main event, again we could have
happily chosen any dish from the list, with Sandon
Estate pheasant, braised pork belly and roasted stone
bass all vying for attention. My seared duck breast,
caramelised turnip, baby turnips, fondant potato and
bourbon whiskey jus, £20, was both comforting and
delicious; beautifully pink duck, a real earthy note
from the vegetables and the umami savouriness of
the jus. An accompaniment of braised winter red
cabbage, £4.50, was wonderfully jammy and sweet,
balancing out the plate nicely.
My husband’s braised feather blade of beef, glazed
carrot and black garlic purée, served with a pile
of truffle and parmesan chips, £18.50, proved to
be another winning dish. The beef was meltingly
tender, falling apart at the merest hint of a fork,
the chips delightfully fluffy on the inside with a
crisp outer adorned with a generous shaving of
parmesan and just enough truffle to hit the spot. An
accompanying pear, candied walnut and Dovedale
blue cheese salad, £4.50, was the perfect example
of a winter salad, and something we’ll definitely
recreate at home.
With just enough room left for a little something
sweet, I took on Sophie’s dessert recommendation of
a deconstructed tiramisu, £7. Coffee-soaked sponge,
with a boozy hit of Tia Maria, paired with crisp
hazelnut tuile and shavings of dark chocolate, all
atop a creamy mascarpone layer, it was an indulgent
yet balanced pud.
My husband dug into his vanilla panna cotta with
pear jelly, lemongrass and milk ice cream,
£6.50, with gusto before realising it was,
in fact, the spiced apple pavlova, £7,
rather than the panna cotta he’d ordered.
Cue apologies all round, although he
declined a replacement since the pavlova
was rather lovely itself, with a spiced
apple compote and slivers of cinnamoninfused
meringue teased with gooey white
chocolate.
After a tumultuous time, it’s evident that
The Red Lion has come back fighting.
Impeccable service - with manager Sophie
particularly worthy of plaudits - and
skillful cookery of a menu which elevates
pub dining to new heights, it’s certainly
worth a visit.
www.jaimemagazine.com
37

F O O D & D R I N K
A foray into the unknown
STAFFORDSHIRE-BORN CHEF MATT WILLDIGG TALKS ALL THINGS
MASTERCHEF: THE PROFESSIONALS, FORAGING AND FINDING BALANCE
THROUGH HIS NEW BUSINESS WITH KATY EDGINGTON
Chef Matt Willdigg impressed
judges, critics and audiences alike
when he made it to finals week as
one of the last six contenders in
MasterChef: The Professionals
2021, which aired on BBC One last
November and December.
With stages at the likes of Hibiscus,
The Fat, Duck, Quay and Whatley
Manor under his belt, as well as
stints at Murano and Hipping
Hall, Matt’s culinary pedigree is
impressive and fine dining has
taken him to the other side of the
world - a long way from his roots in
Staffordshire.
Matt grew up in the creative county - he still has
family living in Burntwood and Birmingham - and
his first time in a professional kitchen was at The
Moat House at Acton Trussell, aged just 16. His
apprenticeship there was a stepping stone to a career
behind the pass, opening his eyes to the world of
gastronomy.
“I really enjoyed the atmosphere in the kitchen. I was
a bit crazy and hard to control growing up, but the
kitchen environment seemed a perfect match. I could
FORAGING IS AT THE HEART OF
MATT AND OLI’S CULINARY ETHOS
MATT HAS SET UP FORAY CATERING
WITH CLOSE FRIEND AND FORMER
MASTERCHEF FINALIST OLI MARTIN
be myself, the hours didn’t bother me, and I got to
try new things all the time,” Matt tells us.
“I was quite fussy when I was growing up, so it was
quite hard for my mum to feed me. It’s only through
being in the kitchen - trying things how they’re
meant to be cooked and seasoned - that I fell in
love with cooking and the history of food. I can lose
myself for hours down rabbit holes about fermenting
or pickling or old plants that have been forgotten.”
Matt moved to London at 18, where his experiences
at the height of the molecular gastronomy trend blew
him away. His early days as a chef were
heavily influenced by the two colossi of
the time: Heston Blumenthal - “I was a
bit obsessed with him for a while” - and
Gordon Ramsay.
“I remember watching him on Boiling
Point and The F Word before I was
a chef, swearing and shouting, and I
thought he was amazing. Obviously
times change and that’s not the way
kitchens should be anymore, but he was
a big inspiration for sure,” says Matt.
Five years spent working in Australia
inevitably impacted Matt’s development
as a chef, too, particularly given the
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wide-ranging Asian influences in food there.
“As a chef it’s exciting to find a new
ingredient or a new flavour, so going to a
new country is almost like starting from
scratch; some of the basics are the same,
but you get another perspective on food,”
he explains.
Matt is very honest about the fact that
he’s struggled for the past eight years with
cluster headaches, lasting two or three
months at a time, which had stopped him
progressing to a head chef position.
“I always felt I was letting people down in
the kitchen, because I’d have to go away
for a bit and then I’d come back,” he says.
“They were really tough to get over - I thought I’d
never get to the other side, because there’s no cure
and none of the drugs I was prescribed worked. It
was only when I started to get a grasp on how to
manage them that I decided to apply. I was turning
30 and I wanted to have achieved something that
would better my future.”
This was the motivation for applying to MasterChef:
The Professionals, and Matt’s dishes when he
appeared in that kitchen were a culmination of all
his influences and experiences so far. Every dish he
put forward was a new one, led very much by his
passion for foraging and presenting undiscovered
foraged ingredients. Each aimed to showcase an
ingredient people might not be familiar with, but
used in such a way that the audience watching at
home could understand them in context.
“With a competition like that you have to play to
your strengths,” Matt says. “You have a better chance
of getting through if you stick to what you know. It
used to take me ages to work through a dish - a lot
of trial and error - but there were a few times when I
had only one trial, so even if it wasn’t right I’d have
to go for it and tweak it on the day.”
The most challenging aspect of the whole experience
was contending with the limited amount of time
between recording each show - only two or three
days in the later stages of the competition - while still
going to work at Hipping Hall on the Cumbrian and
Yorkshire Border.
“Sometimes I’d come back from London, do a
service at work, practice a dish, go home, get up
early, go to work, practice a dish and then go back
to the MasterChef kitchen,” says Matt. “It was so
hard to balance everything through the six or seven
weeks of filming. Taking part in the competition was
the toughest thing I’ve ever done. It’s given me a lot
more confidence in the dishes I create, because the
feedback I got throughout the whole show was really
positive.”
In his quest to show the audience at home something
new, Matt included some plants grown from seed
in his garden in Ingleton where he was living at the
time, and some picked wild. A particular favourite
was costmary, an ancient forgotten garden herb.
“It’s almost a cross between mint and rosemary, I
find, and I really wanted to use it in a lamb dish
because they’re classic companions for lamb. It’s
quite strong, but used delicately in the right context
it can be great. There were a few more
ingredients I wanted to use, but obviously I
went out so I didn’t get to!”
So, does Matt have any tips for budding
foragers? The main point is to be very careful
and absolutely certain about what you’ve got
before you eat it, especially when it comes to
mushrooms and fungi.
“It’s taken me years and years of reading and
picking and identifying to get to the point
where I can pick and eat safely,” he stresses. “If
you want to go out foraging, pick something
really simple like wild garlic or, if you’re at
40 www.jaimemagazine.com

the coast, pick some sea arrowgrass or
samphire or purslane - plants you’re
not going to confuse with poisonous
lookalikes.”
When filming for the series ended in early
summer 2021, Matt left his full-time job
for a new adventure. Last autumn, he set
up Foray Catering with 2018 MasterChef:
The Professionals finalist, colleague and
close friend Oli Martin. After meeting in
Sydney’s two-Hat Gastro Park restaurant,
the pair went on to work together for
a further five years at Hipping Hall
– achieving many incredible awards
including four AA Rosettes.
A shared interest in foraging has played
a big part in making the two such good
friends. Matt was already researching
plants during his time in Australia, and when they
both returned to the UK Matt paid close attention
to what Oli was doing with local plants and other
ingredients at Hipping Hall before joining him
there. As for many of us over the last two years, the
pandemic was a factor in looking for a change of
pace.
“Lockdown showed me that there’s a bit more to
life than cooking,” Matt muses. “I love cooking, but
you’ve got to have that balance. I needed to step
away from fine dining for a bit. Someone approached
Oli asking if we could cater for a wedding, and we
got talking and it grew from there.”
With more than 30 years’ experience between
them, the pair decided to use their knowledge of
the hospitality industry and bring it to weddings,
parties, events, and private dining across the North
West. The Foray Catering food philosophy is quite
straightforward.
STAFFORDSHIRE CHEF MATT
WILLDIGG MADE IT TO FINALS
WEEK OF MASTERCHEF THE
PROFESSIONALS
“We just want to serve real, tasty, good food to
everyone,” says Matt. “All the dishes at Hipping
Hall we used to create together, and I find having
someone you can bounce ideas off like that makes the
dishes come out better in the end. I’ve never been to
a wedding and thought ‘this is really good food’. We
want to do high-end food, using the best ingredients
and treating them with respect, so that people can
enjoy it and get excited about it.”
Matt is enjoying the opportunity to have a better
work-life balance while still doing what he loves. And
it means they are still able to get involved with popup
restaurants and private dining when the chance
arises.
“Obviously there’s a lot of stress along the way
in starting a new business, but I’ve got a lot more
energy now, I’ve got a girlfriend, and I’m enjoying
being in the kitchen more than I was before,” he
adds.
Matt is now based in the seaside
town of Lytham with Foray’s
kitchen unit a short drive away
in Preston, but ventures further
afield are not entirely off the
cards.
“We’re concentrating on the
North West at the moment,
although we do have an event in
Buckinghamshire in a few weeks.
We don’t want to run before we
can walk, but we’re not ruling
out travelling!”
To find out more about Matt and
Oli’s new venture, visit
www.foraycatering.co.uk
www.jaimemagazine.com
41

F O O D & D R I N K
The power of plants
AMY NORBURY SPOKE TO MARTIN HOLDEN-WHITE, THE LICHFIELD
FOUNDER OF VEGAN RECIPE BOX COMPANY GRUBBY, TO DISCOVER
HOW TO MAKE THE MOST OF PLANT-BASED EATING
You’ve taken the new year
as an opportunity to try
a healthier approach to
eating - something most
of us probably need to do
following a festive season
filled with cheese, chocolate
and wine! - and decided to
give Veganuary a go.
But finding new and exciting
ways to eat completely
without meat, fish or dairy
products can prove to be
difficult, especially if you’re
more used to the British diet
of meat-and-two-veg with
every meal.
And that is why Martin
Holden-White set up
GRUBBY PROVIDES ALL THE
INGREDIENTS FOR DELICIOUS PLANT-
BASED COOKING
Grubby. The nationwide vegan recipe box company
launched last year with the aim of simplifying plantbased
eating, providing meat-free meals which are
easy to create and taste delicious.
“A big part of why people struggle to go vegan,
or struggle to eat more plants, is because of the
cooking,” says Martin, who hails from Lichfield.
“Although we do love our takeaways, ultimately
around 70 percent of meals in the UK are still homecooked,
and one of the bigger challenges of getting
people to go plant-based is that they don’t know that
it can taste good, and they don’t know the techniques
to achieve this, because that’s just not how a lot of
us were raised. So that’s what we’re trying to do with
Grubby.”
While completing a challenge like Veganuary and
going completely vegan can provide a much-needed
health boost, many of us will find it difficult to
sustain long term. But, says Martin, making gradual
small changes to your diet can still make a huge
difference.
“At Grubby we’re a team of flexitarians,” explains
Martin. “We all have different dietary needs, and
we’re not preachy about being vegans; in fact,
around 80 to 90 percent of our customers aren’t
vegans. A large part of our customer base wants
to build more plants into their diets rather than go
completely vegan.
“The main reasons why people decide to go plantbased
are to do with health and the environment,
with the animal cruelty aspect being the third reason.
“Eating less meat is far more prevalent now that
people are more aware of the health benefits that it
can bring, but I think the thing that people get wary
about with going vegan is that they’re not going
to get enough protein. But that’s a myth; there are
plenty of ways to get enough protein with plantbased
food - if you know how to do it properly.
“And from an environmental point of view, when
you compare an individual meat-based meal to a
plant-based meal, the savings on CO2 and water are
mental; it’s crazy the impact it has, and becoming
more aware of this is what is encouraging people to
try more plant-based eating.”
In fact, a study by Oxford University found that if
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everyone in the UK made the simple swap from
red meat to plant-based just once a week, it would
cut our greenhouse gas emissions by a staggering
50 million tonnes. That’s a reduction of up to 8.4
percent in the UK’s total greenhouse gas emissions -
the equivalent of taking 16 million cars off the road.
“And that’s just if everyone moved to one plantbased
meal a week,” says Martin. “The impact of
that small change is immense, and that’s something
everyone can do.”
Making plant-based food more accessible is at the
heart of Grubby’s ethos.
“From Grubby’s point of view, we’re trying to
educate people as to how simple the cooking
techniques are,” says Martin. “It’s just about learning
them, and trying Grubby can help. People dip in and
out of Grubby, they use it for recipe inspiration, they
enjoy the meals and then go on to cook them again
themselves, which is cool - it means we need to keep
coming up with new recipes to keep people coming
back.”
And introducing people to new ingredients which
can make their vegan dishes as flavoursome - if not
more so - than meat-based counterparts is key to
changing perceptions around vegan cookery.
“Finding nutritional yeast, or using tahini if you’ve
never used it, can be daunting,” says Martin. “There
are all these weird and wonderful ingredients out
MARTIN HOLDEN-WHITE, LEFT,
AND THE GRUBBY TEAM
there but they might be harder to find, and can be
expensive, then you end up with an entire pot which
sits in the cupboard.
“We provide a small portion so there’s no wastage;
Grubby enables people to dabble in plant-based
cooking without fully committing to spending loads
of money on ingredients.”
So what are Martin’s go-to hero ingredients?
“Nutritional yeast is something that really opened my
eyes, especially in dishes like stews and pastas, where
you want that tang and that cheesy element,” he says.
“Add a few tablespoons of nutritional yeast during
the cooking process and you’ll be really surprised as
to what that can deliver. If you’re trying to emulate
dishes like macaroni cheese, it’s perfect for that, and
in a mushroom stroganoff with coconut milk and
smoked paprika, it’s a great combination.”
Cashew nuts are another firm favourite for Martin.
“They’re an absolutely brilliant ingredient,” he says.
“Cashews are great for making sauces; you can blitz
cashews with Oatly cream, soy sauce and a bit of
lemon juice, and you have the makings of a tasty
carbonara.
“Or you can make toppings that have a similar taste
to parmesan; nutritional yeast mixed with salt and
blitzed cashews sprinkled over the top of dishes
makes a great cheesy topper.”
For added zing when it comes to salads, lemon juice
is another of Martin’s must-haves.
“Lemon is everybody’s friend; in vegan cooking it’s
so good for bringing out the flavour in salads, just
pulling everything together.
“And miso paste. It doesn’t just have to be spread on
things and roasted, that tastes great, but you can use
it for other things too. We were testing a mushroom
risotto and put a little bit of miso in the background
of the stock; if you just use a small amount, it has the
same effect as Marmite or Worcestershire sauce - it
gives that umami, you don’t taste the miso, it just
gives a depth of flavour.”
And while vegan cookery can often be based around
meat replacements, such as tofu and other products
designed to taste like meat, Martin is a firm believer
that veg is the way to go.
“We’ve always believed in the power of plants, and
believe that you can create really delicious food by
just making the veg and raw ingredients really sing;
you don’t need meat or meat replacement products,”
says Martin.
“There’s so much you can do with just veg.”
For more details on Grubby, visit
www.grubby.co.uk
44 www.jaimemagazine.com

INGREDIENTS: SERVES TWO
300g sweet potato
1 aubergine
1 red pepper
150g rice
2 spring onions
2 tablespoons tamari soy
2 cloves garlic
30g ginger
1 red chilli
1.5 tablespoons agave syrup
1.5 tablespoons white wine vinegar
2.5 tablespoons peanut butter (nuts)
1 cucumber
handful coriander
1 lime
Sweet potato and
aubergine satay
Preheat your oven to 200 degrees / 180 Fan /
gas mark 6.
Cut the sweet potato, aubergine and red pepper
into 3cm chunks. Add all the chopped ingredients
to a large roasting tray along with a tablespoon
of olive oil and a pinch of salt and pepper. Place
into the oven for 15-20 minutes, turning half way
through.
Meanwhile, rinse the rice with cold water, place
into a saucepan and cover with 300ml of boiling
water. Bring the rice to the boil on a high heat
with the lid on, then turn down to a low simmer
and leave to cook for 10-12 minutes. Once all the
water has evaporated, take off the heat and set
aside. While the rice is cooking, finely slice the
spring onions.
To make the sauce, using a blender, add the
tamari soy, peeled garlic and ginger, half of the
red chilli (deseeded), agave syrup, white wine
vinegar and 2 tablespoons of water. Blend until
the chilli and garlic are well chopped, then add in
the peanut butter and blend until combined.
To make the cucumber salad, using the palm of
your hand or a wooden rolling pin lightly bash
the cucumber to crack it, then slice into rough
2cm chunks and add it to a bowl along with the
remaining red chilli and finely chopped coriander,
stalks and all. Mix well and set aside.
When the sweet potato and aubergine are cooked,
serve them next to the rice, pour over the satay
sauce, sprinkle with the spring onion and serve
alongside the cucumber salad. Finish with a good
squeeze of lime juice.
www.jaimemagazine.com
45

F O O D & D R I N K
The taste of victory
MASTERCHEF: THE PROFESSIONALS 2021 WINNER DAN LEE COOKED UP A STORM IN
LICHFIELD AT A RECENT SAUCE SUPPER CLUB EVENT. HERE HE SHARES THE RECIPE FOR A
DELICIOUS MARINADE TO HELP YOU WHIP UP A TRADITIONAL CANTONESE DISH AT HOME.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY BECKY TRANTER. WWW.BECKYTRANTER.COM
After an intense final, Birmingham chef Dan
Lee was crowned winner of MasterChef: The
Professionals 2021, impressing judges Marcus
Wareing and Monica Galetti with his Asian
and modern European inspired dishes; Wareing
described Dan as “a star in the making”, while
Galetti praised his “exciting, innovative flavours”.
With a Chinese father and British mother, Dan has
grown up around a mixture of Chinese and British
cuisine; his Chinese grandfather ran a takeaway
serving traditional Cantonese dishes, while his British
grandparents fed him stews and bacon sandwiches.
After gaining his Diploma in Cookery at University
College Birmingham, Dan worked in a Michelin-star
celebrity restaurant in Singapore, Table65. He is
now a private chef, doing pop-ups and residencies at
restaurants.
This month, he took over the kitchen at
Curborough’s Thyme Kitchen, home of Sauce
Supper Club, where lucky diners got to experience
some of the dishes which saw Dan walk away
with the MasterChef title. From mouthwatering
Hainanese chicken with rice, sesame and chilli, and
scallop with XO, chive and sweet potato, to duck
with hoisin and cucumber, and Lo Bak Go, it was a
feast inspired by Dan’s heritage.
MASTERCHEF THE
PROFESSIONALS
WINNER DAN LEE
And here, Dan shares the recipe for a traditional
Cantonese favourite - char siu pork.
Dan says: “Char siu is one of the most popular
roasted meats in Cantonese cuisine, it’s
something I ate regularly growing up and to
this day it’s still one of my favourite things to
eat! Traditionally char siu pork is served over
rice with some Chinese cabbage or pak choi
on the side, you can also find it inside Bao,
in fried rice and on top of delicious wonton
noodle soup. Below you can find my marinade
for char siu pork, I like to use shoulder when I
make it due to the tasty fatty nature of the cut,
this marinade also works with fillet and jowl,
although for jowl you would braise it in the
marinade rather than roasting!
46 www.jaimemagazine.com

Char Siu
Marinade
INGREDIENTS:
1.2kg pork shoulder (sliced into 3/4
thick strips)
3 cloves garlic
2 inch ginger
60g demerara sugar
50g runny honey
30ml groundnut oil
80ml Shaoxing rice wine
80ml light soy sauce
20ml dark soy sauce
40g sweet hoisin sauce
45g yellow bean sauce
1 tbsp MSG (optional)
1 tbsp red food colouring (optional)
Set the pork aside, then blend all the remaining
ingredients together to make the marinade.
This can be done in a food processor or with a
stick blender. If you have neither to hand you
can finely chop the ginger and garlic then mix
everything.
Place the pork into a large glass bowl or a large
zip lock bag and pour over the marinade, mixing
well to ensure all the pork is covered. Then leave
the pork in the fridge overnight preferably, or for
a minimum of four hours - I’d recommend 12-18
hours for the marinade.
Set your oven on fan to 220c
Remove the pork (reserve the marinade) and place
onto a roasting rack, on a roasting tray. Roast the
pork on the top shelf of the oven for 15 minutes,
then remove, turn over and brush with the
remaining marinade - be generous!
Roast for a further 10 minutes on 220c then
drop your oven to 140c to roast for a further
30 minutes. Check the pork is nicely coloured,
remove from the oven before resting for 5-10
minutes. Slice and serve.
Alternatively you can barbecue this pork - I’d
highly recommend giving this a try!
www.jaimemagazine.com
47

H E A LT H
Move to the beat
PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHER AND FITNESS INSTRUCTOR NICOLA WILLIS, FROM
LICHFIELD, IS PIONEERING A NEW TYPE OF FITNESS CLASS AIMED AT PARENTS - WHERE
THEY CAN WORK OUT WITH BABY IN TOW. AMY NORBURY DISCOVERS MORE
Primary school teacher Nicola Willis has always had
a passion for fitness and exercise. Living and working
in central London, she trained as a group exercise
instructor, hoping to share her love of staying active.
And when her school lost the use of its outdoor space,
leaving the children with nowhere to run around and
let off steam, Nicola jumped at the chance of helping
to keep her pupils active.
“The school was having a new playground put in so
we lost the playground and, being in central London,
there was nowhere for the kids to play,” says Nicola,
who now lives in Lichfield.
“So I thought that if I taught aerobics, it would be an
extra active session for them.”
Rather than call the classes ‘aerobics’, Nicola wanted
something which would be more appealing to her
pupils. Inspired by her and husband John’s recent first
wedding anniversary trip to Tanzania - where they
climbed Mount Kilimanjaro - she researched Swahili,
the language spoken in Tanzania, for ideas.
“It’s such a singsong language, which fitted perfectly
with the classes, and I came across the word ‘Wimbo’,
which means rhythm.”
And so, WIMBO Fitness was born.
With the classes proving a hit with the pupils, Nicola
then started teaching aerobics classes to school staff
after school as part of staff wellbeing, before training
BABIES CAN RELAX OR PLAY WHILE
THEIR PARENTS WORK OUT
WIMBO FITNESS FOUNDER NICOLA
WILLIS WITH DAUGHTER IVY
to teach pilates.
When Nicola discovered she was pregnant with
her first child in early 2020, she didn’t want to give
up exercising, but needed to ensure she could keep
herself and bump safely active throughout her
pregnancy. So she decided to train as a pre and post
natal exercise specialist too.
But then, the coronavirus pandemic hit, forcing
the whole country into lockdown. As a key worker,
Nicola continued to teach full time - but missed her
previously active lifestyle. So she decided to take her
fitness classes online.
“I was teaching pilates and aerobics online every
week, for friends and family, throughout lockdown,
just to keep everyone active, for free,” she says.
“I was teaching every day, which really helped me to
get through it because it gave me something else to
do.”
Nicola, who’s originally from Walsall and now has
48 www.jaimemagazine.com

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family in Shropshire, and John, whose family lives in
Derbyshire, decided to make the move back to the
Midlands to be closer to their families in time for the
arrival of daughter Ivy, now 16 months old.
The couple settled in Lichfield as the perfect midpoint
between their two families, as well as being easily
commutable back to London for John’s work.
When baby Ivy arrived in September 2020, Nicola
wanted to find a way to involve her and her baby
friends in her fitness classes. She realised that, as a
new parent, it can be difficult to carve out time away
from baby to attend a traditional fitness class, but that
most baby classes are, understandably, focussed on
baby’s needs rather than the needs of the parent.
The brand of pilates Nicola teaches is Fitness Pilates,
which was founded by UK fitness personality Rachel
Holmes. Rachel also pioneered the Buggy Beat idea
- which Nicola decided would be the perfect way to
incorporate Ivy into her work.
Buggy Beat is a cross-training class for parents and
babies to attend together. Incorporating elements of
cardio, tabata and pilates, it’s a class where parents
can work out with their babies in tow. The initial run
of Buggy Beat classes started last August in Lichfield’s
Beacon Park.
While Buggy Beat is a fitness class for parents, it’s
completely baby-led, with feeding, changing and
entertaining the little ones all part and parcel of
proceedings.
“It’s all about having fun; you get active but you can
work as hard as you want,” says Nicola. “It’s a class
for the parents, not the babies, but the babies are
always well entertained by their parents prancing
around in front of them.
“And I found that in other baby classes, especially
during the pandemic where you had to be two metres
apart from other people,
that you’d go to the
class, do the class and
then go home, and you
hadn’t really spoken to
anyone.
“I wanted to make
Buggy Beat more of
a social thing, we’re
here for the parents.
When we were outside
there wasn’t the issue
of keeping distance, so
we have a section where
we walk around doing
walking lunges and I try
BUGGY BEAT IS A CLASS AIMED AT ALL PARENTS AND
CARERS TO ATTEND WITH THEIR LITTLE ONES
to encourage everyone to have a chat at that point.
“Then we always have a coffee afterwards; in the park
we’d go to a local cafe afterwards.”
But as winter hit and temperatures plummeted,
Nicola realised that outdoor classes wouldn’t have as
much appeal. So she found a temporary indoor space
in Mere Green, before moving to Buggy Beat’s new
home for 2022 in Shenstone, at the Cooper Room on
Main Street.
While the class may be indoors, there’s still plenty of
room for those walking lunges - and the onsite kitchen
means all attendees get to enjoy a cuppa and a chat at
the end, once they’ve caught their breath.
Under the growing WIMBO Fitness brand, Nicola
also offers online Fitness Pilates classes, with two
20-minute classes each week. These are pre-recorded
in Nicola’s home fitness studio to make them
accessible to the busiest of clients, and cost just £15
for a five-week course.
Nicola relishes life as a busy working mum; as well as
juggling her fitness classes with looking after baby Ivy,
she still teaches one day a week at a private primary
school in Derby.
“I love being busy,” she says. “It’s how I’ve always
been, and I’m looking forward to sharing my
knowledge and passion for exercise as WIMBO
grows.”
Nicola runs Buggy Beat classes at the Cooper
Room, Main Street, Shenstone on Mondays
from 9.45am-10.30am and 11am-11.45am.
The next six-week course runs from February
28 to April 4 and is priced at £36. For more
information follow Nicola on Instagram
@WIMBOFitness and search for Buggy Beat
with WIMBO Fitness on Facebook, or visit
wimbo-fitness.mailchimpsites.com
50 www.jaimemagazine.com

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T R AV E L
New year, new opportunities
OLIVER BROAD, JOINT MD OF LICHFIELD TRAVEL EXPERTS RB COLLECTION, TAKES A
LOOK AT SOME OF THE MOST EXCITING TRAVEL OPPORTUNITIES FOR THOSE SPECIAL
OCCASIONS IN 2022 AND BEYOND
THE CITY OF LOVE, PARIS IS PERFECT
FOR A SPECIAL OCCASION
So many special occasions were lost over the past two
years and so in this special report we make our expert
suggestions on where to visit to celebrate in style and
enjoy special moments linked to some of the world’s
most exciting new hotels.
The City of Love, Paris is the top choice for many
romantic escapes. Cheval Blanc’s collection of
‘intimate maisons’ has now added Paris to its existing
portfolio of hotels which includes St-Tropez, St Barth,
the Maldives and Courchevel.
Located within the famous La Samaritagne building
and overlooking the Seine, this 72-room hotel is part
of a 15-year project spearheaded by the LVMH
group. The hotel taps into the fashion house’s links
with a Dior Spa and you will easily spot the group’s
luxury brands around the hotel. Three Michelin star
chef Arnaud Donockele runs the gastronomic venue,
and we will no doubt see this as THE luxury hot spot
in Paris for a while to come yet.
Sticking with the fashion theme, Bulgari Hotel Paris
opens in the city’s ‘Golden Triangle’ on Avenue
George V following the opening of the brand’s
flagship store in the city. Over three-quarters of
the hotel’s rooms have been designed as a private
apartment as they take luxury to another level.
Our top tip for Paris is to wander the narrow streets
of the Marais, slightly off the beaten track from the
main tourist spots. Enjoy dinner at Les Pinces where
their philosophy is that good quality lobster can still
be enjoyed at reasonable prices. For a more decadent
experience, enjoy the gourmet menu at Gaspard de la
Nuit.
Over in Italy, romance seekers have some exciting
new options this year. For a taste of golden-age Italian
52 www.jaimemagazine.com

glamour, the talk of the town
on the Neopolitan Riviera is
the reopening of the Hotel La
Palma on the island of Capri.
Built in 1882 as Capri’s first
hotel, this 50-room hotel is steps
from the famous Piazzetta. This
re-imaged incarnation of Capri’s
hot spot once hosted notable
writers, musicians, artists and
poets from around the globe. It
will no doubt once again be the
epicentre of Capri’s social scene.
Capri is located off the Italian
coast in the Bay of Naples, and
you access the island by water
from Naples or Sorrento. You can
also visit the neighbouring island of Ischia which is
Capri’s lesser known and more traditional island. You
can also twin Capri with a stay on the Amalfi Coast or
Sorrento; it is most definitely worth a visit!
Also in Italy, Venice is firmly on most travellers’
bucket-lists, and the new famous Baglioni Luna
re-opens this year after a major refurbishment. One
of Venice’s oldest hotels, you can now also enjoy a
brand-new Venetian-style spa at this iconic hotel.
Venice has suffered from over-tourism pre-pandemic
and so our tip would be to visit off season when visitor
numbers can be much lower and the experience more
enjoyable. Don’t forget to stop by Harry’s Bar for a
Bellini!
Often overlooked, Ibiza Town’s traditional cobbled
streets and historic castle are a far cry from many
people’s vision of the White Isle. It is a favourite place
OMAN IS A RICH AND INTERESTING ALTERNATIVE TO
DUBAI. PHOTO BY OLIVER BROAD, RB COLLECTION
ICELAND IS A TOP PICK FOR
AN EXCITING SHORT BREAK
for us to escape to, and more luxury hoteliers are
investing in the island with the opening of Gran Hotel
Montesol Ibiza.
Developed by the well-known Experimental Group,
who also operate the popular sunset beach club of
the same name, their latest project is the reinvention
of this historic 1930s building in the narrow streets
of Ibiza Town with a rooftop restaurant and cocktail
bar, Sabbaba Montesol. Also new in Ibiza Town is
the Standard who are known for their hip hotels in
hotspots such as LA, New York, Miami, Bangkok,
London and the Maldives.
If you are after a little more adventure but still want
some comfort, Iceland FINALLY opened a new
luxury hotel from the Edition chain. Ian Shrager, of
New York’s Studio 54 fame, is behind this collection
of design-led hotels which you can also find in
Barcelona, London , Bodrum, Miami, New York, Los
Angeles, Abu Dhabi,
Dubai and Tokyo. It is
great to see Reykjavik
join this impressive list
of popular destinations
and we are sure it will
open the city up to a new,
emerging clientele.
Iceland is a great place
for itchy-feet shortbreakers,
or those in need
of a change of scenery.
You can jam pack an
itinerary to include the
Golden Circle, Super
Jeep and Northern Lights
or, if you prefer, relax at
the Blue Lagoon and go
www.jaimemagazine.com
53

EXPERIENCE GOLDEN AGE ITALIAN GLAMOUR IN CAPRI
whale watching. When we visited, we enjoyed a little
bit of everything, and it was perfect. A popular option
with our clients is to self-drive; we arranged one such
trip last September and the feedback was excellent.
If your idea of a special trip includes a beach and you
need to travel in our cooler months, then we have just
the tonic.
We have noticed clients are seeking to minimise their
flying time and keep changes to a minimum which
makes the Middle East a popular choice for winter
and spring getaways. Temperatures remain warm and
with flying time of only six to seven hours destinations
such as Oman, Ras Al Khaimah and Abu Dhabi are
proving popular in addition to the top seller which is,
of course, Dubai.
Jumeirah’s Muscat Bay in Oman has been in
development for a number of years, and we are
finally set to see it open in
2022. I first caught sight
of it during my own trip
to Oman in 2019 and we have
been following its progress ever
since. Oman is a firm favourite
for those who are looking for
an alternative to Dubai for
some winter sun and top-class
luxury accommodations. Oman
is more scenic, less built-up and
has a deeper, richer cultural
heritage to enjoy too.
Set in the secluded cove of
Bandar Jissah between the
Al Hajar Mountains and the
Gulf of Oman, the luxurious
Jumeirah Muscat Bay is just 15
minutes south of Muscat city
centre. Jumeirah is known for
its high-quality resorts, and this
will no doubt be very popular.
As soon as we have a confirmed
opening date we will let you
know.
Our top tip for any visit to
Oman includes a visit to the
‘Green Mountains’ where
you can stay at the dramatic
mountain top Anantara Al
Jabal Resort. The scenery is
eye-dropping, and it really adds
another aspect to an already
wonderful destination, as I
found out during my visit.
If wine tasting is your thing,
Four Seasons opened their new Napa Valley resort last
year and is one of the most exciting new properties
on their roster. We visited Napa ourselves a few years
ago and it really does live up to its reputation as being
one of the most beautiful spots in Northern California
to visit. If time permits, we suggest a few nights in
San Francisco followed by a self-drive exploration of
the valley. There are some nice independent wineries
we toured which are great and dinner at FARM at
Carneros is a must!
Staying in the USA, Virgin Atlantic recently
announced a new flight to Austin, their first new USA
route since 2015. The city’s slogan is Keep Austin
Weird and it is famous for its live music scene and
its independent shops and restaurants. Austin hosts
the South by Southwest music festival and has a
THE NEW ORIENT-EXPRESS LA DOLCE VITA
54 www.jaimemagazine.com

huge student population
making it a real creative
hub. The new flight will
operate four times per
week and starts in May
2022 and will compete
with British Airways on
the route.
One of the top new
luxury hotels is the
Thomson Austin located
just off the East Sixth
Street nightlife and
entertainment strip.
Austin is a great starting
point to explore Texas
and the South, and we look forward to the new
opportunities opening to clients to the region
Now we look further ahead to 2023 for those
who want to plan special occasions early - highly
recommended for these new opportunities.
Italy welcomes a new Orient-Express train! The
pandemic has certainly shaken up the travel industry
in all areas. Rail travel was already an increasingly
popular method of transport and now EU states are
investing heavily improving connectivity and offering
more affordable solutions. Luxury rail travel is also
getting an upgrade with a brand-new train, the
Orient-Express La Dolce Vita.
The Orient-Express La Dolce Vita routes will
welcome passengers starting in 2023 with six trains
and several iconic itineraries. Guests will travel in
luxury through a leisurely-paced tour from Northern
to Southern Italy, across 14 regions, and beyond
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CHEVAL BLANC’S NEW PARIS
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including three international destinations from Rome
to Paris, Istanbul and Split. A magical stopover in
Rome will feature the very first Orient Express Hotel,
Minerva scheduled to open in 2024.
Hotel group Accor is behind this new project, not to
be confused with Belmond’s Venice-Simplon Orient-
Express which will continue to operate, we expect
with raised eyebrows.
Over in the Americas, the famous Rocky Mountaineer
Railroad is now offering itineraries south into the
USA on their ‘Rockies to the Red Rocks’ trips.
Journey through two days of extraordinary landscapes
between Moab, Utah and Denver, Colorado. Vast
canyons, inspiring deserts, natural archways and
enchanting hoodoos are just a start. Available in
SilverLeaf Service, this Rocky Mountaineer rail route
is filled with highlights best seen by train, including
Ruby Canyon, Mount Garfield and crossing the
Continental Divide. This will no doubt appeal
to those who have
experienced the Rocky
Mountaineer in Canada
before and want to travel
by train to another part
of the Americas.
As you can see, there
are lots of exciting travel
opportunities on the
horizon for our clients in
the future.
If you would like to
discuss your special
trip call us on 01543
258631 or email vip@
rbcollection.com.
Remember to mention
J’AIME when you call.
www.jaimemagazine.com
55

W H AT ’ S O N
What’s on this month?
THERE’S PLENTY TO SEE AND DO AROUND THE WEST MIDLANDS THIS
FEBRUARY, PARTICULARLY FOR FANS OF DANCE, BALLET AND MUSIC!
WHAT: MOTIONHOUSE: NOBODY
WHERE: BIRMINGHAM HIPPODROME
WHEN: FEBRUARY 4
Fast-moving and highly physical, Motionhouse’s new show, Nobody, explores
the tension between our inner lives and how we make sense of the world around
us. This is a spellbinding and strikingly visual adventure that resonates with the
times we live in.
We follow seven characters on their journey of self-discovery to find strength and
support in each other, while a group of curious crows questions their every move.
As they negotiate their ever-changing reality, the performers search for answers
while the world unravels around them. Can they work together to find out who
they are?
Motionhouse’s dance-circus style combines with mesmerising choreography to
tell an emotional and ultimately uplifting story, full of twists and turns. Packed
with visual magic, the world on stage is transformed before your eyes. Digital
projections and the shape-shifting set create a constantly changing environment
where nothing is quite what it seems… For more details visit
www.birminghamhippodrome.com
WHAT: OH! WHAT A NIGHT
WHERE: SUTTON COLDFIELD TOWN HALL
WHEN: FEBRUARY 5
After their last sell-out show, the boys are back! Oh! What A Night transports
you back in time on a musical journey through the incredible career of Frankie
Valli and The Four Seasons, now immortalised in the multi-award winning show
Jersey Boys, which has been packing theatres worldwide since its debut in 2005.
Valli’s unmistakable voice dominated the airwaves for more than two decades
with classics such as Sherry, Let’s Hang On, Big Girls Don’t Cry, Can’t Take My
Eyes Off You, My Eyes Adored You, December 63 (Oh What A Night), Bye Bye
Baby, Who Loves You and many more.
This feel-good performance combines infectious personalities, amazing vocals,
slick harmonies and even slicker dance moves. It’s a celebration of one of the
greatest rock ‘n’ roll bands that is full of energy and nostalgia and is sure to leave
you wanting more! Tickets are priced at £25, or £23 for concessions. For more
details, visit www.suttoncoldfieldtownhall.com
WHAT: AFTERNOON TEA WITH DISNEY CLASSICS
WHERE: MOOR HALL HOTEL AND SPA
WHEN: FEBRUARY 6
Enjoy a delicious afternoon tea at Moor Hall Hotel and Spa, while listening
to their live choir perform the most iconic songs from some Disney classics on
Sunday, February 6. This popular themed afternoon tea is back for 2022 to
delight guests both young and young-at-heart. The four-star country house
hotel’s skilled chefs will prepare the afternoon tea of dreams, served while you sit
back as live performers, The Wings Family, entertain you with songs and dances
from a collection of your Disney favourites. Listen out for tunes from Moana,
Lion King, Frozen, Frozen 2 and many more. Arrive at 12.30pm for a 1pm start.
Tickets for the afternoon tea are priced at £32 per adult and £22 per child. For
more details and to book, visit www.moorhallhotel.co.uk
56 www.jaimemagazine.com

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Furniture moved ✔ Our own regular fitters ✔
Lots of new rug designs now in store, in
various colours and sizes to suit any home.
Mastercraft rug - Gallaria collection
Size 1.33m x 1.95m - £185.00
STOCK SALE with 20% off all
stock rugs until end of February
WE
REMAIN
Established
Established 1990
OPEN
1990
FOR NEW
COVID
RESIDENTS Rosemary Lodge Residential Lichfield Care Home
Lichfield FREE
191 Walsall Road, Lichfield, Staffordshire, WS13 8AQ
Please contact The perfect the Registered 'home Care from Manager home' Jane Evans
The perfect 'home from home'
Tel: 01543
at
415223
Rosemary
E-mail:
Lodge
contact@rosemarylodge.co.uk
Care Home
at Website: Rosemary www.rosemarylodge.co.uk
Lodge Care Home
Rosemary Lodge Care Home for elderly ladies and
Rosemary Lodge Care Home for elderly ladies and
gentlemen offers level of care, community and
gentlemen offers a level of care, community and
comfort that is second to none. Situated short way
Rosemary comfort Lodge that is Care second Home to fRosemary none. Lodge Situated Care Home a short for elderly way
from ladies and the gentlemen city centre offers of a level Lichfield of care, community and set in and landscaped
comfort that is
from second the
gardens, to none. city Situated centre
Rosemary a short of Lichfield
Lodge way from is the and
light, city set
spacious centre in landscaped
of Lichfield and and
set in gardens, landscaped Rosemary gardens, Rosemary Lodge Lodge is light, is spacious and and beautifully
decorated, beautifully offering decorated; residents just offering the right combination residents of just interest, the activity right and
relaxation. beautifully It is a decorated; place that encourages offering residents residents to retain just their the independence right
and
combination
individuality whilst
of
being
interest,
fully supported
activity
to
and
live a
relaxation.
fulfilled and enjoyable
It is combination of interest, activity and relaxation. It is alife.
place that encourages residents to retain their
place that encourages residents to retain their
independence and individuality whilst being fully
independence and individuality whilst being fully
supported to live fulfilled and enjoyable life.
supported to live a fulfilled and enjoyable life.
Rosemary Lodge Care Home is family run home and has
Rosemary Lodge Care Home is a family run home and has
been highly regarded part of the community for over 30
been a highly regarded part of the community for over 30
years. Offering 24 hour care, our fully trained staff work
years. Offering 24 hour care, our fully trained staff work
together to communicate with residents and ensure
together to communicate with residents and ensure
personal care needs are met in person centered
personal care needs are met in a person centered
approach, thus building an important relationship of trust
approach, thus building an important relationship of trust
and friendship.
and friendship.
All rooms are on-suite, and are designed to comfortably
All Rosemary rooms are Lodge on-suite, Care Hoe is and a family are run designed home and to has comfortably
been a highly
regarded part accommodate of the community individuals for over 30 years. and Offering couples. 24 hour care, our
fully trained accommodate staff work together individuals to communicate and with couples. residents and ensure
persoal There care is needs full Wi-Fi are met connectivity in a person centred throughout approach, thus to building allow an
There is
important
full Wi-Fi
relationship
connectivity
of trust
throughout
and friendship.
to allow
residents the opportunity of keeping in touch with family
residents the opportunity of keeping in touch with family
All rooms are en-suite, and friends and are designed with video to comfortably calls. accommodate
individuals and couples. and There friends is full with Wi-Fi video connectivity calls. throughout to allow
residents the opportunity of keeping in touch with family and friends with
Regular activities and entertainment video calls. are always available,
Regular activities and entertainment are always available,
with Regular activity activities timetables and entertainment distributed are always weekly, available but with activity privacy
timetables with activity
and peace distributed timetables
and weekly, quiet but distributed
is privacy also ensured and peace weekly, and in this quiet but
beautiful is also privacy ensured
and peace and quiet is also ensured in this beautiful
'home from home'.
'home from home'.
Our commitment to offering just the right amount of care
Our commitment to offering just the right amount of care
and support has led to an excellent reputation in the
and support has led to an excellent reputation in the
community and with the care professionals who work
community and with the care professionals who work
with us. We value our staff highly and recognise that their
with us. We value our staff highly and recognise that their
care and commitment are great part of our success.
care and commitment are a great part of our success.
We also offer respite care, holiday stay and limited day
We also offer respite care, holiday stay and limited day
care. To arrange visit or to learn more about us please
care. To arrange a visit or to learn more about us please
get in touch using the contact details below.
get in touch using the contact details below.
Finance facilities now available
@Tatlowcarpetsltd
@Tatlow_Carpets
Please see our website for further details
www.tatlowcarpets.co.uk
Tel: 01543 264766
Open to the public. Mon-Fri: 9.00am - 5.00pm. Sat: 10.00am - 4.00pm
Unit 4, Europa Way, Britannia Enterprise Park, Lichfield, Staffs, WS14 9TZ
in this beautiful ‘home from home’
Our commitment to offering just the right amount of care and support has led
to an excellent reputation in the community and with the care professionals
who work with us. We value our staff highly and recognise that their care and
commitment are a great part of our success.
We also offer respite care, holiday stay and limited day care. To arrange a visit
or to learn more about us please get in touch using the contact details below.
Rosemary Lodge Residential Care Home
Rosemary Lodge Residential Home
Rosemary 191 Walsall Lodge Road, Residential Lichfield. Staffs. WS13 Care 8AQ. Home
191 Walsall Road, Lichfield, Staffordshire, WS13 8AQ
In the 191 first Walsall instance Road, please Lichfield, contact Jane Staffordshire, Evans - Registered WS13 Care Manager 8AQ
Please contact or Shirley the Registered Kent - Administration Care Manager. Jane Evans
Please contact the Registered Care Manager Jane Evans
Tel: 01543 01543 415223 415223 E-mail: - Email: contact@rosemarylodge.co.uk
roselodgehome@aol.com
Tel: 01543 415223
Website: www.rosemarylodgecarehome.co.uk
E-mail: contact@rosemarylodge.co.uk
www.rosemarylodge.co.uk
Website: www.rosemarylodge.co.uk
CQC RATING GOOD

WHAT: VAMOS THEATRE: DEAD GOOD
WHERE: MAC BIRMINGHAM
WHEN: FEBRUARY 8 AND 9
Worcester-based full mask theatre company Vamos Theatre are heading on tour
with their latest show, Dead Good, with two Birmingham dates this month.
Bob and Bernard don’t have that much in common. But after a chance meeting
at their weekly hospice group, they realise they share one ambition – to do some
serious living before they die. So, with a bottle of Bollinger and the keys to
Bernard’s Bentley in hand, they hit the road, and take on one final, death-defying
adventure.
Originally commissioned by London International Mime Festival, Dead Good is
a funny and poignant theatre show celebrating friendship - and the importance of
living every precious day to the full. Bubbling with humour and awash with pathos,
this beautifully crafted production is performed entirely without words.
Tickets are priced from £8. For more details visit www.macbirmingham.co.uk
WHAT: MATTHEW BOURNE’S NUTCRACKER!
WHERE: BIRMINGHAM HIPPODROME
WHEN: FEBRUARY 8-12
This is a Nutcracker! for all seasons, adored by audiences and critics alike. With
generous family-sized helpings of Bourne’s trademark wit and magical fantasy,
Nutcracker! follows Clara’s journey through a shimmering, ice-skating wonderland
to the scrumptious candy kingdom of Sweetieland, on a set influenced by the
lavish Hollywood musicals of the 1930s.
Tchaikovsky’s glorious score and Anthony Ward’s fabulous sets and costumes
combine with Matthew Bourne’s dazzling choreography to create a fresh and
charmingly irreverent interpretation of the classic. Expect a sprinkling of
delicious new surprises in this re-imagined production, for ages five-plus. The
running time is approximately two hours - with an interval - and tickets are priced
from £22.50. For more details visit www.birminghamhippodrome.com
WHAT: KYLA BROX
WHERE: LICHFIELD GUILDHALL
WHEN: FEBRUARY 12
Widely regarded as one of the best soul-blues singers the British Isles has ever
produced, Kyla Brox has been described as “the finest female blues singer of
her generation”. The award-winning Mancunian singer-songwriter was named
winner of the 2019 European Blues Challenge, Best Female Vocalist in the 2019
European Blues Awards, and took home Best Vocalist at 2019 UK Blues Awards
as well as being nominated in 2020 and 2021.
With many albums under her belt and many miles covered touring all over the
world, her voice is tender, urgent and gritty, blurring the distinction between
pleasure and pain. Combined with the enchantingly fluent guitar work of Paul
Farr, inspired bass playing of Danny Blomeley and in-the-pocket drumming
of Mark Warburton, it makes for a unique and powerful, often joyous, always
emotional experience.
Tickets are priced between £8.50 and £17. For more details, visit
www.lichfieldarts.org.uk
WHAT: ROMEO & JULIET - THE ROYAL BALLET
WHERE: LICHFIELD GARRICK
WHEN: FEBRUARY 20
Romeo and Juliet has become a modern ballet classic since its creation by
Royal Ballet Director Kenneth MacMillan and premiere in 1965. In this special
screening of a performance recorded live at the Royal Opera House, the doomed
lovers attempt to find their way through the colour and action of Renaissance
Verona, where a busy market all too quickly bursts into sword fighting and a
family feud leads to tragedy for both the Montagues and the Capulets. Prokofiev’s
ravishing score sweeps this dramatic ballet towards its inevitable, emotional
end. The performance features Marcelino Sambé as Romeo and Anna-Rose
O’Sullivan as Juliet, accompanied by the orchestra of the Royal Opera House.
Tickets are priced at £16.50. For more details visit www.lichfieldgarrick.com
58 www.jaimemagazine.com

A D V E R T I S I N G F E A T U R E
Financial advice
of real
family value
Prudent financial planning should cater
for the needs of all family members,
from the youngest to the oldest.
When the Queen turned
94 on 21 April 2020,
she served as a very
public reminder of how
much longer, as a society, we are living.
In her own family, four generations are
now all alive at the same time, from the
Queen herself down to her latest greatgrandchild.
An increasing number of
families now find themselves in the
same position, which has implications for
financial planning.
As a nonagenarian, Her Majesty is far
from alone. The number of people over 90
years old rose by 44% between 2008 and
2018, according to the report Estimates
of the very old, including centenarians,
UK: 2002 to 2018, published online by
the Office for National Statistics (ONS) in
September 2019.
Increasing life expectancy
and major social change mean
many need their wealth to work
harder for the whole family
We are now witnessing a phenomenon
where the baby boomers – those born
in the post-war era and in retirement –
represent the wealthiest generation in
society. However, whilst they enjoy the
fruits of their labour, they are sandwiched
between elderly parents facing the
challenges of old age and children
struggling with the hangover of university
debts and rising house prices.
For those born after the Second World
War and in the 1950s, the economy
of their working years was benign and
kind to them; but it was less so for those
born in the 1980s and 1990s – the socalled
‘millennials’ – who are finding it
harder to get jobs and to get onto the
property ladder.
While our children are struggling with
their finances, our parents are living
longer. This has led to an increase in the
need for long-term care, which is likely to
be financed from accumulated savings,
selling the family home or with support
from younger generations.
A study into intergenerational wealth and
retirement planning, which combined
ONS data with an Opinium Research
survey of 4,000 UK adults in April 2019,
estimated that the number of families
with multiple generations in retirement at
the same time will exceed one million in
the next 20 years.
This means people may need to start
reassessing how they plan for the later
stages of life. Traditionally, wealth has
passed from one generation to the next
upon death. However, intergenerational
wealth management challenges that
notion and looks at how families can
use their wealth more collaboratively to
support each other during their lifetimes.
This offers legitimate estate planning
and tax mitigation opportunities, whilst
providing the much-needed assistance
to help alleviate the financial burdens of
everyday life.
Transferring assets
from one generation to the
other is becoming much
more common
St. James’s Place provides a range of
family-oriented financial products and
services, enabling families to work
collaboratively to support each other
across the generations. Financial support
need not be in the form of a handout; it can
become an integral part of generational
financial planning.
Whether you would like to help your
children onto the housing ladder,
contribute to a grandchild’s education or
wedding, or help your parents with laterlife
planning, careful consideration can
ensure your wealth works harder for all
your family without putting your own
security and retirement comfort at risk.
JE AN
L MB
A D ipPFS
A ccredited Later Life Adviser
P rincipal
J EAN LAMB WEALTH CONSULTANCY
Pa rtner
Practice of St. James’s Place Wealth Management
T el:
01543 417342
| 07855 529358
j ean.lamb@sjpp.co.uk
w ww.jeanlamb.co.uk
Th e Partner
P ractice
i s an Appointed Representative of and represents only St. James's Place Wealth Management plc (which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority)
f or 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.
T he 'St. James's Place Partnership' and the titles 'Partner' and 'Partner Practice' are marketing terms used to describe St. James's Place representatives.
SJP12 205
V 2 (09/21)
SJP12205a V1 A4 Intergen - Practice.indd 1 04/08/2020 15:57

I N T H E N E W S
Original art showcase
LEADING SUTTON COLDFIELD GALLERY ARTIFEX HAVE INTRODUCED
A NEW COLLECTION OF ORIGINAL ART TO THEIR OFFERINGS
Artifex Gallery have been trading for more than 27
years under the ownership of Nigel Bates and Ross
Fenn, and are considered to be the leading gallery in
the Midlands for original art and crafts.
The 3,000 square foot gallery, based at Mitchells
Shopping in Sutton Coldfield, is home to an eclectic
range of works, from handmade glass, ceramics,
jewellery and bespoke furniture, to a superb range of
original 21st century paintings.
And now Artifex have strengthened their
commitment to providing the best of original British
art by increasing their works to include earlier
offerings.
Partner Ross Fenn says: “Over the last few years
many of our customers have requested that we
expand the range of our paintings to include earlier
works from the 19th and 20th century.
“Consequently, using both my personal knowledge
of the art market and in collaboration with an art
consultant, I have spent the last 18 months sourcing
what I believe to be an exciting collection of original
paintings, dating from the mid-19th century to the
late 20th.
“Both Nigel and I are really looking forward to
launching this new venture, which will offer an even
broader selection of paintings, both to our existing
as well as to customers. I would emphasise that the
ARTIFEX CO-OWNER
ROSS FENN
new venture is an addition to our current offering
and does not signify a change of direction for the
gallery.”
The first floor is dedicated to original paintings, and
visitors can peruse works from around 18 artists
at any one time, with an exhibition programme
focusing on more substantial one-person shows.
“The art market is now strengthening after a fairly
quiet period and as well as offering the chance to
own a beautiful original painting, your purchase
might also make a sound investment,” Ross adds.
SPOTLIGHT ON ART
Tom Malone (British 1913-1986)
‘Landscape with Road’
Oil on board 39 x 50.5cm (15¼ x 19¾ in.)
Ross says: “I love the beauty and simplicity of
this painting by Tom Malone, especially the way
in which your eye is drawn to the distant horizon
and leads me to imagine what wonders lie at the
end of the road. It conveys peace and tranquillity
which is priceless in these difficult times and
gives me hope of better things to come.”
Tom Malone (1913-1986) was an accomplished
painter originally from Warrington. Despite
being employed as Chief Inspector of Weights
and Measures in
Salford, he was
always involved
in the art scene
of Manchester,
being friends with
artists L.S.Lowry
and Ted Finley.
He was often
found painting on the weekends, his subjects
ranging from landscapes to portraits. His art style
was influenced by the fauvist movement, which
confers to his works a very painterly and textured
quality, present even in the more traditional oil
portraits.
60 www.jaimemagazine.com

N E E D A
S P E C I A L
E S C A P E ?
WE ARE A TRUSTED, LOCAL FAMILY, DEDICATED TO PROVIDING
A TRULY PERSONAL SERVICE FOR THOSE WHO NEED US
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ALL-INCLUSIVE FUNERAL PACKAGES
FEES FOR CREMATORIUM, DOCTOR AND CELEBRANT INCLUDED
*DIRECT - £1,495 *SIMPLE - £2,300 *TRADITIONAL - £2,950
ALL NEEDS AND WISHES CATERED FOR.
PRE-PAYMENT FUNERAL PLANS AVAILABLE
OUR SECOND FUNERAL HOME IS NOW OPEN AT
152, CANNOCK ROAD, BURNTWOOD WS7 0BG
ALSO AT
16 - 20 NORTH STREET, CANNOCK, WS11 0BA
01543 529813 (ANYTIME)
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VISIT OUR WEB AND FACEBOOK SITES TO SEE OUR REVIEWS
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Set in the heart of historic Lichfield, The George Hotel is a
charming 18th century coaching inn which offers a
delightful setting for civil ceremonies and wedding
receptions of up to 110 guests.
Our All Inclusive Wedding Package starts at £3,750 in 2022 and
£4,000 in 2023 and includes a welcome drink,
a three course meal with a glass of sparkling wine for the
toasts, an evening finger buffet, room hire, complimentary
overnight stay for the couple and much more!
Based on 50 adult day guests and 80 adult evening guests.
Sunday 20th February 2022
11am to 2pm | Free Entry
Bird Street, Lichfield, Staffordshire WS13 6PR
01543 414822 weddings@thegeorgelichfield.co.uk
www.thegeorgelichfield.co.uk

FA S H I O N
Best foot forward
A STAPLE PART OF ANY WINTER WARDROBE, BOOTS ARE HAVING THEIR ANNUAL MOMENT IN THE
SPOTLIGHT. AMY NORBURY PUTS HER BEST FOOT FORWARD TO FIND THE SEASON’S TOP PICKS
AS the colder weather rolls around each year, we feel positively
giddy at the prospect of swapping our summer sandals and
flimsy trainers for some hardcore footwear.
Boots, in their myriad guises, are a wardrobe must-have at this
time of year. And donning our best boots - old and new - is one
of the biggest positives of winter weather. After all, even the
dreariest of days can be perked up by the perfect pair of boots.
The catwalks, understandably, agree, with designers everywhere
showcasing an array of styles during their winter events. From
Isabel Marant’s standout cowboy boots to Simone Rocha’s
elevated take on the classic combat, it was a feast for the feet.
The best part? Choose wisely and your new boots will be putting
a spring in your step through next spring and summer too -
Cuban heels teamed with floaty dresses is definitely going to be a
look for SS22.
After last year’s pandemic-influenced pared back offerings, this
season has seen the resurgence of statement footwear. From bold
colour choices to luxurious textures, silhouettes are all about
standout design.
The ubiquitous knee-high boot has been a style staple since time
immemorial, and this season’s tall boots scream ‘go big or go
home’. Look for added interest with animal print leathers, opt
for a bold colour choice or even evoke the decadence of disco
days with metallic hues; the choice is yours.
When it comes to heel height, though, there’s still not a stiletto in
sight. Block heels and chunky platforms offer a more sturdy vibe;
the days of teetering home on your spike heels are, thankfully,
gone.
Cuban heels, too, are making waves in a big way. Cowboy styles
have made their way back to fashion’s front row as the most
obvious iteration of the Cuban heel, but smart Chelsea boots
are also perfect for rocking the stylish low heel. Team with
luxury knitwear and ankle-flashing midi skirts for effortless dayto-night
dressing.
For a more practical option, combat and biker styles, with their
durable soles and rugged aesthetic, are boots you can rely for
both comfort and functionality - and with plenty of stylish
attitude to boot.
These are definitely worth the investment spend; find the right
ones and they’ll be a footwear favourite to serve you for years to
come.
LETTY LEATHER LACE-UP HIKER BOOTS,
£80, MONSOON. WWW.MONSOON.CO.UK
62 www.jaimemagazine.com

£89
£170
£200
NO PLANS SUEDE BOHO BOOTS, JOE
BROWN’S. WWW.JOEBROWNS.CO.UK
PRIME BIKER BOOTS, DUNE LONDON.
WWW.DUNELONDON.COM
COLLIER FLATFORM BLACK LEATHER
ANKLE BOOTS, DR MARTENS.
WWW.DRMARTENS.COM
£85
£850
£89
AMBER TAN COMBAT BOOTS,
OFFICE. WWW.OFFICE.CO.UK
KABUL WALNUT SUEDE
KNEE HIGH BOOTS, OFFICE.
WWW.OFFICE.CO.UK
£99
LIRNEE 90 BLACK LEATHER BOOTS,
ISABEL MARANT AT HARVEY NICHOLS.
WWW.HARVEYNICHOLS.COM
AUCKLAND CHUNKY HEELED ANKLE BOOTS,
OFFICE. WWW.OFFICE.CO.UK
TYREN CHUNKY SOLED KNEE HIGH BOOTS, £170,
DUNE LONDON. WWW.DUNELONDON.COM

B E AU T Y
Beauty resolutions
for heavenly skin
THE BLEAK MIDWINTER IS THE PERFECT TIME TO GIVE YOUR SKIN SOME MUCH NEEDED TLC. AFTER
A TIRELESS ROUND OF OVER INDULGENCE IT’S NO SURPRISE THAT THE STRESSES AND STRAINS OF
THE FESTIVE PERIOD START TO SHOW. TO HELP RECAPTURE YOUR RADIANCE THIS JANUARY
DEBORAH MITCHELL, FOUNDER OF CELEBRITY FAVOURITE HEAVEN SKINCARE REVEALS FOUR
SIMPLE NEW YEAR BEAUTY RESOLUTIONS FOR A BEAUTIFUL 2022
I will cleanse morning and night...
Because your face is constantly exposed to pollutants and bacteria a twice
daily cleansing ritual is essential to ensure you’re not only removing grime
and impurities, but also helping to boost hydration and clear pores for a
fresh-looking complexion. Not only that, but clean skin means that the
active ingredients in your favourite moisturisers and serums are also easily
absorbed.
Heaven’s Hydro Cleansing Milk is designed to hydrate skin, remove
pollutants and deep clean. It contains organic jojoba, the closest match to
the skin’s natural oil, to balance and condition. Perfect for all skin types, it’s
also a great stress-reliever, with its rosemary and lavender properties.
I will indulge in a weekly mask...
Adding a regular face mask to your weekly routine can help
with a whole host of woes, from dehydration and excess
oil to clogged pores, fine lines and break-outs. Blemishbusting
masks penetrate deeper into the layers of your skin,
draw out impurities, remove the build-up of dead cells and
increase hydration. Whether you’re looking for a quick fix
or want a more luxurious spa-at-home experience, we can
all find the time for a once-a-week mask ... and believe me,
your skin will thank you for it.
My signature Silver Bee Venom Mask contains my
revolutionary ABEETOXIN® formula – renowned as a
natural alternative to Botox – to control facial muscles to
lift and firm. Apply after your cleansing routine, leave on
for ten minutes and wash off with warm water; or leave on
overnight for accelerated results.
64 www.jaimemagazine.com

I will hydrate my skin ..
Water is essential for our skin – it is, after all, the body’s biggest organ – and
ensuring we take in enough of nature’s good stuff every day is essential.
Your usual moisturiser alone may help improve your skin’s appearance, but
more often than not a moisturiser alone won’t give you enough hydration
and you’ll find you skin will still look dull.
Choose my Orange Flower Hydrogel with its added benefits of organic
neroli and vitamin C – these restore balance, eliminate scars and help to
maintain the oil levels in the skin. It’s the perfect anti-aging solution as it
helps penetrate fine lines even around the delicate eye area.
I will focus on signs of ageing...
As the cold weather dries out our skin, it’s easy to spot wrinkles
and fine lines; you know the ones that no amount of makeup can
hide. Opt for an innovative anti-ageing formula that reduces the
appearance of wrinkles while smoothing and plumping skin.
My Divine Cream is suitable for all skin types but it works
particularly well on more mature complexions. It contains
organic mandarin and orange, both natural sources of vitamin
C, which help increase collagen and elastin levels for a more
youthful appearance.
Heaven Skincare by Deborah Mitchell is available at Heaven Health & Beauty,
13a Market Place, Shifnal, Shropshire and online at www.heavenskincare.com
www.jaimemagazine.com
65

H E A LT H
Looking after your
skin this winter
IF THE COLD WEATHER IS WREAKING HAVOC ON YOUR SKIN, CONSULTANT DERMATOLOGIST
DR JON GOULDING HAS SOME TOP TIPS FOR TAKING CARE OF YOUR SKIN IN WINTER
The skin is our biggest organ and, just like any
other part of our body, it can become damaged.
Spire Little Aston Hospital offers specialist opinion,
diagnosis and treatment for skin problems such as
skin cancer, eczema, psoriasis and skin lesions.
Here Dr Jon Goulding, consultant dermatologist at
Spire Little Aston Hospital, advises you on how to
take care of your skin during the winter season.
DR JON GOULDING,
CONSULTANT DERMATOLOGIST
How does the cold weather affect your skin?
Many people find that the onset of colder weather
in the winter months make their skin much drier,
and sometimes more irritable. This is often most
pronounced on the hands, but may be noticeable
elsewhere. It is a particular problem for those with
a pre-existing chronic dry skin condition, such as
eczema and psoriasis, and may lead to a significant
disease flare. Less commonly, people run into
more problems with chilblains and Raynaud’s
phenomenon at this time of the year.
Is wearing an SPF still important in winter?
UV penetration tends to be less marked in the colder
months of the year, but may still be significant. It
is important to continue wearing sunblock if you
are very fair-skinned and spending lots of time
outdoors, if you have a history of skin cancer, if
you take immunosuppressive medication, if you
have a photosensitive disorder such as lupus, or a
hyperpigmentary disorder such as melasma. It is
also very important to take a vitamin D supplement
throughout the autumn and winter, to make up for
less frequent sun exposure.
What’s the best way to protect your skin in
the cold?
It makes obvious sense to keep your hands warm
and protected with gloves, to avoid chapping from
exposure to cold temperatures and biting winds.
Many people benefit from dispensing with soap
and shower gel in the shower or bath, and at the
basin, instead using a gentle, moisturising soap
substitute, which may be purchased at a pharmacy
or supermarket. You may want to apply a bland
moisturiser regularly which also helps greatly to
hydrate the skin. For those with very dry, irritable
skin on the hands, using a greasier emollient
overnight really helps, occluding the skin with thin
cotton gloves.
Dr Jon Goulding is a friendly, enthusiastic consultant,
passionate about the speciality of dermatology, and
committed to offering the best possible service to
patients at Spire Little Aston Hospital.
If you are suffering with any aspect of your skin,
they have private treatment advisors on hand to
help you to book an appointment with one of
the dermatologists. Search ‘Spire Little Aston
Hospital’ or Call 0121 514 7034.
66 www.jaimemagazine.com

Established – Professional – Transparent
The Winterton family name has been synonymous
with auctioneering in Staffordshire since 1864
Probate and formal valuations for
inheritance tax purposes
Our reliable and sympathetic
team can assist all executors in the
administration of deceased estates
From jewellery and large collections
to cars, furniture and household items,
we handle everything
Comprehensive, bespoke
clearance service and
downsizing solutions
We handle clearance of an entire
estate from houses, bungalows and
flats to offices and all other buildings
Pictures, Antiques & Collectables
The Lichfield Auction Centre
Fradley Park (close to the A38)
Wood End Lane, WS13 8NF
Discover that hidden gem with your local auctioneer
We specialise in:
Antique and modern jewellery
Watches
Gemstones
Silverware
Coins, medals and militaria
Works of art
Whisky and wine
Vintage toys
Stamps and ephemera
Cameras and record collections
Scientific equipment
Antique and modern furniture
Modern toys and Pokémon
Musical instruments
FREE LOCAL VALUATIONS - NEAR YOU
Watches, Jewellery, Silver & Antiques
Lichfield
The Hub at St Mary’s
Market Square, WS13 6LG
Qualified
All members of our jewellery
department are certified
gemmologists and diamond graders
Record-breaking
international sales
More than 3,800 bidders from
all over the world joined our
online auctions last month
Online services available
Virtual estimates, online auctions
and contactless collections.
Valuations, viewing and consignments
by appointment only
Jewellery, Watches & Silver
The Lichfield Auction Centre
Fradley Park (close to the A38)
Wood End Lane, WS13 8NF
BY APPOINTMENT
Thursdays
9.30am - 4pm
With David and the
team for general
valuations and advice
Tuesdays
9.30am - 11am
Meet Ben for general
advice and auction
consignments
BY APPOINTMENT
Thursdays
9.30am - 4pm
With Heather,
gemmologist
& diamond grader
FREE General Valuations of your pictures, antiques and collectables
By appointment only - with our team on Thursdays from 9.30am - 4pm Call 01543 251081
01543 251081
www.richardwinterton.co.uk
office@richardwinterton.co.uk
The Lichfield Auction Centre, Wood End Lane, Fradley Park WS13 8NF
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