Citylife in Rugeley and Cannock Chase March and April 2022

What Is a Mum?
By Jo Howell
Ihave never been blessed with having my
own children; not that it was a path I
particularly chose but one that just didn’t
go my way. I go through periods in my life
where it deeply saddens me and other times
where I am perfectly happy in my own
company with no one else to worry about.
But often I do think that just because I do not
have any offspring, my maternal instincts did not
switch themselves off either – so maybe, I am a
Mum in other ways than the obvious.
I’m a Dog Mum….
Jo & her fur baby,
Harley
Harley the Labrador has been in my life for nine years and we’ve been
through toilet training, the terrible twos, the sulky teenager, and the
times she’s turned her nose up at food – although in all fairness, this is
few and far between! I’ve pulled thorns from her paws, ticks from her
ears and wiped her eyes and nose on more than one occasion. I’ve held
her paw when she was poorly and cried my eyes out when I left her at
the vets after she had a chunk of her ear bit off – and yes, I also sit in the
dark when it’s thundering, or the fireworks are going off, so she doesn’t
feel scared. Like any ‘child’ her needs come way before mine and I would
always do anything to protect her.
I’m a Godmother…
I am very blessed to be Godmother to three wonderful boys and two
gorgeous girls… and whilst we live miles away from each other, they all
have a very special place in my heart. I have seen them grow in their
Mummies tummies; welcomed them to the world and celebrated every
birthday, Christmas, and every holiday possible with gifts, treats and
sweets – much to their parents’ delight!! We have funny conversations,
pull silly faces, and talk about school, boys, girls and always, without fail,
say I love you.
I’m the Work Mum…
I started a new job six months ago as a ‘Senior Manager’ and promptly
inherited a team of 10 lovely colleagues. They range from 25 (over half of
my age!) to mid-40s and have different personalities, quirks, and ways of
working - we’re like a very functional Walton’s family! And of course, at
the head of every family is the one person who cares, nurtures,
empowers, motivates, admonishes, protects, and fights for her brood. We
may not have worked together for very long but like any ‘Mother Swan’,
God help anyone who attacks my cygnets!
So being a Mum isn’t just about bringing a child into the world – it is
that and so much more. And as Mother s Day approaches on the 27th of
March, remember that your role as a Mum stretches past the Hallmark
cards, chocolates, and flowers – it’s 24/7 love, attention and care for
someone who needs your hand to hold, your shoulder to cry on, or your
calm voice of reason.
Not flesh of my flesh,
nor bone of my bone,
but still miraculously my own.
Never forget for a single minute,
you didn't grow under my heart
but in it.
- Fleur Conkling Heyliger
Read more of Jo’s work at www.justanaveragejo.blog.
As whisky matures and develops its complex and
satisfying flavours, some of the liquid disappears,
seemingly mysteriously, but in reality, through
evaporation. Distillers romantically call the missing
whisky ‘the angels’ share’.
Jeremy ‘Jez’ Roney and Paul ‘Oz’ Horrocks are
interested in angels’ shares of a more tangible
nature. With a passion for bourbon, the American
rye whiskey, they are on a journey to create their
own English version and they are offering a unique
investment
opportunity.
Under the banner
of Mercia Whisky,
located at Bishton
Hall in Rugeley,
Jez and Oz have
already launched
the limited-edition
Mercia Rye, which they say embodies the Anglo
Saxon spirit and builds on the growing English
interest in rye whisky. Now they are forging plans
to build their own distillery, expected to be
operational by 2023.
What’s the deal?
Creating a whisky is a love affair, and you must be
in it for the long term to make it work. That’s why
Jez and Oz have worked out a winning
partnership.
You have the opportunity to buy one or more 50l
casks of whisky which are held in bond as they
mature. In three years’ time, when the whisky is
ready for bottling, Mercia buy it back from you at
8% p.a. compound interest. This means you have
a Great ROI and you are on the launch team of a
fine and rare English whisky.
Your funds will help
the whisky
entrepreneurs build a
new distillery at a site
within the Midlands.
And, in addition to
your return on
investment, you will
be presented with your own bottle of the new
whisky.
Ready to be an angel and take your share in
this exciting venture? You can find out more at
www.merciawhisky.co or you can pick up with
Jez and Oz at the Mercia Spirit Lab in Rugeley.
Drop Jez an email on jez@merciawhisky.co or
call 01889 52 92 91. Make a day of it and book
onto a Whisky or Gin Tasting Experience,
which are open to everyone.
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