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J’AIME MARCH/APRIL 2023

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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 M A R C H / A P R I L 2 0 2 3<br />

<strong>J’AIME</strong><br />

Win!<br />

family tickets<br />

to Staffordshire<br />

County Show<br />

Gifts<br />

for mum<br />

all wrapped up<br />

MasterChef:<br />

The Professionals finalists<br />

wow in Lichfield<br />

STEP INTO SPRING WITH FRESH<br />

FASHION AND INTERIORS IDEAS


Welcome to <strong>J’AIME</strong><br />

As we head into spring, the days are getting longer,<br />

the evenings are getting lighter and there’s a sense of<br />

optimism in the air now that we’ve made it through<br />

the long, cold winter months. Spring is probably my<br />

favourite time of year, when everything feels fresh<br />

and new, and beautiful spring flowers begin to pop up<br />

wherever you look. Not to mention that it’s the time for<br />

hot cross buns and Easter eggs, two of (in my humble<br />

opinion!) the best seasonal treats!<br />

Lichfield chef Jack Dubberley takes a look at some of<br />

the best spring produce to look out for now, while we’ve<br />

got some fresh interiors ideas if you’re looking to refresh<br />

your home decor.<br />

There’s a whole host of great shows coming to the<br />

Midlands this spring, so theatre fans are in for a real<br />

treat. Lichfield Garrick plays host to one of the most<br />

celebrated plays of all time as Agatha Christie’s<br />

The Mousetrap comes to the city as part of its 70th<br />

anniversary tour. We caught up with one of the stars<br />

of the show, Gwyneth Strong - known to millions as<br />

Cassandra in Only Fools and Horses - as well as the<br />

novelist’s grandson Mathew Prichard, for whom the<br />

play was originally written, to discover more about its<br />

enduring appeal.<br />

We also caught up with MasterChef: The Professionals<br />

winner Nikita Pathakji and finalists Sagar Massey and<br />

Charlie Jeffreys when they paid a whirlwind visit to<br />

Lichfield to cook with Sauce Supper Club - and MAY<br />

have managed to get our hands on the prestigious<br />

MasterChef trophy in the process.<br />

Elsewhere, there are all your usual favourites from<br />

fashion and beauty to interiors and food news to keep<br />

you going until next time!<br />

If you enjoy what you read in this issue, then why not<br />

help us to spread the word? As well as being delivered<br />

directly to homes in selected postcodes across the<br />

area, you can pick <strong>J’AIME</strong> up free of charge in major<br />

supermarkets around the Midlands, as well as read the<br />

whole thing - and plenty more! - online at<br />

www.jaimemagazine.com<br />

EDITOR: AMY NORBURY<br />

EDITOR@JAIMEMAGAZINE.COM<br />

ADVERTISING: JAN ASHLEY<br />

ADVERTISING@JAIMEMAGAZINE.COM<br />

07388 335 931<br />

DESIGN: DESIGN@JAIMEMAGAZINE.COM<br />

CONTRIBUTORS: JACK DUBBERLEY,<br />

JEAN LAMB, DEBORAH MITCHELL<br />

<strong>J’AIME</strong> IS PUBLISHED BY ASHBURY<br />

PUBLICATIONS LIMITED.<br />

Check us out online at:<br />

WWW.JAIMEMAGAZINE.COM<br />

Find us on<br />

/JAIMEMAGAZINE<br />

@JAIMEMAGAZINE<br />

@JAIMEMAGAZINE<br />

www.jaimemagazine.com<br />

3


CO N T E N T S<br />

InsideJ’aime this month...<br />

8 The Mousetrap - Agatha Christie’s recordbreaking<br />

play comes to the Lichfield Garrick<br />

as part of its 70th anniversary tour<br />

14 Interiors - Pretty in purple<br />

18 Interiors - Dining room refresh<br />

22 Competition - Win one of five family tickets to<br />

Staffordshire County Show<br />

23 Business - Lichfield’s longest-established<br />

kitchens and bedrooms business<br />

24 Mother’s Day - Spoil your mum with our gift<br />

ideas<br />

28 Food and drink - When the MasterChef: The<br />

Professionals finalists came to Lichfield<br />

32 Food and drink - Reviewing Giggling Squid,<br />

Mere Green<br />

34 Food and drink - Seasonal food ideas from<br />

Dubberley Delicious<br />

38 What’s On - TThe best events around the<br />

Midlands this spring<br />

41 Wealth Matters - The world of finance with<br />

Jean Lamb<br />

42 Fashion - A style revival<br />

44 Beauty - Making the most of your skincare<br />

46 In the news - A wellness destination in Lichfield<br />

48 In the news - Training for body and mind in<br />

Sutton Coldfield<br />

49 In the news - Celebrating a milestone at<br />

Lichfield Garden Centre<br />

50 In the news - A warm welcome at Beau Desert<br />

Golf Club<br />

4<br />

www.jaimemagazine.com


F E AT U R E<br />

The trappings of success<br />

AS AGATHA CHRISTIE’S RECORD-BREAKING WHODUNNIT THE MOUSETRAP COMES TO THE<br />

LICHFIELD GARRICK AS PART OF ITS 70TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR THIS MONTH, AMY NORBURY<br />

CAUGHT UP WITH THE CELEBRATED AUTHOR’S GRANDSON, MATHEW PRICHARD, AND ONE<br />

OF THE PLAY’S LEADING LADIES, GWYNETH STRONG, TO DISCOVER MORE<br />

THE MOUSETRAP COMES TO<br />

LICHFIELD GARRICK THIS MONTH<br />

On Mathew Prichard’s ninth birthday, he received<br />

a rather unique gift from his beloved grandmother.<br />

It wasn’t a toy, nor a game - but a play. The<br />

grandmother in question was none other than<br />

Agatha Christie, now the world’s bestselling author,<br />

and the play was enthralling murder mystery The<br />

Mousetrap, which is, some 70 years later, the world’s<br />

longest-running play.<br />

Making its debut in 1952, The Mousetrap has been<br />

performed continuously in London’s West End ever<br />

since - bar a closure between March 2020 and May<br />

2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic - being staged<br />

more than 28,500 times and seen by more than 10<br />

million people in London alone.<br />

The show’s 70th anniversary tour kicked off<br />

in September last year at the Theatre Royal<br />

Nottingham - the setting for The Mousetrap’s world<br />

premiere - and has since visited venues up and down<br />

the country. The iconic show comes to the Lichfield<br />

Garrick from March 27 to April 1. featuring a stellar<br />

touring cast including former Eastender Todd Carty,<br />

and Only Fools and Horses favourite Gwyneth<br />

Strong.<br />

Mathew says: “It is by now well-known that she<br />

gave me The Mousetrap for my ninth birthday. I do<br />

not, I’m afraid, remember much about the actual<br />

presentation (if there was one) and probably nobody<br />

realised until much later what a marvellous present<br />

it was, but it is perhaps worth remembering that my<br />

grandmother had been through many times in her<br />

life when money was not plentiful. It was therefore<br />

incredibly generous of her to give away such a play<br />

8<br />

www.jaimemagazine.com


FORMER EASTENDER TODD<br />

CARTY WILL BE A FAMILIAR FACE<br />

TO THE AUDIENCE<br />

to her grandson, as in 1952 her books were only<br />

approaching the enormous success they have now<br />

become.<br />

“It is also a mistake to think of her generosity only in<br />

terms of money. She loved giving pleasure to others<br />

– good food, a holiday, a present, or a birthday ode.<br />

She loved enjoying herself, and also to see others<br />

around her enjoying themselves.”<br />

As a novellist, Agatha Christie’s renown is<br />

unparalleled. But to Mathew, she was simply a<br />

grandmother.<br />

“I suppose it took some time for it to sink in that I<br />

had a famous grandmother known to the world as<br />

Agatha Christie,” he says: “<br />

“I first remember her during the years when I was at<br />

preparatory school and her house at Wallingford was<br />

nearby. We used to have enjoyable ‘exeats’<br />

on Sundays and it was, I think, then that<br />

the first glimmers of truth came through.<br />

“Very sensibly, the headmaster of my<br />

school insisted on initialling all books that<br />

came into the school. I came back from<br />

Wallingford clutching the latest Agatha<br />

Christie and wondering, quite genuinely,<br />

whether the Head could possibly find<br />

any reason for withholding the coveted<br />

signature. He never did! There was,<br />

however, one occasion when my book took<br />

a terribly long time to re-appear. Later I<br />

realised that the headmaster’s wife had<br />

taken the opportunity to read it!<br />

“In such small ways, therefore, did I<br />

become aware that I had a talented<br />

grandmother. Not that it made a great<br />

deal of difference to me. She was just a<br />

marvellous grandmother and someone nice<br />

to have around.”<br />

Agatha Christie was a prolific<br />

writer, penning some 66<br />

detective novels and 15 short<br />

story collections as part of a<br />

body of work which has, to<br />

date, sold more than two billion<br />

copies. And her family often<br />

got to be the first readers of her<br />

new tales.<br />

Mathew says: “She could<br />

manage to write a book<br />

almost without one noticing<br />

and sometimes she used to<br />

read the new one to us in the<br />

summer down in Devonshire.<br />

She did so partly, I suspect, to<br />

test audience reaction, but partly to entertain us on<br />

the inevitable wet afternoons when, no doubt, I was<br />

rather difficult to amuse! We all tried to guess, and<br />

my mother was the only one who was ever right. I<br />

think most of my friends who met her during those<br />

years were quite astonished that such a mild, gentle<br />

grandmother could really be the authoress of all<br />

those stories of intrigue, murder and jealousy.”<br />

Black Coffee was Agatha Christie’s first foray into<br />

writing for theatre, making its debut in 1930. But it<br />

was in the 1950s that her theatre works became more<br />

prolific. She became the first female playwright to<br />

have three plays running simultaneously in London:<br />

The Mousetrap, Witness for the Prosecution and<br />

Spider’s Web.<br />

THE MOUSETRAP IS CELEBRATING ITS 70TH ANNIVERSARY<br />

www.jaimemagazine.com<br />

9


“I think she always had a love/<br />

fright relationship with the<br />

theatre. Although I am sure she<br />

found experience very wearing,<br />

she always enjoyed other people’s<br />

enthusiasm for her plays and<br />

found it infectious,” Mathew says.<br />

“I went to The Mousetrap<br />

several times with her in varying<br />

company – family parties,<br />

girlfriends, and the Eton cricket<br />

team when I was captain in<br />

1962. I would say we all enjoyed<br />

the play and my grandmother’s<br />

company in equal measure. But<br />

she was enthusiastic about other<br />

people’s plays as well, about<br />

archaeology, opera and perhaps<br />

above all about food! In short,<br />

she was an exciting person to be<br />

with because she always tried to<br />

look on the good side of things<br />

and people; she always found<br />

something to enthuse about.<br />

“When I had the pleasure of taking my own<br />

children, aged 12 and 11, to The Mousetrap for<br />

the first time they enjoyed it tremendously, and<br />

crossed off assiduously in their programmes those<br />

whom they thought couldn’t have done it (the real<br />

culprit was excluded at an early stage!). It was great<br />

evening for me, and would have been, I am sure, for<br />

my grandmother had she been there. I think it tells<br />

us something about the success of the play, too: it<br />

contains so much for everybody – humour, drama,<br />

suspense and a jigsaw puzzle – suitable for all ages<br />

THE THRILLING ‘WHODUNNIT’<br />

HAS WOWED AUDIENCES FOR<br />

SEVEN DECADES<br />

JOELLE DYSON STARS<br />

AS MOLLIE RALSTON<br />

and taste; regrettably not too many plays on the<br />

London scene can say the same, and I sometimes<br />

feel that actors and actresses, anxious like everybody<br />

else for employment, must wish that there were more<br />

plays with universal appeal like this.”<br />

Such was Christie’s impact on the theatre scene<br />

that, in 1976 when her death was announced,<br />

from natural causes at the age of 85, two West End<br />

theatres – the St. Martin’s, where The Mousetrap<br />

was playing, and the Savoy, which was home to a<br />

revival of Murder at the Vicarage – dimmed their<br />

outside lights in her honour.<br />

Mathew says: “My family<br />

received hundreds of letters from<br />

all different walks of life and<br />

every part of the world, and I<br />

have never seen such a uniform<br />

expression of devotion and<br />

admiration. No doubt that was<br />

because she was a kind, generous<br />

and devout person, and preferred<br />

always to believe the best of<br />

people. She never had an unkind<br />

word to say about anybody.<br />

“We were all left with many<br />

happy memories and, of course,<br />

all her books and plays, which I<br />

am sure will be enjoyed for many<br />

generations to come.”<br />

10 www.jaimemagazine.com


Q&A with Gwyneth Strong<br />

Perhaps best known to millions as Rodney’s wife<br />

Cassandra in Only Fools and Horses, Gwyneth Strong<br />

plays the formidable Mrs Boyle.<br />

What attracted you to The Mousetrap?<br />

I did it once before on tour, in 2019, and when I was asked<br />

‘Would you like to do it again?’, my memories of that<br />

first time were so good that I thought ‘I’d love to do this<br />

again’. As an actor it’s lovely when you get another chance<br />

at something and I have such happy memories of it. The<br />

audiences love it so much and it’s got such a tinge of<br />

history, especially with it now being the 70th anniversary. I<br />

just thought ‘I definitely want to be part of that’.<br />

How would you describe Mrs Boyle as a<br />

character?<br />

For the poor young couple who are trying to run a<br />

guesthouse for the first time, she’s a nightmare guest.<br />

She’s the last person you’d want to have turn up when you<br />

haven’t really had much practice because she’s very fussy<br />

and has very high standards.<br />

Can you recall when you first saw the play?<br />

I hadn’t actually seen it before signing on for that first<br />

tour. As an actor you often have friends in shows that you<br />

go and see but that had never happened to me with The<br />

Mousetrap. Then I went to see it in London and I just fell<br />

in love with it. I thought it was so clever and had so many<br />

threads in it that are actually relevant now. For example,<br />

she talks about how people’s pasts affect their futures. Back<br />

then people didn’t talk much about that and they certainly<br />

didn’t put it in plays.<br />

The show is celebrating its 70th anniversary. How<br />

do you account for its longevity?<br />

I don’t know what it is but it’s got a magic about it. Even<br />

coming back to it now where I sort of know it, it feels<br />

new. That’s nice when you get a change of cast because<br />

everybody brings something a little different to their roles<br />

and you get a new energy and a new take on it. That’s<br />

one of the reasons I fancied having another go at playing<br />

Mrs. Boyle. That’s always nice, especially if you love the<br />

role. As for the success of the play itself, I haven’t got the<br />

answer. I don’t think anyone does, otherwise they’d write<br />

one themselves.<br />

Does it surprise you, especially in an era of social<br />

media, that audiences don’t spill any secrets<br />

about who the murderer is?<br />

It did surprise me before I was in it. Then when I was in<br />

it I understood why people don’t. It’s such a wonderful<br />

shared experience and there’s so little of that left now,<br />

where people come together and share something at the<br />

same time. They’ve proved that they want to keep shtum,<br />

as they say.<br />

Why do you think theatregoers love a murder<br />

mystery?<br />

GWYNETH STRONG PLAYS MRS<br />

BOYLE IN THE MOUSETRAP<br />

People love to solve plots. We like the twists and turns and<br />

so many times, that first time round, people would say to<br />

me afterwards ‘We had a big row in the interval, me and<br />

my husband’ or ‘Me and my kids’. They’d be arguing<br />

about who they thought would turn out to be revealed as<br />

the baddie.<br />

You came to fame in Only Fools and Horses but<br />

what have been your favourite jobs over the<br />

years?<br />

There have been lots of theatre jobs. I recently did a play<br />

called Ladies of Letters with my friend Tessa Peake-Jones.<br />

Although it was a lot of hard work, with only the two of<br />

us in it, it was an incredible experience and it went down<br />

very well. I’ve liked many of the new plays I’ve done over<br />

the years and ones I’ve done at the Edinburgh Festival.<br />

And where does Only Fools and Horses rank? [Laughs]<br />

It’s got to be quite high up there, hasn’t it?<br />

What do you most enjoy about doing theatre?<br />

I like being part of a company. With this one it’s a<br />

big group of people coming together - a large cast,<br />

understudies, the crew - to make one thing work for a set<br />

of people night after night or on a matinee. I love that.<br />

Why do you think Agatha Christie is the most<br />

successful novelist of all time?<br />

She’s so clever at hooking people in. With her characters,<br />

you’re very quick to understand who they are. That’s not<br />

because they’re broadly drawn, it’s because she has a great<br />

ear and she can put people down on the page really well.<br />

Then of course there are the clever, intricate plots.<br />

Is there any Mousetrap trivia you’ve been<br />

interested to learn?<br />

It’s not about the play as such but I’m amazed that there’s<br />

no statue of Agatha Christie anywhere. I think that’s awful<br />

and I think there should be one. When you think of how<br />

prolific she was we should be more proud of her than<br />

we are, but then there’s a shortage of female statues in<br />

general.<br />

The Mousetrap is running at the Lichfield<br />

Garrick from March 27 to April 1. For more<br />

information and to book tickets visit www.<br />

lichfieldgarrick.com<br />

12 www.jaimemagazine.com


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BERTIE LILAC LARGE HAND BLOWN<br />

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WWW.GLOWLIGHTING.CO.UK


I N T E R I O R S<br />

Dine<br />

in style<br />

WITH Mother’s Day and Easter both on the horizon,<br />

there are often big family dinners on the cards. So if your<br />

dining space is in need of a little refresh, there’s no time<br />

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Dining rooms are often a multifunctional space in our<br />

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The focal point of any dining space is the all-important<br />

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Natural materials are here to stay as interior trends look<br />

to sustainability, so a chunky, rustic timber table ticks all<br />

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Keep the rest of the space light and airy, and add<br />

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HARE TABLEWARE, FROM £10, SOPHIE ALLPORT.<br />

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ST EMILION FRENCH UPHOLSTERED DINING<br />

CHAIR IN DOVE GREY, PEPPERMILL INTERIORS,<br />

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18<br />

www.jaimemagazine.com


Mason Flooring<br />

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£398<br />

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TUSCAN RECLAIMED WOOD DINING<br />

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KYOTO OAK AND SHAGREEN<br />

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LARGE TWO-TONE METALLIC DIPPED<br />

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SURI RECYCLED TEAK DINING TABLE, £545,<br />

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TORTONA EXTENDING DINING TABLE, £1,155,<br />

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20


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CO M P E T I T I O N<br />

A show for all the family<br />

THE STAFFORDSHIRE COUNTY SHOW RETURNS TO THE STAFFORDSHIRE COUNTY<br />

SHOWGROUND ON WEDNESDAY, MAY 31 AND THURSDAY, JUNE 1 - AND YOU COULD<br />

WIN ONE OF FIVE FAMILY TICKETS TO THE EVENT<br />

From narrow-gauge steam railway rides and<br />

traditional Punch and Judy Shows to the thrilling<br />

Bolddog Lings Motorcycle Display Team, who will be<br />

performing heart-stopping stunts in the Main Ring,<br />

this year’s Staffordshire County Show has a jampacked<br />

programme for the whole family.<br />

The show, which is held at the Staffordshire County<br />

Showground, is one of the area’s major events of the<br />

summer and is expected to attract more than 65,000<br />

visitors.<br />

As well as that headlining show from the Bolddog<br />

Lings Motorcycle Display Team, the packed Main<br />

Ring programme includes the Young Farmer’s Floats,<br />

which this year has a theme of ‘A Day in History’,<br />

show jumping, and the Grand Parade of Livestock as<br />

well as the Parade of Hounds.<br />

New for this year in the Country Pursuits Arena is an<br />

incredible demonstration of dog agility and obedience<br />

from the West Lancs Dog Display Team. Visitors<br />

can also watch the birds of prey display, the ferret<br />

roadshow, have a go at fly casting or sit back and learn<br />

all about sheep with the Sheep Show.<br />

Around the showground there will be demonstrations<br />

of traditional rural crafts such as thatching, coracle<br />

making and drystone walling as well as a display of<br />

vintage cars and agricultural machinery.<br />

However, at the heart of this traditional county show<br />

- which has been held for more than 200 years - is<br />

livestock, with more than 1,000 cattle, sheep, pigs and<br />

goats and 1,500 horses and ponies.<br />

There are a number of competitions including<br />

Sheep Shearing and Wool Handling, the Farriery<br />

Competition and the Dog Show, which attracts<br />

around 2,000 dogs representing every breed of dog in<br />

the UK.<br />

Children of all ages are especially well catered for<br />

with a children’s farm, fairground rides and the<br />

opportunity to have their picture taken with giant<br />

tortoises that are up to 80 years old, while some<br />

400 trade stands and a packed food hall give ample<br />

shopping opportunities.<br />

Early Bird tickets, which offer a substantial saving on<br />

the gate price, are on sale now until midnight on May<br />

27, <strong>2023</strong> to print at home or download to your phone.<br />

Further details about the Show and details of how to<br />

purchase early bird tickets are available on the website<br />

at www.staffscountyshowground.co.uk or follow<br />

the show on Facebook@staffscountyshow<br />

Competition!<br />

<strong>J’AIME</strong> has teamed up with the Staffordshire County Show to offer readers the chance<br />

to win one of five family one-day tickets, admitting two adults and three children,<br />

worth £45 each.<br />

For your chance to win, simply answer the following question:<br />

Who is the headline Main Ring attraction at The <strong>2023</strong> Staffordshire County Show?<br />

Send your answer, along with your name and contact details via email to competitions@jaimemagazine.com with the subject<br />

heading Staffordshire County Show Competition. Entries must be received by 5pm on Friday, April 28, <strong>2023</strong> and winners will<br />

be notified by email after the closing date. Terms and conditions apply. For more details visit www.jaimemagazine.com<br />

22<br />

www.jaimemagazine.com


The heart of the home<br />

B U S I N E S S<br />

WITH NEARLY FOUR DECADES OF EXPERIENCE, LICHFIELD KITCHENS AND BEDROOMS CAN GUIDE YOU<br />

THROUGH THE ENTIRE PROCESS OF MAKING YOUR DREAM KITCHEN OR BEDROOM A REALITY<br />

Shaun Johnson has spent more than 38 years helping<br />

clients to make the right choices when choosing<br />

a brand new kitchen or bedroom. As managing<br />

director of Lichfield Kitchens and Bedrooms -<br />

Lichfield’s longest-established kitchen and bedroom<br />

specialists - Shaun is dedicated to giving each and<br />

every customer exactly what they want.<br />

Shaun and his team will manage all areas of your<br />

kitchen or bedroom project, from initial design ideas<br />

right through to the comprehensive installation<br />

service. With innovative designs incorporating the<br />

latest in kitchen or bedroom trends and technology,<br />

efficient project management and a team of expert<br />

craftsmen on hand, customers can rest assured that<br />

their project is in the very best hands.<br />

The comprehensive showroom features a range of<br />

kitchen and bedroom displays incorporating a variety<br />

of styles, and customers are welcome to browse at<br />

their leisure without any pressure from salespeople.<br />

The team is, however, on hand to answer any<br />

questions and assist wherever needed.<br />

So if a kitchen or bedroom project is on the horizon<br />

and you’re looking for a personal service of the<br />

highest quality, Lichfield Kitchens and Bedrooms are<br />

sure to exceed all expectations.<br />

Lichfield Kitchens and Bedrooms is located on<br />

Britannia Enterprise Park, Lichfield. Visit<br />

www.lichfieldkitchensandbedrooms.com<br />

or call 01543 748985 for more details.<br />

FREE no obligation design service with our kitchen specialists<br />

16 -18 Britannia Way Britannia Enterprise Park, Lichfield WS14 9UY • 01543 263340<br />

info@lichfieldkitchensandbedrooms.com • www.lichfieldkitchensandbedrooms.com<br />

Opening Hours: Mon - Fri 9:00 am - 5:00 pm Sat 9.30am - 12.30pm 12.30pm – 4.00pm by appointment only.<br />

www.jaimemagazine.com<br />

23


G I F T G U I D E<br />

To mum, with love<br />

MARK SUNDAY, <strong>MARCH</strong> 19 IN YOUR CALENDAR; IT’S MOTHER’S DAY, AND TIME TO<br />

CELEBRATE ALL OF THE AMAZING MUMS, STEP-MUMS AND MOTHER-FIGURES IN YOUR<br />

LIFE. A LITTLE TOKEN TO SHOW HOW MUCH YOU CARE, AND HOW YOU APPRECIATE<br />

ALL THOSE THINGS BIG AND SMALL SHE DOES FOR YOU ALL YEAR ROUND, IS ALWAYS A<br />

THOUGHTFUL GESTURE - AND IF YOU’RE IN NEED OF INSPIRATION, OUR GIFT GUIDE HAS<br />

PLENTY OF IDEAS TO SUIT MUMS EVERYWHERE. IT’S TIME TO MAKE HER DAY.<br />

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24 www.jaimemagazine.com


Home @<br />

La Maison Bleue<br />

Paul Martyn<br />

Ellis Hyde<br />

Fireplace and Stove<br />

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Custom oak, pine furniture<br />

and showrooms<br />

Custom curtains, blinds,<br />

and related services<br />

Fireplaces, stoves,<br />

installation and showroom<br />

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IN <strong>APRIL</strong> WE WILL<br />

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Our academy is now open to all comers, both those new to golf and<br />

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academy@bdgc.co.uk - www.bdgc.co.uk - 01543 422626


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PERSONALISED LUXURY MOTHERS<br />

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LILY-FLAME CHOCOLATE TRUFFLE<br />

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D&X PEACOCK BROOCH, £7.99, FABLE SCARF, £15, LONG<br />

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NOOR HAND POURED SOYA<br />

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26 www.jaimemagazine.com


tatlowcarpets<br />

&flooring<br />

NEW PRODUCTS<br />

FOR THIS SPRING!<br />

Image Credits: Linwood Fabric<br />

@Tatlowcarpetsltd<br />

Tel: 01543 264766<br />

Alternative Flooring<br />

Sisal Herringbone<br />

Colour: Hockley<br />

@Tatlow_Carpets<br />

Please see our website for further details www.tatlowcarpets.co.uk<br />

Open to the public. Mon-Fri: 9.00am - 5.00pm. Sat: 10.00am - 4.00pm<br />

Unit 4, Europa Way, Britannia Enterprise Park, Lichfield, Staffs, WS14 9TZ<br />

Home accessories • Furniture • Lamps • Rugs<br />

Dinner & Glassware • Clothing • Jewellery<br />

Giftware • Soft furnishings made to order<br />

Full interior design service<br />

136 Main Street<br />

Alrewas, DE13 7ED<br />

01283 711 272<br />

7A High Street,<br />

Tutbury, DE13 9LP<br />

01283 813 322<br />

info@needwoodliving.co.uk<br />

needwoodliving.co.uk<br />

Rosemary Lodge Residential<br />

Care Home for elderly ladies<br />

and gentlemen offers a level of<br />

care, community and comfort<br />

that is second to none.<br />

We are an independently<br />

owned, private care home and<br />

have been a highly regarded<br />

part of the community for<br />

over 30 years. Offering 24-<br />

hour care, our fully trained<br />

staff work together to<br />

communicate with residents<br />

and ensure personal care<br />

needs are met in a personcentred<br />

approach.<br />

Please get in touch to find out<br />

more about our care.<br />

191 Walsall Road, Lichfield, Staffs, WS13 8AQ<br />

Tel: 01543 415223<br />

Email: contact@rosemarylodge.co.uk<br />

Website: www.rosemarylodge.co.uk


F O O D & D R I N K<br />

Kitchen mastery<br />

EXEMPLARY COOKING, THREE TOP CHEFS - AND A GLITTERING TROPHY, WERE JUST SOME<br />

OF THE HIGHLIGHTS WHEN THE 2022 MASTERCHEF: THE PROFESSIONAL FINALISTS CAME<br />

TO LICHFIELD FOR A SPECIAL EVENING WITH SAUCE SUPPER CLUB<br />

Now, I’ve always thought of myself as a dab hand<br />

in the kitchen. But when it comes to haute cuisine,<br />

I’m mostly found at the dining table, enjoying a feast<br />

rather than cooking it. So getting my hands on the<br />

coveted MasterChef trophy has never been likely.<br />

That was, until one chilly Sunday evening in<br />

Lichfield. Granted, the trophy wasn’t mine. Rather,<br />

it was the result of the exquisite culinary endeavours<br />

of Midlands chef and current MasterChef: The<br />

Professionals champion Nikita Pathakji.<br />

But Nikita was generous enough to let us hold the<br />

trophy which she spent weeks battling against 31<br />

other top chefs for. It topped off a wonderful evening<br />

with fine dining specialists Sauce Supper Club which<br />

saw Nikita reunited with fellow MasterChef finalists<br />

Sagar Massey and Charlie Jefferys to present a<br />

spectacular menu of show-inspired highlights.<br />

Now, creating a menu which showcases the styles<br />

of three very different chefs while still offering a<br />

cohesive culinary experience is no mean feat. Nikita’s<br />

classically-trained take on Asian flavours, Sagar’s<br />

passion for traditional Indian cuisine and Charlie’s<br />

refined French style may not be natural bedfellows<br />

- but the evening managed to combine the three to<br />

wonderful effect, with each chef taking on two of the<br />

six dishes which made up the tasting menu.<br />

First up, it was Sagar’s turn, and an Indian street<br />

food-inspired starter which encapsulated the chef to<br />

a tee. Raj kachori - an impressive crispy fried shell<br />

- filled with potato chaat flavoured with tamarind,<br />

mint and green chilli, and tempered by a<br />

cooling sweetened yoghurt, was elevated<br />

comfort food which left you wanting more.<br />

Bursting with bold flavours which danced<br />

on the tongue, it was a dish which hit the<br />

high notes and set the standard for things to<br />

come.<br />

From humble street food, it was onto the<br />

most luxurious of ingredients for Nikita’s<br />

lobster tortellini, which was served in a<br />

rich laksa sauce with herb salad and crispy<br />

vermicelli. The sweet lobster married<br />

perfectly with the fragrant laksa, bringing<br />

Nikita’s love for Asian flavours to a classical<br />

28 www.jaimemagazine.com


Lichfield Garden Centre<br />

Inspired Gardening<br />

Easter is on the way...<br />

Curborough<br />

Gift Shop<br />

GIFTS & CARDS FOR ALL OCCASIONS<br />

Get your garden ready for spring<br />

The Garden Centre is bursting<br />

with colour - get those pots &<br />

window boxes planted with<br />

Primroses, Pansies and more.<br />

Priced from only £1.49<br />

Grow your own Vegetable Plants,<br />

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Coach Trips <strong>2023</strong><br />

Join us as we visit some great<br />

gardens & garden shows this<br />

summer, travelling direct<br />

from the Garden Centre.<br />

Malvern Spring Show Saturday 13th May £65<br />

Raymond Blanc's 'Le Manoir' Thursday 22nd June £329<br />

RHS Bridgewater Saturday 1st July £52<br />

Highgrove Gardens Wednesday 12th July £69<br />

Garden Club Members get 10% Off all prices shown -<br />

join up for a one-off £10 fee.<br />

More details on all our trips are on the website.<br />

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dish. The crispy vermicelli added a lovely<br />

textural contrast, with fresh herbs pulling the dish<br />

together.<br />

Charlie’s fish dish amplified the classical elements<br />

of the menu as halibut, seared to perfection,<br />

was adorned with roasted salsify, succulent razor<br />

clams and samphire to create a dish worthy of a<br />

MasterChef final.<br />

Throughout the evening, the chefs took turns<br />

to pop out of the kitchen to chat to guests and<br />

spill the beans on their MasterChef experience.<br />

Derby native Nikita spoke of her ambition to<br />

open her own restaurant - and perhaps Lichfield,<br />

just a short jaunt from her hometown, could be<br />

the perfect place for her to realise that dream?<br />

Speaking of Nikita, it was her next dish which<br />

was the one which had really caught my eye<br />

on the menu. And it didn’t disappoint. The<br />

tenderest pork cheeks were given the Sichuanstyle<br />

treatment, rendering them unctuous and<br />

richly flavoured, with wilted choi sum and<br />

pickled potato adding freshness and zing, and,<br />

shoestring potatoes a beautiful crunch. On the<br />

side, a delicately steamed pork and cabbage bao<br />

bun was a delicious morsel which complemented<br />

the dish perfectly.<br />

With not one, but two sweet courses on offer, we<br />

were in dessert heaven as the evening reached its<br />

climax. Sagar’s Yorkshire rhubarb, sweet yoghurt<br />

and white chocolate pot made heroes of its simple<br />

ingredients, balancing sweet, tart and richness to<br />

delightful effect. Digging through the sweet yoghurt<br />

to reveal the tender rhubarb underneath and<br />

ensuring each spoonful scooped up a little of each<br />

layer, it was a deceptively intricate dessert.<br />

Last, but most certainly not least, was Charlie’s<br />

finale. All About Lemon was a celebration of citrus,<br />

with the star of the show being a delicate lemon<br />

tart with frangipane, adorned with the most delicate<br />

shards of citrus meringue and garnished with pearls<br />

of zesty finger limes and lemon balm. Now, a good<br />

lemon tart is a personal favourite, and Charlie’s tart,<br />

with its supremely fine pastry and rich, lemon filling,<br />

was up there with the best of<br />

them.<br />

Sauce Supper Club’s<br />

ongoing partnership with<br />

the MasterChef finalists is<br />

a highlight in the Lichfield<br />

culinary calendar, giving<br />

local diners the opportunity<br />

to experience the kind of<br />

dishes which wowed judges<br />

including Marcus Wareing and<br />

Gregg Wallace throughout<br />

the competition. For any<br />

MasterChef fan - and any<br />

foodie in general - it’s a mustgo<br />

evening and the hottest<br />

ticket in town.<br />

30 www.jaimemagazine.com


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F O O D & D R I N K<br />

A journey of flavour<br />

IT WAS SMILES ALL ROUND AS THE SPIRIT OF THAILAND WAS TO BE FOUND IN<br />

ABUNDANCE AT MERE GREEN’S GIGGLING SQUID, SAYS AMY NORBURY<br />

My husband and I spent our honeymoon<br />

in Thailand some 10 years ago, travelling<br />

from the hustle and bustle of Bangkok, to<br />

the foodie haven of Chiang Mai and onto<br />

a tranquil Andaman island paradise. So the<br />

Land of Smiles definitely holds a special<br />

place in our hearts.<br />

As does the food. The fragrant curries, the<br />

spicy stir frys, oodles of noodles, and the<br />

mouth-watering treats found at little stalls<br />

on street corners and in packed markets,<br />

Thailand is world-renowned as a hotspot<br />

for foodies - and with good reason. Vibrant<br />

flavours sing in harmony as sweet, sharp<br />

and spicy come together to mesmerising<br />

effect.<br />

So finding a place which brings that true taste of<br />

Thailand to these shores is always a treat. And Mere<br />

Green’s Giggling Squid proved to be a real treat<br />

indeed.<br />

With restaurants all over the UK, Giggling Squid<br />

was founded by Thai native Pranee Laurillard to<br />

celebrate the food of her homeland and share her<br />

passion for Thai cuisine with UK diners.<br />

So when <strong>J’AIME</strong> was invited to sample what the<br />

Mere Green restaurant has to offer, we couldn’t wait<br />

to take our taste buds on a trip down memory lane.<br />

The first thing which strikes you about the Mere<br />

Green restaurant is the stunning decor, which<br />

captures the opulence of Thailand’s rich landscape.<br />

Beautiful florals are in abundance, from striking<br />

murals to flower walls and faux foliage at every turn -<br />

it’s an Insta-worthy setting of the highest order.<br />

We were shown to a table situated inside its own<br />

giant flower-covered birdcage - perfect for a<br />

romantic dinner - and couldn’t resist a quick pic<br />

for the ‘gram.<br />

Thai prawn crackers and a sweet chilli dipping<br />

sauce swiftly arrived courtesy of our lovely<br />

waitress for the evening Ida. These moreish<br />

morsels were perfect to nibble on while perusing<br />

the menus.<br />

First up, drinks - and I had to try one of<br />

Giggling Squid’s signature cocktails. The Silky<br />

Pink, £12.50, is a mouth-watering mix of vodka,<br />

Kwai Feh lychee liqueur, peach and jasmine<br />

green tea which was one of the best cocktails<br />

I’d had for some time, while the hubby was<br />

delighted with his favourite Thai beer, Chang.<br />

The menu is an impressive tome which<br />

showcases traditional Thai favourites alongside<br />

dishes with a Giggling Squid twist. And<br />

everything sounds so delicious that narrowing<br />

32 www.jaimemagazine.com


down our choices proved to be a time-consuming<br />

exercise.<br />

To start, we opted for a sharing platter in order to<br />

sample as many dishes as possible. And it had to be<br />

the Chang Mai platter, £17.50 for two, as it’s named<br />

for our favourite Thai destination. Featuring Hawker<br />

Moo Ping (or barbecued pork skewers), spring rolls,<br />

salt and pepper squid and Giggling wings, it was a<br />

bountiful feast indeed.<br />

It would be impossible to choose a favourite, as each<br />

element was perfectly executed and full of flavour;<br />

the pork was juicy and tender, the wings oh-so sticky<br />

and indulgent, the veggie-packed spring rolls crisp<br />

and fresh. The salt and pepper squid is a Giggling<br />

Squid bestseller, and with good reason. The<br />

sweet squid was perfectly balanced by its<br />

lightly spiced coating, and the sizable pieces<br />

make for a generous portion.<br />

When it came to the main event, I could eat<br />

there every day for a week and still not get<br />

through every dish which caught my eye. The<br />

duck confit, £17.95, and the Chubby Cheek<br />

pork, £15.50, both sounded delectable, as<br />

did the lamb shank Massaman, £18.95 - and<br />

that’s before we even ventured through the<br />

stir fry and noodle dishes.<br />

But my husband, a stickler for tradition,<br />

judges any Thai restaurant on the strength of<br />

its green curry, so Thai green chicken curry,<br />

£12.95, it was. And Giggling Squid’s version<br />

was up there with the best we’ve had. Rich,<br />

creamy coconut milk, fragrant Thai spices<br />

and plentiful veg alongside the generous<br />

chunks of chicken made for a luscious dish;<br />

paired with unctuous coconut rice, it was the<br />

ultimate Thai comfort food.<br />

Pad Thai is another firm favourite for us<br />

both, and Giggling Squid’s giant butterfly<br />

king prawn version, £16.95, took the dish to<br />

a whole new level. Flavoursome rice noodles<br />

mixed with tofu, beansprouts, sliced red<br />

onions, Thai chives and crunchy peanuts,<br />

were adorned with some of the biggest<br />

prawns we’d ever seen, elevating the humble<br />

noodle dish to majestic levels.<br />

We couldn’t resist ordering a som tam papaya<br />

salad, £7.50, to accompany our main courses.<br />

This traditional Thai salad combines green<br />

papaya with fresh chilli, cherry tomatoes,<br />

dried shrimp and Thai garlic in a sweet and<br />

sour dressing made from palm sugar, lime<br />

juice and fish sauce. Tantalising the taste buds<br />

with its heat and tartness, it brought back<br />

memories of scoffing the dish in abundance at<br />

Thai beachside cafes and street markets during our<br />

trip.<br />

The generous portions meant that dessert was<br />

not strictly necessary. However, a scoop or two of<br />

homemade ice cream was just what was needed after<br />

the fiery papaya salad, so we opted for black sesame<br />

and lychee yoghurt flavours, £4.95 each. Both were<br />

different and delicious, a lovely end to a fantastic<br />

feast.<br />

Our love affair with Thai food remains strong after<br />

all these years, and until we manage to pay a return<br />

visit to the Land of Smiles, Giggling Squid is sure to<br />

become our go-to for a Thai fix.<br />

www.jaimemagazine.com<br />

33


F O O D & D R I N K<br />

Spring into action<br />

LICHFIELD CHEF JACK DUBBERLEY, OF DUBBERLEY DELICIOUS, TAKES A LOOK<br />

AT SOME OF THE BEST SEASONAL PRODUCE AVAILABLE RIGHT NOW - AND HOW<br />

TO MAKE THE MOST OF NATURE’S LARDER<br />

With progress being rapidly made on Dubberley<br />

Delicious’s new premises in the heart of Lichfield, on<br />

Tamworth Street, Jack Dubberley is preparing for a<br />

busy spring.<br />

His unique chef ’s table concept - which has been<br />

making waves on the local dining scene since he<br />

launched in a tiny cabin at The Plant Plot garden<br />

centre in 2021 - is undergoing a revamp with<br />

the change of location. As well as being able to<br />

accommodate larger bookings for his bespoke tasting<br />

menus, Jack is aiming to open the venue up for<br />

lunchtime walk ins, offering a daily changing menu.<br />

When he’s not overseeing the new restaurant project<br />

or designing menus for his chef ’s table events, Jack<br />

is on the lookout for the best produce to use in his<br />

dishes.<br />

“In terms of foraging, it’s now getting to the point<br />

that wild garlic is coming through properly,” says<br />

Jack. “It’s been early this year because of the milder<br />

weather, and the early leaves are the strongest ones<br />

because when they start getting bigger they start to<br />

ASPARAGUS SEASON<br />

COMES INTO PLAY IN LATE<br />

SPRING<br />

LICHFIELD CHEF JACK DUBBERLEY<br />

lose their intensity.<br />

“It’s something you can really make the most of;<br />

I’d use it for garnishing dishes at this point, just for<br />

a bit of greenery on the plate, but you can use it<br />

instead of normal garlic in stir frys, or in a chilli or a<br />

bolognaise just for that lovely garlic flavour.<br />

“Now, the wild garlic season could go though to the<br />

end of June, again depending on the weather. We’ve<br />

already seen the buds coming through, which you<br />

wouldn’t normally see until April, but this year has<br />

been very early.<br />

“Elderflower will be the next thing, usually around<br />

May but again it may come early because the flowers<br />

tend to come out quite quickly.<br />

“If the weather stays as it has been, everything will<br />

be early this year, and that even means the things<br />

people are planting in their gardens and allotments.”<br />

As spring reaches full bloom, the first British fruits<br />

start to make an appearance.<br />

“Forced rhubarb is just coming in now,<br />

predominantly from Yorkshire; Yorkshire rhubarb<br />

34<br />

www.jaimemagazine.com


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FORCED RHUBARB IS A FIRM FAVOURITE WITH<br />

CHEFS AT THIS TIME OF YEAR<br />

is what chefs are going crazy for at the moment, so<br />

much so that it’s become harder to get hold of,” says<br />

Jack.<br />

“There’s a family in Yorkshire who’ve been growing<br />

forced rhubarb for 80 years. It’s grown in the dark,<br />

with just candlelight, which is the forcing element,<br />

but it’s still outside, grown in a sort of metal shed so<br />

you still need to be past the freezing weather - it can’t<br />

be grown all year round.<br />

“The produce is amazing; it has such a beautiful,<br />

vibrant colour - it’s much brighter than normal wild<br />

rhubarb, and because the stems are thinner it’s softer<br />

and more tender, and sweeter too. You don’t even<br />

have to peel the forced stuff, just give it a quick wash.<br />

“Obviously, the most traditional thing to do with<br />

rhubarb is a crumble; just roughly chop it then cook<br />

it with some sugar until it starts breaking down, and<br />

it’ll still have that bright pink colour.<br />

“I love to cook it in batons and serve with lemon<br />

curd, shortbread crumb, some lemon verbena<br />

shoots and a toasted almond ice cream; because the<br />

rhubarb is still slightly sharp, and there’s sharpness<br />

from the lemon then creaminess from the ice cream,<br />

it creates a lovely dish for this time of year.<br />

“A lot of chefs do rhubarb with seafood; mackrel’s a<br />

good one, and scallops which is something I want to<br />

try. Sat Bains has got top-and-tail rhubarb, featuring<br />

it in his first course and last course because he really<br />

wants to celebrate it.<br />

“At this time of year there are no other British fruits<br />

in season which is why you’ll see forced rhubarb on<br />

most fine dining menus now.”<br />

A couple of British favourites are on horizon for<br />

spring too, as asparagus and Jersey Royals come to<br />

the fore.<br />

“Asparagus could come in April, again if the weather<br />

stays like this; it’s normally April or May, and we’re<br />

lucky to have New Farm here where we can get the<br />

freshest asparagus right on our doorstep,” says Jack.<br />

“A couple of years ago we had asparagus on the<br />

menu at our first barbecue event in April; it was<br />

just in time, we were going over to New Farm and<br />

checking on it all the time, and they picked it the<br />

week of our barbecue.<br />

“Jersey Royals come in at the start of April too; you<br />

can definitely taste the difference, they’re a beautiful<br />

ingredient and they cook really well. They come<br />

into us covered in dirt so they just need cleaning up<br />

and then cook them as they are in a nice buttery<br />

emulsion. You can then have them with anything;<br />

fish, lamb, they’re great in salads. In fact, they also go<br />

brilliantly with wild garlic pesto for a really seasonal<br />

dish.”<br />

Jack’s top<br />

seasonal tips:<br />

Forage for: Wild garlic - it’s in full<br />

swing from now until late May, with<br />

elderflower to follow<br />

Cook it now: Forced rhubarb is a<br />

spring highlight for chefs and will be<br />

featured on many a menu at this time<br />

of year, while Jersey Royals are a lovely<br />

seasonal accompaniment to spring<br />

lamb<br />

WILD GARLIC IS NOW IN<br />

ABUNDANCE UNTIL LATE MAY<br />

36 www.jaimemagazine.com


Explore 1,000 years of history<br />

Tamworth Castle is both a museum and a stunning example of an intact<br />

Norman motte and bailey castle, surrounded by beautiful grounds which now<br />

hosts a brand new playground too. Come inside and explore our history. We<br />

have lots of interactive displays for young and old alike. We even have a<br />

smartphone app - Tamworth AR Explorer - which really brings our history to life!<br />

State-of-the-art interactive exhibition<br />

The top floor of the Castle has been transformed into an<br />

Anglo-Saxon exhibition which brings our history to life,<br />

including the role of the famous warrior queen,<br />

Aethelflaed, and themes of battle, kingship and warrior<br />

culture in Anglo-Saxon Mercia.<br />

See the Staffordshire Hoard<br />

Our Anglo-Saxon exhibition also includes a<br />

mead hall where you can see items from the<br />

famous Staffordshire Hoard - the largest<br />

hoard of Anglo-Saxon gold ever found.<br />

1 - 16 April, <strong>2023</strong><br />

Dragon Egg Hunt<br />

Staffordshire Hoard photo credit: Birmingham Museums<br />

Trust on behalf of Birmingham City Council and The<br />

Potteries Museum & Art Gallery, Stoke-on-Trent.<br />

St George’s Day Extravaganza!<br />

See St. George, the dragon, medieval joust, encampment, games, workshops and more...<br />

FREE<br />

EVENT<br />

www.tamworthartsandevents.co.uk<br />

Tamworth Castle Grounds, Holloway, Tamworth, Staffordshire, B79 7NA


W H AT ’ S O N<br />

What’s On this spring<br />

THERE’S PLENTY TO KEEP YOU ENTERTAINED AROUND THE MIDLANDS THIS SPRING<br />

- AND HERE WE TAKE A LOOK AT SOME OF THE BEST SHOWS AND EVENTS ON OFFER<br />

WHAT: FAMILY SPRING EVENTS<br />

WHERE: NATIONAL MEMORIAL ARBORETUM,<br />

ALREWAS<br />

WHEN: THROUGHOUT SPRING<br />

Spring into life at the National Memorial Arboretum<br />

with a packed programme of free fun activities and<br />

events for the whole family to enjoy. With more than<br />

150-acres of woodland and gardens, and more than<br />

400 fascinating memorials, the Arboretum is a space<br />

where everyone can explore and discover with family<br />

and friends.<br />

From the Stick Man trail, which is available on a<br />

daily basis, Easter and May school holiday activities,<br />

returning family favourite Armed Forces Weekend<br />

(June 24-25) to a brand-new event, the Great Garden<br />

Party (April 29-May 1 and May 6-8), featuring<br />

fun garden party themed activities designed for<br />

visitors of all ages, the Arboretum’s free family<br />

friendly spring events will give lots of opportunities<br />

to get outdoors, and create special memories with<br />

your family and friends. The Arboretum, which<br />

is free to enter, is open from 10am to 4pm daily,<br />

parking charges apply, though advance booking is<br />

recommended on event days to guarantee entry. For<br />

more details visit www.thenma.org.uk<br />

WHAT: LICHFIELD CAMERA CLUB SPRING<br />

EXHIBITION<br />

WHERE: THE HUB AT ST. MARY’S, LICHFIELD<br />

WHEN: <strong>MARCH</strong> 7 TO <strong>APRIL</strong> 1<br />

Lichfield Camera Club’s Spring Exhibition is<br />

currently on at The Hub at St. Mary’s in the centre<br />

of Lichfield. Visitors to the exhibition will be<br />

able to view nearly 100 images from all genres of<br />

photography.<br />

For any artist, the ability to share your work with the<br />

widest possible audience is both exciting and very<br />

important. The internet, through social media and<br />

various photo sharing websites, has transformed<br />

this process; however, there is nothing quite like the<br />

experience of viewing a physical, full size, carefully<br />

mounted image at your leisure, giving yourself time<br />

to enjoy the subtleties of composition, light and<br />

to reflect on the creativity of the artist. This is an<br />

experience you can enjoy at the Lichfield Camera<br />

Club Spring Exhibition.<br />

Richard Moore from Lichfield Camera Club<br />

says: “Due to the pandemic, this will be our first<br />

photography exhibition in the Lichfield area for<br />

almost three years and our members are looking<br />

forward to sharing their best images.” The exhibition<br />

is open Tuesday to Friday 9.30am-4pm, and<br />

Saturday 9.30am-3.30pm. For more details visit<br />

www.thehubstmarys.co.uk<br />

38 www.jaimemagazine.com


Explore and<br />

Discover<br />

at the Nation’s year-round<br />

place to remember<br />

FREE Entry* | 150-Acres of Woodland Landscape to Explore<br />

Over 400 Memorials | Large Restaurant | Indoor Exhibitions<br />

Two Outdoor Play Areas | Stick Man Trail<br />

FREE Family Experiences and Events<br />

Easter Holiday Activities | Spring Into Life 1 – 16 April<br />

The Great Garden Party 29 April – 1 May & 6 – 8 May<br />

May Holiday Activities | Wonderful Wellbeing 29 May – 2 June<br />

Armed Forces Weekend 24 & 25 June<br />

To find out more visit thenma.org.uk/events<br />

Tailor Made Tours<br />

A special experience for two to seven guests<br />

on-board an electric buggy, with a personal<br />

host and delicious catering options. Full and<br />

half day tours available.<br />

Gift vouchers available.<br />

National Memorial Arboretum<br />

Part of the Royal British Legion<br />

*Parking charges apply.<br />

Croxall Road, Alrewas,<br />

Staffordshire DE13 7AR<br />

thenma.org.uk<br />

T: 01283 245 100<br />

E: info@thenma.org.uk<br />

Charity No. 1043992


WHAT: OF MICE AND MEN<br />

WHERE: BIRMINGHAM REP<br />

WHEN: <strong>MARCH</strong> 18 TO <strong>APRIL</strong> 8<br />

George and Lennie are migrants with a dream; a dream of a better life, a place where they<br />

can belong, where Lennie feels safe and George can be somebody. But this is the Great<br />

Depression, not many dreams come true in a time where a few have plenty but most have<br />

nothing. When the friends take a job on Curley’s farm, tragedy unfolds leading to a heartbreaking<br />

decision.<br />

John Steinbeck’s classic novel is more than 80 years old, but with themes of economic<br />

migration, racism and prejudice, it remains a parable for our times.<br />

A story of enduring friendship, this new production from Rep Associate Director and<br />

Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony Director, Iqbal Khan, focuses a <strong>2023</strong> lens on<br />

Steinbeck’s affecting tale of the crumbling American dream. For more details visit<br />

www.birmingham-rep.co.uk<br />

WHAT: ANNIE<br />

WHERE: THE ALEXANDRA, BIRMINGHAM<br />

WHEN: <strong>APRIL</strong> 3 TO 15<br />

The smash-hit production of Annie comes to Birmingham for Easter <strong>2023</strong>, direct from<br />

London’s West End. This glorious revival stars Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel<br />

Horwood as the tyrannical Miss Hannigan.<br />

Set in 1930s New York during The Great Depression, brave young Annie is forced to live a life<br />

of misery at Miss Hannigan’s orphanage. Her luck soon changes when she’s chosen to spend<br />

a fairytale Christmas with famous billionaire, Oliver Warbucks. Meanwhile, spiteful Miss<br />

Hannigan has other ideas and hatches a plan to spoil Annie’s search for her true family…<br />

With unforgettable songs such as It’s The Hard-Knock Life, Easy Street, I Don’t Need<br />

Anything But You and Tomorrow, you can bet your bottom dollar that you’ll love it! For more<br />

details visit www.atgtickets.com/birmingham<br />

WHAT: MATRICKS ILLUSION<br />

WHERE: LICHFIELD GARRICK<br />

WHEN: <strong>APRIL</strong> 7<br />

From the live grand final of Britain’s Got Talent 2022 to working alongside the likes of Westlife,<br />

Adam Lambert, Ashley Banjo and KSI, Matricks Illusion have the ability to astonish and baffle in<br />

equal measure. And now they’re bringing their incredible show to Lichfield for one night only this<br />

April.<br />

Master Illusionist Alexander Jesson is a born showman who captures the imagination of every<br />

audience and commands a special stage presence like no other. In 2004, Alexander and his sister<br />

Emily began to create the show, Matricks, and have come a long way since, perplexing millions with<br />

their original set pieces, dynamic soundtrack and powerful performances.<br />

Using elements of danger, comedy and charm, they manage to bewilder audiences time after time.<br />

However, what makes Matricks truly dynamic is the contrast between stylish set pieces, fast-paced<br />

magic and illusion with dance using current music and special effects. The show is designed to<br />

balance comedy and lightheartedness with curiosity, mystery and thrill for all the family.<br />

For more details visit www.lichfieldgarrick.com<br />

WHAT: TITANIC THE MUSICAL<br />

WHERE: BIRMINGHAM HIPPODROME<br />

WHEN: <strong>APRIL</strong> 18 TO 22<br />

In the final hours of April 14, 1912, the RMS Titanic, on her maiden voyage from Southampton<br />

to New York, collided with an iceberg and ‘the unsinkable ship’ slowly sank. It was one of the<br />

most tragic disasters of the 20th Century, and some 1,517 men, women and children lost their<br />

lives. Based on real people aboard the most legendary ship in the world, Titanic The Musical is a<br />

stunning and stirring production focusing on the hopes, dreams and aspirations of her passengers.<br />

With music and lyrics by Maury Yeston and a book by Peter Stone, the pair have collectively won<br />

an Academy Award, an Emmy Award, an Olivier Award and three Tony awards. The original<br />

Broadway production of Titanic The Musical won five Tony Awards including Best Musical, Best<br />

Score and Best Book. This stunning production celebrates the 10th anniversary of its London<br />

premiere where it won sweeping critical acclaim across the board. For more details visit<br />

www.birminghamhippodrome.com<br />

40 www.jaimemagazine.com


ADVERTISING FEATURE<br />

F I N A N C E<br />

Wealth Matters<br />

A MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE WORLD OF FINANCE FROM<br />

LICHFIELD FINANCIAL ADVISER JEAN LAMB DipPFS<br />

HOW IMPORTANT IS TAX IN FINANCIAL<br />

PLANNING?<br />

Well, in my view tax is not important. It’s more than that.<br />

Tax, and consequently tax planning, is an integral part of<br />

any financial plan. Ignore it at your peril as you will only<br />

be doing part of the job of maximising the potential of<br />

your financial arrangements.<br />

Tax matters touch nearly every aspect of our finances,<br />

so optimising tax reliefs and allowances as part of a<br />

holistic financial plan is key. Otherwise you run the risk<br />

of allowing the various taxes; Income Tax, Capital Gains<br />

Tax, Inheritance Tax and so on, to dilute the returns you<br />

have carefully nurtured along the way and that dilution<br />

can be pretty significant if you aren’t careful. As such, tax<br />

planning shouldn’t be considered only at the end of the<br />

tax year – it’s something that should be built into your<br />

wider financial plan on an on-going basis.<br />

I HAVEN’T GOT A FINANCIAL PLAN!<br />

Then get talking to a good financial adviser who will<br />

discuss your financial position and your short, medium<br />

and long-term goals and aspirations. They can then work<br />

with you to develop a financial plan.<br />

Their guidance should then help towards achievement<br />

of your objectives and part of that would include making<br />

the best use of tax reliefs and allowances throughout<br />

the journey. Remember – what doesn’t get paid over to<br />

HMRC in the form of tax stays with you.<br />

The end of every tax year brings with it a flurry of activity<br />

as people scramble to make the most of their tax reliefs<br />

and allowances. But don’t just have your eye on April<br />

5. It should be woven through the fabric of your entire<br />

financial plan at every stage of your life.<br />

SO WHAT DO WE ACTUALLY MEAN BY TAX<br />

PLANNING?<br />

Tax planning isn’t always a specifically ‘visible’ part of<br />

wider financial planning, but as tax matters cut across<br />

most aspects of your personal finances it is an integral<br />

part.<br />

Therefore, when you work with your financial adviser<br />

to create a plan that can help you achieve your goals it<br />

generally does so by helping you to save money and make<br />

the most of tax efficiencies. As such it will be bespoke to<br />

your personal financial and tax position.<br />

There are many different ‘products’ out there for you<br />

to make use of when making your money work for you,<br />

but with my clients I prefer to call them ‘tax wrappers’<br />

because that is what they are. Some are free from one<br />

tax, but may be subject to another tax. Different ones will<br />

therefore be suitable for different financial scenarios and<br />

objectives. For instance, some investments which may be<br />

highly tax efficient on a personal basis, carry no benefits<br />

for Inheritance Tax planning and vice versa.<br />

Financial planning is always a work in progress in that,<br />

one way or another, there will always be elements of<br />

change to deal with. One of those elements is changes to<br />

the tax regime. This is, of course, subject to review by the<br />

Chancellor of the Exchequer every year and thus carries<br />

the potential for change which must be dealt with every<br />

year.<br />

The last Autumn Budget revealed a raft of changes to<br />

tax rates, thresholds and allowances and this is where a<br />

financial adviser can really prove their worth. Not only<br />

is it their job to keep on top of these changes and what<br />

they specifically mean for you, but also to re-evaluate your<br />

broader, tailored financial plan accordingly to keep you on<br />

track.<br />

IS TAX PLANNING REALLY THAT IMPORTANT?<br />

Yes, it is. Put simply, my job is to make it straightforward<br />

for my clients, but with the maximum positive impact.<br />

The value of an investment with St. James’s Place will be<br />

directly linked to the performance of the funds you select<br />

and the value can therefore go down as well as up. You<br />

may get back less than you invested.<br />

The levels and bases of taxation, and reliefs from taxation,<br />

can change at any time. The value of any tax relief<br />

depends on individual circumstances.<br />

Jean Lamb is Principal of Jean Lamb Wealth Consultancy<br />

6A Market Street, Lichfield, WS13 6LH - Tel: 01543 417342<br />

Email: jean.lamb@sjpp.co.uk - Website: www.jeanlamb.co.uk<br />

Jean Lamb Wealth Consultancy is an Appointed Representative of and represents only St. James’s Place Wealth Management Plc (which is<br />

authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority) for the purpose of advising solely on the Group’s wealth management products<br />

and services, more details of which are set out on the Group’s website www.sjp.co.uk/products. The ‘St. James’s Place Partnership’ and the<br />

titles ‘Partner’ and ‘Partner Practice’ are marketing terms used to describe St. James’s Place representatives.<br />

SJP Approved 27/02/<strong>2023</strong><br />

www.jaimemagazine.com<br />

41


FA S H I O N<br />

A style revival<br />

KHAKI, A PLETHORA OF POCKETS AND A NINETIES GIRL BAND VIBE; THAT’S RIGHT,<br />

SPRING’S HOTTEST FASHION TREND SEES THE COMEBACK OF CARGO TROUSERS<br />

AS UTILITARIAN STYLE TOPS THE CHARTS, SAYS AMY NORBURY<br />

THERE’S a distinctly utilitarian vibe among the hottest<br />

trends for SS23, and nothing says utility more than<br />

a pair of cargo trousers. A wardrobe staple among<br />

fashionistas everywhere in the late Nineties and early<br />

Noughties, cargo trousers have made a huge comeback<br />

of late, fuelled by the fashion set’s obsession with Y2K<br />

style.<br />

A firm favourite with celebs galore including Rihanna,<br />

Hailey Bieber and supermodel sisters Gigi and Bella<br />

Hadid, cargo trousers have been seen across the<br />

catwalks for the past two seasons, with Fendi, Coperni<br />

and more showcasing utility style on their SS23<br />

runways.<br />

And as the voice behind The Masked Singer’s hotlytipped<br />

finalist Fawn was revealed to be none other than<br />

Nineties girl band favourite - and chief cargo trouserwearer<br />

- All Saints star Natalie Appleton, it seems<br />

appropriate that her heyday style is top of the charts<br />

once again.<br />

Now back in the day, it would be the same pair of<br />

cargo trousers for all occasions, paired with your<br />

beat-up Converse during the day and styled with a<br />

tank top and heels for a night out. But for <strong>2023</strong>, the<br />

erstwhile wardrobe staple is - thankfully - seeing some<br />

refinement.<br />

Go wide-legged and relaxed for daytime cool, or opt<br />

for a tailored version for stylishly casual workwear, then<br />

look to luxe fabrics for elevated party style as dusk hits.<br />

Much like its previous iteration, the <strong>2023</strong> cargo trouser<br />

is subject to a whole host of footwear pairings, from ontrend<br />

chunky boots and casual trainers to the strappy<br />

heels favoured by early Noughties era Destiny’s Child,<br />

if you really want to turn back the style clock.<br />

And when it comes to cargo, it’s not just trousers;<br />

skirts, dresses, jackets and more are all falling for the<br />

utilitarian look. The thing to look out for? Pockets.<br />

The hallmark of the utility trend is an abundance of<br />

pockets, so this is one time where more really is more.<br />

Stylish and practical? Sign us up!<br />

REMAIN BY BIRGER CHRISTENSEN CANVAS<br />

POCKET JACKET, £325, AND WIDE LEG COTTON<br />

CARGO TROUSERS, £240, HARVEY NICHOLS.<br />

WWW.HARVEYNICHOLS.COM<br />

42<br />

www.jaimemagazine.com


£36.99<br />

£32.99<br />

£32<br />

KHAKI COTTON DOUBLE POCKET SHACKET,<br />

NEW LOOK. WWW.NEWLOOK.COM<br />

KHAKI HIGH NECK POCKET FRONT JACKET,<br />

NEW LOOK. WWW.NEWLOOK.COM<br />

KHAKI POCKET FRONT DENIM TWILL<br />

CARGO JEANS. PRETTY LITTLE THING.<br />

WWW.PRETTYLITTLETHING.COM<br />

£33.99 £29.99<br />

£79<br />

THEA PLAIN SHACKET IN RUST BROWN,<br />

FATFACE. WWW.FATFACE.COM<br />

KHAKI PARACHUTE CARGO<br />

TROUSERS, NEW LOOK.<br />

WWW.NEWLOOK.COM<br />

OLIVE SATIN LONG SLEEVE UTILITY SHIRT,<br />

NEW LOOK. WWW.NEWLOOK.COM<br />

PAPAYA DENIM PLAYSUIT,<br />

£25, MATALAN.<br />

WWW.MATALAN.CO.UK<br />

GREEN ASYMMETRICAL PLACKET<br />

JUMPSUIT, £89.50, OLIVER BONAS.<br />

WWW.OLIVERBONAS.COM


B E AU T Y<br />

Making your skincare last longer<br />

SPIRALLING BILLS MEANS CUTTING BACK ON SOME OF LIFE’S LUXURIES. SO IF YOU’RE COUNTING THE<br />

PENNIES, MAKING YOUR BEAUTY PRODUCTS LAST LONGER IS KEY. WE ASKED HEAVEN SKINCARE FOUNDER<br />

AND ROYAL FACIALIST DEBORAH MITCHELL TO SHARE HER TIPS ON GETTING THE MOST OUT OF YOUR<br />

DAILY ESSENTIALS<br />

DON’T LEAVE THE LIDS OFF YOUR<br />

CREAMS<br />

Due to their high water content, skincare products<br />

start to evaporate if they are not sealed. Decant into<br />

a smaller jar or use travel-size bottles so you can<br />

open and close those each day, leaving the larger pot<br />

intact.<br />

EXFOLIATE FOR HEALTHIER SKIN<br />

Applying moisturiser without this key step means<br />

dead skin cells sit on the surface of your skin causing<br />

dryness and dehydration. Using my Bee Peel a<br />

couple of times a week resurfaces and evens out tone,<br />

meaning you create the perfect base for your face<br />

creams.<br />

LAYER YOUR PRODUCTS<br />

When you layer a few T-shirts it keeps you warmer<br />

than wearing one jumper, because warm air is<br />

trapped between the layers and acts as an insulator.<br />

It’s similar with skincare. Layering your moisturisers<br />

means extra benefits while using less product. Apply<br />

the thinnest cream first then finish with the thickest.<br />

ADD A SERUM<br />

Infuse your moisturiser with a few drops of serum.<br />

Only mix products from the same beauty brand so<br />

you know they will blend properly. When I create<br />

my serums I go with a more potent infusion than our<br />

creams, so they’ll mix effortlessly.<br />

DON’T MIX PRODUCTS WITH WATER<br />

It may be tempting to do this if you think it will<br />

make them last longer. However, tap water contains<br />

microscopic moulds that will make your product go<br />

off quickly. Instead, apply moisturiser to dampened,<br />

freshly-toned skin – try my range of beauty boosting<br />

Hydrogels – to seal in moisture.<br />

CHOOSE MULTI-USE PRODUCTS<br />

Save the pennies by opting for a product that has<br />

more than one use. My Cleanse and Foam, for<br />

example, is a three-in-one daily essential so is very<br />

budget-friendly. It’s a non-abrasive exfoliator, toner<br />

and cleanser to improve elasticity while balancing oil<br />

levels.<br />

Heaven Skincare by Deborah Mitchell is available<br />

from Heaven Health & Beauty, 13a Market Place,<br />

Shifnal, Shropshire. You can also shop the range<br />

online at heavenskincare.com<br />

44<br />

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アパート 夀 䔀 䄀 刀 匀 伀 䘀<br />

䈀 䔀 匀 倀 伀 䬀 䔀 䘀 䤀 一 䔀 䨀 䔀 圀 䔀 䰀 䰀 䔀 刀 夀 ꀀ<br />

Specialists in designing<br />

and making, remodelling<br />

and refurbishing<br />

伀 渀 攀 漀 昀 琀 栀 攀 氀 愀 爀 最 攀 猀 琀 挀 漀 氀 氀 攀 挀 琀 椀 漀 渀 猀 漀 昀<br />

挀 漀 渀 琀 攀 洀 瀀 漀 爀 愀 爀 礀 ǻ 渀 攀 樀 攀 眀 攀 氀 氀 攀 爀 礀 椀 渀 琀 栀 攀 唀 䬀<br />

匀 瀀 攀 挀 椀 愀 氀 椀 猀 琀 猀 椀 渀 搀 攀 猀 椀 最 渀 椀 渀 最 愀 渀 搀 洀 愀 欀 椀 渀 最 Ⰰ<br />

爀 攀 洀 漀 搀 攀 氀 氀 椀 渀 最 愀 渀 搀 爀 攀 昀 甀 爀 戀 椀 猀 栀 椀 渀 最 昀 漀 爀 アパート 礀 攀 愀 爀 猀<br />

ALLEN 䄀 䰀 䰀 䔀 一 䈀 BROWN 刀 伀 圀 一 䨀 JEWELLERY<br />

䔀 圀 䔀 䰀 䰀 䔀 刀 夀<br />

䠀 Heart 攀 愀 爀 琀 漀 of 昀 吀 The 栀 攀 䌀 Country 漀 甀 渀 琀 爀 礀 匀 Shopping 栀 漀 瀀 瀀 椀 渀 最 Village 嘀 椀 氀 氀 愀 最 攀<br />

匀 Swinfen, 眀 椀 渀 昀 攀 渀 Ⰰ Lichfield, 䰀 椀 挀 栀 ǻ 攀 氀 搀 Ⰰ<br />

匀 Staffordshire 琀 愀 昀 昀 漀 爀 搀 猀 栀 椀 爀 攀 WS14 圀 匀 㐀 9QR 㤀 儀 刀<br />

01543 㔀 㐀 アパート 㐀 481948 㠀 㤀 㐀 㠀<br />

眀 www.allenbrownjewellery.co.uk<br />

眀 眀 ⸀ 愀 氀 氀 攀 渀 戀 爀 漀 眀 渀 樀 攀 眀 攀 氀 氀 攀 爀 礀 ⸀ 挀 漀 ⸀ 甀 欀<br />

昀 椀 琀<br />

We are<br />

SOÔT.<br />

Pleased to meet you.<br />

The Salon, Lichfield welcomes you to SOÔT.<br />

Re-inventing wellness, bringing affordable<br />

luxury brands, products and services<br />

together to create a holistic wellness space.<br />

Your Wellness go-to’s all in one place.<br />

SOÔT - the Wella award winning hair salon.<br />

SOÔT - the Holistic treatment room, using<br />

bespoke natural & organic products.<br />

SOÔT - the Wellness store.<br />

· Wella · Moroccan Oil · Heavenly London<br />

· Varley · Scents by SOÔT · Natural Organic<br />

Skin care, Apothespa<br />

3 Bolt Court, Lichfield<br />

01543 251296<br />

www.sootwellness.com


I N T H E N E W S<br />

A wellness go-to<br />

ESTABLISHED LICHFIELD BUSINESS THE SALON HAS REBRANDED AS SOÔT, OFFERING A HOLISTIC<br />

WELLNESS SPACE WHICH BRINGS AFFORDABLE LUXURY BRANDS, PRODUCTS AND SERVICES TOGETHER<br />

SOÔT was established post-Covid when motherdaughter<br />

duo Deborah Morgan and Siân Mitchell<br />

came together to reinvent the wellness space.<br />

With more than 30 years of experience, this familyfounded<br />

and run business is reimagining its brand<br />

to champion small, local companies and create a<br />

personal in-house experience that is rooted in quality<br />

and knowledge.<br />

Co-founder Siân Mitchell said: “I spent most of my<br />

childhood in my mom’s hair and beauty salon, with a<br />

small craft table at the top of the stairwell, watching<br />

my mom and her team hustle through clients lined<br />

up outside the store. Her whole goal was to make<br />

sure that every client felt beautiful by the time they<br />

left.<br />

“Almost three decades later we were forced to take a<br />

pause during Covid, which gave us time to see that<br />

our world had changed and it was time to reinvent<br />

the wheel. So how do we still make everyone that<br />

walks through our doors feel beautiful, and how can<br />

we bring affordable luxury to everyone? SOÔT are<br />

advocating for a future where holistic self-care is<br />

available to all.”<br />

The flagship store, located in Lichfield’s Bolt Court,<br />

is made up of three elements; SOÔT the store,<br />

SOÔT Wellness and SOÔT Hair, a Wella awardwinning<br />

salon. Customers will be able to book<br />

treatments online though the SOÔT website, as well<br />

as purchase exclusive products and find seasonal style<br />

tips from LA celebrity stylist Molly Rabuchin.<br />

Siân adds: “During the late 1800s our greatgrandfather<br />

and his brother came to the West<br />

Midlands on horseback, opening up the first hair<br />

salon, The Hall Brothers.<br />

“With more than 30 years of experience in the hair<br />

industry and being third generation hairdressers,<br />

this family-founded business brings a wealth of<br />

knowledge rooted in experience.”<br />

The SOÔT team includes Ricky Harding, who<br />

trained at Vidal Sassoon and is a Wella Master of<br />

Colour Expert (MCE). Ricky has featured in Vogue<br />

magazine as one of Wella’s colourists in the UK. He<br />

has also had his work published in Hair magazine.<br />

They have recently welcomed Shane Collins to the<br />

team, a cousin and fourth generation hairdresser<br />

who was formerly style director at Toni and Guy<br />

and worked alongside Hairdressers Journal, as well<br />

as previously owning two successful salons in the<br />

Midlands.<br />

Co-founder Deborah Morgan is a holistic specialist<br />

who heads up SOÔT Wellness, offering treatments<br />

using Apothespa organic natural products, made and<br />

sourced in Devon, which are infused with essential<br />

oils and bespoke to each client.<br />

The start of the year saw SOÔT launch their own<br />

hand-poured, British-made luxury vegan candle<br />

collection, which is the first of many product<br />

launches planned for <strong>2023</strong>.<br />

Siân added: “When looking for brands to stock in<br />

our flagship store, I came across jewellery brand<br />

Heavenly London in a small store in Alderley Edge.<br />

I later wore a necklace at home in Los Angeles and I<br />

have never had so many compliments on one piece.<br />

Styling this collection with a casual t-shirt and jeans<br />

or at a red carpet event, it was timeless.<br />

“This summer we are excited to announce the<br />

launch of our collaboration with Heavenly London<br />

and to be styling some of Hollywood’s red carpets<br />

events.”<br />

SOÔT is based at 3 Bolt Court, Lichfield. For more<br />

details visit www.sootwellness.com<br />

46<br />

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J'Aime Half Page.indd 1 22/08/2022 09:47<br />

FINE ART<br />

AUCTIONEERS<br />

& VALUERS<br />

Established and Professional<br />

since 1864<br />

The Lichfield Auction Centre<br />

Wood End Lane, Fradley Park WS13 8NF<br />

01543 251081<br />

office@richardwinterton.co.uk<br />

The Tamworth Auction Rooms<br />

34-35 Church Street, Tamworth B79 7BX<br />

01827 217746<br />

tamworth@richardwinterton.co.uk


I N T H E N E W S<br />

Training body and mind<br />

THE CENTRE FOR PERSONAL RESILIENCE, IN STREETLY, IS A UNIQUE, FULL-TIME<br />

TRAINING CENTRE OFFERING BESPOKE TRAINING IN A RANGE OF KUNG-FU DISCIPLINES<br />

COMBINING PHYSICAL AND MENTAL WELL-BEING<br />

Master Neil Barker is an expert in personal resilience,<br />

conflict management and a leading authority in kungfu<br />

psychology. He has trained intensively in Wing<br />

Chun Dynamics Kung-Fu and the ancient Chinese<br />

art of Iron Shirt Chi Kung under the guidance of<br />

Master David Taylor.<br />

The training was held behind closed doors which<br />

meant Neil was uniquely positioned to learn not only<br />

Wing Chun Dynamics kung-fu from the system’s<br />

founder but also to study the unique and ancient<br />

arts of Golden Bell Chi Kung and Chen Jin Iron<br />

Shirt training method. Neil considers himself very<br />

fortunate to have had this experience as very few<br />

people are taught this particular and ancient art<br />

outside of the temples of China.<br />

Coming out of the COVID lockdown in March 2021,<br />

Neil opened The Centre for Personal Resilience in<br />

Streetly as a full time facility offering bespoke training<br />

experiences that promote focus, mental resilience,<br />

physical well-being and emotional control through his<br />

kung-fu and chi kung expertise.<br />

Neil’s martial journey began studying traditional<br />

Wing Chun in 1998, and in 2010 he took the<br />

opportunity to study both the Chen Jin Iron Shirt<br />

Training method and also the ancient art of Golden<br />

Bell Chi Kung so that he could gain a more in-depth<br />

understanding of using energy or ‘chi’ to enhance his<br />

kung-fu knowledge and also supplement his physical<br />

and mental well-being.<br />

Through his continued study in both kung-fu and chi<br />

kung, Neil has come to understand the deeper aspects<br />

of Chinese martial arts and that kung-fu is not simply<br />

about fighting.<br />

To complement his kung-fu teaching and to further<br />

develop his own expertise, Neil began using the<br />

knowledge and skills gained from his kung-fu training<br />

to offer corporate clients assistance and training<br />

development in areas ranging from confidence and<br />

mental focus to stress management and personal<br />

progression.<br />

Neil uses his knowledge and expertise to support<br />

MASTER NEIL BARKER<br />

individuals who are dealing with commonplace<br />

challenges including stress, insomnia and anxiety, but<br />

can also be adapted for those who simply want to<br />

improve technique and enhance physical well-being.<br />

Depending on the individual needs of each client,<br />

training is primarily delivered through four main<br />

pathways: Wing Chun Dynamics, which is a kung-fu<br />

system developed over 30 years for personal selfdefence;<br />

Full Metal Jacket – Iron Shirt Chi Kung,<br />

based on ancient Shaolin exercises for personal wellbeing<br />

and internal health; Kung-Fu Cross Fit, which<br />

is cross-training/HIIT based on kung-fu exercises,<br />

incorporating boxing training, kettlebell exercises,<br />

battle ropes and more to offer a full body workout;<br />

and Stress-Proof, which are bite-sized sessions, ideal<br />

for letting off a little steam in your day.<br />

Training sessions are bespoke to meet each client’s<br />

training goals, and can be offered as private lessons<br />

with 1-2-1 tuition, or in small private groups. There<br />

is also a variety of classes scheduled throughout the<br />

week, and Neil also offers on-site corporate sessions<br />

and online tuition.<br />

The Centre for Personal Resilience is located at<br />

Lower Ground Floor, 58 Thornhill Road, Streetly,<br />

B74 3EN. For more details visit<br />

www.centreforpersonalresilience.com<br />

or call 07598 352766.<br />

48<br />

www.jaimemagazine.com


Celebrating ten years<br />

of growing success<br />

I N T H E N E W S<br />

LICHFIELD GARDEN CENTRE, BASED AT CURBOROUGH COUNTRYSIDE<br />

CENTRE IS CELEBRATING TEN YEARS IN BUSINESS THIS YEAR<br />

Back in January 2013 owner Byron Lewis took<br />

on what was then called G-Scapes Plant Centre,<br />

after the previous owners Elizabeth and Malcolm<br />

Gee decided to concentrate on their long-standing<br />

landscape business and wholesale plant nursery.<br />

Having previously worked there as the manager,<br />

Byron was eager for a new challenge and decided<br />

to take on the business.<br />

“It was either that or get my passport stamped and<br />

head back to the South Wales Valleys!” he says.<br />

A lot has changed at the garden centre over that<br />

time, including the development of their popular<br />

Garden Club, where members take advantage of<br />

a discount weekend once a month, plus discounted<br />

tickets on coach trips run by the garden centre.<br />

“We have expanded our range of days out by<br />

coach over the years and have visited some amazing<br />

gardens, including Highgrove Gardens, Kew,<br />

Hampton Court and Blenheim Palace as well as the<br />

major garden shows like Chelsea & Malvern,” says<br />

Byron.<br />

“For those of ‘a certain age’, the ‘10 percent Tuesday’<br />

promotion has been in place since day one, offering<br />

10 percent off products if you are over 60 – not<br />

surprisingly this is one of the most popular days of<br />

the week. Customers can’t wait to show us their bus<br />

passes to get their discount!”<br />

There are now four members of staff taking care of<br />

the huge range of trees, shrubs and perennials that<br />

are sold at the centre. That number increased during<br />

the Covid pandemic, as the popularity of gardening<br />

soared with people confined to their homes.<br />

“We ended up with additional three delivery drivers<br />

and vans out on the road taking plants and compost to<br />

customers who could not get out to shop,” says Byron.<br />

“Family members who couldn’t work in their regular<br />

jobs came to lend a hand during the lockdown period<br />

- over the course of the lockdown we made more than<br />

1,300 deliveries, compared to two or three a week in<br />

normal times. I even delivered 16 bags of farmyard<br />

manure to a customer in the boot of my car!”<br />

As gardening tastes have changed over time, so have<br />

the types of products sold. The garden centre has<br />

branched out into solar lighting, furniture, and garden<br />

mirrors and ornaments too. Growing your own fruit,<br />

vegetables and herbs has never been so popular –<br />

again this was partly a result of the Covid lockdown,<br />

and now with the cost of living ever increasing, people<br />

are discovering how easy it can be to produce your<br />

own crops at home, even if you only have a balcony<br />

or window box. Houseplants have also seen a surge in<br />

popularity over recent times, with people wanting to<br />

bring the outside indoors.<br />

Christmas has also taken off at the Garden Centre,<br />

with nearly 500 real Christmas Trees sourced from<br />

mid-Wales sold every year, as well as an increasing<br />

range of festive goodies. Home-made wreaths and<br />

table decorations are produced by staff members<br />

Jennie and Nicola, with some customers returning<br />

every year to place their orders early.<br />

“We’d like to thank all our customers old and new for<br />

their support over the last ten years and look forward<br />

to celebrating the next ten!” concludes Byron.<br />

www.jaimemagazine.com 49


I N T H E N E W S<br />

The beautiful game<br />

BEAU DESERT GOLF CLUB, NEAR CANNOCK, IS CELEBRATING THE LAUNCH OF ITS ACADEMY<br />

THIS MONTH, WELCOMING PLAYERS WHO ARE NEW TO GOLF OR RETURNING TO THE SPORT AND<br />

ENCOURAGING MORE LADIES, IN PARTICULAR, TO GO ALONG AND GIVE IT A TRY<br />

Beau Desert means ‘the beautiful wilderness’<br />

and that’s just what Beau Desert Golf course is<br />

– a beautiful panorama of fairways, greens and<br />

trees and home to the majestic stags and deer,<br />

cheeky squirrels and the many songbirds.<br />

So, even without the golf, it’s an uplifting,<br />

enhanced walk which raises the spirits in any<br />

weather. Then add the golf and you have a<br />

complete experience in which there’s challenge<br />

and reward, hopefully in equal measure.<br />

Beau Desert opened its doors to ladies 75<br />

years ago, since which time there’s been<br />

much to celebrate in the Ladies’ Section. And<br />

now they’re looking to build on their successes by<br />

introducing new members, both new to golf and<br />

those with experience.<br />

To encourage newcomers to the sport, Beau<br />

launched its academy on March 1, which is the<br />

perfect place for new golfers and those who may<br />

be considering a return to golf to go along and give<br />

it a go. Additionally, a warm welcome awaits ladies<br />

who may have moved into the area or are looking to<br />

change clubs.<br />

There are three levels in the academy, all of which<br />

give access to the superb clubhouse, practice facilities<br />

and friendly social events.<br />

Membership is available on an annual basis. No<br />

experience is necessary and all the golf equipment<br />

BEAU DESERT HAS<br />

A THRIVING LADIES<br />

SECTION<br />

THE PICTURESQUE<br />

SETTING OF BEAU<br />

DESERT GOLF CLUB<br />

will be provided if required. Lessons include group<br />

and individual coaching, all provided by the firstclass<br />

professional services team.<br />

The R and A, supported by England Golf,<br />

recently launched the Women in Golf Charter<br />

to attract women and girls into the sport, as well<br />

as encouraging them to consider a career in golf.<br />

England Golf has its own strategy to attract women<br />

into golf and remove the idea that it’s an elitist sport,<br />

restricted only to men and boys - which is certainly<br />

not the case. Even in the hardest winter months,<br />

you’ll find the Beau Desert ladies out on the course,<br />

enjoying the challenge, camaraderie and exhilaration<br />

of 18 holes, surrounded by the beauty that only an<br />

English winter can bring.<br />

At Beau, there is a Women in Golf Ambassador,<br />

Kate Darcy, who, along with the WIG<br />

committee, is striving hard to spread the<br />

message across the Cannock Chase and<br />

Lichfield areas that golf is for women of all ages<br />

and golfing experience. As a further incentive,<br />

there will be an attractive package for the<br />

first ten ladies who sign up to the Level Three<br />

Academy.<br />

Beau Desert Golf Club is situated on Rugeley<br />

Road, Hazelslade, Cannock. For more<br />

information, help or advice visit www.bdgc.<br />

co.uk or call Sharon or Chris on 01543 422<br />

626 or email academy@bdgc.co.uk<br />

50<br />

www.jaimemagazine.com


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