J’AIME MARCH/APRIL 2023

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 

J’AIME 

Win! 

family tickets 

to Staffordshire 

County Show 

Gifts 

for mum 

all wrapped up 

MasterChef: 

The Professionals finalists 

wow in Lichfield 

STEP INTO SPRING WITH FRESH 

FASHION AND INTERIORS IDEAS

Welcome to J’AIME 

As we head into spring, the days are getting longer, 

the evenings are getting lighter and there’s a sense of 

optimism in the air now that we’ve made it through 

the long, cold winter months. Spring is probably my 

favourite time of year, when everything feels fresh 

and new, and beautiful spring flowers begin to pop up 

wherever you look. Not to mention that it’s the time for 

hot cross buns and Easter eggs, two of (in my humble 

opinion!) the best seasonal treats! 

Lichfield chef Jack Dubberley takes a look at some of 

the best spring produce to look out for now, while we’ve 

got some fresh interiors ideas if you’re looking to refresh 

your home decor. 

There’s a whole host of great shows coming to the 

Midlands this spring, so theatre fans are in for a real 

treat. Lichfield Garrick plays host to one of the most 

celebrated plays of all time as Agatha Christie’s 

The Mousetrap comes to the city as part of its 70th 

anniversary tour. We caught up with one of the stars 

of the show, Gwyneth Strong - known to millions as 

Cassandra in Only Fools and Horses - as well as the 

novelist’s grandson Mathew Prichard, for whom the 

play was originally written, to discover more about its 

enduring appeal. 

We also caught up with MasterChef: The Professionals 

winner Nikita Pathakji and finalists Sagar Massey and 

Charlie Jeffreys when they paid a whirlwind visit to 

Lichfield to cook with Sauce Supper Club - and MAY 

have managed to get our hands on the prestigious 

MasterChef trophy in the process. 

Elsewhere, there are all your usual favourites from 

fashion and beauty to interiors and food news to keep 

you going until next time! 

If you enjoy what you read in this issue, then why not 

help us to spread the word? As well as being delivered 

directly to homes in selected postcodes across the 

area, you can pick J’AIME up free of charge in major 

supermarkets around the Midlands, as well as read the 

whole thing - and plenty more! - online at 

www.jaimemagazine.com 

EDITOR: AMY NORBURY 

EDITOR@JAIMEMAGAZINE.COM 

ADVERTISING: JAN ASHLEY 

ADVERTISING@JAIMEMAGAZINE.COM 

07388 335 931 

DESIGN: DESIGN@JAIMEMAGAZINE.COM 

CONTRIBUTORS: JACK DUBBERLEY, 

JEAN LAMB, DEBORAH MITCHELL 

J’AIME IS PUBLISHED BY ASHBURY 

PUBLICATIONS LIMITED. 

Check us out online at: 

WWW.JAIMEMAGAZINE.COM 

Find us on 

/JAIMEMAGAZINE 

@JAIMEMAGAZINE 

@JAIMEMAGAZINE 


3

CO N T E N T S 

InsideJ’aime this month... 

8 The Mousetrap - Agatha Christie’s recordbreaking 

play comes to the Lichfield Garrick 

as part of its 70th anniversary tour 

14 Interiors - Pretty in purple 

18 Interiors - Dining room refresh 

22 Competition - Win one of five family tickets to 

Staffordshire County Show 

23 Business - Lichfield’s longest-established 

kitchens and bedrooms business 

24 Mother’s Day - Spoil your mum with our gift 

ideas 

28 Food and drink - When the MasterChef: The 

Professionals finalists came to Lichfield 

32 Food and drink - Reviewing Giggling Squid, 

Mere Green 

34 Food and drink - Seasonal food ideas from 

Dubberley Delicious 

38 What’s On - TThe best events around the 

Midlands this spring 

41 Wealth Matters - The world of finance with 

Jean Lamb 

42 Fashion - A style revival 

44 Beauty - Making the most of your skincare 

46 In the news - A wellness destination in Lichfield 

48 In the news - Training for body and mind in 

Sutton Coldfield 

49 In the news - Celebrating a milestone at 

Lichfield Garden Centre 

50 In the news - A warm welcome at Beau Desert 

Golf Club 

4 

www.jaimemagazine.com

F E AT U R E 

The trappings of success 

AS AGATHA CHRISTIE’S RECORD-BREAKING WHODUNNIT THE MOUSETRAP COMES TO THE 

LICHFIELD GARRICK AS PART OF ITS 70TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR THIS MONTH, AMY NORBURY 

CAUGHT UP WITH THE CELEBRATED AUTHOR’S GRANDSON, MATHEW PRICHARD, AND ONE 

OF THE PLAY’S LEADING LADIES, GWYNETH STRONG, TO DISCOVER MORE 

THE MOUSETRAP COMES TO 

LICHFIELD GARRICK THIS MONTH 

On Mathew Prichard’s ninth birthday, he received 

a rather unique gift from his beloved grandmother. 

It wasn’t a toy, nor a game - but a play. The 

grandmother in question was none other than 

Agatha Christie, now the world’s bestselling author, 

and the play was enthralling murder mystery The 

Mousetrap, which is, some 70 years later, the world’s 

longest-running play. 

Making its debut in 1952, The Mousetrap has been 

performed continuously in London’s West End ever 

since - bar a closure between March 2020 and May 

2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic - being staged 

more than 28,500 times and seen by more than 10 

million people in London alone. 

The show’s 70th anniversary tour kicked off 

in September last year at the Theatre Royal 

Nottingham - the setting for The Mousetrap’s world 

premiere - and has since visited venues up and down 

the country. The iconic show comes to the Lichfield 

Garrick from March 27 to April 1. featuring a stellar 

touring cast including former Eastender Todd Carty, 

and Only Fools and Horses favourite Gwyneth 

Strong. 

Mathew says: “It is by now well-known that she 

gave me The Mousetrap for my ninth birthday. I do 

not, I’m afraid, remember much about the actual 

presentation (if there was one) and probably nobody 

realised until much later what a marvellous present 

it was, but it is perhaps worth remembering that my 

grandmother had been through many times in her 

life when money was not plentiful. It was therefore 

incredibly generous of her to give away such a play 

8 


FORMER EASTENDER TODD 

CARTY WILL BE A FAMILIAR FACE 

TO THE AUDIENCE 

to her grandson, as in 1952 her books were only 

approaching the enormous success they have now 

become. 

“It is also a mistake to think of her generosity only in 

terms of money. She loved giving pleasure to others 

– good food, a holiday, a present, or a birthday ode. 

She loved enjoying herself, and also to see others 

around her enjoying themselves.” 

As a novellist, Agatha Christie’s renown is 

unparalleled. But to Mathew, she was simply a 

grandmother. 

“I suppose it took some time for it to sink in that I 

had a famous grandmother known to the world as 

Agatha Christie,” he says: “ 

“I first remember her during the years when I was at 

preparatory school and her house at Wallingford was 

nearby. We used to have enjoyable ‘exeats’ 

on Sundays and it was, I think, then that 

the first glimmers of truth came through. 

“Very sensibly, the headmaster of my 

school insisted on initialling all books that 

came into the school. I came back from 

Wallingford clutching the latest Agatha 

Christie and wondering, quite genuinely, 

whether the Head could possibly find 

any reason for withholding the coveted 

signature. He never did! There was, 

however, one occasion when my book took 

a terribly long time to re-appear. Later I 

realised that the headmaster’s wife had 

taken the opportunity to read it! 

“In such small ways, therefore, did I 

become aware that I had a talented 

grandmother. Not that it made a great 

deal of difference to me. She was just a 

marvellous grandmother and someone nice 

to have around.” 

Agatha Christie was a prolific 

writer, penning some 66 

detective novels and 15 short 

story collections as part of a 

body of work which has, to 

date, sold more than two billion 

copies. And her family often 

got to be the first readers of her 

new tales. 

Mathew says: “She could 

manage to write a book 

almost without one noticing 

and sometimes she used to 

read the new one to us in the 

summer down in Devonshire. 

She did so partly, I suspect, to 

test audience reaction, but partly to entertain us on 

the inevitable wet afternoons when, no doubt, I was 

rather difficult to amuse! We all tried to guess, and 

my mother was the only one who was ever right. I 

think most of my friends who met her during those 

years were quite astonished that such a mild, gentle 

grandmother could really be the authoress of all 

those stories of intrigue, murder and jealousy.” 

Black Coffee was Agatha Christie’s first foray into 

writing for theatre, making its debut in 1930. But it 

was in the 1950s that her theatre works became more 

prolific. She became the first female playwright to 

have three plays running simultaneously in London: 

The Mousetrap, Witness for the Prosecution and 

Spider’s Web. 

THE MOUSETRAP IS CELEBRATING ITS 70TH ANNIVERSARY 


9

“I think she always had a love/ 

fright relationship with the 

theatre. Although I am sure she 

found experience very wearing, 

she always enjoyed other people’s 

enthusiasm for her plays and 

found it infectious,” Mathew says. 

“I went to The Mousetrap 

several times with her in varying 

company – family parties, 

girlfriends, and the Eton cricket 

team when I was captain in 

1962. I would say we all enjoyed 

the play and my grandmother’s 

company in equal measure. But 

she was enthusiastic about other 

people’s plays as well, about 

archaeology, opera and perhaps 

above all about food! In short, 

she was an exciting person to be 

with because she always tried to 

look on the good side of things 

and people; she always found 

something to enthuse about. 

“When I had the pleasure of taking my own 

children, aged 12 and 11, to The Mousetrap for 

the first time they enjoyed it tremendously, and 

crossed off assiduously in their programmes those 

whom they thought couldn’t have done it (the real 

culprit was excluded at an early stage!). It was great 

evening for me, and would have been, I am sure, for 

my grandmother had she been there. I think it tells 

us something about the success of the play, too: it 

contains so much for everybody – humour, drama, 

suspense and a jigsaw puzzle – suitable for all ages 

THE THRILLING ‘WHODUNNIT’ 

HAS WOWED AUDIENCES FOR 

SEVEN DECADES 

JOELLE DYSON STARS 

AS MOLLIE RALSTON 

and taste; regrettably not too many plays on the 

London scene can say the same, and I sometimes 

feel that actors and actresses, anxious like everybody 

else for employment, must wish that there were more 

plays with universal appeal like this.” 

Such was Christie’s impact on the theatre scene 

that, in 1976 when her death was announced, 

from natural causes at the age of 85, two West End 

theatres – the St. Martin’s, where The Mousetrap 

was playing, and the Savoy, which was home to a 

revival of Murder at the Vicarage – dimmed their 

outside lights in her honour. 

Mathew says: “My family 

received hundreds of letters from 

all different walks of life and 

every part of the world, and I 

have never seen such a uniform 

expression of devotion and 

admiration. No doubt that was 

because she was a kind, generous 

and devout person, and preferred 

always to believe the best of 

people. She never had an unkind 

word to say about anybody. 

“We were all left with many 

happy memories and, of course, 

all her books and plays, which I 

am sure will be enjoyed for many 

generations to come.” 

10 www.jaimemagazine.com

Q&A with Gwyneth Strong 

Perhaps best known to millions as Rodney’s wife 

Cassandra in Only Fools and Horses, Gwyneth Strong 

plays the formidable Mrs Boyle. 

What attracted you to The Mousetrap? 

I did it once before on tour, in 2019, and when I was asked 

‘Would you like to do it again?’, my memories of that 

first time were so good that I thought ‘I’d love to do this 

again’. As an actor it’s lovely when you get another chance 

at something and I have such happy memories of it. The 

audiences love it so much and it’s got such a tinge of 

history, especially with it now being the 70th anniversary. I 

just thought ‘I definitely want to be part of that’. 

How would you describe Mrs Boyle as a 

character? 

For the poor young couple who are trying to run a 

guesthouse for the first time, she’s a nightmare guest. 

She’s the last person you’d want to have turn up when you 

haven’t really had much practice because she’s very fussy 

and has very high standards. 

Can you recall when you first saw the play? 

I hadn’t actually seen it before signing on for that first 

tour. As an actor you often have friends in shows that you 

go and see but that had never happened to me with The 

Mousetrap. Then I went to see it in London and I just fell 

in love with it. I thought it was so clever and had so many 

threads in it that are actually relevant now. For example, 

she talks about how people’s pasts affect their futures. Back 

then people didn’t talk much about that and they certainly 

didn’t put it in plays. 

The show is celebrating its 70th anniversary. How 

do you account for its longevity? 

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

coming back to it now where I sort of know it, it feels 

new. That’s nice when you get a change of cast because 

everybody brings something a little different to their roles 

and you get a new energy and a new take on it. That’s 

one of the reasons I fancied having another go at playing 

Mrs. Boyle. That’s always nice, especially if you love the 

role. As for the success of the play itself, I haven’t got the 

answer. I don’t think anyone does, otherwise they’d write 

one themselves. 

Does it surprise you, especially in an era of social 

media, that audiences don’t spill any secrets 

about who the murderer is? 

It did surprise me before I was in it. Then when I was in 

it I understood why people don’t. It’s such a wonderful 

shared experience and there’s so little of that left now, 

where people come together and share something at the 

same time. They’ve proved that they want to keep shtum, 

as they say. 

Why do you think theatregoers love a murder 

mystery? 

GWYNETH STRONG PLAYS MRS 

BOYLE IN THE MOUSETRAP 

People love to solve plots. We like the twists and turns and 

so many times, that first time round, people would say to 

me afterwards ‘We had a big row in the interval, me and 

my husband’ or ‘Me and my kids’. They’d be arguing 

about who they thought would turn out to be revealed as 

the baddie. 

You came to fame in Only Fools and Horses but 

what have been your favourite jobs over the 

years? 

There have been lots of theatre jobs. I recently did a play 

called Ladies of Letters with my friend Tessa Peake-Jones. 

Although it was a lot of hard work, with only the two of 

us in it, it was an incredible experience and it went down 

very well. I’ve liked many of the new plays I’ve done over 

the years and ones I’ve done at the Edinburgh Festival. 

And where does Only Fools and Horses rank? [Laughs] 

It’s got to be quite high up there, hasn’t it? 

What do you most enjoy about doing theatre? 

I like being part of a company. With this one it’s a 

big group of people coming together - a large cast, 

understudies, the crew - to make one thing work for a set 

of people night after night or on a matinee. I love that. 

Why do you think Agatha Christie is the most 

successful novelist of all time? 

She’s so clever at hooking people in. With her characters, 

you’re very quick to understand who they are. That’s not 

because they’re broadly drawn, it’s because she has a great 

ear and she can put people down on the page really well. 

Then of course there are the clever, intricate plots. 

Is there any Mousetrap trivia you’ve been 

interested to learn? 

It’s not about the play as such but I’m amazed that there’s 

no statue of Agatha Christie anywhere. I think that’s awful 

and I think there should be one. When you think of how 

prolific she was we should be more proud of her than 

we are, but then there’s a shortage of female statues in 

general. 

The Mousetrap is running at the Lichfield 

Garrick from March 27 to April 1. For more 

information and to book tickets visit www. 

lichfieldgarrick.com 


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process. All garden rooms are 85% 

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CO M P E T I T I O N 

A show for all the family 

THE STAFFORDSHIRE COUNTY SHOW RETURNS TO THE STAFFORDSHIRE COUNTY 

SHOWGROUND ON WEDNESDAY, MAY 31 AND THURSDAY, JUNE 1 - AND YOU COULD 

WIN ONE OF FIVE FAMILY TICKETS TO THE EVENT 

From narrow-gauge steam railway rides and 

traditional Punch and Judy Shows to the thrilling 

Bolddog Lings Motorcycle Display Team, who will be 

performing heart-stopping stunts in the Main Ring, 

this year’s Staffordshire County Show has a jampacked 

programme for the whole family. 

The show, which is held at the Staffordshire County 

Showground, is one of the area’s major events of the 

summer and is expected to attract more than 65,000 

visitors. 

As well as that headlining show from the Bolddog 

Lings Motorcycle Display Team, the packed Main 

Ring programme includes the Young Farmer’s Floats, 

which this year has a theme of ‘A Day in History’, 

show jumping, and the Grand Parade of Livestock as 

well as the Parade of Hounds. 

New for this year in the Country Pursuits Arena is an 

incredible demonstration of dog agility and obedience 

from the West Lancs Dog Display Team. Visitors 

can also watch the birds of prey display, the ferret 

roadshow, have a go at fly casting or sit back and learn 

all about sheep with the Sheep Show. 

Around the showground there will be demonstrations 

of traditional rural crafts such as thatching, coracle 

making and drystone walling as well as a display of 

vintage cars and agricultural machinery. 

However, at the heart of this traditional county show 

- which has been held for more than 200 years - is 

livestock, with more than 1,000 cattle, sheep, pigs and 

goats and 1,500 horses and ponies. 

There are a number of competitions including 

Sheep Shearing and Wool Handling, the Farriery 

Competition and the Dog Show, which attracts 

around 2,000 dogs representing every breed of dog in 

the UK. 

Children of all ages are especially well catered for 

with a children’s farm, fairground rides and the 

opportunity to have their picture taken with giant 

tortoises that are up to 80 years old, while some 

400 trade stands and a packed food hall give ample 

shopping opportunities. 

Early Bird tickets, which offer a substantial saving on 

the gate price, are on sale now until midnight on May 

27, 2023 to print at home or download to your phone. 

Further details about the Show and details of how to 

purchase early bird tickets are available on the website 

at www.staffscountyshowground.co.uk or follow 

the show on Facebook@staffscountyshow 

Competition! 

J’AIME has teamed up with the Staffordshire County Show to offer readers the chance 

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

worth £45 each. 

For your chance to win, simply answer the following question: 

Who is the headline Main Ring attraction at The 2023 Staffordshire County Show? 

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

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

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

22 


The heart of the home 

B U S I N E S S 

WITH NEARLY FOUR DECADES OF EXPERIENCE, LICHFIELD KITCHENS AND BEDROOMS CAN GUIDE YOU 

THROUGH THE ENTIRE PROCESS OF MAKING YOUR DREAM KITCHEN OR BEDROOM A REALITY 

Shaun Johnson has spent more than 38 years helping 

clients to make the right choices when choosing 

a brand new kitchen or bedroom. As managing 

director of Lichfield Kitchens and Bedrooms - 

Lichfield’s longest-established kitchen and bedroom 

specialists - Shaun is dedicated to giving each and 

every customer exactly what they want. 

Shaun and his team will manage all areas of your 

kitchen or bedroom project, from initial design ideas 

right through to the comprehensive installation 

service. With innovative designs incorporating the 

latest in kitchen or bedroom trends and technology, 

efficient project management and a team of expert 

craftsmen on hand, customers can rest assured that 

their project is in the very best hands. 

The comprehensive showroom features a range of 

kitchen and bedroom displays incorporating a variety 

of styles, and customers are welcome to browse at 

their leisure without any pressure from salespeople. 

The team is, however, on hand to answer any 

questions and assist wherever needed. 

So if a kitchen or bedroom project is on the horizon 

and you’re looking for a personal service of the 

highest quality, Lichfield Kitchens and Bedrooms are 

sure to exceed all expectations. 

Lichfield Kitchens and Bedrooms is located on 

Britannia Enterprise Park, Lichfield. Visit 

www.lichfieldkitchensandbedrooms.com 

or call 01543 748985 for more details. 

FREE no obligation design service with our kitchen specialists 

16 -18 Britannia Way Britannia Enterprise Park, Lichfield WS14 9UY • 01543 263340 

info@lichfieldkitchensandbedrooms.com • www.lichfieldkitchensandbedrooms.com 

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


23

G I F T G U I D E 

To mum, with love 

MARK SUNDAY, MARCH 19 IN YOUR CALENDAR; IT’S MOTHER’S DAY, AND TIME TO 

CELEBRATE ALL OF THE AMAZING MUMS, STEP-MUMS AND MOTHER-FIGURES IN YOUR 

LIFE. A LITTLE TOKEN TO SHOW HOW MUCH YOU CARE, AND HOW YOU APPRECIATE 

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

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

PLENTY OF IDEAS TO SUIT MUMS EVERYWHERE. IT’S TIME TO MAKE HER DAY. 

£1,520 

£235 

9CT ROSE GOLD, BLUE TOPAZ 

AND AMETHYST DROP PENDANT, 

JOHNSONS JEWELLERS, NUNEATON. 

WWW.JOHNSONSJEWELLERS.CO.UK 

£150 

18CT WHITE GOLD, PEARL AND DIAMOND 

RING, ALLEN BROWN JEWELLERY AT HEART 

OF THE COUNTRY SHOPPING VILLAGE. 

WWW.ALLENBROWNJEWELLERY.CO.UK 

BLUSH PINK PURE MULBERRY SILK ROBE, 

SOAK & SLEEP. WWW.SOAKANDSLEEP.COM 

£140 

£27 

£139 

CANADA WOOL SCARF, ACNE 

STUDIOS AT HARVEY NICHOLS. 

WWW.HARVEYNICHOLS.COM 

CLOGAU CARIAD HORIZON BRACELET, 

JOHNSONS JEWELLERS, NUNEATON. 


CHARLOTTE TILBURY MATTE 

REVOLUTION LIPSTICK IN PILLOW TALK. 

WWW.CHARLOTTETILBURY.COM 

£175 

£85 

HOT DIAMONDS SILVER TRIO TRIPLE 

HEART NECKLACE, JOHNSONS 

JEWELLERS, NUNEATON. 


£140 

KEEP SMILING FRAMED LIMITED EDITION BY 

MANI PARKES, EDEN GALLERY. 

WWW.EDENARTANDFRAMING.CO.UK 

GUESS HOW MUCH I LOVE YOU - DANDELION 

FRAMED LIMITED EDITION BY ANITA JERAM, EDEN 

GALLERY. WWW.EDENARTANDFRAMING.CO.UK 


Home @ 

La Maison Bleue 

Paul Martyn 

Ellis Hyde 

Fireplace and Stove 

French-style home decor and 

accessories 

Custom oak, pine furniture 

and showrooms 

Custom curtains, blinds, 

and related services 

Fireplaces, stoves, 

installation and showroom 

Swinfen, Lichfield. 

WS14 9QR 

village.com 

IN APRIL WE WILL 

BE ANNOUNCING 

A SPECIAL DEAL 

FOR THE FIRST 10 

LADIES APPLYING 

TO THE 

ACADEMY 

Beau Desert Golf Course - set in the beautiful wilderness of Cannock Chase 

Ladies - would you like to learn to play golf and join our team of ladies 

already enjoying the friendship and health benefits of membership at 

Beau Desert Golf Club. There is no age limit. Our oldest lady player is 

84 and the youngest is 10 - and plenty of in-betweens! 

Our academy is now open to all comers, both those new to golf and 

more experienced players. Membership is available on an annual basis. 

Choose from 3 levels of fee based structured group and individual 

coaching by our first class professional services team. All equipment 

is provided. 

Beau Desert Golf Club, Rugeley Road, Hazelslade, Cannock, Staffs WS12 OPJ 

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

£123 

£55 

£32 

LOVE IN A MIST FLOWERS, 



VAN GOGH SUNFLOWERS 

CHIFFON SILK SCARF, FOX & CHAVE. 

WWW.FOXANDCHAVE.COM 

STORK PINK VELVET POUCH MAKEUP 

CLUTCH, ONE HUNDRED STARS. 

WWW.ONEHUNDREDSTARS.CO.UK 

SILVER, 18CT GOLD PLATED AGATE EARRINGS, 

ALLEN BROWN JEWELLERY AT HEART OF THE 

COUNTRY SHOPPING VILLAGE. 

WWW.ALLENBROWNJEWELLERY.CO.UK 

SCRUFF SIS SHEARLING TRIMMED SUEDE 

SLIPPERS, UGG AT HARVEY NICHOLS. 


£85 

£101 

RICHMOND INTERIORS JAYLYN STORAGE BOX, 

NAKEN. WWW.NAKEN.CO.UK 

£160 

PERSONALISED LUXURY MOTHERS 

DAY GIFT BOX, MARTHA BROOK. 

WWW.MARTHABROOK.COM 

£9.95 

£39.95 

LILY-FLAME CHOCOLATE TRUFFLE 

CANDLE, CURBOROUGH GIFT SHOP. 

WWW.CURBOROUGHGIFTSHOP.CO.UK 

D&X PEACOCK BROOCH, £7.99, FABLE SCARF, £15, LONG 

& SON HANDBAG, £19.99, AND LIFE CHARMS BRACELET, 

£14.95, ALL FROM CURBOROUGH GIFT SHOP. 


NOOR HAND POURED SOYA 

CANDLE AND ESSENTIAL OIL 

DIFFUSER, FROM £25, VICTORIA 

LOWE LICHFIELD. 

WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM/ 


PAMPER AND CATCH UP SPA EXPERIENCE GIFT VOUCHER 

INCLUDING A 25 MINUTE TREATMENT, GLASS OF PROSECCO 

AND SLICE OF CAKE, FROM £59 PER PERSON, MOOR HALL 

HOTEL AND SPA. WWW.MOORHALLHOTEL.CO.UK 


tatlowcarpets 

&flooring 

NEW PRODUCTS 

FOR THIS SPRING! 

Image Credits: Linwood Fabric 

@Tatlowcarpetsltd 

Tel: 01543 264766 

Alternative Flooring 

Sisal Herringbone 

Colour: Hockley 

@Tatlow_Carpets 

Please see our website for further details www.tatlowcarpets.co.uk 

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

Unit 4, Europa Way, Britannia Enterprise Park, Lichfield, Staffs, WS14 9TZ 

Home accessories • Furniture • Lamps • Rugs 

Dinner & Glassware • Clothing • Jewellery 

Giftware • Soft furnishings made to order 

Full interior design service 

136 Main Street 

Alrewas, DE13 7ED 

01283 711 272 

7A High Street, 

Tutbury, DE13 9LP 

01283 813 322 

info@needwoodliving.co.uk 

needwoodliving.co.uk 

Rosemary Lodge Residential 

Care Home for elderly ladies 

and gentlemen offers a level of 

care, community and comfort 

that is second to none. 

We are an independently 

owned, private care home and 

have been a highly regarded 

part of the community for 

over 30 years. Offering 24- 

hour care, our fully trained 

staff work together to 

communicate with residents 

and ensure personal care 

needs are met in a personcentred 

approach. 

Please get in touch to find out 

more about our care. 

191 Walsall Road, Lichfield, Staffs, WS13 8AQ 

Tel: 01543 415223 

Email: contact@rosemarylodge.co.uk 

Website: www.rosemarylodge.co.uk

F O O D & D R I N K 

Kitchen mastery 

EXEMPLARY COOKING, THREE TOP CHEFS - AND A GLITTERING TROPHY, WERE JUST SOME 

OF THE HIGHLIGHTS WHEN THE 2022 MASTERCHEF: THE PROFESSIONAL FINALISTS CAME 

TO LICHFIELD FOR A SPECIAL EVENING WITH SAUCE SUPPER CLUB 

Now, I’ve always thought of myself as a dab hand 

in the kitchen. But when it comes to haute cuisine, 

I’m mostly found at the dining table, enjoying a feast 

rather than cooking it. So getting my hands on the 

coveted MasterChef trophy has never been likely. 

That was, until one chilly Sunday evening in 

Lichfield. Granted, the trophy wasn’t mine. Rather, 

it was the result of the exquisite culinary endeavours 

of Midlands chef and current MasterChef: The 

Professionals champion Nikita Pathakji. 

But Nikita was generous enough to let us hold the 

trophy which she spent weeks battling against 31 

other top chefs for. It topped off a wonderful evening 

with fine dining specialists Sauce Supper Club which 

saw Nikita reunited with fellow MasterChef finalists 

Sagar Massey and Charlie Jefferys to present a 

spectacular menu of show-inspired highlights. 

Now, creating a menu which showcases the styles 

of three very different chefs while still offering a 

cohesive culinary experience is no mean feat. Nikita’s 

classically-trained take on Asian flavours, Sagar’s 

passion for traditional Indian cuisine and Charlie’s 

refined French style may not be natural bedfellows 

- but the evening managed to combine the three to 

wonderful effect, with each chef taking on two of the 

six dishes which made up the tasting menu. 

First up, it was Sagar’s turn, and an Indian street 

food-inspired starter which encapsulated the chef to 

a tee. Raj kachori - an impressive crispy fried shell 

- filled with potato chaat flavoured with tamarind, 

mint and green chilli, and tempered by a 

cooling sweetened yoghurt, was elevated 

comfort food which left you wanting more. 

Bursting with bold flavours which danced 

on the tongue, it was a dish which hit the 

high notes and set the standard for things to 

come. 

From humble street food, it was onto the 

most luxurious of ingredients for Nikita’s 

lobster tortellini, which was served in a 

rich laksa sauce with herb salad and crispy 

vermicelli. The sweet lobster married 

perfectly with the fragrant laksa, bringing 

Nikita’s love for Asian flavours to a classical 


Lichfield Garden Centre 

Inspired Gardening 

Easter is on the way... 

Curborough 

Gift Shop 

GIFTS & CARDS FOR ALL OCCASIONS 

Get your garden ready for spring 

The Garden Centre is bursting 

with colour - get those pots & 

window boxes planted with 

Primroses, Pansies and more. 

Priced from only £1.49 

Grow your own Vegetable Plants, 

Herbs, Fruit Bushes & Trees - all 

now in stock & ready for planting. 

Enjoy fresh, tasty crops this 

summer! 

Coach Trips 2023 

Join us as we visit some great 

gardens & garden shows this 

summer, travelling direct 

from the Garden Centre. 

Malvern Spring Show Saturday 13th May £65 

Raymond Blanc's 'Le Manoir' Thursday 22nd June £329 

RHS Bridgewater Saturday 1st July £52 

Highgrove Gardens Wednesday 12th July £69 

Garden Club Members get 10% Off all prices shown - 

join up for a one-off £10 fee. 

More details on all our trips are on the website. 

Artificial & Silk Flowers 

Realistic colours, with indivual 

stems and pre-made bunches - 

perfect for any room at home. 

See our new ranges for 2023! 

CURBOROUGH COUNTRYSIDE CENTRE 

WATERY LANE, LICHFIELD WS13 8ES 

TEL: 0843 289 4525 OR 07885 387640 

OPENING HOURS: 10AM – 4PM TUESDAY TO SUNDAY 


FOLLOW US 

ART FOR ALL 

Browse Our Large and Diverse 

Range of Art and Sculpture 

at 

Eden Gallery 

Curborough Countryside Centre 

As specialists in Original and Limited Edition artwork, we 

feature a comprehensive range of framed art from established 

international artists. Together with our large and varied range of 

art, we now stock a selection of affordable sculptures by talented 

sculptors from across the UK. Large selection of smaller framed 

artwork – perfect for that unusual and inspired Mother’s Day gift. 

Find us at Curborough Countryside Centre (off 

Eastern Avenue), Lichfield. 

Postcode for your Sat Nav : WS13 8ES. 

See our website for opening times. 

Telephone : 01543 254306 

Website : www.lichfieldgardencentre.co.uk 

For The Love Of Spring – Framed Ltd Edition by Dee Nickerson 

(Framed Size 53cm x 64cm) - Price: £295 

Eden Gallery, The Hexagon Centre, Curborough 

Countryside Centre, Watery Lane, Lichfield, WS13 8ES 

Telephone: 01543 268393 - www.edenartandframing.co.uk 

Opening hours: Wed - Sun 10.00am - 4.00pm. (Tuesday by appointment only)

dish. The crispy vermicelli added a lovely 

textural contrast, with fresh herbs pulling the dish 

together. 

Charlie’s fish dish amplified the classical elements 

of the menu as halibut, seared to perfection, 

was adorned with roasted salsify, succulent razor 

clams and samphire to create a dish worthy of a 

MasterChef final. 

Throughout the evening, the chefs took turns 

to pop out of the kitchen to chat to guests and 

spill the beans on their MasterChef experience. 

Derby native Nikita spoke of her ambition to 

open her own restaurant - and perhaps Lichfield, 

just a short jaunt from her hometown, could be 

the perfect place for her to realise that dream? 

Speaking of Nikita, it was her next dish which 

was the one which had really caught my eye 

on the menu. And it didn’t disappoint. The 

tenderest pork cheeks were given the Sichuanstyle 

treatment, rendering them unctuous and 

richly flavoured, with wilted choi sum and 

pickled potato adding freshness and zing, and, 

shoestring potatoes a beautiful crunch. On the 

side, a delicately steamed pork and cabbage bao 

bun was a delicious morsel which complemented 

the dish perfectly. 

With not one, but two sweet courses on offer, we 

were in dessert heaven as the evening reached its 

climax. Sagar’s Yorkshire rhubarb, sweet yoghurt 

and white chocolate pot made heroes of its simple 

ingredients, balancing sweet, tart and richness to 

delightful effect. Digging through the sweet yoghurt 

to reveal the tender rhubarb underneath and 

ensuring each spoonful scooped up a little of each 

layer, it was a deceptively intricate dessert. 

Last, but most certainly not least, was Charlie’s 

finale. All About Lemon was a celebration of citrus, 

with the star of the show being a delicate lemon 

tart with frangipane, adorned with the most delicate 

shards of citrus meringue and garnished with pearls 

of zesty finger limes and lemon balm. Now, a good 

lemon tart is a personal favourite, and Charlie’s tart, 

with its supremely fine pastry and rich, lemon filling, 

was up there with the best of 

them. 

Sauce Supper Club’s 

ongoing partnership with 

the MasterChef finalists is 

a highlight in the Lichfield 

culinary calendar, giving 

local diners the opportunity 

to experience the kind of 

dishes which wowed judges 

including Marcus Wareing and 

Gregg Wallace throughout 

the competition. For any 

MasterChef fan - and any 

foodie in general - it’s a mustgo 

evening and the hottest 

ticket in town. 


EASTER 

AT THE GARRICK 

MONDAY 

3 APRIL 

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FRIDAY 7 

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WEDNESDAY 12 


THE LITTLE 

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LICHFIELDGARRICK.COM | BOX OFFICE 01543 412121


A journey of flavour 

IT WAS SMILES ALL ROUND AS THE SPIRIT OF THAILAND WAS TO BE FOUND IN 

ABUNDANCE AT MERE GREEN’S GIGGLING SQUID, SAYS AMY NORBURY 

My husband and I spent our honeymoon 

in Thailand some 10 years ago, travelling 

from the hustle and bustle of Bangkok, to 

the foodie haven of Chiang Mai and onto 

a tranquil Andaman island paradise. So the 

Land of Smiles definitely holds a special 

place in our hearts. 

As does the food. The fragrant curries, the 

spicy stir frys, oodles of noodles, and the 

mouth-watering treats found at little stalls 

on street corners and in packed markets, 

Thailand is world-renowned as a hotspot 

for foodies - and with good reason. Vibrant 

flavours sing in harmony as sweet, sharp 

and spicy come together to mesmerising 

effect. 

So finding a place which brings that true taste of 

Thailand to these shores is always a treat. And Mere 

Green’s Giggling Squid proved to be a real treat 

indeed. 

With restaurants all over the UK, Giggling Squid 

was founded by Thai native Pranee Laurillard to 

celebrate the food of her homeland and share her 

passion for Thai cuisine with UK diners. 

So when J’AIME was invited to sample what the 

Mere Green restaurant has to offer, we couldn’t wait 

to take our taste buds on a trip down memory lane. 

The first thing which strikes you about the Mere 

Green restaurant is the stunning decor, which 

captures the opulence of Thailand’s rich landscape. 

Beautiful florals are in abundance, from striking 

murals to flower walls and faux foliage at every turn - 

it’s an Insta-worthy setting of the highest order. 

We were shown to a table situated inside its own 

giant flower-covered birdcage - perfect for a 

romantic dinner - and couldn’t resist a quick pic 

for the ‘gram. 

Thai prawn crackers and a sweet chilli dipping 

sauce swiftly arrived courtesy of our lovely 

waitress for the evening Ida. These moreish 

morsels were perfect to nibble on while perusing 

the menus. 

First up, drinks - and I had to try one of 

Giggling Squid’s signature cocktails. The Silky 

Pink, £12.50, is a mouth-watering mix of vodka, 

Kwai Feh lychee liqueur, peach and jasmine 

green tea which was one of the best cocktails 

I’d had for some time, while the hubby was 

delighted with his favourite Thai beer, Chang. 

The menu is an impressive tome which 

showcases traditional Thai favourites alongside 

dishes with a Giggling Squid twist. And 

everything sounds so delicious that narrowing 


down our choices proved to be a time-consuming 

exercise. 

To start, we opted for a sharing platter in order to 

sample as many dishes as possible. And it had to be 

the Chang Mai platter, £17.50 for two, as it’s named 

for our favourite Thai destination. Featuring Hawker 

Moo Ping (or barbecued pork skewers), spring rolls, 

salt and pepper squid and Giggling wings, it was a 

bountiful feast indeed. 

It would be impossible to choose a favourite, as each 

element was perfectly executed and full of flavour; 

the pork was juicy and tender, the wings oh-so sticky 

and indulgent, the veggie-packed spring rolls crisp 

and fresh. The salt and pepper squid is a Giggling 

Squid bestseller, and with good reason. The 

sweet squid was perfectly balanced by its 

lightly spiced coating, and the sizable pieces 

make for a generous portion. 

When it came to the main event, I could eat 

there every day for a week and still not get 

through every dish which caught my eye. The 

duck confit, £17.95, and the Chubby Cheek 

pork, £15.50, both sounded delectable, as 

did the lamb shank Massaman, £18.95 - and 

that’s before we even ventured through the 

stir fry and noodle dishes. 

But my husband, a stickler for tradition, 

judges any Thai restaurant on the strength of 

its green curry, so Thai green chicken curry, 

£12.95, it was. And Giggling Squid’s version 

was up there with the best we’ve had. Rich, 

creamy coconut milk, fragrant Thai spices 

and plentiful veg alongside the generous 

chunks of chicken made for a luscious dish; 

paired with unctuous coconut rice, it was the 

ultimate Thai comfort food. 

Pad Thai is another firm favourite for us 

both, and Giggling Squid’s giant butterfly 

king prawn version, £16.95, took the dish to 

a whole new level. Flavoursome rice noodles 

mixed with tofu, beansprouts, sliced red 

onions, Thai chives and crunchy peanuts, 

were adorned with some of the biggest 

prawns we’d ever seen, elevating the humble 

noodle dish to majestic levels. 

We couldn’t resist ordering a som tam papaya 

salad, £7.50, to accompany our main courses. 

This traditional Thai salad combines green 

papaya with fresh chilli, cherry tomatoes, 

dried shrimp and Thai garlic in a sweet and 

sour dressing made from palm sugar, lime 

juice and fish sauce. Tantalising the taste buds 

with its heat and tartness, it brought back 

memories of scoffing the dish in abundance at 

Thai beachside cafes and street markets during our 

trip. 

The generous portions meant that dessert was 

not strictly necessary. However, a scoop or two of 

homemade ice cream was just what was needed after 

the fiery papaya salad, so we opted for black sesame 

and lychee yoghurt flavours, £4.95 each. Both were 

different and delicious, a lovely end to a fantastic 

feast. 

Our love affair with Thai food remains strong after 

all these years, and until we manage to pay a return 

visit to the Land of Smiles, Giggling Squid is sure to 

become our go-to for a Thai fix. 


33


Spring into action 

LICHFIELD CHEF JACK DUBBERLEY, OF DUBBERLEY DELICIOUS, TAKES A LOOK 

AT SOME OF THE BEST SEASONAL PRODUCE AVAILABLE RIGHT NOW - AND HOW 

TO MAKE THE MOST OF NATURE’S LARDER 

With progress being rapidly made on Dubberley 

Delicious’s new premises in the heart of Lichfield, on 

Tamworth Street, Jack Dubberley is preparing for a 

busy spring. 

His unique chef ’s table concept - which has been 

making waves on the local dining scene since he 

launched in a tiny cabin at The Plant Plot garden 

centre in 2021 - is undergoing a revamp with 

the change of location. As well as being able to 

accommodate larger bookings for his bespoke tasting 

menus, Jack is aiming to open the venue up for 

lunchtime walk ins, offering a daily changing menu. 

When he’s not overseeing the new restaurant project 

or designing menus for his chef ’s table events, Jack 

is on the lookout for the best produce to use in his 

dishes. 

“In terms of foraging, it’s now getting to the point 

that wild garlic is coming through properly,” says 

Jack. “It’s been early this year because of the milder 

weather, and the early leaves are the strongest ones 

because when they start getting bigger they start to 

ASPARAGUS SEASON 

COMES INTO PLAY IN LATE 

SPRING 

LICHFIELD CHEF JACK DUBBERLEY 

lose their intensity. 

“It’s something you can really make the most of; 

I’d use it for garnishing dishes at this point, just for 

a bit of greenery on the plate, but you can use it 

instead of normal garlic in stir frys, or in a chilli or a 

bolognaise just for that lovely garlic flavour. 

“Now, the wild garlic season could go though to the 

end of June, again depending on the weather. We’ve 

already seen the buds coming through, which you 

wouldn’t normally see until April, but this year has 

been very early. 

“Elderflower will be the next thing, usually around 

May but again it may come early because the flowers 

tend to come out quite quickly. 

“If the weather stays as it has been, everything will 

be early this year, and that even means the things 

people are planting in their gardens and allotments.” 

As spring reaches full bloom, the first British fruits 

start to make an appearance. 

“Forced rhubarb is just coming in now, 

predominantly from Yorkshire; Yorkshire rhubarb 

34 


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FORCED RHUBARB IS A FIRM FAVOURITE WITH 

CHEFS AT THIS TIME OF YEAR 

is what chefs are going crazy for at the moment, so 

much so that it’s become harder to get hold of,” says 

Jack. 

“There’s a family in Yorkshire who’ve been growing 

forced rhubarb for 80 years. It’s grown in the dark, 

with just candlelight, which is the forcing element, 

but it’s still outside, grown in a sort of metal shed so 

you still need to be past the freezing weather - it can’t 

be grown all year round. 

“The produce is amazing; it has such a beautiful, 

vibrant colour - it’s much brighter than normal wild 

rhubarb, and because the stems are thinner it’s softer 

and more tender, and sweeter too. You don’t even 

have to peel the forced stuff, just give it a quick wash. 

“Obviously, the most traditional thing to do with 

rhubarb is a crumble; just roughly chop it then cook 

it with some sugar until it starts breaking down, and 

it’ll still have that bright pink colour. 

“I love to cook it in batons and serve with lemon 

curd, shortbread crumb, some lemon verbena 

shoots and a toasted almond ice cream; because the 

rhubarb is still slightly sharp, and there’s sharpness 

from the lemon then creaminess from the ice cream, 

it creates a lovely dish for this time of year. 

“A lot of chefs do rhubarb with seafood; mackrel’s a 

good one, and scallops which is something I want to 

try. Sat Bains has got top-and-tail rhubarb, featuring 

it in his first course and last course because he really 

wants to celebrate it. 

“At this time of year there are no other British fruits 

in season which is why you’ll see forced rhubarb on 

most fine dining menus now.” 

A couple of British favourites are on horizon for 

spring too, as asparagus and Jersey Royals come to 

the fore. 

“Asparagus could come in April, again if the weather 

stays like this; it’s normally April or May, and we’re 

lucky to have New Farm here where we can get the 

freshest asparagus right on our doorstep,” says Jack. 

“A couple of years ago we had asparagus on the 

menu at our first barbecue event in April; it was 

just in time, we were going over to New Farm and 

checking on it all the time, and they picked it the 

week of our barbecue. 

“Jersey Royals come in at the start of April too; you 

can definitely taste the difference, they’re a beautiful 

ingredient and they cook really well. They come 

into us covered in dirt so they just need cleaning up 

and then cook them as they are in a nice buttery 

emulsion. You can then have them with anything; 

fish, lamb, they’re great in salads. In fact, they also go 

brilliantly with wild garlic pesto for a really seasonal 

dish.” 

Jack’s top 

seasonal tips: 

Forage for: Wild garlic - it’s in full 

swing from now until late May, with 

elderflower to follow 

Cook it now: Forced rhubarb is a 

spring highlight for chefs and will be 

featured on many a menu at this time 

of year, while Jersey Royals are a lovely 

seasonal accompaniment to spring 

lamb 

WILD GARLIC IS NOW IN 

ABUNDANCE UNTIL LATE MAY 


Explore 1,000 years of history 

Tamworth Castle is both a museum and a stunning example of an intact 

Norman motte and bailey castle, surrounded by beautiful grounds which now 

hosts a brand new playground too. Come inside and explore our history. We 

have lots of interactive displays for young and old alike. We even have a 

smartphone app - Tamworth AR Explorer - which really brings our history to life! 

State-of-the-art interactive exhibition 

The top floor of the Castle has been transformed into an 

Anglo-Saxon exhibition which brings our history to life, 

including the role of the famous warrior queen, 

Aethelflaed, and themes of battle, kingship and warrior 

culture in Anglo-Saxon Mercia. 

See the Staffordshire Hoard 

Our Anglo-Saxon exhibition also includes a 

mead hall where you can see items from the 

famous Staffordshire Hoard - the largest 

hoard of Anglo-Saxon gold ever found. 

1 - 16 April, 2023 

Dragon Egg Hunt 

Staffordshire Hoard photo credit: Birmingham Museums 

Trust on behalf of Birmingham City Council and The 

Potteries Museum & Art Gallery, Stoke-on-Trent. 

St George’s Day Extravaganza! 

See St. George, the dragon, medieval joust, encampment, games, workshops and more... 

FREE 

EVENT 

www.tamworthartsandevents.co.uk 

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

W H AT ’ S O N 

What’s On this spring 

THERE’S PLENTY TO KEEP YOU ENTERTAINED AROUND THE MIDLANDS THIS SPRING 

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

WHAT: FAMILY SPRING EVENTS 

WHERE: NATIONAL MEMORIAL ARBORETUM, 

ALREWAS 

WHEN: THROUGHOUT SPRING 

Spring into life at the National Memorial Arboretum 

with a packed programme of free fun activities and 

events for the whole family to enjoy. With more than 

150-acres of woodland and gardens, and more than 

400 fascinating memorials, the Arboretum is a space 

where everyone can explore and discover with family 

and friends. 

From the Stick Man trail, which is available on a 

daily basis, Easter and May school holiday activities, 

returning family favourite Armed Forces Weekend 

(June 24-25) to a brand-new event, the Great Garden 

Party (April 29-May 1 and May 6-8), featuring 

fun garden party themed activities designed for 

visitors of all ages, the Arboretum’s free family 

friendly spring events will give lots of opportunities 

to get outdoors, and create special memories with 

your family and friends. The Arboretum, which 

is free to enter, is open from 10am to 4pm daily, 

parking charges apply, though advance booking is 

recommended on event days to guarantee entry. For 

more details visit www.thenma.org.uk 

WHAT: LICHFIELD CAMERA CLUB SPRING 

EXHIBITION 

WHERE: THE HUB AT ST. MARY’S, LICHFIELD 

WHEN: MARCH 7 TO APRIL 1 

Lichfield Camera Club’s Spring Exhibition is 

currently on at The Hub at St. Mary’s in the centre 

of Lichfield. Visitors to the exhibition will be 

able to view nearly 100 images from all genres of 

photography. 

For any artist, the ability to share your work with the 

widest possible audience is both exciting and very 

important. The internet, through social media and 

various photo sharing websites, has transformed 

this process; however, there is nothing quite like the 

experience of viewing a physical, full size, carefully 

mounted image at your leisure, giving yourself time 

to enjoy the subtleties of composition, light and 

to reflect on the creativity of the artist. This is an 

experience you can enjoy at the Lichfield Camera 

Club Spring Exhibition. 

Richard Moore from Lichfield Camera Club 

says: “Due to the pandemic, this will be our first 

photography exhibition in the Lichfield area for 

almost three years and our members are looking 

forward to sharing their best images.” The exhibition 

is open Tuesday to Friday 9.30am-4pm, and 

Saturday 9.30am-3.30pm. For more details visit 

www.thehubstmarys.co.uk 


Explore and 

Discover 

at the Nation’s year-round 

place to remember 

FREE Entry* | 150-Acres of Woodland Landscape to Explore 

Over 400 Memorials | Large Restaurant | Indoor Exhibitions 

Two Outdoor Play Areas | Stick Man Trail 

FREE Family Experiences and Events 

Easter Holiday Activities | Spring Into Life 1 – 16 April 

The Great Garden Party 29 April – 1 May & 6 – 8 May 

May Holiday Activities | Wonderful Wellbeing 29 May – 2 June 

Armed Forces Weekend 24 & 25 June 

To find out more visit thenma.org.uk/events 

Tailor Made Tours 

A special experience for two to seven guests 

on-board an electric buggy, with a personal 

host and delicious catering options. Full and 

half day tours available. 

Gift vouchers available. 

National Memorial Arboretum 

Part of the Royal British Legion 

*Parking charges apply. 

Croxall Road, Alrewas, 

Staffordshire DE13 7AR 

thenma.org.uk 

T: 01283 245 100 

E: info@thenma.org.uk 

Charity No. 1043992

WHAT: OF MICE AND MEN 

WHERE: BIRMINGHAM REP 

WHEN: MARCH 18 TO APRIL 8 

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

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

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

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

decision. 

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

migration, racism and prejudice, it remains a parable for our times. 

A story of enduring friendship, this new production from Rep Associate Director and 

Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony Director, Iqbal Khan, focuses a 2023 lens on 

Steinbeck’s affecting tale of the crumbling American dream. For more details visit 

www.birmingham-rep.co.uk 

WHAT: ANNIE 

WHERE: THE ALEXANDRA, BIRMINGHAM 

WHEN: APRIL 3 TO 15 

The smash-hit production of Annie comes to Birmingham for Easter 2023, direct from 

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

Horwood as the tyrannical Miss Hannigan. 

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

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

a fairytale Christmas with famous billionaire, Oliver Warbucks. Meanwhile, spiteful Miss 

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

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

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

details visit www.atgtickets.com/birmingham 

WHAT: MATRICKS ILLUSION 

WHERE: LICHFIELD GARRICK 

WHEN: APRIL 7 

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

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

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

April. 

Master Illusionist Alexander Jesson is a born showman who captures the imagination of every 

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

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

their original set pieces, dynamic soundtrack and powerful performances. 

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

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

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

balance comedy and lightheartedness with curiosity, mystery and thrill for all the family. 

For more details visit www.lichfieldgarrick.com 

WHAT: TITANIC THE MUSICAL 

WHERE: BIRMINGHAM HIPPODROME 

WHEN: APRIL 18 TO 22 

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

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

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

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

stunning and stirring production focusing on the hopes, dreams and aspirations of her passengers. 

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

an Academy Award, an Emmy Award, an Olivier Award and three Tony awards. The original 

Broadway production of Titanic The Musical won five Tony Awards including Best Musical, Best 

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

premiere where it won sweeping critical acclaim across the board. For more details visit 

www.birminghamhippodrome.com 


ADVERTISING FEATURE 

F I N A N C E 

Wealth Matters 

A MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE WORLD OF FINANCE FROM 

LICHFIELD FINANCIAL ADVISER JEAN LAMB DipPFS 

HOW IMPORTANT IS TAX IN FINANCIAL 

PLANNING? 

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

Tax, and consequently tax planning, is an integral part of 

any financial plan. Ignore it at your peril as you will only 

be doing part of the job of maximising the potential of 

your financial arrangements. 

Tax matters touch nearly every aspect of our finances, 

so optimising tax reliefs and allowances as part of a 

holistic financial plan is key. Otherwise you run the risk 

of allowing the various taxes; Income Tax, Capital Gains 

Tax, Inheritance Tax and so on, to dilute the returns you 

have carefully nurtured along the way and that dilution 

can be pretty significant if you aren’t careful. As such, tax 

planning shouldn’t be considered only at the end of the 

tax year – it’s something that should be built into your 

wider financial plan on an on-going basis. 

I HAVEN’T GOT A FINANCIAL PLAN! 

Then get talking to a good financial adviser who will 

discuss your financial position and your short, medium 

and long-term goals and aspirations. They can then work 

with you to develop a financial plan. 

Their guidance should then help towards achievement 

of your objectives and part of that would include making 

the best use of tax reliefs and allowances throughout 

the journey. Remember – what doesn’t get paid over to 

HMRC in the form of tax stays with you. 

The end of every tax year brings with it a flurry of activity 

as people scramble to make the most of their tax reliefs 

and allowances. But don’t just have your eye on April 

5. It should be woven through the fabric of your entire 

financial plan at every stage of your life. 

SO WHAT DO WE ACTUALLY MEAN BY TAX 

PLANNING? 

Tax planning isn’t always a specifically ‘visible’ part of 

wider financial planning, but as tax matters cut across 

most aspects of your personal finances it is an integral 

part. 

Therefore, when you work with your financial adviser 

to create a plan that can help you achieve your goals it 

generally does so by helping you to save money and make 

the most of tax efficiencies. As such it will be bespoke to 

your personal financial and tax position. 

There are many different ‘products’ out there for you 

to make use of when making your money work for you, 

but with my clients I prefer to call them ‘tax wrappers’ 

because that is what they are. Some are free from one 

tax, but may be subject to another tax. Different ones will 

therefore be suitable for different financial scenarios and 

objectives. For instance, some investments which may be 

highly tax efficient on a personal basis, carry no benefits 

for Inheritance Tax planning and vice versa. 

Financial planning is always a work in progress in that, 

one way or another, there will always be elements of 

change to deal with. One of those elements is changes to 

the tax regime. This is, of course, subject to review by the 

Chancellor of the Exchequer every year and thus carries 

the potential for change which must be dealt with every 

year. 

The last Autumn Budget revealed a raft of changes to 

tax rates, thresholds and allowances and this is where a 

financial adviser can really prove their worth. Not only 

is it their job to keep on top of these changes and what 

they specifically mean for you, but also to re-evaluate your 

broader, tailored financial plan accordingly to keep you on 

track. 

IS TAX PLANNING REALLY THAT IMPORTANT? 

Yes, it is. Put simply, my job is to make it straightforward 

for my clients, but with the maximum positive impact. 

The value of an investment with St. James’s Place will be 

directly linked to the performance of the funds you select 

and the value can therefore go down as well as up. You 

may get back less than you invested. 

The levels and bases of taxation, and reliefs from taxation, 

can change at any time. The value of any tax relief 

depends on individual circumstances. 

Jean Lamb is Principal of Jean Lamb Wealth Consultancy 

6A Market Street, Lichfield, WS13 6LH - Tel: 01543 417342 

Email: jean.lamb@sjpp.co.uk - Website: www.jeanlamb.co.uk 

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

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

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

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

SJP Approved 27/02/2023 


41

FA S H I O N 

A style revival 

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

SPRING’S HOTTEST FASHION TREND SEES THE COMEBACK OF CARGO TROUSERS 

AS UTILITARIAN STYLE TOPS THE CHARTS, SAYS AMY NORBURY 

THERE’S a distinctly utilitarian vibe among the hottest 

trends for SS23, and nothing says utility more than 

a pair of cargo trousers. A wardrobe staple among 

fashionistas everywhere in the late Nineties and early 

Noughties, cargo trousers have made a huge comeback 

of late, fuelled by the fashion set’s obsession with Y2K 

style. 

A firm favourite with celebs galore including Rihanna, 

Hailey Bieber and supermodel sisters Gigi and Bella 

Hadid, cargo trousers have been seen across the 

catwalks for the past two seasons, with Fendi, Coperni 

and more showcasing utility style on their SS23 

runways. 

And as the voice behind The Masked Singer’s hotlytipped 

finalist Fawn was revealed to be none other than 

Nineties girl band favourite - and chief cargo trouserwearer 

- All Saints star Natalie Appleton, it seems 

appropriate that her heyday style is top of the charts 

once again. 

Now back in the day, it would be the same pair of 

cargo trousers for all occasions, paired with your 

beat-up Converse during the day and styled with a 

tank top and heels for a night out. But for 2023, the 

erstwhile wardrobe staple is - thankfully - seeing some 

refinement. 

Go wide-legged and relaxed for daytime cool, or opt 

for a tailored version for stylishly casual workwear, then 

look to luxe fabrics for elevated party style as dusk hits. 

Much like its previous iteration, the 2023 cargo trouser 

is subject to a whole host of footwear pairings, from ontrend 

chunky boots and casual trainers to the strappy 

heels favoured by early Noughties era Destiny’s Child, 

if you really want to turn back the style clock. 

And when it comes to cargo, it’s not just trousers; 

skirts, dresses, jackets and more are all falling for the 

utilitarian look. The thing to look out for? Pockets. 

The hallmark of the utility trend is an abundance of 

pockets, so this is one time where more really is more. 

Stylish and practical? Sign us up! 

REMAIN BY BIRGER CHRISTENSEN CANVAS 

POCKET JACKET, £325, AND WIDE LEG COTTON 

CARGO TROUSERS, £240, HARVEY NICHOLS. 


42 


£36.99 

£32.99 

£32 

KHAKI COTTON DOUBLE POCKET SHACKET, 

NEW LOOK. WWW.NEWLOOK.COM 

KHAKI HIGH NECK POCKET FRONT JACKET, 


KHAKI POCKET FRONT DENIM TWILL 

CARGO JEANS. PRETTY LITTLE THING. 

WWW.PRETTYLITTLETHING.COM 

£33.99 £29.99 

£79 

THEA PLAIN SHACKET IN RUST BROWN, 

FATFACE. WWW.FATFACE.COM 

KHAKI PARACHUTE CARGO 

TROUSERS, NEW LOOK. 

WWW.NEWLOOK.COM 

OLIVE SATIN LONG SLEEVE UTILITY SHIRT, 


PAPAYA DENIM PLAYSUIT, 

£25, MATALAN. 

WWW.MATALAN.CO.UK 

GREEN ASYMMETRICAL PLACKET 

JUMPSUIT, £89.50, OLIVER BONAS. 

WWW.OLIVERBONAS.COM

B E AU T Y 

Making your skincare last longer 

SPIRALLING BILLS MEANS CUTTING BACK ON SOME OF LIFE’S LUXURIES. SO IF YOU’RE COUNTING THE 

PENNIES, MAKING YOUR BEAUTY PRODUCTS LAST LONGER IS KEY. WE ASKED HEAVEN SKINCARE FOUNDER 

AND ROYAL FACIALIST DEBORAH MITCHELL TO SHARE HER TIPS ON GETTING THE MOST OUT OF YOUR 

DAILY ESSENTIALS 

DON’T LEAVE THE LIDS OFF YOUR 

CREAMS 

Due to their high water content, skincare products 

start to evaporate if they are not sealed. Decant into 

a smaller jar or use travel-size bottles so you can 

open and close those each day, leaving the larger pot 

intact. 

EXFOLIATE FOR HEALTHIER SKIN 

Applying moisturiser without this key step means 

dead skin cells sit on the surface of your skin causing 

dryness and dehydration. Using my Bee Peel a 

couple of times a week resurfaces and evens out tone, 

meaning you create the perfect base for your face 

creams. 

LAYER YOUR PRODUCTS 

When you layer a few T-shirts it keeps you warmer 

than wearing one jumper, because warm air is 

trapped between the layers and acts as an insulator. 

It’s similar with skincare. Layering your moisturisers 

means extra benefits while using less product. Apply 

the thinnest cream first then finish with the thickest. 

ADD A SERUM 

Infuse your moisturiser with a few drops of serum. 

Only mix products from the same beauty brand so 

you know they will blend properly. When I create 

my serums I go with a more potent infusion than our 

creams, so they’ll mix effortlessly. 

DON’T MIX PRODUCTS WITH WATER 

It may be tempting to do this if you think it will 

make them last longer. However, tap water contains 

microscopic moulds that will make your product go 

off quickly. Instead, apply moisturiser to dampened, 

freshly-toned skin – try my range of beauty boosting 

Hydrogels – to seal in moisture. 

CHOOSE MULTI-USE PRODUCTS 

Save the pennies by opting for a product that has 

more than one use. My Cleanse and Foam, for 

example, is a three-in-one daily essential so is very 

budget-friendly. It’s a non-abrasive exfoliator, toner 

and cleanser to improve elasticity while balancing oil 

levels. 

Heaven Skincare by Deborah Mitchell is available 

from Heaven Health & Beauty, 13a Market Place, 

Shifnal, Shropshire. You can also shop the range 

online at heavenskincare.com 

44 


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Specialists in designing 

and making, remodelling 

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昀椀琀 

We are 

SOÔT. 

Pleased to meet you. 

The Salon, Lichfield welcomes you to SOÔT. 

Re-inventing wellness, bringing affordable 

luxury brands, products and services 

together to create a holistic wellness space. 

Your Wellness go-to’s all in one place. 

SOÔT - the Wella award winning hair salon. 

SOÔT - the Holistic treatment room, using 

bespoke natural & organic products. 

SOÔT - the Wellness store. 

· Wella · Moroccan Oil · Heavenly London 

· Varley · Scents by SOÔT · Natural Organic 

Skin care, Apothespa 

3 Bolt Court, Lichfield 

01543 251296 

www.sootwellness.com

I N T H E N E W S 

A wellness go-to 

ESTABLISHED LICHFIELD BUSINESS THE SALON HAS REBRANDED AS SOÔT, OFFERING A HOLISTIC 

WELLNESS SPACE WHICH BRINGS AFFORDABLE LUXURY BRANDS, PRODUCTS AND SERVICES TOGETHER 

SOÔT was established post-Covid when motherdaughter 

duo Deborah Morgan and Siân Mitchell 

came together to reinvent the wellness space. 

With more than 30 years of experience, this familyfounded 

and run business is reimagining its brand 

to champion small, local companies and create a 

personal in-house experience that is rooted in quality 

and knowledge. 

Co-founder Siân Mitchell said: “I spent most of my 

childhood in my mom’s hair and beauty salon, with a 

small craft table at the top of the stairwell, watching 

my mom and her team hustle through clients lined 

up outside the store. Her whole goal was to make 

sure that every client felt beautiful by the time they 

left. 

“Almost three decades later we were forced to take a 

pause during Covid, which gave us time to see that 

our world had changed and it was time to reinvent 

the wheel. So how do we still make everyone that 

walks through our doors feel beautiful, and how can 

we bring affordable luxury to everyone? SOÔT are 

advocating for a future where holistic self-care is 

available to all.” 

The flagship store, located in Lichfield’s Bolt Court, 

is made up of three elements; SOÔT the store, 

SOÔT Wellness and SOÔT Hair, a Wella awardwinning 

salon. Customers will be able to book 

treatments online though the SOÔT website, as well 

as purchase exclusive products and find seasonal style 

tips from LA celebrity stylist Molly Rabuchin. 

Siân adds: “During the late 1800s our greatgrandfather 

and his brother came to the West 

Midlands on horseback, opening up the first hair 

salon, The Hall Brothers. 

“With more than 30 years of experience in the hair 

industry and being third generation hairdressers, 

this family-founded business brings a wealth of 

knowledge rooted in experience.” 

The SOÔT team includes Ricky Harding, who 

trained at Vidal Sassoon and is a Wella Master of 

Colour Expert (MCE). Ricky has featured in Vogue 

magazine as one of Wella’s colourists in the UK. He 

has also had his work published in Hair magazine. 

They have recently welcomed Shane Collins to the 

team, a cousin and fourth generation hairdresser 

who was formerly style director at Toni and Guy 

and worked alongside Hairdressers Journal, as well 

as previously owning two successful salons in the 

Midlands. 

Co-founder Deborah Morgan is a holistic specialist 

who heads up SOÔT Wellness, offering treatments 

using Apothespa organic natural products, made and 

sourced in Devon, which are infused with essential 

oils and bespoke to each client. 

The start of the year saw SOÔT launch their own 

hand-poured, British-made luxury vegan candle 

collection, which is the first of many product 

launches planned for 2023. 

Siân added: “When looking for brands to stock in 

our flagship store, I came across jewellery brand 

Heavenly London in a small store in Alderley Edge. 

I later wore a necklace at home in Los Angeles and I 

have never had so many compliments on one piece. 

Styling this collection with a casual t-shirt and jeans 

or at a red carpet event, it was timeless. 

“This summer we are excited to announce the 

launch of our collaboration with Heavenly London 

and to be styling some of Hollywood’s red carpets 

events.” 

SOÔT is based at 3 Bolt Court, Lichfield. For more 

details visit www.sootwellness.com 

46 


J'Aime Half Page.indd 1 22/08/2022 09:47 

FINE ART 

AUCTIONEERS 

& VALUERS 

Established and Professional 

since 1864 

The Lichfield Auction Centre 

Wood End Lane, Fradley Park WS13 8NF 

01543 251081 

office@richardwinterton.co.uk 

The Tamworth Auction Rooms 

34-35 Church Street, Tamworth B79 7BX 

01827 217746 

tamworth@richardwinterton.co.uk


Training body and mind 

THE CENTRE FOR PERSONAL RESILIENCE, IN STREETLY, IS A UNIQUE, FULL-TIME 

TRAINING CENTRE OFFERING BESPOKE TRAINING IN A RANGE OF KUNG-FU DISCIPLINES 

COMBINING PHYSICAL AND MENTAL WELL-BEING 

Master Neil Barker is an expert in personal resilience, 

conflict management and a leading authority in kungfu 

psychology. He has trained intensively in Wing 

Chun Dynamics Kung-Fu and the ancient Chinese 

art of Iron Shirt Chi Kung under the guidance of 

Master David Taylor. 

The training was held behind closed doors which 

meant Neil was uniquely positioned to learn not only 

Wing Chun Dynamics kung-fu from the system’s 

founder but also to study the unique and ancient 

arts of Golden Bell Chi Kung and Chen Jin Iron 

Shirt training method. Neil considers himself very 

fortunate to have had this experience as very few 

people are taught this particular and ancient art 

outside of the temples of China. 

Coming out of the COVID lockdown in March 2021, 

Neil opened The Centre for Personal Resilience in 

Streetly as a full time facility offering bespoke training 

experiences that promote focus, mental resilience, 

physical well-being and emotional control through his 

kung-fu and chi kung expertise. 

Neil’s martial journey began studying traditional 

Wing Chun in 1998, and in 2010 he took the 

opportunity to study both the Chen Jin Iron Shirt 

Training method and also the ancient art of Golden 

Bell Chi Kung so that he could gain a more in-depth 

understanding of using energy or ‘chi’ to enhance his 

kung-fu knowledge and also supplement his physical 

and mental well-being. 

Through his continued study in both kung-fu and chi 

kung, Neil has come to understand the deeper aspects 

of Chinese martial arts and that kung-fu is not simply 

about fighting. 

To complement his kung-fu teaching and to further 

develop his own expertise, Neil began using the 

knowledge and skills gained from his kung-fu training 

to offer corporate clients assistance and training 

development in areas ranging from confidence and 

mental focus to stress management and personal 

progression. 

Neil uses his knowledge and expertise to support 

MASTER NEIL BARKER 

individuals who are dealing with commonplace 

challenges including stress, insomnia and anxiety, but 

can also be adapted for those who simply want to 

improve technique and enhance physical well-being. 

Depending on the individual needs of each client, 

training is primarily delivered through four main 

pathways: Wing Chun Dynamics, which is a kung-fu 

system developed over 30 years for personal selfdefence; 

Full Metal Jacket – Iron Shirt Chi Kung, 

based on ancient Shaolin exercises for personal wellbeing 

and internal health; Kung-Fu Cross Fit, which 

is cross-training/HIIT based on kung-fu exercises, 

incorporating boxing training, kettlebell exercises, 

battle ropes and more to offer a full body workout; 

and Stress-Proof, which are bite-sized sessions, ideal 

for letting off a little steam in your day. 

Training sessions are bespoke to meet each client’s 

training goals, and can be offered as private lessons 

with 1-2-1 tuition, or in small private groups. There 

is also a variety of classes scheduled throughout the 

week, and Neil also offers on-site corporate sessions 

and online tuition. 

The Centre for Personal Resilience is located at 

Lower Ground Floor, 58 Thornhill Road, Streetly, 

B74 3EN. For more details visit 

www.centreforpersonalresilience.com 

or call 07598 352766. 

48 


Celebrating ten years 

of growing success 


LICHFIELD GARDEN CENTRE, BASED AT CURBOROUGH COUNTRYSIDE 

CENTRE IS CELEBRATING TEN YEARS IN BUSINESS THIS YEAR 

Back in January 2013 owner Byron Lewis took 

on what was then called G-Scapes Plant Centre, 

after the previous owners Elizabeth and Malcolm 

Gee decided to concentrate on their long-standing 

landscape business and wholesale plant nursery. 

Having previously worked there as the manager, 

Byron was eager for a new challenge and decided 

to take on the business. 

“It was either that or get my passport stamped and 

head back to the South Wales Valleys!” he says. 

A lot has changed at the garden centre over that 

time, including the development of their popular 

Garden Club, where members take advantage of 

a discount weekend once a month, plus discounted 

tickets on coach trips run by the garden centre. 

“We have expanded our range of days out by 

coach over the years and have visited some amazing 

gardens, including Highgrove Gardens, Kew, 

Hampton Court and Blenheim Palace as well as the 

major garden shows like Chelsea & Malvern,” says 

Byron. 

“For those of ‘a certain age’, the ‘10 percent Tuesday’ 

promotion has been in place since day one, offering 

10 percent off products if you are over 60 – not 

surprisingly this is one of the most popular days of 

the week. Customers can’t wait to show us their bus 

passes to get their discount!” 

There are now four members of staff taking care of 

the huge range of trees, shrubs and perennials that 

are sold at the centre. That number increased during 

the Covid pandemic, as the popularity of gardening 

soared with people confined to their homes. 

“We ended up with additional three delivery drivers 

and vans out on the road taking plants and compost to 

customers who could not get out to shop,” says Byron. 

“Family members who couldn’t work in their regular 

jobs came to lend a hand during the lockdown period 

- over the course of the lockdown we made more than 

1,300 deliveries, compared to two or three a week in 

normal times. I even delivered 16 bags of farmyard 

manure to a customer in the boot of my car!” 

As gardening tastes have changed over time, so have 

the types of products sold. The garden centre has 

branched out into solar lighting, furniture, and garden 

mirrors and ornaments too. Growing your own fruit, 

vegetables and herbs has never been so popular – 

again this was partly a result of the Covid lockdown, 

and now with the cost of living ever increasing, people 

are discovering how easy it can be to produce your 

own crops at home, even if you only have a balcony 

or window box. Houseplants have also seen a surge in 

popularity over recent times, with people wanting to 

bring the outside indoors. 

Christmas has also taken off at the Garden Centre, 

with nearly 500 real Christmas Trees sourced from 

mid-Wales sold every year, as well as an increasing 

range of festive goodies. Home-made wreaths and 

table decorations are produced by staff members 

Jennie and Nicola, with some customers returning 

every year to place their orders early. 

“We’d like to thank all our customers old and new for 

their support over the last ten years and look forward 

to celebrating the next ten!” concludes Byron. 

www.jaimemagazine.com 49


The beautiful game 

BEAU DESERT GOLF CLUB, NEAR CANNOCK, IS CELEBRATING THE LAUNCH OF ITS ACADEMY 

THIS MONTH, WELCOMING PLAYERS WHO ARE NEW TO GOLF OR RETURNING TO THE SPORT AND 

ENCOURAGING MORE LADIES, IN PARTICULAR, TO GO ALONG AND GIVE IT A TRY 

Beau Desert means ‘the beautiful wilderness’ 

and that’s just what Beau Desert Golf course is 

– a beautiful panorama of fairways, greens and 

trees and home to the majestic stags and deer, 

cheeky squirrels and the many songbirds. 

So, even without the golf, it’s an uplifting, 

enhanced walk which raises the spirits in any 

weather. Then add the golf and you have a 

complete experience in which there’s challenge 

and reward, hopefully in equal measure. 

Beau Desert opened its doors to ladies 75 

years ago, since which time there’s been 

much to celebrate in the Ladies’ Section. And 

now they’re looking to build on their successes by 

introducing new members, both new to golf and 

those with experience. 

To encourage newcomers to the sport, Beau 

launched its academy on March 1, which is the 

perfect place for new golfers and those who may 

be considering a return to golf to go along and give 

it a go. Additionally, a warm welcome awaits ladies 

who may have moved into the area or are looking to 

change clubs. 

There are three levels in the academy, all of which 

give access to the superb clubhouse, practice facilities 

and friendly social events. 

Membership is available on an annual basis. No 

experience is necessary and all the golf equipment 

BEAU DESERT HAS 

A THRIVING LADIES 

SECTION 

THE PICTURESQUE 

SETTING OF BEAU 

DESERT GOLF CLUB 

will be provided if required. Lessons include group 

and individual coaching, all provided by the firstclass 

professional services team. 

The R and A, supported by England Golf, 

recently launched the Women in Golf Charter 

to attract women and girls into the sport, as well 

as encouraging them to consider a career in golf. 

England Golf has its own strategy to attract women 

into golf and remove the idea that it’s an elitist sport, 

restricted only to men and boys - which is certainly 

not the case. Even in the hardest winter months, 

you’ll find the Beau Desert ladies out on the course, 

enjoying the challenge, camaraderie and exhilaration 

of 18 holes, surrounded by the beauty that only an 

English winter can bring. 

At Beau, there is a Women in Golf Ambassador, 

Kate Darcy, who, along with the WIG 

committee, is striving hard to spread the 

message across the Cannock Chase and 

Lichfield areas that golf is for women of all ages 

and golfing experience. As a further incentive, 

there will be an attractive package for the 

first ten ladies who sign up to the Level Three 

Academy. 

Beau Desert Golf Club is situated on Rugeley 

Road, Hazelslade, Cannock. For more 

information, help or advice visit www.bdgc. 

co.uk or call Sharon or Chris on 01543 422 

626 or email academy@bdgc.co.uk 

50 


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J’AIME MARCH/APRIL 2023

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