J’AIME JULY/AUGUST 2023

J U LY / A U G U S T 2 0 2 3 

J’AIME 

Y O U R L O C A L L U X U R Y L I F E S T Y L E M A G A Z I N E 

Interiors: 

calming hues and 

coastal inspiration 

Maximum 

impact: 

fashion goes fulllength 

for summer 

THE DEBUT NOVEL FROM A 

BIRMINGHAM AUTHOR STORMING 

THE BESTSELLER CHARTS

CO N T E N T S 

InsideJ’aime this month... 

6 Author Katie Bishop - The first-time author 

from Birmingham whose debut novel, inspired 

by the #metoo movement, is set to be a 

summer smash hit 

10 Lichfield Festival - Folk singer-songwriter Kate 

Rusby on her latest album, and what to expect 

from her festival show at Lichfield Cathedral 

14 Property - Rightsizing in Wylde Green 

16 Interiors - Go green with envy for verdigris 

26 Food and drink - Seasonal food ideas from 

Dubberley Delicious 

30 What’s On - The best events around the 

Midlands this summer 

36 Wealth Matters - The world of finance with 

Jean Lamb 

38 Fashion - Maximum impact 

40 Beauty - Summer skincare advice from 

Heaven’s Deborah Mitchell 

20 Interiors - Inspired by the ocean 

42 In the news - Luxurious garden escapes 

4 

www.jaimemagazine.com

Welcome to J’AIME 

It’s amazing what a bout of good weather can do for 

the general mood, and the recent spate of sunshine 

has certainly been a welcome change - summer is well 

and truly here, which means school’s out, there are 

holidays on the horizon - and there’s plenty to keep us 

all entertained right here in the Midlands too. 

Lichfield’s flagship festival is underway, bringing a 

whole host of artists to the city for a celebration of 

all things creative. We caught up with acclaimed folk 

singer-songwriter Kate Rusby, ahead of her headlining 

festival show at Lichfield Cathedral to discover how 

she’s celebrating a milestone 30 years in the business. 

Speaking of Lichfield Cathedral, their flagship 

summer event is back! We may be furthest away from 

the seaside here in the landlocked Midlands, but that 

doesn’t mean we can’t feel the sand beneath our toes 

right on our doorstep, as Lichfield Cathedral’s very 

own beach opens for business. There are activities 

galore for the whole family taking place at The Beach 

right through summer, so be sure to pop over for a 

visit! 

We also chat to Nuneaton-born author Katie Bishop, 

who is storming the bestseller charts with her debut 

novel, The Girls of Summer. A gripping drama which 

examines those heady days of first love through the 

lens of the #MeToo movement, this scorching read is 

definitely one to look out for. 

Elsewhere, we’ve got all of your usual favourites, from 

fashion and beauty to interiors and food, so we hope 

there’s plenty here for you to get stuck into. 

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 

www.jaimemagazine.com 

5

F E AT U R E 

A dream debut 

BIRMINGHAM AUTHOR KATIE BISHOP IS STORMING THE BESTSELLER CHARTS WITH HER DEBUT 

NOVEL THE GIRLS OF SUMMER, A GRIPPING TAKE ON FIRST LOVE EXAMINED THROUGH THE LENS OF 

THE #METOO MOVEMENT. AMY NORBURY DISCOVERS MORE 

When Katie Bishop walked into her local bookshop 

to be greeted with piles of her debut novel staring 

back at her, it was a dream come true. When 

she headed over to one of Birmingham’s biggest 

bookstores, Waterstones, only to discover The Girls 

of Summer taking pride of place at the front of 

the store and sharing shelf space with one of her 

favourite authors, it took publication day from 

dreamlike to surreal. 

Topical and conversation sparking, The Girls of 

Summer is a fresh take on consent, power, and how 

the memories we hold onto aren’t always the truth as 

30-year-old Rachel is forced to confront the reality 

of a relationship she had with an older man in her 

late teens, to realise that all is not as rose-tinted as it 

seems. 

Early reviews have seen the novel lauded as one of 

the hottest debuts of 2023, and picked as a summer 

must-read by every outlet from The Times, The 

Independent and The Sun, to the New York Post, 

Glamour, and Hello magazine. Apple Books picked 

The Girls of Summer as their Best of the Month, 

while a Booklist review compared Katie’s gripping 

tale to both HBO’s smash hit The White Lotus and 

Kate Elizabeth Russell’s Sunday Times bestseller My 

Dark Vanessa. 

It’s been something of a whirlwind for the 31-yearold 

since The Girls of Summer hit the shelves at the 

end of May. But while Katie, who’s originally from 

Nuneaton, had long dreamed of publishing a novel, 

it wasn’t something she ever thought would truly 

happen. 

“I’ve always loved to write, and I’ve always been a 

really big reader, but never considered doing it as a 

career,” says Katie. 

Katie started out in academic publishing, putting the 

idea of creative writing to the back of her mind. But 

it was an itch she felt she needed to scratch. 

“I started dabbling with writing a bit more,” says 

Katie. “I started doing a bit of journalism on my 

evenings and weekends, and then I started playing 

BIRMINGHAM AUTHOR 

KATIE BISHOP 

around with the idea of writing a novel. 

Katie’s first attempt, however, proved to be 

unsuccessful, when she was unable to capture the 

attention of an agent. 

“I went into lockdown feeling very dispirited,” says 

Katie. “I felt like a failure with this novel, thought 

I wasn’t going to write one again. But because of 

lockdown I lost a lot of my journalism work, so all 

of a sudden I had all of this free time and felt that I 

needed to give it another shot.” 

Katie had an idea for a new novel bubbling around, 

and with time on her hands as the world shut down 

in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, she was able 

to get stuck into the writing process once again. 

“I really liked the idea of writing a ‘one that got 

away’ story set in a beautiful, romanticised location,” 

she says. “I’m very interested in the idea of nostalgia 

and memory, and how that plays with how we view 

these big moments in our lives. 

“At the same time, it was about three years since 

6 


KATIE SIGNS COPIES OF 

THE GIRLS OF SUMMER ON 

LAUNCH DAY 

the #MeToo movement had taken hold and I’d 

spent so much of that time having discussions with 

my friends and other women, and speaking about 

my own experiences. And it felt like everyone was 

going through this collective horror, and collective 

reckoning, looking back on these formative romantic 

and sexual experiences and starting to view them in a 

different way. 

“I started to think about how I could use this idea 

of ‘the one that got away’ to explore this reckoning, 

and how it feels to realise that a relationship that has 

profoundly impacted you could be interpreted in a 

different light.” 

In just eight months, Katie had completed the first 

draft of what would become The Girls of Summer. 

With just a few minor edits, she was ready to send it 

out into the world, hoping that this time, an agent 

would bite. 

“I’d been through the process before and had the 

disappointment of it not working out so I had a 

list of agents ready but I didn’t have really high 

expectations,” says Katie. 

But after sending out the first part of the manuscript 

to seven agents, within a week they had nearly all 

come back to ask to see the full book. With offers 

from several agents on the table, Katie had her pick 

of representation. And it didn’t stop there. 

“Publishing pretty much shuts down over summer, so 

my agent came back with a list of edits and suggested 

going away and working on them, ready for when 

things reopened up in October,” says Katie. 

“She called me about two weeks later to say, because 

the book is so topical, she was worried that someone 

else would pitch something similar, and that if that 

happened I might not get a deal. So she asked me 

to get the edits done by the end of the week, so we 

could go out on submission to publishers.” 

After what Katie describes as a ‘crazy, fever dream 

week,” of working her two other jobs while honing 

the novel’s edits, The Girls of Summer went out on 

submission, attracting offers from multiple publishers 

within days. American offers and multiple translation 

deals quickly followed. 

“It all just happened very quickly, and on a much 

bigger scale than I ever dreamed it would,” says 

Katie. “I don’t think I could really believe it; it had 

been a lifelong dream and I knew how difficult it was, 

so the whole thing was far beyond my expectations.” 

The Girls of Summer’s lead character Rachel is 

inspired by many of the conversations Katie had 

around the #MeToo movement, as well as some 

more personal traits. 

“Rachel is definitely a composite of lots of different 

experiences; there are definitely elements of my own 

life and my own personality in there, particularly 

the travelling and going out into the world for the 

first time at that age I definitely drew from my own 

experience,” says Katie. 

“Something else from my own experience I put into 

Rachel was how important friendship is to her; I’ve 

got such a close group of female friends; my female 

KATIE BISHOP’S NOVEL, THE 

GIRLS OF SUMMER, IS ONE OF 

2023’S HOTTEST DEBUTS 

www.jaimemagazine.com 7

AUTHOR KATIE BISHOP AT HER 

NOVEL’S OFFICIAL LAUNCH PARTY 

friends are everything to me and as the novel goes 

on Rachel increasingly realises how important her 

female friends are to her. 

“I did a lot of travelling and backpacking when I was 

a similar age to Rachel, and what always stands out 

to me about how that time felt is this enormous sense 

of possibility, with the world feeling so open and 

exciting to you. I think inevitably, whatever direction 

your life goes in, you’re going to get that sense of 

possibility narrowing down because you’re making 

choices, settling down. 

“And what I really wanted to capture for Rachel is 

that feeling that, as an adult, she feels quite trapped, 

she’s worried that she’s made some wrong choices 

and she’s looking back and idealising this time where 

she felt so free and getting very nostalgic about that. 

“That’s also tied in with those elements of trauma 

that’s such a big theme in the novel. It’s not just that 

she’s nostalgic for this amazing, magical experience 

of youth, it’s also about the fact that she hasn’t been 

able to move on from that summer as a result of the 

trauma she experienced.” 

The novel splits its time between London and a 

remote Greek island, which serves as the setting 

for Rachel’s formative, tragic teenage summer. 

Beautifully drawn and richly evocative, Katie builds 

up a vivid picture of the island itself, transporting 

readers to pristine beaches and azure seas with ease. 

“Setting, for me when I’m reading, is just the 

most important thing; I love a really powerful 

setting,” says Katie. “The island is a beautiful, 

escapist place but it’s very small and very 

isolated; you can only get there by boat so it 

feels very claustrophobic at the same time as it 

feels like this exciting new world that Rachel is 

exploring. 

“I was writing the novel in lockdown so I 

couldn’t go on a lovely research trip to Greece; 

I was stuck in my living room like everyone 

else, really wanting to go on a holiday! So I 

think that’s one of the reasons why I ended 

up setting the novel in this beautiful, escapist 

location because that’s where I wanted to be at 

the time!” 

Now a full-time author, Katie is working on the 

follow-up to The Girls of Summer. But it hasn’t 

been all smooth sailing. 

“It’s been quite a difficult process, which I was a 

bit surprised by,” admits Katie. “When you get 

a book deal you feel more confident about your 

writing and you’ve got the security of knowing 

you’ve got a second book as part of the book 

deal. 

“You have to come up with an idea for a second book 

really quickly, because before anyone makes an offer 

they want to know what your second book is going to 

be. So I worked on this idea for about a year, but my 

heart wasn’t in it; I knew it wasn’t the book for me.” 

After sending her first attempt at novel number two 

to her publishers, Katie went back to the drawing 

board. 

“It seems like I need to be working on something 

else to actually have my best ideas,” she says. “The 

novel I’m working on now has got a lot of similar 

themes to The Girls of Summer, it’s going to be set 

in a beautiful, escapist location again, it covers a lot 

of psychological elements and it’s going to have that 

dark undertone to it that people seemed to enjoy 

with The Girls of Summer.” 

And there are more books in the pipeline. 

“I’ve got loads more ideas - although you don’t know 

until you start writing if they’re good ideas,” laughs 

Katie. “But being able to write novels full-time is just 

so far beyond anything I ever expected, and such a 

dream for me. 

“I just want to be able to keep doing this forever.” 

The Girls of Summer, by Katie Bishop, is out 

now in hardback, published by Transworld, 

Penguin Random House. RRP £14.99. Visit 

Katie’s website at www.katiebishopwrites.com 

8 


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F E AT U R E 

Pure sounds 

WITH LICHFIELD’S SHOWPIECE FESTIVAL IN FULL SWING, WE CAUGHT 

UP WITH HEADLINER, SINGER-SONGWRITER KATE RUSBY, AHEAD OF 

HER SHOW AT LICHFIELD CATHEDRAL ON JULY 13 

KATE RUSBY WILL BE TAKING 

TO THE STAGE AS PART OF 

LICHFIELD FESTIVAL 

Hailed as the ‘First Lady of Folk’ and with a 

Mercury Music accolade to her name, Kate Rusby 

has forged an impressive 30-year headlining career. 

A folk singer at heart, she’s taken the genre to new 

heights appealing way beyond the folk scene and 

her Yorkshire roots, headlining in the UK and 

internationally, performing with other big names 

in music across genres. She has a number of TV, 

radio and film credits to her name as well as her own 

record company and festival. 

2023 brings to a close a year of celebrating 30 

years in the business with a new album, 30: Happy 

Returns, featuring guests including Richard Hawley, 

KT Tunstall and Ladysmith Black Mambazo to 

name a few. This follows the success of her 2020 Top 

10 charting covers album, Hand Me Down. 

And in what is a milestone year for the acclaimed 

singer, Kate will be taking to the stage in Lichfield’s 

most prestigious venue, bringing her unique talents 

to Lichfield Cathedral on July 13 as part of Lichfield 

Festival. She will be joined on stage by her band, 

each a virtuoso in their own right, and including her 

husband and producer Damien O’ Kane. 

Although Kate’s career has been a long and 

successful one, music wasn’t a path she was initially 

keen to follow. 

Kate says: “When I look back, I had no idea what I 

wanted to do when I grew up. Everyone around me 

at school was choosing their GCSEs and I had no 

idea what to choose! I remember thinking, how do 

they all know what they want to be? I always think 

the music career chose me, not the other way round. 

“We had been taught songs and had been singing 

since we could talk, musical instruments were all over 

our house and my parents played a lot but it never 

dawned on me to make it a career. A family friend 

was involved with a festival near here and heard me 

singing and playing; she asked me to do a little spot 

10 www.jaimemagazine.com

for family, friends and fun this Summer 

JOIN US ON THE BEACH 

Saturday 22 July - Sunday 3 September 

www.lichfield-cathedral.org/beach 

Kick back and relax this summer at your Cathedral. 

There will be sand, decking, 

deck chairs, children’s activities, 

refreshments and more for you 

and the whole family to enjoy. 

CRAFT CLUB 

at the festival over 30 years ago, I said yes but then 

thought what on earth did I agree to that for? 

“I did the gig, vowed I would never do it again ‘cos I 

was so terrified I was nearly sick and shook like mad. 

Someone from another festival came up at the end 

and asked if I would play at their festival, I said yes, 

and again I was thinking, shut up Kate stop agreeing 

to these things! It just went on like that and I looked 

back after a couple of years and thought, ooh well 

I’ll give this a go for a bit and see where I end up. 

And here I am!” 

While Kate’s parents, both musicians themselves, 

were an influence on her burgeoning career, folk 

singer Nic Jones has long been one of her main 

inspirations. 

“Nic Jones, total genius!,” says Kate. “An incredible 

guitar player and when he sung, it was as if he was 

just telling you about something that happened to a 

mate. My parents had all his albums and when I was 

tall enough to work their record player, I would put 

on Nic’s albums and sit 

with my Dad’s massive 80s 

headphones and get lost in 

the world of stories he was 

telling. 

“He had a bad car 

accident over 30 years 

ago and was in a coma 

for a long time. He could 

never play like he once did, 

but he was recently back 

singing. In fact, he came to 

sing on my album called 

20, he joined me on a song 

called the Lark. When 

he started singing in the 

studio, I couldn’t help but 

LICHFIELD CATHEDRAL WILL 

PROVIDE THE STUNNING SETTING 

FOR KATE’S CONCERT. PHOTO BY 

REDLOCK PHOTOGRAPHY 

SINGER-SONGWRITER KATE 

RUSBY. PHOTO BY DAVID ANGEL 

shed a good few tears. It was a dream 

come true moment and so amazing to 

hear him sing again.” 

As well as making her mark on stage, 

Kate also runs her own record label - 

Pure Records - alongside her family. 

Kate says: “Years ago, when I was first 

thinking of making a record, lots of 

people were telling us to be careful and 

‘don’t sign your life away’ and I was 

thinking, what? This is folk music and 

surely everyone is honest! 

“But we had a sit and a think and 

at the time my dad was lecturing on 

instrument repair at Leeds College 

of Music, but he was looking for 

something new to do, so we wondered if it was 

something we could do ourselves. So, we looked into 

it, filled in some forms and created Pure Records. 

“‘Pure’ is the Greek meaning of the name Kate, 

that’s why we chose it. It has gone from strength to 

strength over the years. My mum helped with the 

accounts, brother Joe was our sound engineer for 

many years, Dad is still around but my sister Emma 

is now the MD amongst many other things. People 

ask me if it’s weird working with your family, but 

it’s not, I see it as a family butchers or bakers or 

something. In fact, it’s a great thing working with 

your family as there are no trust issues.” 

The folk music tradition of storytelling has always 

been the biggest draw of the genre for Kate. And the 

live scene, she says, is a vital part of folk. 

“I love stories, I always have and these old songs have 

great stories,” Kate says. “In fact, they are like mini 

films, setting up the characters and following their 


lives, very visual. That’s how I remember the words, 

if you follow the story in your head you can imagine 

it all unfolding, love it, totally amazing. 

“It is a form of music that is in its element when live, 

mainly because it is very interactive as audiences 

always sing along and get involved in the stories and 

songs. Also, that is the heart of folk music’s roots, 

it was a way of passing on stories and information, 

long before it was ever recorded and it is relatively 

recently that it has moved into the concert form as 

we know it. Originally, it was just sung in pubs and 

social gatherings if someone fancied getting up and 

doing a song or two. It has come a long way since 

then, but the live side of it must always continue.” 

And this ‘sharing of stories’ element is very much 

prevalent during Kate’s gigs, where chatting to her 

audiences becomes an important part of the show. 

Kate says: “I think I started chatting when I used to 

tour on my own and it was a way of having a second 

to tune my guitar between songs. It just always felt 

odd that the audience were sat looking at me while I 

tuned so I started chatting to them as I did it and it 

just went on from there. 

“And it’s also a great way to get the songs across and 

have a catch up with everyone! Although I don’t like 

to give too much away as I think it’s good for people 

to hear the songs and take from them what they 

choose. Of course, once we get chatting, me and the 

boys just can’t stop!” 

Kate’s latest album, 30: Happy Returns, marks her 

30th year in the business, and showcases a sound 

which Kate describes as a ‘little bit retro, little 

bit electro, little bit 

acoustic, old, new and 

everything in between’. 

But when she’s writing 

songs, which part comes 

first? 

“Usually the melody,” 

says Kate. “I’ll be sat 

late at night with my 

guitar or at the piano 

just messing about with 

chords and riffs and 

sometimes a tune for a 

song starts to form. If 

I can remember it the 

following day, I’ll keep 

working on it. It’s all just 

nonsense words really 

at the start then the 

lyrics just kind of drop 

KATE RUSBY PERFORMS ON JULY 13. 

PHOTO BY MORTEN FOG 

in there and then the story will start to build and on 

it goes. 

“When we are on tour and my head is in creative 

mode, I want to be in the studio trying out new songs 

and when we are in the studio I want to be on tour 

playing the new songs live! I love both sides of the 

coin, so I am happy doing both.” 

As well as all-time musical hero Nic Jones, Kate 

herself listens to a wide variety of current artists, gets 

inspired by seeing different singers perform. 

“A while ago, I went to see a fabulous lady called 

Molly Tuttle, a flat-picker and incredible singer 

from Nashville,” she says. “I was blown away, just 

amazing. I told her that the next time she comes over 

to tour over here I am going to take my girls to see 

her, I know they will be so inspired. They are both 

learning the guitar now too, so they’ll love her.” 

So when Kate performs at Lichfield Cathedral on 

July 13, what can the audience expect? 

“Ooh a little bit of everything,” Kate laughs. “Old 

songs, new songs, old songs with new tunes, new 

songs with old tunes, tunes, sad songs, happy songs. 

They can expect guitars, banjos, basses, accordions, 

tenor guitars, the famous Moog, chatting, laughing 

and the list goes on… something for everyone I 

think.” 

Kate Rusby is at Lichfield Cathedral on 

Thursday 13 July. Lichfield Festival runs 

from until July 16. For ticket bookings and 

further details visit 

www.lichfieldfestival.org or call the Box 

Office on 01543 306271. 

www.jaimemagazine.com 13

FP ER AT O PU ER RTY E 

Making the right move 

RIGHTSIZE, DON’T DOWNSIZE, TO YOUR BEST MOVE EVER, 

SAYS THE EXPERTS AT ADLINGTON RETIREMENT LIVING 

When it comes to moving, we all want 

to feel excited about the possibilities of 

our new home. We certainly don’t want 

to feel that we’re settling for less. Instead, 

we want to know that the outcome will be 

uplifting, liberating and life-enhancing. 

Adlington Retirement Living’s latest 

community, Broadleaf House in Wylde 

Green, is a place where you can enjoy 

more of all the important things in life. 

More time for the things you love, more 

space to enjoy as an extension of your 

home, plus more support from the on-site 

team who are available 24/7, 365 days a 

year. 

When you move from a family home to a retirement 

community, you’re gaining access to the outstanding 

on-site facilities and gardens, which are an extension 

of your own home. Alongside the range of 57 

brand-new one, two and three-bedroom retirement 

apartments, Broadleaf House will have an on-site 

restaurant, a homeowners’ lounge, hair salon, coffee 

lounge, therapy suite, activities studio and beautiful 

landscaped gardens. 

Adlington homeowner Bess said: “My new 

apartment is the perfect size for me. It’s lovely, and it 

looks onto the garden, which is great. I was surprised 

by how much storage there is. I’ve got room to spare. 

I’ve got the best of both worlds because I’ve also got 

all the communal areas to enjoy.” 

Maintaining a home can start to feel like a full-time 

job and, for many of Adlington’s homeowners, the 

appeal of leaving all of that behind was one of the 

reasons they decided to move. 

Alexandra Johnson, sales and marketing director, 

said: “One of the main benefits of a retirement living 

community is not having to worry about maintaining 

a house and garden anymore. It’s lovely to hear 

many of our homeowners at our other communities 

comment on the free time and energy they have 

to enjoy life. They often remark how much more 

‘me time’ they discover not having to worry about 

repairs, DIY or mowing the lawn.” 

Adlington homeowner Margaret adds: “We really 

enjoy having a beautiful garden to sit in that’s been 

maintained by somebody else. This year we had a 

lovely hot summer and we regularly ate outside. It 

was like being on holiday. Out came the Sangria 

and it was lovely. We had a garden party too in the 

summer and that was really nice, with a jazz band 

and a BBQ and drinks.” 

It’s amazing how much more time and energy you 

have when you don’t have to worry about the neverending 

‘to-do list’ around the house. 

If you would like to find out more, the Marketing 

Suite is open Monday to Saturday 10am – 5pm on 

Birmingham Road in Wylde Green. Call 0121 817 

8680 or visit www.adlington.co.uk/JAE 


Artist Impression 

Artist Impression 

RIGHTSIZE DON’ T DOWNSIZE 

Discover an inspiring new retirement 

community in Wylde Green 

We’re firm believers in rightsizing, not downsizing. When you 

move to an apartment at Broadleaf House you don’t have to 

compromise. Instead you can feel excited that the outcome 

will be uplifting, liberating and life-enhancing. Discover a place 

where you can enjoy your own private apartment, and gain a 

host of on-site facilities, plus our friendly team are on-hand 24/7, 

365 days a year with tailored personal care packages available 

should you need some extra support*. 

Marketing Suite 

now open 

Monday to Saturday 

10am - 5pm 

Broadleaf House, 

Birmingham Road, Wylde 

Green, Sutton Coldfield, 

B72 1DH 

Request a brochure or find out more 

Call 0121 817 8680 • Visit adlington.co.uk/JA 

*Additional charges apply.

I N T E R I O R S 

Green 

with envy 

VERDIGRIS, the colour created as a result of the 

oxidation of copper, is set to be a key colour trend as we 

head into summer and beyond. A mixture of green and 

blue hues, this timeless shade is sure to both soothe the 

soul and create an element of drama within your space. 

Equally suited to classic and contemporary decor schemes, 

the main appeal of verdigris lies in its versatility. Combine 

with fresh white or modern neutrals as a colour pop, 

or use more liberally to create dramatic impact which 

energises a space, rather than overwhelms. 

Verdigris pairs perfectly with a whole spectrum of colours, 

feeling bold and bright when teamed with light shades, 

while taking on a sophisticated vibe when added to darker 

tones. Add earthy reds and terracottas, meanwhile, to 

create a rich warmth within your space. 

If subtle touches are more your style, lift a neutral sofa 

with a dash of verdigris soft furnishings, or swap out your 

white bed linen with verdigris to make your bedroom pop. 

Verdigris is also a perfect foil to warm metallics; a verdigris 

shade on a bronze or copper lamp base, for example, can 

add impact to the corner of any room. 

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VERDIGRIS HARE HEAD, ELLA JAMES. 

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£179 

£978 

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Rosemary Lodge Residential 

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F O O D & D R I N K 

Fresh tastes of summer 

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 the much-awaited opening of 

Dubberley Delicious 2.0 in Lichfield city 

centre, it’s been a busy start to summer 

for Lichfield chef Jack Dubberley. While 

Jack’s new setting, on Tamworth street, 

shares its unique chef ’s table concept 

with its predecessor, the stylish space is 

a significant upgrade, boasting a larger 

dining space to comfortably seat up to 

16 guests, and a larger kitchen for Jack to 

work his magic in. 

Magic which includes the development 

of a brand new dessert to hit the menu 

for summer, which pays homage to some 

of the season’s hero ingredients. 

“My new dish uses local honey from Stonnall, which 

has just been harvested this week, to make a honey 

cake. I’ve also made an elderflower honey by adding 

foraged elderflower to warmed honey and then 

leaving it in the fridge to steep for a few weeks. It’s 

really easy to make and so seasonal.” 

Jack pairs his elderflower honey-glazed cake with a 

honey tuile, vibrant red fresh strawberries and a milk 

ice-cream, for a strawberries-and-cream feel. 

“British strawberries are just made for summer 

desserts,” says Jack. “There’s nothing better than 

JACK AND SISTER LUCY 

AT THE NEW DUBBERLEY 

DELICIOUS 

LICHFIELD CHEF JACK DUBBERLEY 

English strawberries; they’re the best in the world, 

and we have amazing strawberries right here in 

Lichfield from New Farm, you can’t get any more 

local. They last so much longer than supermarket 

strawberries; I had some strawberries from New 

Farm and they’ve lasted for two weeks. 

“And Manor Farm in Tamworth is a great place to 

go to pick your own; take the kids for a day out and 

get them interested in where their fruit comes from. 

If you can’t get to Manor Farm, then they do supply 

some of the supermarkets, so look out for them.” 

While we’re all familiar with sweet, 

juicy red strawberries, there are 

growers who deliberately cultivate 

green strawberries - which can be 

used in savoury dishes, says Jack. 

“They’re not normal strawberries 

which are underripe, but 

strawberries which are grown 

to be green,” ays Jack. “I often 

pickle them and use them with 

langoustines throughout the year; 

we get them in during the summer 

and get them preserved so we can 

still use them during the months 

where British produce is scarce.” 

Strawberries are at their peak, and 


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raspberries and cherries won’t be far behind as the 

summer months are dominated by berries. 

“Blueberries, too, should come in around late July,” 

says Jack. “But they’re an ingredient I find hard to 

use because it’s hard to get the flavour from them; 

the best thing is to just eat them straight out of the 

box, or with a bowl of yoghurt for breakfast! 

“Cherries are a big one though, and probably my 

favourite thing to buy from New Farm - they’re 

amazing. Fresh cherries on a plate with cinnamon ice 

cream is just a simple, classic dessert. 

“Last year I got around 40 punnets and pickled them 

to use all year round; you can also use the pickling 

liquor - I make a cherry gel to go with duck, but you 

can just reduce the liquor down to make a glaze, or 

just use it as a salad dressing. 

“You can also go foraging for cherries, and there are 

some cherry trees around here - it’s just about finding 

them!” 

When it comes to foraging, elderflower is also in 

abundance right now. And Jack’s elderflower honey is 

just one use for your seasonal foraged goods. 

“Elderflower has a very short window, there’s a lot 

around here and you can smell it when you walk 

past,” says Jack. “It’s great for cordials, pickles or to 

have in salads - or to create a new honey, like I’ve 

done! 

“Elderflower will then go to elderberries around late 

August, early September, depending on the weather. 

But if it stays hot the elderberries will only have a 

short window, because if you don’t get them as soon 

as they’re ripe they’ll rot and the birds will get them. 

“You can use elderberries later in the year for game 

dishes, that’s what they’re really good for.” 

On a savoury note, peas and broad beans are 

beautiful during summer, podded and eaten raw to 

get the freshest flavour. 

“I just pod the peas and use them raw,” says Jack. 

“Fresh peas are one of my favourite ingredients at 

this time of year; I use the pea shoots and shells to 

make a pea oil to dress the fresh peas, so it’s just pea, 

pea and more pea! 

“Fresh peas and broad beans in a yuzu dressing 

makes a perfect summer side dish, and I love doing 

a scallop dish which is scallop ceviche with fresh 

raw peas and pickled elderflower - it’s the taste of 

summer. 

“This is the best time of year for British produce; you 

can get everything you need right here,” adds Jack. 

“There’s no need to be getting produce from abroad 

during summer because British produce is so much 

better.” 

Jack’s top 

seasonal tips: 

Forage for: Elderflower is still going so 

use it while you can, then look out for 

elderberries to use later in the year. 

Cook it now: Berries, berries, berries 

- strawberries are perfect for a summer 

dessert, while cherries can be eaten 

now or preserved for later. 

JACK’S NEW SUMMER DESSERT PAYS 

HOMAGE TO SOME OF THE SEASON’S 

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W H AT ’ S O N 

What’s On this summer 

AS WE HEAD INTO THE SUMMER MONTHS, THERE’S A PACKED SCHEDULE OF EVENTS, 

ENTERTAINMENT AND ATTRACTIONS TAKING PLACE ACROSS THE MIDLANDS. WE TAKE A LOOK 

AT SOME OF THE SEASON’S MUST-SEES TO ADD TO YOUR CALENDAR 

WHAT: DISNEY’S THE LION KING 

WHERE: BIRMINGHAM HIPPODROME 

WHEN: JULY 6 TO SEPTEMBER 16 

A theatrical phenomenon with a whole host of 

awards, including no less than six Tony Awards and 

two Olivier Awards, Disney’s spectacular The Lion 

King comes to Birmingham’s Hippodrome this 

summer for a strictly limited season. 

Set against the majesty of the Serengeti to the 

evocative rhythms of Africa, The Lion King tells the 

story of Simba’s epic journey to fulfil his destiny as 

King of the Pridelands. 

Director Julie Taymor uses breathtaking theatrical 

magic to bring Disney’s beloved animated feature 

to life in a production which has thrilled more than 

110 million people around the world. With music by 

Sir Elton John and lyrics by Tim Rice, it’s a must-see 

show which is sure to delight audiences young and 

old. For more information and to book tickets visit 

www.birminghamhippodrome.com 

WHAT: TILT FESTIVAL 

WHERE: WEST MIDLANDS CIRCUS CENTRE, 

DIGBETH 

WHEN: JULY 10 TO 16 

TILT FESTIVAL, one of the UK’s largest aerial 

and physical theatre festivals, is back this summer 

celebrating its eighth year in Birmingham. 

Produced by Birmingham’s award winning highly 

physical theatre company RoguePlay, TILT23 will 

run for seven days and will bring together some of 

the world’s most renowned artists presenting jawdropping, 

breathtaking physical theatre and aerial 

performances right in the heart of the city. 

A highlight of this year’s exciting programme is 

Pro Night on July 14, a truly spectacular night 

of performances by the professional artists. PRO 

NIGHT offers a fast-paced evening of everything 

from five minute circus acts to brand new shows 

providing audiences with the chance to experience 

up close and personal performances within the 

intimate setting of the Circus Centre studio. 

For more details and to book tickets for shows and 

workshops, visit www.tiltfestival.com 


TUE 5 - SAT 9 SEPTEMBER 

box office 01543 412121 

www.lichfieldgarrick.com 

TICKETS 

ON SALE NOW!

WHAT: SHOWSTOPPER! THE IMPROVISED MUSICAL 

WHERE: LICHFIELD GARRICK 

WHEN: JULY 14 

Direct from the West End and now heading to the Lichfield Garrick comes 

spontaneous musical comedy at its absolute finest. 

With 12 years as an Edinburgh Fringe must-see phenomenon, a BBC Radio 

4 series, a critically acclaimed West End run and an Olivier Award to their 

name, The Showstoppers have delighted audiences across the globe with their 

ingenious blend of comedy, musical theatre and spontaneity. 

A brand new musical comedy is created from scratch at each performance of 

this award-winning show as audience suggestions are transformed on the spot 

into all-singing, all dancing productions with hilarious results. These incredible 

performers are guaranteed to impress as they create shows packed with drama, 

dazzling dance routines and catchy melodies – it’s just all made up on the spot! 

So whether you fancy Hamilton in a hospital or Sondheim in the Sahara, you 

suggest it and The Showstoppers will sing it! For more information and to book 

tickets visit www.lichfieldgarrick.com 

WHAT: DIRTY DANCING: THE MUSICAL 

WHERE: THE ALEXANDRA, BIRMINGHAM 

WHEN: JULY 18 TO 22 

Exploding with heart-pounding music, breath-taking emotion and sensationally 

sexy dancing, Dirty Dancing returns to Birmingham following a season at London’s 

Dominion Theatre. See the hit film come to life before your eyes with this fantastic, 

emotional and triumphant live stage show. 

Seen by millions across the globe this worldwide smash hit tells the classic story of Baby 

and Johnny, two fiercely independent young spirits from different worlds, who come 

together in what will be the most challenging and triumphant summer of their lives. 

The iconic story features the hit songs ‘Hungry Eyes’, ‘Hey! Baby’, ‘Do You Love Me?’ 

and the heart stopping ‘(I’ve Had) The Time Of My Life’, and an incredible cast of 

dancers. 

For more information and to book tickets, visit www.atgtickets.com/birmingham 

WHAT: THE BEACH 

WHERE: LICHFIELD CATHEDRAL 

WHEN: JULY 22 TO SEPTEMBER 

The UKs most landlocked Cathedral is all set to welcome back The Beach this summer. 

Back by popular demand, the Beach will be returning to Lichfield Cathedral from Saturday, 

July 22, to Sunday, September 3. Sand, decking, deck chairs, children’s activities and 

refreshments will be available throughout the school summer holidays for everyone to enjoy. 

There is no charge to visit The Beach, with free children’s activities organised alongside it. 

Every weekday during the school holidays from 10am-12pm, Lichfield Cathedral will be 

hosting a free Craft Club for children and big children alike. Each week will see a different 

activity with the opportunity to create artwork that will be on display in the Cathedral 

during the autumn installation: ‘Journey Through Creation.’ Children will be making light 

catchers from recycled materials, fish, feathers, clouds, and much more. 

New for 2023, Lichfield Cathedral adds the water element to the Beach. Every Monday 

and Friday during the school holidays from 10am-12pm there will be water play on the 

West Front, perfect for families with younger children. 

Also installed during the summer will be an art installation: Wellspring by Carolynn White. 

Wellspring will feature representations of water cascading and bursting from the Font, 

representing new life and refreshment for the body and soul. The artwork will be installed 

in the summer and added to by children’s creations made during the Craft Club. 

The Right Revd Jan McFarlane, Dean of Lichfield would like to invite everyone to come 

along: “Come for the day, bring a picnic, and enjoy the sand trickling through your toes. 

Join in with children and adults alike, making sandcastles, sunbathing, and simply enjoying 

relaxing in one another’s company. Life is tough at the moment, with worries about 

household bills and the cost of living. Child-like play is good for us grown-ups as well as 

the little ones. Please know that you are always welcome at Lichfield Cathedral – your 

Cathedral.” 

For more information on the Beach, visit www.lichfield-cathedral.org 


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WHAT: SUMMER EVENTS 

WHERE: NATIONAL MEMORIAL ARBORETUM, ALREWAS 

WHEN: SELECTED DAYS THROUGHOUT SUMMER 

A beautiful and inspiring place, the 150-acres of the National Memorial Arboretum form a living landscape that 

everyone will enjoy visiting. A home to more than 400 fascinating memorials, it is a space where everyone can 

explore, discover, and remember. There’s lots to do throughout the year, and as well as daily walks, tours and 

exhibitions, events designed for visitors of all ages help to tell the stories of those remembered in the grounds. 

This summer visitors can enjoy: 

A JOURNEY THROUGH ‘THE NEW WORLD: JULY 20 - SEPTEMBER 1 

This summer families of all ages can immerse themselves in an extraordinary free interactive experience. The 

New World takes its inspiration from the natural surroundings of the Arboretum and the powerful stories of 

service and sacrifice shared within its grounds. Created in collaboration with immersive environments arts 

organisation Wild Rumpus, the New World introduces five distinct themed areas that encourage creative, 

physical, and reflective activity drawing on the themes of journeys and travel, encouraging people to contemplate 

the experience of exploring new places. Visitors can journey through The New World from 10am to 5pm daily. 

SUMMER PROMS: AUGUST 4 AND 5 

This year’s Summer Proms welcomes the Band of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, Mezzo-Soprano Louise 

Callinan, Baritone Rodney Earl Clarke and all female a cappella quintet Black Voices to the stage for a fabulous 

evening of live music, rounded off with a spectacular firework finale. Advance booking required. 

CARNIVAL WINDRUSH: AUGUST 6 

In collaboration with Black Voices, the Arboretum presents Carnival Windrush, an immersive and vibrant 

day-long event of captivating poetry, invigorating music, song and dance. Carnival Windrush will celebrate and 

commemorate the remarkable individuals of the Windrush Generation, including invited Guests the Windrush 

Pioneers. 

The National Memorial Arboretum is open from 10am-5pm daily and is free to enter. Advance booking is 

recommended to guarantee entry, and save on parking, visit thenma.org.uk. 

34 


Free 

entry* 

Journey through The New World at the 

National Memorial Arboretum this Summer 

20 July - 1 September 

In collaboration with Wild Rumpus, The New World is an 

extraordinary interactive experience that draws inspiration 

from the natural surroundings of the Arboretum and the 

powerful stories of service and sacrifice we share. 

thenma.org.uk/thenewworld 

*Advance booking recommended to guarantee entry and save on parking. 

National Memorial Arboretum 

Part of the Royal British Legion 

Croxall Road, Alrewas, 

Staffordshire DE13 7AR 

thenma.org.uk 

T: 01283 245 100 

E: info@thenma.org.uk 

Charity No. 1043992

F I N A N C E 

ADVERTISING FEATURE 

Wealth Matters 

A MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE WORLD OF FINANCE FROM 

LICHFIELD FINANCIAL ADVISER JEAN LAMB DipPFS 

How much money do I need to retire? 

Now there’s a leading question. It’s one I have been asked 

many times over the last 30 years and there is no stock 

answer or formula. 

The answer really lies within ourselves because everyone’s 

situation is different, as are their expectations, preferences 

and lifestyles. 

However, we do need to somehow quantify this to 

build a plan. Helpfully, the Pension and Lifetime 

Savings Association (www.retirementlivingstandards. 

org.uk) has published figures for 2023-2024 based on 

independent research by Loughborough University, to 

show approximately how much individuals and couples 

may need to have a comfortable, moderate or minimum 

standard of living in retirement. 

I won’t quote them all, but they assess individuals need 

£23,300 a year (a £2,500 increase on the previous tax 

year) for a moderate standard of living, while couples need 

£34,000 (up by £3,800). A moderate standard of living 

stretches to £74 a week on food, with two weeks in Europe 

and one long weekend in the UK every year. All figures are 

for the UK, excluding London. 

The increase in the cost of retirement is worrying news, 

regardless of when you plan to finish working. But 

whatever stage you’re at on your saving journey, having 

a specific income in mind can help you focus and build a 

plan instead of drifting and keeping fingers crossed. 

Sources of retirement income 

These days I use that term very deliberately. When I 

started providing advice in this area all those years ago, 

we always called it “pension planning”. Not any more. 

For some time it has been much more accurate to call it 

“retirement income planning”. This is because we now 

have so many options and avenues open to us to fund our 

retirement. 

What are the options? 

Well, these days we do have a lot of complexity 

surrounding how we use our pension and investment pots 

for retirement income. However, complexity also equals 

flexibility in this set of circumstances and that can only be 

a good thing. 

Indeed, to have at your disposal pension pots that you 

can couple with investments such as ISAs to provide 

your retirement income, can help to significantly reduce 

your overall income tax burden and therefore reduce the 

amount of income you might have required had it all been 

taxable pension alone. 

Is planning and taking financial advice to plan my 

retirement that important? 

My answer is yes. Your adviser can look at your cash flow 

and help you work out how much you’ll need to live on 

and help construct your retirement plan and keep it on 

track. 

Regular reviews can also keep you and your plans up to 

date with pension legislation changes and help you take 

advantage of the flexible options and any tax planning 

opportunities available to you. 

They can also seek to ensure the risk profile of your 

investment portfolio (not just pension) is at the right 

level for you and in the best position to serve you into 

retirement. 

I feel that going it alone in such a complex arena is unlikely 

to be the best option for most people. It holds true that 

good financial planning is all about doing the best you can 

with what you’ve got and this is perhaps more essential 

today than ever before. 

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 is 

dependent 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 26/06/2023 


tatlowcarpets 

&flooring 

Image Credits: Linwood Fabric 

ALTERNATIVE 

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Home accessories • Furniture • Lamps • Rugs 

Dinner & Glassware • Clothing • Jewellery 

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info@needwoodliving.co.uk 

needwoodliving.co.uk 

@Tatlowcarpetsltd 

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Alternative Flooring 

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FA S H I O N 

Maximum impact 

IF YOU ONLY ADD ONE KEY ITEM TO YOUR WARDROBE AS SUMMER HITS, 

MAKE IT A MAXI SKIRT, SAYS AMY NORBURY 

WHILE mini skirts have been making waves in recent 

seasons, this summer sees the dominance of their more 

grown-up, elegant sister style. That’s right; hemlines this 

season are going low, low, low as maxi is the length to be seen 

in. 

Hemline fluctuations have widely been used as a barometer 

of the nation’s mood. Hemline economic theory states that 

shorter hemlines are associated with boom times - think of 

the Roaring Twenties and mini flapper dresses, or Mary 

Quant’s ubiquitous miniskirts in the Swinging Sixties - while 

longer lengths are favoured in more difficult times, such as 

the introduction of Dior’s New Look with voluminous, full 

length skirts foreshadowing the late-Forties recession. A covid 

hangover, economic turmoil and the current cost of living 

crisis would suggest there may be something in it. 

But it’s not all doom and gloom, as this season’s maxis offer 

a plethora of looks to tap into some of our favourite wider 

trends. While maxi skirts have often been saved for special 

occasions and holiday dressing, 2023 brings wearable floorsweeping 

styles for every eventuality. 

The beauty of the maxi skirt lies in its ease; they’re practical, 

a doddle to pair, and there’s a style out there to suit just about 

everyone. From low-slung boho styles to column silhouettes, 

slinky wraps or even baggy cargo maxis, it’s a stylistic feast. 

Denim continues its reign as a firm fabric favourite, and the 

denim maxi could be your early summer wardrobe hero. 

Opt for a fitted column style with a front slit (a must for 

ease of movement!) and team with stylish basics - a well-cut 

crisp white T-shirt or vest top is perfect - then sling on your 

favourite trainers and some chunky jewellery for instant 

casual cool. 

Treat a cargo maxi in broadly the same way for an outfit 

which ticks 2023 myriad trend boxes. 

For effortless elegance, boho prairie skirts - think early 

Noughties Sienna Miller - are making a comeback, while 

pleated maxis in tactile fabrics offer just the right amount of 

‘swish’ for a girlie glam vibe. Again, let the skirt do the talking 

and pair with a simple cami and your trusty flat sandals for 

an outfit which will take you everywhere this summer. 

JAYLA WOODBLOCK MAXI SKIRT, £53, 

AND HARRIET HALTER TOP, £42, FATFACE. 

WWW.FATFACE.COM 


£760 

£32.99 

£65 

CAYLIN COTTON MAXI, DRIES VAN 

NOTEN AT HARVEY NICHOLS. 

WWW.HARVEYNICHOLS.COM 

BLUE HIGH WAIST DENIM MAXI SKIRT, 

NEW LOOK. WWW.NEWLOOK.COM 

GREEN SATIN SKIRT, OLIVER BONAS. 

WWW.OLIVERBONAS.COM 

£65 

CUT OUT RIBBED SKIRT, FRAME AT HARVEY 

NICHOLS. WWW.HARVEYNICHOLS.COM 

SATIN WRAP SKIRT, PEACOCKS. 

WWW.PEACOCKS.CO.UK 

ORANGE AND PINK GRAPHIC GEO 

PRINT PLISSE SKIRT, OLIVER BONAS. 

WWW.OLIVERBONAS.COM 

£305 

£20 

KHAKI ANIMAL FLORAL PRINT 

PLEATED SKIRT, £35, ROMAN. 

WWW.ROMAN.CO.UK 

ORANGE BOHO FLORAL PRINT MAXI SKIRT, 

£35, ROMAN. WWW.ROMAN.CO.UK

B E AU T Y 

Five skincare rules to live by at 50 

ENTERING YOUR 50S IS A TIME OF CHANGE AND TRANSITION, BOTH PHYSICALLY AND 

HORMONALLY. TAKING CARE OF YOUR COMPLEXION – FROM THE RIGHT PRODUCTS TO AN 

EFFECTIVE ROUTINE – WILL KEEP YOUR SKIN LOOKING HEALTHY. ROYAL FACIALIST AND FOUNDER 

OF HEAVEN SKINCARE DEBORAH MITCHELL SHARES HER ESSENTIAL SKINCARE RULES 

CLEANSING IS KEY: Cleansing is the first and 

most crucial step of any skincare routine, whatever 

your age. It removes dirt, oil and makeup, balances 

pH levels and prepares your skin for the next steps. 

Wet your face with warm water and apply a small 

amount of cleanser with your fingertips. Massage 

in a circular motion, avoiding the eye area, rinse 

thoroughly and pat skin dry with a clean, soft towel. 

If you leave your cleanser on for a minute you’ll find 

that your makeup goes on smoother and pores will 

stay closed. My Hydro Cleansing Milk is gentle 

enough for all skin types, especially those with dry, 

blemished or oily skin. 

HYDRATION, HYDRATION, HYDRATION: 

As we age, our skin becomes more prone to moisture 

loss so keeping it hydrated is key to maintaining 

supple, plump skin. Hydrating toners – like my 

Hydrogels – will help lock in moisture. Use after 

cleansing; their lightweight texture allows subsequent 

serums, moisturisers and sunscreens to penetrate into 

the skin, maximising their effectiveness. 

firming and lifting and at the same time penetrates 

fine lines for an anti-ageing effect. 

NOURISH FROM WITHIN: Remember that 

healthy skin comes from within and one of the most 

effective ways to keep your skin in good condition 

is to eat a varied diet. Mix up the colours of your 

vegetables – think traffic lights, with each colour 

representing what your body needs. Add to this 

olives, nuts and avocados to improve elasticity, while 

citrus fruits, tomatoes, strawberries and broccoli 

are bursting with skin-saving vitamin C. And stay 

hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the 

day to keep your skin plump and healthy. 

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. 

UPGRADE YOUR INGREDIENTS: In your 

50s, it’s essential to incorporate products that target 

the specific concerns related to ageing. Introduce 

ingredients like vitamin C and hyaluronic acid that 

work in synergy to stimulate collagen production and 

reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. 

They also help improve elasticity to brighten your 

complexion and even-out skin tone. My Divine 

Cream and Age Defiance Cream are both great 

options to have in your anti-ageing arsenal. 

ESSENTIAL MOISTURISERS: Because the 

skin on your face and neck is thinner than anywhere 

else on your it’s often the first to show early signs of 

ageing. Choose a moisturiser that is designed for your 

skin type, and opt for a specific cream for your more 

delicate eye area. My bestselling Silver Bee Venom 

Mask works to control facial muscles by tightening, 


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I N T H E N E W S 

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LUXURY MEETS FUNCTIONALITY WITH A MADE-TO-MEASURE GARDEN 

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42 


Looking for your 

new home? 

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WELCOME TO BAYLISS BATHROOMS, 

THE LARGEST INDEPENDENT LUXURY 

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WHATEVER YOUR REQUIREMENTS, 

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We offer a complete ‘One Stop’ process to turn your bathroom dreams into reality, which includes: 

• A bespoke 2,500 sq ft showroom with over 20 bathroom displays located in Sutton Coldfield 

• A specialist design team to create designs to match your every need 

• Expert knowledge of our partner brands giving you access to superb products and tiles. 

• In-house installation teams working to the highest possible standards 

• Management of all aspects of the Project, providing you with a single point of contact, every step of the way 

• For those customers who require a Supply Only service, access to all leading brands at competitive cost. 

BAYLISS BATHROOMS, 23 GATE LANE, BOLDMERE, SUTTON COLDFIELD B73 5TR 

0121 362 1800 - www.baylissbathrooms.co.uk

J’AIME JULY/AUGUST 2023

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